During President Rodrigo Duterte’s “Talk to the People” Wednesday evening, MMDA Chairman Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. said the mayors have met with representatives of some of the country’s largest companies in preparation for the arrival of more vaccines.

“McDonald’s, Jollibee, Ayala Land, lahat ng malalaking korporasyon — tutulong po sila para po paghandaan po natin ‘yong pagdating ng bakuna (all major corporations — they will help prepare for the arrival of vaccines),” Abalos said.

He said the country is expecting to receive around 10 to 15 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines every month from June to August.

“Itong Abril is about 100,000 — 150,000, tapos comparing it to 10 million. So, iba ho talaga ang kailangang paghandaan (This April there is about 100,000 to 150,000 compared to 10 million. So, what we’re preparing for is very different),” Abalos said.

Meanwhile, he said NCR mayors have agreed to the extension of the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).

He said the infection has gone down and is not expected to increase as the enforcement of minimum health protocols and the borders of NCR Plus — Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite, and Laguna — will remain strict.

“So, sa Kalakhang Maynila more or less maganda po ang takbo. Ang mga alkalde po ay iisa lamang ang boses, ke maliit na lugar kamukha ng Pateros, San Juan o Mandaluyong; o malaking lugar, Maynila o Quezon City, basta magbotohan po, iisa lang po ang galaw po rito (So, in Metro Manila, more or less, things are going well. Our mayors have one voice, doesn’t matter if it’s a small place like Pateros, San Juan, or Mandaluyong; or a big place like Manila or Quezon City; if there’s a vote, there will be a unified action),” Abalos said.

Earlier, Duterte announced the extension of the MECQ in NCR Plus until May 14 based on the recommendation of health experts.

In addition, Santiago City in Quirino province and the province of Abra are also placed under MECQ for the whole month of May. (MNS)

The post NCR mayors to assist private sector in vax rollout appeared first on Philippine Times.

It was the sixth batch of Sinovac vaccine doses delivered to the Philippines. The fifth batch, composed also of 500,000 doses, arrived on April 22.

The latest batch was among the vaccines purchased by the Philippine government, the report said. It arrived via a chartered Cebu Pacific flight from China.

All in all, the country has received 3.5 million doses of Sinovac vaccine called CoronaVac, including those donated by the Chinese government.

The latest batch underwent disinfection after arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. It will be brought to a storage facility in Marikina City.

Based on Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) evaluation of Sinovac’s vaccine, it has the following efficacy rates:

65% to 91% among healthy individuals aged 18 to 59,
50.4% for health workers, and
51% to 52% on senior citizens or those aged 60 and above
Sinovac’s vaccine is given in two doses.

According to Department of Health’s tally, the country has 1,020,495 COVID-19 cases as of April 28, of which 67,769 are considered “active” cases.

Meanwhile, the number of recoveries was at 935,695 and the death toll at 17,031 as of April 28.

The Philippines officially rolled out its vaccination program on March 1 but it has been hampered by supply problems.

Vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. on Wednesday night said the Philippines is eyeing to start the vaccination of the general public by August. So far, only frontline health workers, senior citizens and persons with comorbidities have been vaccinated. (MNS)

The post 500,000 More Doses of Sinovac COVID-19 Vaccine Arrive in Philippines appeared first on Philippine Times.

In a press statement issued Thursday, Ordanes said the present conditions and variables are still not conducive for proper large scale implementation of the house-to-house vaccination.

“For now, the house-to-house tactics can be done on a targeted basis by concentrating efforts of specific areas where the spread has been high or quite difficult,” Ordanes said, noting that he had written to Metro Manila mayors regarding the matter.

“The COVID spread is like a major fire, so some firefighting tactics would be useful. Target the larger clusters and create a firewall. Isolate and contain specific areas,” he added.

According to the lawmaker, local government units have to allocate some ample resources to make the house-to-house inoculation happen on a targeted basis.

As early as January, the Department of Health already considered the possibility of conducting house-to-house vaccination for vulnerable and high-risk senior citizens.

In Taguig City, home service vaccination is already being offered to bedridden residents.

Meanwhile, the DOH said a total of 246,986 individuals are already fully-vaccinated against COVID-19 as of April 27.

A total of 1,809,801 doses have been administered at 3,415 vaccination sites across the country. (MNS)

The post Solon suggests targeted home vaccination for PWDs, elderly appeared first on Philippine Times.

In an effort to help meet that goal, Governor Sisolak announced that the statewide social distancing mandate was removed on May 1 and that decisions on social distancing will transition to local authority in accordance with the Roadmap to Recovery timeline that was previously announced.

“Across Nevada great strides have been made in our response to COVID-19 to strengthen our partnerships, build capacity within our public health infrastructure, and vaccinate Nevadans,” said Governor Sisolak. “It’s because of this progress that I am proud to announce the goal of having every county in Nevada reopen to 100 percent on June 1. I am confident that if Nevadans continue to remain vigilant as more and more people get vaccinated, we can accomplish this together.”

COVID-19 mitigation measures will transfer to local authority starting May 1 and each Nevada county has been working with the COVID-19 Mitigation and Management Task Force to finalize plans for this transition.

As a result of this transition to local authority, each county will be able to make decisions based on what is best for their communities while taking into account transmission of the virus, vaccination, testing and other infrastructure needs specific to their communities.

Under the Governor’s plan, the Gaming Control Board will continue to maintain authority over gaming areas of licensed properties in Nevada and decisions related to mitigation measures in Nevada schools will transition to school districts.

While the State will be transitioning authority over social distancing measures to the counties, the mask mandate will remain in effect statewide.

For more than a year, local governments, state health officials, emergency managers, local health authorities and community partners have come together in a statewide response to COVID-19. Processes are now in place to support testing, contact tracing, disease investigation and vaccine rollout in communities across Nevada.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board will continue to maintain authority over gaming institutions, Sisolak said, throughout the state.

He emphasized that the planned timeline will require Nevadans to continue to get vaccinated and continue wearing a mask. The statewide mask mandate will remain in place through the transition, he said.

“But public health officials made it clear that in order to reach our goal of reopening on June 1, we must make sure Nevadans stay masked. It would be irresponsible for me as your Governor to ignore that advice. Additionally, it’s a common sense bargain – if we all continue to wear masks, it will help ensure we can reopen our state by June 1,” Sisolak said.

The post Nevada counties open to 100 percent capacity by June 1. appeared first on Philippine Times.

In Bicol, we have the balisoso which are heart shaped banana covered munchies made of malagkit rice or cassava. I was thinking of doing cassava balisoso but I ran out of banana leaves . Instead, I did a suman like cassava. Same content, different outer wrapper form. 

If you have any special request, please email me at Vic @philtimes.net. Enjoy!

Ingredients

2 packs of frozen  grated cassava cake

1 cup of coconut cream

2 cups of brown sugar

Recipe

Prepare banana leaves by cutting them in pieces and warming them on stove open fire. Wipe each piece after warming each side.

Mix all ingredients and scoop 1/4 cup of cassava mix and spread it  on the leaf like  a cylindrical.shape.

Roll the mix with banana leaf and fold the tips.

Steam in a Saladmaster wok for 30 minutes.

The post Cassava Suman appeared first on Philippine Times.

The video, released through Aquino’s Facebook page, is the second of two parts where the celebrity mother and son exchanged seven questions each, in light of Bimby turning 14 recently.

“How do you feel, honestly, when you read those comments and they say you’re gay?” Aquino asked her son for her first of seven questions.

Bimby, who was seated across his mother, answered: “Wala, I don’t really feel anything. If you think I’m gay, alright. But you do realize that the gay community sa Philippines is a strong community. And you do realize that I’m 14.”

“I know what I am. I’m straight as an arrow,” he said.

“Are you sure?” Aquino clarified.

“Yes,” Bimby answered.

“I want to bring this out also,” Aquino told her son. “Whatever you are, I’ll accept. I really don’t care, honestly. Whatever you choose to be, it will be fine with me for as long as you excel. Whatever you’re going to be, you better be the best at the profession you choose.”

Born to celebrity parents — Aquino is dubbed local showbiz’s “Queen of All Media,” while his father, basketball player James Yap, is a superstar of the sport — Bimby has grown up before the public eye.

In Aquino’s custody after the separation of his parents, Bimby would often appear alongside his mother in her TV programs, and now, her digital shows. He has also starred in three movies.

In March, Aquino called out “homophobic attitudes” of her detractors, in response to comments about Bimby’s sexual orientation.

“I know my son doesn’t identify as being gay, but in the event he ever does, he will still be my son. The bullying you are doing is a reflection of your homophobic attitudes that are no longer welcome in 2021,” Aquino said at the time.

Aquino, in her conversation with Bimby, also asked her son whether he has “questioned” himself, on the topic of gender.

“No, not at all,” Bimby answered.

Turning to face the camera, as prompted by his mother, Bimby emphasized: “Here, I’ll set the record straight. I’m straight. I like women. I don’t like boys.”

Aquino then told him, “You know, Bimb, whatever you choose to be, it’s none of their business.” (MNS)

The post Whatever you are, I’ll accept,’ Kris tells son Bimby on gender orientation appeared first on Philippine Times.

On his Instagram account, Gutierrez revealed that he still has a crush on Lahbati. 

“Still crushing on you, even though we’re together, married, and have two kids,” Gutierrez said. 

But it appears that Lahbati’s reply won the hearts of some netizens as she teased her husband for a third baby. 

“baby #3. Just kiddinggggggg i love you,” she replied to Gutierrez’s post. 

Netizens quickly responded to Lahbati’s message, saying they also hope for a baby girl for the celebrity couple.

The couple have two children, Zion and Kai. 

Last March, Gutierrez and Lahbati marked their first wedding anniversary. The couple, who got engaged in 2017, decided to push through with their intimate wedding last year amid concerns about COVID-19. 

Lahbati also opened up about her relationship with her feisty mother-in-law, Annabelle Rama, from whom she has learned how to be patient. 

While admitting that Rama can sometimes be loud, Lahbati revealed that her mother-in-law is also generous and thoughtful. 

Currently, Gutierrez is part of ABS-CBN’s hit series “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.” (MNS)

The post Sarah Lahbati teases husband Richard Gutierrez for another baby appeared first on Philippine Times.

Dave Chappelle and Friends is coming to the MGM Grand Garden Arena Friday, July 2, 2021 at 8 p.m. 

Tickets go on sale to the general public Friday, April 23 at 10 a.m. PT at AXS.com. 

The internationally recognized stand-up comedian and actor’s trademark wit and sharp, irreverent social commentary explores race, popular culture, sex, drugs, politics and fame. Arguably the most-touring comic on the circuit, Chappelle has performed more than 1,600 concerts worldwide in the past four years, selling out shows within minutes of the announcements.

CHICAGO AND STYX ANNOUNCE SHOWS AT THE VENETIAN RESORT LAS VEGAS THIS SEPTEMBER 

One of the most successful and critically acclaimed rock bands of all time – Chicago – will return to The Venetian Theatre inside The Venetian® Resort Las Vegas in 2021 for the fourth year in a row for a three-show limited engagement September 15, 17 and 18, 2021.

Styx, the multimega-million-selling rock band that has forged an indelible legacy both on record and onstage, will return to The Venetian for a three-night limited engagement September 24, 25 and 26, 2021. 

Due to popular demand, Styx, the multimega-million-selling rock band that has forged an indelible legacy both on record and onstage, has added a third date to their engagement at The Venetian Theatre inside The Venetian® Resort Las Vegas on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021. The previously announced shows on Saturday, Sept. 25 and Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021 are sold-out. All shows are scheduled to begin at 8 p.m.

Tickets for the newly added show on Friday, Sept. 24 start at $45, plus applicable fees, and will go on sale to the general public Friday, April 23 at 10 a.m. PT. A limited number of VIP packages will also be available. Tickets will be available for purchase at Ticketmaster.com, Venetian.com, any box office at The Venetian Resort or by calling 702.414.9000 or 866.641.7469. 

Styx fan club members will have access to a pre-sale beginning Wednesday, April 21 at 10 a.m. PT. Grazie Rewards club members and Live Nation customers will receive access to a pre-sale beginning Thursday, April 22 at 10 a.m. PT. All pre-sales will end Thursday, April 22 at 10 p.m. PT. 

For these special performances, Styx – James “JY” Young (lead vocals, guitars), Tommy Shaw (lead vocals, guitars), Chuck Panozzo (bass, vocals), Todd Sucherman (drums, percussion), Lawrence Gowan (lead vocals, keyboards) and Ricky Phillips (bass, guitar, vocals) – has created an exclusive set list and brand new stage production.

The six men comprising Styx have committed to rocking the Paradise together with audiences far and wide by entering their second decade of averaging over 100 shows a year, and each one of them is committed to making the next show better than the last. Styx draws from over four decades of barnburning chart hits, joyous singalongs and hard-driving deep cuts. Like a symphony that builds to a satisfying crescendo, a Styx set covers a wide range of stylistic cornerstones. From the progressively sweeping splendor that is “The Grand Illusion,” to the hunker-down fortitude of all that is the “Blue Collar Man.” From the majestic spiritual love for a special “Lady,” to the seething indictment of preening, primping pageantry for pageantry’s sake of “Miss America.” From an individual yearning for true connection as a “Man in the Wilderness,” to a soul-deep quest to achieve what’s at the heart of one’s personal vision in “Crystal Ball.” From the regal reach-for-the-stars bravado of “Come Sail Away,” to the grainy all-in gallop of that rugged “Renegade” who had it made, the band draws on an unlimited cache of ways to immerse one’s mind and body in their signature sound.

Styx hit its stride with guitarist/vocalist Tommy Shaw’s first LP with the band, 1976’s Crystal Ball, and then they become the first group to score four triple-platinum albums in a row: The Grand Illusion (1977), Pieces of Eight (1978), Cornerstone (1979) and Paradise Theater (1981). Over the ensuing decade, Styx weathered the shifting winds of the public’s musical taste, reconvening for a highly successful 1996 Return to Paradise tour that was expertly documented on both CD and DVD in 1997. With a little help from their many friends in Cleveland’s Contemporary Youth Orchestra, One With Everything (2006) became a hybrid orchestral rock blend for the ages. And on The Grand Illusion / Pieces of Eight Live (2011), the band performed at its peak when tackling every track from a pair of their finest triple-platinum albums back to back. Not only that, but the band re-recorded two discs’ worth of its classic material with much finesse and musculature, aptly known as Regeneration Volume I & II (2011 & 2012). 

After 14 years, Styx’s sonically sweet 16th studio album and its most ambitious, most challenging and most rewarding album to date, The Mission, was finally released June 16, 2017 on the band’s label, Alpha Dog 2T/UMe. The highly anticipated two-disc reissue of The Mission was released on July 27, 2018 via Alpha Dog 2T/UMe, which includes a CD of the original album, as well as a Blu-ray of The Mission mixed in 5.1 Surround Sound accompanied by stunning visualizations for each of the album’s 14 songs based on the album artwork.  

After more than a decade together on the road, this incarnation of Styx is looking forward to performing as many shows as it can as long as it can.

The post LIVE SHOWS ARE BACK IN VEGAS: Dave Chappelle on July, Chicago and Styx on September appeared first on Philippine Times.

Renowned visionary entrepreneur, medical professional, Filipino-American community leader and socialite, Pen De Leon – Manahan painted Las Vegas luxuriously bright red as she and her fabulous family and team celebrated another year of life!

The woman who has everything: several thriving businesses, a handful of fast, fancy cars from Porsches to Lamborghinis, and of course her legendary, to-die-for designer wardrobe, Ms. M, as she is more popularly known among business associates, colleagues, close friends and family remains a humble, generous and kind-hearted woman. In spite of her wealth and achievements, her family remains the greatest of her treasures.

“I am very thankful for all that God continues to give me and that is why I always try to pay it forward and try to live every single day in gratitude and positivity.” When asked what more she’d want for her birthday, Ms. M immediately wished for health and success for those around her: her family and staff.

Another feather in her cap is her latest successful venture, Spotlight Media Magazine which was only launched in the last quarter of 2020 continues making waves as the premier Asian American Lifestyle Source.

Cheers to another year of life, and may you have many more birthdays to come! You deserve to always be in the social spotlight and in the “spotlight” of the hearts of people whose lives you continue to touch!

The lovely celebrant who treated her family and staff to New Asian Barbecue in Las Vegas, Nevada

Flanked by two of the members of her Spotlight Media Entertainment team, Marylaine Viernes and Vic Perez

A luxury limousine ride with an entourage of fast cars: Ms. M with sisters Alice and Myrna.

Ms. M with her eldest son, Mike, his girlfriend Roszeny and granddaughter, Nikki at the Palazzo.

The post Ah Mary Can Dream – Pen De Leon Manahan’s Birthday appeared first on Philippine Times.

Ticket includes Dinner, Show, and Dance!

Maraming Salamat! Mabuhay!

The post Let’s Celebrate Summer Solstice Fest 2021 at the Nevada Ballroom, Gold Coast Hotel and Casino in Fabulous Las Vegas on July 10, 2021 at 5pm! appeared first on Philippine Times.