Damot shares her pageant journey

BY CARISSA ALCANTARA

  

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AT A GLANCE

• "Well I really cannot promise, kasi I'm no Pia naman and Catriona, but I am Arlene, so I will do my best and I believe I'm unique naman," she said.

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Mrs. Universe Philippines 2023 Arlene Cris Damot (Image courtesy of Instagram) 

After winning the title of Mrs. Universe Philippines 2023 last June 18, Arlene Cruz Damot, mother of two kids, is a remarkable woman of many talents and titles.

During her media conference at the Seda Hotel Vertis in Quezon City last Sept. 21, Arlene stated what encouraged her to join pageant.

"When I was young I was bullied because of my appearance, I was chubby and my skin tone was morena, so I just wanna show to everyone that if you set your heart and mind to it, you can be anything that you want to be," Arlene said. 

(When I was young I was bullied because of my appearance, I was chubby and my skin tone was morena, so I just wanna show to everyone that if you set your heart and mind to it, you can be anything that you want to be)

She also believed that another reason she joined the pageant was because she shared the same values with the competition.

Mrs. Universe Philippines 2023 Arlene Cris Damot (Image courtesy of Instagram) 

"I think kaya ko napili sumali dito sa Mrs. Universe, kasi I think that we share the same values and I love being a mom. Mrs. Universe the requirements are actually like if you're married or widowed," Arlene added.

(I think that's why I chose to join Mrs. Universe because I think that we share the same values ​​and I love being a mom. Mrs. Universe, the requirements are actually like if you're married or widowed) 

Despite being the CEO of an aesthetic clinic, training in pageant, and becoming a mom, Arlene added that it's all about time management to make her work easier.

"Time management talaga, of course, family first muna, that's my priority and then for being an entrepreneur, and then a mom, and then a beauty queen as well, time management talaga is very important," she added.

(Time management really, of course, family first, that's my priority and then for being an entrepreneur, and then a mom, and then a beauty queen as well, time management is really very important)

Embarking on her first pageant, Arlene made sure to prepare her well-being from physical to mental health and the other pageant matters.

"For the preparations, of course, you need to be healthy and fit, so I go to the gym, and I also go to the spa. So I will be mentally and physically healthy. Secondly for Pasarela naman, I am being trained by Ian Mendajar, and for the gowns naman we have collaborated with different designers," Arlene said. 

(For the preparations, of course, you need to be healthy and fit, so I go to the gym, and I also go to the spa. So I will be mentally and physically healthy. Secondly for Pasarela, I am being trained by Ian Mendajar, and for the gowns, we have collaborated with different designers)

Competing against a hundred candidates from different countries. Arlene mentioned that she may not be Catriona Grey or Pia Wurtzbach, but she will do her best to get the title.

"Well I really cannot promise, kasi I'm no Pia naman and Catriona, but I am Arlene, so I will do my best and I believe I'm unique naman," she said.

(Well I really cannot promise, because I'm no Pia and Catriona, but I am Arlene, so I will do my best and I believe I'm unique)

Witness the beauty and elegance as the candidates of the 46th Mrs. Universe 2023 compete for the crown on Oct. 8, at 6PM in Newport Performing Arts Theater, Newport Resorts World in Pasay City.

Vog, smog, haze worsen quality of air; public awareness on pollution heightened

BY MANILA BULLETIN

Sep 25, 2023 00:11 AM

  

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Metro Manilans and those in the Calabarzon region received a generous dose of science education last Friday, Sept. 22, when the hazy atmosphere prompted the suspension of classes. Alerts were also given to those proximately affected by Taal Volcano’s continuing activity.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) retracted its initial declaration that volcanic smog, or vog, was the cause of the haze, noting the west-southwest direction of the emissions from Taal Volcano toward other Batangas towns, and not toward Metro Manila.

Another agency, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) stated that “hazy skies in Metro Manila…may be attributed to ground-level and suspended Particulate Matter (PM) concentration. Then, another term — thermal inversion — was injected into the briefing. Thermal inversion occurs when the layers of the atmosphere do not mix, causing aerosols to get trapped.

DENR-EMB explained further: “Normally, air temperature decreases with increasing altitude, but during an inversion, warmer air is held below the cooler air. An inversion can also suppress convection which is the ability of pollutant(s) to move vertically, causing visibly trapped particulate matter closer to the ground.”

The main cause of the phenomenon, therefore, was the presence of significant amounts of Particulate Matter — in simple terms, air pollution — that hovered closer to the ground, instead of drifting into the skies.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services (PAGASA), our good old weather bureau, chimed in to explain the rather unusual “meteorological conditions” last Friday in Metro Manila, Calabarzon and some Central Luzon provinces. It cited “the presence of very small particles…trapped close to the surface (or nearer ground level) due to the presence of a thermal inversion, high humidity, and calm wind conditions.” Usually “the inversion disappears later in the day as heat from the sun allows the mixing of the air, allowing the aerosols to disappear.” But the haze persists when cloudy conditions prevail. 

Meanwhile, residents in the immediate vicinity of Taal Volcano, have been warned of the persistent and rising amount of vog whose chemical component is sulfur dioxide, which can irritate the eyes, throat, and respiratory system.

To recap, the smog that blanketed Metro Manila last Friday and through Saturday, was caused by heavy traffic emissions and thermal inversion, not by Taal Volcano’s continuing smoke emission.

This drives home anew the imperative need to curb air pollution to ensure that the air we breathe does not endanger our health.

Law enforcement agencies must intensify and sustain their campaign against smoke belching vehicles. More effective public transport systems such as the EDSA Bus Carousel system should be sustained and further enhanced. The use of hybrid or electric vehicles could also contribute significantly to the mitigation of air pollution. Meantime, if air pollution persists or worsens, commuters will be constrained to wear anew face masks for health protection.

Concerned government agencies must do what is needed to give accurate and reliable public information for the citizenry’s guidance.

Why Bituin Escalante ‘ran away’ from own movie premiere

 

By: Marinel Cruz Philippine Daily Inquirer / 12:20 AM September 25, 2023

For singer-actress Bituin Escalante, an artist has to take risks in order to promote his art.

“We can go on and on about supporting our craft and our cinema, but if you’re not part of that animal, you have no right to talk about enriching the art form,” said Bituin, who was last seen in Dustin Celestino’s political drama “Duyan ng Magiting.”

“If we can empower filmmakers by joining [especially films made for festivals], then let’s do it. Let’s use our platforms. For example, the mere fact that I saw Dolly de Leon’s name on the cast list made me agree to do the project. I also said ‘yes’ because of Dustin and his pedigree. I wasn’t going to pass up a chance to work with them,” said Bituin, who plays a disillusioned lawyer in the movie. “More than the opportunity to promote film and filmmaking, it’s a chance to work with the best. Selfishly, I was so happy to do the project.

”Since “Duyan ng Magiting” is a collection of stories divided into different acts, Butuin said the only time all the cast members were together in one place was during their script reading. “This was the first time we all read the script together. What I noticed with the cast was how normal they are when you talk to them about their craft, as well as how self-effacing. I consider them giants in their fields, but they are the warmest and most supportive,” she began. “Dustin was almost shy and apologetic when he was giving us copies of the script—to think he has won a Palanca award and so many writing awards. But he said, ‘I hope you like it.’”

‘A great piece of work’

Bituin then recalled an incident that happened to her after the movie’s premiere screening. “I had to run from the theater to a meeting. In our industry, running away from a premiere is code for not liking your own project. It means you don’t want to see people fake congratulations,” she explained. “After the meeting, I said I had to go to the film’s minicast party in Gener (Cafe, in Quezon City) because I had to look Dustin in the eye and tell him I loved the work that he did. When I finally told him, I saw relief in his face. It’s so humbling to see Dustin sit there and witness how people react, but not wholly embrace the idea that, ‘Yes, what I made is a great piece of work.’ The best ones are always the nicest ones.” INQ

Read more: https://entertainment.inquirer.net/520047/why-bituin-escalante-ran-away-from-own-movie-premiere#ixzz8EHQp3N3G

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PH meat imports fall; Pinoys eat less pork, beef

FILE PHOTO: Meat vendors in Commonwealth Market, Quezon City. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

 By: Jordeene B. Lagare - @inquirerdotnetPhilippine Daily Inquirer 

MANILA, Philippines  — The country’s meat imports fell by 4 percent in the first eight months of the year as Filipinos consumed less pork and beef amid rising global market prices.

The volume of imported meat decreased to 817.35 million kilograms from January to August this year from 851.84 million kg in the same period a year ago, based on the latest data from the Bureau of Animal Industry.

“Importers are now feeling the effects of the low consumption coupled with high prices abroad,” Meat Importers and Traders Association president emeritus Jesus Cham said in a message.

“Market has been very tough and [we] hear [that] many importers are lying low. It would not be surprising for importers to be more conservative,” Cham said.

In August alone, the Philippines imported 115.11 million kg of meat, down 1.5 percent from the past year. But last month’s volume of imported meat and meat products improved from the volume in July, ending a three-month downtrend.

For the eight-month period, pork imports made up nearly 50 percent of total volume, down 12.7 percent. Chicken came next with 35.4 percent, up 18.3 percent. The Philippines procured 91.68 million kg of beef, down 16.7 percent.

Buffalo totaled 29.31 million kg. Likewise, the country purchased 563,298 kg of lamb, 229,302 kg of duck and 168,697 kg of turkey.

BAI data revealed that Brazil was still the country’s leading source of imported meat with a share of 32.2 percent. It exported mostly chicken with 166.15 million kg.

The United States followed with 142.25 million kg, primarily chicken and Spain with 102.41 million kg of mostly pork.

The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) earlier projected that the country would likely import less pig and more poultry meat this year on the back of growing internal demand amid tight domestic supplies, high prices, more active food services sales, and relative affordability.

However,  the rising availability of local supply and declining consumer purchasing power amid high food prices and economic downturns are seen to reduce demand from most meat-importing countries, partially offsetting price increases, the FAO said.

Lower tariffs on certain food items have been extended until December this year. The “most favored nation” rates on fresh, chilled or frozen meat remained at 15 percent (in-quota) and 25 percent (out-quota).

Read more: https://business.inquirer.net/421938/ph-meat-imports-fall-pinoys-eat-less-pork-beef#ixzz8EHNVh2gJ

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Breathtaking Bukidnon in the Philippines

“The Beauty of Bukidnon” It is about time to put BUKIDNON into your visit list or bucket list or whatever you call it. This place goes unmentioned in most mainstream travel guides because the province is all bundled together with the stigma that the word Mindanao carries. But this makes Bukidnon even more appealing to travelers like us who wants to get off the main tourist destinations and take in a whole new experience – adventure, ancient cultures and nature. Terrorism is a real threat all over the world and not just in Mindanao. The fact that the world has been brainwashed that Mindanao is a warzone is unfair and untrue. Contrary to what most travel advisories say about Mindanao, Bukidnon is a very safe place for travelers. Make sure to check with the local tourism office or your travel operator first before venturing out to hike. A collaboration project by The Island Nomad and The Lost Boys PH. 🔥🎥: Aligato John Ray

'Pakak': Maris Racal sizzles in another birthday shoot

Kristofer Purnell - Philstar.com

Singer-actress Maris Racal does a sultry shoot for her 26th birthday.

Maris Racal, Gee Plamenco Jr. via Instagram

MANILA, Philippines — Actress-singer Maris Racal celebrated her 26th birthday by having another sultry photoshoot.

Maris shared several pictures from a shoot she did with photographer Gee Plamenco Jr. on her Instagram last September 22, her birthday. 

Aiding in her looks were makeup artist Jay Salcedo and hairstylist Aries Manal, with styling by Adrianne Concepcion and Via Abbra.

In one set of photos, Maris wore a black tube top over denim jeans and a denim top over black leather pants. 

Another set shows the "Pinoy Big Brother" alum in a brown-gray tube top over brown leather pants, her hands raised as two hidden individuals embrace her from behind.

"Thank you guys for making me feel PAKAK on my birthday," Maris wrote in one post's caption, also sharing her astrology sign — Virgo sun, Gemini moon, Scorpio rising (even saying in the other post her birthday was a "Virgo season ender").

Her fellow celebrities greeted her in the comments section, including Aga Muhlach, Chie Filomeno, Agot Isidro, KaladKaren, Marina Summers, Esnyr Ranollo, Vance Larena and director Dan Villegas.

Not to be outdone was Maris' boyfriend and fellow artist, Rico Blanco, who posted on his own Instagram account a series of photos, including the couple's recent trip to Italy.

"More adventures, more dates, more memories with you. Happy birthday, my sunshine, my star," Rico wrote in the caption.

Maris quipped in the comments that Rico even included one photo where they appeared to be fighting, though the singer clarified, "'Di tayo away nyan, love, muntik lang tayo maiwan ng train."

The birthday girl still expressed her gratitude in another comment by saying, "I love you so much bums."

Maris had a similar sexy birthday photoshoot last year when she wore clothes from Calvin Klein, and the year before when she wore different garments while being splashed with water.

Finally, rollback in pump prices due on Tuesday

BY MYRNA M. VELASCO

Sep 23, 2023 08:25 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• In the Philippine oil market, consumers’ uproar has been escalating due to relentless price hikes at the pumps – not just on the public transport drivers’ bid for fare hikes, but also on demand for subsidy as well as scrapping of value added taxes (VAT) for oil commodities.

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After 11 weeks of financial torment at the gasoline stations, consumers can finally heave a sigh of slight relief as oil prices will be on rollback at the pumps by Tuesday (September 26), based on the calculation of the oil companies.

According to the industry players, the price of diesel products will be trimmed by P0.30 to P0.70 per liter; while gasoline prices will be reduced by P0.20 to P0.60 per liter.

The oil firms similarly calculated that the price of kerosene, which is an essential base for aviation fuel and also a necessity for many Filipino households, would be down by P0.45 to P0.85 per liter. 

The actual estimates on price cuts as indexed on the Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS) had been P0.41 per liter for gasoline; P0.50 per liter for diesel and P0.659 per liter for kerosene, but the final adjustments at Philippine pumps may vary because of other factors, such as market premium, foreign exchange rate as well as biofuel mix to diesel and gasoline products.

Prior to the forthcoming round of cost movements, a monitoring report of the Department of Energy (DOE) has shown that prices since the start of the year still logged net increases of P17.50 per liter for gasoline; P13.60 per liter for diesel; and P9.94 per liter for kerosene.

Prices in the global market last week had been on seesaw, but it was the decision of the US Federal Reserve on extended interest rate hikes policy that eventually tamed oil prices, according to industry experts.

The counterbalance to that market development had been the decision of Russia to restrict its diesel and gasoline exports, hence, the anticipated price rollbacks had been partly squeezed toward end-week trading. 

The Russian government, in particular, has temporarily banned gasoline and diesel exports to all countries, except those of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyztan, and that exerted fresh round of price pressure on the fuel commodities.

International benchmark Brent crude was still wobbling at $93 to $94 per barrel most of trading days last week, and there’s no certainty at this point that it will be heading downtrend in the days ahead.

And as oil prices are not leveling off on stable ground yet, global investment bank Goldman Sachs has been projecting the recurrence of $100 per barrel oil, especially so since many energy markets in the world have been fumbling on their energy transition agendas that are anchored on renewables.

In the Philippine oil market, consumers’ uproar has been escalating due to relentless price hikes at the pumps – not just on the public transport drivers’ bid for fare hikes, but also on demand for subsidy as well as scrapping of value added taxes (VAT) for oil commodities. 

Europe fights back after USA sweeps Solheim Cup foursomes

BY AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Sep 23, 2023 02:30 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• The European team started to fight back on Friday, Sept. 22, afternoon as they edged fourballs to trail the USA, 5-3, at the end of the first day of the Solheim Cup.

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CASARES (AFP) -- The European team started to fight back on Friday, Sept. 22, afternoon as they edged fourballs to trail the USA, 5-3, at the end of the first day of the Solheim Cup.

Team Europe's Swedish golfer Maja Stark reacts on the first day of the 2023 Solheim Cup biennial team golf competition at Finca Cortesin golf club in Casares, on Friday, Sept. 22. (AFP) 

The USA swept the morning foursomes 4-0 at Finca Cortesin in Spain, but Europe collected two wins and two halves in taking the afternoon fourballs 3-1 to revive its hopes of an unprecedented third win in a row.

Europe received a huge fillip from Leona Maguire in the second match. All square and with American Lexi Thompson on the fringe of the green in two at the par five 18th, the Irish star chipped in for birdie. 

Clearly rattled, Thompson half shanked her chip and could only manage a par and the Europeans, Maguire and Georgia Hall, claimed a first full point.

"it was a great win," said Maguire, who won four and half points out of five on her debut two years ago. "Georgia kept it together on the front nine and then I made some birdies on the back nine.

"It's been a long, tiring day but it was a good comeback in the afternoon."

Spaniard Carlota Ciganda, who had sat out foursomes, carried on the home charge in the afternoon, joining rookie Linn Grant in a 4 and 2 victory over Ally Ewing and Angel Yin in the final foursome. 

The other matches swung back and forth.

In the top tie, rookie Gemma Dryburgh and Madelene Sagstrom shared the spoils with US rookie Rose Zhang and Megan Khang.

A highlight was  Dryburgh's chip in for birdie at the 16th - but Zhang followed her in with a 20-foot putt to keep the match all square.

The third match was also a well-earned half. US Open Champion Allisen Corpuz holed a long putt for birdie at the 18th, but rookie Maja Stark followed her in from around the same range.

In the same match, Emily Pedersen claimed the shot of the day with a hole in one at the 178 yard 12th.

"It was a tough morning, but good to fight back in the afternoon," said European Captain, Suzann Pettersen. 

"I think my team was almost trying too hard in the morning but I was confident they could come back."

The morning was all about the USA. Thompson and Khang set the tone in the top match, winning the opening three holes against European rookies Grant and Stark.

The Americans went on to win by 2 and 1 and their next two matches claimed victory on the final green.

In a one-sided final match, Ewing and rookie Cheyenne Knight trounced Charley Hull and Pedersen by 5 and 4.

Hull, playing in her sixth Solheim, was struggling with neck and upper back pain and was worked on by the physiotherapist on the practice range.

But she was out spectating in the afternoon and expects to be fit for final two days.

Several parts of EDSA, Metro Manila flooded anew

67,500 views Sep 23, 2023 #ManilaBulletinOnline #ManilaBulletin #LatestNews

Several areas in Metro Manila were flooded as a result of the heavy downpour triggered by a low-pressure area and the southwest monsoon, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) reported on Saturday, Sept. 23. The deepest flood reported at 12 noon was in front of the EDSA Gate 3 of Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City with 14 inches deep, according to MMDA field personnel. (MB Video by Mark Balmores)

What does the German word "doch" mean?

 

Will McChesney

Doch is my favorite German word. I really wish we had an equivalent in English, but we don’t. To explain, I’ll start off with a riddle for native English speakers.

Imagine a friend comes up to you, and asks, in English:

“So you’re not coming to the party?”

But you are! You are going to the party! How do you correct her in a single word?

It’s not possible. Think about it:

• If you say “yes,” she might think you mean “yes, you’re right, I’m not coming to the party.”
• If you say “no,” she might think you mean “no, I’m not coming to the party.”

In practice, most English speakers I ask tell me they’d just repeat the phrase. “I am, actually.” “No, I am coming.” Or “yeah, I am coming to the party.” What a mouthful!

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Now imagine the friend re-asks the question in German:

“Kommst also nicht zur Party?”

Remember, you are coming to the party! It’s easy to correct her:

“Doch.”

Doch is the word used to correct someone when they falsely assumed the negative, just like nein is the word used to correct someone when they falsely assumed the positive:

Kommst also zur Party? (“So you’re coming to the party?”)
Nein, leider nicht. Ich habe zu viel zu tun. (“No, sorry. I’m too busy.”)

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I actually think the closest English word to this usage of doch is one that disappears from most native English speakers’ vocabulary around the age of 7 or 8. Imagine two kids arguing on the preschool playground:

“I have infinity-thousand-million dollars.”
“Nuh-uh!” (Hast du nicht!)
“Yuh-huh!” (Doch, habe ich!)

The French have si, the Germans have doch, the kindergartners have yuh-huh, and we snooty, English-speaking adults have nothing. I say we flaunt our loss in the linguistic lottery, and embrace our inner child. Or learn German, ya know!

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For the sake of being comprehensive, I’ll add that doch has other meanings as well.

• Es hat also doch nicht geregnet, obwohl es in der Wettervorhersage stand.
  (“So it didn’t end up raining after all, even though they forecasted it to.”)
• Sie kam mir sehr sympathisch vor, doch auch irgendwie ein bisschen traurig.
  (“She seemed very nice, yet a little sad somehow, too.”)

Translating it as a particle within a phrase can be a little slippery. Often it doesn’t have a direct correspondence in English, and ends up coming over more in the tone of the sentence as a whole.

• Wie es aussieht wird Donald Trump doch nicht der nächste Präsident. — Habe ich doch gesagt.
  (“Looks like Donald Trump won’t be our next president after all.” — “I tried to tell you.”)
• Mama, in den Sommerferien sollten wir eine Reise nach New York machen! — Junge, du weißt doch, dass wir uns dieses Jahr keinen Urlaub leisten können.
  (“Mom, we should go to New York over summer break!” — “Son, you know we can’t afford a vacation this year.”)
• Soll ich dir zeigen, wie das geht? — Schaffe ich alleine, ich bin doch kein Kind mehr.
  (“Want me to show you how?” — “I can do it by myself, I’m not a little kid any more.”)
• Sei doch endlich mal still.
  (“Oh, will you be quiet.”)
• Du schreibst mir doch, oder? — Natürlich.
  (“You will write me, won’t you?” — “Of course.”)
• Dann danke ich Ihnen, Herr Obama, für die Hilfe. — Ach, sag doch du zu mir. Ich bin Barack.
  (“Thanks for the help, Mr. Obama.” — “Aw, you can call me Barack.”)