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DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY

2018 BANTOG DATA MEDIA AWARDS CHAMPION

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Sunday, May 12, 2019 Vol. 14 No. 214

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WORKERS prepare to burn an effigy of President Duterte during a rally near Malacañang in celebration of International Labor Day on May 1, 2019. The workers scored Duterte for allegedly reneging on his campaign promise three years ago to end temporary hiring, known as “contractualization” or “endo” (end of contract). AP/BULLIT MARQUEZ

BARE-KNUCKLE BRAWL May midterm polls bring military, listed Leftist groups to the ‘legal’ political area

By Rene Acosta

IKE most Filipinos, the military is keenly anticipating the results of the midterm polls on Monday, which it has considered as an extension of its campaign against the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

For the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Makabayan bloc, which represents progressive groups, but which military officials consistently accuse as a communist front, the midterm elections are turning up to be a decisive battle for both of some sort, minus the guns and usual killings that go with a conventional counterinsurgency campaign. Like the candidates from the opposition and administration seeking seats and fiercely going

after each other’s throats, the military and these groups also carried out a series of vicious and bruising campaigns, with the rhetorical attack waged by the military even degenerating to exchanges of gutter language. The military, through Maj. Gen. Antonio Parlade, the deputy chief of staff for civil-military operations, had used every occasion leading to the elections to attack and mock the Makabayan bloc, to the extent of calling the rather

feisty Left-leaning group as the “Kamatayan” bloc, or death bloc.

Election sidelight preview

WHILE Parlade was mounting a sustained attack against the Makabayan, the aggrupation of party-list groups in Congress representing various causes, a survey, however, showed that organizations under the aegis of Makabayan landed on the top 3 rankings of most favored party-list groups. Bayan Muna party-list Rep.

Carlos Zarate said the results of the populist survey were an indictment against the government, along with its “abusive and corrupt officials.” “We are glad that many people recognize the hard work of Bayan Muna in fighting for higher wages, pension and benefits, as well as doing all it can to stop power, oil and water rate hikes,” he said. While Bayan Muna and the rest of the party-list groups in the Continued on A2

The rise of India’s new billionaires (and the fall of the old) By P R Sanjai & Saritha Rai

“The business environment has improved over the years,” said Charles Dhanaraj, a professor at the Fox School of Business at Temple University in Philadelphia. “The availability of venture capital and private equity has changed the opportunity space for promising businesses. So we should see more of these startups and scaleups in the coming years.” Here are some well-known names who have seen a shift in their fortunes:

Bloomberg News

NDIA is going through one of the greatest periods of wealth creation— and destruction—all at the same time.

A new breed of self-made entrepreneurs is vaulting into the ranks of the wealthy, offsetting billions lost by debt-burdened industrialists and members of the country’s old dynasties. The changes are set to help India’s ultra-rich population grow at the world’s fastest pace. It’s a shift shaped partly by a debt-fueled expansion that left businesses from power generation to airlines with $190 billion in soured loans. Over the past few years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has cracked down on delinquent borrowers, and India’s banks moved to seize

their assets, a dramatic change for a country where the wealthy once enjoyed almost complete protection. While old business clans continue to dominate India’s rich lists, a tenfold expansion in its economy since its opening in the 1990s has spawned new tycoons in fields like technology. The number of billionaires in India more than doubled to 119 between 2013 and 2018, according to Knight Frank. And the country will lead the global growth in ultrahigh net worth individuals, with its numbers rising 39 percent to 2,697 by 2023, the researcher estimates.

PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 52.2480

OLD MONEY Telecom Troubles

VIJAY MALLYA

JASON ALDEN/BLOOMBERG

ANIL AMBANI, the younger brother of Asia’s richest man, inherited some of the newer businesses of Reliance Industries Ltd. in 2005 as part of a settlement with older sibling, Mukesh, following the death of their father Dhirubhai Ambani three years earlier. Now, more than a decade later, the younger Ambani has been fending off creditors and Continued on A2

n JAPAN 0.4761 n UK 68.0164 n HK 6.6573 n CHINA 7.6548 n SINGAPORE 38.2966 n AUSTRALIA 36.5109 n EU 58.6484 n SAUDI ARABIA 13.9320

Source: BSP (May 10, 2019 )

NewsSunday BusinessMirror

A2 Sunday, May 12, 2019

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BARE-KNUCKLE BRAWL Continued from A1

Makabayan bloc viewed the survey results as a reflection of their work, Parlade claimed it showed a complete opposite of the groups’ true nature of work. “Kamatayan is what they bring to communities and sectors they exploit. These groups only represent the interest of the CPP-NPA, and the people should know that,” he said. “It only means we need to work some more to inform the people of the true character of the Kamatayan bloc. It’s our obligation to the people to let them know about the duplicity of these people,” the military official added. “Bayad Muna to be No. 1?” Parlade added, referring to the Bayan Muna Party-list group. “Conduct the survey in places where the people have been enlightened and you will get a different result,” he said. Parlade said that if Bayan Muna has been serving in the House of Representatives, it only means there had been laxity on the part of the government, so much so that the electorate has been misinformed—mistakes, he added, that should be corrected by “exposing the group.”

Vicious campaign

PARLADE was unrelenting in his attack against the Makabayan bloc, even describing the women’s group Gabriela as having been formed by the CPP to “produce medicines” to nurse back wounded communist rebels. “It’s not about women’s rights. They don’t care about Muslim women’s rights, that’s why they don’t have chapters in Muslim Mindan-

ao. Do the people know that Gabriela leaders determine who among rape suspects should be killed by the NPA Kangaroo court?” he said. “Where is justice there? Will NUPL’s (National Union of People’s Lawyers) Neri Colmenares defend the rights of these victims, who may be innocent of the crime of rape until proven guilty? Of course not,” Parlade added. During the May 1 Labor Day activities of the group, Parlade even accused the Makabayan bloc and its allied organizations of attempting to create trouble in their own rallies in order to sow terror and create fear and panic. “People joining the rally should understand that this CPP front organization is being run by the underground mass organization called RCTU and Kasama. They are underground because they do the illegal part, including sabotaging their own rally like [what] they did in [the] Plaza Miranda bombing, and many more,” he claimed. He was referring to the 1971 rally of the Liberal Party candidates at Plaza Miranda, where two grenades were lobbed, injuring most of the politicians and killing two people. It was widely believed that then President Marcos or his minions were behind the bombing, but research by some groups indicated it may have been ordered by CPP founder Joma Sison.

Fighting back

THE deliberate and sustained effort by the military to project the progressive groups to the public in a not-so-flattering light has prompted Makabayan officials to ask the Commission on Elections

PHILIPPINE troops stand at attention during a send-off ceremony for the May 13 midterm elections on May 7, 2019, at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. More than 200,000 police and Philippine troops along with thousands more teachers and government workers are mobilized for the midterm elections that would elect 12 senators, congressmen and local leaders in the country. AP/BULLIT MARQUEZ

(Comelec) to sanction the AFP and Parlade over their “rabid and widespread electioneering.” “General Parlade and the AFP [are] committing electioneering offenses with impunity as if daring the Comelec to act against them

and assert their mandate. It appears that Parlade is deliberately defying the Comelec through their disinformation and electioneering campaign,” said Zarate. He accused the military leadership of working hard to “spread fake news and black propaganda” to demolish the chances of Makabayan of clinching electoral posts. Zarate said the deliberate disinformation campaign goes along with the harassment and killings of their followers and campaign leaders on the ground.

Too personal

WHY the supposedly “apolitical” military joined the elections fray through Parlade, other than issuing its regular warning for political candidates not to pay the rebels with “permit-to-campaign” and “permit-to-win” fees every time election season comes, has baffled even some of Parlade’s peers at Camp Aguinaldo. They say that this is the first time that the AFP, particularly

one of its officials, was seen as “too openly” involved in the election campaign against legal groups that the military has branded as fronts of the communists. One official said that Parlade, who had arrogated upon himself the post of a military spokesman solely on issues that have anything to do with the Left, may have taken the battle to too personal grounds, going just a bit too far. In becoming the military’s mouthpiece against progressive groups, the official had usurped the posts of the official military spokesman and the chief of the military’s public affairs office and even that of the head of the Civil Relations Service of the AFP, the source added.

Overbearing?

REPORTERS covering Camp Aguinaldo, however, observed Parlade to be an officer with an “overbearing” character, apart from being confrontational, something they experienced a few days ago. When the news of the Supreme

Court’s order taking cognizance of the petitions for Writ of Amparo and Habeas Data broke, the military, through Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, issued a rejoinder, which the military reporters carried. The petition was filed by the NUPL. Three days later, Arevalo held a news briefing, apparently upon the orders of Parlade, wherein the same points were again raised by Arevalo. Since Arevalo’s statement was a rehash and had been carried in the news pages the first time it came out, nothing came out from the media. Parlade, in reaction, took the offensive, accusing the media of being biased up to the point of suggesting that members of the Defense Press Corps were in collusion with the NUPL and the Left. The journalists have taken the accusation in stride. But to them it signaled one thing: the electoral battle is not limited to the polling precincts or just to May 13. From the looks of it, this bare-knuckle brawl will not be seeing its end anytime soon.

India’s new billionaires Continued from A1

fighting multiple cases in courts, amid his phone carrier Reliance Communications Ltd.’s slide into bankruptcy. A representative for Anil Ambani didn’t comment. The value of his holdings in companies has plunged to about $120 million from a net worth of at least $31 billion in 2008, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

A Boom and Crash

THE first-generation entrepreneurs, Shashi and Ravi Ruia, started the Essar Group in 1969 as a construction company. Later they diversified into new businesses, investing about $18 billion between 2008 and 2012. The excessive leverage across the group and some adverse policy actions forced them to sell many of their assets. The Ruia brothers were jointly worth more than $4 billion at the start of 2015, and have since lost their billionaire status, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

The Turbine Maker

TULSI TANTI’S Suzlon Energy Ltd. purchased German REpower Systems for nearly $2 billion in 2007 to be hailed as a global company, but things went downhill from there. Once the world’s top tur-

bine maker, Suzlon’s debt-driven expansion caused one of India’s largest corporate debt defaults in 2012. Seven years later Tanti is struggling to repair his company’s finances. Tanti, who had a net worth of more than $5.7 billion in 2007, has lost his billionaire status, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

The Beer Baron

AFTER inheriting his father’s liquor empire, Vijay Mallya started Kingfisher Airlines Ltd. Struggling to repay lenders, the carrier was grounded seven years later. Mallya is currently fighting an extradition case in London after fleeing India. Lenders have sought to recover as much as $1.5 billion from the man known as “the king of good times’’ for his flamboyant lifestyle.

NEW MONEY Retail Tycoons

BINNY BANSAL and Sachin Bansal, who aren’t related, created Flipkart, India’s largest online retailer, within a decade. Last year, they sold their company to Walmart Inc., becoming billionaires. Binny left shortly after, with Walmart said to have conducted an inquiry into a consensual relationship he had with a woman. He still

holds 4 percent of Flipkart and a board seat. Sachin exited Flipkart at the time of the Walmart acquisition.

The Payment Guru

VIJAY SHEKHAR SHARMA founded One97 Communications in 2000 when fewer than 10 million Indians were online. Business at his Paytm digital payment unit soared after the Indian government eliminated 500- and 1,000-rupee banknotes at the end of 2016. An August 2018 funding round valued One97 at more than $10 billion, people familiar with the matter said at the time. Sharma currently owns 15 percent of the company, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Laws of Motion

BYJU RAVEENDRAN, chief executive of Bangalore-based Think & Learn Pvt., launched the Byju’s K-12 education app in 2015. His videos explain fractions or the laws of motion at a conceptual level, drawing almost 30 million users from 1,700 Indian cities. A December funding round valued it at $3.6 billion. Raveendran, his wife and brother together own about 36 percent, according to Raveendran.

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Taiwan breaks ground on submarine shipyard to counter China’s threat

A O H S I U N G —T a i w a n broke ground on Thursday on a shipyard to produce submarines to counter China’s growing military threat. The self-governing island’s President Tsai Ing-wen presided over a ceremony in the southern port city of Kaohsiung, saying submarines were an effective way to deter a foe from surrounding the island by sea. “We must have concept and thinking of asymmetric warfare,” Tsai said, referring to the military concept where a smaller opponent can hold off a larger one using specialized strategies and tactics. China, which claims Taiwan as its territory to be annexed for force if necessary, operates a growing navy that boasts some 75 submarines, including latest-generation homebuilt vessels. Taiwan operates just four aged submarines, but pressure from China has prevented it from buying more abroad. Plans call for the shipyard to produce eight diesel craft, with the first due for completion in 2025. Taiwan relies on the US for much of its defense needs, but the US now only produces nuclearpowered submarines. Holland’s decision to sell Taiwan two Zwaardvis Class sub-

marines 30 years ago resulted in a major diplomatic rift with Beijing and, under Chinese pressure, they would not sell more, Tsai said. “Therefore, building them indigenously is our only way,” she said. Despite Chinese pressure, more than a dozen foreign firms have reportedly expressed strong interest in taking part in the submarine projects under the Kaohsiung-based Taiwan Shipbuilding Corporation, also known as CSBC. Tsai has made reviving Taiwan’s indigenous armaments industry a priority for her administration. Since Tsai took office in 2016, China has stepped up military, diplomatic and economic pressure on Taiwan in hopes of compelling her to endorse its contention that the island is a part of China, known as the “One-China Principle.” That has included sending ships to nearby waters and military aircraft to circle the island, with warplanes this year crossing the centerline of the Taiwan Strait for the first time in years. Surveys show large majorities of Taiwanese reject Beijing’s demands for political unification between the sides, preferring to maintain their current de-facto independent status. AP

Sunday, May 12, 2019

Risk of fragile government hangs over Thailand’s slowing economy

HAILAND appears set for an unwieldy pro-military governing coalition with only a slim majority to ward off fierce parliamentary opposition, raising the risk of political gridlock just as economic growth weakens. The results of March’s disputed election released this week boosted Palang Pracharath, a party carved out of the ruling junta. A local report on Thursday said it has assembled an alliance with at least 256 seats in the 500-member lower house, and expects junta leader Prayuth ChanOcha to return as premier. But an anti-junta coalition that says it was robbed of the chance to form an administration by unfair electoral rules is threatening legal action. It has almost as many seats as the mooted pro-military alliance, and could try to block Prayuth’s efforts to pass key legislation such as the national budget. “It’ll be a weak government coalition,” said Paul Chambers, a Thai politics expert at Naresuan University’s College of Asean Community

Studies. “We’re going to see political pandemonium. It’ll be difficult for them to get things passed, and it likely won’t last longer than a year.” Foreign funds have pulled out a net $1.6 billion from Thai stocks and bonds this year, a sign that the drawn-out saga since the March 24 election has already unsettled some investors. The Bank of Thailand has warned the economy could be affected if a government isn’t in place by August. A Palang Pracharath-led administration under Prayuth should indicate continuity of some key policies, such as the rollout of major infrastructure and the $53-billion Eastern Economic Corridor development project, Kritapas Siripassorn, an analyst at Citigroup Inc., wrote in a note.

But a coalition made up of many parties and with just a few more seats than the opposition “would likely be extremely difficult to manage,” and its “ability to push through a policy agenda could be limited as compromises will be needed for various” coalition factions, he said. The central bank said on Wednesday that moderating exports and investment indicate Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy will expand at a slower pace than expected earlier. Domestic political uncertainty is among the risks, according to the monetary authority. The military government last month approved a package of spending and tax breaks designed to boost economic growth by 0.1 percentage point. The Finance Ministry expects expansion to slow to a three-year low of 3.8 percent in 2019. The overall results of Thailand’s first election since a coup in 2014 show the Pheu Thai party linked to exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra won the most seats—136— but fell short of a majority. Lower House seats are as follows: Pheu Thai, 136; Palang Pracharath, 115; Future Forward, 80; Democrat Party, 52; and Bhum Jai Thai, 51. Palang Pracharath was second with 115, and the young Future Forward party was third on 80. A total

of 27 parties will have seats in the elected lower house. Days after poll, Pheu Thai said it had formed a seven-member, anti-junta coalition that unofficially would have 255 seats in the 500-strong lower house. That number falls to below 250, based on the certified results.

Seat controversy PHEU TH A I said in a statement on Wednesday that it still doubts the Election Commission’s method for allocating party-list seats is constitutional. Former army chief Prayuth unseated a Pheu Thai-led administration in 2014 and is seen as the favorite to return as premier because a juntaappointed 250-member Senate votes on who becomes prime minister, along with the lower chamber. The Senate is due to be appointed by the weekend and the first sitting of parliament is expected by May 23, with the prime minister set to be elected soon after. Thai politics has been dominated for more than a decade by a tussle for power pitting the royalist and military elite against Thaksin and his allies, who draw support from the rural poor and prevailed in every election since 2001, only to be unseated from government by the army or the courts. Bloomberg News

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Mothe A4 Sunday, May 12, 2019 | www.businessmirror.com.ph

Fierce, stubborn love

HIS Jewish Proverb said it all about mothers: “God could not be everywhere and, therefore, he made mothers.” Indeed, nothing compares to the love of the mother who will do everything to make sure her family, especially her children, get the best of every thing. Time and again stories of moms show that mother-love is fierce and stubborn to a fault—even wrong-headed some times. It’s a given fact that moms do right things for wrong reasons and things because they think everyone needs their help. In biblical times, baby Moses nearly did not make it if not for her mother. A Levite identified as Jochebed had married and given birth to a son. When she saw that he was a “fine” child, she hid him for three months and, when she could do so no longer, she made a basket out of bulrushes and put him among the reeds by the river bank for the Pharaoh’s daughter to see. And when she found him, he instructed Miriam (the baby’s older sister who was nearby) to take him and find a woman to nurse him. So, Miriam brought the child back to their mother, and she took him and nursed him. When he grew older, Pharaoh’s daughter took Moses to be her son. And so Moses was the one who delivered God’s people from Egypt. Let’s take the case of Sarah, mother of Isaac. When God made

a promise to Abraham that he would be the father of many nations, this led to the logical conclusion that Sarah would be the mother of many nations. When the messenger of the Lord told Abraham about it, Sarah overheard and laughed. She was after all very old and past the age of motherhood. But Sarah bore Isaac who became the first born of human kind as God had planned. Then, there is Mary, the mother of Jesus, who was about to be pregnant before her marriage to Joseph. Yes, she was going to give birth to the divine gift of heaven, but she has to endure giving birth in a manger. Married to a carpenter, Mary had daughters and sons after Jesus. Yet, assisted her first-born even in the accomplishment of his ministry. Mary was present at a wedding feast and she appeared to be exasperated with her then 30-year-old son for not doing that “thing” he could do with the water. When Jesus seemed to refuse to come through the way she knew he can, she went around him and told the servants to get ready to do something for him. And Jesus did the miracle: Turning water into wine. Then at Jesus’s crucifixion, everyone else was missing: the disciples may have scattered

in fear, followers may be in hiding. But Mary, the mother, stayed to be with her crucified son when the rest of the world walked away. Like Jochebed, Sarah and Mary, the modern mom presents a rich tapestry of real motherhood: A lot of excitement followed by years of hard work and moments of intense pain, including child birth.

Mom’s day off

MOTHERS deserve all the love we can give them, even simple gestures, gifts or treat of a day off. After all, motherhood is a continuous, never-ending job. The fact is, if there is someone overworked in the family, it’s the mother. So, she really deserves a break. Honor mom’s love and legacy with a special gifts that come from the heart as Marco Polo Ortigas Manila. Give her a luxurious getaway with only the best. A special package begins at P6,900, which includes buffet breakfast for two adults and two kids aged six and below, and access to the fitness and swimming pool. Enjoy delectable, authentic Cantonese cuisine at Lung Hin. A special set menu is available for the whole family to enjoy on the May 12. An afternoon tea time while enjoying the stunning view of the Metro is even sweeter with delectable and tasty bites, paired with a mean cup of tea. Enjoy a complimentary Baby Rosé from May 6 to 19, 2019—a perfect bottle to enjoy with the queen of the house. Treat mom to a 90-minute massage featuring a full-body aromatherapy massage; head, neck, and shoulder massage; and a peppermint foot scrub available at Flow Spa. For more information, for visit www. marcopolohotels.com. Inspired by recipes

PHOTO FROM SHERATON MANILA

By Leony R. Garcia

from moms all over the world, Brasserie on 3 indulges with a lavish buffet dining experience featuring sustainable and fresh ingredients. China Blue by Jereme Leung’ Executive Chinese Chef Eng Yew Khor works the wok into the hearts of moms all around with a regal set menu fit for an empress. Take pleasure in a modern interpretation of authentic Chinese cuisine, the Mother’s Day Feast is priced at P33,888 net for 10 persons. Mother’s Day themed cakes and confections add a touch of sweetness to the month of May at Bru Coffee Bar. Pamper the special lady of the house with an invigorating, 90-minute wellness experience featuring world-class Espa products. The re-energizing journey begins with a an hour of massage followed by a 30-minute facial. For the weekend package reservations and inquiries, visit www.conradhotels.com. New World Manila Bay Hotel prepares delightful indulgences fit for a queen from 8 to 14. From a range of exceptional dining options to pampering treats and relaxing staycation, honor her with a grand celebration that she deserves. The staycation package starts at P4,888 for a superior room including buffet breakfast for two and special turndown amenities. Moms are also entitled to a 50-percent discount on lunch and dinner at Market Café. At Li Li enjoy a sumptuous Yum Cha selection for the whole family to feast on. Priced at P2,288 per person, indulge in an exciting array of appetizers and dim sum, main courses and desserts. Lunch and dinner set menus are also available. At Market Café, you can impress her with a luscious spread featuring farmto-table salad, fresh seafood on ice, Asian specialties, European culinary delights, divine desserts priced at P3,500 per person. Visit manilabay.newworldhotel for more details.

al Feature

er’sDay www.businessmirror.com.ph | Sunday, May 12, 2019 A5

Never on time

By Trisha Jean V. De Leon

ER name has been synonymous to the word late, but only a few understand why the clock hasn’t been in her favor. Almost 18 years ago, at the age of 32, she had to face her greatest fear—seeing her most beloved husband in a white, open casket. He was her first love and she was his, so his untimely death has left her scarred for life. For her, this was one of the biggest blows she has to endure not only for herself, but also for her two children. The first few months were extremely difficult. She had to grieve in silence to conceal her sadness. She would come to

work and put on a facade of a strong woman. Yet, every night, her daughter and son would hear quiet whimpers, which they thought were from a ghost. They would only find out the truth years later when things are a little different from what used to be. Even though she wakes up as early as 4 in the morning, she would still come to work late. If you ask why, she’ll tell you her to-do list. She would often start her day in the kitchen. She

admits that she isn’t the best cook, but she tries her best to keep her children’s stomach full before they go to school. After all the cooking, she would wake her little ones up. While munching their food, she would clean their bedroom and the rest of the house. She would then wait for them to finish their meals and help them prepare for school. The only time she gets her time for herself is when her kids have left. Most often than not, she only has a an hour to get dressed and go to the school where she works as a teacher. Her morning routine, however, is only a small fraction of her hectic schedule. As a teacher, she has to make sure that her pupils will get the quality of education they deserve. Despite her noble profession, she doesn’t get paid enough to cover her family’s expenses. To make ends meet, she would venture on small buy-and-sell business where she trades

random goods to some of her colleagues. She would also endure long waiting lines to get her loans approved. It’s not always a walk in the park, especially with her children growing up fast. Plus, raising two children alone is not only financially demanding but also emotionally challenging. As her children reach their teenage years, she had to work even harder to be able to provide all their needs. In her mind, she has to always be good at her job to secure their future. She began to take on more tasks to rise up to the ranks, but her children sometimes find it hard to cope up with the changes. They often feel like she’s not spending her time with them anymore, but heaven knows that she’s only doing this to send them to good universities. In fact, when she was young, she dreamt to become a writer, too. She would write poetries in her old notebooks

A GRAND RHAPSODY OF THRILLS FOR MOM AT RESORTS WORLD MANILA I

T’S often hard to think of the right treat for mom on Mother’s Day, so the country’s premier entertainment and lifestyle destination Resorts World Manila (RWM) has prepared something grand for every type of mom this special month of May. Take the lady of the house on a shopping spree at the Newport Mall and get a chance to win a special Mom’s Day package via the Diamonds for Mom raffle promo. For every single-receipt purchase worth at least P2,000.00, moms with RWM membership cards can get a chance to win a Jesi Mendez Salon Package, spa vouchers, an RWM Indulge Card, and special 18K rose gold earrings with diamonds worth Php150,000. Moms who aren’t RWM members yet can also sign up for a free RWM membership to qualify for the raffle. For moms who are fond of relaxing staycations, hotels in Newport City have come up with great rates this May with Belmont Hotel Manila offering an overnight stay at a Superior or Deluxe Room, with breakfast for two and a cute Bailey Bear souvenir for only Php6,000 nett for the entire month. Sweet dads can also treat moms at the newly-opened Savoy Hotel Manila via its Best for the Best

MOMS who are RWM members get a chance to win this stunning pair of diamond earrings in the Diamonds for Mom raffle promo when they shop or dine at Newport Mall

promo with in-Room wine set up and complimentary Mother’s Day card in an Essential Room, an hour’s worth of relaxing massage for two, and 20% discount at both Savoy Café and RWM shows for only Php6,500 nett. On Mother’s Day, diners may also avail of the Merry Mommies Buffet for only Php1,400 nett inclusive of a box of chocolates for the special lady. Over at international brand Holiday Inn Express, families can enjoy hearty stays in a Superior Room with breakfast for two plus

GIVE the world’s best mom a weekend fit for a queen in Hilton Manila’s 5-star rooms and suites

and even post them on her room’s wall. But life for her wasn’t always easy. Coming from a poor family, she had to set aside this dream and pursue a more practical career. This is the reason it’s so important for her to give her children the option to be whatever they want to be. Fate, however, has an interesting twist to her story. Her daughter, the youngest of her two children, bear the same passion for writing. Who would have thought that her childhood dream would still turn into reality after so many years? For this mother, her child’s achievement is also hers to behold. This year, she turned 52. Her two children have already graduated from college. Education will be her greatest legacy to them, which they will hopefully instil to their future children as well. This story is close to my heart. You may ask why. Well, she’s my mother after all.

an inclusion of either a Dim Sum buffet for lunch at Passion, or dinner buffet at the Maxims Terrace for two all for Php5,200 nett. Booking period is until May 31 for stays until June 30. RWM’s posh and luxurious hotels over at the Grand Wing also whip up attractive packages this Mother’s Day Sunday with Hilton Manila offering starting rates at Php11,454 nett for an overnight stay in a Guest Room inclusive of breakfast for two at Kusina from May 10 to 12. Moms who dine for Kusina’s brunch from 11:30pm to 2:30pm, and dinner at 6:00pm to 10:30pm will instantly get a gift to celebrate the event. Guests may also attend the special mass to celebrate her special day at the Hilton Manila Ballroom on May 12, 11:00AM. The celebration will not be complete without a sumptuous fare fit for a queen. Moms may choose from over 70 dining outlets within RWM that will surely satisfy any gastronomical craving. Among these, Hua Ting-Brasserie Chinoise at Hilton Manila offers a special set menu for six starting at Php11,668.85 nett per set, while S Kitchen at the Sheraton Manila Hotel features its lunch buffet at only Php2,800 nett. Marriott Café’s Sunday brunch 2.0 starts at Php3,288 nett. RWM signature restaurants also have something yummy for moms pre-Mother’s Day until May 12, with Café Maxims whipping up Mom’s Delight— delicious dark chocolate filled with mango yogurt mousse on a white chocolate peanut crumble base, topped with honey jelly, or The Terrace’s Mongolian Buffet with unlimited serving of her favorite stir-fried dishes exclusively for Mother’s Day. JapaneseKorean resto Ginzadon also sets up a special for moms with Chef’s Japanese Choices—a five-course Omakase featured for the entire month of May. Newport Mall shops and restaurants also have special offers for mothers to celebrate their special day. Authentic Italian restaurant Parmigiano offers a slice of its decadent Tres Leches cake for families who dine with them on May 12 with a minimum spend of P1,000.00. The Travel Club also has special discounts on premium brands such as Delsey and Hedgren. For more upcoming events at RWM, visit www.rwmanila.com or download the RWM Mobile App.

Faith A6 Sunday, May 12, 2019

Sunday

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

Marian exhibit: 100 images at Barasoain

Story & Photos by Lyn Resurreccion

AY is the month of flowers in the Philippines. It is when Flores de Mayo (Flowers of May) is held as part of the devotion to the Virgin Mary.

FLOWERS for Mary at the Barasoain Church, or the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish.

HENRY ANSALADO DE LEON

MORE than 100 images of the Virgin Mary on exhibit at the Museo ng Republika ng 1899 and at the Museo Diocesano de Malolos.

Among the annual May activities in honor of Mary are the month-long bedecking her image in the parish with flowers; exhibiting of images of the Virgin; and

holding a Santacruzan, or procession where the community’s beautiful women, beauty queens or television and movie actresses represent the different titles of

4TH SUNDAY OF EASTER: ‘JOHN 10:27-30’

EVANGELIZATION OF CULTURE MSGR. JOSEFINO S. RAMIREZ SUNDAY GOSPEL IN OUR LIFE

N the gospel of today, Christ identified his followers by the following criterion: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them and they follow me.” (John 10:27) A Christian is not just an admirer of Christ. He has to pay attention to the voice of Christ, and we find this voice in written form in the Bible. Besides, Christ also founded the Church, which Saint Paul calls “the mystical body of Christ.” The voice of Christ is found in the Church, in the deposit of tradition, because not everything He said was written down. But it is not enough to listen to Christ’s voice. We have to follow it. On one occasion, Christ compared the Christian life to the activity of construction. “Everyone who hears my words and acts upon them is like a wise man who built his house on rock. And the rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, but it did not fall because it was built on rock.” (Matthew 7:24-26) The opposite happens with those who only hear the words of Christ but fail to act on them. They are constructing over sand—there is no solid foundation, and the house built on that foundation would easily be wiped away by the elements. Bearing this in mind, we can say that there are not enough true followers of Christ; that is, people who not only profess the name “Christian” but who act on their beliefs and really follow Christ in their daily life and have been impregnated by a Christian spirit. But due to the neglect of the Christian life, many of these institutions have lost

their Christian orientation and sometimes even their basic human values. For example, the idea of having a place where sick people can be cared for both medically and humanly—I am referring to hospitals—started out as a Christian response of charity to the neglect of the sick. In the middle ages, there were many such institutions fostered by the Church or by wellmeaning Christian souls. Now, quite frequently, the Christian spirit is getting lost, to be replaced by a kind of consumeristic mentality. The main motivation is no longer charity, but commercial gain. In some places, hospitals have even been disassociated from basic human values, as when a hospital becomes a center of killing the weak (abortion and euthanasia) and mutilation of the strong (sterilization). We can say something similar about many other institutions that actually received their initial impulse from the Christian life—universities, orphanages, homes for the aged, etc. In this connection, we can see the relevance of the Holy Father’s call for a re-evangelized culture. There is a need to bring the Christian message once again to civilizations and cultures that were once Christian but have now lost the Christian spirit out of years and decades of neglect—where the words of Christ were once heard, but not put into practice, thereby becoming easy prey to the winds and tempest of laicism, secularization and materialism. This re-evangelization is a task of all those who still claim to be followers of Christ, and it has to start with our daily life.

the Mother of Jesus. A visit to the Barasoain Museum or the Museo ng Republika ng 1899 on May 4 gave the group, led by Science Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña, BusinesssMirror Publisher T. Anthony C. Cabangon and Editor in Chief Lourdes M. Fernandez, a glimpse of the preparation for the Marian exhibit that would open in the afternoon.. It was amazing to see different sizes of Mary’s more than 100 images in colorful garbs for

the 27th year of the annual exhibit. This writer was awed to witness for the first time such a big number of different images of Mother Mary. At the Barasoain Church, or Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, an image of Mary was bedecked with different flowers of various colors. Jose Ruel F. Paguiligan, senior curator of Museo ng Republika ng 1899, told the BusinessMirror that the weeklong exhibit would run from May 4

Consecration to the Blessed Mother

Marian world

THE Philippines is a Marian country. The image of the Blessed Mother is enthroned in a special place in every Catholic Church. Many of the faithful have entrusted themselves to Mary by the imposition of the scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel or Immaculate Conception. Many schools and towns are named after the different titles accorded the Virgin Mary. And girls are named after Mary, too. It is then presumed that a person consecrated to Mary dedicates her life to sacred service to fellowmen. A consecrated place is utilized not for profane purposes but for a sacred cause. At the foot of the cross when Christ charged her mother to be

Malolos, Bulacan. Paguiligan said there will be a Sagalahan or Santacruzan, afterwhich flowers will be offered to the Virgin Mary. Fr. Jay Lina is the chaplain and curator of Museo Diosesano de Malolos, with Ulay Tantoco as chairman and Edwin Maclang as president. This year’s hermanos, or in charge of the activities, are Jeferson de la Cruz, Jeff Santos and Dr. Frederic Cesar Villano.

perfect disciple of Christ, Mary is Mother to all men in the order of grace.

Lady from the Capalinha, Pope John Paul read the act of offering the world. Enumerating all the problems in the modern world, every kind of injustice and “loss of awareness of good and evil,” the Pope ended with: “Let there be revealed once more, in the history of the world the infinite saving power of redemption, the power of merciful love. May it put a stop to evil! May it transform consciences! May your Immaculate Heart reveal for all the light of hope!” At the close of the third session of the Second Vatican Council, Pope Paul VI, on November 21, 1964, consecrated the world. “To your Immaculate Heart, O Mary, we finally recommend the entire human race. Lead it to the knowledge of the sole and true Savior, Jesus Christ, protect it from the scourges provoked by sin, give to the entire world peace in truth, in justice, in liberty and in love.” On May 13, 1982, Pope John Paul II, after the concelebrated Mass in Fatima consecrated the modern world to her. “Mothers of individual and peoples, you know all their sufferings and hopes.... Embrace with the love of a mother and handmaid this human world of ours.... In a special way, we entrust and consecrate to you those individuals and nations which particularly need to be entrusted and consecrated.” Pope Francis, too, consecrated too, the world to the Blessed Mother on October 13, 2013, in Vatican City. He said: “Hold our life in your arms. Bless and strengthen every desire for good, revive and nourish faith; sustain and enlighten hope; awaken and animate charity; guide all of us along the path of holiness... bring everyone under your protection and entrust everyone to your beloved son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.”

Consecration is entrustment

By Corazon Damo-Santiago

O guard the “purest and most perfect human being,” the Marian Movement of the Laity for the Philippine Church in Mary, noted the angels’ participation in the life of the Blessed Mother. God appointed 144 contingents of angels from each choir—12 from different choirs to assist her in her temporal needs. “Twenty-four from the highest ranks to bear the messages from God...72 seraphim to communicate and converse with her through inner infusion and 10 legions or 10,000 angels to guard her during her earthly life. And finally, Archangel Michael as the minister of all affairs concerning the Messiah and His mother while upon Earth.” Because, the world is beset with problems of unimaginable magnitude, world leaders and the faithful consecrate their needs to her. Most consecrations to Mary are done in May. For May is associated on Mary’s role as the “ideal disciple who sheds light on the Christian way of life.” Karl Rahner stated: “When we are involved in May devotions we are engaged in a Christian understanding of the human situation.”

to 10 at the Museo Diosesano de Malolos and Museo ng Republika ng 1899, the Barasoain Church Historical Landmark. “Some of the images are part of the collection of Museo Diosesano de Malolos, and the rest belong to private collectors from the province of Bulacan,” Paguiligan added. The exhibit was organized by the Santo Niño de Malolos Foundation Inc. Hermanidad de la Virgen Maria. A procession will be held on May 12 from the Santo Niño Chapel in

THE Blessed Virgin Mary as the Virgin of Mercy venerated as The Virgin of the Navigators, 1531 to 1536, with her protective mantle covering those entrusted to her. WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

mother to the beloved disciples, Christ also gave her to care for all Christians. Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary lists 55 countries consecrated to the Blessed Mother, as reported in Internet reports. Ecuador was listed as the first country entrusted to the Blessed Mother in 1892. The Philippines was entrusted to her on June 8, 2013, then on May 4, 2018, according to Wikipedia. All the 21 dioceses of Portugal and 42 in Poland were also consecrated to the Blessed Mother. Since Christ is the Redeemer of men, the redeemed, and Mary is Theotokos, or Mother of God, veneration of the Blessed Mother is a natural consequence of Christology. “Hodogetria,” or she who shows the way to God, is a name given her by the Orthodox Church. The first and most

TO the Blessed Virgin Mary, Spouse of the Holy Spirit and Mother of God, the Roman Catholic Church and the faithful consecrate the world, nations, places and personal, regional or societal concerns. Consecrate is derived from the Latin word sacer, meaning sacred. To consecrate is to dedicate a person, place or activity for a higher purpose, thus, blessing, sanctifying or hallowing them. To consecrate is to make holy through entrustment. The church distinguished “true from false devotion and authentic doctrine from its deformations by excess or defect.” Since consecration necessitates prayer, the church made distinctions on expressions of honor and reverence. Latria, meaning adoration and reverence in Catholic theology, is only accorded to the Holy Trinity. Nonsacrificial type of reverence or veneration for saints is dulia. A heightened degree of dulia or hyperdulia is accorded only to the Virgin Mary. Saint Thomas Aquinas, in Summa Theologiae as early as 1270, made these distinctions in “honoring those who excel in dignity.”

Entrustment of the world

AS Jesus draws humanity to himself with love and mercy, the Blessed Mother compliments it with her queenly attributes and maternal concern. Pope Pius XII consecrated the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on October 31, 1942. He renewed the consecration in December 1942 at the time “German troops, under General Rommel, had conquered strategic parts of North Africa, advanced toward Suez Canal, and in Russia, fighting continued against an expanding German invasion.” This was the first time in record that the world was consecrated to the Blessed Mother. On March 25, 1984, on the public square of Saint Peter’s Basilica, before the statue of Our

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

Tourism&Entertainment BusinessMirror

Editor: Carla Mortel-Baricaua

Sunday, May 12, 2019

Get up close and personal with India’s wildlife

Story & photos by Marky Ramone Go

IKE leafing through the pages of Man-Eaters of Kumaon, Jim Corbett’s memoir of his experiences hunting the man-eating Bengal tigers of India’s Kumaon region, Chinmay Deshpande engrossed us with tales of these wild beasts’ sightings. Fortunately today in this part of India, man has known better to let these animals roam freely. Deshpande is the resident naturalist of the Pench Tree Lodge, where we were billeted. He was briefing us on what to expect at next day’s adventure with Pugdundee Safaris at the Pench Tiger Reserve Natural Park in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Sipping my Masala tea, my mind wandered at the possibility of seeing my first tiger in the wild as different species of bird flew over us. While the sun glistened in golden hues, and reflected beautifully over the glasslike pond, I muttered to myself, “this is the great outdoors.” I then directed my eyes over the tree line in the far distance which encompasses the buffer zone of the national park. I imagined that somewhere in that dense forest roam the kings of the jungle: the Bengal tigers and their nemeses the Indian leopards, along with other wild animals.

Tiger-spotting at Pench National Park

WE started very early the next day. By 4:30 a.m. my friend Karla and I were already seated at the back of Chinmay’s jeep. The cool wind and the anticipation of my very first safari experience left me shuddering all throughout the ride. We passed by corn fields stretching at the edge, where the landscape meets the slowly glowing skies, and rolled into the pockets of small villages. We arrived at the gate of the 758-square-kilometer Pench National Park before 6 a.m. The park is closed during the monsoon months of July to September and stays open from October to June. It was the first of October and Chinmay told us, “You are the very first guests of this year’s Safari season.” The chances of seeing the eva-

During our time in the Pench National Park, I have come to regard his being a naturalist a very laudable one. If I would be given a chance, I shall certainly aspire to become one. By doing so, it’ll make me further understand each animal and plant species.

Retiring to Pench Tree Lodge

A WEEK after our safari, the tigers start to appear.

THIS is one of the six Pench tree houses.

sive Bengal tigers can go both ways. “Tigers love to walk along the vehicle’s path where we always see them, but since [the] rain season just passed, they might still be deep in the forest. November to February and the summer months starting March to May are the best times to spot the tigers,” Chinmay adds. While I am looking forward to spotting many different animals, I admit that seeing the Bengali Tiger would be the highlight of our Safari. I was measuring our odds of seeing tigers and leopards the moment our vehicle rolled inside the national park. A few minutes in, we were greeted by a group of chital or spotted deer huddled at the side of the road. A few moments later our driver stepped on the brake and pointed

SAMBAR deers are known for their antlers and meat.

something out to us. My heart skipped a beat expecting him to echo the words “Bengal tiger,” but instead he said “bison.” Looking like a cross between a buffalo and a bull, the bison appears menacing a few meters away. The rest of the morning took us to narrow trails, approximately one-tenth of the National Park’s area, where safaris are allowed in search of the elusive Bengal tigers and Indian leopards. We saw bunches of langur and

rhesus macaques, sambar deer, gigantic spiders on their giant webs, wild boars, elephants, hyenas, jungle cats, porcupines, different birds of the 210 bird species in the park, and a jackal, with no tigers and leopards in sight. We ended the safari without catching a glimpse of the feared hunters of the jungle but I wasn’t disappointed even for a bit, thanks to Deshpande’s informative lecture on the habits of each wild animal and its surrounding habitat.

PENCH Tree Lodge is a property owned by Pugdundee Safaris and sits just outside the buffer zone of the Pench Tiger Reserve Natural Park. It is 16 hectares of private forest with six spacious cottages and six tree houses built on stilts on top of the towering mahua trees. Staying here felt like being in the National Park as sightings of wild boars, civets, spotted deer, jungle cats, and a multitude of birds and butterflies are common occurrences. The overall tranquil mode and the surrounding nature really made me fall in love with wildlife even more. On our last day, as I stared at the trees, I saw vultures and other birds gliding gracefully against the predusk skies. I heard myself think, “how can one go mad at this beautiful world?” a world where even the creatures described by Jim Corbett as “man-eaters” brings so much excitement just at the mere idea of laying eyes on them. Grateful for my first safari experience, I vow to join the fight against any act of violence and form of hunting of these animals of the wild. P.S.: A week after our trip, our friend Chinmay sent us a photograph of a tiger sighted inside the Pench National Park.

A8 Sunday, May 12, 2019

Sports BusinessMirror

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

RIO F1 AGAIN IN 2020?

IO DE JANEIRO—Brazil’s president says Rio de Janeiro will host the country’s Formula One (F1) race in 2020, once the city’s new autodrome is ready. President Jair Bolsonaro said on Wednesday that the new race track will be built in six to seven months, once work begins. However, Rio Motorsports, the consortium behind the project, tells The Associated Press that the timing is actually 16 to 17 months. The race is currently held in São Paulo, but Bolsonaro says it has become unviable to put on there, mentioning “huge debts.”

Rio last held the Brazilian Grand Prix in 1989. The Italian Grand Prix, meanwhile, is set to continue at Monza circuit for another five years. The current deal expires at the end of the season but on Tuesday the Italian Automobile Club said it reached an agreement in principle with F1 owner Liberty Media on “the economic details of the contract” to keep the race at the historic circuit until 2024. The president of the AIC, Angelo Sticchi Damiani, also posted on Twitter, adding: “We will continue negotiations with @F1 to quickly reach the signing of the contract.” Monza, which first hosted an Italian GP in 1922, is one of the most beloved tracks on the circuit. No circuit has hosted more F1 racing. It was on the inaugural 1950 calendar and dropped off only in 1980 when Imola hosted the Italian GP. The next Italian GP is on September 8. PRESIDENT Jair Bolsonaro says that the new race track will be built in six to seven months, once work begins. AP

By Beth Harris

The Associated Press

ANCER’S Image crossed the finish line first in the 1968 Kentucky Derby, only to become the first horse ever disqualified days later as the result of a positive drug test. It was the start of a four-year legal odyssey by owner Peter Fuller, who spent $250,000—the equivalent of $1.52 million in today’s dollars— unsuccessfully fighting the disqualification. Now, the owners of Maximum Security are dealing with a DQ of their own. Their horse led throughout the 145th Derby and crossed the wire first on Saturday, only to get disqualified for interference 22 minutes later after a video review by the stewards. “Initially, I was flabbergasted,” said Abby Fuller, who watched in Florida. “I said there’s no way they’re taking this horse down because it was the Derby.”

She was a nine-year-old in the winner’s circle with her father, Peter, in 1968. Dancer’s Image rallied from last to win by 1½ lengths over Forward Pass even though jockey Bobby Ussery lost his whip. Traces of the anti-inflammatory phenylbutazone, known as bute, were found in Dancer’s Image’s post-race urinalysis. Then it was legal at some tracks, but Churchill Downs wasn’t yet one of them. Veterinarian Alex Harthill had given the colt a dose of bute six days before the race, seemingly enough time for it to clear his system. Dancer’s Image was disqualified by the stewards and placed 14th and last; Forward Pass was declared the winner. The trainer of Dancer’s Image and his assistant each received 30-day suspensions. “There’s still some mystery to it, but it brought about some changes that were good for racing,” said Abby Fuller, citing the advent of split samples in drug testing. The positive drug test was reported to

IN this May 4, 1968, photo, jockey Bob Ussery sits atop Dancer’s Image in the winners’ circle at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, after winning 94th Kentucky Derby. AP

D.Q. ISSUES STICK IN DERBY HISTORY Churchill Downs stewards two days after the Derby. After hearings, the stewards ordered the purse money to be distributed to the four horses finishing directly behind Dancer’s Image. The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission upheld that order eight months later. But a circuit court in Kentucky overturned it in December 1970 on the

grounds that tests conducted by the commission’s chemist were inadequate and contradictory. In April 1972, the Kentucky Court of Appeals ruled that Dancer’s Image wouldn’t get the winner’s share of the purse; instead that money was awarded to Forward Pass, who finished second. The appellate court unanimously reversed the circuit court ruling and upheld the state racing commission’s ruling that said Dancer’s Image won the Derby but denied him the purse of $122,600. Today, the winning owner receives $1.8 million. The legal fight also cost Dancer’s Image untold money in stud fees because Peter Fuller said breeders were reluctant to pay for the colt’s services while the issue played out. Fuller never fully accepted the legal defeat. “For him, I know that it was probably like a deep injustice. He didn’t run horses in Kentucky again,” Abby Fuller said of her father, who died at age 89 two weeks after the 2012 Derby. Peter Fuller sent the winner’s gold trophy back to Churchill Downs to be engraved, but the track never returned it. “He always wished he had it still,” his daughter said. Ussery kept his gold trophy. “As far as I’m concerned, I won the Derby in 1968 because they made the race official,” he said. “What they did with Dancer’s Image was another thing. It had no reflection on me.”

The Derby media guide includes the official chart showing Dancer’s Image as the winner, with a two-sentence explanation about the DQ, but in other sections Forward Pass gets the credit. Ussery, now 83 and still attending the races at Florida’s Gulfstream Park, watched the Derby and noticed Maximum Security veer out from his path along the rail. He didn’t initially realize the impact the colt’s move had on other horses, including War of Will. “The rules in racing are you got to keep a straight course and not interfere with another horse,” he said. “He did come out in front of that horse.” The 1968 Derby inspired Abby Fuller to become a jockey and she’s now a racing ambassador at Gulfstream. She disagreed with the most recent DQ. “I feel like it was political correctness,” she said, citing the impact that the deaths of 23 horses at Santa Anita this winter has had on the industry. “Anyone who has watched races has seen worse. Maybe that’s not a good argument anymore. If that’s going to be the new way, then so be it.” Still, Fuller noted the “hard road” facing Maximum Security’s owners, Gary and Mary West, if they choose to challenge their horse’s DQ. The couple already has lost the first round. The Wests filed a protest and appeal of the DQ, which the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission

denied on Monday. The decision was hardly surprising because Kentucky regulations state that stewards “shall make all findings of fact as to all matters occurring during the running of a race” and “shall not be subject to appeal.” The Wests’ next move would be to go to court. Gary West said by phone on Wednesday that he expects to comment further on the matter in the next couple of days. “We’re making our decisions on one thing and that’s what happened in the race,” he told The Associated Press. “We don’t care about anything that happened before that.” Once this year’s Derby was declared official and the Country House backers were paid, there’s no way for Maximum Security bettors to collect even if the courts were to reverse the outcome. In 1968, the backers of Dancer’s Image got their winning pari-mutuel payoffs; this year, bettors on Maximum Security lost $9 million in win, place and show wagers because the horse was disqualified before the race was declared official. West has said Maximum Security won’t run in the Preakness on May 18; Country House won’t either. Much like 51 years ago, Fuller is amazed people are still buzzing about the Derby result. “I’m laughing because we’re relevant,” she said. “I bet a lot of them will be watching the Preakness to see what’s going on.”

Fox Sports, Stars Group to offer sports betting in deal

TLANTIC CITY, New Jersey—A major US sports network is getting into the sports betting game. Fox Sports says it is buying just under 5 percent of The Stars Group, the parent company of PokerStars, for about $236 million. Both companies will offer real-money sports betting this fall in states where it is legal and they are licensed. The network has the option to acquire half of the Stars Group’s US business after 10 years. The companies will offer full-blown sports betting under the name Fox Bet in states that have legalized it. They will also offer a free-to-play game offering cash prizes to users who correctly predict the outcome of sporting events. The move comes a week before the anniversary of a US Supreme Court decision clearing the way for all 50 states to offer legal sports betting should they so desire. Eight states currently do, with dozens of others considering it. “We are expanding the way we immerse fans in the sports culture they love,” said Eric Shanks, CEO and executive producer of Fox Sports. “Digital sports wagering represents a growing market opportunity that allows us to diversify our revenue streams, connect directly with consumers and expand the reach of the Fox Sports brand.” The Stars Group owns or licenses gambling brands, including PokerStars, PokerStars Casino, BetStars, Full Tilt, BetEasy, Sky Bet, Sky Vegas, Sky

A GAMBLER makes a bet at the Tropicana casino in Atlantic City. AP

Casino, Sky Bingo, Sky Poker and Oddschecker. “We believe this strategic partnership uniquely positions us to build a leading betting business in the US, which represents one of the most exciting long-term growth opportunities for our company,” said Rafi Ashkenazi, CEO of the Toronto-based Stars Group. “Leveraging our proven media partnership strategy with Sky Sports in the UK, we are excited to partner with Fox Sports to integrate wagering into sports media and drive customer acquisition and retention in the US.” The 25-year deal shows just how lucrative

legal sports betting is becoming in the US, with professional leagues partnering with gambling companies, technology firms and individual teams to get in on the fast-growing business. While it’s the first time a major broadcast network has directly partnered with a licensed gambling operator in its business, others have dabbled in related waters with gamblingrelated content or paid fantasy sports offerings. The two companies will get the use of some of each other’s trademarks and rights, and the Stars Group will make minimum annual advertising commitments with the network. AP

Students took journey of 1,000 ‘neural miles’ to prepare for Paris

MEMBERS of the Teamnovate team, named first runnerup of the L’Oréal Brandstorm competition, are flanked by L’Oréal Philippines Country Manager Thibault De Saint Victor (far left) and L’Oréal Philippines Human Resource Director Tina Ampil (far right). By Rizal Raoul Reyes Contributing Writer

HEY built the French connection one step at a time. They are University of the Philippines-Diliman students Annika Bautista, Martin Alexander Cruz and Guia Peralta, who recently bagged the L’Oréal Brandstorm 2019 competition.

Cruz was designated as spokesman of the team, called Into Your Genes (IYG), which would be flying to Paris, France, where they will be mentored by L’Oréal experts at Station F. Cruz, who was also named winner of the Best Speaker in the competition, shared the

BusinessMirror in an email interview their experiences, challenges and other details of the journey toward a milestone in their life. BusinessMirror (BM): Please retrace the steps and challenges in developing your project.

Martin Alexander Cruz (MAC): We actually spent most of our time researching and brainstorming. We took our time to learn about existing technology and innovation in the beauty industry and its adjacencies so that we could gauge how much we can leverage on for our innovation. Simultaneously, we immersed on the different Active Cosmetics Division brands by asking people all over the world about their experiences and level of satisfaction. After gathering our research, we got to know the customer through multiple interviews and hours spent scrolling through the opinions of beauty bloggers, influencers and forum participants. We really wanted to know our stuff before we explored different kinds of innovation. Then we had meetings for brainstorm-

2 BusinessMirror

ing, which was really a free flow of our ideas, from blurting out random leads to building on each other’s concepts. We eventually stuck to an idea that we felt was rooted in a universal consumer problem, and of course, was something that would be exciting for L’Oréal and our consumer. We further fleshed out this idea by doing more interviews and consultations with friends, family and mentors. Throughout our Brandstorm journey, we had a highly consultative process to arrive at our innovation, because eventually, we see the same people using and benefiting from our product. Lastly, we worked on making the idea sound brilliant and highly viable for the judges. We made sure that our pitch clearly highlighted a pressing problem, and a standout innovation with a clear selling proposition. We also spent time to make real prototypes to prove the viability of our product. It was definitely challenging to conceptualize a product that was both fresh and very relevant to our target market. Sometimes, it’s easy to overlook the purpose of MAY 12, 2019

an innovation without going back to a concrete vision. This is why we were diligent about going back to the purpose of what we wanted to accomplish. BM: What led you to develop the product? Since the product involves a lot of science, describe your learning curve to familiarize with the disciplines.

MAC: As business students, our first instinct was to focus on the consumer. We used this to our advantage by identifying what their pain points are, so that our innovation will always be in sync. We realized that a lot of people are not content with their skincare routine and still experience recurring skin problems, such as acne and dry skin. We also found out that more than a billion people have serious skin conditions. From this insight, we decided to investigate on possible scientific causes. The strongest that we found was that most skincare products only target what’s on the surface and don’t actually get to Continued on page 7

BusinessMirror

MUSIC

PHOTO FROM BENNY BUNNY BAND’S FACEBOOK PAGE

BENNY BUNNY BAND

BOUNCES BACK WITH NEW, LONG-TITLED EP ALBUM

by Darwin Fernandez

ORE than the weird costumes, coupled with the indie-band members’ signature long-tresses, Benny Bunny Band has come a long way from one-night gigs and invites. From their lyrics to instruments, down to their performances, it’s hard to think of a band similar to the trio of Benny Giron (ukulele), Ess Bobadilla (bass) and Jhenico dela Cruz (drums).

Their unconventional stage presence has fans branding the trio’s genre as “kuneho rock.” Building on their name, humor and entertainment in their performances, they have launched a second EP with

an actual title that needs a separate paragraph. It’s somewhat of a mix of old school funk and modern rock. The songs are fast, then alternates to mellow, with subtle punchlines in between. They will make listeners laugh, but there›s more to their lyricism than just green jokes and witty metaphors. Whatever comprises “kuneho rock” is reiterated in their second recording launched on April 16 entitled: “Feel Free To Face Your Inner Demons, Because No One Can Help You But Yourself; Stop Promoting This Mental Disorder As If You Knew How It Is Or How It Really Is Like To Have One; Don’t You Dare Make Fun Of It; Alas, Be Responsible For Your Own Sake And Others As They Have Things In Their Own

Thinking, Judgement, Culture, Sense, Self, Consciousness, Imagination, Perception, And Memory That May Or May Not Include The Importance Of What Really Is True Or Not To Themselves Or Ourselves As They Are Their Own PathMakers: Gifted With Free Will And Free Choice And The Power To Rule The World By Just Making The Power Manifested Upon Varieties Of Lines Joined, Not Joined, And Vibrations, And The Lack Of Vibrations, Which Conveys a Thought On How a Universal Meaning Devoid Of Language Barriers Can Be Understood By All Forms And Lack Of Forms, Inside Or Even Outside Our System For Which That Is The Only Way The Meaning One Is Seeking Continued on page 6

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MAY 12, 2019 | soundstrip.businessmirror@gmail.com

MUS

THE SPECIALS’ ‘ENCORE’ by Rick Olivares

F the bands that emerged during the two-tone ska movement in the late 1970s to the early 1980s, it was the Specials who are perhaps the most lauded of them all. That is why, as they embarked on their reunion tour of 2008, it was well-received with the excitement that spilled on both sides of the Atlantic. The fact Encore shot to the top of the British album charts this April as soon it was released really says something about them. And I am sure it isn’t only Generation X’ers buying copies. When was the last Specials album? That was 2001’s “Conquering Ruler.” Some might even argue that the true last album was 1980’s “More Specials.” In a recent interview, Specials vocalist Terry Hall specifically referred to Encore as the third album. That, of course, is up for debate. Nevertheless, not since “In the Studio” (released in 1984) has there been excitement about a Specials album (this was credited to Special AKA) . Unfortunately the band is now down to three members: Hall, vocalist and guitarist Lynval Golding and bassist Horace Panter, with Danish musician Nikolaj Torp (keyboards and vocals), Steve Cradock (guitar), Kendrick Rowe (drums), Tim Smart (trombone and tuba), and Pablo Mendelssohn (trumpet). Torp, who has performed with the band since 2009, especially makes his presence felt as he is a part of the songwriting process. It doesn’t matter though if only three from the original lineup are around, because Encore is a special album. Pun intended there. However, the first thing you have to do when you listen to Encore is to disassociate any of the previous works, especially their seminal debut and follow up “More Specials.” If you figure 40 years after that wondrous debut, which

knocked Britain for a loop, that they would sound the same, think again. Because people change. Sounds and tastes change. If that is your purview, then you are in for a major disappointment. On the other hand, if you open up your mind, you’ll find that “Encore” is a damn good album that approximates the brilliance of their self-titled debut, albeit wrapped in poly-rhythms.

Occasional reggae, ska

“ENCORE” is a funk-inflected album with occasional reggae and ska overtones. At times, I wondered if the Specials ventured into third-world territory. At times, it feels like listening to cousins of Blondie’s 1980s hit Rapture, complete with the disco vibe. So, free yourself of that notion and enjoy the album that just as it first did in 1979 when Tory politics, recession, poverty, unrest, war, racism and immigration plagued the United Kingdom. While 40 years later, it seems that nothing has changed: the fire that lit the Specials hasn’t dissipated. The music though is closer to the styles they explored for the “In the Studio” album, or even Hall’s own Fun Boy Three (after he left the Specials following their second album). The Specials share their thoughts once more about being one homogeneous family, regardless of race and color after the war is done (Black Skin Blue Eyed Boys), racism (BLM, or Black Lives Matter that Golding narrates in spoken word fashion). Vote for Me touches on Brexit and is a dead ringer for Ghost Town. They cover Hall and Fun Boy Three, which is also Golding’s former band (formed with ex-Specials mate Neville Staples) with The Lunatics. I love the heavier—if not gloomier— arrangement.

True groove

IN Side 2, the Specials find their true groove in this outing. After Blam Blam

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’: BRILLIANT NEW ALBUM Fever, they segue into 10 Commandments, a dub track that features activist Saffiyah Khan also on spoken word to a wailing Hammond organ. (Recall: A photo of Khan was snapped during a standoff with a protester in 2017 while wearing a shirt by the Specials. And now, she’s performing with them on one of the best tracks of Encore.) Embarrassed By You is a

lovely song, and one of the last, with The Life and Times (of A Man Called Depression), and We Sell Hope evoke the late-inning home runs of the Clash’s “Combat Rock” (Ghetto Defendant, Inoculated City and Death is A Star). I should note that, for all the pent-up anger of this album, the Specials opt to end Encore by taking an optimistic view in We Sell Hope. Aren’t you glad they’re back?

When the lads first formed in 1979, they embraced Jamaican rhythms and imbued it with a “gangly” punk energy. Four decades later, the band—or what is left of it—makes use of everything it has picked up in the world since, and come out with a brilliant and relevant album. It says that they don’t have to live on their old hits. They can create new ones during these crazy times we live in.

Zsa Zsa...Like, totally! I T has been quite some time since the dazzling showmanship of Zsa Zsa Padilla has been felt on the concert stage. Truth to tell, the presence is sadly missed: The effortless mastery of the music she chooses to sing, the perfection and drop-dead glamour, the sparking wit and seductive charm; and of course, the timeless beauty and classy sensuality. The total package that only she can personify... The Newport Performing Arts Theater stage of Resorts World Manila is set for the return of Zsa Zsa to the concert stage. In a special onenight-only engagement, “Totally Zsa Zsa!” is a concert that brings all the elements of the Divine Diva’s special magic into play. The concert reimagines Zsa Zsa as the eternal woman singing her heart out through the decades. As a 50s Hollywood Star, a swinging 60s “It Girl,” a 70s disco queen, and the 80s-90s OPM icon, Zsa Zsa interprets the most beloved melodies of those eras. Her repertoire will have audiences swooning, remembering and grooving to the beat of well-loved melodies, while revelling in the persona that can only rightfully be described as “Totally Divine Diva.” “Totally Zsa Zsa” takes place on May 16, Thursday, 8 p.m. at The Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila. Special guests are Ian Veneracion, Karylle and Zeus Collins, withHomer Flores as musical director, and Floy Quintos for concept, script and stage direction.

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MUSIC ON PRINT

PIOLO PASCUAL HEADLINES 1ST FILIPINO FEST IN JEDDAH T HE Filipino community in Jeddah made history on April 6 as they converged at the Atallah Happy Land Park for the first-ever Filipino festival approved by the Saudi Arabian government. Celebrity Piolo Pascual held a solo concert at the event, as he thrilled Filipinos and other nationalities in the audience with popular love songs. Original Pilipino Music was also played during the live performances of Filipino bands during the “Rock and Jam” concert, which aimed to promote homegrown hits and talents in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The event was the first time a major Filipino concert was held publicly, with the approval by the General Entertainment Authority, the Saudi government agency tasked to oversee initiatives in the Arab country to diversify and enrich its entertainment experience, which is among the pillars of the KSA’s Vision 2030. The whole-day festivity spearheaded by the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah included the first-ever Filipino food festival, which showcased the rich, vibrant culinary culture and heritage of the Philippines through food exhibits and cooking demonstrations by top Filipino chefs in Jeddah.

Benny...

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Can Be Found And Lost At The Same Time For Nothing In This Universe Is So True And False At The Same Time As Nothing Itself, For There Will Always Be Something In You That Will Make Sense Of Things That Will Pull You Out Of The Gutter, And Into The Ocean Or Stars Because All The Things We Own Are Just Borrowed From The Universe, Or Someone, Or There Are Those Who Are Controlling Us And Just Playing Us Around Like An Operated Simulated Game, Or Maze, Or Something Non-Linear; Hello There, Whoever You Are, Listen To Me, Listen To Me, Listen To

CONSUL GENERAL to Jeddah Edgar B. Badajos (right) with Piolo Pascual (second from left) and General Entertainment Authority officials. JEDDAH PCG

More than a thousand Filipinos and foreigners trooped to Happy Land to take part in the historic event, which was made possible with the support of Atallah Happy Land Park and the Filipino community-based group Amore Familiare.

Me, Oh; Hi, Mark!” The very verbose title is inscribed on the EP cover art. For brevity’s sake, the large letters “FFF,” initials of the first words of the title, hints of the album’s shorter name. The songs inside the EP speak a lot of the material the Bunnies perform live, such as ”Forbidden Song No. 2 Kamandag,” and ”Forbidden Song No.1 Sayo Lang Titi...” and some new material with the same experimental, signature rabbit-swag, especially in vocals. For more “kuneho rock,” follow the “Bunnies” on Facebook: @bennybunnyband and download the full EP on Apple Music and Spotify.

Consul General to Jeddah Edgar B. Badajos said that the all-Filipino set of activities is a testament of KSA’s opening and development of its tourism and entertainment industry to the world. He added that activities

such as the Filipino food festival, Filipino rock-band performances and the Piolo Pascual concert are timely opportunities for the Philippines to promote its music and talents, as well as its cuisine and culture in the Middle East kingdom. DFA

Students took journey of 1,000 ‘neural miles’ to prepare for Paris

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MEMBERS of the Skin Queens team, named second runner-up of the L’Oréal Brandstorm competition, are flanked by L’Oréal Philippines Country Manager Thibault De Saint Victor (far right) and L’Oréal Philippines Human Resource Director Tina Ampil (far left). Continued from page 2

nourish what’s under the skin. We even discovered that internal factors, such as inherent traits further influenced by our hormones, affect our overall skin type and receptiveness to skincare products. We then wanted the consumer to realize that they needed a comprehensive skincare routine—one that targets both external factors and what’s on the inside. The vision for our product is to create a skincare experience that caters to the needs of each individual down to what’s in their DNA. We evaluated existing technology in related industries to have a basic understanding of how the science behind it works. After reading through countless articles and using some of our basic knowledge on chemistry and biology, we experimented on our prototype and what it could do. For further understanding and to verify our proto-

type, we consulted with students and professors from UP Diliman, particularly in the National Institute of Physics and Chemistry. The learning curve was quite high and there was a lot of pressure to figure things out quickly. However, talking to so many people and really giving in the time for research was such a big help. BM: What are your future plans for the project? Are there plans to turn it into an enterprise?

MAC: The next step for us is to pitch it in Brandstorm Global Finals and to hopefully get the validation we need to further develop the product. We’re gunning for the Intrapreneurship Award, so we can transform our idea into an actual product and pitch the idea to investors after getting mentorship from L’Oréal. However, we know that there’s much

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more development that has to be made before we consider branching out into an actual enterprise. BM: What makes Brandstorm special? What impact did it make in your life?

MAC: Brandstorm has always been a dream for the three of us. It’s such an exciting competition, because we get to think of something that’s completely our own. It’s also such a huge bonus that we get to travel together and learn from mentors and peers who are outside of our usual spheres. Brandstorm is special because it gives the youth the ability to co-create an innovation with a huge company that can implement ideas worldwide. It’s pretty rare for a company to invest so much on the youth and also in furthering the entrepreneurial, startup mindset. It’s great that L’Oréal is integrating this change broadly, while includMAY 12, 2019

ing the youth in that conversation. So far, the journey has been a whirlwind. It’s been hard to have the time to really contemplate on the impact in all of us. However, what we know for sure is that it has taught all of us to go beyond what we know we can accomplish, through having a mindset of constant learning. We all also wouldn’t have gotten here without each other and our ability to temper each other’s strongest instincts when necessary. It’s been great working together since we’re all able to balance out the creativity and logic of our idea to make it work. Now, we’re looking forward to the next phase of our Brandstorm journey: competing in the Global Finals. We’re excited to see more of the world and to learn more from L’Oréal and people who are our age and equally passionate about leaving a mark in the beauty industry.

Opportunities for innovation prompt youth to stay with cybersecurity firm

URSUING a career in cybersecurity can be rewarding for young Filipino Information Technology (IT) workers. So says Trend Micro Inc. of its three employees: John Matthew Carbon, Joy Avelino and Raymond Almanon. Reconciling interests AT 22 years old, John Matthew Carbon is a fresh graduate with a discovered interest in ethical hacking, or the intrusion into a system to identify harmful threats and vulnerabilities. “Many people don’t give a lot of attention to security, especially my family and friends,” Carbon said. “One aspect of my role in Trend Micro that I value is being knowledgeable enough to help people around me protect important personal data.” Now a developer and business analyst at Trend Micro’s Global Information Services department, Carbon is said to have put his interest into good use by hacking through

SENIOR Security Specialist Mondy Almanon (second from left) and his team joined Trend Micro’s global AI competition in Japan where they competed head-to-head against teams from different countries with their AI development skills. TREND MICRO (PHILIPPINES) INC.

Innovation culture

JOHN MATTHEW CARBON, developer and business analyst at Trend Micro’s Global Information Services department. TREND MICRO (PHILIPPINES) INC. software that he and his team developed to find vulnerabilities that cyber criminals can take advantage of. This process helps the company develop strong layers of security to protect digital assets. While developing his skills, Carbon is still able to pursue his passions outside the field. Apart from having a flexible schedule, he has the freedom to participate in Trend Micro’s sports and socio-civic programs. According to Trend Micro, Carbon sees a bright future for him in cybersecurity, a field that is continuously in demand not just in the Philippines but also globally.

Learning opportunities AVELINO holds an advanced degree in

JOY AVELINO, Threat Research Engineer at Trend Micro’s Global Threat Response department. TREND MICRO (PHILIPPINES) INC. Computer Science from the University of the Philippines. She shares that while cybersecurity is often perceived as a maledominated field, this did not hinder her from flourishing in the multinational cyber security and defense company. As a Threat Research Engineer in the company’s Global Threat Response department for three years, Avelino dabbles with machine learning and data science, powerful processes that are now popularly used to make smarter applications. Trend Micro said these tools, together with the expertise of other employees, are maximized by the company to develop quality products that businesses all over the world trust. Entrusting important roles and projects

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based on skills is an aspect that Avelino found truly important. “[There’s a small] ratio [of] female to male in the industry; but here in Trend Micro, we are given equal opportunities, regardless of gender,” Avelino was quoted as saying. “As someone currently taking up a Master’s degree in Computer Science with specialization in Computer Security, I find it important to be immersed with emerging technologies and be able to see both the industry and academe point of view on how we can efficiently harness it.” According to Tokyo, Japan-headquartered Trend Micro, Avelino values the company’s inclusivity, providing opportunities to employees regardless of gender.

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WITH 13 years of experience in the industry and in Trend Micro under his belt, Almanon witnessed the rise and fall of Trojans and other malware in emails, and the recent emergence of scams and phishing tactics in social media. “Over the years, as technology becomes more sophisticated, and hackers grow bold in employing tactics, we are seeing a lot of scams, and increase in fooling people online, digital transactions, and almost anything that involves a smartphone,” said Almanon, now a Senior Security Specialist in the company’s Global Technical Support department. Almanon’s interest in the company grew deeper as he realized the importance of innovation, a value Trend Micro upholds. “Trend Micro has different programs to encourage innovation among its employees, such as global and local recognitions for achievers, role-specific training programs, and global competitions.” In fact, Almanon was one of Trend Micro Philippines’ representatives in the company’s global AI (artificial intelligence) competition held in Japan last year, where colleagues from all over the world were tasked to showcase their AI development skills. “At Trend Micro, we ensure that everyone is empowered to be better experts in their field and are given opportunities to learn and to grow not just as professionals but also as individuals,” Ian Felipe, Trend Micro Country Manager for the Philippines, was quoted in a statement as saying. Oliver Samson