Mayor Jeannie recognized as one of Asian Heroes of 2024

BY ALLYSA NIEVERA

Nov 22, 2024 09:32 AM 

Malabon City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval was recognized as one of the Asian Heroes of 2024.

Sandoval was included in the Asian Heroes 2024 for her leadership that helped improve the lives of Malabueños.

Mayor Jeannie Sandoval at the Asian Heroes 2024 coffee table book launch at the Manila Hotel on Nov. 15, 2024 (Malabon City PIO) 

“Asian Heroes 2024” is the latest coffee-table book launched by Seagull Philippines Founder Dr. Maria Rosa “Bing” Carrion that tells the stories of 37 noble leaders and public servants who made great contributions to the continuous improvement of society.

“I am very honored and proud to be one of the Asian Heroes. Truly, nakakainspire lalo na tumulong at magsilbi sa taong bayan. Hindi lang naman ito isang tropeo kundi ito ay nagsisilbing isang simbulo ng pagsusumikap, pagsasaaayos, pagsisilbi ng taos-puso at buong-buo sa taumbayan…Naliligayahan po ako but at the same time, this inspires me to serve better (I am very honored and proud to be one of the Asian Heroes. Truly, it is especially inspiring to help and serve the people. This is not just a trophy but it serves as a symbol of hard work, organization, and serving the people wholeheartedly ... I am happy, but at the same time, this inspires me to serve better),” Sandoval said.

Mayor Jeannie Sandoval and Representative Ricky Sandoval at the "Asian Heroes 2024" coffee table book launch at the Manila Hotel on Nov. 15, 2024 (Malabon City PIO)

The mayor was recognized along with Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, Senator Mark A. Villar, Congressman Wilbert "Manoy" T. Lee, Congresswoman Camille A. Villar Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Antonilo DC. Mauricio, Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr., Vice-Consul David C. Ackerman, Philippine Red Cross Secretary General Gwen Pang, and other outstanding public servants, lawyers, doctors, and individuals. 

Dr. Carrion said she envisioned the book to present inspiring, values-laden stories of “everyday heroes” and serve as a shining light to young people who will comprise the next generation of leaders.

Dr. Carrion also shared that she found a “soul sister” in Mayor Jeannie as they are both very humble and composed and love to plan and think before they answer.

“Ako po ay nagpapasalamat and very very honored to be part sa isang grupo na prestiguous, na  talagang kinikilala hindi lang sa kanilang larangan kundi sa kawang gawa. It is truly inspiring to be able serve people at lalo ko pong pagiibayuhin ang aking adbokasiya para sa taong bayan (I am grateful and very very honored to be part of a group that is prestigious, and that is really recognized not only in their field but for their charitable work. It is truly inspiring to be able to serve people and I will further my advocacy for the people),” the mayor said.  

Dr. Carrion was recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential Global Filipinas (2016) by the Filipina Women's Network based in San Francisco, California, USA for her 47 notable published books found in select libraries around the world and her CSR advocacies in the fields of Peace, and Empowerment of Women and Girls.  

‘Be RICEponsible’: It’s National Rice Awareness Month

 BY MANILA BULLETIN

Nov 21, 2024 09:01 AM 

 

Rice is a staple food in the Filipino diet.  It is eaten with every meal, some consuming more of it than others, while a few intentionally regulate their consumption as part of a personal diet.  Despite dietary restrictions or financial constraints, a bowl of rice is included in a traditional Filipino meal. Filipinos consume an average of 118 kg. of rice per person annually.

However, growing up with rice has also made many people forget its importance, and the farmers’ important role in working to have that staple coming to our tables. 

The amount of rice wasted is significant, it is one of the three items that cause our food waste problem, said a study conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI). The same agency said each Filipino wastes an average of three tablespoons, or nine grams of rice daily, which is equivalent to 3.3 kilos per year.

This contributes to climate change. Food waste that ends up in landfills decomposes and releases methane, a greenhouse gas 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide in trapping heat, the Climate Change Commission said.

The country celebrates National Rice Awareness Month every November, pursuant to Proclamation 524 issued in 2004, to spread awareness on the value of rice. To each of us, the celebration is a reminder to be responsible consumers and avoid rice wastage.  It is also a time to spread information on the value of consuming local rice varieties which is healthier and will support local farmers.

The celebration’s theme “Be RICEponsible” was designed activities to heighten public awareness on efforts to attain rice self-sufficiency and address malnutrition and poverty. 

A significant step to ensure rice sufficiency while avoiding food wastage would be to require restaurants to offer half-rice orders.  Several cities around the country have already passed local ordinances on that.  But a law that will mandate the half-rice serving in all restaurants around the country will strengthen efforts to cut food waste, promote healthier eating habits, and secure our rice supply. 

In 2013, then-senator Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. filed a bill, “Senate Bill 1863 or the Anti-Rice Wastage Act of 2013” proposing penalties for restaurants that refuse to serve less than one cup of rice per customer. The bill was reintroduced in the House of Representatives last year. Its primary objectives are to minimize food waste, promote balanced and sustainable eating habits, and encourage healthier meal portions for Filipinos.

The month’s activities, led by the Department of Agriculture, will also encourage the consumption of brown rice and other locally produced rice varieties, which will support our farmers.  The Philippines has become a big importer of rice.

The health benefits of brown rice are many.  “Compared with white rice, brown rice (unpolished rice) is nutritionally superior because its bran layer contains higher amounts of protein, dietary fiber, B vitamins, Vitamin E, minerals, and antioxidants,” a PhilRice information material for the month’s celebration said.

Rice comes to our tables because of the farmers who cultivate a farm for about four months, contending with pests and diseases and bad weather. The average age of the farmer today is 57, indicating that their children have sought other livelihoods outside the farm. 

If the next generation of food producers are leaving the farms, who will produce our food? 

Being RICEponsible is not only for the consumers but also for government to continue pushing policies to support the farmers, and to conduct information campaigns to encourage healthy eating of rice.

SPECIALSFEATURE

To friend or to unfriend, that is the question

BY KRIZETTE LAURETA-CHU

Nov 20, 2024 06:16 PM 

In old times, before the dawn of the internet, people who didn’t like each other or found that they had no common interests or activities beyond meeting each other once at a party, simply drifted apart.

No drama, no hurt feelings, no passive-aggressive declaration. But social media—even when it exists only in the digital sphere—is now completely intertwined in our daily lives that whatever happens on FB or IG or X spills over IRL.

Yes, Facebook gave us new friends, but it’s also alienating us from old ones. Don’t like who they’re voting for? Unfriend. Annoyed by their incessant humble-brag posts? Unfriend. Icked out by their oversharing? Unfriend. 

But people should realize that the “Unfriend” button carries more weight than just a simple disengagement from a person on social media. Many times, netizens decide that being unfriended on Facebook is tantamount to ending the friendship in the real world.

In 2010, TV host Jimmy Kimmel declared Nov. 17 “National Unfriend Day” to inspire people to remove those “friends” on social media that they barely know, and in some cases, never even met. But fast forward 14 years later, and the “Unfriend” button is not just about cleansing your feed, but for many others, openly declaring war against people you realize you don’t like (or don’t like anymore).
So how serious is the Unfriend button? Pretty much, says many people we talked to across different age groups. 

Gen Z Keisha, 15, a digital native, says, “You follow or are friends with people online that you’re not even friends in real life, so for someone to actively remove you from their friends list means the connection is over. Unfriend in social media is unfriend in real life. Full stop.”

Franklin, a Gen X artist, says his 40-year friendship ended when he was cussed out on FB by a friend who supported another President. “So I blocked him when he unfriended me. In real life, I don’t even look at him anymore. I’ve forgiven him, but our friendship is over.”  

A YOUNG WOMAN checks her mobile phone. (Unsplash Photo)

Some people, like millennial Luisa Tess Luna, say, there’s no need to burn bridges over a made-up world. “I can unfriend them and still say hi to them in the real world. They could’ve unfriended me because they didn’t like my posts, but hooray for them for setting boundaries and prioritizing their mental health. My content is not for everyone.”

Elsa Sauro, a guidance counselor, says unfriending someone on social media means you just recognize that you have a threshold in terms of boundaries. “Just like in real life, you have friends you can say anything to, and they won’t judge you, but then you also have friends who only are connected to you because of school or work, so because they only fit into a certain category of your life, they’re just setting limits by removing you from their social media.” 

A published study in collaboration with the Korean Broadcasting System that came out in 2021 called, “Unfriending effects: Testing contrasting indirect-effects relationships between exposure to hate speech on political talk via social media unfriending” say the number one reason people unfriend on social media is political differences and hate talk. And those who do the unfriending are often those who do not like confronting others with different opinions, so they just choose to block or unfriend. The study says, “Those who unfriend others are less likely to talk about public and political agendas with those with cross-cutting views but tend to often engage in like-minded political talk. In addition, this study found indirect-effects associations, indicating that social media users who are exposed to hate speech are less likely to engage in cross-cutting talk but more likely to participate in like-minded talk via unfriending other users in social media.”

The unfriend button, therefore, carries the very real weight of the severing of real friendship—which is why it is very important that you think it through a million times before you click the button. You might just want to disengage, but to the person unfriended, this move might be irrevocable.  

Here are a few guidelines on how to navigate uncharted waters of unfriending so you don’t impulsively end a friendship over a bad moment on social media:

Should you add this person? 

You meet someone at a party. They ask to add you on FB. Your FB however is a personal space where you allow friends to take a peek into your innermost thoughts and private life. Ask yourself if their FB friendship is an added value to you before you click Accept. Be careful about letting near strangers have a front seat to the spectacle that is your very real life. Would you, for example, ask any stranger to leaf through your family album? Or read your diary? Is there friendship something you really treasure?

Really reflect on your reasons

Is it because you can’t tolerate their politics or that their posts grate at your own biases? Is it annoyance or are you… jealous of their successes? Are you sure you don’t like them anymore, or you just don’t like their opinion at the moment? In that case, don’t be so quick to the draw and try alternatives like muting, unfollowing, or even putting them on certain restricted groups before you completely seal the deal.

You want to unfriend them…

So you’ve decided you want them out of your life. Be prepared to make it as drama-free and as straightforward as possible. Don’t blow up things by posting mysterious FB statuses, or telling everyone in your group chat your decision. Also, make sure that when confronted by the affected party that you will be honest and sincere about why you unfriended them. You don’t owe anyone your friendship, but you’d also like to do it in the kindest way possible if no confrontation occurred.

In the end, our online relationships simply reflect the strength of our real life connections. Just think of FB is nature’s way to weed out shallow friendships and bolster real ones.

juan karlos to share the MOA stage with fellow OPM stars

The singer-songwriter’s first major concert will have a star-studded lineup of guests!

BY MANILA BULLETIN ENTERTAINMENT

Nov 21, 2024 10:09 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• With Paolo Valenciano as director and Karel Honasan as musical director, this show promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for his fans. 

Singer-songwriter Juan Karlos Labajo, known simply as juan karlos, is gearing up for a monumental moment in his career as he takes the stage at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Nov. 29, for his first major concert, juan karlos LIVE.

With Paolo Valenciano as director and Karel Honasan as musical director, this show promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for his fans.

JK has poured his heart and soul into preparing for this milestone, emphasizing the importance of savoring the process while going over every detail. 

“Right now, I’m just trying to really enjoy the process, focusing on the flow of the whole show and focusing on the things I do have control over, like the setlist. I’ll probably get more nervous as the concert gets closer,” he says. 

JK worked closely with Valenciano and Honasan to ensure the concert will allow him to show a new side of himself as a performer. He teased, “We’ll be performing songs that we haven’t performed before, and I’m also going to share the stage with the people I’ve released songs with.”
 
Set to share the spotlight with JK is a stellar lineup of guest performers. First is Paolo Benjamin Guico of the beloved folk-pop band Ben&Ben. Known for his deeply personal songwriting, Guico collaborated with Labajo on “Tapusin Na Natin ’To” in 2023, a poignant track about toxic relationships.
 
Zild Benitez will also join JK onstage. He rose to prominence as the bassist and vocalist of IV of Spades but has since carved out a successful solo career. His collaboration with juan karlos on “Gabi” from the latter’s Sad Songs and Bullshit Part 1 album, released in 2023, further solidified their bond as songwriters who wear their hearts on their sleeves. Their previous collaboration, “Lunod” — a track they did with Ben&Ben in 2021 — tackles emotional turmoil and mental health, making it a standout in Ben&Ben’s Pebble House, Vol. 1: Kuwaderno album.

The concert will also feature Janine Berdin, who first captured the public’s attention as the winner of It’s Showtime’s Tawag Ng Tanghalan second season. Known for her emotional performances and powerful vocals, Janine collaborated with JK on a song called “Pancit” in 2022, which was part of his three-track Drop 1 project. Its playful tale of puppy love, paired with an Alice in Wonderland-inspired music video, paved the way for it to become a fan favorite. In addition to performing as a guest, Janine will open juan karlos LIVE as the concert’s front act, setting the tone for an unforgettable evening.

Moira Dela Torre, widely believed to be one of her generation’s best songwriters, will also take the stage with JK. Her collaboration with him on “Medyo Ako” from the Sad Songs and Bullshit Part 2 album is a poignant exploration of curiosity and longing that comes after a breakup. The track highlights the seamless blending of their voices, which will also be on full display on the night of the concert. You won’t want to miss that! 

Rounding out the list of guests is Gloc-9, whose rapid-fire rapping style and socially relevant discography have made him an icon in the OPM scene. In 2020, he and JK collaborated on “Sampaguita,” a powerful song that reflects the emotional struggles and sacrifices of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). The track pairs JK’s soulful singing with Gloc-9’s incisive verses, creating a touching sonic backdrop for the hardships faced by all Filipinos who work abroad to support their families.

juan karlos’ journey from a 13-year-old finalist on The Voice Kids in 2014 to one of the most compelling figures in the local music scene has been nothing short of extraordinary. After releasing two solo albums, he formed his namesake band juan karlos, releasing songs like “Buwan” that have become modern OPM classics. Beyond music, JK has made his mark as an actor, with star turns in the ABS-CBN series Hawak-Kamay, Pangako Sa ’Yo, A Love to Last, and Senior High.

His performances in the spin-off High Street and the Netflix film Lolo and the Kid have further cemented his versatility as an artist.
 
juan karlos LIVE is produced by Nathan Studios, marking the studio’s foray into live entertainment this 2024. Known for producing cutting-edge content like the film Topakk and series like Cattleya Killer and The Bagman, the studio is extending its reputation for innovation into concerts. Backed by Universal Music Group, JK’s record label, this concert is set to redefine the standard for OPM performances.
 
Tickets to juan karlos LIVE range from PHP 750 (General Admission) to PHP 8,500 (SVIP). The latter comes with exclusive perks, including a shirt, tote bag, photo opportunity, and signed poster.

As JK prepares to take the stage, all signs point to a night that will not only celebrate his journey but also underscore his place in the OPM landscape.

Christian poverty more than just detachment from things

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

THAT gospel episode where Christ praised a poor widow for giving all that she had to live on to the treasury of the temple (cfr. Lk 21,1-4) graphically reminds us that Christian poverty, which is what is required for true Christian love to reign in our hearts, is not so much a matter of how much, in terms of money and quantity, we are willing to be detached from as detaching ourselves from our very own selves, giving everything to God.

It’s actually the best deal that we can have, since as Christ said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to have his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.” (Mt 16,24-25)

This is divine wisdom which we have to learn to live by. Moreover, it is something which we have to learn how to convince others, especially the young ones who are exposed today to so much materialism and egotistic ways, to believe in it.

This will, indeed, take a lot of time and effort, especially in the area of how to make this divine wisdom attractive and doable. In this regard, we have to learn to present Christ the way Christ presented himself to the people of his time.

He adapted himself to how the people were. He, of course, as St. Paul said, emptied himself by becoming man and went to the extent of offering his life on the cross, just to identify himself completely with us. (cfr. Phil 2,6-8)

In this preaching, he used literary devices, like the parables, so as to elicit interest and eventual understanding and appreciation of the redemptive messages and lessons he wanted to impart to the people.

This is something that we, in our own time with our distinctive cultures and mindsets, should also learn to do. We can only show and give Christ to others, we can only make Christ’s redemptive messages and lessons appreciated by us, if we learn how to connect the real Christ, both in spirit and in the flesh, and not a disembodied Christ, to the people of today.

The effort required here involves emptying ourselves so as to embody the real Christ in ourselves in the context of today’s world with all the good and the bad that it now has. That is why we always need to detach ourselves not only from things but also, and more importantly, from our own selves, so we can be filled with Christ’s spirit and enabled to show Christ in the flesh.

But given our human condition which allows us to learn things in stages, we have to understand that everyday we have to conquer our tendency to fall into some earthly attachments so that we can say we are giving ourselves more and more to God until we give ourselves completely to him.

This will require a constant reminder and self-reassurance that it is all worthwhile to give and to lose everything for God because we will in fact gain a lot more than what we give. Let’s always remember Christ telling us “to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.” (Mt 6,33)

We have to learn to let go of our possessions, our preferences, our opinions, etc., until we can say that we are letting go of our whole selves so as to give everything to God, and with God we are assured that we can have everything that is truly important to us!

Why is Germany called “Deutschland” inside Germany, “Allemagne” in French, and “Germany” in English?

By Philippe Lainé

“Deutschland" (“Germany”) has actually more than three different names/roots.

Just take more languages and see other names.

Use Google Translate and see:

• English: Germany
• French: Allemagne
• Finnish: Saksa
• Czech: Německo
• Latvian: Vācija
• Dutch: Duitsland

OK, I’ll stop here as we have enough names coming from Germany’s neighbours to continue.

Where does the word “Germany” come from?

During Antiquity, a large area occupied by Germanic tribes was called Germania by the Romans.

So far, it makes sense. So, why so many different names?

Main reason:

Historically, Germany is a young united country (1871), but naturally its history didn’t start in 1871.

What is called nowadays Germany was for a long time occupied by different Germanic tribes before being united under one flag.

These tribes were called different names by their neighbours.

To give you an idea of how numerous were the Germanic tribes, I invite you to have a look on this Wikipedia page: List of ancient Germanic peoples and tribes - Wikipedia

So basically, the French (Franks and Celts) had to deal with the Alemanni more than the other tribes, the Slavic people called the Germanic people something like “Nemets” which means more or less “those who are mute” related to the language barrier they had to face, Germans and other Germanic countries tend to prefer a name linked to how they were calling themselves “Deutch” coming from “Diustisc/Diet/Diot,” which meant “Folk” but had some phonetical transformation with the time…

Germany (and the Germans) is actually a very interesting case, as I don’t think that we have any other nation (and citizens) that has so many different names.

„Gefahr für Leib und Leben“ – Deutscher Wetterdienst warnt vor Schneestürmen

In höheren Lagen können sich die Menschen weiterhin auf winterliches Wetter einstellen. Ab dem Nachmittag warnt der Deutsche Wetterdienst (DWD) vor allem im Süden Deutschlands vor kräftigem Schneefall, der bis in die Nacht andauern kann.

Quelle: WELT TV

Der Winter im November hält an: Während in weiten Teilen Deutschlands weiter mit Schneefällen und Glätte zu rechnen ist, gibt der Wetterdienst Unwetterwarnungen für Teile Süddeutschlands aus. Erwartet wird eine geschlossene, hohe Schneedecke. 

Im Bergland können sich die Menschen weiterhin auf winterliches Wetter einstellen. Ab dem Nachmittag warnt der Deutsche Wetterdienst (DWD) vor allem im Süden Deutschlands vor kräftigem Schneefall, der bis in die Nacht andauern kann. In einigen Hochlagen rechnet der DWD mit stürmischen Böen oder Sturmböen.

Auch im Rest des Landes bleibt es winterlich mit möglichen Schneefällen und Warnung vor Glätte durch Schneematsch und überfrierende Nässe. An den Küsten und im Nordwesten soll es neben Schauern auch kurze Gewitter mit Graupel geben.

„Gefahr für Leib und Leben“ in Baden-Württemberg

Der DWD hat für die baden-württembergischen Regierungsbezirke Freiburg und Tübingen eine Unwetterwarnung wegen starken Schneefalls herausgegeben. Vom frühen Nachmittag an bis zum frühen Freitagmorgen könne es in den Gebieten „Gefahr für Leib und Leben“ durch eine geschlossene, hohe Schneedecke geben. Die Mobilität könne eingeschränkt und Verkehrswege könnten blockiert werden. Auch werde es „verbreitet glatt“.

Mit nordwestlicher Strömung gelangt demnach polare Meeresluft nach Baden-Württemberg. Am Nachmittag greift ein Tiefdruckgebiet von Frankreich her vor allem auf die südlichen Regionen über. Ab dem Nachmittag bis in die Nacht zum Freitag wird in der Südhälfte verbreitet mit Schneefall von fünf bis 15 Zentimetern Neuschnee gerechnet, im Südschwarzwald bis zu 30 Zentimetern.  Unwetterwarnung für Bayern

Auch für das Allgäu und Teile Oberbayerns gelten wegen voraussichtlich starker Schneefälle vom Nachmittag an eine Unwetterwarnung. In den Regionen seien durch den Einfluss polarer Kaltluft und eines Tiefs aus südlicher Richtung bis Freitagmorgen Schneemengen zwischen 15 und 25 Zentimetern möglich, teilte der DWD mit. Gefahr könne deshalb durch Glätte, blockierte Straßen und Wege sowie eingeschränkte Sicht drohen.

Auch für die Region München warnte der DWD wegen erwarteter Schneemengen bis zu 15 Zentimetern vor Glätte, eingeschränkter Sicht und Verkehrsstörungen. Nördlich der Donau sei dagegen nur vereinzelt mit Glätte durch überfrierende Nässe zu rechnen.

Am Freitag sollen die Schneefälle bis Mittag laut DWD zunächst auch in den Alpen abklingen. Am Abend sei von Nordwesten her wieder mit Schneeschauern zu rechnen. Auch am Samstag könne es im Osten Bayerns letzte Schneeschauer geben, danach seien auch längere sonnige Abschnitte möglich – bevor es am Sonntag deutlich milder werde, mit Höchsttemperaturen von bis zu zwölf Grad im Allgäu.