Manila Standard - 2023 October 15 - Sunday

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HOUSE DENOUNCES RODY FOR CIF ROW

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IN MET R MANILAO

VOL. XXXVII • NO. 243 • 2 SECTIONS 12 PAGES OCTOBER 15, 2023

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ALL political parties in the House of Representatives have united in denouncing former President Rodrigo Duterte for attacking the institution after it slashed P650 million in confidential and intelligence funds of two offices headed by his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte.

“We, leaders of all political parties in the House of Representatives, take utmost exception to the remarks made by former President Rodrigo R. Duterte,” said the statement attributed to House Secretary-General Reginald Velasco issued late Saturday.

“Our institution, the House of Representatives, has been unwavering in its dedication to the Filipino people. It is deeply unfortunate that the former President chose to malign the very institution that for years supported many of his own legislative priorities.”

The decision to reallocate confidential funds to security agencies, especially in the context of escalating tensions with China, “was taken in the best interest of national security,” the House leaders said.

Next page

2 SAFE ROUTES SET FOR 1M FLEEING PALESTINIANS

ISRAEL TO GAZANS: DON’T DELAY EVAC J

ERUSALEM—The Israeli military said Saturday that Gaza City residents must not delay their departure before a military offensive starts, as people leaving the north of the territory again jammed roads south.

Ahead of an expected Israeli ground offensive against Hamas, which attacked southern Israel on October 7, Israel has designated two safe routes for more than one million residents of northern Gaza to leave for the south of the blockaded territory.

Military spokesman Richard Hecht said there is a safe passage “window” between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm (1300 GMT) on the roads, down the Gaza coast and through the center of the narrow Palestinian territory, which is about 40 kilometers (25 miles) long.

Thousands of Gazans packed buses, cars, and donkey carts again on Saturday to escape the northern zone.

Without saying how many days

the window would remain, Hecht told reporters: “We know this is going to take time but we recommend people not to delay.”

Israel has faced calls from the United Nations, United States, and European Union to delay an expected full offensive to give civilians time to leave.

The Israeli military has indicated that Gaza City will be the focus of its operations because this is the base for the Hamas leadership that it blames for the attacks last week that left at least 1,300 dead in Israel.

Gaza authorities say at least 2,215 people have died in Israeli retaliatory strikes against Gaza targets over the past seven days.

ON THE MOVE. Israeli army infantry fighting vehicles deploy along the border with the Gaza Strip in southern Israel on October 13. Meanwhile, a family rides a donkeydrawn cart as hundreds of other Palestinians carrying their belongings flee following the Israeli army’s warning to leave their homes and move south (inset). Other men carry away the body of a person killed by Israeli bombardment along a debris-littered street in al-Karama district in Gaza City (upper photo). AFP

Palestinians sought refuge Saturday after Israel warned them to evacuate the northern Gaza Strip before an expected ground offensive against Hamas, one week after the deadliest attack in Israel’s history.

Israeli ground forces massed near Gaza have made “localized” raids into the enclave “to cleanse the area of terrorists and weaponry” and try to find “missing persons”, the army said.

Hamas militants in their October 7 attack gunned down, stabbed, and burned more than 1,300 people, according to government figures. Most of the dead were civilians, in an attack Israelis compared to 9/11 in the United States. Scores of foreigners were also killed or dragged back to Gaza among the 150 people the Israeli government estimates were taken hostage by Hamas. AFP

SPEAKER PUSHES MERCY FLIGHTS FOR PINOYS VIA EGYPT, JORDAN

By Maricel V. Cruz TO hasten the repatriation of Filipinos in Israel amid its war with the Hamas militant group, Speaker Martin Romualdez on Saturday proposed sending mercy flights to Egypt and Jordan, the Jewish state’s neighbors, for overseas Pinoys’ safety and convenience.

Sought for comment, Armed F o r c e s of the Philippines spokes-

man Col. Medel Aguilar said: “It is up to our top leaders to decide how best to execute the evacuation operations.”

At the same time, Romualdez vowed to contribute another P500,000 from his personal funds to assist the family of the third Filipino casualty in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Earlier, the Speaker and his wife, T i n g o g Party-list Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romual-

dez, pledged a personal donation of P1 million to support the families of the first two Filipinos who tragically died during the hostilities.

According to Romualdez, mercy flights need not land directly in Israel, as alternative locations like Egypt or Jordan could be considered for the safety and convenience of OFWs. The Speaker encouraged Filipinos in conflict areas to promptly contact

the Philippine Embassy to facilitate their return and avoid any potential risks in the midst of the escalating conflict.

“The safety and welfare of Filipino citizens are paramount, and we are committed to working closely with the DFA, DMW, and other relevant authorities to ensure the swift and secure repatriation of our OFWs from the conflict areas,” the House of Representatives chief said.

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ALL-WOMEN CAFÉ SERVES COFFEE THE CHRISTIAN WAY BUSINESS | A5

PALACE CALLS MANIBELA TO GAB TODAY

PRESIDENTS MEET. President Marcos hosts Federated States of Micronesia President Wesley W. Simina (right), demonstrating the Philippines’ commitment to strengthening its ties with Pacific neighbors. PCO Photo

THE Palace has called transport group Manibela to a meeting today to discuss pressing issues in their sector, especially for public utility jeepneys, and head off a planned nationwide strike on Monday.

Manibela chairman Mar Valbuena said in a TV Patrol report that he received a call from Malacañang on Friday night for a dialogue on the government’s planned traditional-jeepney phaseout and the “indefinite” transport strike their group called on Monday, October 16.

“If there is a dialogue tomorrow and (issued are) not agreed upon, it (transport

strike) will continue,” Valbuena said.

Meanwhile, some local government units and schools have announced the suspension of face-to-face classes from Oct. 16 to 17 due to the nationwide transport strike to be carried out by jeepney drivers and operators beginning Monday.

Classes would be done online, as Manibela said it will push through with its protest against the Dec. 31 deadline for the mandatory jeepney franchise consolidation, a component of the government’s public utility vehicle modernization program. Charles Dantes

PACQUIAO PUTS STAKES IN ELDERLY CARE TRAINING SPORTS | A7

NEWS

A2 | OCTOBER 15, 2023

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‘BI NEEDS TECH VS. ESCORT SCHEMES IN LOCAL AIRPORTS’

REGULATORY BOARD OKAYS SCTEX TOLL INCREASE STARTING OCT. 17

By Darwin Amojelar

T

HE Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) approved an additional P0.64 per kilometer toll rate adjustment at the Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) effective October 17.

The new rates are part of the authorized SCTEX periodic adjustment due in 2021 and 2023 and were approved following proper regulatory procedures and thorough review by the TRB. The TRB and SCTEX agreed to implement the adjustments in tranches to help cushion their impact on the users of the expressway, and this will

be the first of three tranches.

In a statement Friday, the TRB said the provisionally approved toll fees had undergone “thorough and meticulous review”.

Under the new toll fee matrix, motorists with Class 1 vehicles traveling between Mabalacat City to Tarlac will be charged an additional P25.

Motorists with Class 2 vehicles traveling on the same route will pay an additional P50, and those with Class 3 vehicles will pay an additional P75.

Meanwhile, an additional P40, P8 and P121 will be charged to motorists using Class 1, 2, and 3 vehicles, respectively, traveling between Mabalacat City and Tipo, Hermosa, Bataan (near Subic Freeport).

Those traveling SCTEX end-to-end between Tipo, Hermosa, Bataan (near Subic Freeport) to Tarlac will pay an additional P65 for Class 1, P131 for Class 2 and P196 for Class 3.

The new rates were approved in August this year but SCTEX decided

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Friday cited the need to maximize the use of modern technologies to combat the so-called “escort services” by erring immigration personnel.

“We are still using the manual method. A passenger has to interact with an immigration officer to be processed. But with the upgrades we are implementing, our operations would involve e-gates and AI (artificial intelligence), which would remove unnecessary person-to-person contact,”BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said.

Tansingco made the statement after the Department of Justice (DOJ) warned against the resurgence of the “escort services” reportedly offered by BI personnel at airports for visitors who have problems with their travel documents.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier disclosed that the DOJ had received information that blacklisted persons could travel in and out of the country in exchange for P150,000.

“This has been a long problem of the bureau, and we are making significant strides to catch corrupt employees and prevent other personnel from being tempted to go the rouge path,” Tansingco said. “Corruption has no place in the BI. Together with the DOJ, and with the use of technologies, we will weed out corrupt personnel.”

He said the BI has already started the procurement of e-gates, intending to complete the replacement of 50 percent of its manual operation by 2026.

To date, the BI has filed more than 100 cases with the Justice Department against erring immigration personnel.

This year, the cases of 73 BI personnel have been resolved, with some being suspended, while others were dismissed from office.

to defer implementation to October in light of the inflationary situation.

From 2020 to 2022, the company undertook numerous infrastructure and enhancements projects as part of its commitment to improve motorists safety and convenience while traveling the SCTEX. “NLEX Corp. had to comply with all the procedures and requirements, including the publication and posting of surety bond, before the Notice to Start Collection was issued on August 16, 2023. These provisional toll rate adjustments shall still be subject to further review by the TRB pursuant to its existing rules,” the TRB said.

AIRPORT AUTHORITY BRACES FOR INFLUX ON LONG WEEKEND

OVERTURNED. A truck carrying a cargo of sand overturned along the Batasan Tunnel going to Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City, causing heavy traffic in the area. Norman Cruz

PHILHEALTH URGES MEMBERS TO ACCESS DATA THROUGH ONLINE PORTAL

COLORFUL CHRISTMAS. A woman arranges Christmas decorations at the ‘Parolan 2023’ in Cubao Quezon City. Manny Marcelo

House...

From A1

“It is essential to understand that this decision was made for the benefit of the nation and not as a personal affront to any individual, including Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio.”

They reasoned that aside from the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education, the House of Representatives also allocated zero confidential and intelligence funds to other civilian departments including Agriculture (DA), Foreign Affairs (DFA), and Information and Communica-

tions Technology (DICT).

“Casting these decisions in a light of personal vendettas is a disservice to the diligent members of the House of the People and the very essence of our democratic process,” they said.

“It is critical to remember that the ‘pork barrel’ system, which former President Duterte alluded to, has been deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

Our Members are firmly committed to respecting and upholding this ruling.”

“Rather than making sweeping allegations in the media, we advise the former president, if he has tangible evidence of wrongdoing, to present it to the appropriate authorities.”

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MEMBER Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

IN LIGHT of a recent data breach, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is encouraging members to access the PhilHealth Member Portal to check on their membership and contributions records.

PhilHealth said the member portal also enables members to pay contributions (for self-paying members only) and register with accredited Konsulta providers of their choice to avail of primary care services paid for by the state health insurer.

The PhilHealth said members can easily access and download copies of their Member Data Record (MDR) through the following link: https:// memberinquiry.philhealth.gov.ph/ member/.

PhilHealth reminded members to be cautious and ensure that they access only its official website (https:// www.philhealth.gov.ph) by taking note of the domain which is gov. ph and not .com or .net. The website connection should start with an https (hypertext transfer protocol secure) tag and with a display padlock connection secure icon on the left side.

To avail of the services at the Member Portal, first-time users must first create an account using their PhilHealth Identification Number (PIN)

By Joel E. Zurbano

and a strong password. A confirmation will be sent to their email address, and once confirmation is received by PhilHealth, they can start using the services of the Portal.

Meanwhile, the state-insurer also reminded its partner health facilities that they can now access the Health Care Institution Portal. With this development, there is no longer a need for members to present their printed MDRs to be able to avail of the benefits.

The Agency also assured that all Filipinos, registered or not, are entitled to avail themselves of the benefits as mandated by the Universal Health Care Act. While frontline systems are still being restored, unregistered members (those without PIN) should submit a duly accomplished PhilHeath Member Registration Form (PMRF) together with supporting documents to the health facility to avail of the benefits.

PhilHealth Chief Emmanuel R. Ledesma, Jr. renewed his appeal to the public to remain calm and vigilant against phishing attacks that may arise from data leaked by the hackers. He also encouraged members to change passwords with new and strong ones, and not to divulge this to other people.

THE Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) is bracing for an anticipated surge in passenger traffic during the upcoming long weekends.

To prepare, the MIAA said it has activated a program called “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Barangay and SK Elections and Undas 2023.”

The MIAA said it expects approximately 1.2 million passengers to pass through the Ninoy Aquino International Airpor t (NAIA) over ten days starting October 27.

According to MIAA officer-incharge Bryan Co, daily passenger traffic during this period could go beyond 130,000, which is more than last year’s average of 94,000 passengers daily.

The total number of passengers for the whole 2022 Undas season was 945,156. In 2019, there was an average of 129,000 passengers daily, reaching a season total of 1,427,805.

In the first ten days of October, the current volume of travelers has already reached 1,150,671, with daily counts ranging from 110,000 to 121,000 passengers.

Regarding the criticisms around the extraordinary and miscellaneous funds, these are not only standard budgetary allocations meant for official functions and duties but are also transparent and open to scrutiny.

In fact, these funds are subject to the rigorous oversight of the Commission on Audit (COA), the constitutionally mandated body responsible for examining all government expenditures, they said.

“It is worth noting that, per COA, the House of Representatives passed all levels of audits. There were no red flags, no disallowances, and no suspensions – a testament to our commitment to fiscal responsibility and transparency.”

Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Anita F. Grefal Baldwin R. Felipe Edgar M. Valmorida

EMERGENCY DRILLS.

Children from Baseco Compound in Tondo Manila watch members of the Philippine Coast Guard demonstrate emergency drills on how to save a drowning person.

Danny Pata

Rolando G. Estabillo

Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Treasury Manager Head—Ad Solutions Circulation Manager

Chin Wong Joyce Pangco Pañares Jimbo Owen Gulle

Associate Editor Managing Editor News Editor

Emil P. Jurado

Publisher Honor Blanco Cabie Opinion Editor Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

E-mail: mst.daydesk@gmail.com Website: www.manilastandard.net

NEWS

OCTOBER 15, 2023 |

A3

IN BRIEF AGHAM IS NOW SENATOR MIRIAM DEFENSORSANTIAGO AVENUE

ART INSTALLATION.

A worker tends to a huge display of artificial sunflowers at the Alveo Plaza in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City on Saturday. The art installation

by Arlene Gaddi Maceda was commissioned by the Maybank Performing Arts Theater.

Danny Pata

DA SAYS RICE SUPPLY WILL BE STABLE WITH WET SEASON HARVEST, IMPORTS

By Charles Dantes

T

HE Department of Agriculture (DA) on Saturday said there will be sufficient rice supply in early 2024 as farmers will be able to harvest enough palay or unhusked rice this wet season.

The DA also said rice imports that arrived in the third quarter of this year will also help the country’s stock.

DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said that the country’s national rice stock inventory is currently at a comfortable level, with 77 days of supply expected this October. The official added that once the wet season harvest ends

this November, the national stock inventory is expected to last for 94 days.

“With our inventory plus imports, going into the first quarter of next year, the supply of our rice throughout the country will be stable,” De Mesa explained in a weekly news forum in Quezon City.

He noted that the drop in rice prices in the market is likely to have a significant impact on inflation, as food inflation, which includes rice supply as a key factor, is a major contributor to the overall inflation rate.

De Mesa said that Executive Order (EO) No. 39 impact on inflation was felt towards the last week of September as significant increases in rice compliance among retailers were seen.

“A lot of retailers were selling rice even lower than P41 and P45 a kilo, as it coincided with the start of wet season harvest that started in the last week of August,” he said.

EO 39, issued by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

on September 5, imposed mandated price ceilings on rice across the country to slow down the surge of rice prices in the public market.

The DA also said that there would be no shortage of pork and eggs in the market as the Philippines inches closer to the holiday season.

De Mesa said on Saturday that pork imports are continuing, especially in the fourth quarter, based on the schedule arranged by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BPI) last month.

De Mesa also cited said the DA’s effort to halt the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) after new reports of contamination had surfaced.

The official said the DA is implementing the “BABay ASF” program and other measures to counter the effects of the disease, which has affected some areas in the country.

De Mesa said that the testing for the vaccines against ASF and Avian Influenza (AI) are undergoing and showing positive results.

AGHAM Road will now be officially known as Senator Miriam DefensorSantiago Avenue after Republic Act (RA) 11963 lapsed into law without President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s signature.

Under RA 11963, the 3.5-kilometer road from North Avenue to East Avenue, passing through Quezon Avenue would be renamed after the late senator. The law was passed by the House of Representatives on March 21, 2023, and the Senate on August 14, 2023.

Defensor-Santiago was a renowned jurist, educator, and public servant who served from 1992 to 2016.

She was known for her sharp wit, her commitment to justice, and her fight against corruption. DefensorSantiago died on September 29, 2016, after a long bout with cancer.

Charles Dantes

COMELEC TO RESOLVE POLL CASES NEXT WEEK THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) aims to resolve all pending disqualification cases for the October 30 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) by next week.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia told radio dzBB 125 disqualification cases were filed for the 2023 village polls.

He also said at least 12 BSKE candidates have already been disqualified, as most of them have previous criminal cases that make them ineligible to run for election.

The Comelec chair also said that measures are also in place in case a resolution is not reached before election day.

He also assured the public that there won’t be a “vacuum of leadership” in case a winning barangay chairman is disqualified. Vito Barcelo

WORLD

A4 | OCTOBER 15, 2023

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IN BRIEF ISRAEL ARMY ‘VERY SORRY’ FOR JOURNALIST’S DEATH

PAKISTAN FOR PALESTINE. A boy along with supporters of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) party take part in a rally to show solidarity with Palestinians in Karachi on October 13. Several thousand Pakistani Muslims protested across the country after Friday prayers against Israel’s massive bombardment of Gaza in retaliation to Hamas attacks. AFP

SAUDI PAUSES NORMALIZATION TALKS WITH ISRAEL, SAYS SOURCE R IYADH—Saudi Arabia has suspended talks on potentially normalizing ties with Israel, a source told AFP on Saturday, amid the war raging between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Hamas launched a large-scale attack on Israel on October 7 which killed 1,300 people, sparking a retaliatory bombing campaign that has killed at least 1,900 in the Gaza Strip ahead of a potential Israeli ground invasion of the territory.

“Saudi Arabia has decided to pause discussion on possible normalization and has informed US officials,” a source familiar with the discussions told AFP. The Gulf kingdom, home to the holiest sites in

Islam, has never recognized Israel and did not join the 2020 US-brokered Abraham Accords that saw its Gulf neighbors Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates as well as Morocco establish formal ties with Israel.

US President Joe Biden’s administration had been pushing hard in recent months for Saudi Arabia to take the same step.

Under de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, son of the ageing King Salman, Riyadh had laid out conditions for normalization including security guarantees from Washington and help developing a civilian nuclear programme.

In an interview with Fox News last month, Prince Mohammed said “every day we get closer” to a deal, though he also insisted the Palestinian issue was “very important” for Riyadh.

“We need to solve that part. We need to ease the life of the Palestinians,” he said.

News that normalization discussions are now on hold comes as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is due to meet with his Saudi counterpart on Saturday, the latest stop on a six-nation tour of the region.

Diplomatic push In the week since Hamas launched its attack on Israel, Riyadh has voiced increasing disquiet about the fate of Palestinians in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, where Israel has launched thousands of strikes and ordered the evacuation of the territory’s north, prompting thousands to flee.

It has also publicized its diplomatic outreach “to stop the ongoing escalation”, contacting regional leaders across and beyond the region.

On Thursday, Saudi state media reported that Prince Mohammed had discussed “the current military situation in Gaza and its environs” with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. AFP

AUSSIE VOTERS REJECT INDIGENOUS RIGHTS SYDNEY—Australians have roundly rejected greater rights for Indigenous citizens, scuppering plans to amend the country’s 122-yearold constitution after a divisive and racially-tinged referendum campaign.

With two-thirds of polling places reporting, 55 percent of voters had voted “no” to acknowledging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the country’s constitution for the first time.

The reforms would also have created a consultative body -- a “Voice” to Parliament -- to weigh in on laws that affect Indigenous communities and help address profound social and economic inequality.

Despite suppor t from the country’s center-left government, the “yes”campaign had trailed in opinion polls for months, and a defeat was widely expected.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles acknowledged the defeat early in the evening, telling public broadcaster ABC “Australians have not voted for a change to the constitution.” AFP

VAN GOGH MUSEUM SCRAPS POKEMON CARDS

ISRAEL, EGYPT LET U.S. CITIZENS LEAVE GAZA THRU RAFAH RIYADH—Egypt and Israel have agreed to let US citizens leave the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing on Saturday as Israel carries out strikes against Hamas, a US official said.

The two US partners agreed to keep the sole crossing from Gaza to Egypt open from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm (0900-1400 GMT), said a US official accompanying Secretary of State Antony Blinken on a regional tour.

The official said that the United States did not yet have confirmation that the agreement was being implemented, “but the intention was to have it open.”

Qatar, where Blinken visited Friday, has also been involved in the agreement by leaning on Hamas, with which the Gulf nation has close ties, to allow movement, the official said.

The official said that 500-600 US citizens in the Gaza Strip had reached out for information on leaving the hemmed in territory.

The official did not know if other foreign national were able to leave. AFP

JERUSALEM—The Israeli army said Saturday it was “very sorry” for the death of a Reuters journalist killed when caught up in cross-border shelling along the frontier with Lebanon.

“We are very sorry for the journalist’s death,” military spokesman Richard Hecht told reporters when asked about the killing of the Reuters videographer on Friday.

The Israeli military did not acknowledge responsibility, however.

“We are looking into it,” Hecht said of the incident in which six other journalists, including two from AFP, were also injured.

A senior military commander of Hamas who headed the Islamist group’s aerial operations in Gaza City has been killed in Israeli air strikes, the military also said Saturday.

Murad Abu Murad was killed over the past day when fighter jets struck an operational center of Hamas from where the group carried out its “aerial activity”, the military said. There was no immediate confirmation from Hamas. AFP

CATHEDRAL REPAIR. In this handout photograph taken and released by Ukrainian Presidential Press Service on October 13, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky (center) and Netherlands’ Prime Minister Mark Rutte (left) visit the Transfiguration Cathedral damaged as a result of a missile strike in Odesa on July 2023. AFP

THE HAGUE—The Vincent Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam said Saturday it would no longer hand out a prized Pokemon card after the giveaway sparked crushes by “scalpers” reselling it for exorbitant prices.

Launched with great fanfare last month to mark the museum’s 50th anniversary, the collaboration with Pokemon aimed to inspire younger visitors and included exhibitions on the artist’s links with Japan.

But it also attracted die-hard Pokemon fans keen to get their hands on a limited edition “Pikaportrait” card.

“Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat” showed the yellow character in a pose inspired by a famous Van Gogh self-portrait and was available after completing a “quest” around the museum.

“Recently, a small group of individuals has created an undesirable situation that has led us to take the difficult decision to remove the Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat promo card from the museum,” the Amsterdam institution said in a statement. AFP

FRANCE DEPLOYS 7K SOLDIERS AFTER TEACHER’S SLAY

SCHOOL STABBING. French President Emmanuel Macron (center), flanked

by French Education and Youth Minister Gabriel Attal (right) and French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin (left), talks to the press after a visit to the Gambetta high school in Arras, northeastern France on October 13, after a teacher was killed and two other people severely wounded in a knife attack by a man of Chechen origin. AFP

ARRAS, France—France on Saturday said it will deploy 7,000 soldiers after declaring a top-level alert following the fatal stabbing of a teacher by a Chechen-origin man, who also severely wounded three others at a school.

The attack took place in the northeastern town of Arras, home to large Jewish and Muslim populations.

Police arrested the suspected attacker, Mohammed Moguchkov, who had cried the Arabic phrase “Allahu akbar!” (God is greatest), according to the preliminary elements of the investigation.

Authorities have suggested a probable link to the ongoing violence in the Middle East, with President Emmanuel Macron denouncing the incident as an act of “Islamist terror”.

The deployment of the soldiers from

Operation Sentinelle will be completed

by Monday evening, according to the Elysee presidential palace.

Sentinelle is a French military operation with 10,000 soldiers and 4,700 police and gendarmes deployed since the aftermath of the January 2015 attacks to protect parts of the country deemed sensitive from terrorism.

“This school was struck by the barbarity of Islamist terrorism,” Macron said after visiting the school, adding that the victim had “probably saved many lives” with his courage in blocking the attacker.

Macron said another attempted attack in another region had been foiled by security forces.

According to the interior ministry, the president was referring to the arrest of a “radicalised” man who was arrested leaving a prayer hall in the

Yvelines region of Paris for carrying a prohibited weapon.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin later said there was “probably a link between what’s happening in the Middle East and this incident” in Arras.

France upped its alert level to the highest position following a crunch security meeting chaired by Macron on Friday, the prime minister’s office told AFP. A total of eight people were in police custody on Friday, a police source said.

In addition to the attacker, several members of his family were arrested “for the purposes of the investigation”, including one of his brothers and his sister, other police sources said.

The national anti-terrorist prosecutor announced that it has opened an investigation. AFP

OTHEL V. CAMPOS, Issue Editor email: extrastory2000@gmail.com

FINANCE COMPANY JOINS FINTECH PHILIPPINES

BUSINESS

OCTOBER 15, 2023 |

A5

Overflow House Inc. founders (from left) Ivy, Michelle, Edna, Josine and Pauline Crisostomo

GLOBAL Dominion Financing, Inc. (GDFI) leads the newly established financing and lending committee of the Fintech Philippines Association (Fintech Philippines), an independent industry organization representing the interests and growth of the fintech community in the Philippines.

“It is my pleasure to have Global Dominion as lead in the Financing and Lending Committee. Their stature and influence in their industry is pivotal in attracting new members and championing constructive dialogue with stakeholders,” said Fintech Philippines Association co-founder and trustee Jove Tapiador.

ALL-WOMEN CAFÉ SERVES COFFEE THE CHRISTIAN WAY A

GDFI’s Aian Guanzon (left) and Jove Tapiador (right), Fintech PH co-founder and trustee.

As Global Dominion joins Fintech PH, the company looks forward to paving the way towards innovating the financing and lending industry, said company financing business development head Aion Guanzon.

“We can’t wait to start our journey in enjoining other institutions in the lending and financing landscape to embrace innovation. While many of us are at the early stages of digital transformation, I know that we have seen and felt how technology can take us to the next level, or resolve inefficiencies at the very least,” he said.

Fintech Philippines is the largest and most inclusive industry trade group with diverse membership from banks to insurers, to technology start-ups, and professional firms.

On the other hand, Global Dominion is a financial institution that helps Filipinos achieve their goals through easy and affordable loan products.

GLOBAL SOLAR DISTRIBUTOR FETED WITH 2 AWARDS BAYWA R.E. Solar Trade, a prominent global solar distributor was the recipient of two prestigious awards, Best Solar Service Provider of the Year and the Solar Company of the Year: Distributor, during Solar Week Philippines Leadership Awards 2023 held at the New World Hotel Makati.

The awards are a testament to BayWa r.e. Solar Trade’s ongoing dedication to providing accessible solar solutions and supporting the country’s renewable energy initiatives, said Solar Trade director Junrhey Castro.

“We are thrilled to be honored with these awards, especially since this is the third year we are named Solar Company of the Year. It affirms our unwavering commitment and dedication to delivering trusted solar solutions in the region and supporting the Philippines’ renewable energy goals. At BayWa r.e., we continue to promote the drive for clean energy transitions and solutions for sustainable power generation for the future. These awards further motivate us to pursue greater heights in creating a net zero community,” he said.

Solar Quarter Southeast Asia, the largest solar energy media network in Asia-Pacific & Africa, organized the event.

BayWa r.e. Solar Trade continues to be a vital partner in assisting the Philippines achieve sustainable targets through consultations and by supplying solar components that will contribute to the country’s sustainable energy future.

QUAINT coffee shop on Sandalwood Street in SSS Village Marikina stands out as a pioneering café that serves exclusively handpoured, cold-brewed coffee.

Overflow Cafe, founded and operated by a family of four women and their mother, is the realization of a long-cherished dream to create a business that resonates with coffee enthusiasts.

Overflow Cafe, as aptly named, symbolizes the abundance of blessings that the Crisostomo family has experienced over the years. It is a testament to the overflow of love from their mother to her children and grandchildren.

“We named it Overflow since this business was borne out of the overflow of blessings my family had experienced over the years and from the overflow of the love our mother have for us and her grandchildren,” said Michelle Crisostomo, co-founder and president of the Overflow House Inc. “The business is, in fact, a tribute to my mom. At 69, she devoted her life to raising her children and grandchildren. This cafe is our way of giving back to her, allowing her to achieve a significant milestone as vice president of her own corporation. It’s a place she can call her own, and it’s something we all share,” she says.

In the early days of the café in 2021, businesses were cautiously reopening, and people remained hesitant to venture out, even for a simple cup of coffee.

For the Crisostomo family, coffee isn’t just a beverage; it’s a familial affair. The coffee shop isn’t just a shared business venture but a passion project where they all share their love for coffee, consuming whatever is left unsold at the end of each day.

Prior to launching the cafe, Michelle conducted a survey of the neighborhood’s cafes, sampling their menus to understand how their cafe could fit in and compete.

By the time the construction was complete, in about two to three months, the neighborhood saw a substantial increase, with 22 coffee shops springing up from just six when they first scouted the area.

Despite the cafe being their side hustle, as all except Mommy Edna have day jobs, they all contribute to its management. The cafe, with a cozy seating capacity for six, employs a lean team consisting of a store manager and three baristas who rotate their shifts.

Two of the sisters are doing freelance work, and the other two are gainfully employed in a corporate setup. Michelle is part of global streaming giant Netflix as a customer experience manager. When offered the job during pandemic, she found it tempting and decided to switch jobs from Facebook. She has a degree in Mass Communications from the University of the Philippines.

One of her sisters has worked as a pastry chef in Dubai and decided to come home after seven years just before the pandemic struck. Pau is freelancing as a business development expert, helping establish businesses, particularly coffee shops, from the ground up.

Overflow Cafe was her second project among four cafe brands she has helped create and build.

In managing the cafe, each of them pitches in.

Whoever has the most time during the day looks after the business. The cafe, which can comfortably sit six people, employs a very lean crew. A store manager and three baristas take turns during the week.

Haven for students Overflow Cafe serves as a safe haven for students seeking part-time work and as a training ground for Michelle’s deaf and mute niece, Bea, who demonstrates that people with disabilities can thrive in the food and beverage (F&B) industry.

As a born-again Christian, Michelle underscores the importance of creating a welcoming space for PWDs, elderly individuals, and children, as it aligns with her faith.

To stay competitive, Overflow Cafe continually enhances its menu, taking customer suggestions to heart. The cafe now offers non-coffee drinks for kids, fruit teas, ice cream, ice cream floats, sandwiches and toasts. Some of the signature beverages are inspired by the owners’ children, who devise creative ways to enjoy non-coffee drinks.

For those who prefer home-brewed coffee, the cafe offers drip coffee in pouches, as well as custom orders for drip coffee as personalized tokens for events.

Lately, the cafe also started catering to small off-site events.

To engage more customers, Overflow Cafe introduced “pending coffee,” a concept where pre purchased and prepaid coffee credits are made available for other patrons to enjoy.

“This is like suspended coffee, where we offer coffee that are prebought and pre-paid by regular visitors for other clients to enjoy. If we have pending coffee credits, we offer them to students who do their homework in our shop or if there are bible study groups. And since we are a Christian establishment, some of our members buy pending coffee credits for members who will drop by,” Michelle says.

“We don’t proactively talk about this. We don’t want to make us look like we’re doing this for the clout or to be noticed. We feel that as Christians we need to give back and this is a part of that,” she says.

The excess pending coffee credits are offered to students who study or hold Bible study groups.

However, Michelle says they don’t actively promote this, as they believe in giving back quietly, driven by their Christian values.

Michelle strongly believes that small businesses play a vital role in shaping the entrepreneurial mindset of young individuals. She notes the importance of instilling the values of entrepreneurship in children from an early age, teaching them to make smart decisions while working for income.

“I saw the difference of having an entrepreneurial mindset. While it is important to have a steady income, it is also important to train your kids as early as possible. While working for money, they also make smart decisions,” Michelle says.

As an informed parent, she says parents her like has the opportunity to prepare their children for life.

“We did not have much growing up, but we would like our kids to experience how it is to work without pressure. Training them for life starts in this small-state coffee shop,” she says.

Overflow Cafe seeks to convey a message to its customers, encapsulated in Psalms 23:5, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”

“This is our core verse. Very apt. This exemplifies how we are all blessed and how can be a blessing to others. Each day we are striving to offer customer service the Christian way,” says Michelle. Othel V. Campos

OGILVY PH RECOGNIZED FOR DIGITAL EXCELLENCE

Team Ogilvy shows off plaques of recognition.

OGILVY Philippines, was recognized for its “Digital Excellence in Creativity and Effectiveness” and “Best in Market Performance” at the 2023 4A’s Agency of the Year awards ceremony.

These coveted awards, presented to agencies that excel in driving exceptional outcomes for their clients, demonstrate the agency’s culture and commitment to delivering effective and creative solutions.

“Being both creative and effective for our clients to meet their business objectives has always been our north star. To be able to harness our expertise across brand, experience, PR, health, and consulting to deliver for brands in collaboration with their gatekeepers is truly where the magic happens. We’re ecstatic that

we can celebrate all this good work together with our client partners,” said company CEO Elly Puyat.

In addition to these remarkable wins, Ogilvy Philippines was also recognized as a finalist in six categories, including “Best in Creative,” “Digital Excellence in Innovation,” “Brand Experience Excellence/Best in Creativity and Effectiveness,” “Brand Experience Excellence/ Best in Creativity and Innovation,” and two NextGen Awards for Creative and Strategic Plannin, highlighting the agency’s strengths across various facets of the industry.

2023, so far, has been a remarkable year for Ogilvy Philippines, with the 4A’s Agency of the Year Awards adding to an impressive list of local and international accolades.

A6 | OCTOBER 15, 2023

ON THE ROAD

MILO RIVERA, Issue Editor email: medarlo.e.rivera@gmail.com

PHILIPPINE ELECTRIC VEHICLE SUMMIT HAPPENING THIS WEEK GETS FULL BACKING OF AFEVA

T

HE Asian Federation of Electric Vehicle Associations (AFEVA) has announced its support for the 11th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit, to be held from October 19th to 21st in Manila, Philippines. The summit will bring together key stakeholders in the electric vehicle industry, policymakers, innovators, and champions of sustainable transportation to discuss the latest advancements and promote sustainable transportation solutions.

AFEVA President Edmund Araga highlighted the significance of the event, saying it provides an opportunity to reaffir m the organization’s commitment to the advancement of electric mobility in the ASEAN region.

He added that AFEVA is excited to continue collaborating with its member associations and partners to promote sustainable

transportation solutions.

The summit is expected to be a major milestone in the development of electric mobility in the ASEAN region. The event will provide a forum for key stakeholders to discuss the challenges and opportunities of transitioning to electric vehicles, and to develop strategies for accelerating the adoption of sustainable transportation solutions.

AFE VA has played a pivotal role in fostering collaboration and

sharing best practices within the ASEAN region, resulting in substantial advancements in electric mobility. The organization’s member associations include EVAP (Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines), EVAT (Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand), EVAM (Electric Vehicle Association o f M a l a y s i a ) , E VA S ( E l e c t r i c Vehicle Association of Singapore), a n d I n d o n e s i a ’s P e r i k l i n d o .

Representatives from Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia will also attend

the summit, further strengthening the network of cooperation and collaboration in the region.

AFEVA Director Rommel Juan added that the summit promises to be an invaluable opportunity for the exchange of insights and experiences.

The 11th Philippine Elec tric Vehicle Summit is poised to be a groundbreaking event, contributing to the ongoing transformation of the automotive landscape and the advancement of sustainable transportation in the ASEAN region.

WILLIE SOONG KNOWS WHEN TO EXIT

GAC MOTOR OPENS NEW DEALERSHIP IN CAINTA GAC Motor Philippines celebrated the grand opening of its new dealership in Cainta, Rizal. The event was attended by top executives from GAC Motor, Astara Philippines, and the Gateway Group.

GAC Motor Cainta is the first 3S (sales, service, and spare parts) facility of the Gateway Group. The showroom can display up to six vehicles, and the service area has six car bays equipped with diagnostic systems. The facility

also has a well-stocked warehouse with genuine parts and tools.

All vehicles sold by the dealer are covered by a 5-year warranty, 24-hour Emergency Roadside Assistance, free Preventive Maintenance Service (PMS) on the first 5,000 kilometers, and other value-adding programs.

“We extend our heartfelt appreciation and congratulations to the Gateway Group on the opening of GAC MOTOR

Cainta,” said Franz Decloedt, Brand Head of GAC Motor Philippines.“This expansion is a testament to our unwavering commitment to serve our customers conveniently across the Philippines.”

GAC Motor Philippines has been expanding its dealership network across the country since relaunching the brand this year. The company aims to have a total of 20 locations by the end of the year.

GOGORO TO FINALLY OPEN FIRST EXPERIENCE CENTER IN PH GOGORO Philippines, a joint venture between Globe Group’s 917Ventures Inc., Ayala Corporation, and Taiwan’s Gogoro, is set to open its first retail space, the Gogoro Experience Center (GEC), in Makati City on November 7.

The GEC will be located at the second floor of Greenbelt 4, Makati Avenue, Ayala Center. It will be a place where consumers can learn about Gogoro Smartscooters® and batteryswapping GoStations, a personal transportation ecosystem that uses a revolutionary approach to powering mobility.

Gogoro is a Taiwanese company that has pioneered smart electric mobility. Its batter y-swapping network in Taiwan has more than 550,000 riders and over 1.1 million smart batteries in circulation. The network has achieved more than 480 million total battery swaps, saving over 680,000 tons of carbon dioxide.

Gogoro Philippines is the Globe Group’s first foray into climate tech as it aims to promote eco-friendly transport in the Philippines. The strategic partnership seeks to provide intelligent and eco-friendly mobility solutions that are both accessible and inclusive.

The launch of the Gogoro Experience

Center is a significant milestone before the start of Gogoro’s commercial operations in the Philippines. It is an opportunity for more Filipinos to learn about a sustainable, technologically advanced, and cost-effective mode of transport that promises to reduce carbon emissions and transform urban mobility.

IF YOU could ask me one person who can truly describe the landscape of the Philippine auto industry through the years, it is Wellington Soong, or Willie for short. He is not just a part of it but really deep in it, as his name was synonymous then with class brands such as Ferrari, Jaguar, Land Rover, Maserati, and several others.

Willie considers himself to have already exited the local auto industry, and he is so happy he did it while he is still capable of doing it. “I am happy with what I am having right now after that I left the industry which was the result of what I called a ‘transactional betrayal’,” he said without elaborating any further.

But Willie is still very much abreast of what is happening around the industry that he loved, especially now that it is undergoing transformation from internal combustion engine to electrification. And he is still handson with his other businesses, one of which is Electro-Systems, the official distributor of Bose and other sound equipment in the country.

“There is a paradigm shift. It is a major one in the Philippine automotive industry that has deep tectonic repercussions. But the transformation would take some time -- for the market to adapt to the EV operation and adjust to its parameters,” he said.

He also cited the entry of the business giants in the industry – such as the Ayalas and the Delgados – into EVs. “It’s gonna be bloody, believe me.

You need very, very deep pockets, almost bottomless pitch, when you deal with the EVs.” Willie is somewhat busy these days in creating his own place for his own collections and memorabilia which he has amassed through the years. He calls it Wellington Centre, a private museum where he can also entertain some of his friends from time to time. It is located at the ground floor of the Enzo Building in Gil Puyat Avenue in Makati City.

He acquired it when his very close

friend, Enrique Zobel, bought it in 1984, in time before he (Enzo) exited from the Ayala Group of Companies and made it his headquarters.

I was one of Willie’s friends from the media whom he called one night for the first dinner of sorts at the said venue which also accommodates his modest collection of Maserati and Ferrari cars.

Willie knows how to entertain guests as he ordered several foods like karekare, mechado, and one of my favorites, adobong balot full of garlic, and several bottles of exceptional red wines.

Did you know that Willie is the founder of RACKS, whose name he coined for “Real American Country Kitchen Style ‘’ back in 1993. That was the year after his several years of trying to have a franchise of several great brands such as Mc Donald’s Haagen Dazs,and Popeye to no avail. He had already sold RACKS log before.

“You know, I never brought a brand new car in all my 25 years in the auto business, except for this Maserati MC20 and the Ferrari Pista which I kept dearly,” Willie said when I paid him a quick visit at the office where he proudly showed me a coffee-table book he named “Knowing When To Exit” which he will dedicate to his late wife Maureen early next month during her birth anniversary. It is a hardbound, 280-page one that heralds his achievements and success through years.

“My original intent is to make this book a surprise for her for our 52 years together. But with her unexpected death last March of 2022, we will dedicate this book to Maureen in her honor and for all the years she shared with me,” Willie said.

SPORTS

RANDY M. CALUAG, Issue Editor

OPINIO OCTOBER 15, 2023 |

A7

PACQUIAO PUTS STAKES IN ELDERLY CARE TRAINING A

THE BOXING GREAT HOPES TO PROVIDE FILIPINOS WITH MORE JOBS ABROAD

GROUNDBREAKING partnership between Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao and Times Education Holdings for several projects in the Philippines makes Times Education a powerhouse institution for education.

During the recent partnership launch at the Fairmont Hotel in Makati City, Philippines, the former Philippine senator said that he is “very happy to be a part of this important milestone.”.

“I think it is important for Filipinos to get into education and in taking care of elderly individuals,” Pacquiao said.

Pacquiao also said that his investment in Times Education not only holds the promise of delivering excellent financial returns to investors but will also give opportunities for youths to be better engaged with the frail and aged.

“It warms my heart to share that this company is already teaching Filipino students to become the next leaders in elderly care roles. Their commitment to our kababayans is why I have chosen to affiliate myself with Times Education” the future hall of famer said.

The launch also showcased its projects to potential investors who are willing to join Times Education’s mission in providing education and employment, especially in the rising elderly care industry in Australia.

Charles Shiao, chief executive officer of Times Education, added that they have come to the Philippines to promote an education program that is on par with Australian standards.

STUDY IN AUSTRALIA He added that they are seeing a “huge population” of Filipino students that would study in Australia, especially with Times Education’s expansion plans coming at a better time.

“We have more established colleges that offer comprehensive courses in age care. This is a rare chance to get involved in an industry that is not just profitable, but also noble in its mission” Shiao said.

Mel Congerton, the deputy mayor of the City of Swan in Western Australia and chairman of the IIBT Governance board, said that Australia is facing “serious trouble” in delivering acceptable Residential Aged Care for elderly citizens, especially with the lack of trained staff in these facilities.

“We need 17,000 trained

PVL ALL FILIPINO GIRDS FOR FASTER, LIVELIER ACTION

Boxing’s living legend Manny Pacquiao also wants to leave a lasting legacy in education. He partners with Times Education to open opportunities for Filipinos.

workers each year for the next 10 years, that’s 170,000 new workers in the aged care industry. To add to this dilemma, Australia needs to build 520 new residential care facilities over the next 10 years to meet the demand of our aging population.” Congerton said.

He said that the expansion of Times Education into aging social services is an opportunity to add to IIBT’s existing impressive education curriculum a new

social services sector training for residential aged care and employment recruitment services.

“This diversification is a deliberate business strategy and a holistic extension of our mission. To deliver such an expansive program requires funding. An investment opportunity in Times Education will deliver experiential returns for our investors,” Congerton added.

Times Education aims to

build a retirement resort village and residential care center 13 kilometers north of Perth CBD, which will offer elderly care and services under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Potential investors in Times Education are assured of security and value for their investment, as it has delivered training to over 35,000 students and operates seven colleges and 12 campuses in Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth.

It also has more than 124 vocational courses, 2 higher education diplomas, and English language proficiency courses.

SPORTS ACADEMY Aside from the elderly care village, among the plans lined up by Times Education is the creation of a “Pacquiao Sports Academy” which will be a premier institution for sports education, with coaching and certification programs in a variety of programs, including boxing, tennis, basketball, and golf within the Australian education framework.

It also aims to partner with Philippine colleges to enhance educational opportunities and community engagement, as well as expansion of campuses in other Australian cities such as Melbourne, Canberra, Gold Coast, and Adelaide.

“Times Education is deeply rooted in Australia, yet our aspirations have a global resonance, that is why we have chosen The Philippines, extending our business narrative across borders. I warmly invite you to become part of our story, and help us deliver educational excellence, compassionate outreach, consistent and sustainable growth,” Shiao said.

MILO strengthened its partnership with the Philippine Olympic Committee during a workshop for sports stakeholders to promote safe sport, gender equality, and inclusivity for Philippine Grassroots Programs.

MILO, POC JOIN HANDS IN PROMOTING SAFE SPORTS FOR GRASSROOTS PROGRAM AS a brand committed to nourishing kids in their journey to success, MILO strengthens its partnership with the Philippine Olympic Committee to safeguard sports for everyone.

In connection to World Inclusion Day last Oct.10, MILO joined forces with the Philippine Olympic Committee to host a two-day workshop for safety, gender equity, and inclusivity in Philippine grassroots sports.

The workshop was facilitated by Rose Mae Lanticse, RN, Safeguarding

PVL competition director Sherwin Malonzo shares the innovations for the coming PVL conference.

Lead for Training & Education, and Hilton Soberano, Safeguarding in Sports Facilitator—both from the POC Safe Sport Commission.

Attended by coaches, local government unit representatives, Department of Education representatives, parents of athletes, and sports partners, the workshop taught the importance of gender equity and inclusivity in sports—especially at the grassroots level—and how each of the attendees had a role to play in safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.

Through interactive activities and open discussions, the workshop identified key points on safeguarding sports: Safeguarding spor ts is the responsibility of everyone involved, from the parents to the coaches, the training center, and the government.

The first step to properly address possible concerns is to familiarize oneself with key terms and definitions to be able to identify the types, signs, and symptoms of harm and abuse.

T H E Premier Volleyball League will introduce new rules to shor ten the duration of matches for the Second All Filipino Conference, ensuring faster, livelier action when the season-ending tournament is fired off Sunday (Oct. 15) at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“Since the introduction of the video challenge, humaba yung games natin lalo na kapag nag-five sets,” said PVL competition director Sherwin Malonzo during the event launch at Discovery Suites in Pasig City last Wednesday.

The organizing Sports Vision has guaranteed a conference to remember with a record 12 teams of varying strengths and styles set to slug it out in a single round-robin prelims with the top four advancing to the semis.

“We’re introducing one technical timeout for this conference. When the first team reaches 13 points, we’ll have the technical timeout. It may last for as short as one minute or as long as two minutes,” said Malonzo.

Starting this conference, teams will now have one regular timeout and one 30-second timeout for each set.

In previous tournaments, two technical times are called—when the first team hits eight and 16 points.

Coaches will also be allowed to talk to their players and hand out instructions during video challenges.

“Yung video challenge, it will still be the same—two per set. Hanggat tama kayo sa video challenge, hindi siya mababawasan at pwede ng kausapin yung players during video challenges,” said Malonzo.

However, teams will now only change courts once every game. This will be done right after the second set and will last for three minutes while the rest of the breaks in between sets will run for five minutes.

Malonzo said this will give more players time to rest as well as for the coaches to give out instructions and set up their respective plays.

“Ang change court natin will be once na lang—in the second set,” said Malonzo. “Each set, except for the second to third set, still a three-minute break but when we change court on the second set going towards the third set, it’s going to be a five-minute break just to give enough time to the coaches to give instructions also.”

“Advantage nun, yung three minutes all yours. Walang change court so you can get more to give instructions to the team or to rest yung players. Fifth set, walang change court.”

The format is a single round-robin elims with the top four advancing to the semifinal round with the No. 1 clashing with No. 4 and the Nos. 2 and 3 squads in a pair of best-ofthree series. The winners will dispute the championship in a best-of-three playoff.

RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION, PILLAR SPORTS EMPOWER PH VOLCANOES THE Philippine Rugby Football Union Inc. (PRFU) proudly announces a continued partnership with Pillar Sports, an Australian and Hong Kong, China-owned company founded in 2014, with its headquarters in Hong Kong, China.

This partnership also marks the continuation of an exciting journey with the Philippine Volcanoes National Rugby Team.

Pillar Sports emerged from the belief that the sporting community deserved better than overpriced, lowquality sports tape, custom apparel, and equipment. With a mission to provide reliable, high-quality products and streamline the buying process, Pillar Sports is set to transform the sporting experience for athletes.

Pillar Sports is now the exclusive strapping tape provider for the Philippine Volcanoes National Rugby Team during the 2023/2024 International Rugby Season.

This partnership ensures that the team has access to top-quality strapping tape for enhanced performance and player safety. Pillar Sports will supply 60 athletes with strapping tape for team requirements Rugby football is one of the fastest growing for the 2023 Asia Sevens Series and team sport in the Philippines. the 2024 international tournaments.

OPINION A8 | OCTOBER 15, 2023

LGU

PATRICIA TACULAO, Issue Editor lgu.manilastandard@gmail.com

THE LEADING TANDEM BEHIND ORMOC’S GROWTH

By Patricia Taculao

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UCY Torres-Gomez and Richard Gomez have made a name for themselves in the Philippine entertainment industry. They shared their passion for acting and each other throughout their numerous projects, making them a beloved couple.

Eventually, they channeled their devotion to public service, with Torres-Gomez serving as the Mayor of Ormoc City and Gomez as the District Representative of Leyte’s Fourth District. The former was a four-term congresswoman from Leyte’s Fourth District, while the latter served as City Mayor of Ormoc from 2016 to 2022.

Together, they created a progressive view for Ormoc and Leyte to set a benchmark for other local government units by working handin-hand and fostering continuity.

As mayor, Torres-Gomez aims to continue the quality of service Gomez left to their constituents during his two terms as the city’s executive. She’s not only stylish, but she is also hands-on when it comes to addressing immediate concerns for her jurisdiction.

One of the utmost priorities of her administration is combatting climate change since Leyte remains at risk for climate emergencies. Under her leadership, the LGU bolstered its disaster preparedness through barangay-level workshops. It also strengthened its environmental protection and conservation efforts by capacitating upland dwellers, forest patrols, and local environment officers with proper training.

Meanwhile, Gomez is pushing similar agendas in the House of

Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez

Representatives. About a month ago, he proposed House Bill 9124, which seeks to allocate funds to procure, maintain, and use at least one set of machinery known as “earth-balling equipment” per region in road improvement and other developmental projects.

Gomez expressed his opposition to chopping down trees affected by government road projects. Instead, the lawmaker pushes to ensure they get a second chance at a different spot.

House Bill 9124 is only one among the 246 principally authored bills Gomez passed in Congress since he assumed the position.

The lawmaker is also deeply devoted to protecting Leyte’s

Leyte Fourth District Representative Richard Gomez

environment and doesn’t let any harmful deed toward it go unpunished. His other priorities focus on exploring and spearheading projects and programs improving people’s lives in Ormoc City and Leyte’s Fourth District.

Since the couple’s vision for Ormoc and Leyte coincides with each other, they found an efficient approach to implementing new initiatives and technology while inspiring their constituents to participate in the bid for progress.

In 2022, Ormoc became the first LGU to receive a certification from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for two standards, namely ISO 9001:2015

and ISO 18091:2019, which specify requirements for a quality management system (QMS).

This milestone for Ormoc City speaks volumes about the LGU’s ability to provide the necessary quality services to the public. Ormoc achieved the feat by streamlining its internal processes and improving systems to adopt relevant innovations.

While some may say otherwise about working with their significant other, the Gomezes have proved time and time again that their pairing benefits not only their relationship but also their constituents in Ormoc and Leyte, who rely on their abilities to set the standard for the local government.

ORMOC TO CELEBRATE 76TH CHARTER ANNIVERSARY FROM October 5 to November 6, the city government of Ormoc scheduled a calendar of activities for locals to celebrate the city’s 76th Charter Anniversary, also known as Adlaw sa Ormoc.

The festivities, to be held in various locations across the city, began with the celebration of World Teachers’Day at the Superdome and will culminate with a concert and fireworks display at the city plaza on the 20th. However, Ormoc residents will still have more to look forward to after the culmination of the 76th Charter Anniversary as more events occur until November 6.

Looking back on history Ormoc was used during the Spanish occupation and the migration of the neighboring towns to settle in the more fertile plains of Ormoc. Many of the settlers were Malayans, who constantly traded with the Chinese, Javans, and Indonesians.

During the Spanish period, Jesuit missionaries arrived in Leyte. In May 1507, the missionaries established a mission in Ormoc. Locals converted to Christianity that same year.

Eventually, Ormoc made its mark on Philippine history. It became a hotbed of revolutionaries seeking independence from Spanish rule during the Spanish Revolution. The revolutionary leader Faustino Alben inspired locals to join the Pulahan Movement.

After the Japanese Occupation and the rule of the Second Philippine Republic, Ormoc was a garrison of small divisions of the Imperial Japanese Army. With the Allies near the City, Japan began reinforcing the city and starting the Battle of Ormoc Bay. The city was liberated afterward.

Ormoc became a city under Republic Act No. 179 on October 20, 1947, becoming the fifteenth city in the Philippines and the first in the Eastern Visayas region.

Despite the natural calamities and other challenges that swept the city, Ormoc remained steadfast and continued progressing into modern society. Patricia Taculao

TOURISM AWARDS LAUD ORMOC, LEYTE TOWN

Former Vice Mayor Leo Carmelo Locsin Jr. (center) hopes Ormoc’s entry will win big in the national validation

ORMOC SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD WINS LOCAL LEGISLATIVE AWARD THE Ormoc Sangguniang Panlungsod was recently awarded as regional winner of the 2023 Local Legislative Award. The award is a validation of the efforts of the 15th Sangguniang Panlungsod, then headed by former Vice Mayor Leo Carmelo Locsin Jr. Locsin thanked the regional validators for their vote of confidence and hoped their entry would grab the top plum in the national validation.

Ormoc competes with seven other independent component cities for this year’s LLA.

T H E prestigious Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) recently recognized Ormoc City and Burauen town in Leyte as winners of the Pearl Awards.

The local government units received the distinction last Thursday night in Boracay Island during the 24th national convention of ATOP, the country’s leading professional association for tourism officers.

Ormoc City was the grand winner for the best hosting award o f a l o c a l e v e n t c a t e g o r y fo r the city level for its exemplar y hosting of the Adlaw sa Ormoc Diamond Jubilee Celebration, held in October last year.

The city was also first runnerup for best hosting of an LGU for the international event category, best practices in community-based tourism, best tourism-oriented local government, and best tourism event: religious festival.

Meanwhile, the brochure for Mahagnao Volcano Natural Park (MVNP) in Burauen, Leyte, was the first runner-up among 22 entries n at i o nw i d e i n t h e ATO P Pe a r l Awards.

(From left) President Ferdinand Marcos with Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez and Cong. Richard Gomez during the 75th Charter Day of Ormoc City

The MVNP “Find your Ex” brochure promotes the destination’s “Excitement, Exhilaration, and Experience.”

Proclaimed as a national park in 1937, MVNP has various natural attractions,

including a lake, falls, multi-colored mud, virgin forests, and a lagoon.

Mahagnao, located 860 meters above sea level, is 18 kilometers from the town center of Burauen.

5,500 LEYTEÑOS, EXECS JOIN PROV’L BIDA FUN RUN TO achieve the overall goal of the government to champion a whole-of-thenation approach to mitigating the use of illegal drugs, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Leyte Field Office, in partnership with the Provincial Government of Leyte and the private sector, spearheaded the Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) Fun Run at MacArthur Leyte Landing Memorial Park, Palo, Leyte.

The activity gathered around 5,500 participants from the different municipalities and cities of the Province of

Leyte, including those of the line agencies in Eastern Visayas. The said attendees were one with the aim of a whole-of-the-nation approach to mitigating illegal drug use in the province.

G ra c i n g t h e f u n r u n we re D I LG Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos and Undersecretaries USec Marlo Iringan, Undersecretary for Local Government; USec Oscar Valenzuela, Undersecretary for Peace and Order; and USec Felicito Valmocina, Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs, to show support for the BIDA Program endeavor.

Abalos shared the importance of the BIDA Program to mitigate drug addiction and use in the country.

He also reiterated the importance of the participation of the barangay, Sangguniang Kabataan, Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC), and other organizations in the community in ending drug use at the grassroots level.

Since its regional launch in February 2023, Ormoc City, Southern Leyte, and Leyte have been able to launch the BIDA Program.

DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos during the BIDA Fun Run

NICKIE WANG, Editor ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer email: lifeandshow.manilastandard.gmail.com

YoungLIFE

OCTOBER 15, 2023 |

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The brand’s Autumn 2023 campaign trains spotlight on ‘Anything but Ordinary’ pieces

Hisanan’s design is inspired from the eponymous marine animal whose air sacs along its neck serve as life preservers for sleeping in oceans (File photo)

The collection offers versatile pieces for mixing and matching, reflecting Sienna’s high-low dressing style

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN GRAD CREATES ANTI-DROWNING SWIMWEAR

W

ITH drowning as a serious public issue, 23-year-old Filipino student Ira Hisanan created men’s swimwear with a built-in floatation mechanism.

Dubbed as Walrus, the design innovation took inspiration from the eponymous marine animal whose air sacs along its neck serve as life preservers for sleeping in oceans.

“More than 3,000 people die annually in the Philippines due to drowning,” Hisanan noted. “In 2018, eight out of 10 victims were men.”

“When I was brainstorming for my thesis, a family story resurfaced — the tale of how my uncle saved my dad from narrowly drowning just before I was born,” she recalled. “This also triggered

De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Industrial Design alumna Ira Hisanan

for easy wash and maintenance. It is complete with accessories for increased visibility and adjustment.

“Walrus helps the public enjoy waterbased activities to the fullest while giving them accessible buoyance during

memories of my own near-drowning experiences.”

During her research, the young trailblazer noted that males between the ages of 15 to 49 often dwell in aquatic hobbies, join alcohol-induced activities, and engage in risk-taking behavior.

She understood that the preventive method is to encourage the use of Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs). But she considered how it is also viewed as bulky, uncomfortable, and most of all, costly.

With this in mind, the Industrial Design undergrad from the De La SalleCollege of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) investigated the problem through the lens of leisure and recreation.

“This perspective sparked an idea: What if we could integrate life-saving features into the clothes for water activities?” she beamed. Prototype of Walrus by Ira Hisanan “Imagine people enjoying and suddenly finding themselves in danger. If their outfit had built-in rescue tools, lives could be saved.” emergencies,” Hisanan explained.

“Even those who do not usually bother She focused on providing buoyancy around the lower with such safety gear might find it a gameextremities of the wearer. The changer,” she added. “My goal is to blend finished output is an unobtrusive safety with fun, giving rise to innovative floatation device seamlessly solutions that could make a real difference designed into a swim trunk. With a when least expected.”

Her capstone project Walrus nabbed pull of a tab, an inflatable bladder is activated and can be used to The Best Thesis Award, following the grab onto or wear over the neck. criteria of the World Design Organization, The finished product a globally recognized non-governmental comes in various sizes network that champions the power and nature-inspired color of industrial design in enhancing variations. The inflatable the economic, social, cultural, and bladder is likewise detachable environmental quality of life.

Actress Sienna Miller is the face of Mark & Spencer’s Autumn 2023 campaign

ANYTHING BUT ORDINARY MARKS & Spencer presents its “Anything but Ordinary” Autumn 2023 campaign, featuring British actress Sienna Miller, uniting two British icons to redefine style and inspire customers, old and new. Sienna Miller shares her excitement about joining this iconic brand, leading their Autumn campaign, and shaping the future of fashion.

Maddy Evans, M&S Womenswear Director, expresses their delight in welcoming Sienna Miller as the face of the Autumn Campaign, emphasizing her alignment with the brand’s values and their enthusiasm for inspiring customers with fashionable choices.

The collection, at the core of the campaign, offers versatile pieces for mixing and matching, reflecting Sienna’s high-low dressing style. It reinforces M&S’s commitment to value, quality, and innovation, with a blend of British and bohemian influences.

Anna Braithwaite, Clothing & Home Marketing Director at M&S, highlights the inclusivity of the campaign and its timeless, ageless appeal. Working with Sienna Miller has been an incredible experience, celebrating the transformative power of fashion.

M&S continues its collaboration with ambassadors Rosie Huntington-Whitely and Holly Willoughby.

Visit a Marks & Spencer store today, and shop in-store or earn Loyalty points through the M&S Philippines Viber Community at bit. ly/MSPH-VC. You can also shop selected lines online at www.marksandspencer.com.ph.

HEART EVANGELISTA IN ANOTHER PIONEERING COLLAB OPULENCE Design Concept, the exclusive Philippine distributor mansion in Milan’s Città Studi, was Piero Fornasetti’s creative haven. of luxury European home décor brands, has embarked on a In the 1940s, he established an atelier at Casa Fornasetti, groundbreaking collaboration between the iconic brand Fornasetti giving birth to the Fornasetti design firm. Today, Piero’s and the internationally acclaimed fashion and celebrity icon, son, Barnaba Fornasetti, manages the brand and Heart Evangelista. the grand house museum, which houses a collection Casa Fornasetti, an enchanting house museum in Milan, of 13,000 objects, including ceramics, wall coverings, played a central role in this remarkable partnership, upholstery fabric, and carpets, all adorned with the showcased through a teaser video on distinctive Fornasetti touch.

Heart’s Instagram account.

Opulence Design Concept, Heart, and Barnaba Casa Fornasetti, a Fornasetti converged at this artistic sanctuary to craft 19th-century a groundbreaking chapter in an opulent design. This collaboration is Fornasetti’s first international partnership with a celebrity and the first time a shoot took place at the Fornasetti family’s grand house museum.

The teaser video features Heart gracefully exploring Casa Fornasetti, revealing the enchanting courtyard garden, the living room, the ‘Gerusalemme’ wallpaper-adorned staircase, and her interaction with iconic Fornasetti porcelain pieces.

In her Instagram caption, Heart described Casa Fornasetti as “a magical place where imagination meets design” and hinted at more details about the collaboration soon.

Fashion Fornasetti, Opulence Design Concept, and icon Heart Heart are working on an exciting project for the Evangelista upcoming holiday season. Gerry Sy, the Owner of Opulence Design Concept, expressed their honor

ODC Brand Ambassador Heart Evengelista and Gerry Sy, owner of Opulence Design Concept

in this collaboration, emphasizing their commitment to bringing Italian design excellence to the Philippines.

Opulence Design Concept exclusively distributes Fornasetti products in the Philippines, featuring surreal motifs, including porcelain plates with opera singer Lina Cavalieri’s face.

This collaboration between Fornasetti, Opulence Design Concept, and Heart Evangelista promises to be a unique and special creative endeavor. To explore their collections, visit the Opulence Design Concept store in Ortigas Center, Metro Manila, or their website at www. opulencedesignconcept.com.

B2 | OCTOBER 15, 2023

ENTERTAINMENT

, NICKIE WANG, Editor ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer email: lifeandshow.manilastandard @gmail.com

Mushoku Tensei Jobless Reincarnation Season 2

FIVE

A1 HOPES TO COLLABORATE WITH BEN&BEN, SB19 From left: A1 members Paul Marazzi, Mark Read, Ben Adams and Christian Ingebrigtsen

By Angelica Villanueva

T

HE members of the BritishNorwegian boy group A1 expressed their keen interest in collaborating with Filipino artists during a press conference.

Comprising Paul Marazzi, Christian Ingebrigtsen, Mark Read, and Ben Adams, the ‘90s boy group enthusiastically shared their interest in working with P-pop Kings SB19 and the talented folk-pop band Ben&Ben in the future.

“I honestly love the music of Ben&Ben. I think they are a fantastic band,” said Mark.

“But Ben&Ben and A1, I think musically, are a really good fit. Because they [Ben&Ben] got a great acoustic rock, collective, mature sound. And we sound mature without music now. So, I think that would be a great fit,” he continued.

He then explained his desire to sing with the P-pop group SB19 but thought of the age gap.

“I’d love to say SB19 but they were a bit young for us,” he added.

Previously, they got to work with OPM singer and Asia’s Phoenix, Morissette Amon in singing their hit song, “Like A Rose.”

Apart from “Like A Rose,” A1 was also the voice behind the tracks “Everytime,” “Heaven By Your Side,” “Walking in the Rain,” and a cover song of a-ha’s “Take

MUST-WATCH ANIME SERIES ANIME seasons come and go, and Netflix has picked up quite a few of the best shows for the season. The streaming platform has been an interesting mix of new shows and follow-up seasons of older series, some of which have been highly anticipated.

Here are five anime shows that you should check out on the streaming platform: My Happy Marriage: This 2023 anime combines romance, supernatural, and action elements. It tells the story of Miyo, who discovers her husband-to-be is not as cruel as rumored.

Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2: The highly anticipated second season of this actionpacked anime follows Yuji Itadori, who becomes a vessel for a malevolent curse.

The Shibuya arc is a fan favorite.

Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead: A fresh take on the zombie genre, this anime follows Akira Tendou and friends as they fulfill a bucket list during a zombie apocalypse.

Horimiya: The Missing Pieces: A refreshing romance anime that continues the story of Kyouko Hori and Izumi Miyamura. It avoids typical romance drama and portrays its characters as mature.

Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 2: This isekai anime follows Rudeus Greyrat’s journey in a fantasy world. It offers a balanced mix of serious, adult, and comedic elements.

OPM folk-pop band Ben&Ben

P-pop powerhouse SB19

on Me”.

A1 is currently in the Philippines for the seventh time for a four-day show as part of their anniversary concert, A1 TWENTY FIVE. Being in the music industry for 25 years, the group shared the secret behind their strong friendship.

“It’s our fans. We have to thank them for still doing this after all these years. We are so grateful that after 25 years after we wrote some of these songs, people wanted to still hear our songs,” Mark revealed.

“When we come here, it’s so fantastic, the greetings, the smiles, we enjoyed it, and that makes us so happy and makes us continue what we do,” he added.

Last October 12 and 13, A1 held their first two shows at SMX Convention Center, Davao, and Waterfront City Hotel & Casino, Cebu, respectively.

A1 TWENTY FIVE, which had Manila a stop over the weekend at the New Frontier Theater was presented by the Concert Republic.

Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead

For an uninterrupted anime-watching experience, Smart subscribers can enjoy their favorite shows on Netflix with Smart’s Signature Plans, powered by a fast and reliable mobile network.

‘Happy Marriage’ tells the story of Miyo who discovers her husband-tobe is not as cruel as rumored ’

REIMAGINING SEXBOMB GIRLS’ ‘BAKIT PAPA?’ YARA’s contemporary spin on “Bakit Papa?” is co-produced by the reliable hitmaker Thyro Alfaro, responsible for some of the most memorable chart-toppers of the last decade, including hits by Sarah Geronimo, James Reid, and Sam Concepcion.

Alfaro worked with John Paul Soliva on the arrangement and Niño of Popinoy on the production side, all while carefully considering the artistic direction that YARA wanted to achieve for this particular track.

The result is an R&B bop that is just as captivating and exciting as the original but distinctly aligns with the Filipino girl group’s brand of sass.

YARA takes pride in being more involved in the creative aspects of music-making. In “Bakit Papa,” they worked closely with Sony

Music Entertainment to bring their vision into reality. “From styling to choreography, from developing promotional strategies to executing the material, we collaborated with our label to ensure that we get the best possible results,” says the ADDA artist.

The release of “Bakit Papa?” comes with a performance video that highlights the unapologetic fierceness of the song.

The visuals also feature choreography that adds a sensual dimension to the mix while delivering fun and nostalgia simultaneously.

YARA is a four-piece girl group composed of Gelou, Rocher, Christa, and Kim. They are one of the newest P-Pop acts under Sony Music Entertainment, which includes top-prized talents such as SB19 and 4th Impact.

P-pop girl group YARA

JOYCE PANGCO PAÑARES, Issue Editor email: joyce.panares@gmail.com

CRAVINGS CRAV CRA INGS

OCTOBER 15, 2023 |

B3

Doña Elena chef ambassador Kalel Chan

Labneh ice cream

A MEDITERRANEAN JOURNEY:

DOÑA ELENA X JONES ALL-DAY LIMITED-EDITION MENU

By Joyce Pangco Pañares

“E

VERYTHING starts with the oil,” said Chef Kalel Chan as he lovingly drizzled Doña Elena Extra Virgin Olive Oil on his appetizer trio especially prepared for a limited-edition menu of Jones All-Day Bistro in BGC.

“When you cook, you must start with using a good quality.

It makes a world of a difference in creating a delicious dish,” he told Manila Standard Cravings during the press preview of the three-course menu, priced at P1,200.

Chef Kalel, Doña Elena chef ambassador, came up with the Mediterranean dishes with a distinctive Filipino twist that feature the wide range of uses of olive oil – from salad dressing to sautéing to even making desserts.

“Olive oil is very versatile. Doña Elena’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil can be used for drizzling and for salad dressings, while the Pure Olive Oil can be used for sautéing. Pomace, on the other hand, is what we use for fried dishes,” he said.

For the appetizer trio of his special menu, which can be ordered as a set or separately until November 10, 2023, Chef Kalel prepared Grilled Barbeque Gremolata Pork Iberico, Hamachi Crudo Pani Puri with Sinigang Aguachile, Adobong Pusit Arancini with Grilled Pulpo and Bonito Aioli.

Succulent and smoky, the pork rendition was inspired by the Filipino-favorite street side grill, using an intensely marbled Secreto Iberico, smothered with a gremolata sauce and Doña Elena anchovies as part of the mix.

The fresh hamachi fish, lightly drizzled with Doña Elena Extra Virgin Olive Oil, was placed on top of a fried hollowed semolina dough stuffed with minced green olives and capers and finished with a light pouring of aguachile, a zesty sinigang soup base.

The last appetizer item was inspired by the fried Italian appetizer rice balls, filled with adobong pusit and fried in Doña Elena Pomace Olive Oil to achieve a crisp, crunchy exterior and golden brown color.

“I was very conscious of the fact that even if these dishes

are Mediterranean, these should appeal to the palate of Filipinos,” Chef Kalel said.

His main dish was a generous slab of Grilled Lamb Ribs laid on homemade harissa sauce with cold orzo salad mixed with Doña Elena Black Olives. As a staple Mediterranean condiment, the made-from-scratch harissa sauce heavily used Doña Elena Pure Olive Oil, blended with fiery spices such as chilies, cumin, and coriander but balanced with a lightly sweet red capsicum. The light and cold orzo salad, drizzled with EVOO, was finished with a bright and citrusy gremolata made of finely chopped parsley, garlic, and lemon – a truly refreshing balance to the tender and smoky lamb meat.

As a finale, Chef Kalel’s labneh ice cream was both rich and refreshing – an indulgent Mediterranean recipe. Its flavor note is a cross between cream cheese and yogurt with a delightful balance of tang and saltiness. For a sweet touch, it was topped with sesame-pistachio brittle for some crunch and drizzled with a fruity and fragrant rosemary oil using Doña Elena Olive Oil as its main ingredient.

“Mediterranean dishes use a lot of herbs, which Filipino food usually doesn't have. But I love to cook Filipino dishes because it’s very homey and I infuse them with Mediterranean ingredients, such as Doña Elena Olive Oil. It’s easy to cook at home when you have good quality ingredients,” Chef Kalel said.

(The Doña Elena special set menu is available at the Jones All-Day Bistro and Bakery throughout the day at Serendra, BGC until Nov. 10, 2023. For more information, visit Doña Elena Cuisinera Club on Facebook and Doña Elena Cuisinera Club on Instagram.)

Appetizer trio: Grilled Barbeque Gremolata Pork Iberico, Hamachi Crudo Pani Puri with Sinigang Aguachile, Adobong Pusit Arancini with Grilled Pulpo and Bonito Aioli.

Grilled Lamb Ribs laid on homemade harissa sauce with cold orzo salad

M BAKERY SHINES SPOTLIGHT ON NEW YORK CHEESECAKES AND CLASSIC AMERICAN PIES The Manila-exclusive Calamansi Cheesecake

Lotus Biscoff Cheesecake

M BAKERY, the go-to destination for freshly baked, classic American goods, has put a spotlight on its cherished cheesecakes and hand-baked pies.

While this New-York-based bakery is best known for its banana pudding and cupcakes, loyal fans from its flagship stores in New York’s Upper West Side and Rockefeller Center to its branches in Dubai and Bangalore have grown to love its other desserts, particularly its wide range of cheesecakes and pies.

M Bakery recently added a Filipino twist to its popular Key Lime Cheesecake by using calamansi. What comes out of this Manila-exclusive dessert is a more tangy citrus flavor from the calamansi that balances the decadent cream cheese filling. Flavored with fresh calamansi juice and finished with a graham cracker crust and a dollop of whipped cream, M Bakery’s Calamansi Cheesecake is available in three sizes: individual (P295), 6 inches (P1,350), and 9 inches (P2,800).

Its Caramel Pecan Cheesecake is generously topped with homemade caramel sauce and toasted pecans while its Blueberry Cheesecake uses only the freshest blueberries, steering clear of canned alternatives commonly found in other bakeries.

A harmonious fusion of indulgence and elegance, M Bakery's Red Velvet Cheesecake is a rich, chocolatey, and subtly tart cheesecake resting on a chocolate cookie crumb crust, topped with a dollop of whipped cream and choco-

late shavings.

The Lotus Biscoff Cheesecake is made with Lotus Speculoos spread on a Lotus Biscoff cookie crumb crust, then finished off with yet another generous layer of Lotus spread and sprinkles of Lotus Biscoff crumbs.

M Bakery’s Apple Crumb Pie is filled with golden apples, cooked to perfection, and topped with a crumbly butter topping – each bite a warm embrace of comfort and nostalgia.

The flavors of M Bakery’s iconic banana pudding are likewise remixed into its classic Banana Cream Pie, filled with fresh bananas and vanilla pudding.

Enjoy these delightful treats as M Bakery’s bestsellers and fan favorites are available at all branches all year round.

Drop by the flagship store at Lower Ground of One Bonifacio High Street Mall, Bonifacio Global City, or call (+632) 847-9829 or (+63) 917-633-1718 to get your baked treats or to place your advance orders. You can also visit M Bakery’s other branches at the Power Plant Mall (2nd floor) in Rockwell, Makati City, SM Megamall (Upper Ground Level, Mega B), and Mitsukoshi BGC (Basement Food Hall).

Blueberry Jamboree -- a luscious treat that features a pecan shortbread crust layered with whipped cream and cream cheese filling and finished with a crown of juicy fresh blueberries

PETS

B4 | OCTOBER 15, 2023

DESIREE CARLOS, Editor email: daycarlos28@yahoo.com

Pawsbook

CRATE TRAINING YOUR PUP:

Compiled by Desiree Carlos

PROS, CONS,

AND UNEXPECTED CONSEQUENCES

WE HAVE been encountering posts on dogs, cats, and other animals on Facebook that are eye-openers, or inspiring, or enlightening, or educational, or can make one feel good during a stressful day, or make one encouraged to help the poor souls among us.

Sunday Pets would like to share these notable posts of netizens through this space called Pawsbook.

This heartwarming photo was posted by Susan Ding in Dog Lover, a Facebook page.

This is important to keep pets safe.

Please read. This may save a life.

This was posted by Mr. Paul Kolber.

Onyok and Nathaniel, Save ALL rescues, started crate training when they were puppies. Born with splayed legs, the training helped develop their behavior and served as an added protection from possible injuries.

By Niko Gabriel Salgado

C

RATE training involves teaching your puppy or dog to willingly enter and stay in a crate for a specific period.

The goal is for dogs to enter the crate voluntarily and relax inside, without displaying signs of anxiety.

Indicators of anxiety may include excessive barking, whining, licking, panting, drooling, or restlessness.

Crating aligns with a dog's natural inclination to seek out small, quiet spaces similar to dens, caves, or enclosures. Dogs instinctively use dens for safety, security, and comfort. We, as humans, should use this natural behavior to educate our dogs about crate usage. Regrettably, some individuals view crating as cruel and, as a result, avoid teaching this crucial skill to their dogs.

“Crate training early in a dog’s life prevents introducing unnecessary stress later. When older dogs are dealing with illnesses like incontinence, arthritis, or canine cognitive dysfunction, they don’t need the additional stress of learning new rules,” said Kaitlyn Arford in “Crate Training Benefits: Why A Crate Is Great for You

and Your Dog” in the American Kennel Club website.

“Crate training helps senior dogs deal with health issues. Crates can provide a restful place for senior pets to rest their joints or take frequent naps, prevent nighttime wandering, and make transporting them to vet appointments easier,” Arford added.

What is a dog crate?

A dog crate typically refers to an enclosed space made of plastic or collapsible metal. It should be spacious enough for a dog to stand up and turn around comfortably. The crate serves as a designated area for the dog to stay in when there is no one available to oversee them. It can also be used as a sleeping area or a safe haven. It is primarily used to ensure safety, offer security to the dog, aid in house training, prevent destructive behavior, and facilitate travel.

The Good About Crate Training

There are numerous advantages associated with crate training a puppy. The most significant benefit of crate training is its effectiveness in expediting the process of potty training. When puppies are introduced to crate training early on, they tend to grasp potty training swiftly.

Beyond its effectiveness in potty training, crates also offer substantial protection for your dog, especially during travel. Dogs and puppies left uncrated or unrestrained in

a moving vehicle pose a significant safety risk. In the event of an accident, they can become uncontrolled projectiles, posing a danger to themselves and others. Just as seat belts safeguard humans in car accidents, crates and barriers serve as protective measures for dogs during travel.

Apart from aiding in potty training and enhancing travel safety, crate training your puppy helps prevent undesirable behaviors. Crate training has a calming influence on dogs, and, as a result, crate-trained dogs are generally less prone to exhibiting signs of separation anxiety. When provided with appropriate toys and chew items, dogs become comfortable in their crates and can entertain themselves, contributing to their overall well-being.

The Bad

Crate training is a valuable skill for puppies and dogs, but keeping them crated for extended periods can have negative effects on their behavior and growth, particularly in the case of young puppies. It is common practice to crate puppies for overnight sleep, usually lasting around 8 hours. However, beyond these overnight periods, puppies should not be confined to crates for extended periods. Using a crate to confine a puppy throughout an eight-hour workday is not advisable, as it leads to a solitary existence that can be detrimental to their developing personalities.

Moreover, it is important to note that crates should never be employed as a means of punishing a dog.

Instead, dogs should associate crates with positive experiences, seeing them as places of comfort and contentment rather than sources of sadness or distress.

The Unexpected Consequences

In some cases with numerous dogs exhibiting various degrees of separation anxiety, the common factor among them was a lack of crate training. This can lead to them expressing their discomfort through behaviors like whining, barking, and restlessness when confined to crates. On the flip side, dogs that have spent excessive amounts of time inside crates can suffer from a deficit in their personalities. These situations are profoundly saddening, and when they occur in older dogs, they become extremely challenging to reverse.

“Understanding the need for crate training is just the first step, but the training itself is another matter entirely. Make sure to do extensive research on how to crate train your dog, consider consulting a dog trainer if you have questions, and be sure to stick to your plan to ensure the greatest chance of success,” Arford said.

It is best to use cages or crates for giving treats. In this way, the dog associates cages or cates with good experiences.

Giving food inside cages also makes sure there will be no dog fights. In the photo is Sophie, rescued by Save ALL from the pound, enjoying her treat of liver pate.

Using crates helps in the easy transportation of dogs, specially when they have to go to the vet clinic for a check-up. In the photo are Soleil (white) and Sanji (brown), rescues of Save Animals of Love and Light- Save ALL, who were trained to be comfortable inside cages.

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.

“CAUTION CAT OWNERS I wanted to share the horrors we went through for the past 3 weeks.

We first noticed drainage coming out of her right nostril. It was mostly clear in nature and she was sneezing quite a bit.

We took her to our vet and they thought she had an upper respiratory infection. We gave her antibiotics and went on our way.

One week later, the drainage had increased and turned bloody and her appetite was starting to decrease. We called the vet again and they had us come in an pick up another antibiotic/immune boost to add to her food.

That Sunday, she stopped eating, stopped drinking, was isolating herself and I noticed she wasn’t going to the bathroom as much.

At this point, nothing was helping.

She was dying and we knew it. All day Friday I cried and kept thinking about what we had done differently around the house and that’s when it hit me.

About a month ago Adam found these really good smelling plug in fragrance wall diffusers. I immediately unplugged them, opened windows and turned on fans. By Friday evening Mit Meow was able to walk to us. Saturday morning she woke me up at 4:45 am meowing and hungry. Her nasal drainage had stopped, she was eating, her balance was improving and she wanted attention.

After further investigation we learned that several of these diffusers are toxic to animals and that they have more severe reactions to cats because they are at nose level to them.

Audrey Van Dyne Tucker & Adam Scott Tucker.

September 18 at 12:49 PM” This is just so cute.

This was posted

by Jennifer Michelle in Dog Lover, a Facebook page.

HOMEMADE DOG TREATS RECIPE

By Niko Gabriel Salgado

CREATING homemade pet treats can be a more affordable, healthier, and easier choice for your pets compared to buying treats from stores.

While we might not be able to provide our pets with everything in the world, we can certainly spoil them with homemade treats.

Making treats with your own kitchen ingredients is an excellent way to express your love for your furry friends, but remember not to use regular table food for this purpose.

Crispy Beef Patty

(developed by Save Animals of Love and Light -Save ALL) Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 30 minutes Total time: 40 minutes Servings: 6 to 7 patties

Recipe Ingredients: · 250g lean ground beef · 1 cup cornstarch · One-fourth of a medium-sized pumpkin · Rosemary dried leaves (optional) · 1 cap of apple cider vinegar (optional) · 150mL water

Recipe Instructions: 1. Fill a pot with water and place the ground beef 2. Add a teaspoon of rosemary. Stir to mix.

3. Add a cap of apple cider vinegar and boil for 10 minutes or until cooked 4. When cooked, strain the beef and let cool.

5. For the pumpkin, remove the skin and cut into small pieces.

6. Using the same water, boil pumpkin until soft and then mash.

7. Mix the meat and pumpkin and form mixture into a patty.

8. Sprinkle a little cornstarch on the

patty and place inside the air fryer at 200° for 5 minutes or until golden brown.

9. Let cool and serve.

Few notes to remember: · Ground beef can be substituted with lean ground pork or ground chicken breast. · Pumpkins are packed with vitamins and good for the eyes. · Apple cider vinegar is essentially good for the heart and to repel ticks. · The rosemary dried leaves are good for the skin and fur. · Cornstarch is safe for dogs if given in small amounts. Make sure it is cooked.

Patty should be light brown. · Egg can be used as a substitute for cornstarch if your dog is not allergic to chicken and/or dairy products. Make sure to check first for chicken or egg allergies. · If an airy fryer is not available, you can use a non-stick pan. Fry for 5 minutes each

Dogs love this patty because it is crispy on the outside. On the inside, the lean ground beef is soft, and thus easy to eat.

The crispy beef patty goes well with a birthday pumpkin cake and boiled eggs.

side or until golden brown. · Seasoning like salt and pepper is not an option. Never give salt and pepper to

your dog. Pepper causes heat in dogs, salt damages the kidneys. · Do not use oil.