Borongan under hard lockdown for 9 days
The local government of Borongan, capital of Eastern Samar, has closed the city’s borders to protect its residents from coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19......»»
Skating out of stress, to feel free
Since the first patent for a roller skate was awarded in 1819 to a certain M. Petibled of Paris, roller skating has gone through a lot of development before evolving into what we know it now as a recreational and competitive sport. While sports such as speed skating, hockey and figure skating have been institutionalized, recreational roller skating has had its time in the spotlight over the years. Then Covid-19 happened in early 2020, and roller skating became popular again as a solo activity. Its resurgence continues post-pandemic for fitness and just for fun. [caption id="attachment_175690" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Skating is good for fitness. | Photographs Courtesy of Chai Timbungco[/caption] Skating to destress Sesilya Rosario Timbungco, nicknamed Chai, started skating using inline skates (meaning the wheels are in a straight line) with her older cousins when she was around seven years old. Then she studied figure skating for two years, starting at age nine, before moving on to other things. In 2020, she picked up inlines again because “ironically, it was safer to be out on the streets because there were almost zero cars” at the height of community lockdowns and social restrictions. “What I like about skating is that it makes me feel good about myself,” she tells DAILY TRIBUNE in an online interview. “It’s also an outlet for me because it allows me to physically destress. From a technical standpoint, I like skating because of the diverse disciplines under its umbrella -- ice skating, dance skating, derby, quad hockey, speed, park, vert, etc.” The 31-year-old skater, who works as an insights community manager at a software company adds, “Skating is good for fitness because it involves the coordination of your entire body, even if it doesn’t seem like it. It’s all about balance, especially when learning your edges! Once you nail the basics, you pretty much won’t forget how to do it — just like riding a bike.” “It’s a good fitness option, but like with all other sports, make sure it is safe for you,” she points out. “Generally, skating is for everyone. But if you have balance issues, are pregnant or have bad hip mobility, it’s best to consult your doctor.” Chai makes it clear that skating is a sport, even if you do it recreationally or as a hobby. “So there will be maintenance expenses,” she says. “If you don’t get any upgrades and sticks with a decent pair, maintenance won’t be that expensive. A good entry-level pair costs around P5,000 to P8,000. There are many other factors to consider, but that’s the base price for entry-level skates.” These days, she usually skates at the basketball court at their home, though she really misses skating outdoors. She considers Bonifacio Global City as one of the friendlier spaces for skating. If she has to go to the rink, she says she only goes to Rolyo Sk8house at the Circuit Makati. Chai is also a co-founder of the Everywhere We Skate PH community on Facebook, whose goal is to “help raise awareness about local roller skating and make skating accessible in all ways, little ways, that we can,” while “bringing in roller skating brands into the local scene.” Chai’s tips in buying your first pair of skates: Measure your feet. Measure in inches and in centimeters. Never ever correlate shoe size with skate size. Skates have to be snug, but not tight. If you’re in between sizes, always choose the bigger size. There will be workarounds to a slightly loose boot, but it’s impossible for you to use skates that are too small Buy good brands, even if it means buying them second hand. That doesn’t mean branded is always good, nope. Make sure you research before buying anything! There are reputable brands that make nice skates that are good enough as second-hands. If that isn’t an option, make sure you buy skates that are within your current skill level. For example, buying an advanced boot is not the best for a beginner who doesn’t have proper foundation yet. Try them out at the rink first (if you can) before deciding on a big purchase like our own skates. Make sure you learn how to read wheel hardness (it’s not hard), as well as the other components of your skates. Other than looking up what to buy, also learn about maintenance and how to make normal adjustments to your skate. When skating for the first time, Chai recommends doing these steps: Bend your knees. “I can’t stress this enough, but bend your knees,” she says emphatically. “It’ll save you from potential nasty falls!” Wear gear. Avoid slopes. “It’s a common misconception that slopes are good for beginners because they’ll help you roll faster. That’s true, but that’s why it’s dangerous for someone who doesn’t know how to stop yet.” Feeling of freedom Roller skating was likewise a childhood hobby for Raqs Regalado, a 39-year-old event manager and costume designer. “But it was during the pandemic that I fell back into it,” she says in another online interview, “Because I found my old pair of skates (that I got at a Japanese thrift shop back in college) while we were trying to Marie Kondo our place during the first few weeks of the lockdown.” Post-pandemic, Raqs can usually be found skating at the Bike Playground or at other indoor rinks around the Metro, and for outdoor skating, at BGC. “What I like about it most is the feeling of freedom it gives me and the friends I’ve made in this hobby,” she points out. “It’s good for fitness because it activates muscles you never even knew existed. Like it’s a whole different muscle group working when you skate.” “There are cheap, generic ones but cheap skates also mean cheaper materials were used,” she adds. “Skates manufactured by bigger, skate-focused brands will always be more expensive than the generic ones, but I think of it as investing on the quality of skates you’re getting. Your safety depends on it.” Raqs truly believes that everybody can skate. “But I wouldn’t force it on someone who does not want to. You have to at least be interested to try it and eventually find happiness in it. Once you find joy in skating, that’s when you start wanting to learn more.” She has found her kindred spirits on Everywhere We Skate PH when it was founded in 2020: “Chai reached out to me and told me about the online skating community they’ve build. Of course, I instantly joined. There were only about 50 members that time. A few months in, and they asked me to be one of the group admins. Now, we have over 10,000 members. We welcome skaters of all levels and skate enthusiasts. Our main goal is to have a safe space for healthy exchanges of skate-related information.” Raqs’ tips in buying your first pair of skates: Assuming that you’ve already tried rental skates at the public rink, and you really liked it and want to get into skating, then start doing your research on the particular skates that have aesthetically caught your attention. Check for materials used, reviews and after-sales services. If you can also determine what type of skating you want to immerse yourself in (such as outdoor cruising, aggressive skating, artistic skating, etc.), that would also be very helpful in choosing your first pair of skates. If you’re skating for the first time, Raqs has these suggestions for you to do: Get safety gear. Watch video tutorials on how to fall safely because knowing how to do so can save you from serious injuries. Remember: You may fall a lot specially as a beginner, but don’t worry, it happens to all of us. The post Skating out of stress, to feel free appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gov’t torn on school opening issue
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday said the government has yet to decide on the proposal to return the opening of classes to its pre-pandemic schedule. Asked during an ambush interview in Manila if he supports the call to implement the old academic calendar, Marcos said the Department of Education is currently conducting a study to determine the best course of action. “Returning to the old school schedule? We’re discussing that. We were talking with the teaching staff here. I asked them about their preference,” Marcos said. The Chief Executive acknowledged that the issue on the academic calendar is a complex one, given the changes caused by the pandemic and the need to address climate change. Marcos also underscored the importance of considering the welfare of both the students and the teachers. “The current schedule is very hot, and even the children are suffering. So, we need to study what’s best to do,” Marcos said. “We don’t have a preference like this one is better or better. We’re just looking at what’s best for both the kids, especially the children, and for the teachers and non-teaching staff. We need to consider that if we expose them to excessive heat, they might be unable to do their jobs properly and might even get sick,” he added. The Brigada Eskwela 2023 prompted the President to visit Victorino Mapa High School in Manila, where he examined several classrooms. During the visit, Marcos received information about the ongoing maintenance activities at the school, which are geared toward getting everything ready for the commencement of the new academic year on 29 August. “We have once again seen how important it is, especially here in the Philippines, for all, including parents, teachers, and whoever volunteers when it comes to our children, to truly have the willingness to help to enhance their schooling experience,” President Marcos said in a brief message during the event. “And perhaps this is something new as well because we underwent a lockdown, we made some progress, and now this is probably the very first — this is the first school opening that’s somewhat normal after the lockdown. Normal, but we have made many changes and addressed many complaints, which are what our DepEd Secretary and Vice President Sara Duterte have persevered and worked hard for,” he added. Marcos also made a PhP1 million donation to the school in addition to paint and cleaning materials that he has extended for its Brigada Eskwela program. Launched in 2003, Brigada Eskwela is an annual nationwide school maintenance program that engages education stakeholders to contribute their time, effort, and resources to prep schools for the opening of classes. On August 7, the DepEd conducted the national kick-off of the 2023 Brigada Eskwela at the Tarlac National High School, which will run from August 14 to 19. This year’s Brigada Eskwela carries the theme, “Bayanihan para sa Matatag na Paaralan,” and will run for six days up to 19 August. The post Gov’t torn on school opening issue appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Return to old school schedule? Not yet, says PBBM
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday said the government has yet to decide on the proposal to return the opening of classes to its pre-pandemic schedule. Asked during an ambush interview in Manila if he supports the call to implement the old academic calendar, Marcos said the Department of Education is currently conducting a study to determine the best course of action. "Returning to the old school schedule? We're discussing that. We were talking with the teaching staff here. I asked them about their preference," Marcos said. The Chief Executive acknowledged that the issue on the academic calendar is a complex one, given the changes caused by the pandemic and the need to address climate change. Marcos also underscored the importance of considering the welfare of both the students and the teachers. "The current schedule is very hot, and even the children are suffering. So, we need to study what's best to do," Marcos said. "We don't have a preference like this one is better or better. We're just looking at what's best for both the kids, especially the children, and for the teachers and non-teaching staff. We need to consider that if we expose them to excessive heat, they might be unable to do their jobs properly and might even get sick," he added. For the Brigada Eskwela 2023 project, the President visited Victorino Mapa High School in Manila, where he examined several classrooms. During the visit, Marcos received information about the ongoing maintenance activities at the school to get everything ready for the start of the new academic year on 29 August. "We have once again seen how important it is, especially here in the Philippines, for all, including parents, teachers and whoever volunteers when it comes to our children, to truly have the willingness to help to enhance their schooling experience," Marcos said in a brief message during the event. "And perhaps this is something new as well because we underwent a lockdown, we made some progress, and now this is probably the very first -- this is the first school opening that's somewhat normal after the lockdown. Normal, but we have made many changes and addressed many complaints, which are what our DepEd Secretary and Vice President Sara Duterte have persevered and worked hard for," he added. Marcos also made a P1 million donation to the school in addition to paint and cleaning materials that he had extended for its Brigada Eskwela program. Launched in 2003, Brigada Eskwela is an annual nationwide school maintenance program that engages education stakeholders to contribute their time, effort and resources to prepare schools for the opening of classes. On 7 August, the DepEd conducted the national kick-off of the 2023 Brigada Eskwela at the Tarlac National High School. This year’s Brigada Eskwela carries the theme, “Bayanihan para sa Matatag na Paaralan,” and will run for six days from 14 to 19 August. The post Return to old school schedule? Not yet, says PBBM appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Sample balut
His name is Balut, James Balut. That’s not his real surname, though. But he sold balut in front of the church near our village and so the “last name” stuck. I was a regular. Like other small vendors, he was hit hard by the lockdown in 2020. He could not leave his house. His supplier in Pateros, having lost most of his clientele, closed shop. Many of James’s fellow vendors gave up after months of no business and went home to the provinces. But James’s bedridden mother could not travel. So, James had to stick it out in Parañaque. After not seeing him for months, I got a text message. (I had given him my number so that when he had newly delivered balut, I could get first dibs.) He again had balut for sale. I called him and he explained that, since there was no demand, he was able to get the duck eggs cheap from his old supplier. Better still, to ensure faster turnover, the eggs were cooked only 14 days after fertilization, instead of the usual 17. This resulted in a smaller chick. The best part was that instead of us having to go to him, he could come to us since he had gotten a pass from the city government to deliver food. I was at first reluctant to try his innovation. But then he made me an offer I couldn’t refuse — he sent me a sample. It was delicious! I ordered a dozen to give away to my neighbors. And, as it turned out, my neighbors also loved the 14-day balut as it was tastier, with more sabaw, and the yolk was creamier. It was an instant hit. Now, James has prospered to the point where he has 10 to 12 ambulant balut vendors under him plying Parañaque City, allowing others to partake of the yummy, innovative 14-day balut. But I still don’t know his real last name. The post Sample balut appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
How CHAD KINIS found purpose and ‘unexpected family’ in BEKS BATTALION
Last 5 May, three years after Covid-19 struck the world, the World Health Organization finally ended its global emergency status. Many lives were lost during the nightmare of Covid-19, but there were still beautiful stories and turning points that happened to people. Chad Kinis (real name Richardson de la Cruz) has one such story. At the presscon for his directorial debut The Beks Days of Our Lives on 5 May — the same day of WHO’s declaration — the standup comedian and vlogger became emotional as he recalled how, during the time of the pandemic, his life dramatically changed. It was his friendship with Lassy and MC Muah, his co-members in the comedy troupe Beks Battalion, that inspired the storyline and concept of his first-ever movie, he said. “Beks Battalion is an unexpected family. Hindi po namin inasahan na magiging matatag kaming magkasama bilang pamilya. Nagkaroon ako ng mga bagong kapatid sa kanila (We didn’t expect that we’d emerge strong as a family. I found new siblings in them),” Kinis said, becoming tearful. “Sa totoo lang po kasi, I’ve been so alone for decades. Mag-isa nagta-trabaho. Papasok ako sa comedy bar, then uuwi ako mag-isa (In truth, I’ve been alone for decades. I was working alone. I would go to work at the comedy bar, then go home by myself).” [caption id="attachment_129313" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Photographs by stephanie mayo for the daily tribune | (FROM left) Lassy Marquez, Chad Kinis and MC Muah.[/caption] But the pandemic changed all that. It was in February 2020, a month before the country was put on Covid-19 lockdown, when Kinis formed Beks Battalion (now with over two million followers on YouTube). The trio began working hard to bring comedy online through their YouTube channel. Chad, Lassy and Muah have been long-time friends and stand-up comics before the group Beks Battalion was formed. In November 2020, still at the height of the pandemic, the trio showed a new house where the three of them decided to live together as a family. “Nung pandemic, nabuo ang Beks Battalion. Parang I found a new purpose,” Chad shared, wiping away tears. “Hindi lang po ako nagkaroon ng mga kapatid, kundi ng pamilya na gumagabay sa akin. Si Kuya Lassy, kahit pinakamatanda sa’min, parang naging bunso namin. Ang saya lang po ng buhay. Nagkaroon ako ng bagong direksyon sa kanila (I didn’t just get new siblings, but a family to guide me. Kuya Lassy is the oldest among us, but he also sort of became the youngest. Life has become happy. I’ve found a new direction because of them).” Chad said he never fails to text Lassy and MC every single day just to tell them that he loves them, “as if it’s the last breath of my life.” [caption id="attachment_129312" align="aligncenter" width="525"] CHAD Kinis[/caption] The dramedy Beks Days of Our Lives, which opens 17 May in cinemas nationwide, tells the story of three close friends, Richard (Chad), Melvin (MC) and Reggie (Lassy). When one of them is diagnosed with leukemia, the trio embarks on a vacation to experience the “beks days of their lives.” “Itong movie na ito, kaya excited kami, bukod sa may drama talaga ‘yung movie, may puso. Pero hindi pa rin namin nakakalimutan yung pinaka-core ‘namin, yung comedy. So magugulat kayo sa ending nito, na hindi talaga siya tipikal na pelikula. Talagang may pa-surprise sa ending (We’re excited about this movie because it has heart. But we haven’t forgotten our core, which is comedy. So you’d be surprised at the ending, which isn’t typical in movies. It’s really a surprise ending),” said MC at the presscon. Expressing admiration for his first-time director friend, MC revealed that Kinis studied directing and camerawork to prepare for this movie. “Napakatalino at brilliant ng mind ni Chad (Chad has a very smart and brilliant mind),” he said. Chad watched a lot of movies and even consulted with fellow directors to help him prepare for his big task as a first-time director of a full-length feature. He admitted to challenges such as budget constraints and the volatile weather, but otherwise, they were very happy on set, he said. And Lassy and Muah were “effortless” in their performances. Trusting each other helped make the project a breeze, he said. Which is a testament to the gift of having close and satisfying friendships that are more like family, like the Beks Battalion. The post How CHAD KINIS found purpose and ‘unexpected family’ in BEKS BATTALION appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Word to the artistic
From national artists to award-winning actors and drag queens, inspirational words of advice from our local creatives Last year brought us to our knees, yet here we are standing tall with courage, facing 2021 with hope and a positive perspective. To give us more inspiration to create and explore new things this year, the Manila Bulletin has compiled some quotes from creative individuals, from national artists to award-winning actress. May their words of wisdom bring out the creative urges in all of us, as we make this world a better, more colorful, more meaningful place to live in. Kidlat Tahimik, national artist for film We are all adjusting to the new normal—new rules and new protocols. I’m sure that most artists are taking this time to take art deeper into their hearts. After all, you have nothing to do but just to be productive. *** Ian Inoy, biromantic pansexual artist Every move I made with my art before had this follow up question in my head, asking if it would look gay or not. Now that I’ve fully accepted myself, nothing like that matters anymore. I no longer have the fear of hearing people perceiving my art as “too gay or girly.” *** Heart Evangelista/Love Marie Ongpauco Escudero, actor, painter Express yourself in art. See how art can move you or distract you from distress or how art can bring the best out of you. I notice that my paintings have been a bit muted these days. I feel it’s a bit because of the drama that’s going on around us. In a weird way, I find beauty in sorrow and the way my colors have been coming out, I like what’s happening. I’ve always been like this anyway. I find something beautiful about my emotions, no matter how dark they are, and I translate all that into art. *** Whatsoever you do, if you do it joyfully, if you do it lovingly, if your act of doing is not purely economic, then it is creative.—Osho, Creativity unleashing the forces within *** Kate Adajar, blogger artist The uncertainty Covid-19 brings has triggered confusion, anxiety, and mixed emotions in me. But the lockdown has also given me time to focus on and practice my art. Being in quarantine has allowed me to look at my craft not only as a creative outlet but also as a form of stress release. It has suddenly become therapeutic and meditative. *** F. Sionil Jose, national artist for literature Photo by Noel Pabalate Artistry is something that is created not just by intellect but by passion. And you stop being a craftsman. That is when you become an artist. You cannot be an artist without being a craftsman first. *** Miz Kiki Krunch, drag queen I am more creative as a gay person. My drag persona brings out the best and most authentic part of me. I can express myself better, I can perform better when I channel my weirdness, my “freak,” my truth. *** Cherie Gil, actor Everything can be learned as long as one sets one’s mind and heart to it. There is also no age limit to learning anything. Acting—what is it really but reliving lives and telling their stories. But this requires a lot of work to excavate the instrument to be able to truthfully do just that. It’s not easy. It takes a lot of balls to share one’s personal inner sanctum. *** Iana Cris Forbes, owner of art shop Quiversmiths Pursue what you want. At first, it was hard for me because I wanted to be a painter, I wanted to be a sculptor, I wanted to be a graphic artist, I wanted to be a wedding colorist, I wanted to stitch, I wanted to make bags and shoes and jewelry. But I haven’t seen a person doing all of those!. Before, I could not see any future in them but here they are now. I’m doing everything all at once and I’m fine. I’m happy living multiple lives. It’s like connecting the dots. My hobbies are now my sources of living and I couldn’t be more thankful. *** BenCab, national artist for visual arts This pandemic gives artists more time for their art. It’s usually better for an artist to be locked-in because you work on your own. *** Natasha Aliño, jewelry artist It’s been said many times and my mother always says this whenever I feel frustrated, which most people would feel when they’re starting something new—“trust the process.” This is more of a reminder when you’re in that headspace. Another thing is when you are learning a certain skill, do it so with purpose and authenticity. Then you can confidently say after some time that you can indeed trust the process. Never stop learning and inspiring others on your journey. Photos from the artists’ respective social media accounts and websites.....»»
Hard lockdown in Guiuan extended
The hard lockdown in Guiuan, Eastern Samar has been extended for another 14 days as more coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 cases were recorded......»»
Report about hard lockdown for 3 days not true – Ferro
CEBU CITY, Philippines — There is no truth about the circulating rumor or report about a three-day lockdown, which is said to be implemented before the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) of Cebu City will be lifted. Police Brigadier General Albert Ignatius Ferro, Police Regional Office (PRO-7) chief, told reporters in a phone interview that he […] The post Report about hard lockdown for 3 days not true – Ferro appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Davao’s Barangay 23-C on ‘hard lockdown’ due to Covid-19
The City Government of Davao has placed Barangay 23-C, known as Mini-Forest Boulevard, under “hard lockdown” for a minimum of 14 days starting July 4, following an increase of Covid-19 cases among its residents......»»
Why Barbie Imperial is game to work anew with ex JM de Guzman
Despite their short-lived relationship in the past, it wasn’t that hard to persuade JM de Guzman and Barbie Imperial to reunite in a movie, this time in director RC delos Reyes’ “3 Days 2 Nights in Poblacion,” now showing in cinemas......»»
Secession
Rodrigo Duterte, the former president, has been trying very hard the past few days to overshoot the runway. He seems to be succeeding......»»
Steps gaining exporter status under RCEP outlined
Exporters wishing to avail themselves of preferential tariffs under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership can apply with the Bureau of Customs to become an approved exporter, according to a customs official. Gina German, head of the Preferential Rate Unit of the BoC Port of Manila, is encouraging Filipino exporters to start leveraging the RCEP’s benefits, foremost of which is being allowed to source materials and products from the 14 other member parties of the mega free trade agreement at lower duty rates. Study and comply German also urged companies to study and comply with the RCEP’s rules of origin (ROO), a requirement to get preferential tariff treatment under the world’s biggest trade deal. Essentially, the ROO can be regarded as a passport for products, a way to determine the country of origin of a product and establish its eligibility for preferential tariff treatment. It can help businesses reduce costs and boost their competitiveness within the regional market. Under RCEP, originating goods are those falling under three categories: wholly obtained in the RCEP party or member state of the agreement; those produced in a party exclusively from originating materials from one or more of the parties; and those produced in a party using non-originating materials, provided the good satisfies the applicable requirements set out in Annex 3A (Product-Specific Rules). Documentary requirements German said applicants seeking “approved exporter” status under RCEP should submit the following documentary requirements: • Duly accomplished application form • BoC’s Certificate of Registration • Product Evaluation Report or PER, if applicable Meanwhile, traders applying for approved exporter status, should submit a producer’s declaration indicating the originating status of the good for which the trader will be completing a declaration of origin and stating the producer’s readiness to cooperate in verification. “If you are a trader, you need to know who produces the good or you still have a declaration that it is originating in the Philippines so that you will be ready during the retro verification or verification of the importing country,” said German during her talk last month at a Department of Trade and Industry webinar. In addition applicants have to submit a list of the authorized signatories of the DO and their respective specimen signatures. The application form should be submitted in both hard copy and electronic Portable Document Format to the deputy commissioner of the Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group through the Customer Care Center or CCC. The Export Coordination Division or ECD will then evaluate the application based on the following criteria: Exporter is a legitimate exporter who must have been transacting with the BOC for at least one year prior to the date of application Exporter must have been exporting products to at least one RCEP party for at least one year • Exporter must have good compliance measured by risk management of the BOC • Exporter must have a sound bookkeeping and recordkeeping system • Exporter must have responsible officers or persons authorized to sign the DO, who must have sufficient knowledge, competence in ROO application • Exporter must be willing to be subjected to regular monitoring and inspection to determine correctness of its declaration with respect to the goods exported. Written authorization After evaluation the ECD will grant the status of approved exporter to the successful applicants by issuing a written authorization with its corresponding authorization code within 14 working days. From there, the BOC will input the details of the approved exporter in its Approved Exporter Database for circulation among the RCEP parties. RCEP came into effect officially for the Philippines on June 2, 2023 after the Senate finally ratified the agreement in February this year. The Philippines was the last country to ratify RCEP, a free trade pact among the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations — Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam — and the five ASEAN FTA partners Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand. The post Steps gaining exporter status under RCEP outlined appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Deceased Maine shooter had mental health problems: police
Police in Maine said Saturday that the man who gunned down 18 people at a bar and a bowling alley and later committed suicide, suffered serious mental health issues, but was able to buy weapons legally because he had never been forcibly committed to treatment. The body of Robert Card, a 40-year-old army reservist, was discovered Friday night inside a tractor-trailer near a recycling center where he used to work, said Maine public safety commissioner Mike Sauschuck. Card had shot himself. Investigators are still struggling to determine Card's motive for carrying out Wednesday's massacre in the town of Lewiston. However, Sauschuck said that Card had reportedly been hearing voices and suffering from paranoia. "Clearly there's a mental health component to this," Sauschuck told reporters. Investigators found a "paper-style" note that Card had left to a loved one which contained a password to his phone and bank account information, Sauschuck said, adding that the note had the tone of a suicide letter. Card was found in possession of three weapons, one of them a long gun, all purchased legally because he had never been forcibly committed to a mental institution. Despite the apparently clear mental health issues and a reportedly recent psychiatric evaluation undergone by Card, "a background check is not going to ping that this individual was prohibited," Sauschuck added. The sigh of relief The discovery of Card's body ended a massive two-day manhunt, which had this quiet city of 38,000 people on lockdown, with businesses and schools closed and residents terrified. Sauschuck acknowledged the help Card's family had provided to the investigation, saying his relatives were among the first people to call the police and identify the suspect. "This family has been incredibly cooperative with us," he said. Lewiston finally breathed a sigh of relief with businesses beginning to open and people appearing on the streets Saturday. Several posters reading "Lewiston strong" were seen in the city. Shukri Abasheikh, 60, was finally able to reopen her halal grocery store after the lockdown. "This morning I'm so happy because the last two days, we were worried a lot and we were scared," Abasheikh told AFP. "My customers were calling me saying we don't have milk, we don't have anything, can you open and I said, 'I'm scared.'" Upon learning that Card was dead, Sheri Withers, 44, owner of a Lewiston art gallery, said she felt "a balance of relief and remembering how to breathe, but also just being sad because, you know, it was a human life." For now, residents are "just trying to rebuild the pieces, and getting on from here is gonna be the next step for our community," she added. A local resident named Danica, who was buying coffee at a drive-through, said she was happy Card was dead, but at the same time wished he had first been brought to justice. "I think he took the coward's way out of doing it by suicide," Danica, who declined to give her last name, told AFP. "I think he should be held accountable for his crimes." In a statement issued shortly after Card's body was discovered Friday night, President Joe Biden vowed to renew efforts to curb gun violence in the United States. "Americans should not have to live like this," Biden said. "I will continue to do everything in my power to end this gun violence epidemic." Biden said the shooting brought "a tragic two days -- not just for Lewiston, Maine, but for our entire country." Authorities on Friday identified the victims, ranging from a husband and wife in their 70s to a 14-year-old boy killed alongside his father. This was one of the deadliest shootings in the United States since 2017, when a gunman opened fire on a crowded music festival in Las Vegas, killing 60 people Mass shootings are alarmingly common in the United States, a country where there are more guns than people and where attempts to clamp down on their spread are always met with stiff resistance. The United States has recorded over 500 mass shootings this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive, a non-governmental organization that defines a mass shooting as four or more people wounded or killed. Efforts to tighten gun controls have for years run up against opposition from Republicans, staunch defenders of the constitutional right to bear arms. The political paralysis endures despite widespread outrage over recurring shootings. The post Deceased Maine shooter had mental health problems: police appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
U.S. mass shooting suspect dead
The suspect in a mass shooting that killed 18 people in the US state of Maine has been found dead, the state’s governor said Friday, ending a two-day manhunt that mobilized hundreds of law enforcement agents and set jittery residents of the northeastern state on edge. Robert Card, a 40-year-old Army reservist, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and his body was discovered at 7:45 p.m., Maine public safety commissioner Mike Sauschuck said. Card’s body was found in Lisbon Falls, southeast of Lewiston near the Androscoggin River, authorities said. US media said his body was found near a recycling center that was Card’s place of employment before he lost his job there. Roads leading to the site were blocked by police Friday evening, an Agence France-Presse journalist saw. Sauschuck said he could not immediately say when Card shot himself. Earlier Friday, law enforcement agents deployed along the Androscoggin River — near where Card’s white SUV was found — and divers using sonar entered the river to look for evidence — or a body. “I’m breathing a sigh of relief tonight knowing that Robert Card is no longer a threat to anyone,” governor Janet Mills told a hastily called news conference. Card is believed to be the perpetrator of a rampage on Wednesday evening that left 18 people dead and 13 others wounded in a bowling alley and a bar-restaurant in this hard-scrabble city. The shooting — and Card’s fugitive status — had brought dread to southern Maine over the past two days. Authorities had described Card as “armed and dangerous.” WITH AFP The post U.S. mass shooting suspect dead appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘I couldn’t breathe’: Seoul crowd crush survivor writes to heal
Kim Cho-long escaped death by chance last October -- pulled from packed streets in South Korea's capital by a friend, as those around her were swept into an alley where 159 people later died in a crowd crush. Kim, 33, told AFP she'd been going to Halloween parties in Seoul's Itaewon district for years, but there were more people at the 2022 event -- the first post-pandemic celebration -- than she'd ever seen before. The crowd was so dense that she was quickly swept off her feet by the pressure, trapped and unable to breathe until her friend saw her and somehow managed to drag her into a nearby bar. "I was completely stuck in the crowd as I was pushed back and forth," said Kim, who has written a book about her Itaewon experience called "Am I a Disaster Survivor?" "The pressure first started from behind, and then pressure came from the front so hard that my feet were lifted off from the ground and I couldn't breathe." By chance, she was swept to the side of the street, and when her back hit a wall, she was able to catch her breath, before her friend saw her and pulled her out of the melee. With no police or official crowd control measures in sight -- an official investigation would later slam "massive failings" of preparation and response -- Kim said the confusion and chaos continued for hours, as she sheltered in a nearby bar with her friend. She had no idea what was happening or how close she had been to death. "I went out to the streets of Itaewon and saw people lying on the street receiving CPR. Ambulances were parked disorderly on the road and people were being taken away, but even then I didn't think that all those people were dead," she said. Writing to heal Kim walked for hours to get home, in a state of shock. "I couldn't sleep for two days. As if obsessed with something, I couldn't turn off the news on TV. I couldn't eat, I couldn't sleep, I only drank water and kept watching the news." Kim, a writer, struggled with feelings of survivor's guilt, and eventually, her therapist suggested that writing about her feelings might allow her to process what had happened. At first, she shared her writing only in private forums online, where she received overwhelmingly positive feedback, including from others who said it had helped them with their own Itaewon-linked trauma. After one of her posts went viral, local newspapers asked her to write for them, which she eventually agreed to -- but the reaction from the general public was overwhelmingly negative. "When it was released to the public, I did not receive comfort from the reactions I received. Personally, it was good as a way to release my feelings and it was helpful in relieving my depression," she said. Critics showered her with personal insults and told her she was spoiled and shouldn't have been out partying. But despite the onslaught of online attacks -- which are also aimed at families of victims campaigning for an independent inquiry into the disaster -- Kim remains positive. 'All survivors' "I believe that all citizens living in South Korea are survivors of the Itaewon disaster," she said. The police probe did not find any senior officials were to blame for the disaster, and none of the lower-level officials who are being prosecuted have yet been convicted or jailed. "Looking at this disaster from a survivor's point of view for a year, I don't think anything has been resolved and the truth has not been revealed legally, socially, or at any government level," Kim said. But her near-death experience has totally changed her view of society, for the better. "In the past, I never once imagined how bereaved families would live on. I thought it had nothing to do with me and it was none of my business," she said. "But now I realize it could have happened to me, and their pain could be mine someday. So I started to sympathize with them and took more interest in their lives." Kim, who hopes to have her book translated into English, said she plans to continue writing about what happened at Itaewon, to keep the memories of all the victims alive. "I will keep thinking hard about what I can do so that they are remembered for a long time." The post ‘I couldn’t breathe’: Seoul crowd crush survivor writes to heal appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Lapid urges legislation of early voting for seniors, PWDs during BSKE
Senator Manuel “Lito” Lapid is pushing the passage of a measure that would allow qualified senior citizens and persons with disabilities to vote earlier than the dates scheduled for local and national elections. Senate Bill 2361 grants the “vulnerable sectors” to cast their votes at more accessible establishments or areas—duly designated by the Commission on Elections—within seven working days before the dates set for local and national polls. Lapid reiterated this call for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on 30 October. “Eleksyon na naman po sa Oktubre 30. Ako po ang nahihirapan na makita ang ating mga lolo at lola, kasama na ang mga may kapansanan, na nakikipaggitgitan sa pilahan upang magamit lamang ang kanyang karapatang bumoto (Elections are coming up on October 30. It’s hard to see our grandparents, including those with disabilities, struggling in line just to exercise their right to vote),” he said. Senator Cynthia Villar also made the same call, allowing elderly people and PWDs to early voting. Citing the 2021 estimated data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, Lapid said there are 2,754,813 females and 3,635,271 males with ages ranging from 65 years and above, who are qualified voters nationwide. “We don’t want to disenfranchise these millions of our countrymen this coming election. I hope we can pass this bill before the next elections,” Lapid stressed. He emphasized that the right to vote is a fundamental pillar of any democratic society. Lapid said it is imperative for the government to ensure that every eligible citizen “has the opportunity to participate in the electoral process and have their voices be heard.” “In our country, senior citizens and PWDs comprise a significant portion of the population and deserve special attention to guarantee the realization of their voting rights,” he added. He lamented that elders and PWDs are experiencing physical limitations or health conditions, making it difficult for them to participate in the regular voting process with the general population on the designated election day. These challenges, he added, may include mobility issues, visual impairments, or other conditions that require additional attention or accommodations Hence, the passage of the SB 2361 is crucial, Lapid underscored. “By providing an opportunity for senior citizens and PWDs to vote on a separate day prior to the national election, we can ensure that these individuals are given the necessary time and support to exercise their voting rights,” he explained. For the senator, allowing early voting for senior citizens and PWDs is not “only safe but also practical, noting that separate voting days will alleviate overcrowding at polling stations on the national election day and will reduce potential long queues as well as waiting times. “With COVID-19 still around, this arrangement will also help mitigate the risk of exposure to contagious diseases, as senior citizens and PWDs would be able to vote in a less crowded environment, where health and safety measures can be implemented more effectively,” Lapid said. The SB 2361 “hereby declared the policy of the State to make voting convenient for senior citizens and PWDs by giving them the option to vote earlier than the date set for the election.” It mandates the conduct of a nationwide registration for senior citizens, PWDs, lawyers, and human resources for health to qualify them to avail of this early voting privilege. Those who are not registered under this Act shall vote with the rest of the eligible population on election day. The post Lapid urges legislation of early voting for seniors, PWDs during BSKE appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
LTFRB whistleblower cited for contempt
Whistleblower Jeffrey Tumbado, the erstwhile executive assistant of now-suspended Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board chairman Teofilo Guadiz, whom he earlier accused of corruption, will be confined in the halls of Congress after he was cited in contempt. During Monday’s motu proprio of the House committee on transportation into alleged anomaly plaguing the agency, Sagip Partylist Rep. Rodante Marcoleta moved to cite Tumbado in contempt after earning the ire of the panel for providing inconsistent responses to queries posed by lawmakers. “This is the hard part in this kind of hearing, Mr. Chair. You (Tumbado) know you’re not consistent with your answers. Now you just said that you were not threatened, but in the sworn statement that you gave to the NBI, you said, ‘I am worried about my safety and that of my family,’” Marcoleta said. Contrary to his prior statement that he was “pressured” to recant his corruption allegations against his previous boss, Guadiz, Tumbado now asserts that he was not apprehensive about withdrawing his previous claims. Tumbado admitted that he did not have enough evidence to substantiate his corruption claims against Guadiz, conceding that it was solely based on his “opinion.” Nevertheless, he remained resolute in asserting that systemic corruption permeates the entire agency. “The corruption is there because I myself am approached by operators who want to speed up the processing of their papers. I no longer have direct knowledge of the chairman’s corruption… There is indeed corruption in the LTFRB, not particularly chairman Guadiz,” he said, pledging that he would submit the list of complainants to the committee. The corrupt practices plaguing the LTFRB, according to Tumbado, involved the modification of routes, special permits, trafficking and substitutions. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. immediately suspended Guadiz, whom Tumbado said stood at the center of a “lagayan” or bribery system in the LTFRB after the issue made headlines. Manila Rep. Benny Abante, previously claimed the bribery scheme has been in operation since 2009. Before retracting his accusations, Tumbado also dragged Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista and no less than the Office of the President into the alleged corruption in the LTFRB. Tumbado told lawmakers that he withdrew his claims against Guadiz due to his lack of firsthand evidence implicating the chairman in the purported corruption, contrary to his previous assertion that Guadiz regularly received as much as P5 million in exchange for the expeditious approval and release of special permits, franchises, and route modifications. “I don’t have direct evidence to prove that chairman Guadiz can be pinpointed in the allegations,” he told the panel. Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop, chair of the panel, however, posits a firm conviction that Tumbado had a hand in his own accusations. “For all intention purposes, you are included here. You’re equally guilty if anyone is guilty in the LTFRB. You’re there, so you’re involved,” Acop stressed. Tumbado will be confined within the premises of Congress for a maximum of 10 days. The post LTFRB whistleblower cited for contempt appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Valuing Valuable Employees: The Cebuana Lhuillier Way
Cebuana Lhuillier has changed many people’s lives through the many products and services they offer. From a humble pawnshop to being one of the biggest microfinance companies in the Philippines, Cebuana Lhuillier has become synonymous with the words trust and reliability as it continues to financially empower Filipinos across the nation. But in no place has the impact of Cebuana Lhuillier been more felt than within the confines of the company, where many of their employees have stayed for years and, in some instances, decades. And throughout their decades of service, they are grateful to Cebuana Lhuillier, who inspired their growth by imparting new knowledge and skills, applauding and giving them recognition, and showing that they are valued and cared for like a true family. Recognition and Promotions Ricardo Cruz has been with the company for more than 35 years and has been a dedicated Area Head since 1998. Before his journey in Cebuana Lhuillier, Rey completed a degree in Business Administration with a Major in Management, and started his professional journey as a filing clerk. But fate led him to Cebuana Lhuillier, where his mother worked as a building caretaker for Agencia Cebuana. After passing the exams, Rey worked as a humble messenger and janitor at Agencia Cebuana Baclaran Branch. Among the many memories, Rey cherishes two significant milestones: he was appointed as an Area Head back in 1998 and won the highly coveted Best Area of the Year award. These moments of recognition and achievement fueled his motivation and inspired him to work hard for over three decades. "I am incredibly proud, grateful, and privileged to have been a part of this company for over 35 years. The most rewarding aspect of working at Cebuana has definitely been the continuous learning and personal growth I've experienced, which I've also had the privilege to share with my fellow Ka-Cebuanas. And I’m thankful to be part of this family. Because of Cebuana Lhuillier, I'm able to provide a comfortable life for my family," said Cruz. Marilyn Valencia, a dedicated member of the company for more than 35 years, holds a remarkable background. She is the Area Head for Region 1A, and her journey as a Ka-Cebuana has been filled with numerous achievements and significant milestones. During her tenure with Cebuana Lhuillier, she managed to earn 21 units in education and became a licensed teacher. Not stopping there, she also pursued and successfully completed her Master's in Business Administration at UE Manila, all while dedicating herself to the organization. In addition to her educational achievements, Marilyn's dedication has led her to be appointed as one of the first Area Heads in 1996. In this role, she took on the responsibility of overseeing branches in the entire Northern provinces, CAMANAVA, and parts of Manila and Pasay City. This included the rare opportunity to spearhead the opening of over 100 branches, a significant contribution to local employment and the training of new branch personnel. An Advocate for Continuous Learning Grace Ferolino, Business and Client Relations Manager of Region 4A, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. While she had various previous career opportunities, Ferolino eventually found a home in Cebuana Lhuillier and has been with the company for over 30 years. Among her countless experiences within Cebuana, Grace cherishes the memory of being selected for intensive diamond training at Gemlab and having the privilege to undergo Area Manager's training. For her fellow employees aspiring for longevity in the company, Grace emphasizes the importance of loving one's work and serving it with utmost honesty; treating the business as one's own; and mastering financial management to eliminate unnecessary debt. Aurora Genilo, Business and Client Relations Manager of Region 1A, is another exemplary employee who has dedicated over 30 years of her life to serving Cebuana Lhuillier. A graduate of BS Commerce Accounting, she holds her days as cluster leader and her involvement with the esteemed manning team closest to her heart. These roles, according to her, allowed her to nurture her leadership skills and actively contribute to the growth and success of the company. By working hard, she was able to ensure the education of her three children, one of whom has etched their own path within the company. "My journey of 30 years with Cebuana Lhuillier has been a transformative one. Not only did it enable me to provide for my own family, but it also provided me with numerous opportunities to develop my skills and advance in my career. I'm profoundly grateful for the continuous opportunities that Cebuana Lhuillier extends to all of its employees, including me," expressed Genilo. Region 5’s Business and Client Relations Manager, Imelda Quidato, has been with Cebuana Lhuillier for more than 30 years. With a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, she first ventured into the world of sales as a promodiser before becoming a part of the Cebuana Lhuillier family. When asked about the best part of working for Cebuana, Imelda cited the skills she acquired in appraising and attending enriching training programs, which played a pivotal role in molding her both personally and professionally. An Open and Compassionate Heart Armed with a degree in Aircraft Technology, Abelardo Aquino Jr. took a leap of faith and applied for a job at Cebuana Lhuillier over 30 years ago. As the Area Head of Region 3, he reveals that the best part about working for Cebuana is the opportunity to interact with diverse individuals and tackle challenging situations head-on. He emphasized the significance of maintaining a positive mindset and embracing a "can-do" attitude. With determination and perseverance, one can overcome any obstacle and forge a lasting and fulfilling career at Cebuana Lhuillier. At Cebuana Lhuillier, employee appreciation is a top priority. The company demonstrates this commitment through comprehensive training programs, fostering a healthy company culture, and recognizing and celebrating exceptional employee contributions. This culture of appreciation, value, and nurturing is what sets Cebuana Lhuillier apart. The post Valuing Valuable Employees: The Cebuana Lhuillier Way appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
More protection for GCash users
Digital money transfers are now an integral part of daily transactions. However, scammers, fraudsters and cybercriminals have devised various strategies to take advantage of users and exploit the cashless economy. In addition to utilizing topnotch cybersecurity systems, the Philippines’ number-one finance super app, GCash, has added another layer of protection with the introduction of “Send Money Protect” on its in-app feature, GInsure. SMP provides users confidence and peace of mind when sending money digitally for as little as P30 per month. SMP provides users comprehensive protection from the most common scams such as online shopping fraud, account takeovers and social engineering, for transactions done via “Express Send” in the app. SMP, offered in partnership with Chubb, the world’s largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company, can easily be availed once every 30 days. Studies show that 45 percent of Filipino adults have been targeted by scams, with 11 percent falling victim to such activities. This has led to uncertainties toward digital payment methods among some users, hampering milestones already achieved in financial inclusion. “We at GCash believe in building partnerships that amplify the value we provide to our users. That's why we've teamed up with Chubb, a global insurance leader and our partner in consumer protection, to bring you an added layer of protection. This collaboration ensures that you have added financial protection from the unexpected when transacting online, giving you the confidence that your hard-earned money is in safe hands,” said GCash vice president for New Businesses Winsley Bangit. Chubb Philippines’ country president Mari Rachelle Canta also emphasized that, “Our partnership with GCash further strengthens our mission to serve millions of customers by providing a safety net through embedding insurance in everyday transactions. Now, GCash users have enhanced protection from cybercrimes with ‘Send Money Protect.’” The partnership between GCash and its consumer insurance partner Chubb was solidified through a memorandum of agreement signing on 13 September 2023. Signatories from Gcash included VP for New Businesses Winsley Bangit and GInsure head Joseph Nino Young, while those from Chubb in the Philippines included country president Mari Rachelle Canta and VP and head of Consumer Lines Maurice Hilario. While the feature is currently in its beta version and available exclusively to GCash and Chubb employees for now, GCash has announced that it will be fully rolled out by 13 November 2023, promising a safer, worry-free online transaction experience for all. The post More protection for GCash users appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar: Scaling the realms of social responsibility
There is something quite riveting about Ana Margarita “Ginggay” Hontiveros-Malvar. Her gaze direct, her rhetoric fluid, she shares stories of immersing in conflict areas, of being in Leyte post-“Yolanda” and in Marawi post-violence, and within the same conversation, of her corporate hat within the “power, banking, food, land and infrastructure sectors.” Not so much as a vein mars her refined features. If not for those eyes, which reveal a depth of thought and feeling, hers would likely be a face some might take as just another classic beauty. Then again, her relationship with similarly strong-minded women cannot be discounted. She says, from the get-go, that she would rather not talk about herself or her sisters (Risa, the senator, and Pia, the broadcast news personality). Unlike them, she took the private route, but now unwittingly finds herself in the limelight. The Aboitiz Group, for which she handles a vital role, has many exciting things to share, Ginggay says. Smiling, she proceeds to rattle off some of these pillars — in education (“to create future leaders” who are solutions-oriented), in climate action and in enterprise and jobs. “For over 35 years, we’ve delivered probably over 5,000 CSR (corporate social responsibility) projects, spread over all the business units all over the Philippines. We’ve partnered with something like 600,000 individuals and organizations and we’ve invested the amount of P5.1 billion in all these different programs. We’re trying now to reevaluate what it is that’s next for Aboitiz Foundation, and then how we can serve our stakeholders better, and what are some of the things that we want to scale. Maybe to create a bigger impact in the country, help the country more, I think is what we want to do.” In the pipeline toward this goal of creating a bigger impact on development, Aboitiz Foundation is seeking more collaboration — “more conversations between organizations that are doing a lot of work already here in the country, and probably having a stronger voice and then putting that voice out there,” she enthuses. Clearly, Ginggay is in her element in the world she inhabits — at the heart of an “old legacy conglomerate,” her words, that now sees the need to transform along with the climactic times. “I lead a department called Reputation Management. We cover brands, media, corporate communications, sustainability — the ESG (environmental, social and governance) journey for the Aboitiz Group. We provide strategy, direction, governance and then very recently, just this year, we have our CSR arm which is called Aboitiz Foundation. It was recently also placed under us. Because at the end of the day, Aboitiz Foundation is like the big ‘S’ in our ESG — it’s really all about the social impact, the social good that we want to continue,” Ginggay tells the DAILY TRIBUNE in an interview on Pairfect. Ginggay is currently vice president for Reputation Management and Sustainability at Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc., a holding company of the Aboitiz Group. For the Aboitiz Foundation, meanwhile, she works to help “scale its impactful programs for systemic change.” The mother of two is also communications lead for the Philippines’ Private Sector Advisory Council and team leader for APEC Business Advisory Council, which are areas where the visionary leader, Aboitiz Group chief executive officer Sabin Aboitiz, holds key roles. Grateful her children are adults now, Ginggay keeps her nurturing side on overdrive with her current responsibilities. “Aboitiz is a group,” she emphasizes. “And as a family of organizations, our priority has always been about people. That’s always been our passion, whether it’s the well-being of our own employees or the well-being of communities where we have our businesses. It’s really always been about people. “We don’t feel it’s right that a business does well and then the community that it’s in doesn’t. It cannot be like that — it has to go hand in hand. So, we’ve always been like that. Very people-centric. I think what we’re trying to change now in our transformation or evolution is to see how can we use more of technology and innovation and balance it with our people-centric approach. So maybe we can be a little bit faster, be better, be more data-driven in the kinds of things that we’re doing,” she says. And has her heart always been in this kind of work — one she freely admits is demanding and sometimes even emotion-driven? “My dad was pretty laidback. And he usually let us do what we want to do as long as you know, like, please do well in school, and things like that,” Ginggay recalls. “My mom was very attentive to us and she just wanted to make sure that aside from doing well in studies, you also had to do well in something else. And then, very ingrained, I think, in our DNA, I think as a family also, is that aspect of service, whether it’s public service, or you know, just service in general — whether it’s to your community or to your family, or your immediate set of, I suppose, stakeholders. So, it’s almost been like part of my DNA or something like that, or probably my character as well.” With so much on her plate, and a daily grind that consists of steering various teams to ensure the conglomerate is moving toward its goals smoothly, Ginggay makes sure she takes time — even just 30 minutes a day, she says — disconnecting from it all and connecting with herself. “Our days are very fast — they are jam-packed with schedules, meetings, a lot of stakeholder engagement activities,” she says. “There’s a lot of collaboration also that goes on between our team and the rest of the business units in the Aboitiz Group, and then a lot of meetings as well with the board just to check in on directions and things like that. It’s very fast-paced. It’s very demanding. It takes a lot of time and I think a lot of commitment… and this is what I see from all our team leaders and team members — people are really passionate about what they do. I think that’s important.” For Ginggay, certainly, such passion is necessary to lead the company toward its goals including “delivering on communications and brand that are integral to the transformation of the group into the Philippines’ first techglomerate.” Techglomerate, she explains, “is a dream in Aboitiz Group, something that we have really been working hard on for the past few years. We kind of coined the term from ‘technology’ and ‘conglomerate,’ putting it together — and it is really about trying to be more technologically advanced but we also want to incubate exciting businesses which are more in the techspace or, say, data science. To incubate all these new companies and hopefully lead in certain industries… and I think at the end of the day we realized we have a much greater responsibility to the country.” And what’s next? “We realized that to stay ahead, we also need to transform… and I suppose that transformation should happen first and foremost at the level of the person. We’re also really focused on building a new kind of culture for the Aboitiz Group, still very much rooted in our core values of responsibility, innovation, teamwork, integrity. But now, probably trying to imbibe more of the behaviors like being more entrepreneurial, trying to be more articulate, being better storytellers, being more open to new things, being more data-driven in our decisions, you know, and a lot of other things that we’re trying to do in terms of helping to develop this new culture.” In her capacity as first vice president at Aboitiz, as well as in her other roles — senior adviser for Agripreneurship at Go Negosyo, for example — Ginggay keeps her “eye on the prize” no matter what challenges come along. This “multi-disciplined, results-oriented and multi-awarded leader,” as she is described in the Women of the Future, may prefer to keep herself below the radar, but Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar will certainly not stay unnoticed. The post Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar: Scaling the realms of social responsibility appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»