Manila Standard - 2023 May 28 - Sunday

PRECAUTIONARY MOVE. Preemptive evacuations have begun in areas that are expected to feel the brunt of Super Typhoon ‘Betty’ even as it slightly weakened Saturdag. In Minglanilla town in Cebu, close to 200 residents stayed at a makeshift evacuation center as early as Friday night. In Passi City in Iloilo, some 171 individuals were assisted by the Philippine Red Cross during their preventive evacuation to Agdahon Elementary School. In Metro Manila, DSWD personnel prepare food and non-food aid to be shipped out to areas that may be affected by the super typhoon. Minglanilla LGU, PRC, Norman Cruz

Preemptive evacuation starts Typhoon ‘Betty’ slightly weakens

n By MARICEL CRUZ AND JOEL ZURBANO

OVER 800 families have been preemptively evacuated in northern and central Luzon and parts of Visayas as super typhoon Betty (international name: Mawar) moves westward toward northern Philippines and is expected to dump heavy rains on Monday.

Aside from the areas in Northern Luzon, residents in Negros Occidental, Palawan and Pampanga have also started preemptive evacuation, according to Diego Mariano, Information Officer of the Office of Civil Defense-National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (OCD-NDRRMC).

Some 670 families were evacuated in Negros Occidental, 193 in Palawan, two in Pampanga, and 28 in Iloilo.

In Cagayan province, disaster office head Ruelie Rapsing said they are implementing an “adopt-a-neighbor” scheme where churches and residents with sturdy houses are asked to provide shelter to

their neighbors with houses made of weaker materials.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development has earmarked around P2.1 billion in disaster risk funds on top of prepositioned family food packs and non-food aid.

The government has identified Regions 1, 3, 4B or MIMAROPA, 6, 7, 8 and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as the most “susceptible” to massive floods and landslides.

“In these areas, we expect at least 1.5 million residents or about 8,000 susceptible families,” said DSWD spokesman

10,000 OFWs who lost jobs in Saudi to get backpay in full

THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said Saudi Arabia has finally earmarked funds to pay thousands of overseas Filipino workers with still unpaid wages.

At least 10,000 OFWs who had worked for several Saudi companies that declared bankruptcy following the economic crisis in 2015 would receive “full payment,” DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia said in a media briefing.

In the same briefing, DMW Secretary Susan Ople said Saudi Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi

“gave us the good news that the funds to pay for the unpaid claims are now with the Ministry of Finance” of the Saudi government, Ople said that while she did not inquire about the amount allocated for the unpaid salaries, “what is clear is it’s there and it is sufficient to pay not just the claims of the unpaid [Filipino] workers but all the other claims, including those of their own people.”

According to Ople, the Saudi government requested “a bit more time” for the processing of claims, adding that “they said that next month, they may be able to give us more details.”

Palace: Oil spill cleanup done in 1 month

THE last phase of the oil spill cleanup in Oriental Mindoro will be completed within a month, Malacañang announced on Saturday.

Communication Secretary Cheloy Garafil made the assurance after the arrival of a dynamic support vessel (DSV), which will be used to siphon the remnants of the 800,000 liters of industrial fuel oil from the sunken MT Princess Empress at the Riviera Pier in Subic Bay Freeport Zone on Friday. The DSV Fire Opal, Garafil said, would finish the last phase of the cleanup, and the operations may take 20 to 30 days.

The vessel will sail from Subic on the night of May 28 and is expected to arrive in Batangas the following day.

It will then proceed to the designated mission area, she added. Citing the report from Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant Admiral Artemio Abu, Garafil said the extraction would be done in 20 to 30 days.

The operations will last a month, if weather conditions are “favorable,” she said, based on a separate report submitted by Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Administrator Ariel Nepomuceno. Maricel V. Cruz

Romel Lopez.

Local government units have also been asked to ensure their respective Emergency Operations Centers are operational and functioning for emergency response in areas affected by the typhoon.

DILG secretary Banjamin Abalos Jr. ordered the designation of possible evacuation centers as he reminded LGUs of coastal areas to implement a ban on fishing and sailing if necessary.

According to PAGASA, the super typhoon may enhance the southwest monsoon or habagat, resulting in “strong breeze to near-gale conditions” starting this evening (Sunday) to early Monday morning.

PAGASA said the super typhoon is expected to be “almost stationary” between late Tuesday and early Wednesday.

The super typhoon is now packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center (from 195 kph in the 11 a.m. bulletin), and gusts of up to 230 kph (from 240 kph).

Senate set to approve 4 admin priority measures

n By MARICEL V. CRUZ

THE Senate is expected to approve at least four key priority measures of the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) days before the 19th Congress adjourns next week. Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, in a statement, said the priority measures are the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act, the Regional Specialty Centers Act, and the Maharlika Investment Fund Act, which has been certified as urgent by Malacañang.

Apart from the said priority bills, the

twenty-four republics, we have to hear everyone’s perspectives out, toward the betterment of our measures. Thankfully, we have all developed a great working relationship with one another, and we have been able to give due time for everyone to carefully debate and deliberate on all the measures that go through our committees and the plenary,” the Senate President said. Congress is set to adjourn sine die on June 2, 2023.

Zubiri said that if four of the priority bills were signed into law, the First Regular Session would have produced seven

Raids net P20 million smuggled cocaine, fuel

NEWS

Marcos emphasizes urgency of enacting law on land use

n By VINCE LOPEZ

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday underscored the urgency of enacting a law on land use policy, a few days after Congress approved on third and final reading the proposed National Land Use Act (NLUA).

“But now, allow me to reiterate the urgency of enacting a land use policy for our country, which is a priority legislative agenda of this administration,” the President said during his speech at the Pier 88 inauguration in Liloan, Cebu on Saturday.

The Chief Executive said he would ensure that the proposed law would be given the urgent attention that it deserves due to

SPD buy-bust in P’que yields

P23.4-m shabu

n By JOEL E. ZURBANO

THE Southern Police District (SPD) has announced the seizure of P23.4 million worth of shabu during a buy-bust operation early Saturday morning in Parañaque City.

The entrapment conducted by Parañaque City Police - Substation 4 and Station Drug Enforcement Unit on Balimbing Street, Phase 3 Olivarez Compound, in Barangay San Dionisio also resulted in the arrest of 41 years old volunteer fireman Jonnie Romo.

SPD director Brig. Gen. Kirby John Kraft said Romo, alias Han, was suspected to be involved in the drug trade in southern Metro Manila.

Seized from the suspect were 3,450 grams of shabu worth P23.46 million, a weighing scale, a brown envelope, one blue-green eco bag, and the cash and boodle money used in the entrapment operation.

Drug charges were being prepared against Romo for subsequent filing at the Parañaque prosecutor’s office.

The confiscated shabu will be turned over to the SPD Forensic Unit for quantitative and qualitative analysis.

Metro Manila Police director Maj. Gen. Edgar Alan Okubo commended the SPD and the Paranaque City Police for the successful operation.

“The success of this operation exemplifies the dedication and tireless efforts of the SPD and the local community in promoting peace and order,” Okubo said.

its fundamental importance to the country’s holistic national development.

Marcos said he has personal knowledge of the significant impact of the bill on the people as he had a chance to work on it when he chaired the Senate Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement.

The passage of the bill by the Senate

then, however, was overtaken by events.

“This time, we will see to it that this measure shall be given the urgent attention that it deserves, cognizant of its fundamental importance to our holistic national development,” the President said.

“Through a physical framework plan, all mandates and policies on land use shall be integrated— from watersheds to farm lands from cultural heritage sites to ancestral domains, from protected disaster-prone areas,” he added.

Marcos also noted that local governments must ensure that their respective physical and land use plans will conform to and will be consistent with the national plan.

He added that the national and local governments “will tap the environmental

INBRIEF

‘Betty’ threatens to rain out BARMM sportsfest

COTABATO CITY –Early morning rains did not stop athletes from warming up for the second day (Saturday) of the regional competition at the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Athletic Association sports events here.

planners for their technical expertise in the crafting of accurate and well-aligned physical and land use plans.”

The House of Representatives approved last Monday onthird and final reading of House Bill No. 8162, or the proposed NLUA, which gives the government the tool to properly identify land use and allocation patterns in all parts of the Philippines.

It was earlier identified as a priority measure of President Marcos under the Legislative-Executive Development Council (LEDAC).

Marcos thanked the House of Representatives for approving the proposed measure.

Several bills on the proposed land use policy have also been filed in the Senate.

BoC-PDEA team nets P20m in cocaine, fuel

n By VITO BARCELO

GOVERNMENT operatives have seized illegal drugs and smuggled diesel worth more than P20 million in separate operations in Bataan and Pampanga provinces.

Elements of the Bureau of Customs

Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force (CAIDTF) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), also arrested a passenger carrying more than P18 million worth of cocaine inside his luggage at the Clark

International Airport.

The arrest of the passenger, a Surinamese, and seizure of the cocaine was based on the information from Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) that a suspected drug mule would be arriving in the Philippines via an Emirates airline

The foreigner, whose name was withheld pending investigations, was nabbed upon arrival at Clark from Dubai via flight EK338. His luggage underwent X-ray inspection, K9 sniffing, and rigid

physical examination, resulting in the discovery of 3,468 grams of white powdered substance suspected to be cocaine. The substance was concealed in 30 vacuum-sealed transparent plastic bags wrapped in mesh cloth and blue carbon paper. Meanwhile, the BOC- Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) seized one a truck and a trailer carrying 40 liters of diesel at Seafront Shipyard and Port Terminal Services Corporation in Barangay Lucanin, Mariveles, Bataan.

Duterte eyes law granting 20% discount for needy PUV drivers

n By MARICEL V. CRUZ

DAVAO City Rep. Paolo Duterte on Saturday pushed for the enactment of a bill that grants an across-the-board 20-percent discount for indigent public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers on pertinent fees and other requirements needed in securing a professional driver’s license.

Duterte, principal author of House Bill (HB) 8070, Duterte, cited the need for the government to prioritize the welfare of PUV drivers.

Duterte’s bill, co-authored by Benguet Rep. Eric Yap and ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Edvic Yap, states that the discount applies to, among others, examination fees,

BI flags rise in outbound-passengers with fake papers

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) has expressed concern over the alarming increase in cases of counterfeit documents being used by overseas-bound travelers.

The BI said during the past week, it has encountered several cases of fake documents presented by outbound passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Just recently, a male passenger bound for Bangkok, Thailand, was intercepted at the NAIA Terminal 3 for alleged possession of dubious travel papers.

The man initially claimed that he was a tourist, but a thorough examination of his passport revealed a valid Malta Visa

stamped “CANCEL.”

Officers doubted the annotation on his visa, and interviews revealed that he had been instructed to pose as a tourist bound for Malta where he was recruited with the help of a relative.

Also this week, two female victims of apparent illegal recruitment were interviewed at the NAIA Terminal 1 while attempting to travel to Dubai.

They presented counterfeit Saudi Arabia re-entry visas, despite their actual intention to seek employment in Dubai.

One of the victims disclosed that she had met a recruiter on Facebook, who

provided them with the forged documents just outside the airport shortly before their departure.

On May 23, the BI intercepted at the NAIA Terminal 1 two women bound for Poland. They allegedly presenting fake overseas employment certificates (OECs), which acquired through Facebook. The women admitted they paid P500 online for the spurious documents.

BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said he was concerned and frustrated by the proliferation of fake documents, saying, “these syndicates are issuing fake doc ments and sweet-talk our kababayans into agreeing to their illegal schemes.”

certificates, clearances and enrollment in accredited driving schools.

On top of the implementation of the PUV Modernization Program, Duterte said the numerous requirements imposed by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in applying for a professional drivers’ license would add to the financial burden of PUV drivers, especially those living in poverty, Duterte said.

Under LTO Memorandum Circular 2021-2284, applying for a professional driver’s license would require an applicant to be at least 18 years old, a non-professional driver’s license holder for at least one year, and able to pass a written exam and practical driving test.

The Palarong BARMMAA started with a late Thursday afternoon parade from the city plaza to the Cotabato State University (CSU) grounds here.

By weekend, everyone was praying for fine weather even as super typhoon Betty that was threatening to dump heavy rains into the country.

Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim welcomed the athletes and their 11-division delegations from five provinces, three cities and the 63-barangay Special Geographic Area (SGA) of the BARMM.

Some 7,000 athletes are competing in the Palarong BARMAA events that also include Arnis, Sirat Karambit and Sepak Takraw.

The athletes have come all the way from Basilan, Lamitan City, Cotabato City, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. Nash B. Maulana

DSWD, SM join hands to boost social services

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has sealed a partnership with SM Supermalls to make social welfare programs and services more accessible to the people nationwide.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian and SM Supermalls president Steven Tan signed the memorandum of agreement (MOA), allowing the use of the shopping mall chain’s facilities of SM for the agency’s social protection initiatives and other activities.

“SM and DSWD have been partners for a long time. We share that same core value of empowering our citizens, especially the most vulnerable ones, in trying to fish for themselves,” Gatchalian said.

Through this MOA, Gatchalian said the DSWD will be able to open satellite offices in SM Malls’ Government Service Express Centers in 21 SM branches across 15 regions in the country and the Department is authorized to use SM event places and spaces for free.

“Today we sign the Memorandum of Agreement with the DSWD that will expand our Government Services Express nationwide to make DSWD programs and services more accessible to Filipinos through satellite offices in our malls, starting with 21 locations,” Tan said.

The agreement will also provide a venue for the operations of DSWD, including prepositioning of goods for disaster response as well as facilitating clearances and issuances.

Maricel V. Cruz

Group cites LRT 1’s QR ticketing system

THE Transport advocacy group’s The Passenger Forum (TPF) has welcomed Light Rail Transit 1’s adoption of QR technology as an additional payment option for its passengers.

TPF convener Primo Morillo in a statement said the LRT 1 management decision “is a good development and it will provide a new cashless option for LRT 1 riders especially now that stored value cards are scarce.”

Morillo added that the QR option is also helpful for commuters who forgot their Beep cards, and when the line for single journey tickets are too long.

“Due to the unavailability of stored value cards, people before have no choice but to endure the long lines just to get a ticket,” he noted.

Given this he said “We hope that the MRT, LRT-2, and PNR follow suit and provide a QR payment option for their train lines.”

“We also encourage the DOTr to study how we can maximize this for other transport modes such as buses and modern jeeps,” Morillo said, Maricel V. Cruz

PRE-STORM ACTION. Workers unload sacks of relief goods from a truck at a Pasay City warehouse of the Department of Social Welfare Development, ahead of the landfall of super typhoon Betty. Norman Cruz

EARLY MORNING FIRE. Firemen as silhouetted against the glare of an structural fire eating up a factory in Putatan, Muntinlupa City, along with some homes. Joseph Muego

STUFFED TOYS FOR A QUEEN. Reigning Miss International Jasmin Selberg receives a bag of stuffed toys from two girls during her visit at the Operation Smile Philippines Cleft Care in Ata. Ana Manila. Selberg is in Manila to attend the Binibining Pilipinas 59th Grand coronation tonight at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Danny Pata

Chinese aircraft carrier passes through Taiwan Strait —Taipei

THREE Chinese ships, including the Shandong aircraft carrier, passed through the Taiwan Strait on Saturday, the island’s Ministry of National Defense said.

China claims self-ruled democratic Taiwan as its territory, and in recent years has ramped up air and sea incursions around the island.

“A (People’s Liberation Army Navy) flotilla of 3 ships, led by the Shangdong aircraft carrier, passed through the Taiwan Strait around noon today,” the ministry said in a statement, referring to China’s navy.

The flotilla went “to the west of the median line, heading northward,” it added, referring to the unofficial border in the middle of the strait.

While the presence of Chinese warships is constantly monitored and announced near-daily by Taipei, the passage of the Shandong through the 180-kilometer(110-mile-) wide Taiwan Strait – which separates the island from continental Asia – is unusual.

Taiwan’s armed forces “have monitored the situation and tasked (civil air patrol) aircraft, navy vessels, and land-based missile systems to respond to these activities,” the ministry said. AFP

Biden ‘hopeful’ of imminent US debt deal

PRESIDENT Joe Biden said that Democratic and Republican negotiators were on the verge of resolving a debt ceiling standoff, as the deadline for a potentially catastrophic US default was pushed back to June 5.

“It’s very close and I’m optimistic,” Biden told reporters at the White House. “I’m hopeful we’ll know by tonight whether we’re going to be able to have a deal.” Although there was no indication of an imminent public announcement, it was the strongest sign yet that the drama in Washington might end, allowing the government to borrow and avoid a default that would likely trigger a recession and send shockwaves through the global economy.

Earlier, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the dreaded X-date, when the government runs out of money unless it can borrow, will now be June 5, not June 1. Yellen, however, warned that the deadline extension does not change the urgency.

“Waiting until the last minute to suspend or increase the debt limit can cause serious harm to business and consumer confidence, raise short-term borrowing costs for taxpayers, and negatively impact the credit rating of the United States,” she said in a letter to the Republican leader of the House of Representatives, Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

According to unconfirmed US media reports, the deal taking shape would include an agreement to extend the government’s borrowing authority for two years, meaning no repeat of the current drama before the 2024 presidential election.

Democrats, however, would have to offer concessions on Republican demands

‘Don Goyo’s angry’: The legends behind rumbling Mexican volcano

IN THE foothills of Mexico’s Popocatepetl volcano, locals have their own beliefs about why ash is recently raining down on them – and it has little to do with conventional science.

According to legend, the spirit of the volcano located 70 kilometers (about 45 miles) southeast of Mexico City is embodied by a man known locally as “Don Goyo.”

And when he gets upset, “El Popo” starts to rumble as it has for more than a week.

“Don Goyo’s angry because they didn’t put out his offering,” said Jose Luis, a 55-year-old charcoal seller in Xalitzintla, the community closest to Popocatepetl.

Some residents even report having seen the mountain incarnate appear before them.

Jose Marcos said that when he was a child, Don Goyo – full name Gregorio Chino Popocatepetl – came to his house for a glass of water and a taco.

“We asked him ‘who are you?’ He said: ‘Don’t you know me? I’m Gregorio Chino Popocatepetl. I’m the volcano,’” the 77-year-old farmer said.

Every year on March 12, residents mark

the day known as Don Goyo’s birthday.

Hundreds of people approach the crater to offer typical dishes, liquor, flowers and clothes, and sing a traditional song.

This year, however, authorities restricted access to the site due to the increased danger, dismaying locals who warned that it would anger the mountain’s spirit.

“We’ve already asked Don Goyo to wait for us until next year,” local mayor Gumaro Sandre Popoca told AFP.

Life in Xalitzintla, home to about 2,000 inhabitants, revolves around volcanoes.

The walls are dotted with images of Popocatepetl and the neighboring Iztaccihuatl volcano.

Mediums who claim to communicate with “Don Goyo” are influential figures in the community.

One of them, Nazario Castro, blames people who enter the exclusion zone to take selfies for upsetting the volcano.

“They’re provoking it because they go up” to take pictures and “it starts to thunder,” Castro said. AFP

Man who opened Asiana plane door says he wanted out ‘quickly’

A MAN who opened an emergency exit on an Asiana Airlines flight in mid-air felt “suffocated” and wanted to get off quickly, South Korean police said on Saturday.

The plane was carrying nearly 200 passengers as it approached therunway on Friday at Daegu International Airport, about 240 kilometers (149 miles) southeast of Seoul, on a domestic flight.

When the plane was around 200 meters (650 feet) above ground, the man who police said was in his 30s without providing further details, opened the exit door.

The passenger was taken in by Daegu police for questioning and told officers he had been “under stress after losing a job recently.”

“He felt the flight was taking longer than it should have been and felt suffocated inside the cabin,” a Daegu police detective told AFP.

“He wanted out quickly.”

The passenger faces up to 10 years in prison for violating aviation safety laws.

A video clip shot by a nearby passenger showed wind ripping through the open door, with fabric seat-backs and passengers’ hair flapping wildly as some people shouted in surprise.

Another video shared on social media showed passengers sitting in the emergency exit row next to an open door being buffeted by strong winds.

A dozen passengers were taken to hospital after experiencing breathing difficulties but there were no major injuries or damage, according to the transport ministry.

“It was chaos with people close to the door appearing to faint one by one and flight attendants calling out for doctors on board,” a 44-year-old passenger told Yonhap. AFP

for sweeping spending limits on social safety and other domestic programs.

McCarthy told reporters that negotiators had “made progress” but added: “Nothing is agreed to until it’s all agreed to.” A sign of how difficult it may be to nail down a deal revolved around a Republican demand that those applying for benefits like food assistance work for them.

White House spokesman Andrew Bates asserted that Republicans were willing to put at risk “over eight million jobs unless they can take food out of the mouths of hungry Americans.”

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva cited new data that she said showed the “US economy has proven resilient,” but urged a “speedy resolution” to avoid the first default in the country’s history.

“We think of the US Treasury market as an anchor for the global financial system, and this anchor needs to hold,” she said. With the country getting a three-day

TRANS QUEEN.

Venezuelan transgender model Sofia Salomon –who aspires to be the first transgender woman to compete in Miss Venezuela – poses during a photo shoot at a studio in Caracas.

In a country with seven Miss Universe ‘queens’ and six Miss World, the ‘Miss Venezuela’ beauty contest continues to paralyze millions in front of the TV, and Salomon hopes that this ‘echo’ will give ‘visibility’ to transgender people in a very conservative society. AFP

Memorial Day holiday weekend, members of Congress were leaving Washington on a 10-day recess. Even Biden – to the consternation of some in his own party –headed to his Camp David retreat, then his home in Delaware.

Yet Wally Adeyemo, the deputy Treasury secretary, told CNN that both Biden and McCarthy were focused on avoiding catastrophe.

“The president decided, the speaker has said it, and we have to get something done before June,” Adeyemo said. “The president is committed to making sure that we have good faith negotiations with the Republicans to reach a deal, because the alternative is catastrophic for all Americans.”

The debt ceiling raise is an annual accounting maneuver that usually passes with little notice. It simply allows the government to keep borrowing money to pay for bills already incurred through the budget.

This year, the increasingly hard-right

Republican Party has decided to turn the debt ceiling into leverage to force Biden to roll back favorite Democratic spending priorities. Republicans call this taking responsibility for the $31 trillion national debt.

The White House accuses the opposition party, which controls the House of Representatives, of taking the economy hostage.

Democratic minority leader Hakeem Jeffries slammed the Republicans from the House floor on Thursday, accusing them of risking “a dangerous default in a crisis that they’ve created.”

Economists have spent months raising the prospect of economic catastrophe should the government default, and top military brass added their own dire prognosis Thursday, warning that the crisis would have a “significant negative impact” on troops.

“Readiness clearly would be impacted,” Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters. AFP

Sofia

Salomon: Angling to be the first trans Miss Venezuela

SOFIA Salomon is the picture of concentration as she poses in bathing suits and evening wear for a photo shoot in preparation for what could be an historic campaign.

The 25-year-old model is hoping to become the first-ever transgender woman to vie for the Miss Venezuela crown.

“All eyes are on Miss Venezuela,” she told AFP. “Me being there would be making history.”

Venezuela is one of the top producers of “Miss” pageant winners: It holds seven Miss Universe titles and six for Miss World.

Beauty competitions are a way of life in the crisis-stricken South American country, with a guaranteed TV viewership of millions for the national pageant.

“Like football is very important in other countries, here it is very important to be a beauty queen,” Salomon said between poses.

“When a girl is growing up, if she is tall, skinny, everyone tells her that she should go to Miss Venezuela. So it is something we grow up with, it is a culture, it is a feeling.”

Online entries for this year’s Miss Venezuela pageant close next Wednesday, after which a panel will interview a shortlist and select 24 finalists.

Organizers did not respond to AFP’s queries about whether or not there would be any limitations on Salomon’s participation in a deeply conservative and often homophobic society.

Salomon’s campaign has drawn much attention on social media – both messages of support and homophobic abuse.

But she takes it all in stride.

“Ever since I can remember, I have always had the support of my dad, my mom and all my family,” she told AFP.

“I had an excellent childhood full of respect, of love, and so everything becomes easier because you can show society who you really are.” AFP

RESISTANCE. Demonstrators hold signs while picketing during the continuing strike by the Writers Guild of America (WGA) in Los Angeles, California. Picketing writers say they are striking for better compensation in a field that has been disrupted by the streaming industry. Writers also say they are looking for more stable working conditions and a better share of the profits generated by the rise of streaming. AFP

KeWARB president Sayna Cafon donning a heritage tribal outfit.

Lake Sebu women artisans seize opportunities through innovation

THE tribal women of South Cotabato have banded together to form one of the biggest indigenous groups of women artisans in the Philippines.

With 143 members, and still growing, the Kestubong Women’s Association Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries is a community of skilled handicraft makers bound by common economic aspirations.

Majority of the women are skilled in woven crafts, while others are gifted on creating tribal designed-embroideries. Still, many are accomplished furniture makers. Everyone gets to contribute to the same goal of having a sustainable livelihood, said association president Sayna Cafon.

“About percent of KeWARB members are of indigenous people descent and 10 percent are non-indigenous women. We have organized ourselves to create a better future for the women of Lake Sebu and for a chance to contribute to our family’s economic emancipation. This goes without saying that our goal, though purely economic, does not exclude our efforts to promote the indigenous heritage of Lake Sebu and the tribes that inhabit this part of Mindanao,” she said.

Cafon said the group is undergoing a creative phase under the auspices of government agencies like the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Tourism.

Since the group started in 2015, it has been producing products with the same designs, over and over. Though demand is starting to pick up after the pandemic, the market is steeped with similar products but better quality and designs. At this point, the group realized it is

time to innovate if they are to survive competition.

Linkages to innovation

KeWARB considered it a very opportune moment when the DTI Region 12 offered its assistance to help them improve their craft through product development.

In April 2023, the DTI linked the group with a professional designer to educate members on new and timely designs, innovate their production processes and help them market their products.

Cafon said it was a first for KeWARB members to collaborate with a product designer, much more with a well-known professional designer. Mindanao haute couture entrepreneur turned furniture designer Ivan Raborar is an icon in the local fashion scene.

“It was only through Sir Ivan that we realized the potential of our association, that there is a big window for us to improve our crafts in ways we can only

Learning solutions provider champions drug-abuse prevention in schools

REX Education (REX), a leading provider of learning solutions, presented its ‘Bawat Paaralan Edukampyon (BPE) Continuum’, a program for strengthening drug-abuse prevention, during the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Conference.

UNODC’s Conference gathered organizations, policymakers, and prevention implementers for discussions on addressing drug-related problems in the country under the theme “Prevention Digest: Strengthening the prevention strategy and family-based initiatives in the Philippines”.

REX was among the government and non-government organizations who shared their experiences with prevention programming, as well as the impact and influence of these initiatives.

BPE is grounded in the Edukampyon advocacy: to engage duty-bearers and build their capacities for respecting, protecting, and fulfilling the right to quality education. Pursuant to BEDP 2030, REX advocates a whole school approach that entails the collaboration of all members in a school community. This framework is meant to advance agendas on global education and reform initiatives such as health awareness, eradication of violence, and drug-abuse prevention.

imagine,” said Cafon, admitting that the group has never before had the foresight to go out of the box or go beyond the limits of their imagination.

Through a P300,000 financial assistance provided by the Department of Agrarian Reform in 2021, KeWARB put up a processing and display center in Barangay Tasiman, Lake Sebu, where association members gather daily to work on their crafts and provide support to each other.

It was one of the recipients of the DAR’s Village Level Farm-focused Enterprise Development project that aims to enhance the products of the agrarian reform beneficiaries using appropriate facilities and equipment applicable to the agri-business enterprise of the ARBs.

KeWARB creates handicrafts using local materials that are abundant in their area. Rattan or forest vines and bamboo are the staple raw materials from which the group creates hand-

SUN Life Philippines (Sun Life), the number 1 life insurance company in the country for the 12th year in a row, and Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), the country’s fastest and best mobile network according to Ookla, have renewed their strategic partnership to increase financial literacy among Smart’s partner cooperatives.

The renewal will expand the program’s coverage, where financial literacy trainings will also be held for cooperatives in Benguet,

icrafts. For beadworks, earrings and necklaces, the group sources local beads. Through product development training, the group was able to fashion bracelets using rattan, a new innovation added to their product line.

The group also uses “nito”, a vine specie that is perfect for woven handicraft due to its flexibility and strong fibrous twine. The creeping plant grows aplenty in parts of Luzon, particularly in Southern Tagalog and Mindanao.

While the group is not into textile weaving, many members are also skilled embroiderers with a knack to conjure ethnic designs that are appealing to tourists. One of their popular products is a simple tribal blouse designed with indigenous patterns and beadwork.

Before, KeWARB handicrafts, though exquisitely woven like bags, baskets or lampshades, seemed dull and lifeless for lack of color. The training on product development has helped the group

Bulacan, Cavite, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, and Metro Manila throughout the year.

Sun Life and Smart are looking forward to exceeding the program’s success in 2022, where close to 500 cooperative members were engaged and educated on finance fundamentals and their relevance to their industry.

transform their products into more colorful pieces of utilitarian art.

Bigger pieces of useful art like rocking chairs and the so-called “Cleopatra chair” are now part of the eclectic line of native products the group produces. Many KeWARB’s products are custom-made for specific clients that keep the association busy all-year.

KeWARB buys the products of members at fair market prices and looks for markets in and around Mindanao. Hotels and resorts in the region are the usual markets for the products. Among the regular patrons are resorts in Lake Sebu like Punta Isla Lake Resort, Dreamweavers Hill and Seven Falls, among others.

The group is carefully expanding its reach beyond Mindanao and into a bigger market. One of the recent shipments that went to Manila is a batch of handmade barrettes with native design, specifically ordered by a client who’s into retail fashion.

Cafon said KeWARB is also weaving big dreams of bringing its products to the export market.

“This is why all of us are working real hard to learn from the product development trainings. We want our craft to evolve. We aim for perfection so we can reach markets overseas. It is part of our strategy - to export our best-selling pieces to the global market in three to five years,” she said.

She said the goal to export runs parallel to their plan to promote Lake Sebu as a tourisw destination, popularize its cultural heritage and create International market for all the products, not only in Lake Sebu but also in other parts of Mindanao.

While the intent is noble, Cafon admitted that they still lack the needed push to innovate faster. The need for new types of equipment and added capital to expand their production remains a challenge for the group.

Othel V. Campos

to elevate our efforts and help empower even more Filipinos to pursue their financial goals. I believe the renewal of our tie-up with Smart can help us do that,” said Sun Life President Alex Narciso. Smart Go-To market and subscriber management group head and first Vice President Melvin Nubla underscored the

importance

empowering micro,

Automotive firm sustains free technical skills program for poor youth

KeWARB members with mentor Ivan Raborar and DTI Region 12 representatives.

YoungLIFE

‘The Greatest Gamer’ Reality gaming competition

now in PH

By Gabriella Andrea Tresvalles

ESPORTS has been on the rise lately as it is accessible to everyone–from smartphones to personal computers. The Philippine Games and Amusement Board also recognize esports, short for electronic sports, because of its modern approach to seeing teams compete and exercise their talents and camaraderie.

Some examples of video games that often dominate the Esports arena are Dota 2, Valorant, League of Legends, and Mobile Legends, names that you can hear from your resident gamer friends because of their global prominence. These are multiplayer games, often occurring in a battle arena, but other video games require only one player to perform.

Colleges and educational institutions across the Philippines saw the growing interest and potential in esports, prompting some to offer curriculums revolving around the modern way of competing with equally talented individuals.

It is no wonder that according to the 2023 Global Digital Report, over 95 percent of internet users in the Philippines are active gamers. Younger audiences, and that young-at-heart, find entertainment and challenge themselves through frequent gaming on their preferred devices. Hence, making the Philippines their next stop for “The Greatest Gamer,” together with TikTok and Smart Communications.

Smart Communications, with Tiktok Philippines, launched The Greatest Gamer Philippines at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City last May 17, 2023.

Initially a reality gaming competition from Indonesia, The Greatest Gamer will feature ten amateur players living in a villa for three weeks. They will partake in various activities and challenges to showcase what it takes to be a professional esports player.

“The Greatest Gamer Philippines showcases the journey to becoming a professional gamer and engaging the gaming community by providing relevant entertainment, highlighting the skills, passion, and dedication necessary to excel in Esports. We also hope to empower the local gaming community, nurture its growth, and provide a space for enthusiasts to continue displaying their skills and creativity,” says Vanessa Brown, Director, Business Development, Asia- Pacific of TikTok.

TikTok will be used as an avenue for the audience to see the gaming lifestyle–revealing the gamer’s personalities, back stories, and interviews with the creators to follow their journey as professional esports players.

On the other hand, the network giant, Smart Communications, will be the one to ensure that the players’ gameplay is uninterrupted and seamless.

With these two companies partnered for The Greatest Gamer Esports enthusiasts can look forward to action-filled and memorable moments in authentic gaming competitions.

The ultimate winner will receive a cash prize of P250,000 and

From left: John Michael Turcuato, First Vice President, Head of Sports, PLDT-Smart and Executive Director of MVP Sports Foundation; Vanessa Brown, Director, Business Development, Asia-Pacific of TikTok; Lloyd Manaloto, First Vice President and Head of Prepaid and Content at Smart Communications; and Harry Leonardo, Esports Marketing Manager at MOONTON Games, international gaming developer, and publisher of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang

a professional esports contract with Smart Omega, the telecom’s Mobile Legend team.

How to join

Aspiring professional esports gamers can submit their audition videos from Wednesday, May 24, to June 14, 2023, via TikTok using the official audition filter hashtag #TheGreatestGamerPH.

An interest in different languages led to this TikTok singer’s fame

AS THE leading destination for shortform mobile video, TikTok offers various opportunities for content creators to embrace their passions and pursue new horizons. It helped Indonesian-born Chris Andrian Yang to nurture his creativity and authenticity in content creation.

Yang formulated the right combination to build up a career in content creation and pursue his artistry. His song covers have reached a global audience as these are rendered in various languages: English, Indonesian, Korean, Thai, Mandarin, and even Tagalog. He even covered Zack Tabudlo’s “Pano,” gaining appreciation and support from the Filipino community. His popularity caught the attention

A screenshot of Yang's rendition of the Japanese hit 'Stay With Me' of VICE Asia, cited as the largest independent youth company in the world. TikTok and VICE Asia recently partnered to produce a series of bitesized content that unravel the stories of people behind popular TikTok videos whose lives changed drastically through TikTok. The documentary received positive sentiments that expressed admiration for Yang and inspiration for his journey on TikTok. It also revealed not just his talent but his authenticity and simplicity, qualities that TikTok elevated to the delight of his followers. As an entertainment platform, TikTok continues to spark passion for aspiring content creators across the globe and will always nurture a safe community for creative expression.

Yang’s covers rendered in different languages continue to earn appreciation globally

In their audition tape, they should be able to introduce themselves and display their skills in Mobile Legends. Besides, it’s not everyday esports enthusiasts have the opportunity to live out their dreams.

These aspiring esports gamers should follow and tag the official TikTok accounts, @thegreatestgamer and @smartcommunications, and use the hashtag #TheGreatestGamerPH.

ARTIST’S CORNER

CREATING art often doesn’t happen overnight. Sometimes, it takes days, months, or years to complete, provided that the artist is in the right headspace and physical health to accomplish their masterpiece. On the other hand, in some instances, the artist completes the art but hasn’t the confidence to share them with others. And that’s okay. A young medical student from the New Manila area, who asked to keep her identity confidential, feels the same way. For some years, she dabbled in writing prose and poetry, inspired by her experiences and those around her. She has yet to find the confidence

to claim the prose that goes through her head and takes control of her pen. Nevertheless, she shared a piece of her works as a stepping stone to finally finding and using her voice without doubts.

“My influences in writing poetry are Rupi Kaur and Lang Leav. Not many people like their writing style, but I feel it’s what resonates with me most. I also write short stories now and then that focus on slices of real life,” she said. “I have more faith in my poetry writing than in my short stories because I have more freedom to express myself. Still, I try my best to learn more about writing.”

I lost myself In everything I knew

Where am I?

How do I get back?

Can you tell me

Or is it just a ghost of me

Is there a map I can use

To navigate the twist and turns

And find me once again

Away from the trappings of life

Do you know where to go?

Do you know what to do? Should I have to go on alone? Life is a journey, and I’m not the only one who knows

The 2023 Global Digital Report shows 95 percent of internet users in the Philippines are active gamers

TikTok singer Chris Andrian Yang

RANDY M. CALUAG,

with a 78 and tumbling to 10th at 292.

Gary Sales took low amateur honors despite a 78 as he tied for 16th with Balasabas, who shot a 72, with 296.

In the end, it was Ababa who came out on top while snapping a long spell marred by endgame meltdowns, including at the Pradera Verde Championship last year which he led in the third round, only to waver at the finish and lose by one to van der Valk.

This time, he did it in a come-frombehind fashion.

ON the outside looking in majority of the way, Jhonnel Ababa charged back with a kind of resolve that fuel big-time results, hitting three key late birdies then bucking a slip on No. 17 to edge Guido van der Valk and Joenard Rates by one with a 71 for the ICTSI Villamor Philippine Masters crown at the Villamor Golf Club on Saturday.

Ababa actually appeared headed for a runaway win after rattling off three birdies in a four-hole stretch from No. 13 to go 3-up over the erstwhile co-leaders, who succumbed to the terrors lurking all over the military layout, including its tricky greens, in a flight behind.

But the ace Davaoeno shotmaker pulled his tee-shot into the water on Villamor’s signature hole the way he did in the third round, ending up with another double-bogey and paving the way for what the huge gallery had hoped for a thriller of a finish in the P2.5 million championship.

It didn’t materialize as van der Valk and Rates flubbed their birdie bids on the 72nd hole and matched 74s, enabling Ababa to hoist the highly-contested trophy with a four-day total of three-under 285 worth P450,000.

“Despite trailing most of the way, I

Ababa grabs ICTSI PH Masters crown by 1

knew I had a chance. I told myself that I needed just two birdies at the back to gain a shot (at the crown). Eh, naka-tatlo pa,” said Ababa, who thus became the third player to win the Masters crown since the fabled event was revived in 2017 topped by Clyde Mondilla with Jerson Balasabas holding off van der Valk in sudden death the following year. There were no Masters during the pandemic and last year.

But its return proved as riveting as ever with the outcome unclear until the final putt was drained. Van der Valk, who missed the cut at Luisita, and Rates split the combined P465,000 second and third place prizes after posting identical 286s, while Keanu Jahns also carded a 71 for solo fourth at 287. Reymon Jaraula matched par-72 for the second straight day and ended up

fifth at 288 while Korean Min Seong Kim rallied with the day’s best 68 to clinch sixth place at 289 followed by Nilo Salahog and Fidel Concepcion, who tied for seventh at 290 after a 73 and 74, respectively.

Young Korean Hyun Ho Rho also charged home with a 69 for ninth at 291 while Marvin Dumandan, tied with Ababa after third after 54 holes, hobbled in a rare championship flight stint, limping

Ababa, who last won in Del Monte in 2019, stayed four strokes off Rates in the first two rounds then moved within two of the two-day leader and van der Valk after 54 holes on a course so unlike other championship layouts that feature unfamiliar terrains, steeps, and angled fairways. But Villamor proved it remains one of golf’s great theaters, bringing out the best – and the worst –from the contenders, particularly from its last line of defense.

After giving up 22 under-par scores in the first two days, the quaint military layout, noted for its narrow, well-kept fairways, thick roughs, hazards, and tricky surface, bit back in the moving day, yielding just five with van der Valk’s 75 even enabling him to net a share of the lead with Rates, who stayed on top despite a 76.

But Ababa moved into strong contention with his 74 and stayed within striking distance most of the final round until he unleashed that strong finishing kick with birdies on Nos. 13, 14 and 16.

Van der Valk surged ahead with a frontside 37 and held sway with a tap-in birdie on No. 11 off a brilliant fairway bunker shot. But bogeys on Nos. 13 and 14, coupled with Rates’ own mishap on No. 14, allowed Ababa to take control by three.

But Ababa nearly came undone with that flawed tee-shot on the par-3 17th, his “5” enabling Rates and van der Valk to pull within one again heading to the closing par-5 hole.

“After I went 3-up, sabi ko, panalo na ‘to. Pero na-kabig ko ang tee-shot ko sa 17th. Ayun at na-double (bogey) uli. Nag-5 din ako sa third round kaya wala talaga akong swerte sa hole na un,” rued Ababa.

But his fiercest rivals were also a bit unfortunate on the final hole with Van der Valk hitting the green in 2 on the unreceptive green, the ball rolling straight to the rough. His chip, however, proved short and he missed a 14-footer for birdie and a possible tie, while Rates’ birdie bid from 30 feet swerved to the left at the finish.

Torre, Young urge youth to play chess, stay away from drugs

ASIA’S first GM Eugene Torre urged the youth to continue to get involved in sports, especially chess, and stay away from drugs and other vices to

become better citizens.

In his speech before student- participants in the “Isulong Mo with GM Eugene Torre and IM Angelo

Lazatin envisions AC athletes dominating CLRAA meet

n By BUTCH GUNIO

ANGELES CITY—Mayor Carmelo

“Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. continues to motivate Angeleño athletes to carry on and pursue the top spot in future Central Luzon Regional Athletic Association (CLRAA) meets.

During the recent awarding ceremony of P1.059 million worth of cash incentives to 93 CLRAA 2023 winners from the city, Lazatin addressed the student-athletes and expressed his belief that they will someday dominate the annual sports event.

“Today we are rank 12, last CLRAA [2019] we were rank 15, but tomorrow we will be number one,” Lazatin asserted.

Angeleño student-athletes garnered 21 gold, 19 silver, and 40 bronze medals including the results from ParaGames during CLRAA 2023 which placed Angeles City in the 12th rank.

Lazatin saw a significant improvement from the previous regional athletic meet in 2019 where Angeles City was ranked no. 15 for obtaining 3 gold, 12 silver, and 20 bronze medals.

“It is our administration’s ultimate dream to produce an Angeleño Olympic medalist. It is not

impossible, with these athletes who are very dedicated and hard-working in the field of sports,” Lazatin stressed.

Each gold medalist this year received P10,000; P7,000 for silver medalists and P5,000 each for bronze medalists.

Funds came from the Local School Board and Office of the Mayor to accommodate giving these cash incentives to the deserving student-athletes.

A total of 417 student-athletes competed in CLRAA 2023, playing their respective fields of sports.

Each received sports shoes, uniforms, parade polo shirts, joggers, hoodies, bags, caps, and travel mattresses from the city government as support for competing in the said athletic meet.

This forms part of the flagship programs of Mayor Lazatin in promoting youth sports development in Angeles City and becomes an avenue to instill in them the values of discipline, sportsmanship, and excellence.

Mayor Lazatin insists that active support to Angeleño student-athletes will also boost their morale, and take pride in representing Angeles City while competing.

Young” simultaneous chess exhibition matches, Torre said playing chess will also provide the youth with some of the more important values in life.

“Life is like a game of chess. You always have to make the right moves and follow the rules. If you fail, you get up and try again,” said Torre, who made history by becoming Asia’s first grandmaster during the World Chess Olympiad in Nice. France in 1974.

Torre, who will turn 71 this November, reminded the youth to always follow the three kings in life: spiritual king, mental king and physical king.

“Sundin natin itong sinasabing three kings in life. Kapag maayos ang ating spiritual, mental at physical well-being, maayos ang buhay. Kaya natutuwa nga ako na may mga ganitong pagsisikap na ma-promote ang chess sa mga paaralan, lalo na sa mga kabataan,” added Torre, who also conducted a 15-board simultaneous chess exhibition with select students and alumni of the Quezon City public high school.

Young, on the other hand, underscored the importance of bringing the sport closer to the people, especially the youth.

“Napakahalaga na magkaroon tayo ng mga ganitong pagbisita sa iba’t ibang mga paaralan at magsagawa ng mga ganitong exhibition matches para makahanap pa tayo ng mas madaming mga homegrown talents,” said Young, who was enshrined to the ERJHS Alumni Sports Club Hall of Fame in 2016.

Former Ateneo program director for chess IM Idel Datu also conducted chess lectures for student participants.

This is actually the second time that Torre conducted chess simul to ERJHS students following a similar activity in February 2018.

Torre, Young, and Datu lauded ERJHS Principal Gina Obierna and ERJHS Alumni Sports Club president Ed Andaya for their efforts to promote chess in the school.

The top five student participants were Clark Kean Amodia, Reyland Samson, Lhu Fearigs Calimbas, Xenon Santos, and Stephanie Nicole Belgira. Outstanding alumni who joined the event were Jose de Leon of Batch 66, Tony Susano of Batch 72, Romeo Gagap of Batch 85 and Richard Nell of Batch 93. Also present during the simultaneous exhibition matches were Sapporo Winter Olympics delegate Marcelo de Guzman of Batch 72, former ERJHS Alumni Association president Jess Asistin of Batch 76, Roberto Castor Rover Scouts head Fe Castor-Pangan and ASC officers Zeny Castor, Imee Gines, Oliric Lacsamana, Jane Jimenez, Bess Maghirang, Ramon Ypil, Albert Andaya, Richard Nell and Roy Madayag and Ms. ERJHS Alumni Jean Wenceslao.

Event sponsors are Batch 70, Batch 76, Batch 81, Batch 82, Camp Pulong Gubat Wavepool Resort-Batangas, and Ping-Ping Lechon.

Over 4,000 cyclists join PRURide PH 2023 at Clark

PRURIDE Philippines made a solid comeback after a three-year hiatus, with over 4,000 cyclists and families gathered at Clark Global City, Pampanga.

This year’s PRURide is a milestone as it marks Prudential’s 175th-anniversary celebration, including its first 100 years in Asia.

“PRURide Philippines 2023 is a celebration of life with Filipino families on a journey towards a healthier lifestyle, getting the most out of life. We are blessed to be back on the road with thousands of cyclists and families pedaling together towards better health and wellness,” says Eng Teng Wong, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Pru Life UK.

As the country’s largest cycling festival, PRURide Philippines is even bigger and more exciting this year with thousands of registrants and families joining the cycling festivities.

PRURide Philippines advocates Gretchen Ho, Kim Atienza, and Zoren Legaspi cycled the 100KM Gran Fondo category, and enjoyed the route which included the New Clark City Bridge.

More advocates joined the event including cycling content creators Ger Victor, Darlings Levi & Sara, Jeno Cuenco, and Ian Austria and Pru Life UK’s health champions Teri Rombaoa, Miguel and wife Mary Reyes, Montini De Guzman, and Aless Castañeda.

The much-anticipated event affirmed its spirit of inclusivity with fun and friendly courses for cyclists of all ages and expertise. The Family Fun

Ride and PRURide Milo Kids Cup were a sure hit! Cash prizes of PHP 3,000, PHP 5,000, and PHP 10,000 were awarded to the grand winners of Virtual PRURide.

In this digital competition, professional and amateur cyclists experienced the fun and excitement of biking without going on the road for free. Everyone enjoyed the expo activities and freebies and was treated to a live concert by the OPM band Sponge Cola.

Pru Life UK makes this celebration even more special with an all-expensepaid trip to London for one eligible and existing customer and three family members.

PRURide Philippines supports Pru

Life UK’s commitment to health and wellness. Since 2016, the event has attracted thousands of amateur and seasoned cyclists, including some of the Philippines’ strongest and most competitive athletes.

“PRURide Philippines has always been more than just a cycling event. It is about our continued advocacy of health and wellness for oneself and the whole family and also community,” adds Wong.

In celebration of Prudential’s 175th anniversary, Pru Life UK is concluding PRURide Philippines 2023 by giving back to the community in Cebu and donating 175 bikes through JCI Zugbuanas.

Asia’s first GM Eugene Torre and IM Angelo Young are with ERJHS Alumni Sports Club adviser Zeny Castor, Sapporo Winter Olympics delegate Marcelo de Guzman, ASC president Ed Andaya, Lizette Mariano, Tony Susano and Richard Nell.

Jhonnel Ababa pulls through in a thrilling fashion.

Latest queer dating reality show chronicles journey of 10 single men finding love

By Nickie Wang

TAKING a cue from its first trailer which has already amassed more than three million views, anticipation builds as the LGBTQIA+ community celebrates the unique concept of Sparks Camp, the newest queer dating reality show in the country.

The ABS-CBN’s “Made For YouTube” show, which premiered on May 24, features ten hopeful guys trying to find their match. They are Aaron Maniego , commercial model and content creator; Stanley Bawalan , virtual assistant; Karl Bautista , architect; Justin Macapallag , college student; Gabe Balita , student jock; Nat Magbintang , medical student; Boy Gonzales , aspiring actor; Alex De Ungria , college student and video game player; Dan Calman , law student; and Nick De Ocampo , business owner.

In an outdoor camp, viewers will meet them going through challenges to test how their personalities match and possibly find someone who will add color to their lives.

Produced by Black Sheep, Sparks Camp is directed by TV and movie director and story editor Theodore Boborol . His impressive experience from

is the newest queer dating reality show in the country

being part of Pinoy Big Brother MMK , and Ipaglaban Mo aims to help him draw the raw emotions of the campers in their journey.

The show is written by Patrick Valencia , whose previous works are queer-centric stories like

Hanging Out The Third Party , and the Hello Stranger mini-series, and Daniel Saniana , writer of Sila Sila

Hosting the series as the campers ‘Mother Sparker’ is

LGBTQIA+ icon Mela Habijan who has been an active voice of the trans community. She also started her own digital show 3Some , TikTok series Mahalagang MELAman Mo , and YouTube content All Things T Viewers can follow their journey to love on Black Sheep’s YouTube channel.

Meet the characters of ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’

a brown and cream 1970 Volkswagen

Bumblebee converts into a black and yellow 1977 Chevrolet Camaro

Mirage, another Autobot warrior, delights in pushing limits and testing boundaries

and the

athleticism that belies his bulk.

NEW allies, villains, and fleshlings. Meet the new characters joining the ongoing battle to save the Earth in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts – and get reacquainted with old favorites. The Autobots Optimus Prime. The legendary Autobot leader, transforms into a red 1987 Freightliner LFA with silver trim. He is stoic, fearless, and determined to eliminate the Decepticon threat and ensure the safety of his Autobots, leading them back to Cybertron.

Combat abilities: Optimus Prime wields an Ion Blaster and an Energon Sword, making him a formidable fighter.

Voiced by: Peter Cullen

Bumblebee. An Autobot scout most known for forming friendships with humans, Bumblebee converts into a black and yellow 1977 Chevrolet Camaro, now with a rugged off-road update. Open, optimistic, and an eternal adventurer, he is fueled by the need to be there for his friends and fight to the end for the greater good.

Combat abilities: No matter the mission or challenge, Bumblebee will always bring his A-game. Mirage. This Autobot warrior, which has been stuck in an underground car park for way too long for his liking, converts into a silver 964-Gen Porsche 911. Cool, casual and can be a little cocky, Mirage delights in pushing limits and testing boundaries, and isn’t afraid to challenge authority. Despite all that, he sincerely believes in doing the right thing and would never let any harm come to his friends.

Combat abilities: Can do holographic illusions. With the ability to multiply before his opponents’ eyes, he can throw them off his tail in a flash.

Voiced by: Pete Davidson

Arcee. This Autobot sharpshooter transforms into a sleek, dark pink and white Ducati 916 motorcycle and enjoys verbal sparring with her friends and allies. Like her fellow Autobots,

Arcee is a tireless defender of freedom and the common good, dedicated to protecting the right of all sentient beings to determine their own destiny.

Combat abilities: In her motorcycle mode, Arcee dazzles with her agility and precision of movement as a hunter and an elite sharpshooter. And it doesn’t hurt that she has a double-barreled Ion blaster.

Voiced by: Liza Koshy Wheeljack. A master Autobot mechanic, Wheeljack, who’s been hiding out in South Africa, transforms into a brown and cream 1970 Volkswagen Bus. Known to his allies for his ingenuity and technical knowledge, Wheeljack is also committed to ending the war that threatens Earth, so he and the rest of the Autobots can make a peaceful return to Cybertron.

Combat abilities: An ingenious inventor, a crack mechanic, and an intrepid scientist, Wheeljack is one triple-threat Autobot.

Voiced by: Cristo Fernández

Stratosphere. This Autobot transport plane converts into a military-green monolith that’s an amalgamation of the body of a C-130 Hercules, the wings of a C-17 Globemaster III, the cockpit of a C-5 Galaxy, and the tail of an Antonov An-225. A gruff and unflappable senior member of the Autobot team, Stratosphere is currently grounded but ready to fly back into action.

Combat abilities: Stratosphere’s vast size can fit the entire Autobot team inside his massive cargo hold. He can also provide high-altitude covering fire.

Voiced by: John DiMaggio The Maximals Optimus Primal. The leader of the Maximals, a heroic beast faction of Transformers

bots, Optimus Primal has been hiding out in the jungles of Machu Picchu, Peru, and converts into a 13-foot-tall metallic silverback gorilla with fists the size of boulders. Optimus Primal and the rest of the Maximals are ever vigilant, watchful for the return of an evil they have battled across galaxies, for eons.

Combat abilities: A supersonic blur, Cheetor is the fastest of all the Transformers beasts. His sheer speed combined with his colossal claws means he can strike down his enemies before they even see him coming.

Voiced by: Tongayi Chirisa Rhinox. Another Maximal warrior, Rhinox converts into an enormous metallic Rhino –8,000 pounds of sheer force.

Combat abilities: Defined by his staggering strength and peerless physicality, once Rhinox gets going, he is impossible to stop.

considerable appetite for destruction, Battletrap’s left fist is capable of unleashing an electrified flail – a huge ball on a chain designed for maximum carnage.

Voiced by: David Sobolov Nightbird. A Terrorcon ninja, Nightbird is the ultimate assassin that converts into a jetblack Nissan Skyline GTR R33, with a suitably shadowy matt copper trim.

Combat abilities: An enemy you don’t see coming until it’s too late, Nightbird is armed with twin katanas and the ability to attack her victims in deadly silent strikes.

Voiced by: Michaela Jaé Rodriguez

Combat abilities: A roar from Primal is enough to stop enemies in their tracks, and a pound from his gigantic fists makes even the ground quake in fear.

Voiced by: Ron Perlman Airazor. A Maximal scout, Airazor converts into a peregrine falcon with a jaw-dropping wingspan and deadly poise and power and is unafraid to operate alone and fly without backup.

Combat abilities: Her falcon beast mode gives Airazor astonishing attack capabilities in tandem with her high-flying prowess, like being able to rain down destructive fire from her mighty beak.

Voiced by: Michelle Yeoh Cheetor. This Maximal warrior converts into a cheetah the size of a small truck with grace and

Voiced by: David Sobolov The Terrorcons Scourge. The formidable Terrorcon leader transforms into a menacing 1994 Peterbilt 359 truck. With its four exhausts emitting dark smoke and a terrifying front grill, Scourge instills fear as the universe’s most fearsome hunter. Ruthless, cunning, treacherous, and immensely powerful, Scourge commands the Terrorcons on their mission of annihilation, leaving a trail of chaos and destruction across countless worlds for millennia.

Combat abilities: Scourge is as patient as he is fierce and ferocious – a deadly combination. The ultimate Autobot-hunting machine, he has a giant electric claw and devastating blade. He also has a collection of six-legged Terrorcon Freezers – mechanical insectoids that can sniff out his prey.

Voiced by: Peter Dinklage

Battletrap. This elite Terrorcon scout and enforcer transforms into a blood orange and black GMC with a rear-mounted crane for dragging the carcasses of his defeated enemies away.

Combat abilities: In the spirit of his

‘The Clash 2023’ names new grand champion

Tonight, reality-talent competition The Clash 2023 wraps up its season with astounding performances and inspiring stories of triumph from the Final 4 Clashers.

The last four contenders outshined hundreds of aspirants and have passed the high standards of The Clash Panel Lani Misalucha Christian Bautista, and AiAi Delas Alas

The journey of the Final 4 clashers was also witnessed by The Clash Masters Rayver Cruz and Julie Anne San Jose Tonight, Arabelle dela Cruz, Li-

ana Castillo, Mariel Reyes, and Rex Baculfo will battle it out onstage to be named the new Grand Champion. In an interview, the Clashers shared the best thing they learned from the competition. According to Arabelle, “You can’t prevent yourself from feeling pressure while performing, but I learned how to handle my emotions on stage.” Liana, on the other hand, developed her own style of singing. “I used to be weak in storytelling through singing. But now, I can express my feelings more when I

perform,” she mentioned.

Meanwhile, The Clash 2023 taught Mariel to accept her flaws. She said, “I used to be sensitive when I read or hear something, I would immediately cry. But now, I can be strong all the time.”

Rex, on the other hand, gained confidence through the show. “When I started, I wasn’t confident at all. But because of The Clash, I learned to trust myself.” The Grand Finals of The Clash 2023 airs tonight at 7:50 on GMA Network.

The Deity Unicorn. Known as a devourer of planets, Unicron uses the energy from the ecosystems he’s ingested to become the most omnipotent force in the multiverse. An embodiment of evil, Unicron’s primary function is to bring chaos and ruin, and he uses the Terrorcons to accomplish this mission.

Combat abilities: Unicron is an ever-sohungry deity so large it can consume entire other worlds – and all life on them.

Voiced by: Colman Domingo

The Humans

Noah. He is an ex-military electronics expert who, in his pursuit to help provide for his family, becomes a reluctant hero in the war between enormous extra-terrestrial bots that could end humanity as we know it.

Combat abilities: He’s brave even when the odds are massively against him.

Played by: Anthony Ramos

Elena. A keen but largely underappreciated artifacts researcher working at the New York Museum of Archaeology, Elene has a passion for mankind’s history that might just safeguard its future.

Combat abilities: Terrorcons or not, Elena isn’t one to back down from a fight – especially one that can save the world.

Played by: Dominique Fishback

Mariel Reyes Arabelle dela Cruz

Wheeljack is a master Autobot mechanic and transforms into

Bus Arcee is a tireless defender of freedom

common good

Joining in the Autobots’ ongoing battle to save the Earth are Noah (left) and Elena The Scourge

Cheetor is the fastest of all the Transformers beasts and converts into a cheetah the size of a small truck

Optimus Primal is the leader of the Maximals, a heroic beast faction of Transformers bots

Rhinox

The legendary Autobot leader Optimus Prime

EXOTIC ANIMALS:

By Mariana Burgos

Are They Allowed as Pets in the Philippines?

KEEPING exotic animals as pets has continuously grown in popularity, as proven by in the previous several decades, there has been an increase in trade volume.

Snakes, pythons, geckos, salamanders, turtles, pangolins, insects, and even wildlife such as ostriches, tigers, and monkeys are examples of exotic pets. Unfortunately, some of these may be on the Philippines' list of endangered or vulnerable species.

There is a large illegal market for exotic pets where there are no rules. While there are genuine dealers, there are also opportunistic merchants and poachers, many of whom are active on social media and are looking to make a fast cash.

The unlawful and/or unsustainable trade in exotic species to be maintained as pets has a global impact on the conservation of many species. This trade also raises issues about animal welfare and worsens the problem with the invasion of non-native animals and the transmission of new zoonotic illnesses.

In 2001, Republic Act No. 9147, often known as the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, was signed into law. According to the Official Gazette of the Congress of the Republic of the Philippines, RA No. 9147 is a bill that established the required environmental policy to allow the Philippine government to manage and protect the country's wildlife resources completely.

According to the Act, it provides for the conservation, preservation, and protection of wildlife species and their habitats in order to preserve and encourage ecological balance and biological diversity; it also provides for the control and supervision of wildlife capture, hunting, and trade; and it finally provides for the support and promotion of scientific research on biodiversity protection.

According to the provisions of this Act, it shall apply to all wildlife species, including those living in protected areas as defined by Republic Act No. 7586, National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act, as well

as exotic species that could be traded, lived in captivity, bred in captivity, or propagated in the country. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will be in charge of all terrestrial plants and animals, turtles and tortoises, and wetland species, including crocodiles, waterbirds, amphibians, and dugong, while the Department of Agriculture (DA) will be in charge of all aquatic habitats deemed critical, all aquatic resources, including all fishes, aquatic plants, invertebrates, and all marine mammals, except dugong.

To sell exotic animals, pet retailers must get permis-

sion from the DENR. In addition, the business needs a Wildlife Farm Permit. The last thing you want is to discover that you purchased a lovely pet only to discover that it is on the endangered species list, placing you in violation of the law. The same requirements are expected of you, who plan to own these types of animals for your pet, whether you bought it, received it as a gift from someone, or saved it from an unexpected circumstance. You, the owner, have a duty to inform the DENR of your possession of such an animal and acquire the proper permits to, whether continue

owning it or surrendering it to proper authorities.

Taking care of a pet is never simple. Even dog owners go to their breeders for advice and information on a variety of topics, including maintenance and upkeep, feeding and nutrition, pet product suppliers, veterinary treatment, and so on. The same is true for exotic pets, which require extremely specialized care. For example, their food, housing arrangements, and care may be highly particular. A reliable supplier will be able to provide you with direction and aid in these situations.

Animals can become ill and even carry illnesses or bacteria/viruses that can be passed on to other pets or even humans. An opportunistic seller will not be interested in dealing with this since it involves money and a time and resource investment. Opportunistic dealers will just want to make quick cash, regardless of whether the exotic pet he gave you is sick, and neither you nor the seller is aware of it. This is also true for those who purchase dogs and cats from unscrupulous breeders who do not care if the animals they sell have been properly vaccinated and health examined. Some of the most expensive pets on the market may really be endangered species. Poachers and purchasers may see these creatures as trophies or rewards, utterly unaware that they are breaching the law and contributing to the loss of biodiversity. Would you feel at ease knowing that you contributed to the loss of biodiversity, notably the extinction of a vulnerable species? Would you want to go that low, be that heartless and soulless for a ‘trophy’ for yourself?

Pets are not throwaway objects that may be exchanged or dumped when you have had enough of them. If you purchase one for yourself, you should be prepared for the pet's upkeep requirements. If you are considering getting someone an exotic pet, you cannot assume that the recipient is prepared for it.

Exotic pets and domesticated pets may be extremely different in some aspects, yet they both demand the same level of responsibility, diligence, and education from their future owners.

About the Author: Mariana Burgos is a freelance artist. She has been a solo parent for 16 years now because she is wife to a desaparecido. She and her daughter are animal lovers and are active in advocating not only human rights but the rights of animals as well.

Vaginal Prolapse (Buwá in Tagalog) in Pets: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

HAVE you ever encountered a stray female dog or cat that has inflamed tissues protruding out of her private part? We usually call that “buwá” in Tagalog.

“Buwá”, in English, is vaginal prolapse or vaginal hyperplasia. As Dr. Bari Spielman says in his article, “Overview of Canine Vaginal Prolapse”, this ailment is seen as the protrusion of edematous (swollen) vaginal tissue into and through the aperture of the vulva, the external female genital organ, that occurs during particular stages of the estrus (heat) cycle. The whole circle of the vaginal wall protrudes, giving the exposed tissue a doughnut form. The disorder is comparable to fluid-filled tissue (edema) in nature.

Causes and Diagnosis

Jennifer Woolf, DVM, MS, in her paper "Protruding Vaginal Masses in Dogs," explains the distinction between vaginal hyperplasia and prolapse, which are frequently used interchangeably.

Although vaginal hyperplasia, swelling, and prolapse are all symptoms of the same condition, they are not the same, according to Woolf. Simply put, hyperpla-

sia indicates that there is more tissue than there should be due to the presence of more cells. Swelling, on the other hand, happens for causes other than a rise in the number of cells, such as an increase in the volume of fluid in between cells. A prolapse is a condition in which the vagina is everted (turned inside out) of the body. Consider something from within the body pulling the vagina outward, similar to turning a sock inside out. When paired with a prolapse, the tissue frequently swells.

The quantity of externalized vaginal tissue distinguishes vaginal prolapse from vaginal hyperplasia. Only a portion of the tissue is swollen in vaginal hyperplasia, and it is confined to the ventral part of the vagina. In vaginal prolapse, the swelling is much more extensive, and the mucosa protrudes outwards.

Woolf provides a simple illustration for vaginal hyperplasia. She claims that it is more uniform than a mass. Consider vaginal hyperplasia to be the difference between a thin cotton sock and a thick wool sock. The "walls" (vagina) of the wool sock are thicker than those of the cotton

sock, she says. If the sock could not extend outward for whatever reason, such as tight shoes, the amount of room within the sock for your foot would be reduced, and the sock would feel tight.

According to Woolf, if the hyperplasic vagina prolapses, a circular, tongue- or doughnut-shaped lump may be seen. It can clearly be seen on the dog. The prolapse is usually smooth and glossy at first, but it ultimately dries up and fractures known as fissures form. It is caused by an overreaction to estrogen and usually occurs soon before or during menstruation (proestrus).

Vaginal prolapse occurs most frequently in young, intact female dogs. The Labrador and Chesapeake Bay retriever, boxer, English bulldog, mastiff, German shepherd dog, St. Bernard, Airedale terrier, Springer spaniel, Walker hounds, and Weimaraner are the most often afflicted breeds.

It often occurs exclusively with intact dogs and cats since spayed dogs and cats do not have enough estrogen to trigger it. However, if a spayed pet is exposed to estrogen from outside her body, as can happen if a dog licks estrogen cream off

her owner's arm, a prolapse may develop.

A difficult labor and delivery may result in a prolapse, such as if the vagina everts outward as a result of the pressure and forces involved in giving birth.

Treatment

Unless the prolapse is severe, it should resolve on its own as the dog's or cat’s heat cycle progresses or when the pet is spayed. In minor situations, the pet merely needs washing and topical ointment to keep the tissue wet and prevent it from drying out.

If very minor tissue damage has occurred, your veterinarian can manually put it back in. It is initially thoroughly cleansed, and edema is decreased by using hypertonic dextrose or sugar. Sutures can then be used to secure it.

The tissue must be surgically removed if it is dead (necrotic). Woolf claims, spaying

her will prevent a recurrence and can be done at the same time as the dead tissue is removed.

Dogs or cats that have problems giving birth owing to the protrusion will almost certainly require a C-section, says Woolf.

To speed up ovulation, supportive treatments such as an E-collar to minimize self-trauma, a diaper with a lubricated pad, and hormone treatment can be used. However, according to Woolf, dogs do not generally respond well to hormones, and it is ineffective if given after ovulation, so it is rarely useful.

Following treatment, the intact dog should be monitored for relapse. Spaying is the only method of prevention.

If you see a pink lump coming out of your cat's or dog's vagina, she appears to be in pain, or she has difficulty peeing, it is an emergency and you should contact a veterinarian immediately. Mariana Burgos

A young ball python resting on a human hand.

(Photo from Dreamstine royalty-free images)

A tarantula in an aquarium.”

(Photo from Dreamstine royalty-free images)

Axolotl amphibians in an aquarium.

(Photo from Dreamstine royalty-free images)

An American Green Iguana on a tree. (Photo from Dreamstine royalty-free images)

A cat with vaginal prolapse gives birth. (Photo from Dreamstine royalty-free images)

A female shepherd’s behind showing a growth on her vagina.

(Photo from the article, “Vaginal prolapse related to ovarian granulosa cell tumor in an Anatolian Shepherd.”)

A dog with a growth in her private part.

(Photo the article, “My dog has a growth on her vagina”)