BusinessMirror December 10, 2018

BUGGED BY C.O.A. RULING, ‘TRABAHO’ BILL, SHELL SEEKS STABLE INVESTING CLIMATE

By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

T A platform at the Malampaya gas field is seen in this file photo. According to the head of Shell Corp., which leads the consortium operating the Malampaya, the Shell group is keen on investing more, but that petroleum players would like to see more stability in the rules, and a firmer assurance that the next round of tax reforms in the so-called Trabaho bill will not adversely impact the bottom line of businesses. FILE PHOTO

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HE chairman of Shell’s companies in the Philippines said his group is keen on investing more in the country, but called on the government to put in place a longer-term stable fiscal environment so that investors would be encouraged to come in and help look for new indigenous energy sources. “Shell is prepared to invest. Shell remains interested in exploring in the Philippines provided we can get clarity in the fiscal regime. We have a low level of reserve and we need to explore more,” said Cesar G. Romero, who is also the president of

Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. Shell companies in the Philippines include Shell Philippines Exploration B.V. (SPEx), which leads the Malampaya consortium, operator of the facility off Palawan’s gas field which is a vital source of energy for Luzon. Other consor tium members are Chevron Malampaya Llc. and Philippine National Oil Co. Exploration Corp. (PNOCEC). The consortium has remitted a total of over $10 billion in revenues to the National Government since the project’s start of operations in 2001. The group operates the Malampaya natural gas platform under Service

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Monday, December 10, 2018 Vol. 14 No. 61

Hounded by pork issues, House to grill DBM chief H

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie & Bernadette D. Nicolas @BNicolasBM

OUNDED by allegations of pork barrel-like insertions in the 2019 budget, the House of Representatives is turning the heat on the Executive. It has strongly required the appearance of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) in a question hour on Tuesday to answer lawmakers’ queries related to deliberations on the proposed P3.757-trillion General Appropriations Act (GAA).

This, after the lower chamber adopted last week House Resolution 2307, which requires the “appearance and participation of Department of Budget and Management Secretary Benjamin Diokno in the Question Hour regarding the 2019 election budget.” HR 2307 was filed by Minority Leader Danilo E. Suarez of Quezon.

Under the resolution, the proposed 2019 GAA may be considered an election budget, considering the forthcoming midterm elections. Suarez noted the importance of Diokno’s appearance in the question hour, as “issues regarding budget insertions arise, thereby raising the possibility of having a reenacted budget for 2019.”

Suarez said the summons to Diokno is part of its congressional “powers to conduct legislative inquiries and exercise oversight functions.” “Pursuant to Article VI Section 22 of the Constitution and Rule XVII Section 124 of the House Rules of the 17th Congress, either House may request heads of departments to appear and be heard by such

₧3.757 trillion The proposed budget for 2019 now under deliberations in the Senate House on any matter pertaining to their departments, invoking its power to conduct question hour,” Suarez said. According to Suarez, pursuant to the Rules of the House, Majority Leader Rolando G. Andaya Jr. subsequently sent Diokno a letter, informing the secretary that “In consonance with Section 22 Article VI of the 1987 Constitution and pursuant to the adopted House Resolution, you are hereby required to appear at the Plenary Session Hall on December 11, 2018 at 3 p.m. to answer questions from the members of the House of Representatives.” Continued on A2

Lacson dares GMA to return ‘pork barrel’

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EN. Panfilo M. Lacson Sr., parrying criticisms he was singling out leaders and members of the House of Representatives in baring multibillion-peso alleged pork barrel insertions in the proposed 2019 budget, on Sunday dared Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to set an example by “returning the money.” Responding to House Majority Leader Rolando G. Andaya Jr.’s reaction that the senator’s anti-pork barrel stand was “misplaced generosity,” Lacson also took issue with the claim of Andaya that Speaker Arroyo did not get the “biggest insertion” of pork barrel distributed to congressmen.

HOLIDAY CHEER A worker puts finishing touches on a Christmas ball in a crafts shop in Cubao, Quezon City, at the weekend. With Christmas barely a fortnight away, the Department of Health has issued an advisory for people to go slow on their eating and drinking binges in the whirl of Christmas parties, saying this could compound the effect of work- and shopping-related stress. NONOY LACZA

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‘CRYPTOCURRENCIES WON’T BE BACK ANYTIME SOON’ By Cai U. Ordinario

F

@caiordinario

ILIPINOS invested in cryptocurrencies would do well to study closely the insight shared recently by technology research company Canalys. It believes there is no coming back for cryptocurrencies. In a briefing with reporters on Thursday, Canalys President and CEO Steve Brazier said he subscribed to renowned economist Nouriel Roubini’s reservations about cryptocurrencies. Brazier said the recent slowdown in cryptocurrency activities signals the end of Bitcoins. This will also severely affect blockchain since, he said, without cryptocurrencies it becomes nothing more than a spreadsheet. “There’s a lot of activity, a lot of investment around blockchain, that’s certainly true.

It’s also true that the poster child of blockchain is cryptocurrencies,” Brazier said. “They will be heading to the value of zero.” Brazier said that since June and July this year, cryptocurrency “activities stopped” and that there was no coming back from this. He said blockchains are expensive—a matter that is compounded by the fact that shady investors are riding the bandwagon and are using it for their transactions. He said most of the activities connected to cryptocurrencies were of the criminal kind such as drug dealing. Brazier even said some terrorist organizations use cryptocurrencies. The Canalys executive also said that with the collapse of cryptocurrencies, it would be difficult to define what blockchain technology is. See “Cryptocurrencies,” A8

Lopez prods agencies to meet exports goal

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@butchfBM

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By Butch Fernandez

Continued on A2

Contract (SC) 38) in which 70 percent of the gross proceeds from the sale of natural gas would go to the contractor to recover the investment cost. The remaining 30 percent is shared by the government and the consortium on a 60-40 basis, respectively. The consortium’s contract with the government will end by 2024. The gas reserves can last until 2027 to 2029. “By that time, there will still be gas but not sufficient to fuel the gas plants,” said Romero. The Malampaya Deep Water Gasto-Power project has been providing around 30 percent of the country’s energy needs.

@alyasjah

HE country’s trade chief last Friday called on government agencies to implement the strategies listed under the new export plan to hit the export target of $122 billion by 2022. In a speech at the National Export Congress, Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez said the government must go all out in implementing the Philippine Export Development Plan (PEDP) 2018-2022. The PEDP seeks to glue the government and the private sector in one page in improving the country’s export industry. According to Lopez, the primary thrust is to improve the overall climate for export development. He argued one measure needed to achieve this was concluded this

$86.2B-$87.8B The government’s target for goods and services export receipts for 2018 year, which is the ease of doing business law. He added exporters must exploit existing and prospective trade deals, including the country’s free trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association and trade perks from the European Union and the United States. This also includes renewed trade ties with China and nontraditional partners. The government also has to craft comprehensive packages of support for selected products and service sectors to make the export

n japan 0.4686 n UK 67.5334 n HK 6.7615 n CHINA 7.6737 n singapore 38.5812 n australia 38.2133 n EU 60.1136 n SAUDI arabia 14.0770

See “Exports,” A2

Source: BSP (7 December 2018 )

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A2 Monday, December 10, 2018

PHL eyes earlier completion of Code of Conduct in SCS

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By Rene Acosta

@reneacostaBM

HE Philippines wants to see an earlier conclusion of negotiations for a binding Code of Conduct (COC) which will regulate actions in the South China Sea, and which the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) is pushing with China.

“For us? What I want is next year [it] should be over, but let’s [wait]. We are not the only ones thinking about this, there are many countries involved here. The Philippines, Vietnam, all those claimants there will be involved in this also,” said Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana. Lorenzana spoke at the weekend at the forum organized by think tank Stratbase in Makati City, sharing an insight into the

“I hope China makes, fulfills that promise because it is China [that is] actually trying to delay this for the past six years already.” —Lorenzana

current initiatives of the Department of National Defense and the country’s security challenges, both

internal and external. The defense chief said it would be in the best interest of the Asean, especially the claimant states including the Philippines, if the regional body could forge the COC with China earlier than the three-year period for which the agreement was projected to be hammered out. “[It’s a] very good sign. If you can meet it earlier, the better,” he said. The COC, the purpose of which was to manage the maritime and territorial disputes in the South China Sea, had been in discussions for more than 20 years after it was endorsed through a first statement by the Asean in 1996, which gave way instead to a Declaration of Conduct (DOC) in 2002. During a meeting last month in Singapore, the Asean agreed to finally move for a three-year period in concluding the discussion on the DOC, with China’s assent. Lorenzana noted this was a positive development, but added that Beijing should keep its promise.

“I hope China makes, fulfills that promise because it is China [that is] actually trying to delay this for the past six years already,” Lorenzana said. Among others, the agreement should prevent any miscalculation in the disputed territory that has been militarized by Beijing with its fortifications and deployment of missiles, radars and even stateof-the-art jamming equipment. “It will be legally binding…the problem in the West Philippine Sea is the danger of miscalculations, misrepresentations. If we have this Code of Conduct, then we have assurance that we do something in accordance with the Code of Conduct and then there will be no misunderstanding and miscalculation,” Lorenzana said. He said the agreement should be followed especially by “the troops on the ground, the navy ship and air force pilots” and “all those people there should understand that the conduct is being covered” by the Code of Conduct.

Hounded by pork issues, House to grill DBM chief Continued from A1

Andaya also sent Diokno the proposed questions to be propounded during the question hour. “Further, you are also required to bring all pertinent documents such as disbursements, releases and office memos addressed to all government offices, among others,” Andaya added. As practiced by previous Congresses, the question hour is known to be a period of confrontation initiated by the Legislative to hold the Executive department, particularly Cabinet secretaries, accountable for their acts and the operation of the government. This is the first time that Congress, under the leadership of Speaker Gloria MacapagalArroyo, will hold a question hour.

Pork barrel

Last week, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson Sr. said a congresswoman from Pampanga and a congressman from Camarines Sur had the biggest budget insertions in the 2019 budget, with the Pampanga district getting P2.4 billion worth of projects while P1.9 billion was allocated for the Camarines Sur district. Speaker Arroyo represents the second district of Pampanga and Majority Leader Rolando G. Andaya Jr. is from Camarines Sur. In a recent press conference, Andaya said Arroyo only ranked 100th among 292 House members in terms of highest congressional

allocations under the 2019 national budget. Andaya said it was not Arroyo but the House Committee on Appropriations that is responsible for the additional allocations in Pampanga and Camarines Sur in the House version of the proposed 2019 P3.757-trillion national budget.

Diokno hopeful on timeline

Meanwhile, Diokno is still pinning his hopes that the Senate can finish its job this week to avoid the possibility of government operating under a reenacted budget next year, even though some senators, including the Senate President had expressed doubts that the proposed P3.757-trillion budget for 2019 will be passed before year-end. Diokno argued that the Senate is targeting to finish its plenary debates on General Principles on Monday (December 10) and he also expects the Senate and the House to conduct the bicameral conference committee meeting around December 13 or 14 after the Senate passes the money measure on second and third reading. Congress is set to adjourn for Christmas break on December 15. “They have approved most of the agencies, so they are working on finishing it [this] week,” Diokno said in an interview with the BusinessMirror. The budget chief explained that this is possible since the Senate has been conducting

budget deliberations since July. He expects the printing of the needed budget documents from the Senate will be done around December 21. After this, the Department of Budget and Management will review it for one week. It is also during the DBM review that the President may exercise his line item veto power. “So either on the 30th or the 31st [of December], we will be able to have the budget signed,” he said. The Senate just started its plenary deliberations on the budget on December 4, and Senate leaders had complained that they were being put on the defensive about the lateness of the outcome, when in truth the House had the budget since it was turned over by the Executive right after the President delivered his third State of the Nation Address (Sona). Sen. Juan Miguel F. Zubiri also said last Friday that the possible joint session to tackle President Duterte’s proposal to extend martial law in Mindanao may also further delay the passage of the 2019 national budget. Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III has also said last week that it is “not physically possible”for the Senate to meet the Executive branch’s request to pass the budget before year-end, since printing alone takes days and they still need to have a bicameral conference committee meeting. He blamed the House for delaying the

Lacson dares GMA to return ‘pork barrel’

”If it was misplaced gesture of generosity [by the House leadership], would it be better for them to show genuine display of good faith? “Let them return the money and write to the chairman of the Senate Finance committee and ask that the allocation be removed because they did not know about it,” Lacson said, in a mix of English and Filipino, in a radio interview on Sunday. Lacson also clarified that Arroyo was not being “singled out” in the issue because the period of interpellation in the Senate budget deliberation is not yet over. Taking issue with Andaya’s assertion that pork barrel fund distribution to House members was fair and square, the senator said

he was informed that this “did not happen.” Lacson noted Andaya saying that it was the same amount of pork barrel fund given to every congressman, “but why did it not happen?” He pointed out that, “We still have to start tackling the government agencies’ budget. Remember, only policy questions were raised last Tuesday in my interpellation. It is not yet done because we rushed the research and that is what came up because the amount was ballooning,” the senator said. The process of validation is not yet over because his research work was rushed, but the amounts he cited had surfaced precisely because they were huge, the senator added. He hinted that he has yet to bare other congressmen and “also a senator” said to

Cigarette-making. . . machines were confiscated in Cagayan de Oro City. According to BIR Deputy Commissioner Arnel SD. Guballa, the machines were being used to make cigarettes for export. The two factories in Cagayan de Oro yielded four unregistered cigarette-making machines, six packaging machines and a filtermaking machine.

Continued from A8

Dominguez said the machines had no import permits and the manufacturer who used them did not have a permit to operate, making the entire process illegal. During the same month, the BOC, under the leadership of former Customs Commissioner Isidro S. Lapena, arrested 17 Chinese nationals caught making fake cigarettes inside

transmittal the budget to the upper chamber. Moreover, Lacson also said last week the Senate would not still have enough time to discuss 271 items on the agenda, including agencies and offices, even if they worked for 24 hours in three days. Still, Diokno believes this would not get in the way of passing the budget on time, as this could still be threshed out during the bicameral conference committee meeting. Earlier, the DBM had appealed to some senators to fast-track the budget deliberations, warned officials of the repercussions of operating under a reenacted budget. Diokno said Congress’s failure to approve the 2019 budget will affect the country’s economic growth for the first and second quarters as there will be a five-month implementation gap for the infrastructure projects. However, he clarified this will mainly cover the small projects, such as roads and school buildings and this development will not affect the big infrastructure projects which are covered by the Multi-Year Obligational Authority. Although Diokno did not provide a figure, he said there will likely be a slowdown in the capital outlays for the first two quarters next year. Nonetheless, they are still confident the government will still be able to meet their GDP growth target of 7 to 8 percent for next year.

Continued from A1

have pork allocations. He said there were premature claims that“a senator made a huge amendment” to transfer budget funds “but we are not yet in the period of amendments, so what they are saying has no basis.” At the same time, the senator signalled that a formal motion can be made in the period of amendments to delete the pork barrel allocations. He, however, clarified that not all suspected pork items will be deleted. “Of course, not everything because some of those items are really part of the National Expenditure Program. The amounts swelled after second-reading approval and then they held what is called a small group committee, where the amendments sought by some

a warehouse in Nueva Ecija, with the estimated market value of the seized cigarettes at P200 million. According to the BOC, the foreigners were rounded up during an inspection by agents of its Enforcement and Security Services (ESS) on Valmonte Street in Barangay Pambuan, Gapan City. A lso intercepted were fake cigarettes of assorted brands, six cigarette-making machines, cigarette raw materials and fake

congressmen were inserted, but this wasn’t taken up in plenary. It seems this was tweaked just by a small group.... I don’t know how many members there were.” Lacson added this was admitted by House panel Senior Vice Chairman Maricar Zamora and Rep. Anthony Bravo. The senator also recalled Andaya saying some lawmakers got bigger pork allocations than their fellow congressmen. Lacson insisted that “the fact remains that in the budget, P2.4 billion, P1.9 billion plus P500 million for farm-to-market roads within the second legislative district of Pampanga—that’s what was included, that’s stated in the budget book transmitted to us by the House.”

BIR tax stamps stacked inside three boxes. The suspects—16 males and one female—were from Hu Bei, Fu Jian, An Hui and Xi An, China. They were put in the custody of the Philippine National Police for violating Republic Act 8293, or “An Act Prescribing The Intellectual Property Code And Establishing The Intellectual Property Office, Providing For Its Powers And Functions, And For Other Purposes.”

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Shell. . .

regarding its tax dispute.

Tax reform

Continued from A1

For incentives, Romero wants to know the fate of Presidential Decree (PD) 87 once the second tax-reform package is implemented next year. PD 87 was issued by former President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. to amend the earlier PD 8, which promotes the discovery and development of the country’s indigenous petroleum resources. Under PD 87, fiscal incentives, including taxfree importation of equipment and supplies, exemption from all taxes except income tax, income tax assumption (i.e. payment of income tax out of the government’s share), accelerated depreciation, free market determination of crude oil price, and easy repatriation of investments and profits, are offered. These incentives will no longer be offered when the proposed Package 2 of the tax-reform program is implemented. “Like everyone else, we ask for the government not to remove the incentives,” he said, while explaining that the service contract system with all its incentives under PD 87 helped the Philippines attract local and foreign companies, including the majors, who were finally able to discover indigenous oil and gas in commercial quantities. SPEX Managing Director Don Paulino said the government must also quickly resolve the geopolitical issues that the country is facing with its neighbors so that new explorations can be done without much hindrance. “Our neighboring countries started at the same level as us. But now the Philippines is lagging behind in explorations. What we need right now is to encourage more explorations so we can find and develop new indigenous energy sources,” he stressed. “An example of this is what we have been doing with Malampaya in the last 17 years,” he added.

This even peaks to 50 percent during the summer months. Since 2001, the Malampaya project has been drawing natural gas from beneath the seafloor of the West Philippine Sea, and this fuels five power station plants with a total generating capacity of 3,200 megawatts. It is also Pilipinas Shell’s refinery and compressed natural gas refilling station. “We are looking at various territories beyond SC38. We maintain a dossier of areas we are interested in. Of course, SC38 remains a focus. We are quite confident that we will be able to stand a good chance especially of the area involved is deep water,” said Romero. There are two things that worry Shell: a Commission on Audit (COA) ruling that, if pursued, spells a P53-billion tax deficiency for the consortium, and the TRAIN 2 tax reform law. The COA earlier overruled the petition of the Malampaya consortium that income tax was already imputed in the government’s 60-percent share in the Malampaya royalties. The tax, the consortium argued, was deductible from the government’s share of the Malampaya earnings. However, the COA said there is no provision in the law stating that the income tax of the contractors forms part of the share of the government. Back then, the COA noted in its 2009 report a P53,140,304,739.86 tax deficiency. The consortium has filed a petition for certiorari before the Supreme Court. In September 2015, SPEx filed an arbi-tration case against the national government with the Singapore International Arbitration Center. In July 2016, SPEx filed another arbitration case in the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes against the national government

Pinoy mathletes. . . as champion in the team contest and math quiz, and second runner-up in the relay contest. “The India contest is the last international competition for Filipino students in 2018 and we congratulate them for a job well done. 2018 is another victorious year for our young math wizards as they competed and won in international math contests in different countries. We will continue to train them for

contests abroad,” said Dr. Isidro Aguilar, MTG president. Besides winning individual medals, Filipino students also bagged other awards. Accompanying the students to the contest were MTG’s Dr. Simon Chua, Renard Eric Chua and Aldwin Sahirul, and Executive Director Lilia Habacon of the Philippine Science High School System, who was also a guest of honor at the IYMC.

Exports. . .

to effectively boost our country’s export performance,” he added. The trade chief said it is now up to the government and the private sector to reckon with the domestic and global disruptions facing exporters. This includes the trade conflict between the US and China, as well as the advent of the fourth industrial revolution. “The big challenge is now on both the government and the export community. Let us continue to work together to reach our export target of $122 billion to $130 billion by year 2022 through the application of these programs and innovation,” Lopez said. The government is targeting to hit goods and services export receipts of $86.2 billion to $87.8 billion this year.

Continued from A1

plan targeted, Lopez added. With the gravity of work needed to carry out these strategies, the government, he said, has to put in the necessary effort to achieve objectives of the PEDP. “I am enjoining the 18 government agencies, specifically the concerned government agencies, to strengthen the implementation of the said plan,” Lopez said. “I also call the other relevant agencies in the development of the export sector. As the export community will play a very critical role in the country’s implementation of the export plan, they really need the assistance of government agencies

Historic bells. . .

Continued from A8

In an interview with CNN Philippines last week, Romualdez said the President personally told US Defense Secretary James Mattis to return the bells to the country during an Association of Southeast Asian Nations meeting in Clark, Pampanga, in October 2017. The envoy added Mattis was at the forefront of the process of returning the bells to the Philippines, which became possible after a 1998 US law barring the return of the war articles expired in September 2017. He said they had to wait for 90 days after the law expired to allow any appeal to be made against the return of the bells. Henry Howard, Dennis Wright and Brian

ML extension. . .

In a radio interview, the senator acknowledged there are still remnants of “recalcitrant elements” that need to be neutralized. This even as the senator also acknowledged that “we have yet to hear complaints from residents” affected by President Duterte’s martial law in Mindanao. “We have seen what happened to Marawi... many people died and properties damaged,” Gordon said, adding: “I want to hear evidence of

Continued from A8

Buzzell of the US-Philippines Society were also instrumental in the return of the Balangiga Bells as they lobbied American lawmakers to remove the legal barriers against it, Romualdez said. Romualdez said Lorenzana plans to put the bells on display for public viewing before these are returned to the Balangiga Church. “I think this is very historical and very important for both countries to put closure to it. But more importantly, I think, this is a symbol of the kind of respect, the mutual respect, for our sovereignty as a nation that is being given to us by the United States,” he said.

Continued from A8

imminent threat.” Under the Constitution, martial law can be declared to enable government forces to effectively neutralize rebellion or insurrection. Still, Gordon cautioned that government troops must “exercise due diligence and ensure that peace is restored.” The senator suggested it is “important (for the troops) to stay active even as the government attends to the social aspect” of the problem.

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Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Monday, December 10, 2018 A3

Logistics sector moving to create 7.5M jobs

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By Elijah Felice E. Rosales

@alyasjah

HE logistics industry targets to generate 7.5 million jobs and employ at least 5 percent of the country’s labor force by 2022, as it intends to make its services more efficient compared to its Southeast Asian counterparts. At the 1st Logistics Services Philippines Conference and Exhibition last week, logistics carriers vowed to be one of the prime movers of the country’s economy. In a document listing their commitments for the next years, the logistics industry said it will continue to create jobs and target to employ at least 5 percent of total work force by 2022. “Together, we reaffirm the role of logistics services as one of the country’s key employment generating sectors that will help create 7.5 million jobs and achieve full employment at 5 percent by 2022,” the document read. “Together, we also reaffirm the need for collaboration between

stakeholders in the public and private sector to ensure the development of the logistics services sector, so it may fulfill its role in economic development,” it added. The industry, in the process, committed to make its services more efficient by cutting red tape and eliminating corrupt practices. It added it seeks to rid businesses of additional burden. “We shall prioritize automation, streamlining and decentralization of the permit issuance process and reportorial requirements across government agencies that deal with trade facilitation, transport, logistics and supply chain,” the document read. Further, logistics carriers rec-

Ethanol output for this year seen reaching 270M liters By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

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@jearcalas

HE country’s ethanol production this year would rise by almost 15 percent to 270 million liters, from last year’s 235 million liters due to the opening of more plants, according to a Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) report. The GAIN report noted that two additional plants commissioned in the second quarter increased the country’s aggregate ethanol output capacity by 29.43 percent to 365 million liters, from 282 million liters last year. This, according to the report, would result in higher actual ethanol production. “Despite the increased capacity, however, local ethanol production will still be insufficient to meet the 10 percent mandate,” the GAIN report, which was published recently, read. The GAIN report, which was prepared by the United States Department of Agriculture-Foreign Agricultural Service in Manila, said shifting potable alcohol plants to fuel ethanol production would remain a trend in the country as it is cheaper than building new facilities. “The adjustments take only two to three months. The trend, likewise, explains the shift from cane to molasses as the primary feedstock used,” the report read. Citing the Department of Energy, there are 12 fuel ethanol plants operating this year compared to the 10 running last year, according to the GAIN report. Total ethanol requirement this year would increase by 7.63 percent to 550 million liters, from 511 million liters last year, according to the GAIN report. The GAIN report said the shortfall in local output would be filled up by imports which could reach 280 million liters, 1.45 percent higher than the 276 million liters imported in 2017. The report also noted that the country’s quota allocation system for local ethanol makes it “one of the most open economies” for export. “In 2017 the Philippines was the fourth-largest market for United States ethanol with sales valued at over $101 million, marginally lower than the $103-million level in 2016,” it read. “In terms of volume, however, imports from the US increased 7 percent from 217 million liters in 2016, to 232 million liters in 2017 due to fairly flat local production,” it added. The GAIN report estimated that total biodiesel output this year would increase by 2.72 percent to 226 million liters, from 220 million liters in 2017, to meet the increase in demand. It indicated that biorefineries’ utilization rate this year would reach 39.3 percent of the country’s nameplate capacity of 575 million liters. The country’s 11 biorefineries were only able to use 38.3 percent of its aggregate capacity last year.

CONTAINERS are stacked at the Manila North Harbor in Manila in this file photo. The logistics sector is seeking to become a “prime mover” of Philippine economy by creating as much as 7.5 million jobs in four years.

ognized the role they will play in the ensuring ease of doing business. In this light, they vowed to strictly comply with the provisions of the EODB law, as well as monitor their government counterparts in its implementation. “We commit to finding longter m solut ions t h at add ress problems that affect the logistics services sector’s ability to enable business competitiveness. These include high shipping costs, unnecessary fees and charges, management of empty containers and concerns raised by the trucking sector, among others,” the document read. These commitments, among others, were made in light of a study by the Department of Trade and Industry and the World Bank tagging the Philippines as having the most expensive logistics cost among four Southeast Asian economies. Local firms were found to spend 27.16 percent of their total sales on logistics services. This is higher than that of firms based in Indonesia (21.4 percent), Vietnam (16.3 percent) and Thailand (11.11 percent). The study attributed the country’s high logistics cost to its archipelagic features and reliability issues on the industry.

Bello to sign accord on OFW deployment with Israel By Samuel P. Medenilla

@sam_medenilla

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HE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is set to forge a new memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Israel on Monday for the deployment of Filipino hotel workers. “I would fly there [Israel] on December 10 to sign a MOA with my counterpart regarding the hiring of [Filipino] hotel workers,” Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III told reporters in an ambush interview. This will be the second bilateral labor agreement that Manila will sign with the Israeli government this year following the forging of the MOA for the protection of Filipino caregivers in September. Israeli officials earlier said they are keen on hiring more Filipino workers for their

booming tourism sector and Filipino caregivers to care for the increasing number of senior citizens in Israel. Bello said this will translate to more employment opportunities abroad for Filipinos by next year. He said Israel will be an “important alternative destination” for aspiring overseas Filipino workers (OFW) amid the dwindling demand for their services in Middle Eastern countries like the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

More caregivers needed

BELLO said the aging populations of developed countries like Israel, Germany and Japan have encouraged their governments to open their doors to more Filipino workers. He said the latest addition to this list of countries with an aging population is China,

Bong Go to push for pension fund for farmers, fishermen—Piñol

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ENATORIAL aspirant and former Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” T. Go wants to prioritize the legislation of a pension fund for farmers and fishermen if he wins a seat in the upper chamber, according to Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol. Piñol said the former special assistant to the President made the pronouncement during a visit to Go’s hometown of M’lang in North Cotabato on December 7. “Go said he will introduce legislation which would benefit Philippine agriculture and fisheries, and the country’s 10 million farming families,” Piñol said in a recent Facebook post. “His priority legislation is the establishment of a pension fund for farmers and fishermen who are too old to work,” he added. Piñol quoted Go as saying that elderly farmers and fishermen should also get pension once they reach retirement age, just like private and government employees who are supported by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and the Social Security System (SSS). “Go’s advocacy hits the nail on the head as the Department of Agriculture [DA] through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. [PCIC] is now crafting a proposal for a pension fund for old farmers and fishermen,” Piñol said. “The Senatorial candidate, who is now in the Magic 8, said he will make the pension fund for farmers and fishermen a priority legislative

advocacy,” he added. Piñol described Go as the farmers and fishermen’s “new champion” in Congress. In March Piñol announced that the DA-PCIC has started to design a pension program, initially dubbed “Farmer’s and Fishermen’s Pension Fund,” that seeks to provide security to retiring farmers and fishermen in the country. “This is a program which I have long advocated even when I was still governor of North Cotabato and this is based on my realization that when the farmer gets too old to still be able to work in the field, he usually ends up sickly and too poor to even buy medicines for rheumatism,” he said in a Facebook post on March 23. “I have always emphasized that, while government workers have the GSIS, and private company employees and self-employed workers have the SSS, farmers and fishermen are not covered by any pension fund,” he added. Under the proposed pension program, farmers and fishermen would receive financial benefits of up to P50,000, according to Piñol. He added that funding for the program would be sourced from the tariffs and duties collected from agricultural imports. However, Piñol noted that such program would need Congressional action. “I believe the time has come for the farmers and fishermen, often called ‘The Backbone of the Nation’ to be given the care and attention that they deserve,” he said. Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

which has also expressed interest in employing Filipino caregivers. “We have a memorandum of understanding with China regarding [the deployment of] English teachers, but their desire is also to get our caregivers because of their ageing population,” Bello said. He said he is scheduled to visit China next month for exploratory talks on the possibility of deploying Filipino caregivers. The growing demand for OFWs in China has piqued the interest of Philippines recruitment agencies, which are now lobbying to be allowed to send workers there. Currently, the country’s MOA for the deployment of Filipino teachers in China is restricted by a government-to-government arrangement. Coalition of Licensed Agencies for Domestic and Service Workers Director Marcia G.

Sadicon said some of their members will be heading to China next month to push for private-sector deployment. “We already requested the endorsement of Secretary [Bello] for the mission,” Sadicon said. She said the government stands to benefit from their proposed arrangement since it will reduce the number of OFWs it would have to monitor. “You could immediately pinpoint who should be responsible for an OFW if they are deployed by the private sector unlike if they are a direct hire or a balik manggagawa [returning OFW],” Sadicon said. “Since private recruitment agencies have a business to protect, they have an interest to respond immediately to the OFWs they deployed,” she added.

DOLE to slap stiffer fines on firms violating occupational safety rules

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OMPANIES with occupational safety and health (OSH) violations may face stiffer penalties after the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) released the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 11058. The DOLE released last week the IRR of RA 11058, or the Occupational Safety and Health Act, following its approval by the Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (TIPC). Among the salient points of the 23-page document are the listed corresponding administrative fines for OSH violations. Establishments, which will fail to register with the DOLE, or provide job safety instruction or orientation to their employees prior to work will be fined P20,000. If a company fails to provide the necessary OSH training to their workers, they could be assessed a fine of P25,000. A P30,000 fine will be imposed for firms if they commit these infractions: failure to provide safety signage and devices; failure to provide the necessary medical supplies, equipment and facilities; and failure to submit reportorial requirements as prescribed by OSH standards. The P40,000 fine will apply for the lack of safety officer and/or Occupational Health personnel; personnel or professionals for OSH standards who have no certification; lack of safety and health committee; lack or unimplemented comprehensive safety and health program; lack of information on hazards and risks; violation of sanitary and welfare facilities provisions of the OSH Law. A P50,000 penalty will be imposed for unapproved or uncertified devices and equipment; violation on the personal protective equipment (PPE) of the OSH law; and noncompliance with the DOLE’s work stoppage order (WSO).

“The penalties shall be computed on a per day basis until full compliance is reckoned from the date of notice or service of the compliance order to the employer without prejudice to the filing of a criminal or civil case in the regular courts,” the IRR read. Erring companies which would repeatedly commit OSH violations, misrepresentations on OSH standards, or implement retaliatory measures against their employees will face additional penalties. The fines collected from OSH violators will be used by the government to provide incentives like training and orientation to qualified OSHcompliant employers and workers. Labor Assistant Secretary Benjo M. Benavidez said the penalties will apply to all employers, contractors and subcontractors regardless of the size of their establishments. “The IRR would just impose most of the OSH standards already used by the DOLE before. The only difference now is that there is now a corresponding fine which will now apply for all establishments,” Benavidez said in an interview. The IRR was signed by Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III on December 6 and will take effect 15 days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation. Labor groups lauded the implementation of the OSH law, which they hope will prevent deadly workplace accidents. While latest government statistics showed there is supposed to be 99-percent compliance rate to OSH standards among inspected firms in 2015 and 2016, several deadly workplace accidents killed dozens of workers in the last three years. These include the fire in the Kentex Manufacturing Inc. in Valenzuela in 2015 and NCCC Mall fire in Davao City in 2017, and the HTI factory fire in Cavite earlier this year. Samuel P. Medenilla

The Nation BusinessMirror

A4 Monday, December 10, 2018 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

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El Nido fails to protect environment despite ₧55.2M collected from tourists T

Authorities stop entry of wildlife species

By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo

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20-30 cubic meters [cu/m] of septage per day.” As of October, the total septage collected was 4,500 cu/m, the DILG added. Densing said the LGU is planning to expand the municipal STP capacity to 80 cu/m a day. He also noted that “the biggest establishment in El Nido alone produces 15 cu/m of septage a day.”

@akosistellaBM Special to the BusinessMirror

BOUT P55.21 million in ecotourism development fees were collected by the municipal government of El Nido in 2017, up 19 percent from the P46.32 million collected in 2016. A report by the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) Beach Tourism Monitoring Team (BTMT), a copy of which was obtained by the BusinessMirror, showed last year’s environmental fees were collected from 144,257 tourists, or about P383 per person. From January to October 2018, the El Nido government collected some P54.6 million in environmental fees from 100,327 foreign and local tourists. Despite the large collections, the DILG recorded numerous issues that the El Nido government had neglected, threatening the town’s long-term viability as a sustainable tourism destination. These include beach erosion, sand and water discoloration, continued grilling on boats despite a municipal ordinance banning it, as well as the rampant anchoring of motorboats all over the place. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) had also determined the fecal coliform count in three barangays in El Nido to have reached 16,000 most probable number per 100 milliliter in July 2018. The acceptable standard for fecal coliform is only 1,000 MPN/100 ml. (See, “Swimming ban slapped on 2 Panglao, El Nido sites,” in the BusinessMirror,

STP located in municipal dump

November 30, 2018 .)

Recommended measures

IN said report to the ad hoc task force on island destinations, which includes the Secretaries of the DILG, the DENR and the Department of Tourism, the DILG-BTMT recommended the designation of loading and unloading areas and the installation of pontoons, so motorboats waiting to ferry tourists are not anchored all over the place. Also, the El Nido local government unit (LGU) must “ensure that establishments within the shoreline have proper rainwater drainage, to prevent beach erosion.” Other recommendations include: the banning of “sagap-style” motorboats to prevent sand and water discoloration in Bacuit Bay, installation of pontoons or bamboo walkways to protect tourists from the safety hazards of getting to the Hidden Lagoon, strict enforcement of the municipal ordinance banning the grilling on boats, and study possible establishment of a municipal fire station and one-stop shop for government frontline services and business permits. The DILG found that the El Nido LGU allowed 34 business establishments to set up shop without build-

ONE of the tourist spots at El Nido NONIE REYES

ing permits, with the most number in barangays Corong Corong (10) and Maligaya [eight]. Also, 74 establishments were found to be within the 3-meter easement zone, an ordinance that the LGU had imposed on itself.

Dismantling of easement violations

ACCORDING to Interior Undersecretary Epimaco V. Densing III, “they’ve started dismantling there.” “Out of 74 commercial establish-

ments within the easement zone with an order and notice of demolition, 49 were fully demolished, 12 were partially demolished, with only 13 remaining,” Densing said. He said this covered the barangays of Buena Suerte, Masagana and Corong Corong, the latter having the most number of easement violators at 46. Further, the DILG “found the municipal sewerage treatment plant [STP] located within the municipal sanitary landfill can only process

CURRENTLY under construction, Densing added, is a centralized STP with a capacity 2,400 cu/m per day, a project initiated through the inter-LGU cooperation agreement between the El Nido municipal government and the provincial government of Palawan. The project is scheduled to be completed by July next year. Earlier, the El Nido LGU was given only six months, or until May 2019, to address its environmental violations. (See, “Task force gives El Nido government 6 months to ‘shape up’,” on the BusinessMirror, November 15, 2018.) The DILG, citing a report by the DENR Mines and Geosciences Bureau, said the municipal sanitary landfill is a “natural waterway of rainwater.” This was the reason the dump was not used for two weeks in July because it was flooded. The municipal dump is 2 hectares in size, which can accommodate an average of 22 tons of solid waste per day. The DILG report also noted “only approximately 500 household and commercial establishments have water connection; this translates to a coverage of 20 percent within the four urban barangays.” A new water system project undertaken with the Palawan LGU will provide additional 2,500 cu/m per day.

TAWI-TAWI SHORT FILM BAGS CA declares another high-ranking TOP AWARD IN MORO FILM FEST exec liable for illegal cash advances By Manuel T. Cayon Mindanao Bureau Chief @awimailbox

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AVAO CITY—A young boy’s search for opportunity at a coastal village in the Philippines’s southernmost island and a girl’s survival efforts at an evacuation center in Central Mindanao bagged the two top awards in the 2018 Moro Film Festival in Cotabato City. The short film Manis Ma Pikilan was handed the Best Short Film during the awards night of the festival’s Short Film Competition on December 6 held at Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex in Cotabato City. The Manis Ma Pikilan captures the personal struggles of Pahad, a boy from a small coastal community in Tawi-Tawi, the information office of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) said. “This film would like to tell the people, especially those people outside the ARMM that Mindanao is not just about war, that people have their own personal struggles in life,” said Bhas Abdulsamad, director of the film. Another short film, the White Flag, depicts the story of Omaimah, a young girl who had to weave her way through difficult times at an evacuation center in Marawi City to escape the war last year. The Manis Ma Pikilan romped away with P300,000 in cash prize as the competition grand winner. The White Flag, on the other hand, won a total of P150,000 in cash prize as the Grand Jury Prize winner. The White Flag director Najib Alyhar Zacaria was emotional during the awards night. Zacaria said he can’t explain how he was feeling at the moment but expressed his joy.

“This is for my Princess,” he said citing his daughter who died of an ailment while staying inside an evacuation center during the Marawi siege. Aside from Manis Ma Pikilan and White Flag, the other short films that entered the competition’s top 10 finalists were: Identity, Kyuga, Battle of Tampakan, Inged, The Last Kill, Juramentado, Khalil at Manuelito and Sarimanok. The competition also handed out the following special awards: Audience choice for Inged (P100,000); Best Director, Najib Alyhar Zacaria, for White Flag (P50,000); Best Screenplay for White Flag (P30,000); Best Cinematography for Manis Ma Pikilan (P30,000); Best Editing for Manis Ma Pikilan (P30,000); Best Actor, Abraham Nupuran, for Manis Ma Pikilan (P15,000); and, Special Citation for Ensemble Acting for The Last Kill (P15,000). The films were critiqued by filmmakers from Mindanao, including Bagane Fiola of Davao City who has been doing films over the last decade, and Xeph Suarez, who just won a Cinemalaya best director award this year. Both of them served as members of the jury. Award-winning Moro filmmaker and author Gutierrez Mangansakan II said the jury he chaired was looking for films that tell the stories of Bangsamoro. “A good story is something that comes from within, and these two movies, Manis Ma Pikilan and White Flag, were really able to surface this type of films,” he added. ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman noted the films’ effort to correct the past stories about the Bangsamoro and the rest of Mindanao.

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

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HE Court of Appeals (CA) has denied the petition filed by a high-ranking official of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) seeking to stop his prosecution for his alleged involvement in the anomalous utilization of cash advances totaling to P689.6 million. In a 17-page decision penned by Associate Justice Carmelita Salandanan Manahan, the CA’s Special Fifteenth Division affirmed the ruling issued by the Office of the Ombudsman which ordered the indictment of Capt. Christopher Villacorte, along with three other high-ranking coast guard officials, for violation of Republic Act (RA) 3019 or the AntiGraft and Corrupt Practices Act. The Ombudsman also found him together with the officials involved administratively liable for dishonesty, grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and imposed upon the penalty of dismissal. The appellate court held that Villacorte conspired with retired coast guard chief Vice Admiral Rodolfo Isorena, Capt. Joeven Fabul and PCG Accounting Head Rogelio Caguioa in deliberately disregarding the conduct of competitive bidding as mandated by RA 9184 by signing documents that were necessary to ensure the special cash advances. “Here, it is evident that there is a flagrant disregard of law,” the CA said. “Thus, grave misconduct is present in this case.” Likewise, the CA agreed with the findings of the Ombudsman that Villacorte is guilty of serious dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

It pointed out that the petitioner, as a special disbursing officer, signed the necessary documents before the special cash advances were disbursed. He also certified that these cash advances were necessary and lawful. “Consequently, these caused serious damage and grave prejudice to the government since the latter was not able to procure the needed properties at the lowest price possible through a competitive bidding,” the CA explained. “Thus, serious dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service is present in this case.” The case stemmed from an anonymous complaint received by the Ombudsman about the supposed anomalies in the utilization of PCG funds, particularly with respect to the liquidations of cash advances and the reimbursements of expenses for the year 2014 based on the Audit Observation Memorandum issues by the COA on April 15, 2015. As indicated in the COA report, PCG’s general ledger showed that cash advances granted to 21 special disbursing officers (SDOs) totaled to P689,640,806 as of December 31, 2014, with total liquidations of P633,612,786. The cash advances were authorized and recommended by Isorena, Fabul, Caguioa, in their respective capacities as commandant, deputy chief for comptrollership and accounting head. Based on COA’s report, the disbursement vouchers showed that they lacked the required office orders duly designating the respective recipients as SDOs. Aside from some business establishments not being in the addresses indicated in the sales invoices, cash invoices or officials receipts, COA’s

validation of liquidation documents also yielded denials from some of the establishments they located, particularly with respect to the issuances of receipts and invoices. Villacorte admitted that he was designated as SDO for Coast Guard Education Training with an accountability of P2 million. He insisted that he complied with rules and regulations on case advances. Villacorte added among the expenses charged to the special cash advance were the training of personnel for West Philippine Sea deployment, exercises with visiting foreign naval and coast guard force and special trainings under the US-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty. But the CA said “the contention of the petitioner is bereft of merit, the training programs are not within the extraordinary circumstances that will justify a resort to the alternative methods of bidding.” “Furthermore, it must be noted that there is no imminent danger to life or property [or] other causes where immediate action is necessary.” Concurring with the ruling were Associate Justices Mario Lopez and Gabriel Robeniol. Last September, the CA also found Cdr. John B. Esplana, Coast Guard internal auditor, also liable for serious dishonesty, grave misconduct, and conduct prejudicial to the interest of the service and imposing upon him the penalty of dismissal from the service for his involvement in the same anomaly. The CA also affirmed the ruling issued by Ombudsman last year which found PCG Rear Admiral Cecil Chen, now retired, administratively liable for the same anomaly.

HE Bureau of Customs (BOC) reported on Saturday that authorities intercepted 34 wildlife species at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia). In a statement, the BOC said a female passenger arriving from Bangkok, Thailand, at the Naia Terminal 2 on December 6, attempted to bring into the country 20 lizards, four snakes and 10 moss frogs. A customs x-ray inspector, Angel Aboloc, scanned the luggage of the passenger. “The wildlife species found in shoe boxes inside the luggage of the passenger were immediately turned over to the DENR [Department of Environment and Natural Resources] and were brought to the Biodiversity Management Bureau in Quezon City for proper identification, care and protection,” the BOC said. The BOC added that importation of wildlife species without the required permit or clearance from the DENR is a violation of the Customs Modernization Tariff Act in relation to the provisions of Republic Act (RA) 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001. T he BOC continues to strengthen its coordination with other regulating agencies to secure the Philippine borders and protect the environment from illegal wildlife traders, illegal entry of drugs and other prohibited goods, among others. A bill is pending in Congress to revise RA 9147. Rea Cu

Marina to issue show cause orders to nonconformant maritime schools

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HE Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) announced on Sunday that it will issue appropriate show cause orders to four nonconformant maritime higher educational institutions (MHEIs) in the Philippines due to conduct of operations despite the lack of government permit issued in their favor. In a statement, the Marina said it’s reiterating the policy that it shall not recognize educational programs from MHEIs with no permission to operate from the government. “After the surveillance conducted by the Marina central and regional offices on October to November, four of the 21 MHEIs with disapproved applications to operate are discovered to be still accepting first year Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation [BSMT] and/or Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering (BSMarE) students for the academic year 2018-2019,” the Marina statement read. “These educational institutions are noted to be deceiving their learners that the programs they offer are approved and compliant with STCW [Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers] Convention 1978, as amended.” The Marina added it withheld the identities of these MHEIs “pending their receipt of their respective show cause orders and finality of decision from the CHED [Commission on Higher Education] en banc.” After the issuance of the show cause orders, the MHEIs will be given 10 days to submit responses that will then be deliberated by the Technical Panel on Maritime Education for further corrective measures, the Marina said. The Marina said it regularly monitors and evaluates MHEIs to ensure that their facilities and training equipment, quality standard system, shipboard training, examination and assessment system, faculty, and curriculum are in compliance with the STCW Convention 1978, as amended, to uphold the quality and competence of Filipino seafarers.

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Editor: Angel R. Calso • Monday, December 10, 2018 A5

China warns of ‘grave consequences’ if detained Huawei exec not released

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EIJING—China summoned the Canadian ambassador to protest the detention of a top executive of leading Chinese tech giant Huawei, calling it “unreasonable, unconscionable, and vile in nature” and warning of “grave consequences” if she is not released.

In this courtroom sketch, Meng Wanzhou, (right), the chief financial officer of Huawei Technologies, sits beside a translator during a bail hearing at British Columbia Supreme Court in Vancouver, on Friday, December 7. Meng faces extradition to the US on charges of trying to evade US sanctions on Iran. She appeared in a Vancouver court on Friday to seek bail. Jane Wolsak/The Canadian Press via AP

Mahathir faces first big rally as thousands meet in Kuala Lumpur M alaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad faced his biggest rally since taking power in May, as opposition parties led thousands of ethnic Malays in Kuala Lumpur to protest a United Nations convention against racial discrimination. The capital was flooded with protesters dressed in white, who were bused in from around the country to assemble on Saturday afternoon. Police estimate about 55,000 people had turned up, according to Kuala Lumpur Police Chief Mazlan Lazim. He added that the rally proceeded smoothly without any untoward incident. The United Malays National Organization (UMNO), which lost its six-decade hold on power in the May general election, had vowed to bring 200,000 supporters, and said co-organizer PAS, an Islamist party, would mobilize an additional 300,000. The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) became a hot-button issue last month. Malaybased opposition parties and groups voiced fears that it would threaten Islam’s position as the official religion and erode the special privileges of the Malays, which make up the biggest ethnic community in Malaysia. “The anti-ICERD rally is meant to be a show of strength by the country’s two largest Malay political parties,” said Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani, an analyst with BowerGroupAsia risk consultancy, referring to PAS and UMNO. “It will be a numbers game and the crowd size will reflect the strength of the UMNOPAS partnership.”

Mounting backlash

About 30 percent of Malay voters supported the ruling Pakatan Harapan in the general election, accord-

ing to a survey by pollster Merdeka Center in June, underscoring the shaky support Mahathir has from the country’s biggest ethnic group. Rumbles of concern over threats to the Malay-Muslim identity and religion have increased since the poll, Serina Rahman, a visiting fellow at ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, wrote in September. Leader-in-waiting Anwar Ibrahim said last month concerns over ICERD were “real” and its ratification should be postponed. “They are worried that the principles in our constitution are not accepted and threatened at the international level,” he said on November 18, even as he maintained he was anti-discrimination. When Malaysia reversed its decision to ratify ICERD on November 23 after mounting backlash, organizers of the rally shifted gears. The assembly, initially meant to pressure the government not to ratify the convention, would go on, its organizers said, with the new aim of “thanking” the government for aborting ICERD.

Government opposed

The government was not supportive of the gathering. Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said the rally was irrelevant, Anwar said it was inappropriate and People’s Justice Party MP Fahmi Fadzil said the organizers should instead debate the matter in parliament. Singapore on Friday issued an advisory to defer all non-essential travel to Kuala Lumpur and warned of possible skirmishes. A second gathering on human rights that was scheduled to take place on Saturday was postponed until Sunday over security concerns, Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Chairman Razali Ismail said in a statement. Bloomberg News

A report by the official Xinhua News Agency carried on the Foreign Ministry’s web site said that Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng called in Ambassador John McCallum on Saturday over the holding of Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou, who is reportedly suspected of trying to evade US trade curbs on Iran. Huawei is the biggest global supplier of network gear for phone and Internet companies, and has been the target of deepening US security concerns over its ties to the Chinese government. The United States has pressured European countries and other allies to limit use of its technology, warning they could be opening themselves up to surveillance and theft of information. Le told McCallum that Meng’s detention at the request of the US while transferring flights in Vancouver was a “severe violation” of her “legitimate rights and interests.” “Such a move ignores the law and is unreasonable, unconscionable and vile in nature,” Le said in the statement. “China strongly urges the Canadian side to immediately release the detained Huawei executive... or face grave consequences that the Canadian side should be held accountable for,” Le said. Roland Paris, a former foreign policy adviser to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, said that Chinese pressure on the Canadian government won’t work. “Perhaps because the Chinese state controls its judicial system, Beijing sometimes has difficulty understanding or believing that courts can be independent in a rule-of-law country. There’s no point in pressuring the Canadian government. Judges will decide,” Paris tweeted in response to the comments from Beijing. A Canadian prosecutor urged a Vancouver court to deny bail to Meng, whose case is shaking up US-China relations and worrying global financial markets. Meng, also the daughter of Huawei’s founder, was detained at the request of the US during a layover at the Vancouver airport December 1­— the same day that Presidents Donald J. Trump and Xi Jinping of China agreed over dinner to a 90-day ceasefire in a trade dispute that threatens to disrupt global commerce. The US alleges that Huawei used a Hong Kong shell company to sell equipment in Iran in violation of US sanctions. It also says that Meng and Huawei misled American banks about its business dealings in Iran. The surprise arrest raises doubts about whether the trade truce will hold and whether the world’s two biggest economies can resolve the complicated issues that divide them. Canadian prosecutor John Gibb-Carsley said in a court hearing on Friday that a warrant had been issued for Meng’s arrest in New York August 22. He said Meng, arrested en route to Mexico from Hong Kong, was aware of the in-

Protesters march as UN climate talks hit fossil fuel snag

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ATOWICE, Poland—Thousands of people from around the world marched on Saturday through the southern Polish city that’s hosting this year’s United Nations (UN) climate talks, demanding that their governments take tougher action to curb global warming. Protesters included farmers from Latin America, environmentalists from Asia, students from the United States and families from Europe, many of whom said climate change is already affecting their lives. “Climate change is the thing that frightens me the most,” said Michal Dabrowski from Warsaw, who brought his young daughter to the march. “I’m a father and it’s kind of crucial that she will have a decent life.” Marchers gathered in one of Katowice’s main squares before setting off for the conference center where delegates from almost 200 countries are haggling over the fine print of the 2015 Paris accord to fight climate change. Some protesters were dressed as endangered orangutans while others wore breathing masks to highlight the air pollution in Katowice, which lies at the heart of Poland’s coal mining region of Silesia. A group wearing polar bear costumes was expelled from the march after suggesting that fossil fuels should be replaced by nuclear power, a technology that many environmentalists object to. AP

vestigation and had been avoiding the US for months, even though her teenage son goes to school in Boston. Gibb-Carsley alleged that Huawei had done business in Iran through a Hong Kong company called Skycom. Meng, he said, had misled US banks into thinking that Huawei and Skycom were separate when, in fact, “Skycom was Huawei.” Meng has contended that Huawei sold Skycom in 2009. In urging the court to reject Meng’s bail request, Gibb-Carsley said the Huawei executive had vast resources and a strong incentive to bolt: She’s facing fraud charges in the United States that could put her in prison for 30 years. The hearing will resume on Monday after Meng spends the weekend in jail. Huawei, in a brief statement e-mailed to The Associated Press, said that “we have every confidence that the Canadian and US legal systems will reach the right conclusion.” Canadian officials have declined to comment on Chinese threats of retaliation over the

case, instead emphasizing the independence of Canada’s judiciary along with the importance of Ottawa’s relationship with Beijing. Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland said Canada “has assured China that due process is absolutely being followed in Canada, that consular access for China to Ms. Meng will absolutely be provided.” “We are a rule of law country and we will be following our laws as we have thus far in this matter and as we will continue to do,” Freeland said on Friday. While protesting what it calls Canada’s violation of Meng’s human rights, China’s ruling Communist Party stands accused of mass incarcerations of its Muslim minority without due process, locking up those exercising their right to free speech and refusing to allow foreign citizens to leave the country in order to bring pressure on their relatives accused of financial crimes. The party also takes the lead in prosecutions of those accused of corruption or other crimes in a highly opaque process, without supervision from the court system or independent bodies. AP

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Monday, December 10, 2018 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

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editorial

US-China: It’s not a ‘trade’ war

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T is not always as simple as it appears to be. Take marriage, for example. Two people decide to “tie the knot.” However, it is not just two people that are being joined together. When you marry someone you marry your spouse’s family, that family’s history and the “crazy” uncle who keeps stealing mangoes from his neighbor’s tree at night. 2018 will be remembered as the year of the “US-China trade war.” On January 22, US President Donald J. Trump placed a 30-percent tariff on foreign solar panels, targeting China, the world’s largest producer of this product. Also that same day, 20-percent tariffs were placed on washing machines for the first 1.2 million units imported into the US. In 2016 China exported $425 million worth of washers to American consumers. In April China responded by imposing tariffs on 128 products it imports from America, including aluminum, airplanes, cars, pork and soybeans. A few days later Trump responded saying that he was considering another round of tariffs on an additional $100 billion of Chinese imports. The trend of one side announcing new tariffs and an equal response by the other side continued until a meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Both nations announced a “cease-fire” in escalating trade barriers for three months to give some time to work out future agreements. In October and in spite of these increased tariffs on Chinese goods, the US trade deficit with China increased to $55 billion, the highest since 2008. Countless opinions have been written analyzing the potential winners and losers in the trade dispute and how nations like the Philippines can take advantage. Interestingly, there does not seem—even after nearly a year—any economy that can claim much success. Brazil has seen its soybean exports to China increase. However, increased plantings may also have a future negative impact on prices when China once again begins importing soybeans from the US. Further, Brazil may have to import beans from the US to make up for a domestic supply shortfall. The real reason behind the “trade war” though is China’s complete ethical disregard for and theft of intellectual-property rights, technology and trade secrets. Chinese manufacturers are willing to produce everything from fake designer handbags to recycled used condoms to make a quick buck. President Xi Jinping admits the US has “reasonable concerns.” In a speech in 2017, he called for stricter enforcement and for infringers to pay a “heavy price.” China just announced its most serious measures since the trade war erupted, including punishments that could restrict local companies’ access to borrowing and state-funding support over IP theft. The US Chamber of Commerce’s Global Innovation Policy Center ranks 50 nations as to Intellectual Property Protections. China, the nation that sees itself as the potential economic leader of the world, ranks 25th out of 50 countries, behind Mexico, Malaysia and Morocco. China is the valedictorian who cheated on all the final exams. While tariffs on the goods trade are the headline news, they are done more to gain leverage to get China to play by the rules. For China, it is a double-edged sword that cuts both ways. Government enforcing intellectual-property rights makes doing business in China better for foreign investors. However, it also raises the cost for Chinese domestic companies, which will find it harder to steal their way to more profits.

On the UDHR’s 70th anniversary Atty. Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II

RISING SUN

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he call is for all of us to stand up for “equality, justice and human dignity.” And the hashtag to use is #StandUp4HumanRights. But first things first, what does “standing up” entail? And more important, what rights are we standing up for?

Sadly, there are still many people from all over the world who are not aware of their basic human rights. I’m willing to bet that there are more who have not read the actual document, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The world celebrates today, December 10, Human Rights Day— the day that the United Nations General Assembly adopted in 1948 the UDHR. It’s a milestone document proclaiming the inalienable rights of human beings, regardless

of their race, color, religion, gender, language, political opinion, national or social origin, property, or birth. When we speak about human rights, one of the important things to remember is that it is our responsibility to stand up for our rights, as well as the rights of others. Standing up involves taking action and speaking up when we become witness to the violation of any of these rights, whether ours or those of other people’s. This is the responsibility that comes with these rights.

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legally speaking

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enate Bill (SB) 1850, principally sponsored by. Sen. JV Ejercito, Sen. Sonny Angara, Sen. Nancy Binay and Sen. Loren Legarda, known as the “National Integrated Cancer Control Act,” was swiftly passed by the Senate unanimously voting 18-0. It’s counterpart in the House of Representative, House Bill 8636 has, likewise, been approved on third and final reading, with a unanimous vote of 198-0-0. Both bills seek to create a National Integrated Cancer Control Program that would serve as a framework for all cancer-related activities of the government. The program shall have the following objectives: a. Decrease the overall mortality and impact of all adult and childhood cancer; b. Lessen the incidence of preventable cancer in adults and children; c. Prevent cancer recurrence and secondary cancer among survivors and people living with cancer; d. Provide timely access to optimal cancer treatment and care for all cancer patients; e. Make cancer treatment and care more affordable and accessible; f. Improve the experience of cancer treatment and care of patients and families; g. Support the recovery and reintegration to society of cancer

survivors; and h. Eliminate various forms of burden on patients, people living with cancer, survivors and their families (Section 4, SB 1850). Likewise, there shall be an established Philippine Cancer Center under the control and supervision of the University of the PhilippinesPhilippine General Hospital (UPPGH). The center shall have the following purpose and objectives: a. To provide for accommodation, facilities and medical treatment of patients suffering from cancer, subject to the rules and regulations of the UP-PGH; b. To promote, encourage and engage in scientific researches on the prevention of cancer, and the care and treatment of cancer patients and related activities; c. To stimulate and underwrite scientific researches on the biological, demographic, social, economic, physiological aspects of cancer, its

But more than “celebrating” this day, I believe there should be explorations and discussions around a specific theme: What happens when we don’t uphold our human rights? What kind of risks do we face when we become silent or indifferent? What happens whenever and wherever humanity’s values are abandoned? For today, in particular, those of you who are active on social media may take the time to write a post on the importance of these rights, or what these rights mean to you. Start a conversation; share your thoughts and opinions, especially on current issues regarding human rights. After all, Article 19 states: “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.” There are events and activities

abnormalities and control; and gather, compile, and publish the findings of such researches for public dissemination; d. To encourage and undertake the training of physicians, nurses, medical technicians, health officers and social workers on the practical and scientific conduct and implementation of cancer health-care services, and related activities; and e. To assist universities, hospitals, and research institutions in their studies of cellular anomalies, to encourage advanced training on matters of, or affecting the human cell, and related fields and to support educational programs of value to general health (Section 10, SB 1850). A recommendatory body for policy matters, technical guidance and support and oversee functions called the National Integrated Cancer Control Advisory Council (“Council”) is created. The Secretary of Health, in coordination with the Council, shall develop standards to classify, accredit and designate Comprehensive Cancer Centers, Specialty Cancer Centers, Regional Cancer Centers and Cancer satellites or stand-alone clinics. The network of cancer-care centers that is easily accessible to patients shall be established strategically in the country. The required diagnostic, therapeutic, research capacities and facilities, technical, operational and personnel standards of these centers shall be defined in the implementing rules and regulations of this law. If necessary, the use of public-private partnership shall

going on in different cities (and countries) that celebrate this important day: art exhibits, concerts and gatherings. You may want to look these up online to choose if there is an event where you want to participate or attend. For parents, it would be particularly helpful if you could engage your children in a conversation on the topic. And if you haven’t done so yet, read the entire document (one preamble and 30 articles), or share them with friends or family, children who are old enough to appreciate and understand. But more than “celebrating” this day, I believe there should be explorations and discussions around a specific theme: What happens when we don’t uphold our human rights? What kind of risks do we face when we become silent or indifferent? What happens whenever and wherever humanity’s values are abandoned? These are important questions that we must ask ourselves today. And let our actions from hereon be based on our answers to these questions.

be allowed on the procurement of cancer-care infrastructure and services to hasten delivery of essential oncological services and promote efficiency on fiscal utilization for cancer programs and projects (Section 11, SB 1850). The Department of Health (DOH) and other concerned government agencies shall implement reforms supporting early access to essential medicines, innovative medicines and health technologies, to ensure improved survivorship and better health outcomes among people with cancer. The reforms include facilitating quick access to drugs for compassionate use and developing a more responsive system for effectively addressing emergency cases (Section 23, SB 1850). It shall, likewise, ensure sufficient supply of medicines for palliative care and pain management that are available at affordable prices. Further, the DOH shall formulate a monitoring system to check that pain medications are safe and administered in correct dosages (Section 24, SB 1850). Cancer patients, persons living with cancer and cancer survivors are considered as persons with disabilities in accordance with Republic Act 7277, as amended, otherwise known as the “Magna Carta for Disabled Persons.” The cancer patients, persons living with cancer and cancer survivors are accorded the same rights and privileges as PWDs and the Department of Social Welfare and Development shall ensure that their social See “Kapunan,” A7

Opinion BusinessMirror

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It’s worth taking a close What drives you? look at that Huawei arrest

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By Joe Nocera | Bloomberg Opinion

hen you grow up in the US, and then devote your career to writing about domestic corporations, you don’t spend a lot of time thinking about the rule of law, or why it matters. It’s like the air you breathe—you just assume it’s always going to be there. Yes, the US legal system has plenty of flaws, but you could always count on companies accused of wrongdoing getting their day in court. The government might try to block a merger, but the rationale was invariably based on its interpretation of antitrust law, not on a president’s disapproval. When a corporate executive was accused of a crime, it was because prosecutors had legitimate reasons to believe the executive did something illegal. The rule of law provides the assurance that so long as you abide by the law, no one is going to arrest you arbitrarily, or take your company away for an illegitimate reason. Investors know they can safely invest their money. I stopped taking the rule of law for granted in 2010, when I began writing about Mikhail Khodorkovsky. You may recall him as the original oligarch, Russia’s richest man in the early 2000s. By the time I started to focus on him, he had long since been stripped of his company, Yukos, and had spent seven years in a Siberian prison. Indeed, he was then on trial for a new set of “crimes”; if found guilty—hardly in doubt—his sentence would likely be extended by at least a decade. Khodorkovsky was no saint. It is quite likely he committed crimes, as all the oligarchs did, in originally assembling Yukos. But that’s not why he was in prison. He had begun to back political parties that opposed Russian President Vladimir Putin, and that was intolerable. After Khodorkovsky’s arrest, the other oligarchs realized they had to either curry favor with Putin or flee Russia, leaving their companies behind. At the end of his trial, Khodorkovsky was allowed to make a statement. It is the most eloquent defense of the rule of law I’ve ever read. “Millions of eyes throughout Russia and the world are watching this trial,” he said. They are watching with the hope that Russia will still become a country of freedom, and law is above the bureaucrat. Where supporting opposition parties is not a cause for reprisals. Where special services protect the people and the law, and not the bureaucracy from the people and the law. Where human rights no longer depend on the mood of the czar, good or evil. Every time I wrote about Khodorkovsky, I would get e-mails and reader comments saying that he deserved to be in prison because of the crimes he had committed building Yukos. To which my reply was: If Russia wanted to punish him for that, it should have tried him for that. That’s how the rule of law works. Jailing someone on trumped-up tax charges because they oppose the president is about as corrosive a thing a government can do in causing people to lose faith in the certainty of law over the whims of autocrats. Which brings me to the American president, Donald J. Trump. Ever since he took office, pundits have been writing about how he has caused the erosion of important democratic norms. As a business journalist, I’ve been equally horrified by his undermining of the rule of law as it applies to business. Trump wants the US Postal

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welfare and benefits provided under RA 7277, as amended, are granted to them. Further, the Department of Labor and Employment shall adopt programs that promote

After the news of Meng’s December 1 arrest became public a few days ago, leaks to the news media suggested she was being held as part of the sanctions investigation. In an earlier version of this article, I incorrectly suggested that Huawei had no obligation to abide by US-imposed sanctions. Service to raise the rate it charges Amazon.com Inc. to deliver packages purely to punish its chief executive Jeff Bezos, who owns the Washington Post. His constant criticism of CNN may have influenced the Justice Department to oppose AT&T’s merger with Time Warner, which owns the cable network. Just last week, Trump called for General Motors Co.—and General Motors alone—to be stripped of a federal subsidy for electric cars because he is angry it is closing some factories in the Midwest. (The government later said he wanted to end the subsidy for all companies.) And then there is the arrest of Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of the Chinese telecom giant Huawei Technologies Ltd. Although the arrest took place in Vancouver, it was ginned up by the Trump administration, which now wants Canada to extradite her to the US. The purported rationale is that Huawei is being investigated by the Justice Department for violating the sanctions the US imposed in Iran after Trump pulled out of the nuclear accord earlier this year. Huawei is a company that arouses a lot of suspicion in the West. Many officials think its telecom equipment, which is banned in the US, also serves as spyware for the Chinese government. (Huawei has always denied the allegation.) After the news of Meng’s December 1 arrest became public a few days ago, leaks to the news media suggested she was being held as part of the sanctions investigation. In an earlier version of this article, I incorrectly suggested that Huawei had no obligation to abide by US-imposed sanctions. That would have been true if Huawei didn’t use US technology in its routers and other products, but it does, so it is expected to abide by the sanctions. At a bail hearing on Friday, the Canadian prosecutor revealed that Meng had hidden the fact that a company doing business with Iran was actually a Huawei subsidiary. A number of news organizations, including the New York Times, said that Meng’s arrest was a means for the administration to serve a “warning shot” in the growing trade war with China. That may well turn out to be the case, but we don’t know for sure. China is furious, accusing the US of “resorting to despicable hooliganism” and demanding Meng’s release. That’s to be expected. What I didn’t expect was the absence of any outcry in the US. Commentators have focused on the arrest’s effect on tech stocks, and on its potential to further damage US-China relations. But no one seems outraged at the possibility that the US nabbed a top Chinese executive as a proxy for a company it may want to punish. work and employment opportunities for able persons with cancer and cancer survivors. The appropriate government agencies shall ensure that people living with cancer and cancer survivors are free from any form of discrimination in school, workplace and community (Section 25-27, SB 1850).

Siegfred Bueno Mison, Esq.

THE PATRIOT

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S the year ends, companies prepare their respective budgets to achieve a common goal of commercial profitability. Revenue targets, key performance indicators and cost reduction initiatives are set from a strategic point of view to ensure all departments are aligned toward achieving that goal. Aside from profitability, what really drives companies and their leaders toward stability? There are companies that remain stable by simply staying true to their corporate identity, specifically, what they are and what they stand for. Financially stable companies are fully aware of their strengths and the playing field. One such company is Starbucks. Since the first Starbucks opened in 1971, its unquantifiable objective is to share great coffee with friends and help make the world a little better. From the very beginning, Starbucks wanted to be a different kind of coffee with a mission of inspiring and nurturing the human spirit—“one person, one cup, and one neighborhood at a time.” While Starbucks diversified and ventured into iced coffees and specialty teas, the company is driven by its core product: which is not coffee but the experience of going inside a store and having an experience, not just the taste, of Starbucks coffee. Companies should learn from Starbucks

and not lose sight of what truly drives them amid the pressure of generating more income for their stockholders. For the past several years, one of my high-school batch mates from the University of the East, Lolit Dino Tiu, has been hosting luncheons and dinners for the batch UEHS 1982, some out of town and others out of the country. She is fortunate and financially blessed as her family owns and operates several rice mills in Northern Luzon. Gifted with a giving heart, Lolit never lets a year go by without sharing her blessings to our batch mates. Without even asking her, I think what drives

Monday, December 10, 2018 A7

Lolit to give freely and happily is her eternal perspective. As we are in the middle of the season of giving and reflection this December, we should find out and decide what drives us to live. For some of my classmates in the military academy, recently retired or about to retire, net worth is the most important driver in their lives. After all, with a reduced income stream due to retirement, they have to find ways to generate wealth for the sake of their children and grandchildren. For some of them, they live to gain recognition as the best in whatever they do. Inspirational author and pastor Rick Warren shares that believers ought to know that the key driver in their lives is to please Him. It has been said that the process is much more important than the product. Whether companies become profitable, business ethics dictate that competition should be within the spirit of fairness. I have seen a few companies whose financial rise was as fast as their doom as they embarked on wicked methods just to stay above the competition. In the same way, there are people who gained and lost much wealth in a short span of time as they circumvented regulations by bribing their way to get short-term gains. Imprisoned American financier Bernie Madoff, who was the brains behind the biggest Ponzi scheme in US financial history, and convicted middleman/businesswoman

The case against meritocracy By Ross Douthat | New York Times News Service

In my particular case the provocation was a column about the phenomenon of George H.W. Bush nostalgia, which I suggested reflected a general nostalgia for some of the aristocratic virtues of the old WASP establishment and a disappointment with the meritocracy that has risen in its place. This argument was read by certain readers (and a few social media non-readers) as a paean to white privilege, even a brief for white supremacy. In these misreadings, there was an assumption that to praise, in any way, the elite that predated the modern meritocracy is to reject racial diversity, minority and female advancement, in favor of permanent white rule. That’s not my view. Rather I think ideals of diversity and meritocracy are two different ways of shaping an elite, which can advance together but which are just as often separable, or even in tension with each other. And I would separate them. I think it was a good and necessary thing that the American upper class diversified and that more African-Americans and Jews and Catholics (like myself) and women now share privileges and powers once reserved for Protestant white men. But I think that same upper class was unwise to abandon an aristocratic self-conception in favor of a meritocratic one. On the evidence we have, the meritocratic ideal ends up being just as undemocratic as the old emphasis on inheritance and tradition, and it forges an elite that has an aristocracy’s vices (privilege, insularity, arrogance) without the sense of duty, self-restraint and noblesse oblige that WASPs at their best displayed. Here it’s important to stress that a WASP was not just any white Protestant or upper-crust American of the pre-1960s past. The term properly refers to a specific kind

of American elite, mostly from the Northeast, mostly high-church Protestants, concentrated in a few cities (Boston, Philadelphia, New York, plus some Midwestern and Californian outposts), generally associated with the Republican Party (with occasional defectors like FDR), who dominated a particular set of fields (academia, finance, foreign policy) and shared the code of service and piety and manners that defined the elder Bush’s career. The WASPs were distinct from other white elites—including the planter class that ruled the South, the regional elites that emerged as the frontier moved westward, the immigrant tycoons who challenged WASP power in the East. Their importance rested, to borrow from a WASP acquaintance’s email this week, on being primus inter pares— first among equals, with a particular kind of power in a particular set of institutions, and an ability to set a tone for the American upper class that was adopted by other groups when they ascended. And ascend they often did, because the older American system was both hierarchical and permeable, with room for actual merit even without a meritocratic organizing theory. Those advancing groups included non-Anglo-Saxons, and eventually non-Protestants and non-whites. In the middle of the 20th century, you could find elite Catholics who imitated WASPishness—think of William F. Buckley Jr. or the Kennedys. You could even find WASPish African-Americans: The oldest summer colony for black Americans, and not coincidentally a place where the somewhat WASPy Barack Obama liked to hang out in the summer, sits on the shores of the WASP isle of Martha’s Vineyard. These imitations existed in the

shadow of racial apartheid and residual anti-Catholicism. But their example suggested that an aristocratic spirit was transferable to a more diverse elite, that there could be Catholic and African-American and Jewish aristocrats—like, say, the family that has long stewarded this newspaper—who could adopt the WASP establishment’s upperclass virtues without the ethnic and religious chauvinism. But then the WASPs themselves decided to dissolve their own aristocracy, and transform their once-Protestant universities into a secular mass-opportunity system—a more democratic way of education, in which anyone with enough talent could climb the ladder, and personal achievement and technical expertise would be prized above all else. This was meritocracy, the system that we now take for granted. And for several reasons it didn’t work as planned. First, meritocracy segregates talent rather than dispersing it. By plucking the highest achievers from all over the country and encouraging them to cluster together in the same few cities, it robs localities of their potential leaders—so that instead of an Eastern establishment negotiating with overlapping groups of regional elites (or with working-class or ethnic leaders), you have a mass upper class segregated from demoralized peripheries. Second, the meritocratic elite inevitably tends back toward aristocracy because any definition of “merit” you choose will be easier for the children of these self-segregated meritocrats to achieve. But even as it restratifies society, the meritocratic order also insists that everything its high-achievers have is justly earned. “He was born on third base and thought he hit a triple,” Ann Richards famous quipped of George H.W. Bush; well, the typical meritocrat is born on third base, hustles home, and gets praised as if he just hit a grand slam. This spirit discourages inherited responsibility and cultural stewardship; it brushes away the disciplines

The bills also call for the establishment of the Cancer Assistance Fund to support the cancer treatment and assistance program. The fund will ensure a steady supply of cancer drugs and cancer control related vaccines to patients (Section 20, SB 1850). The DOH said there are an es-

timated eight deaths per day for child cancer and up to 11 new cases and seven deaths per hour for adult cancer. This translates to almost 110,000 new cancer cases and over 66,000 cancer deaths every year (Rappler.com). Data from the World Health Organization reveal approximately 18.1 million new cancer cases

and 9.6 million deaths for 2018 (The PhilStar, November 15, 2018). On a personal level, I laud the passage of this comprehensive cancer legislation. I lost my husband in 2001 to colon cancer and felt like it was the end of my world. Until two years later, in 2003, I lost my youngest of five sons, then eight

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his week I briefly trended on Twitter—a bracing experience for any columnist because it means you’ve done your job of provocation a little bit too well.

Janet Napoles, who masterminded the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam, are classic examples of how people rise and fall. Within us, we know what is right and wrong. Unfortunately, our culture muddles the dividing line and creates a gray area where people like Madoff and Napoles have tried to seek refuge. In the Bible, Mark 8:36-37 tells us, “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul.” Mankind is His creation and everything that comes from Him is good. We have to be mindful that we were born with hearts to serve, help, do good and share. Lolit is a living example of how someone is slowly becoming a financial and spiritual success. Her generosity, consistently and passionately displayed in activities such as our high-school batch reunions, is a manifestation that she is wealthy yet not materialistic. Her giving heart drives her to help others. In her business, the acquisition of wealth is a stepping-stone toward her ultimate objective in life. I truly think the rice milling and distribution business of Lolit will never falter, for, in the words of Buddha, “You only lose what you cling to.” Therefore, giving, whether financial resources, time and attention, or a cheerful attitude, should be our driver in life. For questions and comments, please e-mail me at sbmison@gmail.com.

of duty; it makes the past seem irrelevant because everyone is supposed to come from the same nowhere and rule based on technique alone. As a consequence, meritocrats are often educated to be bad leaders, and bad people, in a very specific way—a way of arrogant intelligence unmoored from historical experience, ambition untempered by selfsacrifice. The way of the “best and the brightest” at the dawn of the technocratic era and the “smartest guys in the room” decades later, the way of the arsonists of late-2000s Wall Street and the “move fast and break things” culture of Silicon Valley. Or even to some extent the way of Donald Trump, who is white and technically a Protestant but not, “not” any kind of WASP, combining instead the worst of meritocratic selfdeception (the rich kid with a Wharton degree posturing as a self-made man) and the worst of the populist reaction that it summons up. Diversity, despite what many liberals want to think, does not provide a solution to this problem. A diverse elite may be good in its own right, as a matter of justice and representation. But nothing about being a woman or a minority makes you immune to meritocracy’s ruthless solipsism. Just ask Elizabeth Holmes or the slipping-from-grace Sheryl Sandberg, exceptions to the Silicon Valley boys’ club whose trajectories prove the meritocratic rule. Which is why it’s worth looking backward and forward at the same time as we contemplate what’s wrong with our elite. I don’t want to bring back the WASPs; if I had the magic wand to conjure a different elite, it would be a multiracial, multilingual Catholic aristocracy ruling from Quebec to Chile. (Hey, you asked.) But I do want to raise the possibility that an aristocracy that knows itself to be one might be more clearsighted and effective than an aristocracy that doesn’t, and that the WASPs had at least one clear advantage over their presently floundering successors: They knew who and what they were. years old, to leukemia. I felt like ending my life. With the passage of this “National Integrated Cancer Control Act,” there is now guarded optimism and hope for cancer patients, survivors and their families that it will be a better world for them. Hope springs eternal!

2nd Front Page BusinessMirror

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Lawmakers seen to endorse ML extension for one year By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM & Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie

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HE House of Representatives is expected to pass the extension of martial law and suspension of the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao until December 2019 in a joint session this Wednesday, according to Minority Leader Danilo E. Suarez of Quezon.

Suarez said the approval “is just a matter of formality” as the leadership of the House has already expressed support for the extension of martial law in the southern part of the country. “We’ve seen no shooting, but it does not mean that Mindanao is safe from the recurrence of terrorism similar to the Marawi crisis.

The police and military analyze and understand the situation and let’s give that [martial-law extension] option to them. I urge my colleagues to adhere to their request,” said Suarez, who also supports the extension. Earlier, Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and House Majority Floor Leader and Camarines Sur Rep. Ro-

lando G. Andaya Jr. assured President Duterte that the House of Representatives would grant his request. Arroyo said the lower chamber is just awaiting the formal request of President Duterte. “If it comes to our chamber, I will recommend that we pass it.” “If the President will ask for it, then chances are it shall be given,” Andaya said. “The concurrence will be expedited if the military and the police will renew their commitment to respect the constitutional rights of every individual in the territory covered by the declaration,” he added. Andaya said the inputs and views of the congressmen from Mindanao, who represent the people directly affected, will carry much weight during the deliberations. President Duterte first ordered

martial law in Mindanao on May 23, 2017, after local terrorists laid siege on Marawi City. He asked for a five-month extension that lasted until December 31, 2017 after the 60-day declaration lapsed in July. A second extension was granted by Congress, continuing the period of martial until December 31, 2018.

‘Justify extension’

President Duterte has to justify his request to extend martial law in Mindanao by one more year, Senator Richard Gordon said on Sunday, while conceding that the threats to security in the South remain apparent. “I always give the benefit of the doubt,” Gordon said even as the senator asserted that lawmakers need to be told why it has to be extended. See “ML extension,” A2

‘RETURN OF HISTORIC BELLS AFFIRMS U.S.-PHL TIES’ By Bernadette D. Nicolas @BNicolasBM

& Recto Mercene @rectomercene

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alacañang said on Sunday that President Duterte is expected to lead the handover ceremony of the historic Balangiga bells by the United States to the Philippines on December 11. “The Palace enthusiastically awaits the arrival of the Balangiga bells to the country on Tuesday, December 11,” Presidential Spokesman and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador S. Panelo said in a statement. It was the President who demand-

ed the return of the Balangiga bells to the Philippines during his second State of the Nation Address last year. “We consider the occasion as an affirmation of our strong and enduring relations with our long-standing ally, the United States, as we thank them for this gesture that would formally put a closure to a tragic and contentious episode in both our countries’ history,” Panelo said. The church bells left Wyoming on November 15 and are expected to be delivered to military officials during a ceremony at Villamor Air Base on Tuesday. Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez

said the bells would be flown from Okinawa, Japan, to Villamor Air Base. US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia Joseph Felter is expected to attend the handover ceremony. Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana confirmed the arrival of the church bells last week, although he is unsure of the type of the aircraft that would be used to transport the bells. Released photographs of the bells showed that the bells were taken away from the Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The bells were crated and wrapped before being loaded on a truck

bound for the airport.

‘War booty’ According to the web site of the Wyoming State Historical Society, two of the the three Balangiga bells have been on display at the F.E. Warren Air Force Base since 1905. The third bell was displayed at the US Army’s Camp Red Cloud in Uijeongbu, South Korea. The bells were taken by American soldiers from its perch on a church in Balangiga, Samar, in 1901. The church bells were used by Filipino revolutionaries to signal an attack on American soldiers. See “Historic bells,” A2

www.businessmirror.com.ph

DOF tells BIR, Customs to stop cigarette-making machines’ illegal entry By Rea Cu

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@ReaCuBM

HE Department of Finance (DOF) has reiterated its order to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to stop the illicit entry of cigarette-making machines in the country, to deter the making of counterfeit tobacco products. Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III issued the order after confirming with BIR Commissioner Caesar R. Dulay that the illegal tobacco trade has shifted from smuggling cigarettes to producing counterfeit brands here, using undocumented cigarette-making machines acquired from China. “What we have to stop is the import of the equipment, which is coming from China,” Dominguez said during a recent DOF Executive Committee (Execom) meeting. The finance chief instructed Dulay and BOC Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero to coordinate with Chinese officials to inform them about this new illicit scheme and to ask them to stop the export of cigarette-making machines to the Philippines without the proper documentation. Previous BIR raids showed that counterfeiters can manufacture fake versions of popular brands using smaller, more portable versions of the machines and devices for making cigarettes. “They have graduated from fake stamps to fake cigarettes,” Dulay

said during the meeting. Erring traders have apparently switched to manufacturing their own counterfeit cigarettes in lieu of smuggling legitimate products following the heightened joint BIR-BOC drive against suppliers of tobacco products with fake tax stamps, which was in compliance with Dominguez’s earlier orders. In response to Dominguez’s earlier directive, the BIR and BOC created a joint task force to crack down hard on sellers of smuggled and counterfeit cigarettes. In August Dominguez also directed both bureaus to dig deeper into the apparent smuggling into the country of machines used to manufacture counterfeit cigarettes. He instructed officials from both agencies to trace the manufacturer of the machines and travel to the probable country or countries of origin, to seek the cooperation of customs authorities in those countries of origin in finding the people behind the illegal entry of the cigarette-making units via Philippine ports. He also thumbed down a proposal to negotiate with those behind the illegal importation, and ordered the BIR not to give up the machines. The finance chief said the BIR should determine instead the penalties that should be imposed on those responsible for such illegal importation. The order was issued following the BIR’s report that cigarette-making See “Cigarette-making,” A2

Pinoy mathletes win 33 awards in India contest

Cryptocurrencies. . . Continued from A1

NORTHEAST MONSOON AFFECTING NORTHERN LUZON EASTERLIES AFFECTING THE REST OF THE COUNTRY as of 4:00 am - December 9, 2018

This leads him to believe that blockchain was all a hype. “Since June, July this year, almost all their activities stopped. The cryptocurrencies have collapsed. We doubt they will recover. It was a hype. It was a bubble,” Brazier said. “We remain skeptical about how important blockchain will be. In a way, it’s a shared spreadsheet, Excel file. There’s a lot of hype. Whether it really changes the world the way people hope, we doubt,” he added. Last year blockchain technology was forecast to have the potential to dramatically increase the security of cross-border financial transactions and logistics even in countries where these services are relatively underdeveloped. This technology has the potential to benefit the smallest firms in the poorest countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The rise of online marketplaces also provides platforms for MSMEs to access regional and global markets.

Thrice original size In 2017 the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said the use of cryptocurrencies in the Philippines has grown three times its size from when regulators first issued guidelines. From transactions valued at some $2 million a day in February this year, cryptocurrency transactions at present average $6 million daily instead, or an escalation by 200 percent. But cryptocurrencies, most notably Bitcoins, are hounded by issues of trust and are infamously volatile, which is why their adoption has not been as widespread as their supporters want them at this point. And this is also why the BSP is still evaluating the use of cryptocurrencies in local commercial transactions before allowing their unhampered use in the Philippines.

The victorious Philippine team at the awarding ceremony of the 8th International Youth Mathematicians Convention in Lucknow, India. Photo courtesy of MTG

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OUNG Filipino students have wrapped up 2018 on a high note, finishing overall first runner-up and winning 32 other awards in an international math contest in India. The contestants, composed of junior and senior high-school students, won six gold, seven silver and seven bronze medals in the individual competition, and 13 awards in the team, relay and math quiz in the 8th International Youth Mathematicians Convention (IYMC) held from December 1 to 7 in Lucknow, India, according to the Mathematics Trainers Guild-Philippines (MTG). In the individual competition, MTG said, the winners are:

Gold medal ■ Maria Leianna Yutig-Philippine Science High School (Southern Mindanao); ■ Victor Dominic Naraval-BHC Educational Institution; ■ Hans Benedict Gaw Te-Bacolod Tay Tung High School; ■ Patrick Niño Policarpio-Far Eastern University Senior High School; ■ Cristina Beatrice Mallari-St. Paul College-Pasig; and ■ Cristina Bianca Mallari-St. Paul College-Pasig.

Silver medal ■ Bernabe Dy III-Pangasinan Universal Institute;

■ Madelyn Esther Cruz-Philippine Science High School (Main); ■ Margaret Esther Cruz-Philippine Science High School (Main); ■ Wally Santos-Senator Renato Compañero Cayetano Memorial Science and Technology High School; ■ Sanielle Meliz Ong-Saint John’s Institute; ■ Sam Robertson Pelegrino-Upper Bicutan National High School; and ■ Mar Anderson Princer-De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute.

Bronze medal ■ Kyle Xander Co-Bethany Christian School; ■ Ronn Derick Simbol-BHC Educational Institution; ■ Victor Ruben Yu-University of Santo Tomas-Legazpi; ■ John Orbien Realuyo-University of Santo Tomas-Legazpi; ■ Azzedine Abrencillo-International School for Better Beginnings; ■ Iris Salangad-San Beda CollegeAlabang; and ■ Ma. Erica Therese Santos-Senator Renato Compañero Cayetano Memorial Science and Technology High School. The two Cruz sisters and Naraval, comprising team Senior-Philippines A, emerged as the overall first runnerup in the senior division after winning See “Pinoy mathletes,” A2

Editor: Efleda P. Campos

Companies BusinessMirror

Monday, December 10, 2018

B1

PNOC: Two power firms want to buy Malampaya banked gas

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By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

HE Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC) said last week two more power firms have expressed keen interest to purchase the remaining 97.67 petajoules (Pj) of Malampaya’s banked gas, valued at $700 million to $750 million, via a negotiated scheme. “We have positive developments for banked gas. Aside from two existing gas plants—First Gen and Ilijan—now, there are two new showing interest,” PNOC President Rueben Lista said. He did not identify the two interested firms. He only said “one is putting a plant in Limay and the other in Batangas.” “They are willing to negotiate with me on the price. They have been talking to me, but I requested them to submit an official of letter of intent, a proposal,” he added. For now, none of the four interested firms have submitted a

proposal to the PNOC. Limay LNG Power Corp. earlier told the Department of Energy (DOE) it is planning to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility for its own use, meaning the gas would be used to power its own power plant. The DOE earlier cleared the conduct of a grid impact study on its planned 1,100- megawatt (MW) LNG power plant in Batangas. Limay LNG had signed on foreign entities, including a unit of Anglo-Swiss commodity trader Glencore Plc., as partners in the project either to handle engineering, procurement and construction

(EPC) or project financing. The PNOC board authorized the PNOC management to enter into comprehensive discussions or negotiations below the $6.616 per gigajoules under the Ilijan gas-fired power plant’s gas and sale purchase agreement (GSPA) price with each offer and all other potential offers. Ilijan power plant has a contract with the Malampaya consortium that will expire in 2022. When asked how much PNOCwill sell the banked gas, Lista said negotiations would start from the Ilijan price and “even if it goes down a little bit, we still can make money.” The utilized banked gas accumulated when the 1,200-MW Ilijan power plant failed to fully utilize its contracted gas mainly due to dispatch constraint at the time when the plant was just in its initial years of operations. Lista had said that part of the banked gas was sold to Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) for P937,000 for 4.61 Pj and to Shell Philippines for P2.3 billion for P6.33 Pj. First Gen Corp. of the Lopez group had said it was willing to discuss with

the PNOC a reasonable price for the Malampaya banked gas. First Gen had actually submitted an offer to buy the government’s remaining 97.67 Pj of Malampaya banked gas at $3.48 per gigajoules. “We submitted an offer and we don’t know what happened with it. But we continue to maintain the position that if the banked gas is sold at a reasonable price, we could actually utilize it,” First Gen Director and EVP Richard Tantoco said. “It would be a source of relief for the consumer that’s reeling with inflation right now. It’s the right time to unleash that today for the consumer. “They have the authority to negotiate at a lower price,” Tantoco said. Should the government and First Gen enter into a deal, Tantoco said the banked gas would be utilized by its 414-MW San Gabriel gas plant. “The banked gas from PNOC will allow us to help government burn or it could be a stranded asset and then still offer the much-needed relief. San Gabriel, instead of drawing out of the existing agreements of the other plants, can draw on this,” Tantoco added.

Megaworld building tallest condo along Edsa Makati By VG Cabuag

@villygc

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ROPERTY developer Megaworld Corp. said it is building a new residential tower along Edsa in Makati, which it hopes will become the tallest residential development in the area. The 57-story Vion Tower will rise along Edsa corner Roces Avenue, within walking distance from the proposed Magallanes transport hub. “We want to offer residents

with the basics of condo living plus the convenience of smart technology and design innovation, which can be seen in the lobby and even in the amenities,” said Eugene Em Lozano, first vice president for sales and marketing of Megaworld Makati. It will offer units ranging from studio of up to 31 square meters, one bedroom of up to 51 square meters and two bedroom of up to 71 square meters, with some of them having their own balconies.

The project features amenities exclusive to its residents that include a 25-meter lap pool and wading pool, function hall, fitness center, outdoor fitness area, children’s playground, day-care center, relaxation lounge and a library. The residential tower will also have other facilities such as a system that allows the automated receiving, claiming and storage of parcels. Since it stands tall along Edsa and visible even as far as the Ninoy

Aquino International Airport (Naia) and Manila Bay, the tower is set to become a landmark in this side of Makati with its illuminated tower crown, the company said. The project is less than 10 minutes away from Naia via Skyway, less than 15 minutes away from Entertainment City and Manila Bay area, and only 20 minutes away from Quezon City via MRT. The MRT Magallanes station, where Megaworld also has a project, is a two-minute walk from the tower.

LTFRB approves 2 more TNCs

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HE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulator y Board (LTFRB) on Friday accredited two new transportation network companies (TNCs). These companies are Aztech Solution International Cor p., which has an app called Snappy Cab; and RYD Global Inc. with its app RYD Global. “With two new TNCs, there will be more choices for commuters,” the LTFRB said in a statement. Aztech Solution said it targets to provide 1,000 transportation network vehicle services (TNVS) units within the first 30 days of the activation of its mobile app. “We still have to activate our app now that we got the accreditation. Right now, it is not yet available in the app store. Our target initially for the first 30 days is 1,000 units,” Phillip Escudero, president of Aztech Solution, said during a press conference. To date, the LTFRB has accredited eight TNCs: Ipara Technologies and Solutions Inc., Hirna Mobility Solutions Inc., MICAB Systems Corp., E-Pick Me Up Inc., Go Lag Inc., Aztech Solution International Corp., RYD Global Inc. and Hype Transport Systems. The LTFRB is considering to increase the current supply base for TNVS units in Metro Manila set at 65,000 to accommodate the entry of new TNCs. PNA

COMPLEX LIFESTYLE STORE

A man passes by a Complex Lifestyle Store at the Shangri-La Plaza in Mandaluyong City.

NONOY LACZA

ABG shareholder asks SEC to stop backdoor listing of Tiger Resort

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SHAREHOLDER of listed firm Asiabest Group International Inc. (ABG) has asked the corporate regulator to stop the tender offer and the implementation of a backdoor listing by Tiger Resort Asia Ltd., the company that owns the operator of Okada Manila, the integrated resort and casino in Entertainment City. Carnell S. Valdez, in his complaint filed last week at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), claimed that Tiger Resort is committing fraud after it did not disclose there is an ongoing legal case involving ownership and control of Okada Holdings Ltd. Okada Holdings controls Hong

Kong-based Tiger Resort, which is trying to do a backdoor listing for about P646.5 million after certain controlling holders of Asiabest, comprising about 200 million shares, have sold their ownership for P3.23 per share. In his December 5 complaint filed before the SEC’s Market and Securities Regulation Department, Valdez asked the regulator to issue a ceaseand-desist order before December 14, or the time when the shares tendered will be effected through a special block sale at the Philippine Stock Exchange. The tender offer for all remaining shares of A BG commenced on November 12, and

ends on December 12. Okada Holdings is the controlling shareholder of Universal Entertainment Corp. which, in turn, is the 100-percent owner of Tiger Resort, that then wholly owns Tiger Resort Leisure and Entertainment Inc., the local company that operates Okada Manila. Japan’s gambling tycoon Kazuo Okada and his daughter Hiromi initiated civil and criminal proceedings in Hong Kong to regain control of Okada Holdings, and to secure criminal convictions for fraud and financial crimes against those responsible for the magnate’s ouster last year as director chairman of the holding company that he founded.

Converge open to supply agreement with Mislatel By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

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ONVERGE ICT Solutions Inc., which initially planned on battling for the title of the new major player in the local telco arena, is open to striking a capacity supply deal with third telco operator Mislatel Consortium. Jesus C. Romero, who sits as COO at Converge, said his group is mulling over the possibility of partnering with Mislatel to help it rapidly roll out its telco services across the different regions in the country. “We don’t see any problem working with Mislatel if they would require backbone, even international. It’s business. We’re open even if there was the group’s plan to bid; we are open to assisting anyone because it’s an existing business,” he said in an interview.

Currently, Romero said his group has a backbone extending all the way to Naga from Baguio. It will be extended to the Visayas in the next two years. Earlier, Mislatel Spokesman Adel A. Tamano said his group is “open to partnering...with smaller players...to leverage on their backbone.” Mislatel, which has until early February to complete its post-qualification requirements, won the third telco spot provisionally during the November 7 auction, committing to initially cover 37 percent of the whole Philippines with a minimum Internet speed of 27 Mbps through a P150-billion capital and operational expenditures budget. Its five-year commitment entails P257 billion in total money spent, which should provide for an 84-percent coverage with a minimum Internet speed of 55 Mbps.

Facebook Messenger fast becoming platform of choice around the world

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ACEBOOK Philippines on Friday said its Messenger platform alone has recorded a monthly message exchange of 10 billion worldwide, both for business and personal purposes. “Messaging is growing at a global scale and transforming expectations of businesses of any size to be more responsive, and build more meaningful connections with their customers,” said John Rubio, country director for Facebook Philippines, in a press briefing held in its Bonifacio Global City (BGC) office. “We see more and more people seeking store hours, product details and gift ideas. People are booking dinner reservations and plane tickets, receiving boarding passes, sharing feedback and more, all through messaging apps,” Rubio added. Rubio said the Philippines is one of the global indicators of mobile communications, citing that messaging has tremendously improved with the enhancement of mobile technology. “Even small to medium businesses [SMBs] in the Philippines have realized the importance of using Facebook Messenger in their business transactions,” he said. In a study, Filipinos rank second for the longest amount of time spent on the Internet daily while spending an average of four hours and eight minutes online on their mobile phones, Moreover, 87 percent of Filipino Internet users are on social media. Across eight markets surveyed globally, Rubio said 80 percent of adults message daily, with 67 percent of respondents saying they saw an increase in their use of messaging apps in the past two years. About 51 percent of respondents admitted that messaging has come to replace other forms of communication in their daily lives. Rubio said messaging emerged as the preferred mode of communi-

cation over making a call or sending an e-mail for 64 percent of respondents in a Facebook-commissioned Nielsen study. The majority of people surveyed who said they message businesses do so throughout their consumer journey. Over 81 percent of people messaged businesses to ask about a product or service and over 74 percent messaged to make a purchase. When it came to customer service concerns, over 76 percent used messaging to ask for product or service support, while more than 79 percent messaged to give feedback on a product or service. Rubio said people are more confident in using Facebook Messenger over more traditional customerservice channels, stressing that over 58 percent of people surveyed feel more confident messaging a business than calling them on the phone. Over 58 percent feel more confident messaging than filling out a form on a web site, and over 55 percent feel more confident messaging than e-mailing a business. For businesses in the Philippines, being able to ride this shift in communication style can mean the difference between failure and success. Though nearly 7 out of 10 businesses surveyed felt they are able to communicate effectively with consumers, only 2 in 10 surveyed customers agree. “With messaging, we see an opportunity to connect more meaningfully with things that people are passionate about. What we’ve seen is that messaging shortens the distance between people and what they want—whether it is for businesses or communities that want to drive conversations, make transactions, or simply take better care of their customers,” Rubio added. The top 3 online activities of Filipinos are chatting/messaging (81 percent), browsing/posting on social media (77 percent) and watching videos (49 percent). Rizal Raoul S. Reyes

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Companies BusinessMirror

Monday, December 10, 2018

PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

December 7, 2018

Net Foreign Stocks Bid Ask Open High Low Close Volume Value Trade (Peso) Buy (Sell) FINANCIALS ASIA UNITED 58.95 59 58.95 58.95 58.95 58.95 1220 71919 BDO UNIBANK 133.2 133.3 133 133.7 131.2 133.2 3008270 400,626,469( 153,804,185.9999) BANK PH ISLANDS 93.95 94.25 93.4 94.85 93.4 94.25 1746470 164525423 71473749.5 CHINABANK 27.7 27.75 27.8 27.8 27.5 27.7 276700 7645170 2795430 EAST WEST BANK 11.98 12 12.1 12.18 11.82 11.98 463500 5539102 -638516 METROBANK 79 79.8 79 79.8 77.5 79.8 2049210 161976457 105142984.5 PB BANK 11.1 11.4 11.1 11.1 11 11.1 157800 1751510 7700 PHIL NATL BANK 43 43.5 43.1 44 43 43.5 35100 1530650 911955 PSBANK 71.7 72.7 74 74 72.7 72.7 560 40725 -32715 RCBC 28.4 28.5 28.35 28.5 28.35 28.5 2000 56795 SECURITY BANK 159.4 160 161.2 162 158.1 160 144250 23073003 1320383 UNION BANK 65.9 65.95 66.9 66.9 65.9 65.95 8560 567024 -116957 BRIGHT KINDLE 1.51 1.52 1.51 1.51 1.51 1.51 10000 15100 BDO LEASING 2.15 2.21 2.29 2.32 2.15 2.15 1075000 2319970 COL FINANCIAL 15.7 15.8 15.9 15.9 15.7 15.7 32000 502460 -31458 FERRONOUX HLDG 3.89 4.01 3.94 4.04 3.87 4.01 46000 182080 IREMIT 1.39 1.46 1.37 1.46 1.37 1.45 81000 112350 MEDCO HLDG 0.45 0.48 0.45 0.48 0.45 0.48 300000 136100 NTL REINSURANCE 0.89 0.92 0.88 0.92 0.88 0.92 717000 650350 -0 PHIL STOCK EXCH 178 179 178.5 180 177 177 160 28433 SUN LIFE 1810 1825 1815 1820 1810 1810 260 471365 -162950 VANTAGE 1.14 1.21 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 50000 60000 INDUSTRIAL ALSONS CONS 1.23 1.26 1.28 1.28 1.24 1.26 135000 167880 ABOITIZ POWER 32.5 33 33 33.15 32 33 962300 31263775 -2730380 BASIC ENERGY 0.248 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.248 0.25 1180000 293770 154160 FIRST GEN 19.3 19.32 19.2 19.48 19.2 19.32 4507800 87213364 35354464 FIRST PHIL HLDG 65 65.1 64.75 65.1 63.05 65 248360 16131313 -2997051 PHIL H2O 5.05 5.25 5.16 5.27 5.02 5.05 210000 1070949 MERALCO 376 376.8 380 381 375.4 376 154800 58439996 -1613836 MANILA WATER 27.9 28 27.7 28 27.5 28 454000 12698855 10918535 PETRON 8.33 8.34 8.36 8.38 8.21 8.34 1766100 14709444 -569452 PETROENERGY 3.96 3.99 3.98 3.99 3.96 3.96 16000 63660 PHINMA ENERGY 0.89 0.9 0.89 0.92 0.89 0.9 2477000 2230100 -1901800 PHX PETROLEUM 10.82 10.84 11 11 10.8 10.8 41500 449758 -31900 PILIPINAS SHELL 48.4 48.45 48.5 48.8 48.05 48.45 5820800 280844185 1245615 SPC POWER 5.16 5.21 5.15 5.23 5.05 5.15 727000 3747181 541900 VIVANT 16.06 17 16.9 16.9 16.9 16.9 4700 79430 AGRINURTURE 17.34 17.4 17.2 17.58 17.2 17.4 254900 4442338 70808 CENTURY FOOD 14.84 15.22 15 15.3 14.8 14.84 142800 2160358 530290 DEL MONTE 6.54 6.7 6.6 6.7 6.55 6.55 71200 466455 DNL INDUS 10.2 10.26 10.42 10.42 10.02 10.2 5092200 51863982 -3814352 EMPERADOR 6.97 6.98 6.96 6.98 6.95 6.98 259900 1809055 -1692128 SMC FOODANDBEV 84.1 84.15 84.2 84.25 84.15 84.15 689470 58039385.5 25590419.5 ALLIANCE SELECT 1.01 1.02 1.02 1.03 1 1.02 3924000 3973020 5200 GINEBRA 24.15 24.5 24.15 24.5 23.6 24.2 35200 848635 JOLLIBEE 294.8 295 295.6 296 294 295 574500 169505856 40426592 MAXS GROUP 9.93 9.99 9.95 9.95 9.9 9.95 293800 2921604 -1502050 MG HLDG 0.162 0.172 0.17 0.17 0.162 0.162 3710000 611890 84500 PEPSI COLA 1.39 1.4 1.35 1.4 1.35 1.39 284000 396660 -303610 SHAKEYS PIZZA 10.46 10.5 10.5 10.5 10.46 10.46 7700 80786 -55650 ROXAS AND CO 1.83 1.87 1.84 1.9 1.83 1.87 60000 111150 RFM CORP 4.72 4.8 4.8 4.8 4.7 4.8 16000 76650 -9450 ROXAS HLDG 2.69 2.84 2.67 2.67 2.67 2.67 1000 2670 SWIFT FOODS 0.123 0.127 0.122 0.122 0.122 0.122 500000 61000 UNIV ROBINA 127 127.3 129.8 129.8 126.5 127 529680 67368859 11287789 VITARICH 1.83 1.84 1.8 1.85 1.77 1.84 8931000 16297720 187890 CONCRETE A 60.6 64.95 64.95 64.95 60.65 60.65 2010 122106.5 CONCRETE B 78.05 78.1 78.1 78.1 78.1 78.1 30 2343 -2343 CEMEX HLDG 1.66 1.67 1.65 1.68 1.64 1.66 2363000 3928160 -1833760 DAVINCI CAPITAL 6.5 6.53 6.89 7.12 6.41 6.5 513300 3437578 EAGLE CEMENT 14.82 15.04 14.96 14.96 14.8 14.88 65800 977324 -402994 EEI CORP 8.13 8.3 8.3 8.49 8.09 8.12 233300 1899692 92382 HOLCIM 6.2 6.25 6 6.25 6 6.2 35300 217041 MEGAWIDE 18.5 18.58 18.4 18.72 18.4 18.58 338300 6274016 1452357.9997 PHINMA 8.23 8.67 8.3 8.3 8.21 8.23 19000 157050 TKC METALS 0.81 0.86 0.83 0.86 0.82 0.83 31000 25970 VULCAN INDL 1.74 1.75 1.9 1.93 1.71 1.74 33352000 60688040 413610 CROWN ASIA 1.71 1.76 1.71 1.78 1.7 1.76 168000 294560 24110 LMG CHEMICALS 4.04 4.3 4.3 4.3 4.3 4.3 3000 12900 MABUHAY VINYL 3.17 3.21 3.22 3.22 3.21 3.21 20000 64230 -64230 PRYCE CORP 5.2 5.21 5.22 5.22 5.2 5.2 80000 416620 -104120 CONCEPCION 37.05 37.45 37.5 37.5 37.5 37.5 100 3750 GREENERGY 2.12 2.13 2.16 2.16 2.08 2.13 7634000 16118090 773600 INTEGRATED MICR 9.07 9.09 9.2 9.21 9 9.07 2438200 22148027 5404459 IONICS 1.73 1.74 1.78 1.78 1.72 1.74 353000 611900 SFA SEMICON 1.46 1.47 1.48 1.48 1.4 1.47 97000 141640 CIRTEK HLDG 31.95 32.5 33.2 33.2 32 32.5 369900 11959035 96175 HOLDING & FRIMS ABACORE CAPITAL 0.62 0.64 0.64 0.66 0.62 0.62 21538000 13722430 176280 ASIABEST GROUP 28.1 28.85 30 31.9 26.8 28.85 1117400 33213215 -390855 AYALA CORP 910 920 930 935.5 910 910 431280 394996705 -236841100 ABOITIZ EQUITY 50.3 50.6 53.45 53.45 50.3 50.3 1009550 51821274 -864400 ALLIANCE GLOBAL 11.76 11.86 11.76 11.88 11.62 11.86 7171100 84476084 14448878 ANSCOR 6.3 6.42 6.42 6.42 6.42 6.42 100 642 642 ANGLO PHIL HLDG 0.81 0.86 0.87 0.87 0.86 0.86 74000 64070 ATN HLDG A 1.37 1.38 1.37 1.43 1.36 1.37 6526000 9009600 ATN HLDG B 1.37 1.4 1.4 1.42 1.36 1.37 2318000 3225380 720799.9997 COSCO CAPITAL 7.35 7.37 7.31 7.65 7.2 7.35 6993000 51713131 55651 DMCI HLDG 12.58 12.6 12.58 12.7 12.56 12.58 4857500 61294764 -23581070 FILINVEST DEV 9.81 9.95 9.96 10.08 9.6 9.81 781600 7796648 684192 GT CAPITAL 920 921 949 960 920 920 54190 50721035 23848770 JG SUMMIT 50.1 50.4 52 52 49.05 50.1 3133530 158687622.5 -12618410.5 JOLLIVILLE HLDG 5.5 5.89 5.26 5.5 5.26 5.5 29200 160384 LODESTAR 0.54 0.56 0.57 0.57 0.54 0.54 165000 93820 LOPEZ HLDG 4.13 4.14 4.2 4.22 4.13 4.13 1356000 5663590 623170 LT GROUP 16.9 16.94 17.1 17.3 16.8 16.94 4390700 75034456 -696312 MABUHAY HLDG 0.6 0.62 0.59 0.62 0.59 0.62 538000 330660 81600 METRO PAC INV 4.76 4.77 4.78 4.8 4.75 4.77 22402000 106811140 -1391880 PACIFICA 0.038 0.039 0.04 0.04 0.038 0.038 44000000 1692100 PRIME ORION 2.4 2.42 2.44 2.44 2.4 2.4 441000 1062240 24000 PRIME MEDIA 1.17 1.24 1.2 1.24 1.2 1.24 30000 36860 -2400 SM INVESTMENTS 940 940.5 946 957.5 935 940 219040 206229825 1480745 SAN MIGUEL CORP 162.2 163.5 169.2 169.2 161 162.2 786390 128765296 -67328147 SEAFRONT RES 2.23 2.57 2.23 2.23 2.23 2.23 2000 4460 TOP FRONTIER 275.2 280 280 280 273 280 2400 657720 27926 WELLEX INDUS 0.26 0.265 0.245 0.27 0.245 0.265 16900000 4401020 13000 PROPERTY ARTHALAND CORP 0.56 0.57 0.57 0.58 0.56 0.56 1100000 622010 ANCHOR LAND 10 10.56 10.14 10.56 10 10.56 4100 41330 11054 AYALA LAND 40.75 41.2 41.55 41.95 40.15 40.75 10825500 444541925 -108436290 ARANETA PROP 1.7 1.74 1.75 1.75 1.7 1.7 229000 390370 BELLE CORP 2.38 2.4 2.4 2.42 2.36 2.39 500000 1191020 -178460 A BROWN 0.75 0.78 0.78 0.79 0.75 0.77 763000 587430 11550 CITYLAND DEVT 0.85 0.89 0.87 0.89 0.86 0.89 22000 19130 CROWN EQUITIES 0.232 0.233 0.226 0.238 0.226 0.233 8090000 1877310 CEBU HLDG 6 6.01 6 6.03 6 6 88900 534142 346774 CEB LANDMASTERS 4 4.05 4.05 4.05 4 4.05 143000 577890 CENTURY PROP 0.405 0.41 0.4 0.41 0.4 0.405 7620000 3053050 783900 CYBER BAY 0.34 0.35 0.34 0.34 0.34 0.34 110000 37400 DOUBLEDRAGON 17.7 17.8 18.22 18.22 17.66 17.7 388400 6972650 283574 DM WENCESLAO 8 8.04 7.99 8.05 7.93 8.04 179000 1432686 EMPIRE EAST 0.48 0.485 0.51 0.51 0.485 0.485 806000 391735 -63700 EVER GOTESCO 0.111 0.124 0.119 0.12 0.119 0.12 600000 71890 FILINVEST LAND 1.5 1.51 1.49 1.51 1.48 1.51 13100000 19707690 5478760 GLOBAL ESTATE 1.08 1.09 1.08 1.12 1.07 1.09 367000 397080 8990 HLDG 7.65 7.74 7.75 7.75 7.6 7.74 854300 6601811 -7550 PHIL INFRADEV 2.39 2.4 2.36 2.39 2.33 2.39 6631000 15641250 21260 MEGAWORLD 4.79 4.8 4.79 4.8 4.79 4.8 7783000 37327540 18711520 MRC ALLIED 0.41 0.415 0.415 0.42 0.4 0.415 52250000 21343250 -28950 PHIL ESTATES 0.475 0.48 0.475 0.485 0.475 0.48 800000 385250 PRIMEX CORP 3.76 3.8 3.82 3.84 3.76 3.8 386000 1471440 -426610 ROBINSONS LAND 21 21.1 21.6 21.8 20.8 21 831200 17616395 -155105 PHIL REALTY 0.39 0.4 0.385 0.385 0.385 0.385 20000 7700 ROCKWELL 1.99 2 1.99 2 1.99 2 16000 31970 SHANG PROP 3.09 3.12 3.1 3.1 3.09 3.09 25000 77440 -30940 STA LUCIA LAND 1.21 1.22 1.19 1.22 1.16 1.22 3615000 4303800 SM PRIME HLDG 35.9 36 35.45 36.2 35.45 36 4139200 148302020 -45351295 STARMALLS 5.36 5.4 5.7 5.7 5.35 5.4 389000 2107018 SUNTRUST HOME 0.72 0.73 0.73 0.73 0.72 0.72 110000 80200 VISTA LAND 5.12 5.14 5.18 5.2 5.11 5.14 11992800 61671269 -42531910 SERVICES ABS CBN 19.9 19.92 20 20.45 19.9 19.92 34500 689962 GMA NETWORK 5.3 5.32 5.29 5.33 5.26 5.3 34400 181383 MANILA BULLETIN 0.335 0.345 0.33 0.345 0.33 0.345 50000 16650 MLA BRDCASTING 16.2 18 18 18 18 18 1100 19800 GLOBE TELECOM 2058 2076 2090 2098 2048 2076 61625 127969440 38066810 PLDT 1165 1175 1188 1198 1165 1165 63700 74790335 -20016455 APOLLO GLOBAL 0.039 0.04 0.04 0.041 0.039 0.04 38100000 1511800 IMPERIAL 2.02 2.09 2.02 2.29 2.02 2.09 573000 1225010 ISLAND INFO 0.108 0.113 0.116 0.116 0.108 0.114 1360000 148260 ISM COMM 5.56 5.57 5.83 5.85 5.4 5.56 26139300 147158667 -1059919 JACKSTONES 3.07 3.4 3.36 3.43 3.33 3.43 5000 16840 NOW CORP 3.63 3.64 3.85 3.91 3.64 3.64 4588000 17307850 -1023650 TRANSPACIFIC BR 0.41 0.415 0.42 0.44 0.41 0.41 66380000 28207550 111950 PHILWEB 3.01 3.05 3.28 3.31 3.01 3.01 2261000 7017730 -998210 2GO GROUP 10.9 11 11.46 11.46 10.9 11 31000 341166 CEBU AIR 74.65 75 72.2 75.4 72.2 74.65 459010 34304583 4157753 CHELSEA 6.56 6.57 6.66 6.66 6.55 6.57 2377800 15652321 58296 INTL CONTAINER 94.3 94.5 93.5 94.95 93.5 94.5 919630 86619779.5 30186733 LORENZO SHIPPNG 0.74 0.78 0.79 0.79 0.76 0.76 12000 9170 MACROASIA 14.56 14.58 14.66 14.78 14.58 14.58 555300 8150530 99220 METROALLIANCE A 2.32 2.33 2.26 2.42 2.16 2.32 1321000 3025620 METROALLIANCE B 2.2 2.32 2.33 2.42 2.33 2.35 7000 16480 PAL HLDG 8.2 8.54 8.2 8.54 8.19 8.54 12400 101740 HARBOR STAR 3.28 3.29 3.38 3.38 3.27 3.29 1230000 4073380 -300130 ACESITE HOTEL 1.32 1.46 1.48 1.55 1.45 1.46 260000 387830 DISCOVERY WORLD 2.38 2.42 2.38 2.42 2.38 2.42 4000 9600 WATERFRONT 0.67 0.68 0.71 0.71 0.67 0.68 2284000 1564310 CENTRO ESCOLAR 7.74 7.95 7.95 7.95 7.95 7.95 100 795 IPEOPLE 10.2 11.58 11.66 11.66 11.64 11.64 3000 34958 STI HLDG 0.63 0.64 0.67 0.67 0.63 0.64 6553000 4200090 -639650 BERJAYA 2.69 2.7 2.63 2.72 2.58 2.69 6678000 17717150 -73270 BLOOMBERRY 8.02 8.08 8.29 8.39 8.02 8.02 8582800 70,040,238( 37,547,817.0002) PACIFIC ONLINE 9.53 10.34 10.02 10.06 10.02 10.02 37200 373020 LEISURE AND RES 3.49 3.51 3.5 3.54 3.49 3.49 268000 938460 MANILA JOCKEY 5.24 5.51 5.25 5.52 5.25 5.51 62700 329678 MELCO RESORTS 7.25 7.26 7.25 7.26 7.25 7.25 31786800 230454992 213766250 PREMIUM LEISURE 0.75 0.76 0.76 0.77 0.73 0.75 13536000 10132010 -30780 TRAVELLERS 5.25 5.26 5.24 5.26 5.24 5.26 141200 740400 -101181 METRO RETAIL 2.21 2.28 2.29 2.3 2.21 2.28 642000 1446750 -112140 PUREGOLD 42.65 42.75 42.85 42.85 42.65 42.75 2444400 104496685 9767140 ROBINSONS RTL 71.5 72 72.3 72.3 70 71.5 1863590 132995063.5 -76474468.5 PHIL SEVEN CORP 116 117 117 117 112 116.9 181330 21203437 529895 SSI GROUP 2.38 2.4 2.34 2.41 2.34 2.38 4761000 11388070 -1105280 WILCON DEPOT 12.2 12.26 12.28 12.36 12.18 12.26 2274300 27847328 639592 APC GROUP 0.4 0.405 0.415 0.415 0.4 0.405 1750000 706550 165350 EASYCALL 19.52 19.54 19.22 20.2 18.72 19.52 290100 5657790 -870 GOLDEN BRIA 315 319 314 324.8 314 319 860 275362 45564 IPM HLDG 7.18 7.2 7.2 7.2 7.2 7.2 11000 79200 PRMIERE HORIZON 0.315 0.32 0.32 0.32 0.315 0.315 590000 187300 SBS PHIL CORP 7.44 7.7 7.5 7.8 7.45 7.45 25600 193745 MINING & OIL ATOK 15.02 16 16.1 16.1 16 16 800 12820 APEX MINING 1.61 1.62 1.66 1.67 1.6 1.62 3485000 5631100 ABRA MINING 0.0019 0.002 0.0019 0.002 0.0019 0.002 976000000 1929400 ATLAS MINING 2.51 2.88 2.6 2.6 2.51 2.51 118000 296360 -15060 BENGUET A 1.13 1.2 1.16 1.16 1.16 1.16 20000 23200 BENGUET B 1.13 1.54 1.13 1.13 1.13 1.13 16000 18080 COAL ASIA HLDG 0.29 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 10000 3000 CENTURY PEAK 1.91 1.94 1.9 1.92 1.9 1.91 588000 1126850 DIZON MINES 7.11 7.12 7.49 7.49 7.11 7.12 1800 12936 FERRONICKEL 1.69 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.67 1.7 1309000 2206440 35530 LEPANTO A 0.095 0.098 0.094 0.098 0.094 0.095 1460000 140200 LEPANTO B 0.102 0.108 0.108 0.108 0.108 0.108 10000 1080 MANILA MINING A 0.0069 0.0078 0.0076 0.0076 0.0076 0.0076 2000000 15200 MARCVENTURES 1.07 1.08 1.08 1.08 1.08 1.08 24000 25920 NIHAO 1.07 1.11 1.06 1.12 1.06 1.07 259000 286720 NICKEL ASIA 2.22 2.23 2.29 2.29 2.22 2.23 5672000 12758660 -5601060 ORNTL PENINSULA 1 1.01 0.95 1.03 0.95 1.01 5949000 5978020 -627280 PX MINING 2.81 2.82 2.88 2.88 2.78 2.82 959000 2691470 -244290 SEMIRARA MINING 24.5 24.75 25 25.75 24.5 24.55 2140200 53473015 -23895395 UNITED PARAGON 0.0059 0.006 0.0062 0.0064 0.006 0.006 31000000 188000 ORNTL PETROL A 0.012 0.013 0.012 0.013 0.012 0.012 398700000 4792100 ORNTL PETROL B 0.012 0.013 0.012 0.012 0.012 0.012 1800000 21600 PHILODRILL 0.011 0.012 0.012 0.012 0.012 0.012 61000000 732000 PHINMA PETRO 3.24 3.39 3.42 3.42 3.17 3.24 43000 138960 PXP ENERGY 15.7 15.76 16.2 16.2 15.58 15.7 1562200 24699426 -2920120 PREFFERED HOUSE PREF A AC PREF B1 DD PREF FGEN PREF G GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B LR PREF PCOR PREF 2B SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2I

96 456 98 102 853 901 1 970 75.9 76.5 74.7 72.7 73.9

PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS

ABS HLDG PDR GMA HLDG PDR

18.82 5.07

97 460 98.9 103 940 925 1.02 1010 75.95 76.6 75 74.5 74.8

94.55 469 98.9 102 940 910 1 952 75.95 76.6 74.65 74.5 73.9

94.55 469 98.9 103 940 925 1 952 75.95 76.6 75 74.5 74.8

94.55 460 98.9 102 940 910 1 952 75.95 76.6 74.6 72.5 73.9

94.55 460 98.9 103 940 925 1 952 75.95 76.6 75 74.5 73.9

100 40 170 3100 10 120 225000 10 3000 29030 58850 13910 20150

9455 18580 16813 316300 9400 109350 225000 9520 227850 2223698 4406372.5 1017343 1489220

-

19 5.24

19.1 5.2

19.1 5.25

18.82 5.2

18.82 5.24

57300 18100

1086618 94785

-1086618 94260

WARRANTS LR WARRANT

2.01

SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

ITALPINAS 4.61 XURPAS 1.25

2.03

1.99

2.05

1.99

2.05

42000

85010

-

4.65 1.26

4.67 1.34

4.67 1.35

4.6 1.21

4.61 1.25

186000 11429000

859400 14492220

-860310

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS FIRST METRO ETF

111.5

111.7

112.5

112.5

111.5

111.5

6290

703428

-31268

Editor: Efleda P. Campos

Citicore to again supply Citystate Centre Condo 2.6 MW of power

C

By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

ITICORE Energy Solutions Inc. (CESI), the retail electricity supply unit of Citicore Renewable Energy Corp. (CREC), will again provide Citystate Centre Condominium Corp. 2.6 megawatts (MW) of power.

This developed after both firms signed a renewal of their supply contract. “We are pleased to be sourcing

our power requirements once again from Citicore Energy Solutions Inc. This agreement reinforces our commitment to contract clean renewable

energy for our consumption as it is a practical business solution that can help lower operating costs,” Citystate President Rodolfo Zapanta said. CESI President Manolo Candelaria said the renewal of the contract is “proof of the company’s success in delivering not just clean and competitively priced power supply, but also excellent customer service.” “We are grateful for the trust and support that Citystate had given us. We strive to continue improving our services and to further strengthen our partnership moving forward. We are looking forward to a long term and fruitful partnership with Citystate,” Candelaria said.

The contract was done under the Retail Competition and Open Access scheme which allows large electricity consumers in Luzon and the Visayas with an average monthly peak demand of at least 1 MW to have the option to seek their own power suppliers. CESI also supplies power to the Ayala Group and the Mactan-Cebu International Airport. CREC has more than 100 MW existing capacity from its eight solarpower plants in Bataan, Bulacan, Cebu, Negros Occidental, Pampanga and South Cotabato. It is also working on several biomass and hydropower projects in the pipeline.

Makati solon: PHL could match Korea’s Internet speed in 18 months

W

ITHIN 18 months, Filipinos will likely enjoy an average Internet connection speed of at least 25 Megabits per second (Mbps) on their mobile phones, or up to five times the current speed, Makati City Rep. Luis Campos Jr. said over the weekend. “Competition can create wonders. We should soon be where South Korea is now in terms of average mobile Internet connection speed, with the Mislatel Consortium in play,” said Campos, a deputy minority leader. The two dominant telecommunications players—PLDT Inc. and Globe Telecom Inc.—would be driven to deliver faster connections to aggressively defend their market shares even before Mislatel actually starts offering its own In-

ternet services, Campos said. “We reckon that PLDT and Globe may each have to spend up to P65 billion every year starting 2019 to stay ahead and quickly build up their capacities to supply superior Internet connections,” Campos said. “To include Mislatel’s pledge to invest at least P50 billion yearly to put up its own network, we are thus easily looking at up to P180 billion in combined annual capital spending from the three players to advance the nation’s telecommunications infrastructure,” Campos said. In a research note, online stockbroker COL Financial Group Inc. said the Mislatel Consortium “has the financial muscle to execute its plan and will most likely engage in a price war [with PLDT

STOCK-MARKET OUTLOOK LAST WEEK

SHARE prices inched higher last week with the main index reached as high as 7,500 points, despite global equities being down on renewed fears on the US-China trade war. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index gained 93.21 points to close at 7,461.06. The market started the week strong, up more than 4 percent during trading on Monday and Tuesday. But it started to lose traction on the third day of trading after a minor correction. “The following day, the world was shocked on the news that Meng Wanzhou, CFO of Huawei, was arrested in Canada and will be extradited to the US on unknown charges. Any positivity from the truce was immediately erased and markets were quick to react,” said Christopher Mangun, research head at Eagle Equities Inc. Foreign investors were net buyers for the week at P800.36 million, while average trading value for the week was at P7.95 billion. Among the subindices, only the Mining and Oil index was down by 76.4 points to close at 8,411.23 points, while all others ended on the green. The broader All Shares index was up 54.55 points to 4,495.88; the Financials index rose 37.04 to 1,785.29; the Industrial index climbed 186.38 to 10,841.52; the Holding Firms index gained 58.88 to 7,289.78; the Property index added 45.12 to 3,646.26; and the Services index expanded 10.74 to 1,412.29. Gainers led losers 138 to 81 and 22 shares were unchanged. Top gainers were Asiabest Group International Inc., Metro Alliance Holdings and Equities Corp. B, Jolliville Holdings Corp., Imperial Resources Inc., Metro Alliance Holdings and Equities Corp. A and Da Vinci Capital Holdings Inc. Top losers were Liberty Flour Mills Inc., ISM Communications Corp., Manila Mining Corp. B, Filipino Fund Inc., Millennium Global Holdings Inc. and ATN Holdings A and B shares.

THIS WEEK

SHARE prices may be down this week as the renewed US-China trade war may dampen market sentiment. “Closing above the 7,500 key level will be the goal for next week. Once this is done, the next target will be 7,800 and then 8,000 before the end of the month. We are still banking on the fact that a ‘santa rally’ is in the making,” Mangun said. Meanwhile, online broker 2TradeAsia said that if conditions go well, the market may maintain its momentum by next week. “The only condition that could jolt this trend is if the US-China trade issue spirals anew and nerve-breaking calls are made in Opec [Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries],” the broker said. It sees immediate support for the main index at 7,400.

STOCK PICKS

BROKER Regina Capital and Development Corp. recommended to sell during rallies on the stock of First Gen Corp. after it has been on an uptrend for several days. “All indicators are showing strong bullish indicators,” the broker said, placing a weekly target on the stock at P19.15 per share. Fgen shares closed on Friday at P19.32. The broker advised to buy shares of Universal Robina Corp., but only when its support price of between P125.06 and P121.20 holds. “URC managed to close lower than its initial support level of P128. The stock has been trading below both its short- and long-term moving averages for quite some time now. The weakness shows that the momentum is not strong enough,” the broker said. URC shares closed last week at P127 apiece. VG Cabuag

and Globe] to grab market share.” “Deep pockets” would enable Mislatel “to operate at a loss for a long period,” COL said, adding that the consortium’s foreign partner, China Telecom Corp., “generated the equivalent of P146 billion in profits in 2017.” “Once Mislatel starts offering its services in Metro Manila, consumers could end up shifting subscriptions

mutual funds

every now and then, depending on which of the three players provides the best Internet connection in terms of speed and price,” Campos said. Mislatel has committed to invest an aggregate of P257 billion between 2019 and 2023, and to deliver a minimum-average Internet connection speed of 27 Mbps in its first year of operation and 55 Mbps by the fifth year.

December 7, 2018

NAV One Year Three Year Five Year Y-T-D per share Return* Return Stock Funds ALFM Growth Fund, Inc * 254.41 -8.94% 1.09% 2.55% -13.23% ATRAM Alpha Opportunity Fund, Inc.* 1.407 -10.16% 5.36% 2.75% -11.89% ATRAM Philippine Equity Opportunity Fund, Inc.* 3.9279 -10.41% 2.23% 1.15% -14.48% Climbs Share Capital Equity Investment Fund Corp.* 0.8975 -10.87% n.a. n.a. -11.75% First Metro Consumer Fund on MSCI Phils. IMI, Inc. * ********* 0.8358 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. First Metro Save and Learn Equity Fund,Inc.* 5.2882 -8.9% -0.11% 1.88% -12.05% MBG Equity Investment Fund, Inc. * ****** 115.79 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. One Wealthy Nation Fund, Inc.* 0.8389 -14.14% n.a. n.a. -15.49% PAMI Equity Index Fund, Inc.* 49.6975 -7.43% 2.12% n.a. -11.87% Philam Strategic Growth Fund, Inc.* 518.98 -7.66% 0.91% 1.99% -11.81% Philequity Dividend Yield Fund, Inc.* 1.2686 -5.9% 2.65% n.a. -9.66% Philequity Fund, Inc.* 36.979 -6.13% 3.09% 4.66% -10.02% Philequity PSE Index Fund Inc.* 5.0074 -7.09% 2.92% 4.44% -11.75% Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp.* 836.37 -6.92% 2.7% 4.5% -11.56% Soldivo Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. * 0.8682 -6.26% 0.39% n.a. -10.23% Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund, Inc.* 4.1213 -5.91% 2.61% 2.88% -10.02% Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Stock Index Fund, Inc.* 0.9637 -7.32% 2.71% n.a. -11.85% United Fund, Inc.* 3.5389 -4.72% 4.01% 3.23% -9.12% Exchange Traded Fund First Metro Phil. Equity Exchange Traded Fund, Inc.* ***111.7564 -6.6% 3.86% n.a. -11.27% ATRAM AsiaPlus Equity Fund, Inc.** $0.963 -11.15% 2.33% -0.18% -13.11% Sun Life Prosperity World Voyager Fund, Inc.* $1.203 -2.93% n.a. n.a. -4.92% Balanced Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ATRAM Dynamic Allocation Fund, Inc.* 1.6623 -7.67% -1.22% -1.05% -10.8% ATRAM Philippine Balanced Fund, Inc.* 2.2098 -7.61% 1.14% 0.87% -10.06% First Metro Save and Learn Balanced Fund Inc.* 2.5368 -6.23% -2.33% -1.46% -8.42% Grepalife Balanced Fund Corporation* **** 1.313 -7.22% n.a. n.a. -9.75% NCM Mutual Fund of the Phils., Inc* 1.8478 -4.18% 1.2% 1.99% -7.26% PAMI Horizon Fund, Inc.* 3.5503 -6.42% -0.01% 1.23% -9.39% Philam Fund, Inc.* 15.9789 -6.18% 0.07% 1.09% -8.99% Solidaritas Fund, Inc.* ******** 2.0758 -4.93% 1.28% 2.63% -7.42% Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Balanced Fund, Inc.* 3.6917 -4.83% 1.05% 1.35% -7.62% Sun Life Prosperity Dynamic Fund, Inc.* 0.9349 -5.49% 0.35% n.a. -8.37% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities Cocolife Dollar Fund Builder, Inc.* $0.03497 -3.26% -0.44% 1.37% -3.13% PAMI Asia Balanced Fund, Inc.* $0.9545 -7.81% 2.18% -1.07% -8.83% Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Advantage Fund, Inc.* $3.4996 -2.75% 3.76% 2.17% -4.19% Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Wellspring Fund, Inc.* $1.038 -5.95% n.a. n.a. -6.67% Bond Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ALFM Peso Bond Fund, Inc.* 342.74 1.82% 2.06% 1.71% 1.67% ATRAM Corporate Bond Fund, Inc.* ******* 1.8535 -1.94% -0.71% -0.66% -2.05% Cocolife Fixed Income Fund, Inc.* 2.9612 5.46% 5.36% 5.25% 4.93% Ekklesia Mutual Fund Inc.* 2.1285 1.12% 1.47% 1.23% 1.25% First Metro Save and Learn Fixed Income Fund,Inc.* 2.2063 - 0.32% 0% 0.2% -0.45% Grepalife Fixed Income Fund Corp.* P 1.5664 -2.81% -0.42% -1.24% -2.68% Philam Bond Fund, Inc.* 3.9125 -3.32% -0.46% -0.45% -3.4% Philequity Peso Bond Fund, Inc.* 3.4942 0.16% 0.31% 0.08% -0.3% Soldivo Bond Fund, Inc. * 0.8915 -3.27% -0.78% n.a. -3.43% Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Bond Fund, Inc.* 2.7694 -0.37% 1.16% 0.46% -0.27% Sun Life Prosperity GS Fund, Inc.* 1.5399 -0.7% 0.58% -0.01% -0.63% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities ALFM Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. * $447.41 0.4% 2.31% 3.04% 0.33% ALFM Euro Bond Fund, Inc. * Є212.42 -0.7% 0.95% 1.55% -0.61% ATRAM Total Return Dollar Bond Fund, Inc.** $1.124 -0.91% 0.85% 1.88% -0.89% First Metro Save and Learn Dollar Bond Fund, Inc.* $0.0249 - 0.4% 0.82% n.a. -0.4% Grepalife Dollar Bond Fund Corp.* $1.6886 -4.83% -0.41% 1.13% -4.68% MAA Privilege Dollar Fixed Income Fund, Inc. N.S. N.S. N.S. N.S. N.S. MAA Privilege Euro Fixed Income Fund, Inc. ЄN.S. N.S. N.S. N.S. N.S. PAMI Global Bond Fund, Inc* $1.0291 -4.54% -0.6% -2.46% -4.14% Philam Dollar Bond Fund, Inc.* $2.1515 -4.34% 0.65% 2.54% -4.42% Philequity Dollar Income Fund Inc.* $0.0569503 -0.85% 0.88% 1.83% -0.44% Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Abundance Fund, Inc.* $2.8694 -4.81% 0.41% 1.62% -4.76% Money Market Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ALFM Money Market Fund, Inc.* 120.52 2.58% 1.81% 1.52% 2.47% Philam Managed Income Fund, Inc.* 1.179 1.89% 0.57% 0.46% 1.87% Sun Life Prosperity Money Market Fund, Inc.* 1.216 2.57% 2.23% 1.52% 2.57% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Starter Fund, Inc.* ***** $1.0149 1.59% n.a. n.a. 1.62% * - NAVPS as of the previous banking day ** - NAVPS as of two banking days ago *** - Listed in the PSE. **** - Re-classified into a Balanced Fund starting January 1, 2017 (formerly Grepalife Bond Fund Corp.). ***** - Launch date is November 6, 2017 ****** - Launch date is January 08, 2018 ******** - Renaming of the fund was approved by the SEC last April 13, 2018. ********* - Became a member since April 20, 2018. ******* - Adjusted due to cash dividend issuance last January 29, 2018

Green Monday BusinessMirror

A8 Monday, December 10, 2018 Editor: Lyn Resurreccion • www.businessmirror.com.ph

Monday, December 10,Resurreccion 2018 b3 www.businessmirror.com.ph • Editor: Lyn

UN climate conference features meat (and emissions) heavy menu i

Swiss project creates sustainable growth in E. Samar’s agriculture

n ve stor s, business owners and government leaders came together for the first national Harampang (visayan for “meeting” or “open forum”), an investmentplatform and partnership-building event held at a hotel last month. the event, titled “From the tree to Your tray: A market-led Approach toward inclusive and sustainable rural Development,” was part of the enhancing sustainable income in the Philippines (esip) project, a five-year intervention funded by swiss solidarity and jointly implemented by development organization Helvetas swiss intercooperation and People in need (Pin). through the forum, the esip project aimed to attract partners and investors for production, marketing and distribution support for farmers and agricultural microenterprises.

‘E

aT less meat” has become a mantra of climate-change activists, but there’s plenty of meat on the menu at the 24th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP24).

The 22,000 delegates attending the COP24 in Katowice, Poland, will attempt to hammer out specific rules to hold signatories to emissions-reducing pledges made in Paris two years ago. However, three nonprof its are noting that the conference’s menu, which features more meat and dairy than plant-based options, sends an unfortunate if perhaps unintended message from a group whose focus is to slow the Earth’s march toward calamity. The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization has estimated that 14.5 percent of global emissions come from livestock alone. Eliminating those emissions would go a long way toward meeting emissions goals, animal welfare and environmental activists argue. Slowly but surely, changes to diet are being seen as an important piece of climate change mitigation plans. In the span of one week in October, for example, three major climate-change reports all called for less meat and dairy-heavy diets. First, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change stated with “high confidence” that changing dietary behaviors could be an

effective mitigation strategy. Then, a study in Nature called for major reductions in the consumption of meat and dairy, with nuts, legumes, fruits and vegetables subbing in. Finally, a plan presented by the Climate, Land, Ambition and Rights Alliance found global temperatures could be kept from rising more than 1.5 degrees Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit) by limiting individual meat consumption to about two five-ounce servings per week. Such a radical shift in the human diet would fundamentally alter the way food is produced, and help tackle other issues—such as biodiversity loss, violations of indigenous rights and food insecurity, the group contends. At COP24, however, attendees will be offered cheeseburgers,

A hAmburger sits on a table in an arranged photograph. Brent Lewin/BLoomBerg

gnocchi with parmesan and Parma ham and beef with smoked bacon, noted the Center for Biological Diversity, Farm Forward and Brighter Green. In their analysis, the menu from the 12-day conference could emit about the same amount of greenhouse gases as burning 500,000 gallons of gasoline, if all the attendees chose meatbased dishes at the site’s largest food court. Along with sessions on energy, finance and oceans, the COP24 agenda also included an event, titled “Planetary Health: Food Systems Event,” organized

The meat-laden menu at COP24 [24th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change] is an insult to the work of the conference.” —Feldstein

by EAT, the UN Climate Change sec ret a r i at ’s Moment u m for Change initiative and The Rockefeller Foundation. It “aims to raise awareness of the role of food systems in addressing both climate change and the sustainable development goals,” according to the event’s web site. “The menu on offer appears to completely ignore the climate,” said Fabrice DeClerck, Science director at EAT, in an e-mailed statement to Bloomberg. Reducing meat consumption, he continued, is “the single biggest foodsystem change that can be made in support of climate.” “ T he meat -l aden menu at COP24 is an insult to the work of the conference,” said Stephanie Feldstein, director of the Population and Sustainability program at the Center for Biological Diversity, in a news release. Representatives from COP24 and the Rockefeller Foundation did not immediately respond with a comment. Bloomberg News

Market systems development approach for inclusive growth

tHe project’s main purpose is to increase the sustainable income of 12,000 smallholder farmers in eastern samar and improve their resilience to natural disasters. eastern samar was hit by supertyphoon Yolanda in 2013, which that ravaged hectares of coconut farms, crippling the livelihood of thousands of farmers in the province. “Using a market systems development approach, we are able to address the root causes of market failures and meet the needs of poor farmers who come from the 12 municipalities that were most affected by Yolanda,” said Adwyait Kumar roy, chief technical adviser of Helvetas swiss intercooperation. this approach has four facets that ensure long-lasting and large-scale beneficial changes: sustainability, value for money, scalability and inclusivity. “Because of the project’s interventions, 80 percent of the target beneficiaries exceeded their pre-typhoon income in the past three years,” roy said. “this approach is about empowering these farmers—supporting them in a way that they can grow and develop their income, skills and productivity, and market linkages for the long term as opposed to giving them direct aid,” explained Claudia oriolo, country director of Pin. the first phase of the project started in

2015, while the second phase commenced in 2017 and will be completed by the end of 2019. “in an area like eastern samar, typhoons will surely strike again and we try to equip farmers with knowledge on how to react after a disaster occurs so they’re more prepared and can recover faster,” oriolo added. Using the market systems development approach, the esiP project links farmers to relevant market actors and create a sustainable business environment that benefits everyone involved in the value chain. the project developed a system of Local service Providers who act as consolidators, consultants and business partners, supporting farmers with new technical knowledge and developing distribution channels. A total of 30 LsPs are currently operating across the 12 municipalities with 220,000 kilos of products consolidated from 3,500 farmers with an overall value of more than P7 million.

Development of subsectors

sinCe eastern samar’s coconut farms were damaged, new crops needed to be developed in its place. Homonhon island’s calamansi cultivation is one of the thriving subsectors with 105 hectares of smallholder farms producing 405 metric tons a year. esip provided calamansi farmers with custom baskets for easier interisland transport and introduced a better fertilizer that yielded higher quality produce. LsPs were also sent to mindoro to learn new approaches in calamansi production. some of the outputs of these farms are supplied to island’s Best Foods, one of the 30 food enterprises supported by esip. the company has the most modern processing facility in the province and can process 77 metric tons of calamansi in a year, turning them into export-quality calamansi juice and concentrate. their products are available at leading supermarkets, and owners Lito and rosario Amoroto are hoping to reach the international market by 2019. “Beyond eastern samar, we are now assessing to expand the scope of our operations, but we are very interested in seeing other opportunities in the Philippines, where we can apply the same development approach,” oriolo said. “we will be staying in the Philippines until 2021 for a similar project on the cacao industry,” she added.

Turning ‘agri trash’ into treasure: Rice straw as a potential energy source

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E N j A M I N L Av I ñ A , a farmer from Laguna, has been planting rice for more than 40 years now. Come harvest time, Laviña gets only the grains, and burns the stems and leaves— or the rice straw—for disposal. Laviña is among the farmers who consider rice straw as an agricultural waste that could hinder land preparation for the next planting season. According to the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), some 300 million tons of this rice by-product are burned every year. The latest assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change projected that burning of crop residue, including rice straw, contributes a fairly good amount of greenhouse-gas emission by the agricultural sector. The potential for rice straw to become a common biomass resource is huge, given that 3.5 billion people or more than half of the world’s population rely on rice for their staple food. IRRI estimates that about 6 tons of straw are produced for every 4 tons of rice grain—amounting to more than 700 million tons of rice straw produced every year, and most of them are simply disposed of. “For bioenergy experts, scouting the world for whatever biomass you can use without competing with food production is more preferable. There’s a huge opportunity in rice straw as sustainable source of bioenergy, the fact that it doesn’t have to be returned to the soil and it’s being burned while there’s so much of it,” said Craig jamieson, founder of Straw Innovations Ltd. and part of the ongoing Rice Straw to Biogas (R2B) Project. R2B project, a collaboration between research institutions

rice straw collected from the fields in Victoria, Laguna. strAw innovAtions LtD.

(University of Southampton and University of Manchester in the United Kingdom) and industry actors (Straw Innovations Ltd., a start-up company based in Los Baños, Laguna, and QUBE Renewables Ltd.), want to turn rice straws into a viable energy source for agricultural communities and beyond. The R2B Project seeks to provide energy in rural areas with no or limited access to electricity but where rice straw is abundant. Initially, the project is targeted to be used as a cooking fuel in Southeast Asian households, where firewood is normally used for cooking. Eventually, the project will explore the possibility of biogas to power agricultural

machineries, as well as an energy source for households. T he pro j e c t ho p e s to a d d ress energ y c h a l lenges faced b y de ve lopi ng cou nt r ies.

Developing sustainable business models

STR Aw Innovations Ltd. plans to develop biogas from rice straw by using low-cost technology. Once villages have been tested, the company will scale up its operations. “Field testing of biogas has to be conducted at the communityscale, a sweet spot between a large-scale power plant, which is expensive and difficult to maintain, and a small- or farm-scale

demonstration, which cannot be sustained because farmers are preoccupied with their crops,” jamieson said. To make the initiative sustainable once the technology is available in the market, Straw Innovations Ltd. has developed a business model that will involve key players other than farmers, such as bioenergy experts, potential investors and agribusiness operators. “It’s going to be an agribusiness so that it can be sustainable and not just rely ing on public funds forever. It’s a business model and not a leisure far ming t y pe. we need people i n bu si ness who a re ser iou s

about this to co -invest w ith us—t hey cou ld be a ny where in the supply chain, they cou ld be r ice mil l ow ners, they cou ld be dair y far mers or fer tilizer companies,” jamieson added. Meanwhile, the First Quezon Biogas Corp. (FCBC), a cooperative composed of commercial poultry growers in Quezon province, will soon open a biogas powerplant in Candelaria that will incorporate rice straw, chicken manure and other agricultural wastes for energy production. According to Liborio Cabanilla, professor of Economics from the University of the Philippines Los Baños and one of the consultants in the development of FCBC powerplant, the venture is going to be a win-win situation for both the farmers and FCBC. Cabanilla explained that rice straw and other agricultural residues that are considered as waste by famers will now have added value since they will become one of the main materials for biogas production. He also shared that the fermented rice straw and manure left after the biogas production can also ser ve as organic fertilizer, which the company can donate to farmers.

Recognizing the dynamics in farming communities

THE initiative to convert rice straw into massive energy source, however, could only work if farmers are willing to cooperate. Based on the findings of the R ice Straw Energ y Project, an integrated research from 2013 to 2016 that identified challenges to fulfill the bioenerg y potential of rice straw, farmers

have different attitudes toward giving away leftover straw. According to Angela Minas, researcher from Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at the University of Manchester and was part of the project, opinions of farmers and local communities need to be recognized during the initiative’s technology development. The research project also revealed that cultural traditions and beliefs play an important role in straw management, as they shape how individual farmers value and use rice straw. “So far, we have learned from our research in the Philippines and vietnam that rice-straw management is a social practice—and industry actors need to understand this,” Minas added. But according to farmers interviewed in the same research, they were also open to changing their practices. Researchers from the project were optimistic that suitable business models could optimize prevailing market opportunities relevant at each site, address the needs of the farmers and understand their overall farming system, while more pilot demonstration projects and experiential learning will benefit farmers and increase their confidence to change their rice straw-management practices. A s for far mers like Lav iña, he sees no problem to changing his practice as long as it w il l not cost him too much time and additiona l ex penses. “we are even willing to attend trainings on proper rice-straw management, and it will really be interesting if this can provide us additional income,” Laviña added. Kaymart Gimutao

Biodiversity Monday BusinessMirror

Asean Champions of Biodiversity Media Category 2014

B4 Monday, December 10, 2018 Editor: Lyn Resurreccion • www.businessmirror.com.ph

2 PHL-basED intErnationaL agEnCiEs mainstrEaming agriCuLturE bioDivErsitY

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wo Philippine-based international agencies co-organized a multisectoral workshop on biodiversity in food and agriculture in Thailand. Th e M u l t i s e c to r a l wo r k s h o p o n Mainstreaming Biodiversity in Food and Agriculture was held by Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) and the Asean Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) in Amari watergate in Bangkok last week. It was cohosted by Thailand’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. The workshop provided a platform for the environment and agriculture sectors in the Asean community to discuss and develop a common understanding of agrobiodiversity conser vation and sustainable use. It also intended to identify and define possible areas of collaboration and supportive processes among the relevant Asean sectoral bodies and development par tners toward mainstreaming biodiversity in the agriculture sector. Among the expec ted outputs of the workshop is a pilot projec t in a g ro b i o d i ve r s i t y t h at i n c l u d e s t h e recommended elements and structure of a multi- and cross-sectoral coordination mechanism among and between the relevant Asean bodies for mainstreaming, conser vation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity in the Asean region. Mainstreaming agrobiodiversit y is the first joint thematic initiative of ACB and Searca, which proposes to facilitate intersectoral discussion toward a common understanding of conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity in the Asean. Th e wo r k s h o p wa s t h e s e co n d collaboration of Searca and ACB under an agreement to pursue common objectives in biodiversity and agriculture signed in July 2016. The first major activity of this cooperation was a regional workshop on mainstreaming biodiversity in agriculture for sustainable development and food security in Southeast Asia,” held in September 2017 in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Participants in the recent workshop were representatives of the environment and agriculture ministries of Asean member-states, Asean sectoral bodies, the Asean Secretariat, development partners, and networks from the education and research sectors.

CLEanair sHamPoo bar: onE bar, onE trEE

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h I S season of gift- giving, give yourself and your loved ones a gift that also gives back. CleanAir shampoo bar is a gift from the haribon Foundation that comes with every native tree-seedling donation. The shampoo bars are not only bottlefree and great for travel, they clean the air, too! For each shampoo bar you give as a gift for only P350, a seedling of Philippine native trees—such as narra, kamagong and molave—will be planted under the “Forest for Life” campaign, a movement that helps bring back Philippine forests. what’s more is you can plant the seed you donated in one of haribon’s rainforestation drives. The inside portion of the CleanAir shampoo bar’s paper wrap serves as a ticket to any haribon tree planting activity where you can plant your tree and meet the local communities who will nurture it. To adopt a seedling, visit http://bit. ly/CleanAirShampooBar on Shopee or e-mail support@haribon.org.ph. Remember, for every P350 nativeseedling donation, haribon is giving away one CleanAir Shampoo Bar and one tree-planting activity ticket. Everyone is urged to donate, receive and volunteer. Each CleanAir shampoo bar restores the Philippine forests, one tree at a time. You can surprise your loved ones this holiday season with a gift that gives life.

Monday, December 10,Resurreccion 2018 A9 www.businessmirror.com.ph • Editor: Lyn

East asian sEas CongrEss 2018

Bigger steps committed to protect coastal and marine resources Story & photo by Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

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arious stakeholders strengthened their commitments to better manage the coastal and marine environment and resources as the East asian seas (Eas) Congress 2018 ended on a high note in iloilo City on November 30. Carrying the theme, “25 Years of Pa r t nersh ips for Hea lt hy Oceans, People and Economies: Moving as One with the Global Ocean Agenda,” the EAS Congress 2018 was attended by over 1,000 delegates from 11 countries in the East Asian region. The event was capped by the signing by environmental ministers of participating countries of the Iloilo Ministerial Declaration, titled “East Asian Region Moving as One to Secure Healthy Oceans, People and Economies.” It was hosted by the Philippines government and organized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (Pemsea).

thumbs up

EN v IRONMEN TA l a nd conservation advocates lauded the country’s hosting of the event and underscored the importance of protecting and conserving the seas of East Asia. S o u g ht f o r r e a c t i o n , A A Yaptinchay, director of the Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines, which seeks for the conservation of marine wildlife and their ecosystems, said coastal and marine environment is now less protected. “It is critical that the coastal and marine ecosystems are given importance and attention in our quest for a more sustainable future. It will take a global village to manage the human activities causing problems and the East Asian region. [T he EA S Congress] declaration is a welcome effort, a commitment for bigger steps and actions to take place,” Yaptinchay said in a message sent to the BusinessMirror via Messenger on December 3. John leo Algo, science policy associate of The Climate Reality Project Philippines, said oceans are vital to the survival of humanity, especially in Southeast Asia. “Given the current challenges facing the health of marine and coastal ecosystems, the most threatening of which are climate change and plastic pollution, dealing with both their impacts and root causes is more urgent now than ever,” Algo said. He added that the Iloilo ministerial declaration for ocean resource conservation and sustainable development is a “step in the right direction” for the welfare of current and future generations. “However, it is necessary to recognize that the well-being of marine and coastal life should be just as big of a focus as that of human societies. The link between man and oceanic life must be harmonized in a way that allows both to survive and thrive in a changing world,” He also said in a message.

systematic, institutionalized destruction

FOR his part, Fernando Hicap,

chairman of Pambansang lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas, said: “International formations like the one held in Iloilo where protection and management of seas were discussed is very crucial these days where systematic and institutionalized destruction of marine resources are prevalent.” People in coastal communities, par ticu larly sma l l f isherfolk are the ones who suffer f rom m a r i ne env i ron ment a l catastrophe caused by rampant activities, Hicap said. “[A] clear example is the diminishing fish catch in the municipal waters, which dramatically drops to 3 kg [kilograms] to 5 kg per fishing trip from 10 kg to 15 kg when fishing waters were still abundant,” he cited. “Seagrasses, mangroves and corals are being destroyed [and converted into] tourist destinations, industrial and commercial hubs. The massive conversion of our waters poses impacts not only to the marine and aquatic resources but also to the livelihood of small fishers,” Hicap, a former party-list representative, told the BusinessMirror via a social-media message last week. leon Dulce, national coordinator of Kalikasan-People’s Network for the Environment, expressed hope that the Iloilo Ministerial Declaration will result into concrete national and intergovernmental actions on the tough transboundary marine issue in the South China Sea conflict. “The declaration should translate into the negotiated establishment of South China Sea as an international marine peace park to facilitate the demilitarization and regional cooperation to conserve the important marine body,” he said. Dulce explained: “The ecological health of East Asia’s oceans is interlinked with the South China Sea. If China’s island building, military activity and tolerance of poaching and other illegal fishing practices in the South China Sea persist, we are accelerating the degradation of all our seas.”

sDs-sEa key component

AT a news conference to cap the four-day event, Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu, in a message read by Environment Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Rodolfo C. Garcia, expressed gratitude to the ministers representing 11 countries for affirming their commitment to previous agreements for the Seas of East Asia through the Iloilo Ministerial Declaration. A key component of Pemsea regional mechanism that provides policy direction and commitment for improving and strengthening the Sustainable Development Strategies for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA), the declaration was signed by Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, lao PDR, North Korea, Singapore, South Korea,

EnvironmEnt ministers and government representatives of 11 countries link arms for a photo opportunity as they reaffirm their commitments during recent East Asian Seas Congress 2018 in iloilo City. in photo are (from left): Aimee Gonzales, executive director of Partnerships in Environmental management for the Seas of East Asia; vann moyneath of Cambodia’s ministry of Environment; Zhang Zhi of China’s ministry of natural resources; ri myong San of north Korea’s ministry of External Economic relations; m.r. Karliyansah of indonesia’s ministry of Environment and Forestry; Hiroyuki masuda of Japan’s ministry of Land, infrastructure, transport and tourism; Xayaveth vixay of Lao PDr’s ministry of natural resources and Environment; rodolfo Garcia of the Philippines’s Department of Environment and natural resources; Park Jyun-kwon of South Korea’s ministry of oceans and Fisheries; Amy Khor of Singapore’s ministry of Environment and Water resources; Cesar Jose da Cruz of timor-Leste’s ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries; vu Si tuan of vietnam’s ministry of natural resources and Environment; and Atty. Antonio La viña, chairman of East Asian Seas Partnership Council. DENR-SCIS PhoTo

Timor-leste, vietnam and the Philippines. Cimatu, who was in Katowice, Poland, for the 24th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, urged the 11 countries to implement programs based on the commitment they signed under the declaration.

sixth Eas Congress

AIMEE GONzAlES, executive director of Pemsea, said the declaration was the outcome of the congress’s sixth Ministerial Forum on November 29. Previous EAS congresses were held in Malaysia in 2003, China in 2006, the Philippines in 2009, South Korea in 2012 and vietnam in 2015. A triennial conference, the regional event provides a dynamic platform for knowledge sharing, collaborative action, partnership building and a forum for advance commitment and cooperation in achieving the shared vision of a sustainable East Asian Seas. The congress has established its reputation as an intellectual marketplace and ocean-based forum that uniquely focuses on the world’s most diverse and fastestgrowing region. It a i m s to ad d re s s o ce a n and coasta l-area degradation through the sustainable management and use of marine resources, seas and oceans.

significant milestones

GONzAlES said some of the milestone achieved during past EAS Congresses include the following: n The Declaration of Regional Cooperation for the SDS-SEA framework was agreed upon in Putrajaya, Malaysia, in 2003. n The ministers agreed on the implementation of the SDS-SEA, based on the implementation strategy developed during the EAS Congress in Haikou City, China, in 2006. n The ministers committed to strengthening the implementation of Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) for sustainable development and climate-change adaptation in Manila in 2009. n The ministers agreed to work toward ocean-based economy or “blue economy” in Changwlon, South Korea, in 2012. n The ministers committed to work for the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Devel-

opment Goals (SDGs), collectively as a region during the congress in Danang, vietnam, in 2015.

iloilo Declaration key components

GONzAlES said the Iloilo Ministerial Declaration has three significant components, namely: on common understanding and shared beliefs; commitment in the next five years; and strengthening partnerships. A reaffirmation of past commitments, the environmental ministers acknowledged significant values and contributions of coastal and marine ecosystem services. The ministers committed to transform Pemsea to a selfsustaining regional organization. “Under the Iloilo Declaration, the ministers recognized Pemsea’s pioneering work to develop best practices in the design and implementation of [ICM],” she said. Other common understanding and shared beliefs include the commitment to support the region in the effective implementation of the SDS-SEA aligned with the UN SDGs and other international or regional commitments; and encourage the region to move toward a blue economy, sustainable development of its coasts and oceans. According to Gonzales, a very important part of the Iloilo Ministerial Declaration is their conclusion that the biggest threat in the region is the people, the way they live their lives and the way they manage resources. Pa r t i a l ly, t he de c l a r at ion states: “We...strongly urge everyone to shift toward a mindset of responsible stewardship, and pledge to take bold steps to protect, manage and restore our coasts and oceans for our present and future generations.” According to Gonzales, citing the document, Pemsea Country Partners are ready to engage citizens in East Asia and peoples in our regions to work together to secure our shared vision of healthy oceans, people and economy. “This is not the problem of the government alone. We all have to do our part,” she said.

Youth forum

ANTONIO l. lAvINA, chairman of the East Asian Seas Partnership Council, said another significant milestone in the EAS Congress 2018 was the parallel event where

70 youth leaders from 13 countries have affirmed their support for the sustainable development of the seas of East Asia. The event paved the way for the launching of the Pemsea Youth Program. During a breakout discussion, the young delegates shared their suggestions toward the improvement of the program. lavina said he was impressed by the youth’s knowledge of the issues confronting the seas of East Asia, as well as their conviction and commitment as they also came up with their own declaration. “Their passion, their level of knowledge on ocean issues, on environmental issues…. it is very high,” he said, adding that the youth’s participation in the Iloilo events gives a breath of new hope for the protection and conservation of the coastal and marine environment and natural resources East Asia. “The youth matters the most because they will inherit the Earth. The nature of ocean challenges is intergenerational,” he said. According to lavina, the Youth Council will work closely with Pemsea for the implementation of various programs in East Asia.

Way forward

ANAlIzA TEH, environment undersecretary for Climate Change and Mining Concerns, said in the Philippines, the DENR will continue to implement various coastal and marine management programs. She said the DENR is also hoping to access the Green Climate Fund for the implementation of ICM programs in eight priority provinces that have been identified based on population, poverty threshold and vulnerability to climate change. “Actually, there are 22 vulnerable provinces, but for 2019, we will focus on eight provinces,” she said. The eight priority provinces are Samar, Negros Oriental, Saranggani, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Sorsogon and Masbate. Gonzales said Pemsea will continue to provide various support to its network of local government units in East Asia, including funding programs and projects, in line with the commitments in implementing ICM and in the development of the region’s “blue economy” toward the achievement of the UN SDGs.

Banking&Finance BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Monday, December 10, 2018

B5

BOC order keeps tight watch on appraisers’ work to ensure correct valuation of imports

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By Rea Cu @ReaCuBM

HE Bureau of Customs (BOC) has issued a memorandum order in line with further monitoring principal appraisers (PAs) to ensure the accuracy in the declaration of documents falling under customs valuation purposes. Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) 26-2018, signed last week by Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero, placed the operational control over PAs to its Imports Assessment Service (IAS), while still keeping administrative supervision with district and subport collectors. The move was meant to expe-

dite processes for stakeholders, as well as ensure the correct valuation of goods entering the country through the ports. “All concerned PAs are hereby directed to ascertain the truth or accuracy of any statement, document or declaration, presented for customs valuation purposes,” the CMO said. Furthermore, the IAS is in-

st r uc te d to c lose ly mon itor the PA s and ensure the correct valuation of goods through the use of applicable methods of valuation found under the Cu stoms Moder n i z at ion a nd Tariff Act. “Failure to correctly value and assess the goods shall not be tolerated and shall be dealt with accordingly,” the CMO added. T he bu reau’s Ma nagement Information System and Technology Group was also directed to closely coordinate with the IAS in line with providing all the necessary data for efficient monitoring. In October the BOC implemented its 1-Assessment which electronically monitors the processing of the import of goods declaration in all ports nationwide, under CMO 17-2018 signed by former Customs Commissioner Isidro S. Lapeña. The 1-Assessment platform is a Web-based management application system specifically for the ap-

Perspectives Revenue acceleration for digital leaders

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OMPANIES across the corporate spectrum are striving to implement digital transformation strategies to drive up agility, responsiveness and enhance the customer experience. A clear minority of leaders who are reaping the benefits are starting to emerge. In fact, according to the 2018 Harvey Nash/KPMG CIO Survey—the largest information technology leadership survey in the world, taking in the views of nearly 4,000 IT leaders across 84 countries—61 percent of companies that are effective at using digital technologies see higher revenue growth than their competition. But the majority of businesses are finding it more challenging—a reality that came through very clearly in this year’s survey. However, we believe that there are a number of clear priorities that organizations must embrace to drive better, quicker and more certain returns. We can see these by looking at the small proportion of businesses that we identified as digital leaders in our research—organizations that are “very effective” or “extremely effective” at using digital to support business strategy. These leaders account for only around 22 percent of the total population. Certain core IT priorities remain important to all organizations, such as efficiency, stability and cybersecurity; with cybersecurity notably making a 23-percent increase as a key business issue that the survey respondents’ management boards are looking for IT to address this year. However, our research shows that Board priorities at digital leader organizations are markedly different from the rest—with a much more pronounced focus on innovation in products and services, and a higher focus on enhancing the customer experience.

Be customer-obsessed

The customer must be at the heart of any organization’s digital transformation. We found that almost half of digital leaders (47 percent) are able to measure the profitability of individual customers—compared to just 22 percent of other businesses. They not only understand the profitability of their customers but can then segment and prioritize them accordingly and engage with them in a differentiated and personalized manner which will improve the customer experience. It isn’t difficult to see how this can result in greater profitability. One of the hallmarks of customer-centricity is taking an outside-in perspective to develop empathy with customers and truly understand what they want and need. The customer experience is everything. Customer-centric leaders focus their efforts across five key customer-focused capabilities: Generating actionable

insights from customer data, measuring profitability by customer, creating engaging customer experiences, leveraging customer data to deliver personalized customer experiences, having a single view of customer interactions across all service channels. When your organization can properly understand customer needs, and the factors driving both customer revenue and costs, then you can truly focus on making the right digital changes across the front, middle and back offices that will drive the greatest value and show the fastest results.

Make it real through people

Digital and customer-centric leaders foster an agile culture—41 percent of digital leaders do so, compared to just 11 percent of other businesses. This culture matters because it is the people within your organization that will make digital transformation actually happen. They are just as crucial as the customer. It is essential that they are empowered through a culture of agility and innovation that allows them to take responsibility for decisions and keep things moving quickly. They need to understand and buy into the digital vision and, at the same time, be given the right levels of support throughout the changes that might affect their day-to-day roles. Leadership teams have to recognize that digital development requires a different organizational approach. In many businesses, work happens in functional silos such as Marketing, Finance or HR—but for digital transformation to be a success, you need to break down the barriers between functions and create integrated teams in a boundary-less approach that creates a looser, more flexible and networked organization. These teams will be driven through a product or experience owner structure, i.e. one that is based around the product or experience being created or delivered rather than the traditional functional model. However, it can’t just be a creative free for all. The right balance has to be struck that enables people to work and experiment in innovative ways, but that retains clear structure and protects investments. Our research found that digital leaders are twice as likely to understand the need for governance to be defined and understood. The excerpt was taken from the publication entitled Revenue acceleration for digital leaders. R.G. Manabat & Co., a Philippine partnership and a member-firm of the KPMG network of independent member-firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. All rights reserved. Printed in the Philippines.

Goods from container vans are temporarily stored in a warehouse at the Manila International Container Terminal in Manila in this file photo. NONIE REYES

praisal of imported goods, which incorporates zero human contact in transactions between customs

officers and importers. Lapeña had pointed out that the system will help reduce red

tape, as well as the collusion between customs appraisers or brokers and importers.

SoftBank hires first female partner to help manage Vision Fund S OFTBANK hired Facebook Inc. executive Kirthiga Reddy as a partner at its $100-billion Vision Fund, the first woman to join a group of just a dozen that oversees the world’s biggest pool of technology investments. Reddy has joined SoftBank Investment Advisors, which manages the giant fund globally, to focus on frontier and enter prise technolog y globally, according to a SoftBank s pokesm a n. She w i l l work closely with Senior Managing Partner Deep Nishar, the spokesman added. Reddy had worked at Facebook in India and the US for eight years and

serves as chairman of the Stanford Business School Management Board, according to her LinkedIn page. Reddy is joining a crew that’s helped SoftBank Group Corp. Founder Masayoshi Son orchestrate an unprecedented wave of investment in Silicon Valley, China and beyond. The Vision Fund has committed more than $65 billion to acquire stakes in the likes of Uber Technologies Inc., WeWork Cos. and China’s Didi Chuxing. For perspective, in 2016, the entire US venture capital industry invested $75.3 billion, according to the National Venture Capital Association.

In an interview in September, Son was asked about the fact that all the Vision Fund partners were men and he said he has “no prejudice of any kind.” Vision Fund Head Rajeev Misra had been leading an effort to hire more women, inc lud ing at t he ma nag ing partner level. Reddy will become the fund’s f i r st ve nt u re pa r t ne r a nd will be investing. SoftBank said she may become what it ca l ls an investing par tner, depending in part on her desire to devote 100 percent of her time to such activity. oftBank said that it intends to hire more female investors,

particularly at the more senior levels, and it is “actively recruiting.” Son plans to raise a new $100-billion fund every two or three years and will spend around $50 billion a year. To help oversee that money, he said that he wanted to increase the number of dealmakers from about 30 to 300 over the next few years. Managing partners filter potential investment ideas and hold a weekly call to discuss progress. Once the prospects are vetted, they go to an internal investment committee that includes Son. Bloomberg News

Bank of China helps Filipino exhibitors find business partners at Shanghai Expo

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TOTAL of 50 Filipino exhibitors took part in the first China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai in November, which brought together more than 3,000 foreign companies from 130 countries around the world, offering them a platform to link up with potential buyers from the world’s second-biggest economy. Led by Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez and Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Emeritus, Dr. Francis Chua, the Philippine delegation was joined by representatives from the PCCI, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, PhilExport, PhilFoodex, FFCCCII, Anvil Business Club and Bank of

China Manila Branch. T h roug h B a n k of C h i n a Manila’s matchma k ing serv ices, 14 of the Phi lippine exhibitors were able to meet a nd hold d i sc u ssions w it h Chinese businesses. T he on-site business-to business matchmaking generated favorable results with some Filipino exhibitors able to secure a contract agreement with their Chinese business counterparts in China. Philippine products of interest included agricultural products, such as dried mangoes, coconut oil and fresh sea foods. Deng Jun, country head of Bank of China Manila, was on site to personally correspond with the Philippine exhibitors at the Philippine National Pavilion

and in other areas of the exhibition center. Major it y of t he Fi l ipino e x h ibitors showc a sed consumer goods, food products, t ou r i s m a nd s e r v i c e out sourcing. Ten Philippine universit ies a l so pa r t ic ipated in the expo. “The Philippines has always been a valuable trade partner of China. As part of Bank of China’s mission to bridge the Philippine and Chinese markets, we are more than happy to assist Filipino entrepreneurs expand their businesses outside the local market such as here in China and be able to forge and nurture stronger partnership among business enterprises,” Deng said. I n add it ion to B a n k of

C h i n a M a n i l a’s c ros s - b or der matc hma k ing init iatives, it also sought to help the Philippine exhibitors sell their products and receive payment via WeChat and Alipay. As the only provider of integrated services at the first CIIE, the bank aims to continuously deliver these services at future expos to facilitate stronger trade and cooperation between China and the Philippines. The CIIE is an annual initiative by China to proactively open up its market to the world. And with over 1,000 agreements of intent signed at the expo, the inaugural CIIE was able to successfully connect sellers from all over the world with buyers from the world’s second-biggest economy.

BPI extends operating hours during holidays

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YALA-LED Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) will extend the banking hours of selected branches nationwide by one hour, including BPI Family Savings (BFSB), during the Christmas holidays. In a statement, the bank’s management said the decision

to extend its operating hours was made “to accommodate clients’ extra busy schedules over the holidays.” “On weekdays from December 10, 2018, to January 3, 2019, 138 BPI and 36 BFSB branches will extend branch hours for an additional hour.

Likewise, 61 BPI and 18 BFSB branches will be open on the following Saturdays: December 8, 15, 22 and 29,” it said. The BPI management said clients can check for the list of t hese bra nc hes t hrough its web site. BPI also noted that “over the

past few months, BPI has also opened 61 branches nationwide on Saturdays to address the needs of most Filipino families during weekends.” To date, most BPI branches operate from 9 a.m. to 4 a.m. while those in the malls open by 10 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. PNA

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LAST PHOTO COURSES FOR 2018 AT FORT SANTIAGO

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THE BIGGEST LANTERN OF HOPE AT SM CITY PAMPANGA

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A MPA NGA is know n as the C h r i s t m a s C a p it a l o f t h e Philippines, the birthplace of giant lanterns that light up the holiday skies. The largest incarnations of the parol, these dazzling handcrafted Christmas lanterns symbolize the “Star of Bethlehem”. Each lantern stands about 20 feet and features more than 5,000 lights. They are a sight of behold as with each parol displaying a kaleidoscope of light, music and color. Now on its fourth year, SM City Pampanga’s Biggest Lantern of Hope

brings light and music to the Christmas Capital of the Philippines. The Pampanga Eye, the biggest and tallest ferris wheel in the Philippines, is set to light up this holiday season through a pyro musical show as it brightens the sky in a grand magical firework display, colorful dancing lights synced with all-time favorite Christmas carols. At the same time, it will showcase video images to cap off SM’s 60th anniversary celebration. With this, the 65-meter tall ferris wheel sparkles with 12,232 dancing led lights, as well as an on-ground and aerial fireworks. Park guests enjoyed

a spectacular 10-minute pyrotechnic musical show that took place at The Amphitheatre on December 1 at 6:30 p.m. The Sky Ranch at SM City Pampanga is the first amusement park in North Luzon that brings great family fun with exhilarating rides and exciting games where park guests can bring home stuffed toys and other prizes. The park is open to the public from 12 noon to 12 midnight on weekends and from 3 p.m. to 12 midnight on weekdays. The Biggest Lantern of Hope is one of the many exciting holiday attractions of SM City Pampanga.

PUNTA NAGA EGG-FACILITY EXPANSION HAS ALREADY STARTED

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HE Punta Naga Sustainable Livelihood Project (Punasula), with the help of Platinum Group Metals Corp. (PGMC), recently broke ground on the expansion of its egg-production facility in response to the rising demand for chicken eggs in Claver, Surigao del Norte. The planned expansion will triple the facilities’ production capacity from a daily average of 725 eggs to 2,225 eggs, which could boost the project’s income to over P500,000 monthly. It would also increase the number of beneficiaries from 21 to 41 members. “We are very happy to see this livelihood project doing well, as we are able to help more members of our community lead better lives,” said Engr. Corsino L. Odtojan, vice president for operations of PGMC. PGMC, through its social development and management program, provided seed capital and techniical expertise to enable Punasula to embark on this project. The company also allocated P1,500,000 of its 2018 SDMP budget to fund the expansion. Lowering the time capsule at the groundbreaking ceremony is Odtojan, joined by members of his team and representatives of Punasula.

HE Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation (FPPF) will hold the last photo courses at the Fort Santiago in Intramuros, Manila. The FPPF is behind the unprecedented growth of photography in the country. Eduviges Y. Huang, chairman of the FPPF, said that, for beginners, there is a lesson plan that will enable them to acquire basic skills to operate a camera and take good photos in five days. She said there is an even shorter time to teach corporate employees how to operate the camera and come up with nicely composed pictures. The modules are now packaged for corporations as they now realize the value of good photography in communication. With trained photo staff, companies

enjoy better presentations and find their communication better understand because of values. Better pictures are also indispensable to effective social networking. Enrollees in the basic photo courses were not only student and out-of-school youth, but also professionals, as well as showbiz personalities, adventurers, priests and nuns, and also and government officials. The five-day weekday basic course is from December 10 to 14. The FPPF also offers wedding photography on December 15 and 16; and smartphone and cruise ship photography on December 8. Visit www.photoworldmanila.com for more details.

TOBACCO-HARM REDUCTION CAN HELP STEM SMOKING EPIDEMIC

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ESPITE strict government regulation, high taxes and extensive public awareness campaigns, smoking remains a major public-health issue in Asia with over half of the world’s smokers. Therefore, policy-makers in the region should consider adopting tobacco harmreduction approach, whcih provides access and accurate information on alternative nicotine products, such as electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco products and snus. This was the key message on the Second Asia Harm Reduction Forum (AHRF) held on November 14 at the Dusit Thani Hotel, which gathered leading thinkers from the fields of science, technology, health, policy and consumer advocacy from across Asia and the Pacific. Co-organized by the Harm Reduction Alliance of the Philippines (Harap) and Yayasan Pemerhati Kesehatan Publik Indonesia (YPKP), the regional forum builds on the success of the first AHRF held in Jakarta, Indonesia, last year. The forum aims to educate society on harm reduction through better alternative products, and to promote and advocate for practical solutions that can contribute to the improvement of overall public health. Its ultimate goal is the integration of harm reduction as a strategy by legislators and the public alike, with the end goal of ensuring improved health and a healthy environment. Coop-Nattco Party-list Rep. Anthony Bravo, a leading advocate of tobacco-harm reduction in the Philippines, delivered the keynote speech at the forum. Panelists from Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, India and Sweden focused on identifying ways to regulate alternative products in support of tobacco-harm reduction in the forum’s morning session. “Many Asian countries remain very skeptical about tobacco-harm reduction and some have even banned alternative nicotine products. Regulators need to see that tobacco-harm reduction is

potentially the most effective solution to solve the smoking epidemic in Asia and can complement existing tobacco control measures.” Harap lead convenor Prof. Ron Christian Sison said. Apart from the point of view of policy-makers, the AHRF 2018 also presented latest scientific developments in tobacco-harm reduction from the health sector and academe. There is a growing body of evidence supporting the public-health benefits of tobacco-harm reduction, particularly the development of less harmful nicotine-delivery system. Public Health England of the United Kingdom and the Food and Drug Administration of the United States are among the authorities that have adopted tobacco-harm reduction in formulating their tobacco-control policies. The forum featured a powerhouse lineup of international speakers. Prof. Tikki Pangestu of Singapore discussed evidence-informed publichealth policies for harm reduction; Dr. Marewa Glover shared the New Zealand approach to tobaccoharm reduction; Dr. Hiroya Kumamaru talked about alternative tobacco products in Japan and its positive impact in the country’s declining smoking rate; Dr. Kgosi Letlape shared the tobacco harm reduction experience in South Africa, from which Asian countries may learn; and Prof. Helen Redmond from the New York University Silver School of Social Work discussed vaping and vulnerable populations. Considering that Asia today has the highest number of smokers in the world, Sison believes that the public health benefit from tobacco-harm reduction in the region would be immense. “The Asia Harm Reduction Forum provides a venue for scientists, health practitioners, academicians, policy observers, as well as consumers to exchange ideas on how best to advance tobacco harm reduction in Asia. We believe that this forum will greatly benefit the public, particularly smokers in Asia who deserve improved access to alternative tobacco products.”

PAG-IBIG FUND INCREASES HOUSING, CASH ASSISTANCE TO WORKERS AT OFW DAY

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OME Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund) extended half-a-billion pesos, or P500.43 million in cash loans, to 23,153 borrowing overseas Filipino worker-members (OFW-members) from January to October this year, posting a 228-percent increase from the same period in the year 2017’s P152.69 million in cash loans to 6,731 OFW-borrowers. For OFW-members’ housing needs, Pag-IBIG Fund released P12.95 billion to 12,152 OFW families from January to September. Speaking on behalf of Pag-IBIG Fund Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Acmad Rizaldy P. Moti, Deputy CEO for Member Services Cluster Alexander Hilario G. Aguilar discussed the agency’s accomplishments at its 2018 OFW Day and fund coordinators’ general assembly. “Our OFW-members have a steady partner in Pag-IBIG Fund. We support President Duterte’s social development program through our cash and housing loans. Pag-IBIG Fund also ensures that our housing programs are aligned with the Balai Filipino [Building Adequate, Livable, Affordable, and Inclusive Filipino Communities] program led by Secretary Eduardo D. del Rosario, the chairman of the Pag-IBIG Fund board of trustees and Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council [HUDCC],” Aguilar pointed out. As of October Pag-IBIG Fund’s active OFW-members rose to 1,139,785, or 40 percent higher, compared to only

816,128 last October. “Membership savings’ collections further went up to P2.26 billion in the first 10 months of the year, higher by 26 percent, or P472 million, more than the P1.78 billion collected for the same period in 2017. OFW-members saved P1.72 billion under Pag-IBIG 1 savings program, and P541 million under the voluntary modified Pag-IBIG 2 [MP2] savings program,” Aguilar added. Also at the event, Pag-IBIG Fund recognized its partners from the government, non-governmental organizations and other private entities that supported the fund’s programs for its OFW-members. Top photo Aguilar reporting on the agency’s increased housing and cash assistance to overseas OFWs at the 11th OFW Day in Pasay City. Inset photo shows Aguilar (second from left) with Jocelyn Turla-Sanchez (third from left), deputy administrator for management services of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), one of the agencies recognized by the Pag-IBIG Fund for supporting its programs for OFWs. With them are Pag-IBIG Fund manager Juanito Angelito A. Jareño (left) of the OFW Center Operations Department and Senior Vice President Amado Isabelo I. Dizon III (right) of the Member Services Operations Sector.

CAREER 1,000 GAMES L Sports BusinessMirror

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| Monday, December 10, 2018 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

THE US’s Tom Shields competes in a men’s 100-meter butterfly semifinal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in August 2016. AP

SWIMMING IN TROUBLED WATERS

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HREE Olympic and world champion swimmers have filed an antitrust suit in California challenging governing body International Swimming Association’s (Fina) control of organizing competitions. The legal challenge is the latest faced by Olympic bodies from athletes seeking greater prize money and more say in running their sport. It was filed on Friday on behalf of Hungary’s Katinka Hosszu and the United States’s Tom Shields and Michael Andrew and follows Switzerland-based Fina shutting down an independent meet in Italy with threats to ban competitors. The planned event in Turin this month involved organizers of a proposed International Swimming League (ISL), which aims to operate outside Fina’s control and pay higher prize money. “ISL takes swimmers seriously, not like Fina,” Hosszu, a three-time gold medalist at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, said in a statement. “My passion has always been to push swimming in the direction where swimmers are partners of the governing body, not just Muppets.” Lawyers in San Francisco for the swimmers said they “believe a professional league that will compensate its best athletes and better reward them for a lifetime’s worth of hard training and sacrifice is long overdue.” ISL organizers filed a separate and simultaneous suit against Fina for anticompetitive conduct, the lawyers said. Both suits are pending in the US District Court for the Northern District of California. They were filed as Fina leaders and national swim teams gather in Hangzhou, China, for a convention ahead of the shorter, 25-meter pool world championships, which open on Tuesday. Fina said in a statement on Sunday from Hangzhou, China, where the world short-course championships are taking place, that it had “taken note of the filings.” “As world and Olympic champions, the swimmers in question will understand better than others that Fina’s attention is currently and appropriately focused on the 950 swimmers, including two of the athletes in question, from 180 member-federations taking part in the 14th Fina World Swimming Championships... “Fina will nonetheless give the filings our full attention and mount a robust defense if required to do so. As always, Fina remains open to proposals that would

genuinely enhance—rather than conflict with—the current and planned competition calendars.” In a similar case last year, Dutch speed skaters won a European Commission ruling in Brussels against the Swiss-based International Skating Union. They had wanted to compete in a South Korean-organized event in Dubai but were threatened with bans. After a gathering on Saturday of Olympic leaders in Lausanne, the IOC noted concern at the “proliferation” of sports events and “pressure from commercial entities on the existing sports model.” Delegates included two-time Olympic swim gold medalist Kirsty Coventry, who chairs the IOC’s athlete commission. It has been criticized by some athlete groups for representing IOC interests ahead of those of the athletes. “Neither of the two lawsuits challenge Fina’s authority to operate as the gatekeeper of the Olympic Games,” the swimmers’ lawyers said. “Rather, they allege that Fina unlawfully wields that power to prohibit swimmers from participating in non-Fina events or in any events that Fina does not formally approve.” The Turin meet was canceled after months of talks between ISL organizers and Fina broke down. The world swim body asked for a $50-million payment spread over 10 years to permit the ISL to operate, the plaintiffs claim. “Fina earned about $118 million in gross revenues from all aquatics events in 2016 and 2017,” the lawyers’ statement said, claiming only 12.5 percent was paid out in athlete prize money. One month ago, Fina announced it would almost double its prize fund for the short-course worlds in China to $2.07 million. The governing body is closely tied to influential Olympic power broker Sheikh Ahmad al Fahad al Sabah of Kuwait. His most senior aide is Fina’s ranking vice president and expected to succeed president Julio Maglione, 83, of Uruguay. AP

NBA RESULTS Dallas 107, Houston 104 Indiana 107, Sacramento 97 Atlanta 106, Denver 98 Brooklyn 112, New York 104 Cleveland 116, Washington 101 Boston 133, Chicago 77 LA Lakers 111, Memphis 88 Portland 113, Minnesota 105 Miami 121, LA Clippers 98

THE Heat’s Dwyane Wade (left) opts to pass the ball against the Clippers’ Montrezl Harrell.

Williams launches pop-up shop during Art Basel Miami

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IAMI BEACH, Florida—Strong. Sophisticated. Sexy. Like the tennis champ herself, Serena Williams’s fashion line is all about power moves and she’s hoping it will also inspire woman to find their own voice. “I want everyone to be able to do that and to step into their power,” she said on Wednesday night at the launch of her first pop-up shop. Williams launched her shop at the luxe Faena hotel during Miami’s Art Basel where guests, including fellow tennis star Caroline Wozniacki, drank cocktails draped with fluffy pink cotton candy and snapped selfies from a life-size swing covered with botanicals. Everything in the line, from a black sequined top with the word “Unbothered” to a crisp, white button-

down that says “Slay” in red letters, is under $200. The 23-time Grand Slam champion not only designed all the clothing in the shop, but also painted all the art on the walls, saying many of the paintings took a month to complete because of their intricate textures. “I’ve painted for years, probably like 10 years now. It’s my outlet,” she said. “I jokingly said I’m going to be at Art Basel one day.” It’s been an awe-inspiring year for Williams, who said she was “pinching myself, like what the heck am I doing here,” at the Wimbledon final in July after a difficult pregnancy and childbirth. She said her recent accomplishments on the court helped her persevere through the challenges of being a first-time mom.

SERENA WILLIAMS mingles with guests during the launch of her first pop-up shop at the Faena Bazaar in Miami Beach, Florida. AP

By Doug Padilla The Associated Press

OS ANGELES—Dwyane Wade scored 25 points in his 1,000th career game, leading the Miami Heat to a 121-98 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday night. Wade was 8 for 21 from the field and 5 for 10 from three-point range. The veteran guard will play his final regular-season game in Los Angeles on Monday against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Heat held a 91-90 lead after three quarters using a big fourth to pull away. From the end of the third until just over three minutes remained, the Heat went on a 25-2 run to take control. Tobias Harris scored 20 points and Lou Williams added 18 for the Clippers, who were just 7 of 29 from three-point range and 33 for 89 from the field. Miami was without guard Josh Richardson, who was a late scratch because of a shoulder impingement. They also lost guard Tyler Johnson early in the first with a left hip contusion. Johnson had scored eight points in the opening five minutes. Goran Dragic was out because of rest. The Heat finished strong despite playing on Friday night at Phoenix when they defeated the Suns. Miami has won four of its past five games and is 2-0 to start a season-high six-game road trip. As the Heat piled it on in the fourth, Clippers Head Coach Doc Rivers earned two quick technical fouls and was ejected. James Johnson scored 18 points for the Heat and Kelly Olynyk added 15 points and 10 rebounds. Derrick Jones Jr. had 11 rebounds. Danilo Gallinari had 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Clippers, who saw their NBA-best nine-game home win streak end. The Clippers entered having won 10 of their past 13 games. LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, meanwhile, weren’t about to let fatigue get the better of them on the second night of a back-to-back. The Lakers recovered from a loss Friday night in San Antonio to dominate Memphis, defeating the Grizzlies, 111-88, on Saturday, led by 20 points each from James and Kyle Kuzma. James added nine assists and eight rebounds, while Kuzma had nine rebounds, six assists and a couple of blocks. “At the end of the day, we’re professionals. We come out, our job is to bring energy regardless of playing back-to-backs or 40 minutes or whatever,” said Kuzma, who was among four Lakers starters who played at least 36 minutes in the 133-120 loss to the Spurs. “You forget about [the loss] and move on,” James said, adding, “You can’t let that harp on us, even though we played three great quarters [against San Antonio]. You have to get ready, and that’s what we did.” Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Josh Hart added 16 points apiece, while JaVale McGee finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Wayne Selden led Memphis with 17 points. Mike Conley added 12 points while struggling from the field, shooting 4 of 12 on the night, as Memphis shot 41 percent overall. Memphis was coming off a win over the Pelicans in New Orleans on Friday. “We just didn’t have it,” Memphis Coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “Early on, we got a little demoralized because we got some open looks, especially in that first quarter.... From that point forward, we just couldn’t dig out of that hole.” By halftime, the Lakers led 63-40 and were holding Memphis to 43 percent shooting and 26 percent from beyond the arc. Los Angeles’s dominance was particularly evident on the boards where it had a 36-11 advantage. Not only did the Lakers have more offensive rebounds (14) than Memphis’s total, Tyson Chandler was one shy of matching the Grizzlies with 10 of his own in the half. Los Angeles expanded the lead to 29 in the third quarter. By the midway point of the fourth, Bickerstaff emptied the bench. Like the Lakers, Memphis players said they simply have to forget about the lopsided loss. “We’ve got to bounce back,” reserve forward JaMychal Green said. “We can’t play like this ever again this season. We had enough of those games last season” when Memphis finished 22-60. Collin Sexton, the Cavaliers’ first-year point guard, scored a decisive win over the five-time All-Star in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 116-101 victory over the Washington Wizards also on Saturday night. Sexton matched a season high with 29 points, while John Wall was held to a career-low one point in Cleveland’s easy victory.

“If I can be in the final less than a year [after giving birth], I’m OK to handle my little baby who’s starting to have tantrums. I’m OK to handle this tantrum baby. I can do it. I can do it,” she joked, speaking of her 15-month-old daughter. Last month, GQ magazine named her its 2018 Woman of the Year, featuring an image of Williams wearing a black bodysuit and Chanel belt. The headline crossed out “Men” and some fans took offense. But Williams, who has been criticized for being too muscular, too strong and too outspoken throughout her career, said it was “really cool” and just another example of women breaking down barriers. “This is a strictly men’s thing but they broke and said, ‘Let’s also put a woman on [the cover] because this is a strong woman. She’s just as strong as our men.’” Art Basel Miami Beach, the prestigious extension of the annual contemporary art fair in Basel, Switzerland, has spawned dozens of other art shows around Miami over the years, along with star-studded parties days in advance. AP

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AUSANNE, Switzerland—The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has slowed its support for recognizing electronic gaming as a sport. After an Olympic leaders’ meeting on Saturday, the IOC said “discussion about the inclusion of eSports/e-games as a medal event on the Olympic program is premature.” Enthusiasm has seemed to dim since the IOC hosted a July conference with eSports organizers and players. Sports bodies are now advised to “continue to engage with this [gaming] community,

I.O.C. GETS COLD ON ESPORTS whilst at the same time acknowledging that uncertainties remain.” The IOC ruled out cooperation with violent games, and suggests virtual and augmented reality could become more popular with young people. “Commercially driven” gaming was also compared unfavorably with “values-based” sports. The IOC said governing bodies will continue meeting gaming industry officials “to explore jointly collaborative projects.” England’s boxing federation has urged the

troubled International Boxing Association’s (AIBA) president to question his position to help avoid expulsion from the Tokyo Olympics. In a letter to AIBA President Gafur Rakhimov, England Boxing tells the alleged heroin trafficker “it is time for you personally to think about the actions you can take to help resolve” amateur boxing’s issues. The IOC last week opened an inquiry into AIBA’s governance, finances and ethics, and banned contact with Tokyo Games organizers. IOC concerns include Lausanne-based AIBA’s challenges to operate bank accounts in Switzerland

Braekhus, Shields book victories on HBO’s farewell boxing show

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ARSON, California—Cecilia Braekhus defended her welterweight titles with a dominant unanimous decision over Aleksandra Magdziak-Lopes on Saturday night in the final fight of the last HBO boxing telecast. Two-time Olympic gold medalist Claressa Shields also defended her middleweight titles with a dominant unanimous decision over Belgium’s Femke Hermans, winning every round on every scorecard to improve to 8-0 in her two-year pro career. A small, chilly crowd at the famed outdoor arena at StubHub Center south of downtown Los Angeles witnessed the final show in the 45-year history of HBO’s boxing coverage. The premium cable network has been a driving financial force behind the sport for decades, but its management has decided to bow out of the game amid stiff competition from Showtime, ESPN and new streaming service DAZN. Vasiliy Lomachenko, meanwhile, is halfway to owning all the major lightweight titles after just two fights, and he’s already eyeing the guy he’d need to beat to get the next one. “Of course, I want two more belts and

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during training at the season-opening World Cup men’s downhill at Lake Louise. The 34-year-old skier crashed on November 21 and underwent surgery in Calgary. He says in a statement that doctors are optimistic his top condition combined with the outcome of the surgery will put him “on track for a timely recovery.” Osborne-Paradis has been on his country’s Alpine speed team since 2004. He has skied in four Olympics and won a bronze medal in the super-G at the 2017 world championships. He has 11 World Cup medals. AP

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maybe we can make next year a fight with Mikey Garcia,” Lomachenko said. He picked up his second lightweight title on Saturday night, wearing down Jose Pedraza and winning a unanimous decision at Madison Square Garden. Lomachenko (12-1) knocked down Pedraza twice in the 11th round and though he couldn’t finish him, won easily to add the WBO title to the WBA belt he picked up in May during his first fight at 135 pounds. The three-division champion unified titles within a division for the first time, after moving up to lightweight in May when he knocked out Jorge Linares in the 10th round. “It was my dream to unify titles,” Lomachenko said. “It was my next goal. I can now focus on my next chapter.” Lomachenko won one card by a 119-107 rout, while two judges scored it 117-109, as did The Associated Press. It ended his streak of eight straight victories by stoppage but he came close in the 11th, when Pedraza went to a knee to stop an onslaught of punches with about a half-minute left in the round and then went down again after Lomachenko caught him with a body shot. AP

pounds. White wants him to move up to lightweight (155) to avoid the grueling weight cut. Valentina Shevchenko, a native of Kyrgyzstan fighting out of Peru, overpowered a game, but outmatched Joanna Jedrzejczyk, of Poland, for the vacant women’s flyweight title in the co-main event. Shevchenko won a unanimous five-round decision. Ortega, an accomplished Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, entered the arena to the sounds of DMX’s “X Gon’ Give It To Ya.” Holloway walked out to “Game Over” by Lil’ Flip and then “Hawaiian Kickboxer” by Moke Boy. The crowd started chanting “Holloway, Holloway” as the two circled each other. Ortega scored with counter punches as the champion came forward and connected with an elbow. A relaxed Holloway began to find his striking distance and stuffed a takedown as the round ended. Ortega’s nose began to bleed profusely in the second as Holloway fired punches. Another takedown was rebuffed and Holloway taunted Ortega. The two exchanged words after the round that was dominated by Holloway. Ortega came back in the third, connected with punches and almost got Holloway to the ground. Holloway fought back with punishing blows as Ortega continued to bleed from the face. AP

Gonzalez tested positive for trenbolone and has been provisionally suspended. The 29-year-old Mexican faces a ban of up to four years. Gonzalez took silver in the 20-kilometer walk at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, losing to Liu Hong of China by two seconds, and at the 2017 world championships in London. She won the gold medal at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto. Olympic skier Manuel Osborne-Paradis of Canada, on the other hand, been released from the hospital after breaking his leg

JAPANESE TEEN WINS GP FINAL

Holloway stops top contender Ortega by technical knockout

ORONTO—Featherweight champion Max Holloway stopped top contender Brian Ortega by technical knockout at UFC 231 on Saturday night. The fight was stopped by the doctor after four rounds. Ortega’s left eye was almost closed, his face bloodied. The skills of Holloway, who was returning from an injury-plagued year, were too much for Ortega, who had rallied in the third round but was unable to take Holloway down or use his vaunted jiu-jitsu. UFC President Dana White applauded the decision to end the fight. “That fifth round should never have happened and I’m glad it didn’t,” he said. “The fight needed to be stopped. For us all of in here that have been in the fight game for a long time, that’s what you call too tough for your own good. “I believe he could have done the fifth round. I believe he would have done the fifth round. But it should have never happened... He’s a young talented guy and I think going into that fifth round would have been very bad for him health-wise. The fourth round wasn’t good for him health-wise.” Holloway improved to 20-3-0, adding to his impressive credentials, while Ortega slipped to 14-1-0 with one no contest. It could be Holloway’s last fight at 145

while Rakhimov remains on a US Treasury Department sanctions list. He denies wrongdoing. England Boxing says AIBA has “deeprooted issues that exist” despite changes under Rakhimov’s interim leadership before he was formally elected last month. The US Treasury Department says Rakhimov is a heroin trafficker linked to organized crime. Olympic race walk silver medalist Lupita Gonzalez, meanwhile, has tested positive for an anabolic steroid. The International Alliance of Athletics Federations Athletics Integrity Unit says

Rika Kihira: My failures from the past seasons really motivated me to do well. AP

ANCOUVER, British Columbia—Teenage Japanese star Rika Kihira won the Grand Prix Final women’s title on Saturday. The 16-year-old had a combined score of 233.12, despite stumbling on a jump in her free skate. The score topped her career best of 224.31 set last month in Japan in her NHK Trophy victory. “My failures from the past seasons really motivated me to do well,” Kihira said through a translator. “I promised myself that I would remember them and never repeat those mistakes again.” Olympic champion Alina Zagitova of Russia, also 16, was second at 226.53 points. “The first senior season is easier than the second one,” Zagitova said through a translator. “Because when you go out the first time, there are no expectations, no one expects anything and you can just got and skate.” Fellow Russian Elizaveta Tuktamysheva was third at 215.32. The women’s competition was made up entirely of skaters from Japan and Russia. Americans Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue won the ice dance, finishing with 205.35 points. They spent the last five weeks completely revamping their programs. “We knew that to reach to the highest level and reach that world championship title, we had to stop being afraid and just start going for it when it counts,” Hubbell said. Victoria Sinitsina and Nikita Katsalapov of Russia were second at 201.37, and Italy’s Charlene Guignard and Marco Fabbri followed at 198.65. On Friday night, American Nathan Chen won the men’s event. AP

Ethiopian paralympic athletes Megersa Bati (left) and Tamiru Kefeyalew Demisse, holding the silver medal he won in the 1,500 meters race at the 2016 Paralympics, pose for a photo in São Paulo. ap

Ethiopia’s No. 1 Paralympian now living as refugee in Brazil

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ãO PAULO—Tamiru Kefeyalew’s life changed for the worse when he won Ethiopia’s only medal of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympics. For the last two years he has lived as a refugee in Brazil, first in a camp, then a church, then a shelter for the homeless. He now sleeps on a mattress on the floor of a shared dormitory-like room, his meager possessions—including his Paralympic silver medal—stuffed into a small wardrobe. Yet, still he refuses to return home. Tamiru protested against the oppressive Ethiopian government of then-Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn by crossing his arms above his head as he finished second in the 1,500 meters for visually impaired competitors in Rio. He was repeating the famous protest made by Feyisa Lilesa when he won silver in the marathon at the Olympics a few weeks earlier. Feyisa returned home a hero after two years in exile. Tamiru has turned his back on his country, probably for good. He’s wary of returning home after such a public act of defiance but also confident Brazil can offer him a better life and career. His friend and Ethiopian teammate Megersa Tasisa, another visually impaired

runner, stayed with him in Brazil. Yet, while Ethiopia found new freedoms this year under reformist Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Tamiru and Magersa found hardship in Brazil. The 25-year-old Tamiru said he feels stuck without citizenship in Brazil, the country he now wants to adopt. He cannot work to pay his bills because Brazilian legislation doesn’t allow it and he has relied on a São Paulo attorney’s offer to represent him for free in his quest for citizenship. The process could take four years. He can speak some Portuguese and English but communication with locals is usually problematic. Tamiru struggles to focus on training because he has no idea when he will compete again. Despite the improving situation in Ethiopia, he still believes he must stay in Brazil to have a chance of success at the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo and beyond. “I lost my life,” Tamiru told The Associated Press in an interview in São Paulo, the city he moved to last year after spending six frustrating months in Rio after the Paralympics. “I defended my people in Ethiopia, I accept the cost, but I lost my life. Now I want a new life. I want to be Brazilian and work in a country where Paralympic athletes are important, too.” AP

CONTINENTAL CHESSFEST ON

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en. Manny Pacquiao and National Chess Federation of the Philippines President and Chairman Prospero Pichay will usher in the 17th Asian Continental Chess ChampionshipsSecond Manny Pacquiao Cup starting on Monday at the Tiara Hotel in Makati City. Pacquiao, who is helping bankroll the event, and Pichay will do the ceremonial moves in the opening ceremony starting at 2:45 p.m. The nine-round tournament stakes slots on the men’s and women’s teams to the World Cup. Tournament director Grandmaster (GM) Jayson Gonzales said the first-round pairings will be drawn an hour before the ceremony. Indian GM Vidit Santosh Gujrathi, a last-minute entry, is one of the players to watch. The 24-yearold Vidit is seeded third with a Fide rating of 2702 behind Chinese GMs Wang Hao and Wei Yi, who

have a rating of 2730 and 2728, respectively. GMs John Paul Gomez, Darwin Laylo and Joey Antonio will lead the country’s campaign in the men’s side, while Woman GM Janelle Mae Frayna is the host’s best bet in the women’s section. Other notable Filipinos are International Masters Jan Emmanuel Garcia, Haridas Pascua and Paulo Bersamina. Iranian GM Parham Maghsoodloo (2689), Indians GM Baskaran Adhiban (2682) and SP Sethuraman (2664) and Chinese GM Ni Hua (2683) are the other top-ranked foreign participants joining. An outright GM title and norms will be bestowed to the champion, who will also bring home $10,000. China’s WGM Guo Qi and WGM Wang Jue and India’s WGM Padmini Ruot are the top 3 women’s seeds.

MAYWEATHER FACES JAPANESE STAR IN EXHIBITION L

AS VEGAS—Floyd Mayweather Jr. says he and Japanese kickboxing star Tenshin Nasukawa will meet after all—but only in a nine-minute New Year’s Eve exhibition. Mayweather said the match in Tokyo would be for entertainment purposes only, with no judges, no official record—and no kicking. “I’m in the entertainment business. That’s what I go out there to do,” Mayweather said on Thursday at his Las Vegas gym. “I love to do this. I’m working out to put on a show for three rounds.” Nasukawa joined Mayweather at his gym to

announce the exhibition, which will be boxing only and take place at Saitama Super Arena in suburban Tokyo on December 31. It was the second announcement for the event, which was promoted as an actual fight when announced last month, though the rules were unclear. Mayweather appeared at a press conference in Tokyo, where he talked about the challenge of taking on a young kickboxing champion. A few days later, Mayweather issued a statement after returning to the US that he

Floyd Mayweather Jr. (left) poses with kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa during a news conference at the Mayweather Boxing Club in Las Vegas. AP

was “blindsided” by Japanese officials and never intended to have an actual fight with Nasukawa. “First and foremost, I want it to be clear that I, Floyd Mayweather, never agreed to an official bout with Tenshin Nasukawa,” Mayweather said, going on to describe himself as a retired boxer who earned money making appearances and putting on exhibitions for what he said were large sums of money. Nobuyuki Sakakibara, the head of Rizin Fighting Federation, which is putting on the three-round exhibition, told reporters in Japan last month that negotiations were ongoing to stage the event despite the 41-year-old Mayweather’s apparent reluctance. He said at the time that spectators would see more than mere “casual sparring” and that the

20-year-old Nasukawa would have the opportunity to knock Mayweather out despite the fight being billed as an exhibition. “We don’t want people to think this is some half-hearted playing around,” Sakakibara said. And while Mayweather talked about providing some entertainment in the three-round event, Nasukawa sounded a bit more serious about it. “I’m going to use my weapons against him,” he said through an interpreter. Mayweather earlier also announced plans to fight Manny Pacquiao in December. That fight never went past the talking stage, and Mayweather claimed once again last month that he was retired and has no intention of having an actual fight again. AP

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Monday, December 10, 2018

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COOL SMASHERS DYNASTY? A

Alyssa Valdez and her Creamline teammates are dominating the Premier Volleyball League.

S Creamline prepares to build up on its twoconference sweep of the just-concluded Premier Volleyball League (PVL) season, its rivals are bracing for a postTai Bundit era to halt what many see as an emerging dynasty in local women’s volley loop. With Alyssa Valdez, Jia Morado, Jema Galanza, Michelle Gumabao, Risa Sato and Pau Soriano expected to keep their winning combination in the next few years, the rest of the teams are now working out to toughen up their respective rosters and could look at the franchise’s coaching change starting next year to at least slow down the crowd favorites.

For one, former league Most Valuable Player Myla Pablo has linked up with Motolite after an abbreviated stint with Pocari Sweat with the other squads also shoring up their respective lineups in time for the next battle in the country’s premier league organized by Sports Vision. The Cool Smashers gave Bundit a fitting farewell gift with a sweep of the AteneoMotolite Lady Eagles in the Open Conference, matching their equally convincing triumph over the PayMaya side in the Reinforced Conference last July. Through their twin championships, not to mention in their University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) triumphs, Valdez and company credited Bundit

for his dedication and motivation that brought out the best in them. “He deserved a great exit, he deserved nothing but the best,” said Valdez of her Thai mentor, who broke into the local volley scene in 2013 and quickly transformed Ateneo into one cohesive unit, steering the Lady Eagles, then led by her and Morado, to back-to-back UAAP crowns in Seasons 76-77. The language barrier posed not too much of a problem for the two camps as Bundit reached out to his wards through his now classic “heartstrong and happy-happy” mantra. On their way to their second PVL championship, the Cool Smashers actually stumbled right on their first game, dropping a five-setter to the PetroGazz Angels. But

that proved to be a just minor slip as they regrouped just as quickly and started to impose their will and strength, thus piling up victories after victories. They topped the double-round elims and reasserted their might over the Angels in the Final Four. Bracing for a tough battle against the Lady Eagles, who bucked overwhelming odds, including the veteran BanKo-Perlas Spikers in the semis via a classic five-setter of a sudden death, they instead found an easy route to the championship with their superior talent and championship experience. With an intact roster, experts believe whoever would take over at the Creamline coaching helm next year will have half of the championship puzzle solved.

Southwoods eyes unprecedented 17th Fil title in Fil-Am golf tourney

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ith Megafiber returning as champion of the Senior Fil Championship in six years and Camp John Hay (CJH) winning the inaugural super senior crown last week, the stage is now set for the regular flights of the 69th Fil-Am Invitational golf tournament with Manila Southwoods seeking an unprecedented 17th Fil Championship trophy and as many Am Championship crowns. Actions start on Monday for the regular flights of Championship and A to E divisions in the event presented by San Miguel Corp. and backed by Toyota, which gives a Toyota Rush for aces in No. 10 of the Baguio Country Club (BCC) and No. 18 of the CJH in the next six days in Baguio City. Players in flights A, B, D and E will see action at the par-61 BCC course and par-69 CJH layout as they vie for honors in the world’s oldest and biggest amateur golf tournament.

Fil-Am executive chairmen Anthony de Leon and Tim Allen, Baguio City Mayor Atty. Mauricio Domogan and Rep. Mark Go hit the ceremonial balls at the two courses on Sunday to kick off the tournament. Eyes will be on Southwoods on Tuesday as it opens its bid with Yuto Katsuragawa, who led the team to the title in 2016, heading a young team from Carmona (Cavite). Katsurugawa, Japan’s eighth best player, is expected to get ample support from another Japanese amateur, Aguri Iwasaki, who is said to be a better parbuster. Katsurugawa has two titles this year in the Japan amateurs—the Chubu Amateur Championship last June and Japan Collegiate Championship. He also finished second in the World University Championship last May at the Pradera Verde Golf Club in Pampanga.

CIGNAL IN SEMIS Cignal’s Rachel Anne Daquis and Roselyn Doria defend their side of the court against Foton’s Maika Ortiz during their Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference match on Saturday at the Filoil Flying V Centre. The HD Spikers won, 26-28, 25-19, 25-19, 25-18, to earn a ticket to the semifinals.

TABAL, POLIQUIT PREVAIL THE Junior Lady Spikers race to an 8-0 lead in the decider and survives a stirring Bullpups uprising to sweep the best-of-three title series.

DLS-Zobel girls end Bullpups’ reign

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E LA SALLE-Zobel unseated National University (NU) from the girls’ throne with a 25-21, 25-23, 15-25, 16-25, 15-8 victory in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 81 high-school volleyball tournament on Sunday at the Filoil Flying V Centre. It was the Junior Lady Spikers’ 10th crown overall—the most in the league—and the first since 2013. “The feeling is amazing. I couldn’t express my gratitude to the La Salle-Zobel community,” said coach Tina Salak, a two-time UAAP women’s volleyball champion as an ace for Far Eastern University (FEU) setter in the 1990s. The Junior Lady Spikers raced to a 8-0 lead in the decider and withstood a stirring Bullpups uprising to sweep the best-of-three title series. The Finals setback ended NU’s four-year reign. Angel Canino led La Salle-Zobel with 21 points, including two blocks, while Alleiah Malaluan chipped in 15 hits, including four service aces and 15 receptions. Graduating Junior Lady Spikers skipper Justine

Jazareno, who was named Finals Most Valuable Player, had nine points and 12 digs. In her final high-school game, Faith Nisperos had 21 points, including two blocks, while Jimy Jean Jamili chipped in 16 hits, 13 digs and eight receptions for the Bullpups. Earlier, Jomar Ocampo had four blocks for a 16-point outing as NU moved to the cusp of regaining the boys’ throne with a 25-19, 22-25, 25-18, 25-13 romp of FEU-Diliman. The Bullpups go for the crown in Game Two on Wednesday at the San Juan arena. Canino received the season MVP award to go with her Best 1st Outside Spiker plum in a short ceremony before the match. Canino’s teammate Malaluan was named the Best 2nd Outside Spiker and Best Server. Other awardees were Adamson University’s May Ann Nique (Best 1st Middle Blocker) and Ayesha Juegos (Best Opposite Spiker), FEU-Diliman’s Alexis Miner (Best 2nd Middle Blocker), NU’s Camille Lamina (Best Setter) and University of Santo Tomas’s Det Pepito (Best Libero).

By Ramon Rafael Bonilla

Poliquit was in an attack mode. He broke his career best by some three minutes and like Tabal, was also three minutes faster that Jerald Zabala (2:31:25) and five minutes more composed than Richard Salaño (2:33:17). With their victories, Tabal and Poliquit became the top seeds for the national team the Philippine Athletics

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AOAG City—Mary Joy Tabal remained the country’s undisputed queen and Rafael Poliquit regained the men’s throne in the 42nd National Milo Marathon Finals the duo dominated with ease before a big and enthusiastic Sunday morning crowd that flocked the Laoag Centennial Arena here. Tabal clocked two hours, 56 minutes and 31 seconds in claiming her sixth Milo National Marathon crown she snatched with plenty to spare. Poliquit was as dominant in the men’s race. He crowned himself as the Milo Marathon King—alongside Tabal’s Marathon Queen tiara—with a time of 2:28:47, numbers that got him back the titles he won in 2014 and 2015. The Cebuana was tactical during the entire 42.195-kilometer race that her opponents hardly kept up with the stride that earned her a stint in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics two years ago. “I’m happy because I’m free of injury. I’m glad I finished the race unscathed,” Tabal said. Although her time was below the personal best of 2:43:31 she booked for that ticket to Rio in a qualifier in Canada, she still finished comfortably ahead of the other podium finishers that she had the luxury of posing for a victory smile for photographers when she breasted the tape.

The 29-year-old Tabal was some three minutes faster than Cristabel Martes, a former National Milo Marathon Finals winner who crossed in 2:59.29. Further back to complete the podium was Christine Hallasgo (3:06:16). Cramps bother Tabal in the 15-km mark when the sun had yet to rise rendering the early stretched of the race dark. But instinct and the experience she packs kept her poise intact on the way to banking the champion’s purse of P150,000. If Tabal missed breaking her personal best,

Track and Field Association will field for the 30th Southeast Asian Games the country is hosting in November next year. Romnick Dago, meanwhile, clocked 1:10:12 to top the men’s 21K with Sonny Wagdos (1:14:49) and Alley Quisay (1:16:26) placed second and third, respectively.

MARY JOY TABAL wins42nd National MILO Marathon Finals with plenty to spare.

PHL SWIMMERS DOMINATE B.I.M.P.-E.A.G.A. GAMES

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THE Davao City Swimming team claims eight gold—including four from Fitz Jun Rodriguez—nine silver and seven bronze medals.

wimming maintained its amazing golden run as the Philippines—represented by Mindanao and Palawan athletes—made a final-day show of force in the 10th BruneiIndonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-Northern TerritoryEast Asian Friendship Games at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Brunei Darussalam. Davao City’s Fritz Jun Rodriguez emerged as the most successful Filipino athletes as he added two more gold medals, bringing his collection to four gold and a silver medals in this biennial event which will be hosted by the Philippines in 2020. ‘’ I gave it all,’’ said the 5-foot-9 Rodriguez, who has been recruited by National Collegiate Athletic Association powerhouse San Beda. Rodriguez ruled the men’s 50-meter

butterfly in 26.72 seconds before helping the men’s 4 x 50 medley relay team beat Northern Territory of Australia for the gold. Rodriguez’s silver came in the 4x50-m freestyle relay. Lora Micah Amoguis pocketed the gold in the women’s 200-meter backstroke with a time of 2:35.61. She also got the silver in the 200-meter individual medley. Athletics also did not disappoint at the huge Stadium Negara with 400-meter winner John Lloyd Cabalo of Puerto Princesa City winning another gold in the 800 meters with a personal best of 1:57.59. The Grade 12 student at the National University frustrated Massa Syamsuddin (1:57.85) of South Sulawesi. “I would like to thank God first and my coaches,’’ said Cabalo, who also drew inspiration

from legendary 400-meter specialist Isidro del Prado. Del Prado now coaches the national track and field team of tiny but rich Brunei. The Philippines had a total of 12 gold, 11 silver and 14 bronze medals in the unofficial overall medal tally. Sabah of Malaysia had 19-13-10 gold-silver-bronze count, followed by Northern Territory (14-11-7). Philippine Sports Commission Commissioner and Chef de Mission Charles Raymond Maxey congratulated Brunei for the successful hosting of the Games. He personally met with Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Major General (ret.) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan Bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok and extended his invitation to attend the Games 11th edition in Davao City.

Rick Olivares bleachersbrew@gmail.com

Bleachers’ Brew

The evolution of Jolas I WAS in high school when a classmate of mine invited me to watch the Ateneo Blue Eagles play. At that time, I rarely saw the seniors squad and only watched the juniors squad, especially my batchmates who played on the Paya, Prada and the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Juniors teams of Ateneo. That the UAAP games were played at the Loyola Center (now called Blue Eagle Gym) made it easier to watch. At that time, Jojo Lastimosa was playing for the Blue Eagles with a team that included Chot Reyes among others. I didn’t know Jolas then but I quickly remembered him for his rim-rattling dunks. Yet, watching him with Purefoods later on, I couldn’t help how he evolved from a flashy dunker to a more cerebral scorer; one who relied on crafty moves and a steady jump shot. Not his hops or athleticism although it was there. I could be wrong, but I don’t recall seeing him dunk in the pros. Then when he hung up his sneakers, he was an assistant coach with the Alaska Aces and there was a time when I was covering that squad very closely and given a lot of access by then-head coach Tim Cone. The discussions of the coaching staff were fascinating. Jolas was vocal with his observations and ideas. He never struck me as the passive type. I told myself that this man is going to be a head coach somewhere. Then I saw him in the Jr. NBA program where I was impressed with his willingness to work with young kids. Watching him join the coaching staff of Far Eastern University (FEU) stings a bit when I feel he should be in Loyola Heights. But it is what it is. You go where the opportunities are. Now with the Bataan Risers, I am immensely enjoying watching him grow as a coach. Here is a man with a lot of ideas and not just Xs and Os. Because of the long days without games for the Risers, Lastimosa is forced to improvise. I like how he has included some simple activities such as bowling and yoga into Bataan’s routine. Said sharpshooter Byron Villarias, “Coach gives us players a lot of room to grow. Naappreciate ko ‘yan as a player. ’Yung atmosphere namin sa Risers are relaxed. Grabe ’yung support and gusto mo isukli ’yung binibigay sa ‘yo.” Added Pamboy Raymundo, “Players’ coach ’yan si Coach Jolas. Gusto mo ibigay lahat sa kanya dahil sa tiwala niya sa ‘yo.” Homegrown Bataan player Gio Espuelas is grateful for the opportunity. “Lahat ng player ginagamit niya. Malaking bagay sa amin ’yan.” Right now, the Bataan Risers are at a league-best 14-1 and are riding the crest of a very impressive 14-game win streak (during that span, he also guided the NLEX Road Warriors to a win in the absence of Yeng Guiao who was on national team duty). When I asked Jolas about his current success, he admitted it wasn’t much. “A streak and a win don’t guarantee anything. The process is long and the goal is to get better and to compete for a championship. I have been around basketball too long to put my faith in these things. You have to work for everything.” When he told me that, I thought back to the time back in 1988 when Lastimosa’s Purefoods team lost to Anejo in the conference finals (a teammate missed free throws that could have altered the finish). I bumped into Jolas at Unimart in Greenhills where he was buying groceries with his wife. This was the day after the loss and Lastimosa’s eyes were puffy from tears. I walked up to him and consoled him and I remember the conversation like it was yesterday. “It hurts but the hurt and the tears are only good if you learn from them.” It took Lastimosa two more seasons before he tasted success with Purefoods. And even then, he talked about the values of patience and hard work. Now with Bataan, I see him channel his coaches—Baby Dalupan, Tim Cone, Joel Banal and others. His ideas are a fusion of what he has learned and from his personal take on the game. Where he finishes this season with the Bataan Risers will be interesting to watch.

‘3-PEAT’ FOR ARMY Sports BusinessMirror

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| Monday, December 10, 2018 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

PRESIDENT Donald J. Trump tosses the coin before the Army-Navy college football game on Saturday in Philadelphia. AP

ByDan Gelston

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Atlanta United gives the city its first championship since 1995 with a 2-0 victory over the Portland Timbers in the Major League Soccer Cup final on Saturday night. AP

TITLE DROUGHT OVER IN A-T-L

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TLANTA—The players bounced up and down on a hastily erected stage in the middle of the field, confetti falling all around as they hoisted the championship trophy. It’s a familiar scene at the end of any season. Only this time, a team from Atlanta was doing the honors. The title drought is over in the A-T-L. Josef Martinez and Franco Escobar scored goals, Brad Guzan came up with a couple of clutch saves and Atlanta United gave the city its first championship since 1995 with a 2-0 victory over the Portland Timbers in the Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup final on Saturday night. Cheered on by the largest crowd in franchise history, United captured the crown in just its second season to set off a huge celebration in a city that has known so much sporting heartbreak. Owner Arthur Blank lifted a trophy and got soaked with champagne—less than two years after his other team, the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, squandered a 25-point lead in an epic Super Bowl collapse. “My first night in my new house in Atlanta, I went to bed at halftime of the Super Bowl,” defender Jeff Larentowicz said. “I woke up and I read the headlines and I couldn’t believe what I saw.” Now, United had written a new headline. Champs. “Hopefully, we can transcend that past,” Larentowicz said, “and move on to a new future for the city.” Martinez, capping the greatest goal-scoring season in MLS history, put United ahead in 39th minute. Escobar added an insurance goal in the 54th, turning the final minutes into a raucous, flag-waving celebration and sending Coach Tata Martino out with a title in his final game as coach. He’s reportedly headed to Mexico to take

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HILADELPHIA—Army Coach Jeff Monken hopped on top of a wall and pumped his fist toward stoked cadets set to belt out the alma mater. Monken brought the party to locker room and waved an “Army Football” flag as the Black Knights bounced around him. Army ditched its mundane routines and cut loose like a bunch of rowdy civilians. And why not? The setting was right after Army beat Navy for the third straight game, this time in front of a packed house and the president. “I don’t ever want our guys to stop celebrating,” Monken said. “I promise you, I’ll be celebrating every year if we win this thing because I know how hard it is.” Monken resuscitated the Black Knights and turned a program that suffered annual losses to the Midshipmen into a bowl-bound team that can keep the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy back at West Point. The No. 22 Black Knights recovered two fumbles in the fourth quarter, Kelvin Hopkins Jr. had two rushing touchdowns and Army beat Navy 17-10 on Saturday to win its third straight game in the series. President Donald J. Trump attended the

over as that country’s national coach. “If I had to choose the way to leave somewhere, this is the best way,” Martino said. “This is the way I wanted it to happen.” Atlanta reveled in its first title since the Braves won the 1995 World Series—a gap of 8,442 days, for those counting. “Most of us aren’t from here, so we don’t know the pain that they’ve been through,” said United captain Michael Parkhurst, who finally broke his own drought after playing on four runner-up teams. “I’m just happy that we could come through for them tonight. I know there were a lot of anxious and stressed-out fans.” After a surprising run in the playoffs, the Timbers were denied their second MLS championship after winning the cup in 2015. They prevailed on the road at Dallas, Seattle and Kansas City before coming up short in Atlanta. “I’m extremely proud of the work we’ve had the entire season,” Coach Giovanni Savaarese said. “To be able to get to the MLS Cup, we played a lot of difficult teams.” Since major league sports came to Atlanta in 1966, the only other team to win a championship in one of the five major sports also came on the soccer pitch. The Atlanta Chiefs claimed the title in the North American Soccer League’s inaugural season in 1968. While that team laid the groundwork, Atlanta United carried the sport to unprecedented levels in North America. The team shattered the MLS attendance record a year ago in its first season, and then took the mark even higher by averaging more than 53,000 per game this year—a level of support that would fit right in with the Premier League or La Liga. The crowd of 73,019 on Saturday easily eclipsed the previous record for an MLS Cup—61,316 at New England’s Gillette Stadium in 2002. AP

Thousands of Boca, River fans set for ‘superclasico’ in Madrid ADRID—Hundreds of Boca Juniors fans gathered outside their team’s hotel in Madrid on Saturday, chanting “It doesn’t matter where you play, we will always follow you.” A few hours later, thousands of River fans packed the iconic Plaza del Sol in the heart of the Spanish capital, one day before the bitter Argentine rivals meet in the final of the Copa Libertadores, South America’s equivalent of the Champions League. Tens of thousands of Boca and River fans are in the city for the “superclasico” at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Sunday.

The Associated Press

“I think fans from both teams are very nervous today,” said 14-year-old Boca fan Joaquim Naser, who traveled from Argentina to watch the game. “It’s going to be a great party at the Bernabeu. It’s going to be packed with South American fans.” About 25,000 supporters from each club are expected at the Bernabeu, with many making the trip of more than 10,000 kilometers from Argentina. Carrying blue and yellow flags, banners and drums, Boca fans welcomed the squad after its last practice session before the final. The supporters cheered when the bus arrived and players waved to them.

RIVER Plate supporters cheer during a gathering at the Sol Square in Madrid on Saturday. AP

Dressed in red and white, River fans later gathered in the city center, taking over the Plaza del Sol as they chanted the team’s traditional songs. Both teams had closed practice sessions in the last day of preparations for the final, which was moved to Madrid after fan violence marred the second leg in Buenos Aires two weeks ago. Boca Juniors players were injured before the match when River fans attacked the Boca team bus with rocks, bottles and wood. The first leg, hosted by Boca in Buenos Aires, ended in a 2-2 draw. “Hopefully we will enjoy some of the atmosphere that we would have had with the

match in Argentina,” said Nacho Sorroche, a Boca fan who lives in Madrid. “We know it’s not going to be exactly the same, but I think it will be a great environment.” Boca’s latest attempt to be declared champion without playing on Sunday failed when the Court of Arbitration for Sport denied its request to suspend the second leg. Boca appealed to CAS on Friday after South American soccer governing body Conmebol ruled against disqualifying River from the tournament because of what happened in Buenos Aires. Nearly 80,000 fans are expected at the Bernabeu, with supporters from each club

placed at opposite sides of the stadium. There will also be separate fan zones prepared for them near the Bernabeu. Spanish authorities were on high alert as a group of 400 to 500 violent Argentine fans were expected in Madrid. Officials said almost 4,000 security personnel would be deployed for Sunday’s “high risk” match, nearly double the number used in the “clasicos” between Real Madrid and Barcelona. Directors from both clubs were expected at a dinner at the Bernabeu on Saturday night, along with Real Madrid President Florentino Perez and Fifa President Gianni Infantino. AP

119th game between the rivals and flipped the coin before spending a half on each side in a show of impartiality. No matter his view, Army (10-2) always had the edge. Army retained the CIC Trophy— awarded to the team with the best record in games among the three service academies—after winning it for the first time in 22 years last season and snuffed a late Navy (3-10) rally to retain possession of the patriotic prize. With Navy down 10-7, quarterback Zach Abey lost a fumble on fourth and 12 deep in its own territory. Hopkins would score on a 1-yard run to make it 17-7 and give Army the cushion it needed to win in front of 66,729 fans at Lincoln Financial Field. Army hopped and waved hands in celebration during a replay timeout and got the cadets in the stands to bounce along. They had good reason to celebrate: Army has regained its grip in a series that had gotten out of hand. Navy had a series-best 14-game winning streak from 2002-2015 and leads the series leads 60-52-7. “It’s been hard on all of us. Our players, our coaches, our staff, our school,” Coach Ken Niumatalolo said. “We like to win. We’ve been winning a lot of games. Losing sucks.” Trump sat on the Army side in the first half and crossed the field to the Navy side at halftime. Trump officiated the coin toss and was introduced by public address announcer Dan Baker to a cheering crowd. Navy won Trump’s toss and elected to kick off. That was a mistake. Kell Walker ran 51 yards to the 10 on the fourth play from scrimmage and Hopkins dashed in for the TD on the next play for a 7-0 lead. “I think anything I did was just within the game plan,” said Hopkins, the game’s MVP. In a series steeped in tradition—the “March On” and drumline battles, among them—perhaps none is more ingrained than the running game. Last year’s game had a combined three pass attempts and quarterbacks for each team are usually the leading rushers. But Army and Navy passed on the rush and tried to throw, with mixed results. Army safety Jaylon McClinton had an interception in the first half. Army also dropped a key third-down pass that led to John Abercrombie’s missed 33-yard field goal in the second quarter. Abercrombie rebounded to kick a 33-yarder in the third for a 10-0 lead. Last season’s game was an instant classic and was decided by a field goal: Bennett Moehring narrowly missed a 48-yarder in the snow on the final play and Army held off Navy 14-13. Moehring made the extra point on Lewis’s score and he kicked a 45-yard field goal with 29 seconds left. Malcom Perry’s 43-yard run to the 5 set up Garret Lewis’s 1-yard rushing TD with 7:10 left in the game that pulled Navy to 10-7. There were reminders all around the Linc, home of the Super Bowl champion Eagles, that this was no ordinary game. The Navy “Leap Frogs” parachute team earned a roar from the crowd with each safe landing on the field. Bill the Goat, Navy’s mascot, was safely leashed and secured from a possible abduction attempt from overzealous cadets. And each side safely returned “captives” in the Prisoner Exchange—when seven midshipmen and seven cadets swap service academies for a semester. The Army prisoners spelled out “3PEAT” on the back of their uniforms. Trump was the 10th sitting president to attend Army-Navy, a tradition that began with Theodore Roosevelt in 1901. Barack Obama was the most recent president to attend the game, in 2011 at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. Trump also went to the 2016 game when he was president-elect. “It was my honor to attend today’s #ArmyNavyGame in Philadelphia. A GREAT game played all around by our HEROES. Congratulations @ArmyWP_Football on the win!” Trump tweeted.

Suffered martyrdom

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ORGIVING God, You heal wounds and restore life. In faith, we pray: Show us mercy. Alleviate the struggles and suffering of military families and veterans. Calm tho dear God, Your servant Andrew and his companions suffered martyrdom for their witness to You. Sustain and support the good zest of lay and religious missionaries. Help us to advocate justice for our neighbors, immigrants and refugees. May God give us joy for the days of our affliction, and animate us for works of justice and mercy by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen! give us this day SHARED BY LUISA LACSON, HFL Word&Life Publications • teacherlouie1965@yahoo.com

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Disney, World Balance launch Mickey Mouse collection

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The celebration of Mickey Mouse’s 90th anniversary continues in the Philippines. The Walt Disney Co. mpany Philippines and World Balance (worldbalance.com.ph) collaborate on a limited-edition collection that will make fans of all of ages celebrate their love for Mickey in an active yet stylish way possible. The Disney | World Balance Collection—comprised of footwear, apparel and other accessories—gives a modern but classic take on everybody’s favorite mouse. World Balance designers worked closely with Disney to bring the collection to life by using never-before-seen icons associated with Mickey Mouse, and, of course, nostalgic images to create cohesive pieces of wearable art. Veronica Cabalinan, country head of The Walt Disney Co. Philippines, said: “To celebrate Mickey Mouse’s 90th anniversary, we want to give our Filipino fans a special range of products that will allow them to wear their love for Mickey. World Balance understands the tastes and lifestyle of the young Filipinos everywhere.” Barnaby Chong, World Balance president, said: “World Balance for almost 40 years has withstood the tests of time as one of the first sneaker brands in the country. Year after year, the brand has pushed to reinvent itself, a conscious effort to make the brand more relevant to modern-day global Filipinos. I’m proud to say that today, this pioneering partnership with Disney and its most beloved character Mickey Mouse marks a milestone in that journey of reinvention, evolution and relevance.”

Best of 2018: The Lourd’s Touch TOTA PULCHRA MISS CHARLIZE

@misscharlize

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n the hair and makeup world, progressing from fledgling to legend can take decades. We know some who have achieved it: Biba Varona, Boots Babushka, Jun Encarnacion, Ricky Reyes, Tony Galvez, Teng Roma, Henri Calayag, Jesi Mendez, Jingky Ilusorio, James Cooper, Fanny Serrano, Bambbi Fuentes and Victor Ortega. With his passion, savvy and perseverance, Lourd Ramos will soon join this illustrious list. Even in an ugly economic climate, Lourd knows everyone wants to be beautiful. That’s why he has expanded far and wide in the metro his Creations by Lourd Ramos Salon, an upscale improvement from his “parlor” beginnings. In all branches of Creations (including BF Homes, Parañaque; Greenfield, Mandaluyong; Somerset Olympia; and BGC Taguig), clients can choose from several services: haircut, color, highlights, Keratin, treatment, rebond, manicure, pedicure, and hair and makeup. Or they can avail themselves of either of Lourd’s Vidal Sassoon-level signature styles: the Rihanna cut or the short symmetrical bob. “I’ve undergone a series of evolutions in my life and throughout my career. During each phase, however, what remains the same is my desire to create. Together with equally fired-up artists, I thrive on this uninhibited process of creating,” Lourd shared in his self-published book, Imprint. “When one is in that mood, there are no limits to freedom of expression. There are only continuous nudges to move beyond one’s comfort zone. I find that I live to create and recreate. This has defined both my passion and purpose.”

Besides being the creative director of his salons, Lourd is also the reigning hair care expert for TRESemmé. He was the brand ambassador for Smashbox makeup from 2006 to 2009 in Los Angeles; the Davines Italia Philippines Grand Winner in their 2007 Hair Competition; a one-time judge at Asia’s Next Top Model Season 3 (2015); and the current president of the Philippine International Cosmetology Association. “I am constantly moved by people of pure talent and great substance. When I meet people whether through work or socials, I look at them with awe and admiration, instantly becoming a fan of their work, their presence, their person. Because of who and how they are and what they stand for, I’m constantly inspired to make my own mark in the world,” Lourd said. Katarina Rodriguez, who had an early heartbreaking bow at Miss World 2018 over the weekend, and Catriona Gray, still in the running to be our fourth Miss Universe, are two of Lourd’s favorite muses. “I’m one proud hairstylist who has been their ‘Mother’ who always tells them my honest opinion. I care for them like they’re my children,” he shared. “I never spoil them but I’m always on point in showing them the reality and facts of life!” Kat and Cat are two fierce felines prowling on the pageant stage, and both have benefited immensely from Lourd’s guidance. Before Kat left for China and Cat for Thailand, Lourd’s prayer was: “They will win! They have prepared for and dreamed of this! Both will conquer the Universe and the World!”

KAT WILL ‘SAVE THE CHILDREN’ OF THE WORLD

She may not have clinched our second blue crown, in a show with a convoluted format, but Kat assured before she left to compete that she will remain committed to her advocacy of helping children. “I’ll share with you guys what I normally don’t tell people. One reason why I decided to work closely with Save the Children is because if I were not Miss World Philippines, if I were not a beauty queen, I want to be a mother,” Kat said at the launch of the #LahatDapatChristmas campaign of the world’s leading independent children’s organization that seeks donations to fund local programs on nutrition to save at-risk children from dying and allowing them to reach their full potential. Save The Children (www.savethechildren.org.ph) is “dedicated to helping children. As part of the Save the Children International network, we share a global vision and strategy aimed at creating better lives for children in the Philippines and across the world.” “I believe in two things: sustainability and education. One thing I’ve learned with working with Save The Children, and being part of the Miss World Organization, is that the United Nations believes in 17 goals to help transform the world. The second goal is Zero Hunger,” Kat explained. “So I admire Save The Children for having this dream of decreasing malnutrition especially this Christmas season. That’s pretty much why I partner with Save The Children. It all starts with the youth, with our children. How they develop also dictates how our future lives develop. Now that I have a crown, I hope to extend the goals and dreams of organizations like Save The Children to the rest of the world.”

CAT WALKS THE UNIVERSE RUNWAY

CATRIONA GRAY photographed by Erik Esperat

LOURD RAMOS (Photo from Creations by Lourd Ramos Salon Facebook page)

She is the “Girl to Beat” at Miss Universe in Bangkok, a daunting tag for every pageant contender. Yet, Cat treads this great expectation with ease as our ravishing rep. One task she has taken as a responsibility is wearing clothes made by her favorite Filipino designers. As such, Cat has championed Philippine fashion and the pageant activities have become her personal runway. On a field trip to a snail farm, she wore a denim jacket emblazoned with “Kababayan” and a jeepney illustration at the back. It was by Lahi Lifestyle, a design collab between Mia Arcenas, Solenn Heussaff and Vavi Heussaff-Small. She has worn a skirt with T’boli embroidery by Nino Franco; dresses by Noel Crisostomo and Charina Sarte; a Benjie Panizales at Nongnooch Gardens; an Erwin Flores suit for a tour at the Royal Palace; a Louis Pangilinan cocktail at the welcome dinner; a Jearson Demavivas T’nalak ensemble at media interviews; and has brandished Amina Aranaz bags, Jojo Bragais shoes and Tessera Jewelry. “Your dream is worth fighting for, and while you’re not in control of what life throws at you,” Cat, claws out, posted on her Instagram, “you are in control KATARINA RODRIGUEZ of the fight.” n photographed by Mark Neto Diaz

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Chanel’s Lagerfeld channels ancient Egypt with mini-Met Gala By Jocelyn Noveck The Associated Press

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shiny and glamorous version of ancient Egypt ruled the evening— with entertainment royalty on the runway, too—as Chanel brought its traveling fashion show to New York and the famed Temple of Dendur at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Designer Karl Lagerfeld, a lover of lavish spectacles, chose the dramatic venue for his 17th annual “Metiers d’Art” show, which takes place in a different city each year and celebrates the craftsmanship of the artisans that partner with Chanel. The imposing temple, completed in about 10 BC, is a highlight of the Met’s collection and a favorite site of the museum’s annual spring fashion gala. Indeed, the Chanel show felt like a mini-Met Gala with celebrity guests, including actresses Penelope Cruz, Julianne Moore, Margot Robbie, Marion Cotillard and Lily-Rose Depp, comedian Jerry Seinfeld, and director Sofia Coppola. A celebrity even walked the runway: Pharrell Williams, who recently announced a collaboration with Chanel. Arriving to a few whoops from the crowd, the singer looked royal indeed, in a gold mesh top adorned with designs resembling a wide, jeweled Egyptian necklace, and brilliantly shiny gold leather trousers. Gold shimmered all over the runway, as models strolled past the floodlit temple in everything from gold thigh-high boots to gold brimmed hats to glistening dresses with golden feather adornments, to shoulder-

length gold earrings. There was also some distressed denim, and definitely some tweed, but Egyptian-style bling was the order of the day. One particularly stunning shoulderless gown looked like an Egyptian mosaic, with interlocking “tiles” in the Egyptian color palette of light and dark blues, red, and of course, gold. The handiwork involved in the garments was displayed in brief videos posted by Chanel on Instagram ahead of the show, from artisans’ ateliers, or workshops: metalwork and jewelry-making from Goossens, pleating from Lognon, feather and flower adornments from Lemarie, embroidery from Montex, costume jewelry from Desrues, embroidery and tweed from Lesage, Massaro shoes, and golden Maison Michel hats. The show came only hours after the French fashion house announced it was renouncing the use of exotic skins like crocodile, lizard and snake in future collections, because they were difficult to source ethically. Effectively that means animal fur, as well, which the house has used rarely. On the red carpet, actress Cruz, who recently began working with the luxury label, spoke of how much she enjoyed collaborating with Lagerfeld. “I think we can use the word genius to describe Karl,” said Cruz, in a navy gown she said was from the last “Metiers d’Art” collection. “He’s very unique, and to spend time with him and see how much he knows about everything and how much curiosity he still has to keep growing and to keep learning...he works so hard.” n

By Eugenia Last

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Raven-Symone, 33; Emmanuelle Chriqui, 43; Meg White, 44; Kenneth Branagh, 58. Happy Birthday: You’ll want to do things on a big scale this year, but don’t lose sight of practicality. Play it safe. Take your time to reach your destination. Iron out problems and you’ll distinguish yourself as a fixer. Let wisdom be your guide instead of following or trusting someone to lead you. Your lucky numbers are 8, 13, 24, 27, 31, 38, 40.

a

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Look at the full extent of your current situation. Check your financial position and consider how best to ensure you don’t incur debt. A minimalistic plan should be put in place until you feel there is less uncertainty in your life. HH

b

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Take control. Enact changes you want to make, not those someone else is pressuring you into. Protect your reputation, your physical and emotional health and your ability to do what’s best for you. Speak from the heart. HHHHH

c

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): If you are too enthusiastic, you’ll be taken advantage of. Observation will be in your best interest. Someone offering praise and compliments will have ulterior motives. Gather facts and size up situations based on your findings, not what someone tells you.

HHH

d

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Take the initiative and get things done your way. Your input will be welcomed and your ability to sort through matters will help resolve issues that have been hanging over your head. Put things to rest and enjoy year-end festivities. HHH

e

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Look for opportunities and make changes that will ease stress and help you prepare to close the year on a high note. Refrain from overspending or being indulgent when out with friends. Offer quick wit, humor and help to others. HHH

f

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Look at the possibilities. Structure your time to ensure you make the most of each moment. How you deal with others will reflect who you are and what lies ahead. Say no to indulgent behavior and those asking too much. HHH

g

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Look at the big picture before you make a gesture that will be judged. You are best to stick to what you know you can accomplish without the help of others. An idea may sound good, but interference will stifle your plans. HH

A model poses on the runway at the Chanel Metiers d’Art 2018/2019 Show at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on December 4 in New York. AP

For the holidays, an enchantment from nature Be enchanted by nature this Christmas with gifts from The Body Shop, and give something back with every purchase. Inspired by nature, The Body Shop’s new Christmas gift collection will enchant every recipient with its most invigorating scents and textures. There are peppermint candy cane, berry bon bon and vanilla marshmallow-scented shower and body-care treats; as well as energizing and refreshing gift sets for men. Pamper with skin-care and body-care routines; and shine and sparkle

z

Today’s Horoscope

with the winter makeup collection all season. More than that, purchasing these gifts will also help you give something back to those wild spaces that refresh and revive our body and mind. This Christmas, every purchase big or small with The Body Shop will help protect and “re-wild” over 10 million square meter of forest in England and Armenia. This is part of The Body Shop’s world Bio-Bridges Mission, which aims

to help protect and regenerate (or re-wild) 75 million sq m of habitat and build 10 bio-bridges by 2029. Bio-bridges help protect and regenerate corridors between healthy rainforest, isolated and endangered animals, and plant species, allowing them to thrive and breed again. Protecting these forests and their precious wildlife means they can continue to enchant future generations with their revitalizing beauty and diversity.

h

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Make plans to engage in activities that are creative and fun. Share your thoughts and you will receive interesting responses that will feed your imagination and lead to creative ideas. Personal changes and romantic endeavors will improve your life. HHHH

i

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Manipulative tactics will be used to convince you to make a change. Don’t let emotions take over, undermining your intelligence and ability to stay on track and do things according to the rules. Look for answers within and follow your heart. HHH

j

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Don’t take anything or anyone for granted. Consider what you’d like to see happen and do the legwork to bring your plans to fruition. Don’t let what others do ruin your plans. Personal change will lead to gain. HHH

k l

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Put in extra hours if they will buy you the freedom to enjoy the end-of-year festivities. Deal with institutional affairs that are due for an update. You’ll put your mind at ease, allowing you to enjoy life. HHH PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Lend a helping hand at your local community center. If you can bring joy to those less fortunate, you will feel you have accomplished something good. Your kind gesture will result in an unexpected gift or financial reward. HHHHH Birthday Baby: You are adaptable, caring and optimistic. You are helpful and courageous.

‘take another ook’ by timothy e. parker The Universal Crossword/Edited by Timothy E. Parker

ACROSS 1 Feminine pronoun 4 Grain bundle 9 Spectrum-forming solid 14 Washroom, briefly 15 Allay, as fears 16 “In today’s game” thing 17 “Open, sesame” dude 18 Reason to not eat cookie dough 20 Wild, bizarre fight 22 Wine casks 23 Course outlines 26 Crisp tortilla 31 Recently 33 Potato sack material 34 Chairman of China 36 Large amounts 38 Beer barrel boogie 39 Lists, as a price 41 Gives off 43 Lift on slopes 44 More frozen 46 Quick cuts 48 Food scrap

49 Coined 51 Cave 53 Espied 55 Swimming actions 58 “I’m doomed!” 60 Type of glasses 61 Billiards variety 67 Use a moist cotton ball 68 Trump’s second 69 Blockade variety 70 Deploy 71 Hides evidence, e.g. 72 Twinklers up high 73 Pay ___ view DOWN 1 “Grand” hits 2 Roots author 3 Villainous in appearance 4 Informs to the coppers 5 Attila, for one 6 Treaty of Rome org. 7 Many bushels, e.g. 8 Brazenly disobey 9 Activate the lobby elevator

0 A Christmas shade 1 11 Drink freshener 12 Droop 13 Car ad fig. 19 Oft-turned thing 21 Santa’s wee one 24 Hay block 25 Collection pieces 27 Horse race pace 28 With no rooms left 29 Senegal’s capital 30 Separate 32 “Dallas” family 34 Impairs severely 35 It represents PC characters 37 Works batter 40 TV’s MacFarlane 42 Parking place 45 Seizes again 47 Peaceful walks 50 Drop, in editing 52 Climber’s destination 54 Closes a pinkie hole 56 Eliminate

57 Heavy sword 59 Quarrel 61 Luxurious place 62 Woodpecker’s worker 63 January, in dates 64 Mo. No. 10 65 Egg, in old Rome 66 Boating tool Solution to Friday’s puzzle:

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Classic and timeless RYAN CAYABYAB and Lea Salonga

all access Ricky Gallardo

rickygallardoTFI@gmail.com

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hen we learned about the release of a new album of worldclass artist Lea Salonga and newly declared National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab, we immediately felt that this one will be a music collector’s item and surely destined to be a classic many years from now. Our good, old Filipino-Chinese friends from Curve Entertainment Inc.—Narciso Chan and Rudy Tee—took charge to make this album, beautifully titled Bahaghari (Rainbow), a reality. Chan and Tee know the music business by heart, having led labels like BMG Pilipinas and Sony Music Philippines to the top during the prime of the local music industry in the ’90s. The project was initiated when Salonga was introduced to GLP Music founders Angela Jackson and Rex Niswander. The label produces music that would introduce children to world languages and international cultures. Bahaghari aims to present the charming and colorful music of the Philippines to the world, and it features 15 traditional folk songs we’ve come to know during our younger days. The dialects from some of the more than 7,000 islands that make up the country are also represented—Tagalog, Ilocano, Kapampangan, Bicolano, Bisaya and Ilonggo. Included are these titles: “Bahay Kubo,” “Leron Leron Sinta,” “Sarung Banggi,” “Paruparong Bukid,” “Pamulinawen” and “Sitsiritsit Alibangbang.” Chan added, “The release of this special album is aimed at reaching the consciousness of the younger generation of Filipinos in and out of the country, in order to revive awareness of traditional Filipino music and preserve the importance and beauty of this fading musical genre.” We learned that the album was produced by Cayabyab, whose deep knowledge of Filipino music proved essential to the completion of this dream project. Cayabyab successfully made the album musically interesting, tapping a diverse lineup of arrangers to give each song the flavor and spice the album needed. “The songs had to be varied in subject, in

Academy Award nominee ‘The Firemen’s Ball’ screening in Manila Witness as The Firemen’s Ball (1967), a comedic Oscar nominee, brings laughter and reflection in its Philippine debut for the December installation of the yearlong “Czech Movie Gems.” This 73-minute film brings the story of a small provincial town’s volunteer firefighters’ intricate preparation yet catastrophic execution of a firefighter’s ball filled with epic fiascos—shy pageant contestants, magically stolen lottery prize and a burning farmhouse on the night of the ball. The film reveals the incompetent character, insignificantly corrupt and illogical self-interests of humans. Often considered as a satire of the East European communist system, the film was regarded as a metaphor of a distorted morality and an incomprehensible precedence of pretense over dignity and honor. The Firemen’s Ball is a breakthrough for director Milos Forman as this was the first colored film he released and the last he created in his home country of Czechoslovakia. Further, this film served as milestone in the era of the Czech New Wave, which sought to inculcate a collective understanding of how each became participants of an oppressive system that demeaned them. With the cooperation from the Film Development Council of the Philippines and Cinematheque Centre Manila, the Czech Embassy invites enthusiasts to see this film that suffered censorship and was banned in the old Czechoslovakia. The film will be screened on December 12, 6:30 pm, at Cinematheque Center Manila. Admission is free. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to capacity.

emotion, and in tempo and rhythm,” Cayabyab noted. “The collection couldn’t all be slow songs or only celebratory songs. We had to have a good representation not only of language but of a variety of subjects and emotions. This would hopefully make for a lovely aural spread.” For her part, Salonga is excited to share this with her fans from all over the world. ”Because the arrangements were all so different from one another, I needed to stylistically adapt my vocals to fit them while holding on to my own voice and how

I sing,” she said, adding. “The more playful stuff, like ‘Pobreng Alindahaw,’ was just so much fun to do during the recording; and some of the more dramatic music, like ‘Matud Nila,’ was straight from the heart. The melodies are just as informative as the lyrics, so I latched on to them.” Some media colleagues teased Salonga about becoming a future National Artist for Music, and she had this to say: “I don’t think that any National Artist did his or her work thinking, ‘If I do this I might one day be a National Artist.’ That’s not the

intent and it will never be the intent. You do the work for the work per se. You do the work to share whatever God-given talent you have. You do good work for artistic expression.” Bahaghari is now available on Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, Deezer and all digital platforms worldwide. CDs with a special booklet containing cultural notes written by award-winning writer and director Floy Quintos, and original lyrics with English translations will be available at local record stores beginning December 17. n

Hit Korean dramas air back-to-back on GMA

It’s must TV for K-drama fans on weekday mornings as GMA airs back-toback Koreanovelas with Something About 1% and Don’t Dare to Dream, which premiered on December 3. The romantic-comedy Something About 1% features Jeon So-min as Darlene, a simple girl who is content with her simple life as a teacher at a small school and as the fan club president of a K-pop idol; and Ha Seok-jin as Irvin, a ruthless businessman with making money as his only goal. Darlene’s life is changed when she helps a random old man, without knowing he’s rich. After seeing Darlene’s sincerity, he thinks she is the perfect pair for his arrogant grandson, Irvin, and orders the two to date. Darlene and Irvin agree in exchange for their own motives. In the 1 percent probability they have, will they get to know

THE romantic-comedy series Something About 1%.

each other skin deep and find true love? On the other hand, Don’t Dare to Dream follows the story of Nikki, played by Gong Hyo-jin, a weather broadcaster who dreams of falling in love, and becoming an anchor. She has a long-time crush on Harvey Lee (Jo Jung-suk), the famous news reporter in the broadcast network where she works. One time, Nikki accidentally touches the bump on Harvey’s chest. Nikki says he should get it checked in case he has breast cancer. When he finds out he has breast cancer, he starts taking Nikki seriously but it may be too late for him as his best friend, Johnny (Go Kyung-pyo), is already making moves on Nikki. Can Nikki get what she wants in her career and in her personal life? Something About 1% and Don’t Dare to Dream airs weekdays after The Legend of Zu on GMA.

Items belonging to Sinatra make $9-M hit at Sotheby’s auction NEW YORK—The private treasures of Frank Sinatra and his wife, Barbara, were a multimillion-dollar hit at auction. Sotheby’s reported on Friday that the couple’s entertainment memorabilia, art, jewelry, books and other personal items sold for $9.2 million—about twice their presale estimates. Nine paintings by the legendary crooner went for more than $850,000, against a high estimate of $120,000. The 20-carat diamond engagement ring

Frank Sinatra and his wife Barbara arrive at Our Lady of Malibu church to renew their wedding vows on their 20th wedding anniversary in Malibu, California, in July 1996. AP

Sinatra presented to his fiancée in a glass of champagne fetched nearly $1.7 million, surpassing a top $1.5 million estimate. And a Jewish skullcap with Frank’s name embroidered on it shot past a high estimate of $500, selling for more than $9,000. Some of the proceeds will benefit the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center in Rancho Mirage, California, which counsels victims of physical, sexual and emotional abuse. AP

Ex-Miss Kentucky charged with sending nude photos to student

Former Miss Kentucky Ramsey Bearse

CHARLESTON, West Virginia—A former Miss Kentucky who is a teacher in West Virginia has been charged with sending nude pictures to a 15-year-old former student. News outlets report that 28-year-old Ramsey Bearse was

arrested on Friday and charged with four felony counts of distributing or displaying obscene matter to a minor. A criminal complaint says the student’s parent informed authorities of lewd pictures sent by Bearse that were found on the

teenager’s phone. The unidentified parent said Bearse had been the boy’s teacher during part of his time at Andrew Jackson Middle School in Cross Lanes. Authorities say Bearse admitted to sending the nude photos on Snapchat. It’s unclear whether she

has an attorney. A spokesman for Kanawha County Schools declined to comment but confirmed that Bearse was a teacher at the school. Under her maiden name of Carpenter, Bearse was crowned Miss Kentucky in 2014. AP

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Male K-pop idols are changing our ideas about beauty

Key of SHINee

S.Coups of Seventeen

Jimin of BTS

Kai of EXO

Baekhyun of EXO

Taeyong of NCT

GDragon of Big Bang

Jin of BTS

Bambam of Got7

and then some diNna chan vasquez @dinnachanvasquez luckydinna@gmail.com

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f you’re a K-pop fan, particularly of male idols, you probably hate hearing other people say, “But they all look alike” or “Aren’t they all surgically enhanced?” Saying all K-pop idols look alike is slightly racist, in my opinion. They don’t look alike. For instance, K-pop fans like to say that Suga of BTS and Woozi of Seventeen are brothers. There is a resemblance, yes, but it’s easy to tell them apart. And saying that everyone looks alike is an insult to diversity because while most idols are tall, slim and fair-skinned, there are those who look different. There are golden-skinned male idols like Kai of EXO and Mingyu of Seventeen. There are idols who are not tall and have not even breached the 5’5” mark. And, yes, some idols aren’t conventionally good-looking. That doesn’t mean being dark-skinned or not as tall as the majority makes an idol less attractive. What I love about K-pop is that it breaks barriers in terms of looks. Who says men can’t wear makeup? If they do, should they wear natural-looking makeup, or can they go beyond what is normally considered acceptable in men? K-pop idols aren’t the first men in the entertainment industry to wear makeup. David Bowie was doing that decades before the K-pop idols did. But for me, what makes K-pop beauty groundbreaking is that there are no rules when it comes to makeup and/or enhancements. So here are some K-pop male idol looks that I find interesting. Please note that it’s not ranked and I am by no means an expert on K-pop and idols. I’m a beauty writer who appreciates beauty in all forms. This isn’t a list of the most good-looking idols. I wish I had room for more but due to space constraints, I have limited the number to 10. Key of SHINee @bumkeyk on Instagram

Kang Daniel of Wanna One

Key’s looks are always on point, whether he is walking his dogs or posing for a new album cover. His usual include well-groomed brows and flawless skin. S.Coups of Seventeen @saythename_17 on Instagram So many tweets and articles have been devoted to the Seventeen leader’s signature juicy red lip look. I’ve seen S.Coups up close and, in my opinion, his best face feature (aside from the lips) are his soulful eyes. Jimin of BTS @BTS_twt on Twitter I always love Jimin’s hairstyles, whether it’s a tousled platinum blonde, or brown and lightly curled. I have always thought Jimin’s face was fascinating and interesting. A British man reportedly spent over $75,000 in surgical and cosmetic enhancements to look like him. Kai of EXO @zkdlin on Instagram Kai isn’t your typical K-pop idol because he has sun-kissed skin. He is very good-looking and has an undeniable appeal. He is always made-up and styled to look almost pretty. Baekhyun of EXO @baekhyunee_exo on Instagram Baekhyun’s look is simple but striking. Makeup artists always emphasize his eyes, which are his best facial asset. He also has a face that is beautiful and mysterious. Taeyong of NCT @nct127 on Instagram You can’t argue that Taeyong is one of the bestlooking young idols right now. He has a chiseled but

beautiful face and flawless skin. I read somewhere that his childhood dream was to become a firefighter. Can you imagine him as a firefighter? GDragon of Big Bang @xxxibgdrgn on Instagram Love him or hate him, there is no argument about GDragon being an original both in fashion and beauty. He was the first K-pop idol I saw who wore brands like Vetements and Gosha Rubinsky. He even has his own fashion label, called Peaceminusone. Jin of BTS @bts_twt on Twitter Of all the K-pop idols, Jin is one of those who have a full head of healthy hair considering that it’s colored/ bleached/styled all the time. He also has a beautiful face and full lips. Seriously, I want to know what these guys are doing to their hair to make it always healthy. Bambam of Got7 @bambam1a on Instagram The Thai-born K-pop star is always well-groomed and well-dressed, whether he’s just in the recording studio or at dance practice, or when he performs onstage. His hair and makeup are always impeccable; it’s difficult to find fault with his grooming. Bambam’s looks are always bordering on the feminine, which suits him perfectly. Kang Daniel of Wanna One @wannaone.official on Instagram Stylists and makeup artists like to keep Daniel’s look simple, as befitting his boy-next-door image. It’s usually just light makeup, his signature earrings and well-styled hair. n n Editor’s note: Photos were culled from the artists’ respective social media accounts.

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Monday, December 10, 2018 E1

Is employee engagement just a reflection of personality? By Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Lewis Garrad & Didier Elzinga

that people face. Third, the most creative people in your organization are probably more cynical, skeptical and harder to please than the rest. Many innovators also have problems with authority and a predisposition to challenge the status quo. This makes them more likely to complain about bad management and inefficiency issues, and potentially more likely to disengage. Last, anything of value is typically the result of team rather than individual performance, and great teams are not made of people who are identical to each other, but of individuals who complement each other. If you want cognitive diversity—variety in thinking, feeling and acting—then you will need people with different personalities. If we can combine what we know about engagement with what we know about personality, then we can help each person more effectively navigate their organizational reality—leading to better, more effective organizations for all.

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ost people would like to have a job, a boss and a workplace they can engage with, as well as work that gives them a sense of purpose. But how much of engagement is actually just personality? A recent meta-analysis provides some much-needed data-driven answers. Although the authors examined only the impact of personality on engagement—without considering the known contextual influences on it—their results were rather staggering: Almost 50 percent of the variability in engagement could be predicted by people’s personality. In particular by four traits: positive affect, proactivity, conscientiousness and extroversion. In combination, these traits represent some of the core ingredients of emotional intelligence and resilience. So if you want an engaged work force, perhaps your best bet is to hire people who have an “engaga-

ble” personality? There are four important caveats to consider: For starters, being more resilient to bad or incompetent management may be helpful for an individual employee’s well-being, but it can be damaging for the wider performance of the organization. Frustrated employees are often a warning sign of broader managerial and leadership issues that need to be addressed. Second, at least half of “engagement” still comes from contextual factors about the employees’ work; issues or experiences that are common to all employees in an organization. So while one employee’s

opinion might be heavily biased by the personality of that individual,

a collection of views (like those often captured in organizational

surveys) are more representative of the shared issues and challenges

Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic is the chief talent scientist at ManpowerGroup. Lewis Garrad is the growth markets lead for Mercer|Sirotat. Didier Elzinga is the CEO and founder of Culture Amp.

Why we need to audit algorithms What a Toys ‘R’ Us comeback could look like By James Guszcza, Iyad Rahwan, Will Bible, Manuel Cebrian & Vic Katyal

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lgorithmic decisionmaking and artificial intelligence, or AI, hold enormous potential and are likely to be economic blockbusters, but we worry that the hype has led many people to overlook the serious problems of introducing algorithms into business and society. Ensuring that societal values are reflected in algorithms and AI technologies will require no less creativity, hard work and innovation than developing the AI technologies themselves. We have a proposal for a good place to start: auditing. So what might an algorithmauditing discipline look like? First, it should adopt a holistic perspective. Computer science and machine learning methods will be necessary, but likely not sufficient foundations for an algorithm-auditing discipline. Strategic thinking, contextually informed professional judgment, communication and employment of the scientific method are also required. As a result, algorithm auditing must be interdisciplinary in order for it to succeed. It should integrate professional skepticism with social science methodology, and concepts from such fields as psychology, be-

havioral economics, human-centered design and ethics. A social scientist asks not only, “How do I optimally model and use the patterns in this data?” but further asks, “Is this sample of data suitably representative of the underlying reality?” An ethicist might go further to ask a question such as: “Is the distribution based on today’s reality the appropriate one to use?” An auditor should ask other questions, too: Is the algorithm suitably transparent to end-users? Is it likely to be used in a socially acceptable way? Might it produce undesirable psychological effects or inadvertently exploit natural human frailties? Is the algorithm being used for a deceptive purpose? Is there evidence of internal bias or incompetence in its design? Even if thoughtfully performed, algorithm auditing will still raise difficult questions that only society, through its elected representatives and regulators, can answer.

James Guszcza is the chief data scientist for Deloitte Consulting Llp. Iyad Rahwan is an associate professor at the MIT Media Lab. Will Bible is the chief digital officer and a partner of Deloitte & Touche Llp. Manuel Cebrian is a research scientist manager at MIT Media Lab. Vic Katyal is a principal and the global data risk and analytics leader at Deloitte and Touche Llp.

© 2018 Harvard Business School Publishing Corp. (Distributed by The New York Times Syndicate)

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By Kevin M. Dulle & B. Joseph Pine II

oys “R” Us is being resurrected for the holiday season. But the environment that caused the toy chain’s demise has not changed. It still must compete with Wal-mart, Target and especially Amazon, a competition based on price and convenience that it could not win. Retailers today face two choices: offer consumers time well saved or time well spent. Toys “R” Us failed at the former strategy in its first incarnation. In coming out of bankruptcy, the company must

pursue a time-well-spent strategy, offering places where both parents and their kids enjoy great experiences. For the reborn company to have a chance, it must turn 180 degrees and embrace a parent- and kid-centric strategy. It must become a stager of toy-playing experiences—enticing consumers into its new places by offering experiences that both parents and kids value. Imagine venues designed around toys themselves with never-ending play experiences—one with spots where children can play with Lego sets and participate in gaming tournaments. Imagine a testing

lab where vendors pay to have children play with their latest and greatest toys. Imagine a studio where kids can design and create toys. Imagine becoming the place for children’s birthday parties. The absolute best way of knowing you’re providing time well spent is to charge admission for gaining entry to at least parts of the store—as the old Toys “R” Us once did for the ferris wheel in its former flagship store in Times Square in New York City. In addition, Toys “R” Us could create a toy club that parents would value so much they’d pay a membership fee. The

The challenges GM faces

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By Willy C. Shih

ener al Motors’s announcement that it plans to idle five North American factories and cut 14,000 jobs has sparked much discussion in the media and outrage in Washington. It is far better for GM to reallocate sources now, while it is healthy, than to wait until it is in trouble. And the same applies to the affected workers. Capita l-intensive factor ies have a high-fixed-cost, low-variable-cost operating model. If you greatly reduce the production volume, the cars have to absorb more of the fixed costs, and that

eventually sends the product into a profitability death spiral. Every day GM operates such factories, it expends more resources that could be redeployed elsewhere. Another issue involves reallocating resources in the face of fundamental market shifts. Given the shift in immediate US demand from small and medium-size sedans to light trucks and sport utility vehicles and the long-term need for GM to make the transition to electric and self-driving cars, I think that GM is smart to act now while its cash flow can sustain the shutdown of these facilities and reinvestment in new products.

Then there is the question of how to reallocate assets. Many firms, and GM is a notable example, have used bankruptcy as a way to shed assets. When it initiated the process during the heights of the Great Recession, it eliminated the Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Saturn and Hummer brands, along with countless other obsolete assets. GM also used bankruptcy as a way to get out of dealer agreements, renegotiate labor contracts and sweep away decades of ways of working that were no longer in step with the market’s needs. I believe a far better path is to restructure the operations in ques-

club’s fees could include the ability to return toys past their useful life or ageappropriateness and upgrade them via customized recommendations based on each individual child. By changing its business model to offer—and charge for—time well spent, the new Toys “R” Us can carve out a lasting and valued role in the toy business for decades to come.

Kevin M. Dulle is a director of experience innovations at NewGround and founder of The thINKing Canvas. B. Joseph Pine II is a cofounder of Strategic Horizons.

tion long before they threaten the company’s survival. That is what GM is trying to do. A separate question that the GM announcement raises is: Who is responsible for retraining the displaced workers and helping them find a new way to support their families? The tragedy in America is that there is no consensus about this among leaders in business and the government. Most problems don’t get better over time; this one almost certainly won’t. Willy C. Shih is a professor at Harvard Business School.

E2 Monday, December 10, 2018 • Editor: Efleda P. Campos

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PUP to offer postgraduate classes for DOE employees

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AGUIG CITY—Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) on Monday, December 3, at the DOE Multi-Purpose Building.

Under the MOA, PUP will conduct postgraduate classes for qualified DOE employees for its

Kids take on future with Samsung’s coding program

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AMSUNG Electronics Philippines Corp. recently launched its first junior coding boot camp titled Coding for Kids. Committed to increase access to education by offering ICT-enabled education to vulnerable groups, Samsung kicked off its first lecture for the pioneering class of Grade 5 students of EM’s Signal Village Elementary School (ESVES) in Taguig City. The six-month learning program aims to make computer science education more accessible to the Filipino youth. To make this possible, Samsung has partnered with Code.org, a nonprofit digital educational platform dedicated to expanding access to computer science schools and increasing participation from underrepresented sectors. “We are honored to be back here after two years and meet the pioneering batch of Samsung Junior Coders as we officially launch our first Coding for Kids program in the Philippines,” said Kevin Lee, country managing director of Samsung Philippines. “As the world leader in consumer technology, we can help enable future innovators and engineers by providing them with resources they need to enhance their access to computer science education.” Samsung executives, Department of Education officials and Taguig City officials led by Mayor Laarni L. Cayetano were on hand for the ribboncutting and memorandum of agreement signing. The excitement and joy of the ESVES students during the first day of the course was infectious. Each was eager to learn and explore the interactive lessons laid out for them. This fun-filled day of coding for the first time as they familiarized themselves with the basics would be one they won’t soon forget. Part of a global initiative, Coding for Kids will be soon rolled out across the country with hopes to bolster the digital skills program and improve its content.

Master’s degree in Public Administration (MPA). The DOE, in turn, will transfer P4,199,958 to PUP to

cover tuition fees, miscellaneous fees, and honorarium of professors and lecturers. Cusi said, “It is our intent to further enhance the future leaders of the Department of Energy [DOE]. On the technical aspect of capacity building, we are continuously updating our knowledge through local and foreign trainings, especially for modern technologies. Through this MOA, we aim to nurture a primed work force that is adept in the administrative aspect of our day-today operations. This would ease our processes within the department, ensuring that we will be able to serve the public more efficiently and at a

higher standard.” There are 42 DOE employees who qualified for the postgraduate degree program after a stringent selection process. “We wanted to make sure the best employees within the department were given this privilege, especially those with aspirations in a long-term career in public service.” Cusi added. The MPA degree program will run from CY 2018 to 2020 and the qualified participants will be required to maintain a general weighted average not lower than 2.0 as part of the standards set in the MOA.

Mundipharma invests in capacity building of local health-care professionals through industry trainings

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N partnership with the Operation Room Nurses Association of the Philippines (Or nap) and the Philippine Pharmacists Association (PPhA), Mu nd ipha r m a Dist r ibut ion GmbH (Philippine branch), makers of Betadine, recently hosted the Pharmacists and Nurses Advancement Summit (PNAS), with the theme “Better2gether—Coming Together for Patient-centered Care.” Newly appointed Country Manager Ian Santos said the company is strengthening its partnerships with various local health care and medical associations to further upskill Filipino health professionals, especially on best practices and latest innovations in pain, emesis and wound management. In his opening remarks given before more than 500 nurses and pharmacists from around the Philippines, Santos urged local health-care associations to strengthen their synergy among them in order to ensure a robust and globally skilled healthcare service network. He, likewise, underscored the importance for the industry to stay updated on new techniques and medicines shaping the future of the local healthcare sector. Dr. Yolanda Robles of PPhA and Rajel Belen, presidents of OR-

NAP, shared their delight in seeing many of their colleagues join this year’s PNAS, which included health courses and trainings such as the future of pain management, options for pain treatment, adherence to medication, wound care management and prevention of postoperative discomfort. “This is one of the few events where pharmacists come together with other members of the healthcare industry. We are advocates of lifelong learning where we see the value of continuing education for health-care professionals so we can always be updated with regard to the quality of services we provide to our patients. We truly appreciate this gesture of Mundipharma to provide such a venue so that each of us can find our specific roles on how we can collaborate in view of the positive outcomes for the patients,” Robles said. “Our organization continues to develop a variety of Continuing Professional Development [CPD] programs that aim to increase the competency of our operative nurses. We are delighted to have this second opportunity to collaborate with Philippine Pharmacist Association and Mundipharma to raise the bar of excellence for our medical professionals in providing care to our patients,” Rajel Belen of Ornap added.

Through these industry trainings, Mundipharma is able to gain valuable insights into the needs of health-care professionals and their patients, which are then incorporated in its search for new treatments and products to better improve the quality of life for patients and consumers. “We in the health industry all agree that the patient’s wellbeing remains paramount above all else. With the patient at the core and with the insights from our fellow health professionals, we endeavor to deliver quality care that leads to better health and a better experience for our patients. We in Mundipharma hope that we can add value to the equation by making available innovative and safe medicines that alleviate the suffering of patients,” Santos said. Aside from PNAS, Mundipharma will continue to sponsor more trainings for health-care professionals, such as: Heal Summit for wound care experts; the Alliance for Cancer Pain Experts; the Pain Assessment Control and Treatment Summit; and the Mundipharma Cancer Care Forum. All of these activities are intended to provide the latest information on disease management to support its partners in achieving quality, patient-centered care.

PLDT-Smart Foundation donates digital classrooms to Leyte

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ORE public schools in the Visayas will benefit from mobile technology, 21stcentury teaching tools and multimedia resources, as the fourth district of Leyte became the latest beneficiary of the Smart School-in-a-Bag, a digital learning package donated by PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF) to mark the fifth anniversary of Supertyphoon Yolanda. Present during the turnover cer-

emony led by PLDT-Smart Chairman and CEO, Manny V. Pangilinan, were PSF President Esther O. Santos, PLDT and Smart Public Affairs Head Ramon R. Isberto, Smart Community Partnerships Head Darwin Flores and Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez, who accepted the donation for her district. Each digital learning package contains a projector, DVD player, a Smart Bro Pocket Wi-fi, a teacher’s

laptop and student tablets preloaded with educational content. It also comes with the Dynamic Learning Program module, teacher training courses, and regular monitoring and evaluation from Smart. Since the launch of the Smart School-in-a-Bag in 2016, over 30,000 students and over 1,000 teachers in learning communities all over the country have benefited from the program.

THE Department of Science and Technology (DOST), headed by Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña (third from left) and Undersecretary for Research and Development Dr. Rowena Cristina L. Guevara (fifth from right), together with Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) Director Dr. Mario V. Capanzana (fifth from left), conducted an ocular visit at MetaMetrics, the first specialty laboratory for nutrient testing in the Asean region. Joining them are (from left): Lhea Laurel, business development manager of MetaMetrics; Kyle Adrianne Benito, MetaMetrics chemist; Jose Maria A. Ochave, senior vice president of Unilab Inc.; Alexander R. Fernandez, corporate vice president of Unilab Inc.; Dr. Charina de Silva, Laboratory director of MetaMetrics; Meryl Christina Reyes, head chemist of MetaMetrics; Kathryne Garcia, MetaMetrics chemist; Mary Rose Fariscal, MetaMetrics chemist; and Carl Roger Inocentes, MetaMetrics chemist.

DOST scholars run Asean’s first nutrient-testing lab

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HE Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has shown time and again that investing in programs to develop the country’s human capital will prove beneficial in the long run. For instance, the decades-old Balik Scientist Program (BSP) and Science and Technology Scholarship Program have put the country in the position of being the Asean hub for nutrient testing by producing the experts capable of running such specialty laboratory. “By institutionalizing programs such as the BSP and the scholarship scheme for poor, but deserving students, the DOST is helping secure a future where public and private institutions can rely on a steady pool of highly skilled talent that they can tap even for specialized activities and business ventures,” said Science Secretary Fortunato T. dela Pena. One project that directly benefits from the DOST’s BSP and scholarship program is the recently launched MetaMetrics, the first specialty laboratory for nutrient testing in the Asean region. MetaMetrics, strategically located on Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong City, is a Department of Health (DOH)registered specialty clinical laboratory that provides the most comprehensive line of micronutrient and macronutrient testing. The laboratory provides testing for cellular levels of vitamins, minerals, fatty acids and amino acids to determine nutrient deficiency or toxicity. MetaMetrics is headed by Dr. Charina de Silva, a Balik Scientist awardee in 1998. The MetaMetrics Laboratory Director obtained her doctorate degree in Bioanalytical Chemistry at University of Florida. She was also a graduate of the DOST-funded Philippine Science High School and a recipient of DOST scholarship while obtaining her BS Chemistry degree. She is determined to “give back” and transfer the expertise she mastered from abroad for the development of the country. MetaMetrics personnel Mary Rose Fariscal and Carl Rogel Inocentes, meanwhile, were recipients of DOST scholarship grants under Republic Act 7687 from 2007 to 2011, and 2008 to 2012, respectively. “Mary Rose and I were both financially challenged in college, and through

DOST scholarship, we were able to complete our Biochemistry/Chemistry degree from the University of the Philippines,” Inocentes said. Also, Meryl Christina Reyes and Jan Kathryne Garcia, both MetaMetrics chemists, were able to enhance their skills and research capabilities as Science Research Specialists for DOST’s Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD)-funded projects. “These DOST-funded projects allowed us to acquire technical skills in handling current laboratory instruments, giving us competitive advantage for the nutrient laboratory,” Reyes said. The Balik Scientist Program was established in 1975 “to encourage highly trained overseas Filipino scientists and technologists, experts and professionals to return to the Philippines and share their expertise for the acceleration of the scientific, agro-industrial and economic development of the country.” De Silva added: “The highly technical team of MetaMetrics Laboratory has benefited from the various scholarship and programs of the DOST. As the first specialty diagnostics for nutrient and environmental testing in the Asean region, MetaMetrics Laboratory require highly competent personnel to conduct specialized tests. Through DOST programs, the chemists of the laboratory gained appropriate education, training, technical capability and technology adoption was possible,” de Silva said. Other services offered by MetaMetrics include testing for heavy metal toxicity, food and inhalant allergies and food sensitivities. The laboratory is equipped with the most advanced instruments and cutting-edge technologies on a par with the best in Europe and the US. “We use validated analytical methods that require intensive sample preparation and meticulous testing methods, all of these performed by highly competent and internationally trained staff. Our tests help clinicians in providing actionable and targeted interventions to optimize health, prevent disease and support medical management of diseases through nutritional intervention, diet modification and reduction of environmental influences,” de Silva said.

Learn Best Practices in Facilities and Maintenance Management

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W ELL -m a inta ined property can enhance the “rent-ability” and “ buyability” of your assets. Conversely, you become a victim of expensive repairs due to poor maintenance of your facilities and buildings. To help property owners, building managers, hoteliers and administrators, the Center for Global Best Practices (CGBP) will host a two-day special training entitled “Best Practices in Facilities and Maintenance Management” to be held on Thursday and Friday, January 10 and 11, 2019 at the Manila Marriott Hotel, Pasay City. This pioneering topic is never

really taught in any school. The lecture is a presentation of the best practices applicable across different industries, including manufacturing, hospitality, businessprocess outsourcing (BPO) centers, schools, real-estate property development, including malls, condominiums, subdivisions, industrial estates, multifunctional buildings, and complexes regardless of its type, size and existing condition. Attendees will learn all the best practices in world-class integrated facilities maintenance and management to help developers, building owners, property administrators,

village/condominium managers and heads of engineering to optimize operational efficiency in the maintenance and management of their buildings and facilities, reduce disruptions and costs, and improve compliance to pertinent codes, standards and regulatory statutes. This is also recommended for building planners, engineers and architects who often neglect incorporating facility management in their design of buildings and other spaces for its intended purpose. Listen and learn from internationally renowned book author on the topic, Efren G. Mañez, who will

share with you his over 40 years of best practices experiences. His expertise and work engagements has brought him to many different parts of Southeast Asia and Dubai. Among his successful professional maintenance and construction project applications include landmarks and prominent structures, such as the Brunei Grand Sultanate Palaces and its several VVIP Housings, Marco Polo Luxury Hotel, mixed-use commercial and BPO buildings, high-end office condominiums/condotels, cultural center edifice and the nationwide bank branches and assets. He also spearheaded the maintenance

of the Unocal 76 or Chevron’s (MarkBan and Tiwi) geothermal-electric power generation assets. This program is for those who want to cut the costs of faulty maintenance management. Registration is open to the general public. Government employees attending above program are exempted from the P2,000 limit set by the COA based on Department of Budget and Management circular 563 issued on April 22, 2016. CGBP is also accredited by the Civil Service Training Institute. Public officials attending this training program will earn points for career advancement as required by the

Civil Service Commission. Interested attendees are encouraged to avail themselves of the early registration savings and group discounts. Check www.cgbp.org, for a complete list of best practices programs, such as Building Code of the Philippines, Optimizing Tax Savings for Real-Estate Transactions, Professionalizing the Family Business, Project Feasibility Study and Analysis and many more. For inquiries, you may call lines in Manila (+63 2) 842-7148/ 59 and (+63 2) 556-8968/ 69, in Baguio (+63 74) 423-2914, in Cebu (+63 32) 512-3106 or 07 or Legazpi City (+63 52) 736-0148.

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Editor: Efleda P. Campos • Monday, December 10, 2018 E3

to influencer communication I

PR Matters By Bong R. Osorio

NFLUENCER communication— PR and marketing included—is the process of determining, investigating, involving and maintaining the people who create and sustain high-impact conversations with customers about your brand, products or services. It gave way to the age of deference—or putting people on a pedestal or high esteem. It will continue to grow in importance as a tool for the marketing communications industry, as the sector seeks new and inventive ways of creating third-party advocacy for brands, organizations and people. Today, people are putting their confidence and loyalty with each other. Endorsements from friends, family members, and colleague drive the digital economy. McKinsey, a worldwide management consulting firm, believes that marketing-inspired word-of-mouth can generate more than twice the sales of paid advertising, and those targeted clients have a 37-percent higher rate of retention. It’s in this framework that influencer marketing has surfaced, as marketers pursue an alignment program for their brands with people whose mindset run parallel with them. Recently, D+GILITY, Dentsu Aegis Network (DAN) Philippines’s center for social media excellence, brought together online influencers, content creators and digital experts for a Social Connect, an event that challenges the status quo, champions future thinking, and espouses thought leadership within the network. Donald Lim, country head and CEO of DAN Philippines, proclaimed, “As the world moves into the social space as their main platform of interaction and communications, we believe brands should learn how to generate real connections and engagement with their audience on social media. Through this event, we saw how working influencers can allow brands to create breakthroughs in social media through the right and efficient use of social-media PR influencers. By partnering with these social-media icons, we are able to bridge the gaps and create a better understanding on how to maximize their ever-growing influence and how brands can effectively collaborate with them in communicating with their audiences.” The event, which was held at the chic office of Facebook in BGC, was kicked off with a presentation from Bea Atienza, DAN Philippines’s chief digital strategy officer who talked about harnessing synergy between brands and influencers. Bea observed that social-media platforms were quickly becoming the newest shopping destination. Influencers such as Kris Aquino and the SM Luggage Boy have taken the role of tastemakers. Given this shift, brands must be prepared to share the stage with these tastemakers to keep up with their audiences. “We are changing the brandbuilding model; we are seeing more of an organic scheme where brands aren’t the center: they share the stage as a co-star, director and even agents to the talents they commission,” she declared. Today, the relationship that brands create and nurture with their communities is equally important. Mark del Rosario, founder of “Let’s Eat Pare,” talked about how he successfully established and capitalized on an interactive space among different interest groups, which was initially an untouched opportunity on Facebook. For Mark, what was essential was the willingness to grow with communities and adapt to new platforms to stay authentic. “Mind you, all their interactions are purely 100 percent organic,” he underscored. Laurie Lee of Facebook Philippines delved into the importance of “Getting It Right”—How to choose

the right influencer, produce the right creative and format, and use the right media. “Once brands have established a suitable mix, they can deliver more rewarding collaborations,” she said. In a series of fireside chats, DAN Philippines agencies also had a taste of what it takes to be a content creator in today’s digital landscape. Restaurateur Erwan Heussaff, radio DJ Gino Quillamor and content creator Jako de Leon discussed the future of influencer marketing in the Philippines together with Fay Ballo of Aspac-DAN and Jace Suzara of Dentsu Jayme Syfu. Likewise, influencers such as Dani Barretto, Lloyd Cadena, Pamela Swing, Cha Ocampo, Luigi Pacheco, Christiana Collings-Canlas and Vince Velasco also shared stories about pursuing their passions, creating their personal trademark, and managing businesses with brands. Overall, DAN Social Connect delivered fresh perspectives on influencer PR and marketing, as it emboldened agencies, creators, influencers and experts to be more innovative with their ways of collaboration, to deliver more compelling, vibrant and exciting work. Jim Guzman, DAN’s head of social, said, “I am very happy that, once again, we were able to gather our influential digital and social media leads and practitioners for fun and learning. With influencer PR and marketing evolving rapidly these days, this meet-up is definitely timely. It is just one of the many future events that D+GILITY will be hosting as part of the commitment to drive future thinking, not just in the company, but in the industry.”

An intelligent approach to influencer PR

TO help PR professionals and marketers establish a clearer link between decisions around the practice and business results, Google, Nielsen and Carat, a media and digital communications agency, set out to identify a more intelligent approach to influencer PR and marketing. The study digs into a deceptively simple question, which to date, nobody has answered with conviction: Who (profile of YouTube contributors) influences who (profile of their followers you can identify within your panel data across different client audiences) to do what exactly (measure impact along the consumer journey to understand whether influencers can)? The contracted study is a pioneering effort. It provides marketers and communicators an understanding of why and how influencers drive brand impact, and critically, what kind of impact they create and build. The study was founded on interviews with 12,000 people, aged 13 to 30, in two major markets—the US and UK; and over 500 videos were tested across over 20 categories, delivering new insights across the full range of influencer content formats and brand integrations. The research provides a more intelligent, strategic framework for marketers to apply to their influencer marketing approach. The following are the major insights and key learnings that emerged from it: Celebrities drive recall; influencers build understanding. Many a headline writer have announced influencers as the new, global superstars. But influencer marketing should not be confused with celebrity endorsement. They play different roles. They have different strengths. When it comes to pure recall, celebrities still have the edge. But the data show that influencers have significantly more impact on brand familiarity (where the effect can be as much as 50 percent higher), advocacy and driving brand interactions. It appears these effects can vary

widely between categories. Deciding on an influencer partnership can often come down to gutfeel or a perceived “affinity” with the target audience. Influencers work beyond intuition. But across audiences, categories and attributes, our preconceptions about influencers are not always borne out in the data and there is significant scope for marketers to apply a more informed, intelligent approach. Influencers are not all about millennial audiences. The study uncovered a positive response to influencers among older audiences, too, though it was by no means universal. Think beyond the clichés. It’s equally powerful for other audiences (as long as you’re clear on what you’re trying to do!). Attributes of influencers must be familiar to you. Influencers who are perceived as funny, successful and having social-media savvy tended to perform equally strong across all demographics—regardless of gender or age. But all influencers are not the same. Critically, certain influencer attributes are highly predictive of specific brand key performance indicators (KPIs). The impact of influencer marketing

is well accepted in many categories. Great examples are the beauty and gaming sectors. The research likewise showed that apps, toys, movies and television can also benefit, with brand lift and brand recall significantly improved. Certain influencer attributes are highly predictive of specific brand KPIs across these sectors. Judge numbers on action (what people do) rather than exposure (how many people you can reach). Test what works for your category and brand goal. The study found that successful content and format varies considerably by sector. It’s not just the “who;” it’s the “how.” It’s not just the choice of influencer type that will impact different brand goals. The choice of content and format also matters, with three types of content consistently working best—and effectiveness being particularly marked in specific categories: Custom integration, where content is unique, exclusive to the brand and fully integrated with influencer content; where content may include other brands, and where content is created by a brand, featuring an influencer. Starting with real people is key.

Determine at the onset, who do you want to influence and why? Be mindful that influence is a means to delivering results, rather than an end to itself. Influencer PR and marketing is getting things work in synergy: engaging the appropriate influencer, creating the right creative and format, and consuming the right media. Once your brands have established a suitable mix, they are guaranteed to deliver more rewarding partnerships and results. PR Matters is a roundtable column by members of the local chapter of the United Kingdom-based International Public Relations Association (Ipra), the world’s premier organization for PR professionals around the world. Bong R. Osorio is a communications consultant of ABS-CBN Corp., SkyCable, Dentsu-Aegis Network and government projects among others, after retiring as vice president and head of the Corporate Communications Division of ABS-CBN. We are devoting a special column each month to answer our readers’ questions about public relations. Please send your questions or comments to askipraphil@gmail.com.

E4 Monday, December 10, 2018

Perspective BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

AI as talent scout: Unorthodox hires, and maybe lower pay

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By Noam Scheiber | New York Times News Service

It belonged to a prospective data scientist, someone who unearths patterns in data to help businesses make decisions, like how to target ads. But curiously, the résumé featured the term “data science” nowhere. Instead, the résumé belonged to an analyst at Barclays who had done graduate work in physics at the University of California, Los Angeles. Though his profile on the social network LinkedIn indicated he had never worked as a data scientist, Eightfold’s software flagged him as a good fit. He was similar in certain key ways, like his math and computer chops, to four actual data scientists whom Garg had instructed the software to consider as a model. The idea is not to focus on job titles, but “what skills they have,” Garg said. “You’re really looking for people who have not done it, but can do it.” The power of such technology will be immediately apparent to any employer scrambling to fill jobs in a tight labor market—not least positions for data scientists, whom companies like Google, Facebook and Amazon are competing to attract. Thanks to services like Eightfold, which rely on sophisticated algorithms to match workers and jobs, many employers may soon have access to a universe of prospective workers—even for hardto-fill roles—whom they might not otherwise have come across. And while that could also help some candidates, there’s a potential downside for job seekers: Such algorithms may also lower wages in these fields, said Bo Cowgill, an economist at Columbia University who has studied the use of artificial intelligence in hiring.

“You get the more nontraditional, equally qualified, equally high-performing people,” Cowgill said. But the employer “doesn’t seem to have to compete for them as much.” For years, employers and online intermediaries have used algorithms to help fill job openings, but their methods were often crude. A computer would identify key words on résumés, then determine whether those words corresponded to text in job descriptions. While this approach can be more efficient than manually searching a site like LinkedIn, it has drawbacks. Applicants can game the process by larding their résumés with terms the machines are likely to be looking for. Conversely, poorly worded job listings could cause computers to overlook qualified candidates. But recent advances in a form of AI known as deep learning have made the machines used by some companies, like Eightfold and online job hub ZipRecruiter, far more powerful. Instead of simply scanning words on a page and matching them to words in a job description, a machine can now identify skills and aptitudes that don’t explicitly appear on a candidate’s résumé. To illustrate, Garg points out that about 90 percent of software engineers at the financial software company Intuit in Mountain View, California, know the programming language Java, according to data Eightfold has analyzed. That means the machine is on safe ground inferring that an Intuit software engineer knows Java, even if he or she doesn’t list the skill on a résumé. By performing a similar exercise across an entire résumé, the company’s software can build

KAMAL AHLUWALIA (left), president of the hiring service Eightfold.ai, with Ashutosh Garg (center), a cofounder and chief executive, and Varun Kacholia, another cofounder and chief technical officer, in Mountain View, California, November 26, 2018. ANASTASIIA SAPON/THE NEW YORK TIMES

MENGXIN LI/THE NEW YORK TIMES

NE day this fall, Ashutosh Garg, chief executive of a recruiting service called Eightfold.ai, turned up a résumé that piqued his interest.

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nstead of simply scanning words on a page and matching them to words in a job description, a machine can now identify skills and aptitudes that don’t explicitly appear on a candidate’s résumé. a detailed profile of a job applicant. It can extract more than the usual amount of information from categories like education (certain disciplines at less prominent universities, like natural-language processing at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, produce high-achieving workers) and even hobbies (chess players tend to be good at coding, basketball players at sales). Eightfold, which is based in Silicon Valley, also makes a clever trade with clients: to improve its results, Eightfold asks clients to use its human-resources software, which imports employee data in anonymous form. This includes information on how workers with different backgrounds perform in different jobs, and how much they earn. Eightfold can then use this data to better predict performance—say, how well an Intuit software engineer who plays chess and graduated from the University of Massachusetts might do at Amazon or Microsoft. Intuit did not respond to a request for comment. The software tool can be especially powerful to an employer intent on expanding a search beyond candidates with conventional experience and qualifications. In that case, a recruiter can specify criteria (like industry and location, and even how likely the candidate is to

accept an offer) that would turn up less traditional résumés. Claudia Villanueva, a recruiting and diversity official at AdRoll Group, which helps clients with digital ads and marketing, said she recently used Eightfold when trying to fill a financial-planning position. The top candidate had experience in industries the tech world often shuns, like manufacturing. But the Eightfold algorithm flagged her as a winner. “The tech industry sometimes has a hard time moving past tech experience,” Villanueva said. “We keep hiring the same people in the industry. To me this is a really interesting example of how we broke that cycle a bit.” In the case of the Barclays analyst, Eightfold’s software pegged him as a budding data scientist partly because he had a master’s degree in statistics and knew computer programming languages like C++ and Matlab, even though he had no apparent background in data science. “We have gone ahead and analyzed tens of millions to hundreds of millions of profiles of people to see how people have moved in their career,” Garg said. “You can predict what they’re likely to do next very easily.” He conceded that the approach worked less well in new or obscure fields with limited data. Steve Goodman, chief executive of Restless Bandit, another

firm that applies AI to recruiting, compared the exercise of finding nontraditional candidates to filling a professional sports roster. Sports franchises tend to pay far more for free agents who leave their previous team than for players they draft out of college or high school, because the free agents have a record. But if computers were able to predict the performance of draft picks with relative precision, this could change their calculus. The price of free agents might drop, and the price of signing a draft pick would rise. This is, in effect, what software can accomplish using AI. “We surface people we think would be good draft picks,” rather than people doing the same jobs, Goodman said. “This person is a little more junior, but based on their career track, people who look like them are cheaper and better for you.” Cowgill, the Columbia economist, said this logic was largely correct, but with one key wrinkle: According to his research, the gains to the less obviously qualified candidates unearthed by machines can be so large that they offset smaller losses to conventional candidates. In a technical field like software engineering, for example, a dropout from a no-name university could end up making a very comfortable living after becom-

ing known to employers. But established coders are sufficiently in demand that wages are likely to remain high even as it becomes easier to find alternatives. In fields requiring fewer technical skills, on the other hand, wages could fall significantly. Consider, say, senior marketing jobs, for which large companies often require a master’s degree in business administration. If machines can reliably identify less experienced, less credentialed candidates who are likely to excel, it could depress wages. “You can think of cases in the product market where people thought they needed something special and you really didn’t—the commodity, low-cost person took over,” said John Horton, a labor economist at New York University. Think of hand-held video cameras after the proliferation of smartphones. “That could happen in labor markets with the realization that you don’t need anything special here,” Horton said. All of this presumes, however, that deep-learning technology is viable for use in recruiting and human resources and could eventually become commonplace. Surveys suggest that only a small minority of companies have adopted these tools, and that even fewer feel prepared to exploit them. A recent paper summarizing the findings of a conference at the University of Pennsylvania, involving roughly 20 employers, cited a variety of problems. Among them were the difficulty of measuring employees’ performance and the sense of unfairness that workers might feel if a computer were to make hiring, firing and promotion decisions. Perhaps the greatest concern is a basic methodological point— call it the NBA problem. If you were studying National Basketball Association players to figure out what makes one great, you would find almost no correlation between performance and height. Almost everyone in this rarefied world is taller than average. And those who aren’t compensate with other gifts, like unusual speed and athleticism. If, on the other hand, you selected people at random from the general population and gauged their basketball potential, you would find that it was highly correlated with height. The concern is that machines are, in effect, only studying NBA players—the people who already have jobs at a company, or even the people who sought jobs—not the general population. Cowgill believes there are solutions. He wrote a paper showing that seemingly unqualified applicants whom a company accidentally interviews allow a machine to simulate a crude randomized experiment, helping the company learn more about what makes a good employee. But perhaps more telling is that sophisticated technology companies are using AI to help fill jobs. Garg, who worked as a research scientist at Google for four years, says the company uses such techniques in its recruiting. Google says it uses machines to take a second look at résumés in its database that human recruiters may have missed for a limited set of roles. The advantage that a vendor like Eightfold has, Garg asserted, is access to internal data at dozens of other companies, something even Google can’t claim. “We now can build much deeper models than these companies can build by themselves,” he said.