PH ready to take lead in Asean peacekeeping

 

By Xinhua News Agency

October 7, 2022

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that the Philippines is ready to take the role of peacekeeper in Southeast Asia, emphasizing it is good for the country's interest and regional security.

During a media forum, Marcos said the Philippines has a vital role in keeping peace, particularly amid geopolitical tensions in the region. "So we have a very important part to play in that because we have a great interest," he added.

Marcos also stressed the need to strengthen the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to make it more responsive to future challenges and enable the regional bloc to do more than it has accomplished, suggesting he will raise the issue at Asean meetings in November.

He said that Asean should try and push its member countries to present a united front and move it forward in order to make sure the group "has a function to do in the normal scheme of the geopolitics." Asean groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Gretchen Fullido, Vivoree, Elmo, and more PIE jocks lead new talk and music shows on PIE CHANNEL

by Manila Bulletin Entertainment

Meaningful conversations and fun singing sessions take center stage as PIE (Pinoy Interactive and Entertainment) Channel introduces to viewers new segments of its BRGY. PIESILOG, PIEBORITO, AND PIE NIGHT LONG program blocks.

BRGY PIESILOG (Monday to Sunday, 10 am – 12 nn)

Every morning, viewers can bond with the ‘brunchkada’ of Gretchen Fullido, Abby Trinidad, Frances Cabatuando, Mayor TV, Tristan Ramirez (Monday to Saturday) Madam Inutz, Migs Bustos, at Nicole Cordovez (Sunday) in BRGY PIESILOG (10 am – 12 nn) that aims to give public service by sharing relevant and practical information.

From Monday to Saturday, viewers can watch “Eto Na Nga,” which features important public service announcements from government agencies, NGOs, and advocacy groups. Practical life hacks are also featured in “Life Guro,” while viewers who are facing dilemmas can seek advice from a life coach in “Sumpungan HQ.”

On Sundays, BRGY. PIESILOG puts the spotlight on different kinds of micro, small, and medium enterprises in “Pasok Mga Suki” and offers free on-air consultations with guest physicians on top of discussing different health concerns in “Dr. Care.”

According to Gretchen, viewers can expect a lot from their public service segments in BRGY. PIESILOG. “Makaka-expect kayo ng practical life tips, life hacks, gustong-gusto ko ‘yung ‘Life Guro’ kasi meron tayong life coach.”

Migs also shared that his hosting style in PIE is more relaxed. “Siguro mas casual compared sa news style. Talagang mas friendly, mas engaging to the audience. It encouraged us to loosen up more, to be able to really connect with the audience.”

PIEBORITO (Monday to Sunday, 12 nn – 4 pm)

During noontime, Janine Berdin and Raco Ruiz will join viewers in PIEBORITO to introduce the hottest music videos in “Playlist Natin!.” Viewers can also catch the behind-the-scenes funny bonding moments of the PIE jocks in “PIE Extra Slice” or revisit the ‘kilig’ in the reruns of “On The Wings of Love” and “Iba: Long Cut.”

Raco shared that he had a lot of questions when he first started out as a PIE jock. “Actually when I started hosting on PIE sinabi ko kay Direk na ‘Direk, tama ba ko para dito?’ I was always tripping over my words. Sabi niya, ‘Character mo yun. Make it your own. Be yourself. That’s gonna be your branding.”

PIE NIGHT LONG (Monday to Sunday, 8 pm – 11 pm)

By night time, Aaron Maniego, Karen Bordador, Renee Dominique (Monday to Friday), Elmo Magalona, and Vivoree (Sunday) will accompany viewers in PIE NIGHT LONG.

In “How to B U?,” PIE NIGHT LONG jocks will get to live the life of different workers, while “Moment Mo” features people from different walks of life and their interesting stories.

Those seeking love and life advice can get help from Karen Bordador in “Tender Love & Karen,” while viewers who want to be in the loop of the latest controversial issues can watch “UZI.” By Sunday, PIE NIGHT LONG transforms into a virtual weekend musicfest with “PIE NIGHT LONG Sessions,” an evening music and talk show with performances from the jocks and various musical guests.

Meanwhile, Elmo is glad to be working with co-PIE jock Vivoree. “Masaya ako na I got to work with Vivoree kasi before nakasama ko siya in acting workshops. Since we both love music ni Vivoree, we work very easily dito sa PNL sessions,” he said.

Besides BRGY. PIE SILOG, PIEBORITO, AND PIE NIGHT LONG, PIE also offers viewers new shows and PIE jocks for more excitement. They are Anji Salvacion, Eris Aragoza, Ralph Malibunas, Sam Bernardo (Mon to Sat) for PIEGALINGAN, Gello Marquez, Jeremy G, Reign Parani, and Vivoree (Sun) for PAK! Palong Follow; Eian Rances, Negi, Sela Guia, Kevin Montillano, Nicki Morena, Ruth Paga, Nonong Ballinan (Mon to Sat) Inah Evans, Kid Yambao, Patsy Reyes, and Jackie Gonzaga (Sundays) for PIENALO PINOY GAMES; and finally, Melai Cantiveros, Jhong Hilario, Kaila Estrada, and former “PBB” housemates in “The Chosen One.”

PIE is the first multiscreen, real-time interactive TV channel in the country. Viewers in the Philippines can participate and win cash prizes every day.

Find the PIE Channel by scanning your digibox. Viewers can also watch PIE worldwide via its website pie.com.ph, YouTube (http://youtube.com/iampieofficial), Sky Cable Channel 21, and Cablelink Channel 100. Viewers can also watch PIE live on GLife of the GCash App. The PIE Channel is a project of ABS-CBN, Kroma Entertainment, BEAM, and 917 Ventures. Follow PIE (@iamPIEofficial) on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok for updates.

First 100 Days: VP Duterte cites return of in-person classes as her biggest achievement

by Raymund Antonio, Manila Bulletin

Vice President and Education chief Sara Duterte considers the resumption of in-person classes in the present school year the biggest accomplishment of her office, citing the benefits of face-to-face classes to students.

Vice President Sara Duterte (Photo from Inday Sara Duterte Facebook page)

She said this as her office prepares the report for her 100 days as vice president and Education secretary.

“Ang pinakamahalaga na masasabi ko na nagawa natin (The most important that I can say we did) as a country is naibalik natin iyong ating (we were able to bring back the) in-person classes sa ating mga eskwelahan (in our schools),” she said during an interview at an event where she and the Qatar Embassy in Manila distributed FIFA bags to daycare children in Mandaluyong City.

The Vice President cited studies that showed the “many benefits” of in-person classes to students.

“Kaya napakahalaga na naibalik natin ang (That’s why it’s very important that we were able to return the) option na iyon sa ating mga eskwelahan na mag-conduct ng (that our schools conduct) 5-days in person classes,” Duterte added.

Filipino students returned to school on Aug. 22 after more than two years of online classes due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Though it is not until November that the government mandates students to return to in-person classes, it was earlier said that schools and teachers should use September and October for the transition.

READ: DepEd chief VP Sara eyes full face-to-face classes by November—Marcos

The Vice President earlier underscored the benefits of face-to-face classes, noting also the measures—vaccines, face masks, and medicines—now available.

God always cares

 

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

THAT gospel episode about 10 lepers who begged Christ to cure them teaches us the lesson that we should always go to God especially when we find ourselves in difficulties. It also reminds us that we should always be thankful to him because he always cares for us. (cfr. Lk 17,11-19) These two attitudes should be kind of instinctive to us.

We have to learn how to deal with the difficult and the impossible things in our life. Let’s remember that as long as we are here on earth, we have to contend with all sorts of difficulties, trials and temptations. 

And as if these are not enough, we also have to contend with the truth of our faith that tells us that we are meant to pursue a supernatural goal that definitely cannot be achieved simply with our own human powers alone, no matter how excellent they are.

The secret is always to go and to be with God through Christ in the Holy Spirit who can make the impossible possible. In all our affairs and situations in life, we should always go to God to ask for his help and guidance, and to trust his ways and his providence, even our prayers and petitions appear unanswered, if not, contradicted.

This should be the attitude to have. It’s an attitude that can only indicate our unconditional faith and love for God who is always in control of things, and at the same time can also leave us in peace and joy even at the worst of the possibilities.

We just have to remember that Christ never abandons us and is, in fact, all ready and prompt to come to our aid, albeit in ways that we may not realize, at first, just like what happened in that story of the two disciples who were on their way to Emmaus. (cfr. Lk 24,13-25)

We should not allow our feelings of sadness to be so dominant and pervasive that we shut off Christ’s many and often mysterious ways of helping us. If we do not pose a deliberate impediment to Christ’s ways, there is always hope. In our darkest moments, some light will always come piercing and dispelling the darkness away.

At the same time, we should always keep in mind that we need to be thankful to God for whatever gift, blessing and favor he gives. We have to be wary of our tendency to take this duty for granted. As shown in that gospel about the 10 lepers who were cured, only one came to thank Christ who showed concern that the other nine did not bother to thank him. 

We need to do everything to cultivate this abiding mentality of thanksgiving. We have to deliberately do this task, given the desensitizing effect of the flurry of activities and other concerns our modern world is bombarding us with.

Gratitude forms an essential part of our relation with God. It is the adequate response we give upon seeing the continuous attention and care God gives us. It makes us stick to the reality of our life. It keeps us from inventing a world unhinged from its Creator and from others.

When we are thankful, we open our heart to the workings of grace and the innate goodness that comes with our nature, at least that part that is still unaffected by sin. In a way, gratitude is a main language of the heart. It’s a major expression of love.

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

Govt urged to create programs for elderly

By Red Mendoza, Manila Ti,es

October 6, 2022

In this file photo thousands of delegates from different cities in Metro Manila participates on DSWD's Filipino elderly week at SM Mall of Asia. File Photo

THE Commission on Population and Development (PopCom) has urged the government to create programs for an increasing aging Filipino population before the end of the decade.

This comes as the country is experiencing an increasing number of aging Filipinos, with the current aging growth rate now hovering at an average of 3.5 percent over the past 10 years, according to the University of the Philippines-Population Institute.

The figures were given by former PopCom executive director Dr. Juan Manuel Perez 3rd, who represented the country in a conference in Bangkok, Thailand during the International Day of Older Persons.

He said in the conference that while older Filipino women outlive their male counterparts, they are the ones who contend with diseases and disabilities.

"More than half (57 percent) struggle with their daily living and have mobility issues. About 56 percent of them are already widowed, while 70 percent of males are either still married or have partners, and are very much physically active," Perez said.

The Philippine Statistics Authority said that senior citizens now comprise 8.5 percent of the total Philippine population, or around 9.2 million individuals.

Executive Director Lolito Tacardon, PopCom officer in charge, urged the institutionalization of comprehensive programs on health for seniors, especially those who are living by themselves.

PopCom projects that by 2030, 11 percent of the total population will be 60 years old and above, and will outnumber children ages 0 to 4 years old.

"Preventive programs to avoid diseases leading to disabilities should be in place. Our local health system should likewise be more decentralized," Tacardon said in a statement.

He added that while the government has implemented programs for long-term care for senior citizens, such as the programs by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, it should be brought down to the community level to address disabilities made by senior citizens.

"For those to be effective, local government units should be more active in widening the scope of our health systems' services, or revisit those already operationalized to elevate their effectiveness," Tacardon said.

He said that the commission will work with legislators, local policymakers and government leaders to create socioeconomic and health policies that are targeted for the elderly as a way of "manifesting their care for Filipinos in all stages of their lives."

Heart Evangelista to appear in ‘Bling Empire’

by Neil Ramos, Manila Bulletin

Confirmed.

Heart Evangelista will appear in Season 3 of Netflix’s “Bling Empire.”

The actress took to Twitter recently to tease fans about it.

She wrote, “Bling on Netflix in about 30ish minutes ?:) see you”

In a separate tweet, Heart thanked “Bling Empire” stars Kane Lim and Kelly Mi Li for the opportunity.

She said, “It was a fun cameo. Thank you Bling Empire for the sweetest party  to Kane and Kelly you are angels  “

Rumors about her appearance in the show started August last year.

Boracay tourist arrivals down in September

by Tara Yap, Manila Bulletin

ILOILO CITY – Tourist arrivals at world-famous Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan are down 34,695 as only 122,373 visited last September.

A COUPLE walks on the beach in Boracay Island. (Tara Yap)

September was the second month in a row in the pandemic period that tourist arrivals plunged.

In July, 183, 076 came. A month later, numbers went down to 157, 338, and figures dropped further in September to 122, 373.

Majority of Boracay’s tourists were still domestic.

However, only 106,776 visited last month, down 26,044 from 132,820 in August.

Foreign and OFW visitors also dropped in September.

Only 12,513 foreigners arrived compared to 19,609 in August, a decrease of 7,096.

Only 3,084 OFWs were in Boracay, down 1,825 a month ago with 4,909.

Boracay tourism stakeholders are hoping that the number of arrivals will pick up again to sustain the socio-economy of the resort island.

Novena Masses for Zamboanga City patron saint under way

by Liza Abubakar-Jocson, Manila Bulletin

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Devotees are flocking to Fort Pilar Shrine for novena masses starting Monday, Oct. 3, in honor of Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar, the patron saint of this city.

DEVOTEES of Zamboanga City patron saint Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar hold a procession during the first day of novena Masses on Monday, Oct. 3. (Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar FB page)

Processions are held daily at 5 a.m. while novena Masses are at 6 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 5 p.m., and 6:30 p.m. until Oct. 11.

Novena Masses will culminate in a mañanita (early morning) Mass at 4:30 a.m. on Oct. 12, the feast day of Zamboanga City’s patroness.

Zamboanga City Mayor John Dalipe has issued an executive order against unauthorized flying of drones in line with religious activities at the Fort Pilar Shrine for the fiesta celebration.

The EO prohibits the unauthorized flying of drones except those from the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the City Administrator’s Office.

Devotees and visitors are prohibited from bringing backpacks, wearing bull caps, fedoras, waistcoats, chalecos, and hooded or non-hooded jackets.

These prohibitions are among security measures proposed and implemented by the security sector in line with the fiesta.

Rainy in Palawan, Eastern Visayas, Mindanao due to ITCZ

 Published October 6, 2022, 9:48 AM

by Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz, Manila Bulletin

(MANILA BULLETIN)

The intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ)—a region where winds coming from the northeast and southeast hemispheres converge that triggers thunderstorms and rain showers—will continue to be the dominant weather system in the country, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Thursday, Oct. 6.

In the next 24 hours, the ITCZ will bring cloudy skies, scattered rain showers, and thunderstorms over Palawan, Eastern Visayas, and Mindanao.

PAGASA advised those in these areas to be vigilant against possible flash floods or landslides during moderate to heavy rains.

The rest of the country, including Metro Manila, will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies in the morning, with chances of rain showers or thunderstorms in the afternoon or evening.

The public is also advised to stay vigilant against possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms, which are often accompanied by sudden heavy rains, lightning, thunder, gusty winds, and sometimes hail.

No gale warnings were raised on the country’s seaboards on Thursday, as the entire archipelago will have slight to moderate seas.

However, PAGASA still advised seafarers and fisherfolk to remain alert against offshore thunderstorms that could produce gusty winds and strong waves along portions of the coast. 

Alex Eala barges into main draw of US tourney

by Kristel Satumbaga-Villar, Manila Bulletin

Alex Eala advanced to the main draw round of the W80 Rancho Santa Fe International Tennis Federation (ITF) tournament Tuesday, Oct. 4 (Wednesday in Manila) after routing her American foe in California.

Alex Eala books a main draw berth in the W80 Rancho Santa Fee tennis tournament. (File Photo from Alex Eala’s Facebook page)

The 17-year-old Eala blanked Alana Smith, 6-0, 6-0, to set up a first round meeting with another American in the 32-player main draw field.

She is slated to battle wildcard bet Dalayna Hewitt where a victory would arrange her a second-round date with Canada’s Katherine Sebov.

Sebov made her title campaign felt by stunning seventh seed and compatriot Carol Zhao, 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2.

Eala, who has never met 21-year-old Hewitt in the pro circuit prior to their matchup, holds a better ITF ranking at No. 288 against the American’s No. 401.

Hewitt is searching for her second pro singles title after winning the W15 Monastir crown in Tunisia last year.

Eala, meanwhile, is looking for her third pro title following victories in the W25 Chiang Rai in Thailand last April and in the W15 Manacor in Spain last year.