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Friday, November 22, 2024
The STANDS: An INQUIRER Sports Newsletter
Davao Airport upgrades to high-speed internet for travelers
Nearly 3.9 million travelers at the Davao International Airport are set to benefit from faster internet connectivity following the recent installation of a fiber internet connection at the said gateway.
As part of a memorandum of agreement with Davao airport, Converge ICT Solutions Inc. said that it recently installed a 1-gigabyte fiber internet connection at Davao airport—the country’s third busiest gateway.
Users are able to connect for two hours upon logging in, but Converge subscribers with a GoFiber account can have an additional six hours of free internet access for five devices.
The fiber connection can cover 49 access points spread throughout terminal buildings, check-in counters, and commercial areas and is estimated to serve some 12,500 users daily.
“As we near the last quarter of the year, we are forging ahead with our project of providing fiber broadband to the country’s local and international gateways. We are happy to report that Davao International Airport is now fiberized by Converge. Consider this as an early Christmas gift, as we expect an influx of travelers these last two months of the year,” said Converge Chief Executive Officer Dennis Anthony Uy.
“The facility we’ve laid down in the [airport] is capable of providing 1 Gbps of bandwidth for the passengers, but it can accommodate more. We’ve put in this extra capacity to suit the needs of the airport management and personnel, and of course the thousands of passengers that go through the airport,” he added.
Davao International Airport is the main airport serving Davao City and Davao Region in the Philippines. Serving as the main gateway to Mindanao, it is the busiest airport on the island and the third busiest in the Philippines in 2022.
As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility program, Converge said it was equipping the Philippines’ gateways with fiber-fast broadband, having finished improving connection at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in the second quarter of this year.
At present, Converge said it continues to set its sights to connect other regional airports in the country.
Mayor Jeannie recognized as one of Asian Heroes of 2024
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
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.
To friend or to unfriend, that is the question
To friend or to unfriend, that is the question
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.”
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.