Manila Standard - 2022 November 20 - Sunday

PBBM calls for self-reliant Asia Presses

future without external interference

PH position on pressing issues now clear with

APEC leaders—President

Cooperation Summit in Bangkok. “One of the most important things, the reason I thought I must

in Pasay City.

Most APEC leaders condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

ASIA-PACIFIC leaders added their voices on Saturday to international pressure on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, issuing a summit statement saying “most” of them condemned the war.

The 21 members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum issued a joint declaration after a day and a half of talks in Bangkok criticizing the con flict and the global economic turmoil it has unleashed.

The summit communique was agreed by all APEC members, but in cludes a number of diplomatic fudges.

“Most members strongly con

stressed it is causing immense human suffering and exacerbating existing fragilities in the global economy,” it said.

“There were other views and differ ent assessments of the situation and sanctions.”

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., for his part, said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was “unacceptable.”

“The war is unacceptable and we asked all parties involved… Urging that peace be brought back to Ukraine and the confrontation be brought to diplomatic space,” Mr. Marcos said.

President sees no cause for tension with China in Harris’ visit to Palawan

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the visit of US Vice President Kamala Harris to Palawan, the province nearest to the West Philippine Sea, on Tuesday should not stoke tension between the Philippines and China.

“No. I don’t see why they should. She is in the Philippines and she is visiting anoth er part of the Philippines,” Mr. Marcos said in an interview with reporters on the side lines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Coopera

Speaker hails Marcos’ savvy int’l promotion

n By MARICEL V. CRUZ AND VINCE LOPEZ

SPEAKER Martin Romualdez on Saturday said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. shone as a savvy international relations leader pro moting the Philippines during the Asia-Pa cific Economic Cooperation 2022 (APEC) Summit in Bangkok.

He said the President’s efforts to promote the Philippines as an investment hub and advance its regional interests during the APEC Summit are a resounding success, based on what transpired during the event.

Mr. Marcos, he said, was not only able to effectively articulate the Philippine position on pressing global issues but he also estab lished warm relations with fellow heads of state, particularly during the bilateral meetings held on the sidelines of the APEC meeting.

“The points the President has raised during the various APEC sessions resonated

tion Summit in Bangkok on Saturday.

“Of course, it is the closest area to the South China Sea but it’s very clearly on Philippine territory. I don’t think it will cause problems,” he added.

Harris told Asian leaders attending the APEC Summit that the United States is committed to the region for the long haul, rejecting doubts about its engagement as China expands its clout.

She called the United States a “proud Pacific power” and said that the longstand ing US network of security alliances has allowed Asia to prosper.

“The United States is here to stay,” Harris told business leaders on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, also attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

PBBM accepts invitation to visit 5 more countries ‘at some point’

B

n By VINCE LOPEZ

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he received and accepted invitations to visit at least five countries "at some point."

“What countries have invited me? All.

What countries will I accept? All,” the President told reporters in an interview on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Bangkok.

He then mentioned France, Saudi Arabia, New Zealand, Australia and Vietnam.

“All of them, even in the Asean

(Association of Southeast Asian Nations). Vietnam because we have so many connections already at least on the private sector side,” he said.

"[State and official visits] are always useful," added the President.

In his last day in Bangkok yesterday, the

President held several bilatetal meetings where trade, security, energy and OFW concerns were discussed.

In his meeting with New Zealand

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, the latter expressed commitment to improving

DAZZLING LIGHTS. A giant Christmas tree comes to life as the local government of Manila lights up its holiday decors at the Kartilya ng Katipunan shrine. Danny Pata

VINCE LOPEZ

RESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday said the Asian region must be able to decide for itself and chart its future without external interference or pressure.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha hands

cha-lom to US Vice President Kamala Harris at the handover ceremony during the Asia Pacific

ALENA MAE FLORES

the rollback are the COVID surge in China, the interest rates hike and the OPEC cuts in its forecast for 2022 global oil demand growth,”

Mr. Marcos made the statement in an interview with reporters on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Bangkok that concluded yesterday.

“What we should really pursue is to make sure that we in the region are the ones who will decide the future of the region. We should not let ourselves be

TEAM PHILIPPINES. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (center) poses with members of the Philippine delegation to the APEC Summit in Bangkok, Thailand that includes (from left) Foreign Affairs Sec. Enrique Manalo, Social Welfare and Development Sec.Erwin Tulfo, Information and Communications Technology Sec. Ivan Uy, Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Presidential Adviser on Creative Communication Paul Soriano, Speaker Martin Romualdez, Migrant Workers Sec. Susan Ople, Trade and Industry Sec. Alfredo Pascual and Office of the Press Secretary-OIC Undersecretary Cheloy Garafil.Inset photo shows Mr. Marcos delivering his arrival statement at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City late Saturday evening. Ver Noveno, RTVM screengrab

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Asia Pacific leaders now know the position of the Philippines on several issues, including on food security and climate change, with his attendance to the Asia Pacific Economic

attend, I have discussed issues with all the leaders of the Asia-Pacific,” Mr. Marcos said in his arrival speech at the Villamor Airbase

COCOPEA asserts full face-to-face classes be adopted next school year

Estrada argued that the gains made in using digital learning platforms should not be sacrificed in the effort to fulfill the latest CHED order.

AIM honor Makati for tourism dev’t

n By JOEL E. ZURBANO

MAKATI City has been named one of the best cities in the country for pursuing sustainable tourism, Mayor Abigail Binay said on Saturday.

The Coordinating Council of Private Educational Association of the Philippines (COCOPEA) took the position amid debates on whether the schools could adopt full face-to-face classes, or offer hybrid learning module during the second semester of the current school year as mandated by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

COCOPEA spokesman Noel Estrada said in a GMA radio interview that there is not enough time this school year to adopt the policy changes on the teaching modalities, specifically the physical pres ence of the students in the classrooms.

CHED chairman Prospero de Vera III issued on Wednesday Memorandum Order No. 16, allowing

Lawmen raid Ayala-Alabang shabu labs

n By MARICEL V. CRUZ AND JOEL E. ZURBANO

THE Muntinlupa City government has called on property owners and managers in Ayala-Alabang Village to investigate va cant and rented properties to ensure these are not being used by criminal elements.

Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers commended the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for the dis covery and raid of two shabu laboratories inside the Ayala Alabang Village.

The call came on the heels of separate raids by a composite team of law enforcers Friday on two properties in the exclusive village where they seized a total of P149 million worth of shabu, and arrested five suspects, two of them foreigners.

“This raid on a clandestine shabu lab right inside a supposedly serene and safe residential subdivision should be a wakeup call to its residents and community leaders that danger lurks within the confines of their community,” said Muntinlu pa City Mayor Ruffy Biazon.

“The safety and security of commu nities is the mission and duty of our law enforcement units. But it will take a whole-of-city approach to beat illegal drugs,” he added.

The joint anti-narcotics operation was conducted by the PDEA, the Manila International Container Port - Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (MICP-CIIS), the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency.

“the disposition towards transitioning to the safe return to physical campuses and bringing back learners to school is ground as a result of recovery measures from the impact of COVID-19.”

“Unless there is an approval from the Commission on Higher Education, an HEI cannot offer its recognized degree programs in full distance learning delivery including online modality,” the memoran dum stated.

“For HEI’s (higher education institutions) that will opt to deliver their degree programs in hybrid learning mode, at least 50% of the total contact time should be spent on onsite learning experiences,” it added.

“Marami nang ginawang paghahanda ang mga estudyante at guro para sa hybrid learning... baka magulo ang entire system kapag ipinatupad agad ang mandatory face-to-face classes sa kolehiyo,” he said.

“‘Yung mga investment on resources, training faculty, learning gains, maaaring masakripisyo kapag ginawa nang mandatory ang full face-to-face classes sa HEIs,” Estrada added.

De Vera’s memo also mandated that laboratory courses, on-the-job training (OJT), and National Service Training Program activities should also be held primarily onsite.

“Unless there is an approval from the Commission on Higher Education, an HEI cannot offer its recognized degree programs in full distance learning delivery including fully online modality,” it added.

Binay made the announcement following the recognition made by the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) and Megaworld Foundation during their first Philippine Tourism Excellence Awards under the Good Local Governance category for valuablecontribution to sustainable urban tourism development.

“We are honored and humbled by this prestigious award from the AIM and Megaworld Foundation. Local governance is essential for sustainable urban tourism development. The city government can help protect the local environment, create opportunities for locals to benefit from increased tourism revenue, and contribute to long-term economic growth. We will continue to work hard to provide tourists with premium hospitality, entertainment options, and cultural attractions,” the mayor said.

Binay also said local governments should engage in meaningful dialogues with business owners, residents, and other stakeholders.

“They must also develop and enforce strong regulations that promote responsible behavior among tourists, and invest in infrastructure projects to improve the quality of life for residents, workers, and tourists,” she added.

Binay said Makati has reopened tourist centers at the Museo ng Makati in Poblacion and Glorietta 2 in Ayala Center to provide free walking tours, as well as to showcase Makati’s popular and lesser-known sites.

The city government launched the MakaTurismo website last September 28 to attract tourists and visitors to the city, apart from the MakaTurismo vlogs.

Binay said the city continues to value Makati’s rich heritage and tradition by holding town fiestas and other cultural programs like Flores de Mayo sa Makati, Kalbaryo, and Prusisyon.

Bulacan solon champions bamboo planting

A BULACAN congressman champions the propagation of bamboo particularly in his province to help protect the Ipo Dam watershed.

Bulacan Rep. Salvador Pleyto spearheaded the holding of a multi-sector Bamboo Summit right within the Ipo Dam complex in Norzagaray town early this week which served as the launch pad of his bamboo greening program.

Pleyto, a retired undersecretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways, said stakeholders from the private and public sector, along with non-

government representatives, specifically the Philippine Bamboo Foundation, attended the conference.

Pleyto, in a statement, said the convention was the first step towards his initiative to plant bamboo inside the watershed of Ipo Dam “to sustain the water capacity of the dam and, at the same time, a response to the challenge of climate change.”

He stressed the need to promote the propagation of bamboo, as well as its environmental benefits.

“By planting bamboo, we can create

income opportunities and provide livelihood to the residents, especially to the minorities in Norzagaray, Bulacan. We can help and support the residents in our district through the planting of bamboo trees and patronage of the products made from them),’’ Pleyto said.

He added that bamboo propagation is in addition to the call of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to plant trees in the mountainous areas as deterrent to landslides or soil erosion and flooding at the lowlands due to overflowing of waterways and runoff water during heavy downpour. Maricel V. Cruz

BI steps up deportation of POGO workers with aid from embassies

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) is stepping up its deportation proceedings for Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) employees who were illegally working in the Philippines.

BI deputy spokesman Melvin Mabulac said the agency has been coordinating with the respective embassies of the POGO workers facing deportation.

“We are targeting to deport most of them as soon as possible. So we are in close coordination with their embassies for the travel documents they will provide and their ticket to fly out of the country,” Mabulac

said at the Laging Handa briefing on Friday.

As of Nov. 17, the BI has so far deported 44 foreign nationals mostly Chinese, out of the 372 who were rounded up in September.

The first batch of six was sent home last Oct. 19, while the second batch of 21 was deported on Nov. 2. The third group was shipped out last Thursday.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) apprehended the POGO workers in separate raids in Pasig City and Pampanga province two months ago.

Senator eyes online library to beat pandemic

A SENATOR ponders the setting up a Philippine Online Library to beat the pandemic while pursuing knowledge through reading materials.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian broached the idea as the country marks the Library and Information Service Month this November.

Gatchalian filed Senate Bill No. 477 seeking the establishment of the online library.

Under the measure, the Department of Education (DepEd) would create a digital copy of all textbooks and reference books vital for public education.

The books shall be compiled in the Philippine Online Library to be jointly managed by the DepEd and the Department of Information and Communications Technology.

“Matitiyak

kalamidad o

(We can ensure that learners and

will have access to a greater number of books. This way, education continues even if there are calamities or disasters),” Gatchalian said in a news release on Saturday.

To complement the Philippine Online Library, the DepEd may utilize additional materials from the National Library of the Philippines (NLP), which should be representative of Filipino culture and literature, and add other materials it deems necessary for expanding learning opportunities.

Last July, Makati started hosting the monthly celebration of national day with ambassadors and representatives from various embassies in the city to strengthen partnerships with the diplomatic community.

“Through initiatives like these, we hope to inspire more people to visit Makati and experience its dynamic urban culture. Makati remains one of the top tourist destinations in the country, and we are confident that it will continue to be recognized as a model for sustainable urban tourism development in the years to come,” Mayor Binay said.

Loyzaga: DENR to sustain shift to digitization

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will continue to digitize its data resources to improve its public service efficiency and delivery, and to help it come up with effective and timely environmental interventions.

DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga gave this assurance during the “Boundless: Philippine Digital Convention 2022” where he served as one of the panelists. The affair was held last October 27 in Pasay City.

Loyzaga said the DENR was pushing its boundaries by streamlining some of its processes from a traditional paper record management system to advanced digital platforms in order to fully connect its central office in Quezon City to all its field offices across the country.

“We are hoping that these types of platforms will speed up the design of our different interventions and solutions that will make it more collaborative so we can be more transparent in terms of sharing that data with partners whom we know can contribute to solutions,” Loyzaga said.

Under her leadership, Loyzaga said the DENR – together with the National Economic and Development Authority and the Philippine Statistics Authority –will undertake the formulation of a tool that would help measure the full extent of the country’s natural resources and environmental assets.

The natural capital accounting, she said, will support the development of strategies for a science-based and risk-informed stewardship of the environment. Maricel V. Cruz

AN ORGANIZATION of privately owned colleges and universities maintained that changes in the instruction system should be implemented next school year.

NEVER THE TWAIN SHALL MEET. Workers stage a raucous demonstration along Taft Ave. in Manila to press for wage hikes and reduction of prices of commodities amid high inflation rates sweeping the country. Norman Cruz

NECESSITY AND BOREDOM ARE THE FATHER OF INVENTION. A detainee, euphemistically called person deprived of liberty, who must have all the time in the world but nowhere to go and nothing to do shows off a sample of a face mask made of plastic beads that they produce at the detention facility and sell for P150. Interested buyers may contact the Manila City Jail. Danny Pata

GAGAMBOY. Unmindful of the challenges of the time that adults are encountering, this Manila boy looks fully focused on his two pet spiders that hang on a stick. Children take center stage in the observance of the National Children’s Month, as well as the World Children’s Day on November 20. Danny Pata

Xi, Harris call for open channels to manage US-China competition

CHINESE Presi dent Xi Jinping and US Vice President Kamala Harris called for open commu nication during a brief meeting on Saturday, days after his extensive talks with President Joe Biden aimed at keeping tensions in check.

Speaking to Xi on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Coopera tion (APEC) forum, Harris reinforced Biden’s message that “we must maintain open lines of communication to responsibly manage the competition between our countries,” a White House official said.

On Monday, Biden and Xi met for three hours at a Group of 20 summit in Bali, the first in-person talks between the leaders of the world’s two largest economies since they each became president.

Chinese state media quoted Xi as telling Harris that his meeting with Biden was “strategic and constructive, and has im portant guiding significance for China-US relations in the next stage.”

“It is hoped that the two sides will further enhance mutual understanding, reduce misunderstanding and misjudge ment, and jointly promote the return of

Kim oversees Nokor ICBM launch with daughter in tow

NORTH Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw a test of Pyongyang’s newest intercontinental ballistic missile with his daughter in tow for the first time, state media reported Saturday.

Declaring he would meet perceived US nuclear threats with nukes of his own, Kim supervised the launch on Friday of the black-and-white missile, which the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said was the Hwasong-17 – dubbed the “mon ster missile” by analysts.

The launch was successful, KCNA said, adding that the “test-fire clearly proved the reliability of the new major strategic weapon system.”

KCNA said Kim attended the launch “to gether with his beloved daughter and wife”, and state media images showed a beaming Kim accompanied by a young girl in a puffer jacket and red shoes as he walked in front of the missile.

PBBM...dictated by anyone,” the President said.

Mr. Marcos was asked to comment on a statement released by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs after his bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. said Manila and Beijing.

The Ministry said Manila and Beijing “must stick to friendly consultation and handle differences and disputes properly. They should work together to reject unilateralism and acts of bullying, defend fairnes and justice, and safeguard peace and stability in the region.”

Mr. Marcos, however, said using the word “bullying is not exactly accurate.”

“I would characterize it as something different,” Mr. Marcos told reporters.

“Maybe that (regional independence) is what the Chinese were referring to.”

“It should be us in ASEAN, us in Asia, who should decide – it must only from there who will orchestrate on where to go in that region,” the President added.

Mr. Marcos acknowledged that when it comes to security and defense in the Asia Pacific, it has to be “a joint response.”

“We would do much better if we respond as a group,” he said.

After Mr. Marcos’ bilateral meeting with Xi, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Philippines and China have agreed to support the early conclusion of discussions on the creation of a code of conduct in the South China Sea.

Both leaders affirmed that the sea code would “help manage differences and regional tensions” in the disputed waters, the DFA said in a statement.

Pyongyang’s state media has never men tioned Kim’s children, and this was the first official confirmation that he had a daughter, experts said.

The latest launch shows that “the nuclear forces of the DPRK have secured another reliable and maximum capacity to contain any nuclear threat,” KCNA said, using the country’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

Since Kim declared North Korea an “irreversible” nuclear state in September, Washington has ramped up regional secu rity cooperation, including its largest-ever joint air exercises with South Korea.

The South Korean military said it staged joint air drills with the United States on Saturday involving the US B-1B long-range heavy bomber – which was deployed to the Korean peninsula for a separate joint exercise earlier this month. AFP

“The two leaders agreed that maritime issues do not define the totality of Philippines-China relations,” the statement read.

PH..“They now know me. They know what the Philippine position is on several issues.”

“We have much to do to play our part in APEC and we will undertake all that so we can contribute to the success of this region. The ultimate aspiration is for the Asia Pacific region to return as a driver of global economy,” the President added.

Mr. Marcos and members of the Philippine delegation arrived in Manila at around 10:39 p.m. Saturday after a fourday trip to Bangkok to attend the APEC Summit and related meetings.

PRESIDENT...“Our message is clear: The United States has an enduring economic commitment to the Indo-Pacific, one that is measured not in years, but in decades and generations,” she said, using the preferred US term for the Asia-Pacific region.

Harris, who is scheduled to arrive in Manila today, will be the highest-rank ing American official to visit the western island province adjacent to the disputed Spratly Islands in a show of support to the Philippines.

The Philippine Coast Guard’s BRP Tere sa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) will welcome Harris in her scheduled visit in Puerto Princesa City.

“US Vice President Harris would receive a briefing on the Coast Guard’s current maritime operations in Palawan. This will occur after the vessel tour onboard one of the two biggest PCG vessels to date,” said

China-US relations to a healthy and stable track,” added Xi, who is on only his sec ond overseas trip since the pandemic.

US and Chinese officials have both put a positive spin on the renewal of diploma cy, while stopping short of predicting any substantive resolution of issues dividing them – notably Taiwan, the self-governing democracy claimed by Beijing.

Xi and Biden agreed that Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit China early next year, the first visit by a top US diplomat since 2018.

Blinken told reporters in Bangkok that the contacts aimed at making sure that competition “does not veer into conflict” and examining areas of cooperation on global challenges such as climate change.

The United States said it was also look ing for China to do more to rein in its ally North Korea, which on Friday test-fired a ballistic missile that US and Japanese officials said was likely capable of hitting

the US mainland.

China should use its influence to persuade North Korea “not to go in this provocative direction, which only destabi lizes the region and the world”, said a US official travelling with Harris.

If relations remain unchanged, Xi could see Biden in a year’s time when the United States hosts the APEC summit in San Francisco.

Xi last visited the United States in 2017, meeting then president Donald Trump at his Florida estate, but relations between the two countries later sharply deteriorat ed over trade, Taiwan, human rights and COVID-19.

APEC, which groups 21 economies, focuses on trade rather than political matters. But after US insistence, APEC followed the formula of this week’s G20 summit to take up the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, a member of both organisa tions. AFP

Twitter fate hangs as employees defy Musk’s ultimatum

THE future of Twitter seemed to hang in the balance Friday after its offices were locked down and key employees announced their departures in defiance of an ultima tum from new owner Elon Musk.

Fears grew that a fresh exodus would threaten the very existence of one of the world’s most influential internet platforms, which serves as a key communication tool for the world’s media, politicians, compa nies, activists and celebrities.

According to ex-employees and US media, hundreds of employees chose “no” to Musk’s demand that they either be “ex tremely hardcore” or leave the company.

“So my friends are gone, the vision is murky, there is a storm coming and no financial upside. What would you do?” tweeted Peter Clowes, who refused Musk’s final warning.

Musk, also the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has come under fire for radical changes at the California-based firm, which he bought less than a month ago for $44 billion.

He had already fired half of Twitter’s 7,500 staff, scrapped a work-from-home policy and imposed long hours, all while his attempts to overhaul the company faced backlash and delays.

His stumbling attempts to revamp user verification with a controversial subscrip tion service led to a slew of fake accounts and pranks, and prompted major advertis ers to step away from the platform. AFP

INBRIEF

Malaysia polls under way, race too close to call

Its

coa lition

There were long lines at polling centres across the country despite con cerns about monsoon rains, indicating a strong turnout from among the 21 million registered voters.

“I want a strong government and a stable economy so that there will be more job opportunities for the youth,” Nurul Hazwani Firdon, a 20-year-old tutor, said as she went to cast her ballot in the rural town of Bera in Pahang state.

Malaysians face soaring food prices, and parts of the country are being battered by flash floods sparked by monsoon rains. AFP

Beloved panda gifted by China to Taiwan dies

“Our medical team has confirmed that Tuan Tuan’s heart stopped beating at 13:48 (05:48 GMT),” the zoo said in a short statement that did not state the cause of death.

Earlier on Saturday, a separate statement said the panda’s condition was “irreversible” and that he could no longer “live a quality life.”

Vets first noticed Tuan Tuan, 18, was ill in August, when he began suffering seizures and appeared increasingly unsteady and lethargic.

Medical scans showed he had a brain lesion and he was placed on anti-seizure medication. AFP

SPEAKER...

MOST...“The effect is not solely upon Ukraine and Russia. It was made clearer in APEC on how effects have been so far overreaching and profound to the detriment of many economies and the food supply of the world. We have to stop fight ing and we have to move on to democracy,” the Philippine leader added.

Apart from substituting the name of the organization, the statement of the APEC leaders was word-for-word the same as a G20 declaration issued Wednesday after a summit in Indonesia and reportedly the fruit of intense diplomatic haggling.

The APEC statement highlighted the “im mense human suffering” caused by the war, lamenting its impact on economic growth, inflation, supply chains and energy and food security.

The United States and its allies used the G20 summit to broaden the coalition against President Vladimir Putin’s invasion and scotch Kremlin claims of a war of East against West.

With his war effort floundering in the face of Ukrainian resistance backed by Western support, Putin refused to attend either the G20 or the APEC summits, send ing his foreign minister to Bali and a deputy prime minister to Bangkok.

Moscow unleashed a hail of missile at tacks across Ukraine this week after losing the city of Kherson in one of the biggest setbacks suffered by Russian forces since

As

PBBM ACCEPTS... the welfare and addressing the needs of overseas Filipino workers.

"The diaspora has really become a significant part of our culture,” Mr. Marcos said.

Ardern said New Zealand is keen on collaborating with Filipino farmers on new innovations in farming to increase sustainability and productivity.

Mr. Marcos noted the Philippines and New Zealand's partnership in trade has grown "at a steady pace."

"And we want perhaps after things open up even more and come back to what we all considered to be normal, it would increase. The population of the Philippines is growing, and the continuing need to trade," the President told Ardern.

In his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, which Mr. Marcos described as “very extensive and quite productive," the two leaders focused on three major items: agriculture, energy, and defense.

The chief executive also said he also energy with Macron because France is a leading proponent of nuclear energy.

“I’m very confident that it will be a strong partnership simply because they have up to 67 percent of their power production is from nuclear energy so they are very, very used to it,” Mr. Marcos said.

Romualdez said former President and now Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is satisfied with President Marcos’ performance in his initial outing at the APEC Summit held in Thailand.

“You could see GMA there literally cheering him on and we would see how delighted she was with his performance and the crowd itself was applauding our President for his very, very clear-cut answers, and very incisive,” Romualdez said.

The Speaker was referring to the panel discussion in the APEC CEO Summit where World Economic Forum founder Prof. Klaus Schwab and Global Chairman of PricewaterhouseCoopers Interna tional Limited Robert Moritz, were seen nodding in agreement most of the time with the insights and points raised by President Marcos.

DIESEL... Department of Energy director for the Oil Industry Management Bureau Rodela Romero said.

On November 15, oil firms raised the price of gasoline by P0.90 per liter and kerosene by P1.35 per liter, while implementing a P0.30 per liter rollback for diesel.

These resulted in total year-to-date adjustments to stand at a net increase of P18.15 per liter for gasoline, P36 per liter for diesel, and P27.25 per liter for kerosene.

A MALE giant panda gifted by China to Taiwan as a symbol of warmer ties died on Saturday after suffering a spate of seizures, Taipei Zoo said.

FromtheFRONTPAGE

with other leaders of member economies and attuned with the common objective to revitalize the Asia-Pacific region as the main engine of global economic recovery and growth,” Romualdez said.

Harris and Xi met during an Asia-Pacific summit in Bangkok where another US rival, Russia, saw itself isolated, with no top leader attending and a statement issued showing wide condemnation of its war in Ukraine.

GENERAL ELECTIONS. A woman casts her ballot at a polling station during the 15th general election in Bera, Malaysia’s Pahang state on November 19, 2022. AFP

MALAYSIANS headed to the polls on Saturday with jailed ex-leader Najib Razak’s scandal-hit party seeking to cement its power in a race analysts say is too close to call.

main challenge is from the

led by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, who has campaigned on a promise to fight corruption in Southeast Asia’s third-largest economy.

their invasion in February.

The onslaught has left millions of Ukrainian civilians suffering power shortages as winter bites and temperatures plunge.

this developed, Asia-Pacific leaders will gather in November 2023 in San Francisco with climate high on the agenda, Vice Pres ident Kamala Harris announced Saturday, offering an opportunity for a rare US visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping. AFP

PCG Spokesperson Commodore Armando Balilo.

Manila announced earlier Tuesday that Washington would spend $66.5 million to start building training and warehouse facilities at three of its military bases there under a 2014 joint security deal.

AYOUNG Filipino entrepreneur who labeled himself a corporate failure from years of working for various companies now runs a trending health and wellness company which gets millions of views on Tiktok and other social media platforms.

Jungie Gumiran, founder and chief executive of JUJU Lifestyle—a company that produces effervescent tablets includ ing the flagship product JUJU Collagen, says he gained over 13 million views on TikTok in the first six months from launch this year.

Collagen supplements help the body augment natural collagen production which inevitably declines as people get older, he says. “JUJU Collagen is a safe, high-quality and effective collagen sup plement in the Philippines. Created for busy people, we formulate the product in effervescent form to make it convenient and hassle-free for our daily users.”

Aside from JUJU Collagen, his product line has expanded to include Juju Glutafair, Juju Easyslim and Juju Easysports which are all easy to drink in effervescent form.

Gumiran says in an email interview that he is on a mission to help people live a more productive and healthy lifestyle through self-care powerhouse brands. “We created products that can be con sumed in the most convenient and most effective way,” he says.

“JUJU Lifestyle was established due to innovation. I, myself, was a skincare and self-care junkie, and used to find it hard to stick to a skincare routine, especially if that routine requires you to take six capsules of supplements every day. It just won’t work for my busy lifestyle. I stum bled upon the concept of effervescent tablets and how it would be an easier and more effective way to take supplements. It is an innovation that would be easier to incorporate in a busy lifestyle,” he says.

Setbacks

He recalls the setbacks he experienced in the first two years after he graduat ed from college, particularly from the companies that fired him. He bounced back by educating himself about digital marketing and e-commerce. This paved the way for him to do freelancing, and he later applied what he had learned to launch his startup businesses.

“I consider myself as a corporate failure and had no choice but to find other sourc es of income. I felt worthless and helpless at that time. I wasn’t prepared and didn’t have any savings left for a P20,000 monthly salary from the corporate,” he says.

He decided to do freelance work and was able to help transform household brands into powerhouse businesses. With money saved from freelancing, he launched his own ‘self-care’ company — JUJU. “In our first six months, we were overwhelmed by how much people loved our flagship prod uct, JUJU Collagen,” he says.

Filipino freelancer builds Tiktok viral brand amid the pandemic

Self-care

junkie

A skincare and self-care junkie, he used to find it hard to stick to a “skincare routine.” He stumbled on the concept of effervescent tablets and how it would be an easier and more effective way to take supplements—an innovation that would be easier to incorporate in a busy lifestyle.

His vision for the brand is to create a world where wellness and selfcare is infused in people’s daily lifestyle.

His products have garnered 10,000 5-star reviews on Shopee and Lazada; over 1,000 5-star reviews on Facebook and website; more than 13 million views on TikTok hashtags; and thousands of positive product video reviews on TikTok and Youtube.

The brand maintains its digital presence by continuously partnering and promoting JUJU Lifestyle across all social media platforms. It is well-loved by fitness and lifestyle influencers who help the brand reach more people.

He said JUJU posted average monthly sales of 1 million for Shopee and 700,000 for Lazada from April 2021 to February 2022. The sales jumped three times in March this year and have been consis tently hitting 3 million monthly sales for Shopee and 1.7 million for Lazada since then.

“And now, we are launching to Watsons this year,” he says. “JUJU keeps getting bigger, and we’re just starting. We expanded our line of products, our team is also getting bigger, and soon we will be launching JUJU Collagen on Watsons—a chance to reach more people. “

“In the next few months, we’re also looking into trying different flavors for our line of products. By next year, we’ll be launching a product line in blends, so people will have options to enjoy self-care supplements in powdered form. This will be opened for distributors and resellers,” he says.

Social media influencers

JUJU promotes its products and services through various social media

platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. “We maintain our social media presence both through organic and paid ads. We also value our relationship with our influencers and make sure that our line of products reallys help them take care of themselves better. As of now, we have active influencers promoting what they love about our products and it helps us reach more people as well,” says Gumiran.

“As an entrepreneur, I want to create more job opportunities and help the families of my team. I want to take my business to the empire level. Serve the community that I want to support, through creating quality products,” he says.

“I attribute my success to my coaches and mentors. One of the reasons why I got ahead in this business that I built from scratch at a young age is because of my mentors. They are people with great experiences who were gracious enough to be my map and compass throughout this journey to success,” he says.

This is why he also shares ideas to young entrepreneurs who would like to be successful in their own ventures.

Apart from leading JUJU Lifestyle, Gumiran is also a marketing consultant for multibillion-dollar companies such as Sun Life, TCL and Keller Williams. He is also the coach and founder of the AdsLevelUp program, where he helps thousands of freelancers and business owners in the Philippines utilize the power of online advertising.

His experience supports his skills as a marketing and brand executive at Click Licensing Asia—a brand licensing com pany operating in Southeast Asia and Korea, where he is directly responsi ble for the optimal performance of lifestyle, fashion and character brands such as NBA, One Piece, Pokémon, Larva, Wingcle Bear, BLIZZARD, World of

THE dynamics of the cybersecurity land scape have changed since the onset of the pandemic, especially with the adoption of the hybrid work model, according to a tech nology company executive.

“Cloud, hybrid, and remote work models have changed traditional perimeter networks to a boundary-less architecture. Though this architecture has offered workers more flexi bility and convenience while enhancing pro ductivity, it has complicated the IT security landscape,” ManageEngine director of pro gram management Manikandan Thangaraj says in an email interview.

ManageEngine is the IT enterprise man agement division of Zoho Corp., an Indian multinational technology company behind Zoho Office Suite.

Thangaraj says the adoption of bringyour-own-device policies and the use of vir tual private networks to access sensitive files have opened new security gaps in an organi zation’s network.

10A

Jones will visit the Philippines from Nov. 23 to 29, as part of her “Imagine Impact Tour” aimed at assessing how Rotary Clubs all over the world are creating positive change and lasting impact in the communities.

The 10 Rotary Districts in the country pre pared a line-up of activities for the RI head’s Philippine visit. A DEI Townhall tops this list as Jones, the first female president in the Ro tary’s 117-year history, is known to champion diversity, equity and inclusion.

Open to the public, the DEI Townhall will feature Jones and a panel of renowned DEI advocates as speakers who will discuss topics such as LGBTQ rights, women empowerment, community empowerment and economic inclusion, cultural inclusion and peace, pride in Rotary journey and gender equality and bridging intergenerational gaps in Rotary.

Another event lined up for Imagine Impact Tour Philippines is the Rotary Community Corps Showcase organized by the Rotary Village Corps Foundation and the 10 Rotary Districts. The event will promote the districts’ partnership projects with the Rotary Community Corps—a group of non-Rotarians who carry out projects in their communities and support their local Rotary clubs.

Jones will also visit select service projects such as the Rotary Club of Makati West’s Gift of Life Program, the Rotary Club of Makati San Lorenzo’s Project Calawis and the Tuloy sa Don Bosco in Alabang supported by Districts 3810 and 3830.

Also in Jones’s itinerary is gracing the 53rd Charter anniversary gala of the Rotary Club of Makati West, the biggest rotary club in the Philippines under District 3830 led by Gov. Mildred Vitangcol.

RCMW president Gil Chua said Makati West Rotarians had been preparing to wel come Jones when she visits the Gift of Life program onsite and when she graces the club’s 53rd anniversary celebration.

“In both occasions, we shall endeavor to showcase Filipino hospitality and culture, and show our RI president why Filipinos are probably the world’s most dedicated Rotarians,” said Chua.

The RI head’s visit to the Philippines was upon the invitation of RCMW adviser and past RI director Guiller Tumangan on behalf of Philippine-based Rotarians.

“Attacks that exploit vulnerabilities in re mote protocols have given rise to these newage attacks. Moreover, cloud adoption has led to perimeterless networks, and legacy security solutions have been unable to tackle these changes,” he says.

Security vendors recognized these chang es in cybersecurity dynamics and enhanced their solutions to help enterprises adopt se curity technologies such as Zero Trust and orchestrate with other IT infrastructure com ponents for better security visibility.

“These modern security solutions inte grated with ITSM software, network monitor ing tools, identity and access management infrastructure and business intelligence tools speed up the incident detection and resolu tion process,” he says.

Thangaraj says integrating ITSM software with remote monitoring tools allows orga nizations to get a handle on securing their networks. These tools can create unique

CHRISTMAS season is a business growth op portunity for many retailers because of a sure spike in consumer spending.

Filipinos were found to spend 331 percent of their monthly income during the holidays in 2021. Yet, a successful season for many re tailers this year is threatened by the continu ing impact of COVID-19 on the supply chain, along with the current economic challenges such as soaring inflation, increasing price of petroleum products and weakening consum er confidence.

“Similar to retailers globally, Filipino busi nesses also grapple with the increased sup ply chain challenges from both the pandemic and the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. What’s more, consumers are equally experiencing the brunt of this situation, mak ing the climate harsher for many enterprises,” said Kristie Davison, vice president for sales in Asia Pacific at RELEX Solutions.

“The most efficient way for retailers to nav igate these uncertainties would be to plan how to maximize sales while minimizing loss,” she said.

Seasonal inventory management is often difficult due to advanced purchasing before the season and a high risk of the residual post-season stock. Christmas, in particular, means that there’s a high turnover of product lines from one season to the next.

support plans that help IT security teams respond swiftly and assuredly in the face of any cybersecurity incident, he says.

Customer data

An important company asset that is heavily under threat is data. Thangaraj says the first step to protecting customer data is to know where it is located. With data loss prevention solutions, IT teams are able to discover con fidential data including personal identifiable information or intellectual property residing across the network. Once organizations have visibility on their sensitive data, the next step is to implement controls to monitor and se cure access on multiple levels, he says.

Complying with different regulatory man dates is the best way to start implementing stringent data security and access policies.

For instance, enterprises that handle custom er data from the Philippines should comply with the Data Privacy Act 2012 (Republic Act Number 10173). Meeting the requirements of this mandate means that organizations should

establish security measures to avoid unautho rized processing of sensitive personal informa tion such as race, health records and social security numbers. Organizations are advised to collect only the data that is necessary for their operations and abstain from using it for any other purposes, he says.

After establishing strong security mea sures, organizations should add context to past security events to proactively detect and mitigate future attacks. Adopting an integrated approach where data protection, compliance management, cloud security and threat management are streamlined will build an efficient safety net for any organization to thrive in the digitally-transformed world, ac cording to Thangaraj Democratizing cybersecurity

He underscores the importance of de mocratizing cybersecurity to create a culture where the defense of the IT landscape is the responsibility of everyone—from executives to general staff. This relieves pressure from IT teams, allowing them to focus on tasks that bring more value to the business, while also strengthening the organization’s cyber security posture.

He says that for employees, this can be as simple as creating strong passwords or updating software as required. Performing these best practices consistently can en courage the proliferation of a cyber-secure culture that boosts the organization’s ability to achieve business goals.

Thangaraj says leaders should make cy bersecurity an integral part of the organiza tion’s strategy. Aligning cybersecurity with the organization’s policies can lead to better social media practices and digital hygiene.

Training users in how to best respond to cy bersecurity incidents and rewarding good cybersecurity behaviors will empower em ployees to take an active role in protecting their organization, he says.

T. dela Cruz

Roderick

or

A lot of smartphones are sold during the holidays but the selection is always differ ent per year. Brands also often launch new products that are systematically pushed throughout the -ber months as seen in 11.11 and 12.12 promotions, requiring retailers to assess demand for each.

These situations underscore how crucial demand forecasting is in order to get the right amount of stock-keeping units and ensure a return on investment. Unfortunately, many retailers manually forecast demand, posing high risks of inaccuracy that can lead to overor understocking.

Automating demand forecasting helps busi nesses achieve optimal outcomes by improving the on-shelf availability of seasonal products and reducing residual stocks when the season ends.

A good forecasting model for season al planning includes a reference product that can be specified against seasonal

Empowering

With Christmas spanning four months in the Philippines, smart replenishment also contributes to improving a brand’s respon siveness to consumer demands.

A good solution is to deliver only a part of the forecast demand to stores at the beginning of the season to avoid moving goods among shops. Once holiday shopping starts, SKUs at individual stores can be replenished through pull control that is based on the latest sales, store-specific forecasts, and actual inventory.

This enables retailers to effectively re spond to local conditions with respect to ex ternal factors such as weather or a change in competition for an individual store. When products are bought in advance, push control should be used toward the end of the season to ensure that seasonal products don’t pile up unnoticed in the central warehouse. An ideal management system allows allocations to be directed to the stores with the best chances of selling the products such as those with the highest sales and no excess inventory.

Warcraft & Overwatch and Legendary (Warcraft Movie) on a regional level. Mentors

“Life is a never-ending process of growth so we should also never stop learning. In business, the work environ ment also evolves rapidly with technological advancements. As entrepreneurs, learning to adapt to new trends and technologies is operative to be successful in every field and niche. Being innovative also allows you to have enough foresight which is a fundamental key to catching up to modernization,” he says.

“I was fortunate enough to learn from very great mentors and young entrepreneurs. You should not be afraid to find a coach or a mentor– the ones who paved the way and have vast experience in the field. Their great understanding of the craft and their glorious insights may shorten your learning curve as a beginner in the field,” he says.

ONLINE lifestyle destination and e-com merce pioneer Lazada kicked off the hol iday shopping season with the recently concluded 11.11, offering the best deals and widest range of trendy products.

Customers turned their passions into actions by taking advantage of the plat form’s 90-percent off Branded LazFlash Deals, fast and free shipping with no cap and minimum spend and stacked vouchers for big discounts.

“11.11 has become more than just a shopping tradition, it has become a part of consumers’ lifestyles as we all seek for the best deals and trendiest assort ment. Just as importantly, it is also an avenue for brands and sellers to thrive and reach more customers,” said Laza da Phiippines chief executive Carlos Barerra.

Sales data from Lazada on the 11.11 promo showed that makeup orders in creased seven times and fragrances ordered grew by six times compared to normal days. The best-selling skincare products were Vitamin C serum, Retinol and Tinted sunscreen.

Lazada said it also sold 11.4 million baby wipes in the first hour of the sale alone, as moms took advantage of the best 11.11 offers to stockpile baby es sentials. This was equivalent to more than a month’s supply for all of Philip pines’ newborns in a day.

Activewear was also a big hit as shop pers were seen to purchase 19 times more during the sale.

There was a 230-times rise in elec tronics sales, compared to a normal day. Filipinos seemed to snap up discounts for smart devices such as VR accesso ries, smart switches and watches with orders doubling year-on-year.

As shoppers added to cart, nearly 1,700 hours of content were streamed on the app via LazLive during the threeday sale. That’s equal to watching the longest film, The Cure for Insomnia 1987, 20 times, Lazada said it stayed true to its com mitment of fast delivery with the 1,111th item delivered at 11:45 a.m. of Nov. 11.

Lazada is holding its Sulit Sweldo Sale from Nov. 28 to Dec. 2.

n RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ, Editor | email: extrastory2000@gmail.com

Roderick T. dela Cruz

ROTARY Districts in the Philippines, collec tively known as the Zone

of the Rotary International, will host the humanitarian ser vice organization’s global head, RI president Jennifer Jones.

Lazada endorser Maine Mendoza

RI president Jennifer Jones

ManageEngine director of program management Manikandan Thangaraj

JUJU Lifestyle CEO Jungie Gumiran

HOBBIES & COLLECTIONS

Acuna breaks own nat’l shoot record

n By PETER ATENCIO

PSC releases P11.9M incentives for top para-athletes

MEDALISTS in the 11th ASEAN Para Games held in Solo, Indo nesia received cash incentives worth P11.9 million recently from the government through the Philippine Sports Commission.

Philippine Paralympic Committee president Michael I. Barredo expressed his gratitude to the government and the PSC headed by PSC Chairman Noli Eala for the bonuses after Team Philippines brought home 28 gold medals along with 30 silvers and 46 bronzes.

``Receiving these cash incentives will be of great help to our national para-athletes and coaches considering these times of financial difficulty,’’ said Barredo, who is currently attending the International Paralympic Committee extraordinary general assembly and membership gathering in Germany.

The coaches of these medal-winning para-athletes were enti tled to bonuses from the government equivalent to 50 percent of the incentives that their wards received.

The amount of P11,998,125 was released based on Republic Act 10699, which is likewise known as the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act.

According to the law, gold medalists in the ASEAN Para Games are bound to receive P150,000 in cash rewards, silver medalists will earn P75,000 while a bronze medal is equivalent to P30,000.

``Hopefully, this will serve as motivation for our para-athletes to prepare even better in the coming international competitions

next year such as the 12th ASEAN Para Games and 4th Asian Para Games,’’ said Barredo.

``Again, we congratulate our athletes and coaches headed by Chef de Mission and Philippine Paralympic Committee secre tary general Walter Francis K. Torres for a job well done and for making our countrymen proud of their achievements,’’ added Barredo.

ifying score in her bid to qualify and prepare for Paris 2024 Olympics, While in Cairo, Acuna shot 617.8 in the 10-meter Air Rifle 60 catego ry, 617.8, made 613 in the 613 and 574 and 50meter-3 positions.

To get ready for the Asiad, Acuna will join a meet in January 2023, which is the International Shooting Sports Federation World Cup Rifle/ Pistol competition in Jakarta, Indonesia.

In March, Acuna will see action in the ISSF World Cup Rifle/ Pistol shoot fest in Bhopal, India. Last year, Acuna reset the national mark in the 10-meter 3-position air rifle event

Acuna scored 1152 points to tie the national men’s record set by Rodolfo Aquino Jr in the 90s.

Acuna accumulated 1149 points, to outdo her previous national mark of 1146 in the 2019 Doha Asian Championships.

Pacquiao’s Blow-by-Blow unveils 64-round fight card

boxing promotion.

Two-time world title champion Gerry Penalosa has been tasked by Pacquiao to handle the logistics of putting up fights with the help of seasoned matchmaker Art Monis.

Pacquiao has grand plans for Blow-byBlow, which is also being supported by the City of Mandaluyong, whose mayor Ben Abalos, is a longtime Pacquiao sup porter and an avid boxing fan.

“I am truly excited to be in the pres ence of these ambitious young fighters,” Pacquiao said on the eve of the slugfest.

Pacquiao, the pride and joy of Blow-byBlow during the height of its popularity in the 1990s, will be at ringside as the 43-year-old future Hall of Fame entrant spearheads the call to resuscitate local

“My decision to revive Blow-by-Blow is for the long run and I hope the public will join me in the search for the next Filipino boxing hero,” Pacquiao added.

In the main event, the unbeaten Laurente of General Santos City battles JR Magboo of Agoncillo, Batangas, for the vacant Philippine Boxing Federation super-featherweight crown.

Lady Falcons snare Super Liga bronze

Nature’s Spring.

Tied at 11,

Tubu hammered a crosscourt hit before Adolfo wrapped it up with back-to-back kills.

“We’re really happy we got the win and at the same time we’re able to make quick adjustments to take this game,” said Adamson skipper and playmaker Louie Romero.

The Lady Falcons also avenged an earlier five-set loss to the Tigresses in the group stage.

“I just told my teammates that this is the time for our payback. We really wanted this win,” Romero said.

Tabu led Adamson with 19 points built on 15 kills, two aces and a kill block while Lorene Toring added 14

Priscilla Salud: The daughter also rises

Salud, who passed away in 2011, was widely known for his servant leadership style as well as his thoroughness and foresight.

His leadership in the PBA from 1988 to 1992 is still considered one of the best in Asia’s first play-for-pay league.

And over a decade after his passing, Salud’s legacy continues through his chil

dren, who are now all successful in their respective careers--lawyer Chito Salud, who is also a former PBA commissioner, and now serves as Team Governor of Converge Fiber Xers in PBA; opthal mologist Dr. Arnold; Margaret Salud Pastor runs her own clinic and Christine Salud Unlay, Atty. Renato and Priscilla are making their marks in the corporate world.

All of them are living in the Philippines except Priscilla, who has been recently named as top 100 Mortgage Executives

in the housing industry in the United States.

Priscilla has been working in the U.S. since she graduated from Ateneo de Manila University in 1985. She earned her degree in Psychology and dreamt of pursuing a career in this space.

However, fate had it that she would land in the housing and financial sector of the mortgage industry.

With over 30 years of experience in mortgage, Priscilla has become the epitome of humble leadership and has

mentored countless individuals who have gone to leadership roles in and outside of the mortgage industry.

Priscilla, who is happily married to well-known Filipino balladeer Miguel Vera, believes in servant leadership just like his father Rudy did. She makes herself avail able regardless of the time of day.

Her authentic leadership style, ability to build effective teams and strategic operational outsourcing expertise, and focus on technology initiatives are key drivers in her organization’s success.

markers. Rizza Cruz got 13 and Adolfo scored four of her nine points in the fifth set.

Down 8-11 in the last frame, the Tigresses rallied with three straight points behind Pierre Abellana’s con secutive spikes before Pia Abbu tied it at 11 off a kill.

Abellana poured all of her 23 points on attacks in a lost cause for UST, which settled for fourth after a prom ising campaign.

Regina Jurado had 18 points, Imee Hernandez added 16 including six aces while Xyza Gula chipped in with 12.

Meanwhile, veterans Vannie Gan dler and Lyann De Guzman powered Ateneo de Manila University to a 25-17, 25-27, 25-20, 25-12 victory over the University of the Philippines for a fifth-place finish.

ADAMSON University came back from a 1-2 match deficit before outhustling the University of Santo Tomas in a tightly-contested fifth set for a 25-27, 25-20, 16-25, 25-22, 15-11, escape to claim the bronze medal in the Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Saturday.

Trisha Tubu and Antonette Adolfo delivered at crunch time for the Lady Falcons, punching in timely hits in the closing stretch of the deciding frame to salvage a podium finish in the tour nament supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Commission on Higher Education, Team Rebel Sports, Mikasa, F2 Logistics, United Auction eers, Cherrylume, Eurotel, UPLive, Dr. J Rubbing Alcohol, Toby’s Sports and

the Tigresses committed a costly center-line fault that brought momentum back to Adamson.

MANNY Pacquiao relives his glorious years while fighting on local soil when the boxing great presides over the much-awaited return of Blow-by-Blow tonight at the Mandaluyong City College.

Headlined by former youth ama teur standout Criztian Pitt Laurente, the 64-round card makes a comeback after five years with the eight-division titleholder leading the way in bringing intense ring action to hardcore fight fans.

REMEMBER former Philippine Basket ball Association (PBA) commissioner and World Boxing Council (WBC) founding secretary-general Rodrigo “Rudy” Salud?

The Adamson Lady Falcons celebrate after a hard-earned win over UST for the bronze medal

PSC chairman Noli Eala

Priscilla Salud says the sports leadership of his father Rudy Salud helped her shape a successful career in business.

The 25-year-old Acuna tallied 582 points in the women’s 50-meter rifle, 3-position event, smashing her

“I really didn’t expect anything po,” said Acuna in an interview with Her previous record was 581, and Acuna did it in the 2017 Southeast Asian Shooting Association champiBack then, she settled for the bronze medal, and it was better than the 580 which Acuna did back in Her coach Julius Valdez said this will be part of her preparations for the 2023 Asian Games in GuangAcuna joined Jayson Valdez in making it to the national pool tryShe just came from Cairo, Egypt, for her 1st ISSF World Cup and for a chance to make the minimum qual-

own mark by a point. the Manila Standard. champi onships in Subang, Malaysia. 2014. Guang zhou. try outs after he shot a 557 3.

qual

Amparo Teresa Acuna got off to a good start in her preparation for the Asian Games with a record-breaking performance in the national qualifiers.

VETERAN shooter Amparo Teresa Acuna surpassed a Philippine national record she made five years ago during Friday’s qualifiers for the national team at the PNSA-PSC Shooting Range at the Philippine Marines Barracks in Taguig City.

Explore and play at Hong Kong’s newest attractions

SOME things just never get old and Hong Kong is definitely the perfect example of this. The everchanging and dynamic world city always has new sights in store for visitors and families looking for a wholesome family vacation. Hong Kong has been quite busy sprucing up its tourism offerings during the pandemic, and here are just a few of the new attractions Hong Kong has to offer:

Revel in the wonders of Castle of Magical Dreams at Disneyland

A favorite amongst kids and young at heart, the iconic Hong Kong Disneyland recently unveiled its newest castle – the Castle of Magical Dreams, inspired by the Disney Princesses and Queens and how these heroines pursued their dreams. Alongside this new castle is the breathtaking night-time spectacular entitled “Momentous,” where large-scale projections illuminate the castle, transforming it into an inspiring

narrative featuring Disney’s beloved characters.

Filipino Hong Kong Superfan Caren White shares about her visit, “My family saw the fireworks in Disney land last month and it was beautiful. We loved how they synchronized the music and the water fountains.”

Hop onto exhilarating escapades at The Peak

To fully appreciate Hong Kong’s iconic skyline, take a trip on the recently upgraded Peak Tram – the ultimate experience to get that Insta-worthy views of skyscraperflanked Victoria Harbor, Kowloon peninsula, and green mountain peaks. The Peak Tower is also home to Madame Tussauds, Peak Galleria, and Monopoly Dreams - the first Monopoly-themed attraction in the world, sure to bring fun for every family member. Filipino Hong Kong Superfan Richard Juan regards The Peak as “one of the most iconic places in HK as you can see the Harbor at its most majestic angle!”.

Dip and Splash at Water World Ocean Park After four years in the making, Ocean Park’s Water World finally opened to the public late last year. Water World is Asia’s only year-round, all-weather water park, nestled between rolling hills and magnificent views of the South China Sea. Families can enjoy over 27 different attractions at the park, including a trio of thrilling body slides that can take you through 58-meter-long loops, daredevil free falls, and see-through slides to test your courage.

Fun and flavors at Nissin Cup Noodle Museum

Noodle lovers are sure to enjoy this fun-filled Nissin Cup Noodle Museum over at Tsim Sha Tsui. This interactive space features multiple exhibitions highlighting the classic and all-time favorite Nissin Cup Noodles. The museum also offers visitors a chance to make their own version at the My CUPNOODLES Factory –where guests can choose their ingredients, and even design their own packaging.

Jump into the biggest box of bricks Ever at LEGOLAND

The largest indoor LEGO playground in Hong Kong is home to 10 LEGO-themed play areas ranging from Kingdom Quest to LEGO friends and many more. This 30,000-squarefoot playground boasts 1.5 million LEGO brick creations that feature Hong Kong’s iconic landmarks like Star Ferry and Central Pier! Families can also feast their eyes on their favorite film characters in 4D and build epic LEGO creations alongside master builders – all under one roof.

Learn through play at Kiztopia Singapore’s award-winning indoor “edutainment” theme park opened its first overseas flagship in Hong Kong this September. The award-winning 12,000 square feet mega playroom features eight original cartoon characters who will guide kids through the 15 major play zones where they can learn arts and crafts, speech and drama, roleplay, and many more.

Collins Aerospace taps Filipino Industrial Design students in hackathon

The hackathon challenged Industrial Design Program students from the School of Environment and Design (SED) to create cabin interiors for an A320 Airbus.

Under the mentorship of Collins Aerospace Engineers and Benilde Industrial Design Program experts and educators, the contenders were grouped to create spatial product systems and platform solutions. Based on the given problem statement, participants were tasked to submit proposals with ergonomics and creative spaces in mind. An overview of the design, conceptual sketches, as well as proof of feasibility were likewise required.

To prepare for the main competition, the students visited the newest SkyArt aircraft cabin installation at

WHEN it comes to self-expression through fashion, the possibilities are endless. Online lifestyle destination and eCommerce pioneer Lazada helps consumers who are into fashion slay each day when they play around with affordable and trendy styles with its fashion playground, LazLook.

LazLook gives consumers a wide selection of trendy and affordable fashion finds, from accessories to dresses, shoes and more that fit their budget. With the launch of the Styled By lookbooks by notable fashion content creators Mimiyuuuh and Bella Racelis, consumeres can look for OOTD-worthy pieces that suit their style and help them slay the day.  Bella’s lookbook will be released later this month, while Mimiyuuuh’s is available now.

“I handpicked po personally ‘yang mga pieces diya’an na sure na sure po akong maeenjoy niyo,” social media icon Mimiyuuuh shares. “I’m really, really excited to share this with you kasi you can really create amazing looks with these pieces at very affordable prices!”

Like Mimiyuuuh, consumers can level up their outfits with #StyledByLazLook, too. Enjoy up to 80 percent off party pieces, fast and free shipping, plus easy returns. LazLook Style Fest started on Friday and ends today.

the Benilde School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management (SHRIM). They were also treated to an exclusive tour of the facility and manufacturing factory located at the Collins Aerospace Headquarters in Batangas.

The entries were evaluated based on novelty, feasibility, usability, business impact, and fulfillment of the specific requirements by a roster of specialists, to include Collins Aerospace Head Industrial Designer Glenn Johnson, Executive Director of Engineering Sabharish Seenivasen, Engineering Manager Luisa Carmen, Engineering Project Manager Grothian Paguyo, Fellow for Mechanical Design Mark Dowty

They were hosted by Certification Engineer and Project Manager Jorainne Razal Team Halo, composed of Benildeans Josh Habal, Duke Habal, and Luke Habal emerged as the winner.

Holiday reads: On love, voyages, and zombies

FROM now until the end of the year, I’ll be featuring works that you may consider giving as gifts this holiday season. Each of them will be special in their own way, and offer each reader something to touch the mind, heart, soul, or all at once.

Let’s normalize giving books as gifts!

Iceland has a charming custom called ‘Jollabokaflod,’ or, in English, ‘Yule book flood.’ Christmas Eve is their main giftgiving day, and when they open their presents, it’s a tradition to spend the rest of the night curled up with a gifted book and a cup of hot cocoa.

Here are some Filipino book suggestions for you to start a Christmas book flood tradition with family and friends.

* * *

I haven’t had this much fun reading anything in some time.

Chuckberry J. Pascual’s Mars, May Zombie! (2022, 386 pgs., pb, Adarna House) is a madcap caper of a novel. It’s got everything that makes a book great – a young protagonist/hero, a bad-ass fighter lola, adventure, quests, secrets – and zombies!

It’s 2028, eight years after the zombie outbreak that forces people to live in zones with varying degrees of safety. Mars and his Lola Vicky live in a Red Zone, where most of the survivors are clustered. Black Zones are where the zombies are, and Blue Zones provide the most safety for residents.

Mars and his grandmother, and his best friend Billie move from house to house in the Red Zones as they look for shelter, supplies, and clean bathrooms with running water and unclogged plumbing.  Finally they decide to enter a Blue Zone, but they find wishing is not easy as doing.

As Mars and his loved ones undertake the journey, they encounter more zombies and kill them in all manner of spectacularly violent and satisfyingly cathartic ways. They also meet people from the Blue Zone and others like themselves who looking for better lives. As they do so, they uncover a huge secret that affects everyone’s chances of survival. It is the latter discovery that makes me hopeful for a sequel and more Mars adventures in their dystopic world.

As an author, Pascual has a wide range and can handle anything from heavy to light. His Bayan ng mga Bangkay, a collection of horror short stories, had a deeper, more intense vibe.‘Zombie’ is lighter in tone but, like ‘Bangkay,’ tackles a gamut of social issues from ayuda to the pandemic to the inequality between rich and poor, and the lengths that people will go to enforce these divides.

As Mars ruminates: “Hindi lang pala ang zombie ang kalaban naming. Meron ding mga sundalo. Paano naman kami mananalo sa mga sundalo? Baka bumubunot pa lang kami ng baril, pinasabog na nila kami.” And this scenario is familiar to

anyone who reads the news. Some things never change, even after a zombie virus disrupts a society. This use of a multiplicity of themes on several levels is a hallmark of Pascual’s work. ‘Zombie,’ while delivering all the thrills and chills any action and zombie fan can wish for, also has a deeper layer of nuanced meaning that will reward the discerning reader.

* * *

In Solo Flight: Mga Kuwento (2021, 260 pgs., pb, Isang Balangay Media Produc tions), Rita dela Cruz offers 15 tales of love and loss as seen from the perspective of a single woman.

In her introduction to the book, Rena Hermoso writes that quite often, narratives in popular media employ the ‘male gaze’ that creates an idealized, sexualized, image of women that hews to a patriarchal mindset of society.

Dela Cruz employs the opposite take as she foregrounds women and their lived experiences in these realist stories.

In “Dalawang Tuldok,” for instance, she waxes almost lyrical about a character’s experience of using a fountain pen. As a foun tain pen user and erstwhile collector myself, this passage drew me: Nakita kong hawak ni Charlotte ang Omas fountain pen at nilagyan niya ng isa pang tuldok ang blangkong papel. Ipinuwesto niya ang isa pang tuldok sa likod ng naunang dalawa. Maingat ang pagdampi ng tinta ng Omas sa puting papel, banayad at pulido, walang bahid ng kalat. Gaya ng dampi ng halik sa labi, marahan ngunit lapat na lapat. Ramdam hanggang sa kaibu turan.” This was, to put it straightforwardly, nakakakilig! Dela Cruz uses a range of literary devices in her light prose and various themes such as surrealism, black comedy, travel, and unrequited love to craft stories that are relatable and engaging. This is an interesting and notable addition to femi nist literature, as it furthers the representation of women and their narratives in media.

* * * Emmanuel T. Barrameda is a multi-awarded writer from Catanduanes whose latest work is Balager (2020, 160 pgs., pb, Isang Balangay Media Productions). This book is a collection of essays (sanaysay) in Filipino (he also writes in the Bikol language).

In his introduction to the book, Palanca Award-winning writer Niles Jordan Breis says Barrameda’s first-person essays touch on themes of island, roaming, and a cycle of departure and return that point to ‘travel as reflection.’

The word ‘balager,’ he points out, means ‘roamer’ or ‘wanderer,’ coming as it does from the Bikol word ‘balag’ which means a sort of directionless travel, or journeying without a destination. It is travel for the sake of travel itself, and is con-

They were guided by faculty member Patrick Sunico Team #0047AB, comprised of Mikaela Asuncion, Justin Osorio, and Laurence Hernandez, under Mary Nobleza and Team Raptors, namely Camilla Reyes, Trisha Caralian, and John Dence Flores, guided by Industrial Design Chairperson Romeo Catap Jr. finished as runners-up.

The partnership has opened curricular and internship opportunities for all the learners under Benilde Industrial Design Program.

For more information on Benilde Industrial Design, visit https://www.benilde.edu.ph/undergraduate-industrial-design/ or https://www.facebook.com/BenildeIndustrialDesign

Discover more about Collins Aerospace at https:// www.collinsaerospace.com/

Photo

Johann Mangussad, John Dence Flores, and Collins Aerospace

nected to the concepts of the flaneur (someone who strolls and observes human life) and solivagant (a lone wanderer).

In “Vice Versa,” Barrameda tells of a bus trip from Manila to Bicol that he took as a young child with his father. He was not told why they were going, but simply to take some toys along. The trip took ten hours, with the young boy seated on his father’s lap to take advantage of a free ride.

Along the way, Barrameda speaks both of the lengthy voyage undertaken by their bodies, with muscles aching from the strain of ‘kalong,’ but also of an inner journey: Wala kang ibang makakausap kundi ang sariling konsensiya habang nakikinig sa kalansing ng mga bakal at piyesa ng makina ng bus. Noong panahong iyon hindi pa gaanong hitech ang mga cellphone, wala talagang ibang p’wedeng gawin sa biyahe kundi ang matulog na lang kapag nakakaligaw na ang sukal ng tanawin sa labas ng bintana. Kaya talagang uusigin ka ng konsensiya sa biyahe.”

Other trips in the other essays in this book are taken on tricycles, AUVs, a Mitsubishi Pajero, jeepneys, taxis, and other public and private vehicles. But the most engaging journeys are the ones the “I” persona takes in his inner mind, through the past and a childhood littered with myriad experiences.

This book is for those who enjoy memoirs and those who want to explore the juxtaposition of inner and outer journeys as a frame for introspection and self-reflection.

* * *

Twitter: @DrJennyO

Dr. Ortuoste is a board member of PEN Philippines, member of the Manila Critics Circle, and judge of the National Book Awards. You may reach the author on Facebook and

COLLINS Aerospace, the industry leader in aerospace and defense products, tapped young Filipino innovators of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde to develop and design aircraft cabin proposals.

Celebrate new memories at Hong Kong Disneyland

Unleash your inner child at Legoland

An overhead view of Water World, Asia’s only year-round, all-weather water park

Peak Galleria is one of the most iconic destinations at Hong Kong

Appreciate Hong Kong’s city skyline aboard the recently upgraded Peak Tram

credits:

The young innovators and industry experts from Benilde Industrial Design Program

Benilde Industrial Design students Justin Osorio (left) and Mikaela Asuncion

The cover of ‘Mars, May Zombie!’ by Chuckberry J. Pascual

Will Hannah Arnold bring home

PH’s 7th Miss International crown?

AFTER a luckless campaign for Binibining Pilipinas 2022 queens abroad this season despite very strong showing, Hannah Arnold may prove to be the saving grace when the Fil-Australian model finally competes in the returning 60th Miss International pageant in Tokyo, Japan.

The 26-year-old Arnold, who grew up in Canberra, Australia and finished a degree in Applied Science in Forensic Studies at the University of Canberra, looked very much a crowning material in her white, Hollywood glamour dress and hair, during the sendoff party accorded to her Tuesday by the Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc.

“We are looking at Miss International,” declared Miss International 2005 Lara Quigaman , who led well-wishers, reigning Binibining Pilipinas queens, International 2022 Nicole Borromeo ,

Intercontinental 2022 Gabrielle Basiano, Globe 2022 Chelsea Fernandez , 2nd runner-up Stacey Gabriel , and Grand International 2021 Samantha Panlilio

You can help Arnold make the Top 15 by voting online starting November 30. Coronation of Miss International 2022 pageant is set on December 13 at the Tokyo Dome City Hall in Japan.

• • •

Miss Earth 2022 Darlings of the Press

The 89 candidates of Miss Earth 2022 showed off their bodies in yellow swimwear during the press presentation held at the poolside of Cove of Okada Manila on Monday. The event concluded with the announcement of the ‘Darlings of the Press’ winners, Australia’s Sheridan Mortlock (Asia & Oceania), Colombia’s Andrea Aguilera (Americas), the Netherland’s Merel Hendriksen (Europe) and Nigeria’s Esther Oluwatosin Ajayi (Africa).

• • •

First Miss Asia Awards Philippines 2022 held Jannah Rochella Puno of Lipa City, Batangas, was crowned the first Miss Asia Awards Philippines 2022 during coronation night held in Clark City, Pampanga on Sunday. Carla Keith Canlas and Mariel Baltazar were named first and second runners up, respectively.

Puno, who was Miss Tourism Philippines 2021 first runner up, will compete in the Miss Asia Award 2023 in January next year together with Canlas and Baltazar.

A Gold Class Clark Takeoff Project and Philippine-Korea Cultural Exchange 2022 presentation, the finals was graced by Police Lieutenant Colonel Ma. Delia Pedrezuela , PNP Highway Patrol Group Crame, who sat as one of the judges.

Dance to the beat of Kelvin Miranda’s new feel-good song

Viktor

Kelvin

PEOPLE …are talking about ...are not talking about

As the Philippines’ love team royalty, KathNiel has again lived up to the public’s expectations with an emotional finale to their latest series, 2 Good 2 Be True Yet if there’s one thing their fans could ask from the on and offscreen couple, it’s finally tying the knot and taking their relationship to the next chapter. Although it’s not far off in their future, the couple remains an undoubted force in romantic projects in the Philippine entertainment industry.

Maricar Reyes-Poon

The actress finally spoke up about her journey and healing following the scandal that rocked her career some years back. While the issue has since flamed out, Maricar admitted that it taught her several relevant lessons that shaped her into the woman she is now. We all fall from grace at some point in our lives, but how we get back up and change our fate shows our abilities. It also doesn’t define our happiness in the future.

His separation with former flame Maureen Wroblewitz might finally be sinking in as rumors of the latter’s new lover are circulating online. It doesn’t help that both parties have recently unfollowed each other on Instagram. Thanks to JK’s cryptic post, people have begun assuming he has yet to move on from his previous relationship. Still, if he had Maureen’s best interests at heart and parted ways willingly, he should’ve been happy for her in her new chapter in life.

Ronnie Liang

Many celebrities have turned down roles that don’t suit their preferences or standards before, and Ronnie recently joined their ranks after declining an offer to be an adult film star. Even though the public respects his wishes, they still have reminded Ronnie to be respectful to adult film actors. After all, they’re humans just making a living. And at this time and age, we should stop discriminating against people for their bodies and how they use them.

He

what the song is all about, “For me, ‘yung word na ‘sayaw’ is a metaphor of being carefree. Parang okay let’s dance, ‘wag na muna natin intindihin ‘yung mga problema kahit for once. Kung may problema ka, isayaw mo na lang. ‘Yung mensahe niya is ‘wag mo pigilan ang sarili mo maging masaya sa mga bagay na alam mong makakapagpasaya sa’yo at hindi makakasama for you.”

“Siguro kaya ito ‘yung napili nilang genre for me is part siya ng exploration, kumbaga pagdating kasi sa music limitless lang ng gawa and kailangan bagay para makabuo ng mas piyesa. Parang artwork kailangan mong lumikom iba’t ibang ideas at tunog,” Kelvin further explained.

Meanwhile, Kelvin is optimistic about the future of his music career, “Pinaguusapan namin nina Sir Tyronne (Escalante), ‘yung manager ko, kung paano namin tatahakin o aayusin ‘yung music ko. Hinahanap pa namin kung anong genre ang babagay for me and talagang magki-click. Kaya itong ‘Sumayaw’ part ito ng pagexplore namin kung bagay sa akin or baka may ipipiga pa. Mahirap pero nagenjoy naman kaming gawin ito. Sana sa mga susunod pang taon, kung mabibigyan pa lalo ng opportunity, maganda pa sana ang mangyari sa music career ko.” Kelvin Miranda’s latest single “Sumayaw” is now streaming on all digital streaming platforms worldwide.

Rising K-Pop group brings ‘My Con’ tour to Manila

FOR

This year, MAMAMOO released their 12th EP “Mic On” with the chart-topping hit “Illella”, which came one after the release of its seventh anniversary album “I Say Mamamoo: The Best.” MAMAMOO debuted in 2014 as a quartet with members: Hwasa, Moonbyul, Solar and Wheein. The KPOP superstars are well-known for its consistent chart-toppers including “Um Oh Ah Yeh” (2015), “You’re The Best” (2016), “Décalcomanie” (2016), “Yes I Am” (2017), “Starry Night” (2018), “Egotistic” (2018), “Wind Flower” (2018), “gogobebe” (2019), “HIP” (2019) and “AYA” (2020).

MOO MOOs in the Philippines will finally see the queens perform their greatest hits and more in this much-awaited concert tour.

Promoted by Wilbros Live, tickets go on-sale on November 30, 10:00 a.m. via

TicketNet.com.ph and TicketNet outlets nationwide.

SPARKLE artist Kelvin Miranda has released a groovy single under GMA Music titled “Sumayaw.” The upbeat track was composed by Viktor Nhiko Sabiniano, the young actor’s long-time friend.

made sure that the song will be personal to Kelvin, focusing on significant points in his life. According to Kelvin, the music is not about love but rather about how he was looking for the courage to take a leap of faith.

feels nervous and excited at the same time with the launch of his single, “Sa totoo lang po medyo kinakabahan ako kasi first time namin maglalabas ng upbeat na kanta. S’yempre na-e-excite rin ako na marinig ng fans dahil pinaghandaan talaga ito ng kaibigan kong si Nhiko Sabiniano at ni Sir Paulo Agudelo Talagang pinag-usapan at in-arrange nila ng maganda itong kanta.”

shared

the first time, Korean girl group MAMAMOO will finally be coming to the Philippines as they kick off their first-ever world tour titled MY CON with Manila on February 12 at the Araneta Coliseum.

‘2 Good 2 Be True’

JK Labajo

The 89 candidates of Miss Earth 2022 in their yellow swimwear

winners of first Miss Asia Awards Philippines 2022 with Police Lieutenant Colonel Ma. Delia Pedrezuela (center)

‘Sumayaw’ by Kelvin Miranda is an upbeat track which the Sparkle star also interprets as being carefree

talaga. Kailangan gawa and i-explore lahat ng magandang siya na kailangan mong lumikom ng ideas about uusapan namin nina Sir career babagay magki-click. Kaya music career

Fil-Australian model Hannah Arnold in her white, Hollywood glamour dress and hair

Members of the Korean girl group MAMAMOO

DIY dogfood: How good is it for your dog?

By Mariana Burgos

THERE is a store near us where we buy most of our daily food from. The vendors, who are husband and wife, have become good friends of ours. We get our fish, meat, and vegetable scraps that we use for our do-it-yourself (DIY) pet food from them.

They know that my daughter and I have a lot of animals that we care for. They also know that I am hardly making ends meet since the pandemic began. That is why they understand why I ask for their scraps and why they are willing to give them to us for free.

They have three dogs of their own. Through the years, we have shared with each other whatever “tried and tested” knowledge we have in caring for our own animals. And, lately, I am amazed at how one of her pups has grown in a few months. They call the pup Bongbong (yes, after BBM). He is an aspin (asong Pinoy). He is only 10 months old but he is already as big as an adult dog and weighs about 14-15 kilos and he looks very lean (like the ‘all-muscles’ kind of lean). His paws are really big. When I asked her furmom what she gives him, she said she mainly gives him raw meat and fish. Although, there are also times when she cooks their food. But most of the time, she gives it to him raw.

This made me think a lot because come to think of it before human civilization came to be, dogs were just as wild as their wolf ancestors. They ate everything raw as well. And we must admit that the general health of most living beings then (even with humans) was far much better--- longer life span, fewer “extremely rare” diseases, among others This was before all of the food processing and artificial food additives came to be.

Don’t get me wrong. I am NOT saying development and technology are not good. It is good. It made life easier, and more convenient for most things. But if only it was all based and used for all good intentions. The only problem with DIYs nowadays is, despite our easy access to an extremely wide array of knowledge (with the internet, of course), many are still too lazy to do proper research before trying out something. That’s why

things usually go haywire for these guys. Knowledge is the key. If you plan to go homemade, do it right and do not guess. Dog nutrition may be a bit confusing, especially for those who treat their dogs like true family members. They sometimes forget that not all human food is ok for their dogs and tend to unconsciously give them whatever they are also having at that moment.

Also, if one plans to switch to homemade dog food, it is always best to consult your local vet nutritionist first before anything else.

What to consider in making DIY dogfood Harriet Meyers , in her American Kennel Club (AKC) article, “Homemade Dogfood Recipes: Choosing Balanced Ingredients” (22 November 2021), stresses what the American College of Veterinary Nutrition (ACVN) warns everyone regarding the special dietary needs of dogs. The size, age, health, and breed of the dog are said to be important factors. They generally do not recommend homemade diets for a dog less than one year old. Significant bone defects may develop in young dogs if they do not get the right amount of calcium and phosphorus, warns Dr. Jerry Klein, AKC’s top veterinarian. In addition, he also claims that dogs who are expecting or nursing have special dietary needs that might not be met by an online recipe.

In her article, Meyers presents ACVN’s study on the alphabet of a balanced dog food meal. They tell us that the following ingredients below must consciously be included in the canine diet.

The ACVN states that dogs need protein in their diets because it contains 10 essential amino acids that their bodies are unable to create on their own. This is required to produce glucose, which is converted into energy. Salmon and several other fish, such as whitefish, herring,

Birds as pets

walleye, flounder, and Arctic char, are sources of protein. Chicken and turkey are also sources following the removal of the bones, fat, and skin.

Ingredients

Fats and fatty acids are essential for dogs. Animal fats and plant seed oils are the main sources of fat in a dog's diet. The fatty acids that the dog's body cannot produce are obtained from a balanced diet. Fatty acids support the structure and function of cells, maintain the health of skin and fur, and improve food flavor. Plant-based oils such as corn, soybean, canola, and flaxseed oil as well as fish oil are sources of fatty acids.

Carbohydrates, such as sugars, starches, and dietary fibers, give dogs some of their energy. Sources include quinoa, oats, pasta, and rice.

Dogs must consume fiber to keep their gastrointestinal (GI) systems healthy and prevent weight gain. Carrots, pumpkin, apples, dark leafy greens, brown rice, and flax seed are healthy food options for dogs in terms of fiber.

The vitamins that dogs need are vitamins A (carrots, pumpkin), B vitamins (liver, green vegetables, whole grains), C (fruits and vegetables, organ meat), D (liver, fish, beef), E (leafy green vegetables, liver, bran, plant oils), K (fish, leafy green vegetables, fish), and choline (liver, fish, meats, egg yolks).

Take note though, numerous health issues can result from vitamin deficiency, but excessive amounts of these nutrients can also be harmful.

With minerals, dogs need the 12 essentials:

• for strong bones and teeth, they need Calcium (tofu, green beans, broccoli, and cauliflower) and phosphorus (meat, and eggs).

• for nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, and cell signalling, they need Magnesium, potassium, sodium, and chloride (fruits, vegetables, whole grains); Sulfur (meat, fish, molasses) for healthy skin, coat, and nails.

• for supporting red blood cells and the immune system, they need Iron (red meats, poultry).

• for a healthy thyroid, they need Iodine (dairy, kelp, seafood).

• for the immune system, healthy skin, and coat, they must have Zinc (eggs, lamb, liver, brewer’s yeast).

to boost the immune system, they should have Selenium (meat, vegetables, seafood, brown rice).

• for healthy bone growth, Copper (whole grains, seeds, and seafood).

• Lastly, never forget to provide fresh, clean water all the time.

It is crucial to provide precise preparation and quantity guidelines. This is why speaking with a local veterinarian nutritionist is essential.

About the Author: Mariana Burgos is a freelance artist. She is a solo parent for 15 years now because she is the wife of a desaparecido. She and her daughter are animal lovers and are active in advocating not only human

MY DAUGHTER, Yumi, tells me that when she is already earning her own income regularly, she is also going to frequently buy birds sold at the market for pets. She is going to take as many as she could, bring them here at the farm, and then free them in the open.

Why she has this plan is because she was so inspired by the story we told her of what her 'Lolo Joe' (Jose Burgos, Jr.) did one time while on the road.

Her Lolo Joe observed a trader selling birds in cages as they were traveling down the highway to Bicol. He approached this vendor, bought all the birds he was offering, and then unexpectedly released all the birds he had just purchased in front of the vendor, much to the guy's astonishment. What a shocker, huh? If you ask me, that's surprisingly fantastic!

Funny thing though was before she learned about her Lolo Joe's story, Yumi unceasingly asked me to buy her one of those colored chicks being sold just outside churches. I refused to give in to her wailings. Every time she asked to buy them, I would explain to her that birds are not meant to be caged, rather, they are meant to soar the skies, and that is why they should not be kept in cages as pets. And after more than 10 times of asking for it, we finally told her of her lolo's story with the birds.

I did buy her a bird after that but under one condition---- that she would let it fly free in the farm. She agreed and that is what exactly happened when we

bought her pet bird, Kirby.

What do you need to know when getting a pet bird?

If you are one who is insistent in acquiring a pet bird and you don't share the same sentiment that we do for the winged creatures, then at least remember the advice below.

Birds are another species of animal that people adore keeping as pets, in addition to cats, dogs, and fish. Owners of birds should be aware that although their companions may be highly intelligent and entertaining, they occasionally harbor pathogens that can make people ill. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in the article "Birds Kept as Pets" (28 October 2019: https://www.cdc.gov/ healthypets/pets/birds.html) says that to help you find a good pet bird for yourself, first and foremost, you have to consider the following before doing so:

1. Do some research first on laws on adopting or purchasing pet birds in your community. Find out about the ordinances that your local government has in this

following points:

1. Choose a bird whose personality, temperament, size, level of activity, and life span are compatible with your household, family, and the time you have available to spend

2. Select chirpy, on-the-ball birds that are engaged in activity. The feathers of birds should be silky, supple, and devoid of dander or other impurities. Ailments may be present in birds that appear unclean, act melan-

choly, or move seldom.

3. Discover the symptoms of a bird's illness, which can include acting lethargic or depressed, having ruffled feathers or patches of feather loss, breathing abnormally, and having fluid coming from its eyes or nostrils.

4. It is important to keep new and current birds apart for at least 30 days after bringing new birds into a home where there are already pet birds. This will lessen the risk of your existing animals contracting an illness from the new birds. For the duration of this separation:

* Before working with each group of birds, thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water.

* Maintain cleanliness and separation of the toys, cage/perch equipment, and water and food bowls.

5. Take your bird to an avian veterinarian (veterinarians with experience with pet birds) within a few days of purchasing or adopting it for a health checkup and guidance on how to care for your new pet. Visit the vet again for checkups and any recommended beak, nail, or wing reductions.

If you are really up to getting a bird for a pet, you must take heed of the suggestions and points of considerations mentioned above. But what is better to consider is checking out your local animal rescue centers and find out if they have rescued birds so that instead of buying one, you will only have to adopt. This way, you will be “hitting two birds with one stone.” These are: 1. You will be able to actively help in decreasing the population of homeless animals, and 2. You will be able to have the pet that you want and give a forever home for a homeless animal. (Mariana Burgos)

rights but the rights of animals as well.

Two kinds of dog food: one with dry commercial dog food; the other with natural food like fresh meat and vegetables. (Photo taken from Dreamstine.)

A dog asks for bread from his furparent. (Photo taken from pexels. pexels-zen-chung-5749813)

A dog loves a slice of honeydew. (Photo taken from pexels. pexels-nataliyavaitkevich-4772940:)

A little girl and her parrot.

taken from Depositphotos. depositphotos_10684347)