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SWEET 18, BUT FACING HARSH TRUTHS

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If Epira were a person, she’d be coming of age. And confronting hard realities of life. Such as, in this case, lingering questions of conflicts of interest among power players and some unfulfilled promises to consumers.

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By Lenie Lectura

HE Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira), on its 18th year, is in a state of stagnation, a lawmaker who chairs the Senate energy committee observed, citing delays in the implementation of some of the segments of the law and the need to further improve some of it.

“We stagnated. We did not move forward. We did not move backward. I say we stagnated because WESM [Wholesale Electricity Spot Market] prices are healthy and WESM prices are low.

“But even if WESM prices are low, if you ask ordinary Filipino consumers, they can’t feel it. May kulang pa [Something else is missing] and one is the RCOA [Retail Competition and Open Access]. We need to understand bakit kulang pa [why we’re still missing it],” said Sherwin Gatchalian, Senate energy committee head.

RCOA is meant to give consumers the right to choose their own supplier of electricity to encourage competition in the generation and supply sector.

A Supreme Court order on February 21, 2017, stopped the Department of Energy (DOE) and Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) from implementing the mandatory migration of large power consumers to RCOA. RCOA requires power users consuming an average of one megawatt (MW) per month to source power from a licensed retail

electricity supplier (RES).

At present, a majority of power consumers are being supplied by Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), the country’s largest distribution utility (DU) firm.

The migration was supposed to take effect on February 26, 2017 while customers with at least 750 kilowatts (kW) of power consumption a month were scheduled to source electricity from their chosen RES on June 26, 2017.

The case remains pending.

Gatchalian said the incoming 18th Congress will review Epira

once it resumes session on July 22.

“We will have another review of Epira. We will find out where we are in terms of its implementation.

Bottom line, our rates should further go down because that is the thrust of Epira,” said Gatchalian, adding that the review will be done through the Joint Congressional Power Commission (JCPC).

The JCPC, which serves as the country’s primary watchdog in the power sector, will be renamed Joint Congressional Energy Commission (JCEC) once the 18th Congress Continued on A2

China’s brightest graduates find high-paying jobs harder to land

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By Bloomberg News

HINA’S economic growth is the lowest in a decade. A trade war with the US drags on with no end in sight. In this uncertain environment, the country’s largest-ever batch of college graduates is hitting the job market.

Even the best and brightest among the record 8.3 million graduates this year are struggling to land the prestigious jobs they had hoped for. More than 20 students from top Chinese and overseas universities told Bloomberg News they’re pessimistic about the job market. Some have deferred graduation, or taken internships rather than jobs because they can’t find the right role. Two said companies have withdrawn offers.

Among them is David Yang, who was set to graduate last week

with a finance degree from Tsing­hua University—China’s No. 1 school according to Times Higher Education’s world university rankings—and start working at an asset management firm. The job fell through because the company didn’t have enough headcount. Yang has delayed his graduation to 2020 and will spend the coming year as an intern at another company.

Jobs are a key issue for China’s leadership, which is extremely sensitive to any social unrest that large-scale unemployment could

PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 51.2590

trigger. While official figures show employment is holding up, data from recruiters show positions for fresh graduates have fallen and popular sectors, including technology and finance, have come under pressure.

Openings for graduates fell 13 percent this spring while job seekers also declined by 5 percent, according to online recruiter Zhaopin Ltd. The ratio of job vacancies to job seekers overall dropped to

1.68 in the first three months of this year, the lowest level since early 2015, when Zhaopin began releasing the data.

“China’s job market will continue to see downward pressure next year as the country’s economy keeps slowing down and the China-US trade war is unlikely to end before the 2020 US presidential election,” said Hong Kong-based Bloomberg economist Qian Wan. “Finance jobs might improve next

year as the financial industry keeps opening up, tech firms could potentially see more headwinds.”

High-paying jobs, which the government relies on to foster a shift to consumption-based growth, are also harder to come by.

The proportion of entry-level jobs paying more than 10,000 yuan ($1,450) a month tracked by the Mastercard Caixin BBD China New Economy Index fell to 8.7 percent in May, the lowest in about two

years. The measure looks at human capital and technology-intensive industries that the government has identified as strategic.

About 10 percent of graduates from the School of Economics at Fudan University, a major recruiting pool for top financial firms in China, say they might take a gap year after failing to secure a job upon graduation. That’s according to Laura Wang, an instructor whose responsibilities Continued on A2

n JAPAN 0.4725 n UK 64.1916 n HK 6.5527 n CHINA 7.4570 n SINGAPORE 37.7793 n AUSTRALIA 35.7429 n EU 57.6971 n SAUDI ARABIA 13.6669

Source: BSP (July 12, 2019 )

News

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A2 Saturday, July 13, 2019

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Sweet 18, but facing harsh truths opens later this month. JCEC will reflect the expansion of its oversight powers to the entire energy sector with the recent passage of Republic Act 11285, or the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act. “Hopefully, we get a counterpart in the Lower House that will be consumer-oriented,” he said.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, in an interview, commented that “Epira is a good law” but it “needs to be corrected,” citing adjustments that need to be done in the transmission sector, cross ownership and capacity-building initiatives, among others.

“There’s a law and we are making the most out of it. The intention is good but there are some debates.

Just like any law, you need to attune it with the time. The objective of the law is very good but things such as problems in transmission, in building capacity and on cross ownership, well, those have to be debated upon,” said Cusi.

Interlocking ownerships

THE same issues were raised by Laban Konsyumer Inc. (LKI), which noted that interlocking ownerships in power generation and distribution companies continue to limit the effectiveness of the spot market.

“The interlocking ownerships of generation and distribution companies continue to cast doubts on the transparency of the electricity pricing. The expectation of lower prices in the spot market is hardly felt by the consumers,” said LKI President Victor Dimagiba when sought for comment.

LKI also observed that consumers continue to shoulder the inefficiencies of the industry, such as added costs of universal charges, missionary electrification fees, sys-

tem losses and stranded costs and debts of the National Power Corp.

The group also noted the lack of consumer participation in the regulatory and governing boards.

Debate: Change through legislation or not?

AS such, LKI called on lawmakers to “overhaul” Epira, which was enacted on June 8, 2001, and took effect June 26 the same year.

Another consumer group, Murang Kuryente, also urged lawmakers to amend Epira. “We believe Epira should be amended in a way that would prioritize consumers and that we, including the government, should no longer be at the mercy of private companies,’’ said the group’s spokesman Gerry Arances.

The energy chief disagreed.

While Cusi recognized the prerogative of lawmakers to amend the law, he cited other ways to improve Epira and make it more effective.

“We don’t need to amend the law. There are things not properly defined but these can be corrected through the issuance of a circular or IRR [implementing rules and regulations],” said Cusi.

For the private sector, the law that restructured the energy sector is working and has benefited consumers in so many ways.

In the view of Meralco, Epira had a major influence on the power industry in the past two decades.

One key takeaway from Epira and its impact is accessibility to electricity, said Meralco Assistant Vice President and head of Public Information Office-Corporate Communications Joe Zaldarriaga.

“Before Epira, only 76 percent of families had access to electricity [NSO 2000]. The figure went up to 91.1 percent in 2015, up by 15 percentage points. Epira has vastly

improved reliability, quality and affordability of electric supply,” said Zaldarriaga in a text message.

Meralco also noted that Epira resulted in a better supply situation, noting that the number of cases and of households experiencing power outages dropped dramatically. Moreover, the country has been experiencing lower electricity prices since Epira was passed, added Zaldarriaga.

Power players weigh in

ABOITIZ Power Corp. Chief Operating Officer Emmanuel Rubio said the success of Epira could be measured in three things: “Did it increase capacity? Did it bring the prices of power down?

Did it usher in competition for better value and services to open access customers?” he said in a reply sent via e-mail.

Rubio said that from 2011 to 2018, generation capacity in the country grew by some 60 percent from 13,380 MW in 2011 to 21,423 MW in 2016. The industry expects to generate 5,000 MW more in 2020.

In terms of electricity cost, prices in the spot market have gone down from P6.43/kWh in 2010 to around P3.62/kWh in 2018.

Competition has also helped bring down prices. Rubio said there are now around 15 major players in the power industry competing for customers and offering the most competitive prices and the best services to contestable customers.

“The power industry still faces a lot of challenges. But capacity is up, prices to contestable [customers] are going down, and competition is intense,” Rubio added.

Under RCOA, so-called contestables or consumers of more than 750 kW can choose their electricity supplier.

Eighteen years after, Epira has indeed reformed the complicated and troubleridden Philippine power sector, but industry leaders, experts and players all agree on one thing: much, much more remains to be done.

“Looking at these three things, then Epira is working. And it must be allowed to continue working— maintain a competitive environment so we can bring in more capacity and fully implement open access to further bring down prices,” said Rubio.

Eric Francia, president of AC Energy Inc., the power arm of conglomerate Ayala Corp., also observed that Epira has attracted strong privatesector participation and resulted in significant investments in the power sector. Also, the implementation of RCOA in the last six years or so has helped lower the cost of power for contestable customers, albeit limited to large users.

Francia said that in order for consumers to reap Epira’s benefits, the law must be fully implemented.

“Consumers will only realize the full benefits of Epira when RCOA is implemented all the way to the household level. This is long overdue and hopefully will be addressed soon,” he said.

Aboitiz Power President and Chief Executive Officer Erramon Aboitiz also said industry leaders must focus on Epira’s full implementation. “Full implementation, that’s what we must focus on.

RCOA and privatizing the remaining power assets,” he said in an interview.

Semirara Mining and Power Corp. Chairman Isidro Consunji noted that the power assets sold to the private sector are “now more productive under private hands.”

So far, the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp.

(PSALM) has privatized 31 powergeneration assets. PSALM is the agency tasked to manage stateowned power assets under Epira.

Alcantara-led Alsons Power Group said privatization has relieved the government of the burden of providing for new generating and transmission capacity, thereby freeing up scarce public funds for use in perhaps the social and developmental needs of the country.

“For the most part, Epira accomplished its objective of privatizing much of the power industry,” said company vice president for project development Joseph Nocos in a text message.

Urgent concern

EIGHTEEN years after, Nocos said now could be the time to streamline the implementation of the provisions of the law toward expediting and rationalizing the expansion of generation capacities. “With power reserves in Luzon thinning out to less than 2 percent, this has become rather urgent at this time,” he said.

Senator Gatchalian said it is never too late to prepare for the summer months when supply is expected to become tight again.

When Congress resumes, Gatchalian said supporting bills could be introduced to further improve Epira to address pressing concerns on additional capacity, delays on policy implementation, among others.

“We may need to attract newer generating technology. Aside from

TIBOR BALOG NAGY | DREAMSTIME.COM

Continued from a1

reliability, we also have to look at the aspect of sustainability, so we will start off with that,” he said.

He also said the Senate energy committee will follow up on the deliverables of the ERC and the DOE in terms of putting accountability of the generators. “We also want to talk about following up on the deliverables of ERC and DOE in terms of putting accountability of generators. We will do it when we convene. They are moving but we want to put that in hearing because we do not want to wait for summer again,” said Gatchalian.

Competitive selection

THE committee will look into the competitive selection process (CSP), which requires distribution utilities and electric cooperatives to undertake competitive bidding to secure power supply agreements (PSAs) with generation companies.

“We want to also have hearing exclusive on CSP because CSP was also part of the accountability mechanism of the generators.

What Epira didn’t cover is CSP. Still, 80 percent of the power contracts are sourced bilaterally and only 20 percent from the spot market. CSP has a consumer aspect that we want to make sure that the consumers are benefiting from this CSP,” he said.

Eighteen years after, Epira has indeed reformed the complicated and trouble-ridden Philippine power sector, but industry leaders, experts and players all agree on one thing: much, much more remains to be done.

China’s brightest graduates find high-paying jobs harder to land Continued from a1

include career guidance. Wang said she hasn’t seen this happen in the past five years.

In June, the employment subindex of China’s official purchasing managers’ index fell to the lowest level since 2009 in the manufacturing sector, and to the worst since early 2016 in non-manufacturing. The nation established a group headed by a vice premier in May that aims to boost jobs for college graduates and encourage them to go to local regions, join the military or start a business.

Managing expectations

NEW job seekers are lowering their sights as the uncertain economic backdrop exacerbates downsizing in some sectors like the technology industry, which has started to cut costs as China’s long-running tech boom shows signs of weakening. That could put many Gen Z college students in a similar position as millennials who graduated

‘C

hina’s job market will continue to see downward pressure next year as the country’s economy keeps slowing down and the China-US trade war is unlikely to end before the 2020 US presidential election. Finance jobs might improve next year as the financial industry keeps opening up, tech firms could potentially see more headwinds.”—Qian during the US recession—risking a lifelong impact on their earning potential and careers prospects.

Wang Jinglong, who studied computer science at Tsinghua, said the job market is more competitive this year. Still, the decision by some to sit this year out reflects an optimism that the worst will

pass. China’s labor market supply is shrinking every year, and fallout from the trade war has peaked, said Business Big Data’s Chief Economist Chen Qin. “The job market next year largely depends on external factors, mainly the trade war,” Chen said. “I think it will rebound a bit.”

Editor: Angel R. Calso

The World BusinessMirror

Huawei to US: Lift export restrictions S H E N Z H E N , C h i n a —T h e chairman of Huawei says the Chinese tech g iant has yet to see any benefit from President Donald J. Trump’s promise to allow US companies to sell some components to the company and called on Washington to remove it from a security black list.

Liang Hua said Friday the “unjust and unfair” decision to add Huawei, the big gest maker of net-

work equ ipment used by phone companies, to a list that restricts ex ports is hurting its US suppliers and global customers.

Trump promised last month to allow some sales to Huawei but said it stays on the “entity list.”

Liang told a news conference, “So far we haven’t seen any tangible change.” He says “our stance is that the entity list should be lifted completely.” AP

Hong Kong protesters march with mock coffin of city leader

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ONG KONG—A small group of protesters has paraded around Hong Kong government headquarters with a mock coffin of city leader Carrie Lam. The march on Friday marks the one-month anniversary of the start of major protests sparked by Lam’s proposal to change the extradition laws to allow suspects to be sent to mainland China to face trial.

Lam has declared the legislation

“dead” but protesters want her government to withdraw the bill formally, among other demands.

P rot e s t l e a d e r L e u n g Kw okhung says Lam should apologize and step dow n.

The two dozen marchers were mostly older veteran protesters, in contrast to the students and other young people who have been at the center of the past month’s demonstrations. AP

Saturday, July 13, 2019

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Singapore’s shock contraction sends warning for world trade A

N unexpected contraction in Singapore’s economy in the second quarter sent a warning shot to the world economy as simmering trade tensions wilt business confidence and activity.

Gross domestic product (GDP) in the export-reliant city state shrank an annualized 3.4 percent in the quarter from the first three months of the year, the biggest decline since 2012. That was worse than the 0.5-percent expansion forecast in a Bloomberg survey of economists and followed growth of 3.8 percent in the first quarter.

Like South Korea’s economy­—which already contracted in the first quarter­— Singapore is often held up as a bellwether for global demand given its heavy reliance on foreign trade. The bad data comes ahead of China trade figures later Friday and quarterly GDP numbers on Monday, which will likely show a clear weakening in the economy.

“Singapore is the canary in the coal mine, being very open and sensitive to trade,” said Chua Hak Bin, an economist at Maybank Kim Eng Research Pte. in Singapore. The data “points

to the risk of a deepening slowdown for the rest of Asia.”

Across Asia and Europe, factory activity shrank in June while the US showed only a meager economic expansion. Asia is the world’s growth engine and contributes more than 60 percent of global GDP, according to the International Monetary Fund.

Rob Subbaraman, head of global macro research and cohead of global markets research at Nomura Holdings Inc., concurred, saying the “large downside GDP miss does not bode well for the rest of Asia.”

Singapore’s complicated integration in regional and global supply chains makes it vulnerable to a slowdown in world growth and tariff wars.

Exports have already taken a big hit over the past few months, with shipments plunging in May by the most since early 2013.

“I thought the numbers would be bad, but this is ugly,” Chua said. “The whiff of a technical recession is real.

We thought it might be shallow, but the risk now is that it might be deeper.”

Compared with a year ago, Sin-

gapore’s GDP growth slowed to 0.1 percent in the second quarter, lower than the 1.1 percent median estimate in a Bloomberg survey. The Ministry of Trade’s figures are advanced estimates based on the first two months’ data, and will likely be revised when the final estimates are published next month.

The Singapore dollar fell as much as 0.1 percent to 1.3588 against the US dollar after the data.

Aside from trade tensions, a cooling technology boom is weighing on the outlook. About 40 percent of Singapore’s exports are integrated circuits alone, according to Tuuli McCully, head of Asia-Pacific economics at Scotiabank in Singapore.

“The downturn in the global semiconductor sector is reflected in Singapore more than in most countries in the region,” McCully said.

The slump wasn’t restricted to Singapore’s export sector only. While manufacturing contracted an annualized 6 percent in the second quarter from the previous three months, construction plunged 7.6 percent,

reversing a 13.3-percent expansion in the first quarter. The services industry shrank 1.5 percent in the second quarter.

That weakness may prompt the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the nation’s central bank, to keep policy unchanged in October or possibly ease.

The MAS uses the exchange rate as its main tool and left policy settings steady in April.

“If by October there is a recession and the US-China trade war still fails to find a resolution, the MAS would probably have to ease policy,” Chua said.

The government sees the economy expanding 1.5 percent to 2.5 percent this year, compared with 3.1 percent in 2018. Officials are set to revise that projection in August, Minister for Trade & Industry Chan Chun Sing told Parliament this week, adding that Singapore was “well-placed to weather the storm” given its sound economic fundamentals, strong fiscal position, and progress in restructuring the economy. Bloomberg News

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PhilFoodex reiterates call T to liberalize sugar industry

USAID program supports PHL’s reform initiatives to boost trade and investment

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HE president of the Philippine Food Processors and Exporters Organization Inc. (PhilFoodex) has strongly refuted statements made by the Confederation of Sugar Producers Association Inc. (Confed) against liberalizing sugar imports, while he also called for “winwin solutions” to the situation.

PhilFoodex President Roberto C. Amores in a recent letter to Confed Spokesman Raymond Montinola addressed statements made earlier by the latter and

published in local media that there was no need to deregulate the sugar industry as the domestic price of the commodity was stable.

Food processors, especially the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), have been requesting to be allowed to import 50 percent of their total requirement of sugar, saying the high cost of domestic sugar is killing the industry while benefiting foreign competitors.

Supporting the call for deregulation are Alegria Sibal-Limjoco, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis Jr., president of the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. The organizations said opening up the sugar import market, as was done in the rice industry, would reduce the commodity’s domestic price and boost competitiveness of the food processing sector.

On the claim by Confed’s

Montinola that sugar prices are stable, Amores said that while news reports said “mill-gate sugar prices have not increased drastically in the past months,” he pointed out that these are nonetheless still at levels that are higher than those of sugar exporters from other Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

He also asked what guarantee local sugar millers could provide to keep the price of sugar stable enough to enable longer-term planning by sugar-based food processors, and what they could do to ensure that volume is sufficient to meet domestic and export requirements.

“If there is a better choice, be assured that we would rather buy from domestic sources than import,” said Amores. “However,

we can only take this position if this supports our objective of increasing competitiveness for our sector to survive, flourish, and provide jobs and livelihood.”

Amores also vehemently denied Montinola’s declaration that in the past imported sugar was being sold in the domestic market, which is, technically, sugar smuggling.

“We guarantee that members of our organizations are not engaged in such illegal activities,” he said.

He added that safety nets have been proposed by the three organizations to ensure against smuggling. One of these is that imported sugar will only be used as inputs in local food processors’ production and not for retail or wholesale trade. Another is that the organizations will police their ranks to ensure compliance with the guidelines to be set for this purpose.

Amores also noted how the positive impact of the Sugar Industry Development Act fund, which was supposed to help modernize the industry, has yet to be felt. “[Local] sugar farmers have reportedly remained to be among the poorest, and productivity of sugar farms still pales in comparison with those in other Asean countries. The volume and prices of their sugar outputs are proofs supporting this claim.”

Referring to a study done by Dr. Rolando Dy, he said this showed that the Philippines lags behind its Asean neighbors in farm productivity, especially in sugarcane production where “the Philippines had the lowest yield and one of the two countries with yield decline.”

On the issue of Thai sugar being much cheaper because of government subsidy, Amores said it is a situation that Philippine exporters and their stakeholders stand to benefit from. “This is already a globalized economy where production chains can be developed across borders to facilitate the most cost advantage to stakeholders,” he said.

Amores concluded with a call for “some win-win solutions for the benefit of both our stakeholders.” Philexport News and Features

HE Philippine Ex porters Confederation Inc. (Philexport) has signed a cooperative agreement to implement a program supporting government reform initiatives that enhance market competition, boost trade and investment and promote inclusive growth.

The five-year Regulatory Reform Support Program for National Development (Respond) shall extend technical assistance to the project partners in implementing programs and pursuing policies that will improve the regulatory quality in the Philippines.

The program, which was awarded by the United States Agency for International Development to the University of the Philippines Public Administration Research and Extension Services Foundation Inc., would also promote citizen engagement and advocacy.

Project partners, including Philexport, and UPPAF Respond shall jointly plan, develop and implement annual work programs pertaining to the technical assistance and collaborate on programs that will support the fulfillment of the targets and goals of the government and the project.

These include goals and objectives of Ambisyon Natin 2040, the long-term vision and aspirations of the Filipino people for themselves and for the country; the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022; and the 0-10 Socioeconomic Agenda of the Duterte administration.

Goals of Ambisyon Natin 2040 can be achieved by having competitive enterprises through the improvement of market linkages, simplification of government procedures and facilitating access to finance.

The PDP, the blueprint for the countr y’s development, aims to foster an enabling and supportive economic environment that contributes to inclusive growth by leveling the playing field through a National Competition Policy. The third point of the Socioeconomic Agenda of the Duterte administration meanwhile, is to increase competitiveness and ease of doing business while pursuing the relaxation of the Constitutional restrictions on foreign ownership in order to attract foreign direct investment.

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Editor: Efleda P. Campos • Saturday, July 13, 2019 A5

Angara eyes 100% hike in social pension for seniors

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OR most individuals, hitting the age of 60 means enjoying the rest of your life, free from work and stress. But not everyone is so lucky.

Citing a study by the Coalition of Services of the Elderly, Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara noted more than half of the country’s

senior citizens do not receive any form of pension, a reality he said is sad but not hopeless.

“They took care of us when we

were young, made several sacrifices to provide for our needs and when they reach their twilight years, many are left to fend for themselves,” Angara said.

“They have retired, if they have small savings, it’s not enough for their daily expenses, excluding checkup and medicines they need to buy,” he added.

At present, indigent senior citizens are provided with a social pen-

sion amounting to P500 per month or P6,000 a year.

Making good on his campaign promise, Angara filed Senate Bill 133 that would amend the Expanded Senior Citizen’s Act of 2010, to increase the social pension granted to senior citizens by 100 percent or P12,000 a year.

The bill also widens the coverage to include senior citizens

who do not receive any form of pension.

“A review of the social pension system will be done every two years after the effectivity of the law with the intent of raising the monthly stipend as necessary,” Angara said.

“We have to take into account factors such as inflation in reviewing the social pension of our senior citizens,” said Angara, while adding

that the coverage of the program can also be expanded further to include those who are receiving below basic pension.

Angara, whose father, former Senate President Edgardo Angara, was the author of the Senior Citizen’s Act of 1992 or the Angara law, was one of the authors of the Republic Act 9994, the Expanded Senior Citizen’s Act of 2010.

6 ‘ELDERLY’ ARTISTS IN A MONTHLONG EXHIBIT IN BAGUIO

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AGUIO CITY—Six “aging” artists from this city mounted another monthlong exhibit on Wednesday at the Fred’s Gallery in Barangay Greenwater here.

Noted Baguio artists Roland Bayan, Fredi Agunoy and Salvador Cabrera are joined by Mario M. Calub, Camilo Santiago and newcomer Carlos Oseo in the Emerging Figure, an exhibit “that will continue for a month.”

The 64-year-old Bay-an leads the exhibit with his series of Ibaloy women on display as the veteran artist traces his local roots anew in the exhibit with his friends and painters they fondly call the “Salonpas” artists.

“Salonpas because we are a bit veteran and usually need that band to battle aching joints or muscles,” said Bay-an, the oldest of the original three that include Agunoy.

Agunoy, an architect, dabbles

in sculpture with his works also on display at his family-owned Fred’s Apartelle where the gallery and the exhibit are staged.

Agunoy was recently with the Dingalan Artists Guild in Dingalan, Aurora, where they staged a festival at his farm in the said town that is now the arts group’s village.

He is also into pintula, a funny lyrical painting, some of which he puts on display in the Emerging Figure exhibit. Among his works on display is Isda ni Juan which is coupled with some verses that include this: “Tatay ko wag kang magalit/Sa kapirasong isda at pusit/Sa dagat na maalat/Aking nalambat [roughly translated: Father don’t get mad/With the few fish and squid/From the salty sea/I netted].”

“I use to do that in college and I have more than a hundred of it. It is only now that I try to come back to

it,” said the youngest of the original three, who is not yet in his 60s.

Cabrera is a nephew of national artist Benedicto Cabrera and his works reflect the Cabrera style which his father Salvador Sr. started and made popular by the national artist.

The octogenarian Santiago is a retired police general who only comes to Baguio to paint with his Salonpas friends. The youngest member is Calub, another architect who teaches at the Saint Louis University School of Architecture.

“I was just a hanger-on and lucky enough if I get to buy a Bay-an work at a very, very friendly price,” said Calub, who last year succumbed to the lure of brush and paints and the proddings of Bay-an and Cabrera.

“Now I paint in my spare time and with these guys,” said the mind-50ish architect. PNA

GRANDMA’S SURPRISE VISITORS Suzanne June and her younger brother, Nonie, surprisingly pay Lola Jovita a visit at the family’s ancestral

home in Magsaysay Village, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya. The 91-year-old grandma is extremely happy to see her grandchildren during their free time.

CEASAR M. PERANTE

BusinessMi

Saturday, July 13, 2019 | Editor: Jun Lomibao

A6

THE pack rides during the fifth stage over 175.5 kilometers with the start in Saint-Die-Des-Vosges and finish in Colmar. AP

THE Obernai Cathedral is a picturesque backdrop in Stage 5. AP

THE 106TH TOUR DE FRANCE IS ON!

A FIELD of sunflowers adds beauty to the race in Stage 4. AP

Air bags on road furniture help prevent serious injury

A

CRASH into some road furniture in the middle of the course on Stage 4 of the Tour de France from Pierre-Luc Perishon (Cofidis) could have been much worse, had it not been for an air bag placed by race organizers in front of a low road sign.

Perichon was mid-pack when the peloton approached the dangers, the first of which had a flagman whistling the alert. But as the peloton began to close again, there was a second median.

Despite a CCC Team rider pointing out the obstacle, Perichon missed the signal and ran straight into the air bag, tumbling headfirst onto the island behind it.

Similar incidents in the past have led to grievous injury: Peter Stetina (TrekSegafredo) suffered a fractured tibia

and patella and Sergio Pardilla a head and shoulder injury when they hit an unprotected bollard in the final kilometer of the 2015 Tour of the Basque Country.

The next year, Steven Kruijswijk hit a similarly unprotected post in the finale of Stage 5 of the Vuelta a España, breaking his collarbone and abandoning the race.

The incidents led the riders’ association (CPA) to call for increased safety plan and the UCI to institute new recommendations for course design and movement in the convoy.

The on-board video posted by Velon is one of the first to demonstrate the effectiveness of safety measures. Perichon finished the stage 46 seconds down on winner Elia Viviani. Cyclingnews

ARMSTRONG: WE DID WHAT WE HAD LANCE ARMSTRONG: I’d have won the Tour de France if everyone was clean.

L

ANCE ARMSTRONG says he and his teams would have won the Tour de France multiple times if the entire peloton was riding clean during his now-stripped reign of seven victories from 1999 through 2005.

In a wide-ranging interview with NBC Sports as part of the network’s 2019 Tour de France coverage, journalist Mike Tirico interviewed the 47-year-old whose seven Tour de France victories were taken away after the US Anti-Doping Agency’s investigation and 2012 “Reasoned Decision” detailing Armstrong’s guilt.

Although Armstrong told Tirico his decision to dope

was a mistake, he also said he wouldn’t change a thing in his career, and he was proud of the efforts he and his teams put into the Tour preparation outside of their use of performance-enhancing drugs.

“What I wish would have happened, I wish kids from Plano and Glenwood Springs, Colorado, and Brooklyn and Montana, as young Americans, if we’d have gone to Europe and everybody was fighting with their fists, we still win,” he said. “I promise you that.

“What did we say? We said we worked the hardest, had the best tactics, best team composition, best director, best equipment, best technology, recon the courses. All the things we said, we did. We left out a part, but we did all that stuff.

Because now this one thing is part of the story doesn’t erase all that. All that happened,” Armstrong said. “If you just had this one thing and did none of that, you get last.”

When Tirico asked Armstrong to recall why he and many of his US cohorts decided to use performance-enhancing drugs, the Texan said it was their belief that they needed to dope to compete in Europe.

“That wasn’t just a feeling, that was a fact,” he said. “I don’t want

Yates: Anything can happen in first week of the Tour de France M ITCHELTON-SCOTT’S pedigree in the team time trial was a double-edged sword for Adam Yates in Stage 2 of the Tour de France in Brussels.

The strength of men like Luke Durbridge and Matteo Trentin offered a robust insurance policy against the kind of losses incurred by AG2R La Mondiale or Movistar, but the Briton had to make sure he reached the finish line in their company. Easier said than done.

In the beginning, I sat on a little bit just to make sure that I could go to the finish,” Yates said afterward.

“We’ve got some strong guys on the team and they were pulling some real big turns. If I’m pulling turn for turn with these guys, I’m going to go out the arse pretty quick.”

11th place on the stage was hardly in line with Mitchelton-Scott’s heritage in the discipline—they won the team time trial in Nice in 2013 and placed fourth in Cholet a year ago—but the Australian squad’s podium ambitions are centered on the final Sunday in July rather than the first. In the

grand scheme of things, Yates made par on the stage, finishing roughly in the middle of the pack of pre-race favorites.

Yates conceded 41 seconds to stage winners JumboVisma, but he limited his losses on the Ineos squad of Geraint Thomas and Egan Bernal to 21 seconds. The Briton also lost a handful of seconds to Rigoberto Uran (EF Education First), Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida) and Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ), but he picked up 24 seconds on Movistar duo Nairo Quintana and Mikel Landa, and 38 on Romain Bardet (AG2R La Mondiale).

“We did a good ride but I’m not quite sure on all the splits yet so once we get back to the bus or the hotel, we can have a sit down and take it from there,” Yates said. “It’s good to get through in one piece. We didn’t lose a chunk of time. OK, we lost a little bit but like I keep saying, we’ll just take it day by day.”

Mitchelton-Scott were down to the minimum of four riders at the finish after Jack Haig swung off on the run-in, and Yates crossed the line in the company of

Trentin, Durbridge and Daryl Impey. His brother Simon, meanwhile, lost contact with a shade over 11 kilometer to go and came in more than three minutes down, confirming for once and for all that he is here to act as a deluxe domestique rather than serve as a coleader.

“I think for all teams it’s a stressful day. It’s not easy getting all eight guys coordinated and ready to go. But throughout the years I’ve been on this team we’ve done a good job of that,” said Adam Yates.

Sunday’s collective effort, where Jumbo-Visma won with a blistering average speed of 57.2kph, was, by definition, a unique test on this Tour. The time gained and lost counts on the general classification, of course, but it was impossible to extrapolate too much about the form of individual GC contenders from their performances.

“It was too fast for that, I guess. It’s still early in the race, only Stage 2,” Yates said as he stood outside a Mitchelton-Scott van past the finish line. “But I’d say as a team, we can be happy with that. Yeah, we’d

have liked to have won and taken some time out of our rivals, but it is what it is.”

Yates arrived at this Tour buoyed a fine campaign to this date, seemingly recovered from the illness that forced him out of the Critérium du Dauphiné on the final stage, and with ambitions of improving on his fourth place overall of 2016.

Two days in, Yates is now in 51st place, 51 seconds down on maillot jaune Mike Teunissen (Jumbo-Visma), 21 behind Bernal and Thomas, and nine behind Pinot.

The team time trial has given some definition to the general classification, but the image will remain relatively pixelated until the first summit finish at La Planche des Belles Filles on Thursday.

“Anything can happen in the first week—you can crash and lose a minute pretty easily—but I think once we get to the first mountain stage and we get that out of the way, then we’ll start seeing the picture more,” Yates said.

Cyclingnews

to make excuses for myself that everybody did it or we never could have won without it. Those are all true, but the buck stops with me.

I’m the one who made the decision to do what I did, and it was...I didn’t want to go home, man. I was gonna stay.

“I told you earlier, I don’t lay down. And it was the wrong decision, but laying down would have been giving up, going home.

“I knew there were going to be knives at this fight, not just fists. I knew there would be knives. I had knives, and then one day, people start showing up with guns. That’s when you say, ‘Do I either fly back to Plano, Texas, and not know what you’re going to do? Or do you walk over to the gun store?’ I walked to the gun store. I didn’t want to go home.

Armstrong pushed back against claims that he was the ring leader who cajoled others into doping.

“There are a few things that are just not true about the story,” he said. “I mean, there’s a lot true, but this idea that myself or anybody forced or mandated or encouraged anybody else to cross that line, just isn’t true. It’s not true. Absolutely not true.

“We did what we had to do to win. It wasn’t legal. It probably wasn’t the best decision, but look, we wouldn’t have won had we not. But I wouldn’t change a thing. I’ve said that

irror CYCLING

mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph | Saturday, July 13, 2019

VICTORY OF PANACHE

By Samuel Petrequin

C

The Associated Press

OLMAR, France—In an era where riders are becoming slaves to power meters, earpieces and all sorts of technological gadgets, Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe is bringing a much-needed dose of flair into the Tour de France.

With his juvenile looks and aggressive style of racing, the 27-year-old took the Tour de France’s lead by storm earlier this week with a brilliant attack on a tough climb that left his rivals stranded.

The move earned him the yellow jersey and made him the new national hero.

“It was the victory of panache,” said Deceuninck Quick Step Team Manager Patrick Lefevere after his protége became the first Frenchman in five years to seize the coveted tunic.

Alaphilippe is enjoying a fast-growing popularity. In every small village crossed by the peloton, fans are shouting his name when they catch a glimpse of the yellow tunic, and large groups of excited supporters surround his team bus at the start and finish of each stage.

“I’m not riding my bike to be popular, but of course all this support will help me get beyond my limits in the coming days,” Alaphilippe said.

An all-rounder who thrives on sharp and short climbs, Alaphilippe has not come from nowhere. With his devastating attacks, he posted two stage wins and won the best climber’s polka-dot jersey last summer on JULIAN ALAPHILIPPE: I’m not riding my bike to be popular, but of course all this support will help me get beyond my limits in the coming days. AP

How far can Alaphilippe go in Tour de France lead?

S

THE Bora Hansgrohe team strains during the team time trial Stage 2. AP

D TO DO TO WIN three times. I would not change a thing,” Armstrong said, pausing briefly between each word for emphasis.

“Most of my memories, my fondest memories—yeah, I could pick a few race highlights—but boy, I can tell you about the eighthour day in the Pyrenees previewing Haute de Com in the pouring rain—pffft—the best,” he said, tearing up as he spoke.

Armstrong also revealed his first encounters with performanceenhancing drugs, a line he said he first crossed in 1991.

“I think I do,” Armstrong said when Tirico asked if he remembered his first experience. “There are gateway drugs that maybe they weren’t banned, certainly weren’t detectable or tested for. The easiest way to think about it is, if you think it’s going to help you, even if it’s not detectable or banned, then you’ve crossed the line.

“It was probably ‘91, maybe, at an Italian stage race. And again, it’s hard to differentiate, because I believe we weren’t given anything banned, but the doctor walked in—and I was in the lead of the race, and I wanted to win the race—and he walked in and I said, ‘Give me everything in the bag.’ And he just laughed.

“But it was just probably some form of cortizone or,” Armstrong said and then trailed off, failing to finish his thought. “But the first time I took a legitimately banned substance was ‘93.”

TAGE 5 of the Tour de France was a case of another day down and another in the yellow jersey for Julian Alaphilippe (DeceuninckQuickStep).

After wearing the maillot jaune from Reims in the north to Colmar at the German border, two days in yellow makes him now the secondlongest tenured Frenchman in the jersey since 2001.

He’ll have some way to go to match Thomas Voeckler though, lying 18 days behind the nowretired ex-Direct Énergie rider. For now, the goal is to keep it as long as possible—Voeckler thinks Alaphilippe can do it and hang until Pay on Stage 13. Reigning Tour champion Geraint Thomas (Team Ineos) has said that he’ll still be in the race lead after Wednesday’s stage to La Planche des Belle Filles, at least.

That day, Wednesday, is the immediate obstacle. A travail through the Vosges mountains will see the peloton tackle three first-category climbs including the summit finish, plus two each in the second and third category. Endure that, and it looks likely that Alaphilippe can wear yellow until the rest day in Albi.

Opinion is split about his prospects on Stage 6, but the man himself offered no opinion, aside from acknowledging the tough task that lies ahead.

“I’m just so happy to keep the yellow jersey,” said Alaphilippe after Stage 5. “It was a nice day. It’s no secret that it will hurt more than usual. I will do everything to keep the jersey tomorrow.”

The yellow jersey famously carries two features along with it. First of all, there’s the “power of the jersey,” an unquantifiable force which has seen the likes of Voeckler hold on to the race lead for much longer than expected.

With Alaphilippe enjoying a phenomenal season so far—wins, from Strade Bianche to San Remo, the Dauphiné and more, have been acquired almost with ease—it’s certainly hard to rule him out of drawing on all of his strength to hang with the GC riders. But the second feature of the jersey

Dumoulin’s knee injury more serious than otherwise thought

T

HE knee injury that forced Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) to miss the Tour de France is more serious than previously thought.

A new MRI scan at the academic hospital in Maastricht revealed a tear in a tendon in Dumoulin’s knee, a result of a crash during the Giro d’Italia. The diagnosis means a longer rehabilitation for the Dutchman.

“As we all know Tom crashed hard in the Giro and the impact caused several different injuries to his bone, tendon, cartilage and soft tissue within his knee,” said Team Sunweb physician Anko Boelens.

“We closely monitored the injuries via MRI scans and step by step, together with Tom, determined the optimum between rest, training and treatment. At the moment, the tendon is the limiting factor. For the last three weeks the focus on making it to the Tour de France has been shifted to a focus on full recovery and

A7

that will continue to be the case in the next period.”

After Dumoulin’s crash during Stage 4 of the Giro d’Italia, it was thought the rehabilitation would take only a few weeks of rest. Dumoulin started the Criterium du Dauphine and made it as far as Stage 6 before abandoning the race.

Doctors then found that there was still a small piece of asphault inside Dumoulin’s knee and surgically removed it, closing the wound with 10 stitches. Dumoulin was en route to an altitude training camp to prepare for the Tour de France when he turned around, knowing that the Tour was not feasible.

Rumors began to circulate that Dumoulin would try to break his contract with Sunweb over the team’s management of his injury, but the rider quashed the speculation, saying a change of teams was out of the question. Cyclingnews

is one that only hinders him—the tiring obligations that come along with it.

“Yes, I am a bit [tired],” Alaphilippe said in the poststage press conference. “I’m used, since the beginning of the year, to have a lot of controls and interviews. During races, we try to make the most of every minute to recover.

“It’s not easy, but it’s part of racing. What I experience during the Tour de France made me respect riders like Froome and Grand Tour winners even more. Now I realize how much energy it takes outside of the race to be in the

lead of the race.”

After finishing, the race leader is obligated to take to the podium, talk to television and radio reporters, undergo a doping control, and then give a press conference. It makes a long day even longer, but it comes with the jersey, and the experience of leading the race isn’t one to give up just to enjoy a quieter post-race, Alaphilippe said.

“Even if it takes some energy, it’s a wonderful experience. It’s something really difficult to describe, all the people cheering for me.” Cyclingnews

the Tour. This year, he has been phenomenal during the first part of the season, posting victories at Milan-San Remo, the Fleche Wallonne and Strade Bianche.

But more than his successes, it’s his style of racing that makes him so exciting in a country which has been waiting for a homegrown Tour winner since cycling great Bernard Hinault last won it in 1985.

“He makes us dream,” Hinault said. “He does not hesitate, does not ask himself too many questions. This is his main asset, because win or lose, he always attacks.”

Alaphilippe can also be a zealous teammate. During Tuesday’s stage won by teammate Elia Viviani, he took part in the leadout train that set up the Italian sprinter instead of staying sheltered in the pack.

“People like the yellow jersey and the way I’m racing, but they also like panache and victories,” Alaphilippe said.

“Victory is in me. I could not be happy with second places.

And I could not be happy if I wore this yellow jersey without style.”

Alaphilippe’s bold temperament and instinctive way of racing are going against modern cycling’s strategies embodied by defending champion Geraint Thomas’s Ineos team. Rebranded after a change of sponsor, the former Team Sky has been the dominant squad in recent years with very efficient attrition tactics that lacked the drama and romanticism Tour fans crave.

Team Sky riders including four-time champion Chris Froome often relied on power meter data when tackling climbs, a technology that many believe is encouraging competitors to cycle cautiously.

“I’m sure Alaphilippe does not spend his day looking at his watts,” AG2R Team Manager Vincent Lavenu told The Associated Press. “Not at all. He is very instinctive. He is an artist on the bike. Sometimes he makes mistakes, bing, bang, boom, not mastering his emotions and going all over the place, but that’s also what makes him strong.”

Nobody can say whether Alaphilippe will be able to win the Tour in the future. For now, he is too limited in high mountains and in time trials, but with a change of approach to his training many pundits believe he could have a shot at the general classification in a near future.

That ambition would however require a complete different way of racing, and more conservative tactics.

“I pedal in present times,” he said. “Of course, it pleases me to be part of these riders who don’t make calculations, who race in an old-fashioned style. I love to attack and make unpredictable moves. You could see a lot of that in the 1970’s and 80’s. Much less today.”

Sports BusinessMirror

A8 Saturday, July 13, 2019

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

GO for Gold head Jeremy Go (left) and James White, head of sales of Apac (Fiba Marketing), seal the deal.

ANGELO QUE marks his return to the local circuit by winning at Southwoods with a flourish. ROY DOMINGO

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

BusinessMirror

Saturday, July 13, 2019 A9

HERE’S WHAT A TRULY PRIVATE MESSAGING APP SHOULD LET YOU DO

Is shopping and spending using e-wallet services more fun?

PRIMETIME

DINNA CHAN VASQUEZ @dinnachanvasquez luckydinna@gmail.com

I

WAS in Shanghai, China, recently for a workrelated trip and I wasn’t really surprised to discover that they’re practically a cashless society.

I had to buy two lipsticks from a posh department store but they wouldn’t take cash so I had to “borrow” our tour guide’s Alipay, a third party and online mobile payment system that’s affiliated with Alibaba.

Our tour guide, on the night we arrived, told us that mobile payment apps like Alipay and WeChat Pay are the best ways to navigate around Shanghai’s vast retail world.

Of course, markets and smaller establishments still take cash, and even Visa and Mastercard credit cards. From what I saw and experienced, cashless spending is more convenient because you just need

to whip out your phone to pay for stuff; we’re always on our phones anyway. However, I’m worried about machines breaking down, which may not happen often but could still occur.

These apps, also known as e-wallet services, were found to be the favorites among users in a 2018 survey conducted by the Hong Kong Productivity Council in terms of brand awareness. Other popular e-wallet services in China included Apple Pay and PayMe. Launched in 2016, WeChat Pay is an electronic wallet inside the chat app WeChat. Users can top up or load their account via designated banks. You cannot reload or load your account using Visa or Mastercard credit cards.

WeChat Pay can be used for peer-to-peer money transfers, cross-border payments, buying coach and ferry tickets, and shopping, of course.

I remember when a friend’s son was in China on a school trip and he ran out of cash twice. What my friend did was ask a family friend to send her son money via WeChat and she just paid him. WeChat Pay users can transfer funds to other WeChat Pay users in China, the Philippines and Indonesia.

There are stores in the Philippines, at SM Mall of Asia specifically, that accept WeChat Pay. Alipay, which has over 1 billion active users, recently added beauty filters to its facial recognition feature in response to a clamor by users who said the machines

made them look uglier than on a regular camera.

In the Philippines, cashless shopping just got a boost with FREE P50 from GCash, when you load GoSAKTO90.

Subscribe to GoSAKTO90 and get a P50 QR voucher that you can use in more than 50,000 GCash partner merchants for all your needs, whether it’s grocery, medicines or personal shopping.

To get your free P50 QR voucher, just purchase GoSAKTO90 from GCash or any loading channels, and you will receive a prompt from 8080.

Reply “GOSAKTO90 GCASH” to choose the GCash freebie and claim your voucher on the voucher pocket of the GCash App. Use your P50 QR voucher within 14 days, and keep loading GoSAKTO90 to stock up on freebies. You can also get 5 percent rebate every time you buy load using your GCash app. You can do this every week.

For non-GCash subscribers, download the GCash app, register and find the voucher on the voucher pocket. GoSAKTO90 + Free P50 Voucher can also be accessed by dialing *143# and selecting GoSAKTO90 or by texting GOSAKTO90 to 8080.

This is open to all Globe Prepaid and TM subscribers. The P50 freebie is also available when you subscribe to GoSAKTO120 and up, or GoSURF/ EasySURF299 and up. More information is available at www.gcash.com/promos. ■

Fintech receives $1.2-M capital infusion from Filipino MFIs

BY RIZAL RAOUL S. REYES SINGAPORE-BASED Asenso Tech Pte. Ltd. recently received a $1.2-million capital infusion to accelerate the growth of micro entrepreneurs throughout Southeast Asia.

Philippine-based microfinance organization CARD MRI and Talino Venture Labs provided the funding focused on building InclusionTech to address underserved markets.

“In Southeast Asia, 64 million MSMEs account for 97.2 percent of employment in the region. In the Philippines, MSMEs comprise 99.6 percent of all registered Philippine businesses and provide 70 percent of the nation’s employment. Operating independently, they have limited access to capital, no buying power, no leverage to negotiate with suppliers and manufacturers, and severely limited distribution and marketing reach,” said Winston Damarillo, cofounder of Asenso and chief executive officer of Talino Venture Labs in a press statement.

Founded as an end-to-end business accelerator for Asian MSMEs, Damarillo said Asenso is expected to build an integrated platform leveraging new technologies that will enable micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to have access to fair capital, supply chain, marketplace, and loyalty and rewards systems.

“Technology has gotten to a degree of ubiquity that it can now be leveraged as a platform to level the playing field and allow micro businesses to compete with giants.”

“We are harnessing technology precisely to serve the broadest base of people. Our measures of success will be: lowering the cost to serve this market, leveling the playing field for micro players, and

improving the lives and the economic stature of micro entrepreneurs,” added Damarillo.

Based on the network of clients with CARD MRI, Asenso’s aims to create an efficient link and an integrated supply chain between MSMEs—especially the local sari-sari stores (community-based “mom and pop” stores)—and consumer packaged goods manufacturers. As of June 30, CARD MRI recorded over 6.36 million clients with loans, a $514-million loan portfolio, and a 99.55-percent repayment rate.

As an end-to-end micro business accelerator, Asenso supports MSMEs across the supply chain and stimulates their growth through what it calls

its four pillars: Puhunan, sustainable capital through low-cost, fair and frictionless microfinancing; Paninda, an aggregated demand marketplace that lowers the cost of goods for MSMEs; Suki, a loyalty program to reward frequent MSME customers; and Likha, a marketplace to help community entrepreneurs expand their reach.

As a tech-driven company, Asenso incorporates credit scoring powered by artificial intelligence (AI), chatbot-assisted loan applications, neuro-linguistic programming to support local languages, frictionless loan approvals, cashless e-wallets and a data-driven online marketplace.

JUST a week after Facebook’s popular messaging app WhatsApp’s hacking fiasco, another data leak scandal, this time involving Instagram, hit the news.

A massive database containing private information of over 49 million users including high-profile celebrities, influencers and brands was discovered online and anyone could access it even without a password.

With security breaches constantly making headlines these days, people have become so much more concerned about online privacy, and the dangers of data hacking and identity theft. The world marked Internet Safety Month last June, and online security is at the top of everyone’s mind. In a poll conducted recently by Viber Philippines, people were asked to rate their concern for cyber safety from a scale of one to five. Seventy-five percent responded with a five, saying that they only use safe and encrypted apps.

This goes to show that Filipinos value their online security now more than ever.

It’s fitting, then, to put together a list of security features you need in your messaging app to ensure your online privacy and security.

KEEP THINGS ON THE DOWN LOW. Messaging apps should provide users with a Secret Chat feature, which allows you to set a self-destruct timer for every message you send. You’ll also be alerted whenever someone takes a screenshot of your chat, allowing you to keep tabs on your data.

SAY GOODBYE TO UNWANTED COMPANY. An option to block people you don’t want to receive messages or calls from and add you to any group, like a Block Messages feature, is handy for easily blocking unknown numbers or people who send you annoying, spam messages or calls.

SAFEGUARD YOURSELF AGAINST IMPOSTORS. For an added level of security, make sure that your messaging app has the Trusted Contacts feature, which lets you verify the identity of the person you are chatting with right in your chat info screen. You can authenticate that the person you’re chatting with is who they say they are. Plus, you’ll also be notified in case your friends change their contact details.

PROTECT YOUR MESSAGES FROM PRYING EYES. End-to-end encryption is the holy grail of a secure messaging app. Choose a chat app with end-to-end encryption by default, not just as a special feature, so only you and the people you’re communicating with will be able to read your messages. With end-to-end encryption, your conversations are guarded against falling into the wrong hands, since it translates the message you send into a coded message until your intended recipient gets it. It’s also of utmost importance to choose apps that don’t store your data without permission. These apps keep valuable information like your contacts and your communication patterns without you knowing.

Another item to tick off for messaging apps? Being able to lock your account on the desktop. You can’t help but be away from y0ur desk throughout the day, so choose a chat app that allows you to set up a lock code or auto-lock your screen to prevent others from accessing your account or reading your messages whenever you aren’t at your computer.

While many social-networking sites and messaging apps have intensified privacy measures to give users peace of mind, it’s still important to note which security features can protect you from the prying eyes of hackers and corporations.

As one of the country’s top communications apps, Viber prioritizes its users’ data privacy worldwide with a 360-degree security system that includes, but is not limited to, end-to-end encryption, delete messages, block messages, and trusted contacts features to allow everyone to connect safely and securely.

As we connect and build strong relationships with our friends and family, Viber continues to find better and safer ways for us to communicate every day, providing powerful features that protect our privacy and security.

BusinessMirror

A10 Saturday, July 13, 2019

www.businessmirror.com.ph

SURGE, a 90W Max Power, four-USB power station

AEREO, the 3 in 1 fast wireless charging pad

Dress up your devices W

BY PAULINE JOY M. GUTIERREZ

Charge 3.0 USB ports for simultaneous charging of devices at full speed.

HEN handheld consumer electronics took over the world, it also brought about a demand for accessories, add-ons and other tech-fueled thingamajigs—from selfie toasters, smart jackets and almost every novelty gizmo imaginable.

Uniq, a Singaporean company that manufactures and design tech and travel accessories, doesn’t care about any of that because to them, there are only two things that make a good gadget companion: simplicity and functionality.

They also believe that they make the right combination of both. Muted colors, subtle textures and meticulous attention to detail define the brand’s range of products. Already available across Asian and European countries, it recently expanded its retail operations in the Philippines through Macpower Marketing Corp., its exclusive distributor in the country.

“We’re still currently looking at how the domestic market will receive [our brand] by trying to understand their interests,” Andy Wong, Uniq cofounder, told BUSINESSMIRROR at F1 Hotel in Taguig, where a wealth of Uniq gadget accessories were on display for the media call.

Eagerly assuming the role of sales representative, he pointed at the range of items they currently carry in their flagship kiosk at SM City North Edsa.

CHARGING CLEAN design meets practicality in the form of Aereo, a wireless charging pad bundled with QC 3.0

/

CABLES

INTENTIONALLY created to look sleek and uncluttered, the Halo smart cable organizer’s slender and featherweight size makes a perfect for on-the-go Lightning and USB-C cable charging.

The Flex Lightning cable, meanwhile, supports 18W Power Delivery to charge iPhones at the fastest speed available: up to 60 percent in 30 minutes.

Uniq advertises this as an ultra-durable cable with military-grade material and Xtreme360 Strain Relief design for flexibility, completed with a slim charging tip that fits most cases.

CASES

ANDY WONG, Uniq cofounder and managing director

fast charger. It allows streamlined charging of an iPhone, Airpods and an Apple Watch simultaneously on one single platform. Vertex, a wireless charger from the LITHOS Collective, sports a simple folding mechanism and three-coil design which allows easy flat-lay and upright charging.

Surge, a 90W Max Power, four-USB power station, is equipped with two USB-C PD ports and two Quick

THE Terra AirPod cases are crafted with full-grain quality leather that comes with a bottom cutout for charging ease. iPad users, on the other hand, can get full functionality out of their devices with the Transforma Rigor Air cases, which are designed to even fit the iPad Air 2019 and the iPad Pro 10.5.

For iPhones, there’s the Element Series cases, made with refined natural materials such as fine cement; Clarion, clear cases engineered with Edge-to-Edge Co-Mould Technology with PC coverage on the sides for maximum shock-and-drop protection; and the Frost Xtreme line, ultra-slim bezel cases made with flexible luxe material.

“Our products are purposefully designed to close the gap between you and your essentials—they are personal accompaniments tailored to integrate quietly and exquisitely with your lifestyle,” said Wong. ■

Flagship itel smartphone launched

THE itel P33 Plus

A RELIABLE global mobile phone brand, Itel has unveiled its latest Power series smartphone: the itel P33 Plus.

At the launch event, themed “My Power, My Hero,” the brand looked back on its achievements and also announced the launch of its official online flagship store on Lazada.

The new flagship itel P33 Plus smartphone is equipped with 5000mAh battery. Based on laboratory tests, this allows the P33 Plus 100 hours of normal use, 39 hours of continual 3G phone calls and 685 hours on standby.

The AI Power Master helps to control power consumption to maximize battery use and avoid frequent charging.

Furthermore, the power saving mode intelligently adjusts phone performance (wireless local area network, Bluetooth, data, display brightness) and background apps to extend battery life by 35 percent at most.

The ROM of P33 Plus has been expanded from 8GB to 16GB, a 140-percent increase from the last generation. With the optimized Android Oreo (Go edition) OS and preinstalled apps, P33 Plus has more than 12GB of storage for photos, videos and apps.

The P33 Plus delivers a fuller and better visual experience with a 6.0” IPS Full Screen display, providing an easier and more immersive way to watch films and play games.

Additionally, it comes with face unlock and fingerprint sensor to secure your privacy and quickly access your favorite apps. Compared to the last generation, its fingerprint quick access functions have been upgraded from 5 functions to 8.

The P33 Plus is equipped with an 8MP dual rear camera for capturing clearer photos, while its 8MP selfie camera is decked with a four-in-one big pixel technology to help take clearer and brighter selfies in various lighting conditions. Portrait mode allows users to take artistic portraits with bokeh effects, and the customized Face Beauty V2.0 enhances the user face.

Itel P33 Plus comes in Gradation Blue, Deep Blue and Champagne Gold. It’s now available across the Philippine market and the Lazada Flagship Store with a budget-friendly price of P3,499.

Itel also offers a one-year warranty and a 100-day replacement for all its products.

More information is available at www.itel-mobile.com/ph.

MEET THE GARMIN INSTINCT: A GPS WATCH BUILT TOUGH FOR THE OUTDOORS

GARMIN International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd., has launched Instinct, a strong and durable GPS watch with builtin 3-axis compass and barometric altimeter plus multiple global navigation satellite systems (GPS, Glonass and Galileo) support and wrist-based heart-rate monitor.

In addition to key GPS data, ABC and heart-rate sensors, Instinct includes built-in sports apps, smart connectivity and wellness data.

“We are thrilled to add Instinct to our adventure watch lineup, an approachable smartwatch that is rugged and reliable,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of global consumer sales. “Instinct is perfect for those who spend their time outdoors and demand a device built tough to stand up in the elements.”

The Instinct is a reliable tool built to endure challenging environments. It is constructed to military standards (MILSTD-810G) for thermal, shock and water resistance (rated to 100 meters) with a fiber reinforced polymer case. It’s built with a chemically strengthened and scratch-resistant display that’s easy to read, especially in direct sunlight. Plus, the fully vented silicone bands include two independent, removable keeper loops to ensure a secure fit.

While in the field, feel confident exploring off the beaten path thanks to the Instinct, which features multiple GNSS satellite networks to help track a users location in more challenging environments than with just GPS alone. Before venturing out, use the Garmin Explore app to plan the trip in advance and when it’s time to head back to camp, the TracBack feature on the watch can navigate the same route back to the original starting point.

With built-in wrist-based heart-rate monitor, users can monitor daily activity, stress, sleep and other wellness data.

Whether camping, on a training run or going through dayto-day activities, Instinct keeps track of heart rate, steps taken, distance traveled, calories burned and more. Hiking, running, biking, swimming, kayaking and skiing are just a few of the activities supported on the device. Through heart-rate variability, the Instinct can track stress levels, allowing the user to be more aware of when physical or emotional sources may cause stress levels to rise.

When paired with a compatible smartphone, Instinct users can leave their phone packed away and protected while they receive smart notifications like texts, e-mails and other alerts right on the wrist. Instinct is compatible with Garmin Connect, an online fitness community where users can track workouts, sleep patterns, such as how much time spent in light, deep and REM cycles, and even compete in virtual fitness challenges.

The Instinct will also be compatible with other Garmin devices, including inReach Mini, VIRB action cameras and dog tracking devices. Send and receive inReach Mini satellite communication messages, declare an SOS, control the VIRB start and stop function, and get dog status updates and alerts for viewing at a glance on the watch.

With a battery life of up to 14 days in smartwatch mode, Instinct is the latest solution from Garmin’s expanding outdoor segment (www.garmin.com/outdoors) which focuses on developing technologies and innovations to enhance users’ outdoor experiences.

Abra offers Filipinos chance to invest in US stocks using cryptocurrencies

BY RODERICK L. ABAD Contributor CALIFORNIA-BASED investment mobile application Abra has launched a new feature allowing users in over 150 countries, including the Philippines, to invest in fractional shares of popular stocks and Exchange Traded Funds in the United States (US) using bitcoins.

Abra started here and in the US three years ago.

Initially, it’s an app for investing in cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Etherium, Ripple, etc.), and now in stocks listed in Nasdaq.

“We just rolled up the stock investing feature a couple of weeks ago. This is the first time that an app like this has made it super easy for anyone in the Philippines to be able to invest in the US shares, and also invest in what we call ‘fractions of shares’ at the same time,” Abra CEO and Founder Bill Barhydt told reporters during their recent news

briefing in Makati City.

He cited that the micro-investment they offer works in such a way that if the share price of Apple, for instance, is $200 apiece, Abra users can actually purchase it for $5 each, the minimum amount of investment per stock. “[This is] what we call ‘fractional share’ investing because it enables people to not actually have to buy a whole share. They can actually just buy a piece of a share. That’s something our early users in the Philippines are taking advantage of,” he explained.

From the app’s current 600,000 registered users globally, about 20 percent or 120,000 of them are from the Philippines. Half of them are depositing traditional currencies, like pesos, and the other half are depositing Bitcoins.

“It’s by far the biggest market for Abra outside of the United States,” Barhydt said. “That is because of the functionality we built that’s specific to the

Philippines.” While most of the Abra users here have been investing in crytocurrencies—being the app’s first offering—the top executive bared that stock trading is “already starting to take off, as well.”

In fact, he cited that Tesla is the most popular stock among local traders in the app at present. Volumewise, he noted that they buy shares at $50 to $100 on the average.

Abra users can get dividends payable in dollars though the app’s cash balance. They can encash it through Tambunting pawnshop and Unionbank.

Bullish on their business prospects here, Barhydt expects that their userbase in the country will double sooner and 80 percent of them will be trading stocks using their app.

“The size of cryptocurrency community here has really grown significantly in the last two years.

We’re just amazed how steadily the crypto investing community using Abra in the Philippines keeps

growing,” he said.

“What’s interesting is we’re also getting a halo effect from people who are finding out about the stocks and are now using Abra using cryptocurrencies, as well,” he added. While at the moment Abra just offers US stocks, the company is also keen to open it to other four big equity markets in Europe, the United Kingdom, China and Hong Kong.

“We have to cover those first and then, we will start adding others over time,” the CEO and founder said, while noting their openness to also offer Philippinelisted stocks if the demand warrants.

“A lot of our users are interested in investing in things that other people don’t have access to because they can get upsize investment returns. That’s why they’re rich in Bitcoin, Ripple and Etherium because they’re not looking at Abra as a place to make 2 percent of their money. They’re looking to make bigger bets,” he stressed.

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Apps help visually impaired navigate airport

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BY KRISTEN DE GROOT The Associated Press

AVIGATING airports can be tricky.

They’re loud, crowded and not always laid out intuitively. They’re even more challenging for visually impaired people.

Chieko Asakawa knows those challenges firsthand, and she has also devised a remedy.

Asakawa has been blind since she was 14 and is now an IBM Fellow and a professor in Carnegie Mellon University’s Robotics Institute.

Last spring, she and other researchers at Carnegie Mellon launched a navigation app for Pittsburgh International Airport that provides turn-by-turn audio instructions to users on how to get to their destination, be it a departure gate, restaurant or restroom. Pittsburgh is one of a growing number of airports around the globe to provide wayfinding apps.

The Pittsburgh app, called NavCog, was first used at the Carnegie Mellon campus and works almost like an indoor GPS. “Independence is very important,” she said.

“Technology has been helping us to be more independent and this is one of the examples. We still have a lot of challenges, but we will keep working to make it easier.”

Typically, visually impaired travelers arrive at the Pittsburgh airport and request an escort, Asakawa said, but escorts aren’t available until passengers check in. So they must reach the counter on their own.

The escort brings passengers to their gate and leaves, she said. For Asakawa, if she wanted a coffee, or if the flight was delayed, it was very difficult to manage, and very often she’d just be stranded at the gate. With NavCog, she can get up and find the gift shop or coffee shop or even just wander around a bit, she said.

The app is up and running and free to download. It works with the help of hundreds of Bluetooth beacons installed inside the airport to wirelessly communicate a user’s location.

Users put in where they are going; for example, Gate A3. The app gives users audio instructions like “walk 20 feet and turn left” and gets them to their destination. The app lets users know what stores they might be passing, giving them a better sense of their surroundings, and shopping options.

It relies on a map of the terminal that has been annotated with the locations of restrooms, restaurants, gates, entrances and ticketing counters.

Ten legally blind people tested the app using an iPhone 8, traversing the terminal’s large open spaces, escalators and moving walkways with few errors.

Most users were able to reach the ticketing counter in three minutes, traverse the terminal in about six minutes, go from the gate to a restroom in a minute and go from the gate to a restaurant in about four minutes, the researchers said.

Carnegie Mellon and the airport have partnered in developing new systems and technologies for enhancing traveler experiences and airport operations. The technology is tested at the university’s

CHIEKO ASAKAWA using the airport wayfinding app to help her and her team at Carnegie Mellon University navigate through Pittsburgh International Airside terminal before boarding a flight to Japan. AP

on-site lab at the airport.

“Part of our commitment to the public includes making sure our airport works for everyone, particularly as we modernize our facility for the future,” said airport CEO Christina Cassotis.

The city is building a new airport terminal, slated to open in 2023, and incorporating the latest technology is a top priority, she said.

Dozens of airports, including Philadelphia International, offer free use of a service called Aira, where users connect with an “agent” either by using glasses equipped with a camera or through a smartphone app that accesses the user’s camera.

Agents look at the footage and help relay what they see to the user, getting them where they need to go.

The service is typically subscription-based and can be used at home or at work, but participating airports pay the fees for users on site.

Louisville International in Kentucky installed an app similar to NavCog in 2017, created by the

American Printing House for the Blind, a company that develops products for the visually impaired.

Brian Charlson, with the American Council of the Blind, has been involved in wayfinding for over 30 years and has seen a number of airports and train stations try different technological approaches to make their spaces easier to navigate for the visually impaired. The NavCog app, he said, is a useful mashup of systems he’s seen over the years.

He cautions, though, that the blind population is older and has a high unemployment rate, so many don’t have access to smartphones, meaning such apps might be inaccessible.

Having options is always beneficial for the visually impaired, said John McInerney, interim CEO of the Pennsylvania Association for the Blind.

“The apps can be very helpful,” McInerney said.

“The whole idea is that you would not have to depend on a person to help you. But even today, that’s still a pretty good option.” ■

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FRANCE MOVES TO MAKE COMPANIES BLOCK HATE SPEECH ONLINE PARIS—French lawmakers have approved a measure that is intended to force search engines and social networks to take hate speech off the Internet.

The measure adopted on Thursday by the lower house of the French parliament would require social networks to remove hate speech within 24 hours of a confirmed violation. Search engines would have to stop referencing the content, as well.

The provision, part of a bill on Internet regulation, targets videos or messages inciting or glorifying terrorism, hate, violence, or racist or religious abuse.

Violators could face hefty fines.

It prompted heated discussion in the National Assembly over how to define hate speech.

French President Emmanuel Macron proposed such a law earlier this year amid an uptick in antisemitic incidents in France and concerns about increasing extremist language online. AP

JARDINE LAUNCHES OFFICIAL LAZADA STORE

JARDINE Distribution Inc. joins the digital age of selling when it officially launched its JDI Lazada Online Store (bit. ly/2G4qoEU).

“At JDI, we always see disruption and digital technology as opportunities for us to grow and become better. One of these opportunities is the availability of online market places.

We are very excited to launch our official JDI store in Lazada as it brings us closer to our customers and clients. Our mission is to care for the Filipino homes and the launch of our Lazada store makes it more convenient for our customers to avail themselves of our products,” said Peachy Tiu, assistant vice president for Construction Supplies.

JDI officially launched the online store both to its employees and customers on June 17, with special promotional offers for its Solignum wood preservative, BASF waterproofing products, Woodshine polish and other construction and home pest products.

“We are very happy with the outcome and acceptance of the market to our online store, as we see our followers and sales continue to increase from the time we officially launched it. We are optimistic that, with the high-quality products we offer for the construction and home-care segments, it will get better through time,” shared Jazzcer Macabanti, JDI brand assistant and in-charge of digital sales.

Tablet market gets new options from Samsung CONSUMER electronics giant Samsung launched its newest line of Galaxy tablets for today’s passionate go-getters.

Because of their lifestyle, consumers have found ways to entertain themselves whether they’re on the road, in between meetings or during their downtime.

For these individuals, having the right device to keep them productive will help them find creative inspiration whenever, wherever.

The Galaxy Tab A with S Pen comes with an embedded S Pen to help creators bring their ideas to life. It is designed as the ultimate on-the-go productivity tool as they can sketch, write and take notes even while they’re commuting.

The tablet also offers an optimal viewing experience with its 8” screen with a narrow bezel, so streaming content becomes a cinematic experience with bright, crisp and vibrant details. Its 4,200mAh battery means they won’t

have to worry about losing battery while binge-watching their favorite series.

Meanwhile, the Galaxy Tab S5e is the slimmest, lightest tablet in its class, weighing at 400 gram and measuring 5.5-millimeter thin. During transit, creators can stream their favorite movies and TV shows with the tablet’s 10.5-inch Super AMOLED display. This allows for stunning color reproduction and a vivid display, immersing viewers in their favorite titles. It is complemented by a quad speaker system by acoustic specialist AKG and Dolby Atmos’ surround sound to offer a rich and true-to-life audio experience.

Power will not be an issue no matter how bad the traffic, as the quickcharging 7,040mAh battery life means they can enjoy up to 15 hours of viewing in the backseat.

Last, the Galaxy Tab A 10.1 offers a premium viewing experience without

having to pay a premium. It comes with a 10.1-inch WUXGA display allowing for stunning color reproduction and optimal screen brightness. The Dolby Atmos 3D surround sound means viewers are fully immersed in the movie or TV show they are watching. Its thin and compact design, wrapped in a sleek metal unibody, makes it easy to carry and comfortable to use anytime.

Traffic or delays won’t be so bad with its 6,150mAh battery.

Even better, Samsung has partnered with Netflix to deliver thousands of hours of content to fuel their creativity when writing, directing, or sketching.

Now, they can watch movies and TV shows on the go, allowing them to be entertained and inspired.

The devices are now available at any Samsung Authorized store nationwide.

More information is available www. samsung.com/ph.

THE newly unveiled Samsung Galaxy Tab A with S Pen (left), Tab S5e (right) and Tab A 10.1 are specially crafted for creators so they can live inspired wherever they are.

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

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HOW CAR CONNECTIVITY ENHANCES ON-ROAD SAFETY AND CONVENIENCE OVER the past three decades, the spread of the Internet has radically changed the world and everything it touches, including the automotive industry. Vehicle network connectivity features have changed the way we live, work and drive. Connected cars today have the power of 20 PCs and contain more than 100 million lines of code that can process up to 25 gigabytes of data per hour, and it is estimated that by 2021, there will be more than 380 million connected vehicles on the road.

A connected car is a vehicle that is connected to the Internet via a mobile data stream. This allows the car to connect and “talk” to other devices, such as smartphones, inside and outside the vehicle.

Technology is already being tested that enables connected cars to communicate with other vehicles on the road, like ambulances, as well as with infrastructure, like traffic lights, helping drivers avoid accidents, traffic jams and other slow-downs.

Connected cars are part of a bigger technology trend called the Internet of Things, which is the connection of everyday devices via the Internet.

These smart devices are everywhere, from refrigerators that can tell people when they’re running low on milk and automatically order for more, to mirrors that can give weather and news updates while people brush their teeth.

“Connectivity has been a key enabler for automakers like Ford to offer greater level of comfort, convenience and safety to car owners,” said Linus Mattson, Infotainment Supervisor of Ford Asia Pacific. “As the technology progresses, we can expect a future with an all-encompassing ecosystem of interconnected devices and infrastructure that interact with each other in a way that will change the world.”

Among the most common features in connected cars today are infotainment systems, which essentially transform cars into “smartphones on wheels” and allow drivers to seamlessly extend their digital lives onto the road.

Products like the Ford Sync 3 voice-activated system enables users to control a vehicle’s navigation, audio and climate features, as well as send text messages and make phone calls, all without taking their eyes off the road and hands off the wheel.

This not only helps to prevent distracted driving, but also transforms commutes into a productive experience. Instead of wasting time sitting in traffic on the way to work, customers can safely check and reply to messages, join a conference call or listen to audiobooks.

Connectivity features can also help save time and money. Many navigation systems can check realtime traffic conditions and suggest an alternate route to avoid traffic or bad weather, resulting in shorter journey times and more efficient driving.

Improved safety for drivers and passengers is the most important benefit of connected cars. Vehicle connectivity features today have evolved significantly and are enabling semi-autonomous capabilities in vehicles, such as adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking (AEB) and lane-keeping assistance. Many people are starting to look for these features in their cars and trucks as they realize the game-changing benefits of these technologies.

For example, vehicles equipped with Ford’s Lane Keeping System use a camera mounted behind the rear-view mirror to monitor road lane markings and detect unintentional drifting outside of a lane. When the camera detects the vehicle drifting, the system is designed to either alert the driver via the instrument cluster display or take control of the steering wheel and gently steer the vehicle back into its lane.

As the future of connected cars progresses along the inevitable path toward fully autonomous vehicles, we can benefit today from the amazing developments that are taking place, making the driving experience safer, more productive and efficient and, of course, so much more enjoyable.

When deepfakes become too real TECHNIVORE ED UY

whereiseduy@gmail.com

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T can be useful to movies, like the de-ageing of Robert Downey Jr. in Captain America: Civil War; or in bringing back actors from the dead like Carrie Fisher to finish their roles. It can also be harmlessly funny like those Nicolas Cage movie memes, or that Jennifer Lawrence and Steve Buscemi face-swap video. But when you see a video of former US President Barack Obama calling President Donald J. Trump a “complete and utter dipshit”; or Kim Kardashian admitting she feels “blessed” because she “genuinely loves the process of manipulating people online for money;” or Mark Zuckerberg “revealing” the truth about Facebook and owning the future,” you know things are getting not only disturbing but also problematic.

Of course the Obama, Kardashian and Zuckerberg videos are not real and were manipulated to make it look as if they were the ones saying those things, but to the untrained eye and the billions of people who believe that everything on Facebook is true, these types of manipulated videos can very well be the next evolution of “fake news.”

They are called “deepfakes”—video forgeries that make people appear to be doing or saying things they never did. The people are real, the faces are real, but the events and dialogues are bogus. Just as Photoshop made doctoring images a breeze, deepfake software has made these kinds of manipulated videos not only very accessible but also harder and harder to detect as fake.

Unsurprisingly, deepfakes actually began in the porn industry—because of a thriving online market for superimposing celebrity faces on porn actors’ bodies. But it has also made victims of others who aren’t even celebrities, and end up as one of the “scandals” you find on those porn sites.

And while the “porn videos” of these Hollywood celebrities are obviously fake, there are deepfake videos that could easily pass off as real news when shared and reposted on social media. Think about this: How bad does something have to be that Reddit and Pornhub both found a reason to ban it.

The scary part of these creations is how easy they are to make, but are inherently hard to detect as the technology used to create them is trained in part with the same algorithms that distinguish fake content from real. And chances are, unless you’ve painstakingly kept your photos and videos off the Internet, a deepfake starring you can be made today.

You might have even unknowingly made one yourself.

Remember those face-swap apps? I’m pretty sure you tried it with a child/baby or your significant other, and found it too funny you just had to share it to the world. But don’t worry, I highly doubt it will be a global threat in the near future.

Sandra Wachter, a professor in the law and ethics of AI at the Oxford Internet Institute, said, “Any tech developing so quickly could have unforeseen and unintended consequences.” It’s not that fake videos or misinformation are new, but things are changing so fast, she says, that it’s challenging our ability to keep up. “The sophisticated way in which fake information can be created, how fast it can be created, and how endlessly it can be disseminated is on a different level. In the past, I could have spread lies, but my range was limited.”

The good thing is that people are now aware that these deepfakes do exist and we can be more vigilant before they can be used to spread panic or ruin reputations. On the other hand, these videos could also be used as an excuse to deny the reality of something real.

And here we are always talking of how technology has made our lives a lot easier. Makes you wish for the good old times, when photographs told the truth and there was no reason to manipulate videos except for “camera tricks”.

STILL THE FASTEST INTERNET PLDT and Smart Communications continue to set the pace for Internet services in the Philippines, posting the country’s fastest fixed and mobile data speeds for the first half of 2019, according to Ookla. According to the Ookla report, PLDT achieved a Speed Score of

20.44, with top download speeds of 51.36 Mbps and top upload speeds of 54.22 Mbps. The fixed network award is based on 25,169,867 customer-initiated Speedtest nationwide for the same period.

On the other hand, Smart achieved a Speed Score of 17.07, with average download speeds of 19.33 Mbps and average upload speeds of 9.16 Mbps. The mobile award is based on 1,857,286 consumer-initiated tests taken with Speedtest on LTE-capable devices in the Philippines. Speed Score is a measure that takes into account both upload and download speeds.

These latest figures are improvements from the Q3-Q4 2018 scores, when Smart posted a Speed Score of 15.57 and PLDT achieved a speed score of 18.57.

PLDT and Smart have also widened their respective leads over their competitors in terms of Speed Scores. For instance, from a gap of between 7.3 and 9.2 in Q3-Q4 2018, PLDT now leads over its competitors by as much as 8.7 to 10. Smart, on the other hand, widened its lead from 5.5 to 7.

Drilling down, initial data also showed PLDT posting big leads in key cities like Quezon City, Cebu City and Pasig, whereas Smart’s Speed Score was more than double that of competition in Quezon City, Makati and Manila.

For mobile, Speed Score incorporates a measure of each provider’s download and upload speed to rank network speed performance. Tests used to calculate the Speed Score exclusively come from ‘modern devices,’ which are devices capable of connecting to the market’s fastest, generally available technology.

For fixed, Ookla assesses the best network speeds attained across a given network, accounting for tests that are taken on various Speedtest applications that connect to a fixed network, including tests taken on mobile phones over a Wi-Fi connection. Each top carrier accounts for at least 3 percent of the sample size in the geographic area.

PLDT’s total fiber-optic cable network footprint is now at over 259,000 kilometers, while its fiberpowered fixed line broadband network has now passed 6.7 million homes as of end-March.

Of LTE sites nationwide, 71 percent have already been upgraded to LTE-A, which means each cell site has multiple LTE base stations activated. In the first quarter of 2019 alone, Smart deployed an additional 1,700 LTE base stations across its sites nationwide, raising the LTE base station count to around 18,000. ■

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If you have any information / objection to the above mentioned application/s, please communicate with the Regional Director thru Employment Promotion and Workers Welfare (EPWW) Division with Telephone No. 400-6011.

ATTY. SARAH BUENA S. MIRASOL REGIONAL DIRECTOR