Neck-deep flood hits Navotas due to high tide, broken river wall

 A 2.1-meter high tide and a broken river wall caused floodwaters to rise to neck level in Barangay San Jose, Navotas City on Saturday, June 28.

By Richielyn Canlas

Published Jun 28, 2025 03:19 pm

The Navotas City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) immediately launched rescue operations to evacuate affected families, with support from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Navotas, Navotas police, fire volunteers, and boy scouts.

As of 2 p.m., the local government reported that M. Naval Street in front of Navotas City Hospital was not passable to small vehicles due to high floodwaters.

Motorcycles, e-bikes, tricycles, and other light vehicles coming from C4 toward Tangos were being rerouted to turn left at A. Santiago Street, where temporary counterflow was allowed.

As of 3:30 p.m., the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) reported that 14 families were evacuated to Navotas Elementary School-1, while two families were temporarily sheltered at the Barangay Hall.

What languages are spoken in surprising places?

 

John Knettle

 · 

Geography teacher

There are German speaking Mennonites in Paraguay’s Chaco (“Green Hell”) region. Their main city is Filadelfia.

There are still Basque speakers in parts of Nevada. They were adept at the lonely profession of sheepherding, so many settled here and some other parts of the west. We had a nearby Basque restaurant in my area of California’s Central Valley when I first moved here.

Main area of Basque communities in the United States.

The dominant language of South Tyrol is a German dialect.

Honorable mention: While the attempt to set up a society to preserve Welsh language in Patagonia failed, there are still distinctive Welsh place names as remnants.

Splendid Isolation

 

From the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English in splendid isolation used to emphasize that something is not with other things The house sits in splendid isolation on top of a steep hill.

"Splendid Isolation" refers to a British foreign policy of the late 19th century, particularly during the Conservative governments of Lord Salisbury, where Britain aimed to remain aloof from the traditional European balance of power system, focusing instead on its global empire. This policy involved avoiding permanent alliances and entangling commitments in European affairs, while still maintaining a strong naval presence and protecting its imperial interests. The policy was ultimately abandoned due to the rise of Germany and the need for allies to safeguard Britain's position. 

Social anxiety is the single most common psychological problem according to innumerable survey results worldwide. The magnificent, gorgeous and excellent isolation, resulting from being nervous when meeting people is really the opposite. The state of being isolated reminds me of being in a hospital with an infectious disease.

Does the project of giving a speech or going to a social gathering give you the willies?

Relax, there are always ways and solutions to help you by teaching you "never to be nervous again".

During the last weeks, I experienced several situations meeting new people, asking questions, replying to questions and delivering speeches.

I have always been the most silent pupil in elementary and high school. I was ashamed even to talk to or with my teachers. Several terrible school records have been the result. But, I wanted to become a journalist. I am still one. And, I am teaching in Davao at the University of Southeastern Philippines, as some of you might know already.

During college times and while writing my first articles, I learned from my first boss, a daily news publisher, to avoid being nervous while meeting people. I was always prepared. Preparation for any communicating situation is a must. I have been invited to many parties and gatherings. I always asked for the guest list. I scanned all the newspapers and browsed the net.

"In your opinion, who..." or "What do you think of....?" kept the momentum going. That was sometime during the 1960's. Since that time I was just very lucky to always meet the right people at the right time and place, which kept on teaching me how to avoid splendid isolation. Whether you're delivering a speech, approaching your boss, or joining an important social occasion, do your homework first.

The most polished, smoothly delivered and spontaneous sounding talks are the result of many hours of work and years long experiences. The memorable one-liners and moving phrases that went down in history didn't come from the last minute bursts of inspiration.

I also learned from Harvard University historian Richard Marius, "that good writing is a kind of wrestling with thought". Or, as New York Times columnist William Safire expressed before: "To communicate, put your thoughts in order, give them a purpose, use them to persuade, to instruct, to discover, to seduce!"

Let's not forget that everyone has something to be proud of, and that everyone enjoys talking about it. But, you have to make it happen!

Uncommon Sense

 

"Uncommon sense" refers to ideas, insights, or perspectives that deviate from what is widely accepted or considered "common sense." It often involves challenging conventional wisdom and thinking outside the box. This can be applied to various fields, from marketing to teaching, and even to the way we perceive the natural world.

As I ponder the back and forth and up and down in my surroundings and the whole world, a book from my library falls into my hand: Peter Cochrane's Uncommon Sense with the subtitle Out of the box thinking for an in the box world.

"Peter Cochrane is one of our most far-sighted visionaries, and brings brilliant clarity and focus to our understanding of ourselves and our technologies, and of how profoundly each is transforming the other." describes Douglas Adams, author of  The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

In Uncommon Sense, Peter Cochrane's follow up to the radical 108 Tips for Time Traveller.  Peter explains how very simple analysis allows the prediction of such debacles as the 3G auction and the subsequent collapse of an industry, whilst simple-minded thinking is dangerous in the context of a world that is predominantly chaotic and out of control.

People balked when Peter suggested a wholesale move to eWorking, the rise of email and text messaging, and the dotcom regime mirroring the boom and bust cycle of the industrial revolution. His predictions of the use and growth of mobile devices and communication, or use of chip implants for humans to replace ID cards, passports, and medical records, or iris scanners and fingerprint readers - were all seen as unlikely. Today they are a reality.

Ours is an age when optimism about politics is hard to come by. Ian Shapiro explains why this is so and, without minimizing the daunting challenges, spells out an appropriate response. Written in the indomitable spirit exemplified by Tom Paine, Uncommon Sense is a rich source of insight and inspiration in dark political times.

 

The Enlightenment commitments to reason and science are under assault from the Postmodern Left and the Authoritarian Right. Shapiro explains why the attacks are misguided and politically destructive. He agrees with the critics that there are no universal principles of justice that transcend political battles and no fair, impartial rules to govern the distribution of income, wealth, rights, or opportunities. But abandoning the search for them as futile does not mean junking the Enlightenment’s core political goal: to deploy the tools of reason and science to fight domination.

 

Democracy is essential to vindicating that goal, yet citizens in many democracies are profoundly alienated and many democracies are in danger of failing. Shapiro explains what has gone wrong, debunks ill-considered remedies, and spells out better ones—deepening and extending his previous writing on political theory and democratic politics.

I don't know how you feel nowadays, my dear readers. As christian the bible -and here especially Proverbs help me a lot. As I mentioned in one of my previous write ups, Proverbs is probably the most down-to-earth book in the bible. Its education prepares you for the street and the market place - somehow out of the box thinking for an in the box world, too.

Proverbs offers the warm advice you get by growing up in a good family and for successfully making your way in the world. It covers small questions as well as large ones: talking too much, visiting friends and neighbors too often or being unbearably cheerful too early  in the morning. Proverbs simply tell how life works most of the time.

People, and count me in, love to quote Proverbs, which often express the truth about life in an elegant, witty kernel. You'll find more humor in Proverbs than anywhere else in the bible. And humor often seems to have passed in this day and age.

Road Safety Action Plan: It should be a promise, not just a document

Published Jun 28, 2025 12:05 am

The launch of the Metro Manila Road Safety Action Plan (MMRSAP) 2024–2028 marks a turning point in how our cities respond to the worsening road crash crisis. Introduced during the Metro Manila Road Safety Summit 2025 held Thursday, the MMRSAP is a comprehensive, locally driven, and data-informed roadmap for reducing road traffic injuries and deaths.

The timing of this action plan could not be more urgent. In recent weeks alone, disturbing road crashes have made headlines and gone viral. Just two days ago, a dump truck reportedly lost its brakes, resulting in a 10-vehicle collision that injured nine people along Sumulong Highway in Antipolo. Earlier this month, a senior high school graduate —reportedly intoxicated—crashed into another vehicle in Tagaytay, killing three people, including a pregnant woman.

These are not isolated events. From 2013 to 2023, the Metro Manila Accident Reporting and Analysis System (MMARAS) recorded over one million road crashes in the region. On average, 445 people have been killed by road accidents every year, with thousands more injured. According to MMDA data, Metro Manila logs nearly 93,000 crashes per year—numbers that represent real people, real losses, and real tragedies that ripple across families and communities.

Recognizing the need for urgent, coordinated action, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), in partnership with all 17 Metro Manila local government units, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Department of Transportation, developed the MMRSAP. Its goal is ambitious yet necessary — a 35 percent reduction in road fatalities by 2028.

The MMRSAP revolves around five key pillars: One, road safety management to improve governance, leadership, and coordination across sectors. Two, safer roads that will be created by road design, signage, lighting, and infrastructure upgrades to prevent accidents. Three, safer vehicles through stricter inspections and regulations to ensure that vehicles meet safety standards. Four, safer road users through education, law enforcement, and behavior change. And five, post-crash response enhanced by emergency care, data systems, and support for victims and families.

The action plan is not a stand-alone effort. It aligns with the Philippine Road Safety Action Plan 2023–2028 and supports President Marcos’ broader socio-economic agenda, which emphasizes the safety and well-being of all Filipinos.

MMDA Chairman Don Artes acknowledged the depth of the challenge, citing reckless driving, distracted motorists, and “kamote” behavior as daily dangers on the road. But he also stressed a collective duty: “Each loss is not just a number. They represent real people whose lives we vow to protect. We owe it to our people to act now.”

Beyond the plan itself, Metro Manila has rolled out support programs, including the Motorcycle Riding Academy, Children’s Road Safety Park, traffic infrastructure improvements, solar-powered streetlights, and specialized training for traffic enforcers. These must be strengthened further.

However, even the best-designed plan will fail without strong implementation. Road safety depends on the synergy of the “three E’s” — Education, Engineering, and Enforcement. All stakeholders—drivers, commuters, policymakers, private sector partners—must commit to sustained effort and accountability.

The MMRSAP is not just a document; it should be a promise. It must not gather dust. It must be revisited, refined, and realized with urgency and seriousness.

Let the names of those lost in past crashes be our reason to stay vigilant. Let every accident avoided be proof that we are doing better. Road safety is not a luxury. It is a right—and it is time we treat it as such.

FASHION PULIS: Mr. Romantico

By Mike Lim

Published Jun 28, 2025 11:54 am

Mr. Romantico (MR) falls in love deeply but his response to a breakup is even deeper.

When Mr. Romantico (MR) revealed he was falling in love with his Love Interest (LI), friends and fans were delighted. They very well know that when MR falls for someone, it is often quite serious. MR was always proud of his target and it is no different this time, with him subjecting LI to accolades.

Their social media posts showed how much MR and LI were in love as manifested in their feed.

LI reciprocated the gestures of MR, making followers happy, expectant they’d be each other’s forever.

Several months after the confirmation of their relationship, the grapevine claimed MR and LI have allegedly broken up. Neither party said anything.

During their time together, LI had become a subject of a malicious rumor. However, no one dared to claim such with ample unimpeachable proof.

MR and LI didn’t bother to react to the same. The rumor died down and their followers assumed all was fine. Besides, MR had steady projects and there was no indication that he was bothered about it.

Then someone noticed MR was no longer wearing a valuable item that LI gave him as a gift. It was then that his fans and friends started to worry.

Their concern had basis as they knew MR could be all-too transparent with his emotions following heartbreak. MR falls in love deeply but his response to a breakup is deeper.

‘Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.’ —Winston Churchill

Healthier option

Intrigues will not stop hounding Non-showbiz Personality (NP).

A celebrity in his own right, NP has tons of captive fans. He excelled in his field after all, and many admire him for it.

However, even as he tried to live a private life, social media denizens are relentless in finding and exposing his dirty linen – among them a failed relationship that became a focal point at a certain time in his career.

Nonetheless, NP was able to move on from the debacle eventually finding love in the arms of Female Celebrity (FC), a hard worker who takes pride in finding success through sheer determination.

FC wanted to give her family a good life without relying on anyone else, subsequently making her dreams a reality.

FC had several heartbreaks prior but when NP came along, her heart slowly healed. It was as if the two were destined to be together for good.

Now, a nasty claim against NP has surfaced. Allegedly, he chooses a partner based on the material comforts he stands to acquire from the union.

Though he has his own career to speak of, being with FC is seen by most as part of NP’s effort to have a dependable financial wall to fall back on.

Well, NP could simply be practical in life as in love.

‘Your mindset matters. It affects everything - from the business and investment decisions you make, to the way you raise your children, to your stress levels and overall well-being.’ — Peter Diamandis

Thank you very much for loving www.fashionpulis.com. Till next Sunday...

14 UNSPOKEN RULES

 

Be kind With your Mind (psychology)

 ·

Posted by 

Ali Nawaz

 

Jun 15

14 UNSPOKEN RULES

1. Don't ask someone their salary, age, or weight.

2. Let people exit before you

3. Return what you borrow in enter. the same condition.

4. Don't interrupt when someone is speaking.

5. Don't use speakerphone in public.

6. Respect personal space-physical and emotional.

7. If someone is wearing headphones, they don't want to talk.

8. Don't show up empty-handed to someone's home.

9. Don't ask couples when they're having kids.

10. Say "thank you" even for small gestures.

11. Keep your phone away during meals.

12. Don't make fun of someone's appearance.

13. Don't stare-it's rude.

14. Respect the "Do Not Disturb" sign-literally and figuratively.

Thanks for Reading and Following

Rising star Jess Martinez recalls the first day of taping for TV series: 'Nanginginig ako nun'

 

Jess Martinez (Images courtesy of Instagram)

By Robert Requintina

Published Jun 27, 2025 03:57 pm

Everything is looking up for rising star Jess Martinez, who has shifted her focus from being a social media influencer to pursuing a career in acting.

After spending some time concentrating on TikTok, Jess seems to have discovered what truly brings her joy and fulfillment.

'I'm not testing the waters. I want to go full-time now. I love showbiz,' said Jess during an interview in Boro, Quezon City recently. Portraying different characters allows her to showcase her talent.

'I'm not in showbiz for fame, but what I like about it is that I get to express my emotions. I love acting because it allows me to showcase my diverse personalities. Being an influencer is routine-based. However, in show business, I get to portray different characters,' she said.

Her love for acting started when she started watching TV series. It was then that she told herself she wanted to try showbiz.

'My family is in business. It is my personal decision to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. When I watched different series like Marimar, I told myself I want to be a star one day, or be seen on television,' said Jess.

Jess currently appears in the Kapuso series 'Sanggang Dikit' starring Dennis Trillo and Jennylyn Mercado. But her first acting gig was for the popular afternoon series 'Abot-Kamay Na Pangarap.' Then she also guested in Regal Studios and Pepito Manaloto. 'Memorable ang 'Abot-Kamay' dahil four weeks ako roon. Whenever I have scenes with Wilma Doesnt, who is my Tita there, she helps me out.'

She excitedly recalls her first taping day with versatile actress Carmina Villaroel. 'My first taping day ever was a scene with Carmina Villaroel. Nanginginig talaga ako nun. Isa lang ang line ko noon pero kabado talaga ako. Natutunan ko talaga dapat mabilis ka sa catch up and meron kang presence of mind kasi minsan kung may binigay sa'yo na script, hindi assurance na yun na talaga ang sasabihin mo. Pwede siyang tanggalin or baguhin. Dapat, you have to be in the moment. You have to be fast. (My first taping day ever was a scene with Carmina Villaroel. I was nervous then. I only had one line then, but I was nervous. I learned that you have to be quick to catch up and have presence of mind, because sometimes, even if you are given a script, it doesn't guarantee that you will say it. It can be removed or changed. You have to be in the moment),' said Jess. 

Having a recurring role as a policewoman in 'Sanggang Dikit,' Jess said she feels comfortable working on the set of the new series.

'Super bait nila Jennlyn Mercado and Dennis Trillo. I'm comfortable with them because we had workshops before the taping. In that training, nakabulo na kami ng friendship. (Jennlyn Mercado and Dennis Trillo are super nice. I was comfortable with them because we had workshops before the taping. In that training, we have developed a friendship.)'

Before acting, Jess was heavily immersed in social media, particularly in the fashion and lifestyle sectors. 'Through TikTok, I get to express who I am. I get to dress up and get a glimpse of how my family is.'

However, Jess wanted to explore other fields, so she decided to venture into the entertainment industry. She's one of the exclusive talents of the Artist Circle, headed by its President and CEO Rams David.

''They are family to me because they accept me for who I am. I'm happy I chose Artist Circle because I'm not only improving as an artist, but also as a person,' Jess said.

Born in Cotabato City, Jess grew up in Davao City. Then Jess and her family moved to Manila in 2020. Since then, Jess hasn't returned to the province.

At 23, Jess admitted she only had crushes. 'Wala pa akong pinapakilala sa parents ko. I've never been in love, but I have crushes.'

Jess admires celebrity siblings Atasha and Andres Muhlach, Alden Richards, Kyle Echarri, and Heart Evangelista.

On love teams, Jess said: 'I'm not closing my doors to love teams. But if I had the chance, gusto ko iba-iba ang partner.'

Actress Shyr Valdez is also guiding Jess in her journey in show business. Asked what she learns from Shyr, Jess said: 'Always stay grounded. Kahit ano ang maabot mo sa showbiz, dapat grateful ka sa mga tumutulong sa iyo sa industry. (No matter what you achieve in showbiz, you should be grateful to those who help you in the industry.)'

Is Low German closer to English than it’s to German?

 

Lady in a Castle

 · 

Loves LanguagesMar 14

Is Low German closer to English than it’s to German?

Yes, it is.

Both Low German and English didn't suffer High German consonant shift, besides the two languages are from North sea Germanic branch, so somehow they're a bit related to. Low German is the modern descendant of Old Saxon the language spoken by ancient Germanic tribe, Saxons but those Saxons stayed on their original fatherland that it's nowadays northern Germany and northeast of the Netherlands instead of migrating to England with Angles, other Saxons, Jutes and Frisians, where there with all the mix of their dialects it formed Anglo- Saxon language, the earliest version of English spoken nowadays.

Certainly it's very possible that it existed a great degree of intelligibility between Old English and Old Saxon, but nowadays both languages are not intelligible, because English centuries back was very influenced by Old Norse and Norman French, and then English adopted foreign vocabulary from many different languages on later periods.

Low German on the contrary was strongly influenced by standard German on recent eras in terms of vocabulary, orthography and grammar structures, losing some of their original characteristics for this reason, nowadays Low German it's more considered a German dialect more than an independent language itself, although it is. Low German dialects spoken in The Netherlands have received more Dutch influence in terms of vocabulary, orthography and grammar structures, in The Netherlands Low German it's known as Low Saxon.

The pursuit for unity of life

 

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

IF we really know what the real and ultimate purpose of our life here on earth is, for sure we would do everything to organize our life in such a way that all the elements involved would work together to pursue that purpose.

This is what we may call as the duty to develop a sense of unity of life, where we integrate everything in our life, starting with our ordinary activities and work, our prayer and other responsibilities—social, family, apostolic, etc.—into a constant occasion to sanctify ourselves, i.e., to always do God’s will.

In this way, we would be affirming our true identity as children of God who wants us to be like him. That is why in the gospel, Christ always compares us with God our Father. “Be holy as your heavenly Father is holy,” he said. “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Mt 5,48)

We have to learn to turn everything into an occasion, means and reason to know, love and serve God, and to do the same to everybody else, since our relation with God is always developed through our relation with others and with everything else in our life here on earth.

This would mean that we have to learn how to find God in our daily lives and in all the events and circumstances of our life. If we have the proper frame of mind that is guided by our Christian faith, we know that everything can and should be sanctified, and by so doing, we also sanctify ourselves and others.

We should never forget that our life is not only biological, it relies simply on our biological functions. Neither is it just purely physical or material that requires merely material nourishment.

Our life has many more important aspects and dimensions that need to be integrated into one whole consistent thing. There’s the manual and intellectual, the active and contemplative, personal and social, the material and spiritual, the temporal and eternal, etc.

And precisely because of our spiritual nature, we open ourselves to a supernatural level. That’s just how the cookie crumbles. Thus, we should also be aware of what is natural and supernatural in our life, the mundane and the sacred.

I must say that of the different pairs of distinctions among the aspects of our life, that of the natural and supernatural is the most tricky, and therefore the most ignored, the least appreciated and lived with consistency.

And yet, we also have this intriguing reality that a good portion of the people all over the world, usually the poor and simple, automatically realize that our life has both these natural and supernatural dimensions.

The challenge we have is how to integrate all these elements in such a way that we live this unity of life as much as possible with uninterrupted consistency and continuity. This would definitely require God’s grace, first of all, and our all-out effort. 

There will always be a need for daily struggle. It would be helpful that as soon as possible we realize and start to do something about it. We may never reach perfection in this regard, but at least we can try and try, making progress little by little.

To be sure, it will be a very demanding life that we should have, but also one that would give us a certain sense of inner joy and peace that the world cannot give.