PH Blu Girls absorb thrashing against powerhouse Japan

BY REYNALD I. MAGALLON

  

---

AT A GLANCE

• The Philippine women’s softball team succumbed to world powerhouse Japan in just four innings, absorbing a 13-0 demolition in the WBSC 

---

The Philippine women’s softball team succumbed to world powerhouse Japan in just four innings, absorbing a 13-0 demolition in the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup 2023 at Campo Comunale di Softball in Italy late Sunday night, July 23 (Manila time).

Glory Alonzo of PH Blu Girls (WSBC photo)

######

The world ranked No. 2 Japanese proved to be too much for the Blu Girls, immediately asserting their dominance in the first inning with seven runs including an inside-the-park home run from Kyoko Ishikawa.

The Blu Girls pitchers in Celyn Ojare, Glory Alonzo and Ann Antolihao tried everything they got to try and make the Japanese batters uncomfortable but they were simply too poised for the Filipinas even scoring six more runs in the second inning.

The Filipinas remained winless through two games after also absorbing a 5-0 defeat against Canada while Japan now stands at the second spot of the Group C standings with a 2-0 record behind the 3-0 slate of host Italy.

The world No. 26 Blu Girls gun for the breakthrough win against fellow winless team and No. 22 team Venezuela Monday afternoon.

🔴TRAVEL UPDATE: IT IS OFFICIAL - PBBM LIFTED THE STATE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has formally lifted the state of public health emergency declared due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, Malacañang announced on Saturday. Marcos on Friday issued Proclamation 297, lifting the nationwide declaration of a public health emergency due to Covid-19, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cheloy Garafil said in a statement. “All prior orders, memoranda, and issuances that are effective only during the State of Public Health Emergency shall be deemed withdrawn, revoked or canceled and shall no longer be in effect,” according to the proclamation. Source: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1206185

‘Egay’ intensifies into typhoon; Signal No. 4 or 5 may be raised

BY ELLALYN DE VERA-RUIZ

Jul 24, 2023 00:24 AM

  

---

AT A GLANCE

• Tropical cyclone Egay intensified into a typhoon, with maximum sustained winds of 120 kph near the center and gusts of up to 150 kph.
• According to the current forecast scenario, the highest wind signal that may be hoisted is Signal No. 4 or 5.
• While traversing the Balintang Channel, Egay has the potential to become a super typhoon with winds of over 185 kph by Wednesday, July 26.

---

Tropical cyclone Egay (international name: Doksuri) strengthened into a typhoon as it moved east-northeast across the sea near the Bicol region on Sunday, July 23, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

In its 11 p.m. bulletin, PAGASA said the typhoon was last spotted 490 kilometers (km) east-northeast of Daet, Camarines Norte, and is moving west-northwestward at 10 kph.

Egay intensified into a typhoon, with maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 150 kph. 

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 was hoisted over the northeastern portion of Catanduanes due to the expected strong winds from the approaching storm.

Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 was raised in the rest of Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Quirino, northeastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Ifugao, Mountain Province, northern portion of Aurora, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and Samar.

“Minor to moderate impacts from gale-force winds are possible within any of the areas where Wind Signal No. 2 was raised. Minimal to minor impacts from strong winds are also possible within any of the areas where Wind Signal No.1 is hoisted,” PAGASA said.

According to the current forecast scenario, the highest wind signal that may be hoisted is Signal No. 4 or 5, it pointed out. 

(PAGASA)

Egay may become super typhoon by July 26

PAGASA said Egay is expected to continuously intensify in the next few days.

While traversing the Balintang Channel, it has the potential to become a super typhoon with winds of over 185 kph by Wednesday, July 26.

“Interaction with the rugged terrain of Northern Luzon and Southern Taiwan will trigger a period of weakening by late Wednesday as it moves over the waters near Southern Taiwan,” PAGASA said.

Landfall not ruled out

PAGASA said Egay’s track forecast in the current bulletin had a “considerable” shift.

In the next 12 hours, the weather disturbance may move west-northwestward or westward before turning northwest over the Philippine Sea east of Northern and Central Luzon.

“A brief period of west northwestward movement from Tuesday night to Wednesday morning will bring Egay over the Balintang Channel, resulting in a close approach over the Batanes-Babuyan Islands area,” PAGASA said.

“A landfall scenario over Batanes-Babuyan or northeastern mainland Cagayan is not ruled out since this is within the envelope of the forecast confidence cone,” it added.

Egay may leave the country’s area of responsibility on Thursday, July 27.

Brace for heavy to torrential rains

PAGASA warned that Egay may bring heavy to torrential rains over parts of Luzon in the next few days.

On Monday, July 24, Catanduanes, the northeastern portion of Camarines Sur, and northern portion of Camarines Norte may experience heavy rains (50-100 millimeters).

On Tuesday, July 25, intense rains (100-200 millimeters) are expected in Babuyan Islands and the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan, while heavy rains may prevail over the rest of Cagayan, the eastern portion of Isabela, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, and Apayao.

On Wednesday, July 26, torrential rains (more than 200 mm) may affect Batanes, Babuyan Islands, northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, and the northern portion of Ilocos Sur.

Intense rains may also persist in Cagayan, Apayao, Abra, the rest of Ilocos Sur, and northern portion of La Union, while heavy rains may prevail over the rest of La Union, Benguet, western portion of Mountain Province, and Kalinga.

PAGASA said the southwest monsoon, or “habagat,” enhanced by Egay, may also bring significant rains over the next three days, particularly in Zambales, Bataan, Palawan, Occidental Mindoro, Antique, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, and Guimaras.

“Under these conditions, flooding and rain-induced landslides are possible, especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps and in localities that experienced considerable amounts of rainfall for the past several days,” PAGASA warned.

How many types of Germanic languages are there? What are the differences between them? Are they similar at all?

Massimo Saracino

 · 

Following

Knows English

There are four groups of Germanic languages, with a high or partial intelligibility within each group, but poor intelligibility between groups.

The first group includes English and Scots.

The second groups include German, Yiddish, Swiss-German, Austro-Bavarian, and Luxembourgish.

The third group includes Dutch, Flemish, Afrikaans, Frisian, and Plattdüutsch (Low German).

The forth group includes the Nordic Germanic languages: Swedish, Norwegian (both variants), Danish, Faroese, Icelandic.

This map shows the Germanic languages in their current presence as first language in Europe, showing for Germany the areas where traditionally Austro-Bavarian and Plattdüutsch were spoken (German, i.e. Hochdeutsch, is based on Central German). The only missing Germanic languages in the map are Afrikaans, Luxembourgish, and Yiddish; Swiss-German is doubtfully clustered with Austro-Bavarian; the red line defines the region of Nordic Germanic languages.

Never let go of our faith

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

TO be guided by our Christian faith should always be an abiding thing for us. We should never just rely on our own intelligence and the many ways and forms of human estimation. These can only do so much, but without faith, they cannot reach the ultimate goal meant for us.

We are somehow reminded of this reality in that gospel episode where some leading Jews approached Christ asking for a sign of who he really was. (cfr. Mt 12,38-42) That was when Christ told them about the many signs in the past that should answer their question. He told them about Jonah, the men of Nineveh, the Queen of the South and Solomon.

Faith, of course, is a difficult thing to deal with. And that’s mainly because it is something supernatural that contains truths that simply are mysterious to us. What makes us accept it is explained in the Catechism as follows:

“156 What moves us to believe is not the fact that revealed truths appear as true and intelligible in the light of our natural reason: we believe "because of the authority of God himself who reveals them, who can neither deceive nor be deceived". 

And it continues: “So that the submission of our faith might nevertheless be in accordance with reason, God willed that external proofs of his Revelation should be joined to the internal helps of the Holy Spirit.’

“Thus, the miracles of Christ and the saints, prophecies, the Church's growth and holiness, and her fruitfulness and stability ‘are the most certain signs of divine Revelation, adapted to the intelligence of all’; they are ‘motives of credibility’ (motiva credibilitatis), which show that the assent of faith is ‘by no means a blind impulse of the mind’.”

We should really be concerned about developing an operative faith. Our faith should not remain only at the theoretical, intellectual level. It has to be a functioning one, giving shape and direction to our thoughts and intentions, our words and deeds. In fact, it should shape our whole life. 

The ideal is that we feel it immediately and continually. Indeed, it should be like an instinct such that whatever we think, say or do, or whenever we have to react to something, it is our faith that should guide us before anything else.

We have to understand that it is our faith that gives us the global picture of things, since it is God’s gift to us, a gratuitous sharing of what God knows about himself and about the whole of creation. It is meant for our own good, for us to live out our true dignity as children of God.

It is a kind of knowledge that will lead us to our eternal life. It will make us relate everything in our earthly life, both the good and the bad, to this ultimate goal in life which is to be in heaven with God, a state that is supernatural. But it is a divine gift that we need to take care of. It is like a seed that has to grow until it becomes a big tree and bears fruit.

For this, we really need to have a living contact with Christ who is the fullness of God’s revelation to us. He is the substance, the content and the spirit of our faith. So, the first thing that we have to do is to always look for him in whatever thing we are thinking, saying or doing.

LATEST PHILIPPINE TRAVEL UPDATE: AIRPORT & COVID PROTOCOLS (QUARANTINE)

Jennifer Terri

202K subscribers

<

7,384 views Premiered 7 hours ago #JENNIFERTERRI

ARRIVAL Travel Guide to the Philippines ✨ For Filipinos (Filipino):    • UPDATED TRAVEL GU...   ✨ For Balikbayans (Former Filipinos and their Families):    • UPDATED TRAVEL GU...   ✨ For Foreign Nationals:    • Latest Travel Gui...   📍ARRIVAL All passengers entering the Philippines are required to register with E-TRAVEL Tutorial Guide for E-TRAVEL (ENGLISH):    • E-TRAVEL UPDATE: ...   Tutorial Guide for E-TRAVEL (FILIPINO):    • GAWIN MO TO BAGO ...   📍DEPARTURE Only Filipinos are required to register to e-travel prior to departure. https://etravel.gov.ph/ Tutorial Guide for E-TRAVEL (FILIPINO):    • GAWIN MO TO BAGO ...   ✨For Foreign Nationals, Balikbayans, Dual Citizens, and Filipino Permanent Residents Abroad:    • THINGS THAT IMMIG...   ✨For Filipinos:    • DEPARTURE REQUIRE...   Register to E-TRAVEL when you depart the Philippines: https://etravel.gov.ph/ 👉🏽Filipino Tourists departing the Philippines may be required by Philippine Immigration to secure travel medical insurance. For this, you may check out Safetywing: https://www.safetywing.com/a/24818256 👉🏽Foreign Tourists, except those covered by Balikbayan Privilege, may be required by airlines and immigration to show an exit ticket. You may rent a ticket here to satisfy this requirement for just $14: https://onwardticket.com/jennifer

Quinn Carillo recalls first time she wrote a memorable story

BY ROBERT REQUINTINA

Jul 23, 2023 00:44 AM

  

---

AT A GLANCE

• Asked about her goals in showbiz, Quinn said: "Siguro I want to write something that would elevate the Philippine cinema na tipong hindi na natin kailangan sumunod sa formula. I think we're ready na. Marami ang nanonood kung ito ay something different pero yun nga lang marami ring matatakot kasi baka hindi bumenta sa cinema."

---

Quinn Carillo (Images courtesy of Facebook)

Talented actress and writer Quinn Carillo recently unveiled the story behind her journey of literary creation. It all began during her high school years, when a jolt of inspiration struck her, igniting her passion to craft her very own captivating tale.

"Noong first year high school ako we had this activity na we had to write a very sad story na kailangan mapaiyak daw namin yung teacher ko," said Quinn, during a press conference for her latest movie "Litrato" under 3:16 Media Network recently. 

(In my first year high school we had this activity where we had to write a very sad story that we had to make my teacher cry.) 

Quinn added: "Sabi ng teacher ko, you know you have a bright future in writing. Ang ganda-ganda ng sinulat mo. Sobrang naiyak daw siya. At that time siyempre bata palang ako. Feeling ko nakatsamba lang ako nun eh. Pero sabi niya ituloy mo yang pagsusulat kasi ang ganda ngh nabuo mong story. I never would have thought na isang bata na tulad mo ang nagsulat nito."

(My teacher said, you know you have a bright future in writing. What you wrote was beautiful. She said she cried a lot. And at that time, of course, I was just a child. I feel like I was just overwhelmed by it. But she said keep writing because the story you created is beautiful. I never would have thought that a child like you wrote this.) Since then, Quinn was inspired to write anything.

"Nagsusulat na ako noon pero hindi ko pa naman sineseryoso. I think mga Grade 5 or Grade 6 ako nun. Mahilig talaga ako sa anime. I have a Japanese friend who taught me how to draw at gumagawa kami ng mga manga, drawings," she said.

(I used to write but I didn't take it seriously. I think I was in Grade 5 or Grade 6. I really like anime. I have a Japanese friend who taught me how to draw and we make manga, drawings.) 

Quinn said that she has been writing professionally for two years now. Her very first screenplay was the movie "Tahan" which starred Jaclyn Jose. In December 2022, Quinn wrote the Metro Manila Film Festival official entry "My Father, Myself" starring Jake Cuenca, Sean De Guzman, and Dimples Romana.

She gets the inspiration to write from people around her.

"Minsan may magku-kuwento sa akin at bigla akong makakakuha ng idea. I would ask permission kung pwede ko ba isulat yun sa film.

"Marami na rin ang lumalapit sa akin dahil nakapagsimula na rin naman ako like yung 'My Father, Myself' for 2022 Metro Manila Film Festival. Sila na rin talaga yung lumalapit para magkwento at doon ako nakakakuha ng inspiration," Quinn said.

Quinn also said that her favorite genre is psycho-thriller.

"Genre ko talaga is psycho thriller. Nakita naman natin yun sa 'Tahan.' Pero ngayon okay din naman yung drama. Pero mas gusto ko rin talaga ang psycho thriller (movies)," she added. 

Asked about her goals in showbiz, Quinn said: "Siguro I want to write something that would elevate the Philippine cinema na tipong hindi na natin kailangan sumunod sa formula. I think we're ready na. Marami ang nanonood kung ito ay something different pero yun nga lang marami ring matatakot kasi baka hindi bumenta sa cinema."

Quinn shared her unsolicited advice on writing a screenplay.

"The same advice that Direk Dennis Marasigan had given me, which is magsulat ka lang. Huwag kang matakot. Bata pa lang kasi ako talagang nagsusulat na ako. Isulat mo lang. Yun ang sabi niya sa akin. And then saka mo na i-try kung may makakagusto patra gawing pelikula. My professors would always tell me to take criticisms or rejections with a grain of salt. As an artist, you know your work than anyone. Alam mo yung potential ng gawa mo or lakas ng gawa mo. So kung ayaw nila, it's okay. Meron naman dyang iba na same or align kayo ng vision," she added.

(The same advice that Direk Dennis Marasigan had given me, which is just to write. Don't be afraid. I have been writing since I was young. Just write. That's what he told me. And then consider later your work for the movies. My professors would always tell me to take criticisms or rejections with a grain of salt. As an artist, you know your work more than anyone. You know the potential of your work or the power of your work. So if they don't like it, it's okay. Someday you will meet people with the same or aligned vision.)

Aside from screenplay, Quinn also loves acting.

"Sobrang nag-enjoy ako sa acting. Noong una hindi ko ine-expect na mag-eenjoy ako kasi I've always been behind the stage," she said. (I really enjoy acting. At first, I didn't expect to enjoy it because I've always been behind the stage.)

In the latest movie "Litrato," Quinn said that she cherished her scenes with AiAi Delas who's very supportive and caring on the set.

"Marami kaming eksena ni Ms AiAi. Halos buong movie nakasama ko po siya. Story conference pa lang na-starstruck na po ako kay Ms Ai. Noong bata pa ako napapanood ko lang sila. Now kasama ko na sila. Hindi po siya nakaka-pressure kasi like everyone, she's very supportive. Sobrang maalaga po siya at ramdam ko na hindi niya ako pinababayaan sa mga eksena," she said.

(Ms. AiAi and I had many scenes. I was with her almost the entire movie. I was already starstruck by Ms. Ai at the story conference. When I was young I could only watch her. Now I am with her. She's very supportive. She's very caring on the set.)

Quinn goes to college at the Meridian International Center, where's she taking up multimedia arts. "Doon ko rin natutunan yung pag-scriptwriting." (That's also where I learned scriptwriting).

Directed by Louie Ignacio, "Litrato" also stars Ara Mina and Liza Lorena. The movie opens in local cinemas on July 26.