More Filipinos need knowledge about the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer.

Cancer survivor and former athlete and coach Belay De la Cruz-Fernandez said as much during her talk at a recent cervical cancer awareness event, titled “Cervical Cancer: Di mo DeCerv.”

“I recalled seeing billboards by the Department of Health from before, saying “magpabakuna laban sa HPV.” We didn’t know what HPV was, but the information was out there! If I had understood it then, maybe things would have been different. While I’m still grateful to be able to talk about my experience, let’s remember that 12 Filipinas die from cervical cancer every day,” Belay said, emphasizing further that this matter needs to be prioritized.

Belay was one of the panelists at this milestone event that brought together medical organizations, patient communities, and the public in a shared mission to combat cervical cancer in the Philippines.

Celebrity and influencer Andi Manzano-Reyes, another panelist, discussed how her advocacy to raise awareness around cervical cancer was inspired by her mother, a survivor herself. “My mom was diagnosed with cervical cancer ten years ago, which is why I became an advocate to encourage people to get vaccinated,” she said. Andi, a mother to three daughters, expressed that she making sure that her children get immunized against HPV-related diseases, too.

In line with this, the ‘Di Mo DeCerv event also spotlighted the availability of HPV vaccines in local pharmacies to promote better access to immunization against HPV-related diseases. This development opens up new avenues for individuals to get preventive care in familiar community settings.

“With pharmacies serving as accessible hubs for healthcare services, individuals can now easily incorporate HPV vaccination into their routine visits. We are removing potential barriers such as transportation issues or scheduling constraints,” said Makati Medical Center Pharmacy Services Department Head Hazel Docuyanan.

The event also saw the support of medical organization partners including Maxicare, Makati Medical Center, Mercury Drug, Life Saver, Hello Doctor, SouthStar Drug, Juan Medical, Travertine, CerviQ, Vaxcen, Kindred, JCI, and ZP Therapeutics, who all helped promote public health awareness and broad access to HPV vaccination and education.

Biopharmaceutical company MSD in the Philippines, who spearheaded the event, shared that they will continue their ongoing initiatives to support vaccination drives, improve access to screening services, and launch public education campaigns aimed at reducing the incidence of cervical cancer.

These efforts are in line with the World Health Organization’s 90-70-90 initiative to eliminate cervical cancer: where 90% of girls are fully vaccinated with the HPV vaccine by the age of 15; 70% of women are screened using a high-performance test by the age of 35, and again by the age of 45; and 90% of women with pre-cancer are treated and 90% of women with invasive cancer managed.

Awareness and action events like ‘Di Mo DeCerv continue to urge Filipinos to become advocates for positive change within their communities, and to continue the fight against cervical cancer for a healthy Philippines.

IPINAG-UTOS ni Valenzuela City Mayor Wes Gatchalian sa pamamagitan ng pagrekomenda ng Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) ang agarang pagpapasara at pag-iimbestiga sa bodega sa Barangay Bignay na nag-display ng banyagang bandila dahil sa ilang mga paglabag ng kumpanya.

Sa kanilang inspeksyon at pagsisiyasat, natuklasan ng BPLO na ang STR Power Equipment Corporation – isa sa tatlong kumpanyang umuupa ng ari-arian sa compound ng bodega – ay tumatakbo nang walang necessary Mayor’s/Business Permit na kinakailangan upang gumana bilang isang bodega. Dahil sa mga paglabag na ito, naglabas ng agarang closure order sa STR Power Equipment Corporation, sa pamamagitan ng Executive Order 2024-073, Series of 2024.

Nagsimula ang inspeksyon ng BPLO sa naturang bodega dahil sa pag-display nito ng isang banyagang bandila sa paligid, na isang paglabag sa Seksyon 34 (h) ng Republic Act No. 8491, na kilala rin bilang Flag and Heraldic Code of the Pilipinas. Inaalam pa ng BPLO kung sino sa mga kumpanya sa compound ng bodega ang responsable sa pagtataas ng bandera ng ibang bansa.

Lumabas din sa imbestigasyon ang presensya ng mga dayuhang empleyado sa dalawa pang kumpanyang nag-ooperate sa lugar at inaalam pa ng BPLO kung ang mga empleyadong ito ay nagtataglay ng mga kinakailangang working visa.

Binibigyang-diin ng pamahalaang lungsod ang pangako nitong itaguyod ang pagkamakabayan ng mga Pilipino at pagsunod sa mga pambansang batas, at pinapaalalahanan ang lahat ng mga negosyo at residente hinggil sa pagbabawal sa pagpapakita ng mga banyagang watawat sa mga pampublikong espasyo, maliban kung sa loob ng mga embahada, mga diplomatikong establisyimento, at mga tanggapan ng mga internasyonal na organisasyon, ayon sa ipinag-uutos. sa pamamagitan ng Republic Act No. 8491.

Dahil kasabay nito ang pagdiriwang ng National Flag Day, muling pinagtibay ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela ang kanyang dedikasyon na mapanatili ang katanyagan at paggalang sa Pambansang Watawat ng Pilipinas, gayundin ang pangako nitong tiyakin na ang lahat ng aksyon sa loob ng ating nasasakupan ay sumasalamin sa mga halaga ng pambansang pagkakaisa at paggalang sa mga simbolo ng ating bansa. (Richard Mesa)

NAGPAABOT ng pagbati si Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. kay Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi para sa kanyang tagumpay na muling mahalal sa katatapos lamang na eleksyon doon.

Sa kanyang official X (Twitter) account, nagpahayag ng kumpiyansa si Pangulong Marcos ukol sa hinaharap ng bilateral relations sa pagitan ng Pilipinas at India kasunod ng muling pagkapanalo ni Modi.

“My warmest congratulations to Prime Minister @narendramodi for securing a fresh mandate from the Indian electorate,” ayon kay Pangulong Marcos.

“The last decade has shown India as a sincere friend to the Philippines and I look forward to the further strengthening of our bilateral and regional partnership in the years ahead,” dagdag na wika nito.

Si Modi ay ang kauna-unahang Indian prime minister sa loob ng 60 taon na nakasungkit ng pangatlong magkakasunod na termino.

Ang diplomatic relations sa pagitan ng Pilipinas at India ay tumagal ng 70 taon mula nang gawing pormal ito noong1949.

Upang mapabilis ang rehabilitasyon, pinangunahan ni Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, chairperson ng House Committee on Marawi Rehabilitation, ang ocular site visit at public consultation sa Marawi City.

Ito ay alinsunod na rin sa kagustuhan nina Panuglong Bongbong Marcos at Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez na agad at maagang matapos ang rehabilitation ng Marawi.

Sa isinagawang site visit, ilang kritikal na lugar sa Marawi ang ininspeksyon, kabilang na ang mga temporary at permanent shelters, site ng panukalang Bulk Water System, mga guho sa pinakaapektadong lugar, Golden Mosque, Rizal Park at Freedom Park.

Ilang mga isyu ang natalakay sa public hearing, na dinaluhan ng mga opisyal mula sa National Housing Authority (NHA) kabilang na ang temporary at permanent housing para sa na-displaced na residente.

Matapos ang ginawang dayalogo, nagpahayag naman ng suporta sina Deputy Majority Leader Margarita “Migs” Nograles at Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman sa livelihood at entrepreneurship programs para sa mga kababaihan ng Marawi City. (Vina de Guzman)

NAHARANG ng mga opisyal ng Bureau of Immigration (BI) sa Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) ang tangkang paglabas ng bansa ang dalawang puganteng Chinese national.

Ang dalawa ay naharang at naaresto sa magkahiwalay na insidente  sa NAIA terminal 1 nang tangkain niyang umalis ng bansa.

“They are now detained at our detention facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City where they will remain until they are deported,” ayon kay BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco.

Ayon kay Tansingco,  ang isa sa kanila ay wanted ng extortion sa China habang ang isa ay may nakabinbin na kasong criminal at deportasyon sa BI.

Kinilala ang isa sa suspek na si Jun Zhang, 36, na inaresto ng tinangka nitong sumakay ng byaheng Bangkok at nagpakilalang  taga-Myanmar.

Nagpakita siya sa BI counter ng Myanmar passport sa pangalan na si Lu Kyin Yang.

“We received advanced information from the Chinese government that he is a fugitive in China and that he would be using that Myanmar passport to evade detection,” paliwanag ni Tansingco.

Ang pangalawang suspek ay kinilalang si Tianyi Zhang, 28, isang babae na tinangkang umalis biyeheng Xiamen.

Base sa records, nag-isyu ang BI ng deportasyon laban kay Zhang dahil sa pagiging undocumented at undesirable alien dahil sa pagtatrabaho sa bilang prostitusyon.

Si Yang at kasama nito ay inisiyuhan ng hold departure order ng korte upang hindi sila makaalis ng bansa  habang dinidinig ang kanilang kaso. GENE ADSUARA

LIMANG hinihinalang drug personalities ang nasakote ng pulisya sa magkahiwalay na buy bust operation sa Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas at Valenzuela Cities.

Ayon kay Caloocan police chief P/Col. Ruben Lacuesta, dakong alas-12:21 ng hating gabi nang maaresto ng mga operatiba ng Station Drug Enforcement Unit (SDEU) sa pangunguna ni P/Lt. Restie Mables sa buy bust operation sa Reparo Road, Brgy 149, sina alyas Marlon, 20, (Pusher) at alyas Von, 27, (user), kapwa ng BagonG Barrio.

Nakumpiska sa kanila ang nasa 4.3 grams ng hinihinalang high grade marijuana (kush) na nagkakahalaga ng P6,020, isang P1,000 bill na ginamit bilang buy bust money, isang cal .38 revolver na kargado ng dalawang bala at dalawang cellphones.

Alas-10:30 ng gabi nang madakip naman ng mga tauhan ni Malabon police chief P/Col. Jay Baybayan sa buy bust operation sa P. Aquino Avenue corner Kadima St., Brgy. Tonsuya, Malabon City si alyas Jay, 36, at nasamsam sa kanya ang aaboy 4.80 grams ng hinihinalang shabu na may katumbas na halagang P32,640 at buy bust money.

Sa Navotas, nalambat naman ng mga tauhan ni Navotas police chief P/Col. Mario Cortes sa buy bust operation sa pangunguna ni P/Capt. Genere Sanchez sa Matangbaka St., Brgy. NBBS Dagat-Dagatan bandang alas-12:12 ng hating gabi si alyas Mara, 30, (pusher/listed) at nakumpiska sa kanya ang 5.2 grams ng hinihinalang shabu na nagkakahalaga ng P35,360 at buy bust money.

Habang natimbog naman ng mga tauhan ni Valenzuela police chief P/Col. Nixon Cayaban sa buy bust operation sa F. Bautista St., Brgy. Marulas, Valenzuela City alas-12:35 ng hating gabi si alyas Amang, 47, (SLI/Pusher).

Nakuha sa kanya ang nasa 10 grams ng hinihinalang shabu na may standard drug price value na P68,000.00, buy bust money na isang P500 bill, kasama ang 10-pirasong P1,000 boodle money, at P300 recovered money.

Mahaharap ang mga suspek sa kasong paglabag sa RA 9165 o Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002 habang karagdagan pa na kasong paglabag sa RA 10591 ang kakaharapin ng isa sa kanila. (Richard Mesa)

Remember way back when there was an abundance of green spaces in rural and even urban residential areas? Relaxation and play were part of everyday life, and residents experienced better physical health and overall satisfaction with life.

Greenfield Development Corporation understands this deep yearning for an inspired life within a better urban ecosystem. Its residential project in Sta. Rosa, Laguna—Solen Residences— provides an interplay of amenities and verdant open spaces that foster diverse positive experiences that potential resident families are gravitating towards.

One of the key attractions of Solen Residences is its wide range of lot configurations, from 150 to 270 square meters, catering to the varying needs of property buyers. But beyond owning a parcel of land and one’s lawn, residents find themselves immersed in a sanctuary that cultivates a sense of belonging and an experience of vitality.

The current expansion is bringing the total number of available lots to 1,267. A harmonious interaction exists between nature and builtenvironments, inspiring resident families to live well, connect, and play.

With awe-inspiring nature as backdrop, children can develop creativity and dexterity in the playgrounds, neighbors can safely walk or ride their bikes to the park and hold picnics there, and family members can enjoy game nights or soulful “me time” within their respective living spaces.

Thoughtful details such as tree-lined roads, which have become synonymous with Greenfield’s developments, remain an important component in the expansion phase as these help create a calm and refreshing atmosphere, as well as promote a much-needed connection with nature.

When Residents Thrive, Cities Transform

The Clubhouse Complex is designed to make the most out of the surrounding scenic views, as well as facilitate access to wellness activities.

The current expansion of Solen Residences offers key lessons for showcasing nature in master-planned communities in the Calabarzon region. Since the launch of the first phase of development, the residential project which brings to life the concept of “City within a Park” by Greenfield has resonated strongly with premium property seekers who are convinced that living amid nature is the new luxury.

With the initial offering selling out at 97%, the developer introduced an additional 178 lots in response to the high demand. The subsequent phase covers five hectares on the western side of the property, bringing the entire Asian Tropical-themed residential development to 55 hectares.

Investors watch with anticipation as land development at Solen Residences is expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2025, with news of the expansion already driving up property values there.

The park-inspired residential estate is located in Greenfield Citywithin proximate distance from shopping centers that include Paseo Outlets, Laguna Central, and Ayala Malls Solenad; highly regarded schools like the Ateneo Graduate School of Business and Acacia Waldorf School; and medical institutions such as The Medical City South Luzon and Asian Hospital. Central Business Districts and leisure clubs are mere minutes away from the community.

As more and more homebuyers are making their dream of going back to a quality of life they have long been missing, Greenfield, through Solen Residences, will continue delivering on its vision of a thriving community that can transform lives and generations to come.

To learn more about Solen, click here. For inquiries, please call +63 917 534 7336.

HANGAD ng Commission on Elections (Comelec) ang pagsasagawa ng fully automated, malinis, at maayos na  2025 Midterm Elections. 

Katuwang ang HP, handa ang Miru na gawing katuparan ang hangaring ito sa tulong ng makabagong Miru Election Management System (EMS) at Automatic Counting Machine (ACM), na sinusuportahan ng HP PageWide Advantage 2200.

Sinabi ni Arnon Goldman, General Manager -APJ  ng Industrial Print ng HP, na ang HP PageWide Advantage 22000 ay resulta ng mahigit isang dekadang teknolohiya na subok na sa maraming larangan.

Inilarawan niya ang makina bilang  “efficient at versatile.” Madali rin itong i-upgrade at hindi matatapatan ang kakayahan nitong palakihin ang kita para  mapalago ang print industry.

Iprinisinta ang test ballots na gawa ng HP sa Düsseldorf, Germany noong Hunyo  3 para sa MIRU-COMELEC Day sa pinakamalaking printing equipment exhibition sa mundo, ang DRUPA 2024.

Kabilang sa mga dumalo sina COMELEC Commissioner Rey Bulay at Philippines Consul Cecille Joyce Lao sa trade event para matiyak na ang kalidad ng sistema ay akma sa panuntunan ng poll body at sa pangangailangan ng mga Pilipino

Sa kanyang mensahe sa event, sinabi ni COMELEC Chairman, George Erwin Garcia na ito’y patunay ng malawak na epekto ng teknolohiya ng printing.

“Sa parte ng COMELEC, ang mga makabagong teknolohiya sa larangang ito ay nagbibigay buhay sa karapatan ng taumbayan na mamili ng kanilang tadhana,” wika pa ni Chairman Garcia.

“Investing in two new HP PageWide Advantage 2200, reaffirms our commitment to Philippine Commission on Election ensures a seamless electoral process, promoting transparency and reliability.  Empowering COMELEC with real time data and insights to maintain confidence and integrity throughout the election period,” wika ni Mr. Ken Cho, Vice President, MIRU Systems nang tanungin ukol sa hangarin nitong ipatupad ang pinamataas na pamantayan ng teknolohiya at suporta para sa maayos at malinis na 2025 Midterm Elections.

NALAMBAT ng pulisya ang dalawang lalaki na kapwa wanted sa kaso na may kinalaman sa illegal na droga sa magkahiwalay na manhunt operation sa Navotas at Valenzuela City.

Ayon kay Navotas police chief P/Col. Mario Cortes, dakong alas-10:00 ng gabi nang maaresto ng mga tauhan ng Warrant and Subpoena Section (WSS) ng Navotas police sa manhunt operation sa B. Cruz St., Brgy. Tangos ang 40-anyos na lalaking nasa top 10 most wanted person ng lungsod.

Pinosasan ng mga pulis ang akusado sa bisa ng warrant of arrest na inisyu ni Presiding Judge Ronaldo Q. Torrijos ng Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 288, Navotas City noong April 28, 2024, para sa paglabag sa Section 5 at 11, Article II of R.A. 9165.

Sa Valenzuela, natimbog naman ng mga tauhan ni P/Col. Nixon Cayaban, hepe ng Valenzuela police ang 34-anyos na lalaki na residente ng Bulacan at kabilang sa mga most wanted person ng lungsod sa ikinasang manhunt operation sa RTC Builiding sa  Maysan Road, Brgy. Malinta, ala-1:45 ng hapon.

Ani Col. Cayaban, binitbit ng mga tauhan ng Detective Management Unit ng Valenzuela police ang akusado sa bisa ng warrant of arrest na nisyu ni Presiding Judge Orven Kuan Ontalan ng RTC Branch 285, Valenzuela City noong May 10, 2024, para sa paglabag sa Sec. 12 at Sec. 15 Art. II of R.A 9165.

Pinapurihan naman ni Northern Police District Director P/BGen. Rizalito Gapas ang Navotas at Valenzuela CPS sa kanilang matagumpay na operation na nagresulta sa pagkakaaresto sa mga akusado. (Richard Mesa)

INIULAT  ng Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) na tinalakay nito kasama ang kanilang counterpart  sa Japan at United States ang posibleng pagsasagawa ng pagpapatrolya sa labas ng Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) o tinatawag na’ high seas’.

Ayon kay PCG commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, tinalakay ng tatlong bansa ang usapin sa kamakailang Shangri-La Dialogue sa Singapore.

Sinabi rin ni Gavan na napag-usapan din ang posibilidad na sila ay sasakay sa barko ng Pilipinas sa pagpapatrolya sa high seas o karagatan na lampas na sa ating EEZ.

Wala pa namang timeline para sa posibleng joint patrols para ngayong taon, ayon pa kay Gava.

Kamakailan ay naglabas ng bagong regulasyon ang China na nagpapahintulot sa kanilang coast guard na arestuhin at ikulong ang mga papasok sa south China Sea kasunod ng Philippine civilian mission sa West Philippine Sea.

“Foreign suspected of illegally passing China’s borders can be held for up to 60 days”, ayon sa media report. GENE ADSUARA