Another storm unlikely to hit PH before the year ends, says Pagasa
MANILA, Philippines — Typhoon Odette (Rai) could be the last tropical cyclone to hit the Philippines in 2021. Tropical cyclone formation in the Philippine area of responsibility is less likely in the next five days, the state weather bureau said Sunday. Its volume of rainfall was more than Supertyphoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in 2013, the strongest typhoon in the Philippines, which had almost the same path as Odette. Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have fair weather and chances of isolated light rains. It will be rainy in Southern Luzon and Visayas in the coming days due to the presence of a shear line.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 26, 2021 10:00 UTC
'Odette' death toll now at 378
'Odette' death toll now at 378Residents salvage belongings from their destroyed houses at Talisay in Cebu province on December 17, 2021, a day after Super Typhoon Rai hit. MANILA, Philippines — The death toll in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Odette (international name Rai) now stands at 378, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Sunday. The report added that exactly 3,952,880 individuals or 1,012,997 families were affected by Odette as 546,100 displaced persons remained in 1,198 evacuation centers around the country. The number of evacuation centers being used was previously 1,204 on Saturday, though the NDRRMC clarified that the numbers were still subject to change. The NDRRMC added that Odette caused almost P16.7 billion in infrastructure damages, while agriculture losses amounted to P3.9 billion.
Source:Philippine Star
December 26, 2021 09:57 UTC
Inter-regional bus travels resume in Cagayan Valley
CITY OF CAUAYAN — Inter-regional public bus travel to and from Metro Manila, such as at the SM Transport Terminal-Cauayan and other regional terminals in the region, resumed operations on Saturday (Christmas Day). The buses were given a point-to-point system, which prohibits them from picking up or dropping off passengers out of their allowed destination, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board in Cagayan Valley has reported. ADVERTISEMENTPassengers were asked to book for reservation at terminals, present full vaccination cards and ensure that they do not carry the virus. The permitted travels came after a series of dry runs across the region’s terminals. The Board has also directed point-to-point drivers to use face masks and gloves aside from thorough and regular disinfection of the buses and bus terminals.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 26, 2021 09:12 UTC
Covid clouds Christmas celebrations for second year
AFP PHOTO / VATICAN MEDIAVATICAN CITY: Pope Francis on Saturday called for dialogue to counter the isolation wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic, as billions around the world marked a second Christmas under the shadow of the coronavirus. In a time of pandemic, Pope Francis also asked God to "open hearts to ensure that necessary medical care — and vaccines in particular — are provided to those peoples who need them most." 'Make do with spaghetti'In south of the Philippines, Father Ricardo Virtudazo celebrated Christmas Day mass standing in a pool of water in his typhoon-hit church. Millions of Americans were nevertheless on the move to see loved ones for Christmas, even as Covid infections surpass the peak of the previous wave and hospitals run out of beds. Queen Elizabeth II paid tribute to her late husband Prince Philip in her Christmas Day message.
Source:Manila Times
December 26, 2021 04:55 UTC
How to love your child at Christmas and always
Christmas is a special time when parents shop to find a toy, a physical symbol, to express their love. Every child needs that love from and friendship with their parents, especially when they are teenagers. This is the age children need the most love and care, not less. All the toys and gifts in the world will never compensate for the loss of parental love. It is an essential part of child training that they are allowed to help poor children.
Source:Manila Times
December 26, 2021 04:13 UTC
COVID’s rise and fall in a year of uncertainty
MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines started 2021 with 26,677 active cases of COVID-19, with 1,765 patients recorded on January 1. Case surgesFrom January to February, the country had only around 1,000 to 2,000 daily new COVID-19 cases. On April 2, new cases further swelled to 15,310 before easing to less than 10,000 from May to July. However, new COVID-19 cases again surged in August and September due to the highly contagious Delta variant. Read: PH still last in COVID-19 economic resilience rankingNovember was the third consecutive month that the Philippines ranked last in the resiliency report.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 26, 2021 03:29 UTC
AirAsia flies to the rescue
AirAsia flies to the rescue“On behalf of the board of AirAsia, I would like to send a message of hope and sympathies to the victims of Typhoon Odette. The Allstar family is ‘alwaysREDy’ to go all out in helping our fellow Filipinos during this hour of need,” said AirAsia CEO Ricky Isla. MANILA, Philippines — AirAsia, the world’s best low-cost airline, offered free seats this week to humanitarian aid staff working on Typhoon Odette relief efforts, including those from the UN and the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation. “On behalf of the board of AirAsia, I would like to send a message of hope and sympathies to the victims of Typhoon Odette. The Allstar family is ‘alwaysREDy’ to go all out in helping our fellow Filipinos during this hour of need,” said AirAsia CEO Ricky Isla.
Source:Philippine Star
December 25, 2021 23:53 UTC
Lacson: Tough problems require tough solutions
Lacson: Tough problems require tough solutions“We have so many problems, and the solution can only come from tough leaders – those with ability, honesty and bravery,” Sen. Panfilo Lacson told a lively crowd at the Lingayen Civic Center in Pangasinan. MANILA, Philippines — Voters should be critical of the officials they vote for in the 2022 national elections, as the country’s tough problems require tough solutions, Partido Reporma chairman and standard-bearer Sen. Panfilo Lacson said. “We have so many problems, and the solution can only come from tough leaders – those with ability, honesty and bravery,” Lacson told a lively crowd at the Lingayen Civic Center in Pangasinan. In the recent “Online Kumustahan” attended by over 3,000 residents and supporters in Lingayen, Pangasinan, Lacson said the country’s broad range of problems need solutions that meet these challenges head-on, which only tough leaders can grasp. What’s bad with it is that it is not used properly like other public funds,” Lacson added.
Source:Philippine Star
December 25, 2021 23:52 UTC
Typhoon Odette death toll in Eastern Visayas reaches 27
TACLOBAN CITY — The number of people who died due to Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) in Eastern Visayas has reached 27. ADVERTISEMENTAccording to the Philippine National Police in the region, another fatality was reported in the town of Inopacan in Leyte province. Meanwhile, the regional office of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has identified 4,823 fishermen who were affected by the typhoon. It also said that 3,950 fishing boats were damaged due to the typhoon. BFAR assured affected fishermen that they will be given new boats made of fiberglass.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 25, 2021 20:51 UTC
STAR Damayan Odette fund drive
STAR Damayan Odette fund driveMANILA, Philippines — The Philippine STAR’s social arm, Operation Damayan, continues to accept donations to help in relief and rehabilitation efforts in hard-hit Cebu. For those who would like to help, donations to The Philippine STAR’s Operation Damayan for Odette relief may be sent via the following:1. Bank deposit to Philstar Daily Inc./ Operation Damayan Metrobank Savings Account No. Paymaya app (click Scan to Pay, scan QR code and enter amount)3. GCash (look for Payment Solution tab and search for Philstar Daily Inc.)Interested parties may also contact Damayan head Emie Cruz at 0917-4695009.
Source:Philippine Star
December 25, 2021 17:51 UTC
Liza Soberano celebrates Christmas away from home
Liza Soberano celebrates Christmas away from homeIn an image posted on her Instagram account on December 2021, Liza Soberano celebrates Christmas away from home. MANILA, Philippines — Kapamilya actress Liza Soberano spent her Christmas away from home. In her Instagram account, Liza posted a video of her celebrating the holiday. She said she misses her family back in the Philippines so they instead celebrated Christmas via video call. Liza and boyfriend Enrique Gil were also absent during the ABS-CBN Christmas special.
Source:Philippine Star
December 25, 2021 14:20 UTC
Daniel Padilla impresses Charo Santos in 'Kun Maupay Man It Panahon'
Daniel Padilla admits he was nervous and intimidated when he learned he will be working with Ms. Charo Santos in "Kun Maupay Man It Panahon," directed by Carlo Francisco Manatad and one of the much-anticipated entries to this year's Metro Manila Film Festival. For Daniel Padilla, ‘Kun Maupay Man It Panahon’ is incomparable from the other films he did before. The film tells the tale of Norma (Charo Santos) and her son Miguel (Daniel Padilla) as they struggle in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Yolanda. Daniel said Kun Maupay Man It Panahon is incomparable from the other films he did before. Kun Maupay Man It Panahon has traveled to 25 international film fests in a span of five months.
Source:Manila Times
December 25, 2021 13:32 UTC
Biodiversity takes the spotlight in 'Mind S-Cool' 3rd season
With this in mind, weekly educational program, Mind S-Cool TV Season 3 will zero in on "biodiversity." The goal is to urge viewers to discover that "we are biodiversity and biodiversity is us" and to act to protect it. As it returns on TV, Mind S-Cool TV will focus on "Philippine biodiversity" and creatively proves how it is tied to every aspect of human lives. Mind S-Cool will "star" two local young questers, Mikee and Pecier, who go on a learning adventure with a relatable character like "Manong G" (which stands for "genius guard"). Mind S-Cool Season 3 will be aired every Sunday, 11 a.m., on Cignal TV's ONE PH Ch.1 beginning December 26, with same-day replays at 4:30 p.m. — CA
Source:Manila Times
December 25, 2021 13:32 UTC
The holidays with the Happy and Frenzy Groups
The first is my Happy Group Christmas dinner. The Happy Group is composed of jetsetter Bong Prada Lim, dermatologist Joni Dizon, furniture-maker Gela Cornellisen, Geff Candido, and Gerard Ramirez. The second event has been a yearly tradition for the past five years, although it was scrapped last year. The Frenzy Group Christmas is considered to be the best celebration of the season. This year, the group reunited at the spacious Ayala Alabang home of couple Gunter and Joanne Matschuck for an evening of fun with friends.
Source:Manila Times
December 25, 2021 10:39 UTC