Eala dumps rival in first qualifying match in Tunisia

BY KRISTEL SATUMBAGA-VILLAR

Oct 15, 2023 02:11 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Alex Eala returned to the competition scene on a high note with a 6-1, 6-0 thrashing of hometown bet Feryel Ben Hassen in the first qualifying round match at the Jasmin Open Monastir in Tunisia on Saturday, Oct. 14. 

Alex Eala returned to the competition scene on a high note with a 6-1, 6-0 thrashing of hometown bet Feryel Ben Hassen in the first qualifying round match at the Jasmin Open Monastir in Tunisia on Saturday, Oct. 14.

Alex Eala competes in her first tournament since winning two bronze medals at the 19th Asian Games. (File Photo/Alex Eala Facebook)

The 18-year-old Eala did not waste time unleashing crisp shots to send her lesser-ranked rival scrambling for returns.

The victory arranged Eala a crucial meeting with Elsa Jacquemot of France, who thumped Spain’s Irene Burillo Escorihuela, 6-3, 6-4. 

Another win would earn Eala a spot in the main draw round of this $250,000 Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) event.

Jacquemot, 20, is ahead of Eala on paper with a WTA ranking of No. 172. The Filipina teen sensation, for her part, is at No. 194.

The French netter also boasts of a Round of 64 finish at the 2022 Roland Garros.

The main draw has world No. 31 and top seed Jasmine Paolini, France’s Alice Cornet, doubles specialist and second seed Elise Mertens of Belgium and world No. 42 Martina Trevisan also of Italy, to name a few. 

This is Eala’s first tournament in the women’s circuit since winning bronze medals in the singles and mixed doubles at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

Faith plays a foundational role in our life

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

“THIS generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, 

except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation.” (Lk 11,29)

Words of Christ that expressed his disappointment at the weakness of the faith of the people then. Despite the many signs that showed his divinity and his mission as the redeemer of humanity, they were still doubting Christ.

It’s a complaint that can still be addressed to us today. We cannot deny that even if we pride ourselves as a Christian country, already for 500 years, we can never say that our faith is already invincibly rooted in our mind and heart. There are many signs that point to this reality.

The increasing cases of mental illness can be traced to a large extent to the lack or the weakness of faith. That many people do not know how to deal with their problems and difficulties can point to that.

Our life of faith is an ongoing affair. It needs to be taken care of, regularly nourished and fortified. In fact, among the many concerns that demand our attention, our faith should rank as the first. That’s because everything else in our life depends on it. Our faith plays a foundational role in our life. It’s the main light that should guide us. Our intelligence and other faculties depend on it.

Taking care of our faith means that it should not just remain at the theoretical or 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. 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. 

For this to happen, we should take the conscious effort to let faith guide us rather than be directed simply by our senses and our reasoning. It’s a Christian duty to acknowledge this need, since we have the tendency to simply rely on our human faculties.

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 that 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.

Why is German significantly harder for English speakers to learn compared to other Germanic languages?

Kelechi Wachuku

Linguist & Anthropologist at Heart

1,883 followers

354 following

On the whole, I think there are two things that make German somewhat harder for English speakers: the grammar and the phonological changes.

When learning German, while I considered the language comparatively easy compared to other languages I’d learned at the time, the grammar was rather complex. There’s the gender aspect, which other languages do share, but with German there are fewer immediately recognizable patterns to English speakers. For instance, “Mädchen” (girl) was neuter instead of feminine. While the “-chen” ending indicates a neuter gender, one who is just learning might assume that since the word means “girl,” it must be feminine. English still technically has gender, but it primarily manifests as a sex-gender/natural gender system in pronouns. So, there is the distinction between he/she/it rather than only one word. Other Germanic languages have gender, but usually not as complex and as involved as with German.

Above: Gender in European languages. Light blue: no grammatical gender, or no gender system at all. Yellow: common/neuter. Green: animate/inanimate. Red: masculine/feminine. Dark blue: masculine/feminine/neuter.

(Update) Above: Map distinguishing European languages by use of grammatical genders and gendered pronouns.

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Also, there was no set plural form in German.

Again, this is true of many other languages, like how with English there’s the most common “-s/es” ending, but there’s also sometimes “-en,” like in “brethren,” “oxen,” “children,” etc, irregular ones like “geese,” or sometimes no plural marker just to name a few. However, in English, one doesn’t have to learn too many plural markers, since “-s/-es” is just so common (like >90%). Not so with German.

German had all kinds of plural markers like:

• -e in Flugzeuge (airplanes)
• -er + umlaut in Bücher (books)
• -e + umlaut in Bäume (trees)
• just a simple umlaut in Mütter (mothers)
• -en/n in Katzen
• no marker, like in Finger (finger or fingers)
• -s like in Handys (cellphones)

Most foreign words would end in s, so it would be a bit easier to guess that. Otherwise, the “-e” ending was the most common in my experience. But, even though it was the most common, it was only about 40–50% of the times I would see that at the most.

Bear in mind that all the words I listed above have cognates in English, especially if you break down the words, so understanding the word was no problem. It’s just that when you see how many forms the word can take, it gets harder to wrap your head around it all.

Now German and English have thousands of cognates, often very obvious ones, but due the High German Consonant Shift, the similarities can sometimes be obscured.

• “t” became “ts”or “s”
• → “toe” = “Zehe”; “tooth” = “Zahn”
• “p” became “pf” or “f”
• → “ship” = “Schiff”; “weapon” = “Waffe”
• “d” became “t”
• →”day” = “Tag”
• “v” corresponds to “b”
• “love” = “Liebe”; “live” = “Leben”

Now, it may seem like a petty difference to pay attention to, but when comparing an English word to, say, a Dutch cognate, which usually lacks those phonological changes, the Dutch cognate is usually more recognizable. When taking into account that there are more shared cognates between English and Dutch, the intelligebaility is raised. For example:

• All you do is eat, sleep, and drink.
• Alles, was Sie tun, ist essen, schlafen und trinken. (German)
• Alles wat je doet is eten, slapen en drinken. (Dutch)

English has had phonological changes in consonants as well, but not to the same extent as German. As for the North Germanic languages, their ancestor Old Norse influenced English somewhat, so the there are some shared grammatical, phonological, and lexical features that are just not shared with German. For instance, English lacks the V2 word order, so the verb that follows the auxiliary doesn’t go the end of the sentence.

• I can help you.
• ich kann Ihnen helfen. = I can (aux) you help. (German)
• jag kan hjälpa dig. = I can (aux) help you. (Swedish)

Shared Vocabulary from Old Norse Influence

• They are both weak
• Every word here came either from Old Norse or was influenced by it
• Sie sind beide schwach (German)
• None are from Old Norse
• De är båda veka/svaga (Swedish)
• Every word is from Old Norse

With these in mind, despite both English and German being West Germanic, German can stand out a bit more to an English speaker despite the great overall similarities.

Edit: It’s been brought to my attention that the first map may give the impression that English utterly lacks gender (grammatical or otherwise). I included the second map to show the distinction. Thank you, Thomas Wier.

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Julia Barretto, Anne Curtis, James Reid feature in Opulence Ball 2023 teaser

Kristofer Purnell - Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — The Opulence Ball released a star-studded teaser trailer ahead of its return this Halloween at Taguig's Marquis Events Place.

Anne Curtis, Piolo Pascual, Ruffa Gutierez, Pia Wurtzbach, Julia Barretto, James Reid, Solenn Heussaff, Sarah Lahbati, Celeste Cortesi, Chie Filomeno and Kylie Versoza were just a few of the celebrities seen in the teaser.

Each individual wore creations by fashion designers Anthony Ramirez, Rajo Laurel, Bonita Penaranda, Martin Bautista, Jerome Lorico, Patty Ang and Job Dacion that were modern renditions of various folklores and mythologies like Greek and Roman.

Versoza, for example, is adorned with seashells making her appear like "The Birth of Venus" by Sandro Botticelli. Reid looks like Apollo or Mercury. Heussaff's shimmering outfit is akin to Athena or a Valkyrie, while Curtis wore two outfits — one white, one black with feathers — that presented her as a "Dyosa of Lightness & Darkness."

"Our teaser video is a glimpse into the celestial wonders of an unforgettable night that we’ve curated," said the brains behind the ball, popular events host Mond Gutierrez. "It will be a night where fantasy and reality seamlessly intertwine."

Opulence's co-producer Ash Rye said that the teaser features "a constellation of stars, a promise of a night of enchanting fashion and alluring Filipino creativity" and added that what sets the ball apart is their "passion for crafting fantastical experiences that transcend expectations."

Gutierrez and Rye first staged the Opulence Ball in 2019 with the theme "Let Them Eat Cake," the famous phrase said to have been uttered by Marie Antoinette, queen of France in the 18th century. 

PhilHealth urges members to use secure portal amid data breach concerns

BY MANILA BULLETIN

Oct 14, 2023 02:51 PM

  

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The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) on Saturday, Oct. 14, strongly encouraged its members to utilize the PhilHealth Member Portal as a secure means of accessing their membership and contribution records, in response to a recent data breach that disrupted its operations.

Photo from PhilHealth Facebook page

In a statement, PhilHealth Chief Emmanuel R. Ledesma, Jr., reminded the public to be cautious of phishing attacks that may result from the data leak.

He also strongly advised members to update their passwords with new and robust ones and refrain from sharing them with others.

"Mag ingat din po tayo sa mga nag-aalok online na sila na ang mag-aasikaso o kukuha ng inyong PhilHealth ID at MDR for a fee. Una, wala pong bayad ang ID at MDR. Ikalawa, wala tayong in-authorize na mag-ahente. Delikado po ito dahil makokompromiso ang inyong personal details (Let's also be cautious of those offering online services claiming to take care of or obtain your PhilHealth ID and MDR for a fee. First, there is no charge for the ID and MDR. Second, we have not authorized anyone to act as an agent. This is risky because your personal details could be compromised)," Ledesma said.

He also cautioned the public against falling for the numerous offers that circulate on social media, echoing the advice of experts not to entertain or click on strange links. 

"It is best to ignore suspicious calls and to delete text or emails from unknown and suspicious senders to avoid being victimized by scammers," Ledesma said.
 
Moreover, PhilHealth said that the Member Portal not only provides access to vital information but also allows members to conveniently pay their contributions (applicable to self-paying members) and register with accredited Konsulta providers of their choice to receive primary care services covered by the state health insurer.

PhilHealth pointed out that the members seeking copies of their Member Data Record (MDR) can readily download and print them from the Portal via this link: https://memberinquiry.philhealth.gov.ph/member/.

To ensure the safety of their information, PhilHealth advised the members to be “vigilant” and access only the official website https://www.philhealth.gov.ph, taking note of the ".gov.ph" domain rather than ".com" or ".net."

The health insurer highlighted that the website connection should begin with "https" (hypertext transfer protocol secure) and display a padlock icon on the left side for a secure connection. 

It also stressed that first-time users looking to utilize the Member Portal must create an account using their PhilHealth Identification Number (PIN) and a robust password.

Confirmation will be sent to their registered email address, and once verified by PhilHealth, members can begin using the portal's services, it added.

It is best to ignore suspicious calls and to delete text or emails from unknown and suspicious senders to avoid being victimized by scammers," he emphasized.

Moreover, PhilHealth said that the Member Portal not only provides access to vital information but also allows members to conveniently pay their contributions (applicable to self-paying members) and register with accredited Konsulta providers of their choice to receive primary care services covered by the state health insurer.

It pointed out that the members seeking copies of their Member Data Record (MDR) can readily download and print them from the Portal via this link: https://memberinquiry.philhealth.gov.ph/member/.

To ensure the safety of their information, PhilHealth advised the members to be “vigilant” and access only the official website https://www.philhealth.gov.ph, taking note of the ".gov.ph" domain rather than ".com" or ".net."

The health insurer highlighted that the website connection should begin with "https" (hypertext transfer protocol secure) and display a padlock icon on the left side for a secure connection. 

It also stressed that first-time users looking to utilize the Member Portal must create an account using their PhilHealth Identification Number (PIN) and a robust password.

Confirmation will be sent to their registered email address, and once verified by PhilHealth, members can begin using the portal's services, PhilHealth added. (Zekinah Elize Espina)

Chef Andrea Spagoni: A culinary journey of authenticity and innovation

 Finestra's visionary chef brings the essence of Italian cuisine to Filipinos

BY REY ILAGAN

  

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Hailing from Turin, Italy, a historic city renowned for its architecture and cuisine, Chef Andrea Spagoni embarked on his culinary odyssey in the most authentic of settings: his grandmother's traditional Piedmontese kitchen. Piedmont, the birthplace of Italy's slow food movement, instilled in him a deep appreciation for soul-nourishing food. Alongside his family's time-honored culinary traditions, he nurtured a profound love for genuine Italian cuisine from a tender age.

Chef Andrea Spagoni

Today, as the visionary chef at Finestra, Chef Spagoni infuses each dish with an unwavering commitment to authentic Italian flavors. Emulating his grandmother's dedication to the craft, he meticulously tends to every detail in the kitchen, from perfecting sauces to hand-selecting each ingredient. This devotion not only defines his culinary style at Finestra but also resonates with the restaurant's patrons, bringing forth the true essence of Italian cuisine.

Despite the challenge of sourcing authentic Italian ingredients from abroad, Chef Spagoni demonstrates pure culinary creativity by devising ingenious solutions in the kitchen. In true slow food movement fashion, he passionately seeks out local, high-quality ingredients that capture the bold flavors of his Italian creations. This approach allows Chef Spagoni to reimagine and adapt traditional Italian dishes for a global audience.

Tonno Crudo, Zuppa D'Aragosta, Grilled Tiger Prawns

A testament to his innovation, Chef Spagoni strikes a harmonious balance between authenticity and localization, delighting all who taste his dishes. His menu at Finestra showcases robust Italian flavors ingeniously tailored to suit his local clientele. This commitment to his craft shines through, as he continually pushes the boundaries of culinary expertise and strives for innovation to deliver the finest Italian cuisine.

Oysters on Ice, Branzino, Signature Gelato

Notable dishes from Chef Spagoni’s menu include the Tonno Crudo (bluefin tuna belly tartare), Zuppa D’Aragosta (Australian rock lobster bisque), and Branzino (Mediterranean sea bass). Calamarata, Grilled Tiger Prawns, Oysters on Ice, and Signature Gelato are also must-try offerings.

Chef Spagoni's culinary journey has taken him around the world, leading him through the vibrant kitchens of London, Florence, Turin, Hong Kong, and New York. Each of these cities has profoundly influenced his cooking style, and his encounters with diverse food cultures have played a pivotal role in shaping his distinctive culinary philosophy. His remarkable skills have earned him esteemed Michelin stars, acknowledging his unparalleled contributions to the culinary world.

These influences come together to offer patrons of Finestra a culinary spectacle with every bite, transcending borders and cultures. Chef Spagoni doesn't just cook; he narrates a story through his food, weaving various inspirations into a tapestry of authenticity and a deep love for the flavors that have shaped his life. 

Whether you're a local diner or a traveler in search of a taste of Italy, a gastronomic feast at Finestra is more than just a dining experience—it's a celebration of Chef Spagoni's culinary journey. It's a journey that brings the world to your plate while remaining true to its Italian roots.