Be prepared for thin power supply this summer

Published March 3, 2023, 12:05 AM

by Manila Bulletin

A couple of days ago, power transmission operator National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) warned of thin power supply during the coming summer months.

It cited the forecast of the Department of Energy (DOE) that total peak demand this year will hover over 13,125 megawatts (MW) for Luzon — an 8.35 percent increase from the peak load of 12,113MW logged on May 12, 2022.

“Thin operating margins (power in excess of demand) from where ancillary services (power used to manage and balance the grid) are taken, are forecast for this year,” NGCP said.

For the Luzon grid, the NGCP said “these are forecast from April to June due to the historically high demand during the summer months” — the period when households as well as commercial and industrial establishments will use their air-conditioning or cooling systems for longer durations.

With the projected power outlook for the coming summer months, the power sector — the government energy agencies and the power generating and distribution firms — should sit down and come up with contingency measures so it could be set in motion in the event of an outage.

Power generators and distributors should also heed the grid operator’s call to rationalize maintenance schedules, which are mandated under the Grid Operating and Maintenance Program (GOMP), to ensure steady power supply. The DOE approved the 2023 GOMP in December last year.

Likewise, “unplanned shutdowns,” which are outside the ambit of the GOMP, should also be taken into consideration.

Despite the warning, there is no reason to press the alarm button right now.

As the NGCP said, “while base case projections show no occurrence of yellow or red alerts, there are weeks between March and April where operating margins are below required levels due to higher demand and planned outages of plants.”

Earlier DOE projection also showed no “red alert” or extreme thinning of power reserves although it plotted possible 12 yellow alerts, precipitated by insufficiency of system reserves, to occur between March and November this year. A yellow alert is issued when operating margin or the power in excess of demand is insufficient to meet the transmission grid’s regulating and contingency requirement. A red alert, on the other hand, is issued when power supplies are insufficient to meet consumer demand and the regulating requirement of the transmission grid.

Whether the projection becomes a reality or not, it’s better to be prepared rather than be caught flat-footed. It is necessary that consumers practice electricity conservation at all times, including unplugging appliances not being used.

Let’s learn from past experiences.

Who laughs last laughs longest

If I only knew how! A friend of mine contacted me yesterday. Another said, "This is hardly the time to do so." Understandable, if I consider his very personal situation. Anyway, it seems we have no more time and no reason for laughter. That can wait until tomorrow or better until the day after tomorrow. Anticipation is better... .

Ask yourself: Are you still in a laughing mood? Maybe you are just ready to give a forced and embarrassed laugh. Sure, if we look around the whole globe, we must indeed ask the question: What's so funny about it? Refugee problems - mostly in Europe nowadays? War and killings all over the world? 

Roar with laughter? Our enemies laugh up their sleeves, and most of the time we miss to recognize the fortune still smiling at us. But hold on: he who laughs last laughs longest. Remember?

American neurologist Henri Rubenstein says, laughter lowers high blood pressure while aiding digestion and fostering sleep. Well, give me even a simple smile and believe in what  experts say: "Good humor can help the gravely or terminally ill to hear their ordeal".

Of course, if we look around us these days, we might really not roar with laughter or split our sides laughing. Or even more than this! Have you heard about the incident at the Danish Imperial Theatre in Copenhagen/Denmark sometime during the 1980s, when a spectator died of a heart attack while watching the movie "A Fish Called Wanda" starring John Cheese of my favorite Great Britain's Monty Python Comedy Team? Sure, a heart attack is indeed not funny, and honestly, I still love to watch this movie on VHS.

Well, even if we think we don't have reasons to laugh,we should try to express mirth spontaneously, and we should try to be merry or gay. We still have reasons to start with the softest form of audible laughter - the vocalized smile. This is what I learned and experienced from the first moment on while travelling in Asia since 1978, and being an expat living in the Philippines since 1999 for good. Keep smiling - even you are overloaded with huge problems.

Experts also say good humor works because it helps people feel easier in mind. The French psychotherapist Sylvie Tenenbaum stressed that, in her patients, laughter often signals the dawning of a wholesome awakening to reality. Gallow humor might be dubious in the eyes of others. But try to sing out loud, try to cry, but try to laugh!

As a devout Christian I love reading the bible. Ecclessiastes 3:1-4 say: "There is a time for everything ... a time to be born and a time to die ,,, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh!"

Davao chamber upbeat on regional growth

THE Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCCI) shared a positive growth outlook of their region and survived inflation only through strengthening agricultural productivity.

During the roundtable interview with The Manila Times Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dante Francis "Klink" Ang 2nd on Wednesday, DCCCI President John Tria said that their region performed better despite high inflation due to rich agricultural productivity that sustained them.

"Mindanao economy, as a whole, performed better than the national economy, both during the pandemic and immediately after," said Tria.

"During the pandemic, the... contraction... is only 7.5 percent compared to the country at 9.5 [percent] in 2020. Then in the year after, we grew at 6.1 percent, which is higher than the nation's 5.7 [percent]," he added.

Regarding energy, the country is considered to be a consumer-based nation. Therefore, what really needs to be considered is that energy is not cheap, and needs further expansion and investment, which will harbor competition for a cheaper cost.

"I think the long term is really to electrify our... or commit or source it from renewable resources, electrify our homes and our mobility," Tria stressed.

Investment

Tria said that in Mindanao, there is an increase of investments in which he said, "Maybe many countries like India see Mindanao as a good market."

According to him, it is probably because Mindanao is the source of many raw materials such as food, which amounts to a total of 40 percent of the country's source. In addition, it is also rich in mineral resources.

Furthermore, Tria underscored the region's advantages for future possible investments based on geographic advantage.

"In terms of Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), we are actually a port city that is very close... compared to other countries... we are very close to Shanghai, Yokohama, and of course, the continental United States," he explained.

Bb. Pilipinas 2023 candidates tour revamped Art in Island museum

by Manila Bulletin Entertainment

The gorgeous candidates of Binibining Pilipinas 2023 visited on Feb. 27 the equally-beautiful Art In Island: The Media Square, which recently reopened to the public after undergoing renovation.

The girls took a break from the usual pageant events to immerse in the breathtaking state-of-the-art attractions in the largest mixed media museum in the Philippines.

Upon entering the museum, the candidates were welcomed by the sight of a beguiling virtual waterfall and a floor-to-ceiling display of breathtaking light scenery. The ladies were in awe of the projected images that overlay highly detailed hand paintings of the natural topography, which range from under the seascape to the wonders of the jungle. 

The Binibinis also enjoyed the array of interactive wall paintings, where they took fun and playful photos for their social media feeds.

“The competition is long and challenging, so we give the Binibinis some time to have fun and loosen up through this experience. This break is also an opportunity for them to bond more with their Binibini sisters,” BPCI Head Gines Enriquez said.

The revamped The Art In Island: The Media Square, located along 15th Avenue in Quezon City, reopened in December 2022. Its latest offerings were made in collaboration with renowned artists and digital experts from South Korea.

Stars and models grace skin clinic opening

Published March 3, 2023, 7:34 AM

by Annalyn S. Jusay

Gabrielle Lantzer, Polo Ravales and Jamilla Obispo

Actor Polo Ravales, Viva talent Jamilla Obispo, beauty queen Gabrielle Lantzer, Russian model Ilia Nikeshin and Miss Supermodel Philippines 2023 candidates were some of the personalities who graced the opening of Aurea Aesthetics and Wellness in Mandaluyong City, beside SM Cherry Shaw.

Owner Gwen Tamayo said the Mandaluyong clinic is their second branch. The first one is located in Makati City while they are also scheduled to expand soon to Pampanga, Tarlac and Las Piñas City.

Gwen’s other business partners in the venture are Katrina Aurea Vibandor, Allan Aparis, Troy Dy, and Yangky Tamayo. 

 Aurea Aesthetics owners Allan Aparis (left) and Gwen Tamayo (right) with Gabrielle Lantzer

She added that Polo will be a partner in the Las Piñas branch which is set to open in the first half of 2023. They have known each other since first year high school.

“Originally, I wanted to open a barbershop. But then, Gwen also has this skin clinic so we decided to merge the two business concepts into one.A barbershop inside a skin clinic is pretty unique,” said Polo who is based in the South with his fiancee, Paulyn Quiza.

The owners of Aurea also happen to be partners in another business called Arcka Ventures which supplies all kinds of machines to aesthetic clinics. Mr. Aparis said the beauty services in Aurea will definitely be cheaper than other clinics because they are the source of the equipment and they are targeting people with a lower budget.

Aurea Aesthetics big boss Gwen Tamayo with Miss Supermodel Philippines 2023 contestants

Aurea Aesthetics and Wellness is envisioned to be a one-stop shop for all pampering procedures, including mani/pedi, massage, gluta drip and eyelash extensions which can be requested for home service.

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For anti-aging and beauty maintenance, Aurea offers diode laser hair removal, pico laser treatment, high-intensity focused ultrasound or HIFU, Oxygeneo, and Exilis fat reduction, to name a few.

 A client tries a laser treatment in Aurea Aesthetics and Wellness

They also also have a sauna and Moroccan bath in the Mandaluyong branch, which is beside the company-owned Kat Yoko Japanese Fusion restaurant.

Soon, Aurea will unveil their operating room for major procedures such as rhinoplasty and liposuction.The center’s accredited doctors are Manny Calayan, Joan Ocampo and Hazel Calixto.