DUTERTE TO FACE NATION ANEW ON GOV’T EFFORTS TO FIGHT COVID-19 SPREADMANILA- President Rodrigo Duterte is set to make new pronouncements onMonday on the country’s measures to control the spread of the newcoronavirus disease (COVID-19) which has prompted a “community quarantine”of the capital region.Duterte will most likely issue the pronouncement during a public address onMonday afternoon, his former aide Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go told ABS-CBNNews.Prior to his announcement, the President will first meet with thegovernment’s inter-agency task force on COVID-19, the Philippine NationalPolice, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Go said.Duterte’s new directives comes a day after Metro Manila was placed undercommunity quarantine as government sought to contain the outbreak which hasclaimed 12 lives in the country as of Sunday.NO HOLY MASS CELEBRATION, HOLY WEEK ACTIVITIES IN METRO MANILA AMIDCOMMUNITY QUARANTINE PERIODMANILA — Bishops of Metro Manila on Monday announced the suspension of thecelebration of the Holy Mass in the National Capital Region until April 14.“We will abide by the government’s directive to suspend all large gatheringsfrom March 15 to April 14. So there will be no celebration of the Holy Masswith a large congregation within this period, plus other religiousactivities during the Holy Week which usually attract huge crowds of thefaithful,” their pastoral letter read.The Archdiocese of Manila previously said it is temporarily cancelling allits public activities from March 14 to 20.The new announcement covers Holy Mass and other religious activities in thefollowing ecclesiastical jurisdictions:Archdiocese of ManilaDiocese of CubaoDiocese of NovalichesDiocese of PasigDiocese of KalookanDiocese of ParañaqueParts of Diocese of Antipolo and Malolos belonging to Metro ManilaSome parts of the Military Vicariate of the PhilippinesNO MORE 4TH QUARTER EXAMS FOR STUDENTS IN METRO MANILAStudents in the National Capital Region and other areas where localgovernment units have suspended classes will no longer have to take theirfourth quarter exams.The Department of Education announced that affected schools would have toadopt the grading formula for the evaluation of the final grades as releasedby the agency.BANGKO SENTRAL 'ADVISES' BANKS TO GIVE DEBT RELIEF AS PART OF COVID-19RESPONSEMANILA -- Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said Mondaythe central bank "advised" lenders to give debt relief to borrowers to helpthem cope with the coronavirus disease outbreak.Philippine banks are "well capitalized and stable and can absorb some ofthis relief in the meantime," Diokno said Monday, the second day of a MetroManila-wide community quarantine that will last until April 14.Banks have to apply for relief for industries that are hardest hit bypandemic -- airlines, malls, restaurants, bars, convention centers,transportation. The Bangko Sentral will "favorably consider" suchapplications, he said."We shall have to take into account the serious spread of COVID-19, theconsensus is that things will get worse before it gets better," he said.Asked if the relief would cover those with personal, auto and home loans,Diokno said: "Depending on the action the banks, they can actually providemoratorium from the payments and ask for relief from the BSP."Diokno said banks were also advised to waive charges for onlinetransactions, with many people advised to work from home as Metro Manilaobserves a one-month-long community quarantine.‘DON’T DRINK COFFEE DURING ONLINE MASS’MANILA — While the present situation prevents Catholics from beingphysically present in Sunday masses because of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19), Archdiocese of Manila administrator Auxiliary Bishop BroderickPabillo yesterday suggested that online masses serve as an option.However, the faithful are encouraged to prepare, participate and be reverentin observing the Sunday masses online.Bishop Pabillo over the weekend said during this time of communityquarantine in Metro Manila and social distancing is advised, they havecancelled masses in churches for a month from March 15 to April 14, andencouraged the faithful to turn to online masses for their daily dose ofspiritual enrichment.To better prepare themselves for the online masses, Pabillo issued a“Pastoral Instruction: How to make most of the Online Holy Mass” and gavetips to maintain the solemnity of the Eucharistic liturgical service.Pabillo advised, “Do not watch it with a cup of coffee in hand.”Before the mass, people should read the excerpted scripture to preparethemselves. They should also “have a few moments, too, to think what you areto thank the Lord and for what to offer to him this mass. Remember that youare praying this Eucharist with many other fellow Catholics not only in yourparish but all over the world.”During the online mass, Catholics are encouraged to stay in reverentgesture, and stand and sit properly.It is also an opportunity to make online masses a family activity.ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLEANGEL LOCSIN ASKS NEIL ARCE OF THIS ONE THING ON HIS BIRTHDAYMANILA – Angel Locsin took to social media to share a short but sweetbirthday message for her husband-to-be, Neil Arce.Posting photos of her fiancé on Instagram, Locsin greeted Arce a happybirthday before describing him as “the man who has been my best friend foryears, my partner in crime, and the love of my life.”Locsin then shared one simple wish for him in this trying time amid thecoronavirus outbreak.“Please, wag kang magkakasakit,” she wrote.Locsin and Arce got engaged in June 2019. They have been a couple for morethan two years now.In the year they came out publicly, Locsin said that falling in love withArce has been the “best part” of her life.The couple has yet to announce when they will tie the knot.SPORTSNBA: JAZZ'S GOBERT SAYS HE'S 'FEELING A LITTLE BETTER'Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert said Sunday he is "feeling a little better" ina video updating his status since testing positive for the coronavirus."I'm going to start by saying thank you to all the people that have beensupportive and for all the positive energy. It really means a lot," he saidin a video posted on the NBA.com Twitter feed."As for myself, I've been feeling a little better every single day thanks tothe health care people of Utah and Oklahoma City and all the great peoplearound me."Gobert, 27, was the first NBA player to test positive for COVID-19 onWednesday, prompting the league to suspend its regular season indefinitely,just minutes after the Jazz and Thunder were set to tip off in OklahomaCity. He since has apologized for acting carelessly before learning of thediagnosis.Jazz teammate and fellow All-Star Donovan Mitchell tested positive onThursday.In the video clip, Gobert asked viewers to wash their hands frequently andto avoid "making unnecessary contact with people.""It's all about protecting yourself and the people around you," Gobert said."I wish I would have took this thing more seriously, and I hope everyoneelse is going to do so because we can do it together. Take care and staysafe."On Saturday, Gobert pledged to donate a total of $500,000 for arenaemployees in Utah and Oklahoma City, as well as overall COVID-19 relief inhis home country of France.