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Unbeaten NorthPort aims solo leadership vs winless Magnolia

BATANG Pier to a roaring 2-0 start. — PBA IMAGES

EVERYONE at the NorthPort camp is excited about this Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup campaign.

Coach Pido Jarencio and star Robert Bolick both cited the great rapport and team chemistry that has so far led the Batang Pier to a roaring 2-0 start in the Season 47 opening meet and a share of top spot with San Miguel Beer.

The Batang Pier seek to keep this fine connection and dream start going on Wednesday as they eye solo leadership against struggling Magnolia (0-2) in the 3 p.m. curtain-raiser at the MOA Arena.

It’s been shaky for the Hotshots in the young All-Filipino hoopfest. They yielded a 78-72 loss to defending champion TnT on opening day then fell to Converge, 89-82, in a game where they went scoreless in the last two minutes of regulation and the entire overtime period.

Part of Magnolia’s woes came from health issues as Paul Lee was sidelined by leg injury against Converge and Mark Barroca sat out that match’s second half due to calf strain. The duo may be doubtful still for the NorthPort duel.

Meanwhile, reigning Governors’ Cup holder Barangay Ginebra guns for Win No. 2 against Rain or Shine (1-1) at 6 p.m.

The Gin Kings came out victorious against Blackwater, 85-82, in a maiden appearance where they relied on their end game experience to complete a fightback from 10 points down.

Coach Tim Cone said his troops have a lot of catching up to do fitness-wise following their championship run.

“It’s really an issue when it comes to shape. You can’t do a lot of things you do to win basketballs, you can’t sustain your energy and sustain your defense when you’re tired,” said Mr. Cone, who achieved a milestone on Sunday when he coached his 1,700th game.

“That happened to us, especially in the third quarter. We kinda hit a wall and we’re very, very tired. So we’ve got to figure out a way in the next week or two to get back in tip-top shape ‘coz we’re not yet anywhere near,” he added.

Meanwhile, NLEX assistant coach Jojo Lastimosa left the Road Warriors’ think tank to join TnT as team manager. “We gave him our blessing since it’s a personal advancement for him,” said NLEX coach and general manager Yeng Guiao.

Mr. Lastimosa replaced Gabby Cui, who served for three-and-a-half years, and his likely first order of business is to get Fil-Am Mikey Williams to agree to sign after a dragging renegotiation of contract. — Olmin Leyba

Khan Academy eyeing to increase usage of learning platform in PHL

MADRID, Spain — Online learning service Khan Academy is in talks with a philanthropist in the United States to advance efforts in the Philippines, its founder said.

“I’ve just met a philanthropist in New York. She’s a Filipino by birth, and she’s very interested in accelerating Filipino efforts,” Khan Academy Founder Sal Khan told reporters at the recent South Summit 2022, a global business summit in Madrid co-organized by the IE University.

“She was saying that the Philippines is taught systemically in English, especially at the high school level, and that it’s very close to the American system fundamentally,” he added.

Khan Academy, which was started in 2005, provides free online learning materials for all ages, including practice exercises and instructional videos. It covers, among others, mathematics, science, computing, history, art history, and economics.

According to Mr. Khan, resources are being localized and translated into more than 36 languages,

Supported by individual contributions, the organization advocates for “free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere.”

Khan Academy is not yet widely used in the Philippines, according to Mr. Khan.

North America accounts for 50% of the academy’s 20-30 million monthly users. It has a significant number of users in Brazil and India, Mr. Khan said.

To accelerate its efforts in the Philippines, Khan Academy will likely need $2 million a year, he noted.

“The $2 million is our baseline. With $2 million a year, we could then get a team in the Philippines starting to localize content. We could start hiring some people to start working with the government, start getting into schools, and start doing teacher training.”

He also welcomed the entry of Starlink Internet Services Philippines, Inc., a subsidiary of Elon Musk’s Space Exploration Technologies Corp., into the local scene, which is expected to address the connectivity gaps in the unserved and underserved areas of the country.

“I think everyone now, especially with the pandemic, they get that this is important — that just to be connected to the world is important,” he said.

“If you can just provide these kids with devices and reasonable internet access, you are essentially giving them a lifeline, you are giving them at least a safety-net education that might be better in certain cases than what they have access to.”

Mr. Khan also said that the pandemic has caused a substantial increase in the typical number of users on the platform.

“In normal times, we had about 25 to 30 million learning minutes per day. That went up to 85 million learning minutes per day within the first week of the pandemic. So, a lot of people were living on these types of resources.”

“I think it’s been good that we’ve had Zoom and Khan Academy and all of these resources, but I think because it happened so fast, it was, I mean it was much worse if we didn’t have all these online resources, but we did not have the time to think it through and so a lot of people had probably not optimal experiences being on a video conference all day or whatever they are using to learn,” he added.

He pointed out that there is a need to prepare for the next emergency.

“Let’s make sure that there is a safety net, and you know it’s not just during a pandemic that we need a safety net. We need a safety net when we have refugees. Let’s look at what’s happening in Ukraine right now and see how those kids are learning.” — Arjay L. Balinbin

Strange Loop, Lehman Trilogy earn Tony honors as Broadway celebrates return

PHOTO FROM TONYAWARDS.COM/WINNERS/

A Strange Loop, the story of a Black gay man and his mental struggles as a playwright, won the Tony award on Sunday for best new musical as Broadway honored its first season since the long pandemic shutdown.

The Lehman Trilogy, about the rise and fall of investment firm Lehman Brothers, took the best new play honor at a live ceremony held at Radio City Music Hall in New York.

Strange Loop triumphed over MJ, a crowd-pleasing musical about Michael Jackson. Star Myles Frost won best actor in a musical for playing the King of Pop.

Being on stage to accept the Tony felt like a “miracle,” said Ben Power, the writer of Lehman Trilogy, after COVID-19 halted preview shows of the play for 577 days.

“In New York, even after everything, even after today, anything is possible,” Power said, adding that the play had been written as “a hymn to the city of New York.”

Strange Loop writer Michael R. Jackson based the musical on his own internal doubts as well as external obstacles as he tried to pen a Broadway show.

“I just wanted to create a little bit of a life raft for myself as a Black gay man,” he said.

Best actor winner Frost addressed his mother in the audience as he accepted his award for MJ.

“Mom, I made it,” he said, and thanked her for bringing him up to be a “strong Black man.”

For best revival of a musical, voters honored Company, the final project backed by composer and theater legend Stephen Sondheim, who died in November.

The new Company reverses the gender roles of the original, which centered on a single man considering his life choices as he turned 35. Producer Chris Harper thanked Sondheim “for letting us re-imagine the classic musical.”

Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda introduced a tribute to Sondheim, saluting his “immortal” songs and lyrics and his mentorship of younger artists, including Miranda himself.

The three-hour telecast of the awards event featured a slew of performances from nominated shows, to help entice audiences back to theaters.

Hugh Jackman sang “76 Trombones” from The Music Man while Mare Winningham performed Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone,” featured in the musical Girl from the North Country.

Michael Jackson’s children, Prince and Paris, introduced a rendition of “Smooth Criminal” by the MJ cast.

Patti LuPone won her third Tony award, for a supporting role in Company. She thanked “all of the COVID safety people” for making Broadway’s return possible. In the audience were 150 COVID-19 safety managers who had kept shows running.

Simon Russell Beale, the star of Lehman Trilogy, won the Tony for lead actor in a play. Joaquina Kalukango took best actress in a musical for playing a 19th-century tavern owner in race relations story Paradise Square.

“I give thanks to all of the nameless ancestors who have suffered. This show gives power to them,” Kalukango said.

Sunday’s Tonys were the 75th edition and the ceremony honored some of Broadway’s biggest hits over the decades. Host Ariana DeBose opened it with a medley honoring shows from Cabaret to Wicked, The Wiz and Hamilton.

She and others at the ceremony welcomed the industry’s efforts to diversify the stories and casts on stage.

“I’m so proud that the theater is becoming more reflective of the community that adores it,” said DeBose, the Oscar-winning Afro-Latina star of West Side Story.

Best play revival went to Take Me Out, the story of a gay baseball player.

Deirde O’Connell, who won the Tony for lead actress in a play for Dana H, urged aspiring writers to “make the weird art.” — Reuters

 

Key Tony awards winners for first season after pandemic

LOS ANGELES —  The Tony Awards for Broadway theater were handed out in New York on Sunday, celebrating the first season since a long pandemic shutdown.

Here is a list of winners in key categories.

• Best Play — The Lehman Trilogy

• Best Musical — A Strange Loop

• Best Revival of a Musical — Company

• Best Revival of a Play — Take Me Out

• Best Actor, Play — Simon Russell Beale, The Lehman Trilogy

• Best Actress, Play — Deirdre O’Connell, Dana H.

• Best Actor, Musical — Myles Frost, MJ

• Best Actress, Musical — Joaquina Kalukango, Paradise Square

• Best Original Score — Six, Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss

• Best Book of a Musical — A Strange Loop, Michael R. Jackson — Reuters

NU Lady Bulldogs closely waiting as stepladder playoffs start

AUTOMATIC finalist National University (NU) is leaving no stone unturned while waiting on top, monitoring closely as teams started to rumble in the stepladder playoffs of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) women’s volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Already seeded in the championship set-to by sweeping the two-round eliminations, the Lady Bulldogs are maximizing their advantage to recover and at the same time, resharpen their claws against whoever survives the tough stepladder semifinals.

NU, as early as last Thursday, claimed its spot on top of the ladder and will not play until this Saturday in the best-of-three finals against a still undetermined opponent.

Three teams are in contention for that right to challenge NU, starting with No. 3 Santo Tomas and fourth-seeded Ateneo that were to play last night in a knockout game to climb the ladder.

Up next for the winner is No. 2 La Salle, which sports an inside track to a finals bid of its own with a twice-to-beat advantage.

For NU, the work never stops while on standby.

“At this point, we’re expecting more intensity and pressure of course. Kaya lagi ko lang nire-remind sa team na kahit tapos na ang eliminations at nasa finals na kami, hindi pa rin tapos ang trabaho namin,” said Mr. Dimaculangan, a member of the Santo Tomas team that also swept a season in 2009.

The ongoing UAAP stepladder is the first since 2015 when the Alyssa Valdez-led Ateneo swept its way to the championship. Contrastingly, the Blue Eagles this time were the last team to make it by salvaging the fourth spot with a win against Adamson in a knockout match. — John Bryan Ulanday

EEI sees construction industry as growth driver in 2022

EEI Corp. sees itself to be in a “prime position” to grow this year as it projects the construction industry to be among the economy’s main growth drivers due to the government’s “strong push” for infrastructure development.

In a regulatory filing on Tuesday, the listed construction company also said it plans to take advantage of the suppressed demand caused by the delayed projects during the pandemic.

“The reopening of the Philippine Economy is in a full swing as mobility across the country continues to increase, already exceeding pre-pandemic levels while still under the lowest alert level 1 pandemic restriction,” EEI said.

The firm said its outlook is reflected in its first-quarter performance.

EEI earlier reported that its net income jumped by 53.2% to P209.14 million in the first quarter. Net income attributable to equity holders jumped by 55.1% to P210.63 million.

The profit growth was recorded despite consolidated revenues dropping by 13.4% to P3.16 billion, primarily due to delays in infrastructure projects.

“Likewise, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Vision 2030 of the Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman is aggressively launching new developments and opening the business to international investors,” the firm said.

EEI said its investments and joint ventures are expected to provide positive and steady streams of income for the group.

Al Rushaid Construction Co., Ltd., EEI’s joint venture in Saudi Arabia, “continues to perform well in its industrial projects, gaining the trust of more foreign clients and winning more contracts,” it added.

The firm said it is also well-positioned to win more contracts as it continues to bid for industrial and building projects, as well as mega infrastructure projects through the government’s “Build, Build, Build” program.

EEI said it is planning to expand its portfolio to include more renewable energy sources.

“In addition, EEI’s investments in PetroSolar and PetroWind Energy will continue to deliver positive earnings as renewable energy sources continue to become more profitable,” the company added.

PetroSolar Corp. is the owner of a 50-megawatt (MW) solar farm in Tarlac City, while PetroWind Energy, Inc. owns a 36-MW wind farm in Nabas and Malay, Aklan.

In December, EEI held a preferred share offering and raised P6 billion from the issuance. Proceeds from the offering will be used to finance its current and future mega-infrastructure projects, manage its liabilities, fund capital expenditures, and invest in new businesses and emerging technologies.

EEI said it is continuing to explore other business opportunities, both within and outside of the construction sector.

“With this outlook, EEI looks forward to a productive year ahead, while remaining cautious of the still ongoing pandemic,” it added.

At the stock exchange on Tuesday, EEI shares ended lower by 2.06% or seven centavos to close at P3.33. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

Rise in dengue cases due to seasonal rain, climate change

Public Health Image Library/US Centers Disease for Control and Prevention

A SPIKE in dengue cases this year can be attributed to typhoon rainfall and climate change, creating the perfect breeding ground for Aedes aegypti, the mosquito responsible for transmitting dengue in the Philippines.  

“[Dengue-carrying mosquitoes] prefer high humidity and temperature. That’s why climate change may have a role in the increase in dengue cases worldwide,” said Dr. Belle M. Ranile, a pediatric infectious disease specialist from Cebu City, at a June 10 webinar hosted by the University of the Philippines (UP).  

The Department of Health (DoH) recorded 34,938 dengue cases from January to May this year — 23% higher than the 28,336 cases logged in the same period in 2021.  

Central Visayas had the highest number of dengue cases in the Philippines, with 4,544 cases, followed by Central Luzon with 4,312 and the Zamboanga Peninsula with 3,215.  

“Majority of cases are also in the pediatric age group,” added Dr. Ranile, pointing out that in her hometown of Cebu, 446 out of the 936 dengue patients recorded in the aforementioned period were aged 1 to 10 years old.  

DoH has been monitoring disease trends to curb the surge in dengue cases, according to Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire.  

“We’re ready to respond to any healthcare aid any Juan or Juana may need,” she said in a press conference at the start of June, which is National Dengue Awareness Month.  

She offered four prevention tips:  

  • Search for and destroy mosquito-breeding sites (clogged drains, water containers, flower pots and vases, gutters, pails, and unwanted tires, cans, and bottles);  
  • Secure self-protection measures like mosquito repellent, long pants and long-sleeved shirts;   
  • Seek early consultation; and  
  • Support fogging/spraying in hotspot areas.  

Dr. Sergio Zelig Javier, head of environmental health and sanitation at the Cebu City health department, explained that the DoH’s dengue control program includes destroying mosquito-breeding sites, like areas holding water that are hard to drain.  

“During the pandemic period, there have been limitations in implementing this. Fortunately, community quarantine played a role in the decrease of cases,” he said at the UP webinar.  

In addition to the rainy season, climate change, and increased mobility, experts also cited Filipinos’ delayed health-seeking behavior as a cause for the increasing number of dengue cases.  

“For these reasons, the dengue virus is ‘hyperendemic’ in the Philippines, making it the Southeast Asian country with the highest risk of dengue,” said Evalyn A. Roxas, clinical associate professor of infectious diseases at the UP Philippine General Hospital.  

Since there is no available vaccine and cure yet for dengue, she reminded everyone to seek early consultation for symptoms like fever, severe headache, swollen glands, pain behind the eyes, intense joint and muscle pain, rashes, nausea, and vomiting. — Brontë H. Lacsamana

What stoneware tells us about Philippine heritage

PHOTO BY MICHELLE ANNE P. SOLIMAN

OBJECTS used in daily lives carry the history of a civilization. The earliest pottery technology dates back 4,200 years, and ceramics were widely exported globally in the 7th century. In 1947, an archeological survey led by Dr. Henry Otley Beyer uncovered ceramics in several provinces including Batangas, Mindoro, Marinduque, Palawan, Quezon, Bicol, Samar, and Leyte. These were commonly used to store food and liquids for cooking. Pottery was also associated with burial practices, while porcelain and stoneware served as symbols of social rank and political authority.

In continuing the work of preserving stoneware and documenting its uses, the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) opened the Elizabeth Y. Gokongwei Ethnographic Stoneware Resource Center on the fifth floor of the National Museum of Anthropology’s East Wing.

The opening of the resource center was done in partnership with the National Museum and the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation (GBF) — a foundation established by brothers John, Johnson, Henry, and James Gokongwei in 1992 which provides scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education to students and educators.

Since the project’s announcement in 2021, the GBF has provided support to repair and upgrade the resource center with equipment and supplies for interior furnishing, transporting the ceramic collection from regional museums and satellite offices, as well as the ongoing inventory and assessment of the pieces in the collection.

“This project of establishing the Elizabeth Y. Gokongwei Ethnographic Ceramics Resource Center adds to the quality of custodianship that we have of our precious natural patrimony. [It] adds to the quality of service we could provide to the public, especially to researchers who will flesh out our appreciation of our heritage,” Museum Director-General Jeremy R. Barns said in his speech during the launch on June 11.

“When it comes to ethnographic stoneware, we know that this is something that links us with the rest of the region [across Asia]. We are yet to really flesh out the story of how our ethnographic stoneware really represents the Pan-Asian heritage with the Philippines as a core part of it,” Mr. Barns added.

In line with the GBF’s advocacy of nation-building through education, the Foundation also hopes to inculcate a stronger sense of identity among learners about Filipino culture and heritage.

“As a staunch advocate of holistic education, the Foundation takes to heart its duty to protect our heritage, enrich our culture, and pass this on to the next generation. There, we are grateful to the NMP for bringing to the GBF and making it possible for us to contribute to the valuable field of cultural preservation,” GBF General Manager Lisa Y. Gokongwei-Cheng said.

Named after the late Gokongwei matriarch, the Elizabeth Y. Gokongwei Ethnographic Stoneware Resource Center — formerly a repository of the NMP’s ethnographic division — is a research facility accessible to those who are studying early Filipinos. The visiting public can view the collection through the center’s glass windows.

THE RESEARCH AND COLLECTION
The Elizabeth Y. Gokongwei Ethnographic Stoneware Resource Center has over 1,000 pieces of stoneware and earthenware from the National Ethnographic Collection that served as commodities, utility items, household decorations, heirloom pieces, and containers for ritual ceremonies.

“A significant portion of these objects were collected by renowned anthropologist Dr. Robert B. Fox and archeologist Dr. William Longacre from their research areas in Palawan and Kalinga. It also includes 73 Ilocano stoneware pieces which are part of NMP’s long-term lease from the Ilocos Sur Historical and Cultural Foundation collection (ISHCF),” NMP Deputy Director Jorell M. Legaspi said in a speech at the launch.

The ethnographic ceramics collection in the National Museum was initiated by Dr. Fox during his term as the chief of the Anthropology Division (now Ethnology Division) in the 1960s. The collection includes jars, plates, and bowls from the 15th to the 20th century.

The items were acquired through the years from different ethnolinguistic groups such as the Bontok, Ifugao, Ibaloy, Ilokano, Gad’dang, and Pangasinense communities in northern Luzon; the Tagalog, Pala’wan, and Tagbanua communities in central and southern Luzon; and Maguindanao, Maranao, and Tausug communities in southwestern Mindanao.

Due to their production dates, the items in the collection are presumed to be Important Cultural Properties, in accordance to Republic Act No. 10066 or National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009.

FUTURE PROJECTS WITH GBF
To maximize the reach and impact of the EYG Resource Center, there are special tours, the provision of digital reference materials for teachers, and a 360° VR exhibit (https://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/…/stoneware360.html).

Alongside the opening of the resource center is the upcoming release of an accompanying book titled From Kiln to Kin: The Philippine Ceramic Heritage. It will include the full catalog of collections in the resource center, the ceramic history of the Philippines, and its significance alongside ethnolinguistic traditions and culture. Physical and digital copies of the book will be available.

“Far more than being vessels, these objects tell the story of their connection to their maker and the culture they constitute. By highlighting material culture, we hope to offer a new avenue for exploring our past to fully understand the diversity of our heritage,” Mr. Legaspi said.

Researchers, educators, and students who wish to access the catalog of collections and examine objects from the EYG Resource Center may send a letter of request at inquiry@nationalmuseum.gov.ph or nationalmuseumph@yahoo.com. —  Michelle Anne P. Soliman

JRU Lady Bombers defeat the Letran Lady Knights in four sets

THE José Rizal University (JRU) Lady Bombers are in constant pursuit of its holy grail — a first ever NCAA women’s volleyball championship.

And what better way to start the quest than to launch it on a high note?

Showing grit and determination, JRU overcame a flat start by coming through with a strong finish in turning back Letran, 13-25, 25-22, 25-17, 25-17, on Tuesday to set in motion its ambitious bid for a breakthrough title in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 97 at the Paco Arena.

Given up for dead after a lifeless opening set effort, the combo of skipper Dolly Grace Verzosa, Sydney Mae Niegos, Renesa Melgar Riza Rose and setter Jerelyn Laurente resuscitated the Lady Bombers with their strong effort that was highlighted by their determined attacking play, rock-solid net defense and superb court coverage.

The win also proved that the Kalentong-based spikers were not a team of Ms. Versoza — a second-best outside spiker in Season 93 four years ago — alone as it also produce solid performances from multiple players.

Mses. Niegos and Melgar were two of them as they fired 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Ms. Rose also blossomed by chipping in eight hits.

Ms. Laurente, for her part, did her damage with 23 excellent sets while contributing two points.

It helped that the Lady Knights imploded in the final three sets and finished with a disastrous 42 errors.

While winning its first championship sounded a little ludicrous, the Lady Bombers, whose closest brush to a title was a first Final Four finish in 2018 that produced a Most Valuable Player awardee of alumna Shola Alvarez, are not losing hope and taking it a game at a time.

“We are happy with the win and we hope to be competitive for the rest of the season,” said JRU athletic director and NCAA Management Committee representative Paul Supan. — Joey Villar

Leisure & Resorts World aims to boost online products

LEISURE & Resorts World Corp. (LRWC) said it would push its online products to the market for the remainder of the year as part of its retail expansion plans.

“We will remain steadfast in pushing our online products which are seen to be the ‘blue ocean.’ We will be aggressive in the pursuit of player registrations, deposits, and gaming transactions,” the company said in a disclosure.

It described a blue ocean as a new market with little completion or barriers standing in the way of innovators.

“As the online products can also be played in our branches, we shall continue upgrading our network connectivity and hardware,” the firm added.

LRWC said that it would also push for more variety and availability of its games.

“With these efforts, we see steep revenue growth in our newly launched and yet to be launched online products. These are our new engines of growth and our vehicle to address changing consumer trends driven by the pandemic,” the company said.

“Thus with these innovations, we expect this year to be a recovery year alongside projected increase in household incomes and foot traffic and decrease in COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) cases and quarantines,” it added.

For its casino business, LRWC will be working on improving its products, marketing and promotion, club enhancements, and safety protocols.

In its unaudited financial statement, LRWC reported that its first quarter net loss after tax grew to P223.07 million from a loss of P110.04 million in 2021.

Revenues likewise declined to P929.01 million from P942.35 million.

On Tuesday, LRWC shares gained by 4.51% or six centavos to close at P1.39 at the stock exchange. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

Despite availability of contraception, nearly half of all pregnancies are unintended — UNFPA

FREEPIK

WOMEN in the Philippines want simpler forms of family planning, according to Dr. Juan Antonio A. Perez III, executive director of the Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM). 

“Women want simpler methods [such as] pills and injectables,” he said at the June 8 launch of the 2022 State of World Population (SWOP) report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). 

As of 2022, 59% of Filipinas in their reproductive age (15–49 years) have their family planning needs satisfied with modern methods. Almost half (44%) rely on pills and condoms for family planning.  

Adolescent pregnancies in the 15–19-year-old age group declined by 13% to 150,000 in 2020 from 180,000 in 2019; the decline for the same period was 10% among those 10 to 14 years old. 

“The reduction of unintended pregnancies is around 300,000,” Dr. Perez said, “but the task remains.”   

According to the UNFPA report, nearly half of all pregnancies are unintended. 

“This is a reminder of how many people, especially women and girls, are limited in exercising their basic rights,” the report said. “So many unplanned and unwanted pregnancies raise questions about how much the rights and potential of more than half of humanity are prioritized and valued.” 

At the launch, panelists said that reproductive health education can help prevent unintended pregnancies and break the cycle of intergenerational poverty. 

EDUCATION
The focal points of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, which provides conditional cash grants to the poorest of the poor with the aim of breaking the cycle of poverty, are education and health, said Luzviminda C. Ilagan, undersecretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).   

“We have family development sessions required of every beneficiary family to attend, with modules that have been developed to… teach the young about [health concerns] as well as issues on family planning,” said Ms. Ilagan. “We are also able to provide information through our social welfare workers about family health, the importance of reproductive health, and how to go about the risks of unintended pregnancies.”  

UNFPA also conducts reproductive health medical missions in partnership with local nongovernment organizations. 

These missions provide information on sexual and reproductive health services and “how [the youth can] protect themselves and say ‘no’ when it’s needed,” said UNFPA Philippine country representative Dr. Leila Saiji Joudane.  

The 2022 SWOP report, titled “Seeing the Unseen: The case for action in the neglected crisis of unintended pregnancy,” focuses on the circumstances that exist before an unintended pregnancy — when one’s agency to decide is critically undermined — and on its impact on future generations.  

Unintended or unplanned pregnancy, as defined by the report, is a pregnancy that occurs to a woman who was not planning to have any(more) children, or that was mistimed, in that it occurred earlier than desired.  

Unwanted pregnancy, on the other hand, is a pregnancy that a woman does not want to have.   

A woman might decide she wants the pregnancy after it occurs, even if she was not planning to have any(more) children.  

FAMILY PLANNING
According to POPCOM’s Dr. Perez, births in the country were dipping even before the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.  

“This was because of the family planning program,” he said, noting there were 1.3 million births in 2021 as compared to 1.5 million in 2020. “Women wanted family planning services.”  

The DSWD and POPCOM will address the needs of the 160,000 adolescent mothers (60,000 of whom are below 18) a social protection program for adolescent mothers and their children, among others. 

Rolled out in Ormoc City, Leyte, in November 2021, the program will be launched nationwide by 2023.  

ROOT CAUSES
President Rodrigo R. Duterte, in June 2021, called on government offices to implement measures to address the root causes of the rising number of teenage pregnancies. 

Executive Order No. 141 also sought interventions related to the prevention of adolescent pregnancies, such as education and employment opportunities.  

“It’s been a long campaign to make this a national priority… it’s crucial we maintain a strong family planning program going into the next administration,” said Dr. Perez, adding that food security and economic development will also have to be addressed. 

“In the middle of COVID-19, 70% of households were food insecure. Another issue that must be attended to is the fact that the different regions in the country have fallen very far behind Manila and Calabarzon [Region IV-A] … in terms of family income,” Dr. Perez said.  

The focus should be on living wages and not minimum wages, he added, so that Filipino families “can have their education aspirations and housing needs met.” — Patricia B. Mirasol

 

The data used in this report “overwhelmingly come from” surveys and studies that identify participants as women or girls, per the UNFPA.  

Arts & Culture (06/15/22)

Virgin Labfest 2022 premieres this weekend

AFTER two years of online performances, the 17th Virgin Labfest (VLF) — the theater festival of untried, untested, and unstaged plays — returns to the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Tanghalang Huseng Batute from June 16 to 26. It will be followed by an online screening of the plays from June 30 to July 10 at ticket2me.net. The 12 featured plays are divided into four sets with performances scheduled at 2 and 7 p.m. The plays under Set A: Life is Full of Surprises (June 16 and 25) are: Walang Bago sa Dulang Ito by Eljay Castro Deldoc, Mga Balo by Maki dela Rosa, and Bituing Marikit by Bibeth Orteza. Under Set B: Life is Strange Fiction (June 17 and 26), the plays are: Absurdo Events Day by BJ Crisostomo, Liberation by Jerry O’Hara, and Nay May Dala Akong Pansit by Juan Ekis. Set C: School of Life (June 18 and 23) features Unica Hijas by Mikaela Regis, Punks Not Dead by Andrew Clete, and Student’s Handbook by Anthony Kim Vergara. Set D: Life Choices (June 19 and 24) features Fermata by Dustin Celestino, Huling Haraya Nina Ischia at Emeteria by Ryan Machado, and Bienvenuta al lido De Venecia by George Vail Kabristante. The Playwright’s Fair with VLF artistic director Rody Vera, and the CCP Intertextual Division will be held on June 17, 18, 24, and 25, 5 p.m. at the Tanghalang Manuel Conde, with online streaming at the CCP and VLF Facebook pages. The Writing Fellowship Program showcase, under the mentorship of playwright Glenn Mas and directed by Dennis Marasigan, is scheduled for June 26, 5 p.m., at the CCP Promenade. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/thevirginlabfest.

Tela Pilipinas Exhibit at Gateway Mall

IN LINE with the Independence Day celebration, Araneta City and the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI) opened the 2022 Tela Pilipinas Exhibit at the Gateway Mall Activity Area to showcase the developments in natural textile fiber-based yarns and products. On are Pinoy-made outfits made using DOST-PTRI’s yarns, fabrics, and technologies as output of the institute’s research and development programs. This exhibit demonstrates the applicability and of the Philippine Tropical Fabrics as material to dress the Filipinos. The 2022 Tela Pilipinas Exhibit is open for public viewing at the Gateway Mall until June 17.

Independence Day exhibit at the Shang

THE ART Circle Gallery, Galerie Raphael, and Artologist have joined an ongoing Independence Day exhibit at the Shangri-La Plaza’s Grand Atrium, which runs until June 18. Art Circle Gallery presents the exhibit “Tangkilikin Ang Sariling Atin” featuring Otep Bañez, Jef Albea, Ramon Cajipe,  and Glenn Cagandahan. Galerie Raphael’s exhibit is Kalayaan: Isang Parangal to Sinag, which brings together works by 25 artists to showcase the various aspects of freedom in the Philippines. They include National Artist Federico Aguilar Alcuaz, Juvenal Sanso, Gary Custodio, Raul Isidro, Mikel Parial, and Camille Ver. Artologist presents Obra with 13 participating artists including Mark Albea, Dennis Francisco, Ram Mallari, and Sam Penaso.

Valerie Teng holds 1st solo show at ARTablado

VALERIE Teng, who quit her day job to focus on her passion for painting, is having her first solo show at Robinsons Land’s ARTablado at Robinsons Galleria. Her exhibit, “Secret Garden: An Inspirational Walk-Through,” runs from June 16 to 30. ARTablado, which is a portmanteau of “art” and “entablado” is part of Robinsons Land’s efforts to showcase Philippine art and bring Filipino artists to the center stage. A graduate of Fine Arts with a major in Advertising from The College of the Holy Spirit, Teng grew up in a household of talented family members who encouraged her creativity. Her exhibit focuses on the peace and tranquility of nature, depicted through simple and clean lines matched with soft and soothing palettes in her canvases. ARTablado is at Level 3, Robinsons Galleria, Ortigas Center, Quezon City.

Father and daughter exhibit at ArtistSpace

BOTH self-taught artists, Ed Uygongco and Jo Uygongco are presenting a father-and-daughter exhibition entitled “Equilibrium”. It will be on view from June 16 to 29 at the Ayala Museum’s  ArtistSpace. As the term implies, Equilibrium is a balancing of forces, a struggle between the two modes of visual expression – representation and abstraction — the yin-and-yang, as it were, of artmaking. The Uygongcos both favor the water-based mediums of aquarelle and acrylic.

MO_Space opens two shows

MO_Space is opening two exhibits on June 18 — at the Main Gallery will be Mark Salvatus’ “Active Shadows” while at Gallery 2, it will be “Welcome to the Dog Show” featuring works by Francis Commeyne. Both shows will run until July 17. The title “Active Shadows” quotes a passage from George Steiner’s (2009) reflection on the books he did not write, referring to them as intimate companions of his published works. He surmised that they are more than a gap or a void but “active shadows.” Salvatus’ artistic practice is shaped by an intimate reworking and transformation of objects and forms, a process akin to the resonance intimated by the phrase active shadows. His materials, whether from his family archive, his collection of Mount Banahaw paraphernalia, found objects, or those bought from flea shops, meander across time and occupy various sites. For his 4th solo show, “Welcome to the Dog Show,” Commeyne produces a series of sculptures and mixed media assemblages of carved wood and found objects depicting the commonplace sausage as comically emblematic of expressing one’s concerns of survival. The gallery is open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the 3rd level, MOs Design, B2 Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

National Museum screens Esoterika: Maynila 

THE NATIONAL Museum of the Philippines will screen Esoterika: Maynila, a film by Elwood Perez, from June 13 to 17 at the National Museum of Fine Arts Auditorium. Viewers will have the chance to meet director Elwood Perez at the final screening session on June 17. Register for free at https://bit.ly/NMPfilmshowing. 

Filipinas Heritage Library holds a writing workshop

THE AYALA Museum and the Filipinas Heritage Library present WRITING HEARTBREAK: A Workshop With Jhoanna Lynn Cruz on June 25 and July 2, 2-5 p.m., online via Zoom. There are limited slots. The focus of the workshop is how heartbreak can also be an opening, a chance to right the pain, heal, and revisit the terms of self-making. The workshop will be run by an award-winning writer who, after her marriage fell apart, told her story in a book-length memoir. The workshop is P3,500 (and comes with a free book, Abi Nako, or So I Thought). A discounted rate of P3,150 will be given to students, seniors, PWDs, ARC, AGC, and Ayala Museum Virtual Members. The workshop is open to intermediate writers aged 16 and above. Participants from ages 16-17 may be admitted after signing a waiver regarding potentially sensitive content. Participants must prepare a paper, pen/pencil, laptop/tablet and technical requirements are Zoom, and internet connection, a laptop/tablet/smartphone, and a prop or set-up of camera overhead to see the work. A recommended text (in PDF) will be provided for the attendees to read after registration.

Manila Symphony Orchestra holds online concert

THE AYALA Museum and the Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO) will hold a special online concert, MusiKayumanggi: A Century of Filipino Music, on July 2, 6:30 p.m., via Zoom. The MSO will perform Filipino classics expressed in various orchestral and chamber arrangements, including “Lahing Kayumanggi” by Lucio San Pedro, “Kalesa” by Hernani Cuenco, and “Hahanapin Ko” by Jose Mari Chan. Tickets are at P1,200 for regular passes, and P960 for Ayala Museum Members. To purchase tickets, visit ayalamuseum.org/events/rhc-musikayumanggi. For event inquiries, e-mail events@ayalamuseum.org.

Trumpets brings back musical Joseph, the Dreamer

TRUMPETS, INC.’s popular musical Joseph the Dreamer returns onstage on July 15 to 31, at the Globe Auditorium, Maybank Performing Arts Theater, BGC, Taguig City. The production tells the Biblical story of Joseph, who brought the Israelites out of Egypt. Written by Freddie Santos, it is based on Cam Floria’s cantata entitled Dreamer: What Really Happened to Joseph. This production is a re-imagined version directed by Paolo Valenciano, featuring updated musical arrangements by Myke Salomon as well as an updated script. For tickets, visit https://bit.ly/JTD2022. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/trumpetsinc

Barefoot Theater stages Mula Sa Buwan

THE BAREFOOT Theatre Collaborative presents Mula sa Buwan, a musical reimagining of Cyrano de Bergerac, on Aug. 26 to Sept. 11 at the new Samsung Performing Arts Theater, Circuit Makati. Directed by Pat Valera, with music and lyrics by William Elvin Manzano, the musical stars Myke Salomon as Cyrano, Gab Pangilinan as Roxane, and Markki Stroem as Christian. Book tickets at ticketworld.com.ph or mulasabuwan.com/tickets. For more information, visit mulasabuwan.com.

Nayong Pilipino pushes for safe space for LGBTQIA+

THE NAYONG Pilipino Foundation (NPF) partnered with the National Library of the Philippines (NLP) and LGBTQIA+ community to gather insights on creating a safer physical and cultural space inclusive for everyone. A roundtable discussion dubbed “Umpukan sa Nayon” on June 10, held at the National Library of the Philippines, became an avenue for the foundation to gather insights on gender sensitivity while also raising awareness of the complex history with the LGBTQIA+ community. The ideas gathered during the discussion will serve as a guide in creating the Nayong Pilipino Cultural and Creative Hub in the Entertainment City in Parañaque. Among the speakers during the discussion were Dondy Ramos, assistant professor of History from the University of the Philippines, Alvin Cloyd Dakis, a trainer for gender sensitivity, Amber Quiban, a transgender woman from Cordilleras, and a UP Diliman student, and Daniele Guevarra of Philippine Normal University Katalonan. Assistant Professor Ramos talked about the roles of the LGBTQIA+ community during the pre-Hispanic period. The full live stream can be seen here: https://www.facebook.com/nayongpilipinoofficial/videos/586759242769590

Gawad Yamang Isip awards given

THE GAWAD Yamang Isip (GYI) Awards 2022 were held by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) on June 6, and highlighted the importance of raising intellectual property (IP) awareness. The winners were National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab, writer Jose “Butch” Y. Dalisay, Jr., and National Artist for Dance Alice G. Reyes, all GYI awardees under the Performing Arts and Literature category; Dr. Cecilia Nelia C. Maramba-Lazarte, dubbed the “Mother of Philippine Herbal Medicine,” in the Science and Technology category; and multi-awarded wrap fashion artist Dita Sandico in the Industrial Design category. The annual GYI is the country’s most prestigious IP awards. It is conferred to Filipino individuals and institutions that have helped improve Filipinos’ quality of life through innovation and creativity while promoting the importance of IP. The awarding was held as part of IPOPHL’s celebration of its 25th anniversary. Aside from the six individual GYI awardees, IPOPHL also awarded Gandang Kalikasan, Inc., the company behind the pro-environment brand Human Nature, for the Business category, and the Samar State University-Technology Business Incubator Local Alliance of Marine-based Businesses and Food Technology for the new and special IP Management Award. IPOPHL also honored more than 100 partners in the academe, government and private sector, as well as the most prolific IP users, through special citations.

KWF is now accepting entries for essay contest

THE KOMISYON sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) is now accepting entries for the Sanaysay ng Taon 2022, a yearly contest of original work. The competition is open to everyone except KWF officials and their relatives. The theme for this year is “Filipino and Indigenous Languages: Research and Discovery Tools.” The essays must be written in Filipino, original, unpublished and not translated from another language. They also must be at least 15 pages but not more than 30 pages long. In addition to research, the way it is written must adhere to the KWF Manwal sa Masinop na Pagsulat. For details on the requirements, text or call 0928-844-1349 or e-mail timpalak.gawad@kwf.gov.ph. Entries will be accepted until 5 p.m. on June 20. Entries must be sent to Lupon sa Sanaysay ng Taon Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino, 2nd floor of the Watson Bldg., 1610 J.P. Laurel St., San Miguel, Manila.

Exhibition proposals sought

THE NATIONAL Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) is accepting exhibition proposals for the 2023 NCCA Gallery and Exhibition Program from June 15 to Aug. 15. Every year, the NCCA opens its Call for Exhibition Proposals to the public to give opportunity for Filipino artists from different backgrounds, different affiliations, and different regions to showcase their work to a wider audience without compromising their creative vision. Proposals may be accomplished in Filipino and English by any Filipino citizen or any group or institution based in the Philippines. Proposals from foreign institutions or groups should be coursed through the NCCA International Affairs Office. All exhibition proposals shall be submitted through the Google Forms link (https://bit.ly/2023NCCAGalleryProposal) and will be accepted only when the proper supporting documents are submitted. Applicants will be notified of the result of the screening through an official communication that will be released around October.

Anthology of translated work of fiction released

PENGUIN Random House SEA has released an anthology of translated work of fiction, Born and Bred in Myanmar. By Moe Moe Inya, the book is about the life and struggles of rural-dwelling youths in Myanmar who, at an early age, had to work to supplement the household income or work alongside their parents to support their family. Moe Moe Inya wrote her first novel, Pyauk-thaw-lann-hmar san-ta-war in 1972 and received the National Literature Award for it in 1974. She also received short novel awards in 1980, 1982 and 1986 for the novel and short novel collections. Her books have been translated into English, Russian, Japanese, and Chinese.

‘We have to be alert of the changes’ — Ramirez

ADAPT to the times.

This was the advice given by Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chair William Ramirez to his successor for the country to replicate its golden years in sports that was highlighted by weightlifter Hidilyn F. Diaz delivering the Filipinos’ first Olympic gold medal in the Tokyo Games a year ago.

“Adaptability. We have to be alert and aware of the changes in budget, coaching, medical, everything,” said Mr. Ramirez during Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the PSC administration building in Malate, Manila.

Mr. Ramirez helped steer the country’s spectacular performances in international fronts like Ms. Diaz’s breakthrough Olympic exploits coupled by the Filipinos dominating performance in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games and several emergence of world and Asian champions.

Under Mr. Ramirez’s reins and care, gymnast Carlos “Caloy” Yulo rose to being a world champion twice and pole-vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena broke the Asian record and zoomed to No. 5 in the planet.

But Mr. Ramirez was quick to share the tribute to the collected effort of the government, officials, coaches, athletes, private sector, and Filipinos in general.

“It was not a lucky break, there was a collaborative effort. The golden year was due mainly to the hardwork put up by the athletes and coaches,” said Mr. Ramirez.

Mr. Ramirez also mentioned giving equal importance to grassroots development so the country can sustain the momentum of success. — Joey Villar

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