Your serene escape now comes with childcare

Your serene escape now comes with childcare Manami Resort is not only a luxury destination known for its tranquil setting and commitment to sustainable practices; it also offers childcare services, making it a thoughtful option for travelers with young children in tow. Tucked away in the coastal city of Sipalay, Manami is one of Negros Occidental’s best-kept secrets. It’s also one of only two Filipino properties accredited by the prestigious Small Luxury Hotels of the World. By Marinel Cruz

National ID Registration Goes Home to Maragusan’s Senior Citizens

Reference No. PR-251182-005

National ID Registration Goes Home to Maragusan’s Senior Citizens

03 June 2025

The activity was carried out in coordination with the Local Government Unit (LGU)

of Maragusan through the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office

(MSWDO) to assist senior citizens in preparing documentary requirements for

government aid and services. While the National ID is still optional until June 2025,

it will be a mandatory requirement starting September 2025, as the National

Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) takes over the distribution of financial

assistance.

The National ID registration team visited elderly clients in their homes across

Barangay Poblacion and Barangay Tigbao, reaching bedridden and vulnerable

individuals in Purok Ilang-Ilang, Buyo, Narra-A, Caimeto, Aguacan-A, Bulahan,

Dahlia, Anthurium, and Secret Love.

You could see the joy and gratitude on the faces of the lolos and lolas as they

completed their National ID registration. Many of them had long awaited this

opportunity but were physically unable to travel to the registration center. With this

outreach, they now look forward to receiving the printed digital copy of their

National ID, which they can already use for official transactions.

Through this initiative, PSA Davao de Oro continues to ensure that no one is left

behind in the National Identification System — especially those who need it the

most.

Concerned families or barangay officials with similar cases are encouraged to

reach out to PSA Davao de Oro for possible arrangements of special registration.

For more information on the National ID Registration, please contact the National

Identification System Section with telephone numbers (084) 817-0347 and email

address davaodeoro@psa.gov.ph.

ABRAHAM ENRICO E. GULAY, JR.

Chief Statistical Specialist

Philippine Agriculturists Act signed into law; 3rd week of May declared as Open Gov’t Week

President Marcos has signed the Philippine Agriculturists Act that regulates the agriculture profession in the country. Republic Act No. 12215 orders the creation of the Professional Regulatory Board of Agriculture, in recognition of the importance of registered agriculturists in nation-building and development. Read more

Meanwhile, President Marcos has signed Proclamation No. 916 on May 29, declaring the third week of May as “Open Government Week” in line with the observance of International Open Government Week which seeks to promote transparent, participatory, inclusive, and accountable governance. Read more

 

3-month closed fishing season in Davao Gulf begins

By Philippine News Agency

Published Jun 2, 2025 04:19 pm

DAVAO CITY – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Davao (BFAR-11) announced on Monday the start of this year’s three-month closed fishing season at the Davao Gulf, from June 1 to August 31.

In a press briefing, Elaine Vera Belvis, BFAR-11 Fisheries Management and Regulatory Enforcement Division chief, said the fishing ban is crucial for protecting small pelagic fish species and ensuring their recovery and reproduction in the region's waters.

“During this season, we specifically protect key fish species such as big-eyed scad (matang baka), mackerel (alumahan), and round scad (galunggong),” Belvis explained. “According to a study, the fish catch trend is either increasing or has shown positive results following the consistent implementation of this closed season.”

As the program enters its 12th year, the use of ring nets and bag nets (basligan) – the two main fishing gears, regardless of tonnage, or modified gears with similar operations – is strictly prohibited.

The fishing ban is enforced in accordance with the Department of Agriculture-Department of the Interior and Local Government (DA-DILG) joint administrative order for the conservation of small fishes in Davao Gulf and the country’s existing fisheries code.

The Davao Gulf, which extends from Cape San Agustin in Gov. Generoso, Davao Oriental, to Talagotong Point in Don Marcelino, Davao Occidental, is recognized as a vital spawning ground for various small pelagic species.

Violations of the ban will incur severe penalties, including fines ranging from P20,000 to P500,000, imprisonment, confiscation of catches and fishing equipment, and revocation of fishing licenses.

Mount Apo annual rehab starts

The majestic Mount Apo, the highest peak in the Philippines, will temporarily close its trails to trekkers from June to August for its annual rehabilitation and preservation, the Digos City Tourism Office (DCTO) said.

In an online post, the DCTO said the annual closure coincides with the mating season of Mount Apo's diverse fauna, allowing the mountain to rejuvenate and recover naturally.

“This crucial conservation effort ensures the protection of its rich biodiversity and delicate ecosystem, helping preserve the natural wonders of Mount Apo for generations to come,” it said.

The DCTO assured trekkers that Mount Apo, standing at 9,692 feet above sea level, will reopen its doors to adventurers in September.

Meanwhile, the office highlighted a recent achievement involving a senior citizen who successfully reached the summit of Mount Apo on May 20.

Leticia Sobebe, 70, from Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental, demonstrated that age is no barrier to achieving ambitious goals.

“With firm determination and remarkable strength, Nanay Leticia completed the challenging climb, inspiring adventurers of all ages to keep chasing their dreams,” the DCTO said. (PNA)

 

People use speechless in these cases to show how stunned or moved they were, even though they were probably still capable of speech. "I'm speechless" often really means "I'm shocked!"

If you are speechless, you are temporarily unable to speak, usually because something has shocked you. 

Is speechless positive or negative? Oftentimes, "speechless" has a negative connotation, because of its connection to anger, jealousy, etc. For example, "My mom was speechless when she heard me cuss out my grandmother." In such a sentence, "tongue-tied" wouldn't be appropriate.

Anyway,  sometimes there is no sense in crying, but we feel paralyzed. A good friend of mine told me that a couple of days ago. Words cannot describe it and words fail me, but I wouldn't be a writer, if I couldn't express the right words at the right moment.

After the long talk with my friend, I must confess that, many times, I also felt speechless and paralyzed.

Look at this: follow ups seem to become the new national character. Indifferent people in our surroundings let us feel like that every day. Indifference seems to become one of the varagies in today's new society.

We try to get an appointment, but the other side seems to be very busy - every day of the week! Of course, we don't want to encroach on other people's time. Let's try again tomorrow! How do you feel, if you observe certain employees, who should be in service of the people, instead of reading a magazine, doing private telephone calls, doing (important!) text messages and getting down-right cheeky, if we started uncounted follow ups. Then, suddenly, we have to learn that "the boss is out of town" or so... . GRABE!

Yes, I might fall out of favor with some readers with today's column, but guys, what's the difference between being busy, making a good deal of money out of something and just being indifferent or "not in the mood" to entertain people.

I can tell you frankly: Many people feel paralyzed and experience a terrible loss of power of movement or sensation while dealing with uselessness, if indifference, arrogance and ignorance determine the different situations in our daily life.

If the promise has been given to help or support someone, it shouldn't be broken by endless excuses and terrible stalling tactics. A "YES" is a "YES" and a "NO" should be a "NO" and not "MAYBE", if a promise can't be held understandable and comprehensive.

I don't like to let somebody wait for an answer or during an appointment. I try to look after it or take care of it. If I have been informed that somebody tried to contact me, but missed me, I really do everything to find him or her. What's bad about it? Sorry, I really don't like being late or "remaining silent"... .

How many good ideas and highly appreciated business deals had gone with the wind because of uncomprehending, unsympathetic and unappreciated everyday deals between fellow creatures? Can you get the hang of it?

Yes, sometimes I also feel uncomfortable while observing lost chances. Remember; we don't get anything for nothing in the whole word - sure! But first, we should learn how to keep promises, to help each other, to be honest and to be one of the leaders of national stabilization and consolidation.

Half of world's population endured extra month of extreme heat due to climate change, experts say

 

By Associated Press

Bathers cool off in the water while others sunbathe on a Barcelona beach, Spain, Wednesday, July 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti,File)

Scientists say four billion people, about half the world's population, experienced at least one extra month of extreme heat because of human-caused climate change from May 2024 to May 2025.

The extreme heat caused illness, death, crop losses, and strained energy and health care systems, according to the analysis from World Weather Attribution, Climate Central, and the Red Cross.

"Although floods and cyclones often dominate headlines, heat is arguably the deadliest extreme event," the report said. Many heat-related deaths are unreported or are mislabeled by other conditions like heart disease or kidney failure.

The scientists used peer-reviewed methods to study how much climate change boosted temperatures in an extreme heat event and calculated how much more likely its occurrence was because of climate change. In almost all countries in the world, the number of extreme heat days has at least doubled compared with a world without climate change.

Caribbean islands were among the hardest hit by additional extreme heat days. Puerto Rico, a territory of the United States, endured 161 days of extreme heat. Without climate change, only 48 would have occurred.

"It makes it feel impossible to be outside," said Charlotte Gossett Navarro, chief director for Puerto Rico at Hispanic Federation, a nonprofit focused on social and environmental issues in Latino communities, who lives in the San Juan area and was not involved in the report.

"Even something as simple as trying to have a day outdoors with family, we weren't able to do it because the heat was too high," she said, reporting feeling dizzy and sick last summer.

When the power goes out, which happens frequently in Puerto Rico in part because of decades of neglected grid maintenance and damage from Hurricane Maria in 2017, Navarro said it is difficult to sleep. "If you are someone relatively healthy, that is uncomfortable, it's hard to sleep ... but if you are someone who has a health condition, now your life is at risk," Gossett Navarro said.

Heat waves are silent killers, said Friederike Otto, associate professor of climate science at Imperial College London, one of the report's authors. "People don't fall dead on the street in a heat wave ... people either die in hospitals or in poorly insulated homes and therefore are just not seen," he said.

Low-income communities and vulnerable populations, such as older adults and people with medical conditions, suffer the most from extreme heat.

The high temperatures recorded in the extreme heat events that occurred in Central Asia in March, South Sudan in February and in the Mediterranean last July would have not been possible without climate change, according to the report. At least 21 people died in Morocco after temperatures hit 118 degrees Fahrenheit (48 degrees Celsius) last July. People are noticing temperatures are getting hotter but don't always know it is being driven by climate change, said Roop Singh, head of urban and attribution at the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, in a World Weather Attribution statement.

"We need to quickly scale our responses to heat through better early warning systems, heat action plans, and long-term planning for heat in urban areas to meet the rising challenge," Singh said.

City-led initiatives to tackle extreme heat are becoming popular in parts of South Asia, North America, Europe and Australia to coordinate resources across governments and other agencies. One example is a tree-planting initiative launched in Marseille, France, to create more shaded areas.

The report says strategies to prepare for heat waves include monitoring and reporting systems for extreme temperatures, providing emergency health services, cooling shelters, updated building codes, enforcing heat safety rules at work, and designing cities to be more heat-resilient.

But without phasing out fossil fuels, heat waves will continue becoming more severe and frequent and protective measures against the heat will lose their effectiveness, the scientists said.

Just breathe

 

BY FATIMA GIMENEZ

JUNE 2, 2025

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So when are you going to take a break?” I looked her squarely in the eye and replied, “I will, after I finish my commitments.” She shook her head and said, “That was your line the last time we had a reunion. When are you going to learn how to incorporate the word ‘no’ in your vocabulary?”

Her words echoed those of a well-meaning sibling, who on more than one occasion pointed out that my schedule was so stretched and the accompanying stress experienced was self-inflicted. She ended the early morning conversation with, ”Shouldn’t you be rethinking about what needs to be prioritized?” That piece of advice was welcomed. I was starting to feel less optimistic, easily irritated and impatient, losing a little bit of my sense of humor, and worst of all, feeling dangerously close to being resentful that with an overflowing plate, there was no room to pause and breathe. Acknowledging that being in that particular frame of mind was definitely unhealthy, it was time to practice saying that all-important word and make peace with the decision to do so.

Analyzing how I got to this point, I realized that saying yes to all the things thrown my way came from a place of guilt and not wanting to disappoint people who needed a helping hand. After all, what they were asking was aligned with what I was doing and fueled my sense of purpose. I failed to realize the all-important point that if people value and respect you, they will understand why you may need to decline certain requests.

‘Marites’ in the workplace

BY ELEANOR PINUGU

JUNE 2, 2025

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Irecently had coffee with a friend who heads a business news outlet. He shared how his website crashed after publishing a story about how a famous local celebrity is rumored to be dating the son of a prominent businessman. While he saw the incident as a “good problem” to have, it also felt like a sobering reminder of the power of gossip to draw and hold people’s attention more than any other type of content.

The act of gossiping has existed for centuries as a way for people to build social bonds while exchanging information. In the Philippines, our brand of gossiping culture is best embodied by how the term “Marites” has become a part of the Philippine lexicon. Popularized around 2020, it began as a lighthearted label for someone always “in the know.” It is interesting to note that the term is not necessarily derogatory, but is even seen as a badge of honor that can signal access to social capital or information.

While it often frames gossiping as a form of storytelling and amusement, the normalization of Marites culture carries more serious implications, especially when it spills over into institutional settings like the workplace. For instance, when left unchecked, having a Marites culture in the workplace can significantly affect an employee’s morale and professional growth. When coaching public school teachers, one of the common frustrations I receive from younger employees is that they are afraid to assert themselves and voice out new ideas because they do not want to be the subject of informal scrutiny. It leads to a form of intellectual shaming, wherein people who are perceived to be too ambitious, too eager, or too close to the principal are criticized and talked about. As a result, many teachers said that they just choose to conform rather than deal with all the intrigue and negativity.

Mrs. EURO Philippines Universe 2025 Coronation Night

 A Celebration of Culture, Confidence & Empowerment

By Dalia  Oswald

The stage is set, the crowns are ready, and anticipation is building for one of the most empowering intercultural events of the year — Mrs. Euro-Philippines Universe 2025, happening on June 7 in Van der Valk Hotel Melle-Osnabrück 

More than just a beauty pageant, Mrs. Euro-Philippines Universe is a powerful platform that brings together married women and women of substance from across Europe and the Philippines. With a strong mission of empowerment, cultural pride, and leadership, this prestigious event is affiliated with the globally respected Mrs. Universe Organization.

Founded and directed by Dalia Oswald the event has become a symbol of unity, elegance, and purpose. This year’s pageant promises to showcase extraordinary women who are not only beautiful but also committed to creating positive change in their communities.

Contestants will proudly represent their respective countries and regions, competing in segments such as:

      • Production number & Introduction 

      • Swimsuit competition 

• National Costume / Cultural Wear

• Evening Gown Competition

• Advocacy Presentations

• Question & Answer

Each delegate brings a unique story and a powerful message — from promoting women’s rights, mental health awareness, education, to environmental sustainability. The pageant is a celebration of their strength, resilience, and individuality.

“Mrs. Euro-Philippines Universe is more than a crown — it’s about giving women from all walks of life a voice and a platform to inspire others,” shares Dalia Oswald of Dollglam Production the visionary organizer behind the event.

The winners will not only receive titles and honors but also the opportunity to represent the Euro-Filipino community on the global stage at the Mrs. Universe competition.

Stay tuned for this unforgettable night of beauty, brains, and cultural brilliance on June 7!

For More Information:

• 📍 Event Date: June 7, 2025

• 📌 Location: Van der Valk Hotel Melle-Osnabrück 

• 📱 Facebook: Mrs. Euro-Philippines Universe Page

• 📞 Contact:  +4917674701652