HEADS UP: 500 Days and Counting Under Community Quarantine (Aug. 4)

Here's a Heads Up from reportr on news that you need to know today, Aug. 4:

LOCKDOWN NEWS

• Filipinos have endured some 500 days under some form of coronavirus quarantine as millions in Metro Manila prepared for another lockdown or ECQ. How do you measure that locked-down time in terms of lost opportunities?
• Here's an updated list of APOR (authorized persons outside of residence) who can step out during the ECQ and MECQ.
• Here are the public transportation rules. Grab, Angkas and taxis are allowed subject to certain conditions.

TOKYO 2020

• Featherweight Boxer Nesthy Petecio settled for a silver medal, bowing to her Japanese opponent.
• At the peak of her sports career, the 29-year-old Petecio proudly declared being a meber of the LGBT community.
• Iced tea brand Nestea led the congratulatory memes for Petecio, who broke a 25-year drought for an Olympic medal in boxing.
• Middleweight boxer Carlo Paalam is assured of at least a bronze medal after defeating his Uzbek opponent yesterday.
• Pole vaulter EJ Obienamissed out on a podium finish.
• Golfer Yuka Saso will compete for yet another gold medal for the Philippines today. Again, from a woman.
• Star gymnast Carlos Yulo promised fans, “babawi ako”, as he looked towards the 2024 Olympics in Paris and Los Angeles in 2028.

CULTURE EXPLAINED

• So what if Raymond Gutierrez came out as gay just now? Here’s what it means in the context of the larger LGBTQIA+ community.

NEWS YOU CAN USE 

• Here's how you can apply for a Yellow Card, an international travel document that serves as proof of vaccination.

2022 ELECTIONS

• Comelec has debunked a flurry of misinformation including an alleged no-vaccine-no-vote rule.
• The poll body also suspended voter registration in areas under ECQ through the duration of the lockdown.
• Just because she is talking with potential rivals, doesn’t mean Vice President Leni Robredo is backing down on a possible run for the presidency in 2022, according to a party mate.

NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW

• TasteAtlas called it: Sinigang is the world's best sour soup.
• A low pressure area is enhancing the habagat or southwest monsoon. This means rains in the days leading to the lockdown in Metro Manila.
• During the duration of the ECQ in Metro Manila and MECQ in Laguna, Meralco is suspending disconnection activities
• How's this for woman power? Lea Salonga and Hidilyn Diaz were in a Project: Steady Zoom Call to promote mental health awareness among Filipinos.
• Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon renewed calls to defund the anti-insurgency NTF-ELCAC citing overlaps in its budgeting with other state agencies.
• The liquor ban and curfew in Davao City, aimed at stopping the spread of COVID-19, is extended until the end of 2021.
• Five million fewer baby girls will be born into the world in the next decade due to society favoring male offspring, according to a study.
• Japan has started a name-and-shame campaign against quarantine rule breakers. First up: three of its nationals who evaded authorities after returning from abroad.