Egg shortage

“Man is the only creature that consumes without producing. He does not give milk, he does not lay eggs, he is too weak to pull the plough, he cannot run fast enough to catch rabbits. Yet he is lord of all the animals.”

—George Orwell

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

I PICKED up 2 dozen of eggs for $7.45 at Costco in Rego Park, Queens in NYC February 6 and they had plenty there. I heard the price is expected to increase next week.

Prior to this, it was reported that there was a nationwide egg shortage, which has led to bizarre pricing at New York-area checkout counters—with cartons of regular eggs costing significantly more than the organic and free-range variety.

The New York Post reported that at Big Apple grocer Morton Williams, a dozen white, regular eggs from an in-store brand were going for a whopping $9.99 this week, while a carton of Land O Lakes brown eggs — produced “without hormones, steroids, or antibiotics” — cost just $5.59.

Other organic and cage-free varieties at the supermarket’s West 57th Street were also selling for well under $10, including $5.69 for a dozen of Egg-Land’s Best “vegetarian-fed hens” eggs, $7.49 for Organic Brown eggs, and $8.49 for Eco Meal Cage-Free Large Brown eggs, added The Post report.

A key reason for the topsy-turvy pricing is that organic, free-range egg farms — despite being hit just as hard by the avian flu as the rest — have been honoring lower-priced distribution contracts, according to Joe Viscomi, assistant director of operations for Morton Williams.

 

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However, many of those contracts are slated to expire in the coming weeks — with the result that organic and cage-free eggs could blow past the $10-a-dozen mark, he added.

“The disparity of the cost of organic brown and cage free eggs versus conventional eggs is closing fast,” Viscomi said.

At the Stew Leonard’s chain in the New York suburbs, the supermarket is charging $10.39 per dozen for its regular, private label brand, while the organic, cage-free eggs are $5.

“Our customers are now asking us how long do eggs last,” owner Stew Leonard told The Post.

The reemergence of the avian flu has led to the culling of 110 million egg-laying hens since 2022.

Skyrocketing egg prices are expected to plague shoppers for months to come, according to Matt Sutton-Vermeulen, principal in the agriculture and food practice at consulting firm, Kearney.

“This outbreak is accelerating and it’s not predictable,” said Sutton-Vermeulen, adding that 14 million hens were slaughtered over the past four weeks.

“I would not bet on a May recovery” as some experts have predicted, he said.

Shoppers scouring the city for less expensive eggs have been able to find some bargains. The Bryant Park Whole Foods in Midtown is selling a dozen premium eggs for $4.69 this week, as The Post reported.

 

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NEW YORK HOSPITALS VOW: NO SHARING OF IMMIGRATION STATUS. Care For NYC. No Exceptions. At NYC Health + Hospitals, we know this may be a challenging time for many of you.

Our hospitals, nursing homes, and community health centers are still open to you, regardless of your background, immigration status, gender identity, or ability to pay.

Our mission is the same as it has always been: providing the highest quality health care services to all New Yorkers with compassion, dignity and respect.

Please continue to get the care you need before you have a serious illness or emergency.

It's important to remember that NYC Health + Hospitals:

Does not require you to share information about your immigration status to receive health care.

Cannot give your information to anyone else without authorization by you, the patient, or without being required or specifically authorized to do so by law.

When you visit our facilities, our staff will help you get the insurance you need.

If you can't access insurance, they can connect you to the NYC Care program, so you have your own doctor for no or low-cost.

We will do all that so we can to ensure that you can continue to get the care you and your family need.

Our doctors, nurses, social workers, and entire team are here to serve you. Many of them are the sons and daughters of immigrants and live in the communities we serve.

All of them are committed to our mission of care for all without fear. We care about you.

It's a complex world out there, but at NYC Health + Hospitals, we're staying focused on serving you, our patient.

Thanks to the tireless dedication of our staff, partners, and advocates, we will continue to support you and your health care needs.

 

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TOUGH TIMES: As a human resources executive, Diane Evans used to make more than $200,000 a year. After she was laid off a year ago, she’s only been able to find work as a bathroom attendant. “I’ve never seen anything like this,” Evans said of the job market.

RESISTANT TO CHEMICAL SHAMPOOS. Head lice are becoming resistant to chemical shampoos designed to kill them. In addition, if we use them we're flushing insecticides down our drain. Let's make a conditioning rinse with our usual conditioner, vinegar, and tea tree oil, then comb through thoroughly once a week until the lice are gone.

FAITHFUL. Women who are housewives are, as a whole, more faithful than working women. (Kinsey Institute)

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two daily newspapers in Iloilo.—Ed)

 

 

 

Defensor, Garin: Feeling ‘honored’ and ‘wrongly accused’

“The genius of impeachment lay in the fact that it could punish the man without punishing the office.”

—Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

THE first is exuding with ebullience; the other is ululating in distress.

Two contrasting reactions from two Iloilo solons hogged headlines in Iloilo City following the endorsement of impeachment complaint by the Lower House to the Upper Chamber against Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio February 5.

While Iloilo 3rd district Rep. Lorenz Defensor reportedly “felt honored” for being tapped as member of the 11-member prosecution team when the impeachment case is litigated in the senate, Iloilo 1st district Rep. Janette Loreto-Garin reportedly felt she was “wrongly accused” by Davao Rep. Paolo Duterte, the vice president’s brother, of orchestrating the signature campaign that led to a sufficient number of signatures to impeach Mrs. Duterte-Carpio.

Defensor’s reaction instantly elicited applause and plaudits from his constituents and fellow public officials in Iloilo who admired his frankness and dauntlessness amid the political pressure and controversy generated by the vice president’s alleged involvement in various irregularities that supposedly warrants a removal from public office.

 

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Public reaction to Loreto-Garin’s defensive sallies against the charges from the Davao solon was mixed.

Others were saying “it would have been best” if she ignored Rep. Duterte’s saber-rattling as it was normal for a brother to react aggressively and be wrathful for fear the family’s best bet for the presidency of the Philippines in 2028 is in danger of being wrecked politically if ousted as vice president.

All the rest of the lawmakers from Iloilo and Guimaras who were among the 215 signatories of the 306-member House of Representatives have remained mum, so far.

“Nalipay ako sa pagsalig kag kumpiyansa nga ginhatag sang liderato sang Kongreso sa akon, sa ila pagpili sa akon bilang isa sa prosecutors,” said Defensor, who is a lawyer. “Natural lang nga may pressure sa tanan nga desisyon kapin pa sa impeachment but you have to act on your constitutional duty nga kon pilion ka sang liderato sang Kongreso dapat sabton mo ang paghangkat.”

(I am happy for the trust and confidence given to me by the leadership of congress by choosing me as one of the prosecutors. It is but natural that there are pressures in the decision-making pertaining to impeachment, but you have to act on your constitutional duty if chosen by the leadership of congress. You have to answer the challenge.)

 

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Loreto-Garin told ANC: "Definitely no it's not true. It's fake news. I have full respect for Cong. Paolo Duterte. However, I am very much surprised on how he vets information that goes through him or his office. It's a very malicious accusation and it's totally baseless.”

She further explained: “We were called for a party consensus and party consultations around 10:30 or 11:00 this morning. I attended though I was late, and I heard the presentation of the officers. I signed as my constitutional duty, but I never forced, intimidated or became a part of the gathering of signatures. It was a full meeting with many members of Congress, and it was the prerogative of everybody who wanted to sign or wanted to leave.”

But again, allow me to reiterate: the statement of Cong. Paolo Duterte is unfounded. It would've been good if he will attend sessions and meetings in Congress so that he can get the correct and first-hand information," Garin said.

"I mean, I do respect him, but I challenge him to come out in the open and name names on whoever fed him the wrong information. Because as a public official, it's very alarming that he does not vet or does not validate information going to his office.”

Defensor’s colleagues in the prosecution team are: Rep. Gerville "JinkyBitrics" Luistro (Batangas, 2nd District); Rep. Romeo Acop (Antipolo, 2nd District); Rep. Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez (1-Rider Partylist); Rep. Joel Chua (Manila, 3rd District); Rep. Rau Angelo "Jil" Bongalon (AKO Bicol); Rep. Loreto Acharon (General Santos, Lone District); Rep. Marcelino Libanan (4Ps Party-list); Rep. Arnan Panaligan (Oriental Mindoro, 1st District); Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora (San Juan, Lone District); and Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores (Bukidnon, 2nd District).

A key focus in the impeachment case will be Mrs. Duterte-Carpio’s alleged misuse of confidential and intelligence funds, including P500 million from the Office of the Vice President and P112.5 million from the Department of Education.

 

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FOUR TRAITS MEN FIND IRRESISTIBLE. 1. Ignore him after five minutes 2. Be comfortable in your skin 3. Show off your playful side 4. Talk about what you really love (Cosmopolitan)

THE SKINNY ON SUGAR DRINKS. An average child consumes 224 calories each day from guzzling sugar-sweetened beverages like soda, sports drinks, and punches, reports a Columbia University study. So, let's take inventory of the liquid calories lurking in the fridge, and swap in calorie-free alternatives.

POMEGRANATE JUICE IS HEALTHIER THAN THE FRUIT ITSELF. Most of the fruit's antioxidants are found in the inedible rind of the fruit--but the rind is typically used to create the juice. Pomegranate juice helps protect the heart and prevent arthritis and gingivitis. Let's choose pure pomegranate juice with no added sugars or fillers (such as apple or pear juice).

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two daily newspapers in Iloilo.—Ed)

‘Yudiputa’

“I was raised to think cursing makes you look unintelligent.”

—Chloe Grace Moretz

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

BELIEVE it or not, but according to Google, the English translation of “yudiputa” is “judiciary”—or is it the system of courts that interprets, defends, and applies the law in the name of the state?

For most Hiligaynon-speaking people, the Google’s English translation is bewildering and scarcely credible; it’s completely unexpected.

Definithing, or defining anything, on the other hand, defines “yudiputa” as “the Filipino version of the Spanish word hijo de puta which, in English means son of a b-tch.”

It explains that the word’s “origin: the Filipinos were tired of speaking the word hijo, and they short cutted it to yu, it still sounds the same…history: it’s history was just like the Spanish version, yeah, because most of the Filipino words being used here came from Spain when they colonized us during the 1500’s.”

Urban Dictionary has a more explicit version: “YUDI came from the word ‘Hijo’ meaning son. PUTA came from the word ‘BITCH’ meaning whore.”

 

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If spoken in Iloilo City or in any Hiligaynon-speaking places, “yudiputa” actually connotes profanity, or a type of language that includes dirty words and ideas.

Our grandparents would be up in arms and declare Armageddon if they heard us utter the “forbidden” word.

The persons who uttered the controversial word could be perceived as rude, disrespectful, and offensive to others, potentially damaging relationships and creating a negative impression, especially in professional or formal settings; it could also signal a lack of control or maturity depending on the context and situation.

As children, we had been warned the word was actually considered taboo and could be hurtful or upsetting to people depending on their cultural background or personal beliefs.

Nowadays, however, it is spoken almost with glee in normal conversations, in press conferences, concerts, political rallies, and social media.

In fact, it has become a fad and vocalized by some smart alecks to attract attention and provoke debate whether it should be tolerated and accepted as part of a normal dialogue in today’s unbigoted and latitudinarian generation.

 

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The Impact of Food Waste and How to Reduce It. Food waste is a growing global concern, with millions of tons of food being discarded every year, according to Things Finance World.

This issue not only affects the environment but also contributes to economic losses and food insecurity.

One of the major causes of food waste is improper storage. Many fresh produce items spoil quickly when not stored correctly, leading to unnecessary waste.

Simple steps like using airtight containers and freezing perishable items can help extend shelf life.

Restaurants and grocery stores are also responsible for a large portion of food waste. Many businesses are now adopting food donation programs and "ugly produce" campaigns to ensure edible food is not discarded unnecessarily.

 

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BRUSH IT UP. Let's not throw away our old toothbrush; let's use it to clean tricky-to-reach areas like the caulking between floor and wall tiles and the area around bathroom faucets. Often a little more elbow grease will do the trick without resorting to harsh cleaners.

PLAY BALL. When our running shoes are worn beyond use, let's not throw them away. Because of their high rubber content and the fact that rubber is easily recyclable, old sneakers are now being used to make new sports surfaces. Nike is one brand that operates this function by producing its Nike Grind material.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of to daily newspapers in Iloilo.—Ed)

 

What will happen to Juan de la Cruz without USAID?

“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.”

—Desmond Tutu

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

I CHECKED the website of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) after watching the CBS news February 3 evening and it confirmed reports that the website has been taken down.

In one way or the other, the Philippines will also be affected once U.S. President Donald Trump and his bff Elon Musk, a billionaire with no official government post (his appointment as head of the “Department f Government Efficiency” has not been confirmed yet by congress) succeed in dismantling the USAID.

It was the U.S. Congress that passed the Foreign Assistance Act and then President John F. Kennedy set up USAID as an independent agency in 1961.

Mr. Trump implemented a 90-day freeze on foreign assistance on his first day in office on January 20. There is now a move that shut down thousands of programs around the world and forced furloughs and layoffs.

Dozens of senior officials have been put on leave, thousands of contractors laid off, and employees were told February 3 not to enter its Washington headquarters; USAID’s account on the X platform has been taken down, as well.

It’s part of a Trump administration crackdown that’s hitting across the federal government and its programs. But USAID and foreign aid are among those hit the hardest.

 

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Why will the Philippines be affected? The partnership between Uncle Sam and Juan de la Cruz in as far as USAID is concerned dates back more than 60 years ago, and USAID has supported development in the country; USAID has helped the Philippines with infrastructure, education, health, and more.

Only last November 13, 2024, the United States government, through the USAID, donated over 200,000 learning materials worth P25 million ($450,000) to Philippine government agencies that supported educational, skill-building, and employment programs for out-of-school youth.

According to the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines, USAID Philippines Mission Director Ryan Washburn led the handover ceremony during the USAID Opportunity 2.0 Youth and Partners Summit in Quezon City, which gathered around 500 youth development champions from across the Philippines. 

The donation, which consists of various educational resources such as life skills and work-readiness training modules, entrepreneurship guidebooks, and teachers’ manuals, will benefit programs like the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Alternative Learning System, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority’s (TESDA) technical-vocational training programs, and the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Youth Entrepreneurship Program.

 

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In the past, USAID helped strengthen the country’s vibrant civil society, including cooperatives, business support organizations, chambers of commerce, civic groups, community groups and women’s organizations, and has been working with local organizations more and more in the implementation of USAID technical assistance.

USAID has partnered with the Philippine government to pass justice sector reforms to improve judicial efficiency, strengthen judicial integrity and broaden access to justice.

USAID supported the efforts of the judiciary to improve judicial efficiency and access to justice with the introduction of small claims court procedures – which reduce the duration of small claims cases from an average of four years to one day.

In the early 90s, USAID provided substantial assistance in the crafting and initial implementation of the Local Government Code, which brought public services closer to the citizens.

 

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USAID supported the work of human rights NGOs, the Commission on Human Rights, and the Department of Justice, helping obtain five convictions for human rights violations (extralegal killings of activists and journalists).

USAID support to local NGOs resulted in the provision of protective services to more than 10,000 victims and potential victims of human trafficking, increase in the number of cases filed against human traffickers, and improvement in public awareness about human trafficking.

USAID assisted the government in detecting corruption through institutionalized investigator-auditor-prosecutor cooperation in pursuing large scale corruption cases.

USAID supported the first successful automated national elections and the orderly and democratic transition of power in 2010.

In future, USAID is committed to support the Philippines in advancing judicial reform and the rule of law, fighting corruption, strengthening local governance, and ensuring free and fair elections.

What will happen to Juan de la Cruz now if USAID will become history?

 

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I received an email from PayPal warning me to spot a phishing email or text. They are:

-Generic greetings. Phishing messages often begin with impersonal greetings. “Dear user” or “Hello, PayPal member” are definitely suspect. Messages from PayPal will always use the full name listed in your PayPal account.

-Attachments. They can contain malware, so never open them unless you’re 100% sure they’re legitimate.

-A sense of urgency. Don’t heed pleas for you to take fast action or warning you of problems that will compromise your account status.

-Fake URL. If the web address is scrambled or looks suspect, don't click on anything and leave.

-Asks for sensitive info. Never provide personal, credit card, or account info via email, text, or phone.

-Poorly written. Typos, misspellings, and incorrect grammar are common in phishing messages.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two daily newspapers in Iloilo.—Ed)