Saturday, May 29, 2021

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BPO under lockdown due to increasing Covid-19 cases

Posted: 28 May 2021 05:57 AM PDT

AN OFFICIAL from the Davao City Covid-19 Task Force confirmed that a business process outsourcing (BPO) company will be placed under lockdown due to the increasing number of cases.

Covid-19 Task Force spokesperson Dr. Michelle Schlosser confirmed to SunStar Davao in a text message on Friday evening, May 28, that there has been an increasing number of cases at Teleperformance in the past few days.

Schlosser said that as of May 28, there were 46 active cases.

She said the city continues to monitor active cases through the city's contact tracers and Safe Davao QR (DQR) Code logs.

"The company failed to provide and declare an honest and comprehensive close contact line list to the District Health Officer Contact Tracer where the office is located," Schlosser said.

She said that at present, the city's district health officer, sanitation team, police personnel, and barangay council are serving the lockdown notification effective immediately.

Meanwhile, the Davao City Government also on Friday evening announced that the entire Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) building will be on lockdown starting Monday, May 31, until June 6.

The following offices are those affected by the lockdown: City Treasurer's Office, City Assessor's Office, Business Bureau, City Civil Registrar's Office, Vice Mayor's Office, and Councilors Offices.

Those who have transactions are advised to drop their documents at the drop box in front of the SP Building.

For tax-related transactions at the Treasurer's Office, Assessor's Office, and Civil Registrar's Office, individuals are advised to visit their respective district offices.

Stricter lockdowns

Meanwhile, Davao City Health Office (CHO) Acting Head Dr. Ashley Lopez said they will be stricter in implementing lockdowns not only in houses and compounds, but also in establishments to curb the spread of Covid-19 in workplaces.

Lopez said they will intensify their monitoring and lockdown implementation after they have noted that some establishments have repeatedly recorded cases.

He added that they already warned these establishments several times, but the management still failed to implement mitigating measures.

"Nakabantay mi nga usab-usab nalang ning kaso aning mga lugara. Naa tay mga establishmento nga sige nalang usab-usab, di mahutdan og kaso kay wala sila'y mitigating measures nga ginabuhat sa ilahang... isip mga kumpanya o mga lugar (We noticed that these places have been repeatedly recording cases. We also have establishments that never ran out of confirmed positive employees because they do not have mitigating measures)," Lopez said in an interview on 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio.

Lopez said they already recommended lockdown of several establishments. But he did not specifically elaborate these firms and the number.

The health official said this is in response to the continuous increase of Covid-19 cases in the city.

Based on the May 27 data on the Department of Health-Davao Region (DOH-Davao), Davao City has now a total of 16,388 confirmed Covid-19 cases, wherein 1,257 are active cases, 14,388 have recovered, and 743 have died.

DOH-Davao Director Dr. Annabelle Yumang said in a virtual presser that gatherings and hospital exposure as the primary source of Covid-19 transmissions.

Yumang said based on their reports, physical distancing is not observed especially during meal time in offices and establishments, when the number of participants exceeds the set maximum limit, and when face masks and face shields are not being properly worn.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio also noted this observation in her radio interview on Monday, May 24.

Duterte-Carpio also noted that there is now massive transmission in various workplaces such as government offices, banks, and even BPOs.

"[We have] various workplaces. Duna ta'y (We have) call centers, schools, government offices, and private offices," she said.

The mayor also noted clustering of cases in households and workplaces, which is also contributing to the cases in the city.

Lopez said the city has currently 140 house lockdowns, and two compound lockdowns.

As of now, he said they have not recommended any barangay lockdown.

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Lawmaker hopes law on Metro Davao will be signed before 2022

Posted: 28 May 2021 05:56 AM PDT

DAVAO City Third District Representative Isidro Ungab, author of the bill creating the Metropolitan Davao Development Authority (MDDA), is hopeful that the proposed measure will be signed into law before President Rodrigo Duterte ends his term in mid-2022.

"I hope this will be passed during the incumbency of President Duterte para masugdan dayon, mahabol unta sa (so we could start and be included in the) 2022 budget," Ungab said during the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCCII) 5th General Membership Meeting virtual presser on Friday morning, May 28.

During the virtual presser, the House representative highlighted the recent passage of House Bill (HB) 8930 or an act creating the MDDA.

HB 8930 was approved on the third and final reading on March 25, 2021.

Ungab said a Senate bill was already filed by Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, and is currently pending for deliberation.

Considering the time constraints, with only months before Duterte ends his term, the representative said they are eyeing that the bill will be passed in order to be enacted as a law.

But if the bill will not pass, Ungab is hoping that the next administration will be supportive of the measure.

MDDA is a policy-making body tasked to coordinate and promote socio-economic growth and sustainable development of Metro Davao.

According to the bill, the MDDA shall have jurisdiction over the core local government units (LGUs), which includes the cities of Panabo, Tagum, and Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos) in Davao del Norte; Digos in Davao del Sur; and highly urbanized City of Davao; and the municipalities of Carmen in Davao del Norte, and Sta. Cruz in Davao del Sur.

The City of Mati in Davao Oriental and the municipalities of Maco in Davao de Oro, and Malita in Davao Occidental are its annex local government units.

Ungab said MDDA shall also perform planning, implementation, monitoring, and coordinative functions and exercise regulatory and supervisory authority over the delivery of area-wide services within Metropolitan Davao.

Other functions of the proposed metropolitan body include setting policies concerning traffic, waste management, and public safety and security for Metro Davao and coordinating, regulating, and enforcing the implementation of these programs and projects with concerned national governments.

Duterte-Carpio said during the forum that the MDDA bill will resolve current problems such as urban development if it becomes a law.

MDDCC committee under the RDC, of which the mayor is the chairperson, said the committee is working on the comprehensive sustainable urban development masterplan.

But Ungab clarified that the MDDA will not diminish the autonomy of the local government units (LGUs) concerning local matters, and the Regional Development Council (RDC)-Davao.

"The RDC will remain to be the highest planning and policy making body in the region. They are the counterpart of the Neda [National Economic and Development Authority] board, including the macro-economic aspect in the region," he said.

Ungab, meanwhile, said there will be no politics involved in the creation of the body, as it will only be "purely-coordinative."

He added several government agencies will also be included in the MDDA.

The bill is one of the initiatives of the Metropolitan Davao Development Coordinating Committee (MDDCC), a special committee under the RDC-Davao, under the leadership of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

In a press release, MDDCC recently approved the Terms of Reference for the formulation of a comprehensive and sustainable urban master plan for Metropolitan Davao during its first quarter meeting conducted on February 21, 2020 that was presided over by Duterte-Carpio.

The mayor said the urban master plan shall support the realization of the vision for Metropolitan Davao of becoming "a highly industrialized and globally competitive metropolis with highly-skilled and productive human resources, both men and women, and diverse but cohesive communities living in a safe, climate-resilient environment with modern and efficient infrastructure, sustained by governance that promotes equal opportunities for all."

The Metropolitan Davao Sustainable Urban Master Plan will cover the following areas of cooperation identified by the Metropolitan Davao LGUs.

These include land use planning, agri-ecotourism promotion and management and urban greening; Davao Gulf coastal resource management; joint service delivery for urban facilities and services, including transport and traffic management, roads and other infrastructure development projects; joint service delivery for urban facilities and services -- housing; solid waste management; sewerage systems; disaster risk reduction; public safety; integrated flood control and climate-change proofing; digital connectivity; and water and energy.

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Davao Oriental guv, wife admitted at hospital

Posted: 28 May 2021 05:54 AM PDT

AFTER testing positive for coronavirus, Davao Oriental Governor Nelson Dayanghirang and his wife were brought to the Davao Regional Medical Center (DRMC).

In a statement, the Provincial Government of Davao Oriental said on Thursday, May 27, that Dayanghirang and his wife, Nanette, were admitted to DRMC upon the recommendation of Dr. Reden Bersaldo, who heads the Davao Oriental Provincial Task Force on Covid-19, and Dr. Isaiah Jeremi Gampon.

"Sa adlaw pa sa Mayo 24, Lunes, nakita sa doktor nga maayo ang ilahang kondisyon mao nga wala pa girekomenda niini nga magpa-admit sila. Apan, gipamugos na gayud sa doktor nga dad-on na sila sa DRMC sa dihang migawas na ang X-ray result nila ug namatikdan nga aduna silay pulmonya nga posibleng epekto sa Covid-19 (On Monday, May 24, the doctors saw that they were in good condition, that is why they were not yet recommended for admission. However, doctors insisted that they be admitted to DRMC after their x-ray results showed they have pneumonia, which is probably caused by Covid-19)," the Provincial Government said.

"Kinahanglan gyud sila i-admit na kay dili na nato matag-an ang kalit nga paggrabe sa sakit nga [Covid-19] labi na nga si Governor Dayanghirang ug iyang kapikas aduna usab mga laing sakit o comorbidities, so mas maayo nga proactive atong approach kay basin unya ug mograbe lang ug kalit (There was a need for them to be admitted because we do not know how the severity the Covid-19 would result considering that Gov. Dayanghirang and his wife have other illnesses or comorbidities. It is better to have a proactive approach because their condition might worsen all of a sudden)," Bersaldo added.

The governor and his wife tested positive for Sars-CoV-2 on May 25.

On Wednesday night, May 26, it was observed that their condition has improved.

Bersaldo said their oxygen levels have increased and they have no more fever. They also underwent x-ray tests to monitor their pneumonia.

Meanwhile, Dayanghirang told his constituents not to worry about his condition.

He also reminded the public not to be complacent despite not manifesting any signs and symptoms related to Covid-19.

"Dili gyud ta angay nga mag-kompyansa kay bisan pa ug wala kay symptoms sama sa ubo ug uban pa, wala magpasabot nga okay lang imong lungs o wala gyud ka naapektohan sa Covid, kinahanglan magpa-check up gyud (We should not be complacent because even if you are not manifesting any symptoms such as cough and others, that doesn't mean your lungs are okay or you're not infected with Covid-19. There should be a frequent medical check-up)," Dayanghirang said.

In a separate post, the Provincial Government shared a video of the couple, who were seen to be in good condition moments before they headed to DRMC.

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Helping farmers farm, live sustainably

Posted: 28 May 2021 05:53 AM PDT

HAVING a purpose in life is what makes us hopeful and keeps us going, especially if that purpose is to help others live independently and sustainably.

This is what partners Narciso Ponce Jr. and Cherrylin Casuga found after they established an integrated farm school in Davao City.

"At first, we didn't envision to help the farmers. When I attended training, seminars, and workshops, some of our government agencies advised us to put up a learning site and accredit it with Tesda. But now that we have already established the farm school, we realized that our goal is to help our farmers not just on the technical know-how but on how to make them live sustainably through farming," Ponce said.

"Tayo kasi, we tend to point the blame on someone/something kasi yan ang mas madali. We forget to make or become the solution ourselves sa problem. So, we found a solution and that would be awareness, education, and at the same time aside from training and development, access to market, logistics, technology, innovation, and of course the financial, access to loans. I'm speaking for the farmers, kasi because of what we're doing we are now part of the community of the farmers," Casuga added.

She said those are the sentiments of the farmers, both the old and the young, which often are also the main factor the new generation does not see farming to be an attractive profession, and it has to stop and it has to be better now.

Ponce and Casuga are the owners of the Casuga Integrated Farm School in Marilog, Davao City.

Casuga said that through the training they conducted to their farmer-students and linking them with the concerned government agencies such as Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), Department of Agriculture (DA), Bureau of Fisheries (BFar) and Tesda, for their capacity-building they will learn their strengths and weaknesses so that they could work on it for their advantage.

"Yun po ang nakikita namin, yung gap sa access to market, logistics, price, kasi minsan hindi na ang farmers ang nagdidikta kung ano ang price nang produce nila (sometimes the farmers are not the ones dictating the price of their produce). We're not totally against or want to ban the traders, but we, as consolidators of the farmers' products, would like the consumers to know that these products are available. Kami nalang po ang lalapit sa inyo kasi hindi po nakakaabot at ayaw naming mapunta lang sa wala ang tinatrabaho nang ating farmers (We will personally go to the consumers as farmers' produce don't get to you and we don't want the efforts of our farmers go to waste)," she said.

Through their school, the partners become committed to be the "big brother" of the farmers not just in linking them to the market but in everything they need: from seeds, fertilizers, through DA or other government agencies, and linking them to proper financial institutions to access loans for their capitalization, and most especially teach them how to use their loan proceeds efficiently.

Ponce also recalled through experience that farmers often misuse their funds coming from loans they get from financial institutions because they lose focus on what their loans are meant for.

"When they plant vegetables, which run for around three months before they can harvest, the tendency is farmers use portions of their loans for their daily needs, which should not be the case. That is why we teach integrated farming," he said.

Thus, they intervene not just by teaching the farmers what to do and what not to do, they also aim to assist and provide other means of income, such as "loaning" them layering hens so that they could cope with the gaps between planting and harvesting period.

He added that monitoring is also their means of interventions, which he sees as what is lacking in our system at the present.

"We monitor them to ensure their sustainability, to give proper interventions so that they continue to farm and continue to grow food for our table or else their problem will continue to persist and the cycle never stops; farmers getting loan, nalugi kay na-divert sa laing butang ang funds (but lost in the business because their funds were diverted into something else), and re-apply for loan again and then again," Ponce said.

In this way, when the farmers can already stand on their own, they themselves can also help other farmers and it will create a ripple effect.

Casuga for her part said they aim for a multiplier effect which is why they assist the farmers in whatever way they can because it is one way to ensure the sustainability of the livelihood of the farmer.

"We are here not just to 'give the farmers a fish' but 'to teach them how to fish.' We want them to know how to manage and sell their products, to become agripreneurs, and to make them become trainers and become employable," Casuga said.

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Editorial: Soaring cases

Posted: 28 May 2021 05:52 AM PDT

DAVAO Region is recently seeing a sudden surge in Covid-19 cases.

Since the start of May, the region has been recording new cases in the three digits. However, in the last three days, the region recorded an unusually high number of new Covid-19 cases.

On May 25, the Department of Health in Davao Region reported 271 new Covid-19 cases. On May 26, when the region registered 317 new cases. This is the highest number of new cases in a single day since the pandemic began. Then on May 27, the region recorded 261 new Covid-19 cases. Active cases in the region are now at 2,415.

Department of Health (DOH) Epidemiology Bureau director Dr. Alethea de Guzman said Davao is among the nine regions in the country that posted positive two-week growth rates as of May 22.

The recent increase in active Covid-19 cases has also resulted in temporary treatment and monitoring facilities and hospitals being at critical levels. The last time we were here was during the pre-holiday surge in the fourth quarter of 2020 and the post-holiday surge in January and February.

Health authorities have attributed the increase in Covid-19 cases to the complacency of some. Based on the reports they have received, DOH-Davao regional director Dr. Anabelle Yumang said cases of transmission have been recorded in social gatherings, hospitals, and workplaces.

The agency also noted that transmissions were happening during mealtime in offices and establishments, when the number of participants exceeds the set maximum limit, and when face masks and face shields are not being properly worn.

However, it should be noted that the increase in cases also means that the surveillance testing of the local government units may also be working. Data showed that a large number of individuals were tested in the last three days. A total of 2,169 on May 25, 3,441 on May 26, and 2,282 on May 27.

On one hand, data would tell that the higher number of persons who tested positive in the last three days shows that there is widespread infection happening in communities. On one hand, the detection of these cases means that health authorities and local government units can stop chains of transmissions.

The sudden increase in Covid-19 cases should not be taken lightly. We saw what is happening in other countries and areas that are experiencing another wave of Covid-19 cases. Their hospitals are being overwhelmed and lockdowns are being implemented.

At the rate we are going, Davao Region is at risk of going into a stricter quarantine measure. In the case of Davao City, Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio said they are considering bringing the food and medicine pass and no movement Sundays back in a bid to control the Covid-19 cases.

If we do not want to go into stricter quarantine measures, let us be disciplined enough to follow minimum health protocols -- wearing face masks, observing social distancing, and regular washing or sanitizing of hands.

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Abalayan: Equal chances for SEA Games

Posted: 28 May 2021 05:51 AM PDT

GIVING every Filipino woodpusher a chance to earn a spot in the national chess team for the upcoming Southeast Asian (SEA) Games 2021 is such a welcome move by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), which recently conducted the Mindanao qualifying via Tornelo.com.

Former De La Salle University (DLSU) varsity chess teammates Aglipay Eight Oberio of the Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos) and Arena Grand Master (AGM) Rowelyn Joy Acedo of Davao City barged into the 2021 Selection For Southeast Asian Games Semi Finals in June after placing first and second in the men's and women's rapid events, respectively, of the Mindanao qualifying.

The Visayas Leg is scheduled on May 29 and 30.

But the semis will be a tougher field though as it will bring together all top 20 winners in every qualifying event along with the country's rated including international masters (IMs), women international masters (WIMs), men and women Fide masters, national masters, women national masters, and current Philippine team members.

And if you think that's already hard enough, wait until the grand finals. The top five semis winners in all categories will advance to the grand finals together with current members of Olympiad Team, 30th SEA Games medalists and grand masters (GMs).

According to NCFP, all grand finals division champions will represent the Philippines at the 31st South East Asian Games slated November 21 to December 2 in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Davao Region will have great chances in the semifinals with more players qualified to play in the semis. Aside from Oberio and Acedo, Davao City IMs Oliver Dimakiling and John Marvin Miciano, FM Austin Jacob Literatus, and Panabo City's NM Jonathan Tan, among others, are expected to give it their best shot to not just reach the grand finals but also get to play in the SEA Games.

This selection process is tedious just like survival to the fittest. But one of the many good things about this is giving opportunities for ordinary players all over the country, even those in the countryside (of course those with stable internet connection as the tournament is online), to show their wares, gain more experience, and play with the best of the best especially when they level up during the course of the selection process.

We are rooting for our Davao Region woodpushers in the semis. May you all reach the grand finals and win the coveted SEA Games spots!

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Davao spiker starts national bubble training

Posted: 28 May 2021 05:49 AM PDT

DECORATED Davao spiker Calvin Sarte still can't believe that he was shortlisted to join the one-month bubble training in Ilocos Norte with the national beach volleyball team pool from May 15 to June 18.

The bubble training is part of the men's national beach volleyball team's preparations for the 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games on November 21 to December 2 in Hanoi, Vietnam.

The team is also composed of Anthony Lemuel Arbasto, Jude Garcia, Jaron Requinton, James Buytrago, Philip Bagalay, Alnakran Abdilla, Jade Becaldo, Henry James Pecana, and AJ Pareja. The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) released the list of the national training pool on May 12.

Sarte, a former Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC) varsity standout, in a Facebook interview with this writer, said, "Naay times Maam na dli pako katoo na maapil ko sa national team kay akong focus lang is always nako ihatag ang 100 percent sa training tapos diri na diay ko dalaon sa akoang paningkamot. Murag makaingon ko na one step nalang gyud dream come true na (There are still times that I could not believe I'm already part of the national team since all I focused on eversince was to give my 100 percent during training. And this is where all that hard work brought me. I'm one step away to fulfilling my dream)."

The 26-year-old Philippine National Games (PNG) 2018 men's beach volleyball silver medal performer tried out for the national training pool team on April 30, 2021 at the Subic Bay Beach Volleyball Center in Olongapo City. Since then he has not been able to come home.

He managed a small business when he graduated in 2017. He continued to compete in tournaments even after graduation. Aside from his PNG stint, he also played for the Philippine team in the FIVB World Tour held at the Mall of Asia Arena in 2018.

While at HCDC, he has helped Davao City and Davao Region win several medals in past National Prisaa Games editions. He also steered Davao City's 2014 gold medal victory in the 8th BIMP-Eaga Friendship Games in Labuan, Malaysia.

Meanwhile, the Sangguniang Bayan of the Municipality of Bansalan, Province of Davao del Sur commended Sarte's inclusion in the national men's beach volleyball team.

The SB approved Resolution 166, Series of 2021, giving him a financial assistance of P50,000 chargeable against the Physical Fitness and Sports Development under the Office of the Mayor.

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Phases: On getting through quarantine

Posted: 28 May 2021 05:48 AM PDT

THE first time I heard RJ Manulid sing was in college as we attended the same university together. If my memory serves me right, he used to play in a band with a keyboard. They would be playing in one of those battles of the bands that last until the wee hours of the night, or just a regular school program, that yes, still ends until the wee hours of the night.

After college, when everyone separated ways, I would see his musical career blossom every now and then -- the biggest maybe his participation in the Philpop Songwriting Bootcamp. After that, he continued to write songs until in 2018 when he released his first album Reassurance.

In the first week of May, RJ reached out to me to say he would be releasing another album yet again. (In my head: amid the pandemic! That's productive! Good for you!)

I was told I was one of the first people to hear the songs from the album he called Phases. When I brought up how good it is that he continues to write songs amid the pandemic when everyone may be having a hard time being productive, he said "Kung wala koy art life, I don't know how I'd be handling this pandemic." This rings true for most of us.

I listened to the songs one particular morning while I bike to work and for a few days that followed that before I came to the conclusion that my Top 3 choices are (1) I Need an Ocean; (2) Homegrown; and (3) Uncertainty.

Officially, RJ released the song Friday, May 28, on Spotify and streaming sites. Listen to it, you're gonna love it.

1. I Need An Ocean

We sometimes reach a portion of our days that we're filled to the brim. We want to explode. We want to rest. We want to pause. And during these times, a glass of water is just not enough to wash away everything that we're feeling. It just doesn't go away that easily. The singer tells of how he needs an ocean -- that big of a body of water -- to just wash it off and restart.

2. Homegrown

"Wherever my road goes or how much I've grown, I'll always come back 'cause there's no place like home." The pandemic and movement restrictions have prohibited some of us to go home to family for more than a year now. We might have been stuck somewhere but it is in these moments we see how our childhood homes will always be the very definition of home.

3. Uncertainty

Spoiler: The singer raps here, yay. But what I like the most about the song is the message and story it tries to convey. People in their 20s and 30s may be having existential crisis, dread, and similar feelings of lack of motivation (note the sigh at the start of the song). It's really relatable as, I think, most of his songs are.

All these three songs are on the good type of upbeat songs so they're perfect for your "Working", "Biking", or "Starting the Day" playlist. Well, at least for me.

Other songs in the playlist are Sleeveheart, Dear You, The Sun Rises in The West, Straitjacket, and Di Mapaliwanag.

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Glokal Pop-up: Artworks on sustainable products

Posted: 28 May 2021 05:42 AM PDT

HAVING worked with different brands in Singapore for 12 years now, Dabawenyo Jay Olea has since wanted to create his own brand of sustainable items. At first, he found it a struggle to decide on a niche, a certain specific line of items that he would want to sell. But one thing is non-negotiable: it should be a line of sustainable items.

The pandemic and the mandatory wearing of face masks have given Jay a light bulb moment. This encouraged him to open an online business selling face masks in partnership with local artists and designers. At this point of the pandemic, surgical masks were becoming boring and people were looking for more fashionable and yet wearable face masks. Not to mention, surgical masks are not reusable.

This was how Glokal Pop-up came to be.

"The process was rather quick -- I did my research and procurement, designed my branding, packaging and pretty much everything as a one-man show. It took about one month to officially launch as I had to wait for the inventory to come from Manila. It was a slow start but Glokal has managed to pick-up thanks to the Filipino community. After my second collection, I decided to start producing in-house masks which were sewn by my good friend Kirby Secillano. We both did the moodboard, fabric sourcing, product testing and the like. Our collection was also received well by friends and their friends," shared Jay.

It didn't take a long time after the launching of the face masks when Jay decided to add tote bags to his products. His first artist-partner was Jojie Alcantara, a local photographer and Jay's relative. He said with the reputation of Jojie in Davao City, he was hopeful to get affirmation and credibility of his products. This was when partnership with other local artists poured in.

But he didn't stop on tote bags. His love of soy candles also came in the picture. He knew that both tote bags and soy candles are sustainable items which complement perfectly to the branding of Glokal Pop-up he was trying to create.

"I have already made preliminary preparations for the candle collection by then. So Glokal moved to Davao from Singapore in 2021. I brought some inventories back to start with," he said, adding that he also collaborated with a friend who opened a soy candle business at the same time that he was.

Aside from words of mouth and discovery on social media, Jay took time to research on which local artists he could work best with.

"When I found the artists who are attuned to my taste, theme, concept and preference, I just send a DM and ask if they are interested. Fortunately, I got positive responses. Some artists were also referrals and some are personal acquaintances. In choosing who to partner with, I usually just follow my gut feel plus the artist must be easy to deal with and does not clash with my creative directions," said Jay.

Now, he sells tote bags + candles with artworks of Jojie Alcantara, James Abayon Lolo, Pamela Lagrosa, and Donn Manguilimotan.

Hesus III by Pamela Lagrosa -- This portrait of Jesus is one of my favorites. Pamela, uses soft pastels to achieve her signature impressionistic portraits.

Bagobo Tribeswoman by Jojie Alcantara -- This photograph in one of her best portraits.

Many artists have actually made different renditions based on this portrait. For me, it represents Jojie bests as she is best in capturing the essence of the subject.

Subtle Glance by James Abayon Lolo -- This is a portrait of her mother which is only exclusive to us. The art showcases his technique that made him viral and featured on TV. He uses pen and markers and mixed media. His style is called scribbling and crosshatching.

The Girl With the Flowers by Donn Manguilimotan -- The artist is known in the local art scene for his cubist renditions of Mindanao life. He believes that art promotes peace and solidarity when explored and shared. This is seen in his works that feature Mindanaoans of different cultures and statures.

"The artists I have collaborated with have their own style. I avoid duplication so each art and artist stands out," said Jay.

All these soy candles, tote bags, and masks for sale are displayed at shopglokal.com.

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