Manila Standard - 2020 August 30 - Sunday

VOL. XXXIV • NO. 177 • 2 SECTIONS 8 PAGES • P18 • SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

KISS AND COVER UP. A mural painting by graffiti artist Eme Freethinker features the likenesses of US President Donald Trump (right) and Chinese premier Xi Jinping wearing face covers in Berlin amid the coronavirus pandemic. However, both countries are currently locked in a bitter trade war that has spilled over to China’s claims in the South China Sea, and even to the Philippines’ claims to territories like Sabah (inset, encircled), which Malaysia on Saturday rebuffed. (See story below) AFP

Locsin nixes SCS push with UN Says PH could lose gains of sea award by raising issue with world body

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM AUGUST 29)

213,131 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

3,637 74,611 NEW

ACTIVE

3,419

94

135,101

665

DEATHS

RECOVERIES

NEW

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FULL STORY ON A2

‘BLACK PANTHER’ STAR BOSEMAN DIES Chadwick Boseman, star of the groundbreaking superhero movie “Black Panther,” has died after a private four-year battle with colon cancer, his publicist told AFP Friday.

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HE Philippines could lose the gains it achieved in the international arbitral ruling on the South China Sea should it push raising the issue before the United Nations General Assembly next month, Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said. Locsin underscored that Manila already won the award and that bringing the claims to the international body risked its reopening. This is amid the escalating tensions in the region in the wake of the trade war between the United States and China, as the US said Friday it will ban Chinese companies taking part in any Chinese developments in the South China Sea—and Locsin said the Philippines should follow suit. Meanwhile, an American warship sailed near the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea, the US Navy said, in what military and diplomatic analysts say is a challenge to Beijing’s claims on the resource-rich waterway and prompting a warning from the Chinese military. The Thursday operation came a day after China fired ballistic missiles into the sea as part of ongoing live-fire exercises, inflaming already high tensions between Washington and Beijing. The Chinese military on Friday said the US had “repeatedly provoked trouble in the South China Sea”, urging it to “im-

mediately stop such provocative actions”. At the same time, the US Defense Department said Chinese test launches of ballistic missiles in the South China Sea were threatening peace and security in the region. “When you win something, you do not appeal your victory... Because once you throw it to the United Nations, I’m afraid China has the numbers there and it’s about numbers. It’s not about law,” Locsin said in a CNN Philippines interview Friday night. “What if it reopens? The question is, was it a violation of Philippine sovereignty? Our ruling already defined what’s ours. But if that is the question I’m going to bring up again to another court, they may reopen it. I’m even afraid that some of our neighbors may want to bring it up just precisely to lose it. I trust no one in this world,” he said. Locsin believes Manila would fail to garner support from most UN member states like it did in the past when it would propose for the ruling’s inclusion or mention in resolutions. “I was in the United Nations. I can tell

you from the major blocks of developing countries, let’s call them that, small countries like the Non-Aligned Movement, they always vote against the inclusion of our Arbitral Award in any resolution by those large voting bodies. We are always rejected; they always go with China,” he said. “Believe me, the smaller the country, the more insular its character—in that sense, similar to us—the more likely they will not vote with us because they need all the help they can get,” he added. The South China Sea, where the Spratly Islands are located, is contested by the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan, and China, which claims almost 80 percent of the waters under its socalled “nine-dash line.” In a 2016 arbitral ruling, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague invalidated China’s vast claims over the waterway as illegal. The US regularly conducts “freedom of navigation operations” in the area to challenge Chinese territorial claims. The US Navy’s Pacific Fleet said in a statement the USS Mustin, a guidedmissile destroyer, sailed Thursday “in the vicinity of the Paracel Islands to ensure critical shipping lanes in the area remain free and open.” The Chinese military on Friday accused the US ship of entering “China’s territorial waters” near the islands “without authorisation.” Chinese forces tracked the warship and then warned it to leave,

said military spokesman Li Huamin. In recent years, China has aggressively pursued its territorial claims in the South China Sea, building small shoals and reefs into military bases with airstrips and port facilities. Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Taiwan also have competing claims in the South China Sea, through which international trade worth trillions of dollars passes a year. Tensions have risen this week in the area near the Paracel Islands—called Xisha by Beijing—where the Chinese military has been conducting exercises. Beijing on Tuesday accused Washington of flying a U-2 spy plane into a no-fly zone to disrupt the drills—which included the ballistic missile launches. The Pentagon then accused China of destabilizing the region and using the military for “unlawful maritime claims” in a statement criticizing the exercises and the use of ballistic missiles in the drills. Confirming reports that Beijing’s forces launched as many as four ballistic missiles during military exercises around the Paracel islands, the Pentagon said the move called into question China’s 2002 commitment to avoiding provocative activities. China’s “actions, including missile tests, further destabilize the situation in the South China Sea,” the Pentagon said in a statement. AFP

Malaysia zaps PH Sabah claim in note verbale WORLD / A3

LEAVE THOSE WHISKERS ALONE Some people think those whiskers are similar to a human’s hair, and most think they are useless or just a mere décor God put on a cat’s face. They are not.

PETS / B4

MALAYSIA, a co-member of the Philippines in the largely economic group Association of Southeast Asian Nations, has once more nixed the Philippine claim to Sabah and dismissed Manila’s “excessive maritime claims” in the disputed Kalayaan Island Group in the South China Sea. A note verbale submitted before the United Nations by the Permanent Mission of Malaysia to the UN on Friday (Saturday in Manila), appears an escalation of a debate fueled by an exchange of tweets between foreign ministers of Manila and Kuala Lumpur. It also marks a rare encounter between two Southeast Asian states with conflicting claims in the South China Sea, where the ASEAN, as an alliance, would usually come together on a united front against China, which claims nearly all of the waters. “The Permanent Mission of Malaysia wishes also to inform the Secretary-General that Malaysia has never recognized the Republic of the Philippines’ claim to the Malaysian state of Sabah, formerly known

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SABAH

as North Borneo,” read the submission. It was in response to a note verbale the Philippines sent to the UN on March 6, which asserted the country’s sovereignty over the Kalayaan Island Group.

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The Manila document was an answer to a December 2019 Malaysian submission on the outer limits of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles in the disputed South China Sea.

Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the area 200 nautical miles (370 kms) from a country’s territorial sea baseline is its exclusive economic zone, where it may exercise sovereign rights to use natural resources and jurisdiction to put up installations or structures. The law states “the exclusive economic zone shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured.” The Philippines’ March note said Malaysia’s submission on the continental shelf beyond this measure is “projected from portions of North Borneo over which the Republic of the Philippines has never relinquished its sovereignty.” In its note, Kuala Lumpur cited an October 2001 judgment of the International Court of Justice on the Philippine Claim. A separate opinion by Judge Thomas Franck upheld the right of the people of North Borneo to self-determination, saying “modern international law does not recognize the survival of a right of sovereignty based solely on historic title.” Rey E. Requejo

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‘P4-t budget to fund PH recovery’ By Maricel V. Cruz PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte hopes the proposed P4.506 trillion 2021 national government budget that Malacanang sent to the House of Representatives last week will fund the country’s recovery from the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. “My task and yours at this moment of our history is to get us back on the road,” the President said in his budget message to the Congress. In the House, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Saturday said the submission of the proposed national government budget for 2021 to the House of Representatives had prompted the chamber to set aside discussions on all pending measures to focus on the deliberations on the money measure. The proposed 2021 proposed budget is 9.9 percent higher than the P4.1 trillion spending plan for this year and is aimed at boosting the government’s efforts to respond to the COVID-19 crisis, Duterte said. “Now more than ever, the government must assert its role in responding to the threats of this virus and its fallout if it is to make the nation and its economy stronger and more agile,” he added. The economy went on a tailspin as lockdowns were imposed to control the spread of the virus. As of July, the country was officially into a recession, for the first time in more than 30 years, due to the lockdowns. The government’s “Build, Build, Build” program implemented by various agencies like the Departments of Public Works and Highways and of Transportation was given a P1.107 trillion allocation. The program is expected to generate at least 200,000 jobs. The lockdowns left an estimated five million workers jobless. Some P212.4 billion was allocated to upgrade the healthcare system.

SENATE FAREWELL. Senate President Vicente Sotto III (in white polo) and Senate Sergeant-At-Arms Edgardo Rene Samonte pay their last respects to former Sen. Alfredo Lim as his remains passed by the Senate building in Pasay City before his inurnment early Saturday morning. Lim served as senator in the 13th Congress from 2004 to 2007. Office of the Senate President

Duque: PH can’t sustain higher quarantine status By Willie Casas

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EALTH Secretary Francisco Duque III on Saturday said the Philippines could no longer sustain stricter forms of lockdown as this could have adverse long-term effects on the domestic economy. “We can no longer afford to revert to a higher quarantine status of MECQ (modified enhanced community quarantine) or ECQ because that will irreversibly injure if not damage the economy beyond repair,” Duque said during the ceremonial launching of “Mask Para sa Masa” initiative in Quezon City. The mask program is an inter-agency

cooperation to provide 30 million domestically manufactured face masks to poor families. Duque’s statement coincided with official reports of 3,637 new COVID-19 cases in the country, bringing the total to 213,131. Most of the new cases reported came from the National Capital Region with

Duterte calls Japan’s Abe ‘true friend’ PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday paid tribute to outgoing Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and prayed for the fellow leader’s speedy recovery. In a statement, Duterte hailed Abe, Japan’s longest serving premier, as “a leader with a bold vision and firm determination.” “The bilateral relations between the Philippines and Japan, now a strategic partnership, greatly flourished during his tenure,” Duterte said, as both countries have one of the closest partnerships in Asia. The President expressed “much regret” when he learned about Abe’s resignation. “What we have worked for and achieved together lays the foundation for an even closer friendship and cooperation between our countries in the future.” Abe, 65, announced his resignation on Friday due to his worsening ulcerative colitis. For Duterte, Abe, the first foreign leader to visit him when he took office in 2016, is “to me and the Filipino people - a true friend closer than a brother.” “To Prime Minister Abe, I pray for your speedy and full recovery!” he said. Duterte also recalled that Abe was “gracious” in accepting his invitation when the Japanese leader visited his house in Davao City in 2017. Abe toured Duterte’s abode in Davao City and had the chance to see the Philippine leader’s “favorite mosquito net.” “I and Honeylet welcomed him and Madame Akie warmly to my humble home,” Duterte recounted.

2,030, followed by Laguna with 217, Rizal with 155, Cavite with 142, and Batangas with 113. The DOH also reported 94 new fatalities, bringing the death toll to 3,419. DOH likewise announced 655 recoveries, bringing the total number of recoveries to 135,101. Duque stressed the need to expand the number and capacity of quarantine facilities since if there should be an increase in infections and the economy had been re-opened the increase would be manageable. During the second quarter, the Philippine economy plunged into recession, contracting by 16.5 percent—its worst performance on record since 1981.

P3-M BOUNTY.

In this infographic from the ABS-CBN News website, the government announces a P3million reward for any information that could lead to the arrest of two Indonesian women, Andi Baso and Reski Fantasya alias Cici, and Abu Sayyaf commander Mundi Sawadjaan, who are considered the brains behind the twin explosions in Jolo, Sulu that killed 15 persons and injured 76 others.

P3-m bounty up for Jolo bombing suspects SECURITY authorities announced Saturday a P3-million reward for the arrest of three more suspects behind the deadly twin bombings in Jolo, Sulu earlier this week. A photo released by the local government of Zamboanga City identified Andi Baso, Reski Fantasya alyas Cici, both Indonesian nationals, and Filipino Mundi Sawadjaan as members of the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group. They are wanted for the twin bombings that killed 15 and wounded 75 oth-

ers on Monday. Authorities suspect Sawadjaan, nephew of Abu Sayyaf leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, as the brains behind the attack. Authorities earlier said two suicide bombers—widows of Abu Sayyaf terrorists—had carried out the bombings. The military also tagged the younger Sawadjaan in the Jolo explosion at the Jolo Cathedral in January 2019 where 20 deaths were recorded and over 100 hurt. Sawadjaan and his cohorts were re-

ported to have fled to Zamboanga Peninsula following the attack. This prompted Zamboanga City Mayor Beng Climaco to place her city under high alert. “We have to increase the alert status because we were given information... that the suicide bombers from Jolo have escaped and posing a terror threat in Zamboanga Peninsula,” Climaco, who chairs the Regional Peace and Order Council, said in an online press conference.

De Jesus named PhilHealth OIC

FAKE CIGS SEIZED. Officials of the Bureau of Customs - Port of Manila display the

smuggled fake cigarettes estimated to be worth P36 million they seized on August 28. Based on an intelligence report, the shipment arrived on August 25 and was declared as cable connectors but was suspected to contain undeclared tobacco. Norman Cruz

THE Board of Directors of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) has appointed Arnel F. De Jesus as Officer-in-Charge President and Chief Executive Officer of the national state health insurer. This is effective upon the acceptance of the resignation of retired Army General Ricardo C. Morales due to his health condition, and until a new permanent PCEO is appointed upon recommendation by the Board, PhilHealth said in a statement. As caretaker of the largest social health insurance agency, De Jesus vows to carry out several reform measures that he helped initiate during the incumbency of former PCEO Morales when he first joined PhilHealth in July 2019 as

Corporate Executive Officer IV. Among these reforms is “to improve the agency’s key processes and legacy tools in delivering the same benefit packages more efficiently and effectively as PhilHealth pivots to longer term aspirational goals of UHC,” he said. He also intends to “draw up new processes, new tools, (and) new structure with new human resource responsibilities adequately armed with new learnings appropriate to their new roles.” De Jesus admitted: “We cannot accomplish this by ourselves, and with wisdom and guidance from our Board we can engage professional firms in order to accomplish the objectives of these parallel path ways.” Willie Casas

Alternative Child Care Code now with TWG The House of Representatives’ committee on welfare of children has formed a technical working group (TWG) to harmonize the final version of several bills proposing to establish an “Alternative Child Care Code” and simplify the process of adopting abandoned children. In a virtual hearing via Zoom, Tingog party-list Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez, panel chairperson, cited the importance to approve a consolidated bill on “Alternative Child Care Code” to address the plight of more than 1.8 million abandoned children who are living in extreme poverty, natural disasters or of armed conflicts. “As a result, these children have been placed under institutional care to ensure their growth and well-being. While these institutions havedone so much with limited resources to care for these children, the fact remains that they cannot replace the warmth and affection that a family could provide,” Romualdez said in her sponsorship speech for her House Bill (HB) 5581 or “An Act Codifying the Alternative Child Care Laws and Providing Funds Therefore.” “With the intention of providing abandoned and neglected children a second chance at having the family care and love that they deserve, this bill seeks to harmonize our existing laws involving the adoption of children, including, a simplified, accessible and streamlined procedure for adoption, foster care and other modes of alternative child care,” Romualdez, wife of House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, said. Maricel Cruz

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‘Julian’ gains strength but far from landmass WEATHER disturbance “Julian” grew into a severe tropical storm on Saturday and remains almost stationary but far from the country’s landmass, the state weather bureau said. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Julian is forecast to intensify and reach the typhoon category by Sunday. Julian was last spotted 850 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City in Cagayan, packing maximum sustained winds of 100 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 125 kph, according to PAGASA’s weather bulletin issued at 11 a.m. Rio N. Araja

More time to enroll kids, solon tells dads THE postponement of the school opening prompted a congressman on Saturday to urge parents to enroll their children. Deputy Majority Leader and Rizal Rep. Fidel Nograles said the four million children who have not yet been enrolled have been given another month and a half to enroll. The Department of Education pushed back the opening of classes from August 24 to October 5. “I hope parents will use the change afforded by the delay in school opening to enroll their children,” Nograles said. Maricel Cruz

World

SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2020

‘Black Panther’ Boseman dies from cancer LOS ANGELES―Chadwick Boseman, star of the ground-breaking superhero movie “Black Panther,” has died after a private four-year battle with colon cancer, his publicist told AFP Friday. Boseman, 43, never publicly discussed his condition and continued to work on major Hollywood films during and between “countless” operations and chemotherapy, his family said in a statement. “It was the honor of his career to bring King T’Challa to life in ‘Black Panther,’” they said. “A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all,” the statement added. He died in his home “with his wife and family by his side,” it said. Boseman played the first black superhero to get his own standalone film in the record-breaking Marvel franchise with 2018’s “Black Panther.” The movie, set in the fictional African kingdom of Wakanda, was adored by critics and audiences, becoming the first comic book film to be nominated for best picture at the Oscars and grossing over $1 billion worldwide. Earlier in his career, Boseman played black icons Jackie Robinson in “42”— Friday, ironically, was Jackie Robinson Day in the US—and James Brown in “Get on Up.” The news of Boseman’s death sent shockwaves through Hollywood and around the world. “The true power of @chadwickboseman was bigger than anything we saw on screen,” wrote Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden. “From the Black Panther to Jackie Robinson, he inspired generations and showed them they can be anything they want—even super heroes.” Biden’s running mate Kamala Harris said she was “heartbroken” and referenced Howard University in Washington, nicknamed Bison, where they both studied. AFP

HK mass virus test plan zapped by China distrust HONG KONG—Hong Kong’s plan to offer free coronavirus tests to all residents has become swept up in the festering political debate dividing the city, where many remain deeply distrustful of both local leaders and China. Billed as a benevolent public health initiative made possible with Chinese help, the city-wide tests are set to start on Tuesday in an attempt to stamp out a third wave of infections that have swept through the densely populated financial hub. But the involvement of doctors and companies from the mainland has sent the rumour mills into overdrive and compounded fears of Beijing’s surveillance state, while many health experts in the city have questioned the efficacy of a mass testing programme. On the authoritarian mainland, biometric data forms a crucial part of China’s vast security dragnet and many Hong Kongers fear mass testing will lead to widespread DNA collection—something local authorities have strenuously denied. The furore is the latest illustration of the polarisation in Hong Kong as Beijing clamps down on its critics after months of huge, often violent and ultimately unsuccessful pro-democracy protests last year. “Public trust in Hong Kong’s government has been hovering at all-time lows for many months,” Dixon Sing, a political expert at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology told AFP. China’s involvement in the testing scheme, he added, “simply intensifies that distrust among the majority of the population.” AFP

SILENT BATTLER.

In this file photo taken on February 24, 2019, Chadwick Boseman arrives for the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. The star of the groundbreaking superhero movie “Black Panther,” has died from colon cancer, his publicist told AFP August 28. AFP

Europe tightens virus measures; Cases surge ARIS―Europe tightened restrictions on Friday as it battled a surge in coronavirus cases, with masks becoming obligatory all over Paris and Hungary shutting its borders once again.

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel war ned the crisis will be “more diff icult” in the autumn and winter. President Donald Trump took a characteristically more optimistic view, despite the death toll in the United States topping 180,000, as he vowed to “crush” the virus with a vaccine by the end of the year. The total number of declared cases has now topped 24.5 million globally since the virus first emerged in China almost nine months ago, with more

than 832,000 deaths. The economic toll has been catastrophic, with Canada the latest to announce a record collapse: a 38.7 percent drop in GDP in the last quarter on an annualised basis. Canada also extended the closure of its border to non-essential travel by a month until the end of September. The border has been closed to all non-essential travellers since mid-March. Governments hope tighter mask rules will offset the need for a return to economically-devastating lockdowns,

though the French government said it could not rule out new stay-at-home orders. Masks were already obligatory in Paris on public transport and in congested areas, but will now be needed throughout the city. “The epidemic is gaining ground, and now is the time to intervene,” said Prime Minister Jean Castex. Late Friday, health authorities said almost 7,400 new infections were registered in mainland France in 24 hours, calling growth in new cases “exponential”. Hungary said foreigners would be barred from entry from September 1, while returning citizens would need two negative tests to avoid a 14-day quarantine. AFP

READ MY LIPS.

Walter Carter, 74, of Woodbridge, Va., who attended the original March on Washington, shows off his face mask for the “Commitment March: Get Your Knee Off Our Necks” protest against racism and police brutality, on August 28, in Washington, DC. Antiracism protesters marched on the streets of the US capital on Friday, after a white officer’s shooting of African American Jacob Blake. The protester also marked the 57th anniversary of civil rights leader Martin Luther King’s historic “I Have a Dream” speech delivered at the Lincoln Memorial. AFP

Anti-racism protesters cry out: ‘Say their names!’ WASHINGTON―Tens of thousands of protesters demanding an end to racial injustice and police brutality thronged the US capital Friday, signaling a renewed groundswell of anger gripping the nation following a white officer’s shooting of African-American Jacob Blake. Crowds flooded the National Mall for a mass march marking the anniversary of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr’s historic “I have a dream” speech on August 28, 1963. Friday’s demonstration was dubbed

Student defies Thailand’s royal taboo PATHUM THANI, Thailand—When university student Rung calmly read out 10 demands to reform Thailand’s monarchy before thousands of protesters at a pro-democracy rally this month, she defied the country’s biggest political taboo. Backed by an arch-royalist military and shielded by draconian royal defamation laws, the super-rich monarchy wields enormous influence in nearly every sphere of Thai society. But 21-year-old Rung—real name Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul—said the August 10 protest at Thammasat University outside Bangkok was “the right time” to ask for change, even though she risked arrest.

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“When I left the stage, I felt like I had expanded the boundaries... raised the limits on how people can talk about the monarchy,” the bespectacled sociology and anthropology student told AFP. That demonstration was one of many near-daily rallies—some drawing thousands—across Thailand as the democracy movement gathered steam, led by university students like her. The demands Rung announced that day included more transparency for the royal family’s fortune and the abolition of the royal defamation law, which carries a sentence of up to 15 years in jail per charge. AFP

“Get Your Knee Off Our Necks,” in reference to George Floyd, who suffocated beneath the knee of a white officer in Minneapolis in May, igniting the most widespread civil unrest in the country in decades. Al Sharpton, the civil rights activist who gave the eulogy at Floyd’s funeral, told the crowd it was time for a “new conversation” with America. “We need to have a conversation about your racism, about your bigotry, about your hate, about how you would put your

knee on our neck while we cry for our lives,” he said. Often fighting back tears, relatives of Floyd, Blake and Breonna Taylor— a black 26-year-old shot dead by police in her own apartment last March—took turns addressing the sea of people, who repeatedly called out the victims’ names in response. “Black America, I hold you accountable,” said Blake’s sister Letetra Widman. “You must stand, you must fight, but not with violence and chaos. With self love.” AFP

TEARS OF RELIEF.

A family member of a victim cries after the High Court after the judgement and the last day of the sentencing hearing for Australian white supremacist Brenton Tarrant in Christchurch on August 27. Tarrant, who murdered 51 Muslims in last year’s New Zealand mosques shooting, was sentanced to life in prison with no parole after the atrocity prosecutors said was meticulously planned to inflict maximum casualties. AFP

14 dead in wake of Hurricane Laura in US LAKE CHARLES, Louisiana— At least 14 people were killed after Hurricane Laura slammed into the southern US states of Louisiana and Texas, authorities and local media said Friday. Louisiana’s Governor John Bel Edwards confirmed at least 10 people had died in his state, half from using carbon monoxideproducing portable generators indoors in the aftermath of the storm making landfall Thursday. Four of the remaining deaths were caused by trees falling on people’s homes, according to Edwards, while a man drowned after his boat sank in the storm. There were 464,813 customers without power in Louisiana on Friday, according to the site Poweroutage.us. Texas ended up being spared the brunt of the hurricane, which has since weakened significantly. Three of the state’s four deaths were also reportedly due to carbon monoxide poisoning from generators. Those victims, all believed to be homeless, had sought shelter in a pool hall in the southeastern town of Port Arthur and carried its generator inside, according to the Beaumont Enterprise. Local media reported Friday morning that a man died in East Texas, although it is unconfirmed that he was a direct victim of the hurricane. AFP

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Banksy-funded boat calls for urgent help ROME—A refugee rescue vessel funded by British street artist Banksy said it was stranded and needed urgent help on Saturday after lending assistance to a boat in the Mediterranean that was carrying at least one dead migrant. The German-flagged Louise Michel said it was overcrowded and unable to move after encountering another boat attempting to cross the expanse dividing Europe and Africa with 130 people on board. “There is already one dead person on the boat. We need immediate assistance,” the crew of the 31-metre (101 feet) Louise Michel wrote on Twitter, saying other migrants had fuel burns and had been at sea for days. The vessel’s crew of 10 had earlier rescued another 89 people from a rubber boat in distress on Thursday, and said European rescue agencies had so far ignored its distress calls. AFP

‘Anti-corona’ skeptics march toward Berlin BERLIN―Thousands of coronavirus skeptics are set to descend on Berlin on Saturday for a mass protest against pandemic restrictions that was allowed to go ahead after a bitter legal battle. Police said they will turn out in force and strictly monitor compliance with mask-wearing and social distancing, with Berlin police chief Barbara Slowik warning that if the demonstrators do not adhere to virus safety rules, police will clear the area “very quickly”. “We will not be able or willing to watch tens of thousands assemble and create infection risks,” she added. AFP

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2020

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor / Roderick dela Cruz, Issue Editor business@manilastandard.net

Congresswoman promotes bamboo-framed face shield T

HE bamboo-framed face shield developed by the Department of Science and Technology-Forest Products Research and Development Institute has caught the attention of a lawmaker who is an advocate of using Filipino-made products. Rep. Ann KHofer of the 2nd District of Zamboanga Sibugay and chairperson of the House committee on foreign affairs used the bambooframed face shield during the Working Group Caucus of the 11th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly on Aug. 14, 2020. Wearing the bamboo-framed face shield during the meeting, Hofer facilitated the discussion on “Mitigating Risks and Strengthening Economic Resilience in the Period of Pandemic.” She was joined in the video conference by international delegates from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, thus enabling her to showcase our very own innovation to combat the spread of COVID-19 disease. “We are thankful to the support given by the members of the House of Representatives to this initiative,” said DOST-FPRDI director Romulo Aggangan. Aggangan said a number of representatives have either commended or signified interest in adopting the bamboo-framed face shield including Ilocos Sur 1st District Rep. Deogracias Victor Savellano, Marikina 2nd District Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo and Manila 4th District Rep. Edward Maceda. DOST-FPRDI pioneered the production of bambooframed face shield in the country. Bamboo is a perennial, woody-stemmed grass widely used in making handicrafts and furniture. The bamboo-framed face shield is one of DOSTFPRDI’s initiatives in response to the need for more

Bria offers safe, affordable homes in Calamba, Laguna

Rep. Ann Hofer wears the bamboo-framed face shield during the Working Group Caucus of the 11th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) last 14 August 2020.

line agencies around the country. DOST-FPRDI has also provided training and technical assistance to the local government of Cabuyao, Laguna in its mass production of the said face shields. “With the support of our partners in the Congress, personal protective equipment amid the COVID-19 we believe that more Filipinos will be able to use and benefit from DOST-FPRDI technologies. We will outbreak. Since April, the institute has distributed face continue to find ways to help combat the global panshields for free to various public and private front- demic through R&D,” said Aggangan.

Nestlé teams up with Plastic Credit Exchange By Othel V. Campos FOOD and beverage manufacturer Nestlé Philippines signed an agreement with Plastic Credit Exchange to collect soft plastic waste from Baseco in Tondo, Manila, Payatas in Quezon City, and Rodriguez in Rizal province. Nestle Philippines supports PCEx in its collection of post-consumer soft plastics from communities, consolidators and local government units. The plastic waste will be co-processed and diverted from landfills. The initiative falls under a plastic waste collection, recycling, and recovery program that Nestlé Philippines is implementing with various partners and stakeholders. “With plastic waste continuing to accumulate in landfills and oceans, the need for tackling plastic pollution has never been so pressing. It is an urgent priority for us and an issue we take seriously,” said Nestlé Philippines chairman and CEO Kais Marzouki. Headed by founder and president Nanette Medved-Po, PCEx is an offshoot of HOPE in a Bottle, a brand of bottled water that commits 100 percent of its profits to the building of public school classrooms in partnership with the Department of Education. A non-profit organization, PCEx takes pledges from companies of all sizes and industries, and funds operations that pre-

Bria communities appeal to those who wish to trade the congestion of the metro for the healthier environment of nearby suburbs and smaller cities.

Soft plastic waste from Baseco, Tondo in Manila

vent plastic waste from ending up in nature. It engages communities of waste collectors and aggregators and organizes this informal sector to create dignified work and offer improved livelihood. “The journey of HOPE to sustainability—and therefore to the Plastic Credit Exchange—in a way, started with Nestlé. Years ago, their Philippine CEO reached out to me about projects that Nestlé was supporting—like

eco-bricks. From there, HOPE began to explore environmentally sustainable and affordable ways for companies to be responsible for their plastic footprints. In 2019 we established the Plastic Credit Exchange from our learnings and came back to Nestlé whom we felt would be a natural partner, given our common goals for sustainability,” Medved-Po said. Nestlé Philippines is also participating in the Aling Tindera Waste-to-Cash program

VMware empowers local businesses despite pandemic CREATING innovation and busiadvisors, helping customers adapt ness resiliency for organizations and thrive in this environment. In in the Philippines, VMware, a the past few months, they have leading innovator in enterprise helped to set up remote working software, has announced encapabilities, architect cloud and app hancements to its Workspace One infrastructure, and deploy intrinsic and VMware Cloud portfolios, as security solutions for many in a matmore companies adapt to a mobile ter of weeks, and sometimes sooner. and digital-first economy. We are extremely grateful for their These innovations will be detireless efforts,” he said. livered through VMware’s partner VMware country By strengthening collaboration ecosystem across the Philippines, manager Walter So with its partners, VMware has amwhich has been mobilized to help customers plified its ability to help enterprises across the connect, accelerate, scale and protect their or- countryimplement their business continuity plans ganizational assets as they work through busi- quickly, with minimal operational disruptions. ness and societal disruption. The approach involves connecting and en“As our customers continue to adapt their gaging workforces via Digital Workspace solubusiness and operational models to the evolv- tions with seamless access to critical applicaing situation, the very concept of work has also tions via organizational or personal devices; changed accordingly. In this new normal, cus- accelerating the performance of enterprise tomers need employees who are able to work applications as remote connections increase; seamlessly in a secure environment, anywhere, scaling elastic capacity quickly as new remote anytime,” said Walter So, country manager of users come online and service demand rises; VMware Philippines. and protecting all endpoints as workers more “Our partners continue to act as trusted securely access organizational assets remotely.

launched by PCEx and the City of Manila, in which women with sari-sari stores will be provided with incentives for their stores to become collection points for post-consumer plastic waste. Benefits of the program include increased income opportunities for women micro-entrepreneurs and city residents; a more organized informal sector of waste collectors; and a cleaner environment and improved health. Each participating sari-sari store will be equipped with a container van to hold collected plastic waste turned in for cash. The container vans will be sponsored by corporations including Nestlé Philippines Marzouki said that while they are working on packaging innovations, alternative materials and plastic reduction, as well as education campaigns, they are finding ways to divert plastic waste from landfills and oceans. The company announced the shift to paper straws for its ready-to-drink products that will eliminate 130 metric tons of plastic straws by the end of the year, when the changeover is expected to be completed. “We are determined to look at every option to solve complex packaging challenges and embrace multiple solutions that can have an impact now. For our part, we at Nestlé envision a waste-free future in the face of these complex challenges. We are glad to be taking a concrete step, one among many, toward realizing that vision through our partnership with PCEx,” said Marzouki.

AS FILIPINOS shift to the digital landscape, the home has become more than just a resting space for our families—it is now a place of work and learning. More than ever, Filipinos gravitate towards modern dwellings that are affordable, convenient and comfortable as they adapt with the new normal. Bria Homes, a major property developer, maintains its promise to build high-quality homes in economic housing projects all over the country. Metro Manila and Laguna residents looking for well-designed, budget-friendly homes will be delighted to know that the leading housing developer has launched Bria Homes Calamba in Barangay Bañadero and Bria Homes Executive Calamba in Barangay Majada Out, Canlubang. The Bria communities will appeal to those who wish to trade the congestion of the metro for the healthier environment of a bustling city. With its access to major roads and highways, Bria Homes Calamba and Bria Homes Executive are also projected to lure property seekers from the same city and from other parts of Laguna. Bria Homes Calamba offers the Angeli and Bettina house models which both feature a dining and kitchen area, living area, toilet and bath and provisions for two and three bedrooms, respectively. Bria Homes Executive Calamba also offers the Bettina Townhouse, as well as the Alecza house model, with dining and kitchen area, partition for two bedrooms, a living area, toilet and bath; and the Elyana house model with a provision for one bedroom, dining and kitchen area, toilet and bath, and a living area. The safe and secure residential communities are located in one of Laguna’s progressive cities near schools such as Calamba City College, Liceo de Calamba and Bañadero National High School; hospitals like Calamba Medical Center, St. John the Baptist Medical Center and Calamba Doctors Hospital; and places of worship such as St. John the Baptist Church, Iglesia ni Cristo Poblacion and Bañadero Chapel. Commuters and motorists from these subdivisions will have quick and easy access to the South Luzon Expressway via San Juan Road and JP Rizal Street. Homeowners will enjoy recreational facilities such as a multi-purpose hall, jogging paths and a playground area. To ensure the security of its homeowners, the development will have amenities like guarded entrances and exits, perimeter fences and 24/7 CCTV cameras. Bria Homes boosted efforts to provide digital access to more Filipinos in the crucial time. Online reservations and payments are made easy for current and future homeowners. Bria is also holding live-selling, digital open house events and virtual tours of its various projects to promote its house and lots for sale in the Philippines.

St. Luke’s puts spotlight on everyday heroes FRONTLINERS of St. Luke’s Medical Center received more than 600 messages of gratitude and encouragement from people all over the country, as they continue to battle against COVID-19. Not all heroes wear capes is what everyday heroes from the hospital have proven since the start of the pandemic. Frontliners, whether security guards, housekeeping personnel, food service assistants or medical staff, risk themselves being exposed to the virus to continue serving and saving lives. Dr. Ryan Buendia, cardiologist, recalls that it has been years since the medical profession has faced this kind of challenge. Dr. Romulo Babasa, ER medical consultant, says: “To say that the medical profession has this extraordinary opportunity to be of service to patients pushes us to report for duty each day.” However, like everyone else, frontliners experience fear and anxiety. Each faces different challenges every day. “I went through the emotions of fear, sadness, and anxiety to the point of hopelessness, which most can relate

St. Luke’s nurse Gracie Olimpo

with,” says Dr. Mae Campomanes, a pulmonary specialist. Dr. Richard Enecilla, ER medical consultant, shares the challenge on communication for patients and comedical staff. “As everyone now wears face masks and shields, we can’t be easily understood by patients and those that you’re talking to,” he says. Meanwhile, Dr. Janeth Samson, a

pulmonologist who regularly faces COVID-19 patients, says, “there’s always the fear that you can have the disease and that you can die with the disease.” “We are being coughed at and sneezed at every day, and that is the hardest part of being a frontliner at the swab booth,” says Maita Fullido. Marlou Cañezo, a security guard in the hospital, says they are at risk as they scan everyone who enters the hospital buildings first. “Lahat ng empleyado at ang mga pasyente na pumapasok ay samin muna dadaan,” he says. Hospital housekeepers are also at risk. Alex Gomez, a housekeeper at St. Luke’s, says that if not for them, how will COVID wards be kept clean. The fear of contracting the virus is also in the minds of Cerilo Nerez and Elizer Borja, a housekeeper and food service assistant, respectively. Despite the challenges, all of them keep each other inspired to continue fighting. Dr. Helen Ong-Garcia says that, “St. Luke’s is very dedicated to ensuring that every associate feels relevant, safe, and inspired.”

Youth & Culture B1

sunday, august 30, 2020

Bernadet­te Lunas, Editor

manilastandardlife@gmail.com

@manilastandardlife

@MStandardLIFE

spotted

BTS goes retro in ‘Dynamite’ MV ARMYs worldwide finally got what they’ve been waiting for, the music video of BTS’ latest and first all-English single “Dynamite” dropped on August 21. And it’s an old-school, pastel-colored dreamland peppered with tributes to the ‘70s with a 2020 vibe squeezed in. Check out the boys’ retro style as seen in the MV which currently has over 200 million views on YouTube: (Photos courtesy of BTS Official/Facebook)

Youth rises in crisis Student leader Mariz Domingo quickly mobilized her team to help students at Far Eastern University cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Steph Llarena

C

ontrary to what the older generations say about them, today’s young folks are not lazy, Internet fiends who only think about “likes” and “shares” and social media.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has given birth to young leaders and movers. Students who volunteer their time and available resources to assist in however they can.

Student leader Mariz Domingo, a student at the Far Eastern University Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management, had a pretty normal life before the pandemic. “My student-leader life before was confined to the classroom or to where our student council office is located,” she begins. “Weeks before the quarantine took place, we were planning the ITHM Week—an annual celebration of ITHM. Once it was announced that classes would be canceled, everything became a blur.” Because of the sudden change, their marketing and creative teams mobilized their social media presence to come up with ideas on how to cope and communicate with students online, especially with those who weren’t able to go home or were struggling to finance their needs. “I think constant communication is one of the best things one can do to help a friend cope with these kinds of problems. Whether it be your family, your friends, your loved ones—I am sure that even a simple ‘kumusta’ would mean a lot,” she says. Mariz adds, “The ITHM Student Council initiated the ITHM SHOPPE. This project is meant to help promote and advertise our co-students’ and the faculty members’ online shops. We wanted them to earn extra income to fund their daily needs.” Her commitment to helping others extended to her hometown. “I also started a donation drive when I got back to my home province in Ilocos Norte.” “My goal was to help people from my city, especially the indigent families, and later the frontliners. I saw how wide my connections were and I

‘‘

I wasn’t really planning to leave because of the virus. But staying in the Philippines was the best decision ever. – Alejandro Giron used them so that I could get more donations and help more people. FEU and the Student Development team helped promote my cause,” she relates. Much like many who have had to grapple with the current situation, Mariz also had to adjust to the “new normal.” “The biggest challenge I had to face this quarantine was to find something productive to do. Before this pandemic started, I always had full schedules on weekdays and even during weekends.” She continues, “I realized that the real challenge these days is not just finding a way to be productive but finding value in what you do.” To past time productively, she honed her cooking skills and learned how to take care of herself—phyically and mentally. And as prepares for the shift to online classes, she hopes every FEU student has the equipment they need to continue their education.

Exchange student-turnedvolunteer Mexican

exchange

student

Mexican exchange student Miguel Alejandro Giron Aguirre chose to stay in the Philippines to help in relief operations throughout the metro.

HEY, YOUTH! Share your unpublished essays with the readers of Manila Standard. Chosen essays will be published in the Young Life corner that comes out every Sunday. This space is open for young writers, aged 13-29 years old. Send your essay (maximum of 800 words) with photo/s, if available, to manilastandardlife@gmail.com with the subject: “Young Life - (title of your essay)” along with a brief description of yourself.

Miguel Alejandro Giron Aguirre had an opportunity to go back home in the early days of the pandemic, but he decided to stay and volunteered in relief operations throughout the metro. As La Salle University Chihuahua exchange program student, Alej (to his Filipino friends) looked forward to going to his classes at the School of Management and Information Technology of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, befriending fellow students, and immersing in all things Filipino. “From where I grew up, the Philippines seemed like the other side of the world and I really wanted to come,” he shares. He even planned to visit the top tourist destinations in the country. But when he arrived in January, the Taal Volcano erupted. Come March, Luzon was placed on community quarantine. Despite all this, the 22-year-old Marketing Management student chose to stay and volunteer. “I wasn’t really planning to leave because of the virus,” he admits. “To be honest, I didn’t think that this pandemic will go this far. But staying in the Philippines was the best decision ever.” With the interruption of school, he participated in Kada Uno, an initiative that unifies the efforts of various Lasallian institutions, groups, and partner organizations in support of the affected vulnerable and minority sectors. Alej was assigned to the Marketing and Communications Office, in charge of photos, videos, and documentation. He worked alongside Lasallian East Asia District Brother Visitor Br. Armin Luistro FSC and the rest of the volunteers. They distributed relief packs to families in need, and provided temporary refuge to the medical frontliners and homeless in Manila. This allowed him to experience the relentless warmth and kindness of the Lasallians and Filipinos in general. “I have been seeing how in the difficult times, Filipinos always look for ways to help, and it’s something to admire,” he enthuses. The international student is no stranger to Lasallian missions. He has actively participated in the programs in Mexico where they spread messages of faith to the community. However, it is the first time that he worked hands-on in such a huge initiative that aimed to address beyond the Lasallian family. He likewise created digital content for La Salle Green Hills’ Flexible Lasallian Education through Technology and Collaboration at Home (FLETCH) and International Council of Young Lasallians’ Indivisa Manent, a virtual meeting which tackled topics such as racism. Now that classes have resumed, he is currently enrolled under the Benilde Online Learning Term (BOLT), the college’s full online learning program, and is taking up Corporate Communications, Quality and Business Process Improvements, and Film Theory and Global Cinematic Movements courses. As soon as BOLT is over, he flies back to Chihuahua, Mexico. “My trip ended up totally different. But to be honest, I couldn’t think of any better way to spend my exchange program. I met so many amazing persons and I also learned a lot of things,” he exclaims. “Uncertainty is one aspect that we are going to experience and this helped me learn how to work in real life.” When asked if he would come back to the Philippines, the young volunteer wished to finally explore the famous beautiful beaches of Palawan, Cebu, and Negros in his next visit.

On Jimin

Gucci cotton viscose jacket, Gucci GG Marmont leather belt, Gucci leather loafers

On J-Hope Gucci leather shirt, Gucci GG Marmont green leather belt

On RM

Gucci star print silk oversized bowling shirt, Gucci Men’s GG Gucci Tennis 1977 sneakers

On V

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Saint Laurent fan polka dot cropped shirt in silk

¹ĺĚ ƎĿDŽūƥîŕ DžĚĚŒ IJūƑ ƥĺĚ ƑĚƙĿēĚŠƥĿîŕ ƙĚČƥūƑ Džîƙ DžĚĚŒ ǧǨȡ qîƑČĺ ǧǫȹǨǧȡ ƥĺĚ DžĚĚŒ ČūDŽĚƑĿŠij ƥĺĚ ƙƥîƑƥ ūIJ ƥĺĚ ĚŠĺîŠČĚē ČūŞŞƭŠĿƥNj ƐƭîƑîŠƥĿŠĚ ȳ/ £ȴ ūŠ qîƑČĺ ǧǬȦ GƑūŞ ƥĺĿƙ DžĚĚŒȡ ĚîČĺ ƎƑūƎĚƑƥNj ƥNjƎĚ ƙîDž ƙĺîƑƎ ĺĿijĺƙ îŠē ŕūDžƙ ƭŠƥĿŕ ƥĺĚ ƙĺĿIJƥ ƥū ƥĺĚ ŞūēĿǛĚē / £ ȳq/ £ȴȦ

B2

Home/Design

SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2020

Joel D. Lacsamana, Editor E-mail: jdlacsamana@gmail.com

Highest Week-on-Week Growth in Pageviews during the ECQ

INTUITIVE FLOW AT YOUR HOME BATHROOM. .The bidet is a useful toilet essential

All residential property types recorded their highest week-on-week SOURCE: Lamudi.com.ph growth in pageviews and leads within the ECQ. THE OUTLOOK ON THE RESIDENTIAL MARKET | Property investment as a safe haven during a crisis

Lamudi sees renewed interest in residential real estate

In Lamudi’s trend report about the real estate movement in the Philippines amid the ECQ, a survey of property ¹ĺĚ / £ ĿŠ ƥĺĚ ¡ĺĿŕĿƎƎĿŠĚƙ Džîƙ ĿŞƎŕĚŞĚŠƥĚē ċNj ƥĺĚ ijūDŽĚƑŠŞĚŠƥɄƙ TŠƥĚƑȹîijĚŠČNj ¹îƙŒ GūƑČĚ ȳT ¹Gȴȡ DžĿƥĺ ƙĚƥ seekers showed their preferences switch from CBD to non-CBD properties during the ECQ. Two months restrictions that only allow going out of the house for buying essential goods and essential businesses to ŕîƥĚƑȡ DžĿƥĺ î ŕūūŒ ĿŠƥū ƙĚĚŒĚƑ ċĚĺîDŽĿūƑ IJūƑ ƥĺĚ ǛƑƙƥ ĺîŕIJ ūIJ ƥĺĚ NjĚîƑȡ ' ƎƑūƎĚƑƥĿĚƙ ƙĺūDž ŕūŠijȹƥĚƑŞ ƑĚƙĿŕĿĚŠČĚȦ operate on a skeletal or work-from-home arrangement. Public transportation was also suspended; essential TŠ ƥĚƑŞƙ ūIJ ƎƑūƎĚƑƥNj ŕūČîƥĿūŠƙȡ Şūƙƥ ūIJ ƥĺĚ ŕĚîēƙ DžĚƑĚ ŕūūŒĿŠij IJūƑ î ƎƑūƎĚƑƥNj ƥū ċƭNj ūƑ ƑĚŠƥ IJƑūŞ £ƭĚǕūŠ workers such as healthcare providers and their employers were advised to look for temporary housing nearer ĿƥNjȡ DžĺĿČĺ ČūŞƎƑĿƙĚƙ ǨǬɼ ūIJ ƥĺĚ ŕĚîēƙ IJƑūŞ cîŠƭîƑNj ƥū ƥĺĚ ǛƑƙƥ ĺîŕIJ ūIJ cƭŠĚȦ GūŕŕūDžĿŠij îƑĚ qîŒîƥĿ ȳǧǨɼȴȡ ¡îƙĿij their workplaces. ȳǧǦɼȴȡ îŠē ¹îijƭĿij ȳǯɼȴȡ îŕŕ s ¤ ČĿƥĿĚƙ DžĿƥĺ î ČĚŠƥƑîŕ ċƭƙĿŠĚƙƙ ēĿƙƥƑĿČƥȦ 'ƙ îƑĚ ĿŠ £ƭĚǕūŠ ĿƥNjȠ /îƙƥDžūūē ĿƥNjȡ ƑîŠĚƥî ĿƥNjȡ îŠē ¹ƑĿîŠijŕĚ ĿƥNjȦ qîŒîƥĿ ĿƥNjɄƙ ' Ŀƙ ĿŠ ƥĺĚ Looking deeper into Lamudi’s data,¹ĺƑĚĚ following the sharp week-on-week decrease in interest and inquiries, Njîŕî qîŒîƥĿ îƑĚîȦ qĚîŠDžĺĿŕĚȡ ¡îƙĿij ĿƥNj ĺîƙ ƥĺĚ ~ƑƥĿijîƙ ĚŠƥĚƑȡ îŠē ¹îijƭĿij ĿƥNj ĺîƙ ūŠĿIJîČĿū Hŕūċîŕ ĿƥNjȦ ƥĺĚ ŞîƑŒĚƥ ċūƭŠČĚē ċîČŒ îƑūƭŠē ƥĺĚ ĿŞƎŕĚŞĚŠƥîƥĿūŠ ūIJ ƥĺĚ q/ £Ȧ ¹ĺĚ ƙĺĿIJƥ IJƑūŞ ƥĺĚ / £ ƥū q/ £ ĿŠ ƥĺĚ ¬ĿŠČĚ ƎƭċŕĿČ ƥƑîŠƙƎūƑƥîƥĿūŠ ĺîƙ ċĚĚŠ ƙƭƙƎĚŠēĚē IJƑūŞ qîƑČĺ ƥū qîNj îŠē Ŀƙ ūŠ ŕĿŞĿƥĚē ūƎĚƑîƥĿūŠƙȡ ƎƑūƎĚƑƥNj sîƥĿūŠîŕ îƎĿƥîŕ ¤ĚijĿūŠ ĺîƎƎĚŠĚē ūŠ qîNj ǧǬȦ

Property seen as safe haven during crisis

providing worthy benefits for everyday use.The luxe hygiene spray from Kohler Co. is designed with an intuitive flow control for better pressure control regardless of the home’s water pressure. The handle is positioned further from the spray face and air induction ensures full area coverage while keeping the hands dry. The sleek product comes in an antibacterial metal body with an ergonomic design featuring a longer body for greater reach and flexibility. Bidets installed on seats provide extra ease and comfort as they do not require use of the hands. Kohler’s C3-030 manual bidet seat features a dual-wand system that eliminates the need to twist and reach out to wash intimate areas, making front and rear personal cleansing much easier. A simple switch customizes water pressure to prevent spills, splatters and discomfort.Both products meet Kohler’s stringent hygiene spray performance test to assure homes of an excellent bathroom quality product. For more details on Kohler’s latest bidets, visit www.kohlercompany.com.

seekers may have looked for residential properties closer to their workplaces, especially those who have been deemed as essential workers and are at higher risk to the virus. This move can also keep their loved ūŠĚƙ ƙîIJĚ IJƑūŞ ƥĺĚ DŽĿƑƭƙȡ ĚƙƎĚČĿîŕŕNj ĿIJ ƥĺĚƑĚ îƑĚ IJîŞĿŕNj ŞĚŞċĚƑƙ ƥĺîƥ îƑĚ ŞūƑĚ ƙƭƙČĚƎƥĿċŕĚ ƥū ~×T'ȹǧǯȦ

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RECENT report on the property market showed a renewed interest in house and lot properties after the Philippines had to adjust to government-imposed restrictions on movement, which affected all commercial sectors, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Property seekers prioritize amenities that improve quality of life

Top Amenities on Lamudi (January-1HJune 2020)

Connectivity and quality of life are the two most important considerations for property seekers.

SOURCE: Lamudi.com.ph

GūƑ ƥĺĚ ǛƑƙƥ ĺîŕIJ ūIJ ǨǦǨǦȡ ƎƑūƎĚƑƥNj ƙĚĚŒĚƑƙ ČūŠƙĿēĚƑĚē pool or have air conditioning were popular. their leisure and quality of life when looking at qĚîŠDžĺĿŕĚȡ ĺîDŽĿŠij î ƙƥîċŕĚ ĿŠƥĚƑŠĚƥ ČūŠŠĚČƥĿūŠ long-term resilience. has also become a necessity during these times as Most were looking virtual eventsthe and leads work-from-home setups are for the a new normal during the community property to buy or rentquarantine. from Quezon

atproperty an average lead growth rate 1% highlistings on Lamudi. This showed in the top erƙĚîƑČĺĚē îŞĚŠĿƥĿĚƙ ūŠ ƥĺĚ ƎŕîƥIJūƑŞȠ than houses. During the ECQ, affordLamudi’s report, The outlook on the ability was a major consideration for residential market, noted that property 1. Swimming Pool (11 percent) propertyǨȦ ĿƑȹČūŠēĿƥĿūŠĿŠij ȳǯ ƎĚƑČĚŠƥȴ seekers, which is seemingly seekers, real estate brokers and propaffirmedǩȦ ØĿȹǛ ȳǮ ƎĚƑČĚŠƥȴ by the increase in leads gained erty developers turned out in huge by foreclosures (37%) on Lamudi at numbers, making inquiries (32%) in ǪȦ îŕČūŠNj ȳǬ ƎĚƑČĚŠƥȴ week 16 (April 12-18). week 15 (April 5-11) from a huge drop stillduring main Since theAffordability, ECQ was implemented the summer following the announcement of the enmonths, properties with either a common swimming consideration hanced community quarantine (ECQ) For property seekers, location and at week 12 (March 15-21). the presence of functional and recreThe report , which was published in ational amenities have been some of the May, said inquiries about houses saw main considerations in their property a 30% week-on-week increase during purchase during the first half of 2020. the shift to modified enhanced comGiven the restriction on movement, the munity quarantine (MECQ) at week periods covered by the ECQ and the 20 (May 10-16). MECQ also impacted the decision to “Wait-and-see mode” buy or rent. The Lamudi platform reported that From January to early March, bethe upward trend seems to continue on fore the ECQ, properties for sale rea climb to reach pre-COVID percentceived somewhere around 63-66% of ages during the start of the year, pageviews on Lamudi, but properties But while property seekers remain for rent, despite having fewer listings interested in condominiums, there is on the platform, received more inquistill a prevailing“wait-and-see mode”, ries at around 53-63%. This shows that the report said. property seekers have an intention to Condominiums had a strong start in buy, but followed through with rental 2020, owing in part to the interest in inquiries. property investment carried over from During the ECQ, interest in buying the previous year. property rose to 68-74%, with propBut due to the pandemic, condominerty seekers continuing to inquire as iums recorded an average week-onwell, contributing to almost 56% of week lead growth rate of -3% in the inquiries on the platform during the first half of 2020. ECQ. Houses, which showed a strong perCities with CBDs remain popular formance during the ECQ according to The survey showed that property a survey of Lamudi property seekers, seekers showed their preferences switch posted a 2% average week-on-week from CBD to non-CBD properties durgrowth in pageviews for the first half ing the ECQ. Two months later, with a of 2020. look into seeker behavior for the first Foreclosed properties also showed THE OUTLOOK ON THE RESIDENTIAL MARKET | Property investment as a safe haven during a crisis half of the year, CBD properties show resilience amid the pandemic, ending Homeownership hinges on affordability

Average Growth Rate of Residential Property Types in 1H2020

SOURCE: Lamudi.com.ph

City,IJƑūŞ which comprises 26%ƙĚĚŒĚƑƙ of the îŕƙū leads ƙĿēĚ ČūŠŠĚČƥĿDŽĿƥNj îŞĚŠĿƥĿĚƙȡ prefer withtobalconies andhalf common fromproperties January the first of gym June. areas. Balconies serve as an area for activities and Following are Makati (12%), Pasig hobbies that the seeker may enjoy while staying at (10%), Taguig NCR cities home, whileand common gyms(9%), are goodall alternatives to the commercial gymsbusiness that have closed down during with a central district. the ECQ.

Three CBDs are in Quezon City: Eastwood City, Araneta City, and Triangle City. Makati City’s CBD is in the Ayala Makati area. Meanwhile, Pasig City has the Ortigas Center, and Taguig City has Bonifacio Global City. Since public transportation has been suspended from March to May and is on limited operations, property seekers may have looked for residential properties closer to their workplaces. Priority on amenities For the first half of 2020, property seekers considered their leisure and quality of life when looking at property listings on Lamudi. Since the ECQ was implemented during the summer months, properties with either a common swimming pool, or have airconditioning were popular. Having a stable internet connection also become a necessity during these times as virtual events and work-fromhome setups are the new normal during the community quarantine. Property seekers also prefer properties with balconies and common gym areas. Balconies serve as an area for activities and hobbies that the seeker may enjoy while staying at home, while common gyms are good alternatives to the commercial gyms that have closed down during the ECQ. Period of adustment With Metro Manila back in MECQ for two weeks at the start of August, a temporary shift can once again be expected in the residential market. Lamudiprojects new trends in real estate demand in the second half of the year as preferences from property seekers adjust to the rules set in place during changing community quarantines.

SOUTH FORBES GOLF CITY EYES DEMAND FOR POSTPANDEMIC HOUSING. People’s new travelling and housing choices will play

a large role in the definition of the new normal. Jeffrey Ng, President of Cathay Land, believes there will be a shift of preferences when it comes to the Filipino’s choices for a home. South Forbes golf city is Cathay Land’s 500-hectare master planned township at the Silang-Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay growth corridor. The growing township will soon host business process outsourcing (BPO) firms in the South Forbes Cyber Park (SFCP). South Forbes also features several mixed-use, mid-rise residential condominiums with two more now under construction: Stanford Suites 3 and Fullerton Suites. “Our clients can invest in South Forbes and experience a better quality of life, especially if they choose to make South Forbes their first home.” Ng said. Shown here is theis one of units of South Forbes uniquely-themed villages, the Daytona at Miami – known for its grand beaches and vibrant American style architecture.

Houses, which showed a strong performance during the ECQ according to a survey of Lamudi property ƙĚĚŒĚƑƙȡ ƎūƙƥĚē î Ǩɼ îDŽĚƑîijĚ DžĚĚŒȹūŠȹDžĚĚŒ ijƑūDžƥĺ ĿŠ ƎîijĚDŽĿĚDžƙ IJūƑ ƥĺĚ ǛƑƙƥ ĺîŕIJ ūIJ ǨǦǨǦȦ GūƑĚČŕūƙĚē ƎƑūƎĚƑƥĿĚƙ îŕƙū ƙĺūDžĚē ƑĚƙĿŕĿĚŠČĚ îŞĿē ƥĺĚ ƎîŠēĚŞĿČȡ ĚŠēĿŠij îƥ îŠ îDŽĚƑîijĚ ŕĚîē ijƑūDžƥĺ ƑîƥĚ ǧɼ ĺĿijĺĚƑ ƥĺîŠ houses. During the ECQ, affordability was a major consideration for property seekers, which is seemingly îIJǛƑŞĚē ċNj ƥĺĚ ĿŠČƑĚîƙĚ ĿŠ ŕĚîēƙ ijîĿŠĚē ċNj IJūƑĚČŕūƙƭƑĚƙ ȳǩǭɼȴ ūŠ gîŞƭēĿ îƥ DžĚĚŒ ǧǬ ȳ ƎƑĿŕ ǧǨȹǧǮȴȦ

Workplace design strategy for the new normal

FACTORS AFFECTING PROPERTY SEEKING BEHAVIOR IN THE TIME OF COVID-19

AS THE ease of lockdown restrictions permit the gradual reopening of the economy, companies look towards redesigning GūƑ ƎƑūƎĚƑƥNj ƙĚĚŒĚƑƙȡ ŕūČîƥĿūŠ îŠē ƥĺĚ ƎƑĚƙĚŠČĚ ūIJ IJƭŠČƥĿūŠîŕ îŠē ƑĚČƑĚîƥĿūŠîŕ îŞĚŠĿƥĿĚƙ ĺîDŽĚ ċĚĚŠ ƙūŞĚ their workplace to mitigate the further spread of the virus, and ūIJ ƥĺĚ ŞîĿŠ ČūŠƙĿēĚƑîƥĿūŠƙ ĿŠ ƥĺĚĿƑ ƎƑūƎĚƑƥNj ƎƭƑČĺîƙĚ ēƭƑĿŠij ƥĺĚ ǛƑƙƥ ĺîŕIJ ūIJ ǨǦǨǦȦ HĿDŽĚŠ ƥĺĚ ƑĚƙƥƑĿČƥĿūŠ ūŠ ŞūDŽĚŞĚŠƥȡ ƥĺĚ ƎĚƑĿūēƙ ČūDŽĚƑĚē ċNj ƥĺĚ / £ îŕƙū ĿŞƎîČƥĚē ƥĺĚ ēĚČĿƙĿūŠ ƥū ċƭNj ūƑ ƑĚŠƥȦ prioritize the health and safety of£ îŠē ƥĺĚ q/ their employees. Trends And Concepts (TAC) Principal Designer and VP of Investing in real estate given more thought during the ECQ Design & Construction Management IDr. Charisse Gail Bantilingrecently how companies can strategically design Weekly Buy vstackled Rent Pageviews on Lamudi (January-1HJune 2020) their office for the return of the workforce in the current and post COVID-19 landscape. “Given that we spend 90% of our day in the workplace, we want to understand what a healthier environment means and what human-centric designs do to benefit your business,” said Bantiling.

Elevating employee well-being In her study entitled “A COVID-19 Virtual Ideation Experience”, Bantilingshared how she and her team conceptualized design strategies for the future of the workplace and solutions to elevate employee-wellbeing. Bantiling is part of Team 16 addressing the area of Work-Buy; Pageviews ɼ Rent; Pageviews ɼ SOURCE: Lamudi.com.ph place Wellbeing. Team 16 is led by Sujatha Ganapathy, Vice President of Knight Frank India. Members of Team 16, inThe report by Team 16dentified the risks found within encluding Gail, are Ashwini Kuvalekar, Architect- Sustainable closed settings, such as the workplace, that individuals are Solutions, Space Matrix Design Consultants Pvt Ltd, India; more likely to be exposed to and may impact their overall Norberto.Figueroa, Associate Director, Cognizant Technol- wellbeing. The risks are mainly environmental, occupational, ogy Solutions, Philippines, Inc.; and SandhyaHegde, Lead- and behavioral. Sustainable Solutions, Space Matrix Design Consultants “We’re still acknowledging the fact that the physical workPvtLtd,India. place is something necessary to keep and I don’t think it’s go-

ing anywhere. It is a place after all where we do our business agenda or social gatherings in general,” Bantilingsaid. The initial steps in reconfiguring the workplace are by creating a one-way entrance and exit system to enforce the physical distancing rule. Afterward, identify which areas have high and low traffic zones in order to optimize areas that need adjustment for capacity as well as finding which ones can be converted to an additional workspace or temporary rooms.

De-densify the workplace De-densify the workplace to accommodate physical distancing can be achieved by using the high and low traffic zones guideline which indicates the tables that are to be occupied and determines the capacity per wing. Ideally, you want to take out equipment and seats on the unoccupied spaces, otherwise, you can make use of markers as dividers and sneeze guards between workstations for protection. Similarly, workplace mapping can help ensure dedicated seats, personal accountability, and clear workable rules of conduct per user through alternate seating arrangements with a minimum of 1.5-meter physical distancing. Finally, Bantilingemphasized employeewell-being, “As stakeholders, we have to consider the users - not only are we looking at the workplace in the lens of hygiene and sanitation,” she said. “We should try welcoming the idea of creating a space of quality, bringing emphasis to empathy and support, bringing in a lot of that data-driven design approach using intelligent and technology-based solutions.”

FILINVEST NEW CLARK CITY SPEARHEADS RECOVERY.Filinvest is

doing its part to accelerate the economic recovery, providing investment opportunities through its development: Filinvest New Clark City (FNCC). The 288-hectare development that is part of the highly anticipated 9,450-hectare project of New Clark City in Tarlac, represents Filinvest’s vision of building a sustainable, and highly accessible metropolis outside Metro Manila. “Working with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and the government has only reinforced our vision that our country should be mindful of only building smart, future-ready cities,” said Josephine Gotianun-Yap, president and CEO of Filinvest Development Corp. The company has decades of experience in masterplanned projects like the LEED Gold-certified business district Filinvest City in Alabang; coastal township City di Mare in Cebu; and the Filinvest Mimosa+ Leisure City in Clark, Pampanga. To know more about Filinvest New Clark City, visit www.filinvestnewclarkcity.com.

Entertainment

SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2020

B3

Nickie Wang, Editor; E-mail: nickie.standard@ gmail.com

DARREN and JAYDA’s

collab draws raves, huge streams

“S

ANA Tayo Na,” a musical collaboration of young recording stars Darren Espanto and Jayda, proved to be a hit among listeners as it received inclusion in a Spotify editorial playlist and racked up views and streams just two weeks after its release. The love song, a revival of Dingdong Avanzado’s (Jayda’s dad) composition, was featured in Spotify Philippines’ ‘Trending Tracks’ editorial playlist, which lists down viral songs in the country and was also included on Spotify's New Music Friday Philippines on the day of its release. The song’s music video, released two weeks ago, has already amassed over 630,000 views as of writing. While on Spotify, it currently has over 116,000 streams on the streaming platform. In a vlog, Jayda shared her experi-

ence shooting the video at home and separate from Darren who is in Canada. “It was a lot of fun shooting virtually because I feel like it’s all a first for us since we don’t have a choice,” Darren said via Zoom. Meanwhile, fans were clearly thrilled about the collaboration, praising the song, its music video, and the two young artists’ chemistry. Fans can also sing "Sana Tayo Na" with Darren and Jayda on TikTok. The two uploaded videos of themselves while singing their parts of the song on their individual TikTok accounts—allowing users to have a duet with them virtually. “Sana Tayo Na” music video is available on Star Music’s YouTube channel and can be streamed on various digital streaming services.

Teen singers Darren Espanto and Jayda are thrilled about the success of their first song together ‘Sana Tayo Na,’ which they recorded separately.

Heartthrob on the hardcourt By Paolo Manuel C. Fule

‘Born to be Wild’ hosts Doc Nielsen (left) and Doc Ferds

Shih Tzu rescue, insects in urban garden in ‘Born to be Wild’ VETS, like other frontliners, are oncall throughout the pandemic. Today, catch Doc Ferds Reccio respond to a medical emergency, while Doc Nielsen Donato shows us their behavior of potted plants’ emerging tiny ecosystems right within our homes in another new episode of Born to be Wild. In Doc Ferds’ segment, a Shih Tzu named Sasha was rushed to the clinic when its eye popped out after a fight with another house dog. The

condition is serious, and Sasha needs immediate medical attention. Meanhwile, “plantitos" and "plantitas" became popular terms during the quarantine as many have chosen gardening as a hobby. As a result, many insects are attracted to these urban gardens, where they can visit—and even pollinate—flowers. Doc Nielsen will tackle more interesting things about this. Born to be Wild airs after AHA! on GMA-7.

Singer-songwriter Greyson Chance has released a new single produced by Teddy Geiger off his forthcoming album.

TO BE in a collegiate basketball league of national stature and becoming a player of any team is a privilege if not a dream come true for any young cager. It is even a higher cliff to climb knowing that you don't belong to a bloodline of basketball stars, and no one in your family has ever played balls before. This holds true to this lad from Quezon City. Meet Abednego Martinez Green of Enderun Titans. Abed, as his friends fondly call him, is an image model born on Oct. 18, 1999 in Quezon City. The 5-foot-11 dashing mutt is currently playing as shooting guard and point guard at Enderun Colleges. He became a key player for the Saint Clare Junior Saints during the NAASCU juniors division competition where they won the champion in 2018. Called “Green” when he dribbles in hardcourt circles in Bagobantay, Quezon City, he is popular among his fellows because of his skill and passion for the sport. “In our neighborhood, it’s easy to get noticed and be popular among your peers

when you play basketball,” Abed said. Despite lack of financial capabilities to be housed inside premiere colleges and universities, his perseverance to be at his best in every game is the armor he always wears inside the hardcourt. Abed idolizes PBA player Jimmy Alapag while in the NBA, Abed looks up to Los Angeles

Hardcourt heartthrob Abednego Martinez Green

Lakers’ Kobe Bryant. A healthy mix of vegetables, fruit, and meat keep him fit for the games. In the recently concluded Project: Game Plan Holiday Hoops 3-on-3 basketball game, Abed

showed his defensive and offensive skills as he helped his team ‘Veneno' sweep the elimination rounds of their bracket in the tournament and won the 3-on-3 championship. Abed's other achievements in the world of basketball include winning as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in YA basketball tournament, Best Player of the Game, and MVP in their barangay basketball tournament.

Greyson Chance releases deeply personal track CRITICALLY acclaimed singersongwriter and LGBTQIA activist Greyson Chance has released “Bad To Myself”—a song he considers his most personal record yet­—along with an accompanying music video via Arista Records. “Bad To Myself” serves as an admission from Greyson to his fans of his ongoing struggle with anorexia and how he was able to find the strength to begin healing. The video chronicles a dark period of Greyson’s life, showcasing the unraveling of his mental health over the last couple of years. While the track is a glimpse of the trying times Greyson faced, the ultimate message to his fans is that personal struggles can be overcome, especially in the difficult times that exist today. Produced by Teddy Geiger, who is also the executive producer of his forthcoming album, the track follows the debut single off the record, “Dancing Next To Me,” which MTV praised as a “wonderful surprise” and PAPER Magazine called a “confident step into a new era of Chance’s now

decade-long career.” “’Bad To Myself’ is truly me at my most vulnerable. I wrote the song with Teddy Geiger last August, which found me in the middle of an exhausting tour schedule; I think I was rounding my 100th show of 2019 around that period. At that time, I was very unhealthy: drinking too much on the road, not eating, not taking care of myself, and especially not checking in on my mental health. You hear stories all the time of artists and musicians struggling while on tour, and it doesn’t really sink in until you see yourself slipping down that hole in real-time,” Greyson narrates. “The song represents a promise to myself that I would do better and work on becoming healthier. ‘Bad To Myself’ helped me immensely get out of that period of my life, and I hope it helps to raise internal conversations with my fans about their own health, both mental and physical,” he adds. Just before quarantine last January, Greyson completed his headlining Portraits World Tour where he performed over 115 shows across North

America, Europe and Asia. During the U.S. leg, he partnered with The Ally Coalition, and at each show, the organization introduced attendees to a charity in their respective communities in need of support. A native of Edmond, Oklahoma, Greyson came into the national spotlight in 2010, after an unforgettable performance of Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi” was viewed by over 60 million people on YouTube. What followed was a plethora of national television appearances and world tours. Greyson came out publicly in 2017 and uses his platform to be a resource and champion for others in the LGBTQ community. In 2019, he signed with Arista Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment. His forthcoming album highlights the next, matured stage of Greyson’s already decade long career, demonstrating his songwriting and musical abilities as bold, confessional, and undoubtedly infectious. Greyson hopes to embark on his next world tour alongside his new album in 2021.

B4

sunday, august 29, 2020

Desiree Carlos, Editor

daycarlos28@yahoo.com

Pets

Leave those whiskers alone S

ome people think those whiskers are similar to a human’s hair, and most think they are useless or just a mere décor God put on a cat’s face.

They are not. Whiskers are very important to a cat’s survival and amazing athletic ability. So please leave those whiskers alone. Do not cut them at all. Yahaira Cespedes, in “Why Do Cats Have Whiskers?,” noted: “The whiskers, unlike human hair, are actually touch receptors. These longer, stiffer hairs -- also called vibrissae -- are embedded more deeply in the cat’s body than the shorter top-fur coat. The vibrissae are connected securely to the sensitive muscular and nervous systems, sending information about the surroundings directly to the cat’s sensory nerves, giving it a heightened sense of feeling and helping the cat to detect and respond to changes in its surroundings sort of like kitty radar.” She added: “A cat’s tactile hairs may be the most prominent on either side of its nose and upper facial lip. You may be also able to see shorter whiskers above each of the eyes (kind of like eyebrows). But did you know that cats also have whiskers on their jaw line and on the back of their front legs?” Cespedes also noted that most people think whiskers should be trimmed. No! Never trim, groom or cut a cat’s whiskers. “Some cats, like the Devon Rex, even have curly facial whiskers, so you might think that it wouldn’t be harmful to straighten them out with a little trim,” Cespedes said. But it is. Here are the reasons those whiskers are important to cats: 1. The whiskers help the cats gauge and make sense of their environment, Cespedes said. “Without their tactile hairs, cats become very disoriented and frightened,”

We are happy to note that the health of dogs and cats are given more attention these days. For example, food for specific dog or cat conditions have been developed and are still being developed, and more natural treats are being produced for our pets. The best news is that natural or alternative remedies and approaches to certain medical conditions are now available and more accessible But the said natural treatment should always be given to pets in combination with Western medicine, and with the go-signal of licensed veterinarians. One dog who benefited from natural treatment is Chacha, a rescued dog of Save Animals of Love and Light (Save ALL Inc.). She has started to feel pain due to a spinal problem that is said to be common among Maltese dogs. While there are pain killers for dogs, she can not be put on pain killers everyday as the medicine can damage her liver and kidneys. Joint supplements can not be given often also as she developed pus in her private part when we gave it every day. The vet explained that too much joint supplement can cause an increase in sugar level. To manage the pain, the vet suggested acupuncture. We are glad it worked well for Chacha. Since she underwent acupuncture treatment, she can stay standing up for a longer period of time now, and she can walk a longer distance. She now goes for acupuncture treatment every other week. The cost is P2,000.00 per session. Acupuncture and other natural treatments are now accepted in the Philippines. Some vets do recommend them as supplemental treatment to Western treatments. In “Natural and Alternative Pet Remedies That Humans Use, Too,” Fetch by WebMD listed natural treatments for our pets:

Cats need their whiskers to learn more about their environment. Here, July, rescued by Save ALL Inc., makes sense of the toys in front of him. Cats love playing with hanging balls and other stuff.

Berry, also a Save ALL rescue, loves it when the toy with balls rock.

she stressed. While whiskers grow back, cats need their whiskers the same way humans need their touch senses to get around. “That is, cats use their whiskers in the same way that we use the touch receptors in our finger tips to feel our way around in the darkness, and to alert us to potentially painful situations,” Cespedes said. “Whiskers shed and grow back naturally, and should be left alone,” she added. 2. At the end of their whiskers is a sensory organ called a proprioceptor, which sends tactile signals to the brain

and nervous system. “The proprioceptor is related to the position of the body and limbs, an important part of knowing where every part of the body is so that decisions can be made for the next immediate movement. This organ makes the cat’s whiskers very sensitive to even the smallest change in the cat’s environment,” Cespedes said. 3. Whiskers not only help cats to determine if it can fit in a tight space without seeing it, but also to respond to vibrations in the air, such as when he or she is chasing a prey. 4. Whiskers help cats visually meas-

ure distance, which is why they can leap quickly and gracefully onto a narrow ledge or out of harm’s way. 5. An owner can also determine a cat’s mood by its whiskers. “When a cat is resting or content, its whiskers will be mostly immobile. But if you see the whiskers suddenly bunch up and lay flat against the cat’s face -- that may be a sign that the cat is scared,”Cespedes said. “Perhaps when playing ‘chase the toy’ with a cat, you’ll notice its whiskers are pointing forward. This is probably its “game face,” a sign that your cat is in

Natural treatment for pets Aromatherapy The smell of certain plants and oils is the basis for this therapy. It’s gentle and noninvasive, and it can help treat a four-legged friend who has anxiety or other forms of emotional or physical stress. Check with your vet first, though. Some essential oils can be toxic if your pet drinks them. Others could cause allergic reactions if you put them on his skin.

pet tales

By desiree carlos

Another way to harness plant power to calm an anxious animal friend is to use flower essences -a diluted herbal solution that you can drop in his water or directly in his mouth. Often you can find this remedy as a blend of several flower essences in one.

Chiropractic

circulation. Find a trained massage therapist who specializes in animals, so they know which muscles and soft tissues to target.

Osteopathy

bone or tissue injuries. It’s important not to use herbs without consulting a vet first -- some are toxic to pets, and others may cancel out when used as a combo.

Homeopathy A vet gives your pet an extract that causes symptoms similar to the problem he already has, but the extract is diluted to harmless levels. The idea is to help his body learn how to fight off disease by building up a defense to these symptoms.

Laser therapy

Flower Essences

Lasers or LED light used at low levels get down to the cellular level to help treat pain, inflammation, and speed up healing time for wounds. Your furry friend won’t feel a thing.

Reiki This technique is all about energy flow in the body. A trained that practitioner puts ts n e tm l trea are natura ke 12 -year-old her hands just re e th w to kno dogs li ts. r n d e o io o n tm g se a above or lightly is e to ecially owner, it rnative tr For a pet d for your pets, sp end natural or alte on your pet to can be use r vet can recomm encourage healu o Shakti. Y ing and calm. You might choose this treatment for an aniuse herbs without mal who’s anxious or afraid, or has a consulting a vet first -- some are chronic condition, or as a way to protoxic to pets, and others may cancel mote a peaceful transition at the end of life. out when used as a combo.

Dogs or cats who have a slipped disk or pinched nerve may benefit from chiropractic. A trained practitioner uses gentle pressure on joints to realign the spine and keep feeling and function flowing in muscles, organs, and tissues. Acupuncture It might help with other probThis ancient Chinese healing method lems too, like epilepsy, skin uses tiny needles to stimulate specific disorders, or behavior issues. parts of your pet’s body. Acupuncture can improve organ function, soothe Herbal Medicine muscles, get the blood flowing, and reSupplementing your pet’s diet with lease feel-good hormones. It’s good for herbal medicine might treat digestive animals with muscle or skeletal issues, issues, kidney and bladder disease, skin problems, respiratory problems, or parasites, skin problems, and bone or digestive troubles. tissue injuries. It’s important not to

Herbal Medicine Supplementing your pet’s diet with herbal medicine might treat digestive issues, kidney and bladder disease, parasites, skin problems, and

hunting mode,” she added. 6. The whiskers will also tell you when a cat is startled or excited, because every hair on its body will be standing on end, including the whiskers, which will point almost completely forward. Whiskers are thus a vital part of a cat’s mobility and sense of security. They guide cats, help them track prey, and act as radar systems. “Without whiskers, cats would not be able to achieve the great acrobatic feats that are so awe-inspiring, or protect themselves from dangerous situations,” Cespedes said. DC

Massage Massages are more than just a menu item at the day spa. Done right, they can ease your pet’s cramps, reduce pain from injuries, and improve

This holistic approach to medicine is based on moving and handling your pet’s muscles and joints in a specific way to help his body heal itself. You might turn to osteopathy to help a pet who has trouble walking, or who has stiffness, problems holding his head well, muscle tension, or changes in behavior or digestion.

Hydrotherapy Water can help your pet work out injured muscles without putting weight on them. Hydrotherapy may also help treat certain behaviors. A trainer will spend time with your pup (or cat, though they tend to be warier of getting wet) in a pool swimming, walking on a treadmill, or playing therapeutic games.

Nutritional Therapy Your companion’s diet can have a big impact on his overall wellness. The foods you choose may also help improve certain health problems like heart disease. Together with your vet, you can craft meals that focus on the specific nutrients that best address your pet’s needs.

Medical Marijuana We don't know whether medical marijuana, and specifically CBD or cannabis oil, can treat injuries and diseases in animals. You can buy cannabinoid products, like treats or tinctures, online or from places that sell medical marijuana. But definitely ask your vet first. There haven’t been many scientific studies on it as a treatment for pets, and if they have the wrong amount, it can be toxic.” Before you let your pet go through any of these natural treatments, please CONSULT YOUR VET. “While regular medications for humans are researched and studied in clinical trials to make sure they’re safe, the same doesn’t always apply for natural treatments and supplements. That’s even more true when it comes to natural remedies for pets,” Fetch stressed.