‘Simbang Gabi’: Facing COVID-19 with hope
“Simbang Gabi reminds me that I am truly gifted because God has given all signs that there is hope in this pandemic,” said Del Rosario. Del Rosario’s words echoed those of Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, of the Caloocan diocese, who described Simbang Gabi in 2020 as a “gift of hope.”This year, Fr. The Philippine celebration of Simbang Gabi, however, becomes more relevant as the country continues to grapple with the pandemic and killings. Rañoa said the First Plenary Council of the Philippines, in 1953, made a formal petition to the Vatican to continue with Simbang Gabi. Since then, Simbang Gabi “is celebrated with great solemnity.” Rañoa said liturgically, Simbang Gabi is celebrated to honor the Virgin Mary.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 18, 2021 04:10 UTC
Power, telco services down in 22 provinces
As of Friday morning, the DOE said power outages had been reported in the provinces of Surigao del Norte, Camiguin, Biliran and Bohol, while partial power interruptions were being experienced in Capiz, Antique, Iloilo, Negros Oriental, Cebu, Southern Leyte, Leyte, Eastern Samar, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur and Davao Oriental. Its business centers in Mandaue City, Roxas City, Iloilo City and Cagayan de Oro City were temporarily closed, the company reported. Cebu airport closedMactan-Cebu International Airport, the country’s second busiest gateway, temporarily suspended operations beginning Thursday night after suffering heavy damage. Vax storage concernsDOE’s Fuentebella said that aside from restoring power in the affected provinces, a bigger concern would be the COVID-19 vaccines currently stored in areas still without power. —With reports from Leila B. Salaverria, Romar Miranda and Dale G. IsraelSubscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 18, 2021 04:01 UTC
Regal & Reality MM Studios pivot fast, expand to have talent arm partner
Regal & Reality MM Studios pivot fast, expand to have talent arm partnerFrom left: Virtual Playground CEO Charlie Dy, Regal Entertainment COO and executive vice president Roselle Monteverde and Reality MM Studios president and CEO Dondon Monteverde are set to make stars out of hopefuls. The pandemic may have caused a setback for the local showbiz industry but Regal Entertainment and Reality MM Studios just proved to be resilient as they recently sealed a partnership to create their very own talent management agency. Regal Entertainment COO and executive vice president Roselle Monteverde, Reality MM Studio president and CEO Dondon Monteverde and Virtual Playground CEO Charlie Dy are set to make stars out of hopeful artists after they teamed up. Meanwhile, Reality MM Studios, spearheaded by Ronald “Dondon” Monteverde and award-winning director Erik Matti, has been pushing groundbreaking storylines in Filipino cinema for almost 20 years even before it became an in thing. Reality MM Studios is also working with a number of global producers, distributors, and platforms such as Netflix, which has acquired its titles BuyBust, Kuwaresma, and A Girl and A Guy; and HBO Go, which Reality MM Studios partnered with to produce the first season of Erik Matti’s On The Job series as well as episodes for international shows Foodlore and Folklore.
Source:Philippine Star
December 18, 2021 03:55 UTC
Rights group scores bicam panel over NTF-ELCAC's P17.1-B budget for 2022
Rights group scores bicam panel over NTF-ELCAC's P17.1-B budget for 2022In this Oct. 27, 2020 photo, members of national women's alliance Gabriela stage a protest rally at the Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City denouncing red-tagging and to junk the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020. MANILA, Philippines — A rights group on Friday decried a panel of lawmakers from both chambers of Congress for allocating a 2022 budget of P17.1 billion to the government's controversial anti-communist task force. She also called out Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno, a candidate for the presidency, who told reporters in Iloilo City on Thursday that he does not support defunding the task force. RELATED: Robredo backs NTF-ELCAC but says it shouldn't harass, red-tagMost of the task force's budget is allocated to its Barangay Development Program. A number of senators were making good on their threat to defund the task force after it red-tagged celebrities and community pantry organizers last year.
Source:Philippine Star
December 18, 2021 02:23 UTC
1.79 million jabbed so far in 2nd COVID-19 vaccination push
1.79 million jabbed so far in 2nd COVID-19 vaccination pushA medical worker prepares a BioNtech-Pfizer Covid-19 coronavirus vaccine during an innoculation drive at a school gym in Taguig City, suburban Manila on December 6, 2021. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has so far administered more than 1.79 million COVID-19 vaccine doses for the second phase of the government’s massive vaccination push, the Department of Health said Friday. Around 100 million jabs have been administered since the government began COVID-19 vaccinations in March, with over 43 million Filipinos completing the recommended doses. Solidarity trialOfficials announced Friday the launch of the World Health Organization’s solidarity trial on vaccines in the country. The solidarity trial is an “international, randomized clinical trial platform designed to rapidly evaluate the efficacy and safety of promising new candidate vaccines,” the WHO said.
Source:Philippine Star
December 18, 2021 02:21 UTC
PH breaches 100 million vaccine jabs nationwide
Malacañang Palace on Friday expressed jubilation as the country has breached the 100 million vaccine doses administered against the coronavirus disease. Data from the National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC) showed that as of Dec. 16, 2021, a total of 100,019,137 vaccine doses have been administered since March this year. Of the figure, more than 43 million individuals, or 55.78 percent of the target population, have been fully vaccinated, 56 million have received their first dose, and more than 1 million have been given booster shots. The Palace official, however, cautioned the public against being too complacent and negligent about safety protocols as the threat of Covid-19 is still very much evident. All must comply with the 50 percent indoor and 70 percent outdoor capacity and strictly adhere to minimum public health standards, especially those attending Simbang Gabi (dawn Mass).
Source:Manila Times
December 17, 2021 23:51 UTC
More industries to be opened to foreigners
More industries to be opened to foreignersIt’s just a matter of time before vital industries like telecommunications will no longer be bound by constitutional restrictions on foreign ownership. In particular, it seeks to put a distinction between the terms “public utility” and “public service,” which at the moment are being used interchangeably. Nowhere in the PSA does it mention about public utilities, nor does it say that public service providers and public utilities are one and the same. The Constitution also provides that all executive and managing officers of public utilities must be citizens of the Philippines, that public utilities are subject to temporary or permanent takeover by the government, among others. This means that the broadcasting industry, currently classified as a public utility, cannot be opened up to foreign ownership by law.
Source:Philippine Star
December 17, 2021 20:45 UTC
James Reid stars in Johnny Walker short film
This holiday season, Johnnie Walker invites you to raise a glass to those who have played a part in your progress with its emotive film featuring actor, artist, and music producer James Reid. In the short video, Reid talks about how he chose to defy expectations as he pursued his passion for music with his singing career and label Careless Music. Johnnie Walker invites all to raise a glass to those who keep walking with short film featuring James Reid. Viewers may catch this concert exclusively at the Johnnie Walker YouTube Page. "Johnnie Walker wants to revitalize this thriving cultural scene and this concert is a step towards that."
Source:Manila Times
December 17, 2021 19:54 UTC
5,000 participants so far enrolled in COVID-19 vax solidarity trial
MANILA, Philippines — The government has already enrolled around 5,000 participants for the COVID-19 vaccine solidarity trial of the World Health Organization (WHO), the project leaders for the study said Friday. According to Alejandria, the trial had a “soft start” as they recruited participants from Metro Manila in September and October. The participants should be at least 16 years old, have not been inoculated with any COVID-19 vaccine, and did not have a laboratory-confirmed positive coronavirus test. ADVERTISEMENTThere are currently two vaccines included in the solidarity trial in the country, according to Alejandria. RELATED STORIESWHO, DOST set crucial COVID-19 vaccine tests for Filipinos2 COVID-19 vaccines may be initially tested in WHO solidarity trials — DOST exec/MUFSubscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 17, 2021 19:50 UTC
Robredo camp steps up relief efforts for 'Odette' victims
Presidential candidate and Vice President Maria Leonor ‘Leni’ Robredo PHOTO BY ENRIQUE AGCAOILIVICE President Maria Leonor "Leni" Robredo on Friday said she was closely monitoring the situation and the damage caused by Typhoon "Odette." The Office of the Vice President has coordinated with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police and other government units that could help with the initiative. Robredo is running for president in the 2022 elections and Pangilinan for vice president under the same ticket. Team Robredo-Pangilinan (TRoPa) volunteers have opted for relief operations instead of a planned nationwide get-together and gift-giving called LENIwanag at KIKOtitap ang Pasko. Through our organizational structure, we will support the massive relief operations led by Vice President Robredo on the ground.
Source:Manila Times
December 17, 2021 17:46 UTC
'My heart bleeds': Beatrice Luigi Gomez shares family's 'Odette' ordeal
'My heart bleeds': Beatrice Luigi Gomez shares family's 'Odette' ordealMANILA, Philippines — Following her victory as Miss Universe 2021 Top 5 finalist, Beatrice Luigi Gomez was supposed to come home to a grand parade in her hometown Cebu City. The typhoon, internationally named Rai, has so far devastated many provinces in Visayas, including Cebu and her family living there. In a press statement last night, Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) reported that Gomez told them that her family was trapped in their home and their apartment building was badly damaged. MUPH said that as soon as Gomez is out of quarantine, she will immediately go to Cebu to assist her family. ': Beatrice Luigi Gomez returns with grand homecoming after Miss Universe 2021 victory
Source:Philippine Star
December 17, 2021 16:02 UTC
Culinarians, foodies shine the spotlight on Filipino cuisine
"We can put Filipino cuisine on the global map by acknowledging our culture because 'Bayanihan power' is the key to success!" Nicole Ponseca, restaurateur and cookbook author based in New York, discussed "Sustaining Cravings for Filipino Food." She is known for bringing Filipino food to the American mainstream audience way back when it was unheard of. Ponseca introduced Filipino cuisine to New York diners by simply working on her strategy – "having a viewpoint, understanding your audience, and utilizing a creative brief." With that, CCA Manila as the pioneer and leader in professional Filipino culinary education in the world elevates Filipino cuisine with its innovative Filipino Culinary Arts Program.
Source:Manila Times
December 17, 2021 13:53 UTC
Vast study confirms rare heart risk from Moderna COVID-19 vaccine
Paris, France — The Moderna COVID-19 jab carries a slight risk of usually non-serious heart problems, a study of the entire population of Denmark found Friday. Incidences of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the tissue surrounding the heart) after mRNA jabs from Pfizer and Moderna had been noted in vaccine safety reports and small-scale studies. “Vaccination with mRNA-1273 (Moderna) was associated with a significantly increased rate of myocarditis or myopericarditis, especially among individuals aged 12-39 years,” the study said. While it confirms the risks, it insists they are slight and that the risks posed by coronavirus infection are greater. “Our finding of a low absolute risk of myocarditis or myopericarditis with BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273 vaccination supports the overall benefits of such vaccination on an individual, societal, and global level,” the study concluded.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 17, 2021 13:38 UTC
Mactan-Cebu Int’l Airport shut ‘until further notice’ amid damage from ‘Odette’
CEBU CITY — The Mactan-Cebu International Airport has been temporarily closed since early Thursday night until further notice due to the damage incurred during the onslaught of Typhoon Odette. “At 6:52 p.m. of Dec. 16, 2021, airport operations have been suspended until further notice due to the damage caused by Typhoon Odette. 1 priority,” reads the advisory from the GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation sent to local reporters. Strong winds battered Metro Cebu early Thursday evening. The extent of the damage to Metro Cebu has yet to be known.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 17, 2021 12:27 UTC
Over P900M in standby funds, goods ready for ‘Odette’ victims — DSWD
Over P900M in standby funds, goods ready for ‘Odette’ victims — DSWDResidents walk past their destroyed homes in Hernani town, Eastern Samar province on December 17, 2021, a day after Super Typhoon Rai pummelled the southern and central regions of the Philippines. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development on Friday said it has more than P900 million in aid ready to be distributed to those affected by Typhoon Odette. This aid is comprised of standby funds as well as prepositioned goods including both food and non-food items, DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao told ABS-CBN's "Teleradyo." "The local government units, being the frontline in service delivery, also really have standby funds and prepositioned goods," Dumlao said partially in Filipino. More than 300,000 people fled their homes and beachfront resorts as Odette pummelled regions in the Visayas and Mindanao, knocking out communications in some areas and tearing roofs off buildings.
Source:Philippine Star
December 17, 2021 11:04 UTC