Army paves the way for 7 NPA members in Panay to surrender

Army paves the way for surrender of 7 NPA members in Panay

CEBU CITY-- The combined efforts of the 61st and 82nd Infantry Battalions which are both under the operational control of the 301st Infantry Brigade with Brigadier General Marion Sison PA facilitated the surrender of seven NPA members of the Southern and Central Front of KR-Panay.

Sison said that after years of fighting against the government the seven NPA members decided to abandon their ideology, returned to the folds of law and embraced peace as they go back to their families.

The rebels handed over one M16 rifle, one improvised shotgun, one (1) cal .45 pistol; one homemade M79 Grenade Launcher, four 40MM HE cartridge all of which are  functional.

According to rebels' statements the NPA recruited them to join the armed movement to fight and topple the government in exchange of fake promises for good life and a better future for their families.

However, these things never happened and got even worst for them and for those they left behind. They also claimed that, NPA leaders inside imposed stricter rules by plimiting them to communicate to their love ones.

With these hardship, false promises and deception, these made them to finally leave the armed group and voluntarily surrender to the army in order to live a normal life with their families. (Source and 📸: 82IB, 61IB, 301BDE) 

LHFI, VSMMC sign MOA with Archdiocese of Cebu for use of IC3 as COVID-19 treatment center

CEBU CITY-- The LH Foundation, Inc. (LHFI) with the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) and the Archdiocese of Cebu signed the mèmorandum of agreement Wednesday, February 2 for the free use of the IC3 Convention Center as a Temporary Treatment Monitoring and Isolation Facility (TTMF) to provide medical care and assistance for mild and moderate COVID-19 patients.

Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) secretary Michael Dino extends its heartfelt gratitude and sincere appreciation to the Archdiocese of Cebu, through His Excellency Archbishop Jose  Palma for allowing the free use of the IC3 exclusively as the COVID19 Treatment Center (IEC-CTC) in Cebu.

“In response to the ongoing COVID-19 surge and in prudent preparation for threats of other variant-driven surges that may affect Cebu and its neighboring provinces," Dino said.

The IEC-CTC will be a multi-party collaboration to be managed and operated by the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) with the support of the Cebu City Government through, OPAV, the Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Diseases - Visayas (IATF-Visayas), the Department of Health (DOH-7) and volunteer Private Sector partners, Dino bared in his message during the signing ceremony today at the IC3.

The IEC-CTC is a 120-bed treatment and isolation facility that will provide medical care for asymptomatic, mild and moderate COVID-19 patients from February 1, 2022 to January 31, 2023 to help augment the healthcare capacity of Cebu.

According to DOH-7 the current COVID Capacity Utilization Rates (CCUR) for both Public and Private Hospitals in Cebu remain at high levels due to the ongoing Omicron-driven surges. The IEC-CTC will help decongest the allocated COVID-19 beds in both public and private hospitals of Cebu.

With the IEC-CTC, hospitals now can focus more on the treatment of severe and critical COVID-19 patients while expeditiously providing proper medical care for patients with mild to moderate symptoms, especially for those who might be unable to self-isolate at home due to damages caused by the recent typhoon.

"While it is our fervent hope that the current Omicron surge and threats of other variant-driven surges are mitigated as soon as possible, OPAV continues to provide needed assistance for our fellow Cebuanos, as we continue to rise above this current health crisis on top of our ongoing post-Typhoon Odette recovery efforts," Dino added.

Upon the effectivity of the agreement the Archdiocese will turn over the IEC building to VSMMC that will operate and manage it as a temporary COVID Treatment Center (IEC-CTC). 

DSWD7-KALAHI CIDSS completes road access in Tabogon, to spur tourism in the area

KALAHI-CIDSS completes road access in Tabogon, to spur tourism in the area
MINERVA BC NEWMAN

TABOGON, Cebu -- Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7) KALAHI-CIDSS sub-project has completed the construction of concrete access roads in barangays Canaocanao and Caduawan in Tabogon town worth P7.7M and were turned over to the local officials on January 7, 2022 as part of the road network development project in the municipality.

DSWD-7 regional director Rebecca Geamala said during the turnover ceremony that Tabogon, Cebu is one of the many areas in Region 7 that implements the sub-projects of the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS).

"The combined investments of DSWD through KALAHI-CIDSS and the local government of Tabogon potentially benefit the town and gain long-term opportunities for people, especially post COVID and other disasters that hit the area like the recent Typhoon Odette," Geamala said.

Tabogon municipal Mayor, Zigfred Duterte lauded this partnership which provides people farm-to-market roads and easy access to social services’ facilities.

Brgy. Caduawan Community Volunteer Marvey Samutya, says “Sigurado ko nga daghan ang nalipay sa mga bag-ong dalan nga gihatag sa KALAHI-CIDSS. Kaniadto, maka-anak na lang sa dalan ang mabdos tungod sa kaguba sa among dalan. Apan karon, mohanoy na gyud og dagan ang mga sakyanan tungod sa pagtagad nga gihatag sa among komunidad." (I am sure that many are happy with the roads provided by KALAHI-CIDSS. In the past, pregnant women could give birth on the road because of how bad our roads were. But now, cars are able to smoothly travel because of this development given to our community.)

According to mayor Duterte, Tabogon is also exploring eco-tourism like the newly-discovered spot in Brgy. Caduawan that resembĺes the highlands of Batanes.

With the newly-access road in Barangay Caduawan, this would soon become an open tourism destination that could bring about economic opportunities to Tabogon and the nearby communities in Cebu.

NELIA: The only suspense thriller Filipino Film in the 47Th MMFF 2021

 CEBU CITY -- Nelia promises to bring intrigue, suspense, and thrills during the holidays when cinemas nationwide open for the annual Metro Manila Film Festival from December 25, 2021, to January 7, 2022.

In this movie directed by Lester Dimaranan with screenplay written by one of its producers Melanie Honey Quiño Marquez, ‘Nelia,’ is portrayed by beauty queen Winwyn Marquez in the title role.

She is a nurse whose womanly instincts and gut feel are aroused because of the mysterious cases happening in the hospital where she works. To what revelations her curiosity will lead her to uncover, all of it will be unraveled in this contemporary motion picture.

“I was watching from FB Live nung announcement. Kinakabahan ako, kasi syempre mga unang movie na binanggit, napakalaking mga artista at pinaghandaan na mga pelikula rin. Nung biglang binanggit yung synopsis napa-record ako bigla kasi di ako makapaniwala. Mixed emotions talaga. Kabado, tuwa, takot, etc.

Pero sobrang grateful na napili ang ‘Nelia’ dahil, alam ko, buong cast and production, binigay lahat noong ginagawa ang film,” lead actress Winwyn Marquez shared.

‘Nelia’ features an impressive cast of Pinoy A-list actors that include Raymond Bagatsing who plays the role of Dr. Rey,  Dexter Doria, Lloyd Samartino, Dan Alvaro, Ali Forbes, Shido Roxas, and Mon Confiado. Also in the cast are Sarah Javier, April Anne Dolot, Massey Sanshoddin, Red Atienza, and introducing Juan Carlos Galano and Aldwin Alegre.

 

Shot in the picturesque city of Gapan in Nueva Ecija, ‘Nelia’ is the first of many quality and entertaining film offerings from A and Q Productions Film, Inc. The power tandem behind A and Q Productions Film, Inc. are Attorney Aldwin F. Alegre and Attorney Mary Melanie H. Quiño.

 #MMFFNelia is showing in Cinema 2, SM City Cebu starting December 25, 202.  Watch the trailer, click link here https://t.co/6rhjuiFsHM (Photos: SM City)

Childlink notes students performed well even with online classes

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY – Childlink founder and school directress Maria Theresa Tio said that having online learning is not a hindrance but noted that many students performed well even if the classes were done online.

 Tio explained that the school has been able to keep the students interested in their classes.  “They (students) performed well as long as they are given motivation. We just try to find ways to connect the students with their classmates and with the community,” she said.

Doing online classes also helps Childlink to continuously improve, Tio added that online learning helps the school to be globally-minded. With the Internet, it is easier to reach out to people as the school has been collaborating with different learning institutions abroad.

Although the school implemented online learning, they continue to have activities just like when the classes were still face-to-face. Being online does not stop them from continuing this practice. The school held various activities to allow them to experience the outside world even if they remain in their homes, she added.

Tio revealed that on December 8, 2021, Grades 9 and 10 students had a fruitful and engaging day during an online cultural exchange activity with high school students from Yokkaichi Maryknoll High School in Japan.

The Linkers were given the opportunity to know about the Yokkaichi High School and various cultural highlights of Japan.  In turn, the Japanese high school students were treated to music and poetry performances by the Linkers and watched videos showcasing the Philippines.

Tio bared that the school will be holding their online Christmas program for the entire school lasting about an hour and a half before they join their own celebration by class also online.

Childlink also have plans for more activities during the school year 2021-22. Aside from the activities the school administration will be implementing, the Student Council will also be proposing some activities.

“Every year we really try to come up with new activities, we innovate, try to change something. Every quarter, our Student Council conducts activities approved by the school administration,” Tio said.

Through this practice, she explained that the Student Council develops skills on planning and implementation. Childlink Student Council recently organized various online activities that focused on the interests of the Elementary to High School Linkers.

These activities included the arts, karaoke, dance, and games. All these were intended to promote camaraderie among the Linkers and to motivate the students to participate in different activities of interests.

Meanwhile, Childlink continues to implement community outreach projects. Last week, the school turned over donated items from their students and their families to the Rise Above Foundation Cebu, a non-profit non-government organization that focuses on improving the quality of life for the underprivileged families in Cebu, Philippines.

The donated items included used clothes for children and adults as well as other stuff. There was even a donation for a box full of brand-new toys.

With the school’s innovative approach to learning, it’s no surprise that Tio was recognized as the Most Outstanding School Director of the Year by the Business Achievement and Recognition Awards Council for Business Excellence on October 17, 2021. (Photos: Google Images)

 

mWell PH introduces mWellness Score, a daily in-app health tracker

CEBU CITY – mWell PH by Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (PSE: MPI) introduced another milestone with the mWellness Score-- a personal in-app health tracker for free that offers users a guide to developing a healthy physical lifestyle for long-term health, without having to spend on extra gadgets or fitness wearables.

Users can easily generate their daily mWellness Score by simply clicking on the Wellness icon on the app, making it a simple and easy way to help keep fitness and wellness goals attainable.

 

Chaye Cabal-Revilla, Chief Finance & Sustainability Officer of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation said mWell is here to provide easy and convenient ways to improve overall health. “Through the mWellness Score, mWell shall empower more people to reduce disease risk and live their best life,” Cabal-Revilla added.

The mWellness Score was developed in partnership with an award-winning team of doctors and data scientists from Aktivolabs. “We at Aktivolabs are committed to support mWell’s mission to transform healthcare delivery in the Philippines,” Gourab Mukherjee, CEO & Co-Founder of Aktivolabs said.

Mukherjee said that mWell Score is a great start to this partnership, now every Filipino using just a smartphone can make informed lifestyle choices daily to prevent chronic disease and live longer and healthier lives.

Once activated, the mWellness score measures exercise, light activity, sedentary behavior and sleep every day using data-driven methods. Scoring consistently above 80 indicates a healthy physical lifestyle and lowers the risk of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, Aktivolabs said.

Actress and host Roxanne Montealegre, who is an mWell PH app user, expressed excitement upon discovering this new feature, “Instead of staying seated when working from home, I can do simple stretches even in front of the laptop. I can also take regular breaks and play with my baby, walk around the garden or create fun dance videos! Taking these simple steps will definitely give me a good mWellness Score!”

No need for a drastic lifestyle change. All it takes are a few tweaks to make space for physical activity and adequate sleep regularly. To make the path to fitness more exciting, mWell users can set personalized goals, or interact with others on the app, making wellness organically part of their lifestyle.

They can join the Steps Challenge, take more brisk steps as they increase their daily physical activity and move up the leaderboard. Ranking is based on daily average step count.

Aside from the mWellness Score, mWell has also made available customized fitness and nutrition programs developed by Olympians and exercise physiologists as well as calorie-controlled recipes created by dietitians and nutritionists.

MPIC Chairman, Manny Pangilinan expressed confidence in MPIC group’s newest foray in digital healthcare. mWell continues to respond to the needs of Filipinos in restoring their health guided by our partner-doctors and improving their overall wellness with help from fitness and nutrition experts, he said.

“The fully-integrated experience empowers mWell users to be in full co
ntrol of their health and well-being with just a few clicks, in the comfort of their own home. mWell will be their partner in every stage of their wellness journey,” MPIC President and CEO Joey Lim said.

As it strengthens its wellness offers, mWell continues its mission to restore health through telemedicine. mWell’s growing line-up of partner-doctors includes those from top hospitals such as Makati Medical Center, Cardinal Santos, Asian Hospital and Medical Center De Los Santos Medical Center, Manila Doctors Hospital and Marikina Valley Medical Center.

It is supported by industry and technology stalwarts, including CareSpan, Telus, LotusFlare, Aktivolabs and active8me and runs on fast secure payments via PayMaya. (Photos: Google Images)

 

 

Imee Marcos proposes cheaper internet for lifeline rates

CEBU CITY -- Senator Imee Marcos proposed cheaper internet access for low-income groups for more Filipinos can benefit from working, learning, and doing business online via Senate Bill 2101 or the “Public Telecommunications Policy Act of the Philippines.”

The socialized pricing mechanism is a solution amid the slow expansion of free WiFi access in poorer areas and can already be put in place by the government and telecommunications firms, according to Senate Bill 2102.  

The bill prescribes a lifeline rate for broadband and data use based on consumption thresholds of not lower than one gigabyte (1GB) per month. “If lifeline rates are being given to water and electricity consumers, why can’t we give similar discounts for internet access?” Marcos raised.

Marcos added that low-income end-users need more than just the occasional mobile promo, with internet access becoming a necessity just like water and electricity. Work-from-home arrangements, online education, e-commerce and internet banking are here to stay.

 

Although the Philippines ranked 48th overall out of 110 countries in the Digital Quality of Life Index 2021, its internet affordability ranked 72nd - the lowest among the five criteria on which digital well-being was assessed by the Netherlands-based cybersecurity firm Surfshark.

In the other four criteria, the Philippines ranked 20th in internet quality, 30th in internet security, 63rd in e-infrastructure, and 67th in e-government. (Photos: Google Images)