Style Weekend: Ziv Rei Alexi on designing pieces inspired by unexpected and mundane sources

The emerging design house showcases the raw, authentic, and imperfect side of Filipino heritage, one collection at a time.

BY JOHN LEGASPI

May 31, 2024 10:48 AM

  

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If you ask Ziv Rei Alexi then, he never saw himself as a fashion designer. The idea only came to him during a school fair. Sure, he loved dressing up, but the idea of pursuing a career in the industry wasn’t part of his plan. Now, he couldn’t imagine himself doing something different.

“My decision to study fashion is somewhat an impulsive choice. I hadn't originally planned to pursue design but I feel like I just had to do it,” the designer tells Style Weekend.

A piece from Ziv Rei Alexi's “Sorry Mommy, Rakerz Ako” collection fronts Style Weekend's May 31, 2024 cover

Born in Cavite, Ziv, 23, entered the fashion industry during the pandemic-new normal milieu. While it may seem to be a challenge for a young designer to start a business during that period, he confessed that he enjoyed the quiet moments of the times—getting in touch with his inner thoughts and freely creating pieces whether it is during the witching hours or the light of day.

For Ziv, his design house is more than just a brand. It aims to represent the different side of Philippine lifestyle and heritage, its rawness and imperfections. He designs with intention, aiming to mirror what the Philippines is today with his creation.

Inside Ziv Rei Alexi's studio in Escolta, Manila City

“Everything we do in Ziv Rei Alexi is mostly based on intuition, feel, our pinoy heritage and in the most mundane things,” Ziv muses. “We just rock and roll all the way.”

This can be seen in his first collection, a graduation line he prepared as a Fashion Design and Merchandising student at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. Dubbed “Sigaw na Pabulong,” the collection centered on “one’s desire for independence,” interpreted through pieces made of Mikado silk, Duchess satin, gazar, and Japanese cotton.

Fabric manipulation and textile finishing treatments play a big part in his design process. For his second collection “Pikitmata,” he explored a technique that showcases a crackle finish with the use of modeling paste, mirroring the effect of broken cement. There’s also the Sinandomeng duster, a loose fitting garb made with pearl embellishments made to look like a slashed rice sack. In this collection he also reimagined the Philippines traditional pieces like the barong. The piece, which is usually made of delicate piña cloth, got a rebellious twist with plaid and other textiles adorned with soda bottle caps.

A closer look at the textures and fold of the designer's creations

His latest collection puts the spotlight on the local punk scene. Inspired by a song by band Kamikazee, “Sorry Mommy, Rakerz Ako” collection details encapsulates the techniques the designer has done throughout his first years of designing—tailoring with frayed edges, crackled textures on elegant garbs, pearl encrusted pieces, and more, all in all, creating a wild, spontaneous, and unapologetic pieces.

“Like many other designers, we aim to help cultivate our ever-growing industry and culture, while standing for codes that go far beyond aesthetics.”

Pieces from Ziv's "Sorry Mommy, Rakerz Ako” collection

Currently, Ziv is exploring new techniques that are suitable for bodies of all shapes and sizes. He proudly presented to the Style Weekend team a piece with faux leather strips laid on a nude neoprene base, which was inspired by body dysmorphia and stretch marks. The pieces mold itself to the wearer’s body, creating lines of varying width, guaranteeing a new look and shape depending on who is wearing it.

When asked about today’s fashion scene, Ziv jokingly described it as all over the place. “There are so many categories in Filipino fashion. There’s the traditional, pageant, and more,” he explains. “We try to find a way to merge them all together.”

Ziv Rei Alexi’s atelier is located at 300A inside First United Building in Escolta. For custom orders, inquiries, and appointments, visit @zivreialexi on Instagram or send an email to zivreialexi@gmail.com.

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Patients in Davao receive medical assistance from the Cayetanos

PRESS RELEASE

May 31, 2024

 Mel Ramos, a resident of Davao City, has been facing a battle trying to cover his wife’s medical expenses due to a troublesome lump on her nose. Struggling with limited resources and barely making ends meet, Ramos couldn't hide his gratitude after receiving much-needed medical assistance from Senators Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano earlier this week.

“Malaking tulong po ito sa aming mga nangangailangan. Pang dagdag po ito sa bill namin sa ospital,” Ramos said.

“Sana po marami pang ganito sa Mindanao dahil kami po ay napag-iiwanan na ng assistance,” he added.

 The sibling senators extended help to a total of 628 patients at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) in Davao City, including cancer patients, those suffering from respiratory diseases, and pregnant women.

The two-day “Tulong-Medikal Caravan” held on May 27 to 28, 2024, was conducted in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH) under the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) Program, and in partnership with SPMC led by its head of clinics Dr. Fitzgerald Arancel and Medical Center Chief Dr. Ricardo Audan. 

“The arrival of this medical caravan is a blessing for our patients. Our indigent patients need the assistance,” Dr. Arancel said.

“Marami kaming pasyente dito na hirap na makabayad. We can never thank you enough,” he added.

Marking its 26th caravan this year, the Tulong-Medikal caravan also reached beneficiaries from other areas like Cotabato, Kidapawan, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur, and General Santos.

Many of the beneficiaries were receiving treatment for chronic kidney disease, hypertension, orthopedic-related issues, and animal bites. 

They were provided with a range of free medical services such as check-ups, laboratory tests, dialysis, and various medical procedures. Additionally, the program helped them ease their medical expenses.

The Cayetanos’ Tulong-Medikal caravan sets up medical help desks at different hospitals nationwide to assist underprivileged Filipinos with their medical expenses. 

As healthcare advocates, the Tulong-Medikal caravan stands as one of the senators’ many initiatives aimed at providing accessible and quality healthcare for all Filipinos, ensuring that no one is left behind in their time of need.###

1st vape-related death in PH recorded; DOH, PGH raise warning

By: Dexter Cabalza - Philippine Daily Inquirer|May 31,2024 - 11:08 AM

As the first vape-related death was recored in the country, doctors and health advocates are calling on parents and the government to save the youth from the dangers of electronic cigarettes.

They also noted that more and more young people have been found using vaping products.

As the country takes part in the observance of the World No Tobacco Day today, the Department of Health (DOH) and medical community warn that vape not only causes lung injury to a healthy young person but also heart attack.

In a case documented by Dr. Margarita Isabel Fernandez and other doctors of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) in Manila published in the Respirology Case Reports journal of the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology in April, a 22-year-old Filipino male with no prior health issues suffered a fatal heart attack, following severe lung injury possibly attributed to his daily vape use. This was the first vape-related death documented in the country.

According to the researchers, the patient had no history of cigarette smoking and was not an alcohol drinker nor a user of any illegal drugs. He had also not been infected with COVID-19.

But the 22-year-old admitted he had been a daily user of vape for two years.

The patient was admitted to the emergency room of a hospital some time in 2023 with severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, and experienced a heart attack caused by blockages in his two major arteries.

Further examination by doctors showed severe pneumonia-like symptoms in the lungs, but no infections were detected.

Doctors performed an emergency procedure to open the blocked heart artery, but, despite their efforts, the patient’s condition worsened.

He eventually developed respiratory failure, requiring mechanical ventilation, and passed away three days after hospital admission.

The case was the first in the country that linked vape use to the development of both acute lung injury and heart attack, the researchers noted. This was also the first documented case of vape-related death in the Philippines.

Doctors have documented seven Evali cases in the country since 2019.

“This should not have happened. In just a short period of time, they were able to find lungs similar to that of a heavy smoker who is already 50 or 60 years old and above. We usually see this case with people with severe heart problems and already have comorbidities,” said internist-pulmonologist Dr. Imelda Mateo in an online forum organized by the Philippine College of Physicians this week.

“We can see here the real danger of vape use in just two years. In a span of three days, we have observed irreversible damage to the patient’s heart and lungs,” she said during the forum.

Grim reminder

For the DOH, the case was a grim warning that e-cigarettes and vape products are not a safer alternative to smoking cigarettes, and could even lead to more dangerous effects on the body.

“May this tragic case serve as a stark reminder of their serious health risks. We urge everyone, especially the youth, not to believe the false advertisements that vaping is a safer smoking alternative, and to make informed decisions to protect their health,” Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said in a statement on Wednesday.

“The DOH remains committed to educating the public about the dangers of vaping, and advocating for stricter regulations on these harmful products,” he added.

Health groups are seeing a global trend of decrease in the number of tobacco users. However, Filipinos, especially the youth, are turning to vape products due to their accessibility.

Global survey

According to the latest Global Youth Tobacco Survey in 2019, 14 percent or one in every seven Filipinos age 13 to 15 years old is already using e-cigarettes, translating to almost a million young users in the country.

Medical experts are warning the number of young Filipino vape users could have grown in the past years due to the marketing tactics of tobacco companies, which shifted to developing vaping products that specifically target the youth.

“We are now on the fourth generation of vapes, which are being regarded by the young ones as ‘cool’ because they are like colorful flashdrive sticks hanging on their necks. In addition, these vape liquids are now available in thousands of flavors, including innocent-sounding bubble gum and other fruit flavors,” Mateo said.

Influencers, vloggers

Tobacco manufacturers also tapped social media influencers and vloggers, who are being watched religiously by their young followers. Online sales of vapes are also not properly regulated, with minors having access to electronic payment systems.

“But what the kids do not know is that whatever they are avoiding in conventional cigarette sticks are also in vapes. The chemicals in vapes cause damage to the airways and lungs at an accelerated pace. Consuming one vape juice pod is equivalent to smoking three packs or 60 sticks of cigarette,” Mateo warned.

A law to blame

“And when you are young and you have started using vape, even if you are a nonsmoker, the probability that you will turn to smoking conventional cigarettes is 100 percent because of the nicotine, which is present in both cigarettes and vape products,” she said.

Health advocates are primarily blaming Republic Act No. 11900, or the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act, which lapsed into law in July 2022, for the surge in vape use in the country, especially among the youth.

The law made e-cigarettes and heated-tobacco products (HTPs) more accessible to the youth by lowering the age of access from 21 to 18 years old. It also transferred the regulation of vaping products from the Food and Drugs Administration under the DOH, to the Department of Trade of Industry, making vaping “a business and profit issue, instead of a public health concern.”

In March, the Philippine National Police reported that during the operations they conducted from May to December last year, 23 percent, or 1,902 of the 8,299 who were apprehended for using vapes in public places were minors.

Poor enforcement

While it had safeguards to prevent the youth from having access to vapes, the law was not enforced properly, Mateo noted.

“But can we protect our children? Yes, we can, by increasing the level of awareness of the dangers of vaping by educating the public, especially the youth and the adults around them. The parents, the teachers, all of us adults are responsible for protecting the young ones,” Mateo said.

Herbosa said he had asked the Department of Education to assist in an intensified information drive among the youth on the health risks of using e-cigarettes or vaping products.

Forged by Nature

 

Forged by Nature

The rock formations in Biri, Northern Samar—formed as a result of tectonic movements, wave actions and weathering—are among the tourism jewels of Eastern Visayas region. The provincial government has nominated these natural wonders to become the country's next Unesco global geopark after Bohol. —DOT

The STANDS. An INQUIRER Sports Newsletter

 

May 31, 2024

Alas Pilipinas gives the crowd something to cheer about. (AUGUST DELA CRUZ)

Hey there sports fan, Well, Alas Pilipinas did it. By reaching the semifinals, the crack group of female volleyball players who made up the national squad for the AVC Challenge Cup already posted the best finish by a Philippine team in an AVC event. But the Filipino women threw in a bonus, grabbing the bronze medal after whipping Australia for the last spot on the podium. There's certainly enough credit to go around. From the coaches to the players to the fans who filled the rafters to support the squad, everything came together for the national team. From the top of the roster to the last-minute add-on, everybody contributed to the team's success. Hey, Jia De Guzman, whose playmaking wizardry set the tone for the Philippines right from the start, and Angel Canino, who proved as lethal despite platying a position new to her, even got to bring home individual awards.  This marks a new era for women's volleyball as it seeks to establish itself internationally and add meat to the stratospheric rise of the sport in terms of popularity. (Speaking of which, a trivia question: Do you know when the PVL, then known as the Shakey's V-League, play its first tournament? Answer can be found at the end of this email). Now the team wants to run it back. There are future tournaments ahead, including a doorway to the very popular Volleyball Nations League circuit, and officials are looking to keep this pool of talent intact, with a few additions, for that and other international tournaments. Looks promising!

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Allein Maliksi and the Bolts drag the Gin Kings to an out-of-town Game 7. (PBA IMAGES)

Meanwhile... …Much to the disdain of Barangay Ginebra fans, the Gin Kings were dragged to a Game 7 by a Meralco squad eager to add some success to its one-sided rivalry with the league's most popular club. It's not going to be easy for Meralco to go all the way but at least, the Bolts bought themselves a Game 7 where anything can happen. The game kicks off tonight in Batangas. And oh look! The Celtics are back in the NBA Finals! What we're up to next: There's still the Dalls-Minnesota series out West that needs to be settled so we'll keep track of that before expanding our coverage of the NBA for the championship series. Like the Celtics, who swept the Indiana Pacers on the way to the NBA Finals, San Miguel Beer also used the broom in its Philippine Cup semifinals and will have to wait for the result of the Ginerba-Meralco Game 7 before it can fully prepare for its title defense. We've got you covered on that too. Number of the Week: 5 Number of times Tim Cone has so far won a Game 7 in the PBA since 2013.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK “I remember if there were at least 50 people watching, we'd be happy already.” —Ricky Palou, PVL president, on the humble beginnings of the pro league and the sport of volleyball.

Hi , Have feedback? We're happy to hear it. Give Suggestions

2004. That's the answer to the trivia question above. Think you can ace the rest of the quiz? head over to our Viber community and try the test out! Buy the Inquirer at newsstands, subscribe to our digital edition, Inquirer Plus, visit our online site and follow us on socials (Twitter: @inquirersports; FB: facebook.com/inquirersports) for more stories and updates—or to send us questions or suggestions of stories you'd want to read. See you next Friday! Francis Francis T. J. Ochoa is the Sports Editor of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. For comments, suggestions and questions, hit him up on Twitter (@ftjochoaINQ).

Als der Sommer noch 40 Pfennig kostete ...

 

BILD-Reporter Roland Keitsch träumt sich in die Zeit zurück, als man ein Eis noch für vier Groschen kam.

Strandspaß mit „Flutschfinger“-Eis: Szene aus dem Kino-Kultwerbespot „Like Ice In The Sunshine“ von 1985

28.05.2024 - 14:55 Uhr

Die Sonne scheint in Berlin. Es ist warm und ich spaziere zur Eisdiele. „Zwei Kugeln in der Waffel, bitte. Stracciatella und Erdbeere.“ „Fünfsechzig.“ „Wie jetzt?“ „Eine Kugel zweiachtzig.“

Sooo teuer? Ich starre auf die Eiswaffel: Die Freude, das schöne Wetter mit einem leckeren kühlen Eis zu genießen, ist mir vergangen.

Gerade erst berichtete BILD über den Preis-Schock an der Nordsee, auf Norderney wollen sie für eine Kugel Eis (mit Deko) sogar 3,50 Euro. Wo soll das noch hinführen?

Mit einem Eis die Sonne im Freibad genießen

Zu einem richtig guten Sommer gehört eben auch Eis. „So schmeckt der Sommer“ hieß es schon früher in der Werbung. Und das stimmt!

Als Kind war ich in den Sommerferien quasi jeden Tag im Freibad. Zwischendurch gab’s Pommes mit Ketchup, Schaumwaffelstangen mit klebriger weiß-rosa Füllung, jedes Ende in Schoko getaucht – und Eis.

Da hatte ich gleich mehrere Favoriten: „Capri“, für mich das erfrischendste Orangenfruchteis. Oder „Split“, „Dolomiti“ und „Cornetto“. Und weil es in der Werbung hieß „Nogger dir einen“, wollte ich das auch. Am allerliebsten mochte ich „Happen“, Schoko, Vanille und Erdbeer in der Waffel (kostete 1970 noch 40 Pfennig). Vier Groschen hatte ich immer in der Tasche.

All diese Köstlichkeiten waren von Langnese. Was ich damals natürlich nicht wusste: Der Hamburger Kaufmann Karl Rolf Seyferth übernahm 1927 eine von Viktor Langnese gegründete Biskuit-Fabrik. 1935 importierte Seyferth eine Idee aus Dänemark: Eis am Stiel. Er verkaufte es für 10 Pfennig pro Stück – der Siegeszug für das „Langnese-Eis“, wie man es damals nannte, begann.

Langsam klettern die Temperaturen in sonnige Bereiche. Mit ihnen unsere Lust auf ein Eis. 

Eis und Sommer-Gefühl – das passte jahrzehntelang perfekt zusammen. Die Kino-Werbung von 1985 mit dem Song „Like Ice In The Sunshine“ war so beliebt, dass die Pop-Nummer ein Jahr später als Single erschien und es bis in die Top Ten der Charts schaffte.

Apropos Kino: Bevor der Film anfing, bot damals immer ein Verkäufer Eiskonfekt aus seinem Bauchladen an.

Eis und Nostalgie – das funktioniert! Haben sich wohl auch heutzutage clevere Werbe-Strategen gedacht. Die Yogurette, seit 1970 auf dem Markt, gibt es seit 2023 auch als Eis am Stiel. Die Ahoj-Brause, seit 1925 beliebt, ist im Supermarkt als Prickel-Eis in der Waffel zu haben.

Über die teuren Eiskugeln bei uns heutzutage will ich ja gar nicht meckern. In Paris, so habe ich gelesen, kostet eine Kugel 3,50 Euro, auf der Nordseeinsel Norderney ebenso, in Kopenhagen sogar 4,50 Euro.

Mir allerdings schmeckt der Sommer mit teuren Kugeln weniger. Ich setze mich lieber mit einem Orangenfruchteis am Stiel auf den Balkon und träume mich ins Freibad der 70er-Jahre zurück.

Surviving without cellphone

 

I remember the time, when one of my first Japanese friends kept on complaining, why I didn’t operate a cellphone. Believe me, during that time, sometime in 2000 or 2001, I was even typing my articles on an old typewriter from Germany.

My Japanese friend then bought me a computer – and a cellphone! Some other friends congratulated me: “Welcome back to the world!”

Now we are living in May 2024.  

Last Sunday, I really got mad. Attending mass, I observed a family (father, mother, boy and girl) keeping on using their cellphones during almost the whole ongoing mass. Heaven forbid! Even while falling in line receiving the holy communion, the father kept on texting and browsing Facebook. Step by step. Just in front of me! Heaven forbid! Guys, why are you still attending mass? Later on, the children kept on playing video games… .

Sometimes, I observed (business-)people operating with two or even more cellphones at the same time. Even while taking lunch in a restaurant. I asked them: “How did you survive doing business before without these units?” Believe me or not. The answers have been mostly: I really don’t know!

Doing business nowadays without a cellphone? Even in a very private life? Many people can’t imagine it anymore. I can! Though Philippines’ cellphone companies really provide us with the widest distribution and the broadest coverage to very affordable charges. I really enjoy, for example, the unlimited call experience – just to mention one. But, not at any time!

But then it happened! I thought I had lost my cellphone. I panic, losing all my important connections. This “thing” really has a special meaning for me. And here we are: not only for business. Just even for a short “Hi – kumusta ka?” I really felt lonely!

.

A couple of hours later, I found IT. Misplaced somewhere in the bathroom under a towel in a silent mood. Four miscalls (yipee!), several text messages. Not only “Hi – kumusta ka?” A special evening meeting had to be confirmed… .

Allow me to quote Philippine Star columnist Igan D’Bayan, who wrote a couple of years ago: “We don’t speak like Hamlet any more. Most of us speak Taglish and write in Filipinized English. And while holding a mobile phone, we type ‘2b or not 2b’. And that’s supposition!”

Btw (‘by the way’), during night time, I turn off my cell phone. How about you? And, I really get mad if my students keep on using their “machine” during class…. .

Alert your family, friends and sports club/society members when you can, and tell them how to reach you in emergencies. Make plans with friends and family in detail ahead of time. Do something different with the time you’d usually spend on your phone – read, go for a walk, go to the gym, study, cook. So do I. 

David Foster praises Filipino singers; brings Brian McKnight, Katharine McPhee to Manila concert

From left: Brian McKnight, David Foster, and Katharine McPhee

The STAR / file, Katharine McPhee via Instagram Jan Milo Severo - Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — Renowned songwriter David Foster praised Original Pilipino Music (OPM) singers Martin Nievera, Jake Zyrus and Morissette Amon. 

During the media conference of “HITMAN: David Foster and Friends Asia Tour 2024” recently, David said Martin and him are very close friends. 

"Martin is very fabulous. I love him like a brother — this jacket he gave me," he said. 

"Jake, formerly known as Charice, is amazing. I still get people asking me every day, like, 'Thank you for Jake.'

"And then, of course, there's Morissette, who I think is a global superstar. I've worked with her before, and she's amazing."

David, together with his special guests, happily looks forward to serenading Filipinos once more in the upcoming “HITMAN: David Foster and Friends Asia Tour 2024” in Smart Araneta Coliseum on June 18, 2024. 

Presented by MQLive and Mwell, this concert is expected to be an unforgettable one for Foster, who will share the stage with iconic artists McKnight, All-4-One, and McPhee, alongside Filipino talents JV Decena and Joaquin Garcia.

P3B ready for Aghon relief; typhoon kills 3

 

SAVING LIVES Rescue teams from the Quezon Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the city government of Lucena, along with personnel of the Philippine Air Force, seek out residents of Barangay Kanlurang Mayao in Lucena after widespread flooding hit the city on Sunday as Typhoon “Aghon” battered southern Luzon. —PHOTO COURTESY OF QUEZON PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT

By: Delfin T. Mallari Jr., Melvin Gascon - @inquirerdotnet

MANILA, Philippines — The national government has allotted up to P3 billion for relief efforts in areas affected by Typhoon Aghon (international name: Ewiniar), President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Monday.

The President said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) had already extended humanitarian assistance worth P1.2 million to residents displaced by the storm as it swooped down Luzon over the weekend, following its landfall in Eastern Samar on May 24.

“We have distributed more than P1.2 million in humanitarian assistance, and had readied more than P3 billion as standby funds [for] prepositioned goods and stockpiles to ensure a quicker and more expansive delivery of assistance for our people affected by Typhoon Aghon,” Marcos said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday.

The DSWD and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported on Monday that Aghon has so far injured seven people and affected more than 19,000 others as it battered the Bicol, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) and Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) regions. On Sunday at least three people, including a 7-month-old baby, were also reported killed in Quezon province.

“We can anticipate that our agencies will be ready to provide support to each affected community to ensure that they are safe and are in a good state,” the President said.

Coordination with LGUs

Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, DSWD spokesperson, said about 8,800 residents were displaced by the typhoon, with about 2,500 families relocating to evacuation centers. The NDRRMC, on the other hand, placed the number of displaced at 5,343.

The tally of evacuees was much higher at the local level.

Dumlao said humanitarian assistance was extended to affected communities in the provinces of Marinduque, Oriental Mindoro, Albay, Camarines Sur and Sorsogon.

“We were informed that the shipment of 5,000 food packs had also reached Infanta town in Quezon province [on Monday], in addition to what we have already reported,” she said at the “Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon” press briefing, adding that the DSWD is coordinating with the local government units (LGUs) to ensure the availability of food packs among the residents.

Dumlao reported further that 615 families had been displaced in Laguna and Quezon, while 290 families in Marinduque had taken refuge in homes of relatives and friends.

The DSWD has also assisted 465 displaced families in the provinces of Eastern Samar, Northern Samar and Samar, she said, adding that the DSWD has also distributed nonfood items such as hygiene kits and mattresses.

The agency is also coordinating with the Department of Health regarding medicines that displaced residents may need.

Dumlao urged these residents to get in touch with the social welfare offices of their local governments or with the DSWD field offices for any other assistance that they might need.

“We are here to provide augmentation support to the local government units to ensure these forms of assistance would be provided,” she said.

Fatalities

In Quezon, police reported that a baby boy and his mother were in their shack atop a fish cage in Tayabas Bay at Barangay Punta in Padre Burgos town on Sunday, at the height of the storm.

As huge waves struck their shelter, the child fell into the water and drowned.

Four fishermen spotted the infant’s body in the waters off Barangay Ilayang Polo in Pagbilao town around 11 a.m. on Monday. The mother survived the storm’s onslaught.

In Lucena City, a 14-year-old boy was sleeping in the family home in Barangay Ibabang Iyam in the wee hours of Sunday when a palm tree fell on the house. Police said the boy, who had a wound in the abdomen, died instantly.

In Barangay Sampaga, San Antonio town, a 50-year-old farmer was sleeping alone inside his nipa hut when a huge acacia tree was uprooted and hit the hut on Sunday morning. The farmer also died on the spot.

At least 1,250 families, or 5,607 people, had to flee their flooded homes in several barangays in Lucena City, the provincial capital of Quezon. Lucena had been placed under a state of calamity on Monday.

The evacuees stayed in schools, barangay halls, evacuation centers, and at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena. But most of them returned home by Monday.

In the entire province, 3,638 families or 15,000 people from the 39 towns in Quezon, apart from Tayabas City and Lucena City, were evacuated.

“We’re still gathering data on the number of destroyed houses. Our rapid damage assessment and needs analysis are still ongoing,” Janet Vargas Gendrano, chief of Lucena’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, told the Inquirer.

‘A taste of La Niña’

Henry Buzar, former head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in Quezon, described the impact of Aghon as “a taste of La Niña 2024.”

He said “no typhoon had brought such damage, creating a river-like cascading flood entering our homes” in University Village, a subdivision in Barangay Ibabang Dupay.

Quezon Gov. Angelina Tan ordered all local officials to reach out to the typhoon victims and bring them relief goods, food packs and other essentials.

Landslides were reported in parts of Aurora province. Elson Egargue, chief of the Aurora Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said the Dingalan-Umiray Road, also known as Sapio Road, in Barangay Butas na Bato was temporarily closed after a landslide struck the area. But clearing operations eventually opened the road to motorists.

Small landslides were also reported at Barangay Umiray in Dingalan town and Barangay Zabali in the provincial capital of Baler.

But Egargue said Aghon did not cause major damage to agriculture and infrastructure in the province.

He said all major roads remained passable and the power supply was stable, although there were power interruptions in some parts of the province.

Casualties, damage

According to the NDRRMC, there were four casualties in Legazpi, Albay; two in Mercedes, Camarines Norte; and one in Santa Magdalena, Sorsogon. All were injured by uprooted and fallen trees.

A total of 19,373 people or 8,465 families were affected in the regions of Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol and Eastern Visayas, the agency said.

Seven roads were impassable to vehicles in Central Luzon, Calabarzon and in Bicol, where operations in three of the region’s seven airports were suspended.

Aghon is the first storm to hit the country this year. It was classified as a severe tropical storm when it first made landfall in the country on Friday and was reclassified into a typhoon by Sunday.