Miss Universe Philippines queens turn into Disney Princesses

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte - Philstar.com

From left: Rabiya Mateo as Ariel, Celeste Cortesi as Cinderella and Bea Gomez as Belle

BJ Pacual, BYS / Released

MANILA, Philippines — Ace lensman BJ Pacual, in collaboration with BYS cosmetics and Disney Princess, photographed reigning Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) Silvia Celeste Cortesi, together with Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo and Miss Universe Philippines 2021 Beatrice Luigi Gomez, as three Disney princesses.

"A modern-day princess is, first of all, someone that is brave; someone who is not afraid to take risks and to always chase after her own dreams. Somebody who is courageous and brave enough to accept her weaknesses, her flaws, and always go after whatever she wants to pursue in her life," shared Cortesi, who was photographed as Cinderella.

BJ's photographic work, as well as the montage captured during the photo shoot, were presented to members of the media during a sit-down dinner at the Siren Studios in Makati City recently. Simply dubbed "BYS x Disney Princess Collection Launch," the formal affair brought together beauty queens and creatives in a spirit of fun and fellowship.

"Thank you for giving us this collaborative project. We don't usually get freedom in our line of work. Me and my team are so grateful that we were able to bring BYS and Disney Princess' vision to life," confessed Pascual.

The elegant banquet, prepared by multi-awarded Chef Margarita Fores, was an eight-course affair with wine pairing.

"Our first Disney makeup collection is at Watsons stores. It will empower young ladies who are not afraid to face the world and the challenges it brings, as well as limitless opportunities. And this is a testament to how far women go and succeed. Courage and kindness embody the true character of every Disney princess. There's more to just endorsing brands and labels; they can be causes and initiatives too," said BYS Philippines executive Angie Goyena.

"A Disney princess is someone who is kind and  compassionate, just like each one of us MUPH queens who are the princesses of BYS Cosmetics that represent one trait of each. For me as Belle, I represent beauty and intelligence. Modern-day princesses are more than just beautiful 'coz they have innate beauty which is more than physical. They have kind hearts, beautiful minds that exudes more than just their physical attributes," enthused Bea, who was photographed as the heroine from "Beauty and the Beast."

The collection offers variants with color palettes that fit different types of princess characters.

"A modern-day princess needs to be courageous. She needs to be a risk-taker because there are lots of stereotypes in this world that will put you in a box. You need to have the heart, and the freedom to be who you really are - to break expectations, to spread your wings and have the  courage to conquer the universe. Once you have courage, a lot of great and beautiful things will come to you and you will make it happen," intoned Rabiya, who was photographed as Ariel from "The Little Mermaid."

BYS, as a makeup label, espouses their campaign tagline "Be yourself."

Is it safe to eat raw garlic every day?

 

Lucia Garcia

My name is Lucia Garcia, 36 years old. I was graduated from the Pritzker School of Medicine at University of Chicago, my major is clinical medicine. I have been working at Hospitals. I am fully committed to helping people take control of their health and realize their potential as human beings. As a doctor, my motto is “Knowledge not shared is wasted”.

People in many countries have the habit of eating raw garlic.

Germans like to eat raw garlic. According to statistics, Germans eat 8,000 tons of garlic every year.

According to the World Health Organization report, the average life expectancy in Germany is as high as 81 years, which is among the best in the world.

Many experts believe that the longevity of Germans is closely related to their eating garlic.

In Germany, garlic is known as a natural anti-cancer drug, a powerful antibiotic, and the king of longevity. Germans believe that eating more garlic can lead to health and longevity.

Many studies have shown that garlic has a strong antioxidant effect, can effectively remove harmful free radicals and delay the body's aging process.

Lifetime validity of birth, death and marriage papers ‘won’t affect’ PSA’s income

File photo

By : PHILIP A. CEROJANO, TITO P. TAN, SunStar Cebu

A MEASURE approved by the Senate which mandates a lifetime validity of birth, death and marriage certificates would not affect the income of Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Senate Bill 2450, which was passed on third and final reading on Monday, May 23, still awaits approval by President Rodrigo Duterte before this would become a law.

The proposed law seeks the permanent validity of the certificates of live birth, death, and marriage issued, signed, certified or authenticated by the PSA and the local civil registries, as well as the reports of birth, death, and marriage registered and issued by the Philippine Foreign Service Posts.

Claire Coronado, PSA 7 spokesperson, said not covered by the bill is the certificate of no marriage (Cenomar), which expires every six months.

She clarified that PSA’s income won’t be affected by the proposed law, adding that clients will still need to get a new copy of their certificates of live birth, death and marriage from their office if they are required to submit or present the authenticated copy in their future transactions.

She said the PSA issues the authenticated or original copy of the certificates, and once the clients have run out of the original, they would still go to PSA to get one.

If the employer or agency accepts a photocopy of the certificate, there is no need for renewal, Coronado added, stressing that the birth, death or marriage certificates they issue have no expiration dates.

Most government agencies and other business establishments require their clients to submit original copies of birth, death and marriage certificates.

Coronado said if the bill is passed into law, it would address the long lines of people seen every day at PSA offices.

Martin Nievera keeps passion for music alive

By Ricky L. Calderon, Manila Times

Forty years into a storied showbiz career, prime balladeer Martin Nievera is as busy as ever and has written a new song to boot.

In his usual upbeat self, Martin exclaimed, "I've been great! Trying to keep busy, trying to keep sane." And asked how he keeps himself positive, he jokingly answered, "These are the times we not supposed to be positive remember? We're supposed to be negative!"

And just like that, he jumps right into storyteller mode.

Martin Nievera is excited to perform before a live audience for his 40th anniversary in the music business.

"The old meaning of 'positive' is what I wanted to bring back," Martin claimed. "I'm one of those singers who sings about the 'sad' love songs, the 'I can't make it' love songs, the 'I want you back' type of songs. This time, I wanted to finally have a song that was positive."

Enter "Smile Again."

For this, Martin found inspiration in the situation we've all been in the past two years.

"I think If I were to speak for everybody, what everyone's been going through, in their quiet time, and believe me we've had a lot of those, they're thinking of happier days that once was, and happier days that are to come, sana!"

Martin said about the genesis of his new song, "There are dreamers like myself who can put himself out of a negative situation and find something good in it all. Like being able to do the things I haven't been able to do before or to appreciate the life that I have now. So, when Homer Flores sent me the melody and the music..."

He said that he got the inspiration for his lyrics, from singing a particular classic.

"I've always ended a show (during those shows online during the pandemic) with the (Charlie Chaplin) song 'Smile.' A serious song, written by a comedian reminding everybody that there will be happier days to come."

Stating that he wanted something similar that inspired the same feeling, Martin thought of the title "Smile Again" and "After I had that title, everything was easy."

"I just wrote all of the beautiful thoughts that come to my mind and thinking in third person, I thought of how other people can relate to this song and (that's how) I realized the words that I chose. I think everyone can relate to that, everyone wants some reason, big or small, to smile again."

And just like that, Martin Nievera has written his first ballad after a long while.

He added, "It's so funny, when there was no pandemic, I was down. But during the pandemic I think I was the most positive," exclaimed Martin. "What kept my mind busy was doing things I took for granted way before when I was so busy trying to be famous, you know, trying to be a singer and making some hit songs and hit concerts. I forgot that that God put me on this Earth, not to make money, not to be famous, but to be a singer, to sing."

And what a wonderful sounding new song it is that Martin Nievera has brought--a big, piano-driven, feel-good ballad that can sit nicely alongside his greatest hits. A relaxed little tune that in Martin Nievera's own words, is the type that can "heal and inspire."

"I remembered that I was supposed to be the guy you run to, to feel a certain emotion."

"I realized again my love for singing."

Martin related how excited he was to perform before a live audience. "It seemed I was back during my Vicor days. The people cheered when they saw me onstage. The people were excited to see a live show. They were hungry to see someone go onstage live," said the Concert King.

"After two years of just performing in a virtual show, I am very happy and excited to see the faces of the audience. Doing a live concert was some kind of experiment for me. And I love being the guinea pig. Will the people come and watch? Will they wear masks on the show or not?"

Martin is celebrating his 40th anniversary in the music business on July 5. He has indeed gone a long way. From being a singer, he became a TV host. He has been singing in "ASAP" and he has a talk show on ANC titled "LSS."

"I need to reinvent myself so that I can connect to the millennials. But when I have concerts, the audience wants me to sing Be My Lady. It's one of the most requested among my songs. But I have to accept that some of my songs represent a certain niche in the industry."

Martin says he is still enjoying his musical journey and he will continue singing until the next 40 years, even in a small venue. He wants to continue sharing his music.

BBM eyes economic stimulus measure

PRESIDENT-ELECT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. File Photo

By Catherine S. Valente, Manila Times

PRESIDENT-ELECT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is looking at the national budget for 2023 to fund an economic stimulus measure that will help those severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Speaking to reporters at his headquarters in Mandaluyong City on Monday, Marcos admitted that most of the 2022 budget has been disbursed "but not all of it has been spent, so we still have some breathing room."

He added that only a little was left of this year's budget "that's why we will have to look to the new budget, the budget for 2023, which is presently being written."

Marcos said his administration intends to allocate funds for investment-led expenditures that will bring profits to the government.

He did not elaborate, but investment expenditures are those that stimulate the economy such as infrastructure.

"We have to look at that to find sufficient funds for the things we want to do. Basically, move some public expenditure away from non-investment expenditures to more investment expenditures, again to revitalize, to retool the economy," Marcos said.

He, however, was not keen on a proposal to sell some government assets in order to generate more funds to pay for the country's growing debts.

"I'm always very wary of selling government assets. As a matter of principle, I'd rather not," Marcos said.

House leaders led by Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez are looking to pass a stimulus package dubbed "Bangon Bayan Muli" Bill under the 19th Congress, which will convene after June 30.

Romualdez, Marcos' cousin, said the measure will allow the president-elect to use resources available during the final months of 2022 to address the country's pandemic response and use leftover funds to stimulate the economy.

Albay First District Rep. Edcel Lagman, however, said the next administration may not have enough funds for another stimulus package as the government has already disbursed 90 percent of the P5-trillion national budget for this year.

"Unless the new administration can find or create fresh funds, the stimulus package monikered as 'Bayan Bangon Muli' will be mere sloganeering and simply a change in nomenclature from the original Bayanihan," Lagman said, referring to the two stimulus packages approved by President Rodrigo Duterte during the pandemic.

Two Bayanihan laws have been passed to supplement funds for the recovery and response of the government against the Covid-19 pandemic.

At the same time, Marcos said that the Philippines needs to have higher power supply to accelerate the industrialization of crucial sectors affected by the pandemic.

He discussed with South Korean Ambassador to Manila Kim Inchul the revival of the mothballed nuclear power plant built during his late father's administration.

Marcos said the South Korean envoy offered his country's help in reviving the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) in Morong, Bataan.

"Napag-usapan namin ng South Korean ambassador 'yung offer nila at 'yung nakapunta na dito na expert ng nuclear power para tingnan ang Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, para makita kung ano pa ang puwede pang gawin, kung puwede pang ituloy o kailangan na ba magtayo ng bago (We discussed with the South Korean ambassador their offer, and their nuclear power expert already visited the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, to see what else could be done, whether or not it could be revived or if a new one should be built)," the former senator told reporters.

"Binuhay namin muli ang diskusyon na 'yun (We revived that discussion). Although they have come before, we will now study their recommendation, their findings and we will see if we can still apply," he added.

Marcos noted that a power facility needs to have "at least three years of lead time" before it can be fully utilized.

"Kahit na hindi aabutan ng administrasyon ko (Even if it will not happen during my administration), we still have to start somewhere," he said.

"Isa sa pinakamalaking problema (One of the biggest problems) is the supply of power. If we are going to industrialize post-pandemic... then the power sector must be ready for that," he added.

The BNPP was the only nuclear power plant in the region during the 1980s as the Philippines was one of the first Southeast Asian countries to embark on a nuclear energy program.

However, the project was mothballed because of corruption allegations and safety concerns.

A study conducted by Russia State Atomic Energy Corp. in 2017 said the rehabilitation of BNPP will require from $3 billion to $4 billion.

Final date and venue of Miss International 2022 beauty pageant revealed

Hannah Arnold (Instagram)

by Robert Requintina, Manila Bulletin

The Miss International 2022 beauty pageant will be held at the Tokyo Dome City Hall on Dec. 13, organizers announced on Monday, May 23.

“The 60th Miss International Beauty Pageant 2022 will be a historical moment as we witness the crowning of the next queen who will be succeeding the lovely and elegant Sireethorn Leearamwat of Thailand. Are you ready? Graphics by @yuffiegfx,” read the art card for the prestigious beauty pageant.

Hannah Arnold will represent the Philippines at the Miss International stage.

On May 5, Hannah said she is thrilled to see her photo on the Miss International page.

“Para sa’yo Pilipinas 🇵🇭🌸💕

“Nakakakilig to see myself on the Miss International page 🥺🥰. A pageant I have admired since my fellow Masbateño Ate Bea Santiago shared an inspirational message full of Hope and gratitude on that stage. A pageant that taught us about cultural understanding when Ate Kylie Versoza raised our flag. A pageant that celebrates beautiful Binibinis and 6 Filipino queens before me. 😍

“I know we still have a few months until the 2022 pageant, but all of us candidates and the organization are just so excited that everything is starting and that the international audience will be together again in Japan🙏🇯🇵, wrote Hannah.

 

The Philippines captured the Miss International crown six times: Gemma Cruz (1964), Aurora Pijuan (1970), Melanie Marquez (1979), Precious Lara Quigaman (2005), Bea Santiago (2013), and Kylie Verszosa (2016).

Border restrictions not yet needed amid detection of first BA.4 case

By THIRD ANNE PERALTA-MALONZO, SunStar

AN INFECTIOUS disease expert said on Monday, May 23, 2022, that he is yet to see the need for the implementation of border control amid the detection of Omicron BA.4 subvariant in the country.

In a Laging Handa public briefing, Dr. Rontgene Solante said it is “so far too early to implement a border restriction,” noting that other countries where BA.4 and BA.5 cases are on the rise do not implement such.

He said the government should instead continue to closely monitor the situation and intensify the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) testing, especially of the vulnerable individuals who were manifesting symptoms.

He also urged the public to follow the minimum public health standards (MPHS), especially the wearing of face masks, to avoid transmission.

Solante said the BA.4 has a growth advantage of at least 13 to 14 percent and that it can evade the immunity provided by Covid-19 vaccines, as well as protection from previous infection.

“The other aspect of this lineage, it can also evade immunity from the vaccines that we have received, especially for those who have been given the vaccine four to six months ago and without booster,” he said.

While Solante warned over the possible spike of cases due to the subvariant, he said it is less likely to severely affect the country’s healthcare system, noting that based on observation, BA.4 does not cause severe infection.

He said home isolation may suffice for those who will get infected.

“As long as our hospitalization rate is stable, hospitals can still accommodate even if they will be hospitalized... I don’t see the need that we will increase or we will enhance our alert level,” he said.

On Saturday, May 21, the Department of Health (DOH) announced the detection of the first BA.4 subvariant in the country from a returning overseas Filipino who arrived in the Philippines on May 4 from the Middle East.

The patient was confirmed positive with the more transmissible variant from a specimen collected on May 8. He was asymptomatic.

‘Long Covid’

On Sunday, May 22, the DOH reiterated that the best protection against any new variant of Covid-19, as well as post Covid-19 condition, more commonly known as “Long Covid,” is still the adherence to MPHS and getting vaccinated and boosted.

It said Long Covid may include symptoms such as fatigue, cough, chest pain, shortness of breath and joint pains, among others.

“These can be felt usually three months after being infected with the Covid-19 virus, may last for at least two months, and cannot be explained by other conditions. Symptoms may be new onset after one has already recovered, or may continue from the initial Covid-19 episode,” the DOH said.

“To date, there is no test to diagnose Long Covid. Consult your doctor or healthcare provider for first aid. If you experience the following, immediately go to the nearest Emergency Room: difficulty breathing (catching breath, can only say one word); severe chest pain; lightheadedness or fainting,” it added.

As of Monday, May 23, the Philippines has a total of 2,252 active Covid-19 cases.

The country has a total of 60,455 Covid-19 death toll out of the 3,688,941 cases detected since 2020. (SunStar Philippines)

I AM SORRY

Living in the Philippines since almost 25 years let me learn a lot as an expatriat. There is something peculiar about the Tagalog and even the Filipino language. There is no word for "sorry" or "apology." When Filipinos are at fault, they say in Tagalog or Filipino, "Pasensiya na." That literally translates into, "Please forget your anger" or "Please let it go". It's important to note that the personal pronoun used is in second person, not the first. 

How do you say I’m sorry without saying I’m sorry? Eight Ways to Apologize Without Saying “I’m Sorry”

It’s unfortunate that…

How sad for you that (this) happened…

I sympathize with your situation/disappointment/frustration…

What a shame that…

Will you please forgive my insensitivity/error/indiscretion…

I am completely at fault here, and I apologize…

Widely used phrases: The best Filipino / Tagalog translation for the English word sorry. paumanh í n [noun] excusing; forgiveness; asking for forgiveness; tolerating; patience; sorry 5 Example Sentences Available » more… pas é nsiya na [phrase] I’m sorry.

What does the word sorrow mean in Tagalog?

Mental suffering or pain caused by injury, loss, or despair. To express deep sorrow for. Similar phrases in dictionary English Tagalog. (4) Gabriel ng Ina ng Hapis * Why did Paul rejoice in their sorrow? * Bakit nagalak si Pablo sa kanilang kalungkutan o kalumbayan? Better still, God’s peace means a world without sickness, pain, sorrow, or death.

Which is correct I am sorry or Please Forgive Me?

While the list that Emily gave will work, it translates more accurately to “Please forgive me” rather than “I am sorry”. The direct translation of “I am sorry” would be: “Pasensya na” – This is casual/informal. “Pasensya na po.” This is polite/formal.

What’s the best word to use in place of Sorry?

Pasensya — most common word to use in place of sorry. Paumanhin — this word sounds formal and deep. Its root word is ano (lit. what) with which by conjugation ( pa-um-ano-hin) gives it a meaning close to “to let it pass.” Patawad — in most context this is used when someone is asking for forgiveness.

I'll share some sample sentences and I'll break it down one by one.

Sorry kaayo. (I'm really sorry)

Sorry kaayo jud. (I'm very sorry/ I'm really really sorry)

Sorry kaayo jud ha.

Sorry - pronounce as "su-ri"; asking for forgiveness

kaayo - really

jud - added to give more emphasis to the emotion

ha - (soft sound) added to make emotions sound more sincere and sweet

    - added to pacify the person

 

Sentence Sample 2.

Pasayloa ko. (Forgive me.)

Pasayloa - to forgive

ko - me

Pasayloa jud ko. (Forgive me.) - More sincere

Pasayloa jud ko kaayo. (Forgive me. - Most sincere. This sounds like, you are asking for a huge forgiveness.

Sample Sentence #3

Mangayo ko og pasaylo nimo.

I am asking for your forgiveness.

Mangayo - to ask (Nangayo - past tense)

ko - me

og - connecting word. In some sentences/phrases this could be "is". In this phrase, it is used to connect words in relation to "what" the person is asking. I would say this is the "for" in the sample phrase above.

Pasaylo - forgiveness/ sorry

nimo - your

Sample Sentence #4

Pasayloa ko sa akong nabuhat nga dautan/ngil-ad. Wala jud nako gituyo.

I am very sorry for what bad/awful things I did. I didn't mean it.

I know this is quite long. These words would make you sound remorseful.

Pasayloa - sorry/ forgiveness

ko - me

sa - connecting word usually means "for"

akong - my

nabuhat - things that you did

nga - connecting word. No English equivalent. This is used to link the relationship between modifiers. Like in this phrase: nabuhat nga dautan (bad things I did), nabuhat nga ngil-ad (awful things I did)

dautan- bad

ngil-ad - awful

Wala - nothing/ none/ not

jud - see description above

nako - I

gituyo - mean/ intentional

Lastly, Sample Sentence #5

For lighter mistakes

Pasensya kaayo ha.

Be patient with me.

This is another way of saying sorry but is used for minor mistakes only. Using this phrase for bigger mistake is an insult. This also means you are asking the person to be more patient with you.

For example: You are going to meet a friend and you are late for 10-15mins or less then you use this phrase

BUT if you are late for an hour then you should use the "Sorry kaayo jud ha." OR you combine "Sorry kaayo jud ha.Pasensya kaayo ____(friend's name)_____".

Another way to say sorry is to extend the Sorry like "Sooorrrrryyy kaayo ha"

Remember to the soft "ha" at the end to pacify the person in this case your friend.

I wish and hope and pray that you might learn how to say your words of apologizes, when you are in the Philippines. It doesn't mean, where you are located in this wonderful country.

The reason for our hope

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

AS we approach the end of the Easter season when we celebrate the truth of our faith that Christ is alive and has gained victory over sin and death, we are reminded of the presence and crucial role of the Holy Spirit who continues Christ’s presence and redemptive work in us till the end of time.

“When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father,” Christ said, “he will testify to me.” (Jn 15,26) With these words, Christ was reassuring his apostles, and us, that he would continue to be with us, despite his death, resurrection and ascension into heaven.

Later on, he warned his apostles, and us, that we should not worry even as we continue to have troubles and suffering in this world, since as long as we are with him, everything would be taken care of. 

“I have told you this so that you may not fall away,” he said. “They will expel you from the synagogues. In fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think he is offering worship to God.” (Jn 16,1-2)

Given the fact that our condition on earth is that of a pilgrim, we should be strong in this virtue of hope that would enable us to be always on the move toward our ultimate, spiritual and supernatural goal without unnecessarily getting entangled with our human and temporal affairs, let alone, our unavoidable troubles here on earth.

Hope is first of all not just a virtue that we produce, cultivate or keep ourselves. It is first of all a gift from God, given to us in abundance. It is the gift of Christ himself who, by the Holy Spirit, is made present in us through his words, his sacraments, his Church. All we have to do is to correspond to this wonderful reality as vigorously as possible.

That is why we need to be most mindful of the truths of our faith, giving time to meditate on them and to make them sink in our very consciousness. We have to be wary of our tendency to be carried away by our earthly concerns, no matter how legitimate they are. For again, as the gospel would say, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mk 8,36)

It’s important that just like in that management style called MBO (Management by objective), we have to have a clear vision of our ultimate goal and make it the strongest desire of our life, so that we avoid getting entangled unnecessarily with the ups and downs and the drama of life.

This, of course, will require some significant effort, because nowadays people are getting too hooked in their earthly, temporal affairs. Hope gives one the conviction that God has the last word, goodness has the last say. It reassures everyone that it is all worthwhile to suffer a little or a lot in life as long as one does not lose sight of his eternal goal.

Hope gives one a deep sense of peace and joy, and an abiding sense of confidence, regardless of how things play out in one’s life, since life always has more to offer than what we can expect or handle.

When we seem to be overwhelmed by trials, challenges, tasks, pressures that can come anytime, I believe the attitude to have and the reaction to make is to be calm, pray hard, and while we do all we can, we have to learn to live a certain sense of abandonment in the hands of God.

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

Govt warning out on 'monkeypox'

By Red Mendoza, Manila Times

(UPDATE) WHILE the rise in Covid-19 cases in Metro Manila is "not alarming" to health experts, the outbreak of a new viral disease called "monkeypox" in parts of the world is enough for the government to warn the public against its spread if health protocols are ignored.

The Department of Health (DoH) has issued a public health advisory on monkeypox after an outbreak was reported in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Monkeypox, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), is "a viral disease from animals and primarily occurs in the tropical rainforest of Central and Western Africa."

It can be transmitted to humans through "close contact via fluid transmission with an infected person or animal or through contaminated materials," according to WHO.

Symptoms of the disease include "fever, rashes and swollen lymph nodes, which could also lead to medical complications," it said.

"But it is less contagious than smallpox and causes less severe illnesses," it said.

More than 80 cases of the disease have been reported in 11 countries, with the UK having the most since it was first detected in a passenger from Nigeria.

PH reports 8,702 new Covid-19 cases

The DoH, in a public advisory late Friday night, said that although no case of monkeypox has been detected in the country or its borders, health screening has been intensified and surveillance systems are in place.

The DoH said that minimum public health standards currently enforced against Covid-19 such as "wearing your best-fitted mask, ensuring good airflow, keeping hands clean and physical distancing" will also prevent the spread of monkeypox in the country.

In a separate briefing, Dr. Teodoro Herbosa, emergency medicine specialist, said that monkeypox is different from the Covid virus as its method of transmission is different.

He said that the smallpox vaccine, which has not been produced since the eighties, can be used to prevent a possible spread of monkeypox.

Herbosa said the country's borders should not be closed even with the detection of monkeypox in other countries, noting that public health measures will be enough to prevent the spread of the disease without hurting the economy.

"Ang pagsara ng borders, malaki ang epekto nito sa turismo at ekonomiya at supply chain ng ating mga goods and services, [so] hindi tama na mag-close down (Closing the borders will have a huge impact on tourism, the economy, and the supply chain of goods and services, so it is not right that we close down)," Herbosa added.

Meanwhile, the independent OCTA Research group downplayed the increase in the number of Covid cases in the National Capital Region (NCR).

OCTA said on Friday that cases in the region increased by 19 percent to 71 cases per day during the week of May 13 to 19, higher than the 59 daily cases the week before.

It also noted an increase in the average daily attack rate to 0.50 cases per 100,000 individuals, while the reproduction number increased to 0.9 from 0.76.

Herbosa, the special adviser for the National Task Force Against Covid-19, assured that there was no cause for alarm for as long as the source can be determined and to make sure that the infected are isolated to contain the spread.

Herbosa also said that the government aims to administer the second booster shots to about 12 million senior citizens and health care workers by the end of the month.

He urged the next administration to continue the national Covid-19 program blueprint implemented by the Duterte administration because it has been effective in containing the spread of the virus.

"Magbibigay tayo ng magandang operational plan at ang National Action Plan Phase 5, hopefully 'yung susunod na administrasyon papalawakin pa [para sa] ating economic recovery (We will give a good operational plan and we hope that the National Action Plan Phase 5 will be continued and expanded by the next administration for our economic recovery," Herbosa said.

Omicron subvariant detected

Even as health experts downplay the Covid increase in the NCR, a Filipino who arrived in the country from the Middle East last May 4 was found positive for the BA.4 sublineage of the Omicron variant four days after he planed in.

This comes amid the detection of other sublineages of Omicron, such as BA.2.12 and BA.2.12.1, in the country.

No other details were shared except that he was asymptomatic.

"The immediate priority is to ensure the case has been cared for and his close contacts quarantined to interrupt transmission," the DoH said.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has classified the BA.4 sublineage as a variant of concern due to its capacity to either spread faster or cause worse illness.

Early studies suggested that BA.4 transmits faster because of its ability to evade immunity provided by vaccines, especially for those whose protection had waned over time.

The DoH has coordinated with concerned local government units to implement detection and isolation activities, as well as seek out those unvaccinated and those eligible for boosters.

Ivermectin trials terminated

In a related development, the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) said that it has terminated the clinical trials of the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin as a possible cure for Covid-19.

According to Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato de la Peña, the decision was made upon the recommendation of the DoH and the DoST-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development governing council in its meeting on May 11.

De la Peña cited delays in the submission of deliverables, lack of clinical benefits of ivermectin based on more recent clinical studies, the issuance of the recommendation against the use of the drug, and the availability of effective therapeutics for the early phase of Covid-19.

Last year, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the clinical trials amid increased clamor by several lawmakers and groups who claimed that the anti-parasitic drug would be helpful in preventing early-stage