Tulfo most trusted, approved senator — survey

 BY ELLALYN DE VERA-RUIZ

Apr 26, 2023 09:31 PM

  

---

Senator Raffy Tulfo received the highest trust and approval ratings among the country's current senators, according to the findings of a big data research firm's nationwide survey.

Tulfo received a 90 percent trust rating and an 83 percent approval rating from the 2,000 respondents in the Tangere survey, which had results released on Wednesday, April 26. 

(Photo from Senator Raffy Tulfo’s Facebook page)

Senators with the next-highest trust and approval ratings were Senator Grace Poe (84 percent trust rating and 79 percent approval rating), Senator Joel Villanueva (83 percent trust rating and 76 percent approval rating), Senator Sherwin Gatchalian (80 percent trust rating and 75 percent approval rating), and Senator Francis Escudero (80 percent trust rating and 74 percent approval rating).

Based on the survey results, the top five senators consistently received high ratings for both trust and approval, according to Tangere founder and CEO Martin Peñaflor.

Meanwhile, Senators Alan Peter Cayetano (53 percent trust rating and 51 percent approval rating), Cynthia Villar (55 percent trust rating and 51 percent approval rating), and Bong Revilla Jr. (57 percent trust rating and 53 percent approval rating) were "consistent" in the bottom rankings, Peñaflor said.

The mobile-based survey was conducted from April 17 to 20 with survey respondents proportionately representing the following areas nationwide: 12 percent from Metro Manila, 23 percent from North and Central Luzon, 22 percent from South Luzon (including Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and Bicol), 20 percent from the Visayas, and 23 percent from Mindanao. 

What are the top 10 mind blowing facts about the Philippines?

 

Mark Rhysand

Studies philosophy, humanities, anthropology and metaphysics

Living the Introvert’s dream

Here are ten mind-blowing facts about the Philippines that you may find surprising:

1. The Philippines is made up of over 7,000 islands, making it one of the largest archipelagos in the world.
2. The country is home to the world's smallest monkey, the tarsier, which can fit in the palm of your hand.
3. Filipinos are known for their love of basketball, and it's not uncommon to see makeshift basketball courts on streets and alleys throughout the country.
4. The Philippines is the world's leading producer of coconuts and is also a major exporter of pineapples and bananas.
5. The world's largest pearl, weighing in at 14.1 pounds and valued at $100 million, was found in the waters off the coast of the Philippines.
6. The country is home to the world's largest indoor arena, the Philippine Arena, which can seat up to 55,000 people.
7. The Filipino language, Tagalog, has a unique way of expressing time. For example, instead of saying "one o'clock," Filipinos say "alas una ng hapon," which translates to "one of the afternoon."
8. The Philippines is one of only two predominantly Catholic countries in Asia (the other being East Timor), and Catholicism plays a significant role in the country's culture and traditions.
9. The country is home to some of the world's most beautiful beaches, including Boracay Island, which was named the best island in the world by Travel + Leisure magazine in 2012.
10. The Philippine eagle, also known as the monkey-eating eagle, is one of the largest and most powerful birds of prey in the world and is found only in the Philippines.

Regenerative farms where every month is Earth Month

 Beyond Earth Month itself, many farms are already practicing regenerative agriculture for the sake of healthier people and environment.

BY RALPH LAUREN ABAINZA

Apr 25, 2023 10:47 AM

  

---

Earth Month is an annual celebration every April, highlighting the importance of environmental movement in achieving a more sustainable future for the planet. 

Regenerative agriculture is an emerging movement from conventional agricultural practices to more resource-efficient and environmentally conscious ones. It consciously aims to reduce the use of water and other inputs and prevent land degradation and deforestation. It improves soil, biodiversity, climate resilience, and water resources while making farming more productive and profitable.

Here are some local farms that are taking regenerative agricultural practices into their day-to-day activities: 

Terra Grande Farms

Close-up of the herd happily eating grass in the pasture area. (Ruel Silvano)

Terra Grande Farms is a goat farm in Negros Occidental that raises Anglo-Nubian goats and upgraded Philippine native goats. The goats are raised as naturally as possible using semi-intensive management, and it also hosts a nursery for agroforestry. The farm is known for its various regenerative agricultural practices in raising goats, such as rapid rotational grazing systems, silvopasture, keyline design principles, permaculture, and even agroforestry. With the sustainability concept at the center of its operations, the farm also has more than 50 kinds of high-value crops. 

Raskin Timmangao’s Farm 

A pond where Timmangao grows an expensive aquatic species locally called chalet, the same type of eel being popularly consumed in Japan. (Daniel Jason Maches)

Considering indigenous farming and sustainability, the Raskin Timmangao’s Farm was started by Arnold Timmangao by planting native trees in heavily denuded land in Natonin, Mountain Province. The area that was previously landslide-prone and with virtually nonexistent wildlife is now an integrated agroforestry farm that acts as a rainforest, while raising high-quality Arabica coffee beans, such as Mondo Novo and Bourbon. In a bid to create a more productive, yet sustainable ecosystem, Timmangao also planted different fruit trees such as durian, rambutan, and cacao. The farm is also home to native vegetation, including swamp gabi, to grow on the site.

La Granja de Reyna

View of La Ganja de Reyna farm atop a hill. (Daniel Jason Maches)

La Granja de Reyna, located in Tacloban City, Leyte, is known for growing a variety of crops cultivated organically and even has an organic-integrated farm certification. When it was established in 2010, the farm first produced legumes, kangkong, cabbage, and mustard. With an agricultural engineering background, the farm owner, Martina Reyna, was able to craft farming practices that are organic and regenerative, especially after the onslaught of Typhoon Yolanda in 2013. The farm's kangkong also became one of the food sources for many typhoon victims in Leyte after. The farm highlighted the importance of collaboration and consideration of regenerative practices to ensure that the farm's ecosystem can fully recover after a disaster, such as a typhoon. 

These are just some examples highlighting the vital role of considering the environment in making farms more profitable and sustainable. There are still many farms taking the idea of Earth Day into their day-to-day operations, ensuring a more sustainable future for all. This Earth month, it is important to remember the farmers who are taking care not just of the world's food and other raw materials supply, but also help in taking care of the planet's environment. 

VP Duterte highlights value of sports in Filipino youth

BY RAYMUND ANTONIO

Apr 25, 2023 10:20 PM

  

---

Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte on Tuesday, April 25, turned the spotlight on the role of sports in teaching Filipino youth the discipline and hard work they need to succeed in life.

Vice President Sara Duterte speaks at the inauguration of Oriental Mindoro Sports Complex in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro. (OVP photo)

Speaking during the inauguration of Oriental Mindoro Sports Complex in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, the official emphasized that sports could be the key in the growth and development of Filipino youth.

For her, sports and education are deeply connected in ensuring that children are protected from forces that hamper their pursuit of better lives and future.

“Winning becomes the fire that ignites their (children and youth) desire to win more games,” she said.

“But most importantly, sports teach them that winning is sweeter when it is celebrated with humility and when magnanimity becomes a source of inspiration for others to play future games better,” Duterte added.

She believed that those who get into sports learn “the value of discipline, hard work, and healthy competition.”

But more than winning, the Vice President also stressed the lessons learned from losing in competitions.

“In defeat, on the one hand, sports teaches them to harness their inner strength and maturity to persevere, work harder, and pick themselves up when they fall — and stand with a strong resolve to once again fight and fight to win,” she said.

She commended the local government of Oriental Mindoro for building the sports complex, which she described as a “symbol of the aspiration” of the local leaders for their children and youth.

“Magsisilbi itong simbolo ng pag-asa para sa ating mga kabataang may interest sa sports (This will serve as a symbol of hope for our youth who has interest in sports),” Duterte said.

However, this should also serve as a reminder for the officials that they need to push for the programs that would guide the youth toward a better future.

The sports complex features a multi-purpose hall, standard-sized track and field oval, tennis court, basketball court, and a volleyball court.

The inauguration of the sports complex was in time for the opening of the Oriental Mindoro Provincial Athletics Meet, where six teams have enlisted to compete in various fields.

Duterte extended monetary contributions to all six participating units, their coaches, and technical officials.

The joys and fruits of language learning

By: Inez Ponce de Leon - @inquirerdotnet

Ambeth Ocampo, my friend and colleague from both the Ateneo and the Inquirer, had an interesting column last week. He talked about how he had to learn Spanish in college, and then linked it to the value of Filipinos learning another language besides English and Filipino to equip themselves for a globalized world.

To this, I have two things to add.

First, I agree with the idea of investing time in learning a language. Most people will contend that they are too old or too busy to do it. A 2019 review of research over the past decades by Fox and colleagues, however, shows that being multilingual has a wide range of benefits, no matter what age you start learning.

Multilingual people can associate with multiple cultures and are more confident. Later in life, those who spend time learning languages also have stronger memory, can do more cognitive tasks, and delay the onset of dementia.

Language learning can be difficult and costly, but there are free, helpful apps. Ambeth and I use Duolingo. I’ve been on a streak for over six years now: I started with Italian; when I finished it, I added Spanish, French, Portuguese, and Ukrainian. I spend 30 minutes a day on weekdays, 90 minutes on weekends.

What’s the point? Language learning has indirect benefits: The brain stretches its memory-retaining muscles, so to speak, because it is forced to remember where words are placed, how sentences are formed, how verbs are conjugated to meet both tense and doer. This is why most of our first memories revolve around our first words: The capacity to remember things is connected to the capacity to connect words with objects, and objects to meaning.

Learning languages has since helped me spot themes in data, making analysis easier; it also helps me check students’ papers faster.

This brings me to my second point: The fruit of learning new things goes beyond knowing.

A student recently posted online that she didn’t need to learn things beyond her college major, like writing, languages, or philosophy. She needed only science because it was the only thing she would ever need anyway.

I was disappointed in the post and those who agreed with it. To confine oneself to a single field is to betray one’s ignorance of how all fields and professions are integrated—how all fields and professions should work together to solve our wicked problems. To ask, “Why do I have to do this?” is to refuse to learn how other fields are related to one’s own.

True: having more classes does not mean better students; but having quality classes, even in subjects outside one’s field, can strengthen one’s toolbox of ideas and skills. Having well assessed tasks can also help students grow beyond the classroom.

Writing research papers, for instance, helps students organize their thinking and trains them to always cite sources for their claims. Relegate the entire task to ChatGPT, and a student loses their ability to work independently. They are no better than the troll that ends their empty rhetoric with “you’re ugly and stupid.”

Interpreting literary texts helps students deepen their understanding of the human condition, allowing them to develop a sense of empathy. Philosophy trains them to use logic to build arguments. To dismiss such fields and skills as useless betrays a lack of imagination.

This lack of imagination then leads to arrogance, in this case, the state in which one refuses to learn new things because they believe that they should learn only what their field appears to be about. This is arrogance because a beginner in the field truthfully has no idea what the future will hold and how their field will evolve.

They have imprisoned themselves in the present and condemned themselves to a state of not adapting to the changes that will eventually, inevitably come—because knowledge will not always be the same.

That, too, is the gift that any kind of learning brings: the willingness to open oneself to other worldviews in a globalized world.

One might be learning a new language in their old age, restarting their career in middle age, reading a new author in college, embarking on a project in high school, identifying colors in elementary, forming their very first word—learning is and should always be a joy, whether or not one is in school, no matter what field one is in.

iponcedeleon@ateneo.edu

Read more: https://opinion.inquirer.net/?p=162663#ixzz7zwsPNijJ

Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook

Cut the lines of scam call centers

BY MANILA BULLETIN

Apr 25, 2023 00:00 AM

  

---

A scourge of these tech-driven times, scam call centers have proliferated, like a viral infection that threatens not only to destroy a body, but intends to infect an entire society. Scam call centers do a myriad of illicit activities, usually implemented by people who were illegally recruited or trafficked from economically challenged communities.

With the end goal of embezzling money from hapless victims, all illegal methods are used, most of which involve a call center agent making a series of calls to phish personal details or account numbers. All tools are used, even fake Facebook profiles, dating apps, imposter websites copying legit company websites, or AI-generated texts and voices.
Again, these scam call centers exist because there are people that they could fool, and it seems that global authorities are having a challenging time to shut down their operations. In fact, the Wall Street Journal has written that “Americans lost more than US$ 10 billion to online scammers in 2022, the highest level since the FBI began tracking losses in 2000.” The FBI even said that it “recorded more than 800,000 complaints in 2022, or more than 2,000 complaints a day.” The numbers are staggering and this does not include other nationalities who are victims, too.

Online articles have revealed that these scam call centers are usually located in South Asian countries, but recent investigations have revealed that these have been sprouting in Southeast Asia, particularly in Cambodia and Myanmar. The Philippines, however, is not far behind.

This was revealed by a statement from Senator Risa Hontiveros, when she raised the alarm on the notorious cryptocurrency scamming industry, saying that many of its operations are “also conducted right here in the Philippines.”

"Sadly, right under our very noses, the Philippines is hosting its very own scam hubs. Large condominium buildings are being repurposed as living and working facilities for trafficked human beings forced to perform scams on hapless victims," Hontiveros said.

The senator warned that the scam call centers are now “employing foreigners trafficked into the country,” noting that the trafficked victims are from Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Indonesia, etc.

In Hontiveros’ statement, she was doubly alarmed with the so-called “pig butchering scam,” which is now a thriving fraud scheme. A cursory research on this scam, also known as “romance scam” is a “long-term fraud where scam call center agents search dating and social media sites for victims. The scammers typically create a fake profile and reach out to potential victims through dating apps. The goal is to become the victim’s ‘lover’ or ‘friend.’  Once trust is established, then it would be easy for the scammer to access personal details, bank accounts, or credit card numbers.“

"It is frightening that these criminal activities have been made easy by social media platforms. But it is more frightening to hear how effortless foreigners can get into the country, with the aid of unscrupulous immigration officials. This is a serious national security concern that we must urgently address. We cannot allow these syndicates to turn our country into outlaw territory," Hontiveros said.

All efforts must be done to cut the lines of these scam call centers. A community must be vigilant, especially since these call centers operate in condos or villages. There should also be support from the social media platforms as illegal ads still proliferate the online world. It would take a high-tech solution to combat this fraud which uses online tools. Our authorities have to keep up with the times, or else, the scammers will always be one step ahead.

Dina Bonnevie: 'I need to work hard to earn everything what I want to have'

BY MANILA BULLETIN ENTERTAINMENT

  

---

Dina Bonnevie (Screenshot from YouTube)

Actress Dina Bonnevie revealed how her father brought her into business at an early age.

During a recent interview with broadcaster Korina Sanchez, Dina revealed that she was raised in a well-to-do family, but that she knew how to work to make her own money.

At 11, Bonnevie already understood what the business is, her parents coached them to work hard and earn whatever they want the hard way. Because they believed that "not everything is easy."

Bonnevie, who rose to fame via the movie "Underage," remembered what her father had told her. “You can do better than that, you should never settle for mediocrity, but always aim for excellence. If you want to have something, you should earn it. She needs to work for everything she wants to have.”

Dina Bonnevie (left) and Korina Sanchez (Screenshot from YouTube)

Aside from being an actress Dina also has businesses in the country - the ‘La Bonne Vie’ which means ‘Good Life’. It is handloom woven textiles for the home, clothing, shoes, and bags.

Bonnevie, 61, also co-owns Victorino’s Restaurant with her husband/politician Deogracias Victor Savellano.

Victorino’s Restaurant isknown for its Ilocano dishes: bagnet, bagnet chips, poqui-poqui, warek-warek, to name a few.

Since then, Dina has worked hard to get everything she has at the moment. She also listened to the advice of her parents.

(Contributed by Hannah Nicol/Malabon University/OJT)

SC sets work skeds for courts in areas under Covid-19 Alert Levels 1 and 2

BY REY G. PANALIGAN

  

---

The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered a 50 to 75 percent workforce from April 25 to April 30 in courts in areas under Covid-19 Alert Levels 1 and 2 as identified by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).

In a circular, Court Administrator Raul B. Villanueva said that while face-to-face hearings “are given priority,” trial court judges are allowed to conduct fully remote video conferencing for court proceedings for at least three times a week.

With clearance from Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, Villanueva said that courts are physically open starting at 8 a.m., Saturday duty and night courts are not allowed, and pleadings and other documents may be filed or served through registered mail or through accredited couriers.

“All health and safety protocols against Covid-19 prescribed by the Court and the Office of the Court Administration (OCA), as well as those required by the IATF and the Department of Health, shall be complied with whatever is the Alert Level of a particular area,” Villanueva also said in his circular to judges.

Also, he said that “court personnel who are not scheduled to report to the court/office shall be considered under a work-from-home arrangement, wherein their official time for work will be in accordance with what is prescribed in OCA Circular No. 09-2015.”

Those working from home should make sure that their communication lines are always open, he also said.

Based on IATF, the OCA said areas under Alert Level 1 in Luzon are National Capital Region (NCR); Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR): Abra, Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Baguio City, Benguet (Buguias, Sablan and Tublay), Ifugao (Alfonso Lista [Potia], Kiangan, Lagawe, Lamut);

Region 1: Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Dagupan City; Region 2: Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, City of Santiago; Region 3: Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Angeles City, Olongapo City;

Region 4A: Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Lucena City, Quezon Province (Alabat, Atimonan, Candelaria, City of Tayabas, Dolores, Gumaca, Lucban, Mauban, Padre Burgos, Pagbilao, Perez, Plaridel, Polillo, Quezon,.Sampaloc, San Antonio, Sariaya, Tiaong, Unisan);

Region 4B: Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan (Cagayancillo, Culion, El Nido [Bacuit], Kalayaan); and, Region 5: Albay, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Naga City, Camarines Norte (Basud, Capalonga, Daet, San Vicente, Talisay), Masbate (Balud, Batuan, City of Masbate, Mandaon, Milagros, San Fernando).

In the Visayas, areas under Alert Level 1 Region 6: Aklan, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo Province, Bacolod City, Iloilo City; Antique (Anini-y, Barbaza, San Jose, Sebaste, Tobias Fornier [Dao]), Negros Occidental (Cadiz City, Candoni, City of Himamaylan, City of Talisay, City of Victorias, Enrique B. Magalona [Saravia], Ilog, La Carlota City, Murcia, Ponteverde, Pulupandan, Sagay City, San Enrique, Silay City, Valladolid);

Region 7: Siquijor, Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, Bohol (Alburquerque, Balilihan, Batuan, Calape, Corella, Dimiao, Duero, Garcia Hernandez, Jagna, Lila, Loay, Loboc, Maribojoc, Pres. Carlos P. Garcia [Pitogo], San Isidro, San Miguel, Sevilla, Sikatuna, Tagbilaran City), Cebu Province (Alboy, Borbon, City of Naga, City of Talisay, Oslob, Pilar, Poro, Santander, Tudela), Negros Oriental (Amlan [Ayuquitan], Bacong, Dauin, Dumaguete City, Valencia Luzurriaga], Zamboanguita);

Region 8: Biliran, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Southern Leyte, Ormoc City, Tacloban City, Leyte (Abuyog, Albuera, Bato, Barugo, City of Baybay, Dulag, Hindang, Inopacan, Javier [Bugho], La Paz, Leyte, Matag-ob, Matalom, Palo, Pastrana, Tabontabon, Tunga, Villaba), Samar [Western Samar] (City of Catbalogan, marabut, Mpotiong, Pagsanghan, Paranas [Wright], San Sebastian, Talalora, Tarangnan, Zumarraga).

In Mindanao, areas under Alert Level 1 are: Region 9: Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, City of Isabela, Zamboanga City;

Region 10: Bukidnon, Camiguin, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Cagayan de Oro City, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte (Bacolod, Baroy, Kauswagan, Kolambugan, Lala Linamon, Tubod);

Region 11: Davao Oriental, Davao City, Davao de Oro (Mawab, Montevista, Nabunturan, New Bataan), Davao del Norte (Braulio E. Dujali, Island Garden City of Samal, Santo Tomas), Davao del Sur (Padada), Davao Occidental (Don Marcelino, Malita, Santa Maria);

Region 12: South Cotabato, General Santos City, Cotabato [North Cotabato] (Antipas, Arakan, City of Kidapawan, Kabacan, President Roxas), Sarangani (Maitum), Sultan Kudarat (Bagumbayan, City of Tacurong, Kalamansig, Lebak, President Quirino);

Region 13 (CARAGA): Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Butuan City, Dinagat Islands (Cagdianao, Dinagat, Libjo [Albor], Loreto, Tubajon);

Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM): Lanao del Sur, Cotabato City, Maguindano (South Upi, Upi), Sulu (Hadji Panglima Tahil [Marunggas]; and Tawi-Tawi (Turtle Islands).

Areas under Alert Level 2, except in provinces where certain cities or municipalities have been placed under Alert Level 1, are Luzon: Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR): Benguet, Ifugao;

Region 4A: Quezon Province; Region 4B: Palawan; and, Region 5: Camarines Norte, Masbate.

In the Visayas, areas under Alert Level 2 are Region 6: Antique, Negros Occidental; Region 7: Bohol, Cebu Province, Negros Oriental; and, Region 8: Leyte, Samar [Western Samar].

In Mindanao, under Alert Level 2 are Region 10: Lanao del Norte; Region 11: Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental; Region 12: Cotabato [North Cotabato], Sultan Kudarat; and,
Region 13 (CARAGA): Dinagat Islands; and, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM): Basilan, Maguindanao, Sulu; Tawi-Tawi.