A lover's day

Valentine’s Day, also called Saint Valentine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is an annual holiday celebrated on February 14. It originated as a Western Christian liturgical feast day honouring one or more early saints named Valentinus, and is recognised as a significant cultural and commercial celebration in many regions around the world, although it is not a public holiday in any country.

Several martyrdom stories associated with the various Valentines that were connected to February 14 were added to later martyrologies, including a popular hagiographical account of Saint Valentine of Rome which indicated he was imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry and for ministering to Christians, who were persecuted under the Roman Empire. According to legend, during his imprisonment, Saint Valentine healed the daughter of his jailer, Asterius, and before his execution, he wrote her a letter signed Your Valentine as a farewell.

The day first became associated with romantic love within the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the 14th century, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. In 18th-century England, it evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as valentines). In Europe, Saint Valentine’s Keys are given to lovers as a romantic symbol and an invitation to unlock the giver’s heart, as well as to children, in order to ward off epilepsy (called Saint Valentine’s Malady). Valentine’s Day symbols that are used today include the heart-shape outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards.

Being married for more then 40 years now, Valentine's Day lets me always recall lovely moments from the past.

In a very old issue of PHILADELPHIA NEWS, which is still on my desk, columnist Larry Fields confessed: "I lead a life of wine, women and song (by the way, a wonderful waltz by the Austrian king of waltz Johann Strauss!) - it's cheaper than petrol, food and rent!"

Well, some marriages are made in heaven. You know some? I do. The best of the rest are down-to-earth. Maybe also yours? I am blessed and happy to celebrate my  wedding anniversary next month.

Maybe you remember this: "Then the prince swept the lovely young maiden into his arms and carried her home to his castle. And they live happily ever after!" Indeed, they did.

What I would like to see is an autonomous in home affairs study of all these titles of nobility bearers seven years after their happily-ever-after marriages. or even earlier, because the so-called darned and tricky seventh marriage year could be even the first one already.

The truth is that life isn't made up of the continual highs found in the initial stages of courtship. Of course, flirting is fun and a wide groove exists. But after a while our system needs a rest. Unanimously we're in the second stage sooner or later and our marriage life badly needs a new outside coating.

All of a sudden, the partner prefers day and night watching all the sports channels, falls asleep while you're revealing your innermost secrets and even forgets the anniversary for the first or even second time . Just bear in mind: You've won each other's acceptance  and sometimes even feel terribly gloomy. This acceptance shouldn't be undervalued.

Even we see a house that has to be cleaned, many other things have to be organized, and the partner, who looks as fatigued and bored as you feel. Logical question: "That's it? That WAS it?"

And suddenly, we experienced the third stage and learned why it's worth the ups and downs. Maybe we men don't mention any more, how incredible she looks, but we enjoy bleating and grousing at her spending innumerable hours putting her together. But then, suddenly, we men unload the garbage without being asked for it.

Although no marriage is continually blissful - it can be pretty good most of the time. When we last through arguments, money worries, and kid's problems or slowly but surely coming up mid-life crises, we should face reality that our relationship is not always a big day celebration.

It's because the fundamental  reason for a marriage has outlasted the craziness of day-to-day living: we love each other. That's MY idea of "Happily ever after, indeed!"

And one more thing: in my opinion, Valentine's Day shouldn't be only on February 14. It doesn't matter if one is married or not.

Has warm, dry season already started? Here’s what PAGASA has to say

by Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz, MB

Baguio City (COMMONS WIKIPEDIA/ MANILA BULLETIN/ FILE PHOTO)

The cold air from the northeast monsoon or “amihan” continues to be experienced in large parts of Luzon and Visayas although it is relatively weak compared to the previous weeks, said a weather specialist of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

“Sa mga nagtatanong kung simula na ito ng tag-init o warm dry season sa ating bansa, ang sagot po natin ay hindi pa (To those who are asking if this is the beginning of summer or warm, dry season in our country, our answer is not yet),” PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja said on Friday, Feb. 3. 

“Makakaranas pa rin tayo ng mga pagbugso ng amihan hanggang matapos ang Pebrero dito sa malaking bahagi ng Luzon, as well as Eastern Visayas habang sa unang bahagi ng Marso ay meron pa rin tayong amihan lalo na sa may Northern and Central Luzon (We will still experience surges of northeast monsoon until the end of February in large parts of Luzon, as well as in Eastern Visayas, while in early March, we still have surges of northeast monsoon, especially in Northern and Central Luzon),” he added.

Estareja said the northeast monsoon will continue to temporarily weaken in the coming days, before another surge of amihan by mid-February.

PAGASA defines amihan as cold winds from the northeast that bring rains over the eastern side of the country.

It also records the coldest day of the year during the northeast monsoon season.

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The cool and dry season is from December to February, while the hot and dry season is from March to May.

In the next 24 hours, PAGASA said partly cloudy to cloudy weather with light rains due to the northeast monsoon or amihan may affect Luzon and Visayas.

Meanwhile, Mindanao will have partly cloudy to cloudy weather with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.

PAGASA advised the public to stay vigilant against possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms.

According to Estareja, no new tropical cyclone will be seen entering the Philippine area of responsibility in the next few days, based on the latest weather forecast.

However, he said PAGASA monitored a cloud cluster over the Pacific Ocean. 

Estarejsa said Southern Mindanao may experience scattered rain showers and thunderstorms by Sunday, Feb. 5, due to the intertropical convergence zone.

Maja Salvador’s sister, former ‘PBB’ housemate apply for Binibining Pilipinas 2023

by Stephanie Bernardino

Several personalities with showbiz backgrounds were among those who filed their application as candidates for the 59th edition of Binibining Pilipinas.

These include Jessie Salvador, sister of actress-dancer Maja Salvador, and Reign Parani, former “Pinoy Big Brother” housemate. 

On Instagram, Maja expressed support for her 25-year-old sister. 

She wrote: “Goodluck Bb. @itsjessiesalvador. So Proud of You!!!!!”

Jessie is undergoing training with Aces & Queens, which produced beauty queens like Miss World 2013 Megan Young, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, and Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa.

The official list of contestants will be announced on Feb. 6.

The reigning Binibining Pilipinas queens: Nicole Borromeo, Binibining Pilipinas International; Roberta Angela Tamondong, Binibining Pilipinas Grand International; Gabrielle Basiano, Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental; Chelsea Fernandez, Binibining Pilipinas Globe; Nicole Budol, 1st runner-up; and Stacey Daniella Gabriel, 2nd runner-up.

Doing good attracts more customers

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

THIS is, of course, a common phenomenon. When we do good, we will attract more customers and favor-seekers. When we give some favors to some people, there is always a tendency that more people will come begging for the same favors. We need to be prepared to complicate our life.

This was classically illustrated in that gospel episode where Christ went to Gennesaret, and once the people recognized him, they immediately brought their sickness, begging Christ to heal them. (cfr. Mk 6,53-56) The people must already have heard of the many miracles Christ performed, and so they pursued him wherever he went.

It’s always good to do good as much as we can. We just have to make sure that we also do it with a certain prudence, otherwise we might be spoiling people and end ourselves bankrupt, reduced to a miserable state that would need help from others.

Doing good with prudence is compatible with giving ourselves to others wholeheartedly. True prudence does not undermine charity. It would make sure that charity will go all the way. It helps sustain charity to the end.

We can only persevere in doing good with prudence when everything that we do in charity is done always with Christ in mind and in our heart. We should follow his example. Yes, he was compassionate with everyone, but he also saw to it that he had time to separate himself from the crowd in order to pray and to have some intimate time with the apostles and disciples, teaching them things and clarifying certain issues. He also refused to stay too long in one place in order to go to other places.

Let’s make sure that our prudence is not a mask for getting attached to the things of this world. Christ wants us to be detached completely from the things of this world, but such detachment is not so much a matter of how much we have or do not have in possession as of a spiritual detachment from the things of this world.

We can be a millionaire or a billionaire and still be detached from the things of this world. We should not be afraid to be rich in material things as long as we are detached from them, showing such detachment by being completely generous to the needs of others and in giving glory to God in the end.

This will require a certain discipline, of course, given the obvious fact that we have the tendency to get attached to the things of this world. In this regard, we should clearly etch in our mind and heart the words of Christ who said that if we want to follow him, we should deny ourselves and carry the cross. (cfr. Mt 16,24) These are clear signs of detachment.

Everyday, let us examine our conscience to see if our charity which should go all the way is also done with prudence. It’s a tricky combination to make. Thus, we truly need to study things well and to pray hard, asking for grace and light from God so we can be properly guided.

There will always be difficult decisions to make, but as long as we make those decisions in God’s presence, everything will always work out for the good, even if in the short run, some mistakes or miscalculations may be committed.

We should also be ready for this possibility, and assume the Christian spirit of sportsmanship, where we can continue to move on, ever hopeful and cheerful, despite certain mistakes and defeats along the way.

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

DA: No extensive crop damage from frost

By Dexter A. See

BAGUIO CITY: The Department of Agriculture-Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-CAR) is yet to receive significant damage reports on crops amid the presence of frost starting this week, particularly in the higher elevations of the provinces of Benguet and Mountain Province as shared on social media.

Frost, locally known as "andap," was seen in Benguet, specifically in the grassland of Mt. Pulag in Kabayan on January 24, followed by the vegetation in Paoay, Atok, Madaymen and Kibungan starting January 26.

The occurrence of frost was also reported in Balicanao, Sadsadan, Mt. Data, Pactil and Monamon Sur in Bauko, Mt. Province.

Local government units (LGUs), through the municipal agriculture offices (MAOs), are closely monitoring the frost situations in their area. According to the MAO in Atok, there was no reported vegetable damage to date, but close monitoring and surveillance on the sites affected are being undertaken.

Similarly, in Bauko, the MAO reported that based on their initial monitoring in the frost-affected communities, crops that are likely to be affected are cabbages and potatoes in their vegetative stage.

While minimal damages are recorded in the ongoing monitoring of the LGUs, these are not evident and do not affect the supply of vegetables in the trading centers, hence, the vegetable supply remains stable.

The DA-CAR, through its High Value Crops and Development Program (HVCDP), is also closely monitoring with partner LGUs the frost situation. Frost is a yearly phenomenon that occurs in isolated communities at higher elevations when the temperature drops to a single digit.

Historical data of DA-CAR shows that frost presence in the region is particularly experienced in the higher parts of Atok, Buguias, Kibungan and Mankayan municipalities in Benguet and Bauko in Mountain Province, usually during the months of December, January and February.

In previous interviews with farmers in frost-prone areas, they said frost has been there even when they were not yet born and they have learned to adapt to it.

The farmer's practice relative to the situation is to sprinkle frost-affected crops with water using either rain burst or power sprayers to get rid of the icy water before sunlight reaches the crops.

P150 banknote is fake – BSP

by Lee C. Chipongian

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said on Thursday, Feb. 2, that they have not issued a new banknote in the denomination of P150 and warned the public of reports about the fictitious bill circulating in social media.

In an advisory, the BSP denied such reports of a new banknote and is encouraging the public to report persons involved in the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit currency to the BSP Payments and Currency Investigation Group at email address pcig@bsp.gov.ph or through telephone numbers +63-2-8988-4833 and +63-2-8926-5092.

“(BSP) has not released a 150-Piso denomination banknote featuring Dr. Jose Rizal. Images of the said banknote circulating on social media are fictitious,” the BSP said. 

Fictitious P150 banknote (BSP photo)

“The public is advised to always check the legitimacy of information found on social media and other channels regarding Philippine banknotes and coins. To verify, visit the Notes and Coins section of the BSP’s official website www.bsp.gov.ph,” it added.

There are only five banknotes in circulation. These are the P50, P100, P200, P500 and P1,000. Since April 2022, the polymer version of the P1,000 is also in circulation.

The BSP since 2020 — when amid the height of the pandemic, counterfeit money became more rampant – has been aggressively going after perpetrators of fake banknotes production. With law enforcement agencies such as the National Bureau of Investigation, the BSP has been actively conducting joint anti-counterfeiting operations. 

Under Republic Act No. 10951, those convicted as counterfeiters are slapped with a maximum P2 million in fines and imprisonment of up to 20 years.

The BSP has been working with both the Lower House and the Senate to impose a more rigid package of penalties and sanctions against currency counterfeiting and to criminalize the stockpiling of large amounts of coins.

The BSP is hoping that their proposed measures will further strengthen its currency operations such as production, distribution, deposit-taking from banks, authenticity verification, anti-counterfeiting operations, and retirement.

From 2010 to 2021, the BSP has conducted 110 law enforcement operations and arrested 179 suspects. It has seized 12,400 pieces of counterfeit banknotes worth P7.8 million and more than 14,300 pieces of counterfeit US dollar banknotes worth more than $92.5 million.

 

PHL declares Siargao town's mangrove forest 'wetland of international importance'

Xave Gregorio - Philstar.com

PHL declares Siargao town's mangrove forest 'wetland of international importance'

In a bid to get global recognition The Philippines recognized the mangrove forest of Del Carmen in the island of Siargao as a “wetland of international importance” on February 2023.

Philstar.com / Martin Ramos

DEL CARMEN, Surigao del Norte — The Philippines recognized Thursday the mangrove forest of Del Carmen in the island of Siargao as a “wetland of international importance” in a bid to get global recognition under a 52-year-old treaty on the conservation and use of these areas.

Environment officials expect Manila’s recognition of Del Carmen’s mangrove forest on World Wetlands Day to be a “precursor” to its formal listing as the country’s ninth wetland of international importance under the 1971 Ramsar Convention.

“We’re going to put Siargao Island into the global map of wetland conservation,” said Anson Tagtag, officer-in-charge of the Biodiversity Management Bureau’s Caves, Wetlands and Other Ecosystems Division.

“Our declaration today serves as a shoutout to all of us and all of you,” Del Carmen Mayor Alfredo Coro II said. “Even the simplest actions can make the loudest noise.”

The local government of Del Carmen has long been working on the recognition of its mangrove forest — one of the largest in the country spanning over 4,800 hectares — as Ramsar site.

The declaration of Ramsar sites is provided under the Ramsar Convention, an inter-governmental environmental treaty established in 1971 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.

In 2021, biological sciences experts from the National Research Council of the Philippines strongly suggested there is a “high potential” for Del Carmen’s mangrove forest to become a Ramsar site owing to its biodiversity.

Beyond biodiversity, Del Carmen’s mangroves also proved to be life-saving when super typhoon Odette (Rai) hit Siargao in December 2021. Locals here credited the mangroves for having protected them from large waves brought by the strong storm.

World Wetlands Day

“Wetlands provide us with immense benefits that are crucial for survival. Aside from its role as natural water reservoirs, wetlands serve as barriers against strong winds, heavy rain and rising sea levels,” said Theresa Mundita Lim, executive director of the ASEAN Center for Biodiversity, in a statement.

But the Global Wetland Outlook found that the world is losing wetlands “three times faster than forests” as it lost approximately 35% since the 1970s.

The Siargao Island Protected Landscape and Seascape – Protected Area Management Office said super typhoon Odette destroyed 16% of their mangrove forest.

But with help from private organizations, Del Carmen’s mangrove forests are slowly recovering, with the local government targeting to replant 163 hectares of mangroves this year.

Disclosure: This story was made possible through the support of USAID's Sustainable Interventions for Biodiversity, Oceans, and Landscapes (SIBOL), which arranged transportation and accommodations for the Philstar.com reporting team. This article was produced following editorial guidelines and SIBOL did not have input on how the story would be written.

Peso back at P53:$1; profit-taking hits PSEi

By Ed Paolo Salting  and Niña Myka Pauline Arceo

The currency gained 63 centavos to close at P53.845 vs the dollar, its best finish in nearly eight months or since June 17, 2022's P53.75:$1.

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange (PSEi), however, lost 49.57 points, or 0.70 percent, to end the day at 6,986.19. The broader All Shares shed 3.39 points, or 0.09 percent, to hit 3,683.78.

"Investors booked gains from the market's steep rally yesterday (Wednesday) as trading remained strong with net value turnover posting P8.23 billion, higher than the year-to-date average of P6.50 billion," said Japhet Tantiangco, senior research analyst at Philstocks Financial Inc.

Regina Capital Development Corp. Managing Director Luis Limlingan, meanwhile, said "Philippine shares reverted to selling on news after the Federal Reserve's (Fed) interest rate hike adjustment."

"Without deviating from the script, the central bank bumped the interest rate by 25 basis points, bolstering investor optimism that inflation is cooling enough. However, the Fed gave no indication of an upcoming pause in rate hikes," he added.

Meanwhile, Michael Ricafort, chief economist at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., said news that the country's debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio had improved at the end of last year could have contributed to the peso's rise.

The Treasury bureau on Thursday reported that the national government's outstanding debt had hit P13.42 trillion as of end-December, 14.4 percent up from the previous year.

The amount, however, was lower than the P13.64 billion at the end of November due to the strengthening of the peso and as the government paid off some of its debt.

Stronger-than-expected economic growth, meanwhile, limited the full-year debt-to-GDP ratio to 60.9 percent, below the medium-term cap of 61.8 percent and improving from 63.7 percent at the end of the third quarter.

The peso opened trading at the day's high of P54.2 and traded as low as P53.835. Volume reached $1.62 trillion, higher than the $958.9 million in the previous session.

At the stock market, sectoral results ended mostly in the green with the exception of holding firms and property, which respectively fell by 1.59 percent and 1.65 percent. Mining and oil led gainers with a 3.04-percent rise.

Just under 1.29 billion shares worth P8.93 billion changed hands.

Advancers again outperformed decliners, 114 to 67, while 56 remained unchanged.

As an expat, is it possible to ride in the Philippines jeepney?

Philippine Deep Dive

 · 

Following

Answered by 

Ronna Lou

 

If you want a cheap and fun way to get around, riding a jeepney is the best option for you.

You just have to remember that since it’s a public vehicle, it can get crowded and sometimes uncomfortable, especially during rush hour.

But with a bit of patience and flexibility, it can be an exciting, unique, and memorable cultural experience, especially if you’re an expat.

Related read: Filipino Practices You Should Know About

6.1 quake hits parts of Mindanao

Published February 1, 2023, 8:21 PM

by Antonio Colina IV

DAVAO CITY — A magnitude 6.1 earthquake shook parts of Mindanao at 6:46 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 1.

Based on information released by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), the epicenter of the earthquake was noted at 14 kilometers north east of New Bataan, Davao de Oro.

The quake, which was tectonic in origin, had a depth of 11 kilometers. 

Intensity III was felt in Davao City.

Varying instrumental intensities were reported in others parts: Intensity V in Nabunturan, Davao de Oro; Intensity III in Kidapawan City, Cotabato; Alabel, Sarangani; Tupi, South Cotabato; Bislig City, Surigao del Sur; Intensity II in Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte, Libona and Malaybalay in Bukidnon, Don Marcelino in Davao Occidental, Abuyog in Leyte, Cagayan de Oro in Misamis Oriental, Malapatan, Glan, and Kiamba in Sarangani, Norala, General Santos City, Koronadal City and Tampakan in South Cotabato, and Tandag, Surigao del Sur; and Intensity I in Alamada in Cotabato, Baybay and Dulag in Leyte, Cagayan de Oro in Misamis Oriental, Maitum in Sarangani, Suralla, Santo Nino, T’Boli, and Tantangan in South Cotabato, and Saint Bernard in Southern Leyte, Columbio in Sultan Kudarat, and Surigao City in Surigao Del Norte.

Aftershocks and damages are expected.