Böllerverbot zu Silvester?

 

Eine Mehrheit der Deutschen hat sich in einer Umfrage für ein Böllerverbot zu Silvester ausgesprochen. In der repräsentativen Umfrage des Instituts Insa Consulere im Auftrag der Verbraucherzentrale Brandenburg stimmten 53 Prozent der Befragten für ein Verbot, nur 39 Prozent waren dagegen.

„Wichtig ist jetzt, dass die Politik frühzeitig darüber entscheidet, ob das Zünden oder der Verkauf von Feuerwerkskörpern für das private Böllern zu Silvester in diesem Jahr verboten wird“, sagte der Chef der Brandenburger Verbraucherzentrale, Christian A. Rumpke.

'No EU ban on Filipino seafarers'

By Franco Jose C. Baroña November 4, 2022 

THE Philippines did not fail in the recent audit conducted by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) on the country's training program and accreditation system for seafarers, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista clarified on Thursday.

He said Filipino seafarers continue to be hired by international shipping agencies including those based in EU member states.

Bautista said the audit for the country's compliance with the 1978 International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) was done in 2020 by EMSA, the agency charged with reducing the risk of maritime accidents, marine pollution from ships and the loss of human lives at sea by helping to enforce the pertinent European Union legislation.

Failure to comply with EMSA's requirements could jeopardize the jobs of an estimated 50,000 Filipino seafarers employed by European shipping companies.

There are more than 600,000 Filipino seamen working worldwide.

Bautista said the EMSA raised 23 grievances, including the failure of certain maritime schools to comply with standards for certification, training and watchlisting.

He said the government replied to the EMSA last March.

"We are now just waiting for their reply," Bautista said during a virtual press briefing.

Since then, the government has been continuously coordinating with the EMSA by providing the agency additional information "on the way forward," he said.

"It is important to tell you that we should not be alarmed by this because the Philippines did not fail the EMSA audit. There were findings, there were observations but the government, through the Department of Transportation (DoTr), Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd), the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) and the Philippine Coast Guard, are working together to address all these issues," Bautista said.

The EMSA regularly conducts audits on all countries that send seafarers to European states. "The directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is to specifically address the EMSA findings so we will be compliant and prevent the blacklisting of Filipino seafarers," he said.

Bautista said the government, through CHEd, has started to review the curriculum of maritime schools.

"There were also instances when certain schools that failed to meet the standards set by the government were ordered closed," Bautista added.

He recently met with shipping and manning companies, and they informed him that Filipino seafarers continue to be employed by different foreign shipping companies.

He said he was also told by different EU ambassadors to the Philippines that European shipping companies still prefer to hire Filipinos.

"I gave them the assurance that we will maintain our membership with the International Maritime Organization (IMO)," Bautista said.

The IMO also audits the training programs and accreditation system for seafarers that different countries implement.

The last time the IMO did an audit on the Philippines was April.

Bautista said the Marina has answered the questions raised by the IMO during its assessment.

The IMO is scheduled to meet with the Philippine government again before the end of the year.

Bautista denied reports that the President has removed from the Marina the task of overseeing maritime training and accreditation.

LPA continues to bring rain over Caraga, Davao but fair weather forecast in most of PH

By Arlie O. Calalo November 4, 2022 

THE Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Friday that the low pressure area (LPA), formerly Tropical Storm "Queenie" continues to bring rain and thunderstorms over the Caraga and Davao Regions over the last 24 hours.

Weather forecaster Daniel James Villamil said the LPA was last spotted some 140 kilometers southeast of Davao City.

The weather disturbance is bringing rain and thunderstorms over Caraga and Davao.

Meanwhile, generally fair weather can be experienced over the next 24 hours in most parts of the country, the Pagasa forecaster said.

He said Pagasa has not monitored any other weather disturbances that may enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) until the weekend.

The state-run weather agency said localized thunderstorms are affecting Metro Manila and the rest of the country where partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms may be experienced

Total lunar eclipse to grace PH skies on Nov. 8

by Charie Mae F. Abarca

Sky watchers, are you ready?

A total lunar eclipse will be visible in the Philippines on Tuesday, Nov. 8, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

The state weather bureau, in its Astronomical Diary, said the eclipse will begin at 5:19 p.m., with the totality of the eclipse occuring at 6:16 p.m. The “greatest eclipse” or the peak stage of the phenomenon will be observed at 6:59 p.m.

“The moon will remain in totality until 7:42 p.m. It will then go into a partial eclipse until 8:49 p.m. and [will] come to an end at 9:58 p.m.,” said PAGASA.

Predicted time of occurrence of the major phases of the eclipse (Photo courtesy of PAGASA)

Lunar eclipses in general, according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), occur at the full moon phase “[with] the Earth positioned between the Moon and the Sun, and [its] shadow [falling] upon the surface of the Moon.”

However, as NASA explained, this particular moon spectacle – total lunar eclipse – happens when the “Moon moves into the inner part of the Earth’s shadow.” With this, some of the sunlight passing through the Earth’s atmosphere “reaches the Moon’s surface, lighting it dimly.”

During this sky show, viewers may see the moon turn red once the eclipse reaches its peak.

Total lunar eclipses, unlike solar eclipses, are safe to watch and observers need not use any kind of protective filters for the eyes.

Apart from the Philippines, the eclipse will also be visible in various parts of the world “where the moon is above the horizon,” including Australia, parts of northern and eastern Europe, North America, as well as most of South Africa.

CAST REVEALED: The Rain in Espana

by Robert Requintina

The cast of ‘The Rain In Espana’ (Viva TV)

The stars of the upcoming series “The Rain In Espana” produced by Viva TV were presented during a media conference held at the Le Reve Events Place on Sgt. Esguerra in Quezon City on Nov. 3.

Written by Gwy Saludes, the adaptation of the widely popular series will be directed by Theodore Boborol. Shooting for the 10-part series will begin this month but it will be shown in 2023.

Gwy Saludes

Gwy, 21, thanked her fans for making her novel series phenomenal as it achieved 550 million reads. Through the success of her novels, she was able to buy a brand-new car. Her other goal is to buy a condo unit or a house. She added that she has invested in a commercial building. 

Sought to give an advice to the younger ones who want to write novels, Gwy said: “Start writing for yourself first before you can share your writings to other people. So don’t be scared to share it. Don’t be scared of the backlash. Writing is something that you should enjoy. So just write and write. It will come.”

Despite the monster success of her novels, Gwy pointed out that writing is just a hobby. “I want to be a lawyer.”

Theodore said it would still be discussed what platform the series would be shown. Aside from being faithful to the book, the director promised to bring the same kilig factor or thrill to the followers of the university series. Theodore directed the movies “Just The Way You Are,” “Vince and Kath and James,” “Finally Found Someone,” “Iska,” “Connected,” and “The Entitled.”

Theodore Boborol

Heaven admitted that she already read some negative comments after she was cast for the lead role. “But I won’t be affected by bashers. I’m taking it as a challenge to do my best in this series. Ibibigay po namin ng buong puso para magampanan ng tama ang aming mga character.” 

The cast are: Heaven Peralejo as Luna; Marco Gallo as Kalix; Gab Lagman (Sevi); Bea Binene (Via); Krissha Viaje (Yanna); Nicole Omillo (Kierra); Aubrey Caraan (Sam); Gabby Padilla (Amethyst); Andre Yllana (Adonis); Frost Sandoval (Leo); and Francis Magundayao (Miguel).

Marco Gallo and Heaven Peralejo

Bea Binene

Krissha Viaje

Aubrey Caraan

Nicole Omillo

Andre Yllana

Francis Magundayao

Frost Sandoval

Gabby Padilla

‘Arigato!’: Marcos thanks Japan for subway project, says it will improve Pinoys’ quality of life

by Argyll Cyrus Geducos, MB

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has expressed his gratitude to the Japanese government for its continued support for the Philippines’ infrastructure development, saying the country’s first-ever subway system in particular would help improve the quality of life of Filipinos in the city.

President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (RTVM screenshot)

Marcos said this as he witnessed the contract signing of Contract Package 102 (CP102) – Quezon Avenue Station and Contract Package 103 (CP103) – Anonas and Camp Aguinaldo Stations of the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) in Malacañang on Thursday, Nov. 3.

“I thank the Government of Japan for partnering with the Philippines in pursuing this important infrastructure development project,” the President said in his speech.

“We thank you for your continued support, and I hope to further advance our cooperation in other areas for the mutual benefit of our peoples,” he added.

Marcos noted that the world recognizes Japan for having a very efficient rail transport system “which the Philippines aspires to one day emulate.”

The Metro Manila Subway will be the Philippines’ first underground railway system with a total length of 33 kilometers with 17 stations running from Valenzuela City to the FTI-Bicutan in Parañaque City, with a line connecting to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City.

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Once fully operational, it can accommodate around 519,000 passengers daily and significantly reduce travel time between Quezon City to NAIA from 90 minutes to 35 minutes.

Dubbed the “Crown Jewel” of the country’s mass transit system, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said the MMSP could generate over 18,000 jobs during its construction and boost economic activity in nearby areas apart from creating business opportunities once completed.

Funding assistance for the MMSP is from the Government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

In his speech, the Chief Executive particularly thanked JICA for the financial support and for working closely with the Philippine government in ensuring the completion of these contract packages and other projects.

“I don’t believe that, especially in terms of our infrastructure projects and even in our agricultural projects, we would have come this far without the help of JICA along the way,” Marcos said.

“It has been instrumental, and we have many possible future projects that, maybe, in the pipeline, and for that, once again, we thank JICA for their assistance and continuing interest in the Philippines,” he added.

“We are honored to have you as partners in making the Philippines’ transport operations more efficient, safer, and more reliable,” Marcos continued.

Improved quality of life

Meanwhile, Marcos said the signing of the contract packages clearly demonstrates his administration’s commitment to pursuing big infrastructure projects that will foster growth and revitalize the economy.

“We owe it to the Filipino people to build major roads and critical infrastructure that will not only spur progress and social change but also promote interconnectivity, ease traffic and reduce travel time,” he said.

“Let me assure [you] that the government remains dedicated to maximizing its resources to pursue even more ambitious endeavors that will bring comfort and progress to Filipinos all over the country.

The President said the subway project would improve the quality of life of Filipinos in the metropolis.

“We will reduce the terrible stories that we hear of people who no longer see their children because they come home at 1:30 in the morning, and the children are asleep; they have to wake up at 4 in the morning to get back on the bus to fight with the traffic coming back to work,” Marcos said.

“The subway and all our public transport systems will be able to help and to remedy… so the quality of life in the city should improve significantly,” he added.