Successful landing at the Bicol International Airport

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Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Art Tugade marked a historic milestone by successfully landing at the Bicol International Airport (BIA) in Daraga, Albay from Manila on Friday morning, 30 July 2021.Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Tugade, aboard Gulfstream 150, landed on the BIA runway at past 8:00 a.m.

The probing flight fulfills Secretary Tugade’s promise to return to the province by end of July and land on the airport’s runway. The momentous activity also aims to prove that the gateway remains on track for its target completion by September 2021.

Tugade added that he also intends to check the ongoing progress of the airport, which now stands at 90% completion rate.

Shortly after landing, Secretary Tugade led a site inspection of the airport together with other transport officials and local government leaders, including Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Director General Capt. Jim Sydiongco, Albay 2nd District Representative Joey Salceda, Albay Governor Al Francis Bichara, AKO BICOL Partylist Representative Alfredo Garbin, Daraga Mayor Victor Perete, and Legazpi City Mayor Noel Rosal.

Among the facilities inspected were the gateway’s runway lights, arrival area, check-in counters, and pre-departure area.

Meanwhile, during the press briefing that followed the inspection, Secretary Tugade expressed optimism that the airport project will be finished on time. He likewise shared how meaningful the test landing was for him as the airport project suffered various challenges and setbacks during the period of construction.

“Alam niyo ‘ho ba kaninang magla-landing kami at pinipilit nila na ipakita sa akin ‘yung runway, nagpalakpakan ‘ho lahat ‘yung mga kasama ko, na kung saan ‘yung palakpak na ‘yun, hindi lang ‘ho tumayo ‘yung balahibo ko – lumuha ako,” Secretary Tugade said.

“Alam niyo ‘ho kung bakit? Marami ‘ho kaming dinaanan na problema at difficulties dito. Nagkaroon ng sunog dito – nasunog ‘yung equipment sa construction. Nagkaroon ‘ho ako ng Congressional hearing, alam ni Congressman Garbin ‘yan, na kung saan ako’y pinatawag at pinag-eksplika. Ang lagi ko lang sinasabi: ‘Bayaan niyo lang ‘ho kami magtrabaho – gagawin at gagawin namin ‘yan. 25 years ago pa po ito pinagpaplanuhan at hinihintay ng ating mga kababayang Bicolano. At ngayon, sa wakas ay matatapos na,” he added.

Meanwhile, CAAP Director General Jim Sydiongco assured that with non-stop construction ongoing, the Bicol International Airport will be technically operational for commercial aircraft for day operations by 07 October 2021 and will be night-rated by 04 November 2021.

“To safely operate the airport, the DOTr and CAAP will continue to be steadfast in pushing for the finalization of these necessary activities, not only to support the administration’s Build, Build, Build program, but also to achieve our goal of providing a safer and more comfortable travel experience to Filipinos,” DG Sydiongco said.

Touted as the country’s “Most Scenic Gateway” with the iconic Mayon Volcano for its backdrop, the Bicol International Airport is expected to accommodate a total of 2 million passengers per year once it is fully operational. 755 jobs were given to locals during the construction phase, while 1,100 more indirect jobs are expected to become available once the airport begins commercial operations before the end of this year.

Latest Batch of the National Youth Council Continues their Commitment to Conserva

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Now on its third batch, the NYC continues with its mission of inspiring young people, as an all-new set of environmental leaders take to the helm of conservation.

The push for a sustainable future continues. The young people of the National Youth Council are at the front of the charge.

The NYC is the youth arm of WWF-Philippines. Supporting the organization’s conservation advocacy, the NYC works closely with the youth in developing their environmental consciousness.

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines recently welcomed the latest batch of National Youth Council (NYC) members into its fold. Young environmental champions from across the country have joined the Panda family as spokespersons for the planet.

Now on its third batch, the NYC continues with its mission of inspiring young people, as an all-new set of environmental leaders take to the helm of conservation.

Brilliant students and enterprising fresh graduates alike make up the third batch of the NYC. High school student Ganden Medved-Po joins University students Emmanuel Mirus Ponon and Roana Mae Caguliodo. Graduate of BS Chemical Engineering Justin Richmond Domingo and European Studies Major in International Relations Giselle Lapid also joins the team.

Reprising their roles in the NYC, meanwhile, are Romina Lim and Gab Mejia. A marine scientist, Romina advocates for the protection of our seas, while National Geographic explorer Gab uses photography and the storytelling arts to move people towards caring for the planet.

For Ganden, serving with the NYC is an opportunity both to learn, and to share his learning with others. “For the youth of today, I encourage them to pique their curiosity and strive to keep on learning. Without learning, no change would be possible and as we learn and explore the modern world, we can use our curiosity to inform ourselves on current events surrounding us,” said Ganden.

For returning member Romina, the goal remains the same - to ingrain sustainability into everyones’ day-to-day lives, from the way the country is run down to an individual level. “Environmental sustainability is something that should be mainstreamed and integrated into all our lives for us to have a liveable society,” said Romina.

“For many years, the voices of the youth have always been silenced thinking that the youth still have so much to learn about the world,” said Justin. “I believe this shouldn't be the case anymore. We, as the youth, have an active role in playing our part to secure our future.”

The NYC is the youth arm of WWF-Philippines. Supporting the organization’s conservation advocacy, the NYC works closely with the youth in developing their environmental consciousness.

Recent years have seen the youth raising their voices and taking to bigger stages with their calls to protect the planet. At protests and forums they have demanded world leaders to take better care of the Earth, while inspiring others to do otherwise with their leadership and their day-to-day lives.

For the past five years the young people of the NYC have touched the hearts of Filipinos across the country. The latest batch is poised to do the same. This #WorldNatureConservationDay, the NYC continues its fight for a future where man lives in harmony with nature.

#ECQSeason3: incompetent Philippine government clueless in their pandemic response

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Metro Manila will be under the general community quarantine with "heightened" and additional restrictions from July 30 to August 5.

It will then be placed under enhanced community quarantine from August 6 to 20.

Metro Manila will revert back to the "strictest" quarantine status, Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ). This is in light of the rising Delta variant cases in the country.

The status from August 21-31 is yet to be announced in the coming days. 

This government will not let people out of their homes to earn a living and put food on their tables, but they also refuse to give financial aid.

Enhanced Community Quarantine without ayuda... is state-sanctioned genocide of the poor.

Malacañang said the government's COVID-19 vaccination program will proceed in Metro Manila even if the region will be under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) from August 6 to 20, 2021.

Hayup talaga. Tapos yung ayuda sa mga professional tambay lang mapupunta pero ako na Legal na nagtatrabaho at kinakaltasan ng tax nganga. Hayup talaga.

Masayang masaya nanaman mga Tambay nito. Samantalang kami na bumubuhay sa Ekonomiya nga-nga forever!

Grabe, non-stop lockdown, ayuda dw ni singko wala ako nakuha, palpak IATF, DOH,, bilisan nyo pag bakuna pagod na mga tao sa lockdown masyado na depression at stressed dulot.

Clearly these quarantines are not the solution to the problem. why did the Delta variant spread when there's supposed to be strict border control in place? It shouldn't have entered in the first place.

Solution?

Hindi ba strict case contracting? Hindi ba strict border control? Hindi ba vaccine implentation? So paulit ulit tayo sa lockdown?

Kawawa naman yung mawawalan na naman ng work dahil sa ECQ. OCTA at IATF nyo wala ng ibang solusyon na alam.

ECQ pero di nyo magawang mag bahay babay para sa ayuda. ( Kung may ayuda pa) gagawin nyo papipilahin nyo pa mga tao. Pero di nmn lahat qualified. Ganun din, pinapalabas nyo pa din. Ok sana kung maayos ang support system na nilalatag. Parang wala kayong natutunan last year.

Solution is to ramp up vaccination... same cycle of useless lockdown. Back to square one like march 2020. Mandatory face shield pa ang inimplement ng mga ugok.

Sa susunod, ang tao na ang mag lock down sa government dahil sa magulo at hindi maayos na pamamalakad.. Kaya VOTE WISELY. Huwag tayong bumoto sa walang alam at sunud sunuran sa cabinet members niya.. Duterte is useless. Paulit ulit lang ang ginagawa ng gobyernong ito  GISING PINOY!!!

Walang silbing IATF, DOH, pati na ang OCTA Research, wala kayong silbi lahat. 

Gusto muna kumita ng nga yan bago kumilos bulok talaga pamamalakad dito sa bansa natin.

Ay, maghahantay pa pala Delta Variant ng August 6 bago kumalat. Parang tanga naman itong Administration na ito. Laging reactive kaysa proactive. Nalaman na pala nung April na may nakapasok na Delta Variant, dapat noon palang naghigpit na. 

How to convert BTC to XMR

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As already mentioned, Monero is one of those cryptocurrencies that are not accepted by many shops and organizations in comparison with Bitcoin. This is because the latter has existed for ten years and has an open-source code, therefore many people trust him on a subconscious level.

Speaking of XMR, you should immediately clarify that this cryptocurrency is based on an algorithm, some of which are obscured. It is because of this that his transactions provide the highest level of confidentiality.

But this is precisely what led to mistrust. This cryptocurrency, for the most part, is used to conduct dubious transactions. Naturally, there is no direct evidence of this. But the scandals around this cryptocurrency were divorced precisely on this basis.

Therefore, many users are simply afraid that one day they will be allowed to somehow check transactions or just the balance on different cryptocurrencies. And even if the owner of the Monero wallet is clean, they can start checking, which will limit his rights. Nobody wants to face this, because many ask to exchange Monero for Bitcoin and send the transaction last:

• First, it will be quite difficult.

• Secondly, the difficulty level will increase when you realize that not every BTC holder needs XMR.

You can immediately search for an exchange office. As you can imagine, for this you do not need to put on a robe and slippers and run outside. There are a huge number of cryptocurrency exchangers on the network. These cryptocurrencies are very popular, so you can quickly find a service that will allow you to converter XMR to BTC.

Moreover, in order not to scour the open spaces of search engines, you can use the monitoring okchange or bestchange. Firstly, they will provide the main information on exchangers, and secondly, they will help you find the most suitable option.

How to convert btc to xmr

The name speaks for itself - a service that provides the exchange of one cryptocurrency for another. Most of them also allow you to work with fiat. As a rule, cryptocurrency exchangers do not require any data, and they can be used without registration.

Changelly is a popular worldwide service for instant exchange of converter XMR for BTC in a few clicks. And the XMR / BTC currency pair is no exception! Change your cryptocurrency at the fastest and easiest cryptocurrency exchange Changelly.

The difference in exchange rates is also explained by the fact that everyone has their own conditions. For instance:

1. the exchange service may offer a low rate, but there is an additional commission, the rate is not fixed at the time of application, and the minimum purchase amount is 1 Bitcoin;

2. the service has a higher rate, while it is fixed(therefore there will be no unpleasant "surprise" at the end), there are no additional commissions, you can buy from 0.1 BTC.

It remains to weigh the pros and cons, make several calculations, and choose the exchanger with which it will be profitable to work. Pay attention to small details and work only with trusted services, then the exchange of converter Monero (XMR) to Bitcoin (BTC) will always be profitable and hassle-free.

Pros and Cons of Alcohol vs. Marijuana

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Alcohol and marijuana usage is a common occurrence in many homes across the United States. People stock up on beer and “spirits” after a long week of work. As cannabinoids are legalized in states across the country, people are partaking in a variety of CBD products.

The usage of both alcohol and marijuana both have their pros and cons. There are many factors that cause people to lean towards one or the other. Today we’ll focus on some of the pros and cons of alcohol vs. marijuana.

Marijuana businesses are sprouting up across the world.

Though CBD products aren’t legal in all parts of the United States, it seems to be moving in that direction. Many states have made recreational and medical usage of marijuana, which includes the element of CBD, legal. These include places like Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, and the District of Columbia. As restrictions for marijuana and CBD usage disappear in many places across the United States, a host of CBD-focused businesses are sprouting up. In 2025 it's expected that the marijuana business industry will reach $82.9 billion in profit.

Many entrepreneurs are testing the full spectrum of what CBD products they can offer, now that restrictions are being lifted on marijuana. Studying the potency of CBD products, researching the flavor of different CBD products, and finding the highest grade products are all things that a CBD business owner will have to tackle.

Businesses such as NuLeaf CBD oil won’t have to spend their time worrying about the legal ramifications of running such a company. Since many states have allowed the usage and selling of marijuana-based products like CBD oil which NuLeaf offers, their main focus can now be on making a profit. The continued rise of marijuana businesses across the world is a pro for CBD products in the alcohol vs. marijuana discussion.

Alcohol is legal across the entire United States.

One of the many pros of the alcohol vs. marijuana debate is that alcohol is legal in all 50 states across the U.S. There was a time during the Prohibition period (1920-1933) where the sale or purchase of alcohol was illegal. Those times are far behind us now, as many people drink whatever alcohol is sold at local marketplaces such as American IPA.

The liquid comes in many forms, which creates a wide palette of selections for people to choose from. These include beer, brandy, gin, rum, vodka, and tequila. Through sustainable farming practices, and advanced fermenting methods, alcohol products like beer are processed for the enjoyment of many people to imbibe.

Alcohol is consumed in a variety of different settings. Some people break out a 12 pack of beer at football-watching parties. Couples enjoy a nice sip of wine as they wind down their evenings. Others consume brandy to celebrate a successful event, such as a recent retirement. Alcohol usage in moderation isn’t frowned down on, and many consume the liquid in moderation.

There are other circumstances where drinking alcohol is not legal, one example including during the operation of an automobile. As long as alcohol consumption is done in moderation, then state laws don’t make the practice illegal. Alcohol consumption is legal across the United States is a pro in the alcohol vs. marijuana debate.

Both alcohol and marijuana leave an aroma.

One common con between alcohol and marijuana use is they both leave a scent after being consumed. For instance, beer can leave a person's breath smelling like a drink. In other extreme cases, if a person consumes too much beer, then the smell will literally leak from their pores. Alcohol like beer contains ethanol which can stay on drinkers' breath for as long as 12 hours. In the case of marijuana once inhaled and exhaled the smell acts the same way that cigarette smoke does. The aroma can leak into your hair, your clothes, your furniture, or any other place which absorbs smoke.

The good thing is that in the case of legalized marijuana or other CBD-based products, you can consume or experience such items in different forms. This can include CBD oil, CBD-based capsules, CBD softgel capsules, and CBD gummies. Make sure to remember that the aroma which both alcohol and marijuana produces can be a common con.

PH, Japan sign 2nd tranche of loan package for Metro Manila Subway Project

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The country’s first underground railway was brought closer to reality yesterday, 27 July 2021, with the formal signing of an additional JPY253-billion (P116-billion) loan package to finance its construction.

The exchange of notes for the official development assistance (ODA) loan was signed by Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. and Japan Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko.

The second tranche of the project’s ODA loan has an interest rate of 0.10% per annum, is 40 years to pay, and has a 13-year grace period. This follows the first tranche (JPY104.530 billion) of the ODA loan for the subway project, the formal agreement for which was signed on 13 November 2017.

“The Metro Manila Subway will be a shining monument, better yet a state of the art working system attesting to the deep friendship between the Philippines and Japan. Japan holds a pre-eminent role in our government’s infrastructure development agenda, which is a priority of President Duterte’s administration,” Secretary Locsin said.

“I also laud the hard work put in by various Philippine agencies – the Department of Finance, the National Economic and Development Authority, the Department of Transportation, and Secretary Art Tugade (in my long experience the best, most achievement-laden Cabinet Secretary I’ve ever known) – which ensured the realization of this project,” Sec. Locsin added.

“This year marks the 65th Anniversary of the normalization of Diplomatic Relations and 10th Anniversary of Strategic Partnership between Japan and the Philippines. This signing will deepen and strengthen the cooperation and partnership of both countries, and I am happy to sign this Exchange of Notes today,” Ambassador Koshikawa said.

A Build Build Build flagship infrastructure project of the Duterte Administration, the 33-kilometer Metro Manila Subway Project will have 17 stations and aims to cut travel time from North Avenue in Quezon City to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) from 1 hour and 10 minutes to just 35 minutes. It will traverse the cities of Valenzuela, Quezon City, Pasig, Makati, Taguig, Parañaque and Pasay. The line will have an initial capacity of up to 1 million passengers per day.

With the project’s financing in place, the construction of the subway line’s first segment is already ongoing with two (2) out of 25 tunnel boring machines already in Manila. Meanwhile, the line’s trains are also ongoing manufacturing, and with all contracts to be awarded before the end of the term of President Rodrigo Duterte.

PWD Student from Occidental Mindoro

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For a 19-year old child from Occidental Mindoro, with or without disabilities, one should not stop in achieving a dream. He may have taken a break for a while but taking the route to success remains his goal. For him, no gender, social status, age and, most of all, disability, is an excuse in pursuing a better life.

Laurence Bernardo, or Inan to his friends, lives in Sitio Kinarasyawan, Barangay Malpalon, Calintaan, Occidental Mindoro. Their family became a beneficiary of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in 2011. His father, Willian works as a part-time construction worker while her mother looks after him. William takes home Php 200.00 to Php 350.00 every day which should suffice to the daily needs and medications of Inan. His brother Freddie also helped with their family expenses.

Inan was born with a Congenital Genu Recurvatum or backward-bending knee. A rare condition where the knee grows backward resulting in a quadruped-like way of walking. “Kaya po ‘yan putik-putik lagi pag-uwi kasi sumasayad ang uniporme. E kaya ‘yung dalawang uniform n’ya, nilalabhan agad. Sya mismo naglalaba”, said Laura.

Inan was once featured in a TV documentary program in 2016. The 14-year old Inan, at that time, told that some kids in their community call him dog, carabao, cow, and monkey. While some went beyond calling him names. “Minsan may nakaaway s’ya, pinagsabihan ko na bakit naman inihian pa si Laurence sa likod. Sinisipa”, said Laura when asked about how other kids treat Inan. Laura also shared about how dogs chase and bark at him. “‘Yung aso kasing dinadaanan niya pagpumupunta s’ya sakin sa bukid, akala sa kanya aso din s’ya. Kaya tinatahulan, hinahabol pa kung minsan”.

Keeping on track

After Inan was featured in a TV documentary, financial assistance and support from different organizations and private individuals were received by his family. The call for assistance initiated by their school principal Efraim Tejada, also contributed to the medical operation of Inan. The Mabuhay Shiner Foundation responded to the call and sponsored the 4.5 million-worth operation of Inan. The Local Government Unit (LGU) Calintaan, through the Municipal Social Welfare Development Office (MSWDO), provided him with transportation to ensure that Inan’s family will no longer have to worry about travelling to and from the hospital. After months of preparation and with the collective support from different organizations, in 2018, Inan underwent the medical operation. This will enable him to walk just like other kids.

While recovering, Inan has to stay in the hospital. This made him worry about school. Instead of dropping out, through the Pantawid Education Focal in his school, Inan was able to catch up with his lessons. “Hindi po ako tumigil nung nasa hospital po ako. Pagdating po doon, binigyan po ako ng module para po masagutan ko po mga pinag-aralan nila [his classmates]. Para po ito makahabol ako. Binibigyan din po ako ng test.”

However, months after the operation, even with a heavy heart, Inan has to stop school and focus on his recovery. Because of this, he was also tagged as Not Attending School (NAS) from 2018 to 2019. But Inan’s mother Laura was concerned about how Inan worried too much about school instead of focusing on his recovery. “Matapang po si Inan. Hinarap po nya ang operasyon at desidido po syang gumaling upang makabalik uli s’ya sa paaralan. Ng nasa normal na syang kalagayan.”

Walking ‘extra’

According to Inan, with his condition, it is hard to keep up with his dream. There are days where he no longer sees school as a way to reach his goal of becoming a teacher. Not being able to attend school for a year also adds up in discouraging him to stop taking his route to success. But the ‘cheer’ from the people who believe in him was made louder. His parents and brother showed their support to Inan. “Pagkagaling nya sa opera ay nagplano po agad syang bumalik sa pag-aaral. Grabe ‘yung suporta ng magulang nya at kapatid kaya ibinili nila agad sya ng gamit sa paaralan. Kaya rin po siguro ang daming tumulong”,said Jonalyn D. Hitchon, Pantawid Pamilya Municipal Link.

A year after the operation, Inan went back to school as he believes that through education, a better future lies ahead of every Pantawid child – a future where opportunities are for all and poverty will no longer be inherited. “Tatapusin ko muna ang pag-aaral ko. Kasi pag sumuko ako, nag-asawa agad ako, kawawa magiging anak ko. Gagapang din sya sa hirap. Ayokong matulad siya sa akin. Mahirap. Sayang”.

With the support and encouragement from everyone, Inan was able to go back to school. He is also now getting himself used to walking and standing up through his feet without using his hands. “Minsan po nadadapa ako. Pero ano po ba ginagawa natin pag nadadapa, ‘di ba po tumatayo?”

For Inan, aside from his determination to finish school, he was able to move forward because he walked ‘extra’. The ‘extra’ is his real feet – the people who cheer and walk with him towards his goal. He believes that he is just a torch that carries inspiration to all and unites everyone. Inan proved that indeed reaching a goal is not just for those who can walk and run but also for those who dream.

PLDT Enterprise powers #PASIG hotline, aids city’s COVID response

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Complementing the initiatives of local government units (LGUs) in fortifying digital technology to manage the pandemic, PLDT Enterprise announced its partnership with the City of Pasig that will extensively interconnect the city and aid in its COVID-19 response initiatives with digital services in a brief partnership launching program last May 2021.

Pasig City has been lauded as one of the model cities in terms of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. To further amplify its efforts, Pasig City has recently availed of PLDT Enterprise’s extensive connectivity and communication services to be used in its offices, vaccination sites, and buses. PLDT Enterprise is also powering #PASIG MyNumber hotline #72744, which will allow its citizens to reach the LGU for emergency and other concerns.

"The City of Pasig was among the first to rise above this COVID situation, with solutions and responses that are innovative yet simple and inclusive - same principles that we uphold at PLDT and Smart. Our network services being a crucial component in our country's COVID-19 response is something that we really take to heart. Working with our government to deliver fast and reliable connectivity that is easily accessible where it is needed such as in your COVID isolation facilities, hospitals, health centers, public offices, is top priority," said Alfredo S. Panlilio, PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications President and CEO.

"This collaboration is important and will remain so even post-pandemic - that is our commitment. We want to sustain this partnership with the goal of economic recovery and a shared vision of the future," Panlilio added.

Vico Sotto, Mayor of Pasig City conveyed his gratitude for the partnership. "It has been a pleasure working with PLDT and Smart. Thank you so much for your partnership and we're looking forward to an even better and more fruitful partnership with you. ‘Yung mga naging proyekto natin talagang malaking tulong po, yung ating internet connectivity sa ating vaccination sites, hindi natin magagawa nang maayos yung vaccination kung hindi dahil sa ating internet connectivity."

“#PASIG and the internet connectivity have been very helpful for us. We're very happy with our partnership. Thank you for your invaluable support," Sotto added.

During the onset of the community quarantine last year, PLDT Enterprise has provided Pasig City with free mobile phones, tracking devices with apps, prepaid loads, and connectivity to help the city manage its COVID response.

"We at PLDT Enterprise are thankful for the trust given to us by the City of Pasig in powering their vaccination sites with our digital solutions. Not only are we able to help the City of Pasig share the latest updates on their COVID response, but citizens are also given easier access to the latest news on public health concerns. Thank you for trusting us in providing you with solutions that can help Pasigueños get information in a fast and reliable way," said Jovy Hernandez, ePLDT President & CEO and SVP & Head for PLDT and Smart Enterprise Business Groups.

As part of its continuing efforts, Pasig City created PasigPass, its QR code-based contact tracing solution. It was the first LGU to have a DOH- and WHO-approved COVID-19 Vaccination Plan, one feature of which is the expanded use of the PasigPass for its vaccination program.

For more information, go to pldtenterprise.com.

First Olympic Gold Stamp” will be issued in honor of Hidilyn Diaz

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The Philippine Postal Corporation (Post Office), under the Office of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, will immediately release a stamp in honor of the extraordinary and historic achievement made by Hidilyn Diaz, the first Filipino Olympic Gold Medalist.

“ It is our mandate and protocol to immediately issue a stamp in honor of personalities who excelled in sports on in any other arena”, Postmaster General Norman Fulgencio said.

“Hidilyn, your fete made us all proud. The Philippines’ long wait for its “First Olympic Gold Stamp” since we joined the Olympics in 1924 finally happened. You made history for the Philippines, the sports world and the Philippine Post Office”, Fulgencio said.

He added, “Right after the win, I was so elated and called on our creative team to start designing the first Olympic Gold Stamp and shared the good news to Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea”.

“The Post Office wanted the public to experience the victory and excitement of this historic win and even inspire young people to excel in their chosen sports following the footsteps of our own Filipino pride, Ms. Hidilyn Diaz”, Fulgencio said.

“This is our own way of honoring and acknowledging their great effort and contribution to society”, he said.

The Post Office wanted to make sure that Filipinos who have brought pride and honor to the country will never be forgotten and their greatness will forever be imprinted in the hearts and minds of our countrymen through the postage stamps.

Postage stamps have been used around the world to commemorate, in miniature, significant events and people. The value of stamps increased with time, turning it into an important part of a country’s identity.

“It would be nice to showcase Filipinos who greatly contributed to the joy, inspiration and pride of the nation”, he said.

What is an Athlete's Diet?

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As we all were passionately waiting for Olympic Games 2020 in Tokyo and the first medals accompanied with national anthems found their winners, more and more people started to admire those brave sportsmen and sportswomen who dedicated their lives to bring glory to their nations. In fact, Olympic players look extremely attractive. As not every ordinary person is into sports, all of us are foodies, and the most popular question while we watch the Olympic Games is, so what is a typical athlete’s diet consist of?


Basic Food Groups

If your dream is to become a champion, you better start to eat like one. It is not only about regular workouts but also about very precise, healthy food habits. Athletes follow many types of diets, chosen individually for them. Flexitarian diet for men, DASH diet for women, Noom diet for weight loss, Paleo diet for gaining muscles, however, all of them have one feature in common – breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks in between must be on time.

 
1.Fruits and Vegetables

The more colorful the plate – the better Nutri-elements are present in it. Fresh fruits and vegetables of all kinds will boost athletes' immune systems with antioxidants. It is a matter of great importance to incorporate fresh veggies and fruits in each meal. Spinach, bell peppers, cabbage, tomatoes, carrots, kale, Brussels sprouts, swiss chard, lettuce, beetroot, avocado, and numerous other veggies are powerhouses to build up muscles. Cherries, oranges, bananas, berries, mango, pomegranate, kiwi, apple, grapes – the rule is, all the same, the more colorful- the better.

 
2.Grains

Athletes have their secret list of perfect grains, which contains seven items, and most probably only half of the list is available in your kitchen. Oats, quinoa, buckwheat – so far nobody is surprised, however, most useful grains that prevent inflammation after exhausting training are farro and sorghum, teff will increase the level of iron and calcium in athlete’s blood, amaranth contains nine essential amino acid and is a vital ingredient for diet.

 
3.Proteins

Now we will need a calculator, as protein consumptions are all different and depend on body weight and type of sport. For example, an average person will require 0,8 grams of protein per kg each day. Hence, if you are a man with an 85 kg weight, you will need 68 grams of protein. The highest protein consumption should have strength athletes 1,7 grams per one kg of body weight.

4.Dairy

Dairy is a very controversial type of product, one study says it should be removed from an athlete diet, another study insists its crucial source of calcium and Greek yogurt, milk, string cheese is mandatory in the diet. Each athlete has their own preferences and a personal nutritionist; therefore, dairy products will be advised individually.


Main components of Athlets’ diet

1.Load Up on Carbohydrates

Fruits, Oatmeal, Starchy vegetables (sweet/white potatoes, squash), Non-starchy vegetables (broccoli, leafy greens), Whole grain bread or crackers, High-fiber, non-sugary cereals, Quinoa, Brown or wild rice are your smart choices.

2.Get Enough Protein, But Not Too Much

As it was mentioned above protein should be calculated as per the athlete’s body weight and it's one of the rules that can influence performance and general results. Add the same amount of protein to your meals as required. Every sportsmen/sportswoman dreams to win the competition on a local or global scale. Moreover, sports competitions are so popular that they are shown in primetime on TV and people enjoy betting on a particular sportsman.

3.Go Easy on Fat

Avocado, Peanut butter, Nuts and Seeds, Olive or canola oil, Hummus, Flaxseed add to baking or cooking are healthy oils that contribute to balanced hormones production.

4.Drink Fluids Early and Often

Up to 60% of the human body is water and athletes are not exempted. The brain and heart are composed of 73% water, and the lungs are about 83% water and even the bones are watery-31%, you want to keep organs run smoothly you need to drink water often.

The Athlete’s Plate

Athlete’s Plate virtually can be divided into 3 areas: 50% of plates are dedicated to fresh vegetables and fruits, 25% is for protein and another 25% is carbohydrates. Meals are taken at exactly the same time, athletes do not skip breakfast, keep themselves well-hydrated, and tend to choose smart snacks, like nuts and dried fruits in between meals. Have a minimum of 8- hours sleep and are consistent in their training schedule. Eat. Exercise. Sleep. Repeat.

NHL Player Tkachuk Utilizes NFT To Raise Funds For Charity

 

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Matthew Tkachuk comes from a famous hockey family. His father Keith was a 50-goal scorer and both Matthew and his brother, Ottawa Senators forward Brady, were first-round selections in the NHL entry draft.

Calgary Flames forward Matthew is also making NHL history off the ice. He’s the first player in league history to introduce a non-fungible token. NFTs are taking the sports world by storm. NFTs are crypto collectibles, which are basically digital pieces of art that exist in the blockchain like cryptocurrency such as bitcoin and ethereum. Teams and players are utilizing NFTs to offer access and a unique connection between them and their fanbase. This can include perks such as discounts on tickets, private tours of team facilities, autographed memorabilia and even meet and greets with players. They can be bought, sold and traded.

Across the sporting world, the blockchain is being embraced. Teams are enabling the purchase of tickets through cryptocurrency. In the world of sports betting, the vast majority of the top online betting sites listed at vegasbetting.com are accepting Bitcoin and other forms of cryptocurrency as methods to fund their accounts.

Tkachuk admitted he was relatively oblivious to the world of the blockchain prior to the issue of his NFT. “Like anyone else, I really had no idea what it was,” Tkachuk told The Athletic. “And I think early on I probably explained it pretty poorly, but as I’ve started to understand it more I think my explanation has gotten better.”

Tkachuk’s digital artwork for his NFT was created by Canadian artist Rob Dubois. The piece featured two images of the Flames forward. In one, he is scoring an overtime goal between the legs goal. The other captured an up-close image of him chewing on his mouthguard.

Entitled Matthew Tkachuk Genesis, the NFT had 16 different bidders and sold for $27,954. As well the NFT, the winning bidder also received a Tkachuk jersey, a signed stick, and a Zoom meeting with the Calgary star.

 
Charitable Cause

An added element to Tkachuk’s NFT offering was that it was designed to benefit two charities - the Children’s Hospitals of Calgary and St. Louis.

“It was an exciting opportunity and for me to pair it up with a charitable cause as well, it was a no-brainer for me to get involved,” Tkachuk told Sportsnet. “I felt like this was a new way to show digital art and to play a tiny, tiny part in helping to bring in more donations to the hospitals for the great work they do. It’s awesome. It’s the least I can do.”

The cause of helping children’s hospitals was not only dear to Tkachuk’s heart, it’s also a cause his family has always devoted time and resources to over the years.

“I think the St. Louis one has really touched me personally,” Tkachuk said. “My dad was always involved in that when he was playing. My sister was there for a little bit when she was born.

“We just always had it ingrained in us to give back and Children’s Hospital is one that’s been connected to our family for awhile, so when I came to Calgary, I knew that was exactly what I wanted to do.

“At the end of the day, it’s so important for to have a charitable side to it, too. It’s all going to great charities.”

 
Engaging With The Fans

As much as he loves the game as hockey, Tkachuk is of the belief that the NHL doesn’t do nearly enough to connect the fans with the personalities of individual players. He thinks NFTs are a way to help increase that bond between players and fans.

“The connection with the sport is great,” Tkachuk said. “To me, hockey is the greatest sport in the world and I don’t think we do a good enough job yet of showing off everybody’s personalities and stuff like that.

“This is another step in showing that and I truly feel that with the help of Greg Dubois, it really showed two aspects of my personality on the ice. One part of its me hanging out with the mouthguard out of my mouth and the other part is me loving scoring goals and having a cool celebration.

“I just think it’s another way to show off how great of a sport hockey is.”

Revolutionary digital transformation to increase PH global competitiveness—PLDT Enterprise

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Partnerships and openness to technology are key factors in igniting revolutionary digital transformations and increasing the Philippines' global competitiveness, according to PLDT Enterprise.

In its recently concluded TechTalk ON-AIR titled The Revolution, ePLDT President & CEO and SVP & Head for PLDT and Smart Enterprise Business Groups Jovy Hernandez emphasized that the key success factor for digital transformation is how organizations are willing to exhaust available technology to augment how they do things.

“It's just a matter of political will and making that strong leadership decision. Now is the right time to do it. There are challenges ahead but if we put our collective thoughts together, working with both public and private organizations, it’s pretty much doable,” he stressed.

Hernandez underscored that technology applications can revolutionize industries such as banking, education, business and even the agriculture sector by helping farmers increase production and harvest better yields.

He further added that as PLDT sees the immense potential of technology in changing the whole country, the company will continue its role as an enabler for every Filipino’s dream of better lives “where children can have access to quality education, and where entrepreneurs and enterprises can ably compete and participate in the global arena.”

“It's obvious to us that the Filipino has the talent; we have the intelligence and the skill to compete head-on and be at par with other global players. It's just really getting together both public and private organizations together and making it happen. And our role is to help and enable,” said Hernandez.

Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla, who was also present in the event, reiterated the importance of innovation as they have been working closely with partners to accelerate the delivery of connectivity services in their province.

The Cavite local government recently unveiled its partnership with PLDT and Smart for the rollout of a massive fiber network which will lay the foundation for the province’s plan to becoming a ‘Smart City.’

“Innovation doesn't come from people like me or people in universities. Innovation comes from little, combined ideas which can be sparked through their accessibility to the wi-fi network. We are far away from that but we are on the way,” the Cavite governor added.

Remulla also said that Cavite is now on its third revolution or the connectivity revolution where they are creating a space to help the Cavitenos rise and ensure that they are always in the revolutionary sphere.

“What we are doing is a template for the entire country and what to do next,” Remulla added.

PLDT Enterprise’s Tech Talk ON AIR: The Revolution highlighted how organizations can stay ahead and future proof their business operations using revolutionary information and communications technology (ICT) solutions.

For more information, visit pldtenterprise.com

Amazing Ideas for What to Do with Leftover Adobo and Fried Chicken

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

We definitely shouldn’t be wasting food. Even without our mothers admonishing us to clean our plates out of consideration for the starving orphans in their impoverished country of choice, food security and frugality should be top priority. The food on our dining table represents our hard work, and letting it go to waste devalues the effort needed to bring it to the table in the first place.

However, at the same time, estimating how much to cook and figuring out portion sizes for each member of the family can be very difficult. It’s often much easier to cook more than what’s actually needed, then set aside whatever’s left for another day. But what happens when you’re made to eat the same dish for the third night straight, simply because that’s what was available?

If this sounds like a familiar issue to you, you’re in luck. Here are some great ideas for turning tired old leftovers into dishes you’d look forward to having.

Last Night’s Adobo Is This Morning’s Breakfast

We get it. Your mom’s adobo recipe is the best in the city, country, planet, or solar system. But no matter how good it is, you’re likely to want something else if you’re having it for the fourth night in a row.

Give your favorite Filipino braised dish a fresh treatment by turning it into adobo flakes, which the whole family will look forward to for breakfast. To make this dish, start by stripping the chicken meat from the bones, and if your adobo has pork, break those pieces of meat into smaller pieces. Then, put all your meat in a bowl and shred it. You can do this by tearing the meat apart with two forks.

Once your meat has been flaked and no large chunks remain, heat an oiled skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil begins to sizzle, put in the meat, and press it into the skillet so as much of it comes into direct contact with the cooking surface as possible. Mix it and toss it every so often, but not too much; you want to allow the meat to toast and crisp up. You may also have to scrape the bottom of the skillet to extract all the burny, toasty bits (which are full of flavor, so don’t waste those).

Once your meat has browned and toasted evenly, it’s ready to serve. Be sure you have plenty of fried garlic rice and sunny-side up eggs to go with your adobo flakes, and provide some of the braising liquid as a sauce on the side as well. You can also serve the sauce as a drizzle on either the rice, or on the adobo flakes themselves, for added flavor.

Pro tip: Adobo flakes are also great as a filling for rolls and pandesal!



Fried Chicken Becomes a Handy Sandwich Filling

Fried chicken, whether store-bought or homemade, makes frequent appearances on Filipino dining tables, and with good reason. When it’s done right, the combination of crunchy, fatty skin with the heartiness and delicate flavor of the meat makes it a mealtime winner that appeals to kids of all ages.

Unfortunately, day-old fried chicken is not nearly as enticing. The skin, once crisp and golden, becomes flabby and lifeless, and the meat is usually dry and bland after spending the night in the fridge.

Make old fried chicken pieces delicious again by turning them into the base for chicken salad, which can be great as a sandwich filling or even just on its own. Begin by stripping away all the meat on the chicken bones (you can also save the skin and turn that into cracklings). Once the meat has been extracted, how you prepare it for your sandwich will be up to you and your preferences. You can slice the meat into chunks, giving you a heartier filling, or you can shred it, making it easier to spread on bread or rolls. Whichever you prefer, remember to add a fatty dressing to your chicken salad. The chicken meat will probably have dried out a little, so reintroduce some moisture into it with mayonnaise, yogurt, or ranch dressing.

Once you have your basic filling prepared, you can modify it however you like. Adding in some cubed apples and halved walnuts will give you the starting point for a classic chicken Waldorf salad, while mixing in some ground cumin, chilli, and garam masala will give you a filling for a chicken tikka wrap. You don’t even have to include the bread, if you’re watching your carb intake. Just make a big batch of this and pull it out as a quick lunch option. As an additional note, all of these treatments are great for leftover roast or baked chicken as well.

Dinner doesn’t just have to be a matter of combing through the fridge and reheating whatever’s in there. With some creativity and a willingness to experiment, almost any dish can be remade into appealing new versions that present new flavors and textures. Try these out, and see which of them will be your next favorite!

Manila Central Post Office workers, one of the first to achieve Covid-19 herd immunity status

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Philippine Postal Corporation (Post Office) with the assistance from the Office of the Manila City Health Department has now vaccinated almost 100 percent of its target group in Metro Manila, making it even safer to transact business.

More than 600 Post Office workers, including letter carriers, cashiers, and security guards, have already received their first dose of Covid-19 vaccine last June 18. The second round went smoothly and achieved the same results, with vaccinations completed on July 16. Around 50% of its postal workers nationwide have been vaccinated.

Given their work on the frontlines of Covid-19 pandemic, Post Office workers and letter carriers have been prioritized to get their second dose of Covid-19 vaccine.

Postmaster General Norman “Mr. Postman” Fulgencio thanked President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Senator and Chair of the Senate Committee on Health Christopher "Bong" Go, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., chief implementer of the National Task Force against Covid-19 and Secretary Vivencio Dizon, Deputy Chief Implementer of the National Task Force Against COVID-19 for continuously supporting the country's pandemic responses especially for government postal workers.

Postmaster General Fulgencio urged all Post Office Assistant Postmaster Generals’ and Area Directors to immediately take the shot and help achieve 100% vaccination nationwide.

Herd immunity (also called community immunity) protects people who are not immune to a disease.

Full Circle Lab Philippines Returns with Online Edition, New Lab for Creative Producers

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Full Circle Lab Philippines, organized by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) in partnership with Tatino Films, will have another virtual edition from September 20 to October 1 as the capacity-building program led by international industry experts continues to support Filipino and Southeast Asian filmmakers in enhancing their projects to become globally competitive.

Now in its third year, the online Full Circle Lab Philippines will be held during the celebration of the Philippine Film Industry Month as declared in the Presidential Proclamation No. 1085.

The lab will be composed of the Fiction Lab, Series Lab, First Cut Lab, and the newest addition, the Creative Producers Lab, designed to nurture producers in project development, legal and financing issues, and company development to enhance the production value of their films.

Filmmakers from the Philippines and Southeast Asian countries Brunei, Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam are eligible and encouraged to submit their projects for consideration into the program’s four labs.

The submission of applications will be until July 30, 2021, and the FDCP will be announcing the final selection of projects in the first week of September. 

FDCP, with Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño at the helm, seeks to make the Philippines a creative hub for filmmaking in the Southeast Asian region in collaboration with Full Circle Lab director Matthieu Darras, former Artistic Director of the internationally renowned Torino Film Lab.

The international film lab has supported the development of film projects such as “Fan Girl,” by Antoinette Jadaone, “Babae at Baril” by Rae Red, “Hayop Ka! The Nimfa Dimaano Story” by Avid Liongoren, and “John Denver Trending” by Arden Rod Condez that competed in the world's A-List Festivals. “Fan Girl” had its world premiere at Tallinn Film Festival, “Hayop Ka!” just recently competed in the Annecy Film Festival, while “John Denver Trending” competed in the New Currents section of the Busan International Film Festival.

Xeph Suarez’s “Dancing the Tides,” one of the selected projects for the First Cut Lab Manila in 2019 and Southern Voices Film Lab’s Special Jury Prize awardee winning the Co-Production Grant worth PHP 500,000, is participating in this year’s La Fabrique Cinéma of the Cannes Film Festival.

Full Circle Lab alumni projects “Sam” by director E Del Mundo and producer Pamela Reyes and “Don’t Cry Butterflies” by Duong Dieu Linh are among the selected projects in this year’s Locarno Film Festival’s Open Doors, while “Pierce” by Nelicia Low participated in this year’s Far East Film Festival’s Focus Asia.

“For the past two years, Full Circle Lab Philippines has supported Filipino and Southeast Asian projects that have evolved into critically-acclaimed and internationally competitive films. By continuing this partnership with Tatino Films and Full Circle Lab, we are honored to be able to give guidance, support, and platforms to our filmmakers. We are excited to become a part of their Full Circle Lab journeys that will certainly mold the future of the Philippine film industry,” said FDCP Chairperson and CEO Diño.

Last year, the 2nd Full Circle Lab Philippines was held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Full Circle Lab has supported 20 projects from various countries in Southeast Asia, including 13 projects from the Philippines and seven projects with productions and co-productions from Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Taiwan.

See more details for the submission process below:

 

FULL CIRCLE LAB PHILIPPINES 2021

 

For the 2021 edition, FDCP and Tatino Films will continue to provide opportunities for the filmmakers to further develop and elevate their projects in the online version of the Full Circle Lab. The selected projects will have the opportunity to have an initial consultation with their assigned industry experts from the pool of Full Circle Lab mentors through a series of online meetings to ensure the safety of all the mentors, participants, and organizers.

 

Full Circle Lab Philippines aims to:

 

●      Identify, nurture, and train creative talents in the Philippines and Southeast Asia;

●      Support Filipino and Southeast Asian film projects along  with their development and post-production processes – to enhance their artistic and audience potentials with a focus on storytelling;

●      Foster the internationalization of the Filipino film industry and positioning the Philippines as a creative hub in the Southeast Asian region;

●      Create synergy between industry experts and professionals across the globe through sessions and talks via online platforms.

 

LABS

 

The program is composed of four labs: Fiction, Series, Creative Producers, and First Cut Labs

 

The Fiction Lab nurtures feature films in development, combining works in plenary, groups, and individual consultations.

 

The Series Lab aims at answering the growing demand for episodic content from VOD platforms and will nurture series projects – both mini-series and multi-season series are accepted.

 

The Creative Producers Lab is the newest addition to the Full Circle Lab that will nurture producers with projects in development.

 

The First Cut Lab is open to feature films at the editing stage and helps creative teams to reach the film they envision, fostering their artistic and circulation potential.

 

The Lab will be preceded by sessions headed by world-class experts as part of the FDCP’s Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP) International Film Industry Conference from September 17 to 19, 2021.

 

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS GUIDELINES

 

How to apply

 

Full Circle Lab Philippines is open to filmmakers from the Philippines and Southeast Asia countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

 

●      Applicants should submit their entire application by the 30th of July 2021.

●      All requirements shall be sent to projectlab@fdcp.ph.

 

Selection

 

The Full Circle Lab mentors shall review the materials of eligible applicants and shall confer to select the final selection, ensuring the diversity of the lineup.

 

FDCP will be announcing the final selection of the official projects by 1st week of September 2021.

 

For Fiction and Series Labs, the stage of development of each project may vary.

 

1. Projects with or without producer(s) attached will equally be welcomed. There is no need to have financing in place.
2. Participants will be the author(s), and the directors and producers will also be attending if they are attached to the projects.
3. The Labs are open for projects that have not yet entered the pre-production stage.

 

Applicants must submit the following:

 

●      Duly accomplished Application Form

●      Logline (50 words), Synopsis (1 page), and Concept/Treatment (Up to 10 pages)

●      Director’s and producer’s statements (Up to 2 pages)

●      Director’s and screenwriter’s filmographies (1 page)

●      Producer’s filmography (1 page) and Production company profile (1 page)

●      Rights to Adaptation if applicable.

●      All requirements must be submitted in separate PDF documents.

 

For the Creative Producers Lab, producers must attend the whole duration of the lab. Independent Producers are welcome to apply.

 

Applicants must submit the following:

 

●      Duly accomplished Application Form

●      Producer’s statement (Up to 2 pages)

●      Producer’s filmography (1 page) and Production company profile (1 page)

●      All requirements must be submitted in separate PDF documents.

 

 

For the First Cut Lab, the film’s producer, director, and editor must attend the whole duration of the Editing Lab.

 

Applicants must submit the following:

 

●      Duly accomplished Application Form

●      A minimum of 30 minutes of scenes from the film. Must be subtitled in English. Scenes can be separate and can be in the rough cut.

●      Logline (50 words), Synopsis (1 page)

●      Director’s and producer’s statements (Up to 2 pages)

●      Director’s and editor’s filmographies (1 page)

●      Producer’s filmography (1 page) and Production company profile (1 page)

●      All requirements must be submitted in separate PDF documents.

 

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WEBSITE LINK:

 

https://www.fdcp.ph/media/full-circle-lab-philippines-returns-online-edition-new-lab-creative-producers