4 'IBONG ADARNA' SPOTTED ON MOUNT APO

 

LOOK: The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 12 shared photos of 4 different birds identified as Philippine Trogon, a bird species associated with the mythical “Ibong Adarna,” which were recently documented on Mt. Apo Natural Park (MANP).

The birds were sighted perching on tree branches during a recent Biodiversity Monitoring System (BMS) activity conducted on April 22–27, 2024.

"Despite its classification as a species of Least Concern under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Philippine Trogon holds immense cultural and ecological significance within the Mt. Apo Natural Park (MANP) and throughout the region," DENR XII said.

"The presence of the Philippine Trogon serves as an indicator of overall ecosystem health. Its sensitivity to habitat disturbances and environmental changes makes it a valuable bioindicator species," DENR XII added.

📸MANP Cotabato via Facebook/DENR Soccsksargen

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PCCI launches livelihood project for women

BY BERNIE CAHILES-MAGKILAT

May 5, 2024 08:27 AM

  

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Recognizing the need for equal opportunity for all in the workplace, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) launched a livelihood project dubbed as "Karunungang Pangkabuhayan Pangkababaihan" to reintegrate women into the workplace and provide them with the opportunity to earn decent incomes for their families through a capacity building program. 

LIVELIHOOD PROJECT FOR WOMEN -- Shown in photo (L-R) are  Dr. Erjan Malimban, Alay Buhay Foundation; Delia Jimenez, Co-Chair, Corporate Social Responsibility Committee (CSR); Soc Bautista, Chair, Membership Committee; Atty. Amalia Cayanan,  Area Vice President for PCCI - North Luzon; Joel Tugade, Chair, SDG and PR Committees; Sergio Ortiz-Luis, Honorary Chairman/Treasurer; Jude Aguilar, Vice President, International Affairs and Chairman, 50th Philippine Business Conference & Expo;  Alegria Limjoco, Vice President for Regional Affairs and Director, SDG; Arturo Guerrero, Director, Labor Committee; Singapore Ambassador Constance See; Ambassador of The Netherlands Marielle Geraedts; Australian Ambassador Hae Kyong Yu PSM;  Colombian Ambassador Marcela Ordonez; Ambassador of the French Republic Marie Fontanel; Malaysian Ambassador Dato Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino; Dr. Hernan Delizo, Area Vice President PCCI - NCR and Mr. Celestino Reyes, President and CEO, Reyes Hair Company International Inc.   

Launched on April 26, over 150 women from four Gawad Kalinga communities were chosen as the first beneficiaries of said project, which not only extended training on the basics of haircutting and styling but employment opportunities for successful trainees as well as health intervention through free tuberculosis screening for seniors aged 50 and up. 

PCCI Enunina V. Mangio said that this project will be rolled out nationwide through the PCCI regional chapters, in collaboration with the local government units. 

“We hope to teach and educate more women with new skills and hopefully, reintegrate them into the workforce,” she said, adding that gender inequality used to be a thing of the past. “Women are treated secondary to men for a position with the same qualifications as men and women. Mostly, men are preferred, but not anymore,” she added.  Mangio hopes that the project could generate support so that more women can benefit and be provided with the skills needed to earn for their families. 

In the latest Labor Force Survey, the percentage of employed women this year slightly went down at 45.53 percent compared to 45.8 percent of the same period last year.  

The project, an undertaking of the Office of the PCCI President together with the Committees on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), was attended by ambassadors from Colombia, Australia, Singapore, France, the Netherlands, and Malaysia, in partnership with Gawad Kalinga and Alay Buhay Foundation, and supported by Jollibee Foods Corporation, EMS Group, Reyes Haircutters, Francorp Philippines, and Coolaire Consolidated Inc.   

The event included the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the PCCI and the Children’s First 1,000 Days Coalition led by Manila Hotel President Atty. Jose Lina Jr. he MOU seeks to undertake a community-driven approach to address the issue of malnutrition and stunting in the country.   The event, the first undertaking of this kind which provides capacity building, employment opportunities and introduces health interventions to the needy, addressed the following SDGs: 1 No Poverty, 2 Zero Hunger, 3 Good Health and Well Being, 5 Gender Equality, 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth, 10 Reduced Inequalities and 17 Partnership for the Goals.(Bernie Cahiles-Magkilat) 

Alisah Bonaobra gets PMPC's Star Award nod for inspirational song

BY MANILA BULLETIN ENTERTAINMENT

May 5, 2024 08:46 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Now residing on the US West Coast, Alisah has been visible in the Fil-Am community events, performing in intimate shows and sold-out concerts, some of them being promoted by RJA.

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Alisah Bonaobra

US-based Filipina singer Alisah Bonaobra won a trophy at the prestigious Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) Star Awards for Music, with her single "Do You Have A Miracle For Me" named the Inspirational Song of the Year.

The track, released in late 2021, was penned by A-list songwriter Cecile Azarcon-Inocentes and produced by the San Francisco Bay Area-based RJA Productions.

"I'm so honored for this recognition, considering the reputation of PMPC as an award-giving body. Sobrang laking blessing nito para po sa akin," expressed Alisah, who moved to northern California in 2022 to continue her singing career.

The said song is a moving ballad reminiscent of classic inspirational pop songs that have gone beyond being just a traditionally preachy piece to something of an earworm with a universal touch. Thanks to Alisah's impassioned vocal delivery that does not overpower the calming message of the song and is guided by the able hand of vocal coach Arnie Mendaros.

Of course, credit is due to the magic touch of a songmaker who wrote Original Pilipino Music (OPM) classics bannered by one of the greatest inspirational tunes ever: "Lift Up Your Hands" (Basil Valdez). 

"Do You Have A Miracle For Me" is more than just a creation from a seasoned talent in Azarcon-Inocentes whose major hits include Kuh Ledesma's "I Think I'm In Love," Gary Valenciano's "Reaching Out," Chiqui Pineda's "How Did You Know," and Martin Nievera's "Ikaw Ang Lahat Sa Akin" which Alisah revived herself. It is also a record arranged by household name Homer Flores and mixed and mastered by studio specialist Dante Tanedo.

The spiritually vocal Alisah noted, "We're thankful for Ms.Cecile for trusting us with her songs. This award from PMPC is a big boost to my profile. Ibang klase po talaga magbigay ng blessing si God." During the height of the Covid pandemic, the Voice of the Philippines Season 2 runner-up and X Factor UK scene-stealing finalist first recorded a song penned by the songwriting icon, called "Faithful."

Alisah's recording career took a turn for the better after she was found by Rosabella Jao-Arribas, a Filipino-born advertising professional-turned-talent manager who put up RJA Productions and managed her, along with other talented but underrated Filipino singers. The partnership has resulted in a steady release of her singles since "Ginto Ang Sandali" back in April 2020.

Now residing on the US West Coast, Alisah has been visible in the Fil-Am community events, performing in intimate shows and sold-out concerts, some of them being promoted by RJA. 

She is scheduled to do a major concert this coming July 20 with RJA's "Emerge," to be staged at the Empress Theatre in (330 Virginia Street) Vallejo, California. 

The show will feature as special guests the Philippines' King of R&B, Jay R, and balladeer Bryan Termulo, among other rising stars in the music scene.

"Since I arrived in the US, I've been doing a lot of shows, and I always feel excited when I see people appreciate my presence," she said. 

On the side, one of the Philippines' remarkable singing contest stars volunteers in an animal shelter, as she loves dogs and cats. She is likewise a Catholic church choir member.

Alisah recently started living independently as she navigates to being a Pinay celebrity singer in America. She reflected, "I feel blessed to have a roof on my head while adjusting to life away from the Philippines. You have to be strong, especially when the only choice is to be strong. You need to live in the present."

  It's no wonder Alisah is a perfect fit for singing inspirational songs. Her life is an inspiring story in itself, having been raised through humble means and going through the singing competition circuit in the most difficult of situations. 

In the song cited by the PMPC Star Awards, she asked if there was a miracle for her. Her continuing story of triumph through the power of her singing voice and innate charm appears like a heavenly miracle, showing for and urging audiences to hold on to and savor.

Cayetanos extend further aid aid to 500 Hagonoy flood victims

Despite its remoteness, the offices of Senators Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano returned to the Municipality of Hagonoy this week to provide vital calamity assistance to an additional 500 flood victims.

As a coastal community, Hagonoy experienced a number of catastrophic floods in 2023, rendering at least 20 of its barangays inundated and hundreds of families displaced and in dire need of support.

Recognizing the urgency to provide rehabilitation (pang-ahon) packages to displaced Bulakenyos, the sibling senators have mobilized their resources to ensure that aid reaches those most affected by the disaster.

The aid came in two batches: on April 23, 2024, the Cayetanos’ team visited Hagonoy to provide aid to more than a thousand flood victims.

The second round of distribution occurred a week later, on April 29, to benefit 500 more beneficiaries. 

 

Additionally, the Cayetanos’ medical team were on the ground to offer medical assistance to ensure that every affected individual receives the health services they require.

Estelle Ople-Osorio, one of the coordinators of the calamity assistance drive, thanked the senators for thinking about their situation despite the remoteness of the area.

“Gusto ko lang po pasalamatan sina Senator Alan Peter at Pia Cayetano dahil hindi nila nakakalimutan ang bayan ng Hagonoy. Hindi po pansinin ang aming lugar, medyo malayo kami sa kabihasnan pero never silang humindi sa paghingi namin ng tulong,” Ople-Osorio said of the senators during the April 30 drive held at Hagonoy’s Sangguniang Bayan Municipal Covered Court.

“Ramdam po namin ang pagmamahal ninyong dalawa. Thank you po sa sincere ninyong serbisyo sa aming lugar at sa aming pamilya dito sa lahat ng Bulakenyo. More power sa inyong tunay na serbisyo at pagmamahal sa mamamayang Pilipino!” she added. 

The assistance drive was done in coordination with Hagonoy Mayor Flordeliza Manlapaz, Vice Mayor Maria Rosario Sy-Alvarado, and Councilor Baby Ople, in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) under its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.

AICS provides essential assistance to people affected by crises like floods, earthquakes, and those affected by El Niño to aid their recovery.

170 more receive livelihood aid

The next day, on April 30, the senators’ team also visited the Municipality of Norzagaray to provide livelihood aid to 170 Bulakenyos from the women’s groups,  senior citizens, and barangay health workers.

This was done in partnership with Norzagaray Vice Mayor Baldo Gener, Board Member Art Legazpi, Board Member Jay De Guzman, and Councilor Maricar Pelayo.

Senators Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano remain committed to supporting communities affected by natural disasters and will continue to monitor the situation in calamity-stricken areas to provide assistance as needed.