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DEPT. OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY

2018 BANTOG DATA MEDIA AWARDS CHAMPION

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Friday, April 5, 2019 Vol. 14 No. 177

Palace cool as big infra projects’ fate still hangs 1,132 M By Bernadette D. Nicolas

@BNicolasBM

ALACAÑANG has expressed confidence that economic managers can immediately submit the additional documents that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is seeking before deciding on their request for an exemption from the public works ban.

This, as Malacañang acknowledged on Thursday that the compliance with the Comelec directive will delay the implementation of 1,132 public infrastructure projects. “We assure everyone that the economic managers are on top of

the situation. They know what to do and they do not have to be told what steps they should undertake. Our economic managers have, in fact, requested the Comelec for an exemption as early as February, a month before March 29, when the

ban took effect,” said Presidential Spokesman and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador S. Panelo. “Delays are indeed possible and...are inevitable at times, given the practical dynamics and legal dictates of our country, but these

Public infrastructure projects that face possible delay if the exception is not granted. They include 145 projects submitted for the 2019 General Appropriations Bill; the 603 from the DPWH; and the 384 ODAfunded ones

can be avoided or minimized with proper due diligence by those responsible. A little delay is much better than no major infrastructure projects at all like what happened in the previous administration,” Panelo added. See “Infra,” A3

‘Taxpayers may need help with ITRs due to TRAIN’

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SPEx SEEKS CONTRACT EXTENSION TO EXPLORE FIELDS NEAR MALAMPAYA By Lenie Lectura @llectura

HELL Philippines Exploration BV (SPEx) is looking at exploring gas reserves near the Malampaya gas field, a lawmaker said late Wednesday afternoon. “We heard that Shell is willing to explore more around that area. In fact, there are three potential areas around SC 38 and that will eventually extend the same quantity,” said Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, Senate Energy Committee head. The areas of interest are located east of Palawan, said the senator. “Their only request is for their contract to be extended so they can explore more areas nearby,” said the lawmaker. SPEx is part of the Malampaya consortium awarded a license to conduct exploration activities under Service Contract (SC) 38, which is set to expire in 2024. The consortium’s application remains pending since 2008, when it filed for a 15-year extension. “We haven’t agreed on it yet,” said Gatchalian, referring to the extension of SC 38. The Malampaya Deep Water Gasto-Power project is a joint undertaking of the Philippine government and the private sector.

The project was developed and operated by SPEx with a 45-percent stake on behalf of joint-venture partners Chevron Malampaya Llc.—also with a 45-percent stake—and PNOC-EC (Philippine National Oil Co.-Exploration Corp.), which holds the remaining 10 percent. The gas facility fuels the following gas plants: the 1,000-megawatt Santa Rita, the 500-MW San Lorenzo, the 1,200-MW Ilijan, the 97-MW Avion and the 414-MW San Gabriel.

40% of Luzon’s needs

MALAMPAYA has been providing a stable supply of energy, meeting 40 percent of Luzon’s power needs. In its assessment, SPEx said the Malampaya gas reserves can last between 2027 and 2029, depending on the demand. SPEx Managing Director Don Paulino earlier said the group can still provide between 60 percent and 100 percent of the current demand for natural gas by 2022 due to a depletion compressor that was installed. “Their estimate is that the gas will last until 2029, 2030. So, it can be extended from 2024 to 2030,” said Gatchalian, referring to the gas supply. An industry source confirmed that SPEx is looking at three to four areas for possible exploration of gas.

GDP likely grew faster in Q1 despite budget delay–Market Call

By Rea Cu

HE Tax Management Association of the Philippines Inc. (TMAP) said more taxpayers may need assistance in filing their tax returns due to the changes in rates and forms required by the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law. TMAP President Eleanor L. Roque said assistance centers during tax filing season may see an increase in terms of foot traffic as taxpayers may need help with the new forms of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). “We don’t know if there will be a substantial increase in the number of ITR [income tax return] filers. What we are expecting would be an increase in the number of taxpayers that may need assistance because of the new ITR forms issued by the BIR,” Roque told the BusinessMirror via SMS. “Taxpayers shall be filing based on the TRAIN law for the first time. We expect that there may be some birth pains in adopting to the new rules and new form,” she added. Last month, the BIR revealed that it once again partnered with the TMAP through a memorandum

2017 EJAP JOURNALISM AWARDS

By Cai U. Ordinario

S WORKERS at LRT 7 on Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City take a break from the heat of the sun. According to some analysts, the impact of possible infrastructure delays—arising from the reenacted budget’s extended period and the failure thus far of the Executive to secure Comelec exceptions on the public works ban—may not be as big on growth because certain big projects funded by official development assistance or tagged as publicprivate partnerships are already onstream, and can boost spending. NONIE REYES

Peso seen appreciating, but for a limited time By Bianca Cuaresma @BcuaresmaBM

OCAL businesses expect the peso to appreciate in the second quarter of the year, compared to its level in the same period last year. Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’s (BSP) recent survey on local firms show the optimism of businesses about the prospects of the local currency. In particular, the BSP said businesses expect the peso to average at around 52.80 to a dollar in the months of April

PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 52.2620

to June this year. This is slightly stronger than the 53 trade average of the peso in June 2018. In a separate research note, economists at the First Metro Investment Corp. (FMIC) and the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) believe the strength of the peso will likely be “short-lived.” “The peso may remain strong only for a limited time as the US dollar has rebounded, amid a robust economy and slightly higher interest rates that go with it,” FMIC and UA&P economists said. Earlier, Standard Chartered Economist

for Asia, Chidu Narayanan, also expressed bearish views on the local currency’s run for this year. “Monetary policy easing expectations are likely to add to existing pressure on the Philippine peso from a persistent current-account deficit amid strong capital-goods imports, an elevated real effective exchange rate [REER], and stretched market positioning,” he said. The latest data from the Bankers’ Association of the Philippines showed the local currency trading at 52.08 to a dollar on Wednesday’s trade.

@caiordinario

TRONG consumption spending likely boosted the country’s economic growth in the first quarter despite the delay in the passage of the 2019 budget, according to a private local think tank. In its latest Market Call report, University of Asia and the Pacific-First Metro Investment Corp. (UA&P-FMIC) Capital Market Research said first-quarter economic growth was “robust” due to the slowdown in inflation. The think tank did not provide its estimate of GDP growth for the January-to-March period. GDP expanded by 6.6 percent in the first quarter of 2018. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) will release the first-quarter inflation data on Friday but inflation already averaged 4.1 percent in the January-toFebruary period. February inflation was at 3.8 percent. “Despite the 2019 budget [being] still unapproved, work on large infrastructure projects, like the Metro Manila subway [Japanese-aid funded], Cavite-Laguna

Despite the 2019 budget [being] still unapproved, work on large infrastructure projects like the Metro Manila subway, Cavite-Laguna Expressway [PPP], LRT 1 extension, third bridge in Cebu-Mactan and the three bridges over the Pasig river have all begun and should drive investment spending. Consumer spending, likewise, should benefit from the unabated fall in inflation and preelection spending.” —UA&P-FMIC Capital Market Research

Expressway [PPP], LRT 1 extension [PPP], third bridge in Cebu-Mactan [PPP] and the three bridges over the Pasig river [China grants] have all begun and should drive investment spending. Consumer spending, likewise, should benefit from the unabated fall in inflation and preelection spending,” UA&P-FMIC Capital Market Research said. See “GDP,” A2

n JAPAN 0.4688 n UK 68.7977 n HK 6.6582 n CHINA 7.7895 n SINGAPORE 38.6182 n AUSTRALIA 37.1687 n EU 58.7164 n SAUDI ARABIA 13.9354 S ource: BSP (4 April 2019 )

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PHL to ban meat products from ASF-hit Cambodia

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

@jearcalas

HE Philippines will close its borders to meat products from Cambodia after it confirmed its first-ever African swine fever (ASF) outbreak, the second Southeast Asian nation to be struck by the fatal swine disease.

Number of countries, now including Cambodia, banned by Manila from shipping meat products to the Philippines, for confirmed outbreaks of ASF in hog farms Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol made the pronouncement on the sidelines of the 28th National Hog Convention and Trade Exhibits on Thursday. Cambodia will join 15 other countries banned by Manila from shipping meat products to the Philippines, including Vietnam which confirmed outbreaks of ASF in hog farms last February.

However, the Bureau of Animal Industry said the Philippines is not importing meat products from Cambodia and other countries in mainland Asia due to foot and mouth disease. “We will issue the import ban today [Thursday],” Piñol said in an interview with reporters on the sidelines of the three-day event in Pasay City. On April 3, Cambodia reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health its first-ever ASF outbreak which killed 400 hogs in a backyard farm near the Vietnam border. Cambodia has also culled 100 more hogs which are susceptible to ASF in the same farm.

‘Unhappy’

PIÑOL admitted that he is unhappy with the current biosecurity measures being implemented in airports and ports of entries. He added that at present only random inspection on luggage is being conducted

in airports due to lack of equipment. Due to this, he disclosed that the Department of Agriculture has started training 40 canines to sniff out meat products brought in by tourists through hand-carried and checked-in luggage. Piñol added that the DA would deploy the initial 40 meatsniffing dogs in airports nationwide after two months of training. The BusinessMirror earlier reported that the DA was not able to hire meatsniffing dogs from third party services as the canines were trained to detect bomb, drugs and medicines. “If you are going to ask me if I’m happy with our current biosecurity measures, I’m not. We need to improve our biosecurity measures in our airports,” he said. “If we need to add more meat-sniffing dogs, then we will add some more to ensure that illegal meat products will not enter the country,” Piñol said.

Unescap sees PHL growth at 6.5%

Economists. . .

By Cai U. Ordinario

@caiordinario

HE United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (Unescap) has followed the lead of other multilateral financing institutions which slashed their growth forecast for the Philippines this year. In the Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2019 titled, “Ambitions Beyond Growth,” the Philippines is expected to grow 6.5 percent this year, a downgrade from the estimate of 6.9 percent it released last year. Unescap also expected inflation to be higher at 4 percent in 2019 compared to its estimate of 3.5 percent released in 2018. For 2020, it estimates GDP growth to average 6.6 percent, while inflation is expected to average 3.5 percent. “With softening global trade, there has been a downward revision compared to our previous forecasts for several countries, including the Philippines. Nevertheless, the Philippine economy remains robust, supported by domestic demand driven by spending on infrastructure and social welfare,” Unescap Strategic Communications and Advocacy Section Chief Ricardo Z. Dunn told the BusinessMirror in an e-mail on Thursday. Dunn added that the growth of the Philippine economy this year will be faster than the 6.2 percent posted in 2018, and inflation will be lower than the 5.2 percent posted last year. However, Unescap said attaining fast-economic growth should not be the only focus in the region. Countries like the Philippines must focus on meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Unescap said countries in Asia and the Pacific must invest another $1.5 trillion, equivalent to a dollar per person per day to achieve the SDGs by 2030. But, Dunn said, given the diversity of the region, some countries must spend more. He said least developed countries such as Cambo-

GDP. . .

Continued from A1

“We think that headline inflation will continue its downtrend to below 4 percent in Q1, and below 3 percent by Q3 due to softer prices in crude oil and key food commodities [especially rice], among others,” it added. Consumer spending, the think tank said, would begin to recover in the January-to-March period due to the slowdown in inflation. Consumption will also be driven by election spending and the weakness of the US dollar. The think tank estimated that the peso will average in the 52 to 52.60 range versus the US dollar in the second quarter. This augurs well for the families of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who will be able to have more pesos for the remittances they will receive. “The peso may remain strong only for a limited time as the US dollar has rebounded, amid a robust economy and slightly higher interest rates that go with it, despite a likely delay and fewer Fed policy rate hikes than its previous projections,” the report read. The think tank said exports are not expected to recover in the first quarter. Imports, it said, would return to double-digit growth rates once big-ticket infrastructure projects begin. These projects such as the Metro Manila subway and the three new bridges over the Pasig River would require imported construction materials and would boost imports in the near- to medium-term. “Even though exports may not yet contribute in the first quarter, GDP growth for the quarter and the year should accelerate from their 2018

dia and Nepal would require an additional investment of $3 per person per day. The bulk of these funds must go to poverty, hunger, health and education investments. For the Philippines, Dunn said it must invest an additional $1 per person per day, and the composition is more evenly spread across people- and planet-related interventions. “Asia and the Pacific is a large and diverse region, and so the magnitude and composition of the additional investment needs to achieve the SDGs also vary by country,” Dunn said. “Compared to the regional average, given the Philippines’s large child and youth population, additional educational spending needs are high, at 1.4 percent of GDP for universal preprimary to upper secondary schooling. Additional investments in water and sanitation infrastructure needs are also high, at 0.4 percent of GDP,” he added. The report added that other areas of concern for the Philippines are malnutrition and stunting which, if neglected, could reach $4.5 billion per year or 1.5 percent of GDP, based on 2015 estimates. Unescap said an estimated budget of $113 million per year would be required for these interventions to reach coverage of 90 percent. The benefit-cost ratio yields a return of $12 for every dollar invested. The overall economic returns amount to $1.5 billion per year toward the economy while 14,000 children under five years of age would be prevented from dying. “Compared with the 2015 baseline, 30 million fewer children would be stunted, 105 million more babies would be exclusively breastfed during the first six months of life and 91 million more children under five years of age would be treated for severe wasting by 2025,” the report stated. “The benefit-cost ratio could be as high as 35 for curbing anemia, as shown in the table on the next page. In the long run, such outcomes would produce more productive workers generating higher earnings through higher cognitive and physical capacities,” it added. pace. We also see infusion of liquidity into the banking system by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in the near term, given the rapid decline in inflation, low money growth, the need to rebuild BSP’s international reserves and the global economic slowdown,” the think tank said. The reenacted budget and the damage it will inflict on jobs and various publicly funded projects will likely reduce the country’s GDP to its lowest rate in nearly a decade, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda). In a statement, the Neda said full-year GDP this year could slow to only 4.2 percent to 4.9 percent, the lowest since 2011 when GDP expanded by 3.7 percent. If the budget is reenacted only until April, full-year GDP growth could slow to 6.1 percent to 6.3 percent but if it reaches August, the economy could slow to 4.9 percent to 5.1 percent in 2019. Apart from the damage to the economy, the reenacted budget will cost as much as 180,000 to 240,000 more jobs, and fail to lift 400,000 to 550,000 more Filipinos out of poverty this year. Pernia also emphasized that a reenacted budget will create a delay in both new and ongoing infrastructure projects, as well as the implementation of public social services such as the Unconditional Cash Transfer and Pantawid Pasada Programs. The Philippine economy recorded a fullyear GDP growth rate of 6.2 percent in 2018, lower than the government’s revised target of 6.5 percent to 6.9 percent. This is also lower than the 6.7 percent and 6.9 percent recorded in 2017 and 2016, respectively, largely due to the spikes in inflation rates in 2018.

Continued from A12

“Or perhaps investors and creditors might have already read Duterte, thinking that his announcement is but for dramatic effect. Still and all, they don’t like unpredictability of contracts,” he added.

Review, not cancel

FOR political economist Calixto V. Chikiamco, president of Foundation for Economic Freedom, the government can do the review but it should just be done to guide officials in crafting future contracts and not to cancel existing contracts. “He can review to guide the crafting of contracts in the future but cannot unilaterally cancel them and violate the sanctity of contracts. This will instill fear and uncertainty among investors,” Chikiamco said. Ateneo School of Government Dean Ronald U. Mendoza said this is also not a good move if the government is really trying to make foreign investments recover, as this also comes with the “chilling effect”on foreign investments due to the Trabaho bill. President Duterte on Monday ordered a review of all contracts entered into by the government with other countries and all its agencies’ deals with private corporations. The Solicitor General, the Department of Justice and all legal departments are tasked to do the review. If found to have onerous provisions, Malacañang said the government could opt to push for a renegotiation or rescission of the contracts. The President’s order comes on the heels of controversy surrounding the Chinese loan agreements which were criticized to have “onerous” provisions and the water crisis which hounded several homes and business establishments in Metro Manila.

Who will do review?

MENDOZA and other analysts said the more bitter pill to swallow is the President’s choice of those who will conduct the review. “Review by the same people who canceled the PPPs [public-private partnership] and let the Chinese contracts in? Increased transparency and third party oversight is probably better,” Mendoza said. De La Salle University Economics Professor Maria Ella C. Oplas agreed with Mendoza, saying evaluations must be done instead by a third-party civil-society organization or professional learning institutions. “The Bigger Question Is Who will review them? If it will just be the same people surrounding him, it’s just for show. The review Must be done by a credible third party,” Oplas said. Lawyer Michael Henry Ll. Yusingco, non-resident research fellow at the Ateneo School of Government, pointed out that the directive also raises two possibilities—both not good for the country. “One, the proper review process mandated by law and the Constitution was not followed. Or two, the administration is merely pandering to the clamor of the public with no intention of changing course after subjecting the agreements to the second review,” he said. Yusingco explained that the government can instead enlist the services of a respected local accounting and auditing firm to do the review. “This way the public can be assured that any mistakes or missteps committed here will be addressed properly. And the proper action regarding the agreements, if found to be defective, will be undertaken by the government,” he said. Independent economic consultant John Paolo R. Rivera said this review was supposed to have been done before entering into the contract. “In this way, we are able to spot, review and assess seemingly disadvantageous and unconstitutional provisions and do something about it by cancelling the contracts [if possible], mitigating the negative impacts as early as now, and hopefully investigate those people/officials behind such provisions,” Rivera said. For his part, IBON Foundation Inc. Executive Director Jose Enrique A. Africa is less optimistic with the results of the review. “The President’s track record then tends to indicate that his so-called order to review government contracts and loan agreements is just more populist bluster.The economic managers may put up a show but it is unlikely that anything meaningful will come out of it,” Africa said.

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Alien workers protected by PHL Labor Code, DOLE exec assures By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

OTWITHSTANDING the rising count of alien workers in the Philippines, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is yet to enter a pact with any foreign government for the protection and welfare of their nationals in the local labor market. Instead, DOLE’s International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB) Director Alice Q. Visperas said that countries with existing bilateral labor agreement (BLA) with the Philippines, tend to only discuss the conditions of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) entering their territories. “There might be from Department of Foreign Affairs and Bureau of Immigration, but as far as DOLE is concerned, there is no such agreement,” she said. Currently, the country has active labor-related accords with at least 21 states. The majority of these agreements are in the Middle East and African countries, namely, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Israel, Libya and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). In the A sia-Pacific region, Visperas said, the country has a labor-related pact with Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Taiwan and China. There are also similar accords with Canada, Germany, Italy, Spain

and the United States, she added. “We have not yet handled [BLAs] wherein they will be sending their workers in the country and ensure their welfare,” Visperas told the BusinessMirror in an interview. But even if there is no such agreement, she pointed out, foreign workers are protected by the country’s existing Labor Code as long as they have the necessary visa and permits. “Generally, our laws and the Labor Code already provides protection not only to our workers but even for foreign workers,” Visperas said. “As long as they [foreign nationals] are gainfully employed, they will enjoy provisions of the law regarding hours of work, overtime pay, salary, etc., since our law is very lenient,” she added. The Philippines is known internationally as a labor-sending country rather than as a receiving one. However, in previous years, the number of foreign workers entering the country have increased by several folds. In 2018, the DOLE said a total of 138,001 work permits and 84,010 visas were issued to foreigners. The majority of those issued permits and visas are Chinese nationals. The said numbers do not include those who are said to be engaged in authorized work in the Philippines. Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua earlier urged authorities to ensure the “humanitarian needs” of their nationals, who will be found to be “illegally” working in the country and face deportation.

Infra. . . continued from a1 The Comelec Campaign Finance

Office sent a letter on March 26 to the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda), Department of Finance (DOF) and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) informing them of the need to submit additional documents. These include a certified true copy of certificate of completion of public works projects, notice of award of contract, contract agreement and statement of account, among others. The Comelec said it will use the documents to ensure that the list of projects is allowed by the Omnibus Election Code. Economic managers sought exemption from the public works ban, which took effect on March 29, to minimize the adverse impact of a reenacted budget on GDP growth this year. The Comelec said, however, that it grants only an “exception,” and the request for additional documents will allow the poll body to determine the projects that are automatically excepted from the public works prohibition. If the exception is not granted, the country’s economy would have to contend with the triple whammy of a reenacted budget, the impact of El Niño and the possible delay in the implementation of 1,132 public

infrastructure projects. The projects include the 145 projects submitted for the 2019 General Appropriations Bill; the 603 from the Department of Public Works and Highways; and the 384 funded by official development assistance. Neda Undersecretary for Regional Development Adoracion M. Navarro earlier said the agency is coordinating with the DOF and DBM. Implementing agencies have also been asked to submit the additional documents. Some of those excepted from the public works ban are maintenance of existing and/or completed public workers; those undertaken by contract through public bidding held or by negotiated contract awarded before March 29; and emergency work necessitated by the occurrence of public calamity among others. Projects contracted under a publicprivate partnership scheme and buildoperate-transfer are also not covered by the ban. Government projects, which fall under any of these categories, are automatically allowed to continue construction during the election ban, which started on March 29 and will end on May 12. However, these projects are still open to scrutiny from any party and the Commission on Audit.

DFA. . . continued from a12 The Pag-Asa Islands are part of the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG), which is an integral part of the Philippines over which it has sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction, the DFA said. “Accordingly, the presence of Chinese vessels near and around Pag-Asa and other maritime features in the KIG is illegal.” The DFA added that such actions “are a clear violation of Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction, as defined under international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea [Unclos].” “Moreover, it has been observed that Chinese vessels have been present in large numbers and for sustained and recurring periods—what is commonly referred to as “swarming” tactics—raising questions about their intent, as well as concerns over their role in support of coercive objectives.” The DFA said such actions when not repudiated by the Chinese government

are deemed to have been adopted by it. The presence of Chinese vessels within the KIG, whether military, fishing or other vessels, will thus continue to be the subject of appropriate action by the Philippines, the DFA added. “For the record, the Philippines has consistently manifested its position on the Pag-Asa Islands and on the KIG, and its objections or concerns over illegal, tension-raising or coercive activities, through diplomatic actions, including notes verbales and in meetings with the Chinese side, including the Philippines-China Bilateral Consultation Mechanism [BCM].” The DFA said the Joint Statement issued by the Philippines and China on the occasion of last year’s State Visit of President Xi Jinping to the Philippines “includes an agreement by both sides to exercise self-restraint with respect to activities in the South China Sea that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability.”

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Friday, April 5, 2019 A3

LTFRB’s Jardin suspended for allegedly receiving P4.8 million to grant franchise

By Lorenz S. Marasigan

@lorenzmarasigan

RANKING official of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has been suspended for three months over alleged corrupt practices that, in absolute terms, amounted to about P4.8 million.

Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade has ordered the suspension of LTFRB Executive Director Samuel Jardin after the latter received formal charges for “grave misconduct; receiving for personal use a valuable thing in the course of official duties wherein such gift was given in the expectation of receiving favorable treatment; and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.” Jardin allegedly received P4.8 million in exchange of the grant of a certificate of public convenience from an unnamed transportation company.

He is required to submit a verified answer, including documentary evidence, within three days from receipt of the formal charge. Tugade reiterated that “any corrupt deed, or the perception thereof, in the ranks of the DOTr offices and attached agencies will not be tolerated.” Since Tugade took the helm of the agency, 128 transport employees and officials have been dismissed, 20 have been relieved, 17 have been suspended, 58 have pending cases and six are currently being investigated for corruption charges.

Angara to Duterte admin: Ensure steady release of 4Ps fund to poor beneficiaries By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

EN. Juan Edgardo Angara reminded the Duterte administration on Thursday to “ensure uninterrupted release” of cash aid to 4.4 million beneficiaries of the government’s anti-poverty alleviation initiative under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). “We should find creative and efficient ways on how the cash grants for 4Ps beneficiaries can be distributed in a timely manner,” Angara said. T he re e le c t ion i s t s e n ator stressed there should be “no delay” in the release of the 4Ps cash benefits. He pointed out that the 12-yearold program intended to keep children in school and stay healthy was “proven to be an effective tool for poverty alleviation.” The senator recalled the 4Ps assist a nce sc heme conceived and implemented in 2007 was designed to invest in the health and education of children from poor households. For i n st a nce, A ng a r a c it ed Palawan, noting it is home to 76,813 active household beneficiaries of the program spread in 22 municipalities and the provincial capital, based on data from the Department of Social Welfare and Development as of February 28, 2019, and the majority are in Puerto Princesa at 7,546. Angara also cited other municipalities with the highest number of recipients, including Bat a ra z a , 7,0 07 hou sehold s; Taytay, 6929; and Rizal, 5,228. “ The assistance should not come late, and let’s not make our poor countrymen wait, and it’s best if we could come up with measures to avoid delays,” Angara added in Filipino. He noted that the 4Ps, patterned after the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) scheme implemented in other developing countries, provides cash grants to beneficiaries if they comply with the conditions set under the program. “For more than a decade since its inception and implementation, the program has helped millions. Millions of children were able to get their regular medical checkups, vaccinated and finished schooling,” Angara said. “There were also millions who were given pre- and postnatal services through health facilities manned by professionals. Millions were also given PhilHealth coverage. In other words, 4Ps gave millions of Filipinos a chance for a fresh start,” he said. Angara reported that a bill seeking to institutionalize 4Ps is now one step closer to becom-

ing a law after the Senate and the House of Representatives approved the measure, explaining that “it was important to make 4Ps permanent through legislation to ensure its continuity and unhampered implementation by any administration. When he filed the bill in 2016, Angara said, he backed up the measure with studies showing

that 4Ps reduced the total poverty among CCT beneficiaries by 6.5 percent to 58 percent from 64.5 percent, according to a joint study by the World Bank and Australian Aid. It also decreased food poverty rate from 35.2 percent to 28.5 percent after program implementation, or by 6.7 percentage points. This implied that 1.3 million Filipinos

had been plucked out of poverty through 4Ps. Under the program, each household beneficiary should receive a cash assistance of P200 monthly or a total of P2,400 per year in 2018. This year and in 2020, cash assistance under the Unconditional Cash Transfer program will be increased to P300 per month or a total of P3,600.

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If you have any information / objection to the above mentioned application/s, please communicate with the Regional Director thru Employment Promotion and Workers Welfare (EPWW) Division with Telephone No. 400-6011.

ATTY. ANA C. DIONE, CPA REGIONAL DIRECTOR

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In the ad material of Notice of filing of Application for Alien Employment Permits published on March 29, 2019, the position of Mr. Zhang, Sen under WISHLAND SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY INC. should have been read as Chinese Language - Customer Service Staff and not as published. In the application published on March 12, 2019, the Nationality of Mr. Choi, Seheon under SUNCITY GROUP MANILA, INC. should have been read as Korean and not as published. In the application published on March 23, 2019, the applicant of ASIA SOCIETY FOR SOCIAL IMPROVEMENT AND SUSTAINABLE TRANSFORMATION, INC. should have been read as Mr. Subramaniam, Mukesh Vallukattil and not as published. While in the application published on March 26, 2019, the position of Mr. Li, Bin under HA LONG PILIPINAS INC. should have been read as Mandarin Speaking Sales Support Specialist and not as published. If you have any information/objection to the above mentioned application/s, please communicate with the Regional Director thru Employment Promotion and Workers Welfare (EPWW) Division with Telephone No. 400 6011.

ATTY. ANA C. DIONE, CPA REGIONAL DIRECTOR

A10 Friday, April 5, 2019 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

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editorial

‘It’s not fun doing business in PHL’

HERE are certain universal truths: You cannot turn lead into gold. You can lead a horse to the water but you cannot make it drink. You cannot heal a bullet-wound with a band-aid.

Since Day One—whatever “Day One” you choose—the Philippines has had trouble attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), compared to our neighbors. But every administration for the past 30 years has proclaimed success. And every “opposition” has blamed the administration for not being competent enough to match our peers. During that time, numerous programs have been promoted by the government and every local—and foreign—pundit has become an expert on offering solutions. Now as in the past, the ultimate answer has been to change the restrictions on the amount of foreign ownership. Without discussing the merits, or lack thereof, of the infamous “60/40” rule, the bottom line is that changing the 1987 Philippine Constitution is not an easy task. A nation’s constitution ideally should be specific in regard to citizens’ rights and the qualifications, duties and obligations of elected and appointed officials. It should also outline careful procedures to safeguard rights and to implement laws and regulations. But, otherwise, it should set general objectives. Unfortunately, there are too many specifics—like the 60/40 restrictions—that should have been left to the legislature to adjust in the future. But that is what we have to live with. Root Cause Analysis is a method of problem solving first used in engineering but has taken on much wider application in business. It is a deep-dive into all the possible reasons for a particular problem, which, solved one by one, gives a complete solution. It is easy to say that changing the 60/40 restriction would solve the shortage of FDI. But that is like saying after a plane crash: “Always make sure the plane never runs out of fuel.” Limited fuel is a reality as is the 60/40 rule. Perhaps a deep-dive into the problem is necessary, rather than simplistic and—for the moment—unrealistic answers. Also, part of the reality is that nations with liberal foreign investment restrictions attract FDI, and nations with restrictions also do. Companies want two things when they invest in any place on the planet: They want to make a reasonable net profit and they want to be able to do business cleanly. By “clean” we mean sensible and predictable government policies, security, currency exchange rate, and procedures. The Philippines does fairly well on the first three factors. But how do you feel when you go to a department store and have to wait in line for 30 minutes to pay for a pair of socks? That is “Doing Business in the Philippines.” On the World Bank 2019 “Ease of Doing Business” report, the Philippines’s overall rank is 124 out of 190 nations. For “Starting a Business” we rank 166th. In the East Asia/Pacific region, at least we beat Cambodia and Myanmar. Globally, our neighbors score higher: Malaysia (15), Thailand (27), Vietnam (69) and Indonesia (73). Maybe it’s not the 60/40 rule that is the root of the problem? Actually, though, 100-percent foreign ownership might be good. Let the foreigners wait—like Filipinos do—for a barangay clearance until the “chairman” comes back from vacation. Maybe then something positive would be done to be able to promote the slogan: “It’s more fun doing business in the Philippines.” Since 2005

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‘Dios mabalos,’ President Duterte Manny F. Dooc

TELLTALES

’M happy to note that the PNR-Bicol connection is included in the “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure projects of the government. This will revive the abandoned railroad line between Manila and Bicol, which stopped operations many years ago. At a reported cost of P175 billion, it would be the largest Chinese-financed project in the BBB program. As a native of Bicol, I pray that this project will be undertaken and completed during my lifetime. It will be a boon to the entire region, which for years has been neglected in terms of development projects to propel its economic progress. With greater accessibility, more investors will come and help spur business activities in the region. Bicol is also known for its pristine spots like Calaguas Islands, Caramoan and Bagasbas Beach, not to mention the world-famous Mayon Volcano and the popular resorts like Misibis Bay, Lake Bulusan, etc. The proposed PNR-Bicol line can pack tourists and bring them to the wonders of the place. Interestingly, President Duterte did not win a single province in the Bicol Region in the 2016 election. The votes were divided between Poe and Roxas, each of whom got three provinces. Yet, this administration is sharing the spoils to the bailiwick of Vice President Leni Robredo. Finally, we have a President whose economic agenda is also focused on countryside development based on equitable, not political, considerations. If the major projects will be implemented, this administration shall be known to have

ushered in the “golden years of infrastructure.” Dios mabalos, President Duterte and your economic team. nnn

MY neighbor told me that he has not talked to his wife for several days already. “Why?” I asked him. He said: “I don’t want to interrupt her.” nnn

HEADLINE: “Still few women reach top of corporate ladder.” This was the result of the survey jointly conducted by the Makati Business Club and the Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment. The study reveals that only 3 percent of the CEOs of Philippine companies are women, and only 15 percent of the Board members of these companies are women. These numbers are no different from a study made in the US in 2016, which showed that women held only 4.6 percent of executive positions at S&P 500 companies. The study also indicated that women made up only 16.9 percent of the Board of Fortune 500 corporations. There are gender biases in the workplace that prevent women from achieving their full potential. A deterring factor is how women balance

their corporate responsibilities and their maternal duties. There is an invisible barrier that keeps women from reaching the top in the corporate ladder. The feminists call it the “glass ceiling.” Even Gov. Mario Cuomo of New York admitted it when he said: “I believe women still face a glass ceiling that must be shattered.” Ursula Burns, CEO of Xerox Corporation, issued this advice to women: “If you are sitting around the table but you say nothing, that is a lost opportunity. Move beyond that and say something. The reason you’re there is because you have something valuable that can be added.” Speak up! Glass ceilings are there for the breaking. nnn

POLITICALLY, Filipinos are more mature when it comes to gender equality. We have produced two women presidents and there are quite a few who are waiting in the wings. Our incumbent Vice President, Leni Robredo, is one, and fast emerging as a front-runner is the founding leader of the dominant political party, Hugpong ng Pagbabago, Mayor Sara Duterte. Consistently topping the senatoriables are women and any one of them can be a serious bet to reside in Malacañang. It will not be long before being a first gentleman of the land will be a coveted role for ambitious young men. Soon you’ll be hearing boys in schools writing in their school album that their wish when they grow up is to become a first gentleman, instead of being a policeman or fireman. And who would forget the commencement address given by the former US First Lady Barbara Bush to the graduating class of Wellesley College in Massachusetts on June 1, 1990: “And who knows? Somewhere

out there in this audience may even be someone who will one day follow in my footsteps, and preside over the White House as the President’s spouse.” And here comes the clincher: “I wish him well.” nnn

I OVERHEARD a boy and a girl having an argument. Girl: “Girls are better than boys.” Boy: “Then why did God make boys first?” Girl: “You have to make a rough draft before the final copy.” nnn

BY the time you read this, I’ll be away with my wife for a holiday. I think I earned it after serving as the head of two sensitive government agencies in succession under two presidents with widely contrasting management styles, both of whom I deeply respect. While away, I’ll continue to follow developments at home, particularly on the political and economic fronts. I’ll be back a couple of weeks before the election, so don’t expect me now to make a “Dewey defeats Truman” announcement even before the first ballot is cast. Voting in an election is a direct way of participating in nation building. It is a privilege given to Filipino citizens and we should not squander the opportunity. Not counting the Barangay election, it happens only once every three years. If a qualified voter lives to a ripe age of 75, he gets to exercise his right of suffrage only 19 times in his lifetime. And how many of these votes would he regret with great remorse? I’m sure a great deal. It’s imperative that we closely examine the qualifications, programs and platform of each candidate and elect the one who deserves our vote. Our candidate may lose, but we will be able to face our children with honor and pride.

Stop making investors society’s go-to scapegoats

By Mark Gilbert | Bloomberg Opinion

UPPOSE you’re an asset manager deciding whether to finance a West African oil company. The debt will be government guaranteed and offers high yields with little risk of not being repaid, which is good for returns. The project will create jobs, which is good from a social standpoint. But it’s investing in petrochemicals, which are Bad for climate change. Should you sign the deal? The example highlights the difficult balance investors face when trying to integrate environmental, social and governance principles in their asset allocation strategies. In the end, Aviva Plc approved the Ivory Coast transaction, concluding that it would improve the environmental efficiency of the oil refiner, according to Mark Versey, chief investment officer for the insurer’s investment unit. But it illustrates how trying to adopt rule-based strategies that

can account for the environmental, social and governance (ESG) variables in such decisions would be “a nightmare,” Versey told a seminar organized by the Investment Association in London this week. Asset managers find themselves at the sharp edge of the ESG debate because of their perceived ability to influence the companies they invest in. As a result, the industry is “drowning in consultations” about the standards, according to Jessica

Ground, the global head of stewardship at Schroders Plc. Some of the objectives ESG seeks to achieve are incompatible with each other. Take the 19 Sustainable Development Goals outlined by the United Nations, which investment firms are being encouraged to be mindful of when allocating capital. “We do not think there is an efficient way to map the SDGs onto a portfolio in such a way as to say that it delivers on the goals,” strategists at UBS Group AG said in a research report last week: A portfolio aligned with Goal 14 (climate action) could be structured to focus on clean energy and clean technologies. However, some of the new technologies facilitating low-carbon mobility are likely to bring about radical change in job markets. Unemployment has a number of knock-on effects that

potentially run counter to the goals, if conditions are not in place to help people adapt. A JPMorgan & Co. survey of 227 institutional investors managing more than $700 billion published this week showed fully 65 percent aren’t involved in ESG products, and don’t plan to be this year. That partly reflects the geographical split of the survey, with about three-quarters of the respondents based in the US which has been slower than either Europe or Asia to embrace ESG as a consideration. But there’s also some justified skepticism about how much of the burden of combating climate change, improving gender balance among senior management and achieving other societal goals should fall on the asset management industry. Investment firms are merely the stewards See “Gilbert,” A11

Opinion BusinessMirror

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Water crisis: Should we blame it on the rain?

Friday, April 5, 2019 A11

In search of true kin Tito Genova Valiente

ANNOTATIONS

Val A. Villanueva

BUSINESSWISE

T’S funny and, at same time, surprising that all of the entities involved in the country’s water distribution are owning up to the recent mess that has dried up the faucets of a large swath of Metro Manila customers of the Ayala-owned Manila Water Corp. (MWC). There’s no washing of hands in the issue, probably because all the taps have dried up. It was only Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III who was quick to point the finger at the previous administration, his accusation based on false assumptions. MWC, as well as the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System have apologized and taken full responsibility for the crisis that MWC is still trying to fix. The declining water level of La Mesa Dam from which MWC draws its water supply is the most convenient excuse. While this is true to an extent, the public has the right to know why the water reservoir has quickly dipped below the critical level. It’s sad to note that the Philippines has abundant water resources. Including water from lakes, river systems and groundwater, with fresh-water availability at 149.5 billion cubic meters per year. Despite this, 9 million Filipinos still lack access to safe, clean and affordable water. Here’s an insider’s take from a close friend who once headed one of the government agencies involved in water distribution: “Water is being increasingly privatized, but access to affordable and uninterrupted water supply remains unresolved. Water privatization started in 1995 due to such issues as government inefficiency and corruption. MWC and [Metro Pacific-owned] Maynilad vowed to provide uninterrupted, cheap, safe and secure water supply. But what happened is that water becomes expensive and overpriced for corporate profit. According to him, water rates have increased since 1995 by almost 900 percent for MWC and 600 percent for Maynilad. Net profits by the two companies have steadily increased through the years, reaching P3.3 billion for MWC and P5.6 billion for Maynilad as of 2018. The system continues to suffer from supply problems and infrastructure defects. While MWSS continues to fail in properly supervising and controlling water and sanitation services. The Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), my friend says, is powerless to regulate privatization because the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) has limited its role to a mere observer during the so-called negotiations for joint-venture agreements (JVA) between target water districts and the private proponent. “It goes like this,” he says. “Private proponent resorts to bribing local government units to influence, force or coerce resisting local water districts to agree to a joint-venture agreement.” As allowed by the build-operatetransfer law, JVA is just one of the many—but intriguingly the most commonly used—modes by private proponents under the public-private partnership scheme, despite the fact that other modes do not require private takeover of water-system management and operation. He says that water-district consumers are not informed or consulted and are generally unaware that their water district has already been privatized. “Note that before a water-district can be established, agreement of the people through a series of public hearings should first be secured and confirmed by Local Legislative Resolution. It is LWUA that confers the water districts their sort of franchise through a conditional certificate of conformance. By what legal authority is the privatized water district operating now? That is the big question because, as private entities, they are no longer under LWUA.” So what is the cause of the sudden crisis? Based on the admission of the MWC itself, as confirmed by the MWSS, what triggered the crisis was the lowering of the water level at the La Mesa Dam,

which is the MWC’s main source of water. The crisis was precipitated by the MWC’s aggressive expansion to more areas under its concession in the absence of a new water source. MWC’s Pililla water treatment plant, intended to source and treat raw water from the Laguna Lake, is still under construction and will be operational only by the latter part of the year at the earliest. My friend says that what should worry Metro Manilans, including those in the West Zone under Maynilad, is the possibility of a more massive water crisis around this time next year. The reason? Another private sector player, San Miguel Corp. (SMC), has scheduled its Bulacan Bulk Water Supply Project to go full stream later this year. The bulk water project will also draw water from the same Angat Dam in Bulacan, which has been the main and sole source of water for domestic use in Metro Manila, and also for irrigation and hydroelectric power. The SMC project is intended to provide treated water supply on a take or pay basis to at least a dozen water districts operating the coastal and central parts of Bulacan, including the capital Malolos City. This would require an allocation of millions of cubic meters of water from Angat Dam, which would further put a strain on an already limited water-supply resource that usually reaches critical levels during the long dry season. Unbeknownst to many, creeping privatization is also ongoing in many parts of the country, especially in Central Luzon, particularly in the provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga and Tarlac. At the forefront of this assault is Primewater, owned by the Villars. Among the bigearning water districts already in the bag include those of the Cities of Cabanatuan, Tarlac and San Fernando; San Jose del Monte, and Marilao and Malolos City in Bulacan, where malls, subdivisions and industries using huge volumes of water are located. As of the latest count, around 100 water districts have already been taken over, while another 30 or so are under so-called negotiations, including Angeles and Mabalacat. A number of water districts, such as Metro Cebu, Cagayan de Oro City and others in Bicol, the Visayas and Mindanao, have already entered into some form of arrangements with private companies, which place them on the verge of outright takeover. My friend says LWUA is helpless to stem the tide, since it has been having difficulties getting its capitalization, which has drastically increased from the measly P2.5 billion in the 1970s (when the peso-to-dollar exchange was still 4:1). LWUA has also exhausted its cap of $500 million in foreign borrowings. The agency therefore has no sufficient funds to lend to the water districts, prompting the latter to either source money for capital projects in the open market, or enter into so-called joint-venture agreements with private companies, chiefly Primewater, MWC, Hiyas and a few others. In the latter option, almost all cases led to private takeover, job losses and dislocation. The bottom line is that the government is not only defaulting on its responsibilities to provide water in major urban areas, but also failing to regulate and hold accountable the private-sector players who have been raking in billions in profits, even if they may not actually and fully fulfill their part of the agreement to provide customers with excellent water and sanitation services. Real big losers here are the consumers, particularly the poor who have to bear the ever-increasing water bills to satiate the profit-making orientation of private business.

For comments/suggestions e-mail me at mvla.v@ gmail.com

‘T

HE one in blue striped shirts, Sir,” the girls nearest me chorused. I had barely entered the room of the Basco National Science High School when I spoke in a loud voice my search for a “Valiente.” For some years now, I have been meeting online, through Facebook, many Valientes. Nine out of 10, they are from Batanes. I have always thought of my family name as Bicol in origin, and rare in that region. In my past travels, I met some Valientes in Iloilo but I could count them in my hand. Not with the Batanes population. In Uyugan, a town in Basco I would even discover a Valiente Street. “Where?” I asked again. “Sir, he is there, right at the center.” I looked again and saw this young man, his shoulders hunched. I found myself soon looking down on this young man. “I am a Valiente, like you,” I tried to sound gentle but to no avail. The huge city has made me a bit arrogant, too confident in a world where masculinity and timidity, I would discover, were charming commodities. I pulled a plastic chair and sat down in front of him, my hand on the writing pad of his desk. If he was planning to stand up and move away from my inquisition, there was no way for that to happen. There were two chairs to his left and two of his classmates to his right. Behind him were eager eyes and ears waiting for something to happen. He raised his head. He had my almond-shaped eyes, and with an arduous conceit, I immediately claimed in my head a similarity. I could be exaggerating, or I must had been carried away by my own desire to claim kinship in this land I was yet to discover. “What’s your name? I asked in Tagalog. “Paul po.” “Paul Valiente,” I added the family name as if afraid he would change his family name just to avoid the impending conquest. I could barely hear his voice. He must be the gentlest person I have ever encountered. Am I being ethnocentric? The sound of that word came with a thud. It was no more a word

floating between my brows. It was turning into a heavy construct. The moment was being anthropologized and I despised it. There was no need to attack my own bracketing. As I started talking and not asking, Paul was also responding. He is from Itbayat. Itbayat! I repeated the name of the place. He noticed the sincere surprise. Is it true this island has no beach? A cursory reading of the ethnographies of the place had already informed me about the singularity of the island. Paul affirmed what I said. Itbayat is an island without a beach. One has to navigate and catch the right wave so one could jump to the rocks serving as port. What if you miss it? Then you fall into the sea, Paul uttered those words as if it was the most natural thing on Earth. How many are you in the family? He has nine siblings, five of them in Basco. What about your parents? What do they do? Paul’s father is a farmer and his mother is a licensed day-care teacher. Do you still go back to Itbayat? Yes, Paul answered. I am, in fact, going there this weekend. I could see the sea and the ease with which Paul navigated the waves. What are you doing there? I wanted him to tell me he missed his parents and his other siblings. Or, that he longed to be in that windswept village of his. I was ready to hear him say, I will be on vacation. But Paul said, there are many things to do during harvest time. My father needed some help. Paul said, we would be harvesting root crops. So, do you bring them to Basco? Paul said no. The harvest is for their own use, for the family. The small surplus they give away to neighbors. Paul did not notice my disbelief.

It is true what anthropologists say, people living in subsistence economy compose the affluent society. Itbayat is the northernmost island of the Philippines. Out there the weather is always rough. What happens, Paul, when storms hit your place? We evacuate and seek shelter somewhere. With families whose homes are small, they are helped by those who live in more stable structures. Back in Basco, we were told that for the Ivatan, the native of Batanes, it is not proper to seek or ask for help. Your neighbors will always go out of their way to help you. Paul was affirming the stories. There was a pause in our conversation. I kept looking at the dark, brown skin of Paul. I then asked him to stand up so we could have our photo taken. Paul stood up. He was one head taller than me. Before I left him to go back to my colleagues—all members of the Executive Council of Cinema under the National Commission for Culture and the Arts—I told Paul I wanted to give him something. I was holding in my hand a folded piece of paper, tucked inside of which were two P500 bills. This is not a gift, Paul, I told this young man who this time had his head

bowed down again. This is just to show how happy I am to have met you, a Valiente in Batanes. Paul kept his head down. He did not touch the folded paper, which I pushed closer to his notebook. Then I left him. Soon, our outreach was over. On our way out for the usual photo session, I looked for Paul again. He did not thank me. He did not mention the small gift. But, he stood closer to me, this time, less shy and with the faintest smile on his lips. Three tall, young girls called his name. I went to the girls and asked them if Paul was popular. They all said yes. I glanced back at Paul and asked him if he had a girlfriend already. Before he could answer, the tallest and the loveliest of the three girls responded: “Soon.” Then she smiled at me, then to Paul. Thank you, Paul, was all I could say to the young man as we left the school. From afar, a tiny plane was gliding down to land in Basco. Was it coming from Itbayat? The blue sky was perfect for a flight to any island, any island at all; the hot afternoon assured a calm, quiet sea anywhere, even around the most isolated island of this sad nation.

in Asia is used to irrigate farm lands. However, some of our water resources are wasted due to ineffective use and misuse of this precious resource. This is because most of the irrigation facilities in the Philippines are old or inefficient. Climate change is also making

life more difficult. During seasons of drought, water is scarce, and many plantations are affected. There’s the threat that the produce will not be enough, thus, to have sufficient supply of food, we resort to imports. This is another expense. In importing food products, the price is not the only issue. We must try to compete with others in the global market. Brothers and sisters, we can project the number of people in the future, as well as the need for sufficient food supply. Which is why many of us must prepare the proper facilities to ensure the continuous supply of water. However, the country’s budget is being distributed to the needs of the nation, and our government at this time seemingly does not prioritize irrigation. If the country’s irrigation system is improved, farmers will become more productive. The “Build, Build, Build” project

of the Duterte administration must also give priority to agricultural infrastructure. Farm-to-Market roads are not enough to support our farmers. Irrigations are needed to ensure the delivery of food to the market. The government must find longterm solutions to the current problems. It has also to prepare citizens to face the challenges of the future. If the government keeps spending the national budget for projects that strangle the people, then the government has failed in its primary mandate: to serve the people. According to Mater et Magistra, the government has an obligation to actively take action for the good of the people.

introduced, though, “substantially” fewer actually chose the product, he told the seminar. And Kaisie Rayner, a manager for responsible investment and fund development at Lloyd’s Banking Group Plc.’s Scottish Widows unit, cited a recent survey of the asset manager’s customers in which fewer than 10 percent said they’d be willing to accept the risk of lower returns for investing in an ESG fund. Nevertheless, regulators are beefing up their efforts to compel asset managers to weave more ESG considerations into their business. If the industry doesn’t come up with

its own definitions, “they will be imposed upon us,” says Russell at USS. Edwin Schooling-Latter, director of markets at the Financial Conduct Authority, says the regulator’s existing framework focuses on financial risks, but nonfinancial exposures may eventually be included in the parameters. ESG, for example, doesn’t feature in the Senior Managers Regime introduced in 2016 to make executives in finance personally accountable for the decisions they make, but the FCA should “have that conversation,” Schooling-Latter told this week’s Investment Association seminar.

The financial world is used to dealing in cold, hard numbers, which are difficult enough to explain to the end users of savings products. The renewed emphasis on socially responsible investing involves much fuzzier and less tangible concepts. Yes, asset managers can improve their engagement with companies to help make the world a better place. But including nonfinancial targets in the objectives of investment products is fraught with difficulty. The fund-management industry should resist becoming the scapegoat for all of society’s ills.

Water and food security Rev. Fr. Antonio Cecilio T. Pascual

SERVANT LEADER

ROTHERS and sisters, the El Niño phenomenon has brought devastating drought upon us, and many of our people are experiencing the effects of the depletion of water, especially in the metropolis. With the increase in population and continuous rise of temperature brought about by climate change, the water crisis is getting worse. No sector suffers more than agriculture because it consumes most of the water supply needed for irrigation. According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), in the coming years, the agriculture sector’s need for water will rise. About 80 percent of fresh water

Gilbert. . .

continued from A10

of capital; it’s far from clear that the ultimate owners of the money— namely you and me—are as committed to saving the planet and reforming business, much as we should be. David Russell, head of responsible investment at the Universities Superannuation Scheme, the UK’s largest pension fund with about 64 billion pounds ($85 billion) of assets, says a survey of 10,000 of his members suggested half of them would invest in an ethical pension plan. Once one was

E-mail: titovaliente@yahoo.com

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2nd Front Page BusinessMirror

A12 Friday, April 5, 2019

Without naming China, DFA raps ships’ sighting near Pag-Asa

By Recto Mercene

@rectomercene

HE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday issued an appeal “to concerned parties” to desist from any action and activity in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) that contravenes the Asean-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC). The DFA said these acts “generate tension, mistrust and uncertainty, and threaten regional peace and stability.” Without naming names, the DFA appeared to be directing its appeal

to Chinese authorities following the discovery of more than 200 Chinese vessels swarming near a Philippine-occupied island in the disputed South China Sea. The remarks were made by DFA Assistant

Secretary Emmanuel Fernandez in response to queries from media about the swarming. This week, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the DFA lodged a protest against China after the military monitored about 275 Chinese fishing-militia and military-controlled Coast Guard vessels near Thitu Island, which is called Pag-Asa by Filipinos, in the Spratlys, the most hotly contested region in the oil-rich and strategic waterway. The Chinese vessels have been sighted more than 600 times near Thitu so far this year, military officials said. Their presence was deemed intimidating as they were not fishing but simply occupying the waters near the three sandbars between Pag-Asa and Zamora (Subi) Reef

on their way to the sandbars. The military, however, played down Panelo’s statements. When pressed for comments by the media on the presence of Chinese vessels near and around PagAsa, the DFA responded with the above statement, adding, “While negotiations for a Code of Conduct [COC] in the South China Sea are ongoing, the Philippines calls for the full and effective implementation of the DOC.” “We cannot emphasize enough the imperative to build and promote mutual trust and confidence, to exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities; and to avoid actions that may further complicate the situation and undermine peace, security and stability in the region.” See “DFA,” A3

Economists warn of risks in govt contracts review By Bernadette D. Nicolas

@BNicolasBM

RESIDENT Duterte’s order to review all government contracts and loan agreements may just be for show, but the truth is it could still instill fear

and uncertainty among investors and creditors. Action for Economic Reforms Coordinator Filomeno S. Sta. Ana III slammed the government’s move, saying it is “dangerous” and “not prudent” to do a unilateral review of all existing contracts.

“The assumption is when contracts are enforced, they have been scrutinized and have been vetted. Only when there is a prima facie evidence [of irregularity should] a particular contract...be subject to review,” Sta. Ana said in a message. Nonetheless, he said such

move from the President is certainly a “cause for concern” for investors and creditors, noting that it could lead to unpredictability, arbitrariness and erosion of rule of law, which is bad for the country’s development. See “Economists,” A2

Alien workers to be required again to get TIN

HE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announced on Thursday it is now eyeing to make it mandatory for foreigners to first submit their Tax Identification Number (TIN) to apply for their Alien Employment Permit (AEP).

The agency issued the requirement following concerns from the Department of Finance (DOF) that the country is losing billions of revenues from uncollected tax from foreign nationals (FNs). To address this, Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III said they are

EASTERLIES AFFECTING THE WHOLE COUNTRY as of 4:00 pm - April 4, 2019

now proposing to make TIN a prerequirement for AEP application. The AEP is issued by DOLE to FNs to allow them to work in the country beyond six months. “Before my term, it [TIN] was not required by the BIR [Bureau of Internal Revenue]. Now we are pushing to

bring it back,” Bello told reporters in an interview. TIN used to be part of the requirement of DOLE’s regional offices in issuing AEPs. However, foreigners were unable to comply with the policy since the BIR required FNs to submit their AEPs before they could get TINs. Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) Director Dominique R. Tutay said they have made the necessary representation to BIR to resolve the said issue. “We are still waiting for the c l a r i f ic ator y let ter f rom BIR , which we requested as our basis for partially amending our existing AEP guidelines,” Tutay told the BusinessMirror in an SMS. “Looks like said letter is still with the legal department of BIR,” she added. DOF earlier estimated the government will earn P32 billion from taxes from FNs working in the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos) alone. Amid suspicion that there are thousands of FNs in the Pogo sector without the necessary permits and visas, the government launched a campaign to document all FNs nationwide. Based on the submitted list of FNs from all concerned government agencies, DOLE placed the initial number of FNs with permits nationwide at 138,001. Bello said they are now also in the process of verifying the validity of the Special Work Permit (SWP) issued to 164,000 workers. The SWP is issued by the BI to FNs to allow them to work in the country for less than six months. “If they go beyond six months, then they are considered illegal,” Bello said. The labor chief admitted that DOLE currently has limited powers to sanction erring FNs, as well as companies, which employ them. “All we can do is recommend their deportation,” Bello said. He said he hopes Congress will given them punitive authority to deport erring FNs and penalize their employers either through the suspension of their operation permit or license to operate. “This will deter concerned parties from engaging in the said practice,” Bello said. Samuel P. Medenilla

www.businessmirror.com.ph

SENATE PROBE SOUGHT ON CHINESE VESSELS’ SWARMING IN PHL WATERS By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

HE Senate was asked to open an inquiry into the recent swarming of Chinese vessels in in Philippine territory. Sen. Risa Hontiveros filed Resolution 1035 urging the appropriate Senate committee to conduct an investigation in aid of legislation on the presence of Chinese vessels in Philippine territories, including a dredger vessel in Lobo, Batangas. The Hontiveros Resolution adds that “the end in view [is to determine] the necessary course/s of action to protect Philippine interests, sovereignty, and land and marine resources.” As Congress is on recess, formal plenary referral of Resolution 1035 mandating the appropriate committees to open a Senate inquiry —likely to include the foreign affairs and national defense panels —may need to wait until resumption of regular sessions on May 20. However, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, concurrent chairman of the Rules Committee, clarified that the committee chairmen “may conduct hearings during the break if they so wish.” “It is allowed under our rules,” Zubiri told the BusinessMirror. The Resolution was filed in the wake of reports that a 2,990-ton hopper dredger “suddenly appeared off Barangay Lagadian in the coastal town off Barangay Lagadlarin in the coastal town of Lobo in the province of Batangas, purportedly to conduct dredging operations for a company called Seagate Engineering and Buildsystems.” It added that according to Barangay Captain Mafriel Dimaano, the 99-meter-long, 17-meter-wide Chinese ship docked into Lobo“without prior notice or permission”from local officials and anchored itself close to a 30-hectare mangrove forest. Moreover, the Resolution noted that “there is reportedly a purchase order made by a company called Synergy Plus Holdings Ltd. to Seagate for the purchase of 2 million cubic meters of Lobo River sand for $2 per metric ton ‘at source’

Taxpayers. . . Continued from A1

of agreement (MOA) in line with the establishment of assistance centers to assist taxpayers during tax-filing season. The BIR said the MOA with TMAP, signed on March 27, sought to provide aid to taxpayers relative to the filing of their 2018 ITRs. BIR Commissioner Caesar R. Dulay and Roque signed the MOA in the presence of BIR and TMAP officials. The tax assistance centers will be established in the BIR Revenue Regions of Quezon City and Makati City and will be operational on April 12 and 15, 2019, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon and 1 to 5 p.m. The BIR hopes more taxpayers will file their ITRs this year as the forms were simplified further in line with the implementation of the TRAIN law, and more filing centers can be found among all regional offices of the BIR. “All regional offices have set up filing centers to help assist taxpayers file their returns online. Hopefully, even more will file because TRAIN law simplified the rates and forms,” said BIR Deputy Commissioner for Legal Affairs Marissa O. Cabreros in a text message to the BusinessMirror. Under the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, the filing of the ITR deadline is usually on the 15th of April following the close of the taxable year, which can only be

to be used for the Hong Kong International Airport Three Runway System Project.” It added that Seagate was allegedly able to obtain an Environmental Compliance Certificate from the Calabarzon regional office of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), “but it was not able to obtain a mineral ore export permit from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, or a dredging permit from the office of Batangas Gov. Hermilando Mandanas. Hontiveros’s resolution likewise pointed out that Malacañang’s Spokesman Salvador Panelo himself had admitted there was “no agreement” between the governments of the Philippines and China allowing the Chinese vessel to conduct dredging operations in Philippine territory. The incident, the resolution noted, comes on the heels of reports that 600 Chinese vessels encircled Pag-Asa Island in the West Philippine Sea since January this year with “the same type of vessels that, according to maritime experts, have been responsible for the destruction of coral reefs and other marine resources.” The resolution recalled that Chinese vessels sighted within the Philippines’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) have also been “found to be involved in acts constitutive of illegal, unreported and unregulated [IUU] fishing,” which is considered a criminal activity. “If China is abetting these acts, it may be considered a state sponsor of criminal activity, as well,” the resolution added. Last, Hontiveros’s resolution lamented that the conduct of China’s vessels in other waters “does not inspire confidence in its capacity to adhere to international regulations,” noting that Chinese trawlers were caught illegally fishing off Africa and Latin America.” It added that “warnings have also been aired that increased competition over dwindling stocks of fish and illicit fishing activity inside maritime boundaries of other nations could cause geopolitical conflicts, and even a war.”

moved to the next working day if the said date falls on a weekend or a holiday. Taxes paid after the filing deadline will incur penalties such as a 25-percent surcharge, 12-percent interest per annum and compromise penalty, according to the BIR. For the 2016 annual ITR filing on April 17, 2017, the BIR had opened 120 filing centers in various areas to accommodate more taxpayers filing their ITRs. Last year, the BIR launched the electronic Tax Software Providers Certification System (eTSPCert) with the United States Agency for International Development in line with the verification of thirdparty providers of electronic tax solutions. In a news briefing on Wednesday, the BIR encouraged taxpayers to file and pay their 2018 ITRs on or before April 15 to avoid penalties. For easier tax filing, the ITR forms are now shortened to two to four pages for both individuals and corporations, and the BIR has also added more modes of payment, said Cabreros, who is also the BIR’s spokesperson. The TRAIN law was signed by President Duterte in December 2017 and was implemented immediately in January 2018. The law calls for slashing personal income tax rates while implementing offsetting measure to compensate for the revenue loss, including increasing excise taxes on fuel and tobacco, among others.

Companies BusinessMirror

Editor: Efleda P. Campos

Vista Land income grows 16% to ₧10.53B last year P By VG Cabuag @villygc

ROPERTY developer Vista Land and Lifescapes Inc. expects to sustain its double-digit growth rate this year after reporting record earnings last year.

Vista Land President and CEO Manuel Paolo Villar said its net income for 2018 rose 16 percent to a record P10.53 billion, from P9.06 billion in 2017.

He said earnings growth was driven by the better-than-expected growth of its residential business and the sustained contribution of its commercial assets.

He said they will be launching more residential projects this year, amounting to a market value of P60 billion, from P51.7 billion in 2018. Villar said capital expenditures this year may be lower than the P45 billion spent in 2018 as it expects less construction of commercial spaces which are more capital intensive. “We are confident about the company’s prospects for the coming year as we have delivered strong residential sales in 2018 and have a significant leasing portfolio now accounting for about a quarter of our net income.” Consolidated revenues last

year grew 15 percent to P41.5 billion from P36 billion. Revenues from real estate amounted to 31.9 billion, up 15 percent, while leasing income likewise posted a 15-percent increase to P6.9 billion. “We saw a marked improvement in our reservation sales, which grew 16 percent to P75 billion,” Vista Land Chairman Manuel B. Villar Jr. said. “We have successfully implemented the expansion program of our leasing business ending 2018 with 1.4 million square meters of gross floor area [GFA].” Villar said Vista Land continues to deliver record per-

formance, fueled by the strong performance of its core-housing business in addition to its growing commercial assets. “We remain optimistic for the industry given the robust demand in our residential business as well as the continued growth of our leasing propelled by the steady growth in Filipinos’ disposable income, overseas Filipino remittances, and the infrastructure development around the country, especially in areas outside Metro Manila, where we have a competitive edge given our presence in so many areas of the country,” he said.

Globe vows to support country’s tourism program via digital infra By Lorenz S. Marasigan

@lorenzmarasigan

LOBE Telecom Inc. can support the tourism industry’s goal of promoting a sustainable Philippine tourism through digital infrastructures, tools, and solutions that will empower businesses from the industry, a ranking of-

ficial said. Ernest L. Cu, the company’s president, said his group can provide the information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure for the tourism industry’s players such as hotels, restaurants, airlines, and retail shops, shops to underpin the digital needs of the tourism industry.

“We support this industry because it needs a lot of updating in terms of the digital world. Digital is changing how things are done. There’s [ICT] infrastructure that we need to bring,” he said. For example, he said, his group worked with a resort owner in Palawan to extend the coverage of Globe’s network to allow customers to share their

Senate body wants to amend PNOC charter

F the Senate Committee on Energy would have its way, it wants the Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC) restructured so it can focus on improving the country’s petroleum reserves. “We’re working on restructuring PNOC and to sharpen its mandate to purely oil and gas exploration. This is a model we saw in Japan,” Sen. Sherwin T. Gatchalian said. The mandate of PNOC is to develop and implement projects to increase the country’s self-sufficiency level in oil, gas and other energy sources. Among its subsidiaries are PNOC Exploration Corp., which is the upstream oil, gas and coal subsidiary of PNOC and PNOC Renewables Corp., the primary vehicle of the government for promoting and developing renewable energy. When asked if the subsidiaries will be abolished, Gatchalian

said, “Let’s just concentrate on oil and gas discovery because that is its mandate. In other countries, it is happening. Their national oil and gas company is evolving. We will just streamline the mandate.” The new PNOC is envisioned “to refocus [government effort] to purely upstream oil and gas so that we will be secure in our energy needs…. But if you focus on discoveries and exploration, then that direction is already clear to PNOC. We will tighten the power of Congress over this new entity that we’re thinking.” Earlier, Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi declared it was strongly pushing for the amendment of the PNOC charter so the state firm can perform its mandate. “I already submitted the amendment to Congress,” Cusi said. Cusi is PNOC’s chairman. PNOC, being a governmentowned and controlled corporation,

could not implement vital projects on time because Congress must first approve its budget. For instance, PNOC was supposed to take the lead in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, but according to Cusi, it’s been two years and yet PNOC has not secured approval from Congress. In 2017, PNOC’s budget request was deferred since it was asking for funds for its proposed LNG integrated facility. “I was hoping the lead was PNOC. I was hoping they will be able to do it. While they were doing it, they were looking for a partner. So, I said, why don’t they do it? But they couldn’t because they were still making studies and budget and they still have to present it. But it’s been almost two years already,” Cusi said. “This is PNOC’s money and it still needs approval for use of its own money when it already has its own board.” Lenie Lectura

Tesda issues training rules for real-estate salespersons By Elijah Felice E. Rosales

@alyasjah

HE government has issued the new training regulations (TR) for real-estate service providers in a bid to professionalize and standardize the training for and qualifications of salespersons. In a statement, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) finished crafting the new TR on Real Estate Services NC II last January. The rules seek to make sure certified real-estate service practitioners possess the necessary competencies required by their profession. Under the TR, real-estate salespersons must be trained in sales and marketing, documentation, loans processing and property and management functions. The TR also requires entrants to real-estate services trainings to finish up to at least 10 years of basic education, or obtain an

Alternative Learning System certificate. Further, entrants are mandated to have respectable communication and mathematical skills. Data from the Philippine Association of Real Estate Boards Inc. (Pareb) reported there are 32,346 real-estate brokers; 10,648 realestate appraisers; 226 real-estate consultants; and 15,375 real-estate salespersons in the country as of last October. However, the Real Estate Service Act of the Philippines requires there should be 20 salespersons per broker, bringing the ideal number of salespersons to 646,920, according to Pareb estimates. The demand for real-estate service practitioners is expected to further go up, as housing needs will reach more than 6 million units by 2030, projections by the Department of Trade and Industry showed. Tesda Director General Isidro S. Lapeña said the TR will stan-

dardize the requirements for being, as well as the services provided by, a real-estate service provider. “There are times when we get approached by real-estate salespersons offering us properties and we do not know whether they are really knowledgeable with what they offer or the offer is even legitimate. This will prevent or even eliminate the guess work when companies or individuals require the services of these agents,” Lapeña said. Under the law, the government is tasked to develop proper and effective regulation and supervision on the practice of real-estate national standards. The new TR on Real Estate Services NC II was crafted by the Tesda in partnership with Pareb, the country’s largest real-estate organization with about 68 member boards and a membership of close to 5,000 real-estate service practitioners.

experiences in the resort via social media. “We worked together with the owner to create a business case that would facilitate the building of facilities that will bring 5 to 10 Mbps of Internet to his own resort,” Cu said. He said Globe is particu-

larly interested in supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which make up over 99 percent of businesses in the country. “We want to enable you through our digital resources like the cloud, social media and digital advertising,” he said.

Monday, April 5, 2019

Emperador 2018 income increases 8% to P6.33B

MPERADOR Inc., the liquor arm of businessman Andrew Tan, said its profits rose 8 percent last year to P6.8 billion from the previous year’s P6.33 billion as its business recovered. Revenues of the owner of the homegrown Emperador brandy and single-malt Scotch whiskey The Dalmore increased by 10 percent to a record P47 billion from the previous year’s P42.2 billion. “Our renowned brandy and whiskey products sold all over the world are the catalysts for continued growth and long-term shareholder value enhancement. Internationalization and premiumization will be the new frontier of growth moving forward,” Emperador President Winston Co said. Its profits last year, however, were still lower compared with P7.69 billion in 2016. It said 2018 was exceptional for Whyte and Mackay with the business growing in every region of the world. Asia was a particularly strong market with revenues more than doubling as brands enjoyed “fantastic success” across a number of markets, the company said. The Dalmore—Whyte and Mackay’s flagship single-malt whiskey product—was again a major growth driver as it continued to attract new consumers at the apex of the single-malt category. For foreign brandy led by Fundador, 2018 was a successful year as the company raked in awards and brand recognitions in international competitions, it said. “Emperador brandy continues to lead the domestic market. New programs are being initiated to capture the growing middle-class consumers,” Co said. The company has an ongoing buyback of shares of up to P5 billion over a 24-month period that began in May 2017. To date, roughly 259 million shares amounting to around P1.86 billion have been bought back. VG Cabuag

Companies BusinessMirror

Friday, April 5, 2019

Meralco group to supply power to New Clark City

By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

HE Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) and its partners signed an agreement with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) for power distribution in New Clark City. “The Meralco Marubeni Corp.— comprised of Meralco, Marubeni Corp., Kansai Electric Power Co. Inc. and Chubu Electric Power Co. Inc.—signed a joint-venture agreement [JVA] with the BCDA,” the utility firm said on Thursday.

Meralco owns a 60-percent equity stake in the consortium. Under the JVA, the consortium will put up a special purpose company that will have equity stake equivalent to 90 percent in a joint-venture company to be

formed with the BCDA. The JVC will then pursue and undertake the financing, design, ad engineering, establishment, construction, development, and operation and maintenance of the electric power-distribution system in New Clark City. Rogelio Singson, president of MeralcoPowerGen Corp., the powergeneration arm of Meralco, said last month that it will provide 10 megawatts to 14 MW of power to New Clark City by June or July this year. “How the power will be connected is the responsibility of the BCDA. We’re helping them out in terms of specifications, so when it is eventually turned over to Meralco, it is acceptable,” said Singson. The 9,450-hectare New Clark

City, located within the Clark special economic zone that spans Angeles City in Pampanga and the towns of Capas and Bamban in Tarlac, is the country’s first smart, disaster resilient and sustainable city. The first phase of the development covering 60 hectares features the National Government Administrative Center that will house backup offices of various government agencies and a worldclass sports complex now being constructed in time for the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. The new metropolis will also have mixed-use residential, commercial, agro-industrial, educational institutions and information-technology developments.

Uber opens 2nd Center of Excellence in Clark

A BA L AC AT CI T Y— Uber’s new $1.5-million Clark Center of Excellence (COE) was launched here on Thursday led by its top executives. Leading the simple inauguration ceremony at the Skytech IT Park in Barangay Camachiles here were Tony Stevenson, Uber VP and global head of community operations; Wen-Szu Lin, director of community operations for Asia Pacific; and Ricco Gamboa, program leader of Clark COE. “The Philippines is already home to Uber’s largest COE globally, and I’m delighted to unveil our second center today in Clark and reaffirm our commitment to the Philippines and the Asia-Pacific region through this significant investment,” Ste-

venson said. “It was an easy decision to deepen our investment in the Philippines and open a second center of excellence in Clark, complementing our existing Manila team,” Lin said. Gamboa said they looked at other parts of the country like Davao, Cebu and Iloilo cities, but “we found that Pampanga is best fitted for our needs now and also for the long haul because as we know Clark Global City is planning to revert similar to BGC, knowing that the airport is going to expand, and the trains are coming, and just to be able to grow with that and helping that with our brand as well has attracted us here.” Gamboa also said “the other things that are very attractive to

briefs

ESTONIAN COMPANIES WANT TO DEVELOP PHL NATIONAL I.D. SYSTEM

THE Department of Finance (DOF) said companies in Estonia have expressed interest in developing the Philippines’s national identification (ID) system and exploring other opportunities in evolving technology-driven industries. In a statement on Thursday, the DOF said Estonia’s ambassador-designate to the Philippines Vaino Reinart relayed this message to Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III during a recent meeting in Manila, accompanied by Director Marki Tihhonova-Kreek of the Estonia Ministry of Foreign Affairs and representatives of Estonian companies involved in developing Estonia’s electronic governance system. “We are aware the Philippines is about to implement the digital ID and provide their citizens with this. It is indeed a good time to come here and demonstrate what you could possibly be able to implement provided the digital ID is properly secured in place,” Reinart said. Rea Cu

MANULIFE LAUNCHES I.T. COMPANY

CANADIAN life insurer Manulife Financial Corp. (Manulife) announced the launch of its information-technology (IT) company in the Philippines, in line with delivering and maintaining digital solutions, as well as providing robust delivery and quality assurance to its customers across Asia. In a statement on Thursday, Manulife introduced Manulife IT Delivery Center Asia (MITDC), a new company in the Philippines aimed at harnessing the efficient use of technology, solutions, skills and other resources to provide faster and better services to its customers. Jason Little, Manulife Chief Information Officer in Southeast Asia, said Manulife chose to invest in the Philippines for its conducive environment for the companies operating in the business-process outsourcing (BPO) sector. Rea Cu

P.C.C. APPROVES ASCENDAS PURCHASE OF CAPITALAND SHARES

THE country’s competition body has approved the acquisition by urban space manager Ascendas-Singbridge Pte. Ltd. (ASB) of shares in real-estate investment manager CapitaLand Ltd. ASB, acting as a subsidiary of Temasek Holdings Pte. Ltd. and CapitaLand entered into a share-purchase agreement in January. Under the transaction, CapitaLand will issue 862,264,714 ordinary shares to ASB as part of the payment for the sale by ASB of all its shares in ASB and Singbridge Pte. Ltd. to CapitaLand. As a result, Temasek’s direct and indirect shareholding through ASB in CapitaLand will be increased to more than 50 percent post transaction. Elijah Felice E. Rosales

us is the great schooling system you have here like University of the Philippines [UP] Clark, Holy Angel University in nearby Angeles City, and Our Lady of Fatima here, to name a few, which gives us a pool of

MUTUAL FUNDS

untapped talents.” Gamboa said Uber’s new Clark COE will employ 165 customerservice specialists “who will provide world-class support, 24/7, to our community.” Ashley Manabat

April 4, 2019

NAV ONE YEAR THREE YEAR FIVE YEAR Y-T-D PER SHARE RETURN* RETURN STOCK FUNDS ALFM GROWTH FUND, INC. -A 264.12 -3.68% 1.33% 1.5% 4.71% ATRAM ALPHA OPPORTUNITY FUND, INC. -A 1.6286 0.6% 10.66% 4.48% 13.03% ATRAM PHILIPPINE EQUITY OPPORTUNITY FUND, INC. -A 4.102 -5.19% 1.58% 0.48% 5.1% CLIMBS SHARE CAPITAL EQUITY INVESTMENT FUND CORP. -A 0.9378 -1.5% N.A. N.A. 5.31% FIRST METRO CONSUMER FUND ON MSCI PHILS. IMI, INC. -A 0.8638 N.A. N.A. N.A. 5.25% FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN EQUITY FUND,INC. -A 5.4875 -2.27% 1.38% 1.39% 4.11% MBG EQUITY INVESTMENT FUND, INC. -A 127.54 9.9% N.A. N.A. 9.51% ONE WEALTHY NATION FUND, INC. -A 0.8761 -4.66% -4.2% N.A. 5.25% PAMI EQUITY INDEX FUND, INC. -A 52.0164 -1.85% 2.23% N.A. 5.71% PHILAM STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND, INC. -A 543.61 -1.88% 1.22% 1.27% 5.61% PHILEQUITY DIVIDEND YIELD FUND, INC. -A 1.3104 -0.88% 2.83% 4.34% 4.5% PHILEQUITY FUND, INC. -A 38.7372 -0.78% 3.72% 3.67% 5.75% PHILEQUITY MSCI PHILIPPINE INDEX FUND, INC. -A,3 1.0367 N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. PHILEQUITY PSE INDEX FUND INC. -A 5.2656 -1.46% 3.09% 3.66% 6.19% PHILIPPINE STOCK INDEX FUND CORP. -A 878.92 -1.34% 2.77% 3.59% 6.09% SOLDIVO STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND, INC. -A 0.9253 0.66% 1.84% N.A. 7.44% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY PHILIPPINE EQUITY FUND, INC. -A 4.3115 -0.29% 3.09% 2.6% 6.22% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY PHILIPPINE STOCK INDEX FUND, INC. -A 1.0106 -1.83% 2.78% N.A. 5.9% UNITED FUND, INC. -A 3.7007 0.43% 4.77% 3.49% 5.7% EXCHANGE TRADED FUND FIRST METRO PHIL. EQUITY EXCHANGE TRADED FUND, INC. -A,C,2 117.5818 -1% 3.85% 4.67% 6.17% ATRAM ASIAPLUS EQUITY FUND, INC. -B $1.0291 -5.99% 6.88% 1.44% 10.76% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY WORLD VOYAGER FUND, INC. -A $1.277 1.57% N.A. N.A. 15.56% BALANCED FUNDS PRIMARILY INVESTED IN PESO SECURITIES ATRAM DYNAMIC ALLOCATION FUND, INC. -A 1.7214 -2.76% -0.49% -1.11% 4.25% ATRAM PHILIPPINE BALANCED FUND, INC. -A 2.3129 -2.07% 1.23% 1.02% 4.69% FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN BALANCED FUND INC. -A 2.6426 -1.06% -0.57% -1.02% 3.88% GREPALIFE BALANCED FUND CORPORATION -A 1.3523 -3.18% N.A. N.A. 3.68% NCM MUTUAL FUND OF THE PHILS., INC. -A 1.9152 0.21% 1.33% 1.49% 3.91% PAMI HORIZON FUND, INC. -A 3.6778 -1.82% 0.08% 0.63% 4.21% PHILAM FUND, INC. -A 16.592 -0.82% 0.3% 0.66% 4.3% SOLIDARITAS FUND, INC. -A 2.148 -0.29% 1.65% 2.26% 3.65% SUN LIFE OF CANADA PROSPERITY BALANCED FUND, INC. -A 3.8453 0.37% 1.39% 1.66% 5.31% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY ACHIEVER FUND 2028, INC. -A,D,4 0.997 N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. SUN LIFE PROSPERITY ACHIEVER FUND 2038, INC. -A,D,4 0.9984 N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. SUN LIFE PROSPERITY ACHIEVER FUND 2048, INC. -A,D,4 0.9962 N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. SUN LIFE PROSPERITY DYNAMIC FUND, INC. -A 0.98 0.59% 1.41% N.A. 6.33% PRIMARILY INVESTED IN FOREIGN CURRENCY SECURITIES COCOLIFE DOLLAR FUND BUILDER, INC. -A $0.03607 1.75% 0.48% 1.61% 2.33% PAMI ASIA BALANCED FUND, INC. -A $0.9951 -5.87% 3.55% -0.19% 6.29% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY DOLLAR ADVANTAGE FUND, INC. -A $3.684 1.04% 6.16% 2.63% 11.35% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY DOLLAR WELLSPRING FUND, INC. -A $1.085 - 0.28% N.A. N.A. 7.43% BOND FUNDS PRIMARILY INVESTED IN PESO SECURITIES ALFM PESO BOND FUND, INC. -A 347.37 2.83% 2.11% 2.1% 1.16% ATRAM CORPORATE BOND FUND, INC. -A,1 1.881 0.77% -0.11% -0.13% 1.17% COCOLIFE FIXED INCOME FUND, INC. -A 3.0093 5.37% 5.28% 5.29% 1.3% EKKLESIA MUTUAL FUND INC. -A 2.1567 2.44% 1.09% 1.82% 1.23% FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN FIXED INCOME FUND,INC. -A 2.261 2.27% 0.48% 0.9% 2.34% GREPALIFE FIXED INCOME FUND CORP. -A P 1.6017 0.24% -0.94% 0.2% 2.38% PHILAM BOND FUND, INC. -A 4.0258 1.13% -0.44% 0.62% 2.7% PHILEQUITY PESO BOND FUND, INC. -A 3.6161 3.44% 1.02% 1.2% 2.81% SOLDIVO BOND FUND, INC. -A 0.9187 1.1% -0.56% N.A. 2.92% SUN LIFE OF CANADA PROSPERITY BOND FUND, INC. -A 2.881 4.12% 1.19% 1.67% 4.16% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY GS FUND, INC. -A 1.5992 3.68% 0.65% 1.25% 3.85% PRIMARILY INVESTED IN FOREIGN CURRENCY SECURITIES ALFM DOLLAR BOND FUND, INC. -A $453.53 2.39% 1.87% 2.92% 1.17% ALFM EURO BOND FUND, INC. -A Є216.02 1.51% 1.45% 1.64% 1.58% ATRAM TOTAL RETURN DOLLAR BOND FUND, INC. -B $1.1647 4.21% 1.58% 2.25% 3.46% FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN DOLLAR BOND FUND, INC. -A $0.0252 1.2% 0.81% N.A. 1.61% GREPALIFE DOLLAR BOND FUND CORP. -A $1.7128 -1.26% -1.22% 0.92% 1.34% MAA PRIVILEGE DOLLAR FIXED INCOME FUND, INC. N.S. N.S. N.S. N.S. N.S. MAA PRIVILEGE EURO FIXED INCOME FUND, INC. ЄN.S. N.S. N.S. N.S. N.S. PAMI GLOBAL BOND FUND, INC -A $1.0633 1.36% -0.6% -2.12% 2.48% PHILAM DOLLAR BOND FUND, INC. -A $2.2535 2.58% 0.53% 2.87% 3.79% PHILEQUITY DOLLAR INCOME FUND INC. -A $0.05802 2.02% 1.17% 1.76% 1.82% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY DOLLAR ABUNDANCE FUND, INC. -A $2.9725 0.84% 0.01% 2.14% 3.5% MONEY MARKET FUNDS PRIMARILY INVESTED IN PESO SECURITIES ALFM MONEY MARKET FUND, INC. -A 122.26 3.48% 2.19% 1.76% 1.18% FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN MONEY MARKET FUND, INC. -A,5 1.0066 N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. PHILAM MANAGED INCOME FUND, INC. -A 1.1944 2.7% 1.09% 0.74% 1.06% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY MONEY MARKET FUND, INC. -A 1.232 3.17% 2.47% 1.82% 1.07% PRIMARILY INVESTED IN FOREIGN CURRENCY SECURITIES SUN LIFE PROSPERITY DOLLAR STARTER FUND, INC. -A $1.0224 2.06% N.A. N.A. 0.64% * - NAVPS AS OF THE PREVIOUS BANKING DAY ** - NAVPS AS OF TWO BANKING DAYS AGO *** - LISTED IN THE PSE. **** - RE-CLASSIFIED INTO A BALANCED FUND STARTING JANUARY 1, 2017 (FORMERLY GREPALIFE BOND FUND CORP.). ***** - LAUNCH DATE IS NOVEMBER 6, 2017 ****** - LAUNCH DATE IS JANUARY 08, 2018 ******** - RENAMING OF THE FUND WAS APPROVED BY THE SEC LAST APRIL 13, 2018. ********* - BECAME A MEMBER SINCE APRIL 20, 2018. ******* - ADJUSTED DUE TO CASH DIVIDEND ISSUANCE LAST JANUARY 29, 2018

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PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

April 4, 2019

Net Foreign Stocks Bid Ask Open High Low Close Volume Value Trade (Peso) Buy (Sell) FINANCIALS ASIA UNITED BDO UNIBANK BANK PH ISLANDS CHINABANK EAST WEST BANK METROBANK PB BANK PHIL NATL BANK PSBANK PHILTRUST RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK BRIGHT KINDLE BDO LEASING COL FINANCIAL FIRST ABACUS FERRONOUX HLDG FILIPINO FUND IREMIT MANULIFE NTL REINSURANCE PHIL STOCK EXCH

58.5 133.5 84.15 26.85 12.16 79.85 13.72 56.8 57.85 110.1 26.55 170 60.4 1.31 2.22 19 0.59 4.16 7.84 1.39 785 0.92 197.7

58.65 133.8 84.2 26.9 12.28 79.9 13.8 57 58.3 121 26.7 173 60.85 1.38 2.27 19.1 0.69 4.27 8.95 1.44 800 0.93 198.5

58 132.3 84.25 27 12.24 80 13.7 57 58.45 113.1 26.5 170.3 62 1.34 2.29 19.18 0.69 4.2 8.95 1.4 785 0.98 197.5

58.65 133.9 84.8 27 12.28 80.2 13.86 58.5 58.45 116 26.7 173 62 1.38 2.29 19.18 0.69 4.27 8.95 1.4 785 0.98 199.8

58 132.3 84.2 26.8 12.16 79.2 13.7 56.75 57.8 110.1 26.5 169.6 60.4 1.31 2.22 19 0.69 4.2 7.84 1.4 785 0.93 197.5

58.65 133.8 84.2 26.85 12.16 79.9 13.8 57 57.8 110.1 26.7 173 60.85 1.31 2.28 19 0.69 4.27 7.84 1.4 785 0.93 198

24,230 1,416,129 2,164,180 289,071,398 1,643,080 138,805,414(23 77,700 2,088,290 387,200 4,726,506 2,443,740 195,257,924.5 20,300 280,032 705,720 40,326,411 ( 700 40,683.5 90 10,216 7,800 207,735 358,660 61,690,684 3,130 189,731 386,000 515,890 52,000 115,570 7,800 149,224 5,000 3,450 3,000 12,670 600 4,815 6,000 8,400 50 39,250 347,000 328,370 1,240 245,889

INDUSTRIAL ALSONS CONS ABOITIZ POWER BASIC ENERGY FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG MERALCO MANILA WATER PETRON PETROENERGY PHINMA ENERGY PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL SPC POWER AGRINURTURE CNTRL AZUCARERA CENTURY FOOD DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EMPERADOR SMC FOODANDBEV ALLIANCE SELECT GINEBRA JOLLIBEE MACAY HLDG MAXS GROUP MG HLDG PEPSI COLA SHAKEYS PIZZA ROXAS AND CO RFM CORP ROXAS HLDG SWIFT FOODS UNIV ROBINA VITARICH VICTORIAS CONCRETE A CEMEX HLDG DAVINCI CAPITAL EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP HOLCIM MEGAWIDE PHINMA TKC METALS VULCAN INDL CHEMPHIL CROWN ASIA LMG CHEMICALS MABUHAY VINYL PRYCE CORP CONCEPCION GREENERGY INTEGRATED MICR IONICS PANASONIC SFA SEMICON CIRTEK HLDG

1.4 35.7 0.238 21.35 79.6 375.2 23.55 6.37 4.23 1.55 11.9 46.85 6.88 15.78 14.52 15.2 6 11.24 7.26 103.6 0.94 28.45 318.8 10.32 15.04 0.19 1.42 12.52 1.68 4.68 2.41 0.129 153.4 1.7 2.5 68.05 2 5.3 15.8 9.58 11.08 21.95 9.2 1.08 1.06 108 1.9 4.03 3.34 5.36 42 2.51 12.72 1.81 6.5 1.29 28.75

ABACORE CAPITAL ASIABEST GROUP AYALA CORP ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANSCOR ANGLO PHIL HLDG ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG METRO PAC INV PACIFICA PRIME ORION PRIME MEDIA SYNERGY GRID SM INVESTMENTS SAN MIGUEL CORP SOC RESOURCES SEAFRONT RES TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

0.57 19.98 905.5 59.05 15.8 6.35 0.8 1.37 1.38 7.6 11.88 14.92 0.238 890.5 6.89 63.55 0.5 5.3 16.04 0.55 4.54 0.039 2.86 1.13 390 945 172.9 1.03 2.38 261.4 0.239 0.38

1.43 35.75 0.241 21.5 80.2 377 23.6 6.4 4.34 1.56 12 46.9 7.1 15.88 14.98 15.5 6.2 11.38 7.4 105 0.96 29 319 10.7 15.1 0.2 1.43 12.6 1.7 4.79 2.42 0.131 153.5 1.71 2.58 74.3 2.02 5.9 15.88 9.59 11.1 22 9.3 1.09 1.07 118.2 1.91 4.05 3.51 5.55 43.95 2.53 12.78 1.83 7.1 1.33 28.8

1.43 35.5 0.242 21.4 80.6 380 23.25 6.42 4.2 1.56 11.9 45.65 7.13 15.84 14.52 15.28 5.99 11.36 7.3 103.2 0.95 29.35 318.8 10.8 14.62 0.191 1.46 12.8 1.72 4.67 2.42 0.131 152 1.69 2.5 68 2.25 5.32 15.9 9.5 10.9 21.7 9.1 1 1.03 108 1.9 4.05 3.34 5.45 41.05 2.54 12.56 1.8 6.14 1.33 28.95

1.43 35.7 0.242 21.65 81 380 23.65 6.49 4.34 1.6 12.16 46.9 7.13 16 15 15.5 6.25 11.38 7.48 105 0.96 29.4 319.6 10.8 15.18 0.191 1.48 12.96 1.72 4.67 2.47 0.131 154 1.72 2.5 74 2.26 5.9 15.9 9.6 11.38 22.05 9.2 1.27 1.09 108 1.91 4.05 3.52 5.45 41.05 2.54 12.8 1.84 7.2 1.33 29.45

1.4 35.1 0.242 21.2 79.25 375.2 23.25 6.37 4.2 1.53 11.82 45.65 6.86 15.76 14.5 15.22 5.99 11.24 7.21 102.5 0.94 29.35 317.8 10.7 14.62 0.19 1.4 12.5 1.7 4.67 2.42 0.131 152 1.68 2.5 68 1.94 5.3 15.76 9.35 10.88 21.7 9.1 1 1.03 108 1.9 4.05 3.34 5.35 41.05 2.47 12.56 1.8 6.13 1.29 28.7

1.4 35.7 0.242 21.5 79.6 376 23.6 6.37 4.23 1.55 12.14 46.9 7 15.88 15 15.5 6 11.38 7.26 105 0.96 29.4 318.8 10.7 15.1 0.19 1.43 12.6 1.7 4.67 2.42 0.131 153.4 1.71 2.5 74 2.02 5.9 15.8 9.58 11.1 22 9.2 1.09 1.07 108 1.9 4.05 3.52 5.35 41.05 2.52 12.78 1.81 7.1 1.29 28.8

1099000 709600 10000 316400 133300 86050 1340100 1907700 77000 30508000 31600 427400 143500 653200 6000 471200 27100 1399600 440800 685360 711000 4900 526570 2000 3553400 180000 10585000 755500 152000 9000 626000 160000 935280 1919000 61000 50 135441000 150100 77500 1469100 6338900 2430400 12700 14831000 3007000 60 849000 34000 7000 279100 100 3338000 962600 545000 129600 130000 101100

1539230 25192450 2420 6771975 10657965.5 32399736 31544715 12235928 325700 47706590 378142 19960005 1000546 10387796 87186 7260802 162840 15827554 3204726 71666386 676160 143900 167851596 21500 53312356 34250 15164940 9574072 259240 42030 1516390 20960 143135352 3260380 152500 3639 279429910 795750 1222838 13894838 70577510 53305000 116223 17094070 3209210 6480 1613680 137700 24330 1512385 4105 8378860 12250948 993820 832376 169880 2932240

HOLDING & FRIMS 0.58 20.05 907 60.25 16 6.5 0.82 1.38 1.4 7.62 11.9 15.2 0.247 891.5 6.95 64.25 0.51 5.38 16.08 0.57 4.55 0.04 2.87 1.14 450 945.5 173.8 1.05 2.45 273 0.242 0.385

0.57 19.28 929 60 16.02 6.5 0.82 1.38 1.38 7.66 11.8 15.18 0.25 900 6.91 64.6 0.53 5.4 16 0.56 4.67 0.039 2.87 1.13 390 945 173.5 1.05 2.39 273 0.25 0.385

0.59 20.15 930 60.25 16.1 6.5 0.84 1.39 1.39 7.66 11.9 15.2 0.25 909 6.91 64.6 0.53 5.5 16.36 0.56 4.71 0.04 2.91 1.13 390 948.5 174 1.07 2.39 273 0.255 0.405

0.56 19.28 905.5 59 15.66 6.5 0.8 1.37 1.38 7.57 11.78 14.58 0.234 881 6.89 63.55 0.495 5.26 15.9 0.55 4.54 0.039 2.86 1.13 390 939 172.6 1 2.39 273 0.238 0.37

0.58 19.98 905.5 60.25 16 6.5 0.82 1.38 1.39 7.6 11.9 15.2 0.247 891.5 6.89 64.25 0.52 5.38 16.04 0.56 4.55 0.04 2.87 1.13 390 945 173.8 1.03 2.39 273 0.242 0.385

6688000 45400 298040 5169190 4753600 86600 904000 1066000 475000 1311100 3589600 1638500 780000 155690 26100 840490 1408000 3198300 11483200 216000 45158000 24700000 882000 21000 40 168580 197890 2176000 1000 160 9070000 67750000

3830100 903342 271649765 309171376 75372070 562900 737380 1473050 658600 9970468 42524836 24256500 188680 138795970 180126 53997074 708935 17212107 183883874 120860 206461300 967000 2537070 23730 15600 159260480 34271639 2243630 2390 43680 2255230 26709700

1,174,269 92,266,560 ,529,306.4999) (710,450) (2,298,038) (7,341,876) 13,869,049.5) (106,550) 12,648,831 (125,585) 279999.9999 158050 3586345 415111.5 1307574 -6553735 -2384318 -4200 73650 -8330 16159945 2656204 -1441478 -2163204 -1148152 -60230723 38368746 5215812 2208020 -377300 65826392 171000 152500 -17485940 -184535 -16357580 14378905 -232000 116650 -959585 -451550 3530864 -716370 79750.0001 -97423430 -255072378 13565984 107900 559239.9998 -24914 552666 -10601696 13065775 8539894.9996 8119375 6071606 -98883740 155100 63932195 -740731 43680 700 3201550

PROPERTY

ARTHALAND CORP 0.77 0.78 0.82 0.82 0.75 0.77 2550000 1982780 AYALA LAND 44.5 44.55 44.6 44.75 44.4 44.5 11193000 498113400 -33024595 ARANETA PROP 1.99 2 1.94 2 1.94 2 29000 56430 -1990 BELLE CORP 2.33 2.34 2.33 2.36 2.33 2.34 140000 328160 -16390 A BROWN 0.78 0.79 0.8 0.8 0.78 0.79 547000 430130 16480 CITYLAND DEVT 0.92 0.94 0.92 0.94 0.92 0.94 16000 14780 920 CROWN EQUITIES 0.242 0.245 0.24 0.242 0.24 0.242 9420000 2261990 CEBU HLDG 6.26 6.5 6.22 6.5 6.22 6.5 14400 89848 CEB LANDMASTERS 4.09 4.1 4.23 4.23 4.09 4.09 609000 2519640 -134470 CENTURY PROP 0.53 0.54 0.53 0.54 0.52 0.53 11755000 6230730 -160590 CYBER BAY 0.39 0.425 0.405 0.41 0.4 0.41 70000 28550 DOUBLEDRAGON 22.75 22.8 23.25 23.35 22.65 22.8 442900 10150525 1200120 DM WENCESLAO 11.4 11.42 11.96 12.16 11.22 11.42 2520800 29036842 280698 EMPIRE EAST 0.5 0.51 0.51 0.52 0.5 0.51 1108000 562810 -306000 FILINVEST LAND 1.51 1.52 1.53 1.53 1.51 1.52 3266000 4950040 -2071640 GLOBAL ESTATE 1.33 1.34 1.34 1.35 1.33 1.33 1072000 1432330 -13400 8990 HLDG 13.16 13.24 13.28 13.3 12.96 13.24 867500 11431526 876798 PHIL INFRADEV 1.63 1.64 1.67 1.67 1.62 1.63 1193000 1944720 45380.0002 CITY AND LAND 0.83 0.87 0.83 0.87 0.83 0.87 17000 14210 MEGAWORLD 5.62 5.65 5.62 5.65 5.58 5.65 13364900 75079050 -40896500 MRC ALLIED 0.36 0.365 0.37 0.37 0.36 0.365 10920000 4003350 PHIL ESTATES 0.495 0.5 0.57 0.57 0.49 0.5 41445000 21,755,030( 1,637,134.9997) PRIMEX CORP 2.54 2.58 2.59 2.59 2.52 2.57 174000 443750 ROBINSONS LAND 24.45 24.75 24.05 24.75 24.05 24.75 3024600 73705230 -32172180 ROCKWELL 1.99 2 2.02 2.02 2 2 525000 1050220 -834079.9999 SHANG PROP 3 3.05 3 3.07 3 3 112000 336380 STA LUCIA LAND 1.56 1.57 1.57 1.57 1.54 1.57 834000 1304760 SM PRIME HLDG 39.45 39.5 39.35 39.6 39.35 39.5 3970300 156830800 67409725 STARMALLS 6.65 6.73 6.65 6.78 6.65 6.73 92900 624327 SUNTRUST HOME 0.74 0.76 0.73 0.76 0.73 0.76 9000 6700 VISTA LAND 7.17 7.18 7.24 7.25 7.18 7.18 3879500 27892179 -10711832 SERVICES ABS CBN 19.52 20 19.7 20.3 19.5 20 437900 8634667 GMA NETWORK 5.82 5.83 5.81 5.85 5.81 5.83 538000 3137305 MANILA BULLETIN 0.63 0.64 0.61 0.71 0.61 0.64 20757000 13760660 GLOBE TELECOM 1915 1920 1935 1955 1912 1920 32575 62580085 -1668650 PLDT 1142 1146 1130 1150 1130 1146 102115 116594995 29125025 APOLLO GLOBAL 0.041 0.042 0.042 0.042 0.041 0.042 10600000 434900 DFNN INC 6.76 6.9 6.8 6.8 6.72 6.76 22800 154436 IMPERIAL 1.86 1.99 1.86 1.86 1.86 1.86 30000 55800 ISLAND INFO 0.131 0.133 0.131 0.134 0.13 0.133 2430000 318600 ISM COMM 4.91 4.92 5.1 5.26 4.91 4.91 6426800 32835991 -263954 JACKSTONES 3.06 3.14 3.19 3.45 3.06 3.06 618000 2019230 NOW CORP 2.54 2.55 2.59 2.69 2.55 2.55 784000 2042090 90390 TRANSPACIFIC BR 0.395 0.4 0.41 0.41 0.4 0.4 5300000 2129500 543750 PHILWEB 2.73 2.75 2.85 2.9 2.69 2.73 2733000 7577960 -1023980 2GO GROUP 12.46 12.66 12.4 12.78 12.28 12.66 25100 314918 -12720 ASIAN TERMINALS 14.58 16 14.7 16 14.54 16 7300 113310 CHELSEA 5.33 5.35 5.48 5.58 5.35 5.35 590800 3214761 -9918 CEBU AIR 83.5 84.2 81.95 84.3 81.95 83.5 184090 15363811.5 -6147685.5 INTL CONTAINER 123.7 123.8 128 128.4 122.6 123.8 1721900 213625284 -9127277 LBC EXPRESS 15.42 15.78 15.6 15.8 15.6 15.8 19000 299628 LORENZO SHIPPNG 0.97 0.98 0.95 0.99 0.93 0.97 2562000 2477260 -98000 MACROASIA 22.1 22.15 22.25 22.45 22.1 22.15 698700 15540750 -5913395 METROALLIANCE A 1.75 1.83 1.66 1.94 1.64 1.83 562000 1036240 METROALLIANCE B 1.61 1.95 1.99 1.99 1.9 1.95 60000 119100 PAL HLDG 10.02 10.2 10.5 10.5 10.2 10.2 6600 68220 HARBOR STAR 2.95 2.98 3.02 3.02 2.94 2.98 987000 2931820 201550 BOULEVARD HLDG 0.071 0.072 0.071 0.074 0.071 0.071 43980000 3183450 DISCOVERY WORLD 2.05 2.14 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 6000 12600 GRAND PLAZA 9.83 11.4 9.83 9.83 9.83 9.83 400 3932 WATERFRONT 0.69 0.7 0.73 0.74 0.69 0.7 6520000 4684700 IPEOPLE 10.6 10.78 10.6 10.6 10.6 10.6 3000 31800 STI HLDG 0.68 0.69 0.7 0.7 0.68 0.69 1601000 1100220 102660.0003 BERJAYA 2.49 2.5 2.6 2.64 2.47 2.49 930000 2358730 -52690 BLOOMBERRY 12.58 12.6 12.22 12.68 12.22 12.58 16039200 200899218 13212034 PACIFIC ONLINE 4.43 4.49 4.5 4.5 4.43 4.43 22000 98210 LEISURE AND RES 3.84 3.85 3.83 3.87 3.8 3.84 1193000 4560330 1629870 PH RESORTS GRP 4.5 4.72 4.51 4.74 4.38 4.74 33000 148000 PREMIUM LEISURE 0.83 0.84 0.84 0.86 0.83 0.83 2047000 1723250 445110 PHIL RACING 7.61 8.48 8.48 8.48 8.48 8.48 200 1696 TRAVELLERS 5.62 5.63 5.63 5.63 5.62 5.63 407900 2295757 -1835380 METRO RETAIL 3.12 3.14 3.25 3.27 3.02 3.12 4051000 12682750 -3358400 PUREGOLD 47.5 47.6 48.4 48.4 47.5 47.6 301700 14395610 -1833605 ROBINSONS RTL 80 80.35 80 80.6 78.55 80.35 183980 14771903 1028343.5 PHIL SEVEN CORP 121 121.5 119 121 119 121 123780 14977072 -133121 SSI GROUP 2.42 2.43 2.41 2.45 2.4 2.42 3210000 7765370 -820670 WILCON DEPOT 15.26 15.28 15.56 15.56 15.22 15.26 2863100 43881894 -32312158 APC GROUP 0.42 0.43 0.43 0.435 0.42 0.42 310000 130800 EASYCALL 10.7 10.98 11.3 11.4 10.66 10.7 46600 515528 22200 GOLDEN BRIA 389 392.8 370.2 400 370.2 392.8 6970 2698736 459480 IPM HLDG 7.08 7.09 7.09 7.09 7.09 7.09 3500 24815 PRMIERE HORIZON 0.96 0.97 1 1.04 0.95 0.96 35545000 35240990 627390 SBS PHIL CORP 8.73 8.97 8.97 8.97 8.73 8.97 13100 117147 MINING & OIL ATOK 12.5 12.8 12.94 12.94 12.94 12.94 100 1294 APEX MINING 1.38 1.39 1.36 1.39 1.35 1.39 488000 669290 -59340 ABRA MINING 0.0019 0.0021 0.002 0.0021 0.0019 0.0021 400000000 800100 ATLAS MINING 2.93 3.04 2.93 2.94 2.93 2.94 9000 26440 BENGUET A 1.48 1.5 1.52 1.58 1.4 1.48 148000 215560 BENGUET B 1.47 1.54 1.52 1.64 1.47 1.47 110000 169250 COAL ASIA HLDG 0.295 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.295 0.295 290000 86050 CENTURY PEAK 2.67 2.69 2.66 2.69 2.63 2.69 1047000 2775730 304320 DIZON MINES 8.1 8.11 7.8 8.28 7.74 8.11 63700 511103 FERRONICKEL 1.57 1.58 1.6 1.6 1.57 1.58 5860000 9292950 54050 GEOGRACE 0.255 0.26 0.255 0.27 0.25 0.26 6890000 1767750 -78000 LEPANTO A 0.116 0.118 0.118 0.118 0.116 0.118 390000 45880 LEPANTO B 0.122 0.129 0.118 0.13 0.117 0.13 320000 37920 MANILA MINING A 0.0084 0.0085 0.0084 0.0084 0.0084 0.0084 1000000 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www.businessmirror.com.ph

The World BusinessMirror

Editor: Angel R. Calso • Friday, April 5, 2019

Nato chief tells US Congress of ‘serious’ alliance divisions

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, accompanied by Vice President Mike Pence (left and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California (right) addresses a Joint Meeting of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington on Wednesday, April 3, 2019, having been invited by the bipartisan leadership of the House of Representatives and the Senate. AP PHOTO/PATRICK SEMANSKY

ASHINGTON—In the first address to Congress by a Nato head, Jens Stoltenberg on Wednesday acknowledged serious divisions within the alliance and called for bigger defense budgets to cope with global challenges such as Russian assertiveness, the core reason Nato was created in Washington 70 years ago this week. “We have to be frank,” Stoltenberg said before a joint meeting of Congress. “Questions are being asked on both sides of the Atlantic about the strength of our partnership. And, yes, there are differences.” The Nato secretary-general credited President Donald J. Trump with compelling allies to spend more on defense, without noting that Trump also has questioned the value of the

alliance and suggested that some members are freeloaders. Trump’s criticisms have upset a delicate balance within an alliance that has long counted on Washington to be its leader. Stoltenberg’s speech provided a diplomatic counterpoint to Trump’s sometimes derisive rhetoric, and the enthusiastic reception he received from both parties in the House was testament

to an enduring pro-Nato consensus in Congress. “The secretary-general delivered to Congress a powerful affirmation of the value of the Nato alliance,” said Rep. Mac Thornberry, a Texas Republican. James Stavridis, a retired Navy admiral who was Nato’s top commander from 2009 to 2013, called the Stoltenberg address a high point in recent US-European relations. “Given the president’s evident and frequently vocalized skepticism of the alliance, it is clear that Congress—on a bipartisan basis— wants to put the full weight of the legislative branch behind Nato,” Stavridis said. “We will never find a better pool of allies in the world than the Europeans, and this address underscores the importance of the trans-Atlantic bridge, which has been creaking a bit lately.” Trump’s criticisms are not Nato’s only source of friction. The alliance also is at odds with long-time member Turkey over its planned purchase of a Russian air defense system that is not compatible with the allied air

defenses. The Trump administration is threatening to stop delivery to Turkey of the newest US fighter jet, the F-35, if the Turks go through with their plan to buy Russia’s advanced S-400 system instead of the American Patriot system. Escalating that fight, Vice President Mike Pence scolded Turkey at a Nato 70th anniversary event following Stoltenberg’s speech. He said the Russian S-400 system “poses great danger to Nato,” and suggested that Turkey needs to decide between Nato and Russia. “Turkey must choose,” he said. “Does it want to remain a critical partner of the most successful military alliance in the history of the world, or does it want to risk the security of that partnership by making reckless decisions that undermine our alliance?” Stoltenberg made a point of highlighting the benefits to the United States of having Nato allies. He noted, for example, that in response to the attacks of September 11, 2001, Nato invoked Article 5 of its founding charter to come to the aid of a member under attack. He said allies also provide the US with valuable military support in peacetime, from tracking submarines in the Arctic to providing bases in Europe from which the US can project power. “Our alliance has not lasted for 70 years out of a sense of nostalgia or of sentiment,” he said. “Nato lasts because it is in the national interest of each and every one of our countries.” Stoltenberg on Thursday will lead a meeting of Nato foreign ministers, hosted by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, to mark 70 years since the alliance’s founding charter, the North Atlantic Treaty. The alliance has grown from its original 12 members to 29, with the Republic of North Macedonia about to become the 30th member-country. Stoltenberg, a two-time former prime minister of Norway, is the first head of Nato to address a joint meeting of Congress. He touted the alliance’s long record of partnership but also noted it has a history of coping with internal divisions, including strong opposition by France, Germany and other members to the 2003 US invasion of Iraq. “Open discussions and different

Nissan’s Ghosn arrested again in financial misconduct case

OK YO —Nissan’s for mer Chairman Carlos Ghosn was arrested on Thursday morning for a fourth time by Tokyo prosecutors investigating him for alleged financial misconduct while leading the Japanese automaker. Tokyo prosecutors said Ghosn’s arrest was on suspicion he diverted $5 million from funds that were being relayed from a Nissan subsidiary to an overseas dealership. Their statement said the money is suspected of going to a company Ghosn virtually ran. Ghosn’s whereabouts following his detention were unclear. TV footage showed officials entering Ghosn’s apartment in Tokyo, and a car later going to the prosecutors’ office, barely a month after Ghosn was released on bail from the earlier arrests. A car with the same license plate was later seen entering the Tokyo Detention Center, where Ghosn spent more than three months following his arrest on November 19. A spokesman for Ghosn issued a statement in which he strongly declared his innocence. The spokesman would not be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter. “My arrest this morning is outrageous and arbitrary,” Ghosn said in the statement. “It is part of another attempt by some individuals at Nissan to silence me by

misleading the prosecutors. Why arrest me except to try to break me? I will not be broken. I am innocent of the groundless charges and accusations against me.” Ghosn, 65, was first arrested on charges of under-reporting his compensation. He was rearrested twice in December, including on breach of trust charges. The multiple arrests prolong detentions without trial and are an oft-criticized prosecution tactic in Japan’s criminal justice system. The prosecutors’ statement did not mention Oman, but the allegation appears related to the investigation by Nissan Motor Co.’s French alliance partner Renault about payments in Oman to a major dealership, some of which is suspected of having been channeled for Ghosn’s personal use. Ghosn’s lawyer Junichiro Hironaka denounced the arrest, stressing that a rearrest during release on bail was unusual. His release on bail in March was unusually quick for Japan, where long detentions without convictions are routine “This is an example of hostage justice,” Hironaka told reporters. “This is meant to hurt Mr. Ghosn and give more advantage to the prosecutors’ side.” Nissan Chief Executive Hiroto Saikawa expressed surprise about

the arrest, although it had been rumored for days. “So much can happen. I am shocked,” he told reporters as he left his home. Ghosn’s family expressed worries about another detention, calling it in a statement, “solitary confinement as part of an attempt to force a confession.” Ghosn has denied the accusations in the earlier charges. On the allegation of under-reported compensation at Nissan, he has said it involved payments that were never decided or that were to be paid in the future. He has also said Nissan never suffered losses for his personal investments and that allegedly dubious payments in Saudi Arabia were for legitimate services. Ghosn had tweeted he would hold a news conference on April 11, where he would tell “the truth” on what was unfolding. A condition for his release on bail included not using the Internet, but it is unclear if the authorities are considering the tweet a technical violation. “I am confident that if tried fairly, I will be vindicated,” he said in the statement on Thursday. “I am determined that the truth will come out. I am confident that if tried fairly, I will be vindicated.” The allegations in the most recent arrest cover three money

transfer operations from 2015 through last year, according to the prosecutors. Ghosn was a star in the auto industry, having steered Nissan for two decades from the brink of bankruptcy to one of the largest groups in the industry, allied with Renault and smaller Japanese partner Mitsubishi Motors Corp. Nissan declined comment on the criminal proceedings. The company is a codefendant on the underreporting of compensation charges. Hironaka said this week that at least two Nissan employees are cooperating with the prosecutors. Several other Nissan officials have been questioned by the prosecutors as part of the investigation. The maker of the March subcompact, Leaf electric car and Infiniti luxury models is holding a shareholders’ meeting next week to oust Ghosn from its board. “Nissan’s internal investigation has uncovered substantial evidence of blatantly unethical conduct,” said Company Spokesman Nicholas Maxfield. The maximum penalty upon conviction on charges of under-reporting compensation and breach of trust is 15 years in prison. It is unclear when Ghosn’s trial may begin. Preparations for trials in Japan routinely take months. AP

views is not a sign of weakness,” he said. “It is a sign of strength. So we should not be surprised when we see differences between our countries. Today there are disagreements on issues such as trade, energy, climate change and the Iran nuclear deal. These are serious issues with serious disagreements.” Trump has sharply criticized other Nato members, including Germany, for not meeting spending targets. On Tuesday, he praised the generally upward trend among the European allies, but hounded them to pay even more because he believes America still shoulders a disproportionate share of the cost of protecting Europe. In a meeting at the White House, Trump and Stoltenberg had kind words for each other. But in the past, Trump has called Nato “obsolete” and suggested he might pull the US out of the alliance if member-nations didn’t significantly boost defense spending. “We’ve worked together on getting some of our allies to pay their fair share,” Trump told reporters. “At some point, it’s going to have to go higher.” Trump took credit for the increased spending. However, spending by Nato countries, which dropped after the end of the Cold War, has actually been rising since 2014, before Trump took office. After Russia’s 2014 annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula, member-countries agreed to boost defense budgets and “move toward” spending 2 percent of their gross domestic products on defense by 2024. The US spends about 3.4 percent of its GDP on defense. Since Trump took office, European allies and Canada have added $41 billion to their defense budgets. By the end of next year, this is scheduled to reach $100 billion, Stoltenberg said. Germany remains the main target of Trump’s ire because it plans to spend 1.5 percent, below the 2 percent guideline, by 2024. Stoltenberg has said the 2 percent guideline was not invented by the United States and was a target the 29 allies set in 2014. “The allies are really stepping up,” Stoltenberg said in an interview with The Associated Press. AP

South Korea gets 5G head start as US, China spar over Huawei

OUTH Korea’s launch this week of national fifth-generation wireless services is about more than just bragging rights. By beating the US and China to the punch, it provides a major selling point for Samsung Electronics Co. against Apple Inc. in premium smartphones and Huawei Technologies Co. in the market for mobile network gear. It provides a chance for South Korean companies to show off their know-how and lay the groundwork to set standards and capture sales in a global 5G services market expected to grow to $123 billion by 2025. “Being the first means a lot because it means we’re the first to lay the entire 5G infrastructure, having overcome lots of technological difficulties through collaboration between telecom, phone and gear companies,” said Yang Maeng-seog, a vice president at SK Telecom Co., South Korea’s biggest carrier. “5G provides a chance for South Korea to take a leap again.” SK Telecom starts its 5G service and Samsung begins selling a 5Gcapable phone on Friday, marking the world’s first full commercial rollout. The kickoff coincides with a technology race between the US and China over next-generation technology, a point underscored by the Trump administration’s voicing of concerns about Huawei and its gear. While South Korea is the first with 5G across the country, Verizon Communications Inc. started services in Minneapolis and Chicago overnight. The US carrier lacks actual 5G phones and can only offer the high-speed services to customers with a Motorola Z3 handset who pay $50 extra for a Snap-on module. Officials from carriers such as Deutsche Telekom AG and Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. have visited South Korea to check out 5G tests, Yang said. The fact that the country is much smaller than the US or China makes it a cost-effective test-bed for national networks, he said. Commercializing 5G also gives Asia’s fourth-largest economy the opportunity to build around the technology, which promises speeds dozens of times faster than earlier generations. That includes the development of autonomous driving and the Internet of Things. Bloomberg News

China’s construction binge spreads to Americas, rattles Washington

ANAMA CITY—China’s expansion in Latin America of its Belt and Road initiative to build ports and other trade-related facilities is stirring alarm in Washington over Beijing’s ambitions in a region that American leaders, since the 19th century, have seen as offlimits to other powers. China is hardly a newcomer to the region, but now it’s focusing on countries in Central America such as Panama. It’s a country of just 4 million people but its canal linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans makes it one of the world’s busiest trade arteries, and strategically important both to Washington and Beijing. As American officials express alarm at Beijing’s ambitions in the US-dominated Western Hemisphere, China has launched a charm offensive, wooing Panamanian politicians, professionals and journalists. The Chinese ambassador, a Spanish-speaking Latin American veteran, has been talking up the benefits of Belt and Road on TV and Twitter. Beijing has flown professionals and journalists on junkets to China. It seems to be paying off. “We see a big opportunity to connect Asia and America to Panama,” Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela said during a visit to

Hong Kong this week. He is due to attend a “Belt and Road” forum in Beijing with other foreign leaders this month, according to the Chinese government. Chinese President Xi Jinping’s signature foreign initiative, Belt and Road is building railways, ports, power plants and other projects in dozens of countries around the globe. But the US, Japan, Russia, India and other governments fret that Beijing is gaining economic and strategic influence at their expense. “A strong US reaction, whether it is obvious in public or not, is coming,” said Matt Ferchen, an expert on China-Latin America relations at the Carnegie-Tsinghua Center in Beijing. Panama’s leaders see China as a source of trade and investment but want to avoid conflict with Washington. Varela has said Panama’s relationship with China “will not affect relations with our strategic partner.” Belt and Road is building on multibillion-dollar deals for loans and investments in oil and mining in South America that Beijing made beginning in the 1990s. Venezuela has received $62 billion in Chinese loans. Brazil owes $42 billion and Argentina $18 billion. Ecuador has borrowed $17 billion. AP

B4 Friday, April 5, 2019

JOIN NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC’S EARTH DAY RUN IN THE PHILIPPINES THIS MONTH! LANDBANK OPENS 10TH BRANCH IN SOUTH COTABATO

UPI Mayor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. and spouse Rochelle Tamayo (in photo, fourth and fifth from left, respectively) pose with Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Cecilia C. Borromeo (third from left), Executive Vice President for Branch Banking Liduvino Geron (left) and First Vice President for East Mindanao Branches

Group Camilo Leyba (fifth from right). With them are Tupi branch head Mary Beth Kalabud (second from left), Vice Mayor Noel Escobillo (third from right) and other Tupi LGU officials. Tamayo and Borromeo led the inauguration of the bank’s new branch at t he mu nic ipa l ha l l compou nd in Barangay Poblacion. T his was Borromeo’s first branch inauguration

after rejoining the LandBank as its president and CEO on March 1. T he L and Ban k Tupi branc h is the first commercial bank in the municipality and is the bank’s 10th in the province. This brings its nationwide branch network to 398, which is targeted to reach 410 by the end of the year, with 12 more new branches in the pipeline.

N April the National Geographic further champions to its environmental cause with its yearly Earth Day Run. This year’s run will be in the theme of “Planet or Plastic?”, a multiyear initiative from National Geographic, raising awareness of plastic pollution and reducing the amount of single-use plastic that enters in the world’s oceans. Everyone in the Philippines is welcome to join by visiting www.natgeoearthdayrun.com. The run will take place on April 14 at The Mall of Asia open grounds. Copresented by Immunomax, this year marks the 10th year of the Earth Day Run in the Philippines and, thus, gaining traction to 15,000 running enthusiasts for the 3K, 5K, 10K and 21K marathon. “We are proud of how Earth Day Run has played a vital role in bringing awareness to environmental issues in the country...By being more conscious of our actions and the footprint we leave behind, we recommit and strengthen our promise to help and protect our planet.” said Charo Espedido, director and head of marketing for FOX Networks Group Philippines. Each year 9 million tons of plastic waste ends up in the ocean, and Asia is responsible for more plastic waste leakage than the rest of the world combined. Some estimates suggest this plastic could remain in marine environments for 450 years or longer. The ultimate goal of the Planet or Plastic? campaign is to prevent 1 billion plastic items from reaching the ocean. Doing so will not only benefit thousands to

potentially millions of marine animals that become entangled in, suffocated by or ingest plastic each year, but will also contribute to the overall health of the planet’s marine ecosystems and all who rely upon those. Runners and event-goers at this year’s Earth Day activities in the Philippines are encouraged to take pledge of not using plastic and, instead, bring reusable water bottles that will come with every race kit, on the main event.

LODGING IN ‘RED’

RUE to feng shui tradition, the color red seems to favor the recent launch of Red Hotel in Cubao, Quezon City’s main shopping and tourism district.

The newest addition to the country’s bustling tourism infrastructure, the 17-story Red Hotel stands out with its gleaming red building. “It is all about the energy-giving vibes of the color red, which invites good luck,” says Simon Tan of Red Hotel Philippines, adding that, “red, in Chinese, loosely translates to [a] ‘hot item’, so we intend to be that hot from the time we planned to build Red Hotel three years ago. True enough, there is a considerable number of walk-in guests to Red Hotel’s soft-opening, with only 100 rooms available for check-in. When it formally opens in May, Red Hotel’s fully functioning amenities are for all guests include 199 rooms with modern facilities, at affordable rates starting at P3,488 for a standard queen to P4,488 for an executive suite. “We are bringing the comfort of home and convenience all travelers require now. Our Red Hotel will be in a good big way a one-stop destination. Aside from modern rooms that occupy 12 floors—the reception lobby is on the fifth-floor [level]—our commercial area for a convenience store and a spa/massage clinic, and other on-lease businesses is [from the] ground-floor to third-floor [levels],” Tan adds. Red Hotel’s restaurant La Muse has its own culinary attraction: Soft opening promo of dinner buffet at P399, which caters not only to in-house guests but also walk-in customers. For details, e-mail at infor@redhotel.com.ph/ reservations@redhotel.com.ph.

SECURITY BANK FOUNDATION TRAINS 301 MATH, SCIENCE TEACHERS NATIONWIDE

ECURITY Bank Foundation, in partnership with the Ateneo Center for Educational Development (ACED), conducted a three-day teachers’ training focusing on strategies and tools in teaching mathematics and science in the cities of Quezon, Cebu and Davao. The annual teachers’ training program was a major component of Security Bank Foundation’s “Build a School, Build a Nation: The Classrooms Project”. The training was attended by 301 elementary, junior and senior high-school teachers from the foundation’s beneficiary schools nationwide. The training introduced different teaching strategies that will help teachers engage the learners and encourage their active participation in class. Mentors from ACED shared various teaching approaches, like drawing on past experiences and existing knowledge to discover new things and asking questions to enrich inquisitiveness. The training emphasized the need to make learning collaborative, fun and interactive. Mentors introduced digital learning applications that teachers can customize to test students on their understanding of the lessons

through gameplay. They also provided online resources where teachers can download videos and other visual materials for presentation in class. Teachers were asked to do science experiments to highlight the importance of hands-on activities in sparking students’ interest, curiosity and critical thinking. Visualization was introduced as a tool in teaching mathematics, where students see first the concept before solving mathematical abstracts. The training was filled with simulations of various group activities, which encourage creativity, collaboration and communication among students. The teachers also attended a financial wellness-learning session conducted by Elsa de Gracia, Security Bank wellness coach, where they taught of managing their finances and growing their fundsthrough investments. Since 2014 Security Bank Foundation has trained 1,003 teachers in araling panlipunan, English, mathematics and science.

Sports BusinessMirror

| Friday, April 5, 2019 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

MARTINA NAVRATILOVA, says “a man can decide to be female, take hormones if required by whatever sporting organization is concerned, win everything in sight and perhaps earn a small fortune, and then reverse his decision...if he so desires. It’s insane, and it’s cheating.”

RACHEL MCKINNON (center) is flanked by Carolien van Herrikhuyzen (left) and Jennifer Wagner during the award ceremony of the women’s sprint 35-39 age bracket Masters Track Cycling World Championships in Los Angeles in October last year.

WHAT IS A WOMAN?

By Edwin Benson

HE revolution eats its own.” Revolutionaries always tend to turn upon and eliminate fellow revolutionaries for the slightest deviation from revolutionary dogma. One example of this fratricide is the turbulent arena of women’s athletics. The issue can be summed up in a simple question, what is a woman? There is a civil war brewing in Equality-land over this question and its answer. Complicating the issue is the fact that both sides are defending a part of the feminist orthodoxy that developed during the late 60s. That war involves the role of “transgenders” in women’s sports. On one side, all the forces of the transgender tyranny are ready to fight to the death to defend the idea that a person born male can become a woman, and then compete as a woman in sports. The other side consists of female athletes who have worked hard over many decades to secure their place on sports. Their argument is that including “transgendered” athletes who are really men will ruin women’s sports. Such men enjoyed the natural male advantages of muscle mass and limb length that allows them to dominate in any competition. The root of this struggle is Title IX of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title IX intended to expand the law to forbid discrimination against women. The enforcement of Title IX was most controversial in an unexpected area: high school and collegiate sports. Until Title IX, women’s sports consisted for the most part of cheerleading, field hockey and tennis. Schools typically allocated far less money to women’s athletics than to men’s sports. The courts now forced those schools to create some level of equality for female athletes. Move the clock ahead to May 2016. With less than a year before the end of his term, President Obama issued an executive order extending Title IX protection to transgenders, those attempting to change their sex to their biological opposite. This transitioning process typically takes months,

UGUSTA, Georgia—The Masters should have been the first major Rory McIlroy won. Now it is the only one he is missing. Augusta National was thought to be the domain of Tiger Woods when he won four green jackets before turning 30. Now he is 43, with eight surgeries behind him, so far removed from his last Masters victory that the club has changed chairmen twice since he last won 14 years ago. McIlroy and Woods are the central figures at the 83rd Masters, which starts on April 11. They share the stage with a cast of characters that gets deeper and stronger every year, so tough that 23 of the last 25 major champions were among the top 25 in the world ranking. One is looking to join the most elite group in golf by capturing the final leg of the career Grand Slam. The other is looking to recapture glory on a course where his red shirt was blazing among the azaleas, dogwoods and all the colors of springtime in Augusta. Woods has always had a hold on the Masters, so much that his Sunday shirt packed as much interest as the green jacket. To see him two years ago walk gingerly to the Masters Club dinner for past champions was to wonder if he would ever shine at Augusta, much less play. It was only a few weeks later that Woods had a fourth surgery on his back to fuse the lower spine. He not only returned, Woods capped his remarkable comeback by winning in Georgia last year for his 80th career victory on the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) Tour. But it was at East Lake in late September, not at Augusta National the second week in April. Is his comeback complete without a major? Woods last year was still learning what his fused back was capable of doing. He was coming off two close calls in Florida, but he didn’t break par at the Masters until the final day, when it was much too late.

even years. For men, it begins with injections of estrogen hormones, which causes the body to acquire the outward characteristics of a female gradually. When the debate turned to how such transgenders should be treated in sports, this raised many questions about fairness in competitions. Those who govern the world of sport knew that the “wrong” answers could land them in court. Most took the legally safe position of simply going along with the athlete’s new self-identification. Obvious biological traits no longer mattered, nor did the language on a birth certificate. If the participant claimed to be female, that decision would be accepted. One of these accepting organizations is the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). Decisions made in fear of lawsuits are seldom good ones, and this was no exception. With the governing authorities displaying such fecklessness, it is not surprising that men are now competing in women’s cycling. They are doing well—very well. One such athlete is Rachel McKinnon, PhD Dr. McKinnon (once Mr. Rhys McKinnon) is a member of the Philosophy Department at South Carolina’s College of Charleston. As the official College web site shows, McKinnon has made a ca-

reer out of this issue. McKinnon is also an avid bicycle racer. A furor ignited when McKinnon won the UCI women’s sprint 35-39 age bracket Masters Track Cycling World Championship in Los Angeles in October 2018. McKinnon edged out natural-born female contestants Carolien van Herrikhuyzen of the Netherlands and American Jennifer Wagner. Claiming to be the first openly transgender athlete to win a world championship in any sport, McKinnon shared the thrill of victory on social media. The third-place finisher was not impressed. Jennifer Wagner’s response to McKinnon’s victory was a claim that it was unfair. A quick look at the photograph in the New York Post of the top 3 finishers at the event lends credence to Wagner’s claim. McKinnon clearly enjoys a physical advantage over the competition. Of course, McKinnon dismisses any such concerns as transphobic bigotry. USA Today article quotes McKinnon, “This is bigger than sports and it’s about human rights. By catering to cisgender people’s views, that furthers transgender people’s oppression. When it comes to extending rights to a minority population, why would we ask the majority? I bet a lot

Now he is building, and while his results in five tournaments this year have not been anything special, Woods has been gearing for this week. “I’m right there where I need to be,” he said. “I’ve gotten a little bit more consistent with my play, and I think that everything is headed on track toward April.” His last two majors were telling because he was in the hunt at both of them until the final hour. He briefly had the lead at Carnoustie in the British Open. He chased Brooks Koepka all the way to the finish line in the PGA Championship. McIlroy had reason to think he would be allowed upstairs in the champions’ locker room by now. It was in 2011 when he had a four-shot lead, only to throw it away with a tee shot behind the cabins, a four-putt from 12 feet, a wild drive along the azaleas and an 80 on his scorecard. He responded by winning four of the next 15 majors, before being slowed by a few nagging injuries. This will be his fifth shot at the career Grand Slam, and he is getting closer. McIlroy played in the final group last year with Patrick Reed, missing a short eagle putt on the second hole that set the tone for his day. Already this year, he has not finished out of the top 10 in all seven of his tournaments, including a victory at The Players Championship against the best field in golf. Is he excited? Hard to tell. McIlroy has spent the last year reading books on life and success, working more on his attitude than his golf game. He is determined not to let the

of white people were [aggravated] when we desegregated sports racially and allowed black people. But they had to deal with it.” The New York Post article quotes McKinnon, “We cannot have a woman legally recognized as a trans woman in society, and not be recognized that way in sports. Focusing on performance advantage is largely irrelevant because this is a rights issue.... We should be worried about their fairness and human rights instead.” Apparently the cisgendered, which means embracing one’ s biological sex, have no rights. Those who do not accept the transgender tyranny must remain quiet because their rights are unimportant. To make this even more unbelievable, McKinnon believes that any requirement that such athletes

Woods, McIlroy have Masters on mind for different reasons

TIGER WOODS (left) shakes hands with Rory McIlroy on the 18th hole during the fourth round of the Masters in Augusta, Georgia, in April 2015. AP

be required to have undergone hormone and surgical treatments is discriminatory. Presumably, to enter women’s sports and gain the prizes and awards that come with success, one must merely claim to be a woman, regardless of any biological standard at all. The longtime women’s tennis champion, Martina Navratilova, sharply disagrees. The BBC quotes Navratilova, “A man can decide to be female, take hormones if required by whatever sporting organization is concerned, win everything in sight and perhaps earn a small fortune, and then reverse his decision...if he so desires. It’s insane, and it’s cheating. I am happy to address a transgender woman in whatever form she prefers, but I would not be happy to compete against her. It would not be fair.” Navratilova’s remarks are made more interesting by the fact that she is a longtime pro-homosexual advocate. An organization with which Navratilova has long worked, Athlete Ally, cut all ties with the tennis star. It said that her comments were “transphobic, based on a false understanding of science and data, and perpetuate dangerous myths that lead to the ongoing targeting of trans people through discriminatory laws, hateful stereotypes and disproportionate violence.” In an editorial in the New York Post, Rich Lowry showed just how unfair these competitions are. Referring to another famous female athlete, he said that “At the 1988 Olympics, Florence Griffith-Joyner established a women’s record of 10.49 seconds in the 100-meter dash that no one has come close to touching ever since.... Her epic sprint was ho-hum for a male. According to the International Association of Athletics Federations, there were 15 men in the United States whose best time was 10.49 in the 100-meter in 2018, and they were merely tied for 217th fastest last year.” A world that is growing increasingly disordered is unhappy with any form of restraint, even the restraints imposed by biology. The quest for equality is now steamrolling over people’s connection to reality. Absurdity is presented as fact. Those who object are branded as haters or bigots. Even revolutionaries themselves are being thrown under the bus as the revolution barrels ahead to ever greater extremes.

sport define his success. And it appears to be paying off. Las Vegas has installed him as the favorite at the Masters. “I would have said a couple of years ago, ‘I need to win a Masters, I need a green jacket,’ where now it’s, ‘I want to win it.’ And I’d love to win it,” he said. “But if I don’t, I’m OK. Maybe some people will say that I’m not motivated enough. Believe me, I am motivated to make the most of what I have and to put my name among some of the greats of our game.” This figures to be his biggest test. So powerful is the allure of Augusta National and the exclusivity of the club and its list of winners that players have been haunted over the years at being left out, whether it was Greg Norman or Tom Weiskopf, David Duval or Tom Kite. That’s just the mystique. Equally tough will be the players Woods and McIlroy are trying to beat. McIlroy at No. 3 is among five players who are vying for No. 1 in the world—Justin Rose, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Justin Thomas are the others. All of them have reached the top of the ranking before, all of them having won a major or more. It has never been this crowded at the top since the ranking began in 1986. Missing from that list, and perhaps the most intriguing player at the Masters besides Woods and McIlroy, is Jordan Spieth. No one has performed as well at Augusta as Spieth since his debut five years ago—two runner-up finishes, a wire-to-wire victory, in the hunt on Sunday every year and ending the day atop the leaderboard eight times out of 20 rounds. AP

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Business

C2 Friday, April 5, 2019

GONE IN 63 SECONDS D

ENVER—San Antonio Coach Gregg Popovich boiled over just 63 seconds into a game against Denver and was ejected. An irate Popovich appeared to be upset over a nonfoul call on Wednesday night and was given a technical by official Mark Ayotte. He kept it up and was handed another from fellow official David Guthrie. Popovich’s team was trailing, 5-0, as he made his way to the locker room. The last time a coach was ejected within the first 2 minutes of a game was Washington’s Flip Saunders on January 2, 2012, at Boston, according to research by the Elias Sports Bureau. Saunders was ejected 1:46 into the game. Taking over on the bench for Popovich was Assistant Coach Ettore Messina as the Spurs were beaten, 113-85, by the Nuggets. Following the game, Popovich didn’t have much to say. “You’ll have to ask the officials,” he said. As he made his way down the hall, Popovich joined the scrum where Nuggets Coach Michael Malone was conducting his postgame interviews. The exchange between the coaches was nearly as long as Popovich’s appearance in the contest. Malone: “We were just talking about an NBA [National Basketball Association] record that was set tonight.” Popovich: “What was the record? What happened?” Malone: “Somebody got thrown out in 63 seconds.” Popovich: “Are you serious? That person must have hit somebody. Somebody get hit tonight? Somebody get cursed at or anything?” Then, Popovich headed for the exit. “That’s one of a kind right there,” Malone said. “I don’t know what to say after that.” Popovich also was ejected on Sunday during the third quarter in a loss to Sacramento. In that

instance, he charged onto the court to berate an official for an out-of-bounds call. The NBA playoffs, meanwhile, are still days away. Tell that to the Houston Rockets, who have their postseason mentality locked in. James Harden scored 31 points, Chris Paul added 29, and the Rockets routed the Los Angeles Clippers, 135-103, on Wednesday night in a potential playoff preview. “[Chris] is dialed in, and James, too,” Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said. “When they play like that, it’s pretty tough to lose. We played unbelievably.” Clint Capela had 24 points and 15 rebounds to help the Rockets win their fourth in a row. They showed little fatigue in cruising past the NBA’s hottest team while playing their last backto-back of the season. “It’s the best we’ve played and it’s the right time,” Harden said. The Rockets currently own the third seed in the Western Conference and the Clippers are sixth, which would pair them in the first round. “It’d be a tough series,” Paul said. “They’re very disciplined.” Asked how the Clippers would match up, Coach Doc Rivers said, “If we go by tonight, not very well. But we’re a much better team than we showed.” Paul stunned the crowd by hitting a deep three-pointer that beat the buzzer to end the third, in which the Rockets outscored the Clippers 34-20. Rookie Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Clippers with 20 points and Danilo Gallinari added 16. They had won an NBA-best 13 of 15 coming in, but lost for the first time in three meetings with Houston this season. “Every once in a while, you get the [expletive] kicked out of you,” said Lou Williams, who had 14 points off the bench. “We hadn’t had one of these in three, four

IGNAL-ATENEO got its act together in the third quarter and blasted Petron-Letran, 83-64, on Thursday in the Philippine Basketball Association Developmental League at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. BJ Andrade waxed hot in the third frame, firing 10 of his 13 points in the period as the Blue Eagles turned a 36-35 halftime deficit to a commanding 63-54 lead. That was the buffer Cignal-Ateneo needed as they secured a lead that went as high as 20, 82-62, late in the game. Mike Nieto contributed 12 points and two

NBA RESULTS

Chicago 115, Washington 114 Indiana 108, Detroit 89 Orlando 114, New York 100 Atlanta 130, Philadelphia 122 Boston 112, Miami 102 Toronto 115, Brooklyn 105 Charlotte 115, New Orleans 109 Minnesota 110, Dallas 108 Denver 113, San Antonio 85 Portland 116, Memphis 89 Utah 118, Phoenix 97 Houston 135, LA Clippers 103

months, so we were due.” The Rockets set the tone early, shooting 64 percent in the first quarter. Houston stretched its lead to 22 in the second before the Clippers closed on a 9-2 run to trail 68-53 at halftime. AP

Blue Eagles survive stubborn Letran five rebounds, Matthew Daves just missed out on a double-double of 10 points and nine boards and Ivorian slotman Ange Kouame bucked foul trouble to nab 10 points and 11 rebounds in the victory. “Our discipline wasn’t good in the first half and that’s not the right recipe to play successful basketball,” said Coach Tab Baldwin as his side improved to solo third place at 4-1 in the Aspirants Group. “But we sorted some things out, BJ, Mike and Matt [Nieto] hit some shots out and that got us in the right track. We did what we have to do,” he added. The Knights leaned on Jerrick Balanza, who poured 16 points, four rebounds and two assists. Alvin Pasaol added 15 points and eight rebounds and Jeo Ambohot chipped in 10 points and six boards for Petron-Letran. The Knights saw their three-game winning run halted and dropped to 3-2.

NLEX, ALASKA IN SUDDEN DEATH

SAN ANTONIO Coach Gregg Popovich is ejected 63 seconds into game against Denver James Harden again propels the Rockets with his 31 points. AP

BARANGAY San Miguel’s Sol Mercado challenges the defense of NorthPort’s Jonathan Grey during their game on Wednesday night. The Batang Pier won, 100-97.

LASKA and NLEX figure in a sudden death on Friday to determine the last playoff contender of the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup. The win-or-go home match is set at 7 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena City with the Aces and the Road Warriors, both sporting 4-7 won-lost records, aiming for the last quarterfinals spot. But the challenge wouldn’t be over as the winner will take an uphill climb with a twice-to-win scenario against top seed Phoenix Fuel Masters. Two days ago, NLEX lost to Magnolia, 74-102, which sent the team to a playoff match against fellow hopeful Alaska. It could have been a safe passage for the Road Warriors had they beaten the Hotshots. Coach Yeng Guiao aired his frustration as the team miserably went down to a 28-point thrashing. “I was disappointed,” Guiao said. “I thought we would be playing a good game and compete against Magnolia. But for one reason or another, we played badly.” Still, Guiao looks at the bright side of having a second chance with a match against Alaska. “We still have a chance. We still have a hope,” Guiao said. “It may be a knockout match against Alaska but still, it’s a chance to advance to the next round. We’ll keep our hopes high and try our best to make it.” Almost out of the quarterfinals picture, the Aces received aq second life after the Road Warriors’ lost to the Hotshots. Last season, Alaska and NLEX went head to head in the best-of-three quarterfinals series. The Road Warriors blanked the Aces but bowed to eventual runner-up Hotshots in the semifinals. It was a tight race this year in the AllFilipino conference and Coach Alex Compton acknowledged the predicament they are in. “We are alive and breathing, still with a chance to battle and honor the game,” Compton said. “We are grateful to have this chance in spite of the crazy conference we have had and we are looking forward to bringing our best.” Ramon Rafael Bonilla

Colombian leads star-studded cast in cliff-diving tilt

HE 11th season of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series goes to the picturesque paradise of El Nido in Palawan with 24 of the best divers trooping to the famous destination on April 13. Orlando Duque of Colombia leads the starstudded cast of cliff divers from 18 countries as they fly to the country for Red Bulls’s only Asian stop of the World Series. Duque, considered the poster boy of the sport, expressed excitement in performing free-

fall stunts in the scenic lagoons of El Nido. “It’s a great location for the divers. It’s not my first time in the Philippines, but I’m sure it’s going to be fun,” said Duque, winner of 13 world titles and nine Red Bull World Series trophies. At 44, the Colombian considers this season as his swan song as his age and recurring injuries have taken its toll on his body. “I just want to hang in there one more season and then say good-bye,” Duque said.

Besides Duque, sure to spice up the competition are Rhiannan Iffland and Xantheia Pennisi on the women’s side. Iffland of Australia is one of the most successful cliff divers with titles in Red Bull competitions and FINA High Diving championships. She is joined by Pennisi, who is born in Brisbane, but has a Filipino descent. El Nido’s Miniloc Island will play venue to the men’s 27 meters and women’s 20 meters events. Ramon Rafael Bonilla

7 boys, 6 girls top Dumaguete camp

EVEN boys and six girls topped the Regional Selection Camp of Jr. NBA Philippines 2019 presented by Alaska at the Saint Louis of Don Bosco in Dumaguete City over the weekend. They are Alan Joseph Banas (14, University of St. La Salle), Henjz Gabriel Demisana (14, Bacolod Tay Tung High School), Mike Estelloso (14, Bacolod Tay Tung), Zhan Paolo Moreno (14, Xavier University), John Ordas (12, Bacolod Tay Tung), Erlance Luiz Pedrita (14, St. Robert International School) and Rod Robert Robins Jr. (14, PAREF Springdale School) in the boys’ section. The qualifiers in the girls’ side were Cristel Dianne Abule (13, La Libertad Technical Vocational School), Jaira de la Cruz (13, Bacolod

City National High School), Mary Rose Dugenio (13, La Consolacion Bacolod), Keisha Malanay (13, Negros Oriental High School), Nicole Olores (14, La Libertad Technical) and Gin Kayla Relliquette (13, University of St. La Salle). They will represent the Visayas at the National Training Camp in Metro Manila from May 17 to 19. Dumaguete hosted the league’s youth basketball participation program for the first time, providing campers with worldclass basketball instruction from Jr. NBA coaches, led by Rob Newson and former Philippine Basketball Association players Tony Dela Cruz and Willie Miller. The select athletes excelled in

a combination of basketball activities and competition and demonstrated the core values of the game throughout the camp. The Visayan contingent of Jr. NBA campers will join outstanding players from the Regional Selection Camps in Benguet, Butuan, Lucena and Metro Manila and a select group from the Alaska Power Camp at the National Training Camp and try to be named as Jr. NBA Philippines All-Star. New this year, Jr. NBA Philippines All-Stars— composed of a five boys and five girls—will join the first Jr. NBA Global Championship Asia Pacific Selection Camp, a week-long camp in June that includes top youth players from the Asia-Pacific region, excluding China.

orts

sMirror

Friday, April 5, 2019 C3

POLTHAI HANGS TOUGH T

AWIT POLTHAI checked an alarming skid with birdies in the last two holes to salvage a four-over 76 and barely hang on to a two-stroke lead halfway through the Solaire Philippine Open as a host of pursuers surged then tumbled in another punishing day at The Country Club on Thursday in Santa Rosa, Laguna. But some of the fancied names even didn’t make way past the 65-plus ties cut at 14-over 158, most specifically local favorite Pagunsan, who staggered with a career-worst 86 marred by an 11 at the par-5 10th for a 163 total for joint 96th among the 131-player starting field. Except for one, over-par was the norm of the day yesterday given the wicked conditions at TCC with the gale-force winds blowing from all over, forcing the bidders to adjust a club or two in tackling each shot at the long, risky Tom Weiskoph-designed layout. At the end of the day, only Thai Namchok Tantipokhakul turned in the lone under-par card

of 70, marred by a closing bogey on the ninth, moving to second behind compatriot Polthai, whose strong finish saved what could’ve been a disastrous round for the Bangkok native, who stirred up interest with a flawless, eagle-spiked 67 on Wednesday to wrest a four-stroke lead over Clyde Mondilla and two others. Polthai oddly groped for form while playing in one of the early flights, bogeying the first two holes at the back and spending the rest of the round either scrambling to save par or trying to save his spot at the top in the $500,000 championship sponsored by Solaire Resort & Casino for the third straight year. He failed on the first, but his closing back-toback birdies from No. 8 enabled him to keep his hold of the lead at one-under 143, two strokes ahead of Tantipokhakul (145), while Keanu Jahns found himself leading the local challenge at 146 with a second straight 73 in a tie with Peter Stojanovski of Macedonia and Nirun Sae Ueng, also of Thailand, who shot 72 and 73, respectively.

Chan grabs share of lead, Nocum stays up front

IDRIC CHAN finally hit his stride and fired a one-under 71 to force a tie with an equally charging Sean Ramos as Kayla Nocum held on to the girls’ lead despite an 80 in the third round of the Philippine Junior Amateur Open Golf Championships at the Sherwood Hills Golf Club in Trece Martires, Cavite, on Thursday. Chan, the pretournament favorite who groped for form with 78 and 75 in the first two days in tough conditions, broke a par-game with a birdie

on the par-5 15th, then parred the rest to turn in the first under-par card in hot, blustery conditions after 54 holes of the third leg of this year’s PLDT Group National Amateur Tour. But out to foil Chan’s title drive is Ramos, who bucked a double-bogey mishap on No. 10 and a bogey on the 13th with three straight birdies from No. 15 as he saved a 72 to match the former’s three-hole aggregate of 224 heading to the final 18 holes of the event sponsored by the MVP Sports

Foundation, PLDT Group, Cignal and Metro Pacific. Halfway leader Paolo Barro cracked under pressure and shot himself in the foot with an 82 to tumble to third at 229, virtually leaving the fight for the crown in the Albatross division (15-18) to Chan and Ramos with Carl Corpus coming through with a 77 for a 230 and Josh Jorge and Paolo Wong scoring 232s after 76 and 79, respectively. A tight finish also loomed in the distaff

CAYETANO: WE’RE ON TRACK A

LAN PETER CAYETANO assured the country’s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games is on course. Cayetano, chairman of the 30th Sea Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc), stressed that full government support is guaranteed for the country’s third hosting of the Games after 1991 and 2005. “The government is throwing its full support for the Games,” Cayetano said. “The Department of Tourism, for example, is helping us promote the Games, [since] they also recognize its benefit for tourism.” Cayetano, along with Phisgoc COO Ramon Suzara, Executive Director Tom Carrasco, Deputy Director General for Operations Celso Dayrit and other senior Phisgoc officials provided media with a comprehensive update after a three-day detailed workshop in Taguig. “We are on track with preparations. In venues for example we have reached 97 percent in identifying venues for all sports and functional

areas,” Suzara said. An estimated 17,000 athletes, coaches, officials and media are expected for the Games scheduled November 30 to December 11 in Subic, Clark, Manila, Tagaytay City, Batangas and La Union. The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), a vital member of the organizing committee, has assured the rehabilitation of sports facilities like the historic Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. The Department of Public Works and Highways also pledged to refurbish three venues in Cavite, 13 in Subic and four in Clark. Cayetano emphasized the positive impact of sports in nation building, stating that “we are not just investing in infrastructure or tourism. Ask anybody from the opposite sides of the political spectrum, and they will say that sports is the best way to get rid of drugs.” The Games’s volunteer program, meanwhile, will be launched on April 12. It will involve no less than 12,000 volunteers.

United belles labor in 5 sets vs Sta. Lucia

ALEI MAU and Yaasmeen Bedart-Ghani connived in the crucial stretch to lift United VC to a pulsating 21-25, 25-18, 23-25, 25-14, 15-11 victory over Sta. Lucia in the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix on Thursday at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan. Mau delivered the finishing touches in the fifth set while Bedart-Ghani asserted her leadership for United VC, which closed the classification round on a high note. United VC finished with a 7-7 win-loss record and would take the fifth spot for a quarterfinal duel with fourth-seed Cignal, which owns a twice-to-beat advantage. Reigning champion Petron clinched the top spot with a flawless 14-0 record, while F2 Logistics (10-3) and PLDT Home Fibr (8-6) emerged second and third, respectively. Mau, the former Arizona star, unleashed 26 points she laced

with 12 digs, while Bedart-Ghani chipped in 21 kills and four blocks to finish with 25 points for United VC, which is still missing the services of import Tai ManuOlevao. Setter Alohi Robins-Hardy also had an all-around effort with 22 excellent receptions on top of 12 points off five blocks, five attacks and two aces. “It was frustrating for them because we lost a really close set. We didn’t have anything to say because the players knew it was a wake-up call,” United VC Coach Joshua Ylaya said. “We were hoping to have a chance at a twice-to-beat. Whoever we face, we’re not going to take them lightly,” Robins-Hardy added. Import Casey Schoenlein finished with 20 points, Pam Lastimosa had 13 points with 12 excellent receptions and Molly Lohman added 11 for the Lady Realtors, who sank to the bottom with a 2-12 record.

ALAN PETER CAYETANO says the government is fully supporting the Games.

Jr tennis tourney up in Zamboanga

CTION in the long-running Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala (PPS-PEPP) age group tennis circuit shifts to Molave in Zamboanga del Sur beginning on Friday with local ace Eric Tangub and Angel Denopol shooting for another pair of two-title feats at the LGU & Moltec courts. Tangub stamped his class in the top 2 boys’ categories in Misamis Occidental last week, making him the marked player in the 16- and 18-under divisions of the Group 2 tournament presented by Dunlop and dubbed as the JNY Cup. But the leading player form Tucuran will have his hands full against the likes of Nash Agustines, Ashton Villanueva and Sebastian Lagamon in the full-packed 16-under field and versus Nilo Ledama, Lex Estillore and Siegred Pepito in the premier 18-under division of the four-day event put up by the PPS-PEPP headed by President and CEO Bobby Castro. Like Tangub, Denopol will be hard-pressed to score a repeat in the girls’ 12- and 14-under sides with Cielo Gonzales and Zelah Toribio looming as her biggest rivals. The rising star from Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte will also see action in the 16-under section headlined by Carmel Padilla, also the top seeded bet in the 18-under category that includes Toribio, Rose Cuizon, Marge dela Cerna and Erica Duyongan. Fierce duel is also seen in the other classes with Heinz Carbonilla, Zarc Denopol, RJ Cagatan and Agustines tipped to dispute the 14-under crown and Sean Esick, Nicholas Tan, Pete Bandala and Wyn Sanchez heading the 12-under roster with Bandala, Axi Estillore, Cielo Gonzales and Vincent Nadal leading the chase for the 10-under diadem.

“I played terribly bad. My putting and short didn’t complement in stark contrast with my opening round game. I just couldn’t anything right out there,” said the 23-year-old Polthai, who shook his head in disgust. As Polthai sputtered, a slew of names popped out from nowhere to turn the leaderboard into one crowded chart, only to tumble at the finish of their respective rounds and leaving the Thai alone again at the helm. The long-hitting Tantipokhakul, meanwhile, birdied all but one of the four par-5s inside eight feet to turn in the lone under par card in the day that put the Chonburi ace, who placed second to Aussie Damien Jordan in Aboitiz Invitational, in contention for the coveted crown. “I played very, very good given the tough conditions. I was also just lucky to score a 70,” Tantipokhakul said. Mondilla, who shot a 71 in the first round, quickly grabbed the top spot with a birdie on the 10th in one of the late afternoon flights

side with Nocum surviving a poor game after sizzling a 69 in the second round of the event organized and conducted by the National Golf Association of the Philippines. She hobbled with a 39 after nine holes then dropped two strokes on the par-4 10th and holed out with a triple bogey on the 18th. Still, her 80 kept her on top at 226, one stroke ahead of Korean Kang Da Yun, who birdied the 18th to card a 76 and assume the challenger’s role at 227 as first-round leader Junia Gabasa fumbled with an 82 to drop to joint third at 229 with Maria Tee, who shot a 77.

but like the majority of the contenders, he wavered in exacting conditions, going four-over in a five-hole stretch from No. 15. He eagled the par-5 eighth to move to joint second but bogeyed the last for a 75 and dropped to joint third with Jahns, Sae Ueng and Stojanovski. Philippine Golf Tour Asia CAT Open winner James Ryan Lam struck back with a 73 after a 75 and joined last year’s runner-up Prom Meesawat (74) and fellow Thai Chonlatit Chuenboonngam (76) at seventh, while American and PGT Del Monte stop champion Nicolas Paez and Thai Poom Saksansin shot identical 75s for joint 10th with Aussie Jack Sullivan, who shot the other

71 on Wednesday, at 149. Joining Pagunsan in the sidelines of the country’s premier championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. and sanctioned by the National Golf Association of the Philippines were pretournament favorites Micah Shin (77-159, four-time PGT Asia leg winner Jhonnel Ababa (80-159), multi-titled Tony Lascuña (84-161), PGT Asia Luisita leg champion David Gleeson of Australia (80-162), PGT Asia Summit Point winner Joenard Rates (85-166) and Thai Thammanoon Sriroj (85-167). But the most shocking was Pagunsan’s early exit.

TALAO NEW PSA PRESIDENT

ITO S. TALAO was elected as the new president of the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA). Talao, sports editor of the Manila Bulletin, succeeded Dodo Catacutan of SPIN.ph as head of the country’s oldest media organization. The PSA election of officers was held during its general assembly on Tuesday at the Amelie Hotel-Manila. Named as part of Talao’s new set of officers

were Rey Lachica of Tempo (first vice president), Francis Ochoa of Philippine Daily Inquirer (second vice president), Jasmine Payo of Rappler (secretary), Joe S. Antonio of People’s Journal (treasurer), Gerry Ramos of SPIN.ph (assistant treasurer) and Abac Cordero of the Philippine Star (auditor). Tribune sports editor Aldrin Cardona has been appointed as chairman of the PSA Board. The induction of officers will be held during the PSA Forum on April 9 also at the Amelie Hotel-Manila.

Sports BusinessMirror

| Friday, April 5, 2019 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

CANADIAN captain Marie-Philip Poulin says the game’s biggest names must form a united front when tournament ends in mid-April.

LEGEND PELÉ IN HOSPITAL P

ARIS—Soccer great Pelé was hospitalized in Paris on Wednesday because of a urinary infection following a meeting with Kylian Mbappe in the French capital, his spokesman said. Pepito Fornos told The Associated Press the three-time World Cup champion will be in hospital for up to two days. “He was a little shaky, and they detected a urinary infection,” Fornos said. He added that Pelé had a fever and is being treated with antibiotics, but “it is all under control.” “Doctors want him to stay in hospital [for] one or two days so he can leave fully recovered,” Fornos added. He did not specify which hospital Pelé was being treated in. Earlier, Brazilian TV network Globo said Pelé had a cold and was medicated at his hotel on Tuesday. He woke up still feeling ill and was taken to a hospital on Wednesday. The 78-year-old Pelé and Mbappe, the French forward who has drawn comparisons with the Brazilian great after helping France win the World Cup last summer as a teenager, met as part of their ambassador roles for a Swiss watchmaker. Pelé has frequently been admitted to hospitals in the last few years for kidney and prostate procedures. In November 2014 the Brazilian great stayed in a Sao Paulo hospital for two weeks, including some time in intensive care, because of a urinary-tract infection. At the time, his Brazilian doctors said intensive care was needed because of excessive inflammation in his body caused by the infection. Pelé’s meeting with Mbappe had initially been planned for last November but was postponed because of the Brazilian’s poor health at the time. AP

SPOO, Finland—Some of the top women’s hockey players in the world are vowing to use their voices to shape the future of the sport in North America after the six-team Canadian Women’s Hockey League (CWHL) announced it is shutting down after 12 seasons at the end of this month. The CWHL announcement on Sunday was followed just two days later by word that the National Women’s Hockey League planned to establish teams in Canada’s two largest cities, Toronto and Montreal, by next season. The NWHL currently has five teams, all in the US. The rapid-fire developments came as players from both leagues gathered in Finland for the world championships, which start on Thursday. Eighteen of 23 players on Canada’s roster, six from the US, and two each from Finland and Japan played in the CWHL this past season. Canadian captain Marie-Philip Poulin, a threetime CWHL MVP with Les Canadiennes de Montreal, said the game’s biggest names must form a united front when tournament ends in mid-April. “When the time comes, we’re going to

SAVING WOMEN’S HOCKEY

stick together,” Poulin told The Canadian Press on Wednesday. “Obviously there’s going to be two weeks now where we’re going to focus on the world championship. It’s going to be huge for us for the next couple months to come out strong and stick together. Not only Canada, but the US, Finland, Sweden, everyone.” Calls for one women’s professional league in North America have increased over the last year. One league’s dissolution opens that door, but is women’s hockey ready walk through it? “I hope so,” said American forward Hilary Knight, who was Poulin’s linemate in Montreal. “It’s no secret that resources were getting dispersed between two leagues.” For the players who have put time, energy and sweat into their CWHL team, the loss of the league felt like a heavy price to pay. Canadian forward Brianne Jenner hoisted the Clarkson Cup trophy a week before the CWHL declared its demise. Her Calgary Inferno beat Les Canadiennes, 5-2,

in Toronto. “I think the reason we’re all so devastated our league is gone is because we love it so much,” Jenner said. “We’re focused on this tournament right now, but certainly as an international player group, we have a lot to think about in the offseason. I think our power comes from being united as a group.” The Americans have experience flexing their collective power. Prior to the 2017 world championship on home ice in Michigan, the US players threatened to boycott the tournament if USA Hockey didn’t provide more financial and competitive support for the national women’s team. They won several concessions from their federation. “As long as our national team girls, the US and Canada, are sticking together, I think it shows a lot,” said US forward Brianna Decker, who played for the Inferno this past season. “I think what we’re striving for is one league. It’s disappointing about the CWHL. They put so

much work and effort into growing our sport and growing our game. I hope that something bigger and better [is coming]. There obviously is a lot of unknown right now.” While the NWHL declared its interest in the Toronto and Montreal markets, the general managers from the six CWHL clubs said in a statement that “there are currently no negotiations occurring between any former CWHL teams and the NWHL.” The prospect of losing what the Les Canadiennes have built in Montreal worries Caroline Ouellette. The four-time Olympic gold medalist played for Les Canadiennes before retiring last year and stepping behind the bench. She is one of Canada’s assistant coaches in Espoo. “The saddest thing for me is thinking about my GM and everything she’s done for 12 years and not knowing what’s going to happen for her,” Ouellette said. “I’m know I’m going to keep pushing so we can keep Les Canadiennes in Montreal and keep having the organization that we’ve had.” She echoed the need for top players to get involved as soon as possible to get the league they want. “I think 100 percent the players know they are the ones holding the power,” Ouellette said. “They know the game is going to take the direction that they want it to take.” AP

THE Alliance of American Football league was well financed and for real—and ready to put on a show for a country supposedly starved for more football.

PELÉ has urinary infection. AP

‘Just another bad bet for everyone involved’ By Tim Dahlberg The Associated Press

HARLIE EBERSOL was sure his new football league was different, even as it ventured into the dark hole that had swallowed up ventures like his before. I talked to him in November, before uniforms had even been ordered and one game had aired. The Alliance of American Football (AAF) league was well financed and for real, he said, and ready to put on a show for a country supposedly starved for more football. “There is a massive amount of people in this country who watch only one sport on television, and that league [the NFL] only plays a set period of time,” Ebersol said. “They stop watching sports on TV the day after the Super Bowl and don’t come back until the NFL [National Football League] returns.” It all sounded good, maybe too good. Ebersol talked about television contracts, 50 people already working on technology alone in the league’s San Francisco office and a gambling deal with MGM Resorts that would take advantage of the explosion in sports betting around the country. A little more than four months later, it’s a wrap for the AAF. Put together in little more than a year, the league lasted only eight weeks.

Turns out Americans weren’t all that hungry for spring football, at least the second-tier product put on the field by the AAF. The market for minor league spring football was minuscule, if not nonexistent. And a league that claimed to have learned from the past will become another case study for those in the future. The question now becomes, is Vince McMahon paying attention? The WWE chief honcho plans to unveil the latest pro football league next spring under the banner of the XFL, another failed league. According to published reports, McMahon recently sold $272 million worth of WWE stock to fund the effort and plans to invest as much as $500 million to keep it going in its formative years. Big money, and even bigger plans. For less than the price of an NFL franchise, McMahon envisions owning an entire league. But will he build one that people care about enough to actually watch? Well, as I pointed out in November after talking to Ebersol, the track record says no. A look in the stands at any of the AAF games should make any potential investor—or player—in a new league cautious. A look at the television ratings should send them fleeing to the next big thing somewhere else far, far away. The AAF wasn’t exactly a grand experiment, no matter what its founders said. Recent history is littered with leagues like the USFL,

XFL and WFL that launched to great fanfare only to go under amid fan indifference and financial sinkholes. Spring football doesn’t work, and minor league football isn’t an appealing product. No one can go head to head with the NFL and, as the AAF found out, no one particularly cares about the NFL’s castoffs. The marketing genius of the WWE isn’t enough to overcome that. Neither is sports betting, which AAF had counted on to ensure the league’s survival. The AAF was supposed to be different, but it really wasn’t. Take away celebrity coaches Steve Spurrier and Mike Singletary, and there wasn’t a recognizable face in the league for fans. The game plan wasn’t to take on the NFL, but rather to become a development league for it. But the NFL wasn’t terribly interested, and its players’ union didn’t embrace the idea of players taking a beating over two seasons instead of one. The AAF got a temporary lifeline with a cash infusion from Tom Dundon, who also owns the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes. But in the end, Dundon’s deep pockets weren’t enough as it became apparent that the league model simply wasn’t going to work. And the dream of Ebersol and cofounder Bill Polian, the former NFL executive who built a Super Bowl winner with Indianapolis, was over barely two months after it began.

What we think we become

EAR God, help us in this line, what we think we become. Fill our thoughts with peace, unity, solidarity, compassion, forgiveness and spiritual prosperity. May You give us enough grace to be worthy children of Yours to animate others with these beautiful thoughts in Jesus name. Amen. GIVE US THIS DAY SHARED BY LUISA LACSON, HFL Word&Life Publications • teacherlouie1965@yahoo.com

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos • lifestylebusinessmirror@gmail.com

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NEW JAPAN ERA TO BE CALLED ‘REIWA,’ OR PURSUING HARMONY D4

Friday, April 5, 2019

ZACHARY LEVI MAKES SUPERHEROES FUN AGAIN IN

‘SHAZAM!’ W

E all have a superhero inside us...it just takes a bit of magic to bring it out. In Billy Batson’s (Asher Angel) case, by shouting out one word— SHAZAM!—this streetwise 14-year-old foster kid can turn into the adult superhero Shazam (Zachary Levi), courtesy of an ancient wizard. Still a kid at heart—inside a ripped, godlike body—Shazam revels in this adult version of himself by doing what any teen would do with superpowers: have fun with them! Can he fly? Does he have x-ray vision? Can he shoot lightning out of his hands? Can he skip his social studies test? Shazam sets out to test the limits of his abilities with the joyful recklessness of a child. But he’ll need to master these powers quickly in order to fight the deadly forces of evil controlled by Dr. Thaddeus Sivana (Mark Strong). Zachary Levi, whose credits include the hit series Chuck and Heroes Reborn, stars as the titular DC superhero of New Line Cinema’s origin story Shazam! Director David F. Sandberg says Levi’s passion and youthful nature were vital in his casting. “It was important to find someone who could feel like a kid in a grown-up’s body. I think a mistake a lot of people make when grown-ups try to play kids is that they just sort of lower the IQ, just play it dumber. Kids aren’t dumber, they’re just inexperienced, and more enthusiastic about life. And they don’t have the filter that a lot of adults have. So that’s what we were looking for and what we absolutely found in Zachary Levi.” Levi was thrilled with the opportunity to tap into the 14-year-old in him. “I don’t want to say I’m a manchild,” he jokes, “but I happen to be an enthusiastic, hopeful, energy-filled type of person. So, to show up on set and get to play this character, Shazam, and fly around and fight bad guys? I was totally in! I was so eager to shoot every scene of this film, to be able to bring not just a really badass superhero to life, but one who has so much heart and charm and humor.” You’re a self-professed nerd, so what has this journey, playing Shazam, been like for you? The wish fulfillment that the movie is about is the same wish fulfillment that’s been in my own life. It’s so incredible. It’s so incredible to have loved superheroes and comics and videogames and all that stuff for so long, always dreaming like, “Oh, you know, maybe I’ll get a shot at playing a bona fide superhero one day.” And then being 37 and being like, “I don’t know. Maybe I missed my shot.” And now getting to do that. There were a couple of roles over the years that I wished I auditioned for, or that I came close

to and I didn’t get. Then having gotten this role and having played this 14-year-old inside? I wouldn’t change it for anything. I feel like it was destined to be, because I’m just kind of a big man-child (laughs) in a lot of ways. So, it worked out perfectly for me, and yeah, it’s just been very dreamy. What are the attributes of Shazam that inspire you? His heart. Ultimately the Wizard chooses Billy Batson to be Earth’s mightiest mortal, Shazam, because of his heart, because of the strength and purity and depth of his heart, traits that even Billy doesn’t know he has. I love characters like that. I think we need more of them. I think that we need to be inspiring people to be more selfless and more thoughtful of their fellow man. And I just really love being able to bring those types of characters to life. I try to walk as upright as I can in life and try to do as much good in life as I can, and so I love that about him. But also, that he’s 14 and just gets to be kind of silly and young at heart. And then of course all of the actual superhero stuff, like super strength, and super speed, and flying and shooting electricity out of my hands! He has a lot of cool powers. Yeah, he’s stacked! There are so many really fun things that—when you’re making the movie—require a lot of visual effects, which are done later. But just to imagine it, just in the moment when I was doing it, it was a lot of fun. One of the things that’s unusual about this film is that there are two actors playing one character. How did you work that out with Asher Angel and your director David F. Sandberg? It was mostly with David because Asher was still shooting his television show when we were starting production on the movie. So, Ash and I got a couple of days of some meetings, having a meal, getting to know each other and some rehearsals with David. And then he had to go and was shooting the show and I was making the movie, and then we were never really on set together. So then you’re trusting your director to be the connective tissue, to make sure it’s all there. But that’s what you’re doing with the director any time, because they’re the ones seeing all the pieces. We’re just there to provide what our services are at any given point. And Asher is such a great kid. So was Jack (Dylan Grazer, as Billy’s best friend and ultimate superhero enthusiast, Freddy). I was so grateful to go

and work with genuinely good, talented kids who’ve got good families, too. That was really a treat. Jack is really the perfect sidekick and the only way your character is going to learn about being Shazam. Oh, yeah, he’s like, you know, my little Yoda almost. He’s the real superhero aficionado, so he’s the one who knows about all of them and their powers. He has studied them. He’s enthralled with it all, whereas Billy’s sole purpose and drive in life is “Find my parents, find my parents, find my parents,” and just surviving on the streets. He’s not tracking the superhero world as much as Freddy is, so to have that coach, that guy in my corner, teaching me the ropes and telling me about all the various things that these superheroes can do, or testing out different powers...I mean, there’s so much comedy in all of it and so much fun in all of that stuff. It was one of my favorite parts of doing the movie. And Freddy is his first real friend, isn’t he? Yeah, basically, because Billy’s been kicking around in and out of foster care in different homes, running away and on the street. And this is the first family that he’s really kind of sticking around in a little bit, and finding somebody who’s of the same age and a peer, and that they can bond over this thing for sure. Every superhero has to look like that they can kick anyone’s butt, so what was your training regimen like to look the part and to do all the stunts, too? I’m really grateful that nobody at Warner Bros., DC, New Line said you’ve got to be in a certain shape to do this, as far as physical appearance. But they did say they wanted to make sure that I could physically do all the things that they were going to need me to do, to which I was like, “Yeah, yeah, me too.” But beyond that, I also wanted to look as much the part as I could for just my own confidence and my own kind of journey as a man, and as an actor filling the shoes of this character. I wanted to go and have a transformation. So, I’ve been in the gym basically six days a week for certainly the last year, maybe even a little bit longer, 14 months or so, eating thousands and thousands of calories a day. That’s actually the hardest part of it. The gym I’m addicted to and I love, and I can’t wait to get to the gym every day. I just feel, even from a mental health perspective, it’s so healthy for you. I’m stronger and healthier than I’ve ever been in my life, lifting more and more, and getting

more and more definition in my body. Going to the gym literally releases so many healthy endorphins and makes your head and your heart feel so much better. The entire transformation has been really, really awesome, and I keep going. I probably weigh about 220 pounds now, and I was 200 pounds when I started, so I put on about 20 pounds. Somehow, in the back of my mind, I always believed that I was going to get a job one day and they were going to pay me to get into the best shape of my life! Shazam is not only the name of the character and the title of the film, but it’s the magic word that makes that transformation happen. If you could say a magic word in your real life, what would you want to happen? Oh gosh. I always take these questions way too seriously. But literally, if I could say a magic word and anything could happen, I would say a magic word and we would legitimately be at peace as human beings, and we would feel love and empathy for one another all the way around the world. We would be free of our fears and our insecurities, and not be dealing with the anger and the hate that comes from the fears that we deal with. I think that’s why we have all the problems that we have in the world right now, there’s just a lot of fear. And that fear is used by certain people to wield power, and even that is coming out of their own insecurities and fears. So, if I could snap my fingers or say a word, I would erase all of that. That actually plays into the film’s storyline, with the Seven Deadly Sins and the villainous Dr. Sivana and what he wants. Oh, yeah. The depth of the themes in this movie were one of the things that I loved the most about it. As a spiritual person, getting to play a hero with a pure heart who is tasked with defeating sin is like, “Let’s do it! Let’s go take down Sloth and Greed and Envy and Pride and all of these things that are screwing with our heads and our hearts.” And what if we did that? What if we could do that? In a movie context, it’s great to be able to tell stories like that, but I want to be able to use this and the platform that comes with this movie to genuinely talk about that and to keep building empathy with people. If nothing else, I hope my life’s work is building bridges and building empathy and having people love more, because it’s pertinent and applicable all through time. It’s the human condition. n Now playing in Philippine cinemas, Shazam! is distributed in the Philippines by Warner Bros., a WarnerMedia Company.

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Friday, April 5, 2019

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Today’s Horoscope By Eugenia Last

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Pharrell Williams, 46; Mike McCready, 53; Mitch Pileggi, 67; Agnetha Faltskog, 69.

16TH CMA national winner Erwin Ramos and Citi Philippines CEO Aftab Ahmed

CITI Philippines Public Affairs Head Lisa Coory, BSP Deputy Governor Chuchi Fonacier and BSP Inclusive Finance Advocacy Office Concurrent Head Pia Roman Tayag

CMA Youth Microentrepreneur of the Year Mary Grace Bayalas and Ahmed

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Emotions will flare up easily, leaving you at a loss this year if you don’t use charm, strategy and intelligence in order to keep the peace and wheedle your way to getting what you want. Opportunity is within reach as long as you are willing to give an inch and negotiate with finesse. Offers will have strings attached. Your lucky numbers are 3, 11, 18, 24, 32, 41, 45.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Listen, but don’t reveal how you feel or what you think. Your power will come from knowledge, not from offering too much personal information. Don’t be fooled by someone who makes you an offer that is impractical. Avoid joint ventures. HHH

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Catch up. Take care of unfinished projects you’ve been putting off. Put your energy to good use in order to avoid getting into a scrappy situation that is likely to unfold should you have too much idle time. HHH

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Look for a straightforward approach to getting what you want. If you aren’t prepared, you’ll end up in a precarious position. Too much of anything will backfire, costing you physically, mentally or financially. HHHH CMA regional winner for Luzon Maria Elena Estadola and MCPI Chairman Fr. Jovic Lobrigo

CMA regional winner for Visayas Rosario Amoroto and Joey Concepcion

CMA regional winner for Mindanao Arnold Viado and Marixi Rufino-Prieto

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Don’t let the small stuff get to you. Concentrate on creativity, using your imagination and making the most of the relationships that are important to you. Keep your life simple, and don’t complicate matters by sharing too much or being indulgent. HH

Celebrating success amid adversity e

N inspiring celebration of success took place to award the nine winners of the 16th Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards (CMA), an undertaking of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Citi Foundation and the Microfinance Council of the Philippines Inc. which honors outstanding Filipino micro business owners across the country. Winners were formally feted and honored in a ceremony held at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila recently. The Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards has, since its inception, remained steadfast in its mission of raising awareness on the transformative power

of microentrepreneurship and microfinancing, serving as tools in poverty alleviation. Accepting the top award was Erwin Ramos of Bulacan, producer of fishballs and other processed products. Ramos was joined by other awardees: Maria Elena Estadola, handicrafts business owner, regional awardee for Luzon; Rosario Amoroto, calamansi processing business owner, regional awardee for the Visayas; Arnold Viado, balut producer, regional awardee for Mindanao; and Mary Grace Bayalas, midwife and owner of a birthing home, youth microentrepreneur of the year. For the special awards, the recipients were Estrella Balnao, a coffee farmer and producer, and

Romeo Ponio, a corn and vegetable farmer, both taking home the recognition for agri micro business. The special award for community leadership went to Jessette Oquendo, owner of a pasalubong center for Palawan crafts, while Marisa Ganding, a spa and wellness center owner, received the special award for start-up micro business. Extolling the value of unwavering perseverance, hard work, and innovation displayed by the winners, Citi Philippines CEO Aftab Ahmed in his welcome remarks said that Citi is “honored to recognize and celebrate successful entrepreneurs whose perseverance, determination and conviction to pursue their dreams

serve as an inspiration to others.” BSP Deputy Governor Chuchi Fonacier underscored how the CMA program “has served as a vehicle to encourage other aspiring microentrepreneurs nationwide and to spread the message that through the value and nobility of hard work, anything is possible.” Furthermore, she noted the CMA’s role in bolstering the BSP’s agenda of fostering an inclusive financial system, where no one, especially the poorest of the poor, is left behind. Also present to give out the prizes were distinguished National Selection Committee members Marixi RufinoPrieto and Joey Concepcion and MCPI Chairman Fr. Jovic Lobrigo. n

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Question everything and everyone. Get to the bottom of any situation you face by going directly to the source. Partnerships are what you make of them. Strive for equality and much will be accomplished. Romance is in the stars. HHH

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Keep busy. If you have too much time on your hands, emotional issues will surface that will cause havoc at home. Activities that help ease anxiety and stress will alleviate pressure and encourage success. HHH

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You’ve got plenty going for you. Take a leap forward and pay attention to how you can use your talents skillfully. Changes at home and between you and the friends and people you love most will give you a brighter outlook. HHH

Brewing a culture of creativity ANTONIO AGUIRRE JR. with Heineken Group Marketing Manager Christian Aguilar

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Channel your energy. Don’t let someone sidetrack you into putting your time and effort into something that will benefit him or her instead of you. Know what you want, stay focused and don’t stop until you reach your goal. HHHHH

THE official launch of the second Heineken Star Collection kicked off with an electrifying celebration that boasted an eclectic lineup, from social-media influencers to celebrities and streetwear purveyors. Recently held at Glass Space (formerly M Café) in Makati City, the Star Collection wasn’t your ordinary party; it was a salute to homegrown talents and the Filipino creativity community that has gotten bigger and stronger over the years. Now available everywhere around these parts, the Star Collection features another limited-edition capsule of pieces, and this time in collaboration with Sole Slam founder Antonio Aguirre Jr., with designs that showcase the cool vibrancy of the Filipino youth culture, Aguirre’s artistic style, and the collective passion of the creative community—altogether weaving Heineken’s world-class spirit into a new street style zeitgeist. Christian Aguilar, group marketing manager of Heineken Philippines, has taken the lead to express the brand’s excitement to be able to cocreate another artist collaboration. “[Last year’s Star Collection] really showed us what the potential of our local talents looks like, and why Filipino

creativity deserves a place on the global stage,” Aguilar enthused. “So we [at Heineken] took that, and wondered, ‘How can we make it bigger and better in the coming year?’ That question has led us to Antonio whose body of work is a perfect match to Heineken and to take the Star Collection to the next level,” Aguilar added. It is this shared drive to keep doing better, celebrating more talent and innovation that served as mutual understanding between Heineken and Antonio Aguirre Jr., who admitted that when he was offered to do the Star Collection, he felt a mix of nerves and excitement. “[Heineken] just does so well with these kinds of projects,” Aguirre explained. “So I was a little nervous, and at the same time really excited for the opportunity.” Casual but dynamic in statements and motifs, the Heineken Star Collection brings to the spotlight the Filipino’s uncompromising creative ingenuity. This shared spirit of individuality, art, and partnership transcends across oceans, from the Dutch heritage brewery to the tropical paradise of the Philippines.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Trust and believe in yourself. If you waffle or think that someone knows more, you will end up being taken advantage of when you should be doing your own thing and expanding your interests. HHHHH

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Change begins within. It doesn’t matter what others do; what matters is how you conduct your life and the way you go about getting what you want. Use your imagination. Be innovative to reach your goal. HH

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Take the initiative to do things your way. Making changes at home that are geared toward family fun or starting a creative project will get you moving in the right direction.HHHH

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Think before taking action. If you are too aggressive, it may lead to injury or insult. You’ll accomplish the most if you use your intelligence, intuition and ability to earn the support of people who have something you want in return. HHH BIRTHDAY BABY: You are friendly, observant and communicative. You are reflective and fervent.

‘holding hands’ BY IAN STEWART AND WILL NEDIGER The Universal Crossword/Edited by David Steinberg

ACROSS 1 “Honey” 5 Type of radio 9 Bronze medalist’s place 14 Farm team? 15 ___ Land 16 Managua mister 17 Vessel, or poker lingo for 18-Across’ hand 18 Amerika author (see letters 3, 6, 7, 9 and 10) 20 Bother 22 Keen on 23 Alabama senator Jones 24 Statistical average 26 Pride sound 28 Paella relative (1, 2, 5, 7, 9) 32 Campus areas, or 28-Across’ hand 36 Pulp Fiction star Thurman 37 “Present!” 38 Lose track of 39 Roberts of romance 41 Bounced off 43 An English one is wood, a French one brass 44 Production measure

6 “Forbidden” perfume 4 48 Juice box brand 49 Stumbles, or 50-Across’ hand 50 Many Java residents (1, 2, 3, 4, 7) 52 Actor Jared 54 Sharp quality 55 Cab 58 Caesar quote center 60 Two under par 64 Citrus spread (1, 4, 6, 8, 9) 67 Couple, or 64-Across’ hand 68 Classical theater 69 Croft of video games 70 Eggs ___ easy 71 Certain trig ratios 72 Honcho 73 Rare diving scores DOWN 1 Tapioca balls in milk tea 2 Nerve cell part 3 Black or pinto tidbit 4 Bury, as a mummy 5 E.T. of 1980s TV 6 Tomato sauce 7 Spanish custard dessert 8 One is often repeated

9 “Ba-a-ad!” syllable 10 Result of standing too quickly 11 Data, for short 12 Apple TV alternative 13 Bummer 19 Bronx attraction 21 “___, right!” 25 Paying attention 27 Stat affected by smog 28 Author Diaz (sounds like Alaska’s capital) 29 French for “love” 30 Cuban poet Jose 31 Gossipy sort 33 50th state greeting 34 Bobby who sang “Splish Splash” 35 Matches up 38 “I goofed!” 40 Sewing art 42 Cookie sheets, say 45 Take advantage of 47 Inclination 50 Push in a throng 51 “I’m a Little ___” 53 Aunt, to Alejandra 55 Boxing victories, briefly

6 A8 automaker 5 57 Wolverine’s superhero team 59 “Stronger than dirt!” product 61 Donated 62 Property claim 63 Drops the ball 65 Sounds of uncertainty 66 PC’s archrival Solution to yesterday’s puzzle:

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Loughlin, Huffman due in court in college admissions scam BOSTON—Actresses Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman are expected in court on Wednesday to face charges that they participated in a wide-ranging college admissions cheating scam. The actresses, along with Loughlin’s fashion designer husband Mossimo Giannulli and dozens of others, were charged last month in a scheme in which authorities say parents paid an admissions consultant to bribe college coaches and rig test scores to get their children into elite universities. Neither Huffman nor Loughlin and Giannulli has publicly commented on the allegations. They and other parents are scheduled to make their first appearances in Boston’s federal court. Loughlin, who played Aunt Becky on the sitcom Full House in the 1980s and 1990s, and Giannulli are accused of paying $500,000 to have their two daughters labeled as recruits to the University of Southern California crew team, even though neither participated in the sport. Giannulli, whose Mossimo clothing had long been a Target brand, is also scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday. The Hallmark Channel—where Loughlin starred in popular holiday movies and the series When Calls the Heart— cut ties with Loughlin a day after her arrest. Loughlin and Giannulli’s daughter, social-media star Olivia Jade Giannulli, has also been dropped from advertising deals with cosmetics retailer Sephora and hair products company TRESemmé. Huffman, the Emmy-winning star of ABC’s Desperate Housewives, is accused of paying $15,000 that she disguised as a charitable donation to cheat on her daughter’s college entrance exam. Among the other parents expected in the Boston court on Wednesday is Gordon Caplan, former cochairman of the international law firm Willkie Farr & Gallagher, based in New York. Caplan is accused of paying $75,000 to get a test supervisor to correct the answers on his daughter’s ACT exam after she took it. Caplan’s firm said after his arrest that he has been placed on a leave of absence. The consultant at the center of the scheme, Rick Singer, has pleaded guilty and is cooperating with investigators. Former Yale women’s soccer Coach Rudy Meredith has also pleaded guilty. Several coaches have pleaded not guilty, including tennis Coach Gordon Ernst who’s accused of getting $2.7 million in bribes to designate at least 12 applicants as recruits to Georgetown. AP

TOPHER GRACE, Marcel Ruiz, Chrissy Metz and Josh Lucas

‘BREAKTHROUGH’ TESTAMENT OF MOTHERS’ BOUNDLESS LOVE, POWER OF PRAYER

THE adage “love and prayers can move mountains” once again proves true in the upcoming Breakthrough faith-based movie which is also based on true events. Considered by its filmmakers a “modern-day resurrection story,” Breakthrough puts the power of prayer and a mother’s undying love for her son at the core of the movie when a boy is pronounced dead but defies experts when he miraculously comes back to life after her mother utters an earnest prayer. Also produced by basketball star Stephen Curry, Breakthrough is based on a true story of a mother, Joyce Smith (from whose book, initially published as The Impossible, where the movie was based), who prayed her son back to life after he fell through a frozen lake and died, and how this miracle impacted an entire community. John Smith was underneath the ice for 15 minutes, with no oxygen. When EMS workers rescued him, he had no pulse. They rushed him to the emergency room and worked on him for another 45 minutes. The doctors could not bring him back to life. When they brought Joyce (Chrissy Metz) into the emergency room and she saw her son John (Marcus Ruiz) laid out on the table, dead, instead of saying goodbye, she grabbed his feet and said, “Holy Spirit please bring back my son right now!” Immediately, the EKG machine began going off. Written in the medical record: “Patient dead, mother prayed, patient came back to life.” Producer DeVon Franklin explains, “When you’re underwater for that amount of time with no oxygen, the chances of medically recovering are slim to none. And so, for John to have no brain damage, no eye damage, no lung damage, for everything to have been healed, it’s medically unheard of. For these reasons, they called it a medical miracle.” He continues, “The thing that was so powerful to me and one of the reasons why I wanted to do the film is because of how the community rallied around John. This is a modern-day resurrection story. God is operating in miracles every day, but sometimes we’re so focused in our day-to-day that we don’t see them. This movie, and the story of John Smith, and Joyce Smith and Pastor Jason, I believe will remind people that miracles are still happening. It will remind us of the power of prayer.” Ahead of worldwide release, Breakthrough opens on April 10 in Philippine cinemas nationwide from 20th Century Fox.

Friday, April 5, 2019

What makes MayWard different MAYMAY ENTRATA and Edward Barber

GAB FAB JET VALLE

@jetvalle

AM baffled by the phenomenon called “MayWard.” For your information, MayWard is the portmanteau of the names of MayMay Entrata and Edward Barber. And again FYI, portmanteau is a word blending the sounds and combining the meanings of two others, for example motel (from “motor” and “hotel”) or brunch (from “breakfast” and “lunch”). That is according to Wikipedia. As one of my favorite bloggers, Jover Laurio, would often write, Mag-Google din kasi paminsan-minsan. MayWard is indeed a force to reckon with in showbiz today. Almost everyday, they trend on social media. Whether it’s because they appeared in a magazine cover, or guested in a show or topbilled a movie, their fans are overzealous. It is because of this popularity that Star Records decided to tap the tandem to churn out singles for the label. MayMay veers from her usual funny image and releases a mellow single, titled “Kakayanin Kaya.” According to the pundits of Star Records, it’s a song that describes a young woman who “hesitates to whether stay or let go.” Not to be outdone, Edward serenades with “No One Else,” a track that talks about a person waiting for the right time to confess his feelings. Both songs are available in digital stores. I have listened to the songs and while I am 100 percent sure it will not win a Grammy Award, I know the songs will be a hit as they possess a certain naivete, a charm even that is easy to the ears. Their lyrics are simplistic actually, adding to their accessibility to everyone who has felt confusion when it comes to love. And of course, there are their fans. I’m sure the MayWard followers will not take the release of their singles sitting down. As usual, they would have the fervor to download and or stream those songs until the batteries of their devices are drained. I have tried to decipher why their fans are so devoted and it brought me back to a time when I worked with the tandem in an event for a multinational company. It was a meet-and-greet of various celebrities. The other artists were there with their usual courtesy, smiling, shaking the hands of their fans, and sometimes indulging their fans for a selfie or two. But not MayWard. MayMay and Edward were highly interactive. When fans would enter their area to meet the loveteam, they would shriek and MayMay would playfully shriek along with them! When two young girls were jumping up and down in excitement, MayMay rushed off to them and jumped along with them. Edward, meanwhile, would engage them in conversation, and the way he talked to them, you

would think these fans were his long lost relatives. And all of them had a selfie with the loveteam. Not a group selfie with the pair but as in a solo with MayWard. I asked them about their being extra friendly to the fans and Edward just shrugged, “It’s the least that we can do for their being always there for us. We are genuinely grateful for them.” Such is the love of MayWard for their fans. That’s why it is no surprise that their fans love them back. And rightfully and deservedly so. nnn ABS-CBN executives Robert Labayen and Ging Reyes are taking on new roles as jury members of the New York Festivals Television and Film Competition. They join other award-winning industry experts from all over the world in judging the entries to the

prestigious competition. After taking home three medals last year, ABSCBN is up for three more awards this year at the New York Festivals TV and Film Competition. Its current affairs program Mission Possible is a finalist in the Best Public Affairs Program category. The promo plug for the nominated Mission Possible episode also earned a nomination in the Station/Image Promotion category, while ABS-CBN’s DocuCentral’s Local Legends also made it to the final round of judging in the Biography/ Profiles category. The New York Festival’s World’s Best TV and Film Competition honors programming in all lengths and forms from over 50 countries with categories that mirror today’s global trends, and encourages the next generation of storytellers and talent. n

GMA wins big at the 50th Box Office Entertainment Awards BROADCAST giant GMA Network Inc. (GMA) received honors from the Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation (GMMSF) at the recently concluded 50th Box Office Entertainment Awards held at Star Theater, Pasay City. Among the big GMA winners were Marian Rivera, who received the Bert Marcelo Lifetime Achievement Award; Stories for the Soul host and Sen. Manny Pacquiao, who took home the Global Achievement by a Filipino Award; and Superstar Nora Aunor, who received the Corazon Samaniego Lifetime Achievement Award. Dingdong Dantes was hailed as one of the Phenomenal Stars of Philippine Cinema. Dennis Trillo brought home the coveted Film Actor of the Year award. Versatile actress Glaiza de Castro won the TV Actress of the Year (Daytime Drama) award for the afternoon soap Contessa, while the multitalented Ken Chan was hailed as the TV Actor of the Year (Daytime Drama) for his outstanding performance in the wellloved drama series My Special Tatay. The lead stars of GMA’s newest epic drama series Sahaya, Bianca Umali and Miguel Tanfelix, received the Most Popular Loveteam for Television award. Award-winning comedienne and Dear Uge host Eugene Domingo took home the Comedy Actress for Television plum, while veteran actress and Pepito Manaloto star Nova Villa bagged the Movie Supporting Actress of the Year award. Queen of Philippine Movies and Daig Kayo Ng Lola Ko’s host Gloria Romero received the Golden Jury Award for All Time Favorite Actress.

GLORIA ROMERO

NORA AUNOR

Fast-rising actress Jo Berry marked a milestone in her career by winning the Most Promising Female Star for Television award for the hit primetime soap Onanay. Inagaw na Bituin lead star Kyline Alcantara won the Promising Female Concert Performer of the Year award, while rap group Ex Battalion went home with the Most Popular Recording/Performing Group award. Eat Bulaga hosts also took home awards. Seasoned actor and TV host Vic Sotto was hailed as one of the Box Office Kings, while Maine Mendoza was recognized as the Box Office Queen. Joining them were Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola and Paolo Ballesteros

GLAIZA DE CASTRO

who were hailed as Comedy Actors of the Year for Movies, and Baeby Baste who received the Most Popular Male Child Performer award. Receiving the Box Office Entertainment Awards nod as well were various GMA programs. Multiawarded magazine show Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho brought home the Popular TV Program (News and Public Affairs) recognition. Top-rating inspirational drama series My Special Tatay was chosen as this year’s Popular TV Program (Daytime Drama), while breakthrough comedy-variety noontime show Sunday Pinasaya received the Popular TV Program (Musical Variety/Noontime/Primetime) prize.

Travel BusinessMirror

Friday, April 5, 2019

www.businessmirror.com.ph

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A CLERK writes the name of new era “Reiwa” on a board.

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JAPAN’S Emperor Akihito (right) accompanied by Crown Prince Naruhito, walks away after greeting wellwishers when they appeared on the balcony of the Imperial Palace to mark the emperor’s 85th birthday.

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PEOPLE watch a TV news report as the name of new era is unveiled.

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A SHOP worker arranges Japanese traditional dolls holding the new era name.

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New Japan era to be called ‘Reiwa,’ or pursuing harmony

BY MARI YAMAGUCHI The Associated Press

OKYO—The era of Japan’s next emperor, which begins on May 1, will be named “Reiwa,” connoting pursuit of harmony, the government said on Monday after selecting the phrase from ancient Japanese poetry instead of Chinese classics as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe promotes national pride. The current “Heisei,” or “achieving peace,” era will end with Emperor Akihito’s abdication on April 30. His son, Naruhito, is to ascend the throne the following day. While a growing number of Japanese prefer the Western calendar over the Japanese system in a highly digitalized and globalized society, era names are still widely used in the government and business documents, and on calendars. Many people use them to identify generations and historical periods. The choice had been kept strictly secret ahead of Monday’s announcement. Abe said the two characters were taken from a poem about plum blossoms in the Manyoshu, a seventh century poetry collection, and mean that “culture is born and nurtured as the people’s hearts are beautifully drawn together.” He said Manyoshu is Japan’s oldest collection of poetry written by both royals and ordinary people, and it was appropriate to choose the name from a book symbolizing Japan’s rich culture and tradition. Abe said the government selected the name “with hopes of making Japan a nation where every person can achieve dreams, like the plum flowers that bloom beautifully after a severe winter to signal the start of spring.” The first character of the era name, “rei,” also means “good” or “beautiful,” while the second, “wa” could mean “peace,” “harmony” or “mild” as in the introduction to a Manyoshu section with poems about plum flowers. “It is now the good month in early spring, the air is fresh and wind is soft. The plums

blossoms are like the white powder of a beauty before a mirror, the fragrance like that which follows the sachet of a noble lady,” it says, describing a scene at a party where people open their hearts. The break from 1,400 years of drawing era names from Chinese classics was expected from Abe’s conservative government, which is often hawkish toward China. Abe and his strongest supporters have campaigned to bolster national pride, which they say was lost because of war guilt taught during the US occupation after Japan’s World War II defeat. Abe also has been pushing to restore an authoritative image of the emperor. “We hope [the era name] will be widely accepted by the people and deeply rooted as part of their daily lives,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said in announcing the name, written with two Chinese characters in black ink calligraphy on a white background. The announcement gives the government, businesses and people only a month to adjust to a change that affects many parts of Japanese society, even though the system is not compulsory and the emperor has no political power under Japan’s postwar constitution. Under a 1979 law, a panel of experts on classical Chinese and Japanese literature was appointed in mid-March to nominate names that met strict criteria, including being easy to read and write but not common. The nominations were presented first to nine outside experts, including Nobel Prize-winning stem-cell scientist Shinya Yamanaka and awardwinning novelist Mariko Hayashi, to present their views and narrow the selection before final approval by the Cabinet. Although some names nominated in the past have come from Japanese classics, none was ever chosen. “I think the first adoption of an era name drawn from Japanese classics under the Abe government, which has the strong backing of conservatives, seems to be quite significant,” said Eiichi Miyashiro, an era name expert and senior editorial staff member at the

Asahi newspaper. Taking the name from a Japanese book stresses the country’s identity, and Manyoshu is a great choice because it is an anthology that documents the people’s own voices, Robert Campbell, head of the National Institute of Japanese Literature in Tokyo, said in an interview with public broadcaster NHK. Discussing and guessing the new era name in advance was not considered a taboo this time because Akihito is abdicating, a highly unusual step. Era name changes are also a time for many Japanese to reflect on the outgoing and incoming periods. “Many Japanese people don’t think of an emperor when they mention an era name. Changes in eras are a rare occasion when people realize the link between the era name and the emperor,” Miyashiro said. The new name seemed well-received. Office worker Yoshiko Sugita, 50, said she liked the name’s second character, wa, which means peace or harmony. “I hope that harmony and peace will also continue in this new era,” she said. Akihito’s Heisei era was the first without war in Japan’s modern history, but is also remembered as a period of lost years caused by economic deflation and natural disasters. Heisei was the first era name decided by the government under the postwar constitution and the emperor had no say over the choice. Still, the government, with its highly secretive and sensitive handling of the process, underscored that “the emperor has power in an invisible, subtle way,” said Hirohito Suzuki, a Toyo University sociologist. Era name changes create a host of business opportunities. Anything dubbed “last of Heisei” attracts Akihito fans, while others wait to submit marriage certificates or file other official registrations until the new era starts. Analysts say the era change, which will extend Japan’s “Golden Week” holiday period to 10 days with the addition of May 1, could buoy tourism and other recreational spending. n AP journalist Haruka Nuga contributed to this report.

Asian flavors showcased in Cebu Pacific’s new preordered meals BEING the centerpiece of practically every celebration, food plays a vital role in Asian culture. As leading carrier Cebu Pacific (www.cebupacificair.com) makes each flight experience a celebration in itself, CEB has come up with a new selection of inflight meals guaranteed to make every passenger’s experience onboard even more gastronomic. Now, all guests aboard Cebu Pacific flights will be able to savor new hot and fresh dishes certain to tickle the taste buds of passengers. Prepared with its new culinary partner, Macroasia SATS Food Industries, the new menu of Cebu Pacific presents a wide array of scrumptious snacks and meals that will surely satisfy passengers’ cravings—be it for Chinese, Japanese or Korean delights. This new menu also includes options for our vegetarian passengers. “As our earlier menu celebrated Filipino classics, we thought it’s time to highlight cuisine from other countries we travel to. We heard what our customers wanted, thus this revamped menu caters to our passengers’ preferences and tastes,” said JB Bueno, director for inflight catering and sales at Cebu Pacific. “Passengers in and out the Philippines fly with Cebu Pacific for our year-round low fares and extensive route network, but we do hope that with these new dishes, we will be able to give our passengers a more memorable experience,” added Bueno.

As the monthlong Super Seat Fest celebration of Cebu Pacific continues, passengers can avail themselves of these new dishes at P100 off, applicable to new and existing bookings from April to September 30. Among the new lineup is Beef Bulgogi—a famous Korean dish that is well-loved by Filipinos as its sweet and savory mixture of soy sauce and sesame oil is a taste close to home. Chicken options have two new twists—one with sweet chilli sauce, and another with Japanese sauce and egg— perfect for those craving for a quick Japanese fix. Those looking for a familiar Chinese dish may enjoy the classic fried rice with dumplings, served with a side of vegetables. The Fish Steak is an ideal option for pescetarians as the boneless milkfish is covered in a tangy sauce seasoned with Philippine lime (calamansi) and onions, served with yellow rice. Vegetarians, on the other hand, can now enjoy Cebu Pacific’s own version of Tofu and Rice Biryani. For quick bites, there’s the Japanese Chicken Mayo Sandwich, a triple-decker sandwich with distinctly flavored coleslaw on black bread; and the Seafood Quiche, an egg tart perfectly baked with bits of crabmeat and egg, and a crispy outer crust. These and the other new onboard meals are available for preorder upon booking a flight, or managing a booked flight on the Cebu Pacific web site. This practice guarantees

that the food is prepared fresh, ensuring a safe and satisfying dining experience. “Our meals being on preorder also guarantees less food wastage in line with our continuous efforts to keep our operations as sustainable as possible,” added Bueno. The new onboard palate pleasers are all Halal-certified, and adhere to the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points system for international food safety. Moreover, the onboard meals come with nutritional and product information, as reference for an increasing number of health-conscious passengers on CEB.

THE famous Korean dish Beef Bulgogi for hungry travelers

TAKE YOUR SEASIDE ESCAPE A NOTCH HIGHER

WITH the summer season in full swing, it’s important to take a quick break once in a while to recharge and appreciate the finer things in life. After juggling work and home responsibilities on weekdays, the weekend seems to be a precious gift, so make these short holidays count and spend some quality time with the people who matter the most— your family. If you are looking for a convenient family getaway, a spacious hangout for big groups and corporate events, a peaceful hideaway from the bustling city, or the perfect venue for a beach wedding, look no further than ACEA Subic Bay (www.aceasubicbay.com) in Zambales province. An accessible drive from the Metro can take you to this private beachfront resort which boasts of sights, comforts, flavors and thrills for every member of your lively brood. “Subic has been one of the go-to vacation spots of many Filipino weekenders in the past years because of its accessibility and attractions. And for those who want a quiet, private beach holiday, ACEA Subic Bay promises a complete resort experience with a refreshing ambiance and impressive amenities that accommodate a variety of interests,” says the hotel’s new general manager, Pamela Robinson. Unlike other public beaches in the area, the resort is an inviting retreat for families who want to enjoy and settle in an exclusive beach resort. Stay in big, beachfront rooms overlooking the sea, and enjoy all the exciting activities available for guests. Facilities also include a playground for children, fitness gym, and a complete range of water sports and activities. Come evening, wind down to a wonderful meal of international dishes at the resort’s restaurant, while taking in the view of the stunning Subic Bay. Nestled in a popular staycation destination in Central Luzon, ACEA Subic Bay offers spectacular views of crystalclear waters, great facilities, and superb customer service as Hospitality Innovators Inc., one of the country’s premier hospitality management firms, becomes the resort’s new managing partner. “We are excited to work with ACEA Subic Bay and have this chance to give our guests the kind of service and hospitality they truly deserve,” says HII Founder and CEO Luis Monserrat. “With our combined effort and dedication, our aim is to create a unique and remarkable resort experience that sets ACEA Subic Bay apart from other resorts in the area,” he adds. Whether you’re looking for an out-of-town vacation destination, conference venue or the perfect wedding location, this pocket of heaven on Earth awaits.

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JAPAN’S Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga unveils the name of new era “Reiwa” at the prime minister’s office in Tokyo.

Motoring BusinessMirror

Henry Ford Awards Best Motoring Section 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 2011 Hall of Fame

Editor: Tet Andolong

Friday, April 5, 2019

SLEEKER front end and more defined flanks

SEXIER rear end

WHEN the sun sets, the all-new Swift shines

THE dark-themed cabinâ€™s new layout with white trims

JUST half of the convoy lined up at Las Casas parking ground. SUZUKI PHILIPPINES

Moto

Business

E2 Friday, April 5, 2019

What women can do ‘Behind The Heel’

NICE AND W

HEN Ford made a comeback in the country in the late 90s, they brought in three of their best-selling models from the US—he F-150 pickup, the Expedition SUV and the Lincoln Town Car. Of the three models, only the Expedition has remained in the lineup of Ford vehicles being sold in the country today, and for a good reason, as the Expedition remains to be in demand for those who are in the market for a full-sized SUV.

DEFENSIVE driving lessons with the Trailblazer Story & photos by Bettina Gayoso

NTER NATIONA L Women’s Month has been celebrated all throughout the month of March. In lieu of this, Chevrolet hosted their #BehindTheHeel event held in Beyond Yoga Westgate, Alabang, recently as a way to celebrate the power and ability of every woman—promoting women safety on and off the road. The event had media partners and social-media fitness influencers participate and attend the event. Activities included were a Krav Maga crash course, as well as a defensive driving lesson held by FlatOut Race Series. I had the pleasure of talking to Lyn Buena, senior vice president and director of marketing services, who helped me understand the message behind their event. Chevrolet is a member-company of General Motors (GM), which spearheaded the removal of the “glass ceiling” for women in the automotive industry, once dominated by males; by appointing America’s first-ever female chairman and CEO of a major automotive company, Mary T. Barra, and CFO, Dhivya Suryadevara. Doing so has paved the way for women to feel more empowered not just in the work force, but in the entire motoring industry. This is what #BehindTheHeel was all about—the event aimed to help women feel more empowered when it came to protecting themselves, on the road and off. The event began with breakfast, some interaction with the guests here and there, followed by a Krav Maga Workshop lead by Coach Dindo de Jesus of IKMF (Krav Maga is a self-defense training system developed for the Israel Defense

CHEVROLET’S #BehindTheHeel group during the International Women’s Month

Forces). The class was able to teach and equip guests with the necessary moves and skills to be executed in the case of an attack. Several of the guests felt exhausted yet empowered at the end of the entire activity. Some of them, being mothers, even considered sending their kids in for a trial class. As for the main affair of the entire day, we were able to test drive both the latest Chevrolet Trailblazer and Chevrolet Colorado. We were given a lecture on tips for defensive driving, from road rules of the language of motoring, to the proper way of parallel parking. Personally, being able to test drive the Trailblazer Z71 was the highlight of my day. The top of the line SUV features Forward Collision Alert, Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross Traffic alert to name a few, along with the other notable features of the classic Trailblazer every driver has come to know and love.

With safety and convenience being Chevrolet’s main priority, the midsize SUV is perfect for your offroad travels, as well as city driving, allowing every driver to feel fully capable and safe on every journey with safety and convenience being Chevrolet’s main priority. I, along with the other women who attended the event, must applaud Chevrolet for having hosted such a brilliant and empowering event. Helping us women to feel fully capable of protecting ourselves on and off the road has allowed us to walk away with a brand new outlook—that whatever our goal is, be it becoming a CEO, running a business or even being able to drive well, we are fully capable of achieving this. “What I always say is, ‘Do every job you’re in like you’re going to do it for the rest of your life, and demonstrate that ownership of it,” Mary T. Barra, chairman and CEO of General Motors.

Honda launches new and improved web site

ONDA Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI), Honda’s automobile business unit in the Philippines is pleased to announce the launch of its new corporate web site. The new web site, with the same URL address of www.hondaphil. com, is now faster, easier to use and navigate, and replete with relevant information that can provide Honda customers with their needs. Featuring a simplified and streamlined design, the new web site offers customers an array of features and tools that can help them with their search for information. These include a model by model page complete with comprehensive specification sheets; up-to-date price list; financial calculator that gives customers an idea of payment schemes for their preferred models; downloadable brochures so customers need not go to dealers in the early stage of their vehicle hunt; dealer locator, which informs customers of the Honda dealerships nearest their location and how to get to those dealerships; and a “contact us” section that will enable customers to communicate with HCPI for any concern.

Story & Photos by Patrick P. Tulfo

The current Expedition is now the fourth generation of the successful SUV, which was marketed in the US in 1997 as a replacement for the Ford Bronco. It is longer, taller and wider than the model it replaced, but it’s not obvious, thanks to its boxy profile and smaller greenhouse area. The front fascia is now similar to its smaller sibling Explorer and F-150, which it was based on. The chrome grille melds with the headlamps, giving it a nice one-piece look. It also highlights the famous blue oval logo in the middle. This design is also carried over in the rear with the chrome bar, where the inscription Expedition written on it, seems to connect with the rather smallish tail lights. The blue oval logo is located above it. The rear spoiler complements the overall boxy profile of the vehicle. The choice of wheel design perfectly matches the elegant look of this SUV. Ford engineers should also be commended for the retractable step board, which only operates when one opens the door handle. They made sure that the step board doesn’t mar the clean side profile of this massive vehicle. Inside, first timers will be perplexed with the number of knobs and switches on the dashboard, steering wheel and the middle. The instrument cluster is probably one of the biggest in the market today, as aside from the usual speedometer, tachometer, gas indicator, engine temperature, oil pressure there is also a gauge for the turbocharger measured in kPa, which shows how much boost the engine is getting depending on how one drives.

Meanwhile, there is no shifter anymore. Instead, the Expedition now features a rotary dial that is now common in Land Rovers, Jaguars and other luxurious vehicles. I didn’t get to try the plus/minus buttons though, which is located just above the rotary dial. This is like the paddle shifters that are usually located just behind the steering wheel. As this is the 4WD version, the 4x4 system is a push button affair. It is similar to the ones found on the Explorer and Everest. The new Expedition comes with a plethora of features that justifies its lofty price. Aside from the sync entertainment system there are heated front seats that can also be cooled, which is a boon in a tropical country like the Philippines. The auto climate control system, with separate controls at the rear, makes short work of the hot interior when the vehicle is left baking in the sun. And one can even start cooling the car even before that, courtesy of the remote starter. Plus, the usual power, everything is a common feature on the past Expedition models—that even includes the third row and a lift gate that also opens via foot sensor located below the rear bumper. But what really sets the Expedition apart from other SUVs from the very beginning is the size. Although this is just an eight-seater, one should remember that this is made for American market—as such it is long and wide. There are acres of space all over. In fact, it can carry as many as ten passengers on short trip with all their stuff, because even if the third row is up, there’s still a humongous space left at the rear for this.

BIGGER and better

IT has one of the busiest dashboards in the market b

Driving the Expedition is a hoot, although one must keep in mind that this is a long and wide vehicle to avoid accidents and miscalculations. Good thing there are sensors on the front, rear plus camera and the sides that aid the driver greatly in piloting this SUV. The 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 Ecoboost engine is the same engine that powers the Explorer, although it is more

MU-X OWNERS EMBARK ON AN EPIC P Aside from car sales-related features, the web site also offers relevant information on after-sales service. These include preventive maintenance schedules and costs, parts checking and replacement guide, programs that customers can avail themselves of to save on their maintenance expenses, and monthly promos. Those who are looking to work for Honda may also visit the Careers section where they can check current job openings and easily submit their résumés. Corporate information are also available for people who might have a need to know more about Honda in the Philippines. Moreover, knowing that most

customers access the Internet through their mobile phones, HCPI has made sure that the new website has a mobile phone-optimized and user-friendly mobile version. “We are thrilled to debut our new company web site to our customers, media, partners and visitors who are looking to learn more about Honda and its products and services,” said Sales Division Head Atty. Louie Soriano. “This web site redesign is part of our commitment of providing the best customer experience whether it’s at our dealerships or in the digital sphere. To experience and explore the new Honda web site, please visit www. hondaphil.com.

ROVING that the Isuzu mu-X SUV provides the power, comfort, and fuel efficiency needed for its drivers and passengers to enjoy epic, long drives, the country’s first Isuzu mu-X club, the mu-X Owners of the Philippines (mu-X OP), successfully concluded a three-day caravan, 1,300km loop of Central and Northern Luzon on March 29 to 31. More than 100 mu-X OP members and their families joining the long caravan of mu-X SUVs, the itinerary included some of the most picturesque destinations in Central and Northern Luzon: Poro Point in San Fernando, La Union; Vigan, Ilocos Sur; Paoay Church in Ilocos Norte; the Burgos and Bangui Windmills; the Patapat Viaduct; the rolling hills of Kalinga province; and Magat Dam in Nueva Ecija. Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC) officers and members of the motoring media joined the fun summer ride on board two 3.0-liter mu-X units and wit-

nessed once more the joy and camaraderie mu-X OP members shared among themselves as they hopped from one breathtaking destination to another. Mu-X OP has been actively engaged in numerous family tours and outreach programs, keeping the fun, friendly, family-centered and neighborly spirit of the club alive and thriving through their use and shared enjoyment of their Isuzu mu-X SUVs. These caravans are also meant to entice other mu-X owners join the Club. Mu-X OP’s Board of Trustee, Jomar Lianko described this latest ride with the club: “Like all our other trips in the past, this latest caravan has been very successful. Our Metro Manila members were joined along the way by other club members based in Central and Northern Luzon. And as you can see, every member of the family enjoyed the tour, despite the length of the trip and the fact that we’re constantly on the road. It

just proves that the Isuzu mu-X is very comfortable and safe that we hear no complaints from the passengers. Plus, the perfect blend of fuel efficiency and power of Isuzu mu-X provides our Club members a worry-free drive and lets them focus more on enjoying the trip.” He added: “With mu-X OP already counting more than 3,000 members nationwide, we envision all mu-X owners in the Philippines to join us. And one way of enticing new members is to show them how active we are in our organized fun tours and various community-building activities.” For their part, IPC officers also expressed their thanks to mu-X OP members, stating that the Club’s various fun and community-building activities exemplify how Isuzu mu-X can be an integral and dependable part of the Filipino motorist’s lifestyle, enticing future mu-X owners to explore the many possible ways they can enjoy their Isuzu vehicle.

oring

sMirror

D MIGHTY

Friday, April 5, 2019

BFSB SEES UP TO 10% HIKE IN AUTO LOANS

BPI Family Savings Bank (BFSB) President Ma. Cristina Go, BPI Family Retail Loans Head Dennis Fronda, Worldbex Founding Chairman Joseph Ang, share a “ride” with representatives of Ayala Automotive affiliates at the photo booth during the media launch of BFSB’s exclusive auto loan deals for the upcoming annual Manila International Auto Show (MIAS). Standing from left: Manny Aligada, president of KIA Motors Philippines, Nona Ong, president of Honda Cars Makati Inc. and Isuzu Automotive Dealership Inc., Dino Santos, president and COO of KTM, and Poopi Estrella, president of Volkswagen Philippines. By Roderick L. Abad

but thanks to excellent ergonomics

powerful with 375 hp and a mind boggling 637 N-m of torque. This is paired with a 10-speed automatic gearbox which can be gleaned on the dashboard. The ride is supple. It still feels connected to the road giving the driver the confidence to drive faster. The engine is more than able to move this vehicle with urgency whenever the driver steps on the accelerator without any

THE 3.5-liter V6 Ecoboost engine that is more powerful and efficient

lag whatsoever. Fuel consumption for city driving hovers between 3.5 to 4.0 kilometer to a liter based on reviews but I feel it’s much higher than that as the engine has an automatic start/stop feature when stuck in traffic. In the highway though, it delivers more than 10 kilometers to a liter if driven at a steady 100 kph. I only

spent P1,080 to bring fuel gauge up to full on our way to Clark in Pampanga where I shot it. If you are interested in the new Expedition, be prepared to pay P4.479 million for lone EL Limited variant that is being sold in the country. If you ask me, that is a paltry sum to pay for such a fine SUV.

C 3-DAY NORTHERN LUZON LOOP

OLLOWING the slack performance of its auto lending business last year, BPI Family Savings Bank (BFSB) expects it to increase by 5 percent to 10 percent in 2019 given the projected recovery of the auto industry on the back of macroeconomic fundamentals and various developments nationwide. “For last year vis-à-vis 2017, the spillover of the TRAIN [Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion] purchases made it possible for us to have a flat growth,” Dennis Fronda, head of BFSB retail lending group, said during the recent launch of the 15th Manila International Auto Show (Mias) in Taguig City. The first tranche of the TRAIN Bill or Republic Act 10963 was signed by President Duterte on December 19, 2017. It was then implemented on January 1, 2018, raising excise taxes on various products, including automobiles, in exchange for lower personal income tax of employees, who earn up to P250,000 annually. “This year, we’re hoping to mirror what the industry is projecting,” he said, while referring to the 10-percent growth in car sales volume in 2019 as projected by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. After a decline of 15 percent in 2018, the auto sector is seen to pick up again due to the country’s better market conditions and other considerations. “Overall outlook on the economy has been quite bullish, with GDP [gross domestic product] growth at around 6.8 percent to 6.9 percent

in the next three years,” said BFSB President Ginbee L. Go. She noted that this and other factors, such as the government’s “Build, Build, Build” program, stable inflation leading to steady interest rates, and sustained launches of more affordable car models, lead the industry to have “very positive prospects” ahead. Citing the 2014 Consumer Finance study commissioned by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, which showed that only 27.5 percent of households own a vehicle, the top executive said that strong consumer demand for new cars will continue. She stressed, though, that per the research of National Economic and Development Authority in 2016, 80 percent of Filipinos decide to have a simple and comfortable life, and for 77 percent of them this means being mobile and having their own car. The BSP study, according to her, further noted that of the 27.5 percent of households with vehicles, 60 percent of them are actually motorcycles. “Our demographics data show that the average size of a Filipino family is 4.4. This means that a motorcycle will not be enough to meet the needs of a family, and when able this 60 percent will ultimately upgrade to a bigger vehicle that can accommodate the entire family,” Go said. The BFSB president, likewise, added that among the 27.5 percent who own vehicles, only 11.9 percent have loan access, with the majority or 67.5 percent borrowed either via in-house financing or financing institutions, and not banks.

“Although bank financing has gained increased popularity in the National Capital Region [NCR], in particular, as 25 percent of households have loans, what does that mean? This means that if banks can make financing more accessible, simpler we can help more Filipinos afford a car,” she said. Seeing the gap between aspiration and reality, the BPI thrift arm hopes to bridge them in partnership with the Mias organizers, car manufacturers and dealers. As one of the copresenters of this year’s largest car and motor expo in the country, it offers exclusive credit packages for participants during the event that is now ongoing until April 7. For loan amounts of P500,000 and up, with a minimum term of 36 months, applicants will get free comprehensive car insurance, free chattel mortgage fee, lower interest rates, and gas cards worth P1,500. More promos and deals are available for vehicles purchased from Ayala Automotive affiliates—Honda, Isuzu, Volkswagen, Kia and KTM— that are financed by BFSB. For instance, Isuzu will be giving an exclusive P250,000 discount with its Mu-X model, or a P100,000 discount which will come with a free KTM Duke200 motorcycle. “Being part of the Mias allows us to reach out to more Filipinos and let them choose from a variety of financial options. This annual show is the right place for car buyers and enthusiasts who want to purchase a vehicle with an easier application process and exclusive promos available at the BFSB Booth,” Fronda said.

Nissan holds its annual Dealer of the Year Awards

NISSAN Global Award. Shown in the photo: President and Managing Director Ramesh Narasimhan with Christopher Bermudez (general sales manager, Nissan Santa Rosa), Atty. Ronald Olit (Vice President, Tetra Group), Doroteo Sornet (chief operating officer, Tetra Group), Felix “Bingo” Limcaoco (President, Tetra Group), Christy Borja Malapitan (assistant general manager, Nissan Santa Rosa), Jon Gutierrez (After Sales Director), and the rest of the Sales and Service Team of Nissan Santa Rosa Nissan Philippines Inc. recognized their outstanding and top-performing dealers at the Dealer of the Year Awards Night held in Okada Manila. Nissan attributes its 40 percent growth by the end of December 2018 to the enhancement of its sales and after-sales services through its dealerships. With a total of 44 dealerships in different parts of the country, Narasimhan acknowledged the dealers’ achievements. “With record-breaking performance from last year, 2019 is shaping up to be another historical point for Nissan as it continues to be the fastest-growing brand in the local industry,” Narasimhan said.

List of awardees:

Nissan Global Award: Nissan Santa Rosa Excellence in After Sales Award: Nissan Santa Rosa Dealer of the Year Award (large): Nissan Quezon Avenue Dealer of the Year Award (medium): Nissan Santa Rosa Dealer of the Year Award (small): Nissan Isabela

Motoring BusinessMirror

E4 Friday, April 5, 2019

Tokyo Motor Show beckons; Toyota-Mapua pact

HE 2019 Tokyo Motor Show is still a good seven months away, but already, the event’s organizers have started alerting motoring journalists from around the world about it. Humbly, that includes me—a recipient of the first announcement about its staging just last week via e-mail. I am flattered as I feel like I really belong? Oh, well, if only for the record, I’ve been in the meet’s last 13 editions spread over a period of 24 years. That long, indeed.

And I’m not about to call it quits. How can I? Seems like only yesterday when Toyota and I forged our first Tokyo Motor Show partnership in 1999. It’s been that way in the last 10 editions,

the most recent being in 2017. For the record, Mitsubishi was my first Tokyo Motor Show host in 1993 through Mel Dizon, followed by Nissan in 1995 through Teresa Guanzon and Honda in 1997 through Arnel Doria. Each of those three trips was exceptionally memorable, highlighted by the planting of the seeds of my lasting love affair with the world-famed car show. With Toyota collaring me—willingly as the incomparable Vince Socco had engineered it—in 1999, it’s been all Toyota for me since. And I couldn’t be happier. Already, Toyota became the first, again, to send me an invite to this year’s car event—done some four months ago yet. That early. Indeed, covering the Tokyo Motor Show has become almost a habit that I have long considered it a biennial attraction for me as sugar is to an ant. This year, it is set from October 24 to November 4 at Tokyo Big Sight and other venues at Tokyo Waterfront City in the popular Odaida area in Ariake, Koto-ku. This year’s theme is the future of mobility, according to the organizing Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (Jama). “The living experience of the future will be in focus, as well as the applied technologies of the

present,” said Jama. “The openended scope of potential cities that such visions encapsulate are reflected in the show’s ‘Open Future’ theme, which we hope the public will respond to with great interest and excitement.” The organizers said the activities “can be enjoyed by all—not just car and motorcycle enthusiasts but by visitors of all ages, including the young crowd.” I can’t wait to return to Tokyo.

Toyota, Mapua partnership

TOYOTA Motor Philippines (TMP) went another step further in its hybrid platform by forging a partnership recently with Mapua on the development of the hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). The main link is Mapua’s Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (MME) Department. Toyota’s initial salvo was an educational caravan at the Mapua grounds in Intramuros, Manila, as students and faculty were given a firsthand look on the benefits of HEV technology through a symposium and an all-day test-drive activity. TMP’s Carlo G. Nemo said: “The event coincided with the MME Department’s 79th Anniversary, making the Toyota Prius and Toyota Prius C units the centerpiece of their Engi-

neering Week’s opening day.” During the ceremonial ribboncutting with student council leaders, TMP First Vice President Ms. Cristina Arevalo said: “Our goal is to raise public awareness on the advantages of using HEV technology. There is no better way to start the advocacy than with our future engineers and craftsmen, who will shape our tomorrow.” TMP brought its experts from Santa Rosa, Laguna, to conduct sessions on environmental impact of emissions from various energy sources, and how fuel-efficient hybrids like the Prius contribute to minimizing the automotive industry’s carbon footprint. A dedicated test-drive area also welcomed students for a short route with the Prius C hatchback. Accompanied by a Toyota technical representative to answer their questions, the test-drive activity was enjoyed by almost a hundred student-drivers. “It’s a real eye-opener for us,” said Paolo Napao, a third year manufacturing engineering student. “You barely notice the engine starting because it’s so quiet, and the self-charging battery makes it very convenient.” “After Mapua, La Salle would be next,” said Nemo, adding the hybrid tie-ups with schools is in

line with Toyota top gun Akio Toyoda’s vision of Toyota’s 2050 Environmental Challenge.

PEE STOP Honda Cars Philippines

Inc.’s new URL address of www.hondaphil.com, is now faster, easier to use and navigate, and replete with relevant information. The new web site carries all Honda features from A to Z, including job-application mechanics. “We are thrilled with our new company web site as our customers, media partners and visitors can learn more about Honda and its products and services,” said Sales Division Head Atty. Louie Soriano. “This web site redesign is part of our commitment to provide the best customer experience whether it’s at our dealerships or in the digital sphere.”…Once more, happy Six-Tey birthday to Tey Sornet (March 28), who made all his guests extremely happy during his massive party at Bellevue’s Grand Ballroom after his select friends’ golf round at South Links in Alabang. Tey is very much loved indeed, and a screaming proof to that is Danny “Sir John” Isla, who toiled for 18 holes under a scorching sun (score: a horrendous 106!) before rushing to the airport from the golf course to catch his flight for Auckland, New Zealand, that evening. Cheers Tey!