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Monday, December 12, 2022
Customs bureau warns public against love scam
By Ruth Palo
December 12, 2022
DAVAO CITY: The Bureau of Customs (BoC) here has partnered with the Philippine National Police-Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit (PNP-RACU) in combating the prevalent "love scam" and minimizing further damage to the public.
The BoC in its report Saturday said the collaboration was in keeping with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s economic agenda on public safety and security.
According to the BoC, more people fall victim to this online fraudulent scheme where foreigners befriend Filipinos and engage them in romantic relationships, especially this holiday season.
The foreign friend would then tell them that they have sent gifts. However, payment is needed to get the package that is allegedly being held by the BoC. The gifts, however, do not exist.
In a recent meeting by the BoC and RACU, both agencies discussed the volume of complaints received each month and how the Port's Public Information and Assistance Division deals with them.
The bureau also asked RACU-11 to assist in the information dissemination of the "love scam advisory" of the port to reinforce the public warning of Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz.
The two agencies have exchanged and updated contact information to fast-track concerns and ease data sharing.
Col. Columbo Allan Aberia, RACU-11 director, admits that the scam has been happening for years and that a systematic investigation is a must.
Aberia assured that they will immediately act on the complaints forwarded to them by the BoC-Davao.
Hilot to become developmental science
by Jerico Villamonte
First of all, good news to us pensioners of SSS and GSIS! The House has backtracked on the move (through a Maharlika Fund to be created by law). In the meantime, our hard-earned pensions are safe from being “invested.”
Thank you for speaking up against this nefarious plan, business groups, former Supreme Court justice Antonio Carpio, columnists and commentators, and us ordinary citizens . Thank you honorable members of the House for hearing the outcries!
Let’s hope this development is final.
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Happy news too! In Manila, the Post Office building has been lit up in Christmas colors, led by postmaster general Norman Fulgencio. It was wonderful of him to feed the streets kids after the lighting ceremony! Check out the historical building after dark.
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The International Institute of Sustainable Tourism in Silang, Cavite has something interesting coming up! This is the Hilot Philippines Development Center (HPDC), a training and healing center that aims to promote “hilo” as a part of Philippine traditional medicine. It aims to highlight the regional skills of the Filipinos in terms of practice and application of hilot.
The kind of hilot that the center will provide will reflect the indigenous culture of our Filipino ancestors. HPDC is an attached Center of International School of Sustainable Tourism (ISST). HPDC is headed by a competent team who believes in alternative medicines and traditional healing techniques. It is chaired is Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan and vice-chaired by Dr. Isidro Sia, former executive director of PITAHC. Also leading the HPDC team are former DSWD secretary Corazon De Leon and former DOT Secretary Mina Gabor, among others.
What is hilot? Simply put, it is massaging by hand? It dates as far back as the pre-colonial days in the Philippines. Both a science and an art, it is grounded on an ancient Filipino belief that health is based on a balance of the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of a person.
The hilot or healer relies on the use of manipulations, and medicinal plants to prevent or cure disease, as well as to restore and maintain health and wellbeing.
For more than eight years, the HPDC team studied the hilot healing techniques to develop the corresponding curriculum for the Hilot Center. They examined the most common techniques and developed a course designed to highlight the more than 30 linguistic hilot techniques known all over the Philippines.
The training will begin next year with classes limited to 30 so proper attention is given to each student. HPDC has determined six levels of competency the students need to master the hilot treatments. Here is a list of the treatments included in the modalities of hilot,
- Touch manipulation and complementary hilot treatments
- Water healing technique
- Remedial hilot, which consists of techniques in handling the special needs of clients
- Traditional wellness diagnosis
- Business management that will equip the manghihilot with skills, knowledge, and attitude to earn a living through hilot
- Trainors /Training certification program
One of HPDC’s goals is to certify competent and qualified trainers to teach those aspiring to become hilot providers in accordance to PITHC /HPDC training standards.
“Hilot Pinoy is not only for relaxation but for healing too as most of us natives know,” says Dr. Gabor. “Hilot has been used for centuries by our ancestors as treatment for various ailments.”
There are several local plants and herbs, including fruit-bearing trees like bamboo and banana leaf used in hilot. Hilot healing services also include drinks and meals to supplement the needs of the guests in a hilot massage program.
Most spas today carry all of our neighboring countries’ massage techniques. We look to the day when hilot will be the main attraction for guests local and foreign.
The Hilot Center will be launched on Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. in Silang Cavite.
LOOK: Mariah Carey sings ‘Away in a Manger’ with daughter
Published December 12, 2022, 8:01 AM
By Carissa Alcantara
Returning to the live stage after the pandemic, Queen of Christmas, Mariah Carey, made her performance special by bringing out her 12-year-old daughter Monroe to sing on stage.
The mother-daughter duo wore matching white gowns and tiaras and sat for the song on a set that included Christmas trees, presents, and toy soldiers.
“This is our first duet,” Carey told the sold-out crowd, before asking her daughter if her dress is OK. “Alright, this is a beautiful, beautiful hymn called ‘Away in a Manger.’ We’ve been working on this one for a minute,” she says, gently patting her daughter’s back.
Mariah and Monroe sang a classic Christmas song entitled “Away in a Manger” which showed her talent in singing.
Carey started the song with some notes showing off her inimitable upper range before Monroe — not looking the least bit nervous — started with the lyric, smoothly and indeed beautifully, to roars of approval from the impressed audience of 13,000. “My daughter, Miss Monroe,” she says proudly at the end of the 90-second song.
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CLICK HERE TO SIGN-UPConversion a continuing affair
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By Fr. Roy Cimagala *
WHAT can we learn from the parable Christ told the chief priests and the elders of the people, about a father with two sons whom he asked to work in the vineyard? (cfr. 21,28-32) The first son at first said no, but later on changed his mind and went to the vineyard to work. The second said yes, but did not go.
Obviously, the immediate lesson we can derive from that parable is that what is important is to do the will of God, even if at first we refuse to do so or hesitate. In this regard, it was the first son who met the standard. And the second son did not, despite the dispatch with which he responded affirmatively.
But the greater lesson we can learn from this gospel story is that whether we identify ourselves with the first son or the second one, everyone of us always needs some conversion. We cannot deny that with regard to doing God’s will, we can at first refuse but then later on agree, or we can say, yes, but actually would not do what is told us. In both cases, some conversion is involved or needed.
We should always feel the need for conversion. The mark of true saints is precisely this hunger and thirst for repentance and conversion. Whatever good they did humbled them instead of leaving them proud. They knew who and what was behind all the accomplishments they made, and were more keenly aware of their inadequacies, their mistakes, faults, infidelities, etc.
It’s not that they led a miserable life of having a dark outlook in life and a negative attitude toward their own selves. They were a happy lot, whose joy sprang from their living and faithful union with God, their father, but aware of their total dependence on God.
It’s their driving love for God and souls that keep them always feeling the need for penance and conversion. It’s not just fear of sin and evil that provokes this hunger. It's the love of God and souls. It’s this love that made them see many things that they need to do.
Due to this love, they also sharply knew that on their own, all they could do is evil, not good. St. Augustine said something to this effect. We are actually nothing without God. We simply would have no resistance against evil.
Our problem is that we often think that we can do good by our own selves, without the grace of God. We think that with our talents and good will alone, we can be and do good independently of God.
We easily forget the fact that all our talents and our capacity to have good will all come from God. Our problem is that we usurp the goodness and power of God, and make them simply as our own. This anomaly, done at the very fundamental level of our life, would have tremendous repercussions in all the other aspects of our life.
This is something we should try to avoid. I know it’s easy for us to fall into that predicament, and that’s precisely why we need to have continuing repentance and conversion. We should not go to bed at night without expressing some penance and reconciling ourselves with our Lord. We have to end the day always reunited with God!
* Chaplain Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE), Talamban, Cebu City
Email: roycimagala@gmail.com
Sunday, December 11, 2022
G22 takes over with release of Mutya ng Pilipinas theme song ‘Takin’ Over’
Published December 11, 2022, 7:46 AM
After a string of successful performances (such as the 2022 POPSTIVAL K-Pop Meets P-Pop concert, the 27th Asian Television Awards, and the ENHYPEN Fan Meet in Manila just to name a few) and the release of the fearless track “Defy”, P-Pop’s Newest Caliber G22 is back with another certified banger, the theme song of Mutya ng Pilipinas 2022 – “Takin’ Over”.
“Takin’ Over” was officially released on the midnight of Dec 7, 2022 (Wednesday). Both the lyric video and audio video were also released at the same time on the official G22 YouTube channel.
The theme song was made for the 52nd edition of the prestigious Mutya ng Pilipinas national beauty pageant and G22 was aptly given the task of bringing the empowering song to life, a task that the group accomplished with much gratitude and flying colors. The audience of the coronation night (held on December 4, 2022 at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan City, Metro Manila) was given a special treat as they got to witness the girls perform the song in public for the very first time. In fact, the girls made it to the Twitter trending list right after their electrifying performance during the coronation night.
The hard-hitting and powerful vibe of “Takin’ Over” continues to amplify the femme fatale-esque character and women empowerment messaging of the girls’ music.
The words and music are composed by Kiko “KIKX” Salazar and Alas Ramos with Alas Ramos also responsible for the arrangement, mixing, and mastering. Frank Lloyd Mamaril produced the track while UMG Philippines distributed and released it.
G22 is Cornerstone Entertainment’s official P-Pop girl group composed of four members, namely: AJ, Jaz, Alfea, and Bianca. Prior to “Takin’ Over”, the group has released three other songs, namely: “Defy”, “Babalik”, and debut single “Bang”.
“Takin’ Over” is now available on Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, Deezer, and other digital music platforms. The official lyric video and audio video are now also available on the G22 Official YouTube channel.
Kristen Stewart named youngest-ever Berlin film fest jury chief
BERLIN (AFP) – US actor Kristen Stewart will in February head up the jury at Berlin’s international film festival, Europe’s first major cinema showcase of the year, organisers said Friday.
The Berlinale, as the event is known, told AFP that Stewart, 32, would be the youngest person in its 73-year history to lead the panel selecting the winners of the Golden and Silver Bear top prizes.
Festival chiefs Mariette Rissenbeek and Carlo Chatrian called the star of “Spencer” and the “Twilight” movies “one of the most talented and multi-faceted actors of her generation”.
“Young, shining and with an impressive body of work behind her, Kristen Stewart is the perfect bridge between US and Europe,” they said in a statement.
Considered one of Hollywood’s major young talents, Stewart began her career as a child actor, starring alongside Jodie Foster in David Fincher’s “Panic Room”.
The five-part “Twilight” saga made her and Robert Pattinson global superstars. Both have harnessed their box office bankability to pursue projects with independent directors on each side of the Atlantic.
In 2015, Stewart became the first American to win France’s Cesar film award, for her role alongside Juliette Binoche in “Clouds of Sils Maria”.
Two years later she marked her directorial and screenwriting debut with the short film “Come Swim” and in 2018 served on the main jury at the Cannes film festival.
She was nominated for an Academy Award as best actress for her turn as Princess Diana in Pablo Larrain’s 2021 drama “Spencer”.
The Berlinale, which will run February 16-26, ranks with Cannes and Venice among Europe’s top three film festivals and serves as an early annual launchpad for the industry.
Spanish director Carla Simon won the Golden Bear for best film this year for “Alcarras”, a Catalan drama about peach farmers.
Organisers announced last month that three-time Oscar winner Steven Spielberg, 75, would attend the event to pick up an Honorary Golden Bear prize for lifetime achievement.
Saturday, December 10, 2022
Brewing storm to bring rains over parts of PH this weekend
by Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz
The low pressure area (LPA) east of the country, which has a potential to become a tropical depression, will bring scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over several areas this weekend, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Friday afternoon, Dec. 9.
PAGASA said the LPA was last spotted 245 kilometers east-northeast of Surigao City around 3 p.m. and may move west-northwestward and pass close to Eastern Visayas or Bicol Region this weekend.
When it becomes a tropical depression, it will be given the local name “Rosal.” It will be the 18th tropical cyclone for 2022 and first for December.
PAGASA said cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms may prevail over Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, Bicol Region, Visayas, Caraga, Davao Region, Northern Mindanao, and Zamboanga Peninsula.
“Under these conditions, flooding, and rain-induced landslides are possible, especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps and in areas with significant antecedent rainfall,” it warned.
PAGASA also said that cloudy weather with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms may prevail over Isabela, Aurora, Cagayan, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte due to the shear line—a boundary line where the cold and warm air masses meet.
Those in areas affected by the shear line are advised to remain vigilant in case of moderate to heavy rains, as it may also cause flash floods or landslides.
The rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to the shear line or localized thunderstorms.
However, PAGASA advised the public to remain vigilant as severe thunderstorms may also cause flash floods or landslides, especially in areas prone to these hazards.
Magnitude 5.6 quake jolts Davao Oriental — Phivolcs
Published December 10, 2022, 6:44 AM
A 5.6-magnitude earthquake jolted Davao Oriental and neighboring areas early Saturday morning, Dec. 10, said the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
Phivolcs said the quake struck 51 kilometers southeast of Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental around 4:01 a.m.
It said the earthquake was felt at Intensity IV (moderately strong) in Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental; Bansalan, Davao del Sur; and Malapatan and Malungon in Sarangani.
It was “weak” at Intensity III in the City of Davao; City of Mati; Alabel, Glan, and Kiamba in Sarangani; City of Koronadal, Polomolok, Tampakan, and Tupi in South Cotabato; and City of General Santos.
Phivolcs also said the tremor was slightly felt at Intensity II in the City of Kidapawan, Arakan, M’lang, Makilala, and Pikit in Cotabato; Maasim in Sarangani; Surallah in South Cotabato; and Columbio in Sultan Kudarat.
Phivolcs’ instruments also recorded the tremor at Intensity IV in Don Marcelino, Davao Occidental; City of Kidapawan, Cotabato; and Malapatan, Sarangani; Intensity III in Nabunturan, Davao de Oro; City of Davao; Glan, Kiamba, and Maasim in Sarangani; City of Koronadal, Polomolok, Tampakan, and Tupi in South Cotabato; and City of General Santos; Intensity II in Maitum, Sarangani; T’Boli, South Cotabato; and Columbio, Sultan Kudarat; and Intensity I in Kalilangan, Bukidnon; and Norala, Santo Niño, Surallah, and Tantangan in South Cotabato.
The earthquake was tectonic, which means it was caused by the movement of an active fault near the area.
Phivolcs advised the public to stay vigilant as aftershocks may occur.
Apo Agua, DENR, Fardeco join hands for reforestation program
by Ivy Tejano
DAVAO CITY – Apo Agua Infrastructura Inc. (Apo Agua) recently partnered with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Region 11 (Davao region) and the Fardeco Multipurpose Cooperative for a five-year reforestation program for the rehabilitation of the DENR’s 200-hectare Panigan-Tamugan Watershed in Barangay Cadalian in Baguio District here.
In keeping with their shared commitment to preserving the watershed and giving the people a chance to live, the Apo Agua and DENR-Davao teamed up to promote biodiversity and watershed conservation in the community through a complete information, education, and communication campaign.
DENR-Davao regional executive director Bagani Fidel Evasco said to foster wildlife conservation through preserving and protecting animals, plants, and their habitats, metal signages highlighting local endemic species will be placed in all barangays of Baguio District, in addition to multimedia materials like posters and movies.
Evasco said they have worked with Aboitiz on many projects.
This reforestation program is about planting trees and restoring and caring for the National Greening Program (NGP) area within the Panigan-Tamugan Watershed, he added.
“With this partnership, the Apo Agua is helping us ensure the sustainability of our water table all the way to Davaoeños’ homes. I hope it does not end here, and we will continue with our conservation efforts,” Evasco said.
Apo Agua also provided the monitoring team of the DENR City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) with digital cameras and their Lawin Patrollers with mobile devices, power banks, and raincoats to optimize their watershed monitoring activities.
“It’s an honor to stand alongside DENR in protecting the Panigan-Tamugan watershed. At Aboitiz, we highly value environmental conservation as part of our strategy for advancing business and communities,” Apo Agua president Anna Lu said, adding that they recognize the urgent need to protect the watershed as this will be the next water source of Davao City.
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