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Senators mourn passing of former Senator Rodolfo Biazon
Senators on Monday expressed their deepest condolences and sympathy to the family of former Senator and Armed Forces chief of staff Rodolfo Biazon, who passed away earlier in the day at the age of 88. Shortly after Muntinlupa Mayor Rufino Biazon announced his father’s death due to lung cancer, senators paid their tributes to the former lawmaker. Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri described the passing of Biazon as “bittersweet,” as it coincided with the country’s 125th Independence Day. “This is a bittersweet Independence Day, as the nation mourns the passing of Senator Rodolfo Biazon, one of our staunchest defenders of the peace and democracy that we are enjoying today,” Zubiri said in a statement. He noted that he considered it a “gift” to have been a novice senator during a time when Biazon was still in office. “I had the great fortune of learning from him, and being inspired by his uncompromising public service — not just as a veteran legislator but also as a veteran military man, having been the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces. He brought that same military discipline and commitment to his work in the Senate, and to every aspect of his life as a public servant,” he said. “I am grateful for the time that we spent in the Senate together, and I am glad we had one last chance to reconnect with him last October when he attended the Senate reunion. He was as bright and astute as ever, and a fountain of guidance and wisdom for those of us currently in the Senate,” he added. He continued: “My prayers and condolences go out to his family, friends and to the people whom he served with dedication as a senator, congressman and as a member of the uniformed service.” ‘True officer, public servant’ Likewise, Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda paid her tribute to Biazon, whom she described as a “true officer and public servant.” “His unwavering commitment to our nation's security and welfare will forever be remembered. He can now peacefully rest in the arms of our Creator,” Legarda said in a separate statement. “I express my deepest sympathies and condolences to his wife Monchie, and children Richie, Rino and Mayor Ruffy. We pray that in this time of grief, they may find comfort in our prayers and heartfelt condolences,” she added. Meanwhile, Senator Risa Hontiveros said she is one with the nation in mourning the passing of Biazon, who was a “great soldier, statesman, and solon.” “He passed on this Independence Day, a reminder of his formidable, lifelong fight for our Inang Bayan,” Hontiveros said. “Indeed, much can be said about all that he has done for the Filipino people, from his time as a Philippine Marine to his years in Congress, but what remained true all throughout was his unwavering love for the Philippines.” The lady lawmaker recalled the “unforgettable moment” when she personally met Biazon at the EDSA Shrine in 2001. “Long before I met him in person, I read about Sen. Pong in an 1981 Who magazine feature about his being a Marines commander in Davao. I remember being taken by his critical mind and his respect for human rights, qualities essential for an officer and a gentleman,” she said. “Years later, I finally met him at the EDSA Shrine just when EDSA Dos was unfolding. It was unforgettable not only because he had a crushing handshake, but also because it was the start of the many struggles we fought together,” she added. Hontiveros also highlighted Biazon’s dedication to serving the nation even when he was no longer in office. “When the former administration could not express a clear stance vis-a-vis China’s incursions in the West Philippine Sea, Sen. Pong did not hold back from calling on our top officials to take a united position against China,” she said. “Time and again, when he saw that our nation was in peril, he stepped out from his private life and gave us public servants clarity and a sense of direction,” she added. She also commended Biazon for being a “steady source of strength for us women and women’s advocates in our fight for the passage of the Reproductive Health Law.” “Regarded as macho due to his military background, he challenged stereotypes to stand not just for, but with women,” she said. “That was Sen. Pong I knew — never afraid to stand up and speak out for what is right even when others wouldn’t. Goodbye, sir. Thank you very much for your never-ending love for the Philippines,” she added. Biazon served as a senator for two consecutive terms, from 1992 to 1995 after being convinced to run for office by Paul Aquino, the brother of the late Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. Three years after his first stint as senator, he was elected again in 1998 and continued to serve until 2010. The post Senators mourn passing of former Senator Rodolfo Biazon appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Philippines logs 40 pertussis deaths this year
MANILA, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Forty children have died of whopping cough, a respiratory infection also called pertussis, since this year, the Philippines' Department of Health (DOH) has reported. The DOH said in a statement on Wednesday that cases have continued to increase since the start of this year, recording 568 cases from Jan. 1 to March 16. "The total number of cases for the same period in 2023 was.....»»
Pertussis or whooping cough: 40 child deaths so far this year – DOH
MANILA, Philippines — Assistant Health Secretary Albert Domingo reported on Wednesday that as of March 16 this year, some 40 children had died of whooping cough — a respiratory infection also called pertussis. An increase in new pertussis cases nationwide had been observed nationwide, with 28 cases reported from March 10 to 16. READ: What.....»»
What s Wrong With Secretary Kim star Park Min Young making first-ever Manila visit in May
The Korean star of "What's Wrong With Secretary Kim" and "When The Weather Is Fine" Park Min Young will be having her first-ever fan meeting in the Philippines this May......»»
Blow-By-Blow Okada: Bacosa posts 3rd straight KO victory
Tall and rangy lightweight Eman Bacosa posted a third-round stoppage over Jan Clyde Langahin during a special presentation of Manny Pacquiao Presents: Blow-By-Blow Sunday at the Okada Manila......»»
Bacosa headlines Blow-By-Blow boxing card at Okada
Crowd favorite Eman Bacosa headlines a special presentation of Manny Pacquiao Presents: Blow-By-Blow on Sunday at the Okada Manila......»»
Pioneering Integration of Cancer Surgery and Caesarean Birth
Title: Mother Advocates for Genetic Testing to Empower Children’s Future Decisions Subtitle: Highlighting the Importance of Genetic Testing and Freedom of Choice Date: [Current Date].....»»
Youth backsliding on tobacco use feared
Public health advocates in the Philippines expressed growing concern on Thursday over the escalation of influence by the tobacco industry, which they say threatens the health and welfare of young Filipinos. At the launch of the 2022 and 2023 Tobacco Industry Interference Index Country Reports, the advocates warned that the downward trend of smoking in the country could be reversed, and more young people could become addicted to nicotine products if the situation is not addressed. “The tobacco industry has proven just how relentless they are in using their political and marketing machinery to assert their interests via interactions with the government,” said Rom Dongeto, convenor of the Child Rights Network and executive director of the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development. “We need to stop tobacco companies from targeting children and youth, especially through online platforms, in the propagation of their deadly vapes and cigarettes,” he added. The 2022 and 2023 TII Index Reports found that the Philippines’ score has consistently increased over the years, indicating the increasing influence of the tobacco industry and the government’s failure to combat interference. The country’s score rose from 45 in 2017 to 54 in 2018 and 57 in 2019. At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, scores rose to 54 in 2020 and 58 in 2021. By 2022, the country’s score was up another notch at 59 and moved up further to 60 in 2023. The post Youth backsliding on tobacco use feared appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Sinag’ and ‘Lupa’: Light that guides and land that nourishes
In late September 2019, the Cultural Center of the Philippines mounted the son et lumiere titled “Sinag: Festival of Radiance,” accompanied by a video projected on the façade of its iconic Brutalist Main Building, dancing fountain, performances and installations, as part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of one of the Philippines’ revered cultural institutions. The light show was staged again in the following years with different themes even during the imposed lockdowns in the first years of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 and 2021, serving as beacon of hope during one of the most challenging times for the arts and culture sector. The “Sinag” light-and-sound show continued to be mounted this year, fast becoming a tradition for CCP, as it commemorated its 54th founding anniversary and signaled the sector’s embarking on the road to recovery. It also recognized the sector’s perseverance and determination to continue creating and healing with its theme, “Tuloy Ang Palabas”(The Show Continues).” This year, the Main Building has remained dark and silent as it closed down in January for a three-year rehabilitation and renovation, but it came alive again from 28 September to 1 October for “Sinag 2023: Tuloy Ang Palabas.” A short video was projected on the façade, showing snippets of productions, projects and performances in the past nine months, all held in different venues outside the Main Building. The main part was a spectacle of colors and moving patterns, conceptualized by CCP light designers Camille Balistoy, Danilo Villanueva, Louie Alcoran and Shantie De Roca. This was accompanied by music by Soundridemusic and Makai-symphony, spliced by Jerry Tria. Capping the show was a video showing CCP’s reach in the country, through a map created by Reily Villaruz, as well as glimpses of performances and projects in the planning, accompanied by Jed Balsamo’s “Rurok.” As the CCP Main Building highlighted art’s role as light giver, the park beside it, CCP Liwasang KaLIKHAsan, is venue for an exhibit of installations depicting popular creatures of Philippine folklore. [caption id="attachment_191675" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Kapre. | PhotoGRAPHS by Roel Hoang Manipon FOR THE DAILY TRIBUNE[/caption] The kapre, aswang and tikbalang often figure in horror stories told to children, but acclaimed artist Abdulmari “Toym” de Leon Imao, son of the late National Artist for visual arts Abdulmari Asia Imao, regarded them as nature guardians, thus the title “Tanod-Lupa.” “Tanod-Lupa” was first mounted in celebration of Earth Day on 22 April, but was brought back for the anniversary celebration, and it seems fitting for the Halloween and Christmas seasons. Imao was inspired by stories about these creatures, many of which most likely can be traced from pre-colonial times, during his childhood. “My mom is Kapampangan, and they have wonderful stories of mythology such as Apo Mallari god of Mount Pinatubo. My dad came from the South. He was a Tausug. Mindanao is also rich in stories. The Sarimanok itself is a mythical creature. My appreciation comes from a fascination from childhood and growing up with these stories and narratives from my parents,” he said. “I am very fascinated with tikbalang. There are some stories that tell that it is actually a friend. The tikbalang also has a masculine appearance, very heroic,” he added. Working together with lantern makers from San Fernando City, Pampanga, headed by Arvin Bondoc Quiwa, and using materials such welded steel, fiberglass, ropes and lanterns with LED lights, Imao reimagined the creatures to be cartoonish but still retaining some scary and mysterious qualities. [caption id="attachment_191676" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Manananggal.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_191674" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Duwende.[/caption] The bright installations of kapre, duwende, manananggal, aswang, nuno sa punso and tikbalang are scattered around the park — under a balete, in between coconut trees, among overgrown weeds and unkempt bushes — and accompanied by eerie sounds designed by TJ Ramos. The most prominent among Imao’s works is his large installation in the shape of the panolong, a decorative detail of the traditional house of the Meranaw people, and the sarimanok, a popular design motif of several Moro ethnic groups, frequently used by his father in his works. [caption id="attachment_191677" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Nuno sa punso.[/caption] “Tanod-Lupa” is a work in progress, and more installations are being planned to be added to the collection. “With themes like climate change and cultural promotion, it’s perfect for us to bring these creatures from folklore and mythologies to the forefront. We are not the only inhabitants of our environment. We share it with other beings and creatures. Our ancestors remind us that we take good care of our environment lest these ‘tanod-lupa’ come out to remind us of our shortcomings,” Imao said. The post ‘Sinag’ and ‘Lupa’: Light that guides and land that nourishes appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Famed environmental warrior graces RC Manila assembly
The Rotary Club of Manila had a brilliant, unique guest speaker at its last weekly members’ meeting at the Manila Polo Club — the famed, internationally acclaimed author, lawyer, environmental activist, and recipient, in 2009, of what is regarded as the Nobel Prize of Asia, the Ramon Magsaysay Award (non-category), Antonio Oposa Jr. For about an hour and a half last Thursday, 21 September 2023, RC Manila members, officers and guests at the MPC’s Turf Room alternately stood up to sing along and listen to Oposa’s telling of “good stories,” his way, he said, of promoting and creating awareness for his advocacies and his passion for the environment. Oposa earned a law degree from the University of the Philippines College of Law. For a short time, he worked in a law firm, until he realized that his heart was not in the practice of law but rather with nature and the environment. He traveled to Norway and enrolled in a course on energy and the environment at the University of Oslo’s summer program and afterwards, to Boston, where he pursued and later obtained his LLM at the Harvard Law School in 1997. [caption id="attachment_188497" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Valiant environmental warrior Antonio Oposa: ‘My biggest achievement is that I have turned some of my adversaries into co-advocates. And what could be more inspiring now than to see their own children out there, protecting the sea?’[/caption] In 1993, Oposa made global headlines for the landmark case, Minors Oposa v Factoran where the Supreme Court ruled that the 43 children counseled by Oposa, who filed legal action against the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, seeking cancellation by the agency of existing timber license agreements and stopping the issuance of new ones, ruled in favor of the plaintiffs. “The case was brought to court amid the government’s then granting over 90 logging companies permits to cut down nearly four million hectares of old-growth forest when only 850,000 hectares remained. And forests were being logged at a rate of some 200,000 hectares per year! I told the Court how my son, only three at that time, would no longer see these forests by the time he was 10. I couldn’t help thinking, that if this wasn’t stopped not a single old-growth forest would remain for him and future generations to enjoy,” Oposa said. The case had initially been dismissed in trial court on the ground that there was no legal personality to sue. Oposa elevated the case to the Supreme Court, and in a much-hailed case of intergenerational responsibility, the Supreme Court upheld the legal standing and right of the children to initiate action on their behalf and on behalf of generations yet unborn. What was so remarkable about the case is that Oposa sued on behalf of generations yet unborn and today that milestone case is known in Philippine and global jurisprudence as the “Oposa Doctrine.” For its part, the Philippine Supreme Court, too, carved a permanent niche for itself in environmental law with its promulgation of Oposa v Factoran. It secured its place in history, earning praises from the international environmental community and a reputation as a champion of the right to a healthy environment. Oposa also recounted at this talk at the RC Manila meeting last Thursday another epic landmark case involving the legal tussle he waged against 11 government agencies for the cleaning up of severely polluted Manila Bay. In December 2008, a decade after he filed that case, the Supreme Court issued a decision in his favor. In a continuing mandamus ruling, the Supreme Court ordered all defendant agencies to implement a time-bound action plan that would clean up Manila Bay and to give the Court a progress report on the matter every three months. Oposa talked about the Island Sea Camp he organized in 2001 in Bantayan Island where he gave children lessons on coral reefs, snorkeling and sustainable practices. In 2003, 2004, while holding weekend training camps for children in the Sea Camp “we noticed the rampant illegal fishing going on. Dynamite fishing and commercial fishing intrusions into prohibited coastal zones went unchecked. Something had to be done,” related Oposa. Thus, was born the Visayan Sea Squadron. “I organized a strike team with crack enforcers from the National Bureau of Investigation, Navy, fishermen, sea watch volunteers, lawyers, law students and even a few foreigners. The target was not small fishermen but crime syndicates and operators behind the sale of blasting caps and dynamite powder. Seizures and raids followed,” he said. Operations were so effective that word went out that his friend Jojo de la Victoria, the fearless Cebu City Bantay Dagat (Sea Watch) chief, and Oposa were targets of assassination. A local newspaper interviewed De la Victoria, revealing an intelligence report about illegal fishing operators putting up a P1-million bounty for him and Oposa. In 12 April 2006, 48 hours after he was interviewed, De la Victoria was felled by a hired gunman outside his house in Cebu City. “Jojo’s life was not in vain. After his funeral, a core team met for dinner to regroup. The tide of illegal fishing started to turn. Exploits of the Visayan Sea Squadron — and the courage and synergy of the men and women who made it happen — became known far and wide,” Oposa said. He continued, “Four years after Jojo died, Visayan Sea Squadron co-founder Alfredo Marañon was elected governor of Negros Occidental province. He gathered the other governors in the region to begin a restorative plan for the Visayan Sea which encompasses an area of over a million hectares. The governors passed a landmark joint resolution declaring the entire Visayan Sea a marine reserve.” For his valiant work as an environmental warrior, Oposa has been the recipient of many award in recognition of his valiant work as an environmental warrior. Aside from receiving the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2009, he was given the equally prestigious Center for International Environmental Law Award in 2008. Earlier, in 1997, he was conferred the United Nations Environment Programme Global 500 Roll of Honor, the highest UN honor in the field of the environment. Asked if there was anything about his attainments that gives him the most satisfaction, Oposa said, “My biggest achievement is not that I caught this violator and that violator when we were busy with our Visayan Sea Squadron operations; it is that I have turned my adversaries into co-advocates. Some of those who had opposed me are now supporting me in my advocacies. And what could be more inspiring than to see their own children helping us out there, protecting the sea?” The post Famed environmental warrior graces RC Manila assembly appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
International Peace Day: Nurturing global harmony, cooperation
International Peace Day, observed annually every 21st of September, is a solemn reminder of the collective commitment to peace and harmony among nations. Established by the United Nations in 1981 and officially celebrated since 1982, this day calls for worldwide ceasefires, non-violence, and peaceful dialogue. The essence of International Peace Day is to reflect upon the value of peace, promote its importance, and seek sustainable solutions to the myriad conflicts that persist across the globe. The origins of International Peace Day can be traced back to the tireless efforts of the United Nations and its visionary diplomats. In 1981, the United Nations General Assembly declared 21st September as the International Day of Peace, a day to encourage both combatants and nations to observe ceasefires and end hostilities, even if only for one day. This period of non-violence allows humanitarian aid to reach affected populations, facilitates peace negotiations, and highlights the critical importance of diplomacy in resolving conflicts. While International Peace Day is a powerful symbol of hope and solidarity, achieving lasting peace remains a complex and ongoing challenge. Conflict, violence and injustice persist in various parts of the world. Therefore, it is imperative to recognize that peace is not merely the absence of war but the presence of justice, equality and respect for human rights. International Peace Day, without saying it, is a poignant reminder of humanity’s shared responsibility to promote and preserve peace. It calls upon individuals and nations to set aside their differences and work together to create a world where violence is replaced with dialogue, conflict with cooperation, and hatred with understanding. [caption id="attachment_188506" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Children symbolize hope, resilience and the future of the global society. | PHOTOGRAPHS BY KING RODRIGUEZ FOR THE DAILY TRIBUNE[/caption] While the path to global peace is challenging and multifaceted, this annual observance offers hope and inspires action toward a more peaceful, just, and harmonious world for all. At the local front, Philippine peace advocates celebrate National Peace Consciousness Month with the theme “Kapayapaan: Responsibilidad ng Bawat Mamamayan.” The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity, or OPAPRU, lauds countless individuals and organizations working hard to help the national government promote a culture of peace and harmony. On this day and every day, let us recommit ourselves to the pursuit of peace, not as a distant dream, but as an achievable and essential reality. The post International Peace Day: Nurturing global harmony, cooperation appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Nina Lim-Yuson — A lifetime of girl scouting
The president of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines, Nina Lim-Yuson, grew up in a family and home of Girl Scouts. Her grandmother, Pilar Hidalgo-Lim, was one of the co-founders of the GSP. “It was actually my Lola Pilar who suggested to Josefa Llanes Escoda, the GSP founder, to go to America to learn about girl scouting.” This tidbit of history, Nina shared in an online interview with the DAILY TRIBUNE. Pilar Hidalgo-Lim became GSP president, and so did Nina’s mother, Estefania Aldaba-Lim, who served as secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Nina’s sister too, the eminent broadcast journalist, Cheche Lazaro, was a Girl Scout. Coming from a lineage of women achievers, Nina could not have chosen a different path. It was scouting that formally introduced the family to social responsibility, skills development and citizenship. Her brothers were also Boy Scouts. “I started when I was six years old and it was my Lola Pilar who inducted me as a Brownie. It used to be called Brownie because we were still using the American pattern,” she related. She belonged to Troop Number One, the first to be organized by the GSP national headquarters. In high school at the Jose Abad Santos Memorial School of the Philippine Women’s University, she became a junior and later a senior Girl Scout. College would briefly end her Girl Scouting as she focused on her studies. Along the way, she also danced with the Bayanihan Folk Dance Company. It was not unexpected that she would return to scouting, her first love, and her first extra-curricular activity. For the last 36 years, she has been active in various organizations and volunteer work. She founded the Museong Pambata. She is a recipient of The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service and is active in its various social development efforts. What Nina brings to her post is the legacy of leadership that had been passed on to her through generations of women leaders in the family. “My Lola Pilar was my idol. She was such a nice person and I never knew her totally as a president. I knew her more as a loving lola from all the stories she related when we rode up to Baguio. “My mother, on the other hand, was the opposite. She was very career-minded. I learned naman from her a lot of things, like being thrifty and having a list of things to do. In terms of organization, she was like that. Because she was in government. And, you know, when we started Museo, while it was actually my concept, I learned a lot from her. She would call me up at 5 o’clock in the morning and she would rattle off what needed to be done, like ‘number one, number two and so on.’ That was her. And I’m glad that I worked with her for six years in Museo. She was the president and I was the executive director for six years. I took over in 2000 as president and chief executive officer. And then, I stepped down in 2017.” Girl Scouts who read and tell stories Nina was elected president of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines for the term 2021-2024 during its 2021 national convention. From day one, she shared, “My purpose was to reach out to the community-based troops because we have always been school-based. Many young women now have social problems so we need to reach out to the communities through our community-based troops.” Also on top of her priorities is literacy development, a cause that she addressed even in the Museo Pambata. She explained, “My advocacy has always been education. So, I was very concerned because the Asian Development Bank reported in 2022 that the World Bank found out that our Filipino children at ages 9 and 10 cannot read. So, I felt that because girl scouting is all over the country, with 96 local councils, the organization could serve as a vehicle for improving literacy in our country. “We started the Girl Scout Storyteller project because storytelling affects the heart first before the mind. When young people start with storytelling, they will love the stories and then the written word. They would then want to read. “We now have storytelling in economically challenged communities and we have partners. We sent out 2,500 books throughout the country with the help of our partner couriers.” Initially, she sought the help of her family foundation “to give a donation. I also sought the help of Ging Montinola, who is into literacy development. Together, we founded the literacy program. We are building this fund to cover the cost of buying children’s books. We will have a storytelling contest next year.” Raising funds for Camp Escoda Nina then shifted the conversation to another major endeavor that she is spearheading as GSP president — fundraising for the 27-hectare Camp Josefa Llanes Escoda in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija, which was donated by the provincial government during the term of Governor Amado Aleta, the father of consul and civic leader Fortune Ledesma. “Palayan is beautiful because it has rolling hills, but it doesn’t have electrical and water facilities and roadworks. It doesn’t have a swimming pool, and it’s so hot in Nueva Ecija. It also does not have a conference hall. This is a big one-time fundraising project because it’s for the future of the girls who are going to the camp. Because as of now, if you go camping there, you have to walk up the hills to get your drinking water. You have to make buhos to take a bath.” She recalled, “In my time as a young Girl Scout, which was of another era, we had to walk in the dark to fetch water to fill up two drums. I was so scared because there were tuko in Los Baños. That taught me to be courageous. Camps really build up your lifetime skills and attitude. Camping is very integral in girl scouting and boy scouting. So, this camp will serve a purpose. It just needs various basic facilities to make it world-class and convenient with the proper amenities, but the girls will continue to learn all those survival techniques and appreciate nature right on the camp.” She praised architect Pippo Carunungan, “who is an environmental planner. He surveyed the site and drew up everything. It will be a beautiful camp, he said, because it’s a gift of nature.” First Lady as Chief Girl Scout Nina recently led the Girl Scouts in a fundraising ball attended by the “First Lady, Liza Araneta-Marcos, who is our Chief Girl Scout. It’s mandated in the GSP constitution that whoever is the female president of the country or the First Lady is the Chief Girl Scout. In the past, we had Imelda Marcos, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. All the first ladies were all Chief Girl Scouts. “Mrs. Liza Marcos spoke before us and she promised to help. She said, ‘We will make it the best campsite.’ Everyone was excited to see her and she obliged everyone who asked to have selfie with her. She is very friendly. She is really a Girl Scout.” Nina shared, “A generous couple is sponsoring the swimming pool at P6 million, while a gentleman entrepreneur is sponsoring the perimeter fence at P1.5 million. Many other businessmen and leaders have pledged to help build this dream GSP project. “We really need to raise about 50 million to have a very good camp. But when the First Lady heard about it, she said, ‘It has to be P250 million.’ But, really, when we have the funds, we can have deep toilets that have running water instead of tabo-tabo. Since we have a little Pampanga river that runs across the camp, we can build a bridge that crosses it and then the girls can have white-water rafting there in the Pampanga river. “Camp Escoda will be a very important and significant venue for our Girl Scouts to gather, bond, learn new skills and develop as morally upright citizens of the country and the world. It is especially so because camping is integral in any Girl Scout’s life. If you don’t have camping, it’s like half of your scouting life is missing. Every Girl Scout remembers that time of her youth. And being the national camp, it will welcome Girl Scouts representing the 96 councils from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao who will participate in various events and trainings.” Girl Scouts of all ages As GSP president, Nina travels to various parts of the country. “We have regional conferences aside from the meeting of the Central Board when regional heads and executives come to Manila. “I had just come from Baguio where I stayed for two-and-a-half days. I met our young Girl Scout representatives from ages 14 to 18. I enjoyed listening to them and exchanging ideas with them. I am so happy that we have a wealth of intelligent girls who want to serve the country. They are the ones who are going to take over. “It’s amazing that GSP is no longer limited to old people on the board. We finally have young ones on the board. Our Escoda committee is headed by Jade Delgado from Iloilo. Then we have Justine Bautista. She’s a psychometrician. She heads the Program Committee, which is a big committee because when we were in Baguio, we had 86 girls from all the councils throughout the country. Many of them are running for SK. “So, in my 70s now, which I don’t feel at all, I don’t take any medicines or something like that. Being with young people is what inspires me. Because at 15, 16 or 17, they already know that they have some kind of a mission.” Nina proudly shared that the venue of the Baguio conference, 'Ating Tahanan' on the South Drive was bought during the tenure of my Lola Pilar. We have four buildings there, including the houses of Senator and actor Rogelio de la Rosa and Carlos Valdes, the accountant. Lola Pilar, according to Carlos Valdes, twisted his arm to get a low price. I’m so thankful for all those who preceded me because they bought these places. It’s on South Drive which is so valuable. We even have a reserved forest behind us.” As she looks forward to the next camping and gets even busier raising funds for Camp Escoda, Nina feels elated that “every one of us in the Girl Scouts has been together in our various undertakings. The nice thing is we are now intergenerational because we try to bring in the old with experience, institutional memory and their wisdom born of their long life, and the young who are full of enthusiasm, energy and new ideas.” A star scout for a granddaughter While Nina does her part for the bright future of girl scouting in the country, her personal family too has not stopped contributing to the roster of members to this worldwide organization. Today, a granddaughter of hers, seven-year-old Rocio Yuson de Guzman, is a Star Scout. She is the daughter of Nina’s daughter, Nicky. No grandmother could have been prouder. Nina said, “Rufio loves being a star scout. When I arrived from the recent world conference in Cyprus, I came back with some badges and I gave some to Rufio who is very proud of the little badges that I got for her.” For sure, Nina will pass on not just the badges to Rufio. More importantly, she will give her granddaughter the once-in-one’s-childhood experience of being a Girl Scout and learning “the values that are identified in the Girl Scout Promise and Laws. I think that while there is so much to enjoy and learn, it is the inculcation of these values that would mold her into a well-rounded human being. As we all know, a Girl Scout’s honor is to be trusted. A Girl Scout is loyal, thrifty, courteous… and so on. It’s like a mantra -- the values that one lives by. “I have reached that point when it is not about success or what one accumulates in life, whether awards or accomplishments or material things. It is more about what I can share and scouting gives me that honor and privilege — to do my part in helping mold our young girls and making them aware even at an early age that they have a mission and worthy purpose in life. It is not just about being good and outstanding on your own but it is also about helping others to become better in what they’re doing and live better lives. “And I need not look far. As a grandmother, I dote on my Star Scout granddaughter, Rufio. There’s a world out there for her to discover and in which she has a role to play and use the skills and values she will learn from scouting.” The post Nina Lim-Yuson — A lifetime of girl scouting appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Breathing osmosis of public service
Education and public service are deeply ingrained in his family heritage. His mother dedicated her career to educating students in public schools, while his father pursued a profession in government as a lawyer specializing in human rights. Dr. J. Prospero “Popoy” de Vera III, chairman of the Commission on Higher Education or CHEd, recalled that his mother, a teacher at the Esteban Abada High School in Manila, always brought him to school when he was still a young boy. His mother became the principal of Ramon Magsaysay High School, also in Manila, before her retirement. He said he and his siblings grew up breathing the osmosis of public service. “So, when I was growing up, the importance of education was drilled into us. Our mother always tells us to finish our education; nothing will happen in our lives if we don’t graduate from college,” De Vera said, adding that he and his siblings all graduated from public schools. “We are nine siblings, but my parents don’t have the money to send us to private schools. All of us graduated from the University of the Philippines. We are products of public schools; we were just the ‘iskolar ng bayan’ through and through.” Popoy, who finished a bachelor’s degree in History from UP, teaches political science and history at the De La Salle University and the University of the Philippines. He completed his master’s in social science at De La Salle University and doctoral studies in public administration at the University of the Philippines Diliman. He also has a master’s degree in higher education policy and higher education administration from the University of Southern California, one of the top schools in the United States of America, and later worked at the state legislature in California for three years. “In that sense, after I graduated from college, one of the options that I saw is either I take up law or teach, or to work in government, etc. There was an opportunity to teach, so I got into education.” In addition to his teaching responsibilities, De Vera also served as a consultant to several government agencies and provided his expertise to congressmen and senators. “Simultaneously, while I was teaching, I was also a consultant to the government. I worked as a consultant and then as chief of staff at the House and Senate.” His extensive academic background and government experience were benchmarks for his appointment as CHEd Commissioner in 2016, highlighting his qualifications for the position. “Since my background is in public administration and I also teach, I have a certain level of confidence that I really understand government, and I want to prove that I can do what I teach. I have a lot of involvement in the House and the Senate, from being an executive assistant until becoming chief of staff. I went through them one by one.” De Vera’s proficiency in legislative affairs from 1988 to 2010 (except for his three years abroad) encompasses a plethora of skills, including bill drafting, speech writing, and crafting amendments. Such expertise is a direct result of his extensive involvement and experience in the realm of legislation. Before his appointment to CHEd, he served as vice president for Public Affairs at UP in 2011. In 2004, he became part of the board of regents in some state universities and colleges. When he took the offer to head CHEd in 2018 after serving as commissioner for two years, he was confident because he survived UP. “I have a high level of confidence that I can do the job because they say that if you survived to govern UP, you can govern everything else because UP is the most ungovernable university in the country. So, if you survived there, you understand the public university system,” he admitted. He narrated to have experienced a sense of ease and familiarity when he joined CHEd. “It felt natural, perhaps because it aligns with my expertise. I might have had some reservations if it were a different department outside my field. However, since there was an opening at CHEd, I decided to offer my assistance, and that’s how I found myself here,” he shared. In running an agency with only 1,400 employees and serving more than 2,000 public and private higher education institutions across the country lies the challenge, De Vera said. With the scope of responsibilities, he gets to visit all state universities and colleges. Riding a bicycle, he witnessed first-hand the brilliance, resilience, and great potential of state universities and colleges. “I would be the first CHEd chair who visited all the state universities and colleges in this country. No one has done that yet,” he said, adding that he had already visited 100 of the 114 state-run universities. “I think in a year, I will finish all of them. The feeling is so different when you see what’s happening on the ground. So, from the start of my appointment, I started going around. I’ve gone to the farthest parts of the country.” As the chairperson, he said his firsthand experience in higher education enables him to speak with confidence and authority on the subject. “By engaging directly with students and faculty, attentively listening to their concerns, and providing meaningful responses, I believe I have made a significant impact. The presence of a secretary in these interactions creates a distinct atmosphere, instilling a sense of importance and value in education stakeholders. This ability to make those on the ground feel significant is a legacy I take pride in,” he said. One of the legacies De Vera is proud of is the implementation of free higher education, which coincided with his tenure. “I consider myself privileged because my predecessors did not have the opportunity to enact such a policy. Despite the challenges encountered, I believe that the beneficiaries truly reaped the benefits of this initiative,” he said. In the face of the Covid-19 pandemic, the country was confronted with unprecedented difficulties and uncertainties. CHEd, however, managed to navigate these challenges and ensured that education persisted. “This, in itself, is an accomplishment. Despite various government interventions being affected, we remained steadfast in delivering education to the best of our abilities,” he said. De Vera actively advocates for an inclusive education system that provides equal opportunities for marginalized sectors to complete their tertiary education. He seeks to create “first-generation graduates” as a legacy of the current administration. This program aims to offer educational opportunities to young Filipinos from minority and indigenous groups, children of rebel returnees, and other marginalized communities, enabling them to complete their education successfully. “Why not consciously make our legacy about bringing these individuals into the mainstream and ensuring they have the opportunity to finish their education? This emerging phenomenon is something we can truly focus on.” He added: “If we can successfully accomplish this within the next three years while I am in office, I can confidently say that it will be a legacy achieved by the Marcos administration. While the Duterte administration initiated free higher education, the Marcos administration aims to make it more equitable and responsive to the needs of marginalized individuals.” The post Breathing osmosis of public service appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Setting the Bar high
The legal profession has always fascinated me. Studying the rudiments of law and how these affect people’s lives and liberty is not a walk in the park. It entails a lot of money, patience, risks, and sacrifices to complete a degree. Without the law, chaos will reign in society; there will be no peace and order day and night, no settlements of disputes, and accountability for criminals who will freely roam the streets with no law enforcement officers to stop them. Lawyers, like doctors, are arguably held in higher esteem and standards than other professions. They are feared for reasons only known to men. Their sartorial elegance and eloquence often hold us in shock and awe, delighting ordinary mortals. No wonder many children dream of becoming lawyers when they grow up, only to be checked by the realities of life. There is no gainsaying that attorneys, as court officers, are key players in the country’s growth; that is why every Bar examination is a significant occasion and a step forward in attaining a just and peaceful society. This year’s Bar examinations will be held on September 17, 20, and 24 in 14 local testing centers nationwide, covering six core subjects. The Supreme Court said there will be 10,816 examinees — 5,832 first-time Bar takers and 4,984 retakers. The Manila Police District is deploying around 500 security personnel to check the peace near the testing centers, with some announcing a suspension of classes and resorting to home study in anticipation of the heavy traffic. Corporations offer a much higher pay scale for lawyers. Win or lose, lawyers always get paid in court cases, as being one usually guarantees financial success unless one chooses to offer his expertise pro bono. Due to the high cost and stake of the law profession and maintaining the prestige and lifestyle that go with it, many people, except the moneyed ones, are “allergic” to lawyers because they charge exorbitant fees, and the fact that the wheels of justice in the Philippines grind exceedingly slow, the opposite of which is legal fees running faster than taxi meters. The legal profession is studded with both intellectuals and rotten eggs; sometimes, the good and the bad can be molded into one. Lawyers can uniquely present the truth in different sizes, forms, and shades. These lines in a movie aptly describe it: “Mayaman sila, kaya nilang kumuha ng mahusay na abogado. Kaya nilang baluktutin ang tuwid at ituwid ang baluktot (They are rich, they can afford a good lawyer. They can twist the truth and straighten the crooked).” Despite the high pay, respect, and other perks, the lawyers’ population has dwindled since the first Philippine Bar Examinations in 1901. The decline is alarming. Consider this: There are only 84,236 lawyers reflected in the Supreme Court of the Philippines’ Roll of Attorneys as of 30 November 2022 — a minuscule number in the country’s estimated population of 117,337,368 at mid-year. And what’s the catch? The number of non-practicing lawyers exceeds that of active lawyers. Which brings us to this fundamental question: Why do we need lawyers? Let me dwell on the bright side. We need lawyers to check the imbalances and inequalities in life. We need lawyers to help fix things when these go rough, regardless of the cost. We need lawyers to give people experiencing poverty a fighting chance to preserve life, liberty, and property instead of simply walking to jail. As then-President Ramon Magsaysay said, “Those who have less in life should have more in law.” I have no quarrels with lawyers. In fact, I admire them, and I have some of them as friends. There were lawyers every step of the way during my stint in government — some of them good, some not really good. Considering the clout they wield, lawyers can be good influencers in modern-day society by helping illuminate a dark and dreary world. When the going gets tough, the tough get going. I would still gamble on hiring a good lawyer to clear my path. As a parent, I wish all this year’s Bar examinees well. May the deserving, particularly the brave hearts, succeed. The post Setting the Bar high appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Metamorphosis: Fairy tale come true
Fairy tales are true stories, if you know what I mean. This story is inspired by a children’s book entitled, “Hope for the Flowers,” by Trina Paulus. It is a children’s book for adults. Once upon a time, there were two caterpillars, brother and sister Paul and Liz. Paul was thinking of climbing to the top of a mountain along with a pile of other caterpillars all struggling to get to the top. PAUL: I am going up there to try my luck. LIZ: What for? Do you know what’s up there? PAUL: Perhaps a rainbow or a blinding light, who knows? Why would so many other caterpillars try to climb up? Of course to achieve success, fame. LIZ: I’m not going. Tell me about it when you get back. PAUL: I may never come back. LIZ: It’s too much trouble. I will stay here and wait. PAUL: Wait for what? LIZ: I don’t know. Something to happen perhaps. PAUL: I’m bringing several coins with me as a way for me to communicate with you. When I throw down a silver coin, it means I am all right. If I throw down a lead coin, it means I’m having problems. LIZ: That’s a good plan. I will wait. And so Paul embarks on his dream to achieve success. It is hard at first. Everyone is pushing everyone. Midway, he hesitates and wants to go back. He is tired. He tosses a lead coin. But after a while he regrets it. His dream energizes him. He strengthens his resolve and tosses a silver coin. Liz understands what is happening — the hesitation followed by the ambition. She is glad he moved on. Almost at the top, there is a frenzy, everyone is stepping on each other, pushing and shoving. The situation gets violent once everyone can see the mist at the top of the mountain. Paul is inside the mist, in a trance. He decides to toss another silver coin before he reaches the very top. He is imagining a rainbow or a bright light at the very top. Instead, he found nothing. Those around him were equally disappointed and started to go down. But running into the surging caterpillars trying to go up, they simply jumped down, tumbling towards the bottom of the pile. Getting the silver coin, Liz’s heart jumps. Paul is perhaps now at the top. Just as she is celebrating with other fellow caterpillars who decided not to climb up, a lead coin drops from the sky. Everyone is stunned, staring at each other in silence. There ensues a violent debate on theories of what was really happening up there. Some said the strongest caterpillar prevailed and it was not Paul. LIZ: (Seeing the shower of caterpillars tumbling down from the sky). Guys, there is nothing up there. Zero. They are jumping down in despair and frustration. Just as Liz is speaking, she suddenly explodes into a radiant blue and silver butterfly. Metamorphosis. The others follow, in a series of explosions. They all fly up to investigate. Indeed, there is nothing at the top but caterpillars violently pushing each other. Paul decides to jump and stumble down. The butterflies descend and find Paul unconscious. Then, finally, he regains consciousness. PAUL: Why didn’t I turn into a butterfly like you? LIZ: You need energy to become a butterfly. You were too weak from struggling and fighting each other. (Paul weeps violently.) Don’t worry, when you regain your strength, you will become a butterfly. There is no choice. No one has remained a caterpillar all his life. True enough, Paul finally achieves metamorphosis. All the new butterflies fly together, led by Liz and Paul, searching for paradise. In no time, they discover a dark, cool rainforest where they all live happily ever after. *** PAUL: I will study to be a lawyer. I have this dream to be a congressman so I can help people. LIZ: Good luck. Me, I’ll just read books and work in a library. PAUL: And then what? You will rot with boredom in a library. LIZ: Not if I have dreams. PAUL: And what is your dream? LIZ: I don’t know yet. Give me time. I’m not in a hurry. I’m working on it. Paul finished law but never got to be a congressman. He worked for a while as a corporate lawyer, which he hated. Liz became a celebrity with her own TV show called “Street Food for the Gods.” She yanked Paul out of corporate life to become her chef and cameraman. They traveled around the world together, shooting street food everywhere. They discovered that street food in poor countries was way more advanced than in rich countries. They made a pile of money beyond their dreams and lived happily ever after. *** eastwindreplyctr@gmail.com The post Metamorphosis: Fairy tale come true appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Group wants designated smoking areas removed
For the protection of the public, especially children, a group of health advocates yesterday called for the removal of all designated smoking and vaping areas nationwide......»»
Fighting AI child abuse
PLDT and Smart advocate for stronger cooperation among peers and the government to combat online sexual abuse and exploitation of children as criminals turn to new technologies to share child abuse imagery online. “PLDT and Smart urge fellow child rights and child safety advocates to work together to come up with impactful anti-OSAEC programs that are adaptive to the rapidly changing environment,” said Angel Redoble, chief information security officer of PLDT and Smart. The UK-based Internet Watch Foundation has confirmed sighting of AI-generated child sexual abuse images. Of the 29 reports it investigated between 24 May and 30 June, the organization confirmed seven URLs (uniform resource locators) containing AI-generated CSAEM. IWF further says that some examples are so life-like they would be indistinguishable from real imagery to most people. The post Fighting AI child abuse appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Confession of a skeptic cat parent
I used to be skeptical about owning a cat and didn’t see the appeal. I thought cats were distant and not affectionate based on stereotypes and my limited experience. Growing up, we didn’t have cats. I rarely saw one inside our house. Pet dogs are a different story. Having had several since my world began, I believed dogs were loyal and formed deep bonds with their owners, while cats appeared aloof and uninterested in forming connections. I didn’t want a pet that would only tolerate me without showing genuine affection. Am I to be blamed for having reservations about the cleanliness and upkeep involved in owning a cat? My mother and only brother were wheezers. The idea of handling cat fur, cleaning litter boxes, and the possibility of allergies brought uncertainty about having them as pets. I initially preferred a pet that required less maintenance, or at least I thought so. My viewpoint started to shift when a colleague in the government welcomed a cat into their home. Back in 2016, I observed a new aspect of having a feline companion that hadn’t crossed my mind previously. This cat displayed affection, playfulness, and sincere love towards its owner. I witnessed how the cat offered solace and companionship, particularly during challenging moments. One day in 2017, my daughter came home from school with an orange kitten – we guessed he was five months old. He was a “puspin” (short for pusang Pinoy or Pinoy cat) with a short coat that had lost its kitten fluff. The puspin had followed her from the condo gate like a child afraid of getting lost. Driven by my curiosity, I yielded to the temptation and chose to dedicate some time to interact with my daughter’s cat we named Sam. To my astonishment, I formed a strong connection with the feline in a short period. Sam’s tender purrs, lively behavior, and instances of cozying up disarmed the skeptic in me. It also dawned on me that cats could provide companionship and a distinct form of love that, although different from dogs, held an equally significant worth. American novelist Ernest Hemingway’s “One cat just leads to another” quote is spot on. More than five years after adopting Sam, we now share the house with nine other “puspins.” In time, I uncovered the cats’ diverse personalities. It is wrong to say that all cats exhibit independence and are reserved because they, too, are sociable and yearn for human interaction. It took more than five decades for me to realize that cats can forge profound connections with their owners, thereby transforming them into loyal companions. Together with my children, the responsibilities of litter box maintenance, grooming, and maintaining a cat-friendly home became part of our daily routine. We join other cat parents and feline enthusiasts across the globe on August 8 in celebrating one of man’s most common and ancient pets. International Cat Day, created by the International Fund for Animal Welfare in 2002, is an annual occasion that commemorates cats, advocates for their well-being, and promotes responsible pet ownership. In emphasizing the importance and worth of these remarkable companions in our lives, we discovered our other roles by respecting and communicating with the cat world. The post Confession of a skeptic cat parent appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
House panel OKs bill penalizing use of corporal punishment against children
The House panel on the welfare of children has approved a bill banning the use of corporal punishment to discipline children — a measure that lawmakers and child rights advocates hope would deter incidents of child abuse within homes......»»
Malnutrition, hunger shade Phl growth
The Asian Development Bank’s outlook for the Philippines remains unchanged since April, maintaining that the country’s economy would expand by 6.0 percent for the remainder of the year and grow by 6.2 percent in 2024. In April, Kelly Bird, ADB country director for the Philippines, noted that the economy was in expansion mode after the gross domestic product grew 7.6 percent throughout 2022. “It (Philippine economic growth) is expected to moderate this year (2023) from the previous year’s forecast-beating outturn, but will remain on a healthy expansion mode underpinned by rising domestic demand and a recovery in services, particularly tourism,” he said. In the latest update of its quarterly Asian Development Outlook 2023 report, the ADB said domestic demand and services continue to drive growth in Southeast Asia, with many economies in the region, including the Philippines’, benefiting from strong tourism recovery. It said robust investment and private consumption, along with rising employment, growth in production and retail sales, and upbeat activity in private and public construction, is propelling the Philippine economy forward, making the country a strong candidate for the fastest-growing economy in the region in 2023, even surpassing Singapore’s and Vietnam’s. Filipinos look forward to ADB’s forecast that growth will remain strong, albeit slowed by global headwinds, high inflation, and tighter monetary policy. GDP growth should pick up even more as the external environment improves. Hopes are pinned on private consumption and investment to continue to expand, though easing from 2022’s brisk pace while household spending will be buoyed by rising employment and steady remittances from Philippine workers overseas. The bank’s outlook on the Philippine economy should get President Marcos into a pumped-up mood as he gets ready to address the country in his 2nd State of the Nation address on Monday. But ADB’s sobering notes on hunger and malnutrition threaten to dim whatever bright disposition he may have at the moment. In its report, the ADB notes that despite rapid economic growth in recent years, these “impressive gains” along with whatever efforts to reduce poverty have not lowered hunger, particularly among people in lower income levels. The ADB cites data from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization indicating the prevalence of food insecurity in the Philippines, averaging 43.8 percent of the total population from 2019 to 2021 with 5.2 percent of the people undernourished. An Expanded National Nutrition Survey in 2021 revealed that under-nutrition rates were “very high,” with 26.7 percent of children under five years old stunted. Among school-age children (5-10 years old), the stunting rate was 19.7 percent and much higher among the poorest quintile at 32.7 percent. Alarming figures indicate that chronic malnutrition and stunting are strongly linked to disease and premature death; they adversely affect crucial stages of development (of children), causing cognitive and behavioral deficits, learning disabilities and ultimately a sub-optimal and uncompetitive labor force. The government’s response, the ADB observed, was short-term measures providing social support to vulnerable groups and temporarily easing import restrictions on some agricultural products. And this note should be of particular concern to the President, who remains unmoved by calls to designate a full-time, hands-on expert thoroughly steeped in agriculture at the agency. These data are also alarming: Agriculture growth in the Philippines has underperformed for the past two decades; it grew 3.5 percent on average annually from 2000 to 2010, then by 1.5 percent from 2011 to 2022; Agriculture’s share of GDP has declined from over 15 percent in early 2000 to an average of 9 percent in the past five years, with one-fifth of employment remaining in agriculture; and today’s Philippine agriculture labor productivity continues to lag behind its peers in the Southeast region. The ADB recommended that government strengthens food security and nutrition through social protection responses. Data on poverty incidence showed it declined from 23.5 percent of the population in 2015 to 16.7 percent in 2018 but rose again to 18.1 percent in 2021 because of the pandemic. As the President prepares to take on another year in office, we hope that the President is aware of the urgencies that need to be effectively tackled in the sector he insists on overseeing and of the sociopolitical costs and the not-so-flattering image the country — and the world — would have of his leadership if he leaves these issues substantially unresolved. The post Malnutrition, hunger shade Phl growth appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»