A fruitful move: Opening the world market to our farmers

BY MANILA BULLETIN

Oct 3, 2023 00:53 AM

  

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Our fruits are known the world over — we have the sweetest mangoes, the juiciest pineapples, and the plumpest pomelos. Now, we proudly add avocados to that list as an initial shipment of 3,040 boxes of fresh Hass avocados embarked on a journey from our shores to South Korea last Sept. 30, 2023. 

As reported by the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI), the first shipment set sail from KTC Port Tibungco in Davao City and is expected to reach Pyongtaek Port, South Korea, on Oct. 8. The estimated value of the products is US$48,433 or approximately ₱2.7 million.

This development signals an important step forward, as expanded market access not only broadens the consumer base for Filipino fruit producers but also affords them the opportunity to scale up their operations. It’s a win-win solution to the perennial challenge of identifying new local markets, which had unfortunately led to some fruit produce being thrown away or left to rot. 

It is worth noting that earlier this year, during the President’s state visit to China, he was able to open the country’s door for more local fruit exports.  The President witnessed the signing between the Department of Agriculture (DA) and China’s General Administration of Customs on a protocol of phytosanitary requirements for the export of fresh durians.  With this, an estimated US$ 2.09 billion in purchase intentions for Philippine fruit exports was secured by the administration, which also covers coconuts and bananas, among others.

According to trade data, fresh fruits, including Cavendish bananas, have been the top drivers for Philippine agricultural exports to China.

In a related development, the Philippine Embassy in Australia issued a statement in early September regarding the arrival of the first batch of fresh Philippine mango shipment. It said that the initial shipment of the most popular mango variety, Carabao, were “harvested from the local farms in Malalag, Digos, Bansalan, and Magsaysay municipalities in Davao del Sur.” 

“The entry of fresh Philippine mangoes into Australia marks a significant milestone in our bilateral trade. With the elevation of relations to a strategic partnership, the Philippines looks forward to building further trade with Australia. The time has come for our Aussie friends to enjoy our much beloved fruit in the Philippines,” said Ma. Hellen De La Vega, Philippine Ambassador to Australia. 

As we embark on this new era of global fruit trade, we must be vigilant in addressing any obstacles that may arise. For years, several agencies have identified supply-side constraints as our farmers have struggled to meet the required demand. It is now imperative for the government to look into providing the best technology, upskilling farmers, or making available storage facilities and processing equipment. These measures will allow local fruit producers to be competitive on the world stage. After all, bilateral agreements or agreement signings are useless if we fail to uphold our end of the bargain. 

The President has consistently reiterated that the agricultural sector is at the forefront of the post-pandemic economic recovery strategy. So let’s put funds and all our efforts where it matters the most, as this will have a tremendous impact especially in the countryside. 

This time, let our homegrown fruits pave the way for a fruitful journey toward economic resiliency. 

Gymnast Aleah Finnegan qualifies to 2024 Paris Olympics

BY KRISTEL SATUMBAGA-VILLAR

Oct 3, 2023 09:20 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Finnegan also becomes the first female gymnast from the Philippines to compete in the Olympics since Evelyn Magluyan and Maria Luisa Floro saw action in the 1964 Tokyo edition.

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Aleah Finnegan becomes the latest Filipino athlete to qualify to the 2024 Paris Olympics following her all-around performance in the 2023 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium.

Aleah Finnegan becomes the first female gymnast from the Philippines to compete in the Olympics since 1964. (File Photo)

The Fil-American placed 32nd in the two-day all-around qualifications with 51.366 points, enough to secure one of the 14 berths at stake to Paris.

“It’s just a dream come true,” a teary-eyed Finnegan said in an interview with Olympics.com. 

“I’m just so thankful for the Philippines for giving me this opportunity that I would never have been able to take otherwise,” she added.

Apart from joining fellow gymnast Carlos Yulo and pole vaulter EJ Obiena to Paris, Finnegan also becomes the first female gymnast from the Philippines to compete in the Olympics since Evelyn Magluyan and Maria Luisa Floro saw action in the 1964 Tokyo edition.

“Just to be here honoring my family, the Philippines, and honoring my dad who is in heaven, and all the people who put in so many sacrifices for me to be here, it is really just a dream come true,” Finnegan said.

A former member of the United States gymnastics team, the Missouri-born Finnegan started competing for the Philippines in the Vietnam Southeast Asian Games in 2022 where she won two gold and two silver medals. 

She also bagged bronze medals in vault and balance beam at the 2023 Asian Championships in Singapore.

Other Olympic qualifiers in the all-around are Algeria’s Kaylia Neymour, Germany’s Pauline Schafer-Betz, Mexico’s Alexa Moreno, Portugal’s Filipa Martins, Hungary’s Bettina Lili Czifra, Spain’s Alba Petisco, Ukraine’s Anna Lashchevska, Panama’s Hillary Heron, South Africa’s Caitlin Rooskrantz, Czech Republic’s Sona Artamonova, Israel’s Lihie Raz, and Slovenia’s Lucija Hribar.

China, Brazil, Italy, the Netherlands, France, Japan, Australia, Romania, and Korea qualified in the team event, joining the United States, Great Britain and Canada.

Finnegan's all-around score also made her the second reserve in the finals. She posted 13 points in vault (18th), 12.433 in uneven bars (73rd), 12.7 in balance beam (38th), and 12.833 in floor exercise (34th).

Inter-agency commitee issues advisory on Henipavirus

BY MANILA BULLETIN

Oct 2, 2023 02:30 PM

  

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The Philippine Inter-agency Committee on Zoonoses (PhilCZ) issued an advisory on Henipavirus, stating no confirmed cases of Nipah virus in the country.

PhilCZ, composed of the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Agriculture (DA), and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), said on Friday, Sept. 29 that there have been no recent cases or outbreaks of Henipavirus in the country since 2014.

Photo from DOH Facebook page

It encouraged the public to remain vigilant and take preventive measures to avoid disease transmission but emphasized that class or work suspensions are unnecessary at this time.

DOH said henipaviruses, including Nipah and Hendra viruses, are commonly found in Pteropid fruit bats (flying foxes).

It noted that these viruses can cause illness in pigs, horses, dogs, and humans through various forms of contact, including direct contact with bodily fluids, respiratory droplets, or consumption of contaminated food products.

While Henipavirus infection can initially present as flu-like symptoms, it can lead to severe complications such as fatal encephalitis (brain swelling) and respiratory illness, DOH said

To prevent the transmission of the virus, PhilCZ advised the public to avoid direct contact with bats and to maintain a safe distance from their roosting or dwelling areas.

The public should also refrain from consuming fruits with bites or fallen fruits that may have been contaminated by bats, it added.

DOH also recommended proper food handling, thorough washing, and cooking of food items.

The health department also stated that when handling animals or caring for individuals with symptoms, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is encouraged to prevent contact with potentially infected bodily fluids.

PhilCZ urged the public to seek verified information from the DOH, DA, and DENR for accurate guidance.

For livestock owners, PhilCZ said that it is essential to report unusual deaths or symptoms in animals, such as respiratory and neurologic issues, to local veterinary authorities.

Any symptoms observed among farm workers or handlers should also be reported to local health offices. Proper disposal of dead animals is of utmost importance, it added. (Zekinah Elize Espina)

Deedee Siytangco, Manila Bulletin’s beloved longtime columnist, passes away

BY KRIZETTE LAURETA-CHU

Oct 1, 2023 01:50 AM

  

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in Manila Bulletin know her as an indefatigable columnist who almost never missed her deadlines, and who personally rang up her editors to follow up so she could see her article through—revisions and all—to the very end.

Her Manila Bulletin Lifestyle column, “Angel Thoughts,” which ran for years, always started with an inspiring quote, and tackled personal issues, inspiring stories, and incisive but tame political analysis that was less about personality and more about policy—and latter readers who only knew her gentle voice and warm personality wouldn’t have known how a much-younger Deedee Siytangco had grit and passion as a young writer.

“I worked with Cory (the late President Corazon Aquino) for only three and a half years,” she wrote in an earlier column that came out in 2018. “I was a beat reporter for the Palace before joining her. Presidential advisers pointed out to her that I could help in her media office since I was already a working journalist. Besides, being a woman like her, I could relate (to her). My boss, Don Emilio, told me when I informed him I was joining Cory’s team. The President listened to then Sec. Ping de Jesus and Maria V. Montelibano, who was running RTVM, and I was offered to be an assistant secretary for media.

I took a cut in pay and had no representation funds. All goodwill. During merienda time, my husband Sonny who idolized my boss, would have a fast food store near the Palace deliver snacks for our Press Corp and the photographers who covered the Palace. But then, the ‘Brat Pack,’ savoring true press freedom at last, were mostly disciplined and did not demand ‘freebies.’ I survived mainly because my idol, President Cory, was a joy to work with. She was honest, disciplined, and a no-frills leader. I did not have to lie for her, ever. When talking in her behalf, I vetted everything to her and the hardest thing I had to do was politely turn down numerous requests for interviews, especially from foreign media. My lady boss would tell me, ‘We are not running for public office.’ And that meant, no more interviews. But she also understood how important her pronouncements meant to the people and she would give in and meet the press when I would literally beg.”

Deedee Siytangco’s three years as the President’s close-in defined her career. “She demanded the same kind of honesty and discipline from her co-workers, especially those who had access to her. I was fortunate to have been with President Cory in China when I was just a Manila Bulletin reporter. There, she conquered the Chinese officialdom and the ordinary people who felt great affinity for her after she paid homage to her Chino ancestors in the Co temple in Fujian. I was lucky to be with her in the Bicentennial celebration of France where for two days, she was the state visitor, and our flags flew proudly in the Champs Elysee avenue. She spoke fluent French and this Icon of democracy was everybody’s darling. She also visited the then still-standing Berlin Wall, the Royals of Belgium ! She also was acclaimed in the US and accorded honors by the Congress and the White House. Her Canadian visit was a resounding success and businessmen and women in Toronto wept when in a speech, she recounted her family’s travails during Martial Law. ! was already her assistant secretary for media so I saw the international acclaim for her up close and yes, I basked in the glory of it as a Filipino.” 

And Deedee did bask in the glory of her Filipino-ness, and, later in life, actively participated and headed multiple civic organizations, including Bulong Pulungan, which put in spotlight different personalities and their issues. 

Her daughter, Sandee Siytangco Masigan announced on Sept. 28, 2023 Deedee’s death at age 83, due to septic shock from pneumonia, with significant conditions that contributed to her death including urothelial cancer, hypertension, and hypothyroidism. She asked friends and family to make a donation to the Contemplative Brothers of Mary Mother for the Poor, and that, should people want to give flowers, they make these sunflowers, her favorite—as that was what Deedee would have wanted.

In an exclusive interview with Manila Bulletin, Sandee said, “My mother found so much strength and comfort in praying the rosary. She encouraged everyone to do the same.” Even in her sick bed, Sandee said, the rosary hung on her headboard, or clutched in her hand. “Her night time greeting to me, which I will miss very much, ‘Goodnight love, God bless you, and Mama Mary loves you,” Sandee says. “It was a great reminder every night before bed.”

Deedee’s remains will be at Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig City from 4:00 p.m. beginning Sept. 30, until 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 3, 2023. She will then be laid to rest at the columbarium of Our Lady of Dela Strada Parish on Tuesday after a 10:00 a.m. mass.

Mrs. Universe beauties to pay courtesy call to PBBM

BY ANNALYN S. JUSAY

Oct 1, 2023 07:04 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• A highlight of the international pageant is the candidates' courtesy call to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. in MalacanangPalace on Monday, Oct. 2. On this same day; the ladies will also be welcomed by officials of the tourism department and the Intramuros Administration. In the evening, a party will be dubbed "Salsa Night" in Revel BGC so the contestants can enjoy the famed Manila nightlife.

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Ma. Charo Calalo, National Director of Mrs. Universe Philippines

More than 100 beautiful women from all over the world are arriving in the Philippines this week to participate in the 46th staging of Mrs. Universe, which will be held from Oct. 1 to 9 and culminating in a Grand Coronation Night on Oct. 8 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Pasay City.

A highlight of the international pageant is the candidates' courtesy call to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. in Malacanang Palace on Monday, Oct. 2. On this same day; the ladies will also be welcomed by officials of the tourism department and the Intramuros Administration. In the evening, a party will be dubbed "Salsa Night" in Revel BGC so the contestants can enjoy the famed Manila nightlife.

Mrs. Universe is a worldwide pageant established in 2007 and is based in Bulgaria. Each year, it seeks to award "the most honorable woman" who must be involved in a significant cause. To join, candidates must be between 18 to 55 years old.

The Mrs. Universe title has eluded the Philippines since its participation. Still, National Director Maria Charo Calalo expressed hopes that this year's country representatives will make their mark in the highly competitive tilt. Before being granted the pageant's franchise, Charo was Mrs. Universe Philippines 2019-2020  and a Top 18 finalist when she competed internationally in 2019.

 

Charo Calalo (middle) with her Mrs. Universe PH candidates. They are (from left): Betchay De Dios, Monaliza Salenga, Mrs. Universe PH 2023 Arlene Cris Damot, Ma. Steia Sian, Miraflor Rodis, and Shirley Garcia.

Charo likened her candidates to a flower. "Their beauty is unique and incomparable. Meron silang kani-kanilang ganda."

"Ever since I became the national director of Mrs. Universe Philippines, it has been my dream to hold the international pageant here in the Philippines, and now it has come true. I feel pressured but, at the same time, happy. Excited na kaming lahat at malapit na. Maganda at pinaghandaan talaga namin ang event, that's all I can say,"  the beauteous Charo, who is also an actress, stated.

Mrs. Universe  Philippines 2023 is Arlene Cris Damot, and the rest of the members of her court are also competing. They are Shirley Garcia (Mrs. Universe PH North West Asia 2023), Ma. Steia Sian (Mrs. Universe PH North Pacific Asia 2023), Monaliza Hernandez Salenga (Mrs. Universe PH North East Asia 2023), Mira Flor Rodis ( Mrs. Universe PH Pacific Continental 2023), and Betchay  De Dios (Mrs. Universe PH West Pacific 2023).

All six Filipina candidates had their sendoff ceremony at Cerveseria restaurant in BGC last week, where they shared their preparations and expressed their readiness to advocate for the theme of this year's pageant, which is speaking against domestic violence. They also expressed excitement with the pageant's exchange gift activity, where they are expected to prepare souvenirs for each of the 100 contestants. 

Aside from the courtesy call to government officials, Anshari Alonto - managing director of 2xsist Events Productions, which is mounting the Miss Universe PH pageant - revealed the remaining schedule of the one-week stay of the international beauties in the Philippines. These are Sashing Ceremony at Lime Hotel Manila on Oct. 1, Forum and Friendship Night on Oct. 3, Queen's Ball at the Manila Hotel in October, a tour of Manila tourist spots like Rizal Park on Oct. 5, rehearsals on Oct. 6, and a Pre-Pageant night on Oct. 7 where the women will compete for the National Costume and Evening Gown competitions. The Grand Coronation Night ceremonies start at 6 p.m. on Oct. 8 with Joaquin Domagoso and other artists as performers. 

Tickets are available at Newport World Resorts Box Office, TicketWorld at 891-9999, or (+63) 905 662 3378/(+63) 926 707 1571.

How do I reach level B2 in German in 3 months?

 

Silviana Ilcus

Neurobiology Stanford student. Art History buff. Sudhof lab research assistant. Journalism aficionado.

This does depend a lot on your starting point, but I am going to give you general advice:

1. Get a good textbook; I had a great experience with Deutsch Na Klar! It also has a workbook with an answer key at the back, so you can really test yourself.

2. Set a pace at which you'd like to go through the book. I don't recommend spending less than three days on any chapter. Don't try to absorb everything in that chapter. Many times you will come across words irrelevant to the topic of the chapter; have a look at them, but don't try too hard to commit them to memory. It's important to keep focused. Go over that chapter a few times; look for materials on the internet relevant to that chapter, such as clips on Youtube about different jobs in Germany when you are learning about careers etc.

3. Watch German films, listen to German podcasts and German radio. Here's a website that actually gives decent suggestions and organizes all media by the level of German for which it is most appropriate: German Materials . Some of my favourite films for the level of German you are targeting were Good Bye Lenin, Viktor Vogel, and The Edukators. I also recommend searching for interviews with the actors in a film after you've finished watching the movie; interviews don't have complicated language for the most part, and they also repeat some of the main ideas of the film.
For radio, I recommend starting with Delta Radio Hamburg (delta radio) because they broadcast an approx. 2 minutes long news snippet every half an hour or so; usually, the snippet is the same throughout a whole day, so hearing it a few times really helps you comprehend it better.

Listen to German music. Some of my favourite German singers/bands are Die Toten Hosen (older rock band, highlights include Tage wie diese, Bonnie und Clyde, Paradies, Steh Auf), Peter Fox (sort of hip-hop, start with Schwarz und Blau, which is a great song about Berlin at night), The Wise Guys (a cappella, look up Jetzt ist Sommer, Nur für Dich), Die Ärzte (Ist das noch Punk-Rock), Die Prinzen (Deutschland). Again, listening to German songs has the advantage of exposing you to the same material over and over, thus really helping you retain more.

4. When you engage with all these German materials, don't be afraid to pause the film/podcast and to play it over again until you understand what they say. When you write down a word that you do not know, try to guess its meaning before looking it up in a dictionary.

5. Talk talk talk talk talk. Try to move to Germany or Austria for a short while, but avoid moving to an area where they traditionally have a strong accent; it's TOTALLY worth it, seeing how my German improved immensely in 6 weeks of living in Hamburg.
Otherwise, try to find some native speakers living in your area. or if there are none, there are some websites which offer conversation practice through Skype for a small charge. One cannot stress enough the value of practicing conversation when learning a new language.

6. If you want to read a book in German once you are around the A2 level, I suggest "Die verlorene Ehre der Katharina Blum" and the Harry Potter books in German.
Alternatively, you can go Thalia.de - Bücher portofrei bestellen (Thalia is a huge chain of bookstores in Germany), browse, and choose something that strikes your fancy; I don't recommend choosing anything above the Young Adult level, though, because of how complicated the vocab and syntax might be.

A DECLARATION OF LOVE TO A COUNTRY

I was 23 when I traveled to Asia for the first time. To Japan. My stopover on the long journey was Manila. That was 1976.

The stay in Manila was just 12 hours, but...? No, that wasn't enough for a declaration of love. The years passed. I traveled all over the world. One day I found myself in the Philippines again. After several stopovers, I landed in Davao City. This is where the blow hit me. Love at first sight. Is there really such a thing? Yes, there is that. One year Rossana and I got married. And yes, I married her entire family. Something that not everyone believes or understands. But that's how it is now. Why am I so firmly convinced that I should make a declaration of love for the country in which I have lived permanently with my wife and family for more than 25 years?

I was already here as a backpacker in 1982. Filipino families invited me to their homes and shared a bottle of Coke with me. They invited me over for dinner and to spend the night while I waited at the bus stop for the next bus. That wasn't always easy or safe in Mindanao in 1982. But I had God...

One day I met Rossana's uncle in Davao City. And I learned again about never-ending help and family ties that I had never experienced before. I came from a broken family...

I lay in my bed that night and couldn't believe such a thing existed...

Long story short. In 1983 Rossana and I got married. The story of my love for the country Philippines began. With “flying hearts” and against all objections from many people around me and my friends.

Many things prevented me from sleeping. The family bond in particular always surprised me. And no one asked whether I was rich or not or how much my salary was in Germany... .

Chapter XVIII of my previous biography explained very well, how everything started ...

(To be continued!)