NEWS | Avantgardetribune

Solicitor General suggest to junk please

vs. anti-terrorism law

Written by

Jose Mari Angelo Cabrera

July 19, 2020

Edited/Copy-read by

Lucky Wendell Sanoy

Draft article

Solicitor General suggests to junk TRO pleas vs. anti-terrorism law

Manila, Philippines- Solicitor General Jose Calida replies to the petitions of a temporary restraining order against the Anti-Terrorism Law in a 233-page consolidated comment last Friday, July 17, 2020. He argued that all petitions against the new law failed to prove that its enactment would cause “grave and irreparable injury” to the petitioner’s constitutional rights. “The government should not be perceived as the enemy but a guardian of the Filipino people and their constitutional rights,” Calida said.

Among other arguments, the OSG stated that the petitions had no legal standing. Calida insisted that it is the public who would be at risk from terrorist attacks if the law is not enforced.

Republic Act 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 took effect last Saturday, July 18, 2020, according to the Department of Justice. However, some law experts said that the start date should be July 22, 15 days after it was published in a newspaper.

Final Article

Solicitor General suggests to junk TRO pleas vs. anti-terrorism law

Solicitor General Jose Calida replied to the petitions of a temporary restraining order against the Anti-Terrorism Law in a 233-page consolidated comment on July 17, 2020.

Calida argued that all petitions against the new law failed to prove that its enactment would cause “grave and irreparable injury” to the petitioner’s constitutional rights. “The government should not be perceived as the enemy but a guardian of the Filipino people and their constitutional rights,” he added.

Among other arguments, the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) stated that the petitions had no legal standing. Calida insisted that it is the public who would be at risk from terrorist attacks if the law is not enforced.

Republic Act 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 took effect last on July 18, 2020, according to the Department of Justice. However, according to some law experts, July 22 was the supposed start date, 15 days after its publish in a newspaper.

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Antiterror law takes effect without IRR

Written by

Jose Mari Angelo Cabrera

July 18, 2020

Edited/Copy-read by

Lucky Wendell Sanoy

Draft article

MANILA, Philippines- The contentious Republic Act 11479, also known as the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, took effect last July 18, 2020 although it’s implementing rules and regulations (IRR) are yet to be formed. “Considering that the law was published on July 3, it will take effect on July 18, which is the 15th day,” Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said during an interview. Drafting of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) is “just about to start” and will be available within 90 days. “The law will take effect even without the IRR because the promulgation of the IRR is not a condition for the effectivity of the law. Some provisions are self-executing, like the organization of the ATC (Anti-Terrorism Council),” he added.

The IRR will be prepared in discussion with law enforcement agencies and militaries, he said. “But there are provisions where operational details need to spelled out or standards clearly defined in the IRR for a proper implementation of the law,” he pointed out. However, he also said that any question on the implementation of the law’s provisions before the enactment of the IRR may be challenged in court.

Guevarra also explained that in theory, protest actions are not part the definition of terrorism under Section 4 of the law, as long as their main intention is to cause death or serious physical harm to a person, to endanger another person’s life or to create a serious risk to public safety.

Final Article

The contentious Republic Act 11479, also known as the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, took effect last July 18, 2020, although the formation of its implementing rules and regulations (IRR) are not included yet.

“Considering that the law was published on July 3, it will take effect on July 18, which is the 15th day,” Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said during an interview. Drafting of the IRR is “just about to start” and will be available within 90 days. “The law will take effect even without the IRR because the promulgation of the IRR is not a condition for the effectivity of the law. Some provisions are self-executing, like the organization of the ATC (Anti-Terrorism Council),” he added.

Guevarra also explained that in theory, protest actions are not part the definition of terrorism under Section 4 of the law, as long as their main intention is to cause death or serious physical harm to a person, to endanger another person’s life or to create a serious risk to public safety.

The Federation of Free Workers, Nagkaisa Labor Coalition, Church Labor Conference, Kilusang Mayo Uno, Uni Global Union-Philippine Liaison Council and the Kilusang Artikulo Trese were the groups who filed at least nine petitions with the Supreme Court against the Anti-Terrorism Act. A temporary restraining order (TRO) that would stop the execution of the law is what the groups want as it takes on the process in pending resolution of questions regarding its constitutionality.

On Thursday, July 16, several groups filed the latest petition that cited the “destructive chilling effect” on workers’ rights to air grievances.

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Last leg of TPLEX

speeds up travel to Baguio City

Written by

Sheryl Centeno

July 16, 2020

Edited/Copy-read by

Lucky Wendell Sanoy

Draft article

The long wait is over, the construction of 88.5 kilometer expressway started in August 2010 and finally opens the road on the 15th of July, 2020. The completed Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) with ten interchanges and 11 toll plazas facilitates the faster transport of goods, increased tourism, more livelihood and improved interconnectivity. Travelers will not go through long routes and traffic congestions because of this newly operational road.

La Union exit recently completed section of Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) brings travelers to a rotunda at Rosario, La Union, where they can proceed to Baguio City or the Ilocos region, Hence, it is expected to reduce travel time from Tarlac to La Union to just 1 hour from 3.5 hours, and Metro Manila to Baguio travel from 6 hours to just 3.5 hours.

Public Works Secretary Mark Villar recently inspected the new 11.45-km road stretch from Pozorrubio, Pangasinan province, to Rosario, La Union province. These are the possible routes from Rosario rotunda, motorists going to Baguio: Marcos Highway, Kennon Road and Asin-Nangalisan Road. Due the inevitable corona virus pandemic the final phase construction had been postponed that were originally scheduled operational in April. The entire TPLEx has ten exits: La Paz in Tarlac City, Victoria, Gerona, Paniqui and Moncada in Tarlac; Rosales, Urdaneta City, Binalonan and Pozorrubio in Pangasinan; and Rosario in La Union. The road project involved the design, financing, construction, operation and maintenance by the private sector. Conglomerate San Miguel Corp., through its Private Infra Development Corp., holds the concession for TPLEX.

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The long wait is over!

The last and fourth lane toll road of Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) was opened to the public on July 15, 2020. The expressway shortens travel time up to half of the usual trip.

Travel time from Tarlac to La Union was reduced to 1 hour from 3.5 hours, and Metro Manila to Baguio travel is now for 3.5 hours from 6 hours. The newly-opened expressway with ten interchanges and 11 toll plazas simplifies the transport of goods, increased tourism, facilitates more livelihood, and create inter-connectivity.

“All of these will help jump-start our economic recovery from this pandemic. TPLEX will help deliver growth to the regions for generations to come,” said San Miguel Corporation (SMC) Infrastructure, the builder and operator of the expressway.

The schedule of the opening of the 88.5-kilometer expressway that started its construction on August 2010 was on April 2020, however, the current state of the country and the implemented lock-down moved the ceremony to a later schedule.

Public Works Secretary, Mark Villar, recently inspected the new 11.45-km road stretch from Pozorrubio, Pangasinan to Rosario, La Union, and these are the possible routes from Rosario rotunda for the people travelling to Baguio: Marcos Highway, Kennon Road and Asin-Nangalisan Road.

The connection of Northern and Central Luzon can lessen travel time to the country’s summer capital from Metro Manila when taken via TPLEX Pozorrubio exit. Transport Undersecretary, Tim Orbos, shared on a Facebook post his travel from Balintawak, Quezon City to TPLEX Pozorrubio exit that took him for just 2 hours and claimed that driving to Baguio City within 45 minutes is possible.

The entire TPLEX has ten exits: La Paz in Tarlac City, Victoria, Gerona, Paniqui and Moncada in Tarlac; Rosales, Urdaneta City, Binalonan and Pozorrubio in Pangasinan; and Rosario in La Union.

There is a pending proposal to further extend TPLEX by another 100 kilometers all the way to Ilocos Sur.

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Baguio City Mayor Magalong now also 'contact tracing czar'

Written by

Sheryl Centeno

July 13, 2020

Edited/Copy-read by

Lucky Wendell Sanoy

Draft article

In July 13, Malacañang Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque introduced Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong as Chief Tracing Czar and three others, they will be directly under the National Task Force Against COVID-19 (NTF) led by Chief Implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. Magalong, former chief of the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group told the media that there will be a radical change in the methods that they are using in Baguio that will be implement in high risk of Covid -19 cases. He was appointed by the president to help combat COVID-19 cases in high covid cases in the Philippines.

The Mayor uses two major components in contact tracing in Baguio which are effectively being implemented and being commended: a cognitive investigative scheme, and a COVID-19 e-system which is comprised of a data collection tool, a geographical information system (GIS) platform, and analytical tool. However, this radical change strategy intensifies high cases area response, this team consists of law enforcement investigators, health worker; doctors and nurses, analysis, technical support, community support teams, and encoders for data analysis whom Magalong will train. Magalong’s new designation had been a call for the consistent rising up of Covid-19 cases in the country as well as the need of mass testing and more efficient contact tracing.

The Department of Interior and Local Government is still waiting for the response coming from the Department of Budget and Management to release funds for the hiring of more contact tracing tracers. "If it were up to us, we would have hired the additional contact tracers yesterday, we all know how valuable contact tracing teams are right now," DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya, department spokesperson, said in Filipino.

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Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong recognized as country’s anti-COVID-19 Chief Tracing Czar in a Malacanang Press Briefing on July 13, 2020.

Magalong, also a former Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Chief used two major components in contact tracing in Baguio which are: cognitive investigative scheme, and a COVID-19 e-system which is comprised of a data collection tool, a geographical information system (GIS) platform, and analytical tool. The palace witnessed how effective the strategies were and appointed Magalong to oversee the Coronavirus situation in Cebu City, the only place still under Enhance Community Quarantine (ECQ).

The strategies led Magalong to his national title, however, Magalong mentioned that the contract tracing system in Baguio will have a radical change which refers to the improvement of the organization of the contact tracing team. The change will be using a new digital contact tracing e-system and eventually call it as ‘contact tracing ecosystem’. This team consists of law enforcement investigators, health worker; doctors and nurses, analysis, technical support, community support teams, and encoders for data analysis. It is a partnership between health workers and law enforcement investigators. He plans to bring his contact tracing strategy nationwide to train more contact tracers and he stated clearly his two dynamic plans. Improving the country’s contact tracing system includes skills training on two fronts. First, to train tracers’ interviewing skills includes proper questioning and help patients recall details on what they did for at least 2 to 3 weeks before questioning to trace contact. Skills training that includes teaching tracers to use the government’s new “contact tracing e-system” which will collect data contact tracing efforts is the second system.

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) is still waiting for the response coming from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to release funds for the hiring of more contact tracing tracers.

Together with Mayor Magalong, three other anti-COVID 19 Czars were introduced; they were Secretary Vivencio “Vince” Dizon as Chief Testing Czar, Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar as Chief Isolation Czar, and Health Undersecretary Leopoldo “Bong” Vega as Chief Treatment Czar. They will be directly under the National Task Force (NTC) against COVID-19 led by Chief Implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. Magalong.

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LRT bans talking inside trains

Written by

Sherlyn Maneclang

July 13, 2020

Edited/Copy-read by

Lucky Wendell Sanoy

Draft article

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Department of Health (DOH) have warned that when a person infected with COVID-19 talks, sneezes or coughs droplets come out from the mouth and nose, which could be inhaled by another person.

Jacqueline Gorospe, Corporate Communications Head of Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC), which operates the LRT-1, in an interview with DZBB July 10, 2020.

The LRT management said in a Twitter post on Friday “Talking with other passengers and answering calls from your mobile devices are prohibited throughout your train journey to avoid possible droplet transmission.

The Head of Light Rail Transit advised passengers to refrain from answering phone calls inside the trains to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). But if the phone call was a “life and death situation,” she reminded them to wear face masks when talking. Likewise, the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 and the Light Rail Transit Line 1 have already prohibited passengers aboard its trains from talking and answering phone calls.

LRT banned people from talking while riding inside their trains to prevent the spread of COVID-19 they asked the commuters to wear face masks and rub their hands with alcohol.

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, social distancing is one of the important protocols that we should follow because it is one of the precautionary measures that the officials encouraged the passengers to fight COVID-19. Passengers need to wear face mask and face shield every time they travel because it is mandatory to all. Also, passengers with travel pass shall be allowed to travel and enter and checking of body temperature is mandatory upon entry.

The effect of disobedience of passengers may cause high case of virus. So, commuters should follow the policy of the management to prevent the spread of COVID19, and also they need to follow the protocols of wearing face mask, social distancing, and rub their hands with alcohol.

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The LRT-1 management prohibited talking of passengers inside the train for already two weeks now to avoid the spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

COVID-19 spreads through respiratory droplets thus; World Health Organization (WHO) and the Department of Health (DOH) warned that when a person infected with the disease “talks, sneezes, or coughs,” droplets come out from their mouth and nose that could be inhaled by another person.

LRT-1 management released an advisory that states “talking is not allowed on the train.” The management emphasized on the importance of wearing face masks and rubbing of passengers’ hands with alcohol.

Jacqueline Gorospe, Corporate Communications Head of Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC), which operates the LRT-1, obliged passengers to refrain from talking to other passengers and answering phone calls inside the train, but she cleared that when if the phone call was a “life and death situation,” wearing masks are still needed when talking.

The Philippine National Railways (PNR) has also implemented a similar measure wherein people inside the train coach are prohibited to talk. Wearing face masks and face shields are strictly observed by passengers and train crews. Using gadgets while inside the train is also prohibited.

As the management aims to impose strict health and safety protocols, it also targets to increase its carrying capacity, PNR management said.

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Sam Milby breaks silence

to defend Catriona Gray days after

viral Clint Bondad posts

Written by

Denise Parungao

July 20, 2020

Edited/Copy-read by

Lucky Wendell Sanoy

Draft article

Hunk Celebrity's Cryptic Messages Spread Online or Miss Universe in Hot Waters after the spread Cryptic Instagram Stories

On July 14, 2020, Clint Bondad caused a stir on social media after he posted cryptic messages on his Instagram Stories. He even announced a countdown that people thought is an exposé about his ex-girllfriend Catriona Gray or her current boyfriend Sam Milby.

A walk down the memory lane. Clint Bondad and Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray had been in a long time relatationship even before they became famous celebrities. They started their relationship in 2013. Bondad and Gray first met each other in “The City of Pines” in 2012. The two were attending separate shoots at the same location.

Things started to go bleak after Gray was crowned Miss Universe 2018.

According to an interview, Bondad revealed that lack of communication led to their breakup. It was understandable for some, considering the worldwide attention and immense pressure on Gray after winning the Miss Universe title.

IG fans are familiar with these selected texts from Cint Bondad's infamous Instagram stories:

P.S. I create Queens
Don't worry I am only...the Ex
Don't let me be the reason for your Anxiety Attacks
Feel my fear of losing my heart
You don't have as many friends as you might Think
Careful who you go to bed With
Nobody can judge me I know your dirty Little Secrets Too...well

Netizens went crazy after reading his posts. People were guessing and trying to decipher every cryptic photo that he posted online. One of his posts even reached 1.6 million views, which goes to show a lot of people are waiting on his next clue. It was like breadcrumbs on a trail leading to the big final story.

Sam Milby, another famous celebrity defended his girlfriend Catriona Gray after cryptic IG stories against the Miss Universe 2018 spread online.

"She is always putting other people first; thinking of how to use her voice and talent to help other people in need. Her grace,dignity,and strength even in the midst of all these false accusations makes me admire & love her even more," he said.

After his statement, Sam said he will do everything to protect Catriona.

"I will always be here for her and will do everything in my power to protect her."

Clint's series of Instagram stories have left many speculating that his break-up with Catriona was more

complicated than it appeared. All that we can do now is to watch and speculate in silence.

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"I will always be here for her and will do everything in my power to protect her," Kapamilya Actor Sam Milby stated in his post defending his girlfriend Catriona Gray from the malicious stories based on the alleged cryptic Instagram stories of her ex Clint Bondad against her.

On July 14, 2020, Clint Bondad caused a stir on social media after he posted puzzling messages on his Instagram Stories. One of his posts even reached 1.6 million views. Bondad’s stories led people to guess and decipher each photo. Each story was like breadcrumbs on a trail leading to the big final story and a lot of people are waiting on his next clue.

Days after the post, Sam Milby breaks his silence through a Twitter post. "Cat and I have chosen to keep our relationship mostly private. It was only until recently that we made an exception, to lend our voices to charitable causes," Sam said.

Sam clarified that their silence doesn’t mean that they are guilty. "It has been our initial choice not to dignify nor respond to all these baseless claims," he said.

"But that does not mean that there is truth to any of these false stories and fake news that people are creating to fill in the blanks. In fact, these wrongful accusations and defamatory lies are dangerous," he added.

For Sam, his girlfriend is one of the kindest souls he has ever known. "She is always putting other people first; thinking of how to use her voice and talent to help other people in need. Her grace,dignity,and strength even in the midst of all these false accusations makes me admire & love her even more," he said.

It is already a month after Sam confirmed his relationship with Miss Universe 2018, Catriona Gray. As the issue against the couple is ongoing, they released a music video on Catriona’s YouTube Channel. All streams and digital download of the “stripped version” of Catriona’s original song titled “We’re in this Together” profits go to the Young Focus Philippines’ “Quality Education for All Campaign.” This program aims to raise Php1Million to improve the online education program for the students of Young Focus amidst the COVID-10 pandemic.

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Baguio's Pride:

Miss Earth Philippines 2020

Draft article

Even beauty pageants has gone virtual in this worldwide pandemic. Roxanne Allison Baeyens from the “Summer Capital of the Philippines”, was crowned Miss Philippines Earth 2020 in a virtual competition among 33 aspirants on July 5, 2020. Roxanne or Roxie was one of the favorites to win the title. She won two special awards on Sunday Darling of the Press and the Eco-Video award. The 23-year-old Filipino-Belgian is also an upcoming artist and a Tourism graduate from Baguio City.

Whenever she was asked why she wanted to be Miss Philippines Earth, Roxie said she was inspired by her mom. Her mother is also an environmentalist, which played a big role in her chosen advocacy.

"I want to be the Miss Philippines Earth 2020 because all my life, I was a witness of my mom being an environmentalist and I wanted to continue the legacy in my family and be the change I want to see in the world," she said. In her Eco-Video, Roxie shared the beauty of Baguio and her advocacies. "As an actress, commercial model, ballerina, and theater artist, I already had a lot of opportunities to inspire and touch a lot of people's lives. At first, I was happy enough providing entertaiment and happiness with my passion. But as time goes by, you realize you want to find more purpose in what you do."

The pageant was held online, including the talent portion, Q and A and other categories and was posted real time on their Facebook page. It is also one of the first local pageants to push through with its finals after the country was placed on lockdown because of the coronavirus pandemic. TV network GMA-7 showed the telecast on Sunday morning. Pageant organizer Carousel Productions pushed through with this year’s Miss Philippines Earth competition despite restrictions caused by the quarantine imposed to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Delegates were judged based on their fitness, beauty of face, intelligence and environmental awareness. Roxanne will represent the Philippines in the Miss Earth pageant, which has yet to announce a final date.

Written by

Denise Parungao

July 20, 2020

Edited/Copy-read by

Lucky Wendell Sanoy

Final Article

Roxanne Allison Baeyens who carries the name of the Summer Capital of the Philippines was crowned as Miss Philippines Earth 2020 on the first-ever virtual coronation in the Philippines on July 5, 2020.

Roxanne was one of the favorites among 33 candidates who are fighting for the title. She bagged two special awards which were Darling of the Press and the Eco-video award.

She promotes urban agriculture as her advocacy during her reign because according to her, gardening in the backyard is a way of producing people’s own food out of their own efforts that can benefit them to have sustainable lives.

The winning answer of Roxanne to the final question “What important quality should a leader display amidst a pandemic?" was “A leader should display having a green thumb because at this point in time we have a shortage in food supply so it's important to open the eyes of people to embrace having a sustainable life to start urban agriculture at their own homes, after all, a green life is a better life and I hope the leader will give that to us.”

Roxie always states that her inspiration behind joining Miss Philippines Earth is her mom. Her mother is also an environmentalist, which played a big role in her chosen advocacy. "I want to be the Miss Philippines Earth 2020 because all my life, I was a witness of my mom being an environmentalist and I wanted to continue the legacy in my family and be the change I want to see in the world," she said. "As an actress, commercial model, ballerina, and theater artist, I already had a lot of opportunities to inspire and touch a lot of people's lives. At first, I was happy enough providing entertainment and happiness with my passion, but as time goes by, you realize you want to find more purpose in what you do," Roxanne added.

The 23-year old Filipino-Belgian is an upcoming artist and a Tourism graduate from Baguio City and she also signed with Cornerstone Entertainment Inc. where she will be with Catriona Gray, Jason Dy, and Jaya, some of the talents of the said agency.

Carousel Production, the organization that handles Miss Earth pushed through the pageant in a form of virtual and remote pageant even if the country was placed on lockdown due to the current pandemic that the world faces. The official Facebook Page of Miss Earth streamed the pageant live and GMA-7 aired it on television on Sunday morning. Roxanne will represent the Philippines in the Miss Earth pageant, which has yet to announce a final date.

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Probiotic Foods

Help Improve Depression

Written by

Najette Salatic

July 7, 2020

Salatic-removebg-preview_edited_edited.p

Probiotics are cultures that have been shown to provide specific health benefits such as supporting gut and immune health and contributing to the maintenance of a balanced gut micro biota, important for the proper functioning of the digestive system and the entire body. A probiotic can be drawn from a human source, from an animal or dairy source and, more rarely, directly from the ground . In recent years, some experts have turned their attention to a special group of probiotics, sometimes called psychobiotics. These bacteria could potentially help to treat a range of mental health conditions, including depression, and boost your overall mood.

"Probiotics are what we believe to be good organisms that are beneficial to our health", says Linda Lee, M.D. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that exist naturally in foods like yogurt and kimchi. They're also available in pill or powder form. Probiotics are thought to improve digestive health, and they're often used to treat diarrhea or bloating. Researchers on probiotics for depression and other mental health issues is largely promising, but many of the existing studies are very small. This make it hard to know just how effective probiotics are for depression. A recent article in Annals of General Prychiatry reviewed the currently available medical literature on using probiotics to treat anxiety and depression. The doctors identified 10 studies that were well done, and looked at each study in depth. All of these studies had relatively small numbers of patients, ranging as from as few as 42 to as many as 124. The results of these studies were mixed; some suggested that there may be mild benefits of taking probiotics if you have anxiety or depression while other studies showed no benefit.

Overall, the authors concluded "the clinical effects of probiotics on mental health have yet to be studied comprehensively". However, some patients take probiotics and feel even worse. Symptoms can include cramping, gassiness, diarrhea, fatigue, and even brain fog or memory problems. Often these symptoms intensify just after a meal. If you're considering trying probiotic supplements for depression, you may want to talk to your healthcare provider first. Probiotics are considered safe to use, but it's generally a good idea to get their advice trying any new supplement or medication. Probiotics usually has any side effects like bloating, gas or diarrhea for a few days while initially taking a probiotic supplement.

Probiotics are a promising potential treatment for depression and other mental health conditions. But more research is needed to fully understand how effective they are.

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TikTok continues to solidify its position

in the music Industry

Written by

Najette Salatic

July 18, 2020

TikTok will change the way your social media works. TikTok is an application for making and sharing short videos. It solidify the music Industry and it is increasingly popular worlwide. TikTok has become an Internet sensation since launching in 2016. Zhang Yimin is a Chinese Billionaire who Invented TikTok and it's partnership with Byte Dance but they are far less famous than the video sharing tool that's become the most downloadable app in the world.

Tiktok is available in over markets around the world . In the latest available statistics show that there are 500 million TikTok users around the world. The app usually start by one short video introducing the particular challenge. The idea is people copy the challenge or Trending activity and produce their own version. Until it increasingly became popular worldwide.

TikTok was made 8 years ago but it became less popular until Tiktok, known as Douyin was launched in china in September 2016. It was pushed out globally as TikTok the following year. In November 2017 ByteDance acquired the popular (also China-based) would-be rival app Musically app for a reported $1 billion. TikTok was merged with Musically in August 2018, with app users’ accounts migrated to their TikTok accounts. This was seen as a way for the Chinese app to enter the US market – with Musically already boasting a considerable American audience. The app was the world’s second-most or fourth-most downloaded non-gaming app of 2019. As of 2020, TikTok is one of the world’s best-loved apps.

According to a recent mid-year report by Nielsien Music. Known for its viral dance challenges. TikTok has notably boosted three of the year's most-streamed singles, namely Doja Cat's "Say So", "Trevor Daniel's "Falling" and Roddy Ricch's "The Box".

"The Box" gained popularity on the video-sharing platform, where users have used the "Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial" cut in roughly 2.3 million videos. After getting a boost from a TikTok meme and a prime spot on Spotify's RapCaviar playlist, the song spent 11 weeks atop the much-covered Billboard Hot 100.

"American rapper Doja Cat experienced a similar success story on TikTok with her single "Say So", which was first released in 2019 along with her sophomore studio album "Hot Pink". According to Nielsen Music, "Say So" is now the fourth most-streamed song of 2020 so far, with 307.561 million on-demand audio streams.

TikTok’s bulk users are 24 years old and younger. But it’s not just your kids and their friends who are getting in on the TikTok phenomenon. It includes 24 years old and above. Celebrities like Oscar-winning actress Reese Witherspoon and Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon are fully on board.

TikTok can count a number of celebrity users. In the Philippines, There are Top 20 TikTok Influencers in 2019 like Yanyan De Jesus who has 2,893,387 and ranked top 1 followed by nianaguerrero who has 2,342,772 and more.

TikTok is also increasingly used by major recording labels and award-winning artists to promote some hits to the top of the charts. It seems as if many TikTok users who gain fame view the platform as a springboard to more conventional types of fame, which is probably linked to the superior earnings.

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'Sue us': Bishop defends pastoral letter assailing anti-terror law

Written by

Allyne Ferrer

July 18, 2020