As COVID-19 infections decline, de-escalation of alert levels and easing of restrictions imperative

Manila Bulletin EDITORIAL

After nearly a month of severe restrictions, there is ample basis for a more hopeful scenario that would enable the government’s anti-pandemic task force to consider easing health and safety protocols to “pre-Omicron” levels.

Based on internationally-developed COVID Act Now indicators used by OCTA Research Group, Metro Manila — the epicenter of the “severe outbreak” since the start of the year — is now classified at “moderate risk” from a “high risk” due to the steady decline of COVID infections in the capital region.

An even more optimistic scenario is a further de-escalation to Alert Level 2 sometime in early February, if the rapidly declining benchmark indicators would justify this.

Presidential Adviser on Entrepreneurship Jose ‘Joey’ Concepcion III has spearheaded the private sector’s thinking-through process. This would enable business and industry — as well as the citizenry in general — to make the necessary adjustments for resuming a more energetic pace that would be helpful to the country’s recovery on three fronts: health, the economy, and in learning and education.

Enforcement of a three-day quarantine for the fully vaccinated, which was approved and implemented prior to Omicron has been proposed. Home quarantine for fully vaccinated individuals has also been suggested in lieu of the facility-based quarantine.

Granting more mobility and exemption from mandatory testing for on-site workers should further incentivize vaccinations. In contrast, the unvaccinated will still have to undergo the more stringent quarantine and testing protocols. In particular, there is a “No vax, no ride” policy being enforced in public transportation that restricts the movement of unvaccinated individuals. Unvaccinated workers who have been exempted from the strict enforcement of this policy have been given only until Feb. 25 to get them vaccinated.

Fr. Nicanor Austriaco of OCTA Rsearch, who is also a doctor in molecular biology has expressed the view that the Philippines should follow Thailand’s “test-and-go” system where arriving passengers only need to spend one night in a hotel while they await their COVID-19 test results. He said that by the end of February, the National Capital Region (NCR) and the rest of the country will have moved past the Omicron wave, paving the way for the government to re-examine its travel and mobility protocols.

On the educational front, the easing of restrictions would enable more students to have increased opportunities for face-to-face classes. Prolonged school shutdowns aggravate serious deficits in the development of young learners’ basic skills and aptitudes.

Observing the sluggish pace of economic recovery in 2021 due to the on-and-off quarantine restrictions, Concepcion said: “The Philippines’ economic health is now a serious issue. Whatever we decide now will impact the country’s economy for years to come.”

How would you describe the life in the early Filipino settlements in terms of food?

Josh

World History and Economics Professor | M.A

Pigs, Chicken, Goat, Bananas, Coconut, big fish

According to Antonio Pigafetta, who was Ferdinand Magellan's secretary and accountant, who also wrote a book about the business expedition, the indios would consistently sell pigs, chickens, goat, bananas, coconut and at times big fish to the Europeans. Do note that the indios were described by Pigafetta as skilled merchants and good bargainers. This means that the indios would have known better to sell the visiting ships for fish, something the sailors would have been eating during the voyage. The Indios were assertive in selling pigs, chicken, banas, coconuts. The method of cookery continues to be studied by scholars but one dish Pigafetta mentioned was “Pork in it's gravy".

The early Filipino settlements would have used the same produce. The indios would have kept eating the same food while Spanish settlers would have brought with them methods of cookery from Europe BUT using what is locally available -pigs, chicken, goat, banana, coconut. As such, the Pochero might have been invented by the settlers as it used Spanish cooking methods of garlic and onions but with bananas that do not exist in Spain. Or it could have been a dish from the Americas as they have bananas plus Pochero is made with tomatoes, which only exist in the Americas. Many dishes developed from Spanish ideas, such as the Longanisa developing from Chorizo, Kinilaw from Ceviche, Bulalo from Osso Bucco, Sinigang from Basque Fisherman's Soup, etc.

Trade between Mexico and Philippines would have been established so tomatoes, potatoes, corn and many Mexixan produce would have been introduced.

Note that culinary did not exist prior to 1900s when Auguste Escoffier formalised cookery. Although Culinarians trace the origin of cookery to 1400s to the Medici Queen who brought her cooks to France, dishes did not develop yet to fine dining. In the prehispánic society, Pigafetta did not observe that the indios named their dishes. By 1800s however, dishes in the Philippines had names.

Without refrigeration, animals would have been kept as long as possible before eating. In prehispánic days, Pigafetta noted that the households had pigs but did not seem to touch them, Pigafetta theorised that they were taxes for the Rajah because the palace had nightly banquets of pork. Chicken grew fast and in abundance so the households would have eaten chicken more often than pig. Pigafetta also noted that every household had a vegetable garden. My theory is that the song “Bahay Kubo" is prehispanic in origin or perhaps written in early Filipino settlement days due to the heavy use of banjos or guitar.

For sure, prehispánic society to early Filipino settlements ate a lot of vegetables. Lack of refrigeration was a factor. The Adobo also exist in other Spanish colonies in Americas and in Spain maybe. However, they differ in ingredients based on what is locally available. In Mexico, their Adobo uses paprika and chili while in Philippines is soy sauce. Adobo in all colonies and Spain uses vinegar. As such, it is yet to be known if Adobo is a colonial introduction. Filipino Adobo has no cousin in other Southeast Asian countries. It is however similar in taste to Taiwanese braised beef. In most probability, Adobo is a method of preserving food and would have been a European introduction. The winters of Europe forced them to preserve meats for the winters such as smoked ham, air dried ham, sausage, and even anchovies. In the tropical Philippines, food was abundant all year round, thus food preservation unnecessary.

Eventually, Philippines imported Spanish wines, olives, chorizo, etc.

RT-PCR, antigen tests not needed In getting health card from CHO

 

By Maya Padillo, EDGE Davao -January 26, 2022 10:00 am

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio confirmed on Monday that a negative reverse transcription-polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) or a negative antigen test to get health cards from the City Health Office (CHO) are no longer required.

The mayor said the Davao City Covid-19 Task Force has agreed to lift the requirement for negative RT-PCR or antigen test that has been required by the city since September 2021 through Resolution No. 35-A of the Davao City Covid-19 Task Force to ensure the health safety of the workforce in every establishment.

The mayor said this after a netizen appealed to her during the Special Hours with Mayor Inday Sara Duterte on the Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Monday.

“It was agreed upon na tanggalon na ang testing dinha sa pagkuha og health card nato. Wala na ang RT-PCR test or antigen test na required kung magkuha ka og health card or magrenew ka og health card dinhi sa City Government of Davao, sa City Health Office,” the mayor said.

The mayor said such a requirement is no longer needed due to the limited capacity of the city to provide free tests. “Ang reason is because daghan sila kaayo and there are not enough tests na libre gikan sa City Government of Davao nga mo-cover sa tanang magkuha og health card. The purpose of this is surveillance so gi-shift nato kani na surveillance didto nalang mismo sa establishments depending on the capacity or the allotted test for the surveillance. Mao na ang reason. And the third reason is that it has been reported nga ginapasa sa mga employers diha sa ilang mga empleyado ang cost sa testing nila para makakuha sila og health card,” she said.

A health card is one of the requirements that job applicants must provide to the employers. Mayor Sara added that the responsibility of the surveillance should be shouldered by the employers because it is their interest that will be heavily affected if the number of cases will spread among the workforce.

“Employers should be responsible enough nga naa sila’y surveillance sa mga employees nila nga dunay symptoms. Because kung pasagdan nila ni muabot ang panahon nga tanan na magkasakit and it would really affect their business. So, it is very important, gina-highlight nato sa tanan nato nga businesses nga duna’y regular surveillance testing to avoid the situation nga wala na’y empleyado, na ma-lockdown mo because sa kadaghan sa cases,” Mayor Sara said.

 

134 higher education institutions declare academic break, 126 more 'to follow' — CHED

by Merlina Hernando-Malipot, Manila Bulletin

Amid the surge in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the country, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) said that at least 260 higher education institutions have declared and will declare academic break.

During President Duterte’s Talk to the People on Jan. 17, CHED Chairman Popoy De Vera said that a total of 134 universities and colleges have declared an academic break from Jan. 1 to 13.

Of this number, 16 HEIs are located in the National Capital Region (NCR) and 53 HIEs in Region IV-A. These regions have been placed under Alert Level 3 status due to the high number of COVID-19 infections.

De Vera said that a total of 126 HEIs have also expressed “intention to declare academic break” this January 2022.

Meanwhile, he noted that there were no HEIs in regions V, VIII, X, XII, and Mimaropa have declared academic break.

De Vera explained that the policy on declaring academic breaks “has always been a decision of individual HEIs.”

The decision whether or not an HEI will declare academic break should be based on health conditions on the grounds, the situation of their students and faculty, their academic calendar, learning continuity plans, and consultation with local government units (LGUs).

“It is their respective boards who discuss this,” De Vera added.

Davao de Oro welcomes 2022!

The Provincial Government of Davao de Oro welcomes the first official working day for the year 2022 thru a flag-raising ceremony and a holy mass at the Provincial Capitol Lobby on January 3, 2022.

Governor Uy in his message highlighted the achievements of the provincial government; a product of the bayanihan governance, which brought recognition in the province despite the challenges of pandemic.

The governor also cited that the provincial government will also extend help for the province of Bohol which was also affected by Typhoon Odette last year. It can be recalled that the province previously sent its ‘Walang Iwanan Team’ in Surigao City last December of 2021 to extend relief aids for the affected families by using its quick response fund amounting to 3 million pesos plus an additional in-kind donation from private donors.

The province will also heighten its vaccination roll-out, fixated on the goal of achieving herd immunity in the next month, getting ready for the threat of the new Covid-19 variant, the Omicron.

Further, an awarding ceremony was also held the same day giving recognition to 53 employees and 17 offices of the provincial government who passed the licensure examinations, graduating from master’s degree and other awards in the past year.

Among the highlighted awards are the End Hunger Program Team (National CSC Honor Awards Program Awardee), Oplan Liwanag Team (Regional CSC Honor Awards Program Awardee), E-Gov Technical Team (Regional CSC Honor Awards Program Awardee), and the Quality Management System Core Team.

A Mass and a convocation were also offered enjoined by Governor Tyron Uy, Senior Board Member Arturo Uy, Vice Governor Maricar Zamora, Congressman Manuel Zamora, Provincial Administrator Virgilia Allones, DILG Provincial Director Noel Duarte, CSC Davao de Oro Nelly Esperanza, and employees of the provincial government.

Thankful for all the achievements in the year 2021, Gov. Uy emboldens governance with humility, empathy, appreciation, respect, and trust for a better Davao de Oro. (JA, PAO-IPRD)

Philippines now at ‘high risk’ for Covid-19

(Photo: file)

 

By: LAUREEN MONDONEDO-YNOT, SunStar Manila

THE Philippines has now been classified as “high risk” for coronavirus disease (Covid-19), with the Department of Health (DOH) noting a positive two-week growth rate, an official said Monday, January 3, 2022.

In a media forum, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that as of January 2, 2022, epidemic curves showed that the average daily cases have declined since September, but the current average daily cases have increased significantly by 570 percent this week (December 20-January 2), which is seven times higher than in previous weeks.

She added that the major island groups in the country are also starting to show signs of increasing cases, while the National Capital Region (NCR), which has been placed under Alert Level 3 from January 3 to 15, 2022, showed a “sharp uptick” in cases in the recent weeks.

“There was a positive two-week growth rate at 222 percent and moderate risk average daily attack rate of 1.07 cases for every 100,000 individuals in the recent weeks,” she said.

Vergeire added that cases in the recent one-week also showed a positive increase.

She said, though, that the national health systems capacity remained at low risk, with total bed utilization at 18 percent and intensive care unit (ICU) utilization at 22 percent.

In the NCR, she said while the one-week and two-week growth rate are considered “high risk,” the health system capacity remains to be under 50 percent utilization.

Aside from NCR, five other regions -- Calabarzon, Central Luzon, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao and Davao Region -- also showed a positive one-week and two-week growth rates.

“These regions are low to moderate risk case classification. The rest of the regions show positive increase in cases only in the recent one week,” said Vergeire.

She added that the healthcare utilization rate in all regions remain to be at low risk.

“As of January 1, the national healthcare utilization remains to be at low risk at 18 percent. This is two percent higher than the reported utilization rate last December 25 or one week prior, which was at 16 percent,” Vergeire said.

As to the number of individuals testing positive for the virus, Vergeire said an increase in cases, as well as in positivity rate was seen across all regions.

The largest increase was for NCR, where numbers jumped from 932 to 13,756 for the recent week, she said.

Calabarzon, meanwhile, had 2,792 individuals testing positive from just 290 in the previous week.

Hospital admissions also increased by nine percent, while allocated beds decreased by two percent or 883 beds.

In NCR, while total bed utilization remains to be at low risk at 24 percent, admissions are seen to be increasing in the recent week

“Over the course of one week, the NCR saw a 49 percent increase in admissions accompanied by a one percent or 86 bed increase in allocated beds,” Vergeire said.

The DOH continued to remind the public to observe the minimum public health standards to prevent the increase in the number of Covid-19 cases.

What good vision and blindness really are

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

          THAT gospel episode where two blind men approached Christ

asking for a cure of their condition (cfr. Mt 9,27-31) somehow reminds

us of what really is to have a good vision and what true blindness is.

I believe that our common understanding of these two realities in our

life does not go far enough to enter into the question of what they

really are.

          We usually say that we can consider ourselves as having good

vision when we can see things clearly, as in having what some eye

specialists term as 20/20 visual acuity. And blindness is understood

as when we do not see things at all or clearly enough. Obviously,

these are correct descriptions. But they are not enough.

          Let us remember that all our human powers and faculties—our

intelligence, will, all our senses, emotions, memory, imagination,

etc.—are given to us by our Creator so that we can be what he wants us

to be—his image and likeness, sharers of his divine life. They are all

meant for us to be able to be with God, since our life is not meant

only to be a natural life, but is also meant to be a supernatural life

with God.

          In other words, the proper object of all our faculties and

powers, including our sense of sight, is God himself. If we only use

them to engage ourselves with earthly and temporal things but failing

to relate ourselves to God, then we would actually be misusing them.

That is when, in the case of our sense of sight, we can be regarded as

blind, even if we can see things clearly. Unless we see God through

our sense of sight, we can consider ourselves as somehow blind.

          Obviously, our sense of sight would need a higher faculty to

put it in its proper condition. That is where our intelligence and

will have to do their part in connecting themselves with God’s gift of

faith so they can train our senses, including our eyes, to discern the

presence of God whom they have to see, hear, taste, etc. Our senses

just cannot be on their own. They need to be guided by our

intelligence and will that in turn should be enlightened by faith.

          When one has faith, even if it is just little, we can

actually see the marvels of God taking place all around us everyday.

Our eyes can see God everywhere. It is faith that lets us enter into

the spiritual and supernatural world. It brings us to share in God’s

wisdom and power. Remember those stirring words of Christ: “If you

have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain,

Remove from there, and it shall remove, and nothing shall be

impossible to you.” ((Mt 17,20)

          It is faith that tells us that God is present everywhere,

and more than that, he is actually and abidingly intervening in our

lives, since he is still creating and redeeming us through the

ordinary events and circumstances of our life. In other words, God

speaks and shows his will to us through the all the things that

comprise our day. It’s when we fail to realize this truth that we

truly become blind.

          This is a truth of faith that we should be constantly aware

of, so we can do our part in corresponding to God’s actions on us. We

need to train all our faculties and powers, including our senses,

especially our eyes, to capture that basic reality of our life.

* Chaplain Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE), Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

Always ready to meet Christ

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

          “BE like servants who await their master’s return from a

wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.” (Lk

12,36)

          With these words, it is quite clear that we need to be

always ready for our meeting with our Creator who can actually call us

anytime. We came from him and we are supposed to go back to him who

wants us to be his image and likeness and sharers of his divine life.

          We should never be distracted, much less, forget the real

and ultimate purpose of our life. We are here on earth still being

created and redeemed by God, and we have to do our part in that divine

project. We are here on earth to be trained to be what God wants us to

be, as well as to be tested whether what he wants us to be is also

what we would want to be.

          Thus, we need to be vigilant always, both in good times and

in bad times, and most especially in ordinary times which we still

would not know whether it is good or bad. We should never let our

guard down.

          This is simply because we have enemies to contend with all

the time. First of all, it is our own selves, our own weakened flesh

that will always lure us to do things against God’s will and against

what is truly good for us.

          Then we have the world with all its sinful attractions and

temptations. And, of course, the devil himself. Never discount him.

He’s always around, prowling like a lion looking for someone to

devour. (cfr 1 Pt 5,8)

          In what may seem to be good times, when things are more or

less ok, let us thank God and do our best to make use of all the

blessings and good opportunities made available for us.

          But let’s not forget that the good things can also occasion

dangers for us if we are not careful. We should know where those

dangers lie in the good things that we may enjoy at the moment. In

that way, we avoid falling into complacency that will practically

spoil us, and take away the goodness of the blessings we are enjoying.

          And in what may seem to be bad times, let us never forget to

look for the one good thing in those situations. There will always be

one or two or even more good things on these occasions and turn them

into the vehicles for redemption.

          This can happen if we turn to God in the first place. He

will always forgive us and He knows what to do with whatever mess we

make. In that way, we avoid falling into sadness and bitterness, and

can remain calm and hopeful in spite of the suffering and pain we may

be undergoing at the moment.

          We really need to upgrade our vigilance skills especially

these days when we are living in an increasingly complex world. We

should not take this need for granted. Remember Christ telling his

disciples: “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from

carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life…Be vigilant

at all times.” (Lk 21,34.36)

          Let us strengthen our hope that is firmly anchored on our

faith and trust in the ever-wise and omnipotent providence of God. We

should remember that it was God who started everything and it will

also be he who will end, complete and perfect everything. Ours is

simply to go along with him.

* Chaplain Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE), Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

What do non-Filipinos dislike or hate about the Filipino people?

By David C. Maness

In my experience, there are many funny and quirky things about Filipinos. They point with their lips. They sing karaoke like superstars. They start Christmas at Labor Day. They tend to be warm, talented, hard-working, studious, and down-to-earth practical people who are loyal to their friends and devoted to faith and family. When times are tough, you want to be around Filipinos. When times are good, you want to be around Filipinos.

Filipinos operate well in a hierarchy. They are respectful, even obsequious to authority. They are cabable of extraordinary sacrifice and suffering. They are quick to forgive, even when abused and exploited.

One negative manifestation of these virtues is the generation-after-generation reelection of the same traditional politicians from the same families, over and over and OVER. These oligarchs steal everything they can from the other 99.99% of Filipinos, especially opportunity. Then Filipinos thank their oppressors for the chance to be used.

Typisch Philippinisch (XXXI) - Typical Filipino (XXXI): Haben Sie schon gegessen? Kumain ka na ba?

"For Filipinos, feeding each other is a way we demonstrate love, and this particular way of eating, [is] a literal, tactile way of connecting with what nourishes us and the land it comes from," says Katherine Prince, an activist and organizer with the Portland, Oregon, chapter of GABRIELA, an organization for Filipina (Pinay) women. "To me, using my hands and seeing the banana leaves reminds me that even how we eat can be colonized, and my participation in this ancestral tradition is revolutionary in its own right.”

A mix of fried fish, longanisa, lumpia, pancit, and nilaga served with vinegar and onions, ketchup, banana ketchup, chopped tomatoes, and fresh mango over rice.

A mix of fried fish, longanisa, lumpia, pancit, and nilaga served with vinegar and onions, ketchup, banana ketchup, chopped tomatoes, and fresh mango over rice. 

The term kamayan can be used to describe the act of eating by hand, but a traditional kamayan meal is a feast served family style, usually over banana leaves. There’s no limit to what you can eat when hosting your own kamayan, but in general, grilled and fried things with rice are easier to eat sans utensils, because they aren’t as messy as soups and stews (though that didn’t stop my mom from serving soup in bowls at our last kamayan, so anything’s fair game).

Essen ist ungemein wichig für die Gemütsverfassung eines Filipinos/einer Filipina. Es scheint, als sitze ihnen stets die Angst im Nacken, Hunger leiden zu müssen. Wohin man auch geht, wird für ausreichend Proviant gesorgt. Selbst unterwegs muß noch an einigen Läden oder Obstständen noch etwas dazugekauft werden.Es gibt kein Treffen von Filipinos , an denen nicht Essen aufgetragen wird. Es gehört zur üblichen Gastfreundschaft, Besuchern nicht nur Getränke sondern auch Speisen anzubieten. Die übliche philippinische Begrüßung lautet: "Haben Sie schon gegessen?" - "Kumanin ka na ba?"

What is “please” in Tagalog?

There simply is no easy answer for this, or in other words, there is no one specific word that exists in Tagalog.

Some people might say the word is “paki-” but this is not entirely correct. “Paki-” can only be used with verbs (actions) and has very specific rules about how it can be used. “Paki-” is used when you are commanding someone to do something (imperatives) but when you want to do so in a more polite way. It can ONLY be used in this way. Here are some examples:

Ipasa mo ang tubig. → Pass the water.

Paki-pasa ang tubig. → Please pass the water.

Tulungan mo kami. → Help us.

Paki-tulungan mo kami. → Please help us.

Notice how both examples are examples where the “paki-” is added onto the front of a verb (action). Also notice how the first example changes the verb ever so slightly when you add the “paki-”. This is the tricky part of using “paki-”. So it is good to know that “paki-” is not exactly the best translation for the word “please” in all cases.

Instead the best answer to the question is to realize why we say “please” in the first place. We say “please” in English in order to show respect or to be more polite or honorific to someone. Tagalog’s way of doing this is with the word “po”.

Now “po” does not mean “please”; it actually doesn’t translate to anything in English. It is called the “respect word” and is used to show respect or to be extra polite. And that’s exactly what is does. Here are some examples:

Ako si Juan. → I am Juan. (casual)

Ako po si Juan. → I am Juan. (polite)

Ano ang pangalan niya? → What is his/her name? (casual)

Ano po ang pangalan niya? → What is his/her name? (polite)

Notice how the translations for both the “casual” (meaning the sentences without “po”) and the “polite” (meaning the sentences with “po”) both translate to the exact same thing in English, but the implication (the subtext) is that one is just more respectful than the other. Again, “po” doesn’t mean anything specifically in English, it’s just Tagalog’s way of being more respectful to someone—just how “please” does in English.

I did not mean to complicate what you might have hoped was a simple question, but it is good to be aware of accurate information and not be tricked by anyone claiming they have a simple answer!

WAS THAT REALLY A GOOD IDEA?

I remember my childhood. I heard this question many times, when I refused to be a "good boy". Growing up, we're all taught to follow the rules. Wait your turn in line. Fill in the bubble of the right answer. Eat your dessert last. Tie your shoes and tuck your shirt in. Don't ask stupid questions. But adults are allowed to ask this question. We're rewarded for caution and deliberation, punished for coloring outside the lines.

Over time, we're shuffled into groups based on test results and pursue careers based on our credentials and degrees. I found myself again in a publishing house.  We eventually file into offices where we are required to dress a certain way, talk a certain way; behave a certain way. At some point along this journey, the world designates you as "creative" or "non-creative" with most people falling into the latter category. Actually, I always found myself creative. Well... . Yes, I have always known that creative thinking is necessary for success.

Good ideas - bad ideas! The EXAGO blog based in Lisboa/Portugal and  Curitiba/Brazil shows us some examples of how bad ideas can lead to good ideas.

Most people will have heard the basic mantra of brainstorming: there is no such thing as a bad idea. With this premise in mind, people are encouraged to share any idea they have without fear of ridicule or judgement. While some concepts may not be achievable, these so-called ‘bad ideas’ can often be necessary stepping stones to good ones.

Bad ideas can sometimes have great potential, they just need to be picked apart and refined. That’s where collaboration comes in: by bringing in your community to provide valuable inputs, ideas can be improved upon collectively to ultimately lead to business success.

It can also happen that ideas may seem outlandish but which hold real value. The key is to identify the assets of a ‘crazy’ idea and invest in developing it to bear fruits. It can however be difficult to spot such an idea, particularly for larger companies. The following  three steps could prove useful so that companies do not miss out on the good of ‘bad’ ideas:

Re-framing seemingly problematic ideas may just need re-framing. Rather than discarding it completely, look at the problem and the solution, and explore other paths that could lead to possible breakthroughs.

Listen to all stakeholders regularly – their insights can help move towards a better version of an idea. The individual expertise and experience of each employee can help mold an idea to add value.

You should want to get more ideas fast, but you should also make sure that idea generation is effective to help you make your way through the fog and achieve real, measurable success.

Embracing bad ideas is part of the idea generation process, which has proven to be more effective in companies that nurture a culture of innovation and encourage creativity and innovation across the board.

Mark Twain expressed once: “There is no such thing as a new idea. It is impossible. We simply take a lot of old ideas and put them into a sort of mental kaleidoscope. We give them a turn and they make new and curious combinations. We keep on turning and making new combinations indefinitely; but they are the same old pieces of colored glass that have been in use through all the ages.”

I strongly agree with him.

Typically Filipino (XVII) - Typisch Philippinisch (XVII): "Utang na Loob" - Schuld des inneren Selbst

 

Pakikisama vermittelt sich über persönliche Gefälligkeiten, genannt UTANG NA LOOB, wörtlich "Schuld des inneren Selbst".  UTANG NA LOOB ist eine komplizierte und weitreichende Angelegenheit , denn man muss seine persönlichen Verpflichtungen mit Zinsen zurückzahlen. Und da diese Art von Schulden sich aber nicht in genauen Zahlen berechnen läßt, entsteht so eine sich wendlose windende und ausweitende Spirale, die ein ziemlich verflochtenes Netz gegenseitiger Abhängigheiten aufgrund von UTANG NA LOOB webt. 

Pakikisama is conveyed through personal favors and really does blame the inner self. UTANG NA LOOB is a complex and far-reaching business because you have to repay your personal obligations with interest. Since this type of debt cannot be calculated in exact numbers, the result is a turn loosely winded and expand the spiral that weaves a fairly intertwined network of mutual dependencies due UTANG NA LOOB.

In seinen zwischenmenschlichen Beziehungen ist jeder Filipino einem anderen durch UTANG NA LOOB verbunden und vice versa. 

UTANG NA LOOB geschichtlich betrachtet ist ein anderes Thema und wird im nächsten Kapitel behandelt.

Historiker und Politikwissenschaftler behaupten, die politischen Führer der Philippinen hatten sich bei den Verhandlungen zwischen den USA und den Philippinen nach dem Zweiten Weltkrieg selbst in eine unvorteilhafte Ausgangslage versetzt, weil sie die amerikanische "Befreiung" der Philippinen von Japan unter den Vorzeichen von UTANG NA LOOB bewerteten.

Historians and political scientists claim the political leaders of the Philippines had out themselves in an unfavorable position in the negotiations between the USA and the Philippines after WW II because they assessed the American liberation  of the Philippines from Japan under the auspices of UTANG NA LOOB.

(To be continued!)

WITH BEETHOVEN UNDER PALMS (XVI): Terrible homesickness

 

WITH BEETHOVEN UNDER PALMS (XVI)

Chapter VXI: Terrible homesickness

Ludwig van Beethoven and all my classical masters seemed to be thousands of miles away. Rossana and I reached the Philippines together with our four best friends from Berlin in March 1989 for another six weeks long vacation. Of course, we wanted to show our friends the most beautiful and best sides of Davao City and Mindanao. The known political situation gave us limits. But, we tried it.

Relatives and good connections arranged an appointment with then Cotabato City Mayor Ludovico Badoy, . While writing this chapter, I learned that Vic Badoy passed away in April 2021. As the national executive director of the NHC, Badoy was credited for the renovation of the historic “Bahay Kalakal” (Ker and Co.) building in Iloilo City in 2018. Agriculture Undersecretary Zamzamin Ampatuan remembered the late mayor as a leader who made Cotabato City peaceful, orderly, clean and a vibrant city. And even in 1989, we had nothing to worry about. Roaming around, but with a group of six bodyguards, we enjoyed the two wonderful days stay in Cotabato City. And I got my interview with the mayor for my ANG MABUHAY magazine in Berlin. On the way back to Davao, some bombs and grenades exploded. Nothing happened to us.

Our thirst for adventure didn't seem to slow. Of course, our four friends wanted to experience something, but it was clear to Rossana and me, that we should not overdo it. After all, we were responsible for their security.

But, again with several bodyguards our next destination was within reach several days later: Mount Diwata, also locally unofficially nicknamed Diwalwal, is a remote 1,261-metre (4,137 ft) high range of volcanic mountain and biodiversity area in Davao Region on eastern part of Mindanao island of Philippines. Rich in gold and copper ores and mines, it is spread across the 3 municipalities: (a) Monkayo in the province of Compostela Valley; as well as (b) Cateel and (c) Boston in the province of Davao Oriental. Laguna Copperplate Inscription, the oldest written document in the Philippines dated to 900 CE, refers to Mount Diwata.

A dizzying hanging bridge brought us to the Bagobos. Along the desolate eastern coast of the Davao Gulf, centuries ago, new migrants mixed with the native population, forming a new community that was given the name Bagobo. This tribe traces its origin from the people who brought Hinduism to Mindanao, its name was derived from the words bago meaning new and obo meaning growth. Throughout centuries a strong social structure has enabled these native groups to blend well with the original population, retaining their indigenous customs, beliefs and values.

The mountainous region between the upper Pulangi and Davao rivers is the homeland of the Upland Bagobo, the coastal Bagobo once lived in the hills south and east of Mount Apo, where according a legend, their supreme god and common ancestor Apo Sandawa ruled as God. Mount Apo is the Bogobo ancestral domain and their sacred place of worship.

The weeks flew by. Rossana developed a certain sentimentality during the last few days. She called it homesickness. Me too. And we found out that both of us got the same feelings: one home - two countries. A very tearful goodbye party is still in my memories.

A particularly historic event awaits us in Berlin a couple of months later: the fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989. Rossana and I joined the peaceful revolutions and helped tear down the Berlin Wall. A piece of the wall that we broke out then is still in a special place in our house in the Philippines. 

And then? When I got back from the office, Rossana had a very important message from Los Angeles for me ... .

(To be continued!)

Typical Filipino (XI) - Typisch Philippinisch (XI): Car Blessing - Autosegnung

 

By Andrea Nicole

It’s legitimate. Car blessing is a thing practiced here in the Philippines. Well, in other places around the globe actually, especially those believing in Christian or Catholic teachings. The Catholic Church even devoted a chapter on how to administer the blessing on inanimate objects that serve man’s needs. Found in the Roman Ritual (Rituale Romanum), ordinary things can receive liturgical blessings — bridges, wells, and yes, including cars.

What is a Car Blessing?

A blessing rite refers to a ceremonial act where a person of authority in church will offer a prayer to something or someone. In this case, a car. Usually, pastors, priests, or deacons handle this ceremony. House blessings might be more familiar to some, but car blessings work just the same way as the former.

In some practices, especially with the Catholics, cars are sprinkled with holy water. While others involve laying off hands as a physical act of blessing.

Why Do People Get Their Cars Blessed?

Custom or tradition: For some, it’s just something they were used to doing. Blessing ordinary items, for instance, might be normal for those who grew up with a religious family. Many believe that nothing bad will possibly come out of it. So, why not do it anyway?

A form of offering: Having the car blessed is one way of saying that the owner offers it to whoever eternal being one believes in. Besides, there is a notion that every blessing received comes from God. Therefore, it should be offered back to him as well. When the car is dedicated to God, it also becomes sacred as people believe.

A declaration of freedom: This is probably the most practical reason why people want their cars to be blessed. This is believed to cast away evil influences over the property. When a prayer is uttered, the people gathered agree in asking for the safety and protection of those who’ll use it. 

A declaration of success: The ceremony is also like claiming success for the car's intended purpose. May it be for personal transportation, business, or others.

[Photo Courtesy: Klaus Döring, Car blessing in Berlin 1988]

DOH reports more Covid-19 recoveries than new infections

FOR the second day, the Department of Health (DOH) reported thousands of recoveries from coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in addition to the record number of time-based recoveries over the weekend.

New Covid-19 cases also fell below 10,000 for the second day as the DOH listed 7,379 new infections in its case bulletin Tuesday, April 20, 2021.

These were lower than the 9,628 reported on Monday and the third below-10,000 case count in the last seven days from April 14 to 20.

Deaths from Covid-19 were also below 100 for the second day on Tuesday, with the DOH confirming 93 mortalities which raised the death toll to 16,141.

The 93 deaths were higher than the 88 deaths on Monday and the third below-100 mortality count in the last seven days. The case fatality rate decreased to 1.69 percent.

The new cases brought the cumulative case count to 953,106.

There were 21,664 recoveries, nearly three times the number of new cases and more than double the 9,266 recoveries reported on Monday .

The DOH has been reporting record numbers of recoveries based on its time-based methodology, which declares as clinically recovered those coronavirus-positive individuals who have not experienced any Covid-19 symptoms for at least 14 consecutive days. However, this used to be done only on Sundays.

On Sunday, April 18, DOH reported a record high of 72,607 recoveries.

The additional recoveries on Tuesday brought down the number of active cases to 127,006, which account for 13.3 percent of the cumulative case count.

These also raised the total recoveries to 809,959, increasing its proportion to 85 percent.

Testing output was still low at 27,040 as of noon of April 19, while the daily positivity rate increased to 17.9 percent.

The daily positivity rate has been lower than 20 percent for nine days from April 12 to 20. (Marites Villamor-Ilano / SunStar Philippines)

The Filipina and culture: Her role in heritage conservation

 

by John Legaspi, Manila Bulletin

No matter how light or heavy the jobs are, it is important to have women involved in rehabilitating cultural sites

Throughout history, we have seen women depicted in different forms of art. Women sat still as artists immortalize their beauty through canvases, capture their every curve with carved stones, and write about them in novels and poems. Women as muses played a viral role in helping to give the world the best masterpieces artists can create. And as time went by, some women even went onto produce art themselves. 

These days, the role of women branches out from being muses and artists. We may not know much about it, but here in the Philippines, women play significant roles in preserving heritage sites and art conservation, doing tasks from construction works to artifact restoration.

Through Escuela Taller de Filipinas Foundation, Inc., women were able to participate and help in keeping the integrity of some of the cultural spots of the Philippines. Started out as Escuela Taller de Intramuros in 2009, it was a project between the government of Spain and the Philippines, represented by the Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo (AECID) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). Later in 2013, it transformed into an independent private foundation to ensure its sustainability. 

“Our female conservation workers do everything. They work as wood carvers, masons, painters, carpenters, etc. Some of them are even involved in the documentation of the heritage buildings,”  Escuela Taller de Filipinas Foundation, Inc.’s Philip Paraan tells Manila Bulletin Lifestyle. “As part of our training, they get to be exposed right away to work or heritage sites after their regular training in Escuela Taller Intramuros. As graduates, they are employed as conservation workers by the projects (funded by our clients, usually churches). Our trainees and graduates including the females have worked in almost every project that Escuela Taller has handled and managed.”

Female woodcarver from Escuella Taller Bohol

The female conservationists help in the rehabilitation of heritage churches and sites in over 19 locations in the National Capital Region, Laguna, Pampanga, Cebu, and Batanes. While the pandemic has put a pause on their noble mission, their work went on and continued after the first months of the community quarantine.

What these women put to the table is far beyond heavy liftings. “They are patient and detailed oriented. Though they are not as physically strong as their male colleagues, they do almost everything except in lifting extra heavy stones or furniture, but they can lift stones,” Philip says. “Our work entails carving stones, wood, etc. Women workers tend to be more polished in their output. Not all, but they give their work extra attention.”

Female mason workers busy shaping stones in Angeles Church, Pampanga

Bernalyn Lucindo, an employee at the Cultural Properties Division of the Intramuros Administration which handles the care and restoration of artifacts

But no matter how light or heavy the jobs are, whether reworking sillerias (choir seats) or handling masons, it is important to have women involved in preserving heritage sites.

“It is because heritage conservation knows no gender. The skills taught and required of the conservation projects see no gender, only the skills itself and commitment,” says Philip. “For us in Escuela Taller, we believe that women are just as good as men and the industry, the field of conservation should just be populated by women as much as men.”

Ladies in training at the Intramuros campus

“Regardless of gender, what is important is that we are able to transfer the skills, the know-how, traditions, and building knowledge of the past to a new generation of builders, artisans, and skilled workers in conservation to ensure the protection of our built heritage,” he continues. “We can say that the rise of women involved in any type of work including the heritage sector suggests a sense of advancement in society and these gender inclusive spaces should be widened and supported more.”

Started her training at age 18, Kristine from Tondo has been part of several conservation projects including Paco Park, Sta. Ana Church, and Angeles Church in Pampanga.

Philip also noted that apart from the power the women are bringing in the local heritage conservation movement, it is important to also get the public involved in the initiative.

“They can help the foundation by directly donating to the foundation to support its training and conservation activities. At the local level, they can help the churches, heritage groups in fundraising initiatives for the restoration of sites or just be mindful  of the importance of heritage in our collective identity as a people,” he advises. “Tourism is also essential and can be a good start. Visit the heritage sites and museums to learn more of our history and culture. The public can also be part of advocacies that call for sustained heritage conservation in the country. Community and civic involvement is important in heritage management.”

Images are from Escuella Taller De Filipinas. Facebook: @escuelatallerph

WITH BEETHOVEN UNDER PALMS (V)

Chapter V: Crocodiles, rum and reggae

Jamaica? Did I mention Jamaica earlier? Yes, sure. Somehow, I wanted to be a loner, even though it was travelling. The travel plans between me and my buddy Jürgen became more and more different. Sad to say,

Our last trip together brought us to Gran Canaria in 1978. A wonderful island  belonging to a group of islands in the Atlantic Ocean west of the African coast. A five-hours-flight nonstop from Berlin. Just a little something for Jürgen and me as global travelers. Several years later, I would stay on Gran Canaria more often - even for a second honeymoon. 

Jamaica, yes. An amazing island in the Carribean sea. A German Foreign Aid School Project brought me there. My previous journeys to Canada and the United States of America in 1975 have been mostly projects of the then Organization for International Contacts - back then it was located in the old West German capital Bonn.

Jamaica in 1979. A school project of the German Foreign Aid allowed me to visit this Carribean island.

 It was not really a vacation stay but long enough for some extraordinary experiences. Rum, well... . Rum and Coke, the long drink  Maitai - I am not sure if its origin is really from Jamaica. Here, we tried buko ( fresh coconut juice and Jamaica rum). Jamaica and its Blue Mountains.

Crocodiles? Yes, many. An organized river trip by tour guides up to the Dunn River Waterfalls in Ochos Rios made it possible to encounter many of these breathtaking species. Beethoven and Asia were somehow so very far away... .

Speaking of music. "No woman - no cry"! One of my most spectacular life open air music events was the one with legendary King of Reggae Bob Marley.  He scribbled his name on one of the records I bought there. Unforgettable seconds ... .

1980 became a really great change in my private and business life. The ups and downs pulled my nerves. My job as circulation manager in a publishing house did not satisfy me any more. As a typical risk taker, I followed the recommendation of my very closed office mate and applied to another publisher.

 

In the same year, I took on another challenge and traveled to South Africa, more precisely to Johannesburg. A trip to London and another 11 hours direct flight took me there. Lisa invited me. Lisa, my "oldest friend" ever. We "met" as pen pals in 1972 while she was residing in Vienna, Austria.

(To be continued!)