𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁: 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗼 𝗱𝗲 𝗢𝗿𝗼 𝗻𝗼𝘄 “𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆-𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲”

After years of fighting against the communist movement, the entire Province of Davao de Oro is now free from insurgency after the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) recently passed a resolution declaring the province as 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆-𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲.  

The declaration also came after the combined forces of the 1001st and 701st Infantry Brigades of the Philippine Army successfully dismantled all the Guerrilla Fronts, which were all under the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC) of the New People’s Army (NPA) operating in the province since 2016.

10th Infantry Agila Division Commander Major General Nolasco Mempin said that "the total defeat of all the CTGs in the province is attributed not only to the dedication and aggressiveness of the commanders on the ground but to the strong leadership of Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy, in his exemplary efforts in achieving its ultimate goal of lasting peace in the province.”

In response, Governor Uy expressed gratitude to all the members of the PPOC, national agencies, private partners, local government units, and the security sector – the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police for their unwavering commitment and relentless efforts to counter and weaken the influence of communist rebels.

“𝑇ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑠 𝑠𝑎 𝑛𝑎𝑔𝑘𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑖𝑛-𝑙𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎ℎ𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑦𝑎 𝑠𝑎 𝑔𝑜𝑏𝑦𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑜, 𝑎𝑛𝑔 𝑑𝑢𝑔𝑎𝑦 𝑛𝑎 𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑝𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑜𝑦 𝑛𝑔𝑎 𝑚𝑎𝑘𝑎𝑏-𝑜𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑎𝑙𝑎ℎ𝑢𝑡𝑎𝑦𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑘𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑤 𝑠𝑎 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑦𝑎, 𝑎𝑡 𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡, 𝑤𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑝 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑔𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑠ℎ𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑎𝑠 𝑤𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑎𝑛 𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 𝑠𝑎 𝐷𝑎𝑣𝑎𝑜 𝑑𝑒 𝑂𝑟𝑜,” Governor Uy said.

The Oplan Pagbabago to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, a localized whole of nation approach program of the province, also takes a significant stride in transforming conflict-affected areas into peaceful and developed communities. Among the intervention programs implemented are the conduct of Serbisyo caravans, building of Bayanihan schools, and infrastructure projects to the areas which were hard to reach and seemingly left out of much-needed government services. 

The ceremonial declaration was also attended by National Security Adviser, GEN Hermogenes Esperon Jr., GEN Jose Faustino, Former 10th ID Commander, and appointed OIC of the Department of National Defense, LTGEN Greg Almerol, Eastern Mindanao Command Commander, PMGEN Filmore Escobal, Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib, Brigades and Battalion Commanders, Provincial Officials, and other key dignitaries. (𝑅ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑓𝑒 𝐻𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑧𝑎𝑛𝑜 – 𝐼𝑛𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑂𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑒, 𝑃ℎ𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑠 𝑏𝑦 𝑅𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑙 𝐴𝑙𝑣𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑧)

A star-studded red carpet movie premiere for ‘Ngayon Kaya'

by Manila Bulletin Entertainment

The romantic film “Ngayon Kaya”—starring rumored sweethearts Paulo Avelino and Janine Gutierrez as “almost lovers” trying to reclaim their past—had its premiere night at SM Megamall a day before the movie’s opening day of June 22.

Producers T-Rex Entertainment and Paulo’s own company, WASD Films, pulled out all the stops to herald the return of Filipino films in commercial theaters this year and make the premiere festive with a red carpet, soundtrack blaring from the speakers, win-premiere-tickets promotions, festive decor, a program and a mini-party right before the screening. 

“Ngayon Kaya” is the first locally-produced film to have a wide theatrical release this year as it screens in almost 100 cinemas all over the Philippines.

This milestone was celebrated by the Paunine (Paulo and Janine) fans, friends, family and supporters who flocked to Megamall Cinema 1 to get a first look of director Prime Cruz and screenwriter Jen Chuaunsu’s latest masterpiece.

Aside from Janine and Paulo’s movie co-stars Gabby Padilla, Iana Bernardez, and Donna Cariaga, among those who graced the premiere included Jake Cuenca, Enchong Dee, Edward Barber, Jake Ejercito, Ria Atayde, directors JP Habac and Chad Vidanes, photographer BJ Pascual, Film Development Council of the Philippines Chair Liza Diño, Ice Seguerra, Janine’s father Ramon Christopher, the members of the band Mayonnaise, talent manager Tyrone Escalante and his artists, Angellie Nicole Sanoy, and many other celebrities.

Janine acknowledged the presence of the crowd and made special mention of their (hers and Paulo’s) family, friends and fans.

She said, “Thank you so much sa naglaan ng oras… to be here. It means so much to us.” Paulo was visibly overwhelmed with emotion to see an eager audience filling up the theater as he said, “I’m out of words. It’s been a while since I attended a premiere in a moviehouse. Masaya ako na nandito kayo at masaya ako na may pelikulang Pilipino ulit na pinalalabas sa sinehan.”

“Ngayon Kaya” is now showing in movie theaters nationwide. For updates, like and follow the social media accounts of T-Rex Entertainment.

Marcos recalls PH glory days in academics: 'Kailangan natin balikan yan'

by Ellson Quismorio, Manila Bulletin

President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. wants to bring back the glory days of the Philippines when it comes to academics.

President-elect Bongbong Marcos (left) and Vice President-elect Sara Duterte (MANILA BULLETIN)

“We have to do a lot to recover our very good grading before,” Marcos said in a press conference Monday, June 20.

“Pag ka tayo tinitignan ng Asia, yung literacy rate, yung pagsalita ng english, pati sa science, sa math, mataas tayo noon eh (Whenever our Asian neighbors looked at us in the past, they would see that our literacy rate, our english speaking skills, as well as our science and math proficiency were high),” he said. "Kailangan natin balikan yan. Mahirap mag-compete kung hindi natin ayusin yung training ng mga kabataan natin (We need to go back to that. It will be hard to compete if we can’t fix the training of our youth),” the 64-year-old son of the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. said.

One of the first major decisions that Marcos made coming out of the May 9 elections was to designate his UniTeam running mate, Vice President-elect Sara Duterte as incoming Department of Education (DepEd) secretary.

This made Duterte the first name in the incoming Marcos Cabinet.

In the same presser, Marcos bared his instruction to Duterte to assist and train the country’s teachers.

“Ang aking laging pinapaalala sa kanya ay yung mga teacher. Kailangan alalayan ang mga teacher, kailangan i-training ang mga teacher para maganda ang maging trabaho nila (What I always remind her about are the teachers. The teachers must be assisted, they must be trained so they may perform their jobs better),” Marcos said.

“Ang mga teacher naman, yan ang pinakamadaling turuan, yung teacher eh (Teachers are the easiest people to teach),” he said, adding that there must be a “a program in place to support our teachers not only in terms of their benefits, of course that’s an important part of it…but also in terms of other support, in terms retraining, in terms of supplies, equipment.”

Marcos earlier expressed confidence that Duterte would do “a great job“.

Not only a matter of words and intention

By Fr. Roy Cimagala*

“IT is not anyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord," who will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven.” (Mt 7,21) Christ says it very clearly. Our prayer should not just be a matter of sweet words and good intentions. It should be a matter of deeds that fulfill the will of God.

Let’s remember that when our words and intentions are converted into deeds, we would be strengthening our integrity and consistency as a person and as a child of God. As the gospel says it, we would be like a house built on solid rock. (cfr. Mt 7,24-25) 

As such, we would be more able to bear our own weaknesses, to resist the temptations around us, to carry out our duties in this life, and to continue to pursue our supernatural end to be with God in heaven. In other words, we would be fulfilling God’s will for us.

St. Paul said something similar. “Not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.” (Rom 2,13). And St. James: “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” (1,22)

Christ himself lived by this principle, even at the expense of his own life. “I do nothing of myself, but as the Father has taught me...” (Jn 8,28) And in the agony in the garden, he expressed that most eloquent submission to his Father’s will, “Not my will but yours be done.” (Lk 22,42)

All the saints lived by this principle. And the epitome is Our Lady. When someone in the crowd told him his mother was around, he said: “Behold my mother and my brethren. For whosoever shall do the will of my Father that is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.” (Mt 12,29-30)

Far from disparaging his own mother with those words, Christ was actually praising her. Mary did not only beget her son biologically. She begat him through her deep and constant faith, through her faithful obedience to God’s will. Her ‘Fiat’ (Be it done) was not only uttered at the Annunciation. She lived it before and after that meeting with the Archangel Gabriel. In fact, she lived it all throughout her life.

We have to find ways and strategies to turn our good intentions and nice words into action. We cannot deny that we, in general, are notorious for being good only in the former but bad in the latter.

Let’s always remember that doing God’s will is what is most important to us. It’s not just following our will which is, of course, indispensable to us. Otherwise, we would be undermining our very own freedom and our humanity itself. Whatever we do is done because we want it. It should be a fruit of our freedom.

But what is most important is to conform our will to God’s will, which is even more indispensable to us. Otherwise, we sooner or later would destroy our freedom and our humanity itself, since God is the very author and the very lawgiver of our freedom and our humanity.

This is a basic truth that we need to spread around more widely and abidingly, since it is steadily and even systematically forgotten and, nowadays, even contradicted in many instances. 

* Chaplain Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE), Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

Metro Manila may reach peak of Covid infections in early July, says OCTA

(SCREEN GRAB FROM LAGING HANDA PUBLIC BRIEFING)

by Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz

With the steady increase in new infections in Metro Manila, the OCTA Research Group projected that the Covid-19 cases in the region may reach its peak by the first or second week of July.

In a televised briefing on Tuesday, June 21, OCTA fellow Dr. Guido David said that Metro Manila’s seven-day average infections increased to 225 cases per day this week, from 131 cases last week.

This translates to a growth rate of 72 percent.

Moreover, Metro Manila’s Covid reproduction number and positivity rate also rose to 2.05 and 4 percent, respectively.

Reproduction number refers to the average number of secondary infections by each infected individual, while positivity rate refers to the number of individuals who yielded positive results from among those who have been tested for Covid-19.

“Posible itong [average daily cases] tumaas between 500 and 1,000 [cases] by end of June or first week of July. Kapag ganyan masasabi na natin baka nasa moderate risk na yung situation natin (It is possible that the average daily cases will rise between 500 and 1,000 cases by the end of June or the first week of July. By then, we can say that our situation may be at moderate risk),” David said.

David pointed out that Metro Manila may see the peak in infections in early July.

“Tumataas yung bilang ng kaso [at] hindi pa natin nakikita yung pagbaba niyan anytime soon. Baka yung peak niyan could happen sometime first or second week of July (The number of cases is increasing and we are not seeing that to decrease anytime soon. Maybe the peak could happen sometime between the first or second week of July),” he added.

However, he noted that the region’s health care utilization remains within “safe” level, at 22 percent.

“We’re not projecting an increase in hospital utilization. Tataas ito pero hindi ganun kataas (It will go up but not that high) so we should still be okay,” David said.

“Hindi naman tayo kailangan matakot, maalarma. Pero syempre patuloy pa rin ang pag-iingat natin at personal responsibility (We don’t have to be afraid, be alarmed. But, of course, we still have to continue to be careful and practice personal responsibility),” he added.

He also noted that other parts of the country, such as Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Iloilo, and Benguet, are also seeing an increase in cases.

David said there is a need to “raise awareness” rather than “raise alert levels.”

“Ang gusto natin is raising awareness na tumataas yung cases, not necessarily raising alert levels. Kasi kung raising awareness yung mga kababayan natin mag-iingat sila, baka magpabakuna, magpabooster, at the same time matutulungan natin ang ekonomiya natin na hindi natin pipigilin (What we want is raising awareness that cases are rising, not necessarily raising alert levels. Because if our countrymen are raising awareness, they will be careful, maybe get vaccinated, boosted, and we can help our economy to further open up),” he said.

High gas prices mean fewer cars on EDSA

By Christian Crow Maghanoy, Manila Times

THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has noted a decrease in the number of vehicles traversing EDSA as a result of oil price increases triggered by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

In a news briefing on Tuesday, MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said the drop was noticed before the May 9, 2022 elections when they logged 27,000 users, a decrease from the daily average of around 500,000 pre-pandemic.

"On May 5, 2022, 417,000 vehicles traversed EDSA or above the 405,000 pre-pandemic level. But on June 9, we counted only 392,000. The other day [June 19], we counted again, and there were only 390,000 users. I think a big factor here is the continuous increases in prices of petroleum products," Artes also said.

He added that the MMDA will not expand the number coding scheme or the Modified Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (MUVVRP), which bases the scheme on license plates on particular days of the week, except holidays.

Under the scheme, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., license plates ending in 1 and 2 are barred from Metro Manila roads on Mondays; 3 and 4 on Tuesdays; 5 and 6 on Wednesdays; 7 and 8 on Thursdays; and 9 and 0 on Fridays.

Marcos on scrapping of excise tax: Help those in need first

 Motorists line up to re fuel in a gasoline station along commonwealth avenue in Quezon city on July 14 2022. PHOTO BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE

By Kristina Maralit, Manila Times

PRESIDENT-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is opting to take the same route as the Duterte administration in helping hardest hit sectors cope with the skyrocketing prices of fuel.

The incoming leader made the remark after being sought for comment regarding Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel's statement that the Senate is willing to act on the proposed scrapping of excise taxes on oil products as long as he calls for it.

"I prefer to handle the problem on the other side of the equation and provide assistance to those who are in need," the President-elect said at a press briefing late Monday afternoon at the BBM Headquarters in Mandaluyong City.

He pointed out that cutting excise taxes does not directly alleviate the plight of those in need.

"So, ang aking iniisip kung sino yung mga kaagad na tinamaan, example yung lumabas kaagad 'yung transport, 'yung mga nagpapasada.... tinamaan kaagad. I-focus natin muna sa kanila, 'yung mga nangangailangan talaga (What I'm thinking is help those really feeling the hit, for example those in transport, those plying regular routes... they were directly hit. Let's focus on them, those in dire need)," stated Marcos Jr.

"'Yung mga may kaya (Those with the means), they can afford to pay. Those who are in danger of losing livelihoods, 'dun tayo mag-focus (let's focus on them)," he added.

Ukraine will not host Eurovision 2023

Kalush Orchestra, winners for Ukraine at the Eurovision Song Contest. FACEBOOK PHOTO/EUROVISIONSONGCONTEST

By Aric John Sy Cua, Manila Times

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has announced that next year's Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) will not be held in Ukraine, the country which won this year's edition.

In a statement on Friday, the EBU conducted a feasibility study and full assessment with Ukrainian broadcaster, the Public Broadcasting Company of Ukraine (UA:PBC), Ukraine and its broadcaster could not be fulfilled due to the invasion of the country by neighboring Russia.

"Given the ongoing war since the Russian invasion of this year's winning country, the EBU has taken the time to conduct a full assessment and feasibility study with both UA:PBC and third-party specialists including on safety and security issues," the EBU statement wrote on the Contest's website.

"Following objective analysis, the Reference Group, the ESC's governing board, has with deep regret concluded that, given the current circumstances, the security and operational guarantees required for a 

"The EBU would like to thank UA:PBC for their wholehearted cooperation and commitment in exploring all scenarios in the weeks since Kalush Orchestra's win on May 14 in Turin and share their sadness and disappointment that next year's Contest cannot be held in Ukraine," the statement continued. "The EBU has been supporting UA:PBC across a whole range of areas since the invasion. We will ensure that this support continues so UA:PBC can maintain the indispensable service they provide to Ukrainians."

This will mark the first time since 1980 that the country that won the previous edition will not be the host of the upcoming Contest. In 1979, Israel won the Contest held on home soil in Jerusalem, but as a result of Israel pulling out due to costs and the Contest falling on a national holiday, the Netherlands stepped in to host the year after.

Traditionally, after a country wins the Eurovision Song Contest, that same country would also win the right to host the following year's edition. Ukraine had already hosted the Contest twice, in 2005 and 2017, both in the capital Kyiv, after winning in 2004 and 2016. Greece and Portugal won those respective Contests, both for the first time.

Because of this announcement, the EBU has now begun talks with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) of the United Kingdom, the country which finished in second place this year, to potentially host next year's show.

"As a result of this decision, in accordance with the rules and to ensure the continuity of the event, the EBU will now begin discussions with the BBC, as this year's runner up, to potentially host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in the United Kingdom," the EBU announced.

The United Kingdom last hosted the Contest in Birmingham in 1998, after winning the previous year.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Britain stepped in to host on behalf of countries who won the previous year could not host the following edition.

Should the United Kingdom be confirmed to host next year's edition, this would be the first time since 1974 that they stepped in to host on behalf of a country that could not do so.

The United Kingdom hosted a total of eight of Eurovision Song Contests, the most for any participating country, having hosted the editions of 1960, 1963, 1968, 1972, 1974, 1977, 1982, and 1998.

Britain had won the contests of 1967, 1969 (as part of a four-way tie with three other countries), 1976, 1981, and 1997.

In addition, the UK had also finished in second place 16 times, including this year, when TikTok sensation Sam Ryder came close to winning the Contest with the song "Space Man."

The BBC immediately released a statement on the matter, reading, "We have seen the announcement from the EBU. Clearly these aren't a set of circumstances that anyone would want. Following their decision, we will of course discuss the BBC hosting the Eurovision Song Contest," the United Kingdom's broadcaster wrote.

Meanwhile, in Ukraine, a letter written by Ukraine's Eurovision winners Ruslana, Jamala, and Kalush Orchestra member Oleh Psiuk, as well as Culture Minister Oleksandr Tkachenko stated that they disagree with the decision and insist on holding the Contest in Ukraine by demanding additional negotiations.

"Ukraine does not agree with the nature of such a decision - when we were confronted with the fact without discussion on other options," the joint letter wrote. "But we strongly believe that we have every reason to hold further negotiations in order to find a joint solution that will satisfy all parties."

Kyiv claimed that they were able to fulfill all the requirements needed to hold the Contest in Ukraine.

"Hosting Eurovision 2023 in Ukraine is a strong signal to the whole world that it supports Ukraine now. We will demand to change this decision, because we believe that we will be able to fulfill all the commitments, as we have repeatedly empathized it to the European Broadcasting Union. That is why we demand additional negotiations on hosting Eurovision 2023 in Ukraine," read the statement.

Ukraine's neighbors in Poland, as well as Sweden and recent hosts the Netherlands and Italy, have also expressed interest in hosting next year's show before the announcement by the EBU was made. The contest's dates are not yet announced as of press time.

Covid cases up by 82 percent

By Franco Jose C. Baroña, Manila Times

THE Department of Health (DoH) on Monday reported an 82-percent increase in Covid-19 cases in the country.

In its weekly case bulletin, the DoH said 3,051 cases were recorded from June 13 to June 19, or a daily average of 436. This is 82 percent higher than the cases reported from June 6 to June 12.

Health Undersecretary and spokesman Rosario Vergeire said the National Capital Region or Metro Manila is particularly experiencing "a start in the peak in the number of cases" similar to the spikes in September 2021 and January 2022 driven by the Delta and Omicron variants.

Vergeire made it clear that the current trend cannot be referred to as a "surge" and doing so will only confuse the public.

She attributed the increase of cases to the Omicron subvariants, increased mobility and the waning immunity of the population due to the slow administration of booster vaccines.

Out of 55 million Filipinos eligible for booster shots, only 14 million have received booster doses.

"So we are looking at around 14 million individuals who have not received their boosters, and we know that immunity is waning so we need to have this demand for our countrymen," Vergeire said.

She said while Metro Manila tallied a positive two-week growth rate, it is still classified as low risk for Covid-19.

"We are guiding our public, making them aware that this might be the start that the cases will continuously rise in the next couple of weeks," Vergeire said.

The Health department has also detected a slight rise in cases in Western Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) and Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan).

Dr. Edsel Salvaña, a member of the DoH technical advisory group, said that despite the steady increase in infections, Metro Manila is still far from being classified as moderate risk for Covid-19.

Salvaña said the region's average daily attack rate (ADAR) is still "a little bit above" 1 out of 100,000 cases, and the ADAR must be at least 6 out of 100,000 to qualify for a moderate risk classification.

He added that the hospital utilization rate of Metro Manila is still in the "low 20s," far from the 50-percent level for moderate risk.

"We're far from the parameters used by DoH in terms of moving from low risk to moderate risk," Salvaña said in a public briefing.

Based on World Health Organization ratings, Metro Manila should have at least 800 infections daily in the next two weeks before it can be classified as moderate risk, he said.

PH logs 2,196 new Covid-19 cases

The uptick in cases is expected because of the new Omicron lineages that have infiltrated the country, "but it all remains manageable" and "health care utilization is still low," Salvaña said.

Meeting with German Ambassador to the Philippines Anke Reiffenstuel in Davao City

 

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