Case growth slows in NCR T
COVID tally hits new daily high of 39k amid confirmed Omicron spread HE growth of new COVID-19 cases has slowed in Metro Manila, even if the region is experiencing a surge of infections due to the community transmission of the Omicron variant, the Department of Health (DOH) said Saturday.
Omicron cases receding in big US cities, data says World /A3
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the case doubling time in Metro Manila went from 2.2 to 4 days. “This means that the numbers double every 4 days. We see the cases slowing, but we must understand that cases are still going up,” she said. “The slow growth isn’t the only metric
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we’re looking at, but how many more cases we’re adding,” she added. The DOH also reported 39,004 new COVID-19 cases, again the highest single-day tally since the pandemic began, as it confirmed the community transmission of the Omicron variant in the capital. CONTINUED ON 3A
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IN MET R MANILAO
GOLD ABOVE BENGUET. The sky is bathed in gold at sunset above the site of the soon-to-rise two-storey Multi-Purpose Evacuation Center in Sitio Bayoyo, Barangay Tabio, Mankayan, Benguet. The nationwide project to build storm shelters is funded by P2 billion from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. PAGCOR Photo
DILG: 30% in MM still unvaxxed; PNP: Don’t fake vax cards MMDA shuns
curfew under Alert Level 3
ABOUT a third of residents in Metro Manila, or four million out of its 13.4 million population, have yet to be vaccinated against COVID-19, the Department of the Interior and Local Government said on Saturday, even as police warned individuals against using fake vaccination cards to skip border controls. “In Metro Manila, we can possibly say 30% (are still unvaccinated against COVID-19.) The herd immunity in Metro Manila is high. It’s about more than 70%,” DILG Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs Martin Diño said in an interview on Dobol B TV, when asked how many in the region are not yet inoculated. “You can see that. This is the reason why, despite the high transmission of the coronavirus in Metro Manila, those who get sick get it mild. Instead of having oxygen difficulty, or being in an intensive
CLEAN AND OFFLIMITS. A member of the
Manila Police District Command patrols the area around to the Santo Niño de Tondo Church on Saturday after workers from the Manila Department of Public Services disinfected the area (inset), to prevent devotees from congregating and spreading COVID-19 amid the Omicronfueled surge. The feast day of Sto. Niño in Tondo is celebrated every third Sunday of January. Danny Pata and Norman Cruz
CONTINUED ON 3A
P1.80 hike in diesel seen next week MOTORISTS should expect pump prices of petroleum products to go up big time in the coming week, according to projections by Unioil Petroleum Philippines. In its price forecast for the January 18 to 24 trading week, Unioil said the price per liter of diesel may go up by P1.70 to P1.80. Gasoline prices, meanwhile, may increase by P0.90 to P1.00 per liter. Oil companies usually announce
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price adjustments every Monday, to be implemented the following day. Effective Jan. 11, fuel firms hiked gasoline prices by P0.75 per liter and diesel by P1.00 to P1.10 per liter. Year-to-date adjustments stand at a total net increase of P2.60 per liter for gasoline and P3.50 per liter for diesel.
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China sea claims ‘stunning in falsity,’ says Del Rosario NEWS | 2A
NoCot bus bomber killed in encounter NEWS | 2A
THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Saturday said it saw no need to impose a curfew in the National Capital Region, because residents have shown discipline in the middle of Alert Level 3. “We’ve seen pictures that at about 8 p.m., restaurants in malls are already closed and only a few people were spotted outside their homes. They have shown discipline,” MMDA chairman Benhur Abalos said. Abalos showed some images of different malls and spaces in Metro Manila supposedly taken on Friday, which was quiet and empty. “We thought that for the meantime, there’s no need for a curfew. In a way, our CONTINUED ON 3A
COVID-19 PH AT
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3,168,379 39,004
280,813
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2,834,708 23,613 Recoveries
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(As of 4 PM, JANUARY 15)
Djokovic held again, tabbed ‘public threat’ WORLD | 3A
INBRIEFS
NoCot bus bomber killed in encounter
JANUARY 16, 2022
AS PH BUYS $375-M MISSILE SYSTEM
China sea claims ‘stunning in falsity,’ says Del Rosario
C
HINA’S claims on the South China Sea are “stunning in their outright falsity,” former Ambassador and Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said Saturday, as he backed a study titled “Limits in the Seas No. 150” released by the US State Department on Jan. 14.
This developed as the Philippines has agreed to buy an anti-ship missile system from India, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Friday, shoring up its security in the face of growing Chinese aggression in the South China Sea. Lorenzana offered few details about the nearly $375 million (P19.24 billion) contract awarded to BrahMos Aerospace to supply an onshore anti-ship missile system
Lacson-Sotto to unfold more ideas for gov’t during sorties PARTIDO Reporma chairman and standard-bearer Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson and his running mate Senate President Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III are still fine-tuning their programs for good governance before going full blast in their respective national campaigns in the upcoming 2022 national elections. In a recent interview with broadcast journalist Mike Abe, Lacson said he and his partner are not yet done presenting their proposed solutions to the most pressing problems plaguing our nation, as they plan to include more recommendations from the people they consulted in the grassroots. “Because, you know, at the beginning we went around the country first to feel the pulse of our people. What are the problems on the ground, in the business community? We talked to everybody,” the former policeman-turned-veteran lawmaker said over DZAR radio. “So, we consulted with the experts to determine what are the possible solutions to the problems we have consolidated from the ground. We built on that, which served as the basis for our initial platform, but that is not yet final. We are still fine-tuning it,” Lacson added. Meanwhile, local farmers have pleaded for help defending their livelihoods amid challenges brought about by the pandemic and rampant agricultural smuggling, as they thanked the Lacson-Sotto tandem for shining a light on their plight. The group of farmers from Benguet complained to Lacson and Sotto that it was as if their earnings were being stolen from them—by those who they were counting on to protect them from these threats. They also said farmers contribute not only to the country’s economy, but also to ensuring the health of the nation through the fresh fruits and vegetables they provide for Filipinos daily. At the outset, Lacson already mentioned that some of his priority programs would include his future-proof strategies to lift the nation out of its economic slump due to the COVID-19 pandemic, his ‘Education Plus’ agenda, building better defense for the West Philippine Sea, policy for digital governance, a more humane approach to the war on drugs, and other programs, to name a few.
to the Philippine Navy. Manila’s military was one of the most poorly equipped in Asia when President Rodrigo Duterte’s predecessor, Benigno Aquino, began a modest modernization program in 2012 — but it is still no match for its superpower neighbor China. The US State Department, meanwhile, released a study called Limits in the Seas No. 150, building upon its 2014
study which found that the communist nation’s claims in the South China Sea “are plainly ungrounded in fact and in law,” said Del Rosario. “Both these studies show that China’s claims are stunning in their outright falsity, such as claiming sovereignty over underwater features in the South China Sea as if they were land territories,” the chair of the Stratbase ADR Institute added. “For instance, Mischief Reef forms part of the waters of the Philippines but China claims Mischief Reef as if it were land territory—thereby artificially and illegally converting the reef as one of its air and naval bases within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines,” he said.
THE alleged mastermind of a bus explosion that left a 5-year-old dead and six other passengers injured in North Cotabato has been killed in an encounter, authorities said Saturday. In a statement, the Philippine Army said the suspect identified as Norodin Hassan and three other assailants were killed in a manhunt operation Saturday. Hassan was identified as the alleged “Emir for Military Affairs” of the terrorist Daulah Islamiya Hassan Group (DIHG). “The death of alias Andot and 3 of his cohort only shows that justice is given to the victims of the Mindanao Star Bus bombing,” said Major General Juvymax Uy, commander of the Joint Task Force Central and 6th Infantry Division. On January 11, an explosive device was set off inside a Mindanao Star Bus along Aleosan’s national highway that morning. Of the seven victims, four were minors. The 5-year-old passed away after being rushed to the hospital in critical condition. The two other suspects who were killed in the encounter were identified as Abdonillah Hassan and Abdonhack Hassan. The identity of the third suspect has yet to be determined. Multiple firearms and gadgets were seized at the scene of the operation.
Solon: Learn lessons from Dengvaxia jab
FRESH CATCH.
A market vendor holds up a 14-kilogram yellowfin tuna at the Rosario Fishport in Rosario, Cavite on Saturday, where most shoppers resell the catch throughout markets in the province. JR Josue
UniTeam eyes more PCR tests, aid for hog raisers n By REY E. REQUEJO WORRIED that Filipino workers are not being given enough access to free COVID-19 tests, presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has called on the government to allocate enough funds for RT-PCR tests for both local and overseas workers. “Our workers are having a big problem due to the restrictions of the companies to protect and ensure the safety of everyone. It is very difficult for the workers to bear the cost of
RT-PCR especially at this time when the economy is still crawling,” Marcos said. Also, the BBM-Sara UniTeam will roll out a recovery roadmap for local hog raisers and put an end to runaway pork prices should they win in the upcoming 2022 elections. Marcos Jr. and his running-mate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte noted that higher inflation caused by soaring pork prices had become a burden on millions of Filipino families. “High pork prices are a drain in
the budget of Filipino households. Simply put, the issue in pork prices is mainly due to a supply problem that was worsened by the onslaught of the African swine fever (ASF),” the UniTeam said. The former senator noted that several companies only give their employees access to antigen tests, because it is cheaper, and once they tested positive, they are barred from working without sickness benefits “because the Employees Compensation Commission (ECC) requires only RT-PCR results.”
THE resident economist of the House of Representatives on Saturday urged health authorities to “learn the lessons of Dengvaxia” and ensure that there is strong screening, public consultation, and informed consent measures around the planned COVID-19 vaccination of children aged 5 to 11. “These children are below the age of reason, so we really need very strong measures to ensure that parents know exactly what they are signing their children up for,” Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda said. “We also need strong screening procedures, so from now, we should already be having Barangay Health Workers do questionnaires and profiles of children in their communities,” he added Salceda, chairman of the House committee on ways and means, advised health authorities: “The pitfall of Dengvaxia was one, the screening procedures were not as stringent, two, the public communication effort failed, and three, the narrative spiraled out of control because there are questions about whether the parental consent given was truly informed consent.” “Screening, in particular, will be reassuring. If there are pediatricians on site, and not just nurses, that will probably be both safe for the children and reassuring to the parents,” he said. “US protocols for pediatric vaccination indicate some need for screening for allergies. It’s best to have doctors ready to respond in case any adverse reaction takes place,” Salceda urged. “We should also tell the families the risks and benefits of the vaccine on children by now. We should learn from the lessons of Dengvaxia, so we don’t spoil what is in all likelihood something that is for the common good,” the solon said. Maricel V. Cruz
Isko: Incentivize booster vaccination
RENAMING SOON. Motorists pass along Roosevelt Avenue in Quezon City on
Saturday. President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law a measure renaming Roosevelt to Fernando Poe Jr. (FPJ) Avenue in tribute to the late great action star. Danny Pata
MANILA Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso on Saturday strongly pushed for the government’s grant of incentives to people who go out of their way to get fully vaccinated with the booster shots to further protect themselves from COVID-19 infection, instead of those who refuse to get inoculated. Moreno, the 47-year-old Aksyon Demokratiko standard-bearer, stressed that it is unfair for those who wake up very early to go to the vaccination centers in order to get their first shot, second shot and booster shot and not get any incentive from government; while those who refused to get vaccinated are the ones being offered incentives. The presidential candidate made the statement while inspecting the drive-thru booster shot facility for 4-wheel vehicles in front of the Quirino Grandstand
in Luneta. “For example, you don’t want to get vaccinated, or you stay at home. There’s nothing wrong with that and at least your loved ones can take care of you inside the house. Because look at this, do you believe that at four in the morning someone is already queuing here? So, he persevered. At four in the morning he persevered, to get vaccinated,” Moreno noted. “Isn’t that unfair to him? The person takes time to line up and yet, we’ll give a bonus to the tolongges? We’ll even give a bonus to the stubborn. Isn’t it wrong for the government? For me, that’s my opinion, wrong. What the government will do when a government agency encourages the stubborn to give a bonus. The obedient should be given a bonus, the good ones,” explained Moreno. Rey Requejo
BCBP launches ‘Be Honest’ advocacy for May 9 polls
LONG QUEUE. Residents from different barangays line up under a covered sidewalk at the vaccination site at Ponciano Bernardo Elementary School on P. Tuazon Boulevard in Quezon City on Friday. The city government opened more vaccination sites across all six districts to accommodate its remaining unvaccinated residents as well as those whose booster shots are due. Robert Oswald P. Alfiler
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THE Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals on Saturday encouraged everyone through a virtual media conference to make honesty an integral part of one’s value system and way of life. The “Tapatan ng Tapat” campaign of the BCBP advances the group’s “Be Honest” advocacy, especially for the coming May 2022 national elections for which they commit to champion and defend the values of truth, integrity, and transparency. “We encourage everyone to contemplate and listen to our inner voice so we will be able to choose and vote for candidates that reflect and practice Christian values in this coming election,” says PV Beley, BCBP President.
Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Anita F. Grefal Baldwin R. Felipe Edgar M. Valmorida
“The challenge is really to place the virtue of honesty at the forefront of a person’s moral compass, which becomes his or her basis for choices and actions,” he added. Beley said they are strongly pushing the “Be Honest” advocacy via the “Tapatan ng Tapat” campaign to guide everyone on the moral basis for choosing the candidates to vote for in the elections, “but we are not endorsing anyone in particular.” “It’s a personal decision for each of us and through this campaign we are encouraging everyone to contemplate and listen to our inner voice so we will be able to choose and vote for candidates that reflect and practice Christian values this coming election,” he said. The launch kicked off with the group’s Na-
Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Treasury Manager Head—Ad Solutions Circulation Manager
tional Grand Breakfast Meeting that featured a talk by Bishop Pablo Virgilio S. David, CBCP President, on the Christian responsibility to choose leaders who reflect Christian values as men and women of the faith. David gave many insightful messages on what honesty is about and what it is not. “Truth is the same as being on the right path as opposed to being lost or misled. Where is this path supposed to be leading us? It is the path to fullness of life,” stressed the bishop. The BCBP has lined up initiatives in support of the conduct of clean and honest elections together with its partners in mission in Halalang Marangal 2022, a group of more than 20 faith-based organizations.
Rolando G. Estabillo Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Managing Editor Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Associate Editors Joyce Pangco Pañares News Editor
Publisher
Jimbo Owen Gulle City Editor Honor Blanco Cabie Night Editor Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer
Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board
WORLD
JANUARY 16, 2022
MELBOURNE—Australia returned Novak Djokovic to detention on Saturday, saying the tennis star’s opposition to vaccination could cause “civil unrest” and triggering a high-profile court showdown. Having once failed to remove the unvaccinated 34-year-old from the country, Australia’s conservative government is trying again. And Djokovic is fighting back for the second time, with a new court appeal scheduled for Sunday. The case will be heard from 9:30 am (2230GMT) by the full Federal Court of three justices, a format that leaves little room to appeal any decision. For now, the Serbian ace is back at a notorious Melbourne immigration detention facility after a few short-lived days of freedom following his first successful court appeal. A motorcade was spotted moving from his lawyers’ offices -- where he had been kept under guard for most of Saturday -- to the former Park Hotel facility. AFP
PURIFYING BATH.
Shinto believers of the Kanda Myojin Shrine take a bath in cold water to purify their souls and bodies during a New Year ritual in Tokyo on January 15. AFP
US Omicron cases receding in NY, big cities, data finds
T
HE United States’ omicron wave is beginning to recede in New York and other major cities, official data showed this week, even as COVID-19 hospitalizations, a lagging indicator, reached new highs.
The trend of explosive rises in omicron
Djokovic held again, tabbed ‘public threat’
cases followed by equally fast declines follows similar patterns seen in Britain and in South Africa, where the variant was first reported in late November. In New York city, the 7-day average of new daily cases has been falling since around January 2, when they peaked at 40,000 a day -- an all-time record. The figure stood at around 28,500 on January 10, still higher than anything seen in previous waves caused by other strains, an official tracker showed Friday. Similar drops were visible in New York state, New Jersey and Chicago, the country’s third-largest city, as well as in the capital Washington. But the nationwide average was still rising, with more than 750,000 cases
per day, as infections continued to shoot up in most states. While milder for most people compared to past strains, the transmissibility of omicron has meant the small fraction who become severely ill amount to a large number, overwhelming hospitals. More than 157,000 inpatient beds are occupied by COVID patients, according to the Health and Human Services Department, a record high. At the same time, the country has been hit by nationwide nurse strikes and protests over shortages of staff and equipment, as well as being forced to work while COVID positive. The 7-day average of daily deaths is
over 1,700, approaching the peak last seen during the delta variant wave in September 2021, which was around 1,900 per day. The all-time peak came in January 2021, when more than 3,400 people lost their lives per day. Vaccine efficacy remains higher than 90 percent against severe cases, according to data from New York state. On Thursday, the US Supreme Court delivered a blow to President Joe Biden by blocking his COVID vaccination-or-testing mandate for employees of large businesses. However, the nation’s highest court did allow a vaccination mandate for health care workers at facilities receiving federal funding. AFP
5 new raps for Suu Kyi from junta YANGON -- A Myanmar junta court has hit ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi with five new corruption charges related to the alleged hiring and purchase of a helicopter, sources close to the case told AFP. The Nobel laureate, 76, has been detained since the February 1 coup last year which triggered mass protests and a bloody crackdown on dissent with more than 1,400 civilians killed, according to a local monitoring group. Suu Kyi is facing a raft of criminal and corruption charges -- including violating the country’s official secrets laws -- and if convicted of all of them could face sentences tallying more than 100 years of prison. The charges were levelled against Suu Kyi on Friday afternoon and related to the hire, maintenance and purchase of a helicopter, the sources said. Former Myanmar president U Win Myint was also hit with the same charges, they said. AFP
UN to Yemen rebels: Let go seized UAE-flagged ship
UNITED Nations -- The UN Security Council on Friday called for the “immediate release” of an Emirati-flagged vessel and its crew who have been held by Huthi rebels in Yemen since the beginning of January, and a de-escalation of the situation. The Saudi-led military coalition backing Yemen’s internationally-backed government against the rebels said the Rwabee was returning
from a mission to set up a field hospital and called the seizure an act of piracy. In a recent letter to the United Nations, the United Arab Emirates noted that the Rwabee’s crew consisted of 11 members: 7 Indians (India is a non-permanent member of the Security Council), and others from Ethiopia, Indonesia, Myanmar, and the Philippines. But the Iran-backed Huthis released
images of what they said were military jeeps and weapons on board the vessel, which was captured off the key rebel-held Red Sea port of Hodeida. In a statement drafted by Britain and adopted unanimously, the 15-member Security Council “demanded the immediate release of the vessel and its crew and “underscored the necessity of ensuring the crew’s safety and well-being.” AFP
Tsunami waves crash ashore in Tonga after big eruption ROCKET, MAN. A man walks past a television report showing a news broadcast with file footage of a North Korean missile test, at a railway station in Seoul on January 14, after North Korea fired an unidentified projectile eastward in the country’s third suspected weapons test in just over a week. AFP
FromtheFRONTPAGE CASE...
Saturday’s record surpassed Friday’s cases, when the DOH logged 37,207 infections. Independent research group OCTA on Saturday dovetailed the DOH findings, as it said based on the 7-day moving average, the growth rate of the coronavirus in the National Capital Region dipped to 3 percent on Friday from 5 percent on Thursday. OCTA fellow Dr. Guido David said the reproduction number, or R value, in Metro Manila also fell to 3.22 as of Tuesday. The R value measures the average number of people that one infected person passes the disease to, and an R value higher than 1 can lead to exponential growth. “While the decrease in growth rate is strong evidence that that the trend in NCR appears to be peaking, it is still subject to data backlog and late reports,” David said. “Once the growth rate in NCR becomes negative, new cases in the NCR are decreasing.” Meanwhile, Vergeire said COVID-19 cases were expected to rise nationwide until the end of the month. Based on the DOH team’s projections, the peak of infections might be reached by the end of January or mid-February. NCR currently has 149,000 active COVID-19 cases, or over half the number of total active infections in the country (265,509). The DOH also observed a spike in new cases in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol Region, and
Western and Eastern Visayas. Five regions in the country are also in the critical case risk classification: NCR, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Cagayan Valley, and CAR. “ We can see that cases are going up in other regions. We could see the same characteristics in the NCR when the surge started,” Vergeire said. But David said the surge in COVID-19 cases could be slowing down in Cavite, Rizal, and Bulacan. “It is still maturing in Laguna, Pampanga, and Benguet. It is accelerating in Batangas and Isabela,” he said. The OCTA fellow said the surge is still in its early stages in Cebu, Pangasinan, Quezon, Iloilo, Camarines Sur, Davao del Sur, and Negros Occidental, adding that it is “likely to be accelerating soon.” Meanwhile, the average daily attack rates (ADAR) for some provinces are Cavite (55.71), Rizal (58.27), Bulacan (46.72), Laguna (45.59), Pampanga (25.19), and Benguet (36.18). ADAR pertains to the incidence of the average number of new cases in a period per 100,000 persons. The country’s total reported cases are now 3,168,379, of which 280,813 patients were active. Eight laboratories failed to submit data on time. ABS-CBN Data Analytics head Edson Guido said the number of active infections was a record high for the fourth straight day. The positivity rate was at 47.1 percent based on samples collected from 78,774 individuals who were screened for COVID-19 on Thursday, data showed. This declined for a second straight day, but Guido noted it was still the 3rd highest positivity rate since data became available.
NUKU’ALOFA, Tonga -- Large waves crashed ashore in Tonga Saturday after a massive volcanic eruption that was heard in neighbouring countries triggered the area’s second tsunami in as many days. “A 1.2 meter tsunami wave has been observed at Nukualofa,” Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology tweeted. The maximum tsunami wave recorded following Friday’s explosion There were also 23,613 people who recovered from COVID-19 on Saturday, raising the total to 2,834,708. Fatalities also climbed by 43 to 52,858. In a televised public briefing, Vergeire said local cases of the variant of concern have already been detected in the capital region. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), community transmission happens when connections between local infections could no longer be established through the positive test results of routine sampling. “We are already seeing the community transmission of the omicron variant here in the NCR. While our genome sequencing cannot catch up, we already have determined that there are local cases already,” Vergeire explained.
DILG:... care unit or hospital, people are lining up at drugstores for paracetamol,” Dino added. Meanwhile, Philippine National Police Chief General Dionardo Carlos warned violators would face stiff penalties, including imprisonment following reports of individuals presenting fake vaccination cards at checkpoints. “Don’t ever attempt to falsify the vaccination card or else you’ll face raps. Remember, this is an offense under the Republic Act 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases Law,” Carlos said. “If you are caught falsifying, tampering, or using a fake vaccination card, you will be slapped with penalties including a P20,000 to P50,000 fine or imprisonment of one to six months, or both,” he added.
was 30 centimeters. The latest eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano came just a few hours after Friday’s tsunami warning was lifted. It lasted at least eight minutes and sent plumes of gas, ash and smoke several kilometres into the air. Residents in coastal areas were urged to head for higher ground. Commuters who are unvaccinated against COVID-19 will only get a warning on the first week of the “no vaccination, no ride” policy, the PNP-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) in the National Capital Region said on Saturday. “They will be given a warning within one week... But they will not be allowed to ride [public transportation]. They will be asked to turn back or go home,” PNP-HPG NCR chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Joel Mendoza said in an interview on Dobol B TV. Mendoza said unvaccinated passengers will not be given citation tickets or be fined yet for the first week.
MMDA... countrymen have learned when to self-regulate as these variants emerge. You do not need to tell them when not to go out, because they know it is infectious,” he explained when asked if there were any minors caught violating curfew in Metro Manila. “We are seeing fewer people out in the streets and at malls. You can no longer see anyone around 7 p.m. or 8 p.m,” Abalos added. The shift to Alert Level 4 status in the NCR and neighboring areas is possible but only if the hospital bed utilization rate for COVID-19 patients increases to 71 percent, acting Presidential Spokesperson Karlo Nograles explained on Saturday. Nograles, also the Cabinet Secretary, said the escalation of the quarantine classification would also take into consideration the two-week growth rate, average daily attack rate (ADAR), and health care utilization rate. The ADAR is the number of new cases
The eruption was so intense it was heard as “loud thunder sounds” in Fiji more than 800 kilometres (500 miles) away, officials in Suva said. Victorina Kioa of the Tonga Public Service Commission said Friday that people should “keep away from areas of warning which are low-lying coastal areas, reefs and beaches.” AFP over a certain period divided by the population. The hospital bed utilization rate in NCR is at 60.03 percent, while the intensive care unit bed utilization is at 55 percent as of January 13. “We are really actively monitoring our total bed utilization rate. So right now, it is still at 60 percent. It has not yet hit 71 percent,” Nograles said in a radio interview. The government also monitors the classification of the patients using the hospital beds, he added. “We want to emphasize that hospital beds should be reserved for COVID-19 patients with severe and critical symptoms, the elderly, and those with comorbidities or those we call our vulnerable population,” Nograles said. Mild and asymptomatic patients can quarantine at home or stay in facilities if they have no area where they could isolate. Abalos clarified to ABS-CBN News that it was up to local governments to impose curfew for minors. “There’s no curfew in Metro Manila, except curfew for minors of some LGUs even before the pandemic . . . Some LGUs have, some LGUs don’t have,” he said. “There’s no uniform ordinance for minors. Local government units have autonomy. Kanya-kanya ‘yun (it is up to them) . . . It was even (that way) before the pandemic.” Mayors in the capital region, home to some 13 million people, also decided to keep the same alert level until the end of the month because of the safe healthcare utilization rate despite the surge in cases, Abalos added.
R
IMINI Street, a global provider of enterprise software support products and services, considers the Philippines as a key market with a good potential for growth despite the pandemic.
Andrew Seow, group vice president and regional general manager for Southeast Asia and Greater China at Rimini Street, says the Philippines is one of the company’s priority markets in Asia. “Since the Philippines is also one of our key markets, we are looking forward to ramping up our operations in the country so we can help local enterprises unlock more savings through optimizing operations, leverage digitalization to help ensure their recovery, resiliency and growth amid uncertain changes in the business landscape,” Seow says in an email interview. Rimini Street counts several manufacturing, logistics and distribution companies in the Philippines as customers. The company has been providing third-party enterprise software support services to over 4,400 organizations globally including Unilab, Mitsubishi, Yamaha, Hyundai, Kia Motors, Fortune 500 companies, and other organizations from a broad range of industries. Rimini Street was founded in 2005 with the mission to help clients extract value from enterprise software, invest in innovation, create competitive advantage and enable growth. It now has over 1,595 employees in 27 offices worldwide. ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS Among its support and managed service solutions for enterprise software are those of Oracle, SAP and Salesforce, giving customers a choice on how to support and manage their software and deliver a service experience, powered by experts, that is client centric. “Our business model helps them get more value out of the software they have invested in, and with savings they get with Rimini Street, our clients are able to fund in innovation to drive growth,” Seow says. Rimini Street began servicing companies in the Philippines in 2014. “There is a huge market opportunity in the Philippines for ERP software support as there are
JANUARY 16, 2022
Software firm believes in PH growth potential a total of 957,620 enterprises recorded in 2020, 99.51 percent or 952,969 of these are micro, small and medium enterprises and 4,651 or only 0.49 percent are large enterprises,” says Seow. The World Bank reported that majority of organizations in the Philippines, including 58 percent of SMEs and large firms and 63 percent of micro firms, leveraged digital solutions to address the impact of COVID-19. “Even prior to the pandemic, a lot of businesses in the Philippines have already started their digital transformation journey. A study by P&A Grant Thornton also found that digital transformation initiatives enabled business continuity amid COVID-19 as a majority of organizations in the Philippines implemented remote work arrangements,” he says. TOOL FOR RECOVERY Seow says technology plays a crucial role in enabling recovery for businesses and economies. “More enterprises and governments are leveraging technology and accelerating their digitalization, and it is expected to significantly increase in the coming years as more businesses and transactions shift towards digital amid sustained health and safety concerns due to the pandemic,” he says. An Asian Development Bank report shows that accelerated digital transformation can potentially boost global output, trade and commerce and employment opportunities. A CFO Peer Insights study sponsored by Rimini Street with Dimensional Research in 2021 that included 1,500 CFOs and senior financial leaders globally found that digital transformation investments are part of the top five spending priorities of 80 percent of corporations. “Additionally, increased technology spending is driven by new digital transformation investments, with 71 percent of respondents saying that digital transformation is a crucial factor to their success,” he says. “Technology investments are consistently an enabler for rapid change and ongoing flexibility. However, COVID-19 has significantly accelerated technology adoption to support new business-critical requirements, from remote work to virtual
customer inter-actions to supply chain sourcing. The vast majority or 95 percent agree that technology investments are crucial to recovering from the business impacts of COVID-19,” says Seow. Seow says that by leveraging Rimini Street’s third-party support, customers reported being able to save 50-percent on annual software support fees and up to 90 percent on total maintenance costs. These savings enable the customers to reallocate funds towards other innovation to further support their organization. FUTURE OF WORK Seow says the pandemic
mote work and a lot of other changes due to health restrictions and mobility constraints. This compelled organizations to rethink how they conduct business and accelerate their digital transformation initiatives to support the shift in operations. “We expect this to continue into a hybrid workforce as employees prefer the flexibility remote work offers,” he says. As vaccinations increase and cases continue to decrease, companies are preparing their workforce for a hybrid scenario, he says. Companies are optimizing technology investments to prioritize tools that boost collaboration, productivity, business agility and resilience. COST EFFICIENCY Rimini Street has gained a lot of traction in Southeast Asia as it provides software support to more clients in the region. “Our clients, who are composed of large enterprises now enjoy much better cost efficiency and customized support services than before. Because our customer base has also grown in the past few years, we have also ramped up our expansion into the region through hiring more talent to better provide highly personalized consultative services that would help drive competitive advantage and growth for organizations,” says Seow. Roderick T. dela Cruz
Andrew Seow, group vice president and regional general manager for Southeast Asia and Greater China at Rimini Street
to the rise of re-
led
Bria Homes expands in Laguna
Piddig residents pose before a monument of Yldefonso
Olympic hero’s heirs give food support to Ilocos hometown RESIDENTS in Piddig, Ilocos Norte—the hometown of the first Filipino Olympic medalist Teofilo Yldefonso—received a surprise treat from the heirs of the late sports legend and war hero: free Chooks-to-Go chicken. Capt. Raul Yldefonso, who represented the descendants of the heroic swimmer, said his grandfather would have also wanted to share to the less fortunate any blessings he received. Last year, Chooks-to-Go operator Bounty Agro Ventures Inc. committed to honor Yldefonso’s “patriotism and contribution to Philippine sports” by giving his heirs regular supply of Chooks-to-Go chicken. “This is our simple way of giving tribute to our first Olympic medalist, Teofilo Yldefonso, who was also a World War II hero,” said BAVI president Ronald Mascariñas. “Yldefonso endured the Bataan Death March and later died in a concentration camp. We are happy that his example of being a true Manok ng Bayan with true love for country continues among his descendants today,” Mascariñas said. Yldefonso was the country’s first-ever Olympic medalist, winning bronze in the 200-meter breaststroke event of the 1928 Summer Games in Amsterdam. He repeated the feat four years later in Los Angeles as he became known as the “Ilocano Shark” and “The Father of the Modern Breaststroke”. In 2021, BAVI honored Filipino Olympic greats with various rewards, such as regular supply of Chooks-to-Go vouchers, and even Chooks-to-Go outlets. Among those who received this bounty were Eumir Marcial, Roel Velasco, Onyok Velasco and the late Leopoldo Serantes. The company was later conferred the Arete Award by the Philippine Olympians Association for its remarkable support to outstanding yet oft-forgotten Olympians. BAVI is the Philippines’ largest rotisserie chicken company, with close to 2,000 stores nationwide. The home of renowned brands Chooks-to-Go, Uling Roasters, Bounty Fresh, Adobo Connection, and HeiHei, it also forms part of the country’s second largest poultry integrator. BAVI is committed to living its purpose of inspiring national pride, hope and compassion.
MORE home buyers are seeking townhouse Bettina (44-sq. m. floor property developments in Laguarea and 36-sq. m. lot area); and na province, as newly-completed single firewall Alecza (36-sq. m. infrastructure projects cut travel floor area and 81-sq. m. lot area), all time between Metro Manila and with living and dining areas, a serSouthern Luzon. vice area, a carport and one to two Laguna, a province known for its bedrooms. tourist-friendly heritage sites and Meanwhile, young, single prohot spring resorts, has emerged fessionals or starting families might not only as a weekend destination want to check out compact vertical but also a residential enclave and living at Bria Condo Calamba, also industrial zone. in Barangay Bañadero. Top-tier housing developer Bria Bria Condo residents enjoy acHomes makes sure it provides cess to exclusive amenities such Filipino families the best of suburas a gym, a multipurpose hall, playban-like living in Laguna. Among ground and swimming pool. Guardits Laguna residential projects are ed entrances and exits and 24-hour located in Calamba, Alaminos, Young, single professionals or starting families security and ensure safety and might want to check out compact vertical living peace of mind for residents. Sta. Cruz and San Pablo. at Bria Condo Calamba. In Calamba, Filipinos looking for Both Bria Homes Calamba and well-built, superior-quality housBria Condo Calamba boast of proxes and lots can choose from Bria imity to schools, hospitals and comHomes Calamba and Bria Execmercial establishments such as SM Meanwhile, Bria Homes Executive utive Calamba, while those opting for Calamba in Barangay Majada Out in Calamba, Waltermart, iMall, City Mall); efficiently laid-out midrise homes can Canlubang is located near schools such and major roads and highways such as check out Bria Condo Calamba. as Don Bosco College, Majada Out Ele- SLEX and Maharlika Highway. Bria Homes Calamba in Barangay mentary School, Majada In National High Other Bria Homes projects in Laguna Bañadero is a 22-hectare residential com- School and Good Samaritan Mary School are Bria Homes Alaminos, Bria Homes munity that features a variety of leisure and Annex; hospitals and clinics like Calam- San Pablo and Bria Homes Santa Cruz. sports facilities such as a basketball court, ba Medical Center, St. Mark’s Hospital, Bria Homes Alaminos is a 10-hectcovered court, playground and park. Global Care Medical Center of Canlubang are property in Barangay Del Carmen It offers the two-story townhouse Inc. and Calamba Doctors Hospital; and in Alaminos, close to schools hospitals Bettina (44-square-meter floor area and malls like iMall Canlubang, Carmel Mall, and commercial establishments. Pro36-sq. m. lot area); single firewall Angeli Checkpoint Mall and SM Calamba. spective homebuyers in Alaminos may (42 sq. m. floor area and 66 sq. m. lot The property features a basketball choose from the following units: Elyaarea); and two-story townhouse Angeli- court, covered court and a jogging path na (24-sq. m. floor area and 36-sq. m. que (35-sq. m. floor area and 36-sq. m. for an active, healthy lifestyle. lot area); two-story townhouse Bettina lot area). All units have living and dining Prospective homeowners can choose (44-sq. m. floor area and 36-sq. m. lot areas, a service area, a carport and one from rowhouse Elyana (24-sq. m. floor area); and single firewall Alecza (36-sq. to two bedrooms. area and 36-sq. m. lot area); two-story m. floor area and 81-sq. m. lot area).
Filipinos top foreign business owners in the UK THE most commonly-reported nationality of UK business owners, excluding English, Scottish, Welsh or British, turned out to be Filipinos, according to a study by financial services company ETX Capital. ETX Capital said this was based on the database of over 200,000 UK businesses and the residences and nationalities of their owners. “It won’t come as much of a shock to hear that nearly two thirds [66.8 percent] of these business owners report their nationality as British, with another 3.3 percent reporting their nationality as English. However, we wanted to see which other nationalities were investing in UK businesses, so we removed anyone that reported their nationality as English, Scottish, Welsh or British from the table,” the ETX Capital study says. “The two most common nationalities are both Asian: specifically, Filipino and Chinese,” it says. The table shows that 5,090 or 2.65 percent of the business owners are Filipinos, followed by Chinese at 2.17 percent and Romanian at 2.01 percent. Ranking fourth and fifth are also Asian nationalities (Pakistani and Indian) as was 9th (Turkish) and 20th (Bangladeshi). This means that over a quarter of the top 20 nationalities originate in Asia. The majority of the top 20 are European nationalities, which is less of a surprise considering the relative geographical proximity
compared to other continents, according to ETX Capital. Meanwhile, only two nationalities from Africa made an appearance (Morocco at 11th and Nigeria in 12th) and one from North America (the United States at 15th). The most common birth month of UK business owners is January while the least common is February. Meanwhile, the most common birth year for business owners is 1988. About 10.8 percent of UK business owners report their country of residence as outside the UK. Again, the most common country is the Philippines, with 4,984 or 2.59 percent of business owners. It is followed by China (1.39 percent) and Morocco (0.60 percent). Of the top 20, most nationalities are either European or Asian. The study also shows that the most common birth month of UK business owners is January, while the least common is February. Meanwhile, the most common birth year for business owners is 1988.
JANUARY 16, 2022
Philippine athletics:
S
Alexie as a model/beauty queen.(Photo credit to Pilothea Liau)
n By YEONPHIL DONNA JUMAWAN
HE’S tall, athletic, black, and beautiful. Meet Alexie Mae Brooks Caimoso who is tipped to become the next star of Philippine Athletics.
Standing 5’9, the 20-year old model, beauty queen from Iloilo is slowly inching her way towards her dream of carrying the Philippine flag as a member of the Philippine athletics team Her gold-medal finish in the heptathlon in the recent Ayala Philippine Athletics Championship in Baguio City booked her a slot in the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) national training pool. She did not only top the 10-discipline event and beat the 2019 Southeast Asian Games Sheila Dequinan, but the Ilonga stunner also surpassed the qualifying standard for the 2022 Vietnam SEA Games slated for May. Alexie had a total of 4,734 points, which were four over the 4730 points tallied by the 2019 SEA Games women’s heptathlon event. For her feat in the Nationals, she was awarded the Iron Maiden special award. The heptathlon is an ultimate test of skills for women as they compete in a two-day seven events including 100m hurdles, high jump, shot put and 200m, long jump, javelin, and 800m run. Alexie’s continued ascent to the top is a result of hard work and perseverance, physically and emotionally. She never met her American father and she doesn’t have any idea of the whereabouts of her mother. But she was raised well by her grandmother in Iloilo. She started competing and winning the Palarong Pambansa high-jump competition until she was recruited and became a scholar at National University in Manila as a college student. Discovered by the legendary Ilonggo mentor Noel Diel, she became the 2017 Palarong Pambansa long jump queen with 1.65 personal best. Back in Iloilo, she was also competing in local beauty pageants, including the Miss Teen Iloilo in 2015. She was Mutya ng Buga in 2013. She is now one of the most sought-after models in the industry. Becoming a beauty queen was not an easy route for Alexie who experienced bullying because of her color. “I am a victim of body shaming and ostracism or what they rebranded as cancel culture or call-out culture because I am far different
Ilongga star on the rise
Alexie with her medal and trophy during the Ayala Philippine Athletics Championship in Baguio City from the norm because I don’t look like the typical beautiful Filipina woman that they keep on stereotyping,” she wrote on her social media page. “Some would even call me a copycat or a downgraded version of a past beauty queen. It stings but it will never drag me down. For I am unique, I am different, I am peculiar. I am Alexie Brooks.” For this year, Alexie is torn between two worlds—carrying the Philippine flag as an athlete or representing the country as a beauty queen. This early, she is tipped to be one of the top favorites if she decides to compete in the 2022 Miss Universe Philippines, owing to her uniqueness, capable of becoming the first-ever Black Filipina to win the crown. Alexie was a consistent honor student back in her high school days and currently works as a motivational speaker so the question-and-answer portion should be an easy task. Beauty, brain, and athleticism—Alexie is definitely a complete package.
Alexie Brooks Caimoso as an athlete (From Alexie Brooks FB page)
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THE PLDT Home Fibr High Speed Hitters has been named George Pascua the new head coach for the 2022 Premier Volleyball League season. And for Pascua, taking over the storied volleyball franchise is both a challenge and an honor. “Happy and excited kasi napunta ako sa team na isa sa mga pioneer na teams na sa volleyball,” he said. “Masaya din ako na vina-value nila yung players. “Yung pagkuha nila sa akin, very unexpected. Hindi ko inexpect kasi marami silang ina-eye na head coach. Kinausap nila ako sa kanilang mga plans at nagkaroon kami ng collaborations. Tapos tinawagan nila ako na ako na daw napili nila.” Pascua replaces Roger Gorayeb, who has been with PLDT since 2013. “It’s been a really good relationship between PLDT and Coach Roger,” said SMART and PLDT head of sports Jude Turcuato. “It wasn’t just because of the championships that he has won but he was also a father figure to the group with all his experiences. We are really grateful for those eight years. Pascua is a three-time champion coach in the Philippine Superliga, steering to the 2014 Grand Prix and 2015 All-Filipino championships. He also guided Cignal to the 2017 Invitational championship. In 2018, he had a one-year stint with Sta. Lucia as well. He is also the current head coach of Far Eastern University’s women’s volleyball team -- a position he has held since 2017 -- and also an assistant coach for the Philippine Wom-
George Pascua says taking over the PLDT Home Fibr squad is both an honor and a challenge.
Pascua takes over as new coach of PLDT Fibr en’s National Volleyball Team. “Malaking bagay kasi as a coach, continuous study pa rin,” said Pascua about getting to work with national team consultant Edson Souza De Brito. “At the same time, natuto ako ng bagong system na galing sa Brazil. Malaking bagay sa akin yun na may bagong sistema ako natutunan.” Pascua tapped Raffy Mosuela, Mike Santos, and Manolo Refugia as assistant coaches while Paolo Escaño is the team’s strength and conditioning coach. Expectations are high for the PLDT team entering the new season. But for Pascua and Turcuato, it’s going to be a process. “Sabi ko nga, trusted ko yung assistant coach na kinuha ko kasi
malaki yung expectations sa amin ng team at ng fans,” said Pascua. “Pero siyempre it’s a process and we can’t get that in a blink of an eye. Kailangan ma-form namin yung chemistry ng mga bata at nung team. May mga skills na yan but kailangan makuha nila yung system natin.” “What we want to see is continuous improvement,” added Turcuato. “The winning culture is something that we expect in any MVP team. We always want to improve and be better in every game, that’s the mindset that we want for the team. The expectation is to be a contender.” The 2022 PVL Open Conference is targetting a February 16 start date.
Warriors snap skid, trump Bulls by 42; Sixers stay hot
GOLDEN State busted out of a slump with their most dominant victory of the NBA season on Friday (Saturday PH time) the Warriors continuing their mastery over Chicago by clobbering the Bulls 138-96 at the United Center. Andrew Wiggins finished with a teamhigh 21 points and Stephen Curry delivered 19 as the Warriors rebounded from a 118-99 loss to the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday. The loss to the Bucks was the Warriors’ fourth in their last five games. Rookie Jonathan Kuminga finished with 25 points and Jordan Poole scored 22 for the Warriors, who pulled away early to win their 10th consecutive game over the Bulls, including five straight in Chicago. The Bulls problems mounted Friday after being blown out by the Brooklyn Nets two night earlier. Already down a starting forward with Derrick Jones sidelined with a hyperextended right knee, Chicago lost All-Star Zach LaVine early in the game after he injured his right knee. LaVine pulled himself from the game by committing an intentional foul. He appeared to injure the knee moments earlier while going for a rebound. Nikola Vucevic had 19 points and 14 rebounds, Coby White added 20 points, and DeMar DeRozan scored 17 for the Bulls, who were booed off the court Friday trailing 78-47 at the half. They suffered their worst loss of the season. The Warriors played without Klay Thompson, who was resting. Thompson is returning from a serious injury so coach Steve Kerr doesn’t want to use him in back-to-back games. Thompson has played in three games after returning from a 2 1/2-year absence with a torn ACL and an injury to his Achilles tendon. Elsewhere, Joel Embiid carried the load offensively for Philadelphia, scoring
25 points and grabbing 13 rebounds as the 76ers beat the Boston Celtics 111-99 for their eighth win in nine games. Embiid finished five points short of what would have been his ninth straight game with at least 30 points, which would have broken the franchise record he shares with Wilt Chamberlain and Allen Iverson. Tyrese Maxey added 23 points, Tobias Harris had 17 points and Seth Curry scored 17 for Philadelphia, who bounced back from a 109-98 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday that halted their seven-game win streak. Jaylen Brown scored 21 points and Jayson Tatum added 20 points and 11 rebounds for the Celtics. Payton Pritchard came off the bench to score 17 points and Robert Williams tallied 12 points and 14 rebounds. In Indianapolis, Devin Booker scored 22 of his 35 points in the third quarter and Deandre Ayton had 27 points and 12 rebounds to fuel the visiting Phoenix Suns to a 112-94 victory over the Indiana Pacers. Booker drained a career-high-tying six three-pointers to give Phoenix its fifth win in the last six games. AFP
Andrew Wiggins (#22) of the Golden State Warriors is defended by DeMar DeRozan (#11) and Alfonzo McKinnie (#28) of the Chicago Bulls at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. AFP Photo
Life Editor: Nickie Wang
JANUARY 16, 2022
nickie.standard@gmail.com
Pia Wurtzbach
Vogue lands
Liza Soberano
on Philippine shores
Nadine Lustre
Megan Young, and Kylie Verzosa.
Who should cover the fashion mag’s maiden issue?
Heart Evangelista
No one captures couture better than Heart Evangelista. She is known in the Philippine fashion community for wearing brilliantly stunning ensembles that left many of us green with envy. Whether she’s jet-setting, vlogging, meeting friends, or just lounging about at home, fans can expect Heart to deliver looks that scream of flawless elegance. Heart also isn’t a stranger to being on the cover of popular fashion and lifestyle magazines, making her the go-to pick to be the first Filipino celebrity on the cover of Vogue Philippines.
By Patricia Taculao
V
OGUE is an influential American magazine on topics of fashion and lifestyle. Since its founding in 1892, the magazine has grown in popularity and spread in different countries around the globe.
Heart Evangelista
Nadine Lustre
In 2022, Filipinos are more than excited as recent announcements brought to light the establishment of Vogue Philippines. Suki Salvador, president of One Mega Group, Inc., took to Instagram last Monday, Jan. 10, officially announcing that Conde Nast Traveler partnered with Mega Global Licensing Inc. to release Vogue’s 29th global edition by September 2022. Apart from having monthly issues as well as digital and social media platforms, Vogue Philippines will celebrate the country’s rich culture, diversity, and incredible talent in fashion and beauty. This, of course, excited netizens who began suggesting Filipino celebrities who should be on the first-ever cover of Vogue Philippines. Here are some of their top choices:
and mirrors her overall grace and poise. The actress is known for donning looks that speak levels of comfort and authenticity while remaining chic as always. Her style preference revolves around capturing her mood and essence while dressing appropriately for events and is inspired by fashion icon Audrey Hepburn, actresses Zendaya, and Anya Taylor-Joy, as well as popuLiza Soberano Having Liza Soberano on the first lar South Korean girl group Blackpink. cover of Vogue Philippines is a no-brainPia Wurtzbach er. Liza’s natural beauty and eye-catchApart from being the most popular ing looks have since become the talk of the town. Her style continues to evolve Miss Universe, IMG era, Pia Wurtzbach
Anne Curtis
Lovi Poe
Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam (July) with Ong,
Maymay Entrata
When it comes to sleek, trendy looks, fashion enthusiasts look no further than Nadine Lustre. Nadine is not one to shy away from trying different trends and looks, but in every one of them, the actress exudes confidence, inspiring others to embrace their bodies. Being the fashion chameleon she is, Nadine’s avant-garde styles also sparked trends in the country. A popular trend she started is pairing loose, baggy jeans with crop tops and chunky sneakers, bringing a whole lot of ‘90s vibes.
is one in demand cover girl. With an eyes that can captivate the world and a personality that can endear everyone, Pia, no doubt, is a perfect muse for any fashion spread. Last year alone, she had appeared on the cover of numerous local fashion magazines with her beauty accentuated by breathtaking backdrops. The globetrotting beauty queen had also graced the covers of Dubai’s travel magazine XPEDITION (January), L’Officiel India’s “Special Collector’s Edition” (May) with Miss earth 2015 Angelia Ong,
Andrea Brillantes
Andrea Brillantes
Her World Vietnam (July), and
Belle Mariano
Francince Diaz
Representing the Gen Z celebrities is Andrea Brillantes. Aside from her acting skills, Andrea is making headlines with her fashion choices as she embodies the youth’s love for vivid colors, geometry, and prints. She also doesn’t rely on style guides and mostly follows her heart. Fans always look out for her next look since she can pull off almost anything from trendy to high fashion ensembles. Other Filipino celebrities that captured the interest of the public as possible muses for the first cover of Vogue Philippines are Maymay Entrata, Lovi Poe, Anne Curtis, Francine Diaz, and Belle Mariano, among others. Since the Philippines isn’t short of stylish ladies who greatly influence local fashion and lifestyle, there are many candidates on who should be the first cover girl for Vogue Philippines. In just a few months, the wait will be over as we can finally gaze at the first issue of the influential magazine and see who among the public’s picks landed on the prestigious front page.
Images from Instagram.
Benilde’s virtual library expands catalog with thousands of new ebooks for students Penshoppe’s The Conscious Generation (TCG) promotes sustainability by turning recycled plastic bottles into new styles.
Top clothing brand is turning
plastic bottles into fashion pieces PENSHOPPE is expanding its eco-friendly collection with new, youthful styles, and Blackpink’s Lisa and Astro’s Cha Eun-woo are once again leading the continuous and conscious switch to greener fashion. Made from recycled plastic bottles, the new styles from Penshoppe’s The Conscious Generation (TCG) are a fresh update on the line of everyday wearable pieces that come in new colorways perfect for mixing and matching. Team Penshoppe’s Lisa and Cha Eun-woo sport the collection’s new range of stylish tees, pullovers, hoodies, bottoms, and accessories - all embodying the free-spirited breed of youth who knows, speaks, and acts on what they believe in. Encouraging its customers to “be part of the solution”, Penshoppe continues to do its part in creating and offering sustainable choices to make the world a better, greener place. Penshoppe’s The Conscious Generation (TCG) collection is now available on penshoppe.com, Shopee, Lazada, Zalora, and in-stores nationwide.
Lisa from South Korean girl group Blackpink
South Korean singer Cha EunWoo of Astro
A SIZABLE COLLECTION of over 19,700 Design, Social Sciences, Humanities, and sets from reputable agencies, plus another 1.5 million free-to-lend sources from Intermaterials from Wiley, the global leader in World Languages, among many others. The subscription allows Benildeans to net Archive’s online library. publication, education, and research, have The institution recently subscribed to recently been added to the ever-expand- browse textbooks on the platform, with ening virtual library of the De La Salle-College hanced reader features such as Read Aloud, Material ConneXion (MCX), a leading design authority that proof Saint Benilde. vides over 10,000 innovaFounded in 1807, the tive materials from over American multinational pub7,000 global manufacturlishing company Wiley has ers from 75 industries inmarked significant contribucluding fashion, furniture, tions to bridge the higher architecture, automotive, education gap through an and beauty. impressive assemblage of inThe students and staff structional and professional are likewise entitled to learning titles from revered digital subscriptions to gischolars and organization ant trend forecast and anapartners and bestsellers from lytic websites WGSN and renowned authors. Business of Fashion (BoF). The institution’s Br. WGSN provides an imFidelis Leddy Center for mense number of insights Learning Resources now and inspirations on fashion, carries new digital textWiley is the global leader in publication, education, and research. lifestyle, hospitality, interibooks that cover diverse or, and retail from over 250 disciplines, to include trend experts and scientists Mathematics and Statistics, Life and Earth Science, Food Science, Highlight, Note, Translate and offline reading around the world. The BoF offers a plethora of exclusive content, education courses, Health and Medical Science, Psychol- capability for Windows, Android, and iOS. This is the college’s response to the and events about the latest global headlines ogy and Psychiatry, Veterinary Medicine, greater need for electronic books and across sustainability, luxury, beauty, retail, Chemistry, Physics, and Biology. The wide array of selections also features sources amid the ongoing online modali- and technology, among many others. The available e-resources can be seamin-demand and industry-relevant subjects ties, to further support remote teaching, in the fields of Computer Science and Tech- research, self-study, and intellectual stimu- lessly embedded by the instructors into BigSky, the official learning management nology, Emergency Management, Business, lation amid the lockdowns. The growing online database includes system of the college, for the effective online Finance, Engineering, and Education. It likewise has the latest editions to the exclusive access over 24 million free-to- learning experience of the students. It serves leading titles in Hospitality and Culinary, download e-books, journals, references, as the portal to participate in classroom disGraphic Design, Architecture and Interior collections and industry reports, and data- cussions and access activities and projects.
Singersongwriter Adele
JANUARY 16, 2022
‘Oh My God,’ Adele trends with new MV GLOBAL superstar Adele releases a new video for her next single “Oh My God,” from her latest album 30 under Columbia Records. The clip reunites Adele with video director Sam Brown who directed her 2010 video for “Rolling In The Deep.” The video’s energy and move-
ment underscore the song’s immediate and sultry tone as Adele asserts “I know that it’s wrong, but I want to have fun. 30, Adele’s fourth and latest studio album, continues to dominate charts around the globe and is officially certified 3x Platinum in the U.S. and 2x Platinum in the U.K., Ireland, France, and Korea. Released last November, 30 is the
‘Oh My God’ is a single from Adele’s latest album ‘30’
A scene from Adele’s latest music video
Universal Pictures brings back larger-than-life viewing experience, unveils 2022 cinema slate
P
biggest selling album of 2021 and in the U.S. has been #1 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart for seven weeks. It is also the fastest-selling album of 2021 and the only album to sell over one million copies in pure album sales. The album’s lead single “Easy On Me,” is currently the #1 song at U.S. Top 40 radio for the 6th week, is also a global smash occupying the #1 position on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart for eight
weeks. “Easy On Me” surpasses Adele’s previous best record with “Rolling In The Deep” at five weeks in 2011. Upon release, “Easy On Me” was the most added track to U.S. radio and the most played track in a single week. Adele will kick off her previously announced Las Vegas residency, Weekends With Adele, on Jan. 21 at The Colosseum of Caesars Palace Hotel.
OP charmer Jeremy G welcomes the New Year with a soul-pop, another “hugot” ballad that he composed while longing for the warm presence of people close to him.
Jeremy rose to fame after becoming a finalist in ‘The Voice Teens Philippines’
Former
‘The Voice Teens’ Pop charmer Jeremy G Scarlett Johansson as Ash (left) and Bono as Clay Calloway in ‘Sing 2’
LARGER-THAN-LIFE viewing experience is about to burst anew on the big screen this 2022 with Universal Pictures International’s first-quarter slate, bustling with stories on passion and fashion, speed and greed, chic and music, extravagance and romance. Directed by Ridley Scott, House of Gucci pools a powerhouse cast led by Lady Gaga, Adam Driver, Jared Leto, Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons, Salma Hayek, and Jack Huston. The movie is inspired by the shocking true story of the family empire behind the Italian fashion House of Gucci that spanned three decades of love, betrayal, decadence, revenge, and ultimately murder. The movie delves into what a name means, what it’s worth and how far a family will go for control. House of Gucci opens this Jan. 19 in cinemas. A special limited release engagement for car and speed enthusiasts,
F9 comes to select cinemas nationwide on Jan. 26. F9 is the ninth chapter in the Fast & Furious saga, which has endured for two decades and has earned more than $5 billion around the world. This time, that threat will force Dom to confront the sins of his past if he’s going to save those he loves most. His crew joins together to stop a world-shattering plot led by the most skilled assassin and highperformance driver they’ve ever encountered: a man who also happens to be Dom’s forsaken brother, Jakob (John Cena, next year’s The Suicide Squad). The action hurtles around the globe—from London to Tokyo, from Central America to Edinburgh, and from a secret bunker in Azerbaijan to the teeming streets of Tblisi. A spectacular event awaits when Sing 2 hits cinemas on Feb. 2, Illumination’s smash animated franchise arrives with big dreams and spectacular hit songs as the ever-optimistic koala, Buster Moon, and his all-star cast of performers prepare to launch their most dazzling stage extravaganza yet …all in the glittering entertainment capital of the world. Read full story on manilastandard.net Adam Driver (left) and Lady Gaga (right) in ‘House of Gucci’
finalist drops heart-tugging ballad
Yearning for those who mean to him the most, he said “I wrote ‘someday’ during a time where even the closest of people felt the furthest away. The pandemic has made us miss the ones we are closest to and love the most.” Jeremy, who rose to fame after becoming a finalist in “The Voice Teens Philippines” season 1 under the team of his coach, Sharon Cuneta, also left a message of hope for fans who’ll listen to his new song. “This song is for those who are missing ‘their person’ and are hoping that ‘someday’ everything will be okay,” the 22-year-old ASAP Natin ‘To shared in a social media post. Along with the release of the single, the music video premiered on ABSCBN Star Music YouTube
channel, depicting the struggles of someone who is separated from his love, evoking hope that one day they will be reunited again. “Someday” music video also stars Magui Ford. Jeremy’s most recent release kickstarts his projects for 2022, which includes an all-original extended play (EP). He is also set to star in the musical series “Lyric and Beat,” an ABS-CBN and iQiyi production, alongside Darren Espanto, Angela Ken, Seth Fedelin, Andrea Brillantes, Sheena Belarmino, and AC Bonifacio. For his album, Jeremy worked with Star Pop label head Rox Santos to coproduce it. Jeremy G’s “someday” is now available in music streaming services.
‘EIC on the Move’ Raul Manzano experiences luxury in simplicity in new hidden gem EIC on the Move travels to El Nido, Palawan, one of the best beach destinations in the Philippines, for its newest episode premiering tonight at 7:30 p.m. on Metro Channel and Metro.Style YouTube channel. Metro Society editor-in-chief and EIC on the Move host Raul Manzano zeroes in on El Nido’s picturesque lagoons, rocky islets, limestone cliffs, and white sand coastlines and explores its newest luxury spot, Lihim Resorts.
Join the lifestyle icon as he discovers secret havens and enjoys magnificent service in this hidden gem that marries luxury in its simplicity nestled in the middle of a natural fortress and surrounded by the clear waters of Bacuit Bay. EIC on the Move, your passport to everything luxury, gives viewers a spectacle of Raul’s travel, fashion, and food escapades here and abroad. In previous years, he explored splendid sights and enjoyed lavish meals in Davao, Bohol,
Spain, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and many other mustvisit destinations. The travel show has also just been announced as the recipient of the 19th Gawad Tanglaw Best Lifestyle Program award while its host, Raul, is Best Lifestyle Show Host. Discover El Nido’s newest gem in the latest episode of EIC on the Move airing on Metro Channel, available on SKYcable channel 52 (SD) and channel 174 (HD), Cignal channel 69, and GSAT channel 70.
‘EIC on the Move’ host Raul Manzano
JANUARY 16, 2022
Raoul, the cat, gives rescue dog Maki a massage. (Photo by Tet Santos)
K
ALMADO na ako. I am calm now. In behalf of cats, specially stray cats who struggle to live every day of their lives on the streets with many cruel people who hurt them, please allow me to stress that a public figure like you can help homeless, helpless and voiceless animals, instead of putting them in danger through careless words said on national television. On Dec. 6, you read cue cards during a segment of It’s Showtime: " Ano ang mas maingay sa gabi? Letter A, Pusang may kaharutan sa bubong..." Then you remarked, " Nakakainis yun 'no? Yung gusto mong sabuyan ng mainit na tubig kasi ang ingay." Fortunately, your co-hosts Vice Ganda and Vhong Navarro “saved” all cats in the Philippines by saying something like,”Grabe kayo sa cats? Why do you hate cats so much?.... Sasabuyan mo ng boiling water yung cats? Wawa naman... Huwag naman… cruelty to animals ‘yan.. at may batas na pinagbabawal ‘yan.” Indeed, throwing hot water on a cat is
a violation of the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 or Republic Act No. 8485 as amended by Republic Act 10631. The punishment includes fine and/or imprisonment. Bless you abundantly in all good ways, Vice Ganda and Vhong Navarro, for speaking for the voiceless, poor cats on national television. Please, Miss Kim Chiu, pause before you say anything that can encourage people, specially kids, to hurt anyone, particularly helpless, homeless cats. As a host of a show which a lot of people, including kids, can watch, it is imperative on your part to be more responsible with what you say, and how
Cat purrs heal and when a cat rubs against you, it is believed that the cat is removing the negative energy that has attached to your auric field, or healing you of an illness. In photo is Angel who loves to rub against humans while purring. To the family, he is the cat healer. (Photo by DC)
you conduct yourself in public. Miss Kim Chiu, allow me to enumerate some of the good or positive things CATS bring into our lives or do for us humans: 1. They keep rodents and cockroaches away. Yes, they kill them. Without cats in an area, houses will be filled with these pests. A subdivision’s homeowners’ association, I was told a few years ago, had all stray cats caught in their area. The anti-cat residents were so happy for a few days until their houses were suddenly infested with those “nakakadiri na ipis” (conya twang here). Residents with cats who stayed inside their homes, of course, did not have the same problem. After this harrowing experience with the ipis, the homeowners’ association stopped having stray cats caught. They were assisted instead on how to keep cats out of the roof of their houses by assigning certain areas in the subdivision as a feeding area. The cats no longer looked for food inside gardens and the roof. They are well fed till now. They also poop where they are fed. So their poop are no longer seen on front yards, or in gardens. In return, the cats kill cockroaches and rats inside the subdivision.
Kittens, without being told to do so, went to a sick pup and kept him warm during the night. There is an emotional intelligence in cats that humans can not fully understand but can enjoy by just simply allowing them to bee cats, and being kind to them. (Photo by Mariana Burgos)
2. They can kill snakes too. My best friend, Ate Chat, and her family love cats. They take care of a few who roam in their property freely. The cats killed a three-feet long cream-colored snake that was about to enter their house through the kitchen door. 3. Cats are friends we can talk to without fear of being judged. They simply stay near us or lie on our laps to make us feel we are not alone and that we are loved even if we are poor, fat or disabled. 4. Cats provide emotional support to keep us sane, specially during this pandemic when socializing with humans is not encouraged. 5. A cat’s purr heals, and can add years to our lives. In “The Healing Power of Cat Purrs” in dailyinfographic.com, it was noted that cats may also contribute to our physical well- being through their purrs. A cat purr within the 20-140 Hertz frequency range may be beneficial to humans, it said. In “The Complicated Truth About a Cat’s Purr” in bbc.com, Stephen Dowling said the same thing: “Cats purr during both inhalation and exhalation with a consistent pattern and frequency between 25 and 150 Hertz. Various investigators have shown that sound frequencies in this range can improve bone density and promote healing.” Other health benefits from cat purrs are: a. Lower stress. b. Decrease symptoms of dyspnea or difficulty in breathing/shortness of breath. c. Lessen chances of heart attack. d. Strengthen bones. “Pet therapy is apparently gaining momentum in many communities, and according to Animal Planet, there is scientific research that suggests pet owners live longer than those without pets,” dailyinfographic.com said. It added: “It seems that our own animals may have the ability to relieve us of our troubles, or at least make our worries seem less important. The bond between pets and their owners may never be fully understood …but it’s
nice to know having a furry confidant around can add years to our lives.” Thus, as you can see, Miss Kim Chiu, while you entertain people locked up in their homes and keep them sane during this pandemic, cats play an important role in this world too. To sum up: 1. Stray cats keep our communities free from rodents, cockroaches and even snakes. 2. Pet cats keep owners, specially those alone in condominium units, sane as their presence make one feet he or she is not alone. They even go near an owner, sit in his or her lap, to make her feel loved. 3. Pet cats also heal their humans through their purrs. 4. If you’re lucky, you might even come across a cat who will give you a massage. Instead of wanting to pour boiling water on a cat who meows for food, or fights another cat for “territory” on the roof, or calls for a mate, why not help animal welfare groups who rescue cats who were hurt on the streets by humans, or got sick while on the streets fighting to live every day of their lives? What you give out, so shall you receive and a thousand times more at that! Be kind to animals with your words and actions, and the Universe will return your kindness a thousand fold. Have a kindness-filled, compassionladen 2022, Miss Kim Chiu. I salute the divine in you. Namaste. About the author: Desiree Carlos was a writer of Frontline magazine, and a correspondent of the Daily Express and Veritas. She was also a reporter and later subeditor of Ang Pahayagang Malaya, news editor of Manila Standard, and assistant managing director of DZRH. She was a lecturer at the College of Mass Communications in the University of the Philippines in Diliman, and head of the journalism department of Kalayaan College. She is now an animal welfare advocate, founder and president of Save ALL-Save Animals of Love and Light, a SEC-registered nongovernment organization.
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(First of 2 parts)
By Yumi Burgos I LOVE animals. Any kind of animal. Sometimes, even the scary-looking ones and the mythical creatures in the stories that Mama read to me every night when I was still very young. I so wanted a unicorn of my own or a real horse, at least, just like Spirit (of the Cimmaron Herd) or Seabiscuit. I have always wanted a pet of my own ever since I can remember. More so when I saw my cousins having their own dogs and hamsters and birds. Then, I remember Mama showing me a big bird with a big orange beak and colorful feathers. I think, Tati (my father) was also there then. They told me the bird’s name was Julius and it was “our” bird and that I had to help take care of him. We would usually cut tomatoes in little pieces and Mama would raise me up to reach Julius so I could give him the tomatoes. Julius would pick up the pieces of tomatoes I had in my hand with his large orange beak and eat them. Mama told me later on when I got older that Julius was a kalaw. A kalaw is a wild kind of bird that you only get to see in jungles. They told me it was Tati who brought Julius and it was his surprise for me. Mama told me later that it was a friend’s gift for Tati and, originally, the gift was supposed to be a monkey. But Mama told Tati that a monkey would be a little too hard to manage while I was still a toddler. She also told Tati that I really wanted a horse badly. Tati told her that he would ask another friend who owns a lot of horses for that. But that never happened because
Yumi was 10 years old when she and her mom adopted Milky from Save ALL- Save Animals of Love and Light, a SEC-registered animal welfare group. Tis was taken by Mariana Burgos when Yumi got home from school.
Tati was abducted. I was only two and a half years old then. Three days after Tati was forcibly taken, Mama told me Julius suddenly died. Old people say that a pet usually save the life of their owner by offering his/her own life to God. This is one of the things I try to remember always. This is why I believe my Tati is still alive. Julius offered his life for him… The next time I remembered asking Mama for a pet was when I was 5 or 6 years old, I think. I kept asking her and she kept telling me that I was not old enough to take care of an animal myself. She kept telling me that “...pets are not things or properties like toys that you would acquire and you can just leave lying around, not bothering to think if it is hungry or if it is comfortable enough or if it is happy with its life with you.” She often tells me that she was raised to see pets as not pets but as family members. They are living creatures just like myself and that meant that I would need to give them the same things that I need for them to be healthy and happy just like me. When I was six years old, I was finally allowed to have a pet. One Sunday, when we went to hear Holy Mass, I saw little chicks of different colors
Whisky, one of Yumi's cats (Photo by Mariana Burgos)
as well as little colorful birds being sold just outside the church. I asked Mama if we could get one. Mama did not want to. She said those chicks and those birds are sold that way because they are not healthy enough anymore to survive and that they will all die soon. She also said she hated those vendors for making a business out of it because they are teaching little children the very opposite that children should learn about God’s animals. She told me “birds are not meant to be caged” and said that my Lolo, Tati’s dad, shared the same sentiment. Then she told me of what Lolo did one time, a long time ago when he was still alive. She told me Lolo, while driving along a highway in one of his many trips, saw a vendor selling many kinds of birds. He pulled over and went near the vendor and asked how much the birds were. The vendor gave Lolo a price for a single bird. He could not believe it when Lolo asked how much he selling ALL the birds. Lolo bought all the birds. The vendor was so shocked he was able to sell all the birds at one go. But he was more surprised when Lolo opened all the cages and freed all the birds. That was my Lolo, Jose Burgos, Jr.
Mama said if she had a lot of money to spare, she would do the same thing every time she would see a vendor of chicks and birds. And then, it suddenly came to me. I told her, “why not we save what we can for now? We can save at least one chick.” She gave me a little laugh and said that I was a clever one. And that was when I had “Kirby“. Kirby was a green colored chick. Mama was a little afraid he would not survive long but she told me we would do our best to make him feel safe and happy as long as we could. Mama said that chicks like Kirby need their mother’s warmth until they get to grow their feathers. She said Kirby needed to be incubated then. So we took a box and put a light bulb on top. We would turn on the light bulb each night when Kirby slept. During the day, we let him roam around a little and play under the early morning sun. To our surprise, after almost a month, he grew up into a young chicken Unfortunately, when we came home from school one afternoon, our helper, Tatay Jet, told me that Kirby suddenly died because of the heat. I felt like my heart dropped when I heard this. Mama comforted me by saying we did our best.
Yumi’s dog, Coco, loves playing with cats. In this photo, Coco is playing with Minx. (Photo by Mariana Burgos)
After a few weeks, on another Sunday, we saw the same vendor. I begged Mama if we could get another chick. She told me she does not want me to get hurt again with another loss like what I experienced Kirby. I kept begging her still. Finally, she agreed with a bird and not with a chick. She told me that we would have to set it free as soon as we got home at the farm. I agreed but I so wished I could keep her for a while. I named the bird Kirby II. When we got back at the farm, we did set the bird free. While doing so, I was trying real hard not to let my tears fall as I let go of Kirby II. I knew she was not really mine to keep anyway. Mama tells me she belongs to the heavens. After Kirby II, I felt like I never wanted to have another pet. But that feeling did not last. To be continued. About the author: Yumi Burgos is the only child of Mariana and Jonas Burgos. Now 17 years old, she is an artist who has won a number of national and international art competitions. She is an active advocate of both human rights and animal rights. She plans to take up Veterinary Medicine in college which is two years from now.