On Friday evening, the Department of Health Central Visayas (DOH-7) released its official, consolidated data of the COVID-19 cases in the region as of March 11, 2022.
The whole island of Cebu — Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and Cebu Province — recorded 32 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 102 new recoveries, and 5 new deaths. Cebu’s total active cases declined to 1,174 (from 1,244).
Cebu City – Total confirmed: 53,643 (+13 new) – Total recoveries: 51,314 (+29 new) – Total deaths: 1,676 (+1 new) – Active cases: 653
Lapu-Lapu City – Total confirmed: 17,023 (+4 new) – Total recoveries: 16,461 (+9 new) – Total deaths: 506 (+0 new) – Active cases: 56
Mandaue City – Total confirmed: 15,395 (+2 new) – Total recoveries: 14,851 (+22 new) – Total deaths: 493 (+1 new) – Active cases: 51
Cebu Province – Total confirmed: 46,087 (+13 new) – Total recoveries: 42,884 (+42 new) – Total deaths: 2,789 (+3 new) – Active cases: 414
SUMMARY OF COVID-19 CASES IN CEBU:
Total Active Cases in Cebu: 1,174 (from 1,244)
Total Confirmed Cases in Cebu: 132,148 (+32 new)
Total Recoveries in Cebu: 125,510 (+102 new)
Total Deaths in Cebu: 5,464 (+5 new)
A total of 1,332 laboratory results were released.
NOTES from DOH-7:
*As per DOH-7, the additional deaths in the report are not due to the overnight spike in deaths but due to more accurate data collection and validating efforts. Not all of those deaths occurred today but occurred more than a week ago.
Reports maybe subject to change as these claims undergo thorough validation by the local healthcare offices and health personnel.
Mark Allen Armenion, 24-year-old who ranked 2nd in the recent Mechanical Engineering board exam, was in fact a market helper or kargador.
Hailing from Warwick Barracks, Carbon Market, Cebu City, Mark’s story is a true tale of perseverance as he faced a series of life’s hardships and emerged victorious.
Photo from The Professional Regulation Commission
He said he even thought that he won’t graduate because of all the hardships financially and in the family. He was constantly absent at school and got a failure in elementary and even high school.
He is the youngest of 4 children. His mother Marites Armenion, sells “uling” in Carbon while his father, Rene Armenion, works as a cook for lechon but his parents are separated.
Photo from Mark Allen Armenion
Education Background
Elementary: Mandaue City Central Elementary school (failed in 3rd grade)
High school: Mandaue City Comprehensive national Highschool (Failed in 3rd year)
: Tipolo National High School (Graduate)
Awards:
Best in math (Highschool)
National Quiz Champion in PSME Quiz Bowl 2018
Regional Quiz Champion in PSME Quiz Bowl 2018 & 2019
CESAFI math quiz bowl champion 2018 & 2019
While still a student in elementary and high school, he was also a market helper or kargador in Carbon so that he could earn a living.
He then attended the University of Cebu – Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue (UC-LM) and was a working student in his 2nd year.
But another trial came by as their house in Mandaue city was demolished which forced them to move back to Carbon. With the change in location, he changed schools as well and attended UC-main.
His family was very supportive no matter how much debt they have already.
And though he was very smart and has good grades, he didn’t get the title of Cum Laude as he was a transferee.
He admitted that he was aiming for the first place in the ME licensure exams and was a little bit disappointed as he prepared for almost 2 years for it.
Photo from Mark Allen Armenion
Armenion ranks 2nd with a score of 95.70 percent while the top 1 from VSU Baybay City had a score of 96.60, which is just a point away.
He was also honest enough to say that the cash incentives given to UC topnotchers were his driving force but his main inspiration was his parents.
“That was my mindset during my college days. Para if incase di nako ma beat, sure jud na mo land ko sa top list. Driving force to nakong premyo sa UC, and akong main inspiration is akoa jud parents,”
Yes, apparently it exists and for those who don’t know,Charlie “Atong” Ang owns one of the platforms legally allowed to operate online sabong or e-sabong.
Photo from CNN Philippines YouTube Channel
Sabong in real life already brings big bucks in so what more can an online betting have when there’s no limit to size and space and presence even.
It was Ang himself who disclosed that his e-sabong company earns around P3 Billion in commissions every month as his company, Lucky 8 Star Quest Inc., was one of the accused online sabong companies possibly behind the disappearances of the ‘sabungeros’.
He was called in the senate hearing regarding the controversy where he admitted that they’re receiving as much as P2 billion worth of bets per day, or a total of around P60 billion a month.
It is a whooping P60 billion per month coming in but the actual earnings he said is just 5%, which is still a very big one with P3 billion per month more or less.
Photo from Philippine News Agency
Ang states though that the P3 Billion doesn’t go to his pockets but about P2.5 billion of it goes to their agents and that other 1% of the commissions goes to the firm’s expenses.
With calculations minus all those expenses, around P900 million is left for him. P1 Million a month is already a dream of dreams for every employee, 900 times of that is out of this world.
And it seems like we are not the only one in shock as this information made Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon want to increase the taxes collected for these firms.
“Uulitin ko lang, P3 billion per month even assuming that you incur expenses on this, P640 million per month of revenue by PAGCOR is pittance, is very small compared to the gross income of Lucky 8.” – Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon
Atong Ang | Photo from Manila Bulletin
This financial revelation also made the attention of some senators as they called for the suspension of e-sabong firms licenses, but was countered by PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation).
According to PAGCOR, the government would lose millions in revenue from the online sabong taxes as each month, PAGCOR collects as much as P640 million from e-sabong firms in the Philippines.
Yup. Our bayongs are making it to the prestigious New York Fashion Week (NYFW).
Photo from Canada In Frame
Gone are the days where the bayong spends its life in the markets only as it is now making waves as elegant bags/accessory in the fashion world.
Bayong Canada, a modernized bayong business by April Cureg Moran, aimed to popularize the was New York Fashion Week last February 2022.
The classy bags from Bayong Canada in modern fashion ideas were featured in one of the events in NYFW. Although termed as “modern bayongs,” they are made the same as the materials of a traditional bayong. It only differs and size and design.
Photo from Canada in FramePhoto from William Orsua via Bayong Canada
It was also seen in the billboards of Times Square with models proudly carrying them. These modern bayongs will also make an appearance on the Vancouver International Film Fest fashion show 2022.
Our bayongs kasi nag-evolved na siya, e. It can be for millennials or let’s say for all ages. It is trendy and well-made.
April Cureg Moran
She also added that people in other countries are amazed by how pretty and high quality the bayongs are and its affordability as well.
Photo from Canada in Frame
Wanting to pass the legacy to every generation, and showing the world how amazing Filipino products are she started Bayong Canada last 2021. April was a medical office assistant for three years in Canada and started importing Bayong in December 2019.
She now has resellers all over Canada and other parts of USA, Norway, Australia, Italy and New Zealand in the future.
“I also want to support our weavers back home, to sustain their kabuhayans and to give them hope and pride.”
Photo from Willian Orsua via Bayong Canada
She has eight weaver communities being supported in the Philippines at Samar, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Bicol, Iloilo, Davao del Norte, Laguna, at Manila.
On Thursday evening, the Department of Health Central Visayas (DOH-7) released its official, consolidated data of the COVID-19 cases in the region as of March 10, 2022.
The whole island of Cebu — Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and Cebu Province — recorded 42 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 44 new recoveries, and 3 new deaths. Cebu’s total active cases slightly increased to 1,244 (from 1,241).
Cebu City – Total confirmed: 53,630 (+13 new) – Total recoveries: 51,285 (+35 new) – Total deaths: 1,675 (+0 new) – Active cases: 670
Lapu-Lapu City – Total confirmed: 17,030 (+6 new) – Total recoveries: 16,463 (+2 new) – Total deaths: 506 (+0 new) – Active cases: 61
Mandaue City – Total confirmed: 15,393 (+7 new) – Total recoveries: 14,830 (+0 new) – Total deaths: 492 (+0 new) – Active cases: 71
Cebu Province – Total confirmed: 46,073 (+19 new) – Total recoveries: 42,845 (+7 new) – Total deaths: 2,786 (+3 new) – Active cases: 442
SUMMARY OF COVID-19 CASES IN CEBU:
Total Active Cases in Cebu: 1,244 (from 1,241)
Total Confirmed Cases in Cebu: 132,126 (+42 new)
Total Recoveries in Cebu: 125,423 (+44 new)
Total Deaths in Cebu: 5,459 (+3 new)
A total of 1,229 laboratory results were released.
NOTES from DOH-7:
*As per DOH-7, the additional deaths in the report are not due to the overnight spike in deaths but due to more accurate data collection and validating efforts. Not all of those deaths occurred today but occurred more than a week ago.
Reports maybe subject to change as these claims undergo thorough validation by the local healthcare offices and health personnel.
Starting today, Petro Gazz is implementing price reductions at the pump until March 13, 2022.
Petro Gazz is offering a PHP5.85 per liter diesel rollback and PHP3.6 per liter gasoline rollback.
Diesel: -₱5.85/L
Gasoline: -₱3.60/L
These were the same increases that oil companies implemented during last Tuesday’s fuel price hikes.
[This is] to minimize the impact [of rising fuel prices] to motorists since we are expecting another round of oil price hike next week,
Petro Gazz
Petro Gazz branches in Cebu:
Brgy. Vito, Minglanilla
Catmon, Cebu
Consolacion, Cebu
Sibonga, Cebu
San Fernando, Cebu
For the ten weeks in a row, fuel prices have risen dramatically, prompting advocacy groups to push for higher fares and subsidies for affected industries.
For almost two years, the Filipino student has been taken away the liberty of enjoying classes face-to-face due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. With the threat posed by the deadly disease being spread in close contact, online schooling became an alternative for many Filipino students. This is not to mention that children are also more vulnerable to the said disease, and the risk of transmission is high once they are crumpled in closed spaces such as a classroom setting.
Photo from Unsplash
Air filter technologies are recommended to solve this dilemma, where most have the features of reducing the viral load in the ambient air. But with this type of groundbreaking technology, this is still a challenge financially, particularly to the remote and far-flung public schools.
Developed by the team of Dr. Frank Helleis at the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry (MPIC) in Mainz, Germany, an alternative solution using a low-cost but high-efficiency air ventilating system technology is now being studied in the country as it has just recently been available in the region.
Schematic representation of the exhaust air system in a classroom | Photo from Andrea Koppenborg via USC Official Website
This is possible using a transfer agreement arranged by the GreenTech Initiative, a team that focuses on finding alternative environmental solutions, under the Enhanced EU-ASEAN Dialogue Instrument (E-READI), with the support of the European Commission’s Directorates General for Research and Innovation and for International Partnerships.
In partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Universit of San Carlos has proposed to conduct research and pilot-test the air ventilating system designed to reduce the virus load in ambient air under local conditions.
The DOST has managed to secure a funding of up to EUR165T for a 12-month period, which was possible through the research and development program on emerging and re-emerging diseases of the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) where upon completion of the tests, ASEAN Member States such as the Philippines will be one of the beneficiaries of the technology.
An example of simple exhaust air system for classrooms | Photo from Elena Klimach via Max Planck Institute Official Website
Entitled “Developing and Implementing Test Beds for Low-cost Ventilation Systems Applicable in Tropical Regions for Risk Reduction of Infectious Aerosol/Virus Transmission”, University of San Carlos’ proposal was selected for priority funding by the DOST PCHRD, in a letter dated October 1, 2021.
The low-cost ventilator system is designed to combat virus transmission in enclosed public spaces such as classrooms through the simple yet dramatic removal of respiratory aerosols, which potentially include coronavirus particles from indoor air. Deliberately designed for practical applications, the end users in mind are those who cannot afford higher technologies that involve air-filtration systems.
Photo from Unsplash
Furthermore, the system will be designed with the usage of readily available materials that are commonly bought in the market. Easy installation of the system was also taken into consideration, which can then be primarily used in open spaces such as classrooms, conference rooms, and sports halls.
Scientists and engineers from the prestigious University of San Carlos will be leading the project locally, with supervision and consultation with Dr. Helleis of MPIC. He will further study the system, perform the necessary modifications and fine-tuning of the design, to quickly adapt it for the tropical conditions and the typical building layouts of classrooms and other open learning spaces in the Philippines.
On Wednesday evening, the Department of Health Central Visayas (DOH-7) released its official, consolidated data of the COVID-19 cases in the region as of March 9, 2022.
The whole island of Cebu — Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and Cebu Province — recorded 34 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 53 new recoveries, and 2 new deaths. Cebu’s total active cases declined to 1,241 (from 1,259).
Cebu City – Total confirmed: 53,617 (+18 new) – Total recoveries: 51,251 (+7 new) – Total deaths: 1,675 (+0 new) – Active cases: 691
Lapu-Lapu City – Total confirmed: 17,024 (+3 new) – Total recoveries: 16,461 (+3 new) – Total deaths: 506 (+0 new) – Active cases: 57
Mandaue City – Total confirmed: 15,386 (+2 new) – Total recoveries: 14,830 (+9 new) – Total deaths: 492 (+1 new) – Active cases: 64
Cebu Province – Total confirmed: 46,054 (+11 new) – Total recoveries: 42,842 (+34 new) – Total deaths: 2,783 (+1 new) – Active cases: 429
SUMMARY OF COVID-19 CASES IN CEBU:
Total Active Cases in Cebu: 1,241 (from 1,259)
Total Confirmed Cases in Cebu: 132,081 (+34 new)
Total Recoveries in Cebu: 125,384 (+53 new)
Total Deaths in Cebu: 5,456 (+2 new)
A total of 1,417 laboratory results were released.
NOTES from DOH-7:
*As per DOH-7, the additional deaths in the report are not due to the overnight spike in deaths but due to more accurate data collection and validating efforts. Not all of those deaths occurred today but occurred more than a week ago.
Reports maybe subject to change as these claims undergo thorough validation by the local healthcare offices and health personnel.
To be able to study in the land down under where all kinds of natural wonders, wide-open spaces, beaches, deserts reside and mega cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth is a dream.
Photo from Unsplash
Now that dream can be a reality as Australia Awards, Australia’s international development assistance, offers the next generation of Filipino leaders an opportunity of a lifetime to undertake postgraduate studies and professional development.
Young leaders and aspirants can now pursue their postgraduate studies in Australia’s world-class universities with an Australia Awards Scholarship.
Eligible applicants will be checked for their professional and personal qualities, academic competence, and most importantly, their potential to bring about change and development to the problems of our country and the world.
Sydnew NSW, Australia | Photo from Unsplash
Studies that are prioritized for Filipinos are the following:
• Trade and Economics
• Infrastructure and Smart Cities
• Digital Economy and Cyber Security
• Peace and Development
• Education
• Governance and Public Policy, apil na ang Civil Society, Media, ug Foreign Relations
• Natural Resource Management, apil na ang Maritime, Mining, ug Energy
• Humanitarian and Disaster Risk Management
• Health, apil na ang Public Health ug Mental Health
• Foreign Relations
Take note that they strongly encourage women, people with disability, and other margenalized groups to apply for the scholarship. The program is closely monitored by the Philippines and Australia so you don’t have to worry.
City of perth library and history centre, hay street, perth wa, australia | Photo from Unsplash
Requirements:
• Resident of the Philippines for at least 12 months
• Has at least 2 years’ cumulative work experience
• Not holding another scholarship
• Master’s degree holder (for PhD applicants)
Ready to study in Australia? Then visit their official website for the full details, www.australiaawardsphilippines.org. You can also check their official facebook page Australia Awards Philippines. The application date is February 1, 2022 to April 29, 2022 (11:59PM AEST) so better hurry and apply now.
There certainly is a lot going on in the world but it just solidifies the thought that if you want to do it now then do it.
Just as if you want to travel to Thailand then this is the perfect time. Travel is essential for us humans and now that there are a lot less travel restrictions, Philippine Airlines (PAL) just announced that they are having seven times a week non-stop flights from Manila to Thailand.
Th beautiful country is one of our neighbors and certainly deserves a visit. Its beauty can be seen in their opulent royal palaces, ancient ruins, ornate temples and of course the mouth-watering food and unique floating market.
Where to go in Thailand?
There are just so many places to see in Thailand but here are some must-see places you wouldn’t wanna miss.
Railay Beach- Located in Krabi province, it offers white sand, turquoise-blue water, and the feeling of having found a slice of paradise.
Phi-Phi Islands- These islands contain the most popular resorts in Thailand.
Grand Palace Bangkok- The palace is staggering in both historical significance and craftsmanship.
Khao Yai National Park- Wild Elephants roaming near rivers, exotic birds of prey, monkeys, and plenty of other tropical creatures are here.
Wat Rong Khun- Also known as the White Temple, it is a privately owned art exhibit in the style of a Buddhist temple in Chiang Rai Province.
Travel requirements in Thailand
Fully vaccinated Thai nationals and non-Thai nationals
Unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated Thai nationals and non-Thai nationals
Recognized Proof of Vaccination (Certificate of Vaccination)
Negative COVID-19 Test (RT-PCR) Result from DOH-accredited laboratories valid within seventy-two (72) hours prior departure
A negative RT-PCR Test result is MANDATORY for all Thailand Travel Schemes – Test and Go, Sandbox and Quarantine
Note: Travel requirements are subject to change at short notice by the issuing government authority. For full details on additional rules and requirements kindly check here: https://bit.ly/PALTravelsFromPH. Book your flights at www.philippineairlines.com.
