Duterte says China 'never asked for anything' in exchange for COVID-19 shots

President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday said China "never asked for anything" in exchange for donating to the Philippines its first COVID-19 vaccine supply. 

The Philippines on Sunday received 600,000 donated shots from Beijing-based drug maker Sinovac Biotech, which would allow the government to launch its lagging vaccination drive. 

"China never asked for anything. China has been giving us everything but never asked anything from us actually," Duterte said in a press briefing. "Ang pinakamabigat ang Amerikano, ang hinihingi nila ang base."

(The heaviest is the Americans, they are asking for a base.) 

Duterte recently said Washington must "pay" if it wanted to keep its Visiting Forces Agreement with Manila. In the same speech, he said he "cannot afford to be brave in the mouth against China because we are avoiding any confrontation." 

Asked if this meant that the President was tough on the US and soft on China, his spokesman Harry Roque had said, "Hindi naman totoo iyan." (That's not true.)

"Ang ginagawa lang naman po ni Presidente ay nakikipagmabuting kapitbansa sa bansang Tsina dahil sa gustuhin at ayaw natin, talaga namang kapitbansa natin iyan ‘no," he said in an interview on the government's television network. 

(The President is only being a good neighbor to China because whether we like it or not, it is our neighbor.)

"Sabi nga nila, kinakailangang makipagkasundo sa kapitbahay, maski hindi ka makipagkasundo sa kamag-anak ‘no. Importante po talaga na magkaroon tayo ng mainit na pagsasama sa ating mga kapitbansa in the same way na importante iyong pagiging mabuting kapitbahay natin sa ating mga lokalidad." 

(As they say, you need to be in harmony with your neighbor, even if you are not in harmony with your relatives. It is important for us to have warm ties with our neighboring countries, in the same way that it is important to be a good neighbor in our communities.)

 

Beijing has refused to recognize a ruling that junked its sweeping claims to the resource-rich waterway, including parts of the Philippine exclusive economic zone.

 

China is supplying 25 million Sinovac COVID-19 shots to the Philippines. Observers have said Beijing might use its vaccines to push for its regional agenda. 

The Philippines is the last Southeast Asian country to receive vaccine supplies, fueling concerns over the recovery of its economy which suffered its worst contraction on record last year.

The archipelago, which has the second-highest tally of infections and deaths in the region, has suffered lengthy lockdowns, hitting hard a consumption-driven economy.

— With a report from Reuters

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/28/21/duterte-says-china-never-asked-for-anything-in-exchange-for-covid-19-shots

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Duterte says Philippines may return to normalcy in 2023

Filipinos may see some sense of normalcy by 2023, President Rodrigo Duterte said on Sunday, as the Philippines received its first batch of COVID-19 vaccines. 

"Early in the first maybe first or second quarter of year '23, 2023, baka, tulong ng Diyos (maybe with the help of God)," he said, when asked for an estimate of when the Philippines could return to normalcy. 

Carlito Galvez Jr, Chief Implementer of the National Task Force on COVID-19, also earlier said the country may return to normalcy by 2023.

"It is only through this that we can implement a sustainable immunization program to recover the economy and restore normalcy in the lives of the Filipino people by 2023 through our bayanihan spirit," Galvez said in a public briefing. 

The Philippines on Sunday received 600,000 China-donated shots of the COVID-19 vaccine by Bejing-based Sinovac biotech. 

The last Southeast Asian country to receive initial vaccine supplies, the Philippines is seeking to secure up to 148 million doses so it can inoculate 70 million people, or two thirds of its population.

The archipelago, which has the second-highest tally of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the region, will mark the first year of its coronavirus quarantine this March. 

The nearly year-long quarantine has left businesses struggling and millions out of work. 

The Philippines' gross domestic product shrank last year by 9.5 percent, its worst contraction since the end of World War 2.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/28/21/duterte-says-philippines-may-return-to-normalcy-in-2023

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Actual inoculation set on Mar. 1 after Sinovac vax's arrival

By Lade Jean Kabagani

The actual inoculation of Filipinos under the government's priority list will begin this Monday (March 1), following the arrival of 600,000 doses of China-donated Covid-19 vaccines made by Sinovac Biotech pharmaceutical firm in the country, National Policy Against Covid-19 chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said on Sunday.

"As we ramp up our preparations for the vaccine rollout, we call on all our countrymen to take part in this massive and historic immunization program," Galvez, who is also the country's vaccine czar, said during the arrival of the Sinovac vaccines at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City.

Galvez earlier said healthcare workers and other medical front-liners working in the major referral hospitals will be prioritized in the inoculation program once the Covid-19 vaccines become available.

Meanwhile, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said some 300,000 Filipinos, particularly health workers, are expected to get shots of Sinovac vaccines.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will get 100,000 doses of Sinovac Covid-19 vaccines that could inoculate around 50,000 of its uniformed personnel.

Duque said among the hospitals to receive the vials are the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital, Lung Center of the Philippines, Dr. Jose Rodriguez Memorial Hospital, East Avenue Medical Center, V. Luna Hospital, Veterans Memorial Medical Center, and the PNP General Hospital.

He noted that the Covid vaccines for the Visayas and Mindanao will be delivered by March 4 to March 5.

The Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City and the Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City will get the first batch of the vaccines.

"Ito po ang dalawang pinakamalaking ospital ng gobyerno at ang mga healthcare workers ang mauunang maturukan (These are the two biggest public hospitals and their healthcare workers will be prioritized in the vaccination)," Duque said.

On the other hand, Galvez said the government's negotiations with other vaccine manufacturers are still ongoing.

"We are also expediting the procurement of another one million doses of Sinovac vaccines which are expected to arrive this March also," he said.

The government is expecting to receive the bulk of the Covid-19 vaccines by the second quarter of this year, he added.

"We will prioritize the preservation of our health institution and it would be followed by the government institutions that are providing essential services and economic front-liners," Galvez said. (With reports from Joyce Racamora)

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1132111

NEWS JAM - FEBRUARY 28 2021 ERIC LECAIN

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COVID-19 testing to intensify even as vaccines arrive: official

The Philippines' coronavirus testing czar on Sunday reminded the public of the importance of infection detection even as the country is set to receive its initial batch of COVID-19 vaccines.

The country is "well on target" to meet 10 million COVID-19 tests by end of the first quarter this year with the help of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), said Secretary Vince Dizon.

"Itong pagpasok ng ating bakuna, hindi ibig sabihin nito hihinto na tayo. Kailangan po talaga, tuloy-tuloy po ang prevention, pagsusuot ng mask, pagdidistansiya... Kailangan tuloy-tuloy din po yung ating detection, isolation, at treatment," he told ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo.

(The arrival of vaccines does not mean we will stop testing. Prevention, such as wearing of masks and observing physical distancing, will continue. Detection, isolation, and treatment must continue.)

"Napakaimportante po d'yan ang ating detection, ang ating testing. Lalo na sa pagdami ng variants, kailangan po lalo pa nating paigtingin ang testing."

(Detection, testing is very important. We will intensify our testing especially now that there are many variants.)

The Philippines as of Friday has 62 reported cases of the more transmissible COVID-19 variant first detected in the UK. The total number of patients found to have both N501Y and E484K coronavirus mutations is at 34. 

The PRC, aside from conducting COVID-19 tests, has expressed its willingness to assist in the government's COVID-19 immunization program and procurement of its own vaccine supply.

A total of 574,247 infections have been recorded in the Philippines, including 37,093 active cases, since the virus emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan late 2019.

More than 8.7 million samples and over 8.2 million individuals have been tested in the country for the virus. There are 200 accredited testing laboratories in the Philippines.

On Sunday, the country is set to receive its first official supply of COVID-19 vaccines, courtesy of China's Sinovac, to be followed on Monday by AstraZeneca's product.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/28/21/covid-19-testing-to-intensify-even-as-vaccines-arrive-official

Filipinos seeking to work abroad urged to get vaccinated vs coronavirus: POEA

 Filipinos eyeing jobs abroad are urged to get vaccinated against COVID-19, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration said Sunday as the country anticipates the arrival of its first supply of vaccines against the coronavirus.

"Kinakailangan po nila ito upang mapanatili at sigurado po ang kanilang safety and health sa countries of destination 'pag sila po ay na-deploy," POEA Administrator Bernard Olalia told ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo.

(They need this so their safety and health in countries of destination are ensured.)

"Dahil sa vaccination ng iba't ibang destination countries, pinapayagan na silang bumalik. Karamihan sa merkado natin, unti-unti nang nagbubukas at tumatanggap ng ating balik-manggagawa."

(They are now allowed to be deployed due to vaccination in various destination countries. Several sectors are re-opening and accepting returning workers.)

The Philippines is set to receive doses of China's Sinovac and the UK's AstraZeneca vaccines on Sunday and Monday, respectively. Overseas Filipino workers are included in the country's second priority groups for inoculation.

Olalia said the country's OFW deployment had declined in 2020 due to the pandemic.

Some 300,000 land-based OFWs were deployed last year, an 80 percent decrease from an annual average of 1.4 million in previous years, he said. The deployment of sea-based workers also halved to 200,000 from an average of 400,000 prior to the pandemic, he added.

The Department of Foreigns Affairs said that as of February 20 this year, a total of 368,736 overseas Filipinos have been flown home the government started its COVID-19-related repatriations.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said last week that the number of OFWs coming home as a result of the pandemic has declined from around 2,000 to 3,000 a day before, to a maximum of 1,500 recently.

"Nabawas-bawasan na," he told TeleRadyo Sunday last week.

The Department of Health will issue COVID-19 vaccine passports to those inoculated, Malacañang earlier said.

Senators, however, said they would move to replace the vaccine passports with COVID-19 vaccine card as it “connotes or affects mobility” and may be construed as discriminatory.

As of Saturday, the DFA said 14,896 COVID-19 cases have been recorded among overseas Filipinos, of whom, 4,499 are undergoing treatment.

In the Philippines, coronavirus infections have reached 574,247, including 37,093 active cases.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/28/21/filipinos-seeking-to-work-abroad-urged-to-get-vaccinated-vs-coronavirus-poea

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Mabuhay town vice mayor shot dead in Zamboanga Sibugay

The vice mayor of Mabuhay town, Zamboanga Sibugay was killed while two others were wounded in a shooting Friday afternoon near the municipal hall.

Police said Vice-Mayor Restituto Calonge, Engr. Edgar Pampanga and Hdj. Abduhari Gapor were having conversation in Poblacion at 3 p.m., when they were attacked by an armed assailant.

The gunman fired multiple shots using a .45 caliber pistol, killing Calonge on the spot.

Pampanga and Gapor were severely injured and rushed to hospital.

Police said the suspect fled on a motorcycle.

An investigation is ongoing. With a report from Leizle Lacastesantos.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/26/21/mabuhay-town-vice-mayor-shot-dead-in-zamboanga-sibugay

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Sakto | Teleradyo (26 February 2021)

Ewen Magsajo Cabatbat na anak ni Erel Cabatbat; Christine Kyle Vizares; Daniella Canoy ang pinsan ni Jeff Canoy na nasa London, England, United Kingdom; Ramil Ariola; Rev. Fr. Hernan Mendoza; Rev. Fr. Manoling Francisco, SJ; Kagawad Ted Babol of Barangay Santa Cruz, Pasig City; Lorelie Dionisio; Genida Belarmino Asis-Sante; Jayson Cruz; Adrian Paul Agustin; Alex Cabrera; Eric Galang Villareal; Eric Chico; Sis. Angelique Lazo Mayuga; Chanda Romero Alejandrino; Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski; Gerlie Tayco; Sammy Whammy; Alexa Ilacad; Mary Antoinette Rivero; advance happy birthday Ariel Francisco Saldana; belated happy birthday Doc Liza Ramoso-Ong; Mayor Dave Duallo of Buenavista, Bohol; Wilma Galvante; Risa Hontiveros; Paolo Abrera; Gina Rodriguez; Nilda Garbo Ali Khan; Michael Baguio; Angelito Paner Cinco; Alberto Avila; Kim Tiu; Irene Biteng; Ginny MO; Rev. Fr. Alex Dapitan; Armi Fajardo Bernardo; Febb Tancontian Aton; Aeries Nicolas; Ken Gatus; Selwyn Clyde M. Alojipan; Ayie Endraca; Anjo Perez; Doc Jhay Rbb; Hayzel Rivera Remoto-Aguilar; Nanay Ria Rose Manabat from Fr. Zen; Nurse Marjorie Bugais; teh Che Aldaver dela Cruz; Bernie Sabenano of Batobalani, paracale, Camarines Norte; Tristan Joshua Peralta; Josefina Sode; Gab Natividad from Margie Cabanayan-Natividad; Maricel Soriano; Remedios Medina from ShyrAh Medina; Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan; ma Nene Teologo; baby Timothy Marquez; belated happy wedding anniversary Perri Salcedo and Lee Salcedo; get well soon Baby Matteo Deriquito from Yang Deriquito; Manny Gorospe; Ralph Velasquez

ALINGAWNGAW LAMANG - Kape't Pandasal kasama si Rissa Singson - Kawpeng

Diocesan radio station clears House second reading

THE House of Representatives approved on Wednesday the franchise renewal of Franciscan Broadcasting Corp. on second reading.

On Wednesday’s plenary session, lawmakers approved on second reading House Bill 8741 or an act that will renew the franchise of the Negros-based diocesan radio station for another 25 years. The measure was authored by Negros Oriental Second District Rep. Manuel T. Sagarbarria and Palawan First District Rep. Franz E. Castro.

The bill aims to continue the public service of the company, known for its radio station name DYWC 801 AM kilohertz (khz), by offering its mass-based radio programs for evangelization and news purposes in Negros Oriental.

If legislated, the bill will allow the franchise “to construct, install, operate, and maintain for commercial purposes and in the public interest, radio broadcasting stations where frequencies and channels are still available for radio broadcasting.”

Mr. Sagarbarria called for the bill’s immediate approval, adding that the radio station will continue to cater to the marginalized in far-flung areas of Negros while bringing social awareness to communities.

“DYWC 801 AM khz will continuously improve and develop its radio station through meaningful broadcasting while upholding its mission of DYWC, ‘Do your work for Christ’,” he said in the plenary session. — Gillian M. Cortez

https://www.bworldonline.com/diocesan-radio-station-clears-house-second-reading/

‘Time to split Maguindanao ‘

SEN. Francis Tolentino on Wednesday pushed for the partition of Maguindanao into Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur under the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, saying that this will help boost social and economic development and promote political stability in the region.

In his sponsorship speech of House Bill (HB) 6413, Tolentino said that while the province is blessed with rich and abundant natural resources, it faces political and economic barriers.

The chairman of the local government committee stressed that the time is ripe to partition Maguindanao to pave the way for better delivery of basic services such as public health care, education and transportation to the most remote villages.

Under the partition plan, 11 municipalities will make up the province of Maguindanao del Norte and the remaining 25 towns will be part of Maguindanao del Sur.

Municipalities to be included under Maguindanao del Norte are  Barira, Buldon, Kabuntalan, Matanog, Parang, Sultan Kudarat, Upi, Sultan Mastura, Datu Blah T. Sinsuat, Northern Kabuntalan and Datu Odin Sinuat which will serve as its capital.

Meanwhile, Maguindanao del Sur will be composed of the municipalities of  Ampatuan, Datu Paglas, Datu Piang, Pagalungan, Shariff Aguak, South Upi, Sultan sa Barongis, Talayan, General S. K. Pendatun, Mamasapano, Sultan Sumagka, Datu Montawal, Paglat, Guindulungan, Datu Saudi-Ampatuan, Datu Unsay, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Rajah Buayan, Pandag, Mangudadatu, Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, Datu Salibo, Shariff Saydona Mustapha and Buluan, which will be the capital.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/02/25/news/top-stories/time-to-split-maguindanao/845047/

The World Tonight | ANC (25 February 2021)

Where to Find the Courage You Need

 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:8‑9

When it comes to courage, you cannot chart it.  You cannot put it on a line graph.  You cannot measure its specific density. When it is displayed, a person is a hero, and when it is missing, a person is called a coward.

Eddie Rickenbacker was a man who knew something of courage.  In World War I, he was responsible for downing 26 planes.  Rickenbacker said, “Courage is doing what you are afraid to do.  There can be no courage unless you are scared.”

Someone defined courage saying, “Courage is fear that has prayed.”  Certainly, courage involves action. One of our heroes of medicine is Dr. Werner Forssmann.  In 1929, Forssmann, age 25, was a medical student.  He was tantalized by the fact that it was impossible to treat certain heart conditions, because in those days, doctors knew practically nothing about the inside of the human heart.  People constantly died, condemned to their deaths, because doctors knew so little about the heart.

Forssmann had an idea.  He thought his idea might be the answer, so he went to his professors and shared his proposal with them.  They were horrified, and expressly forbade his experiment.  He was convinced, however, that he was right, and he had the courage to become his own guinea pig.  He cut a vein and worked a tiny rubber tube up his arm to his shoulder, and then down to his heart.  Then, he walked into the X‑ray room and X‑rayed himself, to be sure the tube had arrived in his heart.

That bold act was the beginning of cardiac catheterization‑‑a technique that has enabled surgeons to X‑ray the heart, measure vessels in the heart and correct defects.  Forssmann demonstrated that courage involves action.

In the realm of the spiritual, just as certainly, courage is action.  Look at Abraham, who left Ur of the Chaldees with only the promise that God would lead him.  Courage is what Elijah had when he stormed into the presence of the king and said, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word” (1 Kings 17:1).

Courage is what Daniel had when he went into his home, threw back the windows, and prayed three times a day, even though the king had passed a law forbidding prayer.  Courage is what Jonah had when he walked into Nineveh, a city of perhaps half a million people, and announced that God would destroy the city in 40 days.

Whether it is medicine, history, or Scripture, people who have accomplished something have been individuals who were courageous, who acted in the face of danger and accomplished what they did not even dare to think.

If ever an hour has come when courage was needed, that hour is upon us.  Men and women today must find courage to speak their convictions, to stand for that what is right, to abide by principles, rather than expediency.  I must say, however, that individuals who are courageous often pay a price for their courage.  It would be a fool who says that courage does not cost, but real courage does not consider the cost.  It considers only the rightness of the action that must be taken.

Where do you get courage?  Is there a prescription for it?    Paul said, “If God is for us, who can be against us” (Romans 8:31).  Paul, like any man who stands courageously for a cause, was troubled, yet he could say, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed”  (2 Corinthians 4:8‑9).  Paul could, and so can you, as you thank God and take courage.

Scripture reading: Acts 26

https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/where-to-find-the-courage-you-need/

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Pagdiriwang ng EDSA Revolution 35th anniversary mas naging simple

(UPDATE) – Dati-rati ay maraming nakikilahok sa anibersaryo ng 1986 People Power Revolution.

Pero sa paglipas ng mga taon at ngayon, dahil na rin sa pandemya, payak ang pagdiriwang sa paggunita ng EDSA Revolution, na nagpalaya sa mga Pilipino sa ilang dekada ng diktadura ni dating Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos.

Wala rin ang mga kilalang personalidad sa likod ng makasaysayang pangyayari sa seremonyang idinaos nitong Huwebes sa EDSA People Power Monument sa Quezon City.

Pero naroon si Antonio Mendoza, na nanggaling pa sa Binangonan, Rizal.

"Para pong nilimot na nila ang ating tagumpay na tayo’y makalaya sa pagkakagapos noon pong panahon po ng mga Marcos," ani Mendoza.

Wala rin ang tradisyunal na salubong sa EDSA.

Nag-alay na lang ng bulaklak ang mga opisyal ng gobyerno sa People Power Monument, sabay ng pagkanta ng mga awiting sumikat noon.

Ayon kay EDSA People Power Commission Chairman Rene Escalante, isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit mas naging payak ang pagdiriwang ngayon taon ay ang pandemya.

"Alam natin na restricted pa ang social gatherings, at isaalang-alang natin na ang mga key players ng EDSA ay may edad na at ipinagbabawal nang lumabas," ani Escalante.

Para naman kay dating Pangulong Fidel Ramos, isang haligi ng EDSA, hamon ngayon sa lahat na panatilihin ang pagiging makabayan at ipagpatuloy ang diwa ng People Power Revolution.

Hindi pa tapos ang rebolusyon at marami pang dapat gawin hanggang sa tuluyang matamasa ng bawat Pinoy ang tunay na kalayaan, ani Ramos.

Sa mensahe naman ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, sinabi niyang nawa'y magsilbing paalala ang EDSA sa pagtatanggol at pagpo-protekta ng demokrasya at karapatan ng bawat Pilipino.

Sumentro naman ang mensahe ni Vice President Leni Robredo sa pagkakaisa sa gitna ng umiiral na pandemya.

Cultural event ng mga kabataan

Samantala, nagtipon-tipon naman ang mga grupo ng mga kabataan sa University of the Philippines-Diliman para sa isang cultural event kasabay ng pagdiriwang ng anibersaryo ng People Power Revolution.

Nag-alay ang mga kabataan ng mga kanta, tula at talumpati.

Ayon kay Precy Dagooc, spokesperson ng Youth for Nationalism and Democracy, pagsasabuhay nila ito sa student activism at malayang pag-iisip, na isa sa mga itinuro sa kabatan ng EDSA Revolution.

Aminado si Dagooc, hindi lahat ng kabataan sa bagong henerasyon ay nauunawaan ang diwa ng EDSA People Power kaya nagsisikap ang kanilang grupo na maipaliwanag ito.

"Challenge din po talaga kung paano natin ipapahatid ang katotohanan sa mga kabataan sa mga panahon ngayon na ang social media ay nandiyan na rin ang access sa information pero nand'yan na rin ang access sa misinformation," aniya.

Magsasagawa rin ang grupo ng online cultural event.

– May ulat nina Johnson Manabat at Arra Perez, ABS-CBN News

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/25/21/pagdiriwang-ng-edsa-revolution-35th-anniversary-mas-naging-simple

HAPPENING NOW: Joint PNP-PDEA Press Briefing | February 25, 2021

Wearing of face shields in Palawan plebiscite voluntary: Comelec

By Ferdinand Patinio

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is only encouraging voters in the March 13 plebiscite for the proposed division of Palawan province to wear face shields.

Juan Gonzales, election officer of Kalayaan, Palawan, said Thursday they do not want to disenfranchise people in the province particularly those in the far-flung areas of the province.

“They are so many, let us say they are in the farthest islands. We know that Palawan is divided by islands. There is no supply of face shield in their areas, which might be the reason for them not to participate or the people from the mountains, or our native brothers, who cannot afford to buy rice. This is also for their equal rights,” Gonzales said in a virtual press conference.

He said they encourage those who can afford to buy face shields to wear one for the safety of other voters.

He, however, said the wearing of face mask is mandatory for all voters.

“The wearing of face mask is mandatory whether they are poor or rich. Before entering the polling precinct or inside voting centers they have to wear their face masks on,” he added.

“Let me reiterate that the wearing of face shield is not a requirement but the voters are encouraged to wear one for your own health security,” Gonzales said.

Pursuant to Republic Act 11259, Palawan will be holding a plebiscite next month to determine whether or not it would be divided into three separate provinces -- Palawan Oriental, Palawan del Norte, and Palawan del Sur.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1131855

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SI SR. PINGPING AT ANG EDSA - Kape't Pandasal kasama si Fr Kali Llamado

[Infographics] 16 Indonesian E-commerce Companies That Have Died Since the 2000s

The Indonesian e-commerce industry looks very prospective, but not all players in it have managed to reap the benefits.

The handicraft e-marketplace platform called Qlapa finally closed its operating services after being active for almost 4 years in the country's e-commerce industry. Qlapa is not the first to come out of this internet-based trading industry. In fact, there are many companies that have passed in the realm of Indonesian e-commerce. Using recorded data from the Wayback Machine, the iPrice team summarizes e-commerce companies since the 2000s that have existed but have collapsed.

MULTIPLY

In the 2008-2010 period, Multiply was able to become a very popular social media network in Indonesia. With the intense user activity, Multiply tries to apply the e-commerce business strategy on its website. Moreover, Naspers, which is Multiply's main investor, wants to develop the e-commerce industry in Indonesia.

A marketplace platform called Multiply Commerce was released in 2011. To show its commitment to e-commerce development, Multiply also moved its office from Florida, U.S.A. to Jakarta, Indonesia. Unfortunately, the change in business strategy to become a marketplace platform did not bring any significant benefits.

One of the reasons is because Multiply is unable to respond to the problems that arise among users in the transition from the social networking business model to e-commerce. Until then Naspers stopped all investment in Multiply and switched to Tokobagus. Multiply inevitably closed its operations on May 31, 2013.

On June 10, 2014, it has filed for corporate rehabilitation to seek protection from its creditors. The company filed the petition for rehabilitation before the Pasig City Regional Trial Court (RTC). At that time, the website's social networking portion had a network of 18 million users. Liquidity problems, however, affected earnings. Sales declined from its peak of P20 billion in 2013 to just about P1 billion in July 2020.

It had suffered from a drop in new orders amid a slump in the E-commerce and social networking sector. Multiply also reportedly laid off some 12,000 workers on February 28, 2014.

GOOD STORE

Tokobagus is a buying and selling site that initially used the concept of consumer to consumer (C2C) classifieds. This means that each user can immediately upload sales posts or search for goods. Starting operations in 2005, this online buying and selling site is one of the pioneers of the e-commerce industry in Indonesia.

In 2010 this site received investment from Naspers, which at the same time owns a trading site in the global market called OLX. 2013 marked Tokobagus' golden moment. Reporting from e27.co there are 1 billion visitors per day on the site. This achievement has earned Tokobagus one of the five largest classified ad sites in the world.

Because of this glorious achievement, Naspers finally acquired Tokobagus and changed its name to OLX Indonesia in March 2014. However, OLX's popularity in Indonesia is not unlike when it was named Tokobagus. This site is less competitive with local e-commerce platforms that have emerged recently, such as Bukalapak, Tokopedia, or Blibli.

RAKUTEN

Rakuten was officially present in Indonesia's e-commerce industry in 2011 by partnering with MNC Group as a local business partner, aka a joint venture. According to Daily Social records, Rakuten has 51% shares, while MNC Group has 49% shares. The total initial investment of the two parties is around IDR 60 billion.

Rakuten's activities in the local e-commerce industry only lasted 5 years. This Japanese company stopped its activities in Indonesia in March 2016. Reporting from Reuters, Rakuten's withdrawal from the local market in Indonesia was due to a shift in the business model that was not in accordance with the original concept. The e-commerce company wants to focus more on the C2C business model.

PLASA.COM

Plasa.com started to focus on e-commerce in 2010 after previously operating as a webmail service. Funding for this shopping portal was initiated by the government through the state-owned company Telkom. A year later, Plasa.com announced its partnership with eBay. With this collaboration, products sold on Plasa.com can appear on the eBay site so that they can be widely recognized by global consumers. But in 2014 eBay bought 49% of Plasa.com's shares and followed the name change to Blanja.com.

VALADOO

Valadoo is a travel-only e-commerce site that was founded in 2010. When this company emerged, the travel-only e-commerce industry was still lacking in players. Two years passed, Valadoo managed to get early stage funding from a similar company from Singapore called Wego.

Even though it has received seed funding, Valadoo has not been able to make a clear business direction. Therefore, this company finally decided to merge with Burufly, which also received funding from Wego. But finally in April 2015, Valadoo stated that it closed all its services due to differences in culture and business models.

Also Read: [DATA] 5 Trends in Indonesian Online Consumer Behavior in 2018

SCALLOPE

Scallope is an e-commerce portal that provides a variety of fashion products from well-known young Indonesian designers. Reported by Daily Social, this company was founded in 2012 and is financed by Suitmedia Group. At that time, Suitmedia Group also oversees Bukalapak and Hijup.

However, in its development, Scallope was unable to compete with other e-commerce companies that also focused on fashion. Moreover, Suitmedia Group sees Hijup's position as more potential than Scallope. Finally Suitmedia Group went downsizing by closing Scallope in 2016.

PARAPLOU

Paraplou is a fashion-specific e-commerce site that was founded in 2011. The company received a Series A investment of US $ 1.5 from Majuven, a venture capital firm from Singapore.

In October 2015 Paraplou announced that the company was closing. In Tech in Asia's notes, factors such as an unformed market, uncertain financial conditions, and difficulties in obtaining sustainable funds forced Paraplou to leave the e-commerce business.

CIPIKA

Cipika has been managed by Indosat Ooredo since 2014. This e-commerce site adopts a business to consumer (B2C) business model with superior products in the electronics and food categories.

However, Cipika did not last long because the development of the B2C model at that time was considered slow. Indosat Ooredo officially closed its Cipika service in June 2017.

LOLALOLA

Lolalola was launched in 2015 as an e-commerce site that targets underwear products specifically for women. Funding for Lolalola was obtained from Ardent Ventures from Thailand. Unfortunately, companies that were present for this specific market were forced to stop operating in January 2017.

KLEORA

Initially, Kleora was here to accommodate the shopping needs for special products for women. This company had received funding from Rebright Partners and angle investors. But because he was unable to attract market enthusiasm, Kleora finally transformed into an e-commerce specifically for buying and selling used goods called Prelo since October 2015.

BEAUTYTREATS

Beautytreats is a beauty product online selling site that has been operating since 2013. According to Daily Social records, the company was able to deliver 3000 beauty products within 6 months of its operation. Beautytreats also managed to attract 8000 members from various regions in Indonesia. But this company didn't live long. In March 2015 Beautytreats officially stopped operating.

LAMIDO

Lamido was founded in 2013 by the incubator company Rocket Internet which also raised Lazada. This customer-to-customer (C2C) type of e-commerce site focuses on middle to lower class sellers who distribute merchandise through social media networks such as Facebook or Instagram.

The types of products that are common in Lamido include the electronics and fashion categories. But in reality, the marketplace platform presented by Lamido was less popular than local e-commerce companies such as Bukalapak and Tokopedia, which were both C2C concepts at that time. Moreover, Rocket Internet saw that Lamido and Lazada's positions overlapped in the local market. Because of this, Rocket Internet chose to merge Lamido with Lazada in March 2015.

BERNIAGA.COM

Berniaga.com is a classified ad site that focuses on doing customer to customer (C2C) business. According to Kompas.com's records, this site was first operated in 2009 with funding support from 701 Search Pte Ltd, which is a joint venture company between Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) and Schibsted Classified Media (SCM). Berniaga.com in January 2014 was actually acquired by OLX Indonesia because of the same business concept. Reported by CNN Indonesia, at that time the parent company OLX wanted its brand to become the sole ruler in the Indonesian market.

SEDAPI

Sedapur is a marketplace platform that focuses on culinary products. This company was founded in 2011 and is supported by the incubator Nokia Enterpreneurship with a capital of IDR 200 million. However, Sedapur could not operate for long. In August 2013 the company closed its operations due to a business strategy that was not working properly.

Soegianto Widjaja, who at that time served as CEO of Sedapur, admitted that his company's strategy was only focused on merchants and did not prioritize buyers. In addition, the failure to get new funding also made it difficult for Sedapur to survive in the e-commerce industry.

MATAHARIMALL.COM

MatahariMall.com officially operates in 2015 as a subsidiary of the Lippo Group. An investment of around US $ 500 million becomes the initial capital for its operations. This e-commerce site adopts online to online and offline to offline (O2O) business models that allow buyers to transact in various branches of the Matahari Department Store physical store. This business concept is inspired by Walmart which also used O2O first.

However, in November 2018, MatahariMall.com merged into the main online business unit of the Matahari Department Store, namely Matahari.com. Reporting from Bisnis.com, this consolidation step aims to make Matahari.com the sole online shopping channel for the Matahari company.

QLAPA

Qlapa is an online platform for selling handicraft products that has been operating since 2015. The company received a Series A investment from a company called Aavishkaar from India.

However, in early March 2019, Qlapa announced a complete shutdown of operations. In per caption s Qlapa, this company stopped operating for business reasons that were considered unprofitable and sustainable.

List of top e-commerce companies in Indonesia in numerical statistics

Indication of Company Downfall

As is well known, there are 16 e-commerce companies that have collapsed since the early 2000s. There are two kinds of indications for the downfall of a company; first, namely the complete cessation of operations, second, namely by changing the name due to the acquisition.

There are five e-commerce companies that died due to being acquired by other parties and then changed their names, namely Tokobagus, Kleora, Berniaga.com, Plasa.com, and MatahariMall.com. Meanwhile, 11 other companies collapsed because they completely stopped operating.

Highest Number of Establishments of Companies in the Same Year

2011 and 2015 were the birth periods of most e-commerce companies. Each year it contributes to the birth of 3 companies. In 2011 there were Sedapur, Rakuten, and Paraplou. In 2015 there were Lolalola, Qlapa, and MatahariMall.

The numbers that are striking in each of these years are suspected due to various factors. Reporting from Digital News Asia, Indonesia's economic growth in the 2010-2011 period reached 6.2 percent. This significant growth is predicted to be the basis for a number of investors to develop e-commerce companies in 2011.

Meanwhile for 2015, the increasing number of internet users in Indonesia, as reported by Kontan, helped accelerate the growth of the e-commerce industry, which is based on the wireless universe. Therefore, many companies started operations that year.

Average Age of E-commerce Companies Before Collapsing

Indonesian e-commerce companies that have collapsed in Indonesia so far have an average life span of 4 years. Even so, there are companies that can last very long above average. Multiply is able to exist for up to 10 years. Likewise with Tokobagus which was able to maintain its operations for up to 9 years before being bought by OLX, a global company with the ambition to monopolize the C2C type e-commerce business.

About 94% of the companies that collapsed were actually able to survive in their first year of existence. Only one company, Kleora, failed to maintain its core operations after a year of existence.

The most number of company losses in the same year

Five companies were forced to end their activities in the Indonesian e-commerce industry in 2015. These companies are Valadoo, Paraplou, BeautyTreats, Lamido, and Kleora. The general cause of the company's downfall is thought to be due to the type of product that was too specific so that it was unable to find suitable consumers.

Most Companies Close in One Financial Period

Many companies often use financial calendars to track business achievements. This financial calendar generally consists of four periods each with a term of 3 months.

Quarter 1 (hereinafter abbreviated as Q1) refers to the first three months (January-March) of the 12 months of the year, Q2 is the second 3 months (April-June), Q3 is the third 3 months (July-September), and Q4 is 3 last month (October-December).

Presumably, Q1 is the most crucial period for e-commerce companies. In the early quarter of this year, the company must formulate a mature strategy for business continuity for the next year.

And of the 16 listed companies, there are seven companies that decided to stop operating in that period because they did not see bright possibilities with their own business models. The companies in question are Berniaga.com, Lolalola, Tokobagus, BeautyTreats, Lamido, Rakuten, and Qlapa.

Long overdue: Dividing Maguindanao into 2 provinces to spur development, Tolentino says

Administration Senator Francis Tolentino has insisted that time is already ripe to partition Maguindanao and pave the way for better delivery of basic services such as public health care, education, and transportation to the most remote villages.

In his sponsorship speech for a consolidated measure—Senate Bill Nos. 1274, 1714, and 1824 respectively—which all seek to partition Maguindanao into two separate provinces under the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Tolentino said dividing the province will help boost social and economic development, as well as promote political stability.

The consolidated measures aim to divide Maguindanao into Northern Maguindanao and Southern Maguindanao.

Tolentino, chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Government, stressed that although the province is blessed with rich and abundant natural resources—including the Liguasan Marsh—it faces political and economic barriers.

Under the proposed partition plan, 11 municipalities will compose the province of Northern Maguindanao, while the remaining 25 towns will be part of Southern Maguindanao.

Municipalities to be included under Northern Maguindanao would be Barira, Buldon, Datu Blah Sinsuat, Kabuntalan, Matanog, Northern Kabuntalan, Parang, North Upi, Sultan Kudarat, Sultan Mastura, and Datu Odin Sinsuat, which will serve as its capital.

Meanwhile, Southern Maguindanao will be composed of the towns of Ampatuan, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, Datu Montawal, Datu Paglas, Datu Piang, Datu Salibo, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Datu Unsay, Gen. Salipada K. Pendatun, Guindulungan, Mamasapano, Mangudadatu, Pagalungan, Paglat, Pandag, Rajah Buayan, Sharif Aguak, Sharif Saydona Mustafa, Sultan sa Barongis, Talayan, Talitay, South Upi, while the seat of power will be at Buluan.

The legislative measure for the partition of Maguindanao, according to Tolentino, is the embodiment of the Maguindanaoans’ vision and aspirations to create new provincial governments which will promote their welfare and enhance their socio-economic condition.

He added that diving Maguindanao will not only help boost the income and economic growth in the region but also allow the local leaders to focus more on the needs of their constituents. (CMC)

https://politics.com.ph/long-overdue-dividing-maguindanao-into-2-provinces-to-spur-development-tolentino-says/

Comelec drops mandatory use of face shield in Palawan poll

Participants in the upcoming plebiscite in Palawan next month will no longer be required to wear face shields in voting precincts.

The Commission on Election (Comelec) made decision to prevent possible disfranchisement in the plebiscite scheduled on March 13, 2021. 

“This is just a new order so that marginalized sectors and vulnerable sectors, who might be deprived to vote [because of the face shield requirement]. We know some of them live in islands or mountain, where they have no access [to face shields],” Kalayaan Election Officer Juan Gonzales said in an online news briefing on Thursday.  

He, however, urged Palawan voters, who will be able to buy face shields to wear the protective gear during the exercise to help further minimize the spread of Covid infection.

The election official also stressed that the wearing of facemasks will be mandatory for all voters before they could enter polling precincts or voting centers.

 Comelec will also be strictly implementing social distancing measures in voting precincts by limiting the number of voters in the said venue to just five at any given time. 

The conduct of the plebiscite will determine the possible ratification of Republic Act (RA) No. 11259, or An Act Dividing the Province of Palawan Into Three (3) Provinces, Namely: Palawan del Norte, Palawan Oriental, and Palawan del Sur. 

Over 490,000 voters are expected to participate in the event, where Comelec is expected to test its new protocols for the conduct of the 2022 National and Local election protocols amid the pandemic.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/02/25/comelec-drops-mandatory-use-of-face-shield-in-palawan-poll/

The World Tonight | ANC (24 February 2021)

WATCH: President Rodrigo Duterte's Talk to the Nation (February 24, 2021)

What’s Blinding You from Seeing Jesus in Your Life?

 If any one chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.  John 7:17 

There was something about the stranger who walked with those two men, which fascinated them.  The location was a dusty road that led from Jerusalem to Emmaus.  It happened almost 2000 years ago.  Jesus of Nazareth had taught the multitudes for three years.  He had done some fantastic things. He had healed the lame and the blind.  He had taken a little boy’s lunch and then fed a multitude of more than 5,000 men, to say nothing of the number of women and children.

At first, everyone was skeptical.  After all, the day of miracles had ceased, so when Jesus first began His work, people watched for the trick.  Perhaps the blind man was not really blind, or it was just a big act.  But as the skeptics watched, they became convinced, not only by what they saw, but by what they heard, as well.  Jesus of Nazareth spoke as no other man had ever spoken.  He said things no other would dare to say, and He did it with perfect authority.  He made claims such as, “I came from God and now am here” (John 8:42).  Again, He said, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30).  All of those things together caused thousands of men and women to claim Him as the Messiah‑‑the long awaited deliverer.

The two men who walked from Jerusalem to Emmaus that day, long ago, were talking about all of the events that caused them to believe Jesus was the Savior.  “Things were going so well,” they said. “Yes, we thought it had been He who would deliver Israel.”  But on that Passover, public sentiment, fickle public opinion, turned, and they crucified this Jesus of Nazareth.  That is when it all ended for those two.  When Christ died, they were through, and with bitter remorse and confusion, they decided to call it quits.

As they walked and discussed these things, a stranger appeared to them and they poured out their hearts.  They told how two women had gone to the grave and it was empty, but this they could not believe.  The interesting twist to this story begins when Luke (who records the event) says, “As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him” (Luke 24:15,16).  But as they walked and talked, the stranger began to explain what had happened in terms they could understand.  They invited Him to dinner and suddenly the mystery was over.

Luke says, “When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.  Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him” (Luke 24:30-31).  It was the resurrected Christ who walked with them, and they knew Him not.

That was two thousand years ago, yet it is still true today.  Sometimes it is the impact of 21st century materialism that blinds our eyes and keeps us from recognizing the resurrected Savior.  Sometimes it is the aura of “intellectualism” that keeps us in the dark.  Sometimes we are so preoccupied with ourselves that we never discover the resurrected Christ.  A story so old, yet new every day.

How about your life?  Have you discovered that Christ will reveal Himself to you and that He will walk with you through life?  It may be that your eyes have been blinded by unbelief and that you have never discovered who He is and what He promises to you.  Jesus challenged, “If any one chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own” (John 7:17).  “Prove it to your satisfaction,” invites the Savior.  Start reading with the Gospel of John and, I can assure you, you will see who He really is.

Scripture reading: Luke 24

https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/whats-blinding-you-from-seeing-jesus-in-your-life/

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Palace prays for Doris Bigornia’s speedy recovery

By Azer Parrocha

Malacañang on Wednesday wished ABS-CBN veteran broadcaster Doris Bigornia a speedy recovery after she suffered a heart attack and is set to undergo open-heart surgery.

In a virtual Palace press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque extended prayers to Bigornia, recalling how he knew her long before he was appointed to the Duterte administration.

“Pinagdadasal po natin ang mabilis na recovery ng ating dating kasamahan dito po sa [Malacañang Press Corp.] Dati ko na po kasama ito kahit nung mga panahon na aktibista pa ako, si ABS-CBN reporter na si Doris Bigornia. Doris, pagaling ka (We are praying for the speedy recovery of our former colleague here at MPC. We used to see each other during the times I was still an activist, ABS-CBN reporter Doris Bigornia. Doris, get well soon) and we’re praying for your speedy recovery,” he said.

On Tuesday night, Bigornia’s co-host and fellow ABS-CBN reporter Alvin Elchico announced, with the permission of her family, that she suffered a heart attack and would need to undergo open-heart surgery.

Elchico said Bigornia suffered a heart attack on Sunday night and was rushed to the hospital. He said she is currently in the intensive care unit (ICU).

“Bago po tayo mag-umpisa dahil marami po kasi ang nagtatanong so, nagpaalam po ako sa pamilya ni Mutya ng Masa Doris Bigornia na sabihin po sa inyo, pinapasabi lang po, ang Mutya ng Masa, siya po’y inatake sa puso noong Linggo, papuntang Lunes (Before we start, because there are many of you asking, so I sought permission from Mutya ng Masa Doris Bigornia to tell you that she had a heart attack on late Sunday night),” Elchico said over their DZMM Teleradyo program “SRO”.

He also sought for prayers for his co-host’s recovery.

“Siya po’y sinugod sa ospital at ngayon po’y nasa ICU. Kakailanganin po ng ano, open-heart surgery. So ang pamilya po ay humihingi po ng panalangin, so sa ngalan po ng pamilya ni Doris Bigornia, ang Mutya ng Masa, kami po sa DZMM Teleradyo ay humihingi po ng inyong panalangin (She was rushed to the hospital and is now in ICU. She will need to undergo open-heart surgery. So her family is asking for your prayers. We at DZMM Teleradyo are also asking for your prayers),” he added.

Elchico said Bigornia is conscious and has talked to him through the phone.

Bigornia, known as ABS-CBN’s Mutya ng Masa, just celebrated her 55th birthday last Feb. 17.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1131718

Sakto | Teleradyo (24 February 2021)

REBOLUSYON! Kape't Pandasal kasama si Fr Nono Alfonso, SJ

COVID-19 vaccine procurement bill up for Duterte signature

Congress has approved a bill that seeks to expedite the procurement of COVID 19 vaccines.

The House of Representatives approved adopted Senate Bill 2057 for that purpose, paving the way for the bill to go straight to President Duterte for signature.

The Senate’s version was adopted during the plenary session Wednesday. This avoids a potentially contentious bicameral conference committee which could further delay vaccine procurement.

The House previously approved House Bill 8648 as its version of the bill.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/24/21/covid-19-vaccine-procurement-bill-up-for-duterte-signature

‘Palawan plebiscite test run for 2022 polls’

The plebiscite in Palawan on March 13 will serve as a test run of the health protocols to be implemented by the Commission on Elections in the May 2022 polls amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Comelec Chairman Sheriff Abas said yesterday.

“Through this plebiscite, we want to see if the policies that we will formulate are effective. Among these protocols are the wearing of face mask and face shield and maintaining physical distancing,” Abas said.

He said they are considering allowing only five voters in polling precincts.

Abas said the poll body is also looking at extending the voting hours to prevent crowding.

The plebiscite to ratify a law dividing Palawan into three provinces – Palawan del Norte, Palawan Oriental and Palawan del Sur – may be held for two days.

Around 500,000 voters have registered for the political exercise.

Abas said the Comelec would regulate the number of watchers that candidates and parties are allowed to dispatch on election day as well as the counting and canvassing of votes during the 2022 polls.

“If the pandemic is not over by the time we hold our elections, we will certainly be implementing health and safety protocols,” he said.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2021/02/24/2079920/palawan-plebiscite-test-run-2022-polls

Pagbuo ng bagong distrito sa Caloocan City, suportado ng ilang senador

Jeffrey Hernaez, ABS-CBN News

Suportado ng ilang senador ang panukalang hatiin sa dalawang legislative district ang unang distrito ng Caloocan City.

Ayon kay Senator Cynthia Villar, makatutulong ang House Bill 7700 o “Act Reapportioning the First and Second Legislative District of the City of Caloocan into Four Legislative Districts” na mabigyan ng patas at sapat na representasyon ang lungsod sa Kamara.

“I am in full support of this legislative measure that seeks to reapportion the first and second legislative district of Caloocan City into four districts," ani Villar.

Nagpahayag din ng pagsuporta si Senator Joel Villanueva na co-sponsor at co-author ng panukala. 

Ayon sa may akda ng panukala na si Senator Francis Tolentino, mas matitiyak na maibibigay ang mga pangangailangan ng mga residente kung madadagdagan ng isa pang distrito ang lungsod.

"The population of Caloocan City is projected to increase to 1,699,908 in 2021, yet the number of legislative district in Caloocan remains at constant 2 representatives, Mr.President, which poses major challenges in the delivery of public services. Reapportioning the city will ensure that the voice of our constituents in Caloocan is heard and their needs are addressed," aniya.

Sa kasalukuyan, sa dalawang distrito lamang nahahati ang Caloocan City. May 70 barangay sa unang distrito habang 118 na barangay sa pangalawang distrito. Sa mahigit isa at kalahating milyong populasyon ng lungsod,75 porsyento nito ay nasa unang distrito.

Kung maisasabatas ang panukala, hahatiin ang unang distrito sa dalawa, 11 sa mga barangay nito ay ililipat sa mabubuong ikatlong distrito.

Dahil dito, magiging apat rin ang kinatawan ng Caloocan City sa Kongreso.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/23/21/pagbuo-ng-bagong-distrito-sa-caloocan-city-suportado-ng-ilang-senador

The World Tonight | ANC (23 February 2021)

WATCH: President Rodrigo Duterte's Talk to the Nation (February 23, 2021)

The Difference in Communication Between Men and Women

 Simply let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No”; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.   Matthew 5:37

I was almost asleep when my wife exclaimed, “It’s obvious that a male wrote this book,” as she closed the book, one a publisher had asked us to evaluate. My wife, Darlene, is pretty low-key and cuts an author quite a bit of slack for individuality.  “Why do you say that?” I asked.  “Well,” she explained, “what he says is good, but it’s factual, and cut and dried. There’s no emotion or feeling in what he writes.” And with those observations she clearly defined one of the big differences between men and women.

Darlene is an author in her own right.  She writes for women—and good stuff, too!  I often say that she writes “gourmet style,” agonizing over paragraphs, often in the middle of the night, while I tend to write more “fast food style.”  Every Wednesday I write the five commentaries you hear on Guidelines.

Her comments emphasized the point that men go straight to the bottom line while women enjoy the journey that takes them there, through the emotions and feelings—the “he said, and then I said” details that are important to women but not necessarily germane to the final outcome.

Men stress facts and decisions, but women are equally as interested in the development of the plot, the blow by blow, word for word description of the encounter that leads to the bottom line, and that is one of the reasons why men think they have communicated with a woman who shrugs her shoulders and says, “No you haven’t!” “But I told you want happened,” he says.  But she honestly doesn’t think so.  The “he said; she said” dialogue that you think is redundant, Mister, is what leads to intimacy in a relationship, instead of the “slam-bam-thank-you-Ma’am” style that you use with the janitor or taxi driver.

Today there is a growing data base of scientific information that explains why all of this is true. This includes how DNA is different, how brains process information differently; and how male and female brains are even physically different.  Yet vast numbers of men, and not necessarily just those in their 20s who are striving to understand the women in their lives, couldn’t care less about the developmental structure of our brains. They just know that men and women use the same language but don’t communicate the same way.

What’s the solution to all of this?  Consider the following suggestions that I will give without much elaboration.

For both men and women—set the stage for communication. It never works when you are under stress, when you are extremely busy, and when one or both of you are physically exhausted. That’s when you hurl angry words at each other which become missiles of your discontent rather than your attempts to bridge the differences between you.

For men—realize that your wife can live without the new car, the latest fashions, and the trip to your favorite resort destination. She can live without all kinds of things, but if your marriage is to be healthy, you have to communicate. Understand it means something different to each of you, and realize that you can effectively communicate. Excuses aren’t satisfactory, and the longer you take to learn how to do it, the more damage is going to be done to your relationship.

For women—when you say, “My husband just doesn’t get it!” you are right, but there are reasons for it. He’s not difficult or obstinate or dense. He doesn’t pick up on the non-verbal signals, the importance of registering your sighs on the discontent meter or what your raised eyebrows are trying to say. That means you’ve got to tell him in such a way that he does understand.

Charles Dickens, a man whose own marriage was miserable, advised, “Never close your lips to him to whom you have opened your heart.” Good advice in every generation.

Scripture reading:  Proverbs 17:1-9

https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/the-difference-in-communication-between-men-and-women/

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Sakto | Teleradyo (23 February 2021)

MANALANGIN NANG TAIMTIM - Kape't Pandasal kasama si Cardinal Chito Tagle

No to splitting Palawan into three provinces; strengthen LGUs instead

On March 13, a plebiscite will be held in Palawan to decide whether it will be split into three provinces: Palawan del Norte (Northern Palawan), Palawan Oriental (Central Palawan), and Palawan del Sur (Southern Palawan).

Republic Act No. 11259 was signed into law by President Duterte on April 5, 2019 to provide for the holding of such plebiscite.

According to local activists and NGOs supporting the Save Palawan Movement (SPM), the division of Palawan would not only open the island’s extensive natural resources to potential mismanagement, but would also allow extractive and destructive industries, such as large-scale mining and plantations, to take root and destroy even further the island’s rich ecosystem.

Palawan, also known as the Philippines’ “last frontier,” is well known for having some of the richest biodiversity in Southeast Asia. For this reason, the entire island was declared by Unesco as a “Man and Biosphere Reserve.” The island is home to some of the oldest trees in the southern hemisphere, more than 200 endemic species and more than 100 endangered species, according to the IUCN Red List. Palawan is also home to the indigenous Tagbanua, Pala’wan, and Batak peoples. In fact, the island is sometimes referred to as “the cradle of Philippine civilization” as evidenced by significant archaeological discoveries made there.

Jose Alvarez, the governor of Palawan, known for his aggressive approach toward intensive use of natural resources, claims that dividing Palawan into three provinces would speed up the delivery of basic services to residents and further boost the provincial economy.

But SPM and other NGOs such as the Coalition Against Land Grabbing firmly believe that the planned division of Palawan is totally an unnecessary measure and a major step back from the real development needs of the province and its communities. The NGOs in Palawan have no doubt that RA 11259 is the product of a strong political lobby staged by the provincial government and its allies in Congress and the executive branch. SPM believes that the measure contradicts many important provisions of the Constitution pertaining to public participation and consultations, the empowerment of local government units for good governance, and the principle of sharing of proceeds from the national wealth. The planned division is not a development agenda as its proponents want the public to believe, but is instead a direct attempt at gerrymandering.

SPM and those opposing the splitting of Palawan believe that this:

1) is not the appropriate answer to the existing issues of weak governance, corruption, and natural resource use in the province, and that this is mainly motivated by partisan political concerns;

2) will only aggravate the threats and challenges already facing the environment and further expose the vulnerability of poor communities to the harsh impacts of environmental destruction and climate change;

3) will entail huge costs in creating three provinces as well as holding a plebiscite. At the end of the day, taxpayers would be the primary bearers of such costs.

Palaweños never asked for their province to be split. Rather than division, SPM and supporting NGOs are asking the government to focus instead on empowering the local government to strongly implement wildlife laws, the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (RA 8371) for indigenous peoples’ ancestral land recognition and demarcation, and a sustainable management of natural resources. Rather than splitting the province into three, the local government should be strengthened down to the municipal and barangay levels.

Coalition Against Land Grabbing (Philippines)

calgpalawan@gmail.com

https://opinion.inquirer.net/137953/no-to-splitting-palawan-into-three-provinces-strengthen-lgus-instead

The World Tonight | ANC (22 February 2021)

How to Be Content in a Materialistic World

 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”  Luke 12:15

“It began as a simple, or simply terrifying, pledge taken by a small group of friends feeling overwhelmed by all the things in their lives,” writes Elizabeth Weise.  She explains, “Over a potluck dinner two years ago, they made a pact: Buy nothing new except food, medicine and toiletries for six months.”[1]  When a major newspaper did a feature on the unique experiment, the idea exploded. In a matter of a few weeks more than 700 people from countries as diverse as Japan, the Philippines, and Brazil have put their names on an Internet list to do the same thing.

“The original group named itself the Compact after the Mayflower Compact, a civil agreement that bound the Pilgrims to a life of higher purpose when they landed at Plymouth Rock in 1620.”[2]  The group that got together over a potluck dinner and decided that enough is enough and committed to the experiment weren’t necessarily trying to make a statement about consumerism, or how to save the world, or do something about global warming. But they acknowledged that they were fed up with the pressure to have the latest and the most expensive, measuring the success in their lives by the junk piled in their garage and the newest electronic stuff or fashion.

They wanted to simplify their lives. A French teacher, Rob Piccioto, one of the original compact signers, said, “It saved us time because there was less time spent shopping. We still buy groceries and go to the drugstore, but we don’t go to Target on a Saturday–which was a ritual before, just to see what the sales were.”

Vast numbers of people, the world over, registered disagreement with the blatant commercialism that confronts us today every time you pick up a newspaper, turn on your television set, or pick up a magazine.

Simplifying their lives meant different things to those who took the pledge, but they were all striving to accomplish the same thing. For some it meant buying the clothing they needed at a second hand or thrift store, having shoes repaired instead of trashing them out in favor of a new pair, planting a garden, or using washable hand towels instead of buying paper towels.  It was an amazing life-changing endeavor that was a choice, not a situation forced upon them by a lack of resources.

Some backslid and caught themselves buying new sunglasses or something they couldn’t find second-hand, but most have adapted to a lifestyle of general simplicity, one that they feel is more genuine and authentic, to say nothing of its being more practical.

For Christians, a lifestyle of simplicity has always been part of authentic faith. Jesus said, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15).  He spoke eloquently about how the God who sees the sparrow fall from the sky will meet your needs.  He set the example, living out a lifestyle of simplicity. He never owned property.  His only possession was a seamless garment that Romans soldiers cast lots for at His death, but even in death He borrowed another man’s grave,

That philosophy and lifestyle was part and parcel of the mindset of the early church, that lived out their belief that more is not better.  Many, in fact, gave away their possessions, vowing a life of poverty to serve God. In the U.S., Quakers and Shakers adopted the same kind of simple lifestyle, sharing their resources, helping each other, living as close to the earth as possible.

The path less traveled includes learning to say no to commercialism, avoiding the mall, making do with what you have, and sharing with others.  Simplify, simplify, and simplify some more is the path to contentment in a materialistic world.

Scripture reading: Proverbs 13:7-17, The Message

[1] Elizabeth Weise, “USATODAY, March 23, 2006, March 26, 2006, D-1.

[2] Ibid.

https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/how-to-be-content-in-a-materialistic-world/

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Music video: Morissette returns with ‘Phoenix’

Morissette released on Saturday her first single of 2021, fittingly titled “Phoenix,” about overcoming challenges and starting over.

The music video of “Phoenix,” which she co-wrote with fiancé Dave Lamar, shows numerous milestones in Morissette’s career, as she sings about soaring further.

It also includes glimpses of frontline workers amid the coronavirus pandemic, to relate the lyrics about hope and perseverance to the global health crisis.

“To be very honest, I was nervous working on this music video because I personally felt we already went all out with ‘Love You Still,’” Morissette said, referring to her previous single.

“But then as always, my team proved me way wrong! We wanted to be able to give justice visually also to a very powerful song. Thank you guys for again putting your heart and soul into another dear project of ours,” she wrote on Instagram.

The music video was directed by Jason Max, and was executive produced by Morissette.

Coincidentally, “Phoenix’s” release comes a day ahead of her return to the concert variety program “ASAP Natin ‘To,” where she had been a regular performer, after a months-long absence.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/02/21/21/music-video-morissette-returns-with-phoenix

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Ikea hiring 500 Pasay City residents

Swedish furniture retail firm Ikea will hire 500 Pasay City residents  for its local operations scheduled to kick off in August 2021, the city government said Saturday.

In a statement, Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano said Ikea and the city government will team up to secure jobs for local residents adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Magandang pagkakataon po ito sapagkat alam natin na maraming mga kababayan natin ang nawalan ng trabaho dahil sa pandemya, pero dahil sa pakikipag-usap natin sa Ikea ay nangako sila na ilalaan nila ang 500 posisyon para sa taga Pasay,” Rubiano said.

(This is a good opportunity because many lost their jobs due to the pandemic.  We met with representatives of Ikea who promised to allocate 500 job openings for Pasay City residents.)

The Swedish firm earlier announced that it would establish a store in Pasay City in 2021 to “give millions of Filipinos easy access to a wide range of well-designed, functional home furnishing products at prices so low almost everyone will be able to afford them.”

As of Friday, Pasay City recorded 7,461 confirmed cases of Covid-19 with 280 active cases, 191 deaths and 6,990 recoveries.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1397943/ikea-hiring-500-pasay-city-residents

The World Tonight | ANC (19 February 2021)

GTV to air classic anime favorites Pokémon, Dragon Ball Z

 Heads up, 90s kids!

Your classic anime favorites will once again grace television sets with the launch of GTV.

In a virtual media conference on Friday, the Kapuso Network announced the rebranding of GMA News TV to a more variety-oriented channel.

As GTV aims to target the "young and young at heart" audience demographic, anime titles are among the shows they have in store.

"We've lined up the beloved anime that have been airing before in GMA. GMA was known as anime authority so this will also trickle down to GTV," said Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes, President of GMA Films, Inc. and Programming Consultant to the Chairman and CEO.

"We're launching Pokémon and Dragon Ball Z—those loved anime that we used to show years before in GMA, you'll also see them now on GTV," she added.

Gozon-Valdes said GTV is focused on bringing back the classics for now, but they are also on the look out to acquire new anime titles.

Anime fans have long been clamoring for GMA to once again include anime titles on its regular programming.

The millennial generation grew up watching anime in the evening and later in the afternoon, with names often anglicized and the dialogues dubbed in Filipino.

—MGP, GMA News

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/hobbiesandactivities/776690/gtv-to-air-classic-anime-favorites-pok-eacute-mon-dragon-ball-z/story/?just_in

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GMA News TV is now GTV

This February 22, the Kapuso Network is keeping it good with its second free-to-air channel’s fresh new look as GTV – offering “the news you trust and new shows to love.”

GTV stays true to the Network’s commitment to Serbisyong Totoo with a full roster of credible news programs from the award-winning teams of GMA News, GMA Regional TV, and DZBB.

Viewers can still catch the live telecast of Super Radyo DZBB’s hottest reports and commentaries on “Dobol B TV”; as well as Connie Sison and Raffy Tima’s midday newscast “Balitanghali.”

GTV likewise simulcasts GMA’s flagship news program “24 Oras,” anchored by GMA News pillars Mel Tiangco, Mike Enriquez, and Vicky Morales.

Meanwhile, the channel’s primetime newscast “State of the Nation (SONA),” bannered by Atom Araullo and Maki Pulido, provides depth and context to the headlines.

Local news reports continue to be accessible to more viewers via the “GMA Regional TV Strip” and “GMA Regional TV Weekend News,” which feature the Network’s award-winning local news programs across the country.

Alongside its newscasts, GTV offers fresh programming options for both the young and young-at-heart. This was kickstarted by the high-rating primetime series “The Lost Recipe” headlined by the fresh loveteam of Mikee Quintos and Kelvin Miranda in a fantasy-romance that provides viewers a new taste of Pinoy drama.

Adding magic to everyone's Saturday viewing habit is “My Fantastic Pag-ibig,” a collection of rom-com tales set in present times but infused with fantasy elements and showcases today’s most promising young loveteams.

The all-original comedy game show “Game of the Gens,” hosted by Sef Cadayona and Andre Paras, fuses singing, dancing, and playing games among competitors from different generations.

New Kapuso Chef JR Royol gives a peek into the fascinating process of food preparation in the weekly cooking show “Farm To Table.”

Upcoming GTV offerings include the charming story of “Heartful Café,” starring Asia's Pop Diva Julie Anne San Jose alongside David Licauco; the much-awaited on-screen tandem of real-life couple Gabbi Garcia and Khalil Ramos in the romance-mystery mini-series “Love You Stranger”; and “FLEX,” which will be bannered by Gen Z stars Mavy Legaspi, Lexi Gonzales, Joaquin Domagoso, and Althea Ablan.

On GTV’s Happy Hour strip, Vicky spreads positivity in news magazine show ‘Good News’ while multi-awarded documentarist Kara David takes viewers on an gastronomical adventure featuring Filipino food in “Pinas Sarap.” Helping viewers manage their finances better in the new normal is Susan Enriquez in “Pera Paraan.” Global Endorser Gabbi Garcia, on the other hand, brings the latest trends in “IRL” through the stories and experiences that audiences encounter every day. More travel adventures in the new normal also await viewers in the award-winning travel and adventure program “Biyahe ni Drew” hosted by Drew Arellano.

Well-loved public affairs and lifestyle shows continue throughout the week. Join Kara anew as she reports on various issues facing the country in “Brigada.” Susan answers the questions of every Juan in “iJuander” while Tonipet Gaba explores how dining has evolved in the “new normal” in “Pop Talk.” Dishing out fun, food, and adventure are Solenn Heussaff and Gil Cuerva in “Taste Buddies.”

Further, sports fans are sure to watch out for the coverage and airing of the upcoming NCAA seasons.

With GNTV currently holding the second spot as the most watched channel after GMA, GTV is slated to complement main channel GMA’s strong nationwide reach.

GTV is available via free-to-air, cable, satellite, and on GMA Affordabox and GMA Now as well as other digital receivers.

GTV’s exciting programs also air abroad via the Network’s international channels GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV, and GMA News TV International.

Watch the news you trust and new shows to love beginning February 22 on GTV. Keeping it good!

For more details, visit GTV’s official social media account @GTVPhilippines on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tiktok.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/showbiz/chikaminute/776662/gma-news-tv-is-now-gtv/story/

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Statement of CEO Stefan Magdalinski on Multiply.com blog platform and social network reopening

Calls to revive the blog platform and social networking portion of Multiply.com would be reopen will have to wait until the next presidential administration.

With a little over a year until the Philippine general elections, the world is bent on focusing the COVID-19 pandemic and Spring Revolution in Myanmar to ensure that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte fulfills his campaign promise to the Filipino people.

The World Tonight | ANC (18 February 2021)

3 Simple Steps to Get to Heaven

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

It’s an old story but it still proves a point.  A pastor midway through his sermon asked the question on a warm Sunday morning, “How many of you want to go to heaven when you die?”  Everyone raised his hand except one man, obviously asleep.  Focusing on the sleeping man, the pastor loudly asked, “How many of you want to go to hell when you die?”

Sensing the change of tone in his voice, the man abruptly awoke, stood to his feet, looked around sheepishly and said, “Pastor, I don’t know what I’m standing for; but it looks like you and me are the only ones for it!”

The fact remains, very few don’t want to go to heaven when they die, but how you get there seems to be a trade secret which is the property of a few who are either afraid to let it out, or too embarrassed to share that truth with family and friends.

Do you know how to get there?  If you died and stood at the door of God’s heaven, and Peter opened the door, and said, “Why should I let you in?”  What would you say?

Suppose you replied, “Because I’ve been a pretty good person.  I’m not perfect, of course, but I’m a whole lot better than most people.  Besides, I’ve given quite a lot of money to charity.”  What you’ve said may be completely true, but would that open the door?

Not according to what the Bible says.  Here’s what it says: “But when the time came for the kindness and love of God our Savior to appear, then he saved us–not because we were good enough to be saved, but because of his kindness and pity–by washing away our sins and giving us the new joy of the indwelling Holy Spirit whom he poured out upon us with wonderful fullness–and all because of what Jesus Christ our Savior did so that he could declare us good in God’s eyes…” (Titus 3:4-6, Living Bible).

The Bible says that entrance to heaven isn’t based on what you do–either good or evil–it is based upon what Jesus Christ did.  The Bible describes this as a gift which is given to those who believe.  “The gift of God” is how Paul described it in Ephesians 2:8, and then he said it is received “not by works, so that no one can boast.”

In two minutes, however, I can tell you what you need to do to receive this gift which opens heaven’s door.  Three simple steps are necessary.  Step #1:  You must acknowledge your personal need of salvation.  The Bible categorically says that all have sinned—everybody, no exceptions (See Romans 3:23, Isaiah 53:6).  Do you admit that?  Then go on to step #2 which is to believe that God will save you.  The Bible puts is like this:  “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved–you and your household” (Acts 16:31).

The third step means that you go public with your commitment of faith.  You run up your flag and commit yourself.  Here’s the text:  “That if you confess with your mouth, `Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).

Your intelligence, your money, your goodness, or your gifts will never open the door of heaven when you die; but what Jesus did unlocks the door.  No wonder He said, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).  And what He said hasn’t changed.

Resource reading:  Ephesians 2:1-10

https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/3-simple-steps-to-get-to-heaven/

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Voter sign up in Palawan suspended ahead of plebiscite

By Ferdinand Patinio

Voter registration in the province of Palawan is suspended to give way to the activities for the plebiscite for its division into three separate provinces, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Thursday.

“The voter registration is suspended from February 11 to March 20. Our voter registration will resume on March 23, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The offices of our Election Officers are open from Tuesday to Saturday including holidays,” Sheila May Guno, Election Officer II in Araceli town, said in a virtual briefing.

Meanwhile, Comelec Region 4-B (Mimaropa) director Gloria Petallo said the initial budget allocation for the referendum is at PHP79 million.

Petallo added that they also asked for an additional PHP50 million for the establishment of additional polling places to comply with the guidelines issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).

“Because of the postponement and after the IATF approved the health protocol suggestion by the Comelec, so we have to request for another supplemental budget to cover the additional polling places. Before the pandemic, we can accommodate 400 regular voters in the polling precinct. But now, we can only accommodate 200 to comply with the IATF requirements, observing distancing and health protocols,” she said.

The referendum was originally scheduled for May 2020 but was moved to March this year as quarantine restrictions were implemented amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“So we requested I think around PHP50 million excluding the expenses of the provincial government, we requested them to provide health supplies for the local of Palawan,” Petallo said.

The province has 490,639 registered voters.

On March 13, voters will choose whether or not to divide Palawan into three provinces -- Palawan Oriental, Palawan del Norte, and Palawan del Sur, pursuant to Republic Act 11259.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1131066