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Tuesday, February 14, 2023
World’s Most Dangerous Roads | Philippines, Serpentines | Free Documentary
Higher bread prices take effect today
by Bernie Cahiles-Magkilat, MB
Big bakers will start implementing higher prices on Pinoy Tasty and Pinoy Pandesal today, Valentine’s Day, almost a week after the Department of Trade Industry announced price adjustments in the suggested retail price (SRP) on basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs).
Jerry Lao, president of the Philippine Baking Industry Group (PhilBaking), said the 450-gram Pinoy Tasty will have a new price tag of P40.50 with P2 price hike per loaf and the ten-piece pack Pinoy Pandesal at P38.50 with P1.50 increase starting today.
“Effective day of increase is tomorrow,” Lao said, as he explained that the implementation schedule will depend on the cut off date of respective supermarkets that their group members are serving.
Lao, however, said that the price increase granted was only half of the amount they requested since last year with the DTI. This means, he said, they will still pursue the balance of their petition.
“We are going to appeal after the implementation of the first tranche, we will ask them (DTI) when is the next balance,” he said.
At present, he said, bakers are supposed to get P8 price adjustment because the price of flour already went up to P1,050 per bag of 25-kilogram wheat flour from only P800 before August last year. The price of flour went up due to several factors including supply chain disruption due to the Russian war in Ukraine and the depreciation of the peso. The rule of thumb is that for every P40 increase in flour prices is a corresponding P1 price hike in loaf bread.
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But PhilBaking members sought for a P6 price adjustment for Pinoy Tasty but got P2. They also sought for P3 price increase for Pinoy Pandesal but got only half of what they wanted based on the SRP released by DTI on Feb. 8. The price increase they sought did not yet include higher cost of fuel, sugar, and other ingredients, Lao pointed out.
Demand this year is also very uncertain although the full reopening of classes is expected to boost sales.
Sales in December last year was dismal compared to the previous 2021 as more people went home to the provinces and there was a marked decline in foot traffic at the supermarkets last Christmas season. January and February were also quiet, he said.
Personally though, his company’s Tiffany brand was able to post a 10 percent increase in sales last year.
“Hopefully, sales for the rest of the year would perk up with the opening of classes,” Lao said.
Meantime, the Filipino Chinese Bakery Association, Inc. (FCBAI) President Gerik Chua and past President Henry Ah and other officers announced the much-awaited “Bakery Fair 2023” on March 2, 3 and 4, 2023 at the World Trade Center on hopes to fully revive the baking industry in the country.
“This is a comeback fair,” said Chua noting that the Bakery Fair 2023 is the first after four years and after the pandemic. “This signals the revival of the Philippine baking industry despite inflation and other challenges,” said Chua.
The “Bakery Fair” is the biennial (once every two years) civic project of the FCBAI to promote and uplift the Philippines bakery industry and support socio-economic development.
The biggest and most star-studded Philippine bakery event, Bakery Fair 2023 has 136 exhibitors covering 10,000 square meters or one hectare of the World Trade Center. There shall also be many educational technical seminars by different top bakery industry-related companies, bakers, chefs and experts.
One of the exciting events of Bakery Fair 2023 is the “FCBAI Bakers Cup Wedding Cake Competition 2023”, which is a comeback after the pandemic and it shall showcase exciting and awesome wedding cake creations of “Kasalang Pinoy” theme. Be mesmerized with the bakers’ amazing creations using fondant, royal icing, gum paste and many more. This is one of the most awaited events of the year, wherein the first prize winner will have a chance to receive a prize worth P80,000 pesos. Winners shall be announced on March 2 and the wedding cakes of finalists shall be on exhibit throughout Bakery Fair 2023.
Another important event in Bakery Fair 2023 is “Angel Cup 2023”. The Angel Cup-Bread Display Competition highlights the making of Bread Showpiece, Artisan Bread, Healthy Bread and Sweet Dough with dough filling.
Love in the time of tech
Published February 14, 2023, 12:05 AM
For generations, artists, writers, even scientists have tried their best to define “love.” From “love is blind” to “love is a many splendored thing,” humanity’s motivation to wake up and live another day, to become better, to fight for a cause or to stand down for others is motivated in some ways by love. After all, love has many facets — love for a Higher Being, for country, for family and friends, for a partner, and of course, love for oneself.
Today is Valentine’s of 2023. It may be one of the usual Valentine’s of years past but historians in the future may note this year for two things — this is the first post-pandemic Valentine’s; and driven by the pandemic, there is the rise of a “digital love,” which saw more people utilizing online tools and apps to find a partner, express emotions, or even to break relationships.
As this Valentine’s Day is, in the minds of many, at the tailend of the pandemic, we will notice today if some age-old traditions will be revived, retooled, or totally forgotten. Restaurants, hotels, and resorts have reintroduced their Valentine’s menu for couples. So, are there more reservations tonight? Or is cooking at home and date night at the couch more practical due to inflation? Are businesses happier with the Valentine’s bump, or it’s so inconsequential that it’s just business as usual?
On the aspect of digital love, we have to note that the Gen Z (those born from 1997-2012) are now the “trendsetters” — the segment that advertisers target as they are the future consumers and decision-makers. At the end of the spectrum of Gen Z are the early teeners who have lived their lives with a smartphone, tablet, or laptop beside them 24/7. They are starting to feel and discover what “love” is with their first crushes, celebrity idols, and, with the resumption of face-to-face classes, they see their classmates in a new “light.”
How the Gen Z will express love will be so much different from Millennials. The Gen Z will have all the online tools at their disposal; but will these help? Or impose unwanted expectations? Being gregarious online doesn’t automatically translate to someone being sociable in a physical setting.
The young ones are blessed in a way that in these tech-driven times: Searching for a partner is easier with apps that let you swipe left or right until you meet someone physically attractive. Meeting that person is less awkward with a tweet or a DM. For romantic dates, apps are helpful as you can read a restaurant’s review before making a reservation. You would even know if there’s a parking space, if it’s pet-friendly, or if there are vegetarian options. If you want to send a “thank you” gift after a date, you have a host of online sellers to choose from. The world, so to speak, is at your fingertips.
Don’t know what to say or how to express love? Then there’s AI to help you compose a message. It can define it for you, as what it has generated here: “Love is a complex and multi-faceted emotion that has the power to shape our lives and influence the world around us. It is a feeling that transcends boundaries, cultures, and backgrounds, and can take many different forms.” Not bad for an AI language model who “doesn’t have personal beliefs or emotions.”
"CUPID" IS ABOUT LOVE: EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS
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Not all earthquakes are acts of God. Some are triggered by man's abuse
of nature and environment, and of his gift of liberty and free will.
What better way for the world to think about love this month of
February than to think of multiple thousands of victims of the 7.8
magnitude earthquake that has just hit Turkey and Syria and ruminate
over their great losses, griefs and agonies at this moment. What if it
happened to us, in our country?
May we all be moved in compassion to pray intense prayers and plead
Heaven that those who still breathe under the rubbles of buildings,
houses and structures that crumbled down would be rescued alive
(miraculously), and that those whose loved ones were among the many
thousands of fatalities would be comforted and find strength in the
midst of the tragedy. Thousands more dead bodies are believed still
trapped and yet to be taken out from the equally numerous buildings
that collapsed.
Dozens of countries had their respective rescue teams immediately
flown to help in the search and retrieval operations and to alleviate
the plight of the injured and badly affected by the beastly temblor.
Such is love in action and such, as the song says, is "what makes the
world go round." Colossians 3:12-14
No person or nation is too poor to be unable to help others in times
of great need. It is refreshing that our government sent help to
Turkey without second thoughts and later (a day after) decided to do
the same for Syria as both nations were jolted by the massive temblor,
notwithstanding our own nation being battered and bombarded left and
right by problems/issues like never before - from onion, inflation,
corruption to China invasion. Proverbs 11:25.
Do we often/usually do this as a nation? Nope. What is common is our
country being a recipient of kindness/charity/generosity and various
types of help and assistance from other governments when natural
calamities and catastrophes hit our land.
President Bongbong Marcos was prompt in his decision/offer to help
(beyond reciprocal) as he appeared genuine, having a heart for the
victims of the massive earthquake that resulted in several thousands
of confirmed deaths, and the figure climbs each day which may top up
to over 40,000 fatalities in the days to come.
BBM is showing some signs that he's different from most of his
predecessors in this aspect and in some other areas that he can be
lauded, notably his seemingly openness/receptiveness to criticisms
and/or public outcry, vis-a-vis his policies, programs and actions.
"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth
unto counsel is wise." - Proverbs 12:15
Having the victims of the earthquake in our hearts (and those of wars
and government atrocities) could make this year's Valentine's Day the
most meaningful and most joyous - for, after all, mythology's Cupid is
an ancient Roman god of love. And the one and only true God of the
Bible is a God of love (undefiled and unselfish). The occasion is
about love, not pleasure,.
"But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love." - 1 John 4:8
DOH: Celebrate Valentine’s Day safely, inexpensively
Vendors selling heart-shaped balloons wait for customers on Valentine's Day at a flower market in Manila
Mayen Jaymalin - The Philippine Star
MANILA, Philippines — Amid rising inflation, the Department of Health (DOH) advised Filipinos to celebrate Valentine’s Day safely and inexpensively.
According to the DOH, lovers as well as families can still observe Valentine’s Day without spending too much money.
The DOH said couples can go on a date in a park.
“Aside from being free, going to green spaces helps your mental health,” the DOH posted in Filipino on social media.
The agency stressed that a healthy mind is key to a healthy relationship.
Couples, DOH said, can also spend quality time together watching movies at home, and learn new skills together like cooking healthy food or new sports so they could both stay fit and healthy.
To stay protected against COVID-19, the DOH also encouraged couples to go to vaccination sites and get their booster shots together.
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