SPEx, D.O.E. SET MEETING AFTER I.C.C. FAVORS MALAMPAYA GROUP By Lenie Lectura
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@llectura
HELL Philippines Exploration B.V. (SPEx), which leads the Malampaya consortium, and the Department of Energy (DOE) are set to meet next week on how to move forward following the Singapore-based International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) ruling on the P53.1-billion tax dispute, which reportedly favored the oil giant. “The Malampaya joint venture
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can confirm that the International Chamber of Commerce arbitration tribunal has issued its decision, which we are currently reviewing with our legal counsels. At this stage we cannot provide details due to the confidentiality of the proceedings, but the joint venture will be engaging the Department of Energy in due course,” SPEx said on Thursday. Sources said a meeting between SPEx representatives and the DOE will take place next week.
Continued on A8
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El Niño damage to farm sector climbs to ₧7.96B By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas
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HE damage caused by El Niño to the farm sector has reached nearly P8 billion, but the Department of Agriculture (DA) said its production goals for 2019 will still be achieved despite the losses incurred by rice and corn farmers. Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol said the DA has already extended financial support to farmers and fishermen affected by the weak El Niño. Emergency loans and indemnification provided by government amounted to P360 million.
“To date, the Agricultural Credit Policy Council [ACPC] has allotted P95.875 million of financial assistance under the Survival and Recovery Assistance [SURE] Program to benefit 3,835 affected farmers,” Piñol said in a social-media post on Thursday evening.
“In addition, the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation [PCIC] has paid P264.515 million of insurance to 24,119 farmers,” he added. As of April 25, Piñol said farm production losses due to El Niño have reached P7.96 billion, nearly 40 percent over the last reported
₧150M
The initial crop damage figure reported by DA in March 2019. As of April 25, farm production losses due to El Niño was at P7.96 billion, nearly 40 percent over the last reported crop damage by the DA and 53 times higher than the March figure crop damage by the DA and is 53 times higher than the initial figure of P150 million it reported in March. The DA said 277,890 hectares of farms were damaged by the extreme heat. Production losses have reached 268,656 metric tons (MT). See “El Niño,” A9
By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM
HE Senate Committee on Energy, after a public hearing on Thursday, is poised to endorse remedial legislation penalizing power producers for unplanned brownouts when Congress reconvenes regular sessions next month. “We want to see a policy penalizing power producers [for unscheduled outages] because a commitment [to supply electricity to consumers] is a commitment,” said panel Chairman Sen. Sherwin T. Gatchalian, adding: “kawawa ang [pity the] consumers.” Relatedly, the Luzon grid was placed on red alert status on
Thursday, the seventh for the month, as the projected demand for electricity thinned. The red alert notice took effect from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. A yellow alert, meanwhile, was raised from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. A red alert notice is raised when there is severe power deficiency and zero contingency reserve. When the red alert is issued, power interruptions are expected to happen. A yellow alert, meanwhile, means there are not enough reserves to cover the largest running generating unit at the time but does not necessarily lead to power outages. See “Brownouts,” A4
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The midterm elections should be about values Manny F. Dooc
TELLTALES
I
N April, when the International Women’s Month was celebrated, the avalanche of news about the water crisis and the 2019 national budget imbroglio buried one significant event. I am referring to the launching of the IFC and Insular Life Program for greater financial inclusion for Filipino women. The program, dubbed “InLife Sheroes,” aims “to provide risk-mitigation solutions throughout their lifetime and educate them on financial management, health and well-being.” This initiative will target 1 million Filipino women, particularly the relatively untapped segments such as the women entrepreneurs who neglect to provide for their own life and health protection. A primordial concern of the workingwomen that the program shall also address is the provision of financial solutions to promote and expand their businesses. Continued on A10
7th red alert for Luzon grid; penalties eyed for unplanned brownouts
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DOE officials did not comment when asked how the ICC ruling will impact ongoing petroleum exploration activities in the country. Sources had confirmed that the ICC favored the SPEx. Petroleum Association of the Philippines (PAP) Chairman Rufino Bomasang said the ruling is a big boost to the country, which is pushing for exploration and utilization of indigenous fuels in hopes of finding another Malampaya gas field.
ADB hiking PHL lending to average $2.5B a year By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario
I ONE YEAR AFTER Boracay Island was closed for six months, one year ago today, after President Duterte declared it under a state of calamity due to environmental damage, especially the water pollution at Bulabog Beach, where water sports are held. To mark the one-year anniversary of its closure, and celebrate the second phase of the island’s reopening, authorities have scheduled a series of events dubbed “Love Boracay” in the run-up to the May 1. In the past, this period was marked by “Laboracay” parties, which gathered over 100,000 tourists at the white beach. BERNARD TESTA
N support of the Philippines’s aim of addressing its development constraints such as infrastructure gaps, Asian Development Bank (ADB) is increasing its lending to the country under the new Country Operations Business Plan (COBP) 2019 to 2021. In a briefing with reporters on Thursday, ADB President Takehiko Nakao said that while the COBP is still being crafted, the Manila-based multilateral development bank is already keen on increasing its lending to the country to an average of $2.5 billion a year from only $1 billion.
n JAPAN 0.4653 n UK 67.3576 n HK 6.6556 n CHINA 7.7648 n SINGAPORE 38.3336 n AUSTRALIA 36.6148 n EU 58.2287 n SAUDI ARABIA 13.9194
See “ADB,” A2
Source: BSP (25 April 2019 )
A2 Friday, April 26, 2019
News
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PHL, China ink economic deals at Belt-Road Forum By Bernadette D. Nicolas
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@BNicolasBM
HE leaders of the Philippines and China, meeting in Beijing, signed deals on production capacity and investment cooperation, as well as on drug rehabilitation amid rising tensions in the West Philippine Sea. Both President Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping witnessed the event on Thursday at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing shortly after their leaders’ bilateral meeting. Duterte’s meeting with the Chinese leader comes at a time that the Philippine government has been issuing “strong” statements against China’s actions in the disputed waters, including the presence of hundreds of Chinese vessels around PagAsa Island in Palawan, among others. Malacañang said the Exchange of Letters on Production Capacity and Investment
Cooperation between the Philippines and China proposes a project list, which will serve as the focus of cooperation between the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) and the National Development and Reform Commission. Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia and Chairman He Lifeng of NDRC signed the document on behalf of the two countries, according to Presidential Spokesman and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador S. Panelo. The second agreement, the Handover Certificate Grant-Aid for the Dangerous
Drugs Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers Project, is a “ceremonial handover of the drug-treatment facilities in Sarangani and Agusan del Norte provided by China through grant, Panelo said. Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago L. Sta. Romana signed the document on the country’s behalf ,while Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan signed for China. Prior to the bilateral meeting, President Duterte also gave his opening remarks, noting the need to speed up the implementation of agreements signed by two countries during Xi’s visit last November. “The sooner they are completed, the sooner people on the ground will feel the benefits of Philippine-China relations,” Duterte said in his speech. After denials that an oil-exploration deal is in the works in time for Chinese President Xi’s visit last year, the Philippines and China signed an agreement on cooperation on oil and gas development in the West Philippine Sea, along with at least 28 other accords. See “Belt-Road” A9
NUPL presses SC on bid for protection order By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573
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HE National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) on Thursday sought the immediate action of the Supreme Court on its petition seeking the issuance of a writ of amparo and a writ of habeas data with a prayer for a temporary protection order (TPO) against President Duterte and his police and military officials. In an eight-page manifestation, the NUPL officials headed by chairman-lawyer Neri Colmenares said a TPO is warranted in light of recent reports linking the organization together with several media entities and personalities to the alleged plot to oust President Duterte. The petitioners branded the report, which first came out in a daily newspaper, as “ridiculous and malicious.” “The respondents now not only resort to redtagging of the petitioners, but also cite the NUPL and its entire leadership together with other media groups in a report, as allegedly involved in a supposed plot to oust President Duterte,”
the group noted. “These malicious statements and dangerous claims, as well as the contrived ‘matrix’, baseless and reckless as they are, compel the petitioners to again seek at this time for the Honorable Court’s protection and reiterate their prayer for a temporary protection order,” it added. The NUPL said its members are merely practicing the “ideals of the legal profession” by offering its services to the underprivileged as mandated by their oath and principles. “The continued vilification, harassment and threats to the life, security and liberty of the petitioners must stop now. We ask your honors to stand by your lawyers,” the petition read. In its original petition filed on Monday, the group asked the SC to issue the writs of amparo and habeas data to protect its members, and to order the AFP to desist from threatening them. It also asked the SC to order the respondents led by President Duterte as commander in chief of the AFP and Chief of Staff Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr. to disclose, submit and destroy all information gathered about the petitioners. The other respondents are National
Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Brig. Gen. Fernando Trinidad, Maj. Gen. Erwin Bernard Neri, Lt. Gen. Macairog Alberto and AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil Military Operations Maj. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr. The writ of amparo, NUPL said, will protect its members whose rights to life, liberty and security are being threatened as a result of persistent threats, harassment and red-tagging by some government officials. The habeas data, meanwhile, is necessary to compel the respondents to produce, correct or to destroy files in their possession or under their control that are being used to threaten the petitioners’ safety. The group noted that, while the killings, harassments and surveillance of its members have been happening since 2001, these attacks significantly increased under the Duterte administration. The NUPL handles cases and issues of public interest like power and public transport rate hikes, environmental cases, extrajudicial killings of suspected drug users and pushers, and other cases pertaining to human-rights violations.
Cubao diocese denies ‘fund-raiser’ for ‘ailing’ bishop
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HE Diocese of Cubao warned the public on Thursday against a “malicious” bogus report circulating online claiming that Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco is soliciting funds. It denied Ongtioco is now in need of funds supposedly to undergo a triple bypass surgery. “We would like to clarify that there is no truth about the said news. We
advise the faithful of Cubao to refrain from giving any money in case you receive such request for fund for the said purpose,” the Diocese of Cubao said. “We enjoin everyone to help prevent the spread of this fake news,” it added. The false report came from a Facebook account, entitled “Nes Ongtioco.” “Bishop Honesto only has one official
Facebook account. It is named “Honesto F. Ongtioco.” Please make sure to accept a friend request only from the Official Facebook account,” the Diocese of Cubao clarified. The Diocese of Cubao said it is now coordinating with information-technology experts and relevant agencies in its attempt to track down the people behind the “fake news.” Samuel P. Medenilla
ADB. . .
India. The two multilateral development banks will also cofinance two to four projects in each of these countries. MEANWHILE, Nakao said lending to the Philippines will include financing for agriculture and rural development. He said these projects would not directly be for the farm sector or agribusiness but will be for irrigation. ADB Philippines Country Director Kelly Bird, who was also at the President’s briefing with the foreign and local media, said the bank’s focus will be Mindanao in terms of its lending for the agriculture and rural development sector. “We discussed with the government how we can support agricultural development, so we are looking at an irrigation project for 2021. We will be focusing on Mindanao where there is agribusiness and the poverty rate is quite high. So we are looking at those two projects, irrigation and flood protection projects,” Bird said. Bird said the bank will provide a new loan for the Angat Dam project, as well as a liveable cities project tackling solid waste management and sewage. Bird said the ongoing Angat Dam project is financing a fourth tunnel and a new project will be crafted to provide additional financing for power transmission. In 2018, Nakao said the ADB’s commitments increased
to $21.6 billion, from $19.7 billion in 2017. India received the largest share at 16 percent, but this was lower than its 18-percent share in 2017; followed by China with 12 percent, the same as last year. The sector that received the largest share was energy at 24 percent followed by transportation at 23 percent; agriculture, 11 percent; public sector management, 10 percent; and water, 10 percent. Data from the bank’s annual report showed the Philippines nearly doubled its loans from ADB and was considered one of the Manila-based ADB’s top borrowers last year. The country was the ADB’s fifth-largest borrower in 2018, with borrowings reaching $1.38 billion. This was 97.14 percent higher than the $700 million posted in 2017. The bank’s total commitment to the Philippines reached $1.75 billion last year, placing the country in ADB’s top 10 in terms of funding. This is composed of loans, cofinancing and technical assistance. Apart from loans, the Philippines received a total of P363.6 million from cofinanced projects with the ADB, as well as $7.4 million in technical assistance. The data also showed that the country received the fifth-largest amount of technical assistance last year.
board. Beltran said the SRA board will determine what it will do with the smuggled sugar. Last year, the BOC auctioned off some P52 million worth of smuggled refined sugar. The smuggled sugar, in about 60 shipping containers, was misdeclared as packaging materials, kitchen utensils and kraft paper, according to reports. The country’s sugar output as of April in crop year
2018-2019 has reached 1.885 million metric tons, 13.46 percent over the 1.661 MMT recorded in the same period last year. The SRA earlier revised downward its output projection from 2.225 MMT to 2.079 MMT due to bad weather in some sugarcane-producing provinces. The latest forecast of the SRA is slightly lower than the 2.08 MMT produced in the previous crop year.
Continued from A1
Nakao said that if pipeline projects will be approved in 2019, the bank could extend some $3.3 billion worth of loans to the Philippines. This includes financing for key infrastructure projects such as the Malolos-Clark Railway Project, which will be financed by two loans worth $2.75 billion. “[Finance] Secretary [Carlos] Dominguez said ADB should play a very important role for the Philippines [but] there was more attention, frankly, maybe more attention from the World Bank than ADB and its really unfortunate that ADB is here and that there is more attention from the World Bank. So I wanted to change it,” Nakao said.
With AIIB
PROJECTS to be included in the new COBP include two to four projects that will be cofinanced by ADB and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). Nakao refused to disclose what these projects are but said the list could include transportation projects. Other countries that would also benefit from cofinancing arrangements between ADB and AIIB include Pakistan, Georgia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives and
Sugar. . .
Continued from A12
Beltran said the SRA together with Bureau of Customs (BOC) officials will inspect the smuggled shipments on April 26. He also said the illegal shipment will undergo usual customs procedure. The matter will be referred by the BOC to the SRA
Agri, rural development
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Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Friday, April 26, 2019 A3
Palace: Canada garbage issue is nonnegotiable By Bernadette D. Nicolas
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@BNicolasBM
ALACAÑANG has rejected any further discussion with Canada for the pullout of the rotting hazardous waste Ottawa has dumped in the country five years ago, saying that the matter is “nonnegotiable.” The Palace was outraged that Canada has since not taken any decisive action on its “arrant hostile
demeanor” and for not even expressing regrets for the matter. “Our stand against it making
our country a garbage bin of their waste is nonnegotiable. It cannot dilly-dally on getting them back. It must retrieve them pronto or we throw them back to its shores,” said Presidential Spokesman and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador S. Panelo in a news statement issued on Thursday. “It’s [Canada’s] offensive act can not be countenanced, and any further discussion on the matter is unwelcome and unnecessary,” he added. Malacañang also slammed Canada for its “quick but vague” statement following President Duterte’s threat
that he will declare war if Canada would not take action on the trash they dumped in the Philippines. “We take note that its response is not appropriate to the strong statement we made against it throwing its garbage to our land,” Panelo said. On Wednesday, Canada said it is working with the Philippines to resolve the issue, noting that it is aware of the court decision ordering the importer to ship the trash back to Canada. Moreover, Panelo even warned that the seven-decade diplomatic relations between the two countries
will be put to waste if Canada will not act appropriately. “The seventy years of diplomatic relations between the two countries will be put to naught if Canada will not act with dispatch and finality the resolution of this undiplomatic episode to which we take outrage. That it even considered performing such outlandish disposal of its garbage to an ally is dangerously disruptive of our bilateral relations,” he said. On Tuesday, President Duterte ordered the Department of Finance, which overseas the Bureau of Customs (BOC), to return the
trash immediately back to Canada next week, or else, he will be the one to set sail and dump their garbage back there. About 103 containers of Canadian waste comprising of household trash, newspapers and used adult diapers, among others were illegally shipped in batches to the country from 2013 to 2014. The trash had been rotting since then at a dump in Tarlac. Should Canada illegally ship hazardous trash to the Philippines anew, President Duterte has said he would order the BOC to bar these ships from the docks.
Public told: Focus on GMA’s leadership performance rather than survey figures By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie
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EMBERS of the House of Representatives on Thursday urged the public to focus singularly on the performance of the lower chamber rather than on the results of a recent survey. House Majority Leader Fredenil Castro of Capiz and San Juan City Rep. Ronaldo Zamora issued separate statements on the heels of a survey showing Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s “poor” satisfaction rating. Castro said that of paramount
importance at the moment was the passage of all priority measures of President Duterte. “What’s important here was the passage of important measures, including the national budget for “Build, Build, Build” program, Universal Health Care, Free Tertiary Education and several others,” said Castro. A recent survey showed Arroyo’s “poor”net satisfaction rating during the first quarter of 2019, but was up by four points from -21 in December 2018 to -17 in March 2019. The lower chamber had already passed the priority bills
of the administration, which inc lude t he Organic L aw for Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Act, Rice in the Agricultural Tariffication Act, Enhanced Universal Healthcare Act, Amnesty Program—General Tax and Estate Tax Amnesty, Revision of the Const it ut ion, Nat ion a l L a nd Use Act, Department of Disaster Resi lience, End of Endo/ Contractualization Act, TR AIN 2—Trabaho bill, Mining Law, Increase on the Excise Tax on Tobacco Products, Real Property Valuation and Assessment, Traf-
House seat bet says lawmakers can get help from pathologists
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FORMER Philippine Competition Commission commissioner on Thursday urged pathologists to help Congress in lawmaking process. Dr. Stella A. Quimbo cited the critical role of pathologists in policy-making as she spoke before the Philippine Society of Pathologists Inc. during the recent 68th Annual Convention. “The need for evidence before proposing solutions is deeply embedded in your psyche. Lawmakers need to be reminded of the need
for pathology. You have been engaged in recent important policy debates like Dengvaxia.… The country needs you,” she said. Quimbo, a former economics professor in UP Diliman, helped formulate the National Insurance Act, which initiated the PhilHealth program. Quimbo is currently running for public office as representative of the Second District of Marikina City. She also lauded the importance of the Universal Health Care Act as a landmark piece of legislation.
The law seeks for a sufficient social protection and access to quality health care for all Filipinos, whilst ensuring that they are protected against financial risk. “In finding the proper approach to universal coverage, policy-makers should be inspired by pathologists: they need to have a good diagnosis first so that proper solutions can be identified. A doctor’s margin of error becomes so much smaller if she listens to the findings of a pathologist,” Quimbo added. Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz
DILG dismisses Malay town mayor, licensing officer for Boracay mess By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga
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HE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has formally served a dismissal order to Malay, Aklan, Mayor Ciceron S. Cawaling and the town’s licensing officer for alleged grave misconduct and other offenses that led to the environmental degradation of the world-renowned Boracay. The pollution-challenged Boracay, a remote island in Malay, Aklan, was closed for six months—from April 26 to October 26—to pave way for its rehabilitation. In a news statement, Interior Secretary Eduardo M. Año said that the Office of the Ombudsman found Cawaling and Licensing Officer Jen F. Salsona also guilty of gross neglect of duty, conduct unbecoming of a public official and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of service. Boracay’s three island-barangays, Yapak, Manoc-Manoc, and Balabag were declared under a state of calamity by President Duterte who tagged the island paradise as “cesspool” because of the high level of fecal coliform of its surrounding waters. Boracay was also facing serious solid waste management problem, perennial flooding and severe traffic congestion. The Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF) was formed to address Boracay’s environmental degradation, and reported the massive encroachment of establishments in supposedly “no-build zones” like beachfront, forestland and wetlands, many of which with no per-
tinent permit to do business. Many establishments were found to have violated the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act and the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act. DILG Regional Director Ariel Iglesia of DILG Western Visayas served the Ombudsman dismissal order against Cawaling by posting it at the mayor’s office. The order was also received by the Business Permits and Licensing Office. According to Año, the Ombudsman in its decision found substantial evidence against the duo considering that during their incumbency as local government officials, some establishments operated without the requisite fire safety inspection certificate and some did not even possess the necessary permits. Some of the businesses also encroached upon the 25+5 meter easement and violated Malay Municipal Ordinance 2000-131. “By not implementing this Ordinance, Cawaling violated Section 444 (b) (2) of Republic Act 7160, which commands him to enforce all laws and ordinances relative to the governance of the Municipality of Malay,” the decision stated. The DILG chief said the dismissal order on Cawaling and Salsona comes with forfeiture of retirement benefits (except accrued leave credits) and perpetual disqualification for reemployment in the government service. The Ombudsman’s by decision was approved on April 22, 2019 Ombudsman Samuel R. Martires and was received by the DILG on the same day. The case against Cawaling and Salsona stemmed from the admin-
istrative complaint filed by the DILG against 18 local government officials based on the findings of the Boracay Investigating Team (BIT). The Office of the Ombudsman initially ordered a six-month preventive suspension, without pay, for alleged violation of the Local Government Code or Republic Act 7160, and the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices or Republic Act 3019. Ironically, Cawaling received the preventive suspension order just a day before Boracay Island reopened to the public on October 26 following its six-month rehabilitation and the dismissal order two days ahead of the end of preventive suspension. Interior Undersecretary and Spokesman Jonathan Malaya said that he hopes that the Ombudsman’s decision will serve as a warning to all local chief executives that violation of environmental laws has serious repercussions. “We hope that other LGUs will now be more proactive in protecting the environment and will not wait for the DILG to file cases against them. We urge other LGUs especially in the Manila Bay Watershed area to take their responsibilities seriously and work closely with the DILG in the rehabilitation and cleanup efforts,” he said. Malaya also said that the case lodged against Aklan Provincial Gov. Florencio T. Miraflores, Aklan Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Valentin Talabero, Malay Vice Mayor Abram Sualog, and Malay Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer Edgardo Sancho was dismissed by the Ombudsman for lack of substantial evidence.
fic and Congestion Crisis Act, Reform in Capital Income and Financial Taxes, and Increasing and Restructuring the Excise Tax Rates on Alcohol. During the two-month recess of the Congress that started last February, Arroyo said the lower chamber will continue with the oversight hearings to make sure that the laws made by Congress are properly implemented.
Black propaganda
MOREOVER, Castro said it was natural that Arroyo’s rating will be affected by black propaganda and personal vendetta following
the controversy in the passage of the national budget. For his part, Zamora said the House under Arroyo crafted a democratic and transparent allocation of government projects and services among all districts regardless of political affiliation. “The style of Speaker Arroyo has always focused on getting results and work done rather than on the approval ratings. Her approval ratings still rose despite the virulent black propaganda that was hurled against her during the intramurals on the budget,” Zamora said. Castro, meanwhile, lauded Ar-
royo for personally attending the concerns of victims in Pampanga, while ensuring that everything will return to normalcy as soon as possible following the 6.1-magnitude earthquake that hits parts of Luzon last Monday. A lso, Zamora said, A r royo’s quic k response showed t he good and e xcel lent brand of her leadership. “ To speed up the delivery of assistance to the victims, she cut short her participation in scheduled events to see for herself the rescue and rehabilitation efforts following the earthquake,” said Zamora.
A4 Friday, April 26, 2019 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug
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ADB: Still a long uphill climb for Asian century
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By Cai U. Ordinario
@caiordinario
HILE Asian countries have been posting strong economic growth in recent years, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has admitted that more needs to be done to turn the “Asian Century” scenario into reality.
On Thursday, ADB President Takehiko Nakao told reporters that under the Asian Century scenario by 2050, Asia will account for 52 percent of global gross domestic product (GDP). Currently, the region only accounts for 32 percent of the global economy. Nakao said, however, that in ADB’s developing member-countries (DMCs) alone, at a threshold of $3.2 per day using 2011 purchasing power parity (PPP), there are still 1.1 billion poor people accounting for 57.2 percent
of the poor in developing countries globally. “These are about the Asian Century, and I don’t want to emphasize too much on Asian Century,” Nakao said. “There are many things [coming] from the West, and so we don’t need to boast that Asia is dominating the world.” Nakao’s presentation during the briefing showed that Asia’s GDP reached $26 trillion in 2017. With a population of 4.16 billion, this translated to a per-capita GDP of $6,272. Under the Asian Century scenario, the GDP of the region would reach $174 trillion. With a projected population of 4.76 billion, this would translate to a per-capita GDP of $36,665. The share of Asia in global GDP has started increasing in the 1980s. ADB data showed that the peak of Asia’s share in global GDP was in the 1700s when it accounted for nearly 60 percent of global GDP. However, this share has declined sharply in the 1870s when the region’s share in global GDP was only below 40 percent. By 1913, the share declined to below 30 percent and, in the 1950s and 1970s, reached below 20 percent. Since the 1980s, Asia’s share in global growth has steadily increased from below 20 percent, a little over 20 percent in 1995 to nearly 30 percent in 2010. This trend is expected to continue to above 30 percent by 2020; 40 percent by 2030; above 40 percent by 2040; and over 50 percent by 2050. The recent gain in economic growth, particularly starting in 1990, has helped Asia lift millions out of poverty. Using the international poverty threshold of $1.9 per day in 2011 PPP, there are now only 264 million poor Asians living in DMCs.
However, a higher poverty threshold, which can reflect the current situation of many DMCs, showed a different picture. The World Bank recently said adjusting the threshold would paint a better picture of how many people are still poor. Nakao said poverty in 1990, at a threshold of $3.2 per day in 2011 PPP, there were still 2.274 billion Asians living in DMCs that were considered poor. But this has declined to 2.241 billion in 1999; 1.942 billion in 2005; 1.495 billion in 2011; 1.267 billion in 2013; and 1.1 billion in 2015. “The poverty rate is coming down dramatically from 1990, and it is because of the progress in China and India, for instance, because of the very large focus on poverty. But if you look at $3.2 per day instead of $1.9, we still have about 30 percent of the population and the share of poverty in the world is [significant] for Asia because of [the] big population of Asia,” Nakao said. Lifting millions more from poverty in Asia is part of the targets of ADB under its Strategy 2030. The plan intends to transform the region into an economic powerhouse while sustaining efforts to eradicate poverty. The plan has seven operational priorities—addressing remaining poverty and reducing inequalities; accelerating progress in gender equality; and tackling climate change, building climate and disaster resilience, and enhancing environmental sustainability. The priorities include making cities more livable; promoting rural development and food security; strengthening governance and institutional capacity; and fostering regional cooperation and integration.
Safety, quality performance evaluators for ‘BBB’ program projects needed
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HE government is in need of more evaluators who will be tasked to check the safety and quality performance of constructors participating in the “Build, Build, Build” (BBB) program. Leilani D.L. del Prado, chief of the Philippine Domestic Construction Board, said the government lacks construction evaluators who will assess the performance of firms completing infrastructure projects under the BBB program. She said the shortage is mostly felt on the municipal level, where it is usual for local governments to have only one engineer on board. “We still lack evaluators even if they are in huge numbers now. There is a gap because a
number of agencies have yet to implement the evaluation system, so the requirement is still huge. We are [also] in need of more trainers,” del Prado said in an interview with reporters on Thursday. She said the lack of budget of local governments hinder the implementation of the evaluation system, as well as the hiring of their own evaluators. Del Prado explained evaluators come as a group when assessing the safety and quality performance of constructors. “To be honest with you, when we went to different agencies, especially on the municipal level, some of them only have one engineer. One person cannot do the evaluation all by himself. You must be a team,” del Prado said. Elijah Felice E. Rosales
Brownouts. . . continued from a1 No penalty
PRESIDING over Thursday’s Senate Energy committee hearing, Gatchalian pointed out that “as of now, there is no penalty against power firms for unplanned brownouts.” “It is the [inconvenienced] consumers who bear the brunt of power outages,” the senator lamented. Seeking immediate remedy, Gatchalian asked Department of Energy (DOE) officials point-blank: “What can we do to prevent this?” In reply, DOE officials assured the senator that the department will “come up with a threshold and standard before imposing penalties” on errant power producers. “Let us implement it already,” Gatchalian stressed, after asking energy regulators if there are existing penalties for power producers who fail to fulfill commitments, and got this reply from them that, “as of now, none.” The senator pointed out that some consumers are even paying higher electricity bills, “but there is no assurance of continued supply.” In turn, energy officials assured the committee that they will “look into the commitments of power firms” and impose corresponding penalties on erring ones. “I urge the regulators to look into this to make sure consumers do not suffer from the irresponsibility of power producers,” Gatchalian said. He believes the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) can enforce sanctions “right away.” He stressed: “We have to come up with reforms to prevent this from happening in the future.” During the committee hearing, Gatchalian also noted reports that most unplanned power outages were blamed on recurring boiler tube leaks, prompting the senator to wonder if “there is no technology to avert a repeat of the problem?” Energy officials, however, explained that most coal plants are “prone to suffer from boiler leaks.” The senator also cited reports that if lowquality coal is being used, problematic break-
downs “will recur.” He noted that larger boiler tube leaks take half a day to cool down, prolonging the agony of affected power consumers.
NGCP update
THE National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) said on Thursday that Luzon’s available power-generating capacity stood at 10,707 megawatts as against an expected peak demand of 10,534 MW. The grid operator said it may implement Manual Load Dropping (MLD) or rotational brownouts to maintain the integrity of the power system. This could occur in parts of La Union, Tarlac, Batangas, Nueva Ecija, Camarines Norte, Cagayan, Albay, Sorsogon, Quezon, Cagayan and Metro Manila. The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) said that, as of 3:36 p.m., MLD was implemented in some parts of Cavite, Manila, Caloocan, Tagayatay and Bulacan. Also, the Santa Rosa-Calaca and CalacaBinan 230-kilovolt transmission line tripped on Thursday afternoon. Meanwhile,consumergroupLabanKonsyumer Inc. (LKI) called on the ERC, DOE and the Market and System Operator to suspend the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market at pre-yellow and red alerts and impose an “administrative price cap” to avoid collusion among power companies. “The industry is fully aware that demand for power continues to grow in Luzon. Supply is not catching up. Not enough new power plants to meet growing demand and corresponding reserves. Because of this, consumers are now experiencing almost daily red alerts. The yellow and red alerts also cause spikes in prices, especially in the spot market,” said the LKI. The committee must look into the bidding behavior before, during and after the yellow and red alerts to see who has been taking advantage of the supply deficiency at the expense and to the detriment of the consumers,” said LKI President Victor Dimagiba. With Lenie Lectura
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Editor: Jennifer A. Ng • Friday, April 26, 2019
A5
Rice sufficiency goal still doable–Piñol By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas
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@jearcalas
HE Philippines could still achieve rice self-sufficiency even if the government has eased the restrictions on imports with the implementation of the rice trade liberalization law, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol said on Thursday.
A FARMER in Pangasinan is preparing to plant rice in this 2018 photo. The Department of Agriculture said the creation of a P10-billion rice fund will help farmers increase their output. LAILA AUSTRIA
‘Stable NIA dams to continue releasing irrigation water’
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HE National Irrigation Administration (NIA) said irrigation water would continue to flow from dams in Nueva Ecija and Nueva Vizcaya even after a 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck Luzon on April 22. T he NI A said it inspected the dams in the two provinces a nd found t hat t hese re main stable and did not sustain major damage. “The National Irrigation Administration Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems [NIA-UPRIIS] assures the stability of NI A dams in Nueva Ecija and Nueva Vizcaya under its operation and maintena nce, despite t he e x per ienced earthquake on April 22,” N I A - U PR I I S A c t i n g D e pa r t ment Manager Rosalinda B. Bote said in a statement released on Wednesday evening. NIA-UPRIIS made the assurance following the initial postearthquake assessment of seven major dams in the area after the temblor, Bote added. Dams inspected by the NIAUPRISS in Nueva Ecija include Pantabangan, Masiway, Rizal, Atate, Aulo, Peñaranda and the CaniliDiayo dams in Nueva Vizcaya. “Neither cracks nor damage was found in the intake area, spillways,
operation houses and other related dam structures,” Bote said. “Hence, these were marked safe for continuous operation although thorough assessments are still being carried out further by the respective UPRIIS Division Offices manning the dams,” he added. The quake that struck on Earth Day has caused P50 million worth of damage to government dams and irrigation systems in Central Luzon, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said. In a damage report released to the media on Tuesday, the NIA said as of April 23 it has recorded damage to five dams in four provinces. Based on the report, Cong Dadong Dam in Arayat, Pampanga, suffered the most infrastructure damage, estimated to cost about P20 million. Two dams in Bataan reported a total damage of P15 million: Mangindong Dam in Dinalupihan had an estimated damage of P10 million and Balsik Dam in Hermosa, P5 million. In Zambales, where the earthquake’s epicenter was located, two dams incurred a total damage of P15 million. Bucao Intake reported P10 million in damage, while the San Pablo communal irrigation system sustained P5 million worth
of damage. All the damaged dams require immediate repair, according to the report, which was prepared by NIA Regional Office 3. Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol said the damage to the dams was “very minor” and would not disrupt agricultural activities in the region. Piñol was in Pampanga to join fellow Cabinet and government officials in assessing the situation in the area following the earthquake. “ We’re relieved that the damage actually is very minor. There’s not much damage in agriculture,” Piñol said in an interview with reporters in Pampanga. NIA Spokesman Pilipina Bermudez told the BusinessMirror that the speed of the repair of the dams would depend on the “extent of the damage and availability of funds.” Responding to a query from the BusinessMirror, Piñol said, “No, these could be repaired easily.” Damage to the dams had been feared to affect the flow of irrigation to farmers already reeling from the impact of a weak El Niño, which has resulted in hotter weather nationwide. JasperEmmanuelY.Arcalas
Congress urged to pass bill creating pension fund for farmers, fishermen By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie
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PARTY-LIST lawmaker is pushing for the passage of a measure that will create a pension fund for farmers, fishermen and agricultural workers to encourage them to remain in the sector. Deputy Speaker Sharon S. Garin of Aambis-OWA Party-list said the passage of House Bill 6360, or the Agricultural Pension Trust Fund Act, will pave the way for the inclusion of farmers and agricultural workers in pension programs and benefits. The bill seeks to establish the Agricultural Pension Fund to provide pension benefits to agricultural workers, farmers and fishermen. According to the measure, the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. shall serve as the main imple-
menting body of the provisions of the bill. The PCIC shall also be responsible for creating a pension plan that shall become the basis for the allocation of benefits to its pensioners and promulgating the implementing rules and regulations of the measure. Under the bill, such amount as may be necessary shall be appropriated from the national treasury. Thereafter, the amount necessary for the continuous operation of the program shall be included in the annual appropriations of the Department of Agriculture. The bill is pending with the House Committee on Agriculture and Food since September 9, 2017. Congress will resume session on May 20 and will adjourn sine on June 7. “Our farmers remain the poorest of the poor among the country’s labor force and it is only right that the government extend all man-
ner of support toward them,” she added. Garin said it would be an injustice for the agricultural sector not to enjoy the same pension benefits as regular workers, considering that it contributes around P13 billion, or about 9 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) of the country. Agricultural workers also make up 26.1 percent of the country’s labor force, which translates to 11.29 million workers, she added. “We simply want to turn things around. The lack of long-term benefits, in addition to the low income and intensive work, is one of the reasons why fewer people are entering and working in the agricultural sector,” she said. Garin said the decline in the number of agricultural workers may manifest its adverse effects to food security in the future if it is allowed to continue.
Speaking before Department of Agriculture (DA) undersecretaries, assistant secretaries and other officials, Piñol said providing farmers with good seeds, including hybrid seeds, irrigation and fertilizer will make rice sufficiency possible. “I still believe and am deeply convinced that we will be able to achieve rice sufficiency, why? Because right now, the country’s adoption rate of hybrid and inbred seeds is only 60 percent,” he said during the DA’s Management Committee Meeting in Andana Resort, Nueva Valencia in Guimaras on April 24. Piñol said he is banking on the P10-billion Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) to achieve the self-sufficiency level pegged at 21 million metric tons (MMT) of unmilled rice. In a separate Facebook post, Piñol said initial reports of doubledigit growth in palay harvest of rice-producing regions bolstered the DA’s outlook that output will reach a record high of 20 MMT.
“Three of the country’s major rice producing regions, Central Luzon, Cagayan Valley and Ilocos, have reported huge increases in their projected rice yields for 2019 dry season, in spite of the adverse effects of El Niño,” he said. “ T he dramatic increase in the rice yields of the three regions has strengthened the projection of the Department of Agriculture of a historic-high harvest of 20 MMT for 2019,” he added. Piñol noted that Central Luzon reported a 22-percent increase in its first quarter palay output to 2.2 MMT, from 1.8 MMT recorded last year. Also, Ilocos region’s palay output reached 560,896 MT, 14.4 percent over the 490,108 MT volume it produced in the same period last year. The DA regional field office in Cagayan Valley reported that palay output in the region grew 2.16 percent year-on-year to 1.511 MMT. “The increase in the national
production is attributed to the increased utilization of good quality seeds from 48 percent to 60 percent in the three years of the administration of President Duterte,” Piñol said. “Added interventions like free seeds, mechanization, irrigation and fertilization are expected to boost rice production further in 2020,” he added. In February, the DA said it is no longer keen on shooting for a 100-percent rice sufficiency level due to the expected inf lux of rice imports under the new trade regime. Piñol said the increase in imported rice supply will “depress” farm-gate prices and discourage farmers from planting the staple. “It would be foolish for us to still target the 100-percent [selfsufficiency rate]. It will be foolish to continue encouraging our farmers to reach that goal when we know that cheap imported rice will be coming in,” Piñol said in an interview with reporters. “We might just be contented with where we are right now, which is at 93 percent. The inflow of imported rice may affect prices and further dampen the buying price of palay,” he added. The DA is targeting to produce 20 MMT this year, nearly 5 percent higher than the 19.06 MMT produced in 2018. The country’s palay output in 2018 declined by 1.09 percent to 19.066 MMT, from 19.276 MMT recorded in 2017. The reduction in output was attributed to a series of weather disturbances, including a super typhoon, last year.
The World
A6 Friday, April 26, 2019 • Editor: Angel R. Calso
BusinessMirror
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Putin, Kim want to break NK nuclear standoff
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LADIVOSTOK, Russia—Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said on Thursday that they had good talks about their joint efforts to resolve a standoff over Pyongyang’s nuclear program, amid stalled negotiations with the United States. Speaking at the start of the discussions at a university on the Russky Island across a bridge from Vladivostok, Putin voiced confidence that Kim’s visit will “help better understand what should be done to settle the situation on the Korean Peninsula, what we can do together, what Russia can do to support the positive processes going on now.” Kim’s first trip to Russia comes about two months after his second summit with President Donald Trump failed because of disputes over US-led sanctions on the North. Putin meanwhile wants to expand Russia’s clout in the region and get more leverage with Washington. “We welcome your efforts to develop an inter-Korean dialogue and normalize North Korea’s relations with the United States,” Putin told Kim.
Following their one-on-one meeting at the start of broader talks involving officials from both sides, Putin and Kim said they had a good discussion. “We discussed the situation on the Korean Peninsula and exchanged opinions about what should be done to improve the situation and how to do it,” Putin said. Kim noted that they had a “very meaningful exchange.” “The reason we visited Russia this time is to meet and share opinions with your excellency, President Putin, and also share views on the Korean Peninsula and regional political situation, which has garnered the urgent attention of the world, and also hold deep discussions on strategic ways to pursue stability in the regional political situation and on the matters of jointly managing the
situation,” Kim said. He also congratulated the Russian leader on his reelection to another six-year term last year. In February, Trump-Kim talks ended without any agreement because of disputes over US-led sanctions. There have since been no publicly known high-level contacts between the US and North Korea, although both sides say they are still open to a third summit. Kim wants the US to ease the sanctions to reciprocate for some partial disarmament steps he took last year. But the US maintains the sanctions will stay in place until North Korea makes more significant denuclearization moves. North Korea has increasingly expressed frustration RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin, right, and North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un pose for a photo prior to their talks at the deadlocked negotia- in Vladivostok, Russia, on Thursday, April 25, 2019. Putin and Kim are set to have one-on-one meeting at the Far tions. Last week, it tested a Eastern State University on the Russky Island across a bridge from Vladivostok. The meeting will be followed by new weapon and demanded broader talks involving officials from both sides. AP that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo be removed from the to strengthen ties between the two Ahead of the talks, Putin’s fornuclear talks. countries. The late Kim Jong Il made eign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov Kim arrived in Vladivostok on three trips to Russia, last time in said that Russia will seek to “conWednesday aboard an armored train, 2011. Like the US, Russia has strongsolidate the positive trends” stemtelling Russian state television that ly opposed Pyongyang’s nuclear bid. ming from Trump-Kim meetings. he was hoping that his first visit to Putin has welcomed Trump’s meetHe noted that the Kremlin would try Russia would be “successful and useings with Kim, but urged the US to to help “create preconditions and a ful.” He evoked his father’s “great love do more to assuage Pyongyang’s sefavorable atmosphere for reaching for Russia” and said that he intends curity concerns. solid agreements on the problem of
the Korean Peninsula.” Dmitri Trenin, the director of the Carnegie Moscow Center, said that Putin will likely encourage Kim to continue constructive talks with the US, reflecting Russia’s own worry about the North’s nuclear and missile programs. “Russia can’t be expected to side with North Korea and, let’s say, support the North Koreans all the way in the Security Council where Russia is a veto-wielding member and where all sanctions imposed on North Korea require Russia’s approval,” he said. Trenin emphasized that Moscow is skeptical that the North could be persuaded to fully abandon its nuclear weapons, considering it a “mission impossible.” “North Korea will not give up the only guarantee of the survival of the North Korean state and its regime,” Trenin said. Russia would also like to gain broader access to North Korea’s mineral resources, including rare metals. Pyongyang, for its part, covets Russia’s electricity supplies and investment to modernize its dilapidated Soviet-built industrial plants, railways and other infrastructure. Vladivostok, a city of more than half a million on the Sea of Japan, faced gridlock on its roads as traffic was blocked in the city center due to Kim’s visit. The authorities have temporarily closed the waters around Russky Island to all maritime traffic. AP
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Friday, April 26, 2019 A7
Japan’s new emperor Naruhito: A cosmopolitan team player
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OKYO—Japan’s soon-to-beanointed new emperor is a musician and historian, both mild-mannered and quietly tenacious, a team player and a loyal husband, and friend who will bring an unusually global perspective to an ancient institution when he ascends the Chrysanthemum Throne on May 1. Because Naruhito, 59, will be more distanced from the World War II shadows that his 85-year-old father, Akihito, labored under, he may also enjoy greater liberty in shaping the contours of his reign. Japan’s constitution gives the emperor only symbolic status, and Naruhito is likely to emulate his father, who has embraced his role as national symbol. Akihito will end his three-decade reign by abdicating on April 30. Naruhito, the first Japanese emperor to have studied abroad, is considered a new breed of royal, his outlook forged by the traditiondefying choices of his mother, Empress Michiko, and Akihito, who broke with ancient imperial traditions by opening up the cloistered palace to the people. Akihito and Michiko, who was born a commoner, chose to largely raise their own children instead of relying on palace staff for parenting. And they supported Naruhito when he chose to attend Oxford, where he researched the history of the Thames River transportation systems during his time there from 1983 to 1985.
“He will be a fantastic emperor,” said Keith George, 57, a friend of Naruhito’s since their days at Oxford. “He is a caring person. He is a humble person. But he has never forgotten his duties as the crown prince, and he will never forget them as the emperor.” The two young men hit it off from the start, and George remembers Naruhito both for his sense of humor and their shared love of music: George played bluegrass and country music on the banjo, and Naruhito played the viola. The crown prince’s attentiveness and ability to play down his royal status made a strong impression. “He doesn’t look at everything in terms of what it means for him. He looks at it in terms of what it means for the people around him,” George, now a lawyer, said in a recent interview with The Associated Press at his office in Charleston, West Virginia. Naruhito’s memoir about his experience in Britain includes humorous accounts of his life away from home, including a mishap with an overflowing laundry machine. Naruhito will be the 126th
Alarm sounds for world growth as bellwether economy contracts
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OUTH KOREA, a bellwether for global trade and technology, cast doubt over hopes for a quick rebound in the world economy by reporting its biggest contraction of gross domestic product in a decade. Asia’s fourth-largest economy shrank by 0.3 percent in the first quarter from the previous three months, versus estimates for a 0.3-percent gain. That’s a big worry for other manufacturing and technology-driven exporters, including Japan, Germany and Taiwan. Hot on the heels of the surprise reading from Korea, the Bank of Japan warned of “high uncertainties” in its outlook for growth as it pledged to keep interest rates at rock-bottom levels through at least spring of 2020. The BOJ now projects that it won’t hit its 2-percent inflation target at least through March 2022, which will be nine years since Governor Haruhiko Kuroda launched his radical program to reflate prices. “If you look at investment in the electronic- and trade-dependent economies of our region—Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, now Korea—capex is falling, capex is weak,” said Shaun Roache, AsiaPacific chief economist in Singapore at S&P Global Ratings. “That’s an important signal. It’s hard at this stage to know whether that’s just a cyclical downturn or there’s something more dangerous going on that’s related to trade tension. That’s going to be something to watch.” While China’s stabilizing economy has been expected to lift the rest of Asia, and the world, the problems faced by Korea suggest that the hurdles to a quick rebound remain high. Meanwhile, the BOJ’s struggle to spur prices is a worrying sign for some of its global peers, who are struggling with their own stubbornly low inflation and face talk of “Japanification.” Exports account for about half of
Korean GDP and are on course for a fifth-straight monthly decline. Slowing sales to China—Korea’s biggest market—and soft demand for semiconductors are biting, hurting corporate giants like Samsung Electronics Co. and SK Hynix Inc. The Bank of Korea last week reduced its 2019 growth forecast to 2.5 percent, while the government has announced a supplementary spending package of 6.7 trillion won ($5.9 billion), which it says may push up GDP by 0.1 percentage point and create at least 73,000 new jobs. For now, there are few signs of a major uptick in global exports. The International Monetary Fund cut its forecast for global expansion to the slowest pace since the financial crisis a decade ago. In Europe, recent signals have been mixed, with manufacturing remaining the big drag on economy. US gross domestic product due on Friday is expected to show the economy expanded by 2.2 percent.
Tech pain
WHILE policy-makers in Seoul are hoping the tech cycle will bottom, Korea’s reliance on memory chips is backfiring. Hynix, a supplier to Apple Inc., posted its worst drop in operating profit since 2012 on Thursday as memory-chip prices continue their free fall amid weakening demand from smartphone makers and data centers. Earlier in April, Samsung Electronics reported its worst operating-profit drop in more than four years. The worse-than-expected GDP data, coupled with inflation that’s well below its 2-percent target, ought to encourage the Bank of Korea to respond with lower interest rates, said Rob Carnell, Asia-Pacific head of research and chief economist at ING Bank in Singapore. The benchmark rate has been unchanged at 1.75 percent since November last year. Bloomberg News
IN this February 17, 2019, file photo provided by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan, Japan’s Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako pose for a photo at their residence, Togu Palace, in Tokyo. Japan’s soon-to-be-anointed new emperor is a musician and historian, both mild-mannered and quietly tenacious, a team player and a loyal husband, and friend who will bring an unusually global perspective to an ancient institution when he ascends the Chrysanthemum Throne on May 1, 2019. IMPERIAL HOUSEHOLD AGENCY OF JAPAN VIA AP
emperor, but his role will be strikingly different from that of his grandfather Hirohito. Only with Japan’s 1945 surrender in World War II did the Showa Emperor, which is what Hirohito is now called, cease being treated as a living god. Under Japan’s US-inspired pacifist constitution, the emperor has no political power. In an annual news conference marking his February 23 birthday, Naruhito said he was open to taking up a new role that “suits the times.” But he said his father’s work will be his guidepost. “I hope to see him develop his own way of doing things in coming years,” Toshio Shiraishi, a longtime
Facebook anticipates an FTC privacy fine of up to $5 billion
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AN FRANCISCO—Facebook said it expects a fine of up to $5 billion from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which is investigating whether the social network violated its users’ privacy. The company set aside $3 billion in its quarterly earnings report on Wednesday as a contingency against the possible penalty but noted that the “matter remains unresolved.” The one-time charge slashed Facebook’s first-quarter net income considerably, although revenue grew 26 percent in the period. The FTC has been looking into whether Facebook broke its own 2011 agreement promising to protect user privacy. Investors shrugged off the charge and sent the company’s stock up more than 9 percent to almost $200 in after-hours trading. EMarketer analyst Debra Aho Williamson, however, called it a “significant development” and noted that any settlement is likely to go beyond a mere dollar amount. “[Any] settlement with the FTC may impact the ways advertisers can use the platform in the future,” she said. Facebook has had several highprofile privacy lapses in the past couple of years. The FTC has been looking into Facebook’s involvement with the data-mining firm Cambridge Analytica scandal since last March. That company accessed the data of as many as 87 million Facebook users without their consent. T he 2011 FTC ag reement bound Facebook to a 20-year privacy commitment; violations could subject Facebook to fines of $41,484 per violation per user per day. The agreement requires that Facebook’s users give “affirmative express consent” any time that data they haven’t made public is shared with a third party. AP
friend of Naruhito, told the AP. “The crown prince has closely watched the work of the Showa Emperor and the current emperor and learned from them, while trying to figure out what his role could be.” Shiraishi, a gray-haired banker who plays the cello, says the crown prince’s choice of instrument— viola—shows a lot about the kind of man he is. In an essay he contributed for a concert brochure, Naruhito once wrote: “I’m starting to understand the role of viola, which doesn’t stand out, but [is needed because the] harmony becomes lonesome without it.... It’s a joy to have chosen the viola as a friend through which
I could meet people and play music together.” Naruhito is likewise both a good listener and conversationalist, Shiraishi said. “He encourages people to talk and helps enrich a conversation,” he said. “He doesn’t want to be a star; instead he wants to be with people and work together.” Palace watchers say that as emperor, Naruhito might focus on global issues, including disaster prevention and water conservation. He has researched such topics since his 1987 visit to Nepal, where he saw women and young children traveling long distances to fetch water. Naruhito’s wife, the future Empress Masako, is a Harvard-
educated former diplomat who may prove an adept partner in his overseas travels and activities. But much will depend on her health, since she has been recovering from what the palace describes as stress-induced depression for about 15 years. Naruhito has shown himself to be determined. It took him eight years and two rejections before he managed to persuade Masako, who he met at a party in 1986, to marry him. Masako has largely limited her public appearances since late 2003, after giving birth to their only daughter, Princess Aiko, and facing pressure to produce a son. Naruhito has defended her and said he hopes Masako might slowly expand her role. The imperial household faces other uncertainties. Only Naruhito’s younger brother, Prince Akishino, 53, and Akishino’s 12-year-old son, Prince Hisahito, can currently succeed him as emperor since the Imperial House Law confines that role to male heirs. Naruhito’s daughter, Aiko, now 17, is not in the running. Whatever happens, Naruhito will need “a strong will” similar to his father’s if he’s to pursue his own path as emperor, said Takeshi Hara, a Meiji Gakuin University professor and expert on Japan’s monarchy. George, the friend from Oxford, says he is confident Naruhito can handle his future duties. While at Oxford, where they often went out for drinks and dinners, the crown prince admitted how much he enjoyed the freedom of being a student. Still, he never lamented his destiny, George said. “Never once did I ever see or feel that he had felt that as a burden,” he said. AP
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SC gives green light for prosecution of Army generals and policemen in ‘Morong 43’ case
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By Joel R. San Juan
@jrsanjuan1573
HE Supreme Court has given the Sandiganbayan the go signal to proceed with the prosecution of Army generals and several police officers allegedly involved in the illegal detention of 43 suspected communist rebels, collectively known as the “Morong 43.”
In a recently 12-page issued resolution, the SC’s Third Division junked the motion for reconsideration filed by Lt. Gen. Jorge Segovia (retired),
Maj. Gen. Aurelio Baladad (retired), Maj. Gen. Joselito Reyes and Brig. Gen. Cristobal Zaragoza; and police officers Marion Balonglong,
Allan Nobleza and Jovily Cabading to reverse the resolutions issued by the Sandiganbayan on June 7 and July 25, 2017, denying their motion to quash the criminal case filed against them by the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with the arrest of the Morong 43. The Ombudsman is seeking the conviction of the said military and police officers for eight counts of violation of Sections 2 and 4 of RA 7438, which provides for the rights of person arrested, detained or under custodial investigation. Health workers Jane Balleta, Samson Castillo, Mercy Castro, Merry Clamor, Gary Liberal, Reynaldo Macabenta, Alexis Montes and Teresa Quinawayan, who are among the Morong 43, filed the charges against them on May 3, 2012.
Specifically, the accused are being prosecuted for failure to inform the basis for the arrest of and provide counsel to the Morong 43. The accused cited the Ombudsman’s inordinate delay in the resolution of the preliminary investigation of their case as basis for the filing of the motion for reconsideration. According to them, the unreasonable delay by the Ombudsman constituted a violation of their right to the speedy disposition of their case. However, the SC held that there was no grave abuse of discretion on the part of the Sandiganbayan in denying the accused motion to quash the information. “To emphasize, a simple mathematical reckoning of time shall never suffice. Rather, each case
Pampanga billionaire Levy Laus dies in chopper mishap By Recto Mercene
@rectomercene
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WO persons, including billionaire Pampanga business mogul Liberato “Levy” Laus, were killed as another was seriously injured when their chopper crashed in Bulacan past noontime on Thursday. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) confirmed that helicopter RPC8098 plunged into a fishpond in Barangay Anilao,
LAUS Group Chairman Liberato “Levy” Laus PHOTO FROM CDC FB ACCOUNT
Malolos, Bulacan. The helicopter, owned and operated by LGC Air Transport, left the Ninoy Aquino International Airport General Aviation hangar bound for San Fernando, Pampanga, at 12:28 p.m. The aircraft went down just a few minutes later at 12:47 p.m. Caap Director General Capt. Jim Sydiongco immediately dispatched Aircraft Accident Investigation and Inquiry Board investigators headed by chief investigator Rainier Baculinao to
the crash site. Initial reports said the three passengers were evacuated from the crash site to a nearby hospital as two of them, including Laus, died on the spot. The other passenger was rushed to the Bulacan Medical Center in Malolos. Laus, 68, was a high-profile car dealer and owned the rights to sell several luxury car brands. He also has properties in Luzon, including a string of restaurants and fast-food chains, as well as several subdivisions and memorial parks.
CDC saddened
THE Clark Development Corp. (CDC) immediately released a message on the untimely demise of Laus. It read: “The officers and employees of [CDC] mourn the death of Mr. Liberato ‘Levy’ P. Laus, its former president and CEO from October 1, 2006, to July 31, 2008. We express our sincerest condolences to his family. “Mr. Laus will always be remembered as the man who led efforts to save thousands of jobs in Clark as he headed the lobby and passage of the Freeport Law or RA 9400, which effectively institutionalized incentives that made investors and locators to stay in Clark. “The efforts of Mr. Laus, thus, have impacted not just Clark workers but the whole country as well, with the free port’s undisrupted contribution to the nation’s economy. “From the bottom of our hearts, we would like to express our gratitude as we bid you farewell. “Sir Levy, your legacy lives on in Clark.”
Citem. . .
Continued from A12
because of word of mouth and, then, little by little, we will try to conquer that Google algorithm when you search for our products that the Philippines’s images come up. Those are the things that we’re really trying to address,” the executive director of Citem said. Around 315 exhibitors displaying a thousand different products participate in the three-day trade exposition, which is ongoing until April 27. They come from various industries, such as furniture and furnishings, home accents, gift items, festive season décor, fashion accessories and wearables, handwoven and converted items, interior and architec tural components, visual arts and creatives. The exhibitors are mostly locals, with the overseas-based including 20 from Indonesia and one each from China, Timor Leste, India and Cambodia.
shall be scrutinized according to the facts and circumstances peculiar thereto. Considering that the perceived delays in the instant case were justified, the case against the petitioners shall not be dismissed,” the SC ruled. Contrary to the claim of the petitioners that there was a lull in the investigation, the SC said records show that numerous proceedings took place during the two-year period. Likewise, the Court did not give weight to the claim of the petitioners that due to the length that the preliminary investigation lagged, they suffered prejudice consisting of difficulties in traveling, which, in turn, prevented them from competently fulfilling their duties. “On the contrary, the petition-
ers [save for those who have already retired] were even promoted during the pendency of the investigation, despite the complaint lodged against them,” the Court noted. The Morong 43 were arrested on the suspicion that they are members of the New People’s Army. They were captured by the military in Morong, Rizal, in February 2010. They claimed that they were mere health workers illegally detained for 10 months and tortured by their captors on charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives. They were released in December 2010 after the Department of Justice withdrew the criminal charges filed against them.
SPEx, DOE set meeting after ICC favors Malampaya Group Continued from A1
“I have not seen the decision itself, although I heard and read about it. I hope the government will react positively. This of course will be of great help to the exploration industry,” he said. In September 2015, SPEx filed an arbitration case against the national government with the Singapore International Arbitration Center. In July 2016, SPEx filed another arbitration case in the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes Arbitration (Icsid) in Washington against the national government regarding its tax dispute.
Dispute’s root: Income taxes
THE case stemmed from a Commission on Audit (COA) ruling that rejected the Malampaya consortium’s petition that income tax was already imputed in the government’s 60-percent share in the Malampaya royalties. The tax, it argued, was deductible from the government’s share of the Malampaya earnings. COA, in its April 6, 2015, decision, upheld its findings that the income taxes of the service contractors could not be assumed by the national government in its 60-percent share in the Malampaya proceeds, and thus ordered the consortium to pay the national government P53,140,304,739.86 in taxes. It stressed that there is no Citem projects to draw about 7,000 local and foreign buyers and visitors to the biannual event’s initial leg this year, or more than a thousand from last year’s 6,000 participants. “We bring you home to the Philippines’s premier design and lifestyle event, the leading source for the best in Filipino furnishings, apparel and much more where the richness and diversity of Filipino talent and creativity are once again on full display,” Suaco-Juan said. “As innovative and highquality as our products can be, we aim to sustain our success and advocacy by keeping Manila FAME fresh, interesting and relevant. As we draw nearer to our 70th staging, we also recognize the heritage that was built by our event, our exhibitors and our artisans. It dawned upon us that what was shown in the past does not just belong to the past. It can live on—it can breathe in new life. This is what we mean by today’s theme, ‘Heritage Reimagined,’” she stressed.
provision in the law stating that the income tax of the contractors forms part of the share of the government. On a per-year basis, COA said the under collection amounted to P2,409,817,191.46 in 2003; P2, 335,4 02,961. 38 i n 20 0 4; P2,832, 586,038.93 i n 20 05; P 7,9 01, 265, 361.42 i n 20 0 6; P11,272,523,434.55 in 2007; P15,826,563,356.86 in 2008; and P10,562,146,395.26 in 2009.
DOE backs consortium
THE DOE supported the consortium and asserted that the national government may assume and pay the tax liabilities of a service contractor consistent with the incentive-oriented policy toward investors. It had said that imposing P53.14 billion in taxes would create havoc on the petroleum industry and that the COA report had “sent a very wrong signal to the existing and future petroleum exploration investors in the country.” It said the COA decision had totally wreaked havoc on the representation of the government to these investors that the Philippines honors and respects the sanctity of contracts and agreements. “The trust and confidence of foreign investors in the stability and certainty of our investment laws and regulations that the government, for a long period of time, has painstakingly built and nurtured, has been greatly damaged,” the DOE said.
Trabaho bill’s. . . Continued from A12
criticism that the bill’s tag, “Trabaho” (the Filipino word for jobs) will be a misnomer because the intended benefits will not be accomplished. Senators have yet to decide on the Trabaho bill. Deliberations on the measure will have to wait until the 17th Congress resumes session for the last time after the midterm elections, or on May 20, and then adjourn finally after three weeks. “Companies make their decisions when they know what the tax rate is. Once you know what the tax rate is, you decide how you are going to approach it. We just want to see that legislation progress, whatever the result is,” Robinson argued. He claimed Australian capital, irrespective of what happens to the Trabaho bill, will continue to pour in the Philippines on the back of strong macroeconomic fundamentals. Approved investments from Australia last year amounted to P2.14 billion, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority. However, PSA data also reported Australian investments during that year— the height of debate on the Trabaho bill— posted a slump of 45.82 percent, from P3.95 billion in 2017.
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Friday, April 26, 2019 A9
PHL asks Asean to discard nontariff barriers on exports
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By Elijah Felice E. Rosales
@alyasjah
HE Philippines has asked neighboring economies in Southeast Asia to review and eliminate nontariff barriers that make it doubly difficult for exports to pass through the ports. Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez said he raised with his fellow economic ministers at the Asean the nontariff barriers implemented by some Asean countries. At their retreat meeting this week, he pressed for the review and elimination of these measures, as they make trading more difficult and costly for exporters. “As a representative of the Philippines, I cited that [nontariff barriers] affect both agricultural, [such as] horticultural products, bananas, tobacco, fishery products, meat, young coconut, seeds, poultry and swine feeds, and industrial goods, [including] electronics, pharmaceutical products, cosmetics, apparel and footwear,” Lopez said in a news statement. Sout heast A sian economic chiefs agreed there is a need to assess whether their respective country’s nontariff measures are
still necessary. For his part, Lopez said Filipino exporters experience difficulty entering some of their products in Asean countries due to stringent import rules. “Some of these Philippine products have difficulties entering some markets because of high tariffs and strict import requirements imposed,” Lopez added. The World Trade Organization (WTO) defines nontariff barriers as bureaucratic and legal issues that impede trade activities. These measures mostly involve import licensing, Customs valuation, port inspection, rules of origin and sanitary and phytosanitary regulations. Only three Asean member-states implemented new measures to streamline trading across borders, according to the World Bank’s Doing Business 2019 report. Malaysia, Thailand and Lao PDR reformed their customs procedures
to make entry and exit of goods easier, with Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok introducing electronic systems for faster transactions. On the other hand, the report scored the Philippines for increasing the number of inspections for imports that increased the average time for border compliance. Singapore is the Asean benchmark for trading across borders, as it only takes exporters half a day to obtain their shipments from ports and traders one-and-a-half day to clear their imports. In contrast, shipping out commodities takes more than 10 days in Myanmar and Brunei Darussalam and over seven days in Cambodia. On the other hand, it takes importers nearly 12 days to get their goods out of ports in Myanmar and about nine days in the Philippines and Indonesia. Aside from the commitment to review nontariff barriers, Asean economic ministers affirmed pending issues in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership should be settled by June to meet the November deadline for the RCEP conclusion. They also appealed to the WTO to fill the vacancies in its Appellate Body, which hears appeals from disputes among WTO members. The supposedly seven member body only has three members, two of whom will vacate their posts within the year.
Bicol emerges as fastest-growing region in 2018 By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario
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DOUBLE-DIGIT growth in the industry sector made Bicol t he Phi l ippines’s fastest-growing region last year, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Based on data released by the PSA on Thursday, the Bicol economy grew 8.9 percent in 2018, faster than the 5 percent it posted in 2017. The growth of the industry sector in Bicol was the fastest nationwide at 14.2 percent and was a significant jump from the 3.5-percent growth it posted in 2017. Under the industry category, Bicol’s construction industry posted the fastest growth at 21.7 percent in 2018, from 4.9 percent in 2017. This was followed by the Mining and Quarrying industry with a growth of 18.8 percent last year from a growth of 5.5 percent. The Electricity, Gas and Water Supply industry saw a rebound in growth to 1.9 percent in 2018, from a contraction of 0.3 percent in 2017, while the manufacturing industry grew 4.6 percent last year, faster than the 3.4 percent in 2017.
Apart from Bicol, regions that posted the highest economic growth in 2018 were Davao and Mimaropa regions with a growth of 8.6 percent last year. Davao’s growth in 2018 was slower than the 10.7 percent it posted in 2017, while Mimaropa’s growth improved from 5.7 percent in 2015. Regions that showed higher growth in 2018 included Central Visayas, 7.6 percent; Calabarzon, 7.3 percent; Northern Mindanao, 7 percent; Ilocos region, 6.5 percent; Zamboanga Peninsula, 6.3 percent; and Eastern Visayas, 5.9 percent. However, regions that posted slower economic growth in 2018 were Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) grew by 7.3 percent; Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), 7.2 percent; Central Luzon, 7.1 percent; Soccsksargen, 6.9 percent; Western Visayas, 6.1 percent; National Capital Region (NCR), 4.8 percent; Cagayan Valley, 3.3 percent; and Caraga, 3.2 percent. Despite being included in the regions that posted slower growth in 2018, NCR or Metro Manila continues to account for 36 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
It was followed by Calabarzon with a share of 17 percent and Central Luzon with a share of 9.8 percent. Bicol, which posted the fastest growth in 2018, only accounted for 4 percent of the economy, slower than its 4.1 percent contribution in 2017. “NCR, Calabarzon, and Central Luzon were the top three [3] contributors to the 6.2-percent GDP growth with respective contributions of 1.8 percentage points; 1.2 percentage points; and 0.7 percentage point,” the PSA said. The average real per-capita GDP of the Philippines grew by 4.6 percent in 2018. Bicol region registered the highest growth in per-capita GRDP at 6.8 percent. It was followed by Davao region at 6.6 percent and Mimaropa at 6.4 percent. NCR had the highest per-capita GRDP, which was nearly three times the national average. Aside from NCR, Calabarzon and CAR posted real per-capita GRDP higher than the national average. NCR posted the highest percapita index relative to the national average at 294.0 in 2018, followed by Calabarzon at 121.2 and CAR at 101.6. All other regions have indices lower than the national average.
Wage boards OK pay hike for Ilocos and Caraga minimum-wage earners By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla
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IGHER pay awaits minimum- wage earners (MWEs) and household service workers (HSWs) in the Ilocos region following a wage hike approval by the regional wage board. The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-Region 1 (RTWPB-Region 1) issued Wage Order (WO) RB1-20 granting MWEs in the region a wage hike ranging from P17 to P30. Upon taking effect, the following minimum-wage rates for nonagriculture workers will take effect: P340 for those in firms with 30 or more employees; P310 for those in firms with 10 to 29 employees; and P282 for those firms with one to nine employees. For the agriculture sector, the following wage rates will apply:
P295 for plantation workers; and P282 for non-plantation workers. Prior to the release of the WO RB120, the minimum-wage rate in Region 1 ranged from P256 to P310. Likewise, RTWPB-Region 1 also approved a P1,000-wage increase for HSWs under their jurisdiction with release of WO RBI-DW-01. HSWs in chartered cities and first class municipalities will now be getting P4,500, while those in other municipalities will receive P3,500. The previous wage rate for HSWs in the Ilocos region was P2,500 to P3,500. Both wage orders were the result of the necessary stakeholder consultation and public hearing to allow MWEs and HSWs to cope with the cost of living in Region 1. The two new issuance, which will take effect on April 30, 2019, will apply to the provinces of Ilocos Norte and Sur, La Union and Pangasinan
and cities of Laoag, Batac, Vigan, Candon, San Fernando, Urdaneta, Dagupan, San Carlos and Alaminos. In a rel ated development, NWPC also reported the RTWPBRegion 13 approved a P15 cost-ofliving allowance (Cola) for MWEs in its jurisdiction. It also ordered the integration of the previous P30 Cola it granted to be integrated to the basic wage of MWEs in the Caraga region. The rate adjustments were contained in WO RXIII-16, which will take effect on May 1, 2019, in the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Dinagat Island, and the Cities of Butuan, Surigao, Bislig, Cabadbaran, Bayugan and Tandag. After the order’s enforcement, the new minimum-wage rate in the region will be raised from P305 to P320.
Belt-Road. . . continued from a2 The President also said in his opening remarks that both countries must also work together to explore new areas of cooperation and partnership as he looked forward to a “productive discussion on matters of mutual interest and concern.” “We keep to listen to his Excellency’s talks and progress, achieved in further strengthening bilateral relations in the recent development in our region,” he added. He also congratulated China for its economic achievements and thanked President Xi for inviting him to attend the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. “The forum provides another opportunity to renew and reaffirm our valued relations based on mutual trust, respect, and friendship, and must continue to grow strength and meaning in the coming years,” he said.
The President also looked back at President Xi’s visit to Manila in November 2019 and called it a “watershed moment in the PhilippineChina ties.” “The decision to elevate bilateral ties to a comprehensive, strategic cooperation affirms the Philippines and China’s strong desire to further deepen and broaden this engagement,” he said.
Bilateral meeting
THE President is one of the select leaders who had the opportunity to have a bilateral meeting with Xi. However, there were no details yet on the meeting, as of press time. The President was also scheduled to meet with Premier Li Keqiang also on Thursday afternoon. On Friday, the President is scheduled to attend the Belt and Road forum at the China National Convention Center.
Duterte is also expected to meet with Chinese conglomerates and signatories of business agreements prior to witnessing the exchange of deals spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry. Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez earlier said the Philippine delegation to the forum will be signing at least 15 agreements on food, energy, power, infrastructure, technology and services. The investments are estimated to amount to as much as $10 billion, and will translate to the creation of about 20,000 jobs. On top of business deals, the Philippines could sign with China five bilateral agreements in the areas of education, anti-corruption, official development assistance and drug rehabilitation. On Saturday, the President will also be joining the Leaders’ Roundtable Sessions before capping his fourth trip to China.
Palace lauds recent survey El Niño. . . continued from a1 Piñol said 247,620 farmers and fishermen have been result on hunger incidence affected by the weak El Niño currently being experi-
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ALACAÑANG on Thursday said government’s efforts to bring down prices and efficiently deliver basic services to the poor and marginalized are finally beginning to bear fruit after a recent poll showed that fewer Filipino families had experienced hunger in the first quarter of 2019. While the Palace is “pleased” with the single-digit drop in the country’s hunger incidence in the March 2019 survey, it acknowledged that the government still has a long way to go in terms of poverty and hunger reduction. “We are off to a good start. The Palace is pleased to note that Filipino families who said they had experienced hunger dropped to a single-digit 9.5 percent in the first quarter of 2019, according to the survey. This is the second consecutive quarter where there has been a decrease in the national hunger incidence,” Presidential Spokesman and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador S. Panelo said. Hunger rate in March 2019 is 1 percentage-point lower at 9.5 percent, or about 2.3 million families than the 10.5 percent, or about 2.4 million families, in December 2018. Bernadette D. Nicolas
enced nationwide. The affected commodities include rice, corn, high-value crops and fisheries. “Despite the impact of El Niño on rice and corn production, their respective production targets can still be met as reported losses are only 0.96 percent [197,700 MT] of the target of 20 million metric tons for rice, and only 2.94 percent [254,766 MT] of the 8.64-MMT target for corn,” he said. Piñol said cloud-seeding operations have been conducted in regions experiencing drought or dry spell. “Region 2 has conducted 17 sorties, which led to rise in water levels of Magat Dam. Meanwhile, Region 11 and 12 have conducted 5 sorties over agricultural and watershed areas in Davao del Sur and North Cotabato,” he added. Piñol said the DA has also prepositioned seed reserves for rice, corn and high-value crops to aid farmers who will opt to replant during the wet season.
A10 Friday, April 26, 2019 • Editor: Angel R. Calso
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editorial
Multiple earthquakes: So what?
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ARTHQUAKES may be the most frightening of all natural hazards, coming without warning and with potentially great disaster. That may be why George Orwell of 1984 fame wrote in his book Burmese Days, “An earthquake is such fun when it is over.” Each time we experience an earthquake that causes damage and death, we are reminded—even in these modern times —about how fragile life is. We know that at any time a killer quake could strike a large densely populated metropolis and there is nothing that can be done to prevent it. It is true that we need strong structures and properly enforced building codes. We need to have as adequate as possible government plans and programs to be quickly and efficiently implemented. We need to prepare as much as possible to safeguard our families for an unfortunate inevitability. In the aftermath of an earthquake, such as what we just went through, public awareness increases as it should be. However, fear can be multiplied unnecessarily with a running tally of all earthquakes in the country. In this case, though, another one in Leyte quickly followed the earthquake in Pampanga. It is only natural that there would be the fear that these might foreshadow another and bigger earthquake. In the past 30 days—according to the United States Geological Survey earthquake hazard tracking, there have been 505 earthquakes of 4.5 magnitude or larger around the Pacific Rim of Fire, including the Philippines. On April 12 near Luwuk, Indonesia, a magnitude 6.8 quake occurred. Another one happened in Indonesia (6.3 magnitude) on April 6th and in Taiwan (6.1 magnitude) on April 18th. The science on multiple earthquakes, such as what we just experienced predicting a larger quake is inconclusive. There is some analysis on “earthquake swarms” of smaller tremors foreshadowing a larger event. Bursts of energy rocked the Earth in the hour right before an earthquake devastated Turkey in 1999. Before the Izmit quake began, the research suggests the fault slipped irregularly but near-continuously for 44 minutes, generating the bursts detected by the scientists. Earthquake clusters are different from short-term “swarms.” Clusters of foreshocks and aftershocks can span several months before and after a big earthquake. Clusters of big seismic events (with a magnitude bigger than 7) can span several years on a given plate boundary. However, there is no scientific evidence at this point that a situation with a quake in Pampanga and then in Leyte might “trigger” something far worse. We hope they are correct. But we all need to be prepared as best we can just in case. Since 2005
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The midterm elections should be about values Manny F. Dooc
TELLTALES Continued from A1
I
N 2017, IFC and Insular Life have formed a partnership to further open up women’s access to insurance in the Philippines. With the help of IFC, Insular life is now developing insurance solutions and products designed to cater to the specific needs of women. Nina Aguas, executive chairman and CEO of Insular Life, said: “As a Filipino financial institution that has been serving the Filipinos for 108 years, we are keen to contribute to the financial inclusion agenda for women in our country. We will provide protection and risk-mitigating solutions to women along with investment opportunities. Subsequently, this will help them survive a loss of income or an unforeseen event.” For her part, Henriette Kolb, manager of IFC’s Gender Secretariat, said: “There is both a clear business and social case for mainstreaming gender and targeting women in inclusive insurance. To forego this untapped market segment will be a lost opportunity to drive economic growth.” nnn
FINANCIAL inclusion has been a top agenda of the insurance industry. During my almost six-years watch of the insurance industry as Insurance
Commissioner, the Insurance Commission intensified the development and growth of Microinsurance. The significant increase in insurance coverage and penetration rate was also attributable to the successful launch of MI products. I am grateful to the insurance industry, and the life and nonlife members for their strong support and collaboration. When I became Insurance Commissioner in January 2011, the total premium generated by the industry by the end
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of 2010 was P81 billion. Before I left the IC, the total premium hit P230 billion, more or less. The intervening years of 2010 and 2015 ushered a period of unprecedented growth. As an aftermath of Supertyphoon Yolanda, which devastated the poor people of Eastern Visayas, thousands of farmers and fisherfolk, tricycle and jeepney drivers, market vendors and sari-sari store merchants who were mostly members of their cooperatives received benefits under their MI policies. The insurance proceeds helped put food on their tables, roof on their heads and clothes on their backs. Under the MI program, no one was left behind. nnn
HAVE we lost our moral compass as a people? I am raising this fundamental question because of certain disturbing developments published recently—certain school division’s plan to distribute condoms
to students to protect unwanted teenage pregnancies. I recall that the Education Department blocked an earlier move by the Department of Health to distribute contraceptives in schools to prevent HIV infections among students. I am glad that some sectors, including some legislators and the Catholic Church, had opposed the plan. Many parents have also questioned it saying the distribution of contraceptives in schools will send a wrong message to students that it is alright to have premarital sex provided you are protected. Another disconcerting proposal that has been shelved—hopefully permanently—is the plan to conduct drug testing among our students. Has the drug menace become so widespread in our schools that the police authorities have to resort to this traumatic measure? Are our schools lacking in discipline that bullying is now prevalent in the campus? If you read the newspapers, particularly the tabloids, and listen to the news, half of what you read or hear are grisly stories of killings, rapes, drugs, political murders and other acts of violence. Our society is reeling with social problems, which breed more serious crimes. Are we on the precipice of moral decadence? The fight is not lost; we can reverse See “Dooc,” A11
Enrile cites historical records on the worsening crime situation
✝ Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua Publisher
We need public officials who have the moral ascendancy to lead our people. The battle starts in this election, which should be about values: Incorruptibility. Loyalty. Industry. Godliness. Trustworthiness. Courage. Respect for the law. Honesty. Let’s look for them in our candidates.
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WERSA ng Masa senatorial bet Juan Ponce Enrile said that the country’s problems of drug trafficking, drug abuse and rape are partly due to the irresolute prevention and tenuous criminal justice system during President Corazon C. Aquino’s administration. Citing official records at the Supreme Court and the Department of Justice, Enrile said that by October 10, 1998, five years after the reimposition of the death penalty, various trial courts have meted out a total of 748 death penalties, including 422 for rapists. Records showed that of the 422 convicted rapists, 153 of them (mostly drug addicts) victimized their own daughters. In 1972, when Marcos declared martial law, and up to the time he was deposed in 1986, there were only 20,000 or more users of different kinds of prohibited and regulated drugs. During President Aquino’s time, specifically in early 1987 when methamphetamine hydrochloride
or shabu, known also as the “poor man’s cocaine or Ice in the United States,” was introduced in the Philippines, the number of drug users reached 480,000 and many policemen, according to then-Sen. Ernesto Herrera, were getting involved in drug-related activities. In 1972, Marcos enacted Republic Act 6425 or the Dangerous Drugs Act, subsequently resulting to the discovery by the military of a heroin laboratory and the arrest of Lim Seng, a drug trafficker and manufacturer, who was executed in public by firing squad. From 1972 to 1993, the law went through four amendments to eradicate the scourge of Shabu and other dangerous substances introduced into the market by traffickers
and manufacturers. Although the amended law was envisioned to be an effective tool against drug traffickers, manufacturers and users, the government lost its focus to stifle the problem by putting more premium on the quantity of drugs seized rather than on the criminal act and intent of the drug traffickers, or both. Enrile said the abolition of the death penalty by the Aquino administration, in reaction to the misplaced outcry of some condescending politicians, churchmen and causeoriented groups, also compounded the problem. “Because the peace and order situation in our land has become so bad, the US government withdrew only recently from the Philippines all US Peace Corps volunteers, following the kidnapping of a Japanese national and an American Peace Corps volunteer by the New People’s Army in Negros Occidental. Until now, these two abducted foreigners have remained unrecovered by the authorities. Sadly, the Philippines has acquired the not too flattering image and distinction of being one of two countries in the world, Liberia being the other, where the United States opted without warning and without notice to the host government to pull out suddenly its Peace Corps volunteers,” Enrile said
At the center of history
AFTER all, Enrile, the respected lawyer, legislator and public servant, was always there at the center of contemporary Philippine history, from the time he served in the Marcos administration as defense minister, through his celebrated breakaway that ushered the Edsa revolt, to serving Cory Aquino as her first defense secretary, and his election for several terms to both houses of Congress. Many observers at the time, in and out of the Aquino administration, agreed with most of Enrile’s observations, much of which were common perceptions of the failings of Aquino’s administration. Aquino’s first agriculture secretary, Ramon V. Mitra Jr., who later became Speaker of the House of Representatives and vocal critic of the Aquino regime, had this to say: “Repeatedly over the past 46 years, our democracy has been besieged by the hammer of rebellion and insurgency at one end and by the spectacle of weak and ineffective government on the other.” Mitra said: “At no time has this been more sharply highlighted than during the five-year period from 1986 to 1990—a period which began with so much promise and concluded with so much pessimism and uncertainty. See “Arillo,” A11
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Are we powerless?
Memorizing disasters
BusinessMirror
Rev. Fr. Antonio Cecilio T. Pascual
Tito Genova Valiente
SERVANT LEADER
ANNOTATIONS
ROTHERS and sisters, as courageous as our President is in criticizing the opposition candidates for the May elections, as well as the Catholic Church, he is acting cowardly toward the aggressive entry of China into islands and seas within our jurisdiction.
E knew what earthquakes were but we were clueless when one struck the city and other areas on Monday. By the time the tremblors ceased, people were out on the streets. But no one seemed to know what to do. Workers filing from their offices were taking selfies, giggling and wondering, wondering why they were compelled to leave their work.
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We do not hear any of these spicy words and claims from our President when it comes to the evident ruin of coral reefs in Scarborough Shoal caused by Chinese ships. Fishermen complained that the Chinese have been collecting giant clams from these reefs for years, and this affects their catch of fish. Sadly, these poor fishermen are unable to speak because the Chinese fishermen are accompanied by the Chinese coast guard. We are truly pitiful. The Department of Foreign Affairs will supposedly present legal action while Malacañang will await for an explanation from the Chinese government. How many instances have we heard of similar statements from the administration that is close to pawning our country to our powerful neighbor? The occurrence in Scarborough Shoal is only one in a long list of actions by China that put us Filipinos at a disadvantage. There are military reports regarding over 600 Chinese vessels surrounding PagAsa Island. Here in Metro Manila, Chinese workers are said to be taking jobs that Filipinos are capable of doing. Several projects under the “Build, Build, Build” program being funded by loans from China, and apart from the rising interest, may land at the hands of the Chinese in case we are unable to pay our debt to them. Chinese businesses have also been established left and right here in Metro Manila and even in Boracay, some of which are neither accepting Filipino workers nor catering to Filipino customers. For those who criticize the weak will of the Philippine government against the wrongdoings of China, President Duterte always reasons
Arillo. . .
continued from A10
“Over this brief time, the country became known to the world as the setting of pervasive coup attempts and as one of the last bastions of communist insurgency in the planet. “The series of crises that have bedeviled the nation, the failure to ameliorate the plight of our millions, and the evidences of misgovernment and corruption that have hobbled the Aquino administration—all these have put to doubt for some whether our present system can arrest the experience of decline and begin the process of national modernization.” There were similar and just as incisive criticisms from inside the Aquino administration itself, one of them was from Cory’s very own vice president, Salvador H. Laurel, the boyhood friend of Aquino’s
out that he does not wish to start a war that we will eventually lose. But no one is mentioning waging war against China. Nobody is saying the President should curse the Chinese leaders like how he curses his critics. The people only wish for the safety of the Filipino fishermen. The people also wish for the government to make sure that Filipinos will not lose job opportunities in their own country. They wish the government will be more open to details and information regarding its agreements with China. It is not war but true public service to the Filipino people that is expected of the Duterte administration. In the social teachings of the Church, it is emphasized that the government has a sworn duty to help in the development of all its citizens. It must be the government’s goal to help each and every citizen fulfill his or her responsibilities, like helping our fishermen to be able to contribute to the supply of food, and help workers find decent jobs to support their families and contribute to the economy. This is the duty of the government, which becomes useless if it sets these goals and duties aside, if it ignores the needs of the people. Brothers and sisters, if the current administration is powerless against the Chinese, we, this coming election, must take action. Let us choose the candidates who are willing to stand for our country, and not those who are ready to betray us. Make it a habit to listen to Radio Veritas 846 Ang Radyo ng Simbahan in the AM band, or through live streaming at www.veritas846.ph and follow its Twitter and Instagram accounts @veritasph and YouTube at veritas846.ph. For your comments, e-mail veritas846pr@gmail.com.
husband Ninoy: “Cory liked to boast that during her term, she had at least succeeded in restoring democracy, if she had done nothing else. “But it is also true that she resurrected the detention centers, and it was in her administration that warrantless arrests were carried out,” Laurel states in his book Neither Trumpets Nor Drums, adding Amnesty International, the International Labor Organization, the Task Force Detainees were continually protesting against the illegal arrest and detention of farmers, students, teachers and the urban poor. “The Cory government, by remaining indifferent to the popular clamor for change, failed to herald a new era for our country or to bury the traditional forces of cronyism, favoritism, corruption and greed,” he said. To reach the writer, e-mail cecilio.arillo@ gmail.com.
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At seven in the evening, when workers, and those in call centers were not allowed anymore to go back to their workplaces, there was difficulty in finding transportation to go back home. The taxis, true to their calling when there was a surplus of commuters, had most of their windows opened. You knew what that meant—the wily cab drivers were open to negotiation for the highest bidder. It was déjà vu on my part: it was like “Ondoy” all over again. One wanted to go home but could not. The city was not a safe place to live in. And yet it was not Ondoy. There was no panic buying. Everyone appeared to assume things were all right. This was bad. We never learned our lesson. When that huge earthquake called “Higashi Nihon Daishinsai” or Great East Japan Earthquake, hit the Tohoku regions, it was in March 2011. And yet the “World Tsunami Awareness Month” has been placed in the month of November. Chronicles point to that month, according to reports, because the organizers wanted the commemoration to be less a memorial than a call to action and remembering. The month of November recalls a massive earthquake, which occurred in November 1854. The said 8.4-magnitude earthquake caused a tsunami of great proportion. More than the di-
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it. The tone should be set at the top. We need public officials who have the moral ascendancy to lead our people. The battle starts in this election, which should be about values. Incorruptibility. Loyalty. Industry. Godliness. Trustworthiness. Courage. Respect for the law. Honesty. Let’s look for them in our candidates. Let us vote to restore those bedrock Filipino values to the Senate, the House of Representatives, the Governor’s Mansion and the Mayor’s Office. “We get the government we deserve.” Let’s install into office elective officials who represent the best in us; candidates who possess the values we need in our government. nnn
THE “Build, Build, Build” flagship program of the Duterte administration may sound pretty much similar to the “Jobs, Jobs, Jobs” espoused by then independent US Presidential Candidate Ross Perot. He opposed the Gulf War and the ratification of the North American Free Trade Agreement and warned that jobs outsourcing will cost loss of jobs
saster, there was a magnificent backstory to the choice of November as the month to remember tidal waves, earthquakes and other disasters. There was also the Fire of Inamura. The story was that, it was night when the earthquake happened. A farmer who had newly harvested his rice decided to burn the sheaves or stack of rice and straw to provide the light for the people in the village to escape the tsunami, which could not be seen in the dark. “Sheaves” are called Inamura and they gave the fire, which saved people and led them to safety. The April 22 earthquake pointed to Floridablanca, Pampanga, as epicenter. Destructions were also heavy in many areas of Pampanga. A Facebook post from Robby Tantingco, artist, cultural worker and university official, articulated what some knew already about Pampanga. In that post, the salient points of which were taken from historical sources, Tantingco wrote of, and underscored, the strongest earthquakes that hit Pampanga in the past: “It occurred on September 30, 1645, measuring Intensity X [Magnitude is the measure of a quake’s strength, Intensity the measure of the amount of destruction, which was the only measurement existing at the time]. The earth shook from Mindoro to Ilocos Norte, wiping out all the magnificent churches built to the Americans. “The Nafta will steal American jobs.” Perot’s populist stand had earned him substantial support, especially from the highly industrialized states in the US. On his first attempt at the White House in 1992, he garnered 18 percent of the popular votes although he did not win a single electoral vote. His performance in that election goaded him to try his hand again in the succeeding presidential election in 1996 as a third-party candidate. He formed the Reform Party as a vehicle for his candidacy. This time, he collected only 8.4 percent of the popular votes as he was running against formidable opponents—Bill Clinton and Bob Dole. PRRD did not have a political party of his own. He was only adopted as the candidate of PDP-Laban of the Pimentels, fellow Mindanaoans. But this is as far as the similarity with the Perot campaign went. PRRD had found a legitimate cause, Federalism, to travel around the country and make himself an indispensable part of the political conversation and public consciousness even before he filed his certificate of candidacy by substituting candidate Martin Dino of PDP-Laban. Short of cash, he ran a smart campaign and surrounded
A big German victory on Britain’s high streets By Andrea Felsted Bloomberg Opinion
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HE “Sasda” dream is over. Almost a year since British grocery giant J Sainsbury Plc. clinched a clever £7.3-billion ($9.4 billion) deal to buy Walmart Inc.’s Asda, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has blocked the transaction. Both companies have agreed to walk away. The CMA is wrong to take such a harsh line, which went even further than its provisional ruling by deciding on an outright ban. The German no-frills supermarkets Aldi and Lidl
have changed the shape of British food retail, but the ruling fails to recognize this. The upstart discounters will only get stronger. British supermarkets will have to continue to do their best to compete, with one potential response—combining as a way to cut costs and ease the pressure from price-slashing rivals—shut off to them. A combined SainsburyAsda would have been the UK’s No. 1 supermarket chain, but i ts market share wouldn’t have been so much bigger than current leader Tesco Plc. That said, Sainsbury and Asda are right to walk away, rather than
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With Sainsbury’s shares at their lowest point since July 2016, and with a big shareholder on board in the form of the Qatar Investment Authority, you can’t rule out the possibility of a bidder emerging for the British company. It may appeal to Amazon.com Inc., or to private equity—though with Asda available too, that’s an outside chance. For now, Coupe (if he carries on in the role) must get back to basics. That’s much less exciting than creating what would have been Britain’s biggest grocer. But after the regulator’s ruling, he has few other choices right now. pursue a time-consuming and distracting judicial review. Mike Coupe, Sainsbury’s chief executive, can legitimately say he tried to do a deal that was in the best interests of consum-
ers, employees and shareholders, but was prohibited from doing so. Now starts the process of rebuilding. Here, Walmart is in a better position, as it could attract a private
since the arrival of the Spaniards in 1571, including the original churches of Lubao, Bacolor and Mexico. The second was the Intensity IX quake on July 18, 1880, that shook Central and Southern Luzon. Rivers were re-directed and entire villages disappeared, and in Manila Bay the water bubbled noisily and mixed with black mud, and the wreck of a ship that had sunk years before was thrown right out of the water, according to the Japan Gazette, Vol. 26. It destroyed the Macabebe Church and once again, the rebuilt churches of Lubao, Bacolor and Mexico.” There is a web site that is named “Resilience Science.” Under the post, Disaster Memory, can be found a notice about a new blog created, “Disaster Memory: Understanding social memory of extreme events and disasters.” The blog says it aims “to explore how human experience of extreme weather and natural disasters is encoded and archived in memory; how individual and collective memory of past events is recalled to making sense of present experience; and how these processes shape society’s responses to natural disasters. The blog provides a space for exploration and exchange of ‘disaster memory’ stories, and in doing so illuminates
avenues for learning.” The bloggers, Erin Bohensky and Anne Leitch, talk about how “Local, place-based knowledge about socialecological systems is thought to build resilience to uncertainty and rapid change, such as that posed by natural disasters.” They mention R. J. McIntosh and his concept of social memory—“the long-term communal understanding of the dynamics of environmental change, and the transmission of the pertinent experience.” Growing up among grandparents and other old members of the clan, I was familiar with time reckoning that was odd and strange for my generation. A grandfather would recall about a typhoon with winds so strong they excavated coconut husks long half-buried in the ground. A grandmother had a memory of what she called “bagyong Ugis,” a storm so mean it stripped the bark off the big trees, transforming the trunks into white posts. Ugis, in our place, was a term used for “albinos.” It is good to remember and respect local knowledge once more. It is good to memorize disasters as landmarks and guides.
himself with technocrats, mostly from Davao, and schoolmates from his law school. They were the brains of his campaign. In order to travel light and cover more areas, he campaigned alone despite a coterie of senatorial candidates who wanted to join him and ride on his zooming popularity. The rest is history. Perot never got a chance to deliver on his promise of Jobs, Jobs, Jobs after losing twice in a row. On the other hand, PRRD is well on his way to achieve what Public Works Secretary Mark A. Villar calls the “golden age of infrastructure” in our country.
the ISIS camp was overtaken and the surviving soldiers fled, celebration followed all over Syria. Even our government, led by President Duterte, hailed the collapse of the ISIS “caliphate.” But the fight is not yet over. It would be a gross mistake to consider the ISIS dead. The Philippines hosts an ISIS affiliated group and the siege of Marawi should constantly remind us of ISIS’s terroristic acts and atrocities. After all, it is not a secret that ISIS has a plan to establish a province in Southern Philippines. The newly set up Bangsamoro Autonomous government and the martial law regime that is still enforced in Mindanao should be able to check any unlawful design of ISIS and its cohorts.
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FINALLY, the feared Islamic State in Iraq and Syria lost its last stronghold in Syria after internecine battle with the US forces and their Kurdish allies. The fall of the last ISIS pocket of resistance was delayed because of the presence of the civilians and the ISIS families that served as human shields. While the fighting was raging, a member of the Syrian Democratic Forces who is obviously tired of the war said, “We are sick of the smell of blood. The stench of dead bodies strewn on the streets is too much. Some could not even eat for days. We hope this is over so that we can live our normal lives.” After
equity buyer for Asda. Coupe must carry on with his own plan B. He said on Thursday that he was confident in his stand-alone strategy for Sainsbury. But its performance has deteriorated. His first task is to stem the decline in same-store sales. The company’s shares fell about 5 percent after the CMA announcement, erasing all the gains since the merger was announced. Clearly investors don’t share his optimism. As I’ve argued, Sainsbury may get another chance to acquire Asda. Any private equity buyer of the Walmart asset will eventually seek an exit. But that’s at least five years away.
E-mail: titovaliente@yahoo.com
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A SERVING of dessert should end a good meal. Try this one sent by my good friend, Justice Noel Tijam. A man talking to God asks, “Why did you make women so beautiful?” “So that you would find them lovable,” God replies. Then the man asks, “Then why did you make them so dumb?” “So that they would find you lovable.” My apologies to all women but I can explain it: I was only misquoted and if you don’t buy it, I was only joking.
With Sainsbury’s shares at their lowest point since July 2016, and with a big shareholder on board in the form of the Qatar Investment Authority, you can’t rule out the possibility of a bidder emerging for the British company. It may appeal to Amazon.com Inc., or to private equity—though with Asda available too, that’s an outside chance. For now, Coupe (if he carries on in the role) must get back to basics. That’s much less exciting than creating what would have been Britain’s biggest grocer. But after the regulator’s ruling, he has few other choices right now.
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Decide ‘Trabaho’ bill’s fate soon, Aussie biz asks PHL A
By Elijah Felice E. Rosales
@alyasjah
USTRALIAN firms want the government to decide as soon as possible the fate of the Tax Reform for Attracting Better and High-Quality Opportunities (Trabaho) bill to end uncertainties over the country’s corporate tax and incentives regime. Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Steven J. Robinson said Australian firms are hoping for the immediate conclusion of legislative discussions on the Trabaho bill. He argued uncertainties will be removed once lawmakers make up their mind on what to do with
the measure. “With regard to the passage of certain pieces of legislations, [the Trabaho bill] is still making its way through [Congress],” Robinson told reporters on Thursday. “What I heard briefly from the time I have been in the country
“Australian businesses are looking forward to the conclusion of that passage through Congress. Once they know what that legislation is going to look like, business will be able to make up its mind how it deals with it.”—Robinson
is that Australian businesses are looking forward to the conclusion of that passage through Congress. Once they know what that legislation is going to look like, business will be able to make up its mind how it deals with it,” he added. The Trabaho bill seeks to gradually trim corporate income tax to 20 percent by 2029 from 30 percent
on one end, and rationalize tax incentives on the other. Locators, mostly multinationals, warned they may cut down manpower or move out of the Philippines if their tax perks, particularly the 5 percent on gross income earned (GIE) in lieu of all local and national taxes, are stripped from them. This is also the reason Department of Finance officials are having a tough time getting the measure approved in the Senate, as senators worry its passage could lead to losses in investments and, consequently, employment. The House of Representatives approved their version of the measure in September 2018, over See “Trabaho bill’s,” A8
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Govt seizes 22,000 bags of smuggled sugar from Thailand By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas
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@jearcalas
HE government has seized almost 22,000 50-kilogram bags, equivalent to 1,100 metric tons (MT), of smuggled refined sugar from Thailand, according to an official of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA). SRA Board Member Roland Beltran told the BusinessMirror that initial reports received by the government-owned and -controlled corporation indicated that a total of 35 shipping containers were apprehended in Subic port. The shipment was misdeclared as floor mats and plastic cover. Beltran said 19 of the 35 ship-
ping containers were initially declared to contain floor mats but turned out to be holding about 9,500 bags to 12,000 bags of sugar. The remaining 16 containers were declared to be imported plastic covers but were found to contain 8,000 bags to 10,000 bags of sugar. The shipments were consigned to JRFP International Trading, which holds office in Tondo, Manila. Beltran said the company is not a registered sugar trader as verified by the SRA. The total volume of smuggled sugar is estimated to be about 17,5000 bags to 22,000 bags, which is equivalent to 875 MT to 1,100 MT. See “Sugar,” A2
Citem seeks to generate ₧368-M sales in first leg of biannual trade event By Roderick L. Abad @rodrik_28
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HE Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (Citem) is expecting total sales of P368.98 million for the 69th Edition of Manila FAME that kicked off
on Thursday at the World Trade Center Metro Manila in Pasay City. From this amount, the trade promotions arm of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) seeks to gain about P30 million and $6.5 million or P338.91 million in domestic and export sales, respectively.
Such target figures are higher compared to the P40 million and $6.175 million—or P321.1 million—local and export sales booked and negotiated, accordingly, at the event’s edition during the same period last year. Citem Executive Director Paulina Suaco-Juan attributed their upbeat
forecast with their aggressive marketing initiatives for the Manila FAME. “We’ve tried to redouble our efforts in terms of promotions. So we’re reviewing the way we do our buyer campaigns,” she told reporters in an interview. “The presence on social media is much better with the way we
promote online, our e-mail marketing and our online marketing.” The top executive, likewise, ascribed it to exhibitors stepping up the quality of products and services they showcase to both the expo goers and buyers. “So we’re hoping that See “Citem,” A8
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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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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
Companies BusinessMirror
Editor: Efleda P. Campos
Friday, April 26, 2019
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Petron guarantees enough supply for local market during maintenance break in May By Lenie Lectura
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@llectura
ETRON Corp. said on Thursday its refinery in Bataan has enough supply to service the market during the conduct of maintenance activities that will start next month. “We assure our customers we have ample inventory to supply
the requirements of our domestic market,” the country’s largest oil
refiner said. Petron provides nearly 40 percent of the country’s fuel requirements through its Bataan refinery, 30 terminals, and over 2,400 service stations nationwide. Petron’s refiner y in Limay, Bataan, was forced to go into an emergency shutdown following the strong earthquake that affected Central Luzon and Metro Manila on April 22. The 6.1-magnitude earthquake triggered the protective tripping of
Melco on equity restructuring to wipe out deficits By VG Cabuag @ villygc
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ELCO Resorts and Entertainment (Philippines) Corp., the operator of City of Dreams Manila, on Thursday said it is implementing an equity restructuring by reducing the number of its shares to increase its value. In its disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, Melco said its board of directors approved the measure called reverse stock split, by reducing the number of shares to just 11,800 common shares from 5.9 billion shares. As a result, its par value will be at P500,000 per share from P1.
“In the event that any fractional shares are created as a result of the reverse stock split, MCO [Philippines] Investments Ltd. will purchase these fractional shares from the stockholders at P7.25 per share,” the company said. “The implementation of an equity restructuring by applying a portion of the corporation’s additional paid-in capital of P22.25 billion in end-2018 against its deficit of P134.56 million by end-2018, in an amount sufficient to entirely eliminate such deficit,” it added. Melco earlier said revenues of City of Dreams Manila slightly fell last year on lower VIP gaming volume. The company that operates and owns half of the integrated resort and casino said in its disclo-
sure net revenues last year fell more than 5 percent to $612.9 million (around P31.87 billion) from the previous year’s $649.3 million (P33.76 billion). Adjusted property earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortization (Ebitda) rose to $269.2 million, up 14 percent from the previous year’s $235 million. “Property Ebitda is used by management as the primary measure of Melco Entertainment’s operating performance and to compare our performance with that of our competitors,” it said. VIP rolling-chip volume fell 3 percent to $11.09 billion from the previous year’s $11.5 billion, while win rate rose 3.2 percent, from the previous year’s 3.1 percent.
certain refinery units, resulting in the emergency shutdown. This was followed by the flaring of gases, an important safety measure in refinery facilities, due to the absence of an alternative power supply. Petron said there was no fire at the refinery. At the time of the emergency shutdown, the refinery was preparing for a regular total plant turnaround beginning May 1 for scheduled maintenance activities. “The turnaround will allow us
to perform regular maintenance and repair for all process units, as well as assess any possible damage caused by the earthquake,” the oil company said. Petron posted a 50-percent drop in full-year net income in 2018 to P7.1 billion following a sustained decline in global crude prices that resulted in inventory losses of P10 billion in the last two months of the year. Operating income for the year reached P18.9 billion, down 32 per-
cent, from the P27.6 billion recorded in 2017. Excluding the one-time item, the profit would have ended 21 percent higher at P17 billion. “It was a challenging year, yet we captured the majority of the market and remained the largest and fastest-growing oil company in the country. While our long-term fundamentals remain attractive, we will continue to be prepared and responsive to market conditions,” Petron President and CEO Ramon Ang said.
ETERNAL GARDENS ANNUAL AWARDS NIGHT Naga City Mayor
John G. Bongat (second from left) receives the glass-encased image of the Transfiguration of Christ from Eternal Gardens chairman and CEO D. Edgard A. Cabangon (left), and a gift from director T. Anthony C. Cabangon (second from right) as tokens of appreciation for gracing the Grand Annual Awards Night of Eternal Gardens. With them is Benjamin V. Ramos (right), vice chairman. Please see related
story on B2.
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Companies BusinessMirror
Friday, April 26, 2019
ABS-CBN set to diversify into 3 different industries
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By Lorenz S. Marasigan
@lorenzmarasigan
TOCKHOLDERS of ABS-CBN Corp. approved on Thursday the company’s diversification program that will see the multimedia conglomerate entering into three different industries. The Lopez-led company is investing in Ever Bilena Inc., The Chosen Bun Inc. and iBayad Online Ventures Inc.
With the Ever Bilena deal, the media company will be able to engage in the business of manufacturing, production, trading and sale
on wholesale or retail cosmetics, including purchase and importation of raw materials, finished goods, packaging materials, and machinery and equipment necessary for said business. The joint-venture corporation will initially have an authorized capital stock of P10 million, of which P1.25 million will be subscribed by ABS-CBN. The deal with The Chosen Bun will allow ABS-CBN to raise, process, manufacture and package all kinds of food products; to establish, operate, manage and maintain restaurants, coffee shops and refreshments parlors; and to serve,
arrange and cater foods, drinks, refreshments and other foods or commodities. The company will initially have an authorized capital stock of P1 million, of which P250,000 will be subscribed by the Lopez-led company. Lastly, the deal with iBayad will allow ABS-CBN to organize, invest in and operate a joint-venture corporation for purposes of engaging in the business of customer and merchant e-wallet/e-money services and other related services, as well as advertising, producing, distributing and marketing products and services that are connected to the operations of the said business.
Grab expects e-wallet users in PHL to double this year By Roderick L. Abad
@rodrik_28
Contributor
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RAB Philippines expects to double the number of its electronic-wallet users in the country by end of 2019 with the initial execution of its partnership with SM Investments Corp. (SMIC), one of the nation’s top conglomerates in the retail, banking and property industries. Grab Philippines President Brian Cu said the usage of their payment gateway within their app, which used to be limited only to their transportation network vehicle services (TNVS) and GrabExpress, is less than 20 percent. “So we’re starting off with a low base. The penetration in the country is also low for cashless. If you don’t double [its adoption by the local market] every year, you’re doing
something wrong,” he told reporters after the official launch of GrabPay to moviegoers of SM Cinema at Mall of Asia in Pasay City on Wednesday. With its expanded application to other services, GrabPay userbase in the Philippines has dramatically grown by 130 percent from the first quarter of 2018 up to the present. “We want to grow it by at least the same number, so double [the current figure],” he said, without citing the exact target number of e-wallet users nationwide. Cu, however, said payment in itself will not be a huge contributor to the company’s topline. The bulk of their business, he said, would still come from the transport portfolio as food is catching up. “What GrabPay does, instead of driving revenue, is drive access to all the other services,” Cu said. “It’s part of the whole financial inclusion for
Electric co-ops in CL, East Visayas fully operating after twin quakes
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LL electric cooperatives (ECs) in Central Luzon and Eastern Visayas are now supplying power to their assigned areas after two earthquake incidents hit Luzon and the Visayas early this week. The National Electrification Administration (NEA) said the ECs have reported normal operations including those in Pampanga, which suffered a series of power interruptions shortly after the 6.1-magnitude tremor struck Zambales on Monday. NEA Deputy Administrator for Technical Services Artis Nikki Tortola said it took a while for the Pampanga II Electric Cooperative Inc. (Pelco II) to fully restore power for all its customers, but its distribution system was expected to normalize by April 24. The Guagua-based Pelco II earlier reported it was able to switch the lights back on for 201,227 or 99.85 percent of its consumers on April 23. “All [ECs in Central Luzon] are under normal operations already—even Pelco II, which was significantly hit. But so far, they
have restored their system as of Wednesday,” Tortola said. Meanwhile, the Eastern Samar Electric Cooperative Inc. (Esamelco) reported it has fully restored electricity service to nine municipalities (Arteche, Can-avid, Dolores, Jipadpad, Maslog, Oras, San Policarpio, Taft and Sulat) out of 23 areas affected by the 6.5-magnitude earthquake on April 23. Power-restoration efforts continued and were completed by Wednesday for the municipalities of Balangiga, Balangkayan, Borongan City, General MacArthur, Giporlos, Guiuan, Hernani, Lawaan, Llorente, Maydolong, Mercedes, Quinapondan, Salcedo and San Julian, where the quake’s epicenter was located. The coverage areas of Samar I Electric Cooperative Inc. (Samelco I), Samelco II, Northern Samar Electric Cooperative Inc. (Norsamelco) also experienced varying degrees of outages because of the earthquake, but power has been restored. Tortola said the tremor only caused minor damage to power coops in Eastern Visayas. Lenie Lectura
those that otherwise would be invisible to the formal financial economy. Another thing, it gives the mobility to access our transport and food [offerings].” GrabPay gears up to become one of the largest and most rewarding everyday mobile wallets in the country this year. As a headstart, it just introduced itself to moviegoers in SM as the next step of the strategic collaboration it entered with SMIC in November 2018 to jointly develop products and services that will promote cashless transactions across the country. “As the leading super app in Southeast Asia, we are excited to take our innovative mobile wallet GrabPay outside of the Grab app and bring it closer to the everyday lives of Filipinos, starting with SM Cinema,” said Ooi Huey Tyng, GrabPay managing director for Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines.
“We have always strived to provide our patrons with the best cinema experience in the country, and we continuously invest in new technologies to further improve our services. With a shared vision of creating meaningful and better experiences for our customers, partnering with Grab to elevate the SM Cinema experience from ticketing to watching films will help us achieve our goal,” SM Lifestyle Entertainment Inc. Senior Assistant Vice President for Ad and Corporate Sales Maria Isabel Santillian said. With this payment service, purchasing cinema tickets is easy in three steps: Scan the QR code available in SM cinema-ticketing booths, enter the amount and tap pay. This e-wallet will also be available online through the SM Cinema web site to allow the users to purchase their movie tickets in advance.
Naga mayor praises Eternal Gardens’s top sales performers as its ‘prime assets’
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EYNOTING the Grand Annual Awards Night of Eternal Gardens for its top sales producers in 2018, Naga City Mayor John G. Bongat praised the company’s awardees and the entire sales team as its “prime asset, the best in the memorial care industry.” In glittering awards ceremonies at the Ambassador Hall of Manila Grand Opera Hotel in Santa Cruz, Manila, on Wednesday night, Bongat congratulated Eternal Gardens, its awardees and the rest of the sales force for exceeding sales targets during the past year. “Sales success does not come easily. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication and patience to be successful.… But know that your asset is not only the fine brand of Eternal Gardens that you sell. Its sales team is its prime asset as the best in the memorial industry.” He likewise praised Eternal Gardens as a company “that has been helping people achieve the very best of their own capability through proper training and skills building that enhance the way the sales team works.” “Quality begins from the inside and works itself out,” Bongat said, adding, “Like in public service, success calls for integrity, fair dealing, honesty and transparency.… The higher a company’s integrity and reputation, the more quality clients it has who, in turn, encourage others to patronize your products.” Big delegations from the 11 branches of the company located in key places all over the country filled the wide hall. Top company execu-
tives who welcomed sales managers and agents of the branches were led by D. Edgard A. Cabangon, chairman and CEO; Numeriano B. Rodrin, president and COO; Benjamin V. Ramos, board chairman; and T. Anthony C. Cabangon, director. The event was also attended by executives from the sister companies of Eternal Gardens under the ALC Group of Companies established by Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua. The sales awardees were led by Helen I. Abesa, first place, General Agency Manager category; Fe C. Pacheco, second; and Gloria E. Sanchez, third. Top awardees in other categories included Carmen R. Resma and Cornelio C. Abesa IX, Regular and Personal Unit Managers, respectively; Cynthia R. Lescano and Apolonio I. Abesa, Regular and Personal Sales Counselors; and Antonio V. Uy, League Manager. Apolonio Abesa bagged all the Specialist Awards, namely Lawn Specialist, Garden Specialist, Family Estate Specialist, Account Specialist and Spot Cash Specialist. Rookie of the Year Awardees were Carmen Resma in the Regular Unit Manager category, and Marissa Yu in the Regular Sales Counselor category. The Eternal Gardens chain of memorial parks includes the maiden branch in Baesa, Caloocan City; and subsequent ones in the cities of Dagupan, Biñan and Batangas, in two barangays; and Lipa, Naga, Cabanatuan City, Santa Rosa, Cagayan de Oro’s Greenhills Park and the 11th newly opened park in Cabuyao, Laguna.
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PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS
April 25, 2019
Net Foreign Stocks Bid Ask Open High Low Close Volume Value Trade (Peso) Buy (Sell) FINANCIALS BDO UNIBANK BANK PH ISLANDS CHINABANK EAST WEST BANK METROBANK PB BANK PBCOM PHIL NATL BANK PSBANK PHILTRUST RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK BRIGHT KINDLE BDO LEASING COL FINANCIAL FIRST ABACUS FERRONOUX HLDG IREMIT MEDCO HLDG MANULIFE NTL REINSURANCE PHIL STOCK EXCH VANTAGE
133.8 81.5 26.7 11.54 76.55 12.7 21.45 52.75 58.7 110.3 26 178.8 60.7 1.3 2.17 18.92 0.59 4.73 1.4 0.495 780 0.95 177 1.12
134 81.55 26.8 11.58 76.85 13.5 21.95 52.8 58.9 120 26.2 181.2 60.9 1.34 2.24 18.94 0.66 4.74 1.41 0.5 820 0.99 178 1.13
134 82 26.2 11.64 75.9 13.46 21.95 53.5 58.95 110.2 26 178 61 1.3 2.17 18.94 0.59 4.69 1.41 0.5 795 0.97 182.1 1.13
134.2 82.8 26.95 11.64 76.85 13.7 21.95 53.5 59 121.8 26 181.2 61.3 1.3 2.17 18.96 0.59 4.77 1.41 0.52 795 1 182.1 1.13
133.8 81.25 26.15 11.46 75.55 13.46 21.95 52.5 58.95 110.2 26 176.1 60.7 1.3 2.17 18.92 0.59 4.51 1.41 0.495 780 0.95 178 1.13
134 81.5 26.8 11.58 76.85 13.46 21.95 52.75 58.95 121.8 26 181.2 60.7 1.3 2.17 18.94 0.59 4.74 1.41 0.5 780 0.99 178 1.13
2058430 1901340 111900 143400 2432760 45100 100 125890 2570 70 500 349640 1720 180000 9000 50100 2000 190000 2000 2157000 170 182000 1720 41000
275719018 155243140 2965195 1656744 185139245.5 607070 2195 6639169 151567.5 7830 13000 62924510 104655.5 234000 19530 948768 1180 894110 2820 1085440 133150 176350 308455 46330
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 LIBERTY FLOUR 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 TKC METALS VULCAN INDL CROWN ASIA EUROMED MABUHAY VINYL PRYCE CORP CONCEPCION GREENERGY INTEGRATED MICR IONICS PANASONIC SFA SEMICON CIRTEK HLDG
1.39 37.6 0.238 21.8 79.05 379.2 22.7 6.32 4.44 1.43 11.92 44.8 6.88 16 14.62 15.16 5.8 10.6 7.38 115 0.85 29.35 302.8 50 10.2 14.8 0.195 1.23 12.34 1.65 4.8 2.15 0.128 143 1.36 2.5 68.4 1.9 5.85 15.8 9.35 11.28 22 0.99 1.17 1.95 1.56 3.55 5.02 45 2.5 12.62 1.72 6.05 1.26 27.75
ABACORE CAPITAL ASIABEST GROUP AYALA CORP ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANGLO PHIL HLDG ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B BHI HLDG COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT JOLLIVILLE HLDG LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG MJC INVESTMENTS METRO PAC INV PACIFICA PRIME ORION PRIME MEDIA SOLID GROUP SYNERGY GRID SM INVESTMENTS SAN MIGUEL CORP SOC RESOURCES WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG
0.6 18.4 885 54 14.82 0.77 1.38 1.4 1251 7.55 11.48 14.9 0.241 850 6.41 64.05 5.5 0.495 5.02 16 0.55 2.76 4.43 0.038 2.86 1.12 1.33 434 944 174.9 0.93 0.236 0.33
1.4 38 0.242 21.85 79.75 385 22.75 6.33 4.6 1.44 12.1 45.2 6.96 16.16 16.42 15.18 5.99 10.68 7.39 115.6 0.87 29.5 303 52.5 10.58 14.9 0.202 1.25 12.5 1.74 4.81 2.26 0.129 143.6 1.37 2.57 70.45 1.91 5.87 15.96 9.43 11.3 22.1 1 1.18 1.98 1.69 3.65 5.12 45.5 2.55 12.64 1.77 6.1 1.29 28
1.4 36.9 0.239 22.2 80.05 382 22.7 6.41 4.6 1.44 12 45.9 6.85 16.2 16 15.68 5.98 11 7.4 114.5 0.85 29.15 301 50 10.2 14.5 0.196 1.24 12.98 1.78 4.79 2.22 0.129 145.2 1.4 2.5 70 1.97 5.35 15.9 9.2 11.34 22.15 0.98 1.15 1.95 1.69 3.62 5.05 45 2.74 12.58 1.8 6.12 1.24 27.75
1.4 38 0.242 22.2 80.2 385 22.95 6.41 4.6 1.45 12.08 45.9 7.1 16.4 16.42 15.68 5.99 11 7.4 115 0.87 30 307.6 50 10.58 15.1 0.202 1.25 12.98 1.78 4.8 2.22 0.129 145.4 1.42 2.51 73.9 1.98 5.87 15.98 9.4 11.4 22.15 1.02 1.17 1.98 1.69 3.68 5.06 45 2.74 12.72 1.8 6.16 1.3 29
1.4 36.45 0.238 21.65 78.6 377.2 22.35 6.31 4.4 1.38 11.8 44.55 6.84 15.88 16 15.18 5.72 10.48 7.39 113 0.83 29.1 301 50 10.2 14.5 0.192 1.22 12.2 1.65 4.79 2.15 0.129 142.5 1.35 2.5 68.4 1.9 5.35 15.76 8.89 11.28 22 0.96 1.15 1.95 1.56 3.62 5 45 2.5 12.5 1.73 6.1 1.24 27.75
1.4 38 0.242 21.8 79 385 22.75 6.32 4.4 1.44 12.08 45.2 6.96 16.16 16.3 15.18 5.99 10.6 7.39 115 0.85 29.9 303 50 10.58 14.9 0.202 1.25 12.34 1.74 4.8 2.15 0.129 143.6 1.37 2.5 70 1.9 5.85 15.96 9.4 11.3 22.05 0.99 1.17 1.95 1.56 3.62 5 45 2.5 12.64 1.77 6.1 1.29 28
110000 2119800 170000 786500 265660 186240 1079600 1793600 96000 22351000 126900 93300 147200 249400 1200 175000 16500 5681400 3913800 252750 2010000 277800 906290 54620 15100 5246500 510000 733000 560700 3000 274000 26000 220000 807600 5287000 613000 350 8080000 7700 336200 1305200 1020300 645700 774000 570000 167000 26000 23000 97600 1200 18832000 269700 223000 33700 98000 58800
154000 79359150 40550 17,150,725( 21247491.5 71181314 24590105 11387277 433020 31673580 1521462 4246615 1016785 4012544 19404 2674782 97996 60595404 28931016 28945354 1702670 8101040 274904516 2731000 154286 78185438 98530 907570 6974672 5170 1315190 56430 28380 116045212 7282360 1532880 24231 15492360 44720 5346806 12054627 11552494 14251240 764060 659340 325800 41240 83650 491200 54000 48658310 3390090 391570 206050 123420 1686545
HOLDING & FRIMS 0.61 18.48 890 54.25 14.84 0.78 1.39 1.46 1699 7.56 11.52 14.92 0.25 860 6.57 65 5.58 0.52 5.03 16.08 0.58 3.39 4.44 0.04 2.9 1.13 1.34 471.2 950 175 0.94 0.241 0.335
0.62 18.76 885 55.15 14.5 0.76 1.39 1.4 1251 7.6 11.78 14.92 0.241 852 6.42 65.65 5.5 0.52 5.17 15.8 0.55 3.38 4.4 0.039 2.93 1.13 1.34 430 951.5 177.2 0.98 0.236 0.33
0.62 19 894 56.1 14.86 0.78 1.4 1.4 1251 7.6 11.78 15.2 0.25 868.5 6.42 65.65 5.5 0.52 5.17 16 0.58 3.39 4.47 0.04 2.93 1.13 1.34 473 953 178 0.98 0.241 0.34
0.59 18.46 883 54 14.5 0.75 1.37 1.39 1251 7.54 11.4 14.88 0.241 828.5 6.41 63.7 5.5 0.5 5.02 15.5 0.55 3.38 4.4 0.038 2.84 1.13 1.34 430 935.5 173.8 0.93 0.236 0.325
0.6 18.48 885 54 14.82 0.77 1.39 1.4 1251 7.56 11.52 14.92 0.25 852 6.41 65 5.5 0.52 5.02 16 0.58 3.39 4.44 0.04 2.86 1.13 1.34 434 950 175 0.94 0.241 0.335
9388000 22200 254930 1299830 6762700 904000 3501000 414000 10 359200 3846300 1219200 40000 516500 14900 1743150 5500 11000 289500 1888300 5000 6000 23351000 5700000 1043000 2000 21000 190 183520 256830 1251000 210000 2830000
5602450 414462 225800370 70734549.5 99356454 683040 4862580 579590 12510 2716836 44309948 18227490 9810 441944095 95559 112753678 30250 5680 1460804 29783940 2840 20310 103662610 221000 2993240 2260 28140 84310 173739845 44953206 1182180 49610 932550
-10947139 -20919261.5 144525 -103259.9997 -108011680.5 1937419 29026465 -40166 890052 -4690 16380 38139985 3,266,924.9996) -19149138.5 16493736 -21871960 -1931598 -593570 553840 -104835.9998 -6520 -695690 -4784 -3061480 -1478000 -9117365 -61437044 -31847966 229540 -35224 -30759491 -22139.9999 1437500 -3828500 -98332 3878629 3093886 -750125 97000 -471000 54000 807300 -3564 -302865 -5070 7588 -81113920 -37402525.5 -11492604 576790 -911662 -27469982 1950090 -45789695 3487480 -941338 -7688860 -36965330 -0 -23086185 -31354197 -
PROPERTY
ARTHALAND CORP 0.78 0.79 0.79 0.8 0.77 0.77 576000 451110 ANCHOR LAND 10.04 11.18 11.2 11.2 10.02 11.18 6000 61436 AYALA LAND 48.9 49.5 48 49.5 47.95 49.5 18473500 901647970 272334205 ARANETA PROP 1.93 1.99 1.99 2 1.99 1.99 220000 437810 BELLE CORP 2.43 2.44 2.45 2.47 2.43 2.44 286000 700790 -29370 A BROWN 0.76 0.77 0.77 0.78 0.75 0.77 985000 747810 CITYLAND DEVT 0.91 0.92 0.91 0.92 0.91 0.92 8000 7310 CROWN EQUITIES 0.237 0.245 0.24 0.242 0.237 0.237 7290000 1746570 -456140 CEBU HLDG 6.33 6.5 6.33 6.5 6.33 6.5 2200 14263 CEB LANDMASTERS 4.3 4.35 4.3 4.38 4.3 4.35 1886000 8172570 1188640 CENTURY PROP 0.51 0.52 0.51 0.52 0.5 0.51 7892000 4016540 -697680 DOUBLEDRAGON 25.65 25.7 25.85 26 25.4 25.7 645200 16589325 6945185 DM WENCESLAO 10.76 10.78 10.82 11 10.6 10.76 574700 6139780 372300 EMPIRE EAST 0.49 0.495 0.495 0.495 0.49 0.49 280000 137550 FILINVEST LAND 1.52 1.53 1.52 1.54 1.52 1.53 8042000 12237040 435580 GLOBAL ESTATE 1.3 1.31 1.29 1.32 1.29 1.3 1388000 1809410 -156000 8990 HLDG 14.46 14.5 13.94 14.7 13.94 14.5 2178600 31064506 -255342 PHIL INFRADEV 1.65 1.66 1.75 1.75 1.64 1.66 6173000 10425400 358030 CITY AND LAND 0.83 0.85 0.82 0.83 0.82 0.83 5000 4130 MEGAWORLD 5.57 5.59 5.6 5.6 5.56 5.59 36098000 201848961 -16128126 MRC ALLIED 0.335 0.34 0.335 0.34 0.33 0.335 14140000 4705950 13200 PHIL ESTATES 0.475 0.49 0.49 0.49 0.49 0.49 20000 9800 PRIMEX CORP 2.41 2.47 2.41 2.5 2.4 2.41 332000 804260 -243000 ROBINSONS LAND 24.4 24.5 23.8 24.5 23.8 24.5 3484200 84718635 16999790 PHIL REALTY 0.42 0.435 0.42 0.43 0.42 0.43 540000 226900 ROCKWELL 1.97 2 1.99 2.01 1.96 2 846000 1690490 435990 SHANG PROP 2.95 3.04 3.01 3.04 2.95 3.04 1050000 3127300 94400 STA LUCIA LAND 1.68 1.69 1.69 1.7 1.68 1.7 868000 1468420 -338000 SM PRIME HLDG 40.6 40.8 40 40.8 39.65 40.8 10315000 416676840 59334605 STARMALLS 7.08 7.12 6.99 7.12 6.87 7.12 258900 1810033 547883 SUNTRUST HOME 0.73 0.74 0.74 0.74 0.74 0.74 408000 301920 148000 VISTA LAND 7.31 7.32 7.3 7.4 7.29 7.32 4679600 34263821 4741625 SERVICES ABS CBN 19.02 19.04 19.2 19.2 19 19.04 95800 1823484 GMA NETWORK 5.12 5.13 5.19 5.19 5.1 5.13 337800 1730949 MANILA BULLETIN 0.59 0.6 0.62 0.62 0.58 0.6 685000 407020 MLA BRDCASTING 15.12 16.8 15.1 15.1 15.08 15.08 1000 15092 GLOBE TELECOM 1759 1780 1790 1837 1755 1780 53280 94930560 23716855 PLDT 1220 1234 1237 1237 1202 1234 99875 122224560 7298800 APOLLO GLOBAL 0.039 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.04 4700000 188000 DFNN INC 6.53 6.95 6.52 6.95 6.52 6.95 28000 191670 ISLAND INFO 0.126 0.129 0.126 0.129 0.125 0.126 1760000 222180 ISM COMM 5.1 5.11 4.9 5.11 4.8 5.11 2627000 12967530 -1156390 JACKSTONES 2.97 3.04 2.97 3.04 2.96 3.04 30000 89170 NOW CORP 2.32 2.33 2.39 2.39 2.3 2.33 1700000 3981780 -7000 TRANSPACIFIC BR 0.365 0.37 0.37 0.375 0.365 0.37 2060000 759700 PHILWEB 3.02 3.04 3.05 3.14 3 3.04 1654000 5065430 -191700 2GO GROUP 12.6 13 13 13.02 12.6 13 48900 629262 ASIAN TERMINALS 15.02 15.54 15.38 15.48 15.38 15.48 3000 46290 CHELSEA 5.28 5.29 5.1 5.29 5.09 5.29 2360300 12212391 -2826380 CEBU AIR 81.2 82 82.2 82.3 81 81.2 88870 7262670 -105723.5 INTL CONTAINER 123.3 124 121.4 125 121.4 124 3219290 398531417 83345697 LBC EXPRESS 15.16 15.76 15.16 15.16 15.16 15.16 300 4548 LORENZO SHIPPNG 0.81 0.82 0.83 0.87 0.8 0.83 1498000 1218890 82000 MACROASIA 21.65 21.7 21.6 21.8 21.6 21.7 739800 16054630 3332575 METROALLIANCE A 1.74 1.84 1.69 1.89 1.68 1.84 164000 297900 PAL HLDG 10 10.02 10.4 10.4 10 10 5900 59820 HARBOR STAR 2.83 2.84 2.83 2.88 2.83 2.84 484000 1379720 142500 BOULEVARD HLDG 0.07 0.071 0.07 0.071 0.07 0.07 7990000 560860 16100 DISCOVERY WORLD 2.06 2.18 2.05 2.05 2.05 2.05 1000 2050 WATERFRONT 0.66 0.67 0.67 0.68 0.66 0.67 1319000 878830 CENTRO ESCOLAR 7.03 7.99 7.04 7.04 7.03 7.03 2000 14071 IPEOPLE 11.02 11.48 11.02 11.02 11.02 11.02 6500 71630 STI HLDG 0.67 0.68 0.68 0.68 0.67 0.68 1160000 781830 -190710 BERJAYA 2.55 2.57 2.27 2.7 2.27 2.55 2525000 6401780 -20110.0001 BLOOMBERRY 12.98 13 12.52 13 12.52 13 9408200 120634382 23959054 PACIFIC ONLINE 4.27 4.29 4.31 4.31 4.25 4.27 11000 47210 -60 LEISURE AND RES 3.74 3.77 3.82 3.82 3.72 3.75 806000 3024560 -1598250 MANILA JOCKEY 4.75 4.79 4.75 4.75 4.75 4.75 3000 14250 PH RESORTS GRP 4 4.17 3.9 4.18 3.9 4.18 89000 361340 PREMIUM LEISURE 0.74 0.75 0.76 0.76 0.73 0.74 2541000 1882240 73380 PHIL RACING 7.15 8.15 8.15 8.15 8.15 8.15 200 1630 TRAVELLERS 5.62 5.64 5.62 5.63 5.62 5.63 86700 487552 -96153 METRO RETAIL 3.44 3.45 3.47 3.48 3.44 3.45 4101000 14155060 583370 PUREGOLD 43.55 44 43.35 44 43.25 44 3794900 166508285 -22433055 ROBINSONS RTL 77 78.3 78.3 78.3 76.75 78.3 97890 7618293.5 -3022072.5 PHIL SEVEN CORP 116 116.5 115.5 116 115.5 116 1300 150650 -1155 SSI GROUP 2.68 2.7 2.7 2.74 2.68 2.7 6812000 18419950 6317610 WILCON DEPOT 16.7 16.8 17 17.04 16.5 16.8 858500 14333438 3655102 APC GROUP 0.415 0.425 0.415 0.42 0.41 0.42 150000 62350 EASYCALL 13.5 13.52 11.9 14.26 11.2 13.5 2083000 28010848 -30272 GOLDEN BRIA 408 421 409 430 408 408 2790 1150408 20400 IPM HLDG 7.04 7.05 7.05 7.05 7.05 7.05 6000 42300 PAXYS 3.11 3.19 3.11 3.11 3.11 3.11 15000 46650 PRMIERE HORIZON 0.96 0.97 0.96 0.98 0.93 0.96 46727000 44608970 82160 SBS PHIL CORP 9.04 9.05 9.04 9.04 8.81 9.04 10500 94258 -37023 MINING & OIL ATOK 11.46 12.06 12.4 12.78 11.34 12.08 35300 435482 123802 APEX MINING 1.36 1.38 1.39 1.4 1.35 1.38 1722000 2354860 32520 ABRA MINING 0.0019 0.002 0.002 0.002 0.002 0.002 152000000 304000 ATLAS MINING 2.82 2.89 2.9 2.9 2.8 2.89 182000 513860 -286630 BENGUET A 1.29 1.54 1.29 1.57 1.29 1.57 8000 12280 BENGUET B 1.21 1.49 1.55 1.55 1.21 1.21 16000 21730 COAL ASIA HLDG 0.29 0.3 0.29 0.29 0.29 0.29 500000 145000 CENTURY PEAK 2.7 2.72 2.71 2.72 2.7 2.72 381000 1031400 -537330 DIZON MINES 8 8.05 8.08 8.1 7.99 8.01 6400 51280 FERRONICKEL 1.49 1.52 1.5 1.52 1.48 1.52 10954000 16491260 2126230 GEOGRACE 0.25 0.255 0.255 0.255 0.247 0.255 620000 154800 LEPANTO A 0.112 0.113 0.115 0.115 0.113 0.113 560000 63570 LEPANTO B 0.113 0.122 0.113 0.113 0.113 0.113 10000 1130 MANILA MINING A 0.0085 0.0089 0.0089 0.009 0.0087 0.0087 3000000 26600 MANILA MINING B 0.0084 0.009 0.0086 0.009 0.0085 0.0086 6000000 52400 MARCVENTURES 1.08 1.09 1.06 1.09 1.05 1.09 80000 85110 NIHAO 0.98 1 1.01 1.01 0.98 1.01 55000 54220 NICKEL ASIA 2.47 2.49 2.46 2.49 2.44 2.47 933000 2307900 33200 ORNTL PENINSULA 0.91 0.92 0.92 0.92 0.9 0.92 238000 218940 PX MINING 3.15 3.16 3.19 3.19 3.15 3.15 366000 1158200 SEMIRARA MINING 23.7 23.75 23.7 23.95 23.5 23.7 627700 14883505 7253665 ORNTL PETROL A 0.012 0.013 0.012 0.013 0.012 0.012 8300000 99700 PHILODRILL 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.012 100100000 1201100 PHINMA PETRO 3.11 3.19 3.11 3.11 3.1 3.1 9000 27950 12400 PXP ENERGY 8.57 8.58 9.41 9.8 8.53 8.57 19632700 182927943 4194168 PREFFERED HOUSE PREF A 94 95.95 95.9 95.9 95.9 95.9 200 19180 AC PREF B2 497 497.2 497 497 497 497 70 34790 DD PREF 96.2 97.9 96.1 97.9 96.1 97 2710 264386 SMC FB PREF 2 970 980.5 975 975 975 975 1070 1043250 FGEN PREF G 101.1 104.2 103 104 103 104 54660 5684530 LR PREF 1 1.01 1.01 1.01 1.01 1.01 221000 223210 MWIDE PREF 100 102.9 100.1 102.9 100.1 102.9 1010 103901 PNX PREF 3A 100 100.5 100 100 100 100 30000 3000000 PNX PREF 3B 104 106 105 105 105 105 500 52500 SFI PREF 1.45 1.75 1.45 1.45 1.45 1.45 10000 14500 SMC PREF 2B 75 75.9 75 75 75 75 4480 336000 SMC PREF 2C 76 76.9 76.9 76.9 76.05 76.05 9030 690327 SMC PREF 2D 72.55 72.95 72.5 72.5 72.5 72.5 10 725 SMC PREF 2E 71.55 73 72.55 72.55 72.55 72.55 44800 3250240 SMC PREF 2G 73 74.15 73 73 73 73 4010 292730 SMC PREF 2H 72.75 73.65 73.65 73.7 73.65 73.65 26930 1984450.5 -
PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS ABS HLDG PDR GMA HLDG PDR
18.08 5.01
18.5 5.23
18.5 5.12
18.5 5.12
18.06 5.01
18.08 5.01
14300 2000
258710 10108
WARRANTS LR WARRANT
1.91
SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES ITALPINAS 5.3 XURPAS 1.16
1.92
1.98
1.98
1.91
1.91
59000
114540
-
5.33 1.17
5.05 1.13
5.4 1.18
5.02 1.12
5.3 1.17
2414100 4869000
12660255 5614040
644394 -255200
EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS FIRST METRO ETF
117.2
5846.0002 -
117.9
117.5
117.5
117.2
117.5
13830
1623833
-
www.businessmirror.com.ph
Banking&Finance BusinessMirror
Friday, April 26, 2019
B3
BSP names more rural banks as recipients of agri financing By Bianca Cuaresma
M
@BcuaresmaBM
ORE rural banks were accredited by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) as eligible institutions to receive agricultural financing from other banks in the implementation of the agri-agra credit law. In its Circular Letter CL-2019013, the Central Bank announced the nine eligible BSP Accredited Rural Financial Institutions (ARFIs)
for the continuous implementation of the law. These banks are Producers Savings Bank Corp., Rural Bank of Sta.
Catalina Inc., Common Wealth Rural Bank Inc., Rural Bank of Bay Inc., Rural Bank of Angeles Inc., New Rural Bank of San Leonardo Inc., First Isabela Cooperative Bank Inc., Rural Bank of San Mateo Inc. and Cavite United Rural Bank Corp. This means these nine banks pa ssed t he qu a l i f ic at ions of h av i n g g re ate r e x p os u re to ag r ic u lt u re a nd ag ra r i a n-re form projects and credit compared to their exposure to other economic sectors. As such, banks that decide to lend to these ARFIs will be qualified as an eligible move of compliance to the provisions of the AgriAgra Reform Credit Act of 2009.
BIR runs after fake cigarette maker in Pangasinan
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HE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) filed a criminal complaint at the Department of Justice (DOJ) against a businessman in Pangasinan for illegally operating a cigarette factory and owing the government excise tax liabilities. The BIR said in a statement on Thursday the bureau charged Danilo de Quintos Calugay for the “unlawful pursuit of business, failure to file excise tax returns, unlawful possession or removal of articles subject to excise tax without payment of tax, and unlawful possession of counterfeit internal revenue stamps, all in violation of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997.” The BIR added that the non-registration of the business operation of Calugay has enabled him to evade the proper filing and payment of correct excise taxes, with the liability assessed to total P3.4 billion, inclusive of increments. According to the bureau, Calugay’s businesses has been operating since April 29, 2013, under the trade names “Lucky DC Builders and Construction Supplies,” “Lucky DC Convenience Store,” and “Lucky DC Gasoline Station,” with offices at Mapolopolo, Basista, Pangasinan and at Umanday, Bugallon, Pangasinan, respectively. The BIR said it based its decision on data provided by two confidential
informants. The BIR said they were informed of the illegal operations of a cigarette factory in Barangay Portic, Bugallon, and of the raw materials warehouse in Mangaldan, both in Pangasinan. A mission order (MO) was issued by the bureau in November last year to conduct operations on the locations. The BIR tasked a team composed of personnel from the Quezon City Regional Investigation Division (RID) with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Manila, barangay officials, as well as representatives from Philip Morris Philippines Manufacturing Inc.-Fortune Tobacco Corp. (PMFTC) to conduct enforcement activities. This team discovered that the cigarette factory was not a registered and licensed manufacturer of cigarettes. Several cigarette-making and packing machines, 495 master cases, seven reams of fake cigarettes and 8,620,00 fake cigarette stamps were seized during the raid. The internal revenue stamps affixed on the seized cigarette packs were found to be counterfeit and spurious as verified by a Taggant Reader from the BIR and an issued certification by the APO Production Unit. The APO is the government agency in charge of the printing of internal revenue tax stamps. According to the BIR, the case filed against Calugay is the 415th case
filed under the bureau’s “Run After Tax Evaders,” or RATE, program. It is, likewise, a RATE case of Revenue Region 7-Quezon City. Earlier in the month, the BIR reported that it will file tax evasion cases against individuals or companies found to be manufacturing counterfeit cigarettes containing fake internal revenue tax stamps in line with the government’s drive in stopping the proliferation of illegal cigarettes in the market. Remedios C. Advincula Jr., the BIR Revenue Officer who headed the BIR team that investigated Calugay’s business, said the public can expect more cases to be filed by the BIR in the coming days. Last month, Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III directed the BIR to coordinate with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in filing charges against local government executives found responsible for neglecting to check the presence of illicit tobacco trade activities in their respective communities. In December last year, the finance chief asked the DILG to investigate and file the appropriate charges against the local officials and employees responsible for issuing a barangay permit to a factory manufacturing illicit cigarettes but disguised as a piggery in Bugallon, Pangasinan. Rea Cu
Virtual conference for associations
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NE of the most impor t a nt emerg i ng trends now in association meetings and education is the virtual conference: a cost-effective solution to increase reach and drive member engagement. I was recently in one, as part of a panel of speakers, for SURGE, a free virtual conference assembling association professionals from around the world to have productive conversations around innovation and change. The threeday event, organized by the Montreal-based Association Success.org, runs from May 1 to 3, 2019, with 12 sessions and 36 speakers. The session, “Local Perspectives on the Association Industry Path,” featured four panelists: one from Africa (Jeffers Miruka, president of the African Society of Association Executives [AfSAE]); one from Europe (Ioannis Pallas, program manager at the European Society of Association Executives [ESAE]); two are from Asia and the Pacific (Toni Brearley, CEO of the Australasian Society of Association Executives [AuSAE], and myself as CEO of the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives [PCAAE] and president of the Asia Federation of Association Organizations); and, a facilitator from the US (Lowell Aplebaum, CEO and Strategy Catalyst at Vista Cova). Since all five of us are in five different time zones, our session has been prerecorded. The objective of the session is
Association World Octavio Peralta to discuss what’s happening in the association community in our respective areas, the challenges we’re facing and opportunities for collaboration. Here are the highlights of our onehour conversation: Status of the “local” association community. The association community in each of our respective areas is generally robust and thriving. Challenges center mostly around issues of governance, volunteering and capacity building, which, in turn, became opportunities to develop and organize programs and activities on board matters, education and certification and association trends from other parts of the globe. Level of association management practice. This varied across locales, with the US, Europe and Australia being more advanced as associations there have long been operating, in contrast to Africa as a whole, with the AfSAE only starting in 2016 and PCAAE in 2014. In this regard, the association management model adopted (and adapted to the local context) is that of the century-old American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). Collaboration between and among associations and other institutions. Partnerships, mostly in terms of training and certification programs,
have been going on in all four locations. For instance, ESAE has partnered with the Solvay Brussels School for its Executive Master in International Association Management, AuSAE and AfSAE are partnering with ASAE for their educational programs, while PCAAE has worked with its members in its peer-to-peer learning programs using, in most cases, ASAE knowledge resources. As a finale, the panelists were asked to give one takeaway from the session. We were unanimous in saying that the issues associations everywhere face day-to-day are universally the same—be it governance, member engagement, continuing education, resource mobilization, among others, and that the mantra of “stronger together” applies to all association communities globally. The contributor, Octavio “Bobby” Peralta, is concurrently the secretary-general of the Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific (Adfiap), founder and CEO of the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives (PCAAE) and president of the Asia-Pacific Federation of Association Organizations (Apfao). The purpose of PCAAE—the “association of associations”—is to advance the association management profession and to make associations well-governed and sustainable. PCAAE enjoys the support of Adfiap, the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), and the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). E-mail: obp@adfiap.org
The BSP also announced there are 26 other cooperatives that a re acc re d ite d b y t he A g r i cultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) as qualified recipients of agri-agra loans. The agri-agra law mandates all local banks to set aside a total of 25 percent of their total loanable funds for the agriculture and fisheries sector. Among the several modes of compliance to this law is to infuse funds—through wholesale lending or investments—to rural banks that are certified by the BSP as ARFIs. The Central Bank clarified that the accreditation is solely for certifying that the ARFIs complies
with the requirements of agriagra law as prescribed under the rules and regulations of the legislation. “The accreditation does not serve as an endorsement by the BSP of safety and soundness of the above listed banks,” the BSP said. “The accreditation cannot be used for any purpose other than for implementing the provisions of the Agri-Agra Reform Credit Act of 2009 and its related rules and regulations.” In end-September 2018, universal and commercial banks’ compliance to the 10 percent required lending to the agrarianreform sector hit 0.79 percent, while their compliance to the
15 percent required lending to the agricultural sector hit 12.95 percent. The thrift banking sector follows the universal and commercial banks’ trend, with a 1.2-percent compliance rate versus the 10 percent mandate for the agrarian-reform sector and 6.19 percent versus the 15 percent mandate for the agricultural sector. Even rural and cooperative ba n k s —whose m ajor m a rket are farmers and fishermen— are finding it increasingly hard to comply w it h t he m a nd a tor y lending to the agrarianrefor m and ag r icu ltura l sect o r, d at a f r o m t h e C e nt r a l Bank showed.
BTr still evaluating market appetite for European bonds By Rea Cu
@ReaCuBM
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HE Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) is still evaluating investor appetite before a new issue, such as European bonds (Eurobonds), as the government continues to look at all debt markets for possible source of the country’s foreign borrowings. This was what National Treasurer Rosalia V. de Leon told the BusinessMirror in a text message when asked if the government will be issuing Eurobonds this year. De Leon added the BTr will “de-
cide on details based on feedback from [the] road show.” A news wire report on Wednesday revealed the Philippines is represented in investor meetings in five cities within Europe beginning April 26 for a planned eurodenominated bond issuance. In February this year, Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said on Bloomberg Television in an interview that the Philippines is considering to issue yuan-, yen-, and euro-denominated bonds this year, in line with its plan to make the three debt markets a regular source of funding for the Philippines.
China’s bonds tumble from top performer to Asia’s worst bet
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HINA’S government bonds, among some of the world’s top-performing debt last year, have tumbled so much over the past month they’ve become the worst bets in Asia Pacific. The yield on 10-year government bonds has surged more than 30 basis points since late March, as wagers on broad monetary easing receded due to a better economic outlook and a rally in stocks. Singapore’s sovereign notes were the second-worst performer, followed by the Philippines. Further strain on Chinese debt came on Wednesday, when the central bank injected cash by offering targeted medium-term loans. That move means an imminent cut to lenders’ reserve requirements is unlikely and reinforces bets that aggressive loosening seen in 2018 won’t be repeated. The plunge in Chinese bonds is a far cry from last year, when the notes rallied on weakening risk appetite. It comes as some government and policy bank bonds have just started getting included in a major global index. The debt may begin looking attractive to investors soon, with Pacific Investment Management Co. saying the slump has made the notes so cheap that it’s probably time to start buying on a small scale. The yield premium on China’s 10-year bonds over Treasuries of the same tenor also expanded to the widest in a year, making yuan assets more appealing to foreigners. Bloomberg News
Dominguez added that the issuance of the bond floats this year will all still have to depend on market conditions. Meanwhile, de Leon said on Wednesday that the planned Panda bond issuance of the government for this month may be pushed to May, as approvals for the float are still pending from Chinese regulators, specifically the People’s Bank of China and the National Association of Financial Market Institutional Investors (Nafmii). The BTr is also eyeing a Samurai bond issuance in the second half of this year.
B4 Friday, April 26, 2019
CEBU PACIFIC COMMENCES DIRECT FLIGHT TO SHANGHAI INSULAR FOUNDATION, SAVE THE CHILDREN HELP MARAWI YOUTH TO RESUME SCHOOLING
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NSULAR Foundation and Save the Children Philippines recently distributed learning kits and school materials under the Balik Marawi, Balik Eskwela project. The project aims to help the displaced children of Marawi City as thousands still live in tents and miss schooling due to the lingering impact of the war. Slightly more than a year since the Marawi siege, 28,856 out of the 62,000 displaced learners have not been tracked and are assumed to have
enrolled in other places in the region. InsularFoundationInc.executivedirector Ana Maria R. Soriano said the Balik Marawi, Balik Eskwela project seeks to support children’s return to school, paving the road for Marawi City’s recovery. “WearehelpingMarawianewthroughthis project with the hope that basic education is keptunhamperedandaccessible,”Sorianosaid. Withthesuddenriseofenrolleesintheless affectedschools,facilities,suppliesandfixtures
might not be adequate for both old and new students.Theprojectaddressestheimmediate educationalneedsofschool-agedchildrenwho have returned to Marawi City after the siege, including those who are still displaced and attending schools in Lanao del Sur. The beneficiaries of Balik Marawi, Balik Eskwela project include 10 Day Care centers and six elementary schools in Marawi City, three schools in Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur, and a primary school in Matungao, Lanao del Norte. Meanwhile, learning and teaching materials that were recently distributed include 10 early childhood care and development kits, 20 teacher’s kits, 20 teacher’s tables, 20 teacher’s chairs and 850 arm chairs. “We know that there is still much to be done in Marawi, and this assistance may not bemuchintermsofscale,butwesincerelyhope that, even if this project only benefits 1,000 school children, we would have saved 1,000 childrenoffthestreetsimmediately,andpaved the way for them to go back to school where they belong,” Soriano added. At least 24 out of the 96 barangays in Marawi City are severely affected. Save the Children Philippines estimates that 62,000 learners have been missing out on school since then. Its efforts for Marawi City has, so far, reached 21,518 learners following the distribution of temporary learning spaces and back to school kits to displaced learners.
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HE Philippines’s leading carrier Cebu Pacific begins its direct commercial operation in Shanghai, the biggest city in China and a global financial hub. The improved air connectivity is expected to boost inbound and outbound travelers for both route’s dynamic leisure and business opportunities. The Cebu-Shanghai flight departs from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport at 6:50 p.m. The flight’s evening departure allows neighboring cities, such as Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Dumaguete and Iloilo, to connect seamlessly and fly to the biggest city in China via Cebu City. The return flight from Shanghai, on the other hand, will depart at 11:55 p.m. The inaugural flight was graced by Blessie Cruz, Cebu Pacific director for marketing. “The Cebu-Shanghai route will link two premier Asian destinations—reinforcing Cebu as a key hub for both domestic and international travel—enabling easier and more efficient access within the Philippines and neighboring countries, for millions of
residents in the Visayas and Mindanao.” Also in attendance were Department of Tourism Region 7 supervising tourism officer Judilyn Quiachon and Megawide chief executive adviser Andrew Acquaah-Harrison in full support of the inaugural flight. The new Cebu-Shanghai route is in line with the carrier’s plans to expand capacity in Cebu to meet the increasing demand. The carrier had earlier stated it would ramp up capacity in its Cebu hub by as much as 20 percent in 2019.
GROCERY, COOKING TIPS FOR PRACTICAL WOMEN
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ILIPINOS love to eat. That’s how we bond, spend quality time and create memories together. That’s why for practical moms out there, Jolly Claro palm oil shares budget-conscious secrets beginning with proper planning to smart grocery shopping that is guaranteed to set up your healthy eating to success. These kitchen hacks won’t only focus on the health of the whole family but also boost your savings. Create a meal plan. Aside from saving us time and money, meal planning also reduce daily stress of thinking about what dish to prepare for the day. In this day and age where fast-paced lifestyle is the new normal, weekly meal planning can save us from food waste. It’s also a great opportunity to delve into your cookbooks, collect recipes online and build your library of recipes. This way you won’t surely run out of new ideas while cutting your grocery cost. Prepare a grocery list. With a bit of creativity and planning, you can make exciting and delicious meals by ensuring a grocery list on hand. So, the trick is to keep a pen and a notepad, and clip it in front of your fridge and pantry. Allot time in jotting down a list of everything that you have inside. Every time you use something up, immediately cross it off the list.
Compare prices for different groceries and brands. Checking groceries and supermarkets near you, of their latest promotions would help you in scoring the best deals and discounts. Checking various store flyers, web sites and social-media accounts, and comparing unit prices on different brands take time, but that extra amount of effort could make a huge difference to your savings account. Keep a regular stock of must-have items in your kitchen. Using cooking oil that has a high smoke point, such as Jolly Claro palm oil, you can prepare a variety of flavorful recipes and dishes for the whole family. This hack won’t only save you time for lazy weeknight-dinner recipes, you’ll be glad, too, that it’s there when your family is looking for deliciously nofuss meals, instead of calling for home delivery. Buy in bulk and cook at home. A well-stocked pantry of kitchen essentials won’t only encourage you to cook exciting and relevant dishes, it’s also a winner to your wallet. Buy products in a bundle or in bulk, especially products that are nonperishable and can be stocked in the pantry, like cooking oil. With these simple tricks, any practical homemaker who already loves food could save more and enjoy deliciously affordable meals for the whole family.
9th Shimano Dirt and Play at Nuvali
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IME flies quickly and Shimano Dirt and Play is now on its ninth season! This annual event started off as a mountain or off-road bicycle event in 2011. It has moved venues and trails from Laguna to Cavite and literally planted its roots for several years in Alabang, Muntinlupa City and, for 2019, the event will be held in Nuvali Santa Rosa and Calamba City for the first time. Another first is the introduction of mountain biking and road racing in one day. Come over to Camp N in Nuvali Santa Rosa and see over 1,800 mountain bikers and road racers pedal it out on Sunday April 28. Cheer your friends and relatives or simply enjoy the view and fresh air in Nuvali with races staring as early as 6:30 a.m. and way after lunch. There will be friendly but heated competition among kids aged 5 and
below to men and women aged 50 and above. There will also be a category for fat-tire bikes over 4 inches in tire width and megamen over 200 pounds. The public is invited to witness this bicycle race, which is gaining popularity as the annual go-to event for the entire family and for cyclists of all ages and capabilities. The Ninth Shimano Dirt N’ Play is presented by Nuvali Dirt Weekend and Camp N, the city governments of Calamba and Santa Rosa, and is also supported by Circulan, Lungcaire Plus, Anytime Fitness Madison Galeries, Mega Ampalaya, Atienza Naturale, Boy Kanin, Alon water, Rite n Lite,Trinx, Black Mamba, Fox Racing, Monster Energy, Omizu, Pau liniment, Cat-eye, DDK Saddles, Haro bikes, Lazer Helmets, Norco Bikes, Panaracer Tires, PRO parts and RST suspension.
Sports BusinessMirror
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| Friday, April 26, 2019 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao
A FUN FALL FOR TIGER IN JAPAN
TIGER WOODS says he’ll play at the new Professional Golfers’ Association Tour event in Japan. AP
By Doug Ferguson
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The Associated Press
ASTERS champion Tiger Woods is adding to his international travels at the end of this year, announcing on Wednesday night that he will compete in Japan for the first time in 13 years at the new Zozo Championship. Woods said on Twitter that he was excited to play the new tournament and described Japan as “one of my favorite countries.” “It’s going to be a fun fall,” he said. Woods is US captain for the Presidents Cup that will be held from December 12 to 15 at Royal Melbourne in Australia, giving the 43-year-old Woods at least two trips halfway around the world. The Zozo Championship will be from October 24 to 27 at Accordia Golf Chiba Narashino Country Club, about 50 miles east of Tokyo. It is part of three tournaments that make up the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) Tour’s Asia Swing, following the CJ Cup in South Korea and the HSBC Champions in Shanghai. The Japan tournament, cosanctioned with the Japan Golf Tour, is a 78-man field with a $9.75-million purse. Woods last played in Japan in 2006
at the Dunlop Phoenix, where he lost in a playoff to Padraig Harrington. Woods won the Dunlop Phoenix the two previous years, beating Ryoken Kawagishi by nine shots in 2004, and beating Kaname Yokoo in a playoff in 2005. He also hit one of his best wedge shots in Japan in the 2001 World Cup, when he hit a pitch into the bank of the green and into the cup for an eagle that got Woods and David Duval into four-team playoff. South Africa wound up winning the World Cup. Woods won for the 81st time in his PGA Tour career two weeks ago at the Masters, winning his fifth green jacket and 15th major. He had overcome four back surgeries since the spring of 2014, the most recent one to fuse his lower back in April 2017. Woods had cut back on his international travel while coping with back problems. Except for his Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas—a short flight from his home in Florida—the Dubai Desert Classic in 2017 is the only regular tour event he has played overseas since the first of his four back surgeries.
ELS’S PRESIDENTS CUP SUBPLOT
AS captain of the 2019 Presidents Cup’s international squad, South Africa’s Ernie Els decided to see if the PGA Tour’s only team tournament could serve as a useful prep event. So while Els has played at the Zurich Classic many times before, this latest trip to the cypress swamps southwest of New Orleans is different. There’s more at stake for Els than winning a share of the $7.3-million purse. There’s also a chance to see how the golf games of certain tandems—such as Australia’s Jason Day and Adam Scott—might complement one another when the biennial Presidents Cup tees off in Melbourne, Australia, in December. “This event is the only one of its kind, and players that were able to play, we thought we’ll look at, you know, getting some of them paired up,” Els said on Wednesday. “It’s not exactly what’s going to be happening in December, but it’s an opportunity for the guys to get playing in this kind of format.” Els, who shares the nickname “The Big Easy” with the host city, is teaming up with fellow South African Trevor Immelman at the par-72, 7,425-yard TPC Louisiana. He won’t be playing at the Presidents Cup, but will be overseeing strategy in the team event, which pits non-European international players near the top of the World Golf rankings against an American team every other year. So Els encouraged higher-ranked internationals to play in New Orleans—and many have.
In addition to Scott and Day, others include: South Africans Louis Oosthuizen and Branden Grace; South Koreans Si Woo Kim and Sungjae Im; Canadians Corey Conners and Adam Hadwin; Australia’s Cameron Smith; Taiwan’s CT Pan; and Venezuela’s Jhonattan Vegas. “Trying to get as many guys here to play certainly might help Ernie later in the year,” Scott said. “I’ve kind of sat through a number of Presidents Cup beatdowns over the years, and I’ve kind of had enough of it. So I’m prepared to do what it takes—whatever Ernie thinks it takes to kind of change the culture in our team. Certainly, an effort has been made by a lot of guys here this week to do that.” Els booked a number of international players at the same hotel in hopes of making the New Orleans trip a teambuilding experience on and off the course. “We had a great dinner last night at Arnaud’s,” Els said, referring to one of New Orleans’s classic Creole restaurants in the French Quarter. The gathering included “a lot of new guys—new guys that haven’t really been around some of the other guys,” Els added. “We just want to get them familiar with each other.” For the third year running, the Zurich field is comprised of 80 two-player teams. They play a “best ball” format in the first and third rounds, and teammates alternate shots in the second and final rounds. Zurich Classic organizers were hopeful that Masters champion Tiger Woods, who tends to skip April tournaments after playing at Augusta, would consider making an exception and come to New Orleans because he’ll be the United States’s Presidents Cup captain. Woods wound up sitting this one out, but a number of Americans who are in the running to qualify for the US team are playing this week, including Brooks Koepka, Tony Finau, Patrick Cantlay, Bubba Watson, Kevin Kisner, Patrick Reed and Billy Horschel. Tournament Director Steve Worthy said “the hope is that we will be able to continue to tie in with Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup and serve as a kind of testing ground.... We kind of hope that that’s going to help be an opportunity for them to benefit themselves by testing pairings.” Horschel and fellow American Scott Piercy worked well together a year ago in winning the Zurich Classic. “Chemistry helps,” Horschel said. “The teams that are great teams in the Presidents Cups and Ryder Cups have great team chemistry.” In any event, the TPC Louisiana course seems to suit Horschel, who also won the Zurich in 2013, when the tournament was played in a traditional, single-player format. “I like our chances again,” Horschel said. “I have good vibes whenever I step on this golf course.”
FARAH-GEBRSELASSIE FEUD ESCALATES F
MO FARAH (right) and long-distance great Haile Gebrselassie are embroiled in a furious row over alleged hotel burglary.
OUR-TIME Olympic champion Mo Farah and multiple world-record holder Haile Gebrselassie have become embroiled in a furious dispute over allegations the Briton was burgled at a hotel owned by the Ethiopian. Sir Farah made the dispute public at the conclusion of a press conference prior to competing at the London Marathon on Sunday. The 36-year-old claimed, unprompted, that there had been an incident during the buildup to his second participation in the event. Sir Mo alleged that while staying at Gebrselassie’s Yaya Africa Athletics Village in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa, where he had been conducting his preparations, he returned to his room on his 36th birthday—March 23—to discover he had been burgled. Sir Farah claimed a watch, bought by his wife as a present, had been stolen along with two mobile phones and money amounting to £2,500 in four different currencies. “Haile owns the hotel, and when you stay for three months at the hotel, it’s very disappointing to know someone who has that hotel and that kind of hotel couldn’t do nothing,” Sir Mo said. “And at the end, they couldn’t do nothing. “So just disappointed in Haile.” The dispute escalated spectacularly when two-time Olympic 10,000 meters champion Gebrselassie, who set 27 world records during his brilliant career, responded, dismissing Sir Farah’s comments had been “deceit.” Gebrselassie claimed he and his hotel had offered “unreserved support and commitment in regarding to his unproven claim.”
“Our hotel has a clear policy for its clients, which states they have to declare if they have a cash amount higher than $350, so that they are given a special safe box or give it for the respective officials to keep it safe,” a statement from Gebrselassie read. “Ironically, Mo Farah was objected [sic] the offer from our hotel, when asked, in case if he needs a safe box. Legally, we are not going to be accountable on the matter.” Gebrselassie, the former president of the Ethiopian Athletics Federation, claimed the incident had been immediately reported to police, with five employees claimed to have been taken into custody for five weeks. He revealed the employees were later released after being cleared, while asserting that police had found nothing about the case. Gebrselassie went on to criticize the conduct of Sir Mo at the hotel, adding that he had mediated after an alleged incident between the Briton and another athlete. The statement added: “There were multiple reports of disgraceful conduct, which was not expected from a person of his caliber, and his entourage during his stay, by the hotel staff.” Gebrselassie went on to claim “he was reported to the police for attacking [a] married athlete in the gym.” The Ethiopian added: “But due to my mediation role, the criminal charge was able to be dropped.” He then claimed that, despite Sir Mo, winner of the BBC Sports Personality in 2017, having been given a 50-percent discount for his stay, he had left without paying his service bill of $3,000 (£2,300). Gebrselassie added he initially “opted to be quiet” about Sir Mo’s behavior after “considering his status and the good people of England”.
He changed his mind, however, after Sir Mo had made the dispute public. “But doing all this and other things to accommodate him in a most possible best way, the return from him was receiving a short message, which looks like an act of blackmailing and accusation,” Gebrselassie said. According to NBC Sports, a spokesman for Sir Mo claimed Gebrselassie’s allegations were an attempt to distance the Ethiopian and his hotel from the incident. “Mo is disappointed with this statement and the continued reluctance by the hotel and its owner to take responsibility,” the spokesman told NBC Sports. “Mo disputes all of these claims, which are an effort to distract from the situation, where members of his hotel staff used a room key and stole money and items from Mo Farah’s room [there was no safe as it was faulty, and Mo requested a new one]. “Police reports confirm the incident and the hotel admitted responsibility and were in contact with Mo’s legal advisor. “The hotel even offered to pay Mo the amount stolen, only to withdraw the offer when he prematurely left the hotel and moved to other accommodation due to security concerns. “Despite many attempts to discuss this issue privately with Mr. Gebrselassie, he did not respond, but now that he has, we would welcome him or his legal team getting in touch so this matter can be resolved.” The spat has overshadowed Sir Mo’s participation in this year’s London Marathon. He had finished third last year, ending behind Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya and Ethiopia’s Tola Shura Kitata. Insidethegames
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CLIPPERS FORCE GAME 6 O
AKLAND, California—Lou Williams again came off the bench and knocked down big shot after big shot. Patrick Beverley crashed the boards at every chance. Danilo Gallinari drove the lane with authority. The Los Angeles Clippers took the Warriors right out of their comfort zone by beating the two-time defending champions at their own game with energy on both ends, extending their season long after many had counted them out. Williams hit a fadeaway jumper with 1:29 left and finished with 33 points and 10 assists, Golden State uncharacteristically clanked shots much of the second half and couldn’t make key stops, and the upstart Clippers sent their first-round series back home with a 129-121 Game Five win on Wednesday night. No clinch celebration just yet for the twotime defending champions, who lead 3-2 but needed far more than Kevin Durant’s playoff career-high 45 points. “I don’t want to get ahead of myself. They’re up 3-2 still, but I just loved how we played, I really did,” Clippers Coach Doc Rivers said. “All
we talked about is being us. I told our guys, they’ve been them in the series. We have yet to put a game where we are us through the game.” The Clippers stymied Golden State’s comeback effort on the very court at Oracle Arena where Los Angeles rallied from 31 points down in Game Two for the largest comeback in NBA postseason history. Game Six is on Friday back in Los Angeles. Beverley took a big charge against Klay Thompson with 1:40 left and wound up with 17 points and 14 rebounds for his best outing of the series. “I thought Patrick Beverley came in, just kicked our butts right away,” Warriors Coach Steve Kerr said. “He came out with more energy than we had and that set a tone.” Houston and James Harden are on to the second round and waiting for another chance at the champs. The Clippers said not just yet, they’re not done. The Rockets, who squandered a 3-2 series lead to the Warriors in last year’s Western Conference finals, eliminated the Jazz with a 100-93 Game Five victory at home a few hours earlier on Wednesday. Sure, the Warriors have thought about a potential
second-round matchup. “Our focus was to come in and extend the series and get another game on our home floor,” Williams said. “It’s their mistake for looking ahead. That’s on them.” Gallinari added 26 points and seven rebounds, and Montrezl Harrell had 24 points as the eighth-seeded Clippers are keeping things interesting until the end. “We’ve got to bring it if we’re going to beat them,” Kerr said. Durant raised his arm late and called on the Oracle Arena crowd for a major assist—the Warriors needed every little bit of help. Thompson’s three with 4:02 left made it 116-114 and Durant tied it on a driving dunk the next time down. Stephen Curry scored 24 points and Thompson 22 but Golden State didn’t have it on defense. “If we come out and just think we’re going to roll over this team because they’re an 8 seed, it doesn’t work that way in the NBA playoffs,” Warriors center Andrew Bogut said. Durant shot 14 for 26 in his third performance of at least 30 points in the series and ninth 40-point postseason effort. Curry, already the National Basketball
Harden helps Rockets eliminate Jazz H OUSTON—In a series where their shots weren’t falling like normal, the Houston Rockets managed to close it out with some tough defense. James Harden scored 26 points and the Rockets outlasted the Utah Jazz, 100-93, on Wednesday night to win their first-round playoff series 4-1. Houston advanced to the Western Conference semifinals for the third straight season and will face the winner of the Los Angeles ClippersGolden State Warriors series.
The Rockets had 12 steals and 12 blocks, the first playoff game where they had double figures in both since Game Five of the 1994 Western Conference finals, just before they went on to win their first title. “We didn’t make as many shots as we wanted to...but these last few games we hung our hat on defense,” Harden said. Ricky Rubio cut Houston’s lead to 94-93 on a jump shot with about a minute left. PJ Tucker missed two free throws, but grabbed a loose ball seconds later and was fouled again. This time he
made both shots to make it 96-93. Harden blocked a shot by Ruby Gobert on Utah’s next possession and he made two free throws to extend the lead to 98-93 with 38 seconds left. Donovan Mitchell, who was just four of 22, missed a 3-pointer after that, and Chris Paul added two more free throws to secure the victory. “We didn’t want to go back to Utah,” Paul said. “We wanted to take care of business tonight. All night we were talking about energy. It’s always hard
LOU WILLIAMS again comes off the bench and knocks down one big shot after another.
Association’s career playoff leader for made 3-pointers, reached 400 postseason threes. But the Warriors—all of them, their best shooters—missed badly on good looks and couldn’t defend the way they typically do to generate that sensational transition game. “That’s the worst-case scenario for any team. You’re missing shots and can’t get stops, you feel like you’re in a bottomless pit,” Durant said. “Hopefully we knock down shots and get stops next game.” Golden State trailed 71-63 at halftime despite making 10 of 16 threes but allowed Los Angeles to shoot 56 percent, and the Clippers finished at 54.1 percent. Gallinari hit a three out of the break then a free throw following Draymond Green’s technical and Los Angeles made it 81-66 on JaMychal Green’s three at the 9:09 mark. AP to beat a team and close them out.” The Rockets got a solid game from Clint Capela, who had 16 points and 10 rebounds. He acknowledged having trouble breathing in the Game Four loss because of an upper respiratory infection and was held to just four points. “I felt a lot better,” Capela said. “I definitely felt like another person than [I did] the last game.” After scoring 31 points to lead Utah to the victory in Game Four, Mitchell managed just 12 points on a night he missed all nine of his threepoint attempts. “I’m upset but I’m going to be better,” the second-year player said. “Simply put. I wasn’t tonight and I’ll be better.” Jazz Coach Quin Snyder lamented the difficulties of dealing with a veteran coach like Mike D’Antoni and perennial All-Stars Paul and Harden. “They’re so cerebral that they’re able to find weaknesses in your defense,” he said. Harden struggled to get going early and didn’t score in the first quarter. But after missing his first seven shots and 11 of his first 12 attempts, he finally found a rhythm. AP
THE Rockets’ James Harden (right) drives to the basket against the Jazz’s Derrick Favors. AP
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MONDILLA HANGS ON C
LYDE MONDILLA holed out with a birdie then watched Kim Joo-hyung fumble with a missed green bogey for a big two-shot swing that put the Filipino ace back in joint lead with the young Korean in the third round of the P5-million The Country Club (TCC) Invitational in Santa Rosa, Laguna, on Thursday. Kim, 16, bucked an opening hole mishap with a cluster of birdies to stun Mondilla
and three-time champion Angelo Que with a 33 start but Mondilla rallied from three down with a strong finish at TCC’s tricky finishing holes, sparking his fightback with a birdie on No. 14 before drilling in a 10-footer on the difficult No. 18 to salvage a 70. Kim rebounded from a bogey on No. 11 with a birdie on the 16th to keep his spot on top but the Korean upstart, who became the youngest winner on the Philippine Golf Tour (PGT) at Pueblo de Oro last year, failed to ride the pressure on the last hole, hitting it short on his approach shot. “That’s a good bogey,” said Kim, whose 70 kept him tied with Mondilla at even 216, virtually setting up a two-man duel for the top P1.5-million purse in this kickoff leg of the PGT’s milestone 10th season put up by ICTSI Chairman Ricky Razon in 2003 to honor the memory of his father and ICTSI founder. “I played good, my irons, short game and putting were okay,” said Mondilla, seeking to make it two-in-row here at the Tom Weiskoph-designed layout after besting a crack international field in the Solaire Philippine Open three weeks ago. The Del Monte ace hit three birdies inside 15 feet against a lone bogey, missing eagle chances on the two par 5s. He hit a solid 3-iron second shot from 195 yards on No. 8 but misread a 10-footer then hacked a 3-wood second shot from 280 yards to within 15 feet on No. 14. Keanu Jahns turned in a rare backside 32 to save a 71 as he moved to solo third though four
strokes behind the joint leaders at 220 for a spot in the championship flight tipped to go down to the last shot or putt. Que, seeking a record fourth crown, turned in an impressive 35 but after three straight pars at the back, the power-hitting shotmaker wavered, bogeying three of the last six, including the last for a 74 and a 222, now six shots behind. Aussie Tim Stewart also charged back with a closing 34 to salvage a 73 for solo fifth at 224, while Juvic Pagunsan, the only other three-time winner of this event long regarded as a major championship for its prized money and select cast, continued to struggle, hobbling with a birdie-less 76 for joint sixth with first round leader Jerson Balasabas, who limped with a 78, at 226. Dutch Guido Van der Valk bogeyed two of the last four for a 75 and a 227, while Korean-American Micah Shin, who became the first non-Filipino winner of this event when he nipped absentee and 2017 champion Miguel Tabuena on the 72nd hole last year, matched par 72 but lay 12 shots behind at 228 with Justin Quiban, who also battled back with a 35 for a 75. Kim said he struggled off the mound and vowed to stay in control of his game in the last 18 holes but refused to predict the winning score. “The course is difficult and the hot weather adds up to the challenge. So I have to stay focused,” said Kim. Over in San Rafael, Bulacan, Pauline del Rosario outdueled Thai Thanuttra Boonraksasat
HOTSHOTS GO AFTER
FINALS SLOT
in a fiery backside shootout, closing out with back-to-back birdies to complete a solid 67 and all but wrap up the ICTSI Royal Northwoods Ladies Classic at the Royal Northwoods Golf Club Inc. also on Thursday. Del Rosario, who ripped the field with a fiery start on her way to a 66 and a six-shot lead over amateur Eagle Ace Superal in the first round, pulled away by nine on a 36-hole aggregate of 11-under 137 marred by just one bogey on Wednesday. Boonraksasat also sizzled with a closing 33, but the recent Manila Southwoods leg winner, who struggled with an opening 73, could only churn out a 69 for a 142 heading to the last 18 holes of the P1.5-million championship serving as the eighth leg of the seventh season of the country’s premier ladies circuit put up by ICTSI. Daniella Uy also came through with a bogey-free 70 but lay too far behind at 145, 12 strokes adrift, while Superal fumbled with a birdie-less 76 after a 72 to slip to joint fourth at 148 with Thai Numa Gulyanamitta, who bogeyed two of the last five for a 73.
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CLYDE MONDILLA (right) rallies from three down with a strong finish at The Country Club’s tricky finishing holes to remain tied for the lead with Kim Joo-hyung.
CHAIRMAN KAP YEAR 6 A SUCCESS Lucio “Bong” Tan Jr. hails the success of
the Tanduay Chairman Kap Year 6 at the West Course of Wack Wack Golf and Country Club in Mandaluyong City with the Overall Lowest Net honors going to Remy Maturan (74) and the Overall Lowest Gross honors to Tanduay Rum endorser Derek Ramsay (71). A total of 208 players including executives of the Lucio Tan Group of Cos. and guests participated in the one-day tournament.
Corpus, Ramos stay on collision course
C Highlanders conquer WGAP Circuit opener
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AGAYTAY Highlands kept the momentum of its WGAP Cup romp as it snatched victories in Classes A and C to kick off its title drive in the 2019 Champion Women’s Golf Association of the Philippines Circuit at the Villamor Golf Club recently. Marianne Bustos carded 38 Stableford points, while Chesca Imperial, Sandy Romualdez and Virginia Bote backed her up with 35, 34 and 32 points, respectively, as the Highlanders edged the Forest Hills side, 139-137, in a tight battle for top honors in the premier division of the course-hopping circuit organized and conducted by the Women’s Golf Association of the Philippines. Tagaytay, which dominated last year’s WGAP Cup featuring the top 5 teams after the eight-leg WGAP Circuit, also snared the Class C crown with a 144, nipping Villamor in the countback, to seize control in the early going of the eight-stage circuit with six overall points. Rosario Dimson scored 40 points, while Marissa Vergara, Maria Luisa Jayme and Connie Mamaril carded 36, 35 and 33 points, respectively, as the Highlanders foiled the hosts, who drew 38, 37, 35 and 34 points from Grace Bañas, Mylene Dolonius, Maria Catherine Yulo and Angela Castro, respectively, in their Class C duel. Alabang also subdued Villamor, 143-140, to reign in Class B with Arlene Barclay and Erika Dy scoring identical 37 points, Greely Oposa putting in an impressive 35-point output and Tess Yap chipping in 34 points for the Muntinlupa-based squad in the three-division event sponsored by Champion. Villamor edged Forest Hills (140) in the countback for runner-up honors. Forest Hills, meanwhile, got 39 points from Jane Magada, the Class A individual winner, while Jonah Ilagan, Grace Cho and Tess Staub put in 37, 32 and 29 points, respectively, for the Antipolo-based squad which nipped Sta. Elena to clinch the overall crown last year. Manila Southwoods, behind Mariel Tee’s 36 points, Sunshine Baraquiel’s 34 points and Mafy Singson and Laia Barro’s identical 33 points, also made quite an impression with a 136 to finish third in Class A, while Forest Hills (140) and Eagle Ridge (141) placed third in Classes B and C, respectively. Villamor, which ruled Classes A and B at home last year, came out empty-handed this time, settling for runner-up honors in Classes B and C with Katrina Yupangco and Melissa Gozum firing 40 and 34 points, respectively, and Angel Navalta and Mary Ann Reyes each adding 33 points for the Class B squad. Jee Cabochan, meanwhile, shot 41 points to run away with the Class B individual plum, while leading Forest Hills’ 140 output that included 37, 32 and 30 points from So Han Uy, So Young Lee and Leyuan Liang, respectively. Canlubang’s Theresa Enriquez, on the other hand, grabbed the Class C individual title with 42 points but her team struggled to finish sixth with a 133.
PHL RIDERS STAY CONFIDENT FOR MASSED START RACES
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By Jun Lomibao
AZALKENT, Uzbekistan—Marc Ryan Lago and Daniel Ven Cariño tried to look prime to ride their bikes anew in what could be another day of extreme cold and rain in the 2019 Asian Cycling Championships (ACC) on Friday. Lago and Cariño have recovered from nailbiting cold made more adverse by the rain in their ACC debuts on Wednesday, shaking off hands, legs and feet that turned numb and jaws that trembled almost dropping all their teeth off. And young as they are—Lago is 18 and Cariño 21—they sounded apologetic for missing the podium in the individual time trial (ITT) of the road championships that lured entries from 31 countries, one of the biggest in the ACC, on Wednesday. “I gave everything I got, yet it wasn’t enough,” said Lago, who finished fifth among 13 entries in the Men Junior (18-under) ITT, his first international stint. Cariño, who has raced overseas at least thrice in his young career as member of 7-Eleven Roadbike Philippines and now Go For Gold continental teams, wound up 15th in the 18-cyclist race for athletes aged 22 or younger. “Like Marc, I tried to fight the cold, but it was too difficult to bear,” Cariño said. Lago raced at 1 p.m. (3 p.m. in Manila) and the temperature at the flat venue—in the middle of a long expressway unprotected by trees or mountains—was 11 degrees Centigrade. When it was Cariño’s turn to ride two hours later, the temperature dropped to 9 degrees. Making it worse for the Filipinos was the rain that fell incessantly, making it difficult for the team, sent here by the PhilCycling and bankrolled by Go For Gold, to contend with opponents who were born and raised in countries with similar Uzbek climate. Think about wind chill and imagine its effect on the two cyclists. “There are more to improve on and work on the team,” said Ednalyn Hualda, one of the national cycling team head coaches. “The conditions were simply unbearable.” To ease the riders from the cold and rain, they had to be doused in baby oil and petroleum
jelly and had plastic bags inserted between their jerseys and bodies. Thermal suits were not allowed under cycling regulations. Yet on Friday, Lago and Cariño will again put their young bodies to a tough test in the massed start races that are expected to be contested under the same chilly and wet conditions. Lago, Efren Reyes Jr. (18) and Ean Cajucom (17) will campaign in the 105.6-km Men Junior road race at 11 a.m. (2 p.m. in Manila), while Cariño, Ismael Gorospe Jr., Joshua Mari Bonifacio and Jerico Lucero will vie in the 105.6-km Men Junior competition at 3 p.m.
ARL CORPUS dispatched Kristoffer Arevalo with an early burst of birdies while Sean Ramos bucked a shaky start to subdue Paolo Barro as they moved to the semifinals of the Philippine Amateur Open Match Play Championships at the Luisita Golf and Country Club in Tarlac on Thursday. The top-seeded Corpus, who needed three extra holes to turn back Korean Ha Tae Won in the first round of the knockout phase on Wednesday, birdied the first three holes to seize control, went 4-up with a par on No. 4 then held sway the rest of the way to fashion out a 4&2 romp over the ninth ranked Arevalo. Ramos, on the other hand, bogeyed the first hole and yielded the third on a Barro birdie. But the second seeded bet fought back with a birdie on the fourth, forced an all-square game with a par on No. 5 then surged ahead by taking the next two holes. He clinched a 3&2 victory with a birdie on the 16th. No. 13 Kim Tae Soo built a three-hole cushion against the 12th-ranked Paolo Wong after 11 holes then fended off his rival’s late charge with pars in the last two for 1-up victory in their side of the quarters duel in the event sponsored by the MVP Sports Foundation and held under the PLDT Group National Amateur Tour. Wong took holes No. 13 and 15 to pull within one but failed to rattle Kim, who matched his pars on Nos. 17 and 18, and seal
AGNOLIA shoots for a Finals seat when it tries to finish off Rain or Shine in Game Six of their best-of-seven semifinals series of the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup on Friday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City. The Hotshots continued their mighty run with an 82-74 victory on Wednesday to take control of the series, 3-2. It was a complete turnaround for the Governors’ Cup titlists after starting the semifinals with a dismal 0-2 campaign and win three straight to move to the verge of returning to the Finals. With the momentum on its side, Magnolia is out to avenge its loss to San Miguel Beer in the championship last season. Coach Chito Victolero and company meet the weary Elasto Painters at 7 p.m. Backcourt duo Mark Barroca and Jio Jalalon took command after and scored 14 points each for the Hotshots in Game Five. Magnolia actually had a 13-point lead in the third quarter but Rain or Shine climbed back. Luckily, the Hotshots dropped a 9-3 run in the waning minutes to secure the victory. Now one step closer to returning to the Finals, Victolero said they have the momentum to wrap up the series. “The goal is to win four games. We will try to close it out,” he said. If Rain or Shine lives another day, the two will play sudden death on Sunday. “We know Rain or Shine can come back,” Victolero admitted. It could be a rematch if Magnolia eliminates Rain or Shine and San Miguel Beer ousts Phoenix in Game Five of their series on Thursday night. The Beermen needed only five games to win the Finals last year to claim their fourth straight All-Filipino trophy. Ramon Rafael Bonilla
a semis duel with Corpus. No. 3 Leandro Bagtas, meanwhile, toughened up on the 19th hole to escape past Jacob Rolida for a clash with Ramos in the event organized and conducted by the National Golf Association of the Philippines and backed by Cignal and Metro Pacific. The four are disputing the finals seats at presstime with the championship also set over 36 holes on Friday. Laurea Duque, on the other hand, kept her win run going, blasting Korean Kim Ga Yeon, 4&3, to move within a draw from claiming the girls’ crown under a novel round-robin format. Duque, who earlier thumped Kristine Fleetwood, 8&6, and Bang Hee Yeon, 4&3, then edged Laia Barro, 2&1, now has four points but will have her hands full against second running Rianne Malixi, who also ripped Fleetwood, 6&4, to hike her total to three points. Barro also came away with a 4&3 romp over Bang to improve to 2.5 points, while Kim and Bang stayed in the bottom with 1.5 points and one point, respectively.
MAGNOLIA’S Justin Melton goes for the basket against Rain or Shine’s Ed Daquioag in Game Five on Wednesday.
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Filipino athletes arrive in Darwin for Arafura Games
INETY-ONE Filipino athletes will march behind the country’s colors when the Arafura Games open on Friday night in Darwin, Australia. Muay athlete Philip Delarmino, silver medalist in the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, will carry the country’s colors in the opening ceremony set at the Darwin Waterfront. The Philippine delegation arrived in Darwin on Wednesday after a four-hour trip via a Philippine Airlines chartered flight from Manila. The Filipinos will compete in nine of 17 sports on the program of the biennial competition that is coming off an eight-year hiatus. Philippine Consul General John Rivas and several Filipinos working as volunteers for the Games welcomed the contingent.
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) National Training Director Marc Velasco, the deputy chef de mission, said the athletes are looking forward to the competition in the Australian city in the Northern Territory. “The delegation is upbeat,” Velasco said. “They are very excited. I think it’s an advantage that we went on a chartered flight because they got to bond together.” Velasco added the chartered flight was convenient that it allowed the team members to train hours after their arrival. Velasco also thanked the Filipino community for its support to the team. “The athletes feel their presence [Filipino community]. They are very warm in giving support. The athletes are overwhelmed,” Velasco said.
UAAP VOLLEY DUEL UNIVERSITY of the East’s Roselle Baliton and De La Salle’s Aduke
Christine Ogunsanya mix it up at the net during the University Athletics Association of the Philippines Season 81 women’s volleyball tournament match where the Lady Spikers won, 25-17, 25-16, 25-19, on Wednesday at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City. NONOY LACZA
Sports BusinessMirror
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| Friday, April 26, 2019 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao
RAFAEL NADAL beats Leonard Mayer to advance to the third round of the Barcelona Open on Wednesday. AP
NO MORE CHAMPAGNE
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ONDON—Champagne is off the menu for English soccer. The FA Cup winners will no longer be handed bottles of bubbly to celebrate at Wembley Stadium. Instead, the English Football Association will provide a nonalcohol champagne imitation at its competitions. The FA says “this is to ensure that we are as inclusive as possible to players and communities who may be prohibited from alcohol, as well as any players who are under 18.” The Premier League has already stopped handing out champagne to man of the match winners, having encountered situations were Muslim players were being presented with alcohol. AP
NADAL PROTECTS STREAK ON CLAY
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ARCELONA, Spain—Rafael Nadal recovered from a slow start to defeat Leonard Mayer, 6-7 (7), 6-4, 6-2, and advance to the third round of the Barcelona Open on Wednesday, keeping alive his streak of never losing consecutive matches on clay. The second-ranked Nadal was coming off defeat to Fabio Fognini in the semifinals of the Monte Carlo Open last week. An 11-time champion in Barcelona, Nadal will next play fellow Spaniard David Ferrer. The 37-yearold Ferrer, who is playing in Barcelona for the last time, defeated 15th-seeded Lucas Pouille 6-3, 6-1 in his second-round match. The top-seeded Nadal squandered three set points in the first set, including two in the tiebreaker after exchanging breaks late in the set. He rebounded quickly by breaking Mayer’s serve in the first game of the second set, then cruised to victory against the 63rd-ranked Argentine. “It wasn’t the best start. Not the best feelings out there this afternoon, but I found a way to keep going and to win the match. Today that’s the main thing,” Nadal said. “[Mayer] competes well against everybody but probably today [the problem] was not that he competed very well against me. I was not competing that well.”
Fognini won’t be able to add to his Monte Carlo win after withdrawing from the Barcelona tournament because of a hamstring injury. He was replaced by 104thranked Roberto Carballes Baena, who opened with a 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-2 win over Nicola Kuhn. Seventh-seeded Daniil Medvedev reached the third round by defeating Albert Ramos-Vinolas, 6-3, 2-6, 6-1, while American Mackenzie McDonald advanced with a 6-3, 6-2 win over 11th-seeded Gilles Simon. Canadian teenager Felix Auger-Aliassime defeated Malek Jaziri, 6-3, 7-6 (7), to set up a third-round match against fourth-seeded Kei Nishikori. The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Finals, meanwhile is moving to Turin in 2021. The Italian city will host the tennis event for five years through 2025, succeeding current host London. The tournament will be played inside the Pala Alpitour, a 15,000-seat multipurpose arena built to host hockey games during the 2006 Turin Olympics. Five cities bid for the event, including: London; Manchester, England; Singapore; Tokyo; and Turin. “Our congratulations to Turin on putting together such a comprehensive and impressive bid,” ATP President Chris Kermode said on Wednesday. “Italy provides us with one of the strongest and most established tennis markets in Europe and has a proven track record for hosting world class tennis events.”
City turns back fierce rival United, closes in on Premier League crown M
ANCHESTER, England—Manchester City is closing in on another Premier League title. Manchester United is increasingly unlikely to even make the top 4. In a derby match that highlighted the chasm that has formed between the two fierce rivals, City kept the destination of the title in its own hands by winning 2-0 thanks to goals by Bernardo Silva and substitute Leroy Sane at Old Trafford on Wednesday. An 11th straight victory in the league moved City onepoint above Liverpool with three games left this season in its bid to become the first team to retain the trophy since United in 2009. United slumped to a seventh loss in its last nine matches under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. After losing 4-0 at Everton on Sunday, questions had been asked about the attitude and desire of United’s players and Solskjaer got a reaction in that respect. This time, United simply wasn’t good enough. “There is a difference in quality—that is why they are top and we are where we are,” said Solskjaer, whose team hasn’t scored a goal in open play in 572 minutes. “They have set the standard. Living in Manchester, we cannot be happy with that. It is up to us to close that gap and overtake them.” That is unlikely to happen any time soon. Pep Guardiola’s side cannot reach the milestone of 100 points like last season but it continues to break records. Sane’s 66th-minute strike meant City has 157 goals in all
competitions for the season, beating the English record for a single top-flight campaign that the team held from the pre-Guardiola era in 2013-2014. City will win the league with victories its last three games—against Burnley, Leicester and Brighton. Liverpool’s last three games are against Huddersfield, Newcastle and Wolverhampton Wanderers. “It’s in our hands,” Guardiola said, “but Liverpool is not going to lose points.” A week after letting a shot from Lionel Messi slip through his fingers in a heavy Champions League loss to Barcelona, United goalkeeper David de Gea was partially at fault for both goals against City. Bernardo Silva received a short pass, cut inside from the right and shot just inside de Gea’s near post in the 54th minute, with the goalkeeper slow to get down to his left. De Gea then failed to keep out with his legs a low shot from Sane at the end of sweeping counterattack led by Raheem Sterling. “He has high standards,” Solskjaer said. “When we are having a time like this, we need to stick together, batten the hatches down and keep working. We have to come back fighting on Sunday.” That’s when United plays Chelsea and its hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League could be extinguished. In the four-team fight for the top-4 finish, United stayed in sixth place, two points behind Arsenal, three behind
Chelsea and six adrift of third-place Tottenham. On another grim night, United can at least take solace from Arsenal’s 3-1 loss at Wolves on Wednesday. There was plenty of pre-match talk about United fans being in a quandary over who to support in this derby, with Liverpool— historically its biggest rival—set to benefit from any slip-up from City. But there was no doubting who the home supporters inside Old Trafford were behind, with every tackle and attack by United vociferously cheered. There was early danger for City, too, as captain Vincent Kompany struggled to deal with United’s counterattacks and got booked after 10 minutes for blocking off Marcus Rashford. Jesse Lingard then volleyed wide off Paul Pogba’s deep pass. Solskjaer had begun the match with a five-man defense—Matteo Darmian was making his first start under the Norwegian in an unfamiliar centerback role—and it quickly became a case of United soaking up City’s attacks and attempting to hit on the break. Only in the final few minutes of the first half did City find some
Held each November, the ATP Finals is the seasonending event for the top 8 men’s singles players and doubles teams. “The ATP Finals is the biggest and most prestigious event that we have at the ATP. It’s a tournament that has historically moved around and so I’m very excited to see it move to Turin from 2021,” said top-ranked Novak Djokovic, a five-time winner of the event. Italy also recently began hosting the Next Gen Finals, a year-end event for the best under-21 players. That tournament is slated to be held in Milan at least through 2021. The Next Gen Finals and the ATP Finals are held on back-to-back weeks, which will create a Milan-Turin focal point for the sport. “We look forward to bringing the ATP’s flagship season-ending event to tennis’ growing fan base in Italy for the first time,” Kermode said. The tournament will boast a record prize purse of $14.5 million in 2021, the ATP said. The Turin selection comes only days after Italian player Fabio Fognini won the Monte Carlo Masters and two-and-a-half weeks before the Italian Open in Rome—a big boost for tennis in the country. The Italian government pledged €78 million ($90
million) in funding for the ATP Finals—the latest in a series of big sports events it is backing. Italy is also the front-runner in the race to host the 2026 Winter Olympics with a bid from Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo; and the country has already been assigned the 2022 Ryder Cup golf competition to be held at the Marco Simone club just outside Rome. Angelo Binaghi, the president of the Italian Tennis Federation, said it “would not have been possible” to secure the event without the government’s help. “Now we’ll pass the ball to our technical area, which must do its part within the next three to four years by bringing at least one Italian player to the Pala Alpitour,” Binaghi said. “The results over the last few years, especially the brilliant start to this season, give us hope that the stage is set.” Marco Cecchinato was a semifinalist at the French Open last year and Lorenzo Musetti, another Italian player, won this year’s Australian Open boys’ title at the age of 16. Turin will become the 15th different host city of the ATP Finals since the tournament’s inception in 1970. New York (13 editions from 1977-1989) and London (12 editions from 2009-2020) are the cities that have hosted the tournament the most. Roger Federer holds the record with six titles at the ATP Finals. AP MANCHESTER City’s Bernardo Silva celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Manchester United. AP
rhythm and Sterling missed the first great chance when he got on the end of a passing move, drifted past Chris Smalling and shot weakly at de Gea. Fernandinho was forced off with a leg injury early in the second half, seemingly picked up after tackling Pogba, and that brought Bernardo Silva into a central role as winger Leroy Sane came on as a substitute. Moments later, Bernardo collected a pass from Ilkay Gundogan, drifted inside and took an early shot that crept inside the near post. If de Gea was perhaps culpable for that goal, he certainly could have done much better for Sane’s 66th-minute effort that was powerfully struck but virtually straight at the Spain goalkeeper. The ball glanced off de Gea’s legs and into the back of the net. City has bounced back from its agonizing Champions League elimination by Tottenham last week with successive wins over Spurs and United, taking the team’s run of league victories to 11. “I think that is the most incredible detail for these players,” Guardiola said. “You cannot imagine how tough it was to go out of this beautiful competition. “To stay alive in the Premier League ...under the pressure we felt and how we reacted, that is perhaps more important than anything else.” AP
We believe in You
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EAR God, we believe in You. You are a fair Judge, not punishing people for their misdeeds but allowing them to correct their mistakes. You are always loving and forgiving. You are not far away but You live in us forever as You created us in Your image, goodness and likeness. You are interested in the things we are doing as we focused on Your bountiful blessings You offer us each day. It is not impossible to know You more, love You most and serve You endlessly. We are here for You as we say, “Let us all remember that we are in the most holy presence of God” all the days of our lives. 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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FERMENTATION: THE TOP 6 THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT WHISKY AND WHISKEY D2
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‘Avengers: Endgame’ is Marvel’s machine in high gear
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By JAKE cOyLE The Associated Press
ATISFACTION is a complicated concept in Marvel Land. On the one hand, every morsel of prerelease information is obsessively poured over in feverish anticipation. But by the time the movie is coming out, a sudden hush comes over die-hard fans who, to avoid spoilers, have abandoned their phones, detached from the grid and found a quiet ditch to lay in until the coast is clear and the multiplex is open. It’s an anguished dance between wanting to know everything and nothing, at once. And it never ceases. No Marvel ending (usually) lasts past the credits. Those fans won’t read this review, but Avengers: Endgame will, I suspect, offer them gratification and maybe a welcome moment of respite. Endgame not only answers the cliffhanger of its predecessor—that puny $300-million 156-minute “appetizer” better known as In�inity War—but ties together the entire 22-film arc of the Marvel “cinematic universe,” begun with 2008’s Iron Man. Generous in humor, spirit and sentimentality, Anthony and Joe Russo’s Endgame is a surprisingly full feast of blockbuster-making that, through some timetraveling magic, looks back nostalgically at Marvel’s
decade of world domination. This is the Marvel machine working at high gear, in full control of its myth-making powers and uncovering more emotion in its fictional cosmos than ever before. It was Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark (Iron Man) who kicked things off for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), and it’s him who opens Endgame and most often takes center stage. Providing even the most basic of plot points in Endgame is a fool’s errand, but it’s fair to say that it takes place some time after the rapture caused by the megalomaniac boulder Thanos (Josh Brolin). Having obtained all six of the “infinity stones,” he wiped away 50 percent of Earth’s creatures (and superheroes) at the end of In�inity War with the snap of his fingers. Rather than bask in the extra parking spaces and uncrowded check-out aisles, the survivors have spent the ensuing time in a prolonged state of mourning. The remaining superheroes are also reeling, ashamed of their defeat. One has turned angry and vengeful, another has grown a beer belly. As nauseating as the aura of momentousness around Endgame has been for some, the movie—while certainly not lacking in ominous solemnity—is frequently funny, as the Russos, working from a script by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, arrange their heroes in fresh pairings and unlikely contexts.
That’s owed sizably to the cast, which sports a number of top-tier comic actors, chief among them Downey Jr., but there’s also the thankfully prominent Paul Rudd (Ant-Man) and Avengers regulars Chris Hemsworth (Thor) and Mark Ruffalo (the Hulk). While Marvel has improved in gender parity (Brie Larson’s recently launched Captain Marvel plays a small but pivotal role here) its cosmos could still use some funny actresses. Can Maya Rudolph, please, be made queen of the galaxy? But it is, at least, three clown cars worth of superheroes. Seldom, if ever, have more movie stars been brought together in one place; a film with this kind of collection of talent really can’t help but be decent, at minimum. Among them: Chris Evans’s Captain America, Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow, Don Cheadle’s War Machine, Bradley Cooper’s Rocket. Yet, the Russos, aided by the film’s ample running time, balance the characters and story lines swiftly and seamlessly. Somewhere in this juggling act is a little bit of every tone in the Marvel universe: some of the wit of Iron Man, a touch of the madcap romp of The Guardians of the Galaxy, a smidge of the cosmic saga of Thor, and even a little of the resonance of Black Panther. More than any of those franchises, Endgame, at its best moments, carries the thrill of classic comic-
book twists and reversals. But the main difference is that a dose of finality has finally crept in to a universe where death is seldom visited on anyone but the bad guys. Endgame will likely be most remembered for its teary goodbyes. To say who would, of course, invite my own demise. But the send-offs, tender and sincere, capture something about the Avengers films. At their root, they are about family. Never has that been more apparent than in the daughters, fathers, sons, mothers, sisters, brothers and spouses that populate Endgame, making up the connections that bind this fantasy realm—one that, for all its turmoil, is far more unified than ours. Other farewells are more legitimately somber. The late Stan Lee here makes his final cameo, and it’s a good one. Lee’s swan song, as much as anything, verifies that Endgame marks the end of an era. The conclusion of this chapter in the MCU, of course, won’t last long; Marvel’s assembly lines are already humming. And I suspect it will be some time before we understand just what Marvel has wrought with these movies. At their worst, they are colossal, inhuman products built for a supersized form of binge-watching. At their best, they are grand, megasized Hollywood spectacles. It’s not a spoiler to say that Endgame verges more on the latter. At least I don’t think so. n
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The top 6 things to remember about whisky and whiskey WHISKY OR WHISKEY?
From left: Kavalan Single Malt Whisky from Taiwan; Penderyn Single Malt Madeira Finish Welsh Whisky; Lambay Single Malt Irish Whiskey; The Glenrothes Speyside Single Malt Whisky 12 Years Old
Today’s Horoscope By Eugenia Last
CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Jemima Kirke, 34; Channing Tatum, 39; Tom Welling, 42; Kevin James, 54. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Take note of what’s going on around you this year. If you respond based on emotions, you will make a mistake that can cost you personally or professionally. Listen to expert advice, and consider every angle of whatever situation you face this year before you make a commitment or promise that will add to your responsibilities. Your lucky numbers are 6, 17, 23, 28, 31, 37, 48.
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ARIES (March 21-April 19): Charm coupled with finesse, intelligence and a plan that will open doors that have been closed will lead to new opportunities. A chance to improve your financial, physical or emotional well-being is apparent. ★★★★
FERMENTATION CECILE MAURICIO
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TAURUS (April 20-May 20): A quick response will leave you in an awkward position. Instability should be handled with caution. Size up where everyone else stands before revealing your thoughts. If you want to get ahead or be accepted, remain neutral. ★★
cecile.mauricio@gmail.com
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GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Tell it like it is. If you feel you need to get something off your chest, speak from the heart and be willing to listen in order to find common ground. Put your differences aside, and make romance and self-improvement priorities. ★★★★★
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HERE is whisky and still there is whiskey. Whether the “e” is present or not between the k and y spells a world of difference. A couple of whisky/whiskey tasting sessions brought to light some misconceptions, as well as often misunderstood terms. WHISKY OR WHISKEY? THERE’S Scotch whisky and Ireland’s whiskey. It is said that the current spelling arose from the mispronunciation of the Irish uisce, written uisge in Scotland’s uisge beatha, literally “water of life.” This was a direct translation of the Latin aqua vitae, the name given to distilled alcohol by the Irish monks during the Middle Ages. At a whisky class I had attended, the whisky whisperer spelled it simply: “whisky” for countries without an “e”; “whiskey” for countries with an “e” in their names. Japan, Canada, India and Taiwan therefore follow the Scottish example, and the US spells it with the “e,” like the Irish. But France prefers the Scottish spelling (yes, there is French whisky and the French allegedly drink more whisky per capita than any other country), and so do some American labels like George Dickel Tennessee Whisky, Maker’s Mark Bourbon Whisky and Old Forester Straight Bourbon Whisky. And then there are the plural forms that add to the bane of proofreaders: “whiskies” for whisky; “whiskeys” for whiskey. TENNESSEE WHISKEY IS NOT THE SAME AS BOURBON BOURBON and Tennessee whiskey, both made in the US, are also made essentially the same—with at least 51 percent corn and aged in new charred oak barrels. But a Tennessee whiskey, unlike a bourbon, undergoes one extra step called the Lincoln County Process, whereby the whiskey is filtered through charcoal prior to bottling. Other whiskeys can be made in Tennessee, but unless they’re made from at least 51 percent corn and use the Lincoln Country Process, they cannot be labeled “Tennessee Whiskey.” That’s why in bar lists, you’ll see Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey (a prime example known worldwide) listed as a separate category, and not under the “bourbon” heading. SINGLE MALT IS MAD BY JUST ONE DISTILLERY “SINGLE” refers to the number of distilleries that made the whisky or whiskey, therefore a single malt is the product of just one distillery. “Malt” refers to the ingredient the product is made from; therefore, single malt means that the whisky or whiskey is made entirely from malted grain which is almost always malted barley. But while a “single malt” is produced
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CANCER (June 21-July 22): Find a way to assist others without making a cash donation. Offer your time, experience and insight. A last-minute change will save you from getting roped into something you’d prefer not to do. Don’t share personal information. ★★★
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LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Stay calm, regardless of what transpires. An incident can lead to an emotional outburst if handled the wrong way. A pleasing and positive response will help ward off any potential upset or disagreement. Getting together with old friends will be eye-opening. ★★★
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VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Live and learn. Get involved in conversations and events that will teach you something about life. Reviewing your current situation and the options available will help you come up with a way to make improvements to your living arrangements. ★★★
by a single producer or distillery, the end product is actually a perfect marriage of malts of varying ages so that the consistency of the whisky is maintained. While single malt is usually associated with that which comes from Scotland, other countries produce it too. And while it is possible to make single malt rye in the US, the rule in Scotland is that Scotch single malt should be made from 100 percent malted barley. Like single malt, the term “single grain” also refers to the product of one distillery. But a single grain whisky or whiskey does not need to be made from barley nor from malted grain. Instead, this is often made from any cereal grain. In Scotland, a single grain whisky includes amounts of malted barley combined with another grain. THERE IS MORE BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKY PRODUCED THAN SCOTCH SINGLE MALT CHIVAS Regal, Cutty Sark, Dewars, Johnnie Walker are some of the most famous examples of blended Scotch whisky, a mix of both single grain and single malt whiskies from two or more distilleries. While Scotch single malts are very much in the limelight, blends dominate the Scotch whisky industry in both production and sales. Most blended whisky is 70 percent grain and 30 percent malt. The more premium offerings may have a higher percentage of malt. THE AGE OF THE WHISKY IS NOT AN INDICATION OF QUALITY THIS is about the age statement on a whisky bottle.
You’ll see 10 Years Old, or 12 or 15 or more. The age statement on a Scotch whisky label refers to the age of youngest whisky included in the product, which means that all the malt and grain whiskies in the product must be at least as old as the age shown on the label. It is, therefore, not necessarily true that the older the whisky, the better it is. What is generally true is that the older the age statement on a whisky label, the more expensive it is. YES, YOU CAN ADD WATER TO YOUR WHISKY IS it better to drink whisky neat or on the rocks? There are arguments about how adding water dilutes the flavor of the whisky and that it does nothing to enhance the palate. The other side of the coin maintains that a bit of water does open up the whisky’s expressions so that you smell more aromas and taste more flavors (because the water did lower the alcohol level). At one of the whisky classes I attended, the suggestion was to take your whisky neat, and if you find that you don’t like it, add a little water. And, no, do not tip some of the water from your water glass. Instead dip two or three fingers into your water glass and then let the water drip into your whisky. That allows you to control the dose of water to prevent your whisky from drowning. You want your whisky cold? Then go for that ice ball or solid chunk of ice. But remember that smaller cubes or tube ice will melt easier, diluting your whisky faster. Or try whisky in a cocktail. Experiment. In the end, you’ll see what works for you. n
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LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Draw on what’s available to you, and you will be able to initiate the changes that will motivate you to let go of the past. Make a financial adjustment that will counter any loss you might suffer due to emotional instability. ★★★★★
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SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Get involved in events or gatherings that interest you. A change of attitude will please some but not others. Follow your heart, and do what feels right. You can’t please everyone, so look out for your best interest. ★★
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SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Put a little muscle behind domestic projects; you will be happy with the results. Invite friends over to help you with the changes you want to make. ★★★★
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Stop talking about what you want to do; make it happen. It’s up to you to follow through, and the satisfaction you get from what you accomplish will stifle a friend or relative from criticizing or complaining. ★★★
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AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Just be yourself, and doors will open. Get involved in events and with people who have something interesting to offer. New friendships will develop that will prompt you to try something new. ★★★
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PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): A mixture of practicality and creativity will help bring about positive change. What you contribute to a project or group effort will change the way others treat you. An offer will lead to an unexpected and exciting turnabout. ★★★★ BIRTHDAY BABY: You are innovative, unpredictable and entertaining. You are bold and strong-minded.
‘scrambled communications’ BY ROBERT E. LEE MORIS The Universal Crossword/Edited by David Steinberg
ACROSS 1 Oz creator 5 Jason’s ship 9 Pumpkin-growing spot 14 Type of sax 15 Pitching great Marichal 16 Nebraska’s largest city 17 Change-over-time photography technique (unscramble letters 2-6!) 19 Anglo’s partner 20 Prefix with “logical” 21 Fire: Var. 22 Extra-large, for one 23 Actress Spacek 25 Region bordering Louisiana (letters 4-7) 30 Rose oil 32 Regret 33 She can make a call for you 34 “Honest” POTUS 35 Month with the longest name: Abbr. 37 Superman nemesis Luthor 38 Conflicting signals, or a hint to this puzzle’s theme 42 Au ___
43 Certain Feds 44 Tina Turner’s ex 45 Soothing balm 47 Based ___ true story 48 Small, sour candies 51 Party pooper (letters 2-5) 54 Friendly feeling 56 Actor Ken 57 Molokai garland 59 Iron or lead source 60 Old-hat 62 Test ride vehicle, perhaps (letters 2-5) 65 Chilling 66 Cake box? 67 Osso buco meat 68 Indiana baller 69 Dumbo’s large body parts 70 Seeks consent DOWN 1 Kathy of Misery 2 Singer Keys 3 Nth degree 4 Stooge with bangs 5 Comet competitor 6 Currency with a Gandhi Series
7 8 9 10 11 12 13 18 22 24 26 27 28 29 31 36 38 39 40 41 42 46 49 50 52
Car expense Washington bill Put forth Wows Certain wealthy expatriate Comedian Margaret Chinese dynasty after the Qin Risk some money Intervenes Lay’s chips in a tube Weaponry collection Defends one’s copyright, perhaps Greek war god ___ degrees of separation Lunar eclipse phenomenon Prepare, as an archer Stubborn animal Type of exercise What many broken bones do Handwashing target Chew the fat Intertwine Some semiconductors Hair line? Crude ship
53 55 58 60 61 62 63 64
Cartoon hunter Fudd Talks over loud music Ages and ages Hit on the head Santa ___ She fawns over fawns Dumbo actress Green Lab eggs
Solution to yesterday’s puzzle:
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Empathy is the secret ingredient that makes cooperation—and civilization—possible By Arunas L. Radzvilavicius University of Pennsylvania
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UMAN societies are so prosperous mostly because of how altruistic we are. Unlike other animals, people cooperate even with complete strangers. We share knowledge on Wikipedia, we show up to vote and we work together to responsibly manage natural resources. But where do these cooperative skills come from and why don’t our selfish instincts overwhelm them? Using a branch of mathematics called evolutionary game theory to explore this feature of human societies, my collaborators and I found that empathy—a uniquely human capacity to take another person’s perspective—might be responsible for sustaining such extraordinarily high levels of cooperation in modern societies. SOCIAL RULES OF COOPERATION FOR decades scholars have thought that social norms and reputation can explain much altruistic behavior. Humans are far more likely to be kind to individuals they see as “good,” than they are to people of “bad” reputation. If everyone agrees that being altruistic toward other cooperators earns you a good reputation, cooperation will persist. This universal understanding of whom we see as morally good and worthy of cooperation is a form of social norm—an invisible rule that guides social behavior and promotes cooperation. A common norm in human societies called “stern judging,” for instance, rewards cooperators who refuse to help bad people, but many other norms are possible.
This idea that you help one person and someone else helps you is called the theory of indirect reciprocity. However, it’s been built assuming that people always agree on each others’ reputations as they change over time. Moral reputations were presumed to be fully objective and publicly known. Imagine, for instance, an all-seeing institution monitoring people’s behavior and assigning reputations, like China’s social-credit system, in which people will be rewarded or sanctioned based on “social scores” calculated by the government. But in most real-life communities, people often disagree about each others’ reputations. A person who appears good to me might seem like a bad individual from my friend’s perspective. My friend’s judgment might be based on a different social norm or a different observation than mine. This is why reputations in real societies are relative—people have different opinions about what is good or bad. Using biology-inspired evolutionary models, I set out to investigate what happens in a more realistic setting. Can cooperation evolve when there are disagreements about what is considered good or bad? To answer this question, I first worked with mathematical descriptions of large societies, in which people could choose between various types of cooperative and selfish behaviors based on how beneficial they were. Later I used computer models to simulate social interactions in much smaller societies that more closely resemble human communities. The results of my modeling work were not encouraging: Overall, moral relativity made societies less altruistic. Cooperation almost vanished under
most social norms. This meant that most of what was known about social norms promoting human cooperation may have been false. EVOLUTION OF EMPATHY TO find out what was missing from the dominant theory of altruism, I teamed up with Joshua Plotkin, a theoretical biologist at the University of Pennsylvania, and Alex Stewart at the University of Houston, both experts in game theoretical approaches to human behavior. We agreed that my pessimistic findings went against our intuition—most people do care about reputations and about the moral value of others’ actions. But we also knew that humans have a remarkable ability to empathetically include other people’s views when deciding that a certain behavior is morally good or bad. On some occasions, for instance, you might be tempted to judge an uncooperative person harshly, when you really shouldn’t if from their own perspective, cooperation was not the right thing to do. This is when my colleagues and I decided to modify our models to give individuals the capacity for empathy—that is, the ability to make their moral evaluations from the perspective of another person. We also wanted individuals in our model to be able to learn how to be empathetic, simply by observing and copying personality traits of more successful people. When we incorporated this type of empathetic perspective-taking into our equations, cooperation rates skyrocketed; once again we observed altruism winning over selfish behavior. Even initially uncooperative societies in which everyone judged each other based mostly on their own selfish
perspectives, eventually discovered empathy—it became socially contagious and spread throughout the population. Empathy made our model societies altruistic again. Moral psychologists have long suggested that empathy can act as social glue, increasing cohesiveness and cooperation of human societies. Empathetic perspective-taking starts developing in infancy, and at least some aspects of empathy are learned from parents and other members of the child’s social network. But how humans evolved empathy in the first place remained a mystery. It is incredibly difficult to build rigorous theories about concepts of moral psychology as complex as empathy or trust. Our study offers a new way of thinking about empathy, by incorporating it into the well-studied framework of evolutionary game theory. Other moral emotions like guilt and shame can potentially be studied in the same way. I hope that the link between empathy and human cooperation we discovered can soon be tested experimentally. Perspective-taking skills are most important in communities where many different backgrounds, cultures and norms intersect; this is where different individuals will have diverging views on what actions are morally good or bad. If the effect of empathy is as strong as our theory suggests, there could be ways to use our findings to promote largescale cooperation in the long term—for instance, by designing nudges, interventions and policies that promote development of perspective-taking skills, or at least encourage considering the views of those who are different. AP
Why office workers might have sick building syndrome—and how to beat it HAVE you and your coworkers been feeling sick without being able to put finger on your exact illness or what causes it? If yes, then you are probably suffering from sick building syndrome (SBS), a collection of various symptoms and illnesses due to poor air quality in a building or shared confined space. This occurs only during office hours and affect two out of every 10 employees. The symptoms usually improve after leaving the building and come back when the person returns to the workplace. In a working environment, employees spend a minimum of eight to 10 hours of their day in the office. It is the place where they stay the most next to their homes, so it should be conducive and pleasant for everyone. Companies must work on improving the overall working environment to make their employees perform well. Marking World Health Day, leading medical institution Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed, www.makatimed.net.ph) tells us the importance of having a healthy and positive working environment and how workers can best deal with SBS. n HELP IN IMPROVING YOUR WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT. People with SBS may complain about
having severe headaches, nausea, fever, chills, throat irritation and difficulty in breathing while inside the office. SBS has been suggested to be attributed to unsound infrastructure and poor ventilation, which result to poor air quality. “We usually associate air pollution with the outside environment, but poor air circulation indoors can also harm people,” says Gregorio Ocampo, MD of the Department of Medicine. Even if there’s still no proven cause, people can lessen their exposure to triggers like dust, pollution, and other chemicals by using cleaning products with low fumes, removing dust from their own desk regularly, and investing in LED or blue desk lights for less energy output, according to Ocampo. Employees can also request to update their computer monitors, other display systems, and air-conditioning units as needed. n FIND OUT ABOUT WORK-RELATED STRESSORS. Aside from the physical environment, excessive work stress or dissatisfaction, poor interpersonal relationships and poor communications are often seen to be associated with SBS. “There are studies that
show a combination of sensitivity to environment and stress can greatly contribute to sick building syndrome,” explains Elizabeth Rondain, MD of the Section of Psychiatry.
CLIMATE ADVOCATE FETED Country Head
of The Climate Reality Project Philippines Rodne Galicha receives The Outstanding Young Men and Women award in environment and climate change education for 2018 from TOYM Search Committee National Chairman Mark Joseph David, TOYM Foundation President Bienvenido Tantoco III, JCI Philippines National President Rey Felix Rafols, TOYM Foundation Vice Chairman Lorenzo Tan and Board of Judges Chairman Science Secretary Fortunato de la Peña. Galicha was recognized for his staunch support of environmental causes and leadership in numerous climate organizations. He is vice chairman of Greenpeace Philippines, chairman and president of Romblon-based cultural heritage and ecology group Bayay Sibuyanon, and one of the lead convenors of the Living Laudato Si movement for sustainable business investments and practices.
General symptoms like headaches, abnormal tiredness and sensation of cold and nausea are significantly associated with workload and conflict; while upper respiratory symptoms are linked to crowded workspaces and low work satisfaction. Even specific careers are connected to particular SBS symptoms. Skin symptoms like eczema, itching and rashes on the hands and face are associated with technical work; while general symptoms seem to occur more with people working in communication, health care, transportation and social work. If your symptoms continue to persist, you should visit a doctor for proper consultation and management. There a lot of other possible causes, and the symptoms you are experiencing may be connected to other illnesses. “Working under comfortable conditions that make you happy and movitated at work is important. If your physical and psychosocial environment gets in the way of your health and performance, it’s time to implement changes and get yourself checked,” concludes Rondain.
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Jeweler, Sarah Jessica Parker settle breach of contract suit
FROM left: Francis Concepcion, Mackie Empuerto and Keifer Sanchez
NEW YORK—Sarah Jessica Parker and a British jeweler have settled a breach of contract lawsuit against the actress. A joint statement released on Tuesday says the parties have “resolved their differences” and are excited to “resume their partnership.” Kat Florence Design sued Parker, arguing that she had agreed to promote a collaborative jewelry line of diamonds and other gems for a fee of $7.5 million but failed to live up to the obligation. Parker filed a lawsuit of her own, saying payments from the designer were “abruptly and without notice or explanation stopped” in October 2016. She said she was paid about $1.3 million. Details of the settlement in New York were not disclosed. AP
JENNIFER GARNER
Garner graces cover of ‘People’s’ annual ‘Beautiful Issue’ NEW YORK—Jennifer Garner graces the front of this year’s “Beautiful Issue” of People magazine with a cover story that cheers the way she balances Hollywood, business and motherhood. The magazine revealed the cover on Tuesday of the annual issue that hits newsstands on Friday. On the cover, the Texas-born, West Virginia-raised Garner, 47, is shown sitting on the hood of a car with grassy hills in the background along with the quote, “I’m grateful every day.” The Alias actress is cofounder of a baby food company, acts as an artist-ambassador for Save The Children, and is mother to three kids with ex-husband Ben Affleck: 13-year-old Violet, 10-year-old Seraphina and 7-year-old Samuel. “I’m starting to get to the point where I realize this job is not going to be forever,” Garner told People. “Not in the all-encompassing every meal, every moment, every day way that I have loved for the last 13 years. It’s going to shift. But there’s beauty in how it works in episodes.” Garner said that when she arrives home from a fancy photo shoot, her kids object to her glam get-up and want their mother back. “They’ll look at me and say, ‘Can you wash your face? Can you put your hair in a ponytail and put your glasses and sweats on?’” Garner said. “And I see the compliment in that. They just want me to look like Mom.” Last year the magazine rebranded its “Most Beautiful” issue as “The Beautiful Issue,” to make clear, its editors said, that it’s not a contest. Singer Pink and her children were on the 2018 cover. AP
A world tour; a book for moms GAB FAB JET VALLE
@jetvalle
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ALKING to the TNT boys is a hoot and a half. They are so candid with a certain naivete that when they talk about even the most serious things, you still end up smiling. They are also animated when they tell their stories, like the one time they saw Chris Hemsworth in an airport. One demonstrated how his jaw fell to the floor, another showed how he just ended up pointing at him in awe, and the other member reenacted how he screamed and shouted “Thor!” at a pitch that only dogs can hear. But when they sing, oh these boys can certainly sing. Composed of Mackie Empuerto, Keifer Sanchez and Francis Concepcion, the TNT boys are preparing for their international concert tour, titled TNT Boys Listen: The World Tour. The boys shared they are busy rehearsing for the concert, practicing almost everyday. They want to make sure ticket holders will have a grand time during the concert, which is why they are making sure their signature renditions like Beyoncé’s “Listen” will be included in the repertoire. And why not? It is their rendition of this song and their other YouTube covers that made foreign audiences take note of them. They have made the rounds of different international
shows, the most recent of which are The World’s Best and The Late Late Show with James Corden, the latter even paving the way for the boys to perform with their idol Ariana Grande. Bongga, ’di ba? But what makes these kids fabulous is that even when they are busy being the next Destiny’s Child or En Vogue, they are still able to prioritize their education as they recently participated in the movingup ceremony at the Christian Filipino Academy. Mackie, Keifer and Francis got certificates of excellence in Math, English and Araling Panlipunan, respectively. And while doing all these, they were even able to squeeze in time to record a new single, titled “Together We Fly.” This will soon be released and may even be performed in their concert. Derived from their first major concert in November 2018 which made them the youngest Filipino sold-out concert performers, the trio’s world tour kicked off at Chabot College in Hayward, California, on April 23, followed by The Theatre at Ace Hotel, Los Angeles, California, on April 25. They will also fly to Canada and perform at the Edmonton Expo Centre in Alberta on April 27. They are taking along with them special guests: Filipino-American artists who have made a splash in the US, including child prodigy Angelica Hale (America’s Got Talent), pop and R&B singer Cheesa (The Voice) and musician Troy Laureta. Hip-hop dance group Str8jacket from World of Dance will also be giving special performances. For more details, visit www.thetntboys.com. nnn DIMPLES ROMANA drew from the lessons she learned as a mother of two kids in the latest read from ABS-CBN Books, Dimps Tips, featuring 52 essential life
skills every mom needs to know. Dimps Tips features four helpful categories— essential recipes, mindful mommy skills, time and financial management skills, and “me” time moments, which Dimples stressed to be all equally important. The mom of Alonzo and Callie wrote: “We, naturally and willingly, put ourselves last when it comes to family. And that’s because a mother’s heart is selfless.” However, she said that indulging in small luxuries, allowing yourself to relax, and giving in to what your heart needs at the moment also help a lot. “Believe me, I am a stronger, better mother when I take care of myself,” she said, identifying eight simple me time opportunities to take care of oneself. Among the 20 essential recipes from Dimples’s kitchen are her salted egg shrimp, chili garlic crab, white tuna pasta and ginataang santol concoctions. She also included tips on cooking classic Pinoy favorites, such as adobo, sinigang, pancit and sisig. There are 14 mindful mom skills in Dimps Tips. “Mindful motherhood is a great way to set the tone for your home and your family life. The practice of being mindful as a mother and as an individual will help in being more productive in life,” she penned. The Kapamilya actress also revealed 10 time and money management skills she learned ever since she started her own family in June 2003. Among these are mastering to-do lists and having a long-term calendar with big dreams on it. In between the life skills, the new author also shared her sensible advice for moms, and dads, as well. “Live in the moment. With the rise of social media and excess documentation of each moment we live day by day, we forget to just be. To be in the moment 100 percent.” n
Dingdong renews partnership with GMA AFTER more than two decades, the multi-awarded Dingdong Dantes once again affirms his loyalty to GMA Network during the renewal of his contract held on April 22. “I’ve been here for 21 years...higit kalahati ng buhay ko sa GMA. Dito ko nakilala ’yung asawa ko, siyempre kinasal kami, nagkaroon ng panganay, at ngayon nagkaroon ng pangalawang anak. Practically lahat ng highlights ng buhay ko, dito na nangyari. GMA is definitely part of my life,” Dingdong shared. Present during the signing and media conference were GMA Network Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, GMA President and Chief Operating Officer Gilberto R. Duavit Jr., President of GMA Worldwide Inc. and GMA Network Films Atty. Annette Gozon Valdes, Senior Vice President for Entertainment Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable, Chief Risk Officer and First Vice President for Corporate Strategic Planning and Program Support Department Regie C. Bautista, Vice President for Drama Productions Redgie A. Magno, Vice President for Business Development and Department III Darling de Jesus-Bodegon, Vice President for Business Development Department II Janine Piad-Nacar, Vice President for Corporate Affairs and Communications Angela Javier Cruz, GMA Regional TV Vice President and Head Oliver Amoroso, Senior Assistant Vice President for Alternative Productions Gigi Santiago-Lara, Assistant Vice President for Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy, Senior Program Managers Ali Nokom Dedicatoria, Cathy Ochoa Perez and Mildred Natividad; and Dingdong’s manager Perry Lansigan. More than his engaging charm and undeniable good looks, it is Dingdong’s commitment toward public service and genuine love for his craft that make him an industry royal in
his own right. This latest contract renewal paves way for a deeper partnership between Dingdong and the network. As a way of showing his gratitude and appreciation to GMA and his dedicated fans, he will be taking on a more vigorous participation not just onscreen but also behind the scenes as a creative consultant of his shows. With this, he hopes to share what he has learned through his years with GMA. Currently, he is the host of top-rating infotainment program Amazing Earth, and is standing in as the host of weekly drama anthology show Tadhana. He will also take on the iconic role of Captain Lucas, or Big Boss, in GMA’s highly anticipated adaptation of the hit Korean series Descendants of the Sun. Dingdong is also an active advocate of nation-building and social movements that empower the Filipino volunteer sector. He is the founding chairman of YesPinoy Foundation, an institution which partners with several organizations that promote education, disaster preparedness, battling climate change and more. The foundation will celebrate its 10th anniversary later this year. During the contract signing, Gozon expressed his gratitude toward Dingdong’s unwavering loyalty to GMA. “Dingdong is truly one of our homegrown talents. He embodies what GMA stands for: quality, professionalism, integrity and, above all, heart. In everything he does, he excels. Whether it’s in acting, producing, hosting or directing, ibinibigay talaga ni Dingdong ang kaniyang buong puso,” he said. Duavit, meanwhile, had nothing but praises for the star, “Si Dong ang one of the very first na lumagda ng exclusive
DINGDONG DANTES (center) with GMA executives (from left) Lilybeth Rasonable, Gilberto R. Duavit Jr., Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, and the actor’s manager Perry Lansigan
contract with us. And now, parang nagbabalik tanaw tayo. There’s a great sense of happiness and pride kasi bukod sa hindi siya nagbago, bagamat ang laki na ng itinaas ni Dingdong dito sa industriya, he has remained the same—very humble, very professional, very conscientious, loyal as an actor and as a friend. Lalo na ngayon, padre de pamilya na siya. Time really flies and it’s great to continue working with a person who has remained to be an example to everybody.” Valdes also praised Dingdong, dubbed as GMA’s son, for his long list of accomplishments and professional contributions to the network, “Dingdong has accomplished so many things here in GMA during his career. I became a witness to many of these, from being the best leading man
in the country, to being a legitimate movie star, to being a director, also to being a producer. Makikita mo ’yung dedication and love niya sa kaniyang career and profession and, of course, also to GMA, and we’re very thankful for that. Isa siyang tunay na Kapuso through and through.” Rasonable also voiced her admiration for the actor. “Magkasabay kami halos na nagsimula dito sa GMA. Kaya masasabi ko talagang nakakagalak na makita siya magdevelop as an actor, as a director, as a producer and as a family man. He’s such a versatile actor, so ang sarap niyang gawan ng iba’t-ibang characters kasi kayang-kaya niya. Everytime you see him onscreen, may bagong napapanood sa kanya,” she shared.
Motoring BusinessMirror
Henry Ford Awards Best Motoring Section 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 2011 Hall of Fame
Editor: Tet Andolong
RAMESH NARASIMHAN (left) handing over the symbolic key to Atsushi Najima as NPI’s new country head
ATSUSHI NAJIMA profile photo. NISSAN PHILIPPINES
NPI’s new president and managing director addressing the guests
MASASHI OTSUKA, PIAA overseas head gamely post for the media
THE OTO style horn in an attractive packaging
Friday, April 26, 2019
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More fuel savings AUTO SHANGHAI 2019 with Landers I
T’S time to double the fun this April as Landers Superstore, the fastest-growing membership shopping establishment in the country, brings Double Coupon Tuesdays where members can score double Super Fuel Sale coupons. For the remaining Tuesdays of April, get twice the fuel savings for every minimum purchase of P3,000 at any Landers Superstore. Avail yourself of exclusive fuel discounts at Landers’s very own Caltex gasoline stations by simply collecting coupons. Shop more to grab bigger discounts. Present the coupons, along with your membership card, at any Landers-Caltex gas station, and enjoy a minimum of P7 off per liter on Platinum or Silver, and P4 off per liter on Diesel. Members may use one of his/her discount coupons to fuel up one car only. Discount coupons may be used anytime within the year until December 30, 2019. Purchases made
at Landers Central, Doppio, Federal Barbers, Capital Care and Landers gas stations are ineligible for fuel discount coupons. Regular discounts of P3 off per liter of Platinum and Silver, and P2 off per liter of Diesel are still applicable for members who simply wish to fuel up. Double the savings, double the fun! Shop now at Landers Superstore to score bigger discounts on fuel. Visit Landers Superstore at Landers Alabang West—Daang Hari Road, Almanza Dos, Las Piñas City; Landers ArcoVia City—1604, 99 Eulogio Rodriguez Jr. Avenue, Pasig, 1604 Metro Manila; Landers Balintawak—1240 Edsa Balintawak, Apolonio Samson, Quezon City; Landers Otis—1890 Paz Guazon Street, Paco, Manila; or Landers Cebu—23 Minore Park, Cardinal Rosales Avenue corner Pope John Paul II Avenue, Cebu. For more information about Landers Superstore’s exclusive offerings, visit http://landers.ph/.
PH students to compete in Malaysia
VW RULES THE M
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By Tet Andolong
OLKSWAGEN has been in the Chinese market for more than 30 years. In fact, the German carmaker has established such a stable foothold in China that it now has the largest share of passenger cars sold, as confirmed by the latest car delivery figures. In the first quarter of the year alone, the Volkswagen brand delivered 722,800 cars to customers there, for an increase of 6.5 percent over last year. Indeed, Volkswagen now rules the Middle Kingdom insofar as cars are concerned.
THE T-Cross
AUTO Shanghai 2019
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AKE the Future Live Malaysia goes to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from April 29 to May 2, 2019, bringing together representatives from business, academia, government and high-school and university students to explore the future of energy and mobility. At the heart of Make the Future Live Malaysia is Shell Ecomarathon Asia, which celebrates its 10th year of challenging bright young student minds to design and build ultra-energy-efficient cars, and then take them out on the track in competition. This year, the event will see over 100 university and high-school teams from 18 countries across Asia Pacific and the Middle East come together in a display of ultra-energy efficiency innovation. “Make the Future Live Malaysia provides a platform for innovation, collaboration and conversation toward a lower-carbon energy future, particularly in Asia with its diversity, complexity and varying energy challenges,” said Norman Koch, Make the Future Live general manager. “The Sepang International Circuit provides a real track experience, making it a challenging and competitive track venue for the heart of the Make the Future Live events, Shell Eco-marathon.” The Philippines will again be participating in Shell Eco-marathon Asia, from nine universities with a total of 11 futuristic cars they have designed and built themselves. They will now take to the track competing to be the most energy-efficient. Five of the university teams availed themselves of Pilipinas Shell’s techni-
cal inspection assistance to boost their cars’ readiness for race day. Students will have to navigate the iconic Sepang International Circuit in the Shell Eco-marathon Mileage Challenge—a test to see whose car could go the farthest using the least amount of energy. Last year in Singapore, the winning team was efficient enough to travel 2,341 kilometers—about the distance from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Yangon, Myanmar— on just 1 liter of fuel! Teams will also be able to qualify for the Drivers’ World Championship—matching the proven energy efficiency of their vehicle, with the speed, skill and strategy of the driver in a race to cross the finish line first without running out of their tiny allocation of energy. For the first time, Shell Ecomarathon Asia will welcome entrants from Nepal. Students from Kathmandu University will compete with a prototype gasoline vehicle. Make the Future Live is a global program bringing people and ideas into collaborative spaces, driving toward a lower-carbon energy future. With events hosted in countries around the globe, they aim to provide an opportunity for multiple stakeholders: including students, entrepreneurs, businesses, governments and the public, to experience, test and contribute bright energy ideas. Make the Future Live has the following global partners: Agility, Altair, Dassault Systèmes SOLIDWORKS, HP, Linde and Southwest Research Institute. www.shell.my/makethefuture
VW Philippines President Felipe Estrella III with the I.D. Roomzz INSIDE the Anting Plant
ROBOTICS Assembly
Volkswagen Philippines invited a group of motoring journalists, which included this writer, to the Auto Shanghai 2019 on April 15 to 20. Upon our arrival, we were ushered into a bus bound for our hotel, and it was while we were on the road that I validated and confirmed what they’ve been saying: Shanghai is a Volkswagen City—VW badges and nameplates everywhere. When I looked to my left, there was a Volkswagen. When I looked to my right, there was a Volkswagen. Behind us was another Volkswagen. They were literally all over the place. When we visited the Auto Shang-
FELIPE ESTRELLA III and Immo Buschmann
hai 2019 venue, we feasted our eyes on the magnificent Volkswagen China display, which consisted of the Generation SUV exhibit; Electric Cars exhibit featuring an electric sports car; and the Next Generation exhibit starring the Tiguan, Beetle, Teramont, Lavida, Lamando, Passat, Tharu, Polo, Golf, Touareg, Tayron, T-Cross, Santana, PHideon, Touran, T-Roc, Jetta and the world premier of the concept car—I.D. Roomzz. The concept car shows us what we can expect from full-size electric SUVs in the future. It is a monolith, appearing to be seamlessly machined from solid metal, which effortlessly moves around using
the power of electricity silently and without emissions. On the other hand, the newly appointed Volkswagen Philippines President Felipe Estrella III said that two new vehicles will be launched in the Philippines within the next 12 months, but he wouldn’t reveal which ones. He only gave me a clue when he said, “The two vehicles that will be launched in Manila both start with a letter T.” I suspect that the vehicles he was referring to will be the Teramont and the Tharu, or the T-Cross. The following day, Volkswagen Philippines took us to the Anting Assembly Plants 1, 2 and 3 of
SAIC Volkswagen Automotive Co. Ltd., formerly known as Shanghai Volkswagen Automotive Co. Ltd., or Shanghai Volkswagen. The assembly plant is an automobile-manufacturing company headquartered in Anting, Jiading District—the western part of Shanghai. Anting, which is also called the “Auto City,” is an hour-and-a-half drive from Shanghai where the Shanghai International Circuit, China’s first Formula One race track, and the Shanghai Auto Museum are also located. The joint venture between Volkswagen Group and SAIC Motor was founded in 1984 with an invest-
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MIDDLE KINGDOM CALTEX ANNOUNCES NEW REWARDS PROGRAM
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ALTEX, marketed by Chevron Philippines Inc. (CPI), in partnership with MVP Rewards and Loyalty Solutions Inc., today announced a new rewards program that will give even more value to customers. Beginning on April 15, MVP Rewards members who gas up at Caltex stations nationwide can start getting rewards. Simply fuel up at any Caltex station nationwide and get cash back credited to your MVP Rewards card powered by PayMaya. Customers gets P1 cash back equivalent for every five liters of Platinum with Techron, Silver with Techron or Diesel with Techron D of fuel purchase. All they need to do is to present their MVP Rewards card when they pay to earn their cash back. A maximum of 60 liters per purchase is allowed. Customers can choose to use the cash back they have accumulated the next time they fuel up. MVP Rewards is exclusive to customers of PLDT, SMART, Sun, TNT, Cignal and Bayad Center. Everyday expenses can be rewarding because you earn points when you pay your bills or load up, and so much more. Just by being a member, enjoy exclusive deals, discounts and privileges. “We have designed the MVP Rewards program with one audience in mind—our customers. We have taken what’s best across industries and put it in one powerful program leveraging on the PLDT group that has
THE Teramont
ESTRELLA with the e-vehicles
VW Electric sports car
BIGGEST OUTDOOR TEST DRIVE FESTIVAL RETURNS TO MOA
G THE Philippine contingent
ment ratio of 50:50 percent, which produces cars under the Volkswagen and Škoda marques. The joint venture is made up of equity (as of 2008) from Volkswagen AG (40 percent), Volkswagen (China) Invest (10 percent), SAIC (50 percent), with a fixed-term venture for 45 years, which will run until 2030. This venture is currently the largest German-Chinese partnership in the automotive industry. The company employs about 35,821 with a standard capacity of 2,310,000 units per year. The product lineup under the VW brand includes the Polo family, new Santana family, Lavida family, Lamando,
VOLKSWAGEN Exhibit
Passat, Phideon, Tharu, Tiguan, Teramont and Touran. SAIC Volkswagen’s Shanghai plant was by far the winner among all new Joint Ventures (JVs), as it produced cars that could function as taxis, vehicles for government officials and transport for the newly emerging business elite. SAIC Volkswagen began automobile production in 1985. As car imports fell to some 34,000 in 1990, SAIC Volkswagen’s production of its Santana models reached nearly 19,000 vehicles that year. By 1993 SAIC Volkswagen’s output had reached 100,000 vehicles. Volkswagen was aided by some Shanghai municipal
efforts. Various restrictions on engine size, as well as incentives to city taxi companies, helped ensure a safe market in the company’s relatively wealthy home arena. Volkswagen also encouraged its foreign parts suppliers to create joint ventures in China, and their resulting product helped SAIC Volkswagen achieve an 85 percent local content rate by 1993. In May 2018, SAIC Volkswagen started to export the Santana, Lavida, Lamando, and Tiguan to the Philippines as part of the new Asean-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA). The JV is also in the process of
the unique ability to provide this level of convergence owing to the breadth of our combined services,” said Juan Victor Hernandez, director of MVP Rewards and Loyalty Solutions Inc. and SVP, head of Enterprise Business for PLDT and Smart. The partnership with MVP Rewards allows Caltex to complete a circle of rewards around their loyal customers. No other fuel brand can match these rewards. “Caltex continues to innovate in the consumer rewards landscape by forging key partnerships with industry leaders. Our latest partnership with MVP Rewards and Loyalty Solutions Inc. is another testament to this,” said Louie Zhang, CPI country chairman. “We believe Filipinos work hard for their money and are always looking for ways to bring more to the table. The Caltex and MVP Rewards partnership gives cashback on fuels just by presenting a rewards card. We know this will give our customers more value for their money.” Not yet an MVP Rewards member? Simply visit www. mvprewards.ph/signup to create your rewards profile and enroll your PLDT, Smart, Sun, TNT, and Cignal accounts to start enjoying points, rebates, raffles and more. You can also visit the nearest PLDT and Smart Store or Bayad Center to sign up and get your rewards card. Fuel up and get cash back from Caltex and MVP Rewards today!
building an electric car plant in Anting. It is expected to make 300,000 e-vehicles per year, starting in 2020. According to Immo Buschmann, SAIC Volkswagen senior director for Sales, “27.5-percent share of g loba l pa ssenger c a r m a r ket belongs to Volkswagen with 82,773,189 units sold from 1984 to 2017.” In 2018 Volkswagen sold 4,207,055 units—ma inta ining their No.1 position in the passenger car segment in China. “The Volkswagen group will invest €34 billion into e-mobility until 2022 and €10 billion will be invested in China,” said Buschmann.
AC Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, MG, Mitsubishi, Nissan, SsangYong, Subaru, Suzuki, and Toyota will be among the exhibitors showcasing their model lineups and offering test drives when the Phoenix Petroleum 2019 Auto Focus Summer Test Drive Festival (AFTDF) returns to the SM Mall of Asia concert grounds on MAY 2 to 5. Considered to be the country’s biggest outdoor test drive event, the Summer Test Drive Festival is once again set-up to be a veritable onestop shop for prospective car buyers and a must-visit event for die-hard car buffs. A wide range of competing standard and luxury/premium models will be on display and be made available for test drives. The AFTDF is organized by Sunshine Television (STV) as part of its annual trilogy of automobile industry service and merit programs alongside the Auto Focus People’s Choice Awards (AFPCA) and the Auto Focus Media’s Choice Awards (AFMCA). STV Chairman and CEO Ray Butch Gamboa explained, “We have been holding events of this type since 2005 not only for the benefit of local manufacturers and distributors, but even more so for the general motor-
ing and car-buying public. Buying a car and selecting a particular model suited to one’s individual purpose, preference and budget, can actually be a long-winded process. This may require multiple visits to various dealerships at varying locations, test driving and comparing varying models, and working out the best financing options. Usually these can’t be done in a day, or even two. However, if the prospect is able to go to one single location, see and test drive a wide range of competing brands and models, and be assured he gets the best financing deals the manufacturers and distributors can offer, then the best place to go to would be our festival. Practically everything one has to do to buy a model of choice can conveniently be done at the festival. No more hopping from one dealer showroom to another because all the exhibiting brands will only be a few steps from one another.” The Phoenix Petroleum 2019 AFTDF will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. throughout its four-day run at the MOA Concert Grounds. Spacious parking is available alongside the venue. Test-drive participants can get the chance to win prizes from select exhibitors. Admission to the public is free.
Motoring BusinessMirror
E4 Friday, April 26, 2019
‘Fab Four’ plods on in keeping with tradition The Fab Four (From left) Joven, Elvie, Sol and the author in front of Angel’s Hills Chapel in Tagaytay Bogs Mendoza
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T faced scrapping. Seriously. A terrible specter, indeed. For one, we weren’t complete. Threatened suddenly was the strength of the pact forged 12 years ago: By hook or by crook, come hell or high water, once this gets off the ground it has got to go on and on and on. There’s no stopping.
For another, the “blood compact” group was being threatened with decimation, if not extinction, for varying reasons. Tradition was on the line. Fortunately, the “survivors” were not of the surrendering kind. The band’s membership might decrease but never will they get wiped out. God won’t allow that. He knows that even with only one man standing, the show must go on. After deliberations, the group’s remaining “Fab Four” thundered: “No way will we ever give it up. Never!”
The Mighty One
WE were not about to wash down the drain 12 years of nonstop ob-
servance of a pilgrimage fraught with faith and devotion to the Mighty One. No way. The luster of Lent will never diminish in our hearts, though the heavens fall. No way. Not under our watch. “Our” here, of course, are none other than Joven Florido, the dashing retired assistant provincial fiscal of Quezon province; Elvie Arandela-Florido, the tireless, incomparable church warrior of Calauag, Quezon; Sol F. Juvida, the unbending, award-winning, press freedom columnist-writer from the days yet of the dreaded martial-law era up to the present; and, last but
not the least—ahem—yours truly. And so, the four intrepid souls had plodded on, keeping the fire of a Visita Iglesia aflame amid testy terms inflicted obviously by forces fueled by ill wind. Aren’t persons of prayer the favorite targets of demons?
Biñan to Tagaytay
ANYWAY, to get to the point, our Visita Iglesia this year—our 13th straight since 2007—started in Santo Nino de Cebu Parish in Binan City, Laguna.
We went South this time as we trekked up North in 2018. While it was all Pangasinan last year—from San Antonio de Padua in Rosales town as a start all the way to the globally acclaimed, miraculous Our Lady of the Holy Rosary/Good Voyage in Manaoag, Pangasinan, after dropping by the towns of Santa Maria, Tayug and Binalonan—this year it was all Tagaytay after Biñan City. From Biñan City, we completed our 14 Stations of The Cross with visits to Tagaytay’s Pink Sisters,
Angels’ Hills, Ina ng Laging Saklolo, Holy Spirit Chapel inside the SVD grounds, and, finally, Our Lady of Lourdes.
Papa Saint Pio
AT the front yard of Our Lady of Lourdes stand an image of Papa Saint Pio, whose intercession in 2006 made Mayo R. Mendoza recover miraculously from Kawasaki disease, a dreaded heart ailment attacking usually kids 9 years old and below. Up to now, the cure for Kawasaki disease has yet to be dis-
covered. My family and I continue to be enormously thankful to Papa Pio as Mayo is totally healed and is presently finishing his university scholarship in Nagoya, Japan. Before wrapping up our intentions, we prayed before Papa Pio to also intercede in the quick return to good health of our absent fellow Visita Iglesia founder Ching Fernandez, political victory again for Mayor Visorde through his wife Lina, the safe trip to New York of Baby and Tito Laurel and Dante’s deathless resolve of being the untiring caregiver of the hypertension-stricken Ching Fernandez. After a rather late, leisurely taken lunch at Antonio’s Breakfast along Aguinaldo Highway near the CaviteBatangas junction—leisurely because Pareng Joven and I enjoyed very much our Double Black shots lacing our modest meal—we made a whistle stop at the famed Mahogany Market before we headed for home. With Bogs Mendoza, our everefficient pilot since Day One of our pilgrimage that began 12 years ago, behind the wheel again of the ever durable Toyota El Grandia, the homeward-bound band fell asleep almost simultaneously just minutes after the white machine sped back toward the asphalt jungle that is Manila. Before parting ways, we pledged not to miss next year’s edition. “No way,” chorused the Fab Four.
Pee STOP The Philippine auto in-
dustry was saddened by the passing of Levy Laus of Laus Group of Companies yesterday when his chopper crashed in Malolos, Bulacan on his way to one of his dealerships in Pampanga. May you rest in peace, Levy!
The newest Shell fuel brand ambassadors: Drew Arellano, Maine Mendoza and Nico Bolzico
Shell Retail Fuels Marketing Implementor Brandon Briones (left), Shell Convenience Retail Manager Millicent Ngo, Shell Retail National Sales Manager and Marketing and Strategy Director Kit Bermudez, Drew Arellano, Maine Mendoza, Nico Bolzico, Shell Brands and Communication Manager Cherine Capadocia, Shell Digital Manager John Aldwin Angeles, and Shell Payment and Loyalty Manager Tin Cerezo Shell Philippines