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‘NIYOGYUGAN’ FESTIVAL. Performers and onlookers surround one of the grand floats in the Niyogyugan 2023 festival that highlights Quezon Province’s top product—coconut—on Saturday, which coincides with the birth anniversary of former President Manuel L. Quezon. The event gathered tourists from across the country as they watched the float parade and street dance competitions in Lucena City. Joey O. Razon
HE municipal council of Kalayaan in Palawan province has declared Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian a persona non grata after the envoy defended the harassment of China Coast Guard and militia ships against local vessels in the West Philippine Sea two weeks ago.its previous RoRe mission – with a marked use of water cannons –saw only one civilian resupply ship reach the Sierra Madre with just two weeks’ worth of supplies.
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This developed as the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Saturday called on the CCG to not interfere in the next resupply mission to troops stationed at the Ayungin Shoal aboard the BRP Sierra Madre, which is scheduled sometime next week.
Ayungin, as well as Rizal Reef, Balagtas Reef, and six nearby islands, are under Kalayaan town’s jurisdiction.
“(The Chinese) should not interfere in our RoRe (rotation and resupply) mission,” said AFP spokesperson Colonel Medel Aguilar in a News Forum in Quezon City, which he said would be “soon.”
However, the AFP must deliver supplies to its troops in Ayungin this week after the Chinese Coast Guard and militia blockade of
Resolution No. 125-015 declaring Huang an undesirable person in the Palawan town was authored by Kalayaan Sangguniang Bayan Member Maurice Philip Alexis Albayda, who delivered a privileged speech condemning the Chinese envoy’s statement defending the actions of the CCG.
Since Kalayaan is the only town in the West Philippine Sea, the local government has the responsibility to stand up to such actions, Albayda added.
The Standard tried to reach the
US, JAPAN, KOREA BLAST BEIJING ON SEA ACTS
The leaders said they saw a “new chapter” of close three-way security cooperation as the Asian allies joined a first-of-a-kind summit that has already rattled China.
Going tieless at the bucolic Camp David presidential retreat, Biden praised the “political courage” of South Korean
ONE ON THREE.
President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in turning the page on historical animosity.
“Your leadership, with the full support of the United States, has brought us here because each of you understands that our world stands at an inflection point,” Biden told a joint news conference in the wooded hills outside Washington.
Biden insisted the summit was not about China, which has been flexing its muscle both at home and in Asia under President Xi Jinping, including with major exercises around self-ruling
But in a joint statement, the three leaders said they opposed the “dangerous and aggressive behavior” of China in maritime disputes in the East and South China Sea.
“We strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the waters of the Indo-Pacific,” it said (see related story on World, A4 -- Editors).
The two US allies largely see eye to eye on the world -- and together are the base for some 84,500 US troops -- but such a summit would have been unthinkable until recently due to the legacy of Japan’s harsh 1910-1945 occupation of the Korean peninsula. AFP
Chinese Embassy for comment but has yet to receive one as of press time. Sources said Huang was currently in Beijing after CCG vessels used water cannons and dangerous maneuvers against Philippine vessels heading for Ayungin on August 5, eliciting local and international criticism.
The Philippines, in response, sent a note verbale to China to protest the incident. Huang was also summoned by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs to explain his country’s actions.
Asked what the military would do should the China Coast Guard not heed their call, AFP’s Aguilar said: “We will see what will happen.” Charles Dantes and Jimbo Gulle
Arroyo: I never vowed to move ‘Sierra Madre’
FORMER President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, currently representing Pampanga in Congress, on Saturday broke her silence on the issue of the BRP Sierra Madre, saying she never promised China she would have the ship removed from the Ayungin Shoal during her tenure.
“I have been asked to comment on claims that the Philippine government had promised China to remove BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal.... I never made such a promise to China or any other country. Second, I never authorized any of my government officials to make such a promise,” said Arroyo in a statement.
THE BRAVE, BOLD DELICIOUS WORLD OF ONE WORLD DELI CRAVINGS|C3
BRISBANE—Sweden scored either side of half-time to spoil Australia’s party and claim the third spot at the Women’s World Cup with a 2-0 victory on Saturday.
In front of a crowd of nearly 50,000, Sweden took the lead with a 30thminute penalty by Fridolina Rolfo and doubled their advantage with a powerful strike from Kosovare Asllani just after the hour.
Ranked third in the world, this is the fourth time that Sweden has finished third at the tournament.
They fully deserved their win against
the hosts, dominating the midfield and keeping talismanic Australian striker Sam Kerr relatively quiet.
Meanwhile, Skipper Millie Bright said that England will need to play “the game of our lives” to beat Spain in Sunday’s Women’s World Cup final.
When the Lionesses kick off at Stadium Australia in Sydney they will attempt to do what no England side, men or women, has managed since 1966 -- win the World Cup.
Bright said the European champions must treat it as just another game but
admitted there was no escaping the enormity of the occasion for the country, the team, and the players.
Like Spain, England is into the final for the first time.
Australia’s other dangerous attacker, Mary Fowler, had a night to forget as she struggled physically against the size and power of the Swedish defenders.
By contrast, Sweden striker Stina Blackstenius caused havoc among the Australian defense during her 63 minutes on the pitch and had a hand in both goals. AFP
SCHOOL heads and teachers should “not take too literally” the Department of Education’s (DepEd) order that prohibits classroom decorations, saying this only pertains to unnecessary posters, the Teacher’s Dignity Coalition said on Saturday.
Benjo Basas, the coalition’s national chairperson, said DepEd Order No. 21 did not specify anything aside from the removal of insignificant and oversized posters and tarpaulins in classrooms, some of which might involve ads.
Basas said teachers should disagree once important visual aids would be asked to be removed, most especially those that they be -
lieve could greatly benefit students’ learning.
This includes, he said, educational posters on the solar system, the table of elements, the Panatang Makabayan, and bionotes on the country’s heroes.
“We call on our colleagues, our school heads, teachers — don’t take it too literally. Ang sinasabi naman ng ating kalihim at vice president ay
unnecessary. Pag sinabing unnecessary, yung mga hindi natin kailangan,” he said.
Schools earlier this week took down school decorations to follow DepEd Order 21, which mandates that school grounds, classrooms, and all its walls and other school facilities should be clean and free from unnecessary artwork, decorations, tarpaulin, and posters at all times. This means classroom walls should be bare.
Oversized signages with commercial advertisements, sponsorships, endorsements, announcements of any kind are also prohibited.
ACT Teachers Party-list Representative France Castro, meanwhile
said visual aids are not a distraction to students, contrary to the VicePresident’s belief.
Castro also described the order as “unnecessary” as visual aids help elementary students. Instead of these issues, she said the DepEd should focus on the pressing matters that hound the education sector instead.
It seemed that many teachers “disagreed” with the directive, Castro said, noting that DepEd did not also release any study supporting their order.
“There was no consultations with the teachers on what to do with these visual aids kung kailangan o hindi,” she added.
By Joel E. Zurbano
THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and local government units (LGUS) have resumed their campaign to clear public roads in the National Capital Region.
The authorities, led by a team from the MMDA Metro Parkways Clearing Group, conducted the recent clearing operations in areas like Baclaran in Paranaque City and EDSA Taft Avenue in Pasay City, where illegally parked vehicles, pedicabs, and sidewalk vendors were removed.
A team from the MMDA New Task Force Special Operations Unit also removed and towed illegally parked vehicles in La Salle Greenhills, resulting in fines and penalties for the violators.
THINK tank Infrawatch PH is supporting the call of Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez for Congress to reduce water system loss by setting up mechanisms to assist water districts to ensure that more Filipinos have access to potable water.
Infrawatch PH Convenor Terry Ridon made the statement after Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) Chair Ronnie Ong publicly sought support
from Congress to reduce the almost 30 percent annual water system loss recorded by water districts across the country.
Ong bared data from LWUA which show that of the 584 water districts in the country, at least 244 water districts have rates of non-revenue water (NRW) – or water that is pumped and then lost or unaccounted for– that exceeds 21 percent, LWUA further bared that about 20 water districts have NRW rates that go as high as 71 percent.
On average, water districts record an NRW rate of 29.34 percent, which translates to around 488 million cubic meters – or about half the capacity of Angat Dam.
High NRW rates are attributed to the lack of budget of most water districts to install new pipes, conduct regular maintenance and repairs, and the “virtual” water-loss component due to meter inaccuracies, illegal connections and billing errors.
The agency, with the help of police personnel and local enforcers, also started road clearing operations along Mabuhay Lanes, which serve as alternate routes for private vehicles avoiding the congested EDSA.
The campaign aims to alleviate road congestion by the start of classes on Aug. 29 and the upcoming holiday season, when traffic is expected to be heavy.
Local chief executives have asked for assistance in reclaiming public roads and clearing areas in their jurisdiction from all kinds of obstruction.
Meanwhile, the MMDA is mapping out traffic management plans for areas near Xavier School, Saint Pedro Poveda, La Salle Greenhills, and Immaculate Conception Academy.
TOKYO reaffirmed on Saturday its support for the 2016 Arbitral Ruling on the South China Sea, as it agreed in a historic first to enhance security cooperation with the United States and South Korea amid rising challenges in the region.
“At the historic (Japan, US, South Korea) summit, leaders strongly oppose China’s offensive acts of unlawful maritime claims in the South China Sea, in particular, dangerous use of coast guard, maritime militia vessels and coercive activities,” Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhiko Koshikawa posted on X (formerly Twitter).
“Compliance with the 2016 Arbitral Award and UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) is vital for the region,” he added (see related story on A1 -- Editors).
The landmark ruling, issued by the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration in July 2016, upheld the Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction in its exclusive economic zone, including the Ayungin Shoal, which sits 105 nautical miles off mainland Palawan province. Japan was among the nations that called out the Chinese Coast Guard’s use of water cannon against Philippine boats en route to resupply the beached BRP Sierra Madre at the Ayungin Shoal on Aug. 5.
US President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol agreed in a trilateral summit at the Camp David US military base in Maryland on Aug. 18 to elevate their trilateral security cooperation against what they described in a joint statement as “dangerous and aggressive actions” of China and the attempt to “unilaterally change the status quo in the Indo-Pacific waters.”
THE Philippine Consulate General described Saturday the difficulty in identifying the people who died in the wildfires that ripped through the island of Maui in Hawaii.
Consul General Emil Fernandez said authorities had to get DNA samples from people who said their relatives were still missing from the fires.
“A big part of the operations is gathering the remains and painstakingly identifying them kasi ito ay burnt victims,” Fernandez said in a radio interview.
“Unless you have DNA samples, if (the subject) doesn’t have a fingerprint or dental (records)... you have to rely on their DNA. That is why they are soliciting DNA from those who are missing loved ones,” he added.
At least 111 people are known to have died in what was the deadliest wildfire in the United States in over a century, including an elderly Filipino.
By Gabriellea Pariño
AN ENVIRONMENTAL group urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to issue an executive order to stop all Manila Bay reclamation projects to stop further flooding.
The Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE), a local campaign center for the environment, said that while the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)’s process may temporarily halt the project, the President should also extend his support.
“We suggested that a cumulative assessment be made which the DENR has already begun by putting the projects on hold, but the President should bare his teeth by releasing an executive order,” Aldrein Silanga of Kalikasan PNE said in an interview.
Silanga emphasized the importance of regularly cleaning waterways so that damage near the Manila Bay and other reclamation project areas will not worsen.
THE transport group Pasang Masda on Saturday said it will ask the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for a provisional fare increase of P1.
Pasang Masda president Obet Martin also said if the prices of petroleum products normalize, the provisional P1 fare increase will be recalled.
Oil firms recently implemented a new round of price hikes for diesel products earlier this month.
Oil Industry Management Bureau
Assistant Director Rodela Romero, quoted by GMA News Online, however, said that the prices of diesel may have no adjustment or will have a rollback of P0.20 per liter this coming week
Other transport groups Manibela and Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga
THE head of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) ordered the dismantling of all “kubols” or makeshift rooms in all prison facilities in the country.
Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. in a statement said this is part of BuCor’s crackdown on contraband inside prison cells.
“We ask them to demolish it for transparency... We need to do this so that we can confiscate contrabands still in possession of PDLs. They are fully aware that we have given them chances to surrender all their contraband but if they still refuse and they are caught red-handed, I’m sorry to say that they will have to stay longer at NBP as we will not hesitate to file charges against them,” Catapang, in the statement said.
The BuCor also reported that
PDLs at the New Bilibid Prison voluntarily dismantled 60 makeshift rooms or kubols located at the security housing building 1 and 6 NBP North, SHB 9 NBP East Quadrant 4 and SHB 7 NBP West Quadrant 2, while the dismantling of kubol in Quadrant 3
Maximum security compound is still ongoing.
Catapang also warned that starting Monday, BuCor personnel from the Diversified Maintenance Unit will tear down “kubols” still installed inside the NBP.
He added that he has instructed newly-appointed Deputy Director General for Operations, Gil Torralba to lead the operation, as well as the Greyhound (Galugad) operation that will be conducted regularly at the national penitentiary.
Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) meanwhile clarified that they were not seeking a fare hike, but the junking of the Oil DeregulationLaw and the excise tax on fuel.
Manibela President Mar Valbuena in a radio interview on Super Radyo dzBB, confirmed that the group is not asking for the fare hike.
Valbuena said there is already a memorandum circular from the LTFRB indicating an automatic fare adjustment if there are movements in the prices of oil.
PISTON also reiterated that rollbacks
on oil and fuel taxes would be helpful for drivers and operators.
“Sa ngayon, halos P250 kada araw ang nawawalang kita ng mga driver dahil sa mataas na presyo ng petrolyo... Kung kami ay nakaka-30 liters per day sa loob ng 25 days, halos 7,000 pesos ang nawawalang kita sa loob ng 25 days.” PISTON National President Mody Floranda said on Super Radyo dzBB.
According to Manibela, the provision of an adequate fuel subsidy at the soonest possible time would be the best solution to the issue.
Silanga also lambasted businessman Ramon Ang for his earlier statements claiming that the New Manila International Airport (NMIA) projects have nothing to do with the bay area flooding.
“The project may cause flooding if the channels in which the waters flow out are blocked by the reclamation materials,” Silanga said.
Reports by Kalikasan PNE have found that Mega Manila, Cavite, and Central Luzon will be the most affected by the flooding should the reclamation projects ensue.
POLICE and airport officials in Manila on Saturday urged air travelers to refrain from making bomb jokes or spreading rumors about bomb threats to prevent panic or inconvenience.
The authorities came up with the warning following the recent arrest of two travelers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminals 1 and 3 for violating Presidential Decree 1727, or the Anti-Bomb Joke Law.
Operatives of the Police - Aviation Security Group and Airport Police Department arrested a 21-yearold passenger from Calamba, Laguna, after sending a bomb threat via text message to the NAIA hotline.
Another passenger, identified as a resident of 258F, Teresa St., Sta. Mesa, Manila, was also questioned about the presence of bombs in his luggage during the check-in process in NAIA Terminal 1.
The passenger admitted to uttering the phrase “Chicharon yan kaso pinadala sa akin, chicharon bomba, joke lang.”
The suspects were passengers of Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Air flights going to Singapore.
THE Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is pouring in more community projects to Basilan towns, following the turnover last week of a P 25-million two-storey public market building to the municipal local government of Lantawan town
Officials have laid cornerstones for the installation of a P15-million saltwater desalination facility and the construction of a P 25-million, two-storey municipal hall building in Haji Mohtamad town.
“Local development programs are designed for BARMM to better build a strong governance founded on the firm transition from a state of conflict to environment of peace-- and towards development,” BARMM Interior and Local Government Minister said, during a press conference hosted Friday by the region’s Bangsamoro Information Office (BIO).
A seawater desalination system now being installed each in Haji Muhtamad and Tabuan Lasa towns in Basilan, will provide residents with some 5,000 cubic meters of potable, safe drinking water on a daily basis in each of the two towns, Sinarimbo said
On the other hand, Sinarimbo said, public market buildings are envisioned to boost the inherent corporate powers of LGUs to improve their levels of revenue collection on local taxes and rents, and even sell the towns’ leading products to locals and as an economic component of the local tourism development. This, Sinarimbo said, will support foresights of opening a new environment of domestic trading with improved economic support facilities. Similar seawater desalination facilities
were transported to boost inland tapping for domestic water sources in Pangutaran, Pata, Hadji Panglima Tahil and Pandami. Coastal residents of these towns needed to cross three hours on boat to Tapul Island or Siasi to fetch potable water across the turbulent Sulu Sea.
The 10K Seawater Desalination system is a reduced size of the usual water treatment plant, and siphons source of water directly from the sea Architect Glory Rose Metilla said public market and barangay hall buildings in BARMM are designed with architectural motifs inspired by the rich culture and tradition of the Bangsamoro heritage and history.
The two-level market building is equipped with facilities like water pipe lines, hybrid power supply, cold storage and tiled stalls of modern design. Nash B. Maulana
SAN FRANCISCO—Elon Musk said Friday his social media company X would scrap a feature that allows users to block posts from specific accounts.
“Block is going to be deleted as a ‘feature’, except for DMs,” Musk posted, indicating the option would still be available for “direct messages” between users of the social media platform, formerly known as Twitter. The feature is used to restrict interaction with specific accounts on the platform.
Musk has repeatedly cited a desire for free speech as motivating his changes, and lashed out at what he sees as the threat posed to free expression by changing cultural sensitivities.
Since the tycoon bought the social media platform for $44 billion last October, its advertising business has collapsed, in part because of its looser approach to blocking hate speech, and the return of previously banned far-right accounts. AFP
BEIJING—China held air and sea drills around Taiwan on Saturday, in what it said was a “stern warning” after the island’s vice president visited the United States.
William Lai -- the frontrunner in Taiwan’s presidential election next year and a vocal opponent of Beijing’s claims to the island -- returned Friday from a trip to Paraguay, during which he stopped in New York and San Francisco.
China has reacted angrily to the US stops, and on Saturday reiterated that Lai was a “troublemaker”
CABO SAN LUCAS—Mexico prepared Friday for a powerful Pacific hurricane that triggered a warning of “potentially catastrophic” flooding in a northwestern tourist region and the neighboring US state of California.
Hurricane Hilary threatened to bring strong winds, flash floods and “lifethreatening” surf and rip current conditions, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.
“We’ve already had to live through similar experiences. We know what can happen to us. We must be prepared with food, canned goods, and candles,” Marlen Hernandez, a 30-year-old restaurant worker, told AFP.
Hilary’s maximum sustained winds reached about 145 miles (230 kilometers) an hour before slowing slightly on Friday, according to the NHC. AFP
while vowing to take “resolute measures... to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
The People’s Liberation Army “launched joint air and sea patrols and military exercises of the navy and air force around the island of Taiwan” on Saturday, military spokesperson Shi Yi said, according to state media outlet Xinhua.
Taiwan said 42 warplanes had entered its air defense zone since 9 am (0100 GMT), and eight Chinese vessels cooperated in the exercises.
Twenty-six of the warplanes involved crossed the Taiwan Strait median line, the island’s ministry of defense said in a statement.
Xinhua said the drills were carried out “in the waters and airspace to the north and southwest of Taiwan Island” to test the PLA’s ability “to seize control of air and sea spaces” and fight “in real
combat conditions”.
They were also intended to serve as “a stern warning to the collusion of ‘Taiwan independence’ separatists with foreign elements and their provocations”, it added.
A social media video published by the PLA on Saturday showed soldiers in fatigues sprinting through a military facility and fighter jets soaring above clouds, set to action movie-style music.
Taiwan said it strongly condemned “such irrational and provocative behaviour” and that it would dispatch “appropriate forces” to respond “with practical actions”.
“Conducting a military exercise this time under a pretext not only does not help the peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, but also highlights (China’s) militaristic mentality,” Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence said. AFP
KYIV—Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a visit to Sweden on Saturday, saying he had arrived in the Scandinavian country for talks with the government, political parties and the Swedish royal family.
The visit comes almost a yearand-a-half into the Russian invasion of Ukraine and as Stockholm is set on joining NATO, like its neighbor Finland.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting with the commander of Moscow’s Ukraine offensive in an army HQ in the southern Russia city of Rostovon-Don, the Kremlin said early Saturday.
Moscow gave no details on when the meeting took place, but footage released by state media indicated it was at night. The Russian leader met the generals after the US approved the transfer of Dutch and Danish F-16s to Kyiv.
“Olena and I arrived in Sweden,” Zelensky said on social media, referring to his wife. He said he will hold talks focused on “partnership, defence cooperation, EU integration, and common Euro-Atlantic security.”
“I thank all Swedes who support Ukraine.” AFP
SEOUL—North Korea on Saturday lashed out at the United Nations for accusing the Pyongyang regime of widespread systematic human rights violations and called North Korean defectors who had escaped from hardships “human scum”, according to state media.
The name-calling came after the nuclear-armed state was held accountable at the UN Security Council meeting on Thursday for spending heavily on its nuclear arms program while its people go hungry and lack basic necessities.
Ilhyeok Kim, a North Korean defector, told the council that he had been forced at a young age to work in fields without compensation, and that the grain they grew all went to the military.
“The government turns our blood and sweat into a luxurious life for the leadership and missiles that blast our hard work into the sky,” he said.
“The money spent on just one missile could feed us for three months.” AFP
KELOWNA, Canada -- Wildfires bore down on two Canadian cities Friday, with firefighters in the west bracing for another “scary” night as stunned refugees from the far north began arriving at shelters after their entire city was evacuated.
The two fronts in British Columbia and the Northwest Territories are just the latest in a summer of devastating wildfires across the country that have forced tens of thousands from their homes and left millions of acres scorched.
The blazes have caused “terrible loss,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters after meeting evacuees from Yellowknife, capital of the Northwest Territories, as they arrived in Edmonton, Alberta, hundreds of miles (kilometers) to the south with no idea when they may return home again.
Meanwhile the premier of western British Colombia, David Eby, declared a state of emergency there late Friday.
The announcement came as the fire burning west of Kelowna, a town of 150,000 people in the Okanagan Valley, exploded a hundred fold in size to 6,800 hectares over the past day.
Officials described firefighters being forced to pull back and some becoming trapped behind lines while making “heroic efforts” to rescue residents.
“We fought hard last night to protect our community,” local fire chief Jason Brolund told a briefing on Friday.
“A significant number of structures were lost,” he said, but no injuries or fatalities were reported.
“It was like 100 years of firefighting all at once, in one night,” he said, adding that he expected “another scary night tonight” under an eerie glow of the fires.
Thousands of households on Kelowna’s west side were ordered evacuated or told late Thursday to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.
“The situation is unpredictable right now and there are difficult days ahead,” Eby told a news conference.
- ‘Empty’ -
In the far north, Yellowknife was a ghost town late Friday after ordering its entire population to leave by the afternoon -- the largest ever evacuation from the region.
Most of its 20,000 inhabitants left by car, snaking along the lone highway connecting the remote capital of the Northwest Territories to southern Alberta province.
The nearest evacuation center is 1,150 kilometers (700 miles) away, in Alberta, where several sites have been set up. AFP
ABUSINESS venture gone awry stoked a former OFW’s desire to create an independent brand that would offer interesting food choices and satisfy Filipinos’ cravings for American food.
Teaming up with the same friends who joined him in their first business venture, Philip Danao spearheaded an R&D groundwork to find out what food business could disrupt the Philippine food scene. And that breathed life into the All Original American diner.
“We noticed there hasn’t been any new innovation in the pizza segment. We’re been on the lookout for trends that would make our food venture an interesting one, something that would click with the customers, something unusually good tasting without straying from the mainstream,” he said.
Starting with an initial investment of P4 million to P5 million per store, Danao and five of his former high school classmates put up the first two branches at Eastwood Mall and Robinson’s Magnolia in 2019 and later on branched out to another store at Ayala Malls Circuit.
Danao was daunted by the task of managing these stores at the same time. As three of his partners are also active entrepreneurs with other businesses to manage, while the other two are OFWs working in Singapore and Hong Kong, he was designated as the all-around business manager.
The group previously invested in a restaurant franchise that folded before the pandemic struck. Without the proper training and franchise manual, Danao and his partners were grasping at straws to save a business that was bound to fail.
Later did he realize that his background in finance and project management, working for the United Nations and global NGOs, prepared him for his role as entrepreneur. His last project was in Myanmar before he came back to the Philippines for good.
business, an investment he pray will be worth his sacrifices. He managed to save up while working as an OFW, with the goal of establishing a business once he got back home.
In their second attempt at comanaging the business, they had to revisit their experiences from the failed collaboration to gather insights and create a checklist of red flags to avoid.
“We made sure to put our learnings to good use, lest we’ll fall into same pitfalls we did in our past franchise. We carefully studied the local food business to determine what can be our advantage over known brands and how can we offer better food to customers,” Danao said.
Full-menu diner
One of the unique value offerings of All Original American is the diner’s signature “Pizza by the Meter”. Unlike the traditional round or square pizza, the All Original American pizza is an elongated pizza that stretches up to one meter, covered with edge-to-edge toppings on a bed of wheat bread instead of crust.
“The exciting part is that customers have an option to try out different set of toppings for every 20 centimeters.
So for a meter long pizza, you’ll have at least five kinds of toppings. Some of our customers call it the Boodle Fight Pizza. The experience is fun and filling,” Danao said.
ICT Singapore Pte. Ltd.
(Converge SG), the international unit of leading fiber broadband and technology solutions provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc., welcomed the addition of Victor Koh to lead Converge SG as general manager and head of international and wholesale sales. Koh will be responsible for managing its operations while driving revenue growth by extending connectivity services and fiber optic capacity to international markets.
“Converge has a good opportunity to develop a strong presence in the international carrier space. I’m excited to fulfill my role and support Converge to become the partner of choice for regional international carriers especially as the market becomes more competitive in broadband services,” he said, certain that his 30 years of experience in the information technology and telecommunications industry, will help the company innovate more and extend its reach to new territories.
Converge CEO and founder Dennis Uy said the company’s international unit is now up and running, fully geared up to service enterprise customers outside the Philippines.
The brand may sound foreign, but the All Original American diner, despite its colonial vibe, is a home-grown Filipino enterprise offering mainstream menu that Filipinos learned to love when American diners were a craze in the early ‘80s to ‘90s.
A personal favorite of Danao is the Quattro Cheese Pizza and the well-marinated chunky ribs which are baked for six hours in the oven. The restaurant uses only the finest meat cuts approved by the USDA, and even the chicken wings used for the unli-chicken meal are from the US. Vegetables are locally-sourced, giving premium to local enterprises. Coping with crisis Operations took a nose-dive during COVID-19 pandemic. With the on and off lockdown protocol, all businesses were mostly shuttered throughout the first half of 2020. All Original American pivoted from serving in-store to packing lunch boxes for the
Filipinos learned to love when American diners
essential sectors as orders poured in from donors and from institutional employers like the hotels and accommodation facilities that temporarily operated as quarantine centers.
Orders further spiked when malls were designated as COVID-19 vaccination centers and the preferred location for the rollout of the National ID program.
The diner also strengthened its social media presence by engaging more customers on FaceBook and Instagram.
With the relaxation of COVID protocols, the business faced the reality of having to compete head on as more and more food chains started reopening. While the pick-up was slow, there was already a cult following of the restaurant by that time. The diner became a popular hang-out of locales and foreigners who are adventurous and fearless in their food choices.
“We realize the opportunities presented by wholesale as a driver for our enterprise business and Converge will continue to capitalize on that. Converge SG stands ready to enable telecommunication firms, carriers, cable companies, and other businesses in delivering intra-Asia and Trans-Pacific connectivity capabilities for their operations,” he said.
Converge attained a Facilities-Based Operations (FBO) Licence in Singapore mid-year to deploy telecommunications infrastructure and provide connectivity services to wholesale and enterprise customers in the region. Through its global subsidiary, Converge offers a variety of international connectivity services, such as EthernetInternational Private Line (E-IPL) service, Dedicated Internet Access (DIA) service, and submarine cable capacities, among others.
supervisors to run place,
The restaurant features signature
while my partners put in their share
“I’ve never had formal training to run a food business, much less, a food chain. But I’ve had help from my staff. We have store managers and supervisors to help me run the place, while my partners put in their share to fund the business.
And since I’m the only one who have spare time, I am the go-to guy, the business cofounder who checks in daily and does all the gritty stuff,” he said, adding that co-owners virtually meet once a month for updates and to collegially decide on business concerns.
Danao owns 20 percent of the
“We’re still surviving. We’re not famous yet, and we’re still brand building. Competition can be intense but with what we are offering—good food, good company and the best ribs, pizzas and burgers this side of town—we are optimistic that we are in for a good ride for a long time,” Danao said.
To make some noise, the diner prepares for a publicity stunt by trying to create the world’s longest pizza come October at the All Original American branch at Ayala Malls Serin in Tagaytay City. The gimmick is in line with the celebration of the United Nations Day coinciding with the biggest beer promotion month.
Danao said the brand is also exploring the dynamic world of franchising to expand its market presence. Scalded by their failed venture, the co-owners are looking at engaging the services of a franchising consultation group to arm them with the necessary tools for expansion.
MEAT retailers Jerome and Anna Trofeo were having trouble sourcing healthy hogs to meet their customers’ requirements 2 years ago, with the African Swine Fever significantly affecting the output of hog growers nationwide. Determined to keep their “Annie & Jerome Trofeo” meat stall running, Anna decided to expand their business and establish their own commercial swine farm.
specialties from several US States—the California Pizza, Colorado Sizzlers, LA Burgers and New York Wings—thus the brand All Original American.
US States—the California Pizza, the
“I think we’re ready to franchise the brand. It’s not just the food that we are excited to offer, but really the dining experience. We’re not just a takeout counter or fast food, we have full service and a full diner menu,” he said.
Othel V. CamposTECH-POWERED SARI-SARI STORE PLATFORM ROLLS OUT AFFORDABLE LPG IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PREI
LOCAL startup Packworks, which offers a business-to-business (B2B) open platform for sari-sari stores, is partnering with clean-fuel provider Pascal Resources Energy Inc. (PREI) to supply refillable LPG canisters to select micro-retail outlets in the Philippines.
Dubbed as the world’s first of its kind, Gaz Lite is a PREI innovation in a 330-gram refillable LPG canister that burns clean, smoke-and-sulfurfree fuel. Compared to solid fuel, Gaz Lite saves each household up to 60 hours of cooking time per month and reduces their fuel expenses by 33 percent.
“We are thrilled to be in joint hands with Gaz Lite as this partnership will enable us to expand our impact, transforming the lives of millions of Filipino households, making safer and more affordable cooking fuel a reality, while also contributing to a cleaner, healthier environment,” said Packworks co-founder and CEO Bing Tan.
A wide dealer network of megastore partners of Packworks, in Cebu, Batangas, Quezon, and other parts of Visayas, will serve as the distribution and refilling hubs for Gaz Lite for the initial rollout. The canister is priced at P145 each, inclusive of deposit, or P65 for every refill. A canister can last up to five days.
The partnership aims to provide safer and more affordable clean cooking fuel to more Filipino households as a viable alternative to illegally refilled butane canisters or charcoal and wood. Gaz Lite is safe from hazardous chemicals, which could pose health risks, and a cheaper alternative to using firewood that contributes to global warming.
The couple took out a P24-million loan from the Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) to fund a start-up commercial swine farm under the Bank’s Special Window and Interim Support to Nurture Hog Enterprises (SWINE) lending program.
From the total amount, P20 million was used to finance the construction of 3 piggery buildings to separately house nursery, farrowing and gestation pens, as well as support facilities that include an office and staff quarters.
The loan also covered the construction of a manure lagoon and waste water treatment facility to minimize the environmental impact of the farm, while the remaining P4 million financed the acquisition of young female hogs for breeding.
With the opening of AJ Piggery Farm, the couple’s meat stall is able sell around 900 kilograms of pork per day to accommodate the demand of meat retailers.
The stall is also able to supply around 1,650 kilograms of pork per week to 2 local supermarkets in Laguna and Batangas, doubling the the meat shop’s income to as much as P600,000 per month from P300,000.
GET ready for heart-pounding excitement at the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) Festival 2023 on August 23 and 24 at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila. The TGR Festival is Toyota’s grand gathering of motorsports enthusiasts celebrating their shared love for cars and racing. Register for free admission at https:// toyotagrfestivalph.com/ to join the festivities.
Experience world-class driving exhibitions led by Akio Toyota (aka ‘Morizo’), Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman, on August 23. International racers Katsuta Norihiko and Sasaki
Masahiro from the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Team will showcase rally exhibitions with iconic TGR race cars, the Toyota WRC Yaris, and Red Bull GR Corolla. Philippine racing pride,
including Alex Perez, Luis Gono, and TGR Ambassador Marlon Stockinger, will impress with drifting and gymkhana displays using GR Supra, GR Yaris, and GR 86. Celebrity Ryan Agoncillo will drive for Team TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Philippines.
Spectators can ride shotgun in the GR Supra, GR Yaris, and GR 86 with pro racers, observe pit activities, and grab official GR merchandise. The festival also boasts live music performances from Ben & Ben, Ely Buendia, Parokya ni Edgar, and Kamikazee, fueling the energetic atmosphere.
Also witness the country’s top sim racers gun for TGR Gran Turismo Cup (GT Cup) on August 24 as they compete for supremacy and a chance to represent the country in the Asia Regional Rounds.
Don’t miss the roaring cheers and exhilarating action at the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Festival 2023. Admission is free.
AS GLOBAL electric vehicle (EV) sales reach a pivotal moment for wider adoption, more buyers in the Philippines are embracing this shift. According to Statista, local EV sales rose from 378 in 2020 to 843 in 2021 and 1,013 in 2022. This surge can be attributed to the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA) / RA11697, enacted in May 2022, promoting EV adoption through perks like dedicated parking, green routes, and exemption from traffic coding.
EVIDA’s impact is noticeable in various sectors. The Department of Energy (DOE) is leading government efforts, launching programs like the e-App for mapping EV charging stations and developing the Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle
REGULAR car upkeep is crucial for longevity and performance. Innovations from years of research have integrated into new imports, simplifying vehicle care.
Tonyo Calado, AVP of Sales & Marketing at All-Inclusive Sales, Inc., showcased their commitment at their Pasig City office. They’re known for quality auto components, offering alternatives to originals, like Bendix brakes, Blue Chem, and more, from various global sources.
Tonyo highlighted Blue Chem, a sought-after product for efficient car care. It’s revolutionized maintenance, saving time and costs for owners and motor shops.
During my visit, I saw Kat Coperos,
Industry (CREVI). The private sector is investing in charging stations and adopting EVs for their fleets, aiming to reduce emissions and energy reliance.
The Philippine Vehicle Summit (PEVS) 2023, themed ‘Plug-In and Accelerate,’ is a key event advocating EV adoption. Organized by EVAP, hosted by MERALCO, and partnered with the DOE and Nissan Philippines, the summit from October 19 to 21, to be held at the SMX Convention Center, includes exhibitions and a conference.
Notably, the Philippine Battery Consortium will be launched at PEVS 2023 to address battery concerns. This summit offers a significant platform for networking and discussions about EV progress.
To know more about EVAP and the 11th PEVS, visit www.evap.com.ph and www.evap.com.ph/summit.
ESCAPE the weekly grind with the thrill of a long ride on the open road after enduring endless meetings and traffic jams. Maybank’s Super Bike Loan offers flexible financing, allowing you to break free from routine and cruise into the sunset worry-free.
Experience the newest addition to Maybank’s Auto Loan program: the Super Bike Loan. It finances new twowheelers with engines 400cc and above. Loans span 12, 18, 24, and 36 months, with just a 20% down payment and a 0.78% monthly interest rate for a 3-year term. Your dream of owning a big bike is closer than ever.
Unveiled at Maybank’s Bonifacio Global City headquarters, the Super Bike Loan launch showcased impressive bikes and excited attendees, including partners, press, executives, and clients.
This program is currently accessible to individual clients in Metro Manila and Luzon, with other regions coming soon.
Maybank’s commitment to Humanising Financial Services is evident in this program, providing fast, convenient loans to enhance customers’ lives. Gail Del Rosario, Maybank’s Country Director, emphasized the mission’s importance and the dedication to enriching the customer experience.
Brands covered by the Super Bike Loan include BMW, Ducati, Harley Davidson, Honda, Indian, Royal Enfield, Kawasaki, Suzuki, KTM, Triumph, MV Agusta, and Yamaha. Look forward to more brands in the near future. Apply for loans at any Metro Manila or Luzon Maybank branch or visit their website for details.
Your dream Super Bike awaits, ready to conquer the open road.
with account managers Billy John Lim and Jeffrey Jagoon, demo Blue Chem on my Nissan Navara. Tonyo emphasized Blue Chem’s time-saving advantage, reducing cleaning time to three hours. This contrasts with traditional, days-long methods at dealerships.
The demo started with an oil system cleaner’s importance during oil changes. It eliminates sludge and carbon deposits, enhancing fuel efficiency and engine performance. One can costs about P400, suitable for 4 to 8 liters of engine oil. Oxicat, a 300ml can, excels at cleaning oxygen sensors and catalytic converters, eradicating deposits in the exhaust system.
Triple X Air Intake Cleaner lubricates the air intake system, ensuring smooth engine operation, lower fuel consumption, and emissions.
The Klima Aircon Cleaner demo showed its efficiency in removing dirt, bacteria, mold, and more from aircon units without disassembly.
A 200ml High Performance Diesel System Super Cleaner cleans diesel engines’ fuel systems, removing contaminants and moisture.
In less than an hour, the demo validated Tonyo’s claim of effective and affordable car care solutions from All-Inclusive.
In essence, regular maintenance is vital, and All-Inclusive Sales, Inc. offers advanced solutions for optimal car condition.
SOLAR Transport is shifting its focus to become a leading dealer of BYD electric vehicles (EVs) while maintaining a crucial role as a major dealership operator.
Committed to driving innovative customer experiences through electric technology, Solar Transport aims to provide quality service to its loyal clients and support BYD’s efforts to strengthen the EV industry in the country.
In line with its vision, Solar Transport will soon open a cutting-edge flagship dealership spanning 4,000 sqm on Quezon Avenue in Quezon City. This facility will feature two floors, a fullservice center, and a grand showroom showcasing fully-electric BYD products.
Mark Andrew Tieng, President and CEO of Solar Transport and Automotive Resources, Inc., emphasized the company’s dedication to zero-emission sustainability through the promotion of BYD EVs. “Our mission is to invest in the environment for a sustainable future.”
Solar Transport, a pioneer in EV distribution since 2013, will collaborate with AC Motors, the appointed distributor of BYD China in the Philippines, to further expand the presence of EVs on the roads. This partnership is expected to contribute to the growth of a robust EV ecosystem. Amidst government initiatives like the Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle Industry (CREVI), Solar Transport envisions a greener road landscape, reducing reliance on fossil fuels. The company assures BYD EV owners of exceptional after-sales service, including an 8-year/150,000 km battery warranty.
THE presence of at least 36 NBA players playing for their respective national teams is creating a lot of excitement for the coming FIBA World Cup 2023.
As one of the three host teams, the Gilas Pilipinas seeks to live up to the expectations of Filipino fans as they play on its home turf. Coach Chot Reyes’ squad will be led by naturalized star Jordan Clarkson of the Utah Jazz, and he has been going through a process of reintegration with members of the squad over the last two weeks.
Clarkson, who is considered the Gilas’ main scoring threat, is averaging 30.8 points and four rebounds in the NBA’s last season.
“I think there’s not gonna be any problem in terms of integrating. It’s the familiarization and the little nuances. It is easy to learn an o ense, and it is easy to pick up. But it’s the little nuances of the counters, the tweaks, the reads which you can only get in-game time situation that’s a really important concern,” said Reyes.
Clarkson, which has been with Gilas for two weeks, will have his game tweaked with big man Kai Sotto, the brothers Kiefer and Thirdy Ravenna, marksman Bobby Ray Parks, Jr., and veteran center June Mar Fajardo.
Reyes also seeks to tune in AJ Edu, a Cypriotborn Filipino basketball player for Toyama Grouses of the Japanese B.League, who at 6 feet 10 inches, plays at the power forward and center positions.
So far, Team Philippines has gone into a tuneup with Côte d’Ivoire, ranked 42nd in the world,
The two-time FIBA AfroBasket champions have no known NBA player on their roster when they engaged Gilas in a friendly on Saturday. Montenegro, ranked 18th, will have their opportunity on August 20.
The Ivorians, who are on their second appearance, have veterans like Vafessa Fofana, a member of the 2019 World Cup team who played in all 12 games of the African Quali ers, and 36-year-old Souleymane Diabate and 24-year-old Maxence Dadiet.
Diabate and Dadiet have both played in nine of the African Quali ers.
Gilas will be more challenged in
CROOZ, in cooperation with Yield Guild Games (YGG) Philippines, will be giving away a total of P1 million in cash prizes to up to 500 players of its new Web3 PVP game PROJECT XENO.
PROJECT XENO, currently the number one blockchain game in Japan, combines GameFi and esports in a beginner-friendly tactical NFT game. It has the same play-to-earn features that give players rewards from victories in the arena but it is a free-to-play web3 game that does not require buying NFTs to start playing.
The giveaway marks
PROJECT XENO’s exciting launch in the Philippine market and introduction to the hardcore gaming community in the Philippines. The YGG Pilipinas Community expressed excitement to have more passionate and dedicated Filipino gamers play and get a chance to win some prizes in the process.
To join the giveaway, players simply need to download PROJECT XENO on the App Store for iOS devices or Google Play for Android devices and participate in battle arena mode until they reach level 3.
Players then need to take a screenshot of their level 3 XENO account and submit the photo along with their contact information to https://bit.ly/xenoyggpromo.
The Montenegrin will also feature Kendrick Perry, Igor Drobnjak, Petar Popovic, Vladimir Mihailovic, Andrija Slavkovic, Dino Radoncic, Aleksa Ilic, Nemanja Radovic, Marko Simonovic, and Bojan Dubljevic.
The Philippines is bracketed with the Dominican Republic, Angola,
THE FIBA World Cup 2023 will have all its referees trained and prepared to the utmost, as assured by a Pre-Competition Clinic (PCC), prior to the tournament’s opening on Aug. 25.
The training program hosted by Seda Hotel (morning sessions) and Victoria Sports Tower (afternoon sessions) will make sure that 44 game o cials will be in tip-top shape and of sound mind with under a week to go before the world meet.
“Through our PCC, we hope that our referees will be equipped with everything they need to call games as correctly and fairly as possible,” said
and Italy in Group A. Will have the Dominican Republic as their rst opponent on August 25.
The Dominican Republic will have with them Karl-Anthony Towns (Minnesota Timberwolves) and Lester Quinones (Golden State Warriors), and they are in Group A with The Philippines, Angola, and Italy.
Italy will be a challenge for Gilas with Clarkson’s teammate Simone Fontecchio competing against him,
and Team Philippines.
Jordan Clarkson, who will play for the Philippines, and Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncik who suits up with Slovenia, are some of the biggest NBA stars seeing action in the coming FIBA World Cup. Photo from SBP and FIBA their clash with Montenegro, which has Nikola Vucevic, who plays for the Chicago Bulls, along with a former Bull cager Marko Simonovic.
Another NBA star Luka Doncik of the Dallas Mavericks will strut his stu for Slovenia that will play in Group F in Okinawa, Japan and face Cape Verde, Georgia, and Venezuela. If it advances to the second round, Slovenia will meet teams from Group E consisting of Germany, Australia, Finland, and host Japan. Slovenia and Doncik will y to the Philippines if they make it to the semi nals and onwards.
FIBA Local Organizing Committee (LOC) Sports & Competition Head Eric Altamirano.
FIBA Head of Refereeing Carl Jungerbrand and Refereeing Consultant Tomas Rimkus will join Altamirano in leading several seminars, drills, and practice games that aim to ready game o cials both physically and mentally for the three-week long tournament featuring 32 teams.
After the four-day clinic, 11 referees will be assigned to each of the four venues: the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City/Philippine Arena in Bulacan (only for Opening Day), the SM Mall of
Asia Arena in Pasay, the Okinawa Arena in Japan, and the Indonesia Arena in Jakarta.
“I, along with the rest of the FIBA LOC, am looking forward to how our well-trained referees will help the FIBA World Cup 2023 go down in history as a record-breaking event,” said Altamirano.
Fans can be rst-hand witnesses to the readiness of referees in the FIBA World Cup 2023 by availing of tickets for Smart Araneta Coliseum games at ticketnet.com.ph, as well as for SM Mall of Asia Arena games at smtickets.com.
The deadline for submissions is on Sept. 22, while the raffle draw will be on September 29, 2023.
Depending on the number of participants, a higher number of total cash prizes and winners will be announced by September 30, 2023. If less than 15,000 players join the giveaway, 100 winners will be randomly chosen and awarded P1,000 each.
If at least 15,000 people join the giveaway, the total number of winners will be increased to 250 and awarded P1,500 each. Finally, if over 50,000 people join, the total number of winners will be further increased to 500 and awarded P2,000 each.
PROJECT XENO’s giveaway will run from Aug. 15 to Sept. 22. For more information on PROJECT XENO, visit project-xeno.com or follow @PROJECTXENO_GLB on Twitter for up-to-date information and updates.
STEPHEN “The Sniper” Loman gets a monumental chance to prove that he’s ready for primetime as he takes on former ONE Bantamweight World Champion John “Hands of Stone” Lineker at ONE Fight Night 14: Stamp vs. Ham on September 30 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
Still waiting for his long-awaited shot at the reigning ONE Bantamweight World Champion Fabricio “Wonder Boy” Andrade, the no. 2-ranked bantamweight contender turns his attention to the man that got dethroned for the crown.
Loman certainly deserves his chances as evidenced by the victims that he has laid waste since arriving at The Home of Martial Arts.
Not only has the Team Lakay rising star gone unbeaten in his last three fights, he also turned heads when he manhandled former ONE Bantamweight
World Champion Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes to score the unanimous decision victory at ONE on Prime Video 4: Abbasov vs. Lee in November last year.
It was a revelation of a triumph for The Sniper, barging into the conversation of those next in line for the throne.
This match, though, is just as important.
“Itinuturing ko rin ito na isa sa biggest ghts ko sa career ko,” he said.
But Lineker is just as hungry, motivated to get back the belt he lost, and displayed that grit with his heavy hands that enabled him to knock out “The Fighting God” Kim Jae Woong with four seconds to spare in their clash at ONE Fight Night 13: Allazov vs. Grigorian last August.
Loman is well aware of that strength but argued that he, too, can pack a punch.
“Malakas talaga ang suntok niya at
marami na siyang na-knockout, pero tingin ko malakas din ang suntok ko at pag maka-connect, sigurado akong makaka-knockout din ako,” he said.
Surely, to the victor goes the spoils and Andrade has his eyes closely monitoring the developments from this duel.
This joins another stacked card which will be headlined by two of the world’s greatest female athletes when Stamp Fairtex attempts to become an unprecedented three-sport world champion when she challenges for the Interim ONE Atomweight World Championship against Ham “Hamzzang” Seo Hee.
Also on the card is Loman’s former teammate in two-time ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard “Landslide” Folayang who takes on Amir Khan in a rematch of their 2018 World Title clash.
By Patricia Taculao
The phrase always rings true as future generations hold the continuance of legacies in the palms of their hands. This October 30, the country will again hold barangay elections, including spots for the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK), a council meant to represent the youth in each barangay.
For some, it’s another title to add to their credentials. But for others, it could be their springboard to enter the world of public service and leave their mark on it, hence the necessity to have astounding role models who know the relevance of good governance.
Who better to set an example than incumbent Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon?
“I’m trying to mold them into what I believe is the proper way of performing their duty,” he told Manila Standard LGU , noting that he recognizes his job of steering them into using their budget sensibly and opening their eyes to pressing issues within their communities.
As mayor, Biazon takes his role seriously and uses it to connect with younger audiences in his city and leave an impact on their character. Besides equipping future leaders with the right mind and skillset to learn from their predecessors’ mistakes and set a benchmark for their successors, Biazon also eyes the transition of Muntinlupa into a smart and livable city.
“We want to be a comfortable city to live in where each person can maximize their potential to reach their goals while enjoying a balanced environment in the city,” he said.
Yet before becoming mayor, Biazon served three consecutive terms in the House of Representatives from 2001 to 2010, and for another two consecutive terms from 2016 to 2022, thanks to the trust his constituents placed in him.
His primary inspiration for venturing into public service is his father, retired Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Rodolfo “Pong” G. Biazon. The former was there for the latter’s senatorial campain. When his father won for senator, Biazon entered the world of public service as his father’s staff member and saw its various facets.
Doon ko nakita ‘yung fulfillment na nagagawa sa public service kasi kita mo na nakakatulong sa tao to do something relevant for the
country,” he said.
For him, being a public leader means performing his duties properly. As soon as he assumed office, he knew that he must serve his public to provide the best services and legislation to benefit them.
The Muntinlupa adopts a 7K agenda from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDG). Although there are 17 SDGs from the international organization, Biazon condensed them into seven, namely kabuhayan, kalusugan,
taken from the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals karunungan, kapayapaan at kaayusan, kaunlaran, kalikasan , and katarungan
Pinag-aralan namin ‘to ng mabuti para macover ‘yung mga SDGs. Ginawa namin ito para maliwanag kung anong direksyon namin sa pamamahala at para magkaroon ng measure ang aming mga kababayan sa ginagawa namin,” the Muntinlupa Mayor said.
It also allows his administration to set goals and standards to gauge whether they follow the SDGs they draw inspiration from.
He also prioritizes continuity in his administration. Earlier programs and services implemented by former mayors remain functional within the city as long as it benefits the public and considers their well-being.
“No matter who is sitting in office, kung nakikinabang ang taong-bayan , effective ‘yung programa , then we carry it out,” Biazon said firmly.
Despite the challenges and new opportunities that come his way, Biazon believes that standing by his beliefs gets him the best results that coincide with his principles.
“‘ Pag nabuo ‘yun decisions become easier. When you know your values, kahit na anong difficulty, question, challenge, you would know where to stand. That is a lesson that I think is very important in our job,” he said.
Biazon’s continuous success as a public leader is a testament to his passion for fulfilling his duty and setting an example for good governance, something he hopes to impart to future generations who will someday serve the Filipinos as Biazon and his counterparts did.
THROUGH the Muntinlupa City Persons With Disability A airs O ce (PDAO), the Basic Filipino Sign Language (FSL) Training was held for Muntinlupa City Government sta and private sector workers last August 14 at SM Muntinlupa.
This FSL Training aims to break the communication barrier that hinders understanding and communication with the Muntinlupa Deaf Community.
Among the attendees were some members of the Deaf Congregation from the International Evangelical Church of Alabang (IECA), where they had a fun and productive interaction with the hearing participants, who were all public servants and private sector employees or professionals.
“It is a good experience for those who can hear to be with some of the Deaf Community because they will really
THE Muntinlupa LGU, led by Mayor Ru y Biazon, turned over 60 bulletproof helmets, 60 body armor vests, and more than 74,000 rounds of ammunition for their rearms to the Philippine National Police (PNP) units in the city.
It coincides with the city government’s priority programs, which include Peace and Order, where they continue strengthening the city’s peace and order capability.
The Muntinlupa LGU earlier placed security outposts at strategic points in Muntinlupa, along with increased police visibility in our communities. Biazon also recently turned over patrol vehicles and motorcycles with Battenburg markings to their police and Public Order and Safety O ce. Muntinlupa also has a 24/7 functioning CCTV network to prioritize safety and security.
raises awareness about the MEFD’s programs and services in line with the city’s 7k Agenda
THE Muntinlupa Entrepreneurship Financing Division (MEFD) visited Barangays Alabang, Bayanan, Tunasan, and Putatan to conduct “Dalaw Negosyo” from August 4 to 11.
It aims to share the MEFD programs and services coinciding with the city’s 7K Agenda, particularly its economic aspect, as promoted by the LGU led by Mayor Ru y Biazon.
Attendees include MEFD beneficiaries, 4Ps, and those interested in applying for the non-profit additional investment program. Successful business owners of each barangay also shared their unique success stories during the event.
“
ANG kabataang ang pag-asa ng bayan ,” as the immortalized line from Philippine National Hero Jose Rizal goes.Under Biazon‘s administration, Muntinlupa follows a 7K agenda Muntinlupa Mayor Rozzano Ru no “Ru y” Bunoan Biazon The LGU has also turned over motorcycles for patrols in an earlier turnover to promote safety and security
THERE are five main body shapes that women often use to categorize their bodies, however, styling for each body shape can be a difficult thing to achieve without proper measurements. Experts at Boohoo, an online fashion retailer, have revealed the best swimsuit styles for each body type. These body shapes are not set in stone and should only be used as a guide to finding the best style for your own shape. Hourglass Shape. The hourglass figure, akin to Kim Kardashian’s, features balanced bust and hip measurements, complemented by a small waist. To accentuate natural curves, prioritize highcut designs and plunging necklines. Opt for wide-strap bikini tops and high-cut bottoms to showcase your figure.
By Nickie Wang
FILIPINOS love to party, and our culture is deeply tied to grand festivals like Masskara and Sinulog. These celebrations attract both locals and foreigners, showing our reputation for lively events.
Some Philippine festivals can be reached by car from Metro Manila, offering a chance for an authentic cultural experience this August.
Pahiyas festival. Happening annually on August 19 in Lucban, Quezon, locals display handcrafted paper mache giants in vibrant costumes, carried by oath-makers as a thanksgiving tradition. The event features dances, marching bands, and concludes with a fiery paper mache bull running through the town plaza.
Pasa-Pasa Ikaw Festival. Observed from August 25 to 30 in Camarines Sur, the festival pays tribute to St. Rose of Lima, Pasacao’s patron saint. It highlights the town’s historical significance through Pasacao Port, a vital 16th Century link to Manila. The festival’s pinnacle is the August 29 Grand Civic Parade.
Tsinelas Festival. This festival in Gapan, Nueva Ecija celebrates the city’s renowned product – humble slippers/flip-flops. Gapan is known as the Tsinelas Capital for its wide distribution of these products. The festival aligns with Gapan’s cityhood anniversary and takes place from August 6 to 25.
Ibalong Festival. Locals in Legazpi City, Albay honors the Ibalong Epic, narrating Bicol’s mythical beginnings. Participants don masks and costumes resembling epic characters for vibrant street parades. Visitors can engage in contests, concerts, cultural displays, and markets. The festival runs each year from August 12 to 30.
This list is curated by Smart. The telco also reminds that for travel, a pocket WiFi is crucial, especially when navigating with apps like Waze. Smart Bro’s LTE-Advanced Pocket WiFi offers up to 100 Mbps speeds, perfect for families, supporting three devices.
THE Outstanding Filipinos in America (TOFA), an organization that honors the achievements of Filipinos in the USA, named the 2023 Presidential Volunteer Service Awardees during the recent awarding ceremony at the Triad Theater in New York City.
Founded by New York-based journalist Elton Lugay, TOFA acknowledged the prestigious recognition of remarkable individuals who rendered their talents and skills, expertise, and wisdom in diverse community events around the United States.
The distinction was acknowledged by the office of The White House in Washington, D.C.
This year’s recipients included senior creative manager Angelene Coronel, worker Richie Garcia, special education teacher Deirdre Levy, public health expert Rachelle Peraz Ocampo, civil rights advocate Clifford Robin Temprosa creators Dennis Almario Chris Labaco, Jonathan Maravilla, Erwin Pajarillo, Relucio Dominating the roster were artists and performers Arianne Aldecoa, Denise Kara Almario, Bernice Bernabe, Eric Celerio, Marga Empress, Manilyn Gemproso, Asia Guzman, Melody Himarangan, Erno Hormillosa Jr., Gene Juanich, Hansel Mendoza, Morris Montilla, Marcus Oche, Bobby Ramiro, Ellis Young, Hannah Zapanta, Anthony Atienza Atienza, a graduate of Bachelor of Arts in Music Production from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB), recalled that he was surprised by the recognition. He thought he was just only attending the affair. “I feel honored and blessed to receive this award. It continues to motivate and inspire me to constantly give back to the community.”
Since residing in the US since 2021, he sang in Filipino restaurants, to include Kabayan and Kusina Pinoy Bistro. Atienza was the opening act of some biggest celebrities’ concerts, such as Morissette Amon, Marcelito Pomoy, Erik Santos, Gary Valenciano, and KZ Tandingan Read full story on manilastandard.net
It is important to know your body shape to be able to find the perfect swimsuit style for you
Pear Shape. With approximately 25 percent of women falling into this category, the pear shape showcases a narrower upper body that widens at the hips and bottom, while maintaining a well-defined waist and slender arms. To enhance your curves, choose frills to add volume to the top and create balance. Embrace V or U-necklines to highlight your cleavage and pair detailed tops with solid bottoms. Consider an ombre one-piece swimsuit to harmonize your silhouette, taking cues from Rihanna’s stylish choices. Inverted Triangle Shape. Broad shoulders and a defined upper body characterize the inverted triangle shape. Opt for high-cut leg one-pieces or bikinis to draw attention to your hips and legs. Channel the elegance of celebrities like Victoria Beckham and Angelina Jolie by incorporating A-line dresses and ruffles into your beachwear. Dark, solid colors can accentuate your lines, particularly when worn as the top piece. Rectangle Shape. Rectangle bodies have shoulders and hips of similar width, with minimal waist curves. If you have a smaller bust, consider padding to enhance it. Accentuate your hips with embellishments to define your waist. Patterns and cutouts can create the illusion of curves and draw the eye. Take inspiration from stars like Zendaya and Natalie Portman who use cinched waist dresses to add definition.
Apple Shape. The apple body type displays balanced bust, waist, and hip measurements, with a less defined waist. This shape often has slimmer arms and legs. When choosing swimwear, opt for one-piece suits with panels, wraps, or tummy control to shape and define your waist. Plunging necklines draw attention to your bust and elongate your torso. Highlight your arms and legs to complete the look.
By Angelica Villanueva
SOUTH Korean actor Seo In Guk created an unforgettable evening for his Filipino fans, known as Heartriders, during his first solo fan meeting that extended beyond three hours.
As part of his “First Asia Fan Meeting Tour in Manila,” Seo In Guk had the opportunity to intimately connect with his fans in person for the first time, treating them to live performances that added to the excitement.
Kamusta na kayo bebe ko? Na-miss niyo ba ako? Na-miss ko kayo! It’s great to see you guys.” Seo In-guk said as he greeted his fans.
The New Frontier Theater was filled with more screams and kilig as the singer-actor showcased his impressive vocal abilities with his performances of some of his tracks such as “My Love”, “Calling You”, “I Like You”, “Tease Me”, “Shake It Up”, and “All for You.”
He also grabbed the opportunity to steal every Filo Heartrider’s heart as he sang his own rendition of Yeng Constantino’s “Ikaw” making the crowd became more excited.
The 35-year-old also captivated everyone with his charms and stage presence
during various interactive segments where lucky fans had the opportunity to interact with him through games, question and answer sessions, and photo opportunities at the latter part.
As part of the ‘Seo In Guk’s Food Truck’ segment, the
Korean artist tried eating the famous Filipino dessert halo-halo.
During the fan meeting, Seo In Guk also shared that his fans should look forward to seeing him on his upcoming projects which include his new fantasy drama Death Game and his comeback album.
Death Game is the adaptation of a webtoon that also stars Park So-dam, Siwon, Sung Hoon, Lee Do-hyun, Kim Kang-hoon, Lee Do-hyun, Go Yoon-jung, Kim Jae-wook, Oh Jung-se, Jang Seung-jo, and Lee Jae-wook Seo In Guk also expressed his gratitude to his dedicated fans who continued to show their unwavering support and admiration for him. He also described his Manila fan meeting as a “good memory”.
“It has been a really good memory for me, and I hope that it’s been a good memory for you guys, as well,” said the Korean actor.
Before wrapping up his fan meeting, the Café Minamdang star revealed that he was, in fact, feeling worried to see his Filipino fans.
“Speaking honestly, before I
Seo
arrived in Manila, I was worrying if there’ll be a lot of fans welcoming me and loving me,” he started. “But as soon as I heard from you guys the screams and the fact that you waited all day long, it really cheered me up and I’m getting strength,” Seo In Guk continued. In return, the
actor promised
JAKE Sim of the popular K-pop group ENHYPEN made the Filipino Engenes gush as he vibed to “YK,” a viral hit track from O/C Records artist Cean Jr.
During his livestream a couple of days ago, he played the song while he recommended it to his thousands of live viewers. “It’s a Filipino song. It’s such a good song. I am happy that I’m able to play this song for those who didn’t know,” he said. “This song is called ‘YK’ by Cean Jr.” “YK” and Cean Jr. have been making waves across social media and digital music streaming platforms as the track goes viral. Released over two years ago, “YK” is currently among the top OPM songs.
‘Tsada Mahigugma; is a Bisaya phrase that literally means ‘It feels great to be in love’
Fans are treated to live performances from the South Korean artist
his Filipino fans to come back sooner after feeling their overwhelming support and following the success of his first solo fan meeting.
“Meeting you guys personally for the first time, thanks for the love and support you guys have been showing. We finally have met, and we are cherishing these memorable moments together. And for the first time today, we’re able to make a good memory together and I hope in the future we can make more,” he stated.
“I will try my best to come back soon. Maraming salamat po, mahal ko kayo,” he ended.
P-POP soloist Maymay Entrata glows with inspiration in her newest song “Tsada Mahigugma” released under Star Pop.
The upbeat love song speaks of being patient for the right person to come along. Its title “Tsada Mahigugma” refers to a Bisaya phrase that means ‘It feels great to be in love.’
“It’s so delightful to love, isn’t it? ‘Tsada’ could mean wonderful, beautiful, delicious, pretty, handsome, and then ‘mahigugma’ is love. What this means is, it’s good to feel love and feel loved,” Maymay explained in the vernacular when she delivered an unexpected performance of the song at the 1MX London Music Festival last July.
Maymay produced the single together with Star Pop label head Rox Santos. It was composed by CJ Kaamiño, arranged by Justin Catalan and mixed and mastered by Theo Martel “Tsada Mahigugma” follows the P-pop artist’s recent hit “Autodeadma” which features Korean singer Wooseok of Pentagon Maymay’s “Tsada
On Spotify alone, where Cean Jr. has about 2.7 million monthly listeners as of this writing, the track garners an average of 300,000 streams per day. In total, it already has 35 million streams.
Apart from music platform’s Viral Hit charts, “YK,” which stands for “you know,” has also been featured on Spotify’s Tatak Pinoy Playlist, which banners Cean Jr., and on Hot Hits Philippines.
The Filo Engenes first describes the song as ‘national anthem of the delulus (delusionals)’ as they associate it with another ENHYPEN member Heeseung
Just three weeks ago, O/C released the music video for “YK,” now with over 200,000 views on YouTube.
By Joyce Pangco Pañares
TO SAY that Jun Sy is a committed foodie would be an understatement.
Other people would go abroad to savor the taste of various cuisines—whether it's souvlaki straight off the skewer in Greece, otoro sashimi inside a fish market in Japan, or puttanesca from a nonna's table in Italy.
Sy took it a notch higher: He brought the proverbial culinary mountain to the Philippines—in Makati in 2022 and in San Juan just this month, to be exact.
"When I started cooking, my biggest pain point was getting the ingredients for a particular dish. So I thought -- what if I created a space where we gather all the ingredients and where foodies, professionals, amateurs, and even weekend cooks can have this experience of having everything within reach?" he told Manila Standard Cravings in an interview.
"Food became my therapy, but since I was a stickler for recipe and could not cook oudio, I had to go to different stores to get the ingredients I need -- spices for a Mediterranean dish or finishing salt that I had to source from Amazon," he said. He turned his frustration into One World Deli, a specialty food market that offers a curated selection of artisanal ingredients ranging from imported meat, seafood, spices, wines, and chocolates, among others.
The San Juan branch at The Corner House, the biggest branch yet, is a testament to the elasticity of the market, he said.
"We learned from our Makati branch experience that a bigger space would give us a better way to deliver our story. Our customers come for our exceptional ingredients, but they also want to hear about the history of a certain product or how this seafood is sourced ethically," Sy said.
"By accident, people were looking at our ingredients and started asking if this can be cooked this way. So we now have live cooking stations as well," he added.
Located at the center of the deli are its main stations -- the Meat Anton counter, which features items such as John Stone Beef dry-aged meats from Ireland, black angus
beef by Braveheart in the US, Red Duroc pork from Dingley Dell in the UK, and Satsuma Fukunaga wagyu from Japan; and the Seafood Bar, which has an oyster shower, ethically caught live fish and shellfish, as well as frozen premium seafood.
The Farm Fresh area has a mix of local and imported organic fruits and vegetables, as well as towers of hydroponically grown greens.
The Cellar houses a mix of old and new world wines, while the Top Tipples bar pours out choice wines and spirits.
The café area serves thoughtfully crafted meals using ingredients available at the deli, while the bakery features bread baked daily by The Tattooed Baker.
"I am convinced I am on the right track. We have that demographic sweet spot where we have more young people with more discerning, more complex palette, and who are more open to discovery of things," he said.
"The goal is not to dominate the market. We simply wanted a place that can be trusted -- that when we say this product is from this source, this is organic, you can be sure we do not sugarcoat and we take no shortcuts," Sy added.
More importantly, Sy said One World Deli is a place where food shopping can be fun and pleasurable.
"Here you can talk to the butcher, talk to the chef or to the specialist. You can eat while doing your shopping, and then shop some more," he said.
And if the proof of the pudding is in the eating, Sy is set to open in the latter part of the year an even bigger One World Deli branch in the Ortigas area.
"Our next branch will be a culinary experience for kids as well. They can learn how food is made how they should care about values of sustainability and traceability when it comes to ingredients. It will be place to shop and eat and learn," Sy said.
By Angelica Villanueva
WITH the right amount of hard work and passion, things will fall into their proper places. A testament to this is Chef Billy Laigo, the culinary talent behind F1 Hotel Manila.
During the launching of the hotel's new menu items, Laigo shared his fascinating journey toward becoming a chef.
Growing up, he would see his mom cook adobo and paksiw for their family. He knew at a young age he was destined to work in the kitchen, but fate took a detour as he pursued a degree in Computer Science in college.
“It didn’t feel right. So, I studied culinary and began my internship after,” he said.
As one of the pioneers of F1 hotel, Laigo is now celebrating his 12th year of
being in the kitchen that he truly loves and where he feels most at home.
“I was a late bloomer. But when I decided to pursue culinary in 2008, since then, no one could stop me. I love seeing the action inside the kitchen," he said.
Laigo was among the employees who had stayed with F1 Hotel during the trying first years of the pandemic.
And now that everything’s going back to normal, he was tapped by F1 Hotel Manila to be the head chef of its signature restaurant, F All-Day Dining.
While grateful for his new role, Laigo told Manila Standard Cravings that he misses from time to time being in show kitchen.
“I miss seeing our guests eating here, their smiles while they have their breakfast,” said Laigo, who spent eight
years in the hotel's show kitchen.
“Now that I’m taking a new role in the kitchen as the head chef, I seldom see our guests anymore,” he added.
He recently came up the restaurant's new a la carte menu in partnership with Enderun Colleges led by
Chef See Cheong Yan.
There's Mexican Taco Salad, Spaghetti Vongole, Japanese Curry Rice, Thai Fried Fish "Pla Chan," Vegetarian Mezze Platter, Churrasco Ribeye Steak, and Tiramisu, among others. “We created this new set of a la carte
menu according to the likings and suggestions of our guests," Laigo said.
"When you check our menu, it’s very simple because we wanted to come up with a menu consisting of comfort food,” he added.
(F1 Hotel Manila invites everyone to take their taste buds on a culinary journey around the world and discover the new heartwarming flavors of the F All-Day Dining Menu. For inquiries and table reservations, guests can call 8928-9888 or visit the website at www.f1hotelmanila.com.)
EVERY cat deserves optimal care, but senior cats require a more specific focus on their health concerns. As cats grow older, their health needs change, and it is our responsibility to assist them in forming lifestyle "patterns" that account for these changes.
Numerous actions can be taken to instill healthy lifestyle routines for our cats, and initiating these measures is possible. Similar to humans, aging cats encounter age-related changes.
“With good care our cats can live well into their late teens, and even their twenties. But as cats age, their physical and behavioral needs change” said Liz Bales, veterinarian, in “6 Tips for Caring for Senior Cats” in Pet MD website.
When is a cat considered senior?
Cats do not age at a rate of seven (7) years per human year. They undergo more rapid aging during their initial years, causing them to reach middle age and senior status earlier than one might expect. To offer a general idea, here are the typical life stages for an average cat:
· Kitten: Up to 1 year old
· Young adult: 1-6 years old
· Mature adult: 7-10 years old
· Senior: Over 10 years old
According to Bales, here are the top six ways to care for aging cats:
1. Monitor your senior cat’s diet and nutrition
As your cat ages, his or her nutritional demands shift. Maintaining communication with your veterinarian is crucial, as they can offer guidance on any specialized needs your cat may have, especially if they are dealing with any illness.
“A cat’s digestion is also improved by feeding them small, frequent meals throughout the day and night. Measure your cat’s daily food and distribute it in small portions” said Bales.
Should your cat exhibit reduced appetite, you can attempt to stimulate their eating by transitioning from dry kibble to wet food, warming their food, or opting for a different flavor.
2. Ensure your senior cat drinks enough water
Ensuring your cat remains well-hydrated is important. Hydration supports organ performance and the elimination of waste substances, among various other functions. Several cats can display selectiveness regarding water consumption.
“Increase your senior cat’s water intake by
providing canned food and more options for drinking water. Add more water stations around the house with plenty of bowls and/or pet water fountains to entice your senior cat to drink more” Bales suggested.
3. Monitor your senior cat at home for signs of illness and pain
Cats excel in concealing indications of discomfort and illness, making it challenging for owners to detect the initial phases of sickness.
It is important to closely monitor any alterations in behavior, as these changes frequently serve as the initial indications of illness.
4. Don’t neglect their dental health
Dental problems are common among senior cats. These issues can result in discomfort and inflammation, affecting their lifestyle.
“Often, there is no clear sign of dental disease. Cat parents see weight loss and a poor hair coat as the vague signs of aging, not an indication of a potential problem” said Bales.
“A thorough veterinary exam and routine dental care can drastically improve your cat’s quality of life, and can even extend their lifespan” Bales added.
5. Provide your senior cat daily exercise and mental stimulation
As senior cats gradually become less active, they might opt for spending more time indoors.
Blue, a 12-year-old cat, loves boiled fish with mashed, boiled pumpkin or sayote. She also loves to play around the house, and plays hide and seek with us.
(Photo from file of Save Animals of Love and Light-Save ALL)
First of two parts
By Mariana BurgosEYE disorders in dogs are rather prevalent. While some of them are minor and may be treated at home, others can be extremely serious and endanger your dog's vision.
Wendy Hauser, veterinarian, said in her article, "Top Eye Problems for Dogs,” the following are the top eye problems a dog can have:
· Corneal damage
· Dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca)
· Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
· Eyelid mass
· Cataracts
· Glaucoma
· Cherry eye
· Entropion
Corneal Damage
A corneal damage is a scrape or lesion
OCCASIONALLY treating your cat to homemade meals is a delightful and enjoyable activity for both you and your furry companion. When integrated into a well-rounded diet, homemade food offers various nutritional advantages for your cat.
Preparing meals at home also offers insight into your cat's dietary needs and preferences. This is because it gives you the opportunity to observe your cat and see what he or she eats, and to consider his or her dietary needs in preparing the meals.
Can cats eat fish?
Angel, 10, needs sunlight, and loves to sleep at the terrace. Please make sure to give a senior cat time under the sun.
(Photo from file of Save Animals of Love and Light-Save ALL)
Introduce additional toys that cater to their innate behavior.
“All cats need places to climb, places to hide, things to scratch, and ways to hunt and play. All of these things will help your cat stay physically and mentally stimulated as well as healthy” Bales noted.
Mental stimulation has also been proven to help counteract the effects of declining cognition in senior pets. Human interaction holds significant importance for older felines, contributing to their sense of security, contentment, and affection.
6. Take your senior cat for regular vet visits
Regular wellness check-ups with a veterinarian are recommended for both adult and senior cats.
“Ideally, cats over 11 years of age should see the veterinarian every six months” said Bales.
“Blood work done during these visits can detect the onset of health issues—like kidney disease—while there’s still time to make medical changes that will improve and extend your cat’s life” Bales added.
About the Author: Niko Gabriel Salgado is a graduate of consular and diplomatic affairs from De La Salle College of Saint Benilde, and worked at the House of Representatives. He is now an entrepreneur and a volunteer of the animal welfare group Save Animals of Love and Light- Save ALL.
Fresh fish mirrors a cat’s natural diet in the wild and is especially appetizing to cats. Assuming the cat does not have a fish allergy and this is integrated within a wellbalanced diet, fish serves as a beneficial protein source.
Fish meat (bones have been removed) are boiled and cooked pumpkin is mixed with it for a delicious, healthy meal for rescued cats of Save ALL (From Save ALL photo file)
But fish alone does not provide the necessary nutritional balance for cats. Despite fish containing components such as omega-3 fatty acids and protein with amino acids, cats require a broader range of nutrients.
Please check with your veterinarian first when introducing a new diet. Make sure to also feed your pet in moderation.
Save ALL’s Super Healthy Cat Food:
Save Animals of Love and Light-Save ALL, an animal welfare group, has developed a natural food recipe for its 60+ rescued cats. Save ALL shared the recipe here.
It is essential to only use high-quality, natural, and freshly sourced ingredients to prevent any potential disruptions to your pet's digestive health.
Fish with carrots and malunggay
Prep time: 3 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Total time: 13 minutes
Servings: 3 bowls
Recipe Ingredients:
· 100g fish meat (bones or tinik have been removed) · ¼ medium-sized carrot, grated · ¼ cup malunggay leaves, finely chopped · 250mL water
Recipe Instructions:
1. Fill a pot with water and put the fish inside.
2. Bring it to a boil and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
to the transparent area of a dog's eye, the cornea, says Hauser. The front of the eye of a dog with corneal damage will be cloudy.
Green, yellow, or clear discharge is possible.
Corneal damage in dogs can be caused by an injury or infection, or they can be caused by corneal inflammation induced by chronic dry eye. Dogs with "buggy" eyes, such as brachycephalic breeds, are particularly vulnerable to this.
Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca or “Dry Eye”
Hauser tells us that dry eyes are caused by either a reduction in tear production or an increase in exposure.
Because brachycephalic (flat-faced) dogs such as Pugs and Boston Terriers do not close their eyes fully, exposure-related dry eye is prevalent among them.
Tear production is often reduced owing to tear gland loss caused by an inflamma-
tory illness or a nerve issue.
Dog-formulated eye lubricants aid to retain moisture, and particular dog eye ointments are used to prevent tear gland damage, which enhances tear output. To avoid major eye damage, lifelong care is required.
Pink Eye/Conjunctivitis
Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, is a bacterial infection of the conjunctiva of a dog, which is the moist mucosal tissue around the
Fluffy, 10, loves boxes. She sleeps inside a box, or uses it as scratching pad.
(Photo from file of Save Animals of Love and Light-
eye and beneath the eyelid, says Hauser.
Redness, irritation, and sticky eye discharge are all common symptoms. Your dog will require an antibiotic eye medication to help clean it out, so take him to the vet for the said treatment.
Eyelid Mass
Eyelid tumors are fairly prevalent in dogs of all ages, from middle-aged to old. Meibomian cysts, which are benign
Diwata, rescued, is always hydrated due to the boiled fish with vegetables and lots of soup she is given daily.
(From Save ALL photo file)
3. When the fish is cooked, turn off the stove. Get the fish and remove the bones or tinik. Make sure to put back only the flesh or meat of the fish in the pot.
4. Pour the carrots and malunggay into the pot. The heat will cook the vegetables while cooling down.
Cats can eat the bones of fish but only if you grind them. They cannot break down big fish bones. They might choke on these. Make sure to remove the big fish bones and give only the meat if you do not have a meat or vegetable grinder.
If you have a grinder, you can put the boiled big fish in the grinder to grind the bones. Boiling the fish with the bone will make the bones soft, and make it easier to ground this.. Niko
Gabriel Salgadotumors along the edge of the eyelid, are normally not an issue unless they are large enough to rub on the surface of the eye. If the cyst gets irritated or large enough to harm the dog's eye, it must be removed surgically, says Hauser.
Malignant tumors on the eyelid, such as mast cell tumors, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma, must be surgically removed.
To be continued.
