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Cocaine ‘invasion’ threatens PHL amid Duterte’s deadly war against drugs Health Matters

T

By Rene Acosta

Drug rankings differ

he arrest early this week of Malaysian Nasruddin Bin Mohd Hasman at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport for trying to smuggle 4.6 kilos of high-grade cocaine into the country has triggered beliefs that Manila’s illegal-drugs trade is on its way to being fully penetrated by the world’s most expensive drug, in view of the decline in the streets of methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu.

This belief, as shared by some, was apparently an offshoot of the brutal war on illegal drugs, with focus on shabu or “ice” for the Americans, by the Duterte administration, as it has spawned a crunch in the market of what is being the predominantly abused substance

by Filipino drug addicts.

However, anti-illegal-drugs operatives from the Philippine National Police maintained that cocaine, whose supply mostly comes from Latin-American countries, has not completely entered the country’s drugs market just yet, owing to its steep price

and the nonavailability of its key ingredient, which has never been grown in the Philippines compared to marijuana.

Too expensive

“They were attempting to do it, but it can never work due to the strict monitoring by law-enforcement agencies and the all-out campaign against illegal drugs by the government,” said Sr. Insp.

Joseph Gonzales of the Camp Crame-based Anti-Illegal Drugs Group (AIDG), referring to drug syndicates’ efforts to turn the country into another lucrative

An evidence-based system proposed by British researchers for ranking a drug’s harmfulness rates marijuana as less harmful than many legal drugs.

What research says Rates drugs on a scale of 0 to 3 for three factors in each of three categories; higher numbers equal more harmful rating

Total

(Out of possible 9 points)

Factors

Heroin

Physical harm • Acute, chronic, intravenous

Cocaine

2.78

2.54

3.0

2.17

2.33 3.0 Risk of dependency Alcohol • Pleasure, psychological 1.4 1.93 2.21 dependence, physical dependence

8.32 6.89

5.54

Tobacco

Social costs • Intoxication, social harm, health-care costs

Alleged drug lord Kerwin Espinosa (center) listens to a question, as he is presented to the media

by Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Ronald M. dela Rosa (right) upon arrival from Abu Dhabi early Friday at Camp Crame in Quezon City. Espinosa, whose father Mayor Rolando Espinosa was killed inside his detention cell, told a news conference he will “tell all” those involved in the illegal-drugs trade in the country. AP/Bullit Marquez

market for cocaine.

“Filipino drug addicts cannot afford the price of cocaine. [Besides], they [local drug addicts] do not know how to use it,” Gonzales added.

Still, Hasman’s arrest and the earlier busting of several other drug couriers at the airport, while smuggling into the country several kilos of cocaine, triggered specu-

lations that there were efforts by foreign drug syndicates, including Mexican drug cartels, to fully introduce cocaine into the local market through couriers.

Dwindling supply

The efforts were apparently pushed by the declining availability of shabu due to the government’s

1.24

2.21

1.42

4.87

Marijuana .99

1.51

1.5

4.0

What laws say ... ... in the U.S.

...and in the U.K.

Under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, marijuana is classified as a Schedule I substance*

Some claim the ABC system does not give specific information about a drug’s risks Class A • Heroin • Cocaine (most harmful) • LSD • Ecstasy category • Magic • Crystal mushrooms meth

Some of the drugs included in Schedule I (a felony) *High potential • Heroin • LSD • Ecstasy • Marijuana

for abuse; no currently accepted medical use; lack of safety for use under medical supervision

Class A/B • Amphetamines Class C

• Marijuana

• Ketamine

Source: BBC, Medical News Today, Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs Graphic: Lee Hulteng

© 2010 MCT

Continued on A2

Much-delayed regional airports devt program left hanging in midair

By Lorenz S. Marasigan

E

VEN though it was already deemed ripe for auction, the new team at the transportation department has decided to place the multibillion-peso program to develop several regional airports in the Philippines under review, with the deals under it likely to be rebundled.

Transportation Undersecretary for Air and Airports Roberto C. Lim said his camp is currently studying the terms and the bundling scheme for the P108.2-billion Regional Airport Program,

and will launch the tender for the public-private partnership (PPP) deal by early next year.

“The plan is to do the PPP early next year. The department is still studying the terms and the bindingly of the same project,” he told the BusinessMirror in a text message.

The project was put on hold by the past administration, because it ran out of time to set a bid-submission deadline for the project.

It was deemed by the Aquino administration as among the deals that are ripe for bidding under the key infrastructure pipeline.

PESO exchange rates n US 49.2190

The previous administration started the auction for the contract to develop and operate five airports around the Philippines in two packages to make it more enticing to investors.

The first package consists of the Bacolod-Silay Airport (P20.26 billion) and Iloilo Airport (P30.40 billion), while the second bundle is composed of the New Bohol or Panglao Airport (P2.34 billion), Laguindingan Airport (P14.62 billion) and Davao Airport (P40.57 billion).

The private partner will undertake the operation and main-

tenance of the airports, as well as provide additional facilities and other necessary improvements to enhance passenger safety, security, access, passenger and cargo-movement efficiency, and operational efficiency under a defined concession period.

There were five prequalified bidders for the project, namely: Filinvest-Jatco-Sojitz Consortium (Filinvest Development Corp., Filinvest Land Inc., Filinvest Alabang Inc., Japan Airport Terminal Co. Ltd. and Cyberzone Properties Inc.), GMR Infrastructure and Megawide

Consortium (Megawide Construction Corp., GMR Airport Developers Ltd., GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd. and Delhi International Airport Ltd.), Maya Consortium (Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc., Vinci Airports SAS, ANA-Aeroportos de Portugal SA, Vinci Construction Grands Projets SAS, Therma South Inc. and Hedcor Sibulan Inc.); Philippine Airports Consortium (Metro Pacific Investments Corp., Aeroports de Paris and ADP Ingenierie); and SMHC-IIAC Airport Consortium (San Miguel See “Airports,” A2

₧108.2B The total cost of the five regional airports that will be bundled for PPP

n japan 0.4513 n UK 61.2087 n HK 6.3449 n CHINA 7.1580 n singapore 34.7862 n australia 36.7617 n EU 52.5905 n SAUDI arabia 13.1268

Source: BSP (18 November 2016 )

NewsSunday BusinessMirror

A2 Sunday, November 20, 2016

Cocaine ‘invasion’ threatens PHL amid Duterte’s deadly war against drugs continued from A1

crackdown, which is being spearheaded by the PNP.

On October 17 Venezuelan Genesis Lorena Pineda Salazar, 22, was arrested at the airport for bringing in 4.3 kilos of highgrade cocaine in sachets of haircoloring solution. She came from São Paulo, Brazil, via Dubai.

Two days before her arrest, Brazilian Yasmin Silva was also nabbed at the airport for smuggling into the country 6.2 kilos of similar drugs through her checked-in baggage. The cocaine was hidden in a black pillow.

Like Salazar, Silva came from São Paolo and arrived in Manila on a flight from Dubai.

Just weeks earlier, three other foreigners—a Russian and two Hong Kong nationals—were, likewise, arrested at the airport for bringing in cocaine with a total worth of more than P130 million.

São Paolo connection

The three, who also came from São Paolo and took a connecting flight in Dubai to Manila, yielded 28 kilos of cocaine in powder and liquid forms.

Airport officials said the three were not together but happened to be on the same flight. All of the arrests were undertaken through a tip from the US Drug Enforcement Agency.

Although Mexican drug syndicates, like the Sinaloa drug cartel,

may have already established their foothold in the country, Gonzales said cocaine can never compete with shabu in the market.

“There is no market for cocaine,” he said, adding a cocaine sells for about P6 million up to P10 million a kilo, which is more than double the price of every kilo of shabu, which sells at P3 million.

Gonzales said if there are cocaine users in the country, they could be mostly Europeans.

‘Nasty tag’

Other than the successive busts at the airport and the arrest of Filipinos who were supposedly tied with the Sinaloa drug cartel a few years back, Gonzales said the AIDG and even the other law-enforcement agencies have yet to uncover any cocaine operations in the country.

However, in 2010, the AIDG (formerly Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force) and other law-enforcement agencies recovered at least one-fourth, or 400 kilos, of the high-grade cocaine that were thrown into the coastal waters of Eastern Visayas by a Chinese vessel.

Gonzales said the vessel, which came from Mexico and was bound for Hong Kong carrying the cargoes of cocaine, got wind that it will be apprehended by Hong Kong authorities once it arrives in the Chinese territory, forcing it to dispose of the drugs at sea.

“This was the first and the last

major operation in the country involving cocaine,” he said.

If the country was not a major consumer of cocaine, it is, however, classified as a “user” and “transshipment point” for drugs in the region and even for Europe, the latter having been confirmed by the President just weeks ago.

Duterte said the Sinaloa drug cartel, apart from penetrating the local drugs market, has made the country its transshipment point because the United States has tightened its lid on drug smuggling.

His pronouncement was corroborated by the case of the Russian, who was arrested at the airport along with the two Hong Kong nationals.

The Russian—Kirdyushkin Yury —was en route to Bangkok, Thailand, with the cocaine in powder and liquid forms when he was nabbed at the airport.

The country’s tag as a major transshipment point for drugs was already in existence several years back, but previous administrations did not move to address it.

The country, a maritime state that occupies a unique spot in Southeast Asia because of its geographic location, was where “East meets West” in terms of drug operations, according to anti-illegal-drugs personnel.

The administration is, however, moving to address this nasty tag through its all-out antidrugs campaign.

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‘Duterte fit and perfect to deal with Trump’

P

resident Duterte’s down-toearth candor makes him “just fit and perfect” to deal with US Presidentelect Donald Trump, in negotiating better deals in light of perceived risks that possible protectionism policies espoused by the American leader could bring to the Philippine economy.

President Duterte at the 80th anniversary of the National Bureau of Investigation in Manila on November 14. AP/Aaron Favila

Albay Rep. Joey S. Salceda articulated this perception, noting that the Philippines is the second most vulnerable country in Southeast Asia, next to Singapore, to a possible US policy shift toward protectionism as declared

by Trump, who won the recent US elections chanting the “Americans first” slogan.

The Albay lawmaker agrees with popular opinions the two leaders are closely similar in temperament, “brute frankness included, which should bring them to a common ground in resolving issues.” Both were political outsiders before winning their respective presidential quests, fired up by nationalistic zeal.

Duterte, known for his hostile rhetoric against US President Barrack Obama, was among the first heads of nation to greet Trump following news of his victory. “I would like to congratulate President Trump. Long live Mr. Trump! We both curse at the slightest of reasons. We are alike,” he declared in Kuala Lumpur while his Malaysian visit when the US poll results were announced.

“We are both making curses.

Even with trivial matters we curse.

I was supposed to stop [cursing the US] because Trump is there. I don’t want to quarrel [with anybody] anymore, because Trump has won,” Duterte said, as quoted by one newspaper report.

Salceda said the biggest threats US protectionism could

Airports...

Holdings Corp., Incheon International Airport Corp., Star Infrastructure Development Corp. and Citra Metro Manila Tollways Corp.).

The Bacolod Airport, also known as Bacolod-Silay Airport, commenced operations in 2008 and is one of the recently completed airports in the Philippines with modern facilities. The airport is in Silay City, Negros Occidental, and generally caters to traffic for the Negros Island—including Bacolod City—which is one of the most populous cities in the Western Visayas region.

Tourism is one of the main industries in Negros Occidental and is fast growing, with domestic tourists reaching 1.33 million in 2013.

The Iloilo Airport, on the other hand, is located in Cabatuan, province of Iloilo, and is among the top 5 airports in the Philippines in terms of traffic data. It started

bring lies primarily in economic aspects, consisting of impacts on the robust BPO business with the US at 5.7 percent of Philippine GDP, mainly trade; 2.84-percent remittance from US GDP, mainly economic slowdown and deportation; and 4.5-percent export GDP, which is trade/economic slowdown.

These combine to 13 percent of the Philippine economy exposed to the US, which makes it the second highest, next to Singapore, Salceda pointed out. Currently the senior vice chairman of both the House committees on Economic Affairs and Local Government, Salaceda said protectionist policies are also bound to slow down US’s own economic growth, and flow of trade, services, migration and remittances, which are certain to impact on the Philippine economy.

Moreover, he said exports to the US are “mostly electronics, which have low gross value added of 20 percent compared to BPOs and (constructively) remittances; and, second, the social costs of deportation of some 360,000 undocumented TNTs or tago-ngtago. Of the 3.4 million Filipinos in the US, 88 percent of them are legal and Trump is not against legal migrants.”

The economist lawmaker, however, said there’s hope the “perceived kindred spirit of Duterte and Trump should prove useful in negotiating for Philippine economic interest, tax exemption on outsourcing and no pressure on

BPO principals; and an easier pathway to citizenship for 360,000 undocumented Filipinos in the US, or a more gradual process, say, over four years.”

Contrary to widespread perception, the Philippine GDP is only 4.5 percent (export/GDP) exposed to the US market. It is the second least exposed among its Asean neighbors, next to Indonesia, the least exposed at 2.5 percent only.

Salceda noted that the Philippines has only a $1.5-billion trade surplus over the US, aided by GSP preferences, and since exports to the US are mostly electronics with low GVA of 20 percent compared to BPOs and remittances, which are relatively more substantive than those of five other Asean countries, this compares more favorably with Japan’s exports to the US, which accounted for 2.6 percent of its GDP in 2015.

Salceda said US BPOs account for 5.7-percent Philippine GDP. US accounts for 77 percent of the $22-billion BPO sector (as market and investor) that generated 1.1 million jobs in 2015. He said Trump wants to bring jobs back to the US as attempted before by Obama through tax on outsourcing or simply through persuasive influence over BPO companies or the industries they cater to.

Such approach, however, will be significantly countered by the Philippine competitive advantages of Filipino talents, neutral English accent, trainable and competitive labor force, sociocultural predisposition to Western lifestyles, and cheaper hourly wage for call-center agents in the Philippines at only $2 only, compared to about $10.50 in the US. In 2015 remittances from the US amounted to $8.4 billion, a $1-billion hike over the previous year’s $7.4 billion. This is equivalent to 2.84 percent of Philippine GDP, Salceda said. Based on a central bank report, 32.8 percent of total OFW remittances in the first eight months of 2016 originated from the US. While the figure includes remittances from other countries, coursed through USbased correspondent banks and couriers which sadly cannot be disegregated as to their ultimate sources, it corresponds with the CFO estimate that 35 percent of Filipinos overseas are in the US. Salceda said this sector, accounting for 2.8 percent of Philippine GDP, may be affected by a slowdown in the US economy. During the 2008 financial crisis, remittances from the US fell by $502 million, from $7.83 billion to $7.32 billion, while during the Asian financial meltdown, it prompted a spike from $4.11 billion to $6.4 billion. PNA

continued from A1 its commercial operations in 2007, providing both domestic and international connectivity, with seven domestic destinations and two international destinations. The airport served roughly 1.87 million passengers in 2013.

Seen to start its commercial operations by 2017, the P3.36billion New Bohol Airport in Panglao is designed to accommodate 1 million passengers annually.

The contract to construct a new aviation hub in Bohol was awarded to Japanese joint venture of Chiyoda Corp. and Mitsubishi Corp. last month.

Found on the northern tip of Misamis Oriental, the Laguindingan Airport has a design capacity of 1.6 million passengers annually. It started its operations in 2013. It replaced the Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro, which was among the five busiest airports in the Philippines in terms

of passenger traffic.

Also known as Francisco Bangoy International Airport, the Davao airport is the third-busiest airport in the Philippines after the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) and the MactanCebu International Airport. Located in Catitipan, Davao City, the airport has been operational for more than 15 years, currently serving both domestic and international operations.

Davao region is one of the faster-growing tourism destinations in the country, with passenger traffic settling at 2.79 million in 2013.

Overall, the private-sector partners will be tasked to improve the services at the respective key regional airports. This includes concessioning the operations and maintenance to the proponents, including required enhancement of airside and landside facilities at the respective airports.

The World BusinessMirror

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Sunday, November 20, 2016

A3

Alibaba transforms wealthy ‘shopaholics’ into online marketing squad via Apass

M

eng Cui Yi spent almost $90,000 at Alibaba’s online mall in the past year. The 33-year-old restaurateur buys pretty much everything there—Burberry apparel, La Mer skin-care products, furniture, groceries and more. After Alibaba’s annual Singles’ Day sale last year, Meng’s purchases were piled so high outside her Shanghai apartment, her businessman husband could barely get in the door.

Meng’s lavish spending habits earned her an invite to Alibaba Passpor t (A PA SS). A n e xc lusive rewards program, APASS is a mashup of Facebook, Amazon Prime and the American Express Black Card. Its 100,000 members get the usual perks—deals, trips, personal service—but are also encouraged to join online communities of shopaholics who blog and talk up Alibaba.

Rolled out about two years ago, APASS has helped Alibaba persuade the well-heeled shoppers trolling its Tmall and Taobao shopping emporiums to keep spending. That’s crucial because the Chinese economy is deteriorating and Alibaba is struggling to maintain rapid-fire growth. Just last week, Singles’ Day sales grew at half the pace they did the year before. Meanwhile, the company is trying to ward off growing competition from rivals like JD.com, which is starting to attract urban big-spenders.

“Standing still is not an option because competitors are nipping at their heels,” says Duncan Clark, founder of investment advisory firm BDA China and an

100,000 The number of Alibaba Passport membership

early adviser to Alibaba. “It’s very much worth their while to take care of the high rollers.”

Like any premium rewards program, APASS pushes exclusivity by setting a seemingly high bar for membership. To make the cut, a customer must drop more than $15,000 a year on Alibaba’s e-commerce sites, though the company says members typically spend more than $45,000. Spending is just one criterion. Shoppers also receive a user score, based in part on the frequency and credibility of their interaction with other customers. The higher the score, the more likely they are to be invited to join APASS. “APASS members love to share,” says Hai Wang, Alibaba’s head of customer experience and innovation. “Every day in our APASS members zone, a lot of members are sharing their daily life stories,

shopping tips, showing off their shopping lists et cetera. A good number of APASS members are verified bloggers.”

Meng is Alibaba’s dream customer. “I talk to other APASS members every day,” she says. “I never actually buy anything from physical stores, unless I’m going out with friends or something.”

Meng’s loyalty got her invited to the inaugural APASS annual meeting, one of 50 members selected. Held in May at Mandarin Oriental hotel in Shanghai, the splashy event included a buffet dinner, lucky draw and an awards presentation—at which Maserati was voted Most Beloved Brand.

Chief Marketing Officer Chris Tung gave a speech.

Rewards buy loyalty and then are turned into marketing opportunities. In early September Alibaba took 10 APASS members on an all-expenses-paid, nined ay vacat ion to Ita ly, where they visited a Maserati factory, La Perla’s f lagship lingerie store and vineyards operated by vintner Mezzacorona. Portions of the all-expenses-paid trip were streamed live on the Tmall app and Youku Tudou, a v ideo site A libaba Chair man Jack Ma acquired last year. The company says the vineyard tour was viewed 400,000 times and boosted sales.

Public displays of loyalty from its most elite customers also could help Alibaba buff a reputation hurt by revelations that some of the goods it sells are knockoffs.

While global luxury brands like Maserati and Burberry have official storefronts on Alibaba’s Tmall, the e-commerce giant also relies on fees from its Taobao platform for independent retailers, which have been known to sell counterfeit merchandise. Investors and international brands say Alibaba hasn’t done enough to crack down on fakes, and a retail association recently suggested

McDonald’s starts serving ‘experience of the future’

M

c D o n ald ’ s C o r p . pl a ns to of fer t able service at all of its US restaurants, upending decades of fast-food tradition in a bid to placate pickier customers. Table service is currently in about 500 locations, but will be rolled out to the entire US chain, McDonald’s said on Thursday at an event in New York. The company also is bringing mobile ordering and payments to the country in 2017, as well as more digital kiosks.

McDona ld ’s a lready has table ser v ice at some locations in New York, Flor ida and Souther n Ca lifor nia, as wel l as many places abroad. It’s coming soon to markets such as Boston and Sa n Fra nc i sco, t he compa ny s a id . Ne w p osit ion s w i l l b e created at restaurants to ser ve food and help customers w ith touchscreen orders.

The shift is significant for a company most responsible for popularizing fast food—along with a more stripped-down approach to restaurant service. But competition and the rise of fast-casual chains have elevated expectations.

Customers also are looking to technology to help make restaurants more convenient.

“Customers are getting increasingly demanding, and their expectations will only grow,” CEO Steve Easterbrook said at the event.

Sluggish stock

A drop in the cost of groceries has added pressure to fast-food chains this year because it’s increasingly

cheap for customers to eat at home.

Restaurant companies also have blamed anxiety around the presidential election for hurting results.

McDonald’s shares are up just 1.1 percent in 2016, lagging behind the 7 percent increase for the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index.

The new approach may bring in the kind of customers who balk at lines, said Ivan Feinseth, analyst at Tigress Financial Partners.

“It will make it look less congested at the point of ordering,” he said. “Then people feel they won’t have to wait that long.”

Earlier this month, the world’s biggest restaurant chain said it was planning a “sig nif icant” boost in technology spending.

The investment will help fund the new self-serve kiosks and mobi le - order i ng appl ic at ion.

The plan includes expanding a smartphone ordering app across its 14,000 domestic locations, starting next year. The kiosks cost about $7,000 each, and McDonald ’s said it plans to help franchisees defer the costs.

US remodeling

In addition to the new digital kiosks, McDonald’s is remodeling its US restaurants as part of a program it calls the “experience of the future.” The changes have already been rolled out in restaurants in Germany, France, the UK and other international markets, where the improvements have helped increase sales, according to the company. Part of the broader upgrade in the US

includes hiring more workers to ease the ordering process and deliver food to customers at their tables, Easterbrook said.

The hiring push comes amid a tighter US job market, with low unemployment and rising minimum wages. In response, restaurant chains and retailers such as WalMart Stores Inc. have boosted pay to attract workers. Last year McDonald’s announced raises for employees at company-owned restaurants, which account for about 10 percent of the US total.

Lower turnover

Easterbrook said the higher pay has reduced turnover and improved service, benefits that the company has highlighted to its franchisees.

“If you reduce your turnover, you get some stability,” Easterbrook said in an interview. “It makes us a more attractive employer, which helps the operators and the company.”

McDonald ’s had fallen behind competitors in technology.

Dunkin’ Donuts and Taco Bell already allow diners to order via smartphones, and Starbucks Corp. boasts millions of active rewards members. McDonald’s, based in Oak Brook, Illinois, is looking to grab some of those consumers with its own faster and more convenient service. For 60 years, McDonald’s dictated how customers ordered and got food, Easterbrook said.

“That’s changing now,” he said.

“It’s a totally different mind-set.”

Bloomberg News

that the company be put back on a US government blacklist. Getting customers to buy more upscale stuff could help persuade more luxury brands to sell on Alibaba.

Marshall Meyer, a management

professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, says APASS is “a very clever form of sales promotion. It’s a great publicity stunt.”

Alibaba says it will double the

Every day in our APASS Members Zone, a lot of members are sharing their daily life stories, shopping tips, showing off their shopping lists et cetera.

A good number of APASS members are verified bloggers.” —Alibaba

number of APASS members next year. It’s an audacious target but perhaps achievable given the explosion of well-heeled consumers who increasingly shun brick-andmortar stores. While e-commerce now accounts for 15 percent of pr ivate consumption, Boston Consulting Group expects it to reach 24 percent in the next five years. APASS member Sukin Su, 27, buys everything from Chilean blueberries to Gucci handbags on Tmall—racking up as much as $50,000 a year. “I tell everyone why don’t you all shop on Tmall,” she says. “It’s fast, and if you have any problems they can solve it for you.” Bloomberg News

A4

Sunday, November 20, 2016

The World BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

US Jews grapple with election year eruption of anti-Semitism

A

Passersby stop for a selfie with a heavily armed New York City police officer at the main Fifth Avenue entrance to Trump Tower on Tuesday in New York. AP/Kathy Willens

Selfie tower: Trump’s home becomes NYC’s hottest backdrop

O

utside Donald Trump’s gilded skyscraper, many in the slow-moving sidewalk throng come for the sole purpose of snapping selfies, some to capture a bit of history and others to offer the new president their one-fingered salute.

Trump Tower, always a popular spot for visitors, has become even more of a spectacle since Election Day, with the selfie stick-toting thatch of gawkers mixing with, and sometimes posing with, the heavily armed police.

“OK, you’ve got your picture, now move along,” one officer repeated as he stood guard along a Fifth Avenue that has come to resemble its new nickname: Fort Trump. But new metal and concrete barricades, scores of police, and pedestrian checkpoints have done little this week to stop the crowds from gathering 26 floors below where Trump has been

holed up interviewing potential cabinet candidates and planning his new administration.

“It’s history in the making,” said Steve O’Neill, a 54-year-old police lieutenant from Tyngsborough, Massachusetts, who made the pilgrimage in part to drop off a photo he had taken with Trump during a campaign stop. “He told us if he became president, we could come and have it signed. So we left it with the guard.”

Connie Hunt, a 54-year-old real-estate agent from London, Kentucky, said she came to New York to see her beloved Kentucky Wildcats play basketball

at Madison Square Garden, but made time for a trip to her chosen candidate’s famous home.

“I love ‘The Apprentice’ the show. He’s just famous. He’s more famous than a politician,” Hunt said. “He’s successful in everything he’s done and I just wanted to see what he’s built, what he’s accomplished, instead of seeing it on TV.” Twenty-year-old Leigh Stolarz, of West Palm Beach, Florida, said she was outraged by Trump’s victory, finding it unbelievable that someone with his attitude toward women and immigrants could be elected president.

But she said she came to the tower anyway, in part to see how people were reacting. Her own reaction was similar to the thousands of the Trump Tower selfies that have populated Twitter, Facebook and Instagram since Election Day: a disgusted look, rolling eyes and an extended middle finger.

“It seemed like a step back for us when we’d made so many progressive steps,” Stolarz said. “I feel like he doesn’t represent our country.”

Such opponents found a kindred spirit in Paul Rossen, who

has stood outside Trump Tower five hours a day, five days a week for the past six months selling anti-Trump pins. He used to sell pins that said “Dump Trump,” but since the election he has switched to black pins with a white silhouette of Trump and the words “Not My President.”

“The main thing about the protests and this is, it’s very good group therapy,” he said. “It’s a cathartic form of saying, ‘I will not submit,’ even though we have no choice.”

Tourists from outside the United States also stopped by to wonder how the new American president would affect them back home.

Standing across the street from Trump Tower, 48-year-old businesswoman Dorotea Bustamante, of Coahuila, Mexico, recalled Trump’s campaign rhetoric about her home country.

“He can’t judge all of us as criminals because we’re not,” Bustamante said in Spanish. “He has to judge each person by their actions.”

But she tried to stay optimistic that President Trump might be different than candidate Trump: “He just might surprise me.” AP

merican Jews gathered on Thursday to wrestle with how they should confront an election-year surge in antiSemitism, a level of bias not seen in the US for decades.

At a national meeting of the A nti-Defamation League, the Jewish civil-rights group, about 1,000 people listened to talks expressing shock at the hatred expressed during the presidential campaign and questioned what they thought was a high level of acceptance by other Americans.

“I’m struggling right now in this American moment,” said Yehuda Kurtzer, president of the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America, an education and research organization, in his talk at the event. “I wonder whether I have been—and I think the answer is probably yes—a little bit naive.”

During this past year, antiSemitic imagery proliferated on social media, Jewish journalists were targeted and longstanding anti-Jewish conspiracy theories got a fresh airing. Much of the bias originated with the “altright”, or alternative right, a loose group espousing a provocative and reactionary strain of conservatism. It’s often associated with far-right efforts to preser ve “white identit y,” oppose mu lticu ltura lism and defend “Western values”.

In addition to the online intimidation, reports of anti-Semitic vandalism and other attacks have risen. Last week, the day after the election, a Philadelphia storefront was sprayed with a swastika and the words “Sieg Heil 2016,” which means “Hail Victory,” a common Nazi chant, and the word “Trump,” with a swastika replacing the “T.” T hese de ve lopment s h ave stunned US Jewish leaders, who in recent years had been more focused on anti-Semitism in Europe and on addressing complaints of anti-Jewish bias on college campuses amid the debate over the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement against Israeli policies toward the Palestinians.

In a sign of the depth of American Jewish anxiety about antiSemitism, ADL officials said donations to their organization increased fiftyfold in the days immediately after the election and a large majority of the money came from first-time donors. Every one of their regional offices reported an uptick in calls from people wanting to donate or volunteer, the ADL said.

“We must not be silent, we must raise our voices, we must act, and to act we must understand what we are up against,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO

of ADL, opening the meeting in Manhattan.

As the presidential race intensified, Jews started seeing their names bracketed with a series of parentheses in harassing tweets, signaling that the person had been identified as a Jew. The image became known as the Jewish cowbell and its source was traced to neo-Nazis and white nationalists.

800

The number of journalists who suffered anti-Semitic attacks on Twitter during the US election

The ADL investigated the harassment and found more than 800 journalists had suffered antiSemitic attacks on Twitter during the election, mostly from anonymous Twitter accounts, although some belonged to white supremacists. In a common example of the reporters’ experiences, Jane Eisner, editor in chief of the Forward, an influential Jewish newspaper that extensively covered the election, said she received an email the morning after the second presidential debate with an image of a Nazi solder pointing a gun at her head, which was Photoshopped onto a concentration camp uniform.

Donald J. Trump’s campaign came under scrutiny since much of the harassment came from accounts tied to his supporters.

Trump drew direct criticism last July when he tweeted an image of Hillary Clinton’s face with a six-pointed star, a pile of hundred dollar bills and the words “most corrupt candidate ever.” The star was in the shape of the Jewish Star of David and was widely condemned as antiSemitic. Trump’s campaign said it was a sheriff ’s badge.

L ast mont h Tr ump gave a speech in West Palm Beach, Florida, in which he accused Clinton of holding secret meetings with bankers in a conspiracy to undermine US sovereignty. The ADL said that whether intentional or not, Trump had reflected a classic anti-Semitic theme of Jewish control of banks.

The president-elect’s daughter Ivanka, and her husband, Jared Kushner, who is now one of his top advisers, are Orthodox Jews. Kushner has defended Trump against allegations of bias. AP

Anti-Muslim Buddhist monk in Myanmar: Trump ‘similar to me’

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hunned by Myanmar’s new government and its Buddhist hierarchy, a nationalist monk blamed for whipping up at times bloody anti-Muslim fervor said he feels vindicated by US voters who elected Donald J. Trump to be president.

Wirathu, a high-profile leader of the Myanmar Buddhist organization known as Ma Ba Tha, drew parallels between his views on Islam and those of the Republican president-elect. Trump’s campaign was rife with anti-Muslim rhetoric and proposals that included banning Muslims from entering the country and heightening surveillance of mosques.

The form his actual policies will take remains unclear.

“We were blamed by the world, but we are just protecting our people and country,” Wirathu said.”...The world singled us out as narrow-minded. But as people from the country that is the grandfather of democracy and

human-rights elected Donald Trump, who is similar to me in prioritizing nationalism, there will be less finger-pointing from the international community.”

He even floated the idea of cooperating with nationalist groups in the US. “ I n A mer ic a t here c a n be organizations like us who are protecting against the dangers of Islamization. Those organizations can come to organizations in Myanmar to get suggestions or discuss,” he said in an inter view at his monaster y in Mandalay on November 12.

“Myanmar doesn’t really need to get suggestions from other countries. But they can get ideas from Myanmar.”

Wirathu has been accused of inciting violence with hatefilled, anti-Islamic rhetoric in this Southeast Asian, Buddhistmajority country of about 55 million. Buddhist-led riots left more than 200 people dead in 2012

In this November 12 photo, Wirathu, a high-profile leader of the Myanmar Buddhist organization known as Ma Ba Tha, teaches some younger novice monks at his monastery in Mandalay, Myanmar. AP/Aung Naing Soe

and forced hundreds of thousands more to flee their homes, most of them Muslim Rohingya in Rakhine state.

Anti-Rohingya sentiment remains high in Myanmar. Members of the ethnic group are

widely considered to have immigrated illegally from nearby Bangladesh, though many Rohingya families have lived in Myanmar for generations.

At the same time, Wirathu’s influence has weakened in the past

year. He threw his support behind the military-backed government ahead of elections in November 2015, only to see the former ruling party fall to Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) in a landslide.

In July a senior NLD official in Yangon said Ma Ba Tha, also known as the Committee to Protect Race and Religion, was not needed. Calls for the official to be disciplined went unanswered.

In the same month, the country’s official Buddhist clergy publicly distanced itself from the group.

“Ma Ba Tha fades with barely a whimper,” read a headline in the English-language Myanmar Times in August.

Wirathu said he has no plans of fading into obscurity.

“This government doesn’t want our Ma Ba Tha,” he said, seated behind a desk in a saffron robe as several aides took photos and video of his pronouncements. But the NLD’s attempt to thwart the

group will be “hard for them,” he added, as Ma Ba Tha is not breaking any laws.

“Currently, we are waiting and looking at the situation as this government has only been here a short time and they don’t know how to manage,” he said. “So we are not doing anything like campaigning or protesting to impact the government. But we will hold meetings, issue statements, help in our role.”

For example, he said, his members have been distributing food in northern Rakhine state.

Scores of Rohingya and some My a n m a r t ro o p s h av e b e e n killed in northern Rakhine since suspected militants attacked border posts last month, killing nine police officers. Rohingya activists say innocent villagers are being killed, but the government says it is only fighting “violent attackers.” International media and aid groups have been kept away. AP

Biodiversity Sunday BusinessMirror

Asean Champions of Biodiversity Media Category 2014

Sunday, November 20, 2016

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

Blacktip reef shark in the Maldives

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Wikimedia Commons

Protecting sharks and rays

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By Jonathan L. Mayuga

@jonlmayuga

n 2014 the Marine Wild Fauna Watch of the Philippines published the Philippine Aquatic Wildlife Rescue and Response Manual Series.

The publication, one of which focuses on sharks and rays, aims to help address gaps and issues on threatened marine wildlife to protect and conserve marine biodiversity in the Coral Triangle.

The manuals seek to provide a standard to deal with responders of sharks and rays caught in nets or stranded, the common cause of their death, besides hunting for food. While sharks and rays are feared creatures, these seemingly dangerous predators are, in fact, endangered species. Among the threats to these marine wildlife are hunting for food and accidental catching or by-catch.

Rays are turned into a dish from Bicol called kinunot (literally, shredded) in coconut milk. Dried meat of sharks and rays were also popular for local consumption in the Visayas, until the fishing of giant manta ray and whale shark were banned in 1998.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization reported that the value of world trade in shark commodities approaches $1 billion per year.

Ecological functions

While these marine wildlife are feared because of their sheer appearance, their size or known feeding habits, sharks and rays have important ecological functions.

According to the country’s top biodiversity official, they are, in fact, ecosystem indicators.

“If you see sharks and sting rays, it only means that the marine ecosystem is healthy,” Director Theresa Mundita S. Lim of the

$1B

The value of world trade in shark commodities each year, according to UN Food and Agriculture Organization

Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said. Lim said sharks, being on top of the food chain, plays an important role in maintaining a balanced marine ecosystem.

“Without these sharks, the population of certain species of fish would eventually grow and it will result in ecological imbalance,” she said.

While the protection of sharks and rays fall under the mandate and jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the DENR’s BMB is mandated to ensure the protection of key biodiversity areas through the National Integrated Protected Areas System (Nipas) Act. Lim said to protect sharks and

rays, there is a need to strengthen the country’s protected areas system where they thrive along with other marine species.

Env i ron ment a l advoc ates, meanwhile, underscore the need to conserve the population of marine wildlife, including sharks and rays, among other species, to preserve the integrity of the country’s marine ecosystems.

Cebu City executive order

On November 15 Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña signed an executive order for the protection of shark and ray species, making the entire island-province of Cebu the first shark and ray sanctuary in the Philippines.

Along with environmentalists, scientists and interest groups, local officials in Cebu are now calling for the protection of sharks and other marine species at a national level through the creation of interconnected ocean sanctuaries.

Greenpeace Southeast Asia Oceans campaigner Vince Cinches, cofounder of Save Sharks Network of the Philippines, lauded and welcomed Osmeña’s action.

“The decision of Mayor Tomas Osmeña is important as it turns the whole of Cebu into a shark and ray sanctuary,” he said.

Shark summit

Greenpeace Southeast Asia led various stakeholders in holding the second Shark Summit in Dumaguete City early this month. The summit saw participants signing an agreement toward the protection of all shark and ray species.

According to Cinches, what was gained in Cebu and the implementation of the listing of sharks and rays in Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) will not work unless protection is taken at the national level.

“The Philippine government needs to hasten the revision and passage of Senate Bill 905, which seeks to protect all shark and ray species found within the country’s exclusive economic zone,” he said.

Organized along with Save Philippine Seas and Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines, the summit builds on the successful listing of thresher, mobula and silky sharks for protection under Appendix II of the Conference of Parties to the CITES. The listing doubled to 20 percent the proportion of sharks targeted by the fin trade that are now regulated internationally.

It also means the species are now protected in the Philippines under Section 102 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Philippine Fisheries Code.

Market intervention

Bimbo Fernandez, executive assistant of the Office of the Mayor on Special Concerns, said Cebu City has always put the protection of key marine habitats within its jurisdiction as a priority.

He said market intervention is crucial to the overall efforts of protecting sharks, rays and the marine environment, as he called on the national government to pass a measure to sustainably manage shark and ray species.

Cebu City hosts the biggest fish market in the region, where catch from other parts of the country are being landed.

However, Cebu is the only province in the Philippines that bans the catching, selling, possession and trading of all shark species and its derivatives.

Greenpeace claims that Monad Shoal, near the island of Malapascua in Cebu’s Daanbantayan municipality, is the only place in the world where thresher sharks can be viewed with certainty.

A ccord i ng to Greenpeace, threshers have become the main feature of the scuba-dive tourism industry in Malapascua, which accounts for most of Daanbantayan’s economy, securing the livelihood of many in the municipality and its neighboring communities.

Welcome development

Teody Navea of Sanlakas, which represents municipal fishermen from various coastal communities in Cebu, said declaring the entire

province a shark and rays sanctuary is a welcome development.

He said the shark and rays population have dwindled over the years because of hunting for food.

“We, from the municipal fishing communities, welcome this decision, as our livelihood and food is heavily dependent on the health of the seas. We haven’t seen them for years and we admit to hunting them down for food, as we are being robbed of the most important species every time commercial fishing operators cast their nets down in our waters,” he said.

Navea said protecting sharks and rays means protecting their fishing grounds and securing the future of their community.

Historical decision

Dr. Alessandro Ponzo of the Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines said protecting sharks and rays is a welcome development for scientists.

“For us in the scientific community, the decision of Cebu City government is historical as shark and ray science points to an unprecedented decline of these species,” he said.

Despite progress made in science, there is a dearth of knowledge in shark and ray species diversity, habitat, biology and threats, Ponzo explained.

He said new species are being discovered during expeditions and market surveys.

“Rare species are even documented in Philippine waters, such as the megamouth shark, the country having the third-highest number of reports worldwide, and the critically endangered sawfish.

We need to have science to inform us, in the best possible ways, on shark management,” he said.

According to Ponzo, moving forward as a country together is a must to reverse this trend in sharks and rays population decline. “If there are problems along the way, we can always fix it,” she said.

A t t he s u m m it i n D u m a guete City, Anna Oposa, executive director of Save Philippine Seas, underscored the need to

engage var ious sta keholders, from policy-makers, scientists, advocates and youth to ensure sustainable management and conservation of sharks and rays.

The summit aims to review the accomplishments and gaps based on the commitments crafted during the 2014 Shark Summit, identify solutions and stakeholders to address gaps and other issues on shark management and conservation, and review and enhance proposed policies on shark protection.

“By bringing an interdisciplinary, multistakeholder group together, the Shark Summit is expected to play a significant role in strengthening the conservation of shark species in the Philippines, and ensuring that the plans created during the week are supported by commitments, enforceable legislation and management,” Oposa said.

National plan

The Philippines already has in place a National Plan of Action for Sharks, which provides the minimum requirement in shark conservation. According to Moonyeen Alava, executive director of Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation Inc., the government needs to focus its attention to ensuring that these species, as crucial indicator of a healthy marine ecosystem, will be sustainably managed and protected.

AA Yaptinchay, director of the Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines, said shark tourism is becoming more and more popular in the Philippines.

Sites, like Donsol for whale sharks, Tubbataha reefs for reef shark s and Monad shoa l for thresher sharks, have become popular tourist spots, which only proves that protecting these marine wildlife species has direct socioeconomic benefits.

“Many more sites have this potential if only we could find a way to reduce the threat of unmanaged fisheries to their populations. This move is also critical to keep marine ecosystems healthy,” he said.

Faith

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Sunday, November 20, 2016

Sunday

Editor: Lyn B. Resurreccion

Blessed James Alberione, founder of Pauline Family

By Corazon Damo-Santiago

T

Victims of Supertyphoon Yolanda (international code name Haiyan) on November 8, 2013, look for their belongings around destroyed houses on the outskirts of Tacloban on Leyte island. The region was the worst affected by the typhoon, causing widespread damage and loss of life. Caritas is responding by distributing food, shelter, hygiene kits and cooking utensils. Eoghan Rice-Trócaire/Caritas/Wikimedia Commons

Church arm hits planned ‘eviction’ of Yolanda victims in Tacloban

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he Catholic Church’s social-action arm is opposing a government plan to tear down houses in “danger zones” in Tacloban City.

Caritas Philippines is asking officials of the city government of Tacloban to revisit their decision to evict thousands of families from their homes.

According to the Community of Yolanda Survivors and Partners (C YSP), t he demol it ion will lead to the displacement of families in at least 15 coastal v i l l ages, pa r t icu l a rly in Magallanes and San Jose districts.

The CYSP is a coalition of 163 community organizations and 10 non-governmental organizations, including Caritas Philippines, the Canadian Catholic for Development and Peace, and the Urban Poor Associates.

3,500

The number of families hit

by Supertyphoon Yolanda who will be affected by the eviction plan

“We are appealing to stop the imminent plan by the city government of Tacloban to forcibly evict 3,500 Yolanda-affected families in Tacloban City’s so called danger zones,” Caritas said.

Considered the most powerful storm to make landfall in recorded histor y, Yolanda affected 1,473,251 families, with 6,300 killed.

The plan to begin the demolition and relocate the families came after an order from President Duterte to complete the shelter reconstruction of Yolanda survivors by December this year.

But in a letter sent to Cabinet Secretary Leoncio B. Evasco Jr., the CYSP said most families resist the planned transfer to northern barangays because of absence of livelihood opportunities and difficult access to essential services, such as schools, markets and hospitals.

“Unfortunately, this is not the kind of response that the Yol a nd a su r v ivors h ad been praying for. [They are asking] the administration of President Duterte to review, reform and improve the rehabilitation and reconstruction process under its

watch,” the letter said. They also said that water and electricity also remain an “uphill challenge” in the relocation sites.

“This is another knee-jerk reaction that will only exacerbate the situation of Yolanda survivors, who will now have to swallow the bitter pill of living in housing projects that are without access to water, electricity and to education facilities,” the CYSP added.

The CYSP called on Evasco to convene an interagency dialogue to address the situation and clarify key issues on Yolanda reconstruction. They lamented that many important concerns remain unclear, such as the need for ensuring survivors’ participation in the reconstruction process.

Originally scheduled in July last year, the plan to evict the families living along coastal areas or dangers zones was deferred after it faced strong opposition from the affected communities. CBCPNews

Pope praises Latinos, immigrants in remarks to US Catholic Church

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ALTIMORE—Pope Francis praised Latino contributions to the country in a message to US Roman Catholic bishops on Tuesday, a week after Donald J. Trump was elected president and on the day the prelates put a Mexican-born archbishop in line to be their leader.

Francis noted that the US church has welcomed immigrants throughout its history and said the “rich variety of their languages and cultural traditions” had enriched the church and the country. He urged the US church to “go out from its comfort zone” and heal a society facing “increasing polarization”.

“Our great challenge is to create a culture of encounter, which encourages individuals and groups to share the richness of their traditions and experience; to break down walls and to build bridges,” he said.

During the campaign, Trump called Mexican immigrants rapists and criminals and pledged to build a wall along the US-Mexico border.

He has vowed to deport people in the country illegally and who have criminal records unrelated to their immigration status. The pope sent the message to the annual Baltimore meeting of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Earlier on Tuesday, the bishops elected Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez, a native of Monterrey, Mexico, as the conference’s first Latino vice president. The vice president customarily becomes president after a three-year term,

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo (left) of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston shakes hands with Archbishop Joseph Kurtz (center) of Louisville, Kentucky, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Rev. J. Brian Bransfield, USCCB general secretary, after DiNardo was elected as Kurtz’s successor during the conference’s annual fall meeting in Baltimore, on Tuesday. Among DiNardo’s duties during his three-year term will be guiding the bishops’ relationship with President-elect Donald Trump. AP/Patrick Semansky

putting Gomez in line to be the first Latino head of the conference.

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, archbishop of Galveston-Houston, Texas, who also has a large number of immigrant parishioners, was elected president for the next three years. At the very start of the meeting on Monday, the bishops issued a plea to adopt humane policies toward immigrants and refugees, and vowed to stand with them and serve them no matter what is ahead.

Earlier this year Archbishop Joseph Tobin of Indianapolis refused a request by Indiana Gov. Mike Pence to stop settling Syrian refugees in the state. Pence is now vice-president elect. The

pope will make Tobin a cardinal in a ceremony on Sunday in Rome.

“On the level of immigration, from our point of view, we certainly respect the government,” DiNardo said at a news conference after he was elected. “But we also have the shepherd’s heart. If there’s somebody hungry, we’re going to feed them. If there’s somebody thirsty, we’re going to give them something to drink. If there’s somebody who is a stranger, we want to make them welcome.”

Latinos comprise about four in 10 US Catholics and are already a majority in several dioceses, including Los Angeles, where they make up about 70 percent of parishioners. They are on track to

become a majority in the entire US church within years.

The new conference leaders do not set policy. But they will represent the bishops’ conference to Trump, among other duties.

While bishops could find common ground with Trump, who has pledged to appoint anti-abortion federal judges, church leaders are deeply unsettled by his promised crackdown on immigrants and refugees.

Catholics are by far the largest faith tradition in the US, with more than 68 million members, according to the Cara research center at Georgetown University.

The US church has a nationwide network of legal and social service programs for immigrants and refugees. “Our mission is to help people to be united in our country and have hope,” Gomez said.

At the Baltimore meeting, a video was shown of Francis reading his statement in English. It was timed to promote an effort called Encuentro, a national period of reflection and focus on Latino Catholics that will begin in dioceses in January and continue for years. The pope made no mention of the US presidential elections in his message.

“Mindful of the contributions that the Hispanic community makes to the life of the nation, I pray that the Encuentro will bear fruit for the renewal of the American society and for the church’s apostolate in the United States,” Francis said. AP

he heavens declare the glory of God and the sky above proclaims his handiwork is diluted in the sensate world of the 20th century.

All the wants and needs of the world today are seen, talked about and written in the social media.

Advertisements relentlessly assert that you deserve the best.

Aware of the gratification worldly things offer, pride, covetousness and greed are enhanced in man’s heart. Why be a fool for Christ’s sake? They prefer to live a comfortable and pleasurable life.

God’s words are then set aside, leftover in the overflowing plate of worldliness.

Pope John Paul II, during the beatification of James Alberione, founder of the Pauline Family, declared on April 27, 2003: “Inspired by the apostolate of Saint Paul, a theologian and architect of the church, Blessed James Alberione felt the need to make Jesus Christ, the way, the truth and the life, known to all people of our time with the means of our time.”

Destined for a mission

It was on December 31, 1900, when Alberione listened intently to Giuseppe Toniolo, a Catholic sociologist and thinker, expound on the needs of the church to spread the gospel and the “duty of press with the press and organization with organization.”

As apostle of the times, “the need to use means exploited by adversaries” has to be considered and unite, for “if the enemy finds us alone he will overcome us one by one,” lingered on his mind.

After a solemn Mass, the frail 16-year-old Alberione, who expressed a desire to be a priest to his Grade 1 teacher 10 years ago, stayed for four hours praying fervently.

Contemplating on the year ahead, the “Special Light from the Blessed Sacrament,” obliged him to prepare himself to do something for the Lord’s mandate.

What does God want him to do?

When? How?

Attuned to God

James Alberione was born in San Lorenzo di Fossano, Cuneo, Italy, on April 4, 1884; the fourth of six children of Michael Alberione and Teresa Alloco, Christian and hardworking farmers.

W hen the family moved to Cheraso in the Diocese of Alba, Father Montersino, the parish priest of Saint Martin Church, helped Alberione reflect and respond to God’s inspirations.

At 6, his desire to be a priest positively influenced his studies, thoughts, behavior and prayer life.

He had his first communion at 8 years old and became involved in the Holy Childhood Association, which helped Oriental children.

At 16, he entered the Seminary of Alba, where he met Fr. Francisco Chiesa, his model for priestly life who became a friend and spiritual advisor for 46 years.

He was ordained on June 29, 1907, and was assigned as assistant pastor in Narzoleo, Cureo. Here, he met Guiseppe Giaccardo, who would be his Timothy, as Timothy of Lystra was to Saint Paul, a constant companion in his ministry.

In 1908 he finished his PhD in Theology and was assigned as the special director of the seminary in Alba and professor of the church in Civil History. As a catechist, he was charged to take charge of the diocesan paper.

On August 20, 1914, he opened the Little Worker Typographical School with four companions. He offered, under Saint Paul’s protection, the apostle of all people who brought the gospel to many people, the simple printing press.

Alberione was accorded the original interpretation of the word

Blessed Giacomo Alberione Wikimedia Commons

editor, from the latin word edere “to bring forth”.

To Christianize the masses, he wanted to make known Jesus, the Master—the Way, the Truth and the Life. He desired that the bible— the Book of Humanity—be known.

He knew then that he would work in a “society influenced by modernism, Marxist, socialism and masonry.”

He worked relentlessly and prayed unceasingly for long hours on his knees, unmindful of his arthritis in the spine. Once a week after Mass he, likewise, withdrew the whole day to reflect on God’s desire for him.

Apostle of editions

On August 20, 1914, Alberione laid the foundation of the Pious Society of Saint Paul, with Teresa Merlo of Cuneo as the first member. In 1917 he formed the Union of Lay Pauline Cooperators to enhance lay involvement in the apostolate of the media. The second congregation for women, the Pious Disciples of the Divine Master to take charge of the priestly, Eucharistic and liturgical apostolate, was started in 1919.

In 1993 he was gravely ill of pulmonary tuberculosis and declared dying by doctors. He recovered and attributed to Saint Paul his miraculous cure.

Desiring to reach as many kinds of readers after the launching of the magazine Vita Pastorale for parish priests in 1912, he launched the Christian Family for families; Mother of God, to extol the Blessed Mother; the Good Shepherd magazine; Way, Truth and Life for Christian doctrine, Life in Christ and in the Church; and the Little Newspaper for children.

With 50 years of involvement in press, motion pictures, radio, television and records production, he was invited to attend the Second Vatican Council from October 11, 1962, until December 8, 1965.

Fr. Stephen Lamera, SSP, in James Alberione, wrote that he “ faithfully participated in all the meetings in prayer, silence, humility and hiddenness.”

His legacy

Doing everything only and always for God’s glory, he spent hours in adoration. He would always hear in his heart. “Do not fear.

I am with you. I will cast light. Be sorry for sins.” These statements are found near the tabernacle in all Pauline chapels in testimony that Eucharistic adoration is the root of Pauline prayerlife.

When he died, he left a Pauline Family, composed of five religious congregations and four aggregated institutions united in prayer and apostolate to spread God’s words, in 510 houses in 35 countries.

He died on November 26, 1971, in Rome, after a personal visit and blessing from Pope Paul VI. Declared venerable on June 25, 1996, he was beatified on April 27, 2003, by Pope John Paul II. Santiago is a former regional director of the Department of Education National Capital Region. She is currently a faculty member of Mater Redemptoris College in Calauan, Laguna.

Sports BusinessMirror

A8 Sunday, November 20, 2016

TWINKLE, TWINKLE...

Chito Victolero debuts on Sunday for the Hotshots, who are playing without twotime Most Valuable Player James Yap for the first time in 13 years, against defending champion San Miguel Beer.

By Joel Orellana

S

TAR failed to twinkle last season with Jason Webb calling the shots. Now, the Hotshots are gambling with a new coach who left a young team in the Philippine Basketball Association also last season.

Chito Victolero debuts on Sunday for the Hotshots, who are playing without two-time Most Valuable Player (MVP) James Yap for the first time in 13 years, against defending champion San Miguel Beer.

Game time is 6:15 p.m., right after the traditional ceremony that would open the league’s 42nd season through the all-Filipino Philippine Cup. Eyes will be on Victolero, who handled Mahindra for four conferences before shocking the league last year by tendering his resignation, citing personal reasons.

Victolero was the Floodbuster’s (formerly the Enforcer) chief assistant to head coach Manny Pacquiao, who is now juggling his roles as champion boxer, basketball player and senator—not necessarily in that order.

He now took a full-time coaching job at Star, which struggled big time under Webb last season with a forgettable 11-22 win-loss record, including a dismal 2-9 performance in the season-ending Governors’ Cup. Webb, however, remained as the team’s chief deputy coach, the same role Victolero had with his former team.

“We had a forgettable season,” Star Governor Rene Pardo said during the PBA’s 42nd season press conference early in the week.

“There’s no other way but to go up.”

Paul Lee, like Yap a product of University of the East, is now a Star player and will have on his side Marc Pingris, Peter June Simon, Mark Barroca and Allein Maliksi.

Star also landed a prized rookie in Jio Jalalon, the spitfire from Arellano University, who impressed coaches during the Combine Draft. He was MVP of the mini

tournament of that exercise.

“Jio could contribute a lot of things. His energy and hustle will be a big plus for us,” Victolero said of the 5-foot-10 combo guard.

To make room for Jalalon, the Hotshots dealt RR Garcia to San Miguel Beer and Alex Mallari in another trade.

The Star also got shooting forward Aldrech Ramos from Mahindra and signed free agent Samboy de Leon, a former Centro Escolar University standout. The Hotshots also tabbed another Red Warrior, Chris Javier.

“The new players are blending well in the team and Coach Chito. We are excited,” Pardo said.

Victolero’s first test is against reigning Coach of the Year Leo Austria, who steered the Beermen to back-to-back Philippine Cup titles.

He is seeking a third straight crown that would give San Miguel Beer permanent possession of the Jun Bernardino Perpetual Trophy.

Introduced in 2007 by the league, the team that wins the Philippine Cup for three straight seasons brings home the trophy for good.

Named after the amiable late commissioner Jun Bernardino, the trophy is made up of 14-karat gold and is worth P.5 million. It was designed

by National Artist Ramon Orlina.

“It will be tough. Almost all of the teams have improved their rosters,” said Austria, when asked of their chances for a hat trick.

Besides Garcia, Arnold Van Opstal, Filipino-American guard Rashawn McCarthy and Keith Agovida are the new faces on the San Miguel Beer bench. They gave away veteran guard Ryan Araña to Mahindra in the off-season.

Former scoring champion Gary David’s contract, however, was not renewed by the league’s most successful franchise.

» TWO-TIME Most Valuable Player James Yap

won’t be in this Star uniform when the league opens shop on Sunday.

VALDEZ IN UNFAMILIAR TERRITORY T

HE season has been cruel to Alyssa Valdez. The former Ateneo de Manila star wound up without a championship in 2016.

Valdez could not bring the magic she weaved in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines with the Bureau of Customs Transformers, losing to Pocari Sweat in Game Two, 14-25, 10-25, 25-22, 23-25, of the best-ofthree Finals series of the recent Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Reinforced Conference.

Valdez was in tears when blue and white confettis, the colors of Pocari Sweat, rained down from the rafters of the PhilSports Arena before a huge Monday crowd.

She failed to receive Desiree Dadang’s service that clinched the crown for Pocari Sweat.

“Even though you give it your best, you are not assured of a positive result,” said Valdez, who was limited to only 10 points in Game Two. “Of course, who wanted to lose a championship match.”

Valdez was also in her elements last season but was luckier as she helped lead her former team, PLDT Home Ultera, to a golden double.

As a consolation, a major one, Valdez bagged her third Most Valuable Player trophy in the V-League, the same number of MVP titles she won in her UAAP career that was highlighted by back-to-back Ateneo championships—until they were foiled by the De La Salle Lady Spikers last season.

But the crowd darling from Batangas remained grateful of her blessings.

“How heavy was it? You feel it’s that heavy when your teammates, your fans and coaches are supporting you all the way,” Valdez said. “But it’s a matter of how you recover at the end of the day. And I think I’m really lucky to have a good support system. We’re all blessed, after all.”

The runner-up finish with debuting team Customs would not be the end for Valdez.

“It doesn’t stop here,” Valdez, also the first Best Outside Spiker of the conference, said. “For a first-timer in the Finals, being a new team, you get to feel the pressure.

Perhaps, this is a motivation and inspiration for me, my teammates and the team to excel in the coming season.”

Lance Agcaoili

ALYSSA VALDEZ (left), seen here celebrating a point with her Bureau of Customs teammates, winds up without a championship in 2016.

mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph

SPORTS Vision President Ricky Palou says the All-Star Games is one way of giving back to the fans.

V-League stars showcase wares

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HE Shakey’s V-League’s best and brightest—and perhaps even the prettiest—get to showcase their wares in what could go down as a no-holds-barred and all-fun All-Star Games on Sunday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

Sports Vision, organizer of the Shakey’s V-League, which has recently concluded its 13th season and the young Spikers’ Turf for men, is staging the All-Star Games for the first time, an extravaganza which the group’s president, Ricky Palou, said is their way of giving back to the fans.

“We believe that the timing is perfect for such an endeavor,” Palou said. “This is not only to showcase our best, but to also give back to the fans and the victims of Typhoon Lawin.”

The Shakey’s V-League All-Star Game is the main event of the festivities at 5:15 p.m., while the Spikers’ Turf All-Star Game commences at 3 p.m.

Proceeds of the event will go to victims of Typhoon Lawin.

According to Tournament Director Tony Liao, the coaches were selected based on their performance. As for the players, their selection was primarily based on statistics.

The coaches, Guiao said, picked their players in a “draftlike” manner.

“And like the NBA [National Basketball Association] AllStar Game, the players in this charity event will wear their respective light and dark club or school jerseys depending on which team they are listed.”

Bureau of Customs star Alyssa Valdez banners Team 1 with her former Ateneo teammates Denden Lazaro and Dzi Gervacio of BaliPure, Jema Galanza and Wenneth Eulalio of Laoag, Wendy Semana and Jocemer Tapic of Air Force, Fen Emnas of Customs and Elaine Kasilag of Pocari Sweat.

Team 1 also includes EJ Laure of University of Santo Tomas (UST), Nicole Tiamzon of University of the Philippines (UP) and Remy Palma of Far Eastern University (FEU).

Philippine Air Force’s Jasper Jimenez, Bureau of Customs’ Sherwin Meneses, and Laoag’s Nes Pamiliar will call the shots for Team 1.

Team 2 is mostly composed of collegiate stars. Pocari Sweat stars Michele Gumabao, Myla Pablo, Melissa Gohing, Gyzelle Sy and BaliPure’s Amy Ahomiro will lead the young All-Team 2, along with UP’s Isa Molde, Diana Carlos and Marianne Buitre, as well as UST’s Cherry Rondina and Ria Meneses, Ateneo’s Jia Morado and FEU’s Chin Basas.

The Team 2 coaching staff is composed of Rommel Abella of Pocari Sweat, Kungfu Reyes of UST and Jerry Yee of UP. Collegiate Conference champion National University’s Jaja Santiago and Jasmine Nabor and their coach, Edjet Mabbayad, will miss the All-Star. They are attending a 12day training camp with the whole NU team in Japan.

The Open Conference Most Valuable Player Grethcel Soltones, who played three conferences for BaliPure, San Sebastian College and Laoag, would not be around because of her commitment with San Sebastian in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 92 women’s tournament, which is now in full swing.

The extravaganza—supported by Shakey’s, Mikasa, Accel, BaliPure, Pocari Sweat, the Philippine Sports Commission and ABS-CBN Sports and Action—begins at 1:30 p.m. with a meet-and-greet activity with fans.

The games will be televised on ABS-CBN Sports and Action on a delayed basis, according to Sports Vision General Manager Ramon Martelino.

“The proceeds after cost will be donated to the victims of Typhoon Lawin through the ABS-CBN Foundation. Hopefully, through volleyball we can generate awareness about the plight and suffering of our countrymen and for our players, coaches, partners and fans to be socially aware,” Martelino said. Lance Agcaoili

‘NFL’S MARIJUANA POLICIES SHOULD GO UP IN SMOKE’

By Bryce Miller

The San Diego Union-Tribune

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T’S time for the National Football League (NFL) to stop penalizing marijuana use by its players as states, including the country’s most populous, California, continue to open doors to recreational and medical use.

The simple reason: There are more important things to worry about.

Worry about violent crimes, including the league’s struggles to police domestic violence among its own players. Lose front-office sleep over drugs that enhance performance and create truly unfair competitive advantages.

Hand-wring all you want and need, NFL. Just stop with marijuana. It’s grown into the league’s No. 1 nonissue, as proved by leaps and bounds in ballot booths from Bakersfield to Boston.

And deep down the NFL, as brand and image conscious as any professional sport, knows it.

California’s recent passage of Proposition 64 allowed conditional recreational use by citizens 21 and older. Three other states—Maine, Massachusetts

and Nevada—did the same thing. It’s already legal for recreational use in Oregon, Washington, Colorado and Alaska.

Nearly a quarter of the NFL’s teams now play in states where recreational use is legal. More than half of the states in the US now allow medical use. The stigma and arguments for the continued policy vanish with each puff-puff-passing day.

And that doesn’t even address the potential saner, safer, natural pain-management benefits for players battered by America’s most violent pastime.

Pittsburgh Steelers guard Ramon Foster, the team’s union representative, argued to USA Today that allowing marijuana use to combat pain could steer players away from addictive opioids.

“Would you rather have somebody that smokes occasionally or someone that, when you take that away from him, you have the guy that’s downing a fifth of Hennessy every night, or Tito’s Vodka. Is that what you want?” said Foster, according to USA Today.

“Would you rather have somebody that smokes marijuana at home, don’t go anywhere, or would you rather have the guy at the bar taking shots after shots? Why?”

He’s right.

Alcohol, though more socially accepted, has the potential to create and cultivate more damaging shortand long-term problems.

Yes, the NFL has the right and, we’d all likely argue, the responsibility to insist on “higher standards” in its workplace. Does the country agree, though, that it’s truly a higher standard—and one worth fighting to defend?

The NFL and NFL Players Association (NFLPA) already agreed to loosen and lessen marijuana-related policies when the league’s current drug policy was passed in September 2014.

The league, though, remains mired in half-steps.

This doesn’t mean locker rooms and the game’s public spaces will become Amsterdam hash dens, hazier than the milky skies over Beijing. That isn’t the intent and no one would allow it. And, no one should.

Be assured, too, that the league and the NFLPA— which confirmed to the Washington Post that it’s forming a pain-management committee—will do its due diligence on medical science and data.

The NFL will encounter tangles and hurdles, without a doubt. There’s the issue of teams playing

in states where marijuana use is not legal.

There’s federal law. In the end, though, the NFL controls who it suspends and for what. The league and the players association can ensure equity.

Some will argue that players allowed to use weed will do so for reasons beyond managing pain. So what? How does that affect you, me or the game?

Save the time and effort for things that really impact the sport in negative or unfair ways.

The discussion isn’t going away. In fact, it’s building steam.

NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reported that a survey of 10 team owners and top executives showed most support rethinking marijuana-related suspensions.

To those worried that it sends the wrong message about drug use: Alcohol, by all accounts, is far more addictive.

Millions watched the movie Concussion, which detailed the horrible impact of concussions and CTE in former players.

If a continually more accepted, natural substance like marijuana could help address pain for that and other injuries in scientifically supportable ways, why oppose it?

Trust in this: The pain will be addressed, some way and somehow.

Proposition 64’s victory and the marijuana-use votes in the three other states offers ammunition, opportunity and timing to discuss the topic more broadly—including inside the jarring world of professional football.

It’s time to let the opposition go.

The tired thinking fails to address far too many modern realities, inside of league locker rooms and out.

Move on, NFL.

Tourism&Entertainment Editor: Carla Mortel-Baricaua • tourism@businessmirror.com.ph

BusinessMirror

Sunday, November 20, 2016

A7

Getaway at Metro’s Doorstep

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Story & photos

by Bernard L. Supetran

here was a time when the distant shores and powdery beaches in the southern Philippines were just a pipe dream because of the prohibitive airfares, and Metro Manilans had to content themselves with the so-called excursions in nearby weekend getaways.

Among the favorite destinations then was Norzagaray, tucked in Bulacan’s interior roads, just at the north eastern doorstep of the big city. Called fondly as “Garay”, it is an unheralded tourist destination, especially for those who love the great outdoors and the simple joys of a nofrills back-to-basics excursion.

It is so near that tourists often look past it in search of adventures in a province far, far away.

Garay can easily be accessed via the Bocaue Exit of the North Luzon Expressway (Nlex) even by public transportation. Visitors are welcomed at the Poblacion by the Monument of Spanish GovernorGeneral Fernando de Norzagaray, who decreed its creation in 1860, separating it from Angat town.

An exciting alternative route is via Fairview, Quezon City, and San Jose del Monte City if you want to pedal or motor your way to this town, which would like to be known as a haven for two-wheeled vehicles.

Its topography is generally flat and becomes undulating and hilly near the foot of the Sierra Madre Mountain ranges. The town sits by

Biking in Norzagaray by Bulacan Bike Trails

Eiffel Tower Zipline at Adventure Resort Bitbit River Limestone

the Angat River belt, which is at 20 meters to 50 meters above sea level (MASL), making it relatively cooler than the metropolis.

With a hilly terrain and a meandering river that runs through it, Garay is an ideal ecotourism and adventure getaway worth rediscovering.

Angat River Hydroelectric Plant, the town’s tourism icon, is the country’s biggest in terms of power-generation capacity and a major source of potable water. With a reservoir ridge spanning 37-kilometer and 6,155 hectares covered

with watershed forests, the dam is best viewed from the view deck at 212 MASL, which provides an exhilarating panorama as cool, crisp mountain air caresses your skin.

A must-visit is the tell-tale Bakas River, a portion of the Angat River, which literally means “footprint,” alluding to the footprints of the mythical prehistoric giant Bernardo Carpio. Legend says that the other footprint is on the other side of the mountain in Wawa Dam in Montalban, Rizal. Bakas is noted for its big natural white stones along the banks, the green scenery surrounding it, the fresh air and the cool and calm current. The river resort offers refreshing and inex-

ANGAT Dam

pensive picnics reminiscent of the good old days.

Nestled at the foot of the Sierra Mountain range, scenic Bitbit River offers two adventures—jumping onto the river’s deep portion from the 20-foot boulders or rapelling down a 100-foot bridge. Similar to the topography of Bakas, you can dip in its icy water or picnic in the river bank huts.

Upstream is Ipo Dam, a component of the Angat River Hydroelectric system, which saw fierce battles between American and Japanese troops in 1945 during the closing months of World War II. Aside from the National Historical Commission’s historical brass plaque, there is a couple of memorial markers attesting to its vital role during the war.

Another must-see is Pinagrealan Cave, a subterranean network of caverns extending more than a kilometer deep, which figured in history as refuge of Katipunero freedom fighters during the 1896 Revolution against Spain and again during the Filipino-American War in 1899 as a hideout of General Emilio Aguinaldo, then-president of the First Philippine Republic. It was also used as a garrison by the Japanese Imperial Army when the

American liberation troops came.

Hilltop, monikered as the “Baguio of Bulacan”, is a breathtaking vista of the Sierra Madre Range, which mesmerizes visitors. This is a favorite spot for bikers to gaze at the land below after pedaling around the roads less traveled. It has a park for camping and swimming, and riverbank cottages, which lure locals and tourists alike for a refreshing dip.

If Garay beckons you to stay overnight, there are several resort hotels where you can linger a little longer. Adventure Resort, of the bigger accommodation facilities, has giant slides and recreational adventure, such as an outdoor wall and a zipline mounted on a replica of the Eiffel Tower. You can also tour the world’s famous landmarks through the smaller versions, the Statue of Liberty, Great Wall of China and the map of the Mediterranean Europe.

Falcon Crest Resort is superb for true-blue adventurers with its obstacle courses, rope course and team-building facilities for groups and families. Tucked in the middle of nowhere, it has become one of the preferred teambuilding destinations near the metropolis with its simple but

adrenaline-pumping exercises.

Family-oriented resorts are Galilee Wonderland, which has a Noah’s Ark-inspired park, and Malamig Park Resort, which sports a superhero motif and has a wave pool with rainbow-colored night lights.

For quiet moments away from the madding crowd, there is Saint John Mary Vianney Retreat House, which has a landscaped uphill garden, which takes you closer to heaven, quite literally. Come chow time, you can feast on all-time favorites at the native-themed JL Jamie’s Restaurant, which boasts of, perhaps, the crunchiest crispy pata you’ll ever bite.

If you can’t kick your craving for brewed coffee, swing by Kangay, a fast casual café, which also serves Pinoy dishes with a contemporary twist, as well as pasta, sandwiches, pastries and shakes.

A vernacular word for feasting, Kangay is jocularly called the conjugation of a local trait—kain and tangay, or “eat and take out”, which is not too far-fetched, considering its tasty offerings.

With its natural wonders too charming to ignore, Norzagaray hopes to recapture its place as a top getaway—and hideaway—at the doorstep of the metropolis.

New DOT strategies to bring 12M arrivals in 2022 Tourism is top New Zealand export earner; PHL tourists up 37%

By Marane A. Plaza

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nternational attraction for New Zealand continues to grow, pushing its tourism industry at the top of its export earners, as it contributed $14.5 billion into the economy and directly employing over 188,000 people for the year ending March 2016.

Recent statistics show that more than 3.38 million international visitors visited New Zealand in the year ending September 2016. More than 885,000 visitors were from Asia, with visitors from the Philippines accounting for 18,208 of the total figure—an increase of 37 percent from September 2015.

Steven Dixon, regional manager, South and Southeast Asia at Tourism New Zealand, said, “Tourism benefits all New Zealanders and the level of growth we are achieving is presenting huge opportunities that are ripe for the picking,” he said.

“The impact of tourism is far ranging, benefiting retail owners, supermarkets, petrol stations, res-

taurants and cafes in addition to accommodation and travel spend.

One in 13 New Zealanders are now directly employed in the tourism industry and this will increase as visitor numbers continue to grow.”

Tourism New Zealand has also estimated that the number of overseas visitors to New Zealand will double in seven years at the current rate of growth.

On the increasing number of international visitors, Dixon said New Zealand is seeing the highest level of international tourism expenditure on record and the figure is set to increase.

“Extremely successful Middle earth campaigns and a deep focus on digital media helped drive significant growth in visitor numbers,” he said.

“Over the last year, we have been really focused on attracting visitors in the shoulder seasons to spread visitor numbers more evenly across the entire year.

“We invested 100 percent of our marketing dollars into travel outside peak periods and, as a result, the combined percentage growth for autumn 2015 and spring 2016 was considerably higher than the summer growth.”

Citing increased air capacity as a major contributor to the rising number of Filipino tourists, Dixon added that Tourism New Zealand is also seeking to strengthen tourism ties between New Zealand and the Philippines.

Toward this end, Tourism New Zealand has launched initiatives, such as the trade training for tourism operators, which bring together travel sellers and tourism operators from both countries.

“This allows us to raise awareness of New Zealand’s travel offerings and to equip local travel sellers with superior knowledge of New Zealand to help them plan exciting holidays for their customers,” Dixon said.

Postage stamp celebrates PAL’s 75th anniversary

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commemorative postage stamp marking Philippine Airlines’s (PAL) 75th anniversary was presented by the Philippine Postal Corp. to PAL Chairman Dr. Lucio C. Tan and PAL President Jaime J. Bautista in a ceremony on November 8 at the Villamor Airbase Grandstand, Pasay City.

The stamp features PAL’s flagship aircraft, the Boeing 777-300ER, soaring over the world and Philippine maps.

It reflects PAL’s role of flying Filipinos to the far corners of the globe and back home, as well as linking the islands of a nation.

The design by the Philippine Postal Corp. also shows the flag carrier’s current mandate—to be a showcase of the best of the Philippines to the world. Many associate PAL to the Philippines while the Philippines, is best represented by PAL.

The stamp’s unveiling was a key sidelight of PAL’s public presentation of its seventh B777.

“Despite today’s electronic age of emails, chats and private messages, the postage stamp refuses to be relegated to the postal service archives,” Bautista said.

“They remain relevant because stamps contain messages of a certain time, certain place, person, event or era.

They are rich in historical significance... and appreciated particularly by philatelists,” he added.

The Philippine Postal Corp. first issued the PAL stamp on October 19. The stamp captures a significant milestone in the history of Asia’s first airline.

For the last 75 years, PAL had caused the issuance of commemorative stamps to mark historic occasions.

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t the recent third Calabarzon Tourism Summit in Taal Vista Hotel in Tagaytay, the Department of Tourism (DOT) presented its overall road map in improving the Philippine Tourism from 2016-2022.

With the theme “Moving Towards Diversity, Innovation and Sustainability”, Undersecretary Alma Rita Jimenez laid down the overall plans that are geared toward uplifting local tourism.

Current tourism arrival figures are still mostly dictated by past strategies applied by the DOT in 2015. With the new plans of trends and strategies in the coming years, Jimenez stated that the effects of the new structures will be seen by 2017.

“We have a road map for our overall plans, but there are still sign posts along the way that we need to adjust in terms of what works out and does not. The devil really is in the details, and execution is the hardest part,” Jimenez said.

Jimenez, one of the main forces in DOT who helps organize local leadership initiatives in advocacy to sustainable local tourism, believes that the improvement of the tourism condition of every local destination and region is “65-percent dependent on relationships with local government.” Such focused approach has been implemented in their current local tourism programs that assist each locality in promoting tourism in terms of giving localized training for locals to be efficient tour guides—from native Aetas being taught how to give tourists proper cultural tours in their farms and towns, to locals in Donsol, Sorsogon, being educated how to give amazing butanding beach tours.

According to Jimenez, the department’s goal for 2016-2022 is to make the Philippine tourism a very compelling narrative as whole, through each locality’s shared tourism stories. Actual changes are about to be applied to hit the expected target of 12 million visitors by the end of 2022. She envisions to achieve this by gathering updated information and indicators of emerging markets strengthening visibility in the market, and translating strategies into actual arrivals through seamless packages. These packages should bring tourism investment in our country through partnership with local destinations, equipping them with safety

DOT Undersecretary for Tourism Regulation, Coordination, and Resource Generation Alma Rita Jimenez

strategies per local destination, as well as cultural and localized tour-guide trainings.

The undersecretary also stated that the DOT is working more on progressive accreditation review, more innovative tourism opportunities, more extensive inventory of each destination, establishing a database and doing analytics for each destination at the tourists’ fingertips.

Detailed road map, new techniques

THE D.O.T. is aiming to inject a fresh perspective into implementing strategies, while still working on our current strength in tourism.

One strategy is “cohesive marketing” of our destinations.

Currently, each destination is marketed individually. What the DOT wants to do is to look at what our country’s niche markets require, checkout our own existing destinations that will cater to each niche market, group these destinations and market them cohesively.

“Some tourists are into water sports, some are golf enthusiasts, while some are here for faith tours. So for example, for faith tours, we want to group our beautiful fiestas and cultural festivals, as well as pilgrimages all over the Philippines. We want to present those destinations into one marketing strategy, as well as packages to provide a very good overall tourism experience,” Jimenez explained. “For golf tours, we want to group

all golfing destinations in the country into one marketing campaign and package, and truly cater to that niche market who has passion for golf, so that their goal is to visit and cross out each destination from the list. This way, we can develop repeat business. We want to do the same for other niche markets, such as diving market, mountaineering, water sports and other niche groups with passion for these activities.”

Localized tourism is the key. The DOT aims to fix each destination to appeal to the domestic tourists first. Filipinos have very discriminating tastes and very social-media savvy, thus making Filipino tourists our own effective brand ambassadors of the Philippine tourism in the global scale. She notes that it is important to always please the Filipino domestic tourists because they are the constant clients through the years and they are very expressive of their travel experience in social media. Domestic tourists are expected to stabilize our number in terms of tourism growth in the coming years.

The DOT also wants to revisit our tourism campaign. The “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” campaign appeals to the millennials, who comprise 30 percent to 40 percent of the market. The department aims to tap the silver market, which makes up the 25 percent to 30 percent of the overall tourists pi e. Laid-back resorts are being eyed to be strategically marketed to retired 50-year-old tourists.

Family-themed destinations are about to be highlighted, too, to service the older generation. A new campaign that will appeal to the 70-percent to 80-percent market composed of the millennial and silver markets might be considered.

Jimenez highlighted that more than anything, the DOT wants to achieve a very resilient tourism for the Philippines. “Tourism is the most vulnerable industry—be it climate situation, terrorism warnings, financial crisis—tourism is easily affected more than anything. But recently, the window for those effects is becoming smaller in global tourism. We want to have that, have our tourism to bounce back after every crisis. We just need proper ways to manage the communication with our markets with something like that happens, people today will travel and nothing can stop them,” she concluded.

Journey BusinessMirror

»life on the go

A9 | Sunday, November 20, 2016 • Editor: Tet Andolong

Pradera Verde, Pampanga’s newest sports destination, is set to make waves, a promising recreational development to watch for the next coming years.

An ultimate sports destination in Pampanga

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By Aimee Lagman

HERE’S more to Pampanga than Angeles City’s famous Clark Airbase and San Fernando’s giant lanterns. Slowly making its way in the tourism scene is the newest sports destination in Lubao, Pampanga—Pradera Verde.

This 315-hectare property is a hidden gem for adventure seekers. A sparkling new addition to the roster of activities you can do in the culinary capital. Once an empty field turned into an oasis for sports enthusiasts, now boasts of world-class leisure facilities, including a Wake Park, 2 18-hole golf course, villa, restaurant, function space, and soon-to-open waterpark and driving range.

A 30-minute ride from San Fernando exit via Olongapo-Gapan Road takes you to Lubao, the oldest town of Pampanga and considered the cradle of Capampangan civilization. Located along the highway is Pradera Verde’s seemingly endless land. The countless hue of green and clear blue sky is the backdrop for the ultimate weekend adventure.

Sports facilities

Beautiful sunshine is guaranteed, perfect for outdoor sports, such as wakeboarding. The park, features four man-made lakes,

surrounded by lush greenery frequently visited by exotic birds.

It was purposely built to give beginners and professional riders an easygoing wake-boarding experience. Three practice lakes for first-time riders with cable speed of 25mph make it easier to stand up on the board. General Manager Paulo Nasol’s commitment is to make you stand within an hour.

“Our goal here is for our guests to learn how to stand up so they can enjoy the sport,” Nasol said.

For the pros, they could look forward to a bigger lake with two docks complete with obstacles and lots of space to maneuver. The best features of the lakes are their clean spring water, state-of-theart filtration system, no chlorine or added chemicals, absence of slippery floor cover and easy exit with gradual incline off the water.

With all that, you don’t mind being wiped out.

For golf enthusiasts, Pradera Verde is a dream playground with two world-class courses to

choose from, one fully operational and one currently under construction, including a driving range and clubhouse with an additional restaurant.

Accommodation

Quality play deserves quality rest, and guests can get that in Pradera Verde. Comfortable stay is guaranteed in any of the Duplex suites good for three persons; two Bedroom Villas for six persons; and three Bedroom Villas for eight persons. Room package starts at P4,500 with breakfast, and it also offers a P6,000 rate with half-day ride and breakfast for two. Golfers are in for a treat with a P4,500 rate, inclusive of 18-hole golf course access with additional rate for golf cart and caddie. Rooms and bathroom are spacious complete with office work desk, receiving area, mini refrigerator, high-speed wireless Internet and fragrant toiletries. “For the accommodation, we want to provide space for our guests, giving them freedom to move,” Nasol said. To fully enjoy the park, each room is provided bicycles that guests can use to go around. Golf carts are also easily available for transfers.

Recreational Facilities

Going to Pampanga just to eat is not something new. Have a taste of traditional and nontraditional Capampangan cuisine at the Viewdeck Restaurant, while enjoying a panoramic view of the park. It is open until 6 pm. A room service best to order in advance for dinner is also available. Above the restaurant are two function spaces that can accommodate up to 200 per-

Have a taste of traditional and nontraditional Capampangan cuisine at the Viewdeck Restaurant, while enjoying a panoramic view of the park.

Above the restaurant are two function spaces that can accommodate up to 200 persons, perfect for social gatherings or out-of-the-box meetings.

To fully enjoy the park, bicycles are provided for guests to go around. Golf carts are also easily available for transfers.

sons, perfect for social gatherings or out-of-the-box meetings. There is also a playground, game room and game boards for rent. The whole ground is perfect for picnics, Frisbee game, flag football, running and biking. Expect more activities once the 3-hectare water park opens—which composes of a kiddie, beach and wave pool—by the end of the year. The whole idea is to have something for everybody to enjoy the outdoors.

Tourist spots

Although Pradera Verde is a one-stop destination, Lubao also offers other tourist spots worth visiting. No need to go far, just

The whole idea is to have something for everybody to enjoy the outdoors at Pradera Verde.

across you can find the whimsical Prado Farm. It is where art and bio farming meet. Next on the list is Lubao’s treasured cultural property, the 444-year-old church of Saint Augustine, known for its 17th-century architecture and Baroque-tyle retablo mayor. Knowing Lubao’s rich religious history, it is also a must to visit the Holy Cross Parish in Santa Cruz, which houses the black wooden Cross of the Crucified Jesus Christ. A religious artifact dating back in 1500 was a gift from Spanish conquistadors.

There is also the bamboo forest and a well-preserved hut, which so happened to be the birthplace of the ninth President of the Philip-

pines, Diosdado Macapagal. Best time to go is during the Lubao Hot Air Balloon Festival, which happens to be the biggest in SouthEast Asia, with 45 participants.

Pradera Verde, Pampanga’s newest holiday destination, is set to make waves, a promising recreational development to watch for the next coming years. With smooth ride from Manila via the North Luzon Expressway, laidback Capampangan approach to service, picturesque landscape and an up-and-coming ultimate sports destination, Pradera Verde is a must on your vacation calendar.

Visit praderaverde.ph via Facebook or Instagram for updates.

Comfortable stay is guaranteed in any of the Duplex suites good for three persons. Perfect for golf and wake-boarding enthusiasts traveling in groups.

Journey BusinessMirror

»life on the go

A10 Sunday, November 20, 2016

Editor: Tet Andolong

An affair with Marco Polo

Continental Deluxe King

The Continental Club Lounge

Cucina

Lung Hin

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By Tet Andolong

AMED after the famed explorer, Marco Polo Ortigas, which is located in the heart of Manila, is now a popular landmark transformation to the Ortigas skyline. The five-star hotel became a leading hub for the international tourist market.

Marco Polo has capitalized on the area that is set near the iconic Meralco Theater, San Miguel Building and SM Megamall, to name a few, by showcasing the renowned brand of Asian hospitality with a blend of Western comfort.

Known as the first sky hotel in the Philippines, Marco Polo has 316 and well-designed rooms and suites that have enormous space. The hotel is a product of refined design and a well-planned development with a team of internationally notable designers, including architectural design concept by MOHRI, Architect & Associates Inc. of Tokyo, Japan, and interior design concept by GLYPH Design Studio based in Canada.

The hotel has 45 floors, with dedicated floor areas exclusively for business and recreational use. The floors are accessed via high-speed elevators, including the first sky lobby in the country, which is situated at the 24th level, offering unprecedented views of the cityscape. Marco Polo also offers two Continental Club floors that accommodate superlative privileges and benefits for exclusive guests who desire a higher level of luxury, which is enhanced by its impressive new Continental Club lounge. The Continental Club, which is on the 44th floor, transforms into a stylish venue for business and leisure travelers. Continental Club floor guests can indulge in the exclusive services from complimentary daily breakfast, afternoon tea to cocktails.

Inside your room, opulence is all

in the details, as expressed through the tasteful selection of art pieces.

Marco Polo used fine furniture and interiors that are interpreted in a timeless design concept to create a serene and intimate atmosphere.

The room is lavished with pleasure and enjoyment—from hypoallergenic mattress to posh amenities; 42’ LED TV; high-speed Internet access for multiple devices, a Nespresso machine, hairdryer; iron and ironing board. Marco Polo is business-friendly for the most seasoned of travelers, including facilities and services such as audiovisual equipment, business center, computer rental and high-speed Internet access in all public areas, including function rooms.

Marco Polo is a great venue for any conference, events and special occasions. Their grand ballroom features all the design elements that can accommodate up to 600 guests. In addition, the eight function rooms can accommodate 250 guests. Moreover, one can experience the innovative design of the Connect Lounge, a gallery with an integrated business center that offers its guests a very cozy work space with a social vibe.

For a respite from the frenetic pace of life, Marco Polo offers a wide range of treatments and massage services perfect for unwinding and relaxation. The hotel is a wellness haven, as the entire 22nd floor of the hotel tower is dedicated to their guests featuring a state-of-the-art fitness center, spa and an indoor infinity pool aptly named as Flow.

Complimentary high-speed Wi-fi Internet service is available in the entire hotel to provide savvy business and leisure travelers a seamless connectivity for work or play.

The hotel’s cuisine has four varieties of tasty and appetizing treats as well as drinks to suit every palate. Café Pronto captures casual chic in its form and function. It is a beacon for coffee lovers where designer blends and aromatic coffees complement an array of savories, sandwiches, chocolates and a host of freshly baked confections. Specialty teas share the limelight at Café Pronto, where dining in or ordering to go will be a daily pleasure.

Cucina is the fashionable allday dining restaurant on the 24th floor, which features live station kitchens showcasing specialties from the world’s culinary capitals.

Experience bespoke buffets and an original á la carte menu in a stylish setting where attention to detail is supreme.

Lung Hin, the contemporary Chinese restaurant, serves traditional and authentic Cantonese food and fresh seafood from the expert hands of its Hong Kong chefs.

The sleek interiors and expansive layout blends in perfect symmetry with exclusive private rooms that is ideal for a range of intimate affairs.

Vu’s, the first-of-its-kind sky bar and lounge on the 45th floor of the hotel tower is poised to be a signature Ortigas attraction. Indulge in signature cocktails, wines, spirits and champagnes with Mediterranean tapas amid an awe-inspiring vista of the Marikina Valley, the Mountain Range of Antipolo and the Laguna Lake along the east and the vibrant Ortigas skyline with the world-renowned Manila sunset as a backdrop at the west side. The alfresco advantage is also celebrated with high end sounds and a Shisha lounge. Discover the spectacular as soon as you go sky high at Vu’s, where dining al fresco or indoors will be an event in itself.

An exclusive 15-percent discount on all Flow Spa treatments and massages is also available for travelers who wish to destress. The Continental Club room average rate is at P8,000++ per night. Log on to www.marcopolohotels.com for more information.

Marco Polo Ortigas Manila, the first sky hotel in the Philippines

Journey BusinessMirror

»life on the go

Editor: Tet Andolong

Sunday, November 20, 2016 A11

The suite life Myron's Restaurant serves all-day meals

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By Margarita Medrano-Tupaz

VER the years the branded residence sector has continued to intrigue developers, investors and customers, offering shortand long-term residents both security, an element of prestige and hassle-free accommodations for business and leisure travelers and local staycationers.

The Ascott Limited has blazed a trail in the serviced apartments industry across the globe because of its topnotch services and state-ofthe art facilities, at a very reasonable value.

Ascott Makati recently broke new ground with an extensive renovation. And what better way is there to enjoy and experience this breakthrough than to live it up to penthouse style.

The Suite

The newly renovated suites, which are even grander and more luxurious, further raised the benchmark in luxury living. The interior design concept fuses together elements of traditional style and contemporary luxury. Surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows, the Penthouse suite features expansive living and dining areas, designer interiors, lavish fittings, fully equipped modern kitchens,

home entertainment systems and wireless Wi-fi Internet connection.

The three en suite bedrooms and huge closet spaces are comforts that are truly appreciated by longstaying guests. These amenities all play an active role in shaping the design and décor of the residences, in order that the completed units accurately reflect the brand, down to the finest detail, and experientially convey their brand values.

Luxury suites are regarded as upmarket accommodations, not just because of the massive indoor and outdoor spaces and views, but also because of the extra effort that is put into the finishing and furnishing of the property. They are indeed all-rounders, offering space, light, vantage points, privacy, personalized services and, above all, style.

There are telltale signs indicating that the serviced apartment sector is experiencing a renaissance, as people who appreciate comfort, style and luxury flock to make the most of this trend becoming even more appealing. Luxury hotels and global brands are now offering “residences”, following the same exact model of serviced apartments, because of an ever-increasing demand. Properties are now seeking out and showcasing cuisine by celebrity chefs, and because Ascott is

always ahead of the game, Myron’s Steakhouse opened its doors on the sixth floor of Ascott Makati—offering all-day meals and a delectable continental breakfast buffet, with Asian food offerings.

Joanne Golong-Gomez, general manager of Ascott Makati, said, “Our performance during the months we were going through renovation was unaffected. When we launched the new suites in staggered phases, our bookings peaked even more, and to think that we are not 100-percent complete. I believe that we have yet to see the heydays of serviced apartments and residences.” The Ascott Limited has witnessed sustained patterns of growth in the Philippines, with the expansions of brands in several locations over the past couple of years.

The new and improved Ascott Makati also offers world-class services and lavish facilities that are well-appointed, extensive and personalized, designed exclusively to cater to discerning international business executives and their families. Larger space in comparison to hotel rooms and the ability to selfcater make this the perfect accommodation for family travelers, especially those with small children, who are on extended visits, whether

The grand lobby at Ascott Makati

THE newly renovated swimming pool

it be leisure or business trips.

To relax and recharge, Ascott Makati has a fully equipped fitness center and tennis courts so that guests could maintain their health and fitness routine.

With the new suites come changes all throughout the serviced residence. Ascott Makati also unveiled a grand and sophisticated lobby, its Executive Elite Lounge, a large ballroom and function rooms.

For families who are checked in, the Cubbies playroom will be a surefire hit for both the kids and their parents. The new swimming pool will soon be complemented by a pool bar named Que. For busi-

ness needs, Regus at Ascott Makati operates serviced offices for lease, meeting rooms and an equipped business center.

Let’s face it, we all find satisfaction in getaways and vacations to see new places and experience new things, to simply pause from our daily routines, enjoy some time alone or with loved ones to soak everything in. And as much as we enjoy these much-needed breaks, our bodies and minds still long for “home” and we crave and welcome anything that makes us feel “at home.” And this is exactly what Ascott provides—a home away from home.

Journey BusinessMirror

»life on the go

A12 Sunday, November 20, 2016

Editor: Tet Andolong

Nowhere to go but ‘app’: Technology as a driver of tourism

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LANES, trains and automobiles.

These may be some of the most common ways to get around.

It’s also the title of a classic comedyadventure movie riddled with slapstick problems and travel mishaps that no longer plague travelers of the new age.

Nowadays, technology lets you take whatever adventure you want whenever and wherever you please with just a few clicks. As the Internet becomes a large, diverse web of booking sites, travel blogs and vacation guides, wandering the globe becomes more feasible and accessible—making tourism less tangled and more connected.

Sites for sights

Every trip begins with the questions:

“How do we get there?” or “Where will we stay?”

Convenience is a big key in bringing in tourists, because what good is a fun trip if you’re hassled by flight troubles and lodging woes?

One of the biggest drivers in steering tourism to the Philippines have been the rise of online booking sites.

Both Filipino and foreign tourists alike have been able to conveniently book their f lights and accommodation through popular

A shot of the breathtaking Anawangin Cove Beach as part of The Poor Traveler’s online budget-travel guide to Zambales. The Poor Traveler

international sites like Trivago and Agoda, which now have local domains and URLs. Even the popular Skyscanner has set up a Philippine site, comparing cheap f lights or fares, car rentals or hires and hotel prices all in Philippine peso.

Local web sites like Travel Book and Visit My Philippines are also great champions themselves, as they offer booking suggestions per region and sort them with discounts and coupons. Partnerships with userbased review sites, like Trip Advisor, have greatly widened the scope of such sites to reach international pools and bring them here.

As it becomes easier and more streamlined to actually start the trip, it all boils down to the meat of

the matter: “What do we do there?”

Your Internet itinerary

When it comes to traveling, the usual tide hits the famous sites, the leisure resorts, the uniquely tropical locations and the travel tours. But in the modern age of backpacking, Instagramming the “unbeaten path”, and groups opting for more flexible and personal adventures, the best sites that attract engagement are none other than the local blogs.

The most popular blogs have gained a certain following because they relate every experience (both good and bad) and show detailed itineraries that curious travelers can successfully use to plan their own.

Along stark images, descriptive and

seemingly personal words litter these blogs and help ease the nervousness in foraying into distant lands.

With price ranges, travel tips, package details, contacts, transportation information and reviews all in one, the local blog has become a dependable go-to guide for those seeking out the best spots in the Philippines.

Filipino-run sites like, Our Awesome Planet, Pinay Solo Backpacker and The Poor Traveler, have become trusted staples in online tourism.

Hence, they are featured now in the same field as international pages, like Lonely Planet, and have garnered sponsorships from the biggest urban chains, airline companies, to the littlest unknown nooks in the provinces.

Web apps and innovation

As technology and social media keep on advancing, so does user-touser data and interaction. Web sitesturned-apps are in a vast majority of tourists’ digital toolboxes to help them on their way.

A popular pick, winning Brand of the Year 2015, is Airbnb. Now in the Philippines, locals can put up flats, homes, hotels and practically any lodging space for rent on this highly sought-after platform. Interactions and feedback work much like buyand-sell sites, such as OLX and eBay, instead substituting products with temporary living spaces. With 30

million reservations tracked globally and 9,435 listings in Manila alone, the site (and its accompanying app) have essentially virtualized the so-called millennial adventure and made it that much easier to find a place to stay.

Even simple web apps turned mobile, like the trusty Google Maps, have advanced to display specific directions and traffic information for basically every location under the sun (or the satellites). To top it off, mixing actual human interaction with the quick response of technology created a new web site (with an app version, as well) called Showaround. The site lets travelers pick through a wide assortment of locals who have signed up to, as the name says, show tourists around their city. Available in most countries, the Philippines already showcases 2,924 locals in its roster.

Slowly being overshadowed are the travel industry’s age-old problems of inaccessibility and lack of visibility. With the mobile technology and the Internet virtually connecting us to the rest of the world, that international “barrier” can now be bridged in mere seconds.

Many a times, whether constricted by time or responsibilities, one might ask, “Why travel?”

With the growing innovations in technologically driven tourism, it’s become that much easier to instead ask, “W hy not?”