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Sorry guys, no Miss World beauty pageant this year! This was announced by Julia Morley, chairman and CEO of Miss World to all national licence holders, on Facebook July 29. Morley's full announcement: "The 70th Miss World Final will be held in the latter part of 2021. Host Country/Venue will be confirmed very soon; "We have made the decision to delay the 70th Miss World Final. Safety is paramount as we continue the fight against Covid 19 - We look forward to welcoming the Miss World family to our very special celebrations next year." (updated program and schedule will follow soon). The Miss World pageant is the longest-running beauty contest in history. - Robert Requintina

As quarantine restrictions relax in many areas, Sen. Cynthia Villar reminded the public not to be complacent and stressed the need to continue to practice protocols prescribed by the health department to stop the spread of COVID-19. “As we begin to adjust to the new normal way of life, we should not put our guards down. Alalahanin natin na nandyan pa rin ang virus at wala pang bakuna laban sa COVID-19 kaya kailangang sumunod sa health protocols,” Villar said. Villar also said the growing body of evidence saying that face masks and cloth face coverings help prevent the spread of the virus proves that we can defend ourselves against the virus while waiting for the vaccine. Together with her daughter Camille, who sits as Representative of the lone district of Las Pinas, Villar distributed 2,000 tarpaulins in the different barangays of the city to remind residents of the needed health protocols such as the wearing of face mask, practice of physical distancing and frequent hand-washing. “We...

Michael V. has tested positive with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The Kapuso comedian announced the news and documented his journey on his latest vlog post on  Monday morning. According to Bitoy, he experienced flu-like symptoms the last time he tried to vlog. "Siyempre nag-isolate na kagad ako, nag-quarantine na kagad ako. I took medicine nagpa-check up ako sa doctor online. I got better the following day," he said. Experiencing COVID-19 symptoms early on, Bitoy said he had a weird sensation on his nasal area and lost his sense of smell and taste. (GMA News) For full story, click: https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/showbiz/chikaminute/747613/michael-v-tests-positive-for-covid-19/story/

Megastar Sharon Cuneta questioned the statement of presidential spokesman Harry Roque who claimed that the government's response to COVID-19 is working despite the rising number of cases in the country. "Sir, what is working? We see the numbers rise everyday. The hospitals are overflowing with COVID-19 patients like never before. We still don't have enough test kits. The government, sir, has not been managing this health crisis effectively. Surely the health of all Filipinos," said Cuneta on Twitter July 19. "Amidst this global pandemic should have taken priority over things like the Anti-Terrorism Bill, the hearings and eventual denial of the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN, and the idea of renaming NAIA. Now?!!!" she added.  Cuneta made a plea to the government to tell the truth. "Our attention can no longer be diverted from COVID-19 by ANYTHING else our leaders may think up next. Please, save our people first! And for crying out loud, since so many peop...

Face masks have become an emblem of the Filipinos in the fight against COVID-19 as they head for the new norm. And no matter how they look, you should be wearing face masks during situations whenever social distancing may prove difficult. But you might as well wear this must-have accessory of the moment with some style. Be reminded that surgical masks and N-95 respirators are reserved for health workers. And so it's worth finding a protective face mask that would accentuate your outfits. Popular Filipino fashion designer Frederick Berches has come up with chic designs for these newly essential accessories that's close to the heart of Pinoys. "Naisip ko na ang face mask ang isa sa mga pangunahing pangangailangan ng mga tao ngayon. Gusto kong gumawa ng face mask na makabayan and fashionable," said Berches, who is now based in Laguna, during an online chat. Berches, 43, admitted that the pandemic has affected his Barong Tagalog business, his original forte in fashion. He...

Multi-awarded Filipino actress Pinky Amador lost her cool after she and some neighbors found out that the condo-tel where they are staying has been designated as a quarantine facility for people with COVID-19 without their knowledge. Amador issued the statement through her talent management ALV Talent Circuit on Sunday, June 7, after she figured in a viral video that showed her in a fit of rage and emotional outburst last Friday, June 5. "Ironically, the very same people who provoked her anger and ignored her pleas were the very same ones who documented the commotion and uploaded it on social media without Pinky’s knowledge, thereby presenting a prejudiced and misinformed account of what really happened," the talent agency said. "Just to give a brief clarificatory overview of her personal statement, Pinky’s outrage was the offshoot of her personal grievance against misinformation, a plea for accountability from her building owners and administrators, and her rightful rea...

Binibini Samantha Bernardo of Palawan City has encouraged the public to do their share in fighting the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic through the community-driven contact tracing, health condition reporting and social distancing system. "We know that we can't afford to do mass testing as of the moment. So please let's all be responsible and accountable in helping one another to beat COVID-19," said Bernardo as she promoted the app "StaySafe PH" on Facebook May 27. "StaySafe PH" aims to help people track, report and even identify people symptoms or those infected with virus. "This has been approved by Malacañang, National Task Force, Inter-agency Task Force COVID-19, Department of Interior and Local Government, and the Department of Health," Bernardo said. To join the campaign, just download the app and register at www.staysafe.ph and stay home. As of May 27, there are now almost one million users of this contact-tracing app. "We can prote...

As many people stay inside their homes in compliance with government measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 cases, people has turned to home gardening as a way to stay productive while passing time. Sen. Cynthia Villar, advocate of urban gardening, couldn’t be more pleased with this development and referred to the blossoming of home agriculture as one of the positive outcomes brought about by the quarantine measures. Villar, chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture and Food and director of the Villar Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance (Villar SIPAG), built farm schools in Las Pinas and San Jose del Monte City in Bulacan, to promote agriculture in urban areas. The first Villar SIPAG farm school inaugurated in 2015 is located in a 4-hectare lot in the boundary of Las Piñas City and Bacoor. The San Jose Del Monte Farm School, which opened in October 2016, sits in a 4-hectare land in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan. Both schools have training areas,  dormitories, f...

Sen. Cynthia Villar has added her voice to the growing support for the proposal to place parts of Metro Manila under general community quarantine after May 15. Villar said the Metro Manila Council and the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases should consider the lifting of enhanced community quarantine especially in localities identified as low and moderate risk in terms of number of COVID-19 cases. “I agree that we should start re-opening the economy and begin the implementation of new normal measures in Metro Manila areas that have been successful in keeping their COVID-19 cases under control,” Villar said. The senator also added that the prolonged ECQ is already taking its toll on the economy and employment situation in the country and causing distress among workers and their families. “We all know that the government cannot provide assistance to everybody affected by this public health emergency. We should now start re-opening the economy with h...

As the whole world continues to face the wrath of the dreaded COVID-19 virus, more and more concerned citizens are spearheading their own initiatives to alleviate the plight of today’s unsung heroes: the thousands of doctors, nurses and other medical frontliners who fearlessly stand tall and risk their lives as our first line of defense. In the Philippines, a good number of public servants, celebrities and private citizens continue to pay it forward with their own acts of service. One of these good samaritans is swimming champion Alfonso Bautista, who mounted his own campaign to make and donate face shields for the frontliners. The 22-year-old gold medalist hatched his plan as early as mid-March when most hospitals started reeling from a shortage of PPEs and face shields.  Spurred by the grim scenario, Alfonso wasted no time in gathering funds from family and friends. He then commissioned a manufacturer to create a signature line of high-grade face shields made from acetate and foa...

Senator Cynthia Villar has decided to participate the Senate sessions through teleconferencing to keep her safe from the threats of COVID-19. Villar made the decision in a statement she released on May 3, one day before the Senate resumes its session today, May 4. Her full statement: "I will not be attending sessions physically, but I will participate in Senate proceedings through teleconferencing; "Manny and I are staying at home to be safe. Through the help of our faithful staff, who are living with us temporarily, I have been doing my work continuously. And Manny is managing our business online. I can take the risk, but Manny cannot. He is managing a very big organization with thousands of employees and workers. The companies need him because of a predicted economic recession; "We have experienced recessions in 1983 and 1997. Like before, Manny has to manage the business to overcome the present challenges; "There are people like us who can opt to ...

The Gateway Gallery is bringing back #ArtHeals Portrait for a Cause in support of the #TogetherWeHeal campaign. #TogetherWeHeal is the donation drive project of Araneta City in partnership with the J. Amado Araneta Foundation, TicketNet, and Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. for the benefit of indigent families in Metro Manila affected by the COVID-19 crisis. One may get a portrait in digital format for a minimum of P1,050 donation, equivalent to three (3) food packs, to the #TogetherWeHeal campaign from May 1 to 4, 2020. Our talented artist friends Cee Cadid, Raks Molata, Naning Molata-Gavin, Joem Chua, Ronald Lopez, Dave Temperamente, Joseph Espino, and, Adrian Karl Gutierrez will render the portraits as a thank you to our generous donors. To take part: 1) Donate through this link: http://bit.ly/AranetaDonationDrive 2) Send the proof of donation and a clear photo reference to gatewaygallery@aranetagroup.com 3) You will receive your portrait in digital format throu...

Aside from vegetable seeds, Sen. Cynthia Villar also distributed compost to help home gardeners grow healthy plants. Buoyed by the popularity of planting projects while on quarantine, Villar, chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture and Food, initiated the distribution of compost, an organic material that can be added to soil to help plants grow. “While we have already convinced people to start planting, we might as well teach them how to plant the organic way,” Villar said. Villar noted that the use of compost reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides as it enriches and conditions the soil. In Las Pinas and the Villar SIPAG farm schools, Villar’s composting projects continue to operate. It involved the collection of kitchen and garden waste. In Las Pinas, about 70 tons of compost are produced and given out to farmers in nearby localities. In addition to providing help to frontliners by donating food and protective equipments, Villar has included in her ...

Anderson Cooper was not willing to cede any ground when it came to an interview with Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman on Wednesday, and the confrontational interview has drawn a lot of attention. Mayor Goodman joined Anderson Cooper 360 via video chat, and spoke with the newsman about her recent call to reopen Las Vegas, despite the ongoing coronavirus crisis. Goodman -- who has been vocal about her opposition to the stay-at-home order issued by Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak -- said her concerns revolved around the economic impact of the social distancing mandates, which included the closure of all non-essential businesses. "I want our restaurants open, I want our small businesses open, I want our people back in employment,” Goodman said on CNN Wednesday. “We have so many families that can’t even afford to get the groceries for their family because they’ve been out of work for six weeks." Goodman and Cooper exchanged pointed comments as the Mayor made arguments aga...

Residents of Palo, Leyte are among the latest beneficiaries of the help extended by Sen. Cynthia Villar to areas affected by the COVID-19 health crisis. In solidarity with Mayor Ann Petilla's efforts to cushion the municipality from the adverse effects of the implementation of community quarantine, Villar sent rice for distribution to residents.

Experts said we need a daily quota of eight hugs a day for that feel-good energy to grow as a human being. But due to ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the human touch is now quite scary and risky. MYX VJ Edward Barber, the other half of the popular love team MayWard, experienced that COVID-19 blues. Edward was deprived of his daily ration of hugs from the woman closest to his heart: his Mommy Cathy, for two weeks. In one of their recent online MYXitUP episodes, Edward narrated that his mom came back from Germany a few days before the community quarantine kicked off but instead of being able to hug and kiss her, his mom literally pushed him away as she came from a country hit hard by the virus. Edward, a confessed Mama’s boy, said his mom distanced herself from him and his sister for 14 days, no hugs and kisses for her two kids, to ensure their health would not be endangered. (Photo of  Edward Barber in red hoodie courtesy of Twitter)

Knowing full well that help should be given to those who need it more, Sen. Cynthia Villar asked the cooperatives to lead the distribution of relief goods to members who are severely affected by the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine. Photo shows members of the Mother Rita Multipurpose Cooperative in Candelaria, Zambales, receiving sacks of rice from Villar.

The J. Amado Araneta Foundation (JAAF), the social responsibility arm of the Araneta Group, has been providing support to various COVID-19 related efforts on a nationwide scale. Since the ECQ was imposed in Metro Manila last March 17, JAAF has been actively working on several efforts.   As of April 17, the breakdown of undertaking includes: • P665,280 has been appropriated for COVD-19 testing kits • P274,500 worth of medical supplies have been donated to LGUS • More than 8,000 meals have been made for front liners • 1,150 food packs have been distributed • P141,050 have been raised for the #TogetherWeHeal donation drive • 650 #TogetherWeHeal food packs have been procured, with additional funds from the Foundation • 1,000 seed packets received from Department of Agriculture for the #TogetherWeHeal food packs #TogetherWeHeal, the campaign for COVID-19 relief efforts, was launched last March 31.  The major undertaking is a donation drive which aims to ...

In line with its #TogetherWeHeal slogan, Araneta City has arranged a series of live online activities via its official Facebook page on April 16 to 18, 2020 to help Filipinos attain healing and fight fatigue brought by the extended enhanced community quarantine (ECQ). On Thursday, April 16, 10 am, the City of Firsts teams up with Slimmer’s World for the Zumba Fitness online session with instructor Lara Delariman to keep the online community moving amidst the ECQ. This activity will provide netizens a dose of slimming and toning exercises with Zumba exercises that are effective calorie burner, cardiovascular system enhancer and stress reliever. On April 17, 4 pm, Araneta City partners with Addlib Dance Studio for Connect to Fitness, an online dance workout that will leave the viewers fit and healthy. This online workshop, to be headed by Addlib’s Dance Master Macki Pineda is set to get the Araneta City-zens on the groove defying the staleness of being confined at home. On S...

Binibining Pilipinas 2020 front-runner Samantha Bernardo of Palawan City went live on Facebook Monday afternoon, April 13, to cheer her fans and friends as she reminded them to stay home during these grim times. "Just stay at home and don't forget to stay healthy. Wash your hands all the time. I hope to see you soon in the activities of Binibining Pilipinas," said Bernardo who chatted with her fans from the comfort of her room. Bernardo, who is competing in Binibining Pilipinas for the third time, also paid tribute to the frontliners engaged in the fight against COVID-19. During the FB chat, this Binibini beauty invited her fans to ask questions about her journey to the most prestigious national pageant. She is also pushing for a malaria-free Philippines in 2030 as her advocacy. Towards the end of her Facebook Live chat, Bernardo gave away mobile load to winners of the game portion. Bernardo also picked her top 6 Binibini queens past and and present wh...