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Trash collectors in Singapore to earn roughly P109K monthly by 2028

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A 6-digit salary for being a trash collector? Where do I sign up?

By the year 2028, an entry-level waste management worker in Singapore is expected to earn a minimum US$2,140 or roughly P109,000 per month on average.

Photo from Unsplash

This program is part of a progressive wage model (PWM) for workers in the waste management industry of the Singaporean government.

The minimum wages for workers will rise progressively beginning July 2023, from the current minimum average until it doubles at the end of June 2029.

Over 3,000 waste management workers will benefit from this and will also receive:

  • mandatory annual bonuses
  • minimum hourly overtime pay
  • pathways to upskill and be ready for career advancement opportunities
  • introduced to mandatory training sessions to work more safely and efficiently

PWM is a way to uplift lower-wage workers in Singapore which will, in turn, increase the waste management sector’s productivity and resilience.

Photo from Unsplash

“It is vital that we continue to support the waste management industry in creating a more skilled and productive workforce, with more attractive careers for its workers,”

Singaporean Ministry of Manpower (MOM)

People in the lower wage sector who play a significant role in the function of society deserve to be recognized and paid for their hard work. Let us just hope that this action from Singapore will also inspire other countries to adapt it as well.

How long does Natural Immunity last after recovering from COVID-19? Here’s what we know so far!

Getting covid-19 have become an inevitability at this point with symptoms or asymptomatic, it’s everywhere. But with vaccinations and boosters also available, the death tolls and severe symptoms have lessened.

Now the question is how immune are we after recovery from covid-19. First, we have to be aware that there are two types of immunity, natural and vaccine-induced. Natural immunity is when people recover from COVID-19, they develop natural immunity to the coronavirus by developing antibodies.

Photo from Unsplash

This question has now been given light though as new research shows that the antibodies remain in the body for at least 8 months as after an individual acquires a virus, the immune system retains a memory of it.

“Immune cells and proteins that circulate in the body can recognize and kill the pathogen if it’s encountered again, protecting against disease and reducing illness severity.”- National Institutes of Health Trusted Source

The components of immunity protection and their functions are:

  • Antibodies- proteins that recognize foreign substances like viruses and neutralize them
  • Helper T cells- cells that helps to recognize pathogens
  • Killer T cells – cells that kills pathogens
  • B cells- make new antibodies when the body needs them.

The researchers have observed that these four components persisted for at least 8 months from people who recover from COVID-19.

Photo from Unsplash

It was observed to last 8 months but the specifics of the length of immunity and their protection against a variety of different variants is still uncertain and needs more data.

With this uncertainty though, getting the vaccine, physical distancing and wearing a mask are still a necessity to continue to stop the spread.

Cebu logs 477 new cases on February 2

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 February 2, 2022.

The whole island of Cebu — Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and Cebu Province — recorded 477 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 1,346 new recoveries, and 14 new deaths. Cebu’s total active cases dropped to 13,409 (from 14,300).

Cebu City
– Total confirmed: 51,872 (+210 new)
– Total recoveries: 43,334 (+548 new)
– Total deaths: 1,602 (+12 new)
– Active cases: 6,936

Lapu-Lapu City
– Total confirmed: 16,424 (+63 new)
– Total recoveries: 14,623 (+188 new)
– Total deaths: 482 (+0 new)
– Active cases: 1,319

Mandaue City
– Total confirmed: 14,903 (+61 new)
– Total recoveries: 13,215 (+151 new)
– Total deaths: 464 (+1 new)
– Active cases: 998

Cebu Province
– Total confirmed: 44,122 (+143 new)
– Total recoveries: 37,319 (+382 new)
– Total deaths: 2,647 (+1 new)
– Active cases: 4,156

SUMMARY OF COVID-19 CASES IN CEBU:

  • Total Active Cases in Cebu: 13,409 (from 14,300)
  • Total Confirmed Cases in Cebu: 127,321 (+477 new)
  • Total Recoveries in Cebu: 108,717 (+1,346 new)
  • Total Deaths in Cebu: 5,195 (+14 new)

A total of 2,408 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.

DOH-7 FULL REPORT (CENTRAL VISAYAS):

Netflix now allows you to remove titles from ‘Continue Watching’

A feature we never thought would be useful. Finally, here it is!

‘Continue watching’ is one of the best features on Netflix since we started subscribing to the streaming service. It saves us from the part of a movie or series where we left it off. It’s a great feature, but there’s also a disadvantage especially at times when we really don’t like a show or gave up binge-watching a series.

That’s why Netflix is introducing a new way for members to give your ‘Continue Watching’ row a fresh start and just want to clear or re-organize their Netflix interface.

Members around the world can remove a TV show or movie from your ‘Continue Watching’ row on all devices, including TV, with the click of a button. Simply click on a show or film, and select “Remove from Continue Watching” from the page options. If you change your mind, you can also undo that removal by clicking the back arrow button. 

Here are the steps to use this feature:

Computers

  1. Place your cursor over a title in the Continue Watching row.
  2. Select Remove From Row.

TVs

  1. Go to the details page of a TV show or movie in the Continue Watching row.
  2. From the menu, select Remove from Continue Watching.

Mobile devices

  1. Tap Menu for a title in the Continue Watching row.
  2. Select Remove From Row.

Whether you’re deleting a new pick you’re not feeling, an old favorite you’ve rewatched too many times, or Marie Kondo-ing your whole row, this new button lets you constantly keep your ‘Continue Watching’ row fresh and filled with the shows and movies you can’t wait to watch.

Meet: The man behind Ministop’s famous Uncle John’s Fried Chicken

For sure, Ministop is one of the go-to convenience stores, especially for college students. Be it because of their tasty sundaes, snacks, drinks – anything, Ministop has it all. And that includes their famous and tasty Uncle John’s Fried Chicken.

Definitely a fan favorite because of its juicy meat, crispy skin and seasoned very well, Uncle John’s Fried Chicken is a life-saver for most college students, not to mention its affordability. Be it for lunch or dinner, it is always a good idea to have Uncle John’s Fried Chicken as your meal, as the meal also comes with rice, a staple for Asian countries like the Philippines.

Photo from JG Summit

But you probably wondered, like any iconic brands, who is Uncle John? Is Uncle John real or just a fictional caricature to promote the tasty chicken? Apparently, Uncle John is in fact, very real as he is actually inspired after the late billionaire and philanthropist, John Gokongwei, Jr.

“The one who gave the name was the former President, a cousin of Lisa [Gokongwei] and mine, Bobby Go,” said Robina Gokongwei-Pe, John’s daughter. Robina mentioned that it was around 2006 that the name was conceived.

Photo from Ministop Official Website

For those who don’t know, Robinsons Retail Holdings, Inc. (RRHI), which was owned by Gokongwei, partnered with Ministop Co. Ltd and Mitsubishi Corporation last year 2000 which was based in Japan. It was also the same year that Ministop convenience stores started to pop in the Philippines.

Photo from Ministop Official Website

But as we all know, John Gokongwei Jr.’s other legacies include as the founder of conglomerate JG Summit and Filipino airline company Cebu Pacific. Other namesakes that Mr. Gokongwei famous for are an undergraduate business education degree program at Ateneo de Manila University, and a whole four-storey building-slash-hub of multimedia game development and interactive entertainment at the De La Salle University campus in Laguna.

So there you have it, Uncle John is indeed real, as real as how tasty and delicious their chicken are!

Meet: Cebuano Motic Panugalinog, 3-Time Skating Champion in Kasikas Festival 2022

Skating is definitely one of the growing sports in the Philippines, especially in Cebu. With figures like Margie Didal participating in the recent Olympics as the first Filipina to join the skating sport in the prestigious event, the Filipino youth’s interest in skating has considerably sparked.

With locals such as Motic Panugalinog making names for themselves in this sport, it is indeed a great time to be alive if you are a skating enthusiast.

Motic Panugalinog recently won three skateboarding events in the recently concluded Kasikas Festival which took place last January 15, 2022 at the Veterans Park. Panugalinog managed to best other skating competitors in the event, which ended him bagging three skateboarding championship titles.

Hailing from Inayawan, Cebu, Motic Panugalinog is a local skating star, featured primarily in the SG4L TV vlog channel. Motic posts skating videos of him, showing off tricks together with other skaters. Motic was also known as the winner of last year’s Mind the Gap challenge, which was sponsored by Red Bull Philippines, a popular energy drink. Last year was the first ever event of its kind, and Motic managed to bag the top award.

Photo from jungle layao official YouTube Channel
Photo from STRAP YouTube Channel

Like most skating legends, the rookie Cebuano started in the streets honing his skating skills. Skating nonstop and posting videos online with his skating prowess, it was only a matter of time that Motic caught the attention of those who wanted to sponsor his skating career. This included Zero Skateboards, a prestigious skating company based in the US.

Now Motic, continues to practice his skating skills. Time will only tell if will be participating in further competitions, local and international.

A resort in Santander, Cebu that makes you closer to nature

Lubi in english means coconut, located in Talisay, Santander is a resort filled with coconut just perfect for its resorts name the Lubi Resort. 

Photo from Lubi Resort Santander Facebook Page

The resort has a simple atmosphere, yet the view is beautiful and offers you a relaxing feeling. 

The place is also perfect for couples who want privacy as the place is quiet and peaceful. 

Aside from the fact that the place offers a wonderful ambiance, they also make sure to offer the best customer care and affordable accommodation to give their guests a memorable stay at the resort. 

They also offer fun activities that you can engage with such as diving and checking out their restaurant as they offer delicious meals you and your friends could enjoy. 

RATES AND OTHER INFORMATION

Room Rate: 

  • Per room: P6,000 per night, good for 2pax (+ tax 12%)
  • In peak seasons: P7,824 per night, good for 2pax (+ tax 12%)

OTHER INFORMATION:

  • Corkage fee: None
  • Contact numbers:  480 9038
  • Email address: [email protected]
  • Facebook Page: https://web.facebook.com/emeraldgreen.santander.lubiresort/

HOW TO GET THERE:

BY BUS: From the Cebu South  Bus Terminal, ride a bus going to Santander. Inform the driver/conductor to drop you off Santander Municipal Hall. From there, ride a tricycle going to Lubi Resort. Travel time is  approximately 3 to 3,5 hrs.

BY CAR: If you’re driving your own vehicle or renting a car, just navigate via Waze and search for “Lubi Resort” in Santader, Cebu. 

Cebu logs 514 new cases on February 1

On Tuesday evening, the Department of Health Central Visayas (DOH-7) released its official, consolidated data of the COVID-19 cases in the region as of February 1, 2022.

The whole island of Cebu — Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and Cebu Province — recorded 514 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 1,225 new recoveries, and 11 new deaths. Cebu’s total active cases declined to 14,300 (from 15,002).

Cebu City
– Total confirmed: 51,668 (+172 new)
– Total recoveries: 42,815 (+296 new)
– Total deaths: 1,584 (+1 new)
– Active cases: 7,269

Lapu-Lapu City
– Total confirmed: 16,365 (+48 new)
– Total recoveries: 14,439 (+745 new)
– Total deaths: 481 (+2 new)
– Active cases: 1,445

Mandaue City
– Total confirmed: 14,851 (+48 new)
– Total recoveries: 13,215 (+151 new)
– Total deaths: 462 (+4 new)
– Active cases: 1,174

Cebu Province
– Total confirmed: 43,960 (+246 new)
– Total recoveries: 36,908 (+33 new)
– Total deaths: 2,640 (+4 new)
– Active cases: 4,412

SUMMARY OF COVID-19 CASES IN CEBU:

  • Total Active Cases in Cebu: 14,300 (from 15,002)
  • Total Confirmed Cases in Cebu: 126,844 (+514 new)
  • Total Recoveries in Cebu: 107,377 (+1,225 new)
  • Total Deaths in Cebu: 5,167 (+11 new)

A total of 2,413 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.

DOH-7 FULL REPORT (CENTRAL VISAYAS):

Filipinos need to earn at least P110,000 a month to be happy: Study

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They say you can’t buy happiness – but money can help prevent you from being unhappy. 

A study by Texas-based firm Expensivity suggests there’s a “price of happiness in every country.” If you’re a Filipino living in the Philippines, the study says you will need to earn at least P110,000 per month that will somehow help stop you from becoming unhappy.

A reliable, comfortable income salves your worries and just makes life easier. Poverty is stressful and leaves long-term damage. The illusion that wealth is meritocratic deprives low-earners of their self-esteem. This is why the money it takes to make you happy can be counted in the tens-of-thousands, rather than the millions.

To identify the estimated amount per country, Expensivity converted the ‘happiness premium’ for every country on the planet using World Bank’s Purchasing Power Ratios. Then they factored in the local cost of living to figure out how much happiness varies by country.

10 Countries Highest and Lowest Price of Happiness

Highest Price of Happiness
Lowest Price of Happiness

While the Philippines is not among the top 10 countries with either the highest or lowest happiness prices, we are on the lower end of the global scale. The ‘happiness premium’ of Filipinos is said to stand at $28,264 annually. That’s around PHP 1.37 million a year or PHP 114,167 per month.

Check out ‘Price of Happiness’ in the Philippines and the rest of Asia and Oceania:

The Philippines stands at $28,264 (PHP 1.37 million a year)

Expensivity said that while money is not everything, if your environment is right, then having enough of it gives you the cushion “to build a masterplan for being happy into your routine.”

What do you think of this study? Do you consider happy whether or not you earn as much as the study’s amount suggests?

Manny Villar, Pastor Quiboloy and Others acquire ABS-CBN Frequencies

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More than two years since one of the country’s biggest broadcasting and media giant ABS-CBN was forced to go off-air, former senator and billionaire Manny Villar will be taking over its frequencies, as confirmed by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) last January 25. This included the Channel 2, which was the main channel for ABS-CBN’s for free TV.

Advanced Media Broadcasting System (AMBS), the real estate tycoon’s own media company has been granted provisional authority to operate Channel 16, which was ABS-CBN’s digital TV frequency.

Photo from Manny Villar Official Facebook Page

With this provisional authority, the NTC also issued a temporary permit “for simulcast purposes” over the analog Channel 2, effective January 6 until the analog shutoff in 2023.

“The temporary assignment was granted to ensure service to both analog and digital TV signal users as the country transitions to full digital TV,” said the commission.

The commission also added that AMBS “was the first applicant for an authority to install, operate, and maintain a digital TV in Metro Manila,” with its application filed over 15 years ago or on October 5, 2006.

“AMBS has been waiting for an available digital TV frequency since 2006 and has been undergoing a quasi-judicial process which includes notice to all interested/affected parties and hearing,” said the NTC.

Pasto Apollo Quiboloy, the controversial leader of Kingdom of Jesus Christ, was also one of the figures awarded with ABS-CBN’s frequencies.

His Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) under Swara Sug Media Corp. was awarded the Channel 43 while the PA for Channel 23 was given to Aliw Broadcasting Corp, which currently operates the Home Radio and DWIZ.

Photo from Apollo Quiboloy Facebook Page

Both the prominent figures, Quiboloy and Villar, are known to be allies with President Duterte. NTC Deputy Commissioner Edgardo Cabarrios defended accusations of a ‘midnight deal’ was struck between the parties.

Last May 2020, ABS-CBN’s franchise expired, and the non-renewal of its franchise as ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte led to the shutting down of its operations, including free radio and TV. This was followed by the House, which included Villar’s own daughter, Las Piñas City Representative Camille Villar, to reject its appeal for renewal last July 2020.

Various media groups and rights advocates have criticized the administration’s shutting down of the media giant, tagging the move as an affront to press freedom.