May 9 declared as special non-working holiday

A volunteer feeds a sample ballot to the vote-counting machine or VCM during a trial run for the May 9, 2022 elections at San Nicolas in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya on Tuesday, April 12, 2022.

The STAR / Victor Martin

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte declared May 9, election day, as a special non-working holiday for the conduct of the national and local elections, Malacañang announced Tuesday.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea signed Proclamation 1357, which stated the need to declare May 9 as a special non-working holiday “to enable the people to properly exercise their right to vote, subject to the public health measures of the national government.”

The Commission on Elections earlier asked Duterte to declare May 9 as a special non-working holiday to ensure full participation in this year’s high stakes polls.

There are around 65.7 million locally registered voters and 1.69 million overseas voters.

Pre-election surveys show Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., the son and namesake of a former dictator, is on track to win the elections. — with report from News5/Maricel Halili 

Alert Level 1 maintained in most parts of PH

MANILA. A man, wearing a mask to protect against the coronavirus, carries rugs in Quezon City, Philippines as restrictions continue to ease due to a decline in Covid-19 cases in the country on December 3, 2021. (AP)

By THIRD ANNE PERALTA-MALONZO, SunStar

April 29, 2022

AMID discussions on the possible resurgence of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) after the May 9, 2022 elections, the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) has maintained the Alert Level 1, the lowest quarantine classification so far in the country, in most of the regions, including Metro Manila.

From May 1 to 15, 2022, the following areas will be under Alert Level 1:

Luzon

* Cordillera Administrative Region: Abra, Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, and Baguio City

* Region 1 (Ilocos): Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, and Dagupan City

* Region 2 (Cagayan Valley): Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, and City of Santiago

* Region 3 (Central Luzon): Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Angeles City, and Olongapo City

* Region 4-A (Calabarzon): Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, and Lucena City

* Region 4-B (Mimaropa): Marinduque, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, and Puerto Princesa City

* Region 5 (Bicol): Albay, Catanduanes, and Naga City

Visayas

* Region 6 (Western Visayas): Aklan, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo Province, Bacolod City, and Iloilo City

* Region 7 (Central Visayas): Siquijor, Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, and Mandaue City

* Region 8 (Eastern Visayas): Biliran, Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte, Ormoc City, and Tacloban City

Mindanao

* Region 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula): Zamboanga City

Philippines' Kathleen Paton crowned Miss Eco International 2022

 

Jan Milo Severo - Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines' bet Kathleen Paton won the 2022 Miss Eco International crown held in Triumph Luxury Hotel in Egypt earlier today. 

During the first question and answer round, Kathleen talked about water pollution. 

Kathleen Paton shows Philippine flag backwards in departure for Miss Eco International 2022

"Water pollution is a huge issue in the Philippines. A lot of Filipinos actually don't have access to clean drinking water. And I believe it is a right for every single human being, especially to my [fellow] Filipinos, to have access to clean water," she said. 

"Therefore I aim to work with a company called 100 for All to give free access to water by giving out water filtration systems not just to one family, but to the whole community," she added. 

In the final round, Kathleen was asked: “As a titleholder, you're a public figure. Do you think it's important to stay neutral on controversial social issues or to use your title to promote your own belief, and why?”

"It is a very tough question in all honesty because we are at the forefront of opinions and negativity every single day, especially on social media. I do believe as a leader and as someone who is very influential in society, we sometimes have to use our voice in a very neutral state of mind because we have a very influential position. But in doing so, we also need to use our voice in order to motivate other people to stand up for what is right, and I think that takes a lot of good moral compass," she answered. 

Kathleen is the second Miss Eco International winner from the Philippines after Cynthia Thomalla won the crown in 2018.

Mauree Montagne and Kelly Day won first runner-up in 2009 and 2021, respectively.

Mein jetziges Leben auf den Philippinen - my present life in the Philippines

 

Es ist einfach erklärt: als Rentner mit der Familie ist es wunderbar. Wir sind bereits seit 24 Jahren hier und  haben viele arbeitsreiche Jahre auf den Philippinen hinter uns. Ich arbeite gelegentlich immer noch etwas: wer rastet der rostet. Aber, wir leben in Frieden.

It's easy to explain: as pensioner with my family, it's wonderful. We have been here for 24 years now and got many busy years in the Philippines behind us. We still work occasionally. The one who rests rusts!!! And we live in peace!