Bicol rocked by 6.0-magnitude quake — Phivolcs

by Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz

(PHIVOLCS)

A 6.0-magnitude earthquake was recorded by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology (Phivolcs) near Batuan, Masbate early Thursday morning, Feb. 16.

Phivolcs initially measured the quake at magnitude 5.7 but later revised it to magnitude 6.0. 

It said the quake struck 11 kilometers southwest of Batuan, Masbate around 2:10 a.m.

Phivolcs said the tremor was felt at Intensity VII (destructive) in Masbate City; Intensity V (strong) in Dimasalang, San Fernando, and Uson in Masbate; Intensity IV (moderately strong) in Legazpi City in Albay, Aroroy, Cataingan, Esperanza, Milagros and Pio V. Corpuz in Masbate; and Irosin and Sorsogon City in Sorsogon; and Intensity III (weak) in Daraga, Albay.

Its instruments also measured the quake at Intensity IV in Bulusan, Sorsogon and Bogo City, Cebu; Intensity III in Tabaco in Albay, Iriga City in Camarines Sur, Bago in Negros Occidental, Alangalang, Calubian, Isabel, Kananga and Palo in Leyte, Ormoc City in Leyte, and Rosario in Northern Samar.

Intensity II was also recorded in Gumaca, Quezon; Daet, Camarines Norte; Ragay, Camarines Sur; Prieto Diaz, Sorsogon; Malinao, Aklan; Jamindan, and Tapaz, Capiz; Argao, Cebu; Can-Avid, Eastern Samar; Abuyog, and Dulag, Leyte; and San Roque, Northern Samar. 

It was registered at Intensity I in Lopez, Mulanay and Polillo, Quezon; Boac, Marinduque; Pandan, Antique; City of La Carlota, Negros Occidental; and Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte.

Phivolcs said the earthquake may have caused damage to houses, buildings, and other infrastructures.

It advised the public to stay vigilant as aftershocks may occur.

A magnitude 5.0 earthquake also jolted Masbate province at 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 15.

Its epicenter was traced 11 kilometers northwest of Dimasalang, Masbate. 

The magnitude 5.0 earthquake is a foreshock, while the magnitude 6.0 quake is a mainshock, according to Phivolcs.

A foreshock is an earthquake that precedes a larger earthquake, called the mainshock.

Phivolcs said the 6.0-magnitude earthquake was generated by the movement along the Philippine Fault-Masbate Segment.

The same fault has been the source of large-magnitude earthquakes, the most recent being in 2020 (6.6-magnitude) and 2003 (6.2-magnitude).

Why ‘Bida Next’ grand winner Carren Eistrup cried on her first day on ‘Eat Bulaga’

by Robert Requintina

Carren Eistrup (Facebook)

Filipino-Danish teen sensation Carren Eistrup got emotional when she recalled her first day as dabarkad (friend) in the longest-running noontime program “Eat Bulaga” on GMA Network.

“I’m scared of bashers. Noong first day ko sa ‘Eat Bulaga,’ umiyak po ako sa dressing room kasi I was disappointed in myself kasi feeling ko I didn’t do great. Feeling ko kasi hindi ko naipasa yung expectations ng mga tao,” said Carren, during her first media conference in Quezon City on Valentine’s Day.

(I’m scared of bashers. On my first day on ‘Eat Bulaga,’ I cried in the dressing room because I was disappointed in myself. I felt like I didn’t do great. I felt like I didn’t pass the expectations of the people.) 

But Carren, 14, didn’t give up. Her disappointment became a challenge for her to do good on television.

“They told me panoorin ko ang sarili ko sa TV para malaman mo kung saan yung mga mali ko and kung saan yung dapat ma-improve. But it was my first day so accepted naman. Dapat masanay na ako sa flow nila. Gusto ko talagang matuto sa Eat Bulaga tulad sa hosting. Sobrang ad-lib po talaga nila as in,” she said.

(They told me to watch myself on TV so I will know where my mistakes are and where I need to improve. But it was my first day so it was accepted. I should get used to their flow. I really want to learn from Eat Bulaga like hosting. They really ad-lib as in.)

Following weeks of challenges on acting, dancing and singing, Carren was declared champion of “Bida Next” competition on “Eat Bulaga” last Feb. 4. It automatically made her the latest addition to the growing EB family. 

“On Feb. 5, my first day ko as dabarkad, they gave me a cake kasi birthday ko rin yun. Medyo kinabahan ako noong first day ko kasi it’s a new environment at nag-aadjust pa po ako. They gave me pieces of advice katulad po ni Ate Ryzza (Mae Dizon). Sabi niya magreact daw ako, pwede ko rin kausapin ang mga writers at mag-ad lib,” Carren said.

(On Feb. 5, my first day as dabarkad, they gave me a cake because it was also my birthday. I was a little nervous on my first day because it’s a new environment and I’m still adjusting. They gave me pieces of advice like Ate Ryzza (Mae Dizon). She said I may react. I can also talk to the writers and ad lib.)

Carren also said that fans call her Miley Cyrus of the Philippines because of her similarities with the Hollywood star. And she doesn’t mind it.

“Noon pa nila sinasabi na kamukha ko raw si Miley Cyrus. I really appreciate it sa mga nagsabi na kamukha ko nga raw siya kasi it gives me an advantage na pinapansin ako ng mga tao. Pero sinabi ko rin noon na I want to have my own image na kilalanin ako ng mga tao as me,” she explained.

(Back then they said that I look like Miley Cyrus. I really appreciate it when they say I look like her because it gives me an advantage that people pay attention to me. But I also said then that I want to have my own image.)

Now that she’s joining showbiz, Carren said that she will never neglect her studies. Right now she’s in Grade 9 and she also dreams of becoming an interior designer or a businesswoman in the future. “I don’t have a boyfriend. Study first and career.” 

“For Carren naman, we’re aligning everything with ‘Eat Bulaga.’ As you all know, ang galing ng ‘Bulaga’ na mag pasikat ng artists. So for now we’re aligning our schedules and plans with ‘Bulaga.’ We had a meeting already, we will first do the album of Carren kasi she’s a singer talaga. Tapos gusto namin ma-hone pa yung talent niya. She’s just 14. She will still go a long way. Then siguro yung acting will come in later. Endorsements we’re looking at also. Pero si Carren magte-training pa rin siya kahit singer siya. May dance, acting. Lahat yun ibibigay sa kanya ng Merlion and ng APT Entertainment. Mabait po si Carren. That I can attest,” said Maristel Fernandez, head of Merlion Entertainment, Carren’s talent management.

Carren admitted there’s pressure when she joined “Eat Bulaga” but she already felt accepted by the show’s other dabarkads.

“May separate room kasi yung mga mismong hosts ng ‘Eat Bulaga.’ Since official na akong dabarkad, kung makaupo raw po ako doon sa mismong dining table ng mga hosts, I belong na raw po ako as part of the EB family. So napaupo na po nila ako roon tapos kumain ako.

“Pressured po talaga ako kasi ang gagaling na ng mga kasama ko. Matagal na po sila sa ‘Eat Bulaga.’ I’m still adjusting and I think I’m doing better naman po everyday. I’m open naman for improvements,” Carren also said.

The “Bidang Cebuana Singer” also believes her hardwork paid off when she finally won the nationwide talent competition.

“August ako sinalang sa Bida Next. I need to wake up early. Pinakamahirap is to balance school and schedule in ‘Eat Bulaga’ kasi almost everyday yung schedule. Thankful ako sa school ko kasi adjustable. Kung busy ako sa umaga pwede naman ako sa evening classes. Meron din silang Sunday class. May ibang klase po ako na nasa Sunday. Another thing is yung bibigyan ka ng kanta na hindi mo alam and then you will perform it the next day. Mabuti na lang madali ako magmemorize when it comes to sing and dance. Sa rehearsals binibigyan ka na ng grade ng ‘Eat Bulaga.’ Pati attitude mo tinitignan na nila. I’m so grateful to ‘Eat Bulaga’ for this chance of a lifetime,” Carren said.

(It was in August when I joined Bida Next. I need to wake up early. The most difficult thing is to balance school and schedule in ‘Eat Bulaga’ because the schedule is almost everyday. I am thankful for my school because it is adjustable. If I am busy in the morning, I can attend evening classes. They also have a Sunday class. Another challenge (in Bida Next) is that they will give you a song that you don’t know and then you will perform it the next day. Fortunately, I can easily memorize when it comes to singing and dancing. In rehearsals you are given a grade of ‘Eat Bulaga.’ They are also looking at your attitude.)

Carren has been featured in various commercials and television shows such as Little Big Shots, ToppsSarap Topps Star Season 2, Centerstage and Tawag ng Tanghalan Kids.

In 2018, Carren brought home eight gold medals and seven division champion plaques when she sang and played the piano at the World Championship of Performing Arts (WCOPA).

Amid her successes and achievements, Carren vowed to stay grounded and humble. “Promise hindi po ako magbabago.”

Germany, UK join opposition to Chinese 'aggression' in WPS

By Bernadette E. Tamayo, Manila Times

February 16, 2023

GERMANY and the United Kingdom (UK) have joined three more countries in expressing serious concern over the alleged harassment of a Philippine Coast Guard vessel by a Chinese Coast Guard ship in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Japan, Australia, and Canada had voiced their apprehension on the reported aggressive behavior of CCG against a PCG vessel which was on a re-supply mission to BRP Sierra Madre stationed in Ayungin Shoal.

German Ambassador to Manila Anke Reiffenstuel, on Tweeter, said, Germany "shares serious concerns about intimidatory action against Philippine vessels" in the West Philippine Sea or South ChinaSea.

"We call to refrain from any conduct that increases tensions. All states must abide by UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea)," she said.

"The 2016 Arbitral Award is final and legally binding," Reiffenstuel stressed.

In a separate tweet, the British Embassy in Manila said, "The UK supports and joins the Philippines in expressing our serious concern regarding the intimidatory actions towards lawfully operating Philippines vessels in the South China Sea. These dangerous acts are in violation of international law."

"The UK is unwavering in our position on UNCLOS and that the 2016 arbitral decision is final and legally binding," the embassy added.

In a landmark ruling on July 12, 2016, the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration found no legal basis for China to use its "nine-dash line" as basis for claiming the South China Sea but China refused to honor the ruling.

The said arbitral award recognized the Philippines' sovereign rights in its 200 nautical miles exclusive economic zone in the WPS, which is part of the South China Sea.

Manila on February 14 protested the recent "aggressive" action of the CCG in the WPS when it used a military-grade laser against a Philippine ship that was on a resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal.

Gradual ways of God

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

IT’S interesting to note that while most miracles performed by Christ had instant effects, there was at least one miracle that took time and stages before the final effect took place.

This was when a blind man was brought to him, begging for a cure. (cfr. Mk 8,22-26) As the gospel narrates, Christ brought him first outside the village. And then he started to put spittle on the eyes, which enabled the blind man to see people like trees. And when Christ applied spittle a second time on the eyes, that was when the blind could see people and things clearly.

Obviously, the blind man who could now see was beside himself with delight. He must have been eager to broadcast the wonderful cure he just received. But Christ told him to keep quiet and to just go home, telling him not to go even to the village.

Somehow this gospel episode that God’s ways can take time and requires some stages. There are good reasons for that. It also reminds us that, like Christ, we have to learn how to be discreet and to pass unnoticed while doing something good to others. This is to reassure the purity of our intentions.

God’s ways can take time and can involve certain stages because the Christian ideals are eminently spiritual and supernatural in nature, although adapted, of course, to our human condition. As such, they usually are above our head, and cannot be attained simply using our natural powers. We need God’s grace which would take time and effort for us to correspond properly to it.

And that’s because in corresponding to God’s grace, we have to learn, for example, how to materialize the spiritual, how to put in the proper context the supernatural ways of God and messages of the gospel, etc. God’s gradual but supernatural ways are also in consideration of our human condition that requires us to correspond to God’s interventions in our life in our human and natural ways.

It is also a way of seeing to it that our intentions are pure when we receive his blessings, favors and miracles. That gospel episode of the blind man cured by Christ is teaching us that if we want to be truly Christian, we have to do a lot of good, with God’s help and our all-out effort, doing it without attracting unnecessary attention. It can only show how our intentions are pure, that is to say, that what we do is simply to give glory to God from whom all good things come, and not to ourselves.

Why did Christ cure the blind man gradually? I believe the answer lies in the fact that Christ wants to be known both as God and man, and as our Redeemer, not out of idle curiosity or for merely practical purposes, but really out of faith. We have to be wary of our all-too-human way of reacting to God’s favors for us. It usually tempts us to have an ego-trip.

And that is because our belief in Christ is often corrupted by merely human motives. It’s not faith, but some mixture of idle curiosity and other practical purposes that make us follow him.

And when these idle curiosity and practical purposes would already have their fill, or worse, are not met as expected, then that belief in Christ falls apart. The apostles themselves were not exempt from this phenomenon. Many times, Christ would lament over their lack of faith!

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

10 Philippine indigenous plants proven to have medicinal benefits

By James Tababa

Medicinal plants were used to cure illnesses long before the development of modern medicine. Even today, plants are still natural sources of pharmaceutical derivatives for medicine. As people become more conscious of their health, they are inclined to consume natural products.

Under Republic Act 8423 or the Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act (TAMA), the Department of Health–Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (DOH-PITAHC) endorses ten plants for medical use. The DOH has validated these plants upon scientifically testing the plant’s efficacy and safety. However, it is still recommended that one consult a healthcare professional for a formal diagnosis and medical advice before taking any medicinal plants. 

Akapulko (Casia alata)

Akapulko or ringworm bush is locally known as bayabas-bayanasan, katanda (Tagalog), andadasi (Ilokano), and palochina (Bisaya). It is a shrub that can be found abundantly throughout the Philippines. The leaves have antifungal properties useful in treating skin diseases like eczema, athlete’s foot, ringworm, and tinea flava.

Akapulko (Photo by Manoranjan Mishra/Getty Image)

The leaves are ground and applied to the affected skin area two times daily within three weeks to kill the fungi completely. For sensitive skin, ground leaves are boiled and the decoction is used to wash the affected area.

 Ampalaya (Momordica charantia)

Ampalaya, bitter gourd (English), paria (Ilokano), and palia (Bisaya) is a vine vegetable commonly cultivated in the Philippines. It is clinically proven to reduce blood sugar levels. It is recommended to be consumed by people with diabetes.

Ampalaya (Photo by Queserasera99/Getty Image)

To help control blood levels for diabetic patients, one cup of young ampalaya leaves should be consumed twice a day as a salad or as an ingredient in meals. They may also boil two cups of sprouts in two glasses of water for 15 minutes. And drink the decoction three times daily, 30 minutes before each meal.

 Bawang (Allium sativum)

Bawang or garlic is a common kitchen spice in Philippine households. It is extensively grown in Batangas, Nueva Ecija, Ilocos Norte, Mindoro, and Cotabato. It is one of the earliest documented herbs used for treating diseases. 

Bawang (Photo by Burcak Gozcu/Getty Image)

The fresh cloves of bawang are used for lowering blood cholesterol levels and hypertension. Patients may be advised to eat 2-3 garlic bulbs three times a day during each meal.

Bayabas (Psidium guajava)

Bayabas or guava is a tropical fruit mostly found in Filipino backyards. Aside from the nutritional benefits of eating guava fruit, the leaves have been long used as an antiseptic and antibacterial in treating wounds.

Bayabas (Photo by balouriarajesh/Pixabay)

To treat scabies or wounds, boil one or two handfuls of leaves in a pot of water.  Wash the wound with lukewarm guava water twice a day until they heal. The water from the boiled leaves can also be used for bathing to help relieve skin itchiness.

 Lagundi (Vitex negundo)

Lagundi is also known as dangla (Ilokano), five-leaved chaste tree, or horseshoe vitex. It can also be found throughout the Philippines. Lagundi is a well-known herbal medicine. Some pharmaceutical companies have already commercialized this plant as cough syrups and food supplements.

Lagundi (Photo by Subas Chandra Mahato/Getty Image)

Lagundi helps relieve cough, asthma, and pharyngitis. To use as a treatment, boil crushed lagundi leaves in a pot with two cups of water until only half the mixture is left. The amount of crushed leaves according to the patient’s age is as follows: 1 ½ tablespoons (2-6 years old); 3 tablespoons (7-12 years old); 6 tablespoons (13 years old and above).

 Niyog-niyogan (Quisqualis indica)

Niyog-niyogan is a shrub that bears beautiful flowers. Aside from its medicinal properties, it is sought after by some plant lovers and gardeners for its ornamental value. It is also known as tartaraok (Tagalog), balitadham (Bisaya), Rangoon creeper, Chinese honeysuckle, and liane vermifuge.

Niyog-niyogan (Photo by songphon/Getty Image)

Niyog-niyogan is used for the treatment of intestinal worms. The seeds are obtained from the withered fruit of the plant. The seeds are taken orally. Dosage of seeds to eat based on the patient’s age: 4-5 seeds (4-6 years old); 6-7 seeds (7-12 years old); 8-10 seeds (13 years old and above).

Sambong (Blumea balsamifera)

Sambong is a flowering herbal shrub. It is also called lakad-bulan (Bikol), bukadkad (Bisaya), sudsud (Ilokano) and Ngai camphor (English). Sambong is commonly found in open fields, roadsides, grasslands, and mountainous regions.

Sambong (Photo by Joloei/Getty Image)

Sambong is also a popular medicinal herb. The Philippine National Kidney and Transplant Institute recommend taking sambong for patients with kidney problems. It is known to dissolve kidney stones.

To treat kidney stones, boil the minced sambong leaves in 2 glasses of water for 15 minutes. Let it cool. Divide it into three portions. Each portion Is taken three times a day. The dosage of minced sambong leaves is based on the patient’s age: 3 tablespoons (7-12 years old); 6 tablespoons (13 years old and above).

 Tsaang gubat (Carmona retusa)

Tsaang gubat is a medicinal shrub originating from most of the Philippine forests. It is now commonly seen as an ornamental plant. It is also known as putputai (Bikol), alangit (Bisaya), and forest tea.

Tsaang gubat (Photo by jobrestful/Getty Image)

Tsaang gubat is medicinally used to treat stomach aches as a mouthwash and body cleanser.

To treat stomach pains, boil the chopped leaves of tsaang gubat in 1 glass of water for 15 minutes. Let it cool. The amount of chopped leaves is based on age: 1 1/2 tablespoons (7-12 years old); 3 tablespoons (13 years old or older); not recommended for children below seven years old.

 Ulasimang-bato (Peperomia pelucida)

Ulasimang-bato is a succulent herb found in damp, shaded areas like nooks, walls, and roofs.  Ulasimang bato also goes with the name pansit-pansitan (Tagalog), olasiman-ihalas (Cebuano, Bisaya), tangon-tangon (Bikol), and peperonia (English).

Pansit-pansitan (Photo by warayoo/Getty Image)

Eating ulasimang-bato is a traditional treatment for gout. Eating 1 cup of ulasimang-bato as a salad three times a day is advised to control the uric acid. Alternatively, it can be boiled in 1 1/2 glasses in 2 glasses of water for 15 minutes. Then drink 1/3 glass of the boiled water three times every meal.

 Yerba Buena (Clinopodium douglasii)

Yerba Buena, or wild peppermint, is an aromatic herb commonly regarded as a weed in rice paddies. Its analgesic property is effective in relieving aches and pains.

Yerba Buena (Photo by seven75/Getty Image)

For headache and stomach pains, boil chopped leaves in 2 glasses of water for 15 minutes. Divide the water into two parts and drink one part every 3 hours.

It can also relieve cough and cold by soaking ten fresh leaves in hot water and drinking it as a tisane.

For toothaches, cut the fresh leaves and squeeze the sap. Soak a piece of cotton in the sap and insert it in the aching tooth.

Most Dangerous Ways To School | PHILIPPINES | Free Documentary

Most Dangerous Ways To School - Philippines. The children from Madibago in the southern Philippines have one of the most spectacular and dangerous ways to school in the world. Some walk alone through the jungle for hours, others risk their lives, in order to make it past a steep face of rock and boulders, overgrown with moss and tree roots. On the peninsula Zamboanga del Norte in the southern Philippines, the thinly populated coastal strip gives way to sharply rising mountains. Eleven-year-old Aible lives close to the sea, but her school is located in the heart of the mountains. A ride on a motorbike taxi costs only one US-Dollar, but Aible’s family simply doesn’t have the money, like most of the families here. So for decades, children from Madibago have been taking the shortcut through the jungle. They call it Pam-Pang: A gigantic wall that the children must climb every single day – in the hopes of a better future. In some places its slope is 90 degrees. Many people have fallen here. Some have critically injured themselves while trying to climb Pam-Pang. The weather can change suddenly in the Philippines. Thanks to the high humidity, short, heavy rain showers tend to be the rule – even in the dry season. And for Aible this means even greater danger on her way to and from school. The roots, the rocks, the soil – all becomes even more slippery than usual. But that doesn’t keep the children from chasing their dreams.

Am Freitag! Verdi-Streik an vielen Flughäfen

Vom Streik betroffen sind die Flughäfen in Frankfurt am Main, München, Stuttgart, Hamburg, Dortmund, Hannover und Bremen

Foto: Christoph Soeder/dpa

Die Beschäftigten der Betreibergesellschaften werden häufig nach den Tarifverträgen der Kommunen bezahlt. Mit den jetzt fortgesetzten Warnstreiks wollen die Beschäftigten ihren Forderungen im laufenden Tarifstreit des öffentlichen Dienstes von Bund und Kommunen Nachdruck verleihen. Bis zur zweiten Runde der Tarifverhandlungen am 22. und 23. Februar sind weitere Warnstreiks unter anderem in Hessen, Baden-Württemberg und Nordrhein-Westfalen angekündigt.

 Verdi warnt vor einer weiteren Abwanderung.

In den laufenden Tarifverhandlungen fordern Verdi und der Beamtenbund dbb 10,5 Prozent mehr Einkommen, mindestens aber 500 Euro mehr für die rund 2,5 Millionen Beschäftigten im öffentlichen Dienst von Bund und Kommunen. Die Laufzeit des neuen Tarifvertrags soll zwölf Monate betragen. Die Arbeitgeber haben die Forderungen bislang zurückgewiesen.

Verdi hatte im Januar bereits in zwei anderen Tarifkonflikten die Flughäfen in Berlin und Düsseldorf bestreikt. In der NRW-Hauptstadt ging es um einen neuen Abschluss beim Bodenabfertiger Aviapartner, in Berlin streikten die Beschäftigten der Betreibergesellschaft, der Bodenverkehrsdienste sowie die Luftsicherheitskontrolleure. In Berlin wurde nach dem Warnstreik eine Einigung erzielt.

Der Luftverkehr ist wegen der zersplitterten Dienstleister extrem streikanfällig, weil viele kleine, sicherheitsrelevante Gruppen streikmächtig genug sind, den Betrieb lahmzulegen. Im Grunde reicht der Streik der Flughafenfeuerwehr, um den gesamten Betrieb stillzulegen. 

Der bisher letzte große Warnstreik mit ähnlichen Folgen liegt bereits einige Jahre zurück: Im April 2018 mussten deutschlandweit Hunderte Flüge annulliert werden, weil die Tarifverhandlungen für die Beschäftigten der Kommunen und des Bundes nicht vorankamen. In acht Bundesländern legten daher bei einem Warnstreik Zehntausende Beschäftigte die Arbeit nieder. Neben Flughäfen waren vielerorts auch der städtische Nahverkehr, Kitas, Kliniken, Verwaltungen und Hallenbäder betroffen.

(bw/dpa)

Here are over 200 ways of saying ‘I love you’ in Philippine languages and dialects

The document shows a list of how "iniibig kita" or "I love you" is expressed in over two hundred Philippine languages (UP Department of Linguistics/Facebook)

By James Patrick Cruz 

There are hundreds of ways to express love.

This was proven by a document shared by the UP Department of Linguistics. 

The document showed a list of how “iniibig kita” or “I love you” is expressed in over two hundred Philippine languages and dialects. 

This was compiled by linguist Ernesto Constantino and other members of the linguistic department in 1967. 

According to Ethnologue Languages of the World, there are 186 established languages in the Philipines, with four of which now extinct. 

Of the living languages, 41 are classified as institutional, 72 are developing, 46 are vigorous, 13 are in trouble, and ten are dying.

On February 6, the House of Representatives approved on final reading a bill that seeks to suspend the use of the mother tongue as the primary medium of instruction in early-grade education.

This bill is a response to the scarcity of learning materials in the mother tongue.  

In October last year, there was also a push to remove Mother Tongue as a subject in Grade 1 to 3 classes. 

Education Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III said, “there is no need to teach it (mother tongue) to the children because this is already their everyday language in the school and community and family.”

While others have welcomed this suggestion, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) expressed concern saying that the “step will make learning recovery more difficult and shows how the agency lacks real appreciation of the Mother Tongue’s role in learning.”

New Zealand declares national emergency

By Agence France-Presse

SAVE ME A helicopter locates a catamaran in distress, with a single sailor on board, near the city of Whangarei, Northland region, northern New Zealand on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023. NEW ZEALAND DEFENSE FORCE PHOTO VIA AFP

AUCKLAND, New Zealand: Cyclone "Gabrielle" swept away roads, inundated homes and left 225,000 people without power in New Zealand on Tuesday, prompting the government to declare a national state of emergency.

High winds and driving rain lashed the country's populous North Island, in what Prime Minister Chris Hipkins called the "most significant weather event New Zealand has seen in this century."

"The impact is significant and it is widespread," he said. "The severity and the damage that we are seeing has not been experienced in a generation."

Daylight on Tuesday revealed the severity of the disaster: roads eaten away by landslips and collapsed homes buried in mud, silt and a slew of storm detritus.

Falling trees smashed power lines and floodwaters blocked several major roads, leaving communities stranded.

Local media reported that some people were forced to swim from their homes to safety. Others waded through stormwaters on foot. Some were forced to shelter in place.

"During the night a huge tree came down in front of our house, just missing my Ute. It blocked the road and we couldn't get out," 53-year-old Whangamata resident Brendon Pugh told Agence France-Presse (AFP).

"It's been scary. I am an ex-coast guard, but I have never seen anything like it in 20 years living here," he said.

"The water in our road was up to my shins, then waist-deep in places. We were without power from 10 p.m. last night until about 3 p.m. today and we had no internet," he added.

Celeste Cortesi on first acting job, life after Miss Universe

Nathalie M. Tomada - The Philippine Star 

Celeste Cortesi shared that she would love to explore the world of showbiz after her first acting experience in Mars Ravelo’s Darna. The surprise appearance in the series finale last Feb. 10 was quick to trend on social media.

The Miss Universe Philippines played the role of Kevnar, the Queen of Marte, who showed up before the titular character Darna (played by Jane de Leon) to thank her for keeping the planet safe and protected.

“It was a surprise for my fans and I’m happy I did it,” Celeste told The Philippine STAR and a few other members of the press in a chance interview on Monday.

“It was such a good opportunity because Darna is one of the most iconic characters in the Philippines, and it was my national costume in the Miss Universe. The script was in Tagalog and not even an English word. But I managed. I had like three days to really study. It was a very fun experience. It was very challenging actually. It was my first time to do, like, a whole script in Tagalog and a script in general as I’ve never really done acting,” she said.

“It was just a few days before (that JRB Creative Production offered the role) and I was also very surprised but I really took the challenge. It was my first acting experience. It was my first experience acting in Tagalog. I’m really grateful. I just did my best as I always do. I hope more doors will open.”

She was also grateful for the chance “to work with very professional and talented people.”

Celeste in costume for her role as Kevnar, the Queen of Marte who appears in the series finale of Mars Ravelo’s Darna.

“That’s the most important thing for me. The fact that I have so much to learn and so much to explore and I’m really looking forward to what’s going to happen after Miss Universe.”

Joining showbiz fully could be the next step for the Fil-Italian beauty and she’d welcome it. “I would love to. Honestly, now, I’m really exploring. I’m looking forward to my next step. I’m learning to speak Tagalog so I’m very focused on that. I have time to learn,” she shared.

“I’m really just excited about what’s to come. I want to grow, I want to really step out of my comfort zone, which is what I’ve been doing for a very long time. I am excited to try new things. There’s always an opportunity. When a door closes, there’s another one wide open.”

By “door closed,” Celeste meant her failed bid at the 71st Miss Universe held last month in New Orleans. The international pageant was won by Miss USA, R’Bonney Gabriel, who happens to be Filipino-American.

“Of course, everybody is very heartbroken about what happened in Miss Universe, and me as well. But I’m very grateful because I had a chance to represent the Philippines. And I worked very, very hard. I felt the love, I felt the support. At the end of the day, I’m just very grateful,” Celeste said.

While she didn’t get the chance to bond enough with R’Bonney during the competition, Celeste said she’s very happy for her. “I remember we took a photo together, I remember we danced together during a dinner. She’s really nice and I think that she’s been working very, very hard for the crown. I always said it is destiny, it’s her destiny. I’m happy for her and I think she’s gonna do great things as Miss Universe.”

The STAR got to interview Celeste on the sidelines of the launch of Stanible app, which works as a one-stop shop for unique digital collectibles from celebrity creators. She said, “I can learn a lot of things about NFT. I’m here with my boyfriend. I’m here also to have a new experience.”

On a highlight of her life that can be shared on the Stanible app, she said, “To be honest, to be able to win the crown of Miss Universe Philippines was the best moment. It was a really good comeback for me. And I really felt the love of Filipino people. I’m just grateful.” Prior to Miss Universe Philippines, she was Miss Earth Philippines in 2018.

When asked about what she did shortly after Miss Universe, she shared, “I had two weeks like I was eating everything hahaha. So good. Just two days ago, I started working out again since I wanted to continue my career. I wanna stay fit, I wanna stay healthy. But it’s good sometimes to let go after a lot of months of dieting and sacrifices. You need a break and you really need to also consider your mental health somehow. Now, I’m back, I wanna focus on new goals, so that’s it.”

The search for Celeste’s successor is already ongoing with applications being currently accepted until Feb. 17.

Told by a reporter that aspiring contestants last Feb. 13 included a mother, she said, “I think that Miss Universe has entered a new era, very inclusive of every single woman. And I think a woman, especially a mother, can be whatever she wants to be, she can have a family, she can have a career, she can also be Miss Universe,” she said.

The Fil-Italian beauty queen channels the iconic character Darna in her national costume at the 71st Miss Universe held in January in New Orleans, US.

“I wanna really meet the candidates. I want to give advice and you know, it’s the time for a new queen to be crowned and represent the Philippines so I’m really, really excited for them.

“My advice would be to really enjoy the experience, to work very hard, to not forget where you came from, to always be humble in every situation and to enjoy. Because sometimes, we have so much pressure, opinions from so many people. But as long as you remain yourself, as long as you respect yourself first, everything would be OK. And I always say the same thing: Miss Universe is destiny. Whatever is gonna happen, I’ll be very, very happy to see who’s gonna be the next Miss Universe Philippines.”