Simple joys

by Former Senate President Manny Villar

OF TREES AND FOREST

Sometimes we tend to complicate life. We work so hard looking for things we do not have and ignore those that we actually have. I understand why some people look for happiness by acquiring wealth and material possessions. As a young boy living in poverty in Tondo, I realized early on the joy in earning money to be able to provide for your family. Years later, as an entrepreneur, I gained an appreciation of the pride of having to create wealth through hard work and perseverance.

But even as our modern world becomes even more complicated, sometimes it is the simple things in life that bring us genuine happiness. When we get lost in the hustle and bustle of life we tend to forget the mundane, the pedestrian, the repetitious stuff in life. That is why I make it a point to appreciate the simple things in my life even when things in business become confusing. As a matter of fact, I think it is when things get muddled when we really need to decompress by focusing on our simple joys.

Just like my two apos, Emma and Tristan, trying on their school uniforms as they prepare for their first day in school. It’s the cutest thing. I have forgotten the joy of this experience since my kids are now adults. It brought back bittersweet memories of when Cynthia and I watched Camille, Mark, and Paolo leave our nest for the first time. Emma and Tristan’s experience is amplified by the fact that face-to-face classes have been suspended ever since the pandemic. I would want them to stay home so I can always play with them but they need to go out there and have fun, learn, and socialize with others.

Another simple joy arrived last week in the form of mooncake from my friend James who never forgets to send me these yummy treats around the time of the Mid-Autumn Festival. I just enjoy eating its sweet paste inside and the soft crumbly crust outside. I would wash it down with hot coffee and my day just got better.

I also love those short alone time that I get in between my marathon meetings. Usually I would have a series of meetings in one day. As my readers probably know by now, I love to hold these meetings in coffee shops instead of the usual meeting rooms. Sometimes it gets so busy, the next person I am meeting would be sitting down as my previous appointment is just about to rise from his seat. But I get those gaps in between meetings when I am just alone sitting sipping my coffee and staring blankly into space for just a few seconds. Call me crazy but I just enjoy those moments.

It is similar to watching the rain fall hard on my garden at home. Nowadays, there are times when I would hold my meetings online so I just stay home. And with the rainy season, I often find myself in the middle of a downpour as I listen to reports via Zoom. I like those moments when all you hear is the sound of raindrops falling on the leaves of the plants in our garden and that unique earthy smell you get when rain hits the ground for the first time.

I also enjoy waking up early in the morning, getting my workout in, showering, and sitting outside with my papers and coffee, and seeing the sun shining through the trees and plants. It’s not always the same pattern but I like seeing the scattered light that filters through in the morning. Most people now wake up and immediately look at their phone. Not for me. This is the view that I take in every morning.

I guess these musings that I have about the simple pleasures in life are unimportant to some. And I get it. Sometimes we face so many difficulties in life that we say, “Who has time for these things?” But that is precisely my point. Our hard work and persistence only become meaningful if we enjoy life. There is no point in working for a living if we do not actually appreciate the “living” part. So, decompress once in awhile. Look around you and see the simplest of things that make you smile, that make it all worthwhile.

For comments, please send email to: mbv_secretariat@vistaland.com.ph and/or http://www.mannyvillar.com.

Daytime nap may cause hypertension, stroke – study

By Xinhua News Agency

(UPDATE) BEIJING: Chinese researchers have found that increased daytime napping frequency is likely to be a potential causal risk factor for hypertension or ischemic stroke.

For middle-aged and elderly people worldwide, hypertension is one of the main causes of death triggered by cardiovascular diseases, and stroke is one of the main causes of disability. Early studies have found that people's blood pressure will rise after taking a nap.

UK Biobank, a large-scale biomedical database, collected information on genetics, lifestyle and health conditions from more than 500,000 British volunteers ages 40 to 69, according to the study published in the journal Hypertension.

The research team from the Xiangya Hospital under the Central South University conducted a Cox regression (or Cox proportional hazards regression) analysis on 358,451 participants free of hypertension or stroke from the database.

They conducted relevant studies via Mendelian randomization and found that frequent nappers had 12 percent and 24 percent higher risks of hypertension and ischemic stroke, respectively, compared to those who never took a nap, indicating a positive correlation between daytime napping frequency and the incidence of essential hypertension or stroke.

Wang E, head of the research team, said that although the study was aimed at middle-aged and elderly people in Europe, this study is based on a large database of clinical studies, so it is generally representative.

He added that the internal mechanism of the association between nap and hypertension, stroke and other diseases is still unclear and needs to be further studied.

Return to face-to-face Kadayawan sa Davao opens

By Maya Padillo, Edge Davao

Students wearing colorful costume while performing during Indak-Indak sa Kadayawan, one of the main events of the 37th Kadayawan sa Davao festival, along San Pedro Street in Davao City. The city government of Davao officially opened the festival on Monday afternoon. Edge Davao

Dabawenyos rocked the resumption of the face-to-face opening rites — Pag- Abli sa Kadayawan — of the 37th Kadayawan sa Davao at the Bantawan Amphitheater in Magsaysay Park, Davao City on Monday.

The drumbeats, colorful tribal attires, and tribal songs were once again seen and heard through performances of the Kalumon Performing Ensemble.

Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, the chairman of the Kadayawan Executive Committee, officially opened the festival by banging the “agong” three times.

“I hope that you support the various events prepared for you. Salamat sa mga naa diri, thank you sa sponsors, salamat for contributing for the festival. Sa mga pulis ug sundalo salamat sa pag-atiman,” he said.

Duterte explained that he allowed the face-to-face Kadayawan 2022 as restrictions against Covid-19 were all lifted, however, he reminded Dabawenyos to continue observing the Minimum Health Protocols Standards (MHPS) particularly the wearing of face mask and hand hygiene.

“Napangutan-an ko paglingkod nako kung mag abri ang Kadayawan face-to-face. Tutal wala naman tay Covid restrictions, gitugtan nako na ablihan nato pero inyuha lang timan-an nga naa ta’y pandemya pero its not as bad as it used to be and followed health protocols. Ampingi lang ninyo ang inyong kaugalingon. Pagkahuman sa duha ka tuig makagawas na gyud ta sa atoang mga balay,” he said.

He also emphasized that Dabawenyos are peace-loving people, who do not discriminate and co-exist with each other.

“Wala ta’y diskriminasyon maong buhi ang atonag mga tribu, pag-abot sa balaod patas tanan madatu o mapobre, tomboy, bayot, laki ug baye, patas tang tanan, mao ning Davao. Mao na sa kadaghan nato diri we learned to co-exist and treat each other equal,” he added.

Dr. Malou Monteverde, co-chair of the Kadayawan Execom Committee and president of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc, (DCCCII), put into the spotlight the 11 tribes of Davao City: the Ata, Klata, Tagabawa, Ovu Manuvu, Matigsalog comprising the indigenous people, then the Moro groups consisting of the Tausug, Sama, Iranun, Maguindanaoan, Maranao and the Kagan peoples, as the main attraction of the festival.

“The Kadayawan sa Davao kahibalo ta features the different aspects of the age-old tradition of indigenous knowledge and dances. Named the King of Festivals in the Philippines, we celebrate the rich culture, thanksgiving for the gift of nature, the bounties of harvest, and the serenity of living. With this year’s theme, which means to make noise and to have fun, the Kadayawan Festival is a means to relax and enjoy, way thanksgiving, not just the bountiful harvest but to celebrate life after the pandemic,” said Monteverde in her opening message.

She also emphasized that the tourism sector of the city, which has been affected due to restrictions, will come back with a big bang with the opening of this year’s festivity.

The opening was graced the city government of Davao officials, diplomatic corps, Indigenous People’s (IP) leaders, guests, and the Dabawenyos.

The 37th Kadayawan sa Davao opens with a Misa Pasasalamat (thanksgiving mass) officiated by Archbishop Romulo G. Valles held at the Bantawan Amphitheater.

Carrying the theme “Kasikas sa Kadayawan” aims to bring back the revelry and the vibrant return of the Kadayawan Festival in the streets of Davao City that was put on hold for two years due to the pandemic.

Lessons from the parable of the vineyard workers

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

WE can learn a number of precious lessons from the parable of the vineyard workers. (cfr. Mt 20,1-16) One is that we should always be thankful to God for everything that he has given us. We should just make good use of them. We should avoid reproaching God for what may appear to us as some form of unfairness when we notice that others may have better things than what we have.

Another lesson is to avoid comparing ourselves with others if by doing so we would just end up getting jealous or envious. If we have to compare ourselves with others, it should lead us to be edified and inspired by them when they appear to be better off than us, or to edify and inspire others when we have some advantage over them.

Still another lesson is to avoid feeling entitled to some privileges and extra reward when we appear that we have been doing the greater part of any work or development. We should just be contented with what God would give us, or what others may legitimately give us. We should avoid chasing after privileges and rewards which is a clear sign of pride and vanity.

Yes, we have to be thankful to God for everything that we have at any given moment. This should never be neglected even as we try to resolve as fairly as possible whatever cases of injustice, unfairness, inequality and discrimination we may have in this life due to human weakness, limitations and sins. Being thankful assures us of keeping our union with God even as we go about fixing our human problems.

We also have to be wary of the danger of envy and jealousy. It’s that uneasy feeling that others are better than us in some respects. We can even be envious of others who we know are doing evil and yet appear to be having a better time than what we are having. Or it can come as a result of some personal frustrations, defeats and losses while others appear to only have successes and victories.

Many biblical passages refer to it. “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.” (James 3,16) “You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel.” (James 4,2)

Still more: “For you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?” (1 Cor 3,3) “Jealousy makes a man furious, and he will not spare when he takes revenge.” (Proverbs 6,34) Envy truly corrupts us. It inflicts great damage on our humanity.

Envy is usually accompanied by sadness and sometimes by hatred, anger, bad thoughts and impulses of revenge, fault-finding and bitter zeal. It comes as a result of comparing oneself with others without God in the middle. The standards used are highly subjective and restrictive.

We should also be wary of feeling entitled due to what we may have done or accomplished. We may be quite privileged in life because of the many gifts and other endowments God and others may have given us, but we should never feel entitled to anything. Instead, our attitude toward these privileges should be one of willingness to serve more, doing a lot of good while passing unnoticed, and all for the glory of God and for the good of all.

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

New PCL Officers take oath before Gov. Gonzaga

On Monday (August 15, 2022), the new set of officers of the Philippine Councilors League (PCL) Davao de Oro Chapter formally took their oath of office before Governor Dorothy Montejo Gonzaga, indicating the start of their official term in office.

"Our heartfelt congratulations to our newly minted officers of PCL, I know how difficult the task ahead is for you ... carrying the burden of providing the best legislation para sa atong katawhan. Sa inyung grupo karun makita gyud nako nga puhon ang PCL DdO chapter will be recognized as one of the best PCL chapters in the Philippines," Gov Gonzaga said. 

It can be recalled that on August 10–12, 2022, the PCL Davao de Oro Chapter, in coordination with DILG Davao de Oro, conducted the PCL Provincial Federation Election at the Grand Menseng Hotel in Davao City where Hon. Jammaila Villena Budac of the Municipality of Mabini was elected as the new PCL President after casting a total of 111 votes.

New PCL President Budac led her officers during the swearing-in ceremony right after the convocation and flag-raising rites held in front of the Executive building, Capitol grounds.

In her statement, she underscored that the governing body solemnly swears to perform the assigned duties, obligations, and responsibilities associated with holding public office to deliver genuine public service to the constituents they serve. She also reiterated that the league would do its best to formulate and implement legislation that would contribute to the continuing development of the province.

Meanwhile, other PCL officers who took the oath were Maco Councilor Madie Carl Richie C. Sahid as Vice-President, Pantukan Councilor Hannie Jean T. Elisan as Secretary-General, Montevista Councilor Maria Teresa D. Zamora as Treasurer, Nabunturan Councilor Francis P. Secuya as Auditor, Mabini Councilor Isabelo D. Perez Jr. as P.R.O. and Maragusan Councilor Keith B. Yanong as Business manager.

Moreover, the Provincial Federation Directors composed of Monkayo Councilor Joy Cabag, Maragusan Councilor Ariel Seno, Mawab Councilor Bob Mirasol, New Bataan Councilor Merymarlith Balbin, Nabunturan Councilor Mila Cezarina Sotto, Laak Councilor Emeterio Abellanida Jr., Montevista Councilor Roberto Requillo and Maco Councilor Jonathan Calzada.

As a strong team of local legislators, the PCL DdO chapter remains at the forefront of current and emerging trends and developments in local governance in order to improve constituents' quality of life through executing efficient legislation. (PAO-IPRD DdO)

Remittances total $15.3 B in H1

by Lee C. Chipongian, Manila Bulletin

Cash remittances via banks increased by 2.9 percent to $15.35 billion in the first six months from $14.92 billion same period last year, based on Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) data.

Remittances also transferred through the formal banking system for the month of June only rose 4.4 percent to $2.75 billion versus $2.64 billion in 2021.

The BSP said on Monday, Aug. 15, that the growth in cash remittances came from the higher receipts from land-based and sea-based overseas Filipinos.

Land-based workers remitted $2.2 billion in June, up by 4.9 percent from $2.1 billion same time last year. Sea-based workers, meanwhile, reported unchanged remittances of $500 million for both periods. The data includes land-based workers who have work contracts of one year or more, and sea- and land-based workers with work contracts of less than one year.

“In terms of country source, the growth in cash remittances from the United States (US), Saudi Arabia, Japan, Qatar, and Singapore contributed largely to the increase in remittances in the first half of 2022,” according to the BSP.

Overseas Filipinos in the US accounted for 41.1 percent of total cash remittances. Other country sources are Saudi Arabia, Japan, Qatar, and Singapore.

The BSP said personal remittances of overseas Filipinos as of end-June increased by 2.8 percent to $17.09 billion compared to $16.62 billion in 2021.

For June only, personal remittances grew by 4.4 percent to $3.1 billion from $2.9 billion.

Personal remittances are the sum of the net compensation of overseas Filipinos, personal transfers and capital transfers between households.

The increase in personal remittances was due to remittances sent by land-based workers with work contracts of one year or more, and sea- and land-based workers with work contracts of less than one year, noted the BSP.

How households with overseas Filipino remittances as source of income make use of these funds is monitored by the BSP through its Consumer Expectations Survey.

The quarterly survey said that for the second quarter, 97.5 percent of surveyed households with overseas Filipinos indicated that remittance proceeds were used for food and other household needs, while 58.4 percent and 53.4 percent apportioned their remittances for education and medical expenses, respectively.

In 2021, cash remittances increased by 5.1 percent year-on-year to a record high of $31.42 billion but was off the expected six percent growth for the year.

The central bank expects cash remittances to increase by four percent this year.

BLACKPINK to make debut performance at 2022 MTV VMAs with ‘Pink Venom’

by Jonathan Hicap, Manila Bulletin

K-pop girl group BLACKPINK will be rocking the stage at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), which will be held on Aug. 28 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

The VMAs and BLACKPINK made the announcement on Aug. 15.

“We are SO excited to announce @BLACKPINK will be making their debut on the #VMAs stage!!! Catch their performance of ‘Pink Venom’ LIVE on Sunday 8/28 at 8p on @MTV!” VMAs posted on Twitter.

BLACKPINK also tweeted, “We’re performing at the 2022 #VMAs.”

“Pink Venom” is BLACKPINK’s pre-release single that will be released on Aug. 19.

“Their new song ‘Pink Venom’ which will be pre-released on the 19th is a song that portrays BLACKPINK’s charms in an intense way,” said YG Entertainment, according to the YG blog.

BLACKPINK’s comeback studio album “Born Pink” will be released on Sept. 16 and they will embark on their world tour with a scale of 1.5 million people.

BLACKPINK the Virtual is nominated for Best Metaverse Performance while Lisa’s “Lalisa” is nominated for Best K-pop at the VMAs.

Positivity rates in 8 provinces down

By Franco Jose C. Baroña

(UPDATE) THE weekly positivity rates have decreased in at least eight provinces in Luzon where Covid-19 cases might have already peaked, the independent monitoring group OCTA Research said on Monday.

Pampanga recorded the biggest decrease in weekly positivity rate from 35 percent on August 6 down to 26 percent on August 13.

Positivity rates also went down in Benguet (from 22 percent to 21.6 percent), Cavite (21.1 percent to 18.2 percent), Isabela (47.6 percent to 46.5 percent), Laguna (33.2 percent to 29.5 percent), Pangasinan (25 percent to 21.6 percent), Quezon (25.1 percent to 22.1 percent), and Zambales (28.6 percent to 24 percent).

Positivity rate refers to the percentage of people who were found positive for Covid-19 among the total number of individuals tested.

However, aside from Cavite which has been reduced to a "moderate" positivity rate, these provinces, together with six others (Albay, Cagayan, Camarines Sur, La Union, Nueva Ecija and Tarlac), continue to have "very high" Covid-19 positivity rates.

Meanwhile, OCTA fellow Dr. Guido David reported that the one-week growth rate of Covid-19 cases in the National Capital Region (NCR) decreased to -1 percent on Sunday.

David said that NCR's growth rate was at 9 percent as of August 7.

He pointed out that this development may mean that the Covid-19 infections in the NCR are beginning to dip.

"This could be the start of a downward trend, although the one-week growth rate will have to decrease even further (e.g., -50 percent) to see significant decreases in daily new cases in the NCR," David said.

Covid positivity up in Visayas, Mindanao

He said the NCR's Covid-19 cases may have already peaked with its weekly positivity rate dropping to 16.4 percent on August 12, from 17.5 percent on August 6.

As of Saturday, August 13, the NCR's positivity rate was at 16.2 percent from the 17.4 percent recorded on August 6.

David also said on Monday that the NCR's reproduction number — or the number of people infected by one case — also went down to 1.15 on August 11 from 1.21 on August 4.

The average daily attack rate (ADAR) in NCR also decreased slightly to 8.70 per 100,000 population on Saturday from 8.77 on August 7.

Covid positivity rate in NCR dips

ADAR refers to the incidence showing the average number of new cases in a period per 100,000 people.

NCR's health care utilization, however, had an uptick on August 13 at 37 percent from 36 percent on August 8. Its intensive care unit occupancy, on the other hand, remained at 31 percent over the same period.

David said the NCR is still at moderate risk for Covid-19.

Davao Light to build digital substation in Panabo

INVESTING IN TECHNOLOGY  Davao Light president and COO Rodger Velasco (fourth from right) and Panabo City Mayor Jose Relampagos (third from right) lead the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Panabo City Substation on Tuesday, July 26, 2022. They are joined by other Davao Light executives and Panabo City officials. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

By Leander C. Domingo, Manila Times

A NEW digital substation in Panabo City, Davao del Norte, will be built by the AboitizPower subsidiary Davao Light and Power Co. Inc. (Davao Light).

According to Janelle Jacinto, AboitizPower Corporate Branding and Communication unit head, Davao Light is setting up the substation in Panabo City, their fourth facility. The Panabo substation will have a capacity of 33 megavolt-amperes.

"Davao Light is set to build this new digital substation in Panabo City due to the growing population and economic activity in the area," she said.

Jacinto said this new facility is more than three times that of the existing substation in Cagangohan in Panabo City. It can also be remotely monitored and controlled, leading to faster and safer troubleshooting.

Davao Light president and chief operating officer Rodger Velasco said they are determined to supply reliable electricity and remain a partner in the progress of the communities they serve.

Oil companies to lower pump prices

By Ed Paolo Salting, Manila Times

On Tuesday, August 16, 2022, Pilipinas Shell, Seaoil, Cleanfuel and PetroGazz will cut their diesel prices by P1.05 per liter and gasoline by 10 centavos per liter.

Pilipinas Shell and Seaoil said they will lower the cost of kerosene by 45 centavos per liter.

This will be the seventh consecutive week of price rollback for diesel .

Based on the Department of Energy's oil monitoring, as of August 9, 2022, oil companies have reduced the prices of gasoline by P2.10 per liter, diesel by P2.20 per liter and kerosene by P2.55 per liter.