BBM eyes economic stimulus measure

PRESIDENT-ELECT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. File Photo

By Catherine S. Valente, Manila Times

PRESIDENT-ELECT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is looking at the national budget for 2023 to fund an economic stimulus measure that will help those severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Speaking to reporters at his headquarters in Mandaluyong City on Monday, Marcos admitted that most of the 2022 budget has been disbursed "but not all of it has been spent, so we still have some breathing room."

He added that only a little was left of this year's budget "that's why we will have to look to the new budget, the budget for 2023, which is presently being written."

Marcos said his administration intends to allocate funds for investment-led expenditures that will bring profits to the government.

He did not elaborate, but investment expenditures are those that stimulate the economy such as infrastructure.

"We have to look at that to find sufficient funds for the things we want to do. Basically, move some public expenditure away from non-investment expenditures to more investment expenditures, again to revitalize, to retool the economy," Marcos said.

He, however, was not keen on a proposal to sell some government assets in order to generate more funds to pay for the country's growing debts.

"I'm always very wary of selling government assets. As a matter of principle, I'd rather not," Marcos said.

House leaders led by Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez are looking to pass a stimulus package dubbed "Bangon Bayan Muli" Bill under the 19th Congress, which will convene after June 30.

Romualdez, Marcos' cousin, said the measure will allow the president-elect to use resources available during the final months of 2022 to address the country's pandemic response and use leftover funds to stimulate the economy.

Albay First District Rep. Edcel Lagman, however, said the next administration may not have enough funds for another stimulus package as the government has already disbursed 90 percent of the P5-trillion national budget for this year.

"Unless the new administration can find or create fresh funds, the stimulus package monikered as 'Bayan Bangon Muli' will be mere sloganeering and simply a change in nomenclature from the original Bayanihan," Lagman said, referring to the two stimulus packages approved by President Rodrigo Duterte during the pandemic.

Two Bayanihan laws have been passed to supplement funds for the recovery and response of the government against the Covid-19 pandemic.

At the same time, Marcos said that the Philippines needs to have higher power supply to accelerate the industrialization of crucial sectors affected by the pandemic.

He discussed with South Korean Ambassador to Manila Kim Inchul the revival of the mothballed nuclear power plant built during his late father's administration.

Marcos said the South Korean envoy offered his country's help in reviving the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) in Morong, Bataan.

"Napag-usapan namin ng South Korean ambassador 'yung offer nila at 'yung nakapunta na dito na expert ng nuclear power para tingnan ang Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, para makita kung ano pa ang puwede pang gawin, kung puwede pang ituloy o kailangan na ba magtayo ng bago (We discussed with the South Korean ambassador their offer, and their nuclear power expert already visited the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, to see what else could be done, whether or not it could be revived or if a new one should be built)," the former senator told reporters.

"Binuhay namin muli ang diskusyon na 'yun (We revived that discussion). Although they have come before, we will now study their recommendation, their findings and we will see if we can still apply," he added.

Marcos noted that a power facility needs to have "at least three years of lead time" before it can be fully utilized.

"Kahit na hindi aabutan ng administrasyon ko (Even if it will not happen during my administration), we still have to start somewhere," he said.

"Isa sa pinakamalaking problema (One of the biggest problems) is the supply of power. If we are going to industrialize post-pandemic... then the power sector must be ready for that," he added.

The BNPP was the only nuclear power plant in the region during the 1980s as the Philippines was one of the first Southeast Asian countries to embark on a nuclear energy program.

However, the project was mothballed because of corruption allegations and safety concerns.

A study conducted by Russia State Atomic Energy Corp. in 2017 said the rehabilitation of BNPP will require from $3 billion to $4 billion.

Final date and venue of Miss International 2022 beauty pageant revealed

Hannah Arnold (Instagram)

by Robert Requintina, Manila Bulletin

The Miss International 2022 beauty pageant will be held at the Tokyo Dome City Hall on Dec. 13, organizers announced on Monday, May 23.

“The 60th Miss International Beauty Pageant 2022 will be a historical moment as we witness the crowning of the next queen who will be succeeding the lovely and elegant Sireethorn Leearamwat of Thailand. Are you ready? Graphics by @yuffiegfx,” read the art card for the prestigious beauty pageant.

Hannah Arnold will represent the Philippines at the Miss International stage.

On May 5, Hannah said she is thrilled to see her photo on the Miss International page.

“Para sa’yo Pilipinas 🇵🇭🌸💕

“Nakakakilig to see myself on the Miss International page 🥺🥰. A pageant I have admired since my fellow Masbateño Ate Bea Santiago shared an inspirational message full of Hope and gratitude on that stage. A pageant that taught us about cultural understanding when Ate Kylie Versoza raised our flag. A pageant that celebrates beautiful Binibinis and 6 Filipino queens before me. 😍

“I know we still have a few months until the 2022 pageant, but all of us candidates and the organization are just so excited that everything is starting and that the international audience will be together again in Japan🙏🇯🇵, wrote Hannah.

 

The Philippines captured the Miss International crown six times: Gemma Cruz (1964), Aurora Pijuan (1970), Melanie Marquez (1979), Precious Lara Quigaman (2005), Bea Santiago (2013), and Kylie Verszosa (2016).

Border restrictions not yet needed amid detection of first BA.4 case

By THIRD ANNE PERALTA-MALONZO, SunStar

AN INFECTIOUS disease expert said on Monday, May 23, 2022, that he is yet to see the need for the implementation of border control amid the detection of Omicron BA.4 subvariant in the country.

In a Laging Handa public briefing, Dr. Rontgene Solante said it is “so far too early to implement a border restriction,” noting that other countries where BA.4 and BA.5 cases are on the rise do not implement such.

He said the government should instead continue to closely monitor the situation and intensify the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) testing, especially of the vulnerable individuals who were manifesting symptoms.

He also urged the public to follow the minimum public health standards (MPHS), especially the wearing of face masks, to avoid transmission.

Solante said the BA.4 has a growth advantage of at least 13 to 14 percent and that it can evade the immunity provided by Covid-19 vaccines, as well as protection from previous infection.

“The other aspect of this lineage, it can also evade immunity from the vaccines that we have received, especially for those who have been given the vaccine four to six months ago and without booster,” he said.

While Solante warned over the possible spike of cases due to the subvariant, he said it is less likely to severely affect the country’s healthcare system, noting that based on observation, BA.4 does not cause severe infection.

He said home isolation may suffice for those who will get infected.

“As long as our hospitalization rate is stable, hospitals can still accommodate even if they will be hospitalized... I don’t see the need that we will increase or we will enhance our alert level,” he said.

On Saturday, May 21, the Department of Health (DOH) announced the detection of the first BA.4 subvariant in the country from a returning overseas Filipino who arrived in the Philippines on May 4 from the Middle East.

The patient was confirmed positive with the more transmissible variant from a specimen collected on May 8. He was asymptomatic.

‘Long Covid’

On Sunday, May 22, the DOH reiterated that the best protection against any new variant of Covid-19, as well as post Covid-19 condition, more commonly known as “Long Covid,” is still the adherence to MPHS and getting vaccinated and boosted.

It said Long Covid may include symptoms such as fatigue, cough, chest pain, shortness of breath and joint pains, among others.

“These can be felt usually three months after being infected with the Covid-19 virus, may last for at least two months, and cannot be explained by other conditions. Symptoms may be new onset after one has already recovered, or may continue from the initial Covid-19 episode,” the DOH said.

“To date, there is no test to diagnose Long Covid. Consult your doctor or healthcare provider for first aid. If you experience the following, immediately go to the nearest Emergency Room: difficulty breathing (catching breath, can only say one word); severe chest pain; lightheadedness or fainting,” it added.

As of Monday, May 23, the Philippines has a total of 2,252 active Covid-19 cases.

The country has a total of 60,455 Covid-19 death toll out of the 3,688,941 cases detected since 2020. (SunStar Philippines)

I AM SORRY

Living in the Philippines since almost 25 years let me learn a lot as an expatriat. There is something peculiar about the Tagalog and even the Filipino language. There is no word for "sorry" or "apology." When Filipinos are at fault, they say in Tagalog or Filipino, "Pasensiya na." That literally translates into, "Please forget your anger" or "Please let it go". It's important to note that the personal pronoun used is in second person, not the first. 

How do you say I’m sorry without saying I’m sorry? Eight Ways to Apologize Without Saying “I’m Sorry”

It’s unfortunate that…

How sad for you that (this) happened…

I sympathize with your situation/disappointment/frustration…

What a shame that…

Will you please forgive my insensitivity/error/indiscretion…

I am completely at fault here, and I apologize…

Widely used phrases: The best Filipino / Tagalog translation for the English word sorry. paumanh í n [noun] excusing; forgiveness; asking for forgiveness; tolerating; patience; sorry 5 Example Sentences Available » more… pas é nsiya na [phrase] I’m sorry.

What does the word sorrow mean in Tagalog?

Mental suffering or pain caused by injury, loss, or despair. To express deep sorrow for. Similar phrases in dictionary English Tagalog. (4) Gabriel ng Ina ng Hapis * Why did Paul rejoice in their sorrow? * Bakit nagalak si Pablo sa kanilang kalungkutan o kalumbayan? Better still, God’s peace means a world without sickness, pain, sorrow, or death.

Which is correct I am sorry or Please Forgive Me?

While the list that Emily gave will work, it translates more accurately to “Please forgive me” rather than “I am sorry”. The direct translation of “I am sorry” would be: “Pasensya na” – This is casual/informal. “Pasensya na po.” This is polite/formal.

What’s the best word to use in place of Sorry?

Pasensya — most common word to use in place of sorry. Paumanhin — this word sounds formal and deep. Its root word is ano (lit. what) with which by conjugation ( pa-um-ano-hin) gives it a meaning close to “to let it pass.” Patawad — in most context this is used when someone is asking for forgiveness.

I'll share some sample sentences and I'll break it down one by one.

Sorry kaayo. (I'm really sorry)

Sorry kaayo jud. (I'm very sorry/ I'm really really sorry)

Sorry kaayo jud ha.

Sorry - pronounce as "su-ri"; asking for forgiveness

kaayo - really

jud - added to give more emphasis to the emotion

ha - (soft sound) added to make emotions sound more sincere and sweet

    - added to pacify the person

 

Sentence Sample 2.

Pasayloa ko. (Forgive me.)

Pasayloa - to forgive

ko - me

Pasayloa jud ko. (Forgive me.) - More sincere

Pasayloa jud ko kaayo. (Forgive me. - Most sincere. This sounds like, you are asking for a huge forgiveness.

Sample Sentence #3

Mangayo ko og pasaylo nimo.

I am asking for your forgiveness.

Mangayo - to ask (Nangayo - past tense)

ko - me

og - connecting word. In some sentences/phrases this could be "is". In this phrase, it is used to connect words in relation to "what" the person is asking. I would say this is the "for" in the sample phrase above.

Pasaylo - forgiveness/ sorry

nimo - your

Sample Sentence #4

Pasayloa ko sa akong nabuhat nga dautan/ngil-ad. Wala jud nako gituyo.

I am very sorry for what bad/awful things I did. I didn't mean it.

I know this is quite long. These words would make you sound remorseful.

Pasayloa - sorry/ forgiveness

ko - me

sa - connecting word usually means "for"

akong - my

nabuhat - things that you did

nga - connecting word. No English equivalent. This is used to link the relationship between modifiers. Like in this phrase: nabuhat nga dautan (bad things I did), nabuhat nga ngil-ad (awful things I did)

dautan- bad

ngil-ad - awful

Wala - nothing/ none/ not

jud - see description above

nako - I

gituyo - mean/ intentional

Lastly, Sample Sentence #5

For lighter mistakes

Pasensya kaayo ha.

Be patient with me.

This is another way of saying sorry but is used for minor mistakes only. Using this phrase for bigger mistake is an insult. This also means you are asking the person to be more patient with you.

For example: You are going to meet a friend and you are late for 10-15mins or less then you use this phrase

BUT if you are late for an hour then you should use the "Sorry kaayo jud ha." OR you combine "Sorry kaayo jud ha.Pasensya kaayo ____(friend's name)_____".

Another way to say sorry is to extend the Sorry like "Sooorrrrryyy kaayo ha"

Remember to the soft "ha" at the end to pacify the person in this case your friend.

I wish and hope and pray that you might learn how to say your words of apologizes, when you are in the Philippines. It doesn't mean, where you are located in this wonderful country.

The reason for our hope

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

AS we approach the end of the Easter season when we celebrate the truth of our faith that Christ is alive and has gained victory over sin and death, we are reminded of the presence and crucial role of the Holy Spirit who continues Christ’s presence and redemptive work in us till the end of time.

“When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father,” Christ said, “he will testify to me.” (Jn 15,26) With these words, Christ was reassuring his apostles, and us, that he would continue to be with us, despite his death, resurrection and ascension into heaven.

Later on, he warned his apostles, and us, that we should not worry even as we continue to have troubles and suffering in this world, since as long as we are with him, everything would be taken care of. 

“I have told you this so that you may not fall away,” he said. “They will expel you from the synagogues. In fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think he is offering worship to God.” (Jn 16,1-2)

Given the fact that our condition on earth is that of a pilgrim, we should be strong in this virtue of hope that would enable us to be always on the move toward our ultimate, spiritual and supernatural goal without unnecessarily getting entangled with our human and temporal affairs, let alone, our unavoidable troubles here on earth.

Hope is first of all not just a virtue that we produce, cultivate or keep ourselves. It is first of all a gift from God, given to us in abundance. It is the gift of Christ himself who, by the Holy Spirit, is made present in us through his words, his sacraments, his Church. All we have to do is to correspond to this wonderful reality as vigorously as possible.

That is why we need to be most mindful of the truths of our faith, giving time to meditate on them and to make them sink in our very consciousness. We have to be wary of our tendency to be carried away by our earthly concerns, no matter how legitimate they are. For again, as the gospel would say, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mk 8,36)

It’s important that just like in that management style called MBO (Management by objective), we have to have a clear vision of our ultimate goal and make it the strongest desire of our life, so that we avoid getting entangled unnecessarily with the ups and downs and the drama of life.

This, of course, will require some significant effort, because nowadays people are getting too hooked in their earthly, temporal affairs. Hope gives one the conviction that God has the last word, goodness has the last say. It reassures everyone that it is all worthwhile to suffer a little or a lot in life as long as one does not lose sight of his eternal goal.

Hope gives one a deep sense of peace and joy, and an abiding sense of confidence, regardless of how things play out in one’s life, since life always has more to offer than what we can expect or handle.

When we seem to be overwhelmed by trials, challenges, tasks, pressures that can come anytime, I believe the attitude to have and the reaction to make is to be calm, pray hard, and while we do all we can, we have to learn to live a certain sense of abandonment in the hands of God.

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

Govt warning out on 'monkeypox'

By Red Mendoza, Manila Times

(UPDATE) WHILE the rise in Covid-19 cases in Metro Manila is "not alarming" to health experts, the outbreak of a new viral disease called "monkeypox" in parts of the world is enough for the government to warn the public against its spread if health protocols are ignored.

The Department of Health (DoH) has issued a public health advisory on monkeypox after an outbreak was reported in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Monkeypox, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), is "a viral disease from animals and primarily occurs in the tropical rainforest of Central and Western Africa."

It can be transmitted to humans through "close contact via fluid transmission with an infected person or animal or through contaminated materials," according to WHO.

Symptoms of the disease include "fever, rashes and swollen lymph nodes, which could also lead to medical complications," it said.

"But it is less contagious than smallpox and causes less severe illnesses," it said.

More than 80 cases of the disease have been reported in 11 countries, with the UK having the most since it was first detected in a passenger from Nigeria.

PH reports 8,702 new Covid-19 cases

The DoH, in a public advisory late Friday night, said that although no case of monkeypox has been detected in the country or its borders, health screening has been intensified and surveillance systems are in place.

The DoH said that minimum public health standards currently enforced against Covid-19 such as "wearing your best-fitted mask, ensuring good airflow, keeping hands clean and physical distancing" will also prevent the spread of monkeypox in the country.

In a separate briefing, Dr. Teodoro Herbosa, emergency medicine specialist, said that monkeypox is different from the Covid virus as its method of transmission is different.

He said that the smallpox vaccine, which has not been produced since the eighties, can be used to prevent a possible spread of monkeypox.

Herbosa said the country's borders should not be closed even with the detection of monkeypox in other countries, noting that public health measures will be enough to prevent the spread of the disease without hurting the economy.

"Ang pagsara ng borders, malaki ang epekto nito sa turismo at ekonomiya at supply chain ng ating mga goods and services, [so] hindi tama na mag-close down (Closing the borders will have a huge impact on tourism, the economy, and the supply chain of goods and services, so it is not right that we close down)," Herbosa added.

Meanwhile, the independent OCTA Research group downplayed the increase in the number of Covid cases in the National Capital Region (NCR).

OCTA said on Friday that cases in the region increased by 19 percent to 71 cases per day during the week of May 13 to 19, higher than the 59 daily cases the week before.

It also noted an increase in the average daily attack rate to 0.50 cases per 100,000 individuals, while the reproduction number increased to 0.9 from 0.76.

Herbosa, the special adviser for the National Task Force Against Covid-19, assured that there was no cause for alarm for as long as the source can be determined and to make sure that the infected are isolated to contain the spread.

Herbosa also said that the government aims to administer the second booster shots to about 12 million senior citizens and health care workers by the end of the month.

He urged the next administration to continue the national Covid-19 program blueprint implemented by the Duterte administration because it has been effective in containing the spread of the virus.

"Magbibigay tayo ng magandang operational plan at ang National Action Plan Phase 5, hopefully 'yung susunod na administrasyon papalawakin pa [para sa] ating economic recovery (We will give a good operational plan and we hope that the National Action Plan Phase 5 will be continued and expanded by the next administration for our economic recovery," Herbosa said.

Omicron subvariant detected

Even as health experts downplay the Covid increase in the NCR, a Filipino who arrived in the country from the Middle East last May 4 was found positive for the BA.4 sublineage of the Omicron variant four days after he planed in.

This comes amid the detection of other sublineages of Omicron, such as BA.2.12 and BA.2.12.1, in the country.

No other details were shared except that he was asymptomatic.

"The immediate priority is to ensure the case has been cared for and his close contacts quarantined to interrupt transmission," the DoH said.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has classified the BA.4 sublineage as a variant of concern due to its capacity to either spread faster or cause worse illness.

Early studies suggested that BA.4 transmits faster because of its ability to evade immunity provided by vaccines, especially for those whose protection had waned over time.

The DoH has coordinated with concerned local government units to implement detection and isolation activities, as well as seek out those unvaccinated and those eligible for boosters.

Ivermectin trials terminated

In a related development, the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) said that it has terminated the clinical trials of the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin as a possible cure for Covid-19.

According to Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato de la Peña, the decision was made upon the recommendation of the DoH and the DoST-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development governing council in its meeting on May 11.

De la Peña cited delays in the submission of deliverables, lack of clinical benefits of ivermectin based on more recent clinical studies, the issuance of the recommendation against the use of the drug, and the availability of effective therapeutics for the early phase of Covid-19.

Last year, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the clinical trials amid increased clamor by several lawmakers and groups who claimed that the anti-parasitic drug would be helpful in preventing early-stage

YOU HAVE THREE WISHES

What are the most common 3 wishes? The most common wishes were for friends, happiness, health, marriage, money, success, self-improvement, and to help other people.

When I was still a young boy, I was taught that there might be

fairy creatures offering us three free wishes. We should be always so

wise enough to think it over very well and select the best wishes for

our very own. Sure, there will be always classic stupidities regarding

fairy-wishes. We are all human beings and don't belong to the fairy

category.

Your wish is my command! And, there is someone who wishes at first a

strong health, and - sure, he or she receives it, because good fairies

never hesitate. And now and then? Here he is, for example, the healthy

man is like a boulder in the surf, but surrounded by a world of war,

flames and so-called military conflicts. But this man is still alive

and as fit as a fiddler. Why should he wish for a strong health...?

Well, maybe we have to formulate our wishes for something more

improved. But what? Discretion is the better part of valor. Let's try

it like a fairy-tale and ask for wealth, riches and abundance. These

are the one and only things on earth, right?

With money we can travel around the globe, find friends, even in far

away distances, and we can do charities. Well, and if we might become

sick, maybe seriously sick, we must not worry. We can afford and

finance the most affordable doctors and most updated hospitals to give

us back to good health. And if not?

In many fairy tales, we can also find the one with unassuming manners,

inconspicuous, poorly dressed-up, a little bit silly, mostly disregarded

and easily to be overlooked. This guy has only one wish, such as

eternal salvation and bliss with a little stool in heaven besides God.

And guys, be sure, that he will get it, and, he is happy and very

thankful. So far so good, it seems the simpleton has been the

brightest.

It's all right: three wishes and no one more. A different thing, isn't it?

If all human beings on this entire globe could be all around happy,

which means to say: nobody must go hungry any more, nobody must be

despairing, nobody must be worried about wars and catastrophes, and

everybody should be able to enjoy health and happiness without bearing

trials ... yes, if ... Then we wouldn't need fairy-wishes...

Real life looks different. Real life is not a fairy tale. We need

prayers and should be more respectful and friendly to each other.

Each one of us has his or her own three wishes. Me too. One of them

is: I wish for peace on earth!

Hidilyn retains weightlifting title

WORTH HER  WEIGHT IN GOLD  Philippines’ Hidilyn Diaz wins gold in the women’s 55 kg weightlifting event during the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Hanoi on Friday, May 20, 2022.  PHOTO COURTESY OF AFP

By Jean Malanum, Manila Times

(UPDATE) HIDILYN Diaz emerged the winner in a battle of Olympic champions to retain her title in the 55-kilogram weightlifting category Friday in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Diaz's victory provided one of the three gold medals that added to the country's medal harvest for the day. The other two came from esports and judo.

It also provided a bright note on a day when the Philippines slid to fifth place in the medal standings.

Diaz, who gave the country's its first Olympic gold medal, in Tokyo last year, lifted 92 kg in the snatch and 114 kg in the clean and jerk for a total of 206 kg, 3 kilos more than the tally of 2016 Rio Olympics gold medalist Sanikun Tanasan of Thailand.

Diaz was trailing Sanikun in the snatch after failing to clear 93 kg. The Thai then lifted 110 kg in her second attempt in the clean and jerk, but Diaz wiped out the Thai's lead by raising 114 kg in her first attempt.

Sanikun tried to match the Filipino's lift but was unable to do so in her third attempt.

Amit pockets women's 9-ball gold in Vietnam

Diaz tried to add the icing to her cake by going for a new SEA Games record of 121 kg. She failed but still managed a smile.

Natasya Beteyob of Indonesia lifted 188 kg to finish third.

Diaz said later winning at the SEA Games was just the beginning of her quest for a third Olympic gold.

"My journey toward Paris [Olympics] starts here, so this SEA Games gold is very important for me," she said.

Wong leads PH wushu team in SEA Games

Diaz admitted having struggled while training for the Hanoi Games because of commitments she had to attend to after her Olympic victory.

At the Vietnam National Convention Center, Team Sibol bagged the second gold medal for the esports team with a victory in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB).

Team Sibol defeated Indonesia, 3-1, in the best-of-five final series.

The Philippines earlier downed Singapore, 2-1, while Indonesia beat Malaysia, 2-0, in the semifinals to arrange the championship showdown.

PH bags 2 more golds, slips to 4th place

The Philippine MLBB team is composed of Jonar Villanueva (captain), Russel Aron Usi, Kyle Dominic Soto, Dexter Louise Alaba, Danerie James Del Rosario, Salic Imam and Lee Howard Gonzales.

Team Sibol won its first gold medal last Wednesday in the Legends: Wild Rift (Mobile) women's team event.

At the Hoai Duc Gymnasium, Filipino Japanese judoka Shugen Nakano ruled the men's 66 kg category as he defeated hometown bet Hoang Phuc Truong, 1-0, in their final match to retain the title he won at the 2019 Manila Games.

Obiena wins gold, breaks own SEA Games record

Thailand settled for the bronze medal following a 1-0 win over Cambodia.

t was Singapore who dislodged the Philippines from fourth place in the standings.

As of 8 p.m. on Friday, the country had collected 42 golds, 59 silvers and 80 bronzes.

Still on top was host Vietnam with a 162-97-92 medal tally. followed by Thailand (65-73-105), Indonesia (47-66-63) and Singapore (47-44-62).

The Philippines, however, remains on track for snagging the coveted gold in basketball. Undefeated Gilas Pilipinas tries to move closer to retaining the men's title when it battles Malaysia at 11 a.m. at the Than Tri Gymnasium on Saturday.

"We all know that the big test is Indonesia, but we can't look past Malaysia. We've been watching. 'Yung Malaysian [team] sa atin nagpatigas 'yan (toughened up after they played us). They played in the Philippines and we really like the way they play," Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes said.

The team's final game will be against Indonesia on Sunday.

In billiards, the Philippines is assured of two more golds since the final matches in women's and men's 10-ball singles will be all-Filipino affairs.

Chezka Centeno and Rubilen Amit downed their respective rivals in the semis to arrange a showdown for the women's title, while 9-ball singles gold medalist Johann Chua and Carlo Biado duel for the men's crown after ousting their Singaporean opponents in the semis.

Veteran actress Susan Roces passes away, tributes flood social media

By Christina Alpad, Manila Times

THE Queen of Philippine Movies Susan Roces has passed away, her family confirmed. She was 80 years old.

"With great sadness, we announce the loss of our beloved Jesusa Sonora Poe, whom many of you know as Susan Roces. She passed away peacefully on a Friday evening, May 20, 2022, surrounded by love and warmth, with her daughter Grace, her nephews Joseph and Jeffrey and many of her family and close friends. She lived life fully and gracefully," a statement from the office of Roces' daughter, Senator Grace Poe-Llamanzares, read.

"Remember her in her beauty, warmth and kindness. She is now with the Lord and her beloved Ronnie — FPJ. We will miss her sorely but we celebrate a life well lived. Susan Roces — daughter, mother, grandmother, a true Filipina and a national treasure."

Jesusa Purificacion Levy Sonora-Poe in real life, Roces made her acting debut in the 1952 film "Mga Bituin ng Kinabukasan."

She was married to the "King of Philippine movies," Fernando Poe Jr. from 1968 until his death in 2004.

Roces was last seen portraying Lola Flora in the long-running TV series, "FPJ's Ang Probinsyano."

Condolences and tributes from personalities in show business and politics flooded Twitter.

"Susan Roces," "Rest in Peace," and "Lola Flora" — the character Roces last portrayed in the long-running TV series, "FPJ's Ang Probinsyano" — quickly reached the top trending topic list of the social media app.

"My sincerest condolences to Sen Grace and the family and loved ones of Ma'am Susan Roces... Rest in peace po Ninang Susan... you will be missed..." Senator-elect Francis "Chiz" Escudero shared via his Twitter account, @SayChiz.

"Rest In Peace Ninang Susan Roces," Senator-elect Jose Victor Ejercito also tweeted.

"Nakakalungkot naman. Isang napakabuting tao ang nagpaalam. Hinding hindi ko makakalimutan ang kabaitan mo sa amin mga nakatrabaho mo. RIP Susan Roces," actress Alex Gonzaga tweeted via @Mscathygonzaga.

"Sincerest condolences to the Poe family Rest in peace, Ms. Susan Roces," shared TV host Bianca Gonzales via @iamsuperbianca.

Host, comedian and talent manager Ogie Diaz, who was among the first to share the sad news, simply wrote, "Rest in peace, Tita Susan Roces."

Covid cases on the rise in Metro Manila

 KIDS' VAX. A health personnel administers the Covid-19 vaccine to a young girl during the rollout vaccination for children aged 5 to 11 years old at the Calabash Health Center in Sampaloc, Manila on Friday (May 20, 2022). (PNA photo by Rico H. Borja)

COVID-19 infections in Metro Manila went up by 19 percent during the week of May 13 to 19, the independent OCTA Research group reported Friday.

OCTA said there were 71 cases a day during that week, higher than the 59 cases during the previous week.

OCTA senior fellow Dr. Guido David also reported an increase in the average daily attack rate (ADAR), to 0.50 cases per 100,000 population from 0.42.

The reproduction number has also gone up to 0.9 from 0.76, David said.

A reproduction number of less than one indicates that viral transmission among infected individuals is still under control.

FDA grants EUA for Sinovac jab for kids

Despite the rise in cases, the positivity rate remained at 1.2 percent, and the health care utilization rate and the intensive care unit utilization also stayed under low risk.

OCTA's indicators are different from that of the Department of Health (DoH), which relies on CovidActNow figures used by the Harvard School of Public Health.

In a statement, the DoH said that the slight rise in cases did not translate to increased admissions or utilization rates.

It also said Metro Manila is still classified as minimal risk since its two-week growth rate remained at -17 percent.

PH vaccination rate against Covid-19 reaches 70% of target population

The DoH reminded the public that to prevent another Covid surge, they should continue to follow the minimum health protocols and get themselves vaccinated and boosted.

According to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officer in charge Dr. Oscar Gutierrez, no manufacturer has applied for an amended emergency use authorization to use booster shots on children ages 5 to 11 years.

Gutierrez said during a televised briefing the agency has not received any application from Pfizer, whose booster vaccine was approved for use on children in the United States.

An application will be evaluated by its vaccine panel, a process that could take three weeks, he said.

Covid-19 pill gets FDA approval

Philippine Medical Association President Dr. Benito Atienza said he does not expect early approval of the booster vaccine for kids because it has not yet gone through a comprehensive study.

Atienza said most doctors are waiting for the Sinovac vaccine specifically for the age group to be approved by the Health Technology Assessment Council.

Gutierrez also said any decision to administer second booster shots to overseas Filipino workers rests solely with the DoH.

Second booster shots put on hold

He also welcomed the development of a recombinant vaccine by vaccine manufacturer Moderna, which contains the original virus and the Omicron variant.

The DoH also said the FDA is evaluating the EUA application for the Convidecia vaccine from CanSino Biologics of China.

Convidecia was given an emergency use listing by the World Health Organization on Thursday, making it the 11th vaccine to get such a listing.

Convidecia is a single-dose vaccine that uses a modified human adenovirus that synthesizes the Spike S protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

It has an efficacy rate of 64 percent against symptomatic disease and 92 percent against severe Covid-19.

Also on Friday, former Health secretary and Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin reminded the public to be cautious because the highly transmissible Omicron subvariant BA.2.12.1 is spreading.

"Alam na nating hindi pa tapos ang pandemya, alam nating mas nakakahawa ang subvariant na ito, kaya habang maaga pa ay pigilan na ang pagkalat nito (We are all aware that the pandemic is far from over. Knowing that this subvariant is contagious, we must act quickly to prevent its transmission)," Garin said.

Close to 55 million Filipinos should have been given booster shots by now, she said. As it is, only 13.7 million people have been given boosters. If the current low rate of immunization continues, Garin said a surge could happen.

The DoH recently confirmed the local transmission of BA.2.12.1, a highly infectious subvariant of Omicron.

WITH MOISES CRUZ