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Sunday, May 19, 2019 Vol. 14 No. 221

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FOR A HUNDRED YEARS

A global movement born in the ruins—and the tragic trail of death and suffering of children in the first world war—marks its centenary, facing ever more challenges to save them.

DISTRIBUTION of household kits as part of Save the Children’s humanitarian response to Typhoon Haiyan in Estancia, Iloilo, November 2013. JEROME BALINTON/SAVE THE CHILDREN

By Estrella Torres*

EATH and destruction are the picture of the world at war. But the suffering of children who are starved to death, bombed and raped remains invisible.

In 1919, British teacher and social activist Eglantyne Jebb saw

the terrible human toll of World War I, with millions of children

EGLANTYNE JEBB, founder of Save the Children

dying of starvation due to food blockades imposed across European borders. She founded Save the Children and began to campaign for the rights of children to be protected in times of conflict. Jebb wrote the Declaration of the Rights of Children and it was adopted by the League of Nations in 1924. The landmark document was adopted in an extended form by the United Nations and later inspired the 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The report showed that from 2013 to 2017, the war-induced deaths of children below five years old reached 870,000, five times more than the 175,000 adult fighters who died during the same period. The report also reveals that 420 million children or 1 in 5 around the world now live in conflict areas, an increase of 30 million from 2016. In the Philippines, thousands

Save the Children has since then become a global movement transforming the lives of more than one billion children in 120 countries including the Philippines.

Centenary

TO commemorate its centenary, Save the Children launched the global campaign on “Stop the War on Children” to remind the world that 100 years on, millions of children still suffer from the horrible impact of armed conflict.

Continued on A2

Robots take the wheel as autonomous farm machines hit the field By Ashley Robinson, Lydia Mulvany & David Stringer

OBOTS are taking over farms faster than anyone saw coming. The first fully autonomous farm equipment is becoming commercially available, which means machines will be able to completely take over a multitude of tasks. Tractors will drive with no farmer in the cab, and specialized equipment will be able to spray, plant, plow and weed cropland. And it’s all happening well before many analysts had predicted thanks to small startups in Canada and Australia. While industry leaders Deere & Co. and CNH Industrial NV haven’t said when they’ll release similar offerings, Saskatchewan’s Dot Technology Corp. has already

sold some so-called power platforms for fully mechanized spring planting. In Australia, SwarmFarm Robotics is leasing weed-killing robots that can also do tasks like

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mow and spread. The companies say their machines are smaller and smarter than the gigantic machinery they aim to replace. Sam Bradford, a farm manager at Arcturus Downs in Australia’s Queensland state, was an early adopter as part of a pilot program for SwarmFarm last year. He used four robots, each about the size of a truck, to kill weeds. In years past, Bradford had used a 120-foot wide, 16-ton spraying machine that “looks like a massive praying mantis.” It would blanket the field in chemicals, he said. But the robots were more precise. They distinguished the dull brown color of the farm’s paddock from green foliage, and targeted chemicals directly at the weeds. It’s a task the farm does two to three times a year over 20,000 acres. With the robots, Bradford said he can save 80 percent of his chemical costs. “The savings on chemicals is huge, but there’s also savings for Continued on A2

n JAPAN 0.4771 n UK 67.0783 n HK 6.6769 n CHINA 7.6131 n SINGAPORE 38.1906 n AUSTRALIA 36.1203 n EU 58.5723 n SAUDI ARABIA 13.9765

Source: BSP (May 17, 2019 )

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A2 Sunday, May 19, 2019

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Saving children for a hundred years

ANGELINE holds a household kit given by Save the Children as part of the humanitarian response to Typhoon Haiyan in Estancia, Iloilo. SAVE THE CHILDREN

ARCHIVE photo of Save the Children’s first office in the Philippines, on Guimaras Island. SAVE THE CHILDREN Continued from A1

of children are displaced from their homes, miss out on school and suffer psychological stress due to lingering armed conflict in various provinces in Mindanao. Two years ago, at least 350,000 people were displaced by the fivemonth-long siege in Marawi City that broke out on May 23, 2017. Of this number, 160,000 are children. Lawyer Albert Muyot, Chief Executive Officer of Save the Children Philippines, said war and armed conflict either disrupt or end childhood as children die in gun battles, are displaced from home, miss out on schools, suffer hunger and sickness, thus losing

the chance to have a future. “The impact of conflict on children is deep, devastating and lifelong,” said Muyot. Children have fragile bodies and minds, making them vulnerable to the harm done by armed conflict. Save the Children Philippines has reached out to a total of 21,518 displaced learners by distributing learning and teaching materials and providing psychosocial services to children. Among the learning and teaching materials distributed are 10 Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) kits; 20 teacher kits, 20 teacher tables; 20 teachers’ chairs and 500 student desks.

PHL origins

SAVE the Children Philippines began its first program in Nueva Valencia in Guimaras to address hunger and malnutrition of children through the Community Based Integrated Rural Development (CBIRD) Program in five barangays. It strengthened people’s access to public services and helped women have their own income by setting up a cooperative and micro credit facility. In 1986, Save the Children partnered with the National Housing Authority and provided support to families of informal settlers of Metro Manila to acquire land titles and have their own decent homes.

Every year, the lives of around 650,000 children across the Philippines are transformed by Save the Children Philippines by giving them access to education, health and nutrition and protection from all forms of violence. To address the problem of high dropout rates in primary schools, Save the Children developed early childhood education and development programs as a bridge to formal education system. Critical to the successes of Save the Children Philippines’ programs was its strong partnership with local communities to address issues in health, education and child protection. In line with its mission to reach children in the most deprived and marginalized sector, Save the Children started a community health program in the Sulu archipelago with offices in Jolo. In the early 2000, the organization began its education programs for children and humanitarian assistance program in the former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), with offices in Cotabato City.

Save the Children Philippines pioneered a program that engages communities to take an active role in addressing problems of children in conflict with the law through diversion programs to prevent minors from going to police and court procedures. Naida Pasion, Chief Business Development Officer of Save the Children Philippines, has served the organization for more than 20 years and has witnessed many transformation of lives of children. “Save the Children has achieved significant changes and impacted the lives of children,” she said, adding that the programs are research-based and address the children’s needs. The group also advocated the passage of landmark legislations that include the Children’s Emergency Relief and Protection Act of 2016, or Republic Act 10821. This ensures children have full access to humanitarian support in times of disasters and emergencies. Through implementing agencies such as the Departments of Health and Social Welfare and Development, the law seeks to

improve the delivery of assistance to children and other vulnerable groups during disasters and calamities, which includes child-centered trainings for disaster responders and local service providers. The campaign to end child malnutrition and stunting was also highlighted by the passage of the First 1,000 Days Law, or Republic Act 11149. The law, known as the “Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act,” was signed by President Duterte on November 29, 2018, and ensures optimum health care for pregnant mothers and children below two years old. All in all, Muyot said Save the Children Philippines visualizes a world in which every child is safe, healthy and free to learn and enjoy a fulfilling and productive life. To achieve this, the global community must be relentless in pursuing peace. Failing that, the alternative, as the world saw 100 years ago, is a tragic waste of life even when it had barely just begun. * Estrella Torres is Head of Media and Communications, Save the Children Philippines

Robots take the wheel Continued from A1

the environment from using less chemicals and you’re also getting a better result in the end,” said Bradford, who’s run the farm for about 10 years. Surrounding rivers run out to the Great Barrier Reef off Australia’s eastern coast, making the farm particularly sensitive over its use of chemicals, he said. Costs savings have become especially crucial as a multi-year rout for prices depresses farm incomes and tightens margins. The Bloomberg Grains Spot Index is down more than 50 percent since its peak in 2012. Meanwhile, advances in seed technology, fertilizers and other crop inputs has led to soaring yields and oversupply. Producers are eager to find any edge possible at a time when the US-China trade war is disrupting the usual flow of agriculture exports. Farmers need to get to the next level of profitability and efficiency in farming, and “we’ve lost sight of that with engineering that doesn’t match the agronomy,” said SwarmFarm’s Chief Executive Officer Andrew Bate. “Robots flip that on its head. What’s driving adoption in agriculture is better farming systems and better ways to grow crops.” In Saskatchewan, the first commercially sold autonomous tractors made by Dot are hitting fields this spring. The Dot units won’t be completely on their own this year— farmers who bought equipment as part of a limited release are required to watch them at all times. But after this trial run, the producers will be

able to let the equipment run on its own starting next year. That will open up a lot of time for the growers who will no longer need to sit behind the steering wheel. Farmers are always managing multiple tasks, said Leah Olson-Friesen, CEO of Dot. “When you look at the amount of intelligence that’s sitting in the cab, they could be on the phone doing different things or outside of the cab—there’s some real opportunities there.” But farmers do more than steer when they’re in the cabs of their tractors, said Alex Purdy, head of John Deere Labs and director of precision agriculture technology. Deere hasn’t yet released fully autonomous equipment because the technology that’s out there still isn’t good enough to replace people, he said. Machinery that uses automation for tasks right now is more beneficial to farmers than autonomous equipment, Purdy said. Artificial intelligence, deep learning and advances in computer vision are going to transform agricultural machinery even further, he said.

‘Never-ending journey’

“AUTOMATION is a never-ending journey—there’s always something that will get better over time, and there’s so much opportunity that we’re prioritizing automation over autonomy,” Purdy said. A modern tractor does thousands of tasks, and to provide a fully autonomous solution, a deep understanding of each of those tasks is needed to automate them, said Brett McClelland, product

manager of autonomous vehicles at CNH Industrial. While CNH Industrial in 2016 revealed a sleek, aggressive-looking prototype to much fanfare, the product is still in test pilots and not yet commercially available. For some tasks, current equipment is oversized, and smaller machines might be able to successfully scout a field, for instance. But they won’t be able to prepare the ground for planting carrots, where machines rip up soil 40 inches deep, McClelland said. “Farmers have a demand for productivity, and they’ll take it in whatever way we can give it, and technology is the new way,” he said. Still, bigger won’t necessarily be better going forward, according to Ohio State University professor Scott Shearer. Modern tractors can weigh more than 50,000 pounds, which compresses the soil, making it less productive. Alleviating that compaction could increase crop yields by as much as 7 percent. Increases in precision technology will also allow for smaller robots, as was the case for farmer Bradford’s fields where weed-killing spay was applied only where it was needed. “To survive, farmers are always having to try to become more efficient and to keep costs down, while improving yields,” Bradford said. “The way that’s going to be achieved is in accuracy, by being timely with the operations and applying inputs directly where they are needed, rather than with a broad blanket approach to large areas. That’s where these robots will work.”

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Sunday, May 19, 2019

US and European officials bring charges in global malware case W ASHINGTON—Ten people, including five Russian fugitives, have been charged in connection with malicious software attacks that infected tens of thousands of computers worldwide and sought to steal $100 million from victims, US and European authorities announced on Thursday. The malware enabled criminals from Eastern Europe to take remote control of infected computers and siphon f unds from victims’ bank accounts, and targeted companies and institutions across all sectors of American life. Victims included a Washington law firm, a church in Texas, a furniture business in California, a casino in Mississippi and a Pennsylvania asphalt

and paving business. Several defendants are awaiting prosecution in Europe, and five are Russians who remain fugitives in that country. An 11th participant in the conspiracy was extradited to the United States from Bulgaria in 2016 and pleaded guilty last month in a related case in federal court in Pittsburgh, where Thursday’s indictment was brought.

Though the Justice Department has pursued multiple malware prosecutions in recent years against foreign hackers, this case stands out as a novel model of international collaboration, said Scott Brady, the US attorney in Pittsburgh. Instead of seeking the immediate extradition of all 10 defendants—an often cumbersome process that can take years of negotiations, even in countries that have treaties with the US—American authorities shared evidence with their European counterparts to allow officials in Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia to initiate prosecutions in the nations where the defendants reside. “It represents a pa rad ig m change in how we prosecute cybercrime,” Brady said in an interview with The Associated Press before a news conference in The Hague with a coalition of a half-dozen countries. Cybercrime networks “are increasingly targetable” when in-

vestigators work together, Robert Jones, the FBI special agent in charge of the Pittsburgh office, said at the news conference. “International cooperation is no longer a nicety, it’s a requirement,” he said. Other law-enforcement officials also said the strategy represents the new face of combating high-tech crime. Cybercrime has no borders, and criminals have taken advantage of the legal complexities of trying to fight it, said Steven Wilson, head of the European CyberCrime Centre at Europol. “Only through international cooperation can we hope to tackle it,” he said, adding the charges “provide for a safer Internet for all of us.” T he charges in the indictme nt i nc lu d e con s p i r a c y t o commit computer fraud, cons pi rac y to com m it w i re a nd bank fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The investigation was an out-

growth of the Justice Department’s dismantling in 2016 of a net work of computer ser vers, known as Avalanche, which hosted more than 20 different types of malware. GozNym, the malware cited in Thursday’s case, was among the ones hosted on the network and was designed to automate the theft of sensitive personal and financial information. L aw- enforcement of f ic i a l s say it was formed by the defendants as they advertised their technical skills in underground, Russian-language online criminal forums. The defendants had different roles within the conspiracy: including developing the malware, encrypting it so it could avoid detection by anti-virus software, mass distributing the spam e-mails and sneaking in to the victims’ bank accounts. The leader of the network, authorities say, was from Tbilisi, Georgia, and leased access to the malware from a developer,

who in turn worked with coders to create GozNym. “For the past three years, we have been unpeeling an onion as it were that is very challenging to investigate and identify,” Brady said. GozNym controlled more than 41,000 computers, officials said. The malware relied on spam emails, disguised as legitimate messages, that once opened enabled the malware to be downloaded onto the machines. From there, the hackers were able to record keystrokes from the victims’ computers, steal banking log-in credentials and then launder the stolen money into foreign bank accounts they controlled. Brady said prosecutors always look to recover stolen funds, but that is especially challenging in international cybercrime cases. “Proceeds were converted to Bitcoin and without the private key, it is really hard to identify and access, let alone seize, those accounts,” Brady said. AP

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Sunday, May 19, 2019

Kremlin struggles to defuse protests in Putin heartland

CONFRONTATION with authorities in Russia’s fourthlargest city has become the latest example of spreading public discontent with President Vladimir Putin’s rule amid rising hardship as the economy sputters. The police sealed off Yekaterinburg’s popular central park on Thursday to try to stamp out nightly protests this week by thousands of people against plans to build an Orthodox cathedral there. Riot police detained at least 26 people in clashes on Tuesday as activists pulled down temporary fencing at the site that was guarded by members of a local martial arts club hired by one of the project’s sponsors. “Residents are simply outraged by the way they’re being treated,” said Anna Baltina, a local children’s choir leader who’s helped coordinate opposition to the plan. While “the Church and the authorities are turning to force,” the protests will only increase, she said. The conflict in the Urals city of 1.5 million is part of a surge of protests as Russians vent their frustration with officials, often on grassroots issues, while living standards stagnate with little sign of improvement ahead. Activists in 26 regions have staged protests against plans to move Moscow’s excess trash to their areas, including at least 3,000 last month in the northern city of Arkhangelsk. More than 100 were arrested at May Day protests in Saint Petersburg and other cities. Thousands have taken to the streets in

Russia’s southern Ingushetia region against government plans for a land swap with neighboring Chechnya. The activism follows widespread anger after Putin pushed through an increase in the pension age last year, triggering protests in 40 cities and a backlash in September’s regional elections, when four pro-Kremlin candidates for governor were forced into runoffs in the usually rubber-stamp votes.

‘Dead end’

THE authorities have responded to the rising unhappiness by tightening controls over the Internet, imposing criminal penalties for criticizing the government and toughening rules on protests. “For the first time in years there’s a growing sense of pessimism,” said Denis Volkov, a sociologist at the independent Levada Center polling organization. “People are starting to feel they’re in

‘Popular discontent’

IN Yekaterinburg, the hometown of Russia’s first president, Boris Yeltsin, the protests appear to be “a genuine case of popular discontent” that may spur demonstrations in other regions, said Evgeny

Russia is a country where you get sudden explosions. People are endlessly patient and then it blows up.” —Makarkin

South Korean, three Filipinos freed after captivity in Libya EOUL, South Korea—A South Korean and three Filipinos have been freed following months of captivity in Libya, Seoul and Abu Dhabi said on Friday. The release of the hostages was mediated by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which worked with the self-styled Libyan National Army led by commander Khalifa Hifter. Since last month, Hifter’s forces have been battling in western Libya, trying to take the capital of Tripoli and have been locked in heavy fighting in and around the city with militias loosely allied with a UN-supported government. Several Arab countries, including the UAE and Egypt are backing Hifter. The UAE’s foreign ministry said the four hostages, who were held captive by unnamed armed groups in Libya, have been released thanks to “intensive efforts” made by the UAE in coordination with Hifter’s forces. The four are civilian engineers who were working at a desalination plant in Libya, the ministry said in a statement. “Upon receiving requests from the Philippines and South Korea, the UAE communicated

a dead end and that’s when their patience snaps and people go onto the streets,” he said. A Levada poll in Februar y showed 62 percent of Russians worried most about rising prices and 44 percent about growing poverty, while 41 percent cited corruption as their biggest concern. Though Putin’s approval rating remains high by western standards at about 65 percent, it’s down from more than 80 percent following his 2014 annexation of Crimea that prompted international sanctions. Those penalties helped tip Russia’s economy into an almost two-year recession from which it’s emerged with only anemic growth, as consumers wrestle with a spike in inflation and declining real wages. This is a new type of protest by Russians “against the actions of authorities that specifically touch their lives,” rather than the political demands of demonstrations in Moscow, said Gleb Pavlovsky, a former Kremlin political consultant. “I think it will continue,” though the authorities may respond harshly soon if protests spread, he said.

with the Libyan National Army to work on releasing them and to ensure their safety,” the statement said. South Korea’s presidential office issued a similar announcement. Presidential national security adviser Chung Eui-yong said in a televised briefing that South Korea thanks the UAE government for the rescue efforts. The UAE ministry said the four were airlifted to Abu Dhabi before being taken to their home countries. Chung said the 62-year-old South Korean national surnamed Joo was freed after 315 days of captivity. An initial medical checkup showed Joo has no major health problems; he was to return home on Saturday. Both UAE and South Korean announcements didn’t provide details about how the hostages were set free or which armed groups held them. The pro-Hifter Al Marsad news web site reported on Friday that the hostages were moved from one “criminal gang” to another before Hifter’s forces located and freed them. No other details were reported. AP

Gontmakher, a former government official who’s a specialist on social policy. “Repressive methods won’t solve this problem. The authorities have to learn to talk to the people,” he said. Putin took a conciliatory tone when asked about the situation in Yekaterinburg at a media event on Thursday, saying “a cathedral should unify people, not divide them.” He urged officials to conduct a survey of local residents to gauge support for the project. Within an hour, the city’s mayor, Alexander Vysokinsky, agreed, though he said construction preparations would continue. A May 14 to 16 telephone poll of 300 residents carried out by the Socium Foundation found 55 percent opposed a cathedral in the park and two-thirds supported a referendum on the project. A survey of 400 people it conducted last August showed 41 percent supported the project and 24 percent were against. T he reg iona l gover nor for Yekaterinburg, Yevgeny Kuivashev, called representatives of the two sides to a meeting at his residence on Tuesday to try to defuse tensions. It’s a “difficult situation,” though “street conflicts aren’t the way to solve problems,” he wrote on Instagram. The meeting was “a circus” and officials showed no readiness to negotiate, said Baltina, who attended the talks. “The conflict, unfortunately, is snowballing,” she said. “Russia is a country where you get sudden explosions,” said Alexei Makarkin, deputy head of the Moscow-based Center for Political Technologies. “People are endlessly patient and then it blows up.” Bloomberg News

Editor: Angel R. Calso

Robots that learn are the hottest weapon in the investing arms race

AYBE machines can figure out this crazy stock market. At least that’s what quantitative traders who have struggled to beat the market for years will be hoping as a band of their peers roll out computer-driven strategies that learn from their own mistakes. Lynx Asset Management, for one, is planning a new fund in October that executes strategies thought up by a machine—an approach that helped the $5-billion Swedish hedge fund beat most of its trend-following rivals in 2018. It won’t take long for funds managed entirely by robots to be everywhere. Two to three new ones will start trading each month this year, reckons Alex Allen, who runs a fund for EFG Asset Management that invests in machine-learning strategies. “It’s the next evolution in the investing arms race,” said London-based Allen, who already invests in eight machine-learning funds, and plans to add two more soon. Machine -learning takes quant investing to the next level because the robots are programmed to adapt and improve their per formance based on the data they sample over time, without needing explicit human instructions. That tech-savvy, data-driven quants are dabbling in the field is hardly new— it’s been touted as the next big thing for years, and the tools have been getting cheaper and easier to use all the while. What sets the latest flurry of activity apar t is the backdrop. Whipsawing markets and the over-crowding of many quant strategies have battered their performance and started to undermine investor enthusiasm for this once red-hot corner of the investing world. Proponents say machine-learning has the potential to give quants the winning edge they’re missing, in part because it opens up the prospect of uncovering new signals in large masses of complex data to boost returns. Yves-Laurent Kom Samo is so much a believer that he left his career at Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and JPMorgan Chase & Co. in 2013 to get a doctorate in machine learning at Oxford University. Now, he’s getting his own business, P it.AI in San Jose, California, off the ground with a machinelearning hedge fund KXY Singularity, which started trading in March.

“A machine is going to be considerably faster than human beings when it comes to detecting new alphas and a machine is going to work at a scale that no human being can,” Kom Samo said. Lynx Asset Management AB will u n v e i l i t s n e w o f f e r i n g, t h e Ly n x Constellation fund, on October 1 and it will essentially be a long-short strategy i n ve s t i n g i n f u t u re s a n d f o r w a rd s across various asset classes. The actual strategies used could involve everything from trend following and contrarian trading to relative value. Th at ’s p a r t o f t h e c h a l l e n g e i n judging the effectiveness of machine l e a r n i n g f o r q u a n t i t a t i ve t r a d i n g. Q uants use advanced mathematical models to determine investments in what is already a huge and varied field of finance, and the application of these techniques promises even more complexit y. Machine learning itself covers a wide spectrum of methods, from traditional statistical analysis to mimicking the way neurons in the brain provide layers of learning. “In terms of the scope of data that we can analyze, it’s much greater than before,” said Boyan Filev, the London-based cohead of quantitative equities at Aberdeen Standard Investments. “We’re analyzing billions of data points every month.” A Eurekahedge index tracking those using artificial intelligence and machine learning has outperformed the overall hedge funds gauge by 27 percentage points over the past five years. Still, because the index covers funds with a wide range of strategies, it’s hard to draw broad conclusions. Quant researchers at Societe Generale SA have developed a US equity index based on the bank’s machine-learning model. The long-short gauge beats the HFRX Equity Hedge Index handily on a one- and five-year basis. But so far in 2019 it has fallen behind, so it’s not quite conclusive. Aberdeen Standard’s $10-million Artificial Intelligence Global Equity fund, which analyzes stocks for so-called factors such as momentum or value, has gained 9.1 percent this year, compared with about 11 percent for the MSCI All Country World Index. Bloomberg News

Taiwan president claims victory in landmark gay marriage vote

A I WA N ’ S preside nt claimed victory in making the island the first place in Asia to legalize same-sex unions, as lawmakers put the final touches on the government’s gay marriage bill. Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen praised the vote in a tweet on Friday. “On May 17th, 2019 in #Taiwan, #LoveWon,” she said. “We took a big step towards true equality, and made Taiwan a better country.” Lawmakers were still working through the second reading of the bill drafted by Taiwan’s Cabinet on Friday afternoon, but had all but finalized language guaranteeing same-sex couple would have the right to marry, the first such formal legislation in Asia. The government’s proposal won out over two rival bills that would have limited rights and protections for same-sex couples. Tens of thousands of LGBT (lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transsexuals) rights advocates gathered outside the legislature in Taipei on Friday calling for the law’s passage. The Marriage Equality Coalition Taiwan, a gay rights alliance, put the number at 40,000. Eight months ahead of Taiwan’s presidential election, deliberations over gay marriage had laid bare its societal divisions, as typically young urban progressives came out in favor of the measure while religious groups and older voters opposed it. The outcome could have longlasting consequences for Tsai, who faces an uphill battle for reelection— even from within her own party.

TSAI ING-WEN, Taiwan’s president, looks on during a news conference at the Presidential Palace in Taipei, Taiwan, on January 5, 2019. China must usher in major democratic reforms if it hopes to overcome decades of mutual animosity with Taiwan, Tsai said. ASHLEY PON/BLOOMBERG

Widespread opposition

“I’VE never seen a bill so controversial here,” DPP caucus leader Ker Chien-ming said in an interview on Thursday. “You can use scientific evidence to debate other types of legislation but this bill touches upon people’s religion, values and beliefs.” Widespread public opposition to gay marriage, including by DPP supporters, presents Tsai with a dilemma. More than 72 percent of people voted in favor of keeping restrictions on marriage rights to heterosexual couples in a November referendum. She signaled her support for the LGBT community before becoming president in 2016. But since then, she has remained largely silent on the issue, preferring to allow the courts and

the legislature to take the lead on enacting marriage equality. Elsewhere in the wider AsiaPacific region, Australia legalized same-sex marriage in December 2017, and has since held thousands of gay weddings. It’s been legal in neighboring New Zealand since 2013. “ Taiwan taking the first step to lega lize same-se x mar r iage w i l l inf luence t he t hink ing in ot her countr ies around A sia,” sa id Wolf Bear, one of t he pro LGBT demonstrators outside the legislature on Friday. “ This vote is so impor tant. Not on ly w i l l it change Ta iwan, it w i l l inf luence other countries too.”

Constitutional union

THE constitutional court ruled in May 2017 that language in

Taiwan’s Civil Code restricting marriage to a man and a woman was unconstitutional, and set a two-year deadline for the legislature to pass regulations governing same-sex marriages. Conservative lawmakers had submitted two competing bills, which only referred to “samesex cohabitation partnerships” or “same-sex unions” rather than “marriages.” The government’s bill grants gay couples the right to “register to marry.” Tai Lee, a 54-year-old Taipei resident, said he joined Friday’s rally to show support for his stepson’s right to marry. “The government’s version of the act is compromised. It’s not an ideal version but we can accept it for the moment,” he said. “Many other countries have something like this as a first step.” Regard less of whet her t he leg isl at ure had passed reg ul at io n s c o d i f y i n g g a y p a r t nerships on Fr id ay, same-se x couples wou ld h ave h ad t he right to marr y later this month any way as the court’s 2017 r uling rendered lega l obstac les to t he unions unconstitutiona l. More than 200 same-sex couples have registered to marry on May 24, the Taipei-based Apple Daily reported. T he impor tance of t he impend ing dead line was not lost on t he r u ling par t y. “ Ta iwan can’t af ford t he possible chaos if we don’t have leg islation in pl ace to gover n t he c iv ic re l at ion s b e t we e n s a me - s e x couples,” Ker sa id. Bloomberg News

Journey

»life on the go

BusinessMirror

Editor: Tet Andolong

Sunday, May 19, 2019

EXECUTIVE ESCAPES IN SUBIC

WEEKEND races by Subic Sailing

By Bernard L. Supetran

INCE the opening of the country’s first-ever free port in 1992, Subic Bay has come full circle—being one of the top tourist spots. From an American naval base, it has evolved into a duty-free zone, weekend family hideaway, a business and tourism enclave, a convention place and a theme park, among its many reinventions. But despite its evolution for the past 27 years, never lost in the flurry of things is its being an executive escapade because of its exceptional qualities. Subic boasts of having the merry mix of tropical rainforest, a panoramic bay, world-class countryside villages, diverse recreation and everything in between, just two hours away from the big city. Going by the slogan, “It’s more Fun-tastic in Subic,” the free port combines nature, adventure and leisure, and is home to scores of homegrown tourist establishments distinctly found only here. A social-media sensation is the four-star Le Charmé Suites, which arguably has the most Instagrammable poolside in the area which is best shot during the so-called golden hour at dusk. Called Ibiza Roof

ACEA Resort HENRY EMPEÑO

Deck, it is jazzed up occasionally with exciting themes, such as Game of Thrones motif. The 45-room boutique hotel, was originally intended to be a furniture showroom, but was repurposed for a lodging for the active business person, evident in the bike racks in its well-appointed suites. It boasts being an exponent of Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability (LOHAS), encouraging biking among its guests, and its bevy of fitness amenities—a rock-climbing wall, a spa and the Spin Cycle Station of the Johnson Fitness and Wellness Center, which has Subic’s first-ever spin bike class. With the active lifestyle it has been espousing, Le Charmé Suites has become a favorite among triathlon participants.

The two-year-old facility also boasts of its in-house restaurants, the Asian fusion Teppan 101 and the Spanish-inspired Mi Tapas, where the free port’s stakeholders often gather for cocktails and small talk. Adjacent the hotel is a cluster of surplus stores and specialty shops, which puts interesting stuff under one roof. A new must-see for staycationers is Acea Subic Bay, an amenityladen resort hotel nestled on a secluded palm-lined cove of the former Dungaree Beach away from the usual crowd. Managed by Hospitality Innovators Inc., it pampers its guests with generously sized beachfront rooms, three swimming pools, children’s playground, fitness gym, game room, billiards hall, full-service restaurant and two karaokes, which make the resort like a selfcontained recreational complex. Acea also has a complete range of water sports so guests can bask in its powdery sand and clear waters, considered as perhaps the most scenic cove in Subic. Golf aficionados would be delighted that the last piece of the puzzle in making the free port a consummate escapade is finally in place—the Subic International Golf Club, the second and grandest reincarnation of the former American playground in Binictican. Operated by a group of Japanese businessmen, the 18-hole, par 72 golf course measures over 7,100 yards from the tips, making it ideal for professional tournaments. Originally designed by Desmond Muirhead, it was reconstructed into a challenging course which incorporates the natural environ-

LE Charmé Suites Ibiza Roof Deck BERNARD SUPETRAN

SUBIC International Golf Club BERNARD SUPETRAN

ment and allows the player to enjoy picture-pretty shots. Surrounded by a lush rainforest and abundant water sources, the view from any angle is simply stunning. In addition to its world-class environment-friendly fairway, the property is envisioned by its developers to be an upscale community for expats, retirees and executives with housing, recreation, medical care and other amenities. The club also prides itself with its charming and smart caddies, which are not mere eye candies but meaningful companions on the greens. Conversant on topics other than golf and solicitous on every player’s needs, they also work as starters and tee house attendants, and are

perhaps the best in the industry because of their rigid recruitment and training regimen. After sweating it out, the club treats guests like royalty at its classy clubhouse with its wide -range of delectable international dishes, Filipino favorites, desserts and drinks. Another sport which lends an executive touch to Subic is sailing, thanks to its deep natural harbor, tranquil and scenic bay. A major naval and maritime hub since the Spanish era because of the galleons and merchant ships that have come and gone, is regarded as the country’s premier yachting destination and sailing haven. Regular regattas are held here

BIKING at a triathlon in Subic

to promote tourism and enhance yachtsmanship for international competitions and foster camaraderie among its gentlemen sailors. Spearheaded by Subic Sailing Club based at the Lighthouse Marina Resort, the bay is home to the Subic Bay Around Verde Island Passage Race, which is part of the prestigious Asian Yachting Grand Prix Circuit and the Chairman’s Cup Regatta, which saw the biggest assemblage of sailboats in Philippine waters. A reboot of the Commodore’s Cup, the recently concluded sailfest was highlighted by the FarEast 28R One-Design Race, and keelboat divisions of IRC Class 1, IRC Class 2 and Cruising Class. Adding color was the Dinghy Division composed of Optimist, Streaker and Oz Gooze classes for greenhorns and young sailors, as well as categories for stand-up paddleboards and kayaks to entice more spectators get into water sports. Capping the five-day aquasports fiesta was the M1 Freedom Party, which featured the hottest local and foreign DJs and rock bands. Organizers say the Chairman’s Cup hopes to breed the next generation of sailors who will give pride to the Philippines in international contests and will continue to rediscover our legacy as a maritime nation. On a typical day, the nautical-themed Lighthouse Marina Resort offers basic sailing lessons on dinghies and romantic sunset cruises around Subic Bay and outlying coves. With its elite sports and leisure lifestyle, Subic is undeniably the consummate escapade for the executive class.

Journey

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A6 Sunday, May 19, 2019

Editor: Tet Andolong

The new beachfront hotel in El Nido

OOMS with intimate views of paradise that are also kind to the pocket are now offered by the recently launched 50-room Huni bed and breakfast hotel at Lio Tourism Estate. Globally acclaimed for its natural beauty, the Ayala Land community in El Nido has been master planned to remain ecologically sustainable for decades to come beginning with the design of its beachfront hotels. Named after the Filipino word meaning “hum of the sea,” the sprawling Huni hotel features simple contemporary architectural lines and buildings with no more than two stories to keep the visitor’s attention on the turquoise waters of Bacuit Bay and Lio’s pristine 4.5 kilometers of ivory beach. Huni’s spacious air-conditioned rooms from 34 to 54 square meters further make use of fulllength glass doors that emphasize the restful surroundings. The hotel has further dispensed with sachets and single-use plastics in its rooms and main dining facility in line with measures to remain respectful of the environment. “Huni offers good value for couples and groups seeking to better appreciate nature, to try out new activities or to just relax,” according to Joey Bernardino, group director for sales and marketing of Ten Knots Development Corp. that developed the brand. “Less than a five-minute drive from Lio airport, it is also a short stroll through Lio beach to the curated dining and retail options of Shops at Lio and the cultural offerings of the artists’ village Kalye Artisano, also within the estate.”

At the same time, it is highly accessible to El Nido town, the jump-off point to island hopping to Bacuit Bay’s iconic sights like the Big and Small Lagoon; the bay’s not-to-be-missed snorkeling sites; limestone caving; rock climbing; and other adventures. When energies have waned, Huni’s swimming pool and breezy lounging areas that make use of natural weaves and materials also offer guests the option to just laze at the hotel or to do less strenuous activities like volleyball, kayaking and paddle boarding at the beach. Bernardino explained that over the long-term, the Huni brand will be available in other Ayala Land tourism estates and communities. “We established the brand to make new tourism areas accessible to a broader market that appreciates value.” The resort brand will also stand for consistent and customer-focused service, qualities that are associated with the Ayala Land name. “Wherever a Huni property is found, guests can be assured of a relaxing vacation. We envision that in the future, guests will be in the habit of booking a Huni room each time

THE 50-room Huni bed and breakfast hotel at Lio Tourism Estate offers intimate views of its globally acclaimed natural surroundings at a kind price.

THE sprawling Huni hotel features simple contemporary architectural lines and buildings no more than two stories to keep the visitor’s attention on the turquoise waters of Bacuit Bay and Lio’s pristine 4.5 kilometers of ivory beach just a short stroll away.

they want to explore an Ayala Land destination.” Huni Lio is accessible through direct flights to Lio airport from Manila, Clark, Cebu and Puerto Princesa via AirSwift. It can also be reached by land by van service from Palawan’s biggest airport at Puerto Princesa and San Vicente, Palawan. The van ride from Puerto Princesa to Lio, Beach is an estimated six hours while the ride from San Vicente to Lio Beach is around three hours. El Nido and all its attractions, including those at Lio, are collectively considered the last frontier, according to Bernardino. “As world populations grow, putting naturebased destinations at greater risk, we also expect more visitors to [come to] our piece of paradise,” he said. Huni is an excellent reason to visit Lio and all the other attractions of El Nido sooner than later.

ROAD-SAFETY TIPS FOR A FUN AND UNFORGETTABLE TRIP Transport ad start-up taps Lenovo the first time, it’s best to do research first on the surrounding areas, the best routes to take and the general road conditions there. Download a navigation app on your smartphone so you don’t get lost or get stuck in heavy traffic.

Buckle up, even if you’re a rear-seat passenger

IT’S important to wear your seatbelt—for the driver, as well as front- and rear-seat passengers. This safety restraint system can protect you in times of collisions and prevent you from hitting the dashboard, the windshield, the seat in front of you or worse.

Keep your distance

HE summer season means going on vacations, long road trips, and fun and exciting out-of-town excursions with family and friends. To make your trip hassle-free and enjoyable, it truly pays to practice road safety before and while you are behind the wheel. Remember, safety first always! Here are some road-safety tips from AXA Philippines, one of the leading insurance companies in the country:

Have your car checked

TAKE your car to your trusted mechanic and have the battery,

lights, oil, water, brakes, air and gas (Blowbag) checked, as well as your air-conditioner. Always have a tool kit and a usable spare tire ready, in case of a flat tire. Get a good rest before you hit the road. Driving long distances with very little sleep is dangerous, as it can affect your alertness and your overall driving skills. Having coffee or a caffeinated drink may not be enough. So get that proper shut-eye—at least six to nine hours of uninterrupted sleep—before that trip.

Plan your route

WHEN going somewhere far for

BE conscious of braking distances and leave a safe space between your vehicle and the one ahead of you, so in case of an abrupt stop, a potential collision can be avoided. Insure your vehicle. Having car insurance, like the comprehensive insurance coverage offered by AXA Philippines, can protect you against losses and liabilities arising from road mishaps. AXA Car Insurance is available for purchase online. Its policyholders can also avail of 24/7 emergency roadside assistance coverage across the country. This insurance product also offers the AXA Assist app, which presents a first-of-its-kind emergency red button. In case of emergencies, the application sends a distress message and location of the policyholder to emergency contact person/s, and AXA Assistance’s command center. What this brings is added peace of mind and security, so you can enjoy your drive and your trip!

to revolutionize commuter experience

S part of the company’s plan to revolutionize the local advertising industry, AdMov Transport Marketing Solutions Inc. has partnered with global innovation leader Lenovo, to deliver highly interactive and personalized advertisements to commuters via tablet devices. A start-up that is making waves in the local advertising industry, AdMov uses tablets to show suited content and advertisements to commuters as its method of bridging the gap between brands and customers. Tablets are attached behind the front-seat headrests of cars that are on ride-hailing services such as Grab, and its software can analyze the passenger’s gender, age and even mood through facial detection technology. The software then allows AdMov to present the appropriate content based on the information gathered. The program also uses geo-fencing to consider the vehicle’s realtime location. If, for example, the vehicle is traveling within Taguig City, the tablet will show content about nearby establishments. Integrated augmented-reality technology is implanted in the software to further add interactivity. “Personalized and interactive ads are simply more attention-grabbing as they greatly enhance the experience of those watching. Augmented reality, for example, allows interested buyers to try on products like accessories while inside the car,” says Ellard Capiral, cofounder and CEO of AdMov. Despite data being examined, they are not stored by any means in which AdMov and its advertisers do not see the faces of passengers. If a person wishes to buy the product after seeing the generated advertisement, the software will provide links to the advertiser’s e-commerce site or socialmedia accounts via QR codes, coupons and e-mail lead generation, so the passenger

can conduct the transaction at his or her own time and device. “It is a great opportunity to showcase Lenovo’s innovative capabilities in the advertising industry, where digital technology is steadily being integrated into the creation of new content,” said Lenovo Philippines Country General Manager Michael Ngan. According to Ngan, with people being flooded with tons of content every day, it is difficult for brands to connect with their audience. “The interactive advertisements shown by AdMov helps them stand out because the software has increased the efficiency of their ads in terms of reaching out and attracting potential customers, and we’re very excited that our products are part of this development within the advertising industry.”

Streamlining the process

UNTIL the discovery of Lenovo Tab 4, AdMov had trouble in finding a tablet model that could support its program. Yet with the popularity of Lenovo Tab 4, the company still had to deal with multiple stores to fulfill its hardware requirements. Under

this partnership, Lenovo is streamlining the whole device-acquisition process by directly providing AdMov 10,000 Lenovo Tab 4 tablets. Through this, Lenovo is helping AdMov to reach its goal at a faster and much more efficient rate. “Our services are built on a flexible framework that helps us develop the best solution for our customers’ requirements and business goals. By providing AdMov with a device that is powerful and robust enough to handle its software and facilitating direct acquisition, we help them to be on track in targeting their clients’ preferred audience,” said Ngan. Lenovo Tab 4 is perfect for AdMov’s current requirements. It runs on a 1.40GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon APQ8017 processor and has 2GB LPDDR3 RAM for memory, 16GB internal storage, 2MP front camera and LTE connectivity. With a 7000mAh battery, it does not overheat easily, which was the main problem with the first tablets AdMov tested. And by getting the product directly from Lenovo, the company no longer has to worry about buying individual units in different stores.

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BusinessMirror

Editor: Tet Andolong

Sunday, May 19, 2019 A7

How to reward yourselves for that diploma

FTER years of balancing academics and extracurricular events, pulling all-nighters just to beat tight project deadlines and burning the midnight oil for exams, students are now counting the days to their graduation, the victorious end of school life and the beginning of yet another chapter and adventure. ‘This is indeed the season to celebrate and embark on one last hurrah with the barkada or blockmates. Here are some getaway ideas that will guarantee a memorable time with friends without hurting the pocket too much.

Good ol’ road trip

POSTGRADUATION, everyone will start pursuing their own respective career paths or go on a vacation to recharge, so catching up with friends may become a challenge. Take some time for a spontaneous trip on the road before transitioning from “thesis is life” to “adulting.” Round up the barkada and hit the highways. Just a couple of hours from Metro Manila is the refreshingly cool Tagaytay. You can simply enjoy the breathtaking view of the world’s smallest volcano, Taal, try horseback riding at Picnic Grove or get some energy rush with the thrill rides at the amusement parks in this popular holiday town. For a more thrilling experience, get up close Taal Volcano’s crater with guided tours. The next best thing to a road trip is food trip, and Tagaytay also has this covered. You and your friends will never run out of things to try with new restaurants popping out in every corner. Here’s a quick roundup of must-try restaurants for starters.

To the beach please

GRADUATION season also means summer vacation, and there is no better way to spend it than with a trip to the beach. The Philippines boasts a long list of superb beach destinations to choose from. One popular destination for millennials today is Batangas. The province is especially known for its diving spots. Nothing recharges more than a tryst with nature and exploring the wonderful life underwater. There are also group activities for the entire barkada such as banana boat riding, kayaking and pedal boarding. You can also explore smaller islands around the province. For adrenaline-junkies, Cebu offers the opportunity to swim with whale sharks while Boracay has parasailing adventures. All that hard work you put into school surely deserves a reward. Toast to school days while beating the summer heat and reveling in the Philippines’s natural wonders.

Urban staycation

IF going out of town is a stretch for everyone’s schedules and budgets, a staycation in the city is your best bet. Chill out with the squad in one of the many OYO Hotels in Metro Manila. Pop some popcorn, have

OYO Balai Sofia in Batangas

OYO Solace Hotel in Makati

OYO Mi Jo Hotel in Tagaytay

a movie marathon or play board games, and basically just relax and unwind. Wherever and however the barkada wants to make the best of the last few weeks of school, deciding on an accommodation should be a breeze. OYO Hotels offers premi-

um quality accommodations with student-friendly rates. There is OYO 118 Hotel Merlo in Manila, OYO 146 Solace Hotel in Makati, OYO Mi Jo Hotel in Tagaytay and OYO 120 Balai Sofia in Batangas. With OYO Hotels, consumers and travelers are assured of pre-

Coding the future of payments: GCash breaches 50K QR merchant mark

HE use of QR for mobile digital payments is very popular in various emerging and developed economies. In China, for example, mobile digital payments account for over half of the country’s total transaction volumes. In the Philippines, the use of the said technology is still in its nascent stage, and has yet to see an explosion in usage today. Despite this GCash, operated by Globe Fintech Innovations Inc. (Mynt), sees the value of setting up as many QR-enabled merchants as possible, as it believes that the future of mobile digital payments lies on innovative technologies. “QR payments provide security and convenience to both merchants and their customers. Our thrust as a mobile wallet is to acquire as many merchant partners as possible— even micro-entrepreneurs such as taho vendors—to future-proof us from the expected boom in usage,” said JM Aujero, vice president for Merchant Solutions. Already, GCash has breached

the 50,000 merchant mark in the first quarter of 2019, a huge milestone for the company that introduced this technology first in the Philippines in 2017. “We want to be as pervasive as our partner Ant Financial in China. QR is the future of payments, and we are committed to lead in this arena here in the Philippines,” he said. The QR technology of GCash is far reaching, spanning from Luzon to Visayas and down to Mindanao, including popular tourist destination Boracay. This particular technology is empowering micro, small and medium enterprises to adopt into the digital arena. Aside from giving them access to millions of customers, the QR payments solution of GCash allows merchants to enjoy auto-sweeping of their daily transactions into their account. It, likewise, provides a better performance evaluation of the business, as the system provides for QR transaction reports, which allows enterprises to study and analyze

their transactions real time. Cash handling issues are also addressed through the QR payments system. GCash offers merchants no set up fees, a huge customer base, lower rates than most debit and credit cards, a chance for increased marketing, and access to periodic reports to oversee their business performance. “Merchants and social sellers can leverage on the ubiquity of GCash in the Philippines, as well as benefit from this simple, cost-

effective and secure alternative to cash,” he said. GCash is embarking on a battle against cash to capture more users this year, and the need to increase the number of merchants in the GCash platform only continues to be more pronounced. The GCash QR payments solution, he explained, is supportive of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’s goal of reducing cash payments and increasing the share of noncash transactions to 20 percent of the total volume by 2020. “Our aggressive stance in fighting for more QR-enabled merchants stems from the fact that everyday, more and more GCash users onboard the platform. Use cases for QR payments also continue to sprout,” he said. “With Ant Financial as our partner, we are well-equipped to deliver the best QR experience in the Philippines. Ant Financial will also help us in strengthening our hold while massively scaling up our QR reach in the country,” he said.

mium quality service and facilities best shared with friends and loved ones. These properties are very accessible and near tourist spots to make vacations even more pleasant. For a hassle-free vacation, book an OYO room with one tap of the finger through the OYO app or through its

partner online travel agencies such as Booking.com or Agoda. The OYO app is downloadable from the Play Store and App Store. Plan that trip with the barkada today and applaud yourselves for finally being able to throw that academic cap or toga high up in the air.

IT’S GIN O’ CLOCK AT VU’S SKY BAR AND LOUNGE

HE clock strikes Gin! Toast to a fab time while enjoying your view from up high with a glass (or two) of Gin and Tonic at Vu’s Sky Bar and Lounge. May it be for after-work drinks or a celebratory toast, a G&T refreshes with every sip. Different aromas come to life, simply by mixing this drink with a spread of garnishes to match the mood. Perhaps a simple wedge of lemon appeals to those who embrace the classics. Vu’s Sky Bar and Lounge offers G&T fanatics with a special treat. Simply post a photo of your Bombay Sapphire G&T at the Bar with the hashtag #VusXBombayTwist, show it to the bar team, and get a second one on the house! Match your drink with a range of tapas and pizzas to make the night even more interesting while enjoying the Sky Bar’s choice entertainment acts. For more information about Mar-

co Polo Ortigas Manila and its ongoing promotions, visit www.marcopolohotels.com. Subscribe to updates through the hotel’s official socialmedia accounts: facebook.com/MarcoPoloOrtigasManila and @MarcoPoloManila on Twitter and Instagram.

F1 Hotel Manila’s new à la carte menu N ESTLED at the heart of Bonifacio Global City, F1 Hotel Manila’s F AllDay Dining presents its new à la carte menu offerings with classic Filipino cuisines infused with different techniques and traditions from various continents. The selection was carefully curated by the hotel’s executive chef, Angelo “Chubby” Timban, who is known for creating classic inimitable dishes. The focus is to produce quality dishes with ingredients delivered

fresh every day from local suppliers to secure the upper-class quality of taste and texture. The new à la carte menu offers a wide range of gastronomical selections but also retained long-standing favorites, including the all-time favorite Mexinigang; Philippines famous sinigang infused with a Mexican twist. From appetizers and main courses to the choices for desserts, the highlights

of the menu are the chef’s three recommended dishes. The “Chairman's” Burger, which is the hotel owner’s personal favorite is made with US grade homemade patty, spread with salsa sauce and topped with Swiss cheese and a Sloppy Joe fries on the side for delicious contentment followed by the eccentric Classico Rogu Pasta which is made with a pasta combination of Italian-Filipino Caldereta sauce, garnished with tasty black croutons and

potatoes. And last, the three-way lechon for the pork lovers—carefully steamed and roasted pork for those delicate features and deep-fried the second time for scrumptious crispness on every bite sided to serve with bagoong rice. Explore and taste F All-Day Dining’s new à la carte menu that will surely satisfy your palate. Visit F1 Hotel Manila at 32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig and try our chef’s recommended dishes.

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Sunday, May 19, 2019

Editor: Tet Andolong

SECRET HAPPY PLACES FOR SUMMER

THE author in the old town of Edinburgh

CAPE Town, South Africa

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka

JOVE TAPIADOR

THE TOURISM ADVOCATE

Part One

T’S summer in the Philippines once again, and summer brings us to our happy secret places either physically or mentally. I have forced many a good friend to share theirs as I click my heels twice to bring me back to mine. Locally, my happy secret place(s) would have to be the Legazpi Market, which, while it moved to a temporary home in the Corinthian Plaza Car Park, continues to hold my attention, week on week. Nowhere else can I get a scrape of some of my global and local favorites than in this market, from Moroccan to French, to Spanish, to Indonesian to Israeli. As I have this impossible need to travel, the Legazpi Sunday market would have to be my not-sosecret happy place. Very recently, although I am a Johnny-come-lately, I would have to say, Poblacion is fast becoming a happy secret place for me, especially to unwind. I have not found a place quite as unique, gritty and accessible. Overseas, if there was somewhere I would instantaneously transport myself to, it would have to be in Edinburgh in Scotland. I knew my heart was always with the Victorian era, and this is where it’s very much alive and quietly throbbing amid great literature (Sir Walter Scott’s Waverley), horror (Burke & Hare), history (from the Vikings to Rob Roy to William Wallace), magical Faerie and wizardly realms (Loch Ness, Outlander, Harry Potter), and lots and a wee bit

too much drama of whiskey. Did I say that the people are the kindest? Up there with Pinoys and Palestinians in my book.

George Royeca Public affairs head, Angkas

THAT’S me by the lake. This is my and Angie’s ultimate hideaway. After days of action-packed snowboarding, we rest here for a few days before going home. There’s a Ryoken where you don’t leave the hotel, and Japanese kaiseki style is served from breakfast to dinner. It's really an amazing experience to relax, chill and reflect before heading back to reality. It is also the second deepest lake in Japan, surrounded by three volcanoes.

Mark S. Gorriceta Managing partner, Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra ONE of our most recent trips that is close to my heart is the City of Cape Town in South Africa. There’s nowhere quite like Cape Town, a coming together of cultures, adventure, cuisines and landscapes, a remarkably beautiful city crowned by the magnificent Table Mountain National Park. In one instance you can be roughing it out at the trails and

on the other you can just simply sit back and enjoy the views while sipping a glass or two of the South African Pinotage.

Karla Delgado Chief sustainability officer, Transnational Diversified Group

“WE have been living right in a forest, among trees and boulders and wildlife, and a beautiful lake.” This was my journal entry from a journey into the heart of Sri Lanka earlier this year. If you haven’t yet, I highly recommend visiting Sri Lanka. Some of my recommendations: a visit to the Good Food Market in Colombo, which brings together a diverse and sustainable community of farmers, artisans, designers, makers of natural products, drinks and food. And if you love nature and are a fan of heritage architecture, visit Heritance Kandalama by Geoffrey Bawa, regarded as the father of Sri Lankan architecture. For good books, coffee, food, textiles and music, visit the main Barefoot Shop and Café in Colombo. If you like memoir, I highly recommend Running in the Family by Michael Ondaatje. It gives you a profound sense of place and grounds you in the country that is Sri Lanka.

Sylvester Wong Vice president, strategies & development, AECOM Asia

AOMORI Springs, a hidden ski resort on the slopes of the sacred Mount Iwaki, overlooking the Sea of Japan in the northernmost prefecture of Aomori Japan. Love the fluffy snow: same snow system that hits Niseko, without the crowds. Aomori gets the most snow of any prefecture My daughter Rania learned to ski there, and now doesn’t want to go anywhere else even after I’ve taken her for skiing in the US. It’s where I got to take my late wife Donna to introduce her to my lifelong passion for the snow, for her first and last ski trip before losing her to cancer. Feels young and global but distinctively local, with the ski-in ski-

SHOKOTSU, Japan

AOMORI, Japan

out 160-room Rockwood Hotel, a modernist retro throwback, complete with a volcano spring-fed onsen, and a simple kitchen crafted by a cordon bleu chef. I like bookending a weeklong escape of a group of families with a day or two in Tokyo, connected in only three hours by Shinkansen. The non-busy vibe, familiarity of the staff and little side trips to the castle town of Hirosaki or the fishing village of Ajigasawa, snow monsters of Hakkoda or the 4000-yearold Unesco Shirakami birch forest, are all a welcome respite from urban chaos. The kids have a blast, and have run of the place. We do “dads and daughters” trips, I think my buddies get a lot of brownie points at home, ha ha. Missed out on the big backcoun-

try with the USA freestyle ski team when they hung out a couple years ago, but I’m looking forward to when my daughter gets old enough for that. The biggest halfpipe in the country is now training grounds for snowboarding stars like Ayumu Hirano; I watch with my daughter, in both awe and nervous parental pride, knowing that Rania is going to want to do that someday. Summer has bike tours and 36 holes of Arnold Palmer golf. And year round: the best scallops and tuna. ‘Nuf said.

Jove Tapiador Cofounder, Fintech Philippines Association

YOU don’t go to this island to be comfortable. Just like any noncommercialized, rural, island desti-

nation in the Philippines, you travel by ferry, then by bus, private vehicle, habal-habal or ride backside on a motorcycle to get to this place. You walk through trees and fields smelling of grass and dung. You find interruptions in water and electricity supply when you get there. Most importantly, you find your mobilephone signal weak with little or no Internet connection. Despite the inconvenience, I've been traveling to this place for more than 20 years because it reminds me what life is outside the big city. This is where I still stay under a thatched roof, where your living and dining area is an open space beside the beach, where you can amble down the seashore and just listen to the waves gently crashing at night. Most especially, this is the place where loved ones travel together and enjoy each other’s company during special occasions— birthdays, Christmas, Holy Week. Or travel there just to get away from it all, where the sun, surf and sand washes away daily worries. Balai Katadman is a private beachside resort at Samal Island in Mindanao, where you get to experience rustic, genuine island living. A place where you can leave everything behind, contemplate the big questions without interruption, sleep through your weekend without distractions from modern technology, and where reading a good paperback is bliss. Undergoing some renovation, it will soon accommodate a limited number of backpackers and outside guests. This place is not for squeamish glampers (glamour campers).

Science

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

BusinessMirror

Sunday

Sunday, May 19, 2019

BOOST THROUGH TISSUE-CULTURE LABORATORY FOR ORNAMENTAL PLANTS

Guiguinto aims to become garden capital of PHL

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

HE municipality of Guiguinto in Bulacan is targeting to become the Garden Capital of the Philippines by 2022 through sustained development and promotion of its blooming billion-peso cutflower industry. Incumbent Guiguinto Mayor Ambrosio Cruz Jr. said the construction of the P7.5-million Innovative Laboratory (iLAB) for Tissue Culture for Ornamental Plants in Guiguinto Garden City in Cloverleaf would boost the municipality’s stature as the fast-growing cutflower center of the country. The laboratory is being established by the municipality in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), with each government agency shouldering half of the total cost. The laborator y is expected to improve the locality’s conventional cutf lower production practices to an advanced and faster way of tissue culture, Science Secretary Fortunato de la Peña said. Through the tissue culture laboratory, local cutflower farmers could quickly generate identical mature offspring of one plant with desirable traits, which is applicable for commercial, large-scale production of plants, de la Peña added. Other benefits of the laboratory, de

la Peña said, are—production of plants without seeds; production of plants from seeds or stems that may otherwise have low chance of growing; novel hybrids; genetically modified plants with improved traits; and production of plants in sterile conditions with greatly reduced chances of transmitting disease, pests and pathogens. “This [project] is a quid pro quo as the DOST would learn from our gardeners at the same time our gardeners would learn scientifically from the DOST,” Cruz said in a briefing for the BusinessMirror executives and journalists at Garden City in Guiguinto, Bulacan, on May 4. Cruz disclosed that he plans to create a Guiguinto Garden Authority (GGA) that would be attached to the Municipal Agriculture Office to oversee and ensure the growth of the locality’s cutflower industry in the future. The GGA would undertake necessary policy-making decisions and interventions to spur the development of its cutflower industry, which they aim to be considered as the

SCIENCE Secretary Fortunato de la Peña (center) leads the visit to the planned site of Guiguinto’s Garden City Innovative Laboratory for Tissue Culture for Ornamental Plants. He is joined by Mayor Ambrosio Cruz Jr., BusinessMirror Publisher T. Anthony Cabangon, DOST Central Luzon Director Dr. Julius Caesar V. Sicat, DOST officials and staff, and BusinessMirror and Graphic staff. HENRY ANSALDO DE LEON Garden Capital of Southeast Asia, Cruz added. “We are confident we are on-track [to become the Garden Capital of the Philippines by 2022]. In a scale of 1 to 10, I could say we are already at 7,” he said. “Our name itself is a challenge to us. Guiguinto means ‘to be gold,’ and to be gold is to be No. 1,” he added. The 2-hectare Garden City serves as the municipality’s showcase area on the advancement of its local cutflower industry. At present, Cruz said they plan to convert 30 hectares to 50 hectares of the municipality’s rice fields into cutflower-propagation farms to further expand the land dedicated to gardening. Cruz added that the local government is encouraging rice farmers to lease their rice fields to gardeners to

earn more. He explained that farmers could earn P240,000 annually for leasing their land. This amount, he said, is beyond the reach of Guiguinto rice farmers due to low palay yield. Cruz said the local government has convinced some rice farmers to lease 7 to 8 hectares. Guiguinto is well-known for its horticulture business that is continually expanding, particularly the propagation and business of ornamental plants for landscape purposes, a briefing paper from DOST said. Currently, there are 86 registered garden plant farmers in the municipality, most of which are members of the Garden City Multipurpose Cooperative (MPC). The municipality’s ornamental plant business alone has been estimated to be worth over P300 million.

With the great potential of ornamental-plant farming, the municipal government supports the promotion of the ornamental plant business by holding the annual Halamanan Festival and Landscape competition. With the implementation of Republic Act 10816, or the Farm Tourism Development Act of 2016, there is an increasing interest in the application of tourism in the field of agriculture or farming, the briefer said. Following this interest, the DOST implemented the Science for the Convergence of Agriculture and Tourism Program, wherein identified farm sites are given technical assistance to prepare them in their certification as Farm Tourism sites by the Department of Tourism. As one of the identified farm sites

included in this program, the Garden City MPC are being provided with technological interventions for the capability building of their farmer-members. In order to supplement this intervention, the DOST Central Luzon, in collaboration with the local government of Guiguinto, is planning to establish the tissue culture laboratory for ornamental plants and cutflowers at the Garden City Showcase Site. The collaborative project of DOST Central Luzon and LGU Guiguinto, iLAB Garden City aims to provide technical assistance to the ornamental plant farmers in the municipality of Guiguinto through the establishment of a tissue culture laboratory intended for the research, development and propagation of ornamental plants. Currently, the ornamental plant farmers in Garden City employ conventional farm practices such as cuttings, marcotting and grafting. However, such conventional practices have high mortality rates of transplants and may not be applicable for some ornamental plant species. Specifically, the project is comprised of three components. First, the Guiguinto government will administer the construction of the building to house the laboratory as their counterpart in the project. Cruz said this could be startted within the year. Second, the provision of necessary laboratory equipment and apparatus for the operation of the plant tissue culture laboratory. And, third, the employment of laboratory personnel and provision of necessary and appropriate technical trainings for the capability building of the laboratory personnel involved.

MINDANAO GEARS UP AS PHL ELECTRONICS POWERHOUSE

THE Philippine Robotics National Team (Team CYLLO from De La Salle Zobel) with Mylene Abiva of Felta Multi-Media (left) at the FLL World Championship in Houston, Texas. FELTA

THE Philippine Robotics National Team (DYCI Blue Ocean’s 10 from Dr. Yanga’s College Inc.) with Abiva (left) at the First Lego League World Championship in Houston, Texas. FELTA

PHL ROBOTICS TEAM SCORES DOUBLE VICTORY IN FIRST LEGO LEAGUE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

HE Philippines’s adventure into space is getting more exciting. After the launching into space of small satellites Diwata-1 and 2 and Maya-1, Filipinos—especially elementary and high-school students—are now setting their eyes on the world beyond our planet. One of the concerns in the government’s space program is the sustainability of human resources. In answer to this, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the University of the Philippines and other universities are currently offering courses leading to expertise in satellite technology. But the space scientists and government leaders need not worry—because even the Filipino schoolchildren are already into it. Two teams of young students from the Philippines won two top awards in the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST ) Lego League World Championship held in Houston, Texas, from April 15 to 21 for their projects concerning astronauts in space. The impressive creations of the Philippine

Robotics National Team made the life of astronauts in space cozier. The national delegation, comprised two teams—DYCI Blue Ocean’s 10 from Dr. Yanga’s College Inc. (ages 12 to 17) and Team CYLLO from De La Salle Zobel (ages 6 to 12). DYCI’s Blue Ocean’s 10, with team members Jocas Arabella Cruz, Abigail Silva, Denise Carpio, Naiah Nicole Mendoza, Raingel Vryse Mendoza, Rodel Christian Alcantara, Ma. Anne Geline Doneth de la Rama, Paul Jaren Perez, Lara Monique Narciso, Head Coach Beryl Jhan Cruz and Assistant Coach Lemuel Francisco, emerged as Champion’s Award Finalist for their work, titled “Project Fuse,” besting 109 teams from 74 countries. Their winning piece is a virtual reality game that connects astronauts in space to their families on Earth through live virtual-reality video chat with physical interaction through a robot. This year’s challenge, “Into Orbit,” tasked students to explore how to solve the physical and social problems associated with long-duration space flight.

Team CYLLO won the Explore and Discover Award with their project that aims to solve the problem of supplying enough food and oxygen to astronauts on the moon by creating a robot that can sustain the life of cyanobacteria. The challenge for the Junior League, “Mission Moon,” was to learn about the Earth’s moon and what is needed to live there. The team, composed of Zoie Francesca Aldave, Chito Salunga Roxas Jr., Franc Andre Dimatatac, Eduardo Matteo Valdez, Emmanuel Jace Savellano, Robert Philip Lim, with Head Coach Heinz Elorde and Assistant Coach Genevieve Pillar, bested 43 countries. Dubbed as “the world’s largest celebration of STEM [science, technology, engineering and mathematics] for students,” the FIRST Championship brings together tens of thousands of students from around the world who participate in the K to 12 Robotics program. This year, around 34,000 teams participated and only 109 teams reached the World Championships.

“The Philippines holds the Champion Award center stage in International Robotics and will continue to excel and showcase the brilliance of the Filipino Youth,” according to Felta Multi-Media Inc. President and CEO Mylene Abiva, who accompanied the team and is the national organizer of the Philippine Robotics Olympiad FLL P h i l i p p i n e s a n d t h e f i r s t Wo r l d R o b o t Olympiad Ambassador. Dr. Josette Biyo, director of Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI), lauded the team’s triumph in the international stage. “We thank our young robotics champions and the people behind their team for bringing honor to the country and inspiring others to get into robotics. This victory further motivates us at DOST-SEI to continue supporting our emerging robotics experts,” Biyo said. The Philippine Robotics National Team is set to compete again at the FLL European Open Championship in Izmir, Turkey, from May 20 to 27. S&T Media Service

8 FILIPINOS ON LIST OF 100 OUTSTANDING SCIENTISTS IN ASIA

IGHT Filipino scientists and researchers were included in the March 2019 Asian Scientist Magazine list of 100 scientists who are outstanding in their fields. The Filipino scientists are Drs. Rosalinda C. Torres and Marissa A. Paglicawan, both of the Industrial Technology Development Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (ITDI-DOST). They are joined by Artemio Salazar of the University of the Philippines (UP) Los Baños for agriculture; Rody Sy of UP Manila for biomedical science; Ricardo Balog of the University of Santo Tomas and Elmer Dadios of De La Salle University for engineering; Gay Jane Perez of UP Diliman

for environmental sciences and geology; and Charissa Marcaida Ferrera of UP Diliman for life sciences. Dr. Juliana Chan, founder and editor in chief of Asian Scientist Magazine and a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum herself, announced the names that qualified for inclusion in the 2019 Edition of the Asian Scientist 100. Asian Scientist listed its first 100 scientists in 2016. Those named on the list were gathered from diverse disciplines that covered from materials science to molecular biology and particle physics. The list named representatives from China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

These include 17 in Life Sciences, 15 in Biomedical Science, 12 in Engineering, 12 in Materials Science, nine in Leadership, eight in Chemistry, eight in Environmental Sciences and Geology, seven in Agriculture, seven in Mathematics and five in Physics. Torres, who is Scientist I and Chief of the Standards and Testing Division of ITDI-DOST, qualified under Chemistry for her research on the larvicidal ability of Philippine medicinal plants. Paglicawan, also Scientist I and head of the Advanced Materials Section at the Materials Science Division of ITDI-DOST, qualified under Materials Science for her research on turning Manila hemp or abaca into an engineering material.

Japanese researchers dominate both disciplines. The “100 outstanding thinkers and innovators from Asia who are pushing the envelope with their research” are making Asia the striking center of radical research and development efforts, the magazine said. The Asia Scientist Magazine reported that Asia currently supplies the world a quarter of its publications written by Asians now numbering a third of all scientific researchers worldwide. It added that the 2010 US National Science Foundation Key Science and Engineering Indicators reported that these represented a shift in the world’s scientific research center of gravity to Asia. S&T Media Service

HE country’s science leaders expressed optimism that Mindanao will soon be a powerhouse of expertise in electronics as the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) becomes a training hub of integrated circuit (IC) designers. Executive Director Dr. Enrico C. Paringit of the Department of Science and TechnologyPhilippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) called on the electronics industry players to train their sights in Mindanao for experts in IC design as MSU-IIT continues to produce highly trained and knowledgeable engineers in the said field. “Mindanao is not only the land of promise but of promising engineers in the field of electronics. The crop of engineers that MSU-IIT produced under our research programs is on a par with their peers elsewhere in the country and may even be better,” he said. MSU-IIT is on its third year of implementing the “µC-IC: Design of Microprocessor Integrated with Energy Harvesting and Power Management” program that aimed to design and fabricate a customized microcontroller IC chip that can harvest energy from ambient sources and perform vital functions for smart buildings, smart farming, risk reduction control and industrial applications, among others. Paringit expressed optimism that the program did not only produce good design but better IC designers. MSU-IIT Engr. Allenn Lowaton, program leader of the µC-IC, said the program was driven with their desire to cultivate microelectronics awareness in Mindanao by designing IC chips. “We want to be pioneers of R&D [research a n d d e ve l o p m e nt ] i n t h e e l e c t ro n i c s field by not only delving into designing and fabrication of IC chips but also by preparing the needed human resource for sustainability,” he explained. Taking off last March 2017, the first MSU-IIT designed chips that were fabricated in Taiwan and China have been all executed and are scheduled for testing from April to May this year, while the second chip fabrications are targeted between August and September this year. By 2020, deployment of the final wireless sensor network board will be expected

together with an industr y par tner and company customer revisit. Also anchored in the program is the capability building of MSU-IIT Microelectronics Laboratory in designing and fabricating of digital ICs with product development. Related to this, various IC design trainings, such as Basic Analog IC Design, IC Design Layout and Operational Amplifier Design were conducted for students and faculty in 12 universities in Mindanao. Mentoring were also provided to university partners like Surigao State University, Holy Cross of Davao College, Xavier University, Jose Rizal Memorial State University and Notre Dame of Midsayap College, among others. More than trainings, the program was also able to produce a total of 40 Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Communications Engineering graduates, 14 of which are now working in local IC design companies. Meanwhile, 10 Master of Science in Electrical Engineering graduates are currently working in academe and in IC design companies, as well. As a result of the extensive capacity building, nine paper publications related to the program were presented and recognized internationally during the 2018 IEEE International Conference on Control, Electronics, Renewable Energy and Communications, and in the 10th International Conference on Humanoid, Nanotechnology, Information Technology, Communication and Control, Environment and Management. Lowaton shared that partnerships were already sealed with CAMP, Iligan Light and Power Inc., Pilmico Foods Corp. as industry partners or customers for product evaluation. In addition, for further training partnership and manpower pooling, Xinyx Semiconductor, Surigao State College of Technology and Holy Cross of Davao College inked agreements, while more trainings are slated for the year-3 of the program. Paringit said that the Philippines will soon be a powerhouse in electronics as the country’s human resource is increasing. “We believe that with the exemplary and accelerated pace capabilities at which electronics exper ts is being produced, Mindanao will offer technology-oriented industries to complement its strong economic base,” he added. S&T Media Service

Faith A10 Sunday, May 19, 2019

Sunday

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

Catholics mark 102nd year of Fatima apparitions

HE Catholic Church celebrated the 102nd anniversary of the famous Fatima apparitions reverberating the same message made by the Blessed Virgin Mary, calling mankind to repent now for the world to attain a genuine and lasting peace. “The apparitions of Mary in 1917 at Fatima happened for six consecutive months, from May to October, every 13th of the month,” Fr. Omer Prieto of the Immaculate Mary Cathedral in Cubao, Quezon City, said in a recent interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA). “Here, God is revealing to the world that Mary is indeed the ‘woman who will crush the head of the serpent,’ as written in the Bible [Genesis 3:15],” Prieto added. It was on May 13, 1917, that the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared before three young shepherds—Lucia, 10, Francisco, 9, and Jacinta, 7, in Fatima, Portugal. So timely was the apparition of this “woman-in-battle,” because, that year, 1917, atheist communism started to reign in Russia. God sent Mary through these apparitions to lead humanity to fight and conquer Satan and all his cohorts. Her apparent triumph was manifested amazingly during her last apparition on October 13 with the miracle of the ‘dancing sun,” a biblical image of Mary as ‘woman clothed with sun’ [Revelations 12:1],” Prieto pointed out. He said it is about time people should heed the call of the Blessed Virgin to repent and return to God. Prieto added that the troubles in the world like wars in many countries, terror attacks, manmade and natural disasters, and crisis in the church are part of the purification process for mankind to heed the call for penance. C hurc h documents on t he Fatima apparition disclosed that Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta were playing at Cova da Iria when they saw two flashes like lightning, with the Mother of God appearing above a holm oak. According to Lucia, “A lady dressed in white, more brilliant than the sun…her face, indescribably beautiful, was ‘neither sad nor happy, but serious,’ with an air of mild reproach. Her hands, joined together as if she was praying, were resting at her breast and pointing upward. A rosary hung from her right hand.” “The seers were so close to Our Lady—about a yard and a half away—that they stood within the light that radiated from her,” Church records show.

It was also during the apparitions that the Virgin Mary relayed to the three shepherds, the “Three Secrets of Fatima.” In the first message, the Blessed Mother said that World War I, which was then raging in Europe, was about to end, and World War II would erupt if man continues his sinfulness that angers God. According to Aleteia, an international Catholic network, in 2000, then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who later became who later became Pope Benedict XVI, clarified the signs and symbols found in the Marian apparitions. “For the past century, individuals around the world have developed theories meant to decipher the hidden message of the three ‘secrets’ of Fatima. Yet, Sister Lucia said herself that ‘the interpretation belonged not to the visionary but to the Church.’ It is up to the Church to interpret the various signs and symbols of Our Lady of Fatima to give the faithful a clear guide in understanding what God wants to reveal to us,” Ratzinger said. Aleteia said that Ratzinger, who was then the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, wrote “a lengthy theological commentary interpretation of the famous ‘Third Secret.’” Ratzinger was tasked “of clarifying the signs and symbols found in the visions of Our Lady, and made some striking discoveries,” it added. Here are five surprising revelations found in the “Third Secret” of Our Lady of Fatima as interpreted by Ratzinger.

‘Penance, penance, penance!’

“THE key word of this third part is the threefold cry: ‘Penance, penance, penance!’ The beginning of the Gospel comes to mind: ‘Repent and believe the Good News’ [Mark 1:15]. To understand the signs of the times means to accept the urgency of penance—of conversion—of faith. This is the correct response to this moment of history, characterized by the grave perils outlined in the images that follow.” “The central message of Our Lady of Fatima was ‘penance.’ She sought to remind the world of the need to turn away from evil and

5TH SUNDAY OF EASTER: ‘JOHN 13:31-35’

THE NOVELTY OF THE ‘NEW’ COMMANDMENT MSGR. JOSEFINO S. RAMIREZ SUNDAY GOSPEL IN OUR LIFE

HE gospel today is about the so-called new commandment. When Judas Iscariot had left the company of the apostles in order to carry out his work of betrayal, Jesus gave this commandment to the remaining eleven. “A new commandment I give you, that you love one another: that as I have loved you, you should also love one another.” Jesus added, “By this with all men know that you are my disciples” (John 13:34-35). The Christian will not be identified by

any other quality—not by his intelligence, nor his humility, not his chastity. He will be recognized by his fraternal charity. Jesus called this the “new”commandment. And we can ask, “What is so new about this commandment?” Was it not already in the Old Testament that we should love our neighbor as ourselves? It seems that the novelt y in this commandment lies in the kind of love by which we have to love one another. Jesus

repair the damage done by our sins. This is the ‘key’ to understand the rest of the ‘secret.’” Everything revolves around the need for repentance.

‘We have forged the flaming sword’

“THE angel with the flaming sword on the left of the Mother of God recalls similar images in the book of Revelation. This represents the threat of judgment which looms over the world. Today the prospect that the world might be reduced to ashes by a sea of fire no longer seems pure fantasy: man himself, with his inventions, has forged the flaming sword. “The vision then shows the power which stands opposed to the force of destruction—the splendor of the Mother of God and stemming from this in a certain way, the summons to penance.” Aleteia added: “This particular part of the apparition tends to be the most distressing. It appears that God may strike us all down with a ‘flaming sword.’ However, Cardinal Ratzinger makes the point that the flaming sword would be something that we create [like the atomic bomb] as opposed to any fire that comes down from heaven. The good news is that the vision records the flaming sword ‘died out in contact with the splendor [of] Our Lady’ in connection to the call of ‘penance, penance, penance.’ The Blessed Mother has the final say, and her radiance can stop any cataclysm.”

“As from Christ’s death, from his wounded side, the Church was born, so the death of the witnesses is fruitful for the future life of the Church. Therefore, the vision of the third part of the ‘secret,’ so distressing at first, concludes with an image of hope: No suffering is in vain, and it is a suffering Church, a Church of martyrs, which becomes a signpost for man in his search for God.” It is true that the vision contains much suffering and peril, but it is not in vain. The Church may have to suffer much in the coming years, and this should come as no surprise. The Church has undergone persecution ever since the crucifixion, and our suffering in the present time will only produce good effects in the future.

‘I have overcome the world’

“THE concluding part of the ‘secret’… is a consoling vision, which seeks to open a history of blood and tears to the healing power of God. Beneath the arms of the cross, angels gather up the blood of the martyrs, and with it they give life to the souls making their way to God….

“‘MY Immaculate Heart will triumph.’ What does this mean? The heart open to God, purified by contemplation of God, is stronger than guns and weapons of every kind…The Evil One has power in this world…he has power because our freedom continually lets itself be led away from God. “But…the freedom to choose evil no longer has the last word … the word that prevails is this: ‘In the world you will have tribulation, but take heart; I have overcome the world’ [John 16:33]. The message of Fatima invites us to trust in this promise.” The secret of Fatima, Aleteia said, “gives us hope in the midst of world torn by greed, selfishness and war. Satan will not triumph, and his evil plans will be thwarted by the Immaculate Heart of Mary. There may be suffering in the near future, but if we cling tightly to Jesus and His mother, we will remain victorious.” Filipino Marian devotees celebrated the 102nd anniversary of the Fatima apparitions with fervor by praying the Holy Rosary continuously in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary for the world to be saved from perdition, where tentacles of terrorism have spread to various parts of the world, the most disastrous of which was the 9/11 terror attack in the United States on September 11, 2001, that killed nearly 3,000. Many countries, including the Philippines, have been under terror attacks, such as the Marawi City attack in 2017, and the most recent attack in a Catholic Church in Jolo, Sulu. Despite all the troubles around the world today, God has not abandoned His flock by calling man to repent now, and by turning our way to God now, not later, before it is too late. Ben Cal/PNA

Christ sets the standard, making His own love the model: “as I have loved you.” How did Christ love His disciples? He loved them with the divine love. What is the difference between the love of God for us and the way that we ordinarily love one another? Usually, we get to love a person because of the good qualities that we see in that person. At that most superficial level, we judge the appearances of a person, and we may be attracted to a person’s beauty. Going a bit deeper, we can appreciate the qualities of someone’s personality, especially the virtues that a person possesses. So we can say that human love looks for the goodness in its object and is then attracted to it. This is not the way that Jesus loved us. With respect to His disciples, Jesus was not moved to love them because of their inherent qualities. In fact, besides their sincerity and simplicity, they did not have too many qualities to boast of. Peter was impulsive, James and John were ambitious, Thomas was hard-headed. And these were the most outstanding of them.

The love of Jesus did not seek goodness— Jesus impar ted it to them. Jesus was altruistic, He did not seek His own benefit in any way. When he gave His life up to redeem mankind, He Himself had nothing to gain by it. Saint John described this very well, saying: “In this love, not that we have loved God, but that He has first loved us.” Then he continues, applying the lesson of the new commandment, “If God has so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:10-11). We can conclude that the novelty of the new commandment lies in this–our love for one another should have the love of God as the standard and the motivation. We should love ever yone, without exception, because they are all children of the same Father. And when we find it hard to love someone because of the lack of good qualities or because that person may have done us some harm, we should think of the example of Christ who forgave the very people who were responsible for nailing Him to the cross.

Future not set in stone

“THE importance of human freedom is underlined: The future is not in fact unchangeably set, and the image which the children saw is in no way a film preview of a future in which nothing can be changed. Indeed, the whole point of the vision is to bring freedom onto the scene and to steer freedom in a positive direction…[the vision] is meant to mobilize the forces of change in the right direction.” Contrary to popular belief, the intense visions granted by Our Lady of Fatima are not a preview of what will come to pass. They are a preview of what could happen, if we do not respond to Our Lady’s call to penance and conversion of heart. We still retain our free will and are urged to use it for the good of all humanity.

The blood of martyrs

SAINT Elizabeth of Hungary: Miracle of the roses painting by Karl von Blaas WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Roses on Earth from heaven By Corazon Damo-Santiago

HREE flowers are cited in the bible: the crocus, lily and the rose. Among the three, the rose is the most prominent—the most “perfect flower in beauty, looks and even smell.” It is the symbol of love, spring, life, purity, fertility, earthly passion and perfection, virginity, and death. It is also the flower associated with Mary, Queen of Heaven. Roses adorn altars, statues and the Blessed Sacrament. It is a favorite flower in the gardens of convents and monasteries. Saint Ambrose believed there were roses in the Garden of Eden, without thorns. After the fall of paradise, the rose became a thorny bush. The Blessed Mother, who is immaculately conceived, is compared to a rose without thorns. Saint Bernard of Clairvaux compared her virginity to a white rose and a red rose for her charity. Saint Dominic, who instituted the rosary, compared each bead to a rose, and a garland or a crown of roses for the Queen of Heaven. The rose represents God’s love in Dante’s Divine Comedy. In the 12th century the red rose was associated with Christ’s passion and the blood of martyrs. The oldest roses are a thousand years old. The rosebush is in the old cathedral of Hildesheim in Germany. Documented as early as 815 in “Amazing Facts About Roses,” the rose plants survived the 1945 bombing of the cathedral.

Rose of Sharon

“ROSE of Sharon” is the phrase used by poets and songwriters in their art works. It is the first verse in chapter 2 of Song of Songs, the “sublime portrayal and praise of the mutual love between the Lord and his people,” and, likewise, an “inspired portrayal of human love,” written by an unknown poet after the Babylonian exile in 538 BC. Sharon is a large valley in Palestine. During King Solomon’s time, Sharon was one of the fertile plains with beautiful flowers. Shulamite, Solomon’s bride, according to Michael Bradley in “Jesus as the Rose of Sharon,” noted that it is she who said “I am the rose of Sharon.” The New Testament refers to the Church as the bride of Jesus, with Jesus as the bridegroom. This interpretation implies the perfect relationship that God desires between Jesus and men. Jesus, the perfect being in a lover analogy, “describes the personal relationship that He wants.” Thus, Jesus, the bridegroom, as in nor ma l relat ionships among man should give us a rose—Himself. “Jesus is actually referred to as the flower,” the Sharon, for Jesus, indeed is perfect love.

Bread to roses

n Saint Didacus of Alcala de

Henares in Spain, also known as Saint Diego de San Nicolas, was a hermit before joining the Franciscans as a lay brother. He loved the poor and was concerned about their sustenance. He often took as much bread as he could carry for them. One day, leaving the seminary with his cloak full of bread, he was challenged to unfold his cloak. He did, and roses, instead of bread, were seen. Although he died of abscess on November 12, 1463, his incorrupt body exuded a fragrant scent. n Saint Germaine Cousin was born in Pibrac, 10 miles from Toulouse, France, in 1579. Born with deformities, her mother died while she was still in the cradle. Unloved by her father and stepmother she was fed with leftovers and made to sleep under the stairs of the house or in the stable. When she was big enough, she was assigned as shepherdess. She accepted everything with simplicity and faith. One winter day, her stepmother chased her with a stick accusing her of filling her apron with stolen bread. Ordered to unfold it, fragrant flowers of unknown variety stunned those who saw them. Germaine died at 22. Her incorrupt body for 200 years was destroyed with quicklime during the French Revolution. n Saint Elizabeth of Hungary was the wife of Louis (Ludwig) of Thuringia and Hesse, now Germany. The first member of the Third Order of Saint Francis of Assisi in Germany, she was kind and generous to the poor and the needy. In 1225, when Germany was experiencing famine during the king’s absence, she nearly exhausted the palace grain storage of the palace household, a complaint cited by Joan Carroll Cruz in Secular Saints. Once on a mission of mercy, she was approached by the king to ask what she was concealing in her apron. When she opened her apron, roses, instead of loaves of bread, were seen. n Saint Casilda of Toledo, Spain, was the daughter of a Muslim king. Kind to Christian prisoners, she would hide bread in her clothes for them. One day, she was apprehended by Muslim soldiers. She had no choice but reveal what she was carrying in her skirt. But it was not bread that the soldiers saw but a bouquet of roses. She lived to be 100 in solitude and penance. She died in 1050. 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 19, 2019 A11

The 1st touchdown on Calayan Island

Story & photos by Joshua Berida

T was the 27th of March and our plane hovered over the sea as it prepared to land. We were on the maiden flight from Manila to Calayan Island via Vigan. The excitement of the passengers was palpable; cameras were out and phones were ready, pictures were taken and videos were rolling. We looked out of the windows to see the islands; cerulean waters wrapped around them and trees made them look a vibrant green with a hint of brown from above. The airplane descended, touched down on the runway and braked. We finally arrived. The locals came out and greeted us; the short program showed us their culture and love of community. The elation was on their faces because the airport was finally opened after years of waiting. Mayor Alfonso M. Llopis’s remarks underlined the vision that the local government has for their municipality, as well as their dreams for the future generation. The planned developments were not only for tourism and commercial purposes, but also for the communities on the island.

A frontier destination

WE hit the ground running right after the festivities of the first ever flight to Calayan started. We dropped our bags at our accommodation and went to the port for the boat ride to Sibang Cove. We boarded a speed boat that rode the choppy waters. As we approached our destination, we caught a glimpse of Sibang. The unruly sea became calm and Jurassic-like rock formations towered over the white sand shore. Our boat docked and we alighted; my feet touched the powdery sand and felt the warm, emerald waters. We were not the first ones to set foot here, but Sibang had a certain rawness and newness about it. The beach seemed like it stayed the same for years, despite the trickle

WE walked along the beautiful beach of Sibang toward our lunch area.

SIBANG Cove’s Jurassic-like appearance and emerald waters beckon visitors.

NAGUDUNGAN Hill overlooks Sibang Cove and its serene surroundings.

LUSSOK Cave has two entrances that lead to a lagoon.

CALAYAN’S landscape is rugged but beautiful.

CAANAWAN Falls and its pool is a great place to cool off.

of adventurous visitors. The sky was partly clear blue and cloudy, and the waves ebbed and flowed slowly and powerfully. I walked along the shore and felt the warmth of the sea wrap around my ankle. Craggy rock formations bobbed their heads in and out as the waves came and went. I followed the rest of our group to have lunch before continuing the day’s activities. After a reenergizing seafood meal, we were on our way to Nagudungan Hill. The trek took us through the rugged landscape of Calayan; we climbed up the rocks and followed trails that led to the hill top. The overlooking views of Sibang Cove, the surroundings and rock formations were spectacular. I imagined the waves that crashed into the rocks and hills, tectonic plates moved and forced land masses up or down, and natural disasters that carved them over time. Some parts of the landscape look like the very motions that shaped them, wavy, uneven and

beautiful. I took photos, but also put my camera down to soak in the views, to feel the bumpy Earth beneath my feet as I explore and watch the sunlight turn the scenery into different shades of green and brown. It was already dark when we left the hill and Sibang Cove. We returned to our beachfront accommodation. It was quiet, typical of a rural village in the Philippines. There were faint chirping sounds of insects, the zooming of motorcycles on their way home and the gentle lap of the waves marking the day’s end. We waited at the port for boats to take us to another island; our next destination. The group I was in had to board a small coast guard speedboat with no cover. We felt the undu-

JUMPING off a cliff into Lussok’s lagoon is a thrill.

lating of the waves, each big and small rise and fall. We were wet, but we’re fine. Our boat docked and followed our guide to Lussok Cave. The cave had two openings that led to a bluish lagoon. We put our bags aside and jumped off a cliff into the water. For a moment we played like children, we took turns jumping in and out of the natural pool, and swam and waded till our hearts’ content. After swimming, we left for our next destination aboard the boats we arrived in. We ate lunch before boarding the habal-habal or motorcycle taxis to the trail that led to Caanawan Falls. It was an easy downward walk through a forest where vines were sometimes as big as the trees’ branches. I already heard Caanawan’s splashing water

N grade school, I remember going on a field trip in Subic. I’d be hard-pressed to tell you exactly where we went—all I can remember was seeing a big sign that said “Subic Seaplane.” From that day on, Subic and seaplane, to me, were one and the same. Weird, I know, but such is the whim of childhood memories. As an adult, I’ve returned to Subic several times. Always for work, for I never saw this place as a host to my brand of leisure. I enjoy the outdoors. Subic has museums—some are kooky and novel, but are indoors nonetheless. I thrive on mountains and forests. Subic has outlet stores and duty-free shops. It’s a freeport zone for god’s sake. But this says more about me than it does about Subic. I was quick to judge this place, relegating it as somewhere to get imported chocolates and cheap branded clothes. Yet, in spite of my affront, Subic remained generous and had let me in on its wild side.

SUBIC’S seascape is sprinkled with cargo ships.

Dusk voyage

CARGO ships are ubiquitous in Subic Bay, but so, too, are yachts and sail boats. In fact, it is home to the Subic Sailing Club, an organization responsible for a different kind of experience this side of Luzon. Surrounding the periphery of the bay are the jagged forms of the Zambales mountain range. A sheet of silver, dotted here and there with shipping vessels, spread before it. Come the golden hour, sunfall gilds the bay and everything turns almost poetic. You can have a front row seat to this living ode by getting on one of the vessels offered by the club. You have a choice among yachts, sailboats, speedboats, jet skis and kayaks. If you want to go the traditional route, a number of paraw (double outrigger sailboat) are also available for rent. The rates are, admittedly, a little bonkers— yacht rental starts at P40,000. But if you have money to spare (or are friends with people who do) and are looking to see a different side of Subic, well, then why the heck not? Aside from rentals, the club also offers boat

tours to nearby coves in Zambales like Nagsasa, and Talisayen. If getting buzzed out sea is your thing, then better watch out for the summer yacht parties. Regatta, the popular boat race, is also organized by the club. Should you want to learn how to hoist a mast and make like a sailor, they also offer sailing lessons.

Forest bathing

LIKE I said, I’ve always known Subic to don a modern façade. I’ve never bought the whole “jungle adventure” malarkey the place keeps promoting. So imagine my surprise when I found out that there’s a huge tract of woods the place had managed to keep intact. Right on the border to Bataan is a forest the indigenous Aetas call home. Within it is a hiking trail known as El Kabayo. MAD (Make a Difference) Travel had extended its Tribes and Treks program to this side of Subic Bay. Working with members of the Pastolan tribe of the Aetas, the El Kabayo Trail showcases both nature and culture. The path is perfect for beginners. It’s nothing technical; meandering with gentle inclines and descents. Patches of bamboo copses are scattered across the forest. Lofty trees like Tangisangbayawak, Cupang and Banaba form an awning of beautiful foliage overhead, allowing the trail to remain cool even in high noon. This same canopy lends sunlight a dreamy emerald hue. Men of the Pastolan tribe serve as guides through this trail. They lead the way with utter sureness, spewing tree names like names of old friends. Water vines, whose contents are safe for trekkers to drink, are picked out with ease from what appears, to the untrained eye, to be a mere jumble of shrub and bush. All throughout the trail, folkloric botanical information is shared, stopping by some species of trees and plants for emphasis. The trek feels like a long, pleasant tree walk. The trail then proceeds to a grove where

were not the first ones to experience these, but it all felt old and new at the same time. The usual way to reach the Calayan island is by boat from either Aparri or Claveria. This voyage aboard a ‘lampitaw’ takes approximately six hours or longer depending on the weather. The unruly sea could make a planned few days; stay stretch to a week or so. The construction of the airport holds a lot of promise, not just for tourists but also for locals. It could make an otherwise long and potentially dangerous journey into a short and safe trip. However, this comes with a caveat, more visitors coming and investors with grand plans. Calayan now has alternative routes, both good and bad, that could determine its future.

Sailing through the charming isles

TO THE SUNSET AND SLOPES OF SUBIC Story & photos by Celine Murillo

on our approach. I stepped into its cool, natural pool as soon as I got close. The refreshing water was the remedy I needed in the sweltering heat of the afternoon. We capped off our day standing under the powerful cascade of Caanawan, taking photos and wading in its pool. We made our way back to the port where our boats waited. It was already late in the afternoon when we returned to the resort. The day was waning; the blue sky began to turn into a faint orange with a touch of violet. We were about to leave for another first the next day, a flight from Calayan to Batanes. I looked back at our brief stay on the island; its friendly locals, bucolic atmosphere, its silence, its rawness, its beauty. We

THE El Kabayo Trail feels like a long, pleasant tree walk.

the men demonstrate the jungle survival skills the Aetas are fabled for. They start with carving utensils from bamboo, and end the demonstrations with trekkers attempting to make a fire from bamboo stalks and wood dust. On the way back, a different turn is taken, toward a waterfall also known as El Kabayo. The cascade is modest compared to others I’ve seen but the lagoon it feeds has cool, refreshing waters. If you have enough time, it is a good idea to take a breather and go for a dip. Back at the jump off, Pastolan women would have lunch ready, a spread cooked with locally sourced ingredients. Later, they would share their traditional herbal healing practices, and would even have some cuttings you could take home. Speaking of souvenirs, woven bracelets and bamboo carvings made by the tribesfolk are also for sale.

HE Philippines has an archipelago dotted with over charming 7,500 islands and an almost infinite coastline of powdery beaches. Arguably, one of the most exciting and adventurous ways to explore them is by sailing around them, especially in the lush western seaboard of the Philippine seas. The Philippine Inter-Island Sailing Federation (Phinsaf), the exponent of long-distance sailing in the country, just did this with the recent staging of the Punta Fuego to Busuanga Race which blends competitive yachting and exploring the gorgeous islands along the way. The 135-nautical mile regatta, which ran from Nasugbu, Batangas to northern Palawan, attracted its largest fleet so far with 17 sailing and two motor yachts from the yacht clubs of Punta Fuego, Manila, Puerto Galera and Subic Bay. Now on its third edition, the unique race allows boats to start at any time based on their navigators’ best estimate of the wind conditions. Early finishing times were made for the Cruising Class which has the option to transfer to the Cruising or Motoring class, whose times are multiplied by 1.5 to achieve an expanded total elapsed time and give the slower cruising boats a fair chance. The early starters benefited from a 6-knot northeasterly rising to 15 knots as they crossed the Calavite Passage and fading again as they entered the wind shadow of Mindoro Occidental. The

Subic surprise

HAVING experienced this pair of activities, I can safely say that I would no longer associate Subic with seaplanes. While duty-free stores and kitschy museums will always be part of its image, I would also remember it, unlikely as it may seem, as a place of vibrant sunsets and thriving woods.

PUNTA Fuego to Busuanga Race

passage is known for merciless winds and steep waves which many sailors dread. An additional benefit of the variable start time is for boats to all arrive at approximately the same time for a beach lunch on the beautiful South Cay Island managed by the Busuanga Bay Lodge Resort. Captain Napoleon, sailing two-handed, mastered the conditions to win the Cruising Class in the recent despite the unpredictable wind conditions. Helmed by Napoleon Padarakis, the boat clocked an elapsed time of 32:16:13 to edge Makani Loa and Freewheler, which settled for second and third places, respectively. Meanwhile, Sole Leopard 40 Cariño of Monchu Garcia triumphed in the Ocean Multihull Class with an elapsed time of 34:27:3, outracing runners-up Mi Rosa and Winbell. Rounding up the winning circle is Selma Star of Subic Lighthouse Marina Resort led by Jun Avecilla which topped the elite International Rating Certificate (IRC) Class for the second year in a row with a time of 29:43:01, besting elite racers Bellatrix and Sabad, which won second and third places, respectively. Sponsored by Club Punta Fuego, Busuanga Bay Lodge, and supported by Broadwater Marine, Marina Del Sol Resort and Yacht Club, Anya Resort, Acea Subic Bay, Dusit Thani Hotel, and Air Juan, the sporting event seeks to put the archipelago on the world’s sailing map and promote sports tourism.

A12 Sunday, May 19, 2019

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

ITALIAN MEN STARTING TO MATTER IN TENNIS By Andrew Dampf The Associated Press

OME—After four decades of dormancy, male tennis players in Italy are finally showing signs of becoming as good as the women have been. Marco Cecchinato got things rolling by reaching the French Open semifinals last year—the first Italian man to reach the last four of a major since 1978. Fabio Fognini followed by becoming the first to win a Masters event by beating Rafael Nadal en route to the Monte Carlo title last month. And players like Matteo Berrettini and Lorenzo Sonego are in the process of breaking through, while teenagers Lorenzo Musetti and Jannik Sinner represent a bright future. All that success has resulted in record ticket sales at this week’s Italian Open—and some of the Italians could make a run at the French Open, which starts May 26. “The men haven’t reached this level in 40 years. So people are not coming only to see [Rafael] Nadal or [Serena] Williams, they’re coming to root for the Italians,” Italian Tennis Federation President Angelo Binaghi said. “It’s one thing to have 10,000 spectators. It’s another thing to have 10,000 fans. “This boom in men’s tennis is the next step in a process that began with the golden age of the women followed by the development of SuperTennis,” Binaghi added, referring to the federation’s highly successful TV channel. “A minute after Fognini won Monte Carlo I called the ticket office and they had already noticed a jump in sales.” The women’s golden age that Binaghi was referring to includes the four Fed Cup titles that Italy won between 2006 and 2013 with a team featuring Francesca Schiavone, Flavia Pennetta, Roberta Vinci and Sara Errani. Schiavone (2010 French Open) and Pennetta

(2015 US Open) also won Grand Slam titles, while Vinci (2015 US Open) and Errani (2012 French Open) were Grand Slam finalists. Corrado Barazzutti captained those winning Fed Cup teams and remains Italy’s Davis Cup captain. He’s also Fognini’s personal coach and played on the 1976 Italy team that won the Davis Cup—making him the link between generations. “A lot of it is because the skill level of our coaches has improved,” Barazzutti said. “We’re growing together with the players. And the federation is doing its part by assisting these coaches and players.” Berrettini, who recently won the Hungarian Open and reached the BMW Open final in Munich, Germany, in consecutive weeks, upset fifth-ranked Alexander Zverev on Tuesday before a raucous, soccer-like crowd at the Foro Italico. Sonego, who is 23 like Berrettini, came through qualifying to reach the quarterfinals in Monte Carlo. Musetti won this year’s Australian Open boys’ title at the age of 16—and he’s not even the country’s most promising young player. That title belongs to Sinner, the only 17-yearold in the top 400 of the rankings at No. 263. In Sinner’s first Masters Series match on Sunday, he rallied past American veteran Steve Johnson in three sets. That made Sinner the youngest player to win a match at the Italian Open since Goran Ivanisevic 30 years ago. “He’s the real deal,” said Riccardo Piatti, Sinner’s coach. “I’ve coached a lot of players and he’s certainly one of the best I’ve seen,” Piatti told The Associated Press, adding that Sinner has “similar potential” to top-ranked Novak Djokovic and Richard Gasquet, who he also coached to the top 10. “But we need to give him some time.” Piatti attributed the success of the home players to the proliferation of Challenger and

MARCO CECCHINATO celebrates after winning his men’s singles first round match against Alex de Minaur of Australia at the Italian Open in Rome on Monday. AP

Futures tournaments—the level just below the pro tour—around Italy. At No. 12, Fognini is within striking distance of becoming the first Italian man in the top 10 since Barazzutti achieved the feat in 1979. “Fabio has always been a talented player and now he’s got another component: He’s got a Grand Slam champion in his family,” Piatti said, referring to Pennetta, Fognini’s wife.

“Flavia understands him, assists him and encourages him. It’s definitely a favorable situation.” Fognini and the others are attempting to become the first local man to win the Italian Open since Adriano Panatta in 1976. “I’m coming in here with a bit more confidence, which is what I lacked in past years,” said Fognini, who is also known for his temper. “I’m a bit calmer. Winning a big tournament like

Monte Carlo put me a bit more at ease.” The Italians’ rise has also coincided with the addition of two big tournaments. The Next Gen ATP Finals, a year-ending event for the world’s top 21-and-under players, has been held in Milan since 2017. And from 2021-25, Turin will host the ATP Finals for the season’s top 8 singles players and doubles teams, taking over from current host London.

“I think this will change the whole thing in Italy,” coaching great Nick Bollettieri said in Rome. “When you have three or four young ones that will inspire the other young ones to keep going.” When Turin was recently awarded the ATP Finals, Binaghi announced that he expects an Italian to be competing in the tournament come 2021. “We’ve got players in the right position to make it there,” Barazzutti said. “Why not?”

Sharapova out of French Open T

WO-TIME French Open champion Maria Sharapova pulled out of the year’s second Grand Slam tournament on Tuesday because of her surgically repaired right shoulder. Sharapova announced her withdrawal on Instagram. “Sometimes the right decisions aren’t always the easiest ones,” she wrote. She said she has returned to practice and is

“slowly building the strength back” in her shoulder. The former No. 1 and owner of five major titles hasn’t competed anywhere since late January, when she withdrew from a tournament in Russia after winning her opening match there. In February, she said she had a “small procedure” on her shoulder, which was painful since last year because of a fraying tendon and small labrum tear. During a recent interview at the Italian Open, International Tennis Hall of Fame member Nick Bollettieri said Sharapova is at his academy “right now, training.” Asked whether Sharapova is contemplating retirement, the coach responded: “Not yet. I think she’s going to give it one more shot.” Play begins at the French Open on May 26. The 32-year-old Sharapova won the title at Roland Garros in 2012 to complete a career Grand Slam and collected the trophy at the clay-court major again in 2014. That was the last time she won a Grand Slam tournament. Since then, the Russian has been only an occasional participant in the sport’s four most prestigious events: This French Open will mark the eighth time in a span of 20 majors that she has been absent. Sharapova was sidelined for 15 months by a doping suspension after failing a drug test at the Australian Open in January 2016, then returned to the tour in April 2017 with a ranking too low to get into Grand Slam events. The French Open denied her a wild-card invitation, then she planned to try to qualify for Wimbledon before pulling out because of an injured left leg. Her right shoulder has been an issue over the years. She cut her 2018 season short in September because of problems with it. AP

ODOM

Lamar regrets cheating on ex-wife Khloé

OS ANGELES—Former National Basketball Association star Lamar Odom regrets cheating on his ex-wife, Khloé Kardashian, and lying to her about his addiction to cocaine during their four-year marriage. The 39-year-old tells People magazine he wishes he “could have been more of a man” and it still bothers him now, three years after they divorced. He also says he misses the Kardashian family. In excerpts from Odom’s upcoming book, Darkness to Light, Odom wrote he was the happiest he’s ever been after they married in 2009, one month after they met. But he eventually began having affairs and he wrote he couldn’t handle the “lethal cocktail of the spotlight, addiction, a diminishing career and infidelity.” He says Kardashian was by his side after his near-fatal overdose in 2015 and today he’s drug-free. AP

MARIA SHARAPOVA attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the Camp: Notes on Fashion exhibition recently in New York. AP

THE Women’s World Cup trophy is on display during its presentation in a Paris school recently. AP

FIFA MAKES STRIDES FOR WOMEN’S SOCCER

HEN Fifa released its global strategy for women’s soccer last year, it was met with some skepticism. But the sport’s governing body is making some strides in implementing the long-range plan—against a backdrop of this summer’s World Cup in France. Sarai Bareman, Fifa’s chief women’s football officer, told The Associated Press in a wide-ranging interview that there have been three preliminary, or pilot, workshops for member federations in Kuwait, Botswana and Latvia. There will be more individually tailored workshops as the year progresses. The aim is to help the federations across the globe develop in the women’s game— sometimes from the ground up. In Kuwait, for example, a women’s futsal league has begun to gain a foothold. Fifa has also been holding conferences dedicated to women’s soccer with each of the six

confederations over the past year, with a global event set for June before the start of the World Cup. Bareman has been extolling the power of the women’s game as the World Cup trophy made its way to each of the 24 nations competing in the tournament. While she must work within the confines of her organization, she is a sincere cheerleader for growing the sport. “I love waking up in the morning and scrolling through my Twitter feed and seeing all this amazing stuff that’s happening in the women’s game at the moment and especially building up to the Women’s World Cup this summer,” she said. “It’s really creating such a positive momentum and a positive vibe behind the women’s game, it’s awesome to see.” Bareman’s work coincides with efforts by players globally to call attention to inequality with the men’s game. The US women’s national team filed a federal lawsuit alleging discrimination. Maca Sanchez successfully

fought to be recognized as a professional by the Argentine women’s league. Ballon d’Or winner Ada Hegerberg isn’t playing for Norway’s World Cup-bound national team because of what she sees as the federation’s lack of respect for the women’s side. Fifa has faced increasing pressure in recent years over its management of the women’s game, which critics say gets short shrift. The organization came under fire four years ago before the start of the last World Cup over the artificial turf fields that were used. A group of players, led by US star Abby Wambach, took legal action, claiming that the men’s World Cup was always held on natural grass and holding the women’s event on turf amounted to discrimination. The tournament in Canada went on as planned. However, in the run-up to the event in France, Fifa has taken steps to address at least some concerns about inequity. AP

Young scientist falls in love with science, mathematics By Rizal Raoul Reyes

EACHING science and mathematics is a herculean challenge these days. Despite being digital natives, young people still regard science and mathematics as an Achilles heel. Nevertheless, there are still passionate Filipinos like Janice Lao who keep on hoping they are planting the seeds for future scientists like her. Inspired by her father’s work in mining and her mother’s advocacy in helping the marginalized sector, Lao wanted to be a catalyst for change at an early age. At 18, she read about the need for environmental scientists due to increasing pollution and its effects. She decided that that was what she was going to be. In college, Lao topped the first Bayer Young Environmental Envoy competition, representing the Philippines in a study tour in Germany. She was also named an Ayala Young Leader in 2002 by Ayala Foundation Inc. A graduate (with honors) of environmental science and development economics from the Ateneo de Manila University, Lao was the first Filipino to graduate from the Masters of Science in Environmental Change and Management from the University of Oxford (with a diploma from the Said Business School). She was a full scholar under the Shell-British Chevening program. Moreover, she was chosen by Harvard University’s TH Chan School of Public Health to attend the Executive Education Course in Sustainability Leadership in 2018. Lao’s expertise lies in sustainability management in business, climate change and green finance. She is one of the first Filipinos to work in this field. Her life’s mission is making business a force for good by embedding sustainability principles and programs that benefit society and enabling businesses to thrive. As an advocate of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), Lao speaks about her own experiences in overcoming the challenges of being a STEM professional. In a recent press interview, the mother of two shared her first-hand experiences in the journey toward science excellence.

Right foundation ACCORDING to Lao, she is what she is today “because of how my parents [Francis and Lita L. Lao] raised me.” Her parents— “my father as a mechanical engineer and

JANICE LAO among 100 Most Influential Filipinas in the World by Filipina Women’s Network, Manila, October 2014 my mother as an accountant”—were the first in their families to graduate college. “Because they had overcome so much, they wanted to prepare us for the harsh realities of the world without ever having to be given anything on a silver platter,” Lao said. “My parents expected excellence in

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school not because of the norm of the times, but because they knew we had more opportunities and resources than they did as children,” she added. “I remember being encouraged to read and articulate our insights every night at the dinner table. It taught me to think critically, and to consider it okay with being challenged for my views. Feedback was not MAY 19, 2019

seen as criticism, but as a gift; curiosity and questioning was not seen as stupidity, but delight in knowledge.” Lao said she believes “parents cannot protect us from pain, but they can help us overcome challenges, especially if we ask for help.” Continued on page 7

BusinessMirror

MUSIC

PUT3SKA’S GRAND REUNION

SETTING THE STANDARD IN SKA by Darwin Fernandez

F you don’t like the 12 names that won on election day, then get a load instead of 14 from a band that influenced the great ska music of the Philippines. Celebrating decades of music-making and excited for new horizons to be ventured, Put3ska couldn’t have picked a more ideal venue than the Music Museum, where they had one of their largest concerts at the height of their fame in the 1990s. Fusing all their years together in one special evening, some of the the band’s past personnel will share the stage with the present members in what promises to be an upbeat, big-band atmosphere. Throw-in perhaps a repertoire of some covers

of modern ditties that will prove remarkable music like those of Put3ska’s defy timelines. To perform are vocalists Scarlet Brown, Emelee Nicart and Mae Ylagan; drummers Brutus Lacano and Rogel de la Cruz, bassist Rommel Cruz, guitarist Arnold Morales, keyboardist Nomer de los Santos, trombone players Marvin Flores and Daniel Quianzon, saxophonist Richard Cruz and Joey de Guzman, as well

as trumpeters Eldie Siochi and Ruel Cabrera.

The comeback

IT’S been more than two decades since the crew members were put together in a room—literally. Fast-forward to just a few weeks back: the ever-present laughter among bandmates echoed in the event’s press conference, just like the reunion of friends. Lacano couldn’t help but tease Brown about how much time has affected the band: “Yung dating ganito ka-taas yung talon…ngayon hanggaang dito na lang,” putting his hands together in comparison. Regarding the concert, Brown said she felt “mixed emotions” that Put3ska is still around, but things have changed since they last performed. “Ngayon, ni nenerbyos [because of] the preparations. We want it to be the best show—ever,” she explained, as the room was filled with cheers. When the din died down, Brown went on to say: “It’s the

human factor. I’m not like the Myra of 20-plus years ago.” Feeding more of the “oohsand-aahs” of the venue, the boys of the horn section had more of the Put3ska spirit to spare. Flores, for his part, spoke on behalf of the brass-blowers: “Yung talon, medyo mababa na,” he joked. “Pero promise namin sa inyo, mas magulo horns section ngayon, [and] mas malupit.”

True ska definition

LITERALLY “married” to his craft, Morales was never far from the scene, as if the stage was his home, and music was his wife. He has been raising the sound of his crew Urban Bandits nearly under the radar, along with fellow Put3ska member Dela Cruz. He passionately spoke about Put3ska’s resurfacing, saying it’s more than just a comeback, but also a tribute to ska itself. “Kaya kami nagpakita ulit, para i-korek na yung Continued on page 5

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MAY 19, 2019 | soundstrip.businessmirror@gmail.com

MUS

BEN&BEN’S ‘LIMASAWA ST O

by Rick Olivares

N the cover of Ben&Ben’s selftitled debut EP, brothers Paolo and Miguel Guico are walking down a tree-lined road, with one of them waving his hand as if to say: “Hasta Mañana!” They return three years later with “Limasawa Street” in an exquisitely designed lightbox of a package, and an album cover where a beacon guides numerous faceless people on the road. The beacon resembles the lightbox album package and flash drive. The “journey” the brothers and

the band undertook? Well, if the debut EP had this introspective feel of love and loss, Limasawa Street finds Ben&Ben a bit more worldly-wise and even more confident of their abilities. They wrap their concerns of life and the world in intricate arrangements that find them tapping into jazz, soul and the pop rock musings, while not forgetting their folk roots. Music is art, and art can be interpreted in different ways. Sometimes what we think of a song is something totally different from how the songsmiths weaved them. One thing that we can be sure of,

is that the gift of Ben&Ben’s fulllength album, Limasawa Street, is how it radiates hope. Whether you want to read deeper into it or not, it does come at a time when there is much at stake. The bandmembers look back at their past, digs deep into those happy memories to carry them, and to provide hope in these times. From the lyrical poetry that tugs on the heartstrings, to the polyrhythms that give them llife from the album packaging, Limasawa Street is like phosphorescence encapsulated into rich, deep pop songs. The title track leads off and sparkles with a lightness and an energy. Like you feel alive. At once, you feel this is a different kind of energy from previous Ben&Ben songs. Was I surprised that the great English producer Steve Lillywhite–who now calls Bangkok home, known for his work with U2, Big Country, Dave Matthews Band, XTC, Simple Minds –and many

others were involved? You bet. I always thought that Lillywhite’s work was an explosive mix of soaring vocals and instruments that had a live feel–exactly how one would sound when performing live, rather than carefully orchestrated work that translates differently in a live setting. Anthemic meet anthemic. So, it is perfect. Limasawa Street jumps out. And even before I read on the liner notes of Lillywhite’s involvement, while listening to the album, I somehow thought of U2’s How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb that is happy melting pot of the Irish band’s early work, and the more artsy stuff that came later on. How much that song affected the rest of the production, I have no idea. But the album pushes forward seamlessly from one nugget to another. What is it with the word “street” and its use in songs? There are some really great songs—

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SIC ON PRINT

TREET’: INSTANT CLASSIC pause for reflection. I like songs like the one that carries the album title, Limasawa Street and Lucena that soar and give the band a different dimension. The ominously sounding War is a lovely misdirection. It is rather a

call to combat the tough times with love. I love the violin solo that adds to the poignancy. If I talk and break down each song, then I will only be repeating myself. Suffice to say, that this is an instant OPM classic. And in terms

of Filipino pop perfection, I thought it similar to Jose Mari Gonzales’ Constant Change; it is an album filled with gems. And in these times of change, I’ve got Ben&Ben’s Limasawa Street to light my way.

Put3Ska...

rhetoric. “Kapag sinabi mong ska, dapat dala mo yung roots. Hindi mo pwedeng imbentuhin ’to ng basta-basta sa ibang genre. Pwede ka lumabas dun eh, pero sa ska, hindi pwede.” When asked what his thoughts were on the relevance of ska to the current music taste of the Pinoys, Morales answered in a clear, crisp manner with the honesty of an artist: “Wala akong paki-alam!”

after Put3ska’s night at the Music Museum, there is more to expect from them. He also hinted about an album in the works, set to be launched before the year ends. Opening for Put3ska are Beat Bahnhof, Japanese musicians and fans of the Filipino band. They last played in the country at the 2018 PhilSka Music Festival. (Mark your calendars as Put3ska returns for their allout concert on May 24 at the Music Museum. Show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are available via Ticketworld and at the venue.)

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scene sa PIlipinas” Morales emphasized. “Gawin na naming yung standard, tutal andito na kami. I-korek na yung dapat i-korek.” He pointed out the need to pay homage to the true definition of ska, placing it in the shoulders of the band to remind artists what pure ska sounds like. “May problema sa eksena,” the guitarist continued. “Ano ba yung umaapekto: Yung ska sa mga Pinoy, or yung mga Pinoy ang umaapekto sa ska?” went his

favorites too—that make use of the word “street” in a song title: There’s the Rolling Stones’ Street Fightin’ Man. There’s Gerry Rafferty’s Baker Street, and Simon & Garfunkel’s The 59th Street Bridge Song that has always been a fave. And how about Martha and the Vandellas’ Dancing In the Street? There’s U2’s powerful Where the Streets Have No Name. Add Limasawa Street to that now. Obviously, there is something powerful that a street conveys. And that has always figured well in the Ben&Ben lore (check the album covers). Moving on… “Pagtingin” has a Dave Matthews Band feel and inflection. Fall is a gentle song about seizing that moment when in love and casting one’s cares to the wind, while the guitars and violin noodle about in the background. Wistful Hummingbird is about letting go and moving forward; yet, one is reminded of the past. “Baka Sakali” recorded with the King of Emotion, Ebe Dancel, is another cause to

What’s in store

LIKE an Endgame spoiler, Morales plainly answered that

MAY 19, 2019 | soundstrip.businessmirror@gmail.com

Sound trip BusinessMirror

MUSIC ON PRINT

EURO-PINOY CONCERT 2019

TOAST TO EU’S CREATION, TIES WITH PHL

FUSION of Filipino and European music filled The Ruins in Poblacion, Makati City last May 7, as foreign and local artists jammed the night away at the Euro-Pinoy Concert 2019. The concert was in celebration of the founding of the European Union (EU), as well as the bilateral relations between the economic bloc and the Philippines. Lukáš Sommer, who planed all the way from the Czech Republic, performed with Spanish flamenco guitarist Alex Alcaraz, German DJ Badkiss and Filipino percussionist Jean Paul Zialcita. Sommer is known for more than 40 materials spanning different kinds of work. Apart from composing music, he is also a sought-after arranger of popular music in various film

soundtracks, and has worked with a variety of Czech as well as international agencies. The Czech musician is famous for his innovative style of classical guitar, which he combines with yoga and meditation. On the other hand, Alcaraz is a flamenco guitarist born and raised in Granada, Spain. In 2012 he decided to move to the Philippines and since then has been collaborating with flamenco academies in Manila

and several Filipino musicians. Zialcita is a Filipino percussionist who uses an exotic mix of up-cycled objects and local materials combined with elements of Filipino martial arts. He reimagines the Philippines on the world stage in what he calls the “Age of ‘can do.’” Half-German and halfFilipina DJ Marie Badkiss is able to conjure a cocktail of flavors from different music genres that keep

sets of feet grooving to her beat. Edgy looks and equally mesmerizing music have thrust her as among the hottest female club DJs in Manila, according to WheninManila.com. Badkiss’s rock-solid reputation for quality music selection transcends genres, trends and generations, which has allowed her to share her outstanding talent with the world. She performs in different clubs in Manila, including Time, Club XX XX, Chotto Matte, Café Curieux, as well as The Belle & Dragon. Other artists from the Philippines joined the ensemble with their distinctive music. Performers included Kamara, Issa Rodriguez, Rice Lucido, Norvin de los Santos, Bea Lorenzo, Trischa Padilla and Bistibway Percussion Duo. The concert was presented by the EU Delegation to the Philippines, in partnership with the embassies of the Czech Republic, Germany, Spain and Instituto Cervantes, together with Para sa Sining, the Z Hostel and Don Papa Rum.

Young scientist falls in love with science, mathematics Continued from page 2

She said that before reaching first grade, “I had loved science and math so much as a kid. But when I was in first grade, one time I struggled with my math exercise, I went to ask the teacher for help, but instead I was scolded and humiliated in front of the class for even asking a question.” “From then on I was terrified of math. I doubted my dreams of becoming a scientist then,” Lao told reporters. Still, she managed to talk herself “out of it.”

Struggling with numbers LAO was 17, a college freshman and was placed in a remedial math class. “I thought [that time] they’re right: I’m stupid with math! During one of the times in the car with my dad, he asked me what was bothering me and I told him about my fear of math. He offered to help me, as he was a bit of a math genius himself,” Lao said. Her father told her: “Math is not something you study.” “It’s like a language, once you understand the rules and how to use them, all you need is practice,” Lao said, quoting her father who added: “You will never have to study for it again.” “In that semester, I re-learned math and I was able, not only to unlock it, [but] I ended up loving it so much that it gave me the confidence in getting back to STEM,” she said. She said she was able to re-learn and relove math by “understanding how math can work in real life, like calculus.” “How is that relatable to my interests? Calculus is an elegant way of finding the most optimal solution, whether it be in economics, business, engineering or science; like how a dam works,” she said. “To this day, I remain a lover of math.”

Overcoming challenges ACCORDING to Lao, unlocking the language and overcoming a long-time fear of math boosted her confidence.

“I felt like I could overcome anything. It gave me the courage to believe in myself. I realized when I took the time to understand something, there was less to fear about,” she said. “This gave me the courage to do my best in college; to try out for opportunities I would have never dreamed for myself, to challenge my skills. I ended up choosing a thesis adviser who was known to be challenging and was not an easy ‘A’.” Her friends thought she was crazy for doing so. “But it turned out to be one of the best turning points in my life. My thesis adviser was incredibly demanding and expected nothing short of excellence,” she said. “I thrived under his mentorship. And he told me near the end of my thesis, ‘You’ve done well, you should go to Oxford’.” Her thesis adviser, she said, had gone to Oxford, too. “And he knew that I would be perfect for it. He offered to write me a recommendation letter and, by the time I had graduated from college, I had received my acceptance letter from Oxford University in the UK, being the only Filipina in the history of the course, plus on a Chevening scholarship.” That was something that Lao said she “had never even dreamed for myself.”

Passion, commitment ACCORDING to Lao, her love for science and math “only grew more intense when I had studied in Oxford and then I started in my career.” “I saw nature as the greatest example of the elegance of STEM: ‘How can anyone even imagined and created this?’” she asked herself. “As I was learning more about nature, and how amazing this creation was, I could not believe how we were taking it for granted and destroying it, against our benefit. I promised myself that for the rest of my life, I would dedicate my career to protecting nature for people,” Lao said. “In our ignorance,

JANICE LAO at WildAid’s Global Shark Pledge event in Hong Kong, November 2018. we think we can tame nature, but in reality, it is there to help humans thrive. We cannot live without nature, but nature can live without us.” Apart from the regular STEM skills, Lao learned to articulate her case and “in a way that would be understandable to business.” “This work led to my awards recognizing my passionate and relentless work in this field.”

Science and parenting LAO said that when she became a parent, “I wanted to raise my kids similarly to how I was raised: the encouragement of reading, critical thinking, feedback, failing before succeeding and being curious.” “I instilled in my kids a love for science and math by teaching them the way I wish I would have been taught when I was younger,” she said. “I would explain math principles to them, for example, like ‘division is sharing’.” She said she asked her two children: “If you had four cakes and you wanted to share them with eight classmates, how would you do it?” Lao said she conducts science experiments with her children every week “by

JANICE LAO as lead manager for a climate-change project in Ukraine in June 2008, when she was 29 years old.

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MAY 19, 2019

pretending we are mystery solvers and even letting the kids earn their right to use their tablets by having them learn code and build their own games instead of just playing someone else’s games.” “I don’t know if my kids will end up as scientists, but that’s not the point. I learned a lot of life’s lessons through STEM,” she said, adding that “most important of all is rebounding from failure.” “Experiments are all about failure first before success. We teach our kids how to succeed, but we cannot if they don’t know how to fail and rebound from it first,” Lao said. “This is why I’m so thrilled to be featured in this book about women in STEM, because it gives me the opportunity to share my love of STEM to as many children as possible.” For Lao, STEM “isn’t boring.” “It’s a lot of fun! And when we make it relatable to their interests and to their motivation, we will be able to teach and understand STEM that encourages young people to get into it to help us solve some of the world’s most urgent problems.” She said she remains “so excited by the possibilities of what STEM can offer us.”

Burned-out broker Kamath got rich giving free trades to millennials

FTER a decade working as a trader and a broker in India, Nithin Kamath was burned out and frustrated with a securities industry that seemed stuck in the past. So in 2009, Kamath did something radical. With markets still reeling from the global financial crisis, he struck out on his own to start an online brokerage from a 700-square-foot office in Bengaluru. At the time, people called him crazy. Not anymore. Thanks to a slick, mobile-friendly platform and rock-bottom commissions (some equity trades are free), his brokerage, Zerodha, has become a hit in a country with the world’s largest millennial and Gen Z populations. The firm’s rapid rise has not only made Kamath rich, it’s spurring the industry’s old guard to rethink its approach and turning Zerodha

ZERODHA founder Nithin Kamath KAREN DIAS/BLOOMBERG

ZERODHA’S Kite app. KAREN DIAS/BLOOMBERG into a case study for how financial companies can lure young customers in fastgrowing emerging markets. Kamath, 39, attributes Zerodha’s success to the Google-like simplicity of its platform and the firm’s ability to undercut competitors on price because of low operating costs. Zerodha has no marketing budget, relying instead on word of mouth to attract new users, he said in an interview. The model is hardly unique—Robinhood has a similar strategy in the US—but Zerodha was among the first to deploy it in India, where rising wealth and smartphone use have fostered a fast-growing market for fintech startups. Zerodha now has an industry-leading 909,000 active traders, about two-thirds of which are 37 or younger. More than 70 percent of the firm’s transactions come from mobile devices.

“Zerodha has a superior platform,” said Madhukar Ladha, an analyst at HDFC Securities Ltd. in Mumbai. “It’s very agile, fast and smart. That makes a big difference.” Zerodha—a portmanteau of zero and rodha, which means obstacles in Sanskrit— is the brokerage Kamath wishes he had as a young investor. In his teens and early 20s, he would trade by day and work for about $1 an hour in a call center at night. After a series of roles in the securities industry, including a five-year stint as a sub-broker at Reliance Commercial Finance Ltd., Kamath quit to start Zerodha with his younger brother, Nikhil. The siblings saw an industry ripe for change. At the time, India’s biggest brokerages were operating with technology from the early 2000s or older, and users were paying high commissions for trading plat-

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forms that were clunky and cluttered, according to Kamath. “We wanted to be more Google-like than Yahoo-like,’’ he said. It took time for Zerodha’s offering to catch on, but the firm’s growth over the past few years has been striking. Its active-user count has jumped more than 14-fold since 2016, leapfrogging at least 10 of the nation’s largest brokerages, including blue-chip names like ICICI Securities Ltd. and HDFC Securities Ltd., according to data compiled by the National Stock Exchange of India. Zerodha said it handled about 10 percent of the country’s stock trades in the 12 months ended March, a period when the benchmark index jumped 17 percent and many Indians shifted into equities from cash after the government ban on highvalue currency bills altered saving habits. “Their portal is very user-friendly,’’ said Manoj Khandelwal, 27, a marketing professional in the northern commercial hub of Gurgaon who has been using Zerodha’s mobile app to invest his personal savings. “I have tried various other options, but there were always hassles.’’ Stock trades are free for Zerodha users who hold their shares for longer than a day. The firm makes money from fees on futures, options and intraday equity transactions, which cost a maximum 20 rupees. At ICICI Securities, similar longer-than-a-day stock investments can attract minimum fees of 35 rupees, while the regular commission is 25 rupees or higher for intraday orders. Zerodha’s discount strategy is proving lucrative. Revenue climbed to 4.5 billion rupees in 2018 from 2 billion rupees a year earlier, while profits more than doubled to 2 billion rupees during the same period. MAY 19, 2019

Kamath says he now sits atop a family fortune of at least 5 billion rupees, excluding his stake in Zerodha. The closely held company has no venture backing, but Kamath is considering an eventual initial public offering. If Zerodha were to command valuation multiples in line with its listed peers, it would be worth about 35 billion rupees, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Kamath and his family own almost all of the company. Zerodha’s continued success is far from guaranteed. Full-service Indian brokerages have already cut fees to stay competitive and are likely to keep doing so to defend their market share, HDFC Securities analysts wrote in a March report. And then there’s the deep-pocketed newcomer. Paytm, an Indian payments giant backed by Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., has announced that it won regulatory approvals to open an online brokerage. The tech-savvy startup, which has changed how millions of Indians transfer money, is perhaps the biggest challenge to Zerodha’s rise. It plans to launch its new brokerage services before the end of March next year. The fight for dominance will hinge in large part on which firm can attract customers with no previous capital markets experience. While India has more than 1.3 billion people, the estimated portion that invests directly in stocks via NSE is a relatively tiny 15 million. Kamath is confident he can win over the stragglers. “What traditional broking firms have not done well is to introduce markets to the masses,” he said. “We are the only firm that is adding new people to the ecosystem.” Bloomberg News