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Task force adviser says Cebu City may be next virus ‘hotspot’

An adviser to the government’s pandemic response task force said on Monday that because of the rising cases in its neighboring Eastern Visayas, Cebu City could be the next “hotspot” for COVID-19.

After the continuous increase in number of cases in Cebu, Cebu City was re-escalated to Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) while the neighboring cities and the Cebu Province remain under GCQ.

Because of the returning citizens from the Central Visayas, Metro Manila and abroad, the infections in Eastern Visayas have risen, said Ted Herbosa, executive vice-president of the University of the Philippines.

“The city of Cebu might be our next hotspot. As you know cases in Manila is going down and cases in Cebu is going up and Region 8 is also alarming because they suddenly have many cases, which are mostly from Balik-Probinsiya (Program) and OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) returning,”

– Ted Herbosa told the ABS-CBN News Channel

Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella earlier attributed the increase to a higher capacity for testing.

“True enough when you do more testing, you get to see more confirmed cases. Once you see them confirmed, you must isolate them so the transmission will decrease,” Herbosa said.

As of June 23, 2020, Cebu City has a total of 4,479 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 2,177 recoveries and 89 deaths. Recovery rate is at 48.60%; fatality rate at 1.99%.

However, despite the arising cases in the Visayas, the Philippines’ fatality rate is still at 4.6%, lower than the global average of 5.1%, said Herbosa.

On June 22, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, a former military chief, to oversee the pandemic response in Cebu City as its COVID-19 cases breached the 4,400-mark.

ESL Online Teaching: Getting Started, Resources, Salary, Certifications

During these times of global pandemic, an online job is both ideal and a necessity to others.

One of the many online jobs out there is being an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher, brush up on your English-speaking skills because there’s a higher demand for skilled English teachers for this globally competitive world.

The best thing in teaching ESL is it lets you decide how you want to do it and how to approach it.

Advice

1. Do the hardwork.

Have a lesson plan, prepare for classes and come up with new and unique ways to capture your students’ interest.

2. Learn the craft

Visit teacher’s workshops hosted by your department of education and make use of online resources.

Resources

1. YouTube video references

– up-to-date information and teaching strategies in ESL work

2. Blog references

Salary

Though it will always depend on your experience and the employer, the average salary of an ESL teacher is 150 PHP/hour, or up to P35,000 monthly.

Also, your income largely depends on the number of 25-minute lessons you finish. Take note that you have to submit student evaluation and lesson reports after each session, so you need to manage your time carefully.

ESL Online Teaching Philippines-1

Certifications

Most companies or employers prefer those who have an experience or professional background on ESL teaching. If you’re new to the industry, it’s best to get a certification (which you can avail online).

– Internationally recognized, we offer the ff.: – 120 Hour TESOL Certificate Course – Teaching Business English Course – Teaching English to Children Specialization

–  opens the door to a number of entry-level positions (offers internships, scholarships and supported jobs in a variety of countries in Asia, Europe and South America)

– offers accredited online and onsite courses, as well as internships and job placement in Asian and African countries. (“tester,” “refresher,” advanced and professional courses)

–  gives you TEFL training and teaching experience in Thailand. (standard four-week course with a job guarantee or paid internship with two weeks of training followed by a four-to-five-month job contract)

– offers online courses, combined courses, specialist courses (IELTS, business English, etc.) and a “taster” course (a weekend to decide whether TEFL is right for you). You can also find paid internships and travel options in Africa and Asia.

–  an intensive four- or five-week course. These qualifications will make you more marketable and show companies that you’re serious about pursuing ESL as a career.

Where to find online ESL jobs?

Here are some of the websites or companies that offer jobs for ESL teachers based in the Philippines:

Cebu City to implement new traffic scheme with rerouting, road closures starting June 22

On Sunday night, Cebu City Mayor Edgar Labella announced on his Facebook Page that the city will implement starting tomorrow, June 22, 2020, a new and temporary traffic scheme that involves rerouting and road closures.

This is said “to better manage the flow of vehicles in Cebu City” during enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) until June 30, 2020.

Below is the new traffic scheme:

  • Vehicles bound for Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City and beyond shall take the SRP – Tunnel – Serging Osemna Ave. in going to the destination
  • Vehicles bound for Cebu City shall take SRP – U Turn Slot – F. Vestil/Mambaling or at M.C. Briones Entry in going to the destination
  • Vehicles bound for Talisay City and beyond shall take Serging Osmena – SRP Tunnel – Coastal Road in going to the destination
  • Vehicles bound for Cebu City passing along Ouano Ave./Serging Osmena Ave. must take Cabahug Entry in going to destination

Harry Potter Theme Park in Tokyo to open in 2023

Lumos maxima! The future is bright for all the Potterheads out there.

Another wizarding world of Harry Potter is set to open its gates in Tokyo by the spring of 2023.

This new amusement park will feature characters and stories of the Harry Potter books and films, and will be built on the site of “Toshimaen”.  

The 94-year-old amusement park Toshimaen in Tokyo will be transformed into a magical place where the Warner Bros is planning to build the favorite Harry Potter movie’s sets on the site.

The attraction will resemble that of “Warner Bros Studio Tour London The Making of Harry Potter” which operates in the United Kingdom.

If this is true, then we should expect a lot of wonderful experiences once it opens like:

  • View production sets and immersed in the magic
  • Casting spells with wand props and maybe make our own potions
  • Explore the shopping street of Diagon Alley

Well, I just hope they don’t forget to put up the three broomsticks for a nice mug of butterbeer after enjoying the park.

‘Justice League: The Snyder Cut’ teaser is out

The secret is out. Or should I say, a part of it is out.

The director of ‘Justice League: The Snyder Cut’, Zack Snyder himself tweeted out a tease of the much anticipated HBO Max special.

“Snyder Cut” of Justice League is set to have its first big reveal at DC’s FanDome event in August, but this clip just about hyped up all the DC fans out there.

In the first look, Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman is seen exploring an underground cave or dark ruin, while a voiceover of Jesse Eisenberg’s speech as Lex Luthor in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice plays. She then sees an image of Darkseid and a prophecy of his arrival. 

Darkseid is the villain that Snyder has teased and talked about on his personal Vero account for years and was originally intended to be in Justice League but was cut out of the final version of the film.

Announced as an HBO Max exclusive in May, Snyder’s darker take on the film comes after disappointed fans continually voiced their interest in seeing the director’s true vision of the Justice League.

Snyder originally stepped away from Justice League following the death of his daughter and the fandom then have taken issue with the lighter, more comedic contributions on that last film.

The best part about being Aquaman is that Zack Snyder created me so I get to see all this awesome shit before anyone. Here’s a first-ever peek at Zack Snyder‘s Justice League.”

– Jason Momoa aka “Aquaman”, first posted the clip on Instagram

Globe’s new GoEXTRA90 now comes with 8GB data (from 2GB)

Gear up for the new normal as Globe’s GCash brings you a better offer with the new GoEXTRA90!

The new GoEXTRA90, which is an exclusive prepaid promo on the GCash app, now offers 8GB data (from 2GB) + unli calls & all-net texts + 1GB GoWIFI Access for only PHP 90!

Buy GoEXTRA90 on GCash by tapping Buy Load on the app dashboard. Available for Globe Prepaid users only.

No GCash yet? Download the GCash App on Android or iOS devices, register, and get verified today. Available for all networks!

BIR requires bloggers, content creators, filmmakers to register and pay taxes

Bloggers, Vloggers, Film makers, or anyone earning from digital ads will now be required by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to register.

BIR has released the Revenue Memorandum 60-2020, requiring those who are conducting businesses through the use of any electronic platforms, media, and other digital means to register to the BIR.

BIR Deputy Commissioner for Operations Arnel Guballa identified the digital merchants who are required to register:

  • E-Commerce platform providers (such as Shopee and Lazada)
  • Internet retailers of consumer goods
  • Providers of digital membership/subscription services
  • Digital transaction through the use of electronic platforms and media
  • Online blogging, vloggers, content creators, film makers, earning from advertising gained from their online channels
  • Ride-hailing services for food, transportation, delivery, or merchandise

The taxation for bloggers, content creators, and other professionals earning through digital ads is similar for the online merchants. However, to those who are earning below P250,000 a year will be exempted from paying taxes, given that they file their annual Income Tax Returns.

Highlights of RMC No. 60-2020:

All persons doing business and earning income in any manner, specially those into digital transactions should be compliant with the tax code:

  • Should be registered with the BIR
  • Should issue proper receipts/invoices
  • Should keep books of accounts
  • Should file and pay tax returns on time

If you register before July 31, 2020, there will be no penalty imposed for late registration and late filing for past transaction

ALSO READ: Basic guidelines on BIR Registration

Twitter will soon add an audio option to send voice tweets

“Your tweet, your voice.” Literally.

Twitter’s 280 characters is surely not enough to voice out your concerns. It’s too much of a hassle to create a thread either. Hence, Twitter has come up with a solution – voice tweets.

Imagine the excitement of every user upon hearing such news. Twitter has announced their plans on rolling out voice tweets to “add a more human touch to the way we use” Twitter.

“Twitter is where you go to talk about what’s happening. Over the years, photos, videos, gifs, and extra characters have allowed you to add your own flair and personality to your conversations. But sometimes 280 characters aren’t enough and some conversational nuances are lost in translation. So starting today, we’re testing a new feature that will add a more human touch to the way we use Twitter – your very own voice.”

– Twitter

Fret not because it’s easy to use. A new Tweet composer icon in ‘wavelengths’ will be added on the platform. Once clicked, you will see your profile photo with the record button at the bottom. You can then record your 140-second audio.

During its first roll out, only select iOS users will be able to try it first before more users will be accommodated.

“There’s a lot that can be left unsaid or uninterpreted using text, so we hope voice Tweeting will create a more human experience for listeners and storytellers alike. Whether it’s #storytime about your encounter with wild geese in your neighborhood, a journalist sharing breaking news, or a first-hand account from a protest, we hope voice Tweeting gives you the ability to share your perspectives quickly and easily with your voice. We can’t wait to see how people will use this to make their voices heard and add to the public conversation.”

I can’t wait to share to my followers; “DZAE, NAA KOY CHIKKA!” Imagine the excitement?

World now in ‘new and dangerous phase’ of COVID-19 pandemic: WHO

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Geneva: The World Health Organization warned Friday of a “new and dangerous phase” of the coronavirus pandemic with people tiring of lockdowns despite the disease’s accelerating spread.

The warning came as it emerged the virus was present in Italy in December, months before its first confirmed cases and about the same time as the disease was first reported in China.

The virus, which has now killed more than 454,000 people and infected 8.4 million people worldwide, is surging in the Americas and parts of Asia even as Europe starts to ease restrictive measures.

Lockdowns imposed to halt the spread of the disease have caused crippling economic damage, but the WHO said the pandemic still posed a major threat.

“The world is in a new and dangerous phase. Many people are understandably fed up with being at home… but the virus is still spreading fast,”

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

A vaccine remains months off at best despite several trials, while scientists are still discovering more about the virus, its symptoms and the extent to which it may have spread before being identified.

This is an official press release from the World Health Organization (WHO).

LOOK: Angkas proposes plastic shields as new normal

Even though this is to adhere to the “physical distancing” rule, the prohibition on the “no back ride policy” has been faced with backlash ever since its announcement.

The motorcycle have been one of the major means of transport in the city and that’s why Angkas has decided to appeal to the government with their proposed “Plastic shields” presented by Angkas chief transport advocate George Royeca.

These plastic shields will be mounted on the driver’s back to screen the transfer of bacteria from the passenger to the driver, and vice versa.

These shields are designed to be drag-resistant ensuring that they are safe for the road.

“We understand that there are social distancing req, and if we look at motorcycles it’s a clear violation kasi malapit talaga and pasahero and driver. But we’ve seen that all over the world everyone is providing solutions to remedy the situation.”

– George Royeca, Angkas chief transport advocate

Angkas requires its drivers to have helmets, face masks, and vests with waist handles.

We all should learn to live with it (Covid-19) in order for us to move forward.

If this proposal will be approved and Angkas is allowed to operate, passengers are required to use their own helmets and face masks. They are also looking into subjecting their bikers to testing.