BusinessMirror January 17, 2020

B.O.I. OVERSHOOTS 2019 INVESTMENTS GOAL

By Elijah Felice E. Rosales @alyasjah

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NVESTMENTS registered with the Board of Investments (BOI) hit an all-time high P1.14 trillion last year, as capital poured by foreign firms jumped over threefold to overcome uncertainties on the domestic and international fronts.

Data from the BOI showed its investment pledges in 2019 grew 24.67 percent to P1.14 trillion, from P914.96 billion in 2018. As such, the BOI hit its objective of registering P1 trillion worth of investments this year, marking the third consecutive

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Friday, January 17, 2020 Vol. 15 No. 99

‘Prolonged US-Iran row more troubling for PHL’

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By Cai U. Ordinario

@caiordinario

NLIKE the US-China trade tiff, a prolonged US-Iran conflict would prove to be more challenging for the Philippines, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).

The planning agency’s comment was sought on Peterson Institute for International Economics Nonresident Senior Fellow Adnan Mazarei’s view that the US-Iran conflict may be receding but it could still

spark a new crisis in the Middle East.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia told the BusinessMirror that a prolonged US-Iran conflict would require the

government to prioritize the plight of millions of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

“The [presence of many] OFWs further complicates our challenge,” Pernia said. “[This involves] having

“The [presence of many] OFWs further complicates our challenge. [This involves] having to repatriate them, [facing the] reduction in remittances, and placing them [OFWs] in jobs.”—Pernia

to repatriate them, [facing the] reduction in remittances, and placing them [OFWs] in jobs.”

An increase in refugees and migrants is one of the spillover effects of a prolonged US-Iran conflict, according to Mazarei.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed there were around 2.3 million OFWs in 2018—a number much less than See “US-Iran row,” A8

PESO EXCHANGE RATES n

CONTRACT REVIEW NOT SEEN TO AFFECT PHL INVESTORS NOW, BUT...

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HE Philippines will not lose any of its existing investors on the government’s move to review business contracts, but it will scare off some prospective firms that intend to set up shop here, an envoy has warned.

Swiss Ambassador to the Philippines Alain Gaschen said Swiss firms operating here intend to stay in spite of President Duterte’s string of actions against some of the country’s corporations. Swiss firms, he described, find the business environment in the Philippines “stable” and would likely retain their shops here for the long term.

“Some of our investors have been here in the Philippines for about 50 years, even 100 years, and it will stay that way as long as they find the business environment stable,” Gaschen

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@jearcalas

See “Meat,” A2

See “BOI,” A2

P25.00 nationwide | 5 sections 44 pages |

By Bianca Cuaresma

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

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this year will be a 10-percent growth, although he admitted it will be now difficult to achieve such a number given the high base. The BOI is an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry.

“Plus 10 percent of [P1.14] trillion. It’s better to beat your target so let’s be conservative,” he replied when sought why only 10 percent when the BOI appears to be on a roll the past years. “The base is already large, although there are a lot of big-ticket items that can still be registered and encouraged.”

The investment promotion

said in an interview with the BusinessMirror.

However, he warned that the President’s move to review the contracts, particularly that of the state with water firms Manila Water and Maynilad, could discourage prospective investors from coming in. He cited in particular Duterte’s threat of a military takeover of the two firms, which he said will never sit well with any investor.

“However, prospective investors might be afraid to come in based on what they hear from the outside. It’s not good to hear of military takeover of a business, no one wants that. Those who are here will not be distracted by the President’s words, but those who are considering [to do business here], they might be discouraged,” Gaschen explained.

See “Contract review,” A2

Economist says GDP likely hit 6.6% in Q4

‘PHL meat imports likely flat due to costly pork’ HE country’s total meat imports last year was likely flat due to the jump in international pork prices, which caused traders to reduce their purchases, the Meat Importers and Traders Association (Mita) said.

Mita President Jesus C. Cham estimated that total Philippine meat imports settled at around 850,000 metric tons (MT), but the purchase of pork products fell due to the disruption caused by the spread of African swine fever (ASF).

Cham also said it is possible the chicken imports went up last year and the volume was enough

year the agency posted a record high.

Foreign capital surged nearly 223 percent to P335.74 billion, from P103.96 billion, while those of domestic slipped 0.74 percent to P804.97 billion, from P810.99 billion.

Once operational, projects bankrolled by these investment pledges will generate an estimated 61,622 jobs.

The BOI in 2019 approved 376 fresh projects all in all, from 371 in 2018.

In an interview with reporters on Thursday, Trade Secretary and BOI Chairman Ramon M. Lopez said the BOI’s target for

EXIT PLAN A cow is hauled into a truck on Thursday in Barangay Malinis in Lemery, one of the Batangas towns affected by Taal Volcano’s continuing activity. There has been great concern about the condition of thousands of animals in ashfall-hit areas; both because of the pitiful state of those left behind in the sudden evacuation, and also because the Calabarzon region accounts for a big part of the food supply. The region is the second top producer of beef in the country. See stories on Taal on pages A2 and A3. BERNARD TESTA

@BcuaresmaBM

HE local economy likely regained speed in the last quarter of 2019, a local economist said, as both government spending and household consumption likely peaked toward the end of the year.

In a recent commentary on the local economy, Security Bank economist Robert Dan Roces said the economy grew the strongest in the last three months of the year, as problems in inflation and government spending were already solved.

In the first half of 2019, the economy was affected because of the government’s inability to pass the budget on time, thereby halting disbursement for projects on infrastructure and construction.

Inflation was also still relatively

elevated coming from its peak in end 2018 when inflation accelerated above target range due to rice and oil price issues.

“Our GDP forecast for Q4 2019 is 6.6 percent. Capital formation meltdown was what really hurt us in the past quarters, plus delayed spending due to a delayed budget.

With inflation returning to the 2 to 4 percent central bank target range in December and the reserve requirement [RR] cuts lending increased liquidity, capital formation looks better for the quarter. This plus household consumption that was higher especially in the holiday seasons,” Roces said.

For 2020, Roces said he expects inflation to remain within the target range save some bump to the consumer price index (CPI) in the first months due to Taal Volcano’s

US 50.7000 n JAPAN 0.4614 n UK 66.1179 n HK 6.5246 n CHINA 7.3585 n SINGAPORE 37.6672 n AUSTRALIA 34.9931 n EU 56.5457 n SAUDI ARABIA 13.5149

See “GDP,” A2

Source: BSP (16 January 2020)

News

BusinessMirror

A2 Friday, January 17, 2020

Eruption’s impact not much on inflation rate–DOF chief

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By Bernadette D. Nicolas

@BNicolasBM

INANCE Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III doubts that Taal Volcano’s eruption would significantly put pressure on the country’s inflation rate.

Dominguez, who heads the Economic Development Cluster, made the remark a day after a local economist said Taal Volcano’s unrest is not expected to pull down the country’s economy this year but it could stoke inflationary pressures in the coming months.

“I don’t think it will affect the

inflation rate very, very much. I think there would be some effect but not too much,” Dominguez told reporters on Thursday on the sidelines of an event in Makati.

Although he said Taal’s location is a big area for industrial development, he pointed out that most of the items there are being exported.

“The real problem is how the people are affected, their lives and the health also of the people,” he said, noting the harmful effects of the volcanic ashfall.

Philippine National Bank economist Jun Trinidad earlier said Taal’s eruption could put pressure on food prices, particularly on chicken, hogs, fish, since Region 4A—the region most affected by the calamity—is a significant contributor to local production of livestock.

Trinidad said the region is the second-largest regional producer of live chicken, accounting for 87,000 metric tons out of the total 429,000 MT in the third quarter of 2019.

On Tuesday, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said the eruption has damaged some P600 million worth of crops and other produce.

The losses could even increase in the coming days due to the probable fish kill in Taal Lake caused by the volcano’s eruption.

DA also reported that Taal Volcano’s damage to the farm sector rose to P577.59 million, from the agency’s initial estimate of P74.55 million.

The Philippines ended 2019 with a 2.5-percent uptick in inflation in December, from 1.3 percent recorded in November.

Even before Taal’s eruption, inflation has already been flagged to trend upwards in 2020 due to local and global developments.

The government’s target inflation range for 2020 remains at a range of 2 to 4 percent.

In 2019, inflation averaged at 2.5 percent.

GOVT TO HIRE RESIDENTS AFFECTED BY TAAL’S ERUPTION

By Samuel P. Medenilla

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@sam_medenilla

HE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Thursday said it is targeting to provide emergency employment to 10,000 workers, who were displaced by the eruption of Taal Volcano.

In a news briefing, Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III said he has already requested funds for the emergency employment program for displaced residents in 10 areas in Batangas which were hardest hit by Taal Volcano’s eruption.

These are Lemery, Mataasna Kahoy, Agoncillo, Laurel, Talisay, Taal, San Nicolas, Balite, San Jose, and Santa Teresita.

Bello said the government will identify an initial 1,000 emergency employment beneficiaries who will be paid minimum wage and will get personal protective equipment through the DOLE’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/ Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.

“The mayors will give them instruction to maybe clean up the mess created by the eruption then we will pay them for one month,” he said.

Profiling

BUREAU of Local Employment (BLE) Director Dominique R. Tut-

Contract review. . .

Gaschen also argued the government has to finalize the tax structure and rates to further magnet investors.

As such, passing the Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Rationalization Act (Citira) bill will be crucial in defining the country’s investment environment this year.

“The Citira bill has good intentions, especially that it will lower the

ay said the agency will also employ 6,000 of the affected workers in the areas affected by the eruption through its Government Internship Program (GIP).

She said GIP beneficiaries will be tasked to conduct the profiling of the workers, who were displaced because of the eruption and will qualify for emergency employment.

“The DOLE shall allocate a total of P72.6 million for the payment of interns’ services which is equivalent to the prevailing minimum wage for 30 days or P12,050 each and their GSIS [Government Service Insurance System contribution],” said Tutay.

Federation of Free Workers (FFW) President Sonny Matula said his group has received reports that least 5,000 of FFW members in Batangas have been affected by the eruption.

FFW said some of its affected members are now in evacuation centers after the ashfall damaged their homes or have been displaced since their work operations were suspended because of the eruption.

Matula said FFW is now mobilizing their members in other parts of the country to provide aid, either cash or in kind, to their affiliates in Batangas.

FFW International Secretary Alan Montaño said the group is also appealing to international labor federations to donate to

the victims of the Taal Volcano eruption.

Permanent displacement

AS of January 16, Taal Volcano remains on Alert Level 4, which means hazardous eruption is imminent and could happen within hours or days. This prompted the government to set up a 14-kilometer (km) danger zone around the volcano.

In press briefing, Presidential spokesman Salvador S. Panelo said the government will strictly enforce the “no-entry rule” especially in the 2-km zone near the volcano to ensure that there will be no casualties.

“Ever since the danger zone [was set up], nobody should stay there. But somehow you know, Filipinos are very creative, they want to earn a living. There also tourist who go there,” said Panelo.

“Now [government] will be stricter [in barring people in the 2-km zone],” he added.

Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns (BWSC) Director Ma. Karina Perida-Trayvilla said the government will extend livelihood grants ranging from P250,000 to P1 million to those who will be permanently displaced due to the setup of the danger zone.

“We are envisioning it to be a sequential intervention, after they avail of the TUPAD, which is just stop-gap measure. After

Continued from A1

corporate income tax [CIT] rate, but it should be clear how existing investors will transition to the new tax regime. That has to be clear. Businesses do their accounting and plan their expansions in advance, and having a certain tax structure will help,” the envoy said.

The Citira bill is the government’s second tax reform package. It intends to trim the CIT rate to 20 percent by 2029, from 30 percent at present, and rationalize fiscal incentives granted to firms operating in economic zones.

It hurdled the House of Representatives last year, and senators are eyeing to pass the bill once they resume session starting on Monday.

However, the measure is facing opposition from locators doing business in economic zones. They warned that the removal of their existing incentives will compel them to relocate to another Southeast Asian country, resulting in over 700,000 job losses, according to estimates by the Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines.

Elijah Felice E. Rosales

PDIC. . .

that they could avail [themselves] of the livelihood program,” Trayvilla said.

Weddings

THE uncertainty as to when the eruption of Taal Volcano will end has left many engaged couples without a venue for their wedding.

Batangas and Tagaytay are home to a number of popular wedding venues but these establishments have been affected by the eruption.

Two churches in Manila—Manila Cathedral and the National Shrine of Saint Michael and the Archangels—announced on social media on Thursday they will accomodate affected to-be wed couples.

“Due to a number of calls and inquiries we are receiving regarding transfer of weddings affected by the Taal Volcano eruption in Batangas and Cavite areas to the Manila Cathedral, we are now opening slots and extending assistance for weddings scheduled this January and February,” Archdiocese of Manila Chancellor Reginald R. Malicdem said.

He urged the interested couples to personally visit the cathedral office to apply for the said slots.

In its Facebook account, the National Shrine of Saint Michael and the Archangels management also said they will extend the same assistance to the affected couples.

Continued from A8

said closed bank.

In December, PDIC asked CA to lift and dissolve the TRO. As of June 2019, AMA Rural Bank reported total deposit liabilities of P1.4 billion for 8,434 deposit accounts.

Prior to the issuance of the TRO, PDIC was unable to immediately pay the claims of depositors of AMA Rural Bank for insured deposits due to the delay caused by the refusal of the bank ’s directors, accountable officers and employees to turn over bank records to PDIC. The TRO has further delayed payouts to depositors.

PDIC, an attached agency of the Department of Finance, is mandated under the law to insure the deposits of all banks which are entitled to the benefits of insurance.

The PDIC now has the authority to help depositors have quicker access to their insured deposits should their bank close, resolve problem banks while these are still open, hasten the liquidation process for closed banks, and mete out stiffer sanctions and penalties against those who engage in unsafe, and unsound, banking practices.

GDP. . .

Continued from A1

eruption that affected industries in South Luzon.

“We are still optimistic on growth on the back of a double dose of stimulus from the timely passage of the 2020 budget and the extension of the validity

of the 2019 version; we expect the BSP to continue with its current accommodative track to 1) reduce interest rates with a 25 bps cut within the first quarter, and 2) further reduce the RR over the next couple of quarters with at least 200basis-point cut for 2020,” the economist said.

Philippine National Bank

www.businessmirror.com.ph

DOH issues list of vital meds on price freeze in Taal-affected areas

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

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Correspondent

S part of its mandate to protect the Filipino people against life-threatening situations, the Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday issued the list of essential medicines under automatic price freeze in all areas affected by Taal’s eruptive activity.

Health Secretar y Francisco Duque III said that the DOH received reports of individuals and establishments that hoard and sell essential commodities at jacked-up prices.

“It is the mandate of the Department of Health to protect the Filipino people against life-threatening situations, including those that prevent them from seeking the right and adequate products and services when they need it the most,” Duque said.

The price freeze covers maintenance medicines and essential drugs, including analgesics, antiallergics, anticonvulsants, antiseptics, antidotes, and antibiotics, among others.

It seeks to ensure that consum-

Meat. . .

Continued from A1

to offset the decline in the purchase of imported pork.

The country’s total meat imports in 2018 reached nearly 850,000 MT as the demand of processors for raw materials expanded. The improvement in the purchasing power of Filipinos also increased their appetite for meat products.

Data from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture, showed that meat imports in 2018 was 22.73 percent higher than the 691,462.564 MT recorded in 2017. “[It was] a struggle for pork [imports as] prices [were] too high. Beef [imports] was likely flat, pork [imports] decreased, poultry [imports] likely went up... [total meat imports] maybe flat,” Cham told the BusinessMirror an interview.

T he United Nat ions’ Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) world meat price index peaked at 191.6 in December of 2019 as global production plays catch-up with the surge in import demand, particularly from Asian countries that have lost millions of hog population due to ASF like China.

On an annual basis, the meat price index rose to its five-year high last year at an average of 175.8 points, FAO data showed.

“In December, price quotations for pig meat rose as global market

BOI. . .

Continued from A1

agency, however, has yet to release the detailed breakdown of its 2019 capital record, which should outline what sectors benefited from the jump and what region took the lion’s share of the project approvals.

The BOI overcame last year’s uncertainties, particularly the (PNB) economist Jun Trinidad earlier expressed his worries about Taal eruption’s effect on food prices, particularly on chicken, hogs and fish since Region 4A—the region most affected by the calamity—is a significant contributor to local production of livestock.

Trinidad said the region is the second-largest reg iona l

ers are adequately protected against profiteering, hoarding, cartels, and other similar acts that compromise their access to essential pharmaceutical products and other basic needs, especially during catastrophic events.

“It is abhorrent that there are people who take advantage of public emergencies and profit at the expense of the suffering of our countrymen,” Duque stressed.

While the price freeze covers only areas under calamity, the list may also be used by the general public as a reference to the suggested retail price of the health commodities in the market.

Meanwhile, the DOH and the DTI have recommended to the Office of the President the imposition of price ceilings on N95 and disposable face masks, nebulizers and nebulization kits, oxygen cannulas, and safety goggles.

“We will not compromise the Filipino people’s welfare especially in this trying time. DOH is exerting all efforts to control prices for essential medicines and commodities for the duration of the emergency,” he concluded. tightness continued with some major suppliers, especially the European Union and Brazil, struggling to keep pace with strong pre-festivity internal demand, in addition to persistent solid import demand from Asia,” FAO said in its monthly report on world food prices.

‘Anemic’ growth

LATEST BAI data showed that the country’s meat imports from January to October 2019 rose by 2.24 percent to 698,596 MT, from 683,267.035 MT recorded in the same period in 2018.

BAI data showed that pork imports, which accounts for the bulk of the total purchase, fell by 8.05 percent year-on-year to 288,184.012 MT. However, purchases of imported beef and chicken products expanded by 15.74 percent and 14.86 percent, respectively, BAI data showed.

T he countr y’s chicken imports, more than half of which is compr ised of mechanica l ly deboned meat, reac hed 265,641.491 MT, lower than the 231,266.227 MT recorded in the same 10-month period in 2018, BAI data showed.

Beef imports rose to 115,473.197 MT from 99,765.554 MT during the period, according to BAI. Noting the purchases last year, an industry source told the BusinessMirror that the 2-percent increase in total meat imports is quite “anemic” considering the country’s population growth and increasing demand for meat products. yearlong deliberations on the Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Rationalization Act (Citira) bill and the global trade uncertainty caused by the trade conflict between the United States and China.

The surge in investments in 2018 was largely pumped by fresh projects in the manufacturing sector, according to Lopez. The country also attracted investments in key logistics, infrastructure and power projects that year. producer of live chicken, comprising 87,000 metric tons out of the total 429,000 in the third quarter of 2019.

Initial damage estimates by government agencies was already P74.5 million worth to agriculture in the region, while 6,000 fish cages may also be at risk due to the high sulfur content from the eruption.

The Nation BusinessMirror

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New Navy ship spots presence of US submarine off Palawan

By Rene Acosta @reneacostaBM

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WARSHIP acquired by the Philippine Navy from South Korea has learned of the presence of a reported American submarine while it was patrolling the country’s waters in Palawan last year.

The presence of the submarine was detected by the BRP Conrado Yap, a refurbished South Korean corvette, which had been transformed into the Navy’s first anti-submarine vessel.

The case was the first for the Navy since it began building up its anti-submarine capability, which was ushered by the arrival of two AgustaWestland anti-submarine helicopters.

“For the very first, the BRP Conrado Yap was able to detect submarine while passing off Palawan waters.

This is a first time for the Navy. It is very exciting,” Navy chief Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad said.

The Navy chief gave an “exit interview” to military reporters on Wednesday evening, and bonded with them for the last time as he is set to officially retire from the service next month.

When asked about the submarine’s mark, he said he tend to believe that it was an American, although he did not say exactly where and when the US underwater craft was monitored and why it was within the country’s waters.

“I think, based on their report, it’s a US submarine. We will publish the [submarine detection] report later on,” the Navy chief said.

The incident will prod the Navy to mount sonar capabilities to other vessels, including the BRP Gregorio del Pilar as the Navy enters the era of anti-submarine warfare.

“We will have more ships that will be searching for submarines. So it’s nice, we will know where they are,” Empedrad said.

Still, the Navy chief admitted that underwater warfare and operations are still new to the Navy, whose knowledge would need to go beyond mere submarine detection since this includes rules of engagement.

He believed that the country’s subsea is a loitering ground for submarines of various types from other countries, but which could not be fully monitored yet as the military is yet to fully harness its anti-submarine capability.

“Take out the seas from the Philippines, and you might see 50 submarines around us,” Empedrad said.

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Friday, January 17, 2020 A3

On Day 5, Taal Volcano eruption continues; Phivolcs to probe drying up of Pansipit River

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By Jonathan L. Mayuga

@jonlmayuga

AAL Volcano continued to erupt and spew ash plumes on Thursday since one of the world’s smallest but more active volcanoes in the Philippines erupted last Sunday.

While the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) observed that the past 24 hours saw the magmatic and hydrovolcanic activity of the volcano beginning to wane, emitting weaker steam-laden plumes, Alert Level 4 remains in effect.

Phivolcs recorded two eruptions on Thursday morning at 6:17 a.m. and 6:21 a.m. which saw the volcano spewing short-lived dark gray ash plumes 500 meters and 800 meters high, respectively. The eruptions dispersed ash southwest to the west of the main crater, according to Phivolcs.

“Activity in the past 24 hours has generally waned to weak emission of steam-laden plumes 700-meters high that dispersed ash to the southwest,” Phivolcs added.

So far, the Philippine Seismic

Network plotted a total of 566 volcanic earthquakes since 1 p.m. of January 12, including 172 groundshaking that registered at 1.2 magnitude up to 4.1 and generated intensities from 1 to 5.

The continuous earthquake around the volcano has resulted in land deformation as evidenced by fissures or cracks detected by Phivolcs’ monitoring teams.

Response vehicles

MAKATI Mayor Abby Binay on Thursday ordered the deployment of the city’s disaster response vehicles and equipment to Bauan, Batangas, to assist thousands of evacuees from localities affected by the ongoing eruption of Taal Volcano.

In a news statement, the mayor said the city government will be

MAKATI Mayor Abby Binay has ordered the city’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to deploy rescue and disaster response vehicles to Batangas, to help residents affected by the Taal Volcano eruption. In photo is the mobile shower and portalet that will allow evacuees privacy to have a decent shower. It also contains a clean and spacious toilet and sinks to serve their other bathroom needs.

sending this coming Sunday one super tanker, two penetrator fire trucks, water filtration system, mobile shower, vacuum tanker, gensets, mobile kitchen and jerry cans. Some 1,000 mats will also be sent as her personal donation to the victims.

“We are mobilizing vital equip-

ment to address the urgent needs of thousands of families displaced by the sudden eruption of Taal Volcano. The ordeal of evacuees from identified danger zones in Laguna and Batangas is far from over, and we would like to help ease their suffering by giving them access to potable water and power

supply, among other necessities,” Abby said.

T he mayor sa id t he super tanker, which has a water storage capacity equivalent to the load of eight fire trucks, will be used to carry water that will pass through the city—provided water filtration system, in order to provide potable water supply to the evacuees.

The mobile kitchen, on the other hand, is ideal for mass food production as it allows for the preparation of at least 800 meals per operation. With its weather protection features and built-in chimney, it also ensures food safety and quality, the mayor added.

The city is also sending its mobile shower facility that provides needed privacy for residents while taking a decent shower. Also to be deployed is a vacuum tanker that will be used to collect sludge from the mobile shower.

On the mayor’s orders, the Makati Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office has designated a composite team to handle the transport of vehicles and equipment to the town of Bauan, in Batangas, and duly coordinate with the concerned DRRM Councils on the target location.

Court orders QC govt to pay ₧6.27M to kin of Payatas tragedy in July 2000

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

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ELATIVES of the victims of Payatas dump site landslide had lost their bid to compel the Quezon City government to pay a total of P188.1 million in damages for the death of their loved ones.

While the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City Branch 97 agreed that the Quezon City government was liable for the loss of lives and properties due to the collapse of the dump site in 2000, it only awarded temperate, moral and exemplary or corrective damages amounting to P110,000 each to the 57 plaintiffs, or a total of P6.27 million.

The trial court also awarded P100,000 in attorney’s fees for the plaintiffs.

It added that the court can-

not award actual damages to the plaintiffs due to their failure to submit proof to warrant the grant of the plea.

“Although the plaintiffs enumerated their respective real and personal properties buried by the thrash slide, none of them were able to produce documentary evidence that indeed such properties existed prior to and at the time of the tragedy. Furthermore, no plaintiff testified as to the amount they incurred for the wake and burial of the deceased victims,” the court ruled.

“Bare allegations, unsupported by proof of the victims’ earning capacity cannot merit the award of the same. For loss of income due to death, there must be unbiased proof of the deceased’s average income,” it added.

The landslide happened on July 10, 2000, during the term of

then-Quezon City Mayor Ismael Mathay Jr. The incident buried 232 people alive.

“The mountain-like thrash in itself is a testament of the city government’s gross negligence in the management and operation of the dump site. Had they exercised due care expected of them, they could not have allowed the garbage to rise to such unprecedented height as to resemble several Meralco posts arranged on top of each other, or several storeys high of a building,” the decision issued by Branch 97 Acting Presiding Judge Marilou Runes-Tamang read.

“Consequently, the defendant City Government of Quezon City’s omission and negligence of not maintaining an adequate and suitable facility for solid waste disposal caused damage to both life and property of the persons living in the area,” Tamang added.

The plaintiffs are originally seeking P500,000 actual and compensatory damages for each death of a next of kin; P500,000 moral damages per each death of a next of kin; exemplary damages in the amount of P2 million; and attorney’s fee equivalent to 10 percent of total damages to be awarded to the plaintiffs.

The court held that the city government can not claim that the plaintiffs should be blamed for the misfortune they have encountered for their refusal to be relocated to safer places.

It said that the negligence of the city government in failing to maintain an adequate and suitable facility for solid waste disposal was the “proximate cause of the loss of lives and properties.”

The trial court noted that the plaintiffs were relocated to Payatas, from other points in Que-

zon City, by order of then Mayor Brigido Simon Jr. and were issued a certificate of program award.

“As indigents, the plaintiffs and the deceased victims relied on this piece of paper as their hold to the small portion of land, on which they built their houses…. Moreover, the plaintiffs’ stay in Payatas was tolerated by the city government for more than a decade from the time they were supposedly relocated.…,” it pointed out.

“If indeed the plaintiffs were informal settlers that had no right to stay in the subject land, they should have been demolished and/ or relocated by the city government to a much safer place. Instead, their houses remained on the ground by toleration which can be construed as consent on the part of the city government for their continued stay thereat,” it added.

A4 Friday, January 17, 2020 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

Economy BusinessMirror

House, DTI eye measure to cut shipping rates, slash import cost

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

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HE House of Representatives is now working with the Department of Industry (DTI) for the passage of a measure that will regulate high shipping rates to help lower import cost.

Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said shipping rates, which are unilaterally imposed by international shipping lines, have become excessive, leading to increases in the cost of imported raw materials and other goods.

According to the DTI, the Philippines has the highest logistics cost among manufacturing rivals in Southeast Asia, as businesses here allocate over one fourth of their sales on logistics services.

Cayetano added the House is coordinating with the DTI in reconciling

and fine-tuning a draft bill that Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez plans to submit to the House to regulate shipping fees and the pending measures already filed by several lawmakers in the 18th Congress on this issue.

According to the DTI, it plans to submit its draft bill before the end of January.

Currently, there are two pending bills in the Lower House to regulate and standardize local fees imposed by foreign shipping lines operating in the country.

Moreover, the Speaker said high shipping fees force importers to pass on these costs to consumers, leading to higher prices of goods.

“Local producers who import raw materials are forced to pay these exorbitant shipping fess, which jack up their production costs, and, in the process, result in higher prices for domestic con-

sumers,” said Cayetano.

“What we are [seeking to protect]…here are our consumers [themselves]. This [measure] will also help the government improve its tax collection capabilities,” the Speaker added.

The DTI had earlier planned to issue a joint administrative order, together with the Department of Transportation and the Department of Finance, on the regulation of local fees charged by foreign shipping lines, but later decided on asking the President instead to issue an executive order on the matter.

But the lack of an enabling law covering the regulation of fees imposed by foreign shipping lines operating in the country prompted the DTI to draft a bill on this issue and submit it later to Congress to give more teeth to the measure.

A study by the DTI and the World

Bank, titled “An Assessment of Logistics Services Performance of Manufacturing Firms in the Philippines” said firms operating in the country reportedly spend 27.16 percent of their sales on logistics.

When pitted against Southeast Asian competitors, businesses in Thailand spend 11.11 percent of their sales on logistics services, 16.3 percent in Vietnam and 21.4 percent in Indonesia.

Some shipping lines allegedly developed a mechanism to make shipping rates less transparent to benefit exporters overseas at the expense of importers here, according to an earlier study by the DTI’s Export Development Council and the now defunct National Competitiveness Council. This scheme, the study read, is costing the economy between $2 billion and $5 billion yearly.

House bill seeks Duterte grants gratuity pay to JO, amendment contractual workers in government to CMTA, boost PHL’s intl trade

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

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O further improve the country’s international trade facilitation rate, the chairman of the House Committee on Economic Affairs on Thursday called for the amendment of the Republic Act 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariffication Act (CMTA).

In a news statement, AAMBISOWA Party-list Rep. Sharon Garin said House Bill 5548, which she herself filed, seeks to amend the provisions related to customs clearance, off-dock Customs facilities warehouse (CFW) and that of other third parties as defined in the CMTA. House Bill 5548 is in line with the administration’s continuing efforts to boost the country’s trade activity and adopt global practices, she said.

According to Garin, a technical working group under the House Committee on Ways and Means has been created to discuss the proposed amendments to the law. The first TWG meeting, to be presided over by Garin, will be held on January 20, 2020.

Moreover, the lawmaker underscored that international trade facilitation is crucial to the country’s economic growth and that CMTA amendments are necessary to further improve the country’s international standing.

The main objective of the bill is to improve trade facilitation and assist the government in revenue collection, she said.

“Provisions proposing the simplification and clear definition of some processes in the customs clearance of imported goods are incorporated in the bill,” she said.

The bill seeks to simplify and clearly define some processes in the customs clearance of imported goods.

“To prevent the proliferation of off dock CFWs, a situation that will imperil the capability of BOC [Bureau of Customs] to properly supervise and control Customs operations, there is a need to define aggregate capacity utilization,” she said.

The measure will also further empower the BOC in the imposition of administrative sanction insofar as third parties are concerned.

“In addition to this, stricter administrative sanctions, specifically on the supervision and regulation of third parties, are also being proposed to curb corruption and improve the efficiency of the Bureau [of Customs],” she added.

It is to be noted that since 2017, Garin said the country’s institutional arrangement and cooperation rating plateaued at 55.56 percent from 2017 to 2019. Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

J

OB orders (JO) and contract of service (COS) workers with consistent satisfactory performance in the government last year will be getting a gratuity pay.

This after President Duterte issued on Thursday Administrative Order 20. granting qualified workers not exceeding P3,000 for those employed for at least four months.

For those, who rendered shorter service, they will be entitled to a one-time gratuity pay ranging from P1,000 to P2,000 depending on the period of service.

The issuance will cover workers,

whose services are engaged through JO and COS by national government agencies, state universities and colleges, government-owned and -controlled corporations and local water districts.

The AO also allowed the said government offices to tap their savings to fund the payment of the said gratuity pay.

President Duterte said the Department of Budget and Management will release the corresponding Special Allotment Release Order and Notice of Cash Allocation upon his approval.

It also noted that LGUs are encouraged to adopt in their respective offices the grant of gratuity pay to

workers whose services are engaged through JOs and COS, utilizing appropriate and available funding sources from their respective local government funds.

President Duterte said his approval of the AO aims to provide “well-deserved recognition” to hard working JO and COS. “These workers are paid salaries/ wages equivalent to the daily salaries/wages of comparable positions in government and a premium of up to 20 percent of such salary/wage.

However they do not enjoy benefits accorded to government employees,” Duterte said.

AO 20 took effect on January 10, 2020.

ADB’s Nakao: Asia’s success not enough to match West’s clout in global economy

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

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SIA’S recent economic success may not be enough to match the inf luence of Western nations in the global economy, according to the former Asian Development Bank (ADB) president.

In an Asian Development Blog, Takehiko Nakao, who has stepped down as president of the Manilabased multilateral development institution, said Asia needs to strengthen institutions and take on more responsibility in global affairs.

Nakao said shifting the influence of Western countries over the past five centuries to Asia also means increasing the region’s contributions to the development of science and technology.

“I hope that a larger role played

by Asia will lead to a more inclusive, integrated, and prosperous global community,” Nakao said.

Asia’s economic success, Nakao said, did not come easy for the region. He said in 1960, per-capita gross domestic product (GDP) of the region was only $330.

At that time, Nakao said, the ADB’s primary concern was feeding a large and growing population in the region.

But efforts to address development constraints, he said, were put in place, particularly in open trade and investment regimes that allowed many countries in the region to benefit from the “demographic dividend” and ride various technological waves.

The region’s success allowed Asia

to see a 15-fold increase in GDP per capita to $4,903 in 2018. The growth was faster than global GDP per capita which only tripled over the same period.

“While there were variations across countries on policy mix and timing, with occasional setbacks and reversals, successful Asian economies pursued policies needed for sustained growth and prioritized poverty reduction and inclusiveness,” Nakao said.

Further, Nakao said, many Asian countries implemented “target industrial policies” through the use of tariffs, subsidies, preferential credit and tax perks.

Earlier, Nakao told reporters that under the Asian Century scenario by 2050, Asia will account for 52 percent of global GDP. Currently, the region only accounts for 32 percent of the global economy.

Nakao said, however, that in ADB’s developing member-countries (DMCs) alone, at a threshold of $3.2 per day using 2011 purchasing power parity (PPP), there are still 1.1 billion poor people accounting for 57.2 percent of the poor in developing countries globally.

Nakao’s presentation during the briefing showed that Asia’s GDP reached $26 trillion in 2017’s PPP. With a population of 4.16 billion, this translated to a per-capita GDP of $6,272.

Under the Asian Century scenario, the GDP of the region would reach $174 trillion. With a projected population of 4.76 billion, this would translate to a per-capita GDP of $36,665.

The share of Asia in global GDP

has started increasing in the 1980s.

ADB data showed that the peak of Asia’s share in global GDP was in the 1700s when it accounted for nearly 60 percent of global GDP. However, this share has declined sharply in the 1870s when the region’s share in global GDP was only below 40 percent. By 1913, the share declined to below 30 percent and, in the 1950s and 1970s, reached below 20 percent.

Since the 1980s, Asia’s share in global growth has steadily increased from below 20 percent, a little over 20 percent in 1995 to nearly 30 percent in 2010. This trend is expected to continue to above 30 percent by 2020; 40 percent by 2030; above 40 percent by 2040; and over 50 percent by 2050.

The recent gain in economic growth, particularly starting in 1990, has helped Asia lift millions out of poverty. Using the international poverty threshold of $1.9 per day in 2011, there are now only 264 million poor Asians living in DMCs. However, a higher poverty threshold, which can reflect the current situation of many DMCs, showed a different picture. The World Bank recently said adjusting the threshold would paint a better picture of how many people are still poor.

Nakao said poverty in 1990, at a threshold of $3.2 per day in 2011 PPP, there were still 2.274 billion Asians living in DMCs that were considered poor. But this has declined to 2.241 billion in 1999; 1.942 billion in 2005; 1.495 billion in 2011; 1.267 billion in 2013; and 1.1 billion in 2015.

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BFAR revokes license of fishing boat for catching fish in municipal waters

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

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HE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) permanently revoked the license of a commercial fishing vessel that had allegedly violated the Fisheries Code repeatedly by catching fish within forbidden municipal waters.

In a three-page ruling, BFAR ordered the permanent revocation of Commercial Fishing Vessel License GRNG-06701-07-17 issued to F/V Raizza after it violated Republic Act 10654, or the Amended Fisheries Code thrice.

Under the law, the country’s municipal waters are off limits to commercial fishing vessels and intruding the area would result in corresponding sanctions.

F/V Raizza was apprehended by BFAR Region 6 Fisheries Protection and Law Enforcement (BFAR-FPLEG) last September 10 for fishing in the municipal waters of New Washington, Aklan, according to the ruling.

The ruling indicated that it was the third time that the commercial fishing vessel intruded into a municipal water, the first being on July 20, 2018, and the second on November 14, 2018.

During the October 7, 2019, initial conference for its latest violation, F/V Raizza owner Rizza M. Alcedo “manifested her intention to avail of settlement prior to the filing of an administrative complaint.”

Alcedo offered to settle the violation in the amount of P13,000 based on relevant penalties under existing laws and regulations.

BFAR noted that it was “inclined to accept the offer but the habituality of the offender must be addressed,” hence, resulting in additional sanctions on the erring commercial fishing vessel.

“The amount offered by the respondent-owner is well within the minimum settlement penalty imposed by law and the settlement is not contrary to public order and state policies on fisheries,” BFAR said in the ruling that was released

to media on Thursday.

“However, given the propensity of the respondents to commit the same set of offenses, this committee is of the opinion that the settlement penalty is not a sufficient deterrent,” it added.

The ruling was signed by BFAR national director Eduardo B. Gongona, BFAR assistant directors Drusila Esther E. Bayate and Atty. Demosthenes R. Escoto.

National Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (NFARMC) representatives Ferdinand Y. Lim and Felizardo C. Lim also signed the ruling.

Nongovernment organization Oceana welcomed the development and argued that the sanction is an “effective deterrence” against illegal commercial fishing in municipal waters.

Oceana pointed out that this is the first time in history that a commercial fishing vessel was stripped off of its license for violating the fisheries code.

“We welcome this breakthrough in the implementation of the law.

The permanent revocation serves as an effective deterrence on illegal commercial fishing happening in municipal waters,” Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos, Oceana vice president said.

“Strong measures in transparency and enforcement are needed if we are to return the abundance of our waters,” Ramos added.

Ramos reiterated the group’s call for the government to fast-track the implementation of the vessel monitoring system (VMS) to further deter the intrusion of commercial vessels in municipal waters.

“We urge the BFAR to hasten the implementation of the vessel monitoring measures to deter the intrusion of commercial fishing vessel operators into the municipal waters. We have to stop illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing to restore the deteriorating fisheries and marine resources, especially in the municipal waters,” she said.

Tap into QRF fund to ensure students’ safety amid Taal’s tantrums, senator tells DepEd

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

S

EN. Sherwin T. Gatchalian urged the Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday to ensure that adequate emergency response measures are already in place for the safety of students and schools in most vulnerable areas likely to be affected ahead of Taal Volcano’s possible “explosive eruption.”

If necessary, the senator suggested the DepEd could quickly tap into its P2.1-billion quick response fund (QRF) to address damages to schools, stressing that in times of calamity, “readiness plays a key role to ensure safety of students and not delay their education.”

Citing a recent Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) bulletin reporting more than 200 recorded volcanic earthquakes in Taal region, Gatchalian noted warnings there are high risks of pyroclastic density currents and volcanic tsunami within the 14-kilometer radius from the Taal Volcano’s main crater.

The senator advised school authorities to closely coordinate with their local governments’ first responders in times of calamity, citing an Education Cluster Report that nearly 6 million students in 46 divisions and more than 5,300 schools have been affected by the latest volcanic activity.

Warning about the likelihood of destructive eruption still to come,

he advised affected sectors to be prepared for a bigger explosion. “Hindi pa lumilipas ang pinakamalalang maaaring mangyari sa pag-alboroto ng Bulkang Taal, kaya dapat natin paghandaan ang maaaring epekto ng isang malaking pagsabog,” said Gatchalian.

In a news statement, he further advised officials in affected communities on the importance of having plans to quickly clean up school premises to protect the health of students and teachers before classes resume.

“Kung sakaling magkaroon ng malaking pagsabog at lumala ang pag-ulan ng abo, mahalagang may plano tayo kung paano natin mabilis na malilinis ang mga paaralan upang mapangalagaan ang kalusugan ng mga guro at mag-aaral lalo na kapag muling nagbukas ang klase,” he added.

The senator issued the reminder as Alert Level 4 remained over Taal Volcano, indicating that a hazardous explosive eruption is imminent within hours to days. He cited reports the activity in volcano resulted in an ashfall that reached Calabarzon, Metro Manila, and parts of Southern Luzon, adding that a health advisory by the Department of Health (DOH) warned the ashfall could trigger eye, nose, and throat irritations, breathing problems, and coughing among others.

The senator also suggested that schools continue to closely coordinate with their local governments “as they tend to be the first responders in times of calamity.”

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Banking&Finance

Association board ‘sights’

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BusinessMirror

Y New Year’s resolualso means providing inputs tion for this column and guidance, as necessary, to is to write more assosteer the organization to succiation governance topics than cess and sustainability.

Association World on association management as Insight. This is a deep and I did in the past for two reasons: intuitive understanding of the Octavio Peralta to reach out to more association structure and dynamics of the board members—since not all Philippine Counassociation based on gained expertise and excil of Associations and Association Executives perience which is a valuable asset that boards members sit in the board—and to debunk the must possess and pass on within the organizapopular belief that association governance is tion. It is, therefore, essential that board memthe same as corporate governance. bers have the skillset, mindset and “heartset” In general, association boards have to prothat the association needs to face the realities vide the organization with three things: (1) straand challenges it is confronted with. tegic direction; (2) management supervision; Hindsight. This is learning from past exand, (3) policy formulation. I will lump these perience and an appreciation of it provides three aspects into board “sights” which I have “wisdom” to the organization’s direction into adapted from an article, titled “Key Ingredients the future. Thus, hindsight, in this context, to Enabling Board Effectiveness” published in supplements foresight. the November 2019 issue of BoardRoom magaTo me, these sights are “musts” so associazine, a Brussels-based publication, and writtion boards do not lose sight (pardon the pun) ten by Mike Morrissey, CEO of the European of their roles.

CanCer Organisation. I provided my own inBoard members are the elected representerpretation and added one more sight based tatives of the members and, as such, have the on my personal experience as an association authority and the responsibility to fulfill their executive myself for many years. role for the benefit of the association. Anything Foresight. This equates to strategic thinkless than this is tantamount to renege their ing, which boards must focus on and devote contract with the members and the associatime for. A good practice would be to set aside tion as a whole. time for a strategic thinking session during board meetings.

The contributor, Octavio “Bobby” Peralta, is concurrently the Foresight also connotes a collective vision secretary-general of the Association of Development Financing for the association. It is not enough to have Institutions in Asia and the Pacific (Adfiap), founder and CEO of purpose and mission; a vision is to direct the the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Execuorganization to where it aims to be in the near tives and president of the Asia-Pacific Federation of Association future as opposed to why it exists (purpose) and Organizations. The purpose of the PCAAE—the “association of how (mission) to achieve its purpose. associations”—is to advance the association management proOversight. This refers to the responsibility fession and to make associations well-governed and sustainable. of the board to ensure that management (i.e., PCAAE enjoys the support of Adfiap, the Tourism Promotions Board secretariat) executes and performs the tasks and the Philippine International Convention Center. E-mail: obp@ that have been approved at the board level. It adfiap.org

Friday, January 17, 2020 A5

ADB raises $4.25B from US dollar bond market to boost OCR for 2020

By Cai U. Ordinario

of 1.875 percent per annum payable semi-annually and a maturity date of January 24, 2030, was priced at 99.61 percent to yield 13.25 basis points over the 1.75 percent US Treasury notes due November 2029.

The transaction was lead-managed by Barclays, JPMorgan, Nomura and RBC Capital Markets. A syndicate group The Manila-based multilateral was also formed consisting of ANZ, development bank returned to the Commerzbank, ING, Credit Agricole capital markets with a $2.25 biland Natwest Markets. lion worth three-year bond issu“The dollar market has seen a ance and a $2 billion worth 10-year very active start to the new year,” bond issuance.

Van Peteghem said. “[The] ADB is The amount raised is part of very pleased to make its first outing ADB’s efforts to raise $25 bila strong one.” lion from the capital markets The ADB said both issues achieved to boost its ordinary capital wide primary market distribution resources (OCR) this year. with 37 percent of the three-year “The dual three-year and 10bonds placed in Asia; 37 percent in year tranche approach allowed ADB the Americas; and, 26 percent in Euto respond to investor demand on rope, Middle East and Africa. both ends of the maturity spectrum By investor type, 51 percent of as reflected in the final order book the bonds went to central banks and being over $6.5 billion,” ADB Treaofficial institutions; 35 percent to surer Pierre van Peteghem said. banks; and, 14 percent to fund man“It is also noteworthy that this agers and other types of investors.

10-year transaction opened the For the 10-year bonds, 55 percent market for supranationals in that PEOPLE are seen going inside the ADB building in Ortigas, Pasig City. NONIE REYES were placed in Europe, Middle East, tenor and equaled ADB’s largest and Africa; 31 percent in Asia; and, 10-year transaction to date,” Van Peteghem payable semiannually and a maturity 14 percent in the Americas. added. A supranational is defined as having date of January 24, 2023. It was priced at By investor type, 36 percent of the power or influence that transcends national 99.953 percent to yield 7.7 basis points bonds went to central banks and official boundaries or governments. over the 1.5 percent US Treasury notes institutions; 44 percent to banks; and, 20 The ADB said the three-year bond had due January 2023. percent to fund managers and other types a coupon rate of 1.625 percent per annum The 10-year bond, with a coupon rate of investors.

T

@caiordinario

HE Asian Development Bank (ADB) raised a total of $4.25 billion from the US dollar bond market on Wednesday.

A6

Friday, January 17, 2020 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opinion BusinessMirror

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editorial

The Rat is coming

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HILE we will never pretend to be an expert or even very knowledgeable on the topic, we thought it might be a good idea to think about the Year of the Rat, the Metal Rat more specifically. The lunar calendar changes in less than two weeks.

We have been told by some genuine experts in the field that the Rat was an unlikely choice to gain the Emperor’s favor to be included in the zodiac. But through cunning and quick-thinking, the Rat jumped over all the other animals to be at the head of line.

Therefore, the Year of the Rat sets the tone for the 12 years that are to follow.

A Chinese astrologist—although her name is Cathryn and has blond hair—in Hawaii says: “The Rat is one of the Chinese zodiac’s most auspicious signs. Twenty-twenty will, therefore, be a “great relief” overall after a challenging past 12 months.” If that is the case and considering what we have gone through in the last days of this Year of the Pig, the Rat cannot come soon enough.

Other comments: “The Metal Rat Year is going to be a strong, prosperous and lucky year.” “The Year of the Rat is going to bring us creative energy.” “It heralds a year with vast productive and ingenious energy.” “The Year of the Rat [2020] is expected to be more about progression and great energy.”

We certainly do not want to throw cold water on any of those favorable comments. However, we do need to look at some of the things that are coming our way.

The United States and China have completed and signed phase one of their trade agreement. There are those that see this as a positive fulfillment of the potential of the Rat. There are others that see phase one as belonging in the Year of the Dead Duck. They are probably both accurate.

China has agreed to purchase $77.8 billion more in US manufactured goods, such as cars, aircraft and farm machinery; $52.4 billion in US oil and gas purchases; $37.9 billion in financial and other services; and increased protections for US intellectual property. However, China has not agreed to stop withholding access to its markets to companies who do not pass along their private technology.

Further, the US is not going to lift the current tariffs until China at least starts to fulfill its commitment to purchase all those American goods. It will be interesting in the next few months.

Both the Rat and the duck are sniffing the air to try and figure out what is going to happen to interest rates both here and abroad.

While there may be more exciting things to think about—war in the Middle East, US impeachment, US elections in November, and Brexit at the end of the month—what the US Federal Reserve and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas do with rates is fundamental. Wars, elections, and trade deals come and go but changes in interest rates are like having a tooth pulled. It is hard to reverse the process. All of the above are affected by what the interest rate for borrowing and lending is, and what direction the rate is going.

Regardless, with divine inspiration and a little good luck, 2020 will be favorable for our country and our people. But as always, it will require hard work and strong commitment to our future.

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BETTER DAYS

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E are, indeed, living in interesting times. With tensions in the Middle East escalating, our government aims to protect and extend services to our overseas foreign workers to ensure their safety and security.

To that end, the Department of Budget and Management has set aside P1.8 billion in government funds, for the repatriation of our countrymen who are in the Middle East. About P1.29 billion will be taken from the Department of Foreign Affairs, P100 million from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and the remaining P500 million will be taken from what the DBM terms as a free fund. With about 4,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Iran, and 1.2 million in all of the Middle East by the DFA estimates, it is important that we are ready to bring them all home if events require it.

But it isn’t only in times of crisis that we should be prepared to assist our OFWs. Under Republic Act 10801, or the OWWA Act of 2016, which we authored and sponsored, benefits and services, such as loans, credit assistance and health care are

funded by the membership fee that OFWs, both land- and sea-based, pay every two years. The OWWA’s budget will also be strengthened by government funding, as it is now attached to the Department of Labor and Employment.

T he OW WA’s ser v ices a re many. For example, the OWWA has various disability benefits, ranging from P2,500 to P100,000, depending on the nature of the disability. Dependents and beneficiaries of an OFW member can receive educational assistance through the Education for Development Scholarship Program, and the OFW Dependents Scholarship Program. OFWs themselves can partake of educational training assistance in any Tesda-accredited school through the Skills for Employment Scholarship Program.

Seafarers also have an upgrading program available to develop their

Advocate for peace

Jennifer A. Ng Vittorio V. Vitug

Senior Editors

Creative Director Chief Photographer

Protecting our OFWs

Rev. Fr. Antonio Cecilio T. Pascual

SERVANT LEADER

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ROTHERS and sisters, our government is making an effort to avert the adverse effects of the tension between the United States and Iran, especially for our countrymen who are overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East.

President Duterte assigned Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, who served as the special envoy of the Philippines in the Middle East when war raged in Iraq in 2004, to do the groundwork initiative for possible evacuations of the Filipinos. The administration also established a special working committee, consisting of different departments relevant to our security and relations with other countries.

The government also sent out representatives to Iran to inform them of our government’s wish to ensure the safety of our fellow Filipinos from the dangers brought about by

the United States’s actions. Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs raised the situation in Iraq for Filipinos to Alert Level 4, which means there will be a mandatory evacuation of over 1,000 Filipinos from that country.

Last January 3rd, the United States initiated drone attacks in Baghdad, Iraq, ordered by President Donald J. Trump. The primary target was the high ranking General Qasem Soleimani. This was planned by the United States because of the information they received about the general and his forces planning to attack American

The repatriation plan that the government is undertaking at this time is under the OWWA’s set of responsibilities, as repatriation services include airport assistance, temporary sheltering—preferably at an OWWA Halfway House—and provisions for travel. In this case, the gravity of the situation has required the preparation of the budget as mentioned. skill sets, and the Seafarers Protection Act, which prohibits abusive monetary awarding schemes that involve disabled or deceased seafarers. There are also benefits and assistance for those whose loved ones have passed away while working as OFWs. And once the OFWs have finally come home to stay, they will have livelihood projects, skills-training programs, and other social counseling and reintegration programs available to them.

The repatriation plan that the government is undertaking at this time is under the OWWA’s set of responsibilities, as repatriation services include airport assistance, temporary sheltering—preferably at an OWWA Halfway House—and provisions for travel. In this case, the gravity of the situation has required the preparation of the budget as mentioned.

diplomats and military personnel in Iraq. This was supposedly the United States’s way to prevent war.

As expected, Iran and its citizens are displeased with the death of Soleimani. Iran called the US action an act of war and threatened retaliation. Just last Wednesday, Iran fired ballistic missiles targeting two US military bases in Iraq. No one was harmed or killed in the attack.

It is difficult not to worry about the possible events not only between the two quarreling countries, but also the whole world. Peace remains elusive in our world—in the words of Pope Benedict XVI, in his Caritas in Veritate, which is rooted in our misunderstanding of peace. For most people, peace seems to be a technical product, a result of agreements between countries, or programs delivering economic aid to other countries. Truly the foundation of peace needs to strengthened with cooperation to cut off the roots of chaos and terrorism. But as Pope Benedict XVI reminds us, these can only be used in the long run if the relations among countries are rooted in truth and love for life of the people.

Even the now iconic balikbayan boxes sent home by OFWs to their loved ones have been given protection and a higher taxation ceiling, through the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act. Stricter processes for inspecting boxes without opening them have become law, and the overall value of items in boxes not exceeding P150,000 in value are exempt from taxation.

I believe that all these benefits and services are what we owe to our OFWs. They are our national heroes.

Through their contribution to our economy, they help keep our country afloat.

And yet, the true measure of our love for our OFWs would seem to be this: that someday in the future, all of them can come home and find work here in our country. This is why the Department of Trade and Industry is now establishing various comprehensive national industry strategies to upgrade, link together, and integrate various industry sectors and services. This is why we have Go Lokal! stores and Negosyo Centers that can assist micro to medium enterprises through development and market access assistance. This is why we have Shared Service Facilities that can provide businesses with the machinery, the technology, and the knowledge to produce more and better products.

This is why we are working hard to establish Tatak Pinoy, to encourage See “Angara,” A7

However, with what is happening now, even if world leaders speak of agreements to maintain peace and order in the world, selfish interests of those powerful will always linger, and prejudice will reign in some of them to protect their interests, and the ignorance and numbness in mind and heart from hearing out each other’s concerns.

Brothers and sisters, in our faith, taking the path to peace comes from our belief in the blessing and mercy of God, in love and forgiveness, in forgetting oneself and receiving others, in justice and peace. These are what we need, as said in the book of Ezekiel 36:26, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”

Let us not be weary to pray for peace in the world, and for the change of hearts of global leaders so peace shall side with them.

Make it a habit to listen to Radio Veritas 846 Ang Radyo ng Simbahan in the AM band, or through live streaming at www.veritas846.ph, and follow its Twitter and Instagram accounts @veritasph, and YouTube at veritas846.ph. For your comments, e-mail veritas846pr@gmail.com.

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Teaching is still the noblest profession

Reading & writing volcano Tito Genova Valiente

ANNOTATIONS

Manny F. Dooc

TELLTALES

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HEN I was appointed as a public-school teacher in July 1969, my starting gross pay was P234 per month, hence, our batch was called “Batch 234.” Back then, the amount was enough for a small family living in the province to survive since we did not pay any monthly rental, vegetables grew in abundance in one’s backyard, if not in one’s neighbors’, poultry, goats and hogs were raised domestically, and nearby creeks and rivers teemed with fishes that were easily trapped by our lambat or pante.

Transportation was not a concern since the schools, church, market, playgrounds and the municipio were all within walking distance. Owning a motorcycle then was a status symbol. There were no malls and department stores and, practically, all our basic needs were supplied by the small grocery store, which incidentally cashed our treasury warrants covering the teacher’s monthly pay, net of the grocery purchases we needed for the month. It was a simple and uncomplicated life. Those halcyon days were peaceful, sans African swine fever, and drug-free.

Teaching then was a position looked up to in the community and well-respected by the townspeople.

Being a teacher was a title that could give you a seat at the head table in a banquet opposite the Kapitan del Barrio. During my time, P234 could deliver you perks and take you to places. Today’s teacher is totally unrecognizable from her progenitor.

Her social standing has definitely suffered and teaching has become a less attractive profession. Oftentimes, we hear parents encouraging their children to take up a teaching degree when they size up early that their children won’t qualify for a more glamorous or rewarding career.

Teaching will provide a steady income no matter what, though meager even to an unambitious individual.

I strongly disagree with that, and as a former teacher I am proud to say that teaching is still the noblest profession suitable to idealistic and intellectually gifted person. We need the best and the brightest teachers if we want to produce outstanding men and women who will take over the mantle of leadership in business and government. We cannot compromise the teachers’ role and contributions to the development and welfare of our youth. As immortalized in our favorite poem, we hail her great deed and appreciate the fact that: “A teacher built a temple With loving and infinite care, Planning each arch with patience, Laying each stone with prayer…

And the temple the teacher fashioned Will last while the ages roll, For that beautiful, unseen temple Was a child’s immortal soul.”

But how can they keep doing this if our present crop of teachers are dissatisfied and disillusioned lots?

I’m glad that President Duterte has signed the salary standardization law of 2019 on January 8, 2020, which will increase the pay of over 1.4 million government employees.

The increment will be released in four tranches starting this year until 2023.

This will benefit the public-school teachers, which constitute the largest component of our civil service. Under the SSL 5, public-school teachers who occupy Salary Grade 11, and currently earning P20,751 monthly pay will be

Angara. . .

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excellence in our country, to attract businesses to come to us, and work with us.

How we are mobilizing now to protect and bring our family members home is a sign of our love and devotion. Building a future where we can minimize the need for them

receiving P27,000 in 2023, after getting annual salary adjustments for the next four years. I’m aware that this move has drawn mixed reactions from our public-school teachers who were unhappy that the staggered increase was much lower than what they were demanding. The teachers had been clamoring for a P10,000 across-theboard hike to bring their starting pay at par with those in the uniformed service. Compared to the salary hike given to the policemen and soldiers, which was granted in one lump sum, the teachers felt that their increase is too little and too late. Congress, however, justified it by claiming that it did its best to provide the teachers a new round of pay hike despite the limited funds available. The total increase of P6,000, more or less, was prudently staggered in four tranches so that the national budget can afford it. Moreover, the teachers’ salaries are not only the government’s top priority.

Even the Department of Education had admitted that any salary increase for teachers would entail huge appropriations. DepEd Undersecretary Annalyn Sevilla stressed that “a mere P10,000 increase for teachers alone would already cost the government around P140 billion to P150 billion annually.” Thus, any salary hike for teachers should be “equitable, within means, and sustainable.” Even Secretary Leonor Magtolis-Briones, who knows her numbers, had underscored in the past that doubling the salaries of the single-largest block in our government bureaucracy would drain the government coffers. However, the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition reminded the President of his campaign promise to increase the teachers’ salaries by P10,000 a month to keep their pay on a par with the other government functionaries. The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) has urged Duterte to honor his campaign pledge. There is strength in numbers but obviously this militates against their best interest.

The President had doubled the entry-level pay of policemen and the military to P29,668 as early as 2018.

Under the recently approved SSL 5, the nurses pay would get a hefty increase to a minimum monthly salary of P32,053.

But who does not make promises during elections? I’m sure Duterte remembers them for his own mother lived and died as a teacher. And he shares Robert Frost’s dilemma, and keeps them in his mind: “The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep.”

Duterte has more than two years remaining in office. It’s a tall order but knowing him, I’m certain he will leave no stone unturned to augment the teachers’ benefits and restore their dignity and honor. to find jobs elsewhere—to stay and find a job to support families here in our own country—should be our main concern.

Sen. Sonny Angara has been in public service for 15 years—nine years as representative of the Lone District of Aurora, and six as senator. He has authored and sponsored more than 200 laws. He recently won another term in the Senate.

E-mail: sensonnyangara@yahoo.com| Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @sonnyangara.

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ITH the eruption of Taal last Sunday, January 12, 2020, there came an irruption or outbreak of languages.

These languages were in the form of words and images. They were reporting about the day when a volcano in their midst had erupted. But even that eruption would be questioned as alert levels were issued.

What does Alert Level 4 mean?

Does that mean there is no eruption yet?

What is the difference between a magma and a lava? Are explosions and eruptions one and the same?

The second day of the Volcano eruption produced more images.

Each one as “stunning” as the other.

Stunning was the word of the day.

But even that word became strangely contentious. Online, citizens were summoning ethics in the use of the word. Was it ethical to call attention to the beauty of the volcano when people were suffering? Or were being pushed out of their habitat?

As online debates raged about the use of modifiers about beauty, other individuals continued to send in images of ash-covered towns, lightning gilding the plume of clouds shooting up 14 kilometers to 15 km up the graying sky because, whether we like it or not, the volcano was becoming the origin of terrible beauty.

Were we confronting what Albert Camus called “Beauty that was unbearable?”

On the 15th of January, it was reported that a group of Batangueños danced a Subli, a dance performed before the Cross. The ritual is performed for propitious events but it is, like the Perdon in Bikol, and the neighboring areas, done when there are calamities or deaths.

We pray to the Lord when we have a good harvest; we pray to Him also when floods come, children die, and volcanoes erupt.

Geologists remind us of geologic time. This volcanic eruption in the life of Taal is a speck in geologic time, which reckons periods in terms of millions of years and not in days or weeks.

What are we in geologic time? The tremors and steam-generated explosions have nothing to do with our sins and iniquities, as science would claim.

It is easy to think like a geologist until one hears from a kin who maintains with her husband a lovely café with a view of the erupting volcano. Hours after Lia Monteverde posted a photo of smoke from Taal, her notes started trickling in: Our phones are dying.... Taal Volcano eruption is imminent now.

Got no power since 3 p.m….

We are up and can’t sleep.

The whole town has evacuated... Earthquakes every five to 15 minutes and getting stronger. House is ok but worried about the animals.

The trees are falling and branches cracking and breaking from the weight of the ashfall, which is now mud fall. Talisay is now part of mandatory evacuation.

But it’s pitch dark. The air has stench from sulfur…Waiting for daylight to leave because the roads are blocked from fallen trees and muddy from the wet ash.

Talisay and the other towns surrounding the lake are now ghost towns. We have no idea what’s going on outside....

Praying we will be fine.

The stunning photos flooded the Internet after this notification from Lia. On the second day came another post from Lia. They decided to evacuate, to leave Talisay: At 4 a.m. we walked through mud. It was so dark and slippery I fell. It was a night after full

Friday, January 17, 2020

moon.... The trees looked like weeping shadows... All branches bent, heavy with silt and mud.... We know all our plants and trees would be dead….

Lia shared more photos. She described them as “when the colors went out.” The land was gray; the plants were white; the rest were shadows of black. Then came the photo of a horse, stolid as if transformed into a pallid marble statue. The animal was covered in ash. It stood there, seemingly waiting for nothing.

The volcanologists initiated their bulletin. A female volcanologist started by explaining the seeming

“absence” of warning. There was, apparently, a warning in terms of the issuance of Alert Levels. But our leaders wanted something more of the sound and fury type. Like their speeches.

At present, the Congress has proposed conducting an investigation to this “failure of announcement.”

As the volcano rumbles, our elected leaders are grumbling. They want to investigate the eruption, “why there were no warnings.” This investigation would be, presumably, in aid of legislation. As usual.

But how does one legislate Nature?

What is the latest photo in my

Getting through vulnerabilities Alvin Ang

EAGLE WATCH

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HE country opened the decade with two difficult situations, both of which are beyond its control. First, the US-Iran conflict that threatened to blow into a shooting war, exposing to danger millions of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) in the Middle East. Second, the sudden eruption of the Taal Volcano after almost 40 years. Both further exposed the country’s capabilities to address shocks and vulnerabilities that could derail the otherwise improving and strengthening domestic economy.

In recent history, the Philippines has faced enormous shocks caused by both external and internal factors that have one way or another stymied and even pulled down growth.

In 1990 and 1991, successive major natural disasters known as the July 1990 earthquake and the June 1991 massive eruption of Mount Pinatubo shook the main economic producing island of Luzon. The 1990 earthquake brought significant damage to Baguio City, and many urban centers in Central Luzon. The 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo changed the landscape of Central Luzon, displacing thousands of people, taking away livelihoods and means of living.

These two major shocks have been recorded to have cost the country about P60 billion in 1990 (ODI, 1997). It would be interesting to note that during the same period, Iraq occupied Kuwait leading to what is known as the Desert Storm. This Middle East

conflict was the first test of how the country was to rescue its OFW and at the same time face rising oil prices. The combined effects of the massive natural disasters and the Middle East conflict were reflected in the economy through a growth slowdown from 6 percent in 1989, to 3 percent in 1990, and a contraction in 1991 by 0.5 percent.

The economic performance was relatively commendable considering that bulk of the economic activity is in the island of Luzon. The country took the opportunity to rebuild and recover immediately from the shocks. This, notwithstanding the regularity of typhoons that visit the country, which often also lead to massive damages to crops and industries. Various studies have listed the country as either third or fourth disaster prone country in the world.

Yet, it can be noted that the Philippines is able to get through and even

improve its economic performance.

The combination shocks that happened in 1990 and 1991 almost occurred in 2013, when Central Visayas was shaken by a 7-magnitude earthquake followed a month after by the most destructive Supertyphoon Yolanda (international code name Haiyan) hitting most of the Visayas. The combined effects of these two shocks failed to pull down economic growth momentum. In fact, it was the year the country posted a 7percent growth rate. More recently, the confluence of earthquakes were in the vicinity of Mindanao, again destructively shifting away commerce, and 2019 ended the year with a Christmas typhoon damaging the Visayas once again.

With the regular occurrence of shocks and disasters, the country’s economic fundamentals are being exposed to significant vulnerabilities. Resources that could have been reserved to facilitate infrastructure expansion will have to be shifted now to restoration and rehabilitation. The most critical need of responding to the social aspects of health, shelter and nutrition must be given utmost priority. Suffice it to say that in these string of disasters, the country’s economic machinery centers, which are Region 4 and the National Capital Region, are relatively minimally affected. The combined GDP of these two mega regions account for 52 percent of total economic output (PSA, 2018). Although the external shock, such as the latest Middle East crisis could cause a much broader negative impact in the form of higher oil prices and, therefore, higher inflation and a

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memory? A group of men and women and children, even of infants, their bodies covered in ash. They are bathing themselves, the only recourse to remove the wrath of gods on them.

Lia and Emil and her siblings had returned for awhile to their café, and distributed the bread in that house to policemen and rescuers. They, like other civilians, have started helping those who have been affected by the eruption. The sugar-free cookies and ice-cream Lia had promised me if I had gone to Café Diem have to wait.

We have to wait. The volcanologists cannot promise when the eruption will end. Only politicians are promising many things about the volcano.

T he gover nment, meanwhile, has announced the call for donations. As usual. People are not responding directly to this misplaced emotional blackmail.

People have learned. A great majority of our people can see the machinations of the administration. People think it is about time the government should spend the fund intended for days when nature teaches us lessons in good governance.

This does not mean people are not helping.

Many groups have already began to collect bottled water and foods to be distributed to the affected communities.

The ordinary people will always go out of their ways to help neighbors and strangers. It is now, however, the turn of the extraordinary people composing the government to serve the people.

In the meantime, newscasters continue to grapple with the vowel sound in the word “imminent” to describe the coming eruption, so that we hear instead another word, “eminent.” The latter means “distinguished” or “illustrious,” two adjectives that, unfortunately, we can rarely give to the leaders of this misbegotten republic.

E-mail: titovaliente@yahoo.com

possible loss of jobs of OFWs. It is, therefore, urgent for government not only to have contingency plans, but to ensure that people, assets and resources are insured. In the 2015 BSP National Financial Inclusion Survey, the results showed that about 70 percent are aware of life insurance but only 16 percent are actually covered. Some 80 percent are aware of health insurance, but only 25 percent have coverage. Worse, about 60 percent know that natural disasters could affect their income and livelihood negatively, but only 9 percent are willing or wanting to have coverage. In both the external and internal shocks, people can actually get insured one way or another.

For OFWs, it is already mandatory to get insurance coverage for repatriation and medical cases. This is, however, limited only to those who were hired through an agency. It is therefore necessary for OFWs to get insurance that covers life and workrelated shocks that are portable and not agency-based. For the rest of us, it may be necessary for government and private insurance providers to work together to address the huge insurance gap especially relating to disasters. It is inefficient to be always responding to emergencies on a case to case basis, when there are already mechanisms that can be designed, tapped and utilized so that we get through these vulnerabilities efficiently. nnn

THE Eagle Watch Economic Briefing Scheduled on January 16, 2020, has been rescheduled to February 7, 2020, at the same venue.

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PDIC pays out ₧1.18B in ’19 to closed banks’ depositors

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By Bernadette D. Nicolas

@BNicolasBM

TATE-RUN Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) has paid a total of P1.18 billion in deposit insurance, or 92.25 percent of the total amount of deposit insurance claims of depositors from banks ordered closed in 2019 by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’s Monetary Board.

PDIC on Thursday said in a statement that total deposit insurance it paid covered 51,278 valid deposit accounts from January to December 2019.

PDIC took over 11 banks ordered

closed in 2019.

These are Bagong Bangko Rural ng Malabang Inc.; (Lanao del Sur); Rural Bank of Mabitac Inc. (Laguna); The Palawan Bank Inc. (Palawan Development Bank); Val-

51,278

Number of valid deposit accounts to which PDIC paid deposit insurance from January to December 2019 iant Bank Inc. (A Rural Bank); Rural Bank of Basey Inc. (Samar); Rural Bank of Guihulngan Inc. (Negros Oriental); East Coast Rural Bank of Hagonoy Inc.; Rural Bank of Larena Inc. (Siquijor); Rural Bank of Lemery Inc.; AMA Rural Bank of Mandaluyong Inc.; and Maximum Savings Bank Inc.

Before the year-end, the state deposit insurer conducted payout operations for 10 out of 11 closed banks. The estimated insured deposits in these 10 closed banks amounted to P1.27 billion involving 76,650 accounts.

Of the 11 closed banks, it is only in AMA Rural Bank of Mandaluyong, Inc. where the PDIC was unable to conduct payout operations due to the 60-day temporary restraining order (TRO).

The Court of Appeals issued the TRO on November 25, 2019, in favor of the bank’s majority stakeholders.

Thus, PDIC was constrained from continuing its deposit insurance and liquidation operations in the See “PDIC,” A2

DICT Digital Hub shortlisted for global prize

By Lorenz S. Marasigan

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@lorenzmarasigan

HE Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said on Thursday its Mindanao Cluster’s Digital Hub Project has been shortlisted for the 2020 World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Prizes.

The project, a co-working space and a learning facility that is open 24/7, was included in the roster of finalists for the e-employment category for the global prize-giving summit.

Based in Zamboanga City, Digital Hub provides access to tech resources and opportunities. It also offers capacity-building activities

and serves as a work facility for people with digital jobs.

So far, the hub has served over 2,500 users and trained over 700 people on digital skills. Government data showed that freelances using the activity earn a combined amount of P1.5 million per month.

For the e-employment category, only 353 projects out of 806 projects

were nominated from submissions worldwide, including this entry from the Philippines.

Spearheaded by the International Telecommunications Union, the WSIS Prizes aims to recognize entities that play an integral part in carrying out ICT-related initiatives to achieve target outcomes.

Awarding is set for April.

YELLOW ALERT RAISED ON LUZON POWER GRID

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YELLOW alert notice was raised over the Luzon grid Thursday due to insufficient operating power reserves.

This is the first yellow alert for the year. A yellow alert is issued when operating reserves have dropped below the required 647-megawatt contingency in Luzon, or equivalent to the largest unit in Luzon, which is the 647-MW coal-fired power plant in Sual, Pangasinan.

The Luzon grid experienced thin power reserves from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., stripping it off with 3,083 MW. Three reasons were cited for the issuance of the yellow alert: forced power plant outage, de-rated power plant capacity and limited capacity due to line constraints brought about by the effects of the Taal eruption.

Sual plant (647 MW) and Tiwi 5 geothermal facility (57 MW) went on forced outage.

Meanwhile, the following derated plants are Calaca, which

Lenie Lectura

Haiti’s unstable political, economic clime prods US-Iran row. . . 30 Filipinos to return Continued from A1

NORTHEAST MONSOON AFFECTING LUZON as of 4:00 pm - January 16, 2020

was supposed to deliver 300 MW but only produced 234 MW; Sem Calaca Power Corp. (SCPC)2 (150 MW) at 140 MW; Kalayaan (720 MW) at 360 MW; and Southwest Luzon Power Generation Corp. or SLPGC 2 (150 MW) at 145 MW. The power plants that are on limited capacities due to line constraints are San Buenaventura, Quezon Power and Pagbilao (2336 MW) at 838 MW and Ilijan (1200 MW) at 760 MW. The total limitation of these plants stood at 1938 MW. The Manila Electric Co. has already notified 138 of its ILP (Interruptible Load Program) participants, contributing 543 MW, to be prepared. If need be, they will have to turn their power generators on whenever the power supply is constricted instead of drawing power from the grid.

Thus, power supply that will not be consumed by participating customers will be available for use by other customers within Meralco’s franchise area.

the total figure usually cited of 10 million overseas Filipinos, because these are only the ones with contracts officially registered with government. Majority or 82.6 percent of them are working in Asia.

Of this number, around 54.9 percent are working in Western Asia.

This is composed of the Saudi Arabia where 24.3 percent of OFWs are working and United Arab Emirates with 15.7 percent.

Countries, such as Kuwait; Qatar; and others including Bahrain, Israel, Lebanon and Jordan, account for 5.7 percent; 5.2 percent; and 4 percent, respectively.

Oil prices

APART from refugees and migrants, Mazarei said a prolonged conflict could lead to volatile oil prices, threatening oil importers like the Philippines.

When asked if the national government is open to implementing a program similar to the Pantawid Pasada for those affected by higher oil prices, Pernia only replied, “vamos a ver [we’ll see].”

The last Middle East and North Africa crisis in 2011 slowed the country’s full year GDP growth to 3.7 percent. If it weren’t for the Mena crisis, Neda said the economy would have replicated its 2010 growth of 7.1 percent.

At the time, Neda estimated that the contraction in exports cost the Philippine economy around 2.2 percentage points, while underspending for public construction cost the economy around 0.7 percentage points; and underspending for other government expenditures cost 0.1 percentage points of GDP growth.

Further, the Neda said the collective impact of all the typhoons, including Bebeng, Juaning, Mina, Pedring, Quiel and Sendong amounted to 0.63 percent of GDP, or a loss of around 0.4 percentage points in the GDP growth rate.

If all these were included in the GDP and added to the actual 3.7 percent full year growth rate, the economy would have posted a growth of 7.1 percent in 2011.

By Recto Mercene

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@rectomercene

HIRTY Filipinos were repatriated from Haiti, which they said they had to leave owing to the unstable political and economic conditions.

Officials of the Philippine Embassy in Washington went to Haiti to assist in the repatriation of the 21 adults and nine minors, to the Philippines.

Deputy Chief of Mission Renato Pedro O. Villa and Assistance-toNationals Officer Ryan Dasal were in Haiti, from January 11 to 14 for the mission.

The Filipino community in Haiti petitioned to be repatriated because of the unstable economic and security situations in the country, caused by continuous civil unrest, crime and kidnapping.

Most of the minor repatriates will continue their studies in the Philippines.

The repatriates were divided into two groups—the Philippine Airlines (PAL) group of 17 repatriates, and Asiana Airlines group of 13 repatriates.

Both groups were scheduled to arrive in the Philippines on Thursday, January 16.

Camilo Duran, an overseas Filipino worker in Haiti, and one of the repatriates, thanked President Duterte, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. and Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez for their assistance.

Besides these officials, Duran thanked the US Embassy in Por- auPrince “for immediately approving our transit visa to New York,” and Haiti, and the Haitians who “gave us jobs and shelter for years. We pray that Haiti can overcome the challenges it is facing.” “ En su r i ng t he s a fet y a nd well-being of our overseas Filipinos remains a top priority of the Philippine government. The Philippine Embassy, along with the Philippine Consulates General and Honorary Philippine Consulates in the United States and in the Caribbean, are always here to listen and provide assistance to our kababayans as the need arises,” Ambassador Romualdez said in a separate statement.

PHILIPPINE Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Renato Pedro O. Villa (in blue checkered polo, seated in front) and Assistance-to-Nationals Officer Ryan Dasal (in blue polo shirt, seated in front) meet with Filipino nationals for repatriation from Haiti.

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Any person in the Philippines who is competent, able and willing to perform the services for which the foreign national is desired may file an objection at DOLE NCR Regional Office located at 967 Maligaya St., Malate, Manila, within 30 days after its publication.

Please inform DOLE NCR if you have any information on criminal offense committed by the foreign nationals.

ATTY. SARAH BUENA S. MIRASOL REGIONAL DIRECTOR

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Tagaytay tourist entities face ₧8.2-M losses, initially, as Taal’s Big One looms

By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo

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Special to the BusinessMirror

LL tourism establishments in Tagaytay City, Cavite, are now closed following the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) directive to cease operations due to the imminent explosive eruption of Taal Volcano.

In a Viber message to the BusinessMirror, Tourism Undersecretary for Tourism Regulation, Coordination and Resource Generation Arturo P. Boncato Jr. said, “All Tagaytay hotels and resorts [are now closed].” These include Anya Resort, Discovery Country Suites, Nurture Wellness Village, One Tagaytay Place, Quest Hotel, Summit Ridge and Taal Vista Hotel, according to a separate report from the Philippine Hotel Owners Association, on its memberhotels in the area.

Citing data from the Municipal Government of Tagaytay, Boncato said the closed tourism establishments include “57 hotels/resorts and

99 pensions and inns.” He explained that Tagaytay is within the 14-kilometer danger zone, which would be immediately affected by any eruption of Taal Volcano.

BusinessMirror estimates indicate that, if closed for just 15 days, these 159 tourism establishments stand to lose at least P8.2 million, based on an average room rate of P3,500 per night.

The danger zone also covers the Batangas towns of Laurel, Agoncillo, Lemery, Taal, Santa Teresita, Cuenca, Mataas Na Kahoy, Balete, Malvar, Talisay and San Nicolas. “These have all been evacuated, including the lakeshore towns,” Boncato stressed,

PICTURESQUE Laurel, Batangas, home to several tourist accommodations, is a picture of gloom as ashfall from Taal Volcano covers most everything on the national highway. ROY DOMINGO

but “most accommodations are in Tagaytay.”

According to the DOT, there were 4.22 million day tourists and 982,120 overnight guests in Tagaytay, alone, in 2018. (See, “Tourism in Tagaytay, Cavite, Batangas uncertain,” in the BusinessMirror, January 14, 2020.)

Boncato said other accommodations out of the danger zone, such as resorts in Nasugbu, for instance, are free to operate, despite the entire province of Batangas now under a state of calamity.

On Wednesday, the governor of

Cavite also declared the province under a state of calamity. Tagaytay is a municipality of Cavite.

The DOT on Wednesday “strongly advise[d] all tourism enterprises operating in all affected areas of the Taal Volcano disaster to immediately cease operations in light of the DOSTPhivolcs’s Alert Level 4 warning.” (See, “‘Close down,’ DOT tells tourism establishments in Taal-eruption affected areas,” in the BusinessMirror, January 15, 2020.)

The DOT also reiterated that “travel in other parts of Luzon, and the rest of the country, remains safe

and accessible.”

In a separate interview, Ritchie Tuaño, president of the Philippine Travel Agencies Association, said while they “have not received any reports of tour cancellations [to Tagaytay], it is inevitable that tourism will be affected by this natura l disaster or ca lamit y.

PTAA will do its part, in its own small and humble way, in rebuilding affected tourism areas. We will work with local government units and nongovernment organizations in this effort, with the hope they can recover as quick as possible.”

He disclosed that the PTAA will be hosting business-to-business events involving foreign tour operators from February 2 to 4, during the organization’s Travel Tour Expo. “Part of the arrangement is to take them [at least 40] on a tour. This year, we have chosen to bring the delegates to a tour in [the] Taal town. While we have already thought of a backup plan, we have not canceled or abandon the original plan.”

He added, the organization has yet to receive reports from exhibitors that they will scrap Tagaytay from their offerings.

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PNOC-EC sets aside P10B for 2020 operating budget

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

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HE Philippine National Oil Co.-Exploration Corp.

(PNOC-EC) has set aside over P10 billion for this year’s operating budget.

The board approved a budget of P10.592.56 billion, with the bulk to be utilized for exploration and production projects.

Resolution 12-3-2019 states that P10.05 billion of the amount is allocated for these projects, including coal exploration and development (P1.81 billion), petroleum exploration (P7.47 billion) and Malampaya (P766.31 million). PNOC-EC’s capital expenditure for the year is P64.7 million, and operating expenses are set at P477 million.

EC is the upstream oil, gas and coal subsidiary of PNOC. Earlier, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said he wants the PNOC-EC Board to review all transactions after President Duterte sacked the corporation’s president last year.

PNOC-EC President and Chief Executive Officer Pedro A. Aquino Jr. was asked by the President to resign after the former signed a memorandum of agreement with a Russian firm without approval of the Board or its chairman.

Aquino’s replacement has yet to be named.

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Kepwealth to acquire Metro Mla properties in first half of 2020

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

EPWEALTH Property Philippines Inc. said it will acquire several assets during the first half of the year as part of the expansion of its operations.

INDUSTRIAL

K

By VG Cabuag

In its report, the company said it will acquire an estimated 3,500 square meters of leasable office space in Quezon City, Pasig and Makati, during the period. “The result of which is an aggregate of 18,121 sq m of leasable space which will generate a steady flow of income for the company once these assets are leased out to tenants,” it said.

The company said it will use the P363.02 million in the proceeds from

@villygc

its initial public offering (IPO) in August last year.

According to its plan, it will spend some P245 million to acquire office space in Metro Manila, and another P120 million for its expansion of operations in Davao City.

The company said it will increase its asset management portfolio to complement its leasing business.

This will be done through potential tie-ups, including those of a prime property in Quezon City

where the owner plans to build a five-tower complex; and also the Apo View Hotel in Davao, where the owner plans to build two 40-story towers that will have commercial and retail spaces, the company said.

“Discussions for potential business with the property owners are in progress,” it said.

Kepwealth is the first to list at the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) last year, with its share price rising 42 percent during the its first day of trading from its offer price of P5.74 per share. Its share price closed on Thursday at P9.86 per share.

Proceeds from the IPO will be used to diversify its asset base and acquire office space in key cities in Metro Manila, to boost its total leasable space.

Kepwealth reported a fall in its net income by a quarter from January to September 2019, to P20.09

million from the previous year’s P27.08 million.

Revenues for the period grew 19 percent to P73.62 million, from the previous year’s P61.91 million, mainly as a result of asset management operations of the company which commenced on March 2019.

The segment contributed P9.4 million to the company’s revenue for the period.

The leasing operations of Kepwealth accounted for 78 percent of the net income, while the asset management operations accounted for 12 percent.

The company owns 77 office condominium units with 98 leasable spaces in Keppel Center, a commercial building located at Samar Loop corner Cardinal Rosales Avenue, Cebu Business Park, Cebu City. The name of the building was changed to Kepwealth Center, on January 1, 2019.

Manila Water continues outreach to Taal-hit towns

A

FTER their initial deployment on Sunday (January 13), when Taal Volcano first spewed ash following a phreatic eruption, water tankers from Manila Water and its operating unit, Laguna Water, continued to provide much-needed water to those affected by the eruption, also with help from its other operating unit, South Luzon Water.

The tankers visited evacuation areas in Tanauan City, Batangas City, Santo Tomas, San Luis, and Taal in

Batangas Province, as well as in Alfonso, Cavite. They also delivered water to evacuation centers in Lipa, Calaca, Bauan, Alitagtag and Nasugbu in Batangas; Cabuyao, Santa Rosa and Biñan in Laguna, as well as Tagaytay City.

Water delivery operations continue to this day, even to towns and communities affected by heavy ashfall in these provinces, such as Silang, Amadeo and Indang, in Cavite. As of Wednesday, a total of more than 130 tanker trips have been completed,

Villar’s Prime Water donates drinking water to Taal eruption-affected folk

V

ILLAR-LED Prime Water Infrastructure Corp. on Thursday said it gave drinking water to the families affected by the recent Taal Volcano eruption.

Gallons of drinking water were delivered to about 1,000 affected families, the company said.

The outreach was in partnership with Crystal Clear, and the local government of Santo Tomas, Batangas, it said.

The entire province of Batangas was declared and remains to be under a state of calamity following Sunday’s phreatic eruption of Taal Volcano, which severely affected the towns surrounding Volcano island,

and adjacent municipalities.

Volunteers from Prime Water headed to the town of Santo Tomas, one of the identified evacuation centers, to bring a thousand gallons of potable drinking water.

“Prime Water is thankful to the LGU and the police force for the generous assistance given in the distribution of these supplies to the families who are really in need of drinking water,” the company said.

Prime Water provides service to more than 500,000 households in the country and produces more than 300 million liters of treated water daily from the deep wells and surface water resources it operates. VG Cabuag

Over 11,000 Batangueños receive aid from Aboitiz Group after Taal eruption

T

HE Aboitiz Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the Aboitiz Group, together with several Aboitiz business units (BUs) in South Luzon, mobilized much-needed aid to residents affected by Taal Volcano’s eruption on January 12, and its ongoing seismic activity.

As of January 14, several team members from AP Renewables, Inc. Makiling-Banahaw, Lima EnerZone Corp., and Aboitiz Land Inc. have pitched in to assemble relief packs containing food, 10,000 pieces of N95 face masks to combat the respiratory impact of the ashfall, sleeping kits, hygiene kits and drinking water.

These packages will be distributed to 5,519 families, or 11,071 individuals in evacuation centers in Malvar, Santo Tomas City and Lipa City, Batangas, as well as in San Pablo City and Bay, Laguna.

The Aboitiz Foundation also immediately set up a donation page (#TaalVolcano Eruption Call for Donations) to help affected families through its online donations platform KINDer by Aboitiz (KINDer.aboitiz.com).

“The Aboitiz Group is one with Batangas in this time of urgent need.

We sincerely hope our assistance will directly help our Batangueño brothers and sisters as they face this challenge with courage and hope,” said Maribeth L. Marasigan, Aboitiz Foundation President and Chief Operating Officer.

APRI, LEZ, and AboitizLand all have a presence in South Luzon. APRI operates the MakBan Geothermal Power Plant in Bay and Calauan, Laguna, and Sto. Tomas City, Batangas, while LEZ operates LiMA Land’s distribution system in Lipa City and Malvar, Batangas. AboitizLand has industrial, commercial, and residential developments in San Juan, Malvar, and Lipa City, Batangas.

delivering over 1,200 cubic meters of water.

More than 6,300 gallons of potable water were, likewise, distributed on Thursday by the Manila Water

MUTUAL FUNDS

Foundation to various evacuation areas in Bauan, Batangas, as part of the 10,100 gallons sent this week, to answer demand for clean drinking water for the evacuees.

January 16, 2020

PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS FINANCIALS

BDO UNIBANK BANK PH ISLANDS CHINABANK EAST WEST BANK METROBANK PB BANK PBCOM PHIL NATL BANK PSBANK PHILTRUST RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK BDO LEASING COL FINANCIAL FERRONOUX HLDG IREMIT MEDCO HLDG MANULIFE NTL REINSURANCE PHIL STOCK EXCH VANTAGE AC ENERGY ALSONS CONS ABOITIZ POWER BASIC ENERGY FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG MERALCO MANILA WATER PETRON PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL SPC POWER AGRINURTURE AXELUM CENTURY FOOD DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EMPERADOR SMC FOODANDBEV ALLIANCE SELECT FRUITAS HLDG JOLLIBEE MACAY HLDG MAXS GROUP MG HLDG PEPSI COLA SHAKEYS PIZZA ROXAS AND CO RFM CORP ROXAS HLDG SWIFT FOODS UNIV ROBINA VITARICH VICTORIAS CONCRETE A CONCRETE B CEMEX HLDG EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP HOLCIM MEGAWIDE PHINMA TKC METALS VULCAN INDL CHEMPHIL CROWN ASIA EUROMED PRYCE CORP CONCEPCION GREENERGY INTEGRATED MICR IONICS PANASONIC SFA SEMICON CIRTEK HLDG

HOLDING & FRIMS ABACORE CAPITAL ASIABEST GROUP AYALA CORP ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL AYALA LAND LOG ANSCOR ANGLO PHIL HLDG ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL JG SUMMIT LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP METRO PAC INV PACIFICA HLDG PRIME MEDIA SOLID GROUP SYNERGY GRID SM INVESTMENTS SAN MIGUEL CORP TOP FRONTIER ZEUS HLDG

155 85.2 25.05 12.4 64.7 12.02 20.4 31.8 57.15 112.9 22.45 186 58.45 3.02 18.02 3.77 1.15 0.35 851 0.81 172.6 1.04

155.1 85.35 25.1 12.46 65 12.2 20.5 32.05 58 120 23.45 187.5 58.5 3.15 18.48 3.9 1.2 0.37 870 0.84 177.8 1.05

153.4 83.85 25.1 12.32 64.7 12.2 20.5 32.1 57.8 112.8 22.6 185 58.4 2.3 18.48 3.91 1.16 0.37 851 0.81 172.5 1.08

156.5 85.5 25.1 12.48 65.4 12.2 20.5 32.35 58 112.8 22.6 190 58.6 3.48 18.48 3.91 1.16 0.37 851 0.84 173.1 1.08

153.4 83.85 25.05 12.32 64.4 12.2 20.5 31.8 57 112.8 22.45 185 58.4 2.3 18.48 3.71 1.14 0.35 851 0.81 172.5 1.04

January 16, 2020

155.1 85.2 25.1 12.46 65 12.2 20.5 31.8 58 112.8 22.45 187.5 58.45 3.15 18.48 3.9 1.14 0.35 851 0.84 173 1.04

2587160 2005420 24400 1012100 1733900 50000 400 484500 1040 40 7900 471040 17100 4052000 1000 148000 31000 150000 100 40000 2440 502000

401252633 -19165042 170827411 29363580 611380 75150 12555842 -2730422 112,339,739( 53,525,985.0001) 610000 8200 15,568,810( 9,013,990.0003) 59981.5 7501 4512 177945 87830634 -18231669 999987.5 -619250 12469860 53130 18480 553840 30890 35570 53600 85100 32730 -2430 422044 526180 -

2.28 1.24 32.85 0.233 21.2 66.75 295 9.71 3.97 11.82 33 8.83 12.02 2.74 14.8 5 9 7.24 74.1 0.52 1.46 201 6.81 11.16 0.158 1.7 9.71 1.88 5.26 1.72 0.115 148.7 1.19 2.43 61.6 67.3 1.53 13.66 8.76 13.44 14.34 9.96 0.99 0.94 165.7 2.12 1.6 4.72 32.4 2.1 7.83 1.39 4.88 1.01 8.94

2.29 1.28 33.2 0.235 21.35 67.4 295.6 9.72 3.99 12 33.05 8.84 12.12 2.75 14.9 5.1 9.18 7.25 75 0.53 1.47 201.2 7 11.22 0.177 1.72 9.85 1.89 5.3 1.83 0.12 149.9 1.2 2.56 67 68 1.54 13.94 8.8 13.48 14.96 9.97 1 0.95 175 2.14 1.69 4.8 32.45 2.12 7.85 1.4 5.35 1.05 8.95

2.32 1.28 33.45 0.236 21.6 66.45 295 10.08 3.97 11.96 33.15 8.82 12.52 3.04 14.94 5.15 9.36 7.3 74.6 0.55 1.46 208 6.8 11.22 0.176 1.82 9.85 1.88 5.2 1.72 0.12 148.5 1.21 2.43 61.35 70.95 1.57 13.62 9 13.6 14.98 9.97 1 0.95 165.8 2.16 1.58 4.72 32.4 2.12 7.8 1.26 5.11 0.96 6.56

2.35 1.28 33.45 0.236 21.95 67 299.8 10.08 3.99 12 33.2 8.83 12.56 3.05 15 5.15 9.43 7.3 75 0.55 1.49 208 7.14 11.28 0.176 1.82 9.89 1.92 5.3 1.72 0.12 149.9 1.23 2.56 67 70.95 1.58 13.94 9 13.6 15 9.97 1 0.95 165.8 2.16 1.58 4.8 32.4 2.13 7.95 1.39 5.11 1.05 9.14

2.27 1.27 32.3 0.234 20.95 66.35 290 9.4 3.97 11.94 32.7 8.6 12 2.73 14.8 5.1 9 7.22 73.6 0.52 1.45 200.2 6.8 11.14 0.17 1.6 9.61 1.88 5.2 1.71 0.115 145 1.2 2.43 61.25 67.15 1.53 13.6 8.8 13.4 14.28 9.62 1 0.92 165.7 2.12 1.58 4.71 32.4 2.05 7.71 1.26 5.11 0.96 6.22

2.29 1.27 33.2 0.235 21.35 66.75 295 9.71 3.97 12 33 8.83 12.3 2.74 14.8 5.1 9 7.25 75 0.52 1.47 201 7.14 11.16 0.17 1.7 9.71 1.89 5.3 1.71 0.115 149.9 1.2 2.56 67 67.3 1.54 13.66 8.8 13.48 14.96 9.62 1 0.95 165.7 2.12 1.58 4.8 32.4 2.12 7.85 1.39 5.11 1.04 8.94

3798000 555000 1078400 290000 963600 19310 179270 10416600 300000 24700 261400 229400 423800 6837000 471900 1300 662100 1292400 288610 1209000 10338000 703890 7000 245400 140000 991000 2309100 574000 1411100 80000 2100000 889890 3137000 5000 290 1960 22089000 131300 614600 336800 1063600 900 6000 423000 180 58000 9000 69000 14400 6307000 963200 1019000 4000 759000 19234200

8777470 704900 35490915 67940 20530655 1290211 52813922 100979240 1193280 296046 8622100 2007760 5299676 19300300 7005908 6645 6067336 9332089 21468872.5 640830 15165430 143083208 47960 2745186 24040 1720630 22582159 1087780 7358578 136850 243800 132976084 3796900 12280 18006.5 134006 34280880 1794282 5416683 4544740 15751704 8833 6000 399190 29833 123160 14220 330760 466560 13236920 7521775 1376350 20440 770190 151267357

241490 -487315 -6551840 16396.4997 -21481936 1614317 -63550 -26324 6738250 5034774 9270 -994342 2628333 6065346 -7727858.5 -269000 -29785710 13620 1567765.9997 -209270 -1007246 -376924 95760135 102300 -9720 -19687490 -1178534 -5029366 -28184 -6434938 -187200 450360 98040 4394880 -78199.9999 -94920 -484355

0.89 11.7 790.5 52 11.02 2.83 6.23 0.67 0.96 0.97 6.67 6.48 13 0.207 789 72.4 0.49 3.71 11.16 3.56 4.53 1.17 1.18 186 1047 150.1 209.2 0.209

0.9 11.72 794.5 53 11.08 2.85 6.39 0.69 0.98 0.99 6.7 6.49 13.16 0.227 802 72.5 0.5 3.74 11.2 3.59 4.8 1.26 1.24 194 1050 152.8 213.8 0.21

0.9 11.2 790 52 11.08 2.84 6.39 0.66 0.94 0.95 6.71 6.69 13.1 0.207 790 73.65 0.49 3.71 11.28 3.7 5 1.18 1.18 195 1058 151.6 207 0.21

0.91 11.92 794.5 53 11.12 2.88 6.39 0.69 1.02 1.02 6.76 6.69 13.16 0.207 802 74.5 0.5 3.71 11.48 3.76 5 1.26 1.24 195 1062 153 213.8 0.21

0.88 11.12 778 51.75 11.02 2.83 6.39 0.66 0.94 0.95 6.55 6.43 13.1 0.207 780 72.4 0.485 3.69 11.12 3.52 4.5 1.17 1.18 186 1038 149.3 207 0.207

0.89 11.7 794.5 53 11.02 2.83 6.39 0.69 0.96 0.97 6.7 6.48 13.16 0.207 802 72.5 0.49 3.71 11.2 3.56 4.8 1.26 1.24 194 1050 152.8 213.8 0.209

12193000 19400 176760 965740 3618000 446000 300 168000 9441000 1729000 1558900 9509500 19200 100000 141620 3580130 327000 350000 936000 23300000 29600 106000 3000 150 391965 220180 300 460000

10893810 220666 139957215 50929395 40002894 1269700 1917 111900 9365190 1707170 10445075 61836859 252654 20700 112554555 260326157 159970 1295250 10520706 83963490 139377 124660 3600 28430 411424240 33315422 63826 96120

64421530 23858074.5 1667260 -102510 652299 -10422240 -21787725 -38586643.5 -118610 932546 -17629900 3964 2360 -65267340 -9886003 34072 -

76.2

75.95

76.2

75.95

76.2

149020

11345262

-

16.78 5.48

17 5.46

17 5.49

16.72 5.43

16.78 5.48

211400 52500

3580662 287158

1432670 287158

NAV ONE YEAR THREE YEAR FIVE YEAR Y-T-D

PER SHARE RETURN* RETURN STOCK FUNDS ALFM GROWTH FUND, INC. -A 248.15 -6.75% -0.59% -1.3% -1.48% PROPERTY ATRAM ALPHA OPPORTUNITY FUND, INC. -A 1.3325 -11.75% -0.64% -4.51% -3.58% ARTHALAND CORP 0.87 0.88 0.88 0.9 0.86 0.88 1967000 1731040 ATRAM PHILIPPINE EQUITY OPPORTUNITY FUND, INC. -A 3.4928 -15.89% -4.61% -4.71% -5.04% AYALA LAND 42.9 43 43.9 43.9 42.5 42.9 18848300 810094325 -269085245 BELLE CORP 1.87 1.88 1.9 1.9 1.87 1.88 230000 432280 -99350 CLIMBS SHARE CAPITAL EQUITY INVESTMENT FUND CORP. -A 0.8704 -8.58% N.A. N.A. -2.98% A BROWN 0.72 0.73 0.71 0.73 0.71 0.73 107000 76210 FIRST METRO CONSUMER FUND ON MSCI PHILS. IMI, INC. -A 0.8357 -4.97% N.A. N.A. -1.6% CITYLAND DEVT 0.85 0.87 0.85 0.86 0.85 0.86 50000 42900 42900 CROWN EQUITIES 0.181 0.188 0.188 0.188 0.188 0.188 10000 1880 FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN EQUITY FUND,INC. -A 5.218 -7.14% 0.76% -1.56% -2.07% CEBU HLDG 6.5 6.7 6.5 6.7 6.5 6.7 84400 565290 99010 FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN PHILIPPINE INDEX FUND, INC. -A,6 0.836 -6.28% -3.07% N.A. CEB LANDMASTERS 4.71 4.77 4.7 4.78 4.67 4.77 132000 623040 57099.9999 CENTURY PROP 0.54 0.55 0.55 0.56 0.54 0.55 15963000 8739510 -1355200 -2.06% CYBER BAY 0.395 0.41 0.405 0.405 0.4 0.4 230000 92200 -16000 MBG EQUITY INVESTMENT FUND, INC. -A 101.53 -16.32% N.A. N.A. -1.74% DOUBLEDRAGON 18.28 18.3 18.3 18.42 18.26 18.3 47700 875414 549084.0001 DM WENCESLAO 9.5 9.57 9.65 9.65 9.22 9.5 77800 744346 -237832 PAMI EQUITY INDEX FUND, INC. -A 50.268 -4.65% 1.61% N.A. -1.98% EMPIRE EAST 0.415 0.425 0.42 0.42 0.42 0.42 10000 4200 FILINVEST LAND 1.52 1.53 1.54 1.55 1.51 1.53 21976000 33605440 -321600 PHILAM STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND, INC. -A 522.72 -4.5% 0.56% -1.16% -1.89% GLOBAL ESTATE 1.08 1.12 1.1 1.16 1.08 1.16 228000 248800 PHILEQUITY ALPHA ONE FUND, INC. -A,D, 8 1.009 N.A. N.A. N.A. -2.05% 8990 HLDG 14.72 14.82 14.72 14.74 14.72 14.72 515100 7582274 315010 PHIL INFRADEV 1.19 1.2 1.18 1.21 1.18 1.19 1524000 1823200 -495600 PHILEQUITY DIVIDEND YIELD FUND, INC. -A 1.2655 -4.51% 1.43% -0.17% -1.66% CITY AND LAND 0.74 0.78 0.73 0.77 0.73 0.77 70000 52990 37630 PHILEQUITY FUND, INC. -A 37.1629 -4.7% 2.28% -0.22% -1.94% MEGAWORLD 4.29 4.31 4.3 4.33 4.24 4.31 31732000 136370870 40150370 MRC ALLIED 0.233 0.235 0.248 0.248 0.231 0.235 45000000 10585120 459840 PHILEQUITY MSCI PHILIPPINE INDEX FUND, INC. -A,1 0.9981 -4.97% N.A. N.A. -1.96% PHIL ESTATES 0.41 0.42 0.42 0.42 0.42 0.42 10000 4200 PHILEQUITY PSE INDEX FUND INC. -A 5.12 -3.79% 2.23% 0.81% -1.98% PRIMEX CORP 2.21 2.23 2.18 2.24 2.17 2.21 602000 1327820 ROBINSONS LAND 27.15 27.2 27.65 27.8 27.1 27.2 1340500 36644540 12307605 PHILIPPINE STOCK INDEX FUND CORP. -A 854.82 -3.84% 2.15% 0.73% -1.98% PHIL REALTY 0.325 0.345 0.345 0.345 0.325 0.33 280000 92800 SOLDIVO STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND, INC. -A 0.811 -10.88% -1.59% -3.21% -4.75% ROCKWELL 2.13 2.14 2.11 2.13 2.11 2.13 86000 182090 SHANG PROP 3.24 3.25 3.24 3.24 3.2 3.24 15000 48560 3200 SUN LIFE PROSPERITY PHILIPPINE EQUITY FUND, INC. -A 4.1001 -4.73% 1.42% -0.2% -2.59% STA LUCIA LAND 2.35 2.4 2.45 2.45 2.39 2.4 53000 127790 SM PRIME HLDG 40.35 40.4 40.65 40.65 40.05 40.4 10089200 406983505 -77938480 SUN LIFE PROSPERITY PHILIPPINE STOCK INDEX FUND, INC. -A 0.9811 -4.15% 2.02% N.A. -1.97% VISTAMALLS 5.72 5.9 5.85 5.9 5.7 5.9 25000 144046 UNITED FUND, INC. -A 3.5924 -3.54% 3.37% 1.55% -1.67% SUNTRUST HOME 1.61 1.62 1.54 1.66 1.52 1.62 7074000 11323750 -166640 VISTA LAND 7.34 7.35 7.32 7.4 7.32 7.35 6285200 46204940 -6487987 EXCHANGE TRADED FUND

FIRST METRO PHIL. EQUITY EXCHANGE TRADED FUND, INC. -A,C 114.6578 -3.48% 2.86% 1.68% SERVICES ABS CBN 17.4 17.52 18 18.22 17.42 17.42 456400 8134356 -1.96% GMA NETWORK 5.43 5.49 5.45 5.49 5.42 5.49 117200 640014 ATRAM ASIAPLUS EQUITY FUND, INC. -B

$1.0571 12.42% 6.57% 1.29% 2.79% MANILA BULLETIN 0.395 0.405 0.395 0.395 0.395 0.395 50000 19750 GLOBE TELECOM 2020 2044 2062 2062 2004 2044 54105 110544510 30635280 SUN LIFE PROSPERITY WORLD VOYAGER FUND, INC. -A $1.4005 21.1% 9.81% N.A. 1.58% PLDT 1071 1075 1083 1090 1065 1075 126190 135507910 -20994015 BALANCED FUNDS APOLLO GLOBAL 0.045 0.046 0.046 0.047 0.045 0.045 16000000 721700 DFNN INC 5 5.1 5 5.3 5 5.1 25000 129220 PRIMARILY INVESTED IN PESO SECURITIES IMPERIAL 1.66 1.7 1.66 1.66 1.66 1.66 5000 8300 ISLAND INFO 0.104 0.106 0.106 0.108 0.106 0.106 1310000 139120 15900 ATRAM DYNAMIC ALLOCATION FUND, INC. -A 1.5358 -11.2% -3.77% -4.66% -1.73% ISM COMM 3.8 3.81 4.15 4.2 3.8 3.8 13730000 55680470 994990.0001 ATRAM PHILIPPINE BALANCED FUND, INC. -A 2.1349 -7.18% -2.08% -2.07% -2.12% NOW CORP 2.53 2.54 2.57 2.63 2.54 2.54 926000 2380250 129000 TRANSPACIFIC BR 0.275 0.28 0.265 0.28 0.265 0.275 3920000 1082050 -8400 FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN BALANCED FUND INC. -A 2.5927 -2.86% 1.24% -1.79% -1.47% PHILWEB 2.56 2.6 2.65 2.65 2.56 2.6 634000 1642050 60030 FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN F.O.C.C.U.S. DYNAMIC FUND, INC. -A,5 0.2274 N.A. N.A. N.A. 2GO GROUP 9.55 9.8 9.7 9.9 9.55 9.8 8900 86055 -11760 ASIAN TERMINALS 18.3 18.6 18.3 18.3 18.3 18.3 300 5490 5490 -0.48% CHELSEA 5.34 5.36 5.55 5.6 5.34 5.34 651000 3534956 32142 GREPALIFE BALANCED FUND CORPORATION -A N.S. N.S. N.S. N.S. N.S. CEBU AIR 86.9 87 88.7 88.8 87 87 55420 4844709.5 -708485 INTL CONTAINER 132.1 132.5 131.3 132.9 130.8 132.1 1105890 145968545 17129925 NCM MUTUAL FUND OF THE PHILS., INC. -A 1.9476 2.1% 2.15% 0.6% -0.79% LBC EXPRESS 12.42 13.88 12.32 12.32 12.32 12.32 100 1232 -1232 PAMI HORIZON FUND, INC. -A 3.7332 3.21% 1.07% -0.39% -1.48% LORENZO SHIPPNG 0.85 0.9 0.86 0.9 0.86 0.9 67000 59620 MACROASIA 14.14 14.16 13.36 14.22 13.22 14.16 3984000 55946078 -29697806 PHILAM FUND, INC. -A 16.7144 1.85% 0.96% -0.45% -1.45% PAL HLDG 7.35 7.85 7.9 7.9 7.4 7.5 1100 8430 SOLIDARITAS FUND, INC. -A 2.113 -1.44% 0.95% 0.63% -0.6% HARBOR STAR 1.34 1.36 1.42 1.43 1.31 1.34 3684000 5012390 692649.9998 ACESITE HOTEL 1.32 1.41 1.33 1.33 1.3 1.3 40000 52510 SUN LIFE OF CANADA PROSPERITY BALANCED FUND, INC. -A 3.7918 -0.37% 1.49% -0.03% -1.86% DISCOVERY WORLD 1.8 1.99 1.76 1.76 1.76 1.76 2000 3520 WATERFRONT 0.62 0.63 0.61 0.62 0.61 0.61 239000 146360 SUN LIFE PROSPERITY ACHIEVER FUND 2028, INC. -A,D,2 0.9972 N.A. N.A. N.A. -1.82% IPEOPLE 8.17 9.44 8.17 8.17 8.17 8.17 300 2451 SUN LIFE PROSPERITY ACHIEVER FUND 2038, INC. -A,D,2 0.9774 N.A. N.A. N.A. -1.91% STI HLDG 0.6 0.61 0.61 0.63 0.6 0.61 3870000 2349630 -799950 BERJAYA 3.3 3.32 3.54 3.54 3.27 3.3 1998000 6659970 -20350 SUN LIFE PROSPERITY ACHIEVER FUND 2048, INC. -A,D,2 0.9743 N.A. N.A. N.A. -1.9% BLOOMBERRY 10.8 10.98 10.84 11 10.5 10.98 3828800 41362486 8381848 SUN LIFE PROSPERITY DYNAMIC FUND, INC. -A 0.9524 -0.93% 0.76% -1.24% -2.3% PACIFIC ONLINE 2.16 2.31 2.31 2.31 2.31 2.31 2000 4620 LEISURE AND RES 2.42 2.5 2.45 2.5 2.42 2.5 37000 90200 70 PRIMARILY INVESTED IN FOREIGN CURRENCY SECURITIES MANILA JOCKEY 3.08 3.15 3.17 3.17 3.15 3.15 245000 773650 COCOLIFE DOLLAR FUND BUILDER, INC. -A $0.03833 8.15% 2.56% 2.03% 0.26% PH RESORTS GRP 4.6 5.02 4.6 4.6 4.6 4.6 9000 41400 PREMIUM LEISURE 0.57 0.58 0.59 0.6 0.57 0.58 10012000 5808890 -618859.9998 PAMI ASIA BALANCED FUND, INC. -A $1.0535 11.52% 5.11% 1.35% 1.5% ALLHOME 11.42 11.44 11.48 11.48 11.42 11.44 687200 7862054 -486244 SUN LIFE PROSPERITY DOLLAR ADVANTAGE FUND, INC. -A $3.9549 15.53% 7.61% 4.58% 1.13% METRO RETAIL 2.08 2.09 2.1 2.1 2.07 2.09 528000 1101220 -503450 PUREGOLD 39 39.85 39.3 39.85 39 39.85 240100 9,430,675( 2,361,615.0003) SUN LIFE PROSPERITY DOLLAR WELLSPRING FUND, INC. -A,7 $1.1361 10.56% 4.43% N.A. 0.65% ROBINSONS RTL 77.55 77.7 77.8 79 77.4 77.55 86630 6714986 -4929755 PHIL SEVEN CORP 134 135 135 147 135 135 1030670 139141372 -84032 BOND FUNDS SSI GROUP 2.7 2.71 2.71 2.72 2.69 2.7 1056000 2853340 810150 PRIMARILY INVESTED IN PESO SECURITIES WILCON DEPOT 18.6 18.62 18.6 18.7 18.58 18.6 3294300 61293006 31635896 APC GROUP 0.41 0.415 0.41 0.43 0.405 0.41 2070000 859650 ALFM PESO BOND FUND, INC. -A 358.16 4.1% 2.77% 2.28% 0.1% EASYCALL 8.63 8.85 8.85 8.87 8.63 8.87 7800 68147 ATRAM CORPORATE BOND FUND, INC. -A 1.9039 2.6% 0.48% -0.67% 0.1% GOLDEN BRIA 429.8 438 430.6 446.8 429.8 438 1730 749896 IPM HLDG 5 7.5 7.95 7.95 7.5 7.5 13900 104880 75000 COCOLIFE FIXED INCOME FUND, INC. -A

3.1198 4.75% 5.14% 5.17% 0.11% PAXYS 2.66 2.89 2.88 2.88 2.88 2.88 1000 2880 2880 EKKLESIA MUTUAL FUND INC. -A 2.219 3.77% 1.92% 1.78% -0.27% PRMIERE HORIZON 0.395 0.4 0.365 0.41 0.36 0.395 38380000 15047150 218050 SBS PHIL CORP 9.15 9.35 9.1 9.35 9.1 9.35 36500 334725 FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN FIXED INCOME FUND,INC. -A 2.348 5.74% 1.86% 1.37% -0.47%

GREPALIFE FIXED INCOME FUND CORP. -A P N.S. N.S. N.S. N.S. N.S. MINING & OIL ATOK 10.06 10.88 10.06 10.88 10.06 10.88 4100 43948 PHILAM BOND FUND, INC. -A 4.3375 12.42% 2.03% 1.43% -0.81% APEX MINING 1.02 1.03 1.05 1.05 1.02 1.03 1247000 1291900 ABRA MINING 0.0014 0.0015 0.0014 0.0015 0.0014 0.0015 491000000 687900 PHILEQUITY PESO BOND FUND, INC. -A 3.7734 6.04% 2.69% 1.26% -0.39% ATLAS MINING 2.52 2.55 2.5 2.65 2.5 2.55 722000 1827560 -1300250 SOLDIVO BOND FUND, INC. -A 0.9578 5.68% 0.89% -0.15% -0.67% CENTURY PEAK 2.84 2.87 2.84 2.87 2.84 2.87 413000 1175980 DIZON MINES 7.18 7.22 7.19 7.23 7.17 7.18 1200 8627 SUN LIFE OF CANADA PROSPERITY BOND FUND, INC. -A 3.0481 8.83% 3.77% 2.32% -0.9% FERRONICKEL 1.62 1.63 1.61 1.64 1.61 1.62 2106000 3400190 113330 SUN LIFE PROSPERITY GS FUND, INC. -A

1.6805 7.79% 3.24% 1.67% -1.21% GEOGRACE 0.208 0.209 0.22 0.223 0.204 0.208 3840000 811950 LEPANTO A 0.098 0.1 0.099 0.1 0.098 0.1 520000 51060 PRIMARILY INVESTED IN FOREIGN CURRENCY SECURITIES LEPANTO B 0.098 0.101 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 180000 18000 ALFM DOLLAR BOND FUND, INC. -A $469.25 4.5% 2.66% 2.76% 0.22% MANILA MINING A 0.0084 0.0088 0.0083 0.0083 0.0083 0.0083 1000000 8300 MARCVENTURES 0.9 0.91 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 204000 183600 ALFM EURO BOND FUND, INC. -A Є219.69 3.34% 1.62% 1.28% -0.02% NIHAO 1.02 1.07 1.04 1.09 1.01 1.06 326000 333440 ATRAM TOTAL RETURN DOLLAR BOND FUND, INC. -B $1.2097 6.93% 2.96% 2.53% 0.21% NICKEL ASIA 3.33 3.35 3.21 3.35 3.21 3.35 10556000 34675990 -1671260 OMICO CORP 0.42 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.45 50000 22500 FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN DOLLAR BOND FUND, INC. -A $0.0259 4.02% 1.46% 1.45% 0.39% ORNTL PENINSULA 0.73 0.76 0.76 0.76 0.76 0.76 3000 2280 PX MINING 2.96 3.15 2.98 3.01 2.96 2.96 545000 1623820 -999940 GREPALIFE DOLLAR BOND FUND CORP. -A N.S. N.S. N.S. N.S. N.S. SEMIRARA MINING 21.65 21.8 21.9 21.9 21.55 21.65 485100 10506185 -672455 PAMI GLOBAL BOND FUND, INC -A $1.0991 5.78% 1.18% -0.59% 0.36% UNITED PARAGON 0.0055 0.0062 0.006 0.006 0.006 0.006 2000000 12000 ACE ENEXOR 8.46 8.5 8.39 8.71 8.39 8.5 163100 1388883 167185 PHILAM DOLLAR BOND FUND, INC. -A $2.4122 10.22% 3.11% 2.72% 0.35% PHILODRILL 0.01 0.011 0.011 0.011 0.01 0.011 15500000 170000 -5000 PHILEQUITY DOLLAR INCOME FUND INC. -A $0.0604427 5.92% 2.26% 1.99% 0.21% PXP ENERGY 9.38 9.39 9.3 9.48 9.3 9.39 272200 2560591 182482

SUN LIFE PROSPERITY DOLLAR ABUNDANCE FUND, INC. -A $3.2031 10.9% 2.69% 2.74% 0.88% PREFFERED

MONEY MARKET FUNDS HOUSE PREF A 99.05 99.75 99.75 99.75 99.75 99.75 9970 994507.5 AC PREF B1 502 507 502 502 502 502 1300 652600 PRIMARILY INVESTED IN PESO SECURITIES AC PREF B2R 500 505 500 500 500 500 100 50000 ALFM MONEY MARKET FUND, INC. -A 125.98 4.02% 2.88% 2.19% 0.16% CPG PREF A 100.5 101 101 101 101 101 1100 111100 -111100 DD PREF 100.4 100.9 100.5 101 100.5 100.9 110500 11129340 FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN MONEY MARKET FUND, INC. -A,3 1.0302 N.A. N.A. N.A. FGEN PREF G 108 109.5 108 108 108 108 7000 756000 GLO PREF P 498.4 504.5 502 502 498.2 498.4 7820 3914950 0.38% GTCAP PREF B 970 993 970 970 970 970 10 9700 PHILAM MANAGED INCOME FUND, INC. -A 1.2498 5.93% 2.91% 1.59% -0.55% MWIDE PREF 99.5 100 103 103 100 100 37390 3756198 PNX PREF 3A 100.2 101.5 101.5 101.5 100.2 100.2 2020 202430 SUN LIFE PROSPERITY MONEY MARKET FUND, INC. -A 1.2663 3.71% 2.91% 2.39% 0.13% PNX PREF 3B 107 108.9 107 107 107 107 10 1070 PRIMARILY INVESTED IN FOREIGN CURRENCY SECURITIES PNX PREF 4 1026 1029 1029 1029 1026 1026 1095 1124235 PCOR PREF 3A 1028 1049 1050 1050 1050 1050 5000 5250000 SUN LIFE PROSPERITY DOLLAR STARTER FUND, INC. -A $1.038 2.07% N.A. N.A. 0.08% PCOR PREF 3B 1050 1060 1050 1050 1050 1050 2200 2310000 FEEDER FUND SMC PREF 2C 77.3 77.6 77.6 77.6 77.6 77.6 28820 2236432 SMC PREF 2D 74.6 75.2 74 74 74 74 2200 162800 PRIMARILY INVESTED IN FOREIGN CURRENCY SECURITIES SMC PREF 2F 75.9 76.5 76 76 76 76 2500 190000 ALFM GLOBAL MULTI-ASSET INCOME FUND INC. -B,D,4 $1 N.A. N.A. N.A. 1.01% SMC PREF 2G 75.15 75.95 75.3 75.3 75.15 75.15 10200 768030 SMC PREF 2I

A - NAVPS AS OF THE PREVIOUS BANKING DAY. B - NAVPS AS OF TWO BANKING DAYS AGO. C - LISTED IN THE PSE. D - IN NET ASSET VALUE PER UNIT (NAVPU).

1 - LAUNCH DATE IS JANUARY 3, 2019. 2 - LAUNCH DATE IS JANUARY 28, 2019. 3 - LAUNCH DATE IS FEBRUARY 1, 2019. 4 - LAUNCH DATE IS NOVEMBER 15, 2019.

5 - LAUNCH DATE IS SEPTEMBER 28, 2019. 6 - RENAMING WAS APPROVED BY THE SEC LAST OCTOBER 12, 2018 (FORMERLY, ONE WEALTHY NATION FUND, INC.).

7 - ADJUSTED DUE TO STOCK DIVIDEND ISSUANCE LAST OCTOBER 9, 2019. 8 - LAUNCH DATE IS DECEMBER 09, 2019.

"While we endeavor to keep the information accurate, the Philippine Investment Funds Association (PIFA) and its members make no warranties as to the correctness of the newspaper’s publication and assume no liability or responsibility for any error or omissions. You may visit http://www. pifa. com.ph to see the latest NAVPS/NAVPU."

75.5

PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS ABS HLDG PDR GMA HLDG PDR

16.72 5.14

WARRANTS LR WARRANT

1.22

SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES ITALPINAS 3.88 KEPWEALTH 9.86 XURPAS 0.85

1.23

1.23

1.23

1.23

1.23

12000

14760

-

3.95 9.98 0.87

3.91 9.86 0.86

4 10.1 0.87

3.88 9.84 0.85

3.88 9.86 0.87

286000 165200 1072000

1115770 1632983 919470

-

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS FIRST METRO ETF

114.9

115.3

115.2

115.3

114.7

114.9

15140

1740796

21833

www.businessmirror.com.ph Editor: Angel R. Calso

The World

Iran warning puts thousands of European troops in spotlight

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UBAI, United Arab Emirates—A warning by Iran’s president that European forces in the Middle East could be at risk if their nations join the US pressure campaign against the Islamic Republic puts a focus on thousands of foreign troops in the region.

Britain, France and Germany have spent months trying to preserve the 2015 nuclear deal after President Donald J. Trump unilaterally abandoned it in 2018. But on Tuesday, the European Union initiated a dispute resolution mechanism to try to bring Iran back into compliance after Tehran began openly breaching some restrictions last summer.

Iran says it should not be bound to the agreement since the US reimposed crippling sanctions. After a US air strike in Iraq killed Tehran’s top general, Iran responded by firing ballistic missiles at US troops stationed there. No one was hurt in the missile attacks.

“Today, the American soldier is in danger, tomorrow the European soldier could be in danger,” President Hassan Rouhani said at a Cabinet meeting without elaborating.

European countries have troops in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere in the Middle East, where they mainly operate alongside much larger US deployments.

Iran is allied with powerful armed groups in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen.

A look at Europe’s military presence:

Iraq

Britain, France and Germany are all part of the US-led coalition that is fighting the Islamic State group. Britain has about 400 troops based in Iraq, while Germany has nearly 450 troops deployed to counter Islamic State and to train Iraqi forces.

Germany “temporarily” withdrew 35 of its troops from Iraq after Iranian Gen.

Qassem Soleimani was killed on January 3 in the US drone strike. Most were flown to Jordan, where Germany also has troops involved in reconnaissance and refueling flights for the anti-IS coalition. France has about 1,000 troops in the region to help combat IS in Iraq and Syria.

The European Union as a bloc has several dozen personnel in Baghdad working on security sector reform and advising the Interior Ministry. European Commission spokesman Peter Stano said officials are aware of the threats, but that “we, as the EU, are not leaving Iraq.”

The Gulf

Britain operates a naval base in Bahrain that can house up to 500 British military personnel and is focused on maritime security. It also has a joint training base in Oman. France has a naval base known as Camp Peace in Abu Dhabi’s Port Zayed, which houses some 700 French troops.

Britain and France also station troops at US bases in the region.

Afghanistan

The Nato mission in Afghanistan consists of about 17,000 troops from 39 allied and partner countries. The alliance formally concluded its combat mission at the end of 2014, and provides advice and training to Afghan forces. Britain has nearly 1,000 troops in Afghanistan and Germany has about 1,100.

Lebanon

Several European countries contribute forces to the UN peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon, which patrols the tense frontier between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group. France contributes about 700 troops. Germany provides more than 100 forces to the peacekeepers’ maritime mission. AP

House sends impeachment to Senate; trial next week

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he House sent t wo ar ticles of impeachment against President Donald J. Trump to the Senate on Wednesday in a somber procession of Democratic prosecutors—the first step to begin a trial that is all, but certain, to end in the president’s acquittal.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell invited the seven House impeachment managers to return at 12 p.m. on Thursday to read the articles aloud on the Senate floor. John Roberts, the chief justice of the US, will be sworn in at 2 p.m. to preside over the trial. He will then swear in all 100 senators as jurors.

M c Co n n e l l a l s o s a i d Tru m p w i l l receive a formal summons to send his defense counsel, which will be the first time the White House will participate in the impeachment process. The trial, expected to last several weeks, will begin “in earnest” on Tuesday, McConnell said.

“This is a difficult time for our country, but this is precisely the kind of time for which the framers created the Senate,” McConnell said, with the impeachment managers listening in the back of the chamber. “I’m confident this body can rise above ‘short termism’ and factional fever and serve the long-term best interests of our nation. We can do this, and we must.”

Wednesday ’s historic but largely symbolic ceremony of impeachment managers marching two-by-two across the Capitol came after the House voted 228-193 to adopt the resolution naming the managers selected by Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

House prosecutors

The seven Democratic lawmakers who will prosecute the House’s case have already begun meeting to plan their strategy to present the charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Their pitch will be as much to the American people weighing the seriousness of the allegations against Trump, since it’s all but inconceivable that at least 20 Republican senators would turn on the president to reach the two-thirds margin needed to remove him from office.

Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff will lead the team, which consists of Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler of New York, Zoe

Lofgren of California, Hakeem Jeffries of New York, Val Demings of Florida, Jason Crow of Colorado and Sylvia Garcia of Texas.

Trump’s defense will be led by White House Counsel Pat Cipollone and his personal attorney Jay Sekulow, according to people familiar with the matter. More people could be added to the team.

Wednesday’s formal notification to the Senate ends a monthlong stalemate between Pelosi and McConnell, who rebuffed Democratic demands to guarantee that new witnesses would be called for the trial. The Kentucky Republican, backed by his GOP majority, also refused to set out the trial procedures in advance.

Pelosi, Schiff and Nadler said Democrats will continue to fight for the introduction of new witnesses and evidence at the trial. McConnell has sought to engineer a swift proceeding that would quickly acquit the president. However, at least four Republican senators have said publicly that they want a chance to consider calling witnesses or viewing new evidence.

That decision, made on a simple majority vote, won’t come until after the House managers and Trump’s defense team have presented their cases and answered questions from senators.

BusinessMirror

B3

Trade deal good for China, US and whole world signed

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he United States and China signed what they billed as the first phase of a broader trade pact on Wednesday amid persistent questions over whether President Donald J. Trump’s efforts to rewrite the economic relationship with Beijing will ever go any further.

The deal commits China to do more to crack down on the theft of American technology and corporate secrets by its companies and state entities, while outlining a $200-billion spending spree to try to close its trade imbalance with the US. It also binds Beijing to avoiding currency manipulation to gain an advantage and includes an enforcement system to ensure promises are kept.

The ceremony, in a packed East Room at the White House, included Trump, dozens of American business people, and US lawmakers and Chinese officials, and marked a rare moment of friendship lately between the world ’s two largest economies.

Acrimonious talks stretching back almost three years have roiled financial markets, cast a cloud of uncertainty over investment decisions and hurt growth in both nations.

“This is a very important and remarkable occasion,” Trump said. Fixing what he sees as the injustices of past trade deals is “probably the biggest reason why I ran for president,” he added. “Together, we are righting the wrongs of the past.”

In a letter to Trump read out at the ceremony, Chinese Leader Xi Jinping said the deal proved the two sides could work together to bridge their differences and declared it “good for China, the US and the whole world.”

Economic dialogues The deal, sealed on the same day the House voted to refer articles of Trump’s impeachment to the Senate, seems most focused on arriving at peace in the trade war between the world’s two largest economies. Among its requirements is a resumption of the economic dialogues that past administrations have held with China.

But the new pact has already been criticized for what is missing. It does nothing to address areas like what US authorities have long claimed is China’s state-backed hacking of American companies and government institutions. Nor does it require the Asian power to reform the vast web of state subsidies that form the spine of its model of state capitalism and have helped fuel the rapid growth of Chinese companies internationally.

The administration says many of

those issues will be covered in a second phase of a deal, though when those talks will begin and how long they will take remains uncertain. In the meantime, the US is also set to maintain tariffs on roughly two-thirds of imports from China, something that Trump on Wednesday said was essential as leverage over the country until it agreed to further reforms.

“As soon as this kicks in, we’re starting phase two,” Trump said. “I will agree to take those tariffs off if we’re able to do phase two, otherwise, we don’t have any cards to negotiate with.”

Trump’s top negotiator, US Trade Rep. Robert Lighthizer, told reporters ahead of the signing that the administration was focused on implementing the initial agreement in the short term. Any further negotiations would only come after that, he said, adding that the initial implementation of phase one could take until the spring.

Business groups broadly welcomed the agreement. But the lack of clarity on where things would go next also led many to call for those to be pursued more urgently so that tariffs could be lifted. The US Chamber of Commerce said it was critical for the two sides to begin negotiations on a second phase “as soon as possible.”

“The work isn’t done yet,” said Craig Allen, head of the US-China Business Council, which represents American companies doing business in the Asian nation. “The phase one agreement should be swiftly followed by continued phase two negotiations on remaining issues.”

Democrats in Congress, meanwhile, blasted the agreement, saying Trump—in agreeing to the limited pact—gave away vital leverage he might have used to resolve tougher issues in the trade relationship, including China’s “massive subsidies” to some key industries. “The administration, in order to get a deal at all costs before the 2020 election, has thrown the American worker and American business overboard,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said.

Chinese state media greeted the deal with cautious optimism but also fear it could fall apart. “It is such a paradox that makes many people

President Donald J. Trump shakes hands with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, after signing a trade agreement in the East Room of the White House on Wednesday in Washington. AP/Evan Vucci worry: Can a preliminary trade agreement, reached during a period when China-US strategic relations are clearly declining, really work,” the English-language Global Times said in an editorial.

Trump called the deal more focused than a broader one that was on the table in May when talks broke down, triggering a summer of escalation that prompted wild swings in financial markets. He argued the deal was tougher, as well. But missing from the agreement are many of the requirements for Chinese legal changes that US negotiators accused Beijing of abandoning then, prompting the May breakdown.

The deal states China must apply criminal penalties on anyone caught stealing commercial secrets and do more to stop the sale of pirated goods online, as well as fake pharmaceutical products. It also requires Beijing to deliver an action plan within 30 days of the deal taking effect on how it intends to meet its commitments on intellectual property.

Separately, it includes a broad commitment for China to stop pressuring American companies investing in the country to share technology with local joint-venture partners and for the government to stop supporting or directing Chinese firms to buy up strategic technologies by acquiring foreign companies. Both have been chief complaints of the US, which has curbed inbound investments from China, particularly in the tech sector.

One stated aim of the US crackdown on China and companies, like Huawei Technologies Co., has been to curtail their efforts to control strategic sectors like fifth-generation mobile networks and, as part of Xi’s “Made in China 2025” program, to dominate 21st-century industries like artificial intelligence and robotics.

In his letter to Trump, read out by Chinese Vice Premier Liu He at the ceremony, Xi cited the “spirit” of the deal and urged Trump to allow investment by Chinese firms and said he hoped that “the US side will treat fairly Chinese companies.” He also urged the US to allow continuing collaboration by universities and other institutions “to promote the mutual trust and cooperation between the two

Senate on trial

S e v eral o f t h e n e w l y a p p o i n t e d impeachment managers said on Wednesday that they hope senators will take their constitutional duty seriously.

“The Senate is on trial, as well as the president,” Nadler said.

A s Pe l o s i w a s a n n o u n c i n g t h e impeachment managers on Wednesday morning, Trump taunted Democrats on Twitter.

Pelosi has come under fierce criticism from Trump and Republicans for delaying the resolution to send the articles of impeachment to the Senate. Since the Democratic majority in the House voted to impeach Trump last month, former National Security Adviser John Bolton offered to testify to the Senate under subpoena. His lawyer previously said that Bolton has information that wasn’t part of the evidence gathered during the impeachment inquiry. Bloomberg News

Friday, January 17, 2020

Indonesia to become Southeast Asia’s biggest stock market

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ndonesia, Southeast Asia’s largest economy, is finally poised to take the title of the biggest equity market in the region.

Its market value of $529 billion has nearly matched that of slumping Thailand, which snatched the top spot from Singapore in May, buoyed by a strengthening baht. With its currency giving back some gains and economic growth trailing forecasts, the SET Index is the region’s only benchmark to decline in the past three months.

I n co nt ra s t, I n d o n e s i a’s J a k a r t a Composite Index has gained 5.5 percent in US dollar terms during that period.

President Joko Widodo is embarking on a new round of infrastructure projects and

pursuing reforms to stimulate the fourthmost populous country in the world.

Indonesia did hold the most-valuable crown for several short periods between January and April of last year. Before 2019, Singapore was Southeast Asia’s leader the vast majority of the time since at least 2003, when Bloomberg began compiling the data. “ T h e re i s a b i g o p p o r t u n i t y i n Indonesia,” said Vincent Mortier, deputy chief investment officer at Amundi Asset Management, which manages about €1.56 trillion ($1.74 trillion) of assets. “It has a growth story, political landscape and valuations.” He rates Thailand underweight “because of its weak economy,” he said.

Indonesia’s PT Bank Central Asia now ranks as the region’s biggest company by value, at about $62 billion, ahead of Singapore’s DBS Group Holdings Ltd. and Thailand’s PTT Pcl. To be sure, the biggest Southeast Asian market ranks 21st globally, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Moreover, eight individual companies are worth more than the market of either Thailand or Indonesia, including three trillion-dollar firms: Saudi Arabian Oil Co., Apple Inc. and Microsoft Corp.

Bloomberg calculates market c a p i t a l i z a t i o n u s i n g o n l y a c t i ve l y traded, primary stocks on each country’s exchanges; excluding securities, such as exchange-traded funds. Bloomberg News

countries.” Both Chinese investment and research exchanges, as well as the thousands of Chinese students in the US have been a target for national security hawks in Washington who argue they are part of a broader technology cold war playing out.

Officials insist that they are harvesting significant commitments from Beijing that mean the first phase of the agreement will benefit US businesses and workers, even if discussions never go any further.

Already promised Many of the IP commitments in the deal, however, appear to be ones that China had either made already or was moving to address. Over the past year, it has made a rapid-fire series of legal changes to beef up protection. A new foreign-investment law that took effect on January 1 bans administrative agencies from forcing companies to transfer technological know-how as a cost of entry to the Chinese market. It exposes officials who disclose or leak trade secrets gleaned from regulatory approvals to potential criminal penalties.

The Trump administration says what separates its deal most from others is the enforcement mechanism it establishes. Rather than rely on a slow-moving World Trade Organization dispute system that Trump in any case has already hobbled by blocking the appointment of top judges, the new agreement with China would allow the administration to move to punish Beijing with tariffs or other measures w ithin 90 days if officials decided it was breaking its promises.

But even Lighthizer acknowledged on Wednesday that the effectiveness of the mechanism will depend on Beijing. “This deal will work if China wants it to work,” he told reporters. And Sen. Ron Wyden, the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, likened the mechanism and its requirement for consultations to a weak “telephone tree.” Bloomberg News

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BPI aids areas affected by the Taal eruption

Yamang Bukid, Tesda give agri educ scholarship in Puerto Princesa City

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AMANG Bukid Farm, Palawan’s top farm tourism destinations is spearheading farming education in communities after it has helped realize the dreams of hundreds of scholars who late last December finished agriculture-related short courses.

In partnership with the government’s Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda), the farm tourism destination in Puerto Princesa City’s Barangay Bacungan was the venue of over a month of instructions on various agriculturerelated short courses.

The national certificate level II (NC-II) accredited programs included courses on

organic fertilizer making (three batches), hog raising (two batches), field budding and grafting (one batch), propagation activities leading to horticulture (one batch), animal production for poultry-chicken (two batches).

According to Bro. George Maria, Yamang Bukid Farm Palawan vice president for community relations, the scholarships were handed to grassroots-based beneficiaries under the auspices of the office of Palawan 3rd district Rep. Gil “Kabarangay” Acosta Jr. Scholar-graduates were also awarded Tesda certification on production of various concoctions leading to agriculture crops production (one batch), plants crops leading to agricultural crops production (one batch)

and land preparation for agricultural crops production with three batches.

The government, through Tesda, has been pushing for farming education particularly in rural communities in a bid to revitalize the stagnating agricultural sector in the country.

The more than 20-hectare farm destination, which has been popular for its well-manicured sunflower gardens, became the latest addition of learning sites for sustainable and organic way of farming after it was accredited as such by the Department of Agriculture’s Agriculture Training Institute (ATI) as well as a farm school by Tesda early this year.

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ANK of the Philippine Islands (BPI) is helping lighten the financial burdens of those severely impacted by the ongoing eruption of Taal Volcano.

As part of its disaster response efforts, The BPI group of companies – BPI, BPI Family Savings Bank and BPI Direct BanKo – will provide deferred payment programs for its credit card, personal loan, housing loan, auto loan, business loan and micro business loan clients in the severely affected areas, which will allow them to pay their amount due 30 days from the current due date without penalties.

These offers will be made available to clients in good standing from directly impacted areas, and are subject to bank approval.

BPI President and CEO Cezar P. Consing said that BPI is committed to help fellow Filipinos affected by this natural calamity.

"We'll do what we can to help our clients and communities that are most adversely affected by the Taal eruption," said Consing.

An employee-led donation drive is also being organized wherein the funds to be raised will be matched by BPI Foundation.

Likewise, employee volunteers have also committed their time to repack and distribute relief goods consisting of basic survival necessities that include masks, blankets, sleeping mats, slippers, non-perishable food, clothes, water, medicines and hygienic items as the crisis stretches into the weekend.

WILCON DEPOT DRAWS THE ALPHALUX GREEN LIGHT PROMO GRAND WINNERS. Wilcon Depot, the country's leading home improvement and construction supply retailer, successfully held the grand draw of the Alphalux Green Light Promo in partnership with Boysen, Titan Superflex Elastomeric, and Dutch Boy on January 14, 2020 at Wilcon Depot Libis. Ten (10) lucky winners of a brand-new motorcycle were electronically drawn led by (center) Wilcon President and Chief Executive Officer Lorraine Belo-Cincochan, (l-r) Wilcon AVP for Sales and Operations Desiree Cuerdo, Wilcon Marketing Manager Dheza Paras, Boysen Modern Retail Manager Leah Camacan, Wilcon VP for Product Development Eden Godino, DTI Representative Chat De Leon, Boysen VP for Sales and Operations Justin Ongsue, Wilcon AVPs for Sales and Operations Ruel Godino, Francisco Lazaro, Catherine Guingab, and Rowell Suarez.

The Oriental Leyte rated 4-star by DOT

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HE Oriental Hotel Leyte was recently rated by the Department of Tourism as a 4-star resort, the first star-rating in the Eastern Visayas Region. Located beside the MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park in Palo town, the property was given such rating based on the assessment conducted by the third-party auditor and accreditation officers of the DOT’s Central Office and Region 8 Office.

With an accumulated 716 points, the star rating system indicated that the property has met the mandatory requirements of DOT’s standards for premium accreditation.

The hotel is part of The Oriental Hotels and Resorts, the leisure arm of the LKY Group of Companies, which also has two properties in Legazpi City, one in Bataan, and a luxury suites mansion in Tagaytay City. It was opened in 2012, damaged by super typhoon Yolanda in 2013, and was reopened in 2016. Its facilities

include 129 rooms, 8 suites, 13 function rooms, 5 videoke rooms, a business center, a fitness gym, 3 swimming pools, and a spa.

Themed with Asian motifs, it offers Oriental and international cuisine, evening fire dance and entertainment shows, barrio fiesta dinners, tour services around Leyte

and Samar, and butler service on demand.

In photo at the awarding ceremony are DOT-8 tourism officer Rina Apostol, The Oriental Leyte general manager Anito Lanticse, DOT-8 regional director Karen Tiopes, and DOT-8 tourism officer Rodel Balierbare.

Belmont wins World Luxury Hotel Awards

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ELMONT Hotel Manila, a prestigious brand of property conglomerate Megaworld Corp., recently won in two major categories in the The World Luxury Hotel Awards for 2019 held in Helsinki, Finland. It was named Luxury Airport Hotel Global Winner and the Luxury City Hotel Southern Asia Regional Winner, and was also nominated for the Luxury Business Hotel category as voted online by travelers who mix work, play, and leisure.

Defining excellence in global hospitality since 2006, the World Luxury Hotel Awards gathered votes from over 300,000

international hotel guests in a four-week period to determine the top brands that represent luxury and the finest quality service.

In 2017, Belmont was recognized as the Airport Hotel of the Year by the London-based Travel and Hospitality Awards.

Opened in 2015, it is the first of the seven hotels in the premier entertainment and lifestyle destination Resorts World Manila at Newport City in Pasay Pasay City. The 10-storey business hotel exhibits a fine balance between sophistication and simplicity that nurtures repose from a busy, onthe-go lifestyle. It has 470 wellappointed rooms, Café Belmont

restaurant, a fitness center with sauna, steam room and shower areas, a business center, meeting rooms and function rooms, an outdoor swimming pool jacuzzi, and a kiddie pool.

It also has a rooftop bar overlooking the NAIA Terminal 3 runway and is conveniently connected to the airport via the upscale footbridge Runway Manila.

In photo with the plaques of the awards are Belmont Hotel Manila department heads led by its general manager Lorenzo Tang.

For more information on Belmont, log on to www. belmonhotelmanila.com or visit www.rwmanila.com.

ALIBABA: WE’LL CHANGE THE OLYMPIC GAMES

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By Graham Dunbar

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The Associated Press

AUSANNE, Switzerland—Alibaba’s promise to the Olympic family is to bring its technological might to help organizers, broadcasters and fans.

The Chinese tech giant’s Olympic sponsorship deal is worth hundreds of millions of dollars and runs for 12 years, starting in 2017 and continuing through the upcoming Tokyo Games, and the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing and into the 2024 Paris Olympics, and the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

“We are not just putting the rings alongside our logo,” Alibaba Chief Marketing Officer Chris Tung told The Associated Press in an interview at the Winter Youth Olympics in Lausanne, the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) home city. “We also like to leverage our technology to help transform and upgrade the games. That is always what we have in mind by being a sponsor.”

At this year’s Tokyo Olympics, broadcasters will gain the most from Alibaba’s cloud computing work. Fans will see the biggest changes at the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing as ticketing and merchandise operations become more digital.

Then it should be the turn of organizers as they reap more rewards from Alibaba’s expertise at the 2024 and 2028 Games.

“We expect Paris and LA will be a total explosion of what has been tested and what has been discussed with the previous games,” Tung said.

Now clearly established in a top tier of global partners working with both the IOC and Fifa, Alibaba is looking to improve sports events on top of helping finance them. With Olympic sports and anti-doping bodies now regularly targeted by hackers, including from Russia, cybersecurity is cited as “an absolute must” by Tung.

Asked about integrity issues confronting Chinese tech giant Huawei, Tung pointed to Alibaba enjoying the trust of 200,000 brands using its e-commerce platforms Tmall and AliExpress.

The two-week Winter Youth Olympics will test Alibaba’s work with the IOC subsidiary Olympic Broadcasting Services to create a better service for rights-holding national networks in Tokyo. Routing thousands of hours of action and interviews through Alibaba’s cloud servers should be faster, more efficient—with fewer staff and less equipment on site—and create more content for social media.

What works in 2020 should be improved in 2022 when Beijing becomes the first city to host both the Summer and Winter Games.

“Fans and athletes will experience a totally different Olympic Games with a lot of support from cloud technology,” Tung said, predicting long lines at souvenir stands replaced by immediate delivery to hotels from ordering on Alibaba’s online platforms.

After a decision by Fifa in October, China and Alibaba will get an extra forum to test hosting ideas seven months before the Winter Olympics.

In June 2021, a revamped 24-team Club World Cup will kick off in China bringing tens of thousands of soccer fans worldwide to see games in several cities. Alibaba Cloud is already the title sponsor of the existing annual, but low-key, club tournament.

“We are excited about the opportunity,”

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| Friday, January 17, 2020 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

Tung said, adding Alibaba awaited details from Fifa about new Club World Cup plans. “It’s very strategic for us to increase the reach and influence of [soccer] as a sponsor.”

Many observers see a logical next step in Alibaba joining Olympic sponsors like Coca-Cola and Visa on Fifa’s World Cup slate—especially as China is widely expected to host in 2030 or 2034.

“We,” Tung said, “are open to the possibility.”

Individual ambitions, meanwhile, were put to one side on the penultimate day of Lausanne 2020 speed skating competition as a 16-team mixed National Olympic Committee (NOC) sprint event was held in Saint Moritz.

Athletes were separated into teams of four, featuring two male and two female skaters.

Finland’s Sini Siro, Japan’s Yoshida Yukino, Austria’s Ignaz Gschwentner and Russian

Alexander Sergeev were placed together.

The quartet, named Team Three, proved the fastest on the frozen lake in the relay format.

They first took the lead when Yukino completed her leg of the event, with Gschwentner and Sergeev holding on to the advantage.

A time of two minutes and 4.10 seconds proved enough to secure the gold medal. It gave Siro, Gschwentner and Sergeev their first podium finish of the Games, while Yukino added gold to her individual bronze medal in the women’s 500 meters.

Men’s 1,500-m champion Motonaga Arito helped guide Team 16 to the silver medal.

The Japanese skater combined with Finland’s Laura Kivioja, Poland’s Daria Kopacz and Britain’s Theo Collins to finish runners-up in 2:05.92.

Three of Finland’s four skaters finished the

CHAIRMAN and CEO Daniel Zhang Yong attends the Alibaba Group’s listing ceremony at the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in Hong Kong in November. Known globally as Belarus’s Varvara Bandaryna (front), the Netherlands’s Myrthe de Boer (right) and the Czech Republic’s Lukas Stekly fight for position during Heat 5 of the Speed Skating Mixed NOC Team Sprint event of the 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games in Saint Moritz, Switzerland, on Wednesday. AP

mixed NOC competition with medals, as Tuukka Suomalainen won bronze as part of Team 14.

Ramona Ionel of Romania, Russia’s Valeriia Sorokoletova and the United States’s Jonathan Tobon also featured as part of the team. The quartet completed the event in a time of 2:05.92.

The focus will switch back to individual competitions on Friday. The men’s and women’s mass start events will be the final speed skating medals of the Games. With insidethegames

Top women’s players share center stage in NHL All-Star Weekend

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COYNE SCHOFIELD has an inkling of how much she opened the door of opportunity for expanding female player involvement at the National Hockey League level. AP

HE magnitude of the moment wasn’t lost on Kendall Coyne Schofield—wearing her No. 26 Team USA jersey—as she dug her skates into the ice waiting for the starter’s whistle to blow.

It took 14.346 seconds, to be exact, for Schofield to complete her lap in the National Hockey League (NHL) All-Star fastest skater competition in San Jose last year. And the 27-year-old from Illinois didn’t need to hear the roar from the crowd, see the smiling NHL players’ faces or understand how the video would go viral on social media to appreciate what she had accomplished.

In becoming the first woman to participate in a skills competition event, and finishing seventh among eight participants, Schofield had an inkling of how much she opened the door of opportunity for expanding female player involvement at the NHL level.

“The moment in San Jose was incredibly special,” she told The Associated Press this week. “And to see how many people it impacted in such a positive way, I had an optimistic feeling something special was going to be done here.”

Schofield was referring to the NHL All-Star festivities

taking place in Saint Louis next week. The league announced Wednesday that the skills competition on January 24 will feature a 20-minute three-on-three scrimmage between two 10-player women’s teams—nine skaters and a goalie each from the national teams of the US and Canada, the world’s two best.

“I was the individual that skated that lap,” said Schofield, selected to play for Team USA. “So to step on that ice alongside 19 other women just shows how we’ve earned this opportunity to have more women involved.”

The league couldn’t help but take notice after last year.

NHL Chief Content Officer Steve Mayer, who oversees the game’s production, was already dreaming up ideas to add female players in Saint Louis before Schofield completed her lap.

“It was just this moment, having been there and experienced it, that you’ll never forget,” Mayer said.

“And then we had to look at immediately, how in the world are we going to top this?”

Rather than attempt to duplicate the series of events that led to Schofield’s participation, which came only after Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon backed out with an injury, Mayer chose to expand the women’s involvement.

The teams feature players who have combined to win 39 Olympic and 108 world championship medals, and the game provides much-needed exposure to a sport in flux. The game also builds on the league’s bid to expand its audience.

“Yes, we’re trying to obviously bring more folks into the fold, and this is just one way to do it,” Mayer said. “There are so many young girls

that are playing, and an event like this is another way to influence them, to show that, ‘Hey, I can be on this stage some day.’”

He already foresees the women’s game becoming an All-Star weekend fixture.

“That’s the intention here to give them a forum they deserve, that they’ve earned,” Mayer said.

The American team will include Brianna Decker, Jocelyn Lamoureau-Davidson and Alex Carpenter, currently playing professionally in China. The Canadian roster includes Marie-Philip Poulin, Sarah Nurse and Rebecca Johnston.

Two Hockey Hall of Fame inductees, American Cammi Granato and Canadian Jayna Hefford, will serve as coaches. And the four-person officiating crew will be made up of women who made their debuts at various NHL prospect tournaments in September.

One player from each team will be selected through a Twitter poll to compete in the newly introduced “Shooting Stars” event, during which All-Stars will shoot pucks from the stands at various targets on the ice.

This marks the third consecutive year women have played a role in the All-Star game.

In 2018 at Tampa Bay, with Team USA holding its pre-Olympic camp nearby, the NHL invited three players to demonstrate each skill event.

They included Hilary Knight, whose preview of the shooting accuracy event took just 11.64 seconds, which would have placed her second, just behind Brian Boyle’s time of 11.626 seconds.

Schofield said the exposure comes with additional pressure as women showcase their abilities before an international television audience.

“We have to take advantage of every moment and every opportunity we have because at the end of the day, we’ve earned those moments,” Schofield said. “And we’re going to keep fighting and keep playing, because we know if we do both of those things, more opportunities will be created for the next generation.”

Growing the women’s sport has become a rallying cry for Schofield and her colleagues some 10 months after the Canadian Women’s Hockey League folded for financial reasons.

Rather than make the jump to the US-based National Women’s Hockey League, about 200 of the world’s top players formed the Professional Women’s Hockey Players’ Association to campaign for a league they say must have a sustainable economic model.

Schofield is among many who would like the NHL to step in and establish a women’s pro league. She hopes the expanded role of women at the All-Star game is another step in that direction.

“You know, I would hope so,” she said, before adding she didn’t want to comment further.

Commissioner Gary Bettman has supported the idea of the NHL forming its own league, but not at the expense of pushing an existing league out of business.

For now, Schofield welcomes the expanded opportunity the NHL has provided.

“The NHL allowing us to play three-on-three is another step further in being able to get more eyes in front of the women’s game,” Coyne Schofield said. “And you know what, at the end of the day, a game is going to be played. So we want to win.” AP

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STARS OF TENNIS UNITE FOR WILDFIRE VICTIMS M

ELBOURNE, Australia—A capacity crowd of more than 15,000 at Rod Laver Arena watched Roger Federer defeat Nick Kyrgios in a one-set finale to the Australian Open’s Rally for Relief to aid wildfire charities on Wednesday.

Tennis Australia said the night helped raise nearly 5 million Australian dollars ($3.5 million) for the victims of recent and ongoing fires in Australia that have killed 28 people and destroyed several thousands homes, most of them in New South Wales and Victoria states.

Smoke haze from the continuing fires has played havoc with scheduling of the first two days of qualifying at Melbourne Park, delaying play by several hours and prompting complaints from players over the air quality.

Other players who took part included Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, Caroline Wozniacki and Alexander Zverev. On several occasions, volunteer fire personnel were invited on the court to play against the tennis stars.

The fund-raising efforts, which includes various amounts for aces served during the tournament and the sale of merchandise

donated by players, will continue when the Australian Open begins on Monday.

Two-time major winner Garbine Muguruza, meanwhile, has withdrawn from her quarterfinal match at the Hobart International on Thursday with a viral illness.

Second-seeded Muguruza was scheduled to play Veronika Kudermetova. The Russian will receive a walkover and advance to the semifinals.

Muguruza won the 2016 French Open and 2017 Wimbledon.

Top-seeded Elise Mertens was scheduled to play Heather Watson among the other quarterfinals on Thursday.

Alex de Minaur also withdrew on Thursday from the Australian Open due to an abdominal strain.

The same injury also forced the 20-yearold Australian to pull out of the Adelaide International on Monday. He was the top-seeded player in that tournament.

“It’s not great, I’m not going to lie...it’s pretty devastating to miss out on my home Slam,” de Minaur said Thursday. “I wanted to go out there and play, even though I’ve got a grade-two tear.

“Pretty much everyone around me told me that I shouldn’t play and I was still planning on

MAGIC SNAP LAKERS’ STREAK

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OS ANGELES—Markelle Fultz faked LeBron James off his hip, weaved through traffic in the waning seconds and scored the final bucket of his phenomenal triple-double performance.

Fultz then dropped to the court with a cramp. The Orlando Magic rushed to their valuable teammate’s aid, with Nikola Vucevic swiftly stretching out Fultz’s foot to make sure he could finish.

“It was the biggest play of the game!”

Vucevic said with a laugh.

Fultz had several bigger ones, and so did a half-dozen contributors to what was likely the Magic’s best win of the season.

Fultz hit two big layups in the final minute, while scoring 21 points during his second career

triple-double, and Orlando snapped the Los Angeles Lakers’ nine-game winning streak with a 119-118 victory Wednesday night.

Fultz added 11 rebounds and 10 assists, while Aaron Gordon had 21 points and a late go-ahead basket as the Magic became the first sub-.500 team to beat the Western Conferenceleading Lakers this season despite blowing a 21-point lead in the second half.

James had 19 points and matched his career high with 19 assists, but he also missed a tying 3-pointer with three seconds left. The Lakers showed off their impressive depth in the absence of Anthony Davis, but they couldn’t overcome the Magic’s superb contributions from up and down the roster.

“I think it just shows how deep this team goes, how much we believe in each other and

going out there [but]...it was the smart decision and the right decision.”

De Minaur had been playing well heading into the Australian Open, winning two singles for Australia at the Association of Tennis Professionals Cup tournament last week and taking Rafael Nadal to three sets.

De Minaur was to have been seeded No. 20 at the Australian Open that begins Monday at Melbourne Park.

Aryna Sabalenka, on the other hand, has beaten second-seeded and two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep, 6-4, 6-2, in the quarterfinals of the Adelaide International at Memorial Drive.

The sixth-seeded and world 12th-ranked Sabalenka advances to a semifinal against Dayana Yastremska, who earlier Thursday beat Donna Vekic, 6-4, 6-3.

Halep won the 2018 French Open and Wimbledon last year.

The other later quarterfinals feature world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty against Marketa Vondrousova in a rematch of last year’s French Open final won by Barty, and American Danielle Collins against fourth-seeded Belinda Bencic.

Williams will be part of the US team for its Fed Cup qualifier against Latvia, the US Tennis Association said Wednesday.

It will be the first time Williams has participated in the Fed Cup since 2018. Williams has played in 10 previous Fed Cup competitions, and is 13-0 in singles and 3-2 in doubles since her first appearance in 1999.

The US will face Latvia on February 7 and 8 in Everett, Washington. The winner will advance to the Fed Cup finals in April in Budapest, Hungary. The US must finalize the rest of its roster by January 28.

Williams will be seeking her 24th Grand Slam title when the Australian Open begins next week. She won her 73rd career Women’s Tennis Association singles title last week in Auckland, New Zealand. AP

what we’re capable of,” Fultz said. “We have guys out, but our mindset was the same going into the game. We all believed we had a chance to win this game, and we relied on each other.”

The Magic played without injured regulars Evan Fournier, Michael Carter-Williams and DJ Augustin in their third stop on a six-game road trip, but they’ve rarely looked better.

Wes Iwundu scored a career-high 19 points while starting in Fournier’s place, and Vucevic scored seven of his 19 points in the fourth quarter of the Magic’s eighth win in 12 games.

Fultz said the final minutes were “what I’ve dreamed of,” and the Magic were thrilled to see it come true for the up-and-down former No. 1 overall pick.

“Boy is nice, and he’s only going to get better,” Gordon said. “He did a great job just running the show, settling them down, getting good shots. And then down the stretch, he took over.”

Quinn Cook hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to finish with a season-high 22 points, but the Lakers (33-8) hit the halfway point of their regular season with their first loss since Christmas.

Troy Daniels added a season-high 17 points, but the Lakers finally failed to overcome the absence of Davis, who missed his fourth straight game with a bruised backside.

“We’ve just got to be better,” James said. “We didn’t start the game out the right way, but I’m not disappointed in anybody or anything that we did. Our bench was the reason there was a game at the end, but they came in and produced everything we needed.”

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope also scored 17 points for the Lakers in their final home game before a five-game road trip while the Grammy Awards take over Staples Center.

The Lakers erased an 87-66 deficit early in the fourth quarter with an impressive rally, but the Magic answered and traded big scores down the stretch. Gordon’s basket with 2:03 left reclaimed the lead for Orlando.

Cook and James hit late three-pointers that trimmed the Magic’s lead to one point,

TENNIS stars—(from left) Roger Federer, Nick Kyrgios, Naomi Osaka, Alexander Zverev, Dominic Thiem, Serena Williams, Caroline Wozniacki, Petra Kvitova, Coco Gauff, Novak Djokovic, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Rafael Nadal—pose for a photo during the Rally For Relief at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne. AP

THE Lakers’ Dwight Howard’s feet are seen after he crashes into the seats while chasing a loose ball during the first half of his team’s game against the Magic on Wednesday in Los Angeles. AP

but Fultz drove for a clutch layup with 15 seconds left to put Orlando up 118-115, and James’s tying attempt didn’t go down.

“We wanted to finish this homestand out the right way, but those guys made plays,” Cook said.

“Being the Lakers, we get everybody’s best shot.

Markelle made two tough, tough plays at the end.”

Cook and Fultz both graduated from the famed DeMatha Catholic High School in Maryland. Cook referred to Fultz as his “little brother.” AP

Sainz pads lead after rivals make wrong turns

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HUBAYTAH, Saudi Arabia—Dakar Rally Leader Carlos Sainz took advantage of navigation mistakes by title rivals Nasser Al-Attiyah and Stephane Peterhansel to give himself breathing space on Wednesday.

Sainz started the 10th of 12 stages leading Al-Attiyah by only seconds but, by the end of the day, he was back in charge by 18 minutes against Al-Attiyah and Mini teammate Peterhansel.

The stage from Haradh down to Shubaytah was supposed to be the rally’s longest at 534 kilometers, but race organizers cut it short by just under 200 kilometers after strong winds picked up and medical resources were stretched. Crashes by driver Roman Starikovich (back) and biker Javier Gomez (broken femur) required both to be helicoptered to hospital.

When the rally was stopped, Peterhansel and Al-Attiyah had become lost and were just getting back on the right course.

“The navigation has been really tricky for the whole rally,” Sainz said. “It was a tricky stage with a lot of cut-up dunes, but not big dunes—small dunes. We had a heavy landing in one of them. We damaged the car a little bit, but everything is so far, so good.

“I didn’t really think the gap would be so big, but tomorrow is another day and the opposite could happen. If I get lost like what happened to the others today, or for me yesterday, you never know how it will finish.”

Al-Attiyah didn’t hide his disappointment, but remained upbeat.

“It’s still a long day tomorrow,” he said.

‘THE ROCK’ DAD DIES Rocky

“Soul Man” Johnson poses in the ring in this undated photo provided by WWE Inc. Johnson, a WWE Hall of Fame wrestler who became better known as the father of actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, died Wednesday. He was 75. AP

“Carlos will be opening, and I’ll be starting in 17th position. It’s very difficult to put the pressure on, but we need to do a good stage first of all. Nothing is over yet.

There is still a long way tomorrow with 80 kilometers of sand dunes. Things will be difficult for everybody.”

Peterhansel opened the way and took a wrong turn just 20 kilometers in. By the time he was back on track, Sainz had caught up to him.

Former Formula One champion Fernando Alonso rolled his car and broke his windscreen. Losing more than an hour dropped him from 10th overall to 14th.

Joan Barreda won the motorbikes stage only a minute ahead of Ricky Brabec. Kevin Benavides was

third, giving Honda 1-2-3 on the podium.

By finishing second, Brabec increased his overall lead to 26 minutes over Pablo Quintanilla, 27 minutes over Barreda and 28 minutes over defending champion Toby Price.

“We have two days left, two more sleeps, so I’m not going to get any hopes up yet, but we’re going to do our best to finish the next two days,” Brabec said. “We’re not going to let the pressure affect us and let people get into our heads. I wouldn’t say I’m having good luck, I’m just trying to stay smart and be focused.”

The race finishes on Friday. AP

orts

sMirror

Friday, January 17, 2020

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GINEBRA SEEKS GOVS CUP TITLE M

OMENTUM remains strong on Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s side, but even the most successful coach in league history remained cautious that the series won’t be a walk in park even with a 3-1 Gin Kings lead over the Meralco Bolts in Game Five of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup on Friday.

The Gin Kings flattened out a misfiring Bolts crew, 94-72, in Game Four of the best-of-seven showdown last Wednesday as the 2016 and 2017 champions move a win closer to the title they have consistently won against Meralco.

With 21 PBA championships under his name, Tim Cone has so much experience but he believes one miscalculated move could mean disaster and an instant turnaround in the series.

“You can’t give them the momentum and the confidence. So, we’ll try to make a statement early in Game Five,” Cone said ahead of their 7 p.m. encounter at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Not even the coronation of Allen Durham as Best Import could make a great impact for a Meralco team that is trailing badly in the race-to-four showdown.

Before Game Four, Durham was awarded with his third individual trophy, beating Justin Brownlee of the Gin Kings.

That hardly mattered, however, as Barangay Ginebra punished its foe from start to finish, even leading by a high of 27 points.

Brownlee, the runner-up in the Best Import race, played inspired and blasted off with 15 second-quarter points to break a 14-all deadlock that transformed into a 42-31 advantage for his side.

He finished with 27 points, eight

rebounds, eight assists, five steals and four blocks to outclass Durham’s 21 points.

The Bolts reinforcement did collect 27 rebounds and seven assists to add to his statistics, but his efforts fell short.

“I’m worried about trying to get a win on Friday and extend the series,” Durham said.

Stanley Pringle chalked up 21 points, seven rebounds and two steals for another brilliant performance, while Scottie Thompson added 16 points and six rebounds for his best game so far in the Finals.

Raymond Almazan, who earlier suffered a meniscal tear on his left knee, played hurt and contributed 12 points for Meralco.

Cone, obviously, wanted a shorter route to the championship, but a true tactician that he is, brushed off any air of complacency.

“I would love to, but I don’t think so. We’ll just try our best,” he said.

Ramon Rafael Bonilla

Top US coaches impressed with DreamBig Gold campers

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UNIOR tennis players who joined the DreamBig Gold Series Tennis Camp at Manila Polo Club in Makati City recently caught the eyes of US NCAA Division I coaches.

Ezequiel Gils of Rice University, Rob Raines of Cornell University and Jesse Frieder of Boston University were pleasantly surprised by the Philippine tennis landscape when they observed the players participate in the extremely intensive training camp.

Twenty young players were given the rare opportunity to be trained by the Division I coaches and underwent extensive hands-on programs that

gave them an insight on how US colleges run their athletic programs.

“Talent is everywhere. I’ve seen a lot of players who can play at a really high level if they just commit to spending time on the court and practicing,” Raines said. “I can’t believe I’ve been missing out on the Philippines in terms of tennis. It’s a place lot of coaches are missing out on and it’s certainly a place that I’ll keep in mind as I’m recruiting.”

The coaches were impressed with the campers’ eagerness to learn with Frieder specifically praising the student-athletes for their “coachability.”

PSC to athletes: Train indoors

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HE Philippine Sports Commission’s (PSC) instruction to national athletes to train indoors remains while Taal Volcano remains potentially volatile.

“We have been coordinating with the NSAs [national sports associations] to look for training [venues] alternatives. But then, PSC would always work on the safe side. We will be very prudent and vigilant on the health of the athletes,” PSC Senior Executive Assistant Marc Edward Velasco said.

The PSC suspended all outdoor training

and physical activities of national athletes to ensure their safety after Taal Volcano erupted on Sunday and spewed ash that reached as far as Quezon City.

“We cannot risk the health of our national athletes even after the ash fall has lessened. Let’s see in the next two days if we can resume the outdoor VELASCO training,” Velasco added.

At least three venues are within Taal Volcanos’ range of imminent danger—cycling’s

“The players here are very coachable, which leads me to believe that if they to end up in any of our teams, we could help them reach for the sky because they’re open to learning and improving,” Frieder said.

A standout in the camp was Sebastien Lhuillier, the 16-year-old son of former Olympian Bea Lucero.

“It’s more mindset than perhaps even resources. Having someone who is hungry as a child—and I mean hungry to learn— is crucial,” Gils said.

BMX and mountain bike, skateboarding and windsurfing. The three sports’ venues are in Tagaytay City and Batangas.

“We also know that we cannot keep our training hanging for days, so we are now considering some alternatives like moving to Subic or somewhere in Northern Luzon,” Philippine Windsurfing Association Inc. President Manny Cabili said.

National skateboard team member Mak Feliciano called on his fellow athletes to help rehabilitate the facility that Tagaytay City exclusively built for the sport during the country’s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games last month.

Also severely covered with ash is the BMX track in Tagaytay City, while the MTB downhill and crosscountry tracks are now unplayable.

DO THIS, DO THAT Russian Head

Coach Alexandr Gaidukov (center) instructs his players during the women’s European Water Polo Championship Round 3 match between Hungary and Russia in Budapest on Wednesday. Hungary won, 9-8. AP

GINEBRA San Miguel’s Japeth Aguilar and Justin Brownlee double-team Meralco’s Allen Durham in Game Four. NONOY LACZA

World boxing champ facing doping charge

AZKAL HONORED The National Collegiate Athletic Association Management

Committee, chaired by Peter Cayco (right) of season host Arellano University, presents Jovin Bedic a plaque of appreciation for his contributions as a member of the national men’s football team during the opening ceremony of football competitions of Season 95 on Thursday at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. Also in photo are (from left) Fr. Vic Calvo (Letran), Melchor Divina (Mapua), Dax Castellano (College of Saint Benilde) and Frank Gusi (University of Perpetual Help System Dalta).

LSU probes apparent on-field payments to NCAA players

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ATON ROUGE, Louisiana—LSU has contacted officials from the NCAA and Southeastern Conference about Cleveland Browns receiver Odell Beckham Jr.’s apparent cash payments to Tigers players on the field after the national championship game, a university spokesman said.

LSU athletics spokesman Michael Bonnette said initial information suggested that Beckham

handed out “novelty bills” to players after the top-ranked Tigers defeated Clemson on Monday night. However, further investigation showed that Beckham may have given away real money, Bonnette said.

“Information and footage reviewed since shows apparent cash may have also been given to LSU student-athletes,” Bonnette said in a statement. “We were in contact with the NCAA

and the SEC immediately upon learning of this situation in which some of our student-athletes may have been placed in a compromising position. We are working with our studentathletes, the NCAA and the SEC in order to rectify the situation.”

Beckham starred for LSU from 2011 to 2013 and was a first-round draft pick by the New York Giants.

He was traded to Cleveland before last season.

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OSCOW—World champion boxer Alexander Besputin is facing a doping charge after a drug test showed an abnormal result.

Besputin won the World Boxing Association (WB) welterweight title in November by unanimous decision against fellow Russian Radzhab Butaev, a result that could be affected by the drug test.

The Russian Boxing Federation said it has requested documentation on the test because it has started its own investigation.

Besputin told Russian news agency RIA Novosti he is “clean” and “this substance could get in through food or supplements.”

Besputin is based in California and is unbeaten with a 14-0 record.

The win over Butaev in Monaco was his first pro fight outside the United States.

The WBA last month ordered Besputin to defend his title against Cuban Yordenis Ugas before March 29, but no date has been set.

Kenyan runner Alfred Kipketer, who raced in the 800-meter final at the 2016 Olympics, meanwhile, has been suspended for failing to make himself available for doping tests.

The Athletics Integrity Unit said Wednesday that Kipketer has been charged with “whereabouts” failures. He has been provisionally suspended until a full hearing.

Kipketer is the latest in a string of Kenyan athletes to face disciplinary issues connected to doping and drug testing. Former marathon world-record holder Wilson Kiprotich was suspended last week because of a whereabouts violation and possible tampering with anti-doping work.

Athletes are required to keep drug-testers informed of their whereabouts for one hour each day. If they fail to do that, or aren’t present at the location where they said they would be, that is a violation. Three violations usually lead to a suspension. AP

Videos posted on social media showed Beckham placing money in the hand of LSU receiver Justin Jefferson and celebrating with players in LSU’s locker room in the Superdome.

Jefferson, who just completed his junior season, is eligible to turn pro and enter this spring’s NFL draft.

LSU graduate transfer quarterback Joe Burrow, who has exhausted his college eligibility

and is expected to be a top NFL draft choice this year, said on a Barstool Sports podcast that it appeared to him Beckham was handing out actual cash.

The NCAA does not allow players to receive cash benefits while playing college football.

Those rules are designed to prevent institutions from luring talent through the promise of direct or indirect payments.

TECHNOLOGY TAKING OVER HAND SIGNALS?

Sports BusinessMirror

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A TV screen shows news about Boston Red Sox baseball Manager Alex Cora at the Bleacher Bar at Fenway Park in Boston. AP

| Friday, January 17, 2020

mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

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By David Brandt The Associated Press

HOENIX—If Major League Baseball (MLB) really wants to stop its teams from electronically stealing signs, it might consider fighting technology with more technology.

In a sport that’s increasingly driven by analytics and advancements, the majority of signs between players and coaches are still transmitted by low-tech hand signals that have been used for decades. Those hand signals are easily captured by the loads of video equipment around MLB stadiums that are used for television, replays and all kinds of stat tracking.

All that technology can be—and obviously has been—used for cheating. The Houston Astros were hit with stiff punishment on Monday after an MLB investigation found the team used electronics to steal signs during the franchise’s run to the 2017 World Series title and again in the 2018 season. Manager AJ Hinch and General Manager Jeff Luhnow were suspended for a season and then fired by Astros owner Jim Crane.

Boston Manager Alex Cora was fired on Tuesday for his involvement with the Astros’ scheme and a separate ongoing investigation that involves the Red Sox. Considering those developments, it might be wise to save players and coaches from themselves.

A partial model is already in place: The NCAA’s Southeastern Conference has used electronic communication between coaches and catchers during league games for the past two seasons, which allows the coach to talk strategy with the catcher through an earpiece. It’s much like the National Football League (NFL), where an offensive coach tells plays to a quarterback.

No hand signals needed.

“I don’t know why everyone isn’t doing it—it’s fantastic,” LSU Coach Paul Mainieri said. “It allows the coach to speak directly to the catcher and speeds up the game.”

In the SEC’s system, the catcher still has to relay signs to the pitcher the old-fashioned way with hand signals, but Mainieri said there’s no reason why pitchers couldn’t eventually be included in the conversation. It’s more common for coaches to call pitches in college, while catchers usually handle those

responsibilities in the big leagues.

MLB expects to show players some prototypes of pitcher-catcher communication devices at spring training camps this year, but there are no plans to put any of them in place.

It would be unrealistic for a big league catcher to talk with the pitcher with a batter standing right next to him.

Ole Miss Coach Mike Bianco said there could be ways to work around that problem, suggesting that a clicker or some other device could be employed.

Former MLB catcher Buck Martinez, who played 17 seasons, said the technology is available and today’s generation of players would adapt to earpieces quickly if that’s the route the sport wanted to take.

“I think most of these younger generation kids have earpieces in their ears most of the time anyway,” Martinez said laughing, referencing the ubiquitous AirPods. “It’s just normal. It would just be listening to baseball instead of music.”

Under MLB’s current setup, the sport has tried to draw a distinct line about what’s allowed and what’s not when it comes to sign stealing. It’s a legal and time-honored part of baseball as long as it is done with the naked eye. Using

PSG’s Mauro Icardi (right) and Monaco’s Tiemoue Bakayoko react during the French League One soccer match between Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain at the Louis II stadium in Monaco, Wednesday, January 15. PSG won, 4-1. AP

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That prompted the introduction of tougher penalties for match-fixing, with lower-division teams facing funding cuts, point deductions and even relegation if they are found guilty of cheating.

In Stockholm, two players from Sweden’s national futsal team were arrested on suspicion of match-fixing, the Swedish Football Association said on Tuesday.

The players, whose names have not been disclosed, were removed from the squad ahead of European Championship qualifying matches in Malta from January 29 to February 1 against Malta, Poland and Greece.

Håkan Sjöstrand, general secretary of the Swedish FA, said the players’ arrests were “very serious and regrettable.”

“We put a lot of effort and resources into counteracting match-fixing,” Sjöstrand said, “and the investigation is a result of the close cooperation that the Swedish FA and the police have to counter criminal attacks on our business.”

The arrested men were described as “established” members of the national futsal team. AP

easy to decipher, especially with the help of video.

Former big league pitcher Jay Powell, who played 11 seasons and was the winning pitcher in Game 7 of the 1997 World Series with the Marlins, said there would be plenty of logistics to sort out. Infielders might need earpieces, too, since they’re often positioned according to the type and location of a pitch.

Still, it’s certainly possible.

“It might actually speed up the game,” Powell said. “If they ever went that route it would have to be similar how an offensive coordinator communicates with a quarterback— it’s live for 10 seconds or five seconds, and then it’s cut off.”

Martinez agreed that something similar might work. He said MLB could also limit access to replay rooms and make sure in-game video wasn’t available to players and coaches until after the game.

The answers might not be simple, but the longtime catcher said they need to be found. Baseball should be decided between the players in the game, not by who has the best technology.

“You’ve got to keep it on the field,” Martinez said. “There’s no question.”

ENI ALUKO: Women do not earn much in football, we play because we love the game. AP

Match-fixing, not just racism, hounds soccer

ICOSIA, Cyprus—Cyprus’s justice minister urged police on Wednesday to swiftly investigate allegations of match-fixing after UEFA notified the country’s soccer federation of suspicious betting activity in three second-division matches and a pair of cup games.

Justice Minister George Savvides said he has informed both the federation head and the country’s chief of police his “strong concern and sensitivity” over any instances of corruption.

Savvides said the Cypriot government maintains a “zero tolerance” on corruption.

The federation said all the details contained in the UEFA files have been forwarded to police for investigation.

According to the federation, the three seconddivision matches involve the teams Ermis Aradippou, Digenis Morphou, Onisilos Sotiras, Othellos Athienou and PO Xylotymbou.

Last year, all second-division matches in Cyprus were temporarily suspended after UEFA pointed to suspicious betting on eight matches.

technology is prohibited.

There’s a wide variety of opinion about how much technological cheating is actually happening and how effective it can be. Arizona Diamondbacks General Manager Mike Hazen said in November that he didn’t think it was a widespread problem.

“I think MLB has done a really good job of cleaning up all of that stuff. It’s been a topic for a few years,” Hazen said shortly after the news broke that the Astros were being investigated by MLB. “There’s a lot of restrictions in place, there’s a lot of guidance in the clubhouse, oversight, in a good way.”

But the temptation is everywhere. There are ways to capture just about every movement on a baseball field.

Teams measure everything from the launch angle of the baseball off a bat to the spin rate of a pitcher’s breaking ball. Video is used to break down the minutiae of a pitcher’s motion or a batter’s swing in an effort to find any detail that could improve performance.

Computers are even being employed to call balls and strikes at lower levels of the sport and could be coming to the big leagues in the near future.

Yet, signs from catcher to pitcher are often fairly

Prolific scorer, whistleblower Aluko retires from soccer

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ORMER England striker Eni Aluko retired from professional soccer on Wednesday, ending a career in which she became a prolific scorer for multiple teams and fought to expose her national team coach’s racism.

The 32-year-old Aluko announced her retirement in a post on The Players’ Tribune web site, saying she was proud to have been part of a generation of female players who used their “voices and their feet to break barriers all over the world” and moved into a “more empowered position.”

Aluko left Juventus in December after 18 months that saw her win the Italian league and cup. She also won the league and cup in England with Chelsea.

With England, Aluko was a runner-up at the 2009 European Championship and finished third at the 2015 World Cup. After 33 goals in 102 appearances, she did not play again for her country after 2016.

The following year, she said she was subjected to “bullying and discrimination” by then-England Coach Mark Sampson, which led to the Football Association making a public apology to Aluko after an investigation found Sampson had used racially discriminating remarks toward her in 2014.

As part of the case, it was revealed that an £80,000 ($105,000) financial settlement was secretly struck by the FA with Aluko to halt her grievance complaint against Sampson ahead of the European Championship in 2017.

In her post, Aluko said “there have been other moments when I have thought about leaving” soccer.

“I’m talking about the racism, the abuse on social media, all that,” she said. “Women do not earn much in football, we play because we love the game. Sometimes I have thought, ‘Is it worth it? Do I love you enough?’

And every time the answer has been yes.”

Aluko played for Birmingham, Charlton and Chelsea in England, and also for teams in St. Louis and Atlanta in the United States. She joined Juventus in 2018.

Aluko has also worked in recent years as a newspaper columnist and a TV commentator.

“Some people say that you are just a sport, but you have taught me so much about life,” she wrote in her “thank you” letter to soccer. “You have shown me how to work with others, how to set targets and achieve them, how to embrace challenges. You have given me highs that I never thought were possible, and lows that challenged me to my core—but that also made me strong and resilient.” AP

God of mystery

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EAR God, bringer of hope, we eagerly await Your coming this Advent season and pray in expectation: Fulfill the promise of Your mercy, oh God. Grant reconciliation and peace among all who seek to follow Christ. Ease the transition of those who have served a prison sentence and are trying to build a new life. Uphold the work of those who assist in recovery efforts following storms, natural disasters or tragedies. May God lead us from death to life, from falsehood to truth, from fear to trust, through Jesus, our promised peace. Amen.

GIVE US THIS DAY SHARED BY LUISA LACSON, HFL Word&Life Publications • teacherlouie1965@yahoo.com

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

Life BusinessMirror

GAB FAB: OPEN LETTER TO AI-AI D4

Friday, January 17, 2020

D1

GERALT OF RIVIA IN MANILA THE Witcher star Henry Cavill.

NONIE REYES

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BY JT NISAY

HE countdown was set at 30 seconds.

Thousands of people, most of whom had been camping in line since the night before, sprung to life at the fan event at Ayala Malls Manila Bay Activity Center when the big-screen timer indicated they were finally only half a minute away from seeing in the flesh the British actor, Henry Cavill.

The clock hit 10, and their eyes grew bigger and the cheers louder. When the screen flashed 3, it felt like the roof at the venue was about to be blown off from absolute pandemonium.

2...1...0...

Silence.

The collective gasp from being so close to meeting this generation’s Man of Steel, however, lasted a bit longer than it should. Seconds grew into minutes.

Silence broke into murmurs. Excitement slowly turned into confusion. Where was he?

Then, out of growing unrest—as if a boy pointed out to the distance to report what he thought was a bird, only to be told it’s a plane—Cavill finally arrived. People started to notice, and the party was on again.

The strapping actor entered through the far-side entrance of the mall and instantly interacted with the first fan he saw waving a merchandise to be signed.

Meanwhile, fans around the center stage waited for their turn. But Cavill took his sweet time greeting each and every person along the barricades, signing everything from action figures to framed artworks, rewarding the fans’ patience with his own.

In all, what should’ve been a breezy 30-second walk of waving and smiling to the stage turned into more than hour of courteous autographing. Who can fault Superman for being nice?

The superstar actor flew in last month not to promote a movie where he saves the world while wearing a red cape, but to spread word on a Netflix

series where he wears a long white ponytailed hair and slays monsters for money.

The Witcher is the new fantasy drama show of Netflix that is arguably the genre’s biggest offering since HBO’s epic hit Game of Thrones. Based on the book series of the same name by Polish writer Andrzej Sapkowski, the medieval story follows the intertwined destinies of Geralt of Rivia (Cavill), sorceress Yennefer of Vengerberg (Anya Charlota) and Cintran princess Ciri (Freya Allan) in the vast land of the Continent that is run by kings, monsters and magic.

Cavill, a professed “big PC gamer,” said his introduction to the world of The Witcher was through the video-game adaptation of the story.

There have been three iterations of the games since 2007, all developed by Polish video-game developer CD Projekt Red. The latest and most popular edition came in 2015, titled “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.” The action role-playing game lets players live in a masterfully designed open world, where the story can go 36 different ways depending on the player’s in-game decisions.

Combined with engaging gameplay and compelling narrative, the game has garnered critical acclaim with numerous Game of the Year awards, and has been cited as one of the greatest video games ever made.

But prior to burning hours playing “The Witcher,” exploring worlds outside of this realm has always been Cavill’s preferred adventure.

“I’ve been a fan of the fantasy genre since I was a boy,” said the actor during the The Witcher’s Manila press conference. “My father would read to me before I could read. And it was always fantasy genre books.

When it came to The Witcher, to playing the games then eventually reading the books, I was thinking, ‘How could I make this into a movie or a TV show?’”

Online streaming service powerhouse Netflix then announced its plan to adapt the story into a series.

In his recent visit to the country, The Witcher star Henry Cavill interacted with fans and showed what makes him super.

Cavill immediately phoned his agents and told them to get him in the running to play Geralt, the titular character, saying the role was “really important” to him.

Cavill pressed on. He asked for updates every three days. Finally, he landed a meeting with The Witcher showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich (Daredevil, The Defenders, The Umbrella Academy), and the two talked about the character and the storyline.

Hissrich contacted Cavill again after a few months to invite him to the formal auditions. Cavill was supposed to go on vacation when he got the call, but immediately scrapped his holiday plans to fly to New York and try for the part he so desperately chased.

Cavill went up against 207 potential Geralts. But as Hissrich worked on the script, combing through 3,000 pages of Sapkowski’s eight novels, it was always Cavill’s voice that she heard behind Geralt’s lines.

“I went to the auditions and the rest is history,” Cavill said.

When the show began streaming on December 20, one of first consensus observations of fans was how well Cavill nailed the monotonous lifelessness of Geralt’s speaking, particularly his impressive delivery of the character’s signature grunt, “Hmmm....”

It was, however, just one of the many hard-earned results of Cavill’s deep dedication to the character and the story.

The actor went through demanding physical training that included pirouette to play Geralt’s athletic and explosive fighting style on mostly uneven grounds. He also did all his stunts, including a 20foot drop from the ceiling onto the floor right after meeting Sapkowski for the first time.

And after 178 days of long shooting hours through night, rain and snow, with a crew of almost 300 people at all times, all the sacrifices have been translating into solid numbers.

Mixed fan and critic reviews notwithstanding, Netflix has named The Witcher as its second-most popular original show of 2019 in just the show’s first 10 days of streaming. The series also breathed new life to the four-year-old game “Wild Hunt,” wherein Kotaku reported a record-setting 93percent jump in active player count on Stream from the month before.

Whether it’s introducing new fans to The Witcher for the first time, or reconnecting old ones to the story they discovered through the video games or the books, Hissrich takes pride in their series serving as the bridge to a never dull world that is only set to grow bigger and wilder in the coming years.

Netflix has already announced a second season for the show even before the first began streaming. It was also reported that Hissrich has plotted a story good for seven seasons.

Nevertheless, Cavill’s Geralt will be there to see it all as he rides his horse companion Roach across the Continent.

“Politically speaking, it’s not a wonderful place to live in,” the actor said. “There’s a lot of tensions between the different species that live on the Continent. And even in between the humans, there’s a lot of political tension. And so, everything at all stages is like a tinderbox.

“It’s just waiting for a spark to send it up.” n

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Friday, January 17, 2020

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Today’s Horoscope

By Eugenia Last

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Zooey Deschanel, 40; Jim Carrey, 58; Steve Harvey, 63; Betty White, 98.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Be careful what you sign up for this year. Something you thought would be advantageous will turn out to be a burden. Added responsibilities will be tiring but will also bring you joy. Make the most out of whatever situation you face.

Accept change, but don’t create it. Doing your best will turn out better than trying to do the most. Your lucky numbers are 6, 11, 19, 27, 35, 39, 46.

a

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Stay focused on personal investments, legal documents and health issues. If someone tries to distract you or pressure you into taking on responsibilities that don’t belong to you, be polite and decline. A financial gain looks promising. Romance is encouraged. HHHH RUSTAN’S Chairman and CEO Nedy Tantoco, and Happy Ongpauco Tiu

RUSTAN’S Member of the Board Maritess Tantoco Enriquez, Rustan’s patriarch and Chairman Emeritus Amb. Bienvenido Tantoco Sr., and Maricris Floirendo Brias

JOY ALMARIO and Tweetie de Leon Gonzalez

A panda for your collection

T

HE panda is, of course, among the world’s most protected endangered animals.

It is also one of the most adored, so it comes as no surprise that legendary French glassmaker Lalique has launched The Panda collection by Han Meilin, along with the Aquatique 2 collection, both of which are now available at Rustan’s Makati.

The launch was graced by Daniel Ong, Lalique regional director for SEA and Aseana. The occasion was joined, as well, by Rustan’s Chairman and CEO Nedy Tantoco, Rustan’s Member of the Board Maritess Tantoco Enriquez, Happy Ongpauco Tiu, Margie Moran Floirendo, Joy Almario, Ana and Jaime FlorCruz, and Zelda Kienle, among others.

After years of development and all that attends such a period of waiting, Meilin’s crystal pandas have seen the light of day thanks to the savoir faire of Lalique’s master craftsmen.

Yuan-Yuan and Meng-Meng, the pandas created in the Lalique crystal works, a sitting male and a supine female, were baptized in honor of Yuan Meng, the first panda to be born in France at Beauval Zoo in 2017.

The crystal pandas are products of Meilin’s fertile imagination. Betraying a certain innocence, the Chinese artist marvels at the world through the eyes of a child.

There is a sense of tenderness that emanates from his rounded, mischievous figures. He captures a moment of life in the wild, a grooming gesture or a frolic on the ground. His gaze is open, the eyes soft and sparkling. Meilin chose the names Yuan-Yuan for the seated male panda and Meng-Meng for the little female who is lying down.

These cheerful first names, meaning “accomplishment” and “dream,” respectively, were not chosen by chance, of course. The names pay homage, quite fittingly, to Yuan Meng. n

b

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Stick to your game plan, and don’t budge regardless of the emotional tactics someone uses to get you to donate time, money or services to a project you know little about. A business model you set up will pay off. HHH

c

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Emotions will rise to the surface when dealing with matters concerning someone you love. Do your part to offer good advice, and to deter excessive or indulgent behavior. Sticking to a plan or setting up rules is favored. HHH

d

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Try a unique approach when dealing with a personal relationship. Taking the time to find out what someone you love likes or what would lift his or her spirits will bring you closer together and help you avoid an emotional setback. HHH

e

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Personal change will make you feel good, but don’t overspend. Set a budget and figure out what you can do that will help you build confidence.

Physical activities, travel and spending time with someone you love are favored. HHHH

f

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Getting involved in events that include people you work alongside or the children in your life will be revealing. An emotional issue that surfaces will be based on false information. HH LALIQUE Regional Director for SEA and Aseana Daniel Ong

g

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Don’t jump to conclusions, or you will end up getting into an argument. Personal growth, improved health and nurturing important relationships will be what count in the end. Avoid making unnecessary changes at home. Accept the inevitable and move on. HHHHH

h

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Interact with people who have something to contribute.

Learn from what you observe and hear, but when it comes to making adjustments, do what fits your lifestyle, not what pleases someone else. HHH

i j

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Make changes to the way you live. Don’t ask for help; do the work yourself so you won’t feel indebted to others. Don’t let a mistake cost you or keep you from achieving your goals. HHH

TERESIN MENDEZONA and Eva Gullas

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Stick to the truth, and ask questions if someone is evasive.

Getting the facts will make a difference to the outcome of a situation involving other people. Don’t make promises before you know what’s expected of you. HHH

TESSA VALDES and Cyndi Fernandez

Style everywhere you go OVER the holiday season, different themed vignettes of luxurious yuletide home celebrations became the showcase in Ayala Malls’ Stylescapes, which was copresented by Avida Land. The property developer’s communities—from subdivisions to high-rise condos—offer accessibility, sensible amenities, quality assurance, stress-free buying and, ultimately, a relaxing living experience. Avida is touted

to be the developer of choice among those who put premium on value and aspire to experience an Ayala Land lifestyle.

Alabang Town Center’s Stylescape is on exhibit throughout the month. Curated and styled by actor Derek Ramsay and Zenas Pineda, this showcases a décor with “British Party” theme as recognition to Ramsay’s English lineage. Catch the vignette set up at the Corte de

Las Palmas.

It’ll be all about Trends for 2020 at the Greenbelt Stylescape, where Sea Princess Tessa Valdes and Cyndi Fernandez of Moss Manila present the modern and luxe interior design ideas shaping the new year.

Meanwhile, find plenty more of fresh ideas on how to liven up the home, as Trends for 2020 is now on view at the Greenbelt 5 Gallery until January 23.

k

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You’ll come up with an interesting idea that can turn into a profitable venture. A home-based business or a skill or talent you have can be updated and adapted to market trends. HHHHH

l

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Truth matters. If you don’t mean it, don’t say it.

Stick to people and organizations you feel comfortable dealing with, or choose to work alone.

Problems while traveling or dealing with a friend or relative are likely. HH GIDEON HERMOSA (from left), Aivee Teo, Sofia Zobel-Elizalde, Cyndi Fernandez, Zenas Pineda and Derek Ramsay

BIRTHDAY BABY: You are entertaining, original and convincing.

You are passionate and spirited.

‘horsing around’ BY AMANDA RAFKIN & ROSS TRUDEAU The Universal Crossword/Edited by David Steinberg

ACROSS 1 Book after Jonah 6 Puts on a patch, perhaps 10 Wear’s partner 14 Yoga posture 15 When doubled, a Hawaiian fish 16 Solo for Renee Fleming 17 Soda shop offerings 18 Malevolent smiles 20 Show horse...of animation?

22 Nelson Mandela’s org.

23 Have challah, say 24 Snake with a king variety 28 Hover ominously 30 “Baloney!”

34 Traveled like a monarch?

35 Rolling rock?

37 Place to get a late-night stack 39 Hydrogenated ___ 40 Dark horse...of literature?

43 Laddie’s turndown 44 Mortgage deal, for short 45 Ranger or Explorer 46 Fundamentals

8 Did so-so on the final 4 50 Ritalin target: Abbr.

53 Play matchmaker for 55 Where you may sense an intuition 57 Rower’s necessity 58 High horse...of the NFL? 63 Slanted column?

66 Mushroom with a long, thin stem 67 Rose or Violet 68 Parisian papa 69 Like the air after a fire 70 British boys’ school 71 Pre-fry?

72 Students may cram for them DOWN 1 The blue whale is the largest one 2 “Thumbs-down from me!”

3 Phone at another’s expense 4 Against 5 What you make in a hurry 6 Refines, as ore 7 Spot to hang Christmas lights 8 Riding crop, e.g.

9 Farm tower

0 Skeptical toward 1 11 Singer Grande, to fans 12 Behave in an ungodly fashion?

13 Owns 19 Vitamin retailer 21 Get the beer flowing 25 They give to banks 26 Jockey’s strap 27 Belt-making tool 29 Goat’s sound 31 Bandleader’s cry after “One, two, three,” maybe 32 “Bingo!”

33 Offspring of a wild canine 36 DVD player predecessor 38 West Bank inits.

40 Term of endearment 41 Bay Area hub 42 Vanguard offering, briefly 43 Rapper Lil ___ X 47 Without notice 49 “I concur” 51 Make the grade 52 Sci-fi robots

4 It may be in your step 5 56 Trick alternative 59 Playful bites 60 POTUS’ No. 2 61 Hose shade 62 First word in many a fairy tale 63 Uno, in English 64 “Stand” or “down” follower 65 Gloomy genre Solution to yesterday’s puzzle:

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A new year has begun, but where’s the celebration?

ANIMAL volunteers search for pets left by owners as they fled to evacuation centers leaving them behind at a deserted village in Talisay, Batangas province, Southern Luzon on January 15. Taal Volcano is spewing lava into the sky and trembled constantly, possibly portending a bigger and more dangerous eruption, as tens of thousands of people fled villages darkened and blanketed by heavy ash. AP

SOMETHING LIKE LIFE

MA. STELLA F. ARNALDO

@akosistellaBM

A

S I write this, it’s been only 15 days since the start of 2020 and I’m already exhausted. I’m guessing you are, too, dear readers.

No sooner than we semi-quietly— since many municipalities and villages have already banned fireworks to celebrate the New Year—ushered in 2020, we received a grim reminder of the potential damage of climate change on other parts of the world.

While the bushfires in Australia have been raging since September 2019, it seemed to turn for the worst as the new year rolled around with reports that around a billion animals may have perished from the conflagration.

This, even as Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison has tried to deny any link between climate change and the bushfire crisis, and continues to defend his government’s emissions policy. Climate experts have agreed, though, that global heating has contributed to the frequency and severity of bushfires not just in Australia, but around the world. Unless all countries implement policies to ease climate change, we are in for hotter summers, more severe typhoons (or cyclones) and other more perverse weather conditions.

On January 3, we were shocked by the news that the United States had killed Qassem Soleimani, the top general of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, via drone strike at the Baghdad International Airport.

While the Pentagon has said Soleimani was plotting to “attack American diplomats, and service members, in Iraq and throughout the region,” his killing immediately put the world on the edge. Even diplomats from several countries have warned of an impending war in the Middle East, where some 4 million of our countrymen are estimated to be working.

Not long after, Iran, not surprisingly, retaliated to avenge the death of their beloved general, by firing missiles at a military base in Iraq where US forces are located. Fortunately, advanced warning systems were able to put these forces out of harm’s way.

I immediately had to look up the map of the region as my niece works in Abu Dhabi, and I have a few relatives and friends in Dubai, as well. Although the United Arab Emirates, to which both Emiratis belong, is far from Iran and Iraq, it was still unnerving that one man could send the entire world spinning, with just a simple kill order on his perceived enemy halfway around the world.

While the leadership in the United States and Iran have said they would not pursue any further military action against each other, the tensions continue to

simmer, as we now worry of impending regional military confrontations, possible rising prices of fuel, which, in turn, will push the prices of consumer goods here at home higher.

Then comes the eruption of Taal Volcano last Sunday, with the main crater spewing plumes of smoke and ash into the sky seemingly without warning. (In fact my sister’s family was on a day tour of Tagaytay, and innocently took selfies and group photos, with the volcano and its puffs of smoke behind them. They didn’t realize the eruption was serious until ash started raining from the sky. Good thing they were already headed back to Manila, but reported the slow crawl back due to poor visibility on the highway.)

We’ve all seen the photos of the volcano with steam billowing 30,000 feet into the air, ash-covered residents evacuating the affected areas, villages blanketed in grey dust, the fish kill in the Taal Lake, among others. Already, the province of Batangas has declared a state of calamity, and its mayors, especially those heading smaller municipalities with smaller budgets, are appealing for help from the national government. The ashfall on Sunday was propelled toward Metro Manila by the wind; I picked up immediately on it without news reports even having to confirm it, as my eyes and nose started to itch, and I went into long coughing fits, a sure sign my asthma had been triggered. (I had been out on the balcony doing my laundry. Ugh.) There have also been reports of dead animals,

and via social media we found out there were still evacuees who had no access to the required N95 masks to protect their respiratory systems. There was also inadequate food and clothing, and people leaving evacuation centers because there was no electricity and water.

Being a disaster-prone country, the government, it seems, has yet to learn its lessons from previous calamities. Why were these evacuation centers not equipped with generators? And why was there no water? The Interior secretary even had to call on the public for donations of food, water, clothing and other necessities, when government should have enough calamity funds to address the evacuees’ needs.

(We found out later that the usual government agencies involved in disaster relief and solutions had met only on Monday morning, even though Taal started erupting on Sunday at 2 to 3 pm. No one thought of calling everyone for a meeting that Sunday evening to immediately give some overall policy direction?)

And so now we sit, and wait anxiously for the Big One from Taal as the fiery magma continues to rise to its surface. A new year usually brings on a lot of cheer, celebration, and upbeat sentiment. And while it doesn’t feel that way these past few days, I just hope our brief coming-together as a nation to help those affected by the Taal eruption, can give us enough small wins to help us push forward into the rest of the year with some renewed optimism. n

GROHE UNVEILS NEW PUBLIC RESTROOM IN DON BOSCO, TONDO

LEADING global bathroom and kitchen solutions brand Grohe recently inaugurated the new public restroom in Saint John Bosco Parish in Tondo, Manila. The restroom was constructed by the Grohe Dual Tech students who recently received their International Certificate on Grohe Standards assessment exams, qualifying them to work for Grohe in the country or abroad. The project is made possible by the generosity of Grohe, Lixil Philippines, together with American Standard, Tostem and Wilcon Depot.

Joining the ribbon cutting were Don Bosco Technical Vocational Education and Training Center (TVET) Director Fr. Manuel H. Nicolas (from left), SDB; Grohe Management Board Member Michael Mager, Wilcon Depot Senior Executive and Vice President Rosemarie Ong, Don Bosco Tondo Rector Rev. Fr. Gaudencio Carandang Jr., SDB; Don Bosco Mondo Deputy Director for Corporate Cooperation Dr. Susanne Franke, Grohe Vice President Training and Management Development Timo Kurz and Lixil Philippines General Manager Alpha Ang.

Think twice before shouting your virtues online—moral grandstanding is toxic

BY JOSHUA B. GRUBBS Bowling Green State University IN an era of bitter partisanship, political infighting and ostracization of those with unpopular views, Americans actually agree on one thing: 85 percent say political discourse has gotten worse over the last several years, according to Pew Research.

The polarization plays out everywhere in society, from private holiday gatherings to very public conversations on social media, where debate is particularly toxic and aggressive.

For psychologists, like myself, who study human behavior, this widespread nastiness is both a social problem and a research opportunity. My colleagues and I have zeroed in on one specific aspect that might help explain America’s dysfunctional discourse: moral grandstanding.

MORAL GRANDSTANDING THE term may be unfamiliar, but most people have experienced moral grandstanding. Examples of moral grandstanding include when a friend makes grand and extreme proclamations on Twitter about their deepest held values regarding climate change, for instance, and when a campaigning politician makes bold—but clearly untrue—ideological claims about immigration.

Philosophers coined the phrase to describe the abuse of so-called moral talk—an umbrella term encompassing all conversations humans have about our politics, beliefs, values and morals.

Usually, people engage in moral talk to learn from, connect with or persuade someone else. They might

say of their decision not to eat any animal products, for example, “I am vegan for environmental- and animal-rights reasons.”

Moral grandstanding occurs when people use moral talk, instead, to promote themselves or seek status. So a moral grandstander might say, “I am vegan because it is the only moral decision. If you care about the planet, you can’t eat animal products.”

For moral grandstanders, conversation is a means to an end—not a free exchange of ideas.

A desire for respect from our peers is normal in humans, as are the desires for safety, love and belonging. Social scientists have traced the evolutionary origins of status seeking to prehistoric times.

Moral grandstanding, however, is a special kind of status seeking. It implies that someone is using conversations about important, or controversial, topics solely to get attention or impress others.

SEVERED TIES AND BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS JUST because someone touts their virtues—whether on Twitter or in conversation—does not mean they are morally superior to everyone else.

In a recently published study conducted with a team of other psychologists and philosophers, we asked 6,000 Americans a series of questions about who and why they share their deepest moral and political beliefs with. People who reported sharing beliefs to gain respect, admiration or status were identified as grandstanders.

Almost everyone indicated they had some history of grandstanding, but only a few—2 percent to 5 percent—indicated they primarily used their moral

talk to promote themselves.

We found that moral grandstanders were more likely to experience discord in their personal lives.

People who reported grandstanding more often also reported more experiences arguing with loved ones, and severing ties with friends or family members over political, or moral, disagreements.

People who indicated using their deepest held beliefs to boost their own status in real life also reported more toxic social-media behaviors, picking fights over politics on Facebook, for example, and berating strangers on Twitter for having the “wrong” opinions.

Philosophical accounts of grandstanding strongly suggest that moral grandstanders behave less morally than other people in other ways, too. They are more likely to rudely call others out for not being virtuous enough, systematically disparage entire groups of people and hijack important conversations to serve their own purposes.

When the natural human desire for respect leads people to seek status in situations when they would be better served by listening, it seems, this behavior can drive friends, family and communities apart.

OTHER REASONS FOR DISCORD THE rise of moral grandstanding isn’t the only reason discourse in the United States has taken a turn for the worse.

Politics have grown extraordinarily polarized, which is both a cause and effect of social polarization.

Politically active people feel more animosity and less trust toward “the other side” than they have in generations.

Social media, itself, seems to accelerate conflict, creating echo chambers of like-minded people that are galvanized against others and driving cycles of outrage that quickly escalate, and stifle, public participation in important conversations.

So ending moral grandstanding won’t magically fix the public debate in the United States. But, tamping it down would lead the country in a more productive direction.

HOW TO HANDLE MORAL GRANDSTANDING CONSIDER assessing your own conversation style, reflecting about what you say to others and why.

When you enter into contentious territory with someone who differs in opinion, ask whether you’re doing so because you’re genuinely interested in communicating and connecting with your fellow human—or are you just trying to score points?

Thinking honestly about your engagement on social media—ground zero for moral grandstanding—is particularly important.

Do you post controversial material just for likes and retweets? Do you share social-media posts of people you disagree with just to publicly mock them?

Do you find yourself trying to one-up the good deeds of someone else to make yourself look good to people whose respect you crave?

If so, then you may be a moral grandstander.

If not, you can still fight moral grandstanding by recognizing and dissuading these behaviors in others.

Given that moral grandstanders crave status, respect and esteem from others, depriving them of the attention they seek is probably the best deterrent.

THE CONVERSATION/AP

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Open letter to Ai-Ai AI-AI DELAS ALAS

GAB FAB GMA CONFIRMS DISTRIBUTION DEAL AT ASIA TV FORUM 2019

IN a deal confirmed during the 2019 Asia TV Forum in Singapore, GMA Worldwide Inc. (GWI), the content distribution arm of GMA Network, entered into another partnership with Latin Media Corp. (LMC) to distribute three of its dramas in Latin America.

Among the three titles acquired by LMC is the suspense drama The Gift starring Alden Richards. It tells the story of Joseph (Richards) who becomes a clairvoyant after a near-death experience. The series is among GMA’s prime-time hits for 2019.

LMC also acquired distribution rights for the crime dramas Dahil Sa Pag-big (For Love Or Money) and Bihag (The Silent Thief). For Love Or Money tells the story of a wife who sacrifices her dignity to raise blood money and save her husband from death row in the Middle East, while The Silent Thief is about a mother’s desperate efforts to find her kidnapped son.

The Gift, For Love Or Money and The Silent Thief will be showcased by Latin Media Corp. in the 2020 edition of NATPE Miami on January 21 to 23.

The ratings success of GMA dramas in Latin America, including My Special Tatay/The Heart Knows (Un Corazon Especial) and Onanay/The Way To Your Heart (El Amor Mas Grande), raised the demand for Filipino content in the region. The new deal between GWI and LMC hopes to further satisfy this demand with dramas that viewers can relate to and boost ratings for its broadcasters.

Scorsese and ‘The Irishman’ honored by AARP NEW YORK—The Golden Globes may not have shown much love to filmmaker Martin Scorsese and his epic The Irishman, but the AARP has.

The lengthy mobster’s tale was just best movie for grown-ups, in the 19th annual awards doled out by AARP The Magazine. The awards ceremony was held Saturday in Beverly Hills, California. Scorsese, its maker, was named best director.

Adam Sandler, who stepped away from roles that appealed to an audience considerably younger than the 50-plus group that the AARP awards cater to, won best actor for his serious turn as a jeweler in Uncut Gems. Renee Zellweger, who had the starring role in a biopic about Judy Garland, won best actress.

Supporting actor awards went to Laura Dern, who played a colorful divorce lawyer in Marriage Story, and Tom Hanks, who was Mr. Rogers in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.

The AARP also honored Annette Bening with a career achievement award. The movie awards for grown-ups came six days after the Golden Globes, which bypassed The Irishman to give its best drama film award to the World War I tale 1917.

The awards show, hosted by Tony Danza, will be shown on PBS on January 19. AP

JET VALLE

@jetvalle

I

HAVE always adored you, Ai-Ai delas Alas. Back when I was still a nubile virgin, I worked with you as part of your publicity and production staff. You are gracious, funny and I really admire you. Every Christmas when I was working with and for you, you never failed to give me a nice gift that you personally chose, wrapped with matching handwritten card and even a touching personal note.

That really stuck in my mind. That you are a genuine person and I was fortunate to have made it to your Christmas list.

Maybe it’s because of this niceness that you, Ai-Ai, have been blessed. You were the country’s comedy concert queen, filling to the rafters major concert venues like Folk Arts Theater and Araneta Coliseum.

You were a box-office queen, too. For a time, your Tanging Ina movies were blockbuster hits.

And in all those blessings, gays have directly or indirectly helped you.

Recently, you said that while you support same-sex relationships, even insinuating that you have dipped your toes in the pond (“napagdaanan ko lahat ’yan”), you do not support gay marriages.

First of all, I respect that. I do not wish to get into a debate with you since you have quoted the Bible saying that men are for women and women are for men only, human rights be damned. Religion is something I try to avoid debating.

Besides, my column does not wish to dwell on the negativity, and the hate you spew on me and my fellow LGBTQ. Instead, I will just try to focus on the positives: you are a Marian devotee, and I laud the innumerable charitable acts that you have done. You are an admirable mother, raising your children the best way you can even if it was difficult. You are a loving wife to your husband that despite your age difference of almost 30 years that many people frown on, it seems you have a flourishing relationship. You have deftly moved on from your first marriage from singer Miguel Vera with ease, which has made you the object of envy to a lot of women trying to get out of their miserable marriages. I am happy for you to be enjoying all these things. Really.

You have a lot of good things going on for you, AiAi, and I truly respect that, the same way you claim you respect same-sex relationships. But with your statement of not supporting gay marriages and even turning down invitations to attend them, consider this my statement: While I will still try to respect you, I will turn down all your invitations to support your TV shows, movies, concerts, appearances, endorsements, businesses and what have you. nnn METRO honored the country’s fashion legends in last night’s Metrowear Style Awards held in Rockwell, in which it paid tribute to the top designers, muses and photographers who have helped the magazine inspire and transform lives for three decades.

The biggest runway event to welcome the new year was also in celebration of Metro’s 30th anniversary, an appreciation night for 30 amazing personalities who have not only collaborated with the magazine but made significant contributions in

their respective fields. Ten photographers—Xander Angeles, Sara Black, Jun de Leon, Dookie Ducay, Raymund Isaac, Mark Nicdao, Neal Oshima, BJ Pascual, Doc Marlon Pecjo, and Ronnie Salvacion— have created some of Metro’s most iconic images.

Ten fashion designers, on the other hand, have had their own creative vision expressed in Metro covers or through the Metrowear fashion show. The list includes Metrowear Icons and this year’s awardees Auggie Cordero, Patty Ang, Mark Bumgarner, Lulu

Tan Gan, Rajo Laurel, Michael Leyva, Randy Ortiz, Vania Romoff, Cary Santiago and Joey Samson.

Finally, 10 muses—Angel Aquino, Iza Calzado, Kim Chiu, Anne Curtis, Heart Evangelista, Lucy Torres-Gomez, Kelsey Merritt, Tina MaristelaOcampo, Bea Valdes, and Pia Wurtzbach—were also honored. They have not only graced the cover of Metro but have also made noteworthy contributions to the fashion industry whether as models, celebrity muses, designers and global influencers. n

Documents suggest Thomas Markle to testify in Meghan lawsuit ‘THE MALL, THE MERRIER’ NOW SCREENING ACROSS AUSTRALIA AND THE PACIFIC

THE Star Cinema comedy film The Mall, The Merrier, which stars Vice Ganda and Anne Curtis, continues to gather raves with its ongoing screening in Papua New Guinea and Saipan.

The movie is also now showing in Australia and New Zealand.

The film has been hailed by netizens as Vice Ganda’s “best movie ever.” This is attributed to the comedian’s on-screen rapport with Anne Curtis, as well as the movie’s supporting casts led by trending personalities Dimples Romana and Tony Labrusca. In a Star Cinema news update featuring online feedbacks from moviegoers, @mynrdmd mentioned: “Watched #TheMallTheMerrier today and it’s one of the best comedy films that I have seen.” Another comment from @exolilpony congratulated Vice Ganda and Anne Curtis for the success of the movie, saying: “I think we’ll be needing more works from you—what a tandem.”

The Mall, The Merrier, an official entry to 2019 Metro Manila Film Festival, is about rival sisters claiming ownership of a mall. It is slated to premiere in Australia and New Zealand.

More information is available at www.myTFC .com.

LONDON—The estranged father of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, could be called as a defense witness in her lawsuit against the Mail on Sunday newspaper, court papers reveal.

Meghan is suing the newspaper and its parent company Associated Newspapers for publishing a letter she wrote to her father Thomas Markle. The civil lawsuit accuses the newspaper of copyright infringement, misuse of private information and violating the UK’s data protection law with the publication of the letter.

Documents filed at the High Court show the newspaper plans to rely on evidence from Markle, stating that he “had a weighty right to tell his version of what had happened between himself and his daughter, including the contents of the letter.”

Papers drawn up by lawyers for the newspaper argue that members of Britain’s royal family “generate and rely on publicity about themselves

and their lives in order to maintain the privileged positions they hold and to promote themselves.’’

The paper also argues the letter’s

publication was in response to a “onesided” article in People magazine in February 2019 featuring an interview with five unnamed “close friends”

of the duchess which referenced the letter, meaning its existence was in the public domain.

The documents came to light this week amid the firestorm of attention that followed Meghan and Prince Harry’s decision to issue a statement announcing that they wanted to step back from their royal roles, become financially independent and split their time between Britain and North America.

Queen Elizabeth II convened a family summit on Monday at her Sandringham estate in eastern England and decided the couple could live part time in Canada.

Meghan was seen in Canada for the first time since the crisis began when she visited the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre in Vancouver to discuss issues affecting women in one of the city’s poorest neighborhoods.

The shelter posted a photograph of the duchess’s visit. AP

PRINCE HARRY and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex

Motoring BusinessMirror

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

Editor: Tet Andolong

Friday, January 17, 2020

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Isuzu formally welcomes two Mindanao dealerships

I

Story & photos by Randy S. Peregrino

SUZU Philippines Corp. is on a roll in terms of its commitment to dealership network expansion. After witnessing several branch opening, and ceremonies groundbreaking, for new locations nationwide, two more are soon to rise in the Mindanao region. Bolstering its presence in the Mindanao region for having one of the most promising growth potentials for the automotive and transport industries in the years to come, IPC conducted two separate formal signing ceremonies for Isuzu Tagum and Isuzu Pagadian.

Isuzu Tagum

Held at the IPC head office in Bi ñ a n , L a g u n a , b ot h P re s ide nt Hajime Koso and Executive Vice President Shojiro Sakoda graced

IPC Executive Vice President Shojiro Sakoda (from left), IPC President Hajime Koso, Image Motors Davao Del Norte Inc. President Walter Alvarez and Managing Director Edward Bangayan

the ceremonies and acted as representatives for the truck company.

T he f i rst dea lersh ip ag reement signing ceremony was w ith Isuzu Tagum. Operated by Image Motors Davao Del Norte Inc., its president, Walter A lvarez, along with Managing Director Edward Bangayan represented the new dealership group.

Isuzu Tagum strategically sits at the upper territor y of Souther n Mindanao. It is also w ithin

the intersection of three major road network systems, namely PhilippineJapan Friendship Highway, DavaoMat i-A g u sa n R oad , a nd Dav ao Bukidnon Road, which connects the city to other major destinations in the region and the rest of Mindanao.

Serving as a vital economic crossroad, not only for the prov ince but for the entire Davao region, the new Isuzu dea lership is strategica lly situated and w ill soon rise in at

IPC Executive Vice President Shojiro Sakoda (from left), Northern Mindanao Automotive Dealership Inc. General Manager George Ongchua and IPC President Hajime Koso Barangay Canocotan, Tagum City, Davao del Norte.

Isuzu Pagadian

The second ceremony, meantime, was with Isuzu Pagadian. Operated

by Northern Mindanao Automotive Dealership Inc., the memorandum of agreement (MOA) signing ceremony was represented by its General Manager George Ongchua.

Isuzu Pagadian sits at the regional

center of the Zamboanga Peninsula and Pagadian City, the second-largest city in the region. Agriculture is the primary economic resource of Pagadian, while several sizable deep -sea f ish ing vessels, wh ic h venture into the Sulu Sea and West Philippine Sea, make Pagadian fish port their base of operation.

The upcoming new dealership will be linking its nearby provinces to serve and provide quality Isuzu

products, excellent after-sales service and to become the most competitive transportation hub in the region. Isuzu’s presence in Pagadian will be the response to its growing transportation and logistics requirements, most notably for Isuzu trucks.

Meanwhile, both Isuzu Pagadian and Isuzu Tagum will feature the newest Isuzu showroom design that provides a better atmosphere and a better kind of service. Moreover, both dealerships also comprise the strategic “triangle” of supply and service of world-class Isuzu vehicle brands in Mindanao, covering Northern Mindanao, Zamboanga Peninsula and Davao region.

Isuzu Tagum held its groundbreaking ceremony on July 11, 2019, and expects the new dealership to rise in May 2020. The Isuzu Pagadian dealership, meantime, will be completed earlier in February 2020.

Moto

Business

E2 Friday, January 17, 2020

MITSUBISHI DELIVERS XPANDER AND L300 UNITS TO DOH

ALL-NEW MER

CLA UN

A

Story & photos by Randy S. Peregrino

UTO Nation Group, the official distributor of Mercedes-Benz in the Philippines, is on a roll with their latest models.

FRANCISCO T. DUQUE (Health secretary) Elisa May Arboleda-Cuevas (PS DBM executive director) and Dr. Roger P. Tong-An (undersecretary of Health)

M

ITSUBISHI Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) recently delivered multipurpose vehicles (MPV) to the Department of Health (DOH) through the Procurement Service (PS)—an attached agency of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

Through the centralized procurement of motor vehicles at PS, agencies can order the vehicles via online and have it delivered to the agency doorstep after validation and payment of request. This initiative aims to further streamline the process of procuring motor vehicles while “maintaining the principles of economy,

efficiency, and check and balances.”

The total number of approved units to be delivered by MMPC to PS-DBM are 232 units L300 with FB Body and 33 units Xpander GLX Plus AT through CitiMotors Makati and Diamond Motors Fairview, respectively.

In a ceremony held at the DOH’s grounds, MMPC handed over four units of L300 to Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque. The secretary cited how dependable and efficient the L300 is throughout the years, which is why he considers the new Euro 4 L300 units as a welcome addition to their fleet.

PS-DBM Executive Director Elisa

May Arboleda-Cuevas also expressed her satisfaction to the smooth transaction and efficient delivery of the vehicles.

Being one of the partners of PS, we support the government’s thrust to reform the government procurement system and ensure transparency, efficiency, and economic use of tax payer’s money.

Aside from DOH, MMPC is set to deliver more units to various agencies with vehicle requirements from PS-DBM in the coming months.

This is PS-DBM’s online procedure/process for vehicle requirements by various agencies.

SUZUKI CLOSES 2019 WITH 21.17% IN SALES INCREASE

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UZUKI Philippines, the pioneer in compact car distribution, solidified its strong performance with a 21.17-percent increase covering all four quarters of the past year. The consistent boost in sales was the realization of the company’s aggressive sales and marketing efforts throughout 2019 reflecting their models, including Ertiga, Vitara, and Celerio as the market’s most enjoyed vehicles for the said year.

“We, in Suzuki Philippines, are proud to have ended 2019 on a high note. The past year is testament to our accomplishments in our feat to gain the trust of the Filipinos that we are able to give them quality driving experience. As we enter a new year, it is our responsibility to assure our customers that we will continue to be ambitious as we thrive to exceed their expectations through the products and services we offer,” said SPH Director and General Manager for Automobile Division Keiichi Suzuki.

Following the remarkable performance of the brand, Keiichi will now lead the company to new milestones as vice president and concurrent general manager of the Automobile Division effective January 1, 2020.

“Last year was a landmark year for us and we share this success with our customers who continue to support our brand as we continuously provide them with more options that cater to their idea of driving in comfort with newer offerings geared toward the fulfillment of our mission,” ended Keiichi.

Ertiga, Vitara, and Celerio hailed as 2019’s top sale drivers THE Ertiga, Vitara, Celerio emerge

as the most favored models in the market as Suzuki’s top-selling vehicles. The three models complete the increase of total sales in 2019 with a combined record of 55 percent.

The Ertiga, with 34-percent share of total sales solidifies its spot as market’s first choice. Practical without sacrificing style while offering good engine performance, the Ertiga and the modern Filipino family make a perfect match.

Ending the year with an 11-percent share in the total sales of Suzuki Philippines is the Vitara. This awardwinning vehicle is characterized by its bold styling and inner refinement of a full-grown SUV. Completing the list is the Celerio, with a 10-percent share in total sales.

With fuel efficiency among its many reputable features, the hatchback vehicle provides a spacious interior able to sit five passengers which makes it the ideal ride for city trips or long travels.

On top of these best sellers is Suzuki’s fourth generation 4x4 model,

the All-New Jimny All-Grip Pro, that instantly became the brand’s global favorite entry for the year as it provides thrill and excitement to any driving adventure. With its fourwheel drive system with reduction gear, All-Grip Pro can satisfy the driving performance required by professionals to instantly respond and maneuver through difficult terrain.

Ending year 2019 with an impressive track record of increase in sales, Keiichi is set for victory as a new year begins with fresh and exciting new products coming in the market. Set to showcase the pioneer compact-car distributor’s innovative efforts to continue to serve the Filipino market, Keiichi stays true to the brand’s promise of quality driving experience with every Suzuki vehicle.

For more information about Suzuki Philippines and its automobiles, please visit www.suzuki.com.ph and like them on www.facebook.com/SuzukiAutoPH.

Recently, it was turn for a model that features a sporty yet elegant and a coupé profile—the all-new CLA 180 Progressive variant. This second-generation CLA, known for its exciting and sporty design, boasts of a sleeker, sportier and techier character, from its emotional design. What is more, it now comes with the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system—revolutionizing a new era of the Mercedes-Benz driving and riding experience.

We couldn’t agree more with Daimler AG Chief Design Officer Gorden Wagener with what he has to say about the styling. “As a four-door coupé, the new CLA intrigues with its purist, seductive profile and brings the design DNA of ‘sensual purity’ to a new level.

It is compelling for its perfect proportions, which are very close to the initial design sketches: a long, stretched bonnet, a compact greenhouse, a wide track with flared wheel arches and our typical GT rear end with a pronounced ‘Coke-bottle shoulder,’” he said.

At a glance, the all-new CLA possesses that distinguished coupé and sporty design, which makes it the most emotive vehicle in its class. That’s because the design underlines that coupé character with stretched form and design elements like the bonnet with powerdomes. It also has LED high-performance headlamps with daylight running lamps. These complement the low-slung bonnet and the diamond grill. All these elements formed the vehicle’s sporty face clearly echoing that classic Mercedes-Benz sports cars.

The fresh rear end design, meantime, has new sets of narrow-designed tail lamps. The lower bumper is highlighted with matte black bottom panels and further accentuated with chrome exhaust tips and lining. Now the vehicle possesses a flatter and sportier stance complementing its 18-inch multi-spoke light alloy wheels. Its combined stretched entry line above the windows and frameless doors give the all-new CLA that unmistakable

sporty and elegant character.

Inside, all elements are arranged according to the overarching design themes of “high tech” and “youthful avant-garde.” From the leather multi-function steering wheel and new touchpad, to the Artico-leather seats and other design enhancements in the dashboard. The driver seat is electrically adjusted and has three memory functions to easily toggle through those preset driving positions. Those familiar five round air vents inspired by the world of aviation feature a highgrade turbine look with finely styled air ducts.

Space-wise, the all-new CLA now has tangibly more space everywhere inside. The front section, for example, has increased the headroom by 17 mm and elbow room by 35 mm. Moreover, the boot compartment now has a wider opening (+262 mm) and now offers more convenient to load compared to its predecessor. Aside from more space and storage, the all-new CLA also offers comfy seats with cushions adjustable for depth and angle, plus a 40:20:40 split-folding rear seat backrest.

As seen in the latest models of the A-Class and the GLE, the new CLA showcases the latest generation of the MBUX infotainment system with two 7-inch digital screens for the instrument cluster and the media display.

At the heart of this system is a highly intelligent virtual assistant, which is activated by pressing a button in the steering wheel or by simply saying, “Hey Mercedes.” It responds via voice commands in performing infotainment functions, such as destination input, music selection, climate control and ambient lighting.

Interestingly, the MBUX comes with a natural speech recognition program.

This enables the system to recognize and understand nearly all sentences from the fields of multimedia and vehicle operation. Further, the system allows individualization that makes the vehicle an extension of oneself.

Under the hood of the all-new CLA 180 Progressive variant is a small yet

potent 1.3-liter, in-line four-cylinder, turbocharged gasoline engine. Impressively, it generates 136 hp at 5,500 rpm and a substantial 200 N-m of maximum torque starting at 1,460 rpm.

This is the same motor fitted in the B-Class 180 Progressive variant. It is paired to 7G-DCT seven-speed dual

N enchanting new RollsRoyce Phantom has been commissioned by a Stockholm-based entrepreneur with an extraordinary passion for flowers. The patron, with a wife and two of four children named after flowers, challenged the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective comprising designers, craftspeople and engineers, to envision a car that immerses its occupants in a beguiling floral scene. The result is a sanctuary of true luxury, a vision of flowers, created with a million embroidered stitches.

Torsten Müller Ötvös, chief executive of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars said, “The Rose Phantom is a stunning iteration of a contemporary Rolls-Royce.

Our extraordinary craftspeople at the Home of Rolls-Royce have achieved, with this car, something which can only be described as sublime. The work of our Bespoke Collective is the best in the world. When I look at cre-

ations like this car, it is with a sense of pride that I know that these skills could not be replicated anywhere else in the world. This is undoubtedly one of the greatest Rolls-Royce Phantoms of its generation.”

The Rose Garden at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, West Sussex, served as the primary point of inspiration for Ieuan Hatherall, a Bespoke designer for Rolls-Royce. This Rose Garden is the only place in the world that the Phantom Rose is grown.

Bred exclusively for Rolls-Royce by British Rose Breeder Philip Harkness of Harkness Roses, the Phantom Rose grows in the courtyard of the marque’s Global Centre of Luxury Manufacturing Excellence at Goodwood in West Sussex, England.

Hatherall commented, “There is a transcendent beauty when a rose garden is in full bloom. The patron wanted to create that same feeling of awe; an abundance of flowers to lift

the spirit and celebrate nature’s decadent beauty, in the Rose Phantom’s serene interior.”

The Peacock Blue exterior of the Rose Phantom is punctuated with a Charles Blue twinned-coachline that intertwines organically like the stem of a rose, combining to introduce the rose motif, an indication of both the colors and the treatment within. The wheels echo the design and are embellished with a twinned pinstripe, also in Charles Blue.

On opening the coach doors, one first encounters the embroidery on the inside of the rear doors, but it is not until entering the rear cabin that one fully encounters the extraordinary extent of the satin stitch creation. The Phantom Rose is illustrated in varying stages of maturity, from bud to full bloom, in an asymmetrical design that appears to grow across the roof lining, from the rear of the car. The marque’s fabled star-

THE all-new CLA donning that distinguished coupé and sporty design

THE rear end has new sets of narrow-designed tail la

INTERIOR elements are all arranged according to the “youthful avant-garde”

THE MILLION STITCH RO A

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Friday, January 17, 2020

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PUBLIC ADVISORY ON VEHICLE MAINTENANCE FROM FORD

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ORD Philippines is releasing these helpful vehicle maintenance tips for car owners whose vehicles have been affected by volcanic ash from the Taal Volcano eruption: n Keep vehicles under cover as much as possible. n Do not remove ash by sweeping or brushing as it may cause scratches on the vehicle body. Remove by rinsing with water using a garden hose on low pressure while wearing appropriate dust mask and eye gear.

n Lift wiper blades clear of the windscreen, and ensure both glass and wiper rubbers are cleared from ash deposits. n Ensure the areas around the fuel door and door opening are cleaned prior to refuelling your vehicle to avoid contaminants from entering the fuel tank. n Engine air cleaner should be inspected by a qualified technician and replaced where dust accumulation has occurred. n Under hood and engine bay area should also be inspected and

cleaned by a qualified personnel to avoid any damage. n For people driving in areas with heavy ashfall, have the pollen filter replaced at the first opportunity to ensure it does not clog up evaporators and they do not breathe any contaminants. n Avoid driving while significant ash deposits remain on the road. If driving cannot be avoided, use the vehicle climate control system on recirculated air mode to reduce unwanted dust and odor from entering your vehicle.

WHAT DO FILIPINOS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ELECTRIC VEHICLES?

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amps

18-INCH multi-spoke alloy wheel

HE automotive industry globally is going through a major shift in terms of electric mobility. Locally, the Philippines is undertaking many initiatives in terms of government support and additional infrastructure to cater to this automotive evolution. Also, more consumers are beginning to see the value of electric vehicles and their positive effects on congestion, and noise and air pollution.

Is the Philippines ready for electric vehicles? Studies seem to indicate that it is. According to a recent Frost & Sullivan survey, 46 percent of Filipinos are considering one as their next vehicle purchase.

Nissan, the creators of the world’s best-selling electric car, the Nissan LEAF, is leading the conversation in Asia around electrification. As the Japanese automaker gears up for the introduction of the LEAF in the Philippines, here are some key things Filipinos need to know about electric vehicles:

Range

e overarching design themes of “high tech” and SMALL yet potent 1.3-liter turbocharged gasoline engine

clutch transmission.

Safety-wise, the all-new CLA is also loaded with world-class features.

Active parking assist with rear-view camera, active brake assist, adaptive brake lights, anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic stability program (EPS), acceleration skid control, and

hill-start assist, among others. It’s also equipped with a Pedestrian Protection Active bonnet, as well as multiple air bags for the driver and front passenger, including window bags and knee bag for the driver.

The all-new CLA 180 Progressive variant is priced at P3.19 million. It

is available in Polar White, Digital White, Night Black, Mountain Gray, Denim Blue, Sun Yellow, Jupiter Red, Mojave Silver and Cosmos Black colors. To know more about the allnew CLA 180 Progressive variant, you may also access https://www. mercedes-benz.ph.

OLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM light headliner illuminates the scene as the roses are interspersed with individually placed fiber-optic lights.

In the rear compartment, Serenity Seating with a soft calf rest cushion adopts the inverted color-way of the exterior as sumptuous Charles Blue leather is accented with Peacock Blue piping. From here, one can admire Phantom’s Gallery, created as a centrepiece of the interior. Stems of embroidered roses climb through the glass fronted fascia, providing a spectacle for the motor car’s occupants.

At the request of the patron, color is introduced in the form of Peacock and Adonis Blue butterflies, imbuing movement to the elegant motif. The patron’s family also played a creative role; his wife designed the umbrellas while his daughter, Magnolia, defined the exterior hue of this Phantom. The patron commented, “I wanted to have flowers and roses everywhere. It became an amazing piece of art.”

THE Nissan LEAF can cover 311 kilometers when fully charged. That’s the distance between Manila and San Fernando, La Union. This allows drivers to easily travel to Calamba, Laguna (53 kms), Baguio, Benguet (245 kms), or Baler, Aurora (274 kms) and not have to worry about completely losing battery charge while on the road. For reference, the average driving distance around Metro Manila per day is only 13.2 km.

Charging

THERE are three primary ways to charge an EV, according to consumer preference and ease. Charging at home, usually overnight, with a standard universal cable can be done right away and takes 12 to 15 hours to fully charge the Nissan LEAF. A wall box can also be installed at home or in any establishment, and takes between five to seven hours per charge session. And there are currently 23 public charging stations in the Philippines, and more are being added.

Environmental impact

ELECTRIC vehicles produce zero direct emissions, which means they are a good environmental choice.

Moreover, electric vehicles allow a reduction in noise pollution, a growing issue in urban centers. A Nissan LEAF has a running noise level of 21 decibels, compared to the average 82 decibels that a car produces when driving at 80 km per hour.

Trend

TO support sustainable initiatives and reduction of emissions across Southeast Asia, Nissan has already introduced the Nissan LEAF to

several countries like Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. In 2020, the Philippines will be the next country to join the electric mobility movement.

“Nissan is committed in meeting Filipinos’ demand for sustainable, safe, and smart mobility by bringing the Nissan LEAF to the country. We will continue to support EV adoption in the Philippines by educating the public on the advantages and benefits of EVs for consumers and for the environment,” shared Nissan Philippines President and Managing Director Atsushi Najima.

INTRODUCING THE AUTOHUB APP

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OLIDIFYING its position as one of the Philippines’s most prominent multibrand automotive distributors, the Autohub Group launches a pioneering, innovative, and cutting-edge smartphone app—the Autohub Mobile App. Designed to enhance customer experience and engagement, the Autohub Mobile App allows customers to seamlessly book an after-sales service appointment with just a few taps on their mobile devices and monitor the real-time service status of their vehicle. Customers can use the app anytime and anywhere, and their

requests can be accommodated at any Autohub dealership nationwide.

The Autohub Mobile App comes in user-friendly Android and iOS applications, equipped with a social media-inspired aesthetic and user experience. Taking cues from Instagram, the app offers the following features: n Online booking for vehicle servicing n Service history of their vehicle n Access to the Autohub customer care Chathub n Latest discounts, promotions and events

Registration and use of the app are easy—all that one needs is a valid e-mail address or Facebook account to obtain the Autohub Mobile App. The Autohub Group will continue to give their loyal customers innovative solutions, quality products and reliable services.

The Autohub Mobile app is available for free from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store for all mobile phone users. Follow www. facebook.com/Autohub on for more information.

Motoring BusinessMirror

E4 Friday, January 17, 2020

Baguio badly needs a major surgery

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AGUIO is bursting at the seams.

If it were a toy balloon, it would seem like it would burst in the blink of an eye.

That’s what the city has become.

But not just only now but for quite a while now.

Vehicles are all over that there is almost nary a space for a human to walk the city streets.

Session Road, Baguio’s elegant main artery, isn’t what it used to be anymore.

It has ceased to be the darling of strollers.

Its pavements are still wide but, alas, crowds make it impossible for one to walk leisurely on them.

Session as the cit y’s chief

thoroughfare is swamped with v e h ic le s p a r k e d bu mp e r - t o bumper on bot h sides; some intrepid souls love risking to engage in double-parking in utter defiance of traffic laws. A la Metro Manila?

But what can one do?

The city that we love has ceased to be lovable.

Whereas before you can negotiate Session, leisurely on foot, in cool, crisp mountain breeze, from Burnham Park to Pines Hotel, if not the Cathedral (I was

baptized there, ahem!), these days not anymore.

Grapple with vehicular, as well as human traffic.

Brave the bad air produced by vehicle emissions.

And yes, the Burnham Park. Its charm is gone, too. At night, particularly on weekends, it has been transformed into what is now commonly called a “night market.” It is buyers galore there, with every sale a bargain. Lost are the romantic nights the park offered to poets, lovers and free spirits, as well.

If Baguio doesn’t undergo a major surgery soon, it will die a natural death—if it hasn’t yet expired.

Didn’t I hear Baguio Mayor Magalong talk of a city uplift once he got elected?

Volvo wins driving electric awards

IT’S been quite a while since I last heard from Volvo Philippines. So from Albert Paolo Ella, here: “ The plug-in hybrid version of Volvo’s XC90 f lagship SUV was recently crowned Best Electrified Seven-Seater in Driving Electric Awards. “ The Honor follows hot on the heels of updates that have increased the XC90 T8 Twin Engine’s all-electric driving range to

up to 28.6 miles—with no exhaust emissions or petrol consumption.

“It has a sophisticated petrolelectric powertrain delivering high efficiency and low running costs, with CO2 emissions from 52g/km and fuel economy of up to 113.0 mpg.

“Vicky Parrott, Driving Electric associate editor, wrote: ‘The Volvo XC90 has long been the king of the large family SUVs, and in T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid form it makes transporting seven people in comfort very cost-effective indeed. Recent updates have freshened up its looks and improved its electric technology, ensuring it stays at the front of the class.’

“Improvements introduced to take the XC90 into 2020 include an increase in the capacity of the T8 Twin Engine’s high-voltage lithium-ion battery from 10.4 to 11.6 kilowatt hours. The result is an increase of more than 30 percent in the car’s pure-electric driving range, from 21.7 to a maximum of 28.6 miles, which means the XC90 can complete t y pic a l com mut i ng jou r ne y s with no exhaust emissions or petrol consumption. “ The XC90 T8 Twin Engine is also exceptionally efficient for

a large seven-seat SUV: it offers CO2 emissions from just 52g/km [NEDC correlated figures], with combined cycle fuel economy of up to 113.0 mpg [WLTP data].

This, in turn, contributes to low running costs with less money spent at the pumps.

“The technology deployed in the T8 Twin Engine versions of the XC90 in no way compromises the car’s style or practicality.

The cool, contemporary Scandinavian design has been further refined recently, with new treatments for the grille and front bumper, and new alloy wheel designs and paint color options.

“The interior remains a lesson in combining luxury, comfort and everyday practicality with the space intelligently used to accommodate up to seven adults with ease. “ The T8 Twin Engine powertrain comes with a wealth of standard equipment features.

These include all-wheel drive [via a rear-axle electric motor], power-operated tailgate, rear parking camera, LED headlights, leather upholstery, heated front seats with power adjustment, Sensus Connect connectiv it y system with 9-inch touchscreen, satellite navigation, voice-activated

control, along with Volvo’s City Safety comprehensive package of active safety systems.

“Features dedicated to the T8 Twin Engine models include fourzone electronic climate control with a cooled glovebox, air-conditioning for the third row of seats, a 4.5-meter charging cable and a dedicated cable storage bag.

“Kristian Elvefors, Volvo Car UK’s managing director, said: ‘This award is greatly appreciated because it recognizes how we are committed to giving customers the performance and efficiency benefits of electrified powertrains with no compromise in the qualities they expect of a Volvo—beautiful design, genui ne desi rabi l it y, e xce pt ion a l safety provisions and supreme quality and practicality.’”

PEE STOP World-class, yes, but the new Toyota Super Grandia Tourer is more than that. Its value-formoney is such that the 12-seater, huge as it may seem and looking bulky even, runs smoothly like real luxury, is very drivable and, most of all, is exceedingly cabin-friendly as each passenger rides in utter comfort and ease. No wonder it’s a global muscle worth its Toyota name.

Davaoeño dominates NAsFOR’s Philippine Tough Truck Challenge

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OSEPH Rodriguez of 4Wheelers Davao dominated Philippine Tough Truck Challenge (PTTC) 2019, the culminating race of this year’s Maxxis 4x4 Cup Extreme Off-road Challenge, organized annually by the National Association of Filipino Off-roaders (NAsFOR). Named 2019 Driver of the Year, Rodriguez bested 28 of the country’s top extreme off-roaders enroute to winning the final and biggest race of the racing season.

Fellow Mindanao racers Euane Evangelista of Digos 4Wheelers and Christian John “CJ” Doyon of Ormoc 4Wheelers bagged the second and third places, respectively. PTTC 2019 was held

in Tieza, Barangay Malubog, Cebu City, and was hosted by the Cebu Overland Club and Jeep Owners Club Cebu.

Rodriguez bagged his first NAsFOR Driver of the Year (DOY) Award after a nearly flawless performance in the final race of the season, fending off his closest rival, 2013 and 2014 Driver of the Year Edison “Tonton” Dungca of the Kapampangan Racing Team.

Rodriguez, a consistent podium placer of the 2019 racing season, won five of the cup’s 12 racing legs.

The Maxxis 4x4 Cup Extreme Off-road Challenge is an annual motorsport event co-presented by North Trend Marketing

Corp., the official distributor of Maxxis Tires in the Philippines.

“We at North Trend congratulate Joseph Rodriguez and all the racers who participated in this year’s 4x4 cup. We are happy to see passionate motorsport athletes conquer the tough obstacle courses with the help of our top-of-the-line tires such as the M9060 Mud Trepador and MT772 Razr MT. Trust that we shall continue to bring more powerful and efficient tires to help boost every Filipino racer’s drive,” shared North Trend Marketing Corp. Chief Operating Officer Ronald Ang. PTTC 2019 was also supported by 199 Offroadhouse, FCC Trading, AEG Powertools, Racetech 4x4 Suspensions, TRE 4x4 and Mobil Lubricants. “We are very happy with the support that our sponsors have extended this year, especially with what was given by the title sponsor Maxxis,” NAsFOR Events Director Ramon Toong said. “With our combined

Joseph Rodriguez of 4Wheelers Davao (center) wins the Philippine Tough Truck Challenge, earning him the title “Driver of the Year 2019.”

networks, we were able to bring this unique and exciting competition to more Filipinos.”

The partnership between Maxxis Tires and NAsFOR for the annual off-roading challenge

Cleanse and disinfect

your car’s interiors

with Sonax

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ATCHING on to that same concept of wellness, motorists should be more mindful of their surroundings, especially when it comes to the maintenance of in-cabin hygiene. Air-conditioners are ideal media for bacteria, mildew and other germs. These can cause musty smell and trigger allergic reactions.

Sonax Car A/C Cleaner anti-bacterial disinfects ventilations systems and evaporators quickly and easily.

Sonax eliminates annoying smell, too.

The Sonax AC cleaner is easy to use, just switch on the car’s air-con, full blast, lowest temp, open the canister and leave it in the back seat or in the center console and voila, after 10 minutes, the job is done.

After the Sonax AC treatment, one can smell the medical/disinfectant formulation, but it goes away fast by just opening the windows or doors of your car to let the remaining air residue escape from the car’s interior.

Users can immediately smell the deodorizing and cleansing effect of the AC cleaner.

The Sonax AC cleaner is available in popular stores, such as Blade, which is located in SM, Robinsons and Ayala Malls nationwide.

started in 2013. Since then, Maxxis has delivered tough off-road tires to racers who dare brave the motorsport event. “We are very appreciative of the

consistent support Maxxis Tires Philippines extends to the competition,” said NAsFOR President Reynan Jayme. “With their help, extreme 4x4 racing has grown in the country.”