Mark Daza

opinion.inquirer.net — On Dec. 16, 2021, Supertyphoon "Odette" (international name: Rai) made landfall as a category 5 typhoon in the Philippines, causing over 400 deaths and an estimated over half a billion dollars of damages to infrastructure and agricultural production. This is hardly an unprecedented disaster for the Philippines.

Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inquirer.net — By Mark Toldo

Inquirer.Net, Philippine Daily Inquirer — For a Filipino enterprise to increase its chances of surviving the COVID-19 pandemic, digital transformation is key. Sadly, most micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) here have been struggling to adopt digitalization. Some 73 percent or more than 720,000 MSMEs need to increase their capability to digitalize their businesses, according to the September 2020 survey by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

harvard.edu — Blog by Mark Toldo, Communications Specialist at HHI's Program on Resilient Communities One of the stark realities that the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic has magnified is how frail the lives of the poor are in fragile settings, especially during overlapping crises.

harvard.edu — Blog by Mark Toldo, Communications Specialist at HHI's Program on Resilient Communities Since the establishment of the United Nations (UN) International Strategy for Disaster Reduction in 1999, awareness of and response to disasters has grown globally.

ABS-CBN News — The Bicol region underwent a total power blackout after typhoons Quinta, Ulysses and Super Typhoon Rolly toppled the majority of power lines in the area. But it was not the case for the Saldo family in Nabua, Camarines Sur who didn't live in darkness. "The lights around the house were lit providing good visibility during typhoons.

Inquirer.Net — The country's economic recession triggered by the devastating COVID-19 pandemic has closed many local businesses and left some 4.6 million Filipinos without a job in July. And as if the public health and economic crises were not enough, the already struggling local economy was further pummeled by consecutive strong typhoons.

Philippine Daily Inquirer — "Baliw," "kulang-kulang," "luka-luka." (Crazy, imbecile, lunatic.) Over the years, I have heard these obnoxious terms repeatedly screamed at potentially mentally ill individuals roaming the streets, the mocking often followed by laughter. This is but the most common manifestation of Philippine society's deep-seated and overlong neglect of the issue of mental health.

Pioneers Post — Nearly half of social entrepreneurs identified in new research carried out in the world's fourth most populous country are aged between 25 and 34 years old. And it's the creative industries where many of them focus their efforts.

Medium — Blog: Even before the institutionalization of disaster risk reduction and management in the Philippines began in 2010, vulnerable communities have been experiencing the adverse impacts of...

Philippine Daily Inquirer — New York City-In this city home to over 100,000 immigrant-owned small busines­ses lies a 25-square meter office where Filipino immigrants MJ Yap and Ira Briones busy themselves packing brown cartons with specialty Filipino snacks. They call a box Chibundle-a portmanteau of colloquial Filipino "chibog" (to eat) and bundle.

Philippine Daily Inquirer — There may be just a few signs of recovery in war-torn Marawi City a year after the siege that killed over a thousand and damaged P11 billion worth of property, but for some Maranao people, life is finally getting better.

Philippine Daily Inquirer — Artist Joy Jesena Barcelon never expected her passion for art would turn into a "good business" she fondly calls "Crafted with love" online. Her three-year-old handicrafts startup under JCJ Barcelon Enterprises employs 20 mothers from a depressed community in Upper Sucat North, Parañaque City. The enterprise's social mission is to empower mothers through art.

ABS-CBN News — 52-year- old Lily Manoto has been planting rice for decades in Floridablanca, Pampanga. Driven with passion and perseverance, she makes ends meet with her meager income. Recently, however, she has started earning more, thanks to social enterprise “Rice Up Filipino Farmers,” which teaches small-scale farmers how to diversify and practice organic farming. Since 2017, the enterprise has also helped Lily become more self- sustaining through modern farming practices. Lily makes sure that she shares all these new learnings to her fellow farmers. Through such noble gesture, she hopes that just like her, they could soon acquire and enjoy the advantages that modern farming brings.

Philippine Daily Inquirer — Based on the names of its products including "mommy dilis" and "papa pusit," social enterprise Fishers & Changemakers, Inc. (FCI) do know how to be affectionate with the seas. The maker and distributor of Balangay's Best products was recently awarded Nestlé's 2018 Creating Shared Value (CSV) Prize, proof of its support for sustainable fishing while helping communities where it sources its products.

ABS-CBN News — Broom production is the main industry in Bagulin, La Union. With a 644-hectare tiger grass farmland, over 1.5 million soft brooms are produced each year, harvested and handcrafted by 2,301 families. Despite the daunting challenges in the market, the Bagulin soft broom industry remains steadfast, mirroring the enduring spirit of its craftsmen–like local couple, Editha and Ruben, who have spent their lives making and selling brooms. As they age and grow weary, they struggle to get by, having only themselves to look after each other. However, they remain strong and resilient like the tiger grass. They soldier on. Catch the story of their love’s everlasting endurance on Mukha this Wednesday, 6:30 PM on ANC 24/7, and this Friday, 2 PM on DZMM TeleRadyo.

ABS-CBN News — Finally, narating na ni #Lakwatsero Robi Domingo ang tuktok ng Mt. Apo!

ABS-CBN News — Soul-searching ba kamo? Sa trekking, hindi mo lang mahahanap ang sarili mo, masusubok rin ang iyong katatagan.

ABS-CBN News — The Filipino youth are at an important stage of their life, so much so that ‘youth’ is actually defined in our laws as a ‘a critical period in a person’s growth and development,’ from ages fifteen to thirty years old. But a fundamental part of this stage is one’s childhood and development, which greatly influence how one enters into adulthood. Through its last hundred episodes, Mukha has featured the best and the brightest children, from swimming phenom Justin Junio to Math whiz Io Calica. Some others still, shine bright, not only because of the strength of their minds, but through the strength of their spirits. The youngest clothespin assembler in their community, Rouie Pordan and the young mother ‘Ana’ both displayed innocence and courage, despite their circumstances: with Rouie helping out her mother at work even as she was only learning her alphabet, and ‘Ana,’ nurturing his own child at a tender age of fifteen. We were with Kuya Pao, of fast food commercial fame, as he top billed a film about people with Down Syndrome, the first of its kind. We also joined JB Aragones’ journey towards manhood, when he underwent traditional circumcision. Catch these journeys of growth and transformation, this Wednesday at 6:30 PM on ANC 24/7, and this Friday at 2 PM on DZMM TeleRadyo. #MukhaTV #Mukha200

ABS-CBN News — Brokenhearted, bored, o gusto lang maglakwatsa? Bakit hindi ka mag-adventure with Mother Nature?

ABS-CBN News — There’s always a multitude of stories waiting to be told, especially with the rich culture and tradition that the Philippines possesses. But there are some individuals who stood out and had their compelling tales told through Mukha. These Filipinos may come from different background, age, class, beliefs and gender, but they share one precious value—inspiration. In the second installment of Mukha 200, a month-long celebration of the program’s 200 th episode, we relive the riveting tales of struggle and triumph of these inspiring men and women. Catch this episode tonight at 6:30 on ANC 24/7; and this Friday at 2 PM on DZMM TeleRadyo. #MukhaTV

ABS-CBN News — There’s always a multitude of stories waiting to be told, especially with the rich culture and tradition that the Philippines possesses. But there are some individuals who stood out and had their compelling tales told through Mukha. These Filipinos may come from different background, age, class, beliefs and gender, but they share one precious value—inspiration. In the second installment of Mukha 200, a month-long celebration of the program’s 200 th episode, we relive the riveting tales of struggle and triumph of these inspiring men and women. Catch this episode tonight at 6:30 on ANC 24/7; and this Friday at 2 PM on DZMM TeleRadyo. #MukhaTV

ABS-CBN News — Everyone has a story waiting to be told—this is what guides Mukha in our search for inspiring narratives. For the past years, we have featured characters on different journeys, some just starting, others about to end and many, still wandering indefinitely. Their paths may be different, but one thing’s for sure: the journey shaped the story. Much like the stories that have been shaped by these journeys, Mukha has also been shaped by the stories that we tell. As we reach our 200th episode, we look back at the last 100 episodes that challenged us to go out of our comfort zone and explore new ways of telling the story of the Filipino. With the many issues plaguing the country, Mukha became a platform to tell stories in the frontlines, in hopes of helping the Filipino find and understand

ABS-CBN News — As huge ash column towers over the Mayon Volcano, the danger zones have been extended to eight kilometers. Alert level four has been raised in the province, and a major eruption is imminent. Ed Laguerta, resident volcanologist of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS-DOST), has been used to Mayon's mercurial behavior. He is the expert with the longest stint in observing the country's most active volcano. Despite the danger, his team bravely sets foot on the slopes of the spewing volcano just to ensure that Albayanos will be spared from Daragang Magayon's rage. Catch the story of Daragang Magayon's guard on tonight's episode of Mukha, 6:30 PM, only on ANC 24/7.