Healthy Lifestyle Tips

Vendors gather at the Balintawak Market in Quezon City on Feb. 12, 2021 to call on government to prioritize local over imported produce. The government has imposed a price cap on pork amid the pandemic. PHOTO BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE Source: ManilaTimes

The government has further relaxed restrictions against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in Metro Manila and other areas in general community quarantine (GCQ), allowing cinemas, driving schools, game arcades, museums and other establishments to reopen. Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. on Friday said the reopening of more businesses was approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases. SAFE GUARDS Members of the Inter-Agency Council for Traffic ensure health protocols are being followed by commuters in buses along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on Feb 12, 2021. PHOTO BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE Limited tourist attractions, such as natural and theme parks and historical landmarks, were also allowed to resume business. In its recent meeting, the task force also agreed to allow the holding of meetings, conferences and exhibitions, and limited social events at establishments accredited by the Department of Tourism. Roque said according t

President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday said the United States must “pay” if it wanted to retain its Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the Philippines. President Rodrigo Duterte Speaking during the inspection of newly delivered air assets at the Clark Air Base in Pampanga, Duterte accused the US of taking “so much from us,” even as “so much” of Philippine demands “were not delivered at all.” “I’d like to put on notice if there’s an American agent here that from now on, you want the Visiting Forces Agreement done? Well, you have to pay,” Duterte said. “It is a shared responsibility, but your share of responsibility does not come free because after all when the war breaks out, we all pay. You, kami (us),” he added. Duterte said he once told former US president Donald Trump the Philippines needed US-made guided missiles, which the Philippines was willing to pay for, “but until now, it’s still in the air.” “For the reason of exigency of the moment requires their presence here, okey

Planning for that perfect Valentine’s date was difficult enough during normal times. The coronavirus pandemic has made it doubly hard. BITTERSWEET In keeping with Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14, 2021, a vendor sells a mix of vegetables (bitter gourd, eggplants, squash) gathered in a bouquet at the Dangwa Market in Manila on February 12. PHOTO BY ENRIQUE AGCAOILI To help Valentine devotees plan for a memorable February 14, The Manila Time Lifestyle searched for the best possible ways to keep the centuries-old tradition going at a time when even holding hands and locking lips are not really advisable. A survey of 6,400 respondents in the e-commerce website Picodi showed that 71 percent of Filipinos say celebrating Valentine’s should not be missed this year right, when love is needed the most. Read on and pick that perfect way to love today. Love languages In an NBC News report, Meagan Prost, a licensed clinical counselor specializing in couples therapy, says a key factor in gift-givi

Several organizations of health workers are urging the government to be accountable for its national Covid-19 vaccination program. The Alliance of Health Workers (AHW) issued the call as the government prepares for the arrival of the first shipment of Covid-19 vaccines this month. TRYOUT A health worker in Mandaluyong City prepares to inject a resident during the simulation of the Covid vaccination program conducted on Jan. 27, 2021. The mock vaccination was held to test the city’s procedures. PHOTO BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE In a press briefing on Friday, leaders of the groups said the government should assure the vaccines to be administered to health workers must not only be safe and effective but should also be free. “We therefore call the government and the Department of Health to have a free, safe, and a high effectiveness rate Covid-19 vaccine to all health workers and the people… the government should also monitor those inoculated for possible adverse side effects of the vaccin

UNITED NATIONS: The UN Human Rights Council will hold a special session on “the human rights implications of the crisis in Myanmar” on Friday, February 12 (Saturday in Manila). The special session will take place in a mainly virtual format starting at 10 a.m. from the Assembly Hall of the Palais des Nations. Activists take part in a protest against the military coup in Myanmar outside United Nations University in Tokyo on February 12, 2021. / AFP / CHARLY TRIBALLEAU The decision was taken to hold the special session after a joint request by the United Kingdom and the European Union, which has been supported by 45 states so far. The request said the special session was needed because of “the importance and urgency of the situation.” General Assembly resolution 60/251, which created the Human Rights Council, states in its operative paragraph 10 that the Council “shall be able to hold special sessions when needed at the request of a member of the council with the support of one-thi

MANILA Mayor “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Friday sent his condolences to the families and followers of Eliseo Soriano, founder of Members Church of God International (MCGI). He was 73 years old. “As a spiritual leader, Brother Eli touched the lives of so many people,” Domagoso said. The mayor also thanked Brother Eli for his “generosity to the people of Manila in times of crisis,” saying this will not be forgotten. “We shall continue to honor the memory of Brother Eli by holding on to our faith and reaching out to those in need just as he did.” MCGI announced the death of Soriano early Friday but did not disclose the cause of death. Source: ManilaTimes

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has defended its acquirer-based automated teller machine (ATM) fee charging policy, calling it “more advantageous” as it promotes transparency. Consumers line up at different automated teller machines inside a mall in Makati City. (TMT File Photo) In a statement on Thursday night, the central bank said the policy “supports the implementation of a more straightforward way of imposing fees, as well as enhancements in fee-disclosure requirements.” Under this policy, a financial institution (FI), such as a bank, can set ATM fees for noncustomers while keeping its ATM withdrawal and balance-inquiry services free for its customers. Currently, banks charge their cardholders the same fees for transacting at other ATMs. According to the BSP, the policy pushes for transparency as fees have to be disclosed to cardholders before they transact. “ATM users will be able to make better, more informed decisions on how and where they wish to transact based on

The Department of Budget and Management seeks to increase the 15-percent limit on advance payments on the contract price to procure coronavirus vaccines, saying this would ensure the effective implementation of the government’s vaccination plan. Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado. (Photo by Enrique Agcaoili) In a statement on Friday, Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado admitted that the government was having a hard time negotiating with pharmaceutical companies because of limitations under existing laws. “Currently, you can only pay or make [an] advance payment [of] up to 15 percent [of the amount. But] what the pharmaceutical [firms] want is for you to pay already… for you to advance the payment before the delivery [of the vaccines],” he said in Taglish. The 15-percent limit was set in Memorandum Order 172, series of 2005. It is only applicable in exceptional cases, such as the procurement of goods during a state of calamity. Avisado also asked Filipinos to be more patient with and un

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian is calling for a more aggressive government response to prevent unwanted pregnancy among young women. Gatchalian issued the call over the weekend following the release of a Commission on Population and Development or Popcom report that pregnancies among minors aged 10 to 14 was up by 7 percent in 2019 compared to the previous year. He also warned that the Covid-19 pandemic threatens to further increase the number of adolescent pregnancies, citing experiences from past calamities and disasters. According to a study by the National Research Council of the Philippines, when Super Typhoon “Yolanda” struck in November 2013, 23.5 percent of teenage girls in Eastern Visayas got pregnant, Gatchalian said curbing the surge of adolescent pregnancies requires a grassroots approach to reproductive health education. He said schools and barangay (villages) should be mobilized to reach out to girls and their parents. Keeping girls in schools is the best strategy to pr

Environmental experts have called on businesses to adopt more comprehensive risk-management plans and check environmental risks in their place of business to avoid disasters in the future. During the Sustainable Development Finance (SDF) webinar on Natural Disaster Resilience organized by the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), Renato Solidum Jr., Science undersecretary and officer in charge of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, tackled the environmental risks businesses in the country face while Ed Tongson of the World Wide Fund discussed how these risks were changing, and how enterprises could adapt to calamities and use available technologies. According to them, doing business in the Philippines poses inherent and natural risks, as the country sits in the Pacific Ring of Fire and tied to the so-called Typhoon Belt. The country averages 20 earthquakes daily, and other environmental threats, like typhoons, have increased in frequency and intensity because of

The P12.5-billion capital infused into the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) will provide additional funds for its Covid-19 response programs, the Department of Finance (DoF) said on Friday. In a statement, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd said these programs would include extending low-interest, easy-to-pay loans to the transport, healthcare and education sectors; micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs); and other affected industries. The state-run lender, as a wholesale bank, will buy the loans of smaller banks, cooperatives and other institutions to free up more credit for other industries that need to recover from the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on the economy. Of the amount, P5 billion will be allocated to the transportation sector, P5 billion to 230 MSMEs and other businesses, P2 billion as healthcare assistance to 20 hospitals, and P500 million to 17 schools. “This P12.5-billion fund will help provide liquidity support to Covid-19 hit sectors. This will h

Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. sees bright prospects for its business this year after reporting an increase in income last year despite the coronavirus pandemic, which dampened sentiment. Huawei founder and Chief Executive Officer Ren Zhengfei said recently that the China-based technology company saw its earnings grow in 2020, as well as significant customer confidence levels, without specifying figures. This, he added, encouraged his firm to produce more products under the Huawei brand and continue to rely on globalization to resolve its current challenges. “I am even more confident about Huawei’s survival than I was, because we have more ways to overcome those challenges. Our sales revenue and profits in 2020 were higher than last year,” he was quoted as saying through an interpreter in an interview with reporters. Globally, Ren said Huawei was looking to seize trade opportunities in the United States, especially now that Joe Biden is its president. During the administration of Bi

FIBA has designated the hosting of the Asia Cup Qualifiers to the Philippines anew on Friday night. Less than 24 hours after Qatar canceled its hosting of the qualifiers due its worsening coronavirus diseases 2019 (Covid-19) situation, FIBA, in a memorandum, decided to choose the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) to host the event. SBP was the original host of the Group A and Group C teams of the qualifiers, but begged off due to the country’s ban on travellers from the United Kingdom, Denmark, Ireland, Japan, Australia, Israel, The Netherlands, Switzerland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Lebanon, Singapore, Sweden, South Korea, South Africa, Canada, Spain, United States, Portugal, India, Finland, Norway, Jordan, Brazil, Austria, Pakistan, Jamaica, Luxembourg, Oman, the People’s Republic of China, including Hong Kong, SAR, United Arab Emirates, and Hungary. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) issued the directive on January 15, as the Qatar Basketball Federation then volun

The consortium that seeks to build a P10-billion mass-transit trackway system on EDSA is confident its proposal for it would secure government approval, according to its chief. In a virtual Management Association of the Philippines briefing on Thursday, Trackway Consortium Chief Executive Officer Francis Yuseco Jr. said his group was “just waiting for the DoTr (Department of Transportation) and NEDA (National Economic and Development Authority) to [grant] us the OPS (original proponent status). After that, we will undergo [a] Swiss challenge.” If a project offer wins state approval and receives an OPS, it will face a Swiss challenge, in which other groups can submit counterproposals that the former, as the original proponent, can match. Yuseco’s remarks come two months after Trackway revived its unsolicited offer to the government to build the EDSA Rapid Trackway system after securing financial backing from Wyoming-based private equity firm Davidson Single Family Private Trust Co.

THE Philippines logged 2,022 cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), its highest in two weeks, the Department of Health (DoH) said on Friday. The latest figure pushed the overall count to 545,300, according to the DoH. The last time the Philippines breached the 2,000 level was on January 27, when the country tallied 2,245 cases, the highest for that month. Active cases are at 33,151, more than 95 percent of which are mild, moderate and asymptomatic while the rest are severe or critical. A total 500,654 have recovered from the virus while the death toll is at 11,495. More than 27,000 samples tested were received by the DoH on Thursday, from which 1,404 returned positive for a total positivity rate of 5.1 percent. Global Covid-19 cases have reached 107.8 million, according to Johns Hopkins University. Of the total, 2.36 million have died. Source: ManilaTimes

JAYDEE Tungcab, Jordan Heading, and Tzaddy Rangel are set to be picked in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) – Gilas special Rookie Draft on March 14. Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio announced this development on Friday. “We were able to secure five players from the Gilas Draft in 2019 and we’re happy to welcome three additional talents in Jordan Heading, Tzaddy Rangel, and Jaydee Tungcab.” The 6-foot-3 winger and 23-year-old Tungcab played college ball for Adamson University and the University of the Philippines in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP). Likewise, the 6-foot-7 center and 24-year-old Rangel played in the UAAP, donning the National University uniform. He also played for Alab Pilipinas in the Asean Basketball League 2019-2020 season. The Filipino-Austrailan and 6-foot-2 guard Heading was teammates with Rangel in Alab. He suited up for the California Baptist University in the United States – National Collegi

THE FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers slated from February 17 to 23 in Doha, Qatar has been cancelled. The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) announced the news on Friday after receiving a letter from FIBA Asia Executive Director Hagop Khajirian, saying that the Qatar’s Ministry of Health ordered the cancellation of the competition due to the rising cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in the country. Gilas Pilipinas, which is placed in Group A, was supposed to face South Korea on the 18th and 22nd, and Indonesia on the 20th. Source: ManilaTimes

MALACANANG on Friday extended its condolences to the family over the passing of “Ang Dating Daan” founder Eliseo “Eli” Soriano. “We extend our condolences to the bereaved family, friends, loved ones and followers of Bro. Eliseo “Eli” Soriano who passed away at the age of 73,” Presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said in a statement on Friday. Roque said Soriano was a beloved preacher who served as a guide to many. “His dedication to propagate the words of God in the Bible was a clear testament of his steadfast love to serve his brethren and the Almighty,” he said. “Our prayers go to Bro Eli as he may rest in eternal peace and happiness,” he added. Source: ManilaTimes

THE Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has approved the reopening and further expansion of cinemas, driving schools, game arcades and museums, among others, in areas under General Community Quarantine (GCQ). Presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said the reopening of these businesses will be subject to implementing guidelines to be issued by the Department of Health (DoH) and concerned local government units (LGUs) where they are located. The IATF-EID also allowed libraries and cultural centers under GCQ to reopen. Also approved is the reopening of limited tourist attractions, such as parks, theme parks, natural sites and historical landmarks. Source: ManilaTimes

MORE faithfuls will be allowed to attend religious gatherings in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ), Malacañang said on Friday, after the government approved further easing of health restrictions in churches and similar places of worship. Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said religious gatherings with attendance of up to 50 percent of a venue’s capacity would be allowed starting February 15 in areas under GCQ. “The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021, relaxed restrictions on mass gatherings for religious activities in areas under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) effective Feb.15, 2021,” Roque said in a statement. “Specifically, religious gatherings in GCQ areas shall be allowed up to 50 percent of the seating or venue capacity,” he added. The IATF’s latest decision was reached following the plea of some Catholic Church officials to increase the allowed capacity for religious events with Ash Wednesday set on 17 February. Previously, public religi

ELISEO “Eli” Soriano, televangelist and founder of the Members Church of God International, also known as “Ang Dating Daan” (The Old Path), died early Friday morning in Brazil. He was 73 years old. “It is with deep sadness, yet with full faith in the Almighty, that we announce the passing of our beloved and one and only Bro. Eliseo “Eli” Soriano — a faithful preacher, brother, father, and grandfather to many,” The group said in its Facebook page. There were no details on the cause of his death. Soriano started his preaching in Guagua, Pampanga, and later started his media evangelism career on radio in 1980 and on television in 1983. He is known for his method of using biblical expositions under the “Itanong mo kay Soriano (Ask Soriano)” television program, where his audience can get a chance to ask him questions, as well as for his “revelations” of doctrinal errors in other religions. He was also known to debate with various religious leaders and sects, especially against the infl

Celebrate the season with an exclusive Valentine’s Kaiseki Dinner Menu. Enjoy seafood delicacies made with the freshest ingredients such as tuna, scallop, salmon, and shrimp. The special Valentine’s Kaiseki Menu consists of specially crafted dishes such as steamed sea bream with tofu, shiitake mushroom, and leek with ponzu sauce; clear soup steamed in a tea pot, grilled Japanese Wagyu beef with lemon sauce, and a course of Koshihikari rice steamed with oysters — accompanied by miso soup and pickles. Finish the night with a traditional winter dessert, shiratama rice-flour dumplings with sweet red bean paste. The Valentine’s Kaiseki Dinner Menu is available from February 12 to 23, 2021. Ingredients may change slightly depending on availability. Please make a reservation at least two days in advance. Yamazato is located at the 2nd Floor of Hotel Okura Manila within the Resorts World Manila complex. It is open from Tuesdays to Sundays for lunch (11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.) and dinner (6:00

LET love surprise you as you enjoy a romantic date right at your home. Holiday Inn and Suites Makati is making it extra special and exciting as you spend Valentine’s Day right at the comfort of your own home with the multi-course prix fixe menu for Valentine’s Day in a cute picnic basket. It’s a perfect time to celebrate the love month that don’t require leaving the house for a complete, hassle-free Valentine’s Day date. The Valentine’s Day picnic basket will set the mood for a romantic date anywhere, anytime with a multi-course meal of Prawn Bisque Soup, Caesar Salad, Chicken Fricassee, Beef in Red Wine, Potato Puree, Tarte Au Pomme for dessert and a small bottle of red wine, good for two persons. The package is inclusive of movie popcorn, picnic basket, starch plates and cutleries. Available from February 12 to 14, 2021. Want a sweet treat this Valentine’s day? Avail of the unique Cookie Cake heart and mini Love Cakes for a box of 3. These delectable treats will surely make your he

Share the love with family and those dearest to you this coming season of hearts as Mang Inasal offers the Valentine edition of its Take-out and Delivery Blowout dealfrom February 5 to19. Get a free one-piece Chicken Inasal Large for every takeout or delivery order of Chicken Inasal Family Size Large. The Family Size comes with four pieces of Chicken Inasal Large Paa or Pecho, original or spicy. The freebie will be the same variant as the type of Family Size purchased. Through this 4-plus-1 promo, more will enjoy the ihaw-sarap goodness of the best-selling Chicken Inasal — marinated and grilled the Mang Inasal way. Customers can buy only up to a maximum of three orders of Chicken Inasal Family Size Large meals per transaction. Have your orders delivered via GrabFood or foodpanda. For takeout, go to Mang Inasal’s Facebook page https://ift.tt/RoblsJ for the list of Mang Inasal stores you can visit, or join Mang Inasal’s Viber community for more interesting deals. Source: ManilaTim

Rustan’s wide selection of the perfect gifts will help anyone clearly say “I Love You”. Continuing to keep customers safe and comfortable, Rustan’s stores offer the Personal Shopper On Call service to make shopping easy breezy for you, wherever you may be. If you’re more on the sentimental side or would just like to make your gift more unique, Rustan’s offers personalization services this coming Valentine’s Day weekend. From February 12 to 14 (Friday to Sunday), you can have your items engraved or embossed with a minimum purchase single receipt of P5,000 worth of products from Home, Fashion, Kids, Beauty and Fine Jewelry from your fave Rustan’s stores: Picking out a few Valentine’s Day ideas can be stressful, which is why the retail expert gives you some ideas of what they would consider the ideal Valentine’s Day gift for your loved ones. Be the first to know about the latest updates and amazing offers on your favorite brands by joining the Rustan’s LIVE Viber Community https://ift

Popeyes is ready to add an extra touch of sweetness to your Valentine’s Day celebration. Along with its mouthwatering Popeyes Fried Chicken and other Cajun-inspired menu offerings, Popeyes is bringing back one of its well-loved Valentine’s Day treats. For a limited time only, Popeyes will once again transform its delicious buttery and flaky biscuits into cute heart-shaped treats. Perfect for the day of hearts, these light and fluffy buttermilk biscuits are served with honey syrup – giving it that perfectly sweet and buttery taste in every bite. It doesn’t matter if you are taken or single this Valentine’s Day because they can be enjoyed by everyone as it comes in a single serving or a box of three. And if you want to share with more people, it’s also now available in a box of six. You can also enjoy this special treat at home or send them to your loved ones when you order it for pick-up or delivery via www.centraldelivery.com, the GrabFood and Pick-a-roo app. Get exclusive deals on y

Valentine this year may be a lot different with many areas still implementing quarantine measures. But the pandemic need not be a damper on your Valentine celebration this year. The occasion is about love, family and all the special people in your life, after all, and celebrating love in its many forms can be done anywhere. With most everyone staying indoors and Valentine this year falling on a weekend, there is no better time for that ultimate stay-at-home Valentine weekend. Kick off your Valentine weekend with a hearty Pinoy-themed breakfast, be it breakfast in bed for your special someone or breakfast for the entire family. Pair aromatic and garlicky sinangag with savory sweet tocino, juicy cheesy franks or flavorful crispy bacon. If you’re feeling a little extra creative, serve heart-shaped sunny-side up eggs with a freshly sliced tomato on the side for that ultimate Valentine silog meal. Create your own pasta buffet. Everyone loves a buffet and kids love pasta, so why not do bot

Jazz up your feed by taking cute photos at SM Southmall’s instagrammable display. Check out their selection of flowers, chocolates, wines, jewelry, and stuffed toys. This Luck and Love Fair is at the Food Street Concourse until February 14. If you need social GIFTancing ideas for Valentine’s Day, you can curate your own here: https://ift.tt/2Z7zwBI and get P100 off on your delivery on us PLUS an iflix voucher for two Let love and music fill your heart as Mayonnaise headlines the Seasons of Love Mini Concert at The Strip, Food Street Concourse (East Wing) on February 13, 5 p.m.. To join, just present a single or accumulated receipt of P1,500 from any SM Southmall Store from February 1 to 13 or buy P300 worth of goodies at South Yard. Register online at smsouthmall.com/seasonsoflove. Southies will also be serenaded on February 14, 5Pp.m. by musical duo Serendipity VIII at the Food Street Concourse. For further inquiries/updates, follow @SMSouthmall on Facebook and Instagram. Source:

This February, double the celebration and double the happiness at Novotel Manila Araneta City as Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day make us all excited to celebrate love with our special someone and welcome good fortune with high hopes. Double the love and double the luck this 2021 with special offers from Food Exchange Manila, The 6th Pool Bar and Lounge, and the hotel’s dining delivery service, Take Me Out by Novotel Manila. Welcome the Year of the Metal Ox and ensure year-round of good health, happiness and prosperity as our award-winning buffet restaurant Food Exchange Manila offers gastronomic feast featuring all-time Chinese favorites like dim sum, roasted specialties, noodles and desserts just to name a few. Pair these with aromatic Jasmine tea for a satisfying buffet cap off. Feast on the day of the hearts as Food Exchange Manila treats lovers to a romantic buffet: Recipes from the Heart from February 13 to 14. Our award-winning buffet restaurant has been popular during the

Lucky Chinatown continues its tradition of hosting the country’s biggest and grandest Chinese New Year celebration the safe way as it rings in the Year of the Ox 2021 through Prosper in Full Bloom, a grand virtual celebration. From February 5 to15, taste auspicious food, participate in cultural traditions and witness a grand revelry, all packaged in a virtual celebration that highlights the most spectacular festival of the Chinese-Filipino community. Mallgoers may find their luck and love with charms, blooms and buds at the Prosperity Fair from Feb. 5 to15 at the Atrium and 2nd floor. They could also take their taste buds on an Asian journey with a selection of the best street food at the Meisic Street Food Market. Bikers may enjoy Chinese New Year delights with a stopover specially made for them. At the Bike and Dine area at Chinatown Walk, bikers could conveniently park their bike and savor Asian food delights at the same time. For an auspicious lunar year ahead, guests can parti

For Honda Philippines Inc. (HPI), the No.1 motorcycle manufacturer in the country, convenience and safety remains a top priority nowadays. After all, what you want is to spread love, not the virus. Whether you’re celebrating it alone or with your loved ones, you can always find a way to capture the essence of Valentine’s Day with your motorcycle. Suppose you’re looking for new ways to express your love this Valentine’s Day. Why not explore the possibilities to spread some love with your favorite motorcycle? Your motorcycle can make your city-driving experience much better, especially with The All-New Honda AirBlade150 and its powerful 150cc SOHC liquid-cooled engine. It is perfect for city driving with superior function in handling the city’s erratic traffic and prime acceleration that can make long rides hassle-free. It also has cutting-edge features like Smart Key with ESL, Power Socket for recharging devices and smartphones on the road, and front-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) still maintained its key interest rates at their record low on Thursday despite forecasting inflation to average at the upper end of its target this year. This Nov. 5, 2020 file photo shows part of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Complex on the corner of Roxas Boulevard and Pablo Ocampo Street in Manila. PHOTO BY J. GERARD SEGUIA Overnight borrowing, lending and deposit rates remained at 2.00 percent, 1.50 percent and 2.50 percent, respectively, after the central bank’s policymaking Monetary Board held its first rate-setting policy meeting for 2021. “The Monetary Board noted that inflation is likely to remain elevated in the coming months, reflecting the impact of supply constraints on domestic prices of key food commodities, such as meat and vegetables, as well as the recent uptick in international oil prices,” BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said in a virtual briefing. Consumer price growth in the country last month jumped to a two-year high o

IN an absolute thriller, Alex Eala edged out Spanish Cristina Busca, 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (10-8) in the second round to enter the quarterfinals of the W25 Trophee Dela Ville in Grenoble, France on Thursday. Trailing three games to six (3-6) in the tiebreaker round, the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) world no. 164 Busca rallied and got a 7-6 lead, but Eala found her second wind to launch a 4-1 run of her own to win the match. The WTA world no. 903 Eala lost in the first set, but controlled the second one as she returned the favor to the 23-year-old Busca, and set up a wild finish in the 2-hour and 33-minute match. With the victory, the 15-year-old Eala marched to her fourth quarterfinals appearance as a professional. The Filipina tennis prodigy first beat WTA world no. 190 and 32-year-old Laura-Ioana Paar of Romania, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, on Tuesday in the first round. This Grenoble tourney has a $25,000 prize reward for the champion. Source: ManilaTimes

MORE than half of Filipinos, in a recent online survey, disapproved of the government’s response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. The “State of Southeast Asia 2021” survey from Nov. 18, 2020 to Jan. 10, 2021 said 53.7 percent of the respondents registered their disapproval, 25.4 percent approved and 20.9 percent were neutral. The survey also said that the Philippine government should have encouraged more scientists and medical doctors to contribute to public policy discussions regarding the pandemic. The survey, published by the Asean Studies Centre at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies – Yusof Ishak Centre, collected online responses from 1,032 respondents from 10 member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). Of the 1,032 respondents, 67 or 6.5 percent came from the Philippines. Almost 60 percent of the local respondents, or 59.7 percent, came from the academe, think tanks or research institutions; 19.4 percent from government; 13.

WASHINGTON, D.C.: Joe Biden pressed Chinese leader Xi Jinping over human rights in Hong Kong and Xinjiang late Wednesday in their first call since the new US president took office on January 20, according to the White House. Setting the stage for what could extend the contentious relationship between the two superpowers, Biden offered Xi his “greetings and wellwishes” for the Chinese people on the occasion of the Lunar New Year celebrations, the White House said in a statement. But, laying his own groundwork for Washington-Beijing ties after four tumultuous years under predecessor Donald Trump, Biden immediately challenged his counterpart over China’s projection of power in the Indo-Pacific region, the crackdown on pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong and the oppressive treatment of millions of Muslim Uighurs in the Xinjiang region. In the call Biden told Xi that his priorities were to protect the American people’s security, prosperity, health and way of life, and to preserve “a fr