Businessmirror December 19, 2018

DEPT. OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY

2018 BANTOG DATA MEDIA AWARDS CHAMPION

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Wednesday, December 19, 2018 Vol. 14 No. 70

PHL presses no-subsidy rule for fisheries in WTO

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By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

@jearcalas

HE Philippines is insisting that World Trade Organization (WTO) member-countries, including China, should remove subsidies for fishing operations conducted in disputed waters to level the playing field for poor nations. Manila pointed out in a recent WTO meeting that its position, which it put forward in 2017, would benefit its fellow WTO membercountries, particularly those that

are “financially challenged.” Under its proposal, the Philippines acknowledged that the WTO should not rule on the matter of territoriality but only on the mere

existence of subsidy for fishing operations in disputed waters. This, Manila said, is less politically challenged and would prevent tension. See “WTO,” A2

...the Philippines is hardly subsidizing its fishing sector and yet our seas are at the center of marine biodiversity in the world, which are under serious threat of overexploitation and depletion.” —The Philippines’s statement to the WTO

Angkas weighs options amid ‘arrest’ order by Tugade By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

& Rene Acosta

@reneacostaBM

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XECUTIVES of ride-hailing app Angkas—popular among traffic-weary commuters despite its legal problems on account of an outdated law—are currently deliberating on their options with lawyers amid a crackdown sparked by a temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the Supreme Court. The Angkas officials held marathon meetings with counsel after Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade ordered the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to enforce a massive crackdown on Angkas drivers who defy the court order. He said all defiant Angkas bikers and riders must be arrested. He said it is only lawful and fair for Angkas to abide by the stay order, as what the department did when a local court decided in favor of the company in a previous legal match. See “Angkas,” A2

LOCAL FIRMS: R.M.B. TRADING NETWORK BOOSTS BUSINESS L OCAL companies on Tuesday lauded the country’s move toward the establishment of the Philippine RMB Trading Community (PRTC), citing business benefits of direct conversion between the Chinese and local currency. Earlier this year, various financial stakeholders moved to launch the PRTC in an effort to facilitate and streamline the direct conversion of the Chinese renminbi (RMB) against the Philippine peso. The establishment, which commenced in October, aimed to cater to the increasing demand for RMB among local companies, especially those with trading partners in China. “As a distributor of farming equipment, we seek to serve and empower the many Filipino farmers across the Philippines. And with our RMB transactions with

our suppliers from China, we are able to enjoy increased savings and pass that on to our customers,” Ford Tractors Philippines Inc. (FTPI) President Samuel Uy said. FTPI is an impor ter and distributor of farming machinery, implements and spare parts. FTPI imports from all over the world, with a big chunk of those imports coming from China. “As with many companies today, our materials and contractors are indirectly and directly from China. With the large amount of supplies we source from the Mainland, settling in RMB has allowed us to be more efficient in our transactions,” Daiichi Properties President Salvador Uy also said. Daiichi Properties Inc. is involved in the construction of buildings in the Ortigas Center and See “RMB trading,” A8

Freeze on new mineral agreements still in place

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By Cai U. Ordinario

BUMPER-TO-BUMPER traffic on Edsa on Tuesday reflects the miserable state of the Metro Manila commuter as Christmas Day draws near. With thousands of people seen stranded on the streets daily in search of that precious ride, regulators have ordered the arrest of bikers and riders of the popular bike-hailing app Angkas, saying their desperation does not justify risking their lives. NONOY LACZA

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HE Mining Industry Coordinating Council (MICC) has deferred a recommendation to lift the moratorium on the issuance of new mineral agreements, according to the Department of Finance (DOF). In a statement on Tuesday, the DOF said this is despite the increase in the excise taxes for mineral products to 4 percent, from 2 percent under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law or Republic Act 10963. Executive Order (EO) 79 imposed a moratorium on new mineral agreements “until a legislation rationalizing existing revenuesharing schemes and mechanisms shall have taken effect.” “The DOF clarified that the

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The number of mining companies that will be subject of an MICC review in 2019 TRAIN only increased the excise taxes and did not cover the implementation of a new fiscal regime for mining. The new fiscal regime proposed by the DOF covers other taxes and fees, such as royalty, windfall, profit and incentives,” the finance department said in a statement. The DOF said a new revenuesharing scheme and mechanism for mining will be covered in Package 2 plus of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP). See “Mineral agreements,” A8

n JAPAN 0.4702 n UK 66.8696 n HK 6.7856 n CHINA 7.6851 n SINGAPORE 38.6159 n AUSTRALIA 38.0332 n EU 60.1482 n SAUDI ARABIA 14.1336

Source: BSP (18 December 2018 )

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A2 Wednesday, December 19, 2018

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Duterte ‘ready to sign’ Road Board abolition

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By Samuel P. Medenilla

@sam_medenilla

RESIDENT Duterte is ready to sign into law the bill abolishing the Road Board, Malacañang said on Tuesday, as leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives bickered publicly on the fate of the measure, which both chambers had already approved and endorsed to the Palace, but which the House wanted to recall. In a press conference, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel and Presidential Spokesman Salvador S. Panelo revealed Duterte supports the position of Budget Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno to scrap the Road Board amid allegations by some lawmakers it is being used for corrupt practices. “He will sign it as soon as it is

WTO. . .

Continued from A1

The Philippines said its proposal “promotes cooperation including joint conservation and management of resources instead of heightening disputes” over maritime territoriality. “It does not modify and undermine the rights and obligations of every WTO Member under public international law in the field of IUU [illegal, unreported, unregulated] fishing,” according to the Philippine statement, which was delivered during the informal open-ended meeting of the negotiating group on rules held from December 3 to 7. “And the advantage in fishing of resourcerich members over financially-challenged ones shall cease to exist in disputed waters,” the Philippine delegation to the WTO added. In Manila, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol told the BusinessMirror on Monday that the Philippines would maintain its position on fisheries subsidies, particularly in disputed waters, at all cost. “That is our position and we will stick to that,” Piñol said in an interview. Piñol was part of the Philippine delegation to the 11th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC) in December 2017, when member-countries adopted the decision that they would deliver a final outcome on fisheries subsidies at the 12th MC in 2020 to ensure the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14.6 target. The United Nations’s SDG target 14.6 calls for: the prohibition by 2020 of certain

given to him,” Panelo said. “This is what is needed. We want the fund to be returned to the Treasury and then let Congress appropriate again for a specific purpose,” he added. In its web site, the Road Board said it is a collegial body responsible for the use of the controversial Motor Vehicle User’s Charge (MVUC).

forms of fisheries subsidies that contribute to overcapacity and overfishing; and the elimination of subsidies that aid IUU fishing. Countries will be stopped from introducing new subsidies under this SDG target. The SDG target also recognizes that the “appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the WTO fisheries subsidies negotiation.” The Philippines argued that it would be to its disadvantage if countries, which are fishing in some of its waters that are being disputed, continue to provide subsidies, as it may prevent Manila from attaining SDG 14.6. Manila said the entire extended economic zone and continental shelves of the Philippines “are virtually being claimed or at risk of being claimed by a few WTO members as theirs or having sovereign rights over them.” “The Philippines, however, would also like to highlight—with serious concern—that the proposal to exclude or carve out subsidies in disputed waters from WTO fish subsidies disciplines is tantamount to denying the Philippines of the remedies under the UN leaders’ SDG 14.6 mandate—not only the need to eliminate subsidies to IUU fishing but also the prohibition of subsidies to overcapacity and overfishing,” it argued. “Incidentally, the Philippines is hardly subsidizing its fishing sector and yet our seas are at the center of marine biodiversity in the world, which are under serious threat of overexploitation and depletion,” the statement read. The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, acting on a case Manila filed against

Bangsamoro law. . . Continued from A8

The dialogue pitch is Duterte’s attempt to persuade Misuari to support the soon-to- be created Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to replace ARMM. “Nur Misuari is my friend. I am open to any other arrangement, but that would not intrude into the sovereignty...a disseverment of the Republic of the Philippines,” Duterte said during his trip to General Santos City on Monday. Duterte visited the city to attend the 40th birthday celebration of Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao at the KCC Convention Center.

‘Grave, irreparable injury’

MEANWHILE, Philconsa also sought the issuance of a TRO to stop the Palace from implementing Executive Order 120 that

Marijuana. . .

Continued from A8

Under House Bill 180, the government will legalize and regulate the medical use of cannabis, which advocates say has been confirmed to have beneficial and therapeutic uses to treat chronic or debilitating disease, or medical conditions that produce one or more of the following: cachexia or wasting syndrome; severe and chronic pain; severe nausea; seizures, including but not limited to those characteristic of epilepsy; or severe and persistent muscle spasms, including but not limited to those associated with multiple sclerosis. The bill mandates the Department of Health (DOH) Secretary to lead the formulation of regulations to implement the Act. The Secretary shall also issue registered identification (ID) cards to qualified patients after a careful review of their required documents. It also provides for the establishment of the Medical Cannabis Compassionate Center, which refers to any entity registered with the DOH and licensed to acquire, possess,

Its members include the Secretaries of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Transportation (DOTr), Budget and Management (DBM), and Finance (DOF) and three representatives of private transport organizations. T he Commission on Aud it (COA) as well as some lawmakers, however, noted the MVUC is being used other than what it is intended for under the Republic Act (RA) 8794. RA 8794 states the MVUC could only be used for road maintenance; improvement of road drainage; installation of adequate of road lights and other road safety devices; and air pollution control. In September, the Senate adopted the version of the bill filed by former House Speaker Pantaleon D. Alvarez abolishing the Road Board, in order to fast-track the process and no longer subject it to bicameral deliberations.

Beijing, had ruled in July 2016 that China’s excessive claims in the South China Sea, under its “nine dash line” position has no legal basis. Certain areas of the disputed waters of the South China Sea are “within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines because those areas are not overlapped by any possible entitlement of China,” the ruling said.

Maritime jurisdictions

CHINA responded to the Philippine position set forth in Geneva last week and argued that “WTO negotiations should not touch”on issues of disputed waters “to avoid complications,” according to a Geneva-based trade official, who was not authorized to speak on the negotiations. “China further reiterated that members should limit the scope of the negotiations to issues the WTO is equipped to handle and leave out issues concerning disputed waters and fisheries management,” the official said. However, the Philippines maintained its position that there is an “inherent” and “inseparable”link between illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUUF) and WTO member-countries concerns on “conflicting claims over maritime jurisdictions.” “The inherent and inseparable linkage is evidently crystal clear—an IUU determination in a disputed water by a WTO panel to trigger a subsidy prohibition discipline would have been straightforward, uncomplicated, and more so less politically charged had a WTO panel were not confronted with the case wherein the involved WTO Members were not embroiled in the territorial dispute,” it said.

formed a Bangsamoro transition commission, for “creating public offices only Congress has the mandate to create.” “Unless a TRO or preliminary injunction is issued, petitioner and the Filipino people will continue to suffer from a grave and irreparable damage or injury inclusive of the adverse aftermaths to the nation, warned by the MILF to happen, should the government fail to succumb to the politically irresistible aspirations of the MILF,” the petition read. Furthermore, the petitioner argued that unless a TRO is issued“unlawful disbursements or uses of public funds pursuant to the illegal/unconstitutional R.A. 11054 will escalate into continuing violations, if not a flaunting disregard or defiance, of the Constitution, and the laws further prejudicing public interest and welfare.” Instead, Philconsa suggested the enactment of a law to change the name ARMM to Bangsamoro Autonomous Region or BARMM and to include additional territories that the MILF would demand as long as these are in accordance with the law.

cultivate, manufacture, deliver, transfer, transport, sell, supply and dispense cannabis, devices or related supplies and educational materials to registered qualifying patients.

On the same page

MEANWHILE, Malacañang said on Tuesday President Duterte and Gray are on the same page when it comes to the medical use of marijuana. Duterte is ready to sign a bill, on allowing the use of cannabis to relieve patients with certain medical conditions. “The President already made a statement that he’s in favor of limited use of marijuana… logically, then he will support [bills for its implementation],”Chief Presidential Legal Counsel and Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo said in a press briefing On Monday, Gray was asked in the question and answer of the Miss Universe competition, held in Bangkok, Thailand, on her position on the marijuana use. “I’m for it being used in a medical use but not so for recreational use,” Gray answered. Cai U. Ordinario, Samuel P. Medenilla

“This is what is needed. We want the fund to be returned to the Treasury and then let Congress appropriate again for a specific purpose.”—Panelo

The House of Representatives now led by its new Speaker, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, however, recently rescinded its version of the bill in an apparent attempt to defer it from being signed into law. S e n . Fr a n k l i n M . D r i l o n stressed that the bill is already beyond the control of the House of R e present at ives a nd w i l l soon be submitted to Duterte for consideration. On Tuesday, Senate President Vicente Sotto III declared that, as far as the upper chamber is concerned,

The Philippines said the WTO should not rule on maritime disputes and such matter falls within the purview of the United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Seas or Unclos charter. Manila argued that the role of the WTO, in light of SDG 14.6 target, is to adopt a “comprehensive” and “effective” agreement that would lead to the prohibition or elimination of subsidies including to IUU fishing. “The WTO must— first and foremost— not entertain revisionism or reinterpretation of what IUU activities are and how IUU fishing should be determined given the wellestablished public international law under the UN Charter in the field,” the Philippine statement read. The Philippines urged its fellow WTO member-countries to not allow a “few” members “to legally evade their obligations or their UN Leaders’ political commitment to prohibit or eliminate subsidies that contribute to overfishing and overcapacity and to IUU fishing just because of their concerns on disputed waters.” The Philippines’s proposal was included in the WTO’s working document on fisheries subsidies. The WTO is targeting to reach an agreement on fisheries subsidies before the end of 2019. “We are indeed delighted that our proposal is finally resurrected and revitalized, and without a doubt, the Philippines shall not let our proposal be marginalized once more until a positive resolution is secured in MC12,” the statement read.

Angkas. . .

Continued from A1

“It is not right for Angkas to violate the law and the order of the Supreme Court. When a TRO was issued against us, we followed the order. We hope that they will do the same. The rule of law must always prevail,” Tugade said. He also called on commuters to stop availing the services of Angkas, saying that it may cost them their lives due to safety issues earlier raised by the department. “The price of a swift and cheap ride may be your life,” he said. Tugade cited motorcycle data from the Philippine National PoliceHighway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) showing that in the first 10 months of 2018, there had been 5,105 motorcycle crashes nationwide—the highest for all modes of transportation in the country. He also cited a 2017 survey of the Department of Health, which revealed that 19,852 cases—or about 65 percent—of road accident victims were involved in motorcycle crashes. Angkas claimed, however, that most of such accidents did not involve its biker-partners. It said it has a safety record of 99.99 percent since it first started operating in the Philippines in mid-2017. It has a fleet of 25,000 biker-partners. At the heart of this legal tussle is a stay order issued by the High Court against the legitimacy of Angkas’s ride-hailing operations. It has since removed the ride-hailing option from its app, but still operates its parcel services through its biker-partners. Under the Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, two-wheel vehicles are banned from being used as public-utility vehicles or common carriers. This, according to former LTFRB Chairman Winston M. Ginez, is “antiquated” and thus is in dire need of amendments. It was enacted in 1964.

HPG awaits clear orders

MEANWHILE, the PNP’s Highway Patrol Group is still awaiting for a clearer guidance from the LTFRB as to how it will implement the operation against drivers of Angkas. Chief Supt. Roberto Fajardo, HPG director, said on Tuesday that, while the LTFRB has already publicly asked traffic enforcers to help the LTFRB enforce the ban on Angkas, the agency still has to clearly define the parameters for which the apprehension and arrest should be made. He said that, while the HPG would willingly work with the LTFRB in ensuring that the order is carried out, the agency must come up with the official directive wherein rules and the accompanying penalties are set.

the abolition bill has been approved and merely needs the President’s signature. As of Tuesday, Panelo said the bill has yet to reach the office of Duterte.

Malacañang support

ON Sunday, Alvarez claimed Diokno’s refusal to approve the use of the MVUC in the 2019 budget had caused some lawmakers to attack the credibility of the budget secretary. During a “Question Hour” at the House last week, Diokno was accused by Majority Floor Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. of inserting P51 billion worth of project in the 2019 budget of DPWH without the approval of Duterte and favoring a contractor, CT Leoncio Construction. Diokno corrected Andaya, saying the added budget for DPWH was P75 billion and was approved

by Duterte. He said it was not an “insertion” but an “augmentation” and perfectly within the regular process of crafting the budget. He also denied any involvement with CT Leoncio Construction. This was supported by Panelo, who said Duterte saw nothing wrong with the additional DPWH budget as long as it goes to areas which need it. “What is important, the President said to us, is that there is no corruption in the aligned funds of a particular area,” Panelo said. Panelo said Diokno still enjoys the trust of the President, despite the “baseless” accusations against him. “In 32 years of his service, there is nothing that we can throw at him. He was known to be one who says ‘no’ to any irregularity or any favor that is asked of him—and he has been consistent with that,” Panelo said.

Absence of Cabinet men won’t stop House probe of 2019 budget

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HE leadership of the House of R epresent at ives on Tuesday said that it will continue to exercise its oversight function regardless of whether or not Cabinet members attend its hearing on January 3. In a statement, Majority Leader Rolando G. Andaya Jr. said there is a need for Congress to exercise its oversight function amid issues of “pork parking scheme” in the 2019 appropriation are raised by “whistleblowers” coming out of the Department of Budget and Management. “Definitely, we will ask the DBM for these questionable allocations. We will not stop in our investigation, whether Cabinet members appear or not in our hearings,” Andaya said. Earlier, Budget Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno was reportedly not allowed to attend the House’s January inquiry on the proposed 2019 budget, after Diokno was grilled aggressively by Andaya at last week’s Question Hour. According to Andaya, lawmakers would zero in on flood-mitigation projects, where the questionable allocations are parked. “I think this [is] where they hide the ‘parked funds’ for those involved in the scam. That’s probably the reason DBM increased the funds for flood mitigation projects from 2017 to 2018. It saw an increase of P54 billion, but areas continue to be flooded,” Andaya said. “These DBM insiders intimated to me that under the leadership of Secretary Diokno, billions of projects in Sorsogon for 2018 started to be bid out as early as November 2017. The bidding took place even as Congress was still deliberating on the 2018 budget submitted by the DBM,” Andaya said. A ndaya accused Diokno of allegedly using his influence to approve P10 billion worth of road and flood control projects in Casiguran and Sorsogon, where his daughter’s in-laws are officials. Diokno was also blamed for the alleged P75 billion worth of

PDEA. . .

Continued from A8

“ Worse is, if the barangay official is involved in illegal-drug activities then we really have a problem because they are part of the problem rather than part of the solution,” Carreon said. Another factor, Carreon said, is the absence of a working and active Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (Badac). He said some Badac exist only on paper. The PDEA said the government has

“insertions” contained in the 2019 national budget, allegedly without the President’s consent. Diokno had stressed during the Question Hour that such was not an “insertion” but an “augmentation” made in the course of the Executive’s work to craft the budget. Last Sunday, Andaya bared that a former Cabinet official now seeking an elective seat was responsible for “parking” at least P300 million in infrastructure projects in the proposed 2019 national budget. The supposed “parking” of funds is the new scheme by some lawmakers to earn commissions from the annual appropriations.

Conditional appearance

FOLLOWING the alleged “mocking” of Diokno at the Question Hour, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo confirmed on Tuesday that the DBM head and other Cabinet officials will no longer be allowed to attend hearings of the House of Representatives if they are treated with disrespect. He said they were authorized to leave congressional proceedings if they are treated with “unparliamentary behavior.” “But as a courtesy we will always respond to an invitation [from the House of Representatives],” Panelo said.

Congress responsibility

PANELO reiterated that Malacañang respects the mandate of Congress to scrutinize the budget, but he reminded it should do so with the necessary “ethical refinements.” “I don’t think it [rude questioning] will be repeated. Members of Congress are honorable enough to know if they go overboard or not,” Panelo said. Furthermore, he said if lawmakers would still insist on the liability of Diokno, they should file the necessary charges against the DBM head. “Whatever allegation they have on corruption, I think it is about time they come up with evidence,” Panelo said. Samuel P. Medenilla, Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

seized a total of P25.19 billion worth of drugs, cytotoxic drug cyclopentenyl cytosine (CPEC), and laboratory equipment in the past three years. On an annual basis, this amounted to P128.96 million. Around P18.43 billion of the amount was related to shabu alone. This was an annual increase of P122.57 million in the past three years. Data also showed 115,435 antidrug operations were conduc ted and 164,265 people arrested. Around 5,050 people died as a result of these antidrug operations.

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Subic councilors survive ambush By Henry Empeño | Correspondent

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AN NARCISO, Zambales—Two municipal councilors of Subic, Zambales, narrowly escaped death on Monday when still-unidentified suspects waylaid them at a remote area here just before dusk and peppered their vehicle with gunshots. Fifty-year-old Roberto Delgado and Elizaldy Rocafor, 47, who are both members of the Sangguniang Bayan of Subic, sustained gunshot wounds on different parts of their body but survived the ambush. According to a report from Zambales police provincial director Senior Supt. Felix Verbo Jr., the ambush happened at about 5:55 p.m. on December 17, Monday, while the victims were traversing the highway at Sito Samat, Barangay Simminublan in this town. Delgado was driving his silver Toyota Fortuner with Rocafor onboard and going south when a red vehicle reportedly overtook them and then opened fire. Poilice said Delgado’s vehicle was riddled with bullets, with some of the shots wounding the two occupants of the vehicle. After the shooting, the suspects fled on a northerly direction, witnesses told the police. Responding policemen and rescue personnel immediately brought the victims to the San Marcelino District Hospital for initial treatment, but were later transferred to the Baypointe Medical Center in the Subic Bay Freeport. Police said that they still have to pin the motive for the ambush. Still, Verbo said the Zambales Provincial Crime Laboratory has processed the crime scene and thrown a dragnet for the identification and arrest of the suspects.

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Wednesday, December 19, 2018 A3

PNP and AFP vow deeper probe into Army armory pilferage report S

Rebel attack in Sorsogon wounds 3 cops, civilian

By Rene Acosta @reneacostaBM

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HE pol ice a nd m i l it a r y leadership will conduct an in-depth investigation into the alleged pilferage of weapons and ammunition from the headquarters of the Army’s 7th Infantry Division (ID), which a couple allegedly engaged in gunrunning activities have sold to policemen. “I have a l ready coord inated with the commanding general of the 7th ID, [Major] Gen. Filemon Santos who is my [academy] classmate, and we agreed that we will be conducting a joint investigation,” said Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar D. A lbayalde on Tuesday. “ They are so much willing to cooperate on this investigation that we will be conducting. As we have said, this is a serious matter,” the PNP chief added. On Sunday, members of the Police Regional Intelligence Unit of the National Capital Region Police Office arrested a couple who sold P1.2 million worth of rifles and ammunition to two female police undercover agents at a gasoline station along the North Luzon Expressway in Valenzuela City. The bust followed information coming from police units in Mindanao that

the couple tagged by the police as illegal suppliers of weapons and ammunition have been the source of firearms for security threat groups and private armed groups. Among those taken during the operation were assault rifles and ammunition for machine gun. Albayalde said that they were told that the weapons came from Fort Magsaysay, which is the headquarters of the 7th ID. “If this really came from their arsenal, this is dangerous. It is too many, almost 13,000 rounds [of ammunition] and high-powered firearms that came there and will go to the hands of terrorists and even criminal groups, especially in the part of Mindanao,” he said. Albayalde said Santos assured him that they will cooperate with the probe that will be conducted jointly with the NCRPO. Despite the joint investigation, the military is already conducting its own probe in order to determine whether the arms cache have really came from one of its units. “In light of the recent PNP apprehension of gunrunners in Bulacan and the recovery of firearms with ammunition stamped with AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] markings, the AFP is conducting an immediate investiga-

tion to verify the source of these firearms and ammunition,” said military Public Affairs Office chief Col. Noel Detoyato. “While we can already confirm that the captured firearms are not in our inventory, only a thorough inventory of our ammunition stocks will confirm whether there are losses in our stocks that could have fallen to the hands of these gunrunners,” he added. Detoyato said the military imposes strict handling and control of its ammunition, and periodic inventory and “wall-to-wall” counting are being regularly done to account for each and every cartridge. “Unfortunately, there could be unscrupulous individuals in our ranks that could have evaded our system and were able to slip out ammunition from our piles,” he said. On the other hand, Army spokesman Col. Louie Villanueva said the Army is also conducting its own probe and will fully work with the PNP in determining the people behind the smuggling. “We do not tolerate anyone in our ranks who are bent on doing criminal acts. If ever proven that any member of the Philippine Army is involved, we will not hesitate to impose the necessary legal or disciplinary action,” he said.

USPECTED New People’s Army rebels attacked a police station in Sorsogon on Monday night, wounding three policemen and a civilian in what authorities described as latest case of harassments against military and police targets in the province. The attack prompted Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar D. Albayalde to order all police stations around the country to strengthen their perimeter defenses, be on alert always and undertake target hardening measures. Supt. Alejandro Monge II, spokesman of the Sorsogon Provincial Police Office, said that 16 rebels attacked the Magallanes Police Station in the town of Magallanes at around 7:30 p.m., with the rebels positioning in front and at the back of the station. The attack was, however, repelled by the policemen who were manning the station, triggering an exchange of gunfire for about 10 minutes, which resulted in the wounding of PO1 Rolan Geul, PO1 Sonny Son Estera and PO1 Melvin Bartolata. A mentally ill civilian identified only through his first name as “Luigi,” who was in the area during the attack, was also wounded. The rebels withdrew toward Barangay Banacud in Magallanes en route to the neighboring town of Bulan, according to Monge. The attack followed the harassments of police and military outposts in the province during the past days, which Albayalde said were tied to the upcoming 50th anniversary commemoration of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), which recently ordered rebels to step up their attacks. Contradictory, the CPP, however, ordered the rebels to observe a cease-fire on Christmas and New Year’s Day. “This is what we are saying, that they should maintain their alertness and hardening measures, and of course, their camp defense plan. It is good that the police station was not overran, and the policemen have managed to retaliate,” said Albayalde. Meanwhile, a statement issued by PNP Spokesman Chief Supt. Benigno Durana said that police maneuver forces have been put on high alert for any possible tactical engagement with rebels who have been ordered to escalate attacks. Rene Acosta

A4 Wednesday, December 19, 2018 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

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DA executives see better rice harvest next year By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

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HE country’s grains sector is expected to recover next year, and may even post another record-high harvest, on the back of favorable weather conditions coupled by intensive government support, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Wednesday.

Agriculture Assistant Secretary Andrew B. Villacorta said the department is projecting that palay output in 2019 may increase by 4.7 percent to a new record high of 20 million metric tons, from the estimated 19.1 MMT output this year. Villacorta explained that they expect palay output in the first semester next year to reach 4.7 MMT, while the remaining volume would

be harvested in the second half, which covers the country’s main harvest season. Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol said the DA is banking on the additional funding coming from the rice competitiveness enhancement fund (RCEF) to bankroll measures to improve the country’s rice production. “The RCEF would provide additional P10 billion to the rice industry. It will actually boost our production for next year in fact if it is implemented

properly, the RCEF could make our farmers competitive and increase their production,” Piñol said in a news briefing on Tuesday. The DA earlier projected that rice output this year would fall below the 19-MMT level, following the damage caused by Typhoon Ompong in Northern Luzon farms. “It is not as bad as we thought it would be. Our earlier forecast was 19.4 MMT [this year], the highest in the history of rice industry but with the series of typhoons, it was reduced to about 19.17 MMT,” Piñol said. “It was lower than last year but

still higher than 2016. And it could be the second-highest harvest in spite of the typhoons,” he added. Villacorta said they are eyeing to achieve a nationwide average rice yield of at least 4.28 MT per hectare from the 2018 estimated level of 3.87 MT per hectare. “Our target by 2020 is to have an average [yield] of 6 MT per hectare per harvest,” Piñol said. “We are on track as far as our projections are concerned, even if we get hit by calamities and disasters from time to time.” The DA is also expecting a 5-percent increase in the country’s corn output next year, which would reach

a record-high level of 8.18 MMT from the estimated 2018 volume of 7.77 MMT. With the recovery of the crops subsector next year, Piñol said he is optimistic that the farm sector would hit full-year growth of at least 2 percent. Piñol disclosed that the economic managers have asked him to maintain 2-percent growth so that the farm output may cope with the country’s population growth which is estimated at about 1.7 percent annually. “I think 2 percent is doable. We are confident we could hit it,” he said.

GROUP TO GOVT: GO SLOW ON IMPOSING Cruise passengers have SAFEGUARD DUTY ON CEMENT IMPORTS to book activities on By Elijah Felice E. Rosales @alyasjah

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ONSUMER group Laban Konsyumer Inc. on Tuesday urged the government to think twice before imposing safeguard duty on cement imports, warning that such move could jack up the price and create a shortage of the vital construction commodity. In a news statement, Laban Konsyumer President Victorio Mario A. Dimagiba said the government should recall its motu proprio investigation on imported cement. He argued the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) must only probe cement imports if a local party so requests. “Cement importers cannot commit to the demand of the government’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ [program] projects, as well as private developers for long-term supply contracts, due to the pending petition for the imposition of safeguard duty,” Dimagiba said. “The imposition of the safeguard duty is detrimental to the consumers and can create shortages in the supply of cement that can derail private and infrastructure projects, and can increase retail prices,” he added. He also took a swipe at the DTI for initiating an investigation without the assurance that local cement producers will expand their plant capacities.

“The DTI must implement strict quality standards on local cement to ensure compliance to product standards, and to guard against the use of waste materials, fly ash from coal plants, as well as lahar sand,” Dimagiba added. “On the other hand, imported cement are subjected to double testing certification—first, at the point of origin and second, at the discharge ports. This redounds to the benefit of the consumers in terms of stable, quality and competitive prices, as well as a choice of what cement to buy and use,” he said. Laban Konsyumer is planning to elevate the matter to the Philippine Competition Commission, and if possible, to President Duterte. Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez in September initiated an investigation to determine whether the government should impose a safeguard measure on cement, as imports of the construction commodity rose in significant volumes in the past years to the detriment of the domestic industry. An industry review by the DTI reported that the volume of cement imports increased continuously in absolute terms from 2013 to 2017, which is also the period that will be probed by the agency. The increases compared with the previous years are 70 percent in 2014; 4,391 percent in 2015; 549 percent in 2016 and 72 percent last year.

NFA’s predicament with enactment of rice tariffication bill: Lose money or hike price

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HE National Food Authority (NFA) is uncertain if it would still continue selling government-subsidized rice next year once the rice tariffication bill is enacted into law and its imported stockpile has been depleted. NFA Council Chairman and Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol issued the pronouncement on Tuesday and explained that the bicam-approved rice tariffication bill did not state a clear provision on the future of the grains agency’s marketing functions. Furthermore, Piñol aired concerns on who would now supply the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s rice needs once the measure is signed by President Duterte, which is expected before the year ends. The finality if the NFA would stop selling affordable rice would be determined by the implementing rules and regulations of the enacted rice tariffication bill. However, Piñol said if the NFA would continue to sell affordable rice to the public, then it would have to raise its price to avoid incurring losses that may cause the agency’s debt to balloon. Piñol explained that under the rice tariffication bill the NFA is no longer allowed to import rice and would focus on purchasing palay from local farmers. This, according to him, would entail higher costs

for the agency to process and sell it as rice. The NFA is presently buying palay at a price of P20.70 per kilogram, which includes buffer stocking incentive, and sells rice at P27 and P32 per kg. “If we procure locally, we cannot sell at P27 per kg as we will lose money. The recommendation of the NFA technical working group is that we sell rice at about P36 per kilo, so that we will not lose money,” he said in a news briefing on Tuesday. Piñol also clarified that the NFA cannot anymore buy local palay beyond the P20-per-kg mark as it would mean that the agency must sell the staple at a higher price. “It’s either we lose a lot of money or increase the selling price,” he said. “The new role of the NFA under the liberalization act would just that of a buffer stocking agency. We would just serve as a protection to the farmers,” he added. At a P36-per-kg selling price, the NFA would be at breakeven level, according to Piñol. Piñol said it is certain that the NFA would stop selling rice once its imported stockpile has been depleted after the rice tariffication bill is enacted into law. “We cannot afford to subsidize rice anymore. The NFA’s debts would balloon,” he said. Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

Boracay, DENR says By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo

@akosistellaBM Special to the BusinessMirror

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ISITING cruise passengers to Boracay Island shall be asked to prebook their activities, such as water sports, island tours and dining, a condition by the government task force overseeing the popular tourist destination. In an interview with the BusinessMirror, Environment Undersecretary Sherwin S. Rigor said, “we’re still finalizing the guidelines for the arrival of cruise ships. We just need to put in place environmental guidelines and tourist distribution activities.” He said the guidelines for the arrival of cruise ships are currently being finalized and will be presented at the Cabinet-level meeting of the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF) this week. Earlier, the task force had discussed prohibiting cruise ships from docking on the island—acclaimed as one of the best beaches in the world by international travel publications—as a way to protect its environment and keep to the carrying capacity limits it imposed. Stakeholders on Boracay have consistently opposed the arrival of cruise ships as the passengers do not add contribute to the local economy. Most of them just go swimming in the beach but hardly make any purchases like tours or eat at the local restaurants. Nenette Aguirre Graf, president of the Boracay Foundation Inc., said, “We have not changed our stand on cruise ships [i.e., opposing their arrival]. But we cannot do anything if that is the direction of the Department of Tourism [DOT] and province for now,” she said in Filipino. She added, “but [the] DENR and DOT should let us know what’s the direction now with all the restrictions.” For his part, Rigor said a number of stakeholders they consulted already support the cruise ship arrivals, “because there are vouchers now and activities that passengers need to book, not only swimming, so there will now be inclusive growth.” Asked if this will be easy or practical to implement, he stressed, “if there is no inclusive growth, no cruise will be allowed. [The cruise] agent must work hard for these [inclusions], if not, the cruise won’t be allowed.” He said bookings will “benefit our vendors, water sports operators, and local shops.” According to Boracay Tourist Disembarkation Plan drawn up by the DENR, a copy of which was shared to this paper: All activities shall be prebooked before disembarkation at least one (1) day before for safety compliance preparation. Schedules and Tour Packages shall be arranged by tour operators or tourist terminals to only accredited shore excursion operators for insurance purposes. All Government Regulatory Fees shall be paid upon prebooking based on passenger manifest. Docking Fees for boats and Passenger Pontoon Fees shall be paid upon booking based on passenger manifest. Disembark and Embark only at designated pontoon terminal. Water Sports shall only launch at designated pontoon terminal. Rigor said it will still be discussed if the cruise ships could be limited to just 100 to 150 passengers, which are usually expedition or luxury ships. The disembarkation plan for 500 to 3,500 cruise passengers also outlines the various activities cruise passengers can enjoy on Boracay, in designation locations, number of hours spent there, and the available capacity. For instance, a tour of Carabao island is expected to take two hours, and can accommodate 100 to 200 persons at any given time, between 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Water sports activities, are seen taking two to three hours, with the venues at the main beach, Bulabog Beach and designated island stops. The available capacity for these activities are anywhere from 500 to 1,500 persons, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. At present, the water sports allowed by the BIATF are: paraw sailing, stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, kite surfing, snorkeling underwater sand walking/aquanaut diving, diving, parasailing, water ski, fly fish or banana boat rides, jetskiing, sunset boat rides, and island hopping. About 30 cruise ships are expected to call on Caticlan, the gateway to Boracay, next year. Earlier, DOT Region 6 said about five to eight cruise ships were expected to visit the island as it reopened on October 26. Most of these ships carry 1,700 to 4,500 passengers, the region said in a news statement.

Editor: Angel R. Calso

The World BusinessMirror

Xi’s speech gives no hope for stock traders as Asia markets sink

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I Jinping’s speech marking the 40th anniversary of China’s reform era was one that Asia’s equity investors had their eyes on Tuesday. But his comments weren’t what they were hoping for. No new initiatives for re form measures were mentioned, and it ended up being a speech about what the nation’s Communist Party had done so far. That was a disappointment for investors who were expecting to hea r more about spec i f ic policies for further opening of China’s economy. Japan’s Topix index closed at its lowest level since May 2017, sinking the most among the region’s shares. Chinese and Hong Kong equities fell, and in Southeast Asia, several benchmark indexes including those of Singapore and the Philippines plunged by more than 1.3 percent as the US stock carnage seeped into Asian markets. The S&P 500 Index closed at its lowest in 14 months on Monday. Expectations that Xi’s speech would give stocks a boost (or at least, prevent a sell-off ) were thwarted, and since “nothing special” was announced, Asian shares are following the overnight sell-off in the US, said Castor Pang, head of research at Core Pacific-Yamaichi International HK. Francis Lun, chief executive officer of Geo Securities, agreed.

Investors were disappointed by the speech as they had been expecting some comments on economic stimulus or the further opening up of the Chinese economy, he said. “But he didn’t mention it. That’s why A shares dropped 1 percent and also dragged down Hong Kong stocks.” But compared with the US, where the equity benchmark slid more than 2 percent, the MSCI Asia Pacific Index’s 1 percent decline as of 4:39 p.m. in Hong Kong looked tame. And US stock-index futures were still holding on to some gains on Tuesday, despite S&P 500 contracts paring an advance of as much as 0.5 percent. W it h not h i n g s p e c i a l a nnounced in Xi’s speech, investors are pivoting back to the interest-rate decisions expected this week. First up, the Federal Open Market Committee holds its final two-day meeting of 2018 and the result will be announced on December 19 in Washington. Then come the Bank of Japan and Bank of England. There’s also the Central Economic Work Conference taking place this week that many will be keeping an eye on. “This week could be a turning point for Asian equities, with the FOMC happening and investors focusing on how determined China is about rekindling its economy,” said Lee Kyoung-min, a Seoulbased senior analyst with Daishin Securities Co. Bloomberg News

Oil dives lower as surging US output outweighs Opec+ curbs

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I L d i v e d lo w e r ne a r $49 a barrel as investors sought more assurance that Opec’s output cuts will work in the face of surging US supply, and as a sell-off in wider financial markets hit sentiment. Futures in New York slipped as much as 2.7 percent, after closing below $50 on Monday for the first time since October 2017. Data provider Genscape Inc. and the US government predict higher American supplies, while uncertainty persists over the effectiveness of curbs by the Opec+ coalition. Meanwhile, global risk assets slid after a speech by Chinese President Xi Jinping offered no new reforms to stimulate the world ’s secondbiggest economy. Crude’s mired in a bear market as skepticism grows over how the pledged output cuts by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies will be implemented. Mounting fears over the relentless growth in US shale, which veteran crude trader Andy Hall says is making it hard to predict global supplies, has also undermined efforts to balance the market by major exporters including Saudi Arabia and Russia. “Markets are confused and looking for some clear direction at the moment,” said Daniel Hynes, a Sydney-based senior commodities strategist at Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. “Economic indicators paint a mixed macro outlook and supply cuts have yet to be implemented. Shorts are still keen to drive things lower until the data starts indicating the market is tightening.” West Texas Intermediate for January delivery fell as much as $1.36 to $48.52 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, and was at $49.14 at 4:10 p.m. in Seoul. The contract closed 2.6 percent lower at $49.88 on Monday. Total volume traded was about 48 percent above the 100-day average.

Brent for February settlement lost 84 cents, or 1.4 percent, to $58.77 a barrel on London’s ICE Futures Europe exchange. Prices dropped 1.1 percent to settle at $59.61 on Monday. The global benchmark crude traded at a $9.33 premium to WTI for the same month. In China, Xi said his country had entered a “new era” under his leadership and was poised for a bigger role in world affairs and would allow more competition in its economic system despite pressure from the US and others. Yet, he offered no new ideas to boost the economy or assuage concer n s over t he cou nt r y ’s slowing growth due to its trade dispute with America. T he S & P 50 0 dec l i ned to its lowest close since October 2017 on Monday, and the Russell 2000 Index of smaller companies entered a bear market, wh i le stoc k benc hma rk s fel l from Sydney to Shanghai on Tuesday. Investors are also bracing for a potential US Federal Reser ve interest-rate increase, and w i l l be scr utinizing t he bank ’s statement on Wednesday, as well as Chairman Jerome Powell ’s news conference for clues on its intentions for 2019. In t he oi l ma rket, Genscape was sa id to repor t inventor ies at A mer ic a’s big gest storage hu b i n Cu sh i ng , Ok l a hom a , a re g row ing , wh i le t he Energ y I n for m at ion A d m i n i st rat ion sa id it sees out put at major US sha le pl ays at 8.166 m i l l ion ba r rels a d ay in Ja nu a r y a nd boosted its December forecast to 8.03 m i l l ion. Meanwhile, the median estimate of eight analysts surveyed by Bloomberg showed nationwide stockpiles probably decreased 3.25 million barrels in the week endingon December 14. Still, inventories at Cushing probably rose by 1.3 million barrels last week, according to a separate forecast compiled by Bloomberg. Bloomberg News

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

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China will ‘never seek hegemony,’ Xi Jinping says in reform speech

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EIJING—China will never pursue hegemony, President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday as global concerns persist over the country’s growing economic influence. D u r i ng a speec h to m a rk 4 0 yea rs of m a rket refor ms, X i repeated C h ina’s comm it ment to a mu lt i l atera l t rad i ng s ys tem a nd f ur t her opening of its economy. Howe ver, he d id not a n nou nce a ny new i n it i at ives to cou nter a slow i ng economy a nd t rade f r ic t ions w it h t he Un ited St ates. T he Chinese leader said China would not develop “at the e x p e n se of ot her cou nt r ies’ interests.” China’s expanding footprint worldw ide—from Asia Pacific to A frica and beyond through a broad network of infrastructure projects called the Belt and Road Initiative—has led some nations to raise the alarm over what they call China’s long arm of inf luence, which has been criticized for being political as well as economic. While Xi said China is “increasingly approaching the center of the world stage,” he also noted that the country pursues a defensive nationa l defense policy. “China’s development does not pose a threat to any country,” Xi said. “No matter how far China develops, it will never seek hegemony.” Xi chronicled at length the country’s recent achievements, giving special credit to former leader Deng Xiaoping, whose reforms Xi said saved China from the brink of economic collapse following the tumultuous Cultural Revolution. O t he r ce lebr at ion s of re for m and opening up have b e e n c r it i c i z e d b y s c ho l a r s for dow npl ay i ng t he role of Deng , w ide ly considered t he a rc h itec t of t he c h a nges, i n order to e le vate X i. This time around, Xi spared no praise for Deng, as he began by remarking on the significance of 1978—the year Deng implemented his first reforms. Dur ing the ceremony, 100 individuals were recognized as pioneers of reform. The eclectic slate included NBA player Yao Ming, A libaba founder Jack Ma and Nobel prizewinning scientist Tu Youyou. They received their medals to the tune of “Story of Spring,” a patriotic ballad paying tribute to Deng. Throughout, Xi emphasized the absolute rule of the Communist Party and its upholding of Chinese sovereignty. “ No one i s i n a p os it ion to d ic t ate to t he C h i ne s e p e o ple w h at shou ld or shou ld not b e done,” he s a id . “ We w i l l re s olute ly re for m w h at c a n a nd ne e d s to b e re for me d , a nd we w i l l re solute ly uphold w h at c a n not a nd do e s not ne e d to b e c h a n ge d .” X i ’s speech espoused “above all else,” said Julian Gewirtz, an international affairs scholar at Har vard, “the distinctiveness a nd absolute cor re c t ness of China’s path under the party’s leadership.” “ T his was a broad attempt to prov ide a rea l ly posit ive, conf idence -bu i ld ing stor y of China’s past 40 years and its f uture,” sa id Gew ir tz, who has w r itten a book about China’s

CHINESE President Xi Jinping prepares to present a medallion during a conference to commemorate the 40th anniversary of China’s Reform and Opening Up policy at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday. AP/MARK SCHIEFELBEIN

economic refor ms. T he address won’t assuage concer ned pr iv ate ent re pre neurs and foreign businesses, who had hoped Xi would use the occasion to announce concrete industr y-opening measures to sh i f t dom i n a nce aw ay f rom state cor porations. China’s push to dominate the high-tech industry by 2025 is a sore point with Washington and a contributing factor in trade ten-

sions that have seen the world ’s two largest economies slap billions of dollars in punitive tariffs on each other’s products this year. In a move welcomed by global stock markets, President Donald J. Trump agreed on December 1 to postpone more US tariff hikes on Chinese imports for 90 days while the two sides negotiate over American complaints about Beijing’s technology policy. AP

A6 Wednesday, December 19, 2018 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

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editorial

Of holidays and food waste

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ESPITE the increase in food prices, the release of 13th-month pay to employees will allow millions of Filipino families to indulge in delectable (and expensive) dishes this holiday season. No matter their economic stature, Filipinos will always spend for pricey food items to celebrate Christmas and ring in the New Year. The Yuletide season is usually a time for excess and binging. But some 14 million Filipinos will not have this luxury. According to the World Hunger Report 2018 from the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), there are 14.2 million undernourished Filipinos and 13.3 million food-insecure Filipinos. This means that nearly a third of the country’s population has no access to enough food. (See “Food waste, postharvest losses where millions remain hungry,” in the BusinessMirror, October 18, 2018). These figures are lamentable as tons of food items continue to end up in dumpsites. According to the latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), a Filipino household wastes 1.676 kilograms of rice annually, which translates to a total of 38.507 million kg valued at P1.617 billion. The survey conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) in 2015 revealed that 22.975 million Filipino households threw away 987,952 kilograms of rice daily. Filipino households also waste hundreds of kilos of vegetables, fish, meat and poultry, aside from rice. Sadly, there is no government agency that is on top of food-waste data collection. The PSA, for one, is focused only on data on rice wasted by Filipino households. The FNRI has yet to update its 2015 nutrition survey, which included data on food waste. Currently, government efforts to prevent food waste are focused on rice. This is not surprising considering that among all commodities, the data on rice is comprehensive. Given the difficulties confronting the government in ensuring that all 106 million Filipinos have access to food, it makes economic sense for this administration to invest in gathering data on food waste. The food waste survey must not only focus on rice; it must also include other commodities. Apart from households, the government must also survey food wasted in institutions such as hotels and restaurants. Surveys and data collection have largely focused on food consumed in households. The supply chain must be included to update data on figures related to postharvest losses. Government efforts aimed at discouraging food waste have been mainly directed at cutting rice waste. This may be due to the lack of data that provides basis for policy-makers to introduce initiatives that will prevent consumers from throwing away food. Some lawmakers like Sen. Cynthia A. Villar, chairman of the Senate Committee on Food and Agriculture, recommended last year the banning of “unli-rice” meals to help ease the tightness in rice supply. Consumers were not receptive to the senator’s recommendation. A measure that lawmakers can look into in the 18th Congress is the proposed Food Waste Reduction Act. The House Special Committee on Food Security endorsed the substitute bill for plenary approval, but it has yet to be tackled at the lower chamber. The measure seeks to reduce food waste by requiring businesses to take part in food donation and food recycling. According to one of the authors of the measure, there is no law that specifically tackles combating the increasing amount of food waste in the Philippines. The bill proposes the grant of tax incentives to companies that will donate to food banks and charity homes. We urge lawmakers to consider expanding the coverage of the bill by including incentives or introducing initiatives that will cut postharvest losses. The Philippines has committed to eliminate hunger by 2030 under the United Nations’s Sustainable Development Goals. The country will not be able to deliver on this commitment if government will not implement the necessary interventions, such as drastically reducing food waste and altering current farm policies.

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HEN I was 13, my world consisted of a backyard where I ran around and played, sometimes with my pet dog, Tootsie. In the bedroom I shared with my older sister, I had a doll with curly hair, which I trimmed with school scissors, thinking it would grow back soon. My five brothers and a sister have always been protective, knowing that I was the youngest and most prone to misadventures. It was a childhood that I cherished till this very day. Some children are not as lucky. In a shelter for trafficked women, I saw children, far from the verge of womanhood, that were bound for the Middle East as domestic workers had it not been for the timely intervention of our government. They were recruited from their homes in conflict-affected areas and sent to Manila for distribution to various recruitment agencies. Their “agents” do this in exchange for a hefty commission from agencies that do not discriminate, as long as job orders from Saudi Arabia are fulfilled. I saw some of them in a shelter near our airport, wearing lipstick, to “age” them to match the 23-year-olds that they are declared to be. Can you imagine the kind of life that these children would face once they find employment in the Middle East as domestic workers? Slavery is too big a word for their young minds to even comprehend. Yet, the like-

lihood of it being defined through long hours of work, and lack of food, physical abuse and other worse forms of exploitation, looms large for every victim. This is the business where human traffickers thrive. Legitimate corporate entities such as licensed recruitment agencies must know that deploying a child or a minor bears serious legal consequences. Under the amended Anti-Trafficking Act, child trafficking is a non-bailable offense that is punishable with life imprisonment. Recruitment agencies are not excluded from the law, thus they should be more careful and discerning when dealing with recruits, especially from conflict areas in Mindanao. Member-agencies of the InterAgency Council Against Trafficking are cognizant of this vicious form of human trafficking and have launched a counteroffensive. The

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National Bureau of Investigation, through its Anti-Human Trafficking Division, already has a list of private recruitment agencies that have attempted to deploy minors from Mindanao. The labor department has formed its own task force led by Undersecretary Jacinto “Jing” V. Paras that is also looking into these cases. The nongovernment organization that I head, the Blas F. Ople Policy Center, has entered into a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Justice as cochairman of IACAT that would enable us to monitor the progress of human-trafficking cases involving migrant workers. There is strong resolve on the part of Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra to make sure that every overseas Filipino worker case involving human trafficking gets the attention it deserves. Undersecretary Emmeline Aglipay-Villar instructed the IACAT Secretariat to make sure that such cases involving Filipinos overseas do not disappear into an abyss of unaccountability. The Ople Center, with the help of the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery, is now developing a case-management system that would be able to track all these cases from when the complaint was received to the actual filing of cases and until the victim is able to reintegrate. By January 2019, the IACAT Task Force Against the Trafficking of OFWs shall start its collaborative work. Human traffickers who flit from town to town, masquerading as “agents” of recruitment agencies, will soon lose their anonymity and

Conservatism’s monstrous endgame

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So Pelosi was right about Reed O’Connor’s ruling being a symptom of a “monstrous endgame,” but the game in question isn’t just about perpetuating the assault on health care, it’s about assaulting democracy in general. And the current state of the endgame is probably just the beginning; the worst, I fear, is yet to come.

But on Friday, Reed O’Connor, a partisan Republican judge known for “weaponizing” his judicial power, declared the ACA as a whole—protection for preexisting conditions, subsidies to help families afford coverage, and the Medicaid expansion— unconstitutional. Legal experts from both right and left ridiculed his reasoning and described his ruling as “raw political activism.” And that ruling probably won’t be sustained by higher courts. But don’t be too sure that his

ourselves on the strength of our political institutions, in the end institutions consist of people and fulfill their roles only as long as the people in them respect their intended purpose. Rule of law depends not just on what is written down, but also on the behavior of those who interpret and enforce that rule. If these people don’t regard themselves as servants of the law first, partisans second, if they won’t subordinate their political goals to their duty to preserve the system, laws become meaningless and only power matters. And what we’re seeing in America—

Paul Krugman

Lorenzo M. Lomibao Jr., Gerard S. Ramos Lyn B. Resurreccion, Efleda P. Campos Dennis D. Estopace Ruben M. Cruz Jr. Angel R. Calso

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Human traffickers, beware!

NEW YORK TIMES HE midterm elections were, to an important extent, a referendum on the Affordable Care Act (ACA); health care, not Donald J. Trump, dominated Democratic campaigning. And voters delivered a clear verdict: They want Obamacare’s achievements, the way it expanded coverage to roughly 20 million people who would otherwise have been uninsured, to be sustained. sabotage w ill be overturned. O’Connor’s abuse of power may be unusually crude, but that sort of behavior is becoming increasingly common. And it’s not just health care, nor is it just the courts. What Nancy Pelosi called the “monstrous endgame” of the Republican assault on health care is just the leading edge of an attack on multiple fronts, as the GOP tries to overturn the will of the voters and undermine democracy in general. For while we may congratulate

freedom as the IACAT’s campaign escalates. Government cannot do this alone. Concerned citizens are encouraged to report human trafficking and illegal recruitment cases to the IACAT Action Line 1343, under the auspices of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas. The CFO, led by Secretary Francisco “Nick” P. Acosta, a former Court of Appeals justice, is quite active in promoting the antitrafficking advocacy and is generous with his suggestions on how the OFW Task Force under IACAT should proceed. When one knowingly recruits a child to work overseas as a domestic worker, then that person is not fit to even be called human. For how can you deploy a human being, not yet wholly formed physically, mentally and emotionally, to a life of great deprivation in exchange for a commission? And as parents, why would they give up the love of their life in exchange for a promise yet unfulfilled of dollar remittances? And those so corrupt in the government, as to bestow these children with valid papers and passports containing fake ages, or escorting them through secret corridors in our airports, have you no shame? To think that these accomplices wear government IDs and look up as our national flag is raised every Monday morning gives me the shivers. They, too, must be unmasked. The deployment of innocent children to work overseas must stop. Putting lipstick on their lips will not make them older, no matter who gets paid. Let children be children, because no grown-up has the right to profit from their innocence.

what we’ve actually been seeing for years, although much of the news media and political establishment has refused to acknowledge it—is an invasion of our institutions by right-wing partisans whose loyalty is to party, not principle. This invasion is corroding the Republic, and the corrosion is already very far advanced. I say “right-wing” advisedly. There are bad people in both parties, as there are in all walks of life. But the parties are structurally different. The Democratic Party is a loose coalition of interest groups, but the modern Republican Party is dominated by “movement conservatism,” a monolithic structure held together by big money—often deployed stealthily— and the closed intellectual ecosystem of Fox News and other partisan media. And the people who rise within this movement are, to a far greater degree than those on the other side, apparatchiks, political loyalists who can be counted on not to stray from the party line. Republicans have been stuffing the courts with such people for See “Krugman,” A7

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Why Caloocan City consists Catastrophe and Risk Management in Asean As a free web site, anyone can of two separate areas browse, research and download

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papers on disaster risk. One only has to register. Subscribed users can be sent summaries or articles on their areas of concern. Insurers and private individuals can upload papers and projects on topics such as cyclones, disaster risk management, droughts, earthquakes, flood, landslides, tsunami and others.

As a free web site, anyone can browse, research and download papers on disaster risk. One only has to register. Subscribed users can be sent summaries or articles on their

slides, tsunami and others. Readers can also rate and comment on the papers posted. The web site was developed with the sponsorship of Catalytics Pte. Ltd. Catalytics was founded in Singapore in 2009 with the intention of becoming the first wholly Asian Cat Modeling company. The letter of mandate was signed on September 1, 2016. Catalytics is in partnership, as well, with insurers for catastrophe modeling and risk management in Asean. Catalytics launched the Philippine earthquake model, which is currently used by most major local

By Severino C. Samonte

Dennis B. Funa

Special to the BusinessMirror

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MONG the 16 cities and one town of Metro Manila or the National Capital Region, the 56-year-old Caloocan City is the only one with two noncontiguous parts separated land it cannot call its own. One such part is contiguous with Manila in the south, while the other one abuts with the Central Luzon province of Bulacan in the north. The two parts are separated by the Quezon City territory in Novaliches as well as a portion of Valenzuela City, formerly Polo town of Bulacan. In a sense, the composition of Caloocan City technically violates certain provisions of the Local Government Code (LGC), particularly Chapter II, Section 7-C, which provides that the land area of local government units (LGUs) such as provinces, cities, towns and barangays must be contiguous unless they consist of several islands separated by bodies of water. In the case of Caloocan, there is no body of water in Novaliches except the man-made La Mesa reservoir or lake and the Tullahan River, which ends at the Manila Bay after passing through portions of the adjoining cities of Quezon, Caloocan, Valenzuela, Malabon and Navotas. However, it is important to note that when Caloocan was declared as a city on February 16, 1962, the Local Government Code was still nonexistent. The LGC was enacted in 1991, after the revival of the Congress during the administration of the late President Corazon C. Aquino. At present, officials of Caloocan City cannot go from the main city hall in Grace Park to the city’s other half near Bulacan without passing either through Quezon City in Novaliches or Valenzuela City. This is particularly true if they pass through the North Luzon Expressway (Nlex) and the old Novaliches-Polo Road renamed Gen. Luis St. The same is true if they choose to pass through Quirino Highway from Balintawak. How come the large area of Caloocan City is divided? When Quezon City was created under Commonwealth Act 502, which was signed by President Manuel L. Quezon on October 12, 1939, it comprised of 73.35 square kilometers (sq km) or 7,335 hectares taken from the then adjacent Rizal towns of Caloocan, San Juan, Pasig, Marikina and Mandaluyong. Caloocan was the biggest town among these areas at that time as it then included the neighboring 48-year-old municipality of Novaliches, which was abolished and reduced to a barrio in 1903 as part of the economic measures of the early American regime in the Philippines. Novaliches was created as a town during the Spanish regime in the Philippines in 1855.

Krugman. . . continued from A6

decades; O’Connor was appointed by George W. Bush. That’s why his ruling, no matter how bad the legal reasoning, wasn’t a big surprise. The only question was whether he would imagine himself able to get away with such a travesty. Obviously he did, and he may well have been right. But as I said, it’s not just the courts. Even as Trump and his allies spin fantasies about sabotage by the “deep state,” the reality is that a growing number of positions in government agencies are being occupied by right-wing partisans who care nothing, or actively oppose, their agencies’ missions. The Environmental Protection Agency is now run by people who don’t want to protect the environment, Health and Human Services by people who want to deny Americans health care. The same takeover by apparatchiks is taking place in politics. Remember when the role of the Senate was supposed to be to “advise and consent”? Under Republican control it’s just plain consent—there is almost literally nothing Trump can do, up to and including clear evidence

After Quezon’s death at Saranac Lake, New York, on August 1, 1944, the Philippine Congress passed Republic Act 333 on July 17, 1948, which made Quezon City the new capital of the Philippines, replacing Manila. This law required the relocation of the QC boundary further north, thereby slicing Novaliches almost through the middle. It also marked the inclusion in the new capital city of the summer residence of thenPresident Elpidio Quirino, which was on a hill that overlooked the scenic vicinity of the La Mesa dam or Novaliches reservoir. With the addition of half of Novaliches to QC, the new capital city’s area expanded to over 15,000 hectares. A series of amendments to the original QC charter since then resulted in the increase of the city’s area to 171.17 sq km or 17,171 hectares at present, the largest in Metro Manila. Since Quezon City has the largest area in the metropolis, it also accounts for the biggest population of 2,936,116 as of 2015, based on Philippine Statistics Authority data. It is followed by Manila with 1,780,148 people; Caloocan City, 1,583,978; Taguig City, 804,935; Pasig City, 755,300; Parañaque City, 665,822; Valenzuela City, 620,422; Las Pinas City, 588,894; Makati City, 582,602; Muntinlupa City, 504,509; Marikina City, 450,741; Pasay City, 416,522; Mandaluyong City, 386,276; Malabon City, 365,525; Navotas City, 249,463; San Juan City, 122,180; and Pateros, 63,840. On May 29, 1976, then-President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. issued Presidential Decree (PD) 940 restoring Manila as the national capital and reverting QC to its original status as a city created in honor of its late founder, former President Manuel Quezon. The decree became effective on June 24 of that year, coinciding with the celebration of Manila’s 405th anniversary. In PD 940, Marcos said: “Manila has always been, to the Filipino people and in the eye of the world, the premier city of the Philippines, it being the center of trade, commerce, education and culture; and from time immemorial has been the seat of the national government of the Philippines.” of corruption and criminality, that will induce senators from his party to exercise any kind of oversight. So how do people who think and behave this way respond when the public rejects their agenda? They attempt to use their power to overrule the democratic process. When Democrats threaten to win elections, they rig the voting process, as they did in Georgia. When Democrats win despite election rigging, they strip the offices Democrats win of power, as they did in Wisconsin. When Democratic policies prevail despite all of that, they use apparatchik-stuffed courts to strike down legislation on the flimsiest of grounds. As David Frum, author of “Trumpocracy,” warned a year ago: “If conservatives become convinced that they cannot win democratically, they will not abandon conservatism. They will reject democracy.” That’s happening as we speak. So Pelosi was right about Reed O’Connor’s ruling being a symptom of a “monstrous endgame,” but the game in question isn’t just about perpetuating the assault on health care, it’s about assaulting democracy in general. And the current state of the endgame is probably just the beginning; the worst, I fear, is yet to come.

INSURANCE FORUM HE Asean Insurance Council, through its Asean Natural Disaster Research Works and Sharing Committee, established the Catastrophe and Risk Management in Asean, a Web-based media portal for sharing awareness on catastrophe and disaster risk management in Asean. Carma is nonprofit and, therefore, a free web site where users can set up their own account to search for data, post papers and register projects related to catastrophe and disaster risk. It is owned by the AIC. Its main objective is information sharing for the benefit of Asean, especially during natural catastrophes. Andrews was formed in 2007 to have a gathering of academicians specializing in Asian natural disaster research, insurance practitioners and other relevant public and private sector organizations to facilitate dialogue, information exchange and initiate appropriate action.

areas of concern. Insurers and private individuals can upload papers and projects on topics such as cyclones, disaster risk management, droughts, earthquakes, flood, land-

insurers as well as the Asian Development Bank and Philippine Insurers and Reinsurers Association. The company has since expanded its Asean earthquake footprint to include Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, offering an Asean suite of earthquake models. A significant feature of Carma are the Earthquake Details and First Alert System and the Weather Forecast. The earthquake alert system shows, in real time, all earthquakes in the Asian region and send earthquake alerts for those of 6.2 on the Richter Scale and above, and with depths of 10 kilometers. A recent project of Carma is an earthquake alert that can be sent through a mobile app. Its weather forecast portal shows the daily rainfall, temperature, wind and mean sea level pressure data. These developments are helpful for our country’s disaster risk reduction programs. Dennis B. Funa is the current insurance commissioner. Funa was appointed by President Duterte as the new insurance commissioner in December 2016. E-mail: dennisfuna@yahoo.com.

China needs a new commitment to economic reform

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ORTY years ago, Chinese l e a d er Deng X iaoping launched the most dramatic economic transformation in history by encouraging his countrymen to “emancipate” their minds and “seek truth from facts.” The reforms that followed—he called it socialism with Chinese characteristics—were stunning in their impact. China’s GDP today is more than 80 times bigger than it was at the end of 1978. If Chinese leaders want to extend that astonishing record of achievement, they’ll need to demonstrate the same kind of courage and farsightedness. The country’s key officials meet this week to set economic policy for the next year. They need to renew Deng’s commitment to truth from facts, and to do bold, marketbased reforms. Over four decades of official support for “reform and opening up,” change has not always been smooth and steady. It has come in waves, stopping and starting over the years, interrupted by periods of resistance and retrenchment. Deng began by lifting state control of farming and reviving private enterprise. Then progress was cut short by the crackdown following the Tiananmen Square protests. After Deng forcefully recommitted China to reforms in 1992, the country opened itself up to foreign investment, joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) and embedded itself in global supply chains. Many would argue that Chinese President Xi Jinping has overseen

another period of retrenchment, extending the Communist Party’s influence over all aspects of business and society, shrinking the space for ideological debate, and empowering rather than shrinking the state. But Xi has also emphasized the need for further economic reform. Renewing that priority can be presented as a shift of balance rather than an explicit reversal. Right now, such a shift would be especially well timed. Although the party deserves its full share of credit for China’s miraculous resurgence, engaging with outsiders was essential. Since the reforms began, nearly $1.8 trillion in foreign direct investment has poured into China—bringing new technologies and expertise that were vital in raising productivity. In addition, by allowing China into the WTO, then looking the other way as the country skirted some of its obligations, the rest of the world helped the country grow into a manufacturing behemoth. All those advantages— flows of capital, information and goods— are now threatened. Foreign businesses are losing patience with the discrimination and barriers to competition they continue to face, and the US and other developed nations fear China’s growth is happening at their expense. Relations are strained and the situation is difficult. But it is far from hopeless. Merely following through on the ambitious market reforms Xi himself laid out in his inaugural economic plan in 2013 would address many Western complaints.

According to the Rhodium Group and the Asia Society Policy Institute, China has so far made progress in only two of the 10 broad areas that Xi has targeted for change. For example, the government committed in 2013 not to discriminate between private companies and state-owned enterprises—a major bone of contention with the US and others. Yet the latter retain big advantages in taxes, financing and access to cheap land. Fully adopting the principle of “competitive neutrality” (an idea touted in both the revamped Trans-Pacific Partnership and the US-MexicoCanada free trade agreement) would give a boost to China’s own private firms, which account for most of the country’s jobs and growth. In the same way, if China were to eliminate the controversial targets and subsidies of its “Made in China 2025” plan—both of which arguably violate WTO rules—the main beneficiary would be China. Excessive support, as high as 40 percent of total sales in the case of electric cars, has caused waste and overcapacity. To foster innovation, China should instead promote competition and strengthen intellectual-property rights, requiring its homegrown innovators to build the skills they will need to thrive globally. Again, when it comes to the WTO, heeding the rules more scrupulously would benefit China as much as its trading rivals. Confidence in the global trading regime is already gravely damaged. If other nations remain convinced that Beijing can’t

be trusted to abide by its commitments fully and transparently, they’ll have all the more reason to enter into trade agreements (such as the new TPP) that exclude China. If foreign companies can’t safeguard key technologies, they’ll reshape their supply chains to depend less on China, which is anyway becoming a more expensive place to do business. To be sure, further economic reform won’t solve all of China’s problems. As long as the country refuses to liberalize politically, it’ll be viewed with suspicion in the West. Limits on Chinese investment in critical technologies and on high-tech exports to China will continue; so will efforts to counter China’s military and geopolitical ambitions. Mere promises to open up won’t make much difference. Beijing has dragged out too many mooted changes for too long: This time, pledges not backed by action won’t suffice. The greatest obstacle to Beijing renewing its drive for market-guided, globally-based prosperity is political. Above all, its leaders fear losing face, which makes seeming to bend to external pressure so difficult. The country’s leaders can stifle that suspicion by recommitting to the ambitions and methods that Deng first championed many years ago. Foreign leaders can help as well, by ceasing to cast US-China relations in hare-brained zero-sum terms, and especially by avoiding the strutting “my way or else” rhetoric that the current US administration finds so impressive. Bloomberg Opinion

Enhancing and developing scientific minds among students

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By Jally Mae Tacipit

CIENCE is a subject that should be taught to young minds as early as possible. Teachers don’t need expensive equipment or a laboratory to impart knowledge in this field. But they need to understand that before they can teach science to young students, they first need to arouse children’s interest and curiosity. For example, in a science classroom a carefully chosen experiment can drive student inquiry. The wonders of science should be exciting for young people, especially to ambitious children who can visualize opportunities to improve their future. These are the students teachers love to guide for them to pursue science courses. Why is this subject important to young students? Science is both a body of knowledge that represents current understanding of natural systems and the process whereby that body of knowledge has been established and is being continually extended, refined and revised. Therefore, one cannot make progress in science without an understanding of both. Likewise, in learning science one must come to understand both the body of knowledge and the process by which this

knowledge is established, extended, refined and revised. The various perspectives of science differ mainly with respect to the process, rather than the product. The body of knowledge includes specific facts integrated and articulated into highly developed and well-tested theories. The eventual goal of teaching science is to produce individuals capable of understanding and evaluating information that is, or purports to be, scientific in nature and of making decisions that incorporate information appropriately and to produce a sufficient number of skilled and motivated young scientists, engineers, and other science-based professionals. Learning the skills to support

scientific thinking is an important part of a student’s development. As children progress into adulthood, using scientific thinking becomes an art. For example: When students encounter a problem, they need to know how to work through a process of problem solving in a logical fashion, which is essential to growth in understanding. Scientific thinking skills must be introduced and taught to students as early as possible. These include observing, asking questions, making predictions, testing ideas, documenting data and communicating thoughts. Research shows that young people’s performance in school heavily depends on the quality of teaching they receive. But to provide highquality inspirational lessons, teachers should have access to continuing professional development for them to keep abreast with the latest research and modern ways of teaching. To fully participate in the scientific practices in the classroom, students need to develop a shared understanding of the norms of participation in science, which includes social norms for constructing and presenting a

scientific argument and engaging in scientific debates. However, teachers must be able to mold students to develop habits of mind, such as adopting a critical stance, a willingness to ask questions and to seek help. Teachers must remember that the process of creating, executing, evaluating and communicating the results of an experiment can be applied to any challenge their students face in school—from proving a point in a persuasive essay to perfecting an experiment. In this way, science is one of the most important subjects for students because it gives them the critical thinking skills they need to excel in every subject. To become successful science teachers, educators should be able to identify the right attitudes, values or dispositions of their students and find ways to acknowledge and nurture their presence. That’s the only way teachers can guide their students to become future scientists or inventors. The author is Head Teacher at Abulug National Rural and Vocational High School in Abulug, Cagayan.

2nd Front Page BusinessMirror

A8 Wednesday, December 19, 2018

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Philconsa sues to block Bangsamoro law

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By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573 & Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

HE Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa) has filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking to declare Republic Act 11054 or the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), which grants wider autonomy to Muslim Mindanao, as unconstitutional.

“Nur Misuari is my friend. I am open to any other arrangement, but that would not intrude into the sovereignty...a disseverment of the Republic of the Philippines.” —Duterte

In a 34-page petition, Philconsa, through lawyers Rodolfo O. Reyes and Manuel M. Lazaro, also asked the Court to immediately issue a temporary restraining order enjoining Congress and Malacañang from implementing RA 11054 and from disbursing and using funds in connection with the law. RA 11054 creates the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in lieu of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) following

the 2014 peace agreement with t he Moro Isl amic Liberat ion Front (MILF). Malacañan Palace declined to comment on the Philconsa petition, but President Duterte said he is willing to make concessions with Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding Chairman Nur Misuari for the full implementation of the BOL, which Misuari reportedly opposes in some parts. The MILF was a breakaway group

from Misuari’s MNLF, which forged a peace agreement with the Ramos administration in 1996. The MILF continued its own insurgency, and eventually forged its own agreement with the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III. In a statement, Duterte reiterated his desire to talk with Misuari after the plebiscite for the BOL scheduled on two days in 2019: on January 21 and February 6. See “Bangsamoro law,” A2

Catriona’s gown buoys Capampangan designers PDEA needs to ‘clear’ 1,000 villages a month in antidrugs campaign M By Ashley Manabat Correspondent

EXICO, Pampanga—Pampanga’s star has also risen with the crowning of Catriona Gray as Miss Universe in Thailand on Monday. Gray’s perfectly crafted gowns were created by Capampangan designer Mark Aldane “Mak” Velasco Tumang, son of Mayor Teddy Tumang. The young Tumang’s creations include the “Mayon Volcano-inspired fiery-red evening gown” which was worn by Gray when she was crowned Miss Universe. “Today, Catriona is coming home. She is celebrating her roots—she is celebrating Albay! The prominent and iconic Mayon Volcano is the penultimate inspiration for this creation. It is dubbed the perfect cone,” Tumang posted in his Facebook account. “Watch her erupt right before your very eyes and let the lava of grace, goodness and hope flow,” said Tumang. “We still can’t get over the Miss Universe 2018 fever. And so with the Philippines’s bet now Miss Universe 2018,” he added. Tumang was seen on TV wearing Barong Tagalog embracing Gray

shortly after she was crowned Miss Universe which he described as a “priceless moment.” Capampangan lantern maker Eric B. Quiwa fashioned the parul, or lantern gown, of Gray in the national costume segment of the Miss Universe pageant. Quiwa posted a Facebook photo of Gray while she was trying the costume at his residence in the City of San Fernando, known as the Christmas capital of the Philippines. Meanwhile, the other evening gowns made by Tumang and worn by Gray included the “Ibong Adarna” inspired gown in the Miss Universe preliminaries which he called the “The Blazing Siren that symbolizes resilience, rising and rebirth” and the evening gown in the Binibining Pilipinas 2018. Tumang described his creation as “fiery and lovely perfection” so as Catriona which he considers “the modern-day Daragang Magayon [beautiful lady] as she embodies beauty, intelligence and burning passion.” Tumang is an alumnus of the College of Saint Benilde and the Philippine School of Interior Design. At present he is studying Haute Couture Embroidery at Central Saint Martins.

NORTHEAST MONSOON AFFECTING THE WHOLE COUNTRY as of 4:00 pm - December 18, 2018

By Cai U. Ordinario

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MISS Philippines Catriona Gray performs with singer Ne-Yo during the final round of the 67th Miss Universe competition in Bangkok, Thailand, on Monday. AP

PDEA backs Gray’s medical marijuana stand, but...

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HE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) supported the answer of Catriona Gray on allowing medical marijuana, under a strictly regulated regime, in the recently concluded Miss Universe pageant. In a briefing on Tuesday, PDEA Spokesman Derrick Arnold Carreon said Gray, who eventually won the Miss Universe 2018 title and became the Philippines’s fourth Miss Universe winner, was clear in her statement. “Maganda ’yung sagot niya [She gave a good answer]. She even went on to say that she does not support dependency and abuse. So maganda po ang sagot ng ating Miss Universe [our Miss Universe gave a good answer],” Carreon said. Carreon said it is important to note that medical marijuana does not mean allowing the planting of and even the establishment of marijuana greenhouses nationwide. He said there are products that contain cannabidiol, or extracted CBD, as well as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which can be readily bought once medical marijuana is legalized in the country. “At the end of the day, we are all for accessible use of any kind of medical preparations to the public, but let it not be said that the government will allow the use of marijuana [the plant],” Carreon said. Currently, there are bills filed in Congress seeking to legalize medical marijuana. Rep. Rodolfo T. Albano III of the First District of Isabela filed House Bill 180 or the Philippine Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act. See “Marijuana,” A2

@caiordinario

N order to clear all barangays of prohibited drugs by the time the President steps down from office, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said there is a need to double its efforts and clear as many as 1,000 barangays a month. In an interview on Tuesday, PDEA Spokesman Derrick Arnold Carreon said that between July 2016 and November 2018, the PDEA had cleared 9,503 barangays of prohibited drugs. This only represented, based on BusinessMirror calculations, some 22.6 percent of the 42,044 barangays nationwide. “Kung pwede nga 1,000 [barangays] per month, kung pwede lang [if we can clear 1,000 barangays a month, we will]. Actually, we have a target per year, minimum of 30 percent of the total remaining for the next three years,” Carreon said.

The PDEA estimated that around 22,641 barangays need to be cleared of illegal drugs nationwide. Some 9,900 barangays, meanwhile, are believed to be free from any drug problem. Carreon said the noncooperation of some village officials is among the problems faced by the PDEA in clearing barangays. Some local officials choose to ignore the drug problem while others choose not to act on it. Carreon said there are even instances where the barangay officials are also involved in drug use and abuse. Phi l ippine Nat iona l Pol ice (PNP) data show that of the 606 government officials and employees arrested for their connection to the use and distribution of drugs, 260 were elected officials, 280 government employees and 66 uniformed personnel. “Instead of acting on it, they [barangay officials] will sweep it under the rug, they just sit on the problem. See “PDEA,” A2

Mineral agreements. . . The House of Representatives provides for this new fiscal regime to ensure that the government gets its rightful share of the profits from mineral resources by approving House Bill No. 8400 on third and final reading. The bill was transmitted to the Senate last month. Apart from this, the DOF said the other items discussed in the 33rd meeting of the MICC, which was cochaired by Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III and Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu, included MICC’s conduct of a review of around 15 mining companies next year. These were part of the 41 mines initially reviewed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) under former Secretary Regina Paz L. Lopez in 2016. The DOF said the review to be conducted will be “objective, science-based, and fact-finding.” “MICC is eyeing to commission the same team of experts following their outputs on the review of the environmental, economic, social,

RMB trading. . . Continued from A1

Bonifacio Global City. The Legend Hotel Palawan also commended the RMB direct conversion, saying they have begun accepting payments in RMB to provide a better and more convenient customer experience for their Chinese guests. “Foreign tourist influx to the Philippines, and to Palawan specifically, has been increasing year-on-year. We wanted to capitalize on this opportunity by offering RMB payments to our guests,” Legend Hotel Palawan Marketing Director Chad Rosario said. “With the Chinese tourist influx growing annually and more gateways opening, our hotels have to be able to meet the increasing demands of our biggest Asian market,” he added. The PRTC comprises 14 banks in the country: Asia United Bank, Bank of

Continued from A1

legal and technical aspects of the first batch of 26 mining companies that Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III has described as ‘highly commendable,’” the DOF stated. Further, the DENR was tasked to study the process of delineating the “go and nogo zones” for mining application identified under EO 79. The DOF said that considering the continuing issues and concerns on the identification of these areas, particularly the delineation of Strategic Agriculture and Fisheries Development Zones, the DENR and other concerned member agencies were tasked to form a technical working group that will identify a pilot area for the implementation of the updated no-go zones. The MICC also instructed the DENR to check the provisions in the implementing rules and regulations and see whether the issues concerning the go-no go zones could be resolved by revising the IRR. China Manila, Bank of Commerce, Bank of the Philippine Islands, BDO Unibank, China Banking Corp., East-West Banking Corp., Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co., Philippine Business Bank, Philippine Bank of Communications, Philippine National Bank, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., Security Bank Corp. and Union Bank of the Philippines. “The main goal of the PRTC is to facilitate direct conversion between the Chinese RMB and the Philippine peso. This lowers transaction costs and promotes the use of RMB to help Filipino businesses,” said Deng Jun, country head of Bank of China Ltd.Manila branch, one of the 14 member banks of the community. The organization of the PRTC is part of a three-stage plan to develop the domestic RMB services in the country. PRTC will serve as the precursor leading to the launching of the peso-renminbi foreign-exchange spot market.

Bianca Cuaresma

Companies BusinessMirror

Editor: Efleda P. Campos

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

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AGI eyes more devts in 2019

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By VG Cabuag

@villygc

NDREW TAN’S Alliance Global Group Inc. (AGI) will add more townships next year as it vowed to do more in 2019 through a number of projects. “Definitely, we are adding more townships. We will be introducing new townships, new projects for Megaworld. We will be launching new hotel projects as well, opening and starting the construction of new hotel projects outside Manila. So we continue to expand outside Metro Manila as we have forecast. We do believe in the expansion of our tourism projects,” said Kevin Tan, AGI CEO. “For Emperador, we showed you a lot of new products; for McDon-

ald’s, we are adding 50 stores next year. For Infracorp, we are now finalizing the concession agreement for both the Skytrain and Ninoy Aquino International Airports [Naia]. If that happens, we will be able to start with Naia by the third quarter and the Skytrain by the fourth quarter next year,” he said. AGI is part of the consortium that will refurbish and operate the country’s main airport, while the Sky train is Infracorp’s unsollicited project that connects

the MRT 3 to its property in the former military camp in Taguig. Tan said on the property side, the company remains confident of the prospect of the office segment as business-process outsourcing firms are back, the first time the company admitted there was a contraction of BPOs over the past year. “And so we are full steam ahead again with our BPOs’ expansion into various cities outside Manila,” he said. “On the tourism side, gaming, we are launching two hotels next year—Sheraton and the Okura in Newport City. And then for 2020, we are launching the Ritz Carlton,” Tan said. “We will start the construction of our West Side City development by early next year in time to be finished by 2021,” Tan said, referring to the $1-billion integrated resort and casino in Entertainment City. “We will be focusing quite a lot on entertainment. As discussed in

Globe borrows ₧5 billion from China Banking Corp. By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

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LOBE Telecom Inc. has struck a loan agreement with China Banking Corp. amounting to P5 billion to partly bankroll its capital expenditures and general requirements for 2019, a disclosure to the stock exchange showed. The telco company is aggressively pushing for the development of its network, both mobile and fixed line, to cater to the ever-growing

demand for Internet connectivity in the Philippines. Earlier, a spokesman for Globe said the company’s capital expenditures for 2019 will most likely be at the same level as this year’s outlays. For 2018, Globe is spending roughly $950 million in capital to further expand its network. As of end-September, the telco has so far spent about P32.5 billion of its programmed capital for 2018 to “support the growing subscriber base and address its rapidly changing and rising demand for data.“

Globe saw its net income settling at P15.16 billion in the first nine months of the year, a 13-percent increase from the P12.98 billion it made a year prior, while its core net income rose by 32 percent to P15.29 billion from P11.21 billion. In the same comparative periods, the company’s gross service revenues grew by 9 percent to P101.87 billion from P95.14 billion, while its operating expenses and subsidy remained almost unchanged at P52.1 billion. Shares in Globe dipped by 1.5 percent to close at P1,970 on Tuesday.

New BGC green building expected to contribute ₧500M to CPG revenues

LEADING Tuesday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of the Asian Century Center office building, developed by Century Properties Group (CPG) and Asian Carmakers Corp., are (from left): Luis Miguel Gonzales of Century Properties Management and Construction Corp.; CPG Director Rafael G. Yaptinchay; Taguig City Deputy Chief of Staff Maricar Loinaz Sarmiento; Asian Carmakers Chairman of the Board Bienvenido Santos; Philippine Economic Zone Authority Director General Charito Plaza; CPG Chairman and CEO Jose EB Antonio; CPG Director Ricardo P. Cuerva; and CPG Chief Operating Officer Marco R. Antonio.

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UBLICLY listed Century Properties Group Inc. (CPG), in partnership with Asian Carmakers Corp., on Tuesday opened the Asian Century Center, a P1.6-billion green office building in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig. Prior to its scheduled opening, the 21-story development has been 75-percent leased. Three out of the four IT companies with confirmed leases are holding office in the building, which has a net leasable area of 29,628 square meters. Asian Carmakers plans to put up a showroom of Peugeot at the ground floor. Once fully leased out, the building is expected to contribute P500 million in annual revenues to CPG’s

leasing portfolio. “We are very pleased with the outcome and early success of Asian Century Center. We thank the Asian Carmakers Corp. for a fruitful partnership and our project stakeholders who gave their trust and support in us. The addition of this green building into the office inventory of BGC and Taguig City is quite timely as more companies look for well-designed and efficient office spaces to locate in,” CPG Chairman and CEO Jose EB Antonio said. Asian Century Center is accredited by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) and meets its strict requirements of 100-percent power backup, provision for high-speed Internet and infra-

structure, and a building management system. The tower has been pre-certified for the core and shell rating of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), a globally recognized green building and sustainability certification system. Precertification is awarded to projects with achievable sustainable targets that demonstrate the project’s commitment to LEED certification. Asian Century Center is working towards a LEED Silver status, the company said. The real-estate brokerage services firm Leechiu Property Consultants is the appointed exclusive leasing manager for Asian Century Center. VG Cabuag

the past, we want to create this sort Broadway of Asia concept there. We are putting together a few theatersin- one. Because right now, the theater industry in the Philippines is growing, but we feel it’s very fragmented all over,” he said. “We are looking at ways to integrate into one development where we can put theaters and entertainment facility. I think in that respect, it becomes a little bit more different from what the others are offering. We are not just purely gaming. There is also going to be a very big retail component with a lot of entertainment factors, as well,” he said. AGI will continue to expand in existing estates and in the provinces, he said. “We are going to be expanding quite a lot in Iloilo. Again, Boracay is back so we will be relaunching new projects in Boracay, Cebu and Davao, as well. And, of course, Pampanga and Bacolod,” he said.

Lazada delivers items across borders to Filipinos through chartered flights

F

OR the first time, Lazada chartered flights to deliver overseas purchases largely from the record-breaking year-end shopping festival it mounted. In an industry-first, two flights from Hong Kong were chartered this month to expedite the delivery of up to 200 tons of parcels bought through Lazada’s online marketplace during the 12.12 Grand Year-End Sale. The first chartered flight, a cargo plane operated by Emirates, arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on December 18. The other flight is scheduled for December 21. “We are marking another milestone not only for Lazada, but also for the country’s e-commerce industry,” said Juan Pavez, Lazada Philippines’s CEO for operations and logistics. “This is just one of the many ways we are ready to take to deliver on our promise of a seamless shopping experience.” The chartered flights carried purchases from Lazada’s Taobao Collection and overseas merchants. Launched in the Philippines a year ago, Taobao Collection offers curated items offered on Alibaba’s marketplace, which was previously unavailable to Filipino shoppers. “Through our cross-border operations, we can give Filipino shoppers more product choices and make items accessible at their fingertips,” Pavez said. “The chartered flights, meanwhile, allow for the shipment of large volumes of parcels at once and, thus, enable Lazada to deploy them for last-mile delivery at the shortest time possible.” Across Southeast Asia, Lazada was able to deliver more than 1 million parcels in a day for the first time ever, as it drew a whopping 1.3 billion visits to its platforms during the 11.11 and 12.12 shopping festivals.

Enhancement of Phase 1 of Cavitex now complete

C

AVITEX Infrastructure Cor p. has completed the first phase of its en h a ncement prog ra m for the Manila-Cavite Expressway (Cav ite x)—a mou nt ing to roughly P800 million—involving the expansion of both north and sound lanes and the construction of a flyover and a dedicated left-turn slot. Roberto V. Bontia said his group has completed the whole first phase of the expansion program with the opening of two new lanes on the expressway, the Southbound Flyover, and the Marina Left Turn facility. “We saw the need to include the road works at the Pacific Drive since it compliments the elevated south-bound lanes and left turn from Cavitex, targeting its completion now that the holiday season has started,” he said. P ubl ic Work s Sec ret a r y

Mark A. Villar said the Southbound Flyover and left-turn facility of Cavitex greatly help ease the flow of the average 140,000 vehicle transactions daily. “We expect more room for our motorists when Phase 2 is done in the fourth quarter of 2019. We all know that progress is aggressive in Cavite. The province is booming with real-estate developers, trade investments and movement in tourism. We expect more vehicles to use Cavitex to and from Parañaque, Las Pinas, Cavite and the cities of Manila and Makati,” he said. The second phase that Villar mentioned refers to the widening of three bridges along the Cavitex, namely, Wawa, Las Piñas, and Paranaque. The expansion program for the bridges has a price tag of P300 million in total. Lorenz S. Marasigan

B2

Companies BusinessMirror

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

December 18, 2018

Net Foreign Stocks Bid Ask Open High Low Close Volume Value Trade (Peso) Buy (Sell) FINANCIALS

ASIA UNITED 58.5 59 58.25 59 58.25 59 3200 188650 174670 BDO UNIBANK 125.5 126 128.3 128.6 125.5 125.5 2803870 353879803 -259900073 BANK PH ISLANDS 92.05 92.5 93.8 93.85 91 92.05 3299770 305652164 -30168783.5 CHINABANK 26.85 26.9 26.85 26.85 26.75 26.85 70700 1897830 EAST WEST BANK 11.88 12 12 12 11.84 12 844000 10114660 -1482204 METROBANK 79 79.5 78.7 79.5 78.35 79.5 4186850 330292655.5 25663363.5 PB BANK 12.16 12.5 12.5 12.5 11.82 12.5 22900 285882 PHIL NATL BANK 42.65 42.8 43.45 43.45 42.65 42.8 529300 22647945 1775440 PSBANK 64.5 65 65.35 68.5 64.45 64.95 3780 247958 3247.5 RCBC 28.3 28.45 28 28.35 28 28.3 36500 1032830 -925390 SECURITY BANK 152.8 152.9 159.6 159.6 152.8 152.8 373910 57759453 -19214672 UNION BANK 63.5 65.95 63.25 64 63.25 63.5 1430 90881 -26738.5 BRIGHT KINDLE 1.51 1.52 1.59 1.86 1.5 1.52 12497000 20879730 163160 BDO LEASING 2.14 2.18 2.16 2.16 2.14 2.14 124000 266590 10700 COL FINANCIAL 15.7 15.9 15.8 15.92 15.8 15.9 21200 336022 FERRONOUX HLDG 4.21 4.3 4.4 4.47 4.21 4.21 40000 174480 IREMIT 1.36 1.45 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 37000 50320 MEDCO HLDG 0.48 0.5 0.51 0.51 0.485 0.5 213000 106160 MANULIFE 750 830 750 750 750 750 100 75000 -75000 NTL REINSURANCE 0.87 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.87 0.89 261000 231910 PHIL STOCK EXCH 182 184 184 184 184 184 1120 206080 36800 SUN LIFE 1805 1849 1810 1811 1800 1800 415 749970 -362000 VANTAGE 1.14 1.2 1.15 1.15 1.14 1.14 151000 172540 INDUSTRIAL ALSONS CONS 1.23 1.28 1.28 1.28 1.28 1.28 10000 12800 ABOITIZ POWER 33.2 33.4 33.55 34 33.1 33.2 964300 32,092,180( 17,292,165.0001) BASIC ENERGY 0.242 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.242 0.25 60000 14760 FIRST GEN 19.9 19.94 20.4 20.4 19.76 19.94 909700 18167841 6723753 FIRST PHIL HLDG 64.3 64.6 64.85 64.85 64.25 64.45 219140 14133551 614236 PHIL H2O 5.61 5.7 5.57 5.84 5.57 5.61 149900 850217 -5650 MERALCO 388 389 389 389 386.2 389 222960 86637902 47421084 MANILA WATER 26.45 26.5 27 27 26.45 26.45 837600 22194750 1305505 PETRON 8.17 8.21 8.18 8.3 8.13 8.21 848700 6952080 -3553656 PETROENERGY 3.9 4.04 3.99 4.05 3.99 4 10000 40020 PHINMA ENERGY 0.96 0.97 0.97 0.97 0.96 0.97 1114000 1072710 -130920 PHX PETROLEUM 10.62 10.68 10.68 10.68 10.62 10.68 8024000 85215934 -84968502 PILIPINAS SHELL 46.95 47 46.9 47.7 46.8 47 799800 37564690 1496435 SPC POWER 5.2 5.24 5.24 5.24 5.2 5.2 71100 370601 VIVANT 16.08 16.98 17 17 17 17 200 3400 -3400 AGRINURTURE 17.64 17.7 17.1 17.7 17.1 17.7 1595800 27776586 729488 BOGO MEDELLIN 92.2 99.9 92 99.9 92 99.9 2070 190861 CNTRL AZUCARERA 15.82 17.88 15.7 15.7 15.7 15.7 1300 20410 CENTURY FOOD 15.1 15.4 15.5 15.56 15.02 15.1 452700 6804790 1554 DNL INDUS 10.4 10.44 10.4 10.44 10.3 10.44 610700 6307240 100622 EMPERADOR 7.1 7.12 7.13 7.2 7.1 7.11 7938800 56536332 -15596680 SMC FOODANDBEV 79.95 80 82 82 79.85 80 1062970 85281568 -8706948 ALLIANCE SELECT 1.02 1.03 1.05 1.05 1.02 1.03 2988000 3074130 -81780 GINEBRA 25 25.1 25 25.9 24.4 25 110900 2750560 1520000 JOLLIBEE 300.8 301.2 301 303 298.6 301.2 1014270 305474328 37695044 MACAY HLDG 8.48 9.89 8.48 8.48 8.48 8.48 200 1696 MAXS GROUP 10.26 10.28 10.3 10.34 10.22 10.26 86000 883814 -169430 MG HLDG 0.17 0.174 0.176 0.176 0.164 0.17 770000 129230 41600 PEPSI COLA 1.33 1.34 1.4 1.4 1.31 1.34 1676000 2249340 -702910 SHAKEYS PIZZA 10.98 11 10.8 11 10.8 11 1247000 13593032 -0 ROXAS AND CO 2 2.06 2.03 2.07 1.93 2 2137000 4289330 RFM CORP 4.65 4.75 4.75 4.75 4.7 4.75 51000 241250 -38000 UNIV ROBINA 128.2 128.5 128.5 128.5 127 128.2 536490 68717515 -27986801 VITARICH 1.83 1.84 1.83 1.84 1.79 1.84 6131000 11147920 7140 VICTORIAS 2.32 2.45 2.35 2.35 2.32 2.32 121000 281160 CONCRETE A 60.7 63.85 60.7 60.7 60.7 60.7 3300 200310 CEMEX HLDG 1.72 1.73 1.79 1.81 1.68 1.72 14631000 25160980 -5440580 DAVINCI CAPITAL 7.05 7.1 6.81 7.28 6.68 7.1 361600 2539927 1053604 EAGLE CEMENT 15.04 15.2 14.8 15.2 14.68 15.2 350700 5270238 -2102738 EEI CORP 8.05 8.09 8.2 8.2 8.1 8.1 51600 420647 -264186.9997 HOLCIM 5.8 5.95 6 6.01 5.8 5.8 823800 4786438 -1729238 MEGAWIDE 18.22 18.28 18.52 18.52 18.22 18.28 115400 2116544 886560 PHINMA 8.1 8.74 8.28 8.28 8.1 8.28 21500 177750 TKC METALS 0.86 0.91 0.9 0.91 0.86 0.86 116000 103350 VULCAN INDL 1.66 1.67 1.69 1.73 1.65 1.66 4695000 7905140 -139460 CROWN ASIA 1.67 1.75 1.75 1.76 1.75 1.75 166000 292000 272750 LMG CHEMICALS 4.3 4.35 4.3 4.3 4.3 4.3 34000 146200 CONCEPCION 37.25 37.5 37 37.5 37 37.5 600 22425 3700 GREENERGY 2.07 2.08 2.07 2.07 1.98 2.07 7273000 14801890 86000.0001 INTEGRATED MICR 9.9 9.94 9.53 9.9 9.4 9.9 2623300 25337763 8089597 IONICS 1.81 1.82 1.79 1.84 1.7 1.81 951000 1677580 -50680 PANASONIC 5.86 5.95 5.9 5.9 5.88 5.88 56700 333854 SFA SEMICON 1.36 1.45 1.43 1.45 1.36 1.45 79000 109260 CIRTEK HLDG 30.8 32 30.8 32 30.8 32 117100 3680555 HOLDING & FRIMS ABACORE CAPITAL 0.6 0.61 0.59 0.61 0.59 0.61 4056000 2410970 80150 ASIABEST GROUP 27.25 27.3 27 27.9 26.1 27.3 179100 4870990 32450 AYALA CORP 916 918.5 920 925 916 918.5 257640 236719795 -75827480 ABOITIZ EQUITY 51.65 52.75 54.5 54.8 51.65 51.65 1081480 56441256.5 -36914503.5 ALLIANCE GLOBAL 12.2 12.26 12.38 12.4 12.16 12.26 6348100 77993172 2948160 ATN HLDG A 1.34 1.36 1.39 1.39 1.33 1.34 5711000 7669650 ATN HLDG B 1.36 1.39 1.34 1.39 1.33 1.36 265000 356080 10720 COSCO CAPITAL 6.99 7 7.1 7.1 6.96 6.99 1749800 12328542 -1257867 DMCI HLDG 12.08 12.16 12.08 12.18 11.98 12.08 2028600 24452834 7590784 FILINVEST DEV 11.58 11.6 10.06 11.94 10 11.6 6073200 65379084 12942248 FORUM PACIFIC 0.206 0.235 0.24 0.24 0.206 0.206 500000 118980 GT CAPITAL 935 943 910 943 910 943 36780 34243630 7811670 HOUSE OF INV 5.92 6.17 5.91 5.95 5.91 5.95 1800 10698 JG SUMMIT 51 51.2 53.1 53.1 50.55 51 1531260 78319181 -12121581.5 JOLLIVILLE HLDG 5.67 5.95 5.75 6.3 5.56 5.95 117700 687784 LODESTAR 0.55 0.57 0.59 0.59 0.57 0.57 192000 109460 LOPEZ HLDG 4.01 4.03 4.14 4.14 4.01 4.03 556000 2235620 -1209450 LT GROUP 16.7 16.72 16.76 16.8 16.68 16.72 9311400 155632290 89887616 MABUHAY HLDG 0.61 0.62 0.62 0.64 0.61 0.62 428000 265960 MJC INVESTMENTS 2.56 3.47 2.75 2.75 2.56 2.56 8000 21810 -21810 METRO PAC INV 4.56 4.59 4.7 4.74 4.52 4.56 22620000 103941610 -10993330 PACIFICA 0.036 0.037 0.036 0.038 0.036 0.037 500000 18500 -3599.9999 PRIME ORION 2.35 2.36 2.33 2.35 2.33 2.35 192000 448920 PRIME MEDIA 1.22 1.25 1.25 1.26 1.21 1.25 102000 126960 REPUBLIC GLASS 2.5 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.45 2.45 384000 969710 SOLID GROUP 1.3 1.31 1.32 1.32 1.3 1.31 11000 14380 SYNERGY GRID 460 505 460 460 460 460 10 4600 SM INVESTMENTS 915 920 933 933 910.5 920 279950 257229370 -144174760 SAN MIGUEL CORP 149 150.1 151.2 153 147.1 150.1 998700 149750196 -42690614 TOP FRONTIER 262 276 270.2 278.2 262 262 203060 54810828 -61026 WELLEX INDUS 0.248 0.255 0.25 0.255 0.247 0.248 910000 226520 ZEUS HLDG 0.203 0.219 0.2 0.22 0.2 0.22 1510000 305580 PROPERTY ARTHALAND CORP 0.77 0.78 0.8 0.81 0.72 0.78 8051000 6168740 -108760 ANCHOR LAND 11.12 11.9 12 12 11 11.12 22500 253986 AYALA LAND 42.45 42.5 41.9 42.5 41.55 42.5 4487500 189332595 20553695 ARANETA PROP 1.69 1.74 1.75 1.79 1.67 1.74 402000 680900 BELLE CORP 2.26 2.27 2.33 2.33 2.26 2.26 1925000 4371320 -3146210 A BROWN 0.8 0.81 0.82 0.82 0.79 0.8 1446000 1157680 5670 CITYLAND DEVT 0.86 0.87 0.88 0.88 0.86 0.86 31000 26920 CROWN EQUITIES 0.248 0.25 0.247 0.255 0.247 0.25 10050000 2501920 2091600 CEB LANDMASTERS 3.92 3.99 3.96 4.01 3.89 3.99 416000 1648080 -967330 CENTURY PROP 0.415 0.42 0.42 0.425 0.41 0.415 2970000 1239750 291600 CYBER BAY 0.385 0.41 0.385 0.41 0.385 0.41 1060000 414600 DOUBLEDRAGON 18.1 18.16 18.6 18.6 18.02 18.1 272700 4966770 -544018 DM WENCESLAO 7.85 7.9 7.99 7.99 7.82 7.83 120200 949151 EMPIRE EAST 0.47 0.485 0.495 0.495 0.475 0.475 670000 320400 4750 FILINVEST LAND 1.42 1.43 1.44 1.44 1.41 1.42 20649000 29560220 -11069830 GLOBAL ESTATE 1.04 1.05 1.05 1.06 1.04 1.04 919000 964460 2100 8990 HLDG 7.73 7.74 7.73 7.75 7.73 7.74 166500 1288132 -0 PHIL INFRADEV 2.27 2.29 2.35 2.36 2.25 2.29 4808000 10968660 742170 CITY AND LAND 0.86 0.87 0.86 0.87 0.86 0.87 9000 7780 MEGAWORLD 4.8 4.82 4.83 4.83 4.7 4.8 19479000 93469300 -52690360 MRC ALLIED 0.41 0.415 0.42 0.425 0.41 0.41 24200000 10009100 -65000 PHIL ESTATES 0.455 0.48 0.46 0.46 0.455 0.455 350000 160750 PRIMEX CORP 3.51 3.57 3.59 3.59 3.51 3.57 979000 3455810 -227200 ROBINSONS LAND 20.8 20.85 20.65 20.9 20.55 20.85 703000 14563165 -3215835 PHIL REALTY 0.405 0.42 0.415 0.42 0.4 0.42 870000 363500 ROCKWELL 1.98 2 1.98 2 1.98 1.98 228000 451580 SHANG PROP 3.04 3.1 3.08 3.1 3.05 3.1 550000 1679630 STA LUCIA LAND 1.22 1.24 1.26 1.26 1.24 1.24 114000 142050 SM PRIME HLDG 34.9 34.95 34.75 34.95 34.4 34.9 21691600 749821840 199690610 STARMALLS 5.86 5.98 5.8 6.2 5.78 5.98 2345700 14092670 18263 PTFC REDEV CORP 35.35 41 41 41 41 41 200 8200 VISTA LAND 5.16 5.2 5.2 5.2 5.16 5.2 2216700 11509920 -7085479 SERVICES ABS CBN 19.82 19.9 20 20 19.82 19.9 21200 423282 GMA NETWORK 5.35 5.36 5.38 5.38 5.35 5.35 182600 979058 MLA BRDCASTING 16.22 17.02 18.48 19 18.48 18.5 1000 18546 GLOBE TELECOM 1970 1988 1998 2020 1970 1970 60510 120280155 29621500 PLDT 1129 1133 1154 1155 1129 1129 133675 152058100 -43037670 APOLLO GLOBAL 0.039 0.04 0.039 0.04 0.039 0.039 4000000 156100 DFNN INC 7.41 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 18000 135000 15000 IMPERIAL 1.87 1.99 1.88 1.99 1.88 1.99 15000 29300 ISLAND INFO 0.124 0.125 0.133 0.137 0.124 0.124 41870000 5363510 -137820 ISM COMM 5.63 5.64 5.72 5.74 5.55 5.63 4940100 27787482 -4158501 NOW CORP 3.26 3.28 3.24 3.37 3.24 3.26 1131000 3710010 -138040 TRANSPACIFIC BR 0.415 0.42 0.425 0.43 0.41 0.42 12940000 5416250 400100 PHILWEB 3.05 3.09 3.13 3.15 3.04 3.05 686000 2111420 -514600 2GO GROUP 14.92 15.04 14.6 16.04 14.52 14.92 1395300 21429172 -199470 ASIAN TERMINALS 13.5 13.88 13.5 13.5 13.5 13.5 31900 430650 422550 CEBU AIR 72.8 73 73 73.4 72.75 73 111910 8159610.5 -3898255 CHELSEA 6.37 6.38 6.5 6.59 6.37 6.37 1142500 7329650 -266684 INTL CONTAINER 99.5 99.9 98 100.4 98 99.5 3678230 365678644.5 -193365829.5 LBC EXPRESS 14.1 14.36 14.5 14.5 14.3 14.3 600 8610 5720 LORENZO SHIPPNG 0.78 0.79 0.8 0.81 0.76 0.78 521000 403640 MACROASIA 15 15.04 14.6 15.06 14.52 15 1054900 15733986 3647494 METROALLIANCE A 2.01 2.06 2.1 2.1 2.02 2.06 198000 408510 PAL HLDG 7.81 8.47 8.49 8.5 7.81 7.81 10500 83026 HARBOR STAR 3.07 3.1 3.05 3.1 3 3.07 758000 2303110 -99500 ACESITE HOTEL 1.45 1.47 1.48 1.57 1.43 1.45 189000 276210 49180 GRAND PLAZA 10.08 12.84 10.04 10.04 10.04 10.04 300 3012 WATERFRONT 0.68 0.7 0.73 0.73 0.67 0.68 2002000 1382480 -547299.9998 CENTRO ESCOLAR 7.61 7.9 7.9 7.9 7.9 7.9 100 790 IPEOPLE 10.9 11.78 10.8 11 10.8 10.9 3800 41680 STI HLDG 0.71 0.73 0.73 0.73 0.7 0.73 6513000 4619240 1297790 BERJAYA 3.74 3.75 3.71 4.06 3.61 3.75 17401000 66209590 243900 BLOOMBERRY 9.6 9.62 9.59 9.64 9.5 9.6 13299800 127524908 26579160 PACIFIC ONLINE 9.89 10.28 10.02 10.02 10.02 10.02 20900 209418 LEISURE AND RES 3.42 3.46 3.4 3.46 3.4 3.46 288000 985810 17000 MANILA JOCKEY 5.19 5.45 5.2 5.45 5.19 5.45 101700 529407 PREMIUM LEISURE 0.84 0.85 0.87 0.87 0.82 0.84 7454000 6262700 675880 PHIL RACING 5.01 8.79 7.8 7.8 7.8 7.8 1000 7800 TRAVELLERS 5.27 5.28 5.25 5.27 5.25 5.27 130600 687748 -138125 METRO RETAIL 2.4 2.42 2.42 2.49 2.38 2.42 734000 1773470 228260 PUREGOLD 42.4 42.45 42.5 42.55 42.35 42.45 3525400 149582715 -56089840 ROBINSONS RTL 79 79.5 79 79.65 78 79.5 1110220 88090256.5 2966607 PHIL SEVEN CORP 110 113.5 113.6 113.6 112 113.5 53650 6089137 19192 SSI GROUP 2.32 2.33 2.33 2.34 2.3 2.33 940000 2176040 863040 WILCON DEPOT 12 12.1 11.9 12.1 11.9 12 877800 10520810 403722 APC GROUP 0.415 0.42 0.42 0.42 0.42 0.42 170000 71400 EASYCALL 16.32 16.4 17.78 17.78 16 16.32 158000 2621014 9102 GOLDEN BRIA 318 325 315.4 325 315.4 325 1400 451240 PRMIERE HORIZON 0.33 0.34 0.35 0.35 0.34 0.34 130000 45250 SBS PHIL CORP 7.26 7.6 7.26 7.65 7.26 7.6 14200 107820 MINING & OIL ATOK 14.44 15.6 15.96 15.96 15.7 15.7 200 3166 APEX MINING 1.59 1.6 1.57 1.59 1.57 1.59 624000 988440 1580 ABRA MINING 0.0019 0.002 0.0019 0.002 0.0019 0.002 2630000000 5119800 38000 ATLAS MINING 2.51 2.55 2.55 2.56 2.51 2.51 1613000 4054940 -2530 BENGUET A 1.3 1.42 1.43 1.43 1.3 1.3 3000 4030 COAL ASIA HLDG 0.3 0.305 0.305 0.305 0.3 0.3 120000 36150 CENTURY PEAK 1.98 1.99 2 2.01 1.99 1.99 618000 1234770 DIZON MINES 7.07 7.36 7.13 7.47 7.06 7.36 8400 59983 FERRONICKEL 1.69 1.7 1.68 1.7 1.66 1.7 887000 1496570 -226990 LEPANTO A 0.099 0.1 0.097 0.1 0.097 0.1 720000 70530 LEPANTO B 0.102 0.11 0.103 0.11 0.103 0.11 20000 2130 MANILA MINING A 0.0064 0.0066 0.0065 0.0065 0.0065 0.0065 5000000 32500 MANILA MINING B 0.0065 0.0069 0.0065 0.0065 0.0065 0.0065 3000000 19500 MARCVENTURES 1.19 1.2 1.25 1.25 1.2 1.2 61000 75150 NIHAO 1.02 1.08 1.04 1.08 1.04 1.08 101000 105080 NICKEL ASIA 2.09 2.1 2.09 2.14 2.06 2.09 5283000 10970470 -5075430 ORNTL PENINSULA 0.95 0.96 0.95 0.98 0.95 0.95 260000 247330 PX MINING 2.59 2.72 2.77 2.77 2.59 2.59 1891000 4957260 124790 SEMIRARA MINING 23.35 23.4 23.3 23.55 23.3 23.4 702000 16438010 -2144485 UNITED PARAGON 0.0057 0.0063 0.0061 0.0061 0.0058 0.0058 5000000 29300 ORNTL PETROL A 0.012 0.013 0.013 0.014 0.012 0.013 608200000 7905200 ORNTL PETROL B 0.012 0.013 0.013 0.013 0.013 0.013 23000000 299000 -234000 PHILODRILL 0.013 0.014 0.012 0.013 0.012 0.013 917500000 11820600 261300 PHINMA PETRO 3.1 3.28 3.33 3.33 3.1 3.1 24000 75390 PXP ENERGY 14.8 14.82 14.9 14.92 14.74 14.8 1084000 16046766 -1832100

PREFFERED HOUSE PREF A AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2 DD PREF FGEN PREF G GLO PREF P GTCAP PREF B LR PREF PNX PREF 3A PCOR PREF 2A SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

95.05 451.2 490 95.5 101.5 475 920 1.01 99 985 71.55 70.7 72.5 70.35

PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS ABS HLDG PDR GMA HLDG PDR

18.8 5.14

97 463.8 492 98.9 102 480 938.5 1.04 101 995 73 73 73 73.1

96.9 451.2 492 98 102 480 935 1.02 99.05 980 73 71.55 72.5 71.5

96.9 451.2 492 98 102 480 935 1.04 99.05 980 73 73 73 73.2

96.9 451 490 95.4 102 475 920 1.02 99 980 73 70.3 72.5 70.05

96.9 451 490 95.4 102 475 935 1.04 99 980 73 73 73 73.1

400 610 2890 21000 25400 1020 3430 75000 500 200 100 1300 600 5120

38760 275114 1419880 2018264 2590800 484600 3200600 76590 49505 196000 7300 92055 43550 364031

-

19.4 5.24

19.2 5.12

19.5 5.25

18.7 5.12

18.7 5.24

1900 73400

36670 383079

-9400 65446

WARRANTS LR WARRANT

1.93

SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES ITALPINAS 4.3 XURPAS 1.49

1.96

1.95

1.95

1.92

1.93

54000

104700

-

4.38 1.5

4.3 1.34

4.44 1.49

4.3 1.29

4.3 1.49

164000 14453000

714070 20492750

12900 -2972500

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS FIRST METRO ETF

110.9

111

112

112

110.2

110.9

5470

605527

8872

Editor: Efleda P. Campos

DOJ indicts Okada for estafa

T

By Joel R. San Juan

@jrsanjuan1573

HE Department of Justice (DOJ) has given the go-ahead to prosecute Japanese gaming mogul Kazuo Okada for allegedly embezzling more than $3 million in funds of the posh Okada Manila. In a resolution issued on December 7, Assistant State Prosecutor Alejandro Daguiso reversed an earlier resolution issued by the Parañaque Prosecutor’s Office that dismissed the estafa complaint on the ground it constituted intracorporate dispute. The justice department found probable cause to indict Okada for three counts of estafa under article 315 of the Revised Penal Code. His corespondent Takahiro Usui, former Tiger Resort Leisure and Entertainment Inc. (TRLEI) president and COO, was also indicted for conspiracy in relation to the three counts of estafa. The DOJ earlier took over the case after TRLEI, owner and opera-

tor of Okada Manila, sought the reinvestigation of the reversal of the city prosecutor’s ruling on the two estafa cases filed against Okada’s camp. The cases were both dismissed by the Parañaque City Prosecutor’s Office on May 11, 2018, but the TRLEI filed a complaint before the DOJ alleging leakage of the resolution to Okada’s camp before they were officially released. TRLEI claimed the pertinent portions of the resolutions issued by Parañaque City Prosecutor Amerhassan C. Paudac had been leaked and found their way to the socialmedia accounts of Okada’s Korean girlfriend, Chloe Kim, on May 18. TRLEI said it was only on May

US equity futures steady as Europe, Asia retreat

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S equity futures showed signs of stabilizing on Tuesday, but it wasn’t enough to prevent declines across Europe and Asia as the rest of the world played catch-up to the rout in American stocks a day earlier. Treasuries, gold and the Japanese yen advanced amid the risk-off mood. To the disappointment of many investors, Chinese President Xi Jinping offered no fresh commitments to open or stimulate the world’s second-biggest economy in a keynote speech. That compounded the gloom surrounding riskier assets, and the MSCI Asia Pacific Index, the Stoxx Europe 600 Index and the MSCI Emerging Market Index all retreated. Futures for the S&P 500 Index showed a small rebound after the underlying gauge plunged to the lowest in 14 months on Monday. Oil extended recent declines and WTI briefly fell below $48 a barrel, heaping pressure on energy stocks. On a weak-dollar day the euro stayed higher, even as German business sentiment dete-

riorated to its lowest level in more than two years. There seems to be little that can halt the sell-off in equities just now, so investors are increasingly pinning their hopes on the US Federal Reserve taking a dovish turn this week. While a rate hike is widely expected, historically the central bank has rarely raised borrowing costs during such market turmoil. President Donald J. Trump has ramped up his criticism of policy-makers, tweeting that “it is incredible” the Fed was even considering another rate rise. And beyond the Fed looms more trouble for markets: on Friday night spending authority expires for a swathe of the US government unless Trump and Congress reach a deal. “Any news is being taken as bad,” regardless of the context, said Evan Lucas, chief market strategist at Investsmart Group, on Bloomberg Television. “We are trading like we’re in a bear market,” with little likelihood of relief in volumethinned markets in the holiday period ahead, he said. Bloomberg News

Payoneer empowers digital entrepreneurs, freelancers at Manila chapter of global biz event

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LOBAL fintech company Payoneer successfully staged their flagship event “The Payoneer Forum: Go Beyond and Expand Globally” recently held at the SM Aura SMX Convention Center in Taguig City. In addition to attracting Manilabased freelancers, business owners and online entrepreneurs to the forum, Payoneer also flew in several delegates from the provinces for free in order to include enterprising Pinoys from the rural areas. The forum provided information and ideas for the growing community of Filipino digital entrepreneurs, start-up BPOs and freelancers, equipping them with knowledge about industry trends and expanding a business globally. Miguel Warren, Payoneer Philippines country manager and regional head, led the event outlining the company’s mission to empower Filipino digital entrepreneurs, all over the country, to go global.

“We’ve been to more than 30 cities all over the Philippines, spoken to thousands of freelance professionals, online agencies and SME BPOs [small medium enterprise business process outsourcing] and enabled hundreds of millions of dollars to flow between businesses in different countries. The goal of events like this is to get closer to our customers, better understand their needs, and provide a proper context within which to deliver our solutions and add value,” Warren stated. In his speech, Warren shared insights revealed by Payoneer customers. “One of the key things that keeps coming back whenever we are talking to an agency in Iligan or a small IT firm in Baguio is that desire for global growth. ‘How do I get more business? How will I expand to other countries? How do I work with more clients?’ Today, that’s what we hope to bring you with our amazing list of speakers,” he said.

30 or almost two weeks after Kim had posted the dispositive portions of the resolutions on social media that it received copies of the resolutions signed by Paudac. In the first estafa case, TRLEI accused Okada of illegal disbursement of company funds amounting to $3.1 million supposedly for his consultancy fees and salaries during his one-month tenure as CEO. The TRLEI said the disbursement was not authorized by the TRLEI board. Also named as respondent in the said case was TTRLEI former President and COO Takahiro Usui. The second estafa case involves the supply of light emitting diode (LED) fixtures to Okada Manila by Okada’s personal company, Aruze Philippines Manufacturing Inc. (APMI). TRLEI alleged the $7-million supply contract was given to APMI upon the behest of Okada, in conspiracy with his close associate, Kengo Takeda, who was the former chief technology officer of TRLEI. In the two motions, TRLEI insisted the dismissal of the complaints and the leakage of the resolutions to Okada’s camp violates its consti-

MUTUAL FUNDS

tutional right to due process. In his resolution, Daguiso found Okada’s arguments unconvincing and that his “defenses are now appropriately matters of evidence to be proven in a full-blown trial.” In his counteraffidavit, Okada denied the amounts were misappropriated nor converted, but were in fact payments due him, and upon his receipt, they became subject to his ownership. Aside from echoing Okada’s arguments, Usui countered that their alleged conspiracy was not proven due to the failure of the complaint to produce documents showing he allowed the release of the amounts to Okada. But the DOJ held that “The fact that respondent Okada’s compensation under both agreements was determined in violation of complainant’s bylaws is enough reason for us to believe that the amounts were not released properly.” “Such actions on the part of both respondents, in violation of complainant’s bylaws, is enough probable cause to conclude that the release of the amounts were irregular and done to the prejudice of the complainant,” it added.

December 18, 2018

NAV ONE YEAR THREE YEAR FIVE YEAR Y-T-D PER SHARE RETURN* RETURN STOCK FUNDS ALFM GROWTH FUND, INC * 253.6 -11.48% 1.08% 2.9% -13.51% ATRAM ALPHA OPPORTUNITY FUND, INC.* 1.4159 -11.54% 6.55% 3.02% -11.33% ATRAM PHILIPPINE EQUITY OPPORTUNITY FUND, INC.* 3.9307 -12.34% 2.61% 1.28% -14.41% CLIMBS SHARE CAPITAL EQUITY INVESTMENT FUND CORP.* 0.8961 -11.42% N.A. N.A. -11.89% FIRST METRO CONSUMER FUND ON MSCI PHILS. IMI, INC. * ********* 0.829 N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN EQUITY FUND,INC.* 5.2731 -10.41% -0.03% 2.08% -12.31% MBG EQUITY INVESTMENT FUND, INC. * ****** 115.08 N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. ONE WEALTHY NATION FUND, INC.* 0.8385 -14.23% N.A. N.A. -15.53% PAMI EQUITY INDEX FUND, INC.* 49.5899 -9.98% 2.2% N.A. -12.06% PHILAM STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND, INC.* 517.69 -10.04% 0.94% 2.32% -12.03% PHILEQUITY DIVIDEND YIELD FUND, INC.* 1.2643 -8% 2.58% N.A. -9.97% PHILEQUITY FUND, INC.* 36.8977 -8.27% 3.09% 4.91% -10.21% PHILEQUITY PSE INDEX FUND INC.* 4.9969 -9.6% 2.93% 4.71% -11.93% PHILIPPINE STOCK INDEX FUND CORP.* 834.64 -9.42% 2.72% 4.82% -11.75% SOLDIVO STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND, INC. * 0.8656 -8.67% 0.51% N.A. -10.5% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY PHILIPPINE EQUITY FUND, INC.* 4.099 -8.24% 2.46% 3.17% -10.51% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY PHILIPPINE STOCK INDEX FUND, INC.* 0.9614 -9.78% 2.72% N.A. -12.06% UNITED FUND, INC.* 3.5269 -6.72% 3.9% 3.93% -9.43% EXCHANGE TRADED FUND FIRST METRO PHIL. EQUITY EXCHANGE TRADED FUND, INC.* *** 111.5473 -9.1% 3.87% 3.31% -11.44% ATRAM ASIAPLUS EQUITY FUND, INC.** $0.9377 -13.95% 2.21% -0.31% -15.39% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY WORLD VOYAGER FUND, INC.* $1.1613 -7.16% N.A. N.A. -8.21% BALANCED FUNDS PRIMARILY INVESTED IN PESO SECURITIES ATRAM DYNAMIC ALLOCATION FUND, INC.* 1.6585 -9.45% -1.43% -0.98% -11% ATRAM PHILIPPINE BALANCED FUND, INC.* 2.2118 -8.69% 1.26% 1.02% -9.98% FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN BALANCED FUND INC.* 2.5406 -7% -1.77% -1.07% -8.28% GREPALIFE BALANCED FUND CORPORATION* **** 1.3097 -8.74% N.A. N.A. -9.98% NCM MUTUAL FUND OF THE PHILS., INC* 1.8468 -5.59% 1.12% 2.35% -7.31% PAMI HORIZON FUND, INC.* 3.543 -8.03% -0.07% 1.61% -9.57% PHILAM FUND, INC.* 15.9524 -7.68% 0.04% 1.43% -9.14% SOLIDARITAS FUND, INC.* ******** 2.0764 -6.3% 1.32% 2.84% -7.39% SUN LIFE OF CANADA PROSPERITY BALANCED FUND, INC.* 3.674 -6.52% 0.84% 1.59% -8.06% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY DYNAMIC FUND, INC.* 0.9282 -7.19% 0.12% N.A. -9.03% PRIMARILY INVESTED IN FOREIGN CURRENCY SECURITIES COCOLIFE DOLLAR FUND BUILDER, INC.* $0.03511 -2.82% -0.26% 1.54% -2.74% PAMI ASIA BALANCED FUND, INC.* $0.9366 -10.21% 2.26% -1.14% -10.54% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY DOLLAR ADVANTAGE FUND, INC.* $3.4228 -5.57% 3.25% 1.66% -6.29% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY DOLLAR WELLSPRING FUND, INC.* $1.0265 -7.32% N.A. N.A. -7.71% BOND FUNDS PRIMARILY INVESTED IN PESO SECURITIES ALFM PESO BOND FUND, INC.* 343.07 1.86% 2.03% 1.85% 1.77% ATRAM CORPORATE BOND FUND, INC.* ******* 1.8578 -1.74% -0.7% -0.47% -1.82% COCOLIFE FIXED INCOME FUND, INC.* 2.9655 5.42% 5.32% 5.26% 5.09% EKKLESIA MUTUAL FUND INC.* 2.1296 1.15% 1.47% 1.38% 1.3% FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN FIXED INCOME FUND,INC.* 2.2076 -0.31% 0.03% 0.2% -0.39% GREPALIFE FIXED INCOME FUND CORP.* P 1.5631 -3.05% -0.59% -0.92% -2.88% PHILAM BOND FUND, INC.* 3.9158 -3.16% -0.55% -0.22% -3.31% PHILEQUITY PESO BOND FUND, INC.* 3.4926 0.1% 0.24% 0.28% -0.35% SOLDIVO BOND FUND, INC. * 0.8916 -3.15% -0.97% N.A. -3.42% SUN LIFE OF CANADA PROSPERITY BOND FUND, INC.* 2.7632 -0.64% 0.79% 0.61% -0.5% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY GS FUND, INC.* 1.5381 -0.87% 0.34% 0.11% -0.75% PRIMARILY INVESTED IN FOREIGN CURRENCY SECURITIES ALFM DOLLAR BOND FUND, INC. * $447.87 0.49% 2.35% 3.06% 0.43% ALFM EURO BOND FUND, INC. * Є212.58 -0.73% 1.03% 1.59% -0.53% ATRAM TOTAL RETURN DOLLAR BOND FUND, INC.** $1.1244 -0.86% 0.95% 1.88% -0.86% FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN DOLLAR BOND FUND, INC.* $0.0249 -0.4% 0.82% N.A. -0.4% GREPALIFE DOLLAR BOND FUND CORP.* $1.6891 -4.75% -0.4% 1.12% -4.65% MAA PRIVILEGE DOLLAR FIXED INCOME FUND, INC. N.S. N.S. N.S. N.S. N.S. MAA PRIVILEGE EURO FIXED INCOME FUND, INC. ЄN.S. N.S. N.S. N.S. N.S. PAMI GLOBAL BOND FUND, INC* $1.0303 -4.41% -0.64% -2.53% -4.02% PHILAM DOLLAR BOND FUND, INC.* $2.1638 -3.8% 0.86% 2.64% -3.87% PHILEQUITY DOLLAR INCOME FUND INC.* $0.0569774 -0.74% 0.92% 1.88% -0.39% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY DOLLAR ABUNDANCE FUND, INC.* $2.8702 -4.78% 0.43% 1.66% -4.73% MONEY MARKET FUNDS PRIMARILY INVESTED IN PESO SECURITIES ALFM MONEY MARKET FUND, INC.* 120.69 2.69% 1.84% 1.55% 2.62% PHILAM MANAGED INCOME FUND, INC.* 1.1802 1.98% 0.61% 0.48% 1.97% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY MONEY MARKET FUND, INC.* 1.2173 2.63% 2.24% 1.55% 2.68% PRIMARILY INVESTED IN FOREIGN CURRENCY SECURITIES SUN LIFE PROSPERITY DOLLAR STARTER FUND, INC.* ***** $1.0153 1.64% N.A. N.A. 1.66% * - NAVPS AS OF THE PREVIOUS BANKING DAY ** - NAVPS AS OF TWO BANKING DAYS AGO *** - LISTED IN THE PSE. **** - RE-CLASSIFIED INTO A BALANCED FUND STARTING JANUARY 1, 2017 (FORMERLY GREPALIFE BOND FUND CORP.). ***** - LAUNCH DATE IS NOVEMBER 6, 2017 ****** - LAUNCH DATE IS JANUARY 08, 2018 ******** - RENAMING OF THE FUND WAS APPROVED BY THE SEC LAST APRIL 13, 2018. ********* - BECAME A MEMBER SINCE APRIL 20, 2018. ******* - ADJUSTED DUE TO CASH DIVIDEND ISSUANCE LAST JANUARY 29, 2018

Banking&Finance BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

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Senate leaves door open to higher tobacco tax

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By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

ENATORS are mulling over an appeal by health advocates for Congress to enact remedial legislation imposing higher tobacco tax rates to “save 1 million Filipinos from [the] dangers of smoking.” Sen. Juan Edgardo M. Angara, who chairs the Senate panel tasked to review and endorse tax impositions, on Tuesday left the door open for the senators’ consideration of the health advo-

cates’ proposal calling for upward tobacco tax adjustment by law. In an interview, the chairman of the Senate’s Ways and Means Committee signaled the panel’s possible endorsement of t he

Merry Christmas?

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HRISTMAS time is indeed a joyous season, but is it really true for everyone? Most people will agree that payday is a good day, and it is actually so great that we dread the traffic of payday Fridays. On the other hand, I know some struggling entrepreneurs that dread every payday. What are the reasons Christmas may not be so merry for other people? Perhaps this would be the case when someone is suffering from a case of terminal illness, losing a loved one, being a victim of a crime or injustice, facing bankruptcy or losing a job, and so many other situations that make us depressed or sad. I have personally gone through many of these unfortunate situations during Christmas time and could have easily spiraled down into the abyss. However, I chose not to give up, and I tried to find ways to overcome my difficult moments. First and foremost is to realize that as long as you are still breathing and alive, all is not lost! Just being able to read this column is already good news! It means you are still alive, you can see and you can read! Waking up every day is a blessing in itself, more so if you can get up on your own. Christmas time tends to be the darkest moment for those in pain, trouble or need because of the stark contrast they see with the general population in their cheerful holiday spirit. Your objective is to make the best of every situation, even the most dire ones. Explore all your alternatives. Perhaps even consulting or asking help from your friends and relatives could lead to solutions that you would never have found on your own. Keeping an open mind and a positive attitude is a fertile ground for resolving conflicts and problems. This

FINEX FREE ENTERPRISE George S. Chua also reminds me of the saying, “you reap what you sow.” Think of all the good things you have done in this world and the people you have helped. You need to do this not because you want to cash in on all your good deeds but to make you feel good about yourself and realize that you are worth something, and draw from that. Be thankful for the many things we take for granted. Instead of thinking of what you don’t have, think of what you have. Instead of thinking of the many problems you have, think of the many problems you don’t have. When you are down, think of this as a golden opportunity to identify your true friends, people who you can count on when the chips are down. This is also an opportunity to determine your resilience, strengths and weaknesses. It may be difficult to comprehend this at a time when you are in the middle of a crisis, but this will pass and learn from this experience so that next time something bad happens, you will be better prepared. Christmas is indeed a time to rejoice and be thankful for all the good things in our lives. However, this is also a time to reflect on the negative things that have happened to us and learn how we could avoid these in the future. So is it a Merry Christmas for everyone? I certainly hope so! Merry Christmas! Comments may be sent to georgechuaph@yahoo.com.

Crypto bounce heartens true believers waiting for market bottom

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FTER one of the worst stretches of losses for cryptocurrencies on record, enthusiasts are taking comfort in a recovery in prices of digital assets including Bitcoin, Ether, EOS and Litecoin. “It seems as though there’s a broad crypto bounce with all main coins up,” David Thomas, director and cofounder at GlobalBlock, said in an email. “It will take a concerted move higher in cryptocurrencies in order to signal an end to the crypto crash. After such a big move lower this year, there comes a point when investors see value in getting back into the market, and that seems to be the case today.” For Ether, a technical gauge suggests the bounce could be just the

beginning. The GTI VERA Convergence Divergence Technical Gauge, which investors use to detect trend reversals, showed a positive signal on Monday for the first time since late September. The trend may indicate more gains to come and a potential year-end rally. The last time the technical gauge pointed to potential buy signals, the token rose for about a month. Ether rose as much as 18 percent to $96.73 in New York Monday, its first gain in three days. But the third-largest cryptocurrency has been stuck in a prolonged downward slump recently and has lost nearly 90 percent of its value since February. Bitcoin rallied 12 percent, EOS surged 36 percent and Litecoin jumped 31 percent. Bloomberg News

advocates’ plea for plenary deliberation when Congress, which adjourned on December 13, reconvenes next month. “We have had one hearing a few weeks ago and can hold another one if necessary once Congress resumes in January 2019,” Angara told the BusinessMirror. Angara admitted, however, that the committee has yet to firm up a consensus on the tobacco tax rate adjustments. Asked if the Senate panel has a ballpark figure on higher tobacco tax rates being considered for inclusion in the bill, the senator indicated the Committee is still working on it. “None yet,” Angara said, explaining that “there has only been one hearing so far.”

Last month, the lobby group Action for Economic Reforms (AER) criticized some members of the House of Representatives and the Senate for using delaying tactics as a way of obstructing passage of the bills raising the tobacco tax. The group said these legislators are aware of a few session days remaining before the adjournment of Congress. Their statement was issued as the House of Representatives and the Senate Ways and Means committees continued to hold separate hearings on the tobacco tax bills. “It is disheartening to note that even after several decades, the legislators allied with the tobacco industry still use the age-old but weak arguments of adverse impact on the tobacco industry

and illicit trade resulting from the tax increase. The experience from the tobacco tax reform of 2012, which introduced very steep rates, shows that the tobacco industry is alive and well, and that political will and relentless tax administration effort contained illicit trade.” AER expressed its support for House Bill 6648 authored by Rep. Angelina Tan, which proposes to increase the excise tax on cigarettes to P60 per pack and similarly proposed in Senate Bill 1599 authored by Sen. Manny Pacquiao. Senate Bill 1605 written by Sen. Joseph Victor G. Ejercito proposes to increase the cigarette excise tax to P90 per pack, which the group also supports. AER and the “sin” tax coalition nonetheless said they recognize

how the House leadership and Angara are facilitating the passage of the bills in both chambers. The Department of Health has publicly expressed its support for Ejercito’s proposal. “Whatever issues are raised by the legislators of the House of Representatives about the competence of PhilHealth and the Department of Health to judiciously spend the money coming from the tobacco tax increase should be addressed. However, raising tobacco tax is clearly urgent. Not only will the bill lower smoking prevalence in the country; it will also generate a significant amount of funding for the universal health care bill, which is expected to be signed into law by the end of the year,” explained AER’s Diosana.

BIR files raps vs couple in ₧2.6-billion excise tax charge in fake cigarettes By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinaio

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HE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) filed a criminal complaint against a couple for allegedly manufacturing fake cigarettes in a factory-warehouse in Lubao, Pampanga. In a statement, the BIR said Mark Bryan R. Chan, and his wife, Jeanette A. Chan, were charged with unlawful possession of articles subject to excise tax without payment of the tax. This offense is punishable under Section 263 of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997 a s a mended a nd for possessing false and counterfeit stamps punishable under Section 265 of the Tax Code. “The case stemmed from a phone call received by the BIR from an anonymous person denouncing Mr. Chan for allegedly manufacturing fake cigarettes in a factory-warehouse located at Purok 6, San Isidro, Lubao, Pampanga,” the BIR said. “An ocular inspection of the said cigarette factory-warehouse revealed several cigarette-making machines, tobacco production raw materials, several boxes of BIR stamps and several cigarette packs,” it added. The BIR said the couple evaded the payment of P2.58 billion in excise taxes and other increments for allegedly producing, manufactur-

ing and possessing fake internal revenue stamps and possessing excisable articles with fake internal revenue stamps. The government confiscated a total of 8.08 million fake stamps. In order to validate the authenticity of internal revenue stamps, the inventor y and verification of the authenticity of the cigarette stamps was made with the use of a Taggant reader, a mobile verification device. “APO Production Unit Inc. confirmed that the samples sent by the BIR are fake stamps on the ground that the QR Codes were scanned and the data retrieved were all invalid. For emphasis, the stamps are fake because they do not contain several multi-layered security features of a valid internal revenue stamp,” the BIR said. Ba sed on BIR record s, Mr. Chan, as owner and operator of the cigarette factory at Purok 6, San Isidro, Lubao, Pampanga, has neither registered as an excise taxpayer nor secured any permit to engage in business as a manufacturer of locally produced cigarettes and/or importer of cigarettes of any brand. In 2016, Mr. Chan was granted a Mayor’s Permit by the Municipality of Lubao to operate Titan Feeds Trading. The Application Form filed by Mr. Chan for the said Mayor’s Permit shows that his address is at No. 6, San Isidro, Lubao, Pampanga,

GSIS opens loan condonation program for inactive members

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HE Gover n ment Ser v ice Insurance System (GSIS) on Tuesday (December 18) started accepting applications for its one-time condonation and restructuring program from members who are already out of government service to settle their outstanding loan balances in full or in part. The program is dubbed GSIS Program for Restructuring and Repayment of Debts (GSIS-PRRD). “GSIS wants to give its former members a relief in paying penalties, as well as a chance to restructure their loans and pay the remaining balance through instalment,” GSIS President and General Manager Jesus Clint Aranas said. Under the program, GSIS will condone all unpaid penalties on the member’s outstanding balance, with the remaining balance restructured at an interest rate of 10 percent per annum compounded annually. The service loans covered by the GSIS-PRRD are Salary Loan, Restructured Salary Loan, Enhanced Salary

Loan, Emergency Loan Assistance, Summer One-Month Salary Loan, Member’s Cash Advance/eCard Cash Advance/eCard Plus Cash Advance, Conso -L oan, Emergenc y L oan, Home Emergency Loan Program (HELP); Study Now, Pay Later and Fly PAL, Pay Later loans (did not avail themselves of the condonation program in 2014); Education Assistance Loan (did not avail themselves of EAL II), Stock Purchase Loan (did not avail themselves of the condonation program in 2013); Policy Loan; and the GSIS Financial Assistance Loan (for DepEd Personnel).

the same address as the subject factory-warehouse. There was, however, no warehouse at Purok 6, San Isidro, Lubao, Pampanga, that was registered with the BIR under the name Mark Bryan R. Chan.

The case against the Chan couple is the 310th filed under the Run After Tax Evaders program of the BIR under the leadership of Commissioner Caesar R. Dulay. It is also a RATE case of Revenue Region No. 4, Pampanga.

B4 Wednesday, December 19, 2018

PRESIDENT DUTERTE FACES ECO-POLITICAL CHALLENGES—THINK TANK

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O P political, economic and s e curit y e x p er t s f rom the government, private industry and academe tackled the complex problems that the country is facing at the Pilipinas Conference organized by independent think tank Stratbase ADR Institute (ADRi) in Makati City. In a statement, Stratbase ADRi President Dindo Manhit said that the Philippine government is confronted by several conditions that are critical to political and economic development. “Governments, as the pinnacle of power in society, do not operate in a social vacuum. As such, in order to operate and deliver services to the general population, a two-tiered participation is imperative—for the people to engage in political and economic activities and for the people to guard their leaders.” “In turn, the elected leaders should be held responsible and accountable for all actions. As rightful rulers, more so, their leadership and actions should not presuppose a blanket authority

that is accountable to ‘nobody.’ They directly answer to the people and institutions they represent and to existing supranational political entities,” Manhit said. Dean Ronald Mendoza of the Ateneo School of Government observed that the country’s economic institutions seem to be improving, but its political institutions seem to be lagging behind. As such, “politics could be our weakness moving forward.” “Our economic institutions seem to be improving and it is showing in our economic system, but our political institutions seem to be lagging very much behind and could be our weakness moving forward,” Mendoza said. Dr. Franciso Magno, trustee and program convenor for governance of Stratbase ADR Institute, said in his presentation, “High levels of corruption are correlated with weak rule of law, lack of access to information, government control of social media, and reduced citizen participation. In fact, what is at stake is the very essence of democracy.” “Filipinos want to vote their leaders

but, at the same time, they are quite ambivalent when it comes to support for checks and balances, for having independence in different branches of government.” “The election itself is the key exercise in political accountability. The upcoming elections is important because we are electing a Congress with policy-making power, with the power of the purse, to review presidential appointments, operations of martial law, on international treaties [and] of impeachment,” Magno said. Said Ramon Casiple, executive director, Institute for Political and Electoral Reforms, “The elections in [the year] 2019 has become important—not only as a way to know his continued popularity, but as a way to ensure his legislative agenda with federalism.” “The big question is what will happen if Duterte is not there. Duterte, at this time, has the capability and impact to maintain political stability, which is the basic requirement for economic development,” Casiple said.

ENFORCING GENDER EQUALITY IN THE WORKPLACE

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NSULAR Life joins the Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment (PBCWE) as its newest member company. Insular Life is the first Filipino life-insurance company to be part of the coalition of national and regional business leaders committed to gender equality in the workplace. Insular Life’s membership further strengthens the company’s commitment to gender equality in the workplace and women empowerment. Insular Life has recently partnered with the International Finance Corp., a member of the World Bank Group, to reach the uninsured and underserved women population of the Philippines, dubbed as “Filipino Sheroes.” Nina D. Aguas, executive chairman, is the first Filipina invited to the World Bank Group’s advisory council on gender and development. PBCWE was established in 2017 as an inaugural project of the Philippine Women’s Economic Network (PhilWEN) with support and in partnership with Investing in Women, an initiative of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. As the newest member of PBCWE, Insular Life joins the seven founding members of PBCWE in leading efforts toward building a business case for gender equality, creating knowledge on best practices in the workplace, communicating the benefits of empowering women in the work force and institutionalizing policies based on best practices. “In today’s modern work force, it is not enough to

just be committed. The business sector has a critical role in leading gender equality and women empowerment through evidence-based efforts. Having a multi-industry business coalition that recognizes the need to do more in terms of gender equality through concrete action spurs collective action and accountability within the business sector.” PhilWEN chairman and PBCWE cochairman Ma. Aurora D. Geotina-Garcia said. Insular Life will also undergo the Economic Dividends for Gender Equality (EDGE) certification, a leading global assessment methodology and business standard for gender equality. All founding members of PBCWE are EDGE-certified. They represent large employers spanning multiple industries that lead gender equality efforts in the Philippines, the region and in the world. Signing the agreement are Geotina-Garcia (seated, second from left) and Aguas (seated, third from left). Seated with them are Insular Health Care President and InLife External Vice President and Strategy and Innovations Head Noemi G. Azura (left); and InLife President and Chief Executive Officer Mona Lisa B. de la Cruz. Standing behind them are (from left) InLife Vice President and Public Relations head Ana Maria R. Soriano, InLife First Vice President and Human Resources head Florian C. de Leon, Investing in Women Business Partnerships Director Kathy Mulville, PBCWE executive director Julia Abad, EDGE Certified Foundation cofounder Aniela Unguresanand InLife Senior Assistant Vice President Paulette A. Sioson.

ON THE RISE Active Realty and Development Corp. (ARDC), a member of the Active Group of Companies, recently launched and blessed Mozzafiato, a proposed lakeside-resort community project in Balete, Batangas. In photo are (from left) architect Maria Cristina Turalba, vice chairman, ARDC; architect Antonio Turalba Sr., chairman, ARDC; Balete Mayor Wilson Maralit; Rev. Fr. Billy Bong; Mellissa Benitez Limcaoco, chief executive officer, Olelo Technologies Inc.; architect Antonio Turalba Jr., president and chief executive officer, ARDC; and Rene Limcaoco, managing director, Lica Land.

Sports BusinessMirror

PACERS HIRE N.B.A.’S FIRST FEMALE A.G.M.

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| Wednesday, December 19, 2018 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

CURRY JOINS 15K PTS CLUB O

By Janie McCauley The Associated Press

AKLAND, California—Stephen Curry missed his first three tries from deep, got a little frustrated and forgot about the 10 points he needed for another major milestone. Curry had 20 points and seven rebounds while adding another accomplishment to his long list, leading the Golden State Warriors past the Memphis Grizzlies, 110-93, on Monday night. Curry became just the fifth player in Warriors history to score 15,000 points during the regular season— joining the company of Wilt Chamberlain, Rick Barry, Paul Arizin and Chris Mullin. “It was a pretty cool moment, again just reflecting on the entire nine-and-a-half years and more to come,” Curry said. “Definitely appreciative of the opportunity, the milestone, hopefully a lot more to come.” Kevin Durant scored 23 points to go with five assists and passed Larry Bird (21,791) for 33rd place on the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) all-time scoring list. Klay Thompson contributed 16 points with five rebounds. Golden State led by as many as 25 points in the second quarter in quickly turning the game into a rout. That allowed Coach Steve Kerr to rest many of his regulars as the Warriors began a busy stretch with eight games before the end of the year, including Christmas night at home against LeBron James and the Lakers. Marc Gasol had 15 points, six rebounds and six assists for the Grizzlies, who lost their third straight and fifth in six. This marked Memphis’ final visit to Oracle Arena before the Warriors move to new Chase Center in San Francisco next season. Omri Casspi added a season-high 20 points against his former team. Gasol said the Grizzlies must talk as a team about ways to be better. “There’s a few things that we need to do more of that we are doing well, and things that we’re not doing so well, do a little less,” he said. Jonas Jerebko made Golden State’s only two threes in the opening quarter and finished 16 points off the bench. The Warriors were 17 of 18 from the free-throw line in the first half to eight for 10 by Memphis, which trailed 61-38 at the break. Curry’s three-pointer at the 7:37 mark of the second quarter put him in the 15,000 club. Kerr knows the number is hardly important to his star point guard, saying: “He’ll probably be at 16,000 before too long, and won’t be aware of that either.” Curry is thrilled to join such elite company. “Just a pretty humbling experience in terms of how long I’ve been here and all the success that we’ve had in recent years, and individual accolades and milestones come out of that,” he said. Chamberlain leads the way with 17,783, followed by Barry (16,447), Arizin (16,266) and Mullin (16,235). “It’s a lot of points and the thing to me what’s most impressive is how he creates them. They’re not just wide-open, catch-and-shoot threes, his creativity with the ball in his hands,” Memphis Coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “The shot-making from all three levels, the left hand, the floaters, the three off the bounce, the walk across that half court line and shoot a three. He has a variety of ways he puts the ball in the

about a minute remaining to make it 99-94. Donovan Mitchell was fouled by Eric Gordon on a three-pointer and made all three free throws to cut the lead to two with 35 seconds left. Then, under heavy pressure from Ricky Rubio, Harden stepped back and hit a three to make it 10297 with 13.3 seconds left, securing the victory. Harden brushed off talk of his recent dominance, insisting that it’s something he has to do with the Rockets (15-14) in 10th place in the Western Conference. “We’re in a hole,” he said. “I keep saying the same thing, but if you look at the standings, it [stinks] to look and see you’re not where you’re supposed to be. We just continue to work and build our way up there.” Mitchell had 23 points for the Jazz, who have lost four of five. “We had a hard time scoring for a while, and that was about the same time we weren’t close enough to [Harden], and he rose up and hit a big three and made a series of plays,” Jazz Coach Quin Snyder said. Harden, who hit 15 of 16 free throws, had six rebounds, five assists and five steals. “He’s been getting really hot the last week, playing really aggressive, and we let him get to the free throw line, which was one of the things that we were talking about trying to avoid,” Rubio said. The Rockets had a 10-point lead after three periods and Harden put them up by 11 on a three-pointer with about nine minutes left in the fourth. Mitchell had a nifty spinning lay-up before the Rockets missed five shots over their next two possessions and Danuel House turned it over the next time down. Mitchell’s lay-up started a 9-0 run for the Jazz, capped by a three from Rubio that got them to 90-88 with about five-and-a-half minutes left. Harden scored Houston’s first points in more than 3:30 minutes after that, and things between him and Rudy Gobert got a little testy after that. Gobert fouled Harden as he dribbled down the court and Harden approached Gobert after the call. There was some minor pushing between the two before Harden walked away. The Rockets led by 13 at halftime but Utah opened the third quarter with a 12-2 run to get to 52-49 with about eight-and-a-half minutes left in the period. Utah used a 7-0 spurt later in the quarter to take a 58-57 lead. But Harden took over after that, scoring all of Houston’s points in a 9-2 run that gave the Rockets a six-point lead with about 5 1/2 minutes left in the quarter. Harden converted three-point plays on consecutive possessions before hitting a three after a turnover by Jae Crowder.

basket. You can probably count on one hand how many guys that we’ve seen with the shot-making creatively and the ability that he has.”

HARDEN’S 47 POWERS ROCKERS

ROCKETS Coach Mike D’Antoni has witnessed James Harden have the only 60-point triple-double in NBA history, lead Houston to the Western Conference finals and win his first Most Valuable Player award. But what Harden has done for the previously underperforming Rockets in the last three games has topped anything the veteran coach has seen from his superstar player. “I know he’s the MVP and everything, but this level the last three or four games is where it’s really high,” D’Antoni said. “It’s as good as he’s ever played.” Harden scored 47 points to help the Rockets hold off the Utah Jazz, 102-97, on Monday night for their fourth straight win. It was Houston’s first victory over the Jazz this season after dropping the first two meetings. The team’s current winning streak comes following a three-game skid. Monday’s performance came after Harden had 50 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists in a win over the Lakers on Thursday and another triple-double of 32 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in Saturday’s win at Memphis. “He’s the best offensive player I’ve ever seen—like, seriously,” teammate Chris Paul said. “He can drive. He can shoot. He’s got ballhandling, so it’s going to be a tough night for you, whoever it is. I don’t care what you’re doing.” Houston led by double digits early in the fourth quarter, but poor shooting left the Rockets tied with about two minutes left. A three-pointer by Harden put Houston back on top and he added two free throws with

NBA RESULTS Milwaukee 107, Detroit 104 Phoenix 128, New York 110 Houston 102, Utah 97 Minnesota 132, Sacramento 105 STEPHEN CURRY’S threepointer at the 7:37 mark of the second quarter puts him in the 15,000 club. AP

THERE’S this soft side of Charles Barkley. AP

Oklahoma City 121, Chicago 96 San Antonio 123, Philadelphia 96 Golden State 110, Memphis 93 Portland 131, LA Clippers 127

KELLY KRAUSKOPF is the Pacers’ new assistant general manager, making her the first woman in league history to hold the title. AP

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NDIANAPOLIS—The Indiana Pacers have hired Kelly Krauskopf as their new assistant general manager, making her the first woman in league history to hold the title. Krauskopf has a long history with the franchise. She spent 19 seasons as the top executive of the Women’s National Basketball Association’s (WNBA) Indiana Fever and helped oversee Indiana’s new NBA2K league team. She also served as the WNBA’s first director of basketball operations, as an assistant commissioner for the Southwest Conference and on USA Basketball’s women’s senior national team committee. “My past experience has shown me that building winning teams and elite level culture is not based on gender—it is based on people and processes,” Krauskopf said in a statement released by the team. “I am excited to join the Pacers as we continue building the best NBA franchise in the business.” The midseason move comes at a key moment for the Pacers. They have won seven straight to tie the Milwaukee Bucks for the Central Division lead heading into Monday’s games. They are tied with two-time defending champion Golden State for the fourth-best winning percentage in the league, trailing only Toronto, Milwaukee and Denver. “She is very well respected in all basketball circles and she has great knowledge of our entire operation, so when we looked at this position, it made complete sense to just look in our own building,” Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard said. “We think she will be a great asset to myself, general manager Chad Buchanan and senior vice president of basketball operations Peter Dinwiddie as we pursue our goal of building a winning team for our state and our city.” Women are becoming a bigger part of the NBA. Kristi Toliver was recently hired as an assistant in Washington and Chasity Melvin is an assistant with Charlotte’s G League affiliate in Greensboro, North Carolina. Becky Hammon is now a veteran of the coaching staff in San Antonio, and Natalie Sago and Ashley MoyerGleich made their debuts this season as referees. Krauskopf has a reputation for building winners. With the Fever, she constructed a team that made the playoffs 13 times, reached the WNBA Finals three times and won the 2012 title—the only professional basketball title won by a team in Indiana since the 1970s. Krauskopf will walk away from the Fever and the NBA2K league team on January 1. “As the architect of one of the WNBA’s most successful franchises, Kelly is a true pioneer in our sport,” team owner Herb Simon said. “I’ve worked with Kelly over the past two decades, so I know her tremendous basketball mind, strong work ethic and proven leadership skills will continue to be of great benefit to our organization.” AP

Daughter tells story of dad’s unlikely bond with Barkley B

OSTON—A chance meeting in a hotel lobby sparked an unlikely friendship between former National Basketball Association (NBA) star Charles Barkley and a cat litter scientist in Iowa. The story has been shared widely since it was told last week by the scientist’s daughter on Only A Game, an NPR sports show produced by Boston-based WBUR. Lin Wang, who immigrated from China, approached Barkley when they

both happened to be staying at the same Sacramento, California, hotel. The two began talking, got dinner and exchanged numbers. Over the next couple of years, they would meet up to watch basketball games or hang out on the set of Barkley’s TV show Inside the NBA, Shirley Wang said. Her dad’s coworkers didn’t believe he was actually friends with the basketball legend and would tease him, she said.

When Barkley’s mother died in 2015, Lin Wang traveled to Leeds, Alabama, to be at the funeral. Barkley recounted to Shirley Wang on the WBUR show how her father stood out, and friends and family wondered who he was. “I just started laughing. I said, ‘That’s my boy, Lin,’” Barkley said. “They’re, like, ‘How do you know him?’ I said, ‘It’s a long story.’” Shortly afterward, Lin Wang was diagnosed with cancer. He died this year.

Shirley Wang says her family was shocked when Barkley showed up at his funeral in Iowa. A video posted on YouTube shows Barkley telling those who gathered to remember Lin Wang that he was blessed to know him. “He was a selfless man. He really cared about other people. And the world is going to be a little less happier because he’s not here,” Barkley said. AP

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SPORTS PLUS

Overhaul won’t affect Preakness BALTIMORE—Endorsing a proposed $424 million overhaul of the Baltimore track that hosts the Preakness Stakes, Mayor Catherine Pugh said the second leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown wouldn’t necessarily have to be relocated. The Baltimore Sun reports the mayor said Friday that she believes the Pimlico Race Course could be demolished and rebuilt without having to move the Preakness. The Maryland Stadium Authority study released last week estimated a complete rebuild of the nearly 150-year-old track would take three years. Pugh thinks the demolition and construction can be done in phases to keep the race in the Park Heights area. Further details weren’t reported. A spokesman for Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has said he’s always been supportive of keeping the Preakness at Pimlico and would review the study. AP

Michigan court to take 2nd look LANSING, Michigan—The Michigan Court of Appeals has agreed to decide whether imprisoned former sports doctor Larry Nassar got an unfair hearing from an outspoken judge who sentenced him to at least 40 years in prison for sexually assaulting young gymnasts. Lansing-area Judge Rosemarie Aquilina made many provocative remarks during Nassar’s sentencing earlier this year, saying at one point that she had signed his “death warrant.” Aquilina recently was named Glamour Woman of the Year by Glamour magazine. And in July, Nassar’s victims honored her during the ESPY awards. Hundreds of women and girls say Nassar molested them with his hands while working for USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University. The appeals court last week rejected an appeal in a 40-year sentence that a different judge ordered for Nassar. AP

BRAILSFORD TO RIDERS:

NO NEED TO WORRY D

AVE BRAILSFORD has assured the entire Team Sky roster and staff that they will be paid as normal throughout the 2019 season and that if a new backer is not found for the 2020 season then they will be “looked after appropriately.” This comes after a report in the Sunday Timessuggested that Sky were willing to honour contracts in 2020 if riders were unable to find teams beyond next season. Brailsford’s assurances came in a letter addressed to all Team Sky staff and sent out a day after the news of Sky’s withdrawal from the sport was announced internally. Cyclingnews has obtained a copy of the letter, which was issued in English, Italian and Spanish, from a source close to Team Sky. “You will continue to be paid as normal throughout 2019 and if the Team is unable to continue after that, you will be looked after appropriately,” Brailsford writes. “The accompanying note from Sky reiterates this message. I know that they will deliver on their promise.” Sky’s letter comes from Jeremey Darroch, the Group Chief Executive at the corporation. “As Dave has already told you, Sky will be ending its involvement with cycling and our association with Team Sky at the end of next year. After a decade of unprecedented success, I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve achieved together. It’s been an amazing journey, but now is the right time for us to move on as we open a new chapter in Sky’s story and turn our focus to different things,” Darroch says.

“We appreciate that our decision to move on creates uncertainty and I want you to know that we will support you through the next period. We are fully committed to Team Sky for 2019 and we will do everything we can to help secure a future for the Team from 2020 under new ownership. If that is not possible, we will ensure that everyone is properly looked after, as we always do.” A number of Team Sky riders signed new contracts in recent months, including 2018 Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas and young Colombian climber Egan Bernal, who signed a five-year extension after this year’s Tour. Team leader Chris Froome still has several years left on his current deal, while Luke Rowe also signed a new two-year deal at the end of this season. Another talented Colombian, Ivan Sosa, is joining the team on a three-year deal after a much-publicised transfer saga between various rider agents, Team Sky and Trek-Segafredo. Several riders, however, are out of contract at the end of 2019, including former world champion, Michal Kwiatkowski. Brailsford remains determined to find a backer for the team beyond next year and has set July as a deadline in order to secure a title sponsor to replace the reported 35 million Euros that Sky currently invests each season. “Whilst this decision comes sooner than anticipated, the recent changes at Sky have marked the start of a new era for the company and sometimes it is inevitable that change brings further change with it,” Brailsford writes. Cyclingnews

Back-to-back for Coach Kelly NOTRE Dame’s Brian Kelly is The Associated Press (AP) college football Coach of the Year and the third coach to win the award twice since it was established in 1998. Kelly received 16 of 58 first-place votes from AP college football poll voters and 81 total points. Alabama’s Nick Saban was second with 16 first-place votes and 66 points, and Central Florida first-year coach Josh Heupel was third with 33 points (five first-place votes). Twelve coaches received at least one first-place vote, and eight received at least three for the award announced on Monday. Washington State’s Mike Leach finished fourth with 26 points (three first-place votes) and Syracuse’s Dino Babers was fifth with 25 (five first-place votes). Kelly joins Saban and TCU’s Gary Patterson as two-time winners. Kelly was also coach of the year in 2012. AP

MLS shortened by one month MAJOR League Soccer is shortening its season by a month, going to singleelimination playoffs and scheduling the 2019 MLS Cup final for November 10 in its earliest finish since 2002. The league announced the change on Monday and will have an allknockout postseason in place of a twoleg format for the conference semifinals and finals. MLS had started using a two-leg, total-goals format in 2003. After then-US Coach Jurgen Klinsmann criticized the league’s season as being too short, MLS stretched its schedule into December each year starting in 2012. Klinsmann was fired in November 2016. “The big challenge is for MLS overall, how can they stretch that season into a format that is kind of competitive with the rest of the world?” Klinsmann said in 2011. “Right now it’s not competitive. If you have a seven-, eight-month season, that’s not competitive with the rest of the world.” AP

THE rules changes are prompted, in part, by the experiences of former No. 1 Serena Williams—and also Victoria Azarenka—who returned to competition after giving birth. AP

TEAM Sky sports director Dave Brailsford assures Team Sky riders that they will be “appropriately” looked after if no sponsor is found.

NEW TENNIS RULE FAVORS MOMS ON COMEBACK TRAIL S

AINT PETERSBURG, Florida—The women’s tennis tour approved rule changes Monday that are meant to ensure players are not penalized after they return from pregnancy or an injury that causes a long absence. The changes were prompted, in part, by the experiences of former No. 1 players Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka, both of whom returned to competition after giving birth. The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) announced that players returning to the tour may use a special ranking for up to three years after the birth of a child, and the exemption can be used for seedings at big events. Williams, who owns an Open-era record 23 Grand Slam singles titles, was unseeded at this year’s French Open in her first major since the birth of her daughter—despite having won the previous major she played, the 2017 Australian Open. Williams was seeded 25th at Wimbledon and 17th at the US Open, and she reached the finals and lost at both of those majors.

Pro swimmers association tops on agenda

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ISCUSSIONS over the future of elite level swimming are set to intensify when a two-day brain-storming summit is held on Wednesday by the International Swimming League (ISL) in London amid the ongoing conflict with the International Swimming Federation (Fina). The ISLclaim that around 30 top level swimmers, both current and retired, will attend the event at Stamford Bridge, the home of Premier League Chelsea Football Club. It is claimed the event will provide athletes with “tools to build a brighter future for their sport in a professional environment.” This is set to include the creation of a global Swimmer’s Association, the ISL revealed. The summit comes as the dispute between the ISL and Fina continued in recent weeks, after the latter refused to sanction an ISL competition in Italy. The event was expected to launch the ISL, with their format featuring eight international clubs each made up of 12 male and 12 female swimmers. They were due to compete over two days of races across all swimming events in a short course pool, where the four teams that gained the most points would progress to a grand Final over the following two days. It was cancelled when Fina warned any swimmers who took part would face bans. Fina defended their decision to refuse to sanction the event, asserting the request to hold the event was made at “short notice.” The cancelation was condemned by numerous high-profile athletes, including South African Olympic champion Chad le Clos, Hungary’s Katinka Hosszú and Britain’s Adam Peaty. Hosszú, together with Americans Michael Andrew and Tom Shields, filed a proposed class action lawsuit against Fina for allegedly violating antitrust laws.

The lawsuit is similar to the one filed against the International Skating Union in 2017, where a judge ruled that their moves to block skaters from competing in nonauthorised competitions were in breach of European Union antitrust laws, except that this one is being filed in the United States. According to the release, the suit was only undertaken after Fina demanded a $50-million (£39 million/€44 million) fee to approve ISL events. A separate lawsuit was filed by the ISL. Le Clos, Hoszzú and Peaty are among those expected to attend the two-day summit in London. The ISL led by Financier Konstantin Grigorishin, expressed their intention to launch a swimming series of professional team matches starting from next year. The Ukrainian businessman was quoted as saying swimmers currently work and compete as professionals but have “no salary, social guarantees, no welfare, no medical and life insurance, no pension rights.” It is claimed the creation of a Professional Swimmers Association would ensure athletes have a “fair partnership with regulators and event organisers” and that “welfare of swimmers and their rights to earn a living from their work paramount”. Fina, seemingly in a response to the mounting pressure, last week announced they would establish a Champions Swim Series event next year. Three legs of the new event will be held between March and May, with Fina promising an “innovative format aimed at creating a world-class platform for elite swimming.” Swimmers would be grouped together on a continental or sponsorship basis, with each team comprising of 12 men and 12 women as the ISL had also planned. The Series will be “an exceptional showcase for the sport and its top swimmers,

that combines pure competition, together with innovative sports presentation and entertainment”, Fina claimed. Only invited athletes will be able to compete and only Finals will be held. Swimmers will receive both “unprecedented” prize money and appearance fees to take part, Fina promised, with a total prize purse of nearly $4 million (£3 million/€3.5 million) offered. The ongoing dispute appeared to be referenced by the Fina Athletes Committee at their meeting at the World Short Course Championships in China.

Inside The Games

Players who return from an injury that keeps them out of competition for a year or longer may use a special ranking in 12 tournaments. No player will be bumped from her earned seeded position. “These changes,” WTA CEO and chairman Steve Simon said, “are designed to fully support players in their return to competition, while maintaining the highest standards of athletic competition and fairness.” The tour also said it will ensure women at WTA tournaments “are not penalized or prohibited from wearing leggings or compression shorts without a skirt, dress or shorts over them.” Williams wore a black bodysuit at the French Open, where she pulled out with an injury before the fourth round. Williams said she wore the compression suit because of a history of blood clots, including after childbirth. This fall, the president of the French Tennis Federation said Williams could no longer wear the black bodysuit at the French Open. Azarenka, a member of the WTA Players’ Council, said she wants to make sure the WTA is

“the most progressive and inclusive association in sports.” “Our players should feel comfortable and confident to take time away from the courts to have a family or recover from injury,” Azarenka said. The French tennis federation, meanwhile, said Sebastien Grosjean has been appointed as the country’s Davis Cup captain. Grosjean takes over from Yannick Noah after Amelie Mauresmo pulled out to focus on her new coaching job with French player Lucas Pouille. The French federation says Grosjean will also be in charge of the men’s team at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The 40-year-old Grosjean won four titles, including the 2001 Paris Masters, before retiring in 2010. After losing to Croatia in last month’s Davis Cup final, French players expressed their frustration at the new competition format coming next year. But federation technical director Pierre Cherret says “all the players have committed themselves to take part in the 2019 edition if they receive a call up.” AP

World taekwondo bodies discuss road map to joint organization

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FFICIALS from the World Taekwondo and the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) held “comprehensive” discussions on a strategic road map as they seek to create a joint organization. A meeting at the World Taekwondo Wuxi Centre was billed as a follow-up to the “historic agreement” signed last month in North Korea’s capital Pyongyang. The agreement was signed by World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue and ITF head Ri Yong-son. It outlined their aim of establishing a joint organization, with further talks planned over details of the accord, including the name and short-term objectives.

UPSET IN DOHA Robbie Capito, a 17-year-old of Filipino descent playing out of Hong Kong, beats world No. 1 Klenti Kaci, 11-10, to move into the final 16 of the World 9-ball Championship on Tuesday at the Al Arabi Sports Club in Doha, Qatar. Capito, who speaks four languages and is still in high school, will face Germany’s Joshua Filler in the next round on Wednesday.

According to World Taekwondo, the latest meeting saw discussions over the roadmap, including the creation of a committee. Choue was joined by his vice presidents Ahmed Fouly and Kyuseok Lee at the meeting, with Ri accompanied by ITF senior vice president Hwang Ho Yong. The committee would be “tasked with jointly developing the implementation plans for the realisation of ‘One Taekwondo”, World Taekwondo revealed. For more than 40 years, World Taekwondo and the ITF have each maintained they were the only international taekwondo governing body. But in the last four years, since a memorandum of understanding was signed by Choue on behalf of World Taekwondo with then-ITF Head Chang Ung in the presence of International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach during the 2014 Summer Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, relations have been improving. A joint World Taekwondo and ITF demonstration team is expected to perform next year after months of training—a significant step forward from their previous joint performances by separate teams. North Korean-style taekwondo maintains the martial art’s traditional styles and emphasizes power and practical fighting skills, while the South Korean style is sharper and more entertaining. It has been claimed that the joint team will take the strengths of both styles and improve them into a new one. Hopes have been expressed that the joint teams could showcase unity to the world at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. Officials have claimed taekwondo can be “an inspiration and a catalyst” for the unification of North and South Korea. As well as discussions over their future relationship and the joint taekwondo team, World Taekwondo and ITF officials attended the World Taekwondo Grand Slam Champions Series in Wuxi. The five-day event concluded with the inaugural World Taekwondo Wuxi Forum. The Wuxi Centre was established in July 2018 with the aim of supporting their education and development programs. Inside The Games

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Wednesday, December 19, 2018

MAGNOLIA TARGETS GOVS’ CUP CROWN

Arellano U extends streak to 6 games

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EFENDING women’s champion Arellano University gave Letran little room to breathe and hammered out a 25-13, 25-18, 25-15 victory on Tuesday to extend its unbeaten streak to six in the 94th National Collegiate Athletic Association volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City. Princess Bello paced her team with 13 points while Carla Donato fired 12 hits as the Lady Chiefs moved two wins closer to clinching a Final Four slot and three triumphs away from sweeping their way straight to the finals. Power-hitter Nicole Ebuen and last season’s Finals Most Valuable Player Regine Anne Arocha contributed eight points apiece. The Lady Knights suffered their fifth loss in six matches. Arellano University’s men’s squad was also unforgiving as it demolished Letran, 25-13, 25-20, 25-15, to grab solo second place with a 5-1 card. Only reigning titlist University of Perpetual Help System Dalta was better with a perfect 5-0 mark. Jesrael Liberato pumped in 11 points while Christian de la Paz and Jethro Cabillan each added 10. The Knights skid to 1-5. Letran prevented an embarrassing sweep as it overcame Arellano University, 25-23, 25-23, 23-25, 25-21, to move into the magic four where they are currently in a three-team tie at No. 2 with its victim and Lyceum of the Philippines University with 4-2 card apiece in the juniors’ section. Perpetual Help, the reigning champion, continued to lead the way with a pristine 5-0 record.

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MAGONILA Paul Lee, shown being guarded by Alaska’s Chris Exciminiano, is at the right place at the right time to snatch the Game Five victory for the Hotshots.

AGNOLIA aims to waste no time as it clashes with Alaska in Game Six of the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup best-of-seven Finals series on Wednesday at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City. The Hotshots stole Game Five from the Aces, 79-78, last Friday for a 3-2 series lead and move one win shy of ending a four-year title drought. Game time is at 7 p.m. and Head Coach Chito Victolero couldn’t wait to finally give the franchise its first crown since its grand slam season in 2014. “This is the best gift we can give to ourselves. The opportunity is there so we will try to grab it,” Victolero said. Victolero, however, knew that the task is easier said than done. “But this will be tough for us. Alaska is really a good opponent, and as almost

everybody says, close-out game is the toughest game to play,” he added. “So our approach is the same from the beginning of the series—we’ll treat the game as a knockout game,” he stressed. The Hotshots narrowly escaped the Aces behind a late Paul Lee jumper that gifted them the victory last Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Magnolia’s reinforcement, Romeo Travis, drove to the basket but was blocked by Best Import Mike Harris. Lee, the Best Player of the Conference, was lucky enough to pick the loose ball and sank the game-winner with 1.3 second left. Ian Sangalang was on a good offensive night in Game Five with a team-high 20 points. Backcourt duo Marc Barroca and Jio Jalalon added 14 and 13 points, respectively, while Lee contributed 11. Alaska Head Coach Alex Compton believed his team got what it takes to extend the series to a winner-take-all Game Seven. “We’ll certainly do it,” Compton said. Harris topscored for the Aces in the previous match with 28 points, with Simon Enciso and Kevin each chipping in 13 points. Ramon Rafael Bonilla

‘DASMA’ GALS END STINT IN STYLE D

E LA SALLE-DASMARIÑAS shut down its campaign on a high note as it clobbered Colegio San Agustin (CSA)Biñan, 25-23, 25-18, 21-25, 25-16, in the Philippine Superliga Collegiate Grand Slam on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena. With Eunice Castillo, Rain Ramos and Basilyn Delfin doing damage, the Lady Patriots bounced back from a rusty third set to snatch the victory in the maiden staging of the collegiate tournament bankrolled by Isuzu, Mikasa, Senoh, Asics, Mueller, UCPB Gen and Bizooku with Genius Sports as technical partner. Castillo led the way with 16 points built on seven kills, six aces and three blocks while Ramos and Delfin chipped in 14 points apiece for the Lady Patriots, who captured their lone win in five matches to finish at the bottom of the standings.

Setter Myell Joy Pasco made 14 excellent sets while libero Pearl Pena registered 17 digs and 14 excellent receptions. Still, the experience they gained was valuable. “We failed to win against UAAP [University Athletic Association of the Philippines] teams because we were star-struck and very conscious,” said La Salle Coach Joven Racelis, whose wards capped their campaign with a once-in-a lifetime chance of playing in the Pasay City venue. “I think we’re on the same level with CSA because we both came from the south. So the team played its heart out and gave it’s all,” he added. Joven said his players would forever cherish the chance of seeing action in the league that also has ESPN5, Hyper HD and Aksyon TV as broadcast partners.

“This is our first time to play in this semiprofessional league,” said Joven, whose team is seeing action in the National Capital Region Athletic Association and produced a score of current Superliga stars like Iumi Yongco of Foton and Cindy Amutan of Cignal. “I told my players just to get experience here regardless of the result. If given another chance, we will put up a great fight.” Aliah Marce and Lency Duarte delivered 14 and 13 points, respectively, for the Eagles. Meanwhile, heavyweights Petron and F2 Logistics are still clashing in Game 2 of their PSL All-Filipino Conference best-of-three finals showdown at press time. The Blaze Spikers have the advantage, 1-0, and a victory would not only give them the crown, but would also complete their sweep of the conference, a feat they first achieved in 2015.

Pascual leads S’woods tilt honor roll

T DE LA SALLE-DASMARIÑAS’S Eunice Castillo foils Colegio San Agustin-Biñan’s Aliah Marce at the net.

Federal court says ban on nunchucks unconstitutional

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EW YORK—A 1974 New York state ban on nunchucks that was put into place over fears that youth inspired by martial arts movies would create widespread mayhem is unconstitutional under the Second Amendment, a federal court has ruled. Judge Pamela Chen issued her ruling on Friday in a Brooklyn federal court on the martial arts weapon made famous by Bruce Lee. The plaintiff, James Maloney, started his legal quest after being charged with possession of nunchucks in his home in 2000. He initially filed a complaint in 2003, and appealed all the way to the US Supreme Court when the case went against him. The Supreme Court in 2010 remanded the case back down to be reconsidered in light of a Second Amendment decision it had made in another case, and Maloney filed an amended complaint later that year. Maloney had been focused on getting the part of the law overturned that banned nunchucks, two rigid rods connected at one end by a chain or rope, even in private homes. In her ruling, Chen said the court couldn’t simply take that part out, and ruled that the state’s law as it pertained to possessing nunchuks, as well as to manufacturing, transporting or disposing of them was in violation of the Second Amendment.

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The ruling went over the history of the ban, and said it “arose out of a concern that, as a result of the rising popularity ‘of Kung Fu movies and shows,’‘various circles of the state’s youth’— including ‘muggers and street gangs’—were ‘widely’ using nunchaku to cause ‘many serious injuries.’”

In an e-mail to The Associated Press, Maloney said “perhaps the most amazing thing” was getting more relief than he had asked for. Maloney, a professor at the State University of New York’s Maritime College, said some of his motivation was

HEODY PASCUAL played true to form and took the men’s crown while Bobby Café and Seon Yeob Bae bagged the seniors’ and ladies diadems in the Charity Chairman’s Cup at the Manila Southwoods’s Legends and Masters courses in Carmona, Cavite, recently. Pascual, the current club champion, shot 39 points equivalent to a net two-under 70 while Café assembled a 33 Seon turned in a 30 as they took the top honors in the annual event sponsored by Agrexplore/Briduen and outrage. “How could a state simply ban any and all possession of a weapon that had a long and proud history as a martial-arts weapon, with recreational, therapeutic and self-defense utility,” he said. Maloney also wanted to teach a form of martial art using nunchucks that he created, which he calls “Shafan Ha Lavan” to his sons, the ruling said. The suit names the Nassau County district attorney as a defendant. The county’s lawyer had no immediate comment. AP NUNCHUKS are martial-arts weapons made famous by Bruce Lee.

Turf Co. (Platinum) and backed by Nutranta (gold) and Klio International (silver) and hole sponsors Mit Air Sales, J-Ten Sports and Club Golfcarts.ph. Sharing the spotlight are grand raffle prize winners Jun Ventura, who drove home a Mirage G4 GLS CVT Matic Sedan from Mitsubishi Motors and Diamond Motors, and Jun Yupiton, who won a Greek cruise for seven nights with airfare for two from Royal Caribbean and Baron Travel. The other winners were Jordan Mamaril

(Men’s 1), Robert Banatin (Men’s 2), Ramon Sison (Men’s 3), Art Caronongan (Men’s 4), Niels Ole Jeppesen (Seniors 1), Poch Hernandez (Seniors 2), Cesar Igual (Seniors 3), Jojo Lee (Seniors 4), Yong Mi Kim (Ladies 1), Tess Staub (Ladies 2), Eda Yupitun (Ladies 3) and Raymond Bunquin (Sponsors/Guests). Yang Seop Lee, Richie Santos, Richard Emerson Chua, Dan Reyes, Rene Samonte, Woong Jeon, Cezar Peralejo, Danny Paragas, Yun Haeng Cho, Arlette Dizon, Angela Yazaki and Arnel Paras were runners up.

Bersamina, Gomez, de Guzman in top 20 of Asian chess tourney

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ILIPINO International Master (IM) Paulo Bersamina trounced countryman John Merill Jacutina to join Grandmaster (GM) John Paul Gomez and IM Ricky de Guzman in the top 20 after the eighth and penultimate round of the 17th Asian Continental Chess Championships (Second Manny Pacquiao Cup) on Monday night. The victory sent the 20-year-old Bersamina, who played in the World Chess Olympiad twice despite his youth, into a 14-player logjam at 17th place on 4.5 points while breathing some life to his hope of finishing in the top 10. Bersamina tackled Iranian GM Ehsan Ghaem Maghami, who drew with local GM John Paul Gomez, in the final round late Tuesday and another victory would give the Filipino a chance to accomplish the feat in the tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines headed by Rep. Prospero Pichay and funded by the Philippine Sports Commission and Sen. Manny Pacquiao. The 58-year-old de Guzman was with Pascua and Gomez’s group after sdrawing

with Chinese IM Xu Yi. Gomez faced former women’s world champion GM Tan Zhongyi of China and de Guzman took on GM Abhimanyu Puranik of India also late on Tuesday. In the women’s division, Woman IM Jan Jodilyn Fronda shocked Vietnam national champion WGM Hoang Thi Bao Tram to zero in on a top 10 finish. Fronda, 24, caught up with WGM Janelle Mae Frayna, the country’s highest-ranked woman player, in the 10-player group with 4.5 points at No. 11 and could land a place inside the top 10 with a triumph in the last round. Fronda clashed with China’s IM Guo Qi and Frayna, who was forced to a draw by WFM Dita Karenza of Indonesia, played WGM Nguyen Thi Thanh An of Vietnam in the final round. India’s IM Ruot Padmini drew with Vietnam’s IM Pham Le Thao Nguyen to cling to the lead with 6.5 points, half a point ahead of WGM Gong Qianyun of Singapore, who defeated China’s WGM Wang Jue.

AL MENDOZA alsol47@yahoo.com

THAT’S ALL

Lee marked man

YOU have Paul Lee in your team, you are championship material. You have a healthy Paul Lee, your team ought to be a champion. That’s how worthy Paul Lee is. As a Magnolia mainstay, Lee leads his team to unfathomable heights most of the time, if not all of the time. Take Game Five of the current MagnoliaAlaska best-of-seven title series for the PBA Governors’ Cup. Magnolia appeared doom to lose it, a third straight defeat staring the Hotshots in the eye unfailingly—almost. Just seconds left in the game. Alaska up by two seemingly un-erasable points. But from nowhere, Paul Lee would pop up like Casper the friendly ghost. He would leap for the loose ball floating in the air, the leather looking lost to enemy hands. But, using the last ounce of his strength, he grabbed the ball in the nick of time. After landing niftily like a cat dropped from a rooftop, he’d next dart and, as in a bolt of lightning, he broke free at the right corner. Lee let loose a looper that, while in flight, stilled a rowdy crowd that packed the Smart Araneta Coliseum. When, finally, the ball swooshed the nets, Magnolia’s fans rose to its feet as one. Reason? Lee’s jumper gave the Hotshots a 79-78 lead. Time down to 1.3 seconds. Lee did not immediately go wild in celebration after he made his shot of the season. That would come later, subdued as it was, after Mike Harris missed Alaska’s game-winning fadeaway heave from the left that fell way, way short from its mark at the buzzer. Had Harris buried that shot, it would have validated his trophy as the best import of the conference. In contrast, by sinking the Game Five winner, Lee locked with finality his pocketing the best player of the conference award. But if his winning jumper is the stuff that makes legends, what about the one he unfurled before that? Dribbling the ball in breakneck speed, Lee would issue a bullet pass to Ian Sangalang, who would complete the feed and next bury the bonus foul shot off Chris Banchero to give Magnolia a 77-76 lead. After Alaska would retake the lead in no time, that’s when Lee delivered his most lethal blow of the night. As cool as a cat after his unleashing his heroics, Lee, shielding his face with a towel, would burst into tears just seconds after Harris flubbed Alaska’s marginal basket. For Lee, it was great timing up to the end. And so, will Magnolia manage to close it out tonight by winning Game Six for a clinching 4-2 Finals result? Hard to tell. The only constant tonight would be that Lee is a marked man. THAT’S IT I raise my glass once more to the great leadership of co-chairmen Anthony de Leon of Baguio Country Club and Camp John Hay’s Tim Allen, who pooled their talents together to good use resulting in another smashing success of the just-ended 69th Fil-Am Golf Invitational presented by San Miguel Corp. and Toyota Motor Philippines. Congratulations to Mega Fiber for emerging as the surprise Seniors division champion and Manila Southwoods for retaining yet anew the Men’s Regular trophy. From my rules partner, Jake P. Ayson, and yours truly, see you next year—God permitting.

LEDECKA ON A ROLL Sports BusinessMirror

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| Wednesday, December 19, 2018 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

THE Czech Republic’s Ester Ledecka speeds down the course during training at the World Cup Downhill in Val Gardena, Italy, on Monday. AP

Brady, Patriots looking vulnerable, maybe, they’re not headed to another Super Bowl?

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OM BRADY scrambled and heaved up a wobbly pass off his back foot, the sort of thing a less-experienced, lessaccomplished and, well, less-cool QB might do. The ball was picked off, and the New England Patriots were on their way to a second consecutive defeat. More important—and more interestingly—they were on their way to a five-loss season for the first time in nearly a decade. And, finally, they were on their way to putting this thought in the minds of other teams around the National Football League: Maybe, just maybe, the Patriots are not who they’ve been for oh-so-long. Maybe, just maybe, they’re not heading to another Super Bowl. “Not playing well enough to win,” is the way Brady put it. The 17-10 loss at the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday dropped Bill Belichick’s club to 9-5 overall, 3-5 on the road. New England probably will wind up winning a 10th consecutive Asian Football Confederation East title; it only needs one more victory to do that. “We’re still in a decent position,” the 41-year-old Brady said. That’s true, of course. And no one would be foolish enough to write off the Pats just yet. But two consecutive close late-season setbacks—last week’s “Miracle in Miami,” then this week’s penalty-fest in Pittsburgh, with 14 flags against the Patriots—certainly make them look vulnerable. Then there’s this: New England is currently slotted into the No. 3 seed in the conference standings, behind the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans, which would translate to a wild-card slot and no bye in the playoffs. Why is that significant? Belichick’s Patriots never have reached the Super Bowl without a bye. As for that pivotal interception thrown by Brady, a week after he blew a scoring chance at the end of the first half in the loss at the Dolphins? Down 14-10 with about eight minutes

left, but inside Pittsburgh’s 20, Brady was flushed out of the pocket and basically threw the football up for grabs—into the hands of Steelers defensive back Joe Haden. “I was just trying to flick it out of bounds,” Brady said. “Didn’t want to take a sack.” Sure, Tom. But what you did was worse than a sack. “I’m not used to seeing Tom Brady just throw the ball up and just panic like he’s a rookie,” former Patriots safety Rodney Harrison said on NBC’s “Football Night in America.” The rest of the league isn’t used to seeing Belichick, Brady and Co. seem this vulnerable. In case you missed it, here are other top topics after the NFL season’s 15th on Sunday:

NICK OF TIME

WELL, well, well, here we go again with Nick Foles and the Philadelphia Eagles, right? A back injury kept Carson Wentz out of Philadelphia’s night game at the Los Angeles Rams, a must-win for the reigning champions. So in came Foles, who replaced a hurt Wentz late last season and ended up as the Super Bowl MVP; he went 24 of 31 for 270 yards in the Eagles’s 30-23 victory over LA, helping them improve to 7-7 and hold onto their slim chance at a postseason berth.

WORST TO FIRST

ROOKIE Coach Matt Nagy and new pass-rusher Khalil Mack (another 2½ sacks on Sunday) have the Chicago Bears back in the playoffs for the first time since 2010 after beating the rival Green Bay Packers, 24-17, to improve to 10-4 and clinch the NFC North. The Bears were fourth in the division last season, meaning that in 15 of the past 16 years, at least one NFL club has gone from worst to first. AP

“NOT playing well enough to win,” is the way Tom Brady puts it.

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By Andrew Dampf The Association Press

ELVA DI VAL GARDENA, Italy—The skiersnowboarder who stunned just about everyone by winning the Olympic super-G in February is finding her groove again. Ester Ledecka led the second training session for a World Cup downhill by a comfortable margin on Monday—two days after winning a parallel giant slalom snowboarding event. “My first turns on skis were this morning—after two weeks—because I was just snowboarding,” Ledecka told The Associated Press. Actually, it has been nine days since Ledecka competed on skis, finishing 29th in a super-G in Saint Moritz, Switzerland, on December 8. But considering all that she’s done since then, it’s no wonder that it feels like two weeks. Ledecka finished second in a snowboard race in Carezza, Italy, on Thursday and then won a night race in nearby Cortina d’Ampezzo on Saturday—meaning she was on skis in Val Gardena about 36 hours after her latest boarding victory. “It was kind of crazy to come here, because it’s a new hill for everyone,” said Ledecka, who was 14th in the opening training session. “So I was a little insecure in the morning with my ski turns but I’m happy that I was able to feel good on my skis and have some good runs.”

Ledecka finished 0.40 seconds ahead of Selva native Nicol Delago and 0.43 ahead of Nicole Schmidhofer, the Austrian who won this season’s opening two downhills. “So far so good. But it’s still just a training,” Ledecka said. “All the girls are practicing and looking for the good lines.” At the Pyeongchang Olympics, Ledecka followed her super-G victory in Alpine skiing by winning the parallel GS in snowboarding—becoming the first athlete to win two golds at the same Winter Games using two different types of equipment. In the Olympic super-G, Ledecka beat Anna Veith by 0.01 seconds—after US broadcaster NBC had already declared Veith the gold medalist and switched its viewers to figure skating. While the 23-year-old Czech athlete still lacks experience in skiing, this week’s races in Val Gardena on a slope that the women have not raced on before evens the playing field for her. “This is an advantage for me,” she acknowledged. “We’ll see how I can play with it.” Ledecka’s chances are also boosted by the fact that downhill standouts Lindsey Vonn and Sofia Goggia are currently out injured and overall World Cup leader Mikaela Shiffrin is sitting out to rest. “There’s a long way in front of me in skiing still,” Ledecka said. “I hope I’ll improve myself a little bit this year.” Ledecka’s Olympic success has made her one of the most popular athletes in the Czech Republic—

rivaling even the country’s hockey stars. Barbie recently introduced a Ledecka doll in its “Role Models” series—replete with miniature equipment for both snowboarding and skiing. “The Barbie doll was a nice surprise and I hope they will make some more, because I [got] a lot of messages from my fans that they want to buy it,” Ledecka said. “On one side [the increased attention] is good, on the other side you kind of a little bit lost the privacy but I learned to work with it and I’m OK.” Ledecka broke a bone in her left hand during snowboard training at Copper Mountain in Colorado last month and was left with a big scar on the top of her hand from surgery. “I was snowboarding and I put my hand on the ground and I hit the gate. I had to stop for one week,” Ledecka said. “The good thing for me was that when I came back I was snowboarding, so I didn’t have to hold the pole.” Ledecka plans to keep switching back and forth between skiing and snowboarding this season but she could run into a dilemma with the parallel GS at the world snowboard championships scheduled for Utah on February 4—the same day that the Alpine skiing worlds open in Are, Sweden. Ledecka is the defending world champion in snowboarding. “Last year we were lucky, with the weather and everything so the whole plan fit,” said Tomas Bank, Ledecka’s coach. “This year I recognize it is not that easy.”

ENGLISH TRIO TAKE ON GERMAN OPPOSITION N YON, Switzerland—One of the fiercest international rivalries in soccer will play out three times in the last 16 of the Champions League when a trio of English teams take on German opposition. Five-time European champions Liverpool and Bayern Munich were drawn on Monday to face each other, Manchester City was paired with Schalke and Tottenham will play Bundesliga leader Borussia Dortmund. “It was clear it would be difficult, they are obviously a top side,” said Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp, who lost the 2013 final to Bayern when coaching Dortmund. “For me it’s nice, going to Germany.” While Bayern is third in the Bundesliga, Liverpool leads the Premier League. Two goals from former Bayern winger Xherdan Shaqiri lifted Liverpool to a 3-1 win on Sunday over Manchester United. “They’re the team of the hour. They’re the league leaders in England,” Bayern Sporting Director Hasan Salihamidzic said of Liverpool. “They play good football, they’re very physical and they’re full of energy. The first leg is at Anfield on February 19 with the return match in Munich on March 13.

The draw included nine former champions with a combined 40 of the 63 Champions League or European Cup titles since the competition began in 1955. Three-time defending champion Real Madrid was paired with Ajax. Madrid and Ajax have won 17 of those 63 titles those but have never met in a final. The potential first-time winners include Paris SaintGermain, which will play Manchester United. The first leg is at Old Trafford on February 12. PSG is the runaway French league leader and won the toughest group ahead of Liverpool and Napoli, scoring a tournament-high 17 goals. Man United’s loss at Liverpool left it in a distant sixth place and playing the kind of soccer under Manager Jose Mourinho that is almost unrecognizable from its traditionally fearless attacking style. “We’re obviously not playing well at the moment,” former United player Denis Irwin said at UEFA headquarters after the draw. “But we have got some fantastic players and a coach who knows how to win, and knows how to win this competition.” In other matches, Barcelona was drawn with Lyon, Serie A leader Juventus will take on Atletico Madrid and Porto will play Roma.

Man City, also seeking its first title, arguably got the weakest opponent on current form. Schalke is in 13th place in the Bundesliga. “I would like to play on Wednesday, but I can’t, so we have to wait for February,” Man City Sporting Director Txiki Begiristain said, noting Schalke has a three-week break coming up. “They have the time to rest. Let’s see how they are in February, and how we are.” Months after leaving Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo will return to the Spanish city with Juventus for the first leg against Atletico. The final on June 1 will also be played at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid. The first legs will be played from February 12 to 20, with the second legs scheduled between March 5 and 13. Eight teams which placed third in their Champions League groups entered the Europa League draw. Napoli and Inter Milan only have to cross the Italian border into neighboring countries to face Zurich and Rapid Vienna, respectively. Arsenal will travel to Belarus to face BATE Borisov. Chelsea, the 2013 champion, is at Malmo, while fivetime champion Sevilla is first at Lazio. AP

DIVE! New Zealand’s Kane Williamson

dives to field a ball during play on Day Four of the first cricket test between New Zealand and Sri Lanka in Wellington, New Zealand, on Tuesday. AP

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Holy Wisdom

OLY Wisdom, Your commands give light to our eyes. Help us to see rightly as we pray: Teach us Your ways, O God. Uphold efforts in immigration reform that preserve unity for families and dignity for all. Expand efforts to secure affordable and equitable health care. Give us courage and insight to name that which is unjust, evil, or immoral. Inspire us to be righteous in our daily decisions in life. May the peace of Christ, which is beyond all understanding, stand guard over our hearts and minds, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. GIVE US THIS DAY, SHARED BY LUISA LACSON, HFL

Word&Life Publications • teacherlouie1965@yahoo.com

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

Life

JUST THAT: DON’T MISTAKE ‘PINOY PRIDE’ FOR NATIONALISM D4

BusinessMirror

Wednesday, December 19, 2018 D1

Bug may have exposed photos from 7M Facebook users Transforming traditional HR practices ONE of the country’s leading insurance companies, AXA Philippines (www. axa.com.ph) participated in the recent Asean HR Tech Venture Summit 2018 at the Shangri-La at the Fort, Bonifacio Global City. Chief human resources officer Jaspreet Kakar (in photo) spoke about creating an agile mindset and how it plays a role in ensuring that organizations continue to evolve—by focusing on its people rather than the processes. AXA Philippines prides itself for empowering their employees by decentralizing decision-making, equipping them with the latest technology, and providing best-in-class benefits so that they can “bring their best selves to work.”

Your smartphone apps are tracking your every move By Jeff Inglis The Conversation

IF you have a smartphone, it probably is a significant part of your life, storing appointments and destinations as well as being central to your communications with friends, loved ones and coworkers. Research and investigative reporting continue to reveal the degree to which your smartphone is aware of what you’re up to and where you are—and how much of that information is shared with companies that want to track your every move, hoping to better target you with advertising. Several scholars at US universities have written for The Conversation about how these technologies work, and the privacy problems they raise. 1. Most apps give away personal data A study based at the University of California, Berkeley found that seven in 10 apps shared personal data, like location and what apps a person uses, with companies that exist to track users online and in the physical world, digital privacy scholars Narseo Vallina-Rodriguez and Srikanth Sundaresan write. Fifteen percent of the apps the study examined sent that data to five or more tracking web sites. In addition, one in four trackers received “at least one unique device identifier, such as the phone number...[which] are crucial for online tracking services because they can connect different types of personal data provided by different apps to a single person or device.” 2. Turning off tracking doesn’t always work Even people who tell their phones and apps not to track their activity are vulnerable. Northeastern University computer scientist Guevara Noubir found that “a phone can listen in on a user’s finger typing to discover a secret password—and [...] simply carrying a phone in your pocket can tell data companies where you are and where you’re going.”

By Barbara Ortutay & Michael Liedtke

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The Associated Press

EW YORK—Facebook’s privacy controls have broken down yet again, this time through a software flaw affecting nearly 7 million users who had photos exposed to a much wider audience than intended. The bug disclosed on Friday gave hundreds of apps unauthorized access to photos that could in theory include images that would embarrass some of the affected users. They also included photos people may have uploaded but hadn’t yet posted, perhaps because they had changed their mind. It’s not yet known whether anyone actually saw the photos, but the revelation of the now-fixed problem served as another reminder of just how much data Facebook has on its 2.27 billion users, as well has how frequently these slipups are recurring. The bug is the latest in a series of privacy lapses that continue to crop up, despite Facebook’s repeated pledges to batten down its hatches and do a better job preventing unauthorized access to the pictures, thoughts and other personal information its users intend to share only with friends and family. In general, when people grant permission for a thirdparty app to access their photos, they are sharing all the photos on their Facebook page, regardless of privacy settings meant to limit a photo to small circles such as family. The bug potentially gave developers access to even more photos, such as those shared on separate Marketplace

and Facebook Stories features, as well as photos that weren’t actually posted. Facebook said the users’ photos may have been exposed for 12 days in September. The company said the bug has been fixed. The company declined to say how many of the affected users are from Europe, where stricter privacy laws took effect in May and could subject companies to fines. Facebook said it has notified the Irish Data Protection Commission of the breach. The problem comes in a year fraught with privacy scandals and other problems for the world’s biggest social network. Revelations that the data-mining firm Cambridge Analytica improperly accessed data from as many as 87 million users led to congressional hearings and changes in what sorts of data Facebook lets outside developers access. In June, a bug affecting privacy settings led some users to post publicly by default regardless of their previous settings. This bug affected as many as 14 million users over several days in May. With each breakdown, Facebook risks losing credibility with both its audience and the advertisers whose spending generates most of the company’s revenue. “It’s like they keep getting these chinks in the armor that is causing this trust deficit,” said Michael Priem, CEO of Modern Impact, which places ads for a variety of major brands. Although Facebook doesn’t appear to be losing a lot of users, Priem said some advertisers have been seeing data indicating that people are spending less time on the social

Ideal nightlife partner for young urbanites

3. Your profile is worth money All of this information on who you are, where you are and what you’re doing gets assembled into enormously detailed digital profiles, which get turned into money, Wayne State University law professor Jonathan Weinberg explains: “By combining online and offline data, Facebook can charge premium rates to an advertiser who wants to target, say, people in Idaho who are in long-distance relationships and are thinking about buying a minivan. [There are 3,100 of them in Facebook’s database.]” 4. Rules and laws don’t exist—in the US Right now in the US, there’s not much regulatory oversight making sure digital apps and services protect people’s privacy and the privacy of their data. “Federal laws protect medical information, financial data and education-related records,” writes University of Michigan privacy scholar Florian Schaub, before noting that “online services and apps are barely regulated, though they must protect children, limit unsolicited e-mail marketing and tell the public what they do with data they collect.” European rules are more comprehensive, but the problem remains that people’s digital companions collect and share large amounts of information about their real-world lives. AP

network. That’s raising concerns about whether the privacy breakdowns and problems with misinformation being spread on the services are taking a toll. But it’s difficult to know how much Facebook’s recent wave of headaches has been affecting the service because its growth, particularly among younger people, had been slowing even before the problems began to crop up, said Nate Elliott, an analyst with the research firm Nineteen Insights. Advertisers are unlikely to curtail their spending significantly as long as Facebook is able to maintain the current size of its audience, Elliott said. So far there has been little evidence a significant percentage of the users are worried enough about privacy to get off the service. “Even if people don’t trust Facebook, as long as the value that the service provides is worth more than the cost of the privacy violations, then that may be a trade-off most people are willing to make,” Elliott said. On Thursday, to counter the bad rap it’s gotten around privacy, Facebook hosted a one-day “pop-up” to talk to users about their settings and whatever else may be on their mind. Chief Privacy Officer Erin Egan gave Facebook’s work on privacy a “B” when asked by a reporter for a grade. By 2019, she said she hopes the improvements will result in an “A.” Privacy experts might call it grade inflation. In any case, the company has its work cut out before it makes the top grade. The company has had to increase how much it spends on privacy and security, which put a dent in its bottom line and in August contributed to a stock price plunge.

OPPO R17 Pro infinity photobooth LEXI MENDIOLA

IT’S time to own the night with the stunning Oppo R17 Pro. So went the brand’s recent campaign geared toward young Filipino urbanites, through a series of club takeovers across the Metro’s hottest destinations. To get the ball rolling for this local campaign, dubbed “Seize the Nightlife,” Oppo (facebook.com/OPPOPH) held a kick-off event at the trendy Early Night? bar in Bonifacio Global City. The event brought together brand ambassadors, influencers, media guests and lucky Oppo fans. The brand transformed the bar into a futuristic landscape of lights and colors, complete with purple and blue gradient lights that reflect the R17 Pro’s signature hues. To showcase the unique features of this all-new smartphone, guests were invited to come at 10 pm to experience the night in its full glory. “The Oppo R17 Pro Seize the Nightlife campaign is a celebration of the Manila nightlife, which offers young Filipinos the chance to let their hair down, enjoy their youth, share their unique point of view online and create memories with the people closest to them,” shared Jane Wan, Oppo Philippines VP of Marketing. During the kick-off event, guests had the opportunity to experience the Oppo R17 Pro in the uniquely designed

infinity photobooths, and were quick to share their breathtaking photos in social media. The R17 Pro is borne of the brand’s relentless drive toward smartphone innovation and unparalleled user experiences. Powered by the all-new Ultra Night Mode, the R17 Pro empowers users to seize the beauty of the night through optimized hardware and software for clarity, brilliant colors, and high image quality even in low-light conditions. Capturing night scenes in clear, colorful detail is made possible through the variable smart apertures of f1.5 and f2.4, which automatically adjust to the ambient lighting conditions in both day and night. It also has an AI Ultra-Clear Engine, a unique technology developed by Oppo to enhance images without being hindered by hardware limitations. And with the Sony IMX362 as the main camera, the R17 Pro can focus accurately and quickly, and deliver brighter night shots with lower noise levels. “There’s a thrilling, powerful energy exuded by the Metro’s brilliant youth—they’re highly creative, highly social online and offline, and they’re very driven to achieve their vision of the future. Oppo and the R17 Pro are the perfect mobile companions when it comes to owning the day and seizing the night,” Wan concluded.

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Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Pet Corner BusinessMirror

The scoop on how your cat’s sandpapery tongue deep cleans

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The Associated Press

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ARIES (March 21-April 19): Change because you want to, not because someone is putting pressure on you. Consider what you have to gain or lose before you take part in a joint venture. Protect against loss, as well as theft. Focus on an important relationship. «««

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TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Emotions will surface and should be channeled into partnerships that matter to you. Do whatever it takes to bring you closer to the one you love. Take care of family business and responsibilities, as well as older relatives. «««

c CANDLER HOBBS/GEORGIA TECH VIA AP

papillae hold a small amount of saliva that’s released when the tongue presses on fur, and then they wick up some more. The tongue’s surface is wetter. But Noel saw clues that the spines were key to deep cleaning. Papillae were only slightly longer in lions than in housecats, although larger felines’ bigger tongues hold many hundreds more, Noel and Georgia Tech Associate Prof. David L. Hu reported in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Next, Noel measured cat fur, which holds lots

of air to insulate like a down jacket. Sure enough, compress that fur and in numerous types of cat, the distance to the skin matches the length of the tongue’s spines, she found. An exception: Persian cats with their super-long fur that veterinarians caution must be brushed daily to avoid matting. A machine that mimicked the strokes of a cat’s grooming found saliva from the tongue’s surface alone simply can’t penetrate as deep. And a thermal camera showed as they groomed, evaporating saliva cooled the cats.

NEW YORK—A pair of beagle mixes are on the mend after authorities say someone threw them out of a moving vehicle on a snowy New York highway. The dogs were rescued by a passing trucker, but one was so badly mangled that a front leg had to be amputated. New York State Police on Saturday asked for the public’s help in finding the suspect or suspects in the incident on Wednesday morning on Interstate 81 near Whitney Point, about 16 miles (26 kilometers) north of Binghamton. So far, they said, they have no leads. “These animals have been through a lot, and people need to understand that this is not OK,”said Amberly Ondria, shelter manager for the Broome County Humane Society. “This is not something that should be done.” The trucker told investigators that the dogs were thrown out of the right, rear window of a dirty, rusty Dodge Durango heading north toward Cortland. State police said the trucker immediately stopped his big rig and brought the dogs to safety, scooping up the one that was

severely injured while the other one, unscathed other than a few abrasions, followed on his own. State troopers bandaged the badly injured dog and splinted his leg on the side of the highway, keeping him warm with a blanket and the trucker’s sweatshirt. Meanwhile, the other dog gobbled half a box of dog biscuits. The dogs were later renamed Trooper, for the state troopers who aided them, and Adam, after the trucker. Trooper is 6 to 8 years old, Ondria said. Adam is about a year old. Trooper suffered a compound fracture of his distal radius and ulna on the front right leg that was amputated and a hairline fracture of the ulna on the left front leg, as well as broken ribs and contusions to his lungs and shoulder, the humane society said. Because of the damage to his left leg, Trooper will require assistance getting around and perhaps even a harness to stabilize him, Ondria said. “He has quite the road to recovery ahead of him,” she said.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): If you don’t mean it or believe it, don’t say it. Words matter, and leading someone on or offering something you won’t be able to do will lead to situations that spin out of control. Don’t stir up drama. «««

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CANCER (June 21-July 22): Get involved in events that matter. If you can bring someone joy or help someone you love, you will set a good example. Your loyalty, dedication and imaginative way of finding solutions will pay off. Romance is highlighted. ««««

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LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): You’ll be in a party mood. Getting out with your peers may be inviting, but keep in mind business is business, so don’t jeopardize your work relationships by being too excessive or opinionated. Do what’s right, and avoid an emotional scene. ««

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VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Get out and pick up last-minute items before it’s too late. A change someone makes will affect your household and your upcoming plans. Put business before pleasure and avoid complaints. A romantic gesture will please someone you love. «««««

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LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Express your thoughts, but don’t put pressure on others to do as you do. Give everyone the option to make decisions and to do their own things. Someone you thought you could trust will let you down. «««

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SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Short trips, making plans with friends and relatives, and picking up items that will finish your wish list for upcoming events will bring you pleasure. Romance is in the stars. A special offer is heading your way. «««

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SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Keep an open mind, but don’t let anyone manipulate you. You can only do what’s feasible, nothing more, so don’t get trapped in what others want. Offer only what you know you can and want to contribute. «««

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Bayer advocates animal well-being AS a life science company, Bayer (www.bayer.com) believes that animals in the care of humans should receive the best possible treatment. Improving the health and well-being of animals doesn’t only mean developing innovative treatments and products but also involves actively engaging various stakeholders to promote animal well-being. By encouraging responsible pet ownership, animal owners and keepers are urged to ensure the well-being of animals in their care. It means more than just providing for the existential and health needs of animals. It is about positive involvement to improve animal well-being, respecting animals’ need to manifest natural behavior and working toward strengthening the human-animal bond. Bayer Animal Health promoted animal well-being through a series of pet friendly initiatives for the company’s employees and external partners. Bayer Animal Health employees visited and volunteered at the Compassion and Responsibility for Animals Welfare Philippines shelter in Mandaluyong City. CARA Welfare Philippines is a nonprofit, nongovernment organization that’s run by a dedicated group of animal lovers determined to help the plight of animals in the Philippines. Ma. Soccoro “Corito” Mendoza, country division head of Animal Health said, “We are passionate about caring for animals and we treat them as an integral part of the community. Through our Animal Well-Being initiatives, we promote the advocacy and support organizations that share our passion for

By Eugenia Last

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Consider what you can do for others and give of yourself. Clarify the options and choose the recipients of your good tidings based on their individual needs. How you handle those trying to trick or fool you will show the depth of your own personal integrity. What you stand for and say will make a difference. Your lucky numbers are 9, 11, 22, 27, 33, 45, 48.

Trucker saves dogs thrown from vehicle on New York highway

THIS photo provided by New York State Police on December 15, shows a rescued dog after it was thrown out of a vehicle in Cortland County, New York. A trucker driving nearby said the dogs were thrown from the rear passenger window of a dirty, rusty Dodge Durango. The trucker stopped and rescued the dogs. AP

Today’s Horoscope

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Marla Sokoloff, 38; Jake Gyllenhaal, 38; Alyssa Milano, 46; Tyson Beckford, 48.

By Lauran Neergaardn ASHINGTON—Cat lovers know when kitties groom, their tongues are pretty scratchy. Using hightech scans and some other tricks, scientists are learning how those sandpapery tongues help cats get clean and stay cool. The secret: Tiny hooks that spring up on the tongue—with scoops built in to carry saliva deep into all that fur. A team of mechanical engineers reported the findings recently, and say they’re more than a curiosity. They could lead to inventions for pets and people. “Their tongue could help us apply fluids, or clean carpets, or apply medicine” to hairy skin, said Georgia Tech lead researcher Alexis Noel, who is seeking a patent for a 3D-printed, tongue-inspired brush. Cats are fastidious, spending up to a quarter of their waking hours grooming. Noel’s interest was piqued when her cat, Murphy, got his tongue stuck in a fuzzy blanket. Scientists had long thought cat tongues were studded with tiny cone-shaped bumps. Noel, working in a lab known for animal-inspired engineering, wondered why. First, CT scans of cats’ tongues showed they’re not covered in solid cones but in claw-shaped hooks. They lie flat and rear-facing, out of the way until, with a twitch of the tongue muscle, the little spines spring straight up, she explained. The big surprise: Those spines contain hollow scoops, Noel found. Turning to zoos and taxidermists for preserved tongues to examine, she found bobcats, cougars, snow leopards, even lions and tigers share that trait. When Noel touched the tips of preserved spines—called papillae—with drops of food dye, they wicked up the liquid. A housecat’s nearly 300

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CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Carry your head high and offer what you can to those you love. Share your feelings, and focus on family and what you mean to one another. Love and romance should be priorities. A little praise will go a long way. «««««

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AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): A surprise is heading your way. You’ll be able to make a positive change that will encourage greater freedom to pursue your goals. Don’t let an emotional incident ruin your plans. Stick to your goals, regardless of what someone else does. ««

the overall health and well-being of animals.” Another activity that the team joined was “The Animal Kingdom Foundation Run Fur Life,” which was held at Eton Centris in Quezon City. It was attended by over 800 humans and over 300 dogs. Bayer employees ran with their furbabies as Animal Well-Being Advocates. After the run, a free Advantix spot-on drive was sponsored by Bayer.

Lastly, Bayer had “The Bring Your Pets to Work Day,” which was conducted in Bayer House in Canlubang, Laguna. In this activity, Bayer employees from the different business groups participated and brought their pets for a day of fun and one-of-a-kind bonding activity with their pets. Pets were treated to a pet wellness seminar, pet blessing, free grooming session, and a photo opportunity for pets and pet parents.

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PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Truth, honesty and moderation will make a difference in the outcome of your day. Be the one to help, not the one to cause a problem. Offer support and positive solutions. Concentrate on good health, fitness and a better future. «««« BIRTHDAY BABY: You are practical, aware and intense. You are industrious and loving.

‘ick it to the man’ BY TIMOTHY E. PARKER The Universal Crossword/Edited by Timothy E. Parker

ACROSS 1 House on campus 5 Spiffy 9 Angle on a gem 14 One of the 50 15 Indian tourist city 16 Act overly 17 Bread in 15-Across 18 Kvetch 19 Chill, so to speak 20 Dies throwing slime in a well? 23 “Oh, no ___ didn’t!” 24 Kind of pursuit or dog 25 As a result of this 28 Mayday! 29 Track part 31 Cry of disgust 32 Big hairstyle 35 Try for an ace, maybe 36 “King” preceder 37 Uniform stains from making slapshots? 41 Dungeons & Dragons beast 42 Mob scenes

3 Check 4 44 “___ the ramparts ...” 45 Words with “no good” 46 Extra qtrs. on the field 48 AWOL 50 “Wheel of Fortune” buy 51 Field for grazing 54 DJ in a filthy disco? 58 Photo finish 60 Ring bull 61 Write with a chisel 62 Nondairy spreads 63 Seed coat 64 Fare-___-well 65 Denier’s contraction 66 Beer foam 67 Witnessed DOWN 1 “Done!” to some 2 Certain pest, for short 3 Open-eyed 4 Khakis and such 5 Cheesy Tex-Mex snacks 6 Protected wader

7 Certain Mideast habitant 8 “Forbidden” perfume name 9 Bay Area city 10 7-Down bigwig (var.) 11 Major change in attitude 12 Arrival-guess abbr. 13 Luthor the foe 21 Nevertheless, cut 22 Baked-potato garnish 26 Swindles 27 Bakery need 28 La lead-in 29 Printer’s page right 30 Slow-moving vessels 32 Active, as a game 33 Pink-slip giver 34 Encouraged to enroll 35 Chimney coat 38 Most inebriated 39 Aware of, “Right on” 40 That thing’s 46 Listening to Muzak 47 ___ kwon do 49 Use, as a tip

0 Sunny lobbies 5 51 Wood-finishing tool 52 Banquet figure 53 Grayish 55 Another of the 50 56 Got ripped 57 Fleet components 58 Stylish, in the ‘60s 59 “Sting like a bee” speaker Solution to yesterday’s puzzle:

Show BusinessMirror

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

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10 classic Christmas movies that ‘New York Times’ critics didn’t see coming By Scott Tobias

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New York Times News Service

ROM as far back as Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life, which struggled to find its footing in the end-of-the-year glut of late December 1946, predicting the canon of Christmas movie future has never been easy. Some of today’s favorites had to survive a critical drubbing, or a ho-hum box office. Others needed a push from cable TV. And still others just didn’t seem like holiday movies, becoming classics almost accidentally thanks to reclassification or cult followings. The holidays have given us an occasion to dig through the archives to see if New York Times critics were on the right side of history when they first reviewed these films, or if they missed an annual tradition in the making. Here’s a sample of 10 that are available to stream—some established favorites, others quirky upstarts—along with excerpts from what our critics first thought of them.

It’s a Wonderful Life’ (1946)

FRANK Capra’s classic tear-jerker about Christmas Eve as a dark night of the soul has been a Yuletide standard-bearer for so long that it’s easy to forget what a ho-hum reception it got at the time. A Best Picture nomination was the sole consolation prize for a film about a small-town family man (James Stewart) that neither critics nor audiences fully embraced until the mid-1970s, when its revival as an annual television staple commenced. Sentiments like these, from Bosley Crowther’s review, were common: “Indeed, the weakness of this picture, from this reviewer’s point of view, is the sentimentality of it—its illusory concept of life. Mr. Capra’s nice people are charming, his small town is a quite beguiling place, and his pattern for solving problems is most optimistic and facile. But somehow they all resemble theatrical attitudes rather than average realities. And Mr. Capra’s ‘turkey dinners’ philosophy, while emotionally gratifying, doesn’t fill the hungry paunch.”

White Christmas (1954)

proved to be vastly influential, particularly in its use of first-person camera, but contemporaneous reviews, like A.H. Weiler’s, were dismissive: “This moody depiction of the Christmas slayings of university sorority sisters and their housemother, among others, is as murky as the script, which dotes largely on obscenities that are no more pointed than the violence, dull direction and pedestrian performances.”

A Christmas Story (1983)

CLARK’S nostalgia-soaked comedy about a put-upon 9-year-old (Peter Billingsley) in the 1940s and his disaster-prone Midwestern family owes its popularity to Turner broadcasting, which turned a modest hit into a phenomenon by airing it relentlessly on TBS and TNT. Cherished details like the “Little Orphan Annie” decoder ring, a triple-dog dare on the schoolyard and the Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model air rifle were lost on Vincent Canby at the time: “There are a number of small, unexpectedly funny moments in A Christmas Story, but you have to possess the stamina of a pearl diver to find them.”

Gremlins (1984)

CHAOS and malevolence come to a Capra-esque small town in Joe Dante’s anarchic comedy about an exotic pet from Chinatown that turns out to be a troublemaking Christmas present. Dante’s Looney Tunes-style upending of its wholesome holiday setting pushed its PG rating far enough to help trigger the development of PG-13, and the kiddie-movie violence left Canby shaken: “[Dante and the screenwriter Chris Columbus] attack their young audience as mercilessly as the creatures attack the characters. One minute they’re fondly recalling Frank Capra’s sentimental classic, It’s a Wonderful Life, and the next minute they’re subjecting this Capraesque Smalltown, USA, to a devastation that makes the original Invasion of the Body Snatchers look benign.”

IRVING Berlin won an Oscar for the song “White Christmas,” but not for the movie White Christmas, which wasn’t produced until a decade after Holiday Inn, the Bing Crosby-Fred Astaire musical in which the song first appeared. Christmas was but one of the occasions for mirth in Holiday Inn, but here it is the VistaVision payoff to the team-up of two different song-and-dance acts. Crowther was unimpressed: “The colors on the big screen are rich and luminous, the images are clear and sharp, and rapid movements are got without blurring—or very little—such as sometimes is seen on other large screens. Director Michael Curtiz has made his picture look good. It is too bad that it doesn’t hit the eardrums and the funny bone with equal force.”

Scrooged (1988)

Black Christmas (1974)

Die Hard (1988)

BEFORE taking a decidedly warmer view of the holiday season with A Christmas Story, director Bob Clark offered this nasty piece of counterprogramming, a protoHalloween slasher film with big scares and boozy wit, much of it coming from Margot Kidder. Black Christmas

CHARLES DICKENS’ A Christmas Carol had been adapted so many times to heartwarming effect—as drama, in the Reginald Owen and Alastair Sim standards from 1938 and 1951; as a musical, with Albert Finney in 1970; and with Muppets in 1992—that it needed Bill Murray to drop a few coals in the stocking. The film’s spiked nog of cynicism and sentimentality wasn’t easy for some to swallow, including Canby: “As Frank Cross, the ratings-mad program chief of the IBC television network, Mr. Murray’s contemporary Scrooge is a joy as long as he’s making life miserable for everyone around him. When, finally, Frank sees the error of his ways, the movie succumbs to its heart of jelly.”

THE question of whether Die Hard is a true Christmas movie, rather than merely the template for the last 30 years of action cinema, has been a perennial debate for a long time now. But in 1988, critics like Caryn James were mostly coming to terms with its

CHRISTMAS seems like the only occasion big enough to accommodate Love Actually oversized mistletoe from director Richard Curtis.

blockbuster excess: “Partly an interracial buddy movie, partly the sentimental tale of a ruptured marriage, the film is largely a special-effects carnival full of machine-gun fire, roaring helicopters and an exploding tank. It also has a villain fresh from the Royal Shakespeare Company, a thug from the Bolshoi Ballet and a hero who carries with him the smirks and wisecracks that helped make Moonlighting a television hit. The strange thing is, it works: Die Hard is exceedingly stupid, but escapist fun.”

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)

THE idea of Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase)—that hapless, foolhardy model of Midwestern fatherdom—was always more potent than the Vacation comedies themselves, which had already worn out their welcome when this second sequel came along. Yet the various slapstick catastrophes in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation were a hit with audiences, who laughed over the loud sighs of critics like Janet Maslin: “Fatigue is in the air. This third look at the quintessentially middle-American Griswold family, led by Clark [Mr. Chase] and the very patient Ellen [Beverly D’Angelo] is only a weary shadow of the original National Lampoon’s Vacation, which found a lot to laugh at as it followed the dopey paterfamilias Clark and his quarrelsome brood on a hellish cross-country journey in their station wagon.”

GMA Artist Center holds year-end Grand Fans Day

KEN CHAN certainly charmed the crowd.

MANOLO PEDROSA takes a selfie with a fan

SANYA LOPEZ

KATE VALDEZ and Rocco Nacino

AS a way of giving thanks to its loyal fans and supporters, GMA Artist Center held a year-end thanksgiving celebration at GMA’s German Moreno Studio on December 9. Hosted by Ashley Ortega and Marika Sasaki, the festivity was filled with lots of surprises and entertainment as the brightest stars of the network gathered to bond with their fans through various performances onstage and on ground activities. The Clash grand champion Golden Cañedo together with finalists Mirriam Manalo, Danielle Ozaraga, Mika Gorospe, Lyra Micolob and Garrett Bolden touched the hearts of fans with their powerful song renditions. Paul Salas showcased his effortless moves in a dance number that sent the fans on a high. Boyband One Up, on the other hand, made the audience swoon with their sweet performance. Beautiful ladies Kim Domingo and Klea Pineda serenaded fans with song numbers. Meanwhile, the young pool of stars composed of Althea Ablan, Vince Crisostomo, Zonia Mejia, Hailey Mendes, Kyle and Kleif

since the duchess announced her pregnancy in October, the 74-year-old grandfather-to-be agreed he’d been “ghosted” by his daughter. He suggested the royal couple had been influenced by media reports about him. “The funny thing about my daughter and Prince Harry is that they believe everything they read in the paper,” he said. “What’s happened, I’m not sure. I’d love to talk about it. I think it comes back to the fact that reporters pick up on interviews I’ve done and write their own stories and tell lies.” Markle hopes Queen Elizabeth II will help heal the rift. He also rejected the notion his daughter had a habit of dumping those

CHRISTMAS seems like the only occasion big enough to accommodate this oversized mistletoe from Richard Curtis, the screenwriter of Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill, who combines about half a dozen rom-coms into one mega-rom-com. The film’s too-muchness is an annual indulgence for fans, but A.O. Scott, in one of his most blistering reviews, is not one of them: “A romantic comedy swollen to the length of an Oscar-trawling epic—nearly two and a quarter hours of cheekiness, diffidence and high-tone smirking—it is more like a record label’s greatest-hits compilation or a ‘very special’ sitcom clip-reel show than an actual movie.”

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)

STARTING with his breakthrough script for Lethal Weapon, Shane Black has set six of his films over Christmas in Los Angeles, but Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, his directorial debut, is especially keen about finding evidence of the holiday in a city where it isn’t so obvious. This neo-noir buddy picture about a thief posing as an actor (Robert Downey Jr.) who joins forces with a private eye (Val Kilmer) on a murder case is Yuletide fun for smart-alecks, but not for A.O. Scott: “I don’t think Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang is an altogether bad movie. It’s just a movie with no particular reason for existing, a flashy, trifling throwaway whose surface cleverness masks a self-infatuated credulity.” Almeda, Janelle Lewis, Monique Vazquez, Yvette Sanchez, JJ Ararao, Bruce Roeland and Yuan Francisco also took the opportunity to express their gratitude to all their supporters. Adding excitement to the fans day were Sofia Pablo and Will Ashley who sang a duet. The crowd were all the more delighted when My Special Tatay lead stars Ken Chan and Arra San Agustin appeared onstage and performed individual song numbers. The audience didn’t miss the chance to play games with GMA heartthrobs David Licauco, Kelvin Miranda and Manolo Pedrosa. Hearty cheers were also elicited when fan favorites Bianca Umali, Sanya Lopez, Kate Valdez, Migo Adecer and Rocco Nacino graced the event to deliver holiday greetings. It was definitely a memorable day as the fans took home different prizes and gifts from their favorite idols. Indeed, the grand fans day was a perfect treat to get together and create an unforgettable experience for everyone.

BLIND SPOT BRUCE C.

JINX BEFORE the actor met his current girlfriend, who is also a public figure, he had a flourishing career and was a prized network talent. His show was doing very well and he had lots of projects. Somehow, his relationship with the woman lessened his appeal to the public. Because of her, he had to ditch the young star he frequently worked with. The actor’s girlfriend also became a fixture wherever he went. Last we heard, the actor’s latest project has been canceled. Still, he chooses to believe that his girlfriend has nothing to do with what’s happening. Oh, well, true love probably makes one oblivious to everything.

WAITING FOR GOOD THINGS

THE young couple is so much in love to the point that they are willing to sacrifice their careers. The actor gave up a budding career built on the back of a loveteam for the love of this girl. She was willing to give up her own network’s plans for her, just because she loves the guy so much. But it’s weird because they have different managements with separate plans for them. They’ve been told that it won’t work. So right now, they’re just hoping one of their networks will blink and hire the other. Then, they can be together. But that really isn’t happening soon. So they have to be extra patient.

CAREER MOVE

WHEN an actor, who used to be a hot network property, has his e-mail address in his social-media bio, you know he is desperate for jobs. The actor transferred from one network to another, and this was done voluntarily. Nobody forced him to do anything. But the transfer came with a big price tag, literally, as the actor had to take a pay cut. His wife now has to help support his family, who is heavily dependent on him. The actor can’t even go back to his original network because there’s so much bad blood between them.

EXCHANGING ‘I LOVE YOUS’

ALTHOUGH the famous personality and the actor she is dating are not really hiding their budding relationship, they’re still being a bit cautious. The girl’s fans can be rabid. She has been telling her fans that she and the guy have already exchanged “I love yous” but are not fully committed to each other yet. At this point, it’s not clear if the relationship will be good for their respective careers. It won’t really matter to the guy because his career isn’t really loveteam-dependent. It’s the girl’s career that everyone is watching.

Celebrating life and rebirth ‘For the Love of Leyte’

Meghan’s father Thomas Markle appeals to her to call home LONDON—Thomas Markle appealed to his daughter Meghan to call home, saying on Monday they hadn’t spoken since her wedding to Prince Harry in May. The former actress, now known as the Duchess of Sussex, has ignored his attempts to get in touch, Thomas Markle told ITV. Markle had been scheduled to walk his daughter down the aisle, but pulled out of the wedding at the last moment because of heart problems. “I love my daughter very much and she has to know that, and I would really appreciate if she would call me, just reach out to me,” Markle said in the interview from San Diego. In Markle’s first television interview

Love Actually (2003)

MEGHAN

she no longer needed. “That’s really not a character trait,” he said. “She’s always been very polite to everyone, never been rude to anyone. I don’t know what’s really happening right now.” AP

IN celebration of the rebirth of Leyte and a series of cultural workshops. five years after the onslaught of “For the Love of Leyte” also aimed Supertyphoon Yolanda, Eastern Visayas to champion sustainable tourism and recently witnessed “For the Love of development, as well as reintroduce Leyte,” a nonprofit, benefit arts and music tourists to post-Yolanda Leyte. festival that gathered local artists and artisans to create empowerment and change through music and arts. Organized by the Philippine Foundation, in partnership with the Tourism Promotions Board, the marketing arm of the Department of Tourism, One Love Festival UK and Tabo-an Ha Ginsiyaman, the two-day festival featured a one-ofa-kind musical experience featuring local and foreign artists, as well as trade fairs PHOTO shows the Waray band Kulahig.

Image BusinessMirror

D4 Wednesday, December 19, 2018

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Antoni Porowski can cook By Bonnie Wertheim

New York Times News Service

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NTONI POROWSKI never said he was a chef, but he definitely knows his way around a kitchen. As the resident food and wine guy on Queer Eye, which had its premiere on Netflix in February, he is responsible for imparting humble lessons in home cooking to men who are undergoing weeklong transformations. Porowski’s food demonstrations are just part of a series of self-improvement seminars the show’s subjects attend. They go shopping with Tan France. They are groomed by Jonathan Van Ness. They experience “culture” with Karamo Brown. And the show’s interior designer, Bobby Berk, makes their homes livable and often gorgeous. These makeovers are master classes in empathy. The Fab Five pepper their subjects with compliments, I-knowwhere-you’re-coming-froms and hugs. But the cooking classes have brought out the worst in viewers, many of whom feel that Porowski’s dishes are overly simplistic. Their loud critiques have fueled what The New Yorker’s food correspondent Helen Rosner called a “culinary conspiracy theory.” On a recent Wednesday afternoon, at his Brooklyn apartment, Porowski whipped up a minimalist spaghetti and meatballs that proved that sometimes simple is anything but simplistic. The tomato sauce was an adaptation of Marcella Hazan’s recipe: San Marzano tomatoes; one onion, halved; and a stick of butter. Porowski threw in fresh basil and Parmesan rinds for an added kick. “It’s such a beautiful thing that you don’t have to waste,” he said of the oftdiscarded end of the cheese block. While the sauce simmered, Porowski, wearing a thin white t-shirt and slim-fit jeans, prepared ground turkey meatballs with crushed fennel, chili flakes, honey and more cheese. Behind him, a bowl of fresh spaghetti sat below the mouth of an extruder. He would have to make more for a dinner party that night, where he was to feed his boyfriend, Joey Krietemeyer, and three of their close friends. On Queer Eye, a reprise of Bravo’s Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, which ran from 2003 to 2007, Porowski shares recipes that are useful for easy entertaining. He teaches Tom, who has been divorced three times and is trying to rekindle love with his most recent ex, how to make a creamy guacamole with Greek yogurt. He fries up grilled cheese

ANTONI POROWSKI, a star of Queer Eye on Netflix, makes spaghetti at his apartment in New York. As the resident food and wine guy on the show, Porowski is responsible for imparting humble lessons in home cooking to men who are undergoing weeklong transformations. KARSTEN MORAN | THE NEW YORK TIMES

for Neal before a release party for his app. He shows Jeremy, a firefighter, how to dress up hot dogs to serve at a fire station fundraiser. Think pieces criticizing these “basic” recipes swiftly followed. Out magazine called Porowski’s use of Greek yogurt in guacamole “absolutely blasphemous.” Bowen Yang, a writer at Vulture, wrote that Porowski prepares “food a child would make when they’re old enough not to need a sitter. Any queer loves a grilled cheese, but it’s not a revelation to cut it into four triangular pieces.” Porowski, 25, said that he tries his best to ignore the noise, but admitted that it hurts to hear, not least because he knows that an act as elementary as cutting open a fruit can be eye-opening for some people. “Tom Jackson never saw the inside of an avocado before,” he said. “We had all these other components that we made

for that food demo that I wanted to show him how to make if we had a chance to. But when I cut open that avocado, he looked over in this childlike wonder and was actually amazed.” He lamented that negativity was a natural response to a program that elevates ordinary people to “hero” status. “I think that’s why the show is doing so well,” he said, noting that Queer Eye is available to stream in 190 countries. “It’s about kindness, and we haven’t seen that in a really long time.” Porowski was born in Montreal after his parents emigrated from Warsaw with his two older sisters. They spoke Polish at home, and he learned English and French simultaneously from television and in school. After studying psychology at Concordia University, Porowski moved to New York to pursue acting. He took food service jobs to make rent,

Don’t mistake ‘Pinoy Pride’ for nationalism

I should try.'” Allen put in a call to the show’s co-creator David Collins, and after a grueling series of auditions and chemistry reads, Porowski was welcomed into the new Fab Five. Though the show required him to relocate temporarily to Atlanta, Porowski lives with his boyfriend of seven years in Brooklyn. “For the most part, it was never assumed that I was gay, and I’ve had people be sort of surprised that I was gay or act apologetic like they didn’t know, which would just make me really uncomfortable,” he said. “And I never had shame for it, but I never felt like introducing myself as: ‘I’m Antoni, I’m gay. How are you?’” Porowski eschews labels generally and prefers to think of himself as a student, a human and, if he must, a selftaught home cook. The pasta was good, by the way.

Filipinos based in Silicon Valley disrupting cancer research, diagnostics and therapy

JUST THAT JT NISAY

jtnisay@gmail.com

THE golden age lives on with another milestone victory that comes a few days from Christmas. Years of preparation and months of anticipation ends on this day, as streets are clear and everyone’s tuned in. When the moment of truth arrives, it is a Filipino who has claimed victory on the global stage once more. Manny Pacquiao defeats Oscar de la Hoya. The day is December 6, 2008. Pacquiao is no more than a national treasure on the boxing ring, a champion tagged as the “Mexican Killer” who’s out to conquer the best outside the South American country after collecting the heads of Diaz, Morales and Barrera. Up next was de la Hoya, a big name but an aging star. However, the bout tagged as “The Dream Match” turned out to be a sleeper. Pacquiao dominated de la Hoya in eight rounds, sending the legend to retirement. Meanwhile, the Filipino star was just hitting his prime, in which every fight was appointment viewing. Singing the national anthem before his matches meant—and felt— something. Savoring his victories meant—and felt— something. Just being a Filipino during those times was something. Since then, that feeling has come few and far between. Pacquiao, as well as other athletes, has failed to replicate that level of global success and nationalistic impact, though

and eventually worked his way up to management at the sushi restaurant BondSt. All the while he was auditioning for acting gigs with limited success. “It’s usually like, ‘I’m Antoni Porowski, 5-foot-11-3/4. Here’s Polish Terrorist No. 2,’” he said. “And then you scream when you leave the room, and it’s done. And you never hear back.” His luck changed at a book signing for Ted Allen, who was the original Queer Eye food and wine expert on the Bravo series. The two became fast friends, and Allen hired Porowski as a personal assistant and became his mentor. A little over a year later, when one of Porowski’s friends who works at Untitled Entertainment alerted him to the Netflix reboot, Allen was the first person Porowski called for advice. “He’s like, ‘Antoni, do you really want to do this?'” Porowski recalled. “I was like, ‘I don’t know, but I think that

PHOTO BY NONIE REYES

it was really a generational phenomenon. Fields other than sports and people other than athletes has had little success, as well. Perhaps the closest that comes to that historic run of one man is the continued domination of Filipino women on the same stage. Since 2010, women who wore the sash that reads “Philippines” have figured in the top 10 of the Miss Universe pageant. Six of them have made it to the top 5, while two have won it all, including the newly crowned Catriona Gray. I write this mere hours removed from the coronation of the country’s bet as the universe’s queen, and the entire nation remains as red-hot as her Mak Tumang dress inspired by the Mayon Volcano. I‘m even quite confident that if I try to listen intently enough, with eyes closed, I could still hear shrills from a beauty parlor somewhere. People in the office and those online all proclaim that they are proud Filipinos, out loud and without shame. Strangers on the street, united by a strong sense of identity and victory, exchange meaningful nods as if to say, “We share this victory as one people.”

By the time you read this, that feeling may have already subsided. Life has moved on. We are each our own island again, only to become Filipinos when one of us makes us feel like it, and it’s frustrating. #PinoyPride seems to be a fleeting mood, rather than a guiding value. More precisely, #PinoyPride appears to be a title we appropriate to our champions the likes of Pacquiao the boxer and our beauty queens. It’s something we look up to on other people, and not one we live by ourselves. We are only proud to be Pinoy whenever it’s convenient. To be fair, in the current landscape, there’s no abundance of reasons to feel optimistic about the country and its people either. Watch the news, go online or look out the window even for a couple of minutes for reference. Here’s to hoping that one day, #PinoyPride means nationalism and not idolism. Here’s to hoping that one day, #PinoyPride refers not only to Filipinos who won a belt or a crown, but to an honest government, fluid road networks, or even natural treasures well taken care of. Here’s to hoping Pinoys feel pride in being Pinoys just because.

THE 2015 Philippine Cancer Facts and Estimates published by the Philippine Cancer Society identified the ovary as among the top 10 leading new cancer sites. While the survival rate is more than 90 percent when detected in the early stages (stage 1), most ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed in the late stages (stage 4) where survival rate is less than 20 percent. Currently, there is no minimally invasive test that can accurately detect ovarian cancer at its early stages when it is most curable. But InterVenn BioSciences (intervenn.bio) is working hard to change that. Headquartered in Redwood City California, with offices in Kuala Lumpur and Manila, InterVenn BioSciences is a life science company with a mission to understand and control complex diseases like cancer for populations globally. The company uses augmented intelligence (AI) to integrate cancer biology, data science and advanced instrumentation, all in the context of robust epidemiology study design. The company has developed an AI-driven mass spectrometry-based platform for the discovery and validation of biomarkers for cancer including ovarian, breast and prostate; pioneering the glycoproteomic approach for the early diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Glycoproteomics, an emerging field combining proteomics and glycomics, can help with better biomarker and target discovery but produces an enormous amount of data that takes too long to fully analyze and is often difficult to reproduce. By leveraging mass spectrometry, hi-res characterization of post-translational modifications, and artificial intelligence, InterVenn streamlines and expedites this process and ensures that any variability in the workflow—from the sample collection, processing, all the way to instrument ingestion—is drastically minimized and the results become supremely reproducible. The company’s first product is a blood-based ovarian cancer diagnostic that is currently undergoing analytical and clinical validation. This is an accurate minimally invasive blood test to detect ovarian cancer in the early stages. “We’ve established a talented team of experts in AI, computational biology, mass spectrometry, software engineering, glycoproteomics and product development who are dedicated to equipping physicians with a reliable,

high-performing and cost-effective tool to change the narrative around ovarian cancer,” explained InterVenn BioSciences Chief Executive Officer Aldo Carrascoso. “Our company promises to contribute passionately in addressing the problem of cancer with an interdisciplinary approach—microbiology, glycoproteomics, augmented intelligence, social sciences, economics and patient care. We believe the best way to fix the problem is through a holistic approach,” he added. Carrascoso is one of three Filipino cofounders of InterVenn BioSciences. Working with him are Lieza Danan, PhD, who has 20 years of mass spectrometry, analytical chemistry and instrumentation experience answering complex scientific questions no other analytical tools can address; plus over 10 years of extensive experience as a technical leader in fast-paced biopharmaceutical, cGMP analytical CRO, and instrumentation facilities. Completing the trio is Carlito Lebrilla, PhD, fellow at the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and Distinguished Professor at University of California Davis. Lebrilla is considered a pioneer in translational glycoproteomics and mass spectrometry, and its application to complex disease understanding biological interrogation. Filipinos are also at the helm of the software development and cloud infrastructure efforts, and InterVenn has a dedicated team based in Ortigas Center, Pasig. “The technology is able to automate tedious work, in effect supercharging the scientists, making their work faster and easier,” emphasized Carrascoso. Once the validation and regulatory processes are completed, the company will begin offering a laboratory diagnostic test. They have recently received institutional investment of $9.4 million led by seasoned biotech investor Genoa Ventures, with participation from True Ventures, Amplify Partners, Boost VC and Prado SV. Clinical trials are under way in Philippine General Hospital, National Kidney and Transplant Institute and The Medical City. They urge the public to contribute to developing and validating this vital blood test for early ovarian cancer detection by providing biological samples and medical information—both from ovarian cancer patients and donors who do not have cancer will be useful.

BusinessMirror E1 | Wednesday, December 19, 2018 • Editor : Tet Andolong

Bayview Park Hotel Manila

HRAP SAYS BUILD, BUILD, BUILD’

CAN BOOST TOURISM By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes

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@brownindio

ITH the government’s “Build, Build, Build” program going full swing, the Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Philippines (HRAP) expressed bullishness on the country’s tourism industry next year.

SUPERIOR Room, Bayview Hotel

DELUXE room

“The whole industry is bullish. The Duterte administration’s thrust toward infrastructure development is going to boost the tourism industry as it will bring more tourists to other places in the country,” said Eugene Yap in a recent interview with the BusinessMirror on the sidelines of he Christmas lighting event of Bayview Park Hotel in Manila. “We are thinking of a 10-percent growth in 2019. The impact of the property boom is also felt in the tourism industry as a lot of hotels are being constructed to meet the demands of the influx of tourists in the country,” Yap added.

Moreover, Yap said HRAP is also promoting the Philippines to investors for potential projects to boost economic inclusivity. “There are a lot of untapped last wilderness in the Philippines,” he said. Big-ticket projects such as the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 7, Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 expansion, Skyway connector road, Metro Subway and Clark International Airport modernization, among others, are expected to spur up development around the country. According to Department of Tourism (DOT) data, the Philippines achieved a 8.32-percent growth

SUITE room, Bayview Hotel

when it received 5.3 million visitors in the January-to-September 2018 period compared to 4.9 million visitors in the same period of last year. The top 12 markets by volume are Korea (21.84 percent), China (17.94 percent), the US (14.74 percent), Japan (8.9 percent), Australia (3.62 percent), Taiwan (3.36 percent), Canada (3.12 percent), the United Kingdom (2.82 percent), Singapore (2.42 percent), Malaysia (1.98 percent), Hong Kong (1.79 percent) and India (1.72 percent). In its tourism national strategy, the DOT aims to “formulate an integrated sustainable tourism management plan for central Philippines, identifying viable critical environmental, infrastructure and community-based projects to link and integrate the tourism development of the area.” Under their tourism management plan, the DOT aims to “provide a comprehensive planning framework for the development of tourism so that it can play a key role in the development of the regional economy.” The DOT also wants to pursue a “vision of the future direction and content of tourism development, which can help to focus and guide the actions of the various stakeholders toward a shared goal.” Yap, also the vice president and general manager of Bayview Hotel Development Corp., said Bayview is also preparing and developing its capabilities to maintain its competitiveness in the three-star category. “We’re concentrating in developing our resources and investing in our resources to maintain our stature in the tourism service industry,” said Yap. “I hope guests see as for who we are as an affordable hotel and we keep on challenging ourselves,” he added. Yap said Bayview is also upgrading and renovating rooms and enhancing the meal offerings. “We are refurbishing, reinvesting and retraining.”

Business

E2 Wednesday, December 19, 2018

DIGITAL REALTY: THE NEW REALITY IN REAL ESTATE permarkets in China. For technology and specifically the Data Centre real-estate market, we will see more hyperscale construction (i.e even larger footprints of data centers, built for high density workloads within interconntected campuses) appearing in more and more geographies across the world. Eventually I feel that with the complete onset of wearables, connected devices and AR/VR, even holographic technology—the physical locations where we live, learn, play and work are going to go through some dynamic changes. Will we even need to leave our homes at all in a few decades time?

Amor Maclang

FIRST DIBS IN REAL ESTATE

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Conclusion

HAT do you predict will be the changes in the next 10 years and would this cause your business model to change yet again? I think it is safe to say that there will be change. What do they say? Change is the only constant in life. It is hard to argue with that, especially in our modern ever-changing and technology-driven world. It is also incredibly hard to predict the changes that will happen—especially in a time frame as long as 10 years. One of the facets of the current Industrial Revolution (the 4th) we are living in, is the sheer speed of the changes we are seeing. Exponential growth is occurring across all facets of technology and changing industries and our daily lives at the same time. We are confident though that one thing will remain, the need for huge amounts of data and data storage! You can look at all of the growth trends and the one constant is that we are creating more and more data, especially in Asia. Eight hundred million Internet users in China, with an estimated 100 million or so new users added every year, 450 million or so Internet users in India—the numbers are mind blowing. The Philippines, also, now has 67 million Internet users, with all of them extremely active on social media—in fact some of the

highest penetration rates for social in the world are in the Philippines. The Data Centre and Network Infrastructure industries are going to remain a critical foundation of the digital economy and growth of all the new industries. The change may well be in how and specifically where the new data centers are built, especially in the emerging markets. We work very closely with our clients, both global and regional, to ensure the product and solutions we build meet their needs not just for today but also for the future—this also means looking at the locations on the map where they need to grow.

5. How many regions do you operate in? How would you characterize the behavior of the various regions?

We are close to 200 data centers in 32 metropolitan areas across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. Our footprint equates to 33+ million rentable square feet of DC space. We are the largest operator by physical size. In terms of the Data Centre industry we can roughly say that North America is the most advanced, having initiated through Silicon Valley

10. What’s your take on the Philippine market? DIGITAL Osaka I is located 20 kilometers from the city center and is a 8,271-square-meter (80,000-sq-ft) development offering excellent diversity from a power, cooling, security and connectivity perspective. The facility provides customers with multi-rack, cage and private suites configurations ranging from 2 kilowatts to over 2,400 kilowatts.

the dot com era and the growth of huge Data Centre locations. Following North America would be Europe with Asia Pacific in third in terms of the level of Data Centre outsourcing maturity and development. However, it is important to caveat this by also saying that the fastest-growing region in the world is Asia. Both in terms of the new Asian Tech Giants growing their footprint within the region and globally, as well as in terms of the sheer size of the Internet and consumer base. For many in this region the first and possibly only computer they come in contact with is their smartphone.

6. What factors do you look for in a market prior to entering?

We are very much driven by our customer demand. I would say that is one of the primary drivers for new market entry—where do our global and regional customers need to be with their technology footprint and their data? In addition, of course a number of surrounding metrics and factors are important—this includes the size of the market and its consumer base—the growth trajectory of that market etc. We also look at a number of geopolitical risk factors when making market entry decisions. As we are an end-to-end Data Centre operator, we will invest signifcant amounts of capital to buy

land, build a Data Centre and then enable operations. This means factors such as the political climate, the national energy grid and the network/connectivity infrastructure all play an important part in our planning and decision-making.

7. What’s in the pipeline for Digital Realty in 2019?

More growth, especially in Asia Pacific. We currently operate in all the core financial centers of Asia Pacific, so Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Sydney. In addition we have data centers in Osaka and Melbourne. Our CEO has mentioned on some of our most recent earnings calls that we are closely looking at three new markets in Asia—these are South Korea, Indonesia and India. Now we don’t have any firm announcements to make for any of those markets yet—we will also always keep a close eye on options and growth plans for all the key emerging markets in the regions that we operate.

8. What are the top markets to invest in real estate in Asia Pacific?

I am certainly not a real-estate investment expert. However it is safe to say that the Asia growth markets are going to attract a lot of investment. It is a simple factor of the vast growth of the middle

and consumer classes across these geographies. Specifically I couldn’t say which markets will be most attractive. From a Technology Real Estate perspective, so Data Centres, we expect to see continued strong investment in the core markets of Singapore, Hong Kong, Sydney and Tokyo. In addition, it is clear that the growth markets of India, China and Southeast Asia (the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia) are also going to see more and more investment and growth across the board.

9. Omer Wilson’s top 5 fearless forecast on the real-estate industry in 2019 and beyond.

Technology is going to be more and more pervasive within the realestate industry. It will drive decision making and the nature of how we develop new projects through 2019 and beyond. We are going to see a further drive to the “edge” and new markets—especially where the growing consumer and middle classes are coming from, especially in Asia. We are going to see even more drastic changes in consumer real estate with the convergence of technology, e-commerce, AR/VR on traditional shopping centers—we are already seeing this with examples such as Alibaba’s highly technology and smartphone enabled Hema su-

On the Philippines, I think all the metrics show that is a key regional technology real-estate candidate location. It has a strategic geography position, able to reach South and North Asia accordingly. It also has a youthful, large and data-hungry population. The social-media penetration rates for the country are some of the highest in the entire world. So given all these very positive trends, the question remains, why hasn’t digital Realty entered yet? Well, it is worth caveating firstly that if you look at the markets where digital operates today in AsPac, they are what you would call traditional core markets, so Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan and Australia. So we are not yet in any of the emerging markets. We closely track all of the key emerging locations, including the Philippines, but as yet do not have any firm plans to enter any of them, yet. Some of the factors which would need to be considered, especially for the Philippines, is the national energy infrastructure and network connectivity, especially considering the geographical area and large number of islands that make up the country. Also geopolitical developments would be tracked closely. However all in all, the country remains a huge growing economy, which will in every likely hood continue its growth as both a technology and real-estate hub especially as the edge for access to the millions of growing Internet users and consumers.

New and revitalized Eton Centris kicks off holiday offerings

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HRISTMAS is just around the corner and Eton Centris is taking its holiday offerings up a notch this year. One of the newest attractions in the complex this December is the Illumination Festival Manila organized by Kirin Creative Entertainment. It features Luminarie Light Structures, shows by international performers, and a state-of-the-art VR experience that is a must-see for families and friends this holiday season. The public can experience walking with dinosaurs, flying on a glider, or even walking on top of buildings using the event’s advanced virtualreality technology. There will also be a Gini Casting portable professional studio used in K-pop auditions—a sure hit for K-pop fans. Rare K-pop merchandise will also be available for purchase. Eton Centris will also feature the Manila Concert Choir, Himig Scientia, CEU Singers, Novo Concertante, UP Manila Chorale, Banda Zamora and UST Singers on their Christmas Musical Nights on all Friday and Saturday of December. These evening

concerts will take place at the Centris Walk Open Grounds at 8 p.m. The Eton Centris Christmas Gift Shop Bazaar will also run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. for the entire month of December, complementing the neighborhood favorite Sidcor Sunday Market where unique finds abound—from food, clothes, accessories, home décor, dry goods to wet market, plants and even pets. Sidcor happens every Sunday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. but better come early because the items here sell really fast. Pet lovers can take their fur babies to a Christmas get-together too at the PAWlar Express on December 16 at 2 p.m. And why not take them and your families and friends to meet Santa Claus as well at the Santa Meet & Greet happening every Friday from 6 to 9 p.m.? On top of these, immerse in a spectacle of lights at the weekly Grand Fireworks Display that will run every 9 p.m. for all Saturdays of December. Eton Centris is also hosting nine days of Misa de Gallo be held from December 15 to 23, every 6:30 p.m. at the Centris Walk.

The holiday festivities at Eton Centris was kicked off by a Christmas tree-lighting ceremony held on November 14. The 50-feet giant tree is adorned with over 2000 pieces of décor with red, orange, green, cyan and magenta ornaments that represent the new and revitalized Eton Centris. “More than a BPO hub and commercial center, we want our Eton Centris to become the place that people go to in order to enjoy the things that make them happy, activities that they love, their passions and interests. From good food and events to music and the arts, we want Eton Centris to be known as the soulful side of Quezon City,” said Assistant Vice President for Eton Centris Marjorie G. Abot. Situated at the corners of major thoroughfares in Edsa and Quezon Avenue, Eton Centris is a 12-hectare mixed-use complex dedicated to retail stores, restaurants, offices, and open spaces for entertainment and other fun activities—all easily accessible via a direct Metro Rail Transit (MRT) connection.

THE green, cyan and magenta ornaments of the 50-feet giant Christmas tree represent the new and revitalized Eton Centris.

sMirror

Wednesday, December 19, 2018 E3

Taiwan Excellence shines at Philconstruct By Bernard L Supetran

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ROM the iconic skyscraper Taipei 101, smart buildings, high-speed trains, down to the household and office implements, Taiwan is synonymous to innovation and precision. This world-class technology shone once more at the Taiwan Excellence (TE) in the sidelights of Philconstruct 2018, the country’s biggest construction show, held recently at the SMX Convention Center and the World Trade Center. One of the largest and much-anticipated exhibitors, TE showcased a selection of brands recognized as among the world’s best. TE is an organization which reviews and certifies Taiwanese high-quality products. Ten companies, regarded as innovators in the Asian construction industry and recipients of the Taiwan Excellence Award, showcased their innovation in creating sustainable solutions for both home and office. The prestigious award were bestowed upon them for outstanding performance in research and development, design, quality and marketing. Under the theme “Smart Constructions for Smart Cities,” most of the brands showcased their form and function, as well as environment-friendly features which has become a benchmark in the industry. An interior implement brand, Caesar Sanitary Ware is sensor fau-

cet whose mechanical detector runs completely on hydropower and thus saves on electricity. Another energy saver is Sunonwealth Electric Machine Industry Co. Ltd., which created an energy efficient ventilation fireproof and waterproof fan and filter designed for safety. It features magnetic buttons and a lateral suction design, and gives saves up to 60 percent energy. For work platforms of exceptional stability and safety, Chiao Teng Hsin Enterprise Co. Ltd. has made a ladder accessory called Aluminum Telescopic Steady Support. It uses a multifunctional joint ladder structure and has hidden-style stainless steel shrapnel, and can hold a load of 150 kilograms. Ferro-Carbon Enterprise Co. Ltd. brings innovative storage solutions which is ideal for maximizing smaller areas. Its products promise durability and style, and with their patented industrial vacuum technology suction cups, prevent drilling and hammering into the walls. Security is the name of the game with Tong Lung Metal Industry Co. Ltd.’s featured proximity lock, which has a four-in-one access methods—fingerprint, proximity

PHILCONSTRUCT VIPs at opening rites

card, password and physical key. It eliminates complex procedures, ensuring that it locks quickly to safety

HOME

Holcim promotes use of blended cement for construction By Roderick L. Abad @rodrik_28

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EEING a strong demand for construction materials on the back of the government’s massive infrastructure projects, Holcim Philippines Inc. is urging the shift of local contractors to blended cement to build roads mainly because of its lesser impact on the environment and better performance. As part of President Duterte’s P8trillion “Build, Build, Build” program to upgrade key infrastructures in the country, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reported that 3,945 kilometers of roads have been built by the current administration as of July this year, with more projects under way until 2022. According to Holcim Philippines Senior Vice President (SVP) for Sales William Sumalinog, the majority of national roads are still built using Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), which has a higher clinker component than blended ones. Clinker is an intermediate product and causes a significant release of carbon dioxide during cement production. Holcim has been maximizing its production process to mitigate emissions from clinker making with the use of blended cements as one major lever. The top executive said that the DPWH has allowed the utilization of blended cement for road constructions since June 2016 via Department Order (DO) 133. This directive amends building standards for concrete pavements that previously specified OPC. The DO 133 is aimed at helping the government’s intention to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. “The order is aligned with Holcim Philippines’s efforts to lower emissions from cement production as part of our overall sustainability commitment. Aside from pushing efficiency initiatives, getting our partners to shift to blended cement products is key to meeting our environmental targets,” Sumalinog said.

HOLCIM Philippines is encouraging local road builders to use blended cement in their projects, citing its performance and environmental advantages, as well as the Public Works department’s approval of this as an alternative to Ordinary Portland Cement. He also pointed out that the DPWH order, likewise, acknowledges that blended cement meets the quality standards for strength and durability for roads. The SVP for sales of Holcim Philippines noted that it may even perform better in some cases as it can be customized to address the specific durability challenges present in sites where structures will be built. Sumalinog shared that since the issuance of the directive, the cement manufacturer has been working with its business partners and regional DPWH offices to highlight the benefits of blended cement over OPC through its engagement programs such as Holcim Building Bridges. The building solution firm offers products ranging from structuring to finishing applications for infrastructure projects and even simple home repairs. It has cement manufacturing facilities in La Union, Bulacan, Misamis Oriental and Davao, as well as aggregates and dry mix business and technical support facilities for building solutions. Holcim Philippines is a member of the LafargeHolcim Group present in 80 countries with over 80,000 employees. To further support the nation’s strong economic development and robust construction activity, it plans to invest nearly $300 million to increase its cement production capacity by 30 per-

cent to 13 million metric tons by 2020. Set to be upgraded are its facilities in Bulacan and Misamis Oriental with the installation of new and efficient kilns and mills and waste heat recovery systems as part of its cost focus. “Our company believes in the sustained development of the Philippines. This investment is proof of our confidence in the country and our commitment to be a strong partner for progress,” said Tomas Alcantara, chairman of Holcim Philippines. “With this, Holcim Philippines will continue being a reliable partner in building a better future for the country,” he added. For Holcim Philippines President and CEO John Stull, these initiatives enable their company to keep on playing a pivotal role in the country’s growth. “Our capacity expansion ensures that we can provide a steady supply of quality building materials to support the government’s infrastructure program and the resulting construction activity from the economy’s sustained rise,” he said. With interest expenses from shortterm loans related to capital expenditures to raise production capacity, the publicly listed company reported that its net income for the third quarter of 2018 reached P176.9 million compared with P337.4 million recorded during the same period last year.

while allowing for easy escape from the interior, and is equipped with a voice-guide feature.

Xing Tai Guang Co. Ltd. is known for illuminating interior and exterior spaces with its low-energy XTGL Optical CMH Luminaire, while Lei Yueh Enterprise Co. Ltd., introduced its ultra-slim LED Mini Star. A seismometer by e-Formula Technologies Inc. is an innovation in early detection, as it detects and measures faster less disruptive P waves from seismic activity, and sends an alert before the more damaging S wave arrives. The Silent Self-Closing Ball Bearing Slide by King Slide Works Co. Ltd. ensures that cabinets are selfclosing, and the soundless speed down mechanism helps drawers close quietly for safety and security. Taroko Door & Window Tech-

nologies Inc. offers the Intuitive Detachable Pleated Screen, a screen system for windows and doors which keep light out and keep away insects, while letting air freely circulate. While highly mechanical, the screen is easily removed for cleaning. The Taiwan Excellence Awards were established by Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs in 1992, and is recognized by 102 countries as a symbol of outstanding quality for its rigorous and stringent selection system. Founded in 1970 to help promote foreign trade, the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (Taitra) is the foremost nonprofit, semigovernmental trade promotion organization which assists Taiwanese businesses in enhancing their international competitiveness. It boasts of an extensive network of over 1,200 international marketing specialists stationed throughout its Taipei headquarters and 50 overseas offices. Together with its sister organizations, the Taiwan Trade Center and the Taipei World Trade Center, Taitra has created a wealth of trade opportunities through global promotion. Philconstruct, the Building Construction Material, Equipment and Sanitary Ware Industry trade fair, is organized by the Philippine Constructors Association Inc., which account for more than 80 percent of the country’s total annual construction projects. The group is credited for defining the building and construction landscape by creating a space for manufacturers to showcase industry-related items such as building machineries, equipment, accessories, and essentials for exterior and interior design.

CDC completes River Green Residences

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DC Holdings Inc., one of the leading real-estate developers in the country, recently completed the construction and turnover of units for its newest project—the River Green Residences in Santa Ana, Manila. This is the company’s second property in the area, following Manila River City Residences, which was completed in 2016. With the completion of the twotower, 30-story development, the company has once again fulfilled its commitment to help more families realize their dream of living in their own homes. Through the River Green Residences, located along Pedro Gil Street, CDC Holdings built another exciting and dynamic community in the area. The event was attended by unit owners from its North and South Tower, commercial tenants such as Robinsons Supermarket and BPI, members of its project team, as well as various suppliers and contractors. Fr. Eli Manlangit of the Santa Ana Church blessed the amenities in the property. “At the heart of one of the busiest urban areas in the Metro, CDC Holdings transformed this site into one of the most attractive realestate investments you can find at this location, at this price and with this quality,” shared Elsie Chua, the company’s president and CEO. “The vision that I have of providing value for money homes at a convenient location has become a reality with River Green Residences.” The turnover of the keys to home owners also signals that CDC is involving the community in ensuring that the quality will be properly managed and maintained, Chua added. “River Green Residences is another testament of CDC’s philosophy of delivering beyond what we committed, and of exceeding value for money. We are truly grateful for everyone’s continued trust and patronage for our company.”

Going beyond expectations

OFFERING a relaxing retreat from the city’s hustle and bustle, the property is comprised of 770 units, ranging from spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units—all of which have balconies, except for those located at the amenities floor. Serving as a sanctuary to its residents, each unit was designed to allow an abundance of natural light and air, and offers views of the Pasig River, the skyline of Pasig City, Makati City or Manila. Similar to other CDC properties, River Green Residences provides utmost convenience and comfort to its residents by making sure the most-sought establishments are easily accessible. For example, Robinsons Supermarket and BPI are just an elevator ride away. What’s more, residents do not need to go to a coffee shop to get work done or to study, since the property also has a study lounge. Inside the vertical community of River Green Residences, residents will feel like they are in a personal city center haven where they can just relax and recharge. Families can bond together and enjoy the property’s host of resort-type amenities, including an outdoor lanai, swimming pool and garden. What’s more, there’s a 215-meter jogging path that promotes the fitness and wellness among its residents. Residents can also spend some rest and recreation time with guests—the property features a function room that can accommodate a banquet for 80 people, complete with a kitchenette. For CDC Holdings, its dedication to make its residents feel safely at home in every community that it builds is an ongoing commitment. To ensure increased security, River Green Residences uses access key cards—similar to what are being used in leading global hotels—to enter the lobby and use the elevators.

CDC Holdings

Creating a community

CURRENTLY, River Green Residences, which is being managed by Quadrillion Properties Management Inc. is over 90 percent sold out. Most of the buyers came from Santa Ana, as well as nearby municipalities in Manila. More than 90 percent of the residents have already moved in at the South Tower, while about 50 percent have moved in at the recently turned over North Tower. The majority of the property’s unit owners are end users, ranging from families who value its proximity to the city’s best schools and the business districts of Makati, Manila and Ortigas. River Green Residences has also attracted single millennials who prefer to spend less time traveling to work and more time on things that matter to them, and who appreciate its short distance to shopping malls and entertainment venues. Other unit owners, meanwhile, include retirees who are mostly OFWs, who purchased a unit for rental income. With the completion of River Green Residences, CDC Holdings brings another exciting development, as it coincides with the upcoming launch of River Park Place in 2019. To know more about River Green Residences and other CDC Holdings projects, contact 894-0808 or 0917-852-0111, or you may visit www.cdcresidences.com. ­

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From a small company into an empire, Ever Bilena rises as market leader in affordable quality cosmetics

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USINESSMAN Dioceldo Sy started a cosmetics company in 1983 with a capital of only P150,000. His five-man team sold Taiwan-made nail polish to the local wholesale market. Surviving all kinds of business challenges in the past 35 years, Ever Bilena is now a cosmetics empire, lording over an industry once dominated by global brands. “We were able to overtake multinational brands like Maybelline and Revlon,” Sy, a recipient of the prestigious Regus Entrepreneur of the Year awardee for achieving “significant business growth and expansion through business formation,” beamed. Ever Bilena offers a wide array of affordable cosmetics products ranging from eye shadows, mascaras, BB creams and concealers, to fragrances, lipsticks, makeup palettes and makeup tools. “Our products are of global quality—but priced reasonably. We sell our products for as low as P250, no more than 50 percent of the mandated daily wage,” Sy said. Now with over 1,500 employees nationwide, Ever Bilena has evolved with the times, keeping abreast with global trends, while nurturing the family spirit within the organization. “The company is professionally

run, but family-oriented. I always maintain the family spirit within the organization. Some employees have been with me since I started in the 1980s,” Sy said. With global influences and international brand competitors, Sy emphasized the valuable insights from the younger generation. In 2014, his daughter Denice joined Ever Bilena. A business management graduate from the University of California in Berkeley in the United States, Denice started at an entry-level job and slowly worked her way up the corporate ladder, getting involved in all aspects of the business. “Ever Bilena is facing a new generation of personal-care product users and shoppers. Having my daughter Denice as head of sales is a big advantage for the brand because she is aware of the newest global trends,” Sy said. The brand has enhanced its line with innovative products like the lip and cheek tint roller (lip and cheek color rolled into one), the two-way cake (face powder and foundation

Our products are of global quality—but priced reasonably. We sell our products for as low as P250, no more than 50 percent of the mandated daily wage.”—Sy

The dynamic couple: Husband cooks as the wife bakes pastries By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes @brownindio Contributor

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BUSINESSMAN Dioceldo Sy of Ever Bilena poses for a souvenir shot after bagging the Regus Entrepreneur of the Year Top Circle of Excellence Award along with seven other awardees.

that can be applied either wet or dry) and other unique formulations. Consumers get quality local products without paying the price of foreign brands. “We have a strong lineup of products endorsed by popular celebrities. Just recently we collaborated with Ms. Kris Aquino, the country’s top influencer,” Sy said. To address the changing needs of its consumers, Ever Bilena maintains a very strong online presence. “Trends change quickly because of social media. With our strong presence on social media, it is easy for us

to understand our market. I believe that is our advantage, that’s why we are ahead of our competitors,” Sy said. With Asia Pacific’s cosmetics industry expected to reach $126.8 billion by 2020, Sy now is eyeing the Southeast Asian markets. “Indonesia is a huge market of about 250 million people—twice the size of the Philippine population—their skin type is similar to Filipinos,” Sy said. “I think we have a good chance. We’re looking at the country’s traditional cosmetics market, which caters to around 40 percent of the total population.”

7-Eleven expands to Surigao, opens first store in Tandag City

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S it continues to expand its network operations across the country, world-leading C-store chain giant 7-Eleven makes another successful milestone in its brand-building campaign, this time with the landmark opening of its first store in Surigao del Sur in Mindanao. The new outlet is along Quintos Street, Bungtod, Tandag City, located at the Tandag City Plaza, which is one of the most visited places in the city. Located beside the park and near the old Cathedral Church, the plaza became more suitable for business ventures, commercial and tourism activities after its renovation last year. Situated in a customer-centric area, the target market of the Tandag City Plaza store is comprised of residential, transit, school, visitors and commuters passing through Tandag, and commercial since it is also near mining companies, municipal government, dormitories and apartments. In addition to bringing innovative products and convenient retail services in Surigao del Sur, the milestone entry of 7-Eleven is seen to fast-track future development in the area by providing income-generating opportunities for locals through job creation. Despite its small population, Gil Abad, Mindanao Regional Business unit head, said that Tandag remains a relevant and strategic gateway for 7-Eleven as it also offers great investment opportunities for medium-sized commercial complexes,

OT all chefs could be successful food entrepreneurs, Chef Rolando Laudico, better known as “Chef Lau,” one of the most recognizable celebrity chefs in the country due to his no compromise approach to the quality in the food he cooks and endearing advocacy with Filipino cuisine, said. For Laudico, a food entrepreneur must not only be knowledgeable in cooking but must also be business savvy and knows how to make profit out of the menu. He also said one must be creative. “Perhaps everybody knows how to cook but not everybody is creative,” he stated. A chef must also have a big heart, Laudico pointed out, as a chef must love to mingle with people because he or she will be dealing with different people. “If an individual does not have a heart, he will be discouraged not just with the food aspect but with other matters,” Laudico said. “Everybody has his own taste and preferences. You cannot please everyone. That is why you have to have a big heart,” he added. Laudico and his wife, pastry chef Jacqueline Laudico, have a successful catering business and operate the kitchens of restaurants like Guevarra’s Restaurant and OK Cafe. In a recent media interview, Chef Lau said he has always attached his name to the restaurants that he handle because he is proud of his name and worked hard to maintain his brand. Chef Laudico’s Guevarra’s Restaurant was launched six years ago, when he was approached by a friend who was a partner of a spa that ceased to operate after one year of operation. “The spa was not working and they had a five-year lease. I immediately fell in love with the place when I saw it,” he said. Lau restored the original look of the house that was built in the 1920s and originally owned by an American-Jewish businessman. “It is hard for you to do everything for yourself. You need to have good partners, which, in Guevarra’s, I am fortunate enough,” he said.

Laudico and his partners are still looking for old houses to expand their business, even as he admitted it is hard to find old houses around the country, Moreover, there are also plans to revive the fast good concept through the Pugon Roasters restaurant next year to enable more people to eat food that don’t have harmful chemicals. “I was also contemplating [to launch] a food truck that would go to several places,” he said. For the Christmas season, Laudico has rolled out great food for the Filipino family. The sprawling yard surrounding the 1920s structure is decked in red and green holiday cheer. Inside the restaurant, the ambiance is equally festive. The mood extends to the buffet table where dishes specially whipped up for the season await guests. “We prepared items that are popular during Christmas,” said Laudico. The lineup includes orange chicken galantina (chicken stuffed with seasoned pork meat in orange sauce), pata hamonado (pineapple-cured fresh pork ham), roasted turkey with castañas and chorizo, menudo pastel pie (menudo meat pie in pastry crust) and baked macaroni kaldereta (baked mac with beef kaldereta). “We incorporated a lot of queso de bola and ham,” he added before pointing to the queso de bola croquettes (edam cheese croquettes with surprise filling), and ham and cheese ensaymada sandwich. “We are also serving embutido because that’s a Christmas staple in our home,” he shared. “We have traditional items that people look for during Christmas,” explained chef Jac. So the dessert section features bibingka and puto bumbong. “I included the crema de fruta [cake with fruits, cream, and gelatin] because that’s something that I was making and selling when I was in high school and I remember how everyone ordered so much during Christmas,” she recalls. The 30-plus Christmas dishes will be rotated on different days and be made part of their regular buffet of 80 Filipino favorites. “No matter how often you come over, you will always find something new,” chef Lau assured.

THE façade of the newly opened 7-Eleven outlet along Quintos Street, Bungtod, Tandag City.

hotels, resorts and amusement parks, food establishments, food processing, fish canning and deboning, clothing and fashion accessories, and demonstration farms. “We are expecting a good return on sales due to increasing rate of tourism and commercialization, as well as the fast development of the province, especially Tandag City, which paved the way for the expansion of 7-Eleven in the Eastern area,” Abad added.

For the year 2019, Abad revealed that Philippine Seven Corp. (PSC), the exclusive local licensor of 7-Eleven, is still planning and looking into opening 65 stores for the whole Mindanao Island. Currently, 7-Eleven has a total of 2,508 stores nationwide, 1,351 of which are franchise-owned and 1,157 are corporate-owned outlets. For franchising inquiries, call (02) 726-9968, 09209508651, 0917-8711686, e-mail franchising@7eleven.com.ph or visit www.7-eleven.com.ph.

LAUDICO

DOST slates business summit for ‘incubators,’ start-ups today

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HE Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will gather its agency-assisted “incubators” and start-ups to help them sharpen their entrepreneurial skills, and to better showcase the agency’s programs and support for the sector. This will be held in Manila today (Wednesday), via the second National Technology Business Incubator

(TBI) Summit that the DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) will host. Technology incubators assist technology-oriented start-up entrepreneurs by providing them with workspace. DOST-assisted TBIs do not just provide workspace, but also technical services and facilities.

The DOST uses technology business incubation to promote “technopreneurship” and innovation, according to PCIEERD’s web site. The agency’s TBI program also promotes public-private partnerships in regional economic development. By staging the TBI Summit, the DOST will help promote communication between start-ups and private

and public partner agencies. Several panel discussions will also be held to showcase some of the best practices in the Asean region, in relation to business incubation. Fostering innovation in communities will also be discussed, apart from the DOST’s plans for technology start-ups. In 2017 alone, the DOST assisted

more than 400 start-ups. DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña earlier told the Philippine News Agency that the DOST provides them with various forms of assistance, such as calibration, services and even monetary assistance. Aside from the TBI program, the DOST also supports the start-ups through its Small Enterprises Tech-

nology Upgrading Program (Setup). Setup assists the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and helps them improve their productivity and competitiveness by providing them a loan that is payable in three years. MSMEs must be at least three years in the business before they can apply for this program. PNA

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DOE@46

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

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LET NO ONE BE LEFT IN DARKNESS,

LET THERE BE LIGHT FOR ALL

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By Leony R. Garcia

E should not forget that progress should be inclusive – let no one be left in darkness, most especially those at the margins of society. Let there be light for all.”

Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi declared this during the opening of National Energy Consciousness Month (NECM) 2018 and the DOE’s 46th anniversary at the agency’s headquarters in Bonifacio Global City on December 3. The DOE is urgently pushing for the total electrification of unserved and underserved areas and the exploration and development of the country’s indigenous energy resources. The DOE has called on the National Electrification Administration to undertake all necessary

measures towards the electrification of said areas, which include ensuring the complete submission of the Master Plans of electric cooperatives (ECs); fast-tracking the implementation of the Total Electrification Program by directing ECs to energize all households within the entirety of their respective franchise areas without exemption; directing ECs to evaluate the feasibility of hybridization as a means to lower electricity prices and ensure uninterrupted power supply; and studying other methods of extending financial assistance to ECs. Sec. Cusi also underscored

ENERGY FOR ALL: DOE Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi reminds members of the energy family that a mindset of energy conservation should be complemented by a strong recognition that power should be made available not only to some, but to all Filipinos.

the necessity of adopting a twopronged approach of energy conservation and total electrification not only in celebration of NECM, but also as the overarching principle in realizing the country’s energy agenda.

“Energy remains to be a cornerstone of Philippine economic development. It is also very important in our daily lives. Thus, it is crucial that energy services are delivered to each and every Filipino,” he stressed.

Among the strides made by the Department in this regard include the enactment of an Energy Resiliency Policy, the implementation of Renewable Portfolio Standards, the establishment of a Green Energy Option Program, the streamlining

of executive processes, as well as measures that promote competition and promote a level-playing field for all industry stakeholders. In line with this, the DOE has launched the Philippine Conventional Energy Contracting Program for petroleum on 22 November to reignite petroleum exploration and development activities in the country. “I call on all the members of the energy family to heed the challenge of broadening our perspectives. We do not stop at knowing that we have the energy ability. We need to make sure that others have it as well,” Sec. Cusi concluded. The theme for NECM 2018 is “Fostering Innovation, Resiliency and Sustainability”. This is in line with the DOE’s goal to attain energy security, sustainability and selfsufficiency at the earliest. The Department of Energy (DOE), is the executive department of the Philippine Government responsible for preparing, integrating, coordinating, supervising and controlling all plans, programs, projects and activities of the government relative to energy exploration, development, utilization, Continued on F2

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DOE

Wednesday, December 19, 2018 | www.businessmirror.com.ph

Energy Investments are Top Priority

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EPARTMENT of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi today emphasizes that the call to invest in the energy sector is the Duterte Administration’s top priority. “Ensuring reliable, sufficient and affordable electricity in the country entails close cooperation and collaboration with all our partners in the industry,” Sec. Cusi said. “We need to step up to further strengthen and sustain our partnership, especially in terms of building energy resilient infrastructures, as well as in the exploration and development of our indigenous energy resources,” he added. As a policy support to the Ease of Doing Business Act, the DOE is closely working with the legislators for the passage of the Energy Virtual One Stop Shop (EVOSS), which enables the streamlining of the permitting process of energy proj-

ects for their entire project cycle. Sec. Cusi laid down the needed investments for the country, including the power requirement of a total of 43,765 megawatts of additional capacity by 2040. He underscored the DOE, National Electrification Administration and Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives’ strengthened collaboration to provide electricity to unserved and underserved areas by 2020, as well as initiatives to develop mini-grids. The DOE chief also highlighted the Philippine Conventional Energy Contracting Program for petroleum (PCECP), which entices investors to “Explore, Explore, Explore” the 14 pre-determined

INVEST, INVEST, INVEST: DOE Sec. Alfonso G. Cusi addresses the stakeholders

on the government’s aggressive call to capitalize and develop business opportunities in the country during the Energy Investment Forum 2018 at the Shangri-La at the Fort on Tuesday (4 December) for the National Energy Consciousness Month.

areas (PDAs) for oil and gas exploration in the country. Likewise, Sec. Cusi mentioned the new option to nominate development areas outside of the 14 PDAs. “You will

nominate and apply for it, then we will process it accordingly.” On natural gas prospects, Sec. Cusi announced that the DOE continues to welcome proposals for the establishment of an integrated liquefied natural gas receiving and distributing facility, and storage facilities that would support the emergence of a strong strategic petroleum reserve for the country. Sec. Cusi made these pro-

nouncements during his keynote address at the 2018 Energy Investment Forum with the theme, “Transcending Investments: Role in Encouraging”, held at the Shangri-La at the Fort as part of the National Energy Consciousness Month celebration. Also present in the investment forum as panelists are Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Rodel M. Batocabe, DOE Undersecretary Felix William B.

Fuentebella, Energy Regulatory Commission‘s Judith L. Mangosing, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines‘ Darryl Lon A. Ortiz, Board of Investments’ Nestor P. Arcansalin and Asian Development Bank’s Andrew Jeffries. DOE Assistant Secretary Robert B. Uy closed the progam by emphasizing the wide range of business ventures to explore in the Philippines.

Let no one be left in darkness, let there be light for all Continued From F1

distribution and conservation as mandated by RA 7638 (Department of Energy Act of 1992). Proclamation No. 1427 signed by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on 11 December 2007 provides for the celebration of NECM to coincide with the DOE’s anniversary. The observance of NECM held in the month of December every year highlights the importance of energy in the daily lives of Filipinos and in the country’s economic development.

Philippine Downstream Natural Gas Regulation

THE DOE has been working towards the implementation of the Philippine Downstream Natural Gas Regulation, which will provide standardized guidelines on the natural gas industry. The DOE has amended the Retail Rules for the downstream of the oil industry and issued the Code of Safety Practices for LPG Refilling Plants that will safeguard the interest of the public against the unscrupulous trading of petroleum products while providing regulations on emerging and expanding technologies in the retailing of liquid fuels. The DOE has also improved the standards for biodiesel blends for both automotive and industrial diesel oil, incorporating the Euro IV-Philippine grade which lowers sulfur content for cleaner emissions. As of November 2017, biofuels registered capacity already reached 857.02 million liters, derived from the 10 bioethanol and 11 biodiesel producers. The DOE said that even with nearly 5,000 megawatts of installed renewable energy (RE) capacities, the DOE is continuously processing RE Service Contracts

to push for cleaner and sustainable energy. There are a total of 193 applications RE Service Contracts as of November 2017. Further strengthening these efforts are DOE’s initiatives to issue policies towards renewable portfolio standards and green energy option, with both undergoing public consultations through the National Renewable Energy Board.”

Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INRI) Mission

THE DOE and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) conducted the Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INRI) Mission on December 10 as part of the activities of the Nuclear Energy Programme Implementing Organization (NEPIO). “In the spirit of technology neutrality, I decided to reignite the discourse on nuclear power despite its being taboo,” Cusi underscored. He also highlighted that the Philippines has ranked first among 125 countries in the Energy Trilemma Index of the World Energy Council in the last four years, with a renewable energy share of 24.6% in the country's generation mix. However, the DOE chief expressed his concern over the country trailing behind in terms of energy security and energy equity, which are the two other dimensions of the Energy Trilemma. The Philippines placed 70th on energy security and came in at 96th place for energy equity. Thus, the DOE is openly considering the feasibility of introducing nuclear power into the energy mix of the country in the race to provide uninterrupted, secure, reliable, sustainable, and affordable electricity throughout the archipelago. This would also

improve the country’s over-all Energy Trilemma Index rank, which currently stands at 74th out of 125 countries. At the onset of the Duterte Administration, the DOE has adopted a technology neutral approach to allow the unhindered consideration of all options to achieve the energy goals of the Philippines. The nuclear event serves as the country’s status report to the IAEA of progress made relative to the 19 infrastructure issues that need to be addressed before the Philippines is able to embark on a full nuclear energy program. The event was attended by IAEA Nuclear Division Director Dohee Han; IAEA Review Team Leader Milko Kovachev; other IAEA personalities and partners from the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI); and members of the NEPIO headed by DOE Undersecretary Donato D. Marcos. The country’s initial undertakings on the nuclear energy option with the support of IAEA and PNRI include the establishment of NEPIO in 2016 and the DOE’s submission to the Office of the President of its proposed national position on nuclear energy in April 2018. The DOE assures the public that the government will continue to apply a calculated and scientific approach in evaluating the feasibility of nuclear energy for power generation, and ensure that the nuclear policy of the country will be comprehensive and sound, especially in terms of safety. “We need to make the Philippines energy-secure and equitable in the midst of evergrowing demand. We need to generate inclusive and sustainable economic development and make the country globally competitive,” Cusi concluded.

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Cusi: Scientific Assessment of Going Nuclear Shouldn’t Be Taboo

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HE Department of Energy (DOE) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) conducted Monday (10 December) the Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INRI) Mission at the Shangri-La Makati hotel as part of the activities of the Nuclear Energy Programme Implementing Organization (NEPIO). “In the spirit of technology neutrality, I decided to reignite the discourse on nuclear power despite its being taboo,” Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi underscored. He also highlighted that the Philippines has ranked first among 125 countries in the Energy Trilemma Index of the World Energy Council in the

PH NUCLEAR TEAM: Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi (center), together with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Nuclear Division

Director Dohee Han and the Nuclear Energy Programme Implementing Organization (NEPIO) members headed by Undersecretary Donato D. Marcos, gather for a photo after the morning session of the Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review Mission held on Monday, 10 December, at the Makati Shangri-La, Manila hotel. “The more we learned about nuclear energy, the more open we became about it,” Cusi said in his keynote address.

last four years, with a renewable energy share of 24.6% in the country’s generation mix. However, the DOE chief expressed his concern over the country trailing behind in terms of energy security and energy equity, which are the two other dimensions of the Energy Trilemma. The Philippines placed 70th on energy security and came in at 96th place for energy equity. Thus, the DOE is openly considering the feasibility of introducing nuclear power into the energy mix of the country in the race to provide uninterrupted, secure, reliable, sustainable, and affordable electricity throughout the archipelago. This would also improve the country’s over-all Energy Trilemma Index rank, which currently stands at 74th out of 125 countries. At the onset of the Duterte Administration, the DOE has adopted a technology neutral approach to allow the unhindered consideration of all options to achieve the energy goals of the Philippines. The nuclear event serves as the country’s status report to the IAEA of progress made relative to the 19 infrastructure issues that need to be addressed before the Philippines is able to embark on a

full nuclear energy program. The event was attended by IAEA Nuclear Division Director Dohee Han; IAEA Review Team Leader Milko Kovachev; other IAEA personalities and partners from the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI); and members of the NEPIO headed by DOE Undersecretary Donato D. Marcos. The country’s initial undertakings on the nuclear energy option with the support of IAEA and PNRI include the establishment of NEPIO in 2016 and the DOE’s submission to the Office of the President of its proposed national position on nuclear energy in April 2018. The energy chief assures the public that the government will continue to apply a calculated and scientific approach in evaluating the feasibility of nuclear energy for power generation, and ensure that the nuclear policy of the country will be comprehensive and sound, especially in terms of safety. Sec. Cusi concluded, “We need to make the Philippines energy secure and equitable in the midst of ever-growing demand. We need to generate inclusive and sustainable economic development and make the country globally competitive.”

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BusinessMirror Special Feature

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EXPLORE, EXPLORE, EXPLORE

PHL needs to drill like crazy to ensure energy security, catch up with Asean

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By Lenie Lectura

HILE its neighbors in Southeast Asia have been drilling on average petroleum wells in the double- and triple-digit averages per year in the past decade, the Philippines has drilled only five wells, raising concern that it badly needs to catch up in the upstream petroleum industry Painfully cognizant of this, the Department of Energy (DOE) had made it its thrust to establish a sustainable petroleum exploration and development program to put the country’s energy sector on a par with its neighbors, especially in the Asean region. DOE officials are confident this can be done. “The country is currently number one in environmental sustainability. Now, we need to work on other factors to make the country more competitive,” said DOE Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella in an interview. He was referring to the Philippine Conventional Energy Contracting Program (PCECP) launched in November. The DOE is pinning its hopes on the new contracting exploration program in its pursuit of energy independence and sustainability. “PCEP aims to make the Philippines improve on the energy and energy equity indexes in the energy trilemma,” added Fuentebella. “We have to be aggressive in our pursuit of achieving energy self-sufficiency as envisioned by the Duterte administration. Maximizing our exploration and development activities would help us keep up with energy sector developments and economic changes in the ASEAN region and worldwide,” DOE Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said. According to the DOE, Indonesia drilled an average of 903 wells per year while Thailand drilled a total of 594 wells per year from 2007

to 2017. This puts the Philippines way behind its neighbors in the Asean. While the Philippines drilled five wells on average a year, the rest of Asean have these numbers: Myanmar (29), Malaysia (81), and Vietnam (43). "We could no longer be complacent and subject ourselves to the volatility of the global oil markets. We need to explore, explore, explore,” Energy Secretary Cusi stressed, underscoring the impact of such drilling frenzy on the country’s attainment of energy security. He said the increase in global exploration and development activities is a measure to cushion the transport and power sectors against the volatility of world market oil prices.

Beyond Malampaya

“THIS (PCECP) could mean a lot for the country in our search for a new source of energy like the Malampaya,” said Cusi, as he cited Malampaya’s projected natural gas production depletion by 2024 onwards. The Malampaya Deep Water Gas-to-Power Project, under Service Contract 38, is the largest and most successful natural gas industrial project in the country, serving about 30 percent of the power requirements of Luzon. There are currently 23 active petroleum service contracts in the Philippines with the following developers: Shell Philippines Exploration, Total E&P, PNOC-EC, Nido Petroleum, Philodrill, PXP Energy and Galoc Production Company.

The largest and most successful natural gas industrial project in Philippine history is the Malampaya project. According to the DOE, the PCECP is a new mechanism as it offers a two-pronged approach, unlike the earlier Philippine Energy Contracting Rounds (PECR) wherein investors can only bid in areas determined by the government for exploration. It is a new and transparent petroleum service contract awarding mechanism that allows the government to develop and utilize indigenous petroleum resources under a service contract with qualified local and international exploration companies. The PCECP also allows investors to nominate their own areas of interest. In this mode, applications could be submitted at any time of the year and would be subjected to a 60-day challenge period. Awarding of service contracts would be done either through the competitive selection process or via nomination. "The program was enhanced to encourage stakeholders to invest, explore, develop, and produce the nation's indigenous energy resources," Cusi said. "It is our intensified approach to harness these resources for long-term energy security and energy selfsufficiency," he said. The DOE launched the PCECP days after the Philippines and China inked a memorandum of understanding on joint cooperation to explore resources in the West Philippine Sea. Since the PCECP was formally opened, the agency has received firm interests from 13 firms to explore pre-determined areas for possible oil and gas reserve while eight firms have nominated their respective areas of interest. “Thirteen have applied for the predetermined areas and eight nominated for potential areas. So, actually PCECP is a hybrid of PECR and application by nomination,” said DOE Undersecretary Donito Marcos.

Pre-determined areas

THE 14 Pre-Determined Areas identified by the DOE are as follows: Area 1 is in Cagayan Basin; Area 2, 3, and 4 are in East Palawan Basin; Area 5, 6, and 7 are in Sulu Sea; Area 8 and 9 are in Agusan-Davao

Basin; Area 10 is in Cotabato Basi; and Area 11, 12, 13, and 14 are in West Luzon. The East Palawan Basin, consisting Area 2, 3, and 4, hosts existing drilling activities that have proven the existence of a petroleum system in the area. The West Luzon Basin, on the other hand, has large economic potential as the location is near Clark and Subic which host key economic zones. The application period for these areas is 180 days from the launch last November 22.

Alternatively, the applicants could also nominate and publish other areas of interest within Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for exploration at their own expense. However, the application to explore a nominated area shall have DOE’s approval. In this mode, applications could be submitted at any time of the year, and would be subjected to a 60-day challenge period. All accepted applications shall be evaluated by the DOE Centralized Review and Evaluation

Committee based on the criteria pursuant to Department Circular No. DC2017-12-0017. Marcos said two areas outside of the 14 pre-determined areas have been nominated for exploration. The service contract duration is seven years and extendable to another three years for the exploration phase. The production phase has 25-year contract that can be extended to another 15 years. But “no service contract can go beyond a stipulated 50-year period”.

CALTEX FUEL DELIVERS PROVEN CLEANING POWER IN THE PHILIPPINES AND ACROSS ASIA Latest borescope test in Asia proves not all fuels are created equal, with Caltex with Techron® achieving an average of 9.7 out of 10 score rating on the cleanliness of engine intake valves

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ALTEX today announced the results of a borescope test conducted in October of this year, achieving an average of 9.7 out of 10 score rating in Asia and 9.8 out of 10 in the Philippines on the cleanliness of engine intake valves when Caltex with Techron®, now with Clean & Glide Technology™ is used regularly. Caltex’s borescope test was conducted in four Asian markets (Philippines, Hong Kong, Cambodia and Thailand) where they inspected 694 valves from 94 cars. The test utilized a Karl Storz borescope to examine the interior of a vehicle’s fuel system, comparing against the industry standard Co-operative Research Council (CRC) Intake Valve Deposit (IVD) rating system, where 10 denotes perfectly clean. A clean engine is important as when there is dirt buildup, the mixture of air and fuel is disrupted; impacting performance, power, acceleration, fuel economy and emissions. The showcase event in Makati City on December 13 was attended by car club members and enthusiasts. Mr. Greg Engeler, Chevron’s Product Engineering Manager for Asia Pacific,

shared the findings of the borescope test. “The recent borescope test once again helps demonstrate to local motorists that not all fuels are created equal. Since our last test in 2013, Caltex fuels continue to work at keeping parts clean, thereby contributing to five performance benefits – maximized power, better fuel economy, lower emissions, a smoother drive, and reliable performance,” shares Engeler. “This is also the first time the new Caltex with Techron® formulation has been tested under the local market – with local fuels, under local climatic, driving, and traffic conditions. We are delighted that the latest Clean and Glide technology is proven to deliver unbeatable cleaning power to help our customers’ cars perform at their best.” Vehicles that used Caltex with Techron® achieved an average score of 9.7 out of 10 across all four Asian markets, surpassing the industry average score of 8.9 of vehicles using lower quality fuel. In comparison, some vehicles using lower quality fuels recorded valve readings of as low as 5.0, 5.0, 6.5, and 8.5 for Cambodia, Philippines, Thailand and Hong Kong respectively. Vehicles

selected represent a cross-section of the market fleet to reveal an unbiased and true state of local passenger cars. “We are extremely proud of the borescope test results as these provide concrete evidence of the consistent performance of Caltex with Techron. Achieving such a high score in valve cleanliness reflects our commitment to providing only the best-quality fuel products. We are thrilled to be sharing this news with our media and car club friends,” said CPI country chairman Louie Zhang. The borescope test demonstrates Caltex’s commitment to cleaner engines, while staying true to the evolving nature of Techron® in anticipation of future engine technology and local market needs. All grades of Caltex gasoline contain Techron®, a fuel additive package backed by over 30 years of research and development, which has a polyetheramine component designed to clean up fuel system deposits and prevent them from reforming. Filipinos can head down to any Caltex service station to experience the benefits Caltex fuels with Techron®.