Backyard farming thrives at Tagaytay Highlands’ The Grove
As the pandemic continues to take its toll on food supply, an increasingly popular trend nowadays among self-sufficient as well as enterprising Filipinos is growing their own food, which has become as essential as it is doable......»»
SCC to regulate backyard poultry, livestock farming
SCC to regulate backyard poultry, livestock farming.....»»
DA provides over P11 million for ASF-affected hog growers in Aklan
This financial assistance is given to backyard raisers to help them recover from the African swine fever outbreak in the province.....»»
‘Camella farms’
I have just been informed by small farms and backyard farm owners that property taxes in the City of Lipa have substantially increased......»»
Candidates for naturalization
If the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is looking to build a pool of naturalized players for deployment in coming international competitions, the scouting should begin in the PBA backyard where the Commissioner’s Cup is now being played with imports standing up to 6-9. Of course, the candidates wouldn’t be candidates if they’re not willing to become Philippine passport holders and suit up for the country......»»
Speaker Romualdez demands OTS chief Aplasca’s resignation
House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Monday demanded the resignation of the Office of Transport Security (OTS) Administrator, Undersecretary Ma. O Aplasca, for failing to put an end to the repeated nefarious activities of security screening officers (SSO) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). The OTS chief was advised by Speaker Romualdez to tender his resignation before the House of Representatives tackles the OTS' budget. “Mag-resign ka na. Kung hindi ka magsa-submit ng resignation, ako mismo ang magba-block ng approval ng budget ng OTS,” Romualdez said. The House leader aired his frustration on Aplasca in the wake of reports of the latest incidence of money theft by a female OTS security scanner from a departing tourist. The OTS chief should submit his courtesy resignation under the principle of command responsibility to make way for a full revamp at the airport security office. “Naka-strike three na ang OTS chief. We are already fed up with these reports of stealing and other acts of wrongdoing at the airport for which OTS officials and their DOTr supervisors are ultimately responsible. A top-to-bottom overhaul is needed,” he added. “We cannot let these atrocious activities and other acts of misconduct at the airport continue to take place. It’s bad for the country and the economy,” Romualdez also stated. The Speaker pointed out that a foreigner, whether they are a tourist or a potential investor, gets their first exposure to the Philippines and its people when they encounter a government employee who processes them at the port of entry. This is an ugly incident that will certainly leave a discouraging and lasting impression. This is the reason why the government should deploy the finest personnel at ports of entry. It could be recalled that in March, when money was stolen by the SSO from a Thai tourist at NAIA Terminal 2, the leader of the 311-member House of Representatives recommended a complete revamp of OTS. Romualdez even recommended that the DOTr replace the entire OTS staff and only rehire individuals who would pass a rigorous screening procedure based on their honesty, effectiveness, and integrity. OTS and responsible DOTr officials committed to undertaking sweeping reforms. “What has happened to those commitments? Where are the reforms?" Speaker Romualdez asked. The Speaker also said that DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista should closely watch his own backyard. Every now and then, they still hear of nefarious activities, aviation glitches, power equipment malfunctions and disruptions, and similar nasty things taking place at the airport. There may be people sabotaging him, Romualdez added. The post Speaker Romualdez demands OTS chief Aplasca’s resignation appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Sovereign shame
The government should recognize the possibility that Chinese workers in the country are committing espionage amid the escalating territorial friction in the West Philippine Sea. Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro raised the alarm, saying employees of mainly Chinese state firms may be engaged in potential “covert economic and information activities,” including propaganda operations, to sway public opinion in favor of the mainland. Among the workers on the watchlist are “the ones hired by Beijing’s state-run enterprises involved in public infrastructure projects,” according to Teodoro. The Department of National Defense said it is looking into clandestine dealings “happening in the background.” “It’s the activities that we cannot see… that’s what alarms us,” the defense chief said. “The best way to weaken a country, rather than by an overt warlike function or disruption of [its] facilities, is really to take control of [its] internal economy, internal processes, and the like,” Teodoro pointed out. The records of Chinese migrants in the country are inadequate based on previous Senate hearings. No government agency was able to provide the Senate, for instance, with an accurate number of illegal Chinese workers, indicating that they are not being monitored. Labor agencies have also failed to keep track of how many foreign workers are in jobs that, by mandate of the Constitution, should be for Filipinos only. Under the law, foreigners are only allowed to work in jobs that require highly specialized skills and where no Filipinos are deemed competent to do them. During the Senate probe, it was also discovered that as many as 119,000 Chinese nationals who came to the country as tourists are now residents and have jobs in violation of labor regulations. Chinese tourists, through some “gainful” means, were able to obtain special work permits from the Bureau of Immigration. They now work in very diverse areas such as Metro Manila, Clark, Subic, Cagayan and Cagayan de Oro. In one of the inquiries, a Department of Labor and Employment official explained that the special permits were issued without the need for an Alien Employment Permit, or AEP, because the nature of the employment was temporary, lasting from three to six months. The loose process, thus, has allowed foreign workers to enter the country practically unbridled. Senators questioned the discrepancy between the AEPs issued and the number of Chinese workers in the country. Independent sources said that as many as 200,000 to 400,000 Chinese workers are in the country. Four different agencies issue different permits that make the situation worse. The biggest insult by China is that its propaganda work against the Philippines and other opponents in the territorial conflicts is done in this country. Facebook recently removed two networks of fake accounts that were spreading government propaganda, one originating in China and the other in the Philippines. Taken down were 155 Facebook accounts, 11 pages, nine groups and seven Instagram accounts traced to China, and 57 accounts, 31 pages and 20 Instagram accounts based in the Philippines. Such operations breach Facebook’s rules against “coordinated inauthentic behavior on behalf of a foreign or government entity.” The Chinese network used faces created through an AI technique known as GANs (Generative Adversarial Networks). Facebook was able to trace the origins of the accounts because of their visual signatures. “This form of AI is readily available online, and its use (or abuse) by covert operations has exploded in the last year,” according to a report on the social media platform. Identified were a dozen GAN-generated images from the Chinese propaganda operation. Teodoro, who has access to a wealth of information, in revealing the supposed operations being conducted by the Chinese in the country’s backyard, virtually confirmed the problem has reached alarming proportions. It would be easy for the government to keep track of foreign workers if only the appropriate agencies would resist the seduction of human smuggling. In accepting bribes to let the aliens skirt the law, these officials and functionaries have placed our national security at risk. The post Sovereign shame appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Armenia holds drills with US amid rift with Russia
The United States and Armenia opened military drills on Monday, the latest sign of Yerevan drifting from Moscow's orbit as Russia's invasion of Ukraine reshapes post-Soviet relations. The exercises come amid mounting frustration in Armenia over what it sees as Russia's failure to act as a security guarantor amid mounting tensions with its historic rival Azerbaijan. Exercise Eagle Partner opened with some 85 US soldiers to train around 175 Armenian soldiers through September 20, according to the US Army Europe and Africa Command. Armenia's defense ministry said the exercises aimed to "increase the level of interoperability" with US forces in international peacekeeping missions. The US military said the drills would help Armenia's 12th Peacekeeping Brigade meet NATO standards ahead of an evaluation later this year. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Armenia's decision not to conduct drills with the Moscow-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) alliance and instead work with the United States required "very deep analysis". "Of course, we will try to comprehend and understand all this. But in any case we will do so in close partnership dialogue with the Armenian side," he said. The United States brushed off the Kremlin critique and pointed to Russia's wars with both Ukraine and Georgia. "I think that given Russia has invaded two of its neighbors in recent years, it should refrain from lecturing countries in the region about security arrangements," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters. He said that the United States has had security cooperation with Armenia since 2003 and called the latest drill "a routine exercise that is in no way tied to any other events." But Moscow last week summoned Armenia's ambassador to complain about "unfriendly steps" the country was taking. The ministry said Armenia's envoy was given a "tough" rebuke but insisted that the countries "remain allies." "It sounded more like a threat to Yerevan than a description of reality," said Gela Vasadze, an independent political analyst. "In fact, Russian-Armenian relations have reached a strategic impasse," he told AFP. 'Weakened Russia' In Yerevan, residents expressed frustration over Russia's lack of military and political support as tensions with Azerbaijan flared again. Mariam Anahamyan, 27, told AFP that Armenia had made a mistake by "pinning its hopes on the Russians". "So now let's try with the Americans. The consequences may be bad but not trying would be even worse," she said. For Arthur Khachaduryan, a 51-year-old security guard, "Russia failed to keep its commitments during the war and has even made our situation worse." He was referring to a brief but bloody conflict in 2020 for control of Nagorno-Karabakh, a separatist region in Azerbaijan. Russia brokered a ceasefire and deployed 2,000 peacekeepers to the Lachin corridor, which connects Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh. But Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan recently said Moscow was either "unable or unwilling" to control the passage. His government has accused Azerbaijan of closing the road and blockaded the mountainous region, spurring a humanitarian crisis in Armenian-populated towns. Pashinyan also recently claimed that Armenia's historic security reliance on Russia was a "strategic mistake". Bogged down in its invasion and isolated on the world stage, "weakened Russia is rapidly losing influence in its Soviet-era backyard", said independent analyst Arkady Dubnov. "Armenians are frustrated with Russia, which failed to help them during the Karabakh war and its aftermath," he said, adding that Moscow "also seems to be lacking a clear plan, strategy in the Caucasus". 'New allies' Nagorno-Karabakh was at the centre of two wars between Azerbaijan and Armenia. In the 1990s, Armenia defeated Azerbaijan and took control of the region, along with seven adjacent districts of Azerbaijan. Thirty years later, energy-rich Azerbaijan, which built a strong military and secured the backing from Turkey, took revenge. After the 2020 war, Yerevan was forced to cede several territories it had controlled for decades. The situation in Nagorno-Karabakh remains volatile and Armenia has accused Azerbaijan of moving troops near the region recently, raising the spectre of a fresh large-scale conflict. The European Union and United States have taken a lead role in mediating peace talks but have so far failed to bring about a breakthrough. "The Kremlin has no resources -- neither the will -- to help Armenia and is letting Azerbaijan and Turkey to pursue their objectives," Dubnov said. "In that situation, Armenia is trying to forge strong new alliances." The post Armenia holds drills with US amid rift with Russia appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Fil-Canadian YouTuber Mikey Bustos gets credit for ant species discovered in his yard
Filipino-Canadian content creator and singer Mikey Bustos has discovered an ant species previously not known to exist in the Philippines in his own backyard. .....»»
Galaxies’ bubble dwarfs Milky Way
Astronomers have discovered the first “bubble of galaxies,” a nearly unimaginably massive cosmic structure thought to be a fossilized remnant from just after the Big Bang sitting in our galaxy’s backyard. The bubble is a billion light years across, which makes it 10,000 times wider than the Milky Way galaxy. However, this massive bubble, which cannot be seen with the naked eye, is only 820 million light years away from our home galaxy, in what astronomers refer to as the nearby universe. According to Daniel Pomarede, an astrophysicist at France’s Atomic Energy Commission, the bubble can be thought of as “a spherical shell with a heart.” Inside that heart is the Bootes supercluster of galaxies, which is surrounded by a vast void sometimes called “the Great Nothing.” The shell contains several other galaxy superclusters already known to science, including the massive structure known as the Sloan Great Wall. Pomarede said the discovery of the bubble, which is described in research he co-authored that was published in The Astrophysical Journal this week, was “part of a very long scientific process.” It confirms a phenomenon first described in 1970 by US cosmologist — and future physics Nobel winner — Jim Peebles. He theorized that in the primordial universe — then a stew of hot plasma — the churning of gravity and radiation created sound waves called baryon acoustic oscillations.’ Frozen bubbles As the sound waves rippled through the plasma, they created bubbles. Around 380,000 years after the Big Bang the process stopped as the universe cooled down, freezing the shape of the bubbles. The bubbles then grew larger as the universe expanded, similar to other fossilized remnants from the time after the Big Bang. Astronomers previously detected signals of BAOs in 2005 when looking at data from nearby galaxies. But the newly discovered bubble is the first known single baryon acoustic oscillation, according to the researchers. The astronomers called their bubble Ho’oleilana — “sent murmurs of awakening” — taking the name from a Hawaiian creation chant. The name came from the study’s lead author Brent Tully, an astronomer at the University of Hawaii. The bubble was discovered by chance, as part of Tully’s work searching through new catalogs of galaxies. “It was something unexpected,” Pomarede said. 3D view Tully said in a statement that the bubble is “so huge that it spills to the edges of the sector of the sky that we were analyzing.” The pair enlisted the help of Australian cosmologist and BAO expert Cullan Howlett, who “mathematically determined the spherical structure which best corresponded to the data provided,” Pomarede said. This allowed the trio to visualize the three-dimensional shape of Ho’oleilana — and the position of the archipelagos of galaxies inside it. It may be the first, but more bubbles could soon be spotted across the universe. Europe’s Euclid space telescope, which launched into July, takes in a wide view of the universe, potentially enabling it to snare some more bubbles. Massive radio telescopes called the Square Kilometre Array, being built in South Africa and Australia, could also offer a new image of galaxies from the viewpoint of the Southern Hemisphere, Pomarede said. The post Galaxies’ bubble dwarfs Milky Way appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Billion-light-year-wide ‘bubble of galaxies’ discovered
Astronomers have discovered the first "bubble of galaxies," an almost unimaginably huge cosmic structure thought to be a fossilized remnant from just after the Big Bang sitting in our galactic backyard. The bubble spans a billion light years, making it 10,000 times wider than the Milky Way galaxy. Yet this giant bubble, which cannot be seen by the naked eye, is a relatively close 820 million light years away from our home galaxy, in what astronomers call the nearby universe. The bubble can be thought of as "a spherical shell with a heart," Daniel Pomarede, an astrophysicist at France's Atomic Energy Commission, told AFP. Inside that heart is the Bootes supercluster of galaxies, which is surrounded by a vast void sometimes called "the Great Nothing". The shell contains several other galaxy superclusters already known to science, including the massive structure known as the Sloan Great Wall. Pomarede said the discovery of the bubble, which is described in research he co-authored that was published in The Astrophysical Journal this week, was "part of a very long scientific process". It confirms a phenomenon first described in 1970 by US cosmologist -- and future physics Nobel winner -- Jim Peebles. He theorized that in the primordial universe -- then a stew of hot plasma -- the churning of gravity and radiation created sound waves called baryon acoustic oscillations (BAOs). As the sound waves rippled through the plasma, they created bubbles. Around 380,000 years after the Big Bang the process stopped as the universe cooled down, freezing the shape of the bubbles. The bubbles then grew larger as the universe expanded, similar to other fossilized remnants from the time after the Big Bang. Astronomers previously detected signals of BAOs in 2005 when looking at data from nearby galaxies. However, the newly discovered bubble is the first known single baryon acoustic oscillation, according to the researchers. Unexpected The astronomers called their bubble Ho'oleilana -- "sent murmurs of awakening" -- taking the name from a Hawaiian creation chant. The name came from the study's lead author Brent Tully, an astronomer at the University of Hawaii. The bubble was discovered by chance, as part of Tully's work searching through new catalogs of galaxies. "It was something unexpected," Pomarede said. Tully said in a statement that the bubble is "so huge that it spills to the edges of the sector of the sky that we were analyzing". The pair enlisted the help of Australian cosmologist and BAO expert Cullan Howlett, who "mathematically determined the spherical structure which best corresponded to the data provided," Pomarede said. This allowed the trio to visualize the three-dimensional shape of Ho'oleilana -- and the position of the archipelagos of galaxies inside it. It may be the first, but more bubbles could soon be spotted across the universe. Europe's Euclid space telescope, which launched in July, takes in a wide view of the universe, potentially enabling it to snare some more bubbles. Massive radio telescopes called the Square Kilometre Array, being built in South Africa and Australia, could also offer a new image of galaxies from the viewpoint of the Southern Hemisphere, Pomarede said. The post Billion-light-year-wide ‘bubble of galaxies’ discovered appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Rolling Stones album of new songs out next month
The Rolling Stones will release their first album of new music in 18 years next month, lead singer Mick Jagger, fellow founding bandmate Keith Richards and bass guitarist Ronnie Wood announced Wednesday in London. The album, "Hackney Diamonds", is the first since the death of drummer Charlie Watts in 2019, and the first containing original material since 2005's "A Bigger Bang". "We didn't want to make just any record and put it out," Jagger, 80, told a launch event at the Hackney Empire theatre in east London, hosted by US talk show host Jimmy Fallon and livestreamed on YouTube. "I'm not saying we're big-headed about it but we're pleased with it and we hope you all like it," the octogenarian rocker said. The Stones' 24th studio album, set for release on October 20, has 12 tracks, with the single "Angry" the first to come out. Wood, 76, confirmed during the launch that superstar Lady Gaga features on another, "Sweet Sound of Heaven", adding she "sings really sweet" on it. Two of the tracks were recorded with Watts in 2019. The others feature Steve Jordan, whom Watts recommended to replace him. "Ever since Charlie's gone it's different," said 79-year-old guitarist Keith Richards of recording the new album without one of the band's founders. "He's number four, he's missing, he's up there. Of course he's missed incredibly." Already acclaimed "Hackney diamonds" is English slang for the shards of glass left scattered on the ground after smash-and-grab robberies, and refers to the historically working class east London neighbourhood. "It's like when you get your windscreen broken on a Saturday night in Hackney," Jagger joked. Throngs of people crowded outside the event venue, including those without tickets who came out of curiosity and hoping to spot the band. "I've been following the Stones since I was four years old and I'm from round here -- it's my backyard," said musician and fan Rory McGlinchey. "It's crazy that they're here!" Wearing a Rolling Stones t-shirt, he said the new release was "great news". "Can't wait," he told AFP. Critics have already hailed the release as the band's best work in many decades. Will Hodgkinson, rock and pop critic for Britain's The Times newspaper, said it is "unquestionably the best Stones album since 1978's 'Some Girls'". "Variously poignant, irreverent, anarchic and, in one gospel-tinged moment, quite spiritual, it touches on all the aspects we love about the band, glued together by the rambunctious energy they have made their own since the early Sixties," he wrote. The Daily Telegraph's music reviewer Neil McCormick said "Angry" was "their best single in four decades". The Stones also unveiled the single's typically rock'n'roll video. It sees the band playing from Los Angeles' billboards as scantily-dressed, leather-clad "Euphoria" actress Sydney Sweeney writhes to the soundtrack in the back of a convertible red Mercedes driving through the city. Teaser The Rolling Stones' last studio album was 2016's "Blue & Lonesome", which was made up of blues covers. "We've been very lazy," said Jagger. "We've been on the road most of the time." The band teased the release of the new album through a spoof advert in the local Hackney Gazette newspaper. The cryptic ad, which also appeared in sister title the Islington Gazette, referenced several of the band's best-known songs including "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction", "Gimme Shelter" and "Shattered". The ad went on: "Opening our new store on Mare Street, September 2023. Our friendly team promises you satisfaction when you say gimme shelter we'll fix your shattered windows." Clues that the ad was not for a bona fide east London glass repair business included a miniature version of the band's famed lips logo to dot the letter i. The ad -- in the same font as the "Some Girls" album -- also says the firm was established in 1962, the same year the band was formed. Last year the Stones travelled through Europe for their 60th anniversary tour which featured stops in cities including Madrid, Milan and Munich, and also a performance at British Summer Time (BST) festival in London. Asked for the secret to their decades-spanning musical marriage, Jagger quipped: "not speaking too often". "How to say shut up politely," added Richards. The post Rolling Stones album of new songs out next month appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Apple unexpectedly supports Right to Repair Act
Apple on Thursday confirmed it is endorsing the passage of a California law requiring major gadget makers to enable people to fix their devices without taking them back to companies. A Right to Repair Act that mandates manufacturers provide customers and outside repair shops with tools, parts, and information needed to fix broken electronics is making its way through the state legislature. "Apple supports California's Right to Repair Act so all Californians have even greater access to repairs while also protecting their safety, security, and privacy," the iPhone maker said in response to an AFP inquiry. Advocacy organization Public Interest Research Group called Apple's move "an unexpected about-face," describing the tech giant as having been a high-profile opponent of such laws. A Right-to-Repair movement, of which PIRG is a part, has led to laws in a handful of other US states, the advocacy organization noted. "It's not just about providing parts and tools for repairs; it's about empowering consumers to make environmentally responsible choices," said Liz Chamberlain of repair tips website iFixit. "Right to Repair has been building momentum in Big Tech’s backyard, it's about time Apple opens the front door." The post Apple unexpectedly supports Right to Repair Act appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
The World Cup and our national pride
Barely a few weeks after our women’s football team, the Filipinas, electrified the Philippine sporting world with a first-ever appearance in the FIFA Women’s World Cup, a first-ever goal and even more unbelievable, a first-ever win stunningly scored no less than against the host country, New Zealand, for the next two weeks, a much bigger world audience will have their eyes focused on the Philippines. Never mind that 90 percent of the Filipinas were composed of recruits from all over the world with some traces of Filipino blood flowing in their veins. Never mind that the biggest stars of the Filipinas, golden girl Sarina Bolden and goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel, and in the case of our Men’s Basketball team, NBA Utah Jazz shooting guard sensation Jordan Clarkson of Gilas, are as American as McDonald’s. Our hearts ever so slightly would start to beat a lot faster whenever these heaven-sent athletes would do what they do best on the pitch or the hardcourt. Surely just watching the replay of Sarina heading in the goal against the Kiwis and sprinting across the field with arms spread-eagled like the Philippine Eagle, you can’t help but scream out loud “Yes!,” get goosebumps, be misty-eyed, and jump with joy all at the same time recalling that single moment of a wondrous feat that boosted Filipino pride in an instant. Why is this so? How can a single goal cause so much adulation for the Filipinas and breast-beating pride in a nation forgetting for a moment all our gargantuan problems, and social and political differences? Apparently, this phenomenon is nothing new. A quick look in Google reveals various articles that conclusively demonstrate that sporting success and national pride are clearly intertwined. For instance, in various surveys of the International Social Survey Program conducted by Social Weather Stations in 1995, 2003 and 2013, from number 2 in 1995, sports moved up to number 1 in 2013 as the main source of national pride, edging out our national history from the top spot. From an 80 percent mark in 1995 representing the number of Filipinos proud of our sports achievement, this moved up to 87 percent in 2013. Not surprisingly, these were the years that Manny Pacquiao became an international sensation putting the Philippines in the world limelight for his achievements as a boxing great. What’s happening in the next two weeks? Well, unless you have been completely zonked out of your senses, the FIBA World Cup, the world’s biggest basketball spectacular, will be happening right here in our backyard. Millions of Filipinos, including yours truly, will have their eyes glued to television, streamed games on their smart gadgets, or for some lucky thousands who can shell out some hard-earned pesos, watch the games live at Araneta, MOA, and Philippine Arena. To be realistic though, the odds of Gilas sweeping our Group A games against Angola, Dominican Republic, and Italy to move on to the knockout stage are next to impossible. I think that at best what we could hope for is a close win against Angola and if NBA Minnesota Timberwolves star center Karl Anthony Towns can somehow be neutralized by wide-bodied but undersized Junemar Fajardo and our guards like Scottie Thompson or Kiefer Ravena can match up against their bulkier but fleet-footed guards, then a miracle for our country might be in the offing. Unfortunately, our game against Italy will be more of a question of limiting the certain Italian win to single digits to keep our national pride from getting trampled on too badly. But in all these games, the fans will be feverishly anticipating the explosions of Jordan Clarkson, our one and only Filipino NBA pride, and perhaps maybe Kai Sotto, and why not AJ Edu and Dwight Ramos, finally getting their much-needed exposure in the international limelight to showcase their talents and demonstrate that they are good enough to make the NBA. Nevertheless, win or lose, I believe what is important is that as a host nation, we put our best foot forward, take a momentary pause and suspend the endless carping on social media and the news, to present to the world just what basketball crazy but hospitable people we are. Go Gilas! Until next week… OBF! *** For comments, email bing_matoto@yahoo.com. The post The World Cup and our national pride appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bontoc town bans pigs, pork products entry
BAGUIO CITY — The local government of Bontoc town in Mountain Province announced that it is temporarily banning the entry of hogs and pork products from the lowland municipalities amid reported cases of the African swine fever in other areas, particular in Cervantes, Ilocos Sur. In a public advisory, Bontoc Mayor Jerome Tudlong Jr. warned residents of the town to be aware of ASF cases logged in backyard farms of Cervantes and is said to be fast spreading in nearby areas. “To prevent further spread of this disease and to help protect the livelihood of our swine raisers against the re-infection of ASF in our municipality, the entry of live swine/pigs, pork, locally processed pork products and by-products from the said area is hereby temporarily suspended,” Tudlong said. To recall, the hog disease was earlier detected in a barangay in Cervantes last July this year, which prompted other towns of Ilocos Sur to safeguard their borders to ensure that no pigs or pork products can enter their areas of responsibility. On 24 July 2023, the provincial government of Benguet issued a temporary ban of entries of hogs and swine products from Cervantes. In the first week of August, Abra Province and Bauko, Mountain Province did the same. Checkpoints were setup in the boundaries of Ilocos Sur and nearby provinces. On 12 August, three hog traders were intercepted transporting 11 pigs from Cervantes. The post Bontoc town bans pigs, pork products entry appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Musk says cage fight with Zuckerberg will be in Italy
Elon Musk said Friday that his much-hyped cage fight with Mark Zuckerberg would take place in Italy, as authorities there confirmed talks about hosting a "great charity event." While any showdown between the two tech titans has yet to be officially confirmed, Musk said on his X social media platform -- formerly known as Twitter -- that arrangements were advancing. "I spoke to the PM of Italy and Minister of Culture," Musk wrote, referring to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. "They have agreed on an epic location." Meta chief Zuckerberg responded on his Threads social network, posting a photo of himself shirtless and pinning down an opponent in his "backyard octagon." A martial arts enthusiast who has taken part in jiujitsu competitions, Zuckerberg said, "I love this sport and I've been ready to fight since the day Elon challenged me." "If he ever agrees on an actual date, you'll hear it from me. Until then, please assume anything he says has not been agreed on." Italian Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano confirmed speaking to Musk about "how to organize a great charity event evoking history" but said any match "will not be held in Rome." Musk apparently hopes the fight would take place in the ancient Colosseum, a UNESCO World Heritage site, posting about the idea in late June. In a statement, Sangiuliano said any event with Musk would raise "a huge sum, many millions of euros, (that) will be donated to two important Italian pediatric hospitals." "It will also be an opportunity to promote our history and our archaeological, artistic and cultural heritage on a global scale," he said. Musk meanwhile said "everything done will pay respect to the past and present of Italy" and that proceeds will "go to veterans." He said the cage match would be managed by foundations run by himself and Zuckerberg and not by UFC, the Las Vegas-based mixed martial arts promoter. UFC boss Dana White, still seeking participation in the event, told Mike Tyson's podcast this week that he believed the fight would generate $1 billion in revenue. Zuckerberg said in his Threads post that he would want to work with a professional organization such as the UFC to create a line-up that spotlights elite athletes in the sport. The two tech tycoons, who have occasionally jousted from afar, became direct competitors after Zuckerberg's Meta launched its Twitter-like Threads platform in early July. In a slightly frivolous aside, Musk later Friday posted a phrase in Latin that translates as "it is delightful to play the fool occasionally." Musk did not mention a date for the proposed fight, but said he may need to undergo "minor surgery" to resolve a "problem with my right shoulder blade rubbing against my ribs." "Recovery will only take a few months," he added. The world's richest person has a titanium plate holding two vertebrae together but said Friday it is currently "not an issue." The post Musk says cage fight with Zuckerberg will be in Italy appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Confronting a paradox
Often perceived as a low-paying and demanding occupation, farming is crucial and should be a profitable job that provides us the food we consume. How about if our farmers get frustrated with intermediaries or middlemen whom they rely on to sell their produce, and decide to just leave their harvests to rot? A farmer in Cebu province ranted on Facebook about how middlemen exploited them by offering low prices, leaving him and other farmers with meager profits, while they reaped the higher margins themselves. An under 2-minute video that made the rounds last week showed the farmer chopping a squash to pieces against the backdrop of a large pile of the produce, as he raged about the hardships farmers go through only to be offered P3 per kilo. This was not even enough to offset the financial capital and labor used to grow the squash. He lamented how his family was expecting to feast on other food besides cassava that they regularly had on the dining table during the growing season. Stories of farmers throwing away their harvest evoke sympathetic emotions, highlighting the prevailing poverty and hardships they face. Their stories are prevalent in the rural areas, reinforcing reports that so many farmers have to endure poverty and suffering — that should inspire institutions to launch projects aimed at assisting them. Lucky are those who spend their retirement doing backyard farming, those who plant vegetables for personal consumption. In the case of the Cebu farmer in the video, commercial farming as a good source of income is a myth, neither is planting profitable vegetables like ampalaya, eggplant, string beans, squash, carrots, potatoes, onions and garlic, among others. With the grim reminder that there are still a lot of forsaken Filipino farmers and that we have to do more to achieve inclusive growth, there is more to raising awareness of their sad plight. We are confronted with a paradox. The agriculture sector, despite its crucial role in the Philippine economy, often goes unnoticed, possibly due to its slow growth compared to other sectors like construction. John Bae, in his research article titled “Beyond the Farmers’ Plight: A Closer Look at Philippine Agriculture,” said the paradox surrounding the unnoticed agriculture sector contributes to persistent rural poverty. Research indicates that poverty is primarily an agricultural issue, with a significant number of impoverished individuals residing in farming and fishing regions. This suggests that the poverty experienced by farmers is not only a matter of inequality or social injustice but a fundamental problem within the agriculture sector itself. The plight of vegetable farmers is a compelling issue that demands attention from policymakers and agricultural organizations. By addressing challenges such as market volatility and linkages, climate change, limited resources, and inadequate infrastructure, we can create an enabling environment for our vegetable farmers to thrive in. By investing in infrastructure, storage facilities, and irrigation systems, government can help mitigate losses due to post-harvest issues and weather-related risks. Most of all, promoting farmer cooperatives and empowering them to negotiate fair prices can reduce their dependence on middlemen who bury them further in the quagmire of poverty. Let us not lose sight of the fact that the farmers are the main reason there’s food on our tables. The post Confronting a paradox appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Father’s golden legacy
The first time one meets Avelino “Ave” Tolentino III, Undersecretary of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, one is easily impressed by his good looks and pleasant mien. One gets surprised that someone as young as he should already occupy a top position in the government. Until one finds out he is already 42 years old, which, to belabor the point, hardly shows in the man’s appearance, neither in his voice, mannerisms, and unbridled enthusiasm for his life’s purpose. He could pass for someone who had seen only three decades so far. But as he talks with you, you also realize he is very articulate and knows whereof he speaks. Brilliance is a mark of this man. But on the day that we interviewed him at the Daily Tribune office in Makati when he accompanied his boss, Secretary Gerry Acuzar, to an online guest in our early morning online show, we chose to veer away from the expected questions about his duties in the bureaucracy. Instead, we focused on the man behind the official title and function. And since Father’s Day was coming in a few weeks, we wondered as to the kind of father who would raise such a remarkable son — so young and yet so significant in the affairs of the Filipino — or make that common tao, the man on the street who deserves to live happily in a pleasant home he and his family could call their own. What makes Ave Tolentino tick? We surmised that he is the upshot of parents who instilled in him the right values from day one. And we were not wrong, except that if one imagined the father to be a strong figure, the master of his home, we were in for a surprise. As Ave revealed, theirs was not the typical family. This, in the sense that “it was our father, Avelino Jr. who kept us, four sons and a daughter, company at home, while our mom was busy at the office,” Ave shared. Given their family dynamics, his father worked from home by engaging in trading, which did not require his full-time attention. It had been an arrangement, if one could use the word, of his parents who both realized early on as they were building a family that “my mother had a future in the corporate world.” There was no doubt about her breaking the so-called glass ceiling as she was one woman who knew she would succeed as a business executive. His mom, Jenette, was a Certified Public Accountant and, at the time of her retirement, was the chief executive officer of a company that was engaged in the selling of ammunition. His father, according to Ave, “was very kind. He was what I would call a happy-go-lucky kind of guy. He was cool. Someone you could relate to. When we were younger, we could talk to him about almost anything. What I thought was normal was quite unconventional. At that time, my mom was the breadwinner. So, my dad was bringing us to school in the morning and picking us up in the afternoon.” But he was also working as a trader. He was juggling work and yet he was also raising his sons. “Well, he was practically watching over us,” Ave remembered. Just being there Being present to his children turned out to be a blessing, as “seeing him every afternoon, we made sure we would behave well, and not get into trouble. His presence was a deterrent to any of us getting into trouble or behaving foolishly. Because if we did, he would find out when he came to fetch us. Ave’s right at the gate of Colegio de San Agustin in Makati. It would have been different if we were not supervised.” As an added benefit to the family, he and his siblings grew closer as they came home together with their Dad in one car. On the other hand, just like most fathers, he had his list of don’ts. “Don’t do vices. No smoking, no drinking at a young age. And don’t give him any trouble. He made clear he did not like going to the principal’s office because any one of us needed to be disciplined.” Equally important to Ave’s father was family togetherness and awareness of their roots. “We spent a lot of time with our relatives. We had a lot of weekends at my grandfather’s, my father’s side, in Parañaque. We would all congregate there. And we also played a lot of table tennis growing up. Our games were for bonding, more than competing with one another. “He was the quintessential family man. He just enjoyed spending time with his family. He was very close to all his relatives, cousins, and second cousins. His friendship even extended to the neighbors of his cousins.” Go to guy Sharing his time and his listening ears was his idea of giving. “Dad was not too big on gifts. He showed he cared through service, or being there when you needed him. So, if you needed anything or you were in a situation, he was the person to call,” although he does not recall “having to call him at any point. But I knew that if I had to, he would have answered. He was very reliable.” And if there was one oddity about him, Ave pointed to his being a cockfighting aficionado. “As a kid, I would join him and my uncles and the rest of his relatives when they went to the cockpit in our home province, Mauban. In Parañaque, there would be cockfights right in our backyard. Our uncles would arrive with their fighting cocks.” What I thought was normal was quite unconventional. At that time, my mom was the breadwinner. So, my dad was bringing us to school in the morning and picking us up in the afternoon. If it was clean fun tinged with occasional rowdiness and incessant ribbing, Ave early on realized “it is a gentleman’s game. But for me, what I learned about cockfighting is that you have to raise the fighting cocks, you have to raise the chickens. I remember that when I was growing up, we had to help raise and take care of the chickens. I would help feed them like they were athletes. Their food was measured. It could not be more and it could not be less.” Ave was the middle child. “We had two batches,” he explained. “My two older brothers were 7 and 5 years ahead of us. And then myself and another brother. We were two years apart. My parents raised the first batch and then they raised us, the second batch, I believe they raised us well.” The post Father’s golden legacy appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Public warned vs ASF-infected meat
THE BUNKER, Bataan — Provincial Health officials had advised the public to refrain from eating meat infected with African swine fever. In their meeting with Gov. Joet Garcia, live over the Facebook page of the governor for the information of the public, officials of the Provincial Veterinary Office led by Dr. Albert Venturina, urged the public to avoid eating pigs contaminated with ASF. Although the ASF virus cannot affect human’s health, PVO officials appealed to the public to avoid eating it since the cause of death of these hogs is the virus. Earlier, Garcia and the members of the provincial board declared Bataan under a state of calamity following the outbreak of ASF in the province. Garcia said they are now coming up with various forms of assistance to farmers engaged in hog raising. According to the PVO, five towns have been severely affected by the ASF outbreak affecting 18 backyard farms in the province. The post Public warned vs ASF-infected meat appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Man held for marijuana
A 38-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly planting marijuana in his backyard in Barangay Tetep-an, Bakakeng Sur in this city......»»
EDITORIAL - Slipping competitiveness
More than half of the world’s economies were not included in the report. Still, those in the Philippine backyard are among the 64 economies assessed for global competitiveness in the latest report of Switzerland-based International Institute for Management Development......»»