Two late athletic Golds avert Philippines shutout

By Gerry Carpio (The Philippine Star)

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The Philippines’ Kaitlin de Guzman adds a silver in floor exercise and a bronze in balance beam after a gold feat in uneven bars. JUN MENDOZA

KUALA LUMPUR – Team Philippines lost the momentum of its golden romp the day before and was staring at a gold-less day until athletics’ Trenten Anthony Beram and Aris Toledo delivered late in the night in the 29th Southeast Asian Games here.

Beram erased the specter of fellow Fil-Am Eric Cray’s shattering loss in the 100m dash Tuesday by ruling the 200m in a new Philippine record while Toledo proved to be Games’ ironman by winning the decathlon, giving the Philippines its 10th gold that went with 15 silver and 19 bronze medals to remain at sixth.

Beram clocked 20.84 seconds to beat Thai Jirapong Meenapra (21.22) and Malaysian Thevarr Gunasegaran (21.26).

Khairul Hafiz Jantan, who foiled Cray in the 100m dash, struggled to end up fourth in 21.28 seconds.

Toledo, on the other hand, amassed 7433 points to clinch the decathlon gold. Thai Suttisak Singkon settled for second with 7411 points while Vietnam’s Bui Van Su took the bronze with 6737 points.

Mark Harry Diones also took the silver in triple jump with a 16.63m leap. Malaysian Mohd Hakmi Ismail won the gold in record 16.77m feat.

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Malaysia pulled away with 47-35-29 (gold-silver-bronze) followed by Singapore (26-22-20), Vietnam (26-19-22), Thailand (16-27-33) and Indonesia (15-17-32).

EarIier, in a unusual day after a harvest of five gold medals Tuesday and three in the first three days, Team Philippines was stopped in its tracks by rivals from host Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia which leveled the field and carted away all the 32 gold medals staked until the late hours of the afternoon.

Until Beram and Toledo came through with late gold feats.

Perlas Pilipinas also hacked out a tough 69-67 victory over Thailand to stay in the medal hunt in women’s basketball.

Karatedo John Paul Behar advanced to the finals when the officials upheld a protest which involved a Malaysian karatedo’s entry to the finals on a wrong scoring. Behar advanced but lost in the gold medal round.

Kaitlin Cera Lianne dela Cruz added a silver medal in the floor exercise and a bronze in the balance beam, respectively, while Reyland Capellan took the bronze in the vault at the close of the artistic events in gymnastics yesterday. 

Dela Cruz who became gymnastics’ new sensation with her win in the uneven bars a day earlier, emerged as the best performer in artistic gymnastics in the Philippine team with a gold-silver-bronze medal finish.

The best finish before her was the silver medal of Ava Lorein Verdeflor in the uneven bars in 2015.

Capellan ended his stint in the SEA Games with a 1-3 finish counting his gold in the floor exercise to improve on his 1-0-0 gold-silver-bronze medal performance in 2015.

Last-minute substitute Arniel Ferreira, a former SEAG champion who was pulled out of retirement to sub 2015 gold medal winner Caleb Stuart, a no-show in the national eliminations, took the bronze in the men’s hammer throw.

Shrimp production in Davao under threat

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By Antonio L. Colina IV, Manila Bulletin

Davao City –  Shrimp production in Davao Region is under threat due to the unpredictable weather patterns brought about by climate change.

This was disclosed by Anders Haagen, a co-owner of the Anderlude Seafoods Corp., who said that the unpredictable patterns of the weather concern have affected the production of shrimps in their three locations in the region – Dumoy in Davao City, Sta. Cruz and Hagonoy in Davao del Sur.

The firm is the largest shrimp producer in the region and the only one into processing of shrimp.

“There is climate change. If we are only a farmer, then you can’t control the climate and we have experienced a lot more rain lately, we experienced a lot of things. It makes it more risky and more dangerous to be the farmer alone,” he said.

His firm opened the first processing plant of shrimp in the region located at the state-owned Davao Fish Port Complex in a fishing barangay of Daliao, Toril in Davao City last Friday.

He said they had invested into this new undertaking to “spread out our risk a little bit” by also participating in the processing that would also add value to the products.

“But when you process, your risk profile is much lower. If it rains for two much, we don’t care. We don’t lose the whole harvest, so it’s a much more predictable business, and more predictable means more manageable,” he said.

He said their company produced about 1,000 tons of shrimps that were sold directly to markets around the region, and in Manila, and they were expecting around 800 to 1,000 tons of shrimp to produce within the year.

His partner, Ludevito S. Batilong, the president of Anderlude Seafoods Corp., said no plans for export are being considered at present because they want to satisfy the domestic demand first.

He said Davao City’s demand alone ranges from 5 to 10 tons a day and their company is shipping about 10 containers, or 140 to 180 tons every month to Manila.

He said they have 127 hectares of shrimp farms – 45 hectares in Dumoy, Davao City and 14 hectares in Sta. Cruz and 68 hectares in Hagonoy in Davao del Sur.

The two started with only two hectares of shrimp nursery.

Haagen said the outbreak of avian flu in San Luis, Pampanga will increase the demand for seafood.

The Beauties of Bohol

FUNFARE By Ricky Lo (The Philippine Star) 

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Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto and wife Pureza Veloso award the 2017 Miss Bohol winners, from left: Bianca Gaviola (Barangay Tagbilaran City, third runner-up); Gazini Christiana Jordi (Barangay Loon, first runner-up); Pauline Amelinckx (Barangay Tubigon, winner); Angelika Concha (Barangay Calape, second runner-up); and Maria Andrea Cuarteros (Barangay Jagna, fourth runner-up)

Aside from the serenity of the Chocolate Hills (back to original shape after a killer quake ruined some of them), the leisurely cruise along the Loboc River (turned enchanting by color-changing lights along both banks, donated by the family of Ben Chan) and the deepening mystery of the widening eyes of the Tarsier (the longer you gaze into them), Bohol boasts of natural beauties that easily disarm a visitor with pristine smiles.

Described as “natural” because they are presumed to be untouched by cosmetic surgery, 20 of those beauties (the same number of barangays) competed for the 2017 Miss Bohol title, parading before a panel of “beauty-expert” judges composed of Renee Salud; director Tony Reyes; Presidential Legal Adviser Salvador Panelo; Boholana actress Rich Asuncion; Air Asia Commercial head Gerard Penaflor; and reigning queens Mariel de Leon (Bb. Pilipinas-International), Karen Ibasco (Miss Philippines-Earth) and Mary Ann Mungcal (Miss Global Philippines).

The candidates were serenaded by StarStruck discovery Migo Adecer who acknowledged the ladies with a stem of red rose each after a well-applauded song number. Properly trained, Migo could develop into a charming performer, just wait and see.

After the two-hour pageant hosted by 2009 Miss Earth Sandra Seifert and Vince Velasco (son of STARsports columnist Bill Velasco), declared winner was Pauline Amelinckx (from Barangay Tubigon), a 20-year-old Fil-Belgian fresh International Studies graduate from Cebu Doctors Hospital, who is a deadringer for Bea Alonzo. Her runners-up: Gazini Christiana Jordi Ganados (Loon), first; Angelika Concha (Calape), second; Bianca Gaviola (Tagbilaran), third; and Maria Andrea Cuarteros (Jagna), fourth.

Asked how she felt being at the other end of the stage this time, Mariel admitted that she was as nervous as she was during the Bb. Pilipinas pageant.

“Like during the pageant,” said Mariel, “the hardest part was the Q&A. I picked Miss Tubigon because she knew what she wanted to say and she said it well, very natural, neither rehearsed nor scripted.”

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Now preparing for Ang Panday, her movie debut for the 2017 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) produced, written, directed and starred in by Coco Martin, Mariel clarified that she never said she didn’t want to go into acting (she’s more inclined toward classical singing). Why the, uhm, change of mind?

“I’ve never really closed my door to showbiz. The opportunity is too big to turn down,” added the daughter of Christopher de Leon and Sandy Andolong. “My parents are happy for me because they really wanted me to be in showbiz.”

Mariel is two inches taller than Coco. Wouldn’t there be any height problem between them?

“Sana wala,” Mariel smiled. “Otherwise, that can be easily remedied.”

A star material herself (paging Star Cinema, Viva Films and Regal Films!), Miss Bohol Pauline (an only child) was born in Belgium where she finished prep school and kindergarten. Her Belgian father moved the family to the Philippines where he chose to retire. Pauline studied high school in Iligan City before proceeding to college in Cebu, initially enrolling for Medical Technology course (“Not my line”) before shifting to International Studies.

“I wanted to work as a flight attendant because I love to travel until I changed my mind,” she said. “And now I want to join foreign service.” That is, unless a movie company “snatches” her.

Incidentally, another Boholana beauty, Lola Primitiva Veloso celebrated her 90th birthday with family members who flew to Tagbilaran from abroad and other places in the country on July 23, the day after the Miss Bohol pageant. Lola Priming is a retired teacher. Rich Asuncion attended the party with her two younger siblings. Nice to learn that she had their family house renovated and her parents’ fish business is thriving. 

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2017 Bb. Pilipinas-International Mariel de Leon, one of the judges…

(E-mail reactions at entphilstar@yahoo.com. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)      

Our children’s mother earth

WED, AUGUST 23, 2017 BY THE MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR LEAVE A COMMENT

By KLAUS DÖRING

Yes, it’s again the topic, we should really think about. Also here in the Philippines. Ok, here’s anew string of examples, my dear readers. But, don’t expect good news.

Greenland, the great island is being called already the Land of Ice being on fire. Why? A recent report says the Arctic may be ice-free by 2040. The Antarctic is also melting, albeit far slower, and in a less regular pattern.

The Arctic is melting much faster than expected, and could even be ice-free in summer by the late 2030’s, a report from the Arctic Council’s Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program suggests. Previous studies had forecast an ice-free North Pole in summer by mid-century. Wow.

While the outlook is bleak for the Arctic, there is a silver lining for the Antarctic: As I said before, the ice is melting at a slower rate than previously thought. Although glacier flow has increased since the 1990’s, scientists from University of Leeds have found the melting rate to be only around a third of what was previously projected. A section of a glacier in Greenland is seen from NASA’s Operation IceBridge research aircraft along the Upper Baffin Bay coast on March 27, 2017.

Operation IceBridge studies the processes that link the polar regions with the Earth’s climate system. Rapidly changing polar ice means researchers need to use highly sophisticated airborne technology to measure annual changes in thickness and movement – onboard a retrofitted 1966 Lock-heed P-3 aircraft.

But the Antarctic is still melting. And a rapidly advancing crack in its fourth-largest ice shelf could soon see one of the largest icebergs ever recorded in human history break off into the sea. Scientists agree that global warming causes both the ice in the North and the South Pole to melt. Air temperatures are climbing, and so are water temperatures. This makes the ice melt faster. The period of winter where the water is actually cold enough to freeze is getting shorter, which means ice floes are getting smaller.

Greenland, home to the world’s largest permanent ice sheet outside Antarctica, is being swept by wildfires. Yes, the land of ice is on fire. A really breath away taking situation. Scientists say global warming and increased plant cover are likely factors. Since late July, wild-fires have raged across an ever-larger area of the landmass – and with greater intensity – than ever before observed.

Honestly folks, it really scares me although experts say it is too early to draw firm conclusions linking the fire to climate change be-cause no long-term data is available to put the blaze in context. However, unusually warm and dry conditions this year could have been a factor.

Let’s face this: “It’s unprecedented in the short 18-year observational record,” Jason Box, a climate scientist at the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, said in an interview with German TV yesterday. “We also know that temperatures in Greenland are probably higher [than they have been over] the last 800 years.” Wow again!

Although the origin of the blaze is unclear – with lightening and a stray cigarette as possible suspects – what is clear is how it has been spreading across remote areas of grassland and low shrub. Greenland’s is indeed getting greener and greener. It conjures images of white, frozen expanses. But Box says global warming means it’s getting greener all the time. “There’s a shorter snow-cover season, and that allows the plant life to expand,” he explained.

The Arctic is heating up around twice as fast as the global average. At the same time, rainfall around the world is also increasing – and that trend as well is more present in the Artic. “More rain is a widespread symptom of climate change,” Box said. “You get more precipitation – and where you get the biggest increase is in the Arctic.”

For Greenland, warmer, wetter conditions mean more vegetation – which, seemingly paradoxically, could be a factor for the fire. And my next question is: what will be the impact of these fires on the ice sheet and surrounding areas?

Fact is: Greenland’s ice sheets melt, that contri-butes to sea level rise. And if we add North- and South Pole and their vanishing ice and snow? Yes, also the Philippines are in danger. Not this year or next year. But … !

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Cockfighting Banned in Philippine Region Hit by Bird Flu

At least 300 soldiers sent in to assist in the culling of chicken, quail and ducks in Pampanga

Published: 14:23 August 17, 2017

Barbara Mae Dacanay, Correspondent

 

Manila: Authorities have banned cockfighting for two weeks in the central Philippine province of Luzon, where 37,000 birds have been killed by the avian flu virus on 36 farms since May.

“All cockfighting stadiums were ordered closed in five villages in three towns of Mexico, San Luis and Santa Ana — which were identified within a seven-kilometre quarantine zone in Pampanga,” Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol told Gulf News.

“H5 avian influenza initially hit farms only in San Carlos and Sta Rita villages of San Luis town, a ground zero located within one-kilometre quarantine zone of Pampanga,” he added.

The move was necessary to stop the spread of H5 virus in central and northern Luzon, Piñol said on Thursday.

He noted that Filipinos are avid cockfighting bettors.

“The agriculture department has also asked the Philippine army to assist in culling 600,000 birds within Pampanga’s seven-kilometre controlled area, higher than the estimated 200,000 birds found in ground zero,” said Piñol, adding, “It’s a no mean job.”

“Some 36 farms owners within the seven-kilometre quarantine zone have surrendered their fowls for depopulation process. At the same time, some owners whose farms are a kilometre outside of the seven-kilometre controlled area have also offered their farms for depopulation process to stop the spread of bird flu. I view this as a patriotic act,” said Piñol.

Explaining the strategy, Piñol said, “Once we have depopulated birds within the seven kilometre controlled area, that means the periphery areas are clean, chances of the virus spreading will be reduced. That would serve as a buffer zone from our ground zero.”

He promised to ask President Rodrigo Duterte to release P52.8 million (Dh4.48 million) to compensate affected farm owners.

Brigadier General Rodel Mairo Alarcon said that 300 soldiers were sent to assist in the culling of chicken, quail and ducks in Pampanga on Thursday.

To protect their health, they were given Oseltamivir (Tamiflu), said Health Undersecretary Eric Tayag.

Two farm workers who had flu-like symptoms turned negative for bird flu. No case of bird flu’s transmission to human has been recorded yet as of August 17, Tayag reported.

A total of 73,110 layered chickens, cocks, fighting cocks, and native chickens have been culled since last week. A poultry owner reported the death of at least 15,000 quail birds in San Carlos village in April and May. The disease has initially killed a total of 37.000 fowls since that time.

Bird flu viruses have spread in Europe and Africa in recent months. The H7N9 strain has led to transmission to human cases, including fatalities, in China.

Nine-year-old Pinay brings 'America's Got Talent' judge to tears

ABS-CBN News

Posted at Aug 16 2017 05:21 PM

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She has yet to disappoint the judges of this year's "America's Got Talent," bringing them to their feet every time she hit the stage. 

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And on Tuesday, nine-year-old Filipina Angelica Hale took it one step further and reduced former Spice Girls star Mel B to tears with her moving rendition of Zedd's "Clarity."

"What an amazing song you've chosen," Mel B told Hale, who lives in Atlanta. "This song is so dear to my heart and you've literally did everything to it. You did it so much justice." 

Shen then praised Hale for the way she interpreted the song, before jokingly adding as she wiped away her tears: "I'm not going to cry."

Angelica Hale got another standing ovation from the judges. Trae Patton, NBC

The other judges had similar glowing reviews for Hale's performance, with Simon Cowell calling her a "very, very special girl." 

Outside of the judges' table, Zedd chimed in with his own comments on Twitter, describing Hale as "crazy talented." 

Hale first impressed the show when she performed her powerful rendition of "Rise Up" as her audition piece. 

She then earned the coveted golden buzzer during the judges' cut round for her stunning performance of "Girl on Fire." 

Stars in Ballet Manila's New Season

Lisa Macuja's singer sister stars in Ballet Manila's new season

By Ma. Glaiza Lee (philstar.com)

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Ballet Manila proudly announces the stellar line up of ballet productions for its 22nd ballet season set to open this August at the Aliw Theater, Pasay City.

MANILA, Philippines — Ballet Manila (BM) proudly announces the stellar line up of ballet productions for its 22nd ballet season set to open this August at the Aliw Theater, Pasay City.

Dubbed “Flights of Fantasy,” this year's season will debut two all-original productions, which BM artistic director and prima ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde has been working on with internationally-known dancers, musicians and production designers.

“Ibong Adarna,” one of the two original productions, will open its ballet season. It will premiere on August 26, at 6 p.m., with regular show on September 2, at 6 p.m., and matinee shows on August 27 and September 3, at 3 p.m.

Choreographed by Gerardo Francisco, one of the company's principal dancers, this production brings to life Balagtas' classic tale about a mystical bird who can heal in a modern re-telling. Through production techniques, flying sequences and impressive routines, the ballet company will take its audience to the Kingdom of Berbanya, where they will weave timeless themes of family, loyalty, love and courage.

Gia Macuja Atchison, a West End actress and sister of Lisa Macuja, lends her soulful voice as the singing Ibong Adarna to showcase the wonderful music by Diwa de Leon. Angela Blardony Ureta created the script for the production, while make It Happen Workshop takes care of the set and costume design.

After the Ibong Adarna has taken flight, Odette and Odile from "Swan Lake" will give us some dose of romance. One of the world's most enduring classical ballets, "Swan Lake" will go on stage on October 7 and 14, at 6 p.m., and on October 8 and 15, at 3 p.m.

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"Swan Lake" tells the story of an enchanted princess who is cursed to spend her days as a swan unless someone - a prince - who has never loved before swears to love her forever. An evil spirit throws an obstacle in her way through her daughter who, by magic, resembles the cursed princess.

“'Swan Lake' is the ultimate test for a classical ballerina. To dance the dual roles of Odette and Odile is one of the most difficult roles to do because you need to be vulnerable and lyrical as the white swan, and sharp and steely as the black swan,” enthused Lisa.

When planning for the company's upcoming seasons, Lisa is committed to have at least one classical ballet in their repertoire to uphold its Vaganova Academy roots. 

“Ballet Manila has always been known as a company that strictly adheres to the Vaganova technique and Russian style of dancing. That's something that we've always stressed out by staging classical ballets that highlight our technique's strength,” shared the country's prima ballerina. 

BM's "Swan Lake" production will follow the original Lev Ivanov choreography for the white acts. It will feature the music from master composer Peter Tchaikovsky, which will be performed by the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of Maestro Alexander Vikulov of the Russia's Marinsky Theater. Miguel Faustmann will design set, while fashion designer Michael Miguel will create the new costume.

Hoping to make the holiday season more magical and fantastical, Ballet Manila will stage "Snow White" on November 25, at 6 p.m. Other show dates are December 2, at 6 p.m., and on November 26 and December 3, at 3 p.m.

This holiday offering will be the second full-length production that Lisa will choreograph. The first one was "Cinderella," which was shown at last year's season.

“We are making 'Snow White' a more magical experience for everybody. We are working hard to make sure that our version leaves a mark that will make the holidays more memorable and spectacular,” said Lisa, who did not want to reveal much except that this production will be loosely based on the Grimm tale, with elements from the Disney version of the fairy tale.

Closing the ballet season will be another installment of the popular "Ballets & Ballads." While the ballet company continues to stick to its classical ballet roots, Lisa understands the need to up their game by combining classical and contemporary.

Featuring an expertly curated repertoire of classics and modern music to be performed by balladeer Christian Bautista and the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra, "Ballets & Ballads" will be the ultimate romantic treat for the love month.

This culminating production will also premiere British choreographer Martin Lawrance's "Aria," which will feature five of his personal favorite arias from the operas by Bizet, Puccini and Verdi.

Catch "Ballets & Ballads" on February 10 and 17, 2018, at 6 p.m., and February 11 and 18, 2018, at 3 p.m.