Govt urged to create programs for elderly

By Red Mendoza, Manila Ti,es

October 6, 2022

In this file photo thousands of delegates from different cities in Metro Manila participates on DSWD's Filipino elderly week at SM Mall of Asia. File Photo

THE Commission on Population and Development (PopCom) has urged the government to create programs for an increasing aging Filipino population before the end of the decade.

This comes as the country is experiencing an increasing number of aging Filipinos, with the current aging growth rate now hovering at an average of 3.5 percent over the past 10 years, according to the University of the Philippines-Population Institute.

The figures were given by former PopCom executive director Dr. Juan Manuel Perez 3rd, who represented the country in a conference in Bangkok, Thailand during the International Day of Older Persons.

He said in the conference that while older Filipino women outlive their male counterparts, they are the ones who contend with diseases and disabilities.

"More than half (57 percent) struggle with their daily living and have mobility issues. About 56 percent of them are already widowed, while 70 percent of males are either still married or have partners, and are very much physically active," Perez said.

The Philippine Statistics Authority said that senior citizens now comprise 8.5 percent of the total Philippine population, or around 9.2 million individuals.

Executive Director Lolito Tacardon, PopCom officer in charge, urged the institutionalization of comprehensive programs on health for seniors, especially those who are living by themselves.

PopCom projects that by 2030, 11 percent of the total population will be 60 years old and above, and will outnumber children ages 0 to 4 years old.

"Preventive programs to avoid diseases leading to disabilities should be in place. Our local health system should likewise be more decentralized," Tacardon said in a statement.

He added that while the government has implemented programs for long-term care for senior citizens, such as the programs by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, it should be brought down to the community level to address disabilities made by senior citizens.

"For those to be effective, local government units should be more active in widening the scope of our health systems' services, or revisit those already operationalized to elevate their effectiveness," Tacardon said.

He said that the commission will work with legislators, local policymakers and government leaders to create socioeconomic and health policies that are targeted for the elderly as a way of "manifesting their care for Filipinos in all stages of their lives."

Heart Evangelista to appear in ‘Bling Empire’

by Neil Ramos, Manila Bulletin

Confirmed.

Heart Evangelista will appear in Season 3 of Netflix’s “Bling Empire.”

The actress took to Twitter recently to tease fans about it.

She wrote, “Bling on Netflix in about 30ish minutes ?:) see you”

In a separate tweet, Heart thanked “Bling Empire” stars Kane Lim and Kelly Mi Li for the opportunity.

She said, “It was a fun cameo. Thank you Bling Empire for the sweetest party  to Kane and Kelly you are angels  “

Rumors about her appearance in the show started August last year.

Boracay tourist arrivals down in September

by Tara Yap, Manila Bulletin

ILOILO CITY – Tourist arrivals at world-famous Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan are down 34,695 as only 122,373 visited last September.

A COUPLE walks on the beach in Boracay Island. (Tara Yap)

September was the second month in a row in the pandemic period that tourist arrivals plunged.

In July, 183, 076 came. A month later, numbers went down to 157, 338, and figures dropped further in September to 122, 373.

Majority of Boracay’s tourists were still domestic.

However, only 106,776 visited last month, down 26,044 from 132,820 in August.

Foreign and OFW visitors also dropped in September.

Only 12,513 foreigners arrived compared to 19,609 in August, a decrease of 7,096.

Only 3,084 OFWs were in Boracay, down 1,825 a month ago with 4,909.

Boracay tourism stakeholders are hoping that the number of arrivals will pick up again to sustain the socio-economy of the resort island.

Novena Masses for Zamboanga City patron saint under way

by Liza Abubakar-Jocson, Manila Bulletin

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Devotees are flocking to Fort Pilar Shrine for novena masses starting Monday, Oct. 3, in honor of Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar, the patron saint of this city.

DEVOTEES of Zamboanga City patron saint Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar hold a procession during the first day of novena Masses on Monday, Oct. 3. (Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar FB page)

Processions are held daily at 5 a.m. while novena Masses are at 6 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 5 p.m., and 6:30 p.m. until Oct. 11.

Novena Masses will culminate in a mañanita (early morning) Mass at 4:30 a.m. on Oct. 12, the feast day of Zamboanga City’s patroness.

Zamboanga City Mayor John Dalipe has issued an executive order against unauthorized flying of drones in line with religious activities at the Fort Pilar Shrine for the fiesta celebration.

The EO prohibits the unauthorized flying of drones except those from the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the City Administrator’s Office.

Devotees and visitors are prohibited from bringing backpacks, wearing bull caps, fedoras, waistcoats, chalecos, and hooded or non-hooded jackets.

These prohibitions are among security measures proposed and implemented by the security sector in line with the fiesta.

Rainy in Palawan, Eastern Visayas, Mindanao due to ITCZ

 Published October 6, 2022, 9:48 AM

by Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz, Manila Bulletin

(MANILA BULLETIN)

The intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ)—a region where winds coming from the northeast and southeast hemispheres converge that triggers thunderstorms and rain showers—will continue to be the dominant weather system in the country, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Thursday, Oct. 6.

In the next 24 hours, the ITCZ will bring cloudy skies, scattered rain showers, and thunderstorms over Palawan, Eastern Visayas, and Mindanao.

PAGASA advised those in these areas to be vigilant against possible flash floods or landslides during moderate to heavy rains.

The rest of the country, including Metro Manila, will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies in the morning, with chances of rain showers or thunderstorms in the afternoon or evening.

The public is also advised to stay vigilant against possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms, which are often accompanied by sudden heavy rains, lightning, thunder, gusty winds, and sometimes hail.

No gale warnings were raised on the country’s seaboards on Thursday, as the entire archipelago will have slight to moderate seas.

However, PAGASA still advised seafarers and fisherfolk to remain alert against offshore thunderstorms that could produce gusty winds and strong waves along portions of the coast. 

Alex Eala barges into main draw of US tourney

by Kristel Satumbaga-Villar, Manila Bulletin

Alex Eala advanced to the main draw round of the W80 Rancho Santa Fe International Tennis Federation (ITF) tournament Tuesday, Oct. 4 (Wednesday in Manila) after routing her American foe in California.

Alex Eala books a main draw berth in the W80 Rancho Santa Fee tennis tournament. (File Photo from Alex Eala’s Facebook page)

The 17-year-old Eala blanked Alana Smith, 6-0, 6-0, to set up a first round meeting with another American in the 32-player main draw field.

She is slated to battle wildcard bet Dalayna Hewitt where a victory would arrange her a second-round date with Canada’s Katherine Sebov.

Sebov made her title campaign felt by stunning seventh seed and compatriot Carol Zhao, 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2.

Eala, who has never met 21-year-old Hewitt in the pro circuit prior to their matchup, holds a better ITF ranking at No. 288 against the American’s No. 401.

Hewitt is searching for her second pro singles title after winning the W15 Monastir crown in Tunisia last year.

Eala, meanwhile, is looking for her third pro title following victories in the W25 Chiang Rai in Thailand last April and in the W15 Manacor in Spain last year. 

Unforgettable lessons

by Dr. Jun Ynares, Manila Bulletin

THE VIEW FROM RIZAL

Dr. Jun Ynares

“What were the most important lessons you learned from your teachers?”

Many years ago, while we were governor of Rizal Province, we were invited to speak at an elementary school graduation ceremony. While waiting for my turn at the podium, one of the graduating students asked us that question: “Governor Jun, what did you learn in elementary school?”

We had no ready answer to that question, but that innocent query got us thinking. When our turn to speak came, we decided to junk the prepared speech and share instead our thoughts on the question posed to us by the graduating elementary student.

Here were three important lessons our teachers taught us and which we shared to the graduating class that evening. The best lessons I learned from my teachers were:

First, “shut up and listen.”

Second, “raise your hand if you know the answer.”

Third, “finished or not finished pass your paper”.

The mention of these lessons elicited laughter from the audience of graduating students, their parents and the teachers present. Why not? No one thought they were lessons. They sounded more like the angry admonitions we got from our teachers. When we hear those words, they bring back memories of the serious face of a stern classroom teacher.

We may have heard those words many times when we were in school. We heard them so often that they became our LSS (last song syndrome). They became embedded in our memory that we cannot forget where we heard them and from whom.
For us, they were lessons.

We told the audience that day that those words from our elementary school teachers were some of the wisest we heard. They were so wise that they helped us become the public servant we are today. Those were some of the best advice that an aspiring leader would ever get and they came from our teachers.
We explained to our audience why and how.

“Shut up and listen” helps one develop an important quality of a leader: empathy. There is a mistaken notion that the leader is one who speaks most often and tells much. What a leader says has meaning only if he or she listens first. People want to feel and know that they have been listened to. It makes them feel important. We learned that people remember those who listened to them more than they would remember those who merely spoke before them.

Listening is a service we do for others. Thanks to our teacher, we learned to shut up and listen to the people we serve.

“Raise your hand when you know the answer” nurtures in a person the spirit of volunteerism, and the courage to stand up and be counted. We learned that the question the world most often asks us is this: “Who is willing to serve?” It takes boldness to raise one’s hand when that question is asked.

Thanks to our teachers, we have been raising our hands for the past two decades or so each time our country calls us to service. Public service exacts a heavy toll. Remembering our teachers’ lessons helps one remember that there should be no regret when the difficult times come. After all, we “raised our hand” when we heard the call.

“Finished or not finished, pass your paper” is a constant reminder to one that the world will not wait for us and that time is a finite, limited, scarce resource. When we embark on a task or mission, we must do our best to finish them and finish them quickly. Deadlines are a permanent feature of life, especially of life in public service. Postponing for tomorrow what we can do and can finish today would be a big mistake.
We have attended many courses, workshops and seminars on governance and administration.

Nothing beats what we learned from our classroom teachers. They are proof that, indeed, teachers prepare today the leaders of tomorrow – the young people who someday will “shut up and listen” to their countrymen, “raise their hand” when called upon to serve” and who will always remember that they will have to “pass their paper, finished or not finished”.
Thank you, teachers.

We join you in the celebration of World Teachers Day today as we salute you for your service to our Nation and to the World.

*For feedback, please email it to antipolocitygov@gmail.com or send it to Block 6 Lot 10 Sta. Barbara 1 cor. Bradley St., Mission Hills Subd., Brgy. San Roque, Antipolo City, Rizal.

Ballet Manila's powerful 'Rise'

 

‘Rise!’ is a double bill that features ‘Ballet & Ballads’ and ‘La Traviata’

Ballet Manila returns to live performance at the newly renovated Aliw Theater with "Rise!" a double bill that features a pop program "Ballet & Ballads" and a retelling of the opera "La Traviata" in ballet as choreographed by Lisa Macuja Elizalde.

While the moving performance of Ballet Manila is the centerpiece of the show, Rise! also features the highly respected Maestro Gerard Salonga as musical director and conductor; one of the country's best female vocalists, Bituin Escalate; and award winning opera singer Jade Riccio.

Supporting these prominent artists is a powerhouse creative team, led by prima ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde as overall artistic director, theater artist Michael Williams as the stage director, playwright Luna Inocian as the scriptwriter and Gerardo Francisco Jr. and Martin Lawrance as choreographers. There is also a 12 person opera ensemble and a 60-piece bespoke orchestra handpicked by Salonga himself.

Rise! Will be staged on October 7 at 8 p.m. and on October 9 at 5 p.m. at the Aliw Theater.

Tickets are available exclusively through Ticketworld. Visit www.ticketworld.com.ph or call 8891-9999.

Davao City honors 32 centenarians

By Ruth Palo, Manila Times

October 5, 2022

THE Davao City Government through the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) has honored 32 Davaoeño centenarians in an event at the Grand Menseng Hotel here on Monday, October 3.

Each awardee, present or not, received a plaque and P100,000 cash.

Eligible for the award are those who turned 100 years old after Dec. 2, 2021, the day the Ordinance Honoring Centenarians was passed.

The event had 11 centenarians who were able to personally attend and receive their award. The 22 other centenarians were represented by family members.

Mayor Sebastian Duterte went from table to table to hand over the plaques and cash award alongside Vice Mayor Jay Melchor Quitain, and City Councilors Wilberto Al-ag, Tek Ocampo and Myrna Dalodo Ortiz.

"Once you reach 100 years old, this often includes having a healthy lifestyle. It was also revealed that these centenarians have family members who really take good care of them," CSWDO head lawyer Marlisa Gallo said.

Aside from the cash assistance, the centenarians who came from far-flung areas like Marilog District were also given hotel room accommodations in the morning before the event.

Families of the centenarians said they were elated that their parents were recognized during the event.

Reuben Corro, son of 102-year-old Emma Corro, said "this is really a great help and inspiration for all because according to our neighbors and relatives, they were encouraged to keep themselves healthy so that they could get the promised incentives."

Angeles, Calida resign

Press Secretary Rose Beatrix "Trixie" Cruz-Angeles and Commission on Audit (CoA) Chairman Jose Calida. TMT FILE PHOTO

By Catherine S. Valente  and Kristina Maralit

October 5, 2022

Press Secretary Rose Beatrix "Trixie" Cruz-Angeles and Commission on Audit (CoA) Chairman Jose Calida. TMT FILE PHOTO

(UPDATE) TWO members of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s Cabinet have resigned from their posts, Malacañang said on Tuesday.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin confirmed that Press Secretary Rose Beatrix "Trixie" Cruz-Angeles and Commission on Audit (CoA) Chairman Jose Calida had filed their letter of resignation.

In a statement, Cruz-Angeles said she tendered her resignation for "health reasons."

"I tendered my resignation this morning, effective end of business hours today. Due to health reasons. It was a pleasure working with you," she also said.

Cruz-Angeles is the second Cabinet official who stepped down after Victor Rodriguez announced on Sept. 17, 2022, that he has resigned as executive secretary but will continue serving Marcos as his chief of staff.

Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Hubert Guevara said the President is yet to appoint Cruz-Angeles' replacement.

"She tendered her resignation today. We're still in the process of helping the office address her resignation today," Guevara said.

"Wala pa hong bagong (There is still no new) press secretary. Hopefully, in the near future, we will have [a] new press secretary," he said.

According to Guevarra, Marcos gave Cruz-Angeles a "thank you note" after her resignation.

When asked if there are already names being considered to replace Cruz-Angeles, Guevarra said there was none.

Earlier in the day, the President reappointed some of his Cabinet members who were bypassed by the Commission on Appointments.

Cruz-Angeles was among the officials who were not on the list and not present during the ceremony.

Rumors about Cruz-Angeles' quitting from her post circulated after Marcos' working visit to the United States.

In May, she accepted the offer to be press secretary and head of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO).

She previously served as PCOO's social media strategist from July 2017 to July 2018 during the administration of then-president Rodrigo Duterte.

As a lawyer, she is known for representing military officers charged with rebellion and mutiny.

Cruz-Angeles was also a former commissioner for Cultural Heritage of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and former spokesman for the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.

She was also a member of then-Chief Justice Renato Corona's legal team during his impeachment trial in 2012.

Meanwhile, Bersamin also confirmed that Calida has stepped down as CoA chairman, but he declined to answer when prodded about the reason for the latter's resignation.

"He (Calida) tendered his resignation for many reasons, but it's up to him to later explain to you or publish what were his reasons, but we accepted that with regret and we commended him for his patriotism for serving for a short while," he said.

Calida, who served as solicitor general under the Duterte administration, is yet to issue a statement on the matter.

"Please be advised that the chairman was one of the officials whose appointment was bypassed by the Commission on Appointments," CoA's public information office said in a statement on reports of Calida's resignation.

"Today, the President issued the reappointments of 10 Cabinet members, unfortunately, Chairman Calida was not one of those reappointed," it added.

The commission said it would wait for Marcos' appointment of a new chairman.

Calida had served as the undersecretary of the Department of Justice from 2001 to 2004.

He also previously held the executive director post at the Dangerous Drugs Board.

Calida graduated from Ateneo de Davao University in 1969.

In 1973, he graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from the Ateneo de Manila University and passed the Bar the same year, according to the Office of the Solicitor General's website.

Also on Tuesday, Bersamin said his predecessor, Victor Rodriguez, was no longer a part of the Marcos administration.

Speaking to Palace reporters, he said there is no official document delegating Rodriguez as presidential chief of staff.

"No, he is no longer a member of the Cabinet. You must recall that he resigned for a specific reason, and that reason is well published. We cannot second-guess that reason. Take it as it was stated by the secretary and let us respect his privacy," Bersamin noted during a media interview.

Bersamin issued the statement after Rodriguez on September 17 announced his decision to step down from office to assume his new role as the President's chief of staff.

Then-press secretary Cruz-Angeles earlier said Marcos signed Administrative Order (AO) 1 creating the Office of the Presidential Chief of Staff, which will be under the direct supervision of the Office of the President.

The Office of the Presidential Chief of Staff shall have the primary function of supervising and ensuring the "efficient and responsive" day-to-day operational support to the presidency to enable the President to focus on strategic national concerns, she said, citing AO 1.

Cruz-Angeles added that Rodriguez "will immediately" assume his new position as presidential chief of staff, which will have the rank and emoluments of a Cabinet secretary.

Malacañang, however, is yet to release a copy of AO 1.

Bersamin said he has not seen the order creating the position, which was reportedly signed by the President last month.

"Kung meron talaga, ililitaw natin kung meron. Pero up to now, wala pang lumilitaw na ganyan (If there is really [AO 1], we will make it public. However, we are yet to see it up to now)," he added.

The new executive secretary said they do not even talk about the order.

He also asked that Rodriguez's privacy must be respected.

"And to be fair to him as well as to the President, let us not belabor that issue kasi (because) the decision has been made. I was appointed executive secretary. I was sworn into office and that should put that matter to rest," he added.

Rodriguez was Marcos' longtime chief of staff and spokesman before he was nominated as an executive secretary in May.

Bersamin, on the other hand, was named as executive secretary on September 27.

Prior to his role in the Marcos administration, he served as chief justice from 2018 to 2019 during the term of then-president Rodrigo Duterte.