BusinessMirror March 28, 2019

SoKor helps PHL address growth constraints

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

I broader look » b4-b5

Manila port congestion exacts heavy toll on Customs

DEPT. OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY

2018 BANTOG DATA MEDIA AWARDS CHAMPION

T is said that the “toughest steel is forged in the hottest fire.” The same is true for the strong bilateral relationship between Korea and the Philippines, which fought side by side during the Korean War. The Philippines was the first Asian country to respond to the call of the United Nations Security Council to deploy forces to the Korean Peninsula during Korea’s hour of need.

The government sent the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea composed of five Battalion Combat Teams.

Between 1950 and 1955, some 7,420 Filipino soldiers served in the Korean War. Around 112 men were killed and 299 others were wounded. And to this day, 16 men are still considered missing in action.

The Republic of Korea rose from the ashes left by the Korean War to become one of the world’s highly

industrialized countries. It would have been easy for the ROK to move on and let go of the past. But it has honored its friendships and treasured its allies like the Philippines.

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Thursday, March 28, 2019 Vol. 14 No. 169

El Niño farm damage doubles to ₧2.68B E

By Cai U. Ordinario

@caiordinario

L Niño has cost the agriculture sector an estimated P2.68 billion—double the earlier P1.3 billion reported by the Department of Agriculture—and forced 16 areas to declare a state of calamity, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Wednesday.

Based on the report, the largest damage was in rice, worth P1.45 billion or more than half of the total damage reported.

In terms of the affected regions, the hardest hit was Region 12 or Soccsksargen, where

a g r ic u lt u re d a m a ge reac hed P808.67 billion.

“An estimated P2.68 billion worth of damages to agriculture were reported in Regions Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Region 5, Region 6, Region 8, Region 12, and

BARMM [Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao],” NDRRMC said. “Figures are subject to verification and validation of the Department of Agriculture.”

In response, t he Nationa l

₧1.45B Damage to rice from El Niño, accounting for more than half of total damage

Korea’s industrial success: ‘Getting the prices wrong’ Rene E. Ofreneo

LABOREM EXERCENS

I

Economic and Development Authority (Neda) formulated a Roadmap for Addressing the Impact of El Niño (RAIN), similar to the one it created in 2015.

T he road map foc used on measures that aim to mitigate the impact of El Niño in food security, energy security, health and safety.

“Under food security, it targets the issue of reduced food production together with increasing food

N the recent multisectoral RTD on Hanjin sponsored by the UP Center for Integrative Development Studies and the Freedom from Debt Coalition, the question arose: why was the Philippines left behind by South Korea in terms of industrial development?

This question was raised because of the divergent industrialization routes taken by the two countries in the last four decades.

In the early 1960s, the World Bank rated the Philippines as second to Japan in Asia in industrial development. Manufacturing registered a phenomenal annual double-digit growth in the 1950s, a record that the country has failed to duplicate since. By 1961, the share of industry in the national income reached 16 percent. This was a major feat for the newly independent Republic because three centuries of Spanish colonial rule and four decades of American-imposed “free-trade” policy reduced the Philippine colony into an underdeveloped agrarian economy specializing in the production of a few export crops (e.g., sugar, abaca, coconut) and minerals (gold and copper).

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& Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

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USTICE Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra on Tuesday dispelled fears raised by various sectors over the possibility of China taking over the gas-rich Reed Bank in the West Philippine Sea in case the country defaulted on its P3.69-billion loan for the construction of the Chico River Pump Irrigation Project, which was signed in April 2018.

Sen ators, howe ver, voiced misgivings over Malacañang’s move accept ing C h ina f u nding for the Chico River project with patrimonial assets as collateral. Presidential Spokesman and Chief Presidentia l Lega l Counsel Salvador S. Panelo had asserted on Tuesday that the risk of Beijing seizing the Reed Bank is remote, since President Duterte will not declare Reed Bank as a patrimonial asset.

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph G. Recto said “it may be standard for China loans but not with the others.”

Recto, a former chief of the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda), asserted

Govt ‘blind’ to informal workers’ true numbers

“We have already seen the negative effects of this type of arrangement with China in a number of countries where China eventually ended up controlling the resources and critical assets of a country.”— Villanueva

@jrsanjuan1573

that “there are many ways to finance our projects,” adding that he prefers the public-private partnership (PPP) arrangements that bankrolled previous government projects.

“My preferred method is PPP; if the government needs to borrow, then it may borrow with the Asian Development Bank and World Bank. Thereafter it may borrow from Jica [Japan International Cooperation Agency].

The last should be China. If at all,” Recto added.

Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson Sr. also aired apprehension over the terms for availing of loans from China.

“Unless Secretary Panelo was just making an educated guess, something seems wrong with his statement that it is alright to collateralize the nation’s patrimonial assets,” Lacson lamented.

See “Reed Bank,” A2

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Senators wary as DOJ chief eases fears over China and Reed Bank

By Joel R. San Juan

2017 EJAP JOURNALISM AWARDS

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

T RAMPING UP Work is being fast-tracked at the Clark International Airport expansion project to allow it to catch a bigger wave of visitors in a bigger facility. A second runway will be built and eyed for completion by 2020, the Clark International Airport Corporation said. The Bases Conversion and Development Authority said Clark’s new terminal project is seen to open in June 2020, and expected to accommodate more than 6 million passengers. Story on page A2. NONOY LACZA

PHL targets $250-M sales in China trade show

By Elijah Felice E. Rosales

M

@alyasjah

ANILA is banking on the strong demand for Philippine processed food and agricultural products as it sets its sights on doubling sales to nearly $250 million from China’s largest trade show this year.

Trade Secretar y R amon M. Lopez said the Philippines will send 100 local firms to this year’s China International Import Expo

(CIIE). The government has already secured the commitment of over 50 enterprises to participate in the expo.

With over 100 local firms expected to take part in the CIIE, Lopez estimated sales from the trade show to hit nearly $250 million, or double the figures from last year.

“If we can fill the 100 slots, we can double the figures from last year. We can hit above $200 million if we got more than $100 million [the prior year],” Lopez told report-

ers on the sidelines of Franchise Asia Philippines 2019.

Lopez is optimistic participating enterprises will generate the target sales this year, as he said China is encouraging its firms to source their input requirements from other countries to boost import figures and balance its trade sheet.

“China is encouraging importation [of products] to buy from our companies. [The] bottom line [is] at least our firms are really welcome See “Trade show,” A2

HE government continues to struggle in protecting its informal workers as it remains “statistically blind” to their exact numbers.

The Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns (BWSC) lamented the country is currently among the last two member-countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), together with Malaysia, without any formal statistical indicator for informal sector workers.

By next year, BWSC representative Cyrus Policarpio said the Philippines may be the only one left since Malaysia is targeting to include informal sector workers in its statistics in 2020.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) was able to conduct an Informal Sector Survey (ISS) in 2008 specifically to measure the number of informal sector workers.

However, the study, which relied on United Nations funding and used broad sectoral classifications of PSA, was no longer repeated.

PSA typically estimates the number of informal sector workers in the country using data of self-employed workers and unpaid family workers from its regular Labor Force Survey.

See “Informal workers,” A2

n JAPAN 0.4739 n UK 69.2626 n HK 6.6794 n CHINA 7.8076 n SINGAPORE 38.7724 n AUSTRALIA 37.4021 n EU 59.0759 n SAUDI ARABIA 13.9808

Source: BSP (27 March 2019 )

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A2 Thursday, March 28, 2019

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2nd runway to boost capacity of Clark airport

A

By Rea Cu

government will begin planning and construct a second runway in accordance with the Aéroports de Paris Ingénierie (ADPI) master plan. We aim to complete this before the end of the Duterte administration’s term,” Melo said.

Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade confirmed that the

construction of a second runway was discussed on Tuesday night for the Clark International Airport.

“On a generic response, if there are more airplanes, then there are more passengers. What is the impact? There will be a numerical increase in passengers. [The target for 2019 for the Clark International Airport is] 2.5 million for domestic from 1 million before. So you can just imagine the percentage increase, that’s why we really need to put a second runway,” Tugade said.

Melo said the second runway is estimated to span 2 kilometers and will work simultaneously with the first runway of the Clark International Airport, which is seen to double its capacity.

Tugade said the second runway will further address congestion problems.

The Clark International Airport is envisioned to become a viable op-

nize and unify the participating firms. He recalled the delegation last year operated without coordination, which did not bode well for the country.

“This time we will support them [participants] with a booth presentation. In other words, we will have like a Philippine pavilion [at the CIIE]. Last year local firms operated on their own, which did not present a good image,” Lopez said.

The CIIE gathered 172 countries, regions and international organizations, as well as over 3,600 en-

terprises, during its opening run last year, according to the trade show’s web site. It generated a total of $57.83 billion in sales, both in orders and on site procurement.

Total sales of Philippine exhibitors amounted to $124 million, of which $108 million were orders and $16 million were on site purchases.

The total sales went over and above the government target of $50 million. Agricultural products, such as banana, avocado and orange, comprised most of the country’s sales.

We have to guarantee that the Filipino people are not worse off with these loans.”

Sen. Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino said the Philippines is clearly disadvantaged in the China loan deal for the Chico River project. “The Philippines is getting such a raw deal here. I hope they won’t pawn even the country’s natural resources because that’s for the next generations,” Aquino said in Filipino.

Under paragraph 8.1 of the Loan Agreement, the Philippines expressly waived immunity over all its assets except those used properties of Philippine embassies and missions; those under Philippine military control; and those assets for “public or governmental use as distinguished from patrimonial assets and assets dedicated to commercial use.

However, Guevarra said such fear is unfounded considering that the Philippine government is unlikely to default on its obligation as the loan amount is too small.

“I think we’re just really jumping the gun. It seems we are too well ahead of what may happen.

I think we really don’t have much to worry [about],” Guevarra said.

“I don’t think we even have to think about that problem in the future because the intention of the government is to honor all of its loan obligations,” he stressed.

The justice secretary pointed out that the Department of Finance has already given assurances that the country will not default on its loan obligations, and that there is nothing unusual about the loan contract entered into with Beijing.

“It’s something like a template that has been used in so many other loan agreements. So, I guess we are just really worrying too much,” he added.

Still, Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said if the Chico River project is the template for all Chinese loans, then it will pose problems to the country.

“The total loan from China will be from P12 billion to P24 billion. If all loan agreements will follow the Chico River template, that will be a huge problem,” he said in a statement. He advised that future loan agreements do away with arbitration under Chinese arbitration body rules and use of patrimonial assets as collaterals, which are not standard in official development assistance (ODA) loans.

Under the loan agreement, the arbitration will be held in China and will be governed by the rules of the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission or Cietac. “Also, there must be public bidding of the projects, not the present system where China preselects three Chinese contractors, and the Philippines can bid out project only among the three Chinese contractors,” he added.

Guevarra, however, said mechanisms are in place in the loan agreement such as the restructuring of the loan or going through arbitration.

He said even if China wins in the arbitration, enforcing it in the country is not immediate since it needs to be validated by a Philippine court.

@ReaCuBM

SECOND runway will be built for the Clark International Airport, which is being eyed for completion by 2020, the Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) has revealed. It is seen to increase the passenger capacity of the airport.

During the site inspection for the Clark International Airport Expansion Project on Wednesday, CIAC President Jaime Alberto C. Melo revealed that the construction of a second runway is in the works and is targeted for completion within the term of the Duterte administration.

“We announce that the national

Trade show. . .

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there. [The Chinese government] is even the one pushing for this policy.

If [we] can supply, [they] will buy,” the trade chief explained.

The Philippines will be showcasing its processed food and agricultural products in the CIIE this year.

According to Lopez, the government is planning to create a country pavilion at the trade show to orga-

Reed Bank. . .

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“Never theless, he [Panelo] may have a point in saying that reneging on loans is unlikely to happen under our budgeting system because debt service is always one of the three regular features of the annual budget law which is found under Automatic Appropr iations,” t he senator said. He listed the other two as the Regular Budget and Special Purpose Fund.

For his part, Sen. Joel Villanueva cautioned Malacañang against “using patrimonial assets as collateral.”

“We have already seen the negative effects of this type of arrangement with China in a number of countries where China eventually ended up controlling the resources and critical assets of a country,” said Villanueva.

Moreover, he noted that “even the provision on the use of Chinese labor is unfair to us, unconstitutional to say the least. One of the main purposes of infrastructure spending is the creation of jobs for Filipinos. Other international financial institutions are also offering lower interest rates.”

He warned that “we are essentially putting the future generation in a bind when we enter into long-term agreements. Communities will also be displaced by these infra investments.” The senator suggested that the government instead “ensure that the provisions of these agreements are consistent with the Constitution and our existing laws.

Informal workers. . .

As of 2017, the agency estimates the number of self-employed workers nationwide is around 14.3 million, or around 35.1 percent of the 40.83 million work force for that period.

BWSC said the PSA’s use of a “proxy” indicator to measure informal sector workers has significant limitations since it treats all self-employed as members of the informal sector. For international standards, he said, self employed workers are not included in the informal sector if their business is registered with the government.

“Currently, PSA does not make this

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distinction,” Policarpio said. He said the PSA system for informal sector workers also does not aggregate workers from new kinds of sectors like the home-based online workers, and Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVs).

Without any specific statistical indicator for informal sector workers, the PSA, according to Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) Director Dominique R. Tutay, runs the risk of not accurately measuring their numbers.

She stressed the importance of coming up with accurate numbers of informal workers so it could lead to more effective government

programs for them. “This is necessary for policy decisions and programming purposes so that you will be able to determine the actual needs of these type of workers in the labor market, or what type of assistance can the government extend to them,” Tutay said.

BWSC said it already got the go-ahead from Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III to start drafting the recommendation, which they will be submitting to the PSA to finally set a specific indicator in its regular surveys for informal sector workers.

BWSC Director Ma. Karina Perida-Trayvilla said data from the survey will allow them to update the provisions on the proposed bill on the Magna Carta for Workers in the Informal Economy (Macwie).

2.5M Domestic passengers targeted to go through Clark this year with the expanded airport, up from just 1 million before

tion for airport passengers as the government will also construct the Philippine National Railway NorthSouth Commuter Railway project spanning from Manila to Laguna and will be extended to Clark for easier access to the Clark International Airport.

“If you add a facility to an existing facility, that will address congestion; you are now giving the public options. Clark becomes a viable option because in two and a half years you will see a train,” Tugade added.

June 2020 target

MEANWHILE, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said that the Clark International Airport new terminal project is seen to open in June 2020, which is expected to accommodate more than 6 million passengers.

BCDA SVP for business development and operations group Joshua Bingcang said that the new terminal can be expanded further as the Clark international airport project includes five phases.

“This has the capacity to be expanded from 8 million to 16 million and then to reach up to 80 million passengers. And it has room for two more additional runways and three more additional terminals,” Bingcang said.

He said the Clark International Airport Expansion project is already 53-percent completed.

In terms of performance, the Clark International Airport has

recorded 1.3 million domestic passengers in 2018 from 431,000 in 2017, Bingcang reported.

The domestic passenger target for this year is at 2.5 million, and for international passengers, 4 million.

“For this year, we expect more than 500 domestic flights and international flights to [reach] 246,” he added.

In terms of job creation, the expansion project is seen to generate 200,000 direct and indirect jobs, according to Sen. Joel Villanueva, who joined the site inspection.

Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III noted that the Clark International Airport new terminal building is the first hybrid project under the “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program of the Duterte administration.

“We are looking forward to this project’s completion ahead of schedule by mid-2020,” Dominguez said.

Average palay price drops further after Duterte signs rice trade lib law

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

T

@jearcalas

HE average farm-gate price of palay, or unmilled rice, continued to decline weeks after President Duterte signed into law a measure that opened up the local rice industry, according to the latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

PSA data showed that the farmgate price of palay as of the second week of March fell by 3 percent or P0.60 to P19.30 per kilogram, from P19.63 per kg in the second week of February, when the rice trade liberalization law was signed by the President.

The average farm-gate price of unmilled rice has declined for the ninth straight week, according to figures from the PSA. “The average farm-gate price of palay of P19.03 per kg dropped further during the week by 1.91 percent, from previous week’s quotation of P19.40 per kilogram,” the PSA said in its weekly report on

₧19.30 per kilogram

The average farm-gate price of unmilled rice as of the second week of March palay and corn prices, published on Wednesday.

“Similarly, it decreased further by 6.39 percent from the same period of previous year’s level of P20.33 per kg,” it added.

During the reference period of March 6 to 12, the PSA observed the highest farm-gate price of palay in Eastern Visayas at P26 per kg. The lowest was seen in Soccsksargen at P16.85 per kg.

The wholesale and retail prices of both well-milled rice (WMR) and regular-milled rice (RMR) declined on a weekly basis.

“From previous week’s level of P41.11 per kg the average wholesale price of well-milled rice at P40.79

So sue me, Gordon tells bike riders

S

EN.RichardJ.Gordon shrugged off a threat by protesting motorcycle riders to go to court for declaratory relief to suspend enforcement of the newly enacted Motorcycle Crime Prevention Law principally authored by Gordon.

Gordon voiced confidence that the “well-researched law”—Republic Act 11235 recently signed by President Duterte— can withstand judicial scrutiny.

“This is a free country,” Gordon said on Wednesday, adding: “Hence, rider groups could go to the courts anytime if they believe there is a need to do so.” “ T his passed t hrough t wo chambers of Congress. Hearings were held. President Duterte is also a biker, but he signed it because he understands the purpose of the law, is to protect the public against riding-in-tandems who kill or rob people,” Gordon said in Filipino.

Still, the chairman of the Committee on Justice and Human Rights said, while the bikers have every right to go to court, it’s not him, but the public that will lose because “this is the first time that the government will take action against riding-in-tandem criminals.”

Gordon recalled reports that “r id i ng- i n- t a ndem c r i m i n a l s have been a plague for this country for the past 15 years and constitute one of the biggest contributors to EJK [extrajudicial killings] that everybody is complaining about.”

The Motorcycle Rights Organization earlier announced plans to file for declaratory relief against the law, but only when they have already seen the implementing r u les and reg u lations. “ T hey claimed to have enough ammunition to prove before the courts that the passage of the recently signed law was unconstitutional and railroaded,” he added.

“How do we give justice to the thousands of victims of ridingin-tandems? This law offers a solution. We will reduce the opportunity to kill or rob people with impunity using riding-intandems. Because we will have bigger, readable and color-coded plates that witnesses can easily see or the CCTV can capture, giving police a lead,” Gordon said.

Gordon cited records of the Philippine National Police (PNP) showing that of the total 28,409 motorcycle-riding crimes or incidents reported from 2010 to 2017, 13,062 or 46 percent were shooting incidents. “And out of over 4,000 motorcycle-riding crimes or incidents in 2016, only eight cases [0.18 percent] were solved,” he added.

He also noted that records from the PNP-Highway Patrol Group also indicate there were about 150 motorcycles stolen every week in Metro Manila alone or an average of 21 per day in 2017, adding that in other parts of the country, of the reported 7,517 vehicles stolen, 6,956 were motorcycles.

Butch Fernandez

per kg was lower by 0.78 percent during the week,” the PSA said.

“Likewise, the average retail price of well-milled rice at P44.42 per kg went down by 0.07 percent compared with previous week’s level of P44.45 per kg,” it added.

The wholesale price of RMR fell slightly to P37.31 per kg from the previous week’s P37.59 per kg while its retail value declined to P40.40 per kg from P40.60 kg.

However, the prices of both varieties posted increments from their year-ago levels.

The wholesale price of WMR inched up by 0.37 percent from its previous level of P40.64 per kg while its retail price expanded by 2.4 percent from P43.38 per kg recorded in the same week of 2018.

“Meanwhile, [the wholesale price of RMR] rose by 0.67 percent from the same period of previous year’s level of P37.06 per kg,” the report read. “[The retail price of RMR] exhibited an increment of 1.89 percent from previous year’s same week level of P39.65 per kg,” it added.

El Niño farm damage doubles to ₧2.68B Continued from A1

prices and decreased income of farmers and agricultural workers,” the report stated.

The Department of Agriculture, for its part, has monitored and coordinated with its units and the NDRRMC as well as the Pagasa and the National Irrigation Administration.

The DA also released P18.3 million for cloud-seeding operations.

Further, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said it has allocated P1.2 billion in standby resources.

This is composed of P147.3 million in standby funds in the DSWD Central Office and Field Offices; around 390,294 family food packs worth P139 million; and around P929 million worth of other food and nonfood items.

Based on NDRRMC estimates, a total of 71,909 families or 359,545 Filipinos were affected by the El Niño in North Cotabato province.

Some 79,0 4 4 fa r mers a nd 103,247.865 hectares of land were affected in Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas and Eastern Visayas. The most number of affected farmers were in Bicol at 23,487, while the largest tract of land was affected in Soccsksargen at 32,867.145 hectares.

The President @ 74 BusinessMirror Special Feature

Thursday, March 28, 2019

A3

THE PRESIDENTIAL LEGACY OF RODRIGO DUTERTE

F

By Leony R. Garcia &Trisha De Leon

OUR years into his presidency, the strong man from Mindanao who still prefers to be called mayor rather than President, continues to gain the trust and confidence of his people.

According to Pulse Asia’s December 2018 nationwide survey on the performance and trust ratings of key government officials, President Duterte remains the most trusted among the four top national officials. The survey results showed that Duterte’s trust rating was at 76 percent, up by four percentage points from his rating last September. The survey was released on January 11.

Meanwhile, the Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey on January 18 showed that almost half of Filipinos expect Duterte to deliver most, if not all, of his promises in his term.

Of 1,440 adult Filipinos polled in last December, 48 percent said Duterte could “fulfill most, if not all, of his promises.”

Of this number, 13 percent said they believe Duterte could fulfill all of his promises, while 35 percent said he could make most of his promises happen.

A populist president, Duterte’s appeal lies on the ordinary people who feel that their concerns are disregarded by established elite groups—the case of the past administration.

The man who hails from Maasin, Southern Leyte, and who grew up in Mindanao was a former prosecutor then mayor of Davao City for seven terms and 22 years, although not consecutively. He is credited for the peace and order in Davao and for turning it into a model city with world-class emergency-response and traffic-management system.

Presidential legacy

DUTERTE, the oldest president to be elected in history, has always celebrated his natal day quietly with his family. He has shunned grand parties even through his over 20-year stint as the mayor of Davao City.

Halfway through his presidency, Duterte still makes his campaigns on drugs and criminality and corruption on top of his agenda. Here is a closer look at what the president has done in the past three years: Education. For the academic year 2017 to 2018, approximately 900,000 Filipino students who enrolled in 112 state universities and colleges reaped benefits from the P8-billion grant of free tuition. Kindergarten enrolment has also increased from 65 percent in 2016 to 84 percent in the succeeding year.

Drugs, criminality and corruption. Duterte commits to eradicating the “the decades-old problems on illegal drugs, criminality, and corruption in government”. In a report the war on drugs has resulted in the arrest of 147,802 drug personalities, while 6,562 barangays have been declared drug-free.

On the other hand, the Philippine National Police reported a decline in the index crime volume, from 401,112 from July 2014 to June 2016 to only 212,773 from July 2016 to 2018.

Boracay and Manila Bay Rehabilitation. Environment protection is also one of the things that the current administration wants to highlight. This

PHOTO FROM NEWS AND INFORMATION BUREAU/PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE

includes the rehabilitation of Boracay and Manila Bay to promote environmental sustainability.

Emergency hotline. The Office of the Cabinet Secretary has introduced the Citizens’ Complaint Hotline 8888, which has 93.2-percent resolution average.

Subsequently, the emergency hotline 911

was also launched.

Tax collection and remittance.

Higher tax revenues were also reported by the Department of Finance in the first five months of 2018, with the Bureau of Internal Revenue hitting P827.9-billion collection. Remittances from overseas Filipino workers have

also improved by 4 percent.

Infrastructure. The Duterte administration has the boldest infrastructure program in history, having a 5.4-percent share to GDP under the 2017 budget. This is far from the 2.5-percent average share of the past six administration in 50 years.

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A10 Thursday, March 28, 2019 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opinion BusinessMirror

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editorial

What debt trap?

M

ORE than four decades ago the administration of the late President Ferdinand Marcos borrowed money from western lenders to build the 620-megawatt Bataan Nuclear Power Plant. Built at a cost of $2.3 billion, the BNPP was set for commercial operations in 1985. On April 30, 1986, the late President Corazon Aquino ordered the project mothballed.

Since 1986, the Philippine government had spent a total of P64.7 billion—P43.5 billion for principal amortization and P21.2 billion in interest—for the unused nuclear plant. Filipino taxpayers managed to fully pay the BNPP loans 12 years ago (although the government is still spending P27 million a year for the nuclear plant’s upkeep).

Fast-forward to 2019: The Duterte administration borrowed money from China to build the Chico River Pump Irrigation, the first flagship infrastructure project under the “Build, Build, Build” program. The project will help some 4,000 farming families by irrigating around 8,700 hectares of agricultural land in Kalinga and Cagayan.

Before the project could be completed, a senatorial candidate raised the alarm over the alleged “onerous” project, warning that the Philippines could fall into China’s debt trap. He was worried because the project cost is P4.37 billion, while the loan agreement only covers P3.69 billion, citing that the loan has an interest rate of 2 percent. The senatorial candidate said the China loan comes with dangerous provisions that the Philippines’s sovereignty will not be recognized and that China may take control of the country’s patrimonial assets in case of default.

A senior associate justice at the Supreme Court added fuel to the fire when he called for greater public scrutiny of bilateral deals with China. He warned that Beijing could end up with assets from the gas-rich Reed Bank in the disputed South China Sea if the government failed to meet its loan obligation on the Chico River irrigation project. The High Court Justice said: “In case of default by the Philippines in repayment of the loan, China can seize, to satisfy any arbitral award in favor of China, ‘patrimonial assets and assets dedicated to commercial use’ of the Philippine government.”

Pundits who rode on the China debt trap scare bandwagon said the Philippines could become another Sri Lanka, which availed itself of Chinese loans to have its ports upgraded. When Sri Lanka couldn’t pay back the loans, China turned them into equity, which gave the Asian giant ownership and control of Sri Lanka’s two major ports.

Jay Batongbacal, director of the University of the Philippines’s Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea, said there are a couple of things that make China’s Sri Lanka strategy very unlikely in the case of the Philippines.

He said the Philippines is better in managing foreign loans than Sri Lanka.

Then, there’s the size of the Philippine economy, which is roughly four times that of Sri Lanka and still growing fast.

Should Filipinos be worried about the China debt trap warnings? A debt trap occurs when debt obligations reach an unsustainable threshold of the country’s gross domestic product, which creates a high debt-to-GDP ratio.

However, the Philippines has strong economic fundamentals that mitigate against the danger of excessive indebtedness.

Finance Assistant Secretary Antonio Lambino assured the public that the irrigation project went through a rigorous process, hurdling tests from the Department of Justice, the Department of Finance, and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Explaining that the interest rates from the Chinese loan were still cheap, despite Japan offering much lower figures, he said the Philippines has 20 years to pay for the loan and inclusive of a seven-year grace period. He also explained that the country’s debt-to-GDP ratio, or the ratio between loan obligations to the size of the economy, stood at 41.9 percent in 2018 when the programed ratio was 42.1 percent, which means the government performed better than expected. In other words, the Philippines can pay the loan for a project that can contribute to economic growth.

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Trading the golden/rogue wave John Mangun

OUTSIDE THE BOX

I

ONCE read a book about the “golden wave.” This was during a time in my life when I was on the road and free. By “free.” I mean choosing sometimes to eat and then sleep under a tree or not eat and sleep in a bed. However, that was valuable experience for both poker playing and trading the stock market.

A group of surfers traveled the world looking for the golden wave that was perfect in size, skill challenge, and a long, long ride. In the end, none in the group was ever sure if they had actually surfed that elusive wave. But they had traveled to Mexico, Taiwan, Australia, Fiji, Barbados, South Africa, France and our own Siargao Island.

Stock-market traders are always looking for their own golden wave.

There are some differences between surfers and traders. When a

surfer “wipes out,” it is all part of the experience. When a trader does the same, he or she is expected to treat it as a learning experience with the foolish consolation that at least a lesson was learned.

“You learn more from your failures than you do from your successes” is always said by a person who has continuing success. Tell that to Steve Irwin, the Australian wildlife television personality who died at 44, after being pierced in the heart by a stingray barb while filming an

the most dangerous cyber threats, and the most important solutions.

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a P1-million buyer may move the price higher, but it does not create a sustainable uptrend. That is “destructive interference” when a low amount of money cancels out many buyers or a low number of buyers cancels out a large amount of money.

The opposite of a golden wave is the “rogue wave,” and if you have been in the market for awhile, you have perhaps seen many. In the ocean it is a wave that comes suddenly, is extremely strong, explodes higher, and then disappears just as suddenly as it came. Think of the movie The Perfect Storm.

But rogue waves are as normal and natural, caused by the same superposition principle, as every other wave, although not as frequently.

While ocean waves are an “Act of God,” most investors think a rogue wave in the stock market is an “Act of Pump-and-Dump.”

E-mail me at mangun@gmail.com. Visit my web site at www.mangunonmarkets.com. Follow me on Twitter @mangunonmarkets. PSE stockmarket information and technical analysis tools provided by the COL Financial Group Inc.

2019 ‘Cybersecurity Almanac: 100 Facts, Figures, Predictions And Statistics’

✝ Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua Publisher

underwater documentary film.

The other thing is that a golden wave for stock-market investors can last about as long as a day at the beach, maybe a week or two hitting the waves. While actively trading an issue as it goes up is good, if not done right, it can be less profitable than buying and holding a company that goes 300 percent higher over two years. But be honest. That is boring.

A golden wave is created according to the “superposition principle.”

For surfers it is two waves of the same height and speed traveling in opposite directions toward each other. When these waves meet, their respective energy is amplified, creating a single “golden” wave equal to the strength and height of each added together. It is called “constructive interference.”

In the stock market, you might say that a golden stock wave is created by a large number of buyers who are also willing to put a large amount of money into a particular stock. We have frequently seen a stock go up 30 percent in a day with a volume of P30,000. Not a golden wave. Likewise,

Part One

C

ISCO and Cybersecurity Ventures (CV) have officially made available to the press this year the special first annual edition of the Cybersecurity Almanac, a historic handbook containing the most pertinent statistics and information for tracking cybercrime and the cyber-security market.

Steve C. Morgan, founder and editor-in-chief of the prestigious Cybercrime Magazine, has called my attention on Tuesday that I incorrectly mentioned in my column, “Cybercrime worldwide to cost $6 trillion in two years,” that The Global Risks Report (2019) on cyber security came from the World Economic Forum (WEF) instead of the CV, the world’s most trusted source for cyber-security facts, figures and statistics.

“Cisco’s commitment to security and partnerships starts at the top, and it’s one of the reasons why we’re collaborating with them. At Cisco, security is foundational to everything we do,” said Chuck Robbins, chairman and CEO.

According to Robbins, last year Cisco blocked 7 trillion threats, or 20 billion threats a day, on behalf of customers.

Cisco and CV have compiled 100 of the most important facts, figures, statistics and predictions to help frame the global cybercrime landscape, and what the cybersecurity industry is doing to help protect governments, citizens and organizations globally.

Cybersecurity Ventures formulates their own ground-up research—“plus we vet, synthesize and repurpose research from the most credible sources” (analysts, researchers, associations, vendors, industry experts, media publishers)—to provide readers with a bird’s-eye view of

Cybercrime damage

ACCORDING to the Cisco and CV 2019 Cybersecurity Almanac, cybercriminal activity is one of the biggest challenges that humanity will face in the next two decades. Cyberattacks are the fastest-growing crime globally, and they are increasing in size, sophistication and cost.

The Almanac said: n Cybersecurity Ventures predicts that cybercrime damages will cost the world $6 trillion annually by 2021—exponentially more than the damage inflicted from natural disasters in a year, and more profitable than the global trade of all major illegal drugs combined. n Cybersecurity Ventures also predicts that by 2021 more than 70 percent of all cryptocurrency transactions annually will be for illegal activity, up from current estimates ranging anywhere from 20 percent (of the five major cryptocurrencies) to nearly 50 percent (of Bitcoin). n Around $76 billion of illegal activity per year involves Bitcoin, which is close to the scale of the US and European markets for illegal drugs, according to a study published by the University of Sydney in Australia, ranked as one of the top 100 universities globally.

n Digital ad fraud is rising sharply. One report found that advertisers lost an estimated $19 billion to fraudulent activities last year, equivalent to $51 million per day. This figure, representing advertising on online and mobile devices, is expected to rise, reaching $44 billion by 2022. n The “Cyber’s Most Wanted” list on the FBI web site features 63 notorious people (up from 19 in 2016) that have conspired to commit the most damaging crimes against the US, including computer intrusions, wire fraud, identity theft, money laundering, false registration of domain names, espionage, theft of trade secrets and other offenses—costing the affected organizations and individuals tens of billions of dollars. n Cybercrimes are vastly undercounted because they aren’t reported —due to embarrassment, fear of reputational harm and the notion that law enforcement can’t help (among other reasons). The unit chief at the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) stated that the number of reported cybercrimes in the agency’s reports only represent 10 to 12 percent of the total number actually committed in the US each year. n Asia-Pacific companies received six cyber threats every minute, according to Cisco. A Frost & Sullivan study commissioned by Microsoft revealed that the potential See “Arillo,” A11

Opinion BusinessMirror

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Korea’s industrial success: ‘Getting the prices wrong’

The merciful Father of sinful children Msgr. Sabino A. Vengco Jr.

ALÁLAONG BAGÁ

Dr. Rene E. Ofreneo

LABOREM EXERCENS Continued from A1

O

N the other hand, South Korea was considered in the 1960s as one of the poorest in Asia. It suffered heavily under Japanese colonial occupation (1910 to 1945) and in the bloody 1950 to 1953 civil war that divided the Korean Peninsula into North Korea and South Korea. South Korea was then a poor rice-growing economy. According to Filipino old-timers, pleasureseeking Filipino congressmen treated South Korea then as their watering hole.

And yet, the picture today has changed. Many Koreans go to the Philippines for their R&R. More importantly, South Korea has left the Philippines by a mile in the industrial race. What, indeed, has happened?

Why has South Korea achieved rapid industrial transformation in one generation?

The most popular explanations can be found in the book of the late Alice Amsden, in her Asia’s Next Giant: South Korea and Late Industrialization (Oxford University Press, 1989). Amsden’s main thesis: South Korea succeeded because it got its “prices wrong.”

According to Amsden, South Korea defied the neoliberal economic thinking that the industrial way forward for a poor and underdeveloped country is to look for its “comparative advantage,” e.g., an abundance of cheap labor or cheap agrarian resources, and use this so-called comparative advantage as the platform for growth. Instead, South Korea, like Japan earlier, ignored this comparative advantage pontification by the neoliberals by focusing on comparative advantagedefying capacity building in areas it deemed strategically necessary for the economic transformation of South Korea even if the country had no comparative advantage in these areas at the beginning.

This is one reason South Korea was chastised by the World Bank for launching in the 1970s a program of heavy industrial development, featuring the costly integrated steelmaking industry and shipbuilding industry involving huge dockyards.

South Korea simply told its American business and defense ally that these industries were needed to fortify South Korea’s readiness in a possible war against North Korea.

Of course, it was not a simple case of industrial targeting for South Korea, that is, the government picking up steelmaking and shipbuilding as the favored industries to lead the country out of industrial backwardness. The government was there to provide all the “wrong prices”— cheap credit, protection against imports, energy subsidy, special depreciation allowance, control over the number of entrants in a priority industry, assistance in securing needed technology, assistance in export promotion and so on. To help finance industrialization, South Korea also nationalized and reorganized the banking industry (This is somewhat similar to what Central Bank Governor Miguel Cuaderno did in the 1950s when Cuaderno prioritized the allocation of dollars to the “new and necessary industries”).

Like Japan, South Korea did not promote their early efforts in industrialization by encouraging foreign investments. In fact, in the 1960s, foreign participation was discouraged, obviously to promote the capacity of the Koreans to develop their own industrial capacity. Later, in the 1970s, South Korea allowed foreign investors to come in through joint ventures, usually with a provision for technology sharing or technology transfer (This incidentally is one of the issues raised by the United States against China today).

Moreover, the government’s mighty hand was there not only to

Overall, the South Korean industrial experience, similar to that of Japan in the earlier decades and replicated in a way in the case of China today, shows that a developmental state dedicated to the pursuit of full industrialization defies the neoliberal dogma on getting the prices right. provide generous subsidies but also to enforce strict performance standards. Park Chung Hee, the coup leader who presided over South Korea’s industrial transformation in the 1960s-1970s, held monthly meetings with the chaebols to check on their performance and to punish those who failed to deliver on their industrial targets by withdrawing government assistance. In short, nothing was given free.

But the government readily intervened when things got rough. This was illustrated in the case of the shipbuilding industry, which faced a difficult survival challenge in the 1970s because the global market was depressed. The government issued a decree requiring all crude oil imported by South Korea be loaded only in Korean ships.

The government also coordinated with industry in developing human resources and local capacity in technology management. Thus, in the case again of the shipbuilding industry, the number of personnel for research and development increased from 1,311 in 1996 to 2,360 in 2004, including 165 researchers with PhD degrees.

Overall, the South Korean industrial experience, similar to that of Japan in the earlier decades and replicated in a way in the case of China today, shows that a developmental state dedicated to the pursuit of full industrialization defies the neoliberal dogma on getting the prices right. A developmental state purposively helps national industries and enterprises develop the capabilities needed to compete at home and in the global markets and move up, continuously, in the industrial and technology ladder. The developmental state does not subscribe to the simplistic neoliberal thinking that growth is best realized by looking for a country’s comparative advantage and by encouraging foreign investors to come in through a blanket program of trade and investment liberalization.

Only when the economy has matured or has reached a high level of industrial development that the policy-makers of a developmental state become receptive to the idea of market liberalization. Ha Joon Chang, in his popular book Kicking Away the Ladder (Anthem, 2002), supplemented the work of Alice Amsden when he argued that the neoliberals from the developed countries have been pushing away the ladder of development even before the developing countries are able to develop the industrial and agricultural muscles that the developed ones had developed through long periods of high tariffs and capacity building.

The overall lesson from South Korea is not getting the prices right. It is how to get the industrial vision right.

Thursday, March 28, 2019 A11

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AST Sunday Jesus portrayed God as the one who really cares about us and is willing to wait for us to repent and bear fruit. This Fourth Sunday of Lent, Saint Luke (15:1-3, 11-32) narrates another parable of Jesus powerfully depicting the love of the father unconditionally caring for his two sons in spite of their individual sinfulness.

The self-willed son CRITICIZED by the self-righteous Pharisees and scribes for consorting with sinners, Jesus graced them with a parable that clarifies how both the outcast sinners and the model religious figures need the merciful love of a father to liberate them from their own brokenness and miseries. The younger of the two sons in the parable really knows how to aggravate his relationship with almost everyone. He demands for his inheritance while his father is still alive, who for him can just as well be dead. He does not care to preserve what he has received but sells off everything for cash,

alienating the rest of his family and clan. He leaves his own land in exchange for a far-away country, repudiating his own people and culture. He wastes every penny he has on loose women, giving up his traditional values and beliefs. No wonder in the inevitable emptiness that follows, he finds himself at the bottom of the dregs together with the pigs. He who claimed total freedom finds himself with nothing, not even what pigs eat.

The full reality of what he has done finally dawns on him. He decides to return to his father’s house, if only to survive. However, he still clings to his sinfulness in his script

of confession by insisting that he be punished and downgraded to a hireling. But the son who would be a hired hand only does not have to crawl back to his father and reckon with angry punishments before any assistance. The father who has been waiting and watching for the return of his son runs to him and embraces him and kisses him, and welcomes him back as his son with robe, ring and sandals, calling for a full celebration. The father’s love for his son has not been changed by the sin of the son. Not punishment but mercy and joy is what the father has for the returning son, who was dead and is now alive again.

The self-righteous son

IF the prodigal son represents the outcasts and sinners, the older son represents the Pharisees and scribes. The father’s overflowing joy at the recovery of a lost son stands in stark contrast to the older son’s deep-seated rejection of his brother.

The arrogant and resentful older son turns out to be no less miserable as the younger one. Although he has stayed and did not abandon his home, he has not stayed home as a son. He sees himself as a slave, obeying commands with a calculating mind waiting to be paid and

feeling underpaid, and therefore with a smoldering resentment at the unfair treatment, which now surfaces at the indulgent treatment of his profligate brother.

The father, who is commanded to “Listen!” by his older son, does not agree with his son’s description of their relationship as that of a demanding father withholding love from a deserving son while giving it to an undeserving one. They have always been together, and the father has not held anything back from his son, giving him also his share of the inheritance.

Alálaong bagá, the father represents the unconditional love of God for us His sinful children. He does not compare His sons with one another, measuring one against the other, in order to apportion to each what is deserved. Instead, He wholeheartedly loves each one in the light of each one’s situation and need. He does not seek to condemn but to forgive so that everyone may repent and enjoy in full the life with Him, the celebration of a father’s love and mercy for His children.

Join me in meditating on the Word of God every Sunday, from 5 to 6 a.m. on DWIZ 882, or by audio streaming on www.dwiz882.com.

Britain’s MPs take their turn at Brexit delusions Clive Crook

BLOOMBERG VIEW

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IVEN her countless errors in supervising Brexit, sympathy for UK Prime Minister Theresa May is out of the question.

Even so, Parliament’s pointless move this week to take control confirms she’s not alone in preferring an alternative reality.

When it comes to Brexit, there’s plenty of delusion to go around.

MPs voted to take charge of the parliamentary timetable and hold nonbinding votes on various Brexit options. These are likely to run the gamut from exiting without a withdrawal agreement through halting Brexit altogether by revoking the Article 50 exit notice. In between these extremes, in increasing order of softness, are various intermediate options: a conventional free-trade deal; the withdrawal agreement negotiated by May (which the Commons has already rejected twice, by enormous margins); May’s deal plus a permanent customs union; May’s deal plus a permanent customs union and membership of the European Union’s single market; and a second referendum together with a fundamental rethink of the whole affair.

To begin with, of course, it beggars belief that the House of Commons is settling down for this discussion almost three years after the Brexit referendum and just days before the UK said it would leave the union.

But set the question of timing aside.

The other thing of note is that this parliamentary maneuver serves no intelligible purpose.

MPs seem to be laboring under a misconception. Most of the options they’re intending to address have nothing to do with the decision Britain actually has to make by

Arillo . . .

continued from A10

economic loss across Asia Pacific due to cybersecurity incidents can hit a staggering $1.745 trillion.

Breaches and vulnerabilities

ADVANCES in technology are the main drivers for economic growth but have also led to a higher incidence of cyber attacks. The leading trends such as e-commerce, mobile payments, cloud computing, Big Data and analytics, Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, machine learning and social media, all increase cyber risk for users and businesses.

Some bad choices are better than others. Britain’s best bet now would be to revoke Article 50, acknowledging the comprehensive failure of all involved, allowing time to rethink, and relieving the immediate problem of negotiating under deadline from a position of self-inflicted weakness.

April 12—the new exit date, recently extended from March 29 by the EU. As things stand, that decision comes down to three choices: Leave with no deal, accept the May-EU deal or revoke Article 50. Those are the only decisions that can be made in time, and that rest solely with the UK. All the others would require the EU’s assent and weeks and months of further negotiation.

The closer you look at the various options, the odder this parliamentary strategy seems. The Labour Party’s Brexit policy, to the extent it has one, appears to favor May’s deal plus a permanent customs union.

But that addition has nothing to do with the terms of withdrawal already agreed, and wouldn’t call for them to be changed. The customs union is a subject for discussion in the next phase of talks, post-Brexit. If Labour MPs want this option, they should already have voted for May’s deal to resolve the immediate impasse, and then pushed for a customs union as the goal for the next round of talks.

The same goes, only more so, for the even softer option called Norwayplus or Common Market 2.0, which adds single-market membership as well as a customs union to the postBrexit wish list. Again, this would not require a new withdrawal agreement. It’s perfectly consistent with

the withdrawal terms already negotiated with the EU—terms that the EU has said, again and again, cannot be revisited in any case. Some of the MPs behind the new parliamentary maneuver appear to like Norwayplus. The same question applies: Why didn’t they vote for the May–EU deal, allowing Britain and Europe to move to the next stage of talks when this softest Brexit could have been proposed?

Their answer might be that the political declaration that May and the EU attached to their withdrawal agreement doesn’t spell out these preferred endpoints. That’s true— but so what? The political declaration is nonbinding and largely meaningless. Britain’s long-term relationship with the EU is still to be negotiated.

Anyone inclined to prefer a soft Brexit to no deal should have backed May when she put her withdrawal agreement before the Commons; the same goes for anyone who prefers a soft Brexit to Remain.

And therein lies the explanation for this latest round of displacement activity: The Commons maneuver is nothing more than a cry of despair over the fact that no one really wants a soft-Brexit compromise. Remainers want to remain, and Leavers want to get out from under the EU boot that’s now firmly planted on Britain’s neck—a freedom that none of these middle-way Brexits would provide.

n The 10 biggest data breaches of all time—with the number of accounts hacked and year occurred— according to Quartz: Yahoo, 3 billion (2013); Marriott, 500 million (2014-2018); Adult FriendFinder, 412 million (2016); MySpace, 360 million (2016); Under Armour, 150 million (2018); Equifax, 145.5 million (2017); eBay, 145 million (2014); Target, 110 million (2013); Heartland Payment Systems, 100+ million (2018); LinkedIn, 100 million (2012); n Cryptocrime is an emerging segment of the cybercrime ecosystem. One report estimates that hacks on cryptocurrency exchanges suffered roughly $1 billion in losses in 2018.

n The five biggest Bitcoin hacks of all time—with the exchange name, amount stolen and year occurred—according to CoinSutra: Mt. Gox, 2,609 BTC | +750,000 BTC (2011); BitFloor, 24,000 BTC (2012); Poloniex, 12.3 percent of all BTCs— 97 BTC (2014); BitStamp, 19,000 BTC (2015); Bitfinex, 120,000 BTC (2016). n The cost of the 2018 Coincheck hack, the biggest cryptocurrency heist to date, was $530.

Five hundred twenty three million NEM coins (known as XEM) had been stolen from a hot wallet (a wallet connected to the Internet) allowing hackers to drain the coins into a separate account. The cost

As a theoretical matter, one can imagine another sort of soft Brexit that might have had genuine appeal for both factions. A kind of associate membership could have provided close economic integration, with voting rights and joint decision-making on those matters, without the commitment to political integration. But the EU is opposed: It rejects any further entrenching of Britain’s half-in, half-out status, and at the moment there’s no prospect of changing its mind.

This position means there’s no workable compromise and the gap between Britain’s Leavers and Remainers simply can’t be bridged. It also means that, whatever happens, no line can be drawn under the Brexit shambles. Britain might be heartily sick of the whole mess, but there’ll be no moving on.

If Britain leaves with no deal, a struggle with Europe will begin over how to mitigate the consequences and develop a workable trade relationship. If the UK revokes Article 50, with or without subsequent endorsement in a second referendum, Leavers will feel cheated and start planning their next Brexit campaign. Anything in between that binds the UK with rules it has no say in framing will quickly infuriate Leavers and Remainers alike, and just won’t stick.

Some bad choices are better than others. Britain’s best bet now would be to revoke Article 50, acknowledging the comprehensive failure of all involved, allowing time to rethink, and relieving the immediate problem of negotiating under deadline from a position of self-inflicted weakness.

But don’t suppose that revoking Article 50, or going for Norway-plus, or a permanent customs union, or no deal, will bring this issue to resolution. Until Europe, as well as Britain, is willing to go back to basics, there’s no seizing control of this disaster. of those stolen coins has since declined dramatically. n In a keynote at DevNet Create, Susie Wee, SVP and CTO of Cisco DevNet, shared research from Cybersecurity Ventures that estimates there are 111 billion lines of new software code being produced each year—which introduces potential for a massive number of vulnerabilities that can be exploited. Zero-day exploits alone are predicted to reach one per day by 2021, up from one per week in 2015.

To be continued To reach the writer, e-mail cecilio.arillo@ gmail.com.

Editor: Efleda P. Campos

Companies BusinessMirror

Thursday, March 28, 2019

B1

FDC 2018 income grows 31% to ₧13.4B

F

By VG Cabuag

@villygc

ILINVEST Development Corp., the holding firm of the Gotianun family, on Wednesday said its net income in 2018 grew 31 percent to P13.4 billion from the previous year’s P10.27 billion, due to growth in the property and banking segments and also the power group’s ramped-up energy sales.

Revenues grew 8 percent to P73.3 billion from last year’s P67.6 billion.

The bulk of the group’s gross revenues were generated by the property segment at 43 percent and banking at 41 percent, while power- generation operations contributed 13 percent to revenues.

The balance of 3 percent came from its sugar business.

“Our investments, not only in power, but also in property and bank infrastructure, are now being reflected in our healthy yearend net income,” FDC Chairman

Jonathan T. Gotianun said.

Property income reached P8.8 billion, with growth driven mainly by its recurring income portfolio, while banking subsidiary EastWest Bank ended 2018 with a net income of P4.5 billion, and realizing 11 percent return on equity, which it said is one of the highest in the industry.

The power segment registered P2.1 billion in net income, 16 percent of the group’s total net income.

FDC Utilities Inc. (FDCUI) operates the largest operating baseload power plant in Mindanao, with a

capacity of 405 megawatts.

Energy sales from the FDC Misamis power plant grew 24 percent in 2018, while sales from the FDC Misamis power plant grew 24 percent, it said.

Last year, FDCUI partnered with Engie, one of the world ’s largest power-generation and distribution firms, to establish Filinvest-Engie Renewable Energy Enterprise Inc., a joint venture providing solar-energy solutions in the Philippines. It has since signed up three solar-roof panel projects totaling 5.4 MW.

Engie has also partnered with the group in establishing the Philippine’s largest district cooling system with up to 12,000 tons refrigerant supplying FLI’s BPO complex.

“The Filinvest group’s entry into airports, hospitality and logistic parks marks the start of a new phase for FDC, as we kick off our involvement in tourism and infrastructure,” FDC President and CEO Josephine Gotianun-Yap said.

“This adds another layer of diversity to our income mix while also complementing investments in the region,” she said.

Calaex breaks ground for ₧12-B Cavite segment

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ETRO Pacific Tollways South Corp. (MPT South) broke ground on Wednesday for the Cavite segment of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (Calaex), which, according to a Cabinet official, marks “a new period of growth” for infrastructure development in the Philippines.

Roberto Bontia, MPT South president, said his group will be able to complete the 27-kilometer, four-lane expressway segment by April 2022, a few months before President Duterte bows out of office.

Public Works Secretary Mark A. Villar said the construction of the P12-

billion segment marks the start of a new period of growth, as the government ushers the Philippines into the so-called Golden Age of Infrastructure.

“This is something we will replicate in all areas of our country. This is the driving vision behind the government’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ program,” he said.

The Cavite Segment of the expressway starts from Kawit, Cavite—traversing the Imus Open Canal, Governor’s Drive, Dasmarinas, Aguinaldo Highway—to Silang, which will be connected to the Laguna Segment.

Upon completion, the 45-km Calaex will cut travel time from 2.5 hours

to under 45 minutes and will help decongest approximately 50,000 cars.

“With the Laguna Segment well underway and substantially completed by July this year, we will simultaneously push for the Cavite Segment to meet Laguna in a timely manner, completing the project by 2022,” Villar said.

According to a project brief, Calaex will be equipped with an automatic license-plate recognition system, which provides for an additional vehicle identification means that enables no-barrier entry. It will also be equipped with the RFID toll payments collection system, speed detection cameras, and CCTVs for

traffic monitoring and security.

“As a socially responsible corporate citizen, we would like to add value to our presence, not just in terms of bringing solutions to the traffic congestion, but as a source of livelihood for the provinces of Cavite and Laguna,” Bontia said.

MPT South will employ close to 2,500 employees for the construction of the expressway.

“In two years, we hope the province of Cavite will have a brand-new expressway that will connect to the existing Cavitex,” Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. President Rodrigo E. Franco said. Lorenz S. Marasigan

PUBLIC Works and Highways Secretary Mark A. tries to maneuver a construction crane at the groundbreaking ceremony of the segment forming part of the 45-kilometer Calaex toll road project seen to reduce traffic congestion along Governor’s Drive, Aguinaldo Highway and Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay Road, and cut travel time from Cavite Expressway to South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) by about 45 minutes. PHOTO FROM DPWH

B2

Thursday, March 28, 2019

Companies BusinessMirror

Editor: Efleda P. Campos

GT Capital 2018 income down 5% to ₧13.4B

G

T Capital Holdings Inc., the Ty family’s holding firm, on Wednesday said its income dropped 5 percent last year as weaker car sales dragged its revenues.

The company said its income slowed down to P13.4 billion for the entire 2018, from the previous year’s P14.2 billion. The fall of its core income was much deeper at 8 percent to P13.7 billion from the previous year’s P15 billion.

“GT Capital weathered strong headwinds in 2018 as soft vehicle unit sales were cushioned by noteworthy results in our financial services, property and insurance businesses,” GT Capital President Carmelo Maria Luza Bautista said in a statement.

“Tapering inflation, declining interest rates, persistent growth in overseas Filipino remittances, and election-related spending should reboot consumer confidence. Thus, we are optimistic for the rest of 2019,” Bautista said.

Revenues for the entire 2018 fell 10 percent to P215.8 billion, from P239.8 billion in the previous year.

Income of Toyota Motor Philippines Inc. fell by almost 40 percent to P8 billion last year from the previous year’s P13.2 billion. Revenues were down 14 percent to P159.2 billion, from P185.3 billion in 2017.

Toyota attained retail vehicle sales of 153,004 units for 2018, lower compared to 183,908 units in 2017, but the company said this was in line with the total industry’s decline in sales.

The automotive sector’s unit sales were down to 400,298 from 473,376 the previous year.

Also during the year, the company launched three new models—the compact SUV in May, a new Vios sedan in July and premier executive car Camry in December.

Toyota said it remains the dominant player in the Philippine auto sector with a 38.2-percent overall market share.

GT Capital’s unit, meanwhile, formed a company named JBA Philippines with auction house operator Japan Bike Auction Co. Ltd. “GT Capital extends the value chain for its customers and complements the conglomerate’s Toyota and AXA businesses,” it said.

JBA Philippines is a strategic partnership between GT Mobility Ventures Inc. and JBA, a subsidiary of USS Co. Ltd. It said 60 percent of JBA Philippines will be controlled by GTMV, while 40 percent will be owned by JBA. GTMV is a joint venture between GT Capital’s wholly owned automotive dealership company GT Capital Auto Dealership Holdings Inc. and Mitsui and Co. Ltd. Meanwhile, lender Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. posted a 21-percent net income growth in 2018, expanding to P22 billion from the P18.2 billion it registered in 2017.

Property development units Federal Land Inc. and Property Co. of Friends Inc. reported an aggregate net income of P2.4 billion in 2018, up 13 percent from P2.1 billion in the previous year.

It achieved a combined P23.8 billion in consolidated revenues in 2018, a 30-percent increase from the P18.2 billion booked in 2017.

Combined real-estate sales for the period grew 30 percent to P20.1 billion, from P15.4 billion the previous year. AXA Philippines’s consolidated net income rose by 25 percent to P3.1 billion in 2018, from P2.5 billion the previous year.

Consolidated life and nonlife gross premiums for the year reached P35.4 billion in 2018, from P32 billion the previous year, a 10-percent growth.

MWSS chief to push for Laguna de Bay rehab to boost Metro’s water supply

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ETROPOLITAN Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) Administrator Reynaldo V. Velasco will push for the rehabilitation of Laguna de Bay to boost water supply for Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Velasco said he will recommend to Malacañang the massive rehabilitation of Laguna de Bay, a 90,000-hectare freshwater lake.

Aside from the Kaliwa Dam, Velasco said Laguna de Bay is a potential source of freshwater. However, because of its current condition, Laguna de Bay will require massive rehabilitation, he said.

Maynilad Water Services Inc. is drawing 150 million liters per day from Laguna de Bay which it treats at the Putatan Water Treatment Plant. The recently operated Cardona Water Treatment Plant of Manila Water Co. Inc. started drawing water from Laguna de Bay on March 14. By the end of the year, it is expected to produce 100 MLD. The Laguna de Bay, he said, can potentially supply around 12,000 MLD of raw water.

“That is why I said maybe, let us push through with the program to dredge Laguna de Bay and remove problems so that it will not be costly to use,” he said.

Velasco defended the decision of the Duterte administration to pursue the P12.2 billion, 600 MLD New Centennial Water Source—Kaliwa Dam Project against critics, saying it is by far cheaper than the $410-million Kaliwa Intake Weir Project offer of a Japanese firm. Aside from Kaliwa Dam, the Duterte administration is also eyeing the revival of the Wawa Dam in Montalban, Rizal.

Velasco said the Duterte administration has put in place short-term, medium-term and long-term solutions to the perennial water-supply shortage in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, including the possibility of drawing more water from Laguna de Bay. Jonathan L. Mayuga

News BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Duterte asks why critical former police officer Acierto ‘is still alive’

Electricity demand to reach all-time high this year–NGCP

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By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

ONSUMER demand for power is expected to hit an all-time high this year, the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) said on Wednesday.

IN this Sunday, March 24, 2019, photo, former Police Senior Supt. Eduardo Acierto displays a copy of his police report he allegedly submitted but not acted upon by police higher-ups and Senate probes during a clandestine news conference for the first time with a select group of journalists somewhere in Metro Manila. Acierto, who was assigned in various units of the police anti-illegal drugs for 18 years, is now in hiding after being included in President Duterte’s so-called matrix list of persons allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade. AP

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RESIDENT Duterte on Tuesday accused a dismissed police colonel, who had publicly criticized him and his deadly antidrug campaign, of criminal involvement and said he wanted to know why the former officer “is still alive.”

In a late-night televised speech, Duterte condemned dismissed Senior Supt. Eduardo Acierto, who told reporters over the weekend that the President had been repeatedly photographed with two Chinese men involved in drug trafficking.

Duterte defended one of the two Chinese men, saying he had accompanied China’s premier on a visit to the Philippines and was a businessman who traveled to the country in 1999 to sell Chinese-made cell phones.

Acierto, a veteran anti-narcotics officer before his dismissal by an anti-graft agency last year, said he submitted a report to top police officials and Duterte’s office about the two Chinese to warn the President of their background. But he said he was never informed if the two were ever investigated.

“In my investigation, I discovered that our President...is often accompanied by two people deeply involved in illegal drugs,” Acierto told a news conference late on Sunday in Manila, adding that he was later accused by authorities in a criminal complaint of involvement in drug smuggling instead of the Chinese men.

Duterte said Acierto was the only police official who has made the allegations against the two men. He said Acierto was an “idiot” allegedly involved in corruption, drug smuggling, kidnappings of Chinese nationals and the killing of a South Korean man.

“Don’t ever believe especially this Acierto,” Duterte said in a speech in southern Koronadal City. “What if I ask the military and the police, ‘Why

is this son of a b_ _ _ h still alive?”’

Acierto denied any wrongdoing.

The President mentioned Acierto while talking about his efforts to combat corruption, including corrupt policemen. He also criticized and ridiculed opposition senatorial candidates running in midterm elections in May. Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director General Aaron Aquino told The Associated Press on Monday that he received Acierto’s report and sent it to Duterte’s office, adding that both his office and that of the President took steps to validate the allegations against the two Chinese.

He said the two were not on any list of drug suspects.

Aquino played down the photographs showing Duterte with the two Chinese men, saying officials often get approached by all sorts of people for group photographs without being able to rapidly check their background. He questioned the credibility of Acierto, who he accused of being linked to drug smuggling.

Profiles of the two Chinese provided by Acierto to reporters said they were involved in the “manufacturing, financing, the importation, transhipment and local distribution of meth or shabu,” referring to the local name for methamphetamine, a stimulant.

Acierto said he initially welcomed Duterte’s passion to combat illegal drugs. But he said he later realized that the President’s deadly crackdown took a wrong approach by targeting mostly poor drug suspects instead of going after powerful drug lords and traffickers.

More than 5,000 drug suspects have been killed in what police say were gunbattles that ensued during drug raids under Duterte’s crackdown, alarming Western governments and human-rights groups. AP

House panel endorses plenary approval of bill exempting travel tax payment for elderly, PWD

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

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HE House Committee on Tourism has endorsed for plenary approval of a measure granting travel tax exemptions to senior citizens and persons with disability (PWD).

House Bill 7964, or the proposed “Tax-Free Travel for Senior Citizens and PWDs Act,” seeks to exempt them from the imposition of travel tax.

The lower chamber is expected to approve the pending bill when its session resumes on May 20.

If signed into law, the measure shall reduce the burden of traveling on senior citizens and PWDs by exempting them from travel tax.

As provided by Presidential Decree 1183, the travel tax in the country for economy class at present amounts to the following: (a) P1,620 for the full travel tax, (b) P810 for the Standard Reduced Travel Tax and (c) P300 for the Privileged Reduced Tax

for OFW dependents.

Meanwhile, the travel tax for first class passengers are as follows: (a) P2,700 for the full rate amount, (b) P1,350 for the Standard Reduced Rate and (c) P400 for the Privileged Reduced Tax for overseas Filipino worker dependents.

While there are existing benefits for senior citizens and PWDs provided by law, Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya, author of the bill, said the state can further develop policies that would induce a more satisfactory life for them.

He added that these individuals are the most likely to require special medical intervention that may be better acquired in other countries.

“Despite our country’s significant advances in the field of medical technology, it cannot be denied that there are still procedures for certain illnesses that are exclusive, or are more affordable in countries abroad. Thus, overseas travel must be made accessible to senior citizens and PWDs,” Gasataya said.

Thursday, March 28, 2019 B3

“The demand for power has been increasing year-on-year. With DOE’s [Department of Energy] forecast breaching 11,000 megawatts [MW], NGCP’s system operations is working round-the-clock to ensure the sufficient supply of power during the critical summer months,” the grid operator said.

Demand in Luzon is expected

to peak at 11,403 MW in May this year, up by 85 percent from a high of 10,876 MW recorded on May 28, 2018.

Peak power periods in Luzon normally occur in April and May, with the rising temperatures, prompting a spike in demand.

The Visayas and Mindanao both recorded new highs in peak

11,403 MW

continuously developing the power grid to accommodate additional loads from power generation and enable them better transmission of power across the country.

“We are expediting the completion of projects aimed to accommodate the increase in demand.

NGCP appeals for the support and coordination of local government units and the public as we hope to complete these projects at the soonest possible time to prevent any negative impact on power supply during the dry season ahead,” it said.

The NGCP also advised the public to use energy more efficiently.

NGCP is a Filipino-led firm in charge of operating, maintaining and developing the country ‘s power grid, led by majority shareholders Henry Sy Jr. and Robert Coyuto Jr.

Projected power demand for Luzon in May, up by 85 percent from a high of 10,876 MW recorded on May 28, 2018 demand last year at 2,053 MW on May 24 and 1,853 MW on December 13, respectively. This year, the DOE projects an 11.98-percent increase in the Visayas load growth with forecasted peak at 2,299 MW, while demand in Mindanao is estimated at 2,130 MW. The forecasted peak demand for both is expected to happen in the last quarter of 2019.

The NGCP assured that it is

Food sector is local franchisers’ PHL to expand agricultural best bet to go global by 2022

By Elijah Felice E. Rosales

@alyasjah

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RANCHISERS are banking on the food sector to bolster their chances of making 100 local brands global by 2022.

On the sidelines of Franchise Asia Philippines 2019, Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) President Richard V. Sanz said food brands will lead the sector toward hitting its targets. One of these objectives, he added, is to make 100 local brands operate overseas by 2022.

There are over 30 domestic franchises that have branches abroad at present, according to Sanz.

“Food will still comprise [the] majority as we have seen from the data. The 30 plus brands [overseas], probably 80 percent to 90 percent, are comprised of food. That is what we are really pushing for: the food.

What we want for [food franchises] is to capture the mainstream market,” Sanz said.

Sanz explained industry leaders are crafting a template that growing brands can emulate.

“These [new] brands, they just [have to] follow the template, the proven formula to be successful. It will shorten the time period of the curve to get that 100 brands [abroad] by 2022,” the PFA chief said.

Franchisers eyeing to operate in foreign lands are likely to land in Southeast Asian nations due to

proximity, while some are exploring markets with large volumes of overseas Filipino workers (OFW), such as the Middle East.

“What we are trying to do for these new homegrown brands [is for them] to tap into the other nontraditional markets. What usually happens is they tap into the OFW market, then they expand to other markets as well,” Sanz said.

Franchising, as an outlier sector of the economy, can buck economic challenges, such as weakening currency and rising inflation rate.

The sector is aiming to hit $24 billion in revenues by 2020. Industry players put franchising’s contribution to the gross domestic product at 6 percent, and they are expecting this to expand in the years to come as the sector grows a steady 10 percent annually.

The Philippines has the largest franchising sector across Southeast Asia and eighth all over the world, as it is home to over 2,000 brands and 200,000 stores nationwide.

The sector employs more than 1.2 million Filipinos, according to data from industry players.

In spite of its strong multiplier effect, the sector is reportedly lacking government support, and is seeking help in promoting local brands abroad through trade shows.

From farm to household use: DA chief proposes ‘workable’ plan for efficient use of water supply

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GRICULTURE Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol has proposed that the water supply allocated for agriculture be diverted to Metro Manila at times that irrigation is not needed by farmers to avert crises in the area in the future.

Piñol said he has recommended during the Cabinet-level meeting on water last week to review how the country’s water supply is being utilized among consumers, such as farmers and households.

Piñol added that the government could divert some of the water supply allocated to agriculture, specifically for irrigation, to Metro Manila users when farmers do not need it.

“We do not need water all-year round. What we need is the efficient use of our irrigation system,” he said in an interview with reporters on Wednesday.

“The water in our big dams could be diverted to Metro Manila during times that our rice farmers do not need it,” he added.

Piñol said he suggested the formulation of a “workable” plan on the efficient utilization of the country’s water supply.

“This is something we have long neglected and ignored: irrigation. And we are repeating [it] again and again, that if we do not conserve and manage our water then we will suffer from this problem year after year,” he said.

“Our proposal is that the water in our big dams, where we source our irrigation, could be diverted and used by household. We just need water for about twice a year. We just have to plan properly the use of our water resources,” he added.

“President [Duterte’s] position is correct: there should be greater focus on water management and conservation,” he said.

The DA chief earlier said he is pushing for the passage of a law that allows the Department of Agriculture (DA) to build small reservoirs nationwide to improve the country’s water system

“This is something we have long neglected and ignored: irrigation. And we are repeating [it] again and again, that if we do not conserve and manage our water then we will suffer from this problem year after year.”

—Piñol

to avert future water crises.

The measure was among the recommendations made by the DA at the Cabinet-level meeting on water last week, according to Piñol. The meeting was presided over by Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana.

At the meeting, Piñol said he made a presentation on the threat of a “looming water crisis” to the agriculture sector.

Piñol added that the country’s water supply for agriculture has been declining over the past decades due to major reasons, including continued deforestation and absence of water conservation programs.

The delay in the implementation of irrigation systems and reliance of the farm sector to the traditional irrigation systems are also factors in the looming water crisis.

Piñol also said the frequency of El Niño—now occurring every two years—drains the country’s water supply. Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

bilateral trade with Hungary

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

T

HE Philippines is eyeing to expand its shipments of farm products to Hungary as the government seeks to open more markets for local agricultural produce.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Hungarian government to improve bilateral agricultural trade between Manila and Budapest.

The MOU, according to Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol, would “reinforce the positive engagements between the DA and the Ministry of Agriculture” in expanding the trade of farm produce between the two countries.

Both parties agreed that there is a “big” potential for the improvement of trade in agriculture between the two countries, the DA said.

The Philippines seek to further diversify its exports to Hungary by shipping high value coconut products, fishery products, fresh mangoes, fishmeal, copra meal, seaweed-based animal feeds, carrageenan and abaca.

For its part, Hungary eyes to increase its export of poultry meat products to Manila.

Piñol said the DA would participate in the Hungarian Agri Expo in September after Hungarian Agriculture Minister István Nagy invited him to attend the event.

“I made a commitment to bring products, including our coconut oil, syrup, because we are promoting those,” he said in a news briefing after the MOU signing on Wednesday.

“The Hungarian minister said that among the items that they need are fruits particularly our mangoes, pineapple, bananas,” he added.

Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data showed that the country’s agricultural exports to Hungary in 2018 declined by 9.09 percent to $1.85 million, from $2.035 million, recorded in 2017.

The country’s farm exports to Hungary include unmanufactured tobacco, tuna and pineapple products, PSA data showed.

The data also showed that Hungary’s exports of flour meals and pellets and meat offals for animal feed use to the Philippines expanded by 59.3 percent to $6.511 million, from $4.086 million in 2017.

In terms of volume, the country’s imports of the raw material for animal feeds from Hungary rose by 87.94 percent to 21,347.790 metric tons, from 11,358.697 metric tons.

TheBroa

Business

B4 Thursday, March 28, 2019 | www.businessmirror.com.ph

By Samuel P. Medenilla, Rea Cu, Elijah Felice Rosales & Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz | Reporters

F

OR 15 years, Remedios Princesa’s work week was composed of five days. With the congestion of Manila’s port, however, Princesa no longer has a weekend.

Princesa, adviser of the Bureau of Customs Employees Association (Bocea), and majority of the over 3,000 workers of the BOC are now on the verge of suffering a burnout as the ongoing port congestion forces them to work even during weekends.

M a k i n g t he c i rc u m st a nce even worse, the former Bocea president said, is that the affected workers do not get any overtime pay during the weekends.

“This is what is really painful for us. That we do not get any compensation in return [for our additional services],” Princesa told the BusinessMirror in an interview.

According to BOC Spokesman Erastus Sandino B. Austria, the congestion at the port of Manila could be traced to two issues: empty steel containers and turnaround time of trucks.

“One of the reasons there is port congestion is because the turnaround time of trucks is very slow [as] shipping lines [are] not able to accommodate the empty containers we are going to return,” Austria, a lawyer, told the BusinessMirror. “Sometimes it takes us about three to five days not being able to return the empty container, so [a] truck will not be able to make its rounds unless it returns the empty container.”

Multiple issues

RYAN P. ESPONILLA of the Confederation of Truckers Association of the Philippines (CTAP) said the issues also arise from the fact that shipping lines are not regulated.

Esponilla, CTAP’s legal counsel, said the association believes unregulated shipping lines is the root cause of the port congestion problem.

“What is important for us is that the operations of the shipping lines be regulated. Right now, there is no regulatory body, that’s why they can operate and charge fees that the government can’t control,” Esponilla told the Businessmirror. “The problem with that is the charges imposed by the international shipping lines [are] passed on to importers, brokers, until it reaches the prices of basic commodities because that’s logistics.”

The CTAP said truckers are charged with penalties that are imposed by shipping lines for every delay in the deliveries of laden and empty containers, which are not even at uniformed rates. The group added truckers are also asked for a container deposit even when they already have insurance for the container paid as equipment insurance premium. “ The biggest problem right now is the shipping lines and their charges. They just have to be regulated. The reason why the turnaround time of the trucks is slow is because of the empty containers of the shipping lines,” Esponilla said. “And we have a 90day staying period; after 90 days it has to be shipped out because the government can seize it if its overstaying and impose customs tariff and taxes, but it is not being implemented.”

At a loss

ESPONILL A added “there are a lot of charges from the s h i p p i n g l i n e s .”

“If we pull out empty containers we are required to give a container deposit. The problem is, when the container is not delivered to the container yard on

time, the deposit decreases,” he said. “So we are really at a loss: we didn’t create the problem so why would they decrease our deposit?”

Esponilla further explained that the amount of the charges varies depending on the shipping lines, since “they don’t impose uniformed [rates].”

CTAP Chairman Ruperto S. Bayocot told the BusinessMirror t h at cont a iner deposits being asked from truckers is around P10,000 for a 40-footer container and P5,000 for a 20-footer container. Penalties for the delay in the deliver y of the container ranges from standby charges, storage charges or demurrage charge starts at a minimum of around P580.

“We estimate that we lose more than 60 percent just because of congestion and having no container yard,” Bayocot said. “It’s big, halos magsasara na nga kami.

[We’re near shutting down.]”

The CTAP’s not the only one fearing the full impact of port congestion.

People familiar with the matter informed the BusinessMirror that even exporters of milk products have been affected by the recent port congestion in Manila ports. The port congestion, according to sources, delayed the outbound shipments of locally manufactured milk products.

Manila port con exacts heavy to

Collectors cursed

BOC collectors are now at the receiving end of a stick from BOC employees ordered to work seven days a week.

According to Princesa, the arrangement, which is barely in its second month of implementation, is not sustainable since many of the BOC employees are now protesting against it due to fatigue and stress.

“Many workers are now really angry and are now taking the issue personally,” she told the BusinessMirror. “Some of them have been calling the collectors as inhuman and even demons.”

The prolonged duty also means additional costs that some BOC workers, particularly those with a low salary grade, cannot afford.

“Those in salary grades 1 to 10 only get [between] P12,000 to P15,000,” Princesa said. “Now if they will have to report to the office two additional days in week, they would have to spend more for their food and travel fare.”

She added that many BOC employees are now working beyond their usual threshold.

“Many of us could only rest if our machine finally bogs down,” Princesa said.

Refusal refused

PRINCESA said the arrangement began after the BOC issued a memo requiring all workers to render service even during the weekends for the entire 2019 to help address the port congestion. The workers began this arrangement last February.

Those who will refuse weekend duties face sanctions from the BOC management.

In her 15 years of service for the BOC, Princesa said this was the first time BOC workers were mandated to work on a Saturday and a Sunday.

Princesa retired from the BOC last month and is now working as the treasurer of the BOC Provident Fund Inc., which is also located within the BOC grounds in Manila.

She said the BOC would usually only resort to using weekend

PHOTO BY NONIE REYES

duty from September to December, when the port in Manila will be swamped with cargoes in time for the Christmas season.

But even on such occasions, she said weekend duty only covered Saturdays.

Personally, the Bocea official said she doesn’t think the weekend service is an efficient way to solve the congestion.

“During the weekdays, BOC would process thousands of entries, but in a weekend, the number of [processed entries] will not even reach 50,” Princesa said.

Overtime, compensation

TO finally address the issue, Princesa said Bocea members w ill have a general assembly next week to meet with officials of the BOC. Out of the 3,017 employees of BOC, 2,200 are members of Bocea.

“Based from the reports we heard, the management would like to address [during the meeting] the issue of overtime,” Princesa said.

While the Bocea said it would prefer the outright abolition prevailing weekend duties, the association believes this may not be possible due to port congestion.

Instead, Princesa said the Bocea will be pushing for the proper compensation of BOC employees, as well as the use of a skeletal force during weekends to minimize the number of workers, who will be on duty that time.

“Hopefully, they would finally allocate the budget so we can have overtime pay,” Princesa said.

Under Civ il Ser v ice Ru les, government employees with an approved Authority to Render Overtime Ser v ice are entitled to either overtime pay or to use t he Compensator y Ti me - O f f (COT) priv ilege.

Princesa, however, lamented that while they don’t get any overtime pay, they are still not allowed to use COTs.

Costs, commitment

IN a recent interview with reporters, Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez admitted that if left unresolved, port congestion could slow down trade.

“Yes, of course [there is an impact on the] cost of money, the cost also of charges being made.

For any delay in the turnaround time of the trucks, that has a cost, too,” Lopez said. “These are the causes of higher costs, that

is why we want to solve this. We need smoother operations [at our ports].”

Hence, the government will release within the next two weeks a joint administrative order (JAO) that will address port congestion and regulate high shipping fees, as these are the two issues that Lopez said are hurting the country’s trading activities.

T he JAO, he added, contains me a s u re s a i me d at k e e p i n g yard utilization rate of Manila ports between 60 percent and 65 percent.

As of March 4, yard utilization rate of the Port of Manila fell to 64 percent, according to the BOC. On the other hand, the number of laden and empty containers went down to 78 percent and 47 percent, accordingly.

This was better than the port situation in the first week of January, when yard utilization rate was at 98 percent and the number of laden and empty containers was at 100 percent and 93 percent, respectively.

Laden containers

BASED on BOC data, the average yard utilization rate of the Manila International Container

Port (MICP) for January was at 90.88 percent, which decreased to 89.90 percent as of February 18.

In January this year, the dwell time for import laden containers was at 9.65 days at the MICP, while export laden ones was at 7.65 days. The average number of days for the dwell time of containers posted decreases coming into February as the dwell time of import laden containers averaged to 8.71 days while export laden ones was at 5.22 days as of February 18, 2019.

For the Port of Manila (POM), its average utilization rate for January reached 94.10 percent, which also decreased to 90.67 percent as of February 18.

D we l l t i me for i mp or t l ad e n c o nt a i ne r s re a c he d 9. 0 2 d ay s a nd e x por t l ade n ones at 1 2.69 d ay s for Ja nu a r y, a l so post i ng dec rea ses a s t he POM re p or te d a i mp or t dwe l l t i me averag i ng to 7.76 d ay s a nd e xp or t dwe l l t i me at 11.10 d ay s a s of Febr u a r y 18 , 2019.

Austria explained that under international standards, a 70 to 80 percent yard utilization rate reported by port operators is still within manageable levels and does not fall under port congestion yet,

aderLook

sMirror

Editor: Dennis D. Estopace | Thursday, March 28, 2019

ngestion oll on Customs

behave responsibly and not to take advantage of the situation,” he said.

Esponilla explained that under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) the BOC has the power to regulate third parties involved in the logistics chain or those parties that are doing business with the bureau including shipping lines, truckers and port operators, among others.

Engaging stakeholders

APART from the JAO, Austria explained that the BOC is implementing a number of measures at their level as well as the ports with continuous coordination with its stakeholders in line with addressing the issues that lead to congestion at the piers.

He pointed out that the designated examination area of the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) is being refurbished to open more doors so that more containers can be examined at any given time. This move is seen to declog or clear out dockets at the port of overstaying containers. After being inventoried, the overstaying containers due for condemnation or auction can now be quickly implemented.

“So that’s one category with overstaying containers that we can deal with from the yard to lower yard utilization,” he added.

A legal framework was also provided to the Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI) and the ICTSI in line with the transfer of containers that went through failed bidding and are up for disposal, allowing for its transfer to a inland bonded depot facility to free up more space at the ports.

“There are some boxes that have gone through failed bidding and we see a slow timeframe for its disposal. We’ve already given the legal framework both to the ATI and ICTSI for the transfer of these containers to an inland depot bonded facility so we free up more space,” he said. “So that’s the immediate short-term solution of the BOC.”

Recommended actions

as well as an import dwell time of 10 days or lower.

Unequal flow

AUSTRIA further said that the port congestion could affect the country’s trade. He explained that since the Philippine economy is gaining ground, most of the shipments in the country are imports, leading to an import and export imbalance and to the many empty containers staying at the port.

“Volume of importations have really increased because the economy is growing. We need all of these materials for consumption and for manufacturing,” Austria said.

“Manufacturing is slowly improving because these are at the top of the agenda of the administration.”

Based on BOC data, the volume of exports for January this year reached 2.095 billion kilograms (kg) with a total value of P32.295 billion, while imports totaled 11.218 billion kg with a value of P531.143 billion.

“We are a net importing country. I’m not so sure about the statistics but let’s say for every five import-laden boxes, on average only one or two go out with content,” Austria said. “So there’s an

imbalance between import and export, that is why you have so many empty containers that stay here in the Philippines.”

Esponilla echoed the sentiments of the BOC on being a net importing country since the country is seen to be an import oriented economy.

“One of the problems as well is that we have an export-import imbalance because our economy is import oriented,” he added.

“So for every five imported containers that arrive here, only one container goes out as our export, so it’s 5:1. We are dependent on imports.”

Seeking regulation

CUSTOMS Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero remains optimistic that the JAO, which aims to help address the port congestion problem in the country, would be issued this month as the technical working group (TWG) for the measure is already finalizing the draft.

“Yes [this month]. The JAO TWG will have another meeting to finalize the draft,” Guerrero told the BusinessMirror in a text message.

According to Austria, the JAO

focuses on regulating the business practices of the shipping lines, which right now is very much deregulated, among others.

“That is why there’s a proposed JAO that will regulate the business practices of the shipping lines because there really isn’t any,” Austria, who is also the Manila International Container Port’s (MICP’s) District Collector told the BusinessMirror in an interview.

Government agencies included in the crafting of the JAO include the Department of Transportation (DOTr), which oversees the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), the Department of Finance (DOF) for the BOC, as well as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

While the BOC remains hopeful that the JAO would be issued this month, Bayocot told the BusinessMirror he personally sees a three-month to six-month period before the JAO gets issued, and not an easy one month.

“It’s being discussed now,” Bayocot said.

Total response

THE CTAP earlier said that international shipping lines doing business in the country should

be mandated to have their own container yards, which can house the number of empty containers that can’t be accommodated by the existing container depots at the moment as it has already used up its storage capacity.

Austria agreed that the international shipping lines should have their own container yards to house their respective containers, as this will free up space in other container depots which will enable truckers to pull out more laden containers at the ports which will help normalize the turnaround time for the truckers.

CTAP VP for External Affairs Maria B. Zapata said in an earlier news conference that although the JAO is not seen to solve the entire port congestion problem in the country, it will provide “more or less halfway relief to the problem.”

For the part of the BOC, Austria also pointed out that there should be a regulatory body, or that the powers of an agency linked to the operations of shipping lines should be expanded, to monitor and control the business operations of the shipping lines.

“I think the most ideal situation is for all actors involved to

AUSTRIA emphasized that the most important aspect of solving the port congestion problem in the country is for all stakeholders to work together as each aspect reverberates to all players whether it is the government or the private sector.

“So there’s a JAO, which is interagency, and the BOC is also doing something on its own initiative. At the port level, we also implement what we can do here, so it’s a multipronged approach.

What we are saying is that at our level we are taking the initiative to fix the problem for our stakeholders,” he added. “And we are very happy that the port operators are cooperative about it and some shipping lines have also expressed their willingness to cooperate because it’s really affecting the supply chain.”

He said that even though the BOC is not main actor in the logistics chain, like most people assume, it still implements measures that help its stakeholders as well as sustain solutions for the elimination of congestion at the ports.

“People were saying that we were downplaying the issue on port congestion but truth be told we just wanted to be responsible.

It doesn’t mean that government doesn’t recognize that there are problems in the supply chain, but for customs, what we hope that people will understand is that customs clearance exists in the middle of the supply chain,” he said. “W hat we are primarily responsible for is customs clearance of our goods whether for imports and exports.”

Going out

REP. Winston Castelo of Quezon City, meanwhile, is proposing to shift container traffic to Batangas and Subic ports to ease congestion in Manila ports.

B5

House Bill 1593, or the proposed Container Traffic Cap in Ports Act “contemplates not just a timely but a long-term solution to the problem of congestion at the Manila Port due to the fact that volume of container traffic is more than this port could handle,” said Castelo, the chairman of the House Committee on Metro Manila Development.

The bill mandates the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to shift container traffic to Batangas and Subic ports, thereby putting a cap on the volume of containers at the Manila Port.

T he measure said the PPA should also renegotiate current contracts for further development.

“Unless a policy is put in effect, the problem worsens,” he added.

“Thus, this measure mandates the Philippine Ports Authority to shift container traffic to Subic and Batangas Ports, and it should renegotiate current contracts for further port development at Manila Port to instead be implemented at Subic and Batangas Ports in terms of new terminals and additional berths.”

Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker Arthur Yap of Bohol said there is a need to reform the country’s port administration to improve services.

Yap said his House Bill 8005 seeks to separate the regulatory and development functions of the PPA by converting it into a Philippines Ports Corp. (PhilPorts) and transferring its regulatory functions to the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina).

In 1974, Yap said the PPA was created by virtue of Presidential Decree 857, as amended, to implement an integrated program for the planning, development, financing and operation of piers or port districts for the entire country.

Through the years, he said the port users such as domestic shippers, exporters and importers have complained of lower service levels, inefficient port operations and ever-increasing port charges.

“They claim that the high cost of transport serves as an effective barrier to increased trade—both local and foreign—and undermines the country’s overall competitiveness,” Yap added.

Optimism on JAO

LOPEZ sa id t he gover nment is just waiting for final inputs from industry players on how to further regulate fees charged by shipping lines and stabilize yard utilization rate. “[The JAO] is still subjected to consultation, as stakeholders are still submitting their inputs [and we are awaiting them] so that we can fine-tune the order,” Lopez said. “We will be signing that hopefully within one week or two weeks. It should have been [issued] last week, but some stakeholders have yet to input.”

“Hopefully, we can include in the JAO measures regulating fees charged by shipping lines,” he added. “We hope to regulate that.”

TOTAL RESPONSE

Other salient features proposed under the Joint Administrative Order: n Limiting the entry of empty containers at the terminal facilities only to those with special permit to load (SPTL) for positioning and immediate loading n Strict observation of the period to export empty containers as indicated by the equipment interchange receipt (EIR) of 90 days from the date of discharge n Co-loading vessels n No congestion fee to be charged without a declaration of port congestion by the DOTr n Encouraging other entities to apply for their own container yards

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Thursday, March 28, 2019 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

The World BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Xi, European leaders form trade policy partnership

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ARIS—Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to work with European leaders to seek fairer international trade rules and to address the world’s economic and security challenges, establishing “a trust-based partnership” that seemed like a rebuke to Donald J. Trump’s protectionist policies.

X i, who is on a state visit to France, met in Paris w ith Frenc h P resident Em m a nue l Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker to discuss relations between China and Europe.

Macron acknowledged “existing rivalries” between the European Union and China over economic policies, but the four said in a joint statement after the meeting they committed to seeking “a trust-based partnership.”

“I think our common goal is to make sure the response to these tensions doesn’t cause fractures in the international commercial order, fresh trade conflicts or isolationist policies,” Macron said in a statement following the meeting.

Xi said reform governance rules should address worldwide challenges, like climate change, cyber

security and mass migration.

“Competition and international frictions keep growing” in the world, he said.

Amid trade tensions between the United States and both China and the European Union, European countries want to boost relations with China while also applying pressure over its business practices.

China wants to play a bigger role in international organizations, like the United Nations, the World Trade Organization and the International Monetary Fund that were created under a Western-based model.

The leaders are preparing for an EU-China summit on April 9.

The EU is China’s biggest trade partner and wants to solidify that relationship.

European Union chief Juncker said “European companies will need to find the same level of

CHINESE President Xi Jinping (right) is welcomed by French President Emmanuel Macron (second from left) with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker (left) prior to their meeting at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris on Tuesday, March 26.

Merkel and Juncker are meeting with Macron as they prepare for a possibly chaotic Brexit and a crucial summit with China. AP PHOTO/FRANCOIS MORI

openness when it comes to their access to China’s internal market as the one Chinese companies find in Europe: a level of total openness.”

Ju nc ker a l so s a id Eu rope

should get a concerted approach toward the Belt and Road Initiative, China’s vast infrastructure project to link China with Africa, Europe and beyond.

The EU is worried about unfair

competition from Chinese companies. Juncker said the bloc should defend its interests and “take advantage of the opportunities” opened under that project.

“I would like for these invest-

ments to be not just Chinese, but also benefit Europeans and transit countries,” he said.

Merkel said that “with multilateralism it’s possible to get a win-win approach.” She suggested the United States should be part of the multilateral decision-making process, instead of squaring off with China over trade and other issues.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres backed Tuesday’s meeting, stressing in a letter the need for “an international order based on common rules.”

Separately, Xi and Macron issued a sweeping, 37-point joint statement that seemed like another rebuke to Trump.

It vaunted the importance of multilateralism in just about every domain, from preventing nuclear war to reducing dangerous greenhouse gas emissions.

They reiterated their commitment to the Iran nuclear accord that Trump has rejected. They also defended the United Nations and other international institutions that Trump has described as ineffective and inconsistent with his “America First” agenda.

Tuesday’s meeting was the last scheduled event in Xi’s European visit that started last week and included stops in Italy and Monaco.

His trip coincided with the signing of large business contracts, including a deal with China that represents one of largest sales ever for European aircraft maker Airbus. AP

holds gains EU ignores US calls Oil after Russia’s firm commitment to ban Huawei in to output cuts 5G security blueprint O

HUAWEI CEO Richard Yu displays the new Huawei P30 smartphone during a presentation in Paris on Tuesday, March 26. AP PHOTO/THIBAULT CAMUS

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ONDON—T he Europea n Commission ignored US calls to ban Chinese tech supplier Huawei as it announced on Tuesday a series of cyber-security recommendations for next-generation mobile networks.

In its guidance for the rollout of ultrafast fifth-generation, or 5G, telecom systems across the European Union in coming years, the Commission urged member-states to assess cyber threats to the 5G infrastructure in their national markets.

That information should then be shared among EU countries as part of a coordinated effort to develop a “toolbox of mitigating measures” and minimum common standards for 5G network security by the end of the year, the EU’s executive branch said.

The proposals are a setback for the United States, which has been lobbying allies in Europe to boycott Huawei over fears its equipment could be used by China’s communist leaders to carry out cyber espionage.

The EU’s digital commissioner, Andrus Ansip, acknowledged those concerns, saying they stem from Beijing’s 2017 intelligence law that compels Chinese companies to assist in intelligence gathering.

“I think we have to be worried about this,” Ansip said at a news briefing in Strasbourg.

However, commission officials signaled they prefer to secure Europe’s critical digital infrastructure with a more nuanced approach, rather than bowing to US pressure for blanket bans.

Huawei said in a statement it welcomed the commission’s “objective and proportionate” recommendations. The privately owned Chinese company has repeatedly said there’s never been evidence it was responsible for any security breaches.

Huawei still faces scrutiny under Brussels’ plan. Security Commissioner Julian King said EU countries should identify and manage security risks, including by ensuring a diverse range of equipment makers and factoring in “legal and policy frameworks governing third-country suppliers.”

Countries would have the right to ban companies for national security reasons and could also agree on EU-wide measures to identify products or suppliers considered potentially unsecure, the commission said.

Commission guidance is nonbinding but EU countries often use it as the basis for joint policies. AP

IL held gains near a fourmonth high after Russia reaffirmed its commitment to production cuts by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec+) coalition and disruptions in Venezuela added to signs of tightening supply.

Futures in New York were steady after rising 1.9 percent in the previous session. Russia, the world’s second-biggest crude producer, is on track to reach its pledged output cut of 228,000 barrels a day by the end of March, Energy Minister Alexander Novak said. Venezuela’s main oil ports were said to remain shut on Tuesday after a power outage halted exports a day earlier.

Oil is poised for the best quarterly gain since 2009 as the Opec+ and its allies curbed production to clear excess inventories. Signs the US shale boom is running out of steam, power outages in Venezuela and American sanctions on Iran are also supporting prices, while the outlook for demand remains uncertain as investors wait to see if the US and China can resolve their trade war.

“Russia is making good on its promise,” said Takayuki Nogami, chief economist at Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corp. in Tokyo. “Investors are becoming more confident they can trust Russia’s relationship with Saudi Arabia, and supply disruptions in Venezuela are raising concerns the market will tighten further.”

West Texas Intermediate for May delivery gained 7 cents to $60.01 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange as of 11:04 a.m. in Singapore. The contract climbed $1.12 to $59.94 on Tuesday. It has risen 32 percent so far this quarter.

Brent for May settlement rose 12 cents to $68.09 on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange. The contract advanced 76 cents, or 1.1 percent, on Tuesday. The global benchmark crude was at a premium of $8.08 to WTI. Bloomberg News

The World BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Thailand political power struggle seen threatening economic outlook

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HE uncertainty surrounding Thailand’s election outcome threatens to set back the economy’s grinding recovery from the 2014 coup.

Five years after seizing power, Thailand’s junta is seeking to keep its leader Prayuth Chan-Ocha in control despite unofficial results showing the party linked to exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra is on course to win the most number of seats in Sunday’s vote.

A prolonged power struggle could undermine an economy that’s reasonably well placed in the short term: foreign reserves are the envy of the emerging-market world, the lure of its beaches and nightlife keeps tourists rolling in, and exports to other economies in the region held up well last year even though trade with China is now struggling amid a slowdown there and tariff tensions with the US. But those factors mask underlying weaknesses in the economy that a new government will need to fix in the long term. Falling productivity, rapid aging that threatens to make the country old before it’s

rich, and declining investment have seen Thailand’s attractiveness drop below many of its peers. Economic growth has been stuck at an average of 3.1 percent since the start of 2014—not enough to lead the country out of its middle-income trap.

And even the economy’s strengths are backfiring: The rock-solid balance of payments position is driving up the currency, eroding the competitiveness of exports. The baht has advanced 2.9 percent against the US dollar so far this year, the strongest among major Asian currencies.

In order to kick the economy into higher gear and defend against the looming demographic headwinds, economists say the government needs to make good on big commitments in infrastructure—and not just around the key hubs like Bangkok.

Transport projects

EVEN just delivering pending con-

tracts from the junta’s reign should help convince foreign investors that it’s business as usual in Thailand and that the $54-billion transport corridor project along the eastern seaboard that Prayuth championed remains an apolitical priority.

“We need to see more on-theground execution” of the plans in place on badly needed infrastructure, said Felix Lam, a senior Asia Pacific equities portfolio manager at BNP Paribas SA in Hong Kong.

Delivering on those blueprints would give some life to total investment spending in Thailand, which lags regional peers at 24 percent of gross domestic product, compared with an average of 29 percent among Southeast Asia’s biggest economies.

Away from the construction sites, the Thai government will have to show some progress on improving the quality of education and health care in order to ensure that “Thai people really feel they’re living in a middle-class society,” Birgit Hansl, the World Bank’s country manager for Thailand, said in a Bloomberg TV interview.

Aging society

AN aging population is looming as a big threat over the economy. Citing World Bank data, the central bank says Thailand will be the first devel-

oping country to become an “aged society” in 2022 in which at least 14 percent of the population will be at least 65 years old.

The Bank of Thailand’s proposals include raising the retirement age, supporting reverse mortgages for the elderly, and providing employers with incentives to hire workers older than 60—policies that fall outside the central bank’s remit and would need to be implemented by a new government.

The central bank may have greater influence over another key structural challenge in the economy: relatively high household debt. It has already imposed stricter mortgage-lending rules that take effect in April and raised interest rates in December just before a dovish turn by central banks globally in 2019.

First things first, Thailand needs a way out of the current political mess to give investors some hope.

“The more stable the coalition government, the better the impact to the Thai economy,” Kattiya Indaravijaya, the president of Kasikornbank Pcl, said in an interview with Bloomberg TV in Bangkok. The political parties have similar economic policies, so “no matter what the government will be, the economic policy from any combination will be the same,” she said. Bloomberg News

Major revamp planned for FAA’s oversight process

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MERICA’S standing as the model for aviation-safety regulation will be on trial as congressional hearings begin into the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) oversight of Boeing before and after two deadly crashes of its best-selling airliner.

The Senate aviation subcommittee is scheduled to hear testimony on Wednesday from the acting head of the FAA, the Transportation Department inspector general, who is leading a review of the FAA and Boeing, and the nation’s top transportation safety investigator.

Inspector General Calvin Scovel III is expected to reveal plans to significantly revamp the FAA’s oversight of airplane construction this summer and discuss his office’s findings of management weaknesses with a number of the agency’s oversight processes over the years.

“While revamping FAA’s oversight process will be an important step, continued management attention will be key to ensure the agency identifies and monitors the highest-risk areas of aircraft certification,” Scovel wrote in his prepared remarks obtained by The Associated Press.

Even though the agency has made improvements, it plans by July to develop new evaluation criteria for training and company self-audits, Scovel wrote.

Also on Wednesday, Acting FAA Administrator Daniel Elwell will testify that Boeing submitted an application on January 21 spelling out changes it planned to make to crucial flight-control software on the 737 Max—the same system that is suspected of playing a role in the

THIS March 14, 2019, file photo shows a Boeing 737 Max 8 airplane parked at Boeing Field in Seattle. America’s standing as the model for aviationsafety regulation will be on trial as congressional hearings begin on Wednesday, March 27, 2019, into the Federal Aviation Administration’s oversight of Boeing before and after two deadly crashes of its best-selling airliner. AP PHOTO/TED S. WARREN

October 29 crash of a Lion Air jet in Indonesia and the March 10 plunge of an Ethiopian Airlines Max. In all, 346 people died.

Elwell said FAA engineers and pilots have tested the update in a simulator and the plane, including recovering from an aerodynamic stall, according to a copy of his prepared remarks obtained by The Associated Press.

“The FAA’s ongoing review of this software installation and training is an agency priority,” Elwell is ex-

pected to testify.

An FAA spokesman said on Wednesday that the Boeing submission was an “initial application” and that the agency had not yet received Boeing’s completed plan for updating the software. The Transportation Department watchdog has previously raised questions about the FAA’s certification of Boeing planes and the seemingly close relationship between some agency managers and Boeing.

Ellwell will defend collaboration

with aircraft makers and airlines, saying that sharing information with companies gives the FAA more knowledge about emerging risks.

The process, he planned to say, has “consistently produced safe aircraft designs for decades.”

On the other end of Capitol Hill, the chairman of the House Transportation Committee is seeking an independent review of Boeing’s proposed fix to its 737 Max aircraft, which has been grounded worldwide for two weeks. AP

Thursday, March 28, 2019

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House lawmakers denounce plan to divert military money for wall W ASHINGTON—House lawmakers on Tuesday denou nced Defense Department plans to use military funds to pay for President Donald J. Trump’s border wall, telling Pentagon leaders the “unbelievably irresponsible” maneuver will threaten the agency’s future ability to shift money around when needed.

Both Republicans and Democrats on the House Armed Services Committee said there is little support for tapping military construction projects for the wall, about a week after Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan sent a list of vulnerable projects to Capitol Hill.

“Whatever one feels about the border wall, to look at the Pentagon as sort of a piggybankslash-slush fund, where you can simply go in and grab money for something when you need it, really undermines the credibility of the entire DOD budget,” said Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., chairman of the panel. “Funding a border wall out of the Department of Defense is also unbelievably irresponsible.”

As the hearing continued, Smith sent a letter from the committee to the Pentagon denying the department’s first formal request to shift about $1 billion in surplus personnel funds to a counter-drug account in order to pay for barriers along the US-Mexico border. The panel doesn’t have the legal authority to block the transfer, but could make changes in the law to block any funding shifts in the future.

“Historically they’ve asked for our signature to consent.

This time they’re not asking for our consent,” said Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill. “ That kind of changes the working relationship and it’s likely to change the next defense appropriations bill. I would be surprised if you didn’t find language that spells out reprogramming in the future is going to be handled a lot differently.”

The Pentagon said it was exploring the potential impact of that letter and what steps the department would take next.

The House committee’s top Republican, Rep. Mac Thornberry of Texas, also said he opposes using defense funding for other purposes. But he noted that Shanahan is facing “a lot of criticism for decisions that you had nothing to do with.”

In response, Shanahan said he knew that maneuvering around Congress to fund the wall was risky and would have long-term negative effects on the department. But he said the department was executing a “legal order from the commander in chief.”

The Pentagon last week sent to Capitol Hill a list of more

than 400 military construction projects, totaling about $13 billion, that might be tapped for wall funding. But Shanahan has said that any money for military housing or barracks would not be touched, as well as any projects that will have contracts awarded before the end of this fiscal year, September 30. When those projects are removed, about 150 remain, totaling about $4.3 billion.

Shanahan has also said that projects deemed necessary for military readiness or other high priorities will be protected. But those haven’t been identified yet.

Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and David Norquist, the department’s budget chief, were also at the Tuesday hearing.

Both the House and Senate voted to overturn Trump’s declaration of a national emergency to use construction money to fund the wall. Trump vetoed that bill.

A number of lawmakers also objected to the Pentagon’s assumption that Congress would simply refund the affected projects next year, calling it a political maneuver to get Congress to pay for the wall.

Other lawmakers, such as the entire New Jersey congressional delegation, have written to Shanahan to defend the projects in their state. In their letter, they told Shanahan that they “adamantly oppose” diverting any money for a border barrier, adding that Congress, not the executive branch, has the power to appropriate funds for specific projects.

A plan to spend $41 million at the Picatinny Arsenal’s munitions disassembly complex in New Jersey is on the list of projects that could be affected.

On Monday, Army Secretary Mark Esper told The Associated Press that he and other military service leaders will go through the list and work to protect critical projects.

“I will prioritize based on readiness, lethality and things like that,” he said, noting that something like a training complex could be protected if it’s designed to help soldiers face emerging threats from competitors such as Russia and China.

Esper added, however, that there are clearly some projects that could be used.

“I can tell you what’s not a priority. It’s the parking garage, the cemetery,” Esper said, referring to two projects planned at the US Military Academy at West Point in New York.

The garage could be affected, but the cemetery money would not be touched because t he cont ract awa rd d ate is June, and would therefore be exempt under rules set up by Shanahan. AP

Spain: Intruders offered data stolen in North Korean Embassy raid to FBI

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ADRID—Spain has issued at least two international arrest warrants for members of a self-proclaimed humanrights group who allegedly led a mysterious raid at the North Korean Embassy in Madrid last month and offered the FBI stolen data from the break-in.

A National Court judge who lifted a secrecy order in the case on Tuesday said an investigation of the February

22 attack uncovered evidence that “a criminal organization” shackled and gagged embassy staff members before escaping with computers, hard drives and documents.

The intruders also urged North Korea’s only accredited diplomat in Spain, business envoy So Yun Sok, to defect, Judge Jose de la Mata said in a written report on the Spanish investigation. So refused to do so and was gagged, according to the report.

The assailants identified themselves as “members of an association or movement of human rights for the liberation of North Korea.”

That group is the Cheollima Civil Defense, according to a US official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details of the incident.

The shadowy activists have the selfdeclared mission of helping defectors from North Korea.

De la Mata identified citizens of

Mexico, the United States and South Korea as the main suspects being investigated on charges that include of causing injuries, making threats and burglary. He named Adrian Hong Chang, a Mexican citizen living in the United States, as the break-in’s leader.

Hong Chang flew to the US on February 23, got in touch with the FBI and offered to share material and videos with federal investigators,

according to the court report. The document did not say what type of information the items contained or whether the FBI accepted the offer.

The FBI said in a statement that its standard practice is to neither confirm nor deny the existence of investigations. The agency added that “the FBI enjoys a strong working relationship with our Spanish law enforcement partners.”

An official with Spain’s National

Police who wasn’t authorized to be named in media reports confirmed to The Associated Press that arrest warrants were issued for Hong Chang and one other suspect. No one had been charged as of Tuesday.

The assailants purchased knives and handgun mock-ups when they visited Madrid in early February and used them during the attack, according to the investigation document. AP

B8 Thursday, March 28, 2019

HYUNDAI OPENS FIRST DEALERSHIP IN METRO MANILA

H EARTH HOUR AT SM SANTA MESA Let’s join hands with the rest of the world in celebrating this year’s Earth Hour. Let’s speak up on why nature matters and be part of the largest environmental movement of the year. We make a difference; we matter.

PHILIPPINE MARKETING ASSOCIATION, RESORTS WORLD MANILA INKS EVENT PARTNERSHIP

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FFICIALS of the Philippine Marketing Association (PMA) and Resorts World Manila (RWM) sign a memoramdum of agreement on March 19 at Sheraton Hotel.

On March 27 the PMA held its second general membership meeting, themed “Pushing the Right Buttons: Creativity x Customer Experience”, at the RWM grand wing.

RWM is the official venue partner, which carries the association’s 65th anniversary themed “PMA Strong @ 65: A New Dawn”. This event is also in partnership with LinkedIN, TeamAsia, TED Events, DOOH, Primer Group of

Companies and Synergy.

The meeting highlighted a new dawn of event marketing and the launch of PMA’s flagship programs, the national marketing conference and Agora Awards. For inquiries contact the PMA Secretariat at 634-5722 and 634-4890.

In photo are (from left) Paraluman Tamayo, assistant director for hotel sales and marketing, RWM; Julius Uy, director for GMM, PMA; Mary Faith Abaño, president, PMA, Kathy Mercado, senior director for international sales and marketing, RWM; and Marco Antonio Montes, chairman for GMM, PMA.

BINALOT CELEBRATES 22ND YEAR WITH GRAND RAFFLE PROMO

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N celebration of its 22nd anniversary, Binalot recently held Pamaskong Handog sa Ika-22 Taon ng Binalot raffle promo. Customers who purchased any alltime “Pinoy-vorites” and Lipton iced tea at any Binalot branch nationwide were qualified to join in the promo.

22 winners were drawn in the presence of Department of Trade and Industry representative Estifane Luis.

The first prize (32” LED TV) goes to Etracir Johnne Pascua; second prize (six winners of Myphone cellphone), Catherina I. Rilveria, Jacinto Y. Manalo, Florence P. Telimban, Christian E. Morales, Wendy de la Peña and Brian Lontoc; third prize (five winners of Beep card with preloaded value of P1,000), Jeffrey M. Galana, Rhonadyll Amante, Jhan Ray D. Se, Marysol D. Castillo and Ana Liza Panlasigui; consolation prize (10 winners of Beep card with preloaded value of P500), Melody Tandog, Shirley Y. Abulon, Alex M. Alvarez Jr., Mary Joyce S. Aquino, Camille Jam Labadan, Michael Dominic M. Juan, Princess Khaila Credo, Brendo L. Stander, Amador I. Turla and Sharon T. Tajon.

Visit any Binalot branch near you! Log on to www.

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The HTB Commonwealth also carries light-, medium- and heavy-duty trucks, such as the Hyundai HD truck series and the Xcient GT series, which are built with rigidly constructed high tensilestrength steel frame perfectly matched with a powertrain that allows optimum performance under various load, ambient and terrain conditions. As such, Hari trucks offer wide array of solutions to rigorous demands of businesses, and guarantee increased satisfaction and business profitability. “[TheopeningofHTB-Commonwealth] ushers in not just another chapter of the Hyundai story, but also underscores our strong support for the government’s Build, Build, Build program and private infrastructure projects. As a global brand with strong local roots, we understand the unique needs of our customers, and we are proud to be a lifetime partner of the Filipino,” Hari’s top honcho added.

Recently Hari achieved another milestone when it was recognized

by Hyundai Motor Co. as the 2018 Regional Distributor of the Year in Asia Pacific, Russia and Commonwealth of Independent States, besting 25 distributors in the region.

Reinvigorating and supporting the company’s growth trajectory, total sales of Hyundai trucks and buses grew by 113.9 percent in the first two months of 2019 versus the same period in 2018; and by 190.3 percent in February 2019 versus February 2018.

In photo are (from left) Prince Motor Corp. Chairman and CEO Amando S. San Juan, Prince Motor Corp. treasurer Carmen P. San Juan, Prince Motor Corp. President lawyer Anna Lyne P. San Juan-Ponferrada, Perez-Agudo, Rep. Winston Castelo of Quezon City, Hari Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer for Corporate and Trade Operations Support Services Group Ladislao Z. Avila Jr., and Hari COO for Trade Operations and Development Group Numeriano R. Cortez Jr.

‘TRIANGLE BRUSH FLORALS’ WITH PLAYCRAFTS PHL AT SUNSHINE PLACE

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UNSHINE Place introduces the new Triangle Brush Florals painting workshop with Play Crafts PH. Triangle Brush Florals uses the “miracle brush”, particularly for water color and thinned down acrylic, which carries a voluminous f low. Learn to paint simple f lowers, peonies, hydrangeas, carnation and cherry

blossoms using gouache paint, an opaque watercolor medium.

Beth Robles of Play Crafts PH will conduct the workshop. She started with scrapbooking and card making as a personal hobby and started a page to initially destash some items. From then on, she conducted lessons on calligraphy and floral painting using different media,

such as watercolor, gouache, soft pastels and acrylic. These workshops will be held at Sunshine place this year.

The one-Saturday workshop is scheduled on March 30 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Workshop fee includes a gouache set of paints, a triangle brush, watercolor paper, and manual. For inquiries, e-mail at playcrafts.ph@gmail.com.

BORN TO BE WILD

K binalot.com.

In photo is first-prize winner Pascua (left) with Binalot Marketing Manager Cristina Martinez.

SAVOY GIVES YOU ‘SUMMER SPLASHIN’ THIS SEASON! EAT the heat, and check into a cool and cozy “staycation” at Savoy Hotel Manila. For only P6,200 net, Savoy Hotel Manila guests can get an overnight accommodation with buffet breakfast for two in an essential room. The Summer Spalshin’ package also includes two glasses of refreshing featured summer drink at The Poolside, a massage for two at The Cabana, and 20-percent discounts on select RWM shows.

This special seasonal offer is only open for reservations until April 22 and for stays until April 30; and is only available

YUNDAI Asia Resources Inc. (Hari), one of the country’s fastest-growing automotive firms, marks another milestone with the inauguration of its Hyundai Trucks and Buses (HTB) Commonwealth, its first dedicated commercial-vehicle dealership in Metro Manila.

The dealership boasts a full lineup of commercial vehicles and world-class facilities to cater to freight, payload and mass-mobility requirements of all business enterprises, government and institutional customers.

According to Hari President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ma. Fe PerezAgudo, “It is only fitting that we open our first CV Metro Manila dealership here in Quezon City, along this bustling growth corridor at the heart of the National Capital Region. This state-of-the-art facility will not only showcase Hyundai trucks and buses known worldwide for their safety, quality performance and durability, but also the unrivalled sales, aftersales service and technical expertise of its highly trained and certified dealer personnel.”

The new CV dealership complies with Hyundai Motor Co.’s global dealershipspace identity standards to complement its best-selling models. The H350, a fully sized premium van that comfortably seats 14 passengers, with a headroom of 6'3", has established a reputation for easy handling, comfort and fuel-efficiency.

The County, meanwhile, is becoming the mini bus of choice among the country’s top business establishments, particularly corporate clients requiring shuttle vehicles for its employees, tourist operators and gaming/entertainment establishments.

This mini bus offers wider and taller cabin space, extra storage and plush passenger seats to provide best-in-class comfort, convenience and passenger safety.

through direct booking at the Savoy Hotel Manila reservation counter or through the hotel’s official Web site www. savoyhotelmanila.com.ph. Interested individuals may also send an e-mail at reservations.manila@thesavoyhotels.com.

The 684-room Savoy Hotel also features function rooms, three dining outlets and Squares, a common lounge area with spaces for guests to work, relax or mingle. The outdoor pool and bar provides the perfect place to do laps or just lounge.

Located within the RWM complex, Savoy Hotel Manila offers a free shuttle service for guests to easily access Resorts World Manila (RWM) and its many thrills, including the Newport Mall and the Newport Performing Arts Theater.

With their special Summer Splashin’ discount, guests can enjoy world-class entertainment at an excellent value, such as RWM’s critically acclaimed Ang Huling El Bimbo and “Jaya: At Her Finest”, at the NPAT during the promotion period.

For inquiries, visit www.savoyhotelmanila. com.ph for more details and reservations. Download the RWM Mobile App for free on the AppStore and GooglePlay for updates and offerings.

YMCO, one of the most trusted global brands for scooters, motorcycles and ATVs, presents its latest maxi scooter, the all new S 400i.

A successor to the highly successful 400i, the most popular maxi scooter in its class, the 400cc Fi 4 valve engine delivers powerful, yet smooth and quiet engine.

TheS400isurpassestheperformance of its predecessor and is meticulously aligned with Kymco’s philosophy “Win My Heart”. This is the next-generation maxi scooter that meets the stringent demands of a rider seeking nothing but the best of “sport touring”.

Its design does not only excel in every aspect, but also exceed every expectation of customers.

It is built on the perspective of the riders’ needs to fulfill a much-desired work-leisure balance of life. It beams and glitters Kymco’s high performance and futuristic technology.

Its modern and contemporary design, high-speed riding stability and total comfort in riding is, indeed, the perfect solution for those who often commute to the city for work; and for those who consider themselves as weekend warriors.

The rear LED taillight is both unique and full of character. Whether sprinting on the street under bright city lights or leisurely cruising on the suburban freeway under glaring

sunshine, the S 400i is destined to be the center of attention.

T he front end of the seat is specifically tapered to allow easy feet placement to the ground at every stop.

The backrest of the seat is enlarged to provide better support. The unique two-stage seat opening design makes access to the under-seat compartment easier than ever.

SAVE WEIGHTLIFTING FROM ROT OF DOPING P Sports

By John Leicester

The Associated Press

ARIS—No carrots. To save weightlifting from the rot of doping, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) must continue to wield the big stick.

When initial drug testing came back negative from the most recent world championships, it fleetingly seemed that weightlifting might be starting to turn a corner.

Perhaps the fight launched against the sport’s steroid culture, laid bare by more than 50 positive tests from the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games, was bearing fruit? Maybe IOC pressure and a vague threat to possibly exclude weightlifting from future Olympic competition had helped steer dopers away from their needles and pills?

Wishful thinking. When those world championship drug-test samples were then subjected to deeper scrutiny using additional laboratory analysis and sophisticated computer algorithms, a grimmer picture emerged that shot holes in the notion of a sport on the mend.

The follow-up testing snared at least eight lifters, all from Thailand, including three who won world titles in November and four others who also won medals.

Two of them are Olympic champions from the 2016 Rio Games, including one who had previously been banned for steroid use for two years.

Clearly, then, some lifters still aren’t getting the message that because of systematic doping, they and their sport are on a slippery slope toward becoming an irrelevancy and a joke. That’s a shame, because the sight of huffing, puffing lifters heaving monstrous weights has long been one of the great Olympic spectacles, with boisterous and admiring crowds.

The sport offered medal opportunities for countries, such as Thailand, that aren’t Olympic powerhouses. But when anti-doping tests later reveal that much of the show is a fraud, the question must be asked: Is the IOC aiding and abetting steroid abuse in weightlifting by keeping it in the Olympics?

Fresher, younger sports can make solid arguments that they set a better, cleaner example and so are more deserving of inclusion in the games. Part of the appeal of skateboarding, climbing, surfing and karate, all making their Olympic debuts at the 2020 Tokyo Games, and of breakdancing, being proposed for inclusion in Paris in 2024, is that Olympic audiences should be able to enjoy them without the nagging doubt that many medals may have been won with doping and could be stripped when lab results come back.

Nearly half of the 45 weightlifting medals from the 2012 London Olympics were tainted by doping in one way or another. Some medalists were belatedly caught when the IOC subjected samples it had stored away to improved testing that uncovered widespread use of the

By Tim Dahlberg

L

The Associated Press

ENNOX LEWIS always wanted to fight everybody, and did so often enough to become the last person to hold all the major heavyweight titles at the same time.

That meant Riddick Bowe, even after Bowe threw a title belt in a garbage can to avoid him.

It also meant Mike Tyson, even after Tyson threatened to eat his children.

“Just prison talk,” Lewis said. “At the time I didn’t even have any children.”

The best fighting the best. That was always Lewis’s philosophy, and it culminated in a 2002 annihilation of Tyson that cemented his legacy as an all-time heavyweight great.

It’s also what makes it painful to look at the mess that is the heavyweight division today.

There’s no lack of good, possibly even great, fighters.

But so far—for reasons that start with greed and go beyond the fighters themselves—there’s been a lack of great fights.

“My aim was always to be the undisputed champion,” said Lewis, who now works for Fox Sports as a ringside analyst. “These boxers now aren’t really talking about that.”

That could change if fighters, their promoters and the various television platforms somehow find a way to work together. But that was unlikely to begin with, and even more unlikely now that the major participants in the heavyweight sweepstakes have aligned themselves with promoters and broadcasting platforms that don’t play well together.

Anthony Joshua versus Deontay Wilder is the fight everyone wants to see. Tyson Fury is right in the mix, and there are a number of fringe title contenders who on the right night might make heavyweight history.

But a highly anticipated rematch between Wilder and Fury of their December draw is off because Fury signed with Top Rank and ESPN while Wilder is fighting—at least for now—under the Showtime banner. Wilder against Joshua seems to be even further from reality as the two camps can’t agree on broadcasters, terms or even if they really want to fight each other.

So Joshua is fighting at Madison Square Garden in June, but instead of Wilder he’s got an opponent in Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller, who is a decent fighter but hardly a

BusinessMirror

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| Thursday, March 28, 2019 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

SPAIN’S Lidia Valentin Perez waited a decade for her silver medal from the 2008 Olympics, reallocated after IOC retesting unmasked three lifters who’d kept her off the podium in the 75-kilogram competition in Beijing.

KEEP ’EM CLEAN!

steroids stanozolol and turinabol among lifters from former Eastern Bloc nations.

Kazakhstan lifter Ilya Ilin, who won gold in the men’s 94-kilogram category in 2012 and at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, had the dubious distinction of later being stripped of both those medals after retesting revealed

him as a steroid user.

Others medalists escaped that IOC net but were then unmasked by testing elsewhere. North Korea’s Kim Un Guk, for example, has kept his 2012 Olympic gold from the men’s featherweight competition but is banned until the end of this year following a positive test in 2015. The

2012 gold in the 85-kilogram class remains with Poland’s Adrian Zielinski. But he then tested positive in 2016 and, after the Court of Arbitration for Sport recently rejected his appeal, is now serving out his four-year suspension.

On the women’s side, the shocking case of Cristina Iovu, in particular, has weakened the argument that anti-

HEAVYWEIGHT OF A MESS

DALLAS Cowboys owner Jerry Jones talks with Deontay Wilder before his International Boxing Federation welterweight championship bout against Mikey Garcia early this month in Arlington, Texas. AP

doping suspensions have a deterrent effect. IOC retesting found that Iovu used turinabol when she won a bronze medal for Moldova in the 53-kilogram class in 2012. She also failed a test in 2013, having switched allegiances to Azerbaijan, and was banned for two years until 2015. In what could now be a third strike for Iovu, and for a third country, the International Weightlifting Federation announced in December that the athlete, now lifting for Romania, is again suspended while being investigated for another suspected anti-doping violation.

In short, those who paid for weightlifting tickets at recent Olympics might have a case for a refund. Getting medals to rightful owners has taken years. Spain’s Lidia Valentin Perez waited a decade for her silver medal from the 2008 Olympics, reallocated after IOC retesting unmasked three lifters who’d kept her off the podium in the 75-kilogram competition in Beijing.

Robbed of her Olympic podium moment again by three steroid users four years later in London, the Spanish lifter finally had the gold medal from 2012 placed around her neck at a ceremony in Madrid this month.

Weightlifting’s anti-doping efforts were reviewed this week by IOC executives. In a decision the IOC may come to regret, and despite the ugly rash of drug-test positives from the world championships, the Olympic board opted on Tuesday to confirm weightlifting’s place at the 2024 Paris Olympics, signaling the end of its probation.

That was misguided. The smarter course of action would have been to sustain the pressure that previously helped jolt the sport into treating its doping problem as a life-threatening illness. Nine countries with the most positives from the 2008 and 2012 Olympic retests were suspended for a year from 2017. The worst doping offenders, countries with 20 or more cases since 2008, are being limited to just one male and one female lifter next year in Tokyo. Thailand has banned itself from 2020 Olympic weightlifting entirely.

The Thai cases showed that weightlifting’s doping disease isn’t beaten. Instead of prematurely rewarding the sport, the IOC should have kept it on probation until lifters have grasped that each additional doping positive inches them closer to farce. Get the Tokyo Olympics out of the way first.

Reanalyze weightlifting’s samples from the 2016 Rio Games. Then, the IOC could evaluate whether weightlifting is worthy for 2024 and no longer doing more harm than good to the Olympic brand.

If not, there’s no lack of attractive alternatives to take its place. household name. Wilder is fighting Dominic Breazeale on May 18 at Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn, while Fury returns to the ring on June 15 against Germany’s Tom Schwarz in Las Vegas.

And we’re suddenly no closer to a first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lewis beat Evander Holyfield 20 years ago to win all the belts.

“The heavyweights nowadays, they want to be undisputed but the business machine takes over and managers take over,” Lewis said. “They want longevity, but they’re basically slowing down the process.”

The staggering number of sanctioning organizations remains mostly the same since Lewis’s day, which by itself makes unifying any title—much less that of the coveted heavyweight division— difficult. But the process is an even more daunting task now, with television networks and streaming services vying to represent fighters who figure to deliver eyeballs to whatever screen they’re on.

That has already disrupted the middleweight division, where a third fight between Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin was put on hold after Alvarez signed what is claimed to be a $365-million deal with the streaming service DAZN. Golovkin finally followed Alvarez earlier this month, signing his own deal with DAZN that could possibly pave the way for the third fight in September.

Joshua is also with DAZN, while Wilder—who has fought mostly on Showtime—is pondering his next move. Fury, though, recently upended talks for a rematch with Wilder of their December fight by signing with Top Rank, which has a long-term deal with ESPN. Fox, meanwhile, has ties to Wilder through its deal with Premier Boxing Champions, which also represents Efe Ajagba, the Nigerian heavyweight who has created buzz in his short career by knocking out pretty much everyone who has gone into the ring with him.

The explosion of boxing across networks and streaming platforms should ultimately be good for the sport because of the interest being generated. But it also threatens some awfully good potential matchups because there are too many competing interests outside of the fighters themselves.

And that concerns Lewis, who is rooting for the best meeting the best.

“I look at it differently. I would want them as soon as possible,” Lewis said of the top fights. “But they can do what they want. It’s their era.”

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DJOKOVIC OUT IN MIAMI OPEN M

IAMI GARDENS, Florida— Novak Djokovic has had a rough couple of weeks on the court.

The top-seeded Djokovic was upset by Roberto Bautista Agut, 1-6, 7-5, 6-3, in the fourth round of the Miami Open on Tuesday.

He also made an early exit from Indian Wells earlier in the month.

Djokovic was looking to win the 850th match of his career against Bautista Agut, but that achievement will have to take place at another tournament.

“This kind of match I should not have lost,” Djokovic said. “I lost the momentum, I lost the rhythm in the second set. I gave him a little room to step in and he did. A little hope that he can come back, and he made a great comeback.

“But fault is on me, for sure. I had way too many opportunities that I wasted.”

Djokovic lost to Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany in the third round at Indian Wells.

Djokovic, the president of the Association of Tennis Professionals Player Council, has been a central figure in recent ATP off-court news.

He was involved when the ATP Board of Directors decided this month not to renew the contract of ATP Executive Chairman Chris Kermode when it expires at the end of the year.

Initially on Tuesday, Djokovic denied his

recent losses were affected by his off-court activities within the game, but later admitted that it might have taken a toll.

“Way too many things off the court,” Djokovic said. “I guess that affected me a little bit on the court.

“I didn’t feel my best health-wise, as well, in Indian Wells and here. You know, still rusty, but, hey, look, you learn that’s life.”

After racing through the first set against Bautista Agut in 33 minutes, Djokovic lost control of the match. He only took advantage of four of 13 break points presented, and had his own serve broken on three of seven break points he faced.

“One, two, three sluggish games, and that’s what happened,” Djokovic added.

Djokovic was leading 6-1, 4-5 when rain delayed play for 30 minutes. Returning to the court, Djokovic surrendered his serve on a second break point in the 12th game to lose the second set.

The Serb recouped one service break in the third set, but he lost his serve again in the sixth game to fall behind 2-4.

Djokovic holds a 7-3 record over Bautista Agut, but the Spaniard has now beaten him the past two times they’ve played.

Bautista Agut defeated Djokovic in a threeset semifinal at the Qatar Open in January.

Earlier in the day, defending champion John Isner advanced to the quarterfinals by securing a 7-6 (5), 7-6 (3) win over No. 19 seed Kyle Edmund.

Isner, the seventh seed, has played five tiebreak sets in six sets played in his threematch wins to reach this year’s quarters.

In a women’s quarterfinal match, Australia’s Asheigh Barty defeated Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic, 7-6 (6), 3-6, 6-2.

Earlier on Tuesday, two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitova learned that the man who stabbed her in an attack in her home in 2016 was sentenced eight years in prison by a court in the Czech Republic. AP

40 last season, missing the playoffs after making it six straight years—four under Rivers.

“I’m just really happy for our guys,” Rivers said.

“Before the year, we went through all the articles about us and how bad we were going to be...I just told them, they don’t know us.”

The Clippers (45-30) became the fifth Western Conference team to secure a postseason berth.

With seven regular-season games to play, Los Angeles still has a shot at earning home-court advantage in the first round.

Softball season off to hot start

T

HE 2019 softball season took off to a good start following the unveiling of the Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (Asaphil)—Cebuana Lhuillier Invitational Softball Tournament—First Conference that kicked off recently in Imus, Cavite.

Presented by Asaphil President Jean Henri Lhuillier, the tournament, which is being held for the first time, is intended to further strengthen men’s softball in the country.

“Our national softball teams—both men and women—are considered the rising stars of Asia.

We are known for our agility, speed and most important, passion and love for the sport both on and off the field,” Lhuillier said.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC says he lost his rhythm and momentum. AP

CLIPPERS CLINCH PLAYOFF BERTH M INNEAPOLIS—Doc Rivers read the preseason predictions that said his team might win 35 games, at best.

Neither the Clippers coach nor his players took much stock in all that.

Now, they’re playoff-bound.

Danilo Gallinari scored 25 points and Los Angeles clinched a postseason spot on Tuesday night with a 122-111 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Rivers’ club is back in the postseason after falling short a year ago. The Clippers finished 42-

SOFTBALL Association President Jean Henri Lhuillier poses with members of the Blu Boys during a recent courtesy call.

Lou Williams added 20 points off the bench for the Clippers, who outscored Minnesota’s reserves 53-25. Williams had 45 points the last time Los Angeles played at Target Center.

The Clippers have won six in a row, the longest active streak in the National Basketball Association (NBA), and are 11-1 in March.

“It’s so hard to make the playoffs in the West,” said guard Patrick Beverley, who said he was fine after exiting the game with a hip pointer. “To be in the

category with some of the teams that we’re in the category with, it’s truly a blessing.”

Los Angeles led by 25 before Minnesota trimmed the deficit to 104-98 in the fourth quarter on a three-pointer by Karl-Anthony Towns. It was the closest the Wolves had been since the first quarter.

“Something that I think has failed us in a lot of our losses is just our execution,” Towns said. “It hasn’t been the effort, and it hasn’t been the determination. It has just been the execution.”

Towns led Minnesota with 24 points and 13 rebounds. Andrew Wiggins scored 22 and Dario Saric added 18.

Montrezl Harrell helped the Clippers pull away after the Timberwolves got within single digits late in the game. Ten of his 18 points came after Minnesota made it a six-point game in the fourth quarter. AP

NBA RESULTS Boston 116, Cleveland 106 Charlotte 125, San Antonio 116, OT Orlando 104, Miami 99 Toronto 112, Chicago 103 Atlanta 130, New Orleans 120 L.A. Clippers 122, Minnesota 111 Milwaukee 108, Houston 94 Sacramento 125, Dallas 121 Denver 95, Detroit 92 LA Lakers 124, Washington 106

“To keep the momentum going, we have to continuously train our current team, and keep their skills sharp and ready for battle,” he added.

The Blu Boys, one of the outstanding teams in last year’s Asian Men’s Championships in Sarawak, Indonesia, will be competing against each other in the Imus tournament as they raise the flag of their respective mother teams.

Participating teams include the Philippine Air Force, Army and Navy, as well as PUP, RTU, Imus City Air Force, Dasmariñas City and the Cabuyao City Transformers.

The tournament—which ends on Saturday—is supported by Imus City Mayor Emmanuel Maliksi and Imus Rep. Alex “AA” Advincula.

SuBIT at Subic ushers in One Belt One Road series T HE 2019 NTT Asian Triathlon Confederation (ASTC) Subic Bay International Triathlon (SuBIT) Asian Cup slated on April 27 and 28 ushers in this year’s One Belt One Road Triathlon series.

The arrangement highlights the enduring relationship for decades between the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP), Chinese Taipei Triathlon Association (CTTA) and China Triathlon Sports Association (CTSA).

The CTSA will field the Chinese national team in the SuBIT with TRAP reciprocating with a team of triathletes seeing action in the 2019 Lianyungang ASTC Triathlon Asian Cup and Jiayuguan ASTC Triathlon Asian Cup. The events in China serve as the second and third legs of the One Belt One Road Triathlon series.

The CTTA, meanwhile, will send the Chinese

Taipei national team and age-groupers to the SuBIT. Registration for the SuBIT is ongoing with entry fees now set at P5,500 per participant for the Standard Distance, P5,000 for Sprint Distance, P4,000 for Super Sprint Distance and P9,000 for Team Relay.

Registration ends on Sunday or earlier when all slots have been filled up. Online registration are available at https://regonline.activeglobal. com/subit2019.

Organized by the TRAP in cooperation with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Tourism Department, the SuBIT Asian Cup is supported

by Philippine Sports Commission, NTT, Philippine Olympic Committee, Standard Insurance, Asian Centre for Insulation Philippines and Gatorade.

For more information, visit Triathlon.org.ph or send e-mail at trapsecretariat@gmail.com

M-League Reinforced in April

T

HE Metro League (M-League) resumes with a Reinforced Conference early next month in an effort to discover more grassroots basketball talents and promote sports among National Capital Region (NCR) and Mega Manila cities.

Previously known as the Metro Basketball Tournament, the M-League will now allow teams to field one import in the coming conference to add spice to the tournament backed by the Metro Manila Development Authority and the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and, which, has San Miguel Corp. as presentor.

Eight founding cities are returning led by last conference’s champion Valenzuela and fellow North Division teams Manila, Marikina, Quezon City and Caloocan.

THE Timberwolves’ Josh Okogie tries to get past the Clippers’ Danilo Gallinari and Patrick Beverley. AP

Also in the fold are pioneers and South teams Pateros, Taguig and San Juan which will be joined by returning Mandaluyong City and Pasig City with Bacoor City as the newest member.

Mandaluyong, Pasig and Bacoor will have their baptisms of fire right away when they kick off their campaigns against three mainstays in the triple-header M-League opening day extravaganza on April 7 at the San Juan Gym. Home team San Juan tests the mettle of neighbor Mandaluyong in the main game at 4 p.m. after the 2:30 p.m. between Manila and Pasig. Bacoor, meanwhile, debuts against Caloocan at 1 p.m.

A 17-under tournament will also begin in late April in the M-League headed by Tournament Director Bonnie Tan, Finance Officer Waiyip Chong, Deputy Tournament Director Fidel Mangonon III, basketball Commissioner Glenn Capacio and Technical Committee Head Lou Gatumbato.

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Tigresses get fiercer, feast on Lady Falcons

EY PAGUNSAN hit a late birdie at the front to card a one-under 70 to catch Jhonnel Ababa at the helm, one stroke ahead of a mix of aces that stumbled at the finish at the start of the windy International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Riviera Golf Challenge on Wednesday in Silang, Cavite.

Pagunsan, a former member of the national team seeking an end to a long, title drought, made just one other birdie against a bogey at the back but spiked his 34-36 card with eight scrambling pars at the unreceptive greens that

By Ramon Rafael Bonilla

U

NIVERSITY of Santo Tomas (UST) unleashed its lethal form when it dealt Adamson University a 25-15, 25-12, 25-16 punishment in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 81 women’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

Four Golden Tigresses scored in double figures in a display of their vaunted offense as the team jumped to its sixth win against three losses to trail the league-leading Ateneo Lady Eagles (7-1).

The result was a fitting relief for UST following its narrow five-set escape from Adamson University in the first round. This earned applause from Head Coach Kungfu Reyes.

“We are much more composed and relaxed. The good thing about the players is that they learn from our opponents,” Reyes said. “I’m happy with the win and we are in good position in the standings.”

Rookie sensation Eya Laure topscored with 17 points built on 15 attacks and two blocks. Caitlin Viray, Mary Dominique Pacres and Sisi Rondina also tallied double digits with 14, 12 and 10 points, respectively.

UST opened a 9-4 spurt and never looked back to take the first set. It was pretty much the same in the second set as the Golden Tigresses built a huge 22-9 lead that the Lady Falcons could not overcome.

Adamson University showed little to no resistance in the third set as Laure commanded the final assault to take the game with ease.

Main gunners Bernadette Flora and Eli Soyud were silenced throughout the match as Mary Joy Dacoron became the lone bright spot for the Lady Falcons with eight points. Flora and Soyud managed only to two points apiece as the Lady Falcons further slipped in the standings with a 1-8 record.

‘OTHER’ PAGUNSAN, ABABA SHARE LEAD a successful title-retention feat at Pradera Verde in January.

“The course is tough and the strong wind made it tougher, especially for the late starters,” said Rey Pagunsan, who only won three times (Aguinaldo, Midlands and Southwoods) in 22-year pro career.

Seven players churned out identical even par 71 outputs, including fancied Juvic Pagunsan, Ira Alido, Jerson Balasabas, Rolando Marabe, Tony Lascuña and Elmer Salvador and American Lexus Keoninh, while eight turned in 72s and a host of

P

GOPILIPINAS SEAG PEP RALLY FORGES PSC-PHISGOC PACT

JHONNEL ABABA finds company atop the leaderboard.

VETERAN Tigresses Sisi Rondina attacks the Lady Falcons’ defense. NONIE REYES

HILIPPINE Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) Chairman Alan Peter S. Cayetano on Tuesday night vowed to trash bickering among sports officials as he rallied Team Philippines ahead of the 30th SEA Games.

Cayetano made the commitment before some 1,300 national athletes and coaches during a pep rally and concert on Tuesday night, spearheaded by GoPilipinasGo movement at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

“We will try work harder. We will try to get along better, we will try to get more funds,” Cayetano said.

It was a show of solidarity among sports officials as Cayetano shared the stage with Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William Ramirez, Chef de Mission Monsour del Rosario, Philippine Olympic Committee Board Member Jonne and Philippine Sports Association of the Differently Abled head Mike Barredo.

Cayetano told the athletes to stay focused on training as they released white doves in a symbolic gesture of unity.

“It’s a humbling experience for myself, for

SOTTO COMMITS TO NATIONAL SQUAD

K

AI SOTTO remains committed to the national team even though he is abroad to pursue his dream of playing in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

The 7-foot-2 Sotto gave his assurance of his availability whenever the national team needs him.

“I’m always ready. I will be available, especially if it’s for the country,” Sotto said

during a gathering on Tuesday night with his family, Ateneo teammates and a handful of pro and amateur players.

Kai’s father, former Philippine Basketball Association center Ervin Sotto, also assured that the national officials will be their priority regardless of which foreign club his son will join.

“Expect him [Kai] to be of service if the country needs him,” the elder Sotto promised

Great expectations TESSA JAZMINES tessa4347@gmail.com

PART OF THE GAME WELCOME to Wonderland, where things are seldom what they seem. Or so says librettist WS Gilbert in the musical HMS Pinafore.

Same goes for the National Basketball Association (NBA) where, just a few weeks leading into the playoffs, results and standings are quite different from what seemed to be the sure fire direction of things when the season had just begun.

Case in point: everybody thought the Boston Celtics would be the kings of the East after the return to action of their top guns Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward who were out of it for all or long stretches of time during last season. The fact that

others stood just a stroke of two behind in a kind of wild start expected at the hazardladen, rolling par-71 course.

Juvic Pagunsan, priming up for next week’s Solaire Philippine Open like majority of the rest, mixed three birdies with the same number of bogeys while saving pars six times that he went out of regulation, putting himself in early contention for a follow-up to his victory in PGT Bacolod last year.

Englishman Joshua Grenville-Wood, who missed the cut twice in his three PGTA stints, while withdrawing due to injury in the other, drew level par with a pitch-in eagle on the par-four No. 15,

The King (LeBron James) had vacated his Eastern throne to travel west gave the Celtics that much bigger a chance to dominate, but no. The Celtics sputtered at various times during the regular reason, losing to so-called weaker teams that they could have easily defeated with their vaunted strength.

“I’d be surprised if the Celtics didn’t play in the Finals next season,” Brian Scalabrine said emphatically when he was in Manila last year for NBA 3X. And so did many believe when the season began. But comparing this year’s performance to the previous year’s, the Celtics ended up on top of

only to bogey the difficult closing hole to drop to 72 in a tie with compatriots Matt Killen and David Benjamin, Korean Hwang Myung Chal, Spain’s Marcos Pastor, Peter Stojanovski of Macedonia, Dutch Guido Van der Valk and local bet Reymon Jaraula.

Angelo Que, who rallied to finish tied at 25th in last week’s Maybank Championship in Malaysia, rebounded from a two-over card with birdies on Nos. 7, 8 and 10. But the powerhitting Filipino ace bogeyed No. 14 and dropped two strokes on the par-4 18th for a 73.

The other two-over par scorers in the $100,000 event serving as the penultimate leg of the 2018-19 Philippine Golf Tour Asia second season and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. are Ferdie Aunzo, Mars Pucay, England’s George Twyman and Thais Chonlatit Chuenboonngam and Piya Swangarunporn.

proved as the norm at the exacting Langer layout.

Ababa actually blew a three-under card in an early start with two bogeys in the last four holes then watched a number of bidders surge and plunge with shaky finishes in hot, tough conditions.

“The wind was strong and the greens don’t bite. I was lucky to have shot a 70,” said Ababa, who won the last Philippine Golf Tour (PGT) Asia event with

during the event hosted by the national team sponsors.

The 16-year-old Sotto revealed that he intends to fly to Atlanta in the US to train for two months. The goal is to give the teenager the best strength and conditioning training to withstand banging bodies against fellow big men of his age.

After that, Sotto will announce his preferred the Atlantic division despite running on the motor of just rookies and sophomores. But now, the Celtics had just clinched a playoff berth, way behind teams it had overtaken swiftly last year. How will they fare when the playoffs begin? Well, that’s another story.

Likewise their archrivals, the Los Angeles Lakers, did not quite live up to pre-season billing. Add on their main man, LeBron to that mix too. In what was almost a foregone conclusion that the arrival of The King in Los Angeles would completely turn around the fortunes of the franchise (as he had done for both Miami and his native Cleveland) this venture out west did not completely turn out as planned. The Lakers are out of the playoffs for the sixth straight year. They have missed it only five times in their 65 year history.

To be fair, it is not James’ fault at all. It was just that a bad fairy seemed to have cast a dark spell on the team from season opening onwards. LA has had suspensions, injuries and miscues galore. On Day One, Rajon Rondo and Brandon Ingram immediately earned

Chairman Butch [Ramirez], and for everyone here on stage because you the athletes continue to teach us a lot,’’ Cayetano said. “It’s easy to say ‘Win As One,’ but there’s a lot of hard work that we should put into winning as one,’’ added the former senator and secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Bowling Hall of Famer Bong Coo, Olympic taekwondo bronze medalist Stephen Fernandez, SEA Games and Asian Games wushu champion Willy Wang joined the pep rally.

Olympic weightlifting silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz, SEA Games back-to-back triathlon gold medal winner Nikko Huelgas and world gymnastics bronze medalist Caloy Yulo, meanwhile, also exhorted their fellow athletes through videos they made while training abroad.

European ball club.

European clubs Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Baskonia, Alba Berlin and Movistar Estudiantes have showed interest in Sotto.

Despite his expectedly busy schedule, Sotto will be playing for the national squad to the Fiba Under-19 World Cup in Heraklion, Greece, in June.

The youth team has been bracketed in Group C along with the host country Greece, Argentina and Russia in the four-group tournament set from June 29 to July 7.

CHAIRMEN William Ramirez (right) of the Philippine Sports Commission and Alan Peter Cayetano (second from right) of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee lock hands with (from left) Philippine Dragonboat Federation Canoe Kayak President Joanne Go and 30th SEA Games chef de mission Monsour del Rosario. ROY DOMINGO

Arellano U, Perpetual Help favored in cheering contest

A

Ramon Rafael Bonilla

suspensions because of a run-in with Chris Paul. The Lakers started losing more than they were winning. Magic Johnson admonished his coach in December and the Lakers came out fighting—good enough to be at Number 4 on Christmas Day. But down the stretch, Rondo fractures his finger, LeBron James suffers a groin tear that takes him out of the action for 17 games.

Then comes that overt pursuit of Anthony Davis before the February trade deadline that sours the punch once more. Speculations were treated like facts and affected feelings.

The thought that the Lakers were willing to completely overhaul their roster to produce a dream team with both LeBron and AD as centerpiece had some, er, bad ramifications.

Everything went grey from there, with a few sunny yellow Laker patches here and there. Now the Lakers have five months off to contemplate the next season and deal with other matters like free agents and their head coach. Seven LA players are going to be free agents soon. And Luke Walton needs to deal

with the idea of job security.

But again, things are hardly ever what they seem. Even when experiencing really dismal seasons, the sun can shine through just one season later. There are three NBA teams that missed the playoffs one season and came out top seeds of their respective conferences the following season. The New Jersey Nets (now known as the Brooklyn Nets) were top seeds in 2001-2002 after missing the playoffs in 20002001. The Phoenix Suns had a blah 2003-2004 but ended up on top in 2004-2005. The Boston Celtics finished 24-58 for the second worst record in their franchise’s history in 2006-2007. They became top seeds in 2007-2008 and won their seventeenth championship banner that season.

The Hindus are right. It is all illusion. What matters is how people and teams come to grips with their reality and do something about it.

Things can be what you want them to be. Just work your ass off and be wise.

“If you want it, you can have it. If you dream it, you can become it.” Those are lyrics from another musical, The Wiz.

RELLANO University seeks nothing less than a three-peat while University of Perpetual Help System Dalta aims to REGAIN lost glory in the 94th National Collegiate Athletic Association Cheerleading competition on Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The Chief Squad topped last year’s edition with 234.50 points, besting a field that included the Perps Squad for its second straight and third overall cheerleading title in the last four seasons.

The event starts at 2 p.m.

Arellano University edged Perpetual Help, which garnered 226 points, or just 6.5 points behind the champions.

Arellano University Coach Lucky San Juan, whose team pocketed P100,000, is optimistic of another strong performance after preparing as early right after last year’s competition.

The Las PInas-based squad will be trying to get back the crown it last won three seasons ago, beating Arellano University by two points, 195-193.

The Perps Squad is the most successful cheerleading school in the league with nine championships in the competition’s 14-year history.

The league, meanwhile, will honor the champion teams in all sports as well award the overall championship to San Beda in ceremonies set at 4 p.m.

The Red Lions amassed 698 points to clinch their fourth straight overall title and seventh overall.

College of Saint Benilde finished second with 665 while Perpetual Help was third with 498.

Who can nominate?

Professional level: Entries may be submitted by any person or organization wishing to direct

the attention of the CMMA to a meritorious program, series, article, material and the like. A person or a company may submit more than one entry in each category. Entries need not be Christian and nominees need not be Catholics. All entries must be those media works released from May 2018 to April 2019.

Student level: All bona fide students enrolled in any of the participating schools, colleges and

universities within the school year 2018-2019.

CATEGORIES

✦ Advertising Best Print Ad-Branded Best Print Ad-Public Service Best Radio Ad-Branded Best Radio Ad-Public Service Best TV Ad-Branded Best TV Ad-Public Service Best Digital Ad-Branded Best Digital Ad-Public Service

Best TV Special (One-time feature) Best Religious Program Best Station ID

✦ Print Best Business Column Best Children’s Magazine Best Comic Strip Best Editorial Cartoon Best Entertainment Column Best Investigative Report Best Local Community/Parish Newspaper ✦ Television Best Adult Educational/Cultural Program Best News Coverage Best News Photograph Best Children and Youth Program Best Opinion Column Best Comedy Program Best Short Story Best Drama Series/Program Best Special Feature Best Entertainment Program Best Comic Story Best News Magazine Best Children’s Short Story Best News Program Best Youth Magazine Best Public Service Program Best Family-Oriented Magazine Best Special Event Coverage Best Talk Show

✦ Radio (AM or FM) Best Business News Best Counseling Program Best Public Service Program Best Drama Program (Episodic or Serial) Best Educational Program Best Entertainment Program Best News Commentary Best News Program Best News Feature ✦ Music Best Song Inspirational Best Album Inspirational Best Album-Secular Best Song Secular Best Music Video

✦ Student CMMA Best Student Organ-Grade School Best Student Organ-High School Best Student Organ-College Best Short Film (documentary or narrative) Best TV Production (documentary or narrative) Best Student Public Service-Radio AD Best Student Public Service-Print AD Best Student Public Service-TV AD Best Literary Publication ✦ Serviam Award Individual Corporate/Institutional ✦ Pope John Paul II Award

✦ Internet Best Website Best Blog

✦2019 Jaime Cardinal Sin catholic Book Awards✦ I. Awards CATEGORIES ✦ Spirituality ✦ Ministry ✦ Theology ✦ Liturgy ✦ Youth ✦ Homiletics ✦ Inspirational ✦ Children

✦ Family Life ✦ E-books

II. special CATEGORIES 1. Lifetime Achievement Award

submit entries FOR CSCBA at: cardinal sin catholic book Awards secretariat c/o Jesuit Communications Foundation, Inc. Sonolux Bldg., Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights, Quezon City Tel. Nos.: (632) 426-5971 loc 112 DEADLINE of submission: May 31, 2019 (With printing May 1, 2018-April 30, 2019)

For inquiries please write or call: The CMMA Secretariat Office: 5/F Dominga Building III, 2113 Chino Roces Ave., corner Dela Rosa Street, Makati City Tel. No.: 892-4779 g Telefax: 867-4026 E-mail: thecatholicmassmediaawards@yahoo.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/OfficialCMMA Starting March 18, 2019

892-4779

Dial “8” first followed by our telephone number

submission of entries FOR CMMA: Student— FEBRUARY 18 TO MAY 10, 2019 professional—February 18-May 17, 2019

Creating God

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EAR God, You are the potter and we are the clay. In trust we pray: Fashion and mold us in Your image, oh God. Lead all men and women to protect and nurture life, from conception to natural death. Grant patience to parents and caretakers of infants and young children. Animate Your Church with the spirit of fairness and forgiveness. May God bless us with the Spirit of truth and lead us to confess that Jesus is Lord by living the Gospel. Amen.

GIVE US THIS DAY, SHARED BY LUISA LACSON, HFL Word&Life Publications • teacherlouie1965@yahoo.com

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

Life BusinessMirror

REELING: AND NOW, SOME WORDS FROM THE PRODUCER D4

Thursday, March 28, 2019

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NUMEROUS butterflies can be seen at one of their annual wintering spots in Cerro Pelón Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary near Macheros, Mexico. AP

Butter�lies abound in mountainous Mexican winter habitat C

By Kim cUrTis The Associated Press

ERRO Pelón Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary, Mexico—As the group made its way up the rugged mountain path toward the clearing, their heavy, crunching footsteps turned to near-silent tiptoeing, their friendly chitchat dropped to whispers, giddy smiles appeared on faces and eyes brimmed with tears. The first-time visitors to this mountain monarch butterfly reserve were, in a word, gobsmacked.

It’s challenging to convey the sheer magic of witnessing tens of thousands of butterflies hanging from trees in giant clumps, sunning themselves on the hillside or fluttering in the sky like snowflakes.

But after experiencing it, it’s easier to understand folks like these, most of whom had traveled from the US to Mexico solely to see the monarchs.

“Our trip was amazing,” said Denise Siraco, who was visiting from New Hampshire. “There are really no words to describe it. When we found the colony, it seemed to go on forever.”

In the US, two separate populations of monarchs are divided by the Rocky Mountains. While the western population primarily sticks to the California coast, the eastern population makes its way down from southern Canada and the northeastern United States across thousands of miles to spend the winter at one of about 20 colonies in the Mexican states of Michoacán and Mexico. No single insect completes the entire journey as the average butterfly only lives about a month. Instead, it takes three or four generations to make the trip, with each one traveling part of the way.

The exception is a “super generation” of monarchs that lives eight times longer than their relatives.

These super-monarchs can travel 50 or 100 miles a

day, riding on thermal air currents as high as a mile above the ground, according to the US Department of Agriculture. When they reach Mexico, they roost in trees, like the cedar and oak at Cerro Pelón, and cluster together to stay warm.

A recent group of butterfly watchers saw thousands clumped together in what looked like huge hornets’ nests hanging from branches that can break from the weight of the insects, explained guide Ellen Sharp, who, along with her husband, Joel Moreno Rojas, runs a butterfly business in nearby Macheros.

“No one is entirely sure why they choose these trees,” Sharp said. “But one of the reasons is the microclimate. The old-growth trees radiate heat, so they stay warm through the winter.” The monarchs generally arrive at the beginning of November and are headed north by mid-March.

The western population has declined dramatically in recent years. Last November, surveyors at 97 sites found 20,456 monarchs compared to 148,000 at the same sites in 2017, according to Xerces, a nonprofit conservation group. Reasons for the decrease include climate change, habitat loss and pesticide use. But the eastern population is rising.

Several rangers at Cerro Pelón who were born and raised in the area said they haven’t seen butterflies in their current numbers since they were children. And the latest numbers support their observations.

At the end of January, Mexican officials announced that the overall population of monarch butterflies wintering in central Mexico was up 144 percent over the previous year. The monarch population, like that of other insects, fluctuates widely depending on a variety of factors, but scientists say the recoveries after each big dip tend to be smaller, suggesting a decline in the number migrating from Canada and the United States. This winter’s population figure, however, was the largest since 2006 to 2007.

One of the biggest threats to monarch populations is believed to be the destruction of milkweed along their migration routes. There is a movement among gardeners across North America to plant milkweed, the sole host for the monarchs’ eggs and only food for the caterpillars.

In Mexico, the area of forest inhabited by monarchs has increased 144 percent from 2017 to 2018, to nearly 15 acres of land, according to World Wildlife Fund Mexico and its partners. Researchers found eight butterfly colonies inside the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve and six colonies outside it. The largest colony covered a bit more than 6 acres of forest.

Sharp and Moreno began their business in 2012 and believe they’re doing their part to ensure the continued butterfly rebound. While locals always knew the butterflies were there—many believed they were the souls of people who had died in the past year—there was no tourism infrastructure.

After the butterflies’ overwintering sites in Mexico were discovered by naturalists and scientists in 1975, and then publicized by National Geographic magazine the following year, a patron from a nearby town decided to hire three men from Macheros to work as rangers to protect the forest. One of those men was Rojas’s father, who retired in 2014.

Since then, in addition to operating a growing bed-and-breakfast and butterfly-tour business with a dozen local workers, he and Sharp formed a nonprofit and hired four full-time rangers who now spend their days in the forest. So now, a total of seven men are in the woods full-time from November to March. They help prevent illegal logging and keep the forest clean.

“It’s so much bigger than we are. It’s this constant cycle. They keep coming back again and again,” Sharp said. “It’s ‘awe’ in the old sense of the word.

There should still be things in nature that are aweinspiring.” n

GLOBAL HOSPITALITY INSTITUTE RECOGNIZES LOCAL EDUCATORS

THE American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI), the global and premier source of outstanding hospitality practitioners, through its official representative Asia World Hospitality, granted the title of Certified Guest Service Professionals (CGSP) to 11 faculty members and associates of the Hotel Benilde Maison de La Salle and the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management (SHRIM) of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.

SHRIM, as an institution, was conferred last year by the same American organization with a designation of Certified Guest Service Property. CGSP is the highest acknowledgment of award-winning guest service for experts in the hospitality and tourism industry. The distinction may only be earned after attendance of extensive workshops, and successfully passing the certification examination.

The CGSP pins were presented to the deserving professionals by Asia World Hospitality Executive Director Machi Borja, and SHRIM Hospitality Management Program Chairman Gil Acuña in a ceremony hosted by SHRIM Special and Professional Program Chairman Chef Kristine Reyes at the La Salle de Auverne in the college’s Angelo King International Center Campus.

Newly designated CGSPs from the faculty department were SHRIM Dean Angelo Marco Lacson, Travel and Tourism Chairman Lhoree Valerio, Master of Science in Tourism and Institution Management Program Chairman Benigno Glenn Ricaforte, PhD and full-time professors Marygrace Ac-ac, and Ma. Corazon Reyes, PhD and part-time educators Vincent Pilien and Ryan Viray. The college’s own Hotel Benilde Maison De La Salle Resident Manager Paolo Sumera, and associates Nico Maeda, Dan Michael de Leon, and Adel Samantha Nicole Salvador were, likewise, recognized.

Today, SHRIM now has a total of 40 CGSPs in its roster of faculty and staff. Also awarded during the ceremony were the college’s Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program candidate Edward Bactol and Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management alumnus John Lemuel Barroga.

“I believe that the continuous learning, training, and development of the professors in the aspect of customer service would definitely allow them to contribute in the work force of the industry, and, at the same time, share their knowledge with the students,” Asia World Hospitality’s Borja shared. “We’ve been supporting faculty growth in tourism and hospitality schools through our promotional workshops, and I can say that this remarkable batch of professors in Benilde are one of our top performers.”

Founded in 1953, the AHLEI provides working hospitality professionals with education and training to meet the needs of the industry through a variety of hospitality solutions, including online learning, professional certification and resources for work force agencies, high schools and colleges.

Singapore’s newest icon to open at Changi Airport STARTING April 17, Singapore-bound Filipinos will be welcomed by Jewel Changi Airport (Jewel, jewelchangiairport.com), the latest multidimensional tourist destination developed by Changi Airport Group and CapitaLand.

As one of Singapore’s top visitors, Filipinos can soon expect another world-class facility catering to any lifestyle the next time they visit the Lion City.

Just last year, there were close to 3 million passenger movements between Singapore and Philippines—a 5.5-percent

increase from 2017.

Ivan Tan, group senior vice president, Corporate and Marketing Communications of Changi Airport Group, said, “Jewel’s unique mix of lush greenery and curated offerings are a first in the region, and we are excited to bring a new dimension to the travel experience of our visitors with its medley of lifestyle options.”

Located at the heart of Changi Airport, Jewel will be directly connected to Terminals 1, 2 and 3. The 10-story lifestyle hub will cover a total area of 137,000 square meters

and will offer aviation and travel-related facilities, and a wide range of retail offerings and unique play attractions.

Designed by a consortium of consultants led by Moshe Safdie of Safdie Architects, the concept for Jewel’s design represents a juxtaposition where a park and marketplace are situated side by side. This is exemplified in the lush four-story Forest Valley and majestic 40-meter high Rain Vortex that will take centerstage in the complex.

Filipinos visiting Singapore will be able to find a one-stop lifestyle destination, as the

world-class complex will house 280 shops and eateries, including Southeast Asia’s first Shake Shack store. Filipinos transiting in the Lion City can also conveniently check in at Yotelair Singapore Changi Airport, Jewel’s own 130-room hotel.

“Filipinos, travelers and overseas workers alike, have always been valued customers of Changi. With the opening of Jewel, we look forward to giving an enhanced service and an even better traveling experience to Filipinos,” concluded Tan.

DON’T miss the opportunity to get up close and personal with the majestic Rain Vortex and lush Forest Valley when Jewel Changi Airport opens.

JEWEL CHANGI AIRPORT DEVT.

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Thursday, March 28, 2019

Entertaining BusinessMirror

A pasta dish that’ll have your family asking for seconds THE recipe for Ziti with Fennel and Italian Sausage, featured here, appears in the cookbook AllTime Best Sunday Suppers. AP

T

z

By America’s Test Kitchen The Associated Press

HERE is something magical about this recipe, which coaxes the ultimate flavor out of just a few humble supermarket ingredients, turning them into a rich-tasting and wellbalanced pasta dish that will have your family or some gathered friends reaching for seconds.

After browning the sausage, we sautéed a hefty amount of sliced onions, along with sliced fennel, which added texture and flavor to the dish. And while it may seem like a mistake to add an entire can of tomato paste and no other tomato product to make the sauce, the concentrated, bold flavor of the tomato paste intensified during cooking and added rich notes to the dish.

To pull everything together, we added two cups of boiling water, simmering the mixture until thick.

Sharp Pecorino cheese, added to the sausage-onion mixture, enriched the sauce by giving it a salty bite.

Chopped fennel fronds added pleasant anise notes upon serving.

Bring 4 quarts water to boil in large pot for pasta.

Cook sausage in Dutch oven over medium-high heat, breaking up meat with wooden spoon, until no longer pink, about four minutes. Stir in onions and fennel, cover, and cook until softened, about five minutes.

SUMMER VIBES AT CANARY LOUNGE

IT’S summertime. Make the most out of the season and indulge in an exclusive summer experience at F1 Hotel Manila (www.f1hotelmanila.com), which brings back picturesque cityglamping at Canary Lounge.

Fire up your Friday nights until May with our Barbeque Nights at Canary Lounge, a sizzling barbeque spread prepared by our chefs and live acoustic performance by a crowd favorite, Jet Barrun. Feel the island vibes while dining al fresco, available every Friday from 7 to 11 pm at P788 net per head. Cap the moment and enjoy a Colossal Mojito good for four persons.

And to make it more exciting, give the lounge’s out-of-the-ordinary Deconstructed Burrito a try. Satisfy your evening staycation outdoors with some blockbusters with F1’s Outdoor Movie Night every Saturday from 6 to 11 pm, available to all guests. A great way to bond with your family or end the day is with drinks, some snacks and quality movies at Canary Lounge.

Make your day sweeter with Cashew Nut Sansrival at P1,200 net, baked to perfection with layers of buttercream, meringue and cashews to satisfy your cravings in the sweetest way.

Have the best time and indulge in a stress-free staycation this summer even if it is just in the city.

By Eugenia Last

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Lady Gaga, 33; Julia Stiles, 38; Vince Vaughn, 49; Reba McEntire, 64.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Keep a close watch on what others do and say this year. Ask if you don’t understand, and question if you don’t agree. Letting others know where you stand and what you are capable of doing will build trust and respect that will help you open up opportunities to advance. Make a personal adjustment to help fulfill your long-term goals. Your lucky numbers are 2, 7, 15, 23, 30, 34, 45.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Don’t let negativity step in and take over. Look for the positive in everything that happens. You will find solutions and gain recognition for your ability to overcome adversity. High energy and input will lead to self-satisfaction. HH

b

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Take a ride on the information highway. Learn all you can, listen to what others have to say and make positive changes that will enhance your life personally and professionally. A chance to help someone you love will be rewarding. HHHHH

c

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Don’t pay attention to anyone who is trying to sway you in one direction or another. Be true to yourself and to your beliefs. Keep your life simple and affordable to avoid stress, as well as being exploited. HHH

d

CANCER (June 21-July 22): You don’t have to struggle. Choose the path of least resistance to see how quickly you get things done. Use ingenuity, integrity and your unique imagination to your advantage. Love and romance will enhance your life. HHH

e

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Set goals, and don’t let anything distract you. Flesh out your ideas, go over details and keep your eye on how much you spend and on what. Change doesn’t have to be drastic to improve your life. HHH

f Uncover, reduce heat to medium, and continue to cook until vegetables are golden, 10 to 12 minutes.

Add tomato paste and cook until darkened, about three minutes. Stir in two cups boiling pasta water and simmer until thickened, about five minutes.

Meanwhile, add pasta and 1 tablespoon salt to boiling water and cook, stirring often, until al dente.

Reserve 1 1/2 cups cooking water, then drain pasta and return it to pot. Add sausage mixture, Pecorino, and one cup reserved cooking water and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste and add remaining cooking water as needed to adjust consistency. Sprinkle individual portions with fennel fronds and extra Pecorino before serving. n

Know your pork and how to cook it

DECONSTRUCTED Burrito

Today’s Horoscope

a

ZITI WITH FENNEL AND ITALIAN SAUSAGE Servings: 4-6 Start to finish: 30 minutes 1 pound sweet or hot Italian sausage, casings removed 2 onions, halved and sliced thin 1 fennel bulb, fronds chopped, stalks discarded, bulb halved, cored, and sliced into 1/2-inch pieces 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste 1 pound ziti Salt and pepper 1 ounce Pecorino Romano cheese, grated (1/2 cup), plus extra for serving

www.businessmirror.com.ph

WHEN you’re preparing a pork dish, it is important to choose the right cut of meat to go with it. Robina Farms Premium Fresh Meat, available at Robinsons Supermarkets nationwide, offers a variety of meat cuts to suit your needs. But with so many different cuts available, it is easy to get overwhelmed. To help you choose the right cut of meat for your recipe, here is a handy guide with a few suggestions to get creative with your pork dish. n ‘KASIM.’ One of the most common and versatile cuts of pork, kasim has layers of fat and litid, making it ideal for slow cooking and suited for most pork dishes like adobo, menudo and sinigang.

Recipe recs: Get creative with your pork shoulder by roasting it whole on low heat for an extended period of time. With layers of fat keeping it moist, cooking it low and slow allows the flavors to seep in, resulting in the perfect roast for pulled pork. n TENDERLOIN. From the same

area as the pork loin, the tenderloin is the most tender of all cuts of pork meat. It also has the mildest flavor because of how lean it is, and benefits from lots of seasoning.

It’s best cooked and treated like steak—grilled or pan-fried.

Recipe recs: Make an alternative to chicken fingers by breading and frying tenderloin strips and pairing it with honey mustard dip, or use it as a substitute for beef in a garlicy salpicao. n RIBS. The row of bones surrounding the loin, the ribs are located closer to the belly while those closer to the backbone are the more tender baby back ribs.

Ribs are very flavorful on their own, and are best enhanced by charred flavors when they are barbecued.

Recipe recs: Put a unique spin on barbecued ribs by adding coffee grounds into the dry rub. n ‘LIEMPO.’ A definite crowdpleaser, the liempo or pork belly is the fattiest and most flavorful cut with alternating layers of meat and

fat. It can be used interchangeably with kasim for a more flavorful and fatty pork dish. Recipe recs: Level up the classic liempo by rolling a whole pork belly into a log and filling with aromatics to make the Italian roast pork dish porchetta. This distributes the flavors more evenly throughout the meat, and creates a juicy roast with uniform layers of fat and a crispy skin. n ‘PIGUE.’ The pigue is the second most versatile pork cut.

It can be used in any of the same dishes as its leaner brother, kasim and is also best for slow cooking.

The pigue is where we get the ham.

Recipe recs: Put a spin on your basic adobo by adding gata and allowing it to cook down to a thick sauce.

Now that you know the ideal meat cuts to use for your alltime-favorite pork dishes and how to creatively cook them, it’s time to head to the supermarket.

Remember, any dish is best when you use the right cuts of the highest quality meat.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): You can make moves that will improve your state of mind and your prospects. Refuse to let someone make decisions for you or come between you and the people and pursuits that make you happy. Walk away from disruptive people. HHHHH

g

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Consider what’s doable and what isn’t. Don’t put yourself in a precarious position or make promises you can’t keep. Take steps to lower your overhead and to improve your skills and qualifications.

Hard work will pay off. HH

h

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You’ve got plenty going for you, so don’t slow down when the momentum is pushing you toward peace of mind, emotional happiness and relationships with people who spark your imagination and touch your heart. HHHH

i

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Don’t hand out too much personal information.

Listen, but don’t let others cause you to doubt yourself. Think matters through, and move forward with moderation, clarity and reluctance to let anyone interfere in your life. Make home your safe place. HHH

j

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You’ve got everything going for you, so don’t let anyone lead you to believe you need help. Set your mind on what you want to achieve, and bring about the changes that will set you on the right path. HHH

k

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Consider your options, and stick to what’s doable.

Avoid getting into an argument over something that isn’t in your control. Stay centered, and look for a way to help those in need or a cause that matters to you. HHH

l

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Get involved in matters that concern you. Take it upon yourself to make a difference in your community and to reach out to people you care about.

Take time to share your feelings, beliefs and what you are willing to contribute. HHHH BIRTHDAY BABY: You are dogmatic, cautious and possessive.

You are motivated and unyielding.

‘stuck in the middle’ BY ALEC EATON-SALNERS The Universal Crossword/Edited by David Steinberg

ACROSS 1 Certain PTA participant 4 Cuddly marsupial 9 Luxury German cars 13 Earth-friendly prefix 14 Individuals 15 Make turbid 16 1998 Robin Williams film 18 Hathaway of Serenity 19 It’s lined with crust 20 Wiimote batteries 22 Beto’s 2018 opponent 23 OX, in love letters 27 Home runs, e.g.

30 AWOL chasers 31 Flair or Ocasek 32 Overly 33 Emulate an eagle 35 “Keep but rename” menu option 38 City outside Joshua Tree National Park 41 Regional dialect 42 Exude 43 Jeremy of the NBA 44 Big pig

5 Slip up 4 46 Message board admins 47 Heat map 52 Snakelike swimmer 53 Swiss peak 54 Sainted Mother 58 Inter ___ (among others) 60 Like the countries in the starred answers, literally and figuratively 63 Lust and greed 64 Yoga postures 65 Hardcore punk offshoot 66 Discontinued item?

67 Georgetown ballers 68 Certain sib DOWN 1 Johnny who played Jack Sparrow 2 Three-syllable berry 3 Shower attention (on) 4 Actor Reeves 5 Tired, as a joke 6 Selma director DuVernay 7 24-hour endurance race 8 Syrian strongman 9 Form-fitting garment

0 Nickel back?

1 11 Cabernet and chardonnay 12 Winter transports 14 Bygone Iranian ruler 17 IRS form experts 21 Colorful, flowing garment: Var. 24 FBI agent 25 Based on theoretical deduction 26 Microloan nonprofit 27 ://www lead-in 28 Where Sioux City is 29 Conform 33 Scarlet letter, e.g.

34 Yiddish laments 35 Utters, informally 36 In the thick of 37 IRS IDs 39 Koh-i-___ diamond 40 Social standard 45 Texas city near Ciudad Juarez 46 Windy City exchange, with “the” 47 Back-comb 48 Genetic strand shape 49 God, in Islam 50 Rand McNally book

1 1990s GM cars 5 55 Squeaks (out) 56 Prefix for “sweet” or “circle” 57 Hullabaloos 59 Braying beast 61 Dissenter’s vote 62 CSI molecule

Solution to yesterday’s puzzle:

Parentlife BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Thursday, March 28, 2019

D3

FROM left: Meagan beside our late and beloved Ms. Haw with her gold medal at Grade 2; the attendees of the recent talk I had in Bacoor, Cavite, titled “Reality Parenting: Where Discipline Starts”; and Marcus last year winning bronze at the World Sakamoto Math Competition in Malaysia.

Reality parenting: Where discipline starts — Part I DR. Lia Bernardo, psychoneurologist

‘30-SECOND THOUGHTS FOR 30 DAYS’

A MEANINGFUL way to celebrate Women’s Month is practicing self-love and taking care of oneself—a must for every woman.

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SM Supermalls has a lot more in store for shoppers this Women’s Month. Indulge in self-love and some shopping time at SM’s Women’s Wednesday Sale and get up to 70-percent off on fashion finds every Wednesday this month. Head on over to The SM Store Women’s Sale and avail yourselves of up to 5-percent off on selected ladies’ wear, shoes, bags and more.

MOMMY NO LIMITS

MAYE YAO CO SAY

mommynolimits@gmail.com

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INCE late last year, I have been working with some schools in Cavite on parent development. At the start of 2019, one of the administrators of a school in Bacoor, Cavite, shared that parents would often find difficulty in the area of “child discipline.” Last Saturday, I was able to share with a vibrant group of parents my view on where discipline starts. It was great that my dad and my daughter Meagan were able to be with me for this talk.

In October 2016, I wrote a two-part column on “reality parenting.” For this week, let me contextualize “reality parenting” to the area of child discipline.

What are the realities we must face as a parent?

First, we were an “I” before we got married. With us, come our childhood memories, dreams and, at times, frustrations. We bring with us memories of how we were disciplined. There is the silent expectation that employing our parents’ way of discipline—say, just giving the child a warning look (Makuha ka sa isang tingin) or physical punishment even—would yield the same results for our own children.

Second, when we got married, there were two “I’s” that now exist. Both our partner and our I find a convergence of family goals and values to form a

parenting self or what I call “parenteam.” In our case, my husband and I agreed that we do this by forte or by specialties. Since Vinson is the athlete in the family, he sets the rules on sports and recreational activities, including rules on technology. Since my forte is academic and child development, I set the pace on learning through play and schoolwork.

The third reality is, like any individual, our family unit is also part of a social environment. Around us are our family, friends, the school environment, social media and the like. Hence, judgment is all around. For example, when our child cries because he or she wants candy, if we say yes, a person around us might say we are spoiling our child. If we do not, another person might say we are being too harsh in depriving our child of something simple or basic.

For me, this example calls for what I term as “parental center of gravity.” Parents must be confident about what their family value systems are. This entails setting family goals. For my husband and I, our goal is to raise happy and fulfilled children. We do not mind that their interests are dissimilar to ours. In disciplining our kids, we believe that enjoying what our kids love is OK but not to the point of self-detriment.

Discipline requires looking back at each of our histories as individuals and defining what this term means to you as a couple, not what it means for people around you. It requires finding the positive points to “relativize” in your present family life.

Because I was a consistent honor student, people might think I had a rigid organized schedule. On the contrary, I was actually on the phone quite often. I was often tutoring my friends till past 9 pm before I started my own homework. At some point, I learned to drink coffee and would stay up studying till 3 am. I was also spending most of my time in school for extracurricular activities. My parents

did not fully approve of this. However, all they said was, “As long as you keep your first honor status, you can apply the routine you prefer.”

My husband’s side valued routine especially at bedtime. He also discovered much discipline in his sports. We merge these principles by adopting different rigidity of rules at each point. In their infant to preschool years, we were more scheduleoriented, especially on naps and bedtime. When they reached grade school, we paved their way to set annual goals for themselves. Then we mutually set rules with our kids that would get them closer to their goals. Because our kids are three years apart and differ greatly in personality, they have different sets of goals, and we have also set differentiated rules for themselves. This means we have a general rule we set but may tweak it a bit for each of them depending on circumstance.

Our kids might not be seen as “disciplined” in the way others, like my older family relatives, expect.

They do not just sit quietly in one corner. They are probably not the most tidy and proper kids. But as long as my husband and I are confident we are raising our kids to be happy and fulfilled, we stand by our principles in disciplining our kids.

Today, both my kids love schoolwork. They are both Principal Awardees in school. They are both involved in multiple sports like basketball and fencing. Marcus started violin at four and has increasingly loved the instrument now that he is nine.

He practices without my prodding. Meagan joins MTAP competitions and asks me if she can have additional tutoring for this. I believe our discipline style has encouraged our kids to be accountable early on. They know that discipline is a means to reach their own goals, and not a fearful tool for us to exert authority.

To be continued.... n

Why rich parents are more likely to be unethical

By DAViD m. mAyer University of Michigan FEDERAL attorneys have arrested 50 people in a college admission scam that allowed wealthy parents to buy their kids’ admission to elite universities.

Prosecutors found that parents together paid up to $6.5 million to get their kids into college. The list includes celebrity parents such as actresses Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin.

Some might ask why did these parents fail to consider the moral implications of their actions?

My 20 years of research in moral psychology suggests many reasons why people behave in an unethical manner. When it comes to the wealthy, research shows that they will go to great lengths to maintain their higher status. A sense of entitlement plays a role.

HOW PEOPLE RATIONALIZE LET’S first consider what allows people to act unethically and yet not feel guilt or remorse.

Research shows that people are good at rationalizing unethical actions that serve their selfinterest. The success, or failure, of one’s children often has implications for how parents view themselves and are viewed by others. They are more likely to bask in the reflected glory of their children. They seem to gain esteem based on their connection to successful children. This means parents can be motivated by self-interest to ensure their children’s achievement.

In the case of cheating for their children, parents can justify the behavior through comparisons that help them morally disengage with an action. For

example, they could say that other parents do a lot worse things, or minimize the consequences of their actions through words such as, “My behavior did not cause much harm.”

Viewing the unethical outcomes as serving others, including one’s children, could help parents create a psychological distance to rationalize misconduct.

Several studies demonstrate that people are more likely to be unethical when their actions also help someone else. For example, it is easier for employees to accept a bribe when they plan to share the proceeds with coworkers.

SENSE OF ENTITLEMENT WHEN it comes to the wealthy and privileged, a sense of entitlement, or a belief that one is deserving of privileges over others, can play an important role in unethical conduct.

Privileged individuals are also less likely to follow rules and instructions, given they believe the rules are unjust. Because they feel deserving of more than their fair share, they are willing to violate norms of appropriate and socially agreed upon conduct.

Feeling a sense of entitlement also leads people to be more competitive, selfish and aggressive when they sense a threat. For example, white males are less likely to support affirmative action to even the playing field because it threatens their privileged status. Research suggests that entitlement may come in part from being rich. Wealthy individuals who are considered as “upper class” based on their income have been found to lie, steal and cheat more to get what they desire. They have also been found to be less generous. They are more likely to break the law

demonstrates that status loss, or even a fear of status loss, has been associated with an increase in suicide attempts. Individuals have been reported to show physiological changes such as higher blood pressure and pulse.

Such individuals also made increased efforts to avoid status loss by being willing to pay money and allocating resources to themselves.

In their book The Coddling of the American Mind, First Amendment expert Greg Lukianoff and social psychologist Jonathan Haidt make the case that parents, especially in the upper class, are increasingly anxious about their children attending top universities.

These authors argue that given economic prospects are less certain because of stagnating wages, automation and globalization, wealthier parents tend to be particularly concerned about the future economic opportunities for their children. when driving, give less help to strangers in need, and generally give others less attention.

Additionally, growing up with wealth is associated with more narcissistic behavior, which results in selfishness, expressing a need for admiration and a lack of empathy.

CONSEQUENCES OF STATUS LOSS INDIVIDUALS who think they deserve unfair advantages are more likely to take actions to increase their level of status, such as ensuring their children attend high-status universities. Losing status appears to be particularly threatening for high-status individuals. A recent review of the research on status

FEELING INVULNERABLE PEOPLE who feel a sense of power, which often comes with wealth and fame, tend to be less likely to believe they are vulnerable to the detrimental consequences of unethical behavior.

Experiencing a psychological sense of power leads to a false feeling of control. It could also lead to increased risk-taking and a decrease in concern for others. It is possible that some of these moral psychology reasons were behind these wealthy parents cheating on behalf of their children. A desire to go to great lengths to help one’s child is admirable. However, when those lengths cross ethical boundaries, it is a step too far.

WILLIAM “RICK” SINGER, founder of the Edge College & Career Network, pleaded guilty to charges in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal.

AP

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Thursday, March 28, 2019

Show BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Disney soars high in Philippine cinemas with ‘Captain Marvel’, ‘Dumbo’ THE legendary Hollywood producer Darryl Zanuck

And now, some words from the producer REELING

TITO GENOVA VALIENTE

titovaliente@yahoo.com

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HOSE who write about movies rarely write about producers. Even as we all know that, bottomline, the production of a film depends on the producer/s, they are not given the prominence the way stars and even directors are.

The word “star” was coined to refer to those in the spotlight. No producer has ever become a star. More so with critics: we are not expected to write about producers. By all means, we can rhapsodize on the things that come from them—films—but never about those who manufactured these.

If one writes about producers, one becomes suspect. Is he on the take? What is the deal?

And so, there they are, the producers, one of the most unheralded components of the film industry. They are almost unnamed as the lowest crew members. The only difference of course is that producers have the money.

It thus depended on a strong woman, with a most unique personality, to pay tribute to the producer.

This was the indomitable Katharine Hepburn (YouTube carries this momentous event). Known for not appearing in the Oscars but still getting the biggest haul of four Best Actress trophies, Kate, as she is fondly called by fans, came out of seclusion one Oscar night, the only Oscar appearance she ever made, to pay tribute to a producer, Lawrence Wiengarten, the man behind such classics as The Broadway Melody, Adam’s Rib and Pat and Mike (the last two starring Kate Hepburn and Spencer Tracy). He was the recipient of the Irving Thalberg Award that Oscar night.

Characteristic of Hepburn, she took note of the importance of the awardee but was terribly candid and nearly abrasive when she described producers as “not being really artist in the true sense of the word” and “not being really producers in the true sense of the word.” The statement came on rather too strong, as all statements coming from Kate Hepburn did, but it scored the nature of this being called “producer.”

There is a book that can partly settle our doubts about producers, and this is the book written by one of the giant producers during Hollywood’s gilded age. He was Darryl Zanuck and the he wrote Memo From Darryl Zanuck: The Golden Years at Twentieth Century Fox. A collection of letters sent from April 1936 and ending on December 15, 1955, the book is old but the concerns detailed are as current as the problems and opportunities that beset the industry. This is show business in all its showiness and business, a domain that thrived on intrigues that were as false as its

significant films were about truths.

The letters are in the form of memos but Zanuck does not follow the dry-as-dust trait of official communications. He is candid, friendly even when acerbic, sincere even when you know he is playing the politics and game of film as art and as commodity.

Let me start from the end, from the very last memo captured in this collection. The last paragraph of the letter says: “I think it is a good policy for us to always review our previous decisions and not be afraid to admit our mistakes.

We will probably make the same mistakes again or similar ones but it does not harm for us to go back and analyze our initial reactions.”

That paragraph closes the letter, which asks David Brown, story editor, with Buddy Adler, a producer, and Spyros Skouras, the president of the studio, copy-furnished.

Darryl writes David: “Whenever possible I have been trying to get caught up on some of the recent ‘outside pictures.’” Zanuck was referring to those projects that were rejected.

But let us look at the letter that opens the book. It is a memo to Ernest Pascal, Fox contract writer and president of the Screen Writers Guild. The letter is dated April 28, 1936, and labor unions are abloom. The memo goes: “In your article [which appears in the Screen Writers Guild paper], you continually speak of abuses. What are these abuses? Let’s be specific. What has any producer done to create a situation that calls for unionism among the ranks of creative talent?”

In the letter, Zanuck pushes: “It is also quite obvious, despite your denials in your letter to me, that your article definitely promises the screenwriters that they will be able to control the screen destinies of the stories they work on.” He issues the punch line: “I can imagine nothing that would kill this business any quicker. Moving pictures are not made by any one individual. Many minds are essential if success is to be desired.”

Rudy Behlmer, the editor of the book and the one who selected the memos and letters, comments at the end of each document. He tells us how it was during this “trying period” that the Screen Writers Guild was working on a collective bargaining for writers in the film industry. Philip Dunne, who made the introduction of the book, says it was the first time he heard the word “blacklist.”

Darryl Zanuck as a producer was always concerned with the speed of the narrative, and the pacing of the storytelling. He writes to John Ford, who is shooting Young Mr. Lincoln, starring Henry Fonda: “I have been more than pleased with the rushes.” Sounding a bit patronizing, he tells Ford how the director is making “grand progress.” The praises end there as he continues: “Do you feel that at times the tempo is apt to be a trifle slow? I don’t mean that we should speed up Fonda, as it is the slowness and deliberate character that you have given him that make his performance swell, but I have had a feeling that at times we seem to be a little draggy as far as mood is concerned.”

The producer can really nitpick: “The photography has been very good, although I have complained about a shadow they have been getting recently on Fonda’s forehead. If his lock of hair were pushed over a little bit more to the right it would keep more of the Lincoln character on his face.”

Speed and pacing were Zanuck’s issues in many of the films he produced. Impressed with Jean Renoir’s The Grand Illusion, Zanuck got Renoir to direct a film—Swamp Water—in his lot. The letter direct, amusing and heartbreaking addresses the French filmmaker by his family name—“Dear Renoir.”

Zanuck admonishes: “You are going entirely too slow.... We cannot afford this.” He followed this comment with an enumeration of problems caused by the director’s style.

In another letter to Renoir, Zanuck, unused to the director’s approach which has been described as the antithesis of Hollywood filmmaking, laments: “There is too much production in this picture.... In other words, there is too much atmosphere, which gives it an impression of being artificial.”

Swamp Water would go on to become one of the studio’s top moneymakers for 1941. It would be Renoir’s only film with Fox. In the case of the classic The Grapes of Wrath, Darryl Zanuck went page after page of the script and made notations on many parts. He noted how John Steinbeck, the author of the book, came to the first story conference of the film. According to the producer, Steinbeck was “highly suspicious and finally told me that he had been told and warned that the whole scheme was for the purpose of taking the social significance out of the story.”

At the end of the memo, Rudy Behlmer comments: “In early December of 1939, about seven weeks before it premiered in New York City, the completed Grapes of Wrath was shown to John Steinbeck at the Fox studios.

In a letter to his literary agent, Elizabeth Otis, shortly afterward Steinbeck said: ‘Zanuck has more than kept his word. He has a hard, straight picture, in which the actors are submerged so completely that it looks and feels like a documentary film....’” n

MARCH marks an exciting month for Disney and Marvel fans in the Philippines as the entertainment studio brings two of its biggest releases for the year: Captain Marvel and Dumbo.

Filipinos enjoyed an action-packed first week with the highly anticipated release of Marvel Studio’s Captain Marvel. The first female-led film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe broke records locally as its fiveday opening weekend ranked as the All-Time Fourth Biggest in Philippine History, Biggest Opening Day for 2019, Highest Screen Count for 2019, Highest Origins Opening Day and Highest Female Superhero Opening Day. It is also the highest first stand-alone character MCU opening weekend, and the biggest March opening weekend. Globally, Captain Marvel has pulled in a box office total of $910 million to date.

Yesterday, on March 27, another Disney film opened in cinemas nationwide: the live-action reimagining of the classic 1941 animated feature which follows the story of the giant elephant with big ears, Dumbo. The beloved children’s tale returns to soar to new heights with visionary director Tim Burton leading an all-star cast to bring to life a heartwarming adventure where differences are celebrated, family is cherished and dreams take flight.

Dumbo is one of the many live-action films that Disney has lined up for families this year. The entertainment studio is well-loved by fans of all ages for its unparalleled storytelling that showcases heart, hope and love for family. Its first full-length animated feature film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, was released in 1937, and since then, Walt Disney Studio has been bringing quality movies to the market.

The all-new grand live-action adventure Dumbo expands on the beloved classic. Circus owner Max Medici (Danny DeVito) enlists former star Holt Farrier (Colin Farrell) and his children Milly (Nico Parker) and Joe (Finley Hobbins) to care for a newborn elephant whose oversized ears make him a laughingstock in an already struggling circus. But when they discover that Dumbo can fly, the circus makes an incredible comeback, attracting persuasive entrepreneur V.A. Vandevere (Michael Keaton), who recruits the peculiar pachyderm for his newest, larger-than-life entertainment venture, Dreamland. Dumbo soars to new heights alongside a charming and spectacular aerial artist, Colette Marchant (Eva Green), until Holt learns that beneath its shiny veneer, Dreamland is full of dark secrets.

Following the release of Captain Marvel and Dumbo this month, Disney will be bringing an exciting summer with the much-awaited Avengers: Endgame and Disney Princess remake Aladdin coming out in April and May, respectively.

HUGH JACKMAN ‘VERY EXCITED’ TO BE HEADING BACK TO BROADWAY DUBAI, United Arab Emirates—Hugh Jackman says he’s looking forward to coming back to Broadway next year as a classic roguish traveling salesman in a play he first performed in as a teenager.

“I’m very, very excited about doing The Music Man,” he told The Associated Press (AP).

The two-time Tony winner said he first performed the show in high school, and that it was the first musical he ever acted in. “It’s amazing I’m going back to it,” he said. As con man Harold Hill, Jackman will sing, such favorites as “Ya Got Trouble,” “Seventy-Six Trombones” and “Gary, Indiana.”

Jackman was speaking with the AP on Sunday at the Global Teacher Prize award ceremony in Dubai, where he announced the winner and performed musical numbers from his 2017 film The Greatest Showman. AP

NOW in theaters is the live-action reimagining of the Disney animated classic Dumbo.

Envoys&Expats BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph | Thursday, March 28, 2019 E1

For this hotel GM, empowerment is the heart of employee engagement

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By Cesar M. Cruz Jr. | Contributor

FEW years back, Cubao, Quezon City was touted as the next big metropolitan destination, a vision anchored on its seemingly nonstop lifestyle innovation and infrastructure development, captured roughly in the statement: Everything revolves around the “center.”

The term, of course, referred to the Araneta Center, now the hub of round-the-clock activities fueled by shopping, entertainment and leisure. Amid the constant movement of people and upward development of the locale lies Novotel Manila, which is currently making a mark as a hospitality destination of choice on its side of the metropolis.

Quite unexpected for a hotel to rise among the iconic establishments, such as the Smart-Araneta Coliseum, the revived New Frontier Theater or the timeless Ali Mall (one of the country’s first modern shopping centers, named after the “greatest” pro boxer of all time), to name a few. Judging by positive industry reviews, Novotel

Manila is primed to add on to the allure of the Araneta Center.

Above and beyond its admirable amenities and well-appointed facilities, Novotel Manila prides itself in making a positive imprint to its guests by way of its professional yet personalized approach to its services. General Manager Mike Brown assures of such for each visitor of the hotel.

The ripple effect of Brown’s management style trickles down to Novotel Manila’s staff members who make their guests feel like VIPs: front and center, in every way possible.

According to the Australian hotel executive, this emanates from the management’s manner of treatment on the hotel’s manpower.

“The culture here is to engage the staff and to look after the team.

We have a term here called ‘heartist’: Every decision, everything we do here, has the guest at the center, at the heart. It is very much akin to a family orientation, where people feel very safe to be themselves,” Brown voiced out.

Aussie in Manila

BROWN disclosed that coming over to work in the Philippines was a personal choice and decision.

“The level of English [here] is an absolute godsend for me, and the natural hospitality of Filipinos makes it very easy to do what I do. You don’t necessarily find that kind coming from the heart anywhere around the world. In the Philippines, you do it better than most.”

Having interacted with a number of nationalities in his line of work, he ranks the Filipino people to be among the kindest and most patient people in the world. It is what he loves about being an expat in this country.

The Sydney native proudly shared that he could walk past his staff and hear them singing in a beautiful voice. That personable spirit of Filipinos happens to be something he strongly identifies with. He feels there is no fear or barrier in communicating with his men and women here. This is diametrically opposed to some of the companies he had

worked for in the past, where massive hierarchy existed.

He claims he has adjusted quite well to living in Manila. Both he and his wife would otherwise choose to chill out at the executive lounge of Novotel Manila, or binge on Netflix, than spend hours stuck in traffic, especially on a weekend.

This GM also has a penchant for checking out the latest bars and restaurants in town to keep himself abreast of the developments in a highly evolving industry in this country.

Outside work, Brown recharges his batteries by capturing the beauty of the Manila sunset on canvas along the seaside of Novotel Manila’s sister establishment in the other side of town, Sofitel.

In the ‘right circle’

WITH decades of experience in the hospitality industry, the veteran hotelier has developed a management acumen that makes him wellliked. He does not come across as a know-it-all leader, but someone who continues to learn and improve everyday alongside his team in Novotel Manila.

In fact, Brown makes it a point to elicit comments and suggestions from those surrounding him. As a result of this collaborative approach, his staff feels empowered for their contributions.

This method has triggered a wellspring of wonderful ideas, especially during brainstorming sessions. The GM himself can be candid enough to admit that their ideas are even better than his.

Moreover, he goes the extra mile to ensure everyone, even those on irregular work shifts, gets heard loud and clear. In fact, he schedules regular breakfast meetings with his night crew every so often just to touch base with them.

For the general manager, those meaningful encounters with the manpower serve as elements to build on for the hotel’s short- and longterm goals.

“Where are we going to be in three months, in six months, in one year, in two years? What do we have to change? What do we need to add?

What do I have to do to be successful in these time periods?” were his rhetorical queries.

Further, the hotelier-executive extols the virtue of passion as an important factor to fuel one’s success in the industry. His was a story of such.

“I suppose I am a little bit different. I don’t have a university degree.

I went to a technical college. I’m not looking for the most academically brilliant person in the world, but [rather,] the most passionate and caring person. If you have the guest in your heart, most decisions are easy to make,” he waxed philosophical.

With Brown steering Novotel Manila in the right direction, one can say that its employees are in the “right circle” as its parent company, Accor Hotels, runs a proprietary International Hospitality Management Program geared toward developing its people for key positions for the hotel group.

“We like to grow our own. We like somebody who starts at Accor to come all the way through with us.

When I am looking for a staff member, I will first and almost always seek within our own,” the general manager revealed.

The technical in him suddenly surfaced. “The thing that sets us apart more than anything else, and I am telling you the truth, is the staff that we have. They are the ‘software.’

Here, the software far outweighs the ‘hardware’ in this hotel.”

Looking ahead, he declared: “There is a lot of good coming out of this hotel at the moment. We are building and growing confident staff members. My dream is that they won’t need me anymore in the Philippines. Following [my footsteps will be] a Filipino ‘GM.’” Indeed, it’s nothing quite like placing people at the center of an establishment’s operations. For Brown, it seems he has captured well and good the hearts of Filipinos that, as if coming to full circle, share their color with that of his name.

Envoys& BusinessMirror

E2 Thursday, March 28, 2019

EMBASSIES, EVENTS, ETC.

PHL F&B sector innovates to meet rising demand in UAE

UAE embassy: 2019 is ‘Year of Tolerance’

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BU DHABI—The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will soon enjoy more nutritious and halal-certified Philippine produce and ingredients that go into Filipino cuisine served by Pinoy restaurants, as well as food-and-beverage (F&B) outlets in the Middle East country with the successful staging of FilFood 2019, the first Filipino Food Industry Conference in Abu Dhabi on February 12.

Participating outlets included popular franchised global food-chain brands and quick-serve restaurants.

Established Filipino eateries in the UAE will also join the initiative to incorporate Philippine-made products in their offerings.

In her keynote speech, Ambassador of the Philippines to the UAE Hjayceelyn M. Quintana said, “Food is a cultural experience. [Ours] does not only…appeal to the palate, but

first and foremost to the eyes, while being consistent in taste and level of expectation.”

“In the Year of Tolerance celebrated in the whole country, the leaders of the UAE have expressed their encouragement for the Filipino community to actively showcase what makes us vibrant: our talent, food, culture. Our time is now,” Quintana underscored.

FilFood 2019 Executive Director

THE UAE’s Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (from left) and Pope Francis, with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

AMBASSADOR of the Philippines to the United Arab Emirates Hjayceelyn M. Quintana meets with food-and-beverage industry partners at FilFood 2019.

Jose Ma. Jerome B. Tuano expressed the vision of wide acceptance of Filipino food, including Philippine produce and ingredients by locals and multicultural consumers in the UAE. “We have to accelerate our innovation of food and recipes as well as competitively promote the consumption of nutritious and value-added, halal-certified Filipino food menus,” Tuano emphasized.

It was the aim of FilFood 2019 to create awareness among industry players in the UAE and the region on product innovations, sustainability and inclusive growth of the “Filipino food” brand.

The conference provided sessions for exchange of views on industry issues, as well as a platform for the presentation of products and services, including collaborations among F&B industry players.

Azerbaijan recalls ‘Black January’ invasion

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HE Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR) recently commemorated the 27th anniversary of the “Black January” invasion of the town of Baku by Soviet troops on January 20, 1990, that resulted in the death of 147 civilians and injury to 800 others.

Azerbaijan Honorary Consul to the Philippines Jose de Venecia III said the ADR government and its citizens remember Black January with sadness, as innocent civilians were victimized by the former Soviet government’s drastic step to put a stop to the growing nationalist independence movements among its former republics.

“The Philippines shares a similar history with Azerbaijan, as thousands of our compatriots fell to the violence of foreign invaders in our desire to assert our nation’s independence,” de Venecia said.

The honorary consul noted that according to the official investigation report by the General Prosecutor’s Office of Azerbaijan, the Soviet government ordered the Baku invasion as an example to other Soviet republics, where public sentiment for independence from the Soviet Union during the perestroika period was growing.

The Azerbaijani investigation revealed Soviet troops—many of them veterans of the failed Afghanistan war and had strong bias against Islam and Muslims—fired indiscriminately on civilians regardless of age and sex, which led to the illegal arrest of 841 people. Hundreds of buildings were destroyed, which caused both the state and its citizens to suffer amid huge material damages.

The Baku invasion came after hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijani participated in a peaceful protest rally against violence suffered by 300,000 natives living in its neighbor Armenia.

The growing frustration by Azerbaijani over Soviet rule and the relaxed state controls on mass action encouraged open-public rallies by hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijan citizens, especially after the Armenian annexation of Nagorno-Kabarakh which, along with the strong statements from the Azerbaijani nationalist movements for a breakaway from the Soviet Union, was used by then-President Mikhail Gorbachev and the Communist Party leadership in Moscow to justify the declaration of a state of emergency in Baku.

De Venecia said Black January eventually led to Azerbaijan’s declaration of independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Subsequently, the Azerbaijan government of President Heydar Aliyev declared an annual commemoration of the tragic events.

Azerbaijan and the Philippines reestablished formal ties in 1992, as the current administration of President Duterte and the Azerbaijan government are working on stronger economic ties. De Venecia said both are working on potential oil and gas imports from Azerbaijan, as well as possible exports of tropical fruits and other products from the Philippines.

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HE embassy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Manila has announced that 2019 was declared “Year of Tolerance” by Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Middle East country’s current president, supreme commander of its Union Defense Force and the emir of Abu Dhabi.

This year aims to highlight the UAE’s approach to bridge communications between people of different cultures in a respectful environment, which rejects extremism and emphasizes acceptance of others.

According to the embassy, the Year of Tolerance will focus on deepening the values of tolerance and coexistence among cultures, solidifying the emirates as the global capital for tolerance through series of initiatives among various cultures and civilization.

Such entails “implementing multiple cultural programs and making contributions to building tolerant communities, [passing] legislative and policy-oriented objectives that contribute in mandating cultural and religious tolerance via dialogue, and in promoting

tolerance through targeted media initiatives and projects.”

Noteworthy events that are aligned to this year’s UAE theme are the visit of Pope Francis in February and the hosting of the Special Olympic World Games.

The UAE has always championed the values ​​of tolerance and multiculturalism while rejecting discrimination and hatred by adopting nationwide programs in partnership with various local, regional and international bodies.

Today the country serves as home to more than 200 nationalities living in harmony with laws that guarantee residents, similar to its nationals, to enjoy the right to use the state’s health care, educational, cultural and entertainment facilities without any discrimination.

During the declaration of 2019 Year of Tolerance, Sheikh Khalifa stated, “��������������������������� Instilling values of tolerance carries on Sheikh Zayed’s legacy. It is one of the most important attributes we can give to our people and the global community to ensure their safety, stability and happiness.”

Hotel GM speaks at hospitality management forum

VETERAN hotelier and Marriott Hotel-Manila General Manager Bruce Winton

M

ARRIOTT Hotel-Manila General Manager Bruce Winton recently shared insights before hospitality management majors of De La SalleCollege of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) School of Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management (SHRIM) during their Hospitality Management Track and the World-Class Hoteliers in Progress Industry Hour: The Global Hotelier forum held at the Angelo King International Center Campus.

“Success is all about attitude.

People with the best attitude always have the best careers, and always have the best outcomes,” he stated.

With more than over 30 years of experience in the industry, Winton shared among the aspiring hoteliers his experiences, and

how he handled the challenges as he pursued his dreams, one of which is to assist students in widening their perspective of possible careers in the industry.

“You have to keep a positive attitude through thick and thin.

Most i mpor t a nt ly, you h ave positive thoughts for the people around you. If you are having a bad day, don’t let them see it.

There is no job that doesn’t have its hardships. You should focus on what makes you happy. Focus on the good times,” the veteran hotelier added.

“Think unselfishly. Make yourself part of something big, and go back to bring value to others.

Focus on others. Focus on everybody else. And that will definitely help you succeed in this business,” Winton concluded.

&Expats

envoys.expats.bm@gmail.com | Thursday, March 28, 2019 E3

MISSION: PHL FEATURE–SOUTH KOREA

SoKor helps PHL address growth constraints Continued from A1

For many years now, the ROK, through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (Koica) and Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF), has helped the Philippines address its development constraints.

As of December 2017, data from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), showed that South Korea is regarded as the Philippines’ sixth-largest source of Official Development Assistance (ODA).

It extended a total ODA of $570.60 million. This is composed of $480.74 million worth of concessional loans and $89.86 million worth of grants.

In 2017, the Philippines received a total ODA of $15.45 billion, consisting of $13.03 billion in loans and grants of $2.42 billion.

Project benefits

THE projects of the South Korean government were focused on agriculture and fisheries; climate change and disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM); health; education; and social justice projects.

Agriculture and fisheries projects funded by South Korea included the Panay Island Upland Sustainable Rural Development Project; Northern Iloilo Fishery Rehabilitation Development Project; and the Quirino Integrated Agricultural Development Project Phase II. The Panay Island Upland Sustainable Rural Development Project benefited 2,026 households and 1,033 upland farmers through community development and the creation of income-generating projects in its first two phases of implementation.

These income-generating projects included crop production, livestock and poultry, farm machineries, postharvest facilities and capacity-building activities for farmers were provided.

The project’s third and final phase is currently being implemented in 11 municipalities across Aklan, Antique, Capiz and Iloilo. It involves the establishment of agricultural marketing projects, access to agribusiness credit, construction of farm-to-market road and conduct of capacity building for upland farmers.

Another project, the Northern Iloilo Fishery Rehabilitation Development Project, is currently undergoing procurement for construction works. However, through the project, Koica would develop a port operation and maintenance plan in partnership with the Philippine Ports Authority. This plan would guide the provincial government of Iloilo and municipal government of Concepcion in ensuring the sustainability of the project.

The other project, the Quirino Integrated Agricultural Development Project Phase II, is being implemented in partnership with the province’s local government.

It is currently completing implementation plans for the development of agroforestry, establishment of a cattle breeding center for livestock development and enhancement of value chain for rural development. These project components are expected to start in May. “The project is expected to replicate the successful poverty reduction models of the first phase implemented from 2013-2016 and the provincial government of Quirino is gearing up to showcase Phase II as a global example/model for integrated rural development,” the Korean government said.

The climate change and DRRM projects of the Korean government include Adapting to Climate Change Impacts through the Construction

of Water Impounding Facilities in the Philippines, or the Pasa Small Reservoir Irrigation Project and Automation of Flood Early Warning System for Disaster Mitigation in Greater Metro Manila.

The Pasa Small Reservoir Irrigation System has been turned over to the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in July 2018. The irrigation system, which is now operational, provides water to 322 hectares of farms. Reforestation activities in 153 hectares of forest lands were also completed to promote the sustainability of watershed resources.

Around 41 personnel from NIA and other related agencies have been sent to Korea to learn about watershed management as well as dam operation and maintenance. Various local workshops and trainings for farmer beneficiaries were also conducted to inform them of the project benefits and teach proper usage and care of the irrigation system.

The Automation of Flood Early Warning System for Disaster Mitigation in Greater Metro Manila, meanwhile, was turned over to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) last December.

The facility was fitted with Automatic Water Level Gauges (AWLG), Automatic Rain Gauges (ARG), Warning Post, CCTVs, Command Center with state-of-the-art equipment, and newly developed software that are now fully operational. These have improved the responsiveness to natural disasters and mitigated damages to residents in Tullahan and Pasig-Marikina River Basin.

“To ensure the sustainability of the project, Koica specifically designed a multiyear training on Automation of Flood Early Warning System in Korea for Pagasa personnel,” the Korean government said.

“Flood drills were also conducted to train local residents. Pagasa also included the project in their annual budget to make sure that enough funds are allocated for its regular maintenance.”

Various local workshops were conducted for local government units, other partner agencies that are mandated to address issues related to disaster risk reduction. The project also involved local residents to inform them of how the project is utilized to minimize casualties and property damages by securing forecast lead time.

Health and education

IN terms of health projects, the Korean government is financing the Interoperable Health Information System for Region 4A-Calabarzon; Integrated, Equity Focused Service Delivery for Accelerated Improvement of Maternal and Newborn Health; Rehabilitation and Strengthening of the Felipe Abrigo Memorial Hospital and the Guian Inter-local Health Zone; and Integrated Nutrition and Health Actions in the first 1,000 days. The Interoperable Health Information System for Region 4A-Calabarzon was turned over to Department of Health (DOH) last October. But efforts to improve and maximize project resources are being undertaken.

A special focus will be given in the province of Laguna as this province has the requisite infrastructure to maintain and sustain the system.

However, expansion to other project areas will be done upon the discretion of the DOH. Meanwhile, the Integrated, Equity Focused Service Delivery for Accelerated Improvement of Maternal and Newborn Health project officially ended in December.

The project has been deemed to be highly successful and has exceeded expectations, leading to a 63-percent decline in maternal

KOICA President Lee Mi-kyung (left) and Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol unveil the Panay Local Food Center, a component of the Panay Island Upland–Sustainable Rural Development Project in San Miguel, Iloilo. This was one of the initiatives submitted by the development-aid agency to the Mission: PHL as its entry for the Project of the Year. PNA/PERLA LENA

deaths, and 45-percent decline in infant deaths in the 10 project sites.

To sustain and replicate the successes of the project, a threepronged strategy has been used. The project interventions were rolled out through DOH Representatives and project successes were shared at the regional level to generate awareness about the approaches.

The World Health Organization (WHO), meanwhile, has developed a toolbox that consolidated the various tools developed to promote maternal and newborn health in the Davao Region.

The other project is the Rehabilitation and Strengthening of the Felipe Abrigo Memorial Hospital and the Guian Inter-local Health Zone.

Construction is expected to start within the year. Koica remains committed to finish the construction of a well-equipped hospital that is compliant with Philippine regulations.

Another project, the Integrated Nutrition and Health Actions in the first 1,000 days, aims to directly address malnutrition. Consultations with various stakeholders have been initiated and the Unicef is also preparing the survey that will provide the baseline data in project sites.

To ensure that the initiatives introduced through the project will be sustained, the Korean government is undertaking a careful selection of partners who have the means and inclination to continue project gains, building of strong relationship with stakeholders.

Risks are being identified; capture knowledge; demonstrate impact on subnational and national level; and influence policy-makers and institutionalizing change.

The education projects of ROK in the Philippines included the reconstruction and strengthening of the Visayas State University (VSU) Tolosa Campus which was turned over to the VSU last year and the Better Life for Out-of-School Girls to Fight against Poverty and Injustice in the Philippines.

The construction of two buildings in the VSU’s Tolosa Campus includes equipment and other facilities such as school and dorm furniture are being maintained by the VSU Planning and Infrastructure Management Office and counterpart staff of Koica.

VSU also included the project in their annual budget to make sure that enough funds are allocated for its regular maintenance and for the prudent use of the facility such as power consumption and other utilities. An operations manual was also developed to make sure that rules within the building are properly implemented.

The other project is the Better Life for Out-of-School Girls to Fight against Poverty and Injustice in the Philippines which supports the development and implementation of the Alternative Learning System (ALS) in the Philippines.

Through the project, the documents and learning materials for the ALS Curriculum in Parallel and Equivalent to K to 12 National

Curriculum has been revised and enhanced. This includes the Budget of Works, ALS Learners’ Books and ALS Teachers’ Guidebooks.

A series of workshop were also provided for the capacity building of ALS mobile teachers and coordinators. Around 12 Department of Education key officials and teachers were sent to Korea for an international workshop.

To set-up a platform of motivation for out-of-school girls, two capacity building programs for the ALS learners were conducted. The Girls Education Center will be con-

structed in Tacloban this year and is expected to be operational by 2020.

In terms of social justice, the Korean government financed the project titled, “Enhancing the Criminal Investigation Capability of the Philippine National Police (PNP).”

It aimed to provide vehicles and forensic kits to the PNP. To date, Koica has a lready turned-over 130 police vehicles and 120 forensic kits to the PNP. These equipment are currently operational and are being used by police officers in Metro Manila, Baguio, Angeles, Cebu and Davao.

Around 142 motorbikes are also scheduled to be delivered in the middle of this year. All of these would be operated and maintained by the PNP using funds from their regular budget and personnel from their existing manpower.

Koica also aims to ensure the sustainability of the project by enhancing the institutional capability of the PNP. Around 150 police officers would be sent to Korea to participate in various capacity-building programs.

The Korean government has conducted local trainings and workshops to improve the skills of more than 170 police officers.

Loans

ON top of these projects, the Phil-

ippines was also able to obtain a loan from the Korea Eximbank to expand the Puerto Princesa airport.

The loan was used to improve and upgrade the Puerto Princesa Airport which is expected to see an influx of tourists.

The air traffic demand of Puerto Princesa Airport has increased with an average growth rate of more than 30 percent since 2010 for the sake of the famous Underground River which has been designated as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

“The purpose of this project is to improve the existing facilities of Puerto Princesa Airport by expanding its present capacity to meet the projected passenger and cargo demand, as well as to enhance the airport’s aviation operation, service, security and safety standard in compliance with the international standards,” documents read.

These projects are not the only ones to be financed by the Korean government. There are a number of big-ticket projects that are being discussed by the two countries and the focus will still be on addressing the Philippines’ development constraints.

Indeed, the relationship that was built nearly 70 years ago in the battlefield continues and has made Korea and the Philippines brothers for life.

Envoys&Expats BusinessMirror

E4 Thursday, March 28, 2019

MISSION: PHL FEATURE–SOUTH KOREA

Filipinos catch Hallyu fever as Korean wave still at a high

AMBASSADOR Han Dong-man flashes the Korean trademark finger-hearts sign. MARY ROSE LOPEREZ

A

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

MBASSADOR of South Korea Han Dong-man considers the growing fondness of Filipinos for Korean popular culture, known as hallyu or Korean wave, will help strengthen the relationship of his country and the Philippines.

“I would like to ask you to continue [the] solid ties between the Philippines and Korea,” Han said during the 2019 K-pop Friendship Concert on March 7 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Aside from K-pop, he observed that the local Korean wave has strongly influenced the lives of Filipinos in the form of Korean “novelas,” food and cosmetics, among many others.

The Korean envoy also took notice that the “wave” has rapidly spread and continues to make inroads in many places across the country.

In his speech before a mammoth crowd of more than 3,000, he insisted that South Korea is still the country’s top source of foreign tourists.

Han said that in 2017, 1.6 million South Korean visitors came to the Philippines. About 100,000 of them have decided to permanently reside here.

When it comes to trade, his country maintains its position as the Philippines’s fourth-biggest partner, which has contributed $15 billion in trade volume.

He also extended his gratitude to the Filipinos for the friendship binding their countries, as both will celebrate 70 years of bilateral relations between them.

The ambassador ended his speech by saying, to the crowd’s delight: “Mahal na mahal ko kayo! Mabuhay!”

Officials in the event

FOR the country’s part, National Archives of the Philippines Executive Director Victorino M. Manalo said his agency would continue partnerships with the Korean embassy and the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines.

Newly appointed Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno also graced the occasion together with his wife Jo Ann, who admitted to be a K-pop and K-drama fanatic.

Meanwhile, the embassy’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism First Vice Minister Kim Yong-sam expressed his belief that Philippines is an attractive market to Korean entertainment companies.

“Professionals in the K-pop industry probably found the cultural solidarity between the Philippines and [South] Korea very attractive and more marketable,” Kim said, as he explained the reason more Korean artists are coming to the country, holding concerts and fan meetings.

That night, they were entertained by K-pop groups April, Noir and NCT Dream.

These past years have seen Filipinos welcoming a throng of visiting Korean stars. When 2019 kicked in, K-pop girl groups Momoland and Blackpink held respective shows on Philippine shores.

In February actor Park Hyung-sik held a fan meeting after he was selected as a model for a local clothing brand.

Top-tier actor So Ji-sub left fans in awe with his sheer rapping skills during his “Hello, Manila” fan meet-and-greet on March 16.

Park Ji-hoon and Bae Jin-young also met their Pinoy fans recently. Actor Park Bo-gum is set to arrive in April.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

BusinessMirror

Health&Fitness

UNSPLASK.COM | BY LI YANG

March 28-April 3, 2019

FOUR COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT VEGANS

AD FOUNDATION, LETRAN COLLEGE PARTNER FOR 2019 ADSPEAK

AD Foundation and Colegio de San Juan de Letran renew their “AdSpeak Students Convention on Values Advertising” partnership.

T

HE Advertising Foundation of the Philippines (Ad Foundation), the social-development institution and advocacy body of the advertising and marketing communications industry, together with its Educational Development Program Committee (EDC), cochaired by renowned publicist and PR management consultant Ramon “Bong” Osorio, and broadcast business executive Joselito G. Yabut, concurrently the corporate secretary of Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), recently revived its nonprofit and nonpartisan partnership project with Colegio de San Juan de Letran and its Mass Communications department-College of Liberal Arts, the “AdSpeak Students Convention on Values Advertising.” The revived project partnership has been undertaken by the foundation with its Chairman of the Board, Ruperto S. Nicdao Jr., at its helm, assisted by foundation Assistant Board Secretary and Executive Director Linda C. Gamboa for the past many years as an annual nonprofit educational-development endeavor.

The “AdSpeak Students Convention on Values Advertising” is a whole-day event for intercollegiate students in advertising, marketing communications and its allied fields since 2006, with industry professional and former Letran College-MassCom faculty staff and EDC member, Eleanor Agulto, as its prime moving spirit in academe. The industry-sponsored convention features special lectures and presentations by renowned and highly respected experts from the multisector industry, to include a presentation module on self-regulation; film showing of the industry’s biennial ARAW Values Awards winners; judging of entries from the intercollegiate students’ group on their values-oriented work in various categories by select and renowned industry personalities; and presentation of awards to the school or college’ winners in the

2 Health&Fitness March 28-April 3, 2019

various competition categories. The project partnership renewal is timely considering that the Colegio de San Juan de Letran is celebrating its quadricentennial founding anniversary this year. AdSpeak2019, with its theme, “SuperCharged,” will be held at the Colegio’s newly renovated Students Center auditorium on April 3, 2019.

Intercollegiate students in the fields of advertising, marketing communications, visual arts communication, journalism, mass communications, broadcast communications, and other allied disciplines can avail themselves of early registration and reservations to 2019 AdSpeak Students Convention on Values Advertising with the Blank Canvas Advertising House student organization officers. Interested parties can also secure additional information and details onAdSpeak Students Convention on Values Advertising lecture sessions and competition of inter- collegiate students’ groups showcasing their work anchored on the Seven ARAW Cornerstone Values from the 2019 AdSpeakSuperCharged web site, facebook and other social-media platforms.Attendance to AdSpeak Students’ Convention on Values Advertising is free, with registration on a “first-come, firstserved” basis.

As Ad Foundation Chairman Nicdao said during the MOA signing; “Our foundation will continue to pursue its nonprofit and nonpartisan projects with academe in marketing communications and its allied fields, to support the preparation and training programs of future professionals in our multisector industry.” He added, “as the present crop of our multisector industry professionals and craftsmen provide academe upgraded materials and other learning tools from the fast-evolving landscape and dynamic advertising and marketing communications industry, we definitely strengthen our partnership with educational institutions such as Colegio de San

Juan de Letran, now celebrating its 400th year of educating our Filipino youth, at the same time, that it promotes and inculcates positive values for progress of people and country.” Colegio de San Juan de Letran Rector Rev. Fr. Clarence totally agreed with the foundation chairman, and responded favorably to the partnership with the foundation, not only for this year and in 2020, but in many more years ahead. He likewise cited Colegio de San Juan de Letran alumni with successful careers in the industry, further enumerating other industry leaders and business entities, that provide continuing support to Letran’s educational programs in Liberal arts and the sciences.

Signing the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on the two years’ project partnership on AdSpeak Students Convention on Values Advertising are Ad Foundation Chairman of the Board Ruperto S. Nicdao Jr. and Colegio de San Juan de Letran Rector Rev. Fr. Clarence Victor F. Marquez,

OP, with Ad Foundation Assistant Board Secretary and Executive Director Linda C. Gamboa and Letran’s Vice President for Students Affairs and Asst. Prof. Cristina Castro Cabral,PhD, as witnesses. Others who attended and graced the MOA signing are: Ad Standards Council (ASC) Operations Manager Maya O. Estrada, as EDC consultant; Letran’s Asst. Prof. Darwin C. Rundung, RPm, RPsy, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; and MassCom department assistant head and faculty member-instructor Joline Satti S. Ombao.

Letran’s College student organization, the Blank Canvass Advertising House officials, led by its president, Marie Josette Elevado, and account director, Chelsea V. Gonzales were also present during the agreement signing at the Colegio’s Rector Hall. Blank Canvass Advertising House members will serve as the host organization work force of AdSpeak 2019: SuperCharged.

Health&Fitness

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DON’T DIE PIXABAY.COM

OF DROWNING!

S

TATISTICS don’t lie. A study conducted in the Philippines from 2006 to 2013 showed some 3,276 people die each year of drowning and submersion. It is the second-leading cause of death among children aged 14 years and below.

“About eight persons die every day due to drowning, and more were reported to be victims of near drowning [10 cases per day],” said the country report presented at the World Conference on Drowning Prevention (WCDP) in 2011.

A research done by the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) listed drowning, with 12 percent, as the fourth-leading cause of death from injury in the Philippines. Road traffic accidents (20 percent), gun shots (17 percent) and stabbings (14 percent) were the top three causes, while electrocution and falls (4 percent each) was ranked fifth (4 percent each).

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) singled out the month of April as having the highest average number of deaths (355) caused by drowning and submersion from 2006 to 2013. May trailed with 316

4 Health&Fitness March 28-April 3, 2019

reported deaths.

The months of April, August, and September had also higher number of casualties: 291, 286 and 281, respectively. February had the least number, with 205 deaths. Less number of deaths were also reported during January (226), December (264) and November (267).

Sunday, with 606 deaths, had the highest average number of deaths caused by drowning and submersion. Saturday settled for second with 576 deaths. Wednesday had the least number of deaths: 400.

Most of those who die of drowning are children and teenagers. According to the findings of a study conducted by Safe Kids Philippines, the Philippine Life Saving Society and the Department of Health, almost 2,000 children die yearly from drowning.

The result of the study—Child drowning in the Philippines: The silent killer speaks—ranked drowning as the second leading cause of death among children aged one to 14 years old, outnumbering deaths from serious diseases such as tuberculosis (TB), malnutrition, diarrhea, cancer, and meningitis.

The Unicef research found that drowning rates were highest among

boys and girls less than five years old compared to other age groups and higher among females than males for all age groups.

In addition, the drowning rates were higher among males under five years and among those under 15 years compared to females of the same ages. This gender difference is largest for male toddlers whose relative risk for drowning death is 1.5

PIXABAY.COM

By Henrylito D. Tacio

PIXABAY.COM FREEPIK.COM

times higher than female toddlers, the research pointed out.

With more than 7,000 islands, it is not surprising that the country has a high drowning rate. A review and analysis of 40 years of data on drowning injury (from 1963 to 2003) showed at least 3,000 Filipinos of all ages die annually from drowning.

The alarming number of maritime disasters has contributed to the drowning statistics. From 1980 to 2003, 10 of the 22 major maritime disasters in the country happened. Those disasters snatched the lives of 3,543 people.

Not only that. “The Philippines is often visited by typhoons [average of 20 to 25 annually] causing floods, flooded areas, flash floods and turbulent seas, which undeniably cost the lives of Filipinos,” said the Philippine report to the WCDP 2011.

Drowning and near drowning are two different terms. Near drowning is “severe oxygen deprivation” (suffocation) caused by submersion in water but not resulting in death; when death occurs, the event is called drowning.

“When a person is submerged under water, water enters the lungs,” explains The Merck Manual of Medical Information. “The vocal cords may go into severe spasm, temporarily preventing water from reaching the lungs. When filled with water, the lungs cannot efficiently transfer oxygen to the blood. The decrease in the level of oxygen in the blood that results may lead to brain damage and death.”

According to the Geneva-based World Health Organization, drowning is the third-leading cause of unintentional injury death worldwide, accounting for 7 percent of all injury-related deaths. It defines drowning as “the process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion/immersion in liquid.”

Drowning itself is quick and silent, although it may be preceded by distress, which is more visible.

“People who are drowning and struggling to breathe are usually unable to call for help,” the Merck manual reminds. “Children who are unable to swim may become submerged in less than one minute compared with adults, who may struggle longer.”

What happens during the drowning event? Dr. Ben Wedro, who practices emergency medicine at Gundersen Clinic, a regional trauma center in La Crosse, Wisconsin, shared this sequence: First, the person panics or struggles, followed by submersion with breathholding. Loss of consciousness can begin within three minutes of being under water. The brain may suffer damage if it is deprived of oxygen for more than six minutes. The heart may go into an irregular rhythm that doesn’t allow the heart to pump blood, if it too is deprived of oxygen for more than a few minutes.

People who survived drowning may have symptoms ranging from anxiety to near death. “They may be alert, drowsy, or comatose,” the Merck manual informs. “Some may not be breathing. People who are breathing may gasp for breath or vomit, cough or wheeze. The skin may appear blue (cyanosis), indicating insufficient oxygen in the blood. In some cases, respiratory problems may not become evident for several hours after near drowning.”

Drowning doesn’t just happen in lakes, rivers and oceans. A person can get drowned in a bathtub—or even a wading pool. Sometimes, drowning occurs because of another injury, a heart attack or stroke that causes unconsciousness. Sometimes, it can happen from a head injury caused by diving into shallow water. Cramps, too, can cause panic,

which in turn may lead to drowning.

According to health experts, the common causes of drowning are as follows: alcohol consumption (which impairs coordination and judgment), boating accidents, child abuse or neglect, diving and scuba-diving accidents, falling through the ice of a body of water, fatigue or exhaustion, illicit drug use, inability to swim, having no life preserver, failure to observe water safety rules and suicide attempts.

Drowning is an emergency situation. Just in case you spot someone drowning far out in the water and you are on land, what should you do? “Get help as fast as you can,” suggested Dr. Stephen J. Rosenberg and Karla Dougherty, authors of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to First Aid Basics. “As frustrating as it can be, the odds are against you. If you are

not someone equipped to handle crashing waves, you are likely to become a victim instead of a hero.”

For those who want to be a hero, here’s a tip from the Wikipedia: “Rescue involves bringing the person’s mouth and nose above the water surface. A drowning person may cling to the rescuer and try to pull himself out of the water, submerging the rescuer in the process. Thus, it is advised that the rescuer approach with a buoyant object, or from behind, twisting the person’s arm on the back to restrict movement. If the rescuer does get pushed under water, they should dive downwards to escape the person.”

It has been said that most of die from drowning really don’t know how to swim. No one knows how many would have survived if they possessed basic swimming skills.

Health&Fitness March 28-April 3, 2019 5

FITNESS RULES

By Greggy H. Romualdez

FOUR COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS

ABOUT VEGANS W

HILE there is no clear, available data on the number of vegans in the Philippines, they seem to be growing in number judging by the number of people I know who have embraced veganism. For purposes of clarity, veganism is adopting a lifestyle of not eating or using animal products.

The term vegan, refers to the person practicing such lifestyle.

Based on casual conversations I’ve had with vegan friends, here are four common misconceptions people have had about them.

It’s expensive being vegan

WHILE those specialty-artisanalhandcrafted vegan-certified goods

in bazaars and boutiques could be costly, cheaper wholefood options in markets and groceries abound. A wide range of fruits and vegetables are available throughout the Philippines. Sweet potato, moringa (malunggay), papaya, swamp cabbage ( kangkong) and bananas are some of the affordable fruit and vegetable options for Filipino vegans. For street food, there’s a nutritious cup of taho (sweetened soybean curd), boiled bananas (saba), white corn kernels topped with coconut and salt—minus the margarine ( binatog).

It’s just a diet

WHILE a large part of being vegan is about what you ingest for sustenance, it surely goes beyond that. Shunning the use of leather, and other products derived from animals—or that involve the use and abuse of animals— is part of the total veganism equation. In fact patronizing shows where animals are made to perform for human entertainment are frowned upon by vegans. The same goes for visiting zoos and events where animals are on display as a spectacle.

So no, it’s not just a diet, but a total lifestyle approach.

They are doing it to lose weight

“IF you are vegan, why are you still fat?” This was a blunt, somewhat hurtful comment received by a friend from a relative that pretty much sums up this misconception.

Some tend to think that the desire for weight loss, or to look better is what motivates some to not consume animal products. People turn vegan for a wide variety of reasons— from compassion for other living beings to saving the environment and whatnot. Weight loss, if at all, is hardly on the list.

IT certainly is true that animal products such as beef, chicken, pork and fish are high in protein. And we know that protein helps build muscle and prevents muscle loss.

However, there are other sources of protein other than animal products which vegans can turn to, such as soybean products (e.g., soy milk and tofu), nuts (e.g., peanuts, cashew, almonds, etc.), peanut butter, oats and chia seeds. Take note that some successful bodybuilders were able to carve impressive physiques as vegans.

6 Health&Fitness March 28-April 3, 2019

FREEPIK.COM

They lack protein in their diets

3 RACES, 1 EPIC TRAIL WEEKEND AT THE SALOMON XTRAIL RUN 2019

I

N keeping with its commitment to empower people to lead a life of passion and play, Salomon is thrilled to announce the return of the highly anticipated edition of the Salomon Xtrail Event in the Philippines.

Dubbed as the Salomon Epic Trail Weekend, this year’s Salomon Xtrail Run introduces an all-new race pattern that will certainly test the limits of the most dedicated trail runners in the country. Enter the Ultra50, the newest category at this year’s race, which will require its participants to conquer five different mountains in Sierra Madre.

For the past seven years, Salomon Xtrail Run has offered two grueling race categories, which continue to attract hardcore athletes and enthusiasts alike who are not afraid to go beyond their limits. This year, in a tenacious bid to elevate the game and uphold its slogan of being “#1 in Trail Running,” Salomon ups the ante of trail running once again as it offers three different races with varying degrees of intensity in one explosive weekend. The Ultra50 now joins the roster of grueling race categories at this year’s Salomon Xtrail Run, which also includes the Xtrail Run and the Xtrail Kids Race.

For this year’s installment, the races will be held at The Glades in Timberland Heights in San Mateo, Rizal. Pegged as the perfect gateway to an epic outdoor adventure, this year’s race venue boasts of blazing trails to the Sierra Madre mountain range along with new trails that were specifically built for the race in the collaboration with the locals.

The ultimate test

A TESTAMENT of Salomon’s dedication to elevate the trail running ex-

perience, the Ultra50 category is an incredible opportunity for seasoned trail runners to test their limits. An original course with 3,300-meter elevation gain and loss that has been designed by credible trail runners whose accolades include UTMB, UTMF and Fat Dog 120 Miles, participants of this category are urged not to underestimate this new route.

Far from your ordinary trail loop around Wawa Dam, the new full loop of the Ultra50 category starts from The Glades at Timberland Heights in San Mateo, Rizal, and will cover six areas which include Purro, Campananan, Malemod, Ayaas, Parawagan and Maarat. Consisting of 80-percent single track, and 20-percent gravel/ dirt road, fire trails and some river crossings, the route will cover paths, ridges, and trails that have never been used in any other race, as well as old local trails that have been forgotten because of newer and wider trails.

Successfully completing this race within the cut-off will earn trail runners the prestigious honor of being one of the pioneers of what could be considered as one of the most challenging 50-kilometer races in the country. However, given the level of difficulty of the Ultra50, interested participants of this category will be required to participate in a qualifying race or show proof of having completed a 21k Trail Run. Only races held between January 1, 2018, and April 21, 2019, or prior to the closing date of the registration will be considered. The qualifying races considered include—but are not limited to—the Salomon Xtrail Races, Rizal Mountain Run, Clark to Miyamit Race Series, Cordillera Mountain Ultra, Be Trail Ready Races, KOTM Race Series, Mapawa Race Series, Tawid Mountain Marathon and Akyathlon.

Paths for play

APART from the new Ultra50 category, this year’s Xtrail Event returns with its signature categories but of course, bringing with it a whole new level of challenge. For the Xtrail Run categories, which include the 32km, 24km, and 17km divisions, participants, can expect a trail that features a good mix of wide fire roads, single tracks, foot paths, and ruts.

Lots of flora and fauna are to be seen along the trails. With no shortage of views, runners of this category are in for a challenging yet breathtaking experience. An original course with 1900-meter elevation gain and loss, participants are likewise reminded not to underestimate the route, as it consists of 80-percent single track, 20-percent gravel/dirt road, fire trails and some river crossings. The areas that will be covered by this trail are Purro, Casile, Amianan, and Maarat.

As safety is of paramount importance for the Salomon Xtrail’s Race Committee, security measures and regulations will be imposed to ensure the safety of the runners before, during, and after the event. These include requiring a mandatory gear for the runners. For the 50k and 32k races, participants must have a fullycharged and operational mobile phone, water carrier with a volume of at least 1,500mL, reusable water cups, whistle, headlamp or flashlights with at least 8 hours of charge, a poncho or rain jacket, and P1,000 to cover the

transportation expenses of the runner back to the finish line.

In the event of an emergency, Salomon teamed up with Team Rescue 8, a local first-responder group, which will be stationed at all aid stations as well as with the Landcruiser of the Philippines Off-road Club to ferry supplies, volunteers, crew and runners who can no longer carry on with the race. During the race, numerous marshals will likewise be stationed along the course, while each runner must be checked in and checked out of all the checkpoints.

All cut-off times will also be strictly enforced, while runners who return to the checkpoint after the cut-off-time will be pulled from the run.

The Salomon Xtrail Event also takes pride in being a green run. As such, disposable water cups will be prohibited during the race. Aid stations will not provide disposable water cups to protect the trail and the environment. The aid station crew will also be advised not to serve any drinks unless runners present reusable water bottles or containers.

Interested participants are invited to register until April 17, 2019, at www.salomonxtrailpilipinas.com. ph. All participating runners will receive a Salomon Technical Jersey, a Salomon Trucker Cap, as well as gift items from the event sponsors. Meanwhile, those who finish within the cut-off time will receive a Mountain Run Finishers medal, as well as a finisher’s shirt for the Ultra50 runners.

The Primer Group of Companies, Asia’s next retail giant, is the exclusive distributor of Salomon in the Philippines.

Health&Fitness March 28-April 3, 2019 7

MARK STRIEGL AND CHIC N’ HONEY: PARTNERSHIP OF CHAMPIONS

By Eleanor Leyco-Chua Photos by Iking Dalusong

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T the age of six, Mark Striegl had already manifested his very competitive nature when he joined combat sports in school. His innate passion for fight sports and other fitness activities put him to different arena of contact sports, which he never thought would bring him international recognition.

Striegl who was born to an American father and a Filipino mother, first discovered his love for martial arts in the country where he was born and raised— Japan. Striegl also admitted that his love for combat sports was influenced by his elder brother who also mentored him

8 Health&Fitness March 28-April 3, 2019

during his formative years.

He was a wrestler back in high school, and later on trained for taekwondo, aikido, Brazilian jujitsu and other forms of martial arts (MMA) until he realized that he was really meant to embrace the world of combat sports. Right after his

intermediate education, he joined the Wajitsu Keisyukai Gods Dojo where he developed his fighting prowess.

However, his parents decided to move back to San Diego, California, USA, for his college education so Striegel had to leave Wajitsu. But martial arts is like his second skin, so he trained for MMA and turned professional in 2009.

With his self discipline, tough character and background in the field of fight sports, Striegl started to make a noise in the rings of MMA. Known for his aggressive fighting style, Striegl gained the monicker “Mugen,” which means limitless in Japanese.

Just last year, Mugen won the Global URCC Featherweight champion and like anyone who has a Filipino blood, Striegl has always been proud to have Filipino roots. He confessed that he looks up to

boxing champion Manny Pacqauio.

Like the people’s champ, Striegl is also following a strict training regimen, wherein self discipline is very important.

“I train every day…two to three times a day,” he said. With his impressive status in the MMA, Striegl has to maintain his weight and develop more his strength, endurance, fighting style and physique as to be always prepared for his coming fights.

Aware of the importance of good health, Striegl observes healthy habits like drinking enough water, taking vitamins and supplements, and of course, an optimum well-being is also made of good relationship with family and friends, “me” time and good food.

With his outstanding bout statistics, trophies and medals, the 30-year-old Fil-Am fighter has a charming side that

makes Filipinos and combat sports enthusiasts love him. Like any other Pinoy, Striegl has the gift of gab, and you can talk to him about anything under the sun.

An authentic smile on his lips make him very approachable and just like any of us even with his great physique, he is a big foodie.

According to him when he is training for a fight, he will go for the healthy foods like oatmeal, veggie salad and lean meats. “You know that healthy foods sometimes are boring, so I always try to mix things up to make it more palatable and exciting,” Striegl confessed.

But when he has the chance to enjoy his favorite meal, he would go for chicken. “I love to eat chicken, it is my favorite food.”

With his pleasant personality, Chic n’ Honey, the newest player in the food retail chain industry, found Striegl the perfect ambassador for their brand.

According to Krisia Tan, general manager of Chic n Honey, Striegl embodies the brand’s character.

“If Mark is an aggressive fighter, Chic n Honey is also very aggressive in giving our customers the best comfort foods that are not just healthy but also delectable, and priced reasonably.”

Chic n’ Honey, which opens barely two years ago, was a brain child of six friends who were thinking of providing the market with varied food choices that most people can’t find in the usual food chains in the metro.

Chic n’ Honey’s menu showcases famous finger foods, pasta, silog meals,

chicken and salad, among others. Chic n Honey aims to provide all the popular and favorite comfort foods of Pinoys like spaghetti, chicken inasal, tapsilog, and even pampulutan.

The unique lineup of dishes of Chic n’ Honey strongly suggests that the restaurant can cater the food that you crave for every day and there is no need to transfer to another food chain to buy a certain meal.

“If you want tapsilog, we have it here.

If you want inasal, try our best sellers with our sauces. And if you want some sort of pulutan or Italian food, Chic n’ Honey will give you those. There is no need to go to another restaurant,” Tan said.

With the kind of foods that Chic n’ Honey has in its menu, Striegl didn’t

have a hard time saying yes to the management when he was asked to be their ambassador.

“Despite the accolades that Mark has in his name, he is very approachable and down to earth, and we want someone like him to represent our brand. And his very honest confession about his love for chicken makes him the best ambassador of Chic n’ Honey.

“I have always been conscious about my weight and physique but I can always for a Chic n Honey chicken meals, they are the best.”

Chic n’ Honey is now open for franchise, for inquiries e-mail chicnhoney@gmail.com or send a message to 09053162845. You can also follow us on Facebook: Chic n’ Honey for updates and lates offerings and promos.

TECHNICAL SKILLS COMPETITION CHAMPIONS Winners of the recently conducted TeaM Energy Skills Improvement in Control Analysis Tournament (SICAT) at the Pagbilao Power Station, receive their certificate of participation during the tournament’s awarding ceremony. SICAT is a unique skills competition among members of the power plant’s operations group. It is a way to sharpen the skills of the power plant engineers as part of ensuring the reliable supply of electricity. The competition is meant to test their preparedness in dealing with technical issues and emergency situations in the control room that may threaten the power plant’s continuous operations.

In photo from left to right: Techie Lopez, AVP, Corporate Affairs, TeaM Energy; with this year’s SICAT champions, Luis Zaide III, shift manager, Main Plant; Juanito Cadelina III, shift supervisor, Main Plant; Jeffrey Boy Castro, senior control operator, Main Plant; Daryl Oineza, control operator, Main Plant; Arjay Paquilabre, plant operator, Main Plant; and Jo Marco Bernel Tabi, plant operator, Main Plant. Together with Val Alcazar, manager, technical and compliance training, TeaM Energy. TeaM Energy is a partnership between two noted Japanese firms, Tepco and Marubeni Corp. It is the largest Japanese investment in the country with over 2,000 MW of installed generating capacity in Luzon. TeaM Energy operates two coal fired power plants: the 735 MW Pagbilao Power Station in Quezon Province and the 1,200 MW Sual Power Station in Pangasinan. It also has a 50 percent stake in the 420 MW Pagbilao Unit 3 Power Project in Quezon, and a 20 percent stake in the Ilijan natural gas project in Batangas.

Health&Fitness March 28-April 3, 2019 9

A WRITER’S PLEA FOR LIFE—HIS JOURNEY, REALIZATIONS AND NEWFOUND MISSION

By Dee Angeles Mandigma

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T was year 2008, I was a new graduate and was very idealistic to start a professional life. I was unstoppable and always on the go for that big break.

Days passed into weeks, and weeks to months, I was not able to find a job I like—there were a few but they were not my cup of tea, to say the least. I thought what is the use of my being smart and bemedaled, if I will just be unemployed? I thought I was simply useless.

It wasn’t until February of that year when my father, Isidro Garcia Mandigma, started to fall ill. He was diabetic, but it was only then when we found out that his kidneys were failing—he was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and had to go through the dreaded dialysis for life.

He had no choice, my family had no choice but to put him on this renal replacement therapy. He had it thrice a week. At that time, dialysis was at its infancy—not a popular choice for kidney patients. It was very expensive.

Imagine, we have to shell out P15,000 a week for my dad to live longer. I saw my dad suffer from kidney failure. I took care of him, brought him to his dialysis treatments, and saw him develop complications and deteriorate over time.

It was very taxing for all of us, especially for mom, who was the bread winner of the family at that time. My mom Evelyn Angeles Mandigma, is a public-school teacher for 30 years, but was only earning half of the salary of an ordinary clerk. It barely made our ends meet, just enough to feed a family but not a husband on dialysis. Good thing, my brother Lee and I were both scholars in college.

I had no choice but to seek help of all kinds—financial and medical—to the point of begging from my relatives, and friends alike for my dad’s dear life. At first people were still very enthusiastic to help, very selfless, but sooner or later this kindness and empathy would turn into coldheartedness and apathy. Soon enough

10 Health&Fitness March 28-April 3, 2019

people stop giving. And soon enough our funds for my dad’s medical needs ended up dry and empty.

It was very frustrating and saddening that these things would happen to a very kind man such as my dad. He was very giving, altruistic and charitable when he was still at his prime.

I thought where have all the people gone? Where have all the people whom he once helped gone? Not a single soul gave out a penny or two. I almost gave up. It was tiring—begging for dole outs wore me out. Until one day when dad said, “It’s all good for the day—let us stop dialysis, will you?

Let me just rest and wait for God’s mercy.” I willingly oblige a father’s request. But I was very worried at that point because no dialysis means toxins could pile up in the body. And true enough, it was only a day or two when dad went heavily toxic to the point of hallucinating. It was the time I saw him become a child again. Indeed, when death was almost within arm’s reach, one turns childlike, as if coming full circle. Then one gloomy morning, dad breathed his last.

Dad left us without a single word— so heartless way to leave the family who loved him most, I thought. But I guess it was his way of bearing the pain and agony—all to himself. What love! He died from CKD at 52. He never had the chance to get a kidney transplant because of its high cost and the lack of a kidney donor.

While dialysis and other medical procedures proved to be very daunting for us family, burying the dead was also equally challenging. But the Lord has been good, we managed to give my dad a decent burial despite the many problems we encountered during his wake.

It pains me to remember my dad now that I myself am on dialysis twice a week. It took me a while to

accept my health condition. In fact, there was a time I questioned God. I got angry at Him because I know that I am not a bad person and I do not deserve to bear this health condition, this burden. I questioned God—I questioned Him when I had a hard time finding a job then; I questioned Him why He had to take my dad’s life at such an early age, and at the time when my brother and I were barely turning adult, at the time when mom was still penniless and neck-deep in debt; and I questioned Him now that I have to go through this in life for myself, to be on dialysis like dad.

CKD is one of the most dreadful and deadly diseases across the world

today. The number of people having it—both young and old—is very alarming. I have seen old folks, millennials and even kids get CKD. And these past few weeks alone, I could count to three people, some I know of and some I don’t, dying from it and never had the chance to have a kidney transplant.

CKD otherwise known as the End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) is already the seventh leading cause of death among the Filipinos. One Filipino develops chronic renal failure every hour or about 120 Filipinos per million population per year. This is according to the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI), where many Filipino

patients are presently undergoing dialysis—including me once before transferring to a private dialysis clinic in Manila (I.M. Health Medical, Dialysis and Wellness Center).

According to NKTI, more than 5,000 Filipino patients are presently undergoing dialysis—including me— and approximately 1.1 million people worldwide are on renal replacement therapy. Reliable estimates reveal that the number of these patients would have doubled 10 years ago.

In the past, chronic glomerulonephritis was the most common cause of chronic renal failure. Today, diabetes mellitus and hypertension have taken center stage in the causation of CKD which together account for almost 60 of dialysis patients.

The cost of medical treatment for kidney disease is really exorbitant, beyond the reach of ordinary patients. Renal transplantation is limited due to the expenses and the shortage of donor. The best can be done at present is to focus efforts on the prevention of progression of renal diseases. Strict blood pressure and glycemic control, and adoption of “healthy lifestyle” play a major role in reducing if not totally controlling the epidemic of renal failure and this could be achieved through proper education.

According to the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) in the United States, 10 percent of the population worldwide is affected by CKD, and millions die each year because they do not have access to affordable treatment. In the 2010 Global Burden of Disease study, CKD was ranked 27th in the list of causes of total number of deaths worldwide in 1990, but rose to 18th in 2010. This degree of movement up the list was second only to that for HIV and AIDS. Today, CKD is a worldwide health crisis. In 2005 alone, there were approximately 58 million deaths worldwide, with 35 million attributed to CKD, according to the World Health Organization. CKD can be treated.

With early diagnosis and treatment, it’s possible to slow or stop the progression of kidney disease.

I never would have thought that I will eventually become part of these figures, these statistics of people suffering with kidney failure. Indeed, everything happens for a reason. Mine could be because the Lord wanted to put me in this very important task of being the champion of CKD, of healthy lifestyle, organ donation, and ultimately, to bring the goodness and mercy of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

I never would have thought that I will develop this health condition at such a young age. And never did I expect that I will have to go through the equally-dreaded dialysis treatment just like my dad.

It wasn’t until family, friends and Christian brethren told me that there is hope and there is healing in Jesus

Christ. And all I have to do is accept Him as my Lord and Savior.

I believe I went through all these health battles so that I would realize that I am just human and that there is God. I think it was God’s wake up call for me and telling that, “Hey son you’ve had your fair share of happiness in the world, it’s now my turn. I am, after all, your Creator, the reason for your very existence and without me you are nothing and none of these would have been possible.”

I hope that by sharing my recent life’s journey—my continuous battle with CKD, my twice a week dialysis and Lord willing, my kidney transplant in February, I would inspire people—people who are losing hope and who has gone astray from our Lord—drive awareness on this prevalent health condition of CKD and eventually, find help for those who are in need of medical assistance and a kidney donor (there are so many).

I am a CKD patient myself and I am a living testimony of second chances, survival and Lord willing, a successful kidney transplant. I had no inkling that I was already a walking case of a CKD patient. It wasn’t until our annual physical exams (APE) in the Department of Tourism (DOT) when I had a startling discovery of my health condition—my creatinine level—bodily toxins—are beyond the normal range. A healthy person has a creatinine level that ranges from 1.2 to 1.5 mg/dl, but mine was at an alarming 8.5 mg/dl. At the time, I had no known symptoms except that everything I eat seems tasteless and unappealing. I also noticed occasional leg cramps. Those were, in fact, the tell-tale signs of a failing kidney, an elevated creatinine and unfortunately, CKD. But our Lord is, indeed, a merciful one, He has allowed me to recover from my over a month hospitalization and let me be productive again.

He has restored my speaking, walking, writing and my entire physical abilities. All glory and thanks to Him. Had it not been for friends and family, who have kept me in their prayers and surrounded me with love, I wouldn’t have been able to overcome the difficult hospital scare.

To everyone who is going to see this story, don’t wait for that critical situation to happen in your life before you even realize that everything around you is temporary, fleeting, and your life is largely dependent on God. And when sickness comes, it’s time to really listen to what our body is saying, but more so, to what God is saying. The past months, weeks and days have brought me a lot of realizations. The very first realization is the reality of death, but more so, the reality of God as we face death.

We all will die. Sooner or later, we all will meet our God someday. But I guess it is not in dying that really should matter to us because that is given. Instead, it is on how we live

the life God has blessed us with that we should focus—the opportunity to become better persons, and do whatever mission we still can do. Yes, I got sick and I may not be as healthy and strong as before but I have survived, I have lived. My sickness made me rest a while, that was five long months of rest for me. It also made me realize that I needed others; I needed God. It’s been more than five months since I have resumed work in the DOT. I have been doing well since.

By God’s grace, I am surviving this health condition and everything that comes with it. Honestly, though, I went through a long period of depression, anger, guilt and a lot of emotional baggage. Until one day when the Lord let me realized how blessed I am still and how He has never abandoned me. That one day, I began to talk to people around me and start living the life, one step at a time. I owe it also to our Lord for teaching me how to save for emergency situations like this. Although I wish I had used my life-savings somewhere else, I had no choice, the family had no choice, but to use it during my hospitalization.

But the Lord works in mysterious ways, He continues to provide for all my medical needs since then.

Also, I was lucky enough to find someone who’s willing to help me, an altruistic kidney donor has presented herself already. All along she was just there patiently waiting for the right time to come out and tell me about it. She doesn’t want to be named and prefers to remain incognito. Her decision to help me came as a surprise. I thought, of all people, she would decide to help me. I asked our Lord, what did I do to deserve this kindness?

But perhaps, it is one way of telling me that our He never stops working.

And He works in rather mysterious ways. Imagine, I need not look far to find help. And so I humbly accepted this blessing from God. I believe that by accepting this gift of life from her is allowing God’s blessing to flow upon her, too.

Indeed, I realized that there is still kindness and humanity in this world.

This happily married woman in her 40s would still find the courage to help someone like me restore the normal quality of life I once enjoyed. What love! I could not thank her enough, her family and her children, for letting me experience love like no other.

However, my supposedly forthcoming kidney transplant has been “put on hold” until I find a new kidney donor.

My supposedly perfect kidney match donor Ate was not fit to be a kidney donor after my doctors and I found out that she is “prediabetic.” The NKTI Ethics committee said No for her as a kidney donor and No to my kidney transplant. My team of doctors opted for me and my donor’s safety. They wanted me to get a better kidney donor—one that has healthier kidney. A pre-diabetic donor has a slightly injured kidneys already and can be compared to a

slightly-used organ.

Instead, my doctors have advised me to find another kidney match. So, I shall move on however difficult and disappointing this may be. I know that God has a purpose. And I know in my heart’s heart that if it is His will that I get a new kidney, He will give it to me in His most perfect time. His, will, not ours and not mine, be done.

The search for kidney donor number two has just begun.

However, finding a kidney donor is just one of the long and daunting processes of restoring the normal quality of life I once enjoyed. The journey is just beginning, as kidney transplant entails a long, daunting and expensive process.

I hope that by way of this feature story and letting you know about my health condition, I am also giving you the opportunity to help this writer continue to write his own life story, a story of second chances, of survival and hopefully, a kidney transplant success story. I also want to take this opportunity to inform all the people who could possibly read this story of mine, my relatives, friends, colleagues, even my own bosses in the department who could also help me on this.

I know in my heart that one day, these kidneys will function well again. And that I will be free from the very difficult requirement of dialysis just to live for a day. Until that day comes, I rest on God’s words and messages in the Bible—His promise of healing and health renewal, and total restoration.

And I claim Jesus’ healing promise.

I know that You are a healing God! You are Yahweh Rapha! You have healed so many people generations ago, so much so You can heal me to this day! You are the same healing God yesterday, today and tomorrow!

Thy will be done!

Dee Angeles Mandigma, 35 years of age, has been working in the Department of Tourism for over five years already, although it was only two years ago when he got promoted to a permanent government position in the department as Information IV (Supervising information officer).

His work in the department entails intensive writing and communications. He is part of a team that handles all the key communications and creative messaging of the department—from remarks of the secretary, to Department messages and official statements, to writing media releases.

He has drafted more than a hundred major policy speeches for the Department under three DOT Secretaries already. His work requires him to stay in the shadows, to be the unnamed writer, unacknowledged for most parts, but Dee takes pride in everything that he does for the Department and his principal. Writing, for him, is a ministry, his own little way to give glory to our Jesus.

Health&Fitness March 28-April 3, 2019 11

BULLETIN BOARD

ENJOY SEAFOOD GALORE AT KITSHO APRIL is seafood month at Kitsho, not only because of the abundance of fresh catch but also because it makes special notice to Christiandom’s observance of the Lenten season.

Seafood lovers would surely delight in the many seafood options that the a la carte menu proffers, especially for those who intend to go on a buffet binge.

The lunch buffet is priced at P1,356 and comes with unlimited iced tea, while the dinner buffet is priced at Php1,568 with one round of red/white wine or beer. All meal prices, including the set meals, are inclusive of VAT and service charge. Moreover, every five paying diners on the a la crate buffet could bring an

extra guest for free.

Those who want to sample a complete meal, instead of a buffet option, could easily go for the set meal. Priced at a great value-for-money deal of P750 that would make your pockets smile, the set meal consists of a steaming hot bowl of miso soup, a mouthwatering plate of green salad, a bowl of Japanese rice, a main course choice of either white fish (sauteed or grilled) or shrimp (tempura or grilled), and a sweet ending of pumpkin carrot jello bars. Yuppies and executives, who are usually in a hurry, would love this great proposition in value and taste.

For reservations, simply get in touch with the restaurant’s trunk-line no. (02) 994-36-23.

SUMMER SPECIALS AT NEW WORLD MANILA BAY HOTEL

LUNG HIN ANNOUNCES DIM SUM DELIGHTS

WE’RE cooking up a feast this month with authentic Korean dishes and barbecue, delectable tofu dishes, gourmet nose-to-tail dining, specialty summer cocktails, and more.

Classically trained Korean Chef Airween Verso presents an authentic course of regional Korean specialties from March to April at Market Café. Awaken your taste buds with treasured Korean dishes, such as heamulpajeon, yangnyeom chicken, kimchi jeon, galbijjim, Korean barbecue, and more. Available for dinner from Monday to Thursday and for lunch every Sunday. Rates start at P2,500. Club Epicure members enjoy 50 percent off.

Executive Chinese Chef Raymond Yeung creates a special tofu selection, such as fried rice with crispy tofu, salted mustard and minced pork; braised tofu with seafood in chili sauce, steamed bean curd with cheese, along with signature Chinese classics. Rates start at P288.

Li Li invites you to welcome summer with refreshing sips of specially concocted seasonal fruit cocktails and mocktails. From the sweet pineapple no-heat-to made with fresh pineapples, cooling mint leaves, refreshing lime juice and rum to a zesty gin up or gin down made with fresh cilantro, refreshing mint, zesty lime and lemon peel, finished with a hint of gin and tonic; you’ll want to try each and every delectable cocktail on the list! Available at P300 (nonalcoholic) and P380 (alcoholic).

Put your palate to the test with these delectable dishes, such as ox tail soup, crispy pig ears with chili garlic aioli, braised beef cheek and liver ragout served over penne pasta, and breaded tripe over truffled lyonnaise potatoes. Discover a whole new taste—only at The Fireplace. Rates start at P650.

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DELIGHT your taste buds with a flavor-filled trip to the Orient with Lung Hin’s special Dim Sum promotion, ongoing until the 31st of May 2019.

Enjoy 25-percent savings on Lung Hin’s specially curated dim sum menu. Steamed selections include scallop dumplings, pork spare ribs

with garlic and vegetarian dumplings. Deep-fried bean curd skin rolls with prawn, taro puffs, and pan-fried radish cake with XO sauce are also featured in the pan-fried and deep-fried menu.

True to Cantonese traditions, Lung Hin takes pride in its lineup of authentic favorites, from dim sum master chef, Hong Kong native Wong Chiu Lung. Indulge in some of the restaurant’s beloved classicssuch as steamed shrimp dumpling with gold leaf, steamed pork siomai with truffle sauce and the crowd-favorite baked barbecue pork buns. Coming from a long history all the way from the Guangdong Province, dim sum have been staples in Chinese gastronomy. Literally translated to “touch your heart,” it is also known as yum cha, or to ”drink tea,” as diners traditionally enjoy it with loved ones and friends over a cup of tea.

Lung Hin is located on Level 44 of the Marco Polo Ortigas Manila.

For more information visit www.marcopolohotels.com. Subscribe to updates via social media through the hotel’s official social-media accounts: facebook.com/MarcoPoloOrtigasManila and @MarcoPoloManila on Twitter and Instagram.

EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA AT HOLIDAY INN BAGUIO JOIN Holiday Inn Baguio City Centre in celebrating the Easter holidays in ¨Baguio Eggstravaganza¨ from April 19 to 21 and don’t miss the awesome offers that are available on Easter Weekend.

Come visit the hotel and enjoy the Lamisaan Dining & Bar’s Good Friday Seafood Dinner on April 19 from 6 to 10 p.m., showcasing the freshest catch cooked in the uniquely Visayan method of su-tu-kil (sugba, tuwa, kilaw), along with dishes like seafood kare-kare and paella. The hotel will be offering their regular Oriental Buffet on Black Saturday and throughout the whole month of April.

On April 21, Lamisaan will also be offering a complete station buffet with live grill station for Easter Lunch Special that will come with one complimentary Easter Egg Hunt pass for every two

dining adults. Let your kids take part in the Easter Egg Hunt with fun activities like face painting, magic show, puppet show, and more.

Capping off the offers for the season is Holiday Inn’s Easter promotion for three days and two nights. The package includes buffet breakfast for two persons in Superior or Suite rooms, and three persons who stay in a Family room, and a choice of between complimentary Saturday Dinner buffet or Sunday Brunch buffet for two persons. All Easter packages include two complimentary Easter Egg Hunt passes, complimentary Wi-fi access, and complimentary scheduled shuttle service rides around key city spots..

To learn more about the hotel, visit www.facebook.com/holidayinnbaguio or www.holidayinn. com/baguio.

BULLETIN BOARD

A DESERVING REWARD FOR THE GRADUATES OF 2019 DIAMOND Hotel Philippines is rewarding all graduates with grand dining privileges, gratifying staycation packages and freebies for a job well done. As they move their tassel from one side to the other, make this milestone a truly memorable one.

From April to June, commemorate the graduate’s achievement with top-notch gastronomy featuring different international buffet flavors at one of the most exquisite dining destinations in Manila, the Corniche restaurant. A fitting salute awaits graduate with an overnight stay and breakfast for two, free-flowing Four Seasons juice, personalized cake and a stuffed toy when you book a table for 10 persons priced at P20,190 net.

Mark your graduation festivity with a Japanese flair. Seize the moment of victory as you dine over mouthwatering Japanese dishes. Reserve a table for four persons at P7,980 net or a

SOAK UP THE SPECTACULAR SUMMER EXPERIENCE IN ALABANG DISCOVER your love for the sunny metropolis this season with Crimson Hotel Filinvest City, Manila’s summer staycation packages. If you want to take a break from the frenzied city without getting far out, Alabang is the perfect go-to place. With its laid back vibe, thriving dining scene and premier shopping hubs— planning for your next vacation in the southern Metro should be an inspiring affair.

Crimson Hotel’s Summer in the City staycation deals let you have a relaxing respite that has all the city charm with added benefits such as retreating to the hotel’s plush rooms, taking pleasure in the swimming pool or simply lounging around. A Cityholic can book a Deluxe Room for as low as P3,840++ per night. If you want to experience more for less, avail yourself of the Do Not Disturb room package at P5,440++ that comes with buffet breakfast for two persons at Café Eight or opt for a breakfast in bed.

Feel the Oasis in the South for three days and two nights staycation in any of the Crimson Hotel’s Deluxe Room or Suite. Take this opportunity to make a full itinerary like a true city tourist—from mall hopping to walk in the Filinvest City parks. Rates start at P8,800++ inclusive of buffet breakfast for two persons at Café Eight.

All room packages include a limited-edition Hello Summer Collection which consists of bag and hat. The Do Not Disturb, Oasis in the South and Urban Glampcation packages also come with an additional freebie. You may choose between the relaxing massage for two persons, premium movie tickets for two (2) persons with snacks, Happy Hour for two (2).

Stay period is from March 15 until June 30, 2019. Visit www. crimsonhotel.com and use the promo code HELLOSUMMER to book.

You may also e-mail alabang.reservations@crimsonhotel.com or call 863-2222.

table for six persons for P10,880 net. Graduates will get a complimentary 8-inch cake.

For an intimate yet meaningful celebration of success, dine at the Lobby Lounge. The cozy atmosphere, complemented by luscious

delights and impeccable service, sets an ideal spot to reminisce happy school days. Also, a minimum receipt of P5,000 entitles the graduate to a free 8-inch cake.

Rejuvenate and calm your mind with a city staycation to kick off your dream. Your years of hard work deserve a truly memorable pampering treat. Book the Dream Big Room Package and stay in a Deluxe Room for only P6,000 net per night. The graduation room promo comes with a sweet reward of one ensaymada and one iced tea for the graduate. Enjoy other perks such as buffet breakfast for two at Corniche, complimentary Wi-fi access, 30-percenr discount in all dining outlets (except in-room service, mini bar and alcoholic drinks), and 20-percent discount on massage and laundry services.

For restaurant reservations call (632) 5293000 ext. 1121.

A GLIMPSE INTO HOTEL SOGO’S FUTURE THE largest hotel chain in the Philippines with 40 branches nationwide, now has a new look.

Hotel Sogo, a division of the Global Comfort Group Corp., reinvents its iconic red and yellow look to a more minimalist approach highlighting red and white with yellow accents.

“We retained the red because it symbolizes our passion for delighting our guests. The white reinforces our commitment to cleanliness and courteous service while the yellow accent symbolizes freshness, optimism, as well as energy,” Hotel Sogo CEO, Mr. Gus Corpus said.

He added that the recent change of façade colors also puts emphasis on excitement and modernization.

“Being in business for over 25 years is a feat for any company. We continuously improve our hotels to provide the best experience for our guests while retaining our affordability. We are committed to building more branches all over the country, providing the best value for money for our guests and employment for the Filipinos.” Corpus mentioned.

“We started in 1993 with two entrepreneurs who wanted to adopt a Japanese themed Hotel to connote cleanliness, innovation, efficiency, courtesy, discipline and teamwork, consequently, the birth of Hotel Sogo which means harmony, unity and cooperation. These are still the values that drive us to add five more hotels in 2019 and 20 more in the next few years” Corpus added.

“Hotel Sogo commits to deliver not just excellent service, but continuous innovation of facilities and amenities to ensure a fabulous stay for our guests. The company was one of the first establishments that introduced free Wi-fi. We gave waiters skateboards so they can deliver orders faster. Aside from the usual hot and cold shower, Jacuzzi, 24-hour room service, we intro-

duced in-room safety deposit boxes, a massage service and individual motorcycle garage rooms. Moreover, to make sure that all the guests have a pleasurable and memorable experience, we are the only hotel with a 24-hour dedicated call center, which I, as the CEO, the COO and a dedicated group of staff, personally resolve any and all concerns of our guests,” Corpus cited.

To find out more about this and Hotel Sogo events and promos, we encourage everyone to like/follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/ HotelSogoOfficialPage) and Instagram (@hotelsogo).

Health&Fitness March 28-April 3, 2019 13

HEALTHY FINDS

NORTHERN WAVES AND TINMAN 7: PROMOTING REHABILITATION THROUGH SPORTS TOURISM

By Gale Tamon & Chelsea C. Palmez CURRIMAO, Ilocos Norte—On March 16 and 17, 2019, Trisports Solutions Inc., in partnership with the municipality of Currimao, Ilocos Norte, hosted the Neptune Actives Northern Waves Open Water Swim and the 2019 chapter of Tri Ilocos Norte: The ultimate sport tourism event in the North or in short, TINMAN 7, held at Pangil Beach Resort. This year, Trisports, through their weekend events, supports the fight of Currimao against the threats of land reclamation. The local government and the organizers had the goal of promoting the municipality by bringing in sports tourism through the triathlon with the advocacy of keeping the pristine waters and surroundings of Currimao.

According to Mayor Gladys G. Cue, Currimao is one of the Marine Key Biodiversity Areas (MKBA) in the Philippines. The beaches of municipality are surrounded with coral formations and coral-reef sanctuaries. Through the event, local government was able to promote their advocacy of saying yes to rehabilitation and no to reclamation.

To further highlight this advocacy, the races were designed to showcase, not just the beauty of Currimao, but more so the rich resources and biodiversity. With the Neptune Actives Northern Waves Open Water Swim, graced by 37 swimmers, along with their supportive friends and families, Mayor Cue, and Mr. Hanson Chua of Chua Consolidated, Neptune Actives partnered with Trisports and the local government of Currimao to show off the clear, swimmable waters that the municipal has to offer and introduce and promote their advocacy. Aside from the race, there were games and raffles for the crowd, tons of giveaways from Neptune Actives, and an abundance of smiling faces. Winners of the race were given medals per age category. The top finishers were Carl Justine Arzaga of Hi-Factor TriNorth and Angela Jae Ranjo of Ilocano Sharks for the 1.9-kilometer distance, Marc Tan of Balon Dagupan and Francheska Joves of One Triathlon for the 1.5-m distance, and Jonathan Reyes and Regina Geli, both from One Triathlon.

Prior to the TINMAN, the participants enjoyed the race briefing and carbo loading with a performance from the Tan-ok 2019 dancers which take pride in their residency in Currimao.

The dinner was again graced with the presence of Mayor Cue, Mr. Hanson Chua of Chua Consolidated and representatives from the event sponsors.

With a total of 268 individual participants

14 Health&Fitness March 28-April 3, 2019

and 14 relay teams, the gun started at 6:10 am for the 113-km race with 20-minute intervals for the standard and sprint categories. Marc Kristoffer Tan of Balon Dagupan—competing for Relay 113k—finished first for the Swim leg of the race. The bike and run courses stretched from Nipa International Beach Resort, going up to Paoay and Laoag then going back down to Currimao. This scenic route surely showcased the beauty and majesty which sets Ilocos Norte apart.

The leading individuals in the sprint category are Jonathan Reyes and Alison Ann Noble with the gun times at 1:20:06 and 1:31:40, respectively. On the standard category, Reagan Nabua and Francesca Ezzabella Joves led the race with respective times of 2:26:50 and 2:56:40. While the 113-km race was dominated by JT Gonzales and JaylineBalatibatwith gun times of 5:10:39 and 6:00:47, respectively. On the relay matches, Team Goltebs and Balon Dagupan triumphed for the standard and 113-km divisions.

More than the recognition that the winners took home, several raffle prizes were also given

away to the participants present during the awarding ceremony, such as products from Anytime Fitness, Light ‘N Up and Sharetea.

Despite the heat, each participant was fulfilled to have finished the event; coming home with a sense of achievement and newfound camaraderie.

The entire weekend would have not been possible without the support of the Ilocos Norte Office of Tourism, the municipality of Currimao, headed by Mayor Gladys Go Cue, the municipality of Paoay, headed by Mayor Jessie Galano, and the municipality of Laoag, headed

by Mayor Chevylle Fariñas, our venue partner, Pangil Beach Resort, our marketing partners, Neptune Actives—the official distributor of Funky Trunks and Funkita, Northpoint Alliance Motors Corp.—the official distributor of Mitsubishi in Ilocos Norte, Hi-Factor, Automekaniko and ShareTea Ilocos. With special thanks to Clara International Aesthetic Naturale, Light N Up Marketing, 2XU, and Kamarinn Café in Paoay, and of course, our media partners: ABSCBN Regional Network Group, BusinessMirror, and Health & Fitness.

HEALTHY FINDS

n METRO PACIFIC HOSPITAL IN MINDANAO READY FOR UHC LAW

ST. Elizabeth Hospital, Inc., General Santos City’s leading medical facility and the latest addition to the hospital network of Metro Pacific Hospital Holdings Inc. (MPHHI), recently opened its Primary Care Center (PCC) ahead of the implementation of the Universal Health Care Law. A 24/7 one-stop shop for outpatient health care, it offers services and products such as consultation, laboratory, diagnostics, wellness checkup and pharmacy. The PCC was designed to support a new collaborative care process between medical professionals and the hospital with a team-style treatment approach, as compared to the traditional approach where patients visit clinics which are separate from the laboratory, diagnostics and pharmacy.

The PCC houses six clinics with generalist and specialist doctors available for consultation 24/7 and who can electronically prescribe the laboratory, diagnostics, and medicine needs of patients who are then prioritized in a queueing system for a seamless outpatient health-care experience under one roof and ideally in a single visit. It also accommodates prescribed laboratory, diagnostics, and medicine requirements seen by external doctors.

St. Elizabeth Hospital opened a 200-capacity glass-enclosed lobby lounge with a centralized reception and triaging system which assesses the urgency of outpatient health needs. It also showcased two new diagnostics equipment—the GE Revolution Evo 64 slice CT Scan, the first and only one in Region 12, and a brand-new Shimadzu Flexavision F3 X-ray machine which will improve diagnosis and turnaround time of results.

Another outpatient pharmacy, now managed

by MedExpress, was also opened within the PCC to offer quality and reasonably-priced medicines.

“Much thought and planning has been given to this project. Region 12 has a growing population and a booming economy and we want to help sustain the growth by providing quality outpatient health-care services patterned after best practices in Manila, Asia and the Americas.

Metro Pacific Hospitals has allowed us access to these practices through its network of hospitals in the country and its partners who have global health-care experience,” said St. Elizabeth Hospital President and CEO Oslec Lopez, who is also MPHHI special projects director.

“The implementing rules and regulations of the Universal Health Care Law will be out soon, which will allow PhilHealth members to avail of outpatient health insurance on top of their current inpatient insurance benefits. We are now ready for that. We expect the demand for outpatient services to increase, so we are adding 50 clinics in the new 10-story Dr. Jesus C. Veneracion Medical Tower which will rise by

the end of 2019,” he added.

The country’s largest private provider of premier hospital services, MPHHI is a subsidiary of conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, in charge of its health care segment which owns and manages hospitals, clinics, cancer care centers, and nursing colleges.

n NUTRITIOUS AND DELICIOUS DRINK TO QUENCH YOUR THIRST

THE nutritious benefits of honey and lemon are now being offered via a refreshing drink that hails all the way from South Korea. The drink, Honey Lemon, which is now becoming popular in the Philippines, is an exciting beverage option that promises a load of health benefits.

Honey Lemon was officially launched recently at the Mas Tapas and Cocktail Bar in Greenhills.

The event, which was attended by key executives of Honey Lemon PH headed by Mr. Amen Say, president of Dong-A Pharma Philippines (official distributor of Honey Lemon), and Mr. Won Tak Song, country manager of Dong-A Pharma Korea, gave guests a taste of the drink.

We like to use the term “nutrilicious” to describe Honey Lemon. It’s delicious but also nutritious. It’s a nutritious functional drink that's not just wholesome but tasty. We’re so excited in bringing this product into the market and we know that the Filipino crowd will truly love this drink,” said Mr. Say. Honey Lemon is considered to be a health drink—not only is it made from real lemon, but also real honey sourced straight from the peaks of Chiak Mountain in South Korea. Honey Lemon is a great source of vitamin C, and according to Mr. Won, the drink is popular in Korea among the young and the old, serving the drink warm during the cold months to ease the ill effects of cough and colds.

A surprising benefit of Honey Lemon is how it can counter the effects of a hangover, making it a great ally when you decide to have a night out with friends.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF HONEY LEMON ONE of the highlights of the launch was a nutrition talk courtesy of nutritionist and dietitian, Ms. Joy Fatima Verano-Santiago from the Nutritionist-Dietitians Association of the Philippines (NDAP), the country’s foremost group of experts who recommend the food and drinks that we must consume in order to stay fit and healthy. She is also the chief dietitian of the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center.

According to Santiago, one of the best ways to keep one’s health at an optimum level is by taking care of the gut or stomach, and the best way to do this is through vitamins and nutrients found in both honey and lemon.

Lemon, as we all know, is a great source of vitamin C, but it is also a wonderful source of phytonutrients and carotenoids and prebiotics.

All of these contribute to health benefits like preventing the formation of kidney stones, reducing the risk of heart diseases and fighting diabetes.

Honey, on the other hand, has polyphenols that are known to be good for the heart and B vitamins that are proven to have a direct impact on energy levels, brain function and cell metabolism. Honey is also known to help prevent infections and promote healthy cell growth.

All these benefits are being offered with every can of Honey Lemon, now available in major supermarkets and convenience stores like 7-Eleven stores, Mercury Drug, Robinsons Supermarket, MiniStop, SM Snack Exchange, Rustan’s Shopwise and WalterMart.

HONEY LEMON COCKTAILS NOW don’t think that Honey Lemon is just a health drink. It is also a fun drink and can be used as a great drink base for a number of cocktails and party drinks. During the launch, Mas Tapas resident mixologist concocted some delightful mocktails using Honey Lemon such as Ginger Mint Tea, Earl Grey Tea Reduction, Key Lime Cucumber Tea and Honey Lemon Mojito.

So next time you find yourself thirsty and craving for something sweet, opt for something that’s “nutrilicious” or healthy and delicious— Honey Lemon quenches your thirst and at the same time keeps your health in mind!

For more updates, visit HoneyLemon.drink.

Philippines in FB or ph.hldrink in IG.

RECIPES: n Ginger and Mint Honey Lemon Ginger syrup Mint leaves 1 can Honey Lemon Combine all ingredients to fill glass.

n Earl Grey Honey Lemon Iced Tea 1 can Honey Lemon Earl Grey reduction Boil tea bags of Earl Grey and sugar for 10 minutes Combine all ingredients to fill glass.

n Keylime and Cucumber Honey Lemon Calamansi juice Slices of cucumber 1 can Honey Lemon Shake together

n Honey Lemon Mojito Quarters of a lime Mint leaves White rum 1 can Honey Lemon Shake all together

Health&Fitness March 28-April 3, 2019 15