2 LPAs form outside Philippine area of responsibility; possible to become tropical cyclones

BY ELLALYN DE VERA-RUIZ

Sep 8, 2024 08:52 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Both LPAs are expected to maintain strength over the next 24 hours, but their possibility of developing into tropical cyclones in the coming days cannot be ruled out.

• The next tropical cyclone names on PAGASA’s list are “Ferdie” and “Gener.”

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The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said two low pressure areas (LPAs) had formed outside the country’s area of responsibility on Sunday, Sept. 8.

PAGASA Weather Specialist Grace Castañeda said one LPA is located east-northeast of extreme northern Luzon, while the other is located far east of Mindanao.

She said both LPAs are expected to maintain strength over the next 24 hours. However, the possibility of developing into a tropical cyclone in the coming days cannot be ruled out.

The next tropical cyclone names on PAGASA’s list are “Ferdie” and “Gener.” 

By Monday, Sept. 9, Castañeda said the LPA east-northeast ng northern Luzon could either enter the PAR or approach the northern boundary.

She added that if this happens, the LPA may slightly enhance the southwest monsoon (habagat) and increase the likelihood of rainfall in the western sections of Northern and Central Luzon.

Meanwhile, Castañeda said the LPA east of Mindanao could also slightly enhance the habagat if it moves closer to the country’s area of responsibility by the second half of the week. 

This could lead to rainfall in the western parts of the Visayas and Mindanao as a result of the enhanced habagat, she added.

Over the next 24 hours, the weak habagat may bring cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms to Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Batanes, and Babuyan Islands.

PAGASA warned of possible flooding or landslides due to moderate to heavy rains.

The habagat may also bring partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms to Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon.

Meanwhile, the rest of the country may experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers due to localized thunderstorms.

PAGASA also warned of potential flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms.

Enhanced literacy promotes peace, better quality of life

BY MANILA BULLETIN

Sep 8, 2024 03:40 AM

  

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Literacy is a fundamental human right.  It is a foundation for people to acquire broader knowledge and skills to enable them to seek more opportunities to have better lives.

Most people may think literacy is a fading problem because worldwide, governments have strengthened education programs and technology has made it possible for many to get educated through online classes.  

Contrary to that, the United Nations said that according to latest reports in 2022, at least one out of seven adults aged 15 and above – or 765 million – still lack basic literacy skills. “Additionally, millions of children are struggling to acquire minimum levels of proficiency in reading, writing, and numeracy, while some 250 million children of six to 18 years old are out of school.”

Literacy is not only about knowing how to read and write.  In the present situation, the UN defines “literacy” as “beyond its conventional concept as a set of reading, writing and counting skills.”  Literacy is now understood as a means of understanding and communication in an increasingly digital world.

“Literacy is a continuum of learning and proficiency in reading, writing, and using numbers throughout life and is part of a larger set of skills, which include digital skills, media literacy, education for sustainable development and global citizenship as well as job-specific skills.”

Skills such as computer literacy, information literacy, and media literacy will empower people, and in particular youth, to develop critical thinking to build resilience to disinformation. 

The need to spread literacy has become more important today because literate parents will guide family members to pursue education to upgrade skills and to have better paying jobs. 

In the national setting, literacy has the “transformative potential for promoting mutual understanding, social cohesion, and peace,” a UN statement said of its goals in relation to the observance of International Literacy Day on Sept. 8 of every year.

The annual celebration of International Literacy Day (ILD), which started in 1967, aims to “remind policy-makers, practitioners, and the public of the critical importance of literacy for creating more literate, just, peaceful, and sustainable society.”

The UN program to promote literacy in formal and non-formal settings focuses on four priority areas: strengthening national strategies and policy development on literacy; addressing the needs of disadvantaged groups, particularly women and girls; using digital technologies to expand and improve learning outcomes; and monitoring progress and assessing literacy skills.

“Literacy skills themselves are expanding and evolving as people engage more and more with information and learning through digital technology,” the UN said.

The theme for this year’s observance of International Literacy Day is "Promoting multilingual education: Literacy for mutual understanding and peace.” 

“Literacy empowers and liberates people. Beyond its importance as part of the right to education, literacy improves lives by expanding capabilities. As a result, it reduces poverty, increases participation in the labor market and has positive effects on health and sustainable development.”

Government and private sector support for education should find more ways to spread literacy to all its citizens. It is the foundation of better lives, mutual understanding, and peace.

Gillian Vicencio hopeful her edgy look will bring her more success in showbiz

BY ROBERT REQUINTINA

Sep 7, 2024 10:32 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• "Talahib" is one of the officialentries to the 2024 Sinag Maynila Film Festival from Sept. 4-10. Theawards night will be held at the Metropolitan Theater on Sept. 8.

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Gillian Vicencio (Instagram)

Gillian Vicencio opted for an edgy look as she attended the screening of the slasher film "Talahid," in which she played her first lead role.

During an interview at Gateway 2 Cinema in Araneta City on Sept. 5, Gillian decided to cut her hair short to get noticed with her new look finally.

"Feeling ko kapag naka-long hair ako, hindi ako nag-stand out. So I try to do the other na usually hindi ginagawa ng mga tao. So baka doon mag-standout ako," Gillian said. 

Gillian added: "Sana magustuhan ng mga tao yung movie kasi every movie has a deeper meaning and message."

The actress expressed her belief that each project presents an opportunity for personal and professional growth.

"Hindi ko masasabi na comfortable ako sa kahit na anong project kasi bawat project is a challenge na hindi siya ganon kadali gawin talaga, kinikilala mo pa rin yung character," she added. 

"Talahib" is one of the official entries to the 2024 Sinag Maynila Film Festival from Sept. 4-10. The awards night will be held at the Metropolitan Theater on Sept. 8.

Directed by Alvin Yapan, the movie also stars Kristoff Garcia, Joem Bascon, Jess Mendoza, Kate Alejandrino, Dax Alejandro, Angellie Sanoy, Timothy Castillo, Yam Mercado, Iyo Canlas, Mercedes Cabral, Sue Prado and Johnny Revilla. "Talahib' is produced by Feast Foundation and Est N8.

Synopsis

"Talahib" is a slasher film, in the tradition of the franchise A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), and other local massacre films. A ghost killer preys upon hapless victims who happen to pass by this talahiban (large weeds with razor-sharp edges) in an abandoned subdivision. 

Their bodies are always found asphyxiated before being disposed of in the same talahiban. The story is told from the point of view of PO2 Bong, the police investigator. 

Gillian Vicencio and Kristoff Garcia

He does not believe in ghost killers; even though at one point he will have a close encounter with the killer, shooting him at close range, and slashing through the wild grass that bleeds. 

However, Bong begins to reassess his belief when he encounters a band of friends, all in their 20s or early 30s, conducting a spirit quest at the talahiban, or so they say.

The leader of the group is Mario. He is joined by Vernie, Paul, Patrick, Ria, and Joyce. As it turns out, this band of friends are children of a group of parents who killed the ghost killer (who used to be a hired assassin) and buried his body in the talahiban of that subdivision. 

Now, to stop the violence, the band of friends is trying to exhume the body. But the ghost killer, intent on continuing his killings even in the afterlife, will not let them. He enjoys killing too much. The band of friends will be killed off by the ghost killer one by one, leaving only Joyce behind. 

The cast of 'Talahib'

The movie will be mostly chase scenes among the bleeding grasses of the talahiban which seems to have a mind of its own.

To keep Joyce alive, Bong together with his police partner, PInsp. Roman, will encounter a mysterious character in Stephen, caught loitering in the talahiban. Bong thinks Stephen is only pretending to be mentally deranged to avoid suspicion. 

But as it turns out, Stephen is the son of a real estate mogul who used to hire the killer to do assassination jobs for him. Stephen will become the key to the origin story of the ghost killer.
The movie will be about the problem of forgiveness and the legacy of violence being passed on from parents to their children.

Welcome back! 2NE1 to hold concert in Manila

BY JONATHAN HICAP

Sep 6, 2024 11:09 AM

  

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Sandara Park’s wish came true: The Philippines is included in 2NE1’s comeback concert. 

YG Entertainment, 2NE1’s agency, announced on Sept. 6 that Manila and Jakarta are included in the “2NE1 Asia Tour: Welcome Back” concert. 

In Manila, 2NE1 will hold the concert on Nov. 16, Saturday. They will have their concert in Jakarta on Nov. 23, Saturday. 

The announcement was reposted by Live Nation Philippines. 

2NE1 will hold their concert in Manila and Jakarta (YG Entertainment)

2NE1 (Instagram)

2NE1 at their "All or Nothing" concert in Manila on May 17, 2014 (YG Entertainment)

2NE1 holding a press conference in the Philippines before their "All or Nothing" concert (Photo by Jonathan Hicap)

2NE1 held their last concert in Manila through the “All or Nothing” tour on May 17, 2014. 

In July after YG Entertainment announced 2NE1’s comeback concert, a fan tagged Sandara on X, telling her that she hopes the Philippines will be included in the 2NE1 concert tour. 

“@krungy21 ati sana included philippines sa concert nyo sa 2025 (@krungy21 I hope the Philippines is included in your concert in 2025),” the fan wrote. 

Sandara replied, “Marami pa bang PH Blackjacks?! that is one of my wish syempre (Are there still many PH [Philippine] Blackjacks [fans]? that is one of my wish of course).” 

Before the Manila show, 2NE1 will hold the Welcome Back concert in Seoul on Oct. 4 to 6 at the Olympic Hall in Olympic Park. 

This will be 2NE1’s first concert in 10 years and seven months since holding their “All or Nothing” concert in Seoul on March 1 and 2, 2014. 

Zero Waste: Refilling stations bring back ‘tingi’ buying culture

BY MANILA BULLETIN

Sep 5, 2024 02:47 AM

  

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The old Filipino practice of buying in small portions has started to appear in many sari-sari stores, this time pushing the concept of Zero Waste further with refilling stations where buyers bring reusable containers for their purchases.

Known as “tingi” (buying in small portions), the practice is expected to spread with more local government units (LGUs) and non-government organizations (NGOs) declaring support for the “Kuha Sa Tingi” project spearheaded by Greenpeace Philippines. The project aims to reduce plastic pollution which has been exponentially increased by sachets that package personal and home products.

“In the Philippines, as well as in other developing countries such as Indonesia and India, sachets are a big part of the problem. These small, sealed, single-use plastic packets produced by fast-moving consumer goods companies are present in every supermarket and sari-sari store,” Greenpeace PH said in a study, “Kuha sa Tingi: Bringing back sustainability into Filipino ‘tingi’ culture.”

It said “sachets account or up to 52 percent of the residual plastic waste stream. It is estimated that every year, the average Filipino uses 591 sachets, while over 59.8 billion sachets are thrown away.”

The “Kuha sa Tingi” project was launched in the city of San Juan in November 2022, and in Quezon City in July 2023.

The proponent of the project has reported the reduction of plastic waste – “Refill hubs located in Quezon City were able to divert around 47,601 sachets in just eight weeks; and 8,452 sachets were avoided during a six-week pilot run in San Juan refilling stations.”

The “tingi” buying practice is expected to spread especially with the support of the Metro Manila Mayors’ Spouses Foundation (MMMSFI). The organization, headed by San Juan First Lady Keri Zamora, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Greenpeace Philippines and RIPPLEx on Aug. 29 supporting the “Kuha sa Tingi” program. Also signing the MOU were Muntinlupa City’s First Lady Trina Biazon, Valenzuela City’s First Lady Tiffany Gatchalian, and Peggy Sienes, representing Parañaque’s First Lady Aileen Olivarez.

The program will establish refilling stations in sari-sari stores in Metro Manila.  Some of the products that will be offered for sale in small portions – or “tingi” – are personal items like shampoo, body wash, dishwashing liquid, detergent, and household cleaning products. Some 50 sari-sari store owners from different Metro Manila cities were given “Kuha sa Tingi” kits to set up refilling stations.

The practice aims to reduce, and ultimately displace, the use of sachets by developing a Zero Waste alternative delivery system, Greenpeace PH said.
The program provides a business model which can be easily replicated. It integrates refilling stations in community-based stores (like sari-sari stores) all over the country, installing an alternative delivery system that will replace sachets and single-use plastic containers on the way to a Zero Waste lifestyle.
Households can do much to support the Zero Waste program by choosing to avoid products in single-use plastic packages.  Consider buying liquid products in large containers and repacking them in reusable containers for daily use. Or, introduce the concept to your nearby sari-sari store, and buy “tingi.”  Do not forget to bring a container. 

The STANDS: An INQUIRER Sports Newsletter

 

September 6, 2024

Mason Amos will be among the players affected by the new UAAP rule on transferees. (MARLO CUETO)

Hey there sports fan, Wow, it has been a long time, hasn't it? Well, I was pretty much preoccupied with helping out the team work around the limitations of our Paris Olympics coverage. If you want to catch up on your favorite story on Carlos Yulo and the Olympians, you can still find our greatest hits on this menu.  By the way, here's an Olympic-themed trivia question: What was Bianca Pagdanganan’s final-round score during the Paris Olympics women’s golf tournament? You'll find the answer at the end of this email. So, how do we reacquaint ourselves again after more than a month's worth of hiatus? How about we kick off with the UAAP, which is opening this weekend, along with the 100th staging of the NCAA? After an offseason of whirlwind updates regarding fresh recruits and dramatic transfers, focus will finally be where it should be: On the court. Or is it? The UAAP also caused quite a stir when it announced a new eligibility rule covering transferees. The new rule kind of dances around a law passed to make eligibility and residency requirements for transferees less punitive, but it does so for a reason: According to lawyer Rebo Saguisag, the UAAP chief, the league is trying to balance the interests of its stakeholders. Basically, the rule states that while transferees still need to sit out just one year of residency, they will be stripped of ano extra year of eligibility. In a nutshell, Mason Amos will get to play for La Salle next year after his celebrated exit from rival Ateneo. How long he will remain with the Archers' program remains to be seen.

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Bernadeth Pons hugs Kyle Negrito after their triumph. (PVL IMAGES)

Meanwhile... …Make it Cream-9! The Creamline Cool Smashers again proved that they are the league standard in the Premier Volleyball League after they ruled the Reinforced Conference via a dominant victory over Akari in their one-game finale. And yes, if you clicked that link and were kind of surprised at where you landed, that's our web-based subscription platform, INQPlus, which carries exclusive sports stories told the way only we can. Subscription link is below. Thank me later. Bernadeth Pons was the breakout star of a Creamline squad that thrived despite the absence of three main cogs and halted what was (still is, actually) an amazing run by Akari. The Young Chargers were looking to cap an unbeaten run in the tournament with their first franchise crown. But apparently, the Erica Staunton-led Cool Smashers plus the fallout of a controversial semifinal victory over PLDT were too much for the young Akari team to handle. What we're up to next: The UAAP and the NCAA basketball tournaments are going to keep us pretty much preoccupied this week. Plus, we are still on the ground in Paris for the Paralympic Games. We'll be providing you with stories and features on our Paralympians straight from the French capital. We'll also keep track of the ongoing PBA Governors' Cup and the much-ballyhooed four-point arc and still provide you with volleyball content via the PVL Invitational Conference. Number of the Week: 51 Points scored by NorthPort's Arvin Tolentino in a recent PBA match. That was the highest output by a local player in two decades.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK “The physical part [of our game] we can recover in one to three days but for the mental health it’s very toxic.” —Taka Minowa, Akari coach, on the jeers and threats the Chargers received after a controversial semifinal victory.

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68. That's the answer to the trivia question above. Think you can ace the rest of our weekly sports quiz? head over to our Viber community and try the test out! Buy the Inquirer at newsstands, subscribe to our digital edition, Inquirer Plus, visit our online site and follow us on socials (Twitter: @inquirersports; FB: facebook.com/inquirersports) for more stories and updates—or to send us questions or suggestions of stories you'd want to read. See you next Friday! Francis Francis T. J. Ochoa is the Sports Editor of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. For comments, suggestions and questions, hit him up on Twitter (@ftjochoaINQ).