Marcos suspends govt work, classes in public schools due to 'Florita'

By Catherine S. Valente

(UPDATE) PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has suspended government work and public school classes in all levels in Metro Manila and several other provinces beginning Tuesday afternoon until Wednesday, August 24, due to Severe Tropical Storm Florita.

Upon the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), Press Secretary Rose Beatrix "Trixie" Cruz-Angeles said the President declared the suspension of government work and classes in the National Capital Region (NCR), including the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Bulacan, Zambales and Bataan starting 1:00 p.m.

"The President has declared a suspension of work and classes in all levels today until tomorrow, for all government offices and public schools in NCR, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Bulacan, Zambales and Bataan, due to Severe Tropical Storm Florita," Cruz-Angeles said in a statement.

"The heavy rains pose possible risks to the general public based on the recommendations of the Office of Civil Defense," she added.

However, government agencies involved in the delivery of basic and health services, preparedness or response to disaster and calamities, and/or the performance of other vital services will continue their operations.

"The recommended suspension will prevent any untoward incidents and will ensure the safety of the general public," the NDRRMC said.

Meanwhile, Cruz-Angeles said suspension of work for private companies and offices is left to the discretion of their respective heads.

"The same course of action for private schools and offices is left to the discretion of their respective heads," she said.

Travelers to PH reminded to register online for One Health Pass

By Kristina Maralit

THE Office of the Press Secretary on Tuesday reminded all inbound passengers to first register for the One Health Pass online before embarking on their trip as this is one of the requirements needed for their entry into the country.

Press Secretary Rose Beatrix "Trixie" Cruz-Angeles likewise cautioned the public against accessing websites posing as legitimate government offices to ensure their hassle-free arrival.

"The only official website of the Bureau of Quarantine's One Health Pass for all international travelers arriving in the Philippines is https:// www.onehealthpass.com.ph," the official said in a statement.

"OHP is required for all arriving international travelers in accordance with the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases Resolution No. 135 to prevent and/or minimize the entry of suspected or confirmed individuals with emerging infectious diseases," she added.

The DOH has detected the fourth case of monkeypox in the country.

The patient, however, has no documented history of travel to where there is an outbreak of the disease.

'Bootleg Beatles' Davao, Cebu shows canceled

Concert Republic, who is bringing The Bootleg Beatles concerts to the Philippines announced today that its shows in Davao and Cebu are canceled. This, despite the best efforts of Concert Republic and The Bootleg Beatles for all scheduled shows to happen.

"Regrettably we have to cancel our forthcoming concerts in Davao and Cebu due to unforeseen production logistics," Concert Republic said in a statement.

"However, our Manila show at Philippine International Convention Center on Sunday, October 30, will proceed as advertised," the concert producer assured.

The Bootleg Beatles was supposed to be staged in SMX Davao City on October 27 and in Waterfront Hotel & Casino, Cebu City on October 29.

Breaking News: Tropical Cyclone Florita Tracker

23. August 2022 10:30 AM

Severe tropical storm Florita (international name: Ma-on) will likely make landfall over northern Isabela—on the coast of Palanan, Maconacon, or Divilacan this morning, Aug. 23, or over Cagayan—on the coast of Gattaran, Baggao, or Peñablanca, before noon or early afternoon, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Diesel cost to go up by P2.60 per liter, kerosene by P2.80

By Eireene Jairee Gomez, Manila Times

In an advisory, Pilipinas Shell said it will increase the price of diesel by P2.60 per liter, kerosene by P2.80 per liter and gasoline by 70 centavos per liter at 6 a.m. Tuesday. Cleanfuel said it will raise the price of gasoline by 70 centavos per liter and diesel by P2.80 per liter at 4:01 p.m.

Seaoil will also increase the cost of gasoline by 70 centavos per liter, diesel by P2.60 per liter and kerosene by P2.80 per liter at 6 a.m. tomorrow.

Other oil companies are expected to follow suit.

The Department of Energy's Oil Industry Management Bureau Director Rino Abad earlier attributed the hefty increases in pump prices to higher US fuel consumption.

'Florita' intensifies; Signal No. 2 up in Luzon

By Arlie O. Calalo, Manila Times

'FLORITA' has escalated into a tropical storm, prompting the weather bureau to raise Signal No. 2 in many areas in Luzon.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Signal No. 2 was raised over the eastern portion of Cagayan (Enrile, Tuguegarao City, Peñablanca, Iguig, Baggao, Gattaran, Lal-Lo, Gonzaga, Santa Teresita, Buguey and Santa Ana), the eastern and central portions of Isabela (Cabagan, San Pablo, Santa Maria, Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan, San Mariano, Ilagan City, Delfin Albano, Tumauini, Santo Tomas, Quezon, Mallig, Roxas, Quirino, San Manuel, Aurora, Cabatuan, Luna, Burgos, Gamu, Reina Mercedes, City of Cauayan, Alicia, San Isidro, Echague, Jones, San Agustin, San Guillermo, Angadanan, Naguilian, Benito Soliven and Dinapigue), the extreme northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag and Casiguran) and the north-eastern portion of Quirino (Maddela) in Luzon.

Signal No. 1 is up in the rest of Cagayan, the rest of Isabela, the rest of Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, La Union, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, the northern and central portions of Aurora (Dinalungan, Dipaculao, Baler, Maria Aurora and San Luis), and the northern portion of Polillo Island (Panukulan and Burdeos).

Pagasa said the tropical storm was estimated some 215 kilometers east of Casiguran, Aurora while moving west-southwestward at 15 kilometers per hour (kph).

Coca-Cola: Beverage industry needs 450K MT of premium refined grade sugar

By Bella Cariaso, Manila Times

The Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc. (CCBPI) said the beverage industry needs at least 450,000 metric tons of premium refined bottler grade sugar to be able to operate at full capacity for the rest of the year.

"We have shared with the President that the industry needs at least 450,000 MT of premium refined bottler grade sugar to utilize 100% of its manufacturing capacity for the balance of the year and serve the orders of customers who are depending on our products for their sales and income," the CCBPI said in a statement.

It added that food and beverage manufacturers need premium refined sugar to maintain high quality products.

Coca-Cola added that while it is thankful for President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s immediate action in addressing the shortage of premium refined sugar, what manufacturers need is a different kind of sweetener.

"We'd like to emphasize, however, that not all sugar is the same. This type of sugar is not the same sugar that is commonly used in households," it said.

The company said that there is approximately a 400,000 metric ton gap on top of a starting gap of 200,000 metric tons of the local sugar supply for 2022 based on the projected demand of 2.3 million metric tons for 2022 for the entire country.

"Along with many other companies in the Philippine food and beverage industry beset by the difficulties brought on by the sugar shortage, we at Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc. (CCBPI) are in the midst of implementing various efforts aimed at cushioning the business impact of the lack of premium refined sugar supply. As always, we are keeping our consumers, customers, and our people front and center," it added.

"We and the broader industry look forward to continuing to work with the President and all relevant government offices to address the situation and deliver a sustainable solution as we get back to delivering our full line-up of beverages and supporting the country's economic recovery," Coca-Cola said.

Cagayan governor suspends classes in pre-school, elementary due to 'Florita'

By Kaithreen Cruz, Manila Times

CAGAYAN Governor Manuel Mamba suspended classes from pre-school to elementary in the province because of the threat posed by Tropical Depression Florita.

Monday was the first day of in-person classes in public schools.

In a Facebook post, Mamba reminded the public to stay safe as the province was placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1.

The battle for purity of intention

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

WE cannot overemphasize the importance of this concern. We have to do our best to see to it that we always have purity of intention in everything that we do, so that we only love and serve God, and because of that, we can properly love and serve everybody else.

This concern was somehow referred to in that gospel episode where Christ lamented over the hypocrisy and inconsistency of the leading Jews at that time. (cfr. Mt 23,13-22) “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You lock the Kingdom of heaven before men. You do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter,” he said.

When our intentions are not pure, when they are contaminated with ulterior motives, there is no way but for us to fall into some form of inconsistencies and improper priorities.

We should be very careful with our intentions. Since they are hidden, we can easily play around with them. We can appear good outside but bad inside. Our deeds may be considered as acts of generosity and compassion, but the intentions may be those of envy, conceit and the like.

             In determining the morality of our human acts, intention plays a very crucial role. Together with the matter or object, and the circumstances surrounding our acts, our intention can determine whether they are good or bad.

             

             With our intention, we can direct our acts to God, following what was once indicated by St. Paul, “Whether you eat or drink, or whatsoever else you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Cor 10,31) That’s how our acts become good, or moral. Otherwise, they are bad, or at least dangerous.

       

             This is so, since God, being the Creator, is the standard for everything. And more than the standard, he is, in fact, the very substance of what is good, true and beautiful, what is fair and just, what is perfection itself.

             

             Nothing is good, true and beautiful, nothing is fair and just, nothing is perfect if it is not done with God and for God. In short, we need to refer all our acts to God. We have to make this affirmation very clear in our mind and do everything to make that ideal a reality.

We have to be most careful in handling our intentions. They play a strategic role in our life, for how and where we direct them would determine whether we want to be with God and simply with our own selves.

         Our intentions express who and where in the end we want to be. Do we choose God, or do we simply choose ourselves, or the world in general? It’s actually a choice between good and evil.

       

           Even if we are not aware, or refuse to be aware, of this choice, which is usually the case, the choice between God and us, between good and evil is always made with every human act we do.

For us to have purity of intention, we should be humble enough to ask for it from God first. We should not dare to think that we can have purity of intention by simply relying on our own efforts. We need God’s grace first of all. Our usual problem is that we think we can have purity of intention by our own efforts alone.

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

HOW DO YOU LIVE YOUR LIFE?

Do you live for something? Do live for something! Admittedly, this sounds like a very easy request. Already, Thomas Chalmers (1780-1847), establishment and founder of the Scottish Free Church, treated that topic with plenty flowering words. Innumerable human beings live, move and have to pass away - free from worries but unknown and unnoticed. Incomprehensible and inscrutable: no line written and no word talk by themselves are still in the memories of their bereaved. Their gleams of light switched out in night's darkness.

Not every individual can have a beautiful life in which he/she can live successfully. But to live, to love, and to laugh can make this possible. * L I V E * As the saying goes, “Live life to the fullest!" Always live each day as if it were your last. Enjoy every moment of your life and have everything you wish.

Who do people like to live like this? Still in my mind is the one question of Brother Francis Castro of the Little Brothers of Jesus about the "burning flame inside him that makes him jump out of the bed ... and hurry to work...".

As I journey through life's pathways, one of the most important lessons I have learned is that life is filled with seasons and contrasts. Life is indeed an interplay of light and darkness. So, let's live for something!

Kindness, hospitality, helpfulness, obligingness, ready to do favors - and your moment of virtue will not be destroyed by time's storm. Love and mercifulness from the bottom of your heart are shared with people who will cross your pathways, and nobody will forget you. In our daily life, we have plenty of situations where we could show our real calling. Thomas Chalmers describes it as follows: "Good deeds are shining like stars from heaven".

Understand what life should feel like. Tap into your calling within.Trust yourself and forget what others think. Feel the fear and take the first step anyway.Rethink your to-do list. Check in with yourself daily.Recognize that you have everything you need.

So, do live for something. For your beloved fellow creatures and for yourself. Do it now, because time is always limited.