El Niño poses risk

shortage of nurses also means shortage of health workers.

I must commend the President for having commendable economic managers, which is all-important for full recovery.

As expected, there of course are those who do not agree with the President that he has made significant progress.

In fact, some critics have claimed that during his first year, he failed to deliver his promises, while there are also those who agree with BBM that he made significant progress.

As for me, an incurable optimist, I always see the glass half-full, not half-empty.

Next move of ICC

Now that the International Criminal Court has denied the appeal of the Philippine Solicitor General to stop the ICC from further investigating former President Duterte’s brutal and bloody war against illegal drugs with its many extra-judicial killings, together with the reported Davao Death Squad and its many killings when Duterte was still Davao City mayor and vice mayor, what is expected next?

It has been made clear to the ICC the country will not allow ICC investigators to come to the Philippines to investigate since that would be an incursion on Philippine sovereignty since the country is no longer a member of the Rome Statute that created the ICC, aside from the fact that the justice system of the Philippines is working.

So, what next, Santa Banana! BBM had in fact been quoted as saying the country is “done with the ICC,” meaning the Philippines will no longer have anything to do with it.

The next move of the ICC is perhaps the issuance of the warrant of arrest on former President Duterte and then Police Chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, now senator, who was the author of that brutal “Operation Tokhang” when Duterte was President and the “Operation Double Barrel” that killed so many poor victims of illegal drugs and resulted in so many extra-judicial killings.

While official figures recorded some 6,500 killings during Duterte’s six year term, unofficial estimates claimed no less than 28,000 were killed on claims by the police that those killed fought back.

The vernacular is “nanglaban.”

Warnings

With the issuance of search warrants against Duterte and “Bato,” they have been warned against going to countries where the ICC has powers to arrest them, particularly European countries.

Since the crimes leveled against Duterte and “Bato” are crimes against humanity will they ever escape from the long arms of the ICC?

That to me, is a big question.

Well, that’s how it is now.

Once the arrest warrants against Duterte and “Bato” are issued and since the Philippines will not allow the ICC to come to the country, what then?

Santa Banana, I guess Duterte and “Bato” will remain wanted men for crimes against humanity, just like the “Wanted” people during the Wild Wild West, until the long arm of the law will catch up with them.

Frankly, I would not like to be in their shoes.

Challenge

With statements from some sectors of the Philippines that in case a warrant of arrest is reissued, my gulay, against those involved in the illegal drugs war of Duterte, is that under Article 19 of the Rome Statute creating the ICC which would raise the issue of jurisdiction since the country affected would have the right to issue jurisdiction over crimes committed before the Philippines withdrawal.

Santa Banana, the British lawyer was reported by Vera Files that Vice President Sara Duterte and Senator Bong Go were mentioned.

This would be another issue that I cannot comment on at this time.

But, the PNP had said that now it will not cooperate with the ICC’s probe on those involved, and the Senate will never surrender “Bato” to the ICC. Abangan, as they say.

THE observation by some legislators the Philippines is on track to lead its Southeast Asian neighbors in economic growth and jobs creation in the months ahead whips up high emotions and expectations in this country of 114 million people.

But there are alarm bells that scathing El Niño weather conditions could pose some consequential peril, according to House of Representatives Minority Leader and 4Ps party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan.

“Government should spare no effort in mitigating El Niño’s adverse impact on irrigation water supply and farm harvests, which could put an unwanted upward pressure on food prices,” Libanan said on the eve of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s second State of the Nation Address Monday.

Earlier on, the country;s Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) issued its first El Niño advisory as the Geneva-based World Meteorological Organization warned of surging temperatures across large parts of the world after the weather pattern emerged in the tropical Pacific for the first time in seven years.

“We are now really sure [that El Niño is here] because we are certain about the warming of ocean surfaces. We are not seeing any scenario where this would not

Hopes are high the country will be able to ride out the menace of El Niño affect us,” Esperanza Cayanan, deputy director of Pagasa told a news conference. There are observations investments and employment are on the rise, consumption spending on the upswing, public and private construction revving up, and even foreign tourists coming back in droves.

Libanan remarked: “It would seem the President’s overseas promotional trips in his first year in office, particularly to Japan, Singapore and the United States, are starting to bear fruit in generating new investments.”

According to the Manila-based Asian Development Bank, the Philippines’ gross domestic product is projected to grow at 6.0 percent this year—the highest in Southeast Asia—with Vietnam expanding by 5.8 percent, Indonesia by 4.8 percent, Malaysia by 4.7 percent, Thailand by 3.5 percent and Singapore by 1.5 percent.

Analysts have also said the country’s unemployment rate dropped to 4.3 percent in May this year from 6.0 percent in May 2022 and 4.5 percent in April 2023, based on the Labor Force Survey results released by the Philippines Statistics Authority on July 7. Weather observers have noted El Niño is present in the tropical Pacific and will persist until the first quarter of 2024, showing signs of strengthening in the next months.

Pagasa itself said: “El Niño increases the likelihood of below-normal rainfall conditions, which could bring negative impacts (such as dry spells and droughts) in some areas of the country. “However, over the western part of the country, above-normal rainfall conditions during the Southwest monsoon season (Habagat) may also be expected.”

When the Philippines last endured a full-blown El Niño event in 2019, vast parts of the country, plus Metro Manila, reeled from a drought that caused widespread water shortages and farm losses, after dams and lakes that supply potable and irrigation water experienced a massive decline in rainfall. Hopes are high the country will be able to ride out the menace of El Niño.

Artisan Hub Creative: An emerging graphic design firm

By Armenio Manuel

IN TODAY’S visually driven world, graphic design plays a significant role in capturing attention and conveying messages effectively.

While larger design agencies have dominated the industry, a new player has emerged – a small yet fiercely competitive graphic design firm making waves with its perceived unique approach, fresh perspectives, and unwavering commitment to creativity.

We spent some space to see the kind of story behind this budding firm and its owner to locate the factors that contribute to its remarkable success.

Artisan Hub Creative is owned by Heracles Lord Bernardo A. Cabie, an entrepreneur who owns multiple businesses whose vision is to challenge the status quo and deliver exceptional design solutions. Driven by his passion for artistry and a deep understanding of design principles, he embarked on a journey to carve out a niche for himself in a soggy industry. With a relentless pursuit of perfection and a “client-centric” mindset, his small firm quickly gained recognition for its ability to transform ideas into compelling visual narratives that captivate audiences across various platforms. What sets this small firm apart from its competitors is its distinctive approach to design.

Rejecting the notion of one-size-fits-all solutions, they prioritize collaboration and invest time in understanding their clients’ unique needs, brand values, and target audience. Armed with this knowledge, they infuse their creativity into every project, delivering tailored designs that seamlessly align with clients’ objectives.

Their work exudes innovation and elegance, incorporating cutting-edge techniques, fresh color palettes, and captivating visuals that leave a lasting impact.

As the graphic design landscape evolves, this new and small yet fiercely competitive firm believes it can stand alongside the industry giants

Despite its size, this graphic design firm keeps pace with the dynamic landscape of design technology.

They optimize their workflow, enabling them to efficiently execute projects with precision and speed.

They leverage technology to enhance their creative process and deliver outstanding results. This commitment enables them to compete with larger firms and consistently exceed client expectations.

Asked what the main key to his firm’s success is, Cabie said: “We still have a lot to learn in terms of the industry’s (design) dynamics and since we are fairly new to the game, I wouldn’t say we have reached success just as yet.

“We still have a long way to go. But to answer the question, I think collaboration, on top of creativity, communication, strategy, problem solving and time management, lies at the heart of this firm’s success.

“Currently, we thrive on open communication and foster strong relationships with clients. By working closely with clients throughout the design process, we ensure that the final product accurately reflects the client’s vision while infusing it with our own unique expertise.”

He added: “This collaborative approach not only strengthens the creative output but also builds trust and long-term partnerships with clients.

“It is through this shared vision and seamless teamwork that we are able to consistently deliver exceptional design solutions.”

As the graphic design landscape evolves, this new and small yet fiercely competitive firm believes it can stand alongside the industry giants.

Their relentless pursuit of excellence, distinctive approach to design, technological leverage, and emphasis on collaboration have propelled them to the forefront of the field.

By offering custom-made solutions that effectively communicate their clients’ messages, they have cultivated a loyal client base and garnered acclaim within the industry.

As they continue to push boundaries and challenge conventional design norms, it is evident this firm’s trajectory is one of success and innovation, making them a force to be reckoned with in the graphic design world.

(Armenio Manuel, a free-lance writer, is a retired university professor who taught in different schools before the onslaught of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020.)