Category Archives: United Notions

United Notions is the title of an opinion column written by the Institute on Church and Social Issues (ICSI, now John Carroll SJ Institute on Church and Social Issues) in the 1990s at the now defunct Manila Chronicle.

Based at the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City, ICSI is a research organization of the Society of Jesus, having been founded by then Jesuit Provincial Bienvenido Nebres, SJ, Bishop Francisco Claver, SJ, and John Carroll, SJ in 1984. Its aim was to think through social issues within the context of Catholic Social Teachings, or CST (eg as elaborated on by Encyclicals) and present their analysis in the manner that laypeople can easily understand.

IngmingAberia.com adopts United Notions with the same purpose of analyzing social and political issues of the day, with Catholic Social doctrine as the basic box work.

Guest writers include Professor Randy David and CJ Art Panganiban, who both write for the Philippine Daily Inquirer, and whose permission to appear in this website was requested and granted.

UP opens applications for SY 2022-2023

THE University of the Philippines (UP) has started accepting applications for freshmen admission for the academic year 2022-2023.

“Due to the dynamic developments in the public health situation in the light of Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), there is no final decision yet as to whether an admission test will be administered for intake year 2022-2023,” said UP in a statement.

Admission to the university is based on students’ performance in the UP College Admission Test (UPCAT) and their high school grades, but in the absence of the UPCAT, their high school credentials will be the basis to determine their UP Grade (UPG) that would factor on whether they will be accepted into their selected UP Campus and degree program.

Interested applicants must create an account on the admissions portal to upload the necessary documentary requirements including their fully accomplished personal data sheet, high school records, and a Department of Education (DepEd) Certificate of Registration or Permit to Operate if graduating in 2022 from a local HS or their HS diploma if graduated earlier.

There is also a non-refundable application fee for non-Filipino applicants: ₱450 for resident foreign applicants studying in the Philippines and US$50 for non-resident foreign applicants.

The deadline for filing applications is on Nov. 30, 2021.

KUWTT: Yulo wins gold | Oct. 25, 2021

Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Monday, October 25, 2021.

READ: Yulo wins gold

FILIPINO gymnast Carlos Yulo ruled the vault event final round to win a gold medal at the 50th FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships at the Kitakyushu General Gymnasium in Japan on Sunday. Yulo scored an average of 14.916 points after an exquisite performance, which saw him record 14.800 points for his first vault and 15.033 for his second. Eager to bounce back after failing to defend his floor exercise title on Saturday, Yulo showed he’s on a mission right away as he executed a near flawless three-twirl act in mid-air for his first vault. The 21-year-old, who placed third in the vault’s qualification phase with 14.808 points, then bolstered his chances of winning the event with an impeccable Dragulescu in the second vault where he launched himself high for multiple body rolls on the way down. Japanese Hidenobu Yonukera claimed the silver medal with an average of 14.866 points, while Israeli Andrey Medvedev captured the bronze with 14.649.

READ: Survey validates Bongbong’s lead in street polls

THE lead of former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in the recent survey of Publicus Asia validated the results of the series of Kalye Surveys conducted in the first two weeks of October. The Publicus survey showed Marcos, the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas standard bearer, way ahead of the other presidential bets vying in the 2022 elections. The Publicus poll showed an “overwhelming preference” for Marcos in key voting areas. In the National Capital Region, he got over 40 percent preference, and 55.7 percent in North and Central Luzon.

READ: Covid cases going down fast – OCTA

CASES of Covid-19 are declining fast, falling by 35 percent in the past week, OCTA researcher Dr. Guido David said on Sunday. During the seven-day period, infections went down from 8,400 to 5,400. David said the decline could be attributed to the vaccination campaign since those getting infected were people without jabs, or were vaccinated but with comorbidities or those whose bodies cannot reproduce as many antibodies to fight the virus.

READ: Sale of Chevron’s Malampaya share invalid – Gatchalian

SEN. Sherwin Gatchalian said there was enough evidence to show that the sale of Chevron’s 45 percent stake in the Malampaya gas project to the Udenna group was “defective and invalid.” Gatchalian scrutinized Udenna’s buy-out of Chevron in Malampaya during the hearing of the proposed 2022 budget of the Department of Energy (DoE). Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi told Gatchalian that no prior approval by the government was needed in Chevron’s transfer of its stakes to Udenna’s UC Malampaya Philippines Pte Ltd. Cusi added that it was based on an evaluation using the so-called “farm-in process,” which according to Gatchalian made DoE’s explanation all the more confusing.

READ: Survey sees pay rise for employees in 2022

FILIPINO employees could expect a salary increase of around 5.6 percent in 2022, a survey by a global brokering company of 1,405 companies from 13 markets in the Asia Pacific found. Willis Towers Watson’s 2021 Salary Budget Planning Survey provided data on salary budget increase percentages for the past and current years, along with projected increases for 2022. Those in the sectors of medical technology, business support service, including business process outsourcing (BPOs), and manufacturing industries posted the highest average salary budget increase — between 5.2 and 5.7 percent, according to the poll. By 2022, it is projected that medtech will remain as the top industry for a salary increase at 7.3 percent, followed by construction, property, and engineering at 6.2 percent, and business support services including BPOs and pharmaceuticals and health science at 6.1 percent each. Workers in the financial services, insurance, and energy and natural resources industries can expect the lowest pay increases for 2022, at 5.1, 4.8, and 4.7 percent respectively.

READ: Ongpin assails drug charges

JULIAN Ongpin questioned the filing of drug charges against him by the Department of Justice (DoJ), claiming that he was denied his right to appeal the resolution issued by government prosecutors. The son of former Trade secretary Roberto Ongpin asked the Regional Trial Court of San Fernando City in La Union to defer the issuance of an arrest warrant and suspend the proceedings on his controversial drug case. Ongpin, a person of interest in the death of artist Breana “Bree” Jonson, said that he only learned about the DoJ resolution recommending the filing of a complaint against him from online news portals.

BUSINESS: 2021 inflation seen to average 4.3%

Over to business, analysts anticipate a higher average inflation rate this year, with generally balanced risks, according to a poll done by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). The central bank said in its 2021 Third Quarter Inflation Report that the findings of a survey of 21 private sector analysts revealed that the mean inflation outlook for 2021 has risen to 4.3 percent, up from 4.1 percent in the previous survey, The projection for 2021 was faster than the 2.6 percent average in 2020. It is, however, slower than the BSP’s forecast of 4.4 percent, but it exceeds the government’s aim of 2-4 percent.

READ: Opinion and editorial

Rigoberto Tiglao and Fr. Ranhilio Aquino are today’s front page columnists. Tiglao hits out at critics over presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos’ supposed “degree” at Oxford University, while Fr. Aquino talks about rationality and the polls.

Today’s editorial welcomes broad political views, but people should choose wisely in next year’s elections. Read a full version on the paper’s opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.

For more news and information, get a copy of The Manila Times on print, subscribe to its digital edition or log on to www.manilatimes.net. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram and Keep Up With The Times.

On behalf of The Manila Times, this is Aric John Sy Cua reporting. Have a safe week ahead.

Nagoya routs Shiga; Parks Jr. leads way

RAY Parks Jr. continued his stellar playing, leading the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins to a 39-point, 107-68 drubbing of the Shiga Lakestars that featured fellow Filipino import Kiefer Ravena in Japan’s B.League at the Park Arena Komaki on Saturday.

Parks Jr. poured in 22 points on an efficient 9-of-15 shooting while also tallying four rebounds and four assists in 25 minutes of play.

The 6-foot-4 Parks Jr. led the home team’s 13-2 opening assault, scoring seven in the rally to set the tone for Nagoya D’s demolition of Shiga.

Scott Earthon backstopped Parks jr. perfectly with 19 markers and 10 boards, helping the Diamond Dolphins to lead by as much as 41 points multiple times late in the contest.

Coty Clarke also came through for Nagoya D with a double-double of 13 points and 15 rebounds.

Takumi Saito chipped in 12 points, five rebounds and five assists off the bench for the Diamond Dolphins, which won its last four games after losing three in a row at the start of the season.

On the other hand, Ravena struggled with shooting 1-of-13 from the field for five points. He added three assists, three steals and two rebounds though.

While the Lakestars fell to a 5-2 record, Ovie Soko did the heavy lifting for the team with 27 points and seven rebounds off the bench.

Sean O’Mara cashed in 15 points, eight rebounds and two steals in a losing effort.

Shiga and Nagoya D lock horns anew on Sunday at 2:05 p.m. (Philippine time).

Three more Pinoy imports, namely Thirdy Ravena, Kobe Paras and Juan Gomez de Liaño, also saw action during the day, but their respective teams lost.

Ravena cashed in 14 points on a 6-of-10 shooting clip plus four assists, two rebounds and a block for good measure. His production wasn’t enough though, as the San-en NeoPhoenix fell to the Ibaraki Robots that showcased another Pinoy import, Javi Gomez de Liaño, who wasn’t fielded in the game unfortunately.

Paras went for six points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals, but his team, the Niigata Albirex BB, suffered its fifth straight loss at the hands of the SeaHorses Mikawa, 75-77.

It was a heartbreaking loss for Niigata as it nearly sent the game into overtime, following Paras’ clutch floater. However, Davante Garner scored the go-ahead skyhook basket.

Dwight Ramos registered 16 points and three rebounds, but he missed the game-tying triple, and the Toyama Grouses absorbed their seventh straight loss in as many games at the hands of the Ryukyu Golden Kings, 88-95.

With 38 seconds left on the clock, Ramos’ missed trey paved the way for Ryukyu to pad the lead and win the match by seven points.

Kemark Cariño made his debut in the B.League with two rebounds and one assist in eight minutes of action. His team, the Aomori Wat’s, lost though to the Kagawa Five Arrows, 83-88, dropping to a 1-6 record.

Meanwhile, Juan Gomez de Liaño’s squad, the Earthfriends Tokyo Z, fell to an 0-7 win-loss card after losing to the Toyotsu Fighting Eagles Nagoya, 56-71, in the Division 2 action.

Fouling out midway through the fourth period, the younger Gomez de Liaño put up eight points and two assists in 11 minutes of play.

Nagoya routs Shiga; Parks Jr. leads way

RAY Parks Jr. continued his stellar playing, leading the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins to a 39-point, 107-68 drubbing of the Shiga Lakestars that featured fellow Filipino import Kiefer Ravena in Japan’s B.League at the Park Arena Komaki on Saturday.

Parks Jr. poured in 22 points on an efficient 9-of-15 shooting while also tallying four rebounds and four assists in 25 minutes of play.

The 6-foot-4 Parks Jr. led the home team’s 13-2 opening assault, scoring seven in the rally to set the tone for Nagoya D’s demolition of Shiga.

Scott Earthon backstopped Parks jr. perfectly with 19 markers and 10 boards, helping the Diamond Dolphins to lead by as much as 41 points multiple times late in the contest.

Coty Clarke also came through for Nagoya D with a double-double of 13 points and 15 rebounds.

Takumi Saito chipped in 12 points, five rebounds and five assists off the bench for the Diamond Dolphins, which won its last four games after losing three in a row at the start of the season.

On the other hand, Ravena struggled with shooting 1-of-13 from the field for five points. He added three assists, three steals and two rebounds though.

While the Lakestars fell to a 5-2 record, Ovie Soko did the heavy lifting for the team with 27 points and seven rebounds off the bench.

Sean O’Mara cashed in 15 points, eight rebounds and two steals in a losing effort.

Shiga and Nagoya D lock horns anew on Sunday at 2:05 p.m. (Philippine time).

Three more Pinoy imports, namely Thirdy Ravena, Kobe Paras and Juan Gomez de Liaño, also saw action during the day, but their respective teams lost.

Ravena cashed in 14 points on a 6-of-10 shooting clip plus four assists, two rebounds and a block for good measure. His production wasn’t enough though, as the San-en NeoPhoenix fell to the Ibaraki Robots that showcased another Pinoy import, Javi Gomez de Liaño, who wasn’t fielded in the game unfortunately.

Paras went for six points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals, but his team, the Niigata Albirex BB, suffered its fifth straight loss at the hands of the SeaHorses Mikawa, 75-77.

It was a heartbreaking loss for Niigata as it nearly sent the game into overtime, following Paras’ clutch floater. However, Davante Garner scored the go-ahead skyhook basket.

Dwight Ramos registered 16 points and three rebounds, but he missed the game-tying triple, and the Toyama Grouses absorbed their seventh straight loss in as many games at the hands of the Ryukyu Golden Kings, 88-95.

With 38 seconds left on the clock, Ramos’ missed trey paved the way for Ryukyu to pad the lead and win the match by seven points.

Kemark Cariño made his debut in the B.League with two rebounds and one assist in eight minutes of action. His team, the Aomori Wat’s, lost though to the Kagawa Five Arrows, 83-88, dropping to a 1-6 record.

Meanwhile, Juan Gomez de Liaño’s squad, the Earthfriends Tokyo Z, fell to an 0-7 win-loss card after losing to the Toyotsu Fighting Eagles Nagoya, 56-71, in the Division 2 action.

Fouling out midway through the fourth period, the younger Gomez de Liaño put up eight points and two assists in 11 minutes of play.

Dutertismo and the war on drugs

“Dutertismo” is a term I coined in a column I wrote shortly before the 2016 presidential election (Public Lives, 5/1/2016). I used it to refer to the Philippines’ own version of the phenomenon that came to be known as “Nazism” in Hitler’s Germany, and as “Fascism” in Mussolini’s Italy. The more current name for these […]

The post Dutertismo and the war on drugs appeared first on Inquirer Opinion.

Oust nuisance bets speedily

In Villamor v. Comelec (Oct. 5, 2021), the Supreme Court reminded the Commission on Elections (Comelec) that “[b]y their very nature and given the public interest involved, election cases must be resolved speedily…” With this reminder, the Comelec should speedily deny due course, after summary due process, the certificates of candidacy (COCs) of nuisance candidates […]

The post Oust nuisance bets speedily appeared first on Inquirer Opinion.

6 LGUs in Metro Manila roll out Covid-19 jabs for minors

AT least six local government units (LGUs) under the National Capital Region (NCR) rolled out their vaccines against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) for children aged 12 to 17 on Friday.

As early as 9 a.m., Pasay, and Las Piñas held its pediatric inoculation initiatives in their public hospitals, Marikina and Malabon in their sports venues, San Juan inside the Cardinal Santos Medical Center, and Mandaluyong inside the SM Megamall trade hall.

Between 100 and 140 minors in each LGU are set to receive the Covid-19 antigen jab.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) on Sept. 30, 2021, approved the vaccination of minors under the A3 list of priority sectors, with the jabs being issued Emergency Use Authorization by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Taguig, Caloocan, Pateros, Manila, Pasig, Muntinlupa, and Parañaque launched their respective inoculation drives for minors mid-week of October 2021.

Meanwhile, the cities of Valenzuela and Navotas are finalizing their lists and are expected to launch soon.

6 LGUs in Metro Manila roll out Covid-19 jabs for minors

AT least six local government units (LGUs) under the National Capital Region (NCR) rolled out their vaccines against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) for children aged 12 to 17 on Friday.

As early as 9 a.m., Pasay, and Las Piñas held its pediatric inoculation initiatives in their public hospitals, Marikina and Malabon in their sports venues, San Juan inside the Cardinal Santos Medical Center, and Mandaluyong inside the SM Megamall trade hall.

Between 100 and 140 minors in each LGU are set to receive the Covid-19 antigen jab.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) on Sept. 30, 2021, approved the vaccination of minors under the A3 list of priority sectors, with the jabs being issued Emergency Use Authorization by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Taguig, Caloocan, Pateros, Manila, Pasig, Muntinlupa, and Parañaque launched their respective inoculation drives for minors mid-week of October 2021.

Meanwhile, the cities of Valenzuela and Navotas are finalizing their lists and are expected to launch soon.

Canadian wins Chopin piano competition


The winner the 18th Chopin competition Canada's Bruce Xiaoyu Liu smiles after the results were announced in Warsaw on October 21, 2021. AFP PHOTO

WARSAW: Canadian pianist Bruce Xiaoyu Liu was awarded first prize in the Chopin piano competition in Warsaw on Thursday, clinching one of the world’s most prestigious music awards.

“Being able to play Chopin in Warsaw is one of the best things you can imagine,” 24-year-old Liu said as the jury announced their decision at the Warsaw Philharmonic Concert Hall.

Previous winners of the Chopin Competition include some of the greatest names in classical music, such as Maurizio Pollini, Martha Argerich and Krystian Zimerman.

Held every five years since 1927, the Chopin competition would normally have been held last year, but was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic — a first since World War II.

“It was challenging to get all the competitors into Poland,” Artur Szklener, director of the National Institute of Frederic Chopin, which organizes the competition, had told Agence France-Presse.

But one of the 17 jury members, Argentinian concert pianist Nelson Goerner, believes that pandemic-related lockdowns helped raise the standard of this year’s competition.

“The level this year is remarkable,” Goerner told AFP earlier in the competition.

“The pianists have had more time to prepare and I think the pandemic has awakened in all of us a desire to go further, to surpass ourselves,” he said.

“You can hear it in how these young pianists are playing.”

Japan’s Kyohei Sorita, 27, came joint-second with 26-year-old Italian-Slovenian Alexander Gadjiev.

Spain’s Martin Garcia Garcia, 24, came third.

Born in Paris, Liu graduated from Montreal Conservatoire.

He has performed with the Cleveland Orchestra, Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra, Montreal Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra of the Americas.

This year’s event drew 87 pianists from across the globe, including 22 from China, 16 from Poland and 14 from Japan.

Broadcast live on YouTube and via a bespoke mobile app, the contest attracted record online interest.

Some 70,000 people watched the result streamed online.

All the finalists will now perform in gala concerts until October 23.