PHILIPPINES REPORTS FIRST TWO CASES OF OMICRON VARIANT

 

 

 

MANILA — The Philippines reported Wednesday its first two cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, which has been classified as being “of concern” by the World Health Organization.

 

The Department of Health said two imported cases of the Omicron variant were detected from the 48 samples sequenced Tuesday.

 

One of the cases is a returning overseas Filipino who arrived from Japan on December 1 via Philippine Airlines PR 0427. The DOH said the individual is currently asymptomatic but had colds and cough upon arrival.

 

The other case is a Nigerian national who arrived from Nigeria on November 30 via Oman Air WY 843. He is also asymptomatic.

 

Both are isolated in a facility managed by the Bureau of Quarantine.

 

The DOH said it is verifying the test results and the health status of passengers who were on the same flight as the travelers found to have the Omicron variant.

 

Those who arrived in the country through the aforementioned flights are advised to call the DOH COVID-19 Hotlines at (02) 8942 6843 or 1555, or their respective LGUs to report their status.

 

The detection of Omicron comes as authorities announced the entire country will remain under Alert Level 2 until December 31.

 

More Delta cases

 

The department also reported the detection of 33 cases of the Delta variant. This brought the total number of confirmed Delta variant cases to 7,919.

 

Of the additional cases, 14 were returning overseas Filipinos.

 

 

 

 

 

PH BEGINS SECOND RUN OF NATIONWIDE VACCINATION DRIVE

 

 

 

MANILA - The Philippines on Wednesday began its second run of the "National Vaccination Days" in parts of Luzon as it aims to inoculate some 7 million individuals against COVID-19.

 

The government is confident that it would reach the target, said Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje, head of the National Vaccines Operation Center (NVOC).

 

"Based on initial reports, maganda naman iyong turnout. Ako nga, nagpabakuna sa geriatric clinic. Maraming senior citizens na kasama ko ang nagpapa-booster," she said in a virtual press briefing.

 

The "Bayanihan, Bakunahan" Program in Metro Manila, Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon will run until Friday.

 

The vaccination drive will be held in other regions on Dec. 20 to 22 as authorities prepare for the onslaught of severe tropical storm Odette, which entered the Philippine area of responsibility on Tuesday evening.

 

Caraga is eyeing to conduct the inoculation program on Dec. 27 to 29 if the storm inundates the region, said Cabotaje.

 

Another run or a monthly run of the vaccination drive is being proposed, she added.

 

"'Yung round 3, may proposals na every month may ganitong campaign mode para mas mapaigting pa in addition to daily vaccination," she said.

 

 

 

 

 

PALACE: 8 AREAS ON TRAVEL ‘RED LIST’ STARTING DECEMBER 16

 

 

 

MANILA — The government's pandemic task force has placed eight countries and territories on its "red list," the most severe risk classification for COVID-19, effective December 16 until the end of the month, Malacañang announced Wednesday.

 

They are:

 

Andorra

 

France

 

Monaco

 

Northern Mariana Islands

 

Réunion

 

San Marino

 

South Africa

 

Switzerland

 

Acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles during his regular briefing stressed that only Filipinos will be allowed to travel to the Philippines from "red list" areas.

 

These Filipinos must be returning home either through government-initiated repatriation, non-government-initiated repatriation or Bayanihan flights.

 

They are also subject to the following protocols:

 

- For the fully-vaccinated

 

Negative rt-pcr test taken within 72 hours prior to departure from country of origin

 

Facility-based quarantine with another rt-pcr test taken on 7th day with discharge only permissible if test returns negative

 

Home quarantine until 14th day of arrival

 

- For the partially vaccinated, unvaccinated, or those whose vaccination status cannot be independently confirmed:

 

 Negative rt-pcr test taken within 72 hours prior to departure from country of origin

 

Mandatory facility-based quarantine for 10 days with rt-pcr test taken on 7th day

 

Home quarantine until 14th day of arrival

 

The Philippines has imposed a travel ban on several countries and territories in a bid to stop the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

 

Nograles also announced that areas placed on the government's "green list," the lowest risk classification, will be reclassified to the moderate or "yellow" list once they detect local transmission of the Omicron variant.

 

 

 

 

 

39% OF FILIPINOS FULLY VACCINATED VS CORONAVIRUS

 

 

 

MANILA — The government has vaccinated 42.58 million Filipinos against the coronavirus since it first rolled out the life-saving jabs in March but a typhoon may hamper efforts to inoculate more.

 

This is equivalent to 39.05% of the population — less than half the 90% health authorities say must be fully vaccinated to attain herd immunity.

 

Of those fully vaccinated, 932,198 have received an additional or booster dose since they were first approved in November.

 

Another 55.63 million or 51.02% of Filipinos have received the first dose of a two-dose regimen, Department of Health figures as of December 15 show.

 

Authorities administered 700,373 jabs daily in the last seven-day period, less than half their target of 1.5 million.

 

Officials were initially hoping to administer seven million shots from December 15-17 but the campaign has since been deferred in 11 regions due to Typhoon Odette.

 

 

 

 

 

SENATE PASSES BILL TO ALLOW FOREIGN CONTROL OF TELCOS, AIRLINES

 

 

 

MANILA — Senators on Wednesday approved a bill that will allow full foreign ownership of public services like telecommunications, airlines and domestic shipping firms.

 

The Southeast Asian country, which has been hampered by restrictive ownership limits and bureaucratic red tape, is playing catch-up with many of its neighbors in attracting foreign direct investment.

 

The bill, which updates a 1935 law, will remove the 40% foreign ownership cap on telecommunications, airlines, shipping, railways and irrigation. Foreign ownership limits will remain on public utilities like electricity, water distribution and the operations of seaports and airports.

 

“By opening our economy to a diverse set of investors, we could provide our fellow Filipinos with more and better choices,” said Senator Grace Poe, who was one the bill’s principal authors.

 

The Joint Foreign Chambers, a business lobby group that includes a range of overseas business chambers, welcomed the passage of the bill was approved by 19 votes to three.

 

 

 

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF MIGRANT WORKERS BILL PASSED, HAILED

 

 

 

MANILA — The Senate yesterday unanimously approved on the third and final reading a bill that calls for the creation of a department tasked with addressing the needs and concerns of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), who remit P3 million every minute.

 

Voting 20-0-0, senators passed Senate Bill 2234, or the proposed Department of Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act.

 

Sen. Joel Villanueva, one of the bill’s proponents, said the department would serve as the “go-to agency” for all OFWs’ concerns, including recruitment, red tape, regulation, emergency response, repatriation and reintegration.

 

Sen. Bong Go, also a main proponent of the measure, congratulated and thanked Villanueva for pushing for the passage of the measure.

 

“Our sponsor is really determined to provide our OFWs with their own department. I know what our sponsor went through from talking to various agencies and OFW groups to reconciling different versions of the bills,” Go said in his manifestation.

 

“On my part, I can just pass it on and give it as a gift to them – to our OFWs, to migrant workers – this Christmas,” Go added.

 

Go also thanked all of his senator-colleagues for their support of the measure, especially Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon for his assistance and scrutiny to improve the measure with the goal of providing better services to OFWs.

 

 

 

 

 

THOUSANDS FLEE HOMES AS 'ODETTE' LASHES PHILIPPINES

 

 

 

DAPA — Thousands of people in the Philippines have fled their homes and beachfront resorts as a powerful typhoon lashed the archipelago Thursday, with authorities warning of destructive winds and torrential rain.

 

Typhoon Odette (international name Rai) was packing maximum sustained winds of 165 kilometres (102 miles) an hour as it barrelled towards central and southern regions of the vast archipelago, the state weather agency said.

 

But it warned wind speeds could intensify to 195 kilometres an hour before the storm makes landfall near the popular tourist destination of Siargao island in the afternoon.

 

"Destructive typhoon-force winds... may bring moderate to heavy damage to structures and vegetation," it added.

 

More than 45,000 people had sought emergency shelter as the storm charged across the Pacific Ocean, the national disaster agency said.

 

They included domestic tourists visiting the country's famed beaches and dive spots ahead of Christmas. Foreign travellers are still banned from entering the Philippines under Covid-19 restrictions.

 

Scores of flights have been cancelled and dozens of ports temporarily closed as the weather bureau warned several metre-high storm surges could cause "life-threatening flooding" in low-lying coastal areas.

 

Rai, locally named "Odette", is hitting the country late in the typhoon season, with most cyclones developing between July and October.

 

It is expected to sweep across the Visayas region, and Mindanao and Palawan islands before emerging Saturday over the South China Sea and heading towards Vietnam.

 

 

 

 

 

FACT CHECK: NEW P500 BILL TO FEATURE PHILIPPINE TARSIER INSTEAD OF NINOY AQUINO?

 

 

 

MANILA — A viral photograph is circulating social media claiming that the current P500 bill featuring former Sen. Benigno Aquino will be replaced with another note showing the Philippine tarsier.

 

CLAIM: "Aquino left the group!" the original post by one Arjay Angeles Channel on Facebook says on the photo's caption with a laughing emoji. "THE Official Release of BSP in APRIL 2022," he goes on to claim.

 

"Goodbye Aquino family! This is the new design of our money now," a page called Ann Nang Nann Show says in Filipino in its post with the same image. Another page called Pepe News shares the image with the same caption.

 

"Why is Leni on the 500?" a page called Kamay na Bakal PH said in Filipino, taking a dig at Vice President Leni Robredo who defeated Bongbong Marcos in 2016.

 

RATING: This is fake.

 

FACT:

 

A quick reverse image search shows the tarsier used in the bill is actually an illustration by Russian artist Evgeny Turaev.

 

Royalty-free versions of the illustration are available for sale on stock photo websites such as 123rf.com, Dreamstime, and CanStockPhoto.

 

Sought for comment, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno told Philstar.com in a text message: "Fake news."

 

Though the photo itself is fake, other bank notes may still be up for redesign.

 

Diokno is quoted in an article by Rappler as saying that “this is the first note in a new series of Philippine currency that will focus on the country’s rich flora and fauna.”

 

 

 

 

 

THE REST

 

========

 

 

 

 

 

MORE FILIPINOS SAVING MONEY FOR RETIREMENT, PERA CONTRIBUTIONS SURGE IN SEPT: BSP

 

 

 

MANILA— The value of Personal Equity and Retirement Account (PERA) contributions grew 62 percent in September as more Filipinos set aside money for retirement savings, the central bank said Thursday.

 

The total hit P237 million in September compared to the same period last year, data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas showed.

 

"The noted increase may be attributed to the BSP and partner providers’ promotion of the retirement savings program for Filipino families, especially those working abroad," the BSP said in a statement.

 

As of the third quarter, there were a total of 4,001 PERA contributors, where 2,827 are full time employees, 590 are self-employed and 584 are overseas Filipino workers, the BSP said.

 

“We continue to actively promote financial security and encourage more Filipinos to plan for retirement and set aside funds for their sunset years through PERA,” said BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno.

 

The BSP has been actively promoting PERA, or the voluntary retirement savings program which is meant to supplement the existing retirement benefit offered by the Social Security System (SSS), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and private employers.

 

The BSP said anyone with a Tax Identification Number can be a PERA contributor.

 

PERA contributors who have reached 55 years old and have invested in PERA for at least 5 years can redeem their investments tax-free.

 

 

 

 

 

HIGIT 11,000 RESIDENTE INILKAS SA SURIGAO CITY DAHIL SA BAGYONG ODETTE

 

 

 

Higit 11,000 katao ang inilikas na sa kani-kanilang mga tahanan bilang paghahanda sa hagupit ng bagyong Odette sa Surigao City.

 

Maya't mayang itinataas ng PAGASA ang red rainfall warning sa Surigao City at nakakaranas ngayon ng malakas na pag-ulan, hangin at lumalaki na rin ang alon kung saan pinangangambahan na tataas ng dalawa hanggang tatlong metro ang storm surge.

 

Kaya naman puspusan ang ginagawang paglikas ng mga residente.

 

Ayon sa City Disaster Office, nasa 3,280 na pamilya o 11,268 katao ang nailikas.

 

Sa buong probinsiya ng Surigao del Norte, base sa tala ng PDRRMO ay umaabot na sa 51,000 katao o 17,034 na pamilya ang nailikas.

 

Sa ngayon ay patuloy ang paglakas ng ulan at hangin sa lugar na tinutumbok ngayon ng bagyong Odette.

 

Unang posibleng tamaan ng bagyo ay ang Siargao Island na sakop pa rin ng probinsiya ng Surigao del Norte.

 

Sa bayan ng Burgos sa Siargao Island ay halos 69 percent na ng mga residente ang nailikas.

 

 

 

 

 

'ODETTE' NOW A SUPER TYPHOON, JTWC SAYS

 

 

 

MANILA—Typhoon Odette (international name Rai) is now a super typhoon, the US military weather agency said Thursday.

 

It is currently packing 140 knots (259 kilometers per hour) maximum sustained winds and gusts reaching 170 knots (314 kph), according to the US Navy and Air Force's Joint Typhoon Warning Center in Hawaii.

 

The US JTWC classifies typhoons with wind speeds of at least 130 knots, which are equivalent to a Category 4 storm in the Saffir-Simpson scale—as super typhoons. Its readings are based on 1-minute average measurements of sustained winds.

 

This is different from the tropical cyclone intensity scale used by the Philippine state weather bureau PAGASA, which makes readings based on 10-minute average measurements of sustained winds.

 

As a result, the US JTWC's wind readings are higher than PAGASA's measurements.

 

"[Typhoon Rai] has undergone a period of extremely rapid intensification, which was not previously forecast and while track has not significantly changed, the intensity forecast has been increased dramatically," the JTWC said.

 

In its 8 a.m. advisory, PAGASA said Odette has undergone a rapid intensification as it continues to approach the vicinity of Dinagat Islands and Siargao-Bucas Grande Islands.

 

The center of the eye of the typhoon was located 265 kilometers east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, the agency said.

 

Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated from coastal areas of the central and southern Philippines ahead of a strong typhoon that is expected to make landfall on Thursday afternoon.

 

 

 

 

 

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

 

 

 

 

 

FULL TRAILER OF ABS-CBN'S 'THE BROKEN MARRIAGE VOW' RELEASED

 

 

 

MANILA -- The long wait is finally over.

 

ABS-CBN has released the official full trailer of the much-awaited series "The Broken Marriage Vow," the Philippine version of the hit BBC Studios drama “Doctor Foster.”

 

The three-minute video, which introduced the show's characters, was released by show producer Dreamscape Entertainment on Wednesday.

 

"The Broken Marriage Vow" follows the story of Dr. Jill Ilustre (Jodi Sta. Maria), a loving wife and a mother whose family is rocked by her husband’s affair.

 

Actor Zanjoe Marudo plays her husband David Ilustre, with Sue Ramirez as his mistress Lexy Lucero. Zaijan Jaranilla plays Jill and David’s only son, Gio Ilustre, who is caught between his parents’ tug of war.

 

Under the direction of Concepcion Macatuno and Andoy Ranay, "The Broken Marriage Vow" will also star Jane Oineza, Joem Bascon, Art Acuña, Rachel Alejandro, Angeli Bayani, Ketchup Eusebio, Bianca Manalo, Empress Schuck, and Ronnie Lazaro.

 

Also joining the powerhouse cast are Malou Crisologo, Franco Laurel, Sandino Martin, Jojit Lorenzo, Kate Alejandrino, Ji Anne Armero, Brent Manalo, Migs Almendras, Avery Clyde, and JB Agustin.

 

The Dreamscape Entertainment production is the sixth international adaptation of “Doctor Foster,” following its versions in France, Russia, Turkey, India, and South Korea.

 

The Korean remake, “The World of the Married,” became the country’s highest rated cable TV drama, and also courted a massive following from Filipino viewers. It was also aired locally by ABS-CBN.

 

 

 

 

 

SPORTS

 

 

 

 

 

PBA DEC 15

 

 

 

MAGNOLIA DEF. TERRAFIRMA, 114-87

 

 

 

Magnolia Pambansang Manok Hotshots defeated TerraFirma Dyip, 114-87 to claim their first win in the 2021 PBA Governors' Cup on Wednesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum

 

The Scores:

 

Magnolia 114 - Harris 30, Abueva 17, Lee 16, Sangalang 10, Dionisio 10, Ahanmisi 8, Jalalon 8, Dela Rosa 6, Brill 4, Barroca 3, Laput 2, Corpuz 0, De Leon 0, Capobres 0.

 

TerraFirma 87 - Hester 21, Tiongson 20, Cabagnot 16, Genuelas-Rosser 10, Cahilig 6, Pascual 3, Melton 2, Ramos 2, Calvo 2, Camson 2, Batiller 2, Gabayni 1, Adams 0, Celda 0.

 

Quarters: 18-15, 46-35, 81-64, 114-87.

 

 

 

 

 

NLEX DEF. TNT, 102-100

 

 

 

NLEX Road Warriors defeated TNT Tropang GIGA, 102-100 to claim their third straight win in the 2021 PBA Governors' Cup on Wednesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

 

Import KJ McDaniels led TNT with huge 33 points (13/23 FG, 3/9 3PT, 4/7 FT) along with 8 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 assist and a block. Trollano Trollano finished the game with 15 points (5/7 FG, 2/2 3PT, 3/4 FT), 6 rebounds and 3 assists while JR Quinahan added 15 points (5/11 FG) with 3 rebounds and 1 asssist.

 

The Scores:

 

NLEX 102 - McDaniels 33, Trollano 15, Quinahan 15, Alas 11, Oftana 10, Semerad 8, Cruz 8, Ighalo 2, Rosales 0, Miranda 0, Paniamogan 0.

 

TNT 100 - K. Williams 16, Moore 15, Banal 14, M. Williams 12, Pogoy 11, Erram 11, Castro 9, Khobuntin 9, Reyes 3, Marcelo 0.

 

Quarters: 29-21, 51-46, 76-70, 102-100.

 

 

 

 

 

NBA SCORES DEC 14

 

 

 

 

 

FINAL

 

1          2          3          4          T

 

Warriors23-5     24        23        24        34        105

 

Knicks12-16      24        24        16        32        96

 

MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, NEW YORK, NY

 

SCORING LEADERS

 

S. Curry GS

 

22 PTS 3 REB 3 AST

 

J. Randle NY

 

31 PTS 7 REB 3 AST

 

 

 

FINAL/OT

 

1          2          3          4          OT       T

 

Raptors13-15    32        24        44        20        9          129

 

Nets20-8           33        33        25        29        11        131

 

BARCLAYS CENTER, BROOKLYN, NY

 

SCORING LEADERS

 

F. VanVleet TOR

 

31 PTS 4 REB 9 AST

 

K. Durant BKN

 

34 PTS 13 REB 11 AST

 

 

 

FINAL/OT

 

1          2          3          4          OT       T

 

Suns22-5          32        17        24        29        9          111

 

Trail Blazers11-17         21        22        32        27        5          107

 

MODA CENTER AT THE ROSE QUARTER, PORTLAND, OR

 

SCORING LEADERS

 

D. Ayton PHO

 

28 PTS 13 REB 1 AST

 

D. Lillard POR

 

31 PTS 2 REB 10 AST

 

 

 

 

 

INDICATORS

 

 

 

FOREX $1 = P 50.27

 

 

 

 

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

 

 

 

Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you’re scared to death. - Earl Wilson