7 provinces log ‘very high’ Covid-19 positivity rates

Published October 18, 2022, 9:32 AM

by Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz

(OCTA RESEARCH FELLOW DR. GUIDO DAVID / TWITTER)

The OCTA Research Group on Tuesday, Oct. 18 said seven provinces have registered “very high” or above 20 percent Covid-19 positivity rates over the past week.

Positivity rate refers to the number of individuals who yielded positive results from among those who were tested for Covid-19. 

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In an update shared on Twitter, OCTA fellow Dr. Guido David said OCTA observed very high positivity rates in the following provinces as of Oct. 15.

Camarines Sur (46.2 percent) 

Tarlac (41.6 percent) 

Cavite (22.8 percent)

Rizal (22.1 percent)

Zambales (22 percent)

Laguna (21 percent)

Meanwhile, Metro Manila’s positivity rate was down further at 15 percent on Oct. 15, from 17.9 percent on Oct. 8.

The World Health Organization-recommended positivity rate is 5 percent or less to show that the spread of the virus is under control.

Miss Supermodel Worldwide 2022 Alexandra Mae Rosales coming home

by Robert Requintina

Miss Supermodel Worldwide 2022 Alexandra Mae Rosales (Facebook)

Newly crowned Miss Supermodel Worldwide 2022 Alexandra Mae Rosales is coming home following a successful stint in India last Oct. 16.

Rosales, 26, is scheduled to arrive in the country on Wednesday, Oct. 19, according to her talent manager Meg Perez. She is the first Filipino to win the title.

Upon her arrival, Rosales is scheduled to appear as a guest on several TV programs, fashion shows, and judging gigs.

The beauty queen from Laguna thanked her family, friends, and fans who prayed and supported her in her pageant journey.

“We did it! As I always say, I couldn’t have done it better without the people who rallied with me since day 1. Who used their time and talents to help me scream, ‘I AM DESERVING’. I love you mama, sampi, sam sapo, eli, chanel, reygie, nay meg, tito rog, ate mae and jj, alam nyo yan. Thank you for believing in me and bringing out the best in me. This crown is for you and for the Philippines!” Rosales wrote on social media.

In 2021, Rosales competed in the BInibining Pilipinas beauty pageant. Prior, she worked for Okada Manila for three years when she decided to try her luck in the most prestigious national pageant.

Rosales focused on animal welfare in the country.

“Many people lack awareness on animal care. Hanggang ngayon may thinking pa rin ang iba na unahin ang tao dahil hayop lang iyan. They are living creatures given to us by God. I believe God gave animals to us so that we can take care of them, not to exploit them,” said Rosales.

“Sometimes we use them for our resources. They have feelings also and tayong tao na may mga isip, we need to protect these animals,” she said

Miss Supermodel Worldwide 2022 Alexandra Mae Rosales (2md from right) and her court (Facebook)

Rosales also slammed products that use animals for their tests.

“There are make-up brands that use animals for testing, such as lipstick and eye shadows. I don’t patronize make-up brands that test on animals,” she said.

She added: “It’s a hidden issue and not many people know that. I hope these should be stopped. Many animals are exploited for research.”

Rosales has cats and dogs.

She graduated with a degree in tourism from Malayan College in Laguna. She stands 5’9 1/2 and measures 36-25-36.

In 2015, Rosales competed at the Miss Southeast Asia Ambassadress in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Marcos, VP Duterte share ‘unity toast’ for tourism industry

by Raymund Antonio, Manila Bulletin

True to their campaign promise of “unity,” President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday, Oct. 17, raised a “unity toast” during the Philippine Tourism Industry Convergence Reception for the revitalization of the country’s tourism sector in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.

(From left to right) Vice President Sara Duterte, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco raise a “unity toast” for the tourism industry during the Philippine Tourism Industry Convergence Reception on Monday, Oct. 17, 2022. (Ali Vicoy/MANILA BULLETIN)

Speaking during the event at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, the Chief Executive noted how the country’s “majestic and natural wonders and exciting man-made sites” should bring back the imagination and confidence of the people in exploring the “best destinations” in the Philippines. “We want one of the key players in our nation’s progress to be buzzing once again with life stronger than ever so that they will be able to keep up with these fast-moving times,” Marcos said.

The President thanked the key players of the tourism sector who were there at the event, which he described as the “perfect opportunity to talk one another, to network and expand our plans for the future.” 

“All of you who have been and will continue to be partners with DOT will be influential in achieving our goal to revitalize this sector. Thank you for coming tonight. Thank you for your presence. I look forward that you will play, that we will play together in ensuring the progress and recovery of our tourism industry,” he said.

“It is my hope that this reception will foster a meaningful discourse and yield concrete plans that we can immediately put into action,” he added.

(Photo by Ali Vicoy/MANILA BULLETIN)

Marcos hoped that “initiatives for greater tourism, connectivity, and convenience” would be pursued after the event as he stressed the support of the administration, which ran on the campaign promise of unity.

“Allow me to repeat that under this admin, the government will remain committed to ensuring that the inputs that you have acquired from your listening tours will be optimized for the benefit of the sector,” he said.

The “unity toast” was also joined by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco, Deputy House Speaker Rep. Duke Frasco, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Ilocos Norte’s 1st District Rep. Sandro Marcos, Cabinet members, government officials, and partner private stakeholders leaders.

“The best days of the tourism industry are yet to come,” Frasco vowed as she highlighted the accomplishments of the department in the past 100 days.

Among these accomplishments are exceeding the 1.7 million tourist arrivals target, the relaunching of the Philippine Tourism Awards, and the launching of the Philippine Experience: arts, heritage, and culture caravans.

Marcos himself was all praises for the Tourism department and Frasco for their “energy, passion and continuing belief in the tourism industry in the Philippines.”

“And let us keep going, we can, I believe and I am certain in my heart that if (we) work together properly, if we continue from this very good start, and we continue that trajectory which we have started in the last 100 plus days that we will succeed and to the benefit of our people and our country,” he said.

In-person classes remain the ‘best option’ for basic education: DepED

by Merlina Hernando-Malipot, Manila Bulletin

Citing the “undisputable fact” that in-person learning remains the best option for basic education based on studies, the Department of Education (DepED) is all set for the return to full face-to-face in all public schools starting next month.

Face-to-face classes at the Lakan Dula Elementary School in Tondo, Manila (ALI VICOY / MANILA BULLETIN)

Issuing a statement on Monday, Oct. 17, DepED maintained its confidence in the benefits of holding face-to-face classes to “promote academic development and the overall mental health and well-being of our learners.”

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As planned before this year’s school opening, DepED said that all public schools nationwide will implement five days of in-person classes starting Nov. 2, 2022.

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When classes for School Year (SY) 2022-2023 started on Aug. 22, DepED allowed both public and private schools that offer basic education to implement multiple learning delivery modalities which include five days of face-to-face classes, blended learning, and full distance learning.

However, the prescribed modalities will only be implemented until Oct. 31.

While it recognizes the benefits of face-to-face classes in basic education, DepEd on Monday, Oct. 17, issued an Amendatory DepEd Order to DO 34, s. 2022 or the School Calendar and Activities For School Year 2022-2023 which allows private schools to offer blended learning modality and full distance learning options to their students.

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“DepEd is cognizant of the current situation of the private sector due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic — the amount of investment in online learning technologies, the development and institutionalization of best practices on blended learning, and the unfortunate closure of small private schools because of losses,” the agency said.

Following its decision, DepED said that it will leave the discussion on the learning modality to be implemented by private education institutions to the schools, the parents or guardians, and the learners.

Meanwhile, DepED expressed hope that parents or guardians of private school learners “would not miss the abundance of scientific studies available on the advantages of in-person classes over online learning.”

DepED added that it will also “expedite the review” of the blended learning program to ensure that it will “benefit our learners and essentially address learning issues.”

Aside from private schools, DepED said that public schools that “expressly granted exemptions” by the Regional Director concerned and schools with canceled classes because of disasters and calamities may also be allowed to continue the implementation of blended and distance learning.

Effective evangelization demands all from us

 

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

THAT should be clear to us, considering what Christ told his 72 disciples. “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few,” he said. “So, ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way.” (Lk 10,2-4)

We should not worry about the material aspects of our duty to evangelize. While we truly need some material means for evangelization, we know that as long as we do our part also, God will always provide for all our needs, especially in this duty of ours to evangelize.

We need to have trusting attitude toward God’s powerful providence. “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?  Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?” (Mt 6,26)

With these words, Christ clearly tells us to be trusting of God’s ever wise and merciful Providence. He will provide everything that we need, especially the one that matters most to us. We may experience some privations, some losses, etc., but if we stick with God, we know that everything will always work out for the good. (cfr. Rom 8,28)

We should just focus our attention to this task of evangelization, which is not only a matter of transmitting some doctrine but rather that of transmitting to people the very life and spirit of Christ.

We need to be most aware of our duty to evangelize, to do apostolate, seeing to it that for it is always nourished, stoked and fanned to its most intense degree.

Before ascending into heaven, Christ told his apostles: “All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. Go, therefore, teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit…” (Mt 28,18-19)

While addressed directly to his apostles, these words are meant for all those who want to follow Christ. To do apostolate is part of a Christian’s duty. It’s part of a Christian’s identity. A Christian is always an apostle. No one is excused from it. 

We have to understand that these parting words of Christ represent his culminating and ultimate desire for our redemption. We can say that all he did in his earthly life—his preaching, doing miracles, his dying—get somehow summarized in this one great desire of God.

That’s because the divine work of human redemption continues. It cannot stop. This time though, it is done with our cooperation, since if we are incorporated into him through baptism and in the Spirit, we can’t avoid getting involved in God’s plans and actions.

The realization of this crucial aspect of our Christian life gives meaning and perspective to our whole life and everything contained in it. It puts our life in the right orbit. 

Our life can’t simply be a life in pursuit of personal sanctity without doing apostolate. These two go together inseparably, mutually affecting each other to put us in the right track in our life.

We should give everything to this duty to evangelize, always trusting in God’s providence, assuming always a sporting and adventurous outlook that would greatly facilitate the carrying out of this duty.

Bb. Pilipinas queens set to banner Filipina excellence on international stage

by Manila Bulletin Entertainment

Bb. Pilipinas queens set to banner Filipina excellence on international stage_BBP Queens.

The mighty queens of Bb. Pilipinas are set to conquer the international stage as they banner Filipina excellence during the Miss Intercontinental, Miss Globe and Miss Grand International pageants happening this October.

“Pasabog Queen” Gabrielle Basiano is eyeing a back-to-back win for the Philippines as she prepares for the 50th Miss Intercontinental pageant in Sharm El Sheik, Egypt on Oct. 14.

The Waray beauty hailing from Borongan, Eastern Samar aims to follow in the footsteps of reigning Miss Intercontinental 2021 Cinderella Faye Obenita.

Bb PIlipinas Intercontinental 2022 Gabriel Basiano

“Nobody said it would be impossible. I am here to make history; giving me a sense of place,” Basiano said.

Basiano advocates for mental health and grief support, and she hopes to touch more lives as she strives to win the Miss Intercontinental crown this year.

Meanwhile Bb. Pilipinas Globe Chelsea Fernandez has her eyes on one thing and one thing only: winning the Miss Globe crown for the Philippines for the second straight year in a row in Tirana, Albania on Oct. 15.

“My heart is so full, witnessing all your support, and for believing in me. Let’s all use social media to spread positivity. I am in a winning mindset. Now that I’ve been given the chance to wear a Philippine sash, ‘di ko sya sasayangin. A back-to-back win is hard but, with determination, it is possible,” said the Tacloban queen.

Bb Pilipinas Globe 2022 Chelsea Fernandez

Fernandez recently won the Head-to-Head challenge, where she competed against the top 20 finalists of the Miss Globe pageant this year. She hopes to empower women and children through her advocacy through education.

“Education is important because it empowers the future. I wish that all Filipino children would have access to education so that they can pursue their aspirations in life,” she wrote on Instagram.

For Bb. Pilipinas Grand International Roberta Tamondong, this is the year for the Philippines to win the Miss Grand International Crown, as no Filipina has ever won the crown.

Bb. Grand International 2022 Roberta Tamondong

Tamondong expressed her gratitude for being chosen as the country’s representative for the said pageant happening on Oct. 25.

“Every day is a day for us to learn, to learn from our mistakes and turn it into a lesson, for us to grow as a person,” said the beauty queen who hails from San Pablo, Laguna.

Tamondong is known to be an advocate for environmental awareness, and she will surely banner her mission as she jet off to Jakarta, Indonesia for the pageant’s Grand Coronation Night.

For more information about Binibining Pilipinas, visit the new and improved https://www.bbpilipinas.com/. You can also download the new Bb. Pilipinas mobile app, it’s available for both Android and iOS users. You may also like and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can also subscribe to Bb. Pilipinas on YouTube.

DOT chief highlights PH recovery in MAP assembly

by Jun Marcos Tadiosm Manila Bulletin

Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco has highlighted the government’s effort to overcome the adverse effect of the Covid-19 pandemic by pushing through a much eager campaign to ensure the full recovery of the Philippine economy.

Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco (Courtesy of DOT)

Talking in front of 1,000 attendees in the general membership assembly of the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) on Thursday, Oct. 13, Frasco thanked the top management executives for spearheading the resiliency of Philippine tourism.

“We all have a vital role to play in our aspirations for the economic resurgence of the Philippines,” Frasco enthused.

MAP is a 70-year-old management organization composed of top-tier practitioners, educators, and officials from local and multinational companies operating in the country.

With the overarching theme “Tourism Outlook Beyond 2022,” the DOT chief underscored the importance of the private sector in carrying out institutional progress not only in the tourism industry but also in regaining Philippines’ fiscal stability.

Joining Frasco at the assembly were Philippine Airlines (PAL) President and COO Capt. Stanley Kua Ng and Manila Marriott Hotel General Manager Bruce Alexander Winton.

Frasco assured the MAP members that the DOT is in a “right place” in executing plans and actions to ensure the strengthening of tourism through institutional improvements in terms of connectivity, convenience, and equality in tourism product development and promotion.

Furthermore, Frasco uttered that the DOT shares a positive outlook on the potential of economic resurgence through tourism, as the country remains a top-of-mind destination among travelers.

“The success of the tourism industry means more jobs for our people, more active spending activities, a more productive workforce, sparking a recovery not only for the industry but also for the national economy,” she added.

On fake news and social media in the country

by Professor Rom Feria, Manila Bulletin

This week, politicians’ attention is on the Pulse Asia survey on Filipinos’ take on fake news and its sources. One senator even wants the government to make social media companies accountable (see “risa-on-fake-news-govt-must-hold-social-media-networks-accountable”). If Meta refuses to go to the EU, appear in their chambers and be questioned, who the heck is the Philippines, why would they listen to PH congressmen and senators? What can the government do to address this problem? I have a couple of suggestions which can be done without the need for legislation.

First - start weaning away from these social media services, and instead use the official government websites for proper information dissemination. One of the possible reasons why government agencies use social media is because it is easy and convenient to post articles, unlike their websites. This should not even be an issue (what is the DICT doing?). That being said, government agencies can also tap the University of the Philippines Office of the Vice-President for Development’s IT Development Center for assistance and training.

Another possible reason is social media access is free (on mobile) or has preferential affordable packages for these online services. Why is this? PH telcos and social media companies have a deal - which always involves money (business first, as always, who cares about its impact on Philippine democracy!?). First thing to do is to compel PH telcos to provide the same preferential treatment to all government online services, everything under .gov.ph (and whilst they are at it, CHED and DepEd must also get .edu.ph included!). Imagine, it is free or more affordable to access social media sites, which promotes and spreads fake news, than sites that debunk these fake news. How is this fair? This anti-competitive behavior calls for an Philippine Competition Commission inquiry on why and how PH telcos selected these online services, whilst not providing the same for other less known social media services (e.g., how can Mastodon sites compete against them?) and online services or even locally-developed online services. And in the long term, a new law that enforces net neutrality (hello, madam senator)- that prevents the internet service providers to provide preferential treatment to any online service (including their own).

Finally, we hear about educating Filipinos to be more critical of what they read, hear and watch. However, to be very effective, this should have started at the elementary level (yeah, DepEd again!). Whilst fake news and misinformation cannot be eradicated, what can be done is to restrict its spread. Companies such as Meta (which owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp), Alphabet (which owns YouTube and Google Search), Twitter, and ByteDance (which owns Tiktok) bombard users with fake news and misinformation because it provides better engagement, translating to more revenue - so despite what they say about cooperating with governments (Yes, not only the Philippines) to combat fake news, at the end of the day, profit still rules for them.

With the exception of a law on net neutrality, the government has options on how to mitigate the spread of fake news. The real question is “Is the government willing?” What can DICT do? Well, that is for another article.

PH celebrates National Tamaraw Month: Endangered species now only about 600

by the Manila Bulletin Team

Tamaraw
(Gab Mejia/Manila Bulletin file photo)

The tamaraw, a wild cattle species only found in Mindoro Island and listed as critically endangered, is the focus of attention of many activities as the country observes National Tamaraw Month.

Activities of government agencies tasked to take care of the tamaraw will center on raising awareness of the importance of the protection and conservation of the tamaraws.

Its population is about 600, with 480 in Mounts Iglit-Baco Natural Park, the United Nations Development Program – Philippines reported in March 2022.

The special month for the endangered water buffalo started in 2002 when former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declared October a “special month for the conservation and protection of the Tamaraw in Mindoro” through proclamation no. 273. The proclamation encouraged all government agencies in Mindoro to implement activities to conserve tamaraws and their habitats.

The tamaraw (scientific name Bubalus mindorensis) is the largest endemic mammal in the Philippines. It is a dwarf water buffalo from the water bovine family that can live up to 20 to 25 years.

Here are the differences between a carabao and a tamaraw, according to a World Wildlife Fund for Nature article by Gregg Yan: The horn of a tamaraw is V-shaped, its coat is shaggy, and fur can be a chocolate color to ebony, and its tail is shorter than a carabao. An adult tamaraw is four feet tall with an average weight of 300 kilograms (kgs).

The Biological Resource Research Institute for Mindanao described the horn of a carabao as a sickle shape with a body color of light grey to slate grey.

The average weight of a matured Philippine carabao is 500 kg for males and 425 kg for females, according to the Agri-Infohub of the Provincial Agriculturist’s Office of Oriental Mindoro.
The tamaraw population declined over the years due to illegal poaching, habitat loss, and diseases, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said.

The tamaraws lost their habitat because of “infrastructure development, illegal logging, and deforestation,” a Manila Bulletin article reported.

A Rinderpest outbreak in the 1930s also contributed to population decline.

Today, the tamaraw still belongs to the list of critically endangered species of the International Union for Conservation and Nature and the DENR.

The theme of this year’s celebration is “Tamaraw na Tinatangi, Pamana ng Lipi” (Revered tamaraw, our people’s legacy), which highlights the importance of supporting joint efforts to protect and conserve Tamaraws. (Alexa Basa)