Manila Standard - 2021 April 25 - Sunday by Manila Standard

Widodo leads ASEAN chiefs in rebuking Myanmar JAKARTA—Myanmar’s military must restore democracy and stop committing violence against citizens, Indonesian president Joko Widodo said after crisis talks with junta chief leader Min Aung Hlaing and Southeast Asian leaders Saturday. The strongly worded statement followed a meeting in Jakarta of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which marked the senior Myanmar general’s first foreign trip since security forces staged a coup that ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi in early February. Min Aung Hlaing has become the focus of international outrage over the coup and a subsequent crackdown on dissent

FACING ASEAN. This handout photo taken on April 24 and released by the Indonesian Presidential Palace shows leaders attending the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit on the Myanmar crisis in Jakarta. Inset shows Myanmar junta leader Min Aung Hlaing (left) being greeted during his arrival at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta international airport in Tangerang, to attend the summit. AFP

VOL. XXXV • NO. 69 • 2 SECTIONS 8 PAGES • P18 • SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EU opposes unilateral action in S. China Sea T

HE European Union (EU) on Saturday opposed any unilateral actions in the South China Sea (SCS) as it cited the recent swarming of Chinese vessels at the Julian Felipe Reef, an area located within the Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The bloc, through a statement by EU spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy Nabila Massrali, said tensions in the South China Sea, including the recent presence of large Chinese vessels at Julian Felipe Reef, also called the Whitsun Reef, “endanger peace and stability in the region.” “The EU reiterates its strong opposition to any unilateral actions that could undermine regional stability and the international rules-based order. We urge all parties to resolve disputes through peaceful means in accordance with international law, in particular UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea), including its dispute settlement mechanisms,” it said in a statement. It also renewed its recognition of the landmark 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration award in favor of the Philippines, which invalidated Beijing’s expansive claim called the nine-dash line on the South China Sea. “The EU is committed to secure, free and open maritime supply routes in the Indo-Pacific, in full compliance with international law, in particular the UNCLOS, in the interest of all,” it said. The bloc said it also looks forward to a binding Code of Conduct in the South China Sea and asked all parties to produce a document that does not prejudice the rights of other states outside the region. “The EU supports the ASEAN-led process towards an effective, substan-

tive and legally binding Code of Conduct, which should not prejudice the interests of third parties. The EU urges all parties to pursue sincere efforts towards its finalization,” it said. Apart from the European Union, the Philippines’ long-time ally, the United States, along with countries such as Japan, Australia, United Kingdom, and New Zealand have called on China to leave and cease raising tensions in the area by pulling out of the West Philippine Sea. A maritime law expert also said Saturday the Philippine government must sustain its diplomatic protests against China over the latter’s illegal presence in Philippine waters through continuing maritime patrols. “We should continue issuing protests until the Philippines is satisfied and the protests achieve their purpose,” said Prof. Jay Batongbacal of the University of the Philippines Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea. But despite repeated calls and protests from the Philippines, Chinese militia vessels continue to linger in the area and have even been spotted in other parts of the Kalayaan Island Group in the municipality of Kalayaan, Palawan off the country’s northwestern waters. “The continued swarming and threatening presence of the Chinese vessels creates an atmosphere of instability and is a blatant disregard of the commitments by China to promote peace and stability in the region,” the Department

BEING SMART, SAFE IN HOME INVESTING

of Foreign Affairs said as it filed two new diplomatic protests against China over the presence of 160 Chinese vessels in some features and islands in the country’s EEZ. In a diplomatic note dated April 21, 2021, the DFA said the presence of these vessels in the West Philippine Sea “blatantly infringe[s] upon Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction.” “The vessels were observed within the territorial sea of high tide features in the Kalayaan Island Group, in the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and in and around the territorial waters of Bajo de Masinloc,” the department said. The DFA cited five Chinese Coast Guard vessels with bow numbers 3103, 3301, 3305, 5101, and 5203 that were sighted within the vicinities of Pag-asa Island, Bajo de Masinloc and Ayungin Shoal. “Through these protests, the DFA reminded China that Bajo de Masinloc, Pag-asa Islands, Panata, Parola, Kota Islands, Chigua and Burgos Reefs are integral parts of the Philippines over which it has sovereignty and jurisdiction. The Philippines exercises sovereign rights and jurisdiction over Julian Felipe Reef and Ayungin Shoal,” the DFA told China. Manila’s discovery of the boats deepens a decline in Sino-Philippine goodwill that peaked after Duterte took office five years ago, analysts including Batongbacal told Voice of America’s online news site in a recent interview. The Chinese vessels are “definitely having an impact,” said Batongbacal. “For sure many in government, even among many Duterte supporters, are not as enamored with China because of this,” he said. The flotilla reminds many Filipinos

SHOES MADE FOR PAGEANT WALKING

THE year 2020 caused a shift in lifestyle for homeowners and homebuyers everywhere. Previous trend reports revealed a shift towards fringe cities and other booming regions south of the metro, while faster growing pageviews for properties such as land and houses indicated a leaning for listings with larger floor areas.

MORE than 70 beautiful women will wear the shoes crafted by local footwear designer Jojo Bragais after he was tapped as the footwear sponsor for this year’s Miss Universe pageant happening on May 16 (May 17 in Manila) in Hollywood, Florida.

ENTERTAINMENT / B3

HOME/DESIGN / B2 twitter.com/ MlaStandard

facebook.com/ ManilaStandardPH

manilastandard.net

of 2012, when Chinese vessels occupied Scarborough Reef, a fishery in the contested South China Sea, sparking a lengthy standoff, Batongbacal said. Officials in Beijing are bristling too. They resent the United States for helping the Philippines militarily, said Carl Thayer, an emeritus professor from the University of New South Wales in Australia. Duterte still allows annual Philippines-US military exercises, despite talk years ago of ending them, and last year his government deferred plans to cancel a visiting forces agreement with the US military, Thayer noted to VOA. The United States periodically sends warships and aircraft to the sea as support for pro-US governments such as Taiwan and the Philippines. China intends its 220-boat flotilla to challenge the US-Philippines military connection, Thayer said. Within the Philippine navy alone now, “people express views at odds with Duterte, on China,” said Thayer, who has attended conferences with navy personnel. “They’re humiliated and they’re upset.” Sino-Philippine relations continue, however, as the Philippines needs Chinese COVID-19 vaccines and aid with post-pandemic economic recovery, said Yun Sun, East Asia Program senior associate at the Stimson Center in Washington. China was aiming as of mid-December to send the Philippines 25 million doses of the Chinese-made Sinovac vaccine by this month. “Although the relationship between China and the Philippines is rocky currently because of the 220 fishing boats, I don’t think we’re at the breaking point just yet,” Sun told Voice of America.

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM APRIL 24)

989,380 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

9,661 89,485 NEW

ACTIVE

16,674

145

DEATHS

NEW

883,221 22,877 NEW RECOVERIES

that has left more than 700 dead. “The first requested commitment is for the Myanmar military to stop the use of violence and that all parties there at the same time must refrain so that tensions can be reduced,” Widodo said Saturday. “The violence must be stopped and democracy, stability and peace in Myanmar must be restored.” He also called for the release of political prisoners and for a special envoy to be allowed into the country to “push for dialogue”. Singapore’s prime minister Lee Hsien Loong, meanwhile, called on the military to release Myanmar’s ousted president, as well as democracy icon Suu Kyi who is under house arrest. Saturday’s meeting follows mass protests which have been met by a brutal crackdown that has left blood on the streets. An estimated 250,000 people have been displaced, according to a UN envoy, with Myanmar’s democratically elected top leaders in hiding or under house arrest. Also at the weekend meeting was the Sultan of Brunei, the current chair of ASEAN, as well as leaders and foreign ministers from most of the 10-country group, including Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines and Laos. Small protests outside the bloc’s Jakarta headquarters were dispersed by security personnel. ‘Murderer-in-chief’ In Myanmar, protesters continued to take to the streets Saturday, including in northern Kachin state, where demonstrators wore blue shirts to symbolise detainees. In commercial hub Yangon, some residents staged a mock funeral for the senior general by smashing saffron-coloured clay pots on the ground, symbolic of cutting ties with the dead. AFP

COVID claims 141 daily amid surge in April By Willie Casas and Maricel V. Cruz AN AVERAGE of 141 people died each day from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the first three weeks of April amid the current surge of cases, statistics from the Department of Health showed. Deaths totaled 2,968 from April 1 to 21, reaching a daily peak of 401 fatalities on April 9, DOH data as tracked by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University revealed. The DOH reported 145 new fatalities on Saturday, bringing the total death toll to 16,674, which is 1.69 percent of the country’s total 989,380 coronavirus cases since the pandemic began in mid-March last year. In addition, 105 deaths were reported on Thursday and 159 on Friday, bringing the 7-day average this past week to 113, Johns Hopkins data showed. “We saw the progression of the COVID-19 and that is part of the course of the disease,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in the “24 Oras” TV program.

Missed your copy of Manila Standard? Call or text our Circulation Hotline at 0917-8848655 or email: circulation@manilastandard.net

News

SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

De Lima has mild stroke; tests negative for COVID-19 By Joel E. Zurbano INSPECTIONS. Public Works Secretary Mark Villar and DPWH Usec. Emil Sadain with their team on Saturday inspect the BGC-Ortigas link bridge, which Villar said will be partially open to motorists by June. Inset shows Villar checking the new isolation facility and other infrastructure developed at PNP Camp Olivas in Pampanga. Norman Cruz

Gov. Remulla says he, Isko bury hatchet CAVITE Governor Jonvic Remulla on Saturday said he and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso have buried the hatchet after he criticized the latter over his comments on the alleged lack of aid for Manileños who have been relocated to Naic town. “Guys stop. We are not quarreling anymore. We’ve fixed things so let’s move on,” Remulla said in a tweet. The Manila Mayor called on Friday to explain his side, Remulla told ABSCBN News in a text message. “We had an understanding that in these stressful times we often say things we shouldn’t have,” he said. Remulla earlier released a statement on Facebook, calling Domagoso ambitious and a braggart after the mayor said in an interview that Manila residents who were relocated to Naic, a town in the governor’s turf, have not been given pandemic aid since they were not yet registered voters of Cavite. Domagoso has “promised” to call Naic Mayor Jun Dualan “to explain,” the Cavite governor said. Domagoso’s office has yet to respond to queries about the issue. The former actor, known by his screen name as Isko Moreno, had lamented that some 1,000 families from Manila did not receive cash aid for the pandemic after relocating to the government’s housing program in Cavite. Remulla addressed the Manila mayor “Yorme” – the latter’s pet name – in his social media post that many were aware of his presidential

IN BRIEF Pasay, SM building big vaccination center THE Pasay City government announced on Saturday it has partnered with SM shopping center chain to build one of the biggest vaccination centers in the country. The facility, according to Mayor Imelda Rubiano, will also feature a drivethrough section to accommodate more people to get the immunization against the coronavirus disease. Rubiano said because of the big size of the vaccination center, they might need the help of medical workers from local government units to maximize the use of the venue. “That’s why we’re asking our neighbor cities to lend us their health personnel so that we can vaccinate more people every day,” she said. Joel E. Zurbano

4Ps, solo parents next to gain Caloocan aid MEMBERS of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and registered solo parents with solo parent ID will next to receive Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) cash aid in Caloocan. This was announced by Mayor Oca Malapitan after the distribution of the aid to Social Amelioration Program (SAP) beneficiaries. “We will allocate the remaining funds to the DSWD list that is included in 4Ps and registered solo parents in the city,” said Malapitan. Similar to the previous distribution, beneficiaries will receive P1,000 to P4,000 depending on the number of family members. The city government will once again hold a barangay payout caravan for registered solo parents and 4Ps this Saturday and Sunday, April 24 and 25, 2021. Jun David

US lifts J&J vaccine ban; Pfizer planning new jab T HE US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has lifted restrictions on Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine, Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock announced on Friday (Saturday in Manila). The use of the vaccine was renewed following the recommendations of a panel of experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) following their vote, according to Woodcock. Head of the CDC Rochelle Walensky said vaccination with the drug could resume immediately. FDA spokesman Peter Marks suggested that Johnson & Johnson’s first vaccinations could be given as early as Saturday morning. Meanwhile, US pharmaceuticals giant

Pfizer is planning a new version of its coronavirus vaccine that can be stored in a standard freezer and comes diluted and ready for use, its CEO told AFP on Friday. The vaccine developed by Pfizer and Germany’s BioNTech is already a mainstay in Europe’s efforts to control the pandemic -- but it is a challenge to ship and protect. The current version must be stored at minus 70 degrees Celsius (minus 94 degrees Fahrenheit), limiting its distribu-

tion to specially equipped vaccination centres. But Pfizer’s chief executive Albert Bourla told AFP in an interview that a new version is in the pipeline and that he was optimistic the vaccine will also prove effective against new virus variants. COVID-19 surges are placing a major strain on healthcare systems across the world, with no end in sight to a pandemic that has killed more than three million people. With governments rushing to accelerate vaccine campaigns, good news emerged Friday when US regulators approved the re-start of Johnson & Johnson vaccinations halted over blood clotting concerns and the EU said it would have enough jabs by the end of July to inoculate 70 percent of adults. Willie Casas with AFP

DETAINED Senator Leila de Lima has tested negative for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) but was brought to the Manila Doctors Hospital on Saturday after she was diagnosed to have suffered a mild stroke. “Her swab test result came out negative, De Lima’s office said in an update given by her chief of staff Fhillip Sawali. In a four-page motion, De Lima’s camp asked the two Muntinlupa City courts handling her drug-related cases to allow her to go on an emergency medical furlough and hospital confinement, to undergo further examination and, if necessary, immediate treatment upon the recommendation of her oncall physician. For humanitarian reasons, the judges —Liezel Aquiatan and Romeo Buenaventura—granted the request made by De Lima’s doctor Meophilia SantosCao, who diagnosed the detained senator with mild stroke, to go on a threeday treatment. The 61-year-old De Lima, whose security is provided by the Philippine National Police, said she was visited by Santos-Cao last April 21 after she experienced “bouts of headaches and persistent generalized weakness.” “The examination by Dr. Santos-Cao left an impression that Accused De Lima experienced a Transient Ischemic Attack (mild stroke), hence the urgent and extremely important need to rule out a cerebrovascular accident,” the document read. De Lima said she asked the courts to allow her to be examined specifically at the Manila Doctor’s Hospital because “the institution already is privy to her medical history, and it is the primary hospital of her other doctors who are consultants there.”

‘Ayuda’ payout won’t go past May 15—DILG CRASHED. A beige metallic Toyota Camry crashes through the steel barrier of a drug store at the ground floor of a shopping complex Friday evening in Pampanga. The driver, Mathias Ibrahim Anike, was handcuffed after his arrest (inset). Jess Malabanan

Don’t visit pantries amid MECQ, DOH tells elderly By Maricel V. Cruz HEALTH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Saturday appealed to elderly people not to go out of their houses to line up in community pantries—after a senior citizen died while falling in line at the Angel Locsin’s community pantry in Quezon City. “We are on (modified enhanced community quarantine) so senior citizens should not go outside for their own safety,” Vergeire said at a weekend Laging Handa public briefing. On Friday, 67-year-old Rolando dela Cruz fainted and died while lining up at the community pantry organized by the actress in Barangay Holy Spirit. A balut vendor, Dela Cruz reportedly went to the venue and lined up past 2 a.m. Locsin has apologized for the incident

but Dela Cruz’s family was not blaming anyone. The police are already investigating the matter. Under an MECQ, senior citizens over 65 years old—along with people below 18 years old, with immunodeficiency, comorbidity, or other health risks, and pregnant women - are still not allowed to go out of their houses. Vergeire said the benefits of community pantries could be highlighted without sacrificing health protocols against COVID-19. Vergeire said: “Let’s show the benefits of what the community pantry can do for our citizens, but at the same time, let us ensure that all of us are following health protocols so we do not become infected in such events.” Guidelines issued Meanwhile, the Quezon City govern-

ment has issued guidelines for community pantries that have emerged in various parts of the city to guarantee strict enforcement of minimum health protocols and maintain peace and order. While reiterating the city’s full support for such endeavors that promote the spirit of “bayanihan” to overcome difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayor Joy Belmonte stressed the need for community pantries to comply with minimum health protocols and ensure sanitation and orderliness in their surroundings. In the memorandum, Belmonte strongly urged QCitizens intending to operate a community pantry to submit a written notice to the barangay where the pantry is, including indicating the person responsible for its operation.

CASH aid distribution for the enhanced community quarantine-weary residents in Metro Manila and four neighboring provinces of Laguna, Rizal, Cavite, and Bulacan will be accomplished before the May 15 extended deadline, officials said Saturday. Interior and Local Government Undersecretary and spokesman Jonathan Malaya told Super Radyo dzBB on Saturday the “ayuda” payout process for qualified beneficiaries was now going smoothly, especially in the National Capital Region. “The distribution is well ahead of deadline, some NCR LGUs can finish the distribution by the end of the month,” Malaya said. He added that last Friday, the distribution rate was already at 66.87 percent, “meaning, P7,471,426,000” has been distributed. According to him, the budget allotted for NCR alone is at P11.172 billion. The top 5 LGUs in terms of distribution rate include Mandaluyong, San Juan, Caloocan, Manila and Quezon City. Meanwhile, more than 12,000 Employee Compensation pensioners will get a total of P252 million or P20,000 in financial assistance each from the Government Service Insurance System in compliance with Administrative Order 39 recently signed by President Duterte.

DFA: No passport dates set via socmed

KALINGA PACKS. Through its sustained collaboration with Uniqlo Philippines, SM Foundation (SMFI) recently distributed several Kalinga packs in lockdown areas of Brgy. San Isidro and Brgy. San Roque in Angono, Rizal. This effort is under SMFI’s Operation Tulong Express program (OPTE), a social good program in collaboration with SM Supermalls, SM Markets, and other partners which aims to address the needs of communities during calamities and crises.

THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Saturday reminded the public to secure a passport appointment only through its official website, saying it does not use Facebook or other social media networks for passport applications. In an advisory, the DFA added that it does not authorize any company or individual to offer and accept passport appointment scheduling on its behalf. “Those who engage the services of these unauthorized private entities or individuals using social media accounts and networks run the risk of not getting an authentic appointment or issues with their passport application, aside from incurring additional expenses,” it said. “The public is strongly advised to ignore offers from these companies or indi-

viduals and to use only the official passport appointment system maintained by the DFA,” it added. Applicants may visit the agency’s official appointment system at www.passport.gov.ph/appointment. Senior citizens, persons with disabilities, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), and other qualified individuals may set their appointment using the courtesy lane facility by sending an email to oca.cl@ dfa.gov.ph or to the email address of the nearest Consular Office (CO). Given the different community quarantine classifications in some areas with a DFA consular office, the agency advised the public to monitor its latest advisories, including those of their respective local government units before setting an appointment. PNA

World First person to get vaccine still beaming LONDON—It was the shot in the arm that made history: in December last year British grandmother Margaret Keenan became the first person in the Western world to get an approved coronavirus vaccine, kicking off a global campaign to end the pandemic. Now, close to one billion people around the world have received Covid jabs -- both first and second doses -- and Keenan said she is proud to have been the first. “It really is the best thing I’ve ever done,” the former jewellery shop owner said. She got her shot on December 8 -- just a week before her 91st birthday -- and says she is now looking forward to going on holiday, after only retiring four years ago. She also hopes her inaugural vaccine will inspire others to follow in her steps. “I just feel really honoured to have had it done, to have been the first and to have got the ball rolling,” Keenan said this week during a call with the state-run National Health Service (NHS). “I’m telling everyone to go and get it... I hope everyone comes forward.” She got her first dose less than a week after UK regulators became the first in the world to approve the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for general use, and has since had her second. Britain has now approved several other jabs, and an army of health officials and volunteers have now administered nearly 45 million doses -- one of the most successful efforts globally. - ‘Dawn is coming’ Keenan praised the NHS for its pivotal role in the UK’s vaccine rollout, calling its efforts “incredible” and the cherished institution “wonderful”. Medics cheered and formed a guard of honour back in December after Keenan -- wearing a festive Christmas T-shirt -got the first jab, administered by nurse May Parsons. An NHS veteran of two decades originally from the Philippines, Parsons also spoke this week of her pride in helping Britain appear to turn a corner in the fight against Covid-19. Following surging virus infections, hospitalisations and deaths earlier this year, months of stringent restrictions and the successful jabs drive have helped push the numbers back to levels not seen since last September AFP

Virus overwhelms India; Japan declares emergency N EW DELHI—Hospitals in India launched desperate appeals for oxygen on Friday as the nation’s Covid crisis spiraled, while Japan issued a state of emergency in some areas just three months before the Olympics are due to open.

COVID-19 surges are placing a major strain on healthcare systems across the world, with no end in sight to a pandemic that has killed more than three million people. With governments rushing to accelerate vaccine campaigns, good news emerged Friday when US regulators approved the re-start of Johnson & Johnson vaccinations halted over blood clotting concerns and the EU said it would have enough jabs by the end of July to inoculate 70 percent of adults.

Brussels’ announcement came as Europe’s medicines regulator said the benefits of the controversy-plagued AstraZeneca vaccine increase with age -- and reiterated that the jab should be taken despite links to rare blood clots. But in India, healthcare facilities sounded the alarm on oxygen supplies for patients on ventilator support. “SOS -- less than an hour’s oxygen supplies at Max Smart Hospital & Max Hospital Saket,” one of the biggest private hospital chains in Delhi said on Twitter.

“Over 700 patients admitted, need immediate assistance.” The country on Friday reported more than 330,000 new infections -- a world record -- and 2,000 deaths in a single day. Compounding the misery, 13 Covid patients died in Mumbai when a fire broke out in their hospital -- the latest in a string of blazes at Indian healthcare facilities. Many parts of the country have now tightened restrictions, with the capital in lockdown and all non-essential services banned in Maharashtra. The northern state of Uttar Pradesh, home to 240 million people, goes into a shutdown this weekend. Other countries have closed their doors to India, fearing a new variant spreading quickly in the country. The United Arab Emirates on Thursday became the latest nation to impose restrictions, while Canada halted flights from both India and Pakistan. AFP

Kremlin critic Navalny ending hunger strike

Cop worker stabbed to death near Paris RAMBOUILLET, France —French police arrested three people linked to a 36-year-old Tunisian man who stabbed to death a police employee at her workplace southwest of Paris on Friday in a suspected Islamist attack. The murder at a police station in Rambouillet, a commuter town about 60 kilometres (40 miles) from Paris, revived the trauma of a spate of deadly attacks last year. The victim was a 49-year-old woman named as Stephanie, a police administrative assistant and mother-of-two, who was stabbed twice in the throat at the entrance of the station. Her attacker was shot dead. President Emmanuel Macron, who was out of the country on a visit to Chad in northern Africa, tweeted that France would never give in to “Islamist terrorism”. The latest bloodshed and violence targeting police is likely to focus attention further on the danger of Islamic extremism in France and wider concerns about security one year ahead of presidential elections. AFP

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

GOOD BOY. A Ukrainian serviceman pets a stray dog on the frontline with Russiabacked separatists near town of Krasnogorivka, Donetsk region, on April 23. Russia on Friday began withdrawing its armed forces that had been on maneuvers near the borders of Ukraine following weeks of heightened tensions between Moscow and the West over the troop build-up. AFP

IN BRIEF MOSCOW—Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny said Friday he was ending a 24-day hunger strike he launched to demand medical treatment behind bars, after allies said his life was in danger. The announcement came after Navalny’s personal doctors said Thursday that he had received treatment at a civilian hospital and urged him to put a stop to his protest. “Taking into account the progress and all the circumstances, I am beginning to end my hunger strike,” President Vladimir Putin’s bestknown critic said in an Instagram post. He said that the process would take him 24 days, writing: “They say it’s even harder” than the hunger strike. Navalny’s protest in prison had raised the stakes in a standoff between Putin and Western leaders, who said Moscow would face repercussions if Russia’s most prominent opposition leader died in detention. AFP

SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021

Debris found from missing Indonesian sub BALI—Indonesia said Saturday that a submarine that disappeared off the coast of Bali with 53 aboard had sunk, after revealing that items and components from inside the stricken vessel had been recovered. “With authentic evidence believed to be from the KRI Nanggala, we have raised the status from submiss to subsunk,” Navy chief Yudo Margono told reporters, adding that the retrieved items could not have come from another vessel. Hopes of rescuing dozens aboard the missing submarine faded Saturday as its oxygen reserves were believed to have run out, with the US and Australia joining the hunt in waters off Bali. While warships, planes and hundreds of military personnel took part in a frantic search for the KRI Nanggala 402, authorities had said the German-built craft was equipped with enough oxygen for only three days after losing power. But that deadline passed early Saturday with still no sign of the stricken vessel and its 53 crew. “There’s been no progress yet,” said Navy spokesman Julius Widjojono. “We are still combing the area.” AFP

Warplanes strike Gaza after rocket salvos launched

READY FOR COMBAT. Israeli tanks are stationed along the Israel-Gaza border on April 24. Israeli warplanes struck the Gaza Strip after repeated salvos of rocket fire into Israel followed a second night of clashes between Palestinians and police in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem. AFP

Biden expected to recognize Armenian genocide WASHINGTON—US President Joe Biden is expected Saturday to take the landmark step of recognizing the World War I-era Armenian genocide, a day after he spoke to the leader of Turkey which has fought furiously for decades against such a declaration. Saturday marks the 106th anniversary of the waning Ottoman Empire’s mass

killings of hundreds of thousands of Armenians, whose descendants have pressed hard for the world to describe the massacres as genocide -- a label adamantly rejected by Turkey. Biden, who took office in January vowing a new focus on human rights, spoke for the first time as president with his counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday on

the eve of the expected announcement. A White House statement on the phone call said only that Biden urged a “constructive bilateral relationship with expanded areas of cooperation and effective management of disagreements.” Erdogan on Thursday told advisors “to defend the truth against those who back the so-called ‘Armenian genocide’ lie.” AFP

JERUSALEM—Israeli warplanes struck the Gaza Strip early Saturday after repeated salvos of rocket fire into Israel followed a second night of clashes between Palestinians and police in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem. Thirty-six rockets were launched, the Israeli army said, the most in a single night this year, after Gaza’s Islamist rulers Hamas voiced support for the east Jerusalem protests, which were fueled by a Thursday march by far-right Jews. Washington said it was “deeply concerned” by the escalating violence, while the United Nations and the European Union appealed for restraint. The United States, which has taken a more even-handed approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since President Joe Biden took office in January urged “calm and unity”. “The rhetoric of extremist protesters chanting hateful and violent slogans must be firmly rejected,” State Department spokesman Ned Price tweeted. AFP

6he standard standard Five things tothe watch for atthe thestanda Oscars HOLLYWOOD—Travelers passing through Union Station in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday might notice a slight commotion -- for one night only, it is doubling as the venue for the Oscars. While passengers jumping on a train most likely won’t get a glimpse past the tight security, here are five things that movie fans watching the 93rd Academy Awards from home should look out for: ‘Nomadland’ sweep? Going into Sunday, “Nomadland” is the clearest best picture Oscar frontrunner in years. So barring a dramatic shock, the question may be just how many Oscars Chloe Zhao’s road movie can win. If the heavily improvised film lands the prize for best adapted screenplay early in the night, a serious sweep could be on the cards.

And Zhao—who would be the second woman, and the first of color to win best director—could equal another remarkable record. Nobody has won more Oscars in a night than Walt Disney’s four in 1953. Zhao is up for golden statuettes for editing, screenplay, directing and as a producer for best picture. Eighth time unlucky? Of course, there is a big difference between landing multiple nominations and actually winning -- just ask Glenn Close. From 1983’s “The World According to Garp” to 2019’s “The Wife,” Close has been nominated but failed to win on seven previous occasions. If she comes up short again on Sunday, she will be tied with the late Peter O’Toole as the Academy’s most reliable runner-up. AFP

DIVERSITY. British actor Daniel Kaluuya, US actor Chadwick Boseman, South Korean actress Youn Yuh-jung, and US actress Viola Davis (from left) are part of this year’s crop of Oscar stars have set new records for diversity, including nine actors of color on the shortlists, and the first Asian American ever nominated for best actor (Steven Yeun of “Minari.”). Two women were nominated for best director, for the first time ever. AFP

SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021

Business

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

Empowering communities through sustainable development A1E’s sardine livelihood program bags Quill award for CSR

By Hector Zabala

TIMONAN, Quezon—Loryann Condol, a 35-yearold wife of a fisherman from Barangay Poblacion Zone IV, is not letting COVID-19 get her, or her family, down. She counts herself among the residents of this far-flung, seaside community who now earn a decent living turning the humble tamban (herring) into Spanish sardines, which is being sold to customers living as far as Metro Manila and Zambales.

Through the Aplaya Sardines Enterprise, one of the projects of Atimonan One Energy Inc. (A1E) under its Kaisa sa Kabuhayan program on livelihood and enterprise development, Condol has a dignified shot at becoming self-sufficient, especially during the off-peak fishing season. “I am happy that A1E gave us this opportunity,” said Condol. “Right now, I am making more than PhP350 every production cycle of Aplaya,” she said. Last year alone, she earned extra P5,000 which augmented her income. “More importantly, this project helped me provide the needs of my family and be with them at the same time,” Condol said. Shirley Balinsayo, a former overseas Filipino worker, recently joined the group of small fisherfolks behind the Aplaya Spanish sardines called Atimonan Coastal Food Production Association. “I am grateful for this kind of opportunity in my hometown which really is a huge help for us especially now that we’re still in the middle of a pandemic,” said Balinsayo. IABC Quill awards A1E won an excellence award for this Aplaya Sardines livelihood project during the 18th Philippine Quill awards held virtually in March. The award, given by the International Association of Business Communicators, fell under the communication management: corporate social responsibility category. The annual Philippine Quill awards recognizes excellent communication research, programs, skills and creative work

SHAREit enables PH brands to reach more customers By Othel V. Campos FROM its initial foray as a virtual filesharing platform, global technology app SHAREit is now offering brand partnerships to help global and local companies in a diverse range of corporate campaigns. Lisa Dominguez, SHAREit Philippines country director, said the SHAREit app with 40 million monthly active users in the Philippines, can be a dynamic “shoutout” partner not only of global or regional brands, but also of local brands to scale up growth expectations and score better brand awareness and retention. “A lot of people know it as a file sharing app, but not a lot of people know how we can help drive growth for brands. SHAREit works with local Filipino businesses and brands in terms of achieving their growth goals in the digital space. What happens in the key markets we’re in is that, SHAREit’s user base is usually a lot bigger than the user base of the top apps in the market so this is why a lot of local brands come to us and tap into our solutions and user base to really drive more of SHAREit users to be loyal customers and users of other brands,” she said. The SHAREit group saw 2021 as a prime opportunity to expand in the Philippines, given the flourishing local mobile app ecosystem and the growth of the SHAREit app in the country. “Mobile is the future of everything. As one of the most widely used apps in the Philippines, we’re excited to work with even more local brands to accelerate their growth in the digital space. With SHAREit, Philippine businesses and marketers get to connect to our 40 million active users. Our unique solutions enable them to build deep and wide brand awareness and drive growth and retention at scale. Pinoys are on the forefront of many global trends in terms of mobile usage, entertainment and gaming. We’re very excited about SHAREit’s growth as our local team helps to empower and enable Philippine businesses to effectively reach more customers and unlock growth,” Dominguez said.

Atimonan One Energy Inc. (A1E’s) Kaisa sa Kabuhayan program helps residents in Atimoman become self-reliant and sustainable amid the pandemic. The program’s effectivity was recognized by the International Association of Business Communicators which gave AE1’s Aplaya Sardines livelihood project an excellence award during the 18th Philippine Quill awards. by companies and agencies in the country. With the help of A1E, which is developing a 1,200-megawatt, highly efficient, lowemission coal plant in the area, residents in the seaside community underwent a fish processing training program which currently helps them eke out an alternative income during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the initiative of A1E and the guidance of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region IV-A and Atimonan’s Office of Municipal Agriculture, ACFPA members will soon offer new products including milkfish in oil, tinapa, deboned bangus and fish patty. The Atimonan local government plans to open a community fish landing center and processing facility to accommodate the growing Spanish sardines industry in the municipality. ‘Heart of what we do’ MGen president and chief executive Rogelio Singson wants to transform Atimonan into a progressive and “smart” community. Among the efforts made by MGen and A1E was the facilitation of the development of a Comprehensive Land Use Plan for the municipality. “We put the local community at the heart of what we do and we want to ensure that as our projects progress, our communities grow and develop with us,” said Singson. A1E has also been undertaking social development projects for the municipality with focus on health, environment, livelihood and education. While generating jobs and boosting local economy are expected from the multiplier effects of A1E’s power project, MGen ensures that these benefits are sustainable. “While the country continues to battle the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are

still fortunate to be able to offer jobs to the people living in Atimonan and the adjacent municipalities,” said Litz Manuel-Santana, MGen vice-president for external affairs. Residents themselves believe that the power plant will not only help the town of Atimonan but also uplift the lives of the residents. “We believe A1E project will provide more job opportunities, and improved health and educational facilities for our families and the future generation,” said Irene Dolindo, chairwoman of Samahan ng Maliliit na Manggagawa sa Lumang Pantalan. Empowered community Through its Kaisa sa Pagsulong CSR program, A1E hopes to build a self-reliant community in Atimonan. The key beneficiary of the program are the 47 families who were relocated to a new community and were since organized into New Carinay Homeowners Association Inc. NCHAI members undergo capacity-building and livelihood and enterprise development programs as part of A1E’s efforts to make the community self-reliant and sustainable. Members now run various small-scale businesses on catering, boat rental services, and small-scale construction, property maintenance and repair. Member-farmers also benefit from the Gulayan sa Bakuran project of A1E, which focuses on vegetable production to provide nutritious food and extra earnings for the residents. “This is a great help for my family in this time of crisis because it is not only a source of food but also additional income for us,” said Roger Trapalgar, a farmer from NCHAI. Distance learning is key On the education front, A1E’s Kaisa sa Edukasyon program focuses on various ac-

tivities aimed at supporting students and teachers in the municipality. Recently, A1E facilitated donation of P6.6 million worth of books from Rex Bookstore as part of its efforts to support distance learning amid the pandemic. The project benefitted over 7,000 elementary and high school students from 28 public schools in Atimonan Environmental stewardship Core to A1E’s CSR efforts is environment stewardship. Through tree-planting and coastal clean-up activities, all sectors from Atimonan—through volunteerism—help protect and maintain a clean municipality. Along with its partners, A1E has so far planted 17,000 indigenous and fruit bearing trees across the municipality. The company also pledged to continue this activity by planting at least 1,000 trees every year under Project 1K. Over 2,000 mangrove propagules (stem cuttings) were recently planted by volunteers along the two-hectare coastal area of Barangay Balugohin. The company also does regular coastal clean-ups along the 12-kilometer stretch of Lamon Bay under Project 1Dagat. The company and its partners have so far completed 23 activities. Closer to home, A1E implements a ban on single-use plastic in all its activities and offices. Skills training Under Kaisa sa Kabuhayan, the company established various livelihood groups being run by Atimonanins, including: Heavenly Touch Therapeutic Massage, which provides professional massage services; Atimonan Haircutters Association, which offers basic haircutting and hair coloring services; and of course, ACFPA, which produces the homegrown Aplaya Spanish sardines. A1E is closely working with Atimonan’s Public Employment Service Office in hiring locals for the various positions needed by the company and its contractors. Currently, more than 361 Atimonanins, who represents 54 percent of the total workforce are working on the site preparation activities. Health and well-being Recently, A1E launched Kaisa sa Kalusugan—a radio health program aired via Radyo Natin Atimonan 106.5 and the company’s Facebook community page which provides information and knowledge on health and nutrition—which is very useful amid the pandemic. As the pandemic continues to pummel the country, A1E has not let up on efforts to implement stringent safety protocols at its office and project site in Atimonan. The company is in close coordination with the local government as it continues to wage implacable warfare against the COVID-19 scourge.

App enables quick tour of new homes in Pampanga PROPERTY technology platform Ohmyhome application enables Filipino start-up families to check out ready-for-occupancy house-and-lot units in Bria Homes Magalang, a 29-hectare community located in Barangay Sto. Rosario in Magalang, Pampanga. A new home evokes a feeling of warmth, comfort, and stability—and of setting down roots. This is why couples about to start a life together consider purchasing a new house as an auspicious way to mark the joyous occasion. As they settle down and turn their house into a home, they look forward to celebrating more milestones together—having children, a job promotion and venturing into business or a new career. Fortunately, new home buying trends now bring Filipino families closer to their dream of having their own home. Top real estate developers in the Philippines are offering budget-friendly properties and flexible payment schemes to make it easy for Filipinos to acquire the ideal property for their loved ones. Bria Homes, a leader in affordable housing development in the country, has built over 50 strategically located high-quality

All well-designed, ready-for-occupancy units in Bria Homes Magalang have one to two bedrooms, a service area, dining area, living area and toilet and bath. The Bettina and Alecza models have a carport. projects across the country. One such property development that starting families can look into is Bria Homes Magalang, a 29-hectare community located at Barangay Sto. Rosario in Magalang, Pampanga. Bria Magalang features a variety of house models to choose from: rowhouse

Elena (22 square meters of floor area on a 36-sq. m. lot area), two-story townhouse Bettina (44 sq.m. floor area on a 36 sq.m. lot area) and single firewall Alecza (36 sq.m. floor area on an 81 sq.m. lot area). All cozy and well-designed Bria units have one- to two-bedrooms, service area, dining area, living area, and toilet and bath. The Bettina and Alecza units have a carport. Aside from a prime location near Mabalacat, Pampanga, and Concepcion, Tarlac, Bria Magalang also features recreational facilities such as a basketball court, a covered court, jogging path, playground, guard house, 24/7 CCTV coverage and a perimeter fence. Consistent with the housing developer’s promise to make well-designed homes accessible to Filipinos, Bria Homes teamed up with successful property solutions platform Ohmyhome, which launched in the Philippines in September 2020. By simply visiting the Ohmyhome website or downloading the Ohmyhome application, prospective buyers can look at the RFO house-and-lot units in Bria Homes Magalang.

Rural bank breaks barriers with Asenso mobile app THE Rural Bank of Guinobatan Inc. recently launched the Asenso Mobile App to break location barriers, reach more people and provide financial services to the needy. The app hopes to provide local business owners easy access to RBGI’s financial services. Clients can easily open and monitor their bank accounts, and receive from or transfer money to other accounts anytime, anywhere and from any digital device. The first rural banking mobile app in the whole of the Bicol region, the innovation is a fitting match for MSMEs as it will play a significant role in the times to come. Engr. Paulo Honrado, RBGI president and lead visionary whose passion for financial inclusivity, collaboration and digital transformation sets the direction for the bank’s services and innovations, said. “We are very proud of this product. This is the beginning of a long-term innovation map to transform the lives of the countryside for the years to come.” Rising above the challenges of the pan-

Rural Bank of Guinobatan Inc. CEO Paulo Honrado demic, RBGI pioneered a Bicol rural banking first that highlights features allowing for convenient, smooth and low-touch transactions right at one’s fingertips. “The growing smartphone usage even in our locality inspired us to further push and break barriers. Our small towns are ready now more than ever to experience the elevated banking

experience that they deserve,” he said. Like the name suggests, Asenso Mobile App’s core purpose is to raise the bar of rural banking experience, and uplift users with a seamless end to end banking journey. The mobile app is QR code-powered which helps lessen manual service processes. In just one click, the user can easily open and manage an account, and allows him to easily avail bank services like fund transfers, remittances, bills payment, e-loading and even insurance. It is available for current and prospective bank clients and may be downloaded via the Google Playstore. RBGI has been a prominent force in Bicol’s rural banking scene in its 56 years of existence. The last five years paved the way for the fruition of the bank’s vision, realizing steady growth in assets and profitability as it posted a 42-percent growth in resources, 77-percent increase in net income and 40-percent rise in deposits, solidifying the organization’s stability.

Dingdong Delivery rider

Dingdong bikes his way to become startup CEO DINGDONG Dantes, a 40-year-old model and actor known for dozens of popular films and TV series, is opening new doors for entertainment industry workers who lost their jobs amid the pandemic. Dingdong whose real name is Jose Sixto Raphael Gonzalez Dantes III, together with several investors and partners, put up a local technology company that aims to compete in the delivery service and e-commerce sectors dominated by other Southeast Asian players. “When the pandemic hit, it dramatically changed our way of life, requiring us to depend more and more on technology. This proved to be the right time and opportunity for Dingdong to help and build back lives of families and communities,” says Dantes, the co-founder and chief executive of Doorbell Technologies Inc., the company behind Dingdong Delivery and Dingdong E-commerce. It is not the first time Dantes, who is married to fellow actor Marian River, headed a business or organization. In fact, he is the founding chairman of YesPinoy Foundation and manages his own film studio called AgostoDos Pictures. He says the formation of Dingdong by Doorbell Technologies amid the pandemic aims to provide opportunities to those who lost their sources of income. “Our initial rider partners are displaced workers from the entertainment industry, and we wanted not only to provide them employment, but also professionalize the delivery service segment by providing comprehensive training in various disciplines,” he says.

Doorbell Technologies Inc. co-founder and CEO Dingdong Dantes He says he wants to provide the same opportunities he received from people who helped him finish college and create a name in the entertainment industry. “I was born and raised without the silver spoon, but I was raised by hardworking parents. I am the eldest of five children, and there were times that my parents would fall short of budget for school. But we are extremely blessed to have relatives and friends who would tell my parents to carry on, who would volunteer to pay the tuition of their children,” he says. “I became a scholar of so many people, and that is how I finished school. And they did this without thinking twice. They were not expecting anything in return. If there was anything they wanted, it is for us to become successful in life and use the opportunity given us to help and become a better person,” says Dantes, who studied in San Beda University, West Negros University and Ateneo de Manila University. He has Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, Major in Marketing. “I have also seen this generosity from the people who trusted me in the entertainment industry. They have seen my potential and entrusted me with projects that not only paved the way for me to be where I am now, but also transformed our lives in many ways. From being a dancer and entertainer, I have learned a lot of things from being an actor, director and story teller,” he says. Dantes committed to help his siblings finish college and provide opportunities to others. Eleven years ago, he established YesPinoy Foundation to do just that. “People opened their doors for me. And I have personally experienced how these opportunities, when used properly, can help improve lives. With God’s grace, all of my siblings graduate from college. One of them is with YesPinoy Foundation and another is with Doorbell Technologies,” he says. “The anchor of everything is stemming from YesPinoy foundation. The group has been one of my avenues to help in opening doors for Filipinos, especially the youth. Through education and capacity development in disaster preparedness, climate action and responsible citizenship, we have empowered more than 3.6 million leaders in communities nationwide,” he says. Dantes says that when the pandemic happened, “we realized that time is already ripe to open new doors to other members of society, and that is by providing sustainable livelihood opportunities,” he says. It started with a delicate flower arrangement that needed to be delivered on time and undamaged. In 2019, his wife Marian needed help in delivering flowers for her shop Flora Vida. As the product was meant for a family friend, Dantes decided to step up and do the delivery himself. He recalled how he handled the package with utmost care and mindfulness that it sparked the idea for Dingdong. Roderick T. dela Cruz

Youth & Culture B1

SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021

Bernadette Lunas, Editor

manilastandardlife@gmail.com

@manilastandardlife

@MStandardLIFE

Nespresso Talents 2021

searches for stories of ‘doing’

HAT have you done to create a positive change in the lives of others?

In a challenging time such as today, no small good deed is ever small so long as it’s being done. And these “challenging realities” inspire the global filmmaking competition Nespresso Talents to focus on stories about being a force for good. This year’s theme is “Doing is Everything.” “‘Doing is Everything’ to me, means that at the end of the day your intentions don’t matter, your talent doesn’t matter; what matters is rolling up your shirt sleeves and getting to work,” said screenwriter and teacher Wanggo Gallaga. Nespresso Philippines, together with last year’s partners Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and De La Salle University (DLSU) and new partner Edukasyon.ph, has announced the opening of the submission of entries for Nespresso Talents 2021. “For over 30 years, Nespresso has been building a holistic business model that preserves exceptional coffee, supports coffee agriculture, and ensures sustainable livelihoods for farmers. This same narrative of helping others is what we want to get across through Nespresso Talents,” said Patrick Pesengco, managing director of Novateur Coffee Concepts, the

Screenwriter and educator Wanggo Gallaga

Philippine retailer of Nespresso. This year’s edition has two categories, national and international. All entries competing nationally will automatically qualify for the international category. Each participant can only submit one entry to www.nespresso.com/talents/ph. Submissions should be in vertical format (9:16), and two- to three-minute long. All genres are welcome (e.g. comedy, drama, educational, etc.) in the form of fiction, documentary, or animation. Submissions will close on May 16.

Nespresso Talents 2021 theme, ‘Doing is Everything’ challenges filmmakers to produce short films in vertical format telling inspiring stories about being a force for good.

The shortlisted films for both international and local categories will be live on the website by mid-June followed by the awarding ceremonies in July. A local jury will select the top three

Nespresso Talents 2021 Philippine jurors (from left) Jose Javier Reyes, Quark Henares, and Bela Padilla.

Build your own

R2-D2 The Lego Group launches its most feature-packed R2-D2 LEGO brick version composed of 2,315 pieces.

HEADS up, Star Wars fans! In celebration of the 50th anniversary of production company Lucasfilm, the Lego Group announced last week the LEGO Star Wars R2-D2 construction set composed of 2,315 pieces. According to the company, the construction set is their most feature-packed LEGO brick version of R2-D2 to date. “As Lucasfilm celebrates their 50th anniversary, it seemed fitting to challenge ourselves and push the limits of what is possible with LEGO bricks by recreating a fan-favorite Star Wars character in great detail like we have never achieved before. We are delighted with the result and hope our fans get as much joy out of building the sets as we did designing it.” Adult LEGO builders and Star Wars fans alike can recreate their favorite moments from the films as they craft R2-D2’s unique retractable mid-leg, rotating head, and a periscope. The model also has hidden tools tucked away, such as a lightsaber hilt in a secret compartment in the head. When finished, the R2-D2 replica makes

an impressive focal point when displayed with the set’s exclusive mini-figure version of the iconic droid and a special Lucasfilm 50th anniversary LEGO brick. The set will be available starting May 1 at LEGO certified stores and bankeebricks.ph at P11,999.75. Fans can also order through LEGO stores on Lazada, Shopee, Toytown, and Zalora.

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.

without. Frames and minutes should capture now what is most important. I want to witness how this global pandemic did or did not affect our future filmmakers,” shared Padilla. To compensate for the carbon footprint of the competition, Nespresso, in collaboration with long-time partner PUR Projet, will plant five trees in each contestant’s name to support the social business’ agroforestry projects. The five previous editions of Nespresso Talents have received over 2,000 applications from 50 countries. Just last year, more than 740 videos were submitted from 48 different countries. “In this industry – or in anything in this world – you have to walk the talk. Go out there and make work, submit to festivals and competitions, send pitches, make connections, and don’t stop,” urged Gallaga.

Tatay Gimmy’s YouTube journey restores faith in humanity WE HAVE witnessed in the past few days the true bayanihan spirit of Filipinos helping in any way—big or small— to alleviate the condition of others. In fact, help comes from all places, from different kinds of people—even from whom you wouldn’t expect it. Take Gimmy Panis Conos, or Tatay Gimmy, for example. The 52-year-old taho (soy pudding) vendor gives his product away to street children for free before he heads home. “Napansin ko na madami talaga ang apektado sa pandemic at kung paano makatulong (I noticed that there were so many people affected by the pandemic and thought about how to help),” he related. Giving away his merchandise also allows him to go home on time. “Kailangan ko na din makauwi para hindi maabutan ng curfew kaya pinamimigay ko ng libre ang taho (I also needed to go home before the curfew so I decided to give my taho for free).”

Kindness springs from challenges

The construction set includes a mini R2-D2 figure.

locally produced films. This year’s jurors consist of Jose Javier Reyes, Quark Henares, and Bela Padilla. Gallaga and Pepe Diokno, meanwhile, led vertical filmmaking workshops. The 1st Selected Talent in the local category will take home a cash prize of 1,500 euros, the 2nd Selected Talent will get 1,000 euros, and the 3rd Selected Talent will get 500 euros. All three winners will each receive a trophy and a Nespresso machine and capsules. All three jurors are looking forward to this year’s entries. “In a world run by video platforms like Youtube, TikTok, and Instagram, it would be interesting to see how the innate filmmaking capability in young creators these days will surface,” said Henares. “I want to see what the filmmakers consider essential. What things, visuals, feelings, and people they can’t live

A screenshot of last year’s 1st prize Nespresso Talents winner in the Philippines, ‘Tsinelas’ by Charlene Tupas.

But Tatay Gimmy also has his own challenges. From Tacloban City in Leyte, he moved to Manila to look for better employment opportunities. He worked in construction for five years while living alone since his family chose to stay in the province. When age and illness caught up with him, he started selling taho for a living despite having diabetes and rheumatism. In 2019, Tatay Gimmy recovered from a mild stroke and eventually went back to the streets to continue selling taho and giving some away. Moved by his gesture, one of his customers encouraged him to upload his video on YouTube to inspire others. With the help of his neighbors, Tatay Gimmy signed up to YouTube and uploaded his first video of himself sharing taho with kids. Seeing a potential to earn on the platform, he thought of a way to hit two birds with one good stone. Tatay Gimmy gives away free taho to encourage people to subscribe to his channel.

Tatay Gimmy gives away taho for free in exchange for subscribing to his YouTube channel which he hopes to monetize for his daily needs and expenses. (Photos by @theunicorny and @lionizcute/ Twitter)

Good deeds add up

His story went viral after being reshared on April 10 by 20-year-old Mary Christine Amoguis. Amoguis’ post raised awareness of Tatay Gimmy’s channel which gained more than 280,000 subscribers, as of this writing. However, shortly after the channel started to gain subscribers, Tatay Gimmy lost his mobile phone and could no longer remember his channel login credentials. With the help of Amoguis, they created a new channel (which currently has over 33,000 subscribers) and was able to retrieve his first channel (hence the two Gimmy Panis Conos channels). Amoguis even led a fundraiser on social media, which quickly raised thousands of pesos, for the taho vendor after many online users expressed desire to extend financial support. Amoguis, an accounting student from General Santos City, South Cotabato, has a habit of sharing and reposting online calls for donations. After being touched by Tatay Gimmy’s story, she posted his photo which was retweeted by influencers and celebrities including Maine Mendoza.

“Matagal ko na siyang ginagawa just so I can help in my own little way, pero this is the first time na ganito karami ang nag-share ng post ko. I am so happy na pinost ko‘yun, (I’ve been doing it for a long time just so I can help in my own little way, but this is the first time that these many people shared my post. I am so happy I posted that).” She admits though that the attention she’s getting for her role in Tatay Gimmy’s viral video is making her uncomfortable. However, she chooses to look at the positive side, pointing out the benefits of the Internet and social media: “Ang powerful talaga ng social media. Sa isang share mo lang, isang life na ang pwedeng ma-change (Social media is powerful. You can change someone’s life with just one share).” Tatay Gimmy is wishing that it would soon be safe to go back to the streets, not just to sell taho, but also to look for more opportunities to share. As he hopes for the pandemic to end and works for his recovery, he takes comfort in the fact that we can all contribute to making the world a better place with one post, one share, and one good deed at a time.

Home/Design

SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021

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

INNOVATIVE GLOBAL STARTUP.

Housing brand Lessandra was recently named as one of the best residential startups globally by London-based site Start Up Pill, a site known for listing the most innovative startup brands. In the article 36 Amazing Residential Startups Worth a Follow in 2021, Start Up Pill named Lessandra as one of the brands with exceptional performance in the categories of innovation, growth, management, and societal impact. Lessandra is a brand under real estate developer Vista Land. It offers affordable house and lots in more than 40 communities nationwide, with the latest expansion in Santa Rosa, Nueva Ecija. The company was quick to adapt to digital transformation in the industry, introducing its digital tools from virtual home tours to online home reservations. Lessandra will soon venture to vertical development with its upcoming condominium projects.

NEW HOME FOR LEMCON PH. Ayalaland Logistics Holdings Corp. (ALLHC) recently took in a new lessee, Lemcon Philippines, in ALogis Biñan within Laguna Technopark. The latter, an asset management solutions company, will take up 17,000 sqm of gross leasable space, or 10 units of ready-built facilities for exclusive storage of infrastructure equipment for a telecommunications company. ALogis Biñan is Lemcon Philippines’ newest business address as it expands its services nationwide. The contract signing was led by (seated from left to right) ALLHC head of ALogis Bianca S. Tan; ALLHC head of industrial parks and real estate logistics and Laguna Technopark, Inc. president Patrick C. Avila; CEO Maria Rowena M. Tomeldan; Lemcon Philippines vice president – finance Harsyl R. Tan; and vice president – operations Leah Regina DC. Castor. Other ALogis sites are in Naic, Porac, Calamba, and Manila, comprising over 200,000 sqm of leasable industrial space. ALLHC owns and manages Laguna Technopark, Cavite Technopark, and Pampanga Technopark in Luzon, and Laguindingan Technopark in Mindanao.

HOLCIM UNVEILS WATER REPELLANT CEMENT.

Building solutions provider Holcim Philippines, Inc. recently launched the country’s first water repellent cement in to help protect structures against excess moisture. Holcim Aqua X is designed to protect structures such as homes from damage and deterioration caused by water. The company developed Holcim Aqua X after a study showed 70% of homeowners and contractors identified water protection as an important consideration in projects. Concrete walls and foundations are prone to cracks after steel rebars rust and expand as water seeps in. Painted walls may also develop imperfections due to water seepage. Holcim Aqua X reportedly contains ‘active water repellent boosters’ that make it easier to build water-resistant structures compared with current practices, where builders apply a repellent on walls or include a water-proofing compound to the concrete mix. The new product was launched in Davao, and will be available throughout Mindanao by the end of the year.

INNOVATIVE OFFICE SOLUTIONS. W Group’s Portuguese Land Inc. (PLI) recently held groundbreaking ceremonies for the PRI Industrial Park at LIMA Technology Center in Malvar, Batangas. W Group offers innovative office solutions, and plans to develop the 20-hectare industrial park across five blocks subdivided into a maximum of 31 lots that can cater to different locators. At the groundbreaking were (from left to right) Ivan Yao, president, Lucerne; Francis Wee, CEO, W Group; Eaton Ong, president, ILO Construction Inc.; Rosalind Wee , co-founder, W Group); Leehiong T. Wee, ambassador to Indonesia and chairman of the W Group; Roger Swainson, special project director, Portuguese Realty Inc.; Edwin Ong, VP, ILO Construction Inc.; and Emerson Yao, managing director, Lucerne.

BEING SMART, SAFE IN THE NEW NORMAL

Investing in homes in 2021

HE year 2020 caused a shift in lifestyle for homeowners and homebuyers everywhere. Previous trend reports revealed a shift towards fringe cities and other booming regions south of the metro, while fastergrowing pageviews for properties such as land and houses indicated a leaning for listings with larger floor areas. As the home becomes the place where individuals spend most of their time in and do various activities in their daily lives, choosing the ideal property has become important. Lamudi recently came out with a report to assess real estate market preferences in 2021 as industries recover from the pandemic, and identify which segments boomed or softened amid the crisis. Attractive properties for older homebuyers As of January 2021, houses were still the most popular property type, contributing 48 percent of all pageviews for that month and attracting the most pageviews from each age bracket. It was the property type that attracted the most property seekers aged 65 and up. While foreclosures contribute a small share of total pageviews, it is one of the fastest growing property types, having increased by 23 percent in 2020. Out of all the property types, foreclosures activated the most interest from the 55 – 64 seeker age group. Brokers and sellers are encouraged to retain engagement with older property seekers, highlighting investment in homes to pass on to the younger generation as well as the need for smart homes to accommodate the growing bandwidth demand for students and young professionals. Luxury options. Leads for properties across all price ranges increased in the second half of 2020, signifying a stronger conversion from views on listings posted on Lamudi and a more aggressive demand from property seekers. In January 2021, low-cost housing was the most attractive price point to potential buyers as the 1.5M to 3M price range contributed the highest share of leads (17 percent) for that month. Properties priced between 9M and 12M experienced the highest growth in both pageviews and leads, with the former increasing by 50 percent and the latter by 89 percen. Leads within the 12M to 20M price range received a slightly lower share of leads in January 2021 compared to its performance for the whole 2020, while the high-end 6M to 9M range increased its lead share this January. This may indicate that buyers within the upscale price segments may be adjusting budgets or considering other price segments for their investments. Soft demand in CBDs? In Lamudi’s COVID Report published last year, high-end cities in metropolitan centers weakened as cities such as Makati and Muntinlupa experienced a decrease in lead share in the onset of the pandemic. Though leads for Makati in that same

period decreased, it still contributed the second largest share of leads in January 2021 at 23 percent. In addition to having a bustling commercial center, Makati hosts a concentration of green pockets amid walkable neighborhoods such as Legaspi Village, Salcedo Village, and Poblacion—a feature growing in demand from property seekers. Pasig and Quezon City also posted impressive growth figures, with the former increasing by 21 percent and the latter by 26 percent in the second half of last year. Quezon City continued to attract the most number of pageviews among cities with CBDs, possibly driven by its proximity to a large employee base from the universities in the area as well as its access to industrial spaces in provincial cities up north.

Good governance, good news in fringe cities Cities located within the fringes of the metro continued to rise in popularity in 2020. Pateros - which holds the smallest share of pageviews for fringe cities - attracted the largest growth in both pageviews and leads in the second half of last year compared to the first. Caloocan exhibited the highest growth in leads for that period. The city is on track to becoming the most significant driver of leads for fringe cities in 2021, with Caloocan contributing the greatest share of leads at 52%. Developers and brokers are encouraged to watch out for vacant commercial and residential space in these areas. Marikina contributed 43 percent of all pageviews for the fringe cities assessed, owning the largest share of pageviews for the location group in 2020. Valenzuela, which saw a 65 percent surge in leads and a 58 percent increase in pageviews, earned the second highest. Rental markets With consumers spending most of their

time at home throughout 2020, more property seekers were considering homes close to nature. Homes by the beach grew in popularity last year, with Batangas Province earning the highest growth in leads among the identified leisure destinations at 143 percent in 2020. Lapu-lapu City in Cebu, home to a number of resort-style residential developments, amassed 30 percent more leads and 12 percent more pageviews last year. Antipolo posted positive demand figures in the latter half of 2020, with leads increasing by 88 percent and pageviews rising by 86 percent. Tagaytay also experienced a growth in pageviews last year, having increased by 27 percent. The city is on track to leading demand in 2021. Preference for open areas Property seekers prioritized spaces for fitness such as a swimming pool, which was the top sought-after amenity in 2020 at 17 percent of pageviews for the top 20 searched amenities. Having open spaces such as balconies and gardens composed around 11 percent of all pageviews in 2020. With more consumers showing a preference towards safe and open areas, brokers and developers are encouraged to equip their projects with valueadding amenities such as open leisure and active centers, complemented by features such as contactless elevator buttons, automatic doors, and other precautions to minimize contact. Safe, secure homes in demand Having a wireless internet connection attracted as many pageviews as securityrelated features in 2020, Lamudi said. Developers are encouraged to have basic security features such as an attentive 24-hour security staff as well as CCTVs in less exposed areas such as parking lots. Having digital security solutions such as app-controlled amenities and visitor screening systems in place would be an attractive addition to the majority of property seekers. With more potential buyers belonging to the digitally savvy Generation Z entering the real estate market, intelligent homes with built-in high speed connection and home automation features are seen to grow increasingly desirable. Developers are encouraged to have the proper digital infrastructure in place as demand increases. People want to be productive, connected The past year has shown that the demand for real estate in certain cities is driven not only by the presence of large infrastructure development projects, but also a city’s ability to be agile and adaptive to change. Some notable investment areas are marked by its response to the times and efforts to improve its citizens’ quality of life – from Central Business Districts that opened their streets to alfresco dining, to quick and reliable governance in fringe cities, to bike lanes in key cities outside NCR, to nature-oriented homes in leisure destinations and ecologically friendly residential projects.

Entertainment

SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021 Nickie Wang, Editor; E-mail: nickie.standard@ gmail.com

For pageant shoes, Jojo Bragais discovered that the pairs that he made allow Beauty Queens to be confident while wearing shoes that are tall yet consistently comfortable.

All the pairs were designed, engineered, and hand-made by some of the best and inspiring shoe-craftsmen in the Philippines. Making use of materials that ensure durability.

His shoes are made for pageant walking

ORE than 70 beautiful women will wear the shoes crafted by local footwear designer Jojo Bragais after he was tapped as the footwear sponsor for this year’s Miss Universe pageant happening on May 16 (May 17 in Manila) in Hollywood, Florida. Speaking to Manila Standard EnterEnter tainment, Bragais shared that the Miss Universe partnership, by far, is his biggest break in the fashion scene since he started establishing his name as the preferred footwear in the local beauty pageant circuit. “Women feel empowered whenever they wear high heels, and that’s what most women tell me whenever they wear my shoes. Most beauty queens that I have worked with told me that they feel incomplete without their high heels on,” Bragais started. “A Binibini contestant once said that she bought my shoes because she was looking for the best pageant shoes. For her it’s ‘game on’ whenever she’s on a Bragais,” he added. All the contenders of the 69th Miss Universe will receive two pairs of shoes. The first pair comes in options of three shades of cream, cocoa, and caramel to complement the candidates’ skin tone.

tunity for him to be an inspiration to all local shoe manufacturing businesses in the Philippines. He perceives it as a sign of success not just for himself but also for local brands. “I want to represent the coun country to show the world that Filipino hand-made shoes are of the best quality and can be at par with brands in the international scene,” he stated. The shoe-making business started out as a hobby for Bragais. In 2013, he started his shoemaking business. A year later, his friend, Yvette Santiago, joined the Binibining Pilipinas wearing his shoes. In the same year, Pia Wurtzbach also wore a Bragais pair when she joined Binibining Pili Pilipinas. He was tapped to be the official footwear of Binibining Pilipinas in 2015 and when Pia Wurtzbach won Miss Universe, Bragais’ shoemak shoemaking business skyrocketed. “I started from scratch. From the time I opened my shop, it took two months before I made my first sale. I had so many questions and doubts so I didn’t think that I’d reach Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurztbach Catriona Gray in Miss Miss World 2013 Megan Young Samatha Bernardo in Miss this far, that a lot of people will support Universe 2018 Grand International 2020 Bragais,” he said. “I want my shoes to be available to real people. Real fashion should be The three shades are also custom-made to “We’ve sent out more than 200 pairs of agais said. available to real people. My wish is just withstand the color effect of stage lights. shoes. We are sending extra pairs as well For the famed shoe designer, his Miss simple, for people to love my shoes,” he The second pair will be in silver. in case there will be issues in sizes,” Br- Universe partnership serves as an opporended.

Introducing the Squad Plus FROM its original four members, The Gold Squad’s is now getting bigger and bigger as it welcomes more “squadmates” who are ready to conquer showbiz with their talents via The Squad Plus. The Squad Plus boasts four artists who are passionate about music – Angela Ken is a newly minted OPM sensation, while Sam Cruz, KD Estrada, and Anji Salvacion are regularly seen performing in ASAP Natin ‘To as part of its new breed of singers. Here are some fun facts about the group’s four fresh faces and voices:

1. Angela Ken Eighteen-year-old singer-songwriter Angela Ken got her first taste of fame on Tiktok, where her unfinished original song “Ako Naman Muna” went viral. Soon after, she was invited by Dreamscape Entertainment to join The Squad Plus, while Star Music offered to produce the full version of her song. The track, which she describes as an anthem of self-love and self-appreciation, is now part of the soundtrack of ABS-CBN’s inspirational series Huwag Kang Mangamba and has received over five million streams on Spotify. With Moira dela Torre and Ben&Ben as her biggest inspirations, Angela believes her purpose is to empower and inspire the youth, especially those who are suffering from anxiety and depression, and make them feel less alone through her music.

2. Sam Cruz Celebrity daughter Sam Cruz is here to prove that she’s worthy of a spot in the industry amidst the expectations that her last name carries. One of the three daughters of Sunshine Cruz and Cesar Montano, Sam wants to follow in the footsteps of her mom whom she considers her greatest source of inspiration. She is currently juggling her studies and showbiz responsibilities, including gigs on ASAP Natin ‘To. Though singing is her first love, she has also set her sights on acting and has already appeared in the iWantTFC original series Unloving U.

3. KD Estrada KD picked up a guitar when he was 13, started lessons, and decided on becoming a guitar player, with Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix as his major influences. While he has always been passionate about music, it wasn’t until 2018 after he filmed himself singing that he discovered he could actually do both. A Star Music artist, he has released selfwritten songs such as “Sa Puso Mo,” “One of Many,” and “Saves It,” which is also featured in Unloving U. While waiting for the opportunity to record a full album, KD connects with his fans through his YouTube channel and Tiktok Page where he uploads covers of his favorite songs.

4. Anji Salvacion Like many showbiz hopefuls, Anji was introduced to Filipino viewers through a talent-reality show. Only 16 at the time, Anji made quite an impression in her audition for Idol Philippines in 2019 that James Reid likened her voice to sunshine. You can say she has been preparing for her big moment all her life, from when she would join beauty pageants so she could gain confidence and combat her shyness. While Anji failed to make it to Idol’s” live shows, she has since then made one of her biggest dreams come by becoming part of “ASAP’s” new breed of singers and showcasing her acting skills in iWantTFC’s Unloving U, for which she recorded the song “Keeps on Coming Back.” Things are definitely looking bright for this Siargao native, who is open to doing more acting projects in the future. Get to know Angela, Sam, KD, and Anji by liking the videos and subscribing to The Squad Plus’ YouTube channel (YouTube.com/ TheSquadPlus), which regularly uploads vlogs and games featuring all the squadmates. With 2.95 million subscribers and 264.8 million views, The Squad Plus is one of ABS-CBN’s most subscribed and most-followed channels on the video-streaming platform.

SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021

Desiree Carlos, Editor

daycarlos28@yahoo.com

Just seeing a dog's cute face makes us smile. Batchie here always evokes a happy feeling among those who see his photos. Like other dogs, Batchie loves lettuce and the crunch of cauliflower.

That smile is so infectious! Dathir is a gentle giant whose smile will make you want to hug him and take him home for keeps. Dathir, a rescued dog of Save Animals of Love and Light (Save ALL), will eat any vegetable. That is one reason he is healthy and grew to be a big dog, we think.

Pets

Gandalf is a senior rescued dog of Save ALL who loves to nap on grass and eat veggies.

Keeping our dogs and cats healthy during a financial crisis

OGS and cats continue to PET TALES give us an energy boost BY DESIREE CARLOS to hurdle another stretch of this uncertain time called the pandemic. They make us happy and feel good just by being themselves, smiling, wagging their tails, purring, or sitting next to us or on our lap.

They also give us a different “purpose” at this time as we enjoy a fun routine that keeps us grounded: feed the pet, give water, walk the pet, and kiss the pet, among others. They keep us sane and help us stay positive despite the uncertainty of the times. They are our bundles of pawsitive energy. But some pet owners now need help to keep their furbabies alive and well. A number of pet owners lost their jobs or earn less these days, making it difficult for them to provide food for all members of the family, including their pets. This pandemic will take about one

more year, experts said, as the vaccination of most of the human population will take that long or even longer. The effect on the economy will be felt two to three more years after herd immunity is achieved, some media outfit have also reported. Given this, it will take time for humans to get back the semblance of life they had before pandemic. This means putting food on the table for humans and in the bowl of pets will continue to be difficult for those who lost their jobs or experienced a downgrade in income. What can we do then to continue keep-

ing our dogs or cats healthy and well despite a substantial cut in earnings? We can start giving natural food. Dry dog food or dry cat food can be more expensive in the long run. Or we can combine dry pet food with natural or boiled food. Here are some healthy, inexpensive food you can give your pet: 1. Malunggay is called the multivitamin of vegetables. It is a very nutritious food. You can mix the leaves (chopped finely for cats) in a chicken broth (water/soup from boiled chicken parts) and a little rice that was boiled with the consistency of congee (lugaw). Malunggay is easy to plant. Just get a branch and plant in a big pot or in your garden. It requires very little space and very little care. 2. You can add pechay Tagalog which you can also grow in a pot or in your garden. This vegetable requires full sunlight and daily watering and that’s it! After 45 days, you will have pechay you can boil and add to

Brush up on your pet’s dental care By Pet Food Institute VETERINARIANS recommend brushing your pet’s teeth daily or every other day, as plaque can be brushed away easily before it hardens, which takes between 24-48 hours. If a toothbrush scares your pet, you can ease your pet into becoming more comfortable by first wiping his or her teeth with a pet-safe gauze pad or dental wipe. These options are similar to a toothbrush and are a great way to get cats or dogs comfortable with their teeth being touched. Since dental care can both a stressful event for some pet owners, developing this routine at an early age may help their pets become more relaxed during the procedure.

Dental Chews

your dog’s meal. The green part can be chopped finely and boiled, and can be given to your cat. While your pets have food, you too can sautee the pechay in garlic and onions for the humans to enjoy. Pechay is very good for the liver of both humans and pets. 3. Another easy to plant veggie is patola. Our single patola plant gave us fruits for two straight years! Patola is very healthy for the lungs. But give patola only twice a week as it is rather sweet. Remove the seeds and skin. Boil.Then mix with any meat broth and a little rice/lugaw. Do not put salt or pepper. 4. Celery can be put in water and is easy to grow in soil. And this vegetable is nutritious for dogs. You can give the stalk to dogs raw and they will love the crunch! Or you can chop finely and add to boiled food of cats and dogs. 5. Plant other veggies that are good for pets. Research please on what vegetables can be given to dogs and cats, and what are toxic or bad for them. You

can plant in pots or plastic softdrink bottles, biscuit cans, and other plastic containers. 6. Mix only a little dog food or cat food in natural, boiled veggieslugaw-meat broth if you do not have the budget for full dry food yet. In this way, your dog or cat will still get a healthy meal. 7. Buy beef or pork bones and boil them. Do not add salt or pepper. Bones cost much less. Keep the stock or broth in small containers and then put in the freezer. Do not give the bones to your pet. There have been many cases of choking in dogs due to bones. Bring out a container during mealtime, heat, then add to congee and boiled veggies for your dog. These are just some of the ways we can keep our pets healthy. We need to ensure they remain healthy during this crisis as bringing pets to a clinic will entail a lot of cost, and is very risky to humans who might get infected with the virus in the said public place.

Jacky has had her teeth cleaned by the vet while under anesthesia.

cleanings from a veterinarian, starting at one or two years old, depending on a cat or dog’s size. Your pet will be put under anesthesia so that each tooth will receive proper attention and care, including under the gum line. These cleanings should be done annually and will include an oral exam to detect any issues or concerns. Pet Food Institute is committed to educating pet owners about proper pet nutrition to keep pets healthy and happy. Through its local initiative, Well-Fed, Well-Nurtured campaign in partnership with the Veterinary Practitioners Association of the Philippines (VPAP), PFI seeks to advocate responsible pet ownership to the ever-growing Filipino pet community. ###

About the Pet Food Institute: Since 1958, the Pet Food Institute has been the voice of the U.S. pet food industry. PFI is the industry's representative before Congress and state legislatures, as well as state and federal agencies; public education and media relations resource; organizer of seminars and educational programs; and liaison with other organizations. PFI represents the companies that make 98 percent of U.S. dog and cat food, Veterinary Cleanings In addition to regular care at home, ex- an industry with more than $20 billion in U.S. perts recommend regular professional teeth retail sales and $1.3 billion in exports in 2015.

In addition to professional cleanings and an at-home care routine, dental treats and chews are specifically designed to provide dentalrelated benefits to dogs and cats. These treats and chews are meant to remove plaque buildup and often include ingredients that help to clean a cat or dog’s mouth. Many pet dental treats even freshen breath!

Starla, now 2 years old, loves dry cat food which helps clean the teeth when the pellets rub on the teeth. But next year, she will have her teeth cleaned by the vet to prevent gum inflammation and cavities.