Tuesday, September 26, 2017

AFTERMATH: Zyrene Sang Anthem right satisfies NHCP

Biñan Hymn

Santa Rosa Hymn



Ikaw Santa Rosa
Pinagpalang bayan
Munting Paraiso
Ng kaligayahan
Tulad ng Diwatang
Napaliligiran
Ng Batis, ng Lakas
At bukal ng buhay

Magdiwang ka Santa Rosa
Magsaya ka at umawit
Pasalamat sa Biyaya
At kalinga nitong Langit
Idalangin kay Bathala
Na ligaya'y lumawig
Mamalagi munting Eden
Nakalutang sa pag-ibig.

Magdiwang ka Santa Rosa
Magsaya ka at umawit
Pasalamat sa Biyaya
At kalinga nitong Langit
Idalangin kay Bathala
Na ligaya'y lumawig
Mamalagi munting Eden
Nakalutang sa pag-ibig.

House committee merges cancer bills, approves medical cannabis bill, seeks half-year public service for new doctors

The House committee on health on Monday approved the creation of a technical working group (TWG) that will consolidate all cancer-related measures.

The committee chaired by Rep. Angelina Tan (4th District, Quezon) also approved the draft committee report on the substitute bill to House Bill No. 180 titled "Providing compassionate and right of access to medical cannabis and expanding research into its medicinal properties" authored by Rep. Rodolfo Albano III (1st District, Isabela).

It also tackled House Bill (HB) 4161 requiring post-graduate physicians and new medical specialists to render six months of medical service in local health facilities.

The TWG chaired by Rep. Sandra Eriguel (2nd District, La Union) will consolidate HBs 268, 716, 897, 1578, 1851, 1964, 2579, 2798, 3089, 3365, 3441, 3497, 3500, 4707, 5378, 5387, 5763, 6153, 6210, 6280 and 6299, House Resolution 786 and Privilege Speech No. 195.

The bills aim to establish cancer treatment facilities; provide health insurance coverage and government support for cancer patients; institutionalize a cancer prevention and control program; and raise public awareness regarding cancer.

During the hearing, Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles (1st District, Davao City) said his HB 6210 seeks to create the National Integrated Cancer Control Advisory Board, the National Integrated Cancer Control Program, and cancer care centers; push for capacity development; and provide more PhilHealth benefits for cancer patients and access to better medication and health care services of the Department of Health (DOH).

Reps. Evelina Escudero and Maria Vida Bravo (1st District, Masbate), authors of HB 3441, said their measure seeks to set up a financial assistance fund for all cancer patients.

“Most of the cancer patients do not have enough funds to provide for their sickness,” said Escudero.

Rep. Winston Castelo (2nd District, Quezon City) said government intervention against cancer can come in the form of research and financial support, subsidy and treatment.

World Health Organization statistics show there are about eight million cancer-related deaths worldwide compared to 1.5 million deaths due to tuberculosis and HIV.

Meanwhile, the committee also tackled HB 4161 of Rep. Rogelio Espina M.D. (Lone District, Biliran) that seeks to mandate six months of medical service in local health facilities for post-graduate physicians and new medical specialists.

Espina said there are 66,000 physicians in the country, but only 14,129 are working in 778 public hospitals and other medical facilities. He also said 47.6 percent of deaths among Filipinos were unattended by a medical doctor or an allied health provider.

DOH Health Human Resource Development Bureau director Elvira Dayrit said, “There is no systematic management of the medical residency training program. Lahat po ng specialists iba-ibang society ang nagde-determine ng training at nag-a-accredit ng hospital kung saan sila magte-training. It is fragmented and governed by a specialist societies with varying quality and no collaboration with each other.” / EAG

Eight entries to CineFilipino 2017 announced

The eight entries to the CineFilipino Film Festival 2017 were announced recently and judging from the enthusiasm of awarded filmmaker Joey Reyes, who heads the competition, and Madonna Tarrayo, Unitel Productions CEO and festival director, movie buffs are in for an interesting and unique viewing experience when the filmfest opens in March next year.

Said Joey Reyes: “Every year, the entries just get more and more engaging to the Filipino viewers, what with their stories becoming increasingly appealing, very original and very Filipino. It is also very heartening to note that most of the eight feature films that made it to the list are products of newcomers.”

The eight finalists, chosen from 150 entries, are “Delia & Sammy” by Therese Cayaba; “Mata Tapang” by Rod Marmol; “The Eternity Between Seconds,” by Alec Figuracion; “Excuse Me Po” by Ron Batallones; “Poon” by Roni Benald; “Hitboy” by Bar Ocampo; “Kahit Man Lamang Kung Maaari” by Donalyn Baltazar;” and “Mga Mister Ni Rosario” by Ronald  Allan Habon.

They were chosen by a committee composed of Joey, Madonna, Bayani San Diego, Hannah Espía, Joel Ruiz, Lilit Reyes, and Manet Dayrit. For the Short Film and Digital Content Categories, filmmakers have until Sept. 30 to submit their entries.

By the way, this time the CineFilipino Film Festival is partnering with Cignal Entertainment, Cignal TV’s brand of original content.

The event is organized and led by Unitel and partnered with the MVP Group.

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Joel Cruz’ first twins turn five

Joel Cruz, the president and CEO of Aficionado Perfumes, led the celebration recently of the fifth birthday of his first set of twins Prince Sean and Princess Synne.

Held at Kidzania at BGC, it was attended by 1,709 guests. Joel’s eldest twins are starting to blossom into celebrities as they juggle school, commercial modelling and attending charity events with their father.

Celebrities seen at the event included Pops Fernandez, Ram Nievera, Angeli Pangilinan, Paolo Valenciano, Sam Godinez, Jamie Rivera, Cory Quirino, Johnny Litton, Becky Garcia, Token Lizares, Boobsie Wonderland, Dulce, Jason Abalos, Xyriel Manabat, the Ballet Philippines scholars of Margie Moran and the characters of Kidzania.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Sept. 26, go to art patron Danny Dolor, diplomat Susan Castrence, Lizza G. Nakpil, Polie Aquino, Marieliese Evaristo, Cecille B. Salonga, Dolores P. Quiambao, Rudy Guevarra, Dr. Rainelda Jarin, Christine Villar Pineda, Flordeliza Belen, Canada-based broadcast journalist Jojo T. Taduran, Dr. Socorro M. Bartolome, Angelica Tashiro, Marie Grace Chua, Pilie Barrenchea, Armand Cruz, Pearl Villa-Real, Joshua Louise P. Uy, Roma Panilawon-Rata, Federico Macaranas and Brian Tenorio…Belated birthday greetings to Pinky FernandoSept. 27: former DOJ Sec. Hernando Perez, Adolfo Sto. Domingo, Ralph Joseph, Mercy Tuazon, Elvira Gonzalez, Maritel Nievera, Boy Togonon, Liza B. Lane, Rams Andrade, Art Dimayuga, Mai Mai R. Cojunagco, Pyar Mirasol, Col. Pete Juadion, Emma M. Calanog, Willie Tieng Se, Atty. Florabelle MacBook-Tupas, Daisy D. Palabrica, Emma Lopez, Randal Aldrich Yulo, Susan Legaspi, Tina Agustin, Erik Salud, Alynna Asistio, Carlos Lopez, Gigi Cordero, Ruby Regala Bustamante, Nene Tamayo, Marga Penson Cruz, Kevin C. Limjoco, Francia Santos, Elijah P. Cabacungan, Claudette Singson, Robi Domingo and Charee Pineda…