‘PM is the key’: CIA with BA warns against buying items online without prices

BY MANILA BULLETIN ENTERTAINMENT

Aug 30, 2024 01:06 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• This was made clear in the recent episode of the public service program ‘CIA with BA,’ aired on Sunday, Aug. 25, where Queen Manilyn of the Mariteam voiced her concerns.

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Have you ever encountered the phrase “PM is the key” when browsing for items online? Heads up—this practice is not allowed!

This was made clear in the recent episode of the public service program ‘CIA with BA,’ aired on Sunday, Aug. 25, where Queen Manilyn of the Mariteam voiced her concerns. 

“Tumitingin po ako ng mamahaling bag sa online shop tapos nakita ko walang nakasaad na presyo, tapos nakalagay lang do’n sa page nila, ‘PM is the key.’ Pwede po ba ‘yon?” she asked during the ‘Yes or No’ segment.

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano responded directly with a firm “No.”

“Alam mo, nagulat din ako dyan. Ako mahilig ako sa collectibles—basketball cards, jerseys, figurines. Matingin din ako sa internet,” he shared.

He explained that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act No. 11967, or the Internet Transactions Act, in December 2023. This law enforces the state’s policy to promote and maintain a robust e-commerce environment in the Philippines by building trust between online merchants and consumers. 

“Very specific ‘yon [na] sa internet, kailangan ng presyo. So pati sa Consumer Act, nakalagay din do’n na ‘pag ikaw [ay] nagbebenta, dapat merong price ‘yon,” he emphasized.

Senator Cayetano also pointed out that many online sellers might need to be made aware of this requirement or might have reasons for not displaying prices, such as avoiding price canvassing or filtering for serious buyers only. However, he stressed that the law “is meant to protect everyone, and kailangan talaga merong presyo.”

As online shopping grows, sellers and consumers must be aware of their rights and responsibilities. Using "PM is the key" might seem convenient for some sellers, but it goes against legal requirements designed to ensure transparency and protect consumers.

‘CIA with BA’ continues the legacy of the late Senator Rene Cayetano and airs every Sunday at 11:00 p.m. on GMA7, with replays on GTV the following Saturday at 10:30 p.m.

What is the reason behind Germans' love for currywurst?

 

Volker Eichener

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Following

Professor at Hochschule Düsseldorf

 How would you describe its taste? Is it comparable to American hot dogs or sausages with mustard and ketchup?

First, it is most often eaten as a quick and inexpensive snack, not as a full meal. You usually get it from a street stand. Insofar, there is a parallel with hot dogs.

The taste is different, however.

The sausage is a bratwurst, not a frankfurter. It is seared or grilled, so it has a neat crust. The sauce is based on ketchup, but it is more flavourful, because it has curry powder in it or at least curry powder sprinkled on top. The better versions of Currywurst are served with warm sauce. Sometimes, you can get Currywurst which is spiced up with hot chili.

Typical way to eat Currywurst

One of the most popular Currywurst stands in Berlin

Currywurst with french fries and mayonnaise

American hot dogs (usually Danish style) are also known in Germany, but not as popular as Currywurst. Hot dogs are messy to eat and they are considered rather bland in comparison to Currywurst which is a warming comfort food.

THE POWER OF MOMENTS

In their book "The Power of Moments," authors Chip Heath and Dan Heath study the science behind these pivotal moments and the reasons why they have such a profound effect on our lives. They point out that defining moments are made up of four essential components: elevation, understanding, pride, and connection.

 

A quiet morning. I love it. How about you?

A hug from someone you love. I am sure you feel the same.

Sipping a warm cup of coffee or tea. Of course, I prefer coffee more than tea. 

Reading a few pages in one of those good books on your bookshelf. I miss reading many more. 

A child's laughter. My one-year-old grandchild is the best example.

Someone special wanting your attention. I am already 71, but it's always amazing how many people wait for me every morning.

What do you say is the best moment in life? - “That was my happiest moment” is better usage. It means to say that you enjoyed that mentioned moment, very much. It is one which makes you happy and cannot be forgotten in your life. What was that "one big moment," a turning point, that changed your life? 

Special moments; breath-taking feats, outstanding accomplishments, universally recognised excellence. The moments that matter happen beyond analysis; they just occur. Special moments are everywhere, always; millions of them waiting to happen – and the more you let go, the less you look, the more you see.

Moments are significant as they help us connect with others. Every shared moment, whether it's a conversation, a hug, or an experience, presents an opportunity to form a bond with another person. These bonds are what make life meaningful and help us endure challenging times.

To know Christ is to know ourselves properly

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

THE earlier we realize this, the better for us. And that’s simply because Christ is the very pattern of our humanity. How he is should also be how we should be, not of course in terms of our physical appearance and other natural attributes that we have, but rather in terms of the spirit that should animate our whole life. The ideal condition to have is first to know and love Christ so that we may know and love ourselves and others properly. 

This was what St. Augustine precisely said. “Noverim te, noverim me,” Latin for “May I know you (Christ), may I know myself.” It is when we know and love Christ first that we get to know who we really are and ought to be. Christ is not only the pattern of our humanity but also the savior of our damaged humanity.

It is Christ who will tell us what is true and false, right and wrong, moral and immoral. It’s not us who define and determine these things. And if we know Christ first, then we would know how to relate ourselves with the others, how to love them properly the way Christ loves us, as shown, taught and commanded to us by Christ himself. (cfr. Jn 13,34)

Thus, if we really want to truly fall and remain in love with our beloved, if we want our relationships to last long until forever, then we have to base it on our knowledge and love of Christ first. There can be no other way to assure us that our relationships here on earth would last!

Even in our wounded condition here in this life, Christ offers us the way how to handle it such that we can still manage to be with him. That’s because Christ himself said that he is “the way, the truth and the life.” (cfr. Jn 14,6)

Our relation with Christ should not only be in the level of knowledge. We have to live that knowledge to such an extent that we become “another Christ.” We are supposed to be ‘alter Christus,’ the goal and ideal that is meant for us, though we need also to do our part, free beings as are, to achieve that status. 

God, our Creator and Father, wants us to be that way, though he does not impose it on us without our consent that should also be shown with deeds and not just with intentions or words.

We should try our best to have the very sentiments of Christ who has everything that is good and proper to us. When he said, “Whoever is not with me is against me, whoever does not gather with me scatters,” it is quite clear that for us to be ‘alter Christus’ is a necessity. It’s not something optional, though it has to be chosen freely.

With Christ we would have the proper understanding of things. We would have a universal outlook, and we can take on anything that can happen to us, whether good or bad, because Christ himself has assumed everything human including to be like sin even if he himself has not committed any sin. “He (God) made him (Christ) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Cor 5,21)

We have to be wary when we rely simply on our common sense, or some powerful philosophy or ideology, because no matter how brilliant these are, they cannot cope with everything that is possible to happen in a man’s life. Only Christ can!

Rufa Mae Quinto says not sad losing P1 million in 'LOL: Philippines'

Jan Milo Severo - Philstar.com

August 29, 2024 | 12:23pm

MANILA, Philippines — Comedienne Rufa Mae Quinto revealed that she didn't feel sad about losing in the reality show “LOL: Last One Laughing Philippines.”

In an interview with reporters, Rufa Mae said that the show became "dirty."

“I didn’t feel bad about losing because I already knew where it was heading. The game was starting to get really dirty, so I opted out," she said.  

"Of course, who wouldn’t want to win P1 million? I could have tried to fight for it, but I decided to let it go," she added. 

The actress said the show became "dirty" when the remaining contestants Chad Kinis, Jerald Napoles, Empoy Marquez, Victor Anastacio and Pepe Herrera started playing the game of cards, kissing each other. 

Rufa said she did not want to "lock lips" with her fellow contestants. The actress has a husband and a child and she did not want them to see her doing it on TV. 

She added that she her brand of comedy is different from her fellow contestants. 

Wen asked what she learned from the show, Rufa Mae said, “Keeping one’s self from laughing is so difficult that you would eventually cry. Also, the secret to not laughing is to keep yourself feeling hungry. You will eventually get angry at everyone around you and won’t feel like laughing at all." 

The comedienne revealed that she ate too much during the lunch break and it made her rush to the toilet in the middle of the competition. 

The first edition of the "LOL: Philippines" also featured Jayson Gainza, Kim Molina, Negi and Tuesday Vargas.

The 10 contestants vied to win the P1 million prize money, which will be won by the one who will be able to stop smiling or laughing at the end of the challenges. Chad Kinis eventually won the show's first season after its six-episode airing last July. 

SC to husbands: Your infidelity, unjustified absence, failure to support are grounds for marriage nullity

BY REY G. PANALIGAN

Aug 29, 2024 01:24 PM

  

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A husband’s “infidelity, failure to give support to his wife and children, and unjustified absence from his family are all indicative that he is not cognizant of the duties and responsibilities of a husband and father.”

Thus, the Supreme Court (SC) ruled that the marriage in 1984 between the husband, Alfredo, and wife, Leonora, should be voided on the ground of psychological incapacity.

The ruling was contained in a decision that was promulgated last April 17 and posted on the SC’s website – sc.judiciary.gov.ph – on Thursday, Aug. 29 under GR No 242363.  It was written by Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen. 

The SC decision granted the petition of Leonora as it reversed the rulings issued by both the Court of Appeals (CA) and the regional trial court (RTC).

Case records show that Alfredo and Leonora separated in 1994 after 10 years of marriage.

When Leonora found that Alfredo married another woman, she filed a case for bigamy against her husband.  But the case was archived because Alfredo could not be located.

Alfredo was a police officer.  He was dismissed from the service because of the bigamy case. 

The records also show that Alfredo married another woman in 2000.

Leonora said that Alfredo abandoned his family and did not provide any financial support.

She underwent a psychological evaluation and the psychologist concluded that Alfredo was psychologically incapacitated to comply with his marital obligations. 

On Dec. 27, 2017, the RTC dismissed the nullity of marriage case filed by Leonora. The trial court ruled that the pieces of evidence presented to prove Alfredo’s subsequent marriages were insufficient.

The RTC said that assuming Alfredo had two subsequent marriages, it also establishes infidelity which is sufficient to prove psychological incapacity.

It also said that there should be other circumstances and situations showing Alfredo's actions and inactions to show his aberrant attitudes and behavioral patterns demonstrating his total personality and his psychological illness.

When Leonora’s motion for reconsideration was denied by the RTC, she appealed before the CA which, in effect, affirmed the trial court’s ruling due to a technicality.  She then elevated her case to the SC.

The SC said:

“Based on the facts, respondent (Alfredo) left his family in 1994 and appears to have contracted marriage several times, with different women. He never gave financial support to his children and only visited them once, for less than an hour. These indicate that respondent did not understand his obligations as a husband and father. 

“To restate, the gravity of respondent's personality disorder is shown by his lack of recognition that he has responsibilities to his wife and children. His personality disorder appears to have been fostered by how he was raised by his family as ‘he was deprived of appropriate parental supervision and guidance’ and ‘his parents' lenient and tolerable attitude encouraged him to become extremely assertive.’  This shows that there is juridical antecedence. His psychological incapacity developed during his formative years and existed prior to his marriage to petitioner (Leonora).

“The incurability of respondent's personality disorder was also explained by the psychologist when he stated in his judicial affidavit that those who are diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder  ‘strongly deny that they are mentally ill, reject the idea of seeking professional help and therefore refuse any form of psychiatric treatment.’

“Accordingly, the Petition is granted. The May 31, 2018 and Oct. 2, 2018 Resolutions of the Court of Appeals in CA-G.R. SP No. 155807 are reversed and set aside. The marriage of petitioner Leonora… and private respondent Alfredo… is void on the ground of psychological incapacity. So ordered.”

P-pop girl group G22 on collab with SB19, Sandara

 

P-pop girl group G22 on collab with SB19, Sandara

Charmie Joy Pagulong - The Philippine Star 

August 28, 2024 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — P-pop girl group G22 is still in awe following their collaboration with SB19 and Sandara Park for the “Acer Day 2024” event.

The new ambassadors of Acer Philippines, AJ, Alfea, and Jaz of G22, got to share the stage with 2NE1’s Sandara for In or Out and SB19 for Limitless during the “Acer Day 2024” concert held recently. Limitless is the brand’s anthem for the music gig which was composed by SB19’s Pablo and produced by Radkidz.

Dubbed the “Female Alphas of P-pop,” G22 also rendered an intense performance of their own songs, Boomerang, Bang, One Sided Love, and Loka.

“I still feel like I’m dreaming. It was so amazing,” said Jaz in a presscon after the event. “The opportunity to collab with amazing artists and to also have them on stage for our song to perform, we are so grateful and it’s truly a milestone for us.”

Alfea was grateful for the opportunity as well. “This was one of the things that we’ve dreamed of before and we’re very thankful to Acer (for the chance).”

“Actually, it’s still not sinking in for me that we have collaborated with big artists like Sandara and SB19. Grabe kayo, Acer, thank you so much.”

The girls shared that they learned plenty of insights from their team-up with Sandara and SB19.

“We’re not there just for the collaboration, we’re also there to learn. We learned a lot from these artists, such as, work ethic, how they perform, how they are as artists. And as starting artists, it’s huge for us. We learned a lot, actually,” asserted AJ.

Alfea concurred, “Grabe yung feeling when we were on stage. It’s like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is it.’”

AJ recalled that the iconic song In or Out was one of the tracks that she listened to as a child and she never imagined that she would perform it with Sandara one day.

On the other hand, one of the memorable moments they had while recording Limitless was how Pablo taught them some music techniques. “He taught us how to execute the song. We encountered new style for the song Limitless, like rapping, that’s one of the things that we gleaned from Kuya Pablo himself,” recalled Alfea.

For AJ, she couldn’t forget how nervous she was during the recording. “Yung kaba ko because we know how he excelled (in his craft) and we know how he is. He was not just a rapper-singer in the room. He was our producer. So, producer Pablo was something na medyo kinakabahan ako super.”

But Pablo, nonetheless, guided them during the entire recording process. “He wants to make sure that you’re fine with it. You’re comfortable doing it and that’s why thank you so much Kuya Pablo for your patience,” said AJ.

Speaking of music collaborations, Alfea expressed that she wants to work with Ben&Ben and Jaz with Yeng Constantino.

Meanwhile, AJ maintained that they don’t engage in comparisons with other P-pop groups. She explained, “Because we only have one goal. One of (those) is to elevate P-pop and OPM. So, if we have the same goal, let’s elevate ourselves ng sabay-sabay.”

ANYTHING IS ACCEPTABLE

 

By Klaus Döring

There are no rules for behavior, dress, etc. Today, in terms of clothing, almost anything goes, but they recall when the dress code was strictly formal.

If people say 'anything goes', they mean that anything people say or do is considered acceptable, and usually they mean that they do not approve of this. [disapproval] In the 90s, almost anything goes. See full dictionary entry for go.

Well, you see, in olden days, a glimpse of stocking was looked on as something shocking, but now, God knows, anything goes.

Good authors too who once knew better words now only use four-letter words writing prose, anything goes.

The world has gone mad today, and good's bad today, and black's white today, and day's night today, when most guys today, that women prize today, are just silly gigolos.

And though I'm not a great romancer, I know that you're bound to answer when I propose, because anything goes.

Originally used in the 19th Century as 'Everything goes', it simply means that one can do whatever one likes, without rules or consequences.

Anything goes? Yes, it seems so: illegal logging, natural disasters, improper disposal of garbage, climate change, melting icebergs, "my neighbor goes on burning rubber and plastic" (GRABE!), poisonous waste products ... !

Guys, when will you stop doing this? Or, are you waiting for the next tsunami and taifun taking away your family and all your belongings and properties?

Since years, I have on my desk a wonderful brochure entitled "Q&A Questions and Answers on YOUR ecosystem" - mentioning and explaining 365 (!) reasons to stand up for Mother Nature. And to be counted as "Barkada ng Kaliksan"! It's really a primer on environment care, produced by the Kinaiyahan Foundation, Inc. and BARog KA likupan DAbaw, Inc. (BARKADA) with a foreword by Elisea G. Guzon, former secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Even having the fumes of burned poison garbage in my nostrils (I usually enjoy writing my columns somewhere outside in my tropical green garden!) I still study this valuable brochure.

Yes, anything goes! It really seems true! Why should one think about the ecosystem and its structures? Or, solar-energy and life on earth and why should it be protected? The effects of global warming can be seen more and more, but deforestation and profits kill the thoughts and deeds about the value of forests and how to protect them!

Fertilizer and its problems are known, but who really cares? Pesticides and their problems are very well known too, but who really cares? Anything goes? How do we handle major consumers of water managing water resources? Are we overusing groundwater?

Climate change, greenhouse-effect, gases that pollute the atmosphere, acid rains, and biodiversity are foreign words to these people, who continue to destroy our globe and provoke the next natural disaster. The above-mentioned brochure, mentioning the Top 30 Environmental Issues in the 21st Century, is not the only written examination or rebuke. I wish and pray for many followers. For our next generations!

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Email: doringklaus@gmail.com or follow me on Facebook, Linkedin or X - (Twitter) or visit www.germanexpatinthephiilippines.blogspot.com or www.klausdoringsclassicalmusic.blogspot.com .

Cool Smashers sweep Angels, complete semis cast

BY KRISTEL SATUMBAGA-VILLAR

Aug 27, 2024 09:29 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Creamline sucked the fuel dry out of Petro Gazz as it hammered out a vengeful 25-23, 25-19, 25-18 victory on Tuesday night, Aug. 27, to complete the semifinal cast in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

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Creamline sucked the fuel dry out of Petro Gazz as it hammered out a vengeful 25-23, 25-19, 25-18 victory on Tuesday night, Aug. 27, to complete the semifinal cast in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

Creamline books another semifinal stint at the expense of Petro Gazz. (PVL Images)

The multi-titled Cool Smashers displayed their formidable championship form to deny the Angels their bid of extending their championship reign after winning the 2019 and 2022 Reinforced Conference editions.

Erica Staunton delivered the telling blows for Creamline by pumping in 19 points built on 16 kills and three blocks, while Bernadeth Pons provided ample support with 16 points including 15 from attacks. 

The Cool Smashers needed one hour and 33 minutes to dispose of the Angels, firing 51 attacks and posting seven blocks en route to the win that set them up a semis meeting with the Cignal HD Spikers on Thursday, Aug. 29.

It also extended their semis stint in the league from 2017.

Creamline’s victory also silenced the efforts of Wilma Salas and Brooke Van Sickle, who scored 18 points apiece in a losing effort for Petro Gazz.

NewJeans’ label ADOR ousts CEO Min Hee-jin

BY JONATHAN HICAP

Aug 27, 2024 07:20 PM

  

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The board of directors of label ADOR, which manages K-pop girl group NewJeans, has ousted Min Hee-jin from her position as chief executive officer (CEO). 

She was replaced by Ju Young Kim, a human resources management expert at HYBE, and a member of ADOR board of directors. 

Min Hee-jin (HYBE) 

New ADOR CEO Ju Young Kim (ADOR)

NewJeans (X)

In an announcement, ADOR stated, “On August 27 KST, we convened a board meeting during which Ju Young Kim, an in-house director of the label, was appointed as the new CEO of ADOR.” 

“Kim, a human resources expert with extensive experience across various industries, will concentrate on stabilizing and rebuilding the organization,” the label said. 

It added, “Former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin will step down from her role but will remain as an in-house director, continuing her responsibility for producing NewJeans.” 

“Additionally, the label will restructure to separate its production from management—a multi-label practice that has been standard across all other HYBE labels but was previously not implemented at ADOR,” it said. 

According to ADOR, “With these personnel and organizational changes, we aim to provide strong support for the continued growth and success of NewJeans.”

Min Hee-jin has been in a legal dispute with Korean entertainment company HYBE, the parent company of ADOR, since April.