Hello there!
Leap into this special edition of our newsletter as we celebrate Leap Day (February 29) today! As National Arts Month comes to a close, let's also take a look at the most recent events and creative insights.
📝 Deliverables
▶️ The YouTube regular video (uploaded yesterday) is a rehash of last year’s issue:
📰 The WordPress post was originally intended as a Leap Day special discussing the transition from linear TV to streaming, but a last-minute development (the SkyCable-PLDT deal falling through) led to a continuation of the previous edition's mini-cases, now focusing on current content that demands a significant "leap of faith."
News from the Past Week
National
📜 PH 1st in Asia to ratify ILO accord vs workplace violence, harassment | Inquirer
💉 DOH reiterates warning vs ‘gluta’ drip as skin whitener | PhilStar
⚖️ SC imposes P180K fine on PAO chief for contempt, undignified conduct | PhilStar
Provincial
💧 One year after oil spill, waters off Mindoro Island fail water-quality test again | Inquirer
💀 Severed head found near a creek in Carmona, Cavite | GMA News
International
🇺🇸 US Elections 2024 (The Last Primaries Before Super Tuesday)
Trump wins South Carolina GOP primary (a blow to contender Nikki Haley’s home state) yet she vows to fight on.
In Michigan, Biden and Trump claimed victory in their respective primaries.
🌐 Global Election Watch
🇵🇹 Portugal to hold a snap legislative election on March 10.
The newly formed center-right alliance, Aliança Democrática (AD), which includes the Social Democrats and the conservative CDS-PP, is ahead in recent polls.
The ruling center-left Socialist Party (PS) is ranked second.
The far-right Chega party has grown significantly in popularity, polling at 17% in recent polls, which could impact the formation of a future government. This surge in support for Chega reflects broader trends across Europe, where far-right and populist parties are gaining traction.
Other International News
🌕 Intuitive Machines lands on the moon in historic first for a U.S. company | NBC News
🌿 Germany joins legal cannabis club | Inquirer
Economy
🤝 Aboitiz, partner finalize P100-B Coca-Cola Philippines takeover | Inquirer
🪙 Deposit machines processed 145.5M coins — BSP | GMA News
🪙 US judge approves $4.3-B penalty for crypto giant Binance | Inquirer
Sports
🎱 Centeno & Corteza triumph in Las Vegas Open | Pro Billiard Series
🏀 Gilas Pilipinas wins both games in the February window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers against Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei | Manila Bulletin
🛑 UFC: Brandon Royval's high work rate pays off as he slips past Brandon Moreno in critical flyweight battle | Kevin Iole
⚽ PFF retires “Azkals” moniker, brings in Belgian coach for men’s team | Rappler
Entertainment
🏆 SAG Awards 2024
List of Winners | Entertainment Weekly
Liza Soberano poses on the red carpet | GMA News
🎸💋 Swift Watch (Before The Eras Tour stop in Singapore)
Photographer accuses Taylor Swift's dad of punching him in the face on Sydney waterfront | The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Carousell suspends sale of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour concert tickets amid rise in scams | GMA News
👑 Miss Universe’s Anne Jakrajutatip draws flak after leaked video | Inquirer
Media
📉 Warner Bros Discovery's bigger-than-expected loss clouds streaming gains; shares skid | Reuters
🔇 Lawmaker seeks ban on Filipino dubbing of English films, programs | GMA News
📡 Despite PLDT-Sky buyout cancellation and cord-cutting trend, Converge set to enter pay TV market | BusinessWorld
Technology
📱 Transsion continues to reign in PH smartphone market in 2023 | GizGuide
🌬 Can AI help us predict extreme weather? | Vox (YouTube channel)
Lifestyle
👚 'Magbayad ka': Michael Cinco calls out Pinoy celebrities demanding free outfits | PhilStar
Insights
Within Substack
Outside World
🙏 Will Ka Luring Franco, a Taguig catechist, be the next Filipino saint? | Rappler
🧹 When Media Outlets Shutter, Why Are the Websites Wiped, Too? | Slate
Selected Analysis from the MoSS
🗳️ Pre-Super Tuesday Analysis
As of now, former President Donald Trump is the top choice for the Republican Party, with Nikki Haley as a clear second. MoSS respondents favored Haley as their contender (38%). People like them for their leadership skills and experience. Republicans want someone with government experience who can appeal to swing voters. Statistically in the MoSS, both Trump and Haley have a good chance of winning Super Tuesday.
On the other hand, incumbent President Joe Biden and challenger Congressman Dean Phillips are tied for the Democratic race with 25% each (according to the MoSS) — with people liking them for similar reasons but also for their age and health. For Democrats, party unity is the most important factor.
Overall, 56% think this Super Tuesday will have a big impact on the presidential race with 11% thinking it’s not and 33% undecided.
For Filipinos, the most important issues are ideology, foreign policy, and US-Philippine relations.
🇫🇷 The Road to Paris 2024
Less than five months before the Olympics, 18 athletes will likely join the four already qualified for Team PHI. Among these prospects, five are highly confident:
the first Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo (weightlifting);
Alex Eala (tennis);
Kristina Knott (athletics) - who participated at the last Olympics;
newcomer Aira Villegas (boxing), and
Nesthy Petectio (boxing) — won a silver medal in the same Olympics.
Regarding broadcast arrangements, 78% of respondents believe that Cignal TV (TV5’s parent company) will be the primary rights holder for the Games. Additionally, 88% think that RPTV (the new Channel 9) will serve as the secondary channel for Olympic coverage.
👫 Timow’s Weekly Editorial: Leave them DINKs alone
In the Philippines, societal norms frequently dictate that couples strive to have children. However, in recent years, there has been an increase in the number of couples choosing to remain childless, opting for a life of dual income and no kids (DINKs). This decision is frequently met with skepticism and criticism from traditionalists, especially online, who see it as out of the ordinary. But is it wrong for couples to take a different path?
One of the primary reasons couples choose not to have children is the financial burden of raising them. Based on Modern Parenting’s data, the total cost of each child (from birth to 18) would run up to 3.7 million pesos1. This does not include college education and hospitalization, which can add up quickly. It's important to remember that raising children is also very demanding and requires a lot of sacrifices both financially and mentally.
Moreover, the effective family planning program established by the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act (RH Law) in 2012 has given couples more options and information about family planning. It gives couples more choices and better information about planning their families, including the option to not have children. A few years later in 2014, a Department of Health TV ad was very effective2—even during the COVID pandemic when everyone was staying at home, yearning for the good old days—further helped reduce unplanned pregnancies, contributing to a healthier society as a whole (physically, at least).
Furthermore, general existential angst is present, although the country’s culture denies it exists.
The ongoing environmental crisis, particularly anthropogenic climate change, poses significant challenges for future generations. The Philippines is among the countries most vulnerable to these issues. In light of these challenges, opting not to have children can be seen as a responsible choice. DINKs reduce their carbon footprint and lessen the strain on the planet's resources by not adding to the population.
Furthermore, the prevailing leaders arising from an irreformable political system — which led to the ongoing Charter Change debacle — showed the Philippines' uncertain future. Political instability and a lack of progress in governance can make raising children in such a situation difficult. DINKs may prefer to prioritize their careers and personal development over raising children in an uncertain world.
Their decision to remain DINKs should be respected and understood based on the aforementioned factors. It is not a departure from societal norms, but rather the result of shifting attitudes and priorities.
To borrow Pink Floyd: Hey, meddlers, leave them DINKs alone!
✋Before You Go: Monthly Positive Partition
We're at the end of February, and we’d like to congratulate the 20 new inductees to the 18th Eastwood City Walk of Fame, who were announced last Sunday. The official ceremony will happen on March 6th at 5:30 p.m.
This monthly positive partition is very timely:
“When in doubt, make a fool of yourself. There is a microscopically thin line between [being] brilliantly creative and acting like the most gigantic idiot on Earth. So what the hell, leap.” -Cynthia Heimel (1947-2018)
Over on YouTube, here’s a random story made only of flags.
I hope you had a good payday and a good March!
Your Chief Tiller in the humble patch of the cyberspace,
~~ Timow
Based on the future value of an annuity with 6% annual interest rate (based on that year's inflation rate) for 18 years, compounded and paid annually.
That ad was based on Geneva Cruz’s 1994 hit “Inakup… arekup”