DOH says Philippines 'well-prepared' for Omicron variant
The CDC significantly reduced its estimate for how prevalent the omicron variant of COVID-19 was in the United States earlier in December, saying on Tuesday that the omicron variant was responsible for...
Source:Philippine Star
December 28, 2021 19:31 UTC
NGO asks gov't, private sector to send housing repair materials to 'Odette'-hit areas
NGO asks gov't, private sector to send housing repair materials to 'Odette'-hit areasA resident gathers wood as he tries to fix his damaged house in Surigao City, Surigao del Norte province, on December 24, 2021, days after super Typhoon Rai devastated the city. MANILA, Philippines — A humanitarian and development organization called on the government and the private sector to prioritize the distribution of materials needed by communities to repair and rebuild their homes destroyed by Typhoon Odette (Rai). ‘Odette’ struck the central and southern Philippines in mid-December, unleashing violent winds and torrential rains that left hundreds of thousands homeless. In a release Tuesday, Oxfam Pilipinas said the distribution of construction materials, on top of food and water, will allow survivors to repair their homes and help decongest evacuation centers. "The lack of water and sanitation facilities make frequent hand washing and proper hygiene habits more challenging for typhoon survivors," Felizco said.
Source:Philippine Star
December 28, 2021 18:02 UTC
Spider-Man grossed over HK$100 million in Hong Kong
The latest Spider-Man film grossed over HK$100 million at the Hong Kong box office as of Monday, less than two weeks after its release. Marvel superhero film "Spider-Man: No Way Home" opened in Hong Kong on December 15. It has become the first film in Hong Kong to gross over HK$100 million amid the Covid-19 pandemic. It surpassed the HK$84.78 million box office of the previous Spider-Man: Far From Home in 2019, and is the first film in the Spider-Man series to gross more than HK$100 million in Hong Kong. The top grossing movie is "Avengers: Endgame" in 2019, with a box office of HK$221 million.
Source:The Standard
December 28, 2021 17:12 UTC
Malaysia lifts travel ban on 8 African countries, citing wider Omicron spread
KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia has lifted a travel ban on eight southern African countries that had first reported the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, citing the greater spread of the variant worldwide, its health minister said on Tuesday. The eight countries, which include South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi, will remain on a list of nations deemed as high-risk, with travelers from those nations subject to additional restrictions upon arrival, minister Khairy Jamaluddin told reporters. ADVERTISEMENTRELATED STORIESMalaysia detects first Omicron case in quarantined traveler from South AfricaFEATURED STORIESMalaysia bans travelers from countries deemed Omicron risksSingapore, Malaysia reopen busy land border for vaccinated travellersSubscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy PolicyFor more news about the novel coronavirus click here. For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 28, 2021 16:03 UTC
Private sector donations continue to pour in for ‘Odette’ victims
MANILA — Corporate donations continue to pour in for thousands of typhoon Odette victims in Visayas and Mindanao. Meanwhile, Filinvest Land partnered with sister companies FDC Water Utilities, Filinvest-Hitachi Omni Waterworks, Inc. (FLOW), and Countrywide Water Services, Inc. (CWSI) to bring clean drinking water to Cebu. “We’re grateful to Filinvest Land, FDC Water Utilities, FLOW, and CWSI for helping Cebuanos during these difficult times. We saw it then with the vaccine donations and now they are back to help us move forward from the devastation of Typhoon Odette. We thank Filinvest for reaching out to help us during this time of need.”“We sympathize with the victims of Typhoon Odette.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 28, 2021 15:51 UTC
Megaworld Foundation, Megaworld Lifestyle Malls extend helping hand to families and communities affected by Typhoon Odette
Megaworld Foundation and Megaworld Lifestyle Malls have mobilized relief operations to provide immediate aid and assistance to families and communities in Bohol, Dinagat Islands, Palawan and other provinces affected by Typhoon Odette. Megaworld Lifestyle Malls is also enjoining its guests and communities to support relief efforts by donating money or dropping off in-kind donations at its lifestyle malls. We urge everyone to join us in extending a helping hand to our countrymen greatly affected by this calamity," says Graham Coates, head of Megaworld Lifestyle Malls. In-kind donations drop off pointsThose who are planning to give in-kind donations at Uptown Bonifacio can find the dropbox located by the Christmas Tree of Hope at the G/F Uptown Mall. Donation boxes will be located at the Concierge Booth at G/F Eastwood Mall and G/F City Walk 2.
Source:Manila Times
December 28, 2021 15:50 UTC
Duterte warns hoarders in Odette-hit areas
Duterte warns hoarders in Odette-hit areasPresident Rodrigo Roa Duterte tends to the survivors of Typhoon Odette as he visits the affected areas in Tisa, Cebu City on Dec. 23, 2021. MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has warned hoarders in typhoon-struck areas that they would be arrested as he ordered agencies to stop the activities of those who take advantage of the situation to gain profit. During a pre-recorded public address last Monday, Duterte said he was worried about the reported spike in the prices of medicines and other goods despite the price caps imposed in areas affected by Typhoon Odette. Duterte then asked Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez to confirm if the reports of hoarding and overpricing were true. But after they were apprehended, actually, Mr. President, they corrected (their prices)," Lopez said.
Source:Philippine Star
December 28, 2021 11:29 UTC
'Odette' damage to agriculture nears P6 billion
'Odette' damage to agriculture nears P6 billionThis aerial handout photo taken on December 17, 2021 and received from the Philippine Army on December 18 shows destroyed houses caused by Super Typhoon Rai after the storm crossed over General Luna, Siargao Island. MANILA, Philippines — Damage to agriculture caused by Super Typhoon Odette (International name: Rai) is nearly at P6 billion and climbing, the Department of Agriculture said, adding it has been distributing assistance to farmers and fisherfolk affected by the storm. Damage has been estimated at P5.79 billion, with fisheries bearing the brunt at P1.8 billion in losses. Losses in rice were at P1.7 billion while the coconut industry lost P1.5 billion to the typhoon. "These are already for distribution to those affected farmers," he said.
Source:Philippine Star
December 28, 2021 10:40 UTC
None test positive in Shek Tong Tsui lockdown
No one at a residential building in Shek Tong Tsui tested positive for Covid after the building was locked down on Monday evening because of an aircrew member who stayed there testing positive for the coronavirus. As of 2am on Tuesday, about 80 residents had undergone testing, and none of them tested positive for Covid. According to the patient, except for buying food locally and going to a Community Testing Centre, he stayed at home. His sample collected at a Community Testing Centre on December 26 tested preliminarily positive for Covid-19. His sample collected at a Community Testing Centre on Monday tested preliminary positive.
Source:The Standard
December 28, 2021 07:59 UTC
Film producer Joed Serrano backs out of senatorial race
AFTER much serious thought, former actor and now film producer Joed Serrano has withdrawn his senatorial bid as an independent candidate. Joed opted to run for public office to champion the rights of the LGBTQIA community of which he's a proud member. Last December 16, Joed released an official statement regarding his withdrawal from the race. Among others, what apparently unsettled the indie film producer is the required P800-million budget to fund his candidacy. Ergo, he has come to realize why most politicians elected to public office are compelled to commit cases of corruption "para mabawi nila ang ginastos nila."
Source:Manila Times
December 27, 2021 22:52 UTC
Uptick in COVID-19 cases possibly temporary, no cause for concern yet — OCTA
MANILA, Philippines — The recent uptick in coronavirus cases may not yet be a cause for concern and should not yield an increase in restrictions for the time being, the OCTA Research Group said Monday. The Department of Health earlier Monday also acknowledged what it said was an uptick in cases in Metro Manila’s cases and positivity rate after the capital region registered positive growth in COVID-19 cases in the past week at 49%. “It could just be a holiday uptick. This comes after two percent of tests came out positive for the pathogen on Sunday, marking the highest positivity rate recorded by health authorities since November. READ: DOH sees increase in Metro Manila's COVID-19 cases, positivity rate“We are seeing an uptick in cases but it's not significant enough yet.
Source:Philippine Star
December 27, 2021 21:33 UTC
NDRRMC: 'Odette' death toll now at 389
NDRRMC: 'Odette' death toll now at 389Residents wait in a queue for water in Cebu City on December 18, 2021, days after Super Typhoon Rai hit the area. MANILA, Philippines — The death toll of Super Typhoon Odette (international name Rai) is now at 389, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Monday. Per the latest report by the NDRRMC, exactly 4,204,601 persons from 1,074,169 families have been listed as affected by the super typhoon. Odette also caused 506,404 damaged houses and P16.7 billion worth of damage to infrastructure and P5.3 billion damage to agriculture, the NDRRMC said. He added that a water tanker was also mobilized to provide water to Cebu City residents whose water supply remains short more than a week after the super typhoon hit.
Source:Philippine Star
December 27, 2021 19:14 UTC
Year like no other
With elections right around the corner, I wonder how much will really go down to the rightful and deserving masses. Since my younger days, even in college, it's always been my obsession for us to finally win a gold in the Olympics. Which means our house then while growing up, was brainwashed every day with RP sports, stories, tennis, etc and nothing else. But now, there might be another medal waiting for us again in the next Paris Olympics. To all who supported this journey, friends, believers, haters, and doubters, MERRY XMAS and MORE PROSPEROUS SPORTS YEAR AHEAD OF US.
Source:Manila Times
December 27, 2021 17:11 UTC
2021's best entertainment and lifestyle apps
In this issue, The Manila Times Lifestyle and Entertainment section lists down some of the best mobile applications available today. Entertainment appsIn a country with the longest imposed lockdown, in-home entertainment is the way to cope with cabin fever. Recently, they have also produced Filipino content such as Erik Matti's "On the Job: The Missing 8" and "7 Days of Hell," and Brillante Mendoza's "Gensan Punch." All the top Filipino blockbuster movies and hit television series from every genre are in this proudly Filipino video on demand application. A leading pan-regional video streaming service, Viu offers favorite Korean dramas, reality and variety shows, Japanese dramas and anime, Chinese dramas, Thai dramas, Viu Originals, TagDubOnViu for free.
Source:Manila Times
December 27, 2021 17:11 UTC
DOH: No more COVID-19 case bulletins on social media in 2022
DOH: No more COVID-19 case bulletins on social media in 2022Children and residents frolic in the snow effect as as sparkling Christmas decors adorn the row of houses along Merced street in Paco, Manila on Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021. MANILA, Philippines (Updated 5:23 p.m.) — The Department of Health announced Monday it will no longer post daily COVID-19 bulletins on social media starting January 1, 2022 in a bid to “streamline public communication.”Beginning next year, the agency will be providing daily case updates through its website. “The public tracker, which has been operational since the start of the pandemic, contains all information being provided in the case bulletin and daily situation report,” the DOH said in an advisory. “Hence, to streamline public communication, the case bulletin and the daily situation report will no longer be issued separately as social media card and as PDF file, respectively,” it added. The daily bulletin, published on the department’s social media pages and Viber community, contains latest information on new infections, fatalities, recoveries, active cases, positivity rate, and healthcare utilization.
Source:Philippine Star
December 27, 2021 16:14 UTC