Young Gilas crew looking to get the job done in Manama, Bahrain

November 23, 2020 | 5:16 pm

THE Gilas Pilipinas men’s team left for Manama, Bahrain, at the weekend to go into battle in the November window of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asia Cup qualifiers set for later this week.

Composed of amateur and collegiate stars, the team admits that a tough challenge lies ahead, but it is determined to get the job done and give the country’s push in the tournament a boost and to build momentum for future windows.

“This is a good opportunity to showcase what our young players can do, but we are out to compete and win,” said the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas as it set its goals for the team competing in Bahrain.

Fourteen players are included in the Gilas pool for the tournament, namely: Kobe Paras, Juan and Javi Gomez De Liano, Jaydee Tungcab, Dwight Ramos, Dave Ildefonso, Will Navarro, Justine Baltazar, Calvin Oftana, Kenmark Carino, Isaac Go, Matt and Mike Nieto, and Rey Suerte.

Allyn Bulanadi and naturalized player candidate Angelo Kouame were part of the pool but could not join the team with the former injured and the latter still awaiting his papers.

Coach of the team is veteran Jong Uichico, supported by SBP program director Tab Baldwin, assistant coach Boyet Fernandez, and skills coach Alton Lister.

The team is to face Thailand twice in the November window – first on Nov. 27 and second on Nov. 30 at the Khalifa Sports City stadium.

The Philippines (1-0) was supposed to take on South Korea as well but the Koreans chose not to compete in the window because of concerns over the coronavirus pandemic. It remains to be seen if there would be sanctions handed down because of their decision.

“We are now in the process of preparing them for the international game. They’re young so we’re trying to make it simple for them given the limited time we have,” said Mr. Uichico, also the head of the SBP coaches academy.

For Mr. Go, a draftee of the Terrafirma Dyip in the Philippine Basketball Association but currently on loan to the national team, there is pressure as they go into battle but they are using it as added motivation to do well.

“There is pressure, of course, since we are representing the country but we are working to improve and be ready,” the former Ateneo star said.

The Philippines is currently in second place in Group A of the qualifiers, behind South Korea (2-0). Other teams in the group are Indonesia (0-2) and Thailand (0-1). The top two teams in the group at the end of the qualifiers advance to the FIBA Asia Cup set for August next year.

PLDT, SMART RALLY BEHIND GILAS
Meanwhile, the country’s largest integrated telco PLDT and its wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc. are rallying behind Gilas Pilipinas with connectivity as it represents the Philippines in the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 qualifiers.

In a statement, the groups said GIGAROAM will power the Gilas Pilipinas team’s data roaming connectivity in Bahrain. With Smart’s global coverage and flexible data roaming plans, the team will be able to stay online, accessing their favorite apps, sites, and connect with their fans on social media during their stay abroad.

Aside from that, the members will also be able to enjoy 100 minutes of on-net calls to their relatives back home via Free Bee, powered by PLDT Global. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Leading Barangay Ginebra expecting a tougher stand from Meralco in Game Four

November 23, 2020 | 5:16 pm

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo, Senior Reporter

WHILE they are ahead, 2-1, in their best-of-five PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series, the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings know that their job is not done and have to deal with a Meralco Bolts crew they expect will put up a tougher stand in their next game.

The Kings reclaimed the series lead on Sunday after taking Game Three, 91-84, putting them on the brink of another finals appearance in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

Barangay Ginebra came out with more bounce and consistency in their attack than in Game Two, where they were outlasted by Meralco.

It was a balanced thrust for the Kings, led by Stanley Pringle, who finished with 24 points, nine rebounds and six assists.

Big man Prince Caperal had 15 points for Barangay Ginebra, with LA Tenorio and Japeth Aguilar having 12 each. Joe Devance was the other Kings in double digits with 10 points.

The Kings led, 27-12, at the end of the first quarter and never relinquished the driver’s seat after.

A win away from the finals, Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone said that while they welcome where they are right now, they are not getting ahead of themselves, believing Meralco still has a lot of fight in it and cannot be easily discounted.

“It’s a ping-pong match. You have good teams playing. It’s not easy to roll over Meralco, They’re going to come back,” said Mr. Cone following their Game Three victory.

“[Meralco coach] Norman [Black] is one of the best coaches in the PBA. He has been through many battles on the court. They have a young developing core, which would only get better,” he added.

The most winning PBA coach went on to say that given what they expect to be a tougher fight from Meralco as it tries to keep its season alive, it is a good thing that there is a gap of two days before they return to the court.

Mr. Cone said they would use it to rest and prepare a battle plan against what the Bolts would bring.

“It takes a lot to win games. There are no easy adjustments. No easy process, but we get two days off and we will use it to build a good force to beat what we know will be a great force in the next game.”

Game Four of the semifinal series between Barangay Ginebra will be played on Nov. 25 at 3:45 p.m. at the Angeles University Foundation Sports Arena in Pampanga.

Kingad, Torres set for ONE Championship return in December

November 23, 2020 | 5:15 pm

FILIPINO flyweight fighter Danny Kingad — BW FILE PHOTO

FILIPINOS Danny “The King” Kingad and Jomary “The Zamboanginian Fighter” Torres are set to make their ONE Championship return at “ONE: Big Bang” pencilled for Dec. 4 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

Had their ONE campaign halted this year because of the coronavirus pandemic, flyweight Kingad and atomweight Torres are looking to end a rough 2020 with a bang and win their respective return bouts.

Mr. Kingad (14-2), the number two-ranked fighter in the division, will battle former ONE champion and current number three fighter Kairat “The Kazakh” Akhmetov in a three-round joust.

Mr. Kingad comes into the fight off a unanimous decision victory in January here over Chinese Wei Xie.

It was a bounce-back win for the Team Lakay stalwart who lost to mixed martial arts legend Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson in October last year.

Mr. Akhmetov (23-2), for his part, is riding a two-fight winning streak, the last one over Australian Reece McLaren in March 2019.

Ms. Torres (4-4), meanwhile, is out to swing back to the win column after losing four straight and having her last fight early this year ruled a no-contest.

The Filipina fighter, out of the Catalan Fighting System, opened her ONE career by winning her first three fights before hitting the rough patch.

She is to take on rising star Ritu “The Indian Tigress” Phogat.

ONE: Big Bang is headlined by the ONE light heavyweight kickboxing world championship fight between champion Roman Kryklia of Ukraine and challenger Murat Aygun of The Netherlands/Turkey. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Groups underscore importance of steady physical activity for kids

November 23, 2020 | 5:14 pm

GIVEN where they are at this stage of their development and how the coronavirus pandemic has changed the mode of learning, children — more than ever — need to have a steady amount of physical activity even just at home.

This is what Milo and the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) are trying to address as they launched the National Kids Athletics Games Online.

A two-wave online competition for kids up to 14 years old, the online tournament series aims to help parents keep their kids active and healthy at home by giving them more opportunities to grow holistically and a chance to connect with other like-minded kids.

For the competition, the task involves recording themselves completing a series of fundamental run, throw, and jump exercises within a specified time limit. They then have to submit it to PATAFA after.

To help the children and parents in executing the moves, demo videos will be made available.

National team members and Southeast Asian Games gold medallists like Aries Toledo (decathlon), Willie Morrison (shot put), Kristina Knott (sprint), and Christine Hallasgo (marathon) will be featured in said videos.

“We’re excited to continue our partnership with PATAFA … as we explore other creative outlets to help kids get active and healthy at home,” said Nestlé Philippines Assistant Vice President and MILO Sports Manager Lester Castillo in a statement.

Those who emerge champions in various age groups in the online tournament will earn a spot in the Kids Athletics National Games next year.

Registration for the National Kids Athletics Games Online is ongoing and is free.

For more details, visit the PATAFA website at www.philathletics.org. — MASM

Medvedev beats Thiem and claim ATP Finals title

November 23, 2020 | 5:13 pm

LONDON — Daniil Medvedev barged to the head of the queue of young pretenders as the Russian captured the biggest title of his career by beating Dominic Thiem 4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-4 in an absorbing climax to London’s last Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Finals on Sunday.

Thiem was on course to become the first Austrian to win the title, following on from his recent US Open triumph, but the relentless Medvedev turned the tide to strike a blow for the new generation striving to shake up the tennis hierarchy.

There was no big celebration as he fired an unreturnable first serve on match point to end the two hours and 42 minutes scrap, bringing the curtain down on 12 memorable years at the O2 Arena before Turin takes over as host of the tournament.

Fittingly, the London era ended as it began with a Russian winner after Nikolay Davydenko took the 2009 title.

Sadly for an event that attracted 2.8 million fans over the years to the Thames-side arena, the finale, a vintage edition, played out in a silent arena because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

But the millions watching on TV would have appreciated the skill of Medvedev, who became only the fourth player in ATP history to beat the world’s top three at the same tournament.

He joins David Nalbandian (Madrid 2007), Novak Djokovic (Montreal 2007), and Boris Becker (Stockholm 1994).

Medvedev’s imaginative game, a blend of sledgehammer power, cunning angles and unreadable serving, proved beyond Djokovic in the group phase and then second-ranked Rafael Nadal in Saturday’s semi-final.

The 27-year-old Thiem appeared to have mastered it, but ultimately, was overwhelmed.

His triumph came a year after a chastening three defeats on his debut. The only other player to achieve such a drastic turnaround is Djokovic in 2008.

After such a hot streak, including claiming this month’s Paris Masters, the Moscovite was due a dip and it arrived in the first set as he threw away a 40-0 lead on serve at 2-2, gifting Thiem a break with a double-fault.

It proved enough for Thiem to pocket the first set and he went for the quick kill in the second as Medvedev’s usually rock-solid serve and forehand wavered.

The Russian hung tough though, saving break points at 2-2 and 3-3, and began to look menacing as the tiebreak arrived.

Thiem led 2-0, but Medvedev reeled off seven points in a row to ensure London’s farewell would go the distance. — Reuters

Lakers agree to two-year deal with Marc Gasol

November 23, 2020 | 5:13 pm

THE Los Angeles Lakers and three-time All-Star center Marc Gasol agreed to a two-year deal, multiple outlets reported Sunday night.

The Lakers reportedly opened up cap room for Gasol by trading center JaVale McGee and a second-round draft choice to the Cleveland Cavaliers for forwards Jordan Bell and Alfonzo McKinnie. Both players have non-guaranteed contracts, so the Lakers may keep both players or choose to waive one or both.

The 35-year-old Gasol is on the downside of his career after being a stalwart for the Memphis Grizzlies for 10 1/2 seasons. He spent the past 1 1/2 seasons with the Toronto Raptors and was a key figure on the club’s 2019 championship team.

Gasol averaged 7.5 points and 6.3 rebounds in 44 games (43 starts) last season. Gasol was initially a second-round draft choice by the Lakers in 2007, but was playing in Spain when he was shipped to Memphis in February 2008 in a deal that brought his older brother Pau to Los Angeles.

Gasol was a first-team All-NBA selection for the 2014-15 season and a second-team choice the following season. He was the NBA Defensive Player of the Year for the 2012-13 campaign.

Over 12 NBA seasons, Gasol has career averages of 14.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 839 career games (824 starts). He has blocked 1,196 shots, eighth among active players. — Reuters

Roundup: Hill just what Saints need to top Falcons

November 23, 2020 | 5:13 pm

TAYSOM Hill rushed for two touchdowns and the host New Orleans Saints won their seventh consecutive game by defeating the Atlanta Falcons 24-9 on Sunday afternoon.

Hill made his first National Football League (NFL) start at quarterback as Drew Brees began at least a three-game absence due to rib and lung injuries. Hill completed 18 of 23 passes for 233 yards and had scoring runs of 2 and 10 yards among his team-high 51 rushing yards as the NFC South-leading Saints improved to 8-2.

New Orleans plays its next three games on the road, including a rematch with the Falcons in two weeks.

Alvin Kamara added a rushing touchdown and All-Pro receiver Michael Thomas caught nine of Hill’s passes for 104 yards.

The Saints sacked Matt Ryan eight times, including three by Cameron Jordan and two each by fellow end Trey Hendrickson and tackle David Onyemata, as the Falcons fell to 3-7 overall and 3-2 under interim head coach Raheem Morris.

WASHINGTON 20, BENGALS 9
The Washington Football Team broke a two-game slide and dispatched visiting Cincinnati at Landover, Md., in a game marred by a left knee injury to Bengals’ rookie quarterback Joe Burrow.

Burrow was carted off the field after the injury early in the third quarter. He went down after getting hit below the waist while another defender hit him high from the opposite side on a throw. Players from both teams offered words to Burrow as he was treated and taken off, including Washington quarterback Alex Smith. With the game still in progress, Burrow tweeted: “Thanks for all the love. Can’t get rid of me that easy. See ya next year.”

Smith, just two years removed from his own gruesome leg injury, completed 17 of 25 passes for 166 yards with a touchdown and an interception in his first home start this year for Washington (3-7). The Bengals (2-7-1) went with Ryan Finley (3 of 10, 30 yards, interception) after Burrow’s injury.

COLTS 34, PACKERS 31 (OT)
Rodrigo Blankenship kicked four field goals — including a game-ending 39-yarder with 7:10 to go in overtime — as host Indianapolis rallied to defeat Green Bay.

Packers receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling fumbled a screen pass from Aaron Rodgers on the opening possession of OT to give the Colts the ball deep inside Packers territory.

Philip Rivers was 24 of 36 for 288 yards, three touchdowns and an interception for the Colts (7-3), who outscored the Packers 20-3 in the second half and overtime. Rodgers was 27 of 38 for 311 yards, three touchdowns and an interception, one of four turnovers for Green Bay (7-3).

BROWNS 22, EAGLES 17
Sione Takitaki returned an interception for a touchdown and Olivier Vernon had three sacks and a safety to lift Cleveland past visiting Philadelphia at rainy FirstEnergy Stadium.

Nick Chubb rushed for 114 yards and Kareem Hunt scored from 5 yards out for the Browns (7-3), who are off to their best 10-game start since going 8-2 in 1994. Cleveland’s victory over Philadelphia snapped a five-game losing streak in the series.

Carson Wentz threw for 235 yards with two touchdowns and a pair of interceptions for the Eagles (3-6-1), who had 315 total yards and three turnovers en route to losing their second consecutive contest.

PANTHERS 20, LIONS 0
Carolina posted its first shutout in five years and second-string quarterback P.J. Walker orchestrated enough offense to down visiting Detroit in Charlotte, NC.

Walker, a former XFL player making his first start in the NFL, completed 24 of 34 passes for 258 yards and one touchdown. He was intercepted twice, both times in the end zone after the Panthers had the ball inside the Detroit 10-yard line. The Panthers played without starting QB Teddy Bridgewater and standout running back Christian McCaffrey, who both missed due to injury.

Carolina (4-7) snapped a five-game losing streak by winning for the second time this season at home. Lions quarterback Matt Stafford, who wore a protective wrap on his right thumb, completed 18 of 33 passes for 178 yards. He was sacked five times. Detroit (4-6) finished with just 185 yards of total offense.

STEELERS 27, JAGUARS 3
Ben Roethlisberger passed for 267 yards and two touchdowns as visiting Pittsburgh overcame a slow start to remain unbeaten with a win over Jacksonville.

Pittsburgh (10-0) remains the lone unbeaten team in the NFL.

Roethlisberger was 32 of 46 with touchdown passes to Chase Claypool and Eric Ebron. Diontae Johnson had 12 catches for 111 yards. Benny Snell added a touchdown run.

TITANS 30, RAVENS 24 (OT)
Derrick Henry’s 29-yard touchdown run with 5:21 left in overtime Sunday capped a Tennessee rally from a 21-10 third-quarter deficit as it stopped host Baltimore at M&T Bank Stadium.

Henry, who finished with 133 yards on 28 carries, jump-cut from left to right around a tackler and sped into the end zone for his second walk-off score of the year. It finished a 73-yard drive that started after the Ravens (6-4) went three-and-out with their overtime possession.

Ryan Tannehill completed 22 of 31 passes for 259 yards with two touchdowns and an interception for Tennessee (7-3). Lamar Jackson connected on 17 of 29 throws for 186 yards with a touchdown and a pick for the Ravens. Baltimore forced overtime when Justin Tucker converted his third field goal of the day, a 29-yarder with 15 seconds left in regulation.

CHARGERS 34, JETS 28
Justin Herbert threw for 366 yards and three touchdowns to lead Los Angeles to a 34-28 victory over winless New York on Sunday at Inglewood, Calif.

Keenan Allen caught a franchise-record 16 passes for 145 yards and a touchdown for the Chargers (3-7) as Herbert became the first NFL rookie to throw at least three touchdowns in five or more games. He was 37 of 49 without an interception.

Joe Flacco completed 15 of 30 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns for the Jets (0-10), who extended their longest single-season losing streak in franchise history. Los Angeles built a 31-13 lead on Herbert’s third touchdown pass of the game, a 13-yarder to Allen, with 5:33 left in the third quarter.

TEXANS 27, PATRIOTS 20
Deshaun Watson passed for 344 yards and totaled three touchdowns while Houston’s beleaguered run defense held firm in the victory over visiting New England at NRG Stadium.

The Texans (3-7) amassed 399 yards and averaged 7.1 yards per play. Ka’imi Fairbairn booted field goals of 36 and 46 yards in the second half to help keep the Patriots (4-6) at bay.

New England twice rallied to within four points in the second half but could not secure the lead. Cam Newton passed for 365 yards, including a 42-yard touchdown to Damiere Byrd in the third quarter, his first touchdown toss to a Patriots wide receiver this season.

BRONCOS 20, DOLPHINS 13
Melvin Gordon III rushed for 84 yards and two touchdowns, Phillip Lindsay ran for 82 yards, and host Denver snapped Miami’s five-game winning streak.

Drew Lock overcame an early interception to throw for 270 yards on 18-for-30 passing. Tim Patrick had five receptions for 119 yards for Denver (4-6), which ended a two-game losing streak.

Tua Tagovailoa was 11-for-20 passing for 83 yards and a touchdown for the Dolphins (6-4) before being replaced by Ryan Fitzpatrick in the fourth quarter. Fitzpatrick was 12-for-18 for 117 yards and an interception, which came in the Broncos’ end zone with 1:03 left to end a comeback bid.

COWBOYS 31, VIKINGS 28
Andy Dalton threw a go-ahead touchdown pass to Dalton Schultz with 1:37 to go, and Dallas snapped a four-game losing streak by beating host Minnesota in Minneapolis.

Dalton completed 22 of 32 passes for 203 yards, three touchdowns and one interception for the Cowboys (3-7). Ezekiel Elliott had 21 carries for 103 yards to go along with a receiving touchdown.

The loss spoiled a standout performance by Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, who completed 22 of 30 passes for 314 yards and three touchdowns. Adam Thielen had eight catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns for Minnesota (4-6), which had a three-game winning streak snapped. — Reuters

Philippine health care worker hopes COVID-19 vaccines will revive overseas job dream

November 23, 2020 | 3:56 pm

MANILA — Philippine health care worker Vince Umali received a blow when the coronavirus pandemic derailed his plan to work in Canada this year, but he hopes to revive his dream of an overseas job after breakthroughs in the race to develop COVID-19 vaccines.

Thousands of health care workers usually leave the country each year in search of better-paid jobs in countries like the United States and Canada, as well as in the Middle East.

But in April the government barred nurses, doctors, and other medical workers from leaving, saying they were needed to fight a coronavirus crisis at home.

“I hope the vaccine could be released by the first quarter of next year so my plan of being able to work abroad would be more feasible,” said Mr. Umali, 26, who works as an occupational therapist in a private hospital.

Sparking global hope, pharmaceutical company Pfizer Inc. has applied to US health regulators for emergency use authorization after final trials showed its vaccine candidate was 95% effective in preventing COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

The Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Romualdez said Pfizer had assured supply of its vaccine to his country once approved for distribution.

Moderna Inc. is expected to be the next company to seek a US emergency use nod for a COVID-19 vaccine after similarly encouraging results of late-stage trials.

“It is very nice to know, even if technically the virus is still there, at least moving from one place to another or one country to another would be much easier,” said Mr. Umali.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte has ended the overseas travel ban for Philippine health workers, the labor minister said on Saturday, renewing the hopes of workers, although only 5,000 will be allowed to leave each year.

For Mr. Umali, the lure of working overseas is clear.

Working at home means an eight-to-nine-hour day for 20,000 pesos ($414) a month, while in Canada he said he could get paid up to C$60 ($45) an hour for a six-to-seven-hour day. — Adrian Portugal/Reuters

Intellicare unveils new “Guardian” video to mark 25th year

November 23, 2020 | 2:45 pm

Intellicare launches a “Guardian” video in celebration of its 25th anniversary. “It is a story of how small acts of care make us better human beings. Here’s to 25 years and more of countless ways of caring. Help us keep our story of care going,” it says.

Brexit creates 500 customs jobs in Bosnia and the Philippines

November 23, 2020 | 1:22 pm

Brexit has helped to create at least 500 jobs in Bosnia-Herzegovina and the Philippines over the last quarter as companies turn to overseas labor to manage a wave of incoming red tape.

DDC FPO Solutions, a US firm which helps freight forwarders process customs documents, has taken on the staff in those countries due to a surge in demand linked to Brexit.

After Britain leaves the EU’s single market on Dec. 31, hundreds of millions of extra customs forms will have to be filed annually to keep trade flowing, and the UK has a shortage of agents to do the work.

“It is becoming very apparent that there is a serious gap between what forwarders, transport, and logistic providers need, and what they currently have,” Madison Conway, director of marketing at DDC FPO, said in a telephone interview. “The gap is being exposed.”

Companies are racing to prepare for new obstacles to UK-EU trade from 2021 that will be imposed even if the two sides agree to a free-trade deal. Romania and India have also benefitted as firms seek out lower-cost overseas labor to handle the new paperwork. — Bloomberg

Global dividends forecast to inch back from coronavirus cliff edge

November 23, 2020 | 12:58 pm

LONDON — Dividend payouts by the world’s biggest firms in 2020 will fall by 17.5%–20%, equivalent to some $263 billion, as a result of the coronavirus crisis, a report on Monday forecast, but could rebound strongly next year.

Although the prediction by investment firm Janus Henderson represents a smaller dividend drop than some had feared at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, it will be the biggest since at least 2009 in the wake of the global financial crisis.

Dividends are a major source of income for both public and private pension funds, but companies trying to cope with the coronavirus cut them by $55 billion, or 11.4%, in the third quarter after a $108 billion 22% plunge between April and June when uncertainty over the course of the pandemic peaked.

“Our best case now sees a fall of -17.5% to $1.20 trillion on an underlying basis. Our worst case sees underlying dividends declining -20.2% to $1.16 trillion,” Janus Henderson said.

However, some firms that axed payments have restarted them, even if at lower levels, while vaccine breakthroughs are also providing hope of a bounce back in 2021.

“This has been the worst year since the global financial crisis,” Jane Shoemake, Janus Henderson’s Investment Director for Global Equity Income, said.

“(But) if life starts to return to some form of normality even some of the hardest hit companies (such as travel, leisure and retail firms) will be able to start to pay dividends again.”

Next year’s rebound could be as high as 12% depending on the path of the pandemic and whether Europe’s banks are allowed to restart dividends again, the report estimated, although in a “worst-case scenario” they might flatline.

“We still have the winter to get through. It is not going to be a clear path.”

NEW TOP SPOT

Broken down by sector, the worst declines in Q3 were from consumer discretionary companies, down 43% in underlying terms, with carmakers and leisure companies making the deepest cuts.

Media, aerospace, and banks were also severely impacted, while pharmaceuticals, food producers, and food retailers all produced higher dividend payouts.

Geographically, Britain’s banks and oil firms meant its payouts fell nearly 42% on an underlying basis, while Australia which has also clamped down bank dividends saw a 40% drop.

US dividends were down 3.9%, with the impact felt in share buybacks instead. Japanese payouts fell 16% with exporters especially hard hit, whereas a 3.3% rise in China and near 10% jump in Hong Kong made for a rare bright spot.

Big tech has largely shrugged off the pandemic and Microsoft is set to become the world’s biggest dividend payer for the first time with a near 10% rise in its impending Q4 payout.

“In the last 10 years you have seen a massive shift… There are tech companies that are just throwing off so much cash,” Ms. Shoemake said. — Reuters

[B-SIDE Podcast] If it’s too good to be true, it probably is: Debunking fake COVID facts

November 23, 2020 | 11:18 am

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Fake COVID-19 cures and preventive measures are proliferating online, in chat groups and social media. Bananas, saltwater, and onions have all made the rounds as coronavirus remedies (which they aren’t).

As the world waits for an effective vaccine against the virus, netizens may fall prey to these fake stories and forward them.

FlipScience, a Filipino science news and features website, has contributed to the “COVID-19 fake fact debunking” movement in the country.

FlipScience co-founder Mikael Angelo Francisco tells BusinessWorld reporter Angelica Y. Yang how citizens can identify and debunk fake news about the virus.

TAKEAWAYS

Be wary of bold headlines.

The anatomy of a fake news story begins with a bold headline, such as “Bananas prevent coronavirus.”

Another component is the lack of any scientific evidence or cherry-picked lines from studies, said Mr. Francisco. He added that independent websites are usually the culprits in spreading these stories, but well-meaning people who don’t do enough research can also unknowingly spread misinformation among family and friends via social media or online chat groups.

On rare occasions, big news establishments can also publish a fake news story. “Just because it’s viral, doesn’t mean you can trust it,” Mr. Francisco said.

If it’s too good to be true, it probably is.

Mr. Francisco suggested that netizens take these three steps whenever they get a forwarded message:

Assess whether the story seems too good to be true.
Think about what the piece is really saying.
Look for studies that support or debunk those claims, or ask an expert.

“When you find something that sounds too good to be true—if it’s like a magic cure for COVID-19, or something that ‘the doctors don’t want you to know about’—that should raise some red flags already,” he said.

Instead of passively consuming these stories, one must be critical.

“For example, going back to the advice that bananas can protect you from the COVID-19, you should think back and try to reflect on what you know about bananas. Have they ever been prescribed as a cure for any respiratory illnesses or diseases?” he said.

The last step is reading scientific studies or asking an expert to verify the claims. “If you can’t find any reliable source that reaffirms that advice or proves that it’s true, it’s probably false,” Mr. Francisco said.

Recorded remotely on November 13. Produced by Nina M. Diaz, Paolo L. Lopez, and Sam L. Marcelo.

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