1 DEAD AS TYPHOON ODETTE BATTERS THE PHILIPPINES
MANILA—The strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines this year uprooted trees, toppled power lines and flooded villages as it barreled across the archipelago Friday, leaving at least 1 person dead.
More than 330,000 people fled their homes and beachfront resorts as Typhoon Odette pummeled the southern and central regions of the country, knocking out communications in some areas and tearing roofs off buildings.
Odette was a super typhoon when it slammed into Siargao Island on Thursday, packing maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometers an hour (120 miles). By Friday, wind speeds had eased to 155 kilometers an hour, the state weather forecaster said.
"We are seeing people walking in the streets, many of them shell-shocked," ABS-CBN correspondent Dennis Datu reported from the hard-hit city of Surigao on the southern island of Mindanao.
"All buildings sustained heavy damage, including the provincial disaster office. It looks like it's been hit by a bomb."
Datu said the main roads leading into the coastal city had been cut off by landslides, fallen trees and toppled power poles.
The national disaster agency confirmed 1 person had been killed and 2 others injured in the storm, which was heading towards the popular tourist destination of Palawan island.
Some 332,000 people had sought emergency shelter as the typhoon charged across the Pacific Ocean and smashed into the country, the agency said. About 18,000 had yet to return home.
Surigao City Mayor Ernesto Matugas told ABS-CBN that Odette ravaged the city of around 170,000 people for several hours, causing "severe" damage.
"The wind was very strong," Matugas said.
Scores of flights were cancelled across the country on Thursday and dozens of ports temporarily closed as the weather bureau warned several meter-high storm surges could cause "life-threatening flooding" in low-lying coastal areas.
Odette, international named Rai, is hitting the Philippines late in the typhoon season, with most cyclones developing between July and October.
PHILIPPINES BREACHES 100 MILLION ADMINISTERED COVID-19 SHOTS
MANILA — The Philippines has administered over 100 million vaccine doses against COVID-19, government data showed on Friday, as the country kept watch over the twin threats of the omicron coronavirus variant and raging typhoon Odette.
Authorities on Thursday gave out 866,685 jabs, raising the total administered doses to 100,013,599, according to the health department’s vaccination dashboard.
Of the total, some 55.9 million were first doses, while at least 1 million were booster shots.
At least 43 million out of the 77.1 million target population have completed their inoculation.
Government aims to fully immunize 54 million people or around 70 percent of the target by the end of the year.
But a second run of the country's mass vaccination drive was postponed in 11 regions this week as Odette brought heavy rains and strong winds in the southern and central Philippines.
The entire country will keep restrictions under COVID-19 Alert 2 and ban foreign travelers from 8 territories as a safeguard against the variant.
OMICRON 'VERY LIKELY' TO REPLACE DELTA AS DOMINANT VARIANT IN PH: WHO
MANILA - The omicron variant is "very likely" to replace the delta variant as the dominant COVID-19 lineage in the Philippines, the World Health Organization said Friday.
The country on Wednesday confirmed 2 cases of the omicron variant in a returning Filipino from Japan and a Nigerian national, all 8 close contacts of whom tested negative for COVID-19, the Department of Health said.
The WHO had classified omicron as a variant of concern late November. It has so far reached 78 countries, including the Philippines.
"It’s very likely that the omicron variant is going to replace the delta variant as much as the delta variant replaced the earlier variants-- alpha, beta variants," WHO Philippines representative Rabindra Abeyasinghe told ANC's Headstart.
"There is a little window we have where we need to increase our preparedness to eventually deal with this and also use the opportunity to protect the most vulnerable."
The country can "minimize the effect of omicron" by vaccinating its vulnerable population, Abeyasinghe said.
It is "supportive of boosters" but everyone must have a primary series of jabs first, he added.
PACQUIAO, ROBREDO KICK OFF CALL FOR PRESIDENTIAL BETS TO WORK TOGETHER FOR 'ODETTE' RELIEF
MANILA — Leading presidential candidates in the 2022 elections are being urged to unite and pool resources together in the face of the devastation brought by Typhoon “Odette” (international name: Rai) in the Visayas and Mindanao.
In a post on Facebook on Thursday evening, Sen. Manny Pacquiao called on his fellow aspirants for Malacañang to come together and set aside politics to help people in the path of the typhoon.
"Magsama-sama tayo upang tulungan ang ating mga kababayan na nasalanta ng bagyo. Now is the time to come together as one. Tulungan natin sila," Pacquiao said, mentioning Vice President Leni Robredo, former Sen. Bongbong Marcos, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso, Sen. Ping Lacson and labor leader Leody de Guzman.
As of writing, only Robredo has responded to Pacquiao’s appeal for unity, saying on Twitter that she joins his call.
Pacquiao thanked Robredo and told her to coordinate their efforts as he had arranged for cargo planes to be mobilized. The vice president told Pacquiao that her team will get in touch with his staff.
In a related development, Robredo said she has converted her volunteers’ headquarters in Quezon City to receive relief goods including blankets, hygiene items, bottled water, face masks, rubbing alcohol, rice and ready to eat food beginning Friday.
Pacquiao has started a fundraiser through his foundation for the victims of Typhoon Odette.
Marcos and his running mate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said that they have tapped their volunteer network to prepare and distribute rice, canned goods, milk and instant coffee to typhoon victims.
The tandem said they have prepared 6,000 relief packs for Samar, 6,000 more for Leyte, 2,000 for Tacloban and 6,000 for Masbate.
Moreno has called for a special session of the Manila City Council for a resolution to authorize funding for relief operations in the Visayas and Mindanao.
De Guzman, meanwhile, appealed to the public to help those in Odette’s path, but also urged fellow presidential candidates to pursue more long-term solutions to climate change.
“Para hindi na maulit, tumindig ang mga kandidato na ipasara ang mga coal plant, ipasara ang mga pagmimina na ginagawa ng mga korporasyon,” he said.
AFP AIMS TO ACHIEVE WORLD-CLASS FORCE
In an interview aired over The Chiefs on One News channel, Brig. Gen. Edgardo Palma, chief of the Office of Strategic Studies and Strategy Management, said the AFP is currently “not at par” with world-class armed forces.
Palma bared that the AFP is eyeing to have a “higher level of minimum capable defense” by 2028.
“We are aiming to be a world-class armed forces which is a source of national pride… We are supposed to have a strong and sustainable armed forces that is contributing to the continuing effort to our regional peace,” the official said in a mix of English and Filipino.
The military, he added, is also eyeing to have more personnel and a greater quality of equipment.
“For our modernization program capability, we should have acquired our first and second horizons,” he said, noting that this should showcase the strength of the AFP.
Because of the urgency to improve maritime capabilities, the AFP will also “need more frigates with the capability of combat patrol” to secure our maritime security.
Palma said they are also monitoring both internal and external threats in the country and that the military is preparing for any situation. This is aside from continuously monitoring emerging threats to national security amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“For now, we could see cybersecurity threats. Of course, it is not that easy to address, so we have to prepare,” Palma said.
SENATE APPROVES BILL REQUIRING SIM CARD REGISTRATION WITH PROVISION TO 'UNMASK TROLLS'
MANILA — The Senate unanimously approved on third and final reading Thursday a bill that would mandate all public telecommunications entities to require subscribers to fill out a registration form and produce a valid identification card before purchasing a SIM card.
At their final plenary session of the year, senators voted 22-0-0 to approve Senate Bill No. 2395 or the proposed SIM Card Registration Act which seeks to eradicate criminal activities aided by mobile phones, the internet or other electronic communication devices.
These criminal activities include terrorism, text scams, unsolicited indecent or obscene messages, bank fraud, trolling, hate speech, and the spread of digital disinformation or fake news.
“At the core of this measure is the promotion of security in the country. It is timely and fitting given that various technology-aided crimes are rampant in the country today,” the bill's sponsor, Sen. Grace Poe, said in the explanation of her vote for the measure.
"It is high time that we beef up our own infrastructures to address these threats to security."
The bill penalizes the use of fictitious identities to register SIM cards, spoofing, and the unauthorized sale of registered SIM cards.
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100 PERCENT ANG PINSALA: SURIGAO CITY MAYOR ASKS FOR AID AFTER ODETTE
MANILA – Authorities are confirming reports of a death in Surigao City amid the onslaught of typhoon Odette.
“Wala rin kaming communication, but meron pong isang report, which they have to verify it ‘no na natabunan daw ng mga debris,” Mayor Ernesto Matugas told TeleRadyo.
Matugas noted, however, that they did their best to prepare for the typhoon and save as many lives as possible.
The mayor appealed for help for his constituents, saying that he estimates the city to be “100 percent damaged.”
“Yes sa mga national agencies, please kailangan po namin ng inyong tulong, mga relief goods, help para sa mga clearing and pagbalik ng mga essential utilities dito po sa city. Talaga pong, halos nakikita ko, 100 percent ang pinsala.”
He added, “Mostly lahat talaga may damage ‘no, wala nang bubong. Access sa road, mga landlside, until now we’re trying to check every area ‘no, kung ano yung mga damages.”
“But we really have to clear first the road. Para makapasok ang mga supplies o mga equipments ‘no. Kailangan talaga naming tulong.”
Matugas said the city needs all the help it can get.
BIYAHE SA BATANGAS, LUCENA PORTS SUSPENDIDO PA RIN: OCD CALABARZON
MAYNILA—Nananatiling suspendido ang biyahe ng mga barko sa mga pantalan ng Batangas at Lucena dahil pa rin sa sama ng panahon na dala ng bagyong Odette.
“Sa ngayon, dahil nakataas ang Signal No. 1 sa atin sa southern Quezon at Batangas, December 14, pa lang ay nagkansela na tayo ng mga biyahe partikular dito sa PPA (Philippine Ports Authority) Lucena at PPA Batangas. Gayundin inalerto natin ang maliliit na port dito,” ayon kay Kelvin John Reyes ng Office of the Civil Defense sa Calabarzon.
Sa panayam sa TeleRadyo Biyernes ng umaga, sinabi ni Reyes na walang stranded na pasahero ngayon sa Batangas port.
“Dito sa Lucena meron tayong napaulat na 37 katao at 2 rolling cargoes na hanggang sa ngayon nandoon pa rin at stranded,” dagdag ni Reyes.
Samantala, lahat ng access roads at telecommunication lines ay clear, base aniya sa ulat ng Department of Public Works and Highways.
FILIPINO NURSE GETS UK'S 1ST 'INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY NURSE OF THE YEAR' AWARD
MANILA — The Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI) recently created a new award to recognize Internationally Educated Nurses working in community settings in England, and its first International Community Nurse of the Year award recipient is Filipino nurse Dennis Singson.
Singson is a Community Mental Health Nurse and Nurse Prescriber working with the Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment (CRHT) team in Hastings. He has coordinated the development of a mental health hub consisting of a general medicine practitioner, a clinical pharmacist and upskilled colleagues throughout the practice to improve the care of people with anxiety, depression and eating disorders. His work has seen the reduction of antidepressant prescribing and referral to secondary services.
The award winner was chosen by a panel of internationally educated nurses working at a senior level in England, and an independent patient representative.
Supported by National Health Service (NHS) England and NHS Improvement, the award was up for nomination by employers so they can enter internationally educated nurses who have worked in any health or social care setting in the community in England for one to three years.
Singson’s dedication to his clinical work and improving patient care is commendable and unmatched. He was also a finalist to the 2021 RCN Clinical Excellence for Nursing, and a 2018 BAME Windrush Awardee. He is also currently the interim Vice-chair of the Philippine Nurses Association of UK.
ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE
TRACY PEREZ IN TOP 6 OF MISS WORLD'S BEAUTY WITH A PURPOSE PROJECT
Tracy Perez continues to bring her A-game to Miss World 2021 as she made it to the Top 6 of the pageant's Beauty with a Purpose (BWAP) project.
She joins candidates from England, India, South Africa, and United States, Miss World announced on Instagram Stories.
Perez, in an Instagram post, said she is happy to have made it to the final round of Miss World's BWAP.
"Miss World Organization will also be coming to the Philippines to fund my project. Mommy Chona, this is for you and to all the solo parents out there," she said.
"This was all just a dream and now it’s finally happening. Thank you, everyone, for the continuous support!" she added.
Perez is aiming for the country's second Miss World crown, after Megan Young in 2013.
MISS WORLD 2021 POSTPONED AFTER MORE TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19
MANILA — Through an official statement issued by the Miss World Organization a few hours ago, informing all and sundry, of the postponement of the Miss World 2021 final show global telecast from Puerto Rico due to health and safety of contestants, staff, crew, and the public at large.
It could be remembered that the Miss World-Philippines 2021 national pageant had to be moved several times to acquiesce to the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) guidelines and safety protocols.
This could be a denouement of sorts, with Typhoon Odette lashing in some parts of the country, leaving homes flooded and with no electricity.
The finale, scheduled to take place today at the Coliseum Jose Agrelot, will be rescheduled within the next 90 days.
After meeting with the virologists and medical experts hired to oversee the Miss World 2021 event and discussing with the Puerto Rico Health Department, the decision has been made by the organizers of the event to postpone the coronation night ceremonies.
The next step according to the medical experts is immediate quarantine, pending observation and further testing, according to best practices in situations like this.
Once, and only when, contestants and staff are cleared by health officials and advisors, will contestants and related staff return to their home countries.
SPORTS
PBA UPDATES
MERALCO DEF. BLACKWATER, 98-77
Meralco Bolts defeated Blackwater Bossing, 98-77 to claim their first win in the 2021 PBA Governors' Cup on Thursday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
6-foot-6 Panamanian import Tony Buishop led the Bolts with a double-double of 28 points, 13 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 assists and 2 steals in his PBA debut.
The Scores:
MERALCO 99 - Bishop 28, Pinto 18, Newsome 11, Almazan 10, Pasaol 6, Quinto 5, Belo 5, Maliksi 5, Hodge 4, Black 4, Jamito 2, Caram 0, Johnson 0.
BLACKWATER 87 - McCarthy 19, Bond 18, Ebona 9, McAloney 9, Daquioag 8, Chauca 4, Desiderio 3, Baloria 3, Amer 2, Escoto 2, Washington 0.
Quarters: 16-16, 48-36, 75-54, 98-77.
RAIN OR SHINE DEF. PHOENIX, 90-88
Rain or Shine Elasto Painters defeated Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, 90-88 to claim their second win in the 2021 PBA Governors' Cup on Thursday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Scores:
RAIN OR SHINE 90 - Nambatac 17, Belga 16, Walker 15, Santillan 13, Borboran 8, Mocon 6, Wong 6, Caracut 4, Norwood 3, Ponferada 2, Jackson 0, Torres 0.
PHOENIX 88 - Harris 17, Banchero 14, Manganti 11, Wright 10, Perkins 8, Melecio 8, Jazul 8, Rios 6, Garcia 4, Camacho 2, Muyang 0, Chua 0.
Quarters: 16-23, 44-50, 71-71,90-88.
NBA SCORES DEC 15
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Hawks14-14 27 37 29 18 111
Magic5-24 25 25 23 26 99
AMWAY CENTER, ORLANDO, FL
SCORING LEADERS
T. Young ATL
28 PTS 4 REB 4 AST
M. Wagner ORL
19 PTS 6 REB 1 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Rockets9-19 16 22 25 26 89
Cavaliers18-12 35 34 31 24 124
ROCKET MORTGAGE FIELDHOUSE, CLEVELAND, OH
SCORING LEADERS
A. Sengun HOU
19 PTS 11 REB 5 AST
D. Garland CLE
21 PTS 2 REB 3 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Heat17-12 29 29 23 20 101
76ers15-14 18 31 21 26 96
WELLS FARGO CENTER, PHILADELPHIA, PA
SCORING LEADERS
G. Vincent MIA
26 PTS 2 REB 3 AST
T. Maxey PHI
27 PTS 3 REB 5 AST
FINAL/OT
1 2 3 4 OT T
Lakers16-13 33 14 26 20 14 107
Mavericks14-14 23 27 23 20 11 104
AMERICAN AIRLINES CENTER, DALLAS, TX
SCORING LEADERS
L. James LAL
24 PTS 3 REB 5 AST
J. Brunson DAL
25 PTS 3 REB 9 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Pacers12-18 33 20 34 12 99
Bucks19-11 33 25 29 27 114
FISERV FORUM, MILWAUKEE, WI
SCORING LEADERS
D. Sabonis IND
16 PTS 14 REB 5 AST
J. Holiday MIL
26 PTS 4 REB 14 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Pelicans9-21 24 21 30 38 113
Thunder8-19 28 23 27 32 110
PAYCOM CENTER, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
SCORING LEADERS
B. Ingram NO
34 PTS 8 REB 4 AST
S. Gilgeous-Alexander OKC
33 PTS 5 REB 1 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Hornets16-14 46 27 37 21 131
Spurs10-17 31 26 25 33 115
AT&T CENTER, SAN ANTONIO, TX
SCORING LEADERS
G. Hayward CHA
41 PTS 5 REB 3 AST
B. Forbes SA
25 PTS 1 REB 1 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Timberwolves13-15 40 35 33 16 124
Nuggets14-14 32 29 27 19 107
BALL ARENA, DENVER, CO
Anthony Edwards Becomes Youngest Player In NBA History With 10 Three-Pointers In One Game
0:38
SCORING LEADERS
A. Edwards MIN
38 PTS 5 REB 1 AST
N. Jokic DEN
27 PTS 10 REB 11 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Clippers16-13 31 28 22 22 103
Jazz20-7 35 30 28 31 124
VIVINT ARENA, SALT LAKE CITY, UT
SCORING LEADERS
M. Morris LAC
24 PTS 8 REB 1 AST
D. Mitchell UTA
27 PTS 6 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Grizzlies18-11 24 31 25 33 113
Trail Blazers11-18 19 28 35 21 103
MODA CENTER AT THE ROSE QUARTER, PORTLAND, OR
SCORING LEADERS
D. Bane MEM
23 PTS 6 REB 4 AST
N. Powell POR
25 PTS 6 REB 5 AST
FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Wizards15-14 32 25 32 16 105
Kings12-17 27 29 28 35 119
GOLDEN 1 CENTER, SACRAMENTO, CA
SCORING LEADERS
B. Beal WAS
30 PTS 5 REB 5 AST
D. Fox SAC
28 PTS 4 REB 4 AST
INDICATORS
FOREX $1 = P 49.96
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
When you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you. - Andy Rooney
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