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Living my life one day at a time

Melinda Bagsic Evangelista
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Living my life one day at a time

September – the 9th month in the Gregorian Calendar, my birth month. When my kids were still with me, I would start decorating the house with dancing Christmas lights, colorful lanterns, mistletoe, bright-colored curtains, and a Christmas tree – all in preparation for the coming Christmas. My kids would even assist me in cleaning the house from top to bottom – happy bonding moments worth remembering.

Now that my kids are gone, I lost interest in doing what I used to do when they were with me though I had to give in to the fervent request of Nene, my grandkid, to at least give the house a touch of Christmas. So even with a heavy heart and sometimes with tears in my eyes, I had to unbox, untie, and pull out some of the decorations to be displayed again like in the past. 

To bolster my interest in decorating the house, Nene would play on her portable radio my old favorite songs ranging from ballad to rock to classical. Like his father, she knew music is my weakness – the language of my soul. She loves watching me tapping the table with my fingers as I listen to the rhythm of the music. 

One time in the past, I was photographed stealthily by my son Michael as I mimicked Freddie Mercury in his bombastic rendition of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’. It feels good reminiscing the good old days though sometimes it strikes hard the scars left by the wounds of yesteryears causing unwanted pain. 

Anyway, at this point in time in my life, I already learned to accept the things that I cannot change. Part of my being had grown numb to heartaches of the past but I must admit that sometimes I still ache especially during this time of the year when Christmas is just weeks away. Growing old as we all know is a blessing because not everybody is given such privilege so we just have to enjoy it with our friends and the people we love every single day.

Honestly, I envy those who spend time roaming around with friends or dancing at the ballroom of some hotels but I guess that’s not my cup of tea. I just want to live my life one day at a time listening to music while reading or doing my usual household chores.

Senate bill na magbibigay ng cash grant sa mga 80-anyos pataas, pasado na

Venus L Peñaflor and Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Senate bill na magbibigay ng cash grant sa mga 80-anyos pataas, pasado na

Inaprubahan na ng Senado sa ikatlo at huling pagbasa ang panukalang batas na magbibigay ng cash grant sa mga Filipino na nasa edad na 80-anyos pataas, kabilang na ang mga naninirahan sa ibang bansa. Ipinasa ang Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2028 o “Expanding the Coverage of the Centenarians Act” nitong Lunes.

Sa ilalim ng nasabing batas, ang mga Filipino senior citizens na aabot sa 80 anyos ay makatatanggap ng P10,000 na cash grant. Samantala, ang mga aabot sa 90 anyos ay makakatanggap ng P90,000, habang ang mga magiging 100 anyos naman ay bibigyan ng P100,000.

Ang panukalang ito ay inihain ni Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, matapos malaman na umaabot lamang sa 79 anyos ang life expectancy ng mga kalalakihan at 83 anyos naman sa mga kababaihan. Sa kanyang pahayag, sinabi ni Pimentel na maraming Filipino ang hindi nararating ang edad na 100 taon, at hindi rin nila nararanasan ang mga benepisyo at pribilehiyo na nararapat para sa mga centenarian, kaya’t layunin ng panukalang ito na magbigay ng tulong sa kanila.

Nakasaad din sa panukala na magkakaroon ng regular na paga-adjust sa halaga ng cash grant batay sa inflation rate, at ito ay itatakda ng National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) batay sa average annual inflation rate sa nakaraang tatlong taon.

Bilang bahagi ng panukala, ang Philippine Statistics Authority ay inatasang gumawa ng data management system upang ma-record ang mga kaugnay na impormasyon ng mga senior citizens na sakop ng batas. Ito ay gagawin sa koordinasyon ng Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Information and Communications Technology, at mga lokal na pamahalaan.

Ayon kay Senador Win Gatchalian, isa sa mga co-sponsor ng panukala, layunin ng batas na ito na matulungan ang mga senior citizens na mabuhay ng mas komportable at may sapat na tulong pinansyal. Sinabi ni Gatchalian, “Ang P100,000 cash gift, na ipapamahagi sa tatlong yugto para sa mga octogenarian, nonagenarian, at centenarian, ay makakatulong sa kanilang gastusin sa pang-araw-araw, gamot, pangangalaga sa kalusugan, at iba pang pangangailangan.”

Philippines vows to dismantle any Chinese-installed barriers in South China Sea dispute

Venus L Peñaflor
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Philippines vows to dismantle any Chinese-installed barriers in South China Sea dispute

MANILA, Philippines. Philippine authorities have declared their intention to dismantle any floating barriers erected by China’s coast guard in the disputed South China Sea, according to a statement by a Philippine admiral on Wednesday. This announcement comes in the wake of a recent incident where Manila removed one such barrier in a contested shoal, sparking tensions with China.

Officials in the Philippines strongly condemned the installation of a 300-meter-long (980-foot) barrier by Chinese coast guard vessels at the entrance to the Scarborough Shoal’s lagoon last week, viewing it as a violation of international law and Philippine sovereignty. The barrier had effectively blocked Filipino fishing boats from accessing the bountiful fishing grounds in the area. Scarborough Shoal is located within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, just west of Luzon Island, but has been under Chinese occupation since 2012, as part of China’s expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea.

On Monday, the Philippine coast guard confirmed its compliance with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to launch a covert operation aimed at removing the rope and net barrier held up by small buoys at the entrance to the shoal. China responded on Tuesday by urging the Philippines to “refrain from provocations or seeking trouble.”

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin stated in a Beijing news briefing, “Huayang Island is China’s inherent territory,” referring to Scarborough Shoal by its Chinese name. He characterized the Philippines’ actions as a “farce” and emphasized China’s commitment to safeguarding territorial sovereignty and maritime rights in the region.

Philippine Vice Adm. Alberto Carlos, head of the military’s Western Command responsible for overseeing the South China Sea, expressed concerns that the Chinese coast guard might deploy a similar floating barrier at the entrance to Second Thomas Shoal. This shoal is occupied by a small Philippine navy contingent on a grounded warship and is currently surrounded by Chinese coast guard vessels. Carlos stated, “My concern is, if they also put a barrier in Ayungin… we also have to remove the barrier. Whatever they install, we will remove.”

Under President Marcos, who assumed office last year, the Philippines has escalated efforts to counter China’s increasingly assertive actions in the highly contested South China Sea. The Philippine coast guard has started inviting journalists to join its territorial patrols, aiming to expose what it calls China’s bullying tactics in the region.

Apart from China and the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan are also parties to the longstanding territorial disputes in the South China Sea, which has long been considered a potential flashpoint in Asia and a sensitive issue in the broader U.S.-China rivalry.

While Washington does not claim sovereignty over the South China Sea, it has conducted naval patrols for decades to challenge China’s expansive claims and promote freedom of navigation in the region. China has repeatedly urged the U.S. to refrain from intervening in what it sees as an Asian dispute.

Adm. Carlos confirmed that the Philippine military would comply with President Marcos’s orders to ensure that the marooned and deteriorating navy ship, used as a territorial outpost at Second Thomas Shoal, “remains there, strong enough to be able to fly the Philippine flag.” China has requested the Philippines to tow the ship away from the shoal, but the Philippines maintains that the area falls within its exclusive economic zone.

Chinese coast guard vessels have previously attempted to block Philippine resupply vessels, resulting in near-collisions. The United States has stated its commitment to defending the Philippines, its oldest treaty ally in Asia, in the event of any attack on Filipino forces, ships, or aircraft, including in the South China Sea.

P6M halaga ng telecom equipment ninakaw sa Laguna at Quezon

Arman B. Cambe
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P6M halaga ng telecom equipment ninakaw sa Laguna at Quezon

CALAMBA CITY, Laguna. Mahigit sa P6 milyong halaga ng telecommunications equipment at instruments ang ninakaw mula sa mga metereological towers sa Laguna at Quezon. Ayon sa Calabarzon PNP director na si Police BGeneral Carlito Gaces, ang mga hindi pa nakikilalang suspects ay nagnakaw ng mga imported na piyesa at mga kagamitan sa dalawang MET tower.

Ang mga ninakaw na instrumento ay nagmula sa mga meteorological mast tower na matatagpuan sa Little Baguio, Barangay Cueva, Santa Maria, Laguna. Ang mga meteorological towers na ito ay may mahalagang papel sa pagsusukat ng bilis ng hangin at patak ng ulan, at ito rin ay nagsisilbing landmark sa mga motorista na naglalakbay sa boundary ng Laguna at Quezon.

Sa ulat ng Police Regional Intelligence Unit 4A, sinira ng mga suspects ang padlock at kadenang nakakabit sa pintong bakal ng mga tower. Pagkatapos nito, nilagot nila ang may habang 125 metro na copper grounding cable, na siyang nagdadala ng data mula sa mga metereological instruments.

Upang mahanap ang mga suspects, isang tracker team mula sa Police Regional Office 4A ang inilunsad ng tanggapan ni General Gaces. Binibigyang-pansin ng mga awtoridad ang kaso upang mapanagot ang mga taong responsable sa pagkawala ng mahalagang equipment na ito.

Ang krimeng ito ay nagpapakita ng pangangailangan na palakasin ang seguridad ng mga mahahalagang imprastruktura sa rehiyon upang mapanatili ang kaligtasan ng publiko at maipagpatuloy ang mga serbisyong teknolohikal, ayon kay Gaces.

EU official calls out X (formerly Twitter) for disinformation proliferation

EDGARDO HERNAL
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EU official calls out X (formerly Twitter) for disinformation proliferation

LONDON. A prominent European Union official, European Commission Vice President Vera Jourova, expressed concerns on Tuesday over the social network X, formerly known as Twitter, labeling it as the primary disseminator of fake news. She called upon the platform’s owner, Elon Musk, to adhere to the European Union’s regulations designed to combat disinformation.

In the lead-up to imminent elections, Jourova emphasized that Google, TikTok, Microsoft, and Meta also have responsibilities in addressing the issue of disinformation, much of which originates from Russia. The European Commission Vice President stated that Russia employs social media as a tool to wage a “war of ideas” against democracy.

Jourova highlighted Moscow’s disinformation campaign, describing it as a “multimillion-euro weapon of mass manipulation” with targets both domestically within Russia and internationally across Europe and the world. She made these remarks during a press briefing held in Brussels.

With elections scheduled in Slovakia and Poland in the coming weeks, followed by a bloc-wide vote next year, Jourova stressed that major online platforms must address the risk of online interference in the democratic process.

Jourova cautioned that the Kremlin and other malicious actors are likely to exploit the design features of these platforms for manipulation and disinformation.

Her statements followed an update on the European Union’s 2022 Code of Practice on Disinformation, which involves six online platforms in Poland, Slovakia, and Spain. Notably, Twitter had the highest prevalence of disinformation and the most significant ratio of disinformation actors among the platforms studied.

“Twitter has the highest discoverability” of disinformation, according to the report.

Despite Twitter’s departure from the voluntary code after its acquisition by Elon Musk, Jourova made it clear that Musk’s company, X, is now under scrutiny. The Code of Practice on Disinformation has been incorporated into a stringent set of mandatory European regulations known as the Digital Services Act, subjecting major online platforms, including X, to heightened oversight.

Jourova issued a warning to Musk, stating that he cannot evade responsibility simply because Twitter exited the code voluntarily. She emphasized that there are now legal obligations in place, and Twitter must comply with these regulations.

Under the code, online platforms commit to implementing measures aimed at reducing disinformation and are required to submit regular reports. The first six-month reports outlining their progress in meeting these commitments were released on Tuesday. An attempt to seek comment from X’s press team received an automated response stating, “Busy now, please check back later.”

Office of Transport Security chief Nag-resign matapos ang hinalang’lunok-pera’ ng tauhan

Venus L Peñaflor
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Office of Transport Security chief Nag-resign matapos ang hinalang’lunok-pera’ ng tauhan

Matapos ang pangako ni House Speaker Martin Romualdez na haharangin ang pondo, nagsumite ng courtesy resignation si Office of Transport Security (OTS) Administrator Ma.O Rañada Aplasca.

Sa sulat ng courtesy resignation kay Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr., ipinaliwanag ni Aplasca na hindi niya kayang isakripisyo ang integridad ng kanyang ahensya, ngunit ito ay itinuturing niyang “noble undertaking for a great interest.”

Ipinagdiinan pa niya na wala siyang ginawang masama at naging tapat siya sa kampanya laban sa katiwalian sa lahat ng mga paliparan sa buong bansa.

“But I can assure His excellency that the good men and women of OTS will not falter in its commitment to cleanse its ranks to finally deliver your promise of a convinient, affordable , safe and secured transportation system”ayon pa sa liham ng pagbibitiw ni Aplasca.

Nagpasalamat din siya kay Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista sa tiwala na ibinigay sa kanya para maglingkod sa mga Pilipino.

Nauna diti, nagkaroon ng kontrobersiya ang isang video kung saan makikita ang isang tauhan ng OTS na diumano ay kumuha ng $300 mula sa isang pasahero, at inakalang ito ay tsokolate lamang. Dahil sa insidente, nanawagan na rin si Romualdez na magbitiw sa pwesto si Aplasca.

Passport renewal ng seniors, migrant workers magiging available na online

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Passport renewal ng seniors, migrant workers magiging available na online

Magiging mas madali na ang pag-renew ng passport ng mga senior citizen at migranteng manggagawa ay sa pamamagitan ng online application, matapos itong aprubahan ng mga senador sa ilalim ng New Philippine Passport Act.

Ayon sa Senate Bill No. 2001, maaari nang mag-renew ng kanilang mga pasaporte ang mga aplikante na 60 taong gulang pataas at mga migranteng manggagawa nang hindi kinakailangang magtungo sa opisina ng Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). Ito ay matapos maipasa ang panukala sa ikatlong pagbasa sa Senado noong Lunes.

Sa ilalim ng panukalang batas, ang DFA ay inuutusan na mag-isyu ng isang sistema kung saan maaaring isumite ng mga aplikante ang kanilang aplikasyon nang hindi kinakailangang personal na pumunta sa Office of Consular Affairs o anumang Consular Office. Ito ay gagawin sa pamamagitan ng paggamit ng mga available na teknolohiya.

Bukod dito, itinataguyod ng panukalang batas na makipag-ugnayan ang DFA sa iba’t ibang ahensya ng gobyerno upang magbuo at magpatupad ng online application portal at electronic one-stop shop. Layunin nito na mapabuti ang kaginhawahan ng aplikasyon para sa mga passport at ang proseso ng pagkuha at pagsusumite ng mga kinakailangang dokumento.

Sa pag-apruba ng New Philippine Passport Act, inaasahan na mas mapapadali at mapapabilis ang proseso ng pag-renew ng passport para sa mga senior citizen at migranteng manggagawa. Ito ay pinaniniwalaang magbibigay ng mas magandang serbisyo sa kanila at magpapalakas sa sistema ng pasaporte sa bansa.

Japan approves Leqembi, its first Alzheimer’s drug, after US approval

Venus L Peñaflor
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Japan approves Leqembi, its first Alzheimer’s drug, after US approval

Tokyo, Japan. Japan’s health ministry has granted approval for Leqembi, a drug developed for Alzheimer’s disease by Japanese pharmaceutical company Eisai Co. and U.S. biotechnology firm Biogen Inc. This marks a significant milestone as it’s Japan’s first drug for treating Alzheimer’s disease, a condition that is of increasing concern in a country with a rapidly aging population.

The approval in Japan follows the endorsement of Leqembi by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) two months earlier. Leqembi is designed for patients with mild dementia and other early-stage Alzheimer’s symptoms, offering the potential to modestly slow cognitive decline.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who announced the approval, hailed it as a “breakthrough” and a sign that “the treatment of dementia has now entered a new era.” Kishida has also promised increased support for the growing number of dementia patients and their families. He is set to convene a panel this week to discuss measures aimed at creating a more dementia-friendly society.

According to the health ministry, the number of dementia patients aged 65 or older in Japan is expected to increase from the current 6 million to 7 million by 2025.

However, it’s worth noting that Leqembi, like other drugs targeting Alzheimer’s-related brain plaques, doesn’t work for everyone and can have dangerous side effects, including brain swelling and bleeding, although these side effects are rare.

Eisai has committed to conducting a post-marketing special use survey involving all patients administered with the drug until enough data is collected, following Japanese health ministry procedures.

The drug will be partially covered by health insurance and is anticipated to be available for clinical use by the end of the year. Its price is yet to be determined but is expected to be relatively high, according to Kyodo News agency.

Haruo Naito, CEO of Eisai, expressed the company’s dedication to delivering Leqembi to those who need it and their families as a “new treatment.” He stated, “We aim to create an impact on issues surrounding dementia in Japanese society.”

Floating barriers ng China sa Scarborough, inalis ng Philippine Coast Guard

Venus L Peñaflor
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Floating barriers ng China sa Scarborough, inalis ng Philippine Coast Guard

Inalis ng Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ang floating barrier na itinuturing na “bakod” na inilagay ng China sa Scarborough Shoal matapos maglabas ng Presidential Instruction ang Malacañang.

Ayon kay PCG spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela, tinanggal ang nasabing barrier dahil ito ay nagdulot ng panganib sa mga sasakyang pandagat, at malinaw na paglabag ito sa mga international laws.

Sa pangunahing epekto, ito ay nagiging sagabal sa mga Pilipinong mangingisda na umaasa sa Scarborough Shoal para sa kanilang kabuhayan. Ipinahayag ng PCG na ang naturang lugar na kilala rin bilang Bajo de Masinloc, ay tradisyunal na pook pangisdaan ng mga Pilipino. Dahil dito, ang anumang hakbang na magpapahirap sa kanilang kabuhayan ay labag sa mga prinsipyong itinakda ng internasyonal na batas.

Noong 2016, idineklara ng Arbitral Award na ang Bajo de Masinloc ay bahagi ng teritoryo ng Pilipinas, at itinatag ito bilang tradisyunal na “fishing ground” ng mga Pilipino. Tinatayang nasa 300 metro ang haba ng hilera ng mga boya na inilagay ng China sa nasabing lugar.

Sa isang video na inilabas ng PCG, makikita ang pagputol ng mga lubid na konektado sa hilera ng mga boya sa ilalim ng tubig.

Ayon kay Commodore Tarriela, nananatiling tapat ang PCG sa pagpapatupad ng mga prinsipyong itinakda ng international law, sa pangangalaga ng kapakanan ng mga Pilipinong mangingisda, at sa pagprotekta ng karapatan ng Pilipinas sa kanyang teritoryal na karagatan.

Philippine Coast Guard removes floating barrier installed by Chinese Coast Guard in West PH Sea.

Starbucks aims to phase out disposable cups to boost sustainability

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Starbucks aims to phase out disposable cups to boost sustainability

Tempe, Ariz. Starbucks, the global coffee giant known for its ubiquitous disposable cups adorned with the iconic mermaid logo, is embarking on a journey to phase out these single-use containers by 2030, signaling a shift toward sustainability and environmental consciousness. This ambitious move comes as Starbucks aims to cut its waste, water use, and carbon emissions in half over the next decade.

The effort to overhaul its iconic cups is driven by both environmental responsibility and a strategic business imperative. Starbucks acknowledges that producing disposable cups contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to climate change. As consumer expectations for companies to take action on climate change grow, Starbucks aims to be part of the solution.

However, the challenge lies in striking a balance between sustainability and convenience. While customers increasingly value environmental consciousness, they are also reluctant to give up the convenience of disposable cups. Eliminating millions of paper and plastic cups, which serve as advertising tools in the hands of customers, poses potential risks to Starbucks.

To navigate this challenge, Starbucks has been conducting pilots to test new approaches. In some locations, the company already provides reusable plastic cups to customers who don’t bring their own. These cups can be returned and washed, reducing waste. In addition, Starbucks is working on developing disposable cups that use less material and are more recyclable.

Ultimately, the goal is to move toward using only reusable cups while improving the sustainability of disposable cups. Starbucks intends to retain its iconic branding on these reusable cups, ensuring that the familiar mermaid logo continues to be a part of the coffee experience.

Starbucks’ sustainability efforts extend beyond the cups themselves. The company is pushing its suppliers to provide more recycled materials and working with partners like universities to facilitate the use of reusable cups.

While Starbucks is not the first company to embrace reusable cups, its global reach and influence could set a precedent for the industry. However, the company must carefully manage the transition to avoid alienating customers who value both sustainability and convenience.

Environmental experts emphasize that real change requires corporate collaboration and government regulation. Starbucks’ endeavor to phase out disposable cups is seen as a step in the right direction, but broader systemic change will require collective efforts.

In conclusion, Starbucks’ commitment to reducing its environmental footprint by phasing out disposable cups reflects a broader trend of businesses embracing sustainability. The road ahead involves not only technological advancements but also customer behavior changes and a concerted effort across the industry to make lasting progress in reducing waste and carbon emissions.

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