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Sports apparel maker joins battle against coronavirus

AS THE country’s battle against the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) rages on, various entities from different sectors have stepped up to the plate to do their share in the fight. One of these is local sports apparel manufacturer Team Rebel Sports (TRS).

Recognizing the shortage in personal protective equipment (PPE) for use of medical frontliners like doctors, nurses and hospital staff, TRS, which started business back in the 1990s, has dipped into its resources, joining forces with renowned fashion designer Michael Leyva to help fill up the urgent need.

“Actually, Michael Leyva approached us because he needed help,” said TRS owner Joel Cu.

“Of course, we cannot turn a blind eye on our modern-day heroes. That is why we immediately said yes to Michael. This for the country,” he added.

While admitting that COVID-19 has hit their business hard, forcing them to downscale its operations by 50% for one, Mr. Cu said considering what is at stake it was a no-brainer that they had to move into action and make a difference.

“This is an urgent matter we need to address since time is of the essence for our health workers. We may have lost possible income but we can easily make it up after this crisis. What’s important now are the lives at stake,” said Mr. Cu, whose company counts the Northport team in the Philippine Basketball Association and the Lyceum Pirates in the National Collegiate Athletic Association as among the teams they provide jerseys with.

Since forging the partnership with Mr. Leyva, TRS has been working nonstop at its factory in Antipolo to produce facemasks and protective suits.

They are targeting 900 suits and thousands of facemasks for distribution to different health facilities.

Each protective suit once done is packed in a Michael Leyva paper bag with the Bible verse, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand, — Isaiah 41:10.”

Mr. Cu said to safeguard the safety and health of their workers, TRS allotted a place for them to stay for the duration of the Enhanced Community Quarantine imposed in all of Luzon to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

As of this writing, confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country are at 3,660, with 73 recoveries and 163 deaths. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Weighing options

OVER the last few days, there has been marked speculation on whether the National Basketball Association can still resume its 2019–20 campaign. Whereas the initial shock that accompanied the league’s decision to suspend the season was quickly replaced by optimism, information trickling through the grapevine has it adopting a more negative stance of late. In part, it’s because the situation remains murky; the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic continues to claim thousands of lives and put countless others at risk every day, and the resumption of hoops operations — even if it is the premier hoops operations in the world — is far from the priority of all and sundry.

That said, there can be no denying the importance of sports (and of the NBA, in particular, as the most progressive league by far) to progress in a post-COVID-19 environment. And, in this regard, leading lights such as commissioner Adam Silver hold the responsibility of projecting a future in which some semblance of normalcy is restored. It’s why scuttling the season remains an absolute last resort, and why other options, no matter how seemingly improbable, keep getting evaluated. Hope fuels the constant assessment, even if the impression being given is that of a canoe leaking water and compelled to move against the tide.

Parenthetically, Silver’s interview with TNT’s Ernie Johnson, broadcast on Tuesday via the league’s Twitter account, underscored his refusal to give in. He was right when he said the flow of information has been far from ideal. “Interestingly enough, I think if you and I on March 12 had been asked that same question, both of us would have said, ‘It’s hard to imagine that three-plus weeks later, we wouldn’t have a better understanding of where we are.’” On the other hand, he remained steadfast in his intent to find ways to keep the season alive — even to the point of holding back on making any definitive decision unless and until he gets a much better grasp of the situation.

Which was why Silver argued that nothing can be set in stone. “Essentially, what I’ve told my folks over the last week is we should just accept that, at least for the month of April, we won’t be in a position to make any decisions.” He acknowledged that officials continue to look “at many different scenarios for restarting the season, but I think it honestly is just too early, given what’s happened right now, to even be able to project or predict where we will be in a few weeks.” That said, he disclosed that the NBA has moved from projecting specific scenarios to “listening” in view of all the uncertainty.

There can be no denying that Silver wants the season to restart because of financial considerations. Nonetheless, he made clear the principal purpose for doing so: “Beyond the virtue of crowning a champion, what will the symbolism be of major league sports starting back up in this country?” Interestingly, he noted anew that 99% of the NBA’s fans don’t go to the games, thereby enabling the league to look past tradition in terms of meeting their expectations in this day and age of quarantines and social distancing. And as a repository of society’s brightest prospects, it cannot but exhaust all options to ensure the season keeps from folding for good.

 

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994.

2020 Open Championship cancelled due to coronavirus

LONDON — This year’s 149th Open Championship due to be held at Royal St. George’s has been cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic, The R&A announced on Monday.

A statement said the decision to scrap the 2020 tournament, scheduled for July 16–19 in Kent on England’s southeast coast, had been made with a “heavy heart” but was the only option.

It will be the first time the Open, the oldest of golf’s four majors, has not been held since 1945.

The Open was last held on the Royal St. George’s course in 2011 when Northern Irishman Darren Clarke claimed victory.

“We appreciate that this will be disappointing for a great many people around the world but this pandemic is severely affecting the UK and we have to act responsibly,” Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said in a statement.

“I can assure everyone that we have explored every option for playing The Open this year but it is not going to be possible.”

The one silver lining for Royal St. George’s is that it will host the tournament next year instead. The 2021 event, which would have been the 150th, was to be held at St. Andrews. It will now return to the “home of golf” in 2022.

The Open is the only one of this year’s four majors to be cancelled because of the global health emergency.

This month’s Masters and PGA Championship have been postponed until Nov. 9–15 and Aug. 3–9, respectively.

The US Open at Winged Foot, New York was postponed on Monday, with a September date slated, the same month as the Ryder Cup.

Lowry disappointed 

Shane Lowry of Ireland would have been hoping to retain the trophy at Royal St. George’s.

“Obviously I’m disappointed that I won’t get to defend my title but people’s health and safety come before any golf tournament,” he said in a video posted on Twitter.

“I’m sure the R&A have thought long and hard about this. You can guarantee the Claret Jug is in safe hands for another year and I look forward to seeing you all in 2021.”

Preparations for staging the Open involve a huge logistical operation and the “build” would have begun soon in Sandwich on the Kent coast. Slumbers said it would have been unreasonable to put any extra pressure on the local authorities.

“We rely on the support of the emergency services, local authorities and a range of other organisations to stage the Championship and it would be unreasonable to place any additional demands on them when they have far more urgent priorities to deal with,” he said.

The R&A said tickets and hospitality packages purchased for the 2020 championship would transfer to 2021 with full refunds for those who cannot attend next year.

Apart from stoppages due to World Wars, the only other time the Open has been cancelled was in 1871 because there was no trophy — Tom Morris Jr. having been allowed to keep the Challenge Belt for winning the tournament three times in a row.

The British sporting calendar, like that across the world, has been decimated because of the coronavirus pandemic that by Sunday had claimed just under 5,000 lives in the UK.

Last week the Wimbledon tennis championships were also cancelled for the first time since World War Two, while the soccer, rugby and cricket seasons are all suspended. — Reuters

No NBA decision until at least May, says Silver

THE NATIONAL Basketball Association does not expect to have a decision about the status of the 2019–20 season — currently suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic — until at least May, commissioner Adam Silver said Monday.

During a 29-minute video interview with TNT’s Ernie Johnson, Silver was asked if he had any clearer sense of when the league might return from its hiatus, which began March 11.

“The short answer is no,” Silver said. “Essentially what I’ve told my folks over the last week is that we should just accept that, at least for the month of April, we won’t be in a position to make any decisions. And I don’t think that necessarily means on May 1 we will be.”

Silver said the league initially began laying out several specific scenarios for a possible return, but the uncertainty of the pandemic made for too many moving parts.

“What I’ve learned over the last few weeks is we just have too little information to be able to make those sorts of projections,” Silver said.

All options, including a cancelled season, a shortened season that jumps into the playoffs or finishing the full scheduled slate, are on the table.

The regular season had about a month remaining when it was suspended, and the playoffs typically take about two months to complete. The 2020–21 regular season typically would begin in October, although Silver acknowledged that could be affected as well.

ESPN reported Monday that the NBA is looking at various COVID-19 tests that would provide results within a matter of minutes, which could help clear a major hurdle in returning to play.

During his interview, Silver also shed light on a Saturday conference call in which he and other commissioners from major sports leagues around the United States spoke with President Donald Trump. He said Trump wanted to express hope that sports can help inspire the country as it battles the virus.

“It wasn’t just a pep talk,” Silver said, “but I think it was a reminder of what the meaning is of sports to Americans, to our culture in particular.”

Trump told reporters Saturday, not long after the conference call, that he would like to see sports back in action with fans in attendance by August, although he declined to commit to that timeline.

Silver added that the NBA, which was the first major US sports league to shut down due to the virus, hopes to help set the pace in emerging from the current lockdown.

“We’d love to be part of the movement to restart the economy,” he said. “Of course, that can’t come in any way that would compromise safety.”

Meanwhile, the NBA sent a memo to teams on Monday laying out rules for meeting with draft prospects, according to multiple media reports. Teams will be permitted up to four hours of virtual interviews with a player, but there will be no in-person meetings of any kind until further notice. — Reuters

Phelps urges athletes to take care of mental health after Games delay

NEW YORK — Olympic great Michael Phelps has voiced his concerns over the negative impact on athletes’ mental health of the Tokyo Games postponement prompted by coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Last month the International Olympic Committee decided to delay the Tokyo Games for a year as the global health crisis prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic hit the professional sports calendar and brought daily life to a grinding halt for millions.

“You go through something for four years and we kind of know exactly when it’s going to come and our bodies are ready for it, then we have to wait,” the retired swimmer, who won 28 Olympic medals, told NBC in an interview on Monday.

The 34-year-old American urged athletes to use the downtime as an opportunity to further hone their skills.

Mr. Phelps added that he had enormous empathy for athletes grappling with the delay, with the Olympics now scheduled to be held from July 23–Aug. 8 2021, and said it was imperative they were “taking care of their mental health.”

He raised his concerns just days after compatriot and four-time Olympic champion gymnast Simone Biles said she had cried at news of the postponement.

“It’s our life,” said Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time. “I’ve tried to replay what I would be going through emotionally at this very time if I was still competing — it’s hard to really comprehend it.” — Reuters

Staying healthy at home by way of UA’s app offerings

WITH the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) forcing people to alter how they go about their lives, global performance brand Under Armour (UA) is helping from its end in dealing with the “new normal” by way of its mobile app offerings.   

Through MyFitnessPal and MapMyRun, Maryland-headquartered Under Armour seeks to help athletes and active people be healthy and on track of their fitness regimen even at home as current guidelines and restrictions are imposed amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

UA said the app offerings are rooted in performance just as how its products are known for.

MyFitnessPal is designed to help users track their nutrition and exercise, based on the goals they have identified and regardless of fitness level. Through it users are given a personalized experience that outlines benchmarks and determines the necessary nutrients and activity needed to achieve them.

For added motivation, the highly active MyFitnessPal community helps its 180 million users stay connected, helping one another to stay the course and finish strong.

To address the needs of the time, MyFitnessPal has temporarily unlocked select premium features that are now accessible to everyone in the app, including new recipe collections, such as “Pantry Staples” (easy to make recipes using common pantry items), a “Support Your Immune System” plan (a 14-day plan with daily tips and tasks to build immunity) and all workout routines, developed by the UA Human Performance Team and easily done at home. 

MapMyRun, meanwhile, is put up to complement the surge in interest in running and provides runners logging indoor miles (for now) with connected UA HOVR footwear access to Real-Time Form Coaching and a wealth of other data, including distance, speed, stride length, and more.

UA also said that on March 23 the 30-day Healthy at Home fitness challenge, which has end goal of pushing for healthy lifestyle despite the these trying times, was launched.

During the challenge, new recipes and routines, developed by the UA Human Performance Team, will be released daily. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Ensuring secure video meetings during COVID-19 crisis

By Adrian Paul B. Conoza,
Special Features Writer, BusinessWorld

The measures implemented in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) might have hindered people from gathering together as peers, teams, or organizations. Thanks to technology, though, people can still connect with each other while they are confined to their homes.

Video conferencing tools like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Hangouts Meet, among others, have been highly used for meetings and other tasks once companies shifted to a work-from-home setup. However, as the use of video conferencing increases during this crisis, the concerns over security and privacy have also been raised. Zoom, in particular, was under fire for issues found in its privacy and security features.

Those issues include the intrusion of hackers or trolls in video meetings, more known as “Zoombombing”; Zoom’s misleading claim of offering end-to-end encryption; and the discovered sending of data of the platform’s iOS app users to Facebook for advertising purposes, even if the user does not have a Facebook account.

In Zoom’s blog post responding to such issues, Zoom’s founder and chief executive officer Eric Yuan apologized for falling short of the community’s and its own privacy and security expectations. He added that Zoom has stopped adding new features over the next 90 days and is shifting all its engineering resources to focus on its trust, safety, and privacy issues.

Moreover, the platform has started requiring a password along with the meeting ID for users to join a meeting. There will also be virtual waiting rooms that will appear by default for the meeting host to manually add attendees.

While video conferencing platforms are doing their best to keep meetings secure, users themselves can set measures to ensure that their meetings will be protected from security risks.

For Jonathan Knudsen, senior security strategist at Synopsys Software Integrity Group, making sure a password is in place is the most important consideration in setting up a meeting online. It helps ensure that the meeting will contain only the people expected to be there.

“Use a strong password — something with letters, numbers, and symbols — that is long enough that it would be very difficult to guess,” Mr. Knudsen added in a statement. “Be careful also about sharing the meeting information. And finally, monitor the attendee list during the meeting to be sure you don’t see anyone unexpected.”

In terms of sharing meeting information, Aaron Zander, head of IT at HackerOne, warns that sharing meeting ID or URL can allow people to eavesdrop on sensitive conversations, record the voice or video of participants, and infiltrate a team’s new virtual workplace.

“With the Zoom boom taking over social media, be careful how much you share in your screenshot,” Mr. Zander advised. “Some meeting tools allow you to limit meetings to only people in your organisation or add a password, but not all do. It’s important to understand the link sharing options for file sharing. This includes video links and services like Zoom.”

Furthermore, ensuring the video conferencing tool protects the meeting and its data by means of encrypting data between participants is advised.

“Ideally you want outgoing content (video, audio, text, files) to be encrypted by each participant and decrypted when it arrives to the other participants. This ensures that your meeting content is transported over the network encrypted so that anyone eavesdropping on the network traffic will see only unintelligible encrypted data,” Mr. Knudsen said.

In addition, carefulness greatly helps in safe videoconferencing. For meeting recordings, it should be checked if the video conferencing tool encrypts recordings and requires a password or other authentication to view them.

Users should also be careful with the link to the video meeting. Omer Dembinsky, manager of cyber research at Check Point Software Technologies, shared that as a sharp rise in the number of “Zoom” domains being registered have been observed, users should be extra careful before they click a link.

“The recent, staggering increase means that hackers have taken notice of the work-from-home paradigm shift that COVID-19 has forced, and they see it as an opportunity to deceive, lure and exploit,” Mr. Dembinsky explained. “Each time you get a Zoom link or document messaged or forwarded to you, I’d take an extra look to make sure it’s not a trap.”

For more #COVID19WATCH contents, visit www.bworldonline.com/covid19watch.

RCBC raises P7.05 billion from bonds

RIZAL COMMERCIAL Banking Corp. (RCBC) raised P7.05 billion via its latest bond offer, which was more than twice oversubscribed.

RCBC said in a statement that it has listed its two-year fixed-rate bonds due April 2020 on the Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corp. on Tuesday, April 7.

The bonds carry a coupon rate of 4.848% per annum. They were offered from March 23-25, with the lender ending the period earlier than the original end date of March 27 due to oversubscription, as it initially targeted to raise just P3 billion.

The latest issuance is the fourth tranche of the bank’s P100-billion bond and commercial paper program.

Proceeds from the issuance will be used to support asset growth and to boost the bank’s liability structure.

”It (bond issuance) is an assurance for the investors in the capital markets that the bank will continue to be supportive of business activities despite the current challenges in the environment,” RCBC Senior Executive Vice- President and Treasurer Horacio E. Cebrero III said in a statement.

Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corp. (HSBC) was the sole lead arranger and book runner for the bond issuance.

Meanwhile, RCBC Capital Corp. was the financial advisor. HSBC and RCBC served as the selling agents for the bonds.

Prior to this issuance, the Yuchengo-led lender also tapped the bond market through a P15-billion ASEAN green bond issuance in February 2019, an offering of P8-billion ASEAN sustainability bonds in June and the P7.5 billion it raised in November.

With this, RCBC has so far raised P37.55 billion from its bond issuances since 2019.

The bank’s net income grew by 25% to P5.4 billion in 2019, supported by the strong performance of its core business, high margins, strong trading gains, and higher fee-based income.

RCBC’s shares ended trading at P17.68 apiece on Tuesday, up by 1.61% or by 28 centavos from its previous close. — L.W.T. Noble

Visita Iglesia goes virtual

As the Luzon-wide community quarantine made Visita Iglesia, or the tradition of visiting seven churches on Maundy Thursday, physically impossible, Google announced that Catholics who still want to visit churches may do so virtually as Google Maps provides a 360-degree view of select churches nationwide.

“This Holy Week, people can virtually visit historical churches from the safety of their own homes through Google Maps. It has a useful feature called Street View that provides a 360-degree view of destinations so users can explore churches as if they are there,” Google Philippines said in a statement.

To use Street View on desktop/laptop, open Google Maps and input a destination then drag the Pegman (the yellow person icon) located at the bottom right of the screen to the chosen destination. For those using mobile phones, input the destination and tap on the place marker.

(It looks better on desktops/laptops.)

Here are some of the churches that can be visited digitally:

SAN AGUSTIN CHURCH, INTRAMUROS, MANILA

Located inside the historic walled city of Intramuros, San Agustin Church is considered to be the oldest stone church in the Philippines. It has gone through multiple renovations throughout its history. Now, it stands tall with its beautiful facade and interiors and has become one of the most visited stops during Visita Iglesia season. 

THE MINOR BASILICA AND METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPCION, MANILA

Better known as the Manila Cathedral, this cathedral and basilica is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. During Visita Iglesia, many families and devotees would include this church in their visits. It has had three historic apostolic visits, with the most memorable one from Pope Francis who also held his first Papal Mass in the country here back in 2015.

OUR LADY OF THE ABANDONED PARISH, STA. ANA, MANILA

This 300-year-old church has become an important heritage site in the streets of Sta. Ana, Manila. There are many notable fixtures and historical ornaments inside the church including the revered image of its patron, Our Lady of the Abandoned, which was created in Valencia, Spain in 1713.

DARAGA CHURCH, ALBAY 

Originally established as a temporary settlement for the residents of Cagsawa during the Mayon Volcano eruption of 1814, Daraga Church has been renovated countless times and is a popular place of worship in Albay province. This religious building also contains several sections that are considered National Cultural Treasures. 

ST. JAMES THE APOSTLE PARISH, PAMPANGA

Also known as Betis Church, St. James The Apostle has also been called the “Sistine Chapel of the Philippines.” Thanks to its intricately painted ceilings. Look up its dome and you will see images of several Catholic saints. Because of its rich art and interior design, the church is recognized by the National Museum as a National Cultural Treasure.

SAINT GREGORY THE GREAT PARISH CHURCH, MAJAYJAY

Standing at one of the oldest sites of early Catholicism in Laguna, Saint Gregory The Great Parish has a rich history dating back 1571 and contains antique displays of several saints and old liturgical objects. This was also declared as a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum. 

BASÍLICA MENOR DEL SANTO NIÑO, CEBU

This simple church was declared a basilica by Pope Paul VI in 1965 and was recognized as a symbol of the birth and growth of Christianity in the Philippines. Today, it is one of the must visit churches during Visita Iglesia for devotees in the province. It also houses some important relics, furniture, and documents dating back to the 17th century in its in-house museum.

SAN PEDRO CATHEDRAL, DAVAO

Located at the heart of Davao City, San Pedro Cathedral is the city’s oldest church and is said to have been established by the first Spanish settlers in the province back in 1847. It currently serves as the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Davao and is considered a National Cultural Treasure for its distinct architectural features, including its curved roof that resembles a vinta carrying a cross at the helm.

Peso strengthens on slower March inflation

THE PESO strengthened versus the greenback on Tuesday on the back of positive market sentiment on slower inflation and lower confirmed cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in some parts of the world.

The local unit finished trading at P50.68 per dollar on Tuesday, appreciating by four centavos from its P50.72 close on Monday, according to data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines.

The peso opened Tuesday’s session at P50.65 against the dollar. Its weakest showing was at P50.80, while its intraday best was at 50.625 versus the greenback.

Dollars traded went up to $455.9 million from $357.07 million on Monday.

A trader said the peso continued to trade within a range and finished stronger on the back of slower March inflation data.

“It’s (peso) range bound, so I think this will be the trend that will continue silhouetting further developments.

Recently, we know the [Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)] Governor [Benjamin E. Diokno] said there’s more potential easing. Now, [March] inflation is 2.5%,“ the trader said in a phone call.

Headline inflation slowed to 2.5% in March from 2.6% in February on the back of lower oil prices, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. This is well within the 2-2.8% estimate by the BSP for the month as well as the 2-4% target set for 2020.

This also compares to the 2.3% median estimate in a BusinessWorld poll of 11 economists last week.

Meanwhile, another trader attributed the local unit’s gain to developments suggesting the outbreak has already peaked in some countries.

“The peso appreciated from global optimism after reported cases and deaths in New York and Northern Italy continued to subside, reinforcing market sentiments of stabilization in the global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the second trader said in an e-mail.

Across the world, COVID-19 has already infected more than 1.3 million and has killed over 74,000.

In the Philippines, infections rose to 3,660 as of Monday, with 163 deaths and 73 recoveries recorded.

The first trader expects the peso to trade within the P50.60 to P50.90 band versus the dollar today, while the second trader gave a forecast range of P50.60 to P50.80. — L.W.T. Noble

Canned, but make it fancy

The Lenten season traditionally calls for practicing Catholics to  make sacrifices, most famously to abstain from meat. But with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, certain sacrifices, such as staying at home, are more of a requirement for everybody than a choice. But not everything has to be doom-and-gloom, and we all need the extra cheering-up, and some people get cheered up with the idea of good food. For this Holy Week, BusinessWorld gathered fish-based recipes from Martha Stewart herself (via her website, marthastewart.com) and The Maya Kitchen, using what we presume are already in your pantry: canned tuna and sardines.

The following recipes are from The Maya Kitchen.

GARLIC PASTA WITH SUNDRIED TOMATOES AND SPANISH SARDINES

Ingredients:

  • 2/3 cup garlic
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1 can Spanish sardines small can
  • 100 grams sundried tomato, chopped
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 piece chicken cube
  • 500 grams cooked pasta spaghetti
  • Garnish:
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon chopped parsley

Directions:

Sauté garlic in olive oil. Add half of the Spanish sardines together with its oil.

Add sundried tomato, season with salt, pepper and chicken cubes.

Add cooked pasta and toss it well, until pasta is coated with oil and garlic.

Serve in a pasta plate and place the remaining Spanish sardines on top of the pasta and garnish with parmesan cheese, and parsley.

Yield: 4 to 5 servings

SALAD NIÇOISE

Ingredients:

  • 2 pieces peeled tomatoes
  • 1 piece spring onion, thinly chopped
  • 1/2 piece red bell pepper
  • 1/2 piece green bell pepper
  • 5 pieces small red radish, thinly sliced
  • 10 pieces green French beans
  • 5 pieces black pitted olives, sliced
  • 1 piece hard- boiled egg, cut into quarters
  • 1 espresso cup of olive oil
  • 1/2 espresso cup of red wine vinegar
  • half a can of canned tuna in water or five marinated anchovy fillets 
  • salt and pepper.

Directions:

Remove the edges of your French beans. Steam beans in a bamboo basket or a strainer over a pot of boiling water for about 10 minutes (or until they are al dente). Set aside to cool.

Take the rest of your vegetables and rinse under clear water. Remove any wilted parts and core and seed the bell peppers.

Dice your bell peppers, peel and slice your tomatoes, slice the egg into four quarters and cut your green beans into 1.5 inch lengths.

Drain the tuna or the anchovies.

In a large bowl, place two pinches of salt and a pinch of black pepper. Add the sliced spring onions, green beans, bell peppers, radish and tomatoes. Then add your drained anchovies or drained tuna and top with the sliced olives.

Pour the olive oil and the red wine vinegar. Cover  salad with cling film, and leave in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Just before serving, toss well and garnish with hard-boiled egg slices.

The following recipes are from marthastewart.com.

MARTHA’S FAVORITE TUNA SALAD SANDWICH

Ingredients:

  • 12 ounces good-quality tuna, packed in oil, drained
  • 2 stalks celery, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
  • 1 apple, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/4-inch pieces
  • 3 tablespoons light mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons freshly chopped basil leaves
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 8 slices best-quality sourdough

Directions:

In a medium bowl, combine tuna, celery, apple, mayonnaise, basil, and lemon juice; mix well. Season with salt and pepper.

On a work surface, divide tuna salad among four slices of bread; top with remaining four slices of bread. Serve.

TUNA MACARONI SALAD

Ingredients:

  • Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni pasta
  • 1/2 small red onion, cut into 1/4-inch pieces (about 1/2 cup)
  • 2 ribs celery, cut into 1/4-inch pieces (about 1 cup), plus 1/4 cup celery heart leaves
  • 1/2 jalapeno, seeded if desired, and finely chopped (about 1 tablespoon)
  • 1 (5-ounce) can solid tuna in water, drained and flaked
  • 6 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup low-fat buttermilk
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons dill relish
  • 1 teaspoon grainy mustard

Directions:

In a pot of boiling, salted water, cook pasta until al dente, seven to eight minutes. Drain, then transfer to a large bowl to cool slightly.

While pasta cools, soak onion in cold water. Drain, then stir into pasta along with celery, celery leaves, jalapeno and tuna. Whisk together mayonnaise, buttermilk, lemon juice, relish and mustard. Toss with pasta mixture and season to taste. Refrigerate until cold, at least 30 minutes and up to eight hours.

TUNA CAKES

Ingredients:

  • 3 cans (six ounces each) tuna in olive oil, drained and flaked
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped, plus sprigs for garnish
  • 1/3 cup plain dry breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons light mayonnaise  
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 jalapeno (ribs and seeds removed), finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 cup prepared salsa

Directions:

In a large bowl, stir together tuna, egg, cilantro, breadcrumbs, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and jalapeno. Mix gently until ingredients just hold together.

Using a packed 1/3-cup measure of tuna mixture per patty, shape into eight cakes.

In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium. Working in batches if necessary, cook cakes until golden brown and crisp on the outside, about two minutes per side. Serve hot, accompanied by salsa, and garnish with cilantro sprigs.

MEDITERRANEAN TUNA-NOODLE CASSEROLE

Ingredients:

  • 1/3 cup olive oil, plus more for baking dishes  
  • Coarse salt and ground pepper
  • 1 pound wide egg noodles
  • 2 red bell peppers (ribs and seeds removed), thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour  
  • 5 cups whole milk
  • 4 cans (6 ounces each) tuna in olive oil, drained
  • 1 can (14 ounces) artichoke hearts, drained and thickly sliced
  • 5 scallions, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Lightly oil two eight-inch square (or other shallow two-quart) baking dishes. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook noodles until two minutes short of al dente; drain, and return to the pot.

Meanwhile, in a five-quart Dutch oven or heavy pot, heat oil over medium. Add bell peppers; season with salt and pepper. Cook until crisp-tender, four to six minutes. Add flour and cook, stirring, for one minute. Gradually add milk, stirring until smooth. Cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture comes to a simmer.

Remove from heat; add mixture to noodles in pot, along with tuna, artichoke hearts, and scallions. Season with salt and pepper, and toss. Divide between prepared baking dishes, and sprinkle with Parmesan. Bake until golden and bubbling, about 20 minutes.

EASY TUNA RICE BOWL

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup cooked rice
  • 1 tin (5 ounces) tuna
  • 1 hard-boiled egg, peeled and halved
  • 1 mini cucumber, cut into bite-size pieces
  • 1/2 cup frozen shelled edamame, blanched in boiling water for two minutes, drained, and cooled
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
  • 2 tablespoons thinly sliced nori
  • 2 teaspoons soy sauce, preferably low-sodium
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil  
  • Freshly ground pepper

Directions:

Place rice in the bottom of a resealable container. Top with tuna, egg, cucumber, edamame, sesame seeds, and nori. For the dressing, whisk together soy sauce, lime juice, and oil. Season with pepper. Keep refrigerated until 30 minutes before serving.

Stuff to do at home

Bayanihan Musikahan concerts

Bayanihan Musikahan, a fundraising effort to help urban poor communities in Metro Manila who are suffering from the lockdown brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, gathers Pinoy musical artists online in a marathon concert series. On April 7, catch performances by Gab Pangilinan (6 p.m.), Chad Borja (8 p.m.) and Mark Carpio (9 p.m.). On April 8, catch Jed Madela (7 p.m.), Cooky Chua and Waki (8 p.m.), and Leanne and Naara (9 p.m.). On April 9, it is the turn of Bayanihan Huntahan (5 p.m.) and Gary Valenciano (8 p.m.). For more information and live shows, visit https://www.facebook.com/pg/bayanihanmusikahan/about/?ref=page_internal. To donate, visit pymy.co/pbsp (for Mastercard, Visa, JCB, PayMaya); donation.ph/pbsp (for BPI Credit/Debit cards, GCash, GrabPay); and http://give2asia.org/pbsp (for donations in US dollars). 

Open House show, classes, workshops

The Artists Welfare Project Inc., Philstage, SPIT, Third World Improve, the Theater Actors Guild, and Ticket2Me continue with the Open House online fundraising project for the benefit of the performing arts community. The project allows viewers to stream live online classes, shows, and workshops featuring some of the industry’s biggest names for free. On April 7, Philippine Opera Company’s (POC) Karla Guitierrez will host a voice workshop  (4 to 5 p.m.); it will be followed by a livestream of selected scenes from Pat Valera’s play Mula Sa Buwan at the show’s official Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/mulasabuwan/). On April 8 (4 to 5.30 p.m.), the Philstage Round Table 2 will feature sound designers Teresa Barrozo, Arvy Dimaculangan, Jethro Joaquin, Glenford Malimban, and TJ Ramos. It will be moderated by Isa Litton. It will be followed by an online performance of Eljay Deldoc’s Ang Goldfish ni Prof. Dimaandal, featuring the original Virgin Labfest cast at 8 p.m. On April 12 (10 p.m.), PalabasTayo AfterParty will feature the cast of Philippine Repertory’s Anna in the Tropics for backstories, lighthearted tea, and general shop talk. For more information and to stream programs, visit https://www.facebook.com/OpenHouseFundraiser. To donate, visit http://bit.ly/DonateOpenHouse. 

Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals online

Andrew Lloyd Webber offers his musicals for free in the online series The Shows Must Go On. The series continues with Jesus Christ Superstar (2012), starring Tim Minchin, Melanie C and Chris Moyles. To watch, visit https://www.youtube.com/theshowsmustgoon. 

Palacio de Memoria virtual tour

Art and history enthusiasts can now go on a virtual tour of Palacio de Memoria, the Colonial Revival mansion, and marvel at its luxurious facilities and hundreds of Euro-Filipino paintings, sculptures, art displays, and historical pieces online. It features the showroom of Palacio de Memoria’s auction house, Casa de Memoria, which houses the Lhuillier family’s collection of antiques, the Mosphil Lounge, and a passenger plane that was refitted to be a lounge for special occasions. To view the Palacio de Memoria’s virtual tour, visit https://www.palaciodememoria.com/tours.

Intramuros virtual tour 

Visit the sites of Intramuros through its virtual tours at https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/intramuros-administration?fbclid=IwAR0aRtUOboFvmpk73FwjO_OZBBD5OKRfoFBWUOGgPAUUpaA7DquxNG0Jlks. The walled city’s sites may also be visited through the Experience Philippines augmented reality app. The app is free and available on Google Play or the App Store.

Photography workshops with Canon PH

Canon Philippines is offering photography workshops for the month of April via its official Facebook page. The workshops will feature Canon brand ambassadors and professional photographers who will tackle basic to advanced techniques, and specialized topics such as food, architecture, wedding, and music events photography, and vlogging. View the workshop schedule at https://www.facebook.com/canonphils/photos/a.436807569702668/2967524323297634/?type=3&theater.

MSO’s music online

The Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO) presents Ennio Marricone’s “Nella Fantasia” from The Mission (1986), which was recorded separately by its musicians while in quarantine, in the hope that it brings some comfort to the listener’s soul. To listen, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceKQHi-9OKQ&feature=youtu.be. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/manilasymphony/. 

E-coloring books

The Getty Museum and the Getty Research Institute of Los Angeles offers the “Color Our Collections” edition for 2020. To view, visit http://library.nyam.org/colorourcollections/page/11/. 

NFB animated shorts online

Watch animated short films from the National Film Board of Canada at 

https://www.nfb.ca/animation/. 

Silverlens launches Art Boost

To keep in touch with art lovers, Silverlens presents Art Boost, an online drive to maintain our engagement with art through social media, exhibition catalogues, and videos. Follow Silverlens’ official social media pages for a series of #athomewith, #weeklyartwork, #trivia, and #sundayread. Visit Silverlens’ official YouTube and Vimeo for artists profiles such as Gary-Ross Pastrana, and Patricia Perez Eustaquio.

Smile Train Speech Camp 2020

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Smile Train Philippines will be holding its Speech Camp 2020, virtual speech therapy classes for cleft patients with its local experts, through Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SpeechBySmileTrain/). It will be held on April 8 (9 a.m.) For more information about Smile Train’s global efforts and to donate, visit smiletrain.org. To learn more about Smile Train’s local programs in the Philippines, visit smiletrain.ph. 

National Museum of the Philippines 

The National Museum uploaded a coloring sheet of Juan Luna’s Spoliarium by Bryan Ferrer which may be physically or digitally colored. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/nationalmuseumofthephilippines/posts/3123148164376147. 

Children’s books online

Enjoy digitized children’s book titles from the University of California (UCLA)’s children’s book collection at https://archive.org/details/yrlsc_childrens&tab=collection; and University of Florida’s digital collection of the Baldwin Library of Historical Children’s Literature at https://ufdc.ufl.edu/baldwin/all/thumbs.

Five-hour museum tour

Experience a five-hour tour in Russia’s Hermitage Museum, shot by filmmaker Axinya Gog on an iPhone 11 Pro. To watch, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=49YeFsx1rIw&feature=emb_title. 

Guitar lessons with Fender

Fender is offering three months of free lessons for guitar, bass and ukulele. It includes high-resolution videos with teachers, and a progress tracker. Follow along to videos, and practice at your own pace with the adjustable scrolling tablature and a metronome. To sign up, visit https://try.fender.com/play/playthrough/?utm_source=bouncex&utm_medium=popup&utm_campaign=PlayThrough_BXPopup&utm_term=fender&src=emaill00DTplaypopup/ 

Toei anime on YouTube

Japanese animation studio Toei’s YouTube channel will stream shows for free. Seventy shows with English subtitles have been released; on April 13, it will release episode 3 and 4 of National Kid (updated on Mondays); and April 14, it will release episode 3 and 4 of Suki Suki Majo Sensei (updated on Tuesdays). To watch, visit https://www.youtube.com/user/ToeiAnimationUS. 

Educational TV shows return to ABS-CBN

ABS-CBN brings back 1990s educational TV shows every Saturday. Sineskwela (8:30 a.m.) explains topics on science, Bayani (9 a.m.) is about historical figures and events, and Hiraya Manawari (9:30 a.m.) which focuses on values. 

Cirque Du Soleil online

Enjoy free 60-minute specials from shows such as Kurios – Cabinet of Curiosities, O, and Luzia.To watch, visit https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/cirqueconnect. 

Ayala Museum online

Continue learning at home with the Ayala Museum’s resources available online. Enjoy previous exhibitions and performances, coloring pages, and playlists. Visit https://www.ayalamuseum.org/online-resources/?fbclid=IwAR2psdA2kvBhhEC-iJs-seLvPXICAZ4zWO-bBIwvxjrhuTm18C_0zyOm3VE.

E-books for kids

Expand your kids’ library at home through the BuriBooks app. Titles include books from publisher Adarna House, reviewers, and Filipino textbooks. Access the app via iOS, Android, or a web browser. Sign up via https://buribooks.com/. Enjoy it free for 30 days. 

National Gallery of Victoria’s virtual tours 

The National Gallery of Victoria has developed several virtual tours. Audiences can view exhibitions such as Companionship In The Age Of Loneliness of New York-based artist Brian Donnelly, a.k.a. KAWS; and the world premiere of Crossing Lines, featuring the works of Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Visit  https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/channel/. 

New free plays on Thursdays 

The National Theatre in London brings its shows to YouTube. Every Thursday (7 p.m. GMT/2 p.m. EST), National Theatre at Home will release a new play free to watch for one week. It includes cast and creative interviews and post-stream talks. The shows are Jane Eyre on April 9, Treasure Island on April 16, and Twelfth Night on April 23. For information, visit https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/nt-at-home?queueittoken=e_safetyevent25mar20~q_b79a6e28-67d9-44de-88e6-29cedc812122~ts_1585490458~ce_true~rt_safetynet~h_8c7928d22caa971981f7edf53563d20e2fe8f68a3a3a1458b34b1cb17f11b50b.

Dulaang UP’s Ang Nawalang Kapatid on YouTube

Enjoy Dulaang UP’s Ang Nawalang Kapatid, a musical adapted from the Indian epic The Mahabharata, on YouTube. Directed by Dexter M. Santos, the show is written by Floy Quintos (book and lyrics), with music by Ceejay Javier. To watch, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vISTL9hHTcc&feature=emb_title.

Ballets at the Bolshoi Theatre

The Bolshoi Theatre in Russia showcases The Golden Series of classic opera and ballet performances via livestream on the theater’s YouTube channel. Livestreaming began on April 1 with The Tsar’s Bride. To watch, visit https://www.youtube.com/user/bolshoi.

Free Murakami books online 

Japanese best-selling author Haruki Murakami’s stories are made available online for free at http://www.openculture.com/2014/08/read-five-stories-by-haruki-murakami-free-online.html. Titles include Kino, A Walk to Kobe, and Samsa in Love. 

Free books on modern art

Enjoy PDF and ePubs on modern art from the Guggenheim Museum’s archive. The collection includes books on Francis Bacon, Max Ernst, and Mark Rothko. Visit https://archive.org/details/guggenheimmuseum. 

Free vet consultations online

Dr. Cyron Sarmiento opened his Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/mcejsarmiento) and Twitter (@Cyrooon) accounts for free online consultations.  For more inquiries, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/648196199302932/. Consultations will run for the entire duration of the enhanced community quarantine. 

Free Japanese courses

The Japan Foundation Manila launched an e-learning program of free Japanese courses. It includes six-month beginner and intermediate lessons on calligraphy, vocabulary, grammar, and conversation. Sign-up for your chosen course at https://minato-jf.jp/?fbclid=IwAR2SrhYV-9nH4Hbc9TbTspxg0t39DH6xtLQ-jz1n1uOkeGMK3bCdL022O8I. 

Arts and Culture

Learn something new every day with Google Arts and Culture from virtual tours of sites, and museums to food, fashion, and design. Visit https://artsandculture.google.com/

Frida Kahlo’s artworks online

View Frida Kahlo’s work online through the Google Arts & Culture platform. The website has 800 paintings, photographs, and objects by the Mexican artist from 33 international museums. To view the exhibition, visit https://artsandculture.google.com/project/frida-kahlo.

Scribd materials for free for 30 days

Enjoy free books, audiobooks, magazines, and documents for 30 days at Scribd. To view titles, visit https://www.scribd.com/readfree?fbclid=IwAR363ywNP9yoBbKJVQFYCtilfGfljPDGeOatqKJgWMV5Pj9-p7j-gkaGOb8.

Classic Pinoy films online

Director Mike de Leon uploaded classic Filipino films from the 1930s to 1960s on his vimeo account, Citizen Jake. Titles include Manuel Silos’ Pista sa Nayon (1948), Gregorio Fernandez’s Kung Ako’y Mahal Mo (1960), and Lamberto V. Avellana’s Aklat ng Buhay (1952). Watch films at https://vimeo.com/user83013343. 

Free Neil Gaiman stories online

Best-selling author Neil Gaiman offers free essays, audiobooks, book excerpts, and videos at his official website under “Cool Stuff and Things.” Visit https://www.neilgaiman.com/Cool_Stuff. 

Arts BGC at Home

Every Wednesday, Arts at BGC offers creative prompts at the Arts at BCG (https://www.facebook.com/artsatbgc/ and @artsatbgc) and BGC Art Center ( https://www.facebook.com/BGCArtsCenter/ and @bgcartscenter) Facebook and Instagram pages. Join the Arts at BGC Community to get in touch with other participants. https://www.facebook.com/groups/artsatbgc. 

Ballet and opera free online 

The Royal Opera House is showing its performances online through its Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/royaloperahouse/) and YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/user/RoyalOperaHouse) pages. Performances include Mozart’s Così fan tutte on April 10; and the ballet The Metamorphosis on April 17. 

Meg Cabot’s The Princess Diaries – Quarantine Edition online

Best-selling author of The Princess Diaries Meg Cabot offers The Princess Diaries – Quarantine Edition for free on her official website. Entries are updated daily. Visit https://www.megcabot.com/2020/03/corona-princess-diaries-day-1/?utm_content=122945851&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&hss_channel=fbp-67512624694.

NHCP Documentaries on YouTube

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines makes Philippine history education accessible through documentaries on YouTube. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/historymuseumsPH/posts/997233837339314. Titles include: Jose Rizal: Sa Landas ng Paglaya, Apolinario Mabini: Talino at Paninindigan, Kababaihan ng Rebolusyon, and,  Gregoria de Jesus: Lakambini ng Katipunan.

Drawing lessons for kids with Mo Willems

Best-selling author and illustrator Mo Willems is hosting drawing lessons for kids called Lunch Doodles every weekday on YouTube. Each session will be between 20 to 28 minutes long. Mr. Willems is also welcome to questions (send to: LUNCHDOODLES@kennedy-center.org) which he will try to answer during sessions. For sessions of Lunch Doodles, visit https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL14hRqd0PELGbKihHuTqx_pbvCLqGbOkF. 

Paulo Coelho’s books online 

Best-selling author Paulo Coelho has made his books available for free. Titles include: The Way of the Bow, The Manuscript Found in Accra, and Brida. Visit his blog at https://paulocoelhoblog.com/books-online/. 

Shakespeare plays online

Shakespeare’s plays recorded at the Globe Theater are now available for online streaming. Titles include Hamlet and The Two Noble Kinsmen. To watch, visit https://globeplayer.tv/

Learn at home with Scholastic 

Scholastic is offering free online courses for levels pre-kindergarten to Grade 6. Duration of the courses is approximately three hours per day. They include writing, research projects, and virtual field trips. The website is accessible on any device. Visit https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html

Free opera streaming online

OperaWire will host Nightly Met Opera Streams of the Metropolitan Opera for free. The performances begin at 7:30 p.m. EST and will be available to stream for 20 hours. Visit https://operawire.com/metropolitan-opera-to-offer-up-nightly-met-opera-streams/. The Paris Opera is also streaming operas for free. Visit https://www.operadeparis.fr/. 

Free films on YouTube

Catch Filipino films for free on the following channels: Regal Entertainment (https://www.youtube.com/user/regalcinema/featured); Cinema One Originals (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzggCZVkynvnjNV29L9EccA); and TBA Studios (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChh0rmwGvToBd3owvN2vRMg). 

Free online courses

Enjoy 1,500 free online courses from leading universities such as Stanford, Yale, Harvard, and more. Download the audio and video courses (from iTunes, YouTube, or university web sites). Topics include archeology, art, finance, writing, law, health, religion, mathematics, and personality development. Visit http://www.openculture.com/freeonlinecourses. 

Online yoga classes

YogaPlus offers daily yoga classes via Facebook live. For schedules, visit https://www.facebook.com/yogaplusph/. 

Free Broadway performances online

Enjoy your favorite Broadway performances online for a limited time at https://www.broadwayhd.com/. 

Virtual tours 

Explore museums around the world through virtual tours: the Solomon R. Guggenheim https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/solomon-r-guggenheim-museum?hl=en; the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (https://naturalhistory.si.edu/visit/virtual-tour/current-exhibits); the Louvre Museum (https://www.youvisit.com/tour/louvremuseum).  View animals such as otters, penguins, turtles, and corals on live camera at https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/live-cams.

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