Adobo becomes first Filipino food featured in Google Doodle

Jan Milo Severo - Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — Today’s animated Google Doodle celebrates Adobo, the first Filipino food to be featured in the platform.

"Adobo is an important part of the story of Filipinos. It is an evolving, well-loved comfort food or way of cooking that crosses all economic boundaries. For adobo to be featured as a Google Doodle – the first Filipino dish at that – is a Pinoy Pride moment,” said Mervin Wenke, Head of Communications and Public Affairs, Google Philippines.

“It is an honor to launch this Doodle that celebrates the uniqueness and diversity of Filipino cuisine on such a global platform," he added. 

Adobo can be found far and wide, whether it’s at a five-star restaurant in Manila or inside the homes of Filipino families around the world. The word “adobo” was first added to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) in December 2006 and was included on the word list of the next OED quarterly update, released on this day in 2007.

There are many different kinds of Adobo, but they all share the same basic elements: marinated meat or vegetables braised into a stew. Common ingredients include vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, bay leaves, and black pepper. The local flavors make Filipino adobo much sweeter, sourer, and saltier in taste compared to other versions.

Several areas within the Philippines give their Adobo a regional twist. Locals in Visayas enjoy adobong puti (White Adobo), considered by some to be the original indigenous style, which exclusively uses vinegar without any soy sauce. In places like Southern Luzon, where coconut milk is a food staple, creamier adobo recipes like Adobong Manok sa Gata (chicken adobo with coconut milk) are extremely popular. Others substitute meat with seafood like squid, or locally available vegetables like kangkong (water spinach) or sitaw (string beans).

"Adobo is a source of Filipino pride and identity. The mere mention of the word 'adobo' to Filipinos wherever they are in the world will easily get them craving for the taste of home. Whether it's eaten with rice, pandesal or just on its own, there is nothing like our very own Adobo," said renowned restaurateur and food writer Claude Tayag. 

"Celebrating Adobo as the very first Filipino food Google Doodle is truly commendable. This is a great way to create meaningful conversations online about our rich and diverse food heritage," he added. 

Anthony Irwin, the Doodle artist from Google reflected on the process, “I ordered some southern-style chicken Adobo from a local restaurant to stir up some memories while working on the art for this Doodle, and the first thing that hit me was the smell. It was so bright and nostalgic, and instantly filled my apartment with that familiar feeling: this is exactly how things are supposed to be. So I tried to capture that simple childhood joy of leaning in and savoring the kind of food that makes home feel like home. Kain nang mabuti!”

After evolving throughout the centuries, this iconic dish is now enjoyed worldwide. It’s a symbol and expression of Filipino pride that varies from region to region, family to family, palate to palate. The history is rich, the taste is unmatched, and the aromas are enticing – the children in today’s artwork would definitely agree. Wherever and however it’s served, Adobo leaves stomachs happy and mouths watering for more.

SC: Senior citizens’ 20% discount covers funeral, burial expenses

BY REY G. PANALIGAN

Mar 16, 2023 

  

The Supreme Court (SC) has ruled that the statutorily mandated 20 percent discount for senior citizens covers funeral and burial expenses.

The mandatory discount is provided for under Republic Act No. 7432, the Senior Citizens Act of 1992, as amended by RA Nos. 9257 and 9994 which expanded the coverage of the discount.

A copy of the SC decision, written by Associate Justice Rodil V. Zalameda, was not available as of posting.  The SC’s public information office (PIO) issued a summary of the decision.

In ruling that funeral and burial services are covered by the 20 percent discount, the PIO said that the SC “emphasized that the Senior Citizens Act is a law created to grant a bundle of benefits in favor of senior citizens or those at least 60 years old, giving flesh to the declared policy of motivating senior citizens to contribute to nation building and encouraging their families and communities to reaffirm the Filipino tradition of caring for the senior citizens.”

The PIO said “the SC noted that both RA 9257 and RA 9994, in amending RA 7432, do not provide for an exact definition of the term ‘funeral and burial services.’”

“Notably, the said laws likewise do not limit the scope of the services falling under ‘funeral and burial services,’” it said.

It said that “the Court added that as pointed out by Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier in her Concurring Opinion that it would be unreasonable to infer that Congress intended to differentiate between the deceased’s final solace for the purpose of granting the 20% discount absent a clear legislative intent to the contrary.”

“The Court said that based on the definition of the term ‘burial’ as it is commonly understood, ‘burial service’ pertains to any service offered or provided in connection with the final disposition, entombment, or interment of human remains,” the PIO said.

Thus, the PIO said “the SC held that it follows that burial services necessarily include interment services, such as digging the land for the deceased person’s grave, its concreting, and other services being done during the actual burial.”

“This conclusion, said the Court, was supported by the IRRs (Implementing Rules and Regulations) which prescribe the guidelines in the application of the 20% discount on funeral and burial services in that a comparison of the IRRs of RA 9257 and RA 9994 shows that the two are substantially the same,” it said.

“The exception is that Section 6 of the IRR of RA 9994 expounded on the term ‘other related services’ by including a sample list of ‘services’ and excluding obituary publication and cost of memorial plot,” it also said.

But the PIO said: “The Court ruled that the enumeration in Section 6 is not exclusive. It stressed that the phrase ‘other related services’ does not refer only to the enumerated examples so as to exclude interment services.

“The Court maintained that this interpretation was in keeping with the policies and objectives of the law, particularly of RA 9994 which echoes Section 4, Article XV of the Constitution declaring that it is the duty of the family to take care of its elderly members while the state may design programs of social security for them,” it said.

The SC decision granted the petition filed by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The petition challenged the 2018 ruling of the Cagayan de Oro City regional trial court (RTC) which excluded funeral and burial services from the coverage of the senior citizens’ discount.

The RTC ruling was handed down on the case filed by Pryce Corporation, Inc., a firm engaged in the business of selling memorial lots and offering interment services.  The firm claimed that interment service is not among the services entitled to the 20 percent senior citizens’ discount.

The RTC ruled that the IRR of RA 9994 only mentioned the services of purchase of casket or urn, embalming, hospital morgue, and transport of the body to the intended burial site.

Specifically, the RTC held that the digging of land for the grave of the deceased, the concreting of the gravesite, and the other services done during the actual burial are not subject to the discount.

In granting the government’s petition, the PIO said “the Court found that the exclusion by the RTC of interment services from the coverage of the 20 percent senior citizen discount is not provided under the law, and that the IRR, which does not explicitly exclude interment services, cannot be interpreted to support the lower court’s Resolution.”

The SC stressed that “a law cannot be amended by a mere regulation, and the administrative agency issuing the regulation may not enlarge, alter, or restrict the provisions of the law it administers,” the PIO also said in its summary.

It said the SC’s decision on the petition, docketed as Republic vs. Pryce Corporation, Inc. under GR No. 243133, will be uploaded at its website – sc.judiciary.gov.ph – once available.

 

Imelda Papin, Rey Valera, Nonoy Zuniga, and Geneva Cruz in Subic fund-raising concert

BY MANILA BULLETIN ENTERTAINMENT

Mar 15, 2023 11:04 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Dubbed ‘Reminiscing,’ the special show features OPM icons Imelda Papin, Rey Valera, Nonoy Zuñiga and Geneva Cruz, to be held at Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center’s Convention Hall C, Subic Gateway Park, Subic Bay Freeport Zone on March 19.

• The fund-raising concert is organized by the members of the St. Joseph College Olongapo City Alumni Association. Proceeds of the show will be earmarked for the restoration of its school church, the construction of a new school building for multi-media arts, as well as for its scholarship foundation and a medical mission targeting 5,000 destitute patients.

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FROM LEFT: Imelda Papin, Rey Valdera, Nonoy Zuniga, and Geneva Cruz

Four OPM giants gather together for a memorable night of nostalgic timeless classics for a cause.

Dubbed ‘Reminiscing,’ the special show features OPM icons Imelda Papin, Rey Valera, Nonoy Zuñiga and Geneva Cruz, to be held at Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center’s Convention Hall C, Subic Gateway Park, Subic Bay Freeport Zone on March 19.

To this day, Jukebox Queen Imelda Papin is best remembered for her classic tear-jerker hits, including “Isang Linggong Pag-Ibig,” “Kung Liligaya Ka Sa Piling Ng Iba,” “Bakit Ikaw Pa?,” and “Hindi Ako Laruan.”

Singer/composer Rey Valera popularized such songs as “Maging Sino Ka Man,” “Kung Kailangan Mo Ako,” “Ako Si Superman,” “Naaalala Ka,” “Malayo Pa Ang Umaga,” and many more.

For his part, balladeer Nonoy Zuñiga is best remembered for his romantic ditties like “I’ll Never Say Goodbye,” “Kumusta Ka,” “Love Without Time,” “Live For Love,” “Araw Gabi,” “Doon Lang” among others.

Lastly, sultry chanteuse Geneva Cruz’s unforgettable hits include “I Like You,” and other hits she popularized with Smokey Mountain such as “Kailan,” “Anak ng Pasig,” “Da Coconut Nut,” “Paraiso,” and “Can This Be Love?”

The fund-raising concert is organized by the members of the St. Joseph College Olongapo City Alumni Association. Proceeds of the show will be earmarked for the restoration of its school church, the construction of a new school building for multi-media arts, as well as for its scholarship foundation and a medical mission targeting 5,000 destitute patients.

Presented by START JPN, “Reminiscing” is sponsored by Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Segara Hotels Subic Bay, Shoreline Hotel Subic Bay, 96.7KLite FM, 89.5 Subic Bay Radio, Vantage Point, and SBMA Media Productions Department.

Ticket outlet partners include Value Vision (Ulo ng Apo and HP), The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf HP, A+ Development Center, Uncle Johns Subic Bay Outlets, Wimpy’s, Breadtime, Cocolime and Mansion Garden Hotel.

For ticket inquiries, call (0969-4115653).

FEU escapes UE in five-set duel

BY NIKOLE JAVIER

Mar 15, 2023 2:53 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Tagaod carried out the game-high performance of 23 points while Fernandez had an all-around outing of 22 as they joined hands in the extended showdown. Jean Asis added 12.

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Chenie Tagaod and Jovelyn Fernandez connived to lift Far Eastern University past the gritty University of the East, 25-19, 18-25, 25-12, 22-25, 15-5, in the first round of the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday, March 15, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City. 

The Lady Tamaraws had to dig deep to turn away the tough challenge of the Lady Warriors and improved to a 3-3 slate in the standings. 

Tagaod carried out the game-high performance of 23 points while Fernandez had an all-around outing of 22 as they joined hands in the extended showdown. Jean Asis added 12.

Interestingly, it was UE which handed FEU its 11-game losing streak from last season during their second round head-to-head tussle. 

"Sobrang happy na first round pa lang, to be honest 'no na-exceed 'yung expectation. Since nandito na kami, hindi kami pwedeng huminto," said coach Tina Salak as FEU bounced back from its straight-set beating from the league-leading De La Salle last March 11. 

The struggling UE relied on KC Cepada and Van Bangayan who finished with 18 and 17 points, respectively. Ja Lana contributed 14 points laced with 14 digs and 10 excellent receptions. 

The Lady Warriors still couldn’t find a breakthrough and slid to a 0-6 record in the standings.  

Why were the Europeans so eager to come and stay to the Philippine Islands?

 What made the Philippines so attractive to the Western people that they even colonized our country for centuries?

Josh

Food Technologist & Political Economist | MSc.

I am the Managing Editor of Manila Bay Morning Post - A Country Development Perspective. I believe that if humans focused on business and economic history, they would better understand who they are as a nation beyond the obsolescence of racism, nationalism, and boundaries that created wars and human division.

Visit us at https://www.manilabaymorningpost.com

There were many factors unique to each coloniser. Magellan was said to have heard of this part of the East Indies that had so much gold as big as eggs that you can just pick it up from the ground. Pigafetta had questioned Magellan that he was off course north from the spice islands. Magellan admitted that he had heard of yhese islands bedore and wanted to see. True enough, his men were so bedazzled but Magellan ordered them not to accept gold for payment for Spanish merchandise and that they will just return to colonise. Ironically, when Legaspi returned in 1565, he made no effort to exploit the gold but instead developed the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade.

In 1896, the Spanish were nit so keen to let go of the Pjilippines because it had become so rich when it was opened to global trade in 1800. So by 1898, Spain's reason for wanting the Philippines was Manila Bay, which was among the best ports in Asia, being central and close to China.

The Americans, and other Europeans coveting the Philippines, was after Manila Bay for it's commerical importance in global commerce. By 1920s, America had lost interest in the Philippines as a holony as it turned out to be a liability. It was better off a free country allied to America. After 1945, the Philippines wanted it only for location of its military bases.

As for Japan, it was military location. It served as a vital communication line between Japan/Taiwan and Indonesia, where it was getting its oil. In 1944, Japan mustered all its might to keep it from falling back to American hands.

La Niña ends – Pagasa

By Arlie O. Calalo

THE Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has declared that the cold weather called La Niña, which has led to a number of tropical cyclones in the country, has ended after over a year.

However, this does not mean that El Niño or warm weather has begun.

"Most of the climate models predict that ENSO- neutral (neither La Niña nor El Niño) is favored from March through June this year with an increased likelihood of a transition to El Niño thereafter," according to Pagasa Administrator Vicente Malano.

Although La Niña has ended, Malano said its lingering effect may still result in above-normal rainfall conditions in the coming months, which may lead to heavy rainfall, floods, flash floods, and rain-induced landslides in some highly vulnerable areas.

On one hand, El Niño increases the likelihood of below-normal rainfall conditions, which could result in dry spells and droughts in some areas of the country, he said.

In its advisory, Pagasa said the country will experience a gradual shift of wind systems as the northeast monsoon locally known as "amihan" is predicted to wane and the easterlies will become predominant this March.

Other weather systems still likely to affect the country are the ridge of high pressure areas (HPAs), low pressure areas (LPAs) and convergence zones, it said.

The state-run weather agency has predicted that at least one tropical cyclone will likely occur within this month.

Generally, most parts of the country may experience near to above-normal rainfall conditions except for some provinces over the western section of Northern Luzon and the northern part of Palawan that may receive below-normal to way below-normal rainfall within March, Pagasa said.

Palace bares Baste Duterte, Benjamin Magalong, Francis Zamora among heads of regional peace councils

 

BY BETHEENA UNITE

Mar 14, 2023 5:13 PM

  

AT A GLANCE

Malacañang has named the new chairpersons and vice chairpersons of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DIG)-Regional Peace and Order Council

The appointees include politicians like Davao City Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora

Politicians such as Davao City Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora were among the new officials of the Regional Peace and Order Council appointed by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

Malacañang bared on Tuesday, March 14, the long list of new chairpersons and vice chairpersons of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DIG)-Regional Peace and Order Council.

The appointed officials were:

-Sebastian Z. Duterte, Chairperson, Region XI

-Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr., Chairperson, Region III

-Ahod B. Ebrahim, Chairperson BARMM

-Eduardo B. Gadiano, Chairperson, MIMAROPA

-Jose Edwin B. Hamor, Chairperson, Region V

-Dulce Ann K. Hofer, Chairperson Region IX

-Eugenio Jose B. Lacson, Chairperson, Region VI

-Benjamin B. Magalong, Chairperson CAR

-Raphaelle Veronica A. Ortega-David, Chairperson, Region I

-Carlos M. Padilla, Chairperson, Region II

-Alexander T. Pimentel, Chairperson, Region XIII

-Benedict M. Arevalo, Vice Chairperson, Region VI and VII

-Adonis R. Bajao, Vice Chairperson, Region V

-Mafelino A. Bazar, Vice Chairperson, CAR

-Jerry Bearis, Vice Chairperson, Region VII

-Roberto S. Capulong, Vice Chairperson, Region IV-A and MIMAROPA

-John C. Chua, Vice Chairperson, Region I

-Lawrence B. Coop, Vice Chairperson, Region X

-Rudolph B. Dimas, Vice Chairperson, Region V

-Andrew D. Costelo, Vice Chairperson, Region I and III

-Jonnel C. Estomo, Vice Chairperson, NCR

-Leo M. Francisco, Vice Chairperson, Region VI

-John G. Guyguyon, Vice Chairperson, BARMM

-Sidney S. Hernia, Vice Chairperson, MIMAROPA

-Pablo G. Labra II, Vice Chairperson, Region XIII

-Carmilo Z. Ligayo, Vice Chairperson, Region VIII

-Jimilil L. Macaraeg, Vice Chairperson, Region XII

-Wilbur C. Mamawag, Vice Chairperson, Region X and XIII

-Rommel Francisco D. Marbil, Vice Chairperson, Region VIII

-Alexei Musñgi, Vice Chairperson, NCR

-Antonio G. Nafarrete, Vice Chairperson, Region IX

-Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Vice Chairperson, Region IV-A

-Jose Eriel M. Niembra, Vice Chairperson, Region XI

-Audrey L. Pasia, Vice Chairperson, Region II and CAR

-Cesar R. Pasiwen, Vice Chairperson, Region III

-Alex S. Rillera, Vice Chairperson, Region XII

-Percival A. Rumbaoa, Vice Chairperson, Region II

-Benjamin H. Silo Jr., Vice Chairperson, Region XI

-Alfred S. Romualdez, Chairperson, Region VIII

-Xavier Jesus D. Romualdo, Chairperson, Region X

-Reynaldo S. Tamayo, Jr., Chairperson, Region XII

-Angelina D.L. Tan, Chairperson, Region IV-A

-Francisco Javier M. Zamora, Chairperson, NCR

-Neil B. Alinsañgan, Vice Chairperson, Region IX

The Palace also named Victor S. Oliveros as member of the Sannguniang Panlungsod, Puerto Princesa City under the DILG.

Marcos also tapped Raul F. Marcelo as a member representing the Business and Investment Sectors, Board of Directors at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.

Change management

 

Change management

BY FORMER SENATE PRESIDENT MANNY VILLAR

  

OF TREES AND FOREST

Jeepneys are not just utilitarian modes of transportation for Filipinos. It is that, yes. They offer an affordable mode of transportation for students, workers and the general population that also supports the livelihood of thousands of drivers and independent operators. Back in the day, the jeepney was my go-to ride when going to school or when my friends and I would go to downtown Manila to watch movies and eat. Nag-eenjoy ako sumabit sa jeep. The wind against your face (hindi pa masyado polluted noon) and the sense of danger I experienced at that young age.

This is the reason why the issue of the jeepney modernization program is not just an economic or even a political issue. For many—the drivers, operators, the riding public—it is deeply cultural and personal.

Some years back, the government launched the modernization program which has a noble aim: to modernize our transportation system by making them more efficient, safer and environmentally sustainable. Unfortunately, this involved phasing out old and dilapidated public utility vehicles, including the jeepneys. But the objective was very good. Modern transport systems are the backbone of successful economies, they are the lifelines of cities and regions, and provide important economic and social factors. Just look at Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan. Modernizing the Philippine transport system means moving more people faster. It also means developing sustainable solutions that are clean, resource efficient, safe and affordable.

Fast forward to today when transport groups held a nationwide strike to protest the jeepney phaseout and decry the implementation of the modernization program. Thanks to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., that strike was averted when he promised to review the program and its implementation.

I was impressed by the way President Bongbong handled this crisis. Since the campaign in 2022, he has consistently placed transportation and infrastructure as critical elements of his economic blueprint. He said: “I assure the Filipino people that the government will strive to modernize and improve the country's transportation system. This will be one of the cornerstones of our progress as we move full speed ahead into a brighter tomorrow.

But while he acknowledged the lofty goals of the transport modernization program he also saw the need to make sure that our people are not left behind by the move to phaseout older vehicles. “Ngunit sa pag-aaral ko,” the President explained, “parang hindi maganda ang naging implementation nung modernization.” He added: “May luma naman na maganda pa rin. May luma naman na puwede pang gamitin.” Such wise words from the President!

The President is essentially saying, “this is something we need to do, but we need to do it right.” With the nationwide strike called off, the government needs to sit down and recalibrate its efforts to modernize our transportation. And there is one principle they need to understand.

Change is difficult. People are generally averse to change especially if they are abrupt and if it will completely threaten their livelihood. For this reason, societies and organizations need to plan changes. In business, we have what we call change management. It refers to the actions a business needs to take in order to effect change or adjust a significant component of its organization—technology, company culture, internal processes, corporate hierarchy, and the like. Government needs to understand that they have to guide all stakeholders of the transport sector in the process of modernization. They need to involve everyone who will be affected by this enormous change from the earliest stages of planning down to its execution.

An important part of change management is preparing all sectors that will be affected for the change that is coming. This in turn requires an effective communication strategy for the modernization plan and how it will be implemented. As a first step, perhaps government should stop using the term phaseout. It is so cold and cruel of a term to be using in an emotionally charged discussion.

In business, it is unthinkable for a manager to just show up at a meeting one day and tell everyone that changes will be made. It does not work that way in business and most certainly, in government which deals with public interest. I hope that with the guidance of the President we can finally get this right.

For comments, please send email to: mbv_secretariat@vistaland.com.ph and/or http://www.mannyvillar.com.

Papal decree elevates Antipolo Cathedral into Southeast Asia's 1st International Shrine

BY NEL ANDRADE

  

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The Antipolo Cathedral, otherwise known as the National Shrine of the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in Antipolo City, is now officially the International Shrine of the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, making it the first international shrine in Southeast Asia and the 11th in the world.

The Diocese of Antipolo and the Antipolo cathedral, in an announcement on March 13 on its social media pages, said that the Vatican
has finally issued a decree, elevating the cathedral into an International Shrine.

The shrine received the Papal decree on March 13, the 10th anniversary of the papacy of Pope Francis.

The decree will take effect on March 25, coinciding with the occasion of the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord and the anniversary of the departure of the image of the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage (Nuestra Senora dela Paz Y Buenviaje) from Acapulco in Mexico, to the Philippines.

The cathedral said the Vatican, prior to the issuance of the decree, announced in June, 2022, that it has approved the petition of the cathedral, through Antipolo Bishop Francis Mendoza De Leon, and the Catholic Bishops of the Philippines for the elevation of the shrine into an international shrine, making the Antipolo’s cathedral as the very first to become an international shrine in Southeast Asia and eleventh worldwide.

Fr. Reynante Tolentino, shrine rector of the Antipolo Cathedral revealed that a solemn declaration of the shrine, which is being anticipated by the church and the devotees, may happen sometime in July, with the bishops of the Philippines possibly attending the momentous occasion.

“Our Shrine, being an international shrine, is a great blessing and a responsibility to the entire Diocese of Antipolo and the whole
country especially to the devotees of the Blessed Virgin. Many thanks to Pope Francis for appointing our shrine as an International Shrine as well as the CBCP and the bishops of the Philippines! Thank you so much to the Lord Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin of Antipolo!” Tolentino said in a message sent to Manila Bulletin, when asked by this reporter for his reaction.

Tolentino bared that at present, the cathedral's main altar, where the 17th century old image of the Blessed Virgin used to be displayed, is undergoing minor repainting and improvement and may be finished before the Holy Week.

DOH, DepEd urged to launch more HIV awareness, campaign information among Filipino youth

 

NEWSNATIONAL

BY HANNAH TORREGOZA 

  

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Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Wednesday, March 15 called on the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Education (DepEd) to step up efforts on raising the youth’s awareness on the human immunodeficiency virus or HIV.
 
Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, made the call following the release of the HIV/AIDS & ART Registry of the Philippines for January 2023, which revealed that 86 cases were recorded among children and adolescents or those aged 19 and below. 
 
The same study cited that 79 percent of these cases were prevalent among adolescents aged 10 to 19, while seven were less than 10 years old.
 
“Nakakaalarma at nakakalungkot isipin na kung sino pa ang dapat na binibigyan ng dobleng pag-aaruga dahil sa kanilang murang edad at kahinaan ay sila pa ang nakakaranas ng matinding pagdurusa (It is alarming and sad to think that those who should be given double care because of their young age and weakness are the ones who are experiencing great suffering),” Gatchalian said in a statement.
 
“Ang nakababahalang balitang ito ay kinakailangan ng mas maigting na pakikipag-ugnayan ng DOH sa iba't ibang ahensya ng gobyerno at mga lokal na pamahalaan para ikalat nang husto ang kaalaman tungkol sa sakit at kung paano maiwasan ito (This alarming news calls for closer collaboration by the DOH with various government agencies and local governments to widely spread knowledge about the disease and how to prevent it),” he said.
 
The same study also showed that the total number of new HIV cases for the month of January was 1,454. Of the 1,365 reported cases acquired through sexual contact, 998 or 70 percent were males who reported having sex with another male, 193 or 13 percent were males having sex with females, and 240 or 17 percent were males having sex with both males and females.
 
Gatchalian pointed out the findings of the University of the Philippines Population Institute’s (UPPI) 2021 Young Adult and Fertility Sexuality Survey (YAFSS) also revealed that youth awareness of HIV and acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome (AIDS) dropped to 78% in 2021—the lowest recorded since 1994 when the rate of youth awareness on HIV and AIDS was 95 percent. 
 
In 2013, the percentage of youth who were aware of HIV and AIDS already dropped to 85 percent.
 
Because of this, the lawmaker said he will pursue a Senate inquiry on HIV infections among youth, as well as adolescent pregnancies. 
 
Last year, Gatchalian filed Senate Resolution No.13 in a bid to review and assess the DepEd’s implementation of the Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE).
 
“Nais nating tiyakin na sapat ang kaalaman ng ating mga kabataan pagdating sa HIV, lalo na’t maaaring magdulot ito ng pinsala sa kanilang kalusugan at kapakanan. Susuriin natin kung paano natuturuan ang ating mga kabataan upang pangalagaan ang kanilang mga kalusugan (We want to make sure that our young people have enough knowledge when it comes to HIV, especially because it can cause damage to their health and well-being. We will examine how our youth are educated to take care of their health),” the senator stressed.