WITH BEETHOVEN UNDER PALMS (VII)

Chapter VII: A series of transitions

My buddy and best friend Jürgen invited me to dinner. We were at our favorite Italian restaurant in the elegant part of Berlin Zehlendorf. We talked about times gone by. Yes - gone by. Well, I agreed and tried to explain that I really underwent a series of transitions. "And what are we doing together again?" Jürgen asked. I shrugged my shoulders.

 As I mentioned earlier: 1980 - the year of great upheavals? Up and downs? Oh yes... . 

My job as Editorial Assistant for law magazines made me a lot of inner reassurance. After one year, my then publisher told me, "Well, I told you - learning my doing". For this job, you don't need to study law!" Another project was on my desk. JURA - law, or legal education, a magazine for law students. By editing all posts and articles, I found myself back in a real law study. I was obsessed with doing a very good job. "My" authors belonged to the elite of German lawyers: attorneys, judges and politicians. One of the latters was the then German Federal Minister of Foreign Minister, who would sign my appointment as German Honorary Consul for the island of Mindanao many many years later.

My job was totally fulfilling. Ludwig van Beethoven was with me day and night. Some palm trees were still a long way off. I became a member of the Berlin Theatre Club. My publisher's wife Blandine Ebinger recommended me to become a member. 

"Some things can only be said softly, some things can only be done secretly". Friedrich Hollaender had written this, Hollaender, the one with "The Blue Angel". For Blandine did he write this  because she was his muse. And his former wife. Ebinger became acquainted with Friedrich Hollaender in 1919, and with him she became heavily invested as a performer, writer, and composer in the Berlin cabaret scene in the 1920s, beginning in the cabaret Schall und Rauch and the Café des Westens. She recorded many of her husband's, Friedrich Hollaender, cabaret songs, including the set of songs entitled Lieder eines armen Mädchens (Songs of a poor girl). Ebinger emigrated to the United States in 1937, returning to Berlin in 1947. She moved to Munich, where she met her second husband, the publisher Helwig Hassepflug, in 1961. They eventually settled back in Berlin, where she continued her career in the theater and as an actress on television productions.

Helwig Hassenpflug, my then publisher, became my mentor and my father figure. I would work for him and his company till 1999. As a Berlin Theatre Club member, I met a lot of TV and movie actors and actresses as well as performers from classics until pop - even German rock legend Udo Lindenberg in Hamburg or the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra with star conductor Herbert von Karajan. And, my music library kept up growing ... .

On the other (sad) side: my list of friends got small and smaller and smaller.

My buddy Jürgen and I spent our last trip together in the Holy Land - in Israel. A sad good bye to each other. Jürgen planned to get married in South Korea.

Another one of my relationships had broken up. My mother got cancer. My father left us because of another woman.

I went to the nearest travel office planning to book a flight - taking me as far away as possible. The sales lady asked me, "Sir, I think you love Asia. How about the Philippines?" I agreed. Berlin - Frankfurt - Bangkok - Manila. And since I got three Filipina penfriends during that time, the Philippine round trip ticket Manila-Davao City-Zamboanga City-Manila was added.

(To be continued!)

KZ Tandingan to sing ‘Gabay,’ the first-ever Filipino Disney song

KZ Tandingan (Photo from Walt Disney Facebook Page)

by John Legaspi

It’s official. All hail Asia’s Soul Supreme!

KZ Tandingan will sing the song “Gabay,” the first Disney song in Filipino, in celebration of the studio’s newest film “Raya and the Last Dragon.” 

In the past years, many Filipino artists have officially recorded versions of movie theme songs for Disney. We’ve heard Filipino artists’ takes on Disney classics such as Janella Salvador’s “How Far I’ll Go” from the movie “Moana,” Darren Espanto and Morissette’s “A Whole New World” from the movie “Aladdin,” and much recently, Moira’s “Reflection” from the movie “Mulan.”

But with “Raya and the Last Dragon” set in a fictional world called Kumandra, which is inspired by Southeast Asian cultures, it is just fitting to have a rendition of the movie’s theme song in our local language.

Featuring the voice of Asian international stars such as Kelly Marie Tan, Akwafina, and Gemma Chan, “Raya and the Last Dragon” brings Disney’s first Southeast Asia princess, who is on a journey to find the last living dragon to that will help her to stop the Druu monsters that are threatening her land.

The movie is set to premiere on March 5, 2021 on the streaming service Disney +.

How to learn a language in an hour a day ...

 

Being bilingual has vast benefits – but getting there needn’t be a lifelong slog. One hour per day? I am not sure, if this is enough.

Learning a new language is an inherently scary idea. Thousands of unfamiliar words, an entirely different grammatical structure and the high potential for embarrassment are enough to intimidate many of us. With a busy work life, finding the time to commit to a new language can be a challenge in itself.

But experts agree that it’s more than possible to make meaningful progress in just one hour a day. Not only that, the skills gained from practicing a new language can feel like superpowers in the workplace and beyond.

Research shows there is a direct correlation between bilingualism and intelligence, memory skills and higher academic achievement. As the brain more efficiently processes information, it is even able to stave off age-related cognitive decline.

Depending on your native tongue and which new language you’re learning, you can develop a diverse toolkit of both short-term and lifelong cognitive benefits. Of course, the further apart the language the tougher the challenge (think Dutch and Vietnamese), but focusing on a specific application can drastically narrow the practice time.

Whether it’s for a new job, for literary competence or for making casual conversation, you can sharpen language skills no matter your age or previous exposure.

The most difficult languages

The US Foreign Service Institute (FSI) divides languages into four tiers of difficulty for native English speakers to learn. Group 1, the easiest of the bunch, includes languages like Danish, French, Italian, Romanian, Spanish and Swedish. According to FSI research, it takes around 600 to 750 hours of practice to reach basic fluency in all Group 1 languages.

The US Foreign Service Institute divides languages into four tiers of difficulty. The easiest take around 480 hours of practice to reach basic fluency

The difficulty begins to spike as we move down the list. It takes 900 hours to achieve the same level of fluency in Group 2 languages, which include German, Malay, Swahili, Haitian Creole and Indonesian. More difficult are many languages like Bengali, Czech, Hebrew, Polish and Tagalog, which places them in in Group 3. Group 4 is comprised of some of the most challenging languages for English speakers to grasp: Arabic, Chinese, Japanese and Korean.

Despite the daunting time frame, experts say it’s worth learning a second language for the cognitive benefits alone. Doing so naturally develops our executive functions, “the high-level ability to flexibly manipulate and utilize information, and hold information in the mind and suppress irrelevant information,” says Julie Fiez, a professor at the University of Pittsburgh’s department of neuroscience. “It’s called executive functions because it’s thought of as skills of a CEO: managing a bunch of people, juggling a lot of information, multitasking, prioritizing.”

Bilingual brains rely on executive functions – things like inhibitory control, working memory and cognitive flexibility – to maintain balance between two languages, according to a study from Northwestern University. Because both language systems are always active and competing, the brain’s control mechanisms are constantly strengthened.

At an hour a day's practice, a native English speaker could learn a Group 1 language in two years.

Lisa Meneghetti, a data analyst from Treviso, Italy, is a hyper polyglot, meaning she is fluent in six or more languages - in her case English, French, Swedish, Spanish, Russian and Italian. When embarking on a new language, especially one with a lower difficulty curve that requires less cognitive stamina, she says the biggest challenge is to avoid mixing words.

“It’s normal for the brain to switch and use shortcuts,” she says. “This happens more often and more easily with languages that belong to the same family…  because the similarities are great but so are the false friends!”

While it might seem counter-intuitive, combating this mental hurdle is as simple as pursuing a language with fewer similarities to the one you already know, according to Beverly Baker, a professor of language and bilingualism at the University of Ottawa.

“If you choose two that had different writing systems and very different areas - Japanese and Spanish - at the same time, you wouldn’t have that annoyance of mixing up the words,” she says.

Learning the basics of any language is a quick task. Programs like Duolingo or Rosetta Stone can guide you through a few greetings and simple phrases at lightning speed. For a more personal experience, polyglot Timothy Doner recommends reading and watching material that you already have an interest in.

“If you like cooking, buy a cookbook in a foreign language; if you like soccer, try watching a foreign game,” he says. “Even if you’re only picking up a handful of words per day - and the vast majority continue to sound like gibberish - they will be easier to recall later on.”

Learning a new language becomes much easier if you combine it with something else you enjoy – for instance, watching a football game with foreign commentary. Before you go too far, however, it’s important to consider exactly how you plan to use the language in the future.

“A busy professional might see Mandarin as important to learn because they have business contacts, or it could be a language your family spoke and you lost, or you’re in love with someone who spoke that language. Maybe you’re just interested in saying a few things to your in-laws,” Baker says. “It’s your personal motivations - the level you actually want to realistically live in the language.”

Once your intentions for the new language are defined, you can begin planning out a productive hourly schedule for daily practice

Once your intentions for the new language are defined, you can begin planning out a productive hourly schedule for daily practice that includes multiple learning methods.

Advice on how to best spend this time varies depending on which polyglot or linguistics expert you’re speaking to. But there’s one tip they all seem to stand behind: devote at least half of your hour to stepping away from the books and videos to practice with a native speaker face to face. “To go over questions and do activities, to talk together in the language, and to discuss the culture,” Baker says. “I would not skip that part, because learning about the people and culture will motivate me to keep up with the rest of my learning.”

“Adults, some of them do their language learning trying to memorize words and practice pronunciation, all in silence and to themselves. They don’t actually take the leap to try and have a conversation actually using the language,” Fiez says. “You’re not really learning another language, you’re just learning picture-sound associations.”

Language-learning programs are important, but spending time with a native speaker is the most effective method. 

Just like exercise or musical instruments, people recommend a shorter amount of practice time on a regular basis rather than larger chunks on a more sporadic basis. This is because without a consistent schedule the brain fails to engage in any deep cognitive processes, like making connections between new knowledge and your previous learning. An hour a day five days a week is therefore going to be more beneficial than a five-hour blitz once a week.

According to the FSI index, it would take 150 weeks at this pace to achieve basic fluency in a Group 1 language, or just under three years. But by following the advice from experts, narrowing down your lessons for specific applications rather than general fluency, new speakers will be able to shave off significant time towards reaching their desired level.

“Learning a second language can satisfy an immediate need but it will also help you become a more understanding and empathic person by opening the doors to a different way of thinking and feeling,” says Meneghetti. “It’s about IQ and EQ combined.”

Dedicating one hour of your day towards learning a new language can be thought of as practice in bridging gaps between people. The result is a more malleable communication skill set that brings you closer to your peers at work, home or abroad.

“You’re faced with a different worldview with someone from a different culture. You don’t rush to judgment and are more effective at resolving the clashes in the world that come up,” Baker says.

“Just learning one language, any language in any culture, helps you to develop that adaptability and flexibility when faced with other cultures, period.”

A COLUMNIST IN PANDEMIC TIMES

Since the former 80s, I have been a columnist in different publications throughout the globe. I've written on many subjects under the sun. Politically, I have generally held back. Why? Why should I meddle in things I don't understand?

Hold on! Don't get me wrong! I have my own opinion regarding - as I said earlier - anything under the sun. In this time, many writers and dear columnist friends overturn themselves with different opinions. People have changed. Accepting others' opinions is almost impossible. Many times, so-called "shit storms" followed. Fortunately, I have been spared this until now. It is also not my intention to start any war with my opinion.

But, it hurts me very much how people have changed so negatively no matter where on earth. One thing is as clear as the Amen following every single prayer in  church. This pandemic has changed all of us and maybe I'll be one of them.

While I am writing my biography, I keep diving back into the world of yesterday. If not, how could I write about my past. Was really everything much better than it is today? I leave the answer to you my dear readers. Because one thing is certain: we're all in the same boat. It is up to each and every one of us how to cope with the present time.

I have at first God. Secondly, my family in the Philippines. And you?

DICT launches Tech4Ed Centers in Davao de Oro

Davao de Oro --- The Department of Information and Communications Technology – Mindanao Cluster 3 (DICT MC3) recently launched a Technology for Education, Employment, Entrepreneurs and Economic Development (Tech4Ed) Centers and turn-over computer packages in LGU New Bataan, Mainit National High School in Nabunturan and Philippine Army’s 10th SIGNAL Battalion.

 A Tech4ED is one of the DICT’s flagship programs implemented nation-wide that aims to provide access points for individuals and communities to bridge the digital gap and harness the power of ICT in society towards creating a progressive countryside.

 DICT MC3 Assistant Regional Director Engr. Erlito Tancontian underscores the government’s effort to provide easy accessibility to every municipality and barangay in the province particularly for those with minimal or no access to information and government services.

 “The establishment of the Tech4Ed Center is expected to bridge the digital and education divide by addressing the scarcity of ICT resources in the municipality that has hampered digital growth among locals,” Tancontian said.

He also added that Tech4Ed offers eight segment features like eEduSkills, eAssist, eHealth, eMarketPlace, eGovServices, Gender & Development and Rural Impact Sourcing (RIS) which all has a special function on a specific purpose from educational, job readiness and business tracking, to government office document transactions.

 The facilities set-up in these centers are open for free use of out-school-youths, students, teachers and entrepreneurs with no internet access, employees, PWDs, senior citizens, and indigenous people.

 As of February 9, 2021, 36 Wi-Fi zones are up in the province under the DICT-UNDP project dubbed “Free Wi-Fi for All Project” and the remaining 86 sites are ongoing implementation.

 Meanwhile, the PLGU-DdO’s Tech4Ed Center received additional four computer packages to further extend the government services among its employees and clients.

Present during the ceremony were DICT Davao de Oro Provincial Officer Engr. Ronilo M. Santa Cruz, Tech4ED Focal Person Eng. Albert C. Gabriel, LTC Jose C Perlas Jr, New Bataan Mayor Geraldford N. Balbin, Assistant School Principal II Sandy G. Yee, and Provincial Information Technology Officer Joyzel R. Odi and other local officials. (Rheafe Hortizano – Provincial Information Office of DdO)

Davao City posts 89% Covid recovery rate

 Photo by Mark Perandos

by: RALPH LAWRENCE G. LLEMIT

SunStar Davao City

A LOCAL health official said Davao City is targeting to beat the overall recovery rate in the country as Covid-19 recoveries in the city continue to rise.

City Health Office (CHO) Acting Head Dr. Ashley Lopez said in a radio interview on Wednesday, February 23, 2021, that the city is continuing to experience a downtrend of active cases due to a large number of new recoveries.

According to the Department of Health-Davao Region Covid-19 case bulletin, as of February 23, Davao City had a total of 12,832 Covid-19 cases, wherein 748 were active cases, 11,458 were recoveries and 626 were deaths.

He said the total number of recoveries accounts for an 89-percent recovery rate for the city.

The health official said the city's recovery rate is inching closer to the national recovery rate, which is currently at 93.1 percent.

"Hapit na ta mutungtong sa 90 porsyento. Kinahanglan nato maapsan or ma-overtake-kan nang atong national rate nga 93.1 percent sa recovery rate nationwide (We are now almost at 90-percent. We hope to surpass the current national recovery rate, which is now at 93.1 percent)," Lopez said in an interview on 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio.

He added, "Kung ato na malampasan nang 93 percent nga recovery rate, then that is very, very good na (If we would surpass the 93-percent national recovery rate, that is already a very good) accomplishment for Davao City."

Lopez noted an estimated 50-percent drop of active cases in the past two weeks.

"In fact, ang (our) number of deaths from March [2020] up to present, murag nipantay na siya sa atong (is almost equal to our) active [cases]," he said.

With the downtrend being felt since February 3, the health official said they are also targeting to decrease the active cases to a single digit or a much lower double-digit.

Lopez also noted a downtrend in Covid-19 cases in the entire Davao Region following the downtrend in Davao City. The city had contributed a high percentage of the total cases in the region.

Davao City, according to the previous Covid-19 bulletin, experienced a surge in Covid-19 cases in mid-October last year when the city was still placed under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ), which started on July 1, until it was reverted to general community quarantine (GCQ) on November 20.

Cases continued to increase until January 2021 brought about by the post-Holiday surge, which was projected to be felt until mid-February this year.

Lopez cited the importance of having a projection or forecasting for Covid-19 cases, as it will be the city government's basis in its response.

Lopez said their projections were “accurate,” although the downtrend was felt a week earlier than what was previously projected.

"Mao na (That is the) advantage when you have accurate data, if you're going to have some anticipations based on the forecasting," he said, adding that their forecast depicts what would be the Covid-19 situation in the city in the coming weeks or months.

He said this progress is facing challenges brought about by the recent discovery of the new Covid-19 variant in the country, now also recorded in Davao City coming from a 10-year-old boy who was asymptomatic and fully recovered.

He also cited the recent recommendation of placing the entire country under MGCQ as a challenge in the city's improving Covid-19 situation.

Lopez said in a previous report that it is still early for the city to shift to a more relaxed quarantine status as the city is still managing to improve its Covid-19 case management.

He also said the recent recommendation of allowing international flights, even with countries with existing new variants, to enter Metro Manila is also another challenge.

According to Lopez, foreigners will now be allowed entry into the country provided they will undergo a 14-day quarantine.

"Problema ani kay kung makasulod (The problem is that once they enter), the question is how far can we monitor or mabantayan kaning pasyente (or monitor our patients)? How far can we go so we can suppress the possible transmission?" He said.

Lopez reminded the public to adhere to minimum health protocols as a measure to curb the spread of the coronavirus while the country waits for the Covid-19 vaccines.

Even with the arrival of the vaccines, he encouraged that health protocols would still be imposed as the vaccine's effect will not take effect immediately.

Igacos won’t allow island-hopping despite tourism reopening

Photo by Ace Perez

By RALPH LAWRENCE G. LLEMIT

SunStar Davao City

ISLAND-HOPPING within the Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos) will still be prohibited once tourism operations within the island resume on March 1, 2021.

Igacos Tourism Officer Jennifer Dagohoy Cariaga said in a radio interview on Wednesday, February 24, that island-hopping, one of the main tourism activities on the island, is still not allowed.

Cariaga did not further elaborate on the reason why the local government had temporarily suspended island-hopping activities.

The prohibition of island-hopping had been an existing guideline on the island prior to the suspension of Samal's tourism activities on December 18, 2020.

In a previous report, island-hopping was suspended to regulate the movement of the public as a mitigating measure against Covid-19.

She also said resort-hopping will also not be allowed.

"Kung asa ka naka-book, dili ka pwede magsuroy. Dili ka pwede mag-resort-hopping (Once you are booked to a certain establishment, you cannot roam anywhere and do resort hopping)," Cariaga said.

As of Wednesday, the city government has yet to issue an executive order (EO) on the complete guidelines, which Cariaga said the mayor will issue within the week.

She also added they would still implement the "no booking, no entry" policy.

As to the operational capacity, only 50 percent of the resort’s capacity will be allowed to maintain the required physical distancing.

Meanwhile, Cariaga said the local government is planning to lift the 24-hour liquor ban as they set to allow establishments to sell liquor. She, however, said liquors should not be consumed in public and even on resorts.

Beach resorts started the resumption of their operation on August 1, 2020, while tourism activities such as island hopping, scuba diving and aqua sports activities resumed on September 16.

Tourism activities on the island were suspended on December 18, 2020, in anticipation of the influx of tourists who wished to celebrate Christmas in Samal.

The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) approved the request of the Igacos government to reopen its tourism industry.

In a news report from state-owned media PTV Davao on Tuesday, February 23, 2021, Uy confirmed that the IATF granted their appeal to allow the gradual reopening of the island to tourists under a limited capacity after submitting their appeal to the national IATF.

Only resorts and other tourism-related establishments accredited by the local government and the Department of Tourism will be allowed to operate, he said.

Uy added that tourists outside Davao Region will also be allowed to visit Samal, but they must abide by the imposed requirements.

"Kadtong sa mga (Those from) outside Davao Region, they will go through the antigen test. Isa pud na sa gi-unsa pud sa IATF sa amoa (These were the regulations that the IATF ordered us to implement). Anyway, ang (the) antigen, ang mag-conduct ana [is] ang city unya libre na siya (will be provided by the city for free)," he said.

Duterte-Carpio calls for a stop on 'Run, Sara, Run' motorcades

File photo by Superbalita Davao

 

by RALPH LAWRENCE G. LLEMIT, SunStar

DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio barred her supporters in the city from organizing motorcades prodding her to run for president in 2022.

In a radio interview on Monday, February 24, Duterte-Carpio said some barangay officials, along with some supporters in the city, are planning to stage a motorcade to convince her to run for the presidency.

Duterte-Carpio told organizers to better save the fuel of their vehicles for some other essential purposes because she is firm in her decision not to run in the upcoming elections.

The mayor also told the group not to push through with their activity since the city is still under pandemic.

"Nagpasulti nako sa ila (I already told this person), who is a mover of their group, not to conduct gatherings because we are in a pandemic, and there is a risk na (that) there will be transmission kung dunay activity or gathering sa mga tao (if there will be activity or gathering of people), and [I told them] to stop that motorcade," she said.

Duterte-Carpio added the city has an existing ordinance prohibiting motorcade as this contributes to air pollution.

"Kahibalo ta nga naga-worsen na ang global warming. So these motorcades nga walay essential nga rason nga naga-contribute global warming and air pollution (We all know there is global warming and these unessential motorcades are just contributing to global warming and air pollution)," she said.

The mayor also ordered the removal of tarpaulins, posters, and billboards with the text "Run, Sara, Run," mounted by her supporters in some parts of the city.

"Mag-remind lang ko sa tanan na ang pagtaod og billboard and tarpaulin, there is a regulation para ana. One of that is kinahanglan ka magbayad sa government para sa mga ing-ana (May I just remind everyone that when you install billboards and tarpaulins there is a regulation for that, one of which is that you need to pay government fees)," Duterte-Carpio said.

She told the public to report the location of these posters so that the city can remove these and return these to the owners.

With the increasing number of supporters, not only in Davao City or Davao Region, but also in some parts of the country, Duterte-Carpio reiterated her previous statement that she will not be running for the national post.

"Tingala siguro ang mga tao ngano wala ko ginahatag nga rason kung ngano dili ko gusto mudagan pagkapangulo. Sa ilang tan-aw siguro, there is this chance nga tingali magbag-o akong huna-huna or wala ko nagsulti og tinuod (They might wonder why I am not giving any reasons why I am not running for the presidency. They thought there is this chance that I might change my mind, or that I am not telling the truth)," the mayor said.

"Ako na lang ginasulti pirmi is nagapasalamat ko sa ilang trust and confidence sa akoa, and nagapasalamat ko sa ilang suporta sa ako (What I am always saying is that I am very grateful for their trust and confidence in me, and that I am always thankful for their support). But I already answered that," Duterte-Carpio said, adding that there is "no chance" of changing her mind.

The mayor did not further disclose her reasons not to run, although she previously said she has many reasons behind it.

She added she does not want to offend any people on her decision.

The mayor had been shutting down rumors of her planning to run for presidency despite constant calls from her supporters, and has been leading in various surveys from different polling bodies for the 2022 presidential elections.

The mayor responded through a statement issued to national media saying that she is not planning to run in 2022, but in 2034.

"I am pleading to them to please allow me to run for President in 2034, if at that time, there is something I can do to help the country," she said.

Duterte-Carpio said in a recent interview that she is currently focused on addressing the Covid-19 situation in the city.

President Rodrigo Duterte, in recent public speeches, also does not want his daughter to run for presidency.

DOH advisers: Place Cebu under ECQ again

 

by REBECAH ROBERTS, JERRA MAE LIBREA, JOHANNA O. BAJENTING, SunStar

SOME members of the technical advisory council of the Department of Health central office have recommended placing Cebu under enhanced community quarantine due to the rising number of Covid-19 cases and the reported Sars-CoV-2 mutations, or “mutations of concern.”

However, the DOH 7 leadership has appealed to the council to give them time to review its data, according to DOH 7 spokesperson and chief pathologist Dr. Mary Jean Loreche.

Local business leaders slammed the idea of placing Cebu under ECQ status, saying there should be a balance between health and livelihood. ECQ is the strictest community quarantine status as it restricts public movement and transportation, and would close non-essentail commercial establishments (cinemas, entertainment hubs and tourism destinations).

In a meeting with the DOH central office’s technical advisory council (TAC) on Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, the DOH 7 was given until Friday, Feb. 26, 2021, to address the current Covid-19 situation in Cebu so it could keep to keep its modified general community quarantine status (MGCQ) status, Loreche said.

Not yet official

Loreche, however, clarified that the recommendation of some TAC members is not yet official as they have still to meet on Friday, Feb. 26, to go over the matter.

“The data they used did not synchronize with our data. That is why on Friday I am presenting our data,” she said.

On Sunday, Feb. 21, the DOH central office with the University of the Philippines (UP) Philippine Genome Center and UP National Institutes of Health announced that N501Y and E484K mutations of concern (MOC) were detected in three additional samples from Central Visayas following an enhanced genomic biosurveillance.

According to Loreche, it would be unfair for Central Visayas to be the only region monitored because of the presence of MOC, a term coined by local health authorities describing detected mutations of Sars-CoV-2 (the virus that causes Covid-19) that are under investigation.

“Because we did the biosurveillance, it doesn’t mean na dapat ay tayo lang ang tutukan at sasabihan na ang MOC ay nasa atin lang at dapat ay i-lock tayo, restrict ang travel para hindi natin madala sa iba (that our place should be the only one monitored and we should be told that the MOC is found only in our place and we should be put in a lockdown, travel restriction to prevent us from carrying it to other places),” Loreche said.

She added, “I don’t think that’s fair.”

To recall, Cebu City and Talisay City decried the quarantine classification made by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases on their respective local government units in June 2020 based on “incorrect data.”

Talisay City was placed under modified ECQ, when other places in Cebu province registered more cases but remained under GCQ.

Meeting LGUs

Loreche said they will meet with leaders of local government units (LGUs) to urge them to reimplement stricter quarantine protocol to control the spread of the virus.

Cebu City breached the 3,000 mark on Covid-19 active cases on Sunday, Feb. 21 with 3,142 cases. The last time Cebu City hit 3,000 active cases was on July 31, 2020 when it had 3,292 active cases.

On Monday, Feb. 22, Cebu City’s active cases further increased to 3,176 with 184 new cases, 147 recoveries and three deaths, according to the DOH 7 bulletin.

Expected rise

Loreche said they already expected the rise in the number of new cases because of the lighter community quarantine status (MGCQ), recent holidays, and the continued contact tracing and testing efforts.

The DOH 7, she said, still does not recommend placing Cebu under a lockdown as this will greatly affect Cebu’s economy. Instead, she advised the public to follow health protocol such as wearing masks and observing social distancing at all times for everyone’s safety.

“For people to be mindful it is an individual responsibility to protect himself. It’s not the government’s job to protect you, to implement and restrict yourself so that you will be able to fight off Covid. It should be you, me, kitang tanan maningkamot ta na dili ta makakuha sa virus; nga dili ta makatakod sa atong mga pinalangga sa kinabuhi nato (we should all strive hard not to contract the virus and not to infect our loved ones),” she said.

Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia earlier expressed her strong opposition to placing Cebu under lockdown.

“Don’t mess with us. We can take care of ourselves. I will not and never again accept lockdown. I will fight for Cebu and the Cebuano because Cebu is moving on and moving forward,” Garcia warned.

She said measures are already in place against Covid-19 transmission and the LGUs under the Provincial Government’s scope have devised a system to keep infections in check. Isolation centers have been established and contact tracers have been hired, among others.

“Lockdowns don’t work well. They work against the economy. They disrupt the economy to the detriment of the poor,” Garcia said.

On Feb. 21, 2021, Central Visayas recorded 431 new Covid-19 cases. Cebu City recorded the highest new cases in the region with 255, bringing its total active cases to 3,142. Of the 3,142 active cases, 2,795 were asymptomatic, 150 mild, 116 moderate, 67 severe, and 14 critically ill. Cebu City’s attack rate was 24.8 percent, the highest recorded attack rate in the city.

The region on Feb. 22 recorded 384 new cases and 299 recoveries, bringing its total active cases to 6,276. The six new deaths reported on Feb. 22 brought the toll to 1,536.

Alarming

As for Cebu City’s 3,000-plus active cases, City Councilor Joel Garganera said the situation is “alarming.”

“Yes, this is indeed alarming, which is why we require the utmost cooperation from the public,” Garganera said on Feb. 22.

He added: “We cannot afford for our hospitals to be overwhelmed once more. That is why I encourage everyone to limit your movements to necessary activities only.”

Garganera declined to comment on the TAC members recommending to place Cebu, including Cebu City, under ECQ.

However, the councilor said in an earlier statement that Cebu City cannot afford to be on lockdown again and everyone “must learn to live with Covid.”

Business concerns

Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Steven Yu opposed the ECQ recommendation, saying it would hurt the local economy.

“We are all-out against ECQ because there are other tools/means available without resorting to lockdowns. Our healthcare capability and capacity have also strengthened considerably. We have to move on and move forward, to bring back livelihood to the people and build back the strong pre-pandemic economy,” he said.

Rey Calooy, chairman of the Filipino Cebuano Business Club, said stricter restrictions would further devastate the current situation of micro, small and medium businesses.

“Some of the small ones operate daily just to earn income so they can eat for the day. Hand to mouth. Of course, rich people and people with stable jobs are only fighting Covid-19. But the MSMEs? They are fighting both Covid-19 and hunger,” he said.

Calooy said: “We are consistent with our stand that our lives are our livelihood. How can you live without eating? And how can you eat without livelihood? That is very simple logic.”

Cebu City barangays

The Cebu City barangays that have no reported transmission of Covid-19 cases for the past 10 days are down to nine barangays.

Garganera said 71 barangays in the city have current transmission of Covid-19.

Based on Emergency Operations Center (EOC) data, Barangay Guadalupe continued to have the most number of logged cases for the past 10 days, from Feb. 12 to Feb. 21, with 217.

Other barangays which logged the most number of Covid-19 cases for the past 10 days include Barangays Labangon with 126, Tisa with 108, Lahug with 93, and Apas with 85 cases.

ebu City is composed of 80 barangays, with only two barangays remaining to have no reported Covid-19 case since the coronavirus pandemic started last year.

Utilization rate

In a press conference of the DOH 7 on Monday afternoon, Feb. 22, Loreche said the critical care utilization rate in the whole region for private hospitals is at 47.6 percent while in public hospitals is at 58.7 percent.

EOC data also showed that in isolation facilities in Cebu City, there are still a total of 1,122 available beds as of Feb. 21.

At New Normal Oasis for Adaptation and a Home (Noah), 235 beds are occupied while 215 are still available.

In other facilities, 87 beds at IC3 Bayanihan Center are occupied, 43 beds remain available; 156 beds are occupied at Cebu City Quarantine Center, four beds remain available; 412 beds are occupied in barangay isolation centers, 850 beds remain unoccupied; 192 beds are occupied in accredited hotels in the city, while 10 beds remain unoccupied.

WITH BEETHOVEN UNDER PALMS (VI)

Chapter VI: A new car, a new job and the Apartheid Regime

Yes, 1980 was a year of great upheaval for me. A new car was needed. An old sports car: Opel Manta. Because there was no speed limit in Germany during this time, I was mostly alone in the left lane of the motorway, the German Autobahn and mostly at night. 200 km/h - no problem.

In East Germany, the German Democratic Republic, everything was very different anyway. Speed limit 100 km/h and highway patrols at any corner.

After my return from Moscow I was really surprised at how quickly I got a visa for East Germany every time. I visited my "Lola" there as much I could. The border controls limited themselves to an absolute minimum. "We have to control you a little. It's our duty", whispered the two border police guys one day. "Have a nice stay in our republic!" I was able to explain the reactions very quickly; after all, I had flown from Berlin to Moscow "on the line of German-Russian Friendship"... .

And then came the big day in business. I had my job interview. To my great surprise, a young lady came up and said, "Please come, the publisher is waiting for you already". The publisher? I was actually expecting an interview with the Human Resources Director. At this point in time, I didn't see my future boss becoming my great mentor. He was a lawyer and responsible publisher of the law department. Besides, there was a Department of Medicine and a Department of Religion in this international publishing house based in Berlin, New York, and Amsterdam.

My travel plans to South Africa were not a hindrance. I was able to start my job as Editorial Assistant for law magazines on January 1, 1980. I have never studied law in my life.

October 1980 I traveled to South Africa - more precisely from Berlin to London and then by British Airways from London to Johannesburg with a stopover in Kenya with its snow-capped Kilimanjaro. 

Lisa waited for me. One of my penfriends from all over the world. She had moved from Austria to South Africa. In January 1972, I received her first letter from Vienna. Now in 1980 we should finally get to know each other personally. 

Not in Austria but in South Africa -  a country with the Apartheid policy.

Apartheid (Afrikaans: “apartness”) is the name of the policy that governed relations between the white minority and the nonwhite majority of South Africa during the 20th century. Although racial segregation had long been in practice there, the apartheid name was first used about 1948 to describe the racial segregation policies embraced by the white minority government. Apartheid dictated where South Africans, on the basis of their race, could live and work, the type of education they could receive, and whether they could vote. Events in the early 1990s marked the end of legislated apartheid, but the social and economic effects remained deeply entrenched.

It was an unforgettable trip in a camping bus to gold mines, wildlife, desserts and visiting the different tribes. 

On my return flight I remembered a very specific country. One of the stewardesses was born there as she told me: Philippines. Well, the Philippines was getting closer and closer into my life. I guessed it after several conversations with this wonderful Filipina.

(To be continued!)