Poetry society holds first national tilt amid pandemic

<h1 style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB-jxNcNZkOK3zyvz9moxhGvdtwU-amm2Y-szH4aL9oIUywWLXkuI-lFHTNwWUNpuy5SwWs0QO6wdASZpyY_ucadMYobdPCOiMoKDXitSqfRbYpoLiN2i91MqyuWwyDP7GOrTAeWJjPZGq/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="634" data-original-width="630" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB-jxNcNZkOK3zyvz9moxhGvdtwU-amm2Y-szH4aL9oIUywWLXkuI-lFHTNwWUNpuy5SwWs0QO6wdASZpyY_ucadMYobdPCOiMoKDXitSqfRbYpoLiN2i91MqyuWwyDP7GOrTAeWJjPZGq/w318-h320/1.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>Hoping to provide a creative outlet to millions of Filipinos in these trying times, The Next Poets Society conducted its first-ever national poem writing contest online from May 15–27, 2020.</h1><div><h3 style="text-align: left;">With the theme Life and Love, more than 500 participants penned their chances of submitting entries from all over the country.</h3><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbpxX3p7rfitQ744oclCpxzzZibDjViwErE1lrDfDxzZoaoOmXLXq1afMn5ZRwmXeQ1yZmVQHipWemq84LUHeufzVRr71wLlUQFMQTDFXXHWSX8BEcbGn9QFBmO746yI31u6OKDkBLZRj/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="703" data-original-width="713" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbpxX3p7rfitQ744oclCpxzzZibDjViwErE1lrDfDxzZoaoOmXLXq1afMn5ZRwmXeQ1yZmVQHipWemq84LUHeufzVRr71wLlUQFMQTDFXXHWSX8BEcbGn9QFBmO746yI31u6OKDkBLZRj/w200-h198/The+Next+Poet+Society+Logo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Days after the grueling judging followed by online voting, <font>𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥 </font>During these trying times brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, The Next Poets Society aimed to provide a creative outlet to millions of Filipinos through its first-ever national poem writing contest held online from May 15-27, 2020. With the theme "Life and Love," more than 500 participants from all over the country submitted their entries in hopes of winning the top prize.</div><div><br /></div><div>After days of grueling judging followed by online voting, Angel Allen Montejo Son from Cavite emerged as the champion with his poem "Larong katoto, di nahahapo." Patrizsa May Alfonsso of Zamboanga City followed closely in second place with her entry "Philautia," while Charles Werrold Fernandez of Pangasinan took the third spot with his poem "SILA."</div><div><br /></div><div>For Son, poetry helps him balance his thoughts and provides him with a medium to explore different perspectives, especially during the COVID-19 crisis. Aside from the top three winners, three other hopefuls also made it to the finals: Kim Angelo P. Umayam from Quezon City (4th Place, Entry: "Paano Magmahal ng Isang Uod?"), Arnold C. Gatus from Valenzuela City (5th Place, Entry: "My Quarantined Love Amid Quarantined Life"), and Marc Morric Arayan from Las Piñas City (6th Place, Entry: "Ang Natuto"). The contest was a success in terms of providing a creative platform for Filipinos to express their thoughts and emotions during these challenging times.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigdteSZD17akD8o-xfVLSxdRKS8kdwEH-8gbkDWN3OncwjSC0Zo-dgTPmz8pD1qJlj6DVbHRyETXc0ymwMn-xbTFYg0wfoEaAwuvtlBEBDv_rhlPyj_GjljoPGJkNfKaWGYcbyfQ9WV9XQ/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="1080" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigdteSZD17akD8o-xfVLSxdRKS8kdwEH-8gbkDWN3OncwjSC0Zo-dgTPmz8pD1qJlj6DVbHRyETXc0ymwMn-xbTFYg0wfoEaAwuvtlBEBDv_rhlPyj_GjljoPGJkNfKaWGYcbyfQ9WV9XQ/w640-h365/First+Winner.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInrblGln85MHmCH-cqzOb-wrkVO7o3y95hja1-HgAm9yxwkUexZPdcVbVT0OZmcGFWSZ1s6UyZBtzmmoUWhjc-4Un6XbeXHAFznHGMwj9u7ZXNE4tVID9_aTHqQKTyR-CiTKQ5jYxN1ua/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="1080" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInrblGln85MHmCH-cqzOb-wrkVO7o3y95hja1-HgAm9yxwkUexZPdcVbVT0OZmcGFWSZ1s6UyZBtzmmoUWhjc-4Un6XbeXHAFznHGMwj9u7ZXNE4tVID9_aTHqQKTyR-CiTKQ5jYxN1ua/w640-h364/Second+Winner.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDeupFjRxXTDennZGi8HZweUqX3ONG1zAZhLVo8VHjXPNri5Ommp-KB5bBSPcAy3oS8XVRvgFsJnrsHaaQYwdxvqJTUwI2TViNK7dj1KAckETOeuunIlVKo6wLZGNb59zj7h9csUcj3AUi/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="1080" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDeupFjRxXTDennZGi8HZweUqX3ONG1zAZhLVo8VHjXPNri5Ommp-KB5bBSPcAy3oS8XVRvgFsJnrsHaaQYwdxvqJTUwI2TViNK7dj1KAckETOeuunIlVKo6wLZGNb59zj7h9csUcj3AUi/w640-h364/Third+Winner.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div><div>Here’s the link to the video: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/110165790698123/posts/120608502987185/">The Next Poets Society</a> on Facebook Page.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>

awareness Education Health and Wellness philippines social media trending update viral Poetry society holds first national tilt amid pandemic

Hoping to provide a creative outlet to millions of Filipinos in these trying times, The Next Poets Society conducted its first-ever national poem writing contest online from May 15–27, 2020.With the theme Life and Love, more than 500 participants pen…

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Mexican drug lord Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzmán's sons indicted on drug charges

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> (CNN)The United States has charged two sons of drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzmán Loera with conspiracy to distribute drugs to be imported into the country, the Justice Department announced Thursday.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzUpkpWLEc6jOf90pR8ohU8knaii5vIseo5xq0aMASgwAnkUlaYs8yiK2hKU8CD7H-ufeebZS19cOoJAZKynNpw7uYwhZ5kfCw0LE39t_Y4fnNgND5f-Q3c9wul-2xBSojU1zx2_mh5vDW/s1600/Mexican+Drug+Lord.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="761" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzUpkpWLEc6jOf90pR8ohU8knaii5vIseo5xq0aMASgwAnkUlaYs8yiK2hKU8CD7H-ufeebZS19cOoJAZKynNpw7uYwhZ5kfCw0LE39t_Y4fnNgND5f-Q3c9wul-2xBSojU1zx2_mh5vDW/s640/Mexican+Drug+Lord.PNG" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> The indictment of Joaquin Guzmán Lopez, 34, and Ovidio Guzmán Lopez, 28, who the DOJ says are believed to live in Mexico, was unsealed last week.<br /> From April 2008 through April 2018, the brothers conspired to distribute cocaine, marijuana, and methamphetamine from Mexico and other places to be imported into the United States, prosecutors said.<br /> <br /> It was not immediately clear if the two had legal representation. CNN has reached out to attorneys for the elder Guzmán.<br /> <br /> Guzmán, 61, once headed a criminal enterprise that spanned continents and triggered bloodshed throughout his native Mexico.<br /> <br /> He was found guilty earlier this month on all 10 federal criminal counts against him, including engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, conspiracy to launder narcotics proceeds, international distribution of cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and other drugs, and use of firearms.<br /> <br /> His conviction on the top charge of engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise carries a mandatory term of life in prison. He will be sentenced on June 25.<br /> <br /> CNN's Ray Sanchez, Sonia Moghe and Elizabeth Hartfield contributed to this report<br /> <br /> Source: CNN Philippines</div>

trending Mexican drug lord Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzmán's sons indicted on drug charges

(CNN)The United States has charged two sons of drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzmán Loera with conspiracy to distribute drugs to be imported into the country, the Justice Department announced Thursday. The indictment of Joaquin Guzmán Lopez, 34, and …

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New law removes extra charges for texts, calls to other networks

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> Metro Manila (February 20, CNN Philippines) — Mobile phone users would no longer have to pay extra for calling and texting other networks, thanks to a new law.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZqVr5b9b5k12x8h_4KM9Uw48dgu9nH3U35o8ycKwPTxfq3rCIrdzTXdDGfdXqsrlO6CRbzuE2ruPH9OZbppNssLBHfZ9INQrewmYjp0wbvNYZgDLV63RfCp54Evf5iUK4ZLQrtR3ySnsm/s1600/Filipino_mobilephone_users_CNNPH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="461" data-original-width="768" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZqVr5b9b5k12x8h_4KM9Uw48dgu9nH3U35o8ycKwPTxfq3rCIrdzTXdDGfdXqsrlO6CRbzuE2ruPH9OZbppNssLBHfZ9INQrewmYjp0wbvNYZgDLV63RfCp54Evf5iUK4ZLQrtR3ySnsm/s640/Filipino_mobilephone_users_CNNPH.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> Under the Mobile Number Portability Act signed recently by President Rodrigo Duterte, mobile service providers should not charge an interconnection fee for domestic calls and texts upon effectivity of the law.<br /> <br /> "Ibig sabihin kahit tumawag ka sa Globe, Smart o doon sa third telco, wala na silang sisingilin na interconnection fees sa text at sa tawag," Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, the primary author of the law, told CNN Philippines' Balitaan on Wednesday.<br /> <br /> [Translation: This means that even if you call to Globe, Smart or to the third telco, they would no longer charge interconnection fees for texts and calls.]<br /> <br /> Currently, the National Telecommunications Commission pegs interconnection charges at P0.05 per message and P0.50 per minute for calls.<br /> <br /> Gatchalian said this amendment in the bill was introduced by Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, who raised the possibility of users not benefitting from the law which allows them to transfer mobile networks without changing numbers because they still have to pay interconnection charges for calls and texts to other networks.<br /> <br /> Gatchalian said mobile service providers can easily shoulder this, as interconnection fees only account for a fraction of their income.<br /> <br /> Under the law, mobile service providers that do not let subscribers switch to another network within 24 hours would be fined from ₱10,000 to ₱1,000,000 and even have their franchises revoked. Subscribers are also entitled to damages of up to ₱40,000.<br /> <br /> Gatchalian said the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the law should be completed within 90 days after its enactment.<br /> <br /> The National Privacy Commission said it will work with the National Telecommunications Commission and other government agencies to provide additional inputs in the crafting of the IRR and other policies related to number porting.<br /> <br /> The privacy body vowed to provide safeguards to protect the personal data of mobile subscribers.<br /> <br /> <br /> CNN Philippines Multi-platform Writer Xave Gregorio and CNN Philippines Correspondent Carolyn Bonquin contributed to this report.<br /> <br /> Source: CNN Philippines</div>

Politics Telecommunications trending New law removes extra charges for texts, calls to other networks

Metro Manila (February 20, CNN Philippines) — Mobile phone users would no longer have to pay extra for calling and texting other networks, thanks to a new law. Under the Mobile Number Portability Act signed recently by President Rodrigo Duterte, mob…

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Duterte signs national integrated cancer control act

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte has signed the National Integrated Cancer Control Act, a measure that aims to prevent cancer cases and improve cancer survivorship among Filipinos by scaling up essential programs and increasing investments that battle cancer.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-gfKWkmbWkngFPvNjBBmvbG3iL-MhkVsCL5zTry69DLj4KWUVrg13uyc5h7X9WMsqMbU0ElcH8Mdm9eIpr8xq2ecVK7XxK225na7OzmIBsdNTOr4VICWLI3NWxSREBaCDTqpTGj4W9IH6/s1600/DUTERTE-PIRMA-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="696" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-gfKWkmbWkngFPvNjBBmvbG3iL-MhkVsCL5zTry69DLj4KWUVrg13uyc5h7X9WMsqMbU0ElcH8Mdm9eIpr8xq2ecVK7XxK225na7OzmIBsdNTOr4VICWLI3NWxSREBaCDTqpTGj4W9IH6/s640/DUTERTE-PIRMA-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> Signed by the President on Feb. 14 and released by the Palace on Tuesday, Republic Act 11215, creates the National Integrated Cancer Control Program which shall serve as the framework for all cancer-related activities of the government.<br /> <br /> According to Sen. JV Ejercito, one of the authors and sponsors of the law, cancer is the 3rd leading cause of adult death and 4th in child mortality.<br /> <br /> The Philippine Cancer Facts and Estimates of the Department of Health said there are up to 8 deaths per day for childhood cancer and up to 11 new cases and 7 deaths every hour for adult cancer in the Philippines.<br /> <br /> There are approximately 110,000 new cancer cases and over 66,000 cancer deaths each year.<br /> <br /> The program aims to decrease the overall mortality and impact of all adult and childhood cancer, lessen the incidence of preventable cancer in adults and children, and prevent cancer recurrence, metastasis, and secondary cancer among survivors and people living with cancer.<br /> <br /> It also seeks to provide timely access to optimal cancer treatment and care for all patients, make cancer treatment and care more affordable and accessible, improve the experience of cancer treatment and care of patients and families, support the recovery and reintegration to society of cancer survivors, and eliminate various forms of burden on patients, people living with cancer, survivors, and their families.<br /> <br /> The law forms a National Integrated Cancer Control Council which shall act as the policy-making, planning and coordinating body on cancer control, attached to the health department.<br /> <br /> It also mandates the creation of the Philippine Cancer Center, which shall promote and encourage cancer research, provide training to medical professionals, and assist universities, hospitals, and research institutions on cancer research.<br /> <br /> The law also calls on the health department to intensify its cancer awareness campaign and provide the latest and evidence-based information for the prevention and treatment of cancer.<br /> <br /> “The awareness campaign must increase cancer literacy and understanding of risk factors associated with cancer, dispel myths and misconceptions about cancer, and reduce the anxiety, fear, distress, and uncertainty related to cancer,” the law reads.<br /> <br /> A cancer assistance fund is also created under the law. The health department shall manage the fund and may solicit and receive donations.<br /> <br /> Under the law, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation shall expand its benefits packages to include primary care screening, detection, diagnosis, treatment assistance, supportive care, survivorship follow-up care rehabilitation, and end-of-life care, for all types and stages of cancer in both adults and children.<br /> <br /> A Cancer Control Policy shall also be established in every workplace and form part of employee benefits in the formal sector covering the entire cancer continuum.<br /> <br /> The Insurance Commission shall mandate health maintenance organizations to cover genetic counseling and testing, cancer screening, diagnostics, and palliative care as well as certain therapeutics of all member employees. Employees in the informal sector will be prioritized in the cancer control packages of PhilHealth, while those in the formal sector shall be offered cost-sharing PhilHealth benefit packages.<br /> <br /> Source: ABS-CBN</div>

lifestyle Politics trending Duterte signs national integrated cancer control act

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte has signed the National Integrated Cancer Control Act, a measure that aims to prevent cancer cases and improve cancer survivorship among Filipinos by scaling up essential programs and increasing investments that ba…

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