Saturday, July 24, 2021

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Duterte worried for Baste

Posted: 23 Jul 2021 05:54 AM PDT

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has expressed concern after his son, Davao City Vice Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte, tested positive for Covid-19, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said.

"Of course, the President is concerned as a father. Although one thing for the vice mayor is he is young and strong. The immune system is really the one fighting Covid-19," Roque said in a press briefing on Thursday, July 22.

Roque said the Palace is glad that Baste, being physically fit, can fight off the infection.

"One thing for vice mayor is siya po ay bata at malusog. Talaga naman pong immune system ang lumalaban dito sa Covid-19 (One thing for the Vice Mayor is he is young and healthy. His immune system can really fight Covid-19)," he said.

The spokesperson, however, could not confirm whether Duterte has been exposed to his youngest son.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio first confirmed that his brother tested positive for the virus in a Facebook post on Wednesday evening, July 21.

Hours later, the younger Duterte said in a short Facebook post that he is "okay."

"Salamat. Okay ra ko. Mahalaga ang importante okay ra mo (Thank you. I am okay. What is more important is that you are okay)," the vice mayor said.

On the afternoon of July 21, Baste shared in his Instagram account a video chat with the entire Duterte family.

Included in the screenshot are his parents, President Duterte and Elizabeth Zimmerman, and his elder siblings, Sara and Davao City First District Representative Paolo Duterte.

Baste has not yet officially issued a formal statement on his current condition.

Sona attendance

Roque reiterated that Duterte-Carpio will not attend her father's final State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday, July 26.

The spokesperson also said he is uncertain if Paolo, the House Deputy Speaker and Davao City First District Representative, will be present during the event.

Duterte-Carpio said in a radio interview on July 19 that she will still not attend the Sona in Manila.

Duterte-Carpio revealed that her mother and Duterte's ex-wife Elizabeth Zimmerman will also not attend since she will not attend.

The mayor did not elaborate her reason for not attending Duterte's Sona.

But she said Paolo will attend his father's Sona.

The mayor also said unlike in the previous years, the city will not be mounting LED screens for Duterte's Sona in public places to avoid mass gatherings.

She said the public can view the Sona via TV or online.

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Davao Oriental records 3 cases of variants of concern

Posted: 23 Jul 2021 05:53 AM PDT

THE Provincial Government of Davao Oriental confirmed that the province recorded three cases of Covid-19 variants of concern (VOC).

In a press release, Davao Oriental Provincial Health Officer Dr. Reden Bersaldo said in a press briefing on Thursday, July 22, 2021, that the three specimens are not positive with the highly contagious Delta variant (B.1.617.2).

But Bersaldo said the three cases are positive of the two other variants -- two cases of Alpha variant (B.1.1.7) and one case of Beta variant (B.1.351).

Bersaldo said the patients tested positive for Covid-19 in June and their swab specimens were sent to Manila for further testing.

He said the official report from the Department of Health (DOH) confirmed the results of the specimens on Wednesday, July 21.

"As of now, all three patients are now fully recovered. They have all been isolated, treated, and contact traced. Their contacts have also been tested, as well," Bersaldo said.

While all the cases with variants of concern in the province have already recovered, Bersaldo said this shall not mean that the public should be complacent.

"The main difference between the new variants versus the original is the rate of transmissibility," he said, adding that avoiding new variant cases should be the same as avoiding the original variant cases.

The health official also reminded the public to get their Covid-19 vaccine shot, regardless of brand, as it can provide protection against severe forms of Covid-19.

He added it may also help patients to keep from using mechanical ventilation or death as a result of severe Covid-19 infection."

As of Friday, July 23, around 41,274 individuals consisting of 9.7 percent of the entire Davao Oriental population have been vaccinated. An estimated 384,000 individuals have yet to be vaccinated.

Davao Oriental Governor Nelson Dayanghirang has allotted P60 million for the procurement of the vaccines to augment the vaccines allotted for the province from the national government.

Bersaldo added that the province and the local government units (LGUs) will have a 50-50 percent sharing for the purchase of the vaccines.

The Provincial Government is set to receive around 21,000 Johnson & Johnson's Janssen Covid-19 vaccines which are set to arrive on Saturday, July 24.

As of July 22, the province has a total of 3,394 confirmed Covid-19 cases, wherein 329 are active cases, 2,969 have recovered, and 96 succumbed from the virus.

The province is currently under general community quarantine (GCQ) until July 31, 2021.

Panabo's first case of VOC

Meanwhile, the Panabo City Government also confirmed its first case of Alpha and Beta variants on Friday evening, July 23.

According to the City Health Official, the variants have been found in the specimens of four Covid-19 positive patients.

Those with the Beta variant have already recovered while one Alpha variant carrier died.

The City Government has yet to provide further details on this matter.

Panabo City and the entire Davao del Norte recently shifted from modified enhanced community quarantine to GCQ with heightened restrictions.

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Topping licensure exam amid pandemic

Posted: 23 Jul 2021 05:52 AM PDT

THE Covid-19 pandemic may have restricted everyone's movement but this does not limit us from achieving our goals in life.

Pamela Eika Alfar Ng was swarmed with congratulatory messages online from friends and relatives the moment she went home from work. She got a 91.55 percent passing rate.

This was then Pamela, a graduate of San Pedro College (SPC) in Davao City, found out that she placed tenth in the Pharmacist Licensure Exam last June 2021.

SPC Dean of the College of Pharmacy Fatima May Tesoro said she is proud of Pamela and all the passers for pushing through with the exams despite challenges.

"After several delays and postponements, let alone the uncertainty if the June examination will push through, their spirits were still up for the boards. San Pedro College and the pharmacy department is immensely thankful to God for this accolade," Tesoro said.

Pamela admitted that it was not the news she was expecting. While she felt thankful for it, never in her wildest dreams she expected to snag the top 10.

The announcement of the result happened a week after they took the examination, which had been rescheduled many times due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The waiting was a nerve wracking moment for her as unlike the previous when in just two to three days results were out.

What's her secret? None, she admitted. In fact, there were doubts that she would pass the test as the lessons from her classes weren't that fresh from her memories anymore.

"It has already been two years since I graduated. Of course, there were doubts considering the lessons were not that fresh in my memory. Could I pass the test after two years, after many postponements? It's already draining. But still, I am happy that I made it to the top 10," Pamela said.

While she admitted that passing the licensure exam was all that matters, she said making her the sole Mindanawon in the list was a "bonus."

It was not easy studying in the time of the pandemic. The current Covid-19 situation had affected the exam schedules. The postponements tested her motivation.

But her achievement at the time of the pandemic is definitely up for the books.

"I appreciated all the hard works. Now I believe that everything is possible," she said.

After much delay, Pamela is now a full-fledged pharmacist, and ready to serve her community.

The next test she needs to pass is scouting for career opportunities at this time, with many livelihood lost and the growing number of unemployed graduates brought about by the current Covid-19 restrictions.

She knew that it would not be easy simply by passing the examination.

For now, she utilizes her time in her family's dental-related business. This was her sideline while still reviewing for her exams.

But why did she take up pharmacy as her career choice in the first place? Pamela said, "It wasn't part of my choices in mind." In fact, she never had a dream course back when she was young.

With her parents being on the medical side of business, she then went for it.

"From the start, I planned to take up pharmacy as a pre-med course, as I planned to pursue medicine," she said.

But when she reached second year college, she was firm in finishing the course.

What made her decide to stay? Pamela said she envisioned putting up her own pharmacy. Not as a business-oriented purpose, but more of giving back to the community.

"I wanted to open my own pharmacy that serves our indigent and disadvantaged members of the society," she said, revealing that it was her father who inspired her.

"Whenever my father buys maintenance medicine for my mom, he sees other customers who can't afford to buy their prescribed meds. I even saw some Facebook posts of other customers shouldering other people's medicine bills," she added.

The pandemic struggle also made her realize that medicine is a basic commodity, and that it should be accessible to everyone, especially those in the marginalized sector. She added that it is a basic human right that must be given at an affordable price.

"Hopefully within five to 10 years, I can achieve this goal of mine," Pamela said.

If there is also one thing she wanted her story to be remembered, it's that pharmacy is not just a mere job of memorizing medicines, and which one will serve the purpose.

"In our perspective, when we go to the pharmacy we just purchase meds, but I realize that it is a practice that the people should see," Pamela said, adding that pharmacists play a vital role in ensuring that the medicines that the patients buy are apt and safe for them.

And yet, pharmacists are less appreciated in the eyes of the public in the medical field.

"I hope people will realize that in the medical field it is not just for the money, but the passion and willingness to serve them," Pamela said.

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Petecio clashes vs Congo boxer

Posted: 23 Jul 2021 05:51 AM PDT

AIBA 2019 Women Boxing Championships featherweight titlist Nesthy Alcayde Petecio, currently at No. 2 in Aiba Women's ranking as of 2020, will clash against No. 27 Marcelat Sakobi Matchu of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the women's featherweight division Round of 32 in the morning session slated Saturday, July 24.

Petecio watched My Amanda on Netflix in her Athlete's Village room she shared with teammate Irish Magno on the eve of her Olympic debut. That was a few hours before the Tokyo 2020 Olympics formally opened on Friday evening, July 23.

Should the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games 2019 Filipino champion win this round, she will be up against the toughest contender, Lin Yi-Tung of Chinese Taipei, who drew a first-round bye, in the Round of 16. The latter is Aiba's women's top-ranked featherweight boxer.

Petecio has long been dreaming to compete in the Olympics and she trained hard for it, losing extra pounds to stay in shape.

"Nagpadayon man gihapon mi og training pag-abot namo diri. Speed reflection og dagan 6 to 7 sa buntag unya gym work sa hapon, mga 3 p.m. pero karon 4:30 p.m. (We continued training when we arrived here. We usually do speed reflection and run from 6 to 7 in the morning and do gym work at 3 p.m. but today we will hit the gym at 4:30 p.m.)," she told this writer in a Messenger video call on Wednesday, July 21.

She also watches her diet with supervision from a nutritionist provided by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Jeaneth Aro.

"Naa among nutritionist gina-check among ginakaon kung unsay pwede idungag, kung kulang ang prutas (Our nutritionist monitors our diet to check on what we lack if we still need more fruits, etc.)," Petecio, who began her amateur boxing career in Davao City, said.

Although there was a wide range of enticing dishes at the two-floor Athlete's Village canteen, she only prefers to eat from the Asian cuisine section. She, however, tries the different types of rice available.

She laughed, "Lahi-lahing rice ako gina-try pero sa tanan lami jud ang Japan rice (I've tried different types of rice and the Japan rice tasted the best among the rest)."

Their coach also makes sure that they sleep early by confiscating their mobile phones at 9:30 p.m., which Petecio also appreciates.

She earlier called on Filipinos around the world to support the Filipino Olympians by praying for them. She also thanked those who supported the athletes, especially the PSC.

"Daghang salamat sa suporta ninyo og sa mga tiwala nga inyohang ginahatag sa amoang mga athlete labi na sa suporta gikan sa PSC. Magpasalamat pud ko sa support gikan sa akoang pamilya og sa Abap family, sa MVPSF, kay sir Ricky Vargas, Sir Ed Picson and family, kay Chairman Ramirez, Commissioners Charles Maxey og Ramon Fernandez. Labaw sa tanan sa Ginoo sa iyahang gihatag nga dakong blessings sa akoa. Salamat pud kay Ma'am Marianne Saberon Abalayan sa walay sawang suporta sugod pa atong unang sabak nako sa sports. Amping ta permi tanan, ampo ta permi og God bless sa atoa tanan (Thank you for all the support and belief you give to us, athletes, especially to the PSC. I also thank my family, Abap family, MVPSF, to Sir Ricky Vargas, to Sir Ed Picson and family, and PSC Chairman William Ramirez and Commissioners Charles Maxey and Ramon Fernandez. Most of all, I thank God for giving me these blessings. I also thank Ma'am Marianne Saberon Abalayan for her tireless support since the first time I got into sports. Let's all stay safe and pray. May God bless us all)," she added.

Petecio, born in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, is the first to fight among the country's four boxing qualifiers but Association of Boxing Alliances (Abap) Secretary-General Ed Picson said it does not matter who goes first.

"Our boxers are veterans. Of course, there will be some jitters but they're used to this. I don't see a problem," Picson said, also referring to Carlo Paalam, Irish Magno, and Eumir Felix Marcial.

Chairman Ramirez, for his part, cheered Petecio, saying, "Fight for yourself, for the family, for the country, and earn millions of cash to improve your life. Become a better person."

Commissioner Maxey wished her the best.

"The entire nation is behind Nesthy and all our Olympians in their quest for glory. Go for it, Nesthy!" Maxey said.

Coach Velasco, to the boxers, said: "Lalaban tayo para sa inang bayan at para sa mga kababayan nating Filipino (We will fight for the country and for every Filipino). God luck and God bless!"

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Rower enters Olympic quarterfinals

Posted: 23 Jul 2021 05:50 AM PDT

SEA FOREST WATERWAY, Tokyo -- Cris Nievarez kicked off the Philippine campaign in the Summer Olympic Games with a strong third-place performance Friday, July 23, 2021, just enough to advance to the quarterfinals of the Men's Single Sculls Rowing Competition.

The plan was to finish in the top 3 of Heat no. 5 and Nievarez did just that when he submitted an impressive time of 7:22.97 in the 2000-meter course as he clinched a berth to Sunday's quarterfinals.

"Masarap sa pakiramdam, unang race, unang sabak, masaya, para ito sa Pilipinas," said Nievarez, who had two world-class rowers in front of him – Croatia's Damir Martin (7:09.17), the 2016 Rio Olympics silver medalist and Russian Alexander Vyazovkin (7:14.95), the world indoor champion.

The first-time Olympian was unfazed by the weight of the competition as he went side by side with Vyazovkin and Nicaragua's Felix Potoy in the first 500 meters.

"Nauna na talaga 'yung Croatian, pero kami ng Russian and 'yung Nicaraguan, halos sabay lang sa first 500 meters. Noong 750 meters, nauna na ako sa Nicaraguan," said Nievarez.

The top three in all of the six heats in the men's singles scull advanced to the quarterfinals.

Those who missed the top three will battle it out in Saturday's repechage where the top two performers move on to the quarterfinals.

"Mamaya, pag-aaralan namin ang oras ng lahat ng pumasok, kung sino 'yung makakaharap ko sa quarterfinals at kung anong oras ang kailangan habulin," said Nievarez.

A native of Sariaya in Quezon, Nievarez is the only Southeast Asian qualifier in men's singles sculls and one of only two Asians left after the preliminaries — the other one being Ryuta Arakawa, who placed second in the final heat.

"One race at a time, on to Sunday," rowing association treasurer Magnum Membrere said. (PR)

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Editorial: Laban, Pilipinas!

Posted: 23 Jul 2021 05:49 AM PDT

THE 2020 Tokyo Olympics has officially opened Friday, July 23, 2021 after a year of postponement due to Covid-19 pandemic.

As the Summer Olympic Games begin, hopes are high that the Philippines will finally grab the elusive Olympic gold medal since the quest started in 1924 Paris Olympics - the time when the country first joined the most prestigious global sports event.

As Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William "Butch" Ramirez puts it: This is the most prepared and strongest Philippine delegation since 1924. They will be the center of inspiration for the youth, especially in areas of value and character.

True enough, one of this year's Philippine delegates, Cris Nievarez, advances to the quarterfinals of the Men's Single Sculls Rowing Competition after he made a strong third-place performance Friday.

"Masarap sa pakiramdam, unang race, unang sabak, masaya, para ito sa Pilipinas," the first-time Olympian Nievarez said. His next race is slated Sunday, July 25.

Completing the 19-strong Philippines delegation - the second largest contingent that the country has assembled since the 2000 Sydney Olympics - are Ernest John Obiena (athletics), Carlos Yulo (gymnastics), Eumir Felix Marcial (boxing), Irish Magno, Nesthy Petecio, and Carlo Paalam (boxing), and Hidilyn Diaz (weightlifting).

Also included in the list are Kurt Barbosa (taekwondo), Margielyn Didal (skateboarding), Elreen Ando (weightlifting), Jayson Valdez (shooting), Juvic Pagunsan (golf), Kiyomi Watanabe (judo), Kristina Knott (athletics), Yuka Saso (golf), Bianca Pagdanganan (golf), Luke Gebbie (swimming) and Remedy Rule (swimming).

Since Philippines' participation in 1924, the country has gathered three silver medals and seven bronzes to date.

As Carlos (gymnastics), Kurt (taekwondo), Remedy (swimming), and Nesthy (boxing) give their all for their games scheduled today, July 25, and for the upcoming days until August 8, let us show our support and include our athletes in our prayers that beyond reaching the most-coveted Olympic medals, may they embody the values of sportsmanship and make the most out of this life-defining experience.

Let us also make them feel that when they play their respective games they are never alone as millions of Filipinos will be glued to their screens, cheering for them.

With the intensive training and international exposure the Filipino Olympians had, there is no doubt that the country now has a bigger chance for an Olympic gold. It is also just that we recognize the efforts the Philippine government through PSC put in our athletes today.

Ramirez said the government invested around P2 billion since 2016 to form a strong team for Tokyo.

"We are all invested in this because we all believe in the dream, now on the brink of reality. This is history unfolding before our very eyes and we get to be part of it," said Ramirez in a statement.

Let it also be the moment for the coaches, family, and friends of our athletes. Know that your support system to the journey of our Olympians are as valuable as the sacrifices of the athletes themselves.

To the athletes, as our countrymen hope for more medals this year, do not let the pressure control you. To reach the Olympics, as an athlete, is already a feat in itself. Win or lose, you are already a champion, just be sure to give your best shot and enjoy the whole experience.

Mabuhay ang atletang Pilipino!

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Pag-Ibig Fund finances 10,640 homes for low-wage earners

Posted: 23 Jul 2021 05:49 AM PDT

PAG-IBIG Fund extended socialized housing loans to 10,640 members from the minimum-wage and low-income sectors in the first half of 2021 despite the continuing pandemic, top officials announced Wednesday (July 21).

The number of socialized home loans make up 24 percent of the total 43,573 home loans released by the agency from January to June this year. The number is equivalent to P4.66 billion or 11 percent of the P44.34 billion home loans released by the agency during the first half of the year. Amid the health crisis, the number of socialized home loans increased by 99 percent -- nearly double the 5,357 socialized home loans granted during the same period last year, while the amount released also grew by 111 percent from P2.21 billion in 2020.

"We believe that home ownership is a right of every Filipino family. With the Affordable Housing Program of Pag-Ibig Fund, achieving the dream of homeownership is made possible especially for minimum-wage workers. The program's lowest rates and longest term allow our members from the low-income sector to buy or build a home of their own. This is our way of adhering to President Rodrigo Duterte's call for government institutions to carry out programs that address the needs of the underserved sector," said Secretary Eduardo D. del Rosario, chairperson of the 11-member Pag-Ibig Fund Board of Trustees and Secretary of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).

The agency's Affordable Housing Program (AHP) is designed for members who earn up to P15,000 a month within the National Capital Region (NCR) and members who earn up to P12,000 per month outside the NCR. Under the AHP, Pag-Ibig Fund offers a subsidized rate of three percent per annum for socialized home loans up to P580,000.

Pag-Ibig Fund Chief Executive Officer Acmad Rizaldy P. Moti said that the three percent rate offered by Pag-Ibig Fund is the lowest in the market, and has been made available to eligible members since May 2017.

"During this difficult time, Pag-Ibig Fund's Affordable Housing Program has become the means to support our low-income members in helping them acquire their own homes. Because we are exempt from tax under our Charter, Pag-Ibig Fund can afford to offer the lowest rates for the home loans of minimum and low- wage workers. Aside from keeping our interest rates low, we also reduced its insurance premiums, which keeps the monthly amortization at an affordable P2,445.30 for a socialized home loan of up to P580,000. And what's more, qualified borrowers will never have to put out cash for equity under the program. All of these are part of our efforts to provide the best home financing program for our members who earn minimum wage," Moti said. (PR)

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Heart-painted by Ava and Ally

Posted: 23 Jul 2021 05:46 AM PDT

WHILE their two precocious girls were growing up, banker Alfred Sy Jr. and Architect Christine Amy Buyco-Sy have fondly filled their Singapore home with rims of bond paper, canvasses, and various art mediums from crayons, colored pencils, and pens, to paint, watercolor, and pastels.

Mommy Christine or Mec loved that their daughters, Ava Christiane and Alessandra Cate or Ally, positively viewed drawing or painting as a form of expression, akin to writing their journals. For them, it was something accessible, without having any right or wrong dimensions or necessarily a finished product.

"I was not fussy when they drew on floors and walls. I just made sure the coloring materials were water-based," says Mec, who has a Master of Arts in Urban Design at the National University of Singapore (NUS) and completed a Professional Certificate on Design-thinking and Innovation at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Now, in their grades 5 and 4 at a Catholic international school in Singapore, the talented sisters impressively win art contests, with consistent and exemplary grades in art. Last year, Ava's Zen Tangles artwork entitled "Four Seasons" was even chosen as the front cover of their school yearbook.

Helping hands

Although the Sy couple has been enjoying a comfortable life in the Lion City for almost two decades now (both daughters were born in Singapore), they still love visiting their hometown, Davao City, to bond with their respective families at least three times a year. Mec's parents and her sister's family would also fly to Singapore regularly to spend quality time with them.

This all changed when the Covid-19 pandemic occurred.

"To be away from our families for so long has been the greatest challenge for us but we are also aware that we are blessed to be healthy and safe during this pandemic," confides Mec.

One dinner while the Sys were discussing the escalating number of poor people getting hungry because of the prolonged lockdown, the family decided to do their part and take action.

"That's when the girls had the brilliant idea of painting to raise funds for meals," recalls Mec who is the sole distributor of Human Heart Nature (HHN) in Singapore, a brand of genuine natural personal care products. HHN is a social enterprise based in the Philippines, which was established to support poor farmers and their communities through the purchase of their produce at more than the fair-trade prices.

HHN which is being operated in partnership with Gawad Kalinga (GK) has Kusina ng Kalinga (KnK) as one of its many programs. "KnK or Care Kitchen is a group of volunteers (both from public and private sectors) who cook daily nutritious vegetable-based lunch meals for children in communities, in public schools, in the streets, and in conflict or disaster-stricken areas to end hunger and malnutrition," explains Mec who was once awarded as Mumpreneur of the Year (Socially Responsible category) in Singapore.

Art with a heart

The Sys have always exposed their children to as many activities as possible, letting them gravitate to what excites them. Alfred and Mec themselves have varying interests - from music, reading, arts to sports.

Ava is a varsity swimmer and ESTV program (digital counterpart of the school newspaper) member while Ally is a varsity netball player, ballerina, and writer. Both sisters are also members of the Junior Orchestra (where Ava plays the flute and Ally, the violin) and the Student Council, class representatives, and avid coders who were part of a coding summer program at Harvard Science Center in Boston.

Despite their jampacked schedules, the Sy sisters excitedly pursued their passion project for KnK. With proper time management, they patiently painted during school holidays with Mec while she was doing her regular work, choosing from different themes for the collection, and getting their mom's feedback as well.

By creating earnestly, they realized that the most beautiful things in the world take time and tons of energy. These must also come from the heart; hence, the siblings named their KnK fundraising project, "Heart-painted."

After some time, the girls finally finished 20 paintings, with more in the works. For the first two collections, they artistically used acrylic paint on canvas. On the upcoming 3rd collection, Ava is exploring pencil shading while Ally is combining acrylic paint and colored pens.

As expected, immediate family members were the first buyers of their masterpieces, most especially their doting maternal grandmother whom they fondly call "Nana." There were also friends and colleagues who eagerly supported the worthy cause.

"Their school teachers also helped them spread the word, but the challenge now is there are no more paintings available. They are currently busy producing more and look forward to cousins and friends joining. We are hoping "Heart-painted" will become a movement!" enthuses Mec.

Feeding 600

From their initial goal of raising funds for 300 meals, the girls remarkably exceeded their target and donated a total of 600 meals to KnK from the proceeds of their "Heart-painted" artworks.

"It is indeed an affirmation that there are people eager to support worthwhile projects. Ava and Ally get extremely excited every time a painting is sold. At first, they were not sure if many would be interested to buy their paintings, but we discussed that the only way to find out is to act on it. An idea without action will always remain an idea. Their most important takeaway from this project is to make their idea into reality," Mec stresses.

Ava learned a lot on the virtues of patience and dedication to start a project and see it through. On the other hand, younger sister Ally says, "it feels good to give". Her teacher has constantly described Ally as innately kind and the pacifier in class. Rightly so!

"This project has affirmed the joy one feels when one gives. It doesn't just change the receiver, it ultimately changes the giver," reflects the mom extraordinaire.

The Kusina ng Kalinga model goes beyond feeding. It is about building a commitment to care together as a community until no child is left hungry. It builds hope for each kid, by ending their hunger, they can start imagining tomorrow.

Your purchase of Heart-painted artworks can change lives! Make a difference and support Kusina ng Kalinga by visiting Heart-painted's Facebook page.

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit http://momabouttowndavao.blogspot.com/.

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Bini: Born to win the world

Posted: 23 Jul 2021 05:45 AM PDT

FOLLOWING the successful launch of its debut single "Born to Win" in June, new Pinoy Pop girl group "Bini" has another treat to all its growing fans with the release of its maxi single, a special collection of the bouncy electro-pop track's instrumental renditions.

With the Maxi Single, which is now available digitally on major streaming services, "Born to Win" has been reworked into a Latin number with pulsing horns and percussion-heavy arrangement, a party-ready EDM tune, and an exquisite string quartet piece.

It also features an instrumental and an acapella version that highlights the members' individual vocal prowess.

"We are very thankful because just a month after our debut single was dropped, we can already feel the love and support of all the Blooms," Cebuana Aiah said.

'Blooms' is the fandom name of Bini.

The music video of its first and original single has now gathered over 880,000 on YouTube and over 300,000 streams on Spotify.

The group are also elated and grateful to the support of the Blooms after their music video was featured on the MTV Asia channel this week.

The 'Born to Win' surprises don't stop there as the group is set to also launch the foreign language versions of the song - in Bahasa, Thai, Japanese, and Spanish editions.

The country's next big girl group is currently busy polishing their first-ever album, which will feature original songs, and a joint concert with their brother group BGYO.

"We train almost every day to become better versions of ourselves. We are working so hard for this album, and we hope they'll continue to support us," Maloi shared.

Bini's journey to win

Before they were officially launched as a group, this eight-member idol group composed of Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha, Jhoanna, and Sheena, trained for two years under ABS-CBN's Star Hunt Academy in partnership with South Korean artists training group, MU Doctor.

Prior to their official launch, Bini captured the hearts of fans here and abroad with their remake of "Da Coconut Nut" performed on national TV in November 2020.

For more updates, follow Bini_ph on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tiktok, and subscribe to the group's official YouTube channel, Bini Official. (With PR)

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End of Summer Sale ☀️😎

20% OFF Inside!🤯 ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏...