Heat index in 5 areas hit dangerous level

BY ELLALYN DE VERA-RUIZ, Manila Bulletin

The heat index reached dangerous levels in five areas on Thursday, March 30, based on the data from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

It reached 46 degrees Celsius (℃) in Catarman, Northern Samar; 43℃ in Roxas City, Capiz; 42℃ in Cotabato City, Maguindanao; 42℃ in Tacloban City, Leyte; and 42℃ in Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur.

PAGASA defines the heat index as the measurement of how hot it feels when the relative humidity is factored in with the actual air temperature.

According to PAGASA, a heat index between 42℃ and 51℃ would be considered “dangerous,” as heat cramps and heat exhaustion are possible.

It added that continued activity could lead to heat stroke.

PAGASA recorded this month’s highest heat index of 47℃ in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, on March 25.

In the next 24 hours, the entire archipelago will continue to experience partly cloudy to cloudy weather due to the easterlies or the warm air coming from the Pacific Ocean.

Freddie Aguilar: Aim high and amble

BY MANILA BULLETIN ENTERTAINMENT

Mar 30, 2023 6:17 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Ferdinand Pascual Aguilar or popularly known in the music industry as Freddie Aguilar, sits down in an interview with Aster Amoyo, host of the YouTube channel TicTalk with Aster Amoyo, to talk about his many successes and the life challenges that went along his journey.

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Freddie Aguilar (Facebook)

By Jennifer Kaye M. True-Santos

Claiming fame as one of the best musician-songwriter in our country and regarded as an icon of Original Pilipino Music (OPM), he is best known for hit songs such as ‘Pulubi’, ‘Mindanao’, ‘Bayan Ko’ and ‘Anak’ - the best-selling Philippine music record of all time.

Ferdinand Pascual Aguilar or popularly known in the music industry as Freddie Aguilar, sits down in an interview with Aster Amoyo, host of the YouTube channel TicTalk with Aster Amoyo, to talk about his many successes and the life challenges that went along his journey.

Freddie shared that he still composes songs for artists and celebrities, which included running candidates in the previous elections. He is also reviving Ka Freddie’s Music Bar & Restaurant (located along Tomas Morato, Q.C.) which stopped operating when the pandemic struck.

According to Freddie, “...hindi pa plantsado... pero maganda ang simula ng negotiation”. Going on about his personal life, when he was asked about who among his children (Shane, Sasha, Maegan, Jonan and Jeriko) was interested in pursuing music as their career. “Actually, kung hindi ko pinakiusapan, lahat yan gusto nila sa music eh. Kaya lang, may dalawa ako napakiusapan na ‘wag na pumasok sa music”.

Pointing out that both Shane and Sasha pursued fashion while Maegan, Jonan and Jeriko are all in the music industry but with individual genres. Maegan is the closest to his forte - folk rock.

Music for Freddie started when he was around 5 years old. His dad being the chief-of-police in their hometown in Isabella and his grandfather being the vice mayor, he often sang and dance for their visitors when asked by his dad, "anak, pakita mo sayaw mo”; “anak, pakita mo magaling ka kumanta”.

His musical inspirations include Fred Panopio, Ruben Tagalog, Pilita Corales and Elvis Presley. According to Freddie, he learned to play the guitar at age 17, when his younger sister, Zoraida, bought a guitar for her school project. Knowing that his father didn’t want him to be musically inclined and pursue his studying to be a lawyer, he often taught himself to play the guitar with the help of Jingle Magazine - a magazine that included not only song lyrics but guitar tabs as well, when his father was not home. He boasted that he could memorize three songs in one day back then.

Music as his work profession started in the 70s when he was hired to be a singer in Mama Consuelo’s Music Lounge (located in Quiapo, Manila) and received P20.00 as his salary. Freddie shared that the experience honed his vocalization and became better at plucking his guitar, having no sound system or microphone to help him perform on stage.

He later got hired in Ermita, Manila, singing temporarily as a band’s “extra” - a reliever on behalf of their frontman, which paved the way for his popularity around Malate, Manila as the new folk singer. “...may bagong folk singer, si Freddie Aguilar. Yung payat. Magaling!”

By then, his salary of P20.00 had increased to P50.00 and making him a regular performer in Cola House, Manila City.

Moving from Manila to Olongapo, with just a knapsack and P20.00 in his pocket, he ventured into the bars and music lounges in Magsaysay, Olongapo. Upon reaching the “American base” (Subic Bay Freeport), Freddie saw a poster of another folk singer, Carol, whom he mentored back in Manila, which eventually led him to jam with her on stage the same night and the bar owner hiring him to be a regular performer in different bars owned by the same individual.

His next success was being hired by Acme Club, still in Magsaysay, Olongapo. But with his growing popularity came enemies. According to Freddie, drugs were planted in his hotel room which resulted in him being fired from Acme Club, so he moved from one bar, club, and lounge to another, until he finally became a regular musician in one of the establishments. “Nung nakita na nila na seryoso ako sa trabaho ko, pinagawan na nila ng neon yung pangalan ko. Ako lang yung musician dun na naka-neon yung pangalan, tapos nakalagay ‘Freddie Folk Singer.” By this time, his salary has increased from P50.00 in Manila to P60.00 in Olongapo.

At 21 years old, Freddie composed what would be an international hit song. Following at 23 years old, Freddie joined the inaugural 1978 Metropop Song Festival held in Manila. His song entry made the finals and became an international hit. It was then translated and recorded into 29 languages – Japanese being the first.

To add, his song has more than a hundred versions. ‘Anak’ put Freddie in the international limelight for the next decades to come. With this came a tragedy, his father never heard the rendition of the song that brought tears to his eyes upon reading Freddie’s lyrics.

When he was asked why he turned down a $10-M contract with RCA, following the success of ‘Anak’, Freddie concluded: “Actually ang hinahanap ko talaga, Aster, yung magkaroon ako ng konting pangalan in music at nagawa ko dahil sa ‘Anak’. So after that parang wala akong pangarap na iba...” As of 1986, Freddie Aguilar ranks number two as the only Asian with the greatest number of album sales all over the world. 

Bong Revilla Jr. recovers from emergency surgery

BY ROBERT REQUINTINA

Mar 31, 2023 06:31 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• "Sa lahat po ng nagdasal, thank you. May agimat pa rin. Sabi ng doctors, no workout for two to three weeks. Ang dami ng natanggal sa akin pati kidney stones. Sunod-sunod, but at least clear na siya. Kung hahayaan ko raw ito sabi ng doctors pwede raw ako magkaroon ng pacreatits," Bong said. "Walk, but don't run. Walking is required for exercise. No jogging."

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Senator Ramon 'Bong Revilla Jr. and wife Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla (Facebook)

Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. is recovering at home after successful surgery to eliminate the gallstones.

The actor-politician was confined at St. Luke's Hospital in Taguig City since Monday morning.

The senator was accompanied by his wife, Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla (Cavite's 2nd district), when he was released from the hospital last March 29.

"Thank you, Lord, my gall bladder removal was successfully done, and now I am discharged from the hospital. Thank you also for the unwavering care of the doctors, nurses, and all the hospital staff, as well as to those who prayed for me. God is good! Take care, everyone! Love you all!" said Bong, when he went live on social media on March 29.

Sen. Bong has said that the gallbladder procedure is now a minor surgery, unlike before.

"Sa lahat po ng nagdasal, thank you. May agimat pa rin. Sabi ng doctors, no workout for two to three weeks. Ang dami ng natanggal sa akin pati kidney stones. Sunod-sunod, but at least clear na siya. Kung hahayaan ko raw ito sabi ng doctors pwede raw ako magkaroon ng pacreatits," Bong said. "Walk, but don't run. Walking is required for exercise. No jogging."

Lani also wished everyone to stay healthy.

Prior to the emergency procedure, Bong and Lani celebrated their 25th church wedding anniversary last March 25, 2023.

Bong gave Lani a bouquet of flowers as a gift for their anniversary.

"Si Sen. Bong walang kupas. Maalalahanin, hindi nakakalimot. Ako pa yung nakalimot ng anniversary namin. Happy anniversary, papa!" the congresswoman said in a video.

Rising Antarctic ice melt will dramatically slow global ocean flows —study

By

 David Stanway via Reuters

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 March 31, 2023

Penguins are seen on an iceberg as scientists investigate the impact of climate change on Antarctica's penguin colonies, on the northern side of the Antarctic peninsula, Antarctica January 15, 2022. Picture taken January 15, 2022. (Reuters/Natalie Thomas/File Photo)

SINGAPORE— Rapidly melting Antarctic ice is dramatically slowing down the flow of water through the world’s oceans, and could have a disastrous impact on global climate, the marine food chain and even the stability of ice shelves, new research has found.

The “overturning circulation” of the oceans, driven by the movement of denser water towards the sea floor, helps deliver heat, carbon, oxygen and vital nutrients around the globe.

But deep ocean water flows from the Antarctic could decline by 40% by 2050, according to a study published on Wednesday in the journal Nature.

“That’s stunning to see that happen so quickly,” said Alan Mix, a paleoclimatologist at Oregon State University and co-author on the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change assessments, who was not involved in the study. “It appears to be kicking into gear right now. That’s headline news.”

As temperatures rise, freshwater from Antarctica’s melting ice enters the ocean, reducing the salinity and density of the surface water and diminishing that downward flow to the sea’s bottom.

While past research has looked at what could happen to similar overturning circulation in the North Atlantic – the mechanism behind the doomsday scenario that would see Europe suffer from an Arctic blast as heat transport falters – less has been done on Antarctic bottom water circulation.

Scientists relied on around 35 million computing hours over two years to crank through a variety of models and simulations up to the middle of this century, finding deepwater circulation in the Antarctic could weaken at twice the rate of decline in the North Atlantic.

“They are massive volumes of water… and they are bits of the ocean that have been stable for a long time,” said study co-author Matthew England, an oceanographer at the University of New South Wales, in a news briefing.

Base of the food chain

The effect of meltwater on global ocean circulation has not yet been included in the complex models used by the IPCC to describe future climate change scenarios, but it is going to be considerable, England said.

Ocean overturning allows nutrients to rise up from the bottom, with the Southern Ocean supporting about three-quarters of global phytoplankton production, the base of the food chain, said a second study co-author, Steve Rintoul.

“If we slow the sinking near Antarctica, we slow down the whole circulation and so we also reduce the amount of nutrients that get returned from the deep ocean back up to the surface,” said Rintoul, a fellow at Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO).

The study’s findings also suggest the ocean would not be able to absorb as much carbon dioxide as its upper layers become more stratified, leaving more CO2 in the atmosphere.

The study showed that warm water intrusions in the western Antarctican ice shelf would increase, but it did not look at how this might create a feedback effect and generate even more melting.

“It doesn’t include the disaster scenarios,” said Mix. “In that sense, it’s actually kind of conservative.”

—Reporting by David Stanway; Additional reportin

Verdi erklärt Tarifverhandlungen für gescheitert – Flächendeckende Streiks im April möglich

Von: Marcus Giebel

Im Tarifstreit zwischen Gewerkschaften und Arbeitgebern soll nun eine Schlichtungskommission für eine Lösung sorgen. Die Verhandlungen werden als gescheitert angesehen.

München – Drei Tage lang dauerten die Gespräche zwischen Gewerkschaften und Arbeitgebern, die am Montag von einem umfassenden Warnstreik eingeläutet worden waren. In der Nacht zu Donnerstag erklärten Verdi und der Beamtenbund dbb die Verhandlungen für den öffentlichen Dienst von Bund und Ländern für gescheitert.

Bundesinnenministerin Nancy Faeser kündigte für die Arbeitgeber an: „Wir werden jetzt die Schlichtung einberufen.“ Verdi teilte dazu mit, dass während dieser Phase ab diesem Sonntag Friedenspflicht herrsche. In der Zeit bis dahin seien allenfalls noch kleinere regionale Warnstreiks geplant.

Bis Mitte April hat nun eine Schlichtungskommission Zeit, um einen Einigungsvorschlag für das Einkommen der 2,5 Millionen Beschäftigten von Bund und Kommunen vorzulegen, womit in den beiden Wochen vor Ostern Streiks ausgeschlossen sind. Als Vorsitzende treten für die Arbeitgeberseite der ehemalige sächsische Ministerpräsident Georg Milbradt und für die Gewerkschaften der frühere Bremer Staatsrat Hans-Henning Lühr auf. Dabei hätte Lühr im Zweifelsfall die entscheidende Stimme.

Nach den für gescheitert erklärten Verhandlungen, die seit Januar drei Runden umfassten, sagte Verdi-Chef Frank Werneke: „Am Ende mussten wir feststellen, dass die Unterschiede nicht überbrückbar waren.“ Laut dbb-Chef Ulrich Silberbach lautete der Auftrag der Beschäftigten an die Gewerkschaften, „dass sie nicht nur einen Inflationsausgleich erhalten, sondern eine Reallohnerhöhung“. Beide erklärten, die Gewerkschaftsgremien hätten einstimmig für das Scheitern votiert.

Enttäuscht zeigten sich Faeser und ihre SPD-Parteikollegin und Oberbürgermeisterin Gelsenkirchens, Karin Welge, die als Verhandlungsführerin der Kommunen auftrat. „Ich bedauere sehr, dass die Gewerkschaften jetzt die Verhandlungen abgebrochen haben“, betonte die Innenministerin: „Wir hätten uns anderes gewünscht, und ich glaube, dass gerade in diesen Krisenzeiten es gut gewesen wäre, am Verhandlungstisch noch zu bleiben.“ Weiter sagte sie, die Arbeitgeber seien „bis an die Grenze des Verantwortbaren für die öffentlichen Haushalte“ auf die Gewerkschaften zugegangen.

„Die Brücke, die wir geschlagen haben, ist keine, die man nicht hätte begehen können“, stellte Welge klar. Nun sei ihnen „die Enttäuschung ins Gesicht geschrieben“. Laut Faeser lautete das Angebot der Arbeitgeber wie folgt: acht Prozent mehr Einkommen und ein Mindestbetrag von 300 Euro – zusätzlich eine steuerfreie Einmalzahlung von 3000 Euro mit einer Auszahlung von 1750 Euro bereits im Mai. Faeser verwies bei dem Angebot auf die Möglichkeit, den Beschäftigten schnell zu helfen – zumal die Kosten gerade jetzt sehr hoch seien: „Und ich glaube, das wäre im Sinne der Beschäftigten gewesen, jetzt eine schnelle Lösung zu haben.“

Die Forderung von Verdi und dbb lautete 10,5 Prozent mehr Lohn, mindestens 500 Euro im Monat. Zentral war dabei der Mindestbetrag, der vor allem Bezieherinnen und Beziehern unterer Einkommen zugutekäme.

Im Februar hatten die Arbeitgeber noch fünf Prozent mehr Lohn sowie Einmalzahlungen von 1500 und dann noch einmal 1000 Euro angeboten. Ein Mindestbetrag war dabei nicht vorgesehen. Aus Arbeitgeberkreisen hieß es, die nun angebotenen mindestens 300 Euro hätten in unteren Einkommensgruppen bis zu 15 Prozent mehr ausgemacht.

Uneinigkeit herrscht auch bei der Laufzeit. Die Gewerkschaften fordern hier zwölf Monate, was den Arbeitgebern zu wenig ist. Sie hatten zunächst 27 Monate angeboten. Aus Verhandlungskreisen heißt es, hier seien beide Seiten kompromissbereit gewesen. Silberbach merkte an, angesichts der generellen Position der Arbeitgeber habe das Entgegenkommen der Gewerkschaften bei der Laufzeitfrage nicht für eine Gesamtlösung gereicht.

Es ist völlig offen, wie es nach der Schlichtung weitergeht. Nach einer Aufstellung der Gewerkschaften, die der Deutschen Presse-Agentur (dpa) vorliegt, müssen spätestens am 18. April die Verhandlungen der Tarifparteien wieder aufgenommen werden. Dann kann es zu einer Lösung kommen, ebenso sind weitere reguläre Streiks möglich. Bereits Anfang der 90er Jahre gab es im öffentlichen Dienst Streiks nach gescheiterter Schlichtung – damals über zehn Tage und flächendeckend.

DOJ vows to deal with BI officers who abuse ’departure formalities’

BY JEFFREY DAMICOG

Mar 30, 2023 1:35 PM

  

The Department of Justice (DOJ) assured that immigration officers who abuse “departure formalities” that leads to passengers missing or re-booking their flights “will be appropriately and strictly dealt with.”

In a statement, the DOJ said “the implementation of departure formalities by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) is pursuant to its legal mandate as an integral member of the IACAT (Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking).”

“As such, their functions include administering and enforcing anti-trafficking, immigration, and related laws to better protect Filipinos from human trafficking and other dangers,” it said.

The DOJ issued the statement following the viral Tiktok video of Filipina Cham who ranted that on Dec. 22, 2022 she missed her flight to Israel due to the unnecessary questioning she underwent before an immigration officer at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

The BI had issued an apology and had relieved the immigration officer involved.  But the bureau said it will not pay the woman for her re-booking.

“Rest assured, the abusive behavior which goes beyond the mandate of the officers will not be tolerated and will be appropriately and strictly dealt with,” the DOJ said.

It said that the BI “has taken the necessary steps to investigate any excessive or inappropriate behavior of some immigration officers in the course of implementing the departure formalities.”

It also said that “IACAT is in the process of revising the departure formalities to better reflect current trends and plug the gaps that arose along the way.”

The implementation of departure formalities is mandated by Republic Act No. 9208, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, and RA 8042, the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995 as amended by RA 10022.

For tourist travelers, immigration officers require the presentation of passport, visa (when required), and roundtrip ticket.

Secondary inspection is required “when deemed necessary, for the purpose of protecting vulnerable victims of human trafficking and illegal recruitment and other related offenses.”  A traveler will be asked his or her age, educational attainment, and financial capability to travel.

If not financially capable to travel, immigration officers will ask the authenticated affidavit of support which indicates the relationship within the 4th civil degree of consanguinity or affinity and the supporting documents.

CRUCIFIXION, LIZA SOBERANO AND YOU

By 

ReniMV Valenzuela

Except for people who detest being themselves for how God created them, I believe nobody else sees there is something offensive with actress Liza Soberano’s controversial vlog, "This is Me." 

Liza, 25, is grateful, humble and meek in the face of the barrage of false accusations against her. She apologized though she did nothing wrong. But what’s wrong with her wanting to be real about herself by breaking free from the chains that bind her?

Do entertainers really have to live a double life in order to succeed? The "King of Pop" Michael Jackson was deprived of his childhood.  He had no liberty of his own and no normal life to speak of for himself until he died. Things were dictated upon him which badly affected his person. He was taught and trained to be sham and mythical on and off camera. Life for him was tumultuous all throughout, and it is no secret. 

But had the people who truly loved and cared for Michael allowed him the chance to be himself, he would have not had a miserable life and tragic end at a young age of 50. And, alack, that occurred when there was no maddening, deceptive, destructive social media (during his time) that we have today. In the midst of all his achievements and accolades, until his final moments, the "King of Pop" missed living. Pitiful. 

Jesus Christ came to save the world (John 3:16), but the world misunderstood Him. Hence, He was condemned to die on the cross. Liza came to herself to redeem her true self. She is Hope in real life and there is indeed hope for people like her.  But why crucify Hope? 

Everything seems good to a person who treks on the wrong route unless he sees the end. Only in darkness you get to enjoy the misleading entrapments of momentary “bliss” the world offers as you stray from the Path because only in the Light will you get to see the Way - to bring you back on track. “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man but the end thereof are the ways of death” – Proverb 16:25. “Thou wilt show me the path of life: in Thy presence is fullness of joy” – Psalm 16:11.

Like it or not, you are what you are because you made your life as such being the man or woman you emerged to be by deliberately choosing the way and traveling the road towards that direction/destination. It was your own choosing, not necessarily God`s. You did not evolve to be a human being. But you evolved to be the person that you are and it was you who re-created yourself. God has a wonderful plan for you, but you are mainly the one responsible for your future (and eternity). 

You are the best as far as God`s ordained destiny for your very life is concerned. No other created being can be better than you in that regard. You have been uniquely fashioned in accordance with God`s infinite goodness and wisdom, gifted with free will. There is only one you, and God has certain designated purposes for you in this world that only you can accomplish - to bless mankind and bring glory to His name. 

Look at the limbless man, the great Nick Vujicic. Google search him if you don’t know him yet to be challenged to discover yourself and win in life despite insurmountable odds.  You are who you are because of God’s design and you have no option but be thankful to Him. “I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well”- Psalm 139:14.

No one reaches a place who does not take the road and travel the required distance going there just as nobody goes to Heaven or hell on account of other people’s decision and action. God is most powerful and sovereign but He does not control/force anyone. Otherwise, there would have been no need for Christ to come down and save sinners. 

The Lord did His part and did it all. With Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, the Gospel of redemption is complete. There is nothing we can add to complement His atoning sacrifice on the Cross. Truly, as He lamented, gasping for His last breath, “IT IS FINISHED”. Yet He has given man the will to choose and decide. Now it’s up to you. Your salvation hangs on Calvary to this day and it hinges on your own volition whether or not it can be fully yours any moment you decide. Accept Christ or reject Him!

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, THIS IS THE WAY; WALK IN IT.” - Isaiah 30:21

renivalenzuelaletters@yahoo.com

Aggression’s hotbed

Honestly, many times it’s not a pleasure, joy, amusement, fun or whatever, to read and look closely at different daily papers. Here in the Philippines and wherever around the globe. Only bad and negative headlines seem to help increase the paper’s circulation. Yes sure, our world has not become better.

The three “C’s”: are the fundamental factors: catastrophes, crime and crisis! Sure, television or other media news are also not much better.

Sensible suggestions and negotiations, making compromises fall through, disclosures from prominent figures’ bedrooms, double standards, the church in deep crisis, calumny suits, and, sometimes reports, editorials and columns, which drip with bad taste and spitefulness.

For more than 50 years, I learned that a journalist can -of course- mentally form and shape the public opinion, characters, life and community and the way things go. That’s why I also learned: a journalist should always remember self-disciple, responsibility, care, inquisitiveness, and respect.

Of course, empathy and power of judgement together with self-assurance, common sense and human dignity belong also to it, no matter if the topic is politics, economy, commerce, culture, sports or special topics such as police reports or war correspondence.

Chasing after rumors, revelation of embarrassing and mostly untrue things, sensational reports to make money and to increase the circulation or viewer-ship and the drive for personal prestige is negative for the public and especially for the journalist him-/herself.

Writing with a wicked pen and having a sharp tongue doesn’t mean that a journalist, host or commentator should walk disrespectfully through life, so to speak, as an elephant in China. Likewise it is the journalist’s duty to uncover, disclose or reveal, what the public should know, but, without getting personal. Yes, eternal vigilance is very important, even without a wicked pen and a sharp tongue.

Marcos orders CHEd to address shortage of nurses due to migration

By: Daphne Galvez - Reporter / @DYGalvezINQ

INQUIRER.net 

One in 20 nurses in the United States is Filipino, following decades of migration of nurses from the Philippines, which is now lacking 106,000 nurses, to American soil. Here, future nurses from Centro Escolar University are at the World Trade Center in Pasay City for their capping and pinning rites, on Sept. 30, 2022. (File photo by RICHARD A. REYES / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has ordered the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to address the shortage of nurses due to migration. 

During a meeting with the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) Healthcare Sector group in Malacanang Palace Wednesday, Marcos said the shortage of nurses has been affecting the delivery of effective healthcare. 

“We have to be clever about the healthcare manpower. Our nurses are the best. We are competing with the rest of the world for them. All the presidents, prime ministers I have talked to are asking for more nurses from the Philippines.” he said, speaking in a mix of English and Filipino, as quoted by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).

These include retooling those who failed board examinations, adopting a nursing curriculum with exit credentials, redirecting nonpracticing nurses, and conducting exchange programs with other countries.

“Under the nursing curriculum with exit credentials, students could have several options: exit at the end of Level I or II, obtain the certificate or diploma in nursing, or choose to continue and finish the four-year nursing program to become a registered nurse,” De Vera said.

He added that CHED was also working on a flexible short-term masteral program to address the lack of instructors in nursing and medical schools. 

The Department of Health (DOH), according to its officer in charge, Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire, is also assessing the status of the proposed legislation on the Magna Carta for Public Health Care Workers and Philippine Nursing Act while doing a study on the standardization of salaries of nurses, doctors, and healthcare workers.

In November last year, Marcos said the government might resort to providing scholarships for nurses and other medical workers to encourage them to stay and serve in the country.

Apart from the issue of the shortage of nurses, PCO said it was agreed during the meeting that the PSAC would monitor new technologies in healthcare that could be used for geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas and recommend those to the DOH and PhilHealth.

The PSAC will also study the feasibility of establishing remote diagnostics centers and assess new medical technologies and their costs.

Aside from the CHED Chairperson and DOH OIC, those who attended the PSAC meeting include Sabin Aboitiz Strategic convenor president and CEO Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc.; Paolo Maximo Borromeo, Healthcare lead president and CEO of Ayala Healthcare Holdings Inc; Fr. Nicanor Austriaco Jr., Healthcare Sector Member and Filipino-American molecular biologist and Dr. Nicanor Montoya, Healthcare Sector Member and CEO of Medicard Philippines, Inc.

Five most popular coconut varieties according to a certified coconut trader

Giemel Ayap is a certified coconut trader by the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) and has been in the industry since 2020. Through his experience, he has become knowledgeable about the coconut production industry, gaining valuable insights into the cultivation and distribution of coconut seedlings. Over time, he has identified five distinct varieties of coconut trees that are best suited for specific purposes, including the production of coconut oil, buko juice, coconut sugar, wine, ornamental purposes, and for making pies

BY JAMES TABABA

  

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Most of the coconut varieties that Ayap recommends are of the dwarf type, which offers several benefits compared to the traditional centennial tall varieties that coconut farmers used to plant and harvest from. Dwarf coconuts are smaller in size, ranging from 6 to 12 meters in height, making them more compact and easier to manage and harvest than tall varieties. This can help reduce labor costs and increase efficiency in coconut farming operations. Additionally, dwarf coconut trees reach maturity and start producing fruit at a younger age compared to tall varieties. This means farmers can start harvesting and earning income sooner.

In addition to their early maturity, dwarf coconut trees generally have a higher yield per hectare compared to tall varieties. This is because they can be planted more densely, allowing for more trees per hectare and more coconuts per tree. As a result, farmers can earn more income from the same land area.

Tacunan dwarf

The Tacunan dwarf coconut is a highly sought-after Philippine variety that thrives in tropical regions such as the Philippines. Being a dwarf variety, it only grows up to 6-8 meters in height, making it more manageable and easier to harvest compared to taller coconut trees.

Giemel and his Dwarf Tacunan variety coconut tree. (Giemel’s Quality Dwarf Coconut Seedlings)

This coconut variety boasts a slender trunk and fronds and produces medium-sized nuts that are elongated and round. The coconut shell is smooth, and the meat inside is juicy and sweet, with a thin layer of white flesh and an abundance of coconut water.

While the Tacunan dwarf coconut is a versatile coconut that can be used for various purposes, it is highly recommended for producing high-quality coconut water and meat. In addition, it is an excellent choice for producing coconut oil due to its high oil content. The coconut meat of the Tacunan dwarf coconut is firm and contains a lot of oil, making it an ideal source of copra, which is used to extract coconut oil.

Catigan dwarf

The Philippine Catigan dwarf coconut is a popular variety of coconut tree that is indigenous to the Philippines. The Philippine Catigan dwarf coconut has a slender trunk and fronds, and produces a medium-sized nut that is elongated and oval-shaped. The coconut shell is smooth, and the meat inside is sweet and juicy, with a thin layer of white flesh and plenty of coconut water.

Giemel and his Dwarf Catigan variety coconut tree. (Giemel’s Quality Dwarf Coconut Seedlings)

One of the main benefits of the Philippine Catigan dwarf coconut is its versatility. It can be used for a variety of purposes, including producing high-quality coconut water, meat, and oil. In fact, it is one of the coconut varieties that is highly recommended for producing coconut oil due to its high oil content. The coconut meat of the Philippine Catigan dwarf coconut is firm and has a rich, creamy taste, which makes it a good source of copra. Copra is the dried kernel of the coconut, which is used to extract coconut oil.

Aromatic Sweet Dwarf

The Aromatic Sweet Dwarf Coconut is a Philippine variety of coconut that is highly regarded for its sweet and aromatic tasteThe coconut is medium-sized, with a smooth shell and sweet, juicy meat that has a thin layer of white flesh and plenty of coconut water.

The most distinct characteristic of the Aromatic Sweet Dwarf Coconut is its sweet and fragrant meat, which is white and tender, with a thin layer of creamy flesh and a lot of coconut water. It has a distinct aroma and a natural sweetness that is highly sought after in the market. Because of its superior quality, the Aromatic Sweet Dwarf Coconut is often used in making coconut desserts such as macaroons, candies, and pastries. It is also used in making coconut milk, which is a common ingredient in many Filipino and Southeast Asian dishes.

Due to its sweet flavor, the Aromatic Sweet Dwarf Coconut is a good choice for making coconut sugar. Coconut sugar is a natural sweetener that is made by boiling coconut sap until it thickens and solidifies. This process retains most of the nutrients and minerals present in the sap, making coconut sugar a healthier alternative to refined sugar. The Aromatic Sweet Dwarf Coconut has a high sugar content, which makes it an ideal coconut variety for producing coconut sugar.

King Golden

The King Golden coconut is a type of ornamental coconut tree that is popular for its unique and attractive appearance. It features a slender trunk with a slightly swollen base, and its fronds are feather-shaped and greenish-golden in color. It produces small to medium-sized coconuts that are round and have a smooth outer shell. The outer husk of the fruit is a vibrant golden-yellow color, which makes it stand out from other coconut varieties. As the fruit matures, the husk may become slightly darker and develop brown spots, but the overall yellow-gold color remains prominent. The coconut water and meat inside are sweet and refreshing, although they are not as abundant as in other coconut varieties.

Giemel and his Dwarf King Golden variety coconut tree. (Giemel’s Quality Dwarf Coconut Seedlings)

While the King Golden coconut is not typically grown for commercial purposes, it is highly valued as an ornamental plant. It is a dwarf variety of coconut tree that reaches a height of about 3 to 4 meters, making it a perfect choice for landscaping. King Golden coconut can also be grown in gardens or as a standalone tree, providing a unique and tropical look to any outdoor space.

Embryo-cultured Macapuno

Embryo-cultured Macapuno is a rare and valuable type of coconut that is produced through a specialized process known as embryo culture. The term "macapuno" refers to the soft, jelly-like flesh found inside the coconut fruit. Unlike regular coconuts, which have a firm meat and a large amount of coconut water, Macapuno coconuts have a very small amount of water and a much larger amount of the soft, gelatinous meat.

Macapuno coconut have thick soft, jelly-like meat is often used in desserts and sweet dishes (eak_kkk/Pexels)

Embryo-cultured Macapuno is created by taking a tiny piece of the coconut embryo and placing it into a nutrient-rich culture medium. This allows the embryo to grow and develop into a new coconut tree, which will eventually produce Macapuno coconuts. The process of embryo culture is time-consuming and requires a high degree of skill and expertise, which is why embryo-cultured Macapuno is relatively rare and expensive.

Embryo-cultured Macapuno is highly valued for its unique texture and flavor. The soft, jelly-like meat is often used in desserts and sweet dishes, and is considered a delicacy in many parts of the world. Macapuno is an important ingredient in making traditional Filipino coconut pies or "buko pie". Its soft, jelly-like texture and sweet taste make it a popular filling for pies and other desserts. Aside from pies, macapuno is also used in other Filipino desserts like halo-halo, a popular shaved ice dessert that typically contains sweet beans, fruits, and other toppings. Macapuno is also used in making ice cream and other sweet treats.

It is crucial to understand the different coconut varieties and their intended use as each variety possesses distinct characteristics and properties that make them suitable for specific purposes. Understanding these differences helps farmers and producers make informed decisions when selecting a coconut variety for their intended use. This knowledge can lead to higher yields, better quality products, and more efficient use of resources, including time, labor, and materials. Additionally, knowing the intended use of a coconut variety helps ensure that the product meets the desired quality standards and customer preferences.

Photo courtesy of Giemel’s Quality Dwarf Coconut Seedlings