Stocks jump after oil prices eased

by James A. Loyola, Manila Bulletin

The local stock market rose with its regional peers as oil prices eased.

The main index jumped 134.92 points or 1.93 percent to close at 7,124.80 as Conglomerates led the advance while the Mining and Oil dropped along with commodity prices. Volume was lower though at 3.35 billion shares worth P7.59 billion as gainers beat losers 108 to 80 with 47 unchanged.

“Philippine shares posted sharp gains on as the recently surging commodity prices, especially oil, cooled off while the war in Ukraine continues,” said Regina Capital Development Corporation Managing Director Luis Limlingan.

He noted that, “ Oil prices dropped in a sudden move on Wednesday, giving back some of the rally this month amid supply disruptions stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.“

Philstocks Financial Research and Engagement Officer Claire Alviar said “the local bourse jumped as the global oil prices fell sharply overnight.”

She explained that, “At home, being one of the net importers of oil, the decline of oil prices spurs optimism as it may somehow slow down the increase of oil prices in the short run.”

Over 250 Pinoys now out of Ukraine–DFA

 

Filipinos from Ukraine to arrive in Manila on Tuesday night, March 1, 2022. (Photo courtesy of the DFA)

by Betheena Unite, Manila Bulletin

More than 250 Filipinos in Ukraine are now out of danger, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Thursday afternoon, March 10.

A total of 259 Filipinos have been taken out of Ukraine, DFA Undersecretary Sarah Lou Arriola said. Of this, 90 Filipinos were already repatriated while 169 nationals are in various safe borders near Ukraine.

Arriola said of the 169 Filipinos evacuated from the war-stricken country, 60 individuals are expected to arrive in Manila on Thursday.

 

Meanwhile, of the 90 Filipinos, who have already returned home, 55 are seafarers.

On Wednesday, March 9, a total of 29 seafarers arrived in the Philippines. They are the crew members of MV Global Aglaia, MV Joseph Schulte, and MV Star Helena.

According to DFA, they exited Ukraine to evacuate to Moldova with the assistance of the Philippine Honorary Consulate in Chisinau and the Philippine Embassy in Budapest. They then left for the Philippines from Bucharest, Romania.

The Foreign Affairs department expects more seafarers to arrive in the country in the next few days through its evacuation and repatriation programs.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Sarah Lou Arriola disclosed on Wednesday that they are having a hard time evacuating seafarers, particularly those stranded at the Black Sea.

“Kami, medyo, problemado tayo dito sa (We are facing problems with evacuating) sea-based (workers). POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration) is closely monitoring how many Filipinos are stranded sa kanilang (in their) vessels,” Arriola said.

She added that they could not leave their vessels due to the “heavy fighting” and they can only hunker down and take cover amid the intense firing. However, she assured that the government will keep working with Philippine embassies and consulates in the embattled country and its nearby territories to get them out of danger.

Spritpreis-Wahnsinn!

Innerhalb einer Woche verteuerte sich Diesel laut ADAC um 39,4 Cent je Liter und kostet damit im Durchschnitt 2,15 Euro. Für einen Liter Super E10 müssen die Verbraucher aktuell 2,10 Euro bezahlen, das sind 27,6 Cent mehr als vor einer Woche. So teuer war Kraftstoff noch nie. 

Dr. Michael Haberland, Präsident des Autoclubs „Mobil in Deutschland“: „Wenn die Preissteigerungen so weitergehen, haben wir am kommenden Sonntag drei Euro.“

Women's Month: Filipina artists lead Asian auction; Filipina becomes first to exhibit in Barcelona

Renowned Spanish-Filipina painter Betsy Westendorp (left), known largely for her exuberant floras and landscapes, rang in P17.5 million with her towering untitled painting of a floral bouquet (right) at almost 11 feet long and 7 feet wide.

Marane A. Plaza - Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — In time for International Women's Month, the spotlight were on women at this year's Asian Cultural Council (ACC) Auction held at León Gallery in Makati last weekend, as powerhouse ladies and female subjects have been made and broke astounding records in today's global art scene. 

Renowned Spanish-Filipina painter Betsy Westendorp, known largely for her exuberant floras and landscapes, rang in P17.5 million with her towering floral bouquet at almost 11 feet long and 7 feet wide. Her painting from 1986 set the tone for the entire auction’s female-centric results. 

"Odalisca (Odalisque)," a Juan Luna masterpiece whose focal point is a woman, also broke a record. The first Filipino artist to put the Philippines on the map set a milestone for Luna watercolors when the 1882-signed and dated work sold for P11.7 million. The languorous depiction of a harem woman comes from the master’s fertile Roman period which produced his memorable "Death of Cleopatra" as well as the historic "Spoliarium."

The working women of Fernando Amorsolo followed suit, beginning with a fetching "kayumanggi" portrait titled "A Typical Filipina Beauty" from 1926, which brought in P10.5 million.

"Mango Gatherers," also by Amorsolo and from 1970, reeled in P13 Million. It was thanks to its distinguished provenance — the society doyenne, Doña Nene Tuason Quimson. 

The imposing "Caryatid" — a column sculpted in the shape of a Grecian maiden — from the Edificio Tuason Building once defined Escolta at the turn of the century. Last Saturday, its iconic status led it to stroll off with P1.6 million. 

Leon Gallery director Jaime Ponce de Leon revealed that the graceful portrait of another illustrious society matron, Doña Nena Tambunting, was withdrawn from the auction floor last minute — it will instead be donated to the Philippine National Museum’s roster of portraits. 

The Asian Cultural Council Auction was presented by León Gallery and ANCX, and organized by ACC, a nonprofit foundation that provides opportunities for international cultural exchange to artists, scholars, and arts professionals in Asia and the United States. A  "grantmaker, grantseeker, and convener," the organization highlights the importance of cultural exchange "for a more harmonious and peaceful world."

A portion of the proceeds of the annual ACC auction is for the benefit of Filipino artists intent on spreading their wings abroad. One of the auction’s featured artists, ACC grant recipient Nikki Luna, has an ongoing show at the Casa Vicens Museum in Barcelona. She now has the distinction of being the first Filipino to exhibit there.

“It’s a fitting tribute not just to the Asian Cultural Council but also to the cause of all women artists,” said Ponce de Leon.

Why is Philippine music so deeply embedded in our culture?

Bisaya

, https://barokandtakya.com/

Philippine music is deeply embedded in our culture because it is uniquely ours. It reflects the beauty of our language and the richness of our heritage.

Our traditional music is a mix of indigenous and colonial influences, and over the years, it has evolved into a distinctive style that is distinctly Filipino. It is characterized by haunting melodies, intricate rhythms, and soulful lyrics that tell stories of love, loss, and heroism.

Generations of Filipinos have enjoyed Philippine music, and it remains an integral part of our culture today. It touches our hearts and stirs our emotions as no other music can, and it is truly a joy to listen to. Thank you for asking!

Three Filipina queens eye global crowns

by Robert Requintina, Manila Bulletin

Miss World Philippines 2021 Tracy Maureen Perez and two other Filipino beauty queens are ready to shine on the international stage as they represent the country in prestigious global pageants in the coming weeks.

Perez flies back to San Juan, Puerto Rico in the hope of continuing her winning streak on the coronation night of the 70th edition of the Miss World 2021 pageant scheduled on March 16 (March 17, 8:00 am, Manila time).

 It will be remembered that the Miss World Organization issued its last-minute decision to reschedule the pageant just a few hours before the Dec. 16 coronation night, due to the alarming and unforeseen surge of Covid-19 cases in Puerto Rico at that time.

To keen pageant watchers, the decision seemed anti-climactic for Tracy, who was then clearly ahead of her game—having just assured herself of a Top 40 spot after winning the Head-to-Head and Beauty With A Purpose challenges.

“It could be frustrating for some, but I tried my best to compose and calm myself because it’s something I couldn’t control. I’ll just take it as a blessing that I’ll have more time to prepare,” said Tracy, during a grand official send-off at the luxurious B Hotel in Quezon City last Saturday, March 5, for the three queens.

Miss Eco Philippines 2021 Kathleen Paton also flew to Cairo, Egypt last March 6 to compete in the 7th edition of the Miss Eco International 2021 pageant, to be held from March 6-18, with the coronation night slated for March 16 (March 17, 12:30 a.m. Manila time).

Miss Environment Philippines 2021 Michelle Arceo feels more than ready to compete in the 1st edition of the Miss Environment International pageant scheduled from March 21-April 2 in Mumbai, India, with pageant proper scheduled on April 2, 5 pm IST/April 2, 7:30 pm Manila time.

Miss World Philippines National Director Arnold Vegafria is optimistic about the trio’s impending global conquest.

“With the normalization of the global health situation, I am very confident that Tracy, Kathleen, and Michelle can wave our flag proudly and outperform their competitors every step of the way. In Tracy’s case, the odds are already in her favor, based on her very impressive pre-pageant performance, so we can only hope and pray that she remains in top fighting form,” said Vegafria.

The MWPO also revealed a teaser for its revitalized slogan, “Exceptionally Empowered Filipina.”

“The past pandemic has given us ample time to rethink our strategies, and we feel that a rebranding can do so much to heighten our imaging and marketing potentials, and I’m very proud that our team has churned out a creative synergy that should take us to even unprecedented heights this year,” Vegafria said.

Taking its cue from Miss World Organization founder Julia Morley’s inspiring precedent, the Miss World Philippines Organization hopes to further its noble cause for women empowerment by writing its own unique narrative for its revitalized brand campaign.

The organization’s auspicious rebranding comes close on the heels of its recent announcement for the search for this year’s batch of aspiring queens, with final screening scheduled for April 19 and coronation night on May 29.

More than just being a celebration of exceptional beauty, substance, and purpose, the Miss World Philippines pageant has stood out for championing more relevant advocacies, which have empowered its winning queens to harness their collective energies in furthering their advocacies, which have so far included such relevant issues as cyberbullying, mental health, suicide prevention, gender equality, environmental awareness, and many others.

To date, the brand makeover has already captured the attention of keen pageant fans and netizens online. As evinced by its eye-catching fashion templates on its social media pages, the Miss World PH organization has obviously rewritten its style bible, utilizing slicker layouts and more engaging content.

𝐍𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐠𝐢𝐚 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐬 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐨 𝐝𝐞 𝐎𝐫𝐨

The night never seems to end as Dabawenyos bang their heads to the beat of the country's renowned artists in the music industry during the 24K Golden Concert of Davao de Oro.

The nostalgia of festivities finally breaks after two (2) years when thousands of Dabawenyos rounded up in the Provincial Capitol Grounds during the finale night of the DdO's 24th Founding Anniversary. 

Earlier in the day, more or less 3,000 women flocked at the Capitol grounds celebrating women as one of the enablers of success in the province through their significant contributions in empowerment. 

Various artists gave Dabawenyos doses of adrenaline when they performed their hits. First to perform are the Davao Comedians wherein laughter echoed in the atmosphere of the capitol, followed by an extraordinary performance  of the Garbo All Stars; the product of the provinces' original singing contest since 2008. Senior Board Member Arturo "Chiongkee" Uy also gave a song number with the Garbo All-Stars.  The singing former governor was instrumental in the most anticipated Garbo Comvalenyo held during Bulawan fest event. 

The heartbreaking and inspiring music of This Band, who performed the famous "Kahit Ayaw Mo Na" and other hits hyped and captured the hearts of the youth during that night. 

Governor Tyron Uy in his message thanked all Dabawenyos for their support throughout the years in giving pride and achieving a successful province. The governor also encouraged them to get vaccinated to fully bring back festivities and other face-to-face activities for the months to come. 

The crowd's energy went up again as TJ Monterde, a balladeer with irresistible charm performed his famous Visayan love songs. Further, the young actress Barbie Imperial with captivating beauty also graced the 24k Golden Concert. 

Finally, capping off the 4-day celebration is the grand fireworks display, a symbol of success and significant achievements of the province. For 24 years, Davao de Oro remained golden for its people. Through its dynamic leaders, the province continues to evolve, now more than able to cope with the need of modern times. 

(JA-PAO IPRD, photos by A. Dayao, J. Cadiz and R. Alvarez)

Praying without ceasing

 

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

“Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find: knock, and it shall be opened to you. For everyone that asketh, receiveth: and he that seeketh, findeth: and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.” (Mt 7,7-8)

The words of Christ are very clear. We are asked to persevere in prayer since no matter how things look bad and hopeless, God always will love us and will take care of us. “If you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children: how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” (Mt 7,11)

We should never doubt the effectiveness of our sincere prayer even if initially it may appear as if we have been ignored if not rebuffed. God would never fail to take care of us—but of course in his own way, which is actually what is best for us. His way may not be what we want, but definitely it would be what is best for us!

How important therefore it is to be persistent and persevering in our prayer, for which a strong faith is needed. We have to remind ourselves of these reassuring words of St. Paul that tell us that no matter how things develop, we can be sure of God’s will to put things to their proper end. “God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” (Phil 1,6)

The Pauline words somehow tell us that the secret of perseverance is our strong faith in God, in his omnipotent and merciful providence that can always make do with whatever situation we may find ourselves in at any given moment.

We have to see to it that we keep that faith alive and burning. And to make that faith vibrant, we need to keep ourselves always in love. It’s love that keeps our faith going. It should be a love that goes beyond good intentions, sweet words and nice feelings. It has to be expressed in deeds.

One clear manifestation of an operative love that nourishes our faith that in turn enables us to persevere and to be faithful to the end is the practice of a daily examination of conscience.

The examination of conscience is a very helpful tool in our effort to be faithful and persevering in our earthly pilgrimage toward our eternal goal. There we make a proper closure to our day as we enter our daily rest at night.

The examination of conscience is a wonderful moment of ending everything with God everyday. After all, God is everything to us, and we should realize that we need to be with him at the end of the day, no matter how we were during the day.

It’s a practice that we have to deliberately cultivate, since it is often not felt and perceived by the senses, or by the body in general, but rather by the spirit, by our mind and heart enlightened by faith. It’s a practice that is often ignored and even rejected by many worldly concerns, trends, fashions, ideologies and political systems.

  If we keep this practice of examining our conscience regularly and properly, we can manage to keep our faith and love for God going irrespective of how things go in our life.

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

4 women farmers who are breaking gender stereotypes in agriculture

A photo of Gigi Morris, MOCA Family Farm RLearning Center’s farm school director

by Vina Medenilla, Manila Bulletin

 

Women’s roles in Philippine agriculture have always been vital to the sector’s development. Despite their contributions, women continue to suffer from inequities and are still underrepresented in several branches of this male-dominated field.

An article published in Food and Fertilizer Technology Center for the Asian and Pacific Region’s website wrote that even though laws and private and public initiatives are put in place to fight gender imbalance, some female farmers and fisher folk in the Philippines remain marginalized in comparison to their male counterparts.

While the word “farming” still conjures up images of men working in a sunny field, there are empowered women who are going beyond such stereotypes and carving their own path in agriculture. Here are four of them, whose inspiring stories have previously appeared on Agriculture Online.

Morris, Ka Gigi to the local community, shared that she felt an implicit bias or stereotype when she first entered the agribusiness. 

In her own words, she says, “I think many in the government service back then thought that farming is not a career for someone who [isn’t] ‘economically challenged.’ Navigating for help and assistance in government programs back then was not easy for new farmers.”

This did not hold her back and instead served as a motivation for her to arrange events for small farmers.

 

Through MOCA Family Farm RLearning Center, a private extension service provider for Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Calabarzon, she joined forces with the Department of Agriculture (DA) in working with new and existing farmers in the delivery of agricultural extension programs and in implementing capacity-building activities for women-led family farms.

“Organizing farm events and agri-conferences created an opportunity for me and other women-led family farms. It was an opportunity to remove the implicit bias or implicit stereotype I faced when I started. It was a chance to get the conversation started,” she said. 

Dengue cases soar in Zamboanga City

An employee of the City Health Office conducts fogging activities in one of the communities affected by the dengue virus. (Zambo LGU photo)

by Liza Abubakar-Jocson, Manila Bulletin

ZAMBOANGA CITY- The Zamboanga City Health Office expressed alarm over the soaring number of dengue cases in Zamboanga City over the past two months.

Since January this year, 338 dengue cases were recorded with nine fatalities, mostly children.

 

Six barangays in the city were reported to have the highest number of dengue cases. These are Mercedes with 15 cases; Culianan, 9; Divisoria, 9; Zambowood, 9; Lanzones, 3; and Quiniput, 3.

City Health Office personnel started to make the rounds of these barangays to conduct fogging activities.

Health personnel visited residents in these communities to help them in the eradication of mosquito breeding sites.

Dr. Dulce Miravite, City Health Officer, reiterated her call to residents to practice the 4-S strategy to combat dengue. The strategy includes search and destroy the breeding places of mosquitoes, seek early consultation, self-protection, and fogging activities.