Manila Standard - 2022 October 9 - Sunday

NEDA: Buy less, party simpler

TIGHTEN your belts, control your purchases and make holiday celebrations simpler to arrest a further increase in prices of commodities as the inflation rate is seen to remain high until the end of the year, National Economic Development Authority Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon said.

Edillon said the elevated inflation can be addressed by lowering demand on the consumer side.

“Let us reduce our excessive pur chasing. The increase in prices is due to external factors outside our control. What we can control is the demand.

Let us lessen it,” she said.

She advised consumers to have simpler celebra

tions for the holidays even as she acknowl edged it is not applicable to all Filipino families.

“This is not for everyone. We know that there are some families who go all out in preparing food during the holi days,” Edillon said.

On the supply side, the NEDA official said the government has programs to boost production.

Inflation in September accelerated to

6.9 percent from 6.3 percent in August due to higher food and utilities costs.

Meanwhile, diesel prices are expect ed to go up by at least P6 per liter on Tuesday – higher than earlier industry estimates.

Diesel prices are seen to increase by P6 to P6.20

PNP to give security to NCR media under threat

n By JOEL E. ZURBANO

THE National Capital Region Police Office said it will provide security to Metro Ma nila-based journalists who receive threats or are being harassed following the murder of veteran broadcaster Percival Mabasa.

Mabasa, 63, known to his colleagues as Percy Lapid, was the second journalist to have been killed under the current adminis

tration, according to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP).

NCRPO director Brig. Gen. Jonnel Esto mo said he has tapped all district directors and station commanders of the five police districts in Metro Manila to initiate a dia logue with newspaper reporters, broadcast ers and other media practitioners “to deter mine imminent threats if any and address their security concerns accordingly.”

“We acknowledge the risks involved in the job of our media friends, hence we are duty bound to protect them” Estomo said.

He said his directive was in compliance with the pronouncement of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to ensure the safety and security of all media practitioners in the country.

“The NCRPO acknowledges the essential role of our friends from the media for their

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday said health, livelihood, and peace initiatives have taken center stage in his first 100 days as the country's 17th chief executive.

In his weekly vlog, Mr. Marcos said he considers as his administration's accomplishments the implementation of policies and programs to ensure public health, provide more livelihood oppor tunities, and maintain peace and order in the country.

"We made sure to give proper atten tion to the foundations of an abundant society. For me, the promotion of health, livelihood, and peace could be

the theme of our first 100 days," he said.

Mr. Marcos said he picked the "best and brightest" government officials who can help him ensure the recovery of the country amid the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic and global challenges, includ ing rising prices of oil and commodities.

He said he did not feel that he was in a "honeymoon" phase because he is already "familiar" with his job as president.

"It has been 100 days since I served as president. Some are saying that the first 100 days is a honeymoon period, but I do not feel that way because I am

VP Sara: First 100 days felt like a hundred years

n By MARICEL V. CRUZ

VICE President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio said her first 100 days in office “feels like 100 years.”

This was her Instagram caption as she entered her 100th day in office Friday.

DepEd spokesman Michael Poa said her milestone as Education chief was the safe and orderly resumption of face-toface classes.

In a separate statement, the OVP also listed its accomplishments in the first 100 days of the Marcos administration, including the processing of P134.37 mil

lion in the medical and burial assistance program since July 1. Of the said amount, a total of P124,579,964.95 and P9,796,800 have already been processed for medical aid and burial assistance, respectively.

At least 13,315 recipients were served in all seven OVP satellite offices and OVP main office as of October 5.

As for the OVP’s Libreng Sakay Program, the office said it has served a total of 98,293 people in 1,470 trips nationwide.

Legislators led by Speaker Martin

CONTINUED

per liter, while gasoline prices will go up by as much as P1.20 to P1.40 per liter and kerosene by P3.50 to P3.70 per liter.

The Department of Energy said this is due to OPEC+’s decision to cut oil pro duction by 2 million barrels per day.

“The market has been reacting even

New Comelec commissioner Maceda takes oath before CJ

NEWLY appointed Commission on Elections Commissioner Ernesto Maceda Jr. has taken his oath before Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo.

Maceda, a lawyer by profession, was appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as ad interim Comelec commissioner on Oct. 3, 2022.

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Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia welcomed the appointment of Maceda,

whom he described as "a veteran election lawyer and election law professor."

Maceda is currently a professorial lectur er at the Ateneo Law School.

He taught election law, administrative law and constitutional law subjects at the law schools of PLM, Far Eastern University and Arellano University. He was Master of Laws

thesis professor for the

Bicol disaster offices go on ‘standby’ alert

n By JOEL E. ZURBANO AND MARICEL CRUZ

BICOL’S Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has placed all disaster response offices on “standby status” after Mayon Volcano’s alert level was raised from 1 (abnormal) to 2 (increasing unrest).

In a memorandum issued on Friday evening, Bicol DRRMC chairperson Claudio Yucot said the standby status is in prepara tion for any response to Mayon Volcano’s activities.

“Response assets should be on standby to support response activities of provincial, city, and municipal DRRMOs (Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices), espe cially chokepoints along the 6-km. radius of the permanent danger zone (PDZ),” Yucot said.

WHO: Expect global rise in COVID cases

THE World Health Organization is bracing for a global spike in new COVID-19 cases due to the colder weather that would push more activities indoors.

"This is to be expected as the weather cools and people spend more time together inside, and most countries no longer have measures in place to limit the spread of the virus,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said

“We expect reported cases of COVID-19 to increase. But the deaths don’t have to, given we have vaccines and therapeutics that can save lives," he added.

He said Omicron is still behind the ma jority of infections even as scientists are still tracking over 300 subvariants.

“We continue to call on all countries to increase surveillance, testing and sequenc ing, and to ensure the most at-risk groups are vaccinated," the WHO official said.

fair, truthful and timely dissemination of information as well as their contribution in cascading the PNP’s anti criminality pro grams for the benefit of the general public. It is then necessary that their concerns be given attention and dealt with,” Estomo added. Estomo likewise warned the killer of Mabasa to surrender to authorities while there is still a chance.

OATH-TAKING. Lawyer Ernesto Maceda Jr. takes his oath as commissioner of the poll body before Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo.

FORWARD LEAP. Prima ballerina Lisa Elizalde vows a ‘leaner but stronger’ Ballet Manila as the dance company returns to the stage with ‘Rise!’ – one of its special performances for the year at its home venue, the Aliw Theater. Teddy Pelaez

PBBM expresses sympathy over tragedies in Indonesia, Thailand

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday extended sympathy to the fam ilies of the victims of a deadly stampede that marred a football match in Indo nesia and the mass killing at a daycare center in Thailand.

Marcos said the Filipino nation condoles and prays with the families of the victims.

“We condole deeply with the families of those lost in the recent tragedies of the Indonesia football stampede and the Thailand daycare attack,” Marcos posted on Twitter.

“We pray for the recovery of the survivors, healing of those left behind, and that the departed may rest in

NPC backs SIM bill now up for PBBM signing

THE National Privacy Commis

sion (NPC) on Saturday said it supports the intention of the SIM registration bill that is now en route to the president’s office for enactment into law.

This is “to prevent the prolif eration of various and evolving electronic communication-aided criminal activities,” the NPC said in a statement.

But according to a group of computer professionals, the pro posed measure could lead to even more cybercrimes.

The bill is expected to be signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. after both chambers of Con gress passed the measure.

The NPC gave assurance that it would closely coordinate with agencies to develop guidelines for the implementation of the bill should it be approved by the Chief Executive.

The NPC added that there is a “strong need to future-proof” the bill to achieve its purpose.

This should be done in a man ner that “respects the rights and freedoms of the data subjects, recognizing that implementing the legislation would require a massive collection of personal data,” the NPC said.

“Mechanisms must be devel oped and implemented to prevent security risks and data breaches that may arise from over-collec tion and improper or inadequate monitoring practices,” it said.

peace,” he added.

At least 125 people died while some 180 others injured at the Kanjuruhan Stadium, Malang District in Indonesia’s East Java province on October 1 after sup porters of losing team Arema FC stormed into the field.

Security officers fired tear gas to disperse the crowd only to trigger the stampede.

Meanwhile on Thursday, a former Thai

policeman killed at least 38 people, 24 of them children, in a knife and gun rampage at a child care center in the Na Klang district of Nong Bua Lamphu province.

The suspect, reportedly sacked in June for drug use, then shot to death his wife and child at home before killing himself.

State broadcaster ThaiPBS reported that some of the victims were as young as two years old.

The Philippine Embassy in Bangkok is coordinating with authorities and the Royal Thai Police to check if there were Filipinos affected in the killing spree.

Comelec junks poll protest vs. Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has dismissed for lack of merit a protest against Manila Mayor Maria Honey Pangan filed by losing candidate Alexander Lopez.

In a nine-page decision signed by Comelec Second Division Commission ers Marlon Casquejo and Rey Bulay and released Saturday, the poll body said Lopez failed to show valid proof of alleged mas sive electoral frauds, anomalies, misreading of ballots, and miscounting of votes, among other allegations.

Lacuna won with 538,595 votes, while Lopez was a far second with 166,908.

The Comelec said even if Lopez will be credited with the 31,608 votes he ques tioned, Lacuna would still emerge the winner.

Lopez filed the petition on May 23.

The Comelec noted that it was unde niably that Lopez employed “general and unsubstantiated averments without partic ularly specifying the circumstances relating to the alleged electoral frauds, anomalies or irregularities.”

The Comelec said nowhere in Lopez’s election protest or in his voluminous annexes an attachment of alleged joint affidavits of voters who supposedly claimed vaguely that they voted for him during the May 9 polls and that their votes were not reflected in the results.

“The alleged documented massive acts of vote buying perpetrated directly and indi rectly by the Protestee (Lacuna) to induce the votes in the City of Manila to vote for or against the Protestant (Lopez) thru the commission of vote buying are also bare assertions, uncorroborated by any other proof, whether testimonial or documenta ry,” the poll body added.

As for the allegations of illegal use of public facilities, equipment, funds and other resources in Lacuna’s candidacy, the Comelec advised Lopez to file an appro priate complaint before the Law Depart ment “so that the same may be properly investigated.”

The 57-year-old Lacuna was Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domago’s vice mayor prior to the elections and became the first female mayor of Manila.

A medical doctor and former councilor, she is the daughter of former Manila vice mayor Danny Lacuna.

DAR chief cites gains in first 100 days in office

n By MARICEL V. CRUZ

THOUSANDS of agrarian reform beneficia ries (ARBs) all over the country benefited from the various support services inter ventions provided by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) during the first 100 days under the leadership of Secretary Conrado Estrella III.

In a report submitted to President Fer dinand Marcos, Jr. in Malacañang, Estrella cited training, organizational building, enterprise development, market linkage, access to credit, and provision of farm in

puts, machinery, and equipment, as among the various support services provided by the DAR to the ARBs.

“Land redistribution should be comple mented with support services and devel opment initiatives to sustain the gains of the program. Our systematic delivery of support services would help harness the potentials of our ARBs and optimize the productivity of the lands they received from the government,” he said.

Estrella noted that from July to Septem ber 2022, the DAR trained 171,122 ARBs, which is 125.33 percent of its 136,533 target

ARBs for the same period.

The training includes organizational development, livelihood development, farm productivity enhancement technologies, and marketing strategies to help them become more proficient farmers and to contribute to strengthening the country’s agricultural sector.

During the same period, the DAR also provided access to credits and microfinance services to 55,626 ARBs, which is 117.64% of the agency’s 47,286 target ARBs. These services would help them boost their farm production and livelihood activities.

Customs wants more fast patrol craft

THE Bureau of Customs (BoC) on Saturday underscored the need to use modern fast patrol vessels (FPVs) to strengthen the agency’s border control capabilities.

The BoC, in a statement, said its acquisi tion of more FPVs would further boost its efforts to enforce the laws on the country’s geographical borders.

It said the FPV was a sea-proven highspeed interceptor that can withstand sea-borne challenges while offering smooth navigation.

It is also equipped with Garmin Naviga tion systems and other standard water patrol equipment necessary to en hance the Bureau’s border patrol functions.

The BOC currently has 20 units of FPVs deployed to various ports nationwide.

Two units each were deployed to the Port of Batangas, Port of Subic, Port of Limay, Port of Cebu, Port of Cagayan de Oro, and Port of Davao, one unit to Port of Iloilo, three units to Port of Manila, and four units to Port of Zamboanga.

year, the Enforcement and Security Ser vice-Water Patrol Division (WPD) and its District Offices conducted 265 mari time patrols and 60 search and survey operations.

As a result, they boarded 50 vessels of Interest, where two vessels have been issued with Warrants of Seizure and Deten tion (WSD).

The sample fuel oil taken from the ves sels failed to comply with the Fuel Marking test conducted by the BOC Fuel Marking Team.

The said vessels left the Port of Limay in Bataan without proper clearance from the concerned offices of the Philippine Coast Guard and the BOC.

The officers of the vessels also failed to present proof of payment of duties and taxes.

Solon: PH must boost disaster risk reduction

Laid off employees find new work at Mactan job fair

WORKERS laid off in recent retrenchment by apparel companies at the Mactan Eco nomic Zone found new jobs through a fair organized by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

According to Mactan Mayor Junard Chan, there were 17 companies that participated in the job fair and offered about 7,000 jobs.

As the fair closed, a total of 118 workers were hired on the spot, while the others were scheduled for a second interview.

“It’s a great joy that some were hired on the spot and they would have a job to sup port their families,” said Chan in Cebuano.

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) has confirmed reports that 4,485 work

ers were retrenched following mass lay-offs by at least five garment companies operating in the Mactan Export Processing Zone (MEPZ).

PEZA officer-in-charge Tereso Panga said financial pressures due to the global recession forced the companies to make “aggressive decisions.”

“Severe financial losses due to global de cline in demand for their products prompt ed the retrenchment,” he said Sunday.

Confederation of Wearable Exporters of the Philippines (CONWEP) executive director Maritess Agoncillo, also confirmed the report, citing the slowdown of the US economy and the competitive disadvantage of the Philippines as factors that led to the mass dismissal of MEPZ workers.

Meanwhile, the BOC reported that from January to September this

WSDs were issued against the vessels for violation of Section 1401 (Unlawful Importation or Exportation), and Section 103 (When Importation Begins and Deemed Terminated) of Republic Act No. 10864 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

Salceda, chair of the House Commit tee on Ways and Means, was referring to the World Risk Report 2022 by Germa ny-based Bündnis Entwicklung Hilft and the Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict at Ruhr Uni versity Bochum (IFHV) which showed that the global hot spots of disaster risk from natural hazards are in the Americas and Asia, with the Philippines being at highest risk among all countries surveyed.

“This is a huge jump from the score of 21.39 last year. We are now at 46.82, highlighting how much climate change and other global developments dispro portionately affect our country,” Salceda said.

“Climate risks and other related risks are thus no longer an issue we can deal with on a time-to-time basis. It is now an everyday reality—something we need to work on per manently, rather than merely coordinate about when the disaster comes.”

Salceda, principal author of the law creating the Department of Disaster Re silience, stressed the country’s risk profile “warrants a permanent agency, not a mere coordinating council.”

“Things like, say, a fiesta or a special international event are what you need coordinating councils for. Disasters, espe cially when they are a key feature of our socioeconomic reality, need something stronger, more permanent.”

chairman of the board; Butch Quejada (Pilipino Star Ngayon), chairman screening committee; and directors - Joel Zurbano (Manila Standard), June Simon (Bulgar); Bing Jabadan (Daily Shimbun), Nonie Reyes (Business Mirror), Otto Osorio (Abante), Jimmy Cheng (United Daily News), Benjie Vergara (Manila Times), Anthony Ching (Tribune), Cherry Ilaw (SMNI), Sam Nielsen (DZBB), Joyce Adra (RMN Manila DZXL), Jerry Tan (Police Files / Peoples Tonight Online),

(DZME),

Rolando

SURFERS’ PARADISE. Tourists surf the waves in Gen. Luna town at the southern Philippine island resort of Siargao. Ferdinandh Cabrera /AFP

AIRPORT PRESS CLUB. Transportation Secretary Jimmy Bautista, Manila International Airport Authority General Manager Cesar Chiong, Port of NAIA Collector Carmelita Talusan, Office of Transportation Security Administrator Ma. Aplasca, and Cebu Pacific president and chief executive officer Lance Gokongwei pose for a photo

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The new APC officers Ariel Fernandez

president; Itchie Cabayan

/ Pinoy Publiko,)

Cristina Arayata (PNA), secretary;

Morallos

treasurer;

ALBAY Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda has said a global report showing the Philippines to be at highest risk of being hit by disasters underscores the need to institutionalize disaster risk reduction and response through a permanent implementing agency rather than a mere coordinating council.

CHILD HAUS. Founded

by beauty guru and philanthropist Ricky Reyes, the Center for Health

and Life Development also known as Child’s Haus, serves

Pata

Missile launches legitimate defense against US—Nokor

NORTH Korea on Satur day defended its recent flurry of missile tests as a legitimate counter to US military threats.

The reclusive communist country has conducted six sanctions-busting launches in less than two weeks, the latest coming Thursday with the firing of a pair of bal listic missiles.

On Tuesday, it fired an intermedi ate-range ballistic missile over Japan, prompting an alert for people in affected areas underneath to take cover.

“The missile test launch by the DPRK is a regular and planned self-defensive step for defending the country’s security and the regional peace from the US direct military threats that have lasted for more

than half a century,” North Korea’s civil aviation agency said, without specifying which launch, according to state-run news agency KCNA.

The government agency issued the statement after the International Civil Aviation Organization, holding its an nual assembly in Montreal, on Friday condemned North Korea’s missile tests of recent months and called them a danger to civil aviation.

The Korean agency said the ICAO’s resolution was “a political provocation of the US and its vassal forces aimed to infringe upon the sovereignty of the DPRK”—the initials of North Korea’s official name.

Seoul, Tokyo and Washington have ramped up joint military drills in recent weeks, and carried out more exercises Thursday involving a US Navy destroyer from the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft

carrier’s strike group.

The launches are part of a record year of weapons tests by isolated North Korea, which leader Kim Jong Un has declared an “irreversible” nuclear power, effectively ending the possibility of denu clearisation talks.

The United States on Friday imposed sanctions on firms and individuals in Asia accused of helping Pyongyang pro cure fuel in violation of UN sanctions.

Washington also held a trilateral call with Tokyo and Seoul and the three agreed they would “continue to closely coordinate their near- and longer-term responses, including with allies and UN partners”, the US State Department said in a statement.

Pyongyang’s latest missile launches “pose a grave threat to regional peace and security,” it said.

North Korea on Saturday released

a separate statement, saying it was “seriously approaching the extremely worrisome development of the present situation,” referring to the nuclear-pow ered USS Ronald Reagan being part of the US-South Korea military drills this week.

The joint exercises by Seoul and Washington have always infuriated the North as Pyongyang considers them rehearsals for invasion.

The drills are “extremely provocative and threatening,” KCNA said Saturday, and the recent involvement of the USS Ronald Reagan is “a sort of military bluffing” against Pyongyang’s “righ teous reaction” to protect itself from US threats, it added.

Analysts say Pyongyang has seized the opportunity of stalemate at the United Nations to conduct ever more provoca tive weapons tests. AFP

Thai king tells victims’ families: ‘I share your grief’

TWO police officers in southern Viet nam have been arrested for negligence over a karaoke bar fire that killed 32 people last month, authorities said.

Fire ripped through the three-storey entertainment venue in a dense residen tial neighbourhood of Thuan An city, north of commercial hub Ho Chi Minh City in early September.

Police in Binh Duong province said in an online statement posted late Friday that an officer had been taken into custody, while a second was under house arrest.

The two are under investigation for alleged negligence, the statement said, without providing further details.

In mid-September, police arrested the bar owner, 42-year-old Le Anh Xuan.

He was expected to be held in custo dy for four months as an investigation continues over alleged fire regulation breaches. AFP

Pink diamond sells for nearly $58m in HK auction

A RARE pink diamond has sold in Hong Kong for nearly $58 million, setting a record for price per carat paid at auction for any diamond or gemstone, according to Sotheby’s.

The 11.15-carat Williamson Pink Star on Friday fetched HK$453.2 million ($57.7 million), the second-highest price paid at auction for any jewel, Sotheby’s added.

The winning bid, by an undisclosed buyer from Boca Raton, Florida, was more than twice the estimated $21 mil lion sale price.

The stone was the second-largest pink diamond to be sold at auction. Pink diamonds are the rarest of the precious gems and the most in-demand on the global market.

The world record for a pink diamond was set in 2017, when a stone known as the CTF Pink Star was sold in Hong Kong for $71.2 million. AFP

First minors sentenced under HK security law

THE first minors convicted under Hong Kong’s national security law were Satur day sentenced to detention in a training center by a judge who said their calls to overthrow China’s government must be met with deterrence.

A 16-year-old girl and three 17-yearolds were members of a little-known pro-independence group that called itself “Returning Valiant” and promoted a violent uprising against China at street booths and on social media last year, the court heard.

They were charged with “conspiracy to incite subversion” under a sweeping national security law that Beijing imposed on the city to stamp out dissent after huge and sometimes violent democracy protests three years ago.

THAILAND’S king has told bereaved families he “shares their grief” in a rare public address following a nursery massa cre that killed dozens.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn met survi vors and relatives at a hospital in north eastern Nong Bua Lam Phu province late on Friday, a day after an ex-policeman murdered 24 children and 12 adults on a three-hour gun and knife rampage in a sleepy rural area.

Buddhist funeral rites and prayers for the dead were expected to begin later Saturday, starting three days of mourning for the victims of one of the country’s worst ever mass killings.

As the king offered his help and con dolences, grieving families knelt on the hospital floor—as is Thai custom in the presence of the monarch, who is seen as semi-divine.

“I come here to give you support. I am

PNP... The police earlier announced that it has identified the suspected gunman.

extremely sad for what has happened. I share your sorrow, your grief,” he said in video footage published online on Saturday.

“There are no words that can express the sorrow. I support you all and wish you to be strong, so the spirits of the children can be at ease.”

The king, with Queen Suthida at his side, said he would pray for the dead.

“We have to do our best, the best that

we can,” he said.

The royal visit came after a day of grief at the small yellow-walled nursery on the edge of a village in Na Klang district, some 500 km (300 miles) north of Bangkok.

Heartbroken parents placed white roses one by one on steps of the nursery where their young children’s lives were brutally cut short on Thursday after noon by sacked police sergeant Panya Khamrab. AFP

On Saturday, judge Kwok Wai-kin said the defendants’ message could have turned peaceful demonstrators violent – even though he conceded there was no direct evidence of anyone being incited.

“Even if one person is incited, Hong Kong’s stability and residents’ safety could have been greatly harmed,” Kwok said.

The four teens, which AFP has chosen not to name because of their age, all pleaded guilty last month alongside fellow defendant Kwok Man-hei, 19. AFP

NEDA:... before that decision,” Department of Energy Oil Industry Management Bureau director Rino Abad said.

Tuesday’s anticipated oil price hike will end five consecutive weeks of rollbacks.

OPEC+ announced a production cut of 2 million barrels per day starting next month to push up oil prices after its Oct. 5 meeting.

World oil prices dropped slightly above $80 per barrel from a high of $120 per barrel in the previous months due to global recession fears.

On Oct. 4, the oil companies cut the prices of gasoline by P0.40 per liter, diesel by P0.45 per liter and kerosene by P0.85 a liter.

These resulted in the total year-todate net increase of P14.45 per liter for gasoline, P28.95 per liter for diesel, and P23.25 per liter for kerosene.

Earlier this week, Pulse Asia said 66 percent of respondents in a September survey said containing inflation was the most urgent issue for the national government to tackle. Forty-two percent of the respon dents also said they disapproved of the administration’s efforts to tame inflation.

Pulse Asia President Ronald Holmes said, if left unchecked, the problem of inflation could lead to general dissat isfaction with the administration as a whole.

He added that the survey should signal to the administration that it must step up its efforts to control inflation.

“I reiterate the appeal of our Interior Secretary, Benhur Abalos, for the families of the suspects to surrender their relatives voluntarily for their own safety,” he said.

The bounty for the killer’s arrest is now at P1.5 million.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Po lice is taking urgent action in the mauling of a member of the media in La Paz, Iloilo City on Friday.

PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin said the Iloilo City Police Office has been instructed to provide security to radio block timer Pio Hervias, who was mauled by still unknown assailants.

He said the Iloilo City Police Office has also initiated an in-depth investigation to possibly identify and arrest the suspects, including a city-wide dragnet operation involving random checkpoints.

“Any assault on working journalists is being considered by the PNP as a serious case that deserves prompt and preferential action,” said Azurin in a statement.

BICOL...

The memorandum also reminded the public to conduct prepared ness and response measures.

“Entry into the 6-km. radius PDZ must be strictly avoided due to the increase (in) chances of sudden steam-driven or phre atic eruption and the hazards of rockfalls, avalanches, and ash burst at the summit area that may occur without warning,” the memorandum read.

People living in valleys and active river channels are also cautioned to remain vigilant against lahar in case of prolonged and heavy rainfall.

For its part, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines on Saturday issued an other notice to airmen (NOTAM) advising them to avoid flying near Mount Mayon.

CAAP chief information officer and spokesperson Eric Apolonio said the agen cy has extended its advisory – effective 9 a.m. of Oct. 8 until 9 a.m. of Oct. 9 – due to the volcano’s increasing unrest.

“With Mayon Volcano now on Alert Lev el 2, flights have been prohibited to operate 10,000 feet from the surface and advised to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ash from the sudden phreatic erup tion can be hazardous to aircraft,” CAAP spokesman Eric Apolonio said.

Based on the aerial survey conducted by Phivolcs, there was “current unrest driven by shallow magmatic processes that could eventually lead to phreatic eruptions or even precede hazardous magmatic erup tions.”

PBBM:... already familiar with my job," he said.

As for prioritizing health amid the pandemic, Mr. Marcos said he believed his administration is managing well because of its "PinasLakas" vaccination drive.

"Even if COVID-19 is still here, we can say that we are managing this virus well. So I hope those who are already fully vaccinat ed will get a booster shot,” he said.

He said the government also made a significant stride after the Department of Budget and Management recently approved the release of P1.04 billion to cover the unpaid COVID-19 special risk allowance (SRA) claims of around 55,211 health work ers involved in the pandemic response.

Mr. Marcos said the resumption of lim ited face-to-face classes was a big help for "retail and informal vendors."

“There are 28 million learners for the school year 2022 to 2023. This figure brought significant economic activity and stimulus, especially to retail and informal vendors," he said.

Marcos also headlined his recent visits to Indonesia, Singapore, and the United States, which he said all bore fruit following the signing of memo randa of understanding and letters of intent amounting to S18.92 billion or over P1 trillion.

The business commitments from the investors from the three countries recently visited by the President are expected to gen erate around 134,285 jobs, the Palace said.

"Our economic recovery is the recov ery of Filipino families, that's why we are exhausting all efforts to create more jobs in the country.

VP... Romualdez on Saturday congratu lated Duterte-Carpio.

"As concurrent Secretary of the Depart ment of Education, VP Sara led the DepEd in the historic resumption of face-to-face classes of students nationwide after over two years of lockdown and online school ing, a feat that is very difficult to accom plish," Romualdez said.

Romualdez also cited the Vice President "her for the successful implementation of pro-poor programs, including the Libreng Sakay, extending medical, and burial assis tance to the indigents, distribution of school supplies and hygiene kits to deserving students."

"VP Sara's strong leadership and firm political will made all these things possible, putting in place safety measures and health protocols for students, teachers and school personnel," he added.

NEW... Graduate School of Law, and from 2006 - 2015, was the Dean of the PLM College of Law.

Maceda earned his LL.M. from Colum bia University. He graduated from Ateneo Law School, LL.B., and placed 19th in the 1989 Bar Exams. He is currently a can didate for Doctor of Public Administra tion at the University of the Philippines NCPAG.

The 58 year old Maceda topped the Manila City Council elections at the age of 23 and became Manila vice mayor at age 28.

WHO:.. Earlier, the OCTA Re search Group warned the Philippines may record up to 4,000 daily cases in October.

“As we mentioned, it’s the 'ber' months now. We may see an increase in cases, but it may reach up to 2,000 per day in Metro Manila or so and maybe 4,000 nationwide like we see in the past few days. Hopefully, cases subside soon,” OCTA Research Fellow Guido David said.

Another expert, Dr. Jomar Rabajante of the UP COVID-19 Pandemic Response Team, said the country’s COVID-19 cases may hover around 2,000 daily until the end of the year.

David called on the public not to be complacent and to continue wearing face masks to protect themselves.

"Although a face mask is optional, it doesn't mean it's not required.

In areas where we are seeing an up tick in cases, we highly recommend the public to practice caution and add areas of protection," he said.

2 police officers arrested in Vietnam after blaze killed

REMEMBRANCE. Toys belonging to three-year-old Nannaphat Songserm, who was killed by a former police officer in a mass shooting at his nursery, are seen outside his home in Na Klang in Thailand’s northeastern Nong Bua Lam Phu province on October 8, 2022. Inset photo shows portraits of those killed in the mass shooting in a nursery school. AFP

KIA

Alvarez-Abrera is an “educreator” who empowers fellow creatives including writers, photographers, videographers and artists to become better entrepreneurs.

She is at the forefront of creative entrepreneurship—which she says is about finding the sweet spot between arts and business to “find who you are, what you enjoy doing, who you serve and how you help.”

It is also about serving clients and solving business problems using creative and intellectual capital. This can be in any form of creative industries such as digital marketing, social media, content creation, design, videography, photography and others, she says.

“Business, after all, is all about solving challenges—giving people solutions. If you’re able to find that convergence between who you are and how you help solve people’s problems, you’ll find the mix between art and business,” she says.

A writer, communication strategist,

impactful creativity fueled The Brave Creators’ Lab, where she empowers starting creative entrepreneurs through affordable access to quality business learning. The Brave Creator’s Lab is a community where Filipino creative entrepreneurs can learn, unlearn and relearn the ropes of creative entrepreneurship, she says.

FILM STUDENT

Abrera, who was a trainee for three years with the Philippine Madrigal Singers, earned a film degree from the University of the Philippines Film Institute and did her internship under national artist Kidlat Tahimik. She spent eight days in Baguio City and atop the Banaue Rice Terraces in Ifugao, following Tahimik and having him mentor her about the art of film and the Filipino ingenuity.

She also developed an interest in advertising. “Choosing a career path after graduation was a bit of a challenge because I wanted to do so many things, so the first few years of my career was basically finding my groove. Three jobs later, I landed my dream job of being a copywriter for advertising, and then a year later I became an account manager for a small creative agency,” she says. Abrera worked there for about two years, and that’s where she met her husband. After dealing with

By Othel V. Campos

THE Philippines, a partner of Nestlé in grow ing and producing world-class coffee beans, will benefit from the 1 billion Swiss francs that Nestlé Global plans to invest to push forward the company’s ambitious sustain able goal for Nescafé Plan 2030.

Nescafé, Nestlé’s largest coffee brand and one of the world’s favorite coffees, outlined an extensive plan to render coffee farming more sustainable by working with coffee farmers to help them transition to regenera tive agriculture while accelerating its decade of work under the Nescafé Plan.

The investment builds on the existing Nescafé Plan as the brand expands its sus tainability work. Supported by Nestlé’s re generative agriculture financing, the brand committed to accelerate the transition to a regenerative food system and ambition to achieve zero net greenhouse gas emissions.

“Climate change is putting coffee-grow

ing areas under pressure. Building on 10 years’ experience of the NescaféPlan, we’re accelerating our work to help tackle climate change and address social and economic challenges in the Nescafé value chains,” said Nestlé global head of Nestlé coffee brands David Rennie during the program launch on Oct. 4.

Citing an Inter-American Development Bank study, the firm believes that rising tem peratures will reduce the area suitable for growing coffee by up to 50 percent by 2050, while around 125 million people will depend on coffee for their livelihood.

An estimated 80 percent of coffee-farm ing families live at or below the poverty line, prompting the multinational firm to take ac tion to ensure the long-term sustainability of coffee as a source of livelihood and as a business platform.

“As the world’s leading coffee brand, Nes café aims to have a real impact on coffee farming globally. We want coffee farmers to

The

“We

TikTok ‘educreator’ empowers creatives to be entrepreneurs

TikTok ‘educreator’ empowers creatives to be entrepreneurs

When we knew we had a sustainable offer, we resigned from our agency and worked on our marketing,” she says.

They went to networking events and gave out business cards. They took one small client after the other, until they had solid case studies that they curated into a deck. In one of their networking events, the couple came across someone who needed design services, and they sent an email right away when he gave his business card.

“It became a pitch, we maximized our time, we presented results, we were very transparent—and we won the pitch. It was for USAID [United States Agency for International Development], our first 7-figure client. When that gate was opened, we never went back,” she says. They produced results for various clients, from microentrepreneurs to well-known ones like USAID, Coca-Cola, Huffpost and The Futur, to entire cities. They turned Braveworks Inc. into an eight figure organization within six years.

“Starting our own business was intimidating but here we are, eight years later, at 8 figures working with huge clients and earning 6 to 7 figures per project. We also opened our second company in 2021, and just recently hit 7 figures. The rest is history,” says Abrera.

BUSINESS MENTOR Abrera was named one of the top 10 instructors who helped entrepreneurs establish and grow online businesses in 2020 by Yahoo Finance UK. For international entrepreneur networks like BossBabe and Future Females, she served as a featured guest expert in video and content marketing.

She was also the first Filipina guest on The BossBabe Podcast, which

has had over 1 million downloads worldwide and joined the ranks of wellknown figures like Jamie Kern Lima, Dean Graziosi, and Tony Robbins, to mention a few.

Additionally, she has been featured as a business mentor in local entrepreneurship groups like Go Negosyo and national podcasts.

Now they share their learnings to more people. The couple’s Brave Creators Lab is designed to help Filipino creatives become better entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs to be better creatives.

“I found a love of teaching after I started giving workshops way back in 2017, and I found how impactful it has been. After being in the creative business for nearly 10 years, I decided to dive into being an educreator so I can impact more people who are in the same journey. I saw a need for creatives to be supported, and I know I can teach because of experience. I’ve loved it ever since. It has become a big fuel to my advocacy of helping Filipinos make their mark in the global creative economy and pursue a creative path that they love,” she says.

They also formed a free group called The Brave Creatives where they try to help support those who want to quit something that they’re tired of doing and help them in the pursuit of their creative path. “Once they are able to monetize, we then point them to our paid membership called The Brave Creators Lab, where we teach them more specific business skills so they can scale,” she says.

“We also have a basic DIY course called Creative Entrepreneurship Fundamentals where I teach people the entire process of creative entrepreneurship—from branding themselves, knowing their ideal audience and clients, closing on a first call, serving their clients seamlessly and getting their first glowing

testimonial. It’s a basic overview of the entire process. Then I also do 1:1 consultations, workshops and custom training,” says Abrera.

She advises creatives on how to connect the dots. “Curiosity has to be insatiable, and like I mentioned before, there has to be a relentless love of learning. I always tell my students that they have to keep nurturing their thought process because they will be able to solve better problems when they know how to think strategically,” she says.

“Thinking strategically means you’re not just throwing solutions, but you’re asking the right questions. Finding the right questions is a challenge in itself. That’s why it takes a lot of practice. Get in conversations. Read powerful books. Consume nurturing content. Ask questions from people you look up to. When you get a concept, test it out and see if it works for you. Don’t be afraid to dip your toes in the water, or maybe even take a dive. You’ll never know what works if you only consume things—you need to test it out by taking action,” says Abrera.

ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET

Abrera considers the entrepreneurial mindset essential in any field. “You will always have an advantage if you think like an entrepreneur, even if you’re an employee right now. If you have this kind of mindset, this means you value your skills so you end up treating your employer as your ‘client’,” she says.

“It all starts with self-efficacy—the belief that you can succeed. When you know this, then you have to start looking at what you have and how your gift can serve people. As this motivates you, you’ll have a relentless bias for action. It all snowballs from there,” she says.

“My personal mantra is to always be brave and create. And that’s what I hope for everyone—I hope you reignite the fire in you,” says Abrera.

thrive as much as we want coffee to have a positive impact on the environment. Our actions can help drive change throughout the coffee industry,” said Nestlé global head of Nestlé’s coffee strategic business unit Philipp Navratil.

Nescafé will provide farmers with training, technical assistance and high-yielding coffee plantlets to help them transition to regenera tive coffee farming practices.

Regenerative agriculture is an approach to farming that aims to improve soil health and fertility as well as protect water resourc es and biodiversity. Healthier soils are more resilient to the impact of climate change and can increase yields, helping improve farmers’ livelihood.

Nescafé will work with coffee farmers to test, learn and assess the effectiveness of multiple regenerative agriculture practices focusing on seven key origins, from where the brand sources 90 percent of its coffee: Brazil, Vietnam, Mexico, Colombia, Côte

d’Ivoire, Indonesia and Honduras.

By the year 2025, the plan aims to sus tainably produce 100 percent of its coffee output, in partnership with coffee-producing partners. Of this, 20 percent of coffee will be sourced from regenerative agricultural meth ods by and 50 percent by 2030.

Regenerative agriculture also contributes to drawing down carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, a key why regenerative agricul ture is a key part of Nestlé’s Zero Net road map.

Nescafé aims to contribute to Nestlé’s Zero Net commitment to halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and reach zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

It will work with farmers, suppliers and partners to help protect agricultural lands, enhance biodiversity and help prevent defor estation. The brand intends to help farmers plant more than 20 million trees at or near their coffee farms.

By Darwin G. Amojelar

IFRANCHISE Business Services Corp., es tablished by a former overseas Filipino work er, is expanding its food and petroleum busi nesses outside the Philippines.

TECHNOLOGY-ENABLED logistics company

Ninja Van is accelerating automation and oth er operational improvements as it marks its sixth anniversary in the Philippines, reiterating its commitment to provide hassle-free deliver ies and excellent customer support for Filipino shippers and shoppers.

Earlier this year, Ninja Van Philippines opened its 21,000-square-meter fully-auto mated hub in Cabuyao, Laguna. With fully-in tegrated measurement and sortation systems, it is Ninja Van Group’s largest automated hub in the region, boosting receiving and out bound capacities by 300 percent and 400 percent, respectively.

The double-deck cross belt system and wheel sorter system in the Cabuyao hub can automatically weigh, measure, and scan par cels, with speeds of up to 2.2 meters per sec ond. They can also provide real-time parcel data, increasing accuracy and efficiency in sorting and parcel tracking.

“These tech-driven innovations drive our mission to bring speedy deliveries and easy issue resolution for our shippers, whose trust and partnership enabled us to grow in the last six years,” said chief operating officer Vin Perez, highlighting that from a handful of employees in its first year, the company has expanded to a headcount of over 8,000, pro viding nationwide delivery coverage and ben efitting more than 21 million shoppers.

Launched in 2014, the Ninja Van Group first started operations in Singapore as a last-mile logistics company, rapidly expanding to key Southeast Asian markets and establishing a

Krizzia Ann Loyang Tanabe, owner and chief executive of iFranchise, said her com pany would open an office in Dubai for the distribution of Wendli Meat House products to Filipinos working in the Middle East.

“This December, we’re going to have a grand opening in Dubai, bringing our first global brand, which is Wendeli. We will be bringing Filipino favorites to our kababayan in Dubai such as tocino, tapa, longganisa and burger patty,” said Tanabe, who founded iFranchise in 2014.

“On the fifth year of my business, my aim is to have a global brand, and I think Dubai is the best country to start our global brand. Dubai is a land of opportunity and the future is Dubai,” she said.

Tanabe said Wendili Meat House was concep tualized during the pandemic together with her business partner and celebrity Wendell Ramos.

Tanabe said Wendeli MeatHouse would also expand to Portugal next year.

Besides its food business, iFranchise will open its first gas station in Zimbabwe. In the Philippines, iFranchise has more than 40 iF uel gas stations.

“iFanchise is a business with a mission. We are not just doing business, but giving back to the community,” said Tanabe, who recently received an award from Global Women Empowerment Summit.

The company employs more than 700 nationwide.

iFranchise is an innovative leader in the franchising industry that specializes in developing, marketing and managing businesses across key industries like food and beverage, beauty and wellness, fuel, among others.

Roderick T. dela Cruz

HOBBIES

FROM THE VAULT:

n By DOC MICO MESINA

IN MORE than a few of my visits to second-hand bookstores, I was fortunate to find some paperback copies of the 1st printing (1982) of The Breaks of the Game (or “Breaks”, as fondly called by avid bas ketball book readers).

With a cursory search in the internet, I discovered that this book is regarded as one of the best basketball books ever (some even going as far as proclaiming it as the G.O.A.T. (greatest of all time) as far as roundball literature is considered.

With that, I set out to read Breaks. Is it as good as advertised? What made more than few people sing its praises?

In a nutshell, The Breaks of the Game follows the tumultuous season of the 19791980 Portland Trailblazers, and is authored by the late great, Pulitzer-winning author David Halberstam.

Although the book centers on the exploits of the suddenly struggling franchise (just a year or so removed from winning the NBA championship), it encompasses much more.

I love how Halberstam paints its main and minor protagonists in the season; he does not just describe their performances on the court, but also paints a comprehensive picture starting from the childhood of several of the players, which gives the reader a con text of why the players does what he does.

With his somewhat detached yet very vivid storytelling, he makes the reader feel the pain of franchise cornerstone Bill Walton, whose once very promising NBA career fell short of expectations due to injury.

Is ‘Breaks’ the G.O.A.T. of basketball books?

BILLY RAY BATES

He convinces the reader to root for the underdog Billy Ray Bates, who de spite growing up in squalid conditions, exuded confidence in his basketball tal ent which got him immediate, although fleeting stardom in the NBA.

He stirs up sympathy for Kermit Wash ington, who was a shy and unassuming man, but after an incident involving a near-fatal punch to Rudy Tomjanovich, was treated as a pariah despite showing Washington showing remorse and work ing hard to repair his image.

As you read the book, you will see the players as people, with their different characters, motivations and hardships; this is a fresh perspective from the what the general public expects of its professional athletes: to be near-per fect upstanding citizens and clean-cut ambassadors of the game.

When I finished “Breaks”, I felt that I was there with them in their journey through the season and was able to see the characters, without judgment, for who they are and not just what they do.

The author does a magnificent job in painting the backstories not just of players and coaches, but also the other components of the team, including owners, general managers, even trainers and team physicians.

He also touches on the recent history of the NBA in general, and reveals to the reader the leagues evolution, not just with its rules, but more so its culture and soul.

The beauty of the book also lies in its timelessness. Although most of the younger readers may not be familiar with names like Abdul Jeelani, Geoff Petrie or Bobby Gross, Breaks touches on issues in the league which are still relevant even in 2021: salary disputes, ego clashes between players, the im portance of skills development, and the inevitability of retirement due to injury or lack of fit just to name a few.

My only, minor knock on the book is perhaps its continuous prose, devoid of sub headings, pictures or tables. And this was probably done in purpose, as if Halberstam wanted an analogy through the printed words the Portland Trailblazers’ slogging through their up and down season.

Even though I am not a Portland Trailblazers fan, this does not change the fact how deeply informative and en joyable this book is, since it also touches so on the history as well as culture and evolution of the game at the time.

I highly recommend this book to all NBA fans who want to achieve a deeper sense of the league’s history, as well as to anyone interested in sports literature, as the book is truly as good as adver tised. With well-written it is, reading Breaks will be surely worth your time.

Aboitiz’s Great Transformation races at Acropolis Rally

THE Aboitiz Group’s Great Transformation makes itself known at the Acropolis Rally, considered one of the toughest rally races and one of the longest-standing rallying events. It is nicknamed the Rally of the Gods by rally enthusiasts.

As the Aboitiz Group undergoes its Great Transformation, they are speeding ahead of their contemporaries to become the Philippines’ first Techglomerate.

There has been no better symbol for this momentous undertaking than the Aboitiz’s Great Transformation brand racing through the rough ter rain and twisting roads for the 2022 World Rally Championship (WRC).

Participants raced through the rocky mountain roads along the historic isle of Greece for the Acropolis Rally leg, also called the Rally of the Gods. The iconic leg opened at the Olympic Stadium of Athens before moving to the mountainous region of Lamia.

Tens of thousands of spectators cheered on the participants and their rallying vehicles, with one particularly eye-catching rally car charging through the course. With clean streaks of Aboitiz red on its body shell and the Great Transformation logo emblazoned on its hood, rally car number 46 was poised for success.

“The GT2025 is all about speed, excitement, performance, and achievement through rough roads – and so we felt this was a great sym bol of that,” said Aboitiz Group President and CEO Sabin Aboitiz.

In the driver’s seat of the Great Transformation-decked out vehicle was Miguel Diaz, the only racer to compete in the Acropolis Rally leg of the 2022 WRC with a Filipino AAP Competition License. The Philippine flag was proudly displayed on the competing rally car.

PH football coach says Filipinas at par with highly ranked teams

n By PETER ATENCIO

THE Philippines can compete against higher ranked teams.

National coach Allen Stajcic said this as the 25-member Philippine national women’s team players began their training camp in San Jose, Costa Rica.

The Filipinas were led by team captain Tahnai Annis and vice-captain Hali Long in the camp, which will go on for almost two weeks in the Central American country during the Fifa international window.

“We now know we can compete with the likes of New Zealand and Ireland. The next step is to start beating these higher ranked teams,” remarked Stajcic in a statement.

The Filipinas will take on Costa Rica in a friendly twice with the first match slated Friday ( late Saturday, Manila time) at Alejandro Morera Soto Stadium, while the second match will be October 11.

This will be the first time that a team from the Philippines will play a Central American side.

Stajcic hopes these games will deepen the bench and develop the flexibility of the roster.

“The next step is to start beating these higher ranked teams. With a few injuries and bouts of illness in the Team this week, it will be a great test of our depth and flexi bility in the team,” added Stajcic.

The Filipinas are continuously having a buildup in time for their stint in the FIFA Women’s World Cup co-hosted by Austra lia and New Zealand next year.

Coach Alen Stajcic stressed the im portance of familiarizing the Filipinas to different playing styles as they prepare for the World Cup.

“The motivations of the team are at an all time high and confidence too is in a good place,” said Stajcic.

Lady Maroons score 2nd straight win

UNIVERSITY of the Philippines notched its second straight win at the expense of Far Eastern University, 7356, in the UAAP Season 85 women’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Saturday.

The Fighting Maroons came back from 16 points down in the third quarter, taking advantage of the Lady Tamaraws losing senior Camille Taguiam early in the period with a 24-3 blast, 50-45.

UP then ran away with the game in the fourth to complete a 33-point turnaround, giving the team its first win streak since Season 78 and first win against FEU since 2016.

“As I’ve said to our team, it’s not the win that we’re trying to get here in our season, it’s really the culture of winning kasi it’s been a while that we were in the win record,” said UP coach Paul

Ramos.

Rookie Kaye Pesquera punched in 20 of her 22 points in the second half to lead the Fighting Maroons.

Fellow newcomer Rizza Lozada added 11 points and six rebounds, while Justine Domingo chimed in eight points, seven rebounds, and five steals.

UP hiked its record to 2-1 for solo third, while FEU slid to 1-2, tied with Adamson University for sixth.

Kyla Go had 14 points and 10 rebounds in the losing effort while Shane Cunanan got 10 points and nine rebounds.

Up next for the Fighting Maroons will be six-time defending champion National University on Wednesday, 3 pm, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.

The Lady Tamaraws will try to get back on track against the Lady Falcons.

“I am very thankful, and feel very proud, to be able to carry the flag of the country where my mother was born,” said Diaz, who has over two de cades of racing experience. “With the [Great Transformation] logo, again, I feel proud to carry those colors on my car and on my suit.”

The Great Transformation of the Aboitiz Group puts innovation at the forefront of its growth strategy, bolstered by motivated and curious team members. It is much like a rally race: there is great investment in vehicle maintenance and streamlining through technological advancements, but once the machine gets on the road it is in the driver’s skilled hands that the car can twist, turn, dodge roadblocks, and barrel through.

It is apt, therefore, that the Great Transformation logo makes its global debut on the road, in the dirt, at the heart of the action. Plus, for its mile stone 50th season, the WRC is going through a transformation of its own, committing to the sustainable future of the rallying sport. Every enrolled rally car is required to carry sustainable, fossil-free based fuel that is engineered to minimize pollution.

“It’s like a house. If we don’t take care of our house, at the end, we don’t want to live in that house, or, at the very end, we simply cannot live in that house,” said Diaz, who supports the sustainability push in the rallying sport and beyond. “It is the same thing with our planet. We have to take care of things to the best of our abilities. That is our responsibility, all of us.”

PCA Open: Mercado sets juniors finals duel with Emana

CHLOE Marie Mercado battled back from a blowout first set loss with a big es cape in the second then wore down Kaye Mustaza in the decider to carve out a 2-6, 7-6 (12-10), 5-2(ret.) victory and storm into the finals of the PCA Open Juniors Tennis Championships at the PCA courts in Plaza Dilao, Paco last Friday.

The third-ranked Mercado, a rising 14-year-old find from Angat, Bulacan, came into the semis brimming with con fidence following a 6-0, 6-0 rout of Ana Sonza but yielded to Mustaza’s superb all-around game in the early going of their Final Four face-off.

But she picked herself up in the sec ond, fought her top-seeded rival shotfor-shot and squeaked out a tough win in the tiebreaker to force a third set.

The Wellspring Christian homes

chooler, who recently attended a tennis academy in the US, pressed her attack in the decider to seize early control then snatched the victory as Mustaza succumbed due to cramps.

Mercado, however, will have her hands full when she goes for a break through against No. 2 Mica Emana, a multi-titled campaigner in the Palawan Pawnshop age-grouper who crushed Glydel Guevarra, 6-0, 6-0, in their side of the semis duel.

Meanwhile, Emana also reached the quarters of the premier 18-U play of the annual event sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Pada la, councilor Jong Isip, Dunlop and GAC Motors, facing Zerahiah dela Torre for a spot in the semis.

Other QF matches pit Althea Mar

In boys’ play, Isaac Lim and Mateo Rivas set up a title clash for the 18-U trophy after posting identical 6-1, 6-1 results over Jairaj Sehwani and JB San tiago, respectively, while unranked John Erik Ayson stunned No. 5 Ivan Manila, 3-6, 6-0, 6-4, to barge into the 16-U finals against JB Aguilar, who blasted Joshua Diva, 6-0, 6-0.

Benedict Lim, on the other hand, toppled Frank Dilao, 6-3, 6-4, to seal a title duel with second seed James Aquino, who foiled Stephen Fuertes, 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-0, in boys’ 14-U category, while Kresthan Belac as beat Aaron Coyiuto, 5-3, 4-1, to dispute the 10-unisex diadem with James Estrella, who held off Shan Recamara in three.

Ancajas all set to regain boxing title

Unlike in his previous fights where he struggled to make the cut, Ancajas encountered no problem as he tipped the scales at 114.6 pounds in the official weigh-in while Martinez came in at 114.8 lbs.

Now they have a lot of time to recover for their title showdown where the 30-year-old Davaoeno seeking to avenge his unanimous decision lost to the Argentine foe last February.

Initially, Ancajas and his manager-coach Jove Jimenez wanted to move up in weight but decided to take on an unfinished first against Martinez who ended the Filipino’s six-year reign as world champion.

The Ancajas only has two losses in 37 fights, 33 were victories with 22 Kos, and two draws. Martinez is unbeaten in 14 bouts and 8 came via knockouts.

tirez against Chelsea Bernaldez; Alexa Milliam versus Juliana Carvajal; and Jenaila Prulla against Abigail Aguirre.

FILIPINO Jerwin Ancajas is raring to get back at his tormentor Fernando Martinez as both boxers easily made weight ahead of their return title bout on Friday (Saturday PH time) for the IBF super-fly weight title at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California

The “Breaks” mentioned Billy Ray Bates who was an NBA star with Portland before becom ing a super im port with Crispa and Ginebra in the Philippine Basketball Association.

Billy Ray Bates with Michael Hackett teamed up for Ginebra in 1985 to help win the Open Conference crown.

Book lovers regard “Breaks” as the best ever written about basketball.

Miguel Diaz (left) with his co-driver Jordi Hereu (right). Diaz is the only racer to compete in the Acropolis Rally leg of the 2022 World Rally Championship with a Filipino AAP Competition License.

The rematch is set as champion Fernando Martinez of Argentina and challenger Jerwin Ancajas of the Philippines proudly display their country’s flags during the weigh-in. (Photo by Jhay Otamias)

The South China Sea turmoil, explained

WITH increasing globalization and the economic interdependence of nations necessarily comes a greater focus on geopolitics and a watchfulness on the conduct of states that can, or do, pose threats to the safety and sovereignty of others.

As an archipelago, the Philippines is vulnerable to attack and other mali cious acts, thus the attention focused on China and its continued saberrattling in the region, despite having its own internal problems. Many seek to better understand the legal aspects of the issue, particularly with regard to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and its relevance to the Philippine case.

NO SHELF CONTROL BY JENNY ORTUOSTE

Lawyers Saul Q. Hofileña, Jr. and Daniel Soriano Hofileña offer a succinct primer on the matter in their latest book, Turmoil at the South China Sea: The Philippines vs. China Arbitration and Other Relevant Matters

The father-and-son tandem, international law experts, have teamed up before to explain legal mat ters in clear and concise language accessible to the educated layman. In this slim volume they present the more important provisions of UNCLOS and the deci sion in the Philippines vs. China case, which they say has been called “the most important case in interna tional law in this century.”

To give more context to the issue, the authors provide

the case of Magallona v. Ermita, which is related to the archipelagic baselines delineating the scope of the country’s maritime zones and continental shelf. The authors believe the case helps explain the Arbitral Tribunal ruling on how the UNCLOS was to be applied to the Philippine case.

‘Turmoil’ is presented in ques tion-and-answer format, making it useful to law students and other legal professionals seeking to un derstand more about the topic.

According to Atty. Saul Q. Ho fileña Jr., “Contrary to popular belief, it was not the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) that decided the case.  Rather, it was the Arbitral Tribunal created under Annex VII of the [UNCLOS] that resolved the issues raised by the Philippines.

“Although China refused to participate in the arbitration, it cannot be denied that China gave its consent to be bound by the decision of the Tribu nal created under Annex VII of the UNCLOS when it signed and ratified the Convention because the provi sions on compulsory arbitration were contained in the

body of the Convention itself.”

But did not the Tribunal set out the parameters of the maritime zones, and therefore the scope of the country’s sovereignty?

Hofileña Jr. clarifies that the Tribunal “did not rule on any question involving sovereignty or maritime de limitation. It only ruled on matters which concerned the application and interpretation of the [UNCLOS]. This is because sovereignty and delimitation issues are beyond the pale of jurisdiction of the tribunal.”

Moreover, he adds, “The ruling on Scarborough Shoal was not one of sovereignty but of artisanal fishing rights.”

The book is also highly significant to the public’s understanding of the issue because it outlines “how the lawyers for the Philippines upended China’s claims to historic rights over the South China Sea.”

Hofileña Jr. explains further: “The lawyers for the Philippines approached the case this way: China claimed the South China Sea on the basis of historic rights because according to the Chinese, they have been navigating and using the seas for a long time and therefore it belongs to them. That same argu ment was used by Spain centuries ago when their kings referred to the Pacific Ocean as the Lago Espa ñol or the Spanish Lake.

“Very astutely, the lawyers for the Philippines sur mised that even if they hypothetically admit China’s ‘historic rights’ to the South China Sea, by signing the Convention, China had effectively waived such ‘his toric rights’ as far as the Philippines is concerned.” What about China’s ‘nine-dash claim,’ then, does it hold water?

“China’s claims to historic rights, or other sovereign rights or jurisdiction,” Hofileña Jr. says, “With respect to the maritime areas of the South China Sea encompassed by the relevant part of the nine-dash line, are contrary to the Convention and without lawful effect to the extent that they exceed the geographic and substantive limits of China’s maritime entitlements under the Convention.”

Both Hofileñas expound further on the matter in the book, which will aid in comprehending laws that involve Philippine sovereignty and security in relation to the government’s practice of realpolitik from its own inter pretation and agenda, with which many may disagree.

As such, Turmoil at the South China Sea is another triumph of savvy and smarts from the father-and-son lawyers who have established themselves as subject matter experts on international law.

Turmoil at the South China Sea: The Philippines vs. China Arbitration and Other Relevant Matters

By Saul Hofileña Jr. and Daniel Soriano Hofileña 2022, 90 pgs, pb, Baybayin Publishing

Dr. Ortuoste teaches communication and creative writing. She is a board member of the Philippine Center of Interna tional PEN and a member of the Manila Critics Circle that established the National Book Awards. You may reach the author on Facebook and Twitter: @DrJennyO

13 things to remember when life gets rough

LIFE challenges are inevitable. At times, the trials even seem overwhelming. We cannot help but feel helpless and hopeless.  Communication professor, life coach, author, and TV person ality Dr. Carol Morgan , founder of the dating and relationship website HerSideHisSide.com, believes that shifting perspec tives allows one to overcome these adversities.

“We’ve all gone through hard times. And we all get through them. However, some get through them better than others,” Morgan started. “So, what is their secret? Most of it has to do with attitude.”

Echoing Morgan, the Benilde Well-Being Center (BWC) of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde wishes to guide others to fos ter positive thinking and optimistic behavior, as well as maximize their overall happiness.

Here are 13 reminders to keep in mind:

1. What it is.

Suffering only occurs when we resist. If you can affect an as pect, take action. You must accept and let go when the situation is certainly beyond your control.

2. It’s only a problem if you think it’s a problem.

At times, we are our own worst enemy. Instead of breeding negative thoughts and emotions, think of it as an educational experience.

A GOOD sleep powers all the activities in one’s waking moments. It impacts an individual’s physical, mental, and even emotional well-being, enabling one to be as productive not just in tasks but also in decision-making. Lack of sleep is known to weaken the immune system and cause a slew of other health problems.

Getting a restful sleep, however, can be difficult with so many distractions and stressors. Even activities that you think are relaxing such as catching up on your social media feed can end up keeping you awake. It’s never too late to get your sleeping routine back on track though. Sealy Pos turepedic, the sleep expert, recommends these three tricks to aid your body restore your sleep routine faster so you can have sweet dreams in no time.

Invest in a good mattress

Let’s get straight to the point, a great mattress equals a great night’s sleep. As we’re all different, there is no one-sizefits-all perfect mattress but support and comfort are the most important factors when choosing a mattress.

If the bedroom should only be for sleeping, the bed is the main centerpiece for sleep. This is why experts recommend limiting bed activities to sleeping and resting.

For these to happen, the bed should be inviting and comfortable. It should be something one looks forward to at the end of the day.

Create an atmosphere for sleeping

It’s very important to create an atmo

sphere in one’s room that is conducive to sleeping. Try lighting up one or two aromatherapy sticks or diffusing some essential oils.

Much like the sudden hunger one feels upon smelling a whiff of one’s favorite food, that sleepy feeling can also be trig gered by comfort scents. Aromatherapy boosts health and well-being. Inhaling natural essences can help create an at mosphere of relaxation and stimulate the mind and body for a good sleep.

Aim for a Zero-G position

It’s more fun to think about the zerogravity (or Zero-G) as an ideal sleeping position that would make you feel like “floating” because of how comfortable it is.

This body posture is developed by NASA before launching their astronauts into space with the aim of reducing stress on the individual’s body in consideration of their weight.

How to do the Zero-G position? Lie flat on your back then raise both your head and feet, leaving your feet slightly higher. This position relieves pressure on your neck and back area and helps achieve a sensation of weightlessness making it easy to fall and stay asleep.

To match trends for health and well ness and quality sleep and meet the rising demand for reliable mattresses, Sealy Philippines opens its fifth showroom in the country. Located at the heart of bus tling Makati, the Sealy Sleep Boutique in Greenbelt 5 brings discerning users closer to unrivaled comfort and support for the best sleep possible.

3. Start within yourself. Your inner being reflects your outer world. We initially need to transform ourselves first to change our circumstances.

4. There are no failures – only learning opportunities. Achievers have ‘failed’ over and over. But instead of consider ing these as letdowns, they did better next time around.

5. Better opportunities are coming. In hindsight, you will be able to see why some prospects did not work out.

6. Appreciate the present.

Every mo ment is pre cious and will never come again. Even those that didn’t seem particularly happy can be looked upon as a nostal gic memory someday.

7. Let go of desire.

Most covet a goal when they don’t get it. Their emotions plummet into

Prac tice a ‘detached mind’: when you have an aim, be happy whether you achieve it or not.

8. Understand and be grateful for your fears.

them just needs

9. Allow yourself to experience joy.

Some are too im mersed in their prob lems that they would not even know who they are without them. Allow yourself to be happy – even for a brief moment.

on your joy, not your hardships.

10. Do not compare yourself to others.

Be grateful for what you have instead.

11. You are not a victim.

are the creator of your own experience.

can get

of your hard times.

with your own

Things can and do change.

When stuck

take

Fear can be a great teacher.

can likewise make you feel

tice.

a bad

is

think

dreams are made of these:

to achieve great sleep every night

Cameras start rolling for ‘La casa de papel’ spinoff

NETFLIX has introduced at a press conference in Madrid the start of filming and the new cast of Berlin, the spinoff of La casa de papel that follows the most extraordinary heists of the iconic character played by Pedro Alonso In the words of its creators Esther Martínez Lobato and Álex Pina during the press conference: “Berin’s character has the most sparkling per sonality to place it in another universe. We loved the idea of introducing a new gang around Berlin in a completely different emotional state.”

Pedro Alonso (La casa de papel) returns to the role of the hedonistic and clever Berlin. Alongside him, his new gang: Michelle Jenner (Isabel) plays Keila, an eminence in electron ic engineering; Tristán Ulloa (Fariña) goes into the skin of Damián, a philanthropic profes sor and Berlin’s confidant; Be goña Vargas (Welcome to Eden) plays Cameron, a kamikaze who always lives on the edge; Ju lio Peña Fernández (Through My Window) brings to life Roi, Berlin’s faithful squire; and Joel Sánchez plays Bruce, the relent less man of action in the gang.

n By PATRICIA TACULAO

IT’S no surprise if local celebrities explore differ ent avenues in their ca reer. Some actors venture into singing, while some musicians try their hand in front of the camera. Simply put, the Philip pine entertainment indus try provides opportuni ties for artists who want to share their less-known talent with the public.

So when Kristoffer Martin pur sued a singing career with his first single, “Di Ba,” under GMA Music, GMA Network had no qualms about promoting his new venture. It helps that aside from having the looks and charm, Kristoffer had the voice to support his new journey in the busi ness.

Last September 30, Kristoffer dropped his latest single, “Di Ba,” an emotional piece that listeners can in terpret accordingly and find relatable. However, the actor-singer admitted during a Zoomcon that he connected better with the song by looking at his high school life.

Nung inexplain sa akin nung com poser yung kanta kanta daw niya ito doon sa naging girlfriend niya, tapos nag-cool off sila, tapos umaasa si yang babalik siya. May mga instances naman noong high school ako, to be specific, may ganoong feelings tala ga,” Kristoffer said.

Moreover, Kristoffer finds it chal lenging to dedicate the song to some one because he’s enjoying his fami ly’s company again after falling out, which left him emotional.

It’s been a while since Kristoffer

During the press conference, Alonso revealed how the script for the series begins, “There are only ten things that can turn a terrible day into a wonderful one. The first is love. And the truth, that wasn’t the case. My third wife had just left me... The second is a spoil of more than ten million euros. But it wasn’t the case either. We were going to steal the link to a much bigger heist, today’s was easy. But if you have a bad day, you can end up bringing a mis erable to his knees and aiming for his head.”

The eight episodes of the

KRISTOFFER MARTIN gets emotional in ‘DI BA’

series, created by Esther Martínez Lobato ( La casa de papel , Sky Rojo ) and Álex Pina ( La casa de papel Sky Rojo ), are written by David Oliva, David Barrocal , Esther Martínez Lobato and Álex Pina and will be directed by Albert Pintó ( Sky Rojo , Malasaña 32 ), David Barrocal ( Sky Rojo , La casa de papel ) and Geoffrey Cowper ( Day Release ).

The series began shooting on October 3 in Paris and will take place over several weeks between the French capital and Madrid.

Road heroes meet this generation’s Darna

DARNA made a quick stop to greet and interact with jeepney drivers in Guadalupe, Makati City, the first stop of the #DarnaAll tour that is expected to make rounds and inspire everyday heroes.

as he soon found himself missing singing. As if like clockwork, when the Kapuso star began suggesting he wanted to sing, GMA Music wanted him to record another song.

“Nagbigay sila ng mga options at eto talaga ang pinakatumatak sa akin kasi ang ganda ng pagkakasulat, ramdam na ramdam talaga yung words. Na-excite ako kasi gusto ko talaga kumakanta ng Taga log. Iba pa rin pag kinakanta mo sa wika ng Filipino—mas ramdam,” Kristoffer said.

He added that although the song is senti mental, he didn’t let the wave of emotions wash over him during the recording. Instead, felt the excitement course through because it was his first time making a song where he had the creative freedom to share his input on how he wanted the single to turn out.

Some of his contributions to “Di Ba” include a guitar solo and a bridge. After ward, he felt a sense of accomplishment because he sang a song that exhibited his artistic expression. Both additions convey Kristoffer’s idea of what emotions and sounds he wants to channel through his latest single.

“Kung maririning niyo yung draft nung una, nung pinarinig sa akin, ibang-iba siya sa ngayon,” the Kapuso actor shared.

Following the realization of his dream of having a complete and happy family, “Di Ba” shows how Kristoffer’s life made a turn for the better. Despite his early downfalls, contentment is what describes the Kapuso star’s life nowadays, as he spends his time with the people he loves and unlocks opportunities to further his career as an actor and singer.

“Di Ba” is available for listening to on YouTube and Apple Music.

Feed Your Seoul

want

n By CHUCHIE LEDESMA

YOU’VE watched all 16 episodes of Yumi’s Cells 2 and you have been at the front and center of Bam Bam and Lapillus’ mall tours in Manila. You’ve feasted on bibimyeon, tteokbokki, and samgyupsal so often that you can whip up your own.

What’s a Korean pop culture experience with out treating yourself to world-class movies to cap off your indubitably daebak month?

Ayala Malls’ Feed Your Seoul celebration brought Korean Film Festival: Seoul Spotlight, which aimed to bring the best of South Korean culture to Filipinos.

Jumpstarting the event was a special screening of the romance-mystery Deci sion

To Leave by Cannes Film Festival Best Film Director winner, Park Chan-Wook. This movie’s also South Korea’s official submission at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival for the Palme d’Or.

Romance-mystery not your cup of tea? Here are some of the movies from the lineup that you

Mon

Among those in attendance during the

were

Mars Ravelo’s Darna lead star Jane De Leon (Narda Custodio/ Darna) met with the PUV drivers and was accompanied by her fel low cast members Mark Mani cad (Ali Corpuz) and LA Santos (Richard Miscala).

The Darna cast gave away stickers and face towels to jeepney drivers and even took selfies with their fans. The fun stickers in clude statements like “Ang hindi magbayad lagot kay Darna” and Ding, barya lang sa umaga.”

Darna herself even tried to be a ‘konduktor’ or driver’s assistant.

Meanwhile, the excitement in the series continues to build up as Regina’s anger over Darna persists, especially now that the people of Nueva Esperanza found out, through the help of policeman Brian Robles (Joshua Garcia), that the local superhero had been set up by Silent Shocker (Boom Labrusca). Regina’s alter ego, the Babaeng Ahas, asked a victim she saved from two thieves to call her ‘Valentina.’

Narda’s friendship with Noah Vallesteroes (Paolo Gumabao) also continues to blossom as the son of the Nueva Esperanza may or tries to win her heart.

Darna airs weeknights at 8:00 on Kapamilya Channel, Kapam ilya Online Live, CineMo, A2Z, and TV5. The ABS-CBN se ries produced by JRB Creative Production is also available on iWantTFC, and TFC.

TriNoma, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Centrio, Ayala Malls Capitol Central, and Ayala MarQuee Mall participated

Korean Film

Spotlight,

Korean Culture Center Director

Young

and film directors Jeffrey Hidalgo, Dennis Marasigan, Easy Ferrer, Bobby Bonifa cio,

and RC Delos Reyes

Also present at the event

actors Eric Ejercito, Elijah Canlas, and Miles Ocampo

rising artists Joaquin Can

Rob Deniel, Silas, and Valfer

along with other Viva artists.

Elijah Canlas (left) with Miles Ocampo

The Kapuso star is proud to contribute his creative ideas to complete his new single

Kristoffer returns to singing with his new single ‘Di Ba’

Singing has always been a passion of Kristoffer since he was young

Jane De Leon inspiring everyday heroes during the #DarnaAll tour

The cast of ‘Berlin’

Confessions of a Single Pet Parent

By Rowena David

BEING a single pet parent was not part of my life’s plan. When I was in my teens, I envisioned myself being a frequent traveler by the time I’m in my forties. Having a pet was, at the time, out of the question as they were additional responsibilities that I was not willing to take on. Like any teenager, I was a bit self-absorbed.

Flash forward years later, I’m in my forties and a single fur parent who can’t go on overnight trips because I worry about my pets all alone at home. How will they survive? What if one of them gets sick? What if there’s an earthquake and I’m not at home to get them to safety? What if someone breaks into our house and then leaves the door wide open? My pets will cer tainly run outside like a bunch of prison-breakers thinking that it’s their Freedom Day. How will I gather them all up again? I exaggerate, I know, but pet parents will understand the level of worry we feel every time we leave our pets at home by themselves.

I was in my late thirties when I started consid ering getting a pet. I considered myself a dog person so, naturally, I wanted a cuddly puppy for my first pet. But life has a way of telling us that sometimes we are not in control. Unlike most pet parents, I didn’t have the chance to choose my first pet. It chose me. It was also my first rescue. When I saw a dirty and malnourished kitten fearfully running away from a vehicle, I knew right away that I must “save” it. The kitten was desperate to get inside our gate anyway, pre sumably to take refuge, so all I had to do was pick it up and bring it inside our house. Little did I know then that because of that first kitten I would go on to rescue and foster more kittens throughout the years.

Being the sole caretaker of a pet is fulfilling but it also has its share of challenges. For instance, if your pet gets sick, you alone are responsible for shouldering the medical expenses. Single

pet parents must take into consideration some things that non-solo pet parents don’t usually experience or encounter.

Who will take care of my pets if I have to travel?

If you can’t bring your pets with you when you need to travel, one option is pet daycare. This is becoming a popular option for pet parents who can’t take their pets with them on their travels. Reportlinker.com reported that the pet daycare and lodging market is “poised to grow by $8.6 billion during 2022-2026.” In the Philippines, there are more pet hotels or pet lodgings now than it was years ago. Just make sure that your chosen pet daycare has a good reputation or track record. However, if you’re on a budget and can’t afford a pet daycare or a paid pet sitter, the best option would be your network. Ask a trusted friend, neighbor, or relative to take care of your pets while you’re gone.

What does my pet do while I’m not at home?

I sometimes wonder about this myself, espe cially when I see the mess my pets made when

I get home. Some pet owners use pet cameras and pet monitor apps to monitor their pets while they’re away. There are even pet cameras that are equipped with two-way audio that al lows pets and owners to communicate.

When the unexpected happens Accidents do happen without warning and someone must be on standby to take care of your pets if something happens to you. I always carry in my bag several pet emergency cards. I made them myself and had them laminated. A pet emergency card alerts people that you have pets at home. It also indicates the name and number of the emer gency contact person. These cards are a must-have for pet parents who live alone.

Separation anxiety

Most cats are low-maintenance. You can leave them food and water the whole day and they won’t mind. Sometimes I suspect that my cats don’t even notice that I’ve been away. Dogs, on the other hand, behave differently. Dogs love to be with their owners. They follow their owner around the house, they jump with uncontained excitement when their owner

Protecting your pets from a super typhoon

By Mariana Burgos

TROPICAL Cyclone Noru, also known as Karding locally, came westward into the Philippines' eastern seaboard on September 25, reaching super typhoon intensity. It is one of the Pacific basin's swiftest rapid intensifications yet to be observed. At times like so, what happens to our furry family members? Many people's lives have now returned to normal, but for some, the effects of the super storm that hit on Sep tember 25 may continue for years.

Every new catastrophe brings an unexpected event. Many pet owners who want to take their animals with them during an emergency discover that there are few or no choices for refuge or evacuation. Public health issues may result from this disregard for companion animal welfare during a calamity. In my personal opinion, this is an issue that needs to be discussed urgently and thoroughly in Congress because our nation is one that frequently encounters such natural disasters. I’m sure there are already many write-ups that just came out about how to keep your pets safe during a storm. With this article, I’m just go ing to share our personal experience with the recent super typhoon. It was fortunate that only my daugh ter, Yumi, and I were at home when this storm struck because, otherwise, we would not have been able to save our animals the way we did last Sunday.

Other humans would not have approved of us bringing all the animals inside the house with us, as it is their home and they are only sharing it with us.

We don't have a home of our own yet. And, most likely, both of us would have been devastated and overcome with anxiety and tension knowing that the animals would undoubtedly suffer due to the storm outside. But of course, I wouldn’t let the animals suffer out in the storm. I would definitely fight for the safety of our animals.

We had recently repaired all of the containment areas of our rescued and adopted cats and dogs prior to the arrival of the storm. Our first adopted dog, Milky, and the second pair of rescued female cats (one has five kittens) were the only animals we had inside the house. But when we heard that the storm will definitely turn into a super typhoon, Yumi and I talked of back-up plans to bring inside the house all the animals because for sure, the containment areas would not hold well in a super storm because they were made only from scraps from the farm. Still, we hoped for the best and did not take the animals inside earlier than we did.

When the super storm reached its peak in the evening of the 25th and no matter how hard I tried repairing

the containment areas over and over again during the storm, the inevitable happened---- we had to brave the strong winds and rains to get all the animals from their containment areas and bring them inside the house. One by one, I carried the dogs with me because water was rising around the house. The strong winds were swaying us strongly, threatening to push us off balance. We had to wait for the thunder and lightning to quiet down first before heading out again to get another dog to bring it to safety. It was hard to make it quickly because of the heavy rains and the darkness. Electric power had been cut off already at that time. The only light I had was from the small flashlight my daughter was holding lighting my path from the house. I did not let her out because it was extremely dangerous. When we were finally all in, even if we were all soaking wet from the rains and the flood, all the animals were licking us with joy, as if saying, “Thank you for not leaving us out there in the storm!”

By the time we managed to dry off and organize the space somehow, it was almost eleven o'clock at night. The only time I was able to prepare dinner for everyone so we could get a decent night's sleep for the time being was at that particular moment. We were forced to spend the night in the receiving area because the room where we had been sleeping became completely wet because the large windows' plastic covering was blown away by the storm's powerful winds.

Animal companions have a vital role in human culture. However, when disaster strikes, to evacuate and shelter pets are often overlooked. This disregard might have an impact on public health. Communi ties with a sizable pet population need to develop emergency plans for their companion animals during catastrophes, which will boost community resilience and enhance public health. One of the most welldocumented and widely acknowledged effects of pet loss linked with a disaster is psychological stress, which can happen when people are forced to escape without their pets---- something that could have happened to both my daughter and myself if we were forced to leave the animals outside the house, in the storm, for the reason that it is not our house and we do not have a say who stays in and not. For what has happened, I can truly say, God is good all the time! He definitely heard and answered my prayers for us and our animals.

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 lov ers and are active in advocating not only human rights but the rights of animals as well.

comes home from work. This is why they be come anxious when they’re left all alone in the house. pets.webmd.com provides these tips for mild dog separation anxiety:

· Give your dog a special treat whenever you leave then take it away when you get home.

· Keep your arrivals and departures low-key and ignore your dog for a few minutes after you get home.

· Leave some recently worn clothes out that smell like you.

A word of caution for people who are plan ning to get a pet: Please do not get a pet if you’re just bored or lonely but don’t have the time and commitment for a pet. It is unfair to the pet. Pet adoption should be mutually beneficial for both parties - you get companionship and unconditional love and in turn, the pet gets food, shelter, and lifetime TLC.

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

A DIY pet emergency card.

Single pet parent Flordeliza de Guzman with her cat Galigus.

The author with Diego, one of her foster fails.

The author’s foster furkids: Wesley the dog and Mimi the cat.

Tagpi, one of the author’s adopted dogs, accompanied her as she took photos of the damages brought by super typhoon Karding.

Coco, Gizmo, and Panda were brought

days after

super typhoon.

A fallen mahogany tree near the cages of the cats and the water pump at the backyard.