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(Story on A4)

AFGHAN PRESIDENT FLEES AS TALIBAN TAKE OVER KABUL (Story below)

VOL. XXXV • NO. 181 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 MONDAY, AUGUST 16, 2021 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘Vax-resistant’ Lambda in PH

DOH confirms 35-year-old Filipino 1st case of ’more transmissible variant of interest’ By Macon Ramos Araneta and Rio N. Araja

HE Department of Health on Sunday confirmed the country's first case of the COVID-19 Lambda variant, a “variant of interest” which is supposed to be more transmissible and vaccine-resistant than other strains.

The DOH said the case was a 35-yearold female but said it has not determined if she is a returning overseas Filipino. She was asymptomatic and has already recovered after undergoing the 10-day isolation period, the department said.

Meanwhile, the DOH reported 14,749 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, the second highest number since the pandemic started last year. The highest incidence was registered on April 2, at Next page 15,310 cases.

PANDEMIC POST. The sign on the tarpaulin is clear enough to send two patients away from the FEU Dr. Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation in Quezon City on Sunday, August 15, 2021. At the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (inset), a medical front line worker assists a patient admitted to the state-run hospital. NKTI, despite being at full capacity, says it will not turn away patients infected with COVID-19. Danny Pata

IATF eyes ban on unvaxed people going out By Othel V. Campos

Nurses resign en masse, says group, over unpaid benefits

THE government is considering allowing only vaccinated people to leave their homes to run errands during a lockdown, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said over the weekend. Lopez, a member of the InterAgency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), said this was a possibility as the country tends to fall back into strict lockdowns. “We need to prepare for this kind of protocol since this is what has been trending in other countries, and we’re no

different from them. This policy is already being observed in countries with high vaccination rates. We need to enforce this during lockdown periods only,” he said. Lopez said the government needs to adopt this as a policy to allow more physical movement and more economic movement especially since other sectors continue to be open, like restaurants and stores, to sustain livelihoods and the economy. He also urged unvaccinated people to have themselves vaccinated, as protection for them and their unvaccinated family Next page members.

benefits, including hazard pay for working with COVID-19 patients, the president SOME 40 percent of private hospital of the Philippine Nurses Association said nurses have already resigned from Sunday. “We can't blame them if they do that their jobs as discontent grows over the Next page non-payment of promised government

102,748

30,340

270

(As of 4 PM, AUGUST 15)

House, Senate seek COA brief on Health mess

Haiti rescue: Race against time PORT-AU-PRINCE—At least 724 An additional 2,800 people were people were killed in the powerful injured in the 7.2-magnitude tremor earthquake that rocked Haiti, that struck early Saturday, the authorities said Sunday, updating the country's civil protection agency said. toll on the disaster-hit nation. Next page

against the clock to find survivors, after a powerful 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti early Saturday, killing at least 304, and trapping hundreds of victims under rubble and left at least 1,800 people injured in the Caribbean nation still recovering from a devastating 2010 quake. AFP

14,749

1,608,528 10,720

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

QUAKE MESS. Rescuers raced

1,741,616

By Rio N. Araja CONGRESS is set to receive a briefing from the Commission on Audit (COA) into the “deficiencies” in the management of P67.32 billion in COVID-19 response funds entrusted to the Department of Health (DOH) in 2020. Speaker Lord Allan Velasco requested the COA briefing for members of the

Taliban fighters sit over a vehicle on a street in Kabul on August 15. Inset shows Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani, who left the country on Sunday for Tajikistan, as the insurgents completed their rout of government forces. AFP

Afghan president flees Kabul as Taliban reach capital KABUL—President Ashraf Ghani fled Afghanistan on Sunday, a top official said, effectively ceding power to the Taliban as they reached the capital Kabul to seal a nationwide military victory in just 10 days. "The former Afghan President has left the nation, leaving the people to this situation," Abdullah Abdullah, who heads the peace process, said in a video on his Facebook page.

"God hold him accountable, and the people will have their judgement." He gave no indication where Ghani was going, but leading Afghan media group Tolo news suggested he was heading to Tajikistan (see related story on B2 -- Editors). Ghani's departure from office was one of the key demands of the Taliban in months of peace talks with the government, but he had stubbornly clung

to power. In just over a week, the Taliban have carried out a lightning sweep of the country, with troops incapable of holding onto territory without US military support. The insurgents said they want a "peaceful transfer" within the next few days, two decades after US-led forces toppled it in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks. Next page

News

MONDAY, AUGUST 16, 2021

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Seniors’ household members next H Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said Sunday the Department of Health is crafting guidelines for this policy amid the increasing number of fully vaccinated seniors all over the country, which has reached 43%. In other developments, Anakalusugan

party-list Rep. Michael Defensor called for the early COVID-19 vaccination of high-risk Filipino children aged 12 to 15 years old as soon as the country is assured of a larger monthly supply of vaccines. The Philippines on Sunday received 469,200 doses of Moderna's COVID-19

vaccine, with 319,200 of the doses procured by the national government and 150,000 doses bought by the private sector. Former government medical adviser Dr. Anthony Leachon on Sunday slammed some doctors and professionals for spreading "fake news" by engaging in misinformation against the vaccines to combat COVID-19. Sen. Christopher "Bong” Go yesterday called on local government units and all other government agencies to reconcile their vaccine rollout databases and provide needed certifications for fully vaccinated individuals in accordance with the

‘Vax-resistant‘...

breached 100,000 on Sunday, after nearly four months below that level. There were 102,748 active cases, or 5.9 percent of the country's total caseload. Recoveries were up by 10,720, bringing total recoveries to 1,608,528. Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, Dr. Rontgene Solante, chairman of the Adult Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine unit of the San Lazaro Hospital, said Lambda variant's mutations are similar to the Delta variant first detected in India. The Lambda variant was classified as a variant of interest by the World Health Organization on June 14. The WHO identifies a coronavirus variant as a "variant of interest" (VOI) if, among other criteria, it "has been identified to cause community transmission...or has been detected in multiple countries." A variant of interest becomes a "variant of concern" (VOC) when it is associated with an "increase in transmissibility or detrimental change in COVID-19 epidemiology; [an] increase in virulence or change in clinical disease presentation; or [a] decrease in effectiveness of public health and social measures or available diagnostics, vaccines, therapeutics." Solante said the Lambda variant could be more transmissible and become resistant to vaccines like what has been seen from Delta and Alpha, which are already variants of concern.

“We don't have a lot of data yet on the Lambda variant because the countries that have experienced it are South American countries—Peru, Argentina—and it is one of the variants that is being monitored as it may become a variant of concern,” he said. "I believe this could cause death among people with low immune responses. It may be more transmissible too,” the doctor added. Solante urged the public to get vaccinated and strictly follow health protocols. "The approach is the same. We must protect ourselves. We have to be careful,” he said. The number of Delta variant cases rose to 807 as 182 more infections were detected. Of the additional 182 Delta variant cases, 112 are local cases, 36 are returning overseas Filipinos and 34 cases are currently being verified. Of the 112 local cases, 42 cases had indicated addresses in the National Capital Region, while 36 cases were from Central Luzon. Other areas with Delta cases were Calabarzon (eight), Mimaropa (six), Northern Mindanao (six), Central Visayas (four), Davao Region (three), Caraga (three), Western Visayas (two), Cordillera Administrative Region (one) and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of

Muslim Mindanao (one). One case is still active, 176 cases have been tagged as recovered, four cases have died, and one case has an outcome that is being verified. In other developments: • The Philippine General Hospital said most children recover from COVID-19 even if they become severely or critically ill. The country's largest COVID-19 referral center has eight virus patients occupying its 12bed pediatric ward, with four more patients waiting to be admitted, said Dr. Jonas del Rosario, PGH spokesman. The patients' ages range from a few days old up to 15 years old, he said. • PGH will temporarily stop accepting sick people who are not infected with COVID-19. The hospital has 262 virus patients out of its 250 bed capacity but has added 50 more beds to its COVID-19 ward, Del Rosario said. • Vice President Leni Robredo said poor contact tracing would limit the number of tests being conducted to detect the virus. In her weekly radio program, Robredo said the country's positivity rate as of Aug. 14 was 24.9 percent, which is higher than the international standard of less than 5 percent. Even if tests are available, as long as contact tracing remains weak, the country's lineup for tests is insufficient because it is not testing enough, she said.

into the concerns of the health workers. The Department of Health (DOH) announced in June that the P9 billion fund for the new tranche of SRA for health workers has been released to the agency’s regional offices and hospitals ahead of the expiry of the Bayanihan 2 law on June 30. Reyes urged the government to look into the delay in the release of these benefits. "The budget was already released but why is there a delay? '' Reyes said, emphasizing that health workers are already tired due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has doubled their workload. Reyes said health workers also want to get a booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine, as many of them were inoculated with Sinovac, which has shown to wane in protection after six months. In a separate interview on radio dzBB, Reyes said many workers have been complaining that they have yet to get their SRA from January 2021 to June 2021. In frustration, some health workers have quit their jobs and opted to work for call centers for higher pay. The Private Hospitals Association Philippines (PHAP) said about 40 percent of the nurses have quit.Senator Joel Villanueva expressed dismay at the government's failure to pay out the hazard pay on time. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

IATF...

inoculated 105,481 in their jabs centers and 6,844 through the buses. Out of the total vaccinated so far, 2,251 were jabbed with Moderna under the Government's Moderna Program Initiative. “As we have gradually operated the new Bakuna Center in Edsa, we have already vaccinated 1,154, out of which 634 were overseas workers," Abrigo said. PRC chair and chief executive officer Senator Richard Gordon said rising cases should mean more aggressive testing and vaccination efforts. “Only by vaccination can we achieve herd immunity," Gordon said in a statement. Those interested to register for PRC vaccination may call hotline no. 1158.

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Rio N. Araja

OUSEHOLD members of senior citizens could be included in the priority sector for the country's inoculation program against COVID-19 as authorities scramble to find more supplies of vaccines.

From A1

It was the second straight day with over 14,000 new cases. This developed as the independent OCTA Research Group said the number of cases is expected to rise next week as the lockdown may not be that effective or the Delta variant is becoming dominant. Guido David, OCTA Research fellow, said the National Capital Region's reproduction rate was at 1.90. "The COVID-19 transmission is almost one-is-to-two in the NCR," Guido said. Guido also said the country’s coronavirus reproduction number, which refers to the number of people that each COVID-19 case can infect, has gone up to 1.46 this past week. This was for August 8 to 14, the group said, when the country had an average of 11,000 new COVID-19 cases per day. The Lambda variant, first detected in Peru last year, is more infectious than the original coronavirus strain emerging from Wuhan, China, and is more resistant to COVID-19 vaccines. Also, there were 270 new fatalities Sunday, bringing the COVID-19 death toll to 30,340. It was the third consecutive day with more than 200 new deaths reported. Total active cases in the country again

Nurses... From A1

because they can't feel appreciation and care from the government," said Melbert Reyes, president of the association. Some health workers in private hospitals have not yet received their special risk allowances (SRA) or hazard pay that are due them by law, Reyes said on ABSCBN's TeleRadyo, adding that if everyone got their benefits, nobody would complain. The mass resignation of nurses, he added, would hurt the quality of health care in private hospitals taking care of COVID-19 patients. Earlier, leaders of health workers' unions from UST Hospital, St. Luke’s Medical Center-QC, St. Luke’s Medical CenterBGC, Chinese General Hospital, Cardinal Santos, Delos Santos, Medical City, Infant Jesus, and Lourdes Hospitals met with Senator Richard Gordon, chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee; Senators Risa Hontiveros and Francis Pangilinan; Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo; and Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III regarding the unpaid benefits of health workers. The three senators agreed to conduct a Senate probe on the issue on Aug. 18. Last Friday, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III committed to look

House,... From A1

House of Representatives, to be hosted by the committee on public accounts, and would be held this week. “We want to get the facts straight from COA and we are particularly concerned because the funds involved were among those allocated under the Bayanihan laws that Congress passed last year,” he said. The Senate is set for a similar briefing when it opens its session on Wednesday, Aug. 18. The briefing would allow House members to monitor the use of pandemic funds and develop corresponding legislation, he noted. “The overall objective is to ensure that the billions of pesos Congress had dedicated to Covid-19 response — and any additional funds it provides in future legislation —are spent wisely and effectively,” Velasco said. Health officials would also be invited to the congressional briefing. “The briefing would also serve as a venue for the DOH to explain and account for the pandemic funds mentioned in the COA report,” Velasco said. State auditors called the attention of DOH for various deficiencies in its management of pandemic funds worth P67.32 billion, including P66.28 billion that involved non-compliance with pertinent laws and regulations. On Sunday, the DOH said it had already settled P276 million in cash allowances that were flagged by the COA report. In a statement released Sunday, the

DOH said it sent P2.4 billion to Centers for Health Development, DOH Hospitals, and specialty hospitals as provided for under the Bayanihan 2 law. The DOH said some hospitals opted to provide benefits through cash or grocery vouchers, which COA flagged. “The DOH took up the cause of our healthcare workers and requested the Office of the President for presidential imprimatur to allow the provision of these benefits in cash equivalents,” it said. The request was then granted by the Office of the President under a memorandum dated June 1, 2021, the DOH said. Meanwhile, Bagong Henerasyon party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera said the House would look more closely into next year's DOH budget, given the deficiencies flagged by the COA in its 2020 report. She said the DOH would have “to account for every centavo” as lawmakers would scrutinize its budget more closely. Vice President Leni Robredo said the DOH mismanagement of its P67 billion pandemic funds endangered lives as virus cases rise nationwide. “We talk about hospitals that can no longer accept patients, yet we have P2.8 billion that could have been used to add more capacity. What's the effect of poor governance? This is a matter of life and death,” she said in Filipino. Robredo added that calls for Health Secretary Francisco Duque III to resign would not amount to anything if the system that causes the underspending for the COVID-19 response is not changed as well.

From A1

Despite another spike in new infections on Saturday, the IATF said it remained optimistic that these numbers would decline before the end of the lockdown period on Aug. 20. It did not say what it would do if the expectations were not met. Meanwhile, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) reached another breakthrough as it has now vaccinated 112,325 individuals in its Bakuna Centers and Bakuna Buses nationwide as of Aug. 14. PRC Health Services Manager Mark Abrigo said in a statement they have

Haiti... From A1

Rescue workers scrambled to find survivors after the powerful earthquake struck Haiti early Saturday, killing hundreds and toppling buildings in the disasterplagued Caribbean nation still recovering from a devastating 2010 quake. The epicenter of the shaking, which rattled homes and sent terrified locals scrambling for safety starting around 8:30 am (1230 GMT), was about 100 miles (160 kilometers) by road west of the center of the densely populated capital Port-au-Prince. Churches, businesses, schools and homes crumbled in the quake that trapped hundreds of victims under rubble and left at least 1,800 people injured, the country's civil protection agency said. Rescuers raced against the clock to find survivors, with the civil protection tweeting that efforts by "both professional rescuers and members of the public have led to many people being pulled from the rubble," adding that already overburdened hospitals continue to receive injured. Hours after the quake, the agency announced the death toll had jumped to 304, ticking upwards throughout the day from a first report of 29 fatalities. The long, initial quake was felt in much of the Caribbean, emanating from the epicenter at Haiti's southwestern peninsula. The civil protection said at least

Afghan... From A1

The group ordered its fighters earlier Sunday not to enter the capital, saying the remnants of the government's forces were responsible for security. But later, a spokesman tweeted that Taliban forces should enter areas deserted by Afghan forces in order to maintain law and order. "God forbid the common thieves and robbers in Kabul do not mix, the abusers do not harm the people, the Islamic Emirate ordered its forces to enter the areas of Kabul from which the enemy went," a statement by the Taliban said.

policy of the World Health Organization (WHO). "We are coming up with another strategy. The A2 plus one strategy means not only the senior citizen will be vaccinated but also the household member who brought him or her to the inoculation site,” Cabotaje, also chairwoman of National Vaccine Operations Center (NVOC), said over Dobol B TV. The household member is preferably someone who is taking care of the senior citizen, Cabotaje added. Even selected A3 (people with comorbidity) members and their caretakers may also be inoculated, she said.

Isko Moreno positive for COVID-19

MANILA Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Sunday confirmed that he has tested positive for COVID-19. “I am experiencing a severe cough, mild colds. I also have body pains right now," the mayor said in a statement. Domagoso was taken to the Sta. Ana Hospital, according to information from the Manila PIO. His positive COVID-19 test came days after the mayor skipped several events last week after feeling unwell. Last week, Manila Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna also tested positive for COVID-19. Domagoso and Lacuna are both fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Lacuna, a doctor, was the first Manila resident who received the COVID-19 vaccine in March. Domagoso was inoculated in April. "Let's hold on. Life continues. Governance in Manila will continue. We hope and trust in the Lord that we will get through this,” the mayor said. Domagoso’s close contacts, including his chief of staff Cesar Chavez, have been isolated, a source told ABS-CBN News. "The Mayor is still in charge," Manila Public Information Office chief Julius Leonen told reporters. "The work of the city government will continue.” The Mayor's Office in the city hall has been disinfected, Leonen said.

Pump prices swing lower by P0.30 By Alena Mae S. Flores

160 people were killed in the country's South department alone. "Lots of homes are destroyed, people are dead and some are at the hospital," 21-year-old Christella Saint Hilaire, who lives near the epicenter, told AFP. Hospitals in the regions hardest hit by the quake were already struggling to provide emergency care and at least three in the municipalities of Pestel, Corailles and Roseaux were completely full, according to Jerry Chandler, head of the civil protection agency. State of emergency The health ministry quickly dispatched personnel and medicine to the southwestern peninsula, but arrival could be hampered by insecurity that has plagued the poorest country in the Americas for months. The only road linking the capital to the southern half of the country passes through Martissant, an area that has been under the tight control of armed gangs since early June, blocking free passage. "We all know that we have a problem in Martissant," said Prime Minister Ariel Henry during a press briefing on Saturday evening. "We decided... that all the aid must be able to pass through" to effected areas, he added, saying police and military forces had been deployed to that end, without providing further details. The United States and other nations swiftly pledged support to the crisiswracked country, with US President Joe Biden approving "immediate" aid efforts. AFP

THE country's oil firms are expected to cut pump prices anew this week by as much as P0.30 per liter to reflect the movement of prices in the world oil market. "Expect fuel prices to go down next week (August 17 to 23). Diesel should go down by P0.20 per liter. Gasoline should go down by P0.30 Pesos per liter," Unioil Philippines said in its weekly advisory. This will be the second consecutive oil price rollback in domestic pump prices due to the global softening of world oil prices. On August 10, the oil companies implemented a price decrease in domestic oil products, namely P0.65 to P0.80 per liter for gasoline, P0.70 per liter for diesel and P0.75 per liter for kerosene. These resulted in the year-to-date adjustments to stand at a total net increase of P13.25 per liter for gasoline, P10.40 per liter for diesel and P8.70 per liter for kerosene. A report by the International Energy Agency for August revealed that growth for the second half has been downgraded more sharply due to new Covid-19 restrictions imposed in several major oil consuming countries, particularly in Asia. These restrictions will reduce mobility and oil use thus dampening demand. IEA also said the recovery in global refinery activity slowed in July as new waves of Covid-19 cut into fuel demand while margins remained under pressure. Meanwhile, the domestic oil firms are keenly waiting for the signing into law of the LPG Bill, which recently passed the bicameral level of Congress. Petron Corp., the country’s largest oil company, expressed its support for efforts against illegal LPG practices. Petron said it is hoping these illegal practices will end upon the enactment of the LPG Bill. Under the LPG Bill, tighter sanctions will be imposed on illegal refillers while institutionalizing the cylinder exchange and swapping program. “We view the LPG Bill as a crucial step to bringing more order and elevating the standards for the way businesses operate in the LPG industry. In the end, consumers, who no longer need to fear for their safety and are assured of quality LPG products, stand to gain the most from this,” Petron said. The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detention Group (CIDG) continued to keep an eye out for outlets selling illegally refilled LPG cylinders.

"There is a risk of theft and robbery." There are fears of a security vacuum in the capital as thousands of police and other armed services members have abandoned their posts, uniforms, and even weapons. The United States began moving its citizens and Afghan staff to Kabul airport, with the help of thousands of troops deployed to the capital to assist with the evacuation. However, Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday dismissed comparisons with the chaotic American departure from Saigon in 1975. "The fact of the matter is this: We went to Afghanistan 20 years ago with one mission in mind," he said.

The Taliban's imminent takeover triggered fear and panic in Kabul among residents fearful of the group's hardline brand of Islam. Evacuations The scale and speed of the insurgents' advance have shocked Afghans and the US-led alliance that poured billions into the country over the past two decades. President Joe Biden ordered the deployment of an additional 1,000 US troops to help secure the emergency evacuation from Kabul of embassy employees and thousands of Afghans who worked for American forces and now fear Taliban reprisals. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

News

MONDAY, AUGUST 16, 2021

Harsh penalties on ‘yellow card’ forger or faker —Quarantine THE Bureau of Quarantine warned applicants for International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis (ICVP) or “yellow card” they will face harsh penalties if their supporting documents have been faked or forged. BOQ Deputy Director Dr. Roberto Salvador said penalties range from revocation of passport to job termination. The BOQ had taken note of a rising demand for the yellow card, a document used by BOQ to indicate vaccines taken by an individual. This document, which is recognized by the World Health Organization, may be presented to their country of destination. Demand for the yellow cards rose after Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said that some overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong were refused certification from the Philippines. Weighing in on the issue, Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday proposed that the yellow card should be issued after an individual gets fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Robredo said applying for yellow card -- especially those who immediately need it -- is “doable.” Robredo urged the local government units (LGUs) and BOQ to work together to create a single database, which could be efficient in providing the yellow card.

NBI digs into hired driver’s slay in Albay

REFERRAL CENTER. A tarpaulin showing the direction to the Philippine General Hospital’s COVID-19 area is displayed at the hospital’s gate on Sunday. In a memorandum released on Saturday, PGH said that it would temporarily stop accepting non-COVID patients but would remain as a COVID-19 referral center. Norman Cruz

Hate crimes vs. Pinoys in US reach 18—Cato

By Rey E. Requejo

THE Department of Justice on Sunday said the National Bureau of Investigation has commenced its parallel investigation into the killing of a 28-year-old rent-a-car driver who was killed along with two others during an alleged anti-illegal drug buy bust operation by police authorities last July 20 in Oas, Albay. Justice Undersecretary Adrian Sugay said the NBI was directed to probe the death of Jose Maria Arvin Samson Bautista after his family asked for assistance as they denied his involvement in illegal drug trade Bautista’s family expressed belief that he was a victim of extrajudicial killing due to visible torture wounds on his body aside from the lone gunshot wound on his chest. The victim’s family also claimed that he has no criminal records, particularly in illegal drugs. “The NBI is already investigating [the incident]. This is pursuant to Secretary of Justice [Menardo Guevarra’s] directive and upon instruction from my office. I hope to get an update from them tomorrow (Monday),” Sugay said. The Bautistas also wrote the National Police Commission to investigate the policemen involved in the incident for alleged rubout and torture. Based on police reports, the victim was killed along with two others identified as Ramon Mutuc, 44 and Gregorio Garcia Jr., 42, in a shootout with policemen. Before the shootout, one of the suspects was caught selling 10 grams of shabu with P40,000 to an undercover agent. Rey Requejo

T LEAST 18 cases of hate crimes against Filipinos have been reported to the Philippine Consulate General in New York so far this year “By now, we should have 18 cases of anti-Asian incidents reported to the Consulate since the start of the year,” Philippine Consul General Elmer Cato said, in an interview over GMA’s news Double B TV. Cato made the disclosure following two recent abuses against Filipinos in the city. “These have taken place already in the United States but here in New York, it is more prominent,” the Filipino diplomat said. Report showed that in the past week, Filipino nurse Potri Ranka Manis suffered from bruises after distributing face masks to subway commuters while theater actor Miguel Braganza was mugged while on his way to his home. Both incidents happened in New York. According to Cato, these two cases were isolated cases that happened in New

York as gun violence incidents have been increasing amid the pandemic. “’We’re saying that these are isolated cases — sporadic, unprovoked incidents — that take place in any city, any country, in the world where crime rate is a bit high,” Cato said. “We can’t predict who will get hit,” he added. After talking with the New York Police Department, Cato said police authorities observed that anti-Asian hate crime incidents died down prior to the

assault against Braganza. “’The anti-Asian American Hate Crime desk of NYPD said hate crimes were already decreasing so we were surprised that these cases happened,” he added. To prevent these rights abuses, the consular officer added that they reiterated their call to police to increase police visibility where there are inhabitants of Filipinos and other Asians. The Philippine Consulate also earlier reminded Filipinos in New York “to always be vigilant, when outside their residences especially during the evenings, in view of the rising criminality and violence in the city.” The Philippine Consulate General indicated that the two assailants shouted racial slurs while Manis was being attacked. Braganza was also assaulted by two individuals while on his way to his apartment in the Upper West Side. Braganza was struck with a gun to the forehead in what police said was a failed robbery attempt.

PWD’S TRIKE.

Industrial fabricator Jeff Ylagan demonstrates the use of the tricycle he customized for a personwith-disability at his workshop in Paranaque City on Sunday, August 15, 2021. The clutch and brake are placed at the handle and can be controlled by hands. Ylagan is not a PWD but says he inspired to make a PWD tricycle after a visit to Japan where PWD accessibility is among priority. Danny Pata

Water security assured with MWCI’s new project—MWSS MWSS Chairman Reynaldo Velasco

MWSS Chairman and OIC Administrator Reynaldo V. Velasco is confident the water security program of the Duterte administration is on track with Manila Water’s Novaliches-Balara Aqueduct 4 project nearing completion. “This flagship project of Manila Water is part of the agency’s water security program under the current administration,” Velasco said as he commended the MWCI for the progress of this important water security component flagship project. Velasco issued the statement as workers and guests witness the exposure of the tunnel-boring machine (TBM) cutter head from the soft concrete at the exit shaft in a simple ceremony yesterday. The TBM is being utilized for

the P5.5 billion Novaliches-Balara Aqueduct 4 project It has already broken through at the La Mesa Reservoir, more than seven kilometers away from its entry shaft at Balara in Quezon City. The project entails the construction of a fourth aqueduct from the La Mesa Reservoir to the Balara Treatment Plants (BTP) 1 and 2 to improve the reliability and security of the raw water transmission system. “Part of the agency’s landmark achievements is coming up with interim and long-term water source projects to approximate at least 4,000 million liters per day (MLD) in the next 10 or 25 or, hopefully, 50 years,” Velasco said. MWSS has laid down the foundation for a water security roadmap to ensure that the delivery of water will satisfy projected demand. There has been an 8.41 percent increase in the population being served by MWSS from 2016 to 2020 translating to 1,317million more customers. According to Velasco, the three existing aqueducts that transmit water to the Balara Treatment Plant (BTP) are beyond the 50 years service life for concrete structures having been built in 1929, 1956, and 1968. The existing aqueduct system continuously transmits 1,600 million liters per day (MLD) of raw

water to BTP. “There is an urgent need to assess and rehabilitate these aqueducts,” he said. The NBAQ4 system is composed of a new intake facility at La Mesa, a 1,000-MLD underground aqueduct, and an outlet facility at BTP. Upon completion, the project will also provide emergency redundancy in the event of a failure in any of the existing aqueducts. This is the first time that the TBM technology is being used for this project in Metro Manila putting in place the 7.30 kilometer long by 3.10 meter diameter pipes underneath Commonwealth Avenue since January 28, 2020. The project is expected to be finished in June 2022 as construction of intake tower, outlet tower and downstream network system starts with the pipe-laying works now completed. The NBAQ4 project is one of the largest MWSS-led water supply infrastructure projects undertaken by Manila Water. Manila Water’s partners in this project are Arup as the project management consultant, and NOVABALA joint venture, the project’s design and build contractor composed of CMC di Ravenna (Italy), First Balfour, Inc. (Philippines), and Chun Wo Engineering (Hong Kong).

New group out to position Sara for 2022 run By Rio N. Araja BAGONG Henerasyon party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera, the spokesperson of Hugpong Para kay Sara, on Sunday said the new citizens group would provide in depth research, economic studies and grassroots support to reluctant presidential candidate-to-be Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte in a bid to tip her toward a decision to run in the 2022 national elections. “We are doing all these research and study to play on the obvious strengths of Mayor Sara which is her commitment to continue to her father’s legacy, but at the same time use her independent spirit, decisiveness and style of thoroughly thinking of developmental solutions, qualities which clearly propelled her to the top of recent surveys,” she said. The citizen movement’s main purpose is to help Duterte “to study what needs to be done” after her father’s term, she noted. “We understand why she has not made her decision yet to run for president. This is not an easy decision to make. But we strongly believe that she is ready for this huge responsibility based on her track record and appeal with the masa,” she said. She said the group’s objective is to provide research and studies. “The surveys are high for Mayor Sara because naturally people want her to continue her father’s successful programs,” she raised. She brushed aside fears of several sectors of another woman President.

28 convicted of trafficking in persons—DOJ THE Department of Justice has successfully prosecuted in various trial courts some 25 case of trafficking in persons that resulted in the conviction of 28 accused from January 1 to June 30 this year. Justice Undersecretary Emmeline Aglipay Villar stressed that in the 25 TIP cases, there were 73 victims, 57 of them minors. Villar also said that from 2005 to June 30, 2021, there have been 679 judgments of conviction secured by the DOJ from various courts. The cases resulted in the conviction of 681 persons. According to her, the highest number of convictions was secured in 2018 with 129, followed by 92 in 2020 and 89 in 2019. “The submissions for convictions and other data usually come at the end of the year.” Some courts “do not submit data mid-year,” she said. Charges in TIP cases involve violations of Republic Act No. 9208, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act enacted in 2003. Under RA 9208, jail term for violators ranges from six years to life imprisonment with fines ranging from P500,000 to P2 million. Rey Requejo

News

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MONDAY, AUGUST 16, 2021

MODERNA vaccines, about 469,200 doses, arrive at the NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay City mid-afternoon of Sunday to help Filipinos in the battle against the coronavirus (COVID-19) which has infected and killed thousands since March last year. PNA

Cayetano urges DU30 to okay 10k cash aid By Rio N. Araja EX-SPEAKER Alan Peter Cayetano is urging President Rodrigo Duterte to approve the P10,000-cash aid per family at the soonest, saying the late distribution of aid would only defeat the purpose of the enhanced community quarantine and could lead to another surge in COVID-19 cases. “We are glad that the government has already started the distribution of P4,000 each family,” he said. He described the defeat of the purpose for an early release of the P10,000 aid as a “circuit breaker” for the pandemic, during which people must not leave their homes. He made the statement during a Facebook livestream of the “Sari-Saring Pag-Asa” program with his allies last Aug. 11, during which a total of 90 variety store owners received P3,500 each as added capital for their business. Since their filing of the 10K Ayuda Bill on Feb. 1, Cayetano and his allies in Congress have been pushing for the passage of a P10,000-cash aid per family to help them purchase their basic needs while having enough left to put up their own micro-enterprise amid the pandemic. The bill was procedurally considered under the House-approved Bayanihan 3, but the P10,000 cash aid provision was not adopted.

Muslim vendor kidnap-slay denounced MAYOR Juhar Dimaporo Disomimba of Tamparan, Lanao del Sur has condemned the kidnap-murder of its native, Nadia Casar, 35, a Muslim who lived in Cavite- Mayor Juhar and online jew- Dimaporo Disomimba elry seller with transaction in Nueva Ecija. Official records suggested she and her Grab driver were kidnapped last July 20. The driver was robbed of his mobile phone and cash but was released the next day. He overheard the abductors telling Casar to contact her relatives for ransom money. Eleven days later, Casar’s burnt corpse was discovered in Imelda Valley, Palayan City. Initial investigation showed the five suspects wereNueva Ecija policemen. They have been sacked from the police and charged before the Department of Justice. Disomimba said that while MuslimFilipinos live a life of peace, they are treated with violence and discrimination. “The LGU-Tamparan and the Muslim community condemn the inhuman killing of Casar who was a constituent of Tamparan,” he said.

Enrolment begins in public schools

ILLIONS of public school students can start registering for the next school year on Monday, August 16, the Department of Education said, adding the enrollment period will end on September 13, also the first day of classes.

For 2021-2022 academic year, schools will be implementing distance learning again as in-person classes remain indefinitely banned due to the continued threat of COVID-19. Private schools have been allowed to start classes as early as June. Enrollment for the upcoming school year will be done remotely in areas under enhanced community quarantine and modified enhanced community quarantine, the DepEd said in Order No. 32, which sets guidelines for the enrollment period. Under remote enrollment, parents will be contacted by the school but they can also reach out to teachers, the department said. Parents and guardians may physically

submit the Modified Learner Enrollment and Survey Forms (MLESF) in schools in areas under general community quarantine and modified general community quarantine, the DepEd said. It added that schools might also implement drop box enrollment, under which parents would submit accomplished MLESF in drop boxes or booths “in front of the school gate, in front of the barangay halls and other strategic locations.” The agency said it also preferred teachers and non-teaching personnel who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 to manage enrollment. Parents of incoming kindergarten and Grades 7 and 11 students — grade levels that underwent early registration

earlier this year — must “re-affirm their intent to enroll their children to a school of their choice via digital and/ or physical enrollment platforms established by schools.” Learners planning to transfer from one school to another, meanwhile, must contact the receiving school through its published enrollment contact details. “[The] previous adviser is no longer required to facilitate submission of MLESF of learner that is about to transfer to another school,” the DepEd said. Balik-Aral learners, or those who will resume their studies after dropping out, are instructed to directly contact their preferred schools for enrollment. The education department also advised those enrolling under the Alternative Learning System (ALS) to “communicate their intent to enroll via digital and/or physical enrollment platforms established by schools and barangays with community learning centers.”

DRIVE-THRU.

Bacolod City started implementing the drive-thru vaccination Sunday at the 5th floor parking area of Ayala Malls Capitol Central in what Mayor Evelio Leonardia described as yet another measure achieve herd immunity.

COVID-19 travel ban extended

THE Immigration Bureau extended the COVID-19 travel ban from 10 countries to August 31, according to a Sunday afternoon 24 Oras News Alert. Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente explained the extended travel restrictions covered the following countries: -India, -Pakistan, -Nepal, -Bangladesh, -Sri Lanka, -Oman, -United Arab Emirates, -Indonesia, -Malaysia, and -Thailand. The travel restriction was extended based on an Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases resolution, and was part of the effort to control the spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant. Morente meanwhile said they had asked the airlines not to fly in foreigners from the countries covered by the travel ban extension. Filipinos flying in from these countries through the Foreign Affairs Department’s repatriation program would be allowed to enter the country, provided they test negative in a swab test and go through the mandatory 14-day facility-based quarantine when they arrive.

Villar tent hosts vax for seamen By Macon Ramos-Araneta THE Office of Senator Cynthia Villar is preparing anew for the massive anti-COVID vaccination of the 3rd batch of around 3,000 Filipino seafarers at The Villar Tent at the Vista Global South in Las Pinas City on the third week of August 2021. Upon the request of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), the Villar family has hosted, without cost to the government, the anti-COVID vaccination of 2 previous batches of Pinoy seafarers. The Villar hosting of seafarers’ vaccination was first held in June 25, with 1,100 getting their jabs, while the second was held on July 28, 29, August 2 and 3. Around 5,000 seafarers were adminsitered the anti-COVID vaccines. The family-owned Villlar Tent is the only privately-owned facility and vaccination site chosen by MARINA among the three identified vaccination sites for our seafarers. The two others are the Bureau of Quarantine Central at the Port Area, Manila, and the Office of the Associated Marine’s Officers’ and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP) in Intramuros, Manila. Protocols in The Villar Tent are in place to ensure that all areas are disinfected and that people strongly adhere to health and safety protocols like the wearing of face masks and face shields. Due to the requirement of their overseas employment, only Western vaccines, namely Pfizer, Moderna and Jansen, were administered to seafarers. It is expected that the same set of vaccines will be inoculated to the 3rd batch of seafarers.

QC mayor assures displaced workers of 2k financial help By Rio N. Araja

QUEZON City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Sunday assured displaced workers not covered by the national government’s financial aid to receive P2,000 under Kalingang QC program. Residents not covered by the national government’s enhanced community

quarantine financial assistance can receive a one-time P2,000 cash aid under the revived Kalingang QC program, she said. Through Belmonte’s Executive Order 19 S-2021, financial assistance shall be extended to the residents who have lost their jobs or other sources of livelihood during the ECQ implemen-

tation but are not entitled to cash aid from the national government. “We will prioritize persons who are physically residing in Quezon City and not receiving ayuda under the national government’s ECQ financial assistance and those who will not receive any form of cash aid,” the city mayor said. Those entitled are persons who

would not receive wages as well as self-employed individuals not permitted to work for the duration of the ECQ until Aug. 20. “The order applies to any employment status, whether regular, probationary, seasonal, part-time, projectbased or fixed term employees,” Belmonte said.

Milk bank extends services By Rio N. Araja

IMPROPER. Tagaytay police, with barangay officials, reprimand Sunday a salesman for improper wearing of face shield inside the Tagaytay public market in Cavite. JR Josue

THE Quezon City government’s human milk bank has extended its services to in-need babies admitted at the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Tala Hospital in Caloocan City, whose mothers were found positive of COVID-19. “It has always been part of the QC Human Milk Bank’s program to extend our services to in need infants and moms regardless of the city they are in,” chief Dr. Shahani Duque said. Three liters of pasteurized breast milk were donated to Tala Hospital for infants whose mothers are Cov-

id-19 patients and in quarantine. Sick and premature babies will benefit from the donated breastmilk. The QCHMB and the QC Health Department collected donated human milk from breastfeeding moms in the city’s 32 lying-in clinics. The human milk bank also continuously picked up bags of milk from screened private donors. Last May, the QCHMB also provided seven liters of pasteurized human milk to neonates at the Philippine General Hospital affected by the fire accident in the hospital. Last year, the city also helped breastfeeding mothers affected by the Taal Volcano eruption.

Opinion

MONDAY, AUGUST 16, 2021

NAKED THOUGHT

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

CHARLIE V. MANALO

‘Gaudeamus igitur’

EDITORIAL

Connecting the dots

Another similar ecumenical milestone happened again on August 3, the anniversary of the “Proclamation of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente,” marking the definite separation of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) from the Roman Catholic Church more than a hundred years ago. But what used to be a day of HE Commission on Audit (COA) felt compelled to division ushered in a path of reconciliation for THE 500th anniversary of the arrival of Chris- the two churches. clarify its 2020 annual audit report that found that tianity in the Philippines would have been one Inside the IFI’s National Cathedral of the the Department of Health (DOH) failed to manage of the most important events in the largest Holy Child, IFI bishops and their Roman Catholic nation in Asia. Despite the ex- Catholic counterparts took part in a “liturgiP67.323 billion in COVID-19 response funds. pectedly muted celebration of the first re- cal launching” of two documents—“Celecorded Easter Sunday mass in Limasawa and brating the Gift of Faith, Learning from the Expressions of outrage, including calls for the first Catholic baptism in Cebu, however, Past, Journeying Together” and the “Mutual the resignation of Health Secretary Francisco If the irregularities OPEN not all is lost in this year’s quadricentennial Recognition of Baptism between the Iglesia Duque III, flooded social media after the reTHOUGHTS are as plenty and as big celebration, despite the challenges posed by Filipina Independiente and the Roman Cathport was made public Wednesday last week. the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The report was especially galling taken olic Church in the Philippines”. as this, would thinking of ORLANDO Despite the “aggiornamento” envisioned in the light of a fresh surge in COVID-19 The first statement fittingly acknowledged corruption necessarily be OXALES by the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s, the shared beginnings of both the IFI and the cases and the worsening situation of health the Catholic Church in the Philippines has Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines. care workers, many of whom are considera leap in logic? kept its distance from efforts to promote the The Roman Catholic Church strived to live the ing resigning because of the government’s ecumenical cause, that is, the unity of all mission within the context of an expanding emfailure to provide them their much-deChristians. While in many ways, the Cath- pire pushing the boundaries against all odds, served hazard pay. ernment, non-posting of procurement inforolic Church has collaborated with other while the IFI fought for a truly Filipino church In a statement issued Friday, the COA mation, non-publication of technical specifiChristian churches such as the publication and against the alleged abuses by the Spanish said: “Accompanying the observations and cations, non-use of already-procured medical of a common translation of the Bible, such colonial establishment. The division started findings are the recommendations made by equipment and supplies, absence of legal bacooperation has not really trickled down to not with questions of doctrine and faith, but the auditors for the management of DOH sis for cash allowances, gift certificates, and the parish or diocesan level. to address the observation and findings... NAKED grocery items, and absence of documentation against the injustices of colonial rule. The historical hurts of the past must have which allows the audited agency to...rectify for in-kind donations, improper charging of The second statement was even SO more hisTHOUGHT contributed to this uneasy relationship be- torically significant. In its early years, the IFI any deficiencies.” transactions, utilization of funds not for inI SEEwantween Christian churches in the Philippines. went through a period of “theological “The Report itself does not mention anyCHARLIE tended purposes, and doubtful liquidations V. Health For three centuries, fi ndings by the auditors of funds lost to corof Philippine Insurance Corporation dering” leading to LITO MANALO the Roman Catholic ruption,” the commission added. (PhilHealth) claims. the adoption of UniBANAYO Church held on to an While the way to In short, COA emphasized that it was “This condition affects the utilization of tarian beliefs. Actunquestioned hegemerely pointing out deficiencies by the COVID-19 funds vis-a-vis the agency’s iming out of prudence, full reconciliation may mony of faith. But DOH -- deficiencies that can still be cor- plementation capabilities and its response the Roman Catholic as soon as Spain’s still be far off, a journey Church decided not rected, and that it was not saying there was to the urgent health care needs during the patronage ended corruption at the department. time of state of calamity or national emerto recognize bapof a thousand miles THE FIFTH gency,” the report said. along with its coloIn the audit report available to the public tisms conducted by nial grip over the isalways begins with a on the COA’s website, findings include the For his part, Duque insists that his agency the IFI. This policy GOSPEL CROSSROADS lands, many Filipino DOH’s non-submission of supporting papers takes COA findings seriously and that they did not change even single step. JUDEof are currently addressing the compliance isCatholics saw it as an on the use of COVID funds, violations when the IFI finally opportunity to septhe Government Procurement Reform Act, sues and deficiencies raised in the report upheld theJ.A. TrinitariACIDRE DELA arate themselves purchases found disadvantageous to the gov“Rest assured, that the funds allotted to an faith in theCRUZ 1940s. from papal authority and decided to While Roman Catholics recognized bapestablish their own church. tisms conducted by other Protestants, such That act of separation—schism from the as the Lutherans and Episcopalians—no such eyes of Rome±continues to persist to our day recognition was given to IFI baptisms. As a as the “Iglesia Filipina Independiente”—the result, converts from the IFI, or those seeking Philippine Independent Church, also known to be married in the Catholic Church had to be However, it emphasizes that the “success in as the Aglipayan Church, named after its re-baptized. OPEN the digital era will require a new set of skills, founder, Fr. Gregorio Aglipay. In fact, when Pope Francis visited the education systems and lifelong training proTHOUGHTS Soon, several missionaries came to the Philippines in 2015, the then Supreme Bishgrams need to adapt in order to give people Philippines, to propagate the Protestant faith op of the IFI, Efraim Fajutagana asked the ORLANDO the means to thrive in this new context and and sadly, to proselytize Catholics to join pope to recognize their church’s baptismal prepare them for the future.” OXALES them and abandon the religion of their birth. rites to ease mixed marriages and facilitate Over time, the Catholic Church managed the enrollment of Aglipayan children in BEFORE the pandemic, education for Filito accept the new political order and toler- Roman Catholic schools. The belated reply pinos was the traditional brick and mortar, In a digital economy, ate the presence of the newly established to their petition came in March this year, laddered progression of curriculum reqProtestant churches—again thought to be when in the Catholic Church’s revised list businesses will demand uisites before the student finally achieved heretics by Rome. After all, an overwhelm- of validly administered baptisms by other those coveted academic degrees as proof of workers with new skill ing majority of Filipinos remained Catho- Christian churches now included the Iglesia one’s competence and eligibility for a cholics, thus allowing the Church to maintain Filipina Independiente. sets that our education sen career path. its moral, social and institutional domiIt was indeed providential that the anniWe can then imagine the big shock to system must produce. nance over Philippine society. versary of the 500 years of Christianity in the both public and private educational instituSuddenly the Second Vatican Coun- Philippines, starting with the first baptisms in tions when all schools had to suddenly shift cil changed it all. From being schismat- Cebu, would lead to this historic act of recogFor the Philippines, the paper acknowlto e-learning for their learners. ics and heretics, non-Catholic Christians nizing the validity of IFI baptisms, reinforcing Parents who had children in schools that edged government support in raising social were now considered as our “separated in fact and in faith, in the words of the Second could not offer online learning went on a mad awareness and integrating ICT in the school brethren.” From exchanging anathemas Vatican Council in its Decree on Ecumenism scramble to look for one and with the help of curricula. Still, it sees formidable challengwith each other, Catholics and Protestants that “all who have been justified by faith in online searches and maybe some advice from es in improving school infrastructure for were found gathering together for prayer, baptism are incorporated into Christ; they are friends. They took the first available school IT education and addressing the dearth of studying at each other’s seminaries and accepted as brothers [and sisters] by the chileven if they did not have any idea how these qualified teachers who will provide the trainworking on common outreach programs. dren of the Catholic Church.” ing. According to 2012 data, Philippine schools online platforms would actually work. The sad reality is that the Church in the During the said prayer service, it was anIn my case, my elder son’s college, known had weaker ICT infrastructure compared to Philippines tarried in treading the ecumenical nounced that both statements will be read in for its technology programs, could not make emerging Asian countries such as Malaysia, Sinpath. While Catholics and Protestants in the all IFI and Roman Catholic churches on Authe shift as quickly as other schools. It had gapore, Thailand, and China, with the gap most country began to acknowledge each more po- gust 15, the Solemnity of the Assumption to cope as best as it could. For my younger pronounced in primary schools. litely, a lot was wanting in terms of concrete of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Indeed it was a Citing studies by Alba and Trani (2018) child in seventh grade, I tried monitoring efforts for ecumenism. Even the yearly powerful affirmation of the strong devotion how e-learning was conducted and quickly and Caluz et al. (2017) on teacher’s ICT use celebration of the Week of Prayer for Chris- of both churches to Mary. After the handing realized how unbelievably complicated and and competency, found that “teachers need tian Unity at the national level does not seem of the documents, representatives of the IFI unconducive to learning the system was. In more training to apply basic ICT skills profito affect ecumenical relations at the parish or and the Roman Catholic Church exchanged my opinion, their platform, the teachers, the ciently in the classroom.” diocesan levels. It seems that Christ’s prayer, images of Mary. The IFI presented the Our “Concerns include limited time availcontent, everybody—including us parents— “Ut unum sint” seemed to fall on deaf ears. Lady of Balintawak, an IFI Marian devoable for accessing ICT equipment and were just not ready. Until of course this year, when the quad- tion that pleaded for the longed-for indeThe 2019 paper “Rethinking Education tools, lack of an Internet connection, a ricentennial celebration brought Catholics pendence of our country. On the other hand, for the Digital Era” published by the Organ- shortage of computer units and other and Protestants alike back to the common the Roman Catholics gave an image of the isation for Economic Co-operation and De- equipment, and lack of technical assisorigins of the Christian faith in these is- Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, long velopment (OECD) premised that as “new tance for operating, maintaining and troublelands. In fact, on Pentecost Sunday this venerated in Antipolo and one of the oldest technologies, such as robotics, artificial in- shooting ICT tools.” (Caluza et al., 2017) year, the Catholic Bishops Conference of Marian shrines in the country. The OECD paper maintains that “teachers’ telligence and advances in information and the Philippines issued a common statement In their common statement, both IFI and computer technology, are changing the way skills, motivation and attitude are essenwith the National Council of Churches of Roman Catholics committed to “ask and societies interact, produce and create. These tial to reaping the benefits from ICT use the Philippines and the Philippine Coun- pray for mutual forgiveness for any injuadvances present a huge opportunity to im- in classrooms” and “more complex digital cil of Evangelical Churches. The statement ries inflicted in the past” and “strive for prove human welfare and well-being through skills that allow them to tailor the use entitled “One Ecumenical Family: A Unity the healing and purification of memories increased productivity and the personalisation of technology for their own teaching” Statement of the Christian Churches in the among our members.” While the way to NAKED resulting in better student performance.” of services to fit people’s needs.” Philippines” was an invitation they SO to all Chris- full reconciliation may still be far off, as THOUGHT tians in the Philippines to celebrate a com- always say, a journey of a thousand miles alI SEE mon heritage of the Gospel message. ways begins with a single step. CHARLIEfrom V. Zamboanga City, plans to stay with the year-training schedule complete with possible LITO MANALO Philippine Air Force where she is expected to stints in accredited tournaments abroad outBANAYO be elevated to the rank of lieutenant while hon- side of the Asian and SEA games. His fellow Mindanaoan, middleweight ing her skills to defend her title not only in the Olympics but in the Asian and Southeast Asiam bronze medalist Marcial, who was actually touted as the gold medal favorite in the Tokyo Games in the years before the Paris Games. Games, is still weighing whether he wants to served medals. This is equal to our output in THE FIFTH turn pro now or wait for another try for Olymthe 1928 Olympics but decidedly brighter with pic glory four years from now. Bravo. Cheers. the gold and two silvers. InGOSPEL 1928, we got one CROSSROADS Our other 12 hopefuls who made the silver and three bronzes. Mabuhay. JUDE Olympic grade are all young and hungry for That outstanding feat was made even sweetJ.A. ACIDRE Olympic glory. Our world-renowned gymnast er noting that we bested all our ASEAN neighDELA CRUZ Carlos Yulo who missed bronze in the gymbors and got better results than such more nastic floor exercises is now back in training developed countries like India, New Zealand, Nesthy Petecio, our first Olympic silver as are our track star Kristina Knott and pole TAKE a bow, 2020 Olympians! All 16 of you. Austria and about 30 other countries many of medalist in women’s boxing and also the vaulter EJ Obiena. The skateboarding sensaYou deserve the country’s accolade and thanks whom never got any medal at all. reigning Southeast Asian Games title holder, tion Margielyn Didal is back conquering the What makes this an even better bargain is for bringing honor to our benighted land. In is only 26 years old. Like Hidilyn, she is in alleys and byways of her native Cebu. the midst of the pandemic and the high pro- that all of the medal winners—save for EuTo their credit and that of our sports offiher prime. Petecio, who lost by split decision file infighting within the Philippine Olympic mir Marcial, if he decides to turn pro before cials and of course President Duterte and a to a hometown favorite, vows to fi nally box OPEN Committee in the middle of our preparations, the next Olympics in 2024/25 in Paris—are reinvigorated private sector, we can now rest her way to gold in 2024. raring to go back to lead off you managed to bring honor to our people all young and THOUGHTS On the other hand, Carlo Paalam, the assured that God willing, our golden Olympic hauling one gold (our first ever after 97 years our medal charge in this quadrennial world 23-year-old flyweight silver medalist from years are ahead of us. of participation), two silvers (also a first) and sporting event. ORLANDO Bravo. Cheers. Mabuhay. Cagayan de Oro, has come up with a fourHidilyn Diaz,OXALES our 29-year-old gold medalist one bronze, for a grand total of four much de-

THE FIFTH GOSPEL JUDE ACIDRE

the DOH are all spent for the procurement of test kits, PPEs, payment of HCWs benefits, salaries of HRH among others,” he said, adding that their offices are open to scrutiny of how they spent taxpayers’ money. Of course the report does not point to corruption or fraud, as the clarification says. Former COA commissioner Heidi Mendoza said in a social media post that the report is an annual audit report and not a fraud audit report. But she also said that the process of issuing an audit report takes input from the office being audited after an initial round of questions by the auditors. Thus, the report in its final form takes into consideration the response of management—and corrective measures could have been done at this point. What likely spurred the backlash from the public are persistent, recurring proofs of the Health secretary’s inability to manage the government response to the pandemic and his apparent staying power despite the glaring evidence of incompetence during the past year and a half. Other issues have simply been overtaken by other problems without being resolved. People who expressed outrage over the COA report and over Duque are not exaggerating or acting irrationally. They are driven by previous controversies and are enraged by questions that have remained unanswered. If the irregularities are as plenty and as big as this, would thinking of corruption necessarily be a leap in logic? Failure to account for taxpayer’s funds is unacceptable in ordinary times. During a health crisis, when people are getting sick, dying, and are losing their livelihood, it is simply reprehensible.

Education for the digital economy

Take a bow, PH Olympians

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The recent online forum of the 15th Liveable Cities Lab organized by the League of Cities in partnership with Globe Telecom, Stratbase Group Founder and CEO, Prof. Dindo Manhit stated that, “Technology, infrastructure, and tools can be developed and purchased. However, this must be matched with talent and the next generation of skills that can wield the power of technology.” Prof. Manhit stressed: “Digital Readiness is about the people’s readiness. A people-centric approach that harnesses the benefits of digital technologies as power tools to prosper in an evolving digital revolution.” Globe Telecom VP for Site Acquisition and Management, Mr. Vince Tempongko, for his part said: “The effects of this pandemic particularly in the advancement of digital adoption will deﬁnitely stay and affect the way we work, study, and promote awareness campaigns.” For students, the learning experience when switching from face to face to a virtual classroom may seem exciting at ﬁrst but being able to effectively adapt to the online learning environment will take time. Online learning requires high bandwidth speeds, stable internet connections, and access to the right devices which for the vast majority of students at all levels, are not easy out of pocket expenses. E-Learners are now realizing how much more time and the intensity of concentration and work needed for online courses. Students cannot be passive and will need to develop a positive and self-motivating attitude to survive digital education. In a digital economy, businesses will demand workers with new skill sets that our education system must produce. While the government and private sector must invest aggressively in our digital infrastructure, educational institutions will need to closely collaborate with industry for support in upgrading capacities and develop a digitally empowered workforce ready to excel in the emerging digital economy.

MORE OPINION ONLINE (www.manilastandard.net) NAKED THOUGHT CHARLIE V. MANALO

PDP’s folly, BBM’s gain

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Emil P. Jurado

TO THE POINT

Honor Blanco Cabie Night Editor EMIL P. Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer Elmer T. Alitagtag JURADO Art Director

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

World

MONDAY, JULY 5, 2021 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Taliban poised outside Kabul, ready to rule

ABUL—The Taliban was on the brink of total victory in Afghanistan on Sunday, with its fighters ordered to wait on the outskirts of the capital and the government conceding it was preparing for a “transfer of power”.

The Taliban’s militants surrounded Kabul following an astonishing rout of government forces and warlord militias achieved in just 10 days. The fall of Kabul would see the hardline Islamic group take back power two decades after US-led forces toppled it in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks. “The Islamic Emirate instructs all its forces to stand at the gates of Kabul, not to try to enter the city,” a spokesman for the Taliban tweeted as residents reported insurgents on the outskirts of the city. “Until the completion of the transition process, the responsibility for the security of Kabul is with the other side (the Afghan government)”. The Afghan government soon after signalled there were negotiations underway to avoid bloodshed in Kabul, and to give the Taliban control. “The Afghan people should not worry... there will be no attack on the city and there will be a peaceful transfer of power to the transitional government,” Interior Minister Abdul Sattar Mirzakwal said in a recorded speech. But the Taliban’s imminent takeover triggered fear and panic in Kabul among residents fearful of the group’s hardline brand of Islam. “I saw police taking off their uni-

forms and putting on shalwar kameez,” said one resident, referring to traditional South Asian clothing. - Isolated The scale and speed of the insurgents’ advance have shocked Afghans and the US-led alliance that poured billions into the country over the past two decades. FLYING HIGH. Taliban fighters drive an Afghan National Army (ANA) vehicle through the streets of Laghman province with the President Ashraf Ghani’s government insurgent group’s white flag flying high on August 15. AFP was left completely isolated on Sunday after the Taliban claimed the anti-Taliban northern stronghold of Mazar-iSharif and the eastern city of Jalalabad. Like with most of the other captured HONG KONG—The Hong Kong pro- precedented severe challenge,” the Civil lion people marched at some rallies, in a cities, the seizure of power came after test coalition that organised record- Human Rights Front wrote in a statement city of 7.3 million residents. government forces surrendered or rebreaking democracy rallies two years announcing why it was disbanding. But the deliberately leaderless detreated. ago said Sunday it was disbanding in the Its remaining HK$1.6 million mocracy movement became increasingIt left the Taliban holding all the cards face of China’s sweeping clampdown ($205,000) in assets would be donated ly fierce as clashes escalated between in any negotiated surrender of the capion dissent in the city. to “appropriate groups”, the statement riot police and smaller groups of more tal. The dissolution comes as China re- added. hardcore, often young, protesters. On Saturday Ghani sought to projmoulds Hong Kong in its own authoriThe 2019 protests began in response - Security law ect authority with a national address in tarian image and purges the city of any to a deeply unpopular law that would China’s response to protesters has which he spoke of “re-mobilising” the person or group deemed disloyal or un- have allowed extraditions from the been to dismiss their demands and pormilitary while seeking a “political solupatriotic. semi-autonomous city to authoritarian tray them as part of a foreign plot to detion” to the crisis. The Civil Human Rights Front mainland China. stabilise the motherland. Ghani offered no public comments on (CHRF) was a major player in the But they soon morphed into calls for A sweeping national security law was Sunday. months of democracy protests that con- greater democracy and police account- imposed on the city last year that crimiPresident Joe Biden ordered the devulsed Hong Kong in 2019. ability after huge crowds were dispersed nalised much dissent and has seen many ployment of an additional 1,000 US But the group said Beijing’s subse- with tear gas and rubber bullets. of the city’s democracy leaders jailed troops to help secure the emergency quent crackdown on democracy supThe CHRF, founded in 2002, es- for fled overseas. evacuation from Kabul of embassy emporters and a de facto ban on protests poused non-violence and routinely got More than 30 civil society groups have ployees and thousands of Afghans who had left it with little future. crowds of hundreds of thousands strong already disbanded, fearful that national worked for American forces and now “All member groups have been sup- onto the streets. security police will come for them next, fear Taliban reprisals. AFP pressed and civil society is facing an unSome estimates said more than a mil- according to a tally kept by AFP. AFP

HK group behind huge democracy rallies disbands

Japan braces for more rain, floods, landslides; rescuers work overtime TOKYO—Japan braced for further downpours on Sunday as rescuers sifted through flood and landslide damage after record rain that left at least three dead. Residents returned to check on their mud-covered homes in the southwest, where nearly two million people were advised to urgently seek shelter Saturday as rivers overflowed. “So many logs tumbled down and crashed into this area” from nearby mountains, an elderly resident of Kanzaki in Saga prefecture told public broadcaster NHK. REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 217- QUEZON CITY rtc1qzn217@judiciary.gov.ph IN THE MATTER OF PETITION FOR RECOGNITION OF FOREIGN DECREE OF DIVORCE UNDER RULE 108 EVELYN G. BON, Petitioner, -versus-

“It was so, so scary,” she said. “You absolutely have to leave when it rains.” More than a metre (three feet) of rain has been recorded since Wednesday in the northern part of Kyushu, one of the places hardest hit by a band of intense wet weather stretching across Japan. Showers had eased in the region on Sunday, with the weather agency downgrading alerts from the top level, but more rain was expected from the evening. “We have not started to survey human or property damage on a full scale,” said Hironori Fujiki, a city official in Kyushu’s Nagasaki prefecture. “We have yet to see an entire picture of the disaster,” he told AFP. Two women in their 70s were confirmed dead after they were found in a drainage canal, Fujiki said. AFP

CIVIL CASE NO. R-QZN-19-18520-CV

TOSHINAO MIYAZAKI, PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY and CITY CIVIL REGISTRY OF QUEZON CITY, Respondents. x-----------------------------------------------------x

SECOND AMENDED ORDER This is a verified petition filed by Evelyn G. Bon praying for the judicial recognition of foreign judgment of divorce obtained in Japan and cancellation of the report of marriage from the records of Philippine Statistics Authority and City Civil Registry of Quezon City. Petitioner alleges that she got married to Toshinao Miyazaki on December 17, 1999 in Koshigaya-shi, Saitama, Japan; that petitioner and Miyazaki met in Japan where they became friends and eventually sweethearts; that petitioner and Miyazaki were not blessed with an offspring during their marriage; that after more than two years of marriage, Miyazaki lost his job and he forcefully asked petitioner to leave his house which petitioner did; that Miyazaki was able to obtain a divorce decree in the City Government of Koshigaya City, Saitama Prefecture, Japan on August 29, 2002; that petitioner is now seeking that the foreign divorce decree obtained by Toshinao Miyazaki in Japan be judicially recognized. Finding the petition to be sufficient in form ad substance, notice is hereby given that said petition is hereby set for hearing on October 6, 2021 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning before this Court located at Room 604, Sixth Floor, Hall of Justice – Annex, Diliman, Quezon City at which place and on which date and time, any person who has objections to the petition may appear and file his opposition thereto. Let a copy of this Second Amended Order be published at the expense of the petitioner, once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks a newspaper of general circulation throughout the Philippines. Likewise, let a copy of the petition with its annexes and this Second Amended Order be furnished to the Office of the Solicitor General, Office of the City Prosecutor of Quezon City, Office of the Local Civil Registrar of Quezon City, Philippine Statistics Authority, Quezon City and be posted in the Bulletin Board of the Office of the Clerk of Court, Regional Trial Court, Quezon City. SO ORDERED. Quezon City, Philippines, June 3, 2021. (Sgd.) DOLLY ROSE R.BOLANTE-PRADO Acting Presiding Judge Cc: Atty. Donnarence M. Masilungan-Jalmasco Counsel for the Petitioner The Cabanas Mall, Northwing 3 Space C, McArthur Highway, Longos, Malolos, Bulacan attydmmasilungan@gmail.com Office of the Solicitor General Makati City Office of the City Prosecutor Quezon City Office of the Local Civil Registrar Quezon City Philippine Statistics Authority Quezon City Toshinao Miyazaki 1-65-42- Iwana, Noda City Chiba Prefecture, Japan

(MStandard-Aug. 16, 23 & 30, 2021)

Double whammy for Turkey as 55 die in flash floods

WWII MEMORIAL.

Japan’s Emperor Naruhito (right) and Empress Masako observe a moment of silence during a memorial service marking the 76th anniversary of the end of World War II in Tokyo on August 15. AFP

Ivory Coast records first case of Ebola, says health minister ABIDJAN—Ivory Coast has recorded a first case of Ebola, the health minister announced late Saturday, the first occurrence of the deadly disease in nearly three decades. Officials at the Institut Pasteur had confirmed the case after testing samples taken from an 18-year-old Guinean woman, Health Minister Pierre N’Gou Demba said on RTI state television. She had left the city of Labe in Guinea by road, arriving in Ivory Coast on Wednesday, he added. “This is an isolated and imported

case,” he said, adding that the patient was currently being treated in intensive care in Abidjan. Ivory Coast already had doses of the vaccine against Ebola, which go to anyone who had been in contact with her, such as the medical staff treating her. Prime Minister Patrick Achi had chaired an emergency interministerial meeting earlier Saturday, the minister added. Appealing for calm, he said the authorities had already activated an emergency plan which included the identifi-

cation and surveillance of anyone who had come into contact with the patient. According to the World Health Organisation, this is the first case of Ebola in Ivory Coast since 1994. On June 19, the World Health Organization declared an end to a four-month outbreak of Ebola in Guinea that claimed the lives of 12 people there. But a statement from WHO Africa on Saturday said: “There is no indication that the current case in Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) is linked to the earlier outbreak in Guinea. AFP

INDEPENDENCE MARCH. Soldiers march as they arrive at the Red Fort to participate in the celebrations to mark India’s 75th Independence Day in New Delhi on August 15. AFP

ISTANBUL—Turkey battled disaster on two fronts on Saturday with eight people dying when a fire-fighting aircraft crashed and rescuers racing to find survivors of flash floods in the north that have killed at least 55. Ankara and Moscow announced that all eight people on the Russian plane had perished on the fire-fighting mission. The air tragedy came just as Turkey was gaining control of hundreds of wildfires that killed eight people and destroyed swathes of forest along the scenic southern coast. Scientists believe such natural disasters are becoming more intense and frequent because of global warming caused by polluting emissions. Russian President Vladimir Putin sent condolences to his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erodgan saying “the pain of this loss unites us”. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu added: “Condolences to our nation and to the Russian people. This heroic sacrifice will not be forgotten.” In Moscow, the defence ministry said five Russian servicemen and three Turkish citizens were on board the Russian Be-200 plane that went down around 1330 GMT. Television footage showed a column of smoke rising from the remote mountainous zone in Turkey’s south. Turkey’s defence ministry issued a statement saying the aircraft on loan from Russia had taken off from Adana to help extinguish fires burning in Kahramanmaras province. A surveillance plane and a helicopter had been dispatched to the crash site, the ministry added. Russian consular representatives and a defense ministry commission were reportedly on their way to the area. Combing rubble for survivors On the floods front the official disaster agency AFAD said teams were combing through the rubble of dozens of homes that collapsed due to the floods that hit Black Sea regions on Wednesday after heavy rains. In the village of Babacay in the northern province of Sinop, 40 houses and two bridges were completely destroyed by the floods, according to state news agency Anadolu. The latest official death toll published Saturday by AFAD stood at 55, with nine other people in hospital. AFP

Business PSEi August 13, 2021

TOP GAINERS LAST PRICE

% CHANGE CHANGE

1 2

ACEN APC

9.4 0.35

0.58 0.015

6.58% 4.48%

GMA7

13.88

0.54

4.05%

4 5

SECB KPH

117 5.4

4.5 0.2

4.00% 3.85%

PHN

13.5

0.5

3.85%

MER

290

3.57%

BKR

1.25

0.04

3.31%

9 10

BPI CEI

84.8 0.129

2.7 0.004

3.29% 3.20%

TOP LOSERS LAST PRICE

% CHANGE CHANGE

1 2

LRW MACAY

0.39 5.18

-0.21 -2.05

-35.00% -28.35%

PRIM

2.11

-0.34

-13.88%

OPMB

0.011

-0.001

-8.33%

5 6

BLOOM MFIN

5.29 2.72

-0.48 -0.24

-8.32% -8.11%

AGI

-0.78

-7.98%

8 9 10

MB SMC PHA

0.405 102.3 1.21

-0.035 -8.7 -0.09

-7.95% -7.84% -6.92%

MONDAY, AUGUST 16, 2021 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Volatile trading seen; eyes on longer lockdown period By Jenniffer B. Austria

HARES prices are expected to remain volatile this week on concerns the current stricter mobility restrictions could be extended due to continued spike in COVID-19 infections.

Analysts said investors will be monitoring government’s next action on quarantine restrictions as COVID-19 cases in many parts of the country continue to increase and as hospital utilization rate remains high. “To extend or not to extend current quarantine measures that is the ques-

tion, especially as Delta variant cases have been continuously rising. Looking at the regional peers, Thailand and Vietnam had to extend by at least two weeks, making the case for an extension very likely at least until COVID-19 suddenly reverses for the better,” online brokerage firm 2TradeAsiacom said. “The likelihood of the index retesting the 6,200 support level, a crucial pitstop over he past six months, remains high, especially in the face of possible quarantine restriction in areas near the capital,” it added. But analysts are expecting bargain hunters to be actively pick up stocks that have been battered last week after a steep decline. The Philippine Stock Exchange Index last week plunged 3.4 percent to 6,320.19, while the broader All Shares Index sank 1.9 percent to 3,976.94 as

investors reallocated funds ahead of the MSCI rebalancing. All sub-indices ended in the negative, led by holding firms (-4.07 percent) and property (-1.39 percent). Foreign investors, however, were net buyers for the week by P637.7 million, while the average daily value traded jumped to P10.4 billion from the previous week’s average of P4.9 billion. Weekly price gainers were Manila Electric Co. which rose 5.1 percent to P290; Aboitiz Power Corp., which climbed 4.5 percent to P24.20; and Megaworld Corp., which advanced 3.3 percent to P2.80 each. Weekly losers were JG Summit Holdings Inc., which dropped 9.8 percent to P55; Puregold Price Club Inc., which declined 6.2 percent to P102.30; and San Miguel Corp., fell 6.1 percent to P102.30 .

MOST ACTIVE 1

ACEN

VOLUME 362265300

VALUE (PHP) 3335839129

2 3

CNVRG EMP

102091500 115994500

2836877850 1426000210

4 5

DMC ALI

160940200 17686500

948176219 568073755

6 7

MER AC

1819520 699680

524801732 498598675

8 9

MONDE SMPH

29126400 11078100

455261510 369714175

351400

325940975

TOURISM KILLJOY. Holidaymakers enjoy the beach in Benidorm, Valencia, Spain on August 14, 2021. Benidorm is facing a significant drop in the number of tourists from Britain due to the restrictions imposed when returning to their country. AFP

World’s biggest copper mine in Chile signs deal to prevent strike SANTIAGO, Chile—The main workers’ union at the world’s biggest copper mine, Chile’s Escondida, announced Friday it had reached an agreement with Anglo-Australian giant BHP to avoid a strike. The union, which counts more than 2,000 members, said it had obtained “almost unanimous” approval for a new collective agreement proposed by management, canceling a strike notice that it had filed on July 31. BHP had already said earlier in the week that negotiations had ended, “resulting in the final content of the collective contract and closing conditions,” however the agreement had yet to be accepted by the union. Neither BHP nor the union published the financial details of the deal, although the company confirmed in a bulletin that the negotiated conditions would be in force for 36 months. “This afternoon, after almost unanimous acceptance by our base, we formalized the signing of our new collective contract, which includes the gains obtained during collective bargaining,” the union said. Local media reported that the agreement included a bonus for each union member of $23,000, as well as nearly $4,000 for extra days worked, in addition to other provisions. Workers at the Escondida mine had announced their intention to strike after insisting their demands for a oneoff bonus to recognize their work during the coronavirus pandemic had not been met. In 2017, Escondida workers staged a 44-day strike—the longest ever in the Chilean mining industry—that lost BHP $740 million and provoked a 1.3-percent fall in the country’s GDP. Chile is the world’s largest copper producer, with 5.6 million tons a year that make up 28 percent of global output, much of which is sold to China, the world’s biggest consumer. Mining makes up 10-15 percent of Chile’s GDP and half of its exports. AFP

Organizational Justice in the context of the pandemic As COVID-19 variant delays return to offices, many in the US don’t mind

Putting into practice IT HAS been more than a year since With these benefits in mind, what the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted can companies do in the context of the our lives. It came as a surprise NINA RICCI pandemic? To address job insecurity, and forced companies to rethink SOGUE leadership should be transparent how to conduct their business. As about the status of the company. restrictions were put into place Awareness of the company’s stability to control the transmission of the virus, companies found themselves suffering as economic despite economic challenges can help alleviate the constant fear of job loss. Companies can also provide supporting activities dwindled. For companies that were prepared, its continuous compensation and benefits. This may include financial operation became possible by shifting to a work-from-home support, medical access or coverage, or providing worksetup. Others had to step up and accelerate their digital from-home equipment. They can also initiate well-being transformation efforts to maintain business operations. sessions, such as mindfulness training, virtual fitness Though the focus of most is the continuity of operations sessions, or social engagement sessions. Flexible working for the business’s survival, we should also spotlight the conditions may also help unburden employees. Lastly, companies should keep communications open and create lifeblood of the company: its people. The immediate changes and continuous threat of the opportunities to involve employees in decision-making. In layoffs or furloughs, applying procedural and virus put negative pressure on employees’ physical and psychological well-being. In effect, it is also a challenge interactional justice has softened its adverse effects to both for human resources, as they should address the changing affected and remaining employees. These include warning policies and protocols and these threats to the well-being and proper communication, transparency of procedures, of the employees. Companies must cope with government and just treatment to those involved. Expectedly, providing health protocols and create new policies and procedures to unemployment benefits may also lessen the negative comply with directives. They should also initiate activities reactions of affected employees. For my current company, they immediately put in place to address both the physical and mental well-being of their people. From a strategic human resources perspective, how an initiative to support its employees. For example, as part a company responds would also reflect on its practice of of their Global Corporate Responsibility, they have set up an Employee Resilience Fund to help colleagues facing organizational justice. financial hardships due to the pandemic or other natural Organizational Justice Organizational justice pertains to the personal evaluation disasters. Personal well-being and other wellness programs of the ethical and moral standing of managerial conduct are also provided, such as access to online fitness streaming and has three components: distributive, procedural and platforms and exclusive wellness talks, to help us cope with interactional justice. The first component, distributive these troubling times. Additional support has also been justice, refers to receiving a “just share.” This may include given to help ensure that our workplace is ergonomic. In compensation, rewards, benefits, or even promotions. It can addition, leadership has been transparent on where we are be distinguished into three allocation rules: providing equal as a company and gave updates on business and operational shares to all, according to contributions, or those in urgent plans as they changed. Lastly, there were continuous social engagements, and our leaders are proactive in checking in need. The second component is procedural justice, which is on their people to understand our needs. In effect, we felt the concerned with the means on how the outcome is allocated. concern and efforts of the company to look after our wellThis may include consistency and fairness in the principles being. Conclusion and processes and the unbiased, accurate and ethical With the benefits mentioned, it makes sense for companies allocation or decision-making process. Lastly, the third component is interactional justice that to practice organizational justice in the workplace pertains to the informational aspect, providing truthful and intentionally. By incorporating this into the management adequate information, and the interpersonal aspect, treating practices and the company culture, companies can create others with respect and dignity. Although applying these additional value, positively affecting employees and three components may seem tedious, these components customers. There is no one-size-fits-all, but if companies interact, and workers can experience benefits as long as one are intentional and strategic, they are on their way to strengthening their competitive advantage. How the part is maintained. Applying organizational justice provides favorable effects company manages and responds reflects its overall image in the workplace. It can strengthen employees’ trust and and culture. After all, once the pandemic ends, one of the commitment. It can also improve the relationship between topics discussed would be: what did your company do? the leadership and their subordinates, thus improving The author is an MBA student at the Ramon V. del their job performance. In addition, it is shown to foster organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs). OCBs refer Rosario College of Business, DLSU. She can be reached to the voluntary commitment of employees beyond their at nina_sogue@dlsu.edu.ph. contractual duties and responsibilities. These altruistic The views expressed above are the author’s and do not behaviors are customer service-oriented. Hence, it spills over to customers, strengthening customer satisfaction and necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty, and its administrators. loyalty.

Green LiGht

By Delphine Touitou WASHINGTON—When Romain Daubec and his wife Monica left San Francisco last summer for Denver, Colorado, they thought their telework hundreds of miles from their offices would last no more than a half-year. But the stunningly rapid spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19 has them settling in for a new way of life that now, they say, feels more “natural.” Across the United States, a growing number of companies are delaying their employees’ return to the office out of concern over the new wave of disease. But like the Daubecs—he is French, she is American—more and more people across the country have settled in for a second year of telework— willingly this time, with little desire to return to the office, content and comfortable with their new personal and professional lifestyle. The Delta variant, now dominant in the United States, has taken a heavy toll. An average of nearly 113,000 new daily cases of COVID-19 were registered over the previous seven days—a 24-percent increase over the prior week, Rochelle Walensky, director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said Thursday. One employer taking note was Facebook, which on that same day announced that it would not require workers to return to the office before January 2022. “Data, not dates, is what drives our approach for returning to the office,” a

Facebook spokesperson said in response to an AFP inquiry, saying the company’s prime concern was “everyone’s safety.” Only weeks earlier, the popular social network had been pushing for a quicker return to normal, saying it would completely reopen its offices by October—while requiring all employees to be masked and vaccinated. Facebook thus joined Microsoft, Amazon, American Express and NBC in delaying, to October or January, the full reopening of offices. Lower wages but also taxes For 34-year-old Romain Daubec, a financial analyst for a subsidiary of French bank BNP Paribas, and Monica, who works for Facebook, a return to the office is no longer an option. While Monica saw her earnings cut by 10 percent because of the move, “that was largely compensated for” by a greater quality of life and more affordable housing—less than half as expensive in Colorado as in California—as well as by lower taxes, Romain said. Above all, Monica no longer has to spend three hours on a bus every day. For Oren Klachkin, an economist with Oxford Economics, it took a bit longer to make the decision to leave New York for Boulder, Colorado. But when a new wave of COVID-19 struck last fall, he saw the silver lining: It was a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to live somewhere else, maintain our jobs, try living in a different place,” he said. AFP This illustration photo shows a person working on their laptop from a home office in Los Angeles on August 14, 2021. AFP

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

MONDAY, AUGUST 16, 2021

Business

PSE INDEX CLOSING Friday, August 13, 2021

-236.38 PTS. 6,320.19

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

1,932,200,191 92,868 14,360,066,092.51 63 134 45

F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 2021

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

50.3930

Japan

Yen

0.009057

0.4564

Pound

1.381400

69.6129

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128513

6.4762

Switzerland

Franc

1.083189

54.5851

Canada

Dollar

0.798531

40.2404

Singapore

Dollar

0.736431

37.1110

Australia

Dollar

0.733600

36.9683

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652450

133.6649

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266652

13.4374

Brunei

Dollar

0.733730

36.9749

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000070

0.0035

Thailand

Baht

0.029994

1.5115

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.7206

Euro

1.173300

59.1261

Korea

Won

0.000861

0.0434

China

Yuan

0.154342

7.7778

India

Rupee

0.013457

0.6781

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.236351

11.9104

New Zealand

Dollar

0.700100

35.2801

Taiwan

Dollar

0.035984

1.8133 Source: BSP

AllHome’s profit jumped 133% to P641m in 1st half By Jenniffer B. Austria ALLHOME Corp., a leading one-stop shop home store chain, said over the weekend first-half net income jumped 133 percent to P641 million from a year ago, on the back of a double-digit growth in sales. AllHome said six-month net sales climbed 39 percent to P6.72 billion from P4.854 billion in the same period last year as the company continued with expansion despite the pandemic. AllHome chairman Manuel Villar Jr. attributed the positive first-half performance to the company’s ability to adapt to the challenges of the pandemic and address the shopping behavior of clients. “This pandemic gave us the opportunity to look at our strategies and implement innovations and initiatives to increase operational efficiency. Those innovations lead to the improvement in our margins as we recalibrate our merchandise mix and implement strategic pricing to enhance returns,” Villar said. “In addition to our intensive digital expansion program, we are adjusting to optimize our stores in view of changes in the shopping behavior of our customers during this pandemic. We will be introducing the new generation of AllHome stores soon,” he said. The company said net income after tax grew 54 times in the second quarter to P297 million from P5 million a year ago when the strictest quarantine regulations were implemented to curb the spread of COVID-19. Second-quarter net sales also grew by 110 percent to P3.13 billion from P1.48 billion a year earlier. Aside from the increased sales, AllHome also improved its gross profit margin to 34.6 percent from 31.7 percent a year ago through a combination of strategic pricing and rising sales contribution of in-house brands. AllHome opened five new stores in the first six months, bringing its store network to 55, including 39 large store formats, as of end-June. The large stores generated the lion’s share of the company’s sales, contributing 97 percent in the six-month period. “As the situation improves, our store network expansion strategy will remain focused on free-standing large format stores,” said AllHome president Benjamarie Therese Serrano.

THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority asked the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Finance to extend the incentives for work-fromhome business model until the end of 2022. PEZA director-general Charito Plaza said the PEZA board approved and forwarded the petition for assessment and approval by the DTI and the DOF. “Recently, it has been reported that

Dutch firm joins Pasay reclamation

PASAY Harbor City Corp., the private proponent of the 265-hectare, P72-billion land reclamation project of Pasay City in the Manila Bay, dropped its Chinese partner and replaced it with the world-renowned Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. Pasay City Harbor Corp., a joint venture of Udenna Development Corp. of businessman Dennis Uy, Ulticon Builders Inc. of construction entrepreneur Charlie Gonzalez and a foreign partner, is embarking on an ambitious multi-billion peso land reclamation project to create a new urban center near the back of the Mall of Asia area within the next five or six years. Pasay Harbor, in a spate of official communications seeking clearances and permits from state agencies that deal with land reclamation projects, identified state-owned China Harbor Engineering Company as its foreign partner, the job of which is to provide the technology in the land reclamation project. Royal Boskalis is an international Dutch dredging and heavy lift company that specializes in maritime infrastructure technology. The Dutch firm, which has presence in 75 countries worldwide employing more about 10,000 workers and 650 vessels, possesses the specialized technology in land reclamation projects.

SSS asks employers to meet obligations

7-M DOSES. Cebu Pacific surpasses another milestone as it carries over seven million vaccine doses across the Philippines. It has

already safely flown vaccines to 23 provinces in the country. CEB was the first airline to transport vaccine doses to Jolo and Basilan via Zamboanga on July 23, 2021. On Aug. 6, the carrier again flew vaccine shipments to both municipalities—39,000 Janssen doses to Jolo and 5,000 Sinovac doses to Basilan.

Re-imposition of lockdown to disrupt Q3 growth—DOF By Julito G. Rada

INANCE Undersecretary and chief economist Gil Beltran said over the weekend economic activities in the third quarter will be impacted by the government’s reimposition of community quarantines to prevent the further spread of the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus. Beltran said in an economic bulletin that compared to last year’s, this year’s quarantine measures were more localized. “The re-imposition of stricter but localized quarantine measures will have consequences on economic activities in the third quarter,” Beltran said. The government placed Metro Manila and adjacent provinces under enhanced community quarantine from Aug. 6 to 20

amid the rising number of new infections due to the more virulent Delta variant of the virus. Analysts said there was a high possibility that the two-week lockdown would be extended amid latest reports that the hospital occupancy rate in the capital region and other provinces was rising. The International Monetary Fund said it was closely monitoring the latest de-

a result of base effects from a year ago when the whole country was placed under strict quarantine measures. The expansion was a significant turnaround from the revised 3.9-percent decline in the first quarter and the 17-percent drop a year ago. Quarter-on-quarter, seasonally-adjusted national income accounts showed that GDP declined by 1.31 percent, largely the result of the mobility restrictions imposed in the NCR Plus Bubble Area. From the expenditure side, household final consumption increased by 7.23 percent, capital formation by nearly 75.51 percent and exports by nearly 27 percent. Government consumption decreased by nearly 4.8 percent due to last year’s Social Amelioration Program. Construction activities ramped up in the second quarter, with general government increasing by nearly 50 percent and households by as much as 286 percent.

EASTWEST VACCINATION.

EastWest employees and third-party hires from Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac and Zambales line up at the CRK Vaccination Center in Clark International Airport for their first dose of vaccines. After the successful opening of the initial leg of the FilVax nationwide vaccination program at the Festival Mall, Alabang, Muntinlupa City, EastWest continues its drive to get all its employees and third-party hires protected from COVID-19 with the Central Luzon leg of the program in Clark, Pampanga. The second leg was done in partnership with Luzon International Premier Airport Development Corp.

DOE asked to draft framework on clean energy transition

By Alena Mae S. Flores

ENERGY stakeholders called for a framework to guide the country’s transition to clean energy amid the ban on new coal plants and the pressure on the sector to go green. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said in a recent virtual conference the transition plan should cater to the uniqueness of the Philippine energy sector. “We funded DOE [Department of Energy] to come up with that transition, I believe they are doing that now. But I don’t believe in shutting down coal plants tomorrow and expect that everything will be alright,” Gatchalian said. The Senate committee on energy

head said the transition should be thoroughly and carefully studied. “I always believe in a well-studied transition and I acknowledge that the whole world is moving to that transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy source,” Gatchalian said. “But the Philippines is unique in its own setting. Our consumers are very price sensitive, our technologies are limited and we have red tape and all that. So it’s very important that we have our own energy transition that we study and research carefully,” he said. He said the transition plan should include the impact of the ban on new coal plants, replacement technology, price

impact and other factors. Manila Electric Co. president Ray Espinosa said the transition should cater to “the country’s unique requirements as a developing country and even the price sensitivity of our customers to electricity prices.” Espinosa asked the private sector and the government to come out with the framework “for the just and orderly transition of the coal-fired power plants to a more sustainable energy security arrangement”. He said Meralco had no intention to prolong reliance on coal-fired power plants, “but at the same time we must balance this with the needs of our country in terms of energy security given these plants provide baseload capacity.”

PEZA requests gov’t to extend work-from-home incentives for locators until end of 2022 By Othel V. Campos

IN BRIEF

the government is seen to extend the temporary WFH authority for the IT and BPO ecozone locators. The PEZA board has okayed the request of PEZA management for the extension of the WFH arrangement until the end of 2022 and has now made a recommendation to the DTI and DOF to approve the said move,” she said. PEZA said it also sent a letter to President Rodrigo to appeal for the lifting of the moratorium on economic zone development in Metro Manila by virtue of the

Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act law. “By allowing establishments of ecozones in Metro Manila, we believe this will also provide recovery measure for our developers and support industries who are still reeling from the effects of the pandemic,” Plaza said. She said this would boost the confidence of economic zone enterprises like BPO companies to locate and expand in the Philippines and improve the attractiveness of the country to investors.

The economic zones managed to maintain operational capacity of establishments at 98 percent even in the strictest quarantine status, she said. About 84 percent of the ITBPO companies and 95 percent of manufacturing enterprises continued operations under varying work arrangements, according to PEZA. Plaza said COVID infections inside the economic zones were manageable as total cases hit 28,868 among 1.6 million active workers as of June 2021.

STATE-RUN pension fund Social Security System called on all employers, registered and unregistered, to be compliant with their legal obligations to their employees, regardless of employment status, to avoid criminal prosecution under the provisions of Republic Act No. 11199 or the Social Security Act of 2018. SSS president and chief executive Aurora Ignacio said in a statement over the weekend that “although, we are still coping with the financial crisis brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, business owners are still expected to fulfill their statutory obligations to secure the welfare and interests of their workers.” Under RA 11199, employers are mandated to register their businesses with the SSS by accomplishing the Employer Registration Form (SS Form R-1) and to report all their employees for SSS coverage using the Employment Report Form (SS Form R-1A) within 30 days from actual employment date. Julito G. Rada

Axelum to expand food product line-up

AXELUM Resources Corp., the country’s leading manufacturer and exporter of world-class premium coconut products, said over the weekend it is developing new products to cater to the rapidly-growing global plant-based food industry. Axelum said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it would expand the company’s product line-up and create additional revenue streams in the coming years. These new products are now in various development stages, it said. The global market for plant-based protein could see fivefold growth by 2030 to $167 billion from $29.4 billion in 2020 on rising demand for sustainable products, according to a Bloomberg Intelligence report. Axelum said it boosted daily nut processing activities by 27 percent, following the reconfiguration of its nut opening plant, which features higher capacity while staying compliant with mandatory health and safety protocols. The company is also in the process of expanding its warehousing facilities to meet rising demand for food products. Jenniffer B. Austria

LTO eyes budget to outsource car plate production By Darwin G. Amojelar THE Land Transportation Office is seeking a budget to outsource the production of motor vehicle plates to address the backlog from the previous years, according to the Department of Transportation. The DOTR said the LTO requested a budget of P2.61 billion for calendar year 2022, so it could meet the demand to produce 16 million license plates by June 30, 2022. It said “the LTO wishes that it will be given the needed budget allotment to address the backlog in the motor vehicle license plates.” The agency said to expedite the production of plates, the LTO was planning to outsource the production of plates for calendar years 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2022 to complete the projected 16 million plates by year June 2022, instead of 2024. It said that when the Duterte administration took over in 2016, the government was confronted with the production and distribution backlog of millions of license plates. “Rest assured that the current LTO administration is doing everything it can to address all the MC and MV plates backlogs,” the DOTR said. “We will not stop until all these affected license plates are produced and distributed to their rightful owners,” it said. The DOTR said it continued to prevent a recurrence of backlogs in the issuance of MV license plates and MC plates. LTO recorded ,940,705 pairs of motor vehicle plates produced as of Aug. 10, 2021. For motorcycle plates, LTO’s latest record showed that as of Aug. 10, some 6,019,150 pieces were produced by the agency from 2014. Of this number, 3,649,114 were produced from 2018 featuring the new design of MC plates.

Sports

Eagle helps lift Henley to 3-stroke PGA lead WASHINGTON—Russell Henley sank a 33-foot eagle putt at the par-5 15th on his way to seizing a three-stroke lead after Saturday’s third round of the US PGA Wyndham Championship. The 32-year-old American closed with a bogey to fire a oneunder par 69 and stand on 15-under 195 after 54 holes at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, North Carolina. Henley’s clutch downhill putt, his longest successful one this week, produced the day’s lone eagle at 15 and doubled his lead from two to four strokes after a 62-64 start matched this season’s tour-low first 36 holes. “I’m not always going to shoot 62 or 64. I feel thankful to be under par today,” Henley said. “I feel like mentally I was pretty tough considering how I was feeling. “Just a little bit sloppy, but overall made some good decisions, made some really nice up-and-downs and I’m thankful for where I am.” Henley could complete a wireto-wire win on Sunday, a situation much like June’s US Open, when he shared the lead after each of the first three days only to close with a 76 and finish in a share of 13th. He’s going to count on his family to keep his mind occupied until Sunday’s tee time, moved up to the morning due to expected afternoon storms. “I try to just get away from it for the few hours that I have, go help my wife put my kids to bed and probably change a few diapers and read a few books to them,” Henley said. “There’s no really secret.” American Tyler McCumber was second on 198 after shooting 66 with a pack on 199 including Olympic runner-up Rory Sabbatini of Slovakia, South African Branden Grace, Canada’s Roger Sloan and Americans Kevin Kisner, Scott Piercy and Kevin Na. England’s Justin Rose and Australian Adam Scott were in a group on 200. World number 56 Henley seeks his fourth US PGA title and the first since winning the 2017 Houston Open. Henley’s clutch downhill eagle, his longest successful putt of the week, produced the day’s lone eagle at 15 and doubled his lead from two to four strokes. His 62-64 start matched the tour’s low 36-hole score this season. AFP

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor

MONDAY, AUGUST 16, 2021

John Riel Casimero celebrates after defeating Guillermo Rigondeaux by split decision in the 12th round during their WBO Bantamweight title 12-round bout at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. AFP

Casimero wins cat-and-mouse game with Cuban, keeps crown By Randy Caluag

OHNRIEL Casimero played cat and mouse with Cuban challenger Guillermo Rigondeux and managed to eke out a split decision win to retain the World Boxing Organization bantamweight title.

The Filipino champion kept himself busy chasing Rigondeux, who refused to engage in the entirety of their 12-round bout on Saturday (Sunday morning in Manila) at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. The promised knockout in the 3rd round did not come for Casimero, but he nonetheless earned the nod of two judges, 116-112 and 117-111, on the way to a seventh straight win,

with the previous six coming via knockout. Interestingly, the third judge found Rigondeux’s running binge impressive enough and scored the bout for the 40-year old-Cuban, 115-113. Casimero, now with 31 wins against 4 losses, appeared headed to a slam-bang of a fight as he exploded with a couple of right hooks, with the last one looking like a good

hit as it decked Rigondeux. But the referee called it a slip. From there, Rigondeux doubled his efforts in maintaining his distance, running away from Casimero while connecting some sporadic counters. In the third round, the crowd started to jeer, calling for more action. Even the referee appeared clueless and failed to call out the fighters to engage. Casimero’s corner advised him to hit the body to ignite action. The Filipino even took a pause, positioned himself at the center of the ring and urged the challenger to engage. But Rigondeux kept on running. After the fight, Casimero blasted Rigondeux, who fell to a fight record of 187 wins (26KOs), 7 losses and 1 draw.

“My expectation was a knockout. I wanted a knockout. I tried to knock him out, but Rigondeaux was always running and not fighting,” said Casimero. The cat-and-mouse match ended with Casimero connecting just 46 punches to Rigondeux’s 44. The bout looked so boring that a panelist even cried out to ask which was more frustrating? “To fight Rigo or watch Rigo fight.” Still Rigondeux felt he has nothing to be ashamed of. “I am not going to make excuses for anything. I was expecting a guy ready to blow my chin away and sent me to retirement. But I am not a picture on a bag. I can actually box. I learned before becoming a champ back in Cuba,” he posted on his Twitter account.

More practice time, pocket tilts for Gilas By Peter Atencio THE rescheduling of the FIBA Asia Cup for next year will give the Gilas Pilipinas national men’s basketball team more practice time and the chance to get sharp by playing in pocket tournaments. Coach Tab Baldwin said this, now that the Asia Cup in Jakarta, Indonesia has been set for July 2022. Rising COVID-19 cases in Indonesia have forced organizers to reset competitions for next year. “We need more practice than we need more games. And we need more games to keep the players motivated,” said Baldwin. Gilas, currently ranked 31st in the world, is currently developing a young crop of players in its roster. Its roster includes RJ Abarrientos, Justine Baltazar, SJ Belangel, Geo Chiu, Isaac Go, Jordan Heading, Ange Kouame, William Navarro, Mike

Nieto, Carl Tamayo, and Dwight Ramos. Next year will be a busy one as Team Philippines is preparing for the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Baldwin said they will be preparing to join qualification windows for the next FIBA Asia qualifiers after the Indonesia cagefest is done, along with their participation in the SEA Games. Pocket events before they see action in 2023 FIBA World Cup will also keep the team occupied. Gilas recently came from Jordan and f inished its King Abdullah Cup campaign with three straight losses. Despite the losses, Baldwin said the exposure by the young members of the team somehow added to the need to get more experience of playing in international meets. “They’re excited in about everything we do. When it came to competition, they’re excited at every opportunity they get to play,” said Baldwin.

Tab Baldwin

3-way logjam for Scottish Open lead; Saso tied for 15th L ON D ON —T h a i land’s Ariya Jutanugarn saw her three-shot overnight advantage evaporate in the third round of the Women’s Scottish Open on Saturday as England’s Charley Hull and Ryann O’Toole of the United States joined her at the top of the leaderboard. Ariya’s third round ended with five birdies, three bogeys and a double-bogey. All three players are nine under at 207 ahead of Sunday’s final round. The Philippines’ Yuka Saso shot a 74 to be at 3 under but is 6 strokes off the leaders at 213. “Today, I was thinking about the outcome so

much, I don’t want to miss and make putts, and that’s why I end up today not playing so well,” said Ariya. “So I think tomorrow just have to go back to like yesterday or first round and have good commitment and not really thinking about the outcome.” Hull, who is searching for her second LPGA Tour win and first since 2016, carded a third successive 69. “I’ve been feeling confident the last six weeks ever since pretty much, just the couple weeks after U.S. Open. I feel good. I feel really good,” said Hull. O’Toole, 34, will look to become the sixth firsttime winner of the season with victory on Sunday.

Long-time FEU sports official De Leon dies JOCELYN de Leon, one of the pillars of sports development at Far Eastern University, passed away due to cardiac arrest on Sunday morning. De Leon, 62, well loved for her caring spirit for student athletes, was a long-time member of the Board of Managing Directors of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines. She represented FEU in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines before retiring after 28 years of service in 2019. FEU athletic director Mark Molina said De Leon has served the university for more than four decades. The board feted De Leon two years ago when she retired for the legacy she left behind in the UAAP, which included upgrades on league rules during her term in the league. “Siya ay isang nanay sa mga student-athletes namin. Lalu na sa mga kailangan nila sa dorm,” said basketball programs head Robert Flores. School officials are helping out in the burial of De Leon, who was said to be COVID-19 positive at the time of her death. Peter Atencio

Sports

MONDAY, AUGUST 16, 2021

LA Dodgers’ pitcher denies sex assault allegation

Medvedev dominates Isner, faces Opelka for title

LOS ANGELES—Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer made his first public comments since being accused in June of sexual assault, using social media to deny another assault allegation contained in a Washington Post story on Saturday. “This is a continuation by the woman and her attorneys to make good on their threats to harm me by perpetuating false narrative,” Bauer said on Twitter in response to the Post story reporting that an Ohio woman sought a temporary order of protection in June 2020, when Bauer pitched for the Cincinnati Reds. The Post reported that it obtained photos showing facial injuries that the woman’s attorney said Bauer caused by punching and choking her during sex without consent. The story, citing a police report, also reports that the woman attempted to show police officers photos of her injuries in an incident at Bauer’s apartment in 2017. “This has been a game to her from the beginning but my life is not a game and I won’t stand by idly and allow this conduct to continue,” Bauer said on Twitter. Bauer accused the newspaper of attempting to create a “false narrative” by contacting his female friends and acquaintances. “Despite my representatives providing a wealth of contradictory evidence, documents, statements, and background information showing the pattern of disturbing behavior by this woman and her attorneys, The Washington Post opted to ignore much of this information and to run a salacious story disseminating defamatory statements, false information, and baseless allegations,” said Bauer, who claims the woman harassed and physically assaulted him then tried to “extort me for millions of dollars last year in exchange for her not coming forward with false claims.” Major League Baseball placed Bauer on paid administrative leave on July 2 after police in California confirmed they were investigating allegations of sexual assault made by a California woman, who obtained a restraining order against him. No charges have been filed in that case, but Bauer’s leave has been extended five times, most recently on Friday. AFP

TORONTO—Russian top seed Daniil Medvedev blunted the big serve of American John Isner 6-2, 6-2 on Saturday to set up an ATP Masters 1000 final with Reilly Opelka. Medvedev dominated throughout in a 54-minute rout against Isner, who was held to a miserly four aces. With the major part of his game misfiring, the 36-year-old Isner was an easy target for Medvedev, the losing 2019 finalist to Spaniard Rafael Nadal. Medvedev will Sunday play for his fourth trophy of the season after helping Russia to the ATP Cup in Australia and claiming the honours at Marseille and Mallorca. He takes on another American twometre-plus giant in Opelka, who broke new ground as he edged third-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7 (2/7), 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 to reach the final at the Aviva Centre in Toronto. Medvedev cannot fault his current form: “I’m really happy with the win. I had very few unforced errors (seven). I’m pleased with my game in this moment. “I feel I’m playing better and better leading to the US Open.” Isner’s game was off the boil and Medvedev took full advantage. “He was not serving like usual and I had to take my opportunities, try and break as much as I could,” Medvedev said. “I stayed focused and managed to do that.” The Russian winner posted 20 winners to Isner’s 20 unforced errors, breaking the American four times. Medvedev will need to take his winning strategy into the final with Opelka, a towering server like Isner. “He’s been playing great tennis all week,” Medvedev said. “Big credit to him. “But a masters final is never easy; I’ll try to play well and hope to be holding the trophy tomorrow.” Opelka overcame Tsitsipas with 46 winners to 23 for the Greek. He blasted 17 aces in the match lasting two and a half hours to notch his first victory over a top-five opponent. “I’ve played great from the first round against a lot of adversity,” said Opelka, who ousted Australian Nick Kyrgios in the first round. “There are no easy draws at Masters 1000s, every match is a nightmare. But I’ve got a lot of confidence going and I’ve carried it through each match. I’m putting pressure on guys with my serve and they can feel it.” AFP

Paris Saint-Germain’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi enters the pitch during a presentation ceremony prior to the French L1 football match between Paris SaintGermain and Racing Club Strasbourg at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris. AFP

Messi gets rapturous reception as PSG wins P ARIS—Lionel Messi got a ﬁrst proper taste of his new home on Saturday as he was presented to a full stadium of Paris Saint-Germain fans before watching his team-mates beat Strasbourg 4-2 in Ligue 1 with Kylian Mbappe playing a starring role. Messi received a rapturous reception as he ran out onto the pitch along with PSG’s other summer signings, with a 48,000-full house greeting the six-time Ballon d’Or winner despite the welcome ceremony taking place an hour before kick-off. Messi joined fellow recruits Sergio Ramos, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Georginio Wijnaldum and Achraf Hakimi on a stage set up on the turf at the Parc des Princes, and the flashy presentation ceremony threatened to overshadow the match itself. The Argentine later watched from the stands alongside Neymar and Angel di Maria—the trio not yet considered match-fit having enjoyed an extended break after playing at the Copa America —as Mauricio Pochettino’s team made it two wins from two Ligue 1 matches this season. They led 3-0 at half-time thanks to goals by Mauro Icardi and Julian Draxler either side of a Ludovic Ajorque own goal, but Kevin Gameiro and Ajorque netted after the interval to bring the

visitors back into the contest. However Pablo Sarabia made sure of the win late on after Strasbourg had been reduced to 10 men in the first match played before a full house at the Parc des Princes since before the COVID-19 pandemic struck in March last year. “With all that has been happening at the club, it was not easy to stay focused on the game,” Pochettino admitted to broadcaster Canal Plus. Mbappe jeered before kick-off Among the spectators here were Formula One driver Pierre Gasly, French former Olympic judo champion Teddy Riner and NBA star Evan Fournier. All wanted to get a glimpse of Messi, but the Argentine is not likely to make his Paris debut for another couple of weeks yet. While Messi is the new idol of the PSG support, those fans jeered when Mbappe’s name was read out by the stadium announcer ahead of kick off. The France striker is in the spotlight with speculation that he will seek a move away from PSG before the trans-

fer window shuts—he has so far refused to extend his contract, which expires at the end of the campaign. “Kylian is focused on what he has to do here. He had a really good game and he needs to continue like that,” Pochettino added. Mbappe played a key part in PSG’s victory, which looked a certainty from the moment Icardi headed in Abdou Diallo’s cross in the third minute. The second goal arrived in the 25th minute when Mbappe’s shot went in via a cruel deflection off the face of Ajorque, and two minutes later it was Mbappe’s cross that was turned in at the back post by Draxler. Humiliation for champions Lille Nevertheless former PSG striker Gameiro pulled one back for Strasbourg with a well-taken header not long after half-time, and giant frontman Ajorque then scored with a header of his own to make it 3-2. Mbappe had come close in between those goals and PSG were sweating before their opponents had defender Alexander Djiku sent off nine minutes from time when a foul on Icardi earned him a second booking. PSG then secured a 4-2 win with four minutes left when Mbappe burst towards the byline and cut the ball back for substitute Sarabia to convert. AFP

Osaka plans to help out Haiti earthquake relief efforts LOS ANGELES—Naomi Osaka says she is going to give all her proceeds from the WTA Tour’s upcoming Cincinnati event to the earthquake victims in Haiti which was rocked by a devastating 7.2-magnitude quake on Saturday. The highest paid female tennis star has a personal connection to the disaster-plagued Caribbean country: Her father is from there. “Really hurts to see all the devastation that’s going on in Haiti, and I feel like we really can’t catch a break,” Osaka wrote on Twitter. “I’m about to play a tournament this week and I’ll give all the prize money to relief efforts for Haiti. I know our ances-

tors blood is strong we’ll keep rising.” The massive quake struck Haiti’s southwestern peninsula early Saturday, killing at least 304 people and leaving churches, business and schools crumbled. The 23-year-old Osaka was born in Japan where her mother is from and has lived in the United States since age three. On Saturday, American President Joe Biden approved immediate aid to Haiti and said the US would be assisting recovery and rebuilding efforts. Osaka’s father, Leonard Francois, is from the Jacmel region on the southwestern peninsula close to the epicentre of Saturday’s quake. Osaka has said

her upbringing included learning about both Japanese and Haitian culture. Her Haitian grandparents didn’t speak English so they only spoke Creole to her. This week’s Cincinnati tournament is just the second event for Osaka since she took a mental health break from the Tour. In her last event at the Tokyo Olympics, Osaka was chosen to light the Olympic cauldron to mark the opening of the Summer Games. Her bid for a medal fell short as she crashed out in the third round of the women’s tennis tournament, losing in straight sets to silver medallist Marketa Vondrousova.

It remains to be seen whether the fourtime Grand Slam champion Osaka will touch on her earthquake relief efforts in Cincinnati. She dropped out of the French Open in late May after organizers fined her for refusing to do mandatory post-match news conferences. She cited reporters’ “disregard for athletes’ mental health” in announcing her decision to stop doing interviews. AFP

Japan’s Naomi Osaka: Helping her father’s country AFP

Velasco gifted a Chooks-to-Go branch CHOOKS-to-Go has given 1996 Summer Olympics silver medalist Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco Jr. a branch for his service to the country. It is public knowledge that Velasco, who won the country’s second-ever silver Olympic medal was never able to get the full benefits promised by the government on an athlete that won a medal in the Olympics. “Nu’ng matapos kong manalo ng silver sa Atlanta Olympics, ‘yung hindi natupad ‘yung sa congress na P2.5million, pati ‘yung sa Philippine Navy na scholarship ng dalawang anak ko. ‘Yung bahay nandiyan na pero ‘yung titulo wala pa. Nagpangako rin ng 10,000 monthly na lifetime pero isang taon lang binigay sa akin,” recalled the 47-year-old Velasco, a native of Bago, Negros Occidental. It did not go unnoticed by Chooks-to-Go president Ronald Mascariñas. Last Friday, Mascariñas invited Velasco to his office in Ortigas, saying

Mansueto Velasco Jr. with former cage star Benjie Paras and Chooks-to-Go president Ronald Mascariñas

that he only wanted to meet him. Surprising the boxer was a gift in the form of his own Chooks-to-Go store that is located in Litex Road, which is close to his home in Violago Homes, Parkwood Hills Subdivision. “Natutuwa akong makita ang buhos ng parangal at gantimpala mula sa pamahalaan at lalo na sa pribadong sektor sa mga atletang nagbigay ng karangalan sa bansa nitong nakaarang Olympics. Ngunit may isang matagal ng pangakong tila nakalimutan na and we’d like to be part of the solution first before we join the celebration of our heroes in the Tokyo Olympics,” said Mascariñas. “We’re giving one Chooks-to-Go store to Onyok because as a Filipino we owe it to him for bringing honor to our country. We are also giving him an additional P100,000 so that he can have his long-delayed honeymoon in Boracay with his wife May.” “Pinapunta ako dito ni Sir Ronald dito at dalhin ko raw yung medal ko.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit e. ‘Yun pala eto ‘yung surprise sa akin. Kala ko nga nanalo din ako sa Tokyo Olympics na may nagbigay sa akin ng Chooks-toGo,” said Velasco. “Talagang store ng Chooks-to-Go talaga. Hanap-buhay talaga na hindi lang ako makikinabang kung hindi pati pamilya ko at mga anak ko na ma-secure sila dahil sa binigay sa akin.” Other athletes that have been granted stores by Chooks-to-Go are 1990 Asian Games silver medalist Benjie Paras, two-time FIBA Asia Cup silver medalist Gabe Norwood, five-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Kiefer Ravena, and University of the Philippines great Paul Desiderio. Though it was a long-time coming, Velasco is just grateful to finally have a business he can call his own. “Boss Ronald, talagang hulog ka po ng langit sa akin at sa buong pamilya ko dahil binigyan niyo po ako ng kabuhayan. Sana marami pa kayong matulungan na tulad ko.”

Entertainment Up close and personal with

BRILLANTE MENDOZA B EFORE the arrival of the third wave of the enhanced community quarantine, a personal message on my favorite social media arrived and it was an invitation from “the” Brillante Mendoza.

We are all of course aware of his popculture history contribution. He is the first Filipino Cannes Palme D’or victor, which is why many want to call him the “pambansang director.” Of course, nobody declines such an invitation since it is indeed a privilege to be with an esteemed modern-day film master. The love, acceptance, and support for Mendoza’s films go beyond the Philippine cinematic landscape. His motion pictures are not only festival and art house staples in first world film capitals, people queue and brave the elements to view his cinematic oeuvres. His films—the gritty depiction and realistic presentation of the tribulations and triumphs of the Filipinos who are part and parcel of the laylayan sector of the society—are praised for its slap to your face truthfulness and subliminal messages that actually scream with its

ARIAS

ALWIN IGNACIO

Coco Martin and Julia Montes (inset) are set to reunite onscreen for an upcoming film project with the award-winning director Brillante Mendoza.

veracity. The first part of the tete-a-tete happened inside his trophy room that led to the dining area for lunch. Some of the information he shared is off the record. He gave the assurance, however, that a go signal from him will be made known. What he greenlighted for sharing, the still-untitled reunion movie project he finished with Coco Martin. His reunited-and-it-feels-so-good collaboration with Martin, pairs the actor with Julia Montes. “He has improved a lot as an actor,” Mendoza declared. “Even if f Rodel

(Coco’s real name) is playing the role of a cop in our new movie, you won’t see any trace of his popular TV character Cardo Dalisay.” “It was a good thing he has a short break when I offered him this movie that’s why he was able to fix his schedule and find time. He told me that he is just an actor in our film and I can ask him to do anything because I am the director,” he carried on. For Montes, Mendoza had the kindest words underscoring the actress being so wonderful to work with. “This is not our first time to collaborate. We did a not-so-popular film for a government agency. She is a very good

actress, that can I assure you. She also knows my artistic and creative processes. As you all know, my movies don’t have scripts. Parang improvisation lang pero hindi naman talaga. I just explain the situation to my actors and it’s up to them to do their own lines. That’s why the dialogues in my films come real and natural. It comes from the heart and not scripted.

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com MONDAY, AUGUST 16, 2021

And ganun rin sa pag-arte nila, in my films, they must know the hearts of their characters and what drives them to do their actions.” Another coming soon attraction from the award-winning director is GenSan Punch, which is probably the most audience-friendly Mendoza film. There is nothing alienating and polarizing to this film about an Okinawan boxer with a disability. Playing the lead is a Japanese actor named Shogen who, according to director Mendoza, trained for a year in boxing before doing the movie. In GenSan Punch, he got to fight with real boxers and boy, the excellent camera work of Mendoza captured the power of the Gen San boxing athletes. Also part of the cast are Pinoy actors namely Beauty Gonzales, Ruby Ruiz, Jomari Angeles, Jun Nayra, Vince Rillon, and Ronnie Lazaro. What are the nearest future plans of the “pambansang director”? He replied in conclusion: “I still hope to do a movie with Vilma Santos. I already had a project for her before but the actress-turned-politician couldn’t accommodate it owing to her busy schedule so another actress took her place. I hope I get to work with Joshua Garcia. This young man, I believe is a very good actor. And if there is no legal impediment, I have a beautiful horror script that I’d like Nadine Lustre to star in. Nagagalingan ako sa kanya and I like na ang beauty niya, Pilipinang-Pilipina.” Brillante Mendoza is always candid and laughs at loud during interviews. He knows his film language by heart and dares to show it to the world with his honestto-goodness films. And now you know, why he is loved.

Yung Bae interweaves music Young, talented and the internet artists take over new GMA Music sublabel

By Maria Katrina Segui

LOS Angeles-based producer and internet sensation Yung Bae is spearheading the future funk scene at 27 — one vaporwave hit at a time. Born as Dallas Cotton, the record producer sat down for a virtual junket on Thursday and spilled his lifelong dream as a musician and his thoughts on social media’s impact on today’s music industry. In 2020, Yung Bae’s single “Bad Boy” featuring bbno$ and Billy Marchiafava, went viral on the video-sharing platform, Tiktok, with over 2 billion impressions and inspired hundreds of dance craze all over the Internet. The young talent gushed about the song’s vast social media recognition. “When ‘Bad Boy’ blew up, it was crazy to me at first too because it was just a song I made on my couch. I remember making the track very quick,” he told Manila Standard Entertainment. “It’s the craziest, coolest thing ever to see. It's like, ‘Hey, there's my song on the radio and on a cat and dog video,’ I'm just so happy and thankful,” he added. Yung Bae also weighs in on how the internet plays a huge role in extending an artist’s audience reach following his social media success. “It's kinda cool now to see just how different music promotion is, you know? It's not even ‘word of mouth’ anymore. It's cool how almost all socials now are what you really need [to

promote music]. It's also like a blessing and a curse. But it's really cool because you can look at some of these people, especially that we’re in lockdown, it gives them the opportunity to have these huge spikes in their careers from home. Everybody is like, ‘Oh I couldn't have done this before.’ So I love watching that kind of progression,” he shared. With nearly 70 million Spotify streams under his belt and a handful of collaborations with major artists such as Wiz Khalifa and 88Rising, Yung Bae is still hoping to pursue his dream of working with his musical influences like the Doobie Brothers, Kenny Loggins, and Michael Mcdonald. “I’d love to work with these original disco acts. Those actual funk people from the ‘70s and ‘80s,” he said. On Aug. 6, Yung Bae made his stellar return with another disco masterpiece with the Olympic-themed record, “Silver and Gold,” which featured the soulful vocals of Sam Fischer and Pink Sweat$. He also proudly presents the buzzworthy single as ‘all made from scratch,’ as there were no samples used in producing the track. The Portland-born producer leads the rise of the future funk genre, which uses nostalgic elements of disco, funk, and Japanese music, and is associated with the aesthetics of ‘90s anime and popular culture. Future Funk icon and internet sensation Yung Bae has released Olympics-themed feel-good anthem“Silver & Gold.”

By Nickie Wang GMA Music introduces a fresh and hip sublabel that aims to change the local music landscape while at the same time discover new artists who can be the next faces of OPM on the global scene. Called GMA Playlist, the sublabel also aims to capture the hearts of the millennials and GEN Z fans craving for relevant yet different sound and provides a collaborative venue for artists to authentically showcase their songs and musicality. “With GMA Playlist, we are giving the artists the freedom to collaborate with the composers. It’s a meeting of the minds, so to speak. The collab is more like, we like your voice, what do you want to sing? We’ll work on that,” an executive from GMA Playlist told

GMA Music introduces a fresh and hip sublabel that aims to appeal to the new generation of listeners via the launch of GMA Playlist.

Manila Standard Entertainment. “One of the main goals of the network is for our music to be global. We just need the right time and place for these artists to be launched,” the executive added. Last week, Mikee Quintos, Arra San Agustin, Anthony Rosaldo, Crystal Paras, Denise Barbacena, Faith Da Silva, Jeniffer Maravilla, Kaloy Tingcungco, Kim De Leon, Lexi Gonzales, Shayne Sava, Mark Herras, and Seb Pajarillo were introduced as part of the lineup of artists signed under GMA Playlist. Present during the contract signing were GMA officers and top executives including Felipe S. Yalong, Regie C. Bautista, Darling De Jesus-Bodegon,

Paul Hendrik P. Ticzon, Rafael L. San Agustin, Gigi SantiagoLara, Simoun Ferrer, Jojo Aquio, Vincent C. Gealogo, and Racquel S. Gacho, and GMA Artist Center senior talent managers Tracy Garcia, Joy Marcelo, and Daryl Zamora. GMA Network Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon was pleased to welcome another venue for the Kapuso stars to show their talents. “Congratulations to GMA Playlist on your much-awaited launch. May you create more beautiful tunes that showcase the musical talents of our current and future Kapuso stars. And may you find success in becoming one of the most influential music labels in OPM,” Gozon said.

Leveling up stay-at-home family bonding with AirConsole AS FAMILIES look for more ways to make the most of their stayat-home time, AirConsole allows them to level up their bonding moments with its no-frills gaming set up for all ages, providing its users fun casual gaming without breaking the bank. With AirConsole, users can experience cross-platform gaming by simply using a smartphone as its gamepad and computer web browsers, Android TVs, or tablets as the main screen, making it more affordable than traditional gaming setups. "In AirConsole, we take this gaming experience to a whole new social dimension by enabling people to collaborate or challenge each other and therefore experience stronger social bonds and emotions in a collective setting," Anthony Cliquot, Chief Operating Officer of AirConsole said. Some of the titles the whole family can enjoy include mini-games, such as "The Neighborhood," and "Fling to the Finish," and other titles like go-kart racing game "GoKartGo! Air!," combat car racing "Burnin' Rubber 5 Air," track-and-field game "Smoots Summer Games," minigolf extravaganza in "Golfriends," online arcade soccer battle "Golazo," interactive quiz games "Trivia & User Quiz," "QuizWitz," "Can't Believe It's...," and artsy games "fARTwork," and "Drawing Evolution." All of these games, unique in-game content, and more premium features to level-up stay-at-home bonding with the family await AirConsole users via SKY. Just download and subscribe to the official AirConsole app to begin playing. AirConsole's advantage over other casual games is its accessibility. "Players can play together on AirConsole without buying any additional hardware. All you need is a SKY TV box and the smartphones that you already have," Rafael Morgan,

Head of Publishing at AirConsole said. Plus, with a SKY Fiber subscription, not only could games be played seamlessly online, but access to its AirConsole Hero plan is also free for six months, which is worth P249 a month for nonSKY subscribers. "With their access to AirConsole, families can savor leveledup bonding moments without digging deep into their budget, especially during this time when many look for ways to cope with the orders to stay at home," Alan Supnet, Head of SKY Broadband Products said. For more information on how you can get this free subscription, visit www.mysky.com.ph/fiberfreemiums.

AirConsole has a vast selection of fun multiplayer games of different genres, including quizzes, sports, racing, strategy, cards, classic arcade, and party games, with over 160 titles to choose from—perfect for the whole family.

Bernadette Lunas, Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife @MStandardLIFE

MONDAY, AUGUST 16, 2021

Life FOOD

Barangay, with its distinctly Filipino logo, serves elevated Filipino food that Batalona aims will delight Filipinos and non-Filipino alike.

Chef Fhred Erick Batalona launches Barangay pop-up restaurant in Melbourne, Australia with a ‘Buwan ng Wika’ concept complete with a four-course meal, Filipino folk dance performances, and a fashion show.

Filipino chef brings

Buwan ng Wika to Australia By Theriz Lizel R. Silvano

OW would you introduce foreigners to Filipino cuisine?

A Filipino chef based in Australia thought of doing the whole thing for the opening of a Pinoy pop-up restaurant: an introduction to the several aspects of Filipino culture, from food to fashion, under the Buwan ng Wika theme celebrated here in the Philippines in August. “I remember, when I was in high school back in the Philippines, we were forced to do performances every single year for Buwan ng Wika,” recalled Fhred Erick Batalona, head chef of Bar Pigalle at Maison Burlesque in Melbourne, in an interview with Manila Standard.

“And that basically [is] the culmination of our culture,” he continued, adding that the celebration “is the best way to showcase what Filipino culture is” and that “it encompasses everything we do, from cuisine, fashion, to performances”.

A proper introduction

The Buwan ng Wika launch concept of Batalona’s Barangay pop-up restaurant, happening on August 29, aims to push Filipino cuisine and culture in a place where they remain relatively unpopular. Having lived in Australia for six and half years now, working as chef “throughout the entire the time”, Batalona believes it is the right time to let Australians know more about us. “There’s only a little bit of percentage that people actually know about us or know about our cuisine, know about our culture, know about our fashion,” he

A push in the right way

Batalona owes it to the time he spent living, working, and learning about Australian culture the wisdom and experience that help him forge a path for Filipino cuisine. “Throughout the time that I lived here, [the Australian culture] helped [me] hone my skills and experience to be able to do what I’m doing right now. Barangay wouldn’t exist if I wasn’t interested in their culture. If I’m only interested in our culture, then I won’t improve,” he said. Passion helps, but right presentation, Batalona believes, is key to truly elevate Filipino cuisine and make foreign diners take notice. Much like how some international brands coming to the Philippines tweak their flavors to suit the Filipino palate or present food the way that would entice us, the Melbourne-based chef said, “we need to be able to make it

show will showcase Filipino formal wear by Lillian Bermudez.

CRAVINGS DELIVERED

Nespresso has an ongoing sale this August.

Delishvery continues service during ECQ

Keep calm and coffee on CUSTOMERS get 20 percent off when they purchase a standalone Nespresso machine (except Creatista) with three coffee sleeves today until August 31. Choose from Essenza Mini, Essenza Plus, Inissia, Pixie, or Citiz for compact machines. Those who prefer machines with built-in milk frother may opt for the new Nespresso Atelier. Meanwhile, for every purchase of 15 coffee sleeves, patrons can avail 30 percent off on the Aeroccino 3, a separate milk frother device. The sale will culminate on the Ultimate Weekend from August 27 to 31 which lets HSBC, BPI, and BDO cardholders avail of up to six months installment at 0 percent interest when they buy Nespresso machines either online or in-store.

said, lamenting how cultural gatekeeping prevents other nationalities from learning about Filipino culture. “We are not too open to other cultures; we say that we are but what happens is that they (fellow Filipinos) congregate to one place where we create this barrier where non-Filipinos usually cannot go,” he shared. “And that is something I want to break with Barangay.” Barangay’s opening promises to be “a full immersion into everything that we are and what we stand for as Filipinos”. A ticket includes a reserved seat to the entire event, with a four-course Filipino meal (which will include adobo) prepared by Batalona, special cocktails by Roy Martins Das Neves, performances by Filipino folk dance groups, and a fashion show assembled by Lilian Bermudez. “I have a host who will basically

take you on a journey on how the event agreeable to their terms as well”. “To make us stand out, we need to should go. It will be a magical night for do better. I’m trying to elevate Filipino non-Filipinos and Filipinos alike.” food but not make it too expensive. I At home at Barangay want to retain the Filipino flavors that Batalona aspires his pop-up restau- we have and do any fusion,” he said. rant, which took him nearly three years Despite the cloud of uncertainty to finally mount, to be a place where surrounding the hospitality industry people feel at home. because of the pandemic, Batalona is “It is a pop-up restaurant, it’s not a hopeful positive changes will spring permanent standalone restaurant, but forth from the challenges. the venue that I chose will make it feel “The hospitality industry, in general, like it’s a Filipino restaurant,” he said as is a question mark depending on how he mentioned the warm, cozy ambience the COVID situation will go on,” he achieved with the use of dark wood, said. “But one thing you need to know candles, and chandeliers “everywhere”. about this industry is that people are “I think, the first thing Filipinos really hard workers, they are known to would feel [as they enter] is that there’s work incredibly long hours.” a sense of home. That’s what I want to According to Batalona, opening a create. I want people to feel at home the food establishment, like Barangay, remoment they come inside the restaurant quires passion, business acumen, persewith all the things that we’ve placed in.” verance, and hard work. The taste, Batalona assures, is dis“Showcasing Filipino cuisine here in tinctly Filipino, too, but elevated to Melbourne is very different [...] I want stand out on the global stage. to show what we can do as Filipinos, “I was taught by my mom to cook and and that we can do more. Our food is I followed her methods,” he shared. “I amazing and I just want to share it with like preparing [dishes] and making sure all the people,” he said. I use the best quality ingredients and As of writing, Barangay Pop-Up Restechniques to make sure that things are taurant: Buwan ng Wika is already fully getting cooked right and all the flavors booked. To prevent the spread of coroare melding together.” navirus, they follow the Australian govHe continued, “Because I do things ernment’s protocols such as wearing of by measurement, I make sure every- mask, sanitizing, and physical distancing. thing is on point, that everyone will get the same food and the same feeling The fashion every single time.”

Nespresso Atelier with built-in milk frother

Nespresso retail stores are located at Power Plant Mall and The Podium, pop-up stores are at Greenbelt 5, One BHS, SM Mall of Asia, SM Aura, Alabang Town Center, Shangri-La Mall, Robinson’s Magnolia, and Trinoma.

RESORTS World Manila’s signature restaurants continue serving a la carte dishes and food bundles for delivery during the latest round of enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila. Casa Buenas, Happy 9, Victoria Harbour Cafe, Kimchi Mojou, Silk Road, and Garden Wing Cafe operate daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for delivery via RWM’s in-house food delivery service, Delishvery. In addition to regular packaging, self-heating and portable Hotbox packages are also available at a starting rate of P1,300. Select RWM outlets also offer a special Rice Toppings menu for bulk orders. RWM assures customers of the staff’s strict adherence to safety and sanitary protocols. Orders are cooked, packed, and delivered fresh to the customer’s doorsteps by RWM’s delivery team. Call (02) 7908-8885 or text 0917-878-8856 to place an order. All rates are inclusive of VAT and subject to delivery charge. Orders may be settled via debit cards, major credit cards, GCash, and COD.

Silogue’s Beef Kaldereta (left) and Happy 9’s Glazed Braised Pork Belly with Vegetables are available via Delishvery.

Dining outlets of RWM-based hotels Marriott Hotel Manila, Sheraton Manila Hotel, Hilton Manila, Hotel Okura Manila, Belmont Hotel Manila, and Savoy Hotel Manila also offer pickup and delivery services. To order, contact the individual hotels directly. To check all the menus, visit www.rwmanila.com.

More brands join GrabFood Signatures A NEW batch of restaurants joins GrabFood Signatures program that features popular brands customers can avail delivery only via the app. Users can now order from Papa John’s, Lugang Café, Yabu, Ippudo, TGI Friday’s, Botejyu, Paper Moon Café, Pepi Cubano, and more when they tap the “Only With GrabFood” widget. Grab launched GrabFood Signatures in April with an initial roster of restaurants that include Angel’s Pizza, Frankies, New York Buffalo Wings, Andok’s,

Kimono Ken, Mann Hann, Turks, Cibo, Sinangag Express, Wildflour Burger, Popeyes, Big Al’s Cookie Jar, J.Co Doughnuts & Coffee, Banapple, Cake2Go, and Café Mary Grace. Merchants under the program offer a long distance delivery option (just check which brands are within your delivery range). TGI Friday’s is now part of GrabFood Signatures program.