No more new hotel bookings allowed during Luzon quarantine

MANILA, Philippines — Hotels and other similar establishments will no longer be allowed to accept new booking accommodations during the enhanced community quarantine of the entire island of Luzon due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

On Monday night, President Rodrigo Duterte placed the whole of Luzon under an enhanced community quarantine until April 12 to prevent the further spread of COVID-19, which has infected 187 in the country and killed 14.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said no hotels or similar establishment will be allowed to operate during the quarantine period, except those accommodating the following:

* guests who have existing booking accommodation for foreigners as of March 17

* guests who have existing long-term leases

* employees from exempted establishments under the provisions of March 16, 2020, memorandum from Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and its subsequent modifications and clarifications.

Duterte’s order stopped all public transportation and strictly enforced home quarantine protocols.

Exempted from the work stoppage, however, are all businesses, services, and activities related to the production or provision of food, medicine and health, banking and finance, public utilities and mass media.

The President also allows BPO establishments and export-oriented industries to continue operations provided that they would observe “strict social distancing measures.”

source: newsinfo.inquirer.net

Meralco restores 24-percent electricity in areas affected by Glenda

MANILA, Philippines—The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has restored only 24-percent electricity of its franchise area which covers over five million consumers.

More than 4.6 million of its consumers have been affected by typhoon Glenda. Its franchise area covers Metro Manila, parts of Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan, Rizal and Quezon.

Meralco, in its twitter account assured that “our crew are working double shifts per day to ensure round the clock restoration efforts.”

“However, combined factors of transmission outage extent of damage, clearing ops, among others, limit power restoration to more areas. All of these are crucial to ensure delivery of safe electric service. Hoping for our customers’ understanding on the matter,” Meralco said.

source: business.inquirer.net

Binondo makeover under way

MANILA, Philippines—The plan to rehabilitate Manila’s Binondo district—the biggest and oldest Chinatown outside of China—could be as basic as getting rid of the spaghetti wirings, scrubbing the grime off the facades of buildings and introducing Chinese decorative elements.

But the plan also includes proposals to build a “vendors’ paradise” and parking structures over the esteros, according to Manila Councilor Bernie Ang.

Ang is the vice chair of the Manila Chinatown Development Council formed by Mayor Joseph Estrada to oversee the renewal of Binondo and develop it into a tourist destination.

“We want the old buildings to change their facades so that the aesthetics will be Chinese,” Ang told the Inquirer. “Architect Simeon Tan will suggest how to do it using the cheapest materials available in China and Hong Kong.”

Tan said building owners could use Chinese characters on signs, introduce Chinese décor and architectural elements like red paper lanterns and roof tiles, and use the colors red, emperor yellow and green.

The proposal also includes construction of a new Chinese-Filipino friendship arch, tourist information centers at Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz and Plaza Sta. Cruz, parking structures and vending stalls over the Tetuan and San Fernando esteros, and expansion of the Gandara police station.

Vehicular traffic could also be rerouted to make Ongpin Street pedestrian-friendly and attract more visitors to do walking tours of the town.

Quick fix
In a separate proposal, Kelsey Ngo, president of Pinwheel Media Group Inc., suggested a quick fix: Give Binondo a face-lift by putting on outdoor stickers bearing Chinese motifs. These stickers last at least five years, according to Ngo. His project portfolio includes Filinvest City and Greenhills Promenade.

Ang said the city government would ask the Chinese government to support the Chinatown project.

“By next year, we will see physical changes in Binondo,” he said.

The four umbrella organizations of the Chinese community—Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Philippine Charitable Association, Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Philippine Chinese Business Club—have agreed to support the city government’s development plan.

Unified celebration

The groups used to hold separate celebrations of the Lunar New Year but this year, with Jan. 31 being declared a special nonworking holiday and the city government spearheading the festivities for the first time, Estrada asked them to hold a unified celebration.

A solidarity dinner was held at the Lido de Paris Hotel on Ongpin Street on Thursday night, followed by a countdown at 11:15 p.m. In Chinese tradition, a day is divided into 12 cycles, with the first cycle, the start of the day, running from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m., according to Ang.

The countdown and the musical fireworks display were held at Plaza Sta. Cruz in front of the North Gate on Ongpin Street.

On Friday afternoon, a solidarity parade featuring at least 20 dragon and 100 lion figures will pass through the five gates of  Chinatown. The dragon dance parade ushers in prosperity, according to Ang.

With at least 5,000 people expected to participate, the parade could stretch to 3 kilometers, he said.

Parade route

The Chinese umbrella groups donated 6,000 boxes of tikoy to be distributed at the start of the parade at 1 p.m. at Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz.

From there, the parade will proceed to Juan Luna Street, turn left to Plaza Cervantes, right to Quintin Paredes, left to Escolta, left to Plaza Sta. Cruz, right to Ronquillo, left to Ongpin, left to Sabino Padilla, right to Quintin Paredes, right to Ongpin, left to Sabino Padilla, left to Soler, left to Reina Regente and end at Lucky Chinatown Mall.

Traffic will be stopped on major streets on the route of the parade. Congestion may be expected at the southern and northern approaches to MacArthur Bridge and Jones Bridge and on the south and north sides of Rizal Avenue and Quintin Paredes.

source: newsinfo.inquirer.net

Condo guard: I saw Vhong Navarro’s hands tied behind his back

MANILA, Philippines—Actor  Vhong Navarro’s hands  were tied behind his back and his face was covered by his ball cap when he was taken inside the condominium unit Wednesday night, the security guard said in his statement at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

Lero Garvin, on duty security guard at the main gate of Forbes Woods condominium, appeared before the NBI Monday morning.


The members of the NBI-National Capital Region have already talked to the actor on Jan. 23, a day after the alleged mauling incident.

NBI Assistant Regional Director Vicente De Guzman said Navarro identified six to seven attackers.

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

Seared beef sushi that melts gracefully in the mouth

Truly good food and truly bad food are what shock the palate out of torpor—reminding us of how high and wondrous the peaks can be and how deep the troughs.

We should be grateful that in this country our standards are pretty high, and that cheap, flavorful food is never far away. But at the same time, the high-end restaurants should be continually pushing the envelope and maintaining consistent standards.

This week I had the best meal I’ve had in a long time, including those taken on various trips, but I’m not going to review it because it was an invitation from an already well-known chef, Tonyboy Escalante of Antonio’s. It left me spoiled for the rest of the week—I kept looking for that endorphin high; everything else tasted like cardboard and I would compensate for this by adding lots of chili to kick up some flavor.

That weekend, we were hoping to regain our footing in the real world in our usual family haunt, Seryna, but following a recommendation from a friend, we ended up at Mangetsu, on Jupiter Street, Makati City.

The sign said “Fusion Japanese Food,” which put me off. Since Japanese food is not my native cuisine, I’m generally looking for the authentic one.

But as it turned out, the clientele are mostly Japanese, perhaps because they are looking for a twist to their classics, in the similar way we go to restaurants like Sentro and Pia y Damaso because we want a bit of panache in addition to quality.

We’re still insecure enough about our Japanese food knowledge that we need reassurances of authenticity, like dinginess or crowds of salarymen in a cloud of smoke. Or the word “authentic” rather than “fusion” in the sign.

Well-crafted

So, ironically, even if you don’t try sea urchin pasta and various other innovations, and stay with the classics, you’ll find yourself eating well-crafted, well-thought-out contemporary




Japanese food. It’s definitely a cut above a Little Tokyo tavern but with a price tag comfortably below the increasingly exorbitant Sushi Tsumura.

The sashimi platter of the day was not only bountiful, but also didn’t have too much in the way of the filler to pick through, like prawns or crabsticks. Seared beef sushi melted gracefully in the mouth, with the rice clumped just so; you can pick it up and dip it upside down or dunk it in soy sauce with chopsticks as we were, apparently, not supposed to do.

Either way, the rice remained a coherent whole and didn’t fall to bits. It was probably one of the best sushi I’ve had in town.

The shoyu ramen was quietly competent, nothing too showy. The broth was rich, not gloopy, without being thickened with potato flour, as many of the trendy ramen places do to give it sheen and an artificially heightened feeling of unctuousness. (It’s also what makes one feel uncomfortably full afterwards.)

Soft landing

Mangetsu is a place that should have more people than it does, or at least more of us locals eating, at the very least, the non-adventurous bits of the menu.

I don’t know whether it’s the gimmicky part or not enough of it that’s putting people off, but there are mediocre and run-down Japanese joints with terrible food, at the same price point, that do roaring business.


We promised ourselves we would try the uni omelette or the Japanese pizza at some point, but with plenty of fresh fish and a wizened sushi chef to dish it up, with easy parking, and not having to claw through queue-jumpers for a table, I have a feeling this will become a regular spot for us.

You can’t eat perfectly rare pigeon and seared foie gras every night, unfortunately, and the only real remedy to having a transcendental experience is to have a truly abysmal one to cancel it out.

Failing that, a good meal in an above-average restaurant, as we had at Mangetsu, brings one back to earth with a soft landing rather than a thud.

Mangetsu is at 38 Jupiter Street, Makati City; tel.

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net

Couple charged with estafa for selling fake smartphones online

MANILA, Philippines — Marikina policemen have filed charges against a couple who were arrested earlier for allegedly selling counterfeit smartphones online.

A statement from the Eastern Police District identified one of the suspects as 18-year-old Bernadette Mandapat, also known as Ayessa Enriquez and Berna, and a resident of Pigeon Street in Barangay Malanday (village), Marikina City. She was arrested with Duane Allen Mossman, 20, a resident of Goodrich Village in Barangay Concepcion Uno, Marikina City.



The two were accused of estafa and other forms of deceit under the Revised Penal Code by Reina Carla Angeles after they allegedly sold her a counterfeit smartphone.

Investigation showed that the victim purchased a black Samsung Galaxy S4 from the two through their account on the online selling website sulit.com.ph. Angeles said she paid the couple P30,000 on Aug. 31 during a meet-up at a mall in Marikina City.

However, when Angeles brought the phone to a Samsung retailer in Masinag, Antipolo City, she found out that it was not an original but only a clone.

She reported the fraudulent transaction to the Marikina police and showed them a certification from Samsung as evidence.

As part of the entrapment operation, the victim bought another phone from the couple who were arrested on Sept. 21 when they met up with Angeles at a branch of a fast-food chain in Barangay San Roque, Marikina.

source: newsinfo.inquirer.net

Claudine Barretto, ex-aide swap theft raps

From accused to accuser.

A former personal assistant of Claudine Barretto has filed a complaint for theft against the actress, more than four months after the alleged incident in Marikina City.

In a complaint-affidavit filed in the Marikina City prosecutor’s office on Sept. 11, Dessa Cadelario Patilan said she lost more than P13,550 worth of valuables when Barretto went to search Patilan’s room in the actress’ house at Loyola Grand Villa on May 10.



The search happened after Barretto accused her of theft and reported this to the local police station, she said.

Patilan alleged that Barretto took her cash amounting to P10,700 and her tablet computer, and asked that the actress pay some P113,000 to cover the cost of the lost items as well as moral and exemplary damages, apart from lawyer’s fees.

Sought for comment, Barretto’s legal counsel Ferdinand Topacio said he and his client had yet to receive a copy of the complaint.

“That’s what we complained about (against Patilan),” he said, referring to the qualified theft charges they earlier filed against her. He said Patilan was just getting back at the actress with a “countercharge.’’

He said Patilan “was dismissed from service (by Barretto) a long time ago’’ and that it was puzzling that she was filing the complaint only now.

The actress would issue a statement today to answer the complaint, Topacio said.

source: newsinfo.inquirer.net

Quality living at The Alvendia

MANILA, Philippines – Premier property developer Rockwell Land Corp. recently introduced another exclusive community at The Alvendia. The launch was made after the success of its first foray into horizontal development, 205 Santolan by Rockwell.

The Alvendia by Rockwell will be a cozy neighborhood for those who choose a life of harmony and tranquility since only 28 low-rise residences will be built on the 4,000-square-meter property. It will rise in a peaceful district in San Juan, and will be near high-end villages in Greenhills.

This enclave of refined residences will be near well-known private schools like Xavier School, Immaculate Conception Academy, St. Paul and La Salle Greenhills as well as retail establishments on Wilson Avenue and Greenhills Shopping Center.

Providing quality living for families, The Alvendia by Rockwell features three-story units. With 300 square meters and three bedrooms, children of every age and heads of the family will surely find a space to call their own in each exquisite home.

Rockwell lifestyle

“The Alvendia will be another unique Rockwell community,” shares Valerie Soliven, Rockwell Land senior vice president for sales and marketing. “With many of our clients expressing their satisfaction with 205 Santolan by Rockwell, we look forward to creating another neighborhood where families can experience the prestigious lifestyle in which Rockwell prides itself.”

The Alvendia will provide discerning homeowners with the Rockwell lifestyle. This chic community will feature a swimming pool and a multipurpose area exclusive to its residents.

To retain the standard of quality in these residences, The Alvendia will be in the hands of the Rockwell Property Management Corp. will ensure that amenities and common areas are well-kept.

Premises of The Alventia are equipped with a CCTV system, closely monitored by expertly trained security personnel, and accessible only through an exclusive gated entrance. Like every Rockwell development, the Alvendia is also well-prepared for unfriendly weather, with 100-percent standby emergency power in all its common areas and facilities.

source:  business.inquirer.net

All set for first solo concert

WHEN you’ve been doing something for so long, sometimes you forget the reason you’re doing it in the first place, said singer-songwriter Rico Blanco, who’s been playing professionally for close to 20 years now.

For a while after his 2008 debut solo album “Your Universe” had run its course, Rico felt he had come to a dead end. He knew that, to record a creatively satisfying new album, he had to do away with old habits and rediscover music.

The process was long, tedious, frustrating, Rico told a press con recently. But he’d rather be frustrated than bored. One day, the idea of fusing electronic and Pinoy tribal music struck him like a bolt of lightning. Soon after, Fiesto Bandido of “Galactik Fiestamatik” was born. Recorded in his home studio, “Galactik” is a festive album of electro-pop and tribal punk madness, an explosion of unlikely rock instruments like melodica and lyre, pots and pans.

Asked how he felt when he took the stage as his flashy, musical alter-ego for the first time last year, he replied, “Ang sarap, *!#*%!!”

Excerpts from our interview about his first solo full-length concert “Rico Blanco: Live!,” tomorrow at the Music Museum.

We can’t believe this is your first solo concert.

As a solo artist, I’ve done many out-of-town gigs. But this is my first solo concert.

What are you most excited about?

I get to set up the instruments, lights—everything—the way I want it.

How are you preparing?
Pretty much the same way I prepare for any other show: Six to 10 hours of practice twice a week; nagging 24/7; … a bit of cardio!

How do you decide on a set list?

I go for a balanced list that will keep the crowd engaged. It’s not about grouping—slow, fast, English or Filipino, high- or low-keys—it’s about telling a story.

How would you describe the production values?
Part concert, part club, part theater, part cheering. Very Pinoy, parang halo-halo.

What makes a great show?
Even if there were only three people watching, it could be great if the performers could create magic.

What do you enjoy most about performing?
Seeing my energy rub off on people.

How much longer will you perform as Fiesto Bandido?

I’m going to keep at it for a while.

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

Recurring culinary pleasures

Delicious culinary experiences actually lead foodies to go back to restaurants where they had very satisfying meals coupled with efficient service and pleasant ambiance. Sometimes, we are too conservative that we would rather go back to these dining places rather than try new ones and come out frustrated.

There is one which emblazoned the greeting “Hello, Happiness”—a fitting invitation to a memorable meal, be it breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Another one, which in its quiet, consistent way, silently beckons those seeking uncluttered ambiance and good food.

Relish

74 Scout Limbaga, Quezon City

Contact nos.: 3525492; 3520774; 0926-6959885

Established by the Almario sisters (of the famed Interior Design outfit) and their other siblings. The clan must all have the Midas—incidentally the name of the hotel that they also outfitted—touch, for they have been literally “hounded” by success.

Relish Restaurant, which first opened in Salcedo Village, Makati City, now has a branch in Kamuning, Quezon City. The place bears the tagline “Hello, Happiness” and, fair enough, one gets very enthused about a joyful dining experience here.

After being extended a courteous welcome, you must take in the romantic ambiance, sit as elegantly as you can muster, and receive the longish, laminated menu card.

Dining area: A foyer by the entrance provides a unique welcome to the guests. It feels like walking into a cozy living room of an upscale house. The romantic mood starts with the lovely settee and chairs with the softest cushions; a duo of geometrically designed towers; and a chandelier hanging from an inverted cone ceiling.

Inside, look around and “relish” the tastefully assembled objets d’art, arranged to blend with the vases of flowers in white and green. There is no unpleasant view across, seen from the glass walls, because the Almario sisters had the walls painted in the colors of the interior with decorative flowers. Even the loos are tastefully done.

Service: Impeccable. There is a greeter at the entrance. You are led to a table, the chair is pulled and the menu handed.

Staff: Mostly males, very neat and elegant in long-sleeved gray shirts tucked into dark trousers. Servicial, as a guest beckons. Unobtrusive but attentive.

Suggested orders: Chona Almario, who is credited for putting together the impressive array of dishes, most of which come from her clan’s heirloom collection, graciously makes her recommendations. For starters, quench your thirst with a very refreshing green drink.

Then select from the regulars, herbs rendering rich flavors on two appetizers: the Gourmet Pesto Cheese spread with a dollop of pesto on top, laced with a tomato-based dip with Melba Toast; and the Amazing Artichoke Dip with Tostitos.

A must is the Roasted Pumpkin Soup, so flavorful it would make you more anxious about what could come next.

An A-1 dish is the Pasta with Wild Mushrooms, so generously laced with truffle oil. This makes you sigh a happy note.

Three recommended mains: Stuffed Grilled Prawns; Slow-Roasted Beef Belly, tenderized for eight hours, turning it very soft that it falls off one’s fork, served with gravy and corn kernels; and Louisiana Pork Chop, amply thick but equally tender, served with apple sauce.

Other bestsellers: Smoked Salmon dip with caviar; Steaks; Lamb Chops; and Grilled Fish. And don’t forget the wines.

You can skip the dessert since the main entrées can be filling. But try a spoon each of the very nutty Sans Rival, the perfect Chocolate Cake and the light Bread Pudding.

Service and government charges are added to the bill. Senior cards are honored.

*****

Conti’s Bakeshop and Restaurant
G/L Robinsons Magnolia, Hemady Street, Quezon City

This chain, which got popular through word-of-mouth recommendation, has successfully spread its wings to many parts of the metropolis from its beginnings in BF Homes, Parañaque. It all started when the three Conti sisters introduced a line of fabulous, towering cakes which captured the fancy of sweet-tooth city dwellers. Later, they expanded to full-service restaurants and a very active catering service.

Dining area: All Conti’s restaurants have been given a new look, but most retain the original green-and-yellow motif. The resto’s new branch on Hemady took on a new color scheme—beige and chocolate brown.

The place is homey and soundproof. The Baked Products section is separate but accessible from the main door.

Service: Fast and efficient.

Staff: Neat in their uniforms, accommodating.

Suggested orders: The Filipino comfort food is what brings us back to any Conti’s branch, be it for breakfast, lunch or dinner. We give a 10 for its Tapa with Garlic Sinangag and Fried Egg. The meat is very soft, the seasoning a perfect blend of sweet and salty.

The Pancit Palabok is just how our dedicated, late Tia Bana would do it—tender rice noodles bathed with atsuete-colored sauce, with no evidence of too much thickening starch.

Other choices: Salmon comes in baked, sinigang, grilled or salpicao varieties.

Never skip the desserts: tall Viennese Mocha Torte; Oreo Cheesecake; or any pastry.

Service charge and government taxes are added to the bill. Senior cards are honored in all outlets.

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net

Lugang Café beyond the 'xiao long bao'

I first heard about Lugang Café from my sister a couple of years ago, when she told me about this restaurant in Greenhills that always has a long queue of diners. Food lovers apparently go there for the xiao long bao (which some spell sialompao), that dumpling with soup inside.










Fast forward to sometime last month, when I found myself with a media group straining our necks to see just how the xiao long bao is made.

Three chefs with dough-covered hands demonstrated how it’s done: first, the dough was cut into small pieces and flattened almost paper-thin, then filled with either chicken or ground pork – somewhat like siomai – and jellified stock. The ends of the dumpling were twisted into 18 perfect pleats and gathered into a cone.

“Yes, there are 18 pleats because 18 is a lucky number. The pleats have to be perfectly aligned after steaming,” said Karen Tiu, who handles the operations at Lugang Café.

After steaming in bamboo baskets, the dumplings are served, with the jellified stock transformed into a tasty broth. How to eat it? “Bite and sip,” advised Reena Arnaldo, human resources manager of the café.

Xiao long bao has become the specialty of the house such that last month alone, 4,300 baskets (mostly pork, although they also have chicken and vegetarian dumplings) were served to the café customers. And with eight pieces per basket, that makes for a whole lot of xiao long bao.










But there is more to the Lugang Café than xiao long bao. During a press briefing early November at their Greenhills outlet, Katrina K. Chua, daughter of owners Peter and Annabelle Chua, and head of dining operations, introduced new dishes in time for the Chinese-Taiwanese restaurant’s second anniversary on Nov. 22.

One of the new dishes is the Black Pepper Premium Beef Ribs, a flavorful dish that should go well with the light Chicken Topped with Scallion and Ginger Oil. I prefer putting a generous serving of ginger oil on top of the cold chicken slices for a more pronounced taste.

The Dong-Bo Pork Belly with Steamed Buns is like pata tim on cuapao, with the meat so tender to the bite. The Steamed Scallops with Garlic Vermicelli (bihon) can be addictive, as you can pop these in your mouth in between bites of the other dishes. The Mayonnaise Prawns are like big-sized popcorn shrimps with a gentle hint of wasabi topped with some mayo, a sure hit among kids and kids at heart. And for veggies, there's the new Fookien dish Pumpkin Seafood Rice Souffle—this has fish fillet mixed in, and is a meal in itself.




These new dishes complement the xiao long bao and other best-selling dishes they have, such as the Steamed Fish Head with Pickled Red Peppers, Three Cup Chicken, Stir-Fried Beef with Chili Peppers, and Soft Tofu and Mushrooms in Abalone Sauce. They also go well with their trademark dessert—the humongous (12 inches) and definitely meant-to-be-shared Bellagio Breeze, a tall halo-halo with red and green mung beans, taro, tapioca balls, and candied pineapple over shaved ice and flavored with condensed milk.

Katrina said about 80 percent of the café's dishes are from Bellagio Café in Shanghai. Lugang Café, after all, is a franchise of Bellagio Café, and is the first store of Bellagio outside China. The Chuas just changed the name to “lugang,” which means small alley or town in Chinese, to give a more Chinese ring to it. They also added more dishes to the new menu to cater to the tastes of the Filipino palate.

Although there are numerous Chinese restaurants in the country, Katrina said their food sets them apart from the rest. “The food is different. The taste is modern with a hint of traditional,” she said. Sweet and spicy are the main flavors of the dishes, with a subtle hint of ginger. The ingredients are imported from China and Taiwan, and Chinese chefs lead the kitchen operations.

The same modern-and-traditional theme is carried over in the Greenhills outlet's interiors which incorporate metal (steel), fire (lighting), and earth (flowers) elements. Their Mall of Asia branch, opened in 2011, is more traditional, said Katrina. Opening this month is their new branch at SM City North EDSA's The Block, and next year, they're going to be in Fort Bonifacio as well, no doubt covering all areas to satisfy xiao long bao fans in the metro.

Whatever it is you order, though, make sure to get the Aloe Jelly in Honey Lemon Juice as your drink. Now that to me is a winner. – YA, GMA News


Lugang Café is at 115 Connecticut Street, Northeast Greenhills, San Juan City, with tel. no. (02) 775-7599.

source: gmanetwork.com








 
 

DOH distributes anti-leptospirosis medicines in NCR evacuation centers

Health officials in Metro Manila distributed to local government units Friday doxycycline capsules to prevent the spread of leptospirosis among residents affected by the recent heavy rain and floods.

Department of Health Metro Manila director Eduardo Janairo said the capsules may help prevent the spread of the disease in evacuation centers.

“We have to avert the possible increase of leptospirosis cases not only in evacuation centers but also to flooded communities in Metro Manila. Because we cannot prevent people from wading in floodwaters, we are providing prophylaxis for them so that they will not be affected by leptospirosis,” Janairo said in a news release on the DOH website.

The DOH allocated 11 boxes of doxycycline capsules to each of the 17 LGUs in Metro Manila. Each box contains 1,000 100-mg capsules.

According to the World Health Organization, leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects both humans and animals. "Humans become infected through direct contact with the urine of infected animals or with a urine-contaminated environment," WHO said.

"In the early stages of the disease, symptoms include high fever, severe headache, muscle pain, chills, redness of the eyes, abdominal pain, jaundice, haemorrhages in the skin and mucous membranes, vomiting, diarrhoea, and rash," it added.

Local governments that previously received their allotment will be given additional stocks to augment their supply.

High fever

Janairo also advised hospitals to immediately provide Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) to treat patients with high fever.

As for those who cannot avoid wading in floodwaters, he said they should make sure to wear protective gear.

"(I)f you have any cuts and bruises, it is best not to go into the water anymore to avoid contracting the disease,” he said.

100 mg weekly

Janairo said each person will be given one 100mg doxycycline capsule weekly for protection against leptospirosis.

Two capsules will be given to rescuers and those who are directly exposed to flood waters.

Earlier, Health Secretary Enrique Ona said that there is enough supply of doxycycline for those in the evacuation centers and people in the flooded communities all over the region.

Meanwhile, other medicines were also provided to affected LGUs like paracetamol, amoxicillin, cotrimoxazole, lagundi and other essential drugs to help in the treatment of patients in evacuation centers.

Rubber boots and raincoats were also provided.

Community Health Teams (CHTs) were deployed to various evacuation centers to provide medical assistance.


“For our safety and that of our family, let us avoid wading in the flood. If unavoidable, always practice proper personal hygiene and wash your feet and hands with soap and clean water immediately after. It is sufficient enough in preventing and controlling the spread of microorganisms that cause diseases,” Janairo said. — RSJ, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

Rains ease long enough for rescues in Philippines

MANILA (AP) -- Widespread flooding that turned half of the Philippine capital into a "water world" eased long enough for rescuers on rubber boats to reach many of the distressed residents still marooned in submerged villages Wednesday.

Forecasters said the monsoon rains that overflowed dams and rivers crisscrossing Manila and surrounding provinces would break for sunny weather later this week. The deluge that began late Sunday was the worst since 2009, when hundreds died in rampaging flash floods.

"We're still on a rescue mode," said Benito Ramos, who heads the government's main disaster-response agency. "Floods are receding in many areas but people are still trapped on their roofs."

Ramos had described the scene as "like a water world" after floods submerged half the sprawling capital. At least 23 people have died, including nine in a landslide in a hillside slum in suburban Quezon City and several others who drowned in outlying provinces.

More than 1.2 million people have been affected, including 783,000 who evacuated their inundated homes. Some have returned as the water was receding, but others stayed despite the hard conditions in emergency shelters as rain clouds again darkened the sky Wednesday afternoon.

Carmen Empesao said she panicked and left with her three grandchildren when waist-deep floodwaters swamped her home in the hard-hit city of Marikina.

"We fled without any food and the clothes we managed to grab were wet and cannot be worn," Empesao, 60, told The Associated Press in an evacuation center teeming with 3,000 displaced.

Rescue efforts shifted into high gear Wednesday, with more than 130 emergency crewmen from two provinces reaching the capital city of 12 million people to help their overwhelmed teams, including police and soldiers. Rescuers used rubber boats and ropes to navigate flooded streets where many people climbed on rooftops to escape neck-deep waters.

President Benigno Aquino III distributed food packs in hard-hit communities. Traffic was light as workers tried to clear roads blocked by fallen trees and debris. he government suspended work and classes Tuesday but most offices opened Wednesday.

Ramos said he was overwhelmed by the extent of the flooding when he flew aboard a helicopter with Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin for an inspection. "In some areas, I could not tell the sea from the flooded villages," he told The AP.

Manila was drenched with more than half of a month's worth of rain in just 24 hours starting Monday. A typhoon that was near China and helped intensify the Philippine rains blew into the Chinese mainland early Wednesday, leading to the drier forecasts for the rest of the week.

"We may see the sun tomorrow," government forecaster Glaiza Escullar said. Sporadic downpours still were possible.

She also warned that up to three storms or typhoons could lash the Philippines this month. About 20 tropical storms are expected to affect the archipelago nation this year.

In 2009, massive flooding spawned by a typhoon devastated Manila and surrounding areas, killing hundreds.

source: asianjournal.com

Rainfall red alert up again in QC, Manila, Marikina, CAMANAVA

The Philippine Atmoshpheric Geophysicla and Astronomical Services had again placed Metro Manila under a red warning rainfall alert Tuesday evening.

“Torrential rainfall (30.0-40.0mm/hr) was observed over QC, CAMANAVA, Manila & Marikina while Moderate to Heavy rainfall (5.0-15.0mm/hr) was observed over the rest of Metro Manila for the past 3 hours,” said PAGASA in its 9:30 p.m. red warning alert.

The monsoon rains had prompted the weather bureau to issue an initial rainfall Red alert over the NCR late Monday evening. — DVM, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

Southwest monsoon brings more rains than Ondoy

The amount of rainfall brought by the southwest monsoon over Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon has surpassed the rainfall dumped by tropical storm “Ondoy” in 2009, an official from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)’s disaster prevention and mitigation system office said Tuesday.

Dr. Mahar Lagmay, executive director of DOST’s Project NOAH (Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards), said accumulated rainfall from 4:45 p.m. Monday to 3 p.m. Tuesday—a period of 22 hours—reached 472 millimeters.

This figure is higher than the 24-hour rainfall of 455 millimeters recorded by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) at the height of Ondoy from 8 a.m. on September 26, 2009 to 8 a.m. the following day.

PAGASA said torrential rains experienced over much of Luzon, including Metro Manila, were caused by the southwest monsoon enhanced by Typhoon Haikui, last spotted 300 kilometers northeast of Taiwan.

The intense rainfall has brought widespready flooding in low-lying areas of Quezon City and other heavily populated areas in the capital, and forced many families to flee their homes.

Scenes of flooded streets over the past two days have recalled the disaster in September 2009, when tropical storm Ondoy left at least 464 dead in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

Different time frames

In his Twitter account, Lagmay said that while the accumulated rainfall due to the southwest monsoon is already higher, Ondoy’s rainfall “was compressed over a shorter period (of) time.”

Meanwhile, GMA Network’s resident meteorologist Nathaniel Cruz noted how DOST’s measurement of the rainfall from the southwest monsoon and PAGASA’s record of rainfall from Ondoy were taken during different time frames.

PAGASA earlier said the amount of rainfall from 8 a.m. Monday to 8 a.m. Tuesday was only 323.5 millimeters—way lower than the volume of rain poured by Ondoy during the same time period.

Cruz also pointed out that the incessant rains over the past two days were not brought by any “legitimate weather system,” unlike Ondoy which was a tropical storm.


“Ginagamit nating barometro si Ondoy, pero tandaan natin na itong ulan natin ngayon ay hindi naman dala ng bagyo. Wala akong maalalang ganito karaming ulan na dala ng southwest monsoon lamang for the past five years,” he said. - YA/HS, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com