UAAP intends to stage full calendar in coming season
By Kristel Satumbaga Despite the impact of coronavirus, the UAAP is still intends to stage a full calendar schedule for the 83rd season which it planned to hold early next year. While the league has to wait on government directives, UAAP Executive Director Rebo Saguisag said they have to “give higher standards […].....»»
UAAP volleyball enters break amid wide-open semis race
It’s the calm before the storm as teams embark on a much-needed pause ahead of an expected all-out race to the UAAP Season 86 volleyball tournaments Final Four......»»
Volleyball MVPs Belen, Ybanez named UAAP Players of the Week
Leaders are expected to be counted upon when their teams need them the most, and that is exactly the role Bella Belen and Josh Ybañez filled as the crucial second round got going in the UAAP Season 86 volleyball tournaments......»»
Lady Bulldogs hungrier in 2nd round, says Bella Belen
Expect a more determined National University Lady Bulldogs as the second round goes on in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament, as they attempt to put their two first round losses behind them......»»
Ybanez drops career-high 34 points, rallies Golden Spikers past Bulldogs
Josh Ybanez erupted for the UST Golden Spikers as he led a comeback over defending champions National University Bulldogs, 28-30, 22-25, 25-23, 25-22, 15-9, in the UAAP Season 86 men's volleyball tournament Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum......»»
Blue Eagles reassert mastery over Maroons in UAAP women s volleyball
The Ateneo Blue Eagles swept their UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball series with the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, blasting their Katipunan rivals 25-14, 25-20, 25-15, Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum......»»
Blue Eagles coach tempers Final Four expectations amid momentum
Ateneo Blue Eagles head coach Sergio Veloso is not getting ahead of himself as his team is slowly showing its form in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament......»»
Lady Spikers remain on track
Reigning champion La Salle kept a stranglehold of second spot with a 25-19, 25-21, 25-18 win over FEU in the second-round elims of the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament yesterday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum......»»
Lady Spikers repeat over Lady Tamaraws
The La Salle Lady Spikers won their fifth straight match in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament after sweeping their season series with the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, 25-19, 25-21, 25-18, Saturday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City......»»
UAAP men’s volleyball: Tamaraws win 3rd straight; Falcons sweep Red Warriors
Far Eastern University Tamaraws won their third straight game in the UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball tournament after carving out a five-set victory over the La Salle Green Spikers, 16-25, 25-21, 34-32, 20-25, 15-8, Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum......»»
Lady Spikers in crucial tiff vs Lady Tamaraws
Defending champion La Salle, after a minor bump in the first round, begins its crucial second-round campaign today in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum......»»
Lady Spikers begin push for top spot
Defending champion La Salle, after a slight stumble in the first round, wants some serious business to regain its rightful place on top when it begins its crucial second-round campaign in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum......»»
Prosperity in the coming age of Asean
It has been three weeks and I am still brimming with adrenaline from the success of the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit This is the annual event that is the high point of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council calendar......»»
PhilRice designs risk maps vs El Niño
The Philippine Rice Research Institute, premier research and development arm of the Department of Agriculture over the weekend said it is now designing El Niño risk maps to mitigate the impact of the coming El Niño episode. On instruction of the Agriculture Undersecretary for Rice Industry Development Leocadio Sebastian, PRRI said since El Niño is a cyclical, recurring weather aberration, the maps would detail which areas would possibly be hit again, thereby determining the planting calendar that could help minimize the adverse effect of the dry spell. PhilRice would map out all areas of the country that could be hit by the dry climate to guide local governments and regional field offices on the kind of interventions that would be needed in areas to be affected by El Niño. PhilRice has been sending out to farm communities around the country its “Be Water Smart” magazine containing information on varieties and ways to optimize water use to mitigate the impact of El Niño. The magazine also contains previous experiences of farmers, particularly on how they coped with calamities and adverse weather conditions, thereby enriching the knowledge of other farmers on what to expect and how to cope with El Niño. In addition, it has information on seed varieties that are heat or drought-tolerant and under what soil conditions they can be planted, including the experience of Vietnam in using climate-smart maps to address its drought problem. PhilRice Deputy Director for Development Dr. Karen Barroga said the agency has also been disseminating satellite-based data on rice area, production and yield to local government units and DA regional field offices so that they can be adequately guided on how to adjust their cropping calendars and on what interventions to give. These data were weather patterns obtained and analyzed by the PRISM — on the Philippine Rice Information System team — to LGUs and their extension workers and DA regional field officers (down to the municipalities) so they can adequately guide farmers on seed varieties to plant based on available water supply. PRISM, a BAR (or Bureau of Agricultural Research) — funded project with IRRI (International Rice Research Institute) and is now managed by PhilRice, is the first rice monitoring system in Southeast Asia that uses satellite imagery and information and communication technology, crop modeling and smart phones. It has a network of focal persons nationwide who are tasked to validate satellite data and help disseminate these to policy and decision-makers, who in turn transmit them to farmers either through extension workers or using call/text digital technology. Through PRISM, the extent of standing crops and the different crop stages all over the country can also be known, she explained. These are the data that inform us how to adjust the schedule of planting so that the crops would not be hit by typhoons, she said citing the previous explanation of DA Undersecretary for Rice Industry Development Leocadio Sebastian. Historical data of PRISM can be analyzed in determining how and when to adjust the planting calendar. The “Be Water Smart” issue of PhilRice magazine, she said, has put together and simplified information based on research and best practices to mitigate the effects of El Niño. “As advised by Usec. Sebastian, we are trying to spread out to mainstream and social media information through this magazine and other science-based materials that we have at PhilRice so that we can help people find solutions rather than sink into inaction over El Niño,” Barroga stressed. An example, she said, is to suggest to farmers in rainfed areas that would be hit by El Niño to plant other crops and raise animals. The post PhilRice designs risk maps vs El Niño appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PhilRice to provide data for better actions on El Niño
The Philippine Rice Research Institute, the premier research and development arm of the Department of Agriculture, over the weekend, said it is now designing El Niño risk maps to mitigate the impact of the coming dry spell. On the instruction of the Agriculture Undersecretary for Rice Industry Development Leocadio Sebastian, PhilRice said since El Niño is a cyclical, recurring weather aberration, the maps would detail which areas would possibly be hit again, thereby determining the planting calendar that could help minimize the adverse effect of the dry spell. PhilRice would map out all areas of the country that could be hit by the dry climate to guide local governments and regional field offices on the kind of interventions that would be needed in areas to be affected by El Niño. PhilRice has been sending out to farm communities around the country its Be Water Smart magazine containing information on varieties and ways to optimize water use to mitigate the impact of El Niño. The magazine also contains previous experiences of farmers, particularly on how they coped with calamities and adverse weather conditions, thereby enriching the knowledge of other farmers on what to expect and how to cope with El Niño. In addition, it has information on seed varieties that are heat- or drought-tolerant and under what soil conditions they can be planted, including the experience of Vietnam in using climate-smart maps to address its drought problem. PhilRice Deputy Director for Development Dr. Karen Barroga said the agency has also been disseminating satellite-based data on rice area, production, and yield to local government units and DA regional field offices so that they can be adequately guided on how to adjust their cropping calendars and on what interventions to give. These data were weather patterns obtained and analyzed by the PRISM– on the Philippine Rice Information System team – to LGUs and their extension workers and DA regional field officers (down to the municipalities) so they can adequately guide farmers on seed varieties to plant based on available water supply. PRISM, a BAR (or Bureau of Agricultural Research)- funded project with IRRI (International Rice Research Institute) and is now managed by PhilRice, is the first rice monitoring system in Southeast Asia that uses satellite imagery and information and communication technology, crop modeling and smartphones. It has a network of focal persons nationwide who are tasked to validate satellite data and help disseminate these to policy- and decision-makers, who in turn transmit them to farmers either through extension workers or using call/text digital technology. Through PRISM, the extent of standing crops and the different crop stages all over the country can also be known, she explained. These are the data that inform us how to adjust the schedule of planting so that the crops would not be hit by typhoons, she said, citing the previous explanation of DA Undersecretary Sebastian. Historical data on PRISM can be analyzed in determining how and when to adjust the planting calendar. The Be Water Smart issue of PhilRice magazine, she said, has put together and simplified information based on research and best practices to mitigate the effects of El Niño. "As advised by Usec. Sebastian, we are trying to spread out to mainstream and social media information through this magazine and other science-based materials that we have at PhilRice so that we can help people find solutions rather than sink into inaction over El El Niño," Barroga stressed. An example, she said, is to suggest to farmers in rainfed areas that would be hit by El Niño to plant other crops and raise animals. The post PhilRice to provide data for better actions on El Niño appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pilgrimage
Pilgrimage is an overt manifestation of one’s religious and spiritual devotion to one’s creed. There are people whose devotion is pure and strong. You see this in all religions. They walk the extra mile to perform arcane rituals enjoined by their religion. Distance is no issue. They literally climb mountains and sail the “seven seas” to observe the injunction. What divine force pushes them? When we were about to take the bar examination some of our Christian batchmates talked in a whisper about seeking help from the St. John the Baptist Parish Church or Quiapo Church, the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene. They heard of testimonies about the magical power of the Church which grants prayers for success, providence, and healing which would-be bar takers can do with. Another shrine frequented by pilgrims is the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Manaoag, Pangasinan. Pilgrims coming from afar flock to the Church because of its divine healing power and many other accounts of the grant of miraculous benefits. There are many other shrines in various places in the country that are visited by pilgrims who seek relief from disease, poverty and hardship. Catholics who are financially able, visit the St. Peter’s Basilica in the Holy City of Rome, the seat of the Roman Catholic Church. The claim of the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Bosnian village Medjugorje testified to by many adherents is drawing thousands of devotees from different parts of the globe. Other religions have their own places of worship or shrines visited regularly by devotees. The Muslims have them. I write this article having in mind the Haj season for World Muslims which kicks off next month. They will flock to the Holy Cities of Mecca and Madinah, where Masjid el Haram, the holiest shrine, and Masjed el Nabawe, the 2nd holiest mosque, are located, respectively. Ironically, the 3rd holiest mosque, Masjed el Aqsa is in Jerusalem. The principal difference between Muslims and other religious devotees performing pilgrimage is that in the former, the Haj pilgrimage is obligatory during their lifetime while the latter do it voluntarily and mostly part of a religious tour for leisure and pleasure. It’s pure unadulterated devotion for Muslim pilgrims performing Haj. Also, Muslims perform it on a specific date and time in the Lunar calendar while non-Muslim pilgrims do it anytime in their own free time. Moreover, there are specific arcane rituals that had to be observed imitating what Prophet Muhammad PBUH and Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham to non-Muslims) did during their lifetime. Performing the Haj pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam along with belief in Allah SWT and His Messenger Muhammad PBUH, five times a day prayers, payment of zakat or alms-giving, and fasting during Holy Ramadhan. Islam, however, exempts those physically disabled and senile persons with health issues and those who are not financially capable. This accounts for the fact that millions of Muslims annually troop to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. How the Kingdom could manage millions of devotees performing Haj and Umrah pilgrimages is one for the books. As host, it had to provide security, housing, and easy access to the Shrines along with managing the horrendous human traffic and other imperatives needed by the annual gathering. It is no mean feat to gather a multi-racial and ethnolinguistic throng in one place on a specific day and time without any major mischance happening. While there were few and far accidents before, they were manageable and had not marred the performance of the pilgrimage. It is likewise a wonder how the Kingdom managed to modernize the housing, transport, medical, and security system for the pilgrimage without violating the holiness of the places of worship. Mecca has been transformed from one oasis in a huge desert land into a metropolis with high-rise hotels and structures, including state of an art transport system connecting the twin Holy Cities of Mecca and Madinah specifically constructed to cater to pilgrims. The Kingdom has lived up to its name as the capital of Islam. And the world Muslims cannot but express appreciation for the labor of His Majesty King Salman ibn Abdelaziz and Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman for walking the extra mile to make the experience of Muslim pilgrims a lifetime fulfillment. amb_mac_lanto@yahoo.com The post Pilgrimage appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Cops gear up for Barangay, SK polls
The Philippine National Police is making early preparations to assume election duties as a deputized agency of the Commission on Elections for the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections scheduled on 30 October 2023. PNP chief Police General Benjamin Acorda Jr. said the Comelec Committee on the Ban on Firearm and Security Concerns convened it first meeting last 9 May 2023 presided by Commissioner Aimee P. Ferolino, CBFSC chairperson, with representatives from the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. He said that all operational planning and preparatory activities of the PNP are guided by Comelec Resolution 10902 that approved the calendar of activities for the 2023 Barangay and SK polls. Pursuant to Comelec Resolution 10902, the 90-day election period for the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Election will commence on 28 August 2023 with the start of the period for filing of Certificates of Candidacy. Acorda said the PNP will strictly enforce all prohibited acts during the entire 90-day election period as enumerated under the Omnibus Election Code and Resolutions passed by the Comelec. “These prohibited acts include the bearing, carrying, or transporting firearms or other deadly weapons in public places including any building, street, park, private vehicle, or public conveyance, unless authorized in writing by the Comelec and also prohibited during this period is the use of security personnel or bodyguards by candidates,” said Acorda. Upon the request of Commissioner Ferolino, Acorda said the PNP is making some adjustments on administrative procedures and technical requirements in the processing of Comelec authority for exemption. The joint Comelec-PNP-AFP committee is set to hold a media event on 22 May 2023 to formally launch the information campaign for the 2023 Barangay and SK elections. Meanwhile, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said they will beef up their efforts in ensuring the peaceful and orderly conduct of the barangay and SK polls. “As we speak, our Directorate for Operation is closely coordinating with Comelec, but as of now we don’t have yet the figures as to the number of election areas of concerns that will be included in the color category, the yellow, green, orange and red,” Fajardo said. “We also expect this coming barangay elections although we know it will be quite hot when it comes to the local election that’s why this early the PNP prepared including the other security forces to make sure all risk factors will be determined as early as now so that those who are best practices and other police strategies to ensure that we have safe and secure elections will be implemented even prior to the declaration of the election period,” she added. The post Cops gear up for Barangay, SK polls appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
In war, unity
It is the second year that Ukrainian Muslims fight back to back with Christians, celebrating Easter and Ramadan in trenches. Despite difficult circumstances, Ukrainian Muslims and Christians try to maintain their religious traditions with resilience and determination in the face of adversity. For Ukrainian Christians, the Easter is celebrated with paska (traditional Easter cake), pysanky (painted eggs), holy water, and Easter service. The items necessary for celebrating the spiritual holiday were provided to the soldiers at the frontlines by volunteers and chaplains. The West (Catholic, Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church) and the East (Orthodox Church of Ukraine) wings of Christianity celebrated this year’s Easter together, on one date—9 April. The date of Easter is one of the reasons for discord between the Orthodox and Catholic churches in Ukraine. Catholics and Orthodox used to use different Easter methods of calculating the date of Easter. One of the differences was that the Orthodox Church used the old Julian calendar to determine the date of Easter, while Catholics use the new Gregorian style But 2023 is the year of change, when the Ukrainian Orthodox Church switched to the Gregorian calendar. Now, the two wings of Christianity, present in Ukraine, celebrated Easter on the said date, according to the Gregorian calendar. It’s heartening to see people coming together when push comes to shove, in the thick of war. Regardless of their different religions or ethnic backgrounds, Ukrainians are standing together to defend their country and resist the aggression of a common enemy. This may be on the battlefield and in the trenches fighting, or it may be at home, saving traditions and cultures. To this day, Russians pummel through cultural and religious places of people living in Ukraine, relentless even on spiritual holidays. According to latest reports, Russians damaged nearly 500 churches and religious sites. Last year, the mosque of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and his wife Roxolana (Hurrem Sultan) in Mariupol was shelled. On 15 June, Russian troops destroyed the mosque and Muslim center “Bismillah’’ in Sievierodonetsk. The same was done to mosques in Kostyantynivka in Donetsk. These and many other holy places burned to the ground under Russian occupation in the past couple of months. It is a serious violation of human rights and international law. The intentional destruction of cultural heritage sites is considered a war crime by the International Criminal Court and is condemned by the international community as a whole. Ukraine is home to diverse ethnic and religious groups who live under the same human values. The way Russians destroy this spiritual diversity of Ukraine by demolishing cultural and holy places is a sign of their ethical attitude toward non-Christians. Many Christian churches were destroyed by Russians over the past. President Zelensky has recently posted briefly about it. Nothing stops the aggressor. Despite the hardship, all Ukrainians share common strength. This unity of all Ukrainian people of diverse ethnicities and religions once again demonstrates that their similarities are greater than their differences, and that they are all ultimately united by shared humanity. When people are able to set aside their differences, and work together for a free and prosperous Ukraine, incredible things can be accomplished. The holiest holidays like Ramadan and Easter remind that Ukraine is fighting for a democratic, anthropocentric future, where all diversities are celebrated and are integrated into the state. Oleksii Havryliuk is a member of PR Army, an independent non-profit organization of Ukrainian communication experts sharing the truth about the Russian war against Ukraine, “a democratic and independent European country.” The post In war, unity appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Hope for 2023
As the calendar year closes, oldies like me simply feel grateful for having survived the past 365 days, from which we must brace up for another 365. However, for Filipino adults as a whole, normally—but not always—at least nine out of 10 say they will greet the coming year with hope, rather than fear. That […] The post Hope for 2023 appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
NCAA open to adding more sports for Season 96
The NCAA is considering to add more sports aside from the four mandatory events for Season 96. Sports that require minimal player-to-player contact could be included in the sports calendar of the shortened season set to tentatively open March 2021 according to Management Committee (ManCom) chairman Fr. Vic Calvo, OP of host Letran. The oldest collegiate league in the country earlier announced that only the four mandatory sports basketball, volleyball, swimming and track and field will be played in the coming season. However, Calvo mentioned the depending on the situation of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, other sports might be added. “Hindi naman tayo talaga naka-fix but we are fluid. We are on observing kung ano yung situation and we will fit in that situation para matuloy ‘yung NCAA,” said the ManCom chairman on Tuesday on the online session of the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum. Sports like tennis, chess, badminton, table tennis, and e-sports might be included. “Actually, marami pa sa mga schools ang nag-maintain ng other events. Kaya for example yung basic rule na kapag sa isang tournament like lawn tennis, medyo individual sport yan except sa doubles. Kapag merong apat na schools (na may team) they can organize, look for the budget, sponsorship,” said Calvo. The Letran official specifically mentioned the possible consideration of online chess and esports, both of which have come in handy during this time of pandemic. He said Mobile Legends is one of the online sports being deliberated by the collegiate league, citing how the country even won a gold medal in the event when e-sports made its debut in the last Southeast Asian Games. “Sa SEA Games ginawa na natin ito. Nag-champion naman tayo, so why not do this especially in this time of the pandemic,” stressed Calvo in the session presented by San Miguel Corporation, Go For Gold, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), and powered by Smart. As for the other sports, Calvo said it can be held by staging lesser events like doing away with the relays in swimming and track and field, or not having doubles in both lawn tennis and badminton. Track and field and tennis were among the sports affected when the NCAA decided to totally cancel the second semester events of Season 95 following the outbreak of the coronavirus. “Naka-apekto yun (COVID-19) sa Season 95 because we’re not able to finish its calendar. At may ilang events that were scheduled to be held like beach volleyball track and field, cheerleading, while indoor volleyball and lawn tennis were not able to complete their tournaments,” said Cayco. With the failure to stage other sporting events, the NCAA also decided not to hand out a general championship since schools within the top three of the standings are all closely clustered together at the top. “Kasi yung 1-2-3 spots are up for grabs. So we decided not to award a general championship,” added Cayco, also president of the Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas Inc (LVPI). “So everything is now on Father Vic’s lap.” Calvo said it hasn’t been discussed yet within the ManCom whether a general championship will be given in the coming shortened season. “Hindi pa siya na-discuss. We’ll cross the bridge when we get there,” added the long-time Letran athletic director. “Premature pa as of now.” Besides, more events could be added to Season 96 calendar once the health situation starts to get better in the coming months. “Depende sa sitwasyon, eh. We don’t know what will happen between now and March 2021,” said Calvo......»»
UAAP intends to stage full calendar in coming season
By Kristel Satumbaga Despite the impact of coronavirus, the UAAP is still intends to stage a full calendar schedule for the 83rd season which it planned to hold early next year. While the league has to wait on government directives, UAAP Executive Director Rebo Saguisag said they have to “give higher standards […].....»»