Friday, July 2, 2021

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Advocating functional literacy of IP communities on stage

Posted: 02 Jul 2021 07:49 AM PDT

ONE homeroom meeting pre-pandemic, public secondary school teacher Lesley Anne Englis Ticaro met a parent who was assisted by her daughter. She asked the parent to write her name down on the attendance sheet, but the parent's response caught her attention and sparked an advocacy which she is now waving to the national level.

Lesley, 27, shared that the parent was clueless and even asked her daughter to assist her as she only knew how to sign. Writing her name was not something she was taught as an indigenous individual in a remote village in Malangas, Zamboanga Sibugay.

"That very moment touched and awakened me. That's when I realized literacy should be given more importance because not all of our indigenous people were schooled even with basic education. This is the reason why they are easily fooled by opportunists because they are deprived of this basic right," she said.

Lesley, who is now one of the official candidates of Binibining Pilipinas 2021, chose "Functional Literacy of Indigenous Cultural Communities" as her advocacy.

"I want to educate them on the basics like writing and understanding their names, understanding how powerful their names are. My experiences as a teacher in far-flung areas opened my eyes to the reality that there is still a lot to be done in indigenous cultural communities when it comes to literacy. I would like to shed some light on this reality so our IP brothers and sisters will be equipped with at least the basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic and use these skills to perform tasks and serve their communities," she said.

Apart from raising her advocacy, Lesley also would want to show her students that any dream is possible when one prays and works hard for it.

"When I asked my students who they want to be when they grow up, they always say they wanted to be like a doctor or teacher but they seem hopeless when sharing these due to their current social and financial situations," the former Binibining Davao del Norte 2018 shared.

She added she wanted to inspire them and let them know that their dreams are valid and possible.

Lesley also shared that when she was assigned in Catituan National High School in Zamboanga Sibugay during her first few years in teaching, she decided to stay in the area for a deeper understanding and appreciation of the community.

On pursuing national pageant

The 27-year-old Binibini, who is representing Tagum City in Davao del Norte, admitted that joining a national pageant like Binibining Pilipinas is a life-long dream.

"But beyond that, I always tell my students, 'Practice what you preach.' I always tell them that they should follow and fight for their dreams. Hence, I am here wearing the Tagum sash across my chest in the Binibining Pilipinas pageant," she said.

To be an official candidate entails sacrifices and struggles and Lesley is no exception.

"As an independent candidate, I'd say my preparations are tedious and laborious. However, I am very blessed that I have people surrounding me that offer selfless assistance and encouragement. I am doing the best that I possibly can," she said.

The Binibining Pilipinas 2021 Grand Coronation Night is happening on July 11, 2021, at 9:30 p.m. and will be live-streamed on Binibining Pilipinas' YouTube channel. (ASP)

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Transport sector vaccination rollout starts

Posted: 02 Jul 2021 07:47 AM PDT

MORE than 20,000 members of the transport sector belonging to the Priority Group A4 in Davao City will receive their first dose of Covid-19 vaccine.

City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) Head Dionisio Abude said in an interview on 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio the vaccine rollout will be held at the Agro-Industrial Foundation College in Ecoland, Matina on Saturday, July 3, 2021, starting at 8 a.m. The vaccine rollout will last for 20 days.

Abude said aside from the public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers, they also target to vaccinate conductors and dispatchers, among others.

"Inspector, dispatcher, apil na sila. Mas vulnerable gani ang konduktor kay mao to sige balik-balik ug tuyok sa bus. Maong dapat maapil sab na sila," he said.

(These include inspectors and dispatchers. Most especially the conductors since they are more vulnerable considering they will be roaming around the bus. That is why we must include them in the vaccine rollout.)

Abude said they are also pushing to include transport company employees in the vaccination rollout for the transport sector.

He said they are expecting to receive more doses as they are pushing to vaccinate everyone in the transport sector.

"After this 20,000,naa pa man muabot-abot kay ang target nato is tanang (there will be more batches that will be arriving since we are targeting to vaccinate all) drivers," he said.

The traffic head said they will strictly abide by the process from pre-registration up to post-vaccination monitoring.

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-Davao Region (LTFRB-Davao) Director Nonito Llanos III said other PUV beneficiaries are those with existing franchises including trucks-for-hire, public utility buses, taxis, UV express, among others.

Llanos also said PUV drivers, whether Davao City residents or not but as long as they are traversing in the city, are allowed to get a Covid-19 vaccine sponsored by the Davao City government during the rollout.

"Sa tibuok Pilipinas, first time ning nahitabo nga usa ka rehiyon nga gisponsoran og usa ka local government, labi na sa natad sa public transportation," Llanos said.

(In the entire Philippines, this is the first time that a certain region is being sponsored by a certain local government in the vaccine rollout, especially for those in the public transportation sector.)

The LTFRB official emphasized the importance of vaccinating the transport sector, which is also an essential sector.

"Mao ni ron ang importanteng commodity. This is na ma-vaccinan ta kay mao ni ang rason nga makabalik ta sa new normal," Llanos said.

(This is an important commodity, this is the reason we must be vaccinated so that we can proceed to the new normal.)

Priority Group A4 includes the public and private school teachers, workers from the tourism sector, private companies, mall employees, and members of the transport sector.

The Davao City government has scheduled the Priority Group A4 in different vaccination hubs.

Some 2,459 doses are available for the Tourism Sector and Philippine Coast Guard at Waterfront Insular Hotel; 2,000 doses for Boysen at Sasa Warehouse; 3,000 doses for Davao Colleges and Universities Network; 3,000 doses for the Philippine Women's College and University of Mindanao Bolton Campus; 1,300 doses for the Davao Association of College Schools; 1,300 doses for Ateneo de Davao University; 1,500 doses for San Miguel Brewery workers at Davao Doctors Hospital; 4,000 doses for the Department of Education at various schools jab sites; 1,000 for the Chinatown Development Council at Chong Hua School; and, 4,000 for workers of Abreeza Mall, Gaisano Mall, SM, and NCCC Malls.

Based on the Davao City Covid-19 vaccination program, a total of 257,253 anti-Covid vaccines have been administered to individuals belonging to Priority Groups A1, A2, A3, A4, and A5 in Davao City. Of the number, 211,425 were administered for the first dose while 45, 828 were for the second dose.

A total of 41,248 have received their first dose while 26,924 received their second dose for Priority Group A1 or the healthcare frontliners. For the senior citizens (A2), a total of 72,033 have received their first dose and 26,924 for the second dose. For A3 or persons with comorbidities, some 87,046 have been inoculated with their first dose while 6,847 have received their second dose. In the A4 group, 6,647 have received their first dose, while in the A5, 4,451 received the first dose and 140 in the second dose. (With reports from CIO)

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14,000 tourism workers eyed for vaccination

Posted: 02 Jul 2021 07:46 AM PDT

THE targeted number of tourism frontliners in Davao City to be jabbed with the Covid-19 vaccine increased to 14,000.

This was based on the data from Davao City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) Head Generose Tecson, who previously said they are targeting to inoculate some 7,000.

The inoculation of tourism frontliners in Davao City, dubbed as "Bakuna by the Sea," kicked off on Wednesday, June 30, 2021, at the Waterfront Insular Hotel.

"We're truly happy kay (because) this is one of our ways forward for the tourism industry, ang maprotektahan ating (this is to protect our) tourism workers so that we can go on to the new normal, and start opening the industry," Tecson said in an interview on 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio.

Workers in all primary and secondary tourism associations and allied services can avail themselves of the ongoing vaccination.

The official said media practitioners were also included as they belong to allied services.

"Yung media (The media is included), because [they're] really an integral part of tourism kasi [sila] nag-a-announce kung anong nangyayari sa atin (because they are announcing what is happening in our city)," she said.

Tecson said the first day of the tourism sector's vaccination catered to 500 recipients, while 808 were vaccinated on the second day.

She said they are targeting to finish inoculating the remaining numbers so that they can prepare for the second dose.

The tourism head also urged tourism workers to get vaccinated to achieve herd immunity.

Tecson said they are targeting to finish the rollout of the first dose next weekend.

Walk-ins are strictly prohibited, she said. Workers are also reminded to present their company certificate to prove their employment and vital government identification cards.

Meanwhile, Department of Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat lauded the City Government of Davao and the Davao Tourism Association for working together in inoculating the city's tourism workers.

"I encourage all our tourism frontliners working in isolation and quarantine facilities, transport, hotel employees, restaurant workers, tour guides, airport and airline employees, and police to avail the vaccine. Believe me, the sense of relief you will feel after you get your first dose is real. We are not just protecting ourselves but also people around us," Puyat said in a video uploaded on the Davao City Tourism Facebook page.

She added that since tourism workers have to interact with so many different people face to face, their health and safety are of utmost importance.

According to the National Vaccine Deployment for Covid-19 of the Department of Health, tourism workers fall under Priority A4 Group or the frontline personnel in essential sectors.

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Davao City to develop centralized communication system for Covid-19 concerns

Posted: 02 Jul 2021 07:45 AM PDT

THE Davao City government is planning to develop a centralized communication system to give Dabawenyos better access for all Covid-19-related concerns.

This is in response to the complaints among residents that the Covid-19 hotlines are not accessible or their call gets passed around whenever they would call to ask for their swab results or seeking consultation on their current condition.

City Health Office Acting Head Dr. Ashley Lopez said the system is currently being finalized by the Human Resource Management Office and the City Information Technology Center.

Lopez said he is aware of the public's confusion on which hotline to call to address their respective concerns.

"Hinaut unta ma-plastar na. Kabalo ko nga isa sa mga complaints is sa kadaghan sa mga hotlines, nalibog na kung unsay tawagan. Kasagaran pa katong mga hotlines wala'y mutubag," he said

(We are hoping that we can polish this. We know that this is the common complaint, that they are already confused about what number to call due to many hotlines existing. And also, most numbers do not respond.)

He said they are exerting all efforts to clear up and improve the system of the Covid-19 hotlines in the city.

To help address this problem, the official said they already hired a private counterpart in developing "centralized communication."

"Didto na mag-channel down ang atong mga linya kung asa ta necessary i-access. (There, we will channel down our lines to determine where we will necessarily be accessed.) We are looking forward para dili nata malipong og pangita ug unsa na hotline ang tawagan (so that we won't be confused what number to dial)," he said

Lopez said they are expected to implement it within July.

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Abalayan: 19 Filipinos dare to dream

Posted: 02 Jul 2021 07:43 AM PDT

AS OF July 2, 19 gallant Filipino athletes will carry the country's dream of winning the long-sought yet elusive gold medal as the Tokyo 2020 Olympics opens on July 23.

That's only 20 days to go for the greatest show on earth to unfold amid the threat of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

This will be the biggest Filipino contingent since 2004 when the Philippines sent 16 athletes to Athens followed by 15 in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, 11 in the 2012 London Olympics, and 13 in the Rio Olympics.

We all are rooting for Ernest John Obiena (men's pole vault), Carlos Yulo (men's artistic gymnastics), Eumir Felix Marcial (men's boxing middleweight), Irish Magno (women's boxing flyweight), Davao pride Nesthy Petecio (women's boxing featherweight), Carlo Paalam (men's boxing flyweight), Hidilyn Diaz (women's weightlifting 55kg), Cris Nievarez (men's rowing single sculls), Kurt Barbosa (men's taekwondo -58kg), Margielyn Didal (women's street skateboard), Elreen Ando (women's weightlifting 64kg), Jayson Valdez (men's shooting air rifle 10m), Juvic Pagunsan (men's golf), Kristina Knott (women's athletics 200m), Kiyomi Watanabe (women's judo -63kg), Bianca Pagdanganan (women's golf), Yuka Saso (women's golf), Remedy Rule (women's swimming 200m butterfly), and Luke Gebbie (men's swimming 50m and 100m freestyle).

While Diaz is competing in her fourth Olympics, the rest are just making their debut in the world's quadrennial sports spectacle.

Remember their names and the sacrifices they made to reach this elite stage. The challenges they faced to qualify for the Olympics were made tougher due to the mobility constraints caused by the global pandemic. Training preparations of most athletes were delayed and some underwent bubble-like trainings only this year.

They all dared to dream and fought the hardest to win the coveted Olympic slots come hell or high water. They gave everything they've got to achieve what so many athletes failed to accomplish.

Other Filipino Olympic hopefuls in windsurfing, fencing, 3X3 men's basketball, cycling, surfing, karate, archery, and men's basketball all failed in their qualifying events.

The Philippines' canoe-kayak bets withdrew from the Asian Olympic Qualifiers set in Thailand after a member of the delegation tested positive for Covid-19.

Our 19 Tokyo Olympians, aside from hurdling their respective competitions, will also have to undergo daily Covid-19 testing but they won't have to undergo quarantine.

Let's all rally behind our Olympians and pray for their safety and protection. May they go all out as they compete for the flag and country. May God bless all of you!

***

A special shoutout to Davao's very own Nesthy Alcayde Petecio and to my International Churches of Christ (ICOC) Fil-Am sister Kristina Knott.

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MOHSG Batch 54: Leaving A Lasting Legacy

Posted: 02 Jul 2021 07:41 AM PDT

THE Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way we do things in life. From our basic way of celebrating big events, we have since shifted to the "new normal" of celebrating.

Despite the interference of this unprecedented event, it never ceases the determination of the Junior Chambers International-Davao Inc. (JCI Davao) to continue its longest-running and prestigious program for high school graduates since 1965, which is the Search for the Most Outstanding High School Graduate (MOHSG) of Davao. This annual flagship program has gone full virtual this year to adapt to the new normal while at the same time effectively serving as a timely platform to continue sending the message of hope. It also aims to inspire this year's vibrant batch of nominees to continue creating positive changes in our community.

On June 26, 2021, at 1 p.m., JCI Davao marked the 54th Grand Culmination Day of the Search for the MOHSG of Davao through MOHSG's Facebook page. The virtual event reached more than 7,000 people most of which were family members, schoolmates, friends, and supporters of the nominees. The opening remark was given by 2021 JCI Davao President Mamerto Dela Torre III, giving inspiration and boosting the confidence of the nominees.

An inspiring message from the keynote speaker, 2011 MOHSG Grand Winner Moses S. Cam, fed the soul of every nominee as he shared his life as a college student, as a professional risk management consultant, and his life in general.

The angelic voices of the University of Mindanao (UM) Chorale were heard upon presenting the MOHSG Batch 54 nominees through an audio-visual presentation.

Each nominee was given the chance to creatively introduce themselves through a pre-recorded video. The segment was followed by the series of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG) digital content videos created by the nominees, which highlighted their creativity and knowledge of the various social issues and topics they are assigned to.

The accumulated scores determined the top 10 nominees who advanced to the final round. The esteemed judges included JCI Senator Shandy Sy, JCI Senator Louel Zambrano, Mindanao Peace Council Secretary General Vincenzo Molejon, Jr., University of the Philippines – Mindanao Assistant Professor Dr. Glory Dee Romo, and MOHSG 2011 Grand Winner Moses Cam.

The finalists displayed their wit and confidence in the impromptu speech round, proving themselves to be worthy of the title.

Jordan Mallari of the University of Mindanao (UM) Senior High School received the People's Choice Award for his UNSDG digital content featuring "Responsible Consumption and Production," which acquired 4,470 reactions and shares.

The level of excitement has leveled up when Julienne Antoinette Tan of the Davao Christian High School (DCHS) was declared the Grand Winner of the Most Outstanding High School Graduate of Davao Batch 54. Tan thanked her family, friends, and school for showing their support in her MOHSG Journey.

"It was an honor to have represented my school in such a prestigious event, where I met 20 other outstanding individuals who taught me the importance of determination and purpose in change-making. Besides the title, I am grateful for this opportunity to share my story in hopes of influencing my fellow youth to take action for the community which we serve," she said.

On the other hand, Mariel Dela Victoria of the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai International School (PNJKI) placed First-Runner Up, Andrew Tumulak of Ateneo De Davao University-Senior High School (AdDU-SHS) was declared Second Runner Up, Marcy Nil Ogsoc of Philippine Women's College (PWC) claimed Third Runner Up place, and Darlene Rose Legita of Philippine Science High School-Southern Mindanao Campus (PSHS-SMC) was the Fourth-Runner Up.

"As the chairman of this year's MOHSG program, I am proud and certain that they will become successful in their chosen fields of expertise and endeavor in the future. More than just a competition, the MOHSG Program aims to harness the intelligence, diligence, and leadership skills of the cream of the crop of Davao City's high schools towards creating sustainable impact in their respective communities, thereby promoting the JCI Values and Mission to these future changemakers," said 54th MOHSG Chairman Romeo Batestil, Jr. said in his closing remarks.

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Will the next Hijos de Davao be grander?

Posted: 02 Jul 2021 07:36 AM PDT

DAVAOEÑOS who look forward to the June 29th Hijos de Davao event will have to wait another year for it to happen again, God willing.

The gathering falls on the feast of Davao's Patron Saint, San Pedro. The ark-like Cathedral that stands on the street's namesake has its own historic moments. One of which is the Great Fire of 1964 when blocks along San Pedro and Magallanes streets were reduced to ashes but the church was left unscathed.

What is Hijos de Davao?

* It's an annual event to honor the city's Patron Saint. The tradition started with a regular social gathering of Davao immigrants by a river bank. It became a club and became a formal event. Barong Tagalog and Terno are in order.

* In 1964, Hijos de Davao became a socio-civic organization. The foundation looks after the growth of the club and builds stronger community ties, focusing on the preservation and promotion of the cultural heritage of the Dabawenyos. The project uplifts the living standards and education of the people who need it most.

* The Rigodon de Honor is part of the celebration. Officers, past and present, plus a few members are invited to take part in the formal dance.

*It's a time to hear the accomplishments and updates on the foundation's programs for the past year and know of the coming one. And like any "family gathering," the party offers the right opportunity to catch up with friends and peers, and welcome new members from the Davao community.

Through the years the celebration hopped from one venue to another, from Davao Insular Hotel to Apo view Hotel and a few more ballrooms. But as the Davao family tree grows more branches, a bigger venue is needed. Recently, the convention hall of SM Lanang Premier has become a regular party venue because of the generous space it offers.

The Davaoeños have missed the 2020 and 2021 celebrations because of the pandemic. The next gala, if fate allows, will be in 2022. Will it be grander than what Davao is accustomed to? Will it be as dazzling as 2014's 50th anniversary gala or surpass it?

Perhaps it can. Imagine missing out on face to face events. Next year, the ballroom can be filled with fully vaccinated, mask-less attendees. Friends and families can give more than air kisses and give besos and hugs instead, physical contact that everyone was denied for so long. That is something to look forward to.

The next Hijos de Davao gala will be a good reason to dress up, don the finery from the closet left untouched for two years. It will once again illuminate the ballroom.

Each year the turnout of attendees is heartwarming. You will catch sight of the Davaoeños loyal to the foundation's cause. They put forth effort to keep the fire burning, the acting paradigms for tradition for the next generation to emulate and hold the Hijos de Davao torch shine bright. It's good to see that the younger ones are present.

Will I see you at the next Hijos de Davao?

***

Follow ofapplesandlemons on Facebook

For travel stories, visit www.jeepneyjinggoy.com

Email me at jinggoysalvador@yahoo.com

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Rhinostics dry collection swabs to be used in Safeguard DNA Diagnostics labs in PH

Posted: 02 Jul 2021 01:59 AM PDT

RHINOSTICS Inc. announced that Safeguard DNA Diagnostics, Inc. (SDDI) will standardize Covid-19 collections across its laboratories in the Philippines, using the Rhinosticsᵗᵐ dry collection swabs.

Safeguard DNA Diagnostics currently operates laboratories in Metro Manila, Davao and Negros Occidental.

Rhinostics is a Harvard spinout company launched to bring new materials and designs for improved sample collection for Covid and broader non-Covid respiratory testing. Based on the laboratory needs and physician requests, Rhinostics offers different solutions:

The GrooveSwab™ Nasopharyngeal Swab combines the ability to do a nasopharyngeal collection with polypropylene materials and a standard breakpoint. Patients comment on the increased comfort of collection with the swab, while laboratories take advantage of the dry transport, sample concentration and assay performance.

The Rhinostics Standard Nasal Swab provides is based on the same polypropylene materials in a caterpillar collection head and easy snap breakpoint. These swabs provide the same benefits of comfortable collection, dry transport, and sample concentration with the flexibility to use a standard collection tube.

The RHINOstic™ Automated Nasal Swab brings novel polypropylene materials to collection, which provide comfortable collection, dry transport, sample concentration, and the ability to automated decapping and providing rapid, automated accessioning of 96 samples at once. These innovative swabs reduce the need for manual decapping.

Paul Jochico, co-founder and director of Safeguard DNA Diagnostics, Inc., commented, "We are excited to bring the Rhinostics' innovative sample collection swabs to the Philippines, to offer our people a more comfortable collection combined with strong assay performance. The dry swabs are more robust and offer lower risk for contamination during collection and transport than VTM and saliva collection devices. Continued Covid testing will help keep more people safe until vaccinations can become widespread in the Philippines."

George Aaron, chief executive officer (CEO) and chairman of Safeguard Biosystems, the joint venture partner in SDDI, remarked, "The opportunity to repurpose our molecular microbiology laboratory in Manila provided significant benefits to the people of the Philippines during this unfortunate pandemic. Safeguard remains committed to bringing innovative products for the diagnosis of infectious disease into SDDI's operations."

"We could not ask for a better partner to implement our collection swab technology in the Philippines, bringing the newest technology for dry collection, transport and assay performance to the country. SDDI remains an innovator in the diagnostics space in the Philippines, bringing the newest technologies to market, said Cheri Walker, chief executive officer of Rhinostics.

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