5 BURNING QUESTIONS Miss Earth 2022 Mina Sue Choi

'5 BURNING QUESTIONS: Miss Earth 2022 Mina Sue Choi on issue of carbon footprints' Miss Earth 2022 Mina Sue Choi of South Korea is taking an active role in the protection and preservation of Mother Earth. As the reigning Miss Earth, Mina says there’s a big responsibility ahead when it comes to the promotion of environmental awareness. As South Korea’s first Miss Earth, Mina also also says she’s thrilled to serve as the ambassador to environmental protection campaigns worldwide. “So far, the crowning moment seems as if it was only yesterday, so the experience is still very surreal. The crown is quite heavy and I know for a fact that the responsibilities will be heavy as well. I am excited for the challenges I will be facing this year, but I am very happy and grateful for the supporting community and the people I have around me,” says Mina, a communication arts student, during an exclusive online interview recently. Mina vows to set a legacy of beauty and responsibility during her reign. “The moment I was crowned as Miss Earth marks only the beginning of my journey. I will do my best during my reign and I will continue to stay true to my advocacy and my values throughout this journey,” the Korean beauty queen adds. Mina advocates in promoting reduction of carbon footprints in cities with sustainable mobility and encouraging lifestyles that will help reduce carbon emission in our daily lives. With the rapid rise of industrialization and urbanization, humans that live in urban areas will increase at an unprecedented rate. With cities already being 60 percent responsible for our greenhouse gas emission, the numbers will skyrocket as more people live in cities. One of the greatest factors that contribute to carbon emission is transportation. Our consciousness plays a big role in this task. Finding alternative ways to reduce carbon emission and making eco-friendly choices. Mina tackles further her advocacy in our online interview: 1) Your advocacy is promoting reduction of carbon footprints in cities with sustainable mobility. Why does it matter? First, It is crucial to mitigate carbon footprint in cities because cities and urbanized areas account for the majority of the carbon emission. Thus, catalyzing and instigating the speed of global warming and irregular natural disasters/climate change. Unfortunately, the largest group that is most immediately affected by this occurrence is not the cities, but the developing cities and countries that have the least in-put in carbon emission. There is an unfair distribution of the consequences when it comes to the question, ‘who is most affected by climate change?’ Communities that do not have the technology in combating irregular natural disasters are faced with the most disastrous consequences. Secondly, there is no doubt or denial in the fact that more urbanization will be taking place in the next few years. Thus, As more urbanization takes place we are in urgent need of adoption of green technologies. Cities with the technology should share knowledge with developing cities and countries and set as an example for a sustainable economy. Climate crisis knows no borders, and as an international community, I believe it is us who Miss Earth’s role to be in the forefronts, collect and knowledge-share across borders. 2) You also encourage lifestyles that will help reduce carbon emission in our daily lives. Share us tips on how to reduce carbon emission? The good news is that we live in a transitional period. We currently live in a period where climate discussions have become the ‘must have’ talks. From international conventions, such as the COP, international communities are gathering to combat the current existential climate crisis. We are consciously talking, but I believe what really has to be tackled is the subconscious minds of the world. We need to embed the idea of being eco-friendly in our daily lives to truly make everyday changes. For now, small activities such as using your own tumbler, using less plastic straws, having occasional meatless meals, walking or biking close distance will make a difference.These may appear as such simple activities, but when these eco-activities become the norms of our lives, not long, we will live in sustainable ecological era, and the only matter in our hands is time and the heart to empathize with our mother earth. 3) What programs in your country – South Korea – that are related to the promotion of the reduction of carbon footprints which you think our government can also adopt? There are many aspects we can learn from one another, but if I were to mention one thing I am proud of Korea is the country’s recycling practices. Korea has one of the most organized recycling systems. In fact If a household does not correctly distribute their waste and trash, the government will fine them. The trash bags in your district would have a specific labelling and they can be bought in any local grocery shops. Distributing and recycling your trash has been such an embedded norm for Koreans that sometimes I actually get a little surprised to see trash all being thrown out in the same bin. 4) Do you think the issue of carbon footprints has reached a negative level elsewhere? What will happen if we take for granted the issue of carbon footprints? Most definitely. Carbon emission released into our atmosphere raises the average surface temperature of our earth causing global warming and extreme weather events. As we deplete our natural resources and burn fossil fuels, the risk of threats are further increasing. Not only do they affect the poorest areas in the world, but also affect the harmony of the biodiversity. As mentioned before, while climate change affects every single person, it significantly and immediately impacts developing countries with the least amount of technology to protect themselves from irregular events; in fact, a lot of these countries rely heavily on natural resources. Today, we’re seeing the tragic results of our reliance on heavy industrialization and urbanization. Cities such as Joshimath in India are sinking and we are seeing more cities disappearing at an unprecedented rate. If it affects the developing countries and cities, it will creep on the bigger, unexpected cities as well. 5) As ordinary citizens, how can we be part of the change? Community involvement is crucial to combating the environmental crisis because not only does climate change affect every single person, but without a unified participation of people, we cannot change the entire system. It is not only about being ecological on a daily basis on your own,but it is also about influencing one another to be ecological as well. Today, We live in a social media based community. What we know and what we acquire comes a lot from what we are exposed to. I truly believe that we can utilize the medium we have and expose more of what we learn and believe in through media. Every person can be an ‘influencer’ and I believe this term has a bit more power and it can be used to do good in the world. My suggestion to many is to constantly use your platform to showcase the beauty of Mother Earth, the ecological activities you are doing, and even the heartbreaks you feel from seeing our lands falling apart. https://mb.com.ph/

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Kim Seok-jin, also known as BTS’ Jin, has reportedly received a vacation prize after winning first place at a military talent show. A post in an online community said that Jin taught dance steps to his teammates which led them to winning first place at a military talent show in celebration of Seollal or Korean Lunar New Year, per a report from Korean media outlet MoneyS. Apart from Jin, his teammates also received a “one day of reward vacation” at the competition. Seollal is described as a traditional holiday that commemorates the first day of the lunar calendar. It is said to be one of the most important holidays among Koreans, where they hold ritual worship events, wear hanbok or traditional clothing, play games, and children receive money from elders. Jin is the first BTS member to enlist in the military in December 2022. As a gift for fans, he posted selfies on fan platform Weverse in the military earlier this month, where he assured them that he’s “doing well.” He debuted as the visual and vocalist of BTS in June 2013. EDV Read more: https://entertainment.inquirer.net/?p=483700#ixzz7ruyl5EJU

Korean actor Song Joong-ki has confirmed that he tied the knot with his British partner, Katy Louise Saunders, and that they’re expecting their first child. Joong-ki made the announcement through a letter uploaded on his fancafe via Korean media outlet Sports Chosun, saying that he got married to Saunders on Monday, Jan. 30. “I have promised to continue life together with Katy Louise Saunders, who has been by my side supporting me and who I have spent valuable time with while cherishing each other,” Joong-ki said via a translation from Korean entertainment platform Soompi. “She has a kind heart, and she has lived her life passionately. She is a sensible and amazing person to the point that I revere her.” The actor also announced that he and Saunders are expecting their first child together. “We naturally dreamed of creating a happy family together. We have put in much effort to keep each other’s promises, and we are sincerely thankful as a new life has come to us. And today, based on our deep trust and love for each other, we are on our way back from registering our marriage to begin life as a married couple,” he said. The “Reborn Rich” star also thanked his fans for their support, promising that he’ll work harder to become a better actor. “Especially following the wishes and support of Ki Aile [or Song Joong Ki’s fan club] who provide the greatest strength to me throughout my acting career, I will work to fly higher as an actor and individual with the wings of greater responsibility and passion. I hope everyone will be happy and healthy until the day I can greet you in person,” he said. The actor confirmed that he’s in a relationship with Saunders through his agency HighZium Studio in December 2022. Saunders, who is best known for her appearances in the Disney film “The Lizzie McGuire Movie” and 2006 film “Los Borgias”, is reportedly a retired British actress who’s based in Italy. Eagle-eyed netizens speculated that she is Joong-ki’s partner after he mentioned her on his Daesang or grand prize acceptance speech at the APAN Star Awards in September 2022. Joong-ki was previously married to his “Descendants of the Sun” leading lady Song Hye-kyo in October 2017. The ex-couple announced their divorce in June 2019, which was finalized less than a month later. The Korean actor is best known for his roles in the popular K-dramas “Vincenzo”, “Sungkyunkwan Scandal”, “Reborn Rich”, “Descendants of the Sun”, “The Innocent Man”, and “Arthdal Chronicles”, as well as the films “Werewolf Boy” and “Space Sweepers”. EDV Read more: https://entertainment.inquirer.net/

2023년 1월 13일 우크라이나 도네츠크 지역에서 우크라이나에 대한 러시아의 공격이 가중된 최전선 마을 바흐무트 근처에서 우크라이나 군인들이 탱크 위에 서 있다. 로이터 파일 사진 < 러시아 기업, 우크라이나에서 서방 전차 격파를 위해 현금 포상금 제공 > 크렘린궁이 러시아군이 우크라이나로 수송되는 모든 서방 탱크를 쓸어버릴 것이라고 맹세한 후, 한 러시아 회사는 우크라이나에서 서방 탱크를 파괴하거나 노획하는 최초의 군인들에게 500만 루블(72,000달러)을 현금으로 제공할 것이라고 말했습니다. 미국, 독일 및 기타 여러 유럽 국가는 전쟁이 12개월에 가까워짐에 따라 우크라이나의 군사력 강화를 돕기 위해 앞으로 몇 달 동안 키예프에 수십 대의 첨단 전투 탱크를 보내기 위해 줄을 섰습니다. 크렘린은 이 결정을 위험한 단계적 확대라고 비난했고 드미트리 페스코프 대변인은 탱크가 최전선에서 "불타버릴 것"이라고 말했습니다. 이제 에너지 산업을 위한 지지대를 만드는 Urals에 기반을 둔 러시아 회사 Fores는 독일산 Leopard 2 또는 미국산 Abrams 탱크를 "포획하거나 파괴"하는 러시아 군인에게 현금 지불을 제공하고 있습니다. 회사는 탱크 중 하나를 파괴한 최초의 러시아 군인에게 500만 루블을 지불하고 모든 후속 공격에 대해 500,000 루블($7,200)을 지불할 것이라고 말했습니다. 포레스는 러시아 관리들과 친전 국영 TV 진행자들이 사용하는 언어를 그대로 사용하면서 NATO가 우크라이나에 "무한한" 무기를 공급하고 분쟁을 확대하고 있다고 말했습니다. 또한 서방제 전투기가 우크라이나에 인도될 경우 1500만 루블(215,000달러)의 현상금을 지불하겠다고 밝혔습니다. 탱크는 아직 Kyiv로 파견되지 않았으며 약속된 납품의 대부분이 발송되기까지 몇 달이 걸릴 수 있습니다. 분쟁이 시작된 이래 러시아 국방부는 수백 개의 서방 무기를 파괴했다고 주장했습니다. Kyiv는 예를 들어 러시아가 이전에 인도된 것보다 더 많은 미국산 HIMARS 로켓 발사대를 파괴했다고 주장했다고 강조하면서 이러한 진술을 일축했습니다. 이전에 선진화된 서구 무기, 특히 HIMARS의 납품은 11개월간의 전쟁의 흐름을 바꾸어 키예프가 일련의 기습 승리를 거두고 침공 초기에 점령한 영토에서 러시아군을 밀어낸 공로를 인정받았습니다. ($1 – 69.57 루블) Ukrainian servicemen stand on their tanks near the frontline town of Bakhmut, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine January 13, 2023. REUTERS FILE PHOTO < Russian business offers cash bounties to destroy Western tanks in Ukraine > A Russian company said it will offer five million roubles ($72,000) in cash to the first soldiers who destroy or capture western-made tanks in Ukraine, after the Kremlin vowed Russian forces would wipe out any Western tanks shipped to Ukraine. The United States, Germany and several other European countries are lining up to send Kyiv dozens of advanced combat tanks over the next few months to help boost Ukraine’s military capacity as the war approaches the 12-month mark. The decision has been criticized by the Kremlin as a dangerous escalation, and spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the tanks would “burn” on the frontlines. Now a Russian company – Fores, a Urals-based firm which makes proppants for the energy industry – is offering cash payments to Russian servicemen who “capture or destroy” German-made Leopard 2 or U.S.-made Abrams tanks. The company said it will pay five million roubles to the first Russian soldier to destroy one of the tanks, and 500,000 roubles ($7,200) for all subsequent attacks. Echoing language used by Russian officials and pro-war state TV hosts, Fores said NATO was pumping Ukraine with an “unlimited” amount of arms and escalating the conflict. It also said it would pay a 15-million rouble ($215,000) bounty on Western-made fighter jets, should they ever be delivered to Ukraine. The tanks have not yet been dispatched to Kyiv, and it could take several months before the bulk of the promised deliveries are sent. Since the start of the conflict, Russia’s defense ministry has claimed to have destroyed hundreds of pieces of Western weaponry. Kyiv has previously dismissed those statements, highlighting for instance that Russia has claimed to have destroyed more U.S.-made HIMARS rocket launcher pads than were ever delivered to the country. Previous deliveries of advanced Western arms, particularly HIMARS, have been credited with turning the tide of the 11-month war, helping Kyiv to secure a series of surprise victories and pushing back Russian forces from territory captured at the start of the invasion. ($1 – 69.57 roubles) Read more: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/?p=1722980#ixzz7rvVEicSH

MANILA, Philippines — Reporting on the state of education in the country, Vice President and concurrent Education Secretary Sara Duterte said on Monday that the education system had “failed” and “burdened” teachers. This was based on the Department of Education’s (DepEd) assessment of the K-12 curriculum which showed “insufficient knowledge [among teachers] on developing 21st-century skills, including higher-order thinking skills among learners,” Duterte said in her Basic Education Report 2023. She clarified, however, that this was not the fault of the teachers — the DepEd’s lifeblood — whom she praised for their dedication, integrity, and commitment to service. “The sad reality is that the system has failed them,” she said, adding: “This is a system that burdens them with backbreaking and time-consuming administrative tasks, a system that provides no adequate support and robs them of the opportunity to professionally grow and professionally teach, assist, and guide our learners.” As she laid down her education agenda, Duterte stressed that teachers would be provided with support that includes professional development programs, removal of nonteaching tasks, and fast-tracking of the implementation of the career progression policy. Without going into details, she said she would continuously push for additional benefits under the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers, specifically the implementation of the policy on the distribution of teacher workload and payment of teaching overload. Duterte added that DepEd would work on addressing issues that affect the net take-home pay of educators and talk to the Department of Health about providing them with free annual medical examinations. l Better benefits package “We are also closely coordinating with the [Government Service Insurance System] for an improved and superior benefits package for all DepEd personnel. We will resolve issues on teachers’ loans, premium remittances, and other benefits,” she said, promising teachers that “we will not leave you behind.” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who was also present, expressed support for teachers and reaffirmed his commitment to invest in the educational sector to make it at par with that of other countries. He also promised to build infrastructure that would provide the academic sector with a healthy and safe environment conducive to learning. “Teachers do not become teachers because they want to become rich. Teachers become teachers because they have to. It is a vocation,” Marcos said. “And it is up to us to support them in that effort because they feel the need to educate young people. And we are blessed that we have such teachers and we should hold them close and do all we can to support them so that they can do, to the best of their ability, what they have pledged to do,” he added. The president challenged all stakeholders to become “active key players” in building the country’s “best education system” yet. “We owe it to our children to prioritize their well-being and give them the highest possible quality of education so they may become the innovators and the leaders of tomorrow not only of the Philippines but of the world,” he said. l Most pressing issue According to Duterte, the lack of school infrastructure and resources to support the ideal teaching process was the most pressing issue facing basic education. Based on the DepEd’s latest inventory, out of the 327,851 school buildings nationwide, only 104,536 were in good condition. “Due to various reasons, there are also 100,072 school buildings that need minor repairs; 89,252 require major repairs, and 21,727 are set for condemnation,” she said. This year’s budget of P15.6 billion for the construction of school buildings, however, can fund only 6,000 classrooms. Duterte said DepEd was planning to establish fully functional library hubs in division offices and provide electricity in its “last-mile schools,” on top of providing “e-classroom packages” for teaching and learning, consisting of 46 laptops, two charging carts, two wireless routers, and a smart TV. “This will accelerate the integration of [information and communications technology] in teaching and learning and institutionalize blended learning,” she added. In terms of the learning situation, Duterte underscored the problem of literacy as shown in the 2018 results of the Programme for International Students Assessment or Pisa, which she said was “distressing as it is alarming for me as a mother and as [education secretary].” Based on the international assessment, 81 percent of participating Filipino students could not solve math problems, 81 percent had trouble understanding moderate-length texts, and 78 percent could not determine the correct explanations for scientific phenomena. To improve the quality of education, the DepEd intended to revise the “congested” K-12 curriculum and reduce the number of learning areas so students could focus on developing foundational skills in literacy and numeracy. Duterte said the department also wanted to “improve English proficiency while recognizing linguistic diversity.” “We will work toward the goal of English language proficiency within the context of a multilingual nation,” she said, adding that there would be a review of the implementation of the mother tongue-based multilingual education policy. Duterte also promised transparency regarding the curriculum guides being used, as well as the test scores of students so researchers and analysts could apply these in drafting evidence-based policy decisions. “To make our graduates employable, we appeal to the industry, and to employers, to accept our students in work immersions, and hire them when they graduate,” she said. In improving the learning environment for learners, Duterte said DepEd would implement child protection policies and make students feel safe and respected and “make them, including our indigenous peoples’ learners and those with disabilities, feel that they belong.” Read more: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/

'3 YEARS MARRIED AND A TOTAL OF 12 YEARS BY YOUR SIDE' Actress-beauty queen Megan Young shares some sweet throwback photos on her social media together with husband Mikael Daez as the couple celebrate their 3rd Wedding Anniversary. On her Tiktok account, Megan shows a compilation of the photos of them together showing their relationship when they were in their early 20s to now. 'We spent our anniversary at home, watched Everything Everywhere All At Once, ate bibimbap, and just hung out with our furbabies 3 years married and a total of 12 years by your side #BonezFofoForever,' wrote Megan on her caption. Happy Anniversary, Megan and Mikael! Megan Young

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