Manila Standard - 2022 May 1 - Sunday

GMA, PINEDAS OF PAMPANGA ENDORSE BBM, KAPAMPANGANS BOOST SARA’S BID n By MARICEL V. CRUZ

RED AND GREEN.

FORMER President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Friday night led her native Pampanga province’s officials in endorsing the presidential bid of former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) before about 250,000 supporters who attended the UniTeam festival rally in San Fernando.

Vice-presidential candidate Sara Duterte wears face paint in the UniTeam colors of red and green as her running mate, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (at right), waves to a crowd of 250,000 supporters during their Grand Festival Rally Friday night at Robinson’s Grounds in San Fernando, Pampanga. Ver Noveno

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Arroyo, a former House Speaker who earlier endorsed the vice-presidential bid of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, said Marcos was also endorsed by the influential Pineda clan led by the mother-and-son tandem of Pampanga Gov. Dennis Pineda and Vice Gov. Lilia Pineda, four congressmen and 20 mayors.

This was as the people of Nueva Ecija again showed their full

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support for the UniTeam as presidential survey frontrunner “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. visited the province for the third time on Friday.

During his speech at SMDC, Barangay Sta. Arcadia, in Emilio Vergara Highway, Cabanatuan City on Friday, Marcos hailed the province for its systematic agriculture system, which he said must be done all over the country.

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IN MET R MANILAO

DAYS BEFORE ELECTION DAY

DOH junks artificial surge talk Assures no COVID uptick to be raised ‘for partisan use’ close to polls

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UMORS circulating that the Department of Health will report an artificial surge in COVID-19 cases two days before the May 9 elections “for partisan use against any candidate at any level” are false, the DOH said Saturday.

Workers to get double pay on Labor Day fete WORKERS who will be working today —May 1, Labor Day, a regular holiday— will be paid 200 percent of their wage, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said Saturday as it reminded private sector employers of the pay rules for their employees.

“We enjoin our employers to observe the pay rules for this regular holiday, much as we also advise our workers to know their rights, especially this Labor Day,” said Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, citing DOLE’s Labor Advisory No. 11 series of 2022.

This developed as labor leader and presidential aspirant Leodegario "Ka Leody" de Guzman revealed Saturday his agenda for the country's wage workers if he wins the May 9 elections.

To resolve various labor issues in the country, de Guzman laid out the following agenda: 1. The right to unionize and go on strike; 2. The implementation CONTINUED ON 3A

That day, May 7, also happens to be the last official day of campaigning for national and local elective posts.

“The Department of Health categorically denies unfounded rumors that it will report an artificial increase in COVID-19 cases close to Election Day for partisan use against any candidate at any level,” the agency said.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III also said there is no indication there will be a lockdown after the elections due to a possible rise in the number of COVID-19 cases.

Duque said if needed, there will only be granular lockdowns and not a widespread lockdown, which would force or influence voters to stay away from the polls—and allow certain candidates to benefit, CONTINUED ON 3A

COFFEE FESTIVAL. A barista pours a brew of local coffee as the annual Manila Coffee Festival returns to Fort Santiago in Intramuros, Manila, with Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat (inset) opening the event that started Friday and ends today. Danny Pata

Petron reduces household LPG price by P5.75/kl

Duterte Legacy Caravan on, part of EDSA shut to traffic PROTECTED LANDSCAPE. President Rodrigo Duterte has approved measures declaring Mt. Pulag, pictured here, and Mt. Arayat in Luzon, as well as other areas as protected landscapes. Other places the President designated as protected included the historic Tirad Pass National Park in Ilocos Sur, a portion of land in Balbalan, Kalinga, and an area in Zamboanga Sibugay.

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n By JOEL E. ZURBANO THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority announced it will enforce a road closure along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue near the People Power Monument today to give way to the

Duterte Legacy Caravan.

Based on the advisory from the agency’s Public Information Office, one lane along EDSA northbound from Corinthians Gate up to Aguinaldo Gate and White Plains-westbound from Temple CONTINUED ON 3A

PETRON Corp. on Saturday announced a big-time rollback effective today in the prices of its household and auto liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) products, following a projection by the Department of Energy of a reduction in oil product prices this week.

In an advisory, Petron said it will implement a P5.75 per kilogram rollback in household LPG prices, effective 12:01 a.m., May 1, 2022— equivalent to a price reduction of P63.25 for a typical 11-kilogram cylinder.

Petron also announced it is cutting CONTINUED ON 3A

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Russia urges US, NATO to halt Kyiv arms supply WORLD | 3A

Are animals conscious beings like humans?

PETS | 4B

Town hall gabs shift voters’ minds in our favor—Lacson NEWS | 2A

INBRIEFS MAY 1, 2022

Pampanga chants ‘daog na’ as Duterte dons ‘war paint’

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AN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga—LAKAS-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) vice presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte said Friday night the overwhelming support of Kapampangans for her and UniTeam inspires her toward victory.

Duterte, the front-running candidate for vice president in the May polls, had just stepped on stage during UniTeam’s festival rally here at Robinsons Grounds when the crowd began to chant “Daog na! Daog na!”

This was Bisaya for “Panalo ka na” or “You’re the winner,” referring to the May 9 elections.

This has been a familiar chant by crowds that attend UniTeam rallies all over the country.

But at the grand rally here, Duterte, Lakas-CMD and regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) chair-

person, gave love back to the audience and acknowledged them.

“Kapag sinabi na ng Kapampangan na panalo na ang Bisaya, malakas ang loob ko mananalo ako. Maraming salamat!” said the presidential daughter, who speaks fluent Bisaya.

Duterte chose to wear face paint of red and green or the UniTeam colors, giving her a “warrior” or palaban vibe.

This was noticed by her poll partner, presidential

candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, who admired Duterte’s “war paint”.

“Narinig niyo na po ang mensahe ng ating mga senador, narinig niyo po ang mensahe ng ating magiging bise presidente na si Mayor Inday Sara Duterte!

Alam niyo po, lagi pong sinasabi ako sa lahat ng mga presidential candidate ang pinaka mapalad, at ang naging kasama ko naging partner ko ay ang pinakamagaling, pinakamahusay, pinakamatapang,” Marcos said.

“Nakita ninyo naka-war paint na, palaban na e, talagang handang handa na sa laban itong ating bise presidente, at dahil kasama ko po ang partner ko po ay ang siyang pinakanagmamahal sa Pilipinas kaya po ako ay napakapalad,” noted the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) standard-bearer.

The UniTeam is entering its final week of campaign and they are expected to go all-out in consolidating support from local officials. Maricel V. Cruz

n By JOEL ZURBANO

‘Noose tightening on cybercriminals’

DOH, 3 partners win WHO awards TINGOG STUMPING. Tingog Party List Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez talks to thousands of supporters during the grand

rally and meeting de avance of Mayor Jury Quiño at the seaport of Barangay Poblacion, Compostela, Cebu on Friday. Miko Noveno

BARMM chalks up two-year economic growth n By NASH B. MAULANA THE Bangsamoro Region’s Gross Domestic Product (GRDP) has increased by 9.4 percent, from 1.9 percent to 7.5 percent, in the 2019-2020 and 20202021 reference periods, according to reports released by the Philippine Statistics Authority on Friday.

Chief Minister Al Hadj Murad Ibrahim of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) noted that the region has

the second fastest growing economy among Philippine regions, placing between Calabarzon (Cavite-Laguna-Rizal-Quezon) 7.5 percent and the Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR) with 7.6 percent.

Information and Communication in BARMM’s services sector was also up by 15.9 percent during the same period.

Figures of direct impact and social relevance also have increased in terms of improved real estate and dwelling ownership among BARMM residents within the reference periods of 2019-

2020 and 2020-2021.

At the onset of organizing the BARMM government, Ibrahim created Kapianan, a project management office (PMO) under his supervision in implementing massive housing projects in erstwhile areas of conflict.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) also released on Friday its latest reports on GRDP and Gross Regional Expenditures (GRDE), showing BARMM’s economy had a hefty increase from -1.9 percent in 2020 to 7.5 percent in 2021.

House fetes CamNorte solon’s legacy

LOLA AND LENI. An elderly supporter gets up close to Vice President Leni Robredo (left) as the ‘lola’ joined an estimated 165,000 supporters at the Nuvali Open Field in Santa Rosa City, Laguna to cheer on the presidential candidate and her running mate Senator Kiko Pangilinan on Friday. VPLR Media Bureau

ALAN AND ANGKAS. Former House Speaker and senatorial candidate Alan Peter

Cayetano tries on an Angkas helmet with the group’s officials and riders during his visit at the Angkas Training Center in Cainta Rizal on Saturday. Norman Cruz

ManilaStandard

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PRESIDENT Duterte will lead today’s inauguration of the newly constructed hospital exclusively meant to serve Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families.

Partial operations will begin on Monday, with full operations set by the end of June.

Built on a 1.5-hectare property in the San Fernando City donated by the Pampanga provincial government, the OFW Hospital was established through e joint efforts of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) as manager, Bloomberry Cultural Foundation which shouldered construction cost, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. that bankrolled the procurement of medical equipment’s, and the University of the Philippines Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) for the initial operations.

DOLE and PGH signed an agreement in January for the latter to help train clinical and administrative personnel; plan the acquisition of hospital equipment; and formulate the clinical and fiscal process flow.

THE noose will tighten on cybercriminals with the expected enactment of a bill giving the government more powers to combat phishing and other online scams such as those that defrauded BDO Unibank and Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) depositors.

Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte, in a statement, said the expected signing into law of an enrolled bill that provides more protection for financial consumers “couldn’t have come at a more appropriate time than now when the Philippines, in a report by cybersecurity and anti-virus provider Kaspersky Security Network (KSN), has been tagged as one of the countries most targeted by web threats.”

Banks have also been advising their clients to avoid giving third parties access to their accounts, given that the illegal act—known as money muling—is punishable under the Anti-Money Laundering Act. Maricel V. Cruz

Town hall gabs change voters’ minds in our favor, says Ping INDEPENDENT presidential candidate Senator Panfilo Lacson claimed that his team managed to win over converts in parts of the Bicol region where he campaigned last Friday.

Lacson, along with senatorial bet Minguita Padilla, said the crowd that attended their town hall meetings in Catanduanes and Camarines Sur became interested in their team after they listened to the people’s problems.

"At first, there seemed to be little response from the audience in our town hall meeting. But after the open forum, something really changed.

The situation was reversed. So we would like to think there was a conversion," Lacson said.

He said they even had to extend the town hall meeting in Catanduanes by at least 30 minutes because of the audience’s reactions.

Padilla added that some members of the audience wearing pink masks even followed them to their vehicles and said, "We're switching to Lacson."

"As it turned out, we won over some converts and that was very evident in Catanduanes," Lacson said.

In the Naga town hall event, Lacson noted the audience stayed until the last minute.

Lacson and his running mate, Senate President Vicente Sotto III, were hoping the last-minute swing votes would bring them victory at the polls.

Rody to grace OFW Hospital opening

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SPEAKER Lord Allan Velasco on Saturday led the House of Representatives in mourning the death of Camarines Norte Rep. Marisol Panotes.

On Friday, Panotes’ daughter, Rosemarie, confirmed her passing in a Facebook post but did not indicate the cause of death of the lawmaker who represented the province’s Second District since 2016.

Rosemarie will replace her mother in the May 9 elections.

Velasco said Panotes principally authored and co-authored important pieces of legislation which have “great impact on the lives of Filipinos”.

The laws include the Covid-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021, Salary Standardization Law of 2019, and Good Manners and Right Conduct and Values Education Act of 2020.

Velasco said her dedication and love of

service for her constituents will always be remembered.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to her loved ones during this time of grief. May God grant her eternal rest and her family the strength to bear her untimely demise,” he said.

Camarines Norte Rep. (1st District) Josie Tallado bid goodbye to her “Ate Toots” and thanked her for being a good friend and public servant.

“Nakikiisa po ako sa dalamhati ng iyong pamilya, mahal sa buhay at sa ating mga kababayan sa Camarines Norte sa pagpanaw ng isang magaling at mapagmahal na Kongresista.

Hanggang sa muli po, aking Ate Toots (I join her family and Camarines Norte in mourning the loss of an outstanding and loving congresswoman.

Until we meet again, my Ate Toots),” Tallado posted on Facebook on Friday.

SOLID FOR ISKO. Various volunteer organizations under Solid Isko Pangasinan, with members reaching about 50,000, expressed their solid support to the presidential run of Isko Moreno Domagoso, saying the province remains united behind the Aksyon Demokratiko standard bearer. They also staged the ISKOncert rally on Saturday in Lingayen.

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

THE Department of Health (DOH) and three digital service providers have jointly won inaugural awards conferred by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Western Pacific Innovation Challenge: Innovation for Public Health.

The DOH and its digital partners, the Health Promotions Bureau (HPB); the AHA! Behavioral Design, a product development software company; and AI4GOV, an artificial intelligence (AI) technology service provider, bagged the awards for their civic and government technology solutions works dubbed “Mission Wellness” and “KIRA Chatbot.”

As part of the 29 winning innovations from 400 entries among member-states, the DOH and its partners developed ‘Mission Wellness,’ a behavioral program which seeks to help improve and promote mental health and emotional well-being for public healthcare workers through minimally intrusive health nudges and KIRA or ‘Katuwang na Impormasyon para sa Responsableng Aksyon’ Chatbot, an AI-powered chatbot, which responds to COVID-19 related inquiries from users.

Willie Casas

‘Witnesses vs.

De Lima were not pressured’ A TRIAL lawyer has denied allegations that suspected drug traffickers were pressured to testify against Sen. Leila De Lima, even as he cast doubts over the timing of Kerwin Espinosa recanting his testimonies against the detained lawmaker.

Ferdinand Topacio said the witnesses’ testimonies were documented and videotaped.

Topacio served as lawyer of convicted bank robber and drug lord Herbert Colanggo, one of the 18 inmates who testified about the alleged drug operations and protection racket in the NBP during De Lima’s watch as Secretary of Justice.

"As the legal counsel of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption, the original complainant in the drug cases against De Lima, I know for a fact that the said cases are not dependent on Espinosa's testimony, as he has never been a witness in the pending cases," Topacio said.

"I can vouch that there is no pressure being brought to bear against the witnesses in the drug cases against De Lima.

Their original testimonies in writing have been made under the watchful eyes of the prison authorities then, lawyers and the Public Attorney's Office, and were videotaped to show compliance with all formalities and the absence of coercion," he added.

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 MAY 1, 2022

GUARDIAN ANGEL.

A picture shows a Ukrainian soldier wearing on his vest an angel ornament given to him by his daughter in Sloviansk, eastern Ukraine, on April 29, amid Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine. AFP

China media: Russia urges US, NATO to halt Kyiv arms supply

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USSIA’S foreign minister urged the United States and NATO to stop supplying Kyiv with arms if they are “really interested in resolving the Ukraine crisis”, Chinese state media reported Saturday.

Months into an invasion that failed in its short-term aim of capturing Kyiv, Moscow is now intensifying operations in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region.

But Sergei Lavrov told China’s official Xinhua news agency that the “special military operation... is proceeding

strictly according to plan.”

China has avoided condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and defends its firm friendship with Moscow, with state media often echoing the Russian line on the war.

“If the US and NATO are really interested in resolving the Ukraine crisis, then first of all, they should wake up and stop supplying the Kyiv regime with arms and ammunition,” Lavrov said.

The Kremlin had previously called Western arms deliveries to Ukraine a threat to European security.

In his interview with Xinhua published Saturday, Lavrov said that Russia can “retool” its economy to guard against potential “unlawful hostilities”.

He added that the sanctions-hit country will focus on moving away from the US dollar and lean less on imports, while boosting its tech inde-

pendence, Xinhua reported.

Moscow has pursued a “de-dollarization” policy for several years, calling on partners such as China and India to conduct payments in other currencies.

Since the invasion, Western nations have imposed sanctions that largely cut Russia’s financial sector off from the global economy.

Ukrainian prosecutors say they have pinpointed more than 8,000 war crimes and are investigating 10 Russian soldiers for suspected atrocities in Bucha, where dozens of bodies in civilian clothes were found following Moscow’s retreat.

Ukraine’s second city Kharkiv was hit by multiple Russian shellings Saturday, though President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukrainian forces are making “tactical successes” in the region.

Although Ukraine has retained

control of Kharkiv, the city has been repeatedly battered by Moscow’s forces and still faces daily attacks.

One person was killed and five were injured “as a result of enemy artillery and mortar strikes”, the Kharkiv’s regional military administration said on Telegram.

“The situation in the Kharkiv region is tough. But our military, our intelligence, have important tactical success,” Zelensky said in his latest televised address.

Ukrainian forces said they had recaptured a “strategically important” village of Ruska Lozova, near Kharkiv, and evacuated hundreds of civilians.

Russia confirmed Friday that it carried out an air strike on Kyiv during a visit by UN chief Antonio Guterres, the first such attack on the Ukrainian capital in nearly two weeks, and in which a journalist also died. AFP

At least 10 killed as bomb rips through Kabul Sunni mosque KABUL—A bomb blast in the Afghan capital ripped through a Sunni mosque and killed at least 10 worshippers on Friday, interior ministry officials said, the latest in a wave of attacks that have rocked the country during the fasting month of Ramadan.

Dozens of civilians have been killed in the primarily sectarian attacks—some claimed by the Islamic State group—targeting members of the Shiite and Sufi Muslim communities.

Grisly images of Friday’s blast posted on social media showed survivors running out of the mosque, with some carrying victims including children. Patches of blood could be seen on the floor of the mosque compound.

FromtheFRONTPAGE DOH...especially at the local level

where a handful of votes could decide election victories.

The Commission on Elections also said Saturday it had no resolution requiring unvaccinated voters to show a negative RT-PCR result at their polling stations on May 9.

“No reso or guidelines mandating the showing of vaccination cards by voters. No such [requirement] for the exercise of the right of suffrage,” Comelec Commissioner George Garcia told ABSCBN News in a text message.

Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje reiterated the currently observed increase in infections is not significant but stressed the numbers could spike if the public lets its guard down.

“In case there will be a lockdown, it will be a granular lockdown imposed in areas where cases are rising,” she said in a media briefing.

The department said the country still has “low COVID-19 case trends” due to the public’s compliance to minimum public health standards.

“Our high vaccination coverage for the primary series and very good compliance to minimum public health standards (MPHS) have resulted in low COVID-19 case trends with an average of 195 cases daily in the past week and

“Many worshippers were at the Khalifa Sahib mosque when the blast went off,” a survivor who gave his name as Ahmad told AFP. “Many victims were thrown off their feet.”

The target of the blast appeared to be members of the minority Sufi community who were performing rituals after completing Friday prayers, an official said.

Bloodied casualties were ferried in ambulances and vehicles to a hospital in central Kabul but Taliban fighters barred journalists from accessing the facility.

Groups of women were crying outside the hospital and near the mosque in an attempt to find their loved ones, an AFP correspondent reported. AFP

an overall national positivity rate of 1.2%,” the DOH said.

The government defines a granular lockdown as a micro-level quarantine in the level of barangay, block, street, subdivision, residential building, or house, that is tagged as a “critical zone” by local authorities due to rising cases. This may be declared regardless of the alert level in the area.

Nonetheless, Cabotaje said they are “confident” that there will be no need for a lockdown if the minimum public health standards are followed, and if vaccination rates are improved, especially among the vulnerable population.

In a prior media briefing, Cabotaje said unvaccinated people may be asked to vote in isolation polling places where those symptomatic would also cast their ballots.

A question was asked in the context of having areas for vaccinated and unvaccinated voters during election day.

Meanwhile, Cabotaje reiterated her agency’s stance that voterspositive from COVID-19 should not go out of their quarantine, as this is against the law.

The Comelec on Friday clarified COVID-19 patients could not vote if they were in their quarantine facilities.

While the DOH said they would not stop anyone from voting, it was also important for the public to follow government policy as the pandemic persisted.

FULL MOSQUE. This handout aerial image released by the Saudi Press Agency shows Muslim worshippers praying at the Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (Prophet’s Mosque) in Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Medina late on April 29 during the fasting month of Ramadan. AFP

GMA,...After his visit to Nueva Ecija, the former senator immediately went to San Fernando, Pampanga for another UniTeam rally, where he was joined

by Duterte.

Dubbed as “Arroyo Country,” Pampanga is a known bailiwick of “GMA” -a party-mate of Duterte, who currently chairs the Lakas-CMD. The Davao City mayor is also the chairperson of regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP).

“Mahal kong cabalen (kababayan), Kapampangan, mga kaibigan, sa ngalan ni Governor Delta Pineda, sa ngalan ni Vice Governor Nanay Baby Pineda, sa ngalan ng apat na congressmen ng Pampanga, sa ngalan ng dalawampung mayor ng Pampanga, ito na po ang susunod na Pangulo ng Republika ng Pilipinas, Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr.,” Arroyo told the crowd at the Robinsons Grounds in San Fernando.

Fresh from barnstorming Northern Mindanao, Marcos and Duterte returned to Pampanga to solidify the support of this vote-rich province in Central Luzon, as a mammoth crowd from all over the province showed their all-out support to the tandem.

Arroyo’s show of support, and the Pinedas to the candidacies of Marcos and Duterte, was overwhelming as shown by the huge number of supporters who crammed the rally site.

Pampanga has 1.58 million registered voters for the May 9 polls. San Fernando, according to Philippine Statistics Authority data in 2020, has a population of 354,666.

Arroyo assured Marcos and Duterte that local officials of Pampanga will fully support the UniTeam.

WORKERS...of constitutional rights about labor; 3. Pushing for standards and benefits for workers; and 4. Reforms in labor, justice, representation, and participation in government.

Another presidential candidate, Sen. Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson, believes the salary rates of workers must automatically increase matching the price adjustments of basic commodities, which often occur whenever the value of petroleum products goes up.

Lacson underscored this message during a town hall forum in Virac, Catanduanes on Friday in response to the earnest appeal of a longtime security guard whose take-home pay stayed the same for almost five years now.

The three-term senator said the DOLE, through its Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board, must already be looking into the wage hike petitions of various workers who deserve to earn enough money for a satisfactory standard of living.

The Labor Advisory mandates that workers reporting for duty during the declared regular holiday shall be paid a total of 200% of their wages for that day for the first eight hours, computed as [(Basic wage plus Cost of Living Allowance) x 200 percent].

DUTERTE...Drive up to EDSA will be

closed to vehicular traffic from 2 a.m. to 12 noon.

The MMDA is in charge of traffic management, emergency response, and clearing operations after the program.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area and take alternate routes to avoid inconvenience.

Beijing tightens COVID restrictions BEIJING­­—Beijing residents will need clear Covid tests to enter public spaces, officials said Saturday, announcing fresh virus controls at the start of a Labour Day holiday muted by creeping infections in the capital.

The five-day break is typically one of China’s busiest travel periods, but the country’s worst Covid resurgence since early in the pandemic is expected to keep people home.

Faced with the highly transmissible Omicron variant, Chinese officials have doubled down on their zero-Covid policy, quashing virus clusters through mass testing and lockdowns.

Despite mounting economic costs and public frustration, the capital city announced it would further restrict access to public spaces after the holiday period.

Starting May 5, a negative Covid test taken within the past week will be needed to enter “all kinds of public areas and to take public transport”, according to a notice on the city’s official WeChat page. AFP

Germany sues Italy over Nazi claims THE HAGUE -- Germany on Friday brought a case against Italy before the International Court of Justice on the grounds that Rome is continuing to claim World War II compensation, thereby “failing to respect its jurisdictional immunity”, the court said.

The UN’s highest court ruled in 2012 that Italy had failed to fulfil its obligations by allowing victims of Nazi crimes between 1943 and 1945 to make compensation claims against Germany.

However, despite the ruling, Italian courts have “since 2012, have entertained a significant number of new claims... in violation of Germany’s sovereign immunity,” Berlin’s application said.

Germany in particular referred to a 2014 judgement of the Italian Constitutional Court that permitted “individual claims by victims of war crimes and crimes against humanity to be brought against sovereign states”.

That ruling was “adopted in conscious violation of international law and of Italy’s duty to comply with a judgment of the principal judicial organ of the United Nations”, Germany said. AFP

Nokor leader warns of ‘preemptive’ nukes SEOUL—North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has repeated his warning that Pyongyang could “preemptively” use its nuclear weaponry to counter hostile forces, state media reported Saturday.

Kim told top military officers that to “maintain the absolute superiority” of North Korea’s armed forces, the country should be able to “preemptively and thoroughly contain and frustrate all dangerous attempts and threatening moves... if necessary,” the official KCNA news agency reported.

Pyongyang should continue to build up its arsenal so that it can have the “overwhelming military muscle that no force in the world can provoke,” Kim said, calling it the “lifeline guaranteeing the security of our country”.

The leader’s comments followed similar remarks at a military parade on Monday, when he said he could use his atomic arsenal if North Korea’s “fundamental interests” were threatened. AFP

In a separate statement, the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) and other government agencies will join in honoring Filipino workers for their hard work and dedication in the celebration of Labor Day, or International Workers’ Day, through the Duterte Legacy Caravan.

The event is dubbed “Pagkakaisa ng Mamamayan at Pamahalaan Tungo sa Pagbangon, Kapayapaan at Kaunlaran” (Duterte Legacy: Barangayanihan Caravan Towards National Recovery) and will be held at the EDSA People Power Monument and simultaneously in various provinces.

PETRON...AutoLPG prices by P3.22 per liter at the same time.

“These reflect the international contract price of LPG for the month of May,” the company said.

Other oil companies are expected to roll back the prices of their LPG, diesel, and gasoline products starting May 3, Unioil Petroleum Philippines said on Saturday.

According to Unioil’s weekly forecast, diesel prices would go down by ₱1.10 to ₱1.20 per liter and gasoline prices would decline by ₱0.60 to ₱0.70 per liter.

Industry sources told the Standard on Friday that LPG prices were expected to go down by P5.77 per kilo by Labor Day -- equivalent to around P63.47 per 11-kilo tank -- to reflect the lower contract price of LPG in the world market. AutoLPG prices would likewise go down by about P3.23 per liter, they said. Alena Mae Flores

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OFIA Alberto Lista, a mother of three, expects the sustained growth of the compounding pharmaceutical industry in the Philippines, as more Filipino patients now require customized medication to meet their specific needs.

Lista, the co-founder and managing director of Apotheca Integrative Pharmacy, sees this as an opportunity to strive for growth and contribute modern solutions to the healthcare industry.

AIP also hopes to encourage more Filipinos to embrace compounding medicine as a modern solution that can be tailored to their needs. AIP is considered the first stand-alone pharmacy in the country that works with doctors, patients and hospitals nationwide, specializing on compounded and customized medication.

“This separates us from your typical retail community pharmacy that also practices compounding in a few dosage forms such as the dilution of powdered suspensions and paper tablet preparations, and hospital-based compounding pharmacies that only typically serve their registered patients,” says Lista.

AIP offers nine therapeutic categories using United States Pharmacopeia-grade active ingredients and provides flexibility to doctors and their patients when it comes to formula database and customization requirements.

“As specialty compounders, we do not offer ready-made branded or generic medication in our pharmacy, except for healthy and natural snacks and goods in our retail space. Earlier this year, we are proudly the first to launch compounding services on an e-commerce platform through our all-new website, giving us more meaningful online engagement with our clients,” says Lista, who co-founded AIP with her husband Richard in 2014.

“What truly differentiates us from pharmaceutical or other healthcare companies on the other hand, is our focus on customized medication produced per prescription and per patient, whereas most companies focus on mass produced and manufactured drugs or other types of products,” says Lista.

Pharmaceutical compounding has always been an integral part of pharmaceutical history, she says. It is the art and science of combining and preparing personalized medicines for patients. Based per prescription, active ingredients are mixed as per the identified dosage form and strength.

Pioneer Lista says AIP, as a pioneer in the Philippines, provides better access to pharmaceutical compounding and the flexibility of customization to medical and patient communities to meet unique needs. “It becomes critical in the healthcare sector as we help fill in the gap to meet those needs, when commercially available drugs do not,” she says.

“Since 2014, we have served over 1,300 medical doctors, 13,000 patients and received patient referrals from over 80 hospitals across the country,” says Lista.

AIP works with different medical practitioners—from aesthetic and general dermatologists, internists, functional, integrative

MAY 1, 2022

Lady executive

pioneers

Apotheca Integrative Pharmacy co-founder and managing director Sofia Lista

compounding pharma in PH

practitioners, OB gynecologists, urologists to pediatricians and family medicine practitioners.

The top three practitioner markets served by AIP are those in Aesthetics, Internal Medicine and Family Medicine.

Aside from AIP, three are three other compounding pharmacies in the country. “Together, we are building a small sub-industry in the retail pharmacy industry. This motivates us to continue our focus to improving and expanding our services and our operations to continue to provide quality service to our clients,” says Lista.

Business start AIP was conceived in 2012, when her husband Richard struggled to source prescribed quality compounded medication for his parents, and there was simply no entity able to provide locally.

“Sourcing them meant spending more in finding them abroad and taking them back to the country. After two years of planning, consultation and business process applications, AIP in 2014, opened its doors in Makati City, achieving the milestone of becoming the first licensed compounding pharmacy in the country by the Food and Drug Administration,” says Sofia.

AIP, which now has 35 employees, looks forward to continued work on improving product offerings, channel and logistics network, collaborative educational programs for doctors and seeing through the seamlessness of a new website.

AIP works hand in hand with doctors, patients and registered licensed pharmacists who were internationally trained on compounding medicine. They collaborate with international partners such as the Professional Compounding Centers of America and Medisca Australia.

Each of the compounded medicines is also made with United States Pharmacopeia -grade active ingredients to assure clients of high-quality products.

AIP has teamed up with more than 300 health service providers nationwide and is a proud affiliate of several health organizations in the Philippines, including Atrium Solutions Inc., Spectrum Innovations Inc., Klean Athlete Philippines and Reviv Philippines to deliver medical solutions to patients and doctors from different areas across the Philippines. Roderick T. dela Cruz

Financial management tool encourages Filipinos to save

By Othel V. Campos

LISTA, a financial management tool for small business owners, freelancers and individuals has launched the Ipon Challenge—a limited-time activity that encourages every Filipino to set savings goals.

“Lista wants to encourage every Filipino to set a savings goals for the things they dream of—whether they start with a small amount or go big with a car down payment.

Through the help of our partners, we look forward to seeing everyone complete their Ipon Challenge and help them move towards the goal of understanding their finances and empowering them to make better purchase decisions,” said Lista co-founder Khriz Lim. The Ipon Challenge aims to empower Filipinos to meet their savings goals or set financial targets for the things they want to buy using their two new main features.

The Savings feature allows the user to track their savings for their next dream item whether it is a phone, car or vacation. The sales target feature allows business owners to set a target profit for their business. Users will be able to customize their target timeline and amount using the feature.

Due to uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, a survey conducted by Hong Kong-based AIA Group Limited found that more Filipinos saved more money without careful preparation.

While Filipinos appear to have a more dis-

European firm, ComClark to provide satellite network connectivity to remote PH schools

SES, a satellite and terrestrial telecommunications network provider based in Luxembourg, teamed up with ComClark Network and Technology Corp. of businessman Dennis Anthony Uy to empower thousands of Filipino educators with high-speed satellite-based connectivity to deliver content to over 2,000 remote schools across the country.

The content delivered via SES’s SES-9 satellite will provide students with equal access to quality education, even to those in the most remote locations.

Under the partnership with SES, ComClark will access the Ku-band capacity from the SES-9 satellite via its own teleport and connectivity technologies for voice, video and data applications to connect the data center and simultaneously datacast education materials and curriculum to all participating public schools country-wide.

Since the start of the pandemic in 2020, the delivery of quality education to all students across the country has been a priority as schools transitioned to the “new normal” of remote learning.

This involved the distribution of self-learning modules integrated with alternative learning modalities such as online, blended, television-based and radio-based instructions—all of which require, along with other delivery modes, reliable, consistent high-speed broadband services.

With more than 7,000 islands, terrestrial connectivity across the Philippines is both costly and challenging. However, satellite network connectivity is a cost-effective and reliable alternative to extending or complementing terrestrial communications, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.

ciplined attitude toward saving, a quarter of respondents simply save what money they have after expenses without making a proactive saving strategy, and 22 percent set aside a specific overall amount. Only 29 percent of people make a list of their savings goals and set aside money to achieve them.

Lista intends to make financial planning and literacy more accessible to millions of

Filipinos, assisting entrepreneurs in managing their digital cash flow, normalizing debt collection and helping them manage their personal budget and expand their enterprises through savings and goal setting.

Through the new features, each user can begin small, with a goal of as low as P500, or go big, with a car down payment. The Lista app includes features such as hosting “ipon

Lista, a financial management tool for small business owners, freelancers and individuals, launches the Ipon Challenge.

challenges” and tracking users’ progress so they can stay on track with their goals.

“Lista is here to help Filipinos manage their finances, from savings to debt management, to increasing or achieving target profits for companies and businesses,” Lim said.

Ipon Challenge The Ipon Challenge was created to officially launch the two new features that the founders hope will help more Filipinos start building the habit of proactive saving. The campaign hopes to encourage new and existing users to explore the feature and participate in the savings challenge, which is intended to help users learn how to set and stick to financial goals, both short and long term.

Anyone with Lista mobile app can join the Ipon Challenge for the chance to win grand prizes from Lista as well as weekly minor prizes. Interested participants can download the Lista app, register using their mobile number then create a savings challenge with the help of the “savings’’ icon.

Participants are required to input savings at least twice a week, following their daily or weekly savings amount. The deadline to reach their goal is before May 30, 2022.

Once participants reach their savings goal, they will receive a savings badge. To be eligible for the raffle, participants should share a screenshot of their savings badge on Facebook with the hashtag #IponChallenge and tag the Lista.

Local developer teams up with Japan firm to launch township project in Dasmariñas P.A. PROPERTIES and Hankyu Realty Company Ltd. launched their first township project in Dasmariñas, Cavite as an alternative to city dwelling located less than an hour way from the bustling and fast-paced metropolis.

Previously known as Idesia Dasmariñas, Idesia City was redesigned for mixed-used development—an ideal environment for families and residents where basic needs are just a few steps away.

“Together with the announcement, we also inaugurated Idesia City Commercial that is set to complement Idesia Heights, our premier residential enclave as well as provide convenience shopping for day-today needs of the immediate neighborhood, not to mention superb access to businesses,” said P.A. Properties chairman Romarico “Bing” Alvarez during the launch of the commercial strip and the Sakura Bridge inside Idesia City.

The Sakura Bridge within Idesia City will serve as an alternative route to Emilio Aguinaldo Highway. With the inauguration of Sakura Bridge, residents of Idesia City will have preferable passage going to the other highways of Dasmariñas City.

Alvarez also announced the completion of the 2-kilometer Idesia Avenue, Idesia City’s main road connecting the township between two main roads in Cavite, the Emilio Aguinaldo Highway and Governor’s Drive.

He said the commercial strip inside Idesia City was designed to house exactly 28 commercial units. The units are all properly zoned to complement the entire business environ-

Executives of P.A. Properties and Hankyu Realty Company Ltd. launch Idesia City— their first township venture in in Dasmariñas, Cavite. ment in Idesia City.

Zoning, Alvarez said, is imperative to avoid unnecessary competitive practices common when there more than one business of similar nature in an area.

What the partnership envisions for Idesia City Commercial is to house offices, start-up companies, BPOs, banking institutions, fast food chains and restaurants, supermarkets and shopping centers.

“It’s where you can find everything homebuyers ever wanted in a community—clubhouse/ multipurpose hall, lap pool and kiddie pool, BBQ area, playground area, parking area, futsal, outdoor toilet, perimeter jogging path, wide green spaces and even wooden benches,” Alvarez said.

Taking advantage of this commercial hub is the Idesia Heights which was constructed earlier in 2018 and is located near Idesia City Commercial. It offers premium units—the Fuji and Yuri model homes. Inspired by the signature Japanese minimalist architectural design, both model units offer more room and space for unit owners.

Fuji units are 2-story, 3-bedroom single detached units with a total floor area of 82.98 square meters on 120-sq. m. lots. The Yuri, on the other hand, are 2-story, 2-bedroom single detached units offering 63.30 sq. m. floor area on 96-sq. m lots.

Alongside the launch of Idesia City, P.A. Properties is also promoting the city’s slogan “Life at Every Turn”. Othel V. Campos

New infrastructure projects will help residents in communities outside the National Capital Region to save time and resources with shorter drives and commutes to and from the metropolis.

Infra projects push property values up outside Metro Manila

INFRASTRUCTURE projects of the national government have drastically reduced travel time between Metro Manila and other cities and towns, making road trips fast, smooth and easy for leisure and business travelers alike.

Aware that new infrastructure steadfastly drives value appreciation of properties, many Filipinos are confidently pursuing their plans of buying their dream homes, a factor that the real estate industry widely acknowledges as having kept them afloat amid the challenges of the pandemic.

A top-tier real estate brand that is continuously benefitting from infrastructure growth and upgrades is Bria Homes, which has had the foresight to build residential projects in strategically located areas.

Aside from idyllic locations and access to current and upcoming major government projects, Bria properties are near schools, churches, hospitals, commercial establishments, banks and pharmacies.

Home seekers and property investors looking into Bria as provider of their homes of choice are assured of proximity to key lifestyle destinations. Residents of its communities outside the National Capital Region will also save time and resources with shorter drives and commutes to and from the metropolis and other places.

Bria Homes division head Eduardo Aguilar affirms this, saying that Bria Homes’ mission is to provide a comfortable life to Filipino homeowners, which spurs them to carefully consider the locations of their developments.

“We’d like to keep land appreciation constantly in mind and ensure a stable future for BRIA homeowners,” Aguilar says.

Data from the Department of Public Works and Highways show that 18 of the 112 infrastructure flagship projects under their “Build, Build, Build” program will be completed by June 2022, while 12 additional projects are set to be completed by end-2022.

In 2023, 89 projects will be scheduled for implementation, with completion to be done through the next six years. Among the big-ticket inter-island projects that are often highlighted are the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge, the Panglao-Tagbilaran City Offshore Connector, Guicam Bridge, three Tawi-Tawi Bridges, Panay-Guimaras-Negros Link Bridge, Cebu-Mactan Bridge, Panguil Bay Bridge and the Samal Island-Davao City Connector.

F

IL-AMERICAN William Morrison III showed his readiness for the Vietnam Southeast Asian Games as he got back at John Albert Mantua in the men’s shot put while pole vaulter Hokett Delos Santos leaped to a new personal best on the final day of the Philippine Athletics Championships at the Philsports track oval in Pasig City.

MAY 1, 2022

Hokket Delos Santos, a grassroots find from Ilagan City, Isabela keeps on improving with his new personal best that is good for a bronze finish in the SEA Games.

William Morrison, Fil-American athlete out of Baguio City, is ready to defend his men’s shot put crown in Vietnam (Photo courtesy of Gelo Amador)

Morrison, Delos Santos show readiness for SEAG

In an emerging friendly rivalry between the two bruited top bets in the event in the 31st Vietnam Southeast Asian Games, Morrison, who now calls Baguio his second home, bagged his second straight gold in a row in heaving 17.06 meters on his fourth try to add to the discus throw mint he won last Thursday.

Also based in Baguio and a protégé of national coach Arniel Ferrera, Mantua had taken the early lead with a throw of 16.88 meters on his third try but could do no better than that in settling for second place in the meet organized by the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association.

John Michael Fajardo of Metasports AC (13.94) was third on the podium in the

two-day meet supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Iligan City, G-Shock Casio, Chips Delight and Lily’s Peanut butter.

“This was a fine meet for me and I am glad that Joseph is here to really push me to do better and defend my shot put in the Vietnam SEA Games,” said the 6-foot-3 Morrison, who was runner-up to Mantua in the Singapore Open two weeks ago.

The gentle giant set a new SEA Games and national record of 18.38meters in winning the gold medal in his debut in the regional sports showcase held at the New Clark City Athletic Stadium in Capas, Tarlac when the country hosted the meet three years ago.

The prize find of national pole vault

coach Emerson Obiena, Delos Santos set a new benchmark in jumping 5.05 meters on his second try at the height, a marked five-centimeter improvement over five meters flat he set in the Patafa-organized meet in Baguio last Feb. 24.

Even more significant is that his performance would have been good for bronze in the SEA Games, considering that Malaysia’s Iskandar Alawi placed third in the event in the 2019 Philippine edition with a jump of five meters.

Feeling ambitious, the lanky Iligan City, Isabela native tried to clear 5:15 meters but failed on his three attempts in the competition

Malixi fires solid 67 for share of lead in Rome Classic BACK in the groove, Rianne Malixi is back at the AJGA (American Junior Golf Association) helm, but two others matched her four-under 67 to make it a crowded leaderboard at the start of the Rome Junior Classic in Rome, Georgia Friday.

Local bet Sara Im produced a five-birdie, one-bogey card at the Coosa Country Club course while Lydia Swan of Pennsylvania eagled the par-5 No. 4 then bucked two bogeys with four birdies to earn a shared view of the top in the 54-hole championship.

Using the lessons learned in last Tuesday’s US Women’s Open qualifying in California, Malixi played it cool all throughout and gunned down two birdies on each side of the par-71 layout, putting her on track for a follow-up to her playoff

victory in the Thunderbird All Star in Arizona three weeks ago.

But the ICTSI-backed ace, who nailed her first AJGA win in the Se Ri Pak Desert Classic last year, is in for a tough grind in the last 36 holes with Im and Swan all geared up for a battle of shotmaking and wits and Thai Thanana Kotchasanmanee lurking at 68 and Alice Zhao from California also putting herself in contention with a solid 69.

“Good putting,” said the ICTSI-backed ace, 15, when asked where would she credit her solid performance. She finished with 29 putts in a big rebound to her four three-putt miscues that ruined her bid in the 36-hole US Women’s Open elims.

Also out to redeem herself from a final round meltdown in the PING

Heather Classic, also in Arizona, two weeks ago, Malixi birdied the par-5 second hole then drilled in an eight-footer for another birdie on the par-3 No. 6. She gained another stroke on No. 12 then struck another solid tee-shot to within four feet on the par-3 17th to spike her auspicious start.

“I had few birdie chances but from long ranges,” added Malixi, who hit 10 fairways and 15 greens.

After the event, Malixi flies back home to join Lois Kaye Go and fellow ICTSI teammate Mafy Singson in their final buildup for the SEAG battle where they will try to keep the two crowns won by Bianca Pagdanganan (individual), Go and Abby Arevalo (team) in the 2019 edition of the regional biennial games at Luisita.

Hernandez virtual Asian Junior Masters champ CARRYING the momentum of a fiery 64 start, Jet Hernandez turned in a two-under-par 70 to virtually clinch the boys’ Class A title as the top Philippine bet extended his lead to 13 strokes in the penultimate round of the

Jet Hernandez leads by a seemingly insurmountable 13-stroke lead going into the final day.

Asian Junior Masters in Phuket, Thailand Saturday.

The 17-year-old Hernandez dropped four birdies against two bogeys at the Blue Canyon Club’s Canyon course for the runaway lead at 134 in the division for players 15-23 years old with Miguel Ilas (76-147) and Perry Bucay (71148) threatening to make it an all-Filipino affair by occupying the next two positions.

Lois Kaye Go, Laurea Duque, and Shinichi Suzuki can complete the Philippine domination of the event on Sunday when they shoot for the girls’ Class A and boys’ Class B crowns.

The boys’ team title also looks secure for the Philippines as Hernandez, Suzuki, Kristoffer Arevalo and Ryan Tambalque lead Thailand by 31 strokes. The girls’ team of Go, Singson, Reese Ng, and Gabie Rosca, however, will have a lot of catching up to do as they fell 18 shots behind the Thais with 18 holes left.

Go carded a 71 to tie Duque for the lead at 149 in girls Class A while Suzuki stormed to a four-shot advantage in boys Class B over Thai bet Lapassapon Liberto Heras-Gomez after a 73-150.

Hernandez, Arevalo, Go and Singson are using the Asian Junior Masters stint as their final tuneup for the Southeast Asian Games that will be held in Vietnam in two weeks.

And Hernandez looks in the form to lead the country’s campaign as he mastered the Blue Canyon course again a day after setting a personal best eight-under 64.

Hernandez was bogeyless for the first 25 holes of the event where he went nine-under until making his first bogey on the 17th hole which was his eighth after starting in the back nine.

He birdied the first and sixth holes, dropped a stroke on the eighth but took it back with another birdie on the ninth.

also backed GuanaPro -C, Cellife Cellular Nutrition, @Tokyo, Masiv Sports, Gatorade, Summit Mineral Water and Pencer Q.La Salle’s Francis Obiena, the son of coach’s Emerson sibling, Ed, was second (4.50), and his brother Matt David was third(3.70) in last tune-up competition of the national team before they plunge into action in the 31st Vietnam SEA Games in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi.

“I am just happy that they are competing and they are able to figure out what they need to correct before the SEA Games competition and also happy that several of our athletes made personal bets. Theoretical-

ly you should be very happy when somebody keeps on improving,” said athletics chief Philip Juico, who witnessed the performances of the athletes during the two days of the meet.

“Of course winning medals like gold, silver, bronze, you have to start somewhere and work your way up,” he added.

Despite the restrictions and constraints imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Filipino track and field campaigners hope to match the 11 gold, 8 silver and 8 bronze medals they won in the 2019 30thSEA Games when the meet opens on May 14 at the My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi.

Yamaguchi turns back tough Indian rival, nears back-to-back badminton crown DEFENDING champion Akane Yamaguchi of Japan had to make tough work to outlast Pusarla V. Sindhu of India, taking a 13-21, 21-19, 21-16 victory for a chance to take back-to-back women’s singles titles in the SMART Badminton Asia Championships 2022 on Saturday at the Muntinlupa Sports Complex in Muntinlupa City.

Sindhu took the opening set and was leading 14-11 when chair umpire Basel Misbah penalized the Indian for the second delay of game on service after getting warned the first time.

From there, the 26-year-old could not regain her momentum as Yamaguchi also got some points on the former’s errors.

Yamaguchi, on her part, got her groove in the latter part of the second game and into the deciding game to book her place in a second straight final.

“I made it to the finals, so I can

see a championship. But, I am more focused on playing better than today,” Yamaguchi said through an interpreter. “In today’s match, I was a bit struggling at the first set because of the wind. So tomorrow, I hope I can adjust and play better than today.”

The 24-year-old standout will face Wang Zhi Yi of China who scored an upset over world no. 4 An Seyoung of Korea, 10-21, 21-12, 21-16.

Like Wang, three Chinese pairs also booked their places in tomorrow’s championship matches in the mixed and women’s doubles events.

Top-seeds and world no. 2 Zheng Si Wei and Huang Ya Qiong took the opening set against Praveen Jordan and Melati Daeva Oktaviani of Indonesia at 21-8. Jordan then was forced to retire before the start of the second set as he suffered a lower back injury.

Cebu Chooks trips Manila, sets final clash with Mongolia’s Zaisan SANTA ROSA—Cebu Chooks nipped Manila Chooks in an all-Filipino clash, 17-14, to reach the 2022 Chooks-to-Go FIBA 3x3 Asia Pacific Super Quest final, Saturday night at the Ayala Malls Solenad Activity Center here in Laguna.

Zach Huang led the way with six points. The University of Santo Tomas product gave his side the lead early, before teammates Mike Nzeusseu, Brandon Ramirez, and Mac Tallo did their part in the endgame to seal the deal.

Nzeusseu broke the 12-all deadlock from inside, and Ramirez quickly added to their lead with a deep two-pointer.

Tallo then sank back-to-back layups off aggressive drives to the hoop to establish a 17-12 advantage with 1:20 left.

Dennis Santos and Mark Yee tried to bring Manila back into the game, but their efforts weren’t enough as the veteran-laden crew bowed out.

Cameroonian Nzeusseu and Ramirez finished with four points apiece, while Tallo, the country’s topranked 3x3 player, added three mark-

ers as Cebu Chooks remained perfect on the way to the championship battle.

Still fresh from its stint in the Dubai Expo FIBA 3x3 Super Quest, the home team has the chance to give the Philippines its first title in the FIBA 3x3 Pro Circuit in eight years, or since Manila West ruled the 2015 Manila Masters.

Mac Tallo’s of Cebu Chooks brilliant plays in the end-game made him the Player of the Game awardee in the semifinals against Manila Chooks.

Life Editor: Nickie Wang

MAY 1, 2022

M

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu alighting the plane at Platinum Skies Hangar Domestic Airport Compound

Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu delights Filipino fans

ISS Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu arrived in the Philippines on April 24 where she held court at the Platinum Skies Hangar Domestic Airport Compound. Hosting the welcome were Narvacan City Mayor, Hon. Chavit Singson and Architect Richelle Singson-Michael, LCS Group Vice Chairperson, Ako Ilokano Ako Partylist first nominee, and Host Committee Chairperson of the 65th Miss Universe that took place here in the Philippines.

Both Mayor Singson and Architect Singson-Michael have tirelessly continued to represent the country in the organization to make Miss Universe one of the most anticipated and inspired events in the country.

Architect Singson-Michael shared the delightful moments she had with the reigning Miss Universe, “We are more than happy to welcome Harnaaz. We had the opportunity to learn from each other as we tackled topics she wishes to address throughout her reign. Like a true beauty queen, she is confident yet hum-

ble, with the influence to make a positive change on a global scale.”

Mayor Singson also expressed his exuberance with Harnaaz’s visit, “Having her (Sandhu) visit our country and share her goals with us Filipinos is an inspiration. It’s also an opportunity for us to learn about her plans and advocacies as Miss Universe and extend to her all the help to promote her causes.”

“The Philippines has always been one of my dream destinations because of its stunning beauty, but more importantly, I feel that it is a country full

Harnaaz Sandhu (leftmost) with Mayor Chavit Singson (second from left) and Architect Richelle Singson-Michael (third from right) and her family Harnaaz Sandhu (left) walks alongside Narvacan City Mayor Chavit Singson

of opportunities for me to contribute as Miss Universe.” shares Harnaaz when asked how she felt when she first arrived in the country. “I’m excited to work with people who share my passion for putting advocacy into action.”

Menstrual Equity is one of Harnaaz’s advocacies, where she mentioned, “This is a topic near and dear to my heart because I grew up watching my

mother deal with this issue. So now that I’m able to address this problem globally, I’m going to devote my time and energy to help young girls and women overcome this challenge. I firmly believe that when women support other women, incredible things happen,” she continued.

Her arrival ramped up excitement among Filipino pageant fans who were

looking forward to see her in the Miss Universe Philippines 2022 Coronation that happened last night at the Mall of Arena.

Harnaaz’s followers, on the other hand, are interested as to which destinations in the country she would visit.

The Philippines has hosted two Miss Universe coronation nights and having the reigning titleholder sparks joy among Filipinos.

Three books on business, leadership, career AS GRADUATION season draws near, many college seniors are anxious about what awaits them in the “real world” of work. Employees, even those who’ve been working for years, wonder how they may move up the corporate ladder. Even C-suite executives welcome learnings on how to do business better.

Anvil Publishing offers three books on business that share leadership, success, and career growth tips.

Dr. Elfren S. Cruz and Dr. Benito L. Teehankee’s A Kind (of) Business: 50 Essays on Business, Leadership, and Society addresses a broad range of issues including income inequality, business ethics, and corporate responsibility in an engaging, easy-to-understand manner that feels like a couple of friends chatting over a cup of coffee. The lessons they share can help business owners and managers build a business founded on inclusivity and sustainability.

In one of his essays, Cruz posits that technology increases income inequality and, like globalization, it is “adversely affecting the lives of many people.” He quotes British physicist Stephen Hawking as having said that “great technological advances can leave most people ‘miserably poor.’”

Cruz also points to the “rise of populism and the electoral victory of populists like Trump and the Brexit vote could partly be attributed to the people’s anger over the loss of jobs due to technology.” For example, Amazon is automating some of its delivery by using drones, and its picking and packing process by using robots – these mean the loss of jobs for humans.

Cruz shares an interesting nugget of wisdom on reading; in his preface, he writes: “We hope the essays in this collection will engage your mind and provoke you into thinking, and even writing your own. A careful reader will always have something to add to a text they have read, whether mentally, orally, or in writing. In this sense, a piece of writing is never complete, but part of a continuing conversation with the reader.”

Both authors also tackle topics such as women and reforms in governance, disruption, the fourth industrial revolution, and the rise of artificial intelligence. This is an excellent collection to stimulate thought, and its use as a textbook is recommended.

The book addresses a broad range of issues including income inequality, business ethics, and corporate responsibility

NO SHELF CONTROL

BY JENNY ORTUOSTE

*** In The Business of Banking: Structure and Profitability, Risks and Controls, Deogracias N. Vistan offers a textbook for higher education with case studies that provide examples to help students and readers better understand the text.

The book is written from a banker’s perspective on banking as a profession, industry, and as a business. Among the topics it tackles are liquidity, interest rates, foreign exchange, credit line and loan process, audit and compliance, and the future of banking in the Philippines.

It is written in language that is easy to understand, and its structure is ideal for teaching, as the text is formatted as bullet points or lists with definitions and explanations of terms and concepts.

One item that would be of value to many, including journalists, is a timeline of the banking industry from 1970 to 2019, with a list of events by decade and a pertinent discussion.

*** For those looking to grow or jump-start their career, Wen-Szu Lin’s Deliver: The Untaught Lessons to Growth Hack Your Career shares simple techniques that anyone may use to expand their career as an individual contributor, collaborator, and leader.

Lin, who is an executive at Uber Technologies, draws on his experiences of success and failure over the years to provide “a thoughtful and practical primer

‘The Business of Banking: Structure and Profitability’ is written from a banker’s perspective on banking as a profession, industry, and as a business

for everyone venturing into the corporate world for the first time and professionals steeling themselves for the next big step in their career.”

In Part 1, “How to be a Great Individual Performer,” Lin suggests studying how people are motivated, and makes use of, and goes beyond, Maslow’s pyramid to dissect how to use the hierarchy of needs in the workplace.

In Part 2, “How to be a Great Collaborator,” Lin shows how the skill of building and managing relationships leads to being a great manager.

In Part 3, “How to be a Great Leader,” he advises executives and managers to set direction, develop talent, and cultivate a work culture guided by values.

He adds that it is important that leaders walk their talk: “As leaders, growing and shaping the corporate culture is perhaps one of the most important responsibilities that will help the organization succeed or fail. Culture is shaped around the values that leadership has identified, and it grows or shrinks based on how we incorporate those values into our actions and decisions.

“We lead by example to uphold those values. When there are conflicting values, we partner with our teams to navigate them, as this will help reinforce the values even more.”

This is sound advice, not only for business but also for the government.

For comments and feedback, you may reach the author on Facebook and Twitter: @ DrJennyO From Anvil Publishing (anvilpublishing.com): A Kind (of) Business: 50 Essays on Business, Leadership, and Society

By Dr. Elfren S. Cruz and Dr. Benito L. Teehankee 174 pages / P295.00 The Business of Banking: Structure and Profitability, Risks and Controls

By Deogracias N. Vistan 219 pages / P450.00 Deliver: The Untaught Lessons to Growth Hack Your Career

Wen-Szu Lin’s book shares simple techniques to expand careers as an individual contributor, collaborator, and leader

Michelin Galang-Dapo (right) is responsible for bringing a favorite Filipino treat to the Australian market

PH Embassy in Australia honors Filipina ice cream chef as exceptional migrant

THE Philippine Embassy in Australia rec- that with passion, aided with modern ognized Filipina Chef-instructor Michelin techniques, Filipino food can be as comGalang-Dapo, the dessert innovator be- petitive as other cuisines,” she stated.

Manila St. first released Ube Halaya (purhind the classic Pinoy “dirty” ice cream in Sydney, as an exceptional Filipino woman ple yam) and Cheese Milk before adding Tablea Chocolate, White Chocolate, and in the country.

To commemorate the 75th anniversary of Salted Egg de Leche in their selections.

They only use specially imported authe establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations, the Embassy has thentic ingredients: ube from Davao; partnered with the overseas office of the cheese from New Zealand; and milk and cream supplies from a trusted dairy farm Philippine Department of Tourism.

The collaboration has resulted in an in New South Wales. The chocolates are e-book entitled Today’s Filipino Austra- sourced from Auro Chocolate, an internationally awarded lian Women, which tree-to-bar sustainhighlights the exable brand from the cellence of the FiliPhilippines. pino ladies in their “We wanted respective fields to introduce Filiand their crucial pino flavors to the roles in nurturAustralian market. ing the friendship It has to be combetween the two petitive and of top states. quality to achieve The publication the level of recogniacknowledges the tion,” she added. contribution of Manila St. has Chef Michelin in found a followbringing the flavors ing both from felof the Filipino childlow Sydney-based hood favorite into kabayans who the Australian marare longing for a ket. She likewise nostalgic taste of shares her knowlhome, as well as edge and skills in locals who found aiding the youth in comfort in Filipino their career goals flavors. Currently, and personal deChef Michelin is a graduate of the School Manila St.’s Super velopment towards of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Premium “Dirty” Ice becoming industry Management of the De La Salle-College of Cream is produced professionals.

Saint Benilde Manila at 500 tubs an Chef Michelin, hour and delivered with formal culinary studies at the School of Hotel, Restaurant, wholesale to partner cafes and restaurants and Institution Management of the De La around Sydney and its environs.

In the academe, Chef Michelin served Salle-College of Saint Benilde Manila and Le Cordon Bleu Sydney, is equipped with as the Offshore Director of Studies in the years of experience in five-star hotels and Philippines under TAFE SWSi, Australia’s leading provider for vocational educarestaurants.

She learned how to create gelato from tion and training. She traveled back to scratch during her stint in an Italian restau- her home country, particularly to Davao, rant in Metro Manila. After settling in Austra- General Santos, and Cavite, to ensure the lia, together with her husband Chef Chester sterling standards of the Australian Skills Dapo, they launched in 2019 the ice cream Quality Authority and the Australian Qualbrand Manila St. – named after her home ity Framework.

As an educator, she guided the hospitalcountry’s capital –with the main goal to elevate the Pinoy dessert into a “super premi- ity professionals and aspiring culinarians um grade”. This variant is denser and heavier in Le Cordon Bleu Sydney, William Blue College and Sydney Business and Travel with only 30 percent air.

“Filipino ice cream is equally unique as Academy. She then focused on her role in other flavors from around the globe. It is inspiring the youth as a success coach for important to curate and cater to the inter- Business, Culinary, and Tourism Programs national market to highlight to the world of Torrens University Australia.

n Entertainment Editor: Nickie Wang

email: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

MAY 1, 2022

BGYO captures essence of youth in new song ‘Best Time’

‘Best Time’ by BGYO represents the fleeting time of youth, beauty, and love

P-POP boy group BGYO lends its voice again for the new song “Best Time” that complements the youthful spirit and storyline of the hit show He’s Into Her, which is now on season 2.

“Best Time” represents the fleeting time of youth, beauty, and love, which is perfectly captured in the song written and composed by ABS-CBN Music creative director Jonathan Manalo and Gabriel Tagadtad.

The nostalgic track also symbolizes the fragility of love or youth and how the pain it brings is exactly what makes it a

beautiful memory or as the song says, “the best time of our lives.”

Upon its release, BGYO’s fans ACEs showed their all-out support as the song reached the top spot on iTunes Songs Chart in the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore as well as peaking at #3 on iTunes Hong Kong. It also earned features on Spotify’s local editorial playlists “RADAR PH,” “P-Pop On The Rise,” and “New Music Friday Philippines.”

Aside from BGYO’s “Best Time,” the second season of He’s Into Her will also feature an acoustic ballad version of

“Did I Let You Go” by Fil-Brit singersongwriter Jon Guelas.

The reimagined track—which now bears lyrics that present the perspectives of two people who went through a breakup—seamlessly fits the heartbreaking relationship issues that Deib (Donny Pangilinan) and Max (Belle Mariano) will encounter as seen in the show’s trailer.

The fans can also look forward to the music of Nameless Kids, Trisha Denise, and more in He’s Into Her season 2’s official soundtrack.

INTRODUCING SPARKLE’S ‘SPARKADA’

New faces ready for showbiz breakout moments

The members of Sparkada come from all over the Philippines and have a certain ‘It Factor’ to them

S

PARKLE makes its biggest splash yet with the launch of 17 young and fresh faces that are sure to brighten up your summer.

“Most of the Sparkada already have a strong social media following. They are already celebrities in their own spheres and rights. Sparkle is here to magnify it and make them even bigger stars. They have all been through intense workshops to make sure they are ready for the limelight,” he added.

The boys and girls of Sparkada made their first on-screen appearance on All-Out Sundays on April 17 with an explosive number where these up-and-comers shone Aptly named “Sparkada,” each brightly as they gave it their all on stage. member of Sparkle’s newest barkada They also got to show off their individual was handpicked by renowned Starmaker charms starring in Sparkle’s first official Johnny Manahan for their colorful summer music video. backgrounds, not to mention their potential The introduction of Sparkada marks to be the next leading stars in showbiz.

Sparkle’s third launch for 2022 showing “All the members of the Sparkada the talent management group’s drive to have a certain ‘It Factor.’ You don’t stir excitement and spark inspiration in know what it is, but it makes them the entertainment industry. unique, interesting, and attractive.

Sparkada members include showbiz They come from all over the newcomers Vince Maristela, Roxie Philippines and of course, they are all Smith, Kirsten Gonzales, Tanya young, fun, and exciting,” Mr. M said. Ramos, Anjay Anson, Vanessa Pena, The Starmaker also expressed his Sean Lucas, Dilek Montemayor, confidence in Sparkada’s star power Cheska Fausto, Saviour Ramos, and trusts that their determination to Larkin Castor, Lauren King, Kim succeed will help carry them far in Perez, Michael Sager, Caitlyn Stave, their careers.

Jeff Moses, and Raheel Bhyria.

Sparkada’s launch brings excitement and sparks inspiration in the entertainment industry

The male members of Sparkada

(From left) Shonka, Baz Luhrmann, Doja Cat, and Yola

New ‘Elvis’ movie to showcase music of Doja Cat, Shonka, and Yola RCA Records is set to release the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack for Baz Luhrmann’s forthcoming film Elvis, in theaters on June 24, starring Austin Butler and Tom Hanks.

The lead single, Doja Cat’s “Vegas,” incorporates “Hound Dog” and will be released May 6 on all platforms – presave the track here. Doja debuted the single for the first time at Coachella this year, where she received high praise for her set; UPROXX proclaimed “…we’ve definitely seen all the evidence we need to say that Doja should have headlined Coachella 2022.”

She also brought out acclaimed Gospel artist, Shonka, who plays Big Mama Thornton in the film and will be

on the upcoming soundtrack as well.

Coachella’s 2022 line-up featured several of Luhrmann’s musical collaborators from the film, including Nashvillebased country and soul artist, Yola, who portrays Sister Rosetta Tharpe.

Elvis is an epic, big-screen spectacle from visionary filmmaker Baz Luhrmann that explores the life and music of Elvis Presley (Austin Butler) through the prism of his complicated relationship with his enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks).

The soundtrack features Elvis’s extraordinary body of work spanning the 1950s, ‘60s, and ‘70s, while also celebrating his diverse musical influences and enduring impact on popular artists today.

The female members of Sparkada

Shanti Dope salutes all the youth eager to hustle for success RAPPER Shanti Dope has dropped an astounding new single titled “Maya,” a song written with the goal of becoming a strong anthem for the new generation in mind.

Clocking in just a little over three minutes, “Maya” is an exuberating rap track with a hypnotizing hook that only the young rap phenom along with producer Lester Paul “Klumcee” Vaño can deliver.

It is in fact Shanti Dope’s tribute to his generation: a new class of Filipinos breaking barriers, conventions, and what it takes to be who they want to be. It is an anthem of defiance, where each “Ey, kamusta?” is met with the assurance that Shanti — and all who share his relentless spirit — can only go bigger, higher, and stronger.

The bravely-executed hip-hop masterpiece song was inspired by today’s youth, who are never shy to hustle and to be much more progressive and liberal in their own little ways. Just like the bird “Maya” which is, of course, ubiquitous here in the Philippines, the song firmly believes that the youth of today have unrelenting determination to soar higher and value their

freedom.

The infectious song details how millennials and generation Z alike can stand out and prosper in life since they prove to be the more enlightened and free-thinking generations compared to the older ones. Its lyrics are direct to the point and technically brilliant, reminding listeners that we should not doubt the capabilities of the young ones. We should feel hopeful and root for them instead because they have lots of things to prove, especially in the face of adversity.

Shanti Dope and the rest of his crew knew that they wanted the music video to be a no-brainer interpretation of the whole idea of the song.

Better watch out for it soon.

It doesn’t hurt that its triumphant horns, memorable hook, and Shanti’s signature flow make “Maya” a banger of a song that can rock a sold-out stadium or the next big revolution happening in the streets.

“Maya” is now available on different streaming platforms.

Pinoy rapper Shanti Dope

MAY 1, 2022

Are Animals Conscious Beings

Like Humans?

Part 2 of 2

By Mariana Burgos

W

ITH scientists, they base on the physiology of the brain (in relation to its whole body) to say whether or not an organism has consciousness. Of course, their conclusions throughout the years were always based on the level of technology that man was able to develop to aid their researches and experiments for this. Their conclusions, in short, are always objective because they are based on facts---on what is actually, physically present or manifested with side notes of "what ifs" for the purpose of continued research and experiments because technology continues to develop.

Having said so, in 2012, at the University of Cambridge, a prominent group of cognitive neuroscientists, neuropharmacologists, neurophysiologists, neuroanatomists, and computational neuroscientists gathered to declare the conclusion of their research and experiments on what really determines consciousness on living organisms. They declare that, "The absence of a neocortex does not appear to preclude an organism from experiencing affective states. Convergent evidence indicates that non-human animals have

the neuroanatomical, neurochemical, and neurophysiological substrates of conscious states along with the capacity to exhibit intentional behaviors. Consequently, the weight of evidence indicates that humans are not unique in possessing the neurological substrates that generate consciousness. Nonhuman animals, including all mammals and birds, and many other creatures, including octopuses, also possess these neurological substrates." (The Cambridge Declaration on Consciousness, 2012)

Kabang saved two young girls— members of her human family—in Zamboanga City in December 2011 when she reportedly jumped in front of a motorcycle. Dina Bunggal, 11, and cousin Princess Diansin, 3, could have suffered major, if not fatal, injuries if Kabang had not saved them. But Kabang lost her snout and upper jaw due to this heroic act. (Photo by Don Preisler/UC Davis in the article "Hero dog Kabang gets new nose" in cbsnews.com)

Animals as conscious living beings

The Cambridge Declaration on Consciousness has now proven that humans are not the only conscious living beings on this planet. Factual as the declaration maybe, recognition and adaptation of all peoples of all nations will definitely take a long time, just as what happened with the emergence of the concept of animal welfare---it took more than a century. But even before this statement was released, there had already been many documentations of animals undeniably showing signs of consciousness. The likes of Togo, the real hero dog of the famous Nome serum run in Alaska (Togo was the True Hero Dog of the Serum Run; It’s About Time He Got His Due, David Reamer, 3 March 2020); Hachiko, the adopted loyal inu dog of a professor at the University of Tokyo in Japan; and, Kabang, our very own famous aspin hero dog, are just a few of some very well documented cases that display animals acting out a conscious state of being.

There are, actually, thousands of documented cases all over the world of animals of different species, not just pet dogs or cats, that has shown proof of acting out consciously but now, with the internet and all the social media sites, access to all this has become a lot more easier. It even offers more than we can imagine. And if you do take some time to read about these cases, I guarantee that you would be shocked at how animals could be more humane than humans could ever be. More often than not, non-human animals are more self-sacrificing than most humans. They never think twice in sacrificing their very lives to save their human companions in the face of real danger. Come to think of it, I think, looking deeper into that point, of why some

animals are more humane than humans, could be more of great interest in learning about consciousness per se. This is my suggestion for our scientists.

Who knows? This maybe the study that could point us to finding the missing link of truly knowing what consciousness really is to a living organism.

Personally, I believe that all living organisms, relatively speaking, have a sense of consciousness.

Plants and trees (vegetation), cannot talk and do not have the same level of mobility as animals do but they do communicate with each other, and they do try to communicate with animals based upon their capacity as such beings. And there are documentations already to prove this. Our technology today has even created a device to help us hear them now. This device is called 'Plantwave'. It can detect electrical variations in plants through electrodes placed on the leaves. (https://www.news18.com/ news/buzz/its-2021-and-you-can-now-listen-tomusic-made-by-plants-4265087.html). Non-human animals, whatever species they may be, based on their beings capacity, do have conscious efforts in living their lives. I believe that with life, there is also consciousness. But it may vary in levels based on the type of being of an organism. That is why, I think, we have the saying, “all is connected or related”. It is because of consciousness in all living things. This is what connects us, humans, to everything. Based on this belief, therefore, I cannot, for myself, say that I have the right to place myself above any other living being. But I can say that humans can help in organizing other living beings as long as it is for the benefit of all living creatures and not just our own kind. This is also why in the Holy Bible, it is written that God made man as 'stewards' of all creation. Meaning, He entrusted man to care for other forms of His creation. He did not say that we may look down on all other life forms as of less value compared to ours. He made us stewards or caretakers.... not gods.

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.

Kabang was brought to the U.S. for facial surgery to help her eat better. But she had to be treated for heartworm and TVT cancer (venereal disease in dogs) first. After almost a year, the surgery was done and was a success.

In photo are clinicians, staff and caregivers who formed part of Kabang's medical team. This was taken May 20, 2013. Kabang was cleared by the medical team to go home to the Philippines on June 3, 2013. (Photo taken

by Don Preisler/UC Davis and published in the article "Hero dog Kabang gets new nose" in cbsnews.com) Kabang died in her sleep on May 17, 2021, or eight (8) years after the surgery. She was 13 years old or approximately 91 years old (human age).

Kabang with the Bunggal family and her puppy RJ on Aug. 12, 2012.

(Photo by UC Davis/Anton Lim and published in the article "Hero dog Kabang gets new nose" in cbsnews.com) I HAVE heard and seen so many stories of animals having done amazing heroic acts that one may not even come close to comparing it to human hero stories. It is because many of these animal heroes, in summing up their stories, did not show the slightest hesitation in putting their lives at stake during that heroic moment. This, considering they were "just animals."

Most humans, even up to this time, with all the advancement of technology and all the discoveries we have achieved that helped in enhancing our intelligence and our mental state, still regard animal lives as of lower value than our own. For me, this is such a sad thing.

The very idea of humans seeing animals as lower beings, to me, is proof that many of us are still in a primitive state of mind. That is why it is very easy for humans to entertain the option of "war," whenever people cannot find any compromise between themselves. They value "life" so low that they cannot see how they are throwing their own lives that easily for something that is, basically, worthless. Just look at what is happening now with Russia and Ukraine. To think that we have seen just how unnecessary war is based on what we have gone through with so many world wars in the past. We still do not get it, obviously.

To equally value the lives of other living

Animal Heroes Are True Heroes beings with our own is proof of having an advanced consciousness. I believe this is something we must really contemplate on. When one considers the life of another being as equal to his own, he will be extremely careful to not hurt them in any way and at any moment in time. It would be natural for him to always consider the welfare of that other living being at all times. And, if he sees these other living beings to be in an extremely dangerous situation, he will surely not have the slightest hesitation to help them or save them from such a predicament. And this is the very thing that I have seen in stories of animal heroes.

There are many animal hero stories that have been published. You can easily Google them any time you like. Also, there are still many more that are undocumented.

From the published stories, Kabang’s and Togo’s stories are my personal favorites. I used to love the story of 'Balto' because of the Disney cartoon. But when I learned the real story on that serum run to get the vaccine for diptheria (and that was just a year ago be-

A Burmese cat guards her newborn baby friend.(Photo from Love Meow)

cause of the movie Disney also made as their way of correcting their mistake in telling the said story), Togo is now my hero dog. Kabang, on the other hand, remains a hero for saving two children from being hit by a motorcycle which left Kabang without a snout.

Other stories of other animal heroes are just as fascinating even when their respective story is not as famous as the ones I said were my favorites. This one story that caught my attention because it looked like one of those movies of pet heroes is the story of the rescue dog named Axel. He was a shepherd Akita mix adopted by a great, great grandmother four years before the traumatic incident happened. A robber invaded the home of the elderly human owner of Axel. But Axel pounced on the robber, bit him and chased him down the street. Thus, the grandma was saved. (How Axel, the Akita Mix Saved a Great, Great Grandma, Lauren Cahn, September 29, 2020).

Another astonishing animal hero story is that of Masha. Masha was a stray cat in Russia who saved a newborn baby who

was abandoned in a pathway of one of the apartment buildings when the weather was so cold that you could freeze to death if you stayed outside. This stray cat, although homeless, was known and collectively cared for by the residents of the building. She was known to them to be very placid and friendly. That is why they all cared for her.

So when the residents heard her meowing frantically, they went to check her and they were shocked to see that Masha laid beside this baby to keep her warm and to prevent the baby from freezing to death. It turned out she was calling to them for them to help the baby. (Homeless Cat Cuddles With Abandoned Baby, Saves It From Freezing to Death, Ryan Grenoble, Jan. 16, 2015) Saving the best for last, this animal hero's story never fails to melt my heart as a mom.

I can even say that she showed a perfect example of how a mom genuinely sacrifices her own life for her children. This is the story of Scarlet, the Mom Cat Hero. This happened in 1996 when an abandoned garage in Brook-

Axel, the Akita mix rescue dog who saved a great, great grandma.

(Photo from article of Lauren Cahn)

lyn, New York, USA, got burned. Scarlet, a stray mom cat of five (5), made her nest there in that garage. When a fire started in that place, the New York Fire Department was contacted by people nearby and was able to get to it and extinguish the fire quickly. But while they were trying to put out the fire, they noticed a cat running back and forth inside and outside the building. When they looked at it more carefully, they realized that the cat was trying to save her five (5) kittens from inside the burning building carrying them one by one even when she had already caught fire herself. At that moment on, the firefighters tried their best to help her out because she was already severely burned. Her kittens were all safe and unharmed. Because of this amazing display of motherly sacrifice, Scarlet became famous (Mother Cat Runs Into a Burning Building 5 Times to Save Her Kittens, Uyenvy, Hvslen Blog). Scarlet is a hero mother cat that one can definitely look up to.

There are many more animal hero stories that are worth sharing again and again.

We, humans, would definitely learn a lot from them. If our children were told more often of the stories of these hero animals, perhaps more people would try to be more like these animals and be genuinely humane as we should be. Mariana Burgos

Scarlet, the Hero Cat mom. (Photo taken from the article about her in Good Times.)