Businessmirror December 16, 2018

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POWER TO THE PEOPLE Bicameral approval of one-stop-shop measure that is seen to cut bureaucratic paperwork and hasten development of power projects raises hopes of power stakeholders.

AERIAL view of power pylons and high-voltage lines passing through the Cordilleras. ALEXEY KORNYLYEV | DREAMSTIME.COM

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By Lenie Lectura

HE recent congressional bicameral conference committee approval of the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop bill, or Evoss, has raised the expectations of power industry stakeholders. Evoss, in a nutshell, seeks to establish an online platform where power players would be able to apply, monitor, and receive all needed permits and applications, submit all documentary requirements, and even pay for charges and fees.

The measure, likewise, streamlines the permitting process of power generation, transmission and distribution projects in the country, thereby eliminating the overlapping mandates in documentary submissions, which mainly contribute to the lengthy application process of power projects.

Within the Department of Energy, permits for all energy projects are processed within 25 days.

Securing a similar permit from the DOE, however, is only 10 percent of the entire permitting process.

According to Sen. Sherwin T. Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy, it takes 1,340 days to secure a permit, 359 signatures needed for the permits

to be signed, and involves 74 different agencies, including the DOE. “The permitting process to get a power plant off the ground takes at least three-and-a-half years. This legislation will eradicate the red tape in the process, which impedes the increase of the country’s energy supply,” said Gatchalian, principal author of the bill.

Investor confidence

ULTIMATELY, Evoss is projected to drive down electricity costs and provide significant savings to electricity consumers.

But exactly how will Evoss bring down power rates?

If investors, both local and foreign, see an improved permit-

ting process, then they would be encouraged to apply for new power projects, thereby stimulating competition in the Philippine energy generation industry.

“The elimination of red tape in the permitting process will go a long way toward rejuvenating our energy sector. It will remove a formidable barrier to entry that has often discouraged foreign firms from entering the generation market,” Gatchalian said.

Consequently, competition will heighten as more energy projects are built. In the power-generation business, more power plants would mean more electricity supply. More supply would then drive Continued on A2

GATCHALIAN: “The permitting process to get a power plant off the ground takes at least threeand-a-half years. This legislation will eradicate the red tape in the process, which impedes the increase of the country’s energy supply.”

Silent nights, quiet peril

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By Estrella Torres | Special to the BusinessMirror

HE Philippines has 95 children dying every day due to malnutrition, a hard fact to contend with as the nation readies for Christmas when tables are filled with sumptuous dishes.

The situation of children in the country fares equal to those in war- and famine-stricken Yemen, where a child dies every 10 minutes, according to studies of Save the Children.

Globally, there are three threats to the lives of children below five years old--poverty, armed conflict and discrimination against girls. In its 2017 report, titled “End of Child-

hood Report,” at least 155 million children under age 5 were said to suffer from chronic malnutrition.

Lawyer Albert Muyot, chief executive officer of Save the Children Philippines, said for three decades, the problem of malnutrition has stalked millions of children in the country due to intergenerational poverty.

Stunted and underweight

PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 52.6150

mothers are at higher risk of giving birth to underweight offspring, according to him.

“Malnutrition is a silent killer among the children of poor and marginalized families,” he said.

His group welcomed the signing of the First 1,000 Days law, now Republic Act 11148, which addresses preventable infant and maternal illnesses and deaths and malnutrition among millions of Filipino children of poor families.

“We welcome the enactment of the First 1,000 Days law, to be known as ‘Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act,’ that will ensure children of poor families will have access to quality health and nutrition services to help them achieve optimum growth and development,” said Muyot.

Continued on A2

MERALIE, 32, poses for a photo at her home in Navotas City with her five-month-old daughter Andrea. Meralie was undernourished while she was pregnant, but received support from Save the Children’s Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) project in the form of food vouchers that helped keep her and her baby healthy. LJ PASION/SAVE THE CHILDREN

Hunger in a time of plenty: As the nation prepares for the world’s longest Christmas season, millions of children remain part of the chilling statistics on hunger and malnutrition.

n JAPAN 0.4632 n UK 66.6422 n HK 6.7347 n CHINA 7.6436 n SINGAPORE 38.3743 n AUSTRALIA 38.0143 n EU 59.7917 n SAUDI ARABIA 14.0277

Source: BSP (December 14, 2018 )

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POWER TO THE PEOPLE Continued from A1

down generation costs and offer savings to households.

AC Energy Inc. President Eric Francia said the completion of power projects would definitely be much faster with Evoss, resulting in additional capacity for the country. He stressed, however, that the strict enforcement of Evoss is a must if improvement in the permitting process are expected.

“This is welcome development.

We hope that the scope will be expansive and execution will be effective. Successful implementation should redound to more and affordable power,” he added in a text message.

AC Energy has set a goal to achieve 5 gigawatts (GW) from a balanced mix of renewables and thermal assets by 2025. Right now, Francia said, the company is close to a 50-50 mix.

Aboitiz, Alsons, DMCI upbeat, too

ABOITIZ Power Corp. also looks forward to a speedy permitting process.

“We welcome any effort to facilitate ease of doing business through faster permitting processes with various government agencies. We are hoping that some of our projects can already be applied under this scheme,” said AboitizPower Chief Operating Officer Emmanuel Rubio.

AboitizPower engages in the

power generation, distribution and retail business. It has set a 4,000-megawatt (MW) target capacity by 2020.

Alsons Power Group, the energy business of the Alcantara family, also welcomed the approval of the anti-red tape measure.

“We welcome any initiative that will fast-track the approval of government permits and licenses that are critical in the development, construction and operation of a power plant. Obtaining these permits in a timely manner allows generation companies, such as Alsons, to build power plants faster, at a lesser cost, and contribute toward the government’s goal of ensuring adequate, reliable and affordable electricity to the consumers,” said Alsons Power Vice President for Project Development Joseph Nocos in an interview.

Alsons Power currently operates four power facilities in Mindanao, generating a combined capacity of 363 MW serving over 8 million people in 13 cities and eight provinces, including key urban centers such as Davao, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, Iligan and Zamboanga cities.

Other projects that Alsons Power has lined up for the next few years are the 15.1-MW Siguil River hydropower plant in Sarangani Province that is targeting to commence operations by 2021; and the 105-MW San Ramon Power Inc.

(SRPI) base-load coal-fired power plant in Zamboanga City slated to begin operating in 2022.

Lower power rates

GATCHALIAN said Evoss will benefit working-class Filipino families in the long run by reducing their monthly electricity bills, which will give them more money to pay for day-to-day living expenses such as food, shelter, medicine and education.

He estimated that the reduced generation costs could result in the reduction of consumer electricity prices by as much as P0.35 per kilowatt-hour. Pegged at the average household consumption rate of 200 kWh per month, this would result in savings of P840 per household every year.

“Passing this measure is quite timely, especially when inflation continues to hover around 6 percent as of November. We are optimistic that this bill is poised to drive down electricity costs and provide significant savings to power consumers. We will be putting a lot of money back where it belongs–in the pockets of Filipino families struggling to pay their basic day-to-day expenses,” Gatchalian said.

DMCI Power Corp. Chairman Isidro Consunji, in an interview, said that consumers are sure to benefit from Evoss.

“If the way business is carried

out–from application to execution–would be improved, then not only the private sector carrying out the project will benefit but also the consumers. I welcome this. It’s very good. I hope it happens,” he said in a text message.

How Evoss works

THE Evoss system will be managed and maintained by the DOE, while its operational aspect will be handed over to an Evoss steering committee.

A strict time frame will be observed by government agencies involved to act on pending applications. Failure of an agency to act within the prescribed time frame will result in the automatic approval of the application.

Administrative sanctions against government employees who are responsible for the delay will also be imposed.

For private entities’ failure to act within the prescribed time frame, the law provides it would mean a hefty P100,000 fine per day of delay.

The National Electrification Administration (NEA) also welcomed the passage of Evoss, saying this measure comes at a time when energy supply is at its highest de-

mand historically due to increased economic activity in the rural areas and the government’s hastened capital outlay expenditure primarily for public infrastructure construction.

“Aside from further satisfying the accelerated power demands being distributed by electric cooperatives in the provinces, this measure, when enacted into law, will insulate the country from unexpected shocks from the dynamics of the global market and ensure energy security, especially in developing regions of the country,” NEA Administrator Edgardo Masongsong said.

Duplication

A CONSUMER group headed by former Trade Undersecretary Victor Dimagiba said there are two laws–the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) Act and Competition Act– that are already implementing what the Evoss is meant to achieve.

“The EODBA can achieve the same objectives of facilitating investments in the energy industry, cutting red tape and promoting competition,” said the Laban Konsyumer Inc. (LKI) president.

Dimagiba, however, is not convinced that power rates will go

down when Evoss is implemented.

“It remains doubtful that power rates will be reduced under the Evoss due to taxes and the country’s dependence on imported fuels. We also have the Competition Act as safeguard to promote competitive practices. The Evoss duplicates the EODB and the competition law,” he pointed out.

Cusi’s view

ENERGY Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi, however, sees it differently.

Evoss, said the energy chief, will support the EODB Act, which would make the entire permitting process much faster.

“We really welcome Evoss. It will really help guide investors.

Once Evoss is fully enacted into law, it will be a tool that will facilitate permitting process. The DOE is just a small part of the entire process. There are other agencies involved. But it is also incumbent for us to follow it up,” said Cusi, who added that his office has since been working with the legislators for the passage of Evoss.

Lawmakers and energy officials appeal to the public to give Evoss a chance. But as the saying goes, the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

Silent nights, quiet peril Continued from A1

The First 1,000 Days law was signed by President Duterte on November 29, 2018, nine days after the 29th anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. It was coauthored by Sen. Risa Hontiveros and Rep. Angelina Tan of Quezon Province.

In a 2015 study, “Sizing Up,” Save the Children Philippines said there were 3.6 million stunted children in the Philippines. The country ranked 9th on the list of 10 countries in the world with the highest stunting prevalence rate along with famine- and warstricken countries in sub-Saharan Africa. At the same time, there are around 800,000 malnourished children.

Malnutrition has four indicators—stunting (bansot) or below standard height for age, underweight, wasting or below standard weight for height, and low birth weight or newborns with below-2,500 grams weight.

The study said that stunting is not a racial and genetic trait but a result of lingering problem of chronic malnutrition among millions of Filipino children.

Dr. Amado Parawan, Health and Nutrition advisor of Save the Children Philippines, hopes the law will prioritize key areas where there is a high concentration of undernourished children and pregnant mothers who have no access to quality health and nutrition services.

Save the Children Philippines provided technical support in the drafting of the First 1,000 Days law to both Senate and House of Representatives based on its existing programs on health and nutrition for pregnant and lactating mothers, newborns, infants and young children including early childhood care and development, child protection, food security and livelihoods and adolescent sexual and reproductive health.

Parawan said malnutrition among children aged 5 and below has irreversible effects and could lead to deaths from preventable diseases.

He said the first 1,000 days of the child’s development is a “window of opportunity” to address malnutrition and child deaths from preventable diseases.

The National Nutrition Survey of the Food and Nutrition Research

MARK ANTHONY, 1 year and 8 months old, gets his arm circumference measured by health workers as part of the assessment of his nutritional status during a Children’s Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition program activity in Navotas City. LJ PASION/SAVE THE CHILDREN

Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) showed that stunting among children aged 5 and below increased to 33.4 percent in 2015, from 30.3 percent in 2013; the number of underweight children aged 5 and below also increased to 21.5 percent in 2015, from 20 percent in 2013.

The First 1,000 Days law implements health and nutrition interventions and services program during pregnancy until the child’s second birthday. It also supports nutrition programs for mothers before, during and after giving birth.

The law also supports baby trainings for community-based health and nutrition service providers, support for barangay health workers and training for mothers to ensure a healthy pregnancy and the child’s health and nutrition.

“With the enactment of the law, we are one step closer in making sure that millions of Filipino children will have a healthy start in life, “ Parawan said.

Save the Children Philippines implemented in 2016 the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Nutrition (MNCHN) program among the urban poor families in Caloocan, Navotas and Malabon in Metro Manila, and in rural communities in the municipalities of Alabel and Maitum in Sarangani and Arakan and Magpet in North Cotabato to provide quality basic health and nutrition services to children under 5 years old who are suffering from undernutrition, severe acute malnutrition (severely wasted), infections and diseases.

All this, to prevent their deaths.

Early this year, the group launched Project: Nurture (Nutrition among Urban Poor Through Unified Response) to reduce deaths among malnourished children in eight impoverished barangays in Navotas City.

The project provided nutrition and health services, including supplements for pregnant and lactating mothers, feeding programs, management and treatment of moderately and severely acute malnourished children and social protection support through conditional cash transfer, and vocational and technical trainings.

Prior to the passage of the First 1,000 Days law, the city governments of Navotas and Malabon had enacted their own local laws following the pilot-testing of Save the Children Philippines nutrition programs, the group said.

If coming home from shopping or Christmas parties, one notices a seeming increase in the number of child beggars lingering around Metro Manila and knocking on car windows, know that the number is only the tip of the iceberg, as the bulk of starving children live in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao and informal settlers in Metro Manila.

Another hard fact to reckon with—Save the Children Philippines said there are 1.5 million children who go through silent nights with empty stomachs.

Ms. Torres, a former Business­ Mirror senior reporter, is Head, Media and Communications of Save the Children Philippines.

Editor: Angel R. Calso

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Sunday, December 16, 2018

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US Senate rebukes Trump, Saudi Arabia

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ASHINGTON—In backto-back votes against Saudi Arabia, the Senate delivered an unusual rebuke of President Donald J. Trump’s response to the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and signaled new skepticism from Capitol Hill toward the longtime Middle East ally.

Although the resolutions are largely symbolic—because it’s unclear if they will be considered by the House—passage on Thursday showed senators seeking to assert oversight of Trump administration foreign policy and the relationship with Saudi Arabia.

It also marked the collapse of the Trump administration’s effort in the Senate to contain fallout from the gruesome killing.

One measure recommended that the US end its assistance to Saudi Arabia for the war in Yemen. The other put the blame for the death of Khashoggi squarely on Saudi

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Both had been vigorously opposed by the Trump administration, threated with potential presidential veto, and top brass was on Capitol Hill ahead of voting to prevent further action in the House. “ T he c u r rent re l at ionsh ip with Saudi Arabia is not working,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham, Republican-South Carolina, who opposed the Yemen resolution but called the crown prince “so toxic, so tainted, so flawed” after the Khashoggi’s killing that “you’re never going to have a relationship with the United States

Senate unless things change.”

The bipartisan votes came two months after the Saudi journalist’s slaying at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul and after Trump persistently equivocated over who was responsible. US intelligence officials concluded that bin Salman must have at least known of the plot, but Trump has repeatedly praised the kingdom.

Senators made clear where they put the blame. The resolution, passed by unanimous agreement, says the Senate believes the crown prince is “responsible for the murder” and calls for the Saudi Arabian government to “ensure appropriate accountability.”

Senators voted 56-41 to recommend that the US stop supporting the war in Yemen, a direct affront to the administration’s war powers abilities.

Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who cosponsored the Yemen resolution with Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah, called passage a “historic moment.”

Lee said Khashoggi’s death focused attention “on the fact that we have been led into this civil war in Yemen half a world away” and

“we’ve done so following the lead” of Saudi Arabia.

“What the Khashoggi event did was to demonstrate, hey, maybe this isn’t a regime that we should just be following that eagerly into battle,” Lee said.

As Senate approval loomed, the administration dispatched Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis to the House to make the case against the resolutions and warn of damage they could do to the US-Saudi relationship. A congressional aide and an administration official said their appearance was aimed at stopping any House action on the resolutions.

Pompeo and Mattis had made a similar entreaty to the Senate late last month. But it was roundly panned by senators angered by the secretaries’ refusal to accept a CIA determination that assessed the crown prince had ordered Khashoggi’s murder.

CIA Director Gina Haspel briefed House leaders on Wednesday on the Khashoggi slaying.

The journalist, who had lived in the US and wrote for The Washington Post, had been critical of

the Saudi regime. He was killed in what US officials have described as an elaborate plot as he visited the consulate for marriage paperwork.

Saudi prosecutors have said a 15-man team sent to Istanbul killed Khashoggi and then dismembered his body, which has not been found. Those findings came after Saudi authorities spent weeks denying Khashoggi had been killed in the consulate.

Trump has been reluctant to condemn the crown prince. He said the United States “intends to remain a steadfast partner” of the country, touted Saudi arms deals worth billions of dollars to the US and thanked the Saudis for plunging oil prices.

But Graham and Sen. Bob Menendez, the top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, have rejected Trump’s economic arguments. They are setting the stage for legislation next year that goes further in halting arms sales and taking other measures.

Menendez says economic concerns do not overpower human rights and the US must send a “global message that killing with impunity” will not be tolerated.

Frustration with the crown

pr ince and the W hite House prompted several Republicans to support the Yemen resolution.

Seven Republicans and all Democrats voted for it. Some already had concerns about the war, which human-rights groups say is wreaking havoc on the country and subjecting civilians, many of them children, to deadly disease and indiscriminate bombing.

The resolution condemning Saudi Arabia for Khashoggi’s slaying was from Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Corker and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Both Republicans opposed the Yemen resolution and voted against it.

McConnell said senators have grave concerns about Khashoggi’s killing, but “we also want to preserve a 70-year partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia, and we want to ensure it continues to serve American interests and stabilizes a dangerous and critical region.”

But McConnell encouraged passage of the Khashoggi resolution and said it provided “a clear and unambiguous message about how we feel about what happened to this journalist.” AP

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Upgrade would arm Japan with first aircraft carriers since World War II

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APAN took a step on Tuesday toward expanding its military capabilities by advancing plans for aircraft carriers that can launch fighter jets.

T he pl ans, conta ined in a draft of new defense guidelines approved by the governing parties, would effectively arm Japan with its first aircraft carriers since World War II, with potential striking powers well beyond Japanese territory.

The move risks inflaming a politically delicate debate in Japan over whether such expanded military capability is compatible with the country’s pacifist constitution. The plans could be construed as offensive weapons

beyond those deemed necessary for self-defense.

Under the change, large Japanese naval vessels now equipped with helicopters would be upgraded, enabling them to carry jet fighters capable of short takeoffs and vertical landings, and equipped with stealth technology to avoid detection.

With such upgrades, Japan will “enable fighter jets to be operated from existing warships, if necessary to improve the flexibility of their operation,” according to a

passage from the guidelines reported by the Kyodo News Agency.

Kyodo quoted unidentified government sources as saying that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s Cabinet intended to endorse the revised guidelines this month.

Military analysts in the United States said the upg rades, which Japanese defense officials have been talking about for a while, ref lected Japan’s shared concern with the United States about the growing assertiveness of China’s aerial and naval forces in the Pacific.

Japan and China have been locked in a long-standing dispute over East China Sea islands that the Japanese call the Senkaku and the Chinese call the Diaoyu. Japanese officials are also increasingly concerned about North Korea’s military capabilities.

In September, a Japanese submarine participated in war games in the South China Sea, seen as a direct response to China’s presence.

Eric Wertheim, a defense consultant and author of the US Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World, said the planned upgrades in Japan were designed for confrontations in contested waters.

In such situations, he said in a telephone interview, “the single most valuable asset is the use of air power, and carrier power when you don’t have air bases nearby.”

While supporters of the Japanese upgrades would argue that they are defensive, Wertheim said, such a change “improves Japan’s capability to project power.”

Kyodo said that under the planned upgrades, the Japanese government would convert its

Izumo flattop destroyers, which can hold 14 helicopters each, so that they can also be used to deploy short-takeoff and vertical-landing aircraft like the F-35B, an American warplane.

The agency quoted Japan’s defense minister, Takeshi Iwaya, as telling reporters that since the Izumo had originally been designed as a multipurpose escort ship, “it wouldn’t pose any threat to other countries if fighter jets are deployed on it.”

Iwaya said last month that the government was considering purchases of the F-35B, a variant of the Lockheed Martin Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. Iwaya said the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s two Izumo-class warships would have to be upgraded to handle F-35B operations.

New York Times News Service

For big tobacco and brewers, grass is greener P

ROPONENTS of legal marijuana spent decades fighting a slow battle for mainstream acceptance. Now, with recreational use legal in Canada and many states in the United States, big business is suddenly swooping in.

Altria, the maker of Marlboro and other cigarettes, last week paid $1.8 billion for almost half of Cronos Group, a cannabis company in Toronto.

I n A u g u s t , C on s t e l l at ion Brands, which owns Corona and

other beers, paid $4 billion for a major stake in Canopy Growth, another Canadian marijuana company. That month, Molson Coors, another brewer, formed a joint venture with a cannabis company in Quebec.

“There’s always been the expectation that big business was going to come in; we’ve been hearing rumors about ‘Marlboro Greens’ for decades now,” said Bethany Gomez, director of research at Brightfield Group, a cannabis market

research group. “Now we’re past the point of no return.”

The arrival of large multinationa l cor porations por tends sweeping changes for an industry that until recently operated in the shadows. As billions of dollars pour into product development, marketing and manufacturing, these companies will be looking to create big brands with the market share to match. Brightfield estimates that global legal cannabis sales will reach more than $31

billion in 2021, up from less than $8 billion last year.

But while large-scale investments suggest that the mainstream acceptance of marijuana has reached a tipping point, longtime cannabis advocates are worried that the idealistic entrepreneurs who made this moment possible may get left behind.

Despite the flurry of deal-making, the market for legal cannabis products remains fragmented.

Canada legalized the sale of marijuana flowers and oils this year, but edible products and drinks made with marijuana concentrates are not yet legal.

In the United States, several states have legalized recreational consumption, although it remains illegal at a federal level. That patchwork of regulation is keeping several big companies that are interested in the industry on the sidelines for now.

In September, Target.com began selling products that contained CBD, a nonpsychoactive cannabis derivative. But within days, the company changed its mind and removed the products.

James Quincey, the chief executive of Coca-Cola, said the company was not yet entering the market.

“It needs to be legal, it needs to be safe, and it needs to be consumable,” he said on CNBC on Tuesday.

“It’s not there yet.”

But earlier in the year, Coca-Cola representatives acknowledged that the company was watching the industry closely. They’re not the only ones.

Diageo, the spirits conglomerate, was widely rumored to be on the verge of striking a deal with a Canadian cannabis company in August, but nothing has been announced. And Walmart Canada acknowledged that it, too, was looking into the industry but had no plans to start selling products containing CBD or THC, marijuana’s psychoactive component.

Nonetheless, boosters say the cannabis industry will only attract more from big corporations from here. “ This is what legal cannabis looks like,” said F. Aaron Smith, executive director of the National Cannabis Industry Association, a trade group based in Washington. “You’re got some of the larger players taking interest, and that’s a good thing. It’s going to create more economic vitality, more jobs.”

Altria, which is facing a global fall in tobacco sales as consumers abandon cigarettes, has perhaps the most to gain from entering

the industry. “Tobacco has been experiencing year-over-year declines,” said Gomez. “They need something else to go into.”

And the company’s experience manufacturing and distributing cigarettes makes it well positioned to make these products on a massmarket scale.

“There is room for a budget preroll that could scale very rapidly and compete better with the black market,” said Gomez, referring to ready-made joints.

Conste l l at ion a nd Mol son Coors appear to have different priorities. Constellation is pouring money into Canopy with the hopes that the Canadian company will emerge as a leading industrial producer of recreational and med ica l mar iju ana. A nd Molson Coors says it is focused on creating a nonalcoholic cannabis beverage in partnership with the Hydropothecary Corp., a Canadian company.

Experts believe that as big companies enter the industry, they may step up lobbying efforts to make marijuana legal on a federal level in the United States, although so far the big companies have made no such moves. “We look forward to Altria and Constellation getting more involved in efforts to change federal laws,” said Smith.

But big companies are unlikely to make major moves in the US market until recreational use of THC products is legal at a federal level. And while this year’s multibillion-dollar farm bill included a provision that made CBD a federally legal substance, the Trump administration has shown little interest in supporting national legalization. As attorney general, Jeff Sessions stepped up enforcement against marijuana crimes.

Trump has said that he would support a bill that would leave the decision about legalization up to states.

Even if big companies do invest heavily in the cannabis industry, small producers of marijuana products that have emerged in recent years will most likely still have plenty of room to grow.

“Ultimately cannabis will look a lot like beer,” Smith said. “You have the large firms that dominate the market, but there’s still a thriving marketplace for craft beer.”

For Steve DeAngelo, a longtime advocate of marijuana’s benefits and legalization, and the founder of Harborside, a dispensary in California, the arrival of big brands is a cause for celebration— and concern. New York Times News Service

America’s moment of truth in Africa: It’s losing out to China

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HEN a press release announced that President Donald J. Trump’s National Security Adviser John Bolton would unveil a new American strategy for Africa, it raised the question: What was the old one?

From Algeria to Zimbabwe, the US risks losing sway over the 1.2 billion people who inhabit the world’s second-most populous continent. Bolton’s speech on Thursday acknowledged as much, as he framed the administration’s strategic rethink around countering gains made by the US’s primary geopolitical rivals.

“Africa is incredibly important,” Bolton said Thursday at the Heritage Foundation in Washington. “If we didn’t understand it before, the competition posed by China and Russia and others should highlight that for us.”

But much of the strategy Bolton laid out, including counterterrorism and overhauling foreign aid, may result in a more narrow focus on the continent. And the administration’s trade initiatives—Bolton said the US will look for bilateral deals—wouldn’t arrive for years to come.

That means the US could miss investment opportunities in a region with the world’s fastest-growing middle class, a continent that will account for half of global population growth by 2050. Led by Ghana and Kenya, African nations are stitching together a trade union designed to bolster intra-Africa commerce. The initiative has a long ways to go, but if it can achieve critical mass, the continent’s combined GDP would be almost the size of Germany’s.

While the US sorts out its priorities, China has spent recent years investing more on the continent—in physical and financial terms, as well as in so-called soft power. It’s ramped up scholarships for African academics, deployed peacekeepers to UN missions in Mali and South Sudan and sent scientists to help address key economic and social needs.

When Ivory Coast put out a tender to build a bridge over the lagoon in its commercial hub of Abidjan, 10 of the 18 companies that expressed interest were either Chinese firms or in partnership with them. None were from the US China State Construction Engineering Corp. got the deal.

Africa is a pivotal part of President Xi Jinping’s “Belt and Road Initiative,” with Chinese-backed investments ranging from Ivory Coast power plants to a Rwandan airport and a railway in Kenya.

“There is no way that America can really compete with China,” said Robert Schrire, a political science professor at the University of Cape Town, who dismissed Bolton’s speech as “rhetorical swiping” at China and Russia.

“No real resources are going to flow” and those that do will probably be strategic, he said, targeted at places where the US has a military presence or terrorism concerns.

The $191 million Ivory Coast bridge investment highlights how far ahead China is—now flexing its muscle in a part of Africa that until recently its business people showed little interest in: the Frenchspeaking west. The region’s fast-growing economies have also seen a spectacular rise in loans from China.

It’s not that the US isn’t engaged with Africa. The Pepfar initiative has invested over $80 billion to fight HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, providing nearly 15 million people with lifesaving drugs in fiscal year 2018 alone. Aid programs target agricultural productivity, health care systems and access to clean water.

And the US is the single biggest financial contributor to the UN peacekeeping missions China increasingly participates in.

But the US footprint is shrinking: Trump’s administration has sought to reduce foreign aid—Bolton said a review of aid effectiveness is near completion—and the Pentagon has signaled it is shifting its focus to “great power” standoffs in other parts of the globe. Symbolically, the administration has struggled to get past derogator y statements the president made about African nations last year.

On Thursday, Bolton criticized what he said was China’s “strategic use of debt” to hold African countries “captive” to its demands, but he didn’t outline any detailed strategy to counter that with US alternatives.

One country that is offering alternatives is Russia, whose president, Vladimir Putin, is planning to host the first ever Russia-Africa summit with more than 50 African leaders next year. Lacking the financial muscle of its main rivals, the US, Europe and China, Russia is carving out a niche by shoring up strongmen in unstable but potentially resource-rich states who have a taste for Russian weaponry. Bloomberg News

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Sunday, December 16, 2018

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DINE AND DRIVE IN CLARK

Q EXECUTIVE Lounge

CHARLEY'S Bar

Story & photos by Bernard L. Supetran

A must-do in the free port is to play golf, a sport associated with Clark for more than a century, dating back to the heydays of American air servicemen.

Complementing Quest Plus is the adjacent Mimosa Golf Course, which boasts of world-grade fairways that make for a game worth remembering. With the hotel and course now owned by the Filinvest Hospitality Corp., getting your golfing slot is as easy as it can get.

The Nelson and Haworth-designed course is friendly enticing greenhorns to get their hand in golfing for the first time, and get hooked into it.

The driving range is equipped with 12 covered hitting bays, complete with practice greens and bunkers on both sides. There is also a large putting green beside the clubhouse near the starters’ area where you can perfect the simple but tricky art of putting and scoring a birdie, coupled with body English.

Each hole has a unique character, which only the seasoned and sun-tanned golfer can effectively map out. But suffice it to say that its undulating fairways, crisp countryside air and perfectly manicured greens are enough to make a newbie a convert to this elite sport.

After a game, take a break and dine at Q by Mimosa, a Korean restaurant inside the pro-shop. With its stunning sceneries, the golf course is also famous for the Hilltop Garden, which is ideal for intimate gatherings, special events or simply for chilling out and watching the world go by.

But if swinging clubs isn’t your cup of tea, the hotel can arrange other recreational activities, such as culinary and heritage tours around Pampanga, horse-back riding, mountain biking, ultralight plane flight, or a foray into the Aeta’s ancestral domain.

With great food and gorgeous greens, Quest Clark is undoubtedly the best place to dine, drive and do everything in between.

M

ENTION Clark and two things immediately come to mind—world-class golf and a gastronomic journey—and for good reason. Since reopening as a free port and tourist zone in the mid-1990s, it has hosted countless of golfers from all over the world who would later wolf down on dishes in the heart of the country’s acknowledged “culinary capital.”

Two decades hence, this merry mix of drive and dine continues, only this time more seamlessly, at Quest Plus Conference Center, located at arguably the most enviable spot in the sprawling colony.

Nestled in the heart of Filinvest Mimosa Leisure City, the property is a reincarnation of a landmark hotel, which is being jazzed to be an integrated estate up by its new developers. The refurbished hotel has 303 rooms, six private villas, a grand ballroom and a rebooted restaurant, which has tickled the palate of Kapampangans and the dining public at large.

Across the hotel will rise a cluster of low-density lifestyle boutiques whose design will adopt to the natural environment.

Then, throw in a par-72, 18-hole course, and you have a consummate “dine and drive” experience in a scenic getaway just an hour north of the metropolis.

But first, we dine.

Mequeni Live, the all-day dining restaurant of Quest Plus, is the new edition of the well-loved Mequeni, which has been perpetually on Pampanga’s foodie list. Literally meaning “come here”, the newly relaunched resto beckons you to feast on its succulent buffet, which spans grilled, dim sum, noodle, appetizer, dessert, fry, pizza, sushi and Kapampangan food.

What makes this unique is its nine “live” stations where your choice dishes can be cooked your way by the resto’s chefs. Enhancing the dining experience is the cozy interiors, elegant furnishings and the soothing music at the Mequeni Lounge.

Not to be missed is the inimitable flair of Pampango dishes, most notably the pork sisig which the food and beverage managers of Quest Plus painstakingly researched in communities to be as faithful as possible to its traditional rendition. Connoisseurs

who have sampled the hotel’s version would swear to their parents’s grave that it is as authentic as it can be, close to what celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain would have feasted on at a popular eatery in Angeles City.

Also within Mequeni Live’s spread of provincial delights are the all-time favorite noodle palabok, the paella-like bringhe sticky rice, kalderetang kambing (goat stew) and a rotating cycle of Filipino signature dishes prepared by chefs who hail from Pampanga.

Your craving for international flavors won’t be disappointed by Mequeni Live’s array of Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Italian specialties.

If you got a sweet tooth, the dessert section is a visual delight, specially with the rotating rainbow-colored gelato wheel.

For a nightcap, you can sip your favorite spirit at Charley’s Bar, a favorite watering hole in the freeport zone, particularly by sports aficionados.

An innovation that the hotel introduced is the Q Executive Lounge, which is exclusive to those booked in Club Rooms and Suites, and likewise serves as an express check-in counter. At the panoramic seventh floor, guests can partake on a relaxed breakfast, all-day coffee, refreshments and sunset cocktails, or conduct business in the lounge’s function rooms.

Families or small groups who need their own space can stay at the stately villas, which can be booked as a three-room mansion, or as three separate bungalows each with a private pool and a view of the golf course. Built purposely for the American and Russian heads of state who attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit, the villas can give you that presidential feeling even for a few fleeting hours.

After we dine, we drive.

QUEST Plus poolside

MIMOSA Golf Course

MEQUENI Live sushi station

Journey

»life on the go

A6 Sunday, December 16, 2018

BusinessMirror

Editor: Tet Andolong

Luminous Christmas at the South

THE tunnel of lights NONIE REYES

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THE Nuvali Festival of Lights

By Jacqueline Salvador-Marvida

HRISTMAS is just around the corner and Ayala Land’s largest sustainable estate Nuvali in Santa Rosa, Laguna, welcomed the public recently with a light and sound show in partnership with The Walt Disney Co. Philippines.

In line of Ayala Land’s festival of Lights is the celebration of its 10th Anniversary. The Disney’s magic known for its classical

animated movies showing brave, young and inspiring characters that ayala wishes to share this holiday season. The show will run

every 30 minutes from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and can be experienced at the Nuvali football field, also known as The Fields, beside Ayala Mall Solenad. The spectacular show will enable the public to experience a dancing field of 5,000 enchanted LED tulips.

“Reimagine The Magic: A Festival of Lights,” three famous all-time favorite Disney classical songs will be featured at the show. The wellloved Disney soundtracks such as “When You Wish Upon a Star,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Let it Go “ in an orchestral renditions arranged by the seasoned composer and former musical director of Hong Kong Disneyland, Rony Fortich. The medley is complemented by the spectacular lighting effects once again by Voltaire de Jesus who has worked before on previous light shows. Children and young at heart will be pleased to listen and experi-

ence the magic of Disney in a new way. By weaving the well-loved Disney songs to Ayala’s Festivities, this show brings magical moments to families and Disney fans of all ages.

Viewers can look forward to the music of Disney including a 50-meter spiral light tunnel leading to the magical field that has turned into a popular attraction from the previous editions. Nuvali presents uniqueness in terms of the actual venue of the light show. A scattered open field allows the spectators to enjoy the thousands of vividly colored tulip stems that change its colors, tube lights and light spheres that resemble magical orbs in a large, open area.

Within the estate, guests will enjoy the holiday season with a wide range of activities for the whole family and friends, as well as shopping and dining at Solenad to exploring the off-road

biking and running trails. Relax at the 4-hectare multifunctional lake and listen to the humming birds from its sanctuary. Visit the Christmas bazaar that will run until January 6, 2019. Expect a fun-filled memories at Nuvali where families may opt to spend the weekend at Seda Hotel. Nuvali’s “Festival of Lights” provides cool weather without having to travel too far from the city.

For the first time, guests can also enjoy the festival of lights while supporting a cause. The show will have a fund-raising event for the Hero Foundation, which supports families of fallen soldiers.

Part of the P50 donation will directly go to the foundation. As a way of thanking donors, each donation will include a fast access to the show, a spot in the bleacher seats and Disney-themed bottled water. Interested guests may reg-

ister and pay online or inside the venue itself. Accessibility wise for commuters because P2P is available for the riding public for a comfortable ride. Pick up from Makati are Glorietta 2 Palm drive and Circuit Lane. Trips run every 30 minutes for P150.

“We’ve had guests coming from Metro Manila and from neighboring provinces such as Batangas, Cavite and Laguna. Our intent is to bring Ayala Land’s Christmas tradition to the communities south of Metro Manila,” said John Estacio, Nuvali general manager. He also said that aside from spreading the Yuletide season, the show emphasizes the natural beauty of Nuvali by deriving inspiration from nature as seen with the tulips and anahaw like light installations. The estate’s open spaces and cool holiday breeze also encourages the community to spend more time outdoors.

A century of architectural heritage ANTIPOLO LIGHTS UP EARTH-FRIENDLY XMAS TREE

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HE City Government of Antipolo paid homage to Mother Earth as it recently lighted its Disneyland-themed Christmas tree which is made up of some 12,000 recycled plastic bottles, cups and cartons gathered.

According to Mayor Casimiro “Jun” Ynares III, Antipolo has been implementing the earthfriendly concept for the Christmas celebrations in the past few years as the city’s commitment to environmental sustainability in its governance programs.

He said that their earth-friendly thrust is in compliance with the YES (Ynares EcoSystem) to Green Project which covers clean and green

environment, and livelihood opportunities through recycling and utilization of raw materials and by-products of local produce. The project is based on Executive Order 11 issued in 1993 by Rizal Provincial Gov. Rebecca Ynares.

The city is a recipient of the Environmental Compliance Audit (ECA) Platinum Award 2017 from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), which includes the enactment of its Basura Code, regular tree-planting activities, Linis Creek Program, and other environment-related measures.

The tree lighting was attended

by Ynares, Vice Mayor Josefina Gatlabayan, Antipolo City first lady

Andrea Ynares, Reps. Romeo Acop, Chiqui Roa-Puno, and Robbie Puno, Antipolo city and barangay officials, and provincial board members.

The event served as the kickoff to the City’s monthlong tourismoriented Christmas Fiesta which included a grand parade, drum and lyre contest and marching band contests, the Mutya ng Antipolo pageant, the earth-friendly YES parol and belen design contest, musical concerts featuring rock bands Imago and Grace Note, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the traditional Simbang Gabi, the Bida ng Kusina Series, and the Bigsayawit to mark the 143rd Don Juan Sumulong Day.

Christmas log cake festive flavors AERIAL view of Provincial Capitol Complex.

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ANGASINAN’S Provincial Capitol, declared by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts as among the eight architectural treasures of the Philippines, marks an important milestone as it marks its centennial of completion this year.

With the theme “Stronger Heritage, Stronger Pangasinan,” commemorative rites are set this weekend with a Thanksgiving Mass and an anticipated Simbang Gabi, a concert and variety show, followed by a Kidiyam 3D projection of the Capitol Building History, and a fireworks display.

Other key events are a concert by the Kundirana all-male choir of La Salle Greenhills and the launch of the centennial commemorative stamp by the Philippine Postal Corp. and opening of the photo exhibit.

Celebrations continue with the observance of the 74th Lingayen Gulf Landings on January 9 and the centennial of its inauguration on February 11, 2019.

Gov. Amado Espino III said the observance is a source of pride for the province being one of the most beautiful capitol buildings and

complexes across the country.

Its overall design was influenced by the city masterplan of renowned 20th-century American architect and urban planner Daniel Burnham, and implemented by Architect William Parson under the direct supervision of Architect Ralph Harrington Doane during the term of Daniel Maramba, 7th governor of Pangasinan.

Located in Lingayen town, construction began with the cornerstone laying on April 21, 1917 and completed in December 1918 with a P300,000 budget, but with a final cost at P411,942. It was inaugurated on February 11, 1919 with the holding of a nine-day provincial fair and exposition.

Its neoclassical architecture and materials of concrete with limestone on the exterior to display its warm color, made it the most impressive public structure during that period.

The building’s main portion is rectangular, and set on a podium of several steps.

The structure is characterized by the use of imposing columns, entablatures, and pedi-

ments with spacious rooms, high ceilings and large windows arranged along wide corridors.

After World War II broke out in the Pacific in December 1941, bombings brought heavy damages on the Capitol before the Allied Forces under Gen. Douglas McArthur landed in Lingayen on January 9, 1945.

The edifice was rebuilt and restored to its pre-war grandeur through the Philippine Rehabilitation Act passed by the US Congress in 1946. It underwent a major facelift and rehabilitation works from August 2007 to December 2008 under former Gov. Amado Espino Jr. All the other structures within the Capitol Complex and Beachfront were also renovated.

Within the sprawling government compound is the Veterans Memorial Park, Sison Auditorium, the Capitol Resort which has a driving range, the Agbayani Park and the Urduja Hall.

Because of its beautiful landscape, the Capitol has become one of Pangasinan’s top three must-see tourist destinations.

H

OME for the Holidays at F1 Hotel Manila. It’s the time of the year again! Fulfill your Christmas traditions and let yourself be spoiled with awesome treats by spending the holidays at the home of happy experiences.

Make F1 Hotel Manila your home for the holidays and have a grand escapade this Christmas season with the “Holiday Getaway” Room Package. Have a staycation in a Deluxe room for only P6,000 net per night, inclusive of breakfast for two persons valid from December 5 to 30. Rejoice and give love by celebrating the true meaning of Christmas. Revel in the real reason for the season by attending the Christmas Eve Holy Mass, 5 p.m. on December 24 at Infinity Ballroom.

What better way to get into the holiday spirit than having a joyous buffet at F All Day Dining? Indulge in a hearty feast with your family and loved ones with the Festive Flavors promotion for only P2,199

CHRISTMAS log cake

net per head. This sumptuous buffet offer is available only on December 24, 25, 31, 2018, and January 1, 2019. To complete the holiday traditions have a taste of our sweet treat, a Christmas log cake available daily for P850 only.

Hot cocoa is so last season! Try our Choco Snow for only P350 net

per glass. Make your holiday season more alive with Canary Lounge’s sweet blend of cocktails; perfect for celebrations and gatherings.

Have a Merry Christmas when you spend it at F1 Hotel Manila. For inquiries and reservations, please call 908-7888 or visit www.f1hotelmanila.com.

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»life on the go

BusinessMirror

Editor: Tet Andolong

Sunday, December 16, 2018 A7

MANILA YACHT CLUB’S TOP OFFICER

VOWS TO PROTECT MANILA BAY

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Story & photos by Roderick L. Abad

HE Manila Yacht Club (MYC) sails through the challenge of saving Manila Bay from further degradation in the next couple of years as its new leadership vows to push both the public and private sectors to abide by the existing environmental laws that seek to protect this world-renowned coast that is famous for its beautiful sunset.

MYC Commodore Robert L. Joseph was referring to various pieces of legislation in place, such as the Clean Water Act, the Solid Waste Management Law, and the Rainwater Catchment Law or Republic Act 6716, among others, that have been already enacted for almost three decades yet seemed not fully enforced.

According to him, the Philippines has the best set of environmental laws in Asia and among the best in the world.

“But unfortunately, they are not

being implemented,” he told reporters in an interview following the ceremonial turnover of command held at the Club’s traditional Opening Day at 2351 Roxas Boulevard, Malate, Manila, on Saturday. “So what I‘ll do is use them.”

The newly installed top official of the country’s premier yacht organization revealed that MYC will conduct a dialogue with all the stakeholders in Manila Bay to ensure that the wastewaters they release there are safe and clean.

MANILA Yacht Club (MYC) Commodore Robert L. Joseph (second from right) is flanked by Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III (second from left) prior to the sail-pass activity in Manila Bay during the Club’s traditional Opening Day. They are joined by newly installed MYC top officer’s wife Ida (middle), daughter Rizal and son River.

Manila Bay has been a catch basin in the metropolis since time immemorial. Effluents coming from the surrounding local government units (LGUs), including those from the residential areas, commercial and industrial establishments, are discharged to two big sewage pipes near the MYC and the US Embassy in Manila.

Specifically, the group will talk to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority for compliance of LGUs with environmental laws.

“We will seek the assistance of

the COA [Commission on Audit] and the Ombudsman to file charges for those who will not adhere or implement the laws,” Joseph said.

“What we will be asking with the COA is an environmental compliance audit.”

He added that they will discuss with Manila Water and Maynilad the need for them to process the wastewater they have thrown into the bay.

“That’s the responsibility for them to have a franchise. To supply water to homes, they have to give

water and be responsible of taking out water,” the commodore said of both the water concessionaires’ share of protecting the Manila Bay since they have their own treatment plants.

Various studies reveal the diminishing quality of water in Manila Bay, including that of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, which reveals the presence of waterborne bacteria.

The Manila City Health Department, on the other hand, found out the higher than normal levels of fe-

cal pollution that could come from animal or human bodily wastes.

Other coliform organisms and potential toxins from ship oil and gas, likewise, add to the contamination.

All these make the bay water unfit for humans as it can cause various diseases and, at the same time, contribute to its filth.

Commodore Joseph attributed to dirty seawaters and floating wastes the dwindling water activities, like boating, along Manila Bay. “Sailing has not been so good in Manila,” he said. “Why is it that people don’t want to sail here? It’s because of the polluted water.”

The top official of MYC shared that they will continue to hold sailing events not only to attract more tourists, but also to provide employment opportunities.

“My plan is to get 10 poor people and teach them how to sail. And then when they know how to sail they can work in sailboats. With their experience, they will be also hired abroad,” Joseph said. “We’re the MYC. We started sailing [in the country]. So we can get them trained here.”

Established in 1927, MYC is a members-only yacht club based in the country’s capital. One of the oldest of its kind in Asia, it has around 200 active members and over 100 life members.

Miniloc’s new look that’s fresh but still focused on nature

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INCE the ‘70s when a group of Japanese divers first chanced upon it, Miniloc Island, the first of the four El Nido Resorts in Northern Palawan, has consistently been acclaimed for having one of the most stunning beaches in the world.

Joey Bernardino, marketing director of Ten Knots Development Corp., owner of the four island resorts, recalled the story passed on by word of mouth of how a fishing line disabled in the middle of the night the propeller of the divers’ boat. When they woke up the next day, the divers were amazed by the jagged high cliffs accented by thick spots of forest, powdery white sand and crystal-clear waters of the islands around them.

They fell in love with Bacuit Bay, set up camp in Miniloc island, which had a protected bay, and envisioned the place as the idyllic resort destination for marine enthusiasts. “Thirty-nine years later today, the first of the island resorts to gain an iconic following in Japan and other parts of the world, especially among families, continues to amaze,” he said.

More so now that its 51 rooms and facilities have been renovated and updated while retaining its rustic charm.

Miniloc is a lighter, fresher look characterized by eggshell white walls, capiz panels, windows framed in gray and tiled or walnut floors. The rooms and facilities will keep their signature cogon roof to differentiate this resort from the other three in the group, namely, the luxurious Pangulasian, Lagen and Apulit which each have their unique interpretation of the tropical plantation chic.

Activities in the family-oriented Miniloc will remain focused on its fine-sand beach, particularly now that it will also have a swimming pool and deck area, the perfect spots for nature appreciation.

Bernardino points out that even in the ‘80s and ‘90s when sustainable tourism was not yet a global trend, Miniloc set new benchmarks in the Philippines by focusing its activities on its natural attractions, by taking measures to protect them and inviting those in surrounding communities to share the same

INDOOR Infinity Pool at Flow Fitness Centre

Holiday journey at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila

H ACTIVITIES in the family-oriented Miniloc will remain focused on its fine-sand beach, particularly now that it also has a swimming pool and deck area.

MINILOC, the first of the El Nido island resorts to gain an iconic following in Japan and other parts of the world, now sports a lighter, fresher look while retaining its rustic charm.

goals by raising their environmental awareness and training them for employment.

The resort’s success laid the

framework for the succeeding El Nido Resorts. Moreover, the AyalaLand Hotels and Resorts Corp. brand has since then been a consis-

tent winner of sustainable tourism awards, including those bestowed by the prestigious Conde Naste Traveller and CNN.

OLIDAYS with the family are made better and worry-free at the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Award Winner Marco Polo Ortigas Manila, with premium accommodations, ultimate dining experience and exceptional service that everyone will love.

Nestled in the middle of Ortigas business district, Marco Polo Ortigas Manila is set to provide a breather amid the bustling city.

It is a unique concept that perfectly blends Asian warmth and Western comfort—a service that has been loved by many.

Starting the journey at the Level 24 is the sky lobby where guests can check in.

The hotel offers 316 well-designed rooms and suites that are perfect for all discerning guests and families. Include the kids in the registration and let them enjoy welcome amenities from the hotel’s Piccolo Kids Club.

These merchandise includes stationery coloring books, bath robes, slippers and bubble bath. Bringing infants does not have to be hard with cribs and baby tubs available upon request.

Stays got more interesting for young guests with the Piccolo Kids Club, located at the ground floor. Children will not miss out on a fun and playful day with educational toys, coloring items and exciting movies.

The young ones will be encouraged to explore their creative and fun side from experimenting with arts and crafts, and socializing with new friends. Open every weekends and holidays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., this facility is for all the children of checked-in guests and restaurant diners.

Enjoy a true culinary journey with stellar dining destinations. Café Pronto is a beacon for coffee lovers where designer blends and aromatic coffees complement an array

of savouries, sandwiches, chocolates and freshly baked confections. Cucina is the fashionable all-day dining restaurant located at Level 24, which features live kitchens showcasing specialties from the world’s culinary capitals. Experience bespoke buffets and an original a la carte menu in a stylish setting where attention to detail is front and center, something that the whole family will enjoy feasting on.

Have some afternoon tea paired with dessert samplers or combines with Asian delights at the Connect Lounge. The contemporary Chinese restaurant Lung Hin serves traditional and authentic Cantonese food and fresh seafood from the expert hands of its Hong Kong chefs.

Vu’s Sky Bar and Lounge on Level 45 is poised to be a signature Ortigas attraction.

Imagine nursing any of the bar’s signature cocktails, wines, spirits and champagnes with Mediterranean tapas surrounded an awe-inspiring 360-degree vista where East meets West. The al-fresco advantage is also celebrated with high-end sound systems and a shisha lounge. Discover the spectacular as soon as you go sky high at Vu’s Sky Bar and Lounge where dining al fresco or indoors will be an event in itself.

This year, the hotel is celebrating a Whimsical Winterland, something the little tots would surely love. Transport them into a classic tale told in a magnificent way through an “Alice in Winterland theme,” explored through the decors.

To know more about Marco Polo Ortigas Manila, visit www.marcopolohotels.com. Follow the Hotel in Facebook at facebook.com/ MarcoPoloOrtigasManila or @MarcoPoloManila on Twitter or Instagram.

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Sunday, December 16, 2018

A8 |

BusinessMirror

Editor: Tet Andolong

Erstwhile energy-less Palawan communities lit up for the first time

JUST recently, the residents of Sitio Binaluan in Liminancong, Taytay, held a ceremony in which the city’s Christmas tree was lit for the very first time.

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THE TOURISM ADVOCATE

ALAWAN has always been part of every Filipino’s bucket list of dream destinations.

This is no wonder because Palawan is simply one of the most visually breath-taking places not only in the Philippines but in the whole world.

In my last column, I wrote about how advocates pursue projects in the province to help keep Palawan clean and inhabitable while empowering its communities and taking care of its indigenous people.

One such project is the Access to Energy (A2E) program of Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc. (PSFI), which aims to, as its name connotes, give energy access to communities where there was once none.

In this age of high-technology and digital transformation, it is rather hard to imagine that there are still many areas in the Philippines that have no access to power.

In fact, around 16 million Filipinos continue to live in communities that do not have electricity.

In Palawan, several communities—due to their distance to the main power grids—used to have no access at all to energy. Families in these areas had to make do with

wood-fired stoves to cook their meals and candles and gas lamps to light up their homes at night.

That is, until PSFI came along with their A2E program, and the erstwhile unpowered communities now have their own renewable sources of energy.

draws natural gas from beneath the waters of the West Philippine Sea in Northern Palawan, and this fuels five power station plants with a total generating capacity of 3,200 megawatts.

This provides up to 30 percent of the country’s power needs.

However, Shell found out that some remote off-grid communities in Northern Palawan continued to suffer from a lack of access to energy, as only 60 percent of households are connected to the main electric grid.

In El Nido alone, more than 5,300 households remain to be offgrid to-date and, without any intervention from external groups, they will remain without energy for quite some time.

The recognition of this need was what drove the PSFI to come up with the A2E program in Palawan—to specifically address the lack of access to energy concern and allow Shell to give back to the communities within Malampaya’s scope of operations.

A brighter Christmas for Palawan communities

KEEPING a prime tourist destination like Palawan not only beautifully awe-inspiring but liveable as well is no small feat. One school of thought that I subscribe to is the belief that happily powered and empowered communities help considerably in a place’s upkeep. In this regard, A2E is truly on the right track.

A2E currently has five projects in Palawan, one of which is in Sitio Binaluan in Liminancong, Taytay.

Just recently, the residents of the sitio held a ceremony in which the city’s Christmas tree was lit for the

THE Sinag Kiosk will provide access to energy and supply clean, potable water to the community.

The kiosk and the water pumps will run on solar panels, in keeping with PSFI's focus on renewables.

very first time.

The lighting ceremony effectively ushered in the holiday season and marked the first time the community—home to 509 Tagbanuas—will be celebrating a brighter and more joyful Christmas. A2E’s Binaluan Micro-Grid will also be powering the city’s four-classroom school, a day care center, a church, a purok center, a stage and street lights.

The A2E micro grids make use of a combination of solar, hydro, wind and diesel generator power to provide energy to clustered communities. For houses that are too far away from the grids, A2E has set up individual home systems for their energy requirements.

The other four A2E projects are in Sitio Kalakwasan, Barangay Decabaitot, Barangay Baras and Sitio Ligad, the newest beneficiary of the

program. In the five A2E projects, some 337 houses are connected to the microgrids, while 370 houses were set up with individual home systems, for a total of 707 electrified houses in nine communities reached

by A2E. Through these, some 3,316 people are now enjoying access to clean energy.

The social outcomes of A2E include livelihood creation, employment generation, training programs for capacity building, health and sanitation services, educational opportunities, new teaching tools, food security, and the preservation of culture and the arts.

Enriching experiences through the Sinag Kiosk

ANOTHER important element of the A2E program is the Sinag Kiosk, which is currently under construc-

Powering and empowering communities

THE A2E project of PSFI—the social-investment arm of Pilipinas Shell—has been powering cities and off-grid communities in Palawan province through clean and renewable energy sources set up by the foundation.

Palawan is the location of the Malampaya Deep Water Gas-toPower Project—an initiative by the Malampaya Consortium of which Shell Philippines Exploration B.V. is a member.

The Malampaya offshore platform

SHELL Foundation’s lighting ceremony effectively ushered in the holiday season and marked the first time the community— home to 509 Tagbanuas—will be celebrating a brighter and more joyful Christmas. A2E’s Binaluan Micro-Grid will also be powering the city’s four-classroom school, a day-care center, a church, a purok center, a stage and street lights.

tion in Sitio Logpan, New Ibajay in El Nido. Launched just recently, the Sinag Kiosk is the first solar kiosk in the country with a water chlorination system and was designed to provide an enterprise opportunity for the community composed mostly of indigenous people who rely on fishing as their main livelihood.

The kiosk will provide access to energy and supply clean, potable water to the community. The kiosk and the water pumps will run on solar panels, in keeping with PSFI’s focus on renewables.

Moreover, the Sinag Kiosk will offer solar home system units, clean-cook stoves, refrigerators and freezers for drinks, fish and other farm produce, and services such as mobile-phone charging. The kiosk can also serve as a “community center” and a “beacon of light” where people can hang out at the end of the day, watch a basketball game together live via the kiosk’s TV, or simply listen to the radio with friends and family.

Aptly enough, the Sinag Kiosk is the first A2E Social Impact Fund awardee, and rightfully so, considering how much that single project can enrich the lives of the people living in its vicinity. The good news is that the Sinag Kiosk is just the first of more kiosks that the PSFI plan to set up in the future.

With all the initiatives of advocates like Shell and PSFI in the communities of Palawan, we can rest assured that the province will remain a viable and exciting tourist destination for years to come.

Faith www.businessmirror.com.ph • Editor: Lyn Resurreccion

Sunday

Sunday, December 16, 2018

A9

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT IN THE AIR

Vatican unveils Nativity scene, tree

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ATICAN—The annual unveiling of the Vatican’s Christmas tree and Nativity scene brought some much-needed warmth to people’s hearts as winter approached.

Hundreds of people in Saint Peter’s Square this past week applauded as white curtains unfurled, revealing a 52-foot wide artistic representation of Jesus’ birth made entirely of sand and dubbed the Sand Nativity.

The bas-relief sculpture, which weighed over 700 tons, was made with sand from Jesolo, an Italian seaside resort town roughly 40 miles north of Venice.

Shortly after, as the sun set behind Saint Peter’s Basilica, the sounds of “Silent Night” filled the square before the lights of the Vatican’s towering Christmas tree were lit.

The 42-foot-tall red spruce tree, donated by the Diocese

of Concordia-Pordenone in the northern Italian region of Veneto, was unveiled at the Vatican’s annual tree lighting ceremony.

Among those present at the annual Christmas tree lighting were Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello, president of the commission governing Vatican City State; Archbishop Francesco Moraglia, patriarch of Venice; and Bishop Giuseppe Pellegrini of Concordia-Pordenone.

The Sand Nativity scene and tree will remain in Saint Peter’s Square until the feast of the Baptism of the Lord on January 13, 2019.

Earlier in the day, Pope Francis met with delegations from the northern Italian regions of Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia,

The child Jesus, Son of God and our Savior, whom we lay in the manger, is holy in poverty, littleness, simplicity and humility...

By contemplating the God-child who emanates light in the humility of the manger, we, too, can become witnesses of humility, tenderness and goodness.”—Pope Francis

THE Christmas tree and Sand Nativity are seen after a lighting ceremony in Saint Peter’s Square at the Vatican this past week. PAUL HARING/CNS

responsible respectively for the 2018 Vatican Christmas tree and Nativity scene.

Thanking the delegations for their gifts, the pope said the Nativity scene and Christmas tree are visible signs that “ help us to contemplate the mystery of God, who was made man in order to be close to us.”

The bright lights emanating from the Christmas tree, he explained, “remind us that Jesus is the light of the world, the light of the soul that drives out the darkness of enmity and makes room for forgiveness.”

T he soar ing height of t he

CELEBRATING the Nativity of Jesus, many Christians gather on Christmas Eve for midnight Mass. WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Historical beginnings

‘Misa de Gallo’

By Corazon Damo-Santiago

“Misa de Gallo sa simbahan, At nagtilaok na ang tandang, Tanda ng pagdiriwang at pagmisa, Paskong dakilang araw.

Misa de Gallo sa tuwing Pasko Nagdarasal ang bawa’t tao.

At nagpapasalamat sa pagsilang Ng Diyos na hari ng mundo.”

Misa de Aguinaldo

ON March 31, 1521, an Easter Sunday, Magellan planted a cross in Limasawa, Leyte, and claimed the Philippines for the King of Spain.

Pope Leo X obligated Spain to Christianize the people. Spanish priests came to teach the Filipinos the Christian doctrine.

To impress on Filipino Christian converts on the significance of Christmas Day, the dawn Mass

Christmas tree, he added, also symbolizes “God who—through the birth of His son, Jesus—came down to man to raise him to Himself and elevate him from the fog of selfishness and sin.”

Pope Francis also reflected on the unique composition of the Nativity scene. Sand, he said, is a poor material that “recalls the simplicity, the littleness and frailty with which God show Himself through the birth of Jesus in the precariousness of Bethlehem.”

“The child Jesus, Son of God and our Savior, whom we lay in the manger, is holy in poverty, littleness, simplicity and humility,”

was introduced. Likened to a gift for all the blessings, the Mass was called Misa de Aguinaldo (Gift Mass). Because the Mass was celebrated at 4 in the morning and was still dark, it was called midnight Mass to approximate the darkness of night. And with the rooster as the heralder of the good news, the Mass was called Misa de Gallo, or Rooster’s Mass in many countries.

The Filipinos, who are early risers to work in the farms at sunrise, welcomed the celebration. They, too, are rooster lovers. The dawn Masses indeed augured well with their waking habits and gratefulness to God’s blessings in their lives.

Since it is a nine-day celebration, thus, considered a novena, one who completes the dawn Masses receives blessings and

t he w i shes a re g ra nted too.

Thus, through the centuries, the dawn Mass has become an important Christmas celebration among the Roman Catholics and the faithfuls of the Philippine Independent Church.

Sometimes a band goes around the neighborhood to wake up the people to attend Mass. The band resumes playing after Mass to add a festive mood to the occasion. The continuous ringing of the bells served as a beacon call to parishioners.

Simbang Gabi (Midnight Mass) starts on December 16 and ends on December 24.

To accommodate the urban faithfuls, anticipated Masses are held at 9 or 10 p.m. the night before in shopping malls with chapels.

SIMBANG Gabi could be traced to the midnight vigil among early Christians in Bethlehem. After the vigil on the night of Christmas, a torchlight procession is held until dawn at the Church of Resurrection.

The ceremony called Misa de los Pastores (Shepherds Mass) was first chronicled by Aetheria Egeria or Etheroniua in a letter titled “Peregrinatio Itimerarium Ad Loca Santa (Pilgrimage to Holy Land by Aetheria) in the early 380s to women of a spiritual community.

Only the middle part of her writing was discovered and copied in Codex Aretinus by Italian scholar Gian Francisco Gamurrini, who theorised that the author was Saint Sylvia of Aquitaine.

Karl Meister disputed the theory about Aetheria Egeria’s identity and date of pilgrimage. Since the language in the letter shows no evidence of Spanish dialect, the author must be from a religious house of the sixth century, and the pilgrimage took place during the first half of Justinian’s reign (527-565) The significance of this letter though according to Martin Connell in Eternity Today: On the Liturgical Year is its historical liturgical importance. It provided catholics a universal acceptance of December 25 as the nativity of Jesus Christ.

Damo-Santiago is a former regional director of the Department of Education National Capital Region. She is currently a faculty member of Mater Redemptoris Collegium in Calauan, Laguna, and of Mater Redemptoris College in San Jose City, Nueva Ecija.

the pope said. “By contemplating the God-child who emanates light in the humility of the manger, we, too, can become witnesses of humility, tenderness and goodness.”

K icking off preparations to celebrate the birth of Christ was special exhibition in the morning of over 100 different Nativity scenes at the Vatican. T he event, now in its 43rd edition, was sponsored by the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization.

Dubbed “ 10 0 Cr ibs at t he Vatican,” the ex hibition featured a wide variety of artistic representations depicting

Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. In a s t at e m e nt p r o m o t i n g t h e event, A rchbishop R ino Fisichella, president of the pontifical council, said the exhibition of different Nativ ity scenes— a tradition credited to Saint Francis of Assisi—was “a strong instrument of evangelization.”

“So many people stop every Christmas before the mystery of God made man, represented with figurines—which in many cases are authentic masterpieces of art—to pray, to reflect and to discover the love of God who became a child for us.” Junno Arocho Esteves/Catholic News Service/CBCPNews

3RD SUNDAY OF ADVENT: ‘LUKE3:10-18’

SACRAMENTAL BAPTISM AND BAPTISM BY THE SPIRIT MSGR. JOSEFINO S. RAMIREZ SUNDAY GOSPEL IN OUR LIFE

I

N order to explain to his listeners that he was not the expected Messiah, but only the precursor, John the Baptist told his listeners that, whereas he himself only baptized with water, the Christ would baptize “with the Holy Spirit and with fire” (Luke 3:16).

“Baptism” literally means washing.

John’s rite of baptism was a symbolic washing of repentance—it symbolized the cleansing from one’s sins. But it could not really carry out what it symbolized.

It only prepared the people for the real cleansing from sins, which could only be possible through the redemption won by Christ in the passion, death and resurrection.

On the other hand, Jesus’ baptism would be effective. The external washing would really carr y out the internal washing of one’s sins, through the application of the redemption won by Christ. That is why we say that Christ’s baptism is a sacrament—a visible sign instituted by Christ to really bring about the invisible graces of God. In his conversation with Nicodemus, Christ referred to this as a washing “by water and spirit.” It is to the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Most Blessed Trinity, who is symbolized by fire (as on Pentecost Day) that the work of our sanctifications is attributed.

Therefore, the true “baptism by water and spirit” is the sacrament of baptism, which the Church has been carrying out

for the last 20 centuries, ever since Christ commanded the apostles to “go forth and baptize all nations, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

Nowadays, we hear about being “baptized in the Spirit.” If, as Cardinal Sin explained some years ago in an instruction about the Charismatic Movements, what is meant by that is a deeper awareness of one’s baptismal commitment and, therefore, an intensification of the Christian life, then it is a legitimate term.

But if it is meant to somehow “substitute” the Sacrament of Baptism, or if it were to be given more importance than the real baptism, then it would be lamentably wrong.

A true “life in the spirit” needs to be founded on nothing more or nothing less than the very sacrament of Baptism.

Through this Sacrament, in which God’s grace is infused into our souls, we become members of the Church, children of God and heirs of heaven.

Unfortunately, we sometimes see baptism merely as an external rite or a formal initiation. We should realize the wonderful transformation that it effects in the soul of the newly baptized Christian.

And we can say that the fullness of the Christian life, by which all Christians are called to sanctity, is based on this sacrament. If we were but faithful to our baptismal vows, and we were all to correspond to the commitments we made at baptism. What saints we all should be.

Science

BusinessMirror

A10 Sunday, December 16, 2018

Sunday

Editor: Lyn Resurreccion • www.businessmirror.com.ph

‘We live in the Age of the Chicken’

I

T is one thing to eat chicken every day. It’s something else to have that on your permanent record, as in the geological record, the remnants of our time that archaeologists or aliens of the future will sift through to determine who we were and how we shaped our world.

But a group of scientists argue in a new essay published this past week in the journal Royal Society Open Science that this is exactly how our time on Earth will be marked, by leftover chicken bones.

We live in the Age of the Chicken.

There are about 23 billion chickens on Earth at any given time, at least 10 times more than any other bird, 40 times the number of sparrows.

The second most numerous bird on the planet, at an estimated population of 1.5 billion, is a small creature called the redbilled quelea, sometimes known in its home of sub-Saharan Africa as a feathered locust.

The combined mass of those 23 billion chickens is greater than that of all the other birds on Earth. But, said Carys Bennett, an honorary fellow at the University of Leicester and one of the authors of the essay, it is not only the mind-boggling numbers of chickens that will tell a tale of

our times, but their shape, genes and chemistry.

“We have changed the actual biology of the chicken,” she said.

Chickens seem to have been domesticated about 8,000 years ago, and gradually bred to be larger and meatier than their jungle fowl ancestors. But it was not until production of broilers ramped up in the 1950s and farming practices changed that the bird was transformed.

The modern broiler chicken, with an average life until slaughter of a scant five to nine weeks, by various estimates, has five times the mass of its ancestor.

It has a genetic mutation that makes it eat insatiably so that it gains weight rapidly.

It is subject to numerous bone ailments because it has been bred to grow so quickly. And because of its d iet—heav y on g rains and low on backyard seeds and bugs—its bones have a distinct chemical signature.

The broiler is also completely dependent on and designed for an industrial system of meat production. It can only live supported by human technology. Eggs are artificially incubated and chicks grow in climate-controlled sheds of up to 50,000 chickens, the scientists write.

The chickens are transported to slaughterhouses at no older than nine weeks (broilers at some farm animal sanctuaries live four years or more) “where most waste products [feathers, manure, blood etc.] are recycled via anaerobic digestion, incineration and rendering into edible byproducts, all technology dependent.” Chicken potpie anyone?

There is, of course a question about how well all the leftover chicken bones, from the 65 billion or so chickens consumed each year, will be preserved in the fossil record.

Bird bones do not fossilize well. But many chicken bones go to landfills, where they become mummified as much as

We have changed the actual biology of the chicken.”

—Bennett

fossilized. And there are so, so, so many bones. The big issue, of course, is what all these chicken bones say about us.

The essay did not take a position on this question, leaving it up to the reader. “Some people would say this is an amazing technological innovation,” Bennett said.

Indeed, Tom Super, a spokesman for the National Chicken Council, an industry group, said the production of chickens, in the US at least, is a great success “in terms of efficiency, the welfare of the birds and responsibly producing more meat with fewer resources.”

On the other side, Lori Gruen, a philosophy professor at Wesleyan University and advocate for animal welfare, said it was “hard to see this human caused transmogrification that purposely disables these birds from birth as something to be proud of.”

Of course, archaeologists of the future will not just find chicken bones. There will be plastics, and concrete and other so-called technofossils. There will be radiation signatures in the rocks from nuclear tests. All of these will be markers of what some scientists call the Anthropocene epoch, the Age of Humans.

But the single most identifiable and significant biological remnant, these scientists argue, the lasting sign of how we changed the living world, will be the broiler chicken, in its numbers and strangeness.

NEW P.C.I.E.E.R.D. CHIEF Science Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña (left) swears in

University of the Philippines Professor Dr. Enrico Paringit as the new executive director of the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) on Thursday. DOST-PCIEERD FACEBOOK

8 research, devt grants for SMEs and universities get DOST nod

New York Times News Service

MEMBERS of Pascual Pharma Corp. and the Technological Institute of the Philippines work together to develop a multi-sensor instrumentation to identify the predictors for bioactivity in herbal extracts rapidly. S&T MEDIA SERVICE

Biotech scientists, advocates receive Faces of Biotechnology award

T

HE Department of Agriculture (DA) Biotechnology Program recognizes nine scientists, academicians and advocates at the Third Filipino Faces of Biotechnology awarding ceremonies in Alabang, Muntinlupa, on December 13. Three of them were recognized posthumously.

Recognized for their untiring work in biotechnology are (front row, from second from left) Dr. Dolores A. Ramirez (represented by Julieta Fe Estacio of the Department of Science and Technology), the late Dr. Jocelyn E. Eusebio (represented by her son Randy Eusebio (third from left) and Dr.

Custer C. Deocaris. (Back, from left) Fr. Emmanuel Noli C. Alparce, the late Most Rev. Jesus Y. Varela (represented by his brother Francisco Varela), Dr. Rhodora R. Aldemita, Dr. Leonardo A. Gonzales, Dr. Randy A. Hautea (represented by Sabrina Bugnosen of International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-

biotech Applications) and Dr. Libertado C. Cruz (right). With them are Ann Lopez (front, left), assistant director at the DA Biotech Programme; DA Undersecretary Dr. Segfredo R. Serrano (front, right); and Dr. Vivencio R. Mamaril, DA Biotechnology Office director (back, second from right). Stephanie Tumampos

S. KOREA GRANTS $5.2M FOR DISASTER MITIGATION IN METRO MANILA

D

AMAGES brought by natural disasters to residents and properties near the Tullahan and Pasig-Marikina river basins will soon be mitigated with the recent launching of a project between the South Korean government and Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-Pagasa) in Quezon City The South Korean government, through Korea International Cooperation Agency (Koica), and the DOST-Pagasa launched the “Automation of Flood Early Warning System [EWS] for Disaster Mitigation in Greater Metro Manila Project.”

South Korea granted $5.2 million for the establishment of a command center with state-of-the-art equipment; provision and installation of automatic water-level gauges, automatic rain gauges, warning posts, Description closed-circuit televisions

camera; development of 10 units of software; and setting up relay stations and wireless network for the CCTVs. The projec t intends to improve responsiveness to natural disasters and mitigate damages to residents near Tullahan and Pasig-Marikina river basins. Through this project, casualties and property damages will be minimized by securing forecast way before flooding incidents occur.

South Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Han Dong-Man led the ceremony together with Science Sec. Fortunato T. de la Peña, Koica Country Director Myung Seop Shin and Pagasa Administrator Vicente Malano.

“This project, composed of the automation of the flood early-warning system and this forecasting and warning center, are shields of our local populace that enable them to better prepare for this type of hazard,” de la Peña said.

Malano said the EWS 3 project funded by

Koica is Pagasa’s answer to the people’s need to be warned beforehand so that the risk of getting caught in the middle of severe flood is significantly reduced.

“We are building the preparedness of our people, we are promoting proactiveness by pushing them to go beyond the usual level or preparedness through this improved flood early-warning system that will be managed by this center that we are inaugurating today” Malano said.

The project will also cover dispatch of South Korean experts to share their technical know-how and enhance the capacity of Pagasa personnel to respond to natural disasters in order to reduce human casualties.

Capacity-building/training programs in South Korea for Pagasa officials and other stakeholders, as well as workshops for local government units and their residents are also included in the project.

“The [South] Korean government recognizes the urgent need to address and mitigate the devastation caused by floods, as it is considered to be one of the most damaging natural disasters in the country.

We recognize the need to strengthen disaster response capacities to save and protect more lives,” Han said in his speech during the launch.

The project is a testimonial to the everdeepening friendship and diplomatic ties between the governments of South Korea and of the Philippines, which commenced almost seven decades ago. Both governments are equally optimistic that the project will strengthen the role of Pagasa in the area of disaster preparedness.

Representatives from the Koica Philippine Office, various government agencies, DOSTPagasa operating units and other partners also attended the official turnover of the project.

D

O you have a problem with your enterprise? Your business’s concern may be solved by academe, and research and development institutions (RDIs) to help it develop and grow.

Most small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Philippines are not aware of possible synergies in working with the academe and RDIs. Likewise, research and development (R&D) in academe, and in RDIs in the country are mostly conducted independent of industry needs and usually the end goal is a publication, intellectual property or graduated students.

The D epar tment of S cience and Technology (DOST) is bridging this gap and having the three sectors work together.

As part of the DOST’s Accelerated R&D Program for Capacit y Building of R&D In stitution s a nd Industria l Competitiveness under the Science for Change (S4C) Program, it established the Collaborative Research and Development to Leverage Philippine Economy (Cradle), which is specifically designed to catalyze partnerships in R&D between academic institutions, RDIs and SMEs. Cradle provides financial grant from the DOST to enable an SME to partner with a higher educational institution (HEI) or RDI in order to find viable solutions to an existing R&D problem in industry. The research problem is stated by the SME, and the academic institution or RDI will solve the problem in partnership with the SME. A Cradle project can have a maximum funding of P5 million, and implemented for a period of one year to three years.

A total of eight SMEs with their

partner HEIs and RDIs recently received grants from the DOST to fund their research and development projects.

Among the SMEs and partner HEI/RDIs given grants are: the Pascual Pharma Corp. with the Technological Institute of the Philippines; Del Monte Philippines Inc. with the University of San Agustin-Iloilo; Hijo Resources Corp. with University of Southeastern Philippines; Santeh Feeds Corp. with the De La Salle University; Sugar and Ice Confections Inc. with the University of the Philippines-Los Baños; Batangas Egg Producers Cooperative with the University of the Philippines-Diliman; Learning by Doing Technologies with the University of Southeastern Philippines; and Asian Semiconductor Philippines with the UPD. Through Cradle, the DOST aims to invigorate the Philippine innovation ecosystem as it presents the opportunity for collaboration between researchers, scientists and engineers in the academe and local private companies.

The DOST also aims to help the industry gain competitive edge in the market, through the development of innovative products, processes and/or services that are responsive to changing and global dynamics.

Interested parties may send their inquiries to the Project Management Office, Science for Change Program with office address at Department of Science and Technology 2/F ADMATEL Building, DOST Compound, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City. They may also send an e-mail at s4c.ousecrd@gmail. com, call the S4C PMO at (+632) 837-2943 / 837-2071 local 2510 or visit the S4C Facebook page at @dost.s4cp. S&T Media Service

Tourism&Entertainment BusinessMirror

Editor: Carla Mortel-Baricaua

Sunday, December 16, 2018 A11

THE COAST WITH THE MOST IN NASUGBU THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Scenic adventures worthy of a repeat Story & photos

by Korinna Pia A. Saavedra

T

HE route to Hamilo Coast is a winding ribbon of a road that follows the terrain like a brush stroke.

JG Summit Holdings Inc., Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria, and Holiday Inn Manila Galleria executives lead Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria’s (CPMG) tree-lighting ceremony. In photo are (center) Lance Gokongwei, president and CEO of JGSHI.; (fourth from left) James Go, chairman of JGSHI; (right) Robina Gokongwei-Pe, president and CEO of Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. (RRHI); (right of center) Nic Lim, senior vice president, JGSHI and Corporate Resources Group; (fourth to second from right) Arthur Gindap, Owners’ representative for CPMG and HIMG; Atty. Elaine Araneta, corporate secretary of Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC); Jean Yap, vice president, Business Center Head, and cluster head of Robinsons Bank; (left of center) Gaurav Rai, general manager of CPMG and HIMG with (from right) Franck Merot, executive assistant manager; Sachin Chauhan, director of Sales and Marketing; and Gibeth Gloria, executive assistant manager for Food and Beverage.

ENJOY the sea and sand at Hamilo Coast this holiday season.

CROWNE PLAZA MANILA GALLERIA AND HOLIDAY INN MANILA GALLERIA HOLD ‘BRING LOVE, GIVE LOVE’ SHOW

C HAMILO’S 30-foot Christmas tree stands lovely at sunset. PICO DE LORO CLUB

It angles and ambles, almost lazily about. As though it were poured over the many faceted mountainside, as though the path itself was an accident. A deliberate attempt to take you to another world altogether even as it spoke to you.

Each snaking curve, pin turn and blind corner does take you ever farther away from the Metro as you know it. Perhaps it is deliberate, as ever roadworks can be, and the sudden quiet, after a little turn from the main roads, intentionally brings you a taste of what is to come.

Bright as every morning is, Nasugbu’s blue strip welcomed us with teasing views of the water and private beachfronts, the isolated countryside getting slightly more quiet even as we got nearer our destination and further from all else.

After a few more turns from an almost unremarkable gated entrance, the private community makes itself known to you without ceremony, pomp or pretence.

Parking and the lobby was full— apparently since more than a hundred Vietnamese guests of the Pico Sands Hotel were checking out after a few days. Of course, it was also midmorning and breakfast time, and a good enough buffet spread was there to welcome us, so the staff appeared quite busy.

An hour or so later, we were off to Santelmo Cove, a uber-private strip not 15 minutes away via speedboat, and which features peach-beige sand and all the quiet you cannot expect to get from the weekend bustle of the exclusive Pico de Loro Beach and Country Club. It wasn’t quite low tide, but it was low enough for a nearby and shallow coral reef to bravely share some of its secret inhabitants, namely, sea cucumbers, a few crabs and spotted fish. A few birds swooped and glided about the place but kept to themselves.

It is a place for intimate conversations and rest.

One that is rented out to club

PICO de Loro Beach Club offers a coastal escape.

NEW Moon, a roasted pumpkin and carrots soup drizzled with cilantro pesto

A VIEW of Santelmo, one of the 13 coves at Hamilo Coast. PICO DE LORO CLUB

members or guests for four hours at a time. Our gracious hosts, Jennifer Bagus, Members Engagement and Communications manager, and Nichie Torres, Business Development director, disclosed that the cove is a favorite for guests and vacationers— famous, famously private, and preferably quiet, who seek alone time.

Incidentally, the beach was very recently and happily discovered to be the nesting ground for some turtles, and when the locals and caretakers found out, they promptly marked the place. It set us to walking gingerly about since it was likely that there were more nests around.

Under a small canopy of trees, we were served perfect mojitos (seriously perfect!) soon followed by a boodle fight for lunch and a couple of hours of quiet—not quite what I personally expected but which I enjoyed as much as I could.

That afternoon, we headed back and soon prepared for Sangria in time for the fiery gold sunset. It came upon us, between drinks and more companionable conversation, catching up, and a plain enjoyment of the unspoiled air. Clearly, it was about the same atmosphere experienced by members of the premier club and community, and especially for those who owned rooms and stayed very

quietly in the Hamilo Coast low-rise condominiums for the weekend with their families or guests.

The evening held more surprise though as the community gathered at the plaza near the giant Christmas tree for the tree-lighting event.

President for Pico de Loro Beach and Country Club, Rita Dy and General Manager for Pico Sands Hotel, Maggie Garcia led the ceremony with a warm welcome. We were then regaled with classic Filipino carols by The Himig Batingaw Choir, a local chorale group hailed in Imus, Cavite, and a dance parade by homegrown talents of Pico de Loro.

“I’m even more proud to share that this tree is also a showcase of our staff’s handiwork and artistry,” said Maggie Garcia.

The Christmas tree stood 30-feet tall and was tastefully decorated with organic materials found anywhere along the 42-hectare property’s trails. This included twigs, branches and coconut spathe, and with Abaca rope, silk flowers and other classic Christmas décor.

After the festivities, we were served award-winning fare that placed Pico Restaurant on the map.

It was an intimate dinner, more like family and friends gathered after an eventful weekend—and it spoke

CONSTELLATION, a light dessert of fruity and nutty langka chilled cheese cake

THE fresh calamari is perfect with chips and sangria

ROWNE Plaza Manila Galleria (CPMG) and Holiday Inn Manila Galleria (HIMG) of the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) ushered in the festive Yuletide season with a Christmas tree-lighting ceremony at the Crowne Plaza hotel lobby. Graced by officials of the two hotels’ owning company, JG Summit Holdings Inc. and the hotels’ executives, the event with the theme “Bring Love, Give Love” highlighted a donation to the same beneficiary from the previous year, Children’s Joy Foundation, coming from proceeds of the charity fashion show and auction that followed.

“There is no better way to spread joy and cheer throughout the season than by putting smiles in the faces of our children. We all know that Christmas is truly for them and for the gift of family. So through our beneficiary for the second year running and since we began our traditional tree-lighting ceremony last year—the Children’s Joy Foundation—we are delighted to contribute in our own small way to their noble programs that care for their needs and pave their way to a better and brighter future,” said Gaurav Rai, general manager of CPMG. The 20-foot whimsical red and silver-adorned tree at the Crowne Plaza hotel lobby is flanked by a children’ssized holiday train, where kids can hop on and take photos with friends and family all throughout December. As a special treat Children, the gingerbread train ride, will be going around the Crowne Plaza’s atrium until the end of December for Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn Manila Galleria’s guests.

Following the ceremony, guests were ushered to the Grand Ballroom

where a pop-up boutique displayed couture suits and gowns on sale donated by renowned Filipino designers.

Guests had the privilege to purchase these gowns, as the proceeds would benefit the Children’s Joy Foundation.

By the end of the event, the clothes were close to sold out.

The evening’s festivities culminated into the “Bring Love, Give Love” charity fashion show, where stunning couture gowns by industry icons Ben “Mang Ben” Farrales, Barge Ramos and Albert Andrada, as well as creations

by Mikee Andrei, Adam Balasa, Paolo Blanco, Danika Damo, Marlo Ramos Javier, Marianne Martin, Rowel Panlilio, Vince Sityar and Patty Valle showcased Filipino fashion design artistry.

The show was concluded by auctioning off two experiences: a onenight stay at the Crowne Plaza Presidential Suite with breakfast for two, and two round-trip tickets to Bali, Indonesia, for two courtesy of Cebu Pacific with a three-day and two-night accommodation at Holiday Inn Resort Baruna Bali. The auction’s proceeds were likewise donated to the Children’s Joy Foundation.

CPMG and HIMG’s “Bring Love, Give Love” Christmas tree-lighting event was launched last year to warmly welcome guests with the festive holiday décor throughout the two hotels and raise donations for their beneficiary both for this and the previous year’s— the Children’s Joy Foundation. The ceremony, likewise, served to announce the array of enticing Christmas and New Year-themed staycation and dining experiences, as well as special party packages for corporate or intimate gatherings.

DRINKS glasses prepped for sunset drinks

wonders about the companionship and camaraderie people can develop in places built to care for families.

Of the hotel, the rooms are neat, albeit near impersonal, but one can say this allowed for a certain level of independence and privacy. Premiums for which the city would charge you an arm and a leg. Oh, and they turned the sheet down for the evening—not all places do this, so…— and, since the hours are mine, it could happily be repeated.

THE Holiday Train is made of real gingerbread.

Lighting the ‘Whimsical Winterland’ at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila

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SAMUEL PO, Lily Pedrosa, Atty. Dianeth Valencia and GM Frank Reichenbach lighting the Christmas tree together with the kids from Riversprings School.

HE season of joy has officially begun as the Forbes Travel Guide Five Star Award winner unlocked the doors to winterland with the golden key with the ceremonial tree lighting on November 21.

This year’s theme comes from the classic tale that brings a magical journey. Guests were welcomed by the voices of a choir group with a set of Christmas carols. Afterward general manager, Frank Reichenbach, welcomed corporate clients, in-house guests and media partners for gracing the event.

“Christmas is a time for family

and true friendship. This year’s theme, Whimsical Winterland, brings to life the Lewis Carroll classic, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

“We are pleased to present how the world can, and is indeed more vibrant, enchanting and delightful when viewed through the eyes of innocence. It is by revelling in childlike wonder, like Alice did in the beloved children’s story, that we may begin fully embracing what this season means for all of us,” said Reichenbach.

Sharing the spirit of Christmas, the children of Riversprings School

were gathered to light up the 25foot Christmas tree together with the owning company, Xin Tian Ti, officially starting the magical journey. The spectacle of lights bringing wonders to the whimsical decorations brought guests a nostalgia reminiscent of the classic book.

Afterward, the hotel’s associates surprised everyone with a performance over a classic holiday song.

Just as the season of giving is around the corner, the hotel also announced the third year of the “Wings of Hope” program. This year, guests are encouraged to adopt an eagle stuffed toy for a

minimal fee of P650, with proceeds supporting the Philippine Eagle Foundation’s efforts in preserving and looking after the national bird.

Resident Manager Roel Constantino concluded the event with a few words, “Fuelled by the spirit of discovery and the heartfelt commitment to serve, Marco Polo Ortigas Manila is proud to be among the most recognized institutions in the hospitality and travel industry. We hope today’s celebration inspires everyone here today to make real what others deem impossible and to remain as curious as ever.”

Sports BusinessMirror

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Sunday, December 16, 2018

Editor: Jun Lomibao • mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph

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CONQUER CHALLENGE Alexander Grenz, chief operating officer of Allianz PNB Life, tackles one of the obstacles at the Allianz Conquer Challenge with Jacob King, one of the Aeta youth from Barangay Villa Maria in Porac, Pampanga. Twenty-one Aeta youth raced alongside Allianz PNB Life employees in the pairs category of the 25-obstacle 10-km race in Clark Global City.

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OUR de France winner Geraint Thomas said that Sky’s decision to stop funding the team at the end of 2019 came as a shock but he believes it is an “amazing” opportunity for other sponsors.

Team Sky made a surprise announcement on Wednesday morning that they were searching for a new backer for 2020 after the media company Sky decided to end its partnership with the team following 10 seasons of sponsorship. They are also set to lose 21st Century Fox at the end of next season. The team members were informed of the news on Tuesday evening ahead of the public announcement the following morning.

“It was a bit of a shock and disappointing but it doesn’t mean it’s the end of the team,” Thomas told ITV News from the team’s training camp in Mallorca.

“There are a lot more opportunities out there, and when you look, it’s one of the strongest sports teams in the world, not just in cycling but in sport in general, so I think it’s an amazing opportunity for other sponsors and for us to have different partners. Obviously, it’s a big unknown but it’s exciting at the same time.”

Thomas has been with the team since its debut in 2010 and recently penned a new threeyear contract with them after winning his first—and their sixth—Tour de France title in July. Along with Thomas, the team signed several long-term extensions with their current roster, including a five-year deal with Egan Bernal. The team has set a deadline of next year’s Tour de France to find a new backer, but they do risk losing a number of their top riders if they struggle to find a new sponsor.

Thomas’s teammate Wout Poels also expressed his surprise at the news but he remains positive that team principal Dave Brailsford will

find a new backer for the 2020 season. However, Poels will be a free agent after next year with his current three-year deal set to come to an end next December and he says he’s not going to stress himself too much thinking about what is to come. He has already been linked to the growing JumboVisma team.

“I knew that Sky was sold to Comcast, so I wondered at the time what that would mean for us,” Poels told de Telegraaf.

“But that this would be the result, I did not expect it so soon. You know, of course, that this happens in cycling.

Sponsors come and go, and Sky has been in cycling since 2008. I have been part of that for five years. A time in which I have experienced many beautiful things.

“We have another year to go, do we not? It could happen that another sponsor comes in.

I’m confident that Dave will do that. But you know, I’m not going to worry about it, because I have no control over it. It only costs energy.”

Bike brand Pinarello, meanwhile, will support Team Sky beyond 2019, convinced that team manager Dave Brailsford can find a new title sponsor to replace Sky and so keep the team alive.

Pinarello has been Team Sky’s bike sponsor since the British WorldTour team was created for the 2010 season, sharing in the team’s success at the Tour de France and other races over the years. Pinarello invests close to €4 million per season via its sponsorship and supplies hundreds of frames, securing it a place on the Team Sky jersey and the prestige of winning Grand Tours and other major races.

The Italian bike brand

OLITICAL tensions won’t prevent Fifa from deciding whether to place some World Cup games outside Qatar, the head of world soccer’s governing body said Thursday.

Fifa President Gianni Infantino used a summit of soccer nations in Qatar to gather support for his mission to add 16 teams to the 2022 tournament—a move that would require the tiny, energyrich nation sharing games in the region. That would be complicated by Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt cutting ties with Qatar in 2017 in an ongoing political dispute that prevents flights between Doha and the boycotting countries.

Qatar won a vote in 2010 to host the World Cup with 32 teams and is only building eight stadiums. A 48-team tournament is already planned for 2026 in the United States, Canada and Mexico, but Infantino wants to fast-track that expansion and add 16 more games for the first World Cup in the Middle East.

“Is it feasible to do it only in Qatar? Difficult probably,” Infantino said. “Is it feasible to have a few games being played in neighboring countries? Well, maybe this is an option, of course.

“I’m not that naive not to know not to read the news and not to know what is going on.

But now we are in football, we are not in politics, and in

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AUSANNE, Switzerland—The International Canoe Federation says two Chinese paddlers have been banned for two years for doping.

The ICF says Shengfang Tian and Huan Men both tested positive for the banned diuretic

football, sometimes the dreams come true.”

Given 32 teams compete for the World Cup and there are 211 nations in Fifa, adding more slots in 2022 is likely to be embraced by the members given they have already approved expansion of the event beginning in 2026.

Infantino used a trip to Doha in October to ask the emir of Qatar if he would consider allowing matches to be shared with nations that are part of an economic and travel boycott against his country.

“If there is something that I could do which is good for football worldwide, then we should look at it,” Infantino said at a news conference in Doha before heading to Abu Dhabi for the Club World Cup. “I have the chance and I’m lucky enough to be able to look into that without having to be bound by any political considerations, but looking at it from a purely sporting perspective.”

Infantino did use a speech to politicians at the Group of 20 summit in Argentina last month to discuss using the World Cup in 2022 to bring countries together by spreading games beyond Qatar.

The 2022 tournament is already being cramped into a 28-day window to minimize the disruption to top European leagues because it was moved from June and July to November and December due to the extreme heat. AP

triamterene while training in China in April.

Both women cannot compete through May 21, 2020, and their coaches received one-year bans. The ICF says results for Tian and Men from a canoe sprint World Cup event in Hungary in May have been annulled. AP

GERAINT THOMAS says Sky’s pullout is a amazing opportunity for other sponsors. AP

extended its sponsorship in 2016, with the deal set to run until the end of 2020 but on Wednesday Sky and 21st Century Fox announced they would end their sponsorship and ownership of the team.

Dave Brailsford admitted to the BBC that potential new backers for the team had already been in touch, saying the team has a future beyond Sky. He seemed optimistic for the futuredespite Sky’s decision.

Fausto Pinarello—the CEO of Pinarello, revealed to Cyclingnews that he had also been contacted by people interested in taking over sponsorship in 2020. He gave his full support to Brailsford, rather than look for alternative teams for his bikes.

Pinarello will sponsor Axel Merckx’s Hagens Berman Axeon’s team and the Scandinavian Riwal CeramicSpeed in 2019 but will do all they can to help Brailsford keep Team Sky alive.

“I’m confident that the team will continue and continue to be successful. I’ve also had calls from people who are interested too and that’s a sign of just how good a team Team Sky is, people want to be part of it,” Fausto Pinarello told Cyclingnews from Taiwan.

“Some have suggested that Dave Brailsford will struggle to find a sponsor that will invest the same amount of money as Sky but I don’t agree.

I think there will be plenty of major brands that can afford and will be willing to put their name on the jersey. It

doesn’t need one name to put in a massive amount, it could be two brands that share the sponsorship costs.”

Some have suggested that rival teams will be happy to see the demise of Team Sky or at least a reduction in its ability to dominant the Tour de France.

Despite recent revelations about Bradley Wiggins’s triamcinolone injections, the Jiffy bag scandal, the outcome of the British Parliamentary investigation and Chris Froome’s salbutamol case, Pinarello argued that everyone has benefited from Team Sky’s investment in professional cycling and the way Brailsford has used his high budget to change the sport.

“I suspect one or two people will be quietly happy that Sky have decided to end their sponsorship but deep down everyone knows that Team Sky has done a lot of good to professional cycling,” Fausto Pinarello claimed.

“They have brought so much into the sport and made everyone work harder and better. So many teams have copied Team Sky in recent years and we all known that imitation is the highest form of flattery. We all owe a lot to Team Sky.” “Our bikes have won the Tour de France 14 times and so I think we knew how to make good bikes before Team Sky came along but they changed our mentality. It’s helped us become a better bike company and helped us to make better bikes for our clients.” AP

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ALZBURG, Austria— Austrian authorities are investigating 10 members of Russia’s biathlon team for doping and fraud offenses.

Police visited the Russian team’s accommodation in Austria on Wednesday ahead of a World Cup event and spoke with athletes and staff. The case is connected to a wide-ranging bribery and doping investigation involving the International Biathlon Union, whose then-president stepped down in April following a police raid of the governing body’s offices.

Austrian prosecutors said in a statement that five Russian biathletes are suspected of “severe fraud in connection with doping,” and five team officials are suspected of “the use of prohibited substances and/or methods for the purpose of doping.” Austrian authorities have previously said they could consider prize money won by doped athletes to be fraudulent earnings.

The offenses were allegedly committed around the 2017 world championships in Austria, prosecutors said, adding that “accused persons” have been given a formal notification they are under investigation. No Russian athletes in any sport have yet faced criminal prosecution for a series of doping scandals, which led to the country’s team being suspended from this year’s Winter Olympics.

A lawyer for Russian doping whistleblower Grigory Rodchenkov said this year he provided

information which led to the Austrian police action.

The Russian team is in Austria for a World Cup event, and the Russian Biathlon Union said it will “continue to compete.”

Olympic champion Anton Shipulin, who won gold at the 2014 Sochi Games, said he is “angry and furious about the witch-hunt that is going on” and has never doped.

Alexander Loginov wrote on Instagram he was accused of “some machinations with blood transfusions and something else” supposedly committed as recently as February 2017.

In Moscow, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Maria Zakharova said the overnight visit to Russian athletes ahead of a major competition looked “wild.” She added that the Russian Embassy has turned to Austrian authorities for explanation, adding that Moscow will respond if it feels the case has political undertones.

Austrian police raided the IBU headquarters in April, with prosecutors saying up to $300,000 had been paid to cover up Russian doping cases from 2012-17. Anders Besseberg, until then the only president in the IBU’s history, and general secretary Nicole Resch stepped down soon after.

Besides Russia’s team, authorities in Austria and Italy have also investigated alleged mass doping in the Kazakhstan biathlon team. Nine Kazakh athletes were suspended last month by the IBU. AP

VOLODYMYR MELNYK | DREAMSTIME.COM

Firm turns to mobile app to address ‘no show’ rate among job seekers

AN unidentified man uses the mobile app created by Transcom Worldwide Philippines Inc. for job seekers. TRANSCOM WORLDWIDE PHILIPPINES INC.

By Rizal Raoul Reyes Contributor

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O get the best talents in the market, Transcom Worldwide Philippines Inc. tried every recruitment method in the book, but these strategies failed. Fortunately, there’s an app for everything. And the company developed one that changed its talent search scenario.

“Our recruitment strategies have evolved from traditional job caravans, job boards and face-to-face interviews, to a wider use of social media and online conversations. Sadly, though, most of these strategies still rely on manual or laborintensive processes that don’t contribute much to push the hiring success rate upward or at least to decrease the candidates’ ‘no show’ rate,” Transcom Vice President for Talent Acquisition Wilfred Julius Abo Jr. said in an e-mail interview with the BusinessMirror.

Abo recalled that Transcom conducted a technology search in the market to get the appropriate tools. Moreover, it was looking

for tools that can enhance their capability to increase reach and interactions with potential hires, to provide them with realtime hiring data and statistics based on their day-to-day activities and engagement with candidates and other features that would ease out time-consuming, repetitive and manual recruiting processes.

Then they developed a recruiting app wherein Transcom automated the filtering and shortlisting of candidates. Moreover, it has reduced the wait time and people traffic in their recruitment hubs and devote time for in-depth interactions with quality applicants.

“Also, because of the enhanced experience of the applicants, we are able to easily track their feedback and drive referrals,” Abo said.

As far as the millennials are concerned, Abo said Transcom’s employee retention strategies do not necessarily single out millennials. Nevertheless, Abo said, the overarching objective of these strategies basically touch on the essential concerns of this particular age group.

“In a study we conducted about a couple of years ago, we learned that millennials put premium on coach-oriented leaders, a brand they can identify with, career opportunities and useful perks,” Abo explained.

“All of these are included in our talent development, employee engagement and total rewards designs.”

In recruiting millennials and other talents belonging to other age groups, Abo said Transcom cannot just limit compensation to monetary benefits, stressing it

2 BusinessMirror

might limit and affect in a negative manner the way the company manages its talents as well as their work environment.

“You have to use a ‘total rewards’ perspective,” he said.

While monetary benefits are useful in attracting talents at different job levels, Abo said companies cannot simply dismiss or diminish the value of non-monetary offers insofar as attraction and retention are concerned.

“Your employees might be receiving high pay but are not inspired by their leaders [or] not proud of their company brand, hate the culture, and see your company simply as a milking cow,” he said. “Compensation is ‘total package’ and your company’s ‘overall impact’ for being aspirational and attractive.”

Abo explained that a company’s attrition rate is just an indicator of how it has been investing in its people. He suggested that management should remind them-

DECEMBER 16, 2018

selves that their employees don’t decide to quit in an instant or on a whim.

“Most of decisions to quit build up over time, over certain instances and moments of dissatisfaction. These are those instances and moments that you need to capture as they happen,” he said.

“One thing that we are pushing at Transcom is to give employees safe and worry-free platforms where they can freely and trustingly express their dissatisfaction digitally, at their fingertips, as much as possible; then, acknowledge and respond to them as appropriately and quickly or as timely as we can,” he added.

To keep them in the company, Abo said employees, whether millennials or not, must be treated fairly and made to feel more valued before they go.

“Even if you know that they will eventually go, you still have to make it your passion to invest in upskilling them, inspiring them and caring for them.”

BusinessMirror

MUSIC

PRINT

PHOTO BY ANNIE S. ALEJO

OLD SCHOOL, OLD SOUL…

A REBIRTH

The renaissance of Ali Mall gives collectors young and old more things to love in the newly renovated wing called Ali X

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by Annie S. Alejo

N a scene from the comedydrama flick Almost Famous, the young William Miller looked wistfully at his 18-year-old sister as she packed her stuff into a car to finally move out of the house.

She later comes back over to him and whispers, “One day, you’ll be cool... Look under your bed. It’ll set you free.”

The young boy finds a bag of his sister’s LPs, which include albums of Led Zeppelin, Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan, among

others. With The Who’s “Sparks” playing and a candle to light his way, the boy—as his sister promised—saw his future.

“Music… true music... it chooses you,” the Lester Bangs character said in the same movie.

In some cases, the chosen ones spend a lot of resources—time and money—to find the gems that set their spirit free.

On December 2 the TresKul Records-organized “Kagatan 29” happened for the first time inside Ali Mall. Billed as a quarterly music fair, the event was characterized as “two days of fun diggin’ for vinyl, CDs, tapes and other music memorabilia.” People who trooped to the mall’s activity area got to

buy, sell or trade music in the aforementioned formats.

The Ali way

IN some ways, Ali Mall—the mid70s icon named in honor of the late, great boxer Muhammad Ali— seemed the perfect venue for what was also billed as a “throwback fair.” There happens to be a lot of history in the mall, like every record storage bin set on tables guarded by owners and traders during the event.

Inaugurated by Ali himself in 1976, Ali Mall was the place to be: air-conditioned and highlighted by a Cineplex, a food court (another Continued on page 4

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DECEMBER 16, 2018 | soundstrip.businessmirror@gmail.com

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TRESKUL Records is at the new Ali X wing in Ali Mall.

first) and what was then a popular hangout for the cool kids called Skatetown. It was first to have multi-level parking with access to the mall on every floor. Some here would remember the circular driveway to reach the upper parking levels—it was a thrill for kids in the back of the car because it felt like being on a carnival ride.

Today, though small by current standards, it is undergoing its own rebirth. Just as the records being sold and traded during “Kagatan 29” are now being appreciated not just by hardcore collectors and music connoisseurs but by new converts as well, Ali Mall is also being rediscovered by people who have been enjoying its new wing called ALI X. An acronym for “arts, lifestyle, interests, and experience[s],” Ali X is a new addition to the mall where young IG fanatics stumble upon pictureperfect sharable moments—thanks to the bright colors and interesting lamp decors calling to mind Moroccan marketplaces.

The younger shoppers find cool hangouts

like Happy Music, a ukulele store that also holds lessons, and a new food stop Erin’s Cafe, among others. The older set may be more interested in the antique and curio shops where one can get old books and other items that are not easily found in places with Korean-sounding names.

For musicphiles, this area is also a haven where the notable music/vinyl store TresKul Records has thankfully set up its second shop.

“Our first one opened in Mandaluyong [in] 2012,” noted owner DJ Arbie Won. An avid collector, Won started in this line of business selling online the excess records he got abroad to fund his hobby of, well, buying more records. He also found himself selling those he didn’t listen to anymore so he could buy new picks.

‘Hipster price?’

“KAGATAN 29” itself attracted not just the same buyers and collectors they see in similar events in the past. Some habitués claim the Ali Mall event attracted new faces, which is always a good thing.

“The past year alone, ang daming nagbukas na bagong shops... so hindi lang kami ang sellers,” Won narrated.

Proof is that there were indeed a good number of sellers during the event, with a wide array of stocks from 33s and 45s, rare titles, and even CDs and cassettes—the latter’s resurgence boosted, apparently, by “Guardians of The Galaxy” and Peter Quill’s mixed tape.

“But we try to be unique with our stocks. We try to be diverse so we have [classic] Tagalog, soul and jazz [titles that are rare finds in the Philippines],” Won added.

Writer and avid record collector Rick Olivares (SoundStrip contributor), who also could not resist picking up a few must-haves in “Kagatan 29,” told this writer that OPM records actually sell well in events like this. Case in point: One of the most expensive ones he saw some time ago sold for about P20,000—an album by Juan dela Cruz Band, whose song actually lent its title to this event.

In one of the record bins, a quick dig revealed a first-press of the classic OPM compilation “10 of

IMPORTED LPs on sale.

Another Kind,” a Tommy Tanchangco project (here’s your shout-out!) that put together what would be the ’80s version of underground bands like Under Blue Skies, Violent Playground, the Binky Lampano-led Dean’s December, eventual pop darlings Introvoys, and golden boys Ethnic Faces led by the once-inimitable Jack Sikat.

The still-sealed album was being sold for P5,000, and was snagged within an hour. With friends still FB-messaging me to ask if there was another copy, seller Omeng said he only has a pre-loved reissue he is willing to sell on Day 2 for about half the going price of the first one.

The whole lot of vinyl records being sold ranges from the more mainstream ones like U2 and some new wave acts; to pop records from

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soundstrip.businessmirror@gmail.com | DECEMBER 16, 2018

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SIC ON PRINT

Globe creates new traditions with reinvented classic Christmas songs

COLLECTORS turn up at the first-ever ‘Kagatan29’ throwback fair and vinyl event in Ali Mall.

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Lady Gaga and the likes; and older Filipino gems from Apo Hiking Society, Rico J. Puno, and Boy Katindig. Seasonal records were also on-hand like Ray Conniff Christmas collections and many others.

There was a wealth of music there to feed the soul for a very long time. To aid in one’s Hi-Fi journey, or to “feed the beast,” so to speak, there were also turntables for sale, like the handsome Audio Technica DJ turntable that already has a pre-amp and is Bluetooth enabled—a far cry from the stereo consoles in giant wooden cabinets-cum-furniture you can find in late ’70s, early ’80s homes.

While an argument can be made that vinyl’s popularity has spawned newbie fans

and would-be collectors, some of whom are dismissed as hipsters by old school collectors, there should be nothing wrong if these youngsters are actually now music fans themselves. No one has singular dibs in music.

So what if their buying habits tend to be on the trendy side? We all started out somewhere before we became fans, right?

Looking around the activity area during the Throwback Fair, it seemed to me that those doing the digging were actually doing so because they want to find something worth either adding to their collection or kickstarting it.

Music chooses you, so it goes. Now, thankfully, we’ve got events like Kagatan where we can make our own choices, and not be labelled for it.

T’S that most wonderful time of the year once again.

Parols and lights are set up, Noche Buenas are prepared, and perhaps most noticeably, Christmas songs are played practically everywhere.

This year, Globe is giving customers a chance to create new traditions with their favorite holiday music, while supporting a good cause. Three young local artists— Karencitta, Kiana V, and Reese Lansangan—place their own twist on caroling by reinventing classic Christmas songs complete with music videos. And just like caroling here in the Philippines, viewers can give Aguinaldos in the form of donations to Smile Train, an international children’s charity for kids with cleft lip and palate, via Globe Rewards or GCash.

After reaching over 17 million views on YouTube for her viral hit song, Cebuana, and rising to international stardom, Karencitta takes her signature style and mixes it with the timeless, “Ang Pasko ay Sumapit.” True to the message of creating new traditions, Kiana V adds a contemporary twist to the iconic “Pasko Na Sinta Ko,” popularized by her dad, Mr. Pure Energy himself, Gary Valenciano. Popular recording artist from Elements Music Camp, Reese Lansangan, takes on a more indie pop approach to the beloved, fun classic, “Kumukutikutitap.”

In the spirit of sharing and giving this holiday season, Globe is counting on your generous hearts to help the kids of Smile Train. Donations of any amount can be made via Globe Rewards and GCash. To donate using points, download the Globe Rewards app and select DONATE at the home screen. Choose from the following denominations: 2, 10, 50, and 100 points.

Each point is equivalent to P1. Meanwhile, GCash users can donate by downloading the app, choosing the Pay QR option on the home screen, scanning the QR code here, and entering their preferred amount. These blessings will help give kids with cleft lip and palate a merrier Christmas and a brighter future.

Founded in 1999, Smile Train has grown into the world’s leading cleft charity. Since 2001, they have provided over 50,000 surgeries in the Philippines. Every year, they support 6,000+ cleft treatments for Filipinos.

Create new traditions and make this holiday season truly wonderful for you and the kids of Smile Train.

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DECEMBER 16, 2018 | soundstrip.businessmirror@gmail.com

Sound trip BusinessMirror

MUSIC ON PRINT

PHL’s most streamed artists of 2018 T HE year is winding down but on Spotify, the music is playing loud as ever.

All throughout the past 365 days our users have streamed countless hours of their favorite songs, artists, playlists and podcasts.

Now we’re looking back to determine the music and audio trends that defined the year.

So, what did Pinoys listen to in 2018?

Most streamed artists in the Philippines included LANY, Moira dela Torre, Ed Sheeran, BTS and Maroon 5.

From a global perspective

DRAKE is the most streamed artist of 2018 globally. With 8.2 billion streams in

2018 alone, the Canadian rapper is Spotify’s most-streamed artist of all time.

Following Drake are Post Malone, XXXTENTACION, J Balvin, and Ed Sheeran (who was the Most Streamed Artist of 2017) - rounding out the Top 5 list of most streamed artists in the world.

Ariana Grande’s 48 million-plus monthly listeners raised her to the position of Spotify’s most-streamed female artist. Dua Lipa, Cardi B, Taylor Swift and Camila Cabello rounded out the Top 5 Most Streamed Females in the world, respectively.

Hip-hop continued to dominate Spotify’s charts in 2018, but last year’s surge in Latin music continued its incredible growth. Apart from that, EMO Rap and Lo-Fi Beats were two genres that grew the most in 2018.

Spotify transformed music listening forever when it launched in Sweden in 2008. Today, it is the world’s most popular music-streaming service with a community of 180 million users, including 83 million subscribers across 65 markets. We are the largest driver of revenue to the music business today.

Discover, manage and share over 35 million songs for free, or upgrade to Spotify Premium to access exclusive features including offline mode, improved sound quality, Spotify Connect and ad-free listening.

Spotify’s Philippine top list 2018 MOST STREAMED MALE ARTISTS

MOST STREAMED GROUPS

1. Ed Sheeran

1. LANY

2. Khalid 3. Lauv 4. Post Malone 5. Drake

2. BTS 3. Maroon 5 4. December Avenue 5. Ben&Ben

MOST STREAMED FEMALE ARTISTS

MOST STREAMED TRACKS 1. “Mundo” by IV Of Spades 2. “Kathang Isip” by Ben&Ben 3. IDGAF by Dua Lipa 4. “Tagpuan” by Moira Dela Torre 5. The Middle by Zedd, Maren Morris, Grey

MOST STREAMED ALBUMS 1. Malaya by Moira de la Torre

2. Dua Lipa 3. Ariana Grande 4. Taylor Swift 5. Camila Cabello

2. Dua Lipa (Self-titled) by Dua Lipa 3. Divide by Ed Sheeran 4. LANY (Self-titled) by LANY 5. I Met You When I Was 18 (The Playlist) by Lauv

MOST STREAMED LOCAL ARTISTS 1. Moira de la Torre

MOST STREAMED PLAYLISTS 1. Top Hits Philippines

1. Moira de la Torre

2. December Avenue 3. Ben&Ben 4. Parokya Ni Edgar 5. IV Of Spades

2. Today’s Top Hits 3. #Hugot 4. OPM Favorites 5. It’s a Hit!

Spotify’s global top list 2018 MOST STREAMED MALE ARTISTS

MOST STREAMED GROUPS 1. Imagine Dragons 2. BTS 3. Maroon 5 4. Migos 5. Coldplay (2017’s Most Streamed Group)

1. Drake

2. Post Malone 3. XXXTENTACION 4. Balvin 5. Ed Sheeran (Top Streamed Artist in 2017)

MOST STREAMED FEMALE ARTISTS

MOST STREAMED TRACKS 1. “God's Plan” by Drake

2. “SAD!“ by XXXTENTACION 3. “rockstar” (feat. 21 Savage)

by Post Malone 4. “Psycho” (feat. Ty Dolla $ign)

by Post Malone 5. “In My Feelings” by Drake

MOST STREAMED ALBUMS 1. Scorpion by Drake

2. beerbongs & bentleys

by Post Malone 3. Question by XXXTENTACION 4. Dua Lipa (Self-titled) by Dua Lipa 5. Divide by Ed Sheeran (Top Record in 2017)

1. Ariana Grande 2. Dua Lipa 3. Cardi B 4. Taylor Swift 5. Camila Cabello

MOST FOLLOWED PLAYLISTS 1. Today's Top Hits 2. RapCaviar 3. ¡Viva Latino!

4. Baila Reggaeton 5. Songs to Sing in the Car

Eddie: A fictional character changing the way people read

By Rizal Raoul Reyes Contributor

‘D

AY one at the Convenience Store, here goes nothing.”

These nine words are all the exposition readers need to kick off The Convenience Store, an ongoing original series that is fast-becoming an Internet favorite. The series revolves around Eddie, a hapless writer left to his own devices at his banal day-job in a convenience store.

“I think of Eddie as a regular young person who has discovered a dream, but hasn’t yet discovered how to reach it,” The Convenience Store creator Hengtee Lim was quoted in a statement as saying. “He’s stuck in a kind of purgatory and trying to make the best of it.”

SINCE its launch, the story has become a reader-favorite on Twitter, according to people from social fiction app Everyst.

Everyst presents stories that are told through tweets written by the characters themselves, allowing readers to enjoy fictional pieces that are uniquely characterdriven. The Convenience Store is one of the leading stories on the app today.

The The Convenience Store is a series inspired by Lim’s experiences working in retail.

“I thought a convenience store location would be funny and relatable,” Lim said. “I was surprised by the things I saw and experienced while on the other side of the customer service experience.”

Yet, even then, the continuous development of the series is not without its limitations.

“My own retail experience only covered enough material for the first couple of episodes, so the creative process now involves asking a lot of ‘what if’ questions and following them to see if they’re funny.”

Telling stories through social fiction BECAUSE stories on Everyst are delivered straight to the audience, many readers have begun to communicate with the cast from The Convenience Store through Twitter. This is what makes social fiction truly unique: not only can audiences easily digest a single series, but they are now empowered with a way to interact with their favorite characters on a very personal level.

Lim said he enjoys leaving interactions at the hands of his characters, adding: “I leave that with Eddie, Trevor and Shifty.”

“They seem to have it covered without issue. Our readers are a good group who help

ILLUSTRATIONS COURTESY OF EVERYST

A look inside The Convenience Store

give Eddie’s jokes a new dimension by riffing on them—this makes it so easy.”

But anyone familiar with the tone of the stories is pretty sure it’s him!

With this unique approach to storytelling, Everyst has empowered young writers such as Lim with a platform to tell exciting and interactive stories.

“Compared to traditional fiction, it’s new and it’s different,” Lim said. We’re still learning how to do it as we go; this makes it flexible, fun and challenging, in equal parts.”

New artist on The Convenience Store WITH so much attention coming to Eddie’s world, the team began to introduce new artists to its burgeoning roster of talent.

A local artist who goes by the name of Bapogichi is one of the newest additions to

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the Everyst creative team, working alongside Lim, who’ll begin taking The Convenience Store’s art in a new, more polished direction.

According to Everyst, Bapogichi’s love for illustrating began at kindergarten. Over the years, they continued to foster their craft as an illustrator and soon found an audience online through social-media sites such as Tumblr. Unfortunately, due to pressure, Bapogichi abandoned their love for art in favor of a medical career.

“I thought being a doctor was what I wanted, but that eventually I decided to quit to do art full-time,” Bapogichi said.

Since their transition to a full-time artist, Bapogichi has become one of the most prolific young illustrators on Twitter in the Philippines. The recognition enabled them to begin work on Everyst and soon joined

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The Convenience Store’s creative team.

“Everyst gives readers a very unique storytelling method. It’s fun, and less pressure on the artist,” Bapogichi was quoted in the statement as saying. “Since there’s a growing demographic of young, nerdy adults in the workplace, I think series like The Convenience Stor’ represents people today quite nicely. It’s relatable!”

Eddie and the future of Everyst UPON the debut of The Convenience Store, Eddie has become one of the most popular characters on Everyst that also exist on Twitter, Everyst said. His popularity was evident by the turnout of fans at a number of local comic and anime conventions.

“It’s surprising; to be honest,” shared Lim. “I want to think that Eddie is relatable to all of us: we’re trying to reach for what we want and trying to make the most of what we’ve got.

Life isn’t easy, but you take the good when it’s there and you keep dreaming.”

This is why so many readers follow Eddie and his everyday misadventures. There’s an Eddie inside each and every one of us who has tasted victory and defeat and lived to laugh about it. Any emotion we’ve felt is easily channeled through his experiences.

Combined with the way Filipino audiences passionately connect with characters, it won’t be long before Eddie and his gang of misfits become synonymous with Filipinos coming of age at the end of the aughts.

What the rise in whiskey insurance tells us about the super-rich

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“Whiskey collectors now number in the many hundreds, closing in on 1,000 individual collectors of all stripes and values,” said Fiamma of AIG customers, highlighting whiskey within their insured collection.

“When auction houses are holding two or three whiskey auctions a year, with some whiskey going for a million or half-a-million dollars, clearly it warranted attention.”

To wit, on November 29 a bottle of The Macallan that spent six decades in an exsherry oak cask sold for a record price of £1.2 million ($1.5 million) at Christie’s London. A rare 60-year-old Macallan whiskey fetched HK$7.96 million ($1.01 million) at Bonhams Hong Kong in May. A second bottle from the same vintage was sold later the same day at the same auction for $1.1 million. Both sold for more than twice their high estimate.

Rare whiskey has appreciated 140 percent in the last five years, according to the Vintage 50 Index compiled by Rare Whisky 101. AIG has seen an almost tenfold increase in new submissions for whiskey insurance year over year.

Changing values AND while noteworthy on its own, the rise in both prices and attendant need for insurance also gives a view into the changing landscape of alternative investments. For instance, art and jewelry continue to top the list of insured collectibles at AIG right now, said Fiamma, but there’s been a significant increase in interest in protection for whiskey, watches and cars, marking a shift in focus from what many view as traditional collectibles and also how wealth is being transformed by younger generations.

“The 90-year-old may leave a beautiful silverware collection or maybe some jew-

ARTEM KIVSHAR | DREAMSTIME.COM

ITH prices of rare whiskey soaring into the six and seven digits, ensuring that precious spirit is protected is not only recommended but essential, said Ron Fiamma, head of global collections at American International Group Inc.’s private client group. The insurance giant has seen such an uptick in whiskey collecting that it has expanded its coverage of specialty collections to include those owners whose tastes run to a 1926 Macallan.

elry. The 50- or 60-year-old children are divesting themselves of those assets and purchasing whiskey, beautiful watches, Ferraris,” Fiamma said. “We get to see that internally as they move from one policy to the next. It’s a fascinating look at the transfer of wealth on the collection side.”

When it comes to watches, AIG is currently tracking a 20-percent increase in policies year-on-year, as well as a 15-percent increase in vintage automobile business.

With a lower-entry price point, generally, Fiamma has witnessed a younger demographic attracted to collectible timepieces.

“They’re fun. You can use them, look at them, carry them with you,” he said, but advised owners to be aware of the size of their collection. The lower price point allows for speedier amassing in terms of quantity, and owners should be cognizant that when grouped, a collection of brands such as Rolex, Omega, or IWC (to name a few) can be worth a substantial amount.

The next vintage cars

CLASSIC and collectible car insurer Hagerty has also witnessed a trend toward younger collectors. This year marks the first period that business from millennials (aged 21 to 37) and Generation X (38 to 53) has eclipsed that of baby boomers (54 to 72) and older.

The collectible car market is expanding,

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said Jonathan Klinger, vice president of public relations at Hagerty, who noted that younger clients are nearly four times more likely to be interested in a vintage pickup or SUV compared with older generations.

“A few years ago when this started, it was first-generation Broncos and Toyota Land Cruisers that were popular,” Klinger said. “As interest has grown [in those vehicles], the values go up. And as more people have gotten priced out, the interest has grown in the 1980s or 1990s variances of those vehicles.”

“Another stark difference between the generations is that for baby boomers and older, their idea of an inexpensive foreign sports car is something along the lines of a British roadster such as an MG or Triumph,” Klinger said. “For the younger generations, it is a Japanese sports car like a Miata or a Supra or Datsun 240.”

Though he did note that interest in collectible Mustangs and Camaros transcends all generations.

The price of passion KEEPING abreast of the value of your collectibles is key, according to both AIG and Hagerty, who monitor the market and work closely with clients to ensure insurance coverage is sufficient. For cars it’s advisable to check your valuation on a yearly basis, said Klinger.

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“In the whiskey sector it’s about constantly following sales,” said Fiamma, who works with auction houses to stay ahead of trends.

For wines and spirits, Fiamma said the rule of thumb is to check or revalue your collection every three to five years. But everything should be considered on a case-bycase basis. “If we or the client feels a valuation is needed on the collection or specific bottles, we will do that. It’s rare to force a client to do a valuation. They’re usually the ones who have an eye on what they collect, and they are the ones who come to us and say, ‘I want a reevaluation.’”

Many collections can be grouped under a specialized blanket insurance coverage, but rare or very expensive bottles can also be highlighted as line items within a policy. For a market as hot as whiskey is right now, Fiamma said they can build a feature into a policy that offers a 150-percent buffer (or higher) on the up side, to give peace of mind to a customer and to reflect market fluctuations.

“While obviously everything we insure is important to our clients—homes, cars— it’s the collections that they are overwhelmingly passionate about,” Fiamma said.

“These are often things that they spend their lives accumulating, curating and selecting. There’s a tremendous amount of emotional attachment to them.”

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