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Friday, February 14, 2025
The STANDS - An INQUIRER Sports Newsletter
ENRILE IS NOW 101 YEARS OLD
ENRILE IS NOW 101 YEARS OLD
At his age, Enrile is considered older than the Penicillin (1928), World War II (1937), and the World Health Organization (1948).
Disappearing bananas
From ancient, seeded varieties to today’s Cavendish exports, bananas have shaped Philippine history, cuisine and economy.
Man has been eating bananas for thousands of years, consuming the first varieties, which were small and fully seeded. Over time, the fruits grew, developed various shapes and tastes, and became the most popular commercially grown tropical fruit.
Bananas have been a part of the Philippines' history since ancient times. The Philippines is one of the regions where bananas are thought to have originated and now is one of the exports supporting our economy. Various sources estimate our annual banana exports at between 3.5 million and 6 million tons of Cavendish bananas.
According to Philippine export data, the country shipped the most bananas to Japan, which recorded a share in value of 37%. The Philippines stood as the second-largest banana exporter in the world.
For local consumption, Filipinos prefer Saba bananas, which are native to the country. Saba is the most popular type planted in home gardens and small farms because of its versatility as a main ingredient in many Pinoy dishes for breakfast, snacks and main courses.
Although there are dozens of banana varieties, only a handful are available in local markets; there are only two or three sold in supermarkets. Most Manileños are familiar only with señorita, lakatan, saba and Cavendish.
Señorita is a must-buy for local and foreign tourists who visit Tagaytay. Visitors are attracted to the whole bunches of small yellow bananas neatly clinging in tight rows and selling for less than P100.
Cavendish bananas, developed for export and grown commercially in Mindanao, are like what Tagalogs of old called bungulan. The fruits are long and green and stay green even when ripe. Very aromatic, it is best used fully ripe, mashed for fritters, pancakes, muffins and banana bread.
Lakatan is the prettiest choice for fruit baskets and pasalubong. It is also the most expensive. It tastes best when slightly overripe, as indicated by tiny brown spots on the skin.
Lakatan has yellow skin and almost orange firm flesh. No wonder it is the most expensive fresh banana in the market.
Saba bananas are the most widely sold at all stages of ripeness. Some buyers prefer fully ripe saba; others prefer fruit that is almost ripe, while Visayans choose fruit that is really green to eat boiled instead of rice with salted fish called ginamos.
Saba fruit has high levels of nutrients, making it a good choice for consumption. It is rich in starch, with a carbohydrate content similar to a potato. It is also an excellent source of vitamins A, B and C and contains dietary fiber and iron. Saba fruit has its highest nutritional value when consumed raw.
Ripe bananas do not travel well; boiled bananas do. Throughout my long career as a journalist, I have depended on boiled bananas during stakeouts and long coverages. They do not need special packing, do not spoil, and are very filling and nutritious.
In my travels all over the Philippines, I still run into banana varieties I knew as a kid but that are now very rare: Gloria, morado and tindok. Gloria has yellow skin and white firm flesh that cuddles dozens of black seeds that resemble whole black pepper.
Morado has short, fat fruit protected by thick reddish skin.
Tindok fruits are large, more than a foot long and as fat as a baby's arm.
Perhaps it is time to focus our attention on our disappearing fruits, lest we find ourselves singing, "Yes, we have no bananas. We have no bananas today!"
Versteckte Rentenfalle ab Dezember? Kleine Änderung könnte große Auswirkung auf Witwenrente habe
München – Verstirbt der Ehepartner, kann die Hinterbliebenenrente eine bedeutende finanzielle Entlastung bieten. Hinterbliebene erhalten dann einen Anteil der Rente des Verstorbenen. Doch in diesem Jahr tritt eine bedeutende Änderung in Kraft, die auch Witwen und Witwer betreffen könnte.
Versteckte Rentenkürzung? Witwen- und Witwerrente könnte noch 2025 sinken
Im vergangenen Jahr verabschiedete der Bundestag das Erwerbsminderung-Bestandsverbesserungs-Auszahlungsgesetz. Dieses sieht laut Deutscher Rentenversicherung einen Zuschlag von bis zu 7,5 Prozent vor, der seit Juli 2024 an Empfänger der Erwerbsminderungsrente ausgezahlt wird. Rund drei Millionen Menschen sollen davon profitieren. Ein Antrag war damals nicht erforderlich.
Anspruch von Witwen- und Witwerrente
Hinterbliebene haben Anspruch auf die Rente, wenn sie bis zum Tod des Verstorbenen mindestens ein Jahr verheiratet oder in einer Lebenspartnerschaft eingetragen waren. Kommt die Partnerin oder der Partner bei einem Unfall ums Leben, gibt es auch schon vorher einen Rentenanspruch.
Quelle: Deutsche Rentenversicherung
Ab Dezember 2025 wird der Zuschlag jedoch zusammen mit der laufenden Rente ausgezahlt. Bisher wurde dieser im Rahmen einer Übergangslösung separat ausgewiesen und nicht als Einkommen auf die Witwen- oder Witwerrente angerechnet, wie das Branchenportal gegen-hartz.de berichtet. Jetzt könnte diese kleine Änderung eine versteckte Rentenkürzung beinhalten.
Neue Regelung bei der Rente ab Dezember 2025: Was Witwen und Witwer beachten müssen
Renten aus der gesetzlichen Rentenversicherung, dazu zählt auch die Erwerbsminderungsrente, gelten als Einkünfte. Der Deutschen Rentenversicherung zufolge werden diese „oberhalb eines bestimmten Freibetrags zu 40 Prozent auf Ihre Rente angerechnet“. Mit der neuen Regelung ab Dezember könnten sich die anrechenbaren Einkünfte erhöhen, die versteuert werden müssen. Dies könnte letztlich zu einer Reduzierung der Witwen- oder Witwerrente führen, informiert gegen-hartz.de. Denn noch wird der Zuschlag nicht angerechnet.
Es könnte daher eine Neuberechnung der Hinterbliebenenrente erforderlich werden, berichtet Rentenberater Peter Knöppel auf dem Portal des Rechtsdienstleisters rentenbescheid24. Diese Anpassung soll zwar erst im Juli 2026 erfolgen, dennoch sollten Betroffene die Änderung der Rentenhöhe frühzeitig melden – idealerweise bereits im Dezember. Ob und wie stark die mögliche Rentenkürzung durch die Gesetzesänderung ausfällt, lässt sich pauschal allerdings nicht vorhersagen. Immerhin dürfen sich 2025 Millionen Rentner über mehr Netto vom Brutto freuen. (kas)
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Love in the age of roses and emojis
CULTURE CALL - Margie Moran Floirendo - The Philippine Star
February 12, 2025 | 12:00am
I still believe in the old-school magic of romance.
Valentine’s Day is the biggest celebration in our country. Every restaurant rolls out fancy menus, and musicians are booked solid for concerts. Florists are taking reservations for roses from Chile and Colombia as if they’re the hottest tickets in town.
But who is this “Valentine” guy, anyway? It sounds like a trivia question! He was a priest in ancient Rome with a rebellious streak. He secretly married young couples, even though the emperor wanted all the eligible men to be soldiers instead. Not cool, right? For his trouble, he ended up becoming a martyr.
And why do we celebrate on Feb. 14? I like to think Hallmark’s clever marketing made it official — after all, I remember buying cards at Alemars when I was younger. So here we are, with roses, chocolates, and cheesy love songs, all thanks to a priest who believed in love!
Well, in my adult life, I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve received a bouquet of roses with a card. My memory is fuzzy, but I remember getting flowers and chocolates from boyfriends in the past. But in recent years, I would receive it from a dear friend who owned a flower shop. I’ve had a few delightful moments, but they always seem to pass by so quickly. At least I’m on the right track for Valentine’s Day, even if my rose count is more of a garden gnome than a whole bouquet!
At my age, and with my civil status, I find myself in the delightful position of joining all-ladies singles dinners or hanging out with couples. I often get paired with another single lady or one whose husband is staying home. It’s like speed dating with more appetizers and fewer awkward silences!
Meanwhile, it’s a wild time for flower shops around Valentine’s Day. Some husbands really go all out and send multiple gifts, leading to a bit of chaos. Imagine the confusion if one guy sends five bouquets! I can picture the delivery person frantically trying to figure out who gets what—”Wait, was this bouquet for the lovely lady or the mysterious mystery woman?” It’s like a romantic comedy waiting to happen!
Can Cupid survive in today’s world?
With social media taking over, the little guy with the bow and arrow might be in trouble. I mean, who needs Cupid when you can just send a heart emoji, a virtual rose, or even a bouquet with a click? And it’s free.
While sending love online is convenient, it doesn’t quite have the charm or the wow moment of a surprise bouquet or a handwritten note. I still believe in the old-school magic of romance.
But let us not forget that love brings joy and should be a daily act for lovers, spouses, friends, those needing kindness, and even our enemies! The true meaning of love is not based on emojis, emotions, or conditions. After all, loving everyone is God’s command. But let it flow through you.
Sofia Zobel Elizalde on the future of Philippine dance
The Philippine Star
February 12, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — Philanthropist and arts patron Sofia Zobel Elizalde will discuss the evolving landscape of Philippine dance in “HistophTV,” a virtual talk show exploring the country’s dance heritage and future. She will share insights on sustainability in the industry and the role of dance education in shaping performers’ lives.
As the founder and director of Steps Dance Studio, Elizalde will highlight her experiences in dance training and philanthropy. She will also discuss the Steps Scholarship Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides opportunities for young Filipino dancers from diverse backgrounds to pursue professional careers.
Produced and directed by students of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Bachelor of Performing Arts Major in Dance (BPAD) Program, the webinar aims to showcase dance as more than just an art form — it is a transformative discipline that can create meaningful impact.
The event is a collaborative effort among BPAD students, with Alyssi Lynnett Fandiño and Maria Adrianna Lim as production managers, and teams handling marketing, editing, and creatives. Students from the Bachelor of Arts in Creative Industries Management also contributed, with Margaux Yebes overseeing marketing and Wryanne Claryz Bungay and Froilan Marcus Isodoro handling creative aspects.
The interview was led by 2024 History of Philippine Dance (Histoph) students with “HistophTV” organized under the guidance of Benilde School of Arts, Culture and Performance Dance Program chairperson and Histoph professor Maria Lucina De Santos.
The hour-long web event will be streamed on the BenildeArts YouTube channel on Feb. 15 at 5 p.m. It is free and open to the public. Register via tinyurl.com/HISTOPHTVSofiaZobelElizalde
Fast-tracking educational reform a higher priority
The Philippine education system has long been the subject of scrutiny and reform, with initiatives spanning decades aimed at enhancing its quality and accessibility. From the Presidential Commission to Survey Philippine Education in the pre-martial law era to the establishment of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), the nation has persistently sought solutions to its educational challenges. However, recent assessments, including the EDCOM 2 Year One Report titled “Miseducation: The Failed System of Philippine Education,” highlight systemic failures that continue to impede progress.
One of the most significant reforms in the past was the restructuring of the former Department of Education and Culture into three separate entities: the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). This move aimed to provide focused attention on basic education, higher education, and technical-vocational training, respectively. While this structural change was well-intentioned, the persistent decline in education quality, as evidenced by poor Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) scores, indicates that structural reforms alone are insufficient.
The EDCOM 2’s recent findings underscore the urgency of implementing purposive reforms to address the learning crisis. The Year Two Report, “Fixing the Foundations,” emphasizes the need for foundational changes to rectify longstanding issues. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, co-chairperson of EDCOM 2, has called for urgent measures to strengthen the educational foundations of Filipino learners, highlighting the critical nature of the situation.
In this context, House Bill 11213, known as the Education Pathways Act, has been proposed to offer alternative educational tracks for junior high school graduates. The bill allows students to choose between a university preparatory program and a technical-vocational program, aiming to provide flexibility and address diverse learner needs. While the bill’s intent to alleviate financial burdens and offer tailored educational pathways is commendable, it also presents potential pitfalls.
One concern is that allowing students to bypass senior high school may lead to gaps in essential competencies, leaving them ill-prepared for higher education or the workforce. Additionally, the implementation of such pathways requires robust support systems, including career guidance and counseling, to ensure students make informed decisions aligned with their aptitudes and interests. Without these supports, the reform risks perpetuating existing inequalities and failing to achieve its objectives.
Educational organizations, such as the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations of the Philippines (COCOPEA), have expressed positions on various education policy reforms. Cautioning against “reform fatigue” they are signaling that, instead of enacting new laws, it would be more beneficial to carry on with the EDCOM 2’s reform programs.
Noteworthy, too, is the fact that the DepEd and the TESDA are presently headed by a former senator and a former representative, respectively, who were also involved in shaping the EDCOM 2 report. Hence, they are primed for the implementation of priority reforms that will enable the country to regain its footing in terms of global competitiveness.
In conclusion, sustaining educational reforms requires a balanced approach that considers structural changes, curriculum development, teacher training, and student support services. As the Philippines continues to navigate its educational challenges, it is crucial to learn from past initiatives, heed the recommendations of expert bodies like EDCOM 2, and remain vigilant against potential pitfalls in proposed policies.
Only through such a comprehensive and thoughtful approach can the nation hope to reverse the decline in education quality and ensure a brighter future for its learners.