Philippine News Today

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1 December 31, 2021-January 6, 2022

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA EDITION

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Vol. 61 No. 21 December 30, 2021-January 5, 2022

NEWS AND VIEWS YOU TRUST

W.H.O. WARNS OF NEW WAVE OF COVID CASES Filipinos at risk as hospitals threaten to cut ties with PhilHealth

PHL, US experts urge caution

By ALFRED GABOT, Editor in Chief

MANILA/WASHINGTON – Health officials and the independent research group OCTA have reported a rising positivity rate of COVID-19 case in the Philippines even as the World Health Organization warned of a “tsunami” of omicron and delta COVID-19 cases as global health systems are being stretched to their limits with uptick of cases in Europe and other areas. Page 9

Biden names 3 Fil-Ams to advisory commission WASHINGTON - United States President Joseph Biden has appointed three Filipino-Americans as commissioners of his advisory commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders.

According to a statement released by the White House, the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders will advise the president on how the public, private, and non-profit sectors can work together to empower equity and opportunity for every Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and

the Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community in the US. Among those appointed was Dr. Amefil “Amy” Agbayani, an Emeritus Assistant Vice Chancellor for student diversity and equity at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa.

Born in the Philippines, the White House said Agbayani served as chairperson of the Hawai’i Civil Rights Commission and conducted research on AANHPI in higher education.

She was also a member of the Patsy T.Mink PAC and The Legal Clinic for immigrant justice Hawai’i. Page 8

By Be�ng Laygo Dolor, Editor ODETTE AID. Assistance like rice, water, canned goods con�nue to be delivered to vic�ms of Typhoon Ode�e coming from the government, foreign countries and other organiza�ons. Vessels of the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard are used to transport the goods to the far-flung islands in Mindanao and Visayas.

Filipino hopeful, optimistic in welcoming New Year

Diseases threaten Odette areas as death toll rises, still no power

By Claire Morales True

By Jeanne Michael Penaranda

MANILA – Amid calamities and pandemic, more Filipinos are hopeful and optimistic for 2022.

This in gist is what the Social Weather Station (SWS) latest survey showed on the Filipinos’ thoughts for the coming new year amid the pandemic.

The poll was conducted on Dec. 12-16 and the result was 2% higher compared to the same period last year. However, the rate was slightly lower com- Page 8

CEBU CITY - The reported fatalities from Typhoon Odette has increased to 397 with 83 people still missing while those injured reached 1,147, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported as an diseases outbreak were noted in areas hit by the super typhoon.

As the government rushed to bring food, water and clothing to devastated areas Page 9

MANILA – Countless Filipinos who depend on the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.

(PhilHealth) when they need to be hospitalized may not receive the full benefits from the national insurer in the near future.

This, after more hospitals threatened to cut their ties with PhilHealth after the Far East University—Dr. Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation Center last week announced that it was cutting ties with the insurer for overly delayed remittances of payments. FEU’s receivables had reached P114 million ($2.28 million) and was growing at the rate of P8 million ($160,000) per month as of this month.

Seven other hospitals in Iloilo City followed the lead of the Manila-based FEU hospital by saying they also planned to sever their ties with Page 8

PHL debt hits P11.93 trillion in November

US ups Odette aid to PHL to over P1-B VIEWS & COMMENTS

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When may IRS Tax Debts be discharged in Bankruptcy?

Charo Santos, Daniel Padilla win in Metro filmfest

POC declares PATAFA’s Juico persona non grata

By A�y. Lozano

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 NATIONAL NEWS

December 30, 2021-January 5, 2022

2

2 Marcoses, 13 others OK’d by Comelec as presidential bets MANILA - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has cutd down the tentative list of presidential aspirants from 97 to 15 and the vice presidential bets from 28 to nine.

Two Marcos namesakes – former senator Ferndinand Marcos Jr. and Aurora Marcos – made it to the list.

Retired General Antonio Parlade Jr., former spokesperson of the government’s counterinsurgency body, the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac), was del-

isted.

The other approved presidential aspirants are former presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella, Hilario Andres, Gerald Arcega, labor leader Leody de Guzman, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, Isko Moreno, former National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales, Senator Panfilo Lacson, Danilo Lihaylihay, Faisal Mangondato, Jose Montemayor, Edgar Niez, Sen. Emmanuel Pacquiao, and Vice President Leni Robredo.

The approved vice presidential aspi-

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rants are Deputy Speaker Jose Lito Atienza, Walden Bello, Rizalito David, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, Manny Lopez, Dr. Willie Ong, Sen. Francis Pangilinan, Carlos Serapio, and Sen. Vicente Sotto III. The Comelec also trimmed down the senatorial aspirants to 70.

Meanwhile, the parties to the three disqualification cases filed against presidential aspirant Marcos Jr. will be summoned to attend the preliminary conference on the cases scheduled on Jan. 7, 2022.

Comelec 1st Division presiding Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said the lawyers for three petitioners, Bonifacio Ilagan, Abubakar Mangelen, and Akbayan, as well as the lawyer of the respondent Marcos, will have to be present during the meeting.

“Summons will be sent to lawyers and parties to personally appear on January 7.

Be there at 8:45 a.m. Doors will be closed

US ups ‘Odette’ assistance to PHL over P1 billion

By Jeanne Michael Penaranda

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at 8:55 a.m. @COMELEC,” she said on her Twitter account, @rowena_guanzon.

She also reminded the attendees about the health protocols to be implemented during the conference.

“Preliminary conference of Marcos DQ cases will be in @COMELEC session hall. All lawyers must be inside before 8:55 a.m. Parties must personally appear. Vax cards, face masks,” she added.

Guanzon will preside over the meeting to be held at the poll body’s session hall located on the eighth floor of the Palacio del Gobernador Building in Intramuros, Manila.

“I will preside over the preliminary conference of Akbayan et. al. vs. Marcos Jr. on Jan 7 at 9:00 a.m. Lawyers, prepare! I have low tolerance for incompetence,” she said.

Guanzon added that members of the media would be allowed to cover the event but for a limited time only.

MANILA/WASHINGTON – The United States government has an additional US$19 million (approximately P950 million) in humanitarian aid to help communities affected by Typhoon Odette, bringing its total assistance to the Philippines to more than P1 billion.

“The United States is pleased to announce additional and significant assistance of P950 million, which brings our total amount of aid for Typhoon Odette to over P1 billion. We stand steadfast with our long-standing friend, partner, and ally in helping support communities devastated by the typhoon,” US Embassy in the Philippines Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Heather Variava said in a statement.

“This additional assistance will help deliver food and hygiene supplies, and provide life-saving support to those most in need,” Variava said.

With the aid, US Agency for International Development (USAID) will provide food aid; water, sanitation, and hygiene programs to help keep people healthy; and shelter assistance to meet emergency needs and help affected communities start rebuilding their homes.

The new funding is in addition to the P50 million Washington DC announced earlier to support emergency logistics efforts to ensure aid is delivered to those in hard-to-reach areas.

The US Embassy in Manila said it also builds on the P10 million assistance that the USAID provided immediately after the storm for food, water, and hygiene supplies, as well as to restore water supply services and sanitation facilities, and support hygiene promotion activities.

To show U.S. support on behalf of

the American people, CDA Variava plans to visit communities affected by Typhoon Odette and see ongoing U.S. relief activities.

USAID works year-round to help communities in the Philippines prepare for natural disasters. Through existing programs, USAID’s partners are transporting relief supplies, including enough food provided by the Philippine government to feed nearly 103,000 families. USAID partners are also helping manage evacuation shelters, deploy mobile operations vehicles to support emergency telecommunications, and provide heavy-duty plastic sheeting to meet the shelter needs of 4,800 families.

The United States will continue to partner with the Philippines to respond to natural disasters and support Filipinos in their recovery efforts. Since 2010, USAID has provided more than Php17 billion ($340 million) in disaster relief and recovery aid, and boosted the disaster risk reduction capacity of over 100 cities and municipalities in the Philippines.

“Odette” made landfall on December 16, bringing in destructive winds and torrential rains. The latest government data showed that more than 4.3 million people were affected across 11 regions in 6,115 barangays, with a total of 397 reported casualties and 1,147 injured.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, more than 561,000 people have also been displaced with 305,229 people taking shelter in evacuation centers.

The embassy said Washington DC would continue to partner with the Philippines to respond to natural disasters and support Filipinos in their recovery efforts.

3 December 30, 2021-January 5, 2022

 NATIONAL NEWS

3,124 foreigners, 19 Americans, deported from PHL since January MANILA – A total of 3,143 foreigners, 19 of them Americans, have been deported by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) this year.

Citing the latest data, BI’s Deportation and Implementation Unit (DIU) chief, lawyer Andrew Siriban, a total of 3,142 were expelled from January to November this year.

Most of these illegal aliens that

were deported were Chinese numbering 2,875, Siriban said.

Also included in the list are 90 Koreans, 81 Vietnamese, 27 Japanese, while 19 were Americans.

In 2020, the BI official said they deported 3,219 aliens, many of which have been arrested for being fugitives from justice, undesirable, or overstaying.

On the other hand, Commissioner Jaime Morente said they will continue deporting aliens who have violated the Philippine Immigration Act. “The pandemic will not be a hindrance in cleansing our country of these illegal aliens. Foreigners who blatantly violate our laws will be deported and blacklisted,” he added.

MANILA - Private hospitals has suspended their plan for a week-long “PhilHealth holiday” next month due to appeals of citizens, the government and various groups.

Dr. Jose de Grano, president of the Private Hospitals Association Philippines (PHAPI) whose members planned the holiday as a protest to non-payment of billions of pesos by Philhealth to the hospitalsitals, said their members agreed to the deferment of the holiday.

“Ngayon po, kinausap namin ang aming mga miyembro at hindi na po namin ipagpapatuloy ang PhilHealth holiday (We talked with our members and we will no longer push through with the PhilHealth holiday],” de Grano said.

De Grano said PHAPI decided to postpone the protest action to educate the public first on the purpose of the PhilHealth holiday and to give patients instructions on what to do during its implementation.

The PHAPI members had planned the Philhealth

holiday during which member hospitals would not accept PhilHealth deductions for their services on January 1-5, 2022, in support of seven Iloilo hospitals who severed ties with the state insurer over P895 million in unpaid claims.

“We suspended the implementation of our PhilHealth holiday because of the clamor of a lot of our patients and concerned groups who are very dependent on PhilHealth benefits,” De Grano told ANC. “A lot of patients are really dependent on PhilHealth, you know, cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy,

those patients who are try to avail of the Z-Package, of course, and some dialysis patients, and a lot. Of course, all our patients have PhilHealth benefits because [of] the universal health care,” he added.

De Grano said that hospitals in Iloilo are objecting to a provision in the “Debit Credit Payment Mechanism” (DCPM) being proposed by PhilHealth.

“There is one provision there that says that Philhealth reserves its right to suspend these payments under DCPM for any other reason deemed relevant by Philhealth. That means for any other reason, they can just stop it,” he said.

Private hospitals defer ‘PhilHealth holiday’

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 METRO NEWS

December 30, 2021-January 5, 2022

QC is PHL’s ‘richest city’ again QUEZON CITY – Quezon City got back its richest city tag with a total asset of P452.333 billion in 2020, attributed to better and proper recording of its assets.

Quezon City was the richest city for five straight years until 2016 before Makati City dislodged it from the top spot starting in 2017.

Quezon City is also the richest city and richest local government unit in the Philippines in terms of revenues. Its annual budget reached P27 billion, several

billions more than those earned by Makati and Manila, both former wealthiest cities in the country.

Quezon City Mayor Josefina Joy Belmonte thanked city officials and residents for making the city the wealthiest in the country again.

She attributed the feat to the residents and businesses who have been faithfully paying their taxes to the city government over the years.

Belmonte vowed better service by City Hall to address the needs of the city residents and businesses.

Quezon City is home to big universities and the country’s top radio and television networks, among others.

Quezon City’s assets increased by 369 percent or P355.91 billion from P96.423 billion assets in 2019, according to the Commission on Audit’s 2020 Annual Financial Report on Local Government.

The huge increase enabled QC to vault to the top of the list, overtaking Makati City that recorded a total asset of P238.464 billion, also an increase from 2019’s P233.781.

“Through the city’s good governance

CAMP CRAME, Quezon City – The Philippine National Police (PNP) warned the public to refrain from posting holiday vacation plans on social media.

PNP spokesperson, Col. Roderick Alba said such an act gives criminals a hint and opportunity to break into homes while its owners are away.

“Halimbawa iwanan natin yung ating property, kabahayan, we should not report real-time or mag-post ng real-time sa social media kung saan po kayo pupunta o naiwanan yung bahay niyo because that only gives opportunity or motive yung mga kababayan natin na pagtangkaan, nakawan (For example, we will be leav-

ing our property, our houses, we should not report real-time or post in real-time in social media where we are or if there are no people inside your house because that only gives opportunity or motive for your house to be raided by robbers),” Alba said.

He added that close neighbors should be alerted as well if there are no people in the house so they can look after it.

Amid the expected exodus of people to bus terminals, airports, and seaports for the New Year holiday, Alba said the practice of “light travel” is a must.

“Huwag magdala ng napakaraming personal property, mga alahas, pera.

When you travel, you travel light and of course, you should report. May mga hotline yung ating PNP sa ating E-Sumbong platform na kailangan pong i-report, makita. Maging vigilant tayo along the way i-report kaagad so it will not evolve into a serious crime (Let us not bring too much personal property, jewelry, and money. When you travel, you travel light and of course, should report. There are hotlines of the PNP and the E-Sumbong platform. Let us be vigilant so it will not evolve into a serious crime),” he said.

He also advised those joining holiday revelries not to “drink and drive” to avoid road mishaps.

By Claire Morales True

PNP warns netizens vs. travel posts

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Quezon Memorial Shrine declared National Cultural Treasure QUEZON CITY – The Quezon Memorial Shrine is now a National Cultural Treasure (NCT) as declared by the National Museum through Declaration No. 29-2020.

The National Museum, through its website, stated that to be declared as NCT, there must be “a unique object found locally, possessing outstanding historical, cultural, artistic and/or scientific value which is significant to this country and nation”.

The highly valued cultural properties are indispensable in the understanding of the country’s history and culture, thus, they are to be preserved and protected by the state through the National Museum of the Philippines.

“Maraming salamat sa National Museum of the Philippines sa pangunguna ni Director General Jeremy Barns. Malaking karangalan ang natatanging pagkilala na ito na sumasalamin din sa makulay na kasaysayan at kultura ng Lungsod Quezon (We thank the National Museum of the Philippines headed by Director General Jeremy Barns. This is a big honor for us that reflects the colorful history and culture of Quezon City),” Mayor Joy Belmonte said, confirming the NCT declaration.

5 December 30, 2021-January 5, 2022

 PROVINCIAL NEWS

MisOcc town mayor dies days after ‘sniper’ attack

TANGUB CITY, Misamis Occidental – Lopez Jaena town Mayor Michael P. Gutierrez who was initially hurt in a “sniper” attack during a Christmas party in this city last week has died, his daughter, Lopez Jaena Councilor Andrea “Pinky” Gutierrez, reported.

“A life so beautifully lived deserves to be beautifully remembered. He was a light in this world, and now we need to continue shining his light by carrying it within us in our own lives,” Councilor Gutierrez said on behalf of her family, as the province mourned the local chief executive’s death.

Based on an initial report by the Tangub City Police Station, Gutierrez was hit on the nape with slug and glass debris as a result of the sniper bullet supposedly targetting Misamis Occidental 2nd District Rep. Henry Oaminal around 8:45 p.m. on December 22.

Gutierrez was supposed to run for vice governor in tandem with Oaminal who will run for governor in the 2022 elections.

Andrea earlier documented how her father had been

initially declared safe from harm a day after the incident but was closely being monitored at a hospital in Ozamiz City.

However, she later posted on her Facebook that her father had to be transferred to the Intensive Care Unit on December 25.

In a Facebook post, Rep. Oaminal dangled a P5million bounty for anyone who could provide information that would lead to the arrest and imprisonment of the assailants.

“This brazen and senseless act of violence has no place in a democratic society, especially when it threatens our fundamental right to vote. We cannot let fear and injustice prevail over us,” he said.

Ozamiz City Mayor Sancho Oaminal, party-mate of Gutierrez, said the latter’s death was a tragic and heartbreaking development, “most especially during this season of love and peace.”

“The desperate, cowardly and violent act which led to Mayor Michael’s death should be condemned, and

LUBAO, Pampanga – A minibus rammed two tricycles and a waiting shed in Lubao, Pampanga on December 26, killing seven people, including a child, and injuring nine others.

Lubao police chief, Lt. Colonel Julius Javier, said they are looking into the cause of the fatal incident where the minibus rammed into a tricycle, a “kolong-kolong” (motorcycle with sidecar), a passenger waiting shed, and an electric post in Barangay San Isidro.

Six of the fatalities have been identified as Jun Valencia, 35, driver of the tricycle; May Anne Mendoza, 25; Julian Mcklain Mendoza, a one-year-old child; Justin Castro, 22; Trisha Gogolin, 22; and Armando De Guzman, 51, the bus conductor.

Seven of those injured were rushed and are confined at the Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital in San Fernando, while the two others at the Escolastica Romero District Hospital in Lubao town.

“Ongoing pa rin ang investigation base sa mga statements ng mga witnesses and maging sa mga survivor. Ayon sa ating mga witnesses, ang narinig nila ay malakas na tunog. Nakita nila yung bus na tuloy-tuloy na bumangga sa waiting shed at sa electric post (Our investigation is still ongoing based on the statements of the witnesses and the survivors. According to the witnesses, they heard loud sound. They saw the bus rammed the waiting shed and then the electric post),” he said.

Christmas road mishap: 7 dead, 9 hurt

justice should be sought. Yes, it was a desperate act -- anybody who commits murder for whatever reason must be in great distress and recklessly desperate,” he said in a Facebook post.

 NATIONAL NATIONAL NEWS NEWS

December 30, 2021-January 5, 2022

Duterte poised to sign P5-trillion 2022 gov’t budget

Duterte expected to sign 2022 budget next week — officials MANILA – President Rodrigo process at pagsusuri ng budget…NapakDuterte will sign the proposed 2022 akapal ng budget book. Ilang libro po national budget before December 31, ‘yan na kailangang isa-isahin (We have Malacañang announced not finished the review process and asCabinet Secretary and presidential sessing the budget…The budget book is spokesman Karlo Nograles made this as- thick. They’re a lot of books we need to surance after Senate President Vicente go through one by one),” he said.

“Tito” Sotto III announced that Duterte’s He, however, assured that Duterte signing of next year’s budget has been will sign next year’s budget within the postponed. week to ensure that the government does Nograles, also acting presidential not operate on a reenacted budget. spokesperson, explained that the sign“Ilang araw na lamang po at matataing of next year’s budget was postponed pos na rin yung (It would only take a few since the Office of the President is still more days for the review process to be currently in the process of vetting and completed) review process and the Presreviewing it. ident will immediately sign the budget,” “Hindi pa po natatapos yung review he said.

“We would want to assure and reassure the public that the budget will be signed. Pipirmahan po ni Pangulong Duterte ang budget for 2022 bago pa man sumapit ang (President Duterte will sign the budget for 2022 before) Dec. 31,” he added.

The House of Representatives and the Senate separately ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the 2022 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) on Dec. 15.

On Monday, Acting Budget secretary Tina Rose Canda said Duterte is expected to sign the proposed budget by Tuesday afternoon, with some provisions up for veto.

“For the items to be vetoed, I remember only one. But I don’t think I am in a position to discuss it at this point because it is still being reviewed,” she said.

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go earlier said Duterte will expedite the review of next year’s budget to ensure that the government would have a budget for the rehabilitation of areas hit by Typhoon Odette and Covid-19 response.

Last week, Duterte declared a state of calamity in six regions affected by the typhoon to hasten relief and rehabilitation and vowed to allocate P10 billion for typhoon disaster efforts

Hospitals warned on 5-day ‘PhilHealth holiday’ QUEZON CITY – The chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee stressed the need for a “solvent” Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) that can verify and pay claims quickly and provide adequate financial protection to members.

Albay Rep. Joey Salceda made the remark as he opposed a move from private hospitals to declare a five-day holiday from accepting PhilHealth claims for deductions.

Meanwhile, PhilHealth will receive almost P80 billion in subsidies allocated under the proposed P5.02-trillion 2022 national budget, according to a party-list lawmaker.

In a statement on Tuesday, Anakalusugan Party-list Rep Mike Defensor said next year’s PhilHealth subsidy amounting to P79,990,995,000 is PP8.368 billion higher than this year’s P71.353-billion subsidy.

Defensor said increasing taxpayer subsidy would provide more insurance coverage for vulnerable sectors of the population, which is also a part of the mandate of the universal health care program.

“The money is for the insurance coverage of millions of so-called indirect contributors, including indigent citizens, the elderly, and unemployed persons with disability,” he said.

He noted that aside from its annual budgetary support, PhilHealth collects

more than P100 billion from millions of workers from both the private and public sectors.

“So the state health insurer will have more than P180 billion next year for health services for its members,” he said.

“On the one hand, PhilHealth definitely has to pay its claims. Even public hospitals like the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital, had to struggle with funding its operations due to delays in the release of claims. On the other hand, this isn’t the solution to PhilHealth’s problems. The poor will not take a holiday from getting sick. PhilHealth will not get hurt from this holiday. The poor will,” Salceda said.

He argued whether such a move would have any ethical grounding, considering that private hospitals are effectively turning down patients who have no other recourse than PhilHealth.

“I would like to remind proprietary hospitals that we gave them a massive tax break under the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises or CREATE Law. Don’t act up this way, or I will also have your books checked to see where the tax subsidy went,” Salceda said.

He said the “quagmire” reveals the vulnerabilities of the country’s state health insurance system.

“You have a health insurance agency that is not run by the country’s financial managers. It doesn’t have a digitalized and effective claims verification system.

The solvency of the fund isn’t certain.

The payment of fees is regressive. And there is no compelling mechanism to legally bind hospitals to taking patients with PhilHealth membership in. It’s a mess,” Salceda said.

He pushed anew for the passage of House Bill No. 7578 or the PhilHealth Reform Act, which proposes systemic reforms in the management of the reserve fund, the collection system, the distribution and verification of claims and benefits, and the governance of the agency.

Salceda added that the bill “will make the contributions scheme more progressive, potentially saving working minimum-wage families thousands of pesos annually, and effectively exempting overseas Filipino workers from paying premiums.”

The measure would save minimum wage earners at least P4,800 per year in premiums, he noted.

According to the bill, minimum wage earners exempt from income taxes would pay P100 in monthly minimum contributions instead of the current P250 to P500 per month.

The bill also makes the Finance secretary chairman of the board of the PhilHealth with the Health secretary as cochairman.

“This is consistent with the Medicare model that is typical of developed countries and is also consistent with the nature of the PhilHealth as an insurance agency,” Salceda said

6

Manila bans dangerous firecrackers for New Year revelry MANILA – The city government of Manila has affirmed the ban on the use of certain dangerous firecrackers for the New Year celebration.

City Hall released its guidelines on the manufacture, sale, distribution, and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices in connection with the New Year’s Day celebration.

Under Executive Order (EO) 52 signed by Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, firecrackers such as Super Lolo, Atomic Big, Triangulo, Mother Rockets, Lolo Thunder, Five Star, Og, Pla-Pla, Pillbox, Watusi, Piccolo, Giant Whistle Bomb, Big Judah’s Belt, Large Bawang, Bosa, Goodbye Philippines, Goodbye Earth, Bin Laden, Coke in Can, Kabasi, and other related firecrackers are prohibited within the city.

Overweight firecrackers with more than 0.2 grams or 1/3 teaspoon of explosives, including those with short fuses or those that detonate in less than three seconds but no more than six seconds, are also banned.

“Further, firecrackers without labels and those which contain sulfur or phosphorous combined with chlorates are prohibited,” the order read.

The guidelines added that “only fireworks community displays shall be allowed within the City of Manila upon the express permission/ authorization of the city government by way of Fireworks Display permit issued for the purpose”.

Members of the Manila Police District will strictly implement the guidelines.

“The entire police district will be on the streets, avenues, and boulevards in the City of Manila. Bumili nalang kayo ng maraming torotot, ‘yung kaldero niyo sa bahay gamitin niyo, magsuot kayo ng bilog-bilog (Just buy trumpets, utilize your pots and pans at home, wear clothes with polka dots),” Domagoso said during the signing posted on social media.

The Philippine National Police earlier said firecrackers and similar devices are banned during the Holidays while each police station will coordinate with the local government unit to identify and monitor the zones allowed to hold fireworks.

Domago advised Manila residents to save up the money, instead of spending them on firecrackers and pyrotechnics, as the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 still exists.

Violators will be fined at least P20,000 but not more than PHP30,000, or imprisoned for at least six months but not more than one year, or both, upon the discretion of the court, in consonance with the provisions of Republic Act 7183, or the An Act Regulating the Sale, Manufacture and Use of Firecrackers and Other Pyrotechnic Devices, and the promotion of health and safety and general welfare of the people, in accordance with Section 16 of Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991.

7 December 30, 2021-January 5, 2022

 NATIONAL NATIONAL NEWS NEWS

‘Odette’ death toll in Bohol climbs to 108, 12 missing

TAGBILARAN CITY – The death toll due to Typhoon Odette in 29 towns of Bohol province has climbed to 108, according to the Provincial Capitol’s monitoring report.

This, as residents in several towns struck by ‘Odette’ on December 16 received their family food packs from the provincial government, national agencies, and a non-government organiza-

tion.

The report, verified by the Department of Health and local government units, said the towns of Talibon and Ubay tallied 14 deaths each, followed by Loon and Bien Unido with seven fatalities each.

Twelve individuals are still missing and 1,946 residents reported to have been injured during the onslaught of the typhoon.

There were at least 61,997 individuals comprising 26,590 families who were evacuated due to the typhoon.

Governor Arthur Yap said the Provincial Capitol has already delivered a total of 46,500 food packs to different towns in the province.

Meanwhile, Yap said the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), Bohol Electric Cooperative 1 and 2, and Bohol Light Corp. will be servicing electricity covering 33 to 50 percent of their coverage areas by December 31.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Bohol also gave out 21,000 family food packs, along with the 5,000 relief packs from the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. Yap said the food packs were distributed to 14 towns of the second district, including island barangays of the coastal municipalities.

“So in the week to come at least before December 31, we will be distributing (food packs) to Alburquerque, Antequera, Baclayon , Corella, Cortes, Dauis, Panglao, Sikatuna, Tagbilaran City, Maribojoc, and Katigbian. Also in the 3rd District towns of Alicia, Anda, Bilar, Carmen, Dimiao, Garcia Hernandez Guindulman, Jagna, Lila, Loay, Pilar and Sevilla,” Yap said.

He, however, told the municipal mayors to exercise their powers in utilizing their disaster funds so that they can procure food and water for distribution to their constituents, apart from the help that they get from the capitol.

Housing dep’t allots P100-M each for Odette-hit provinces QUEZON CITY – The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has pledged P100 million worth of assistance for each typhoon-affected province.

Secretary Eduardo del Rosario said the assistance may be used by the local government units to procure construction materials and repair severely damaged houses during the first quarter of 2022.

“We are hastening efforts to immediately assist families in typhoon-hit regions, especially those whose homes were damaged or destroyed by Odette.

We are also stepping up coordination with other government agencies to ensure faster delivery of relief and financial assistance to regions that were battered by the typhoon,” del Rosario said.

The DHSUD has already started

sending out relief assistance to typhoon victims.

In coordination with the United States Agency for International Development and International Organization for Migration, the agency distributed 5,598 shelter-grade tarpaulin sheets for use of evacuees in Cebu, Bohol, Southern Leyte, and the Caraga Region.

Along with the Philippine Coast Guard, 14,000 more shelter-grade tarpaulin sheets, 250 modular tents for evacuation centers, and 1,310 solar lamps were likewise sent to affected areas.

Another 700 Shelter Repair Kits, which contain corrugated galvanized iron sheets, lumber, plywood, tarps, nails, and carpentry tools, were sent to Caraga on Monday while 300 more kits are slated to be delivered in Maasin City

on Friday, Dec. 31.

The DHSUD said 97,500 families from Regions 4-B, 6, 7, 8, 10 and Caraga, will also benefit from the P487.5million worth of financial assistance.

Each family will get P5,000 cash.

“Rest assured that the government is doing the best it can to help all affected families as soon as possible,” del Rosario noted.

On top of this, the Home Development Mutual (Pag-IBIG) Fund, DHSUD’s key shelter agency, has allocated P5 billion worth of calamity loans for its “Odette”-hit members.

Eligible members may borrow up to 80 percent of their total Pag-IBIG savings, with an interest rate of only 5.95 percent, the lowest in the market.

The loans are payable for up to three years with a grace period of two months.

Over the weekend, del Rosario personally led ocular inspections and damage assessments in Surigao City, Siargao Island, Cebu province, and Dinagat Islands.

DSHUD’s initial assessments showed at least 506,4040 residential structures were either damaged or destroyed; 339,327 houses partially damaged; and 167,077 infrastructures totally destroyed in Regions 4-B, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

PHL 2021 population growth lowest in 7 decades MANDALUYONG CITY – The Philippines’ population for 2021 increased by 324,000 or a mere 0.3 percent compared to the 914,797 births in 2020.

This was disclosed by Dr. Juan Perez III, chief of the Commission on Population and Development (PopCom), in a livecast.

Perez said the annual “natural increase” was the lowest since the period 1946 and 1947 when the population grew by 254,000.

“Filipinos remained prudent by continuing to delay having children or forming families during the combined economic crisis and Covid-19 health emergency.

Couples in growing numbers continue to avail of family planning commodities and services in all regions of the country, with eight million users of modern family planning methods in 2020, or an addition of about 500,000 from 2019,” Perez said.

The data came from PopCom’s computations based on the Philippine Statistics Authority’s preliminary reports from January 2020 to August 2021.

With the estimate, the Filipino population will be about 109,991,095 by the end of 2021, lower by two million than earlier projections based on a 1.63 percent population growth rate.

Perez said the low 2020-2021 population growth means a greater chance for the country and households to recover from the Covid-19 outbreak, coupled with the national and local governments’ increased capabilities in providing quality services.

“If integrated population and development measures are sustained, we can look forward to a more stable population that can effectively support Philippine development.

Smaller family sizes need to be supported by a national living wage structure that also allows parents to save for their households’ unmet needs in food, housing, and education. Uneven regional wage structures only lead to individuals falling further behind than those in progressive areas such as the National Capital Region, Calabarzon, and Central Luzon,” Perez said.

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 NATIONAL NEWS Filipinos...

(From page 1)

PhilHealth, also due to unpaid claims totaling P545 million ($10.9 million).

Fears were raised that other private hospitals would follow suit, especially after the Private Hospitals Association of the Phils. (PHAPi) advised its members to observe a “Philhealth holiday” for the first five days of the new year.

The holiday was seen as a warning signal to the government health insurer that unless it paid the private hospitals what was due them soonest, all of the country’s private hospitals would cut its ties with PhilHealth, potentially sparking a nationwide healthcare crisis.

Reacting to the threat, PhilHealth issued a statement asking PHAPi to reconsider its plan as “it will be the Filipino people who will suffer the con-

Biden...

(From page 1)

Another appointee, Teresita Batayola, is the president and chief executive officer of International Community Health Services, Washington state’s largest Asian and Pacific Islander non-profit health center.

This non-profit health center provides comprehensive health care to all those who need affordable care, especially immigrants and refugees, the White House said.

Batayola, an advocate for health care

Filipino...

December 30, 2021-January 5, 2022

8

sequences of such a call.”

During the proposed holiday, the hospitals that join the action will stop deducting PhilHealth benefits, forcing confined patients to shell out cash to settle their bills.

Four administration senators, Nancy Binay, Panfilo Lacson, Grace Poe, and Sonny Angara, took the cudgels for the private hospitals, which had been complaining of PhilHealth’s refusal or inability to settle its obligations with them since last year.

Poe, Lacson and Angara said the Duterte administration should immediately appoint a financial expert to head PhilHealth, formerly headed by retired general Ricardo Morales, who had no background in the healthcare or insurance industries. Last year, Morales was replaced by Arnel de Jesus, an accountant, albeit on a temporary basis. Phil-

Health is currently headed by Dante Gierran, a lawyer and accountant.

Poe said there was no lack of experts who could correct the mismanagement of PhilHealth “who have background in both public health and finance.”

Without naming the current PhilHealth head, she said the government should end its habit of always turning to a “pool of recycled appointees” whenever there is a vacancy in agencies.

Poe described PhilHealth as a “sinking ship,” while Angara referred to the health insurer as “one of the weak links in the country’s health system.”

Equally blunt was Lacson, who said “everything” is wrong in the PhilHealth system.

For her part, Binay said the government should treat the holiday threat as a “serious matter” that required an emergency meeting of the PhilHealth board

as well as Cabinet secretaries.

She pointed out that the Senate had held hearings last year on the messy situation at the health insurer. Still, the arrears to the private hospitals continued to pile up resulting in an even deeper financial hole for the insurer.

Last year, a stop-gap measure known as the debit-credit payment was instituted wherein hospitals received partial payments of up to 60 percent of their claims while documentary requirements were being processed.

The cost of hospitalization has skyrocketed in recent years to the point that only the rich can afford to pay their hospital bills in cash, as required by most private medical centers.

Depending on the reason for hospitalization, PhilHealth shoulders anywhere from a small fraction to the full amount of a patient’s hospital bills.

access and equity, was recognized in the Puget Sound Business Journal’s Award for Outstanding Business & Philanthropic Contributions, Woman of Courage Undaunted from the University of Washington Women’s Center, and the Filipino Women’s Network’s Most Influential Filipino Woman in the World.

On the other hand, Luisa Blue continues to be active in the community and serves on the Asian Health Services Community Board, a Trustee on Alameda County Health Systems Board of Trustees, and vice president of the AAPI Victory Al-

liance Board.

In August 2020, she retired from the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) after serving as an executive vice president for four years, one of the highest ranking AAPI officials in the labor movement.

Blue, a grandmother for seven kids, was the one responsible for the SEIU Asian Pacific Islanders Civic Engagement and Leadership program. She was also a member of the Racial Justice Task Force, chairperson of the Environmental and Climate Justice Committee, and chairwoman

of the Ethical Culture Committee.

Biden’s Advisory Commission is in charged with giving him advice in crafting policies to address anti-Asian xenophobia and violence, some ways to build capacity in AANHPI communities through federal grantmaking, and policies to address the intersectional barriers that AANHPI women, LGBTQ+ people, and people with disabilities encounter.

The said Commission will include civic leaders from across the country and will reflect the rich diversity of AANHPI communities in the United States.

(From page 1)

pared to the COVID-19 pandemic. pre-pandemic “As we commemorate the birth of Jesus year of 2019 from 96% to 93% this year.

Christ with fervent prayer, let us also welThe 2021 survey also showed that the rate of Filipi- come this occasion with stronger faith and nos who expressed fear entering the New Year was un- hope, especially as our nation continues to changed at 7% from 2020. recover from the effects of Typhoon Odette Earlier on Christmas Day, President Rodrigo Duterte and the COVID-19 pandemic,” Duterte called on the nation to find strength as the country heals said. from the onslaught of Typhoon Odette and the lingering “May we all be united in spreading love, compassion and happiness to our families and friends, and even those whom we need to reach out to,” the President said.

Vice President Leni Robredo, at the same time, urged Filipinos to “hold on tightly to hope” as the Philippines grappled with the coronavirus crisis and destructive Typhoon Odette.

Robredo said many Filipinos have just begun trying to starting over from the pandemic’s challenges when Typhoon Odette left a wide trail of devastation late last week.

“There will be those among us who will celebrate Christmas without the presence of their loved ones,” said the Vice President, who visited several typhoon-ravaged areas this week.

In the Vatican, Pope Francis, leading the world’s Roman Catholics into Christmas, said that people who are indifferent to the poor offend God, urging all to “look beyond all the lights and decorations” and remember the neediest.

Francis, ushering in the ninth Christmas of his pontificate, celebrated a solemn vigil Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica for about 2,000 people, with participation restricted

by COVID-19 to about a fifth of the size of pre-pandemic years.

The question posed by SWS went “Ang darating na taon ba ay inyong sasalubungin nang may pag-asa o may pangamba?”

Of the 93% Filipinos who expressed optimism, the majority of them expected a happy Christmas and hopeful new year.

The December 2021 survey found that 65% of adult

Filipinos expected Christmas to be happy, 8% expected it to be sad, and 22% expected it to be neither happy nor sad.

SWS also stated that hope for the coming New Year has always been higher among those who expected a happy Christmas than those who expected a sad Christmas.

Regions with the highest hope were the National Capital Region (NCR) with a recorded rate of 95%, followed

by Balance Luzon at 93%, and the Visayas at 90%. Mindanao stayed at 93%.

Acting Presidential Spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles welcomed the result of the survey and said that hope is still in the hands of every Filipino.

“We welcome and note the results of the SWS na marami talaga [ang hopeful sa 2022]. That’s a huge majority of our kababayans looking forward to a better 2022, pero nasa kamay [pa rin] po nating lahat iyan,” Nograles said.

Hope for the New Year survey of SWS started at 87% when SWS first asked the question at the end of 2000. It was patterned after the polls conducted annually by the Institut für Demoskopie Allensbach, pioneer opinion research institute in Europe, since 1991.

9 December 30, 2021-January 5, 2022 W.H.O...

(From page 1)

In the United States, the average number of daily confirmed COVID-19 cases has hit a record high of 258,312 over the past seven days.

States showing the highest daily infection numbers included New York, which reported 40,780 cases, and California, which reported over 30,000.

Texas reported more than 17,000 cases and Ohio over 15,000.

During the week December 20-26, following a gradual increase since October, the global number of new COVID-19 cases increased by 11% as compared to the previous week; while the number of new deaths remained similar to numbers reported during the previous week, according to WHO. “This corresponds to just under 5 million new cases and over 44 000 new deaths. As of 26 December, over 278 million cases and just under 5.4 million deaths have been reported globally,” WHO added.

The OCTA Research Team expressed alarm over the rising COVID-19 positivity rate in the Philippines, adding its rapid increase is “worrying.”

The Department of Health confirmed the uptick and said cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) are expected to increase due to holiday-related mobility. , Department of Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the uptick in the number of infections was also caused by reduced compliance to the minimum public health standards.

Diseases...

(From page 1)

and power, communications and water facilities were being restored, a new threat appeared in recent days with at least 140 people falling ill from suspected contaminated water.

Eighty people were taken ill with acute gastroenteritis in Dinagat Islands, while 54 people are being treated for diarrhea in hospital in Siargao, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said.

Meanwhile, Cebu City reported 16 diarrhea cases, she said.

“We all know these areas suffered water interruption. Some areas still have tap water but pipes have been damaged and so there is a possibility of contamination,” Vergeire said.

Vergeire said the typhoon also spoiled more than 4,000 doses of coronavirus vaccines and damaged 141 hospitals and clinics, only 30 of which have resumed full operations.

Assistance poured from several countries and organizations, including the United Nations, with the United States sending over P1 billion in assistance. The UN released $12 million relief assistance for the typhoon victims, according to UN undersecretary-general for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths who said the aid comes from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund.

 NATIONAL NEWS “We are continuously monitoring the situation, though we cannot still be certain that the increase in cases is due to the Omicron variant,” she said. “We are calling on the public and the LGUs (local government units) to ensure safety protocols are implemented and every Filipino is vaccinated”.

On December 29, the DOH reported 889 new infections, more than 50 percent higher compared to the 421 cases reported on Tuesday, bringing the country’s overall tally to 2,839,790.

Meantime, the death toll has reached 51,241 with 28 new deaths.

A health official reiterated the need for the Filipinos to avail themselves of the Covid-19 vaccination program now that a fourth case of the Omicron (B.1.1.529) coronavirus variant has been detected in the country, two of them from two arrivals from New York.

The OCTA Research Group said late Tuesday night that the positivity rate in the National Capital Region has increased by 5 percent for the first time since October.

Positivity rate is the percentage of Covid-19 tests performed which turned out positive in a certain area or region.

The group reminded the public to observe the proper health protocols as the increase may not just be a holiday uptick.

OCTA Research Team fellow Guido David noted the positivity rate logged on December 28, or the ratio of people testing positive of COVID-19, was at 4.5 percent, based on test results of samples received from 27,615 individuals on Monday.

“Most likely it will continue to increase,” David said as he projected that after the New Year, the country will likely log at least 2,000 new COVID-19 cases daily.

The surge of cases in the US comes as Americans travel over the holidays. Hundreds of flights have been cancelled across the country each day since Christmas as airline staff test positive for the coronavirus, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) which was also monitoring 86 cruise ships that have reported COVID-19 cases.

The WHO said the delta and omicron variants of concern were “twin threats” that were driving new case numbers to

record highs, leading to spikes in hospitalizations and deaths.

The WHO said new global cases had risen by 11 percent last week, while the United States and France both registered record daily case numbers on Wednesday.

.The government alone has set aside P10 billion for assistance and rehabilitation in the affected cities, towns and provinces. (See related stories) President Rodrigo Duterte pledged P5,000 for indigent families affected by Typhoon Odette. Aside from the P5,000 cash aid, Duterte also directed the National Housing Authority (NHA) to provide P100 million worth of assistance to residents whose shelters were partially or totally destroyed by the typhoon.

Duterte also vowed to revisit areas ravaged by Typhoon Odette, to assess relief, recovery, and rehabilitation efforts of the government.

Duterte previously visited Maasin, Leyte; Inabanga, Bohol; Argao, Cebu; and Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, Dinagat Islands, and Siargao Island.

Vice President Leni Robredo and several officials also visited the affected areas while Sen. Manny Pacquiao sent planeloads of assistance to the victims. Manila Mayor Francisco Domagoso, former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Sen. Panfilo Lacson also extended help to the typhoon victims.

A total of 1,082,910 families or 4,235,400 people were affected by the typhoon in MIMAROPA, CARAGA, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Regions, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.

The agency also said a total of 506,404 houses were damaged — 339,327 partially

and 167,077 totally damaged — due to Odette. The estimated cost of damaged houses was at 28,163,718.

Odette, the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines this year, displaced over 561,000 people. More than 300,000 people remain in evacuation camps, with more than 200,000 others sheltering in the homes of relatives or friends.

Odette also damaged 276 infrastructures — including government facilities, health facilities, roads, and schools — which amounted to P16,711,209,182.11.

The typhoon also damaged 79,282,037 hectares of crops, 1,174,296, livestock and poultry and 2,949.46 agricultural infrastructure/equipment. Estimated cost of damage to agriculture was at P6.5 billion, the NDRRMC said.

A total of 284 cities and municipalities experienced power outages or interruption in Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, Caraga, and the BARMM. Power has been restored in 161 cities and municipalities as of this time.

Meanwhile, a total of 18 cities and municipalities experienced water supply outage/ interruption in Mimaropa, Northern Mindanao, and Caraga while water supply has been restored in one locality.

A total of 371 cities and municipalities experienced interruption in telecommunications services in Mimaropa, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Penin-

sula, Northern Mindanao, Caraga, and the BARMM. Telecommunications services have been fully restored in 115 cities and municipalities.

Bringing back the electricity in Bohol has been a challenge for the Department of Energy (DOE) Task Force on Energy Resiliency (TFER), but power in the province is expected to be back in some areas this week, said DOE Director Mario Marasigan.

Restoration works of communication lines and towers in areas heavily affected

by Typhoon Odette continued.

In a service update, landline and broadband provider PLDT and its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) said fixed-line services have been restored in more than 90 percent of its covered areas in Palawan, with wireless services in the province now at 83 percent restored.

Globe Telecom Inc. (Globe) reported that mobile network services in the provinces of Leyte and Southern Leyte are 50 percent complete.

“This includes 41 municipalities and cities in Leyte and five towns in Southern Leyte. Globe’s field teams are working 24/7 to bring communications facilities back following the devastation caused by Typhoon Odette,” Globe said.

In Cebu, it said 20 areas have so far been restored while its GoWiFi facility at the Mactan International Airport is up and running and offers access to all users.

“I am highly concerned that omicron, being more transmissible, circulating at the same time as delta, is leading to a tsunami of cases,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a press conference.

“This is and will continue to put immense pressure on exhausted health workers, and health systems on the brink of collapse,” he added.

 NATIONAL NEWS

December 30, 2021-January 5, 2022

10

Over 26-M Filipinos living in poverty in first half of 2021

Robredo, daughters go on quarantine QUEZON CITY — Vice President Leni Robredo is under quarantine after her close-in security tested positive for COVID-19.

“Kagabi tinawagan ako na iyong isang close-in security ko nag-positive.

Eh sinamahan niya ako so ngayon, nakaquarantine ako,” Robredo said.

Robredo said this is the second time she has come into contact with a person infected with the coronavirus.

The Vice President had visited a number of areas battered by Typhoon Odette before she received the news about her

close-in security’s health status. Among those she visited in the past two weeks were Surigao City, Dinagat Islands, Siargao, Maasin City in Southern Leyte, Negros Oriental, and Palawan.

Robredo also said her daughter, Tricia, tested positive, and is currently in an isolation facility. Her other daughters, Aika and Jillian - who returned to the Philippines with Tricia on Dec. 20 - are also under home quarantine.

She added that Tricia has already tested negative but is completing her isolation.

QUEZON CITY — More Filipinos were pushed into poverty in the first six months of 2021 compared to the same period of 2018, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and confirmed by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

“We had set a target of reducing poverty by 6 million Filipinos by 2022. We have achieved that in 2018. But as of the first half of this year, there are 3.9 million more poor,” Socio-economic Planning Secretary and NEDA chief Karl Chua said in a briefing.

Poverty incidence among Filipinos was estimated at 23.7%, up from the 21.1% recorded three years earlier. This means 26.14 million Filipinos were found to be living below the poverty line of ₱12,082 per month for a family of five, the PSA said.

The data also indicated that poverty incidence among Filipino families stood at 18%, translating to 4.74 million poor families, higher than 2018’s first-semester figure of 4.04 million.

The number of Filipinos living in subsistence or extreme poverty also increased to 10.94 million from previous 2018 data of 8.5 million.

“We have to work hard to at least bring them out of poverty before the term ends,” Chua said.

Chua said the poor will be the focus of

the government as the country recovers from the pandemic.

In a statement for the 2021 first semester poverty statistics report, Chua said the government achieved four years ahead, or in 2018, the 2022 poverty goal of lifting six million Filipinos out of poverty.

He said that while hitting its target early, the government continued to implement reform programs like the social protection program Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) to further uplift Filipinos’ lives.

“The results of the game-changing reforms are clear. Prior to the pandemic, economic growth averaged 6 percent, inflation averaged 3 percent, and the rates of poverty and unemployment were at record lows,” Chua said.

However, the pandemic hit and this hurt the gains the government achieved early on, he added.

Chua said this will be addressed by the strengthened implementation of the programs towards achieving a more inclusive economy.

“We will also improve our social protection programs to support the vulnerable. To this end, we accelerated the implementation of the PhilSys or the national ID (identification) program (to) provide every Filipino with a unique and digitalized proof of identity,” he said.

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 OPINION ALLICE new male leader pledges more outreach

D

I

Upside

ALY CITY, Calif. – Longtime community advocate Anastacio Flores Jr. promises to broaden engagement with diverse Filipino American sectors as 2022 president of the all-volunteer violence prevention nonprofit ALLICE Alliance for Community Empowerment.

“We need to continue to take advantage of opportunities to reach folks far and wide and educate them on Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and how they too can become allies,” said Flores, a project director at Asian American Recovery Services-Healthright 360.

CHERIE M. QUEROL MORENO The fifth male president of ALLICE came to this country at 8 years old with his family. He speaks fluent Ilocano, and cares for his father while raising his two children with his wife in their San Francisco home.

“What could be more masculine than being a devoted family man? Also being a dedicated community educator,” Flores asserted his values.

MULTIGENERATIONAL In their virtual year-end celebration early this month, ALLICE, elected “Junior,” as Flores likes to be called, along with South San Francisco Vice Mayor Flor Nicolas as vice president and licensed marriage and family therapist Jennifer Jimenez EDITORIAL Wong as secretary. San Mateo County Board of Supervisors President David Canepa officiated the installation.

Vice president Nicolas has hit the ground running.

“I am looking forward to helping our president Junior Flores attain our goals for the year and building on the work that has been done by the previous team led by n one of the very rare times when former President Donald Trump spoke the truth, former president Nan Santiago,” said the Batangas native who immigrated in 1988, reminding of the compounded barriers IPV survivors face today. he finds himself under attack from some of his most loyal defenders of the past.

“The pandemic has taken a toll on many relationships. As city council member, The subject, of course, is vaccines. Trump had been speaking out recently I received the confidential police log on a daily basis and had noted the increase in about how he believed the vaccines developed against COVID-19 were both domestic violence. I am sure our City is not different from most in that the actual necessary and helpful. incidence is greater than what has been reported,” said the biotech executive. “I To his dismay, he was even booed during a rally when he said he had been vacciam hopeful that my newfound knowledge about domestic violence, its prevention, nated and everyone in attendance should do the same. and the available resources will come in handy to help mitigate the suffering of our He is finding out that a wide spectrum of the American people are anti-vaxxers, and most vulnerable. I will also be more aware and sensitive in developing policies and even those who were Trump fanatics before had their limits. Their loyalty to #45 ends programs to address them. It is my sincere hope that all we do will save lives.” where their belief in crackpot theories begins.

Flores succeeds 2020 president Nan Santiago, a seasoned therapist who held the The anti-vaxxers believe that the vaccines developed by the multinational drug com- team together through the new normal of cyber-meetings in a year rocked by the napanies are inherently evil. They believe the medications are poisons which will not affect tionwide onslaught of heinous hate crimes against Asians. Santiago led a delegation at the rally for peace at the City Hall of Daly City that also denounced the political the vaccinated parties at first, but the deadly effects will emerge sooner or later.

This belief is commonplace not only in the US, but practically in every country in the rhetoric-fueled targeted attacks.

In the summer Santiago steered the team’s first virtual elder care and abuse preworld, including our motherland, the Republic of the Philippines. vention presentation in collaboration with the County of Marin Behavioral Health In parts of Europe, there have been riots from anti-vaxxers after their governments & Recovery Services Program through Director and ALLICE Kumpare Dr. Jei Afmade is all but mandatory for everyone to be inoculated against the coronavirus which rica. The event drew over 150 attendees from the US, Canada,(Continued on page 25) caused the worst global pandemic in a century.

Trump vs conspiracy theorists

Anti-vaxxers will not be swayed in their beliefs, even after scores of their kind who were infected by the virus fell ill and publicly reversed their stands from their hospital beds. In some cases, their rejection of their original belief came shortly before they were felled by COVID-19.

Sad to say, today’s anti-vaccination movement is nothing new. Variations have come and gone for more than a century, after the first vaccines were developed.

In a sense, anti-vaxxers are actually anti-science. They refuse to recognize scientific studies that show vaccines as necessary in conquering some of the deadliest medical conditions known to man.

Without vaccines, such blights as polio, tetanus, influenza, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis A, Rubella, and many others would still be around, ruining lives by the millions.

But don’t tell that to the conspiracy theorists who will never, never accept hard facts even if you shoved it down their throats.

For them, the proven cures to dreaded diseases is nothing more than propaganda funded by the evil drug companies to control all of humanity. As such, they embark on what to them is a noble mission to inform the rest of the world of the dangers of being injected with man-made chemicals that will ultimately kill or cripple them somewhere down the road.

There is, in fact, only one thing that unites Presidents Joe Biden and Donald Trump, as well as all living former presidents of the US – they know that vaccines are necessary because vaccines work.

In a recent TV interview where he again voiced his strong support for vaccines, Trump was attacked for possibly being no longer of sound mind due to his age.

One ultra-right radio commentator even went to the extent of calling him one of the most evil men in modern times. All because of his pro-vaccine stand.

We have never hidden our dislike for Donald Trump, but where vaccines are concerned, we’re behind him all the way. Unless he changes his tune for political expediency, of course.

Philippine News Today is published weekly by Philippines Today LLC with business and editorial offices at 6454 Mission Street, Daly City, CA 94014., with telephones 650.757.1480, 650.872.3200, 650.552.9775 and website address www.pnewstoday.com and email address advertising@philippinestodayus.com or editor@philippinestodayus.com MANILA OFFICE: Le Marquis Townhomes, 51 P. Tuazon Blvd. Quezon City 1112, Tels. 8546.8426, 8451.1892, 8546.8421

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VAL G. ABELGAS, HOMOBONO A. ADAZA, PERRY DIAZ, JOJO LIANGCO, JO ERLINDA G. NEBRES, ROY C. MABASA, ART G. MADLAING, FR. JOEPEL PADIT, RODEL E. RODIS, LOURDES TANCINCO ESQ, MELANDREW T. VELASCO, DANTES & CYNTHIA VELUZ, CRISTINA OSMENA, LUDY ONGKEKO. COLUMNISTS

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 OPINION

December 30, 2021-January 5, 2022

PerryScope

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ith so much commercialism during this Holiday Season, I’ve been asked what’s the best gifts we can give to our FRANC (Friends, Relatives, Acquaintances, Neighbors, Co-Workers).

As book author, columnist and Evangelist, I wrote a previous column entitled ART GABOT MADLAING “Give a GIFT that last forever.” I recommended the 10th Printing copy of “HISTORICITY OF JESUS” subtitled “Facts and Evidences for Agnostics, Atheists, Believers and Christians.” In fact, I gave autographed copies of the book to my three grandsons (John Micheal Madlaing Gamble, Brendon Madlaing Gacusan and Jeremiah Madlaing Gacusan) during the early exchange of gifts last Wednesday, December 22, 2021, after our Family Get-Together at the Bison Ranch in Arizona, before flying back to San Francisco the following day.

Another book which I personally recommend as lasting gift is the 4th Printing copy of my latest book entitled “LIFESTYLE FOR LONGEVITY” subtitled “How to be Healthy Emotionally, Financially, Physically, Sexually and Spiritually” I’ve given autographed copies of the book to my three grandsons John Micheal, Brendon and Jeremiah earlier this year. I’ve also given autographed copies of the book during birthdays of my siblings, friends, brethren, relatives, co-workers and long-time clients of MOBILE SIGNING SERVICES; gifts during graduation of nieces and nephews; and gifts during wedding anniversaries of friends, relatives, acquaintances, neighbors and co-workers.

Commercialized gifts will not last while this book will last forever. Recipients who will read the book will not only enjoy the benefits while on earth but through eternity because the recipients will have opportunity to have forgiveness of sins and have eternal life (Acts 2:37-38, John 3:16) as promised by Jesus Christ, the reason for the Holiday Season.

Here are some reviews and comments about the 4th Printing copy of LIFESTYLE FOR LONGEVITY, 390-pages book printed and marketed by Amazon, with a price of $25.95 per copy plus shipping and handling.

“I highly recommend this book for optimum health and balanced life,” said Atty. Junas T. Sagurit, President, Asian Christian University in Bugallon, Pangasinan, Philippines.

“This book is a good resource for useful tips and advice for people to live by and maintain healthy and balanced lifestyle,” echoed Stephanie Phong Tuliao, Doctor of Pharmacy, Daly City, California.

“I personally recommend this book to the young people and millennials like me. This is a tremendous guide much needed in youth,” wrote Brent M. Solis, Evangelist & Minister, DAGUPAN CITY CHURCH OF CHRIST, Dagupan City, Pangasinan, Philippines.

“Many adverse phenomena beyond our control affect our daily lives. Through his guidebook, Art Madlaing gives us power to control a most vital aspect of our existence – health,” explained Juanita Robertson, Christian woman and retired Professor, City College, San Francisco, California.

“This book can encourage, motivate and help you become healthy emotionally, financially, physically, sexually and spiritually,” said Dr. Jason Nilo Reyuso, M.D., Baguio City, Philippines.

“As a young Christian and professional involved in the health care industry, I fully appreciate the importance of this book for emotional, physical and spiritual health of individuals and families,” echoed Grace Impson Ortiz, registered Nurse, Sacramento, California.

“For healthy lifestyle and longevity, I would like to have this book in the hands of everyone, especially to the listeners and viewers of the global My Angel Radio,” said Edwin Bacani, global Director of My Angel Radio and EvangelistMinister, UNIVERSITY CHURCH OF CHRIST, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. “For good health and longevity, every individual, couple and family should read and follow this guidebook,” echoed Angela Leung, Chinese-American Entrepreneur & Financial Consultant, Lafayette, California.

It’s not yet too late for you to order your copy of the book and extra copies as lasting gifts to your friends, relatives, acquaintances, neighbors and co- (Continue on page 27)

Health & Wealth

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HAT IS THE TROUBLE with the Democratic Party?

Are they going crazy? They have the presidency, the Senate and the House of Representatives. They have full control of the Executive and Legislative branches of government! They haven’t done so well in a very long time.

They passed the $1.2 trillion PERRY DIAZ infrastructure bill, which surpassed any government program since the “Great Deal” programs of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Wowee! And as soon as they clinked the celebratory champagne glasses, they went on their victory lap on a roller coaster around the Beltway.

All along, the senator from one of the poorest – if not the poorest -- states in the union was having a good time riding in the supercharged Biden economic train. And then, something hit his cranium. It might have occurred to him, “Why did I not take charge of this train and derail it and then I’ll take charge of where I want it to go?” Hmm… And so Sen. Joe Manchin put on the brakes and went to – of all places – “Fox News Sunday” on December 19 and announced, “I cannot vote to continue with this piece of legislation. I just can’t. I’ve tried everything humanly possible. I can’t get there.” Then he said, “If I can’t go home and explain it to the people of West Virginia, I can’t vote for it. I’ve tried everything humanly possible. I can’t get there. This is a no.”

Whoa! What the hell is going on?

Manchin’s public announcement on his stand on Build Back Better (BBB) prompted a swift rebuttal from the White House, which slammed Manchin for making “a sudden and inexplicable reversal” and torpedoing Biden’s signature legislation.

What has Manchin against the $1.9 trillion spending plan that is focused on expanding the nation’s social safety net?

The BBB would reduce Americans’ childcare and health care costs, and climate change. It is imperative that the Democrats pass this legislation using a budget reconciliation process, which would only require a simple majority – 51 votes – to pass.

The BBB is primarily for the benefit of the poor and middle class Americans, which makes one wonder: Why is Manchin against it? Could it be the $555 billion earmarked to subsidize transitioning the country to clean sources of energy and electric vehicles, which would be detrimental to the coal mining industry?

It’s interesting to note that Manchin has holdings in Enersystems, Inc. – the coal brokerage business he founded -- valued at $1 million to $5 million, in which he made more than $491,000 from it.

“Manchin is a walking conflict of interest,” said a lobbyist for the watchdog group Public Citizen. “And what makes it all the more troubling is that he’s the 50th Democratic senator, which gives him enormous sway over climate change policy.”

The 50th senator Last December 20, MSNBC host Lawrence O’Donnell interviewed former Senator Bob Kerrey. They talked about what happened in 1993 when Kerrey was in the same predicament as Manchin is today – the 50th Democratic senator to vote on an important bill – a massive budget reconciliation bill, which if not passed could sink the presidency of Bill Clinton.

The Democrats had a majority of 56 senators then. But six Democratic senators were opposed to the Democratic President’s legislation, 49 senators are in favor. And one Democratic senator – Bob Kerrey -- was undecided.

Kerrey had been a big star in Washington from his first day. He arrived as a Vietnam combat veteran who had won the Medal of Honor for combat engagement in which he lost his leg in Vietnam. Clinton pleaded with Kerrey that he needed his vote. “My presidency is going to go down,” he said shouting. Kerrey shouted back.

Finally, on the night of the vote, Kerrey entered the Senate chamber and everyone in the Senate and everyone at the White House held their breath. Kerrey then announced that he was voting yes. Then he said, “President Clinton, if you’re watching now as I suspect you are, I tell you this: I could not and should not cast the vote that brings down your presidency.

You have made mistakes and know (Continue on page 27)

Lifestyle for longevity as a lasting gift

Amid frustration and despair, election brings hope in 2022

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day or two before Christmas Day, polling firms Social Weather Station and Pulse Asia usually published a survey on how Filipinos looked at Christmas and the coming year – whether they thought they expected to be happy or not in the Christmas season and how hopeful they were about the coming year. “ This year, the SWS came up with a survey that said VAL ABELGAS 65% of Filipinos expected to be happy this Christmas season despite the pandemic being on its second year. This was 15 points higher than last year (50%), understandably because while the Covid-19 pandemic was close to its height in December last year, this year, the number of daily Covid cases is on its way down. It is also worth noting that the survey was held in the last week of November, long before super typhoon Odette struck.

With respect to the annual hope survey, however, both the SWS and Pulse Asia still have to come up with their results.

Last year, Pulse Asia said that despite the pandemic, 91% or 9 out of 10 Filipinos were hopeful of a better year in 2021.

Although this was two points lower than the previous year’s numbers, it proved the resiliency of Filipinos and their “hope springs eternal” attitude despite the many difficulties that confront them in their daily lives.

Since its own hope survey was first conducted by SWS in 2000, the percentage of hopeful Filipinos have consistently gone up from 87% that year to above 90% starting in 2006, except for the 89% in 2009.

It went to 88% in 2001, and reached 95% in 2002 before easing to 90% in 2003, 81% in 2004, and 85% in 2005. It ranged from 91% to 92% from 2006 to 2008, before falling to 89% in 2009. It recovered to 93% in 2010, and has since then been at 90s levels, reaching as high as 96% in 2017.

It would be nice to see how hopeful Filipinos continue to be amid the destructive disasters, deadly pandemic, sputtering economy and rampant corruption in the past year.

For certain, the past year offered no reason to be optimistic about the coming year.

The 91% of Filipinos that were looking forward to a much better year obviously met disappointment. The coronavirus pandemic continued to wreak havoc on the hopeful, but helpless Filipinos throughout the year, killing thousands, sending tens of thousands to costly hospitalizations, bringing millions more to the precipice of poverty, reversing economic growth, raising the prices of goods and services to runaway inflationary prices, and drowning the country and the people to trillions of pesos in debt that they have to pay for generations to come.

To top it all, the people lost trust in the ability of government to pull them out of the quicksand of despair, and the sincerity of their leaders to lead them to a better life.

Already disappointed by the government’s delayed and confused response to the surging pandemic, the disappointment turned to frustration and anger as reports of corruption in the midst of the pandemic kept pouring in like raging rain, an ugly phenomenon many termed “plundemic,” meaning plunder amid the pandemic.

The Commission on Audit flagged several purchases of medical supplies and equipment, including facemasks, face shields and Covid test kits, leading the Senate blue ribbon committee to investigate the alleged anomalies. The hearings led to revelations that the Chinese firm Pharmally Pharmaceuticals Corp., which had an initial paid-up capital of only P625,000 and registered only in September 2019, bagged P10.85 billion worth of supply contracts.

It was established during the hearings that Michael Yang, a Davao-based Chinese national who was a former economic adviser of President Duterte, facilitated the contracts, guaranteed the firm’s financial ability, and lent the money to the firm to purchase the supplies.

It was also established that the purchases were made through the Department of Budget and Management’s Procurement Service, headed by Christopher Lloyd Lao, a former assistant of Sen. Christopher “Bong Go,” Duterte’s most trusted aide. Photos provided to the committee, headed by Sen. Dick Gordon, showed Duterte meeting with the Pharmally executives in Malacanang in 2017.

But it was not just Phar(Continue on page 27)

On Distant Shore

Quo vadis, Joe Manchin?

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13 December 30, 2021-January 5, 2022

 OPINION

Offline

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n the Holy Bible, angels appeared to a group of shepherds to announce the birth of the messiah more than 2,000 years ago in Judea.

Guided by a bright star, the shepherds were led to a baby lying in a manger where they found the infant with his father and mother, just as what the angels told them.

For Christians all over the world, as narrated by Evange- MANNY MOGATO list Luke in his Gospel, this is the story of the first Christmas.

For many Filipinos, a bright moon and stars gave them the only light above their heads on Christmas day as electricity went out more than a week ago after a monstrous typhoon “Odette,” internationally known as “Rai,” struck the belly of the country.

Traditionally, Filipinos celebrate Christmas Eve with bright and colorful lights, lively music, lavish food and noisy banter with family, relatives and friends.

But many in the northern Mindanao and the Visayas regions spent Noche Buena with little or no food and water at all and with no roofs above their heads. Some lost everything, including their loved ones.

Odette was a much different weather disturbance. It gained strength in just a matter of hours, slamming the surfing island of Siargao with peak center winds of 195 kph and gusts of up to 240 kph. It slightly lost strength and speed as it moved westward, pummeling eight more Philippine islands, leaving a trail of death and destruction.

It was like an atomic bomb was dropped, Kidapawan Bishoip Jose Colin Bagaforo said as he described the flattened coastal villages along the path of Odette, the 15th storm to hit the country this year.

It would probably take some weeks for the authorities to restore power, water, communication and other services but it would take a much longer time for the people to pick up their lives.

It was like November 2013 when the most powerful typhoon, “Yolanda,” slammed Eastern Visayas, killing more than 7,000 people and leaving 200,000 households homeless.

It seems like the Philippines has never learned how to cope with typhoons. Every year an average of 20 storms visit the country, ravaging crops, destroying public and private infrastructure and claiming precious lives.

Yolanda should have taught the government how to build back better and the people how to construct typhoon-resistant structures that could withstand destructive winds of 250 kph and above.

But Odette showed how some local governments cut corners in some infrastructure projects when roads, bridges and structures were damaged or destroyed by the typhoon.

There was one gymnasium where many people had sought shelter as their houses were made of light materials, but Odette’s winds blew off its roofs, leaving twisted metal that exposed how substandard the materials were used for the building.

There were other horror stories in other areas outside the capital where government neglect and corruption were inadvertently exposed by nature’s wrath.

It is a crime for public officials to dip their hands into funds for roads, bridges, and structures, siphoning off even a small percentage of the budget intended for projects. The public deserved good infrastructure projects that would last for years.

But unscrupulous government and private contractors had to design roads and bridges that could be repaired so often to regularly make money. It’s a cash cow for corrupt officials.

Public works are also the most visible and tangible projects to show to the people every three years during local elections, and funds chipped off infrastructure also go to campaign war chests.

This has been a vicious cycle and explains why roads and bridges are substandard, leaving them at the mercy of destructive typhoon winds and powerful tremors.

History will show the Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. It lies within the deadly Pacific ring of fire and at the door of annual tropical cyclones.

Climate change has made it worse. The country can now expect Yolanda and Odette-like typhoons in the years to come.

The government and the private sector have to prepare for the worst by designing disaster(Continue on page 27)

“The only reason for the triumph of the forces of evil is when good men do nothing.” –Edmund Burke “He whom the gods wish to destroy they first make mad.”

– From Antigone by Sopochles

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here appears to be a crisis of leadership in the PR Duterte camp.

It shows in the developed and developing scenarios in the PR Duterte front - the split of the PDP-Laban into the PR Duterte and Senator Pacquiao factions; the much awaited PR Duterte running for VicePresident as he previously announced; the surprising birth HOMOBONO A. ADAZA of the tandem of former Senator Bongbong Marcos (BB M) and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, daughter of PR Duterte; the filing of the certificate of candidacy for President of Senator Bato de la Rosa under the banner of the PR Duterte faction of PDP-Laban; the filing of the certificates of candidacy of PR Duterte for senator and the replacement of Senator Bato by Senator Bong Go for President; and finally the withdrawal of the certificates of candidacy of PR Duterte for Senator and Senator Bongo Go for President.

Everything in the PR Duterte camp seems in disarray – or is it?

Mind boggling: The political situation appears confused and confusing – thanks to the furtive political magician who is PR Duterte. For more than twenty years as mayor of Davao City, that frontier city which appears alien to everything that is Mindanao, PR D has cast his spell over the people of that city with the help of the Davao or Duterte Death Squads (DDS).

It is really unfair to the intelligent segment of Davao City to have the devilish Duterte Death Squads named as Davao Death Squads It is an insult to the law-abiding, decent and upright Davaoenos. – and there are thousands of them driven into silence for fear of losing their lives or their businesses.

PR Duterte has cast the same spell to a significant number of our people even convincing the intelligent ones that more than eighty percent of our people approve the way PR Duterte runs the country. This kind of belief has been facilitated by the mainstream media, the survey groups, rotten and despicable traditional politicians, oligarchs who continuously prey on our people, the anemic Christian churches and supposedly new born Christians. They are all part of the fanatical crowds of PR Duterte and silent conspiracy of the cowards who only think of themselves but not the country.

Mess: The electoral process is in a mess – thanks to the failed leadership of PR Duterte. He could not manage and control Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. (BB M) who may have realized, through the able coaching of Imelda Romualdez Marcos, that PR Duterte cannot really be trusted. There is rational basis for that conclusion .Similarly, PR Duterte has to suffer of the ignominy of the public perception he could not control his daughter Sara. Instead of running for President where she could have gotten the full endorsement of PR D and unlimited support, she decided to run for Vice-President with BB M as her President.

It stumps a lot man to see Mayor Sara stand beside BB M, the man who PR D described as a weak leader, a spoiled rich kid with no sense of direction. The image of the BB M and Mayor Sara campaigning for the two top positions in the country confuse even the PR D admirers and fanatics. There is only one rational explanation – that father and daughter do not agree with each other on assessing BB M. Consider that Mayor Sara is obviously more intelligent than her father and her assessment of BB M is just the exact opposite to that of her father .There is obviously a contradiction here. But PR D is not new to contradiction – it is one of his successful political tools. PR D is very manipulative. His assessment of the ordinary Filipinos is that they are a bunch of gullible creatures.

He is probably right. He succeeded in fooling sixteen million voters into elevating him to the presidency. That is quite an achievement for a vulgar, bullying and cursing candidate typical of hooligans in award winning American movies. As I have said before, Mayor Sara has character while her father is a character. But you can never (Continue on page 27)

Diliman Way

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xpect the handsomely paid trolls of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to continue to try and convince the electorate to vote for their master in the hopes that they will still have jobs when the son of the dictator becomes president next year.

The trolls truly are paid substantial sums to do what honest workers would avoid BETING DOLOR like the plague. I’ve been asking around and from what I’ve gathered, the typical troll earns more per month than a supervisor or manager working in the top 1,000 corporations.

No one asks where the money is coming from. They know deep down that the blood money they get is part of the stolen wealth amassed by the father of their presidential candidate.

Most justify their working for the incompetent presidential wannabe as necessary because honest jobs are hard to come by in the age of Covid.

And while their work of the past many months have paid dividends with a portion of the electorate, there is a limit to what their obvious lies can accomplish.

The dishonest surveys from unknown organizations continue to release data showing that Marcos Jr. is the sure winner next year. The more honest ones, however, show a trend that may force Marcos Jr. to panic and seek solace in an expensive and illegal substance.

The Manila Bulletin came out with its latest survey which is ongoing as of presstime. Initial results show that Leni Robredo with 58 percent of the vote, as against Marcos Jr. with 39 percent. All the other candidates are in low single digits.

I can cite this survey because the Bulletin is the most conservative newspaper in the country and will not risk its reputation by showing false data. I am also mentioning it now before the trolls catch wind of the survey and flood it with their manufactured votes.

Less scientific are the two parties that I’ve attended recently. Of course the alcohol-fueled talk turned to politics.

One tipsy friend told me that in his province very near Metro Manila, most houses were displaying Leni tarpaulins, with a scattering of Isko Moreno, Manny Pacquiao, and Ping Lacson tarps.

In the other gathering I attended, two business owners said they had been chatting with their lowest ranking employees who were leaning towards Marcos Jr. While the workers may have been awed by their boss sitting down and shooting the breeze with them, my businessmen-friends found that the Marcos Jr. voters were unaware of what life was like in the dark days of martial law. All they knew was the lie that the Philippines was a land of plenty under Marcos Sr. Few were aware that Ilocos Norte under Marcos Jr. as vice governor, then governor, then senator, remains one of the poorest provinces in the country.

They were under the impression that Marcos Jr. also received a special diploma which was better than a regular diploma during his college years. When told that it was nothing but a ‘consuelo de bobo,’ they were stunned.

They also believed that Marcos Jr. was a “successful businessman.” No one knew what business or businesses he actually owned, and were shocked to learn that their candidate never worked a single day in his life, except as an elected government official, thanks to the supposed Solid North vote.

All the lies that the Marcos camp has been spreading for months are now being exposed. His conviction for tax evasion is only now being known, although it took place more than two decades ago.

A good number of his misled followers are still not sure what the disqualification cases against Marcos Jr. is all about, believing only the rumor that it was being funded by the Aquinos.

Marcos Jr. may continue to play the victim card, but if the Commission on Elections studies the facts carefully, they can only conclude that the son of the dictator cannot validly run for president. His Certificate of Candidacy was full of lies, making it null and void.

And incidentally, President Rodrigo Duterte’s claim that someone who can only be Marcos Jr. is or was a regular cocaine user is not helping his (Continue on page 27)

President Duterte and leadership crisis

Building back better IN THE TRENCHES

Marcos Jr’s messaging begins to unravel

 BUSINESS | IMMIGRATIONS When may IRS Tax Debts be discharged in Bankruptcy?

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s we all know, tax debts can spiral out of control and lead to an IRS tax lien, wage garnishment, or even property seizure. Most people mistakenly believe that taxes are never dischargeable in a bankruptcy. This myth is absolutely wrong! Although there are certain criteria that must be met, bankruptcy relief is often the best way to solve a serious tax problem and stop IRS collection activity. The filing of a bankruptcy case automatically and immediately stays (stops) IRS bank account levies and wage garnishments, and enables the taxpayer to either obtain a discharge or reorganize his or her tax liabilities.

Remember, the IRS is not just any creditor and has the ultimate power to do things other creditors can only dream of. However, if you hire a lawyer before the situation gets worse, there are options and possible solutions available.

Each type of bankruptcy treats IRS tax debt differently. The two most common forms of bankruptcies are Chapter 7 and Chapter 13.

Tax Debts in Chapter 7 Some tax debts are dischargeable through Chapter 7 bankruptcy. If taxes are more than three years old and you filed tax returns related to them more than two years ago, the likely outcome is that you will not have to pay them. Tax obligations that are not dischargeable under Chapter 7 include taxes less than three years old, business taxes, sales taxes, and payroll taxes. In Chapter 7, non-exempt assets are liquidated; any of the leftover IRS tax debts are then discharged unless specific IRS specifications are still not met. If these criteria are not met, the entire IRS tax debt needs to be repaid in whole after the whole bankruptcy process is done. Recent IRS tax debt, meaning not older than three years is not dischargeable.

Tax Debts in Chapter 13 If you are not qualified to file for a Chapter 7 or have decided that Chapter 13 is your best option, non-dischargeable tax debts can be included in your repayment plan. Chapter 13 is the most common of the important tax relief bankruptcy tactics, with some of the IRS tax debt being forgiven. Assets typically don’t need to end up being liquidated; with your income financing the whole payment plan.

In addition, bankruptcy’s automatic stay applies to the IRS as well, meaning all collection efforts pending against you will be stopped. Filing for Chapter 13 will also accomplish two other very important things: Penalties that the IRS has tacked on your tax debt will be discharged, AND, no new penalties or interest will accumulate while you are in Chapter 13. In short, you may pay considerably less money to the IRS by going through bankruptcy than you would if had tried to work out a debt settlement agreement with them on your own.

Note: This is not a legal advice. You should seek the advice of your attorney about your specific case.

STOP THE STEAL: We Filipinos are losing our country!!

The coming election will be our last line of defense to keep our country from Chinese control. This is about our survival. We have only one country. Are we going to be slaves in our own country without giving a good fight? God gave this land to us and He is with us in this fight. Why are we so coward to fight for our country? We cannot expect other countries to fight for us. We have to do it because our Military did nothing and our politicians sold us. Our Malampaya property was sold to Denis Uy of China for a loan from DBP? Looks like no money was paid by Denis Uy. This is the same concept as we are buying our own “galunggung” from China. We lost our dignity and standing among people of the earth. Let us make a stand. We can all write all our government officials that we are protesting We can write our U.S. congressman and senators to sanction China for its actions on West Philippine Sea. They will be happy to help us and they are just waiting for us to do the request. Without any request nothing will happen.

Crispin Lozano is an active member of the State Bar of California since 1999. He do Immigration, Bankruptcy and Taxes and Personal Injury. Call 510-538-7188 for appointment.

December 30, 2021-January 5, 2022

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PHL gov’ debt rise to P11.93 trillion in November MANILA - The Philippine government’s debt hit P11.93 trillion in November, P1.8 trillion or 17.7 percent higher than the debt ofthe same month last year, the Bureau of Treasury reported.

The government’s debt was only P5.95 trillion when President Rodrigo Duterte took over in 2016. This means that the country’s debt more than doubled during Duterte’s administration.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III has said that the government expects to borrow P3 trillion more this year, and P2.25 trillion next year.

The Philippines has been borrowing heavily to finance its COVID-19 response and its “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program.

The debt was slightly lower, by P39.7 billion, compared to October primarily due to the net redemption of domestic securities and favorable foreign exchange rates, the treasury bureau

said.

Since the start of 2021, the country has added nearly P2.14 trillion to its debt, data from the treasury bureau showed.

Domestic debt amounted to P8.44 trillion in November. Since January this year, domestic debt has increased by P1.75 trillion.

Foreign debt, meanwhile, totaled P3.49 trillion. From the start of the year, external debt has increased by P390 billion.

Last week, the treasury bureau also reported that the Philippines’ 2021 budget deficit had risen to P1.3 trillion as of November, surpassing the budget gap registered in the same period last year by P263.2 billion.

The Philippines has been borrowing heavily to finance its COVID-19 response, as well as its ambitious infrastructure program.

Marikina okays tax incentives to shoemakers, leather-goods manufacturers MARIKINA CITY - To help shoemakers and other leather goods manufacturers in the city, Marikina City Mayor Marcelino R. Teodoro signed an ordinance providing discount on business tax and permit fees for five years.

Teodoro signed the Marikina City Ordinance 110 last December 28 at the Marikina Shoe Bazaar, located at the Freedom Park, in front of the City Hall.

Businesses presently in operation are given a 50-percent discount for five years.

Teodoro thanked the Marikina City Council “for swiftly reenacting the tax exemption and relief for shoemakers and other leather goods manufacturers in the city.”

Originally, this tax relief is only effective up to three years but the city council gave additional two more years, according to the official.

Teodoro said the livelihood of shoemakers is more important than collecting taxes.

Tony Andres, chairman of the Marikina-based Philippine Footwear Federation Inc. (PFFI), and Corazon Espiritu, chairman of the Marikina bags and leather goods association, ex-

pressed their gratitude to city officials for the tax relief.

Teodoro also led last December 6 the reopening of the Shoe Bazaar at the Freedom Park, in front of the City Hall.

The bazaar will run until January 15, 2022.

According to the mayor, the bazaar aims to help shoemakers and revitalize the shoe industry amid the pandemic.

The bazaar showcases ingenuity and craftsmanship of Marikina shoemakers and manufacturers, he said.

A total of 40 manufacturers composed of footwear and leather-goods makers participated in this year’s bazaar, wherein they can find quality, affordable and durable shoes, bags, belts and other products made by Marikina’s craftsmen.

Teodoro said he is bullish that despite the challenges faces by the local shoe industry amid the pandemic, local shoemakers will be able to cope and overcome the negative effects of the pandemic.

In 2020, the city government of Marikina opted not to hold the annual shoe bazaar due to health restrictions brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.

15 December 30, 2021-January 5, 2022

GMA Network bags multiple awards at 43rd Catholic Mass Media Awards

GMA Network bagged multiple awards at the 43rd Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA) held Sunday, December 26.

“Saksi” was named Best News Program, while “Tunay na Buhay” earned recognition for being the Best News Magazine. The Best Drama/Series Program, meanwhile, went to “Magpakailanman.”

The “Balitanghali” coverage for Typhoon Ulysses in 2020 also won the Best Special Event Coverage.

In the Radio Division, the “Talk to Papa” show of Barangay LS 97.1 Forever bagged the Best Counseling Program, while “W Dobol Team” of Super Radyo DZBB 594 is the Best News Commentary.

“Usap Tayo: Super Kwentuhan with Mark (Salazar) and Susan (Enriquez)” was also recognized for being the Best Educational Program under the same division.

Several shows also made it to the 43rd CMMA’s special citations, including “Nasa Puso ang Pag-ASA.” The campaign for hope amid the COVID-19 pandemic won Best Digital Advertisement.

Also included in the special citations are “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” for Best Adult Education/Cultural Program, “The Atom Araullo Specials” for Best TV Special, and “I-Juander” for Best News Magazine.

“Brigada,” meanwhile, won Best Public Service Program.

Joining those in the special citation is GMA Regional TV’s “Balitang Bisdak: 500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines) for Best Special Event Coverage.

Established in 1978, the CMMA recognizes students, professionals and organizations who exemplify in “both technical excellence and the transmittal of human values.”

Meanwhile, the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s pho-

tograph of the retrieval of the statue of the crucified Christ in a Manila fire and the paper’s feature on the first Mass held on the island of Limasawa won awards in the print category of the 43rd Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA).

Inquirer photographer Lyn Rillon bagged the best news photograph for capturing the retrieval operations in the wake of a fire that gutted a portion of Sto. Niño de Pandacan Parish church in Manila. Her work, titled “Icon Search and Rescue,” came out on the front page of the Inquirer on July 11 last year.

Inquirer correspondent Joey Gabieta was given the special citation in the best special feature category for his story, “Limasawa: Christianity’s Cradle,” that tells of the Southern Leyte island’s historical significance as the Catholic Church celebrated the 500th anniversary of the first Mass on Philippine soil. The story was published in the Regions section on March 28 this year.

S&T Post, the Department of Science and Technology’s quarterly publication, won the top honors for “Fides In Scientia: Faithfully Serving the Nation through Science” by Allyster Endozo.

Manila Bulletin’s Roni Santiago bagged the top honors for the editorial cartoon titled “Maundy Thursday: The Power of Servant Leadership.”

According to Cardinal Jose Advincula, Manila archbishop and CMMA honorary chair, this year is “a very significant time” for the Catholic Church as it commemorates the 500th year that Filipinos “have embraced and nurtured the faith through generations.”

Sentro Rizal SF to mark 125 years of Rizal’s martyrdom with online filmfest; ‘Rizal’s Pen’ world premier slated SAN FRANCISCO – In commemoration of the 125th anniversary of the martyrdom of Philippine national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal, Sentro Rizal in San Francisco is spearheading the holding of the CineRizal Online Film Festival on Rizal Day, December 30, which will also mark the

world premiere of the film “Rizal’s Pen.” The CineRizal Online Film Festival, which will feature films and documentaries on Rizal’s life and legacy, is supported by the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), and the Areté of the Ateneo de Manila University In his message to mark this year’s Rizal Day, Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Frank R. Ferrer said that the CineRizal Online Film Festival will give viewers in the United States and around the world “a glimpse of the remarkable life of Rizal, a man of many hats: an artist, writer, doctor, traveler, polyglot, but most importantly, a patriot.”

The Philippine Consul General also noted the connection between Rizal and San Francisco.

“Rizal visited America in 1888 with San Francisco as his very first stop, after spending seven days in quarantine off the San Francisco coast. He stayed from May 4 to 6, 1888 at the exquisite Palace Hotel along Market Street, located less than 10 minutes away from the Consulate. Today, one can see a marker on Rizal’s stay in San Francisco on the exterior wall of the Palace Hotel,” Consul General Ferrer said.

Consul General Ferrer thanked the NCCA, the NHCP, and the Areté Ateneo for their invaluable support to the CineRizal Online Film Festival.

“Rizal’s Pen”, produced by the NCCA, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and Tanghalang Pilipino, will make its world premiere at the CineRizal Online Film Festival. Written and directed by Nicholas B. Pichay, a Palanca Hall of Famer, “Rizal’s Pen” revolves around a young man in contemporary times who is about to discover the relevance of Rizal’s writings in his life.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua Two of Areté Ateneo’s Magisterial Lectures will also be aired during the online filmfest. In “Rizal Without The Overcoat,” historian Dr. Ambeth Ocampo presents Rizal from another, more human and relatable angle. In “Mga Tagông Detalye Sa Noli Me Tángere (The Hidden Details In Noli Me Tángere)”, Ateneo Junior High School faculty member Paolo Zen Paculan parses through Rizal’s revolutionary text and points out “easter eggs” and lesser-known allegories in Noli Me Tángere.

Finally, the NHCP documentary “Jose Rizal: Sa Landas Ng Paglaya (Jose Rizal: On The Path To Freedom)” dissects the life of Rizal as a son, brother, student, writer, and agent of social change.

All four films and documentaries of the CineRizal Online Film Festival will stream on 30 December 2021 via the official Facebook page of the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco: www.facebook.com/PHinSF. Screening times are at 7:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., U.S. Pacific times.

 ENTERTAINMENT

December 30, 2021-January 5, 2022

16

FilAm Liza Soberano, Enrique Gil in US for holidays with ailing grandma Filipino American actress Liza Soberano and actor boyfriend Enrique Gil are in the United States for the holidays.

Gil joined the California-born Soberano to be with her family for Christmas, based on the actress’ recent Instagram update.

“Christmas 2021,” she simply captioned the post, showing the two of them and her siblings enjoying the cold weather as reported by their mother studio ABS-CBN. More than a week ago, Soberano revealed via a series of tweets that she received a call from her family in the United States, according to the rreport.

She was told that her great grandmother Bobbie wasn’t doing so well.

“She was one of the people who raised me back when I was in America and I wouldn’t miss being with her during tough times for the world,” she said.

While she misses her family in the Philippines, Soberano shared that she was still able celebrate Christmas with them virtually.

“Really missing my family back home in the PH. It was supposed to be our first time celebrating in our newly renovated home, but we’re still thankful we get to celebrate together via video call,” she said.

It remains unclear until when the celebrity couple will stay in America.

The two are set to headline a movie and a television series in 2022.

Just hours before the airing of this year’s ABS-CBN Christmas Special, Liza Soberano took to social media to tell her followers that she and her boyfriend, actor Enrique Gil, will not be in it.

In a series of tweets, Soberano wrote: “Hello everyone! As much as @itsenriquegil and I would’ve loved to be at the ABS-CBN Christmas Special this year, we won’t be able to make it due to unforeseen circumstances.”

“We really wanted to be there for all of you and we were ecstatic to see our Kapamilya whom we missed dearly. Actually we were just at ABS-CBN yesterday recording for tonight’s event,” she added.

However, Soberano said she received a call from her family in the United States right after they finished recording and was told that her great grandmother Bobbie wasn’t doing so well.

“She was one of the people who raised me back when I was America and I wouldn’t miss being with her during tough times for the world,” she said.

The actress then asked her fans and followers to include her great grandmother and their family in

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their prayers.

To end her post, she said: “Thank you so much for understanding. Love you all.”

The ABS-CBN Christmas Special, which is an annual tradition among Kapamilya stars, was aired on December 18, Saturday, 8 p.m, via Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, A2Z, and iWantTFC.

 ENTERTAINMENT

December 30, 2021-January 5, 2022

18

Charo Santos, John Arcilla, Daniel Padilla lead Metro Manila film festival awardees

The movie “Big Night!” won big at the 47th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Gabi ng Parangal, taking home eight awards, including coveted Best Picture, Best Director (Jun Lana), Best Actor (Christian Bables), Best Supporting Actor (John Arcilla), Best Cinematography and Best Musical Score.

A humorous take on the Philippines’ drug war, “Big Night!” is about Dharna, a beautician who learns his name is on the drug list that will be turned over to the police the next day.

Carlo Francisco Manatad’s “Kun Maupay Man It Panahon” which stars Charo Santos and Daniel Padilla also grabbed seven awards at the festival, including the second best picture.

“Big Night” Director Jun Robles Lana was named Best Director, while the film’s star Christian Bables won

Best Actor in a Lead Role. Bables played the character of Dharna, a gay beautician who found out he was included in a drug watch list.

John Arcilla, meanwhile, took home the Best Supporting Actor award for his performance in the same film.

“Big Night!” was also recognized with the Gender Sensitivity award.

The second Best Picture awardee “Kun Maupay Man It Panahon (Whether the Weather is Fine),” won for its lead actress Charo Santos-Concio the Best Actress award for her performance as Norma, a mother struggling in the aftermath of a devastating typhoon.

Rans Rifol won Best Supporting Actress for her role in the same movie, while Daniel Padilla was given the Jury Prize.

Kun Maupay Man It Panahon also took home the awards for Best Visual Effects and Best Production Design, as well as the Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural award.

There were eight official entries in the 47th edition of the film festival. The others are “A Hard Day,” “Love at First Stream,” “Nelia,” “Huwag Kang Lalabas,” “The Exorsis,” and “Huling Ulan sa Tag-araw.”

Here is the full list of winners: Best Picture: “Big Night!”

2nd Best Picture: “Kun Maupay Man It Panahon” 3rd Best Picture: “A Hard Day” Best Actor: Christian Bables (“Big Night!”)

Best Actress: Charo Santos (“Kun Maupay Man It Panahon”) Best Supporting Actor: John Arcilla (“Big Night!”)

Best Supporting Actress: Rans Rifol (“Kun Maupay Man It Panahon”) Special Jury Prize award: Daniel Padilla (“Kun Maupay Man It Panahon”) Best Director: Jun Robles Lana (“Big Night!”)

Best Screenplay: “Big Night!”

Best Cinematography: “Big Night!”

Best Original Theme Song: “Umulan Man o Umaraw” by Louie Ignacio (“Huling Ulan sa Tag-araw”) Best Editing: “A Hard Day” Best Sound: “A Hard Day” Best Musical Score: “Big Night!”

Best Visual Effect: “Kun Maupay Man It Panahon” Best Production Design: “Kun Maupay Man It Panahon” Best Float: “Huwag Kang Lalabas” Gender Sensitivity Award: “Big Night!”

MMFF Creator Jury’s Choice Award: “Kandado” Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award: “Kun Maupay Man It Panahon” FPJ Memorial Award: “A Hard Day” Marichu Vera Perez Maceda Memorial Award: Rosa Rosal Meanwhile, filmmakers and other concerned Filipinos called on fellow Filipinos to support the Metro Manila Film Festival amid reports of low turnout of moviegoers.

Noel Ferrer, MMFF spokesman, said this year’s filmfest is relatively faring well despite reports of a low turnout in the theaaters on opening day.

Ferrer said in an ABS-CBN report it was the cinema operators themselves who stated that the December 25 opening of the MMFF has been their highest grossing day so far since they re-opened amid the pandemic.

“Not even the big Hollywood films (like ‘Eternals’) are able to approximate the gross that MMFF 2021 has generated so far,” Ferrer said.

“In fact, the first day gross alone this year covered 1/3 of the total MMFF online gross (in its entire run) last year. With more people going to the cinemas by the day, sa first 3-4 days pa lang, puwede nang malampasan ang total gross last year. Wala pang major sakit ng ulong problema sa piracy,” he continued.

Ferrer said the fact that there is a film festival this year is already an achievement in itself, and that it is a great step towards the revival of the local movie industry after being non-operational for almost two years.

“Sobrang appreciated ng mga producers ang efforts ng MMFF na buhayin at bigyang sigla ang pelikulang Pilipino,” he said.

Actor Dingdong Dantes, at the same time, more than worrying about the box-office returns of his Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) hard-action entry, “A Hard Day,” expressed more concerned about when cinema viewing will return to normal.

“The answer is here,” Dantes told ABS-CBN News.

“We are coming back, although slowly, not totally yet.

And at least, we started here at MMFF this year. I guess because of so many opportunities later on. ” The actor acknowledged the local producers who are willing to risk and still produce films as he remains optimistic that the glory days of local cinema will be back soon.

19 December 30, 2021-January 5, 2022

 ENTERTAINMENT

Nadine Lustre, Andi Eigenmann helping Siargao recover from typhoon Odette Actress Nadine Lustre and Andi Eigenmann are helping Siargao recover from the typhoon Odette devastation.

Nadine and Andi have been living in the island resort for sometime now and so they want it to recover immediately.

Andi, meanwhile, cried foul when his fiancé Philmar Alipayo was accused of stealing donations for the typhoon Odette victims in Siargao.

Philmar and Andi’s family are in Manila when typhoon Odette hit Siargao last week.

In her Instagram stories on December 20, Andi explained that Philmar brought his own boxes of food and essential items to Siargao from Manila.

Philmar was able to go to Siargao when he volunteered to join the relief operations of an airline company.

Andi explained(published as is): “@chepox just got back to Siargao and left me and the kids behind with a heavy heart in order to go and see our family and see what more we could do to help.

“When he got a seat on the @sunlight_air as a volunteer, we also asked beforehand if he was allowed to bring some boxes with him so he could readily bring food and other essentials to his family and our loved ones there. They said yes!

It is very sad to know that he is being accused of stealing donations when he even specifically ignored his chance to use his platform to ask for them, since he’s more than willing to use his own money just to help our community out.”

Andi did not mention who accused Philmar of stealing donations. But she stressed that their accusations against Philmar is not true.

Although Philmar is basically a simple person, Andi pointed out that he has his own financial means to help his family and other victims of typhoon Odette in Siargao.

Andi continued:(published as is): “Just so hurtful that it always seems to be so hard to believe that my fiance has his own money to spend, too, because he works to earn it.

“Now with some, he is still the same simple man who doesn’t really need much. Just for his kids to have a good life.

While the actress is worried about her fiancé, she said Philmar is already used to any problems in life.

“Before he left I kept telling him to take care.

And he kept assuring me he will be ok by saying, ‘Mahal, I am used to having nothing. We are used to having no bed to sleep on, no aircon, no purified water, no proper food to eat. I WILL BE OK.’” In Andi’s another Instagram story, she made it clear that it was not the airline company which accused Philmar of stealing donations.

She just mentioned this to make it clear that the airline allowed her fiancé to bring his personal boxes of food and essential items.

Andi and Philmar’s house in Siargao was also destroyed like the roof which was made of nipa thatch, but the concrete foundation of their house stood against the storm.

However, most of the neighboring provinces

were devastated by typhoon Odette including loss of houses and livelihood.

Siargao island suffered the most of the typhoon’s fury leaving 375 people dead according to the death count of the Philippine National

Police as of yesterday.

Other showbiz personalities were also affected by the typhoon in some parts of the Visayas and Mindanao like Slater Young, Sunshine Guimary and Tom Rodriguez.

 REAL ESTATE

December 30, 2021-January 5, 2022

Robust demand for residences seen Demand for residential sales, particularly in the luxury and mid-income segments, will drive the market’s directions in 2022, according to BRIA Homes.

With this buoyant outlook, incoming BRIA president and chief operating officer said Eduardo Aguilar said the company has lined up online and offline marketing activities for its clients and prospective buyers.

As the millennials’ and OFWs’

home of choice, BRIA will be bolstering its online presence, making it easy for these demographic segments to check out BRIA as viable investment options.

In 2022, BRIA Homes expects a greater demand for their stylishly designed and solidly built value-formoney homes.

Having culled some lessons from the pandemic experience, BRIA Homes’ house-and-lot and condo units

will feature layouts that suit the varying requirements of Filipino homebuyers.

Upgraded living spaces will continue to support flexible work and learning arrangements.

All BRIA developments are located close to essential establishments and are within convenient distance to major road networks and highways.

BRIA projects boast of leisure facilities in safe, secure, and sustainable communities

Nikko Sale Regalado , an architecture student from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, School of Design and Arts, has proposed a rehabilitation project for Divisoria through a new tower dubbed The Cube.

The Cube was designed in consideration of the numerous traders who may have lost their livelihood due to the continuous clearing projects and the pandemic.

The Cube was recognized with the Best Colour Choice Award in Architecture at the Nippon Paint Asia

Young Designer Award, the Philippine edition of the prestigious Asia Young Designer Awards which aims to motivate interior design and architecture students to be more innovative, creative, and socially involved in design implementation.

“Design needs to be inclusive and should not exclude,” Regalado stressed. “The Cube encourages our urban setting to become a more people-oriented community where we provide merchants with a dignified space through proper planning.”

Regalado designed the tower as

a public platform wherein individuals from different backgrounds can interact. The edifice features gaps in between the hubs to facilitate accessibility, proper lighting and terracing, as well as distorted volumes for proper ventilation.

The building is structured to foster natural rainwater collection and distribution to reuse the water, as well as lessen the flooding in the area. It is equipped with solar panels and strips at the south and west sides to counter and absorb high thermal inertia.

Divisoria rehab aims for inclusive space

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Davao real estate sustains momentum Damosa Land Inc. is optimistic about the recovery of real estate in Davao having seen a rebound in its business across the residential, commercial and industrial segments throughout 2021.

Offering a portfolio of valuable innovations, the premier real estate and agro-industrial developer in Davao , is bullish about the prospects of the company following its growth in the past years and the gradual easing of restrictions on economic activity.

“Now more than ever, the Davao region shows promise as a prime investment spot as it continues to grow higher than the country’s GDP even with pandemic-related adversities. It is Damosa Land’s goal to support this growth by focusing on the progress of our real estate projects and ensuring that our developments are ready for new locators who will further expand the opportunities for our community,” said Cary Lagdameo, president of Damosa Land.

Damosa Land’s residential business progressed with the construction of Ameria, the residential component of its township project Agriya, and the completion of Seawind, its six-tower mid-rise condominium that overlooks the Davao Gulf and Samal Island.

Having just completed the condominium project in October this year, Seawind has turned over more than 52 percent of its 1,162 total units.

Consolidated sales for both Seawind and Ameria have picked up this year with more than a 50 percent increase from 2020.

Damosa Land also continues to expand its office portfolio with the addition of flexible workspaces through its franchise partnership with International Workplace Group (IWG).

Under the franchise partnership agreement, Damosa Land is set to develop and operate eight IWG centers across Mindanao in Davao, Cagayan De Oro, and General Santos over the next five years. Early this year, Damosa Land and IWG launched Regus Felcris Centrale in Davao City and HQ Topaz, the rebranding of the companies’ first project in Regus Damosa Topaz Tower in 2016. Regus Diamond Tower will be the third IWG center, and will be hosted by the Damosa Diamond Tower which was completed in July this year.

Soon after its completion, the Damosa Diamond Tower became the first office building in Mindanao to get an Excellence in Design For Greater Efficiencies (EDGE) certificate.

The office tower registered 22 percent energy savings, 27 percent water savings, and 24 percent less embodied energy in materials.

Anticipated to become a premiere business address in the city, the Damosa Diamond Tower will house several locators including the expansive co-working spaces of Regus, a professional services firm, business and knowledge process outsourcing companies, and the corporate offices of Anflo Management and Investment Corp. and Damosa Land.

Excluding Damosa Diamond Tower, Damosa Land’s retail and traditional office segments have recorded 94 percent occupancy versus 88 percent in 2020.

Damosa Land expects to maintain the recovery trend in this segment as more businesses open up next year.

Taking advantage of Davao’s location as a prime spot for trade and agriculture, Damosa Land boosted development of the Anflo Industrial Estate (AIE) with the addition of state-of-the-art cold storage facilities. The freezer rooms are expected to be able to accommodate more locators’ temperature-controlled requirements for products such as fish and seafood, meat, poultry, frozen food, and fresh produce.

AIE has 19 locators to date.

21 December 30, 2021-January 5, 2022

NEWS  NATIONAL SPORTS NEWS

POC declares PATAFA’s Juico persona non grata over Obiena row “The POC approved the recommendation of the Ethics Committee declaring Juico as persona non grata,” said Tolentino after the POC Executive Board meeting at the East Ocean Seafood Restaurant in Pasay City. “We do not recognize him anymore as president of PATAFA [Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association] until the new election of its president.”

Tolentino said the PATAFA maintains the POC’s recognition as the national association for the sport despite the sanction on Juico.

He added that all of the PERSONA NON GRATA. The Philippine Olympic Commi�ee (POC) Execu�ve Board tackles association’s officers are the ri� between athle�cs chief, Dr. Philip Ella Juico, and Olympic pole vaulter Ernest John also recognized by the POC. “EJ” Obiena during a mee�ng. The board approved the recommenda�on of the POC ethics The sanction stemmed commi�ee that declared Juico as persona non grata. from the Ethics Committee’s investigation that MANILA – The Philippine Olympic Committee concluded that Juico “harassed” Obiena by making (POC) Executive Board has approved the recommen“malicious public accusations”. dation of its Ethics Committee that declared athletics The committee report said Obiena, a finalist at the chief, Dr. Philip Ella Juico, as persona non grata — an Tokyo Olympics and Asian men’s record holder, was offshoot of Juico’s rift with Olympic pole vaulter Eraccused and maligned publicly by Juico in media in nest John “EJ” Obiena.

November for allegedly falsifying his liquidation report

on his Ukranian coach Vitaly Petrov’s salaries.

The report also said the accusations on Obiena insinuated theft. Rowing association president Patrick Gregorio heads the Ethics Committee.

Eleven of the 15-member POC Executive Board approved the committee recommendation, which will be ratified by the General Assembly in its January meeting.

POC honorary president Ricky Vargas, first vice president Al Panlilio, second vice president Richard Gomez, treasurer Cynthia Carrion-Norton, auditor Joaquin Loyzaga, and board members David Carter, Dr. Jose Raul Canlas, and Pearl Managuelod favored the recommendation, along with Athletes’ Commission head Nikko Huelgas and Secretary General Edwin Gastanes.

Charlie Ho of netball and International Olympic Committee Representative to the Philippines Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski abstained.

Tolentino did not vote as he presided over the meeting in the absence of chairperson Steve Hontiveros.

Juico is the second NSA official to be declared persona non grata after Go Teng Kok, who was also the PATAFA president when then POC chief Jose Cojuangco Jr. slapped the sanction in 2011.

The POC, Tolentino said, assured the 26-year-old Obiena that he will represent the country in various overseas competitions in 2022, including the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi in May and the 19th Asian Games in Huangzhou in September.

“If PATAFA won’t endorse him, which I doubt they would, then we will,” Tolentino said.

PHL steps up preparation for Southeast Asia Games in Hanoi MANILA – A “chef de mission” meeting is set in early January as preparations shift to high gear with under only five months before the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) opening ceremony in Hanoi on May 12 next year, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino announced.

The meeting will be held face-to-face -- the first to be organized by host Vietnam for the postponed SEA Games that will end May 23, he noted.

“Although the SEA Games are just months away, we believe the hosts are doing everything for a successful

hosting,” Tolentino said. “They’re prepared, because if not for the pandemic, the Games should have been done and over with this time.”

The multi-sport event, which Vietnam is hosting for the second time, was originally scheduled for Nov. 21 to Dec. 2, 2021.

Tolentino said the Philippines’ chef de mission to the Games, Philippine Sports Commission Commissioner Ramon Fernandez, and his deputies -- lawyer Alberto Agra of obstacle sports and Muaythai Association of the Philippines (MAP) secretary general Pearl Managuelod

-- are expected to fly to Hanoi for the confab.

The organizers of the meeting are expected to determine the dates and agenda within the week.

The second Chef de Mission and Technical Delegates Meeting for the SEA Games is set on March 13.

The Philippines intends to send a 626-athlete delegation to the SEA Games to compete in 29 of the 30 sports events.

Meanwhile, the POC is likewise tasked to submit the number of Filipino delegates to the Huangzhou 19th Asian Games on or before Dec. 31.

PHL athletes bag 45 medals in Kenya martial arts tourney MOMBASA, Kenya – The Philippine delegation bagged 19 gold, 19 silver, and seven bronze medals for second overall in the 9th Mombasa Open Tong-Il MooDo (TIMD) International Martial Arts Championship held December 11 to 22 here.

Jinnefer Berfulfo led the top finishers with six gold medals in the Gichoom, Individual Sparring Finweight, Individual Bon, Team Bon Women, Team Mixed Bon, and Team Special Technique events.

Princess Minmi Ilustrisimo also took the gold in the Individual Special Techniques and secured bronze medals in women’s Sparring Flyweight and the Individual Bong.

She was likewise part of the winning Team Form Women, Team Special Techniques, and Team Mixed Form.

Other Filipino athletes who earned medals were

Mharjude Delos Santos, with two golds and three silvers; Cyrus Tumanda, 3 golds, 3 silvers; Reymark Bais, 3 golds, 2 silvers, 1 bronze; Jocelyn Pablo, 2 golds, 2 silvers; Aldrige Urianza, 1 gold, 2 silvers, 1 bronze; Vincent Laguerta, 1 gold, 4 silvers, 1 bronze; Jayson Purificacion, 2 golds, 3 silvers; Rhenel Desuyo, 2 golds, 1 silver, 1 bronze; Rhenel Desuyo, 1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze; and Marissa Arbolario with one gold medal from the Gichoom event.

WINNERS. (From left) World Tong-Il Moo Do Federation-PH president Bernardino Villagante, Philippine Embassy in Kenya Chargé d’affaires, ad interim, Maria Rosanna Josue, and head coach Nicky Rambuyon at the the 9th Mombasa Open Tong-Il Moo-Do International Martial Arts Championship held December 11 to 22 in Mombasa, Kenya.

Philippine Embassy in Kenya Chargé d’affaires, ad

interim, Maria Rosanna Josue congratulated the Philippine team and commended them for bringing pride to the country.

“When you compete as athletes, you do not only carry our flag, but you also get to promote sportsmanship and camaraderie across cultures, and forge connections with other people as you transcend differences in opinion, language, and beliefs,” Josue said during the sendoff at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi on Thursday.

TIMD is a comprehensive unified martial art discipline from South Korea founded in 1979 by Grandmaster Dr. Joon Ho Seuk.

The 9th TIMD was participated in by 16 countries, including the United States, Japan, Thailand, Zambia, Turkey, and Iran.

Host country Kenya was the overall champion.

December 30, 2021-January 5, 2022

22

Q: Do marketing promos like free roundtrip tickets to the Philippines really help with our debt?

A: The sad thing is that this roundtrip tickets will be paid back by the customers that will try to take advantage and win those round trip tickets. How does it really help? If you are already deep in debt and you won the tickets, where would you get the pocket money to spend while on your trip? Are you going to take cash out from your credit cards again? So how does that help?

These are marketing gimmicks that feed on customers greed. The greed of getting a round trip ticket to the Philippines will do you know good. In fact these tickets that they are giving you are during non prime season and are very cheap. It is better to purchase your own tickets and go on vacation when you are ready to go. Not because you are being told to go. One more way this can help is to just get the cash value of the free airline tickets in cash.

So, the magic word is marketing. It is a promo to get your business and it will be up to you to make the right decision.

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 COMMUNITY NEWS

December 30, 2021-January 5, 2022

24

Carson Circuit bus starts service January 3 CITY OF CARSON, California The City of Carson is set to re-establish the Carson Circuit fixed-route bus service with a few modifications starting Monday, January 3, 2022.

The service will return as a staffoperated service, utilizing City-owned minibuses.

A total of two new neighborhoodserving routes will run in conjunction with the Long Beach Transit (LBT), who currently provides fixed-route bus service in Carson down major surface streets in both directions, providing riders with direct connections to popular destinations and neighboring bus lines.

The two new routes were designed to help connect additional Carson residents to LBT bus lines, as well as Torrance Transit and Metro. These modifications were also supported by the City’s recently completed Comprehensive Operations Analysis, or route study. Carson Circuit will run on weekdays during peak morn-

ing and afternoon commute times.

Route A will connect riders between South Bay Pavilion, CSUDH, Stevenson Park and Anderson Park via Avalon Boulevard, Victoria Street, Central Avenue, University Drive, and Turmont Street.

Route B would connect riders between South Bay Pavilion, City Hall, Carson Park, Carson High School and Veteran’s Park via Avalon Boulevard, 213th Street, and Main Street. Fares will remain the same as before - $1.00 regular fare, free fare for seniors (60+) and/or disabled, and $30.00 for unlimited monthly ride passes. Buses will run every 40 minutes during peak morning and afternoon commute times. Service for both routes will operate from 7:00 a.m. through 9:55 a.m., and again from 2:00 p.m. through 4:55 p.m. Please see map route on page two for more information.

“I am glad that the City Council has made a move to re-establish the Carson Circuit so that our residents have more

options for public transportation in and around Carson as well as allow our residents to be connected to other neighboring bus lines and popular destinations. The Carson Circuit will alleviate peak morning and afternoon ridership on the bus lines to allow for social distancing in compliance with CDC protocols,” said Mayor of Carson Lula Davis-Holmes.

The City of Carson curtailed its bus service at the outbreak of the pandemic and suspended its fixed-route bus service by the end of March of 2020. The City’s Dial-A-Ride program was expanded to include all Carson residents as an exception to the program’s standard requirements for eligibility. The City also entered into an agreement with Lyft, Inc. to provide residents with on-demand City-subsidized Lyft rides.

Honorary Consul of Liberia and PCCI Director Enunina Mangio and Family

Holiday gree�ngs from the family of Honorable Consul of Romania Sergio Or�z Luis

(Chairman Emeritus of PCCI) together with wife Margie with Jessa, Jen, Mark and Gio.

Holiday Greetings from PCGLA ConGen Edgardo Badajos and Family.

Holiday Gree�ngs from the family of PCGSF ConGen Neil Frank Ferrer L-R Madeleine, Phebe, Grace, Margarita, Miriam and ConGen Neil

Holiday gree�ngs from Congressman Mike Defensor and family

L-R Wife Julie Rose, Congressman Mike and daughter Juliana Pia L-R Mikee, Mark, Mica, Mico and Mel

25 December 30, 2021-January 5, 2022

 COMMUNITY NEWS

COVID-19 positive tests climb to a high of over 14% as LA County cases, hospitalization numbers are up

LOS ANGELES -- LA County reported continued high covid-19 case numbers along with rising hospitalizations. Most alarming is the increase in test positivity which has more than tripled since mid-December, indicating surging transmission across the county.

With high rates of transmission, unfortunately, even those who are vaccinated can become infected and infect others. And while the hope is that Omicron symptoms are milder, the current rise in hospitalizations is a cause for concern.

Hospitalizations have increased by 30% since last Tuesday; the alarming rise in hospitalizations follows an alarming increase in cases last week.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) released the latest data on COVID-19.

9,473 new COVID-19 cases (1,632,893 cases to date) 22 new deaths due to COVID-19 (27,576 deaths to date) 966 people currently hospitalized

Upside...

with COVID-19 More than 9,960,000 individuals tested; 15% of people tested positive “As we approach the new year, with the staggering reality that over 27,000 LA County residents have lost their lives to Omicron, we extend our thoughts and prayers to those who have lost their love ones, said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health.

“And while we all wish that 2022 would begin without the continued tragedy of serious illness and death associated with COVID, we are instead facing the prospect of an alarming surge that requires every person to act with intentionality: get vaccinated and boosted, get tested, and please, always wear a mask around others. These are the tools we have to try to keep each other safe over the holidays,” Ferrer said.

The Department of Public Health earlier reported a high proportion of healthcare workers, across a variety of settings, are fully vaccinated (with either

Australia and the Philippines. To close the year, the team and their founding partner PH Consulate General in San Francisco with the endorsement and participation of Consul General Neil Frank Ferrer, gave a first-ever IPV training of multiple foreign service personnel. Representatives of the Philippine Embassy and five consulates including Honolulu and Guam learned from presenter Dr. Africa about the root causes, myths and dynamics, and how to become allies in the movement to prevent relationship abuse.

Early in the year, ALLICE forged partnership with Philippine International Aid through its founder Mona Lisa Yuchengco. In the fall, with encouragement from Kumare and Colma City Council Joanne del Rosario, the team

booster does.

And while health care workers are generally highly vaccinated, many have not yet received their booster dose; for example, though fully vaccinated staff rates remain very high in the skilled nursing facility setting, the proportion of those who have received booster doses lags behind at approximately 50-60%.

The revised order, issued December 23rd, requires booster-eligible workers in healthcare settings be boosted by February 1st, 2022 or be tested for COVID-19 twice a week beginning December 27th (if in acute health care or long-term care settings). The order also recommends all workers upgrade their face coverings to surgical masks or higher-level respirators (such as an N95 mask). The goal of this order is to protect LA County’s healthcare workers, patients, facility residents, and community at large by ensuring an essential workforce remains as healthy and protected as possible.

Secretary Jennifer Jimenez Wong.

ALLICE president Junior Flores

(From Page 11)

Vice president Flor Nicolas

Supervisor David Canepa commends ALLICE.

two doses of an mRNA vaccine, or one dose of Johnson and Johnson vaccine).

As of mid-November, 91% of hospital workers, 93% of dialysis workers, and 83% of EMS workers were vaccinated; as of December 12th, 96% of skilled nursing facility staff were also fully vaccinated. Nevertheless, with increased community transmission, cases among healthcare workers are now rising.

During the week ending on December 18th, a total 292 cases were identified among L.A. County healthcare workers, an increase of 26% from the previous week. Meanwhile, 46% of hospitals in the county are reporting staffing shortages, compared with 20% at the outset of last winter’s case surge.

In alignment with the State of California, LA County’s new Health Officer Order requiring booster doses for all healthcare workers is a key protective step aimed at reducing infections by increasing the numbers of workers with the optimal safety provided by the

“All of our activities are free and ac- on Facebook and Instagram. applied for and received a grant for out*** cessible to the public, thanks to our allies reach and education from Colma.

Cherie M. Querol Moreno is founderwho donate whatever we need to stage an event,” said Kumare Malou Aclan. executive director of ALLICE. RESILIENCE PREVAILS “Despite the challenges brought on “Every two years we publish our A-List by the pandemic, we managed to spread directory of resources for indithe word about healthy and unhealthy viduals and families. A digital relationships to help the community dis- version is available on our webtinguish between the two and prevent site www.allicekumares.com.”

A focus of ALLICE efforts abusive interaction,” said Bettina Santos to reach the new generation as it Yap, founding president. “Our success in the midst of crises is testament to the nears its 20th year, the website resilience and dedication of our Kumares is in the loving hands of former and Kumpares and the generosity of our president and now secretary Jen allies like Peninsula Family Service. To Jimenez Wong and her techie husband Chris Wong, them we offer our deepest gratitude.”

“Since I have been both a vice ALLICE was formed in 2003 as the president and president, I would FilAm Task Force of CORA. Called like to contribute my knowledge Kumares and Kumpares, the group coalesced with organizations seeking jus- of what has been successful in tice for Claire Joyce Tempongko, the San the past as well as brainstorm Francisco mother tortured and stabbed new ideas of how we can touch dead in front of her son and daughter the community especially durin 2000. An independent all-volunteer ing the pandemic,” said Jimenez nonprofit with a new name since 2009, Wong, US-born mother to three ALLICE envisions a community com- girls. “We are currently working ing together to prevent IPV and family on revamping our website, and I abuse through shared sentiments and re- would also like ALLICE to have a bigger presence on social mesources. dia beyond our current visibility

 COMMUNITY NEWS

December 30, 2021-January 5, 2022

26

Governor Newsom bares new actions to protect Californians from COVID-19 SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom announced new booster requirements and testing measures to better protect all Californians as the Omicron variant becomes the dominant COVID-19 strain in the nation.

The COVID-19 booster requirement for health care workers will mitigate potential staffing shortages while helping to safeguard the state’s hospital capacity and protect the health and safety of Californians.

Combined with the new federal policies announced, these actions will help ensure everyone in California has access to testing throughout the holiday season and that K-12 public school students can return to school safely.

“As the Omicron variant spreads rapidly across the country and circulates in all regions of the state, we’re taking immediate, proactive steps to protect Californians with boosters and expanded access to testing,” said Governor Newsom in a statement sent to Philippine News Today.

“The state is also redoubling our efforts to keep kids safe and keep schools open. We will help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our communities by making at-home testing kits available to every K-12 public school student as they head

back to the classroom from winter break,” Newsom said.

By February 1, 2022, health care workers and all employees in high-risk congregate settings, including nursing homes, will be required to get their booster. In the interim, all health care staff that have not received their booster must test for COVID-19 twice weekly until they are up to date on their vaccines.

To help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in our schools, the state is also increasing the availability of at-home COVID-19 tests across California so K-12 public-school students can be tested as they return to school from winter break.

In early December, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) distributed approximately 2 million tests to schools for this purpose. CDPH will expand those efforts by providing 1-2 rapid tests for every student. CDPH will work with local education and health partners to distribute those test kits as quickly and efficiently as possible.

“As we fight Omicron, there is nothing more important for our kids than keeping schools safely open — that means deploying rapid tests,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond.

“Over the holiday break, CDE will be working closely with the Governor and

California’s public health and emergency management personnel to get testing supplies to families, districts and schools.”

To ensure every Californian has access to testing, the state will also be expanding antigen test availability and expanding hours of operation at state-sponsored OptumServe sites that are already at capacity. Today, 90% of the population lives within a 30-minute driving distance of a site. Over the course of the pandemic, the state has established 6,288 testing sites statewide, comprising 31% of the nation’s testing sites. In support of this effort, since August, the state has purchased over 12 million over-the-counter tests.

CDPH is distributing an additional 6 million tests to community partners serving disproportionately impacted Californians and 4 million to local health jurisdictions.

California has led the nation’s fight against COVID-19, implementing the most robust vaccination and testing programs in the country. To date, California has administered over 64 million vaccination doses and over 116 million tests, with an average turn around of just 48 hours.

In recent months, Governor Newsom implemented a series of measures to slow the spread of COVID-19, including firstin-the-nation vaccine and masking measures requiring that workers in health care

settings be fully vaccinated, announcing plans to add the COVID-19 vaccine to the list of vaccinations required to attend school in-person when fully approved, requiring masking in schools and implementing a standard that all school staff and all state workers either show proof of full vaccination or be tested. These decisive actions have resulted in California being labeled the safest state to live in during COVID-19 and a national leader in preventing school closures.

“California’s determination to use every available tool to keep our children safe during this pandemic has allowed us to keep schools open and case rates low — a key to their physical and mental health as well as learning,” said Dr. Linda Darling-Hammond, State Board of Education President. “Ensuring boosters and testing in the new year will continue this commitment to keeping our children’s welfare front and center.”

While we are still learning about the severity of illness caused by Omicron, it is clear that individuals who are up to date on their vaccines, including a booster, are most protected. To help slow the spread of COVID-19, Californians are encouraged to get vaccinated, get boosted, wear a mask indoors and get tested if sick.

Governor Newsom highlights landmark new laws taking effect January 1

New laws will expand worker protec�ons, vo�ng rights, tackle the state’s housing crisis and more SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom highlighted new bills signed into law in 2021 that will go into effect January 1, 2022, including historic measures to expand worker protections, tackle the state’s housing crisis, redress historical injustices, increase voter access and more.

“In partnership with the Legislature, we’ve advanced hundreds of new bills this year to make meaningful progress on an array of issues that matter deeply to Californians across the state,” said Governor Newsom in a statement sent to Philippine News Today.

“I thank Pro Tem Atkins and Speaker Rendon for their leadership in advancing historic measures to improve the lives of Californians, including new tools to boost our housing supply, improve workplace conditions and build a stronger state. As we head into the new year, I look forward to our continued work to expand opportunity for all Californians,” Newsom said.

Among the new laws taking effect January 1 are nation-leading protections for workers and important measures to increase the state’s supply of affordable housing, create a more inclusive state, expand voter access and protect consumers and the environment from harmful chemicals: AB 701 by Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego) establishes nation-leading transparency measures for companies to disclose warehouse production quota descriptions and prohibits the use

of algorithms that disrupt basic worker rights.

SB 62 by Senator María Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles) ends the garment industry’s practice of piece-rate compensation and expands fashion brands’ liability for unpaid wages.

SB 8 by Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) extends the provisions of the Housing Crisis Act of 2019 through 2030 to accelerate the approval process for housing projects and curtail local governments’ ability to downzone, among other provisions.

SB 9 by State Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) facilitates the process for homeowners to build a duplex or split their current residential lot.

SB 10 by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) creates a voluntary process for local governments to implement streamlined zoning for new multi-unit housing near transit or in urban infill areas.

SB 2 by Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) and Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) creates a system within the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) to investigate and revoke or suspend peace officer certification for serious misconduct.

SB 16 by Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) expands public access to police misconduct records related to unreasonable or excessive use of force, discriminatory or prejudiced behavior and other misconduct.

27 December 30, 2021-January 5, 2022

Offline

(From Page 13)

cause either.

Digong Duterte may be a fading political star, but he still commands a large following. His endorsement or lack thereof will certainly have a huge effect on the electorate’s perception of Marcos Jr. It is not just the formal and informal surveys that show that Marcos Jr.’s popularity may have peaked too early and now has nowhere to go but down.

One sad spectacle involves a former rising star and her sister who have chosen to tie their future to the college dropout who never had a real job his entire life but who still wants to be president because his mommy told him it was his destiny to follow in the footsteps of his father.

This week, the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) is ongoing. One of the films shown in the reopened cinema houses is ExorSis – likely a horror comedy -- which stars siblings Toni and Alex Gonzaga, who are both allied with Marcos Jr. and proud of it.

As such, Marcos Jr. supporters were expected to support the movie.

They stayed away in droves. The box office earnings were beyond dismal, earning an unbelievably paltry P7,500 on opening day. That’s about $150.

The film may well be the biggest flop in the history of the MMFF. If it is showing in 30 movie houses, this translates to $5 gross sales per theater on opening day. And with an average of five screenings per day, that’s $1 or P50 per screening.

So less than one person was watching in every cinema on the average, for a film that starred the best known celebrities endorsing Marcos Jr. At the very least, this indirectly says that Marcos Jr.’s alleged popularity is nothing but smoke and mirrors. The truth behind his messaging has begun to unravel, and he could be facing another defeat in the hands of Leni Robredo.

But don’t tell him that because he might run to mommy dearest crying that the Filipino people don’t like him very much.

Health & Wealth

(From Page 12)

workers.

Through the subsidy of the BOOKS MINISTRY, our readers and the general public can order copies of LIFESTYLE FOR LONGEVITY at the subsidized price of only $12 per copy which includes shipping and handling. For autographed copies as lasting gifts to your FRANC (Friends, Relatives, Acquaintances, Neighbors, Co-Workers), just send your orders with corresponding payment to: ART G. MADLAING, 730 Madrid Street, San Francisco, CA 94112 Tel. (650)438-3531 or (415)584-7095 or email:agmadlaing@hotmail.com BOOK LAUNCHING & MONTHLY RAFFLE DRAWING If you are residing in San Francisco Bay Area, you are cordially invited to join the BOOK LAUNCHING & MONTHLY RAFFLE DRAWING of free books and other prizes hosted by the ABE BARBER SHOP in San Francisco and Daly City, California.

Just come and visit ABE BARBER SHOP at 5308 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94112 and ABE BARBER SHOP at 7146 Mission Street, Daly City, CA 94014 and sign up the REGISTRATION LOG. Monthly winners will be drawn by the barbers every last week of the month starting in January, 2022. You do not need to be present to win. Monthly winners will be notified by phone.

BOOK LAUNCHING will be conducted every second and fourth Tuesday of month by the authors, John Jeffrey and yours truly. The authors will autograph copies of the books offered by the BOOKS MINISTRY namely: “JESUS CHRIST” subtitled “His Last Days on Earth Before Returning to Heaven:” “HISTORICITY OF JESUS” subtitled “Facts and Evidences for Agnostics, Atheists, Believers and Christians;” and “LIFESTYLE FOR LONGEVITY” subtitled “How to be Healthy Emotionally, Financially, Physically, Sexually and Spiritually.”

(ART GABOT MADLAING is accredited and commissioned Notary Public and licensed Real Estate Broker (DRE #00635976) in California since 1981. He is founder of MOBILE SIGNING SERVICES, FITNESS FOR HUMANITY (aka FITNESS FOR CHRIST) and ACAPINOY. Art is active Evangelist with the GOLDEN GATE CHURCH OF CHRIST in San Francisco, California.)

PerryScope...

(From Page 12)

it far better than I. But you do not deserve and America cannot afford to have you spend the next 60 days quibbling over whether or not we should have this cut or this tax increase.”

Kerrey ended his speech in a conciliatory way. “The challenge for us,” he said. “And too much is at stake for us to even consider the possibility of failure, is for us to end this distrust and put this too partisan debate behind us. And for the sake of our place in history rise to the high road the occasion requires.” A class act indeed.

That was 28 years ago when senators would rise to the occasion of bipartisanship in a moment when the presidency was doomed had the Senate failed to deliver a win for the president. That was statesmanship of the highest order – to forego one’s personal beliefs for the sake of unity and teamwork. He had the same spirit when he was on the battlefield in Vietnam, and lost his leg fighting for his teammates and for his country.

Déjà vu all over again Likewise, Biden’s presidency is doomed to fail if Manchin will vote “No” on the BBB bill. But fellow Democrats had come out in support of Biden. Sen. Bernie Sanders blasted Manchin, saying: “He’s going to have a lot of explaining to do to the people of West Virginia.”

“If Mr. Manchin doesn’t want to support us, look, we’ve been dealing with Mr. Manchin month after month after month,” Sanders told CNN’s Jake Tapper on “State of the Union” Sunday. “But if he doesn’t have the courage to do the right thing for the working families of West Virginia and America, let him vote no in front of the whole world.”

In the end, Manchin said that between ongoing inflation, the national debt, “geopolitical unrest,” and the COVID-19 pandemic, the BBB being pushed by his fellow Democrats was too much. “I’ve done humanly possible,” Manchin said. He said he couldn’t explain to his constituents why he would vote for the bill.

Betrayal But Sen. Manchin, all you have to do is tell your constituents that BBB would uplift them from poverty, create jobs for them, provide child tax credits to the poor and middle class families. But most of all, the BBB would extend an excise tax that funds a trust that would provide benefits to certain coal miners’ pneumoconiosis, commonly known as “black lung disease.” Aren’t these enough for you to vote for the BBB, Sen. Manchin?

But at the end of the day, what matters most was that a few weeks ago, you committed to President Biden to support the BBB framework, which Biden subsequently announced. You pledged repeatedly to negotiate on finalizing the framework “in good faith.”

After all, you got all you had demanded by whittling the package from $3.5 trillion down to $1.75 trillion. That’s a lot of moolah!

And then, the devil hit you! You went to Fox News and announced your vote was “No.” Many Democrats felt betrayed. You gave them your word and you reneged on it. And in politics, you only have your word to go by in any negotiation. Without it you’re nothing.

After the bombshell that Manchin dropped at Fox News, Biden and Manchin spoke over the phone. It was reported that the conversation was cordial, and signaled talks would continue after the New Year.

Quo vadis, Joe Manchin?

(PerryDiaz@gmail.com)

On Distant Shore

(From Page 12)

mally that obtained multi-million pandemic-related contracts.

Five other Chinese “favored” firms got huge deals from the government. These were: Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group, P446.4 million purchase; Wen Hua Development Industrial Co., P74.26 million; Chushen Company Ltd., P1.04 billion; Wen Hua Development Industrial Co, P1.37 billion; Shanghai Puheng Medical Equipment Co., P34.4 million.

All these purchases were made to the detriment and exclusion of local manufacturers.

Then came the corruption scandals that rocked the state-owned Philippine Health Insurance Corp. that eventually led to the resignation of many of its officials. A whistleblower, lawyer Thorrsson Montes Keith, a former PhilHealth employee, testified at the Senate and revealed anomalies which he said resulted in the loss of P15billion in the state insurer’s funds, allegedly pocketed by members of the agency’s “mafia.” The amount represented a major chunk of the funds allotted to PhilHealth’s Interim Reimbursement Mechanism (IRM), which allowed the agency to advance billions of pesos to favored hospitals.

Several not-so-favored PhilHealth-accredited hospitals, on the other hand, had been demanding the payment of billions of pesos of unpaid claims for Covid-related services already rendered, including P545 million claimed by seven Iloilo City hospitals and P114 million owed the FEU-Dr. Nicanor Reyes Memorial Foundation Hospital. The Iloilo and the FEU hospital have withdrawn their PhilHealth accreditation because of the unpaid claims, meaning they would charge PhilHealth members and other patients their hospital bills in full.

In December, super typhoon Odette struck, killing close to 400, rendering tens of thousands of families homeless, leaving millions more without food, water and power, and casting dark clouds on the country’s economic recovery prospects.

The pandemic, disaster and corruption alone – not to mention the thousands of unsolved killings, the threats to democracy and

freedom, and the lack of transparency and accountability in government -- should be enough to bring hopelessness to millions of Filipinos for the coming year, especially with the Covid-19 pandemic still threatening more dark days ahead. Is this the reason why both the SWS and Pulse Asia have not come up with a survey on hope that they have been conducting for 20 years now?

While the year ahead does not offer much based on the events of the year about to close, there is one silver lining ahead. The May 9, 2022 national election is an opportunity for Filipinos to change the country’s path by electing leaders who have not only the ability and resolve to confront the country’s problems, but also the sincerity to lead the people to the fulfillment of their hopes and dreams of a better life.

In the Trenches

(From Page 12)

resilient structures or by thinking of ways to minimize damage during natural calamities.

They could start by burying under ground power distribution and communication lines, avoiding erecting electric and telephone poles that could be toppled during typhoons.

They should also invest more in alternative power sources like solar and wind to ensure an environment-friendly, reliable, and stable power supply during calamities.

Quick response emergency teams should be pre-positioned in areas near the typhoon’s path for rapid mobilization, to clear debris in vital lifelines for rescue and relief operations.

The government should also refocus the military’s missions to more humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations, taking advantage of regular training and exercises with allied countries, like the United States, Australia, and Japan.

It can start by acquiring assets, like transport planes and vessels, and heavy equipment for construction and disaster relief operations.

The military also needs more rigid-hulled rubber boats and riverine crafts to rescue marooned citizens in areas cut off by rising flood waters. Rising seawater brought by climate change will also submerge many coastal and low-lying areas in the country.

Lawmakers should hasten the passage of a measure forming another agency dedicated to addressing disasters, pouring more resources to prepare for and mitigate the effects of natural and man-made calamities.

Recreating the first Christmas is very dramatic and nostalgic. But it is better celebrated with much fanfare, color and sounds, not with grief and miserable darkness caused by disasters, partly to be blamed on remiss officials.

Think of future storms and other disasters. Let’s build back better and do away with corruption on public infrastructure.

Diliman Ways

(From Page 13)

underestimate PR D in the game of Philippine politics. His scandalous vices notwithstanding, he has successfully cast a spell on his Davao constituents for more than two decades and on his national constituents for the past five years Possibilities: Is there a twist in Mayor Sara’s running with BB M. Is this the usual PR D drama? It is not remote that it maybe. Rationally, the attacks of PR D against BB M are factual. No amount of denial coming from BB M and his sympathizers can undo it. The wound is fatal unless the voters will do a repeat of 2016 – which is highly doubtful. Sara knows this, being smart. So does PR D. This means the BB M goose is cooked for the taking.

Considering traditional parameters in this era of Smartmatic, if elections go through in May 2022 without the entry of the X-Factor, it is almost certain that the next President of this country will be Mayor Sara Duterte who is truly a Mindanaoan unlike her father, PR D, who is a migrant to Mindanao, not a blue-blooded Mindanaoan.

Options and prognosis: There is a great challenge to interpreters of our current political situation. Why? The principal character in the political play is PR-D and he appears to be confused and confusing. I have closely monitored his actions, speeches, interviews and statements since he ran for President up to this point in time. As mayor of Davao City, I have heard and seen him at a distance and he appeared impressive for his ability to communicate and manipulate his audience.

PR Duterte has not changed. He continues with his style and people don’t seem to tire listening to him and applauding him except those who have already awakened to the reality that most of the time, he has been weaving tall tales and as William Shakespeare once put it – “‘tis a tall tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury signifying nothing.”

The election, within the current and traditional parameters, is in the bag for PR D. So why does he appear to have lost his psychological marbles as though he has become a Pretty Rainbow, in the words of my late father, the legendary mayor of our town? True he has lost some political marbles – Lacson, Sotto, Pacquiao, Gordon, etcetera, etcetera. But all of them are nothing in the treacherous political waters that is the Philippines. PR Duterte is everything and I’m sure he knows why and how.

The 2022 elections is a lot of moro-moro at this point in time. It is a done deal unless the X-Factor emerges – complete with all the pieces of the political jigsaw puzzle. If he does not come out with the missing pieces by the middle of January 2022 – PR D will have the joyride of his life.

 HEALTH NEWS

December 30, 2021-January 5, 2022

28

COVID-19 pandemic disrupts health services worldwide DUBAI/GENEVA/WASHINGTON DC — New evidence compiled by the World Health Organization and the World Bank shows that the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to halt two decades of global progress towards Universal Health Coverage. The organizations also reveal that more than half a billion people are being pushed into extreme poverty because they have to pay for health services out of their own pockets.

The findings are contained in two complementary reports, launched on Universal Health Coverage Day, highlighting the devastating impact of COVID-19 on people’s ability to obtain health care and pay for it.

In 2020, the pandemic disrupted health services and stretched countries’ health systems beyond their limits as they struggled to deal with the impact of COVID-19. As a result, for example, immunization coverage dropped for the first time in ten years, and deaths from TB and malaria increased.

The pandemic also triggered the worst economic crisis since the 1930s, making it increasingly difficult for people to pay for care. Even before the pandemic, half a billion people were being pushed (or pushed still further) into extreme poverty because of payments they made for health care. The organizations expect that that number is now considerably higher.

“There is no time to spare,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “All gov-

ernments must immediately resume and accelerate efforts to ensure every one of their citizens can access health services without fear of the financial consequences. This means strengthening public spending on health and social support, and increasing their focus on primary health care systems that can provide essential care close to home.”

He added: “Prior to the pandemic, many countries had made progress. But it was not robust enough. This time we must build health systems that are strong enough to withstand shocks, such as the next pandemic and stay on course towards universal health coverage.”

The new WHO/World Bank reports also warn that financial hardship is likely to become more intense as poverty grows, incomes fall, and governments face tighter fiscal constraints.

“Even before the COVID-19 pandemic struck, almost 1 billion people were spending more than 10 per cent of their household budget on health,” said Juan Pablo Uribe, Global Director for Health, Nutrition and Population, World Bank. “This is not acceptable, especially since the poorest people are hit hardest. Within a constrained fiscal space, governments will have to make tough choices to protect and increase health budgets,” he added.

In the first two decades of this century, many governments had made progress on service coverage. In 2019, prior to the pandemic, 68 per cent of the world’s

population was covered by essential health services, such as pre-and post-natal care and reproductive health services; immunization services; treatment for diseases like HIV, TB and malaria; and services to diagnose and treat noncommunicable diseases like cancer, heart conditions, and diabetes.

But they had not made such advances in ensuring affordability. As a result, the poorest groups and those living in rural areas are the least able to obtain health services, and the least likely to be able to cope with the consequences of paying for them. Up to 90 percent of all households incurring impoverishing out-of-pocket health spending are already at or below the poverty line - underscoring the need to exempt poor people from out-of-pocket health spending, backing such measures with health financing policies that enable good intentions to be realized in practice.

Besides the prioritizing of services for poor and vulnerable populations, supported through targeted public spending and policies that protect individuals from financial hardship, it will also be crucial to improve the collection, timeliness and disaggregation of data on access, service coverage, out-of-pocket health spending and total expenditure. Only when countries have an accurate picture of the way that their health system is performing, can they effectively target action to improve the way it meets the needs of all people.

Queries from you Heart of Hope

Is Omicron deadly?

There were almost 230,000 COVID-19 cases last Monday and more than 80 percent of them Omicron.

There were 823 new deaths that day, 836,605 total deaths (almost 73.8 million total cases) in the USA since the pandemic started. Omicron is more severely contagious and appears (NOT for cerPHILIP S. CHUA tain yet) to be less deadly.

The unvaccinated are at the gravest risk, like walking without a helmet and a vest amidst flying bullets in a war zone. The vaccine, mask, and distancing, personal hygiene are our best weapons against this killer virus.

What causes palpitation?

Palpitation (pounding heart beat, harder and faster than normal) could be due to extrinsic causes like ingestion of a stimulant (coffee, tea, cola drinks, chocolates, some medications, etc.) and/or cigarette smoking, or due to an intrinsic causes like coronary or heart valve diseases. The person feels the heart thumping in the chest that could lead to some degree of discomfort and anxiety. When this happens regularly, in spite of abstinence from the extrinsic causes listed above, prompt medical consultation is recommended.

Do cellphone shields work?

No, the so-called “radiation shields” for cell phones do not work, and therefore are not effective in protecting the user from radiation, reports the FTC in the United States. If anything at all, this shield “lulls” the user to complacency and thus the user is subjected to a more prolonged radiation exposure because of the false sense of security the unsuspecting consumers will have. While the association between cell phone use and some type of brain tumors is still unclear, it is best to avoid and minimize any type of radiation exposure from whatsoever source. To reduce radiation exposure from cell phones, we recommend the use one of the hands-free devices now commercially available.

Are body moisturizing lotions safe?

Yes, in general, hand and body lotions in the market are safe. The frequent (two or more times a day) use of hand and body lotion is recommended because our skin needs moisture to keep it comfortable, healthy, and looking as

young as possible. Caution: some people may be allergic to some of these commercially available skin moisturizers.

What is cardioversion?

Cardioversion, as the term suggests, means converting the heart rhythm from an abnormal one to a so-called normal and regular sinus rhythm, either by medications or by electrical “zapping.” The term is most often used to imply electrical cardioversion. The two paddles (“zappers”), held one in each hand of the cardioverting personnel (a physician, a nurse or a medical technician) are applied on the mid-chest of the patient and the heart is “electrically shocked” to a normal rhythm or to a safer, more benign, form of irregularity. In some persons with heart disease, it may not be possible to convert the rhythm to a perfect sinus rhythm. In these cases, the goal is to convert the rhythm to an acceptable more benign rhythm.

Can trauma to the breasts cause cancer?

Repeated trauma to the breast has been implicated as a possible etiology in the formation of cancer of the breast among women. This could be in the form of biting, pinching, squeezing or rough manual manipulation. The breasts must be handled with care and tenderness. Consult your physician if you are concerned about something in your breast.

Does diabetes cause blindness?

Most definitely, especially among persons whose diabetes is untreated, poorly treated or simply brittle and hard to treat. The blindness is due to what is termed diabetic retinopathy. A significant number of blindness in the world today was caused by diabetes. Once the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus is confirmed, prompt and appropriate therapy should be instituted. The diabetic should be disciplined and follow the prescribed diet and medications if the complications of the disease, like blindness, leg gangrene, etc. are to be prevented.

Is hydrogen peroxide gurgle safe?

Yes, hydrogen peroxide is for gurgling, but ask your dentist first since he/she knows your dental condition better and can advise you accordingly. Hydrogen peroxide, together with sodium fluoride and other common ingredients (like triclosan) in toothpaste, help prevent tooth decay, gingivitis (inflammation of the gums), tartar/plaque formation, and halitosis (bad breath). Hydrogen peroxide is a substance that is incorporated in many toothpaste preparations. Baking soda is another.

Do skin whitener work?

There are a few popular preparations of skin (“bleach”)

whitener available in the market today which are effective and safe. The basic ingredient is 4% hydroquinone. The original use of it was to make skin blemishes (chloasma, melasma, freckles, senile lentigenes and other areas of melanin hyperpigmentation) disappear, but today cosmetologists, many dermatologists and some plastic surgeons, recommend it for the entire face as a “bleaching agent” to whiten the complexion. Those using this should stay away from sunlight to prevent skin burns. Before applying skin whitener, one must consult with his/her physician first because of potential allergy, side effects and possible complications of this cream.

Can loud music lead to deafness?

Yes, and not only music. Prolonged or repeated exposure to any type of very loud noise or sound can cause damage to the auditory nerve damage, which could lead to varying degrees of hearing impairment, and even to permanent deafness. Headset users should set the volume of sound to a safe level. A simple way to do this is to turn the volume down until you can barely hear it, then gradually increasing the loudness (and adjusting the treble and the base if possible) to a comfortable level.

Does surgery make cancer spread?

No, this is a myth. Doing surgery or “opening the patient up” does not cause metastasis (spread) of the cancer.

In general, cancer proliferates rapidly to invade surrounding tissues and distant organs. The misconception resulted from the refusal of patients suspected or confirmed to have cancer to be operated on early when first advised, and had delayed the surgery so much that the malignant tumor had already spread beyond help before acceding to have the operation. So, when the surgeons operated on them that late, invariably the cancer had already spread all over. When the patients soon expired, people blamed the surgery as the cause of the spread. Today, almost everybody knows that prompt detection and the treatment of cancer gives the best chance for a cure for the majority of patients with malignancy.

A blessed, safe, and joyous New Year to all nations and men of goodwill Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. Websites: philipSchua.com, Today.SPSAtpoday. com, FUN8888.com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

29 December 30, 2021-January 5, 2022

OPPORTUNITIES IN THE MIDDLE OF DIFFICULTY

By TIM PEDROSA

Pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity; while optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty. No difficulties can discourage, no obstacles can disappointment and no troubles can discourage the man who has acquired the art of being alive. The difference between an opportunity and an obstacle is your attitude. Your faith has to be greater than your fear. Everything happens for a reason. Sometimes, the bad things that happen to us lead us down the road to some of the best things we could have ever dreamed of. Let us never lose hope because miracles happen every day. Life is full of challenges and obstacles. It is human nature that although many times we know we should not give up but we find it very hard to stay positive and optimistic. Words of encouragement that follows can help us relieve stress and boost our morale.

The ability to triumph always begins with us no matter who we are, or where we come from. We love the light for it shows us the way, yet we should endure the darkness because it shows us the stars. In our journey it doesn’t matter how slow we go as long as we don’t stop until we reach our destination. The game of life is a lot like football. You have to tackle your problems, block your fears and score your points when you get the opportunity.

When we believe we can, we are already halfway there. The only person we are destined to become is the person we decide to be. The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, not to worry about the future, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly. We should embrace uncertainty because some of the most beautiful chapters in our lives won’t have a title until much later.

I have learned that it is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves; that big jobs usually go to the men who prove their ability to outgrow small ones; that fortune knocks but once, but misfortune has much more patience in coming back.

When we doubt our progress, regret our choices, or put down ourselves, we have to remind ourselves that we are doing just fine; that no matter what it looks like, we are doing the best we can and we are getting better. We should encourage ourselves, support ourselves and celebrate every little thing about ourselves and let us not be discouraged. It is often the last key in the bunch that opens the lock. When one door closes we tend to stay there and we stare at this closed door full of regrets and sorrow. We do not realize that at the very moment this door closed another door opened for us.

W

Christmas Special: Life for a Life

hen sin entered into human history in Adam and Eve, humanity has lost its connection with God. Sin destroyed the human being’s divine dignity with God that they were banished from the garden of Eden, see Genesis chapter 3. And thus, with sin comes death. Death is not only to be seen as bodily, but spiritually and morally. Dying in state of sin is dying without God. Dying without God is being lost forever. Since, God REV. JOSE PELAGIO A. PADIT, SThD so loved us, He does not want us to be lost.

He promised to send a Savior; in Genesis 3:15, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; they will strike at your head, while you strike at their heel…”

This passage is what is known as the “proto-evangelion,” or the primal or first Good News. Thus, with the Good News of the coming of the Messiah, humanity and creation was given hope of better and glorious future.

With coming of the Messiah, Emmanuel, God-is-with-us, we have new and abundant life in Him. Jesus Christ is born to give us His life. He is born to be the Lamb of Sacrifice that will expiate us from sin and redeem us for God. He is God the Giver of Life, yet to do that, He has to die for us. A life for a life. However, the mystery of salvation is not actually so much about dying; but rather it is about the giving. God’s great love gives (Jn. 3:16) His Only Son to us, and the Son gives Himself willingly as well to us: “… the world must know that I love the Father and that I do just as the Father has commanded me (Jn. 14:31);” and “This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again (Jn. 10:17).” This act of giving is the act of love; thus, the very gift of life of Christ becomes an infinite source of life for all. Dying or death is the inexhaustible source, but rather the giving lovingly of His life. In this way, as He gives us His life, all other graces and blessings came with it.

In life we need joy and happiness. Jesus tells us, “…that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete (Jn. 15:11)” Our joy is fleeting, temporal, emotional and secular; while Christ joy is spiritual and moral, eternal and divine; it is not of this world neither can be given by the things of this world. Christ’s joy is union with God. It is life of the Spirit, life that the Holy Spirit gives and works in us; so that, we thrive in divine life and enjoy with it and in it. Can we experience this joy? If we seek happiness and joy, we must seek it in and with Christ, and not away from Him. He is given to us by God the Father; so that, we may find true and lasting happiness. By living the godly life and enjoying in it no matter what situations we encounter our joy remains; because it is not about what we feel but it is about our connection with Jesus Christ. Let us seek Jesus all the time from this Christmas and beyond.

In life we want peace and serenity in our hearts and minds. No matter how affluent our life is, if we do not have peace of mind and peace in hearts, we will not be happy. In our world today there are many sources of stress, and indeed we fall into stressful situations and become indeed disturbed and at times troubled. We need to go to Christ. Life with and in Christ is a life of peace. Jesus Christ comes as our Giver of Peace; He says: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid (Jn. 14: 27).” Christmas is the moment the Peace of God becomes Incarnate; the Divine Peace enters into our world of chaos and darkness of sin. Let us seek always Jesus Christ and live by His teachings; so that, we have His peace all the time.

In conclusion, with Christ’s birth, God’s abundant life is upon us. There is so much merriment in this Season; because of God outpouring His life, joy, and peace in our lives. Let us not only treasure the experiences we have of this Christmas; but also, make every day of our lives Christmas by living with the awareness of His divine presence. Amen. Merry Christmas!

Aflame The Heart

INSPIRATIONAL ARTICLE FOR THE WEEK

NEWS  NATIONAL VIEWS & COMMENTS

31 December 30, 2021-January 5, 2022  NATIONAL NEWS

 FOOD & TRAVELS

Recipe of the Week Pinoy Pineapple Fiesta Ham Spaghetti Ingredients: 1 kilo spaghetti noodles, cooked as per package instructions 1/2 kilo Fiesta Ham, cut into slices then cut into squares 6-8 pcs. cheese hotdog, cut into thin slices 1 large can (500g) pineapple slices in heavy syrup, cut into small wedges, reserved syrup 1 large can sliced button mushrooms, drained 1/2 block cheddar cheese, grated 1 large spaghetti sauce 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce 1-2 tbsp. chili garlic in oil 1/2 head garlic, peeled, chopped 3 medium size onion, chopped 1/2 cup cornstarch salt and pepper cooking oil Cooking procedure: In a large sauce pan sauté garlic and onion until fragrant. Add in the fiesta ham and stir cook for 3 to 5 minutes.

Add in the hotdog and button mushroom and continue to stir cook for 2 to 3 minutes.

Now add in the pineapple syrup, spaghetti sauce, sweet chili sauce, chili garlic in oil and about 2 cups of water, bring to a boil and simmer for 3 to 5 minutes stirring occasionally. Add in the hotdogs, pineapple and grated cheddar cheese and continue to simmer for 5 to 8 minutes. Correct saltiness if required, season with pepper. Thicken sauce with cornstarch diluted in 1/3 cup of water, cook for another minute or until the sauce thickens. Pour sauce over a platter of spaghetti noodles with grated cheddar cheese garnish.

 FOOD & TRAVELS

Officials air renewed hope for ‘steady’ tourism recovery in 2022 MAKATI CITY – The annual tourism revenue in 2020 is no doubt higher than the receipts generated this year since tourists were still able to enter the country from January to mid-March last year before the lockdown was imposed.

But if you compare the figures from April to September of both years covering the pandemic period, the tourism industry this 2021 is seeing a renewed hope towards a steady recovery path.

Data from the Department of Tourism (DOT) showed that tourism receipts from April to September 2021 reached P3.1 billion, up by 91.6 percent from PHP1.6 billion generated in the same period last year.

“The current tourism scenario is looking generally optimistic as we end 2021.

As Alert Levels have gone down, local travel requirements were also eased.

Many of our destinations now accept local tourists who are fully vaccinated, with no need to present a negative RTPCR test,” Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat told the Philippine News Agency.

Since the gradual resumption of tourism operations last September, more establishments have reopened and the country saw an uptick in the number of domestic travelers in major tourist destinations.

In Boracay alone, tourism arrivals ballooned by 1,151.61 percent to 173,104 from the 13,830 tourists recorded on the island during the same period in 2021.

The DOT also continued to promote the Philippines as a country that banks not only on the safety of travelers but also its host communities as it actively vaccinates tourism workers nationwide.

As of December 24, at least 88.38 percent or 282,780 tourism workers have been inoculated against coronavirus disease, while the remaining 11.62 percent are waiting for their schedule.

Philippine Tour Operators Association, Inc. (PHILTOA) president Fe Abling-Yu, meanwhile, hopes that the eased restrictions would continue throughout 2022.

“Ang nangyayari kasi close, open, close, open tayo. Then pumasok na ‘yong August, nagsarado nanaman so wala nanaman din, so ‘yong recovery parang urong-sulong (What happened is we close then we open then close again.

Back in August, we close so it seemed like recovery is unsteady),” she said, citing the closures when the Delta variant struck the country.

“Since nasa Alert Level 2 na tayo sana lang magtuloy-tuloy na. Nandoon kami sa hope na magtutuloy-tuloy na the challenge is mayroon na naman tayong variant pero sana ‘yong pagbo-booster at vaccination makatulong (Since we’re already on Alert Level 2, I hope this continues. We are hopeful this would but the challenge now is the new variant so Beef Spareribs Adobo with Oyster Sauce

hopefully the boosters and vaccination would help),” she added.

‘2022 optimism’ For 2022, Romulo-Puyat sees “revenge travel” manifesting across all markets of the Philippine tourism industry. And in the wake of disconnect and economic hardship brought about by the pandemic, Filipinos are likely to travel “more consciously”.

A recent research commissioned by AirBnB showed that over 80 percent of Filipinos it polled seek to travel in a way that positively impacts locals while about 76 percent want to be more conscious when it comes to familiarizing themselves with the host community and how they can make a contribution.

The DOT has vowed to pivot towards sustainable tourism development models, with focus on providing guests with high-quality experiences rather than mass tourism and short-term gains.

With no certain date yet as to when the country will open its borders for foreign leisure travelers, the DOT believes domestic tourists will continue to be the main tourism growth driver next year.

Apart from them, the DOT said it will tap into the growing workation market, seeing that remote work is likely to stay throughout and even after the pandemic.

“The trend was something that came along as a need by employees who worked from home during the pandemic, yet also needed the time to take a break and recover from cabin fever.

We are confident that with the increasing prominence of remote work, this trend will linger on even after the pandemic,” Romulo-Puyat said.

But if the Philippines reopens, she said foreign tourists can rest assured that health and safety protocols would be in place.

“The DOT yields to the wisdom of our health experts and we fully understand the need to protect the health and well being of the rest of the country, especially now that we have started to see the light at the end of the tunnel,” she said.

The Philippines was supposed to end its almost 21-month closure to foreign tourists last December 1, but the plan was suspended amid the growing threat of the heavily mutated Omicron coronavirus variant, of which four confirmed cases were already reported in the country.

The Tourism chief is also hoping to successfully host the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit in March 2022, a MICE event seen to boost the Philippine travel sector’s recovery.

“The DOT has been rigorously preparing for the WTTC Global Summit since the middle of this year, and we are continuously strengthening our preparations to successfully host the event in March of 2022,” she said.