OpenLine News Media Forum is a new program by MyTV Cebu Philippines that airs every Tuesday morning and can be livestreamed via social media channels like Facebook, YouTube and their website.
The host/moderators are veteran broadcast journalist Mr Erik Espina and the captivating Ms Andrea Patena-Matheu. This show tackles current and relevant issues in the Philippines.
OpenLine News Media Forum is where all lines are open. Journalists, media and even viewers can participate by posting their questions and suggestions in the comment section.
One of the strongest typhoon hit Cebu province and nearby islands. Philippines is no stranger to typhoons, there are about 40 storms passing every year. And Odette has been the most destructive event since 2013 with Yolanda (typhoon Haiyan).
Odette was internationally known as Super typhoon Rai. It brought violent winds that destroy buildings and infrastructures, knocked down posts and uprooted trees. I personally witnessed the strong winds rampaging our compound and we could hear the howling, roof flying and tiles being thrown around.
In my calendar, I marked that day, it was Thursday. We were supposed to close the store in the usual hour – 10pm. But due to the scary weather forecast, we are forced to close by 3pm. I remember clearly that the wind started to become stronger around 5-6pm. The peak was around 7-8pm and electricity was out by 9pm.
I have not seen such catastrophe and it’s like we were brought down to our knees to beg God for mercy. Thankfully, there was minimal damage in our property. But problems persist due to electricity outage. We lived through 6-7 weeks of no light. Water was also scarce, there was long queue in gasoline and water refilling stations everywhere. As if a doomsday scenario, and no this is not an exaggeration.
We witnessed first hand the wrath of Odette and it changed our perspective in life. Due to lack of water, we cherished every drop and bathed using one pail each. Signal was very bad and I wasn’t able to contact my family in Manila for the first 3 days. We lived one day at a time, everything was a challenge including cooking. That prompted me to try intermittent fasting. The inconveniences were too much, many people lost their houses and worst their loved ones.
Still grateful for the people who checked on us and some even offered to send help, I remember them all. My recollection especially during struggles and emotional incidents is at its height. Wishing to repay them someday. Kindness really is contagious.
Months after, and nightmare is almost forgotten but the lessons I’ve learned and the experiences are etched in my memory. I thank the Lord for all of these and for thriving with only our faith as lifeline.
Business Resiliency is being tested in the most extreme ways. The impact of this pandemic particularly here in the Philippines is so great that it continues to pull down the economy and left many unemployed.
For the first time in 22 years, the Philippine economy slowed down and contracted 0.6% in Gross Domestic Product.
Listed below is the added operational expense on every establishment following mandatory requirements to flatten the curve of Corona Virus. Figures are inconsistent and depends on each store.
Hand Sanitizer / Alcohol – P520 per gallon. Consuming 2 gallons per week = P1040
UV lamp / Air Sanitizer – P3000 minimum market value
Basic Face Mask & Face Shield – P170/set. Multiply to the number of employees e.g x 10 = 1700
Disinfectant / bleach – P 450/gallon. Using almost 3 in a week = P1350
Shuttle/Delivery Service
Lodging for Employees
Non-Contact Thermometer – P1200
Test Kits
Operational cost of P8290 which does not include the variable expenses of shuttle, board and lodging, test kits, rental, manpower expense like hazard pay, and so on.
Weekly basis may reach upto P5000 and an average of P20,000 per month. That brings the operational cost to P80,000 since March.
This article is not to discourage start-up entrepreneurs rather help by giving a glimpse on what to expect on surviving a pandemic.
Entrepreneurship is about survival, which nurtures creative thinking. Business is not financial science, it’s about trading – buying and selling. – Anita Roddick (UK entrepreneur)
Former Senator Rene Espina, who authored the country’s first anti-illegal drugs law, died on Friday, his son Erik has confirmed in a social media post. The elder Espina was 89. “Another light dimmed in the passing of a good man who loved his country,” the Espina son said on his Facebook page.
CNN PHILIPPINES
The Senate on Wednesday, September 18, honored the late senator Rene Espina, author of the country’s first anti-drug law.
Espina was a member of the 7th Congress from 1969 to 1972. He died of kidney complications on September 13, 2019.
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said Espina was ahead of his time as he sought to flag the effects of illegal drugs in the country. Espina authored Republic Act No. 6425 or the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972. “Forty-seven years ago, Senator Espina had already identified the country’s illegal drug problem, although it was still at its incipient stage, as an emerging threat to human security,” Drilon said.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III said that Espina had demonstrated that “a life in public service is a life well-lived.” Espina’s anti-drug law was the precursor to Sotto’s Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. “That he was the author and sponsor of the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972 again placed him as a co-warrior in the fight against illegal drugs,” Sotto said.
The Senate held necrological services to honor the late senator on Wednesday.
RAPPLER
Gallery of photos from the Senate of the Philippines
As promised I’m sharing snippets from the recent Sinulog. Though my photos and video clips are not post worthy, luckily there’s Sinulog Foundation Inc. that gave us front-row-seat feels from the festival. Latter photos are mine 🙂
I’m sharing this prayer in time for the feast day of the Black Nazarene – January 9.
BELOVED LORD JESUS OF NAZARETH, I COME TO YOU TO HELP ME. LIFE IS A CONSTANT STRUGGLE, AND I NOW FEEL THE PAIN OF MY JOURNEY. BLESS ME JESUS AND TEACH ME TO LISTEN, TO ALL THE EVENTS OF MY LIFE, KNOWING THAT NOTHING HAPPENS BY CHANCE. EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS HAS A REASON. WHEN I FEEL THE PAIN OF SICKNESS, TEACH ME TO COPE WITH LOVING SURRENDER AND TO BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF HEALING. WHEN I EXPERIENCE EMOTIONAL, FINANCIAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL BROKENNESS, HELP ME TO RISE UP WITH BELIEF THAT WITH GOD, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE. I COME TO YOU TODAY, TO PRAY FOR HEALING. PLEASE HEAR MY PETITION (SAY PETITIONS…) I PRAY TO YOU AND MY MOTHER MARY TO ANSWER MY PRAYERS AMEN.
JESUS, I PUT MY TRUST IN YOU!
*little history of this iconic image of Jesus,
A life-sized statue from Mexico and came here in the Philippines last 400 years ago, when Spanish colonization has just began. The feast day is celebrated every January 9, and during this day it is accustomed for devotees to do the “pahalik” or to kiss or touch the image as a sign of respect and honor to our scourged Savior. It is also a tradition to walk barefooted which depicts humility just like the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
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