Pilipino Express • Mar 1 2021

Volume 17 • No. 5 • March 1 -15, 2021 Publication Mailing Account #41721512

Ellen Adarna

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Province considers relaxing pandemic restrictions

The Manitoba government is making another attempt to reopen the province with proposed changes to pandemic restriction rules that could allow most businesses to reopen with larger capacity limits as soon as the end of this week – and they are asking for public feedback about the changes.

Although case numbers are dropping and vaccination efforts are ramping up, there is also concern about more infectious and possibly deadlier coronavirus variants in the province. Five cases of the B117 coronavirus variant have been confirmed in Manitoba.

See PROVINCE p14

Dr. Brent Roussin

Pinays Manitoba celebrates International Women’s Day virtually March 8th marks the annual International Women’s Day. This important day has been observed since the early 1900s in recognition and support of the countless contributions of women in our lives.

In Winnipeg, Pinays Manitoba will be celebrating International Women’s Day on Saturday, March 7, 2021, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., via Zoom. Because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the organization’s annual recognition luncheon to honour Pinays Manitoba Trailblazers has been deferred to 2022.

In this year’s virtual event, Pinays Manitoba honours the frontline workers, essential service providers and volunteers who, especially now during the coronavirus pandemic, continue their work with See PINAYS p14

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Do your part to help the planet As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, so does the climate crisis. We continue to see reports of extreme weather conditions happening across the world. The cold snap that swept over Texas reached the northern part of Mexico as well, leaving millions of people without power or clean water for days on end. A heavy snowstorm also occurred in Greece, an unusual phenomenon for one of Europe’s warmest countries. This month also saw snow blanketing parts of the Middle East including Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Israel.

And in northern India, a deadly glacier slide left over 200 people dead or missing.

Natural disasters happen, so it cannot be conclusively said that global warming caused the above events. However, scientists are questioning whether climate change is contributing to an increase in frequency of such extreme weather conditions, which also include wildfires and periods of drought. These catastrophic events capture our attention and are a big reminder that humankind only has about 11 years to prevent irreversible damage to the planet from climate change.

A lot of focus is on the changes that governments, corporations and industries can make. Although these are incredibly important, one person can also make a big impact.

People often wonder, “I’m just one person. What can I possibly do to help such a big problem?” The truth is that there are many things within our own households that can make a big difference.

The following is a list of things that you can do yourself that will have a large impact on climate change, as well as your own

physical and mental health: Eliminate or reduce meat & dairy in your diet Meat production (raising cows, pigs and chickens) is responsible for greenhouse gas emissions, water and land consumption and pollution. Eating less or no meat will help to combat climate change, as well as improve your health.

The over consumption of meat is related to the risk of obesity, cancer and heart disease. So make fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes a bigger part of your diet, and buy sustainable or organic produce whenever possible.

Buy less clothing & beware of fast fashion Fast fashion refers to the trend of clothing retailers to make cheap clothes as quickly and frequently as possible. Because the prices are low, consumers are likely to buy excessive amounts of clothes without thinking about how wasteful it is. Most of these clothes end up in landfills because even charities are not accepting any more clothing donations.

Furthermore, fast fashion results in water pollution and the use of toxic chemicals.

In order to be a more conscientious consumer, buy fewer clothes and invest in those that are higher quality and will last longer. Buy from companies that have ethical practices and consider buying clothes from second hand stores.

Eliminate the use of plastic Plastic products are quickly filling our landfills and oceans.

Simply put, human beings everywhere are producing too much garbage. But the single consumer has a lot of power!

Easy things to do are to stop using

straws, carry around a reusable coffee mug and drink container, and stop buying plastic water bottles. Aim to buy food that has the least amount of packaging possible. Pack your lunch with reusable containers and stop using sandwich bags. Make your own cleaning products to eliminate all the chemicals and use of multiple plastic containers.

Cook meals at home Not only is this a money saver, but also you will not be throwing away plastic utensils, food and drink containers. Your meals will be fresh and have less salt and additives in it. Also, making a meal together with family members can bring you closer together.

Reduce the amount of water you use A lot of energy, chemicals and money go into treating and pumping water. This contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. So it is wise to use water carefully by simple steps such as turning off the tap while brushing your teeth, shaving, or washing the dishes.

Take shorter showers and invest in eco-friendly appliances that use less electricity and water.

Recycle Making new items from recycled ones takes less energy and fewer resources. Common things that can be recycled are aluminum cans, cardboard, glass, paper, plastic bottles, and yard waste.

Ensure that you know what can and cannot be recycled in your area. For example in Winnipeg, dark-coloured coffee cup lids and food containers are not recyclable.

Also, scrub and rinse containers such as peanut butter jars and yogurt containers. Know that the cleaner it is when it gets tossed into the plastic blue bin, the higher

chance that it will be remade. For more information, go to the City of Winnipeg website: https:// www.winnipeg.ca/waterandwaste/ recycle/ Reduce how often you use your vehicle A significant amount of climate change is due to the use of road vehicles. Most pollution from cars and trucks come from burning fuel; so try to use your vehicle less. This can be done by biking or walking. Consider buying a fuelefficient, hybrid or electric vehicle.

You can also help by planning your errands carefully, and going to places that are close to home.

Interestingly, scientists have found that pandemic restrictions have reduced the amount of global nitrogen dioxide concentrations, which is an air pollutant.

Conserve power Small actions that will have a big impact include turning off your computer and lights when not in use, reducing the amount of heat and air conditioning that you use.

Don’t leave your car idling and consider hanging your clothes to dry rather than using a dryer.

It is not just coincidence that environmentally friendly actions also promote physical health, are financially smart, and improve our relationships with other people.

Doing our own part every day will undeniably have a huge impact.

Never underestimate the amount that you can do to help the planet and all human beings!

“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” – Dr. Jane Goodall, Scientist & Activist Cheryl Dizon-Reynante is a licensed therapist with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.

Manitoba 150 honourees Honour 150 presented by Canada Life, recognizes 150 people from across the province who stand out for their role in making Manitoba such an amazing province. Nominated by people in their own communities, these 150 individuals represent the diversity of our province.

Three of the Honour 150 recipients are Filipino-Canadians, they are (in alphabetical order): Fred De Villa An activist in and for the Filipino community, Fred is frequently involved in rallying the community to a just cause. His 1998 Human Rights Achievement Award is a powerful testimony that he shares the Province of Manitoba’s seriousness in safeguarding its migrant communities. Since the 80’s, Fred has worn different hats; President, Chair, founding member of various services and groups.

(Excerpt from bio written by Red River College student: Casey

Challes) Junel Malapad Junel is the founder of Taking Stigma to the Trash and plans to run 100kms for mental health this year. He helped raise $150,000 for the CancerCare Foundation of Manitoba over the past two years.

Malapad has spent years telling people to “erase Boxing Day and write running day” on their calendars. Every year, Malapad and friends run instead of shop – clocking 150 miles in 56 hours, two years ago. That year, he raised $15,000 for Siloam Mission.

(Excerpt from bio written by Red River College student: Emily Hart) Evangeline Mance In 2014, she created the nonprofit organization Life of Peg Association of Manitoba, where new Filipino immigrants can seek guidance from over 18,000 members. Mance continues to support her community. This year, the Mario T. Mance P.Eng.

1045 Erin Street, Winnipeg, MB Canada R3G 2X1 Phone: 204-956-7845 E-mail: info@pilipino-express.com www.pilipino-express.com Publisher

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DALE BURGOS JB CASARES ANNE CAPRICE B. CLAROS YVANNE DANDAN ETHEL CLEMENTE FERNANDEZ BRO. GERRY GAMUROT NORMAN ACERON GARCIA MICHELE MAJUL-IBARRA PERLA JAVATE JUDIANNE JAYME PASTOR JUNIE JOSUE NOEL LAPUZ JON MALEK MALAYA MARCELINO ALONA MERCADO LUCILLE NOLASCO CST. REY OLAZO PAQUITO REY PACHECO DR. REY PAGTAKHAN CHERYL DIZON REYNANTE TIM ST. VINCENT MICHAEL SCOTT RON URBANO KATHRYN WEBER Youth Contributors Aksyon Ng Ating Kabataan (ANAK) Philippine Correspondents CRISTY FERMIN JON JOAQUIN AMBETH R. OCAMPO

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Memorial Scholarship, which she founded, will support four Filipino students aspiring to follow in her late husband’s footsteps as an engineer, donating $9,000 in tuition funds.

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by Red River College student: Brayden Solberg) SOURCE: Honour 150 Recipients. www.manitoba150. com Junel Malapad

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Pinays Manitoba continues strong campaign for women despite pandemic This month, the world will once again commemorate the innumerable contributions of women in different aspects of our lives. International Women’s Day, celebrated every March 8th, recognizes the social, economic, cultural and political contributions of women. It is also a day to show support for women-focused initiatives.

In Winnipeg, Pinays Manitoba continues the strong campaign for women despite the challenges brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. By keeping connected through virtual meetings for its get-togethers and project initiations, members remain resilient and committed to the objectives set forth by the organization.

One major project of Pinays Manitoba is its annual recognition event wherein trendsetting women, trailblazers who have made an invaluable contribution to their respective fields of endeavour are honoured and celebrated.

Past awardees March 2016 The late Carolina Custodio who was instrumental in bringing groups of garment workers from the Philippines to Manitoba in 1960 and also took the lead in assisting them to make a smooth transition to life in Canada; and Fe Ryder, now a retired nurse, who was one of the first five nurses to settle in Winnipeg in 1959.

March 2017 The late Rosalinda Cantiveros – a respected community leader who initially made her mark in the field of journalism; the late Erlinda Magnaye Ramos – an entrepreneur who established Manitoba’s first Filipino-owned bakery in 1971; and the Garment Workers Batch 1968 – a group of young and courageous Filipino women who left the Philippines in the mid-1960s to seek a better future overseas.

March 2018 Three Pinay Trailblazers were recognized for their accomplishments and impact in the community and lives of others: Nena Joy Lazo – for her achievements in the field of performing arts and for her advocacy in volunteerism and mentorship; MLA Flor Marcelino – for her achievements in the field of politics and outstanding community service; and Emmie Joaquin – for her achievements in the field of radio broadcasting and outstanding community service.

March 2019 The organization recognized three Pinay Trailblazers: Loizza Aquino – for her outstanding leadership and advocacy for Mental Health; Melody Balane – for her outstanding achievement in Sports; and Ma-Anne Dionisio – for her achievements in the field of Performing Arts.

March 2020 Four Pinay Trailblazers were recognized for their achievements and contribution to the community: Dr. Janilyn Arsenio – for her outstanding achievements in science, particularly in the field of immunology research; Sally

Bader – for her exceptional volunteerism; She has tirelessly and quietly given her priceless gift of time to those in need over the past 38 years; Dr. Irene Mestito-Dao – for her outstanding achievement in the field of optometry. She is the first Filipino optometrist in Manitoba; first female and first Filipino to be given the award of “Optometrist of the Year” from the Manitoba Association of Optometry in 2013; Marjorie Soldevilla – for her outstanding contributions in social services and social justice for over 28 years. Her work at the International Centre of Winnipeg has allowed her to help newcomers and refugees settle in our community.

March 2021 Due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s current health restrictions, the Pinays Manitoba’s annual recognition for women trailblazers is postponed to a later date.

Pinays Manitoba President Araceli Ancheta said, “As we are now in an unprecedented time and still cannot gather like we used to, our traditional Pinays Manitoba Recognition event is suspended

Araceli Ancheta

Imelda Adao

until 2022. This doesn’t mean that we will not celebrate. We will celebrate!”

This year, Pinays Manitoba will be honouring all frontline workers, essential service providers and volunteers who continuously provide support to those in need. A special recognition will be given to a special Filipino lady, Imelda Adao, who exemplifies grace, faith and endurance amidst the difficulty of suddenly losing her son while running a business.

Imelda Adao will be given recognition at Pinays Manitoba’s virtual celebration of International Women’s Day via ZOOM, on March 7, 2021.

Pinays Manitoba Inc. 2021 Board of Directors President – Araceli Ancheta; Vice-President – Winnie Navarro; Secretaries – Luella Sadicon and Imelda Sangalang; Treasurers – Connie De Villa and Leah Beltran; Auditor – Trifona Bermisa; PR/ Publicity – Emmie Joaquin.

– by Lucille Nolasco

On March 7, 2020, a few days before the pandemic was declared, the members of Pinays Manitoba and guests honoured four Pinay Trailblazers for 2020 at a very well attended event held at the Canada Inns Polo Park.

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Canada takes steps to curb non-essential travel Canada has some of the strictest travel and border measures in the world, including a mandatory 14-day quarantine for everyone returning to the country. In response to reports of the spread of COVID-19 variants increasing in the country, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) announced new measures to control travelers in a press release dated February 12, 2021. The new measures include further testing and quarantine requirements for international travelers arriving at Canada’s air and land ports of entry. The PHAC restrictions have been done in concert with IRCC who have restricted non-essential travel, with some exemptions, from the U.S. until March 21, 2021 and from other world areas for two months until April 21, 2021.

For travelers arriving at land ports of entry as of February 15, 2021. All travelers, with some exceptions, will be required to present proof of a negative COVID-19 molecular test result taken in the United States within 72 hours of pre-arrival or a positive test taken 14 to 90 days prior to arrival. Effective February 22, 2021, travelers entering by land will be required to take a COVID-19 molecular test on arrival and again at the end of their mandatory 14-day quarantine.

Travelers arriving at airports as of February 22, 2021, with some exemptions, will be required to take a COVID-19 molecular test when they arrive in Canada before exiting the airport and again at the end of their 14-day quarantine period. The airport POEs are now limited to four

in number: Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary.

Travelers should also have made reservations for a three-night stay at a government-authorized hotel prior to departure to Canada.

These measures are in addition to existing mandatory pre-boarding and health requirements for air travelers.

For all travelers effective February 22, 2021, all travelers, by land or air, will be required to submit their travel and contact information, including a suitable quarantine plan, electronically via ArriveCAN before crossing the border or boarding a flight.

Quick facts • Canadian citizens, persons registered under the Indian Act, and permanent residents arriving by landed must present a valid COVID-19 molecular test. The failure to provide the test results may be subject to a fine of up to $3,000 per day or face criminal prosecution. Travelers may be

required to go to a designated quarantine facility if they are symptomatic on arrival at the border or do not have a suitable quarantine plan; • Foreign nationals, who have obtained an exemption to enter Canada, will be refused admission if they do not have a valid COVID-19 molecular test result; • Failure to provide accurate information is an offence under the Quarantine Act and violations to any quarantine or isolation instructions could lead to penalties including six months in prison and/or fines up to $750,000; • Some exemptions continue to ensure that economic supply chains between Canada and the U.S, continue, including flexibility on long distance trucking etc.

It is important to consider if your travel plans are essential or not. The restrictions for non-essential travel are harsh

and indicative of Canada’s opposition to non-essential travel

by Canadians abroad or foreign travel to Canada during the pandemic and the scare related to the spread of variants. Now is not the best time to travel for pleasure. If you are unsure about the requirements, take time to find out specific information about the requirement for a COVID-19 molecular test and reservations at government-authorized hotels and/or quarantine plans prior to traveling to Canada.

Michael Scott is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC, R525678) who has 30 years of experience with Immigration Canada and the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program. He currently works as a licensed consultant with Immigration Connexion International Ltd. Contact him at 204-691-1166 or 204-2270292. E-mail: mscott.ici@gmail. com.

Clutter’s effects on your life

Creating a healthy, energetic home or office relies on diligence.

It’s much easier to let your home or office become cluttered and messy than it is to keep on top of papers, throw out old magazines, or otherwise dispose of the things that you no longer need, want, or use.

For that reason, many people don’t bother with this kind of routine maintenance. And that’s how spring cleaning should be looked at: maintenance for your home.

Now, I’m not going to tell you what to do for your personal spring cleaning because only you know if you are harbouring clothes in your closet from 30 years ago, or if your addiction to paper has gotten out of hand. You are the expert at your own mess.

Give yourself permission to clean it up and let go of it.

Let’s go over some basics about dirty, cluttered homes versus clean and organized homes.

What does a dirty, cluttered home do to you?

It makes you feel tired. A cluttered home is a visual and psychic drain. All that stuff makes you fatigued. One of the most fatigued people I know simply can not throw anything away. Antiques are her specialty. Everything is a “collectible.” But that does not mean she has to collect it. This client is slowly letting go of her addiction to acquiring and is finding her energy is rebounding.

It makes you feel hopeless.

Simply put, too much stuff is overwhelming, and we can’t handle it all, so we throw our psychological hands in the air in frustration. This leads to that hopeless, it’s-all-inevitable feeling.

It makes you poor. Yep, that’s right: poor. Ever notice those homes of the mega-wealthy?

They’re a study in restraint. You notice their homes because stuff isn’t everywhere.

Time and time again, I notice the environments of people who are struggling to make ends meet, and I notice that they have an overwhelmingly huge baseball cap collection, some kind of collectible that’s taken over the house, or too many pets. Get rid of all but the most meaningful things. You can do it.

How does clutter hurt you?

It makes you feel out of control in your life. That’s because the stuff is in control and you’re not.

Put yourself in the driver’s seat of your life and take control of all that stuff by donating it, throwing it away, or organizing it — and get everyone in your home in on the act.

What does a clean, organized home do for you?

It gives you a sense of calm.

Imagine walking into a room where the tops are cleared off and there are no papers and mess scattered about. How does it make you feel? That’s the “aaahhhh” feeling you get when you walk into a hotel room. It’s neat and you can see the room and not all the stuff.

It gives you back your health.

Dirty, cluttered houses can make you fatigued, constipated, have

back pain, and congested. Not just because there’s stuff everywhere, but because there is dust on all that stuff – and dust is nothing but negative energy. Unclog your home and your health might be better to boot!

It gives you wealth. Think about the times when you were doing well financially. As money worries piled up, did you ever make the correlation that so has all the stuff around you? Get rid of it and you will see financial flow again.

It puts you in control of your life. Suddenly, order appears in

the Universe, you can find things, the feeling of being overwhelmed isn’t omnipresent and you look forward to things; life is sweet again.

Kathryn Weber is the publisher of the Red Lotus Letter Feng Shui E-zine and certified feng shui consultant in classical Chinese feng shui. Kathryn helps her readers improve their lives and generate more wealth with feng shui. For more information visit www.redlotusletter.com and learn the fast and fun way how feng shui can make your life more prosperous and abundant!

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Nanay Clarita Ortega Nazario

Giving back by serving others, promoting heritage

by Lucille Nolasco When you talk about the Bulacan Association of Winnipeg, Inc. (BAOWI), her name will almost always be mentioned, as well.

Fondly called “Nanay” Clarita (mother), she has been a pillar of the regional association since it was founded 34 years ago.

“It was Bernie Bernabe of Norzagaray who started the group in 1986, with the help of Albert Capiral, Lito Bautista, Mar Moya, Boyet Nicolas, Kaka Pacheco, former MLA Conrad Santos and others,” remembers Nazario.

“At first it was to connect with other kababayans from different towns in Bulacan. Until the group started undertaking projects to help other people in the community, as well as people in need in the Philippines.”

Through the years, Nazario held the positions of President and Secretary for BAOWI. At present, she is actively serving as senior adviser for the organization.

Aside from BAOWI, Nazario is also a member of the Ladies of the Knights of Rizal, wherein the Canada Regional Commander, George Poblete in Toronto, recognized her.

“I made all the uniforms for the Knights of Rizal in Winnipeg where my husband was a member.

I also made uniforms for members in Toronto, the US, Czech Republic and in Prague.”

Nazario also served as Vice President of OFSAM (Original Filipino Seniors Association of Manitoba,) when they raised funds for calamity-hit Haiti in 2010 and victims of super typhoon Yolanda/ Haiyan in the Philippines in 2013.

At the 40th year anniversary of OFSAM in 2017, NDP-MLAWab Kinew recognized members and officers in the Legislature for their selfless community work in Manitoba and in the Philippines.

Nanay Clarita also served as a Board Member of the PhilippineCanadian Centre of Manitoba (PCCM) and other community associations.

Life in the Philippines Born on January 6, 1942 in Bocaue, Bulacan, Nazario hardly remembers the Second World War. But because of it, she and her parents with her six brothers moved to Sto. Cristo in Pulilan, Bulacan to escape the Japanese.

“Life was simple. My father, Icasiano Ortega was a farmer and a fisherman. He was also devoted to the Church, as he was active in the annual presentation of the Pagoda fiesta in Bocaue. While our mother Josefa Cruz, was a sewer and a loving mother to her own three children and four stepsons.”

Nazario grew up a bright achiever. She was always in the honour roll in elementary and in high school.

But when she was 16, her

world changed in many ways when a 23-year old from Quezon province took a liking to her.

“My mother used to own a small grocery store and I would be there whenever I’m not in school.

One of our customers, Romeo Nazario, would often come by to buy stuff and talk.

One day he said he wanted to talk to me because he was going home to Quezon the next day to look for other jobs.”

So the two went to the back of the store to talk and say their goodbyes. But when her mother learned of it, she castigated Clarita.

The couple was then brought to the cabeza de barangay (town head) and married right away.

“I was shocked! Everything happened so quickly. My mother gave me some clothes and told me to go with my husband. I guess that was the old way. If people see a single man and woman talking without a chaperone, you have to get married right away! (laughs).

Good thing I married a good man.

I was 16. I didn’t know anything.

But he was patient with me. He taught me many things and guided me through our married life.”

Clarita and her husband Romeo were blessed with eight children.

She also has nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Her family members and close relatives live in the Philippines, Canada, Australia and the U.S. A love for designing and a knack for business Despite her busy days as a young wife and mother, Nanay Clarita was able to pursue her dream of becoming a designer.

With the support of her husband, she took up Garments, Trade and Design at Philippine College of Arts and Trade in Manila.

While serving as a catechist and a layperson in the parishes of Sto. Cristo and Sta. Barbara, she would make clothes for the priests and other parishioners with the parish priest footing the bill.

“From that experience and from observing and helping my mother when I was younger, my love for making clothes and designing helped me and my family a lot,” Nazario said.

She went on to work for small and big garment companies such as Sampaguita Garments, Ding Velayo, Ye ye Vonel and others. From 1973 to 1991, they became sub-contractors for some companies, having their own staff and workers.

Life in Canada In 1993, Nanay Clarita and her husband Romeo visited Winnipeg as tourists upon the invitation of their younger son, Romeo Jr. Liking what they saw and what they had experienced during that visit, Romeo Jr. submitted a sponsorship application for his parents.

They returned in 1995 as landed immigrants. At the time,

Nanay Clarita’s aunt, Natalia Fernando, was managing a group home for 16 patients and hired them as her live-in helpers.

In 2004, the Nazarios were able to put up their own group home for mentally challenged patients, in support of Canadian Mental Health Association, called McDermott Place.

Despite the busy schedule of managing a group home, Nanay Clarita never forgot her love for designing and making clothes.

Through the years she worked at Nygard, Warehouse One and other garment companies. She has made and designed various team uniforms, party dresses, wedding dresses, and more, for countless people. Through her talent, she was able to meet and rub elbows with different community as well as political leaders.

“Winnipeg North MP Kevin Lamoureux calls me Ate (elder sister). Whenever he sees me he says ‘Hi, Ate Clarita!’ It always makes me smile,” Nazario reminisces.

“I have made national costumes such as barongs, kimonas and jackets for him, and for many other community leaders and politicians, and even for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau!”

Nanay Clarita is always present during Philippine Independence celebrations in Winnipeg. She said during these events she always brings a bag full of barongs and kimonas for anyone who needs them.

“People tell me it’s good that I don’t have any political leanings.

NDP-MLA Andrew Swan even said ‘This lady is awesome! She’s friends with everybody.’”

Clarita is also a committed supporter of Foklorama, the yearly cultural celebration that runs for two weeks in Winnipeg.

She usually has a long table full of Philippine-made dresses, arts and crafts.

“It’s important to never forget where you came from and to share with other people your love for the home country and kababayans.”

Nanay Clarita was also invited to present Philippine-made products at Calgary’s International Heritage week, in Alberta.

Helping kababayans in need Since immigrating to Canada, Nanay Clarita always makes it a point to go back to the Philippines every year, usually around the time of her birthday. She returns not just to visit family but also to do charitable works.

“We initiated livelihood projects for women prisoners in Malolos. We donated sewing machines and taught them how to sew. At first, they started with rags that they could sell until they were subcontracted to make shorts and pants. Now they also make wallets and rosaries that I bring back to Canada to sell for them.

We also gave clothes, food and other donations to Emmaus Home for the Aged in Malolos.

My eldest son based in Bulacan, Philippines would help me bring food donations to families hit by floods, as far as Pulilan and San

Nanay Clarita

Nanay Clarita & her late husband Romeo

Nanay Clarita’s family

Nanay Clarita with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Rafael.”

In 1976, when she was invited as a guest speaker at Sto. Cristo Elementary School, she gave a four-year scholarship to the class valedictorian who came from a poor family and otherwise could not continue on with her education.

Her last visit to the Philippines was in 2019. She was planning to go back in 2020, but then the pandemic hit.

“BAOWI has been planning to invite back Bulacan Governor Fernando who promised to bring with him 10 celebrities from the Philippines. We were supposed to have a friendly basketball match as a fundraiser for BAOWI. There were also plans of bringing back members of Koro Bulakenyo for a fundraising concert, but because of COVID-19 I don’t know when these will all push through.”

Valuable lessons in life Now at 79 years old, Nanay Clarita is still busy managing McDermott Place on her own. Her husband Romy passed away in 2008.

She is also actively serving as senior adviser for BAOWI and making clothes for clients from time to time.

Her means of relaxation?

Sewing.

“I never get tired of designing

or sewing. It relaxes me. I might not be as active or as fast making clothes as before, but I still can do it.

Simple things make me happy. Being able to see my children settled, having beautiful grandchildren and great grandchildren. Having many friends. What more can I ask for?

Asked what valuable lessons she has learned in life, Nanay Clarita said, “I have always believed that human beings are equal, no matter the colour of our skin. There shouldn’t be a place for racism or discrimination. That is why former US President John F. Kennedy is my favourite, because he always had this view. We have to treat others as we would like to be treated. And of course, to never forget where you came from. Help others for they will help you in return. Be loyal. Persevere and keep reaching for your dreams.”

Pinays MB Corner features Filipino women who can be role models for other women. If you know of any Filipino woman whose inspiring life story can be featured in this column, please email pinaysmb@gmail. com. Send in her name, a brief description of her inspiring life story, and contact information.

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New SARSCoV-2 variants: A third wave after the calm?

On February 19, the Public Health Agency of Canada released its report, Update on COVID-19 in Canada: Epidemiology and Modelling, which contained this warning: “Variants of concern increase the threat for a spring resurgence, but a strong collective effort can see us through. With a combination of strong public health measures and strict adherence to individual precautions, we can prevent a resurgence.”

The report gives the following projections: 1. If public health measures are prematurely lifted, the variants of concern would trigger a panCanadian resurgence so rapid as to create a third wave akin to the most lethal pandemic curve of the Spanish flu a century ago; 2. If public health measures are kept at the same level or loosen, variants of concern would also cause a third-wave resurgence, although not as rapid, before more intense rapid mass vaccination starts in April; and 3. If public health measures and individual compliance are combined and made more stringent and stricter, resurgence would be prevented and control of the epidemic would be achieved.

That is, the country will avoid a third wave.

Based on the average daily new case counts of 2,886 the week preceding the report, Canada’s top public health expert, Dr. Theresa Tam, elaborated on the modelling projections, using actual numbers and assuming the new variants of concern are 50 per-cent more transmissible than the current dominant form of the COVID-19 virus in Canada: 1. If the current restrictions remain in place, Canada could see 10,000 cases a day by the end of March; 2. If these restrictions are lifted, Canada could be on track for more than 20,000 daily new cases by mid-March.

Using the same assumption for transmissibility, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conveyed a similar message with its own forecast published five days later.

One shudders at the likelihood of a pandemic third wave. This is particularly gnawing in light of the decline seen over the last couple of months of new cases, hospitalizations and deaths around the world. While the downward trend could be due to mass vaccination that started in December 2020, better adherence to stricter public health measures, supportive and coordinated political leadership, or to any combination of these factors, the flattening of the curve may reflect the adverse influence of the new virus variants. If so, the earlier progress that has been made is once more under threat.

Are we seeing the early signs of pandemic resurgence? To not make it inevitable, we are well advised to follow public health guidance and do our individual best to have “the fewest interactions, with the fewest people, for the shortest time, at greatest distance possible, while wearing the bestfitting facemask.”

SARSCoV-2 variants of concern To date, Canada has identified 976 cases of COVID-19 with a SARSCoV-2 variant of concern across all 10 provinces.

1. B.1.1.7 – First detected in the UK, it has the mutation N501Y in the spike protein plus 22 other mutations. It is associated with increased transmissibility and risk of death.

2. B.1.351 – First detected in South Africa, it has multiple mutations in the spike protein, including N501Y. It may affect neutralization by monoclonal antibodies. It has no known impact on disease severity.

3. P.1 – First detected in travelers from Brazil, it contains three mutations in the spike protein receptor binding domain, including the N501Y. It is associated with increased transmissibility and it affects the ability of antibodies to recognize and neutralize the virus.

Theses three variants each have the N501Y mutation. They have one or more mutations that differentiate them from the wildtype or predominant virus variants already circulating among the general population, which contain no major mutation. A common characteristic among the variants of concern is the role of international travel in transmission. Three of the five cases recently detected in Manitoba were related to international travel.

In the U.S., more than 1,900 of the three major variants as seen in Canada have also been identified, almost all of which belong to the B.1.1.7 lineage. Two forthcoming reports from California on new variants, B.1.427 and B.1.429, which are associated with severe infectiousness and severity, are soon to be published.

What are the concerns about the new variants?

1. Ability to evade natural or vaccine-induced immunity – Both natural infection with and vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 produce a “polyclonal” antibody response that targets several parts of the spike protein. The virus could accumulate significant mutations in the spike protein to evade immunity induced. This is the most worrisome concern since Canada and the other countries have only begun their vaccination drive barely two months ago and the proportion of the population that had been fully vaccinated is nowhere near the level required to establish herd immunity.

2. Ability to spread more

quickly in people – One study has shown transmissibility increased by about 50 per cent, which would most certainly increase the number of cases in the community.

3. Ability to cause either milder or more severe disease in people – If the increase in caseload is accompanied by serious cases requiring oxygen therapy and ventilator-assisted breathing, the acute care burden can overwhelm the health system once more.

Preliminary studies have shown a predisposition of some variants to cause more severe disease requiring oxygen therapy.

4. Ability to evade detection by specific diagnostic tests – Many diagnostic tests use multiple targets to detect the virus, hence, would still work even if a mutation impacts one of the targets. Tests that rely on only one target may fail in their diagnostic capability.

This is being closely monitored.

5. Decreased susceptibility to therapeutics that employ monoclonal antibodies – These treatments are more specific than natural immune responsegenerated antibodies; hence, they may be less effective against variants that emerge.

How do variants occur?

Basically, a virus variant is the natural consequence of replication that occurs in a virus’ life history in the human host over time.

Viruses such as SARSCoV-2, which causes COVID-19, are constantly changing. The virus genome packed inside an envelope contains proteins and instructions to build parts of the virus, such as the spike protein, which allows the virus to attach to human cells during an infection.

This section of the genome serves as a key region for monitoring mutations. Mutations are changes in the genetic code of a virus that naturally occur over time when a person is infected. A certain amount of genetic variation is expected to occur over time.

While many mutations do not affect the virus’s ability to spread or cause disease, it is crucial to monitor circulating viruses for key mutations that happen that are more beneficial for the virus.

Dr. Alyson Kelvin, a Canadian virologist and researcher in vaccine development, said in a recent CBC News interview, “Each virus has a singular goal of replicating itself.

With tens of millions of people helping move the coronavirus back and forth between hosts, that means countless replications.

Some of those contain random, insignificant mistakes. And when the mistakes prove beneficial to the virus, helping it produce more copies, those errors can become a new normal of sorts – a variant.”

Understanding the singular goal of a virus Last month’s edition of the National Geographic magazine (February 2021) featured the article, “How Viruses Shape Our World” by David Quammen.

His essay clarifies a couple of the basics in virology: 1. a virus

is inanimate, which means it is destitute of life, and 2. a virus wants to replicate – to copy itself – which means it is animated and implies the presence of activity.

This teaching, when presented simply in this manner, seems puzzling.

Virions and virocells Delineating the inanimate and animated parts of a virus It is this seeming conundrum that Quammen’s exposition led me to focus on the behaviour of a virus when residing inside the human host or outside, suspended in the air as aerosol or lying on surfaces as fomites. He quoted the scientist Patrick Forterre of the Pasteur Institute in Paris, France who explained: “Scientists were confusing the viral particles known as virions (the bits of genome or genetic material enclosed in a protein coat or shell or envelope) with the totality of a virus, and was as wrong as confusing a seed with a plant.”

The French scientist went on to further explain that the virions, which are inanimate, are only a part of the totality of a virus.

“The real wholeness of the virus,” he continued, “also includes its presence within a cell, once it has seized the cell’s machinery to replicate more virions, more seeds of itself.” When that has happened, “the cell has become part of the virus’s life history.”

For this combined entity, he coined the new term, “virocell.”

In this stage when a virus infects a person, the wholeness of the virus is expressed and active, not inanimate, and obeys the official viral mandate, that is, “reading the viral genome and replicating it.” That is the wholeness of the virus complying with its inherent domain or natural property – to replicate itself.

The pathogenic virus SARSCoV-2 that causes COVID-19 is a single-stranded RNA virus. As such, its RNA genome is prone to undergo, over time, mutations or variations as the virus replicates to make more viruses. The opportunity to replicate its genome occurs whenever the virus infects people and resides in their cells.

And every time it replicates its genome, chances for “skips,

staggers, and mistakes” – errors or mutations – are bound to happen, notwithstanding it has proofreading enzymes to correct most of the mutations.

For a little over a year now since it first infected a cluster of citizens in Wuhan, China in early December 2019, SARSCoV-2 has been globe-trotting in the comfort of its human hosts. The human cell has become part and parcel of its life history and travels. In the first few human hosts infected, we have learned the virus replicated in abundance, harmed organs, primarily the lungs, and soon managed to spread – human to human – across the country and across continents. Until now, it continues to encircle the world, leaving in its path the misery of illness and death for millions of the world citizens. It needs little imagination to acknowledge that the viral genome has been replicated billions of times. During this period of time, errors must have been incorporated, resulting in many new variants with mutations on certain regions of the viral genome of the original, wild type of circulating SARSCoV-2, which had very few mutations and none major.

As of February 25, 2021, the Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Tracker, has tallied 112,999,297 cases and 2,507,444 deaths worldwide. In Canada, the count is 863,495 cases and 21,868 deaths. The U.S.A.: 28,411,273 cases and 508,127 deaths. The Philippines: 568,680 cases and 12,207 deaths.

Rey D. Pagtakhan, P.C., O.M., LL.D., Sc.D., M.Sc., M.D. is a former cabinet minister and Parliamentary Secretary to Canada’s Prime Minister.

He is also a retired lung specialist and professor from the University of Manitoba Faculty of Medicine. He graduated from the University of the Philippines and did postgraduate studies at the Washington University, University of Manitoba, and University of Arizona medical centres. He spoke on the “Global Threat of Infectious Diseases” at the 2003 G-8 Science Ministers and Advisors Carnegie Group Meeting in Berlin. reypagtakhan@gmail.com.

MARCH 1 - 15 , 2021

PILIPINO EXPRESS

International Women’s Day History International Women’s Day seeks to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of women throughout the world. This day aims to promote women’s equality by showing appreciation for women and by encouraging support for repressed women. Many organizations such as the United Nations use this day to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of ordinary women.

International Women’s Day was initially promoted by the Socialist Party of America. In 1909, this day was declared in remembrance of a major strike by the International Ladies’ Garment Workers Union. This holiday is now recognized internationally and is an official national holiday for many countries. It is observed annually on March 8th.

PAGE 9

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SHOWBIZ SHOWBUZZ PILIPINO EXPRESS

MARCH 1 - 15 , 2021

• Aljur Abrenica at Kylie Padilla – Hiwalay na?

• Jodi Sta. Maria – Dedma sa panunumbat ni Claudine Barretto • John Lloyd Cruz – Balik pelikula na • Gerald Anderson at Julia Barretto – Lantaran na ang relasyon?

• Rica Peralejo – Relasyon kay Piolo Pascual noon, pinagdududahan pa rin?

• Ara Mina – Itinanggi ang 10,000 pesos per plate sa kasal • Derek Ramsay at Ellen Adarna – Totohanan na ang relasyon?

• Sharon Cuneta – Gustung-gusto nang magka-apo • Willie Revillame – Tatlo na ang helicopter!

• Raffy Tulfo – May bagong show sa TV5 Nakakuha kami ng malinaw na impormasyon mula sa isang source na hindi nanununog at nangu-nguryente tungkol sa kasalukuyang sitwas-yon nina Aljur Abrenica at Kylie Padilla.

Sobrang lungkot ang nararamdaman ng aming source dahil napakaaga raw bumitiw ni Kylie sa relasyon nila ni Aljur.

At sa social media pa niya iyon pinadaan, hindi sa pakikipag-usap nang masinsinan sa kaniyang asawa. Wala raw respeto si Kylie sa aktor.

Pera at babae ang sinasabing dahilan ng kanilang hiwalayan.

Iyon ang pinag-ugatan, sabi ng mas nakararami, sa pagsigaw ng kalayaan ni Kylie.

Kuwento ng aming kausap, “December last year pa lang, mayroon na silang pinagdadaanan. Iyong sa issue ng pera, may katotohanan iyon, pero iyong nambababae si Aljur, kalokohan iyon!

“Hindi sila pinababayaan ni Aljur, kahit sa buong pandemya,

hindi sila nagutom. Hindi man malaki ang kinikita niya ngayon, e, priority pa rin si Kylie at ang mga anak nila sa kinikita ni Aljur.

“Pero may mga nakarating na kuwento sa kampo ni Aljur, mga salita ni Kylie iyon na talagang dinamdam ni Aljur. Very supportive sa kanila ang mga Abrenica.

“Naiintindihan nila na limitado ang mga projects ngayong pandemic. Tumutulong sila kina Aljur at Kylie. Hindi na nila kailangang humingi, pakiramdaman lang,” kuwento pa ng aming impormante.

May kuwentong nakarating sa panig ni Aljur na si Kylie mismo ang nagsasabi sa kaniyang mga nakakausap na nagtatamadtamaran daw si Aljur, ayaw magtrabaho, sa kaniya lang daw umaasa ang kaniyang mister.

Dagdag na komento ng aming source, “Walang katotohanan iyon! Masipag si Aljur. Priority niya ang pamilya nila. Hindi sila See CRISTY p11

Kylie Padilla & Aljur Abrenica

John Lloyd Cruz

Jodi Sta. Maria & Raymart Santiago

Willie Revillame

Raffy Tulfo

Piolo Pascual & Rica Peralejo

Ara Mina & Dave Almarinez

Gerald Anderson & Julia Barretto

Derek Ramsay, Ellen Adarna & her son, Elias

Sharon Cuneta

MARCH 1 - 15 , 2021

CRISTY...

From page 10 nagutom kahit minsan. iyong pambababae raw ni Aljur?

“Kalokohan iyon! Malaking kalokohan iyon!

Walang suportang ebidensiya iyon! Iyong problema nila financially, kapanipaniwala iyon!

“May naghahanap, may

SHOWBIZ SHOWBUZZ PILIPINO EXPRESS

hinahanapan, may bumibitiw, may gustong magsalba ng relasyon, iyon ang totoo!” napakadiing sabi ng aming kausap.

Sa kabila ng kanilang pinagdadaanan ngayon ay pagtulungan sana nina Aljur at Kylie na maisalba ang kanilang relasyon. Sayang na sayang.

Ipinaglaban nila nang magkahawak-kamay ang

pagmamahalang ito. *** Tulad ng mga pinagdaanan niyang kontrobersiya ay inaasahan na naming hindi papatulan ni Jodi Sta. Maria ang mga bagong panunumbat ni Claudine Barretto laban sa kaniya.

Hindi nagbibigay ng anumang paliwanag si Jodi hanggang maaari, malaking bentahe para

sa kaniya ang pananahimik, magaling siyang bumbero dahil agaran niyang napapatay ang sunog.

Umariba na naman si Claudine.

Sinasabi raw ni Jodi na Christian siya, pero ang karelasyon niya naman ay pamilyado na, hindi pa pinawawalang-bisa ang kasal nila ni Raymart Santiago.

Patutsada pa ni Claudine,

PAGE 11

kahit daw ang kasal nila ni Pampi Lacson ay hindi pa rin naman annulled, kaya doble-doble ang kasasabitan ni Jodi kapag lumala ang sitwasyon.

Magkaibigan daw sila, maraming kuwento si Claudine tungkol sa pagiging malapit nila sa isa’t isa, pero bakit daw hindi man lang siya nagpasintabi noong See CRISTY p15

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SHOWBIZ SHOWBUZZ PILIPINO EXPRESS

Rhian Ramos confirms ties with GMA Network Versatile and sought-after actress Rhian Ramos remains a loyal Kapuso as she renewed her exclusive contract with GMA Network last February 19.

Following her string of successful projects and exemplary portrayal of diverse roles, Rhian conveys her immeasurable gratitude and loyalty towards the Network, “I feel so lucky that I get to live my dream and continue to live my dream with the station that supports me and it feels so right because GMA is my home, they’re my family…I’ve been here for 15 years already See RHIAN p13

Rhian Ramos

MARCH 1 - 15 , 2021

Pauline Mendoza stars in Babawiin Ko Ang Lahat

Promising drama actress Pauline Mendoza is beyond ready to take things up a notch as she stars in her first ever leading role as Iris Salvador in Babawiin Ko Ang Lahat.

When all that you care for in life is taken away from you, how far would you go to fight for what is rightfully yours? Fans can now see Pauline in a soul-stirring tale of a young woman whose perfect life is upended by the ghosts of the past in the form of her father’s first family in GMA Network’s newest series Babawiin Ko Ang Lahat.

Pauline, who acknowledges the gravity and pressure of topping the bill, expresses her gratitude to GMA for entrusting her the role of Iris, “Hindi naman mawawala ‘yung pressure at kaba lalo na because this is my first See PAULINE p13

Your Face Sounds Familiar – Season 3 Kapamilya musical variety competition Your Face Sounds Familiar (YFSF) keeps fans happy with astonishing impersonations and worldclass performances by celebrity performers.

Now on its third season, Your Face Sounds Familiar’s Pambansang Host Luis Manzano takes over the hosting duties every Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday at 7:30 pm. He is joined by the jury, OPM icons Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano, King of OPM Ogie Alcasid, and the Megastar Sharon Cuneta, and celebrity mentors Jed Madela and Nyoy Volante, who coach See YOUR FACE p13

Gary Valenciano, Sharon Cuneta & Ogie Alcasid

Luis Manzano

Nyoy Volante

Jed Madela

MARCH 1 - 15 , 2021

RHIAN...

From page 12 and loyalty is a value that I really appreciate…I feel that GMA has also been so loyal to me through the years with all the opportunities and guidance they’ve given me.”

Having first graced the small screen in 2006 with her acting debut in Captain Barbell and further establishing her name in the industry after her iconic role in Stairway To Heaven, Rhian has truly evolved into a fine actress with her incredible range and experience. At present, she is one of the lead stars of the top-rating primetime series Love of My Life where she plays the role of Kelly Generoso.

The multitalented Kapuso actress shared that she is likewise beyond excited to do more hosting projects in the future, “I am looking forward to doing more hosting. The reason why I really want to host more moving forward is because, I’ve done many hosting shows in GMA before, but as I’m getting older and as I grow, I feel much more comfortable and confident with myself that it’s really fun to just experience something with the audience kasi that’s what hosts do.”

Viewers abroad can watch Rhian Ramos in the top-rating primetime series Love of My Life which airs on GMA’s flagship international channel, GMA Pinoy TV.

PAULINE...

From page 12 time na mabigyan ng ganitong chance at opportunity ng GMA, and I’m very thankful for that.

Mas na-challenge talaga ako dito kasi bawat eksena sobra ‘yung binibigay kong emosyon para sa character ni Iris.”

Playing important roles in the life of Iris are: Carmina Villarroel as Dulce EspejoTanaka, Victor’s materialistic and conniving former lover who vows to take everything from the latter for the sake of her children; Tanya Garcia-Lapid as Christine Salvador, devoted wife of Victor and doting mother of Iris; Neil Ryan Sese as Inspector Jun, a police captain who is ready to take down whoever defames the Salvador family; Kristoffer Martin as Joel Espejo, the black sheep among the two children of Dulce and Victor but is also just a victim of his father’s absence in his life; Dave Bornea as Randall Madrigal, Trina’s ex-boyfriend and Iris’ childhood friend and admirer; Liezel Lopez as Trina Espejo, Dulce and Victor’s greedy daughter who envies her halfsister Iris to the extent of making the former’s life miserable; and John Estrada as Victor Salvador, CEO of Allegre-Salvador Farm and the loving yet protective patriarch of the Salvador family.

Also starring are Therese Malvar as Lala, Iris’ loyal and bubbly confidante; Tanya Gomez as Menchie, Victor’s kind and supportive elder sister who has always been against Dulce;

SHOWBIZ SHOWBUZZ PILIPINO EXPRESS

Gio Alvarez as Greg Madrigal, Randall’s father and Victor’s comrade; Manolo Pedrosa as Justin Roxas, Randall’s cousin who secretly fancies Iris; and with the special participation of Jett Pangan as Akira Tanaka, a Japanese-Filipino Yakuza boss and Dulce’s ex-husband; Jenine Desiderio as Tiya Elena Allegre, Christine’s strict and protective auntie; and Charee Pineda as Minnie, Dulce’s enabler and crony.

Viewers abroad can also watch the series via GMA’s flagship international channel, GMA Pinoy TV.

PAGE 13

Sarah G’s Tala: The Film Concert premiere’s March 27 Popstar Royalty Sarah Geronimo is back in the limelight as she treats fans to a one-night only event for Tala: The Film Concert,” which will premiere worldwide on March 27.

Named after her smash hit, the two-hour film will offer a live concert experience where fans will get to see the star perform 18 songs including her fresh interpretations of Kilometro, Ikotikot and Isa Pang Araw. A surprise guest will also be joining Sarah on

stage for two special numbers.

Fans outside the Philippines can get regular tickets for USD25 on iWantTFC and TFC IPTV. Viewers can buy regular tickets for P1,500 and VVIP tickets for P3,000. VVIP ticket holders will be also treated to a special interaction segment with Sarah via Zoom.

Produced by Viva Entertainment, Tala: The Film Concert was taped last December at the Araneta Coliseum. It is

directed by Paul Basinillo, with Louie Ocampo as the musical director and Georcelle Dapat-Sy as the creative director.

Watch the one and only Sarah G’s return to the concert stage in Tala: The Film Concert, streaming worldwide on iWantTFC, and TFC IPTV on March 27 (Saturday) at 8 PM (Manila time).

For updates, follow @ abscbnpr on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit www.abscbn.com/newsroom.

Online Live, where audiences can react to the performances and interact with the online show’s hosts, Darren Espanto and AC Bonifacio, during commercial

breaks.

Watch online via Kapamilya Online Live and iWantTFC. Stay connected with the show by following @YourFacePH

on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For updates, follow @ABSCBNPR on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit www.abs-cbn.com/newsroom.

YOUR FACE...

From page 12 and train the celebrities before their live performances.

Taking on the challenge of looking and sounding like the biggest local and international music icons are some of the most talented and versatile performers in the land. They are new breed actor Christian Bables, viral crooner CJ Navato, pop royalty Geneva Cruz, sample king Jhong Hilario, soul diva Klarisse de Guzman, Pinoy Big Belter Lie Reposposa, rising sweetheart Vivoree Esclito, and the Idol trio iDOLLS composed of Lucas Garcia, Matty Juniosa, and Enzo Almario.

Watch them deliver thrilling and spot-on performances every week as they aim for the weekly prize of P50,000 and the P1 million grand prize, just like the program’s past two Grand Winners, Melai Cantiveros and Denise Laurel.

Since 2015, YFSF has been bringing quality entertainment to viewers not only in the Philippines, but also globally with performances from both its regular and kids editions going viral on social media and reaching different countries in the world.

This year, fans of the show are in for a treat as YFSF will launch a gap show on Kapamilya

PAGE 14

OUR COMMUNITY PILIPINO EXPRESS

MARCH 1 - 15 , 2021

Caring for our Environment-Manitoba inducts new board

by Ramon Faustino M. Sales, Jr. The Caring for our Environment-Manitoba (CEM) Inc., a non-profit environmental organization, held a virtual induction ceremony for its 20212022 board of directors on January 27, 2021.

CEM aims to promote knowledge and action on environment, climate change and sustainability issues within the Filipino community in Manitoba and the broader society. A total of 30 people attended.

The event started with a videoslide presentation highlighting CEM’s past and current activities.

The CEM president then introduced the guest speaker, Mr. Rafael Senga, Senior Advisor, Global Energy Policy, of World Wildlife Fund (WWF) – International, who administered the oath-taking of the new Board members.

The new CEM Board of Directors consists of the

PROVINCE...

From page 1 “We will continue to take a cautious and gradual approach at restarting our activities and services. We’re asking Manitobans to provide their input and priorities for the next rounds of reopening, while ensuring we continue to protect the health and well-being of all Manitobans,” said Premier Brian Pallister at a February 25 press conference.

Proposed changes for the entire province will be considered for implementation in two phases over a six-week period, beginning as early as March 5 and again on March 26. The following changes under consideration include the following: Households and gatherings • Allowing households the choice of continuing to designate two visitors to their home, or to designate a second household to visit each other, as long as everyone in the house has authorized those designated individuals to visit and families would have to choose either the two-person option or the additional household option; • Increasing gathering limits at an outdoor place to 10 people including for outdoor nonorganized sport or recreation activities; • Increasing the capacity size at places of worship for regular

following: President, Ramon Faustino Sales, Jr.; Secretary, Nikki Mailom; Treasurer, Arlene Licardo-Lontoc; Auditor, Teody Leano; Head, Education Committee, Jomay Amora-Dueck; Head, External Relations Committee, Allan Pamplona; Head, Information and Communication Committee, Shiela Leano; Head, Membership Committee, Jane Remolacio; Head, Sponsorship Committee, Rizalina Cortez; Co-Heads, Youth Engagement Committee, Emily Evangelista and Maine Marquina.

Following the oath-taking, Mr. Senga made a presentation on “Accelerating the Energy Transition: Busting the Myth, Shifting the Narrative,” which explored the excessive burning of fossil fuels (oil, coal and natural gas) that emit heat-trapping (or greenhouse) gases in the atmosphere resulting in global climate change. Senga further noted that continued build-up of such gases will result in more

intense and frequent, devastating weather events such as droughts, flooding, insect infestation, and high-intensity storms that will put millions of people largely from developing countries at risk.

To address this global problem, he emphasized the need to find new ways of thinking and doing things to be able to change the way we produce and use energy, water and our finite natural resources and to reduce our carbon footprint.

All these are important to achieve a sustainable, low-carbon society for the benefit of both the present generation and those to come, and our Mother Earth.

Three members of the board then provided their responses to the presentation. Joanne Marie Dueck, Head of Education Committee, emphasized the need to change existing lifestyle and consumption patterns towards one that is sustainable and protects and preserves our finite natural resources. Emily Evangelista and Maine Marquina, Co-Heads

of the CEM Youth Engagement Committee, highlighted the importance of fostering awareness among the youth and engaging them to take action on current environment, climate change and sustainability issues.

CEM partner organizations shared messages of solidarity with the new officers. Melissa Dorota, Senior Outreach Coordinator of Canadian Beverage Container Recycling Association (CBCRA) and Rowena Oquendo, VicePresident of Manitoba Filipino Street Festival (MFSF) stressed the importance of partnership building to advance shared organizational objectives. In 2019, CEM and CBCRA partnered to promote waste recycling at the MFSF event by setting up an information booth and distributed over 1,800 recyclable bags to event participants. In the same year, CEM received the 2019 Recycle Everywhere Champions Award.

As part of an intermission

number, nine-year old Atasha Abquilen recited a poem on the environment “Protecting our Planet” written by a fifth grader, Caroline Keefe.

In her closing remarks, Shiela Leano, Head, Information and Communication Committee, encouraged the guests to share their learnings with other people and make a difference in our community by helping make Manitoba and Canada greener and cleaner.

Dominique Anne Mailom served as the event’s emcee and moderator.

CEM would like to thank the guests and participants who attended the virtual event.

Individuals who are interested in joining or volunteering with CEM can contact the organization by e-mail at caring4environment@ gmail.com.

Ramon Faustino M. Sales, Jr., PhD. is the president of Caring for our EnvironmentManitoba Inc.

religious services to 25 per cent or 100 people, whichever is lower, with physical distancing measures in place and mask requirements.

Business, retail and restaurants • Enabling any type of business to be able to operate with the exception of indoor theatres, indoor concert halls, casino and bingo halls; • Expanding the capacity limits for retail stores, malls and personal services to up to 50 per cent capacity or 250 people, whichever is lower, with other public health measures still in effect; • Expanding restaurants and licensed premises to up to 50 per cent capacity with requirements to still only sit with members of your household and with other public health measures still in effect; • Allowing businesses to resume operating video lottery terminals, with physical distancing measures and barriers in place; • Allowing professional theatre groups, dance companies, symphonies or operas to resume rehearsals as long as rehearsals are not accessible to members of the public.

Recreation and fitness • Allowing day camps for children to operate at 25 per cent capacity with a maximum group size of 50, with other public health measures in place; • Allowing indoor recreation and sporting facilities, such as

gyms, fitness centres, rinks, courts, fields, ranges, studios, clubs, pools and centres to open for individual use and group instruction and practices only, with public health measures in place for spectators, common areas and locker rooms for a total capacity of 25 per cent; • Allowing dance, theatre and music facilities to open for individual instruction and group classes for a total capacity of 25 per cent; • Allowing gyms and fitness centres to provide group instruction or classes at 25 per cent capacity per class with physical distancing measures in place, in addition to one-on-one instruction and individual workouts for a total facility capacity of 25 per cent; • Allowing indoor recreational facilities such as arcades, go-kart tracks and children’s facilities to open at 25 per cent capacity with physical distancing measures in place; • Allowing outdoor amusement parks to open at 50 per cent capacity with physical distancing measures in place; • Allowing users of gyms, fitness centres and pools to not wear a mask while taking part in a physical activity, but requiring mask use in other areas of the facility.

“Manitoba’s case numbers continue to trend in the right direction, which allows us to

consider reopening more services cautiously and safely,” said Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba’s chief provincial public health officer. “However, with the variant of concern now here in Manitoba, it is crucial that Manitobans continue to follow the fundamentals and avoid the activities that are known to cause the greatest risk – crowded places, closed-spaces, and close-contact settings – so we can contain the spread of COVID-19 until we can

immunize and better protect more of our population.”

Roussin also noted that changes could be made to public health orders beginning March 5 based on public feedback and COVID-19 indicators.

Manitobans can provide their feedback on the proposed changes by visiting https:// engagemb.ca/. Results of public feedback gathered will be posted on the EngageMB website once completed.

PINAYS...

From page 1 selfless dedication and passion.

A special recognition will be given to Mrs. Imelda Adao of Jimel’s Bakery, who exemplifies grace, faith and fortitude amidst the different challenges and heartbreak in her family life.

An entertaining FUN-demic Challenge, games and raffle draws are also part of the virtual celebration. Everyone is invited to join this ZOOM event.

Registration is free but space is limited. Register by sending an e-mail to pinaysevent@gmail. com – include your name, phone number and e-mail. The Zoom link will be e-mailed to registered participants close to March 7th.

Founded and incorporated in January 2016, Pinays Manitoba

aspires to provide a resource within the community to assist and guide Filipino women of all ages. One of its objectives is to honour Filipino women, trailblazers who have made outstanding contributions to the community.

From 2016 to 2020, Pinays Manitoba has given recognition – the Pinays Manitoba Trailblazer Award – to a number of very deserving Filipino women. The public is invited to nominate Filipino women who deserve to be honoured and recognized by sending an e-mail to pinaysmb@ gmail.com. The nomination committee will review all nominations for the organization’s future annual recognition events in commemoration of the International Women’s Day. – See related article on page 5

MARCH 1 - 15 , 2021

CRISTY...

From page 11 nililigawan na siya ni Raymart?

Mahirap daw bang gawin iyon samantalang magkaibigan naman sila? Iyon ang mga himutok ni Claudine laban kay Jodi, hindi man lang daw siya bumusina, ikinawindang na lang daw ng mga anak nila ni Raymart ang mga naglabasang retrato habang nagde-date sila ng aktor.

Pero ramdam naming hindi sasagot si Jodi sa mga ibinatong akusasyon ni Claudine, gagamitin niya na lang siguro ang kaniyang emosyon sa mga eksena nila ni Iza Calzado sa ginagawa nilang serye, tutal naman ay may pagkakahawig ang kuwento noon sa tunay niyang buhay.

May mga puntong nasa tama si Claudine, pero hindi na lang iyon papatulan pa ni Jodi, silang dalawa na lang ni Raymart ang mag-uusap tungkol doon.

Maganda na rin kung iyon ang mangyayari, sa mga panahong ito kasi ay parang boksingero si Claudine na naghahanap ng makakalaban sa lona, kapag naglitanya ng sagot si Jodi ay gustung-gusto iyon ng nakahiwalay na asawa ni Raymart.

Dahil sa batas ay mag-asawa pa rin sila ni Raymart hanggang ngayon ay magmimistulang challenger si Jodi sa pag-agaw ng korona. *** Nandito na ang matagal na pinakahihintay hindi lang ng mga tagahanga ni John Lloyd Cruz kundi pati ng ating mga kababayan. Mula sa nabigo nilang relasyon ni Ellen Adarna ay nauntog din sa katotohanan ang magaling na aktor na kailangan na niyang bumalik sa harap ng mga camera.

Nasa Sorsogon na ngayon si JLC kasama ang iba pang mga artistang makakasama niya para sa pelikulang Servando Magdamag na si Ricky Lee ang sumulat ng istorya sa pamamahala ni Direk Lav Diaz.

Matindi ang pundasyon ng proyektong sisimulan na ni John Lloyd, na dapat lang naman, dahil mahigit na dalawang taon siyang lumiban sa trabaho.

Mula nang maging magkarelasyon sila ni Ellen Adarna ay namahinga na sa pagarte ang magaling na aktor. Ang relasyon nila ng sexy star ang kaniyang naging prayoridad.

Walang maririnig na anumang pagsisisi mula kay John Lloyd dahil naging maligaya siya noong mga panahong iyon at nagbunga pa ng isang Elias Modesto na napakagandang regalo sa kaniya ng langit.

Tanong ng isang kausap namin, wala raw kayang maging pagbabago ang pag-arte ni JLC, hindi raw kinalawang na ang kaniyang talento sa tagal ng panahong hindi siya humarap sa mga camera?

Walang-wala. Napakanatural ng pagganap ni John Lloyd, hininog na siya ng panahon, sa kaniyang henerasyon ay siya ang kinikilalang pinakamahusay na aktor. ***

SHOWBIZ SHOWBUZZ PILIPINO EXPRESS

Nakasilip din ng pagkakataon sina Gerald Anderson at Julia Barretto para ipaglantaran na ang kanilang relasyon. Nagpalipas lang sila ng panahon para hindi sila bombahin sa social media.

Hindi sila puwedeng magtago sa lahat ng panahon, nakakapagod ang pagtatago, kaya kailangan na nilang lumantad.

Kung umamin na sila agad noon pa man ay napakadelikado ng kanilang magiging aksiyon lalo na para kay Julia. Lalabas kasi ang katotohanan na nagkasabay sila ni Bea Alonzo sa buhay ni Gerald.

Pumasok si Julia sa relasyon nang hindi pa naman naghihiwalay nang pormal sina Gerald at Bea. Natural, lalabas na manunulot si Julia, kaya kinailangan munang pahinugin nila ni Gerald ang kanilang relasyon bago sila umamin.

At hanggang ngayon ay wala pa rin naman silang diretsong inaamin na sila na nga. Mga larawan lang nilang palaging magkasama sa beach house ng hunk actor ang nagbubunyag na totoong sila na nga.

Hanggang ngayon kasi ay inuupakan pa rin sila sa social media, awang-awa ang mga netizens kay Bea na nagpakatotoo kay Gerald, pero ipinagpalit din sa ibang babae.

Hinintay rin siguro nina Julia at Gerald na may iba nang lalaking iniuugnay kay Bea, si Dominic Roque, na hanggang ngayo’y tagung-tago pa rin sa publiko kung mag-ano na nga ba sila?

Sabi pa ng isang basher, “Poor, Julia! Kung ano ang ginawa ni Gerald kay Bea, iyon din ang mangyayari sa kaniya! Magsisisi rin siya sa bandang huli!”

Buhay na buhay pa rin ang mga tagahanga nina Julia Barretto at Joshua Garcia, lalo na ngayong halos 20 milyon na ang views ng piyesang Paubaya ni Moira dela Torre na sila ang bumida sa MTV, sapul na sapul doon sina Julia at Gerald.

Si Joshua Garcia pa naman, napakagaling umarte, lalo na kapag may malalim na hugot ang aktor sa kaniyang mga sinasabi at ginagawa.

Sa totoo lang! *** Minsan na nga lang umeksena ang matagal nang nagpapahingang aktres na si Rica Peralejo pero kinukuwestiyon pa ang kaniyang rebelasyon. Nagpakatotoo lang si Rica na nagkaroon sila ng relasyon ni Piolo Pascual pero pinagdududahan iyon.

Bakit nga ba hanggang ngayon ay kinukuwestiyon pa rin ang pakikipagrelasyon ni Piolo?

Nagkakaedad na ang singeractor at nag-eendorso na nga ng produktong nakapagpapagaling sa pananakit ng likod at mga kasu-kasuan pero iyon at iyon pa rin ang isyu tungkol sa kaniya.

Totoo naman ang rebelasyon ni Rica, tandang-tanda pa namin ang emosyon ng kaniyang inang si Mommy Alice habang magkarelasyon sila ni Piolo, maraming naninira sa aktres.

Sabi pa noon ng mommy ni Rica, “Ito namang si PJ (Piolo), inuupakan na nga si Rica, pero wala man lang ginagawa!

Pinababayaan lang niya, nakakaawa naman ang anak ko!”

Kasagsagan kasi iyon ng tambalang Piolo-Judy Ann Santos, bantay-sarado sila ng kanilang mga tagahanga, sinumang lalaki o babaeng pumasok sa eksena ay ayaw ng

mga ito.

Kahit naman si Ryan Agoncillo ay tinangka ring harangan ng mga Piolo-Juday fans, pero nanindigan ang aktres, hanggang sa ikasal na nga sila ni Ryan.

Tinangkang ilihim nina Piolo

PAGE 15 at Rica ang kanilang relasyon pero kalaunan ay marami ring nakapagpatotoo na sila nga.

Na hanggang ngayon ay ayaw paniwalaan ng mas nakararami, tsismis lang daw iyon, kaya kinukuwestiyon nila ang See CRISTY p16

EH KASI, PINOY!

PAGE 16

PILIPINO EXPRESS

KROSWORD

NO. 364

Ni Bro. Gerry Gamurot

PAHALANG 1. Dalampasigan 5. Alkalde 12. Inaasahan 13. Uod ng kamote 14. Pangamba 15. Sadsad 16. Pangalan ng babae 20. Ayos 24. Ibigay sa iba 25. Hindi sanay 26. Tagal 27. Angkop 28. Ilalahok 30. Isangguni PABABA 1. Pranka 2. Hinahangaan 3. Maraming ginagawa 4. Guwardiya 6. Hukay 7. Nakalaylay 8. ____ King Cole 9. Malaking sasakyan

10. Kakalugin 11. Anaki 16. Patibong 17. Sisidlan ng sorbetes 18. Siyasat 19. Pacific Ocean, halimbawa 20. Salungat 21. Iharap 22. Sugat 23. Damit pambabae 29. Pang-ukol

SAGOT SA NO. 363

CRISTY...

From page 15 rebelasyon ni Rica Peralejo. *** Mismong mga kaibigan na ni Ara Mina ang nagagalit ngayon sa kaniyang pagdedenay tungkol sa mga detalye ng kasal nila ni Dave Almarinez sa April 28 sa Baguio City. ldinedenay ni Ara ang kuwento tungkol sa wedding ring na ibinigay sa kaniya ng negosyante, pati ang ten thousand per plate sa kanilang reception ay hindi raw totoo, ayon kay Ara Mina.

Dahil doon ay naguguluhan na tuloy ang kaniyang mga pinagkuwentuhan, ano ba ang totoo, nagyayabang lang ba ang aktres nang ikuwento ang mga detalye sa kasal nila ng milyonaryong lalaki?

Kuwento ng aming source, “Anong family heirloom lang ang ring, ipina-reset lang daw iyon ni Dave? Ilang tao na ang pinagkuwentuhan niya tungkol sa singsing, hindi na ba niya naaalala iyon, e, kabata-bata pa naman niya pa ra magkaroon siya ng dementia?

“From the start, e, wala naman siya ng sinabing minana lang ng family ni Dave ang singsing, wala siyang binabanggit na ganoon.

Ang lagi lang niyang sinasabi, e, hindi niya alam kung saan binili ni Dave ang singsing. Yung ten thousand per head sa reception nila, kanino ba nanggaling iyon, kay Ara din naman, di ba?

Kaya ang mga pinagkuwentuhan niya, e, nagagalit ngayon!

“Ano raw ito? Nagdedenay si Ara, di parang pinalalabas niyang sinungaling pala ang mga pinagkuwentuhan niya?

Kumambiyo si Ara dahil binabash sila ngayon ni Dave!

“Pandemya nga naman, pero ipinagmamalaki pa nila ang kagarbuhan ng kasalan nila!

Kunsabagay, hindi na naman bago ang ginawa ni Ara, palagi naman siyang nagdedenay, di ba?” kuwento pa ng aming source. *** Kung totoo mang may pagkakaunawaan na ngayon sina Derek Ramsay at Ellen Adarna ay wala namang masama. Libre nang maghanap ng ibang babae si Derek dahil tapos na ang relasyon nila ni Andrea Torres.

Ganoon din si Ellen, matagal nang natuldukan ang relasyon nil a ni John Lloyd Cruz, ang kanilang anak na lang na si Elias ang nag-uugnay sa kanila.

Pero sana, kapag nagkikita sina Derek at Ellen, ay hindi na isinasama pa ng sexy actress ang kanilang anak ni JLC. Napakamura pa ng edad ni Elias, hindi pa nito kayang unawain ang sitwasyon, masyadong maguguluhan ang bata.

Naghihiraman sila sa kanilang anak, may mga araw na nasa piling ng aktor ang bata, pagkatapos ay parang bola ng PBA na ibabalik na uli ito sa poder ng kaniyang ina.

Iyon lang muna ang kayang unawain ni Elias, na hiwalay man ang kaniyang mga magulang ay nakakasama nito ang kaniyang

ama’t ina, hanggang doon pa lang ang kayang takbuhan ng murang isip ni Elias.

Napakaaga pa para magkaroon ng confusion si Elias. Kasama nito ang kaniyang tatay kahapon, kinabukasan ay sila naman ni Derek ang magkasama, dahil binibitbit nga si Elias ng kaniyang ina.

Madalas ipagmalaki ni Ellen Adarna na matalino raw si Elias, iba raw ang takbo ng isip ng anak nila ni John Lloyd, magandang kuwento iyon.

Pero may mas malalim na anggulo ng buhay ng bata na kailangang ingatan si Ellen.

Hindi niya dapat ginugulo ang napakamurang isip ng kaniyang anak.

“Walang masama kung mayroon na siyang nakitang kapalit ni John Lloyd, but she should also give importance to her son’s emotion. Dahan-dahan lang dapat, confusion will eventually have an effect to her son’s very young mind.

“Hindi pa kayang intindihin ng bata ang ganoon, ang alam lang niya, e, may tatay siya, iyong third party, hindi pa iyon maga-grasp ng bata,” komento ng kaibigan naming child psychologist.

Yown! *** Apo ang ayon kay Sharon Cuneta ay kukumpleto na sa kaniyang kaligayahan. Gustunggusto na niyang magkaapo mula sa kaniyang mga anak na sina KC, Kakie, Miel at Miguel.

Siguro nga, dahil nasa kaniya na ang lahat-lahat ngayon ay tubo na lang sa kaniyang puhunan ang gustong magkaroon ang Megastar, lalo na’t wala nang bata na patakbu-takbo sa kanilang mansiyon.

Hindi siya nakikialam sa lovelife ni KC, basta mahal at nirerespeto ang kaniyang panganay ay hindi siya kumokontra, naging kaibigan na nga nila ni Senator Kiko ang mga dating karelasyon ni KC. “Naging magkaibigan kami ni Piolo, we just had to talk dahil sa mga naglabasang controversies ng break-up nila ng anak ko.

Ang nakakatawa nga, naging magkaibigan kami, pero hindi sila ni KC!” pag-alala ni Mega.

Maging sa sikat na singer na si APL de Ap na tinututulan ng mas nakararami para maging karelasyon ng kaniyang anak ay wala ring problema kay Sharon.

“Kung sino ang magpapasaya sa anak ko, wala akong problema. iyong sa kanila ni APL, nilinaw sa akin ni KC na they’re just friends.

“Sa akin naman, basta mahal siya at nirerespeto, okey sa akin si APL! Ayaw ko pa ba naman iyon?

Magkakaapo ako na kamukha ni Beyonce! tawa nang tawa niyang reaksiyon.

Mulat ang Megastar na iba na ang panahon ngayon kesa noong kaniyang kabataan. Maagang humiwalay sa kaniya si KC, nakadagdag pa ang pag-aaral nito sa ibang bansa, siya nga naman kung hindi pa sila nagpakasal ni Gabby Concepcion ay hindi pa makahihiwalay sa poder ng kaniyang mga magulang.

“But I miss my daughter.

Nami-miss ko ang mga

MARCH 1 - 15 , 2021 kuwentuhan namin. I hope she knows how much I miss and love her, emosyon ni Sharon Cuneta. *** Padating na ang Robinson 66 five-seater chopper ni Willie Revillame. lkatlong helicopter na iyon ng aktor-TV host. ltong huli ang pinakamalaki at pinakabagong modelo ng chopper.

Sa pakikipagkaibigan ni Willie sa mga negosyante, unti-unti ay natututo na siyang pumili kung saan ilalagay ang kaniyang kinikita, ginagawa niyang puhunan ang kaniyang pinagpapaguran.

Sa susunod na taon ay eleksiyon na. Puwede niyang iparenta ang tatlong choppers niya.

Maraming kumakandidatong naiinip sa mahabang biyahe by land, mas produktibo para sa kanila ang umupa ng sasakyang panghimpapawid, para marami silang marating sa kanilang pagkampanya.

Hindi pangporma lang ang mga ipinupundar ni Willi e, wala na siyang dapat pang patunayan, halos lahat ng brand ng sasakyan ay mayroon na siya. Wala na siyang pinapangarap pa.

Sabi ng isang kaibigan ni Willie, “Buti nga, natututo siyang magnegosyo. Maganda ‘yan para nakikita niya kung saan napupunta ang mga pinaghihirapan niya.

“Swak sa presidential election ang tatlong helicopter niya, maraming magre-rent, napakahalaga ng oras para sa mga politicians. Panalung-panalo si Willie,” sabi nito.

Pati ang ipinatatayo niyang high-end hotel sa Puerto Galera na nasa gitna ng tubig-dagat ay malaking negosyo rin. 7-star ang nasabing hotel, dadayuhin sigurado iyon ng mga turista, pati ng mayayaman nating kababayan.

Pero sa kabila ng lahat ay walang humpay pa ring tumutulong si Willie Revillame sa mga kababayan nating nangangailangan sa kaniyang programang Wowowin-TutokTo Win. Napakaraming buhay ang binabago niya, binibigyan niya ng pag-asa ang mga kapuspalad na Pinoy lalo na ngayong panahon ng pandemya, kaya siya lalong pinagpapala. *** Oo nga naman. Hindi sukat akalain ng palabang news anchor na si Raffy Tulfo na dahil sa mga problemang inilalapit sa kaniya ng ating mga kababayan ay magkakaroon pala siya ng panibagong programa.

Sa araw-araw niyang pagere sa Wanted Sa Radyo sa 92.3 News FM ng Radyo Singko at sa kaniyang pang-umagang show na Raffy Tulfo: Idol In Action ay iba-ibang klase ng problema ang idinudulog sa kaniya ng mga Pinoy at maging ng mga banyaga.

“Napakinggan ko na ang halos lahat ng problema ng mga kababayan natin. Lalaking kinaliwa ng asawa, OFW na padala nang padala ng sustento sa pamilya niya dito, pero ipinambababae lang pala ng mister niya!

“Panghahalay sa anak ng mismong ama na kahindikSee CRISTY p17

MARCH 1 - 15 , 2021

Isang taon na tayong namumuhay kasama ang COVID-19. Ang automated reminder ng Facebook of your memory posts last year ay may kaugnayan sa pandemic na ito.

The good thing with Facebook ay documented ang mga events ng ating buhay when we entered into this new normal. Heto ang round up ng ilan sa mga impacts ng pandemia sa ating buhay: 1. Conflict and violence at home Noong una, marami sa atin ang excited mag-work from home sa maraming dahilan. Biruin mo, hindi ka na kailangang gumising nang mas maaga compared sa usual. Na-lessen din ang iyong prep time bago pumasok. Tipid ka din sa bus fare or parking.

You can do little household chores during your break. You have more time with your family members.

However, mayroon din itong mga hindi magandang naging dahilan. Isang divorce lawyer sa Canada ang nag-ulat na dumami di-umano ang kaso ng divorce during these times ng pandemia.

Ang isa sa mga dahilan ay ang pagiging source of animosity ng COVID-19 sa mag-asawa.

Ibig sabihin may mga kaso daw na pinag-aawayan ng mga mag partners kung paano i-approach ang risks ng pandemic. On top of that, ang posibilidad ng away mag-asawa ay tumaas dahil sa mahabang oras na inilalagi ng bawat isa sa bahay. Isa sa mga mabigat na naging problema din ng ilan ay ang violence sa loob ng tahanan. If your home is a safe refuge, mapalad ka. Pero marami ding mga tao na iniiwasang magstay sa bahay dahil hindi sila safe dito.

2. Disproportionate work-life balance Ang working hours ng mga empleyado na nasa WFH (workfrom-home) ay mas mahaba

CRISTY...

From page 16 hindik para sa akin, pag-uuwi ng lalaki sa bahay ng misis habang nagpapakamatay sa pagtatrabaho sa ibang bansa ang mister niya!

“Lahat ng mga problema, e, naglabas-masok na sa tenga ko, nakapagmumura pa nga ako sa sobrang galit, lalo na kapag menor de edad ang nabibiktima!” kuwento ng matagumpay na news anchor.

Dahil sa mga ganoong problema ay nagkaideya ang TV5, bakit hindi nila isadula ang mga nagaganap sa buhay ng mga kababayan natin, kaya ipinanganak ang Wanted: Ang Serye.

“In and out lang ako sa programa, ako ang nagtatahi sa kuwento, isinasama rin namin

EH KASI, PINOY! PILIPINO EXPRESS

kumpara sa usual work hours nila kung sila ay nasa opisina. Ito yung risk of overworking dahil may easy access ang mga empleyado sa kanilang virtual office. Ang ironic dito ay nasa bahay ka nga pero mas mahaba pa rin ang iyong oras sa pagtatrabaho at maaaring less ang iyong interaction sa mga kasama mo sa bahay kahit nandiyan lang sila.

Isa pa, the sense of excitement of being home ay nawawala.

Kapag nasa office ka at malapit ka ng umuwi ay mayroon kang normal at minsan ay subconscious na feelings about being home.

This is very true kung mayroon kang anak na maliit. Ang sabi nga, nawawala ang pagod sa trabaho kapag sinalubong ka ng inyong anak sa pagdating mo sa bahay.

3. The COVID-19 weight and eating disorder Tumaba ka ba? Hindi ka nagiisa. Ang ating eating habits at exercise schedule ay grabeng naapektuhan ng pandemia. Ang sabi nga ng mga health experts, habang ang buong mundo ay nakatutok sa coronavirus, mayroong sumulpot sa likod nito na tinawag nilang “shadow pandemic” or anino ng pandemia.

Ito yung ED or eating disorder.

Hindi dapat ikahiya ang disorder na ito at kung kailangang magpakonsulta sa doctor ay gawin mo ito.

4. The real “facetime” Kahit ano pang technology ang gamitin natin that tries to copy our real interaction with other people, wala pa ring katumbas ang pakikipag-ugnayan sa kapuwa tao nang personal. Maraming mga factors ang nawawala sa remote communications. Isa na rito ay yung tinatawag na non-verbal cues. Noong bata ako, nakukuha ako sa tingin ng Nanay ko kapag kailangan niya akong disiplinahin. In the ang actual video ng reklamo nila. Maganda ang programa, punumpuno ng leksiyon,” sabi uli ni Kuya Raffy.

Wala na siyang libreng araw ngayon sa buong linggo dahil sa tatlong programang pang-arawaraw niyang ihino-host. Pero may itinitira siyang dalawang araw na para lang sa kanilang pamilya.

“Every Sunday, doon kami sa bahay ng mommy ko, hindi puwedeng mahinto iyon, nagkikita-kita kaming magkakapatid doon.

“Ang Sabado naman, amin lang iyon ng family ko. Puwedeng lumabas kami at puwede namang sa bahay lang ang bonding namin. Pareho kami ni Jocelyn (kinatawan ng Party List), walang makaaagaw sa Saturday at Sunday namin,” masayang kuwento pa ng palabang news anchor. – CSF

PAGE 17

Coronaversary na natin, wala ka bang regalo sa akin? same way, ang mga gestures of agreement or disagreement ay naipapakita din sa mga in-person meetings. Ang mga elements na ito ay mahalagang bahagi ng decision making lalu na sa mga organizations. Isa pa, naniniwala ako na tayong mga tao ay dinisenyo para maging sociable sa iba pa nating katulad. We are social creatures na kailangang makipag-interact para mabuhay nang maayos.

5. The bus community Matagal na akong fan ng bus community. Marami na akong naisulat na mga insidente at kultura sa loob ng bus sa Winnipeg. Pinatay ng pandemia ang bus community.

Kung regular kang bus rider ay makaka-relate ka dito. Hindi lamang kasi pagsakay ng bus ang nagaganap sa loob nito kundi ito’y pagbubuklod ng mga tao patungo sa iba’t ibang direksyon para sa iba’t ibang adhikain.

6. The consumer driven economy and the celebration factor Ang pinsala ng pandemia

ay ramdam na ramdam ng industriya ng hospitality at tourism. Kabilang dito ang mga bars ang restaurants. Bagama’t nagsulputan ang mga deliveries ay wala pa ring makakapantay sa in house experience kapag kayo ay nagpunta sa inyong paboritong bars or restaurant para magcelebrate. Opo, celebration. Yun ang element na nawala. Hindi lang profit ang nabura sa loob ng isang taon o mahigit na, kundi ang spirit of celebration. Walang movement, walang kita, walang tawanan, walang kasiyahan.

7. Healing, meditation and sacrifice Sa kabila ng mga negatibong impacts na idinulot ang COVID-19 sa atin ay worthy naman ng proper recognition ang time na ibinigay sa atin ng mga pakakataong ito para mag-meditate, mag-assess at magpahilom ng mga sugat ng ating buhay. Panahon ito ng spiritual reflection anuman ang inyong mga paniniwala. Isa lang naman ang hinihintay natin kundi ang pagbabalik ng dating buhay

bago umatake ang pandemiang ito. Ang mga sakripisyo natin ngayon ay para sa kinabukasan nating lahat at ng mga susunod na henerasyon.

Matatapos din siguro ang digmaang ito. Sana, sa muli nating pagkikita ay hindi na tayo nakamaskara at mayayakap na nating muli ang isa’t isa.

Coronaversary na natin, wala ka bang regalo sa akin?

Noel Lapuz ay dating OFW sa Middle East (Dubai at Qatar).

Nagtrabaho nang sampung taon sa City Hall ng Taguig bilang Human Resource Management Officer. Naging bahagi ng Bata-Batuta Productions bilang manunulat, entertainment host at stage actor. Nagtatag ng Kulturang Alyansa ng Taguig. Kasapi ng Ecumenical Movement for Justice and Peace (EMJP).

Paunawa: Ang mga paksa at salitang nakasaad sa Batang North End ay sariling opinion ng may-akda at maaaring hindi opinion ng mga taga-lathala ng Pilipino Express.

OUR HEALTH

PAGE 18

PILIPINO EXPRESS

MARCH 1 - 15 , 2021

What women should know about their heart health Heart disease and stroke continue to be the most dangerous threats to a woman’s health.

In North America, one in four women die from cardiovascular disease. There continues to be an emphasis on raising awareness about the risks to help save lives.

Dr. Sharonne N. Hayes, a cardiologist and founder of the Mayo Clinic Women’s Heart Clinic, says that, while women’s heart care has significantly improved in the past 20 years, there is still much to learn about heart disease in women.

“There are conditions that affect women that either don’t

affect men, like pregnancy-related heart disease, or that affect women differently, such as heart failure,” says Dr. Hayes.

“We’ve just scratched the surface of what we need to know about heart disease. Each time we peel back a layer, we realize we need to know more.”

Risk factors Dr. Rekha Mankad, a cardiologist and director of the Mayo Clinic Women’s Heart Clinic, says there are certain factors that put someone at a higher risk of heart disease, such as high blood pressure, hypertension, diabetes, smoking

and high cholesterol. However, when it comes to these risks, she says there are differences between men and women.

“Hypertension is very common as we all get older, but it’s important to recognize that women have more hypertension as we age.

It becomes a more prevalent risk factor. It doesn’t necessarily act differently in the setting of how it makes you at elevated risk for heart disease, although there is an increased risk of stroke, and that does play a big role in women as we age because of that very prevalent high blood pressure,” Dr. Mankad says. “Diabetes has

a much bigger difference between men and women. A diabetic woman has a greater risk of heart disease compared to a diabetic man. So, with everything else being equal, if you have diabetes and you’re female, that risk is higher than if you have diabetes and you’re a male.”

Dr. Mankad says that’s similar to smoking because a female smoker has a higher risk than a male smoker. In addition to the traditional risk factors for heart disease, women have nontraditional risk factors, such as pregnancy-related risks.

Heart attack symptoms

Both men and women have a wide range of symptoms of heart attack. Knowing what they are and when to call 911 is something Dr. Hayes continues to stress to her patients. “(Symptoms may include) anytime there’s chest pressure, pain or discomfort in the chest — it may be in the jaw… or radiate to the back or go up to the neck — shortness of breath, as well as cold sweats. For women in particular, nausea and vomiting, or shortness of breath, all of those should signal a need to get emergency help.”

Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network

Women’s health: Prevent the top threats Many of the leading threats to women’s health can be prevented – if you know how. The top causes of death among adult women in the U.S. include heart disease, cancer, chronic lower respiratory disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease and unintentional injuries, according to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Take control by talking with your doctor about your risk factors for these conditions. Then get serious about reducing your risk.

Manage chronic conditions and get recommended screenings.

If you have health problems – such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure or diabetes – that increase your risk of heart disease and stroke, follow your doctor’s treatment recommendations.

Also, consult your doctor

about when you should have mammograms and other cancer screenings.

Adopt a healthier lifestyle While you can’t eliminate risk factors such as family history, you can control other risk factors for heart disease, stroke and cancer.

For example: • Don’t smoke. If you do smoke or use other tobacco products, ask your doctor to help you quit. Avoid exposure to second-hand smoke.

• Eat a healthy diet. Choose vegetables, fruits, whole grains, high-fibre foods and lean sources of protein, such as fish. Limit foods high in saturated and trans fats, and foods with added sugar and sodium.

• Maintain a healthy weight.

Losing excess pounds – and keeping them off – can lower your risk of heart disease as well

as various types of cancer.

• Get moving. Exercise can help you control your weight and lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. It might also lower your risk of certain types of cancer. Choose activities you enjoy, from brisk walking to ballroom dancing. All forms of exercise will lower your risk.

• Limit alcohol. If you choose to drink alcohol, do so only in moderation. For women, that means no more than one drink a day. A drink is 1.5 fluid ounces (44 ml) of standard 80-proof liquor, 12 fluid ounces (355 ml) of beer or 5 fluid ounces (148 ml) of wine. The risk of various types of cancer – including breast and liver cancer – appears to increase with the amount of alcohol you drink and the length of time you’ve been drinking regularly.

Too much alcohol can also raise

your blood pressure and increase your risk of heart attack and stroke.

• Manage stress. If you feel constantly on edge or under assault, your lifestyle habits might suffer – and so might your immune system. Take steps to reduce stress – or learn to deal with stress in healthy ways.

A healthy lifestyle might also play a role in preventing Alzheimer’s disease.

Other preventive steps Women are more vulnerable than men to lung damage from inhaled smoke and pollutants.

This puts women at increased risk of illness and even death from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which includes bronchitis and emphysema.

You can protect your respiratory health by not smoking and avoiding exposure to second-

hand smoke, chemicals and other air pollutants. Also, to prevent respiratory infections, wash your hands often and get a yearly flu vaccine. Ask your doctor whether you need an immunization to prevent pneumonia as well.

Another common cause of death among women is motor vehicle accidents. To stay safe on the road, wear your seat belt.

Follow the speed limit. Never drive under the influence of alcohol or any other substances, and don’t drive distracted or while sleepy.

Don’t feel overwhelmed by women’s health risks. Instead, do whatever you can to lead a healthy lifestyle. Simple preventive measures can go a long way toward reducing your risks.

By Mayo Clinic Staff.

Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network

What to do if you have any Covid-19 symptoms Anyone who develops symptoms of Covid-19 should selfisolate and visit www.manitoba.ca/ covid19/ to use the online screening tool, or call Health Links–Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or tollfree at 1-888-315-9257 for health guidance on how to seek testing.

Symptoms may include:

• Cough • Headache • Fever/ chills • Muscle aches • Sore throat/ hoarse voice • Shortness of breath/ breathing difficulties • Loss of taste or smell • Vomiting, or diarrhea for

more than 24 hours • Poor feeding if an infant • Runny nose • Fatigue • Nausea or loss of appetite • Conjunctivitis (pink eye) • Skin rash of unknown cause While many people will develop only mild symptoms,

some groups appear to be more vulnerable to COVID-19. Those at higher risk typically develop more serious, even fatal, symptoms such as pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome and kidney failure.

High risk groups include those: • 60 years of age and older

• living with chronic health conditions (e.g. diabetes, heart, renal or chronic lung conditions) • with weakened immune systems (e.g. cancer) Symptoms of COVID-19 or other coronaviruses may take up to 14 days to appear after exposure to the virus.

MARCH 1 - 15 , 2021

PILIPINO EXPRESS

PAGE 19

PAGE 20

PILIPINO EXPRESS

MARCH 1 - 15 , 2021

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