Remember some weeks ago when Manila Mayor Francisco “Yorme Isko Moreno” Domagaso announced that he is going to be a model for JAG Jeans and a coffee product? Well, the ads are up!

In a video that he shared on his official Facebook page, the mayor shares his thoughts about being the leader of Manila and how he strives hard to be deserving of the position because he believes that the people of Manila deserve the best.

He also shares the things that make him love Manila so much, including its rich history.

Watch the video here:

But in a post on Raffy Tulfo supporters, a more candid video of Yorme was shared – and it made a lot of people laugh and praise him some more. In the video, the mayor was happily talking about the billboard that’s now up at EDSA. He joked that people would soon grow tired of his face because they will see it all the time, what with the traffic situation at EDSA. LOL.

Yet even as he happily shares his thoughts about the billboard, the mayor jokingly ‘bragged’ about being a model now. More importantly, though, he shares an update on the money that’s involved in him accepting the offer to be the brand’s latest endorser.

It can be recalled that Yorme Isko told JAG Jeans to send his talent fee (Php1 million) directly to the PGH’s children’s ward as his donation to the sick kids battling serious conditions. Upon learning that the mayor is doing this, the owner of JAG Jeans promised to match the donation and also give Php1 million to the PGH.

What’s amazing is that the owner did not only give his Php1 million as promised, he also asked his siblings to give Php1 million each – and they agreed! The family gave a total of Php6 million.Wow.

Watch the video here:

What is PGH?

The Philippine General Hospital (PGH) is designated as the National University Hospital. It is the largest government facility and referral center, with patients coming from all over the Philippines to seek treatment. It is a tertiary state-owned hospital administered and operated by the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila.

A famous Syrian vlogger living in the Philippines recently went viral again after he traveled all the way to Pampanga to buy sacks of rice directly from a farmer, for the purpose of donating these items to Mindanao.

The Hungry Syrian Wanderer named Basel has been living in the Philippines after falling in love with the place. He owns some businesses in the country but has earned admiration for his big heart to the people, sometimes randomly giving money to some locals who are in dire need of help.

As people, charity groups, and local government units (LGUs) scramble to donate to the people of Mindanao affected by the earthquake, The Hungry Syrian Wanderer also wanted to do his share. But instead of simply sending money to the affected areas or buying relief goods from the nearest mall, he chose to travel to Pampanga to directly buy from the farmers.

With farmers having trouble selling their goods because the prices are too low, no thanks to the rice tariffication law, many have chosen to sell sacks of rice by the roadside instead of giving their products to a middleman, the rice traders.

With the decision to buy rice directly from the farmers, The Hungry Syrian Wanderer is not just helping the people in Mindanao who would be the recipient of his donation, he is also helping these farmers earn a fair price for their products. Thanks to his efforts, Basel of The Hungry Syrian Wanderer has gained praise from many netizens.

But there are still those who have something negative to say with what he did.

“I laud your efforts sir but the shipping costs will eat a lot also, could have bought more if you have bought in Davao City,” a netizen wrote.

While the netizen was correct, of course, many pointed out that Basel is not just helping the people of Mindanao but also the farmers. Considering he made an effort to travel all the way to Pampanga just to buy the rice, money is not the main concern here – he simply wants to help more people! Kudos!

Rice Prices in the Philippines

While it is true that rice prices vary, depending on the type and quality, the sad reality is that the farmers are earning too low these days. There is an abundance of rice supply because the rice tariffication law lifted the quantitative restrictions on rice importation. Well-milled rice prices range from Php30 to Php50 (some brands are cheaper and some are more expensive than this range).

While this helped consumers in that there is now more rice at lower prices, the farmers are the ones greatly affected because they spend many months planting the rice, only for them to earn as low as Php12 per kilogram of palay (unmilled rice).

An off-duty coast guard is now being hailed a hero for saving the lives of his fellow passengers after their boat capsized due to strong waves just off the coast of Sibonga town in Cebu.

Seaman First PO3 Ralph Barajan took the boat from Loon, Bohol bound for Cebu City on Thursday, November 7, 2019. Little did he know that he would become a hero after the boat capsized due to strong waves. His bravery ensured that not one of the passengers perished in the maritime accident.

MV Siargao Princess left Loon at 9AM but encountered big, strong waves as it set sail near Cebu island. The exact count of the passengers and crew vary in the reports, but there were over 60 passengers and crew riding on that boat when it capsized at around 11AM.

The passengers panicked when the boat began to sink at about 10:30AM, but Barajan shouted for them to keep calm. He led the passengers and crew with level-headed instructions that would save all of their lives.

First, Barajan made sure that all the passengers and crew wore life vests. Then, he instructed everyone to tie themselves together to ensure they will stay in big groups. This would make it easier for rescuers to find them and would ensure that no one will drift away.

“I wanted everyone to be saved that’s why I tried to bring us all closer. We tied ourselves together so we will not drift apart,” Barajan later explained.

He was also the last one to jump off the sinking ship as he made sure that no one was left behind. What a hero.

Still, the off-duty coast guard admitted that he was scared the entire time but banked on his training to keep himself together to save his life and that of the boat’s passengers and crew. Thanks to Barajan, everyone was alive!

While they drifted together for 2 hours before finally getting rescued, everyone was safe. There were three passengers who got separated from the group because they jumped the moment the boat began to sink, but the three managed to swim the 9-kilometer distance to the coast of Carcar City.

Proper Technique in Maritime Accidents

According to Barajan, the proper technique during maritime accidents is for everyone to stay as close together as possible. The life jackets made sure they will float while sticking together meant they have a higher chance of getting seen by the rescuers.

While swimming to shore might seem like a good idea, don’t try to do it unless you know you are a strong swimmer and have training for that sort of long-distance swim in rough waters.