Manila Standard - 2022 June 19 - Sunday

Sara takes VP oath today

Rody, BBM, GMA among special guests in Davao inauguration n By JIMBO GULLE

Vol. 36

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No. 123

2 SECTIONS

June 19, 2022 8 PAGES

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IN MET R MANILAO

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ARA Duterte-Carpio is set to be sworn in as the country’s 15th Vice President today in her hometown of Davao City, sweeping into office with the largest majority vote since 1969 and garnering the most votes for any office in a single-winner election in Philippine history.

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SARA THEN AND NOW.

A big banner is posted at San Pedro Park where Vice President-elect Sara Duterte-Carpio will be inaugurated on Sunday in Davao City. On Saturday, she inspected the site and took selfies with her constituents, welcomed German Ambassador Anke Reiffenstuel at City Hall, and was shown a copy of her page in her college yearbook at San Pedro College (inset photos from left). CNN Philippines, German Embassy photos

Marcos names next BIR, NICA chiefs Important dates in VP-elect n By JOEL ZURBANO

PRESIDENT-ELECT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has named the head of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) and two other nominees for the top posts in the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) who will serve under his

administration.

In a press statement on Saturday, Press Secretary-designate Trixie Cruz-Angeles said Marcos nominated retired Philippine National Police (PNP) deputy director General Ricardo de Leon as NICA Director General-designate.

De Leon, as NICA chief, will become part of Marcos’ security cluster joining

other officials from the departments of Defense, Local Government, Foreign Affairs, and Justice; the Armed Forces of the Philippines; the PNP; and the National Bureau of Investigation,Cruz-Angeles said.

Meanwhile, former BIR deputy commissioner Lilia Guillermo has been tapped to lead the country’s leading tax collection agency, Cruz-Angeles said. CONTINUED ON 3A

Duterte-Carpio’s history

MAY 31, 1978 – Birthday of Sara Duterte, second child of Rodrigo Duterte and Elizabeth Zimmerman 1999 – Graduated from San Pedro College in Davao with degree in BS Respiratory Therapy May 2005 – Graduated with Law degree from San Sebastian College-Recoletos; Passed the Philippine Bar Examinations later in the year

May 2006 – Admitted to the Bar, becoming a lawyer; Worked for a few months as a court attorney at the office of Supreme Court Associate Justice Romeo Callejo Sr. October 27, 2007 – Married fellow lawyer Manases Carpio, whom she met while studying law at San Beda University June 30, 2007 – Elected as Vice CONTINUED ON 3A

SC rules chat thread on FB admissible as proof in court

PHOTOS and messages obtained from Facebook Messenger accounts are admissible as evidence in court, the Supreme Court has ruled.

Based on a 31-page decision penned by Justice Jhosep Lopez released late Friday,

the high court sustained the conviction of a petitioner, Christian Cadajas, for violation of the Anti-Child Pornography Act through the new ruling.

Cadajas reportedly claimed that a chat thread presented CONTINUED ON 3A

REMEMBERING RIZAL.

Kids play at the bronze statue of a young Dr. Jose Rizal and his pet dog in the garden of Rizal’s family in Calamba, Laguna, while other families roam the grounds (inset) on Saturday. The country will celebrate the 161st birthday celebration of the national hero on Sunday. Danny Pata

DOH warns fresh infections in NCR may hit 800 to 1,200 METRO Manila could record between 800 to 1,200 fresh COVID-19 infections daily by the end of the month if cases continue to grow, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Saturday, just as it warned about the rising hospitalization rate in some

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Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the Philippines is averaging about 350 cases daily this week, higher by “about 50 percent to 60 percent” from the previous week.

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The capital region, however, posted an average of 170 cases daily from just 102 infections the week before.

Meanwhile, the rollout of booster shots for 12 to 17 years old may start as soon as CONTINUED ON 3A

GRAB’S 10TH YEAR. In a grand spectacle of fireworks, lights and sounds, Grab welcomed its 10th anniversary by bringing its communities’ stories to life through the Grab BIGA10 Wheel at the SM Mall of Asia Eye at SM by the Bay in Pasay City on Saturday. Norman Cruz

Bongbong resolute to meet Ukraine closer to berth Yulo bags gold in Asian PH food security challenge in EU amid Russia blasts tilt, plus 2 ‘World’ slots NEWS | 2A

WORLD | 3A

SPORTS | 1B

JUNE 19, 2022

BBM resolute to meet food security challenge—Angeles n By MARICEL V. CRUZ

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NCOMING President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s resolve to prioritize and boost agriculture will be carried out through immediate and long-term actions, as governments worldwide brace for a looming food crisis, said incoming Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles.

Meanwhile Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda warned that the country’s economic recovery could be undermined by a “massive disinflationary effort” in the United States to arrest rising prices of goods and bring liquidity levels to its pre-pandemic trajectory.

Several overlapping crises have created a “perfect storm” for a worldwide food crisis, according to the World Bank, World Trade Organization (WTO), and the June-September 2022 Hunger Hotspots outlook by the

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the World Food Programme (WFP).

The FAO and WFP warned of an “acute food insecurity.”

“The lingering effects of COVID-19, weather extremes, economic shocks, conflict, the rising cost of fuel and energy, public debt burdens, and disruptions in supply chain brought about by the war in Ukraine have been identified as factors exacerbating the strain

on food security, which has now become a race against time,” Angeles said.

“Organized violence and conflict remain the primary drivers for acute hunger… Moreover, weather extremes such as tropical storms, flooding and drought remain critical drivers in some regions,” global experts said.

“Ripple effects of the war in Ukraine have been reverberating globally against the backdrop of a gradual and uneven economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, steadily increasing food and energy prices, and deteriorating macroeconomic conditions,” they added.

Since the Ukraine-Russia war began in February, shipments from Ukraine’s Black Sea harbors have halted and those of the Russian Federation reduced in volume, thereby increasing the cost significantly especially on countries dependent on food imports.

“Disruptions to Ukrainian agricultural production, logistics and food processing caused by active fighting and input shortages already affect global food supplies.

Group: PH faces transport crisis, needs quick fix n By MARICEL V. CRUZ COMMUTER network The Passenger Forum (TPF) on Saturday urged the government to come up with immediate solutions to help the public cope with rising cost of living amid spiraling fuel prices.

“We are now in a transport emergency.

It is obvious that whatever the government is doing is definitely insufficient to our gigantic problems in the transport sector. Even before the spate of oil price hikes, we already have a PUV supply problem. Now, many of the remaining PUVs have decided to stop plying their routes because they’re losing money instead of earning income," TPF convenor Primo Morillo said in a statement.

Since March 2021, TPF has been clamoring campaigning for more public utility vehicles (PUVs) to meet increasing demand for mass transportation as the country transitions to the new normal with the COVID-19 pandemic gradually easing out.

“The government’s approval of an increase in jeepney fares proved ineffective in solving the income problems of PUJ drivers and operators. And we know that with inflation, it is not wise to hike fares drastically. We have heard of diesel subsidies but it also seems to be insufficient," Morillo said.

He also cited the need for the government to form an emergency task force that will quickly look for ways to solve the transport woes.

"The DOE and the DOTR are just ineffective and the DOTR even prematurely celebrated their supposed achievements two weeks ago,” Morillo said.

BIKERS’ EMERGENCY BAY. Bikers avail themselves of the services of the newly launched Central Bike Station at SM City Taytay in Rizal province. The facility aims to provide assistance and support to the biking community toward a “more eco-friendly and sustainable lifestyle.” Norman Cruz, Danny Pata

US backs PH protests vs.

China vexing moves in WPS THE United States has rallied behind the Philippines' protests against provocative Chinese actions in the West Philippine Sea, particularly blocking delivery of supplies to troops stationed in the disputed islands and deploying some 200 militia vessels to swarm a reef within the country's territorial waters.

"We share the Philippines’ concerns regarding the PRC’s (People’s Republic of China) provocative actions interfering with Philippine sovereign rights within the Philippine exclusive economic zone near Second Thomas Shoal and massing vessels near Whitsun Reef," US State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement on June 17.

"The United States supports the Philippines in calling on the PRC to end its provocative actions and to respect international law in the South China Sea," the document stated.

Last week, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) accused China of illegal fishing and preventing Philippine vessels on a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) by using fishing nets and buoys.

A Philippine Navy vessel— the BRP Sierra Madre—has been grounded at Ayungin Shoal since 1999. The ship manned by more than a dozen Marines and sailors has become a symbol of Philippine sovereignty in the offshore territory. It is 105.77 nautical miles from the nearest Philippine province of Palawan and constitutes part of the country’s 200-nautical mile continental shelf as provided under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. In another reef, at least 200 Chinese militia vessels were sighted around Julian Felipe, also known as Whitsun Reef, which is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

Price said China's recent actions "are part of a broader trend of PRC provocations against South China Sea claimants and other states lawfully operating in the region."

China, which considers nearly 90 percent of the South China Sea, including areas within the West Philippine Sea, as part of its territory, has denied any wrongdoing.

Although Washington is not a party to the disputes, it has declared that it is in its national interest to ensure freedom of navigation and overflight in the contested waters where Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also have overlapping claims.

The Philippines maintains a Mutual Defense Treaty with the United States, which binds the two allies to come to each other’s aid in case of foreign aggression.

LGUs urged to ensure children’s safety on the road Solo winner bags n By JOEL E. ZURBANO LOCAL officials must ensure that national roads are cleared of any obstruction to protect children from accident when the face-to-face classes resumed.

This as Department Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año who urged local government units to sustain the implementation of the nationwide Road Clearing Operation (RCO) and campaign against tricycles on national highways.

“The Road Clearing Ops and ‘no trike on national highway’ campaign have to

be sustained. Hindi puwedeng ningas-kugon. We urge our LGUs to continue and sustain their successes to protect our children from road accidents, lalo na ngayong papalapit na ang face-to-face classes,” Año said in a statement.

“As the influx of children travel on roadways going and back from their schools, children are exposed to road accidents. These policies on road safety can save lives and reduce road collision deaths and injuries.”

Of the 41,365 barangays covered by the RCO initiative, 93.53 percent or 38,690 barangays continue to respond to the call

to clear streets of obstructions for the month of March 2022 with the latest data submitted on May 6, 2022.

The DILG noted that all regions were above the 80 percent adherence rate establishing the hard work performed in the barangays in ensuring that their streets are free from obstructions and are safe for children to travel.

Año said LGUs and the local police must ensure that national highways must be free of tricycles and pedicabs unless otherwise allowed by an ordinance in the absence of alternate routes.

90k saved from child labor—DOLE

SKATEBOARDING DAY. A man performs tricks on a skateboard as he

participates in an event celebrating Go Skateboarding Day in Manila on June 18. AFP

MORE than 90,000 children have been removed from harmful work since the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) started profiling child laborers.

Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III said the initiative was aimed at creating a database that would serve as a basis for providing appropriate services and interventions necessary to remove children from child labor.

The profiling was aligned with the Philippine Development Plan 2017– 2022 goal of reducing child labor cases by 30 percent.

Since 2018, the Labor department has already collected the key demographic information of over 400,000 child laborers nationwide.

The latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority estimated that 597,000 children are still engaged in child labor, mostly working in the agri-

culture sector.

Meanwhile, cases of online sex abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) spiked by 264 percent during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sexual exploitation was among the worst forms of child labor identified by the International Labour Organization.

In a study by the Institute of Labor Studies (ILS) presented during the National Stakeholders’ Summit addressing the Worst Forms of Child Labor, including Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation, the alarming rate of increase can be attributed to the country’s affordable and easily accessible internet packages.

“Affordable internet access also contributes to enabling impoverished households to participate in this money-making scheme,” ILS Researcher Frances Camille Dumalaog shared.

P103.2M in 6/45 lotto jackpot

A LUCKY bettor in Malabon City became an instant millionaire by winning the Mega Lotto 6/45 draw on Friday, with the jackpot prize of more than P103-million.

In an advisory Saturday, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) said the solo winner picked the numbers 10-12-02-27-03-18 for a total earnings of P103,269,281.60.

The country’s newest multi-millionaire can claim his cheque at the PCSO main office in Mandaluyong City by presenting the winning ticket and two identification cards.

As mandated by the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law, lotto winnings of more than P10,000 are subject to a 20-percent tax.

A total of 122 bettors won P32,000 each for guessing five out of the lotto’s six winning digits; 5,268 will get P1,000 each for four correct digits; and 64,507 will settle for P30 each for three correct digits.

Prizes not claimed within a year will be forfeited.

Mega Lotto 6/45 is drawn every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

This is the third time this month that a lone bettor bagged the jackpot prize.

The first was from Cavite, bagging the P9.4-million jackpot in the 6/42 draw on Thursday, and another from Las Piñas City, who won P12.9 million jackpot in the 6/42 draw on June 9.

Meralco cuts power in selected areas on Saturday n By ALENA MAE S. FLORES THE Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) cut off power in selected areas on Saturday afternoon due to the tripping of the Hermosa-Limay 230kV transmission lines 1 and 2 which led to multiple plant trippings.

Meralco spokesman Joe Zaldarriaga said an automatic load dropping (ALD) occurred at 1:53 p.m Saturday and power was fully restored by 2:11 p.m on the same day.

"This was due to the decrease of an approximate 1200MW in Meralco's load affecting around 1.6 million customers in

portions of Caloocan, Valenzuela, Malabon, Manila, Makati, Muntinlupa, Las Piñas, in Metro Manila, as well as parts of Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna and Cavite," Zaldarriaga said.

ALD is a safety procedure wherein power is cut off at certain areas because the power supply is very low.

Grid operator National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) reported a 'red alert and yellow alert status on the Luzon Grid on Sunday afternoon due to “generation deficiency.”

NGCP placed the Luzon grid on ''red alert'' for intervals 1500H-1600H and 1900H-2200H and ''yellow alert'' for

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intervals 1700H-1800H and 2300H, which triggered the power interruption in the franchise areas of Meralco and other distribution utilities in Luzon.

DOE cited the report of NGCP, which stated that the Hermosa-BCCP 230kV L1 and L2 tripped and isolated the Bataan Plants resulting in ALD at Meralco and NGCP feeders at 1353H. This prompted the DOE to instruct the NGCP to immediately resolve the transmission line issues, submit to the DOE the list of affected customers that experienced power interruption, and explain the details of the incident.

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

MAHATMA MK GANDHI AWARD. Commission on Higher Education (CHED)

Commissioner Ronald L. Adamat presents to the media his trophy of the “Mahatma MK Gandhi Prize for Non-Violent Peace,” which he received last March 27, in a virtual awarding ceremony held at a restaurant in Quezon City. Also in photo are (from left) CHED-NCR director Dr. Julieta Paras, HWPL chief branch manager John Rommel Garces, and Tarlac Agricultural University president Dr. Max Guillermo. Manny Palmero

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

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

Associate Editors News Editor City Editor

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

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

WORLD

INBRIEFS JUNE 19, 2022

COOL AT THE LOUVRE. A sunbather

sits near a fountain in front of The Louvre Pyramid in Paris on June 17, , as a heatwave sweeps across much of France and Europe.

The Meteo France weather service said it was the earliest hot spell ever to hit the country, worsening a drought caused by an unusually dry winter and spring, and raising the risk of wildfires. AFP

Ukraine closer to EU berth as Russia bombs Donbas

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YIV—President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed Brussels’ support for Ukraine’s European Union bid a historic achievement, as his country’s eastern Donbas region faced intense Russian shelling.

Brussels spearheaded a powerful show of European solidarity on Friday by backing Kyiv’s bid for EU candidate status, an endorsement that could add

Ukraine to the list of countries vying for membership as early as next week.

The European Commission is set to meet at their Brussels summit on Thursday with all 27 leaders already backing Kyiv’s candidacy and the heads of the bloc’s biggest members -- France, Germany and Italy -- giving full-throated support to the idea.

Even though EU membership could still be years away, Zelensky called the decision a “historic achievement”.

“Ukrainian institutions maintain resilience even in conditions of war.

Ukrainian democratic habits have not lost their power even now,” Zelensky said in a video address.

His comments came as powerful shelling struck the country’s Donbas region – large parts of which have been occupied by Russian troops – sparking

a humanitarian catastrophe that “continues to deteriorate rapidly,” according to the UNOCHA. Hundreds of people are trapped in makeshift bomb shelters in the key city of Severodonetsk, which is in the Lugansk region, including at the besieged Azot chemical plant, governor Sergiy Gaiday said.

“It is now impossible and physically dangerous to get out of the plant due to constant shelling and fighting. There are 568 people in the shelter, including 38 children,” he said.

Gaiday said this week that around 10,000 civilians remained in the city, which is controlled mostly by Russian forces.

The Ukranian army said on Saturday there was continuous “fire from artillery and rocket-propelled grenade

launchers at the positions of our troops and civilian infrastructure”.

Russian forces also launched missile strikes on Ukraine’s largest oil refinery on Saturday, according to the regional governor in the central Poltava region.

“Kremenchuk (oil refinery) is again under enemy strike. Between 6 and 8 Russian missiles hit refineries and other infrastructure,” Dmytro Lunin said in a Telegram message.

In the city of Lysychansk, also in Donbas and the target of Russian shelling, residents were preparing to be evacuated.

“We’re abandoning everything and going. No one can survive such a strike,” said history teacher Alla Bor, waiting with her son-in-law Volodymyr and 14-year-old grandson. AFP

Europe braces for record early heatwave amid climate change PARIS -- France, Spain and other western European nations braced on Saturday for a sweltering June weekend that is set to break records and sparked concern about forest fires and the effects of climate change.

The weather on Saturday will represent a peak of a June heatwave that is in line with warnings from scientists that such phenomena will now hit earlier than usual thanks to climate change.

Temperatures already nudged over 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in parts of France on Friday.

But they are due to relent slightly from Sunday with thunderstorms forecast in parts of France and elsewhere in Europe.

French state weather forecaster

FromtheFRONTPAGE SARA...Breaking tradition, the outgoing mayor of Davao is holding her inauguration 11 days before her actual term as Vice President begins at noon on June 30. She will take her oath of office on Sunday before Supreme Court Associate Justice Ramon Paul Hernando.

Outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to attend his daughter’s oathtaking, along with President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr., former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and at least four ambassadors, governors, congressmen, and other politicians, Duterte-Carpio said.

“My personal guests are my family, my children; I asked them if they wanted to attend so they confirmed to their mother that they will attend,” she said. “Basically, it’s the immediate family and the extended family from the Zimmerman, Duterte and Carpio families.”

She also revealed her plan to deliver the “shortest inaugural speech” for a Philippine VP, citing possible bad weather. She noted she wanted to hold her inaugural in her hometown and bailiwick as she is aware that fellow Mindanawons take pride that the next vice president hails there.

“I know that it is truly the pride of people from the provinces that there is a vice president that comes from Mindanao,” she said.

Despite Malacanang saying his attendance was “tentative,” President Duterte – the first Chief Executive from Mindanao -- is expected at the event,

Meteo France said June temperature records had already been beaten in 11 areas on Friday and could reach as high as 42 Celsius in some areas on Saturday.

“This is the earliest heatwave ever recorded in France” since 1947, said Matthieu Sorel, a climatologist at Meteo France.

With “many monthly or even alltime temperature records likely to be beaten in several regions,” he called the weather a “marker of climate change”.

In Spain, forest fires burned nearly 9,000 hectares (22,240 acres) of land in the northwest Sierra de la Culebra region on Friday, forcing some 200 people from their homes, regional authorities said. AFP which falls on both Father’s Day and the birth anniversary of national hero Jose Rizal.

The presidential daughter was declared the winner of the 2022 vice-presidential race last May 25 with 32,208,417 votes or 61.53% of the official ballots cast for her in the May 9 polls.

Duterte-Carpio is the first vice president from the Davao region and the third from Mindanao after Emmanuel Pelaez (1961 to 1965) and Teofisto Guingona Jr. (2001-2004).

On the eve of her inauguration, “Inday Sara” said she wants to build a permanent building for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and at least six satellite offices as her legacy for the second-highest elected post in the land.

In ambush interviews after inspecting the San Pedro Square venue of her inauguration, the VP-elect said her team will temporarily use the Quezon City Reception House as the OVP headquarters but would seek a move to a bigger place.

Duterte-Carpio also said she would continue to reside in her hometown of Davao, traveling to Manila for work much like her father, who steps down on June 30.

Duterte-Carpio did not mention how long the speech would last but noted that its theme would be like the remarks she made during the recent electoral campaign.

Since Marcos has also tabbed her as the incoming Education Secretary, Duterte-Carpio said she would use her first 100 days in office to discuss resuming faceto-face classes, about two years since the COVID-19 pandemic forced students to take virtual lessons to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

BURNING TRAIN. Protesters set a train on fire during a demonstration against the

government’s new ‘Agnipath’ recruitment scheme for the army, navy, and air forces at a railway station in Secunderabad, India on June 17. AFP

MARCOS...She said Guillermo’s track record makes her qualified to serve as BIR Commissioner-designate. Guillermo currently serves as an assistant governor at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

“Guillermo’s strong background in Information Technology (IT) and her almost four decades of service at the BIR complements President-elect Marcos’ objective of boosting the country’s revenue through efficient tax collection,” she said.

Cruz-Angeles said Guillermo will be joined by Lawyer Romeo Lumagui Jr. who will serve as the BIR Deputy Commissioner for Operations-designate under the Marcos administration.

Lumagui, Cruz-Angeles said, is a tax lawyer “with decades of experience who once served as the Regional Investigation Division Chief of Revenue Region No. 7B East NCR.” Meanwhile, Senator Panfilo Lacson said he is confident retired general Jose Faustino Jr. is qualified to be the next Department of National Defense (DND) secretary under the incoming administration.

Marcos designated Faustino as Senior Undersecretary and Officer-in-Charge of the DND, a post he would later assume as Secretary on Nov. 13, 2022, in compliance with the one-year ban on the appointment of retired military officers.

SC...as proof against him “should be excluded since the same was obtained in violation of his right to privacy.”

Describing the case, the decision noted: “In 2016, petitioner, then 24 years old, started a romantic relationship with AAA, a 14-year-old girl. AAA, using her mother’s cellphone, BBB, would converse with the petitioner on Facebook Messenger. In one of their conversations, petitioner coaxed

41 dead as floods hit Bangladesh, India SYLHET, Bangladesh—Monsoon storms in Bangladesh and India have killed at least 41 people and unleashed devastating floods that left millions of others stranded, officials said Saturday.

Floods are a regular menace to millions of people in low-lying Bangladesh, but experts say climate change is increasing their frequency, ferocity and unpredictability.

Relentless downpours over the past week have inundated vast stretches of Bangladesh’s northeast, with troops deployed to evacuate households cut off from neighbouring communities.

Schools have been turned into relief shelters to house entire villages inundated in a matter of hours by rivers that suddenly burst their banks.

“The whole village went under water by early Friday and we all got stranded,” said Lokman, whose family lives in Companiganj village.

“After waiting a whole day on the roof of our home, a neighbour rescued us with a makeshift boat. My mother said she has never seen such floods in her entire life,” the 23-yearold added. AFP

British journo confirmed dead in Brazil’s Amazon ATALAIA DO NORTE, Brazil -- Brazilian police on Friday officially identified the remains of British journalist Dom Phillips, who was found buried in the Amazon after going missing on a book research trip.

The grim result comes after the disappearance on June 5 of Phillips and his guide, indigenous expert Bruno Pereira, ignited an international outcry, with the United States calling Friday for “accountability.”

Phillips was identified through “forensic dentistry combined with forensic anthropology,” the Federal Police said in a statement.

It said it was still working on “complete identification” of the unearthed remains, which may include those of Pereira, who had received multiple death threats.

Veteran correspondent Phillips, 57, and Pereira, 41, went missing in a remote part of the rainforest rife with illegal mining, fishing, and logging, as well as drug trafficking. AFP

Ecuador declares state of emergency in 3 areas QUITO—Ecuador’s President Guillermo Lasso declared a state of emergency in three provinces late Friday in response to sometimes violent protests by Indigenous groups demanding cuts in fuel prices.

Oil producer Ecuador has been hit by rising inflation, unemployment and poverty exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.

Fuel prices have risen sharply since 2020, almost doubling for diesel from $1 to $1.90 per gallon (3.8 liters) and rising from $1.75 to $2.55 for petrol.

Demonstrators from the country’s Indigenous community—which makes up over a million of Ecuador’s 17.7 million inhabitants— launched an open-ended anti-government protest this week that has since been joined by students, workers and others.

The demonstrations have blocked roads across the country, including highways leading into the capital Quito. AFP

AAA to send photos of her private parts, to which AAA relented.”

“BBB later discovered this conversation when AAA forgot to log out of her Facebook account on her mother’s phone, prompting AAA to deletethe messages on her account.

However, BBB forced AAA to open the petitioner’s Facebook messenger account to get a copy of their conversation,” it added.

The tribunal ruled that the Bill of Rights under the Constitution, which includes the right to privacy, “was intended to protect citizens from government intrusions, the right to privacy and its consequent effects on the rules on admissibility of evidence cannot be invoked against private individuals.”

“In the case of petitioner, the Facebook Messenger chat thread was not obtained through the efforts of police officers or any State agent but by AAA, a private individual who had access to the photos and conversations in the chat thread,” the decision read.

geire declined to disclose the specifics.

She clarified that the national hospitalization rate remains below 20 percent.

Metro Manila can be elevated to Alert Level 2 if its average daily attack rate (ADAR) or the number of fresh infections in an area, “would be more than 6 per 100,000 of the population,” said Vergeire.

Hospitalizations, she said, must also reach the moderate risk level to be placed in a stricter quarantine level.

Despite these projections, Vergeire cautioned the public and analysts on calling it a “surge.”

The recent spike in COVID-19 cases may be attributed to the population’s waning immunity due to the “slow uptake” of COVID-19 boosters as well as the presence of more transmissible omicron variants, the DOH said.

DOH...next week once the guidelines have been released, the DOH said Saturday.

Vergeire said the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC) has already submitted its recommendation to the office of DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III for approval.

Once he gives his go signal, Vergeire said the DOH would start drafting the guidelines immediately.

“Cases continue to rise even if the rate of increase is slowing, so we should all still be cautious,” Vergeire said in a public briefing.

“What we have are projections that by the end of June we could reach 800 to 1,200 cases per day if the current rate continues,” she added.

Several areas in Metro Manila, Calabarzon, and Caraga regions were also being monitored for reporting a slight increase in hospital admissions due to the virus. Ver-

IMPORTANT... Mayor of Davao City, serving until 2010, with her father Rodrigo Duterte as Mayor June 30, 2010 – Elected as Mayor of Davao City, becoming the first female mayor of the city and the youngest elected mayor of Davao October 23, 2017 – Launches Tapang at Malasakit movement February 23, 2018 – Launches Hugpong ng Pagbabago regional party November 13, 2021 – Files candidacy for Vice President in May 9, 2022 national elections November 16, 2021 – Accepts offer to become chairperson of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats party May 9, 2022 – Elected as country’s 15th Vice President with 31,561,948 votes

JUNE 19, 2022

Filipino CEO spots ample Tetrix Network team

opportunities in blockchain A

TECHNOLOGY entrepreneur spots multiple economic opportunities that the blockchain technology can make possible for the Philippines.

Emman Navalan, a web3 enthusiast and co-founder and chief executive of Tetrix Network, says blockchain can be used in industries and sectors that require trust like accounting and other financial services, logistics, arts, business transactions, transfer of ownership or data safekeeping of relevant documents for efficiency to eliminate redundancies and middlemen and improve quality of life.

Navalan, who is also the founder and CEO of Viridian Technologies Inc., describes blockchain as an infrastructure technology that created digital trust. It is known for being secure, immutable or tamperproof, traceable and always forward-moving,” he says.

“It allows digital ownership and peerto-peer transactions,” says Navalan, who promotes inclusion and innovation for a sustainable and “trustless” future.

Tetrix Network, the company he leads, is an interconnected ecosystem that aims to bridge the gap among all blockchain projects.

Navalan was a former president and project manager of Aldaemuz Konstruct

Inc., which handles innovative Industrial projects and horizontal and residential construction.

Origin of Tetrix He started Tetrix Network in 2020 as an effort to change the way blockchains are designed and developed for the digital space where communities, enterprises, governments and individuals interact and coexist in the same ecosystem without having to worry about different blockchains.

Navalan says Tetrix is a collection of projects that build the products, tools and infrastructure for resilient, sustainable and inclusive communities.

Navalan says a lot of opportunities await Filipinos through the blockchain technology. “Personally, I started trading [cryptocurrencies] which allowed me to read and learn about how blockchain works. The collective knowledge, collaboration and validation with my co-founders and partners allowed us to create our version of the blockchain,” he says.

“There are a lot of opportunities not just for the youth, but anyone to engage in this web3 as it touches all industries,” he says.

Cryptocurrency A GWI study ranks the Philippines 2nd globally in terms of ownership of cryptocurrency. It says 22.7 percent of Filipino respondents own and use crypto. A different survey from Finder Cryptocurrency Adoption Index ranks the Philippines 5th worldwide, with 28 percent of adults saying they own

cryptocurrency.

Another data discovered that 74 percent of Filipinos are aware of crypto ownership and its uses in the country.

Cointelegraph shows that the country’s peer-to-peer trade in the crypto market exceeded $1 million for the first time in 2020 at the height of community quarantines amid the pandemic.

Navalan says it is important to first understand how blockchain technology works and what can it contribute to the growth of businesses. He says the explosion of the crypto ecosystem over several years resulted in a greater demand to build high-throughput applications like gaming, NFT (non-fungible token) marketplaces and media apps on cost-effective blockchains.

“This is where Tetrix comes in.

Using the omni-chain interoperability protocol, businesses and developers can implement inter-chain applications without having to rely on a middleware approach. The applications built on top of Tetrix make crypto more accessible to end users, accelerating the exponential adoption of digital assets, banking on its goal to be the gateway to the web3 or the decentralized internet,” he says.

Navalan says Tetrix’s team is composed of a diverse group of individuals who not only made significant contributions in their respective fields but also built their reputations for being fair, efficient, experienced and true to their word.

“We now have more than 20 people

in the company and 12 advisors who build, educate, promote and contribute to the next generation of the web,” he says.

“Tetrix Network aims to accelerate web3 adoption with our platform and solutions that would complement existing applications to bridge users and businesses around the world. To sustain growth, we plan to educate people about web3 and educate more developers and aspiring developers through our programs and partnerships,” he says.

Challenges Several issues, however, prevent the full development of the blockchain industry in the Philippines, which include general awareness and education, lack of developers, regulatory clarity, high licensing fees and nascent solutions.

“This is all due to the fact that the technology is still new to many,” Navalan says.

He says the Department of Finance’s plan to tax cryptocurrencies is critical to the development of the industry.

Navalan says Filipinos should welcome the taxation plan. “We must

Tetrix Network co-founder and CEO Emman Navalan

understand, first and foremost, that we need this to move forward. This is something that bigger companies such as Binance, Coinbase and others are actually open to and they’re welcoming it because they know that this is going to pave the way for even more adoption in the mainstream,” he says.

He says the proposed bill in Congress should be drafted in a way that is crypto-friendly. He warns that imposing a 30-percent tax like in India is going to kill the industry.

“They have to really make sure that it’s something that’s forward-thinking, because at the end of the day, it’s all about collection. You don’t increase the percentage just because you’re targeting the collection. You can do it in multiple ways; you can invite more people to participate by being friendly to crypto and at the same time, get the taxes,” he says. Roderick T. dela Cruz

Coca-Cola expands PET bottle collection program

By Othel V. Campos

Officials of Coca-Cola Philippines, Plastic Bank and General Trias town in Cavite team up to collect PET plastic bottles.

Globe Group forms new company, appoints CEO THE Globe Group formed AdSpark Holdings Inc. to consolidate initiatives around its adtech and data capabilities. It will be part of the 917Ventures’ portfolio of industries.

Comprising the holding company are digital and mobile marketing solutions provider AdSpark Inc., multi-channel messaging platform M360, intelligence-powered solutions provider iNQUiRO and adtech startup Deep Sea. The initial portfolio forms a strong base foundation where the Globe Group’s digital advertising and data business can further thrive and scale.

“Our assets and capabilities in data, advertising and customer relationship management for B2B sit in various parts of the Globe Group and render solutions to customers independently. But it has now become imperative to synergize and capitalize on their collective capabilities, increase operational efficiencies, build compelling solutions on data and ad-tech and innovate at a macro level to maximize opportunities,” said Globe Telecom president and chief executive Ernest Cu. To lead AdSpark Holdings is Nikko Acosta, who will serve as its chief executive. Acosta retains his position as chief strategy officer of the Globe Group.

Acosta is one of Globe’s proven, steadfast, driven and results-oriented leaders with nearly 20 years of experience across mobile, broadband, enterprise, international and content. He has amassed general AdSpark Holdings management experience working and Inc. CEO Nikko collaborating with people.

Acosta

GENERAL TRIAS, Cavite—Doubling efforts to rid the environment of post-consumer plastic waste, Coca-Cola Philippines and Plastic Bank announced concerted efforts to double the haul of PET plastic bottles to 10 million metric tons in 2022 in observance of the World Oceans Day. Coca-Cola Philippines president Antonio del Rosario said the collaboration, in its 2nd year, aims to address and resolve the global packaging waste issue while improving the lives of partner collectors and junk shops enrolled in the Plastic Bank Ecosystem Impact Program.

“At Coca-Cola, we recognize that we have a big role to play in helping solve the plastic waste problem,” del Rosario said during the Ecosystem Impact Week launch on June 8 at Robinsons Place General Trias.

A social enterprise project, the collaboration between Coca-Cola and Plastic

Bank will also benefit small-scale entrepreneurs and individuals by collecting plastic bottles and depositing the same to accredited malls. A collection booth has been set up for consumers visiting the mall, where they can bring clean and used plastic bottles which will be repurposed by a third party recycling partner.

Coca-Cola Philippines, Plastic Bank and the local government of General Trias, Cavite teamed up to educate more Filipinos on the value of collecting and recycling recyclable plastics.

“With partners like Plastic Bank, the government, non-government organizations, civil society, industry and private sectors, we know that a ‘World Without Waste’ with measurable, positive impact is possible,” Del Rosario said.

Plastic Bank is a social enterprise that builds collection and recycling ecosystems in coastal communities by working directly with individuals in the informal waste sector and micro and small enterprises like junk shops.

Through the Plastic Bank Ecosystem, collector partners are given access to training, tools and equipment for efficient waste collection and a source of livelihood. The program also connects collector partners to the market, either through material recovery facilities or junk shops that buys their collections to ensure the sustainability of the program.

A testimonial from Jenny Arcilla, owner of Jecka Junkshop, provided insight on how small business contribute to making the oceans clean and safe for marine animals and how humans benefit from the practice.

In January 2022, Arcilla turned her business into a Plastic Bank Partner branch.

Through the partnership, her shop was refurbished and given the proper equipment, ensuring safe working conditions for her all-female staff. After receiving training, they also learned how to use the Plastic Bank app, which assists shop owners in tracking collections and sharing their waste collection impact online.

Pangilinan, Tan headline 2022 National PR Congress UNDERSCORING the important role of communications in shaping the Philippines in the next normal, Metro Pacific Group chairman Manuel Pangilinan and Alliance Global Group chief executive Kevin Tan headline the list of business leaders who will lead thought-leadership conversations during the National Public Relations Congress hosted by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines on Sept. 1 and 2 at The Peninsula Manila in Makati City.

“We are very excited to present a roster of speakers and panelists, not just from the communications industry but also from the business community, who believe that the public relations profession is integral to their organizations’ growth and success,” says PRSP president Harold Geronimo.

Metro Pacific Group Other business icons joining the high-level discussions are Bernie Liu, chairman Manuel founder and CEO of The Penshoppe Pangilinan

Group and June Chaye Cabal-Revilla, chief financial officer and chief sustainability officer of Metro-Pacific Investments Corp. Also flying in from overseas are Prita Kamal Gani, president of ASEAN Public Relations Network; Jaffri Amin Osman, executive member of the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management; and Fiona Cassidy, president of PR Institute of New Zealand.

“This year’s Congress aims to inspire through thought leadership from those who thrived throughout the pandemic and served others through effective and empathic communications during the most challenging two years globally. The first-ever joint Congress aims to propagate truth, innovation, and progress as key anchors for communicators. Through this convergence, we hope to continue responsibly and sustainably help rebuild and reopen Alliance Global our economy,” says Cathy Yang, chairGroup CEO person of the National PR Congress.

Kevin Tan

n By PETER ATENCIO

M

ANILA’S finest athlete Carlos Yulo continued to stamp his class in the 9th Senior Artistic Gymnastics Asian Championships at the Aspire Dome on Friday evening in Doha, Qatar.

The 22-year old Tokyo Olympics veteran picked up a gold medal and two more seats to the world championships on Day 3 of the four-day meet.

Yulo’s gold medal finish in the floor exercises came a day after he settled for a silver medal, in the men’s all-around.

The 2019 world champion tallied 14.933 points after he hurdled a tough stand from his Chinese, Japanese and Korean rivals.

South Korea’s Kim Hansol and China’s Jiaxing Yang settled for second and third respectively, after collecting similar 14.333 points.

The feat earned Yulo the third spot in the FIG Artistic World Championships to be held in Liverpool, England from October 29 to November 6.

His first two qualification spots came after his second-place finish in all-around on Thursday and a fourth place performance in the rings during the late Friday evening finals Yulo’s wowed the judges, according to observers, and he displayed confidence on the floor and in the presence of top gymnasts from traditional heavyweights, China, Japan and South Korea.

After claiming 14 points in the vault, Yulo took fourth behind gold medallist Lan Xing Yu of China

Olympian Caloy Yulo continues to shine in the Senior Artistic Gymnastics Asian Championships at the Aspire Dome in Doha, Qatar (Photo from GAP Facebook)

Yulo bags gold in Asian tilt, 2 more ‘World’ slots

Duterte leads groundbreaking of PH training center in Bataan n By BUTCH GUNIO PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Friday led the groundbreaking of the modern Philippine Sports Training Center (PSTC) in Bataan.

The Bataan LGU donated 25 hectares site of the training center in Bagac, Bataan.

The modern center will house 39 sports facilities for aquatics, athletics, gymnastics, weightlifting, and taekwondo, among others, according to the Philippine Sports Commission.

Duterte said the project will have a huge impact on the future of the national athletes and the young generation as well.

The President said more worldclass athletes will be raised and developed to represent the country in international competitions.

PSC Chairman Butch Ramirez said he has been wanting an ultra-modern

national sports training facility for a long time, and the creation of the PSTC is very timely.

Meanwhie, Bataan Governor Albert Garcia took the opportunity to express his gratitude to President Duterte for choosing Bataan in hosting the said facility.

The governor said it will help Filipino. athletes to be more competitive and achieve more medals in competing in international games and Olympics.

He also said that since the site of PSTC is near the Mt. Samat Shrine, the heroism and valor of our heroes will inspire Filipino athletes.

RA 11214, signed February 2019, mandated the establishment of a sports complex which will be primary venue for the development and training of national athletes.

The training center costs P3.5 billion.

President Duterte with Philippine Sports Commission chairman Butch Ramirez

NU ladies move a win away from UAAP women’s volley title NATIONAL University moved on the cusp of the UAAP Season 84 women’s volleyball championship and a tournament sweep, staging a masterclass game against De La Salle University, 25-20, 25-12, 25-21, in Game One of the best-of-three finals, Saturday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The Lady Bulldogs will try to earn their first title since 1957 on Tuesday, 6:30 pm, at the same venue.

“Ginamit namin ‘yung time ng stepladder para makapagprepare kami. Una nagpolish muna kami ng galaw namin,” said NU head coach Karl Dimaculangan. “Nung nalaman na namin na La Salle ‘yung kalaban namin, doon na kami nag-aral.”

The Lady Spikers fought back in the third period, keeping it close until the end, trailing by just two, 20-22.

However, Alyssa Solomon just hammered back-to-back powerful hits via a crosscourt kill and a back row attack for the match point. She committed a service error in the ensuing play though but Mhicaela Belen finished the game, 25-21.

Knotted at seven in the first salvo, NU went on a 9-2 blast, capped by La Salle rookie Alleiah Malaluan two errors, to pull away, 16-9, en route to a 25-20 scoreline for the early lead.

It was the same midway blitz for the Lady Bulldogs that let them run away in the second frame, going on a 16-5 surge to masterfully move a set away from a sweep, 25-12.

NU, despite being plagued by errors, dominated all departments, especially the blocking and serving categories, 11-3 and 8-2, respectively.

“Hindi pa po masyado ‘yung game namin kasi may parts po ng game na nagso-slow down kami,” said Belen on what NU needs to improve on, pointing on their 25 errors.

Belen and Solomon top-scored for the Lady Bulldogs with

in 1995 during his MVP season while playing for the RFM franchise.

He was a three-time Best Player of the Conference awardee, two-time Mythical First Team, a four-time All-Star MVP and 11-time All-Star, a two-time slam dunk champion, and was the Most Improved Player in 1993.

The no. 1 overall pick in the 1992 draft, the man they called ‘Aerial Voyager’ was voted part of the PBA’s 25 Greatest Players in 2000 when the league celebrated its silver anniversary.

Meneses suited up for Presto, Sta. Lucia, Swift, Pop Cola, Barangay Ginebra, FedEx, Barako Bull, and Talk ‘N Text in a 14-year pro career.

A many-time national team player, he later went into coaching and called the shots for his alma mater for almost a decade.

The Bulakan, Bulacan mayor will join the two-hour celebration honoring the top performers of Season 46, including the recipient of the prestigious Virgilio ‘Baby’ Dalupan Coach of the Year and the Danny Floro Executive of the Year.

15 points apiece with two service aces each, while the former added 13 excellent receptions.

Cess Robles and Ivy Lacsina chimed in 12 points apiece with the latter outscoring La Salle alone in the blocking department, 5-3.

The Lady Spikers were checked all throughout with Leila Cruz as their highest scorer with just six points.

Fifi Sharma, Jolina Dela Cruz, and Malaluan had five points each as well in the straight-set defeat that lasted for just an hour and 26 minutes.

The NY Lady Bulldogs can wrap up the title with another win over DLSU on Tuesday

Herbotts fires 33 as Belgium thwarts Poland BELGIUM outlasted Poland. 25-20, 15-25, 25-22, 22-25, 1513, to earn its first win in the Quezon City leg of the Volleyball Nations League Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Raising its record to 2-5 overall, Belgium kept its hopes alive of making it to next month’s Finals in Ankara and more importantly, avoid relegation.

Along with hosts Turkey, the top seven teams after the 16team, three-week long preliminary stage will advance to the July 13-17 finale.

Britt Herbotts put up a show with 33 points, all from spikes, for Belgium.

Meneses is guest of honor at PBA scribes’ awards A FORMER MVP and one of the 25 greatest players in PBA history who successfully transitioned to public service serves as the special guest of honor during the 2022 PBA Press Corps Awards Night at Novotel Manila Araneta Center.

Re-elected Bulakan, Bulacan mayor Vergel Meneses graces the June 21 event and reacquaints with his PBA family while coming off fresh from earning a second term as mayor of one of Bulacan’s first-class municipalities.

During the affair, the 53-year-old public servant will also personally receive the President’s Award handed out to him by the group regularly covering the PBA beat during its virtual staging of the awards meet held last year.

Meneses was recognized with the President’s Award in celebration of the 25th year anniversary of his winning the MVP award, and then serving his first term as mayor back in 2019.

The 6-foot-2 Meneses, a product of Jose Rizal University, was a three-time champion, two of which he won back

(14.5), with Ahmad Kohani Mahdi of Iran in second with 14.33, and Taipei’s Lin Guan Yi in third (14.2).

Two more podium finishes are on Yulo’s radar, who is a finalist in the vault and parallel bars.

In the women’s action, South Korea’s Seojong Yeo (14.084) grabbed the vault gold, while Japan’s Shoko Miyata took the silver (13.884) and India’s Pranati Nayak finished third for the bronze (13.367).

Jordan’s Ahmed Abu Al Soud pulled an upset in the pommel horse, beating Iran’s Saeedreza Keikha to claim the title. The podium-finishers and fourth and fifth placers will also qualify for the world meet.

On Thursday, 21-one-year-old Cong Shi took the men’s all-around gold to contribute to China’s domination in the Asian meet with 83.33 points, ahead of Yulo, who came second with 83.867 points.

Defending champions China swept the men’s and women’s team, and the men’s and women’s all-around titles on Thursday.

JUNE 19, 2022

Britt Herbotts delivers one of her 33 spikes to lift Belgium.

“I know it’s my role in the team so I know I get a lot of balls and important to score of course. The most important thing is we really played as a team,” said Herbotts. “It was really a tough fight and I’m happy with the two points.”

The five-set win gave Belgium only two points, but it does not matter as it tries to get as many victories as it can heading into the crucial stage of the VNL. “It is really important because it is a really tough week.

Mentally, physically, there are a lot of games. After a win, it is easier to be back with a smile. It was a boost for our team,” said Herbotts.

The last-placed team in the VNL will play in the Challenger Cup which will be held in Zadar, Croatia on July 28-31.

Belgium, which will face Bulgaria at 11 a.m. Sunday, hopes to march on despite all the tremendous odds it encountered before the start of the tournament.

“The most important thing is staying in the VNL. Top eight is maybe difficult for this season because we brought some new players in the team, find new stuff. We are working really hard, we are fighting really hard. It has not been easy until now. Let’s hope for more points tomorrow,” said Herbotts.

“We are not thinking about top eight. We are really thinking of staying in the VNL now. We love this tournament.

It’s really high-level performance tournament. The most important thing is fighting, stay in here and to be also here next season,” the outside hitter said.

Juico steps down from PATAFA top post AFTER serving the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association for seven years, Philip Ella Juico is quitting as its president and giving way to businessman-sportsman Agapito Capistrano.

Capistrano, the association’s former executive vice president and secretary-general will take over the post the 74-year-old Juico has held since 2014 Juico resigned as president following a board meeting held yesterday at the Diamond Residences in Makati City.

Capistrano was appointed by the board to take over the unexpired portion of

Juico’s term, which is up to November 2024, and after the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.

Despite his resignation, Juico will remain a member of the Board since he was elected as Chairman Emeritus.

Juico, who is best remembered for his numerous local and international initiatives and advocacies, assumed the post in 2014 from Go Teng Kok. “The PATAFA shall always remain steadfast to its core values of integrity, honesty, competence, and sincerity, the same values required of all PATAFA ath-

letes, coaches, and other stakeholders,” said Juico in a statement.

Juico and PATAFA stood their ground following a controversy involving pole vaulter Ernest “EJ” Obiena over allegations of mishandling of government funds last year.

“I am not leaving PATAFA or the sports community, as it is here where my heart lies but for now, I look forward to more family time and an opportunity to concentrate on personal and business interests and ventures and community advocacies,” added Juico. Peter Atencio

Life Editor: Nickie Wang

JUNE 19, 2022

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

A talk with an

Mitch Esguerra (center) remains a strong foundation for his family

esports dad U

NDENIABLY, children mirror who they admire, and in most cases, it is their fathers they seem to mirror the most. They revere them, follow them, and wish to be more like them. It is an intrinsic quality that fathers are emulated by their children. Given this, fathers always want to be the best example to their children.

Mitch Esguerra is a testament to this.

Despite his demanding role as the CEO of Southeast Asia at Galaxy Racer, the most prominent esports, lifestyle, and content organization, he remains the foundation of his family of seven (including their greatgrandmother and their beloved nanny).

With three children, a creative adolescent, a pre-schooler princess, and a

toddler, he carefully manages his time with them as he relates, “Time is a luxury, and having it well spent is better than just being there doing nothing.”

He describes himself as an authoritative parent, solving problems (together) with his children, setting clear rules and expectations, and with open communication and natural consequences.

Aside from being a father, Mitch Esguerra is also the CEO of Southeast Asia at Galaxy Racer

Mitch shares that his experiences as a parent are not a step away from how he manages the many startup companies, including Galaxy Racer. He said, “I have been growing companies since before I had children, but having children made

Mitch Esguerra (third from right) with the Galaxy Racer (GXR) group

Werner Herzog debuts novel set in PH everything else in the GERMAN filmmaker battle for sunlight.”

Werner Herzog debuts Apart from being this month his first nova story of a place and el, a surreal story set in its challenges, it is a the Philippines with his story of time and how it unlikely protagonist a Japanese soldier who erodes and erases itself fought a war for 30 as the years pass, time years, unaware that it eating itself like the Ouwas long over. roborous worm. “After NO SHELF CONTROL Known to cinephiles all his millions of steps,

BY JENNY ORTUOSTE as the auteur behind he had understood that the films Aguirre, there was – there could Nosferatu, and My Best be – no such thing as Friend, to name some of the more than 60 the present. Each step of the way was feature films and documentaries that he past, and each further step was future.” has produced, written, and directed since It is also a story of blurred vision and 1961, Herzog has also published over a even more hazy reality, a story of memory dozen books of prose over the decades. and its nature under extreme circumIn The Twilight World, Herzog, who is stances. How has Onoda hung on to his nearly 80, tells the incredible story of Hiroo sanity amid years of solitude and the Onoda. In 1944, toward the end of World stress of fulfilling impossible tasks in an War II, Onoda was ordered by his superior improbable world? officer to continue holding Lubang Island Herzog imagines Onoda’s state of mind “until the Imperial Army’s – was he sleepwalkreturn” and “defend ing, dreaming, was its territory by guerilla it all an illusion? Yet, tactics, at all costs…”

“Among the terrors The novelette is an of the night was a imagining of Onoda’s horse with glow28 years of futile and ing eyes, smoking useless struggle in the cigars.” And thus, jungle, fighting a war perhaps unknowthat was long over. Heringly on the author’s zog’s work, writes San part, enters the most Francisco Chronicle’s Filipino of references Zach Ruskin, involves in the entire story. “poetic, sweeping pasOtherwise, aside sages in which Herzog from the location, rides his protagonist’s there is nothing ever-spinning mind to Filipino here. There muse on grand concepts is only the privalike loyalty, time, and tion and trauma of self” to deliver “a superb Onoda’s internal, and yet painful parable on mental landscape the fleeting nature of as he traverses the purpose.” perpetually damp Blending memoir and and lush external Werner Herzog expertly blends history with poetry and environment toward memoir and history with poetry and an imagined future fiction, Herzog explores fiction in ‘The Twilight World’ the parameters of of rescue, vindicaOnoda’s fortitude in the tion, and triumph. face of uncertainty and How factual is the other themes including patriotism, grief, narrative of The Twilight World, considering and honor. that it is based on a true story and many The book’s chapters travel back and hours of interviews? Herzog writes: “Most forth in time to chronicle Onoda’s movedetails are factually correct; some are not. ments through the decades – as a man in What was important to the author was his 20s receiving orders from his superior something other than accuracy, some officer to stay on the island as a guerilla essence he thought he glimpsed when he fighter; then, accompanied by several encountered the protagonist of this story.” fellow soldiers, struggling to survive; later, Onoda eventually emerged from the alone, a middle-aged man, finally stepjungle in 1974, only after one of his comping down from his post to return home. manding officers, who by then was in his Herzog writes of the blurring of time 80s, traveled to Lubang to convince him and space with the same intense lyricism to stand down. Onoda died in 2014 at the that marks his films: “Time, time and the age of 91. His story, recalled by a few till jungle. The jungle does not recognize now, will be revived and transmitted to a time. They are like two alienated siblings wider audience through Herzog’s effort who will have nothing to do with each to explore the nature of loyalty and duty other, who communicate, if at all, only in amid the most adverse of circumstances. the form of content.”

“Days follow nights” without seasons in The Twilight World by Werner Herzog an unending blur of rain and “slightly less 2022 / 132 pages, pb / Penguin Press rain” with the dim, twilight surroundings being “one unvarying constant: everyFor comments and feedback, the author is thing in the jungle is at pains to strangle on Facebook and Twitter: @DrJennyO

me realize that I was and am practically the same on both ends. I give my children, as with my team, the same opportunities to speak and be heard, make their own mistakes and learn, and know I am here to mentor them whenever possible.”

As a father, Mitch is a simple man who prefers to travel and have unique experiences with his children, allowing them to recognize how big the world is to explore. And it is indeed a big world out there as Mitch himself experiences leading the establishment, growth, and scale of Galaxy Racer’s regional operations across the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia. Aiming to create Galaxy Racer, a transmedia powerhouse in the region’s esports, gaming, and content-creating industry.

Being at the helm of the largest gaming and lifestyle organization, en route to the largest transmedia powerhouse in the world, he says, “I will support my children

if they choose to be engaged in esports or content-creation.”

“Like any other endeavor, it requires passion and perseverance. And as long as they have it to keep pushing forward,” he added giving a piece of advice from one father to another with children who are into esports and content creation.

According to Mitch, being a father is not always rainbows and butterflies. He remarks, “I sometimes do not get it right the first time. But I usually remember that I have a vital role to play. And step-up whenever it is needed.”

A similar reality he faces with Galaxy Racer and its expansive ecosystem. He shares, “I believe I have a role to play in it, and everyone else has to do theirs. This will ensure that the industry will thrive and prosper.”

Mitch closes, “If there is one thing I would like my children to mirror, allow me to quote, Don’t stop when you’re tired.

Stop when you’re done.”

As a father of two young boys and a director for Shopee Philippines, Martin (center) constantly evolves to meet the needs of his family and consumers

Mark (rightmost) knows the relevance of perseverance and hardwork because of his role as a father and Shopee seller

Dads share how fatherhood

transforms their careers

for my family. I am grateful that my job as a Shopee Xpress partner rider allows me to come home to my children every day.

Being able to play an active role in their lives has given my life and my job more meaning and purpose,” Michael shares.

One of the things Michael is most proud of in life is being a present father in the lives of his children.

“My children are my biggest inspiration in life. It is very meaningful for me that I now get to fulfill my role as a father in a better way,” he ends.

FATHERS provide, protect, and persevere at home and at work. In celebration of Father’s Day, three fathers from Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, share how fatherhood has allowed them to become better versions of themselves, including at the workplace.

Evolving as a leader and as a father

Shopee Philippines Director Martin Yu has been leading teams to help businesses shift online through Shopee since 2017 and has seen the platform grow. As a father of two young boys, Martin has observed a common aspect between being a father and a leader that he now applies every day: the need to evolve.

“When Shopee started in the Philippines, I had to be more of a coach, but as we grew and built up a larger team, I had to adjust my leadership style. I tried to foster a culture where my team is encouraged to speak up and contribute their ideas and initiatives.

Now, my role is to ensure these align with our bigger business objectives,” Martin says.

As a father, Martin is mindful of how fast his sons are growing up and how he needs to similarly adapt his parenting style to keep up with their changing needs. “I encourage my children to try new things and try to be their buddy. I talk to my sons like we are friends now because they are developing their interests, and I want to encourage them to discover who they want to be in this fast-changing world.

Looking ahead, I know I must adapt even more as they become teenagers and young adults.”

Martin’s ultimate hope is that his work will inspire his kids to pursue impactful careers. “My sons are still young, but I think it’s never too early to teach them the value of meaningful work that significantly impacts society and empowers them to pursue a career path that offers that opportunity.”

Giving his best as a father and a seller

With his role as a Shopee Xpress Rider, Michael (second from right) gets to provide for his family while spending quality time with them

Building more meaningful relationships

Before coming to work for Shopee Xpress as a partner rider two years ago, Michael worked as an overseas Filipino worker in Taiwan, just like his father.

Growing up, he found it difficult to form a solid connection with his father since their relationship mainly consisted of online video calls. When Michael became a father four years ago, he knew he wanted to be a more present figure in his daughter’s life.

As a Shopee Xpress partner rider, not only is Michael able to provide for his family’s needs, but he can also play a more active role in the lives of his two children, aged two and four.

“Before the pandemic, I planned to return to Taiwan to continue providing

Since becoming a father, Mark has learned what it truly means to work hard and persevere. He nearly lost his daughter nine years ago to biliary atresia, a rare condition that affected her liver and required her to undergo an expensive procedure abroad. By selling customized pillows on Shopee’s platform, Mark has been able to provide for his family’s needs, including his daughter’s regular medication.

As a father and a seller, Mark said, “Nine years ago, I fought to become a father, and I continue to fight for my family every day.

When I started my online business, I struggled to get orders, but I persevered and gave my all for them. Selling through Shopee has allowed my family to reach many milestones like building a home and a warehouse.

Everything I do, whether as a father or a business owner, is driven by my love for my wife and daughters. Till today, I continue to give my best every day, not just for my family, but also for my customers.”

By embracing their roles as fathers, Martin, Michael, and Mark have come to understand better how to serve their customers and their teams in their respective roles as employees of Shopee and partners of Shopee Xpress. Their meaningful careers have enabled them to make a difference in the lives of others – both at home and in the workplace.

n Entertainment Editor: Nickie Wang

email: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

JUNE 19, 2022

Tara Allez to Fete de la Musique 2022

By Glaiza Lee DJ Blutch

Cheats

Itchyworms

Lola Amour

A

FTER two online editions in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Fete de la Musique, the mostanticipated free music event, returns to live stage with some of the country’s best, freshest, and most diverse acts on the local music scene this June.

Marketed as “Tara Allez!,” (which means “let’s go!” in both colloquial Filipino and French), Fête de la Musique PH 2022 hopes to provide generous French-Filipino crosscultural exchange while harnessing the healing power of music, forging new friendships, and building and supporting communities. This is also in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of Franco-Phil bilateral relations.

“We’re excited to bring the Fête de la Musique celebrations back to the beautiful places of the Philippines. This year’s festivities will find us rediscovering the joys of live and in-person music once again,” said Alliance Francaise de Manille executive director Xavier Leroux.

Fête PH 2022 features new and exciting collaborations between artists from the Philippines and France in live music concerts to be staged in various locations in the country, including Palawan, Baguio, Cebu, Siargao, and across Metro Manila.

In partnership with the Department of Tourism, the music festival aims to showcase the natural beauty and rich culture of some of the Philippines’ most popular tourist destinations.

“Now that the Philippines is open to fullyvaccinated individuals from all over the world, there’s no better time than now to explore our islands, and immerse in our vibrant arts, music, and culture,” enthused DOT Assistant Secretary for Branding and Marketing Communications Howard Uyking.

Pushing the #FeteFromMyIsland theme, here are the places you can catch the music across the Philippine archipelago: Lokal Lab for the

Five ‘kilig’ KDLex moments in ‘Run to Me’ BREAKTHROUGH love team KD Estrada and Alexa Ilacad have found comfort in each other in real life and also as their respective characters in the iWantTFC original series Run to Me, which is currently available for free on the streaming platform.

From total strangers, Wilson and Jewel (KD and Alexa) have become real friends who can confide in one another after they realized that they give each other a more meaningful perspective on life. Although they did not start off as the best of friends when they first met, Wilson and Jewel are forming a special bond, albeit unknowingly, with how they’ve helped each other overcome their struggles.

Here are five ‘kilig’-filled instances showing that Wilson and Jewel were always on the lookout for each other: 1. When Wilson ‘rescued’ Jewel from the kidnappers When Wilson jumped into a car to rescue Jewel from a group of kidnappers, what was supposed to be his “prince charming moment” turned out to be the exact opposite.

As he later discovers, he thwarted Jewel’s “grand plan” because she staged the entire kidnapping to attract the attention of her mother Emerald (Mickey Ferriols).

Despite this, Wilson showed genuine concern for Jewel, even if they were complete strangers at the time, and this was the first time Jewel felt that someone truly cared about her.

2. When Wilson agreed to be Jewel’s fake kidnapper Wilson and Jewel’s riotous journey began when Wilson

They have a win-win situation from helping each other, regardless of their approach

Siargao Stage on June 21 in Santa Fe Beachfront Playground; Kalye Artisano x Lio Estate for the El Nido Stages on June 26 and 28 both in Kalye Artisano; and Melt Records x Alliance Francaise de Cebu for the Cebu Stages on June 25 in Draft Punk and June 26 in La Vie. The main stage for Fête PH 2022 will be at the Puerta Real Gardens, Intramuros on June 25, featuring performances from Cheats, The Itchyworms, Lola Amour, Anima Tierra, and a special number by Brass Pas Pas Pas Pas featuring Curtismith, Toni B., Faye Yupano, and Zsaris. More surprises and performers will be announced soon.

In addition, Fête PH partnered with over 30 independently produced pocket stages in Metro Manila to simultaneously feature various genres and musical moods on June 24. The participating venues include Alchemy Bistro Bar, Archipelago Makati, Boogie, Braiser’s The Village Cafe in Paranaque, Commune, Craven’s Bar and Restaurant, Dear Adam Sweet Lucy, Elements Boutique Hotel, Futur:st, H&J Restaurant, Kampai, La Collina, Leisure HQ, OTO, Pardon My French, Pura Vida Manila, Saguaro Bar & Cafe, Skinny Mike’s Sports Bar in BGC, The Apartment, The Green Door, The Astbury, The Social on Ebro, The Spirits Library, Topic, Thumbayan Grill, White Banana, WYP, Z Hostel. Some performers include Basically Saturday Night, Johnny Alegre, Ean Mayor of UDD, Coffeebreak Island with Bing Austria & Tuesday Vargas, Tropical

Depression Apartel, Mulan, and Samantha Nicole.

Fete PH is also bringing in three amazing French artists Marc Fichel, DJ Blutch, and Maxime Cozic, who will be flying all the way from Paris to perform around the country.

Singer-songwriter and pianist Marc Fichel will perform in Sofitel on June 23; in Intramuros on June 25 with The Voice Teens grand winner Cydel Gabutero; and in El Nido on June 26.

DJ Blutch, known for his abstract hip hop and house mixes with video mapping, will perform in Sofitel on June 24; in Intramuros on June 25 in a surprise Filipino movement act, and in Cebu on June 26.

Dancer and choreographer Maxime Cozic will perform his 18-minute solo piece and will collaborate with embodiment artist Dona Tumacder-Esteban and improvisational drum circle Bathala Na at the final Fête PH 2022 stage in Kalye Artisano in Lio Estate on June 28.

Fête PH and Funkybeat Entertainment partnered to compose and produce “Tara Allez!,” a song that perfectly captures how music brings people together, giving a sense of community and belongingness through good vibrations and camaraderie. The song is performed by various artists from Manila, Cebu, and Palawan, among others.

Fete de la Musique in the Philippines 2022 is presented by organized by Alliance Française de Manille, in partnership with the Embassy of France to the Philippines and B Side Productions.

CHNDTR continues to make pop-rock waves Wilson (KD) shows genuine concern for Jewel (Alexa) despite being strangers at first

officially agreed to be her fake kidnapper so that he could earn money for his mommy Bebot (Nikki Valdez), who is battling leukemia.

In devising their plan, Wilson also gamely accepted to help Jewel gain her mother’s affection. The two of them are working hand-inhand so that it’s a win-win situation for them - Jewel helps Wilson pay for his mom’s chemotherapy, while Wilson helps Jewel repair her relationship with Emerald.

It was also Jewel’s idea to invite Aion (Karl Gabriel), a famous artist who mommy Bebot is a huge fan of, to meet her. Because of this, mommy Bebot was filled with extreme joy and she was able to forget about her problems even just for a while.

5. When Wilson and Jewel engaged in a heart-to-heart conversation Wilson and Jewel both knew that they touched each other’s lives 3. When Jewel helped Wilson and made a significant impact on earn money one another during their heartfelt Wilson and Jewel’s relationship conversation when Jewel was reached the next level when ready to return home to her family. she made an effort to help him As they exchanged kind words earn money by doing live singing and thanked each other for helping sessions. Although they’ve only them through difficult times, known each other for a while, Wilson reminded Jewel to always Wilson and Jewel instantly grew look at the brighter things in life very fond of one another and they “Bilangin mo kung anong meron showed that they truly care about kesa ‘yung wala ka. Piliin mong each other’s well-being. maging masaya kahit mahirap.”

The two got even closer (literally) when they almost locked lips as Will Wilson and Jewel give in Wilson laid his eyes on her while to their hearts’ desires and allow he was teaching her how to play themselves to fall in love? the guitar.

Don’t miss the last two episodes of Run to Me every Saturday 4. When Jewel decided to take at 8:00 p.m. on the care of Wilson’s ailing mom iWantTFC app As if helping in raising (iOs and money wasn’t enough, Android) and Jewel also went out of website her comfort zone to (iwanttfc. help mommy Bebot com). by doing household chores. Jewel made it a point to learn how to wash her own The couple clothes, cook rice, nearly shares and wash the dishes a kiss during – tasks she had never an intimate experienced as a “rich scene kid” but ended up enjoying them.

As their relationship deepens, Wilson and Jewel frequently share heart-to-heart conversations

Maxime Cozic

Jewel lends a hand as Wilson cares for his mother and does the household chores

ONE thing about CHNDTR, a band that is making waves with its unique pop-rock sound, is that the members are happy to release new material reflecting their growth, particularly in what themes their music tackles.

Such growth drives their new single “Mine,” a bilingual song that drops on major streaming services.

Released under [which imprint?], the song was The art for CHNDTR’s latest single ‘Mine’ composed by Anne Margarette Detera and The story of “Mine” is an Niko Joei Bertrand Bacani, produced by the band and experience that listeners can Tiny Corpuz, and recorded at Line connect with. The band tells us that this reflects the story of two In Records.

The band says that “Mine” is people who have been unable to their first recorded love song, admit their love for each other for contributing to an important musical two years now, yet choose to care tradition in original Filipino music. for one another. They say that What they want to contribute is a the experience of moving from throwback to music that emerged in being friends to lovers sounds like a cliché, but add that this is their childhoods.

“Most of the [composers of] ‘90s one of the strongest kinds of love, OPM love songs are fond of playing because even when there are with English and Tagalog in their conflicts or struggles, they choose to be together in the end. music,” the band says.

“Mine” is CHNDTR’s way of This practice dates back even earlier, though, with a few ‘70s helping people in similar situations songs from the Manila Sound express their feelings for their movement incorporating English loved ones. They say that it is a slang into mostly Tagalog lyrics song that one can send to the and a mid-1980s classic, “Boy” by other, preferably through a link— Timmy Cruz, alternating English which is now available on all music streaming platforms. and Tagalog lines in its verses.

Lead singer Chin (second from right) with her CHNDTR bandmates Sean on bass, Niko on lead guitar, and Zach on drums

JUNE 19, 2022

Super Dads

Flamingo, emperor penguin, and South American great rhea (Photos from iStock; collage by author.)

of the

Animal World

By Mariana Burgos

E

VERY year on the third Sunday of June, the world celebrates Father's Day, an annual global event honoring fathers and their vital role and influence in society. While their importance is recognized and appreciated every day, this special day serves as a reminder to recognize and respect all fathers’ relentless work and sacrifices for their families.

Some of the characteristics that have come to be associated with human father figures like strength, dependability, dedication, and compassion, can also be found in fathers of the animal kingdom. Some animal fathers, like their human counterpart, go to great lengths to protect and nurture their offspring.

While these characteristics may be found in males of several animal species, some super-dads stand out for going for the seemingly impossible for their children. Fathers may help ensure that their genes are passed down to the next generation—and the next—by improving the chances of survival of their offspring.

These wonderful creatures take parenting seriously and always step up when it comes to taking care of their children, from pregnant papas to aggressive fathers. So, in no particular order, here is our toast to the most loving fathers of the animal species.

Marmosets

Male marmosets in South America are among the best animal fathers. Marmoset fathers are said to be wired this way due to the high expense of birth for the mother. Because baby marmosets are approximately 25 per cent of their mother's body weight, giving delivery can be a life or death situation. For mom marmosets, pregnancy and giving birth drains their vitality, therefore their offspring's survival depends on their father's participation.

They not only carry, feed, and groom their twin babies, but they also groom and clean the newborns during delivery, acting as midwives. If that isn't romantic enough,

consider this: a marmoset daddy doesn't even look at another female once his pups are born. (Bryan Nelson, Nature’s 10 Best Animal Dads, Tree Hugger, 11 May, 2022)

Flamingos

Flamingos, like other birds, mate for life, but their monogamous devotion to their partner is all the more astonishing given that they congregate in the thousands. Male flamingos assist their female partners in selecting nesting places and constructing mud nests before they lay eggs. The fathers share responsibility for incubating the eggs once the eggs are laid, taking turns sitting on the nest for equal lengths of time. All parental chores are handled equally once the flaminglets are born. The fathers even give the chicks milk—not mammalian milk, but crop milk, which is fat- and protein-rich milk released by the flamingos' crop (an expansion of the esophagus used for storing food). (Science Insider, Most Impressive Dads in the Animal Kingdom, Youtube, 22 November 2018)

Emperor Penguins

Emperor Penguins is one of the best fathers out there because of his sheer perseverance and passion. The female Emperor Penguin is so short on energy and nourishment after depositing just one egg that she sets out to sea for two months to refuel.

During this time, the sole task for caring for and nurturing the child lies exclusively on the father, who excels at it. In subzero temperatures, the father keeps the egg warm by scarcely eating or moving until the chick hatches. And when it does, the father feeds it its first meal, crop milk (exactly like

A cat in heat will make a lot of noise, as he or she is looking for a mate. You can have your cat spayed or neutered.

By having your cat fixed, you will also help control animal population in the country which leads to an increase the number of homeless, or abandoned, and neglected cats.

CATS meow for several reasons and the reasons change from kittenhood to adulthood.

When kittens are hungry, cold or scared, they meow to their mommies. When they grow older, they use other vocalizations.

They yowl, hiss, and growl to communicate with each other. Meowing is reserved by cats for communicating with people, said Sandy Eckstein in “Cats and Excessive Meowing” in pets.webmd.com as reviewed by Dr. Amy Flowers.

The frequency and length of meowing varies by breed and depends on the cat.

“Oriental breeds, especially Siamese cats, are known as great ‘talkers,’ so anyone who doesn’t like meowing probably should steer clear of these breeds.

And some cats just seem to like to hear their own voices, while others seem to want to carry on a conversation with their owners. If your cat is talking a little more than you’d like, try to figure out the cause first. Once you know the reason, you can then work to get your cat to meow less,” Eckstein said.

Reasons for excessive meowing Eckstein enumerated the reasons for this, from serious causes to attention-seeking:

Hardhead catfish, giant waterbug, and bullfrog (Photos from iStock; collage by author.) the flamingos!) until the mother arrives with hunted solid food. (Science Insider, Most Impressive Dads in the Animal Kingdom, Youtube, 22 November 2018)

South American Greater Rhea Birds

The Greater Rhea bird from South America is one of the animals in the running for Father of the Year. In most birds, moms are in charge of kid care, but the Rhea bird is the polar opposite. The male Rhea bird is in charge of building a nest that contains the eggs of several distinct female Rhea birds. The mother Rhea leaves after depositing her eggs, whereas the faithful father stays with his nest for 42 days to maintain and incubate the eggs.

After the chicks hatch, dad Rhea devotes his entire attention to the 50 or so newly hatched young ones. The Rhea father is known for being fiercely protective of his children, and at 88 pounds and 5 feet tall, he is an intimidating bodyguard. Scientists believe that this species' parenting roles have been reversed because the moms devote so much effort into laying the enormous eggs, leaving the father to handle the remainder of the parental duties. (Science Insider, Most Impressive Dads in the Animal Kingdom, Youtube, 22 November 2018)

Seahorses

Seahorses are among the most fascinating animal fathers, which is why they are constantly at the top of the Father's Day wish list. The ideal catch might be a male seahorse. They are not only capable of becoming pregnant and brooding eggs in their pouch, but they are also monogamous, meaning they mate for life. The way it works is that the male seahorse will woo his lady with an intricate dance that ends with their tails intertwined. The eggs are actually sent through a tube into a pouch by the female. The male fertilizes the eggs inside the pouch and keeps them safe

Seahorse and marmoset (Photos from iStock; collage by author.)

for two to three weeks, depending on the species. And, like any good father, he keeps an eye on the salt levels in his pouch to make sure they match the surrounding environment and keep the baby seahorses safe. Male seahorses can give birth to up to 2,000 babies throughout their 25-day pregnancy! Daddy seahorses will proudly flaunt their expanding stomachs to each other until their baby seahorses are born.

(Eric Luis, Dads of the Animal Kingdom Who are Truly the Best, Weird Nature, 23 September, 2021)

Hardhead Catfish

A saltwater fish, the hardhead catfish.

They have one of the strangest reproductive cycles of any animal. When the female lays eggs, the father fish eats the eggs whole in his mouth, taking extreme care not to ingest the young. The marble-sized eggs stay safe and sound inside his mouth for months, or until they hatch and develop to over five centimetres in length!

Because he can't eat because his mouth is full of writhing progeny, the male must progressively subsist off his own body fat until the young are big enough to fly on their own. Unfertilized eggs, on the other hand, might sometimes provide sustenance for the father. (Science Insider, Most Impressive Dads in the Animal Kingdom, Youtube, 22 November 2018)

Giant Water Bug

The Giant Water Bug is another extraordinary father in the animal realm.

The painful bite of giant water bugs, also known as toe-biters and alligator ticks, makes them unwelcome company. Father water bugs, on the other hand, are devoted to their kids. The female water bug will use a natural and unexplained super glue to adhere her fertilized eggs to the male's back. This could include up to 150 eggs.

The male becomes a very effective parent during the next 21 days, protecting the eggs from predators and periodically

Stop responding to a cat who meows when he or she is seeking attention. Give the cat attention only when he or she is quiet. It is best to spend quality time with cats by playing, grooming, or talking to them as often as you can in a week, if you can not do it daily.

What to do when cats meow too much Illness. The first thing an owner should do is to have the cat checked by the vet.

Hunger, thirst or pain can lead to excessive meowing. These are caused by diseases which only a vet can determine through tests for proper diagnosis and treatment.

The cat could also have developed an overactive thyroid or a kidney disease, both of which can lead to excessive vocalizations.

Attention seeking. It is not true that it is okay for cats to be alone a lot. “Cats often meow to initiate play, petting, or to get you to talk to them,” said Eickstein. To minimize attention-seeking meows, stop responding when it happens. Give the cat attention only when he or she is quiet.

“If they start to meow again, look or walk away. But don’t ignore your pet. Spend quality time each day with them, playing, grooming, and talking to them. A tired pet is a quieter pet,” Eikstein said.

Wants food. Some cats meow when you walk in the kitchen and they want a bite of food. Many cats become very vocal

when feeding time is near. Do not feed the cat when he/she cries if this is the situation. “Wait until they are quiet to put down food, and don’t give them treats when they meow. If this doesn’t work, get an automatic feeder that opens at set times.

Now kitty will meow at the feeder and not you,” Eickstein said.

Greeting you. Many cats meow when their humans come home, or when they meet them in the house. “This is a hard habit to break, but look at it as kitty saying they are happy to see you,” Eickstein said.

They are lonely. If your pet is alone most of the time, think about getting a pet sitter to enrich your pet’s life. “Put a bird feeder outside a window they can watch. Leave foraging toys out with food inside. Get them a kitty condo and rotate

different toys that you leave out for play,” Eickstein suggested.

A stressed cat. A cat who is stressed becomes vocal. “A new pet or baby, a move or changes to the home, an illness or the loss of a loved one can turn your cat into a talker. Try to discover what is stressing your pet and help them adjust to the change. If that’s not possible, give your cat extra attention to help soothe them,” Eickstein advised.

Aging cats. Cats, like humans, can develop mental confusion, or cognitive dysfunction, as they age. “They become disoriented and often cry plaintively for no apparent reason, especially at night. A nightlight sometimes can help if your cat becomes disoriented at night, and veterinarians often can prescribe medications that help these symptoms,” Eicksten said.

Cats that want to breed. A cat who is not spayed or neutered will make lots of noise when in heat. “Females yowl when in heat, and males yowl when they smell

exposing them to air to prevent mold growth. When the eggs hatch, the father water bug assumes entire responsibility for the hundred or so young ones until they are ready to be released. (Science Insider, Most Impressive Dads in the Animal Kingdom, Youtube, 22 November 2018; Eric Luis, Dads of the Animal Kingdom Who are Truly the Best, Weird Nature, 23 September, 2021)

Bullfrog

Frogs have plenty of good fathers, as male parenting is popular among these amphibians. Some frogs, such as the South American Darwin frog, retain their eggs and young inside their mouths, hidden away in their vocal sacs. Others, like the Oreophryne frog, wrap their offspring in their arms to keep them warm and safe from insects.

Then there are the Glass frogs, who go all out to keep their eggs safe by kicking predators away! Other fatherly activities, including digging ponds for the children and riding on their backs, are also frequent among these amazing creatures. (Adam, Parental Care in Frogs and Toads, Gone Froggin’, 13 December, 2016) Human fathers may take pride in being hardworking breadwinners, responsible carpool drivers, or helpful camping companions. However, many other fathers in the natural world go beyond and above what is expected of them. It also begs the question of how humans can claim to be the superior species when many human fathers refrain from childbirth and child-rearing.

Regardless of species, we wish all of the outstanding dads who have inspired and enhanced the lives of their children a Happy Father's Day this June.

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.

Feed your cat only during feeding times.

Give treats when the cat is quiet, not when he or she is meowing.

a female in heat. Both can be maddening to live with. Getting your pet spayed or neutered will prevent this,” Eickstein said.

What Not to Do

Never ignore excessive meowing unless you are sure there is no problem.

“Although you don’t want to reward meowing, sometimes cats meow for good reason - they can’t reach their litter box, they’re trapped in a room, the water bowl is empty, “Eickstein said. “Check on them when they meow to determine if it’s something you can safely ignore, or a problem that must be corrected right away.”

Never punish a cat for meowing. “Hitting, shouting, and spraying cats with water rarely work to quiet a meowing cat in the long run, but all those actions will make your cat distrust or even dislike you,” Eickstein said.

Never give in. If your cat knows she will get what she wants if she meows, she will meow all the more, and louder at that. “In other words, it will probably get worse before it gets better. Just keep rewarding quiet behavior and ignoring meowing, and eventually they’ll get the idea,” Eickstein said.