July 2015 'A' issue by MShare Limited

Oyo Boy Sotto, tutol sa same sex marriage; Angel Locsin, nanindigan para sa LGBT Story on Front Page

Connecting Global News & Views For The Community

UK & Europe Edition

July 2015

Volume 6 - Number 13

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Spain’s ‘Three Lies’, ‘Kubo sa Kawayanan’ top winners in WPFF awards Story on page 24

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July 2015

Volume 6 - Number 13

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MAKATI STANDOFF REDUX

THE Department of the Interior and Local Government dispatches law enforcers in an attempt to serve a second preventive suspension order Monday on Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay, spurred by findings of alleged financial anomalies attending the alleged overpricing in the construction of the Makati Science High School Building. The situation reprised scenes from the first suspension order issued separately in March this year in connection with overpricing allegations in the construction of the Makati City Hall Building 2.  Photographs by Bernard Testa /

InterAksyon.com / June 30, 2015/ 2:55 PM

A Binay supporter puts up a tarpaulin inside a makeshift tent at the Makati City hall grounds.

Vice President Jejomar Binay inspects a police truck carrying officers dispatched to maintain order. Photographed by Bernard Testa, InterAksyon.com

Oyo Boy Sotto, tutol sa same sex marriage; Angel Locsin, nanindigan para sa LGBT 0203 393 2568

KASUNOD ng makasaysayang desisyon ng Korte Suprema sa Amerika na gawing legal ang same-sex marriage sa lahat ng kanilang mga estado, tila nahati naman ang pananaw ng mga Pinoy sa naturang usapin tulad ng dating magkasintahan na sina Oyo Boy Sotto at Angel Locsin.

Continue to page 24

Representatives from various barangays assemble at City Hall grounds brandishing Binay posters as news of the second preventive suspension spread among the mayor’s supporters.

Continue to page 2

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July 2015 – No. 13 • UK & Europe Edition

Makati standoff redux Atty. Claro Certeza reacts to a journalist’s question after reading a statement issued by Makati Mayor Junjun Binay around noon.

News of the suspension order prompts closure of the main entrance of the new Makati City Hall.

Continuation from page 1

A child brandishing a poster of VP Binay atop a chair is unmindful of what’s happening around her.

Vice President Jejomar Binay delivers a fiery speech assailing the tricks of his political opponents using all the government machinery to crush his presidential bid.

Supporters barricade the entrance after the gate had been closed.

Supporters make VP Binay feel that their support is “all the way”.

Supporters outside the quadrangle raise hands in show of support “Walang Iwanan.”

Policemen from SPDO check motorists before allowing them to pass the street leading to City Hall.

1 DEAD EVERY 21 HRS. ON NCR STREETS MANILA - Senate President ProTempore Ralph Recto on Sunday urged the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to install safety measures in accident-prone areas to minimize the number of road crashes. Recto said the number of road accidents surged last year due to absence of road safety measures, including ambulances in accidentprone areas in Metro Manila. “The Philippine National Highway Patrol Group reported ‘an alarming 20-percent jump’ in the number of vehicular accidents, from 12,875 in 2013 to 15,572 last year,” Recto said. But Recto said the Philippine National Police (PNP) merely “captured the tip of the iceberg.” In the National Capital Region (NCR) alone, “there were 90,258 road accidents last year according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA),” the senator pointed out. The MMDA said 16,665 of the accidents resulted in non-fatal injuries while 73,175 caused damage to property and 418 lives were lost.

Use road user’s tax for road safety. With “one accident happening every 6 minutes, and with one fatality every 21 hours just in NCR alone,” Recto said Road User’s Tax “must now

Mayor Binay calls a press briefing, announcing he does not intend to vacate his post.

Atty. Rico Quicho and Rep. Monique Lagdameo confront Police Supt. Obong from SPDO about setting up a checkpoint intended by law enforcers to keep people out of City hall, telling the officer that it is illegal to impose a checkpoint that denies public access to the area.

Police officers from the Southern Police District, part of the four truckloads of PNP personnel tasked to serve the suspension order, take position at the main street leading to City Hall.

Recto wants road user’s tax used for safety schemes

be optimized in the campaign to keep roads and motorists safe.” Officially called Motor Vehicle User’s Charge (MVUC), the said tax forms bulk of the annual motor vehicle registration. “We should effectively use billions in Road User’s Tax collections in keeping roads safe and in preventing road fatalities,” Recto said. This as Recto called for the itemization of Road User’s Tax allocation in the national budget, saying that funds pooled from car registration payments “remain a lump-sum devoid of details.” Recto said the Aquino administration’s last budget – estimated to reach P3 trillion and which will be submitted next month – must now detail how money paid by car owners will be spent. Due to a jump in number of vehicles on the road, to nearly 8 million as of latest count, MVUC collection is forecast to reach P13.7 billion this year from last year’s projected P12.16 billion. Disbursements, on the other hand, will reach P11.8 billion, the amount authorized, but not itemized, in the 2015 national budget. Following the formula set by Republic Act 8794, P9.918 billion in Special Road Support Fund is treated as an off-budget resource by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The DPWH can also access P1.04 billion

for “Special Road Safety Fund” projects. The Department of Transportation and Communications can also tap P802 million for anti-pollution programs. The above allocations are “over and above” the regular appropriations of the said agencies. The “division of spending” complies with RA 8794 mandate that MVUC collections be placed in four special accounts in the National Treasury: Special Road Support Fund (80%), Special Local Road Fund (5%), Special Vehicle Pollution Control Fund (7.5%), and Special Road Safety Fund (7.5 %). Recto said some quarters are advocating that spending under the Special Road Safety Fund, which will reach P1 billion this year, “must not be exclusively for the engineering or infrastructure kind.” The Implementing Rules and Regulations of the law states that MVUC can also be used not only for “traffic signals, markings, lanes, traffic channelization techniques, traffic calming measures,” but also for “road safety education and training programs.” This, according to Recto, can be invoked by authorities in buying “ambulances which can be stationed in traffic-prone highways, patrol cars which can run after speeding vehicles at night, and tow trucks to clear roads of stalled

Bodies lie on the South Superhighway, in this deadly road crash, 16 December 2013. InterAksyon.com file photo

vehicles,” he said. “Actually, all collections from road user’s tax must be spent for road safety. That’s the end objective.” Recto has been prodding government to “plow back” to motorists a portion of MVUC “in the form of reliable emergency accident response teams.” Buy ‘jaws of life’. One lacking equipment, he said, are “jaws of life,” the metal-cutting or -prying devices which can extricate passengers out of mangled vehicles.” “Sadly, what we have are tow trucks on the prowl. Pero sa EDSA na lang, ni isang well-equipped rapid-Emergency Medical Team wala kang makikita, e kung tutuusin

daang milyong piso ang binabayad sa MVUC ng mga libu-libong sasakyan na regular na dumadaan doon,” Recto said. He said MVUC payments should also be used to “light dark places especially tunnels and underpasses” and “rid our roads of confusing, unintelligible signs.” MVUC collections, he added, should also pay for garage inspections of bus, taxi, truck, garbage truck companies that will conduct road safety seminars for drivers and “to check if tires are so worn-out that the vehicles on which they are installed are now accidents waiting to happen.”  Ernie Reyes / InterAksyon.com / June 28, 2015 / 1:52 PM

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July 2015 – No. 13 • UK & Europe Edition

Battle over 70 cell phone sites goes house-to-house in Forbes Park COCKTALES

A proposal to install cell phone antennas is roiling or es ar in a wa not seen since the issue of the lifting of deed of restrictions divided the countr s most e clusive communit at the turn of the centur . ccording to village chatter no less than ala heir ernando o el who sits on the oard of the or es homeowners association is leading the house to house campaign to persuade homeowners to allow the so called S outdoor distri uted antenna s stem to e installed in strategic areas within the ala developed su division. ot that this is designed for a lo e monopol in the neigh orhood the S will e shared with competitor Smart and when installed on top of an electric pole should improve coverage within a 2 meter radius. o el and the pro S group earl indications have alread secured the ma orit of the pro ies needed for a ul alloting with the anti S group rel ing on an optimistic count a little over a hundred noses re ecting the cell sites on health concerns. ithin the seven mem er oard of or es ar Homeowners ssociation itself si are said to e in favor of the proposal starting with president odolfo o les anuel i on armelita scalon aria armencita ope aria sa el Tesoro and of course o el with the seventh

former investment an er aria Teresa allego feeling ver much li e e omar Bina in the o a inet. To ma e up for her lonel self allego has teamed up with artist lan S cip a nephew of accounting guru and o el all ashington S cip to wage a spirited email campaign and old s tle uttonholing of residents to point out the alleged cancer triggering effects of strong radio fre uencies. The o el group on the other hand has pu lished a pamphlet outlining the pros and cons of the cell sites citing international medical ournals that there has een so far no conclusive proof that the radio fre uencies emitted even the giant cell phone towers cause cancer. hat is helping the alread e tensive o el usiness networ among the orth and South or es residents are the diplomatic and foreign usiness communities whose am assadors and s complain a out the spott cellphone service or even outright lind spots within the walled village. lo e itself thin s that or es ar li e the neigh oring asmari as illage long a astion of anti cell phone tower sentiment will also turn around and allow the smaller S e uipment to lan et the su division li e the now do in the reen elt and lorietta comple es. espite eing outnum ered the anti S group is not a out to

throw in the towel. ccording to the grapevine allego and S cip are meeting this wee end with their legal counsel and an ing on their uiet supporters li e uli rro o Bernas and the elgados to ma e sure that the cell phone towers should the proposal pass e onl installed among those who voted es.

Zobels win Makati tax fight.

Spea ing of the o els one of their stoc investment companies ichigan Holdings has won in its fight to stop the a ati cit government from collecting local usiness ta on dividend income. n a rare reversal the ourt of Ta ppeals en anc overruled its second division and upheld the o el position that ichigan Holdings is not an operating compan ut merel a recipient of passive income from ala related investments and whose earnings should therefore e e empt from local usiness ta . The ta court s second division had earlier ruled that ichigan Holdings should have first filed the complaint with the epartment of ustice efore elevating the issue to the courts. But the T in a decision released last wee agreed that the o el compan was not uestioning the legalit of the a ati evised evenue ode in itself as the a ati egional Trial ourt and the T 2nd division had elieved ut merel wanted to cancel the in usiness ta

that the a ati treasurer s ofﬁce had assessed in 2 . The appellate ta court noted that the local usiness ta provision of the a ati evised evenue ode was in con ict with oth the ocal overnment ode and the ational nternal evenue ode. ere this court to ignore this it would in effect sanction a violation of national laws a local ordinance allowing an anomalous situation to fester or even replicate itself ad nauseam said ssociate ustice a. Belen ingpis i an in ordering the cancellation of the local usiness ta assessment. Money talks. ith the hinese mar et evaporating due to the continued government crac down on corruption and the escalating Spratl s situation Bloom err owner nri ue

a on has een forced to cast his net around the region hiring hosts from South orea Singapore and even Thailand to entice high rollers from their respective countries to gam le and gam ol in anila. San iguel president amon S. ng has imported three more foreign consultants a ala sian a hinese and a erman to help the conglomerate revive its wi tri e telecom venture.

Heard through the grapevine.

The leadership of the onta lu hilippines is in turmoil following an adverse audit report on the clu s funds and one of its ofﬁcials who ironicall had ﬁgured in a similar controvers two decades ago when she was still with a cash ush multinational foundation.  Victor C. Agustin / June 29, 2015 / 1:03 PM

PHL may lose a chunk of $434M MCC grant – COA THE Philippines stands to forfeit over $200 million from a US government grant to support reform and development projects aimed at addressing poverty in the country, according to the latest report by the Commission on Audit (COA). The Millenium Challenge AccountPhilippines (MCA-P) may not be able to fully utilize the amount, according to the state auditor. MCA-P is the entity accountable for implementing the $433.91 million grant from the Millenium Challenge Corp. (MCC) under a five-year compact program. The money was intended to support reforms and investments to modernize the Bureau of Internal Revenue and expand the Kapit-bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive Integrated Delivery of Social Services. The program also covers the reconstruction and rehabilitation of 220 kilometers of a secondary national road across the Yolanda-hit provinces of Samar and Eastern Samar as well as the replacement or upgrading of structures to eliminate flooding and improve road safety. Under the agreement signed

between the US and the Philippines in 2010, all disbursements will cease once the five-year provision expires and any unused amount including interest will be returned to the MCC. “Considering the proximity of the closure of the compact program in 2016, it is highly probable that the $433.931 million MCC grant may not be fully utilized for the implementation of activities and the objectives of the projects towards the ultimate goal of fighting against global poverty may not be attained,” the commission said. The MCC is an independent US government foreign aid agency created in January 2004 to help alleviate global poverty by supporting programs that reinforces good governance, economic freedom and investments in people. Slow burn rate. The annual audit report on the MCA-P shows that only $200.353 million or 46 percent of the total grant has been utilized so far on targeted activities as of end-December 2014 or almost four years after the program commenced. “Assuming that disbursements are met in accordance with the program’s multiyear financial plan, in its fourth year, the

utilization should be approximately 94 percent already or approximately $408.16 million of $433.91 million,” the COA said. The quarterly allocations for 2014 were supposedly not maximized due to failures in meeting the projections involving project activity and funding mainly for the secondary national road development project (SNRDP) and the revenue administration reform project (RARP). The state-auditor cited delays in procurement and construction activities and slippages in the managed contract packages for road construction and rehabilitation as among the other reasons for the slow burn rate of SNRDP funds. Meanwhile, changes in the implementation plans and requirements of system users, delays in implementation of activities and submission of contract deliverables by vendors hindered the full utilization of the RARP funds. Bulk of the funds was already committed, MCA-P Communications and Outreach Specialist Andres Saracho told GMA News Online. The Philippine government has already committed $368.972 million or 85 percent of the total allocation as of March 2015. The MCA-P has committed $24.907 million or

46 percent of RARP funds and $206.640 million or 96 percent of SNRDP funds. While the program ends on May 25 next year, the agreement allows MCA-P until September 2016 to fulfill all contractual obligations, Saracho noted. DAP funds. The state auditor also took note of the P600 million sourced out of the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) to cover some of the MCA-P’s funding gaps. Certain provisions of the program were declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 2014. The amount was supposed to cover the budget gaps in the construction of the secondary national road in Samar, that

the Philippine government agreed to provide for through the Department of Public Works and Highways. Latest estimates showed a funding gap of $29.517 million or around P1.24 billion as a result of the increase in the budget required by the road projects, the COA noted. While it asserted that the transfer of the DAP funds did constitute an unconstitutional act described by the high court, the MCA-P returned the DAP funds to the Bureau of the Treasury on June 18 as recommended by the COA, Saracho said.  Keith Richard D. Mariano / VS/ BM, GMA News / June 29, 2015 / 8:11 PM

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July 2015 April 2015––No. No.137 • UK & Europe Edition

Cebu farmers advised to plantquadruple monggo, camote, duringofrainy Nickel Asia’s earnings onsquash doubling ore season sales MANILA – Nickel Asia Corporation’s (NAC) net income rose by more than fourfold last year on a doubling of its ores sales.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, NAC said it earned P11.008 billion in 2014, or 325 percent more than the P2.586 billion the

previous as revenue WITHyear. theThis rainy season more now than doubled to P24.745 here, farmers in Cebubillion who from had P11.109 billion period. suffered fromover the the drysame spells from thanadvised twofold to increase in El The Niñomore were resume revenue owed to sales or ore, which planting their crops—particularly comprised 97 percent of total revenue, vegetables—soonest. with theprovincial balance contributed by sales OIC agriculturist Dr. of services. Roldan Saragena said the onset of Theseason company ascribed itsthestrong rain is considered ﬁrst performance last cropping season. year to higher ore prices and record of ore. “There’s nothingshipments to worry [about] Nickel Asia shipped 28 percent more if El Niño [persists]. Sunlight would ore at 17.9 million wet metric tons be good for plants as well,” Saragena (WMT) last year from 14 million in said. 2013. Shipments to Japan and to one of two local processing plants which proportion localaccounted content for in the the Nickel Asia of owns coming months. Bloomberg TV Philippines will be available to premium subscribers of for truth continues, we reiterate our stand Cignal TV, with select programs made that as the nation steadily moves forward available for broadcast on free TV from this tragedy, we must not allow channels of TV5 and Aksyon TV. political manipulation to take advantage According to Cignal TV Chief of the legitimate grief and emotion Operating Officer Oscar Reyes, Jr., one of that continues to pervade the public’s the appeals of Bloomberg TV Philippines consciousness. Rather, sobriety, unity, and is that its content is not exclusively for reason must be cemented as the guides the interest of CEO-types but also for that will steer efforts of government and business persons who are just starting the private sector towards genuine peace and eager to break new ground. and in preserving the noteworthy gains that “We don’t want just the big, we have achieved in the last four-and-a-half established companies to thrive. We years. especially want to see our entrepreneurs At this crucial juncture in the peace grow their businesses and help them

riseHe in suggested sales of orethat amid a decline in farmers plant demand coming from China. crops such as monggo, peanuts, Indonesia’s ore ban to camote, squash and continued vegetables boost prices, with the average realized alongside corn. price for ore also exports at the $45.10 per Saragena urged farmers WMT, more than double the $21.28 to avail of the Capitol’s agriinsher 2013. insurance The price ofprogram nickel sold to fi with two processing plants which Nickel the Philippine Crop Insurance Asia partly owns also rose to $7.69 Corporation (PCIC). perSaragena pound fromsaid $6.70farmers over the could same period approach their municipal “The much market agriculture officesimproved to fill out the conditions and higher ore production insurance forms. andInsurance sales resulted in record-breaking coverage would cover earnings last year,” said Gerard H. Brimo, Nickel Asia president. “We are also delighted at the results of the first full ear of operations of the

the andwhich corn and newfarmers, Taganitolivestock, HPAL plant, has other value crops. The Cebu met allhigh expectations,” he said. provincial government will pay 100 Nickel Asia owns 22.5 percent of percent the premium. Taganitoof HPAL Nickel Corporation, as PAGASA on June 23 Bay declared well as 10 percent of Coral Nickel the start of the rainy season, Corporation. indicating likelyfrom in Taganito heavy HPAL rain buysis ore July and August, not so much ina Taganito MiningbutCorporation, September. 65-percent owned subsidiary of Nickel In Coral Cebu,Baytheprocures mild ore El Niño Asia. from damaged about P58 million Nickel Asia’s Rio Tuba mine. of crops andIncaused P12.4today, million losses to a meeting Nickel Asia’s livestock so far.  Joel Locsin / BM, GMA board approved a regular cash dividend News / June 28, 2015share, / 7:14 PMa of P0.70 per

special cash dividend of P0.30 per share, and a 100 percent stock dividend. The board also approved the appointment of Taganito Mining vice president Jose Anievas as Nickel Asia’s new chief operating ofﬁcer following the retirement of ose Saret. The board also approved the conversion of a one-year P446 million loan to and P474 million investment in Emerging Power Inc. (EPI) into a 66 percent stake in the company, which is drilling two “slim holes” at the ontelago geothermal ﬁeld indoro Occidental, convertible to equity at Nickel Asia’s option. EPI has signed agreements to sell 40 megawatts to the electric cooperatives can look forward to follow Bloomberg of Occidental and Oriental Mindoro.  TV Philippines starting this July.  InterAksyon.com / March 27, 2015 / 1:09 PM Cristina Lazo / News5 / June 30, 2015 / 8:14 PM

MANILA - Key The Taganito HPAL plant work officials area.

of TV5 and cable channel Cignal TV gathered on Tuesday to introduce Bloomberg TV STATEMENT Philippines, the local franchise of AS the nation commemorates the the US-based business news channel first anniversary of the signing of the Bloomberg TV. Comprehensive Agreement on the TV5 President and Chief Executive Bangsamoro (CAB), the Makati Business Officer Noel Lorenzana said that, Club reaffirms its continuing and with TV5 and Cignal TV joining forces, unwavering support for the Mindanao television viewers in the country will peace process, and we renew our call to soon be able to experience broadcast the government to put the peace process content geared toward leveraging back on track at the soonest possible the vibrancy and positive business opportunity. climate of the resurging Philippine To enhance the prospects for peace in economy. Mindanao, we urge Congress to resume Bloomberg TV Philippines is the discussions on the Bangsamoro Basic first local business channel in the Law (BBL) at the earliest time. Consistent country that will be airing 24 7.

According to Mr. Lorenzana, Filipinos nowadays have become quite adept at managing their money: “The Philippine economy is one of the fastest economies with the position released by 14 esteemed in the world. Filipinos, per se, are framers of the Constitution last January very business savvy ... and extremely 9, 2015, MBC shares the belief that the interested in the world of business and Constitutional principles of genuine human finance, so there is no better time.” development, social justice, and lasting There is an eagerness among peace underlie the CAB and, ultimately, television viewers to learn more about the proposed BBL. In this context, we emerging economic opportunities and respectfully urge Congress to not allow also to gain more knowledge about revisions that would contravene these growing personal wealth, Lorenzana values nor run against the aspirations of the added. Filipino people to attain a just, harmonious, Almost 40 percent of the content and progressive Philippines. of this new business channel will be It has been more than two months since locally produced and developed, with the Mamasapano incident. While the search the roadmap calling for even greater

Makati Business Club asks Congress to put peace process back on track

process, let us move forward with sobriety and courage as one united Filipino nation in search of justice and peace.  InterAksyon.

com / March 27, 2015 / 9:11 PM

promote enterprising values and whatever it is that are offering,” Reyes said. The Philippine television audience

ORIGINAL CREATION & COPYRIGHT RESERVED BY © HELLO PHILIPPINES 2015

TV5, Cignal introduce Bloomberg TV Philippines

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July 2015 – No. 13 • UK & Europe Edition

FMIC-UA&P keeps Philippine economic forecast despite first-quarter disappointment MANILA – The Philippine economy will get a boost from election-related spending and cheap oil in the second quarter of the year, making up for the disappointing growth turnout in the first three months of the ear. In their latest Market Call, First Metro Investments Corporation (FMIC) and University of Asia and the acific ept their percent gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast for the entire 2015 despite the lower-than-expected growth in the first uarter. “This view is supported by our expectation of massive election-related spending starting the second quarter,

the start of at least one major publicprivate partnership (PPP) project, and the lagged effect on consumption of the sharp fall in fuel prices,” FMICapital ar ets esearch said. It said the government is likely to revise upwards its ﬁrst uarter reading to . percent from the initial estimate of .2. ccording to apital ar ets esearch in ation would ease on moderate increases in food and oil prices. “Thus, expected GDP gains remain strong as household consumption is supported with lower levels of in ation more emplo ment and more

election spending it said. “Consumers are anticipating lower in ation and more o creation and infrastructure development and these have oosted their confidence for the second-quarter and the year ahead significantl according to the BSP’s Quarterly Survey of Consumer Sentiment said. Given the above, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is seen to gain wider room for policy easing, even as greater fiscal space allows the government to ramp up infrastructure spending efore the election an egins. also e pects e ports to recover in the second half of the year as

the .S. econom gains traction. nother prop to in ation and the current account are remittances, which are e pected to grow in the percent

range. strengthening .S. econom and dollar in turn would boost the e change rate.  Rain Castro / InterAksyon.com / June 30, 2015 / 9:27 AM

PNoy: PHL making great strides in food safety BEFORE livestock industry stakeholders from 18 countries, President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday boasted of how the Philippines has been making great strides in food safety. In a speech before at the opening ceremonies of the Livestock Philippines Expo in Pasay City, Aquino said his administration has managed to address threats to the livestock industry, particularly animal diseases. “As you know, the Philippines has been performing very well in terms of food safety. Our country has been free from Avian Flu since 2005, and of Foot and Mouth Disease since 2010. These achievements alone make us eligible to export meat,” the President said.

“It is really a blessing to be in this country that we don’t have to worry about the safety of the food we eat in terms of its quality,” he added. He also shared how the Philippines recently attained “the highest level of recognition” as a country free from food and mouth diseases without vaccination. “Only four ASEAN countries, the Philippines included, can boast of this recognition. The goal now is not only to maintain these standards, but also to ensure that our livestock sector continues to grow,” Aquino said. The President mentioned how his administration key legislations on food safety, including amendments to the Meat

Inspection Code, and the Food Safety Act of 2013. Aquino likewise pledged to continue to increase the budget for the agriculture sector. “This has given us the wherewithal to increase focus on animal health by providing vaccinations and undertaking disease surveillance, among other measures, to control, if not eradicate, these animal diseases,” he said. The Department of Agriculture is also set to open this month a P120-million poultry dressing plant in Tarlac, and a P150-million slaughterhouse in Batangas.  Andreo Calonzo / RSJ, GMA News / June 25, 2015

/ 3:13 PM

House panel OKs bill creating coconut farmers’ trust fund A measure seeking to create a trust fund for small coconut farmers and farm workers who paid the coconut levy during the administration of former President Ferdinand Marcos is closer to becoming a law after it was approved by the House Committee on Agriculture and Food this wee . On the last session day of the second regular session on Wednesday, the panel approved the proposed Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Act of 2015, which provides for how the coconut lev fund should e utili ed. The substitute measure, which consolidates six similar bills, will be turned over to the House Committee on Appropriations before it is brought out into the plenary for second reading. Under the measure, the fund will be administered by a proposed Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust und ommittee under fﬁce of the resident. The trust fund will be deposited at the Bureau of the Treasury, which in turn will transfer the money in the

manner provided the committee. The envisioned panel will be composed of the secretary of Agriculture as chairman, the secretary of Finance as vice chair, with the secretary of Trade and Industry, the secretary of the National Anti-Poverty Commission, the director general of National Economic Development Authority,

and the administrator of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) as mem ers. Development plan. Six representatives from the coconut farmers’ sector will be appointed by the President from a list of nominees prepared by the PCA, and will each hold a term of three years and may e reappointed onl once.

The committee will implement the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan, according to the ill. The measure also states that the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) shall conduct a complete accounting and inventory of the Coconut Levy Assets as well as the investments, disbursements, and expenditures related to the Coconut ev unds. To ensure transparency, the Commission on Audit will submit to the newly-formed committee an audit report that include a complete list of the Coconut Levy Assets and their respective valuations, as well as the empirical basis and the methodologies employed for the valuation. COA will audit the correctness of the processes emplo ed the . Hope. In 2013, the Supreme Court awarded the national government a block of shares of stocks in conglomerate San iguel orp. with a caveat that proceeds from the shares should be used only for the eneﬁt of coconut farmers and the

industr . The mone originall used to buy the San Miguel equity was traced to the lev funds. The controversial fund came from the taxes imposed on coconut farmers during the Martial Law years by alleged cronies of Marcos that include President Benigno Aquino III’s uncle, Eduardo “Danding” o uangco. The collections were allegedly used to fund the personal concerns of Marcos cronies, including the purchase of the United Coconut Planters Bank and a majority stake in San iguel. B S wa part list ep. Sharon Garin, one of the authors of the original bills consolidated into the approved measure, lauded its approval and expressed the hope that it will e passed into law. “The substitute bill now proposes a better trust fund as it will be used e clusivel for the ultimate eneﬁt of coconut farmers and farm workers as embodied in the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan,” she said.  Xianne Arcangel / VS/JJ GMA News / June

11, 2015 / 5:15 PM

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July 2015 – No. 13 • UK & Europe Edition

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Group sees number of HIV-infected OFWs hitting 4,000 mark this year THE number of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) tested positive for human immunodeficienc virus H ma reach the mar this ear if the government fails to ta e immediate action the Trade nion ongress of the hilippines T warned onda . n a statement T resident rnesto Herrera particularl slammed the Senate for dill dall ing on a proposed measure see ing to launch highl effective new strategies to fight the c uired mmune eficienc S ndrome S which is caused H . hile the Senate dill dallies H is ravaging the lives of a growing number of Filipino workers here and a road ever da said Herrera a former senator whose la or center is a mem er of the multi sectoral hilippine ational S ouncil . iting the hilippine H and S egistr as of pril 2 the T said the num er of H positive s has reached with the addition of 22 new cases from anuar to pril this ear. Herrera said the affected s

have a median age of and are at the prime of their lives in terms of potential economic productivit . He said s now comprise some percent of the aggregate 2 cases in the hilippine H and S egistr as of pril 2 . Some 2 percent of all H positive s or 2 2 cases were male with the median age of . The H positive female s had a median age of according to the hilippine H and S egistr . Proposed measures. The House of epresentatives has alread passed on third and ﬁnal reading House Bill or the proposed new S revention and ontrol aw which see s to launch highl effective new strategies to ﬁght S. uthored avite ep. ani ercado evilla the ill see s to renew the countr s outmoded ear old S revention and ontrol aw or epu lic ct . t was passed in ecem er 2 and has alread een to the Senate. However its counterpart Senate Bill introduced Sen. iriam efensor Santiago is still pending action at the committee level up to

now the T said. The proposed new S revention and ontrol aw sets tougher penalties for entities and individuals who discriminate against H positive people as well as those who violate their rights to conﬁdentialit . t also see s to improve the living conditions of H positive people through greater access to treatment care and support. e have to provide greater support to and stronger protection for H positive individuals particularl against emplo ment and wor place discrimination said Herrera. Awareness. Herrera meanwhile urged the epartment of a or and mplo ment to ﬁnd new wa s to strongl raise awareness of H oth among out ound and returning s. nder the S revention and ontrol aw the through the hilippine verseas mplo ment dministration and the verseas or ers elfare dministration is supposed “to ensure that all s shall undergo or attend a

seminar on the cause prevention and conse uences of H S efore certiﬁcation for overseas emplo ment. s the disease infects more ilipinos we also e pect a greater num er of H positive wor ers to face emplo ment discrimination thus the need for improved safeguards he said. total of 2 new H cases were discovered countr wide from anuar to pril this ear up 2

percent from 2 in the same four month period in 2 . n the whole of 2 a total of cases were detected nationwide up 2 percent compared to in 2 . S is eing spread in the countr primaril via unprotected se ual contact predominantl male to male se and secondaril through needle sharing among in ecting drug users.  KBK, GMA News / June 22, 2015 / 2:27 PM

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July 2015 – No. 13 • UK & Europe Edition

OFWs in Korea reminded: Be doubly mindful of health amid MERS-CoV threat OVERSEAS Filipino workers in South Korea were reminded to be doubly mindful of their health amid the threat of being infected with the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). The latest reminder came from an ofﬁcial of the atholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, who also asked them to follow local authorities health advisories. “Para naman sa ating mga kababayan na nasa South Korea na nakatira, naglilingkod, at nagtatrabaho, ating subaybayan ang mga habilin ng ating Philippine Embassy sa South Korea at health ministry sa South orea Balanga Bishop uperto Santos who chairs the B piscopal ommission on Migrants and Itinerant People, said on Church-run Radyo Veritas. He added they should be mindful of their personal hygiene especially in public places. “Sa ating lugar at kung tayo ay lalabas sundin natin yung mga patakaran – mga personal hygiene

na kung saan magtatakip tayo ng ating bibig, ng ating labi, tayo ay merong sanitizer, na tayo ay magiingat sa paghawak sa mga railings – at tayo ay gagawa ng paraan upang ating ma-disinfect ang ating sarili sa pamamagitan ng alcohol at sanitizer at iwasan din natin ang pakikisalamuha sa labas kung hindi naman mahalaga na tayo ay nasa labas, at palagi din nating isipin ang ating pansariling kaligtasan,” he said. “Ang ating kalusugan ay atin ding pag-ingatan,” he added. Filipinos were advised last Monday to follow 14 rules to avoid getting infected MERS-CoV. The Department of Labor and Employment issued the advice as it noted the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration has released advisories to alert OFWs of the MERS-CoV threat. The measures, which include those earlier stated by the Philippine embassy in Seoul, include: 1. Practice healthy habits such as regular exercise, balanced diet, and

adequate sleep of at least eight hours. 2. Wash your hands with soap or hand rubs with alcohol before and after eating; before and after handling, cooking and preparing food; after coughing, sneezing and using the toilets; and after touching animals. 3. Avoid touching your face, especially the eye area, nose, and mouth, with unwashed hands. 4. Regularly clean frequently touched surfaces such as door knobs, handles. 5. Practice proper cough etiquette by covering your mouth and nose while sneezing or coughing. 6. Use a facial tissue when coughing or sneezing and cover your mouth and nose with it. Dispose of the tissue in a waste basket. 7. Avoid contact with farm and domesticated animals, including camels. 8. Avoid contact with sick or infected with MERS-CoV. If you have respiratory illness, stay home and wear a surgical mask (ideally N95) to protect your family members.

9. Avoid going out unnecessarily. Stay put inside your homes and avoid pu lic especiall conﬁned spaces. f travel cannot be avoided, please wear protective mask and observe proper hand hygiene at all times. 10. Make sure children follow these precautions. 11. If you are a health worker, strictly follow infection control protocols in your work. 12. If you were in close contact with a conﬁrmed S o patient comply with local health regulations

and postpone any trip abroad until after test results are negative. Health workers who have been exposed to MERS-CoV patients are requested to undergo testing. 13. Know the symptoms of MERSCoV (fever, shortness of breath, reathing difﬁcult coughing diarrhea and kidney failure). 14. If you exhibit any of these symptoms, you are advised to undergo voluntary testing at your nearest hospital.  Joel Locsin / LBG, GMA News / June 21, 2015 / 3:04 PM

Pinay convict in Kuwait returns home after 10-year detention A Filipina who was saved from the death penalty in Kuwait is set to arrive in the Philippines on Monday afternoon after being detained there for 10 years, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said. Marilou Ranario, who worked as a domestic helper in Kuwait, will arrive in Manila Monday at 4:25 p.m., the DFA said. She was arrested and sentenced to death by a Kuwaiti Court in 2005 for killing her employer. In a news release, the DFA said after learning of the Filipina’s case, it “crafted a legal strategy to ensure the protection of her rights throughout

the legal process.” The death sentence on the Filipina was commuted to life imprisonment in 2007, and to 10 years imprisonment in 2009, the DFA said. “We are very happy that she will go home and be reunited with her family. We wish she could start anew,” said Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Renato Villa in the news release. Villa said the embassy continues to regularly visit Filipino detainees at the Kuwait Central Prison and provide legal assistance to secure their pardon or commutation of sentence and eventual release from prison.

3 Pinoys charged with murder repatriated from Saudi. In a related

development, three Filipinos who were jailed for murder cases in Saudi Arabia have been repatriated in a span of 33 days, the DFA said in a separate statement, citing the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh. The first male Filipino was sentenced to five years and ordered to pay bloodmoney compensation of P300,000.00 to the victim’s heirs for killing another Filipino in Al Khafji in March 2011. “The Saudi King granted him royal clemency before the completion of his sentence and upon payment of diyyah

by the accused to the family of the victim in the Philippines,” the DFA said, adding the Filipino was released and repatriated to the Philippines last May 14. The second case is a female Filipina who was sentenced to four years and 200 lashes for killing her child upon delivery in a bathroom at her employer’s residence in Buraydah on July 14, 2011. She was assisted in court by the embassy-hired lawyer and received royal clemency prior to the completion of her sentence and implementation of lashes. She was repatriated last June 11. The third case is a male Filipino

charged with murder of a Saudi policeman in Hail Province on June 30, 2012. The DFA said during the court hearings, the Filipino claimed he merely defended himself and his coaccused from the victim, who allegedly assaulted them during the incident. “The court acquitted him from the charge against him. He was assisted by the Embassy representatives who attended the court hearings,” the DFA said, adding the Filipino was released and repatriated last June 17.  with

Michaela del Callar / KBK, GMA News / June 22, 2015 / 1:32 PM

Pinay in UAE toy-gun rob try sentenced to 7 years in jail MARY ane eloso s famil has expressed fear that the Filipino on ndonesia s death row might again be scheduled for execution after the Muslim observance of Ramadan ends in the middle of July, if the Philippine government fails to resolve in time the cases against her alleged recruiters Ma. Cristina Sergio and Julius Lacanilao. “Ipu-push namin sa Department of Justice na madaliin na ang kaso kasi nag-aalala kami na itong pagkatapos ng Ramadan, maga-announce na ang Indonesia ng mga bibitayin uli. Ayaw naman naming mapasama si Mary Jane doon said eloso s sister MaritessVeloso. “Kapag hindi nila minadali ito, kapag nag-announce sila, baka kasama na si Mary Jane doon,” added, Maritess, who joined a Thanksgiving Mass at the Ermita Catholic Church in Manila

to e press gratitude for ar ane s temporary reprieve two months ago. anila u iliar Bishop Broderic a illo ofﬁciated the concele rated mass. Maritess said the family will raise

Maritess Veloso (third from right), sister of OFW Mary Jane Veloso, marks the second month since her sister got a temporary reprieve from the Indonesian government. Maritess on Monday express fears Mary Jane might be sent back to the death row after Ramadan if the cases against her illegal recruiters in Manila don’t get resolved soon. Photo by Mark Merueñas.

their concerns over the pending cases when they meet with Justice Secretary eila de ima at the main office in Manila on July 2. Ramadan started last June 18 and will end on July 17. Maritess said their lawyers informed them it was customary in Indonesia for the government to make announcements involving their inmates after Ramadan. Veloso was supposed to have been e ecuted firing s uad on pril 2 but the execution was postponed to allow her to testify against her alleged illegal recruiters in the Philippines. Veloso was convicted of sneaking 2.6 kilos of heroin into Indonesia from Malaysia in April 2010. Two of her alleged recruiters were eventually sued before the Department of Justice for estafa human traffic ing and illegal

recruitment. But almost a month after the the preliminary investigation wrapped up, the complaints have yet to be resolved. Maritess feared the Indonesian government, especially its attorney general, might grow “impatient” over the slow resolution of the cases. “Kahit sabihin natin matapang at buo ang loob niya, siyempre gusto pa rin niyang makauwi. So kahit papaano, kahit sino lumagay sa katayuan niya may takot na mararamdaman. Siguro nagwo-worry siya na baka mainip [ang Indonesian government],” said Maritess. Maritess said she last spoke with her sister in Indonesia over the weekend. Maritess said Mary Jane was in good condition, and would always ask for updates on the cases against Sergio and Lacanilao.

Maritess said her sister is able to regularly call them through a pay phone inside the prison facility. Maritess said Mary Jane uses her own money, which comes from the sales of knitted bags that she makes while in prison, to pay for the phone calls. Joining Maritess in the thanksgiving mass were members of the “Church Task Force to Save the Life of Mary ane. The group s spo esman ard Sabino, said that for the last two months, his group has been urging the public to sign an online petition see ing to spare eloso s life once and for all. The group hopes to gather 500,000 signatures before sending the petition to Indonesian President Joko Widodo. They have so far gathered more than 430,000 signatures, said Sabino.  Mark

Merueñas / NB, GMA News / June 29, 2015 / 6:48 PM

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July 2015 – No. 13 • UK & Europe Edition

NY-based Pinoy businessman says he’s ‘fully prepared’ to face bribery charges THE New York-based Filipino businessman who was recently arrested for allegedly resorting to bribes to ensure that his electricaldesign company gets lucrative contracts is ready to face the charges against him. In a statement sent to the Filipino Reporter, Rodolfo Quiambao said he posted bail on the same day he was arrested earlier this month. “I acknowledge the courtesy extended to me by the prosecution for allowing me to voluntarily submit myself to the jurisdiction of the court. I was asked to go to a government

ofﬁce from which was then rought to the court where I posted my bail on the same day,” he said. “My lawyers and I are fully prepared to address the allegations against me,”

the 71-year-old businessman added. In a report citing a statement from Kelly Currie, acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Forbes said Quiambao paid more than $6.9 million in bribes and kickbacks to Con Edison managers over the past decade in exchange for contracts. The report said the illegal scheme continued even after the 2009 arrest of 10 Con Edison supervisors for allegedly receiving about $1 million in kickbacks from contractors in exchange for approving padded invoices. It said from 2009 to 2011,

Quiambao’s company, Rudell & Associates, received $30 million from Con Edison. The cover was blown for Quiambao in 2011 when Con Edison section manager Sassine Razzouk was arrested and pleaded guilty to taking bribes from him, the report said. In an exclusive statement to the Filipino Reporter, Quiambao’s lawyer Raymond R. Granger said: “There is more to this case than meets the eye. Mr. Quiambao looks forward to the full story being told. He also is very grateful for the many expressions of support that he has received from

members of the Filipino community.” Quiambao, meanwhile, expressed his “deepest appreciation to the members and leaders of the FilipinoAmerican community who have expressed their support to me in facing the charges recentl ﬁled. Quiambao graduated from the Mapua Institute of Technology in the Philippines, and is a licensed professional engineer. He was named one of non proﬁt sian merican Business Development Center’s Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business in 2007.  KBK, GMA News / June 26, 2015 / 5:00 PM

Designer charged before UAE court for filming Pinay flatmates A designer was charged before a United Arab Emirates court for allegedly filming his Filipina flatmates while they were undressing, UAE news sites reported late Wednesday. Prosecutors accused the suspect, 37, of installing a small camera in a dress he hung in the washroom’s door late last year, Gulf News reported. But he failed to show up before the Dubai Court of First Instance on Wednesday and thus did not enter a plea.

Presiding judge Fahd Al Shamsi is expected to hand out a ruling on July 8. The designer was also accused of trying to molest and breach the privacy of his two Filipina flatmates, as he shared the house with a number of women. Prosecutors’ records. The Gulf News report said the defendant admitted to prosecutors he fixed the camera in September before his flatmates discovered it in November. “I also fixed another camera in

a woman’s bedroom without her knowledge to film her undressing whenever she was inside. I filmed several video footage of women getting undressed for my personal pleasure,” he said. Prosecutors’ records also showed the suspect fixed the camera in a “professional” way in the dress to keep it hidden from the supposed targets. However, a Filipina coordinator, 34, told prosecutors her flatmate discovered something strange in the washroom.

“When I returned home from work, my flatmate told me that she saw something strange behind the washroom door. We went to the bathroom to check … we discovered that it was a camera hidden inside a dress. I removed the camera and opened it but there was no memory or flash card inside,” she said. She said she took the camera and went to the police, who told her there was no recording on it. The Filipina then confronted the designer about the camera. She said he

“immediately admitted” he fixed the camera in the dress “so he could film us in the washroom.” A separate report on Khaleej Times said the designer, when caught, claimed the camera was broken and could not take pictures. He was arrested after officers at Jebel Ali police station summoned him for questioning, and admitted to police he stored the video clips in a memory card the police seized.  Joel Locsin / LBG, GMA News / June 25, 2015 / 8:14 AM

Lawmaker: Obamacare to create bigger demand for Pinoy healthcare professionals OBAMACARE, or the Affordable Care Act (ACA) of the US, will stimulate the demand for more nurses and in America that would possi l eneﬁt ilipinos a Philippine lawmaker said on Saturday. In a statement, Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo said that the US Supreme Court’s ruling allowing the government to give tax subsidies for the healthcare of poor and middleclass Americans will create new demands for healthcare services. He said that providing US citizens with greater access to healthcare could also mean new demands for “Filipino nurses, physical and occupational therapists,

pharmacists, speech pathologists, and other health care workers.” “A greater number of Americans will now have access to health care, especially hospitalization... Simply put, the US hospital industry is bound to boom, and so will their demand for foreign staff,” he said. Moreover, he said US health insurance companies may also expand their business process outsourcing (BPO) in the Philippines due to higher operating costs in their homeland. “They will be compelled to transfer more contact center, insurance claims processing, clinical support analysis, medical coding, and other non-core, business support jobs to the Philippines,” he said.

37.5% more US NCLEX-takers in 2015.

In a separate statement on Friday, Cebu Rep. Gerald Anthony Gullas Jr. said there were . percent more first time US National Licensure Examination ta ers in the first half of 2 compared to the same period in 2014. ullas considers the num er of first time NCLEX-takers a reliable indicator for the number of nurses who are tr ing to find emplo ment in the S but said they may look for employment in other countries. “There’s still sizeable foreign demand for Filipino nurses in Northern Europe, the Middle East and elsewhere,” he said. Gullas’ statement indicated that a total of 158,551 Filipino nurses have

ta en the for the ﬁrst time since 1995. This number is expected to increase in 2015. On the other hand, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) has issued licenses to 15,292 new nurses

in 2015, excluding the 9,707 May licensure exam passers. A total of 22,202 nurses received their licenses from the PRC in 2014 alone.  Rie Takumi / LBG, GMA News / June 27, 2015 / 11:29 AM

Fernando Kabigting’s works featured in NY gallery

Among the paintings featured at the exhibit: (clockwise) Bird of Paradise, Sunflower, Antipolo Bells, A Meadow’s Treasure, Hope Springs, Nana’s Hut, Inside Looking Out, Floral Spray, The Old House Church Bells and Pink Parasol. Photo from Philippine Consulate in New York

THE works of famed Filipino artist Fernando Kabigting were featured at the Philippine Center New York Gallery to recognize his decades-long career and also as part of the Philippine Consulate’s celebration of Philippine Independence Day. Entitled “Seeing Beyond: An Artist’s Journey,” the exhibit, which opened last June 10, showed over 30 of Kabigting’s latest pieces that depicted popular Philippine landmarks and landscapes

on painted old wood sourced from train tracks around the country. “Mr. Kabigting’s works that we exhibit today reflect his fortitude, dedication to his craft, and a passion to create beauty,” Consul General Mario de Leon Jr. remarked during the exhibit opening. Kabigting’s wife Menchu explained that her husband had to train his left hand to paint with watercolors after a debilitating stroke in 1999 paralyzed his right hand and blinded his left eye.

“Art to Didi, as he is called, is synonymous to life, to breathing and to praying,” said Menchu. The New York Times featured the artist’s struggle to regain his prowess with the paintbrush in 2008. “I used to be a perfectionist. Now I have to be contented with what’s there,” Kabigting told the publication. Kabigting first had a solo exhibit at the Philippine Center New York in 1988, showing off his signature pieces painted on

wooden basins or batyas. More recently, Kabigting had oneman exhibits at the United Nations Headquarters in New York in 2009, at the Italia Gallery in Bacolod City in 2012, and at the Ayala Museum in 2014. The exhibit at the Philippine Center New York Gallery will last until June 25 (US time). Menchu said this may be her husband’s last solo show.  Rie Takumi / KBK, GMA News / June 24, 2015 / 2:27 PM

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July 2015 – No. 13 • UK & Europe Edition

Malaysia reduces Pinay’s death sentence to life imprisonment THE State Pardons Board in Selangor, Malaysia has commuted the death penalty imposed on a Filipina to life imprisonment, the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur said Tuesday. A statement from the embassy said Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Al-Haj, chairman of the State of Selangor Pardons Board, revised the sentence meted on Jacqueline Quiamno on June 15, following a request for clemency from the Philippine Embassy and her family. Malaysian authorities arrested Quiamno in June 2005 for attempting to smuggle ﬁve ilograms of cocaine at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, on the bidding of an African

drug syndicate based in Hong Kong. In November 2010, the Shah Alam High Court found Quiamno guilty of the charge. The Federal Court then afﬁrmed the verdict in ul 2 . The Philippine Embassy said the commutation of Quiamno’s sentence should bring relief for three other Filipinos on Malaysian death row — Gerry Saavedra Quijano and couple Timhar and Nurie Ong — who were also arrested for drug smuggling in 2008 and 2005, respectively. “Although the death penalty remains in the statute books of Malaysia, and local courts continue to impose it in grave offenses, there has been a reluctance to carry out the death penalty, or undertake execution,

in recent years,” the Philippine Embasy said. In February, Sabah Governor Tun Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Juhar Haji Mahiruddin also granted pardon to eight Filipinos after remaining behind bars for 2 to 2 ears for trafﬁc ing drugs. In October 2012, the Malaysian Prime Minister’s Department vowed to look at staying death sentences for drug offenders pending the government’s ﬁnal decision on the a olition of the mandatory death penalty. The last execution of a Filipino in Malaysia happened 22 years ago, for the crime of murder in Sabah, according to the Philippine Embassy. 

Keith Richard D. Mariano / RSJ, GMA News / June 30, 2015 / 10:32 AM

Two Pinoys among Canada’s Top 25 Immigrants in 2015 TWO Filipinos were voted into Canada’s annual list of Top 25 Immigrants for inspiring fellow migrants with years of dedicated community service. Ver Cruz and Maria SantosGreaves were voted into the Canadian Immigrant’s people’s choice awards for their respective efforts in providing education and medical aid to both immigrants and locals. Cruz established the Vercore Business Academy in April 1994 upon arriving in Canada with his wife to help fellow migrants develop skills necessary for proper employment. “We provided skills such as business communication both in person and on the telephone, and office reception

techniques among other soft skills,” Cruz said. Despite budgetary constraints for marketing and advertisement, his school have managed to help newcomers from Spain, Russia, Ukraine, Ethiopia, Poland, Italy, Brazil, Greek, Portuguese, Egypt, and the Philippines for over 21 years. Meanwhile, Santos-Greaves worked as a dollar store clerk, education savings plan salesperson, and a call center agent in her first few years in Canada before becoming an audiometric technician at Fraser Health. With enough experience and capital, the single mother was able to open three hearing aid clinics under her company, Surrey Hearing Care Inc., since 2009. The clinics embody Santos-Greaves’

dedication to “compassionate and quality care” through give free hearing testing through a mobile hearing clinic van all over the Lower Mainland, information lectures at community gatherings, home visits, and chauffeuring services to their patients. “I do not lose sight of the fact that our services are [incomplete] if we only rely on technology and screening. With science we blend humanity, imparting warmth as we genuinely care for others and their hearing needs,” she said. Winners of the Top 25 Immigrants award will receive a commemorative certificate and may name any charity for a $500 donation by the Royal Bank of Canada.  Rie Takumi / KBK, GMA News / June 25, 2015 / 4:48 PM

$2.5-M defamation suit UAE court jails manager for groping Pinay jobseeker filed s ublisher editor of Pinoy paper in Canada A $2.5-million defamation suit has been filed against the editors of a Filipino newspaper in Canada for allegedly making a “series of defamatory statements” about a charity foundation. The suit, set out in three separate actions, was filed with the Superior Court of Justice in Toronto by Melinda Rustia, president of Kol Hope Foundation for Children, and her son Jeff Rustia, a fashion producer. Named respondents in the suit were TeresitaCusipag, publisher and editor-in-chief of the Filipino community paper Balita; Romeo P. Marquez, Balita’s associate editor and publisher/editor of Philippine Village Voice, Mabuhay Radio; and the Filipino Web Channel. The cases were filed on December 11, 2013, April 17, 2014 and July 28, 2014, respectively. The complainants said Cusipag and Marquez made “false attacks on the legitimacy of their charitable work and accusations of fraud and

impropriety,” which they said were easily disproved since “charitable organizations must post their annual reports on a public website maintained by the Canada Revenue Agency.” “Furthermore, a recent routine audit has simply confirmed what the public reports have already established, which is that Kol Hope has used its revenue to benefit children’s charities,” Rustia said in a statement on Wednesday. The Rustias said neither Cusipag nor Marquez has acceded to their request for an apology for the attacks, which allegedly started in May 2013. “The defendants have been given ample time to apologize and retract their false and injurious statements. The Foundation doesn’t like to sue, but the assertion that the charity and its members are involved in fraud and self-dealing is a vicious lie,” said lawyer Michael Alexander, the Rustias’ legal counsel.  Rie Takumi / KBK/NB, GMA News / June 24, 2015 / 8:46 PM

A United Arab Emirates court last Thursday sentenced an Egyptian manager to three months in jail for groping a Filipina jobseeker last January. The Dubai Court of First Instance found the manager, 40, guilty despite his insistence he was not guilty as charged, UAE news site Gulf News reported late Saturday. Presiding judge Ezzat Abdul Lat also ordered the Egyptian deported after serving his jail term.

Earlier, the accused claimed police forced him to confess to the crime. “I am not guilty. That did not happen. She lied. I was forced to confess to an act that I did not do. I did not interview her... and I did not touch her. They coerced me to admit... this is unfair,” the Gulf News report quoted him as saying. Last Thursday’s ruling is subject to appeal within 15 days. The Filipina earlier told the court she was visiting Dubai looking for a job,

and the defendant called her and said he saw her newspaper advertisement looking for a job. “He claimed that he manages a company in Dubai and needed a secretary. He emailed me the address and I went there for a job interview. He too me up to the ﬁfth oor and we entered an empt ofﬁce that was dirt and full of dust,” she said. The Egyptian, she said, asked her to work on a laptop he had, to test her computer skills. She said he told her he “liked my skills” and could start work the next day. “(But) when I shook hands with him in order to leave, he kept holding my hand until I pulled it away. He walked behind me to the locked door. He touched my back. When I asked him why he groped me, he claimed that he was removing dust from my pants. I told him not to do that. He did it again... I moved his hand away and left,” she said. The Filipina then lodged a complaint with the police. For his part, the Egyptian told prosecutors he did not molest the woman but he brushed dust off her pants.  Joel Locsin / LBG, GMA News / June 21,

2015 / 1:49 PM

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3517

INTERNATIONAL / GLOBAL NEWS

www.hello-philippines.com

July 2015 – No. 13 • UK & Europe Edition

GMA’s LA correspondent Janet Susan Nepales wins press club award JANET Susan R. Nepales, GMA Network’s correspondent in Los Angeles, has won third prize in the Best Columnist or Critic-International category of the Los Angeles Press Club’s Annual Southern California Journalism Awards held recently at the Biltmore Hotel. Nepales, who also writes the weekly column Hollywood Bulletin in Manila Bulletin, won for her article titled “Robin Williams: ‘Just Dance On My Grave.’”

Last year, Nepales won second place in the same category for her column titled “Meryl Streep On Growing Older, Wiser…And Not Scary.” Nepales, who was recognized by the Filipina Women’s Network (FWN) in 2013 as one of the “100 ost n uential ilipina omen in the World,” is also one of the featured authors in the s ﬁrst oo titled “Disrupt.” “Disrupt” is a collection of stories from 35 FWN awardees who have

shared their re ections on the meaning of leadership as well as their insights from their career and business experiences to help inspire Filipinas across the globe. epales is the ﬁrst and onl ilipina in the 72-year-old Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which, in addition to presenting the coveted Golden Globe Awards, also recognizes excellence in ﬁlm and television. She is also active in philanthropy. She is married to writer-author

Ruben V. Nepales. They have two daughters, Bianca Nicole and Rafaella Angelica. Other highlights of the 57th Annual Southern California Journalism Awards were the presentation of the Daniel Pearl Award for courage and integrity in journalism to Charlie Hebdo, the French satirical paper that was hit by two attacks, including one in January this year. Antonio Fischetti, a journalist for the paper, received the award.  KBK, GMA News / June 30, 2015 / 2:13 PM

UAE court sentences cop to 5-year jail term for raping Pinay A United Arab Emirates court on Thursday sentenced a policeman to five years in jail after finding him guilty of raping a Filipina in September 2014, a UAE news site reported. The Dubai Court of First Instance convicted the policeman of rape even after he pleaded not guilty, Gulf News reported. However, the ruling is subject to appeal within 15 days, the report added. Earlier, the policeman denied before presiding judge Ezzat Abdul Lat the accusations that he abused the Filipina

then had forced sex with her. Court records showed the policeman, 28, stopped the Filipina along a street and asked her for personal identification. He then had her ride with him in his car, and drove to a villa where he beat her and forced her to have sex with him. Prosecutors said the policeman exploited the fact that the woman was alone with him at the villa. They also said he carried out some law enforcement procedures when he was not authorized to do so, as he was off duty at the time. The policeman had been arrested in

October in connection with a separate case. A forensic examination report by Dubai Police found traces of DNA and semen on the woman’s body and clothes. These matched those of the defendant. Meanwhile, the Dubai Misdemeanors Court sentenced the policeman to three months in jail for threatening, cursing and causing offense to another woman and disrespecting her in public. But his lawyer argued the defendant had an excellent behavior certificate during his training.  Joel Locsin / LBG, GMA News / June 26, 2015 / 7:45 AM

Pinay, husband dead in apparent murder-suicide in Louisiana A Filipina and her husband were found dead inside their home in Opelousas, Louisiana, in what investigators believe was a case of murder-suicide, a report on Daily World said. The victims were identiﬁed as ndra Marie Quisido-Sarong Jones, 36, and Avery Lennon Aubyn Jones, 48. Citing initial investigation, the report said Avery shot his wife at 6 a.m. last Wednesday during an argument before shooting himself. It added Avery’s son Andre and his girlfriend Ke’ Shaun Reed were jolted from sleep by the gunshot and saw Avery outside their room. Avery reportedly was able to tell his son that he killed Indra before going into another room to shoot himself.

Catherine Miller, Jones’s friend and legal representative, said in a report on KATC 3 that Indra worked full-time at a gas station to send money back to the Philippines while studying at the Louisiana State University-Eunice. Miller said Indra, whom she described as a “good person” who “tried too hard to have a good life,” had just visited her family a few weeks ago. She and Indra’s friends are attempting to raise $10,000 to cover Indra’s embalming, body preservation, airline fees, and other expenses on Go Fund Me. “Due to rising cost in the Funeral Home where her body is being prepared before all necessary permits, legalities about International shipping

OFW in Kuwait rescued after employer beats her for insisting on going on vacation

of her body to the Philippines, we would like to help out her family with the rising cost of the entire process,” Miller explained. Indra was reportedly from Pinamungajan in Cebu province.  Rie

A Filipina domestic helper in Kuwait was allegedly beaten by her employer after she insisted on her leave, GMA News TV’s “Balitanghali” reported on Saturday. Dahlia Dimalaluan said her employer neglected a previous agreement they had regarding the date of her vacation to the Philippines. When Dimalaluan tried to insist on going on vacation, her employer allegedly whipped her head, back, and sides with a belt and threatened

Takumi / KBK, GMA News / June 19, 2015 / 6:37 PM

to kill her. She was able to escape and was taken to the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait, which will assist her in filing charges against her employer. Dimalaluan will undergo counseling while the embassy prepares her papers for repatriation. “Okay na po ako, nandito na po ako sa pangangalaga ng embassy. ‘Di na ‘ko maapi. Uuwi po ako. Uuwi ako ng ligtas,” Dimalaluan said.  Rie Takumi / JDS, GMA News / June 20, 2015 / 5:21 PM

Indra Marie Quisido-Sarong

PHL Embassy in Baghdad urges Pinoys in Iraq to return home PROSPECTIVE overseas Filipino workers may have to be wary of 11 agencies that were slapped charges for violating recruitment laws, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration said Monday. In a Twitter post, POEA head Hans Leo Cacdac said the violations were found during a “salvo inspection” at the Gedisco Center in Ermita, Manila. Charged were: 1. NRS Placement Inc. 2. MS Brains International Manpower Services 3. M & P Employment Inc. 4. Creative Artist Placement Services Inc. 5. Care International Placement Corp. 6. Bionic Manpower Services 7. Femex Recruitment Agency 8. Rejoice Employment Agency

Arjoy’s Human Resources Management 10. Gold & Green Manpower Management 11. Rotana International Manpower Cacdac said the POEA was accompanied by the Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group “May reputasyon bilang lungga ng mga pasaway na recruitment agency at foreigner na nagsasagawa ng recruitment ang Gedisco Center. Kaya’t nararapat lamang na puntahan ito ng POEA at PNP,” he added. Cacdac said Mind Resources Corp. was caught recruiting workers even if the POEA cancelled its license since cto er 2 . t the second oor of Gedisco Center was a Lebanese national, Zein Hussein, conducting

recruitment. t the fourth oor was clerk Haydee Mamolindas. He said the violations included: failure to post an organi ational chart in the office no B authori ed receipts trainees who are not properl registered offices not properl registered lac of anti illegal recruitment posters o vacancies posted ut lac ing e information presence of foreigners Cacdac said the POEA adjudication office also endorsed the agencies to the Department of Justice’s Intergenc ouncil gainst Traffic ing. He said the POEA may conduct more salvo inspections at Gedisco Center in the future.  Joel Locsin / KG, GMA News / June 23, 2015 / 7:43 AM

HELLO PHILIPPINES newspaper. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of Hello Philippines newspaper and/o / r the Publisher. What’s On is a Filipino Events Diary r listing fo f r UK and Europe. May 2015––No. No.13 97 • UK & Europe Edition www.hello-philippines.com April July 2015 18 INTERNATIONAL / GLOBAL NEWS 201 CALENDAR OF EVENTS – UK & EUROPE

F R E E L I SE VTEINN nE tN UsE i n H E L L O OPRH wT AsCpT Sa/pRe rA.R K S T G o f e v eV G AINL ISIEP R P I N E S nCe ON EM Please email info@hello-philippines.com to include your event.

D A T E / T IM E

D I S C L A I M E R : The Events Diary r listing does not constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation or fa f vouring by HELLO PHILIPPINES newspaper. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of Hello Philippines newspaper and/o / r the Publisher. What’s On is a Filipino Events Diary r listing fo f r UK and Europe. 201 DATE / TIME

EVENT

VENUE

Saturday 4th July 2015 09:.30-18:00

Oxfordshire Barrio Fiesta

Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th July 2015

Barrio Fiesta Birmingham

Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th July 2015

WELCOME TO ASIA SUMMER FESIVAL 2015 – previously HOUNSLOW SUMMER FESTIVAL 2014 £2 per person per day (Children up to 12 years old and adults 60+ years old ENTER FREE) Milton Keynes Barrio Fiesta 2015

Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd August 2015 09:00 – 19:00 Saturday, August 8 10:00 - 17:00

CALENDAR OF EVENTS – UK & EUROPE

OFBA 6th Barrio Fiesta 2015

Every Sunday. 14:00 - 18:00

Lahing Kayumanggi Rehearsals

Every 2nd Sunday 14:00

Filipino Family Mass at English Martyrs Catholic Church

Tingewick Hall, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DU Woodgate Valley Country Park, Clapgate lane, Bartley Green, Birmingham, B32 3TH

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CONTACTS / REMARKS

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BFBCV

Lampton Park, Hounslow, Middlesex TW3 4DN

Universal Infinity Limited

Campbell Park, Avebury Blvd, Milton Keynes, MK9 2AD

Filipino British Society Milton Keynes

Hewitts Farm Court Road, BR6 9BX Orpington, Bromley, United Kingdom St. Andrew’s United Reformed Church Hall, Frognal Lane (corner Finchley Road), London NW3 7DY. Nearest tube: Finchley Road English Martyrs Catholic Church. Chalkhill Road, Wembley Park, HA9 9EW

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F R E E L IS T IN G o f y o u r e v e n t s in H E L L O P H I L I P P I N E S n e w s p a p e r. I f y o u k n o w o f a n y e v e n t s p le a s e c o n t a c t u s v ia FREE LISTING of your events in HELLO PHILIPPINES newspaper. If you know of any events please contact us via info@ hello-philippines.com t o s u b m it y o u r e v e n t . info@hello-philippines.com to submit your event. D e Events Diary Listing does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, DIISSC CL LA AIIM ME ER R:: TTh he Events Diary Listing does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation,

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5:00pm

Devotion in Honour of Our Lady of Fatima (Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament / Rosary /

2:00pm

English Martyrs Church, Chalkhill Road, Wembley Wembley HA9 9EW Benediction / Mass) St Pius X Catholic Church, 108Park, Orme Road, Kingston Upon Thames KT1 3SB –

5:00pm

Devotion in Honour of Fatima (Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament / Rosary / 3SB – Benediction / Mass) of St Our PiusLady X Catholic Church, 108 Orme Road, Kingston Upon Thames KT1 Benediction / Mass) St Pius X Catholic Church, 108 Orme Road, Kingston Upon Thames KT1 3SB – Oliver Abasolo – 07782 661 922 st 2:00pm Five Precious Brentfield Road, Stonebridge Park, London NW10 8ER 1 Sunday Oliver AbasoloWounds – 07782Parish, 661 922 Mervic Monocillo – 07894 636 140 2:00pm Five Precious Wounds Parish, Brentfield Road, Stonebridge Park, London NW10 8ER 1stst Sunday 5:00pm Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, Friary Road, Peckham, London SE15 1RH 1 Sunday Mervic Monocillo – 07894 636 140 Allen Abeleda – 07713 625 888 st Sunday 5:00pm Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, Friary Road, Peckham, London SE15 1RH 1 4:00pm St Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, 103 Woolwich New Road, London SE18 6EF 2nd Saturday Allen Abeleda – 07713 625648 888639 Moises Espanola – 07894 nd Saturday 4:00pm St Peter Martyrs the Apostle Catholic Church, 103Wembley Woolwich NewWembley Road, London SE18 6EF 2nd Sunday 2:00pm English Church, Chalkhill Road, Park, HA9 9EW Becky Sarinas – 07949 857 699 / 07425 761 519 / Lina B – 07579 418 510 Moises Espanola – 07894 648 639 nd Sunday 2:00pm St Dominic Catholic Church, 243 Violet Waddon, CR0 4HN 2nd Sunday 2:00pm English Martyrs Church, Chalkhill Road,Lane, Wembley Park,Croydon Wembley HA9 9EW 2 Merlie Mirto – 07722 216 462 Becky Sarinas – 07949 857 699 / 07425 761 519 / Lina B – 07579 418 510 nd 2 Sunday 4:00pm St. Anselm and St. Cecilia, 70 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2A 3JA 2:00pm St Dominic Catholic 243748 Violet Lane, Waddon, Croydon CR0 4HN 2nd Sunday Feliciano Ramirez – Church, 07733 680 Merlie 07722 462 3:00pm Sacred Mirto Heart–of Jesus,216 New Priory, Quex Road, Kilburn, London NW6 4PS 3rd Sunday Sheidrick Leon 07738 70 210 202 2nd Sunday 4:00pm St. Anselmde and St. –Cecilia, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2A 3JA 3rd Sunday 3:00pm Blessed Sacrament Street, Islington N1 0SR Feliciano Ramirez –Parish, 07733 157 680 Copenhagen 748 Christy Sangalang – 07709 119 969 rd Sunday 3:00pm Sacred Heart of Jesus, New Priory, Quex Road, Kilburn, London NW6 4PS 3 Last Saturday 6:00pm Our Lady of Dolours, Servite Parish Church, 264 Fulham Road, London SW10 4EL Sheidrick de Leon – 07738 210 202 Fr Allan Satur – 020 7352 6965 / fulhamroad@rcdow.org.uk / Roland Adap – r_adap@hotmail.com rd 3 Sunday 3:00pm Blessed Sacrament Parish, 108 157 Orme Copenhagen Street, Islington N1 0SRKT1 3SB Last Sunday 12:00pm St Pius X Catholic Church, Road, Kingston Upon Thames Oliver Abasolo – 07782 661 922 Christy Sangalang – 07709 119 969 FREE LISTING of your events in HELLO PHILIPPINES newspaper. If you know of any events please contact us via Last Sunday 2:00pm St. Catholic 218 Roehampton London 4LESW10 4EL Last Servite Parish Church, 264Lane, Fulham Road,SW15 London i n f oSaturday @ h e l l o - p h i l i6:00pm p p i n e s . c o m Our t o Joseph’s sLady u b m of i t Dolours, y o u r e v Church, e nt. Rafael Santiago – 07795 254 451 020 fulhamroad@rcdow.org.uk Roland Adap – r_adap@hotmail.com D I S C LSunday A I M E R : T h e E v5:00pm e n t s D i a r y L i s Fr tHoly i nAllan g d o eSatur s n o t –nCatholic e c e s7352 s a r iChurch, l 6965 y c o n/ s t20 i t uBrixton te or im p l y i Oval, ts end o r s/ em eSW9 n t , r6BU ecomm endation, Every Redeemer Road, London o r f aSunday vouring by Hello P h i l i p p i n e s nSt e wPius spap e Catholic r . T h e v iChurch, e w s a n d108 o p iOrme n i o n sRoad, o f a uKingston thors exp resse d h e r e iKT1 n d o3SB not necessarily state or Last 12:00pm X Upon Thames Ben Ortiz – 07723 318 486 reflect those of Hello Philippines newspaper. This is merely an Events Diary Listing of what is happening within the Filipino Oliver –P07782 661 922 First Wednesdays and Our ofu Perpetual Farm CR om u InSi t i s i fno rHFilipino g aP lMass f oI r a tNovena iE oS n n oe nw lto ys .p F E Em L TiIeNs Gi no E f uyroo6:30pm upre .e T vh e inst s EeLnLeOrAbasolo Hi nI L Pm IN a p eMother r. If yo k n o w o f Help, any e v e n tStreet s p l e aChurch s e c o nof t athe c t uImmaculate s via Conception (Jesuit House Chapel), access on 114 Mount Street, London W1K 3AY – Josie Ramos – Last Sunday 2:00pm St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 218 Roehampton Lane, London SW15 4LE 2 0 1 M O N T H L Y F I L I P I N O C O M M U N I T Y M A S S E S I N G R E A T E R L O N D O N i n f o @ h e l l o - p h i l i p p i n e s . c o m 07723 to submit your event. 1 Saturday 5:00pm Devotion in591 Honour of Our Lady Rafael 024 Santiago – 07795 254 451of Fatima (Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament / Rosary / Benediction D I S C L A I M E R : T h e E v e n t s D i a r y L i s t i n g d o e s n o/t Mass) nCatholic e c e sSt s a Pius r iChurch, l y cXoCatholic n s t20 i t uBrixton t e Church, or im p l108 y i Oval, t sOrme end oRoad, r s e m eKingston n t , r6BU e c o Upon m m e nThames d a t i o n , KT1 3SB – Every Sunday 5:00pm Holy Redeemer Road, London SW9 Abasolo o r f a v o u r i n g b y H e l l o P h i l i p p i n e s n Oliver ewspap e r . T h e– v07782 i e w s a661 n d o922 pinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or 2:00pm Five Ortiz Precious Wounds Brentfield Road, Stonebridge Park, London NW10 8ER 1 Sunday Ben – 07723 318eParish, 486 r e f l e c t t h o s e o f H e l l o P h i l i p p i n e s n Mervic e w s p a p Monocillo e r . T h i s i s– m r e l y 636 an E vents Diary Listing of what is happening within the Filipino 07894 140 First Wednesdays 6:30pm Filipino Mass and Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help, Farm Street Church C m u n i t i e s i n E u r o5:00pm p e . T h i s i s f o r Our gene r a l iof nfo rmation o n l y . Church, Sunday Lady Sorrows Catholic Friary Road, Peckham, London SE15 1RH of the Immaculate 1o m Allen Abeleda – 07713 625 888 Conception (Jesuit House Chapel), access on 114 Mount Street, London W1K – Josie Ramos – 20 1 M O N T H St L YPeter F I Lthe I P IApostle NO CO MMUN I T Y M103 ASS ES IN G REA T E RLondon LOND O N 3AY Saturday 4:00pm Catholic Church, Woolwich New Road, SE18 6EF 2 st 07723 024 591 1 Saturday 5:00pm Devotion in Honour of Our Lady of Fatima (Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament / Rosary / Moises Espanola – 07894 648 639 st

2nd Sunday

Becky Sarinas – 07949 857 699 / 07425 761 519 / Lina B – 07579 418 510

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www.hello-philippines.com

HEALTH and Lifestyle

July 2015 – No. 13 • UK & Europe Edition

Sunlight and vitamin D VITAMIN is essential for health ones and we get most of our vitamin D from exposure to sunlight. Find out how to ma e sure ou get enough without risking sun damage. ver one needs vitamin to a sor calcium and phosphorus from their diet. These minerals are important for health ones. lac of vitamin D (known as vitamin D deﬁcienc can cause softening and wea ening of ones and lead to one deformities. n children for e ample lac of vitamin can lead to ric ets. n adults lac of vitamin can lead to osteomalacia which causes one pain and tenderness. How do we get vitamin D ur od creates most of our vitamin from direct sunlight on our s in. We also get vitamin D from some foods such as oil ﬁsh for e ample salmon mac erel and sardines eggs and meat. Vitamin D is also added to all margarine and infant formula mil and to some rea fast cereals so a products dair products powdered milks and low-fat spreads.

How long should we spend in the sun There isn t one recommendation

to suit ever od . This is ecause the amount of time ou need to spend in the sun for our s in to ma e enough vitamin depends on a num er of things. These include our s in t pe for e ample how dar our s in is or how easil ou get sun urnt the time of

ear and what time of da it is. Short dail periods of sun e posure without sunscreen during the summer months pril to cto er are enough for most people to make enough vitamin . vidence suggests that the most effective time of da for vitamin production is etween am and pm. A short period in the sun means a matter of minutes a out to minutes for most people – and is less than the time it ta es ou to start going red or to urn. The larger the area of our s in that is e posed to sunlight the more chance there is of ma ing enough vitamin efore ou start to urn. People with darker skin will need to spend longer in the sun to produce the same amount of vitamin D. n the our s in isn t a le to make vitamin D from winter sunlight ovem er to arch as the sunlight hasn t got enough B ultraviolet B radiation. uring the winter we get vitamin from our od s stores and from food sources. The longer ou sta in the sun especiall for prolonged periods without sun protection the greater the ris of s in cancer. So remem er to cover up or protect our s in efore the amount of time it ta es ou to start to turn red or urn later on. or most of the time ou spend outside sta covered up and use sunscreen with a sun protection factor S of at least . ind out more a out eeping s in safe in the sun.

Who is at risk of vitamin D deficiency Some groups of the

population are at risk of vitamin D deficienc and the epartment of Health advises that the ta e dail vitamin D supplements. These groups are: all pregnant and reastfeeding women all a ies and oung children from si months to five ears old older people aged ears and over people who are not e posed to much sun for e ample those who cover their s in or who are house ound or confined indoors for long periods people who have dar er s in for e ample those of frican ari ean and South Asian origin It is important that pregnant and reastfeeding women ta e a vitamin

D supplement to make sure their own needs for vitamin are met and so that their a is orn with enough stores of vitamin for the ﬁrst few months of its life. regnant women and children aged ﬁve or under who ualif for the Health Start scheme can get free supplements containing vitamin .

Can you have too much vitamin D People who take supplements are

advised not to ta e more than 2 micrograms of vitamin a da as inta es from supplements a ove this amount could e harmful. The amount of vitamin contained in supplements is sometimes expressed in nternational nits where e uals one microgram of vitamin . our od doesn t ma e too much vitamin from sun e posure ut alwa s remem er to cover up or

protect our s in efore the time it ta es ou to start turning red or to urn later on.

Further

information.

The epartment of Health s recommendations on ta ing vitamin supplements are ased on advice from the Scientiﬁc dvisor ommittee on utrition S . S produced a report in 2 that summarised the scientiﬁc evidence on vitamin and health. S is now reviewing the latest evidence on vitamin and health and will report on this when it is complete. atch an animation on ancer esearch s Sun Smart we site to see how sun urn damages our s in. n 2 seven British health organisations produced a oint statement of their views of vitamin D.  NHS Choices

Heatwave: Be prepared MOST of us welcome hot weather, but when it’s too hot for too long there are health risks. If a heatwave hits this summer, make sure the hot weather doesn’t harm you or anyone you know. The very young, the elderly and the seriously ill are the groups who are particularly at risk of health problems when the weather is very hot. In particular, very hot weather can make heart and breathing problems worse. “There is considerable evidence that heatwaves are dangerous and can kill,” says Graham Bickler of the Health Protection Agency. In August 2003, temperatures hit 38C (101F) during a nine-day heatwave, the highest recorded in the UK. “In the 2003 heatwave there were 2,000 to 3,000 excess deaths (more than usual) in England. Across Europe, there were round 30,000 excess deaths.” The Public Health England’s heatwave plan 2013 has advice on how to cope during a heatwave. Knowing how to keep cool during long periods of hot weather can help save lives. “Most of the information is common sense,” says Bickler. “It’s not rocket science but it can have a dramatic effect.”

When heat becomes a problem. An average temperature of 30 C by day and 15 C overnight would trigger a health alert (this figure varies slightly around the UK). These temperatures can have a significant effect on people’s health if they last for at least two days and the night in between. The Meterological Office has a warning system that issues alerts if a heatwave is likely. Level one is the minimum alert and is in place from June 1 until September 15 (which is the period that heatwave alerts are likely to be raised). • The minimum alert simply means that people should be aware of what to do if the alert level is raised. • If a level two alert is issued, there is a high chance that a heatwave will occur within the next few days. • The level three alert is when a heatwave is happening. • The level four alert is when a heatwave is severe. Why is a heatwave a problem The main risks posed by a heatwave are: • dehydration (not having enough water) • overheating, which can make symptoms worse for people who already have problems with their heart or breathing • heat exhaustion • heatstroke

Who is most at risk A heatwave can affect anyone, but the most vulnerable people in extreme heat are: • older people, especially those over 75 • babies and young children • people with a serious chronic condition, especially heart or breathing problems • people with mobility problems, for example people with Parkinson’s disease or who have had a stroke • people with serious mental health problems • people on certain medications, including those that affect sweating and temperature control • people who misuse alcohol or drugs • people who are physically active, for example labourers or those doing sports Tips for coping in hot weather. The following advice applies to everybody when it

comes to keeping cool and comfortable and reducing health risks: • Shut windows and pull down the shades when it is hotter outside. If it’s safe, open them for ventilation when it is cooler. • Avoid the heat: stay out of the sun and don’t go out between 11am and 3pm (the hottest part of the day) if you’re vulnerable to the effects of heat. • Keep rooms cool by using shades or reflective material outside the windows. If this isn’t possible, use light-coloured curtains and keep them closed (metallic blindsand dark curtains can make the room hotter). • Have cool baths or showers, and splash yourself with cool water. • Drink cold drinks regularly, such as water and fruit juice. Avoid tea, coffee and alcohol. • Stay tuned to the weather forecast

on the radio or TV, or at the Met Office website. • Plan ahead to make sure you have enough supplies, such as food, water and any medications you need. • Identify the coolest room in the house so you know where to go to keep cool. • Wear loose, cool clothing, and a hat if you go outdoors. • Check up on friends, relatives and neighbours who may be less able to look after themselves.

How do I know if someone needs help If someone feels unwell, get them somewhere cool to rest. Give them plenty of fluids to drink. If symptoms such as breathlessness, chest pain, confusion, weakness, dizziness or cramps get worse or don’t go away, seek medical help.  NHS Choices

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HEALTH and Lifestyle food

July 2015 – No. 13 • UK & Europe Edition

How to prepare and cook food safely STUDIES show that the kitchen contains the most germs in the home. One found that the kitchen sink contains 100,000 times more germs than the bathroom. Germs such as E. coli, campylobacter and salmonella enter the kitchen on our hands, raw food and through our pets. They can rapidly spread if we’re not careful. If food isn’t cooked, stored and handled correctly, people can become ill with food poisoning colds u and other conditions. Washing hands. Our hands are one of the main ways germs are spread, so it’s important to wash them thoroughly with soap and warm water before cooking, after touching the bin, going to the toilet, and after touching raw food. Raw meat, including poultry, can contain harmful bacteria that can spread easily to anything it touches. This includes other food, worktops, tables, chopping boards and knives. “Lots of people think they should

wash raw chicken, but there’s no need,” says food hygiene expert Adam Hardgrave. “Any germs on it will be killed if you cook it thoroughly. In fact, if you do wash chicken you could splash germs on to the sink, worktop, dishes or anything else nearby.” Take particular care to keep raw food awa from read to eat foods such as bread, salad and fruit. These foods won’t be cooked before you eat them so any germs that get on to them won’t be killed. “Use different chopping boards for raw and read to eat foods sa s Hardgrave. When storing raw meat, always keep it in a clean, sealed container and place it on the bottom shelf of the fridge, where it can’t touch or drip on to other foods. Cooking. Cooking food at the right temperature will ensure that any harmful bacteria are killed. Check that food is piping hot throughout before you eat it.

When cooking burgers, sausages, chicken and pork, cut into the middle to check that the meat is no longer pink, the juices run clear and it’s piping hot (steam is coming out). When cooking a whole chicken or other bird, pierce the thickest part of the leg (between the drumstick and the thigh) to check that there is no pink meat and that the juices are no longer pink or red. Pork joints and rolled joints shouldn’t be eaten pink or rare. To check when these types of joint are ready to eat, put a skewer into the centre of the meat and check that there is no pink meat and the

juices run clear. It’s safe to serve steak and other whole cuts of beef and lamb rare (not cooked in the middle) or blue (seared on the outside) as long as they have been properly sealed (cooked quickly at a high temperature on the outside only) to kill any bacteria on the meat’s surface. If you’ve cooked food that you’re not going to eat immediately, cool it at room temperature (ideally within 90 minutes) and store it in the fridge. Putting hot food in the fridge means it doesn’t cool evenly, which can cause food poisoning. Find out more aboutstoring leftovers safely.

Food and water abroad MANY illnesses, including travellers’ diarrhoea, hepatitis A, typhoid and cholera are contracted through contaminated food and water. Travellers’ diarrhoea is the most common illness contracted abroad, affecting 20-60% of overseas travellers. In countries where sanitation is poor, you can reduce your risk of such diseases by following these basic guidelines. Drinking water abroad. In countries with poor sanitation, don’t drink tap water or use it to brush your teeth unless it has been treated. For information about sanitation levels in the country you are travelling to, visit the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NATHNAC). Filtered, bottled, boiled or chemically treated water should be used. Bottled fizzy drinks with an intact seal are usually safe, as are boiled water and hot drinks made with boiled water. Ice in drinks should be avoided. The most reliable way to purify water is by boiling it, but this is not always possible. Chemical disinfectants, such as iodine and chlorine, will usually kill bacteria and viruses and can easily be obtained from larger chemists or specialist travel shops. However, some parasites are not reliably killed with iodine or chlorine preparations. Combining iodine or chlorine with filtration using a specialist filter (bought from a travel shop) should be effective. Domestic water filters designed for use in the UK are not suitable. Food abroad. Some developing countries use animal waste as fertiliser. Certain foods, especially those growing

close to the ground, are particularly prone to contamination and should be avoided. Foods to avoid. • salads, such as lettuce • uncooked fruits and vegetables, unless they have been washed in safe water and peeled by the traveller • fresh or cooked food that has be allowed to stand at room temperature in warm environments, or that has been exposed to flies, such as in an open buffet • unpasteurised milk, cheese, ice cream and other dairy products • raw or undercooked shellfish or seafood • food from street traders, unless it is has been recently prepared and is served hot on clean crockery Food served in good-standard hotels or restaurants may not always be safe as it may have been contaminated during preparation. Try to pick places to eat that have a reputation for serving safe foods. As a rule, only eat freshly prepared food that is thoroughly cooked and served very hot. Always wash your hands after going to the toilet and before preparing or eating food.  NHS Choices

Hardgrave’s advice is to store food in the fridge below 5°C (41°F). “If your fridge has an internal freezer compartment that is iced up, the fridge could struggle to maintain its temperature,” he says. Washing fruit and vegetables. It’s advisable to wash fruit and vegetables under cold running water before you eat them. This helps to remove visible dirt and germs that may be on the surface. Peeling or cooking fruit and vegetables can also remove these germs. ever use washing up li uid or other household cleaning products, as they might not be safe for human consumption and you may accidentally leave some of the product on the food. Cleaning up. Wash all worktops and chopping boards before and after cooking, as they can be a source of cross contamination. The average kitchen chopping board has around 200% more faecal bacteria on it than the average toilet seat. Damp sponges and cloths are the perfect place for bacteria to breed. Studies have shown the kitchen sponge to have the highest number of germs in the home. Wash and replace kitchencloths, sponges and tea towels frequently.  NHS Choices

Preventing food poisoning THE best way to avoid getting food poisoning is to ensure you maintain high standards of food hygiene when storing, handling and preparing food. According to the Food Standards Agency (FSA), a useful way of preventing food poisoning is to remember the four Cs: cleaning coo ing chilling cross contamination avoiding it These are described in more detail below. Cleaning. You can prevent the spread of harmful bacteria and viruses by maintaining good personal hygiene standards and keeping work surfaces and utensils clean. Regularly wash your hands with soap and warm water, particularly: after going to the toilet after handling raw food efore preparing food after touching ins after touching pets You should never handle food if: ou are ill with stomach pro lems such as diarrhoeaor vomiting ou have sores and cuts unless they are covered with a waterproof dressing) Cooking. It is important to cook food thoroughly, particularly poultry, pork, burgers, sausages and kebabs. This will kill any harmful bacteria that may be present, such as listeria and salmonella. Make sure the food is cooked

thoroughly and is steaming hot in the middle. To check that meat is cooked, insert a knife into the thickest or deepest part. It is fully cooked if the juices are clear and there is no pink or red meat. Some meat, such as steaks and joints (but not rolled joints) of beef or lamb, can be served rare (not cooked in the middle), as long as the outside has been cooked properly. When reheating food, make sure it is steaming hot all the way through. Do not reheat food more than once. Chilling. Certain foods need to be kept at the correct temperature to prevent harmful bacteria from growing and multiplying. Always check the storage instructions on the label. If food has to be refrigerated, set your fridge to 0–5°C (32–41°F). If food that needs to be chilled is left at room temperature, bacteria can grow and multiply to dangerous levels. Cooked leftovers should be cooled quickly, ideally within 1–2 hours, and put in your fridge or freezer. Dividing food into smaller amounts and putting it into shallow containers will speed up the cooling process. Cross-contamination. ross contamination occurs when bacteria are transferred from foods (usually raw foods) to other foods. Contamination can be: direct where one food touches or drips onto another food indirect where acteria on our hands, work surfaces, equipment or

utensils are spread to food To prevent cross contamination alwa s wash our hands after handling raw food store raw and read to eat foods separately store raw meat in seala le containers at the bottom of your fridge so that it cannot drip onto other foods use a different chopping oard for raw food and read to eat food or wash it thoroughly in between preparing different types of food clean nives and other utensils thoroughly after using them with raw food do not wash raw meat or poultry – any harmful bacteria will be killed by thorough cooking, and washing may splash harmful bacteria around the kitchen.  NHS Choices

& Scoop Spain’s ‘Three Lies’, ‘Kubo sa Kawayanan’ top winners in WPFF awards 24

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MANILA na urugarren s Three ies the first Spanish feature film to tac le the issue of stolen children won the rand estival ri e in the second orld remieres ilm estival during awards rites held Sunda at the enterstage Theater at S all of sia. ne of two films from Spain in the ain ompetition of the two ear old international film festival hosted the hilippines Three ies also won the Best ctress award for lead star ora avas for her memora le portra al of a radical tattoo artist hell ent on discovering the truth a out her irth.

Ruben Maria Soriquez and Mercedes Cabral pose with their Best Actor and Best Actress trophies, respectively, at the conclusion of the World Premieres Film Festival awarding ceremonies on Sunday.

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The ﬁlm is set at the height of the regime of Spanish dictator rancisco ranco during the s. Bura em rliel s ussian evolution drama rimean from Tur e also won two awards the rand ur ri e and Best ctor for urat ildirim. i a Hsu s The nd of ove from Taiwan too the Special ur ri e. ther winners in the ain ompetition were em an Heugten s Son of ine from the etherlands Technical rand ri e le ander elni s The Territor from ussia Best rtistic ontr ution and ngga wimas Sasong o s ilosopi opi from ndonesia which was ad udged Best nsem le erformance. Two ﬁlms from two other different sections were honored with the ntercontinental ri e for Best eature. The are Tom al er s The ast ecutioner from Thailand in the sian S ies section and Tiha . udac s a ed sland from roatia in the uroview categor . unter Schwaiger s Since The orld was orld representing oth Spain and ustria won the ine erde award for Best nvironmental eature. n the newl introduced ilipino

ew inema section lvin apan s n u o sa awa anan had the iggest harvest of honors as it won four awards Best icture Best diting for Ben amin Tolentino Best inematograph for onald e utica and Best ctress for ercedes a ral for her portra al of a woman who lives in her own special world in her house the am oo grove. iring the directorial de ut of actor arlos orales won three awards Second Best icture Best Screenpla and Best Supporting ctor for oc Salum ides. The famil oriented comed of ill redo ilemon amon too home two trophies Best Supporting ctress for iselle Sanche and Best usical Score for Sherwin astillo. The action drama f Sinners and Saints won Best roduction esign for erardo alagui and Best ctor for ilipino talian u en aria Sori ue who is ma ing his screen de ut as oth actor and director of the ﬁlm. estor rogena s ng uwento ating alawa gra ed the Best Sound ngineering pri e for Br an and edd umaguina. uriousl there was no award for Best irector in all sections.

Main Competition winners pose with Film Development Council of the Philippines chairman Briccio Santos (fourth from right). Photos by John Bradley

rgani ed the ilm evelopment ouncil of the hilippines in partnership with S inemas and the hilippine ail n uirer the second staging of the drew over ﬁlms from countries. side from its own ilipino ew inema section the hilippines also ﬁelded an entr in the sian S ies categor with alston over s a og Show also starring ercedes a ral. nother newl created section lassics features restored versions

of cinema classics nsiang ino Broc a and ortrait of the rtist as ilipino am erto vellana. The awards night was hosted ssa itton with entertainment provided the electronic music duo rip. The orld remieres ilm estival is ongoing at S orth dsa S anila S egamall S all of sia and S South all until ul .  Edwin P. Sallan / InterAksyon.com / June 29, 2015

/ 8:07 AM

Oyo Boy Sotto, tutol sa same sex marriage Angel Locsin, nanindigan para sa LGBT

Continuation from page 1

Sa isang post sa Instagram nitong Lunes, sinabi ni Oyo Boy na isa siyang Kristiyano at naniniwala siya sa Bibliya kaya hindi siya sang-ayon sa pagpapakasal ng babae sa babae o lalaki sa kapwa lalaki. Paglilinaw naman ng aktor, wala siyang sama ng loob sa miyembro ng LGBT community at mananatili siyang mga kaibigan nito. Hindi rin umano siya nanghuhusga ng kapwa at handa niyang ipagtanggol ang mga kaibigan at kakilala na LGBT sakaling may mangbully sa mga ito. Gayunpaman, humihingi siya ng pang-unawa mula sa kabilang panig, at nais niya ring maihayag ang kaniyang posisyon sa usapin. “Name-calling and stereotyping those of us who stand for what we believe is exactly what you don’t want done to you. We have a right to speak what we believe, same as you have the right to speak what you believe,” giit pa ng aktor. Samantala, sa artikulong isinulat ni Rachelle Siazon sa Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP) nitong Martes, sinabing nanindigan naman si Angel Locsin sa pagdepensa sa LGBT community dahil sa isyu ng same-sex marriage.

Nag-ugat daw ang isyu matapos makatanggap si Angel ng mga batikos dahil sa ibinahagi niyang Instagram post noong Linggo, June 29. Dito ay sinang-ayunan ni Angel ang pahayag ng isang Jesuit priest na si Fr. James Martin Jr. na dapat mas maging bukas ang Simbahang Katoliko sa pagpapalaganap ng wastong Katekismo: “that we should treat our LGBT brothers and sisters with ‘respect, sensitivity, and compassion.’” Bagamat walang direktang binanggit ang Jesuit priest tungkol sa same-sex marriage, may ilang Instagram followers si Angel ang nagpahayag ng kanilang disgusto sa naturang konsepto. Hindi raw nagustuhan ni Angel ang ilang comments ng kaniyang Instagram

All the winners pose on stage after the WPFF awarding ceremonies at the CenterstageTheater at SM Mall Mall of Asia on Sunday.

Tom Rodriguez on playing the role of Sergio: “It felt so unreal”

followers, na nagsasabing “act of immorality” at taliwas sa turo ng “biblical laws” ang konsepto ng samesex marriage. Ayon kay Angel, hindi niya maatim na basta na lang husgahan ang LGBT community lalo pa’t mayroon siyang “LGBT friends” na maganda ang disposisyon at maayos makitungo sa ibang tao. Kung siya raw ang tatanungin ay pabor siya sa same-sex marriage, dahil ito ang magiging daan upang mabigyan ng equal rights ang LGBT community tulad ng mga karapatang awtomatikong natatanggap ng “straight” na mga lalaki at babaeng nagpapakasal.  Bianca Rose Dabu / FRJ, GMA News / June 30, 2015 / 7:01 PM

KAPUSO leading man Tom odrigue is more than read to thrill viewers as he pla s the role of Sergio in s upcoming primetime series ari ar. was ver surprised ver honored and e cited it felt so unreal. new right awa when ﬁrst heard a out it that it was going to e a ig pro ect. a a a pressure pero at the same time m ver e cited cause now m going to learn a lot on this pro ect shares the apuso actor in an interview during the stor conference of ari ar. a ing Tom more delighted a out the pro ect is the opportunit to wor with iss orld 2 egan oung reall feel lessed. as na a a awas ng a a at ta ot asi ve wor ed with her efore. t least we alread have a great wor ing relationship. side from egan Tom is li ewise e cited to colla orate

again with director ominic apata whom he ﬁrst wor ed with in Hus and s over. pect as well powerful performances to e delivered acl n ose icardo epeda armi artin a a ris illanueva and angilinan and auren oung. There will also e portra als ran agalona aricris arcia and ion gnacio. 

July 2015 – No. 13 • UK & Europe Edition

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GMAnewsfeed, the First Facebook-only Newscast in the Philippines THE only thing stopping his rise to the top was Andre Rieu & Johann Strauss Orchestra and Essential Einaudi by Ludovico Einaudi. Manny is not too upset however, as he is amongst classical music royalty and that’s not bad for a Yorkshire carpenter’s son. Emmanuel as named as ‘one to watch’ by The Independent and ‘rising star’ by BBC Music Magazine and as ‘unsigned artist of the month’ by Yamaha and 26 year old Emmanuel Vass is rapidly establishing himself as one of the most charismatic pianists on the contemporary scene. 2 saw the launch of his ﬁrst recording From Bach To Bond and his ﬁrst recital tour under the same heading, which took in seven venues across the North of England and columned in his London debut at Steinway Hall with a subsequent performance at St James’ Piccadilly both of which attracted considerable media interest, including a live broadcast on BBC Radio 3’s In Tune. He was also broadcast on Classic FM in October 2014. The From Bach to Bond title Emmanuel chose for the recording and tour re ects oth his eclectic taste in music and his versatility as a pianist. He is at was with the challenges of Bach as with the demanding pianistic technique

required for his own arrangements - in the manner of Liszt - of the James Bond theme and Bohemian Rhapsody. (His performances of these have drawn huge attention on Youtube). Emmanuel’s supreme versatility is also revealed in the calibre and variety of his recent engagements His busy solo recital day has included performances at The Bridgewater Hall anchester Sheffield athedral Leeds College of Music, the Long Gallery at Castle Howard and Hexham Abbey. He has also performed at the Steinway Hall, Queen’s Theatre, West End; 1901 Arts Club Waterloo, St Lawrence Jewry and St James’ Piccadilly. He has performed for Lord Levy and the Russian Ambassador in the olden oom in ensington alace Gardens, for the Filipino ambassador at St Sepulchre’s Church, London and for the French Ambassador at The Lowry Theatre in Salford. At the Variety Club Jubilee Ball her played for the Prince and Princess of Monaco on the same programme as The Manfreds, Blake and Lulu. In September 2012 he made his first BB adio appearance as part of a Radio 3 Masterclass. Presented by avid wen orris and filmed in front of a live audience at BBC Broadcasting House, London the Masterclass is

available to watch on the BBC YouTube channel. Notes for Editors: Emmanuel Vass was born in Manila, Philippines and grew up in East Yorkshire. Having passed Grade 8 piano with distinction at the age of 15 he subsequently studied with Robert Markham at Yorkshire Young Musicians, the Centre for the Advanced Training for Gifted Young Musicians based at Leeds College of Music. This was followed by four years at the Royal Northern College of Music, where Manny studied with John Gough and was supported by scholarships from the Leverhulme Scholarship Trust and the Sir John Manduell Scholarship Trust. He graduated in 2011.

Tour Dates: 2nd June - Chatsworth House, Derbyshire 5th June - National Centre for Early Music, York 6th June - St Peter’s Church, Nottingham 12th June - St Paul’s Church, Manchester 13th June - Grassington Festival 16th June - Holy Trinity Church, Leeds 19th June - Arts Centre, Pocklington 26th June - St Philip’s, Church, Alderney

Edge 27th June - St Mary’s Hall, Sandbach 3rd July - St Andrew’s Church, Sheffield 4th July - St Martin in the Bull Ring, Birmingham 6th July - The Forge, London 11th July - Castle Howard, York 13th July - Fringe Festival, Buxton 17th July - St George’s Church, Preston 13th July - Bolton Abbey, Skipton

All ticket enquiries: emmanuelvass.co.uk http: www.officialcharts.com charts classical-artist-albums-chart https: www.youtube.com watch v CdWqDK -Yf0

23rd August - Cottiers Theatre, Glasgow 24th August - Edinburgh Festival Fringe 25th August - St Michael’s Hawkshead, Lake District 7th September - The Atkinson, Southport 8th September - St Mary Le Tower, Ipswich 12th September - St Peter’s Church, Woking 13th September - Chapel Royal, Brighton 26th September - St Mary Redcliffe, Bristol

www.emamuelvass.co.uk www.twitter.com mannyvass www.facebook.com mannyvass

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July 2015 – No. 13 • UK & Europe Edition

TV5 star Valeen Montenegro red-hot on latest FHM cover LOOK

VALEEN Montenegro is red-hot on the cover of the July 2015 issue of FHM Philippines. The foxy TV5 actress and TV host makes her men’s magazine debut in a red i ini that shows off her ﬁnel toned physique in the cover image shot on a beach. “Let’s say I’ve been a fan of the magazine. I know all your covers so I know what it means to do a cover for you guys,” Valeen, a Fashion Design graduate of De La SalleCollege of Saint Benilde, told FHM in an interview. “Plus, this couldn’t have been a better time to do this. Kasi if you feel sexy and you know you worked your ass off, why don’t you be proud of it?”

The magazine’s website acknowledged her showbiz pedigree by noting that she is a granddaughter of 1950s movie stars Mario Montenegro (the John Lloyd Cruz of his era) and Letty Alonzo. Valeen is a mainstay of the long-running gag show “Tropa Mo KoUnli” and the new sitcom “No Harm No Foul”. She is famous for her comedic work in “Gandumb and Gandumber”, her regular “Tropa” segment with fellow FHM cover girl Ritz Azul. She recently appeared in an episode of the new fantasy series, “Lola Basyang.com”. 

Valeen Montenegro in the July 2015 issue of FHM Philippines. Photos courtesy of ©FHM

InterAksyon.com / June 30, 2015 / 10:58 AM

Vice Ganda, kinondena ang ‘no crossdresser policy’ sa mga establisimyento SA pamamagitan ng mga post sa kaniyang Twitter account, binigyan-diin ni Vice Ganda ang suporta niya sa LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) community. Kasabay nito, kinondena niya ang anumang uri ng diskriminasyon kabilang na ang ‘no crossdresser policy’ sa mga establisimyento – maging sa club na co-owner siya. Sa post ni Vice sa naturang microblogging site, binanggit nito ang Valkyrie resto-bar sa Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, kung saan mayroon

daw siyang “very small share.” “To all members of the LGBT community: I AM ONE OF YOU AND I AM ONE WITH YOU,” saad ng tv host-actor. Dagdag pa niya, “The ‘No Crossdressing Policy’ in any establishment is so THIRD WORLD. If Valkyrie implements this crap I will pull out my very small share. Sa isang artikulong isinulat ni Rachelle Siazon sa Philippine Entertainment Portal nitong Martes, sinabi na ang tinutukoy ni Vice ay ang reklamo ng isang fashion designer na si Veejay Floresca sa Valkyrie resto-bar.

Hindi raw pinayagan si Veejay na makapasok sa bar noong gabi ng June 12 at June 20 dahil daw sa “no crossdresser policy” ng Valkyrie, na co-owner din umano sina Tim Yap at Neil Arce. Nang mga sandaling iyon, nakapambabaeng kasuotan daw si Veejay noong gabi ng June 12 at June 20. Ayon sa ulat, maituturing “transwoman” si Veejay dahil base sa U.S. identification card nito ay nakasaad na isa siyang “female.” Sinubukan umano ng PEP.ph na hingan ng reaksiyon ang pamunuan ng Valkyrie, sa pamamagitan ng pakikipagusap sa telepono kay Neil Arce. Ngunit wala pa raw ipinapadalang opisyal na pahayag ang pamunuan ng Valkyrie hinggil sa isyu. Nananatiling bukas ang PEP sa anumang pahayag na nais ipahayag ng pamunuan ng Valkyrie, Veejay Floresca, at Vice Ganda.

Tutugunan ang usapin JM Rodriguez. Samantala, kabilang ang creative director si ueenmelo Esguerra, sa mga nagpahayag din ng saloobin tungkol sa sinasabing “no crossdressing policy” sa Valkyrie. Sa post ni ueenmelo sa kaniyang

Facebook account, nanawagan siya sa pamunuan ng Valkyrie at maging sa iba pang establisimyento na igalang ang karapatan ng bawat isa. “To Valkyrie and the management and investors behind it and all the other nightclubs in the country.let’s celebrate the Philippine nightlife with an open mind and respect for individuality. The last thing we need in a great party is for everyone to look and think the same. Studio 54 was an iconic nightclub because it celebrated diversity and welcomed everyone from all walks of life, particularly the LGBT community “Be part of the culture of change in the country by putting a STOP to gender discrimination, homophobia and transphobia. It’s time to put an end to this “No Crossdressing Policy”. “Thank you for your support Nakibahagi naman sa palitan ng komento sa naturang post si JM Rodriguez, na isa sa mga co-owner ng Valkyrie. Bagaman iginiit niya na nawala umanong “no cross dressing policy” sa club, sinabi nito na may karapatan ang bawat establisimyento na tanggihan ang

sinumang nais na pumasok sa club, anuman ang kasarian nito. Ipinaliwanag din niya na nasasaktan siya sa kumakalat na balitang tungkol sa umano’y patakaran ng club lalo pa’t marami siyang mga kaibigan sa LGBT. JM Rodriguez: “we just spoke about this. Where is this coming from. I thought it was clear. There is no such thing as a no cross dressing policy I feel betrayed ” JM Rodriguez: “My point Carl’s is we have the right refuse whoever no matter what sex they are. It’s not about gender and never will be.” JM Rodriguez: “You can ask all of my trans friends who come to Valkyrie and hang with me every week This is not about gender. This is simply about following dress code rules, that’s all. I really hope you see what we are trying to enforce. It’s the same rule every club in the world follows. Again this is never about sexuality. It will break my heart for people to think that because I love transgenders , they are my true friends and I would never let that happen to them in my club.”  FRJ, GMA News / June 23, 2015 / 3:22 PM

Julie Anne San Jose ﬁlms music videos in San Francisco and New York ASIA’S Pop Sweetheart Julie Anne San Jose adds another milestone to her career as she recentl concluded ﬁlming three music videos in San Francisco and New York in collaboration with Los Angeles-based company,VIM Entertainment Inc. The videos will be distributed worldwide by GMA Records. One of the music videos she shot in the United States is for her single Tidal Wave which was arranged by Sidney Brown, better known as Omen, an American music producer from Harlem who has worked with artists such as Drake, Lil Wayne, and Ludacris. Last June 21, her supporters got

an exclusive treat from Asia’s Pop Sweetheart and multi-platinum recording artist as she launched her newest music video in GMA Network’s musical variety program Sunday All Stars. Julie exudes a great amount of excitement as she talks about her e perience in ﬁlming Tidal ave got to skateboard. Inaral ko siya before the shoot. Syempre malamig dun, tapos naka-jeans at crop top lang ako, kaya lamig na lamig talaga ako. Pero Masaya kasi I got to work with a lot of people in great teams, tapos they were so nice to me. Sobrang accommodating nila.”

As it promises to highlight a different side of Julie, the singeractress further claims that she was able to get in touch with her different personas while ﬁlming the music videos. In Tidal Wave, she is reminded of how it feels to have utter ies in the stomach, and the usual teenage crush spectacular. “Nag-enjoy akong i ﬁlm ung music videos and since Tidal Wave is very light, more on kilig, I’m sure maraming makaka-relate sa song.” Meanwhile, Julie’s other two music videos are set to premiere in the following months. 

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July 2015 – No. 13 • UK & Europe Edition

Resorts World Manila apologizes to Hotdog’s Dennis Garcia over copyright row RESORTS World Manila has issued an apology to Dennis Garcia, composer and leader of the legendary OPM band Hotdog, after the latter discovered that the key lyrics to the hit song “Manila”, which he and his brother Rene wrote, was emblazoned on a framed poster on the casino wall. In a scathing blog post, Garcia narrated that Hotdog “was about to wrap up a lucrative deal with a reputable casino group” which involved the use of the song “Manila” when the deal fell through after the prospective client found out about the framed poster in their competitor’s premises. “Many people have been telling me about this but I never really found time to see it for m self So one da ﬁnall went and saw the ‘thing’. The core lyrics of Manila at the pricey Resorts World Manila – on display… without permission, without attribution, without remuneration and with absolutely no guilt,” Garcia pointed out. Garcia then further revealed that he formally wrote the president and chief operating ofﬁcer of esorts orld Manila and pointed out the copyright infringement, to which he claims that he received this response from the company’s COO, Stephen Reilly. “In so many words, his message: oh… those words… it was just a framed piece… a temporary installation to cover a gaping hole in the wall… we can bring it down if you want,” Garcia further wrote in his blog post. Shortly after Garcia posted his statement, he received a Cease and Desist letter from Resorts World Manila’s legal counsels Ma. Georgina L.

Alvarez and Walter Mactal, a scanned copy of which he shared on Facebook after it was first posted his rother Greg. Noting that Garcia’s blog post or article as referred in the letter “is legally actionable, the same being defamatory and libelous,” Resorts World Manila through its lawyers is asking Garcia to retract his post and “and all related posts, communication and/ or statements; cease and desist from maliciously publishing libelous and false statements to the damage and prejudice of the ompan and an of its officers and employees; and publicly apologize in writing to the Company and its Chief perating fficer and to the general public for maliciously publishing the libelous Article to their prejudice.” In a subsequent interview with InterAksyon, Garcia acknowledged that Resorts World Manila is not the first high profile esta lishment to use the lyrics of Hotdog’s songs without asking the songwriters’ permission. In all previous cases, the concerned parties were “gracious enough to right the wrong immediately…and paid what was fairly due.” But this is the first time that the guilt part displa ed uncalled for arrogance and lack of basic courtesy,” Garcia added as he did not rule out the option of taking legal action on the matter. “Up to our advisers and lawyers to calibrate our next moves. Our reason for being is to create timeless songs and not to clog up our courts with intellectual property violation cases.” Aside from “Manila”, other hits of

Dennis Garcia (right) and brother Rene, founding members of the seminal 1970s band Hotdog, who wrote the classic song ‘Manilla’. Photo courtesy of Dennis Garcia

Hotdog include timeless OPM classics like “Annie Batungbakal,” “Bongga Ka ‘Day,” “Ikaw ang Miss Universe ng Buhay Ko” and “Panaginip.” InterAksyon tried to contact Resorts World Manila for their response and received this statement this Tuesday: “Resorts World Manila (RWM) reiterates the sincere apologies extended to Mr. Dennis Garcia. Upon receipt of Mr. Garcia’s notice, the questioned material containing a portion of the lyrics of one of his most famous songs was immediatel ta en down. s a long time supporter of the Filipino talent, the organization has nothing but the highest respects for Mr. Garcia’s artistic works and to him as a major contributor to the local music industry. RWM has reached out to Mr. Garcia and remains open to discuss this matter directly with him for its prompt resolution.”  Edwin P. Sallan / InterAksyon.com / June 30, 2015 / 5:16 PM

Ai-Ai extends full support to Gabbi and Ruru PHILIPPINE omed ueen i Ai delas Alas hopes only the best for Kapuso love team Gabbi Garcia and Ruru Madrid, whom she gets to work with regularly in the primetime series Let The Love Begin.

Gabbi and Ruru

Ai-Ai delas Alas

i i is conﬁdent that the on screen pair will make it big in the showbiz industry and until that time comes, she only has one piece of advice for them. “Ang wish ko sa kanila na kapag dumating ‘yung panahon na sikat na sikat na sila, is to always be humble and thankful. The more na sumikat sila, the more na maging humble pa sila and magpasalamat sa lahat ng meron sila,” she said in an interview. i i revealed that a i and Ruru are undeniably close to each other—be it on or off camera. In a separate dialogue, Ruru admitted taking Gabbi once for a ride to work via his newl purchased car which he considers as one of his biggest investments. po pinag drive o na po siya [Gabbi] papunta sa taping niya ng Mars,” he

said. For her part, Gabbi couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by Ruru’s sweet gesture. i i has nothing ut praises for the two young stars and said, “Si Ruru [ay] napakahusay na bata at malayo ang mararating niya sa showbiz. Si Gabbi, ganun din at napakagandang bata,” she shared. Meanwhile, the veteran actress also shared that she feels completely satisﬁed with the wa her career is going. Apart from her present primetime soap, she mentioned that she will be having other TV shows on GMA this year, launching a magazine ne t month and producing a fund raising concert come September. As she marks her 25th year in the industr this ear i held a concert dubbed Ai Am Who Ai Am earlier this year. Her concert featured performances of fellow Kapuso artists including Ruru and Gabbi. Catch it this Sunda on s agship international channel, GMA Pinoy TV. 

The framed poster with the lyrics of Manila as displayed on Resorts World Manila’s casino floor which has since been taken down. Photo posted by Dennis Garcia on his blog, chubibo.com

Megan Young says she can relate to her role as Mari Mar “KINILIG ako, siyempre. It’s a big project,” reveals Kapuso actress Megan Young when asked about her reaction upon learning that she’s going to breathe new life to the well-loved character of Mari Mar. Despite feeling nervous, the Kapuso actress doesn’t let the nerves get to her and instead feels excited as she prepares for the role, “Acting wise, nagwoworkshop na kami nila Tom Rodriguez and Lauren Young . May dance and diving lessons din para siyempre mas magawa natin ng tama. Excited lang talaga ako, sine-set aside ko na lang ang kaba.” Megan also admitted that she can relate to the character of Mari Mar. In an interview, Megan recalls her experience

before she was hailed as Miss World 2013, “Si Mari Mar kasi she’s like any other Pinay who strive for the best.” “Isa siyang hardworker, gagawin niya ang lahat para makuha ang mga pangarap niya. Ganoon din ako, kahit sinabing iba dati na baka matalo ako sa pageant I put that aside kasi ito ang gusto ko. Manalo, matalo at least nagawa ko. Si Mari Mar ganoon din na kahit mag-fail siya, in the end she’ll make sure na ‘yung failure na ‘yun ay magiging encouragement sa kanya to strive for the better,” Megan says. Under the helm of Dominic apata, Mari Mar is set to thrill the viewers this August on GMA. It will air worldwide on GMA’s flagship international channel, GMA Pinoy TV. 

July 2015 – No. 13 • UK & Europe Edition

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Eight ﬁlms compete in WPFF’s Filipino New Cinema section

IN addition to the seven international films in the ain ompetition section of the orld remieres ilm estival there are eight independentl produced ilipino films competing in the festival s ilipino ew inema section. This is the second edition of the international film festival of which the rand estival ri e was won last ear av ia s five hour artial aw inspired epic ula sa ung no ang oon . n line with the s mission to serve a growing num er of film narratives in search of new avenues of e hi ition the ilipino ew inema section will feature new ilipino films from contemporar filmma ers who are loo ing to premiere their latest wor s efore an international audience in the hilippines. ri es for this section will include film grants of var ing amounts as well as awards for Best icture 2nd Best icture Best Screenpla Best inematograph Best diting Best usical Score Best Sound ngineering Best roduction esign and Best erformances an ctor ctress Supporting ctor and Supporting ctress. The awards will e given an international ur of cinema e perts.

Here s a loo at the eight films in the ilipino ew inema section and their respective trailers AN KUBO SA KAWAYANAN irected Alvin Yapan Starring Mercedes Cabral, RK Bagatsing, Mark Felix The film tells the intimate stor of how a woman named ichelle and her strange love stor with her house along with the things around her a river stone a une eetle and a can of sardines would help her preserve the ecolog of o and peace she nurtures the am oo grove. Her o friend a neigh or and a filmma er tries in vain to convince her to a andon this house ut ichelle would not leave her special world. ala remiere is on une 2 Thursda S orth dsa inema 2 . ANG KWENTO NATING DALAWA irected Nestor Abrogena Starring Nicco Manalo, Emmanuelle Vera, Brian Corella n unusual love stor a out Sam a oung filmma er and sa a student aspiring writer who deal with the idea of a teacher student relationship as the face an even igger dilemma of ecoming separated soon. sa is a out to leave for the States after graduation and Sam gets a fellowship offer from one of the leading film schools in

the world. ala remiere is on une 2 Saturda S orth dsa inema 2 . FILEMON MAMON irected Will Fredo Starring Jerome Ignacio as ilemon amon Miles Ocampo, Smokey Manaloto ilemon amon is a high school student who desires two things to win the heart of the girl he loves and to e the lead in a musical pla a out his hilippine hero ndres Bonifacio. But he has a ig pro lem his weight. Based on a popular children s oo of the same title author hristine Bellen this famil ﬁlm does not onl remind one to eat proper food ut also to parta e the universal message of loving oneself and others. I LOVE YOU. THANK YOU. irected Charliebebs Gohetia Starring Joross Gamboa, Ae Pattawan Thai actor CJ Reyes, Prince Stefan ot our usual love stor . aul is a restless twent something who cannot get his life together. orse he s een holding on to his love towards ed his est friend van s o friend. oo ing for a sense of direction he goes to Siem eap in am odia and meets Tang who falls in love with him. hen van leaves ed without an e planation

aul ﬁnds himself caught etween chasing his unre uited love for ed or choosing Tang who is alwa s there for him. MASKARA irected Genesis Nolasco Starring Ina Feleo, Ping Medina, Lance Raymundo, Ms. Boots Anson-Roa The ﬁlm follows the stor of ia orospe an award winning ournalist as she tries to uncover the truth ehind the death of rimecon e ecutive and author of the pro ect illie iranda olando nocencio . s she slowl puts its and pieces of the clues left illie efore he was murdered she meets two men. ne of them is hiding the truth while the other one is defending it. OF SINNERS AND SAINTS irected Ruben Maria Soriquez Starring Ruben Maria Soriquez, Polo Ravales, Chanel Latorre, Althea Vega eonardo a oung talian priest is assigned to a parish in a atas where he reconnects with erlinda a oung and charming woman he used to love when he was still a seminarian. erlinda is now married to ranco who ph sicall a uses her. Things ecome even more complicated when eonardo discovers that he is the real

father of erlinda s son. PIRING irected Carlos Morales Starring Yussef Estevez, Krista Miller, Tessie Tomas, Bembol Roco ames is a g m instructor da and a student night who struggles to eep oth ends meet. hen r. Salve the school s principal ta es a fanc on him ames refuses his advances to eep his pride and dignit . e ected r. Salve see s revenge and comes up with a plot to destro ames dreams. Things go from ad to worse when a sudden twist of fate changes ever thing and shatters ames and his famil . SINO NGA BA SI PANGKOY ONG irected Jonah Lim Starring Kiko Matos, Paulo De Vera, Elston Jimenez ood friends rmand ulian and aolo are e periencing financial difficulties and are now finding wa s to get some mone . The em ar into writing the manuscript of a oo similar to the oo s of a writer with the pseudon m ang o ng who is o viousl inspired Bo ng. hen that plan fails the three proceed to lan B which is to lac mail ang o ng.  Edwin P. Sallan / InterAksyon.com / June 26, 2015 / 12:26 PM

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July 2015 – No. 13 • UK & Europe Edition

DFA RCO Butuan in Robinsons Place Formally Inaugurated

DFA RCO Puerto Princesa Supports Palawan Provincial Government’s Move to Provide Passports for All Barangay Officials in Preparation for ASEAN Integration AS alawe os gather in uerto Princesa for the “2015 Baragatan (Gettogether) sa Palawan” to celebrate the 113th Founding Anniversary of Palawan’s Civil Government from une to 2 aranga officials from Palawan’s 367 barangays are now coming in batches to RCO Puerto Princesa to apply for passports. Governor Jose Chavez Alvarez informed Ms. Liza Jane Estalilla, fficer in harge of uerto Princesa, that he would like all aranga officials aranga captains secretaries, treasurers and kagawad) of Palawan to have their passports ready to enable them to travel to Kota Kinabalu within this year for an exposure trip and educational tour. Aside from its proximity to Palawan, the Governor found in Kota Kinabalu many good practices on governance,

livelihood and community development that aranga officials from Palawan can learn from and replicate in their respective barangays. He said that this initiative is just the start of many other ventures that the Provincial Government of Palawan intends to pursue with its closest neighbours and some ASEAN countries as the Philippines gears up for ASEAN integration. To further orient the barangay officials on passport re uirements RCO Puerto Princesa’s other services and its “Handa Ka Na Bang Magabroad?” advocacy against human traffic ing and illegal recruitment Abraham M. Ibba, President of the Liga ng mga Barangay – Palawan Chapter invited Ms. Estalilla to be one of the Resource Speakers in the 2nd Provincial Liga ng mga Barangay

Convention held from June 15 to 17 at the A & A Plaza Hotel in Puerto Princesa City. Congressman Franz “Chicoy” E. Alvarez (Palawan District 1 Representative) and Governor Alvarez were also present during the presentation. Governor Alvarez thanked Ms. Estalilla for RCO Puerto Princesa’s active participation and support in the Provincial Government’s various programs.  Philippine Embassy Philippines / June

PURSUING its vision of providing service to the public in the most responsive and effective way, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) formally inaugurated DFA RCO Butuan in Robinsons Place-Butuan on une 2 its th consular office partnered with Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC). DFA Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Concerns Rafael E. Seguis led the inauguration ceremonies. The inauguration was also graced by RLC Operations Manager for Luzon, Mr. Irwin Wu, Vice Governor Santiago B. Cane, Jr. (Agusan del Sur), Mayor Ernesto T. Matugas (Surigao City), the Hon. Jose S. uino and other officials of CARAGA, as well as various academics and business leaders in the region. In his message, Undersecretary Seguis said, “Now, we expect the transfer of the RCO Butuan to Robinsons Place will not only make our office more accessi le and convenient but also provide world-class consular services to the residents of the city of Butuan and the whole of the CARAGA Region. As an important city in as well as eing significant in the history of the Philippines, we are proud to say that having RCO Butuan

located at Robinsons Place gives the people of CARAGA the consular services they deserve. Also speaking in the inauguration was Consular Affairs (DFA-OCA) Assistant Secretary Frank R. Cimafranca, who referred to the DFA’s efforts to be responsive to the needs of the people, added, “Our Secretary of Foreign Affairs, the Honorable Albert F. del Rosario, has called us to serve the public with a smile and to reach beyond our grasp when it comes to the delivery of consular services. We wish to assure you that we will remain faithful in this task.” DFA RCO Butuan is open to the public from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Mondays to Saturdays, and accepts new passport applications, passport renewals and replacement of lost passports. DFA’s newest mall-transferred RCO aims to cater to applicants in Butuan City and the rest of the CARAGA Region and is currently headed by its OIC, Mr. Sayrads Macalawi. RCO Butuan can be contacted via e-mail at butuan.rco@dfa.gov.ph and dfabutuan@yahoo.com, through telephone by ringing (085) 342-7822, and through fax via (085) 342-5700. 

Philippine Embassy Philippines / June 26, 2015

26, 2015

To further orient the barangay ofﬁcials on passport requirements, RCO Puerto Princesa’s other services and its “Handa Ka Na Bang Magabroad?” advocacy against human trafﬁcking and illegal recruitment.”

Immersion Program for Filipino-American Young Leaders Going Strong, to Undertake 4th Edition in PHL CONTINUING with its mission to develop and nurture emerging leaders in the Filipino-American community, the Filipino-American Youth Leadership Program (FYLPRO) is set to launch its 4th immersive undertaking in the Philippines on July 02 to 09. Founded in 2012 by Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. and Mrs. Ma. Victoria J. Cuisia, in cooperation with the Ayala Foundation Inc., FYLPRO each year gives ten high-performing next-generation Filipino-Americans the special opportunity to travel to the Philippines and interact with influential personalities in the fields of business, government, arts and culture, civic action and social advocacy. This year’s immersion program builds on the success of the previous

editions. It has also benefited from the feedback and inputs of FYLPRO alumni who still recall the program’s impacts on their journey of self-discovery and reflection on their native country’s strengths, challenges and potential. “FYLPRO opened my eyes to what’s possible. Before the program, I wanted to help but wasn’t really sure in what way and how to make it happen. Through the program and with a new support network, I’ve found a way to contribute: to help establish socially-responsible tourism packages, preserve and reinvigorate our traditional weaving arts, and all this to increase the connection between younger Filipino-Americans and our motherland,” said 2014 FYLPRO delegate Adette Contreras, Chief Creative Officer at New York-based event design studio TINSEL & TWINE. Melissa Medina, 2013 FYLPRO

delegate, cites how FYLPRO increased her understanding of startups in the Philippines. “The FYLPRO leadership immersion in Manila offered unique exposure and open dialogue that provided deep insight not only into what the Philippines is like today, but where the Philippines is going to be in the future. The experiential learning from this immersion program opened my eyes to the growing potential of the startup culture in the Philippines, which is my area of focus for my FYLPRO legacy project,” said Medina, who is the founder of appmyrep, a government technology start-up aimed at innovating the way elected officials connect with constituents. The FYLPRO screening process is highly competitive with delegates being selected on the basis of their academic and professional accomplishments,

as well as the level and quality of their community involvement. “It is amazing to think that we now have a pool of talented and dedicated Filipino-Americans who are actively working in the service of their communities and the Philippines. The boundless creativity, energy and drive of FYLPRO delegates give me great hope for the future,” Ambassador Cuisia stated. “I thank all the FYLPRO delegates from 2012 to 2014 who remain engaged and have taken it upon themselves to ensure that FYLPRO continues to achieve its goals in the coming years,” the Ambassador added. For FYLPRO President Bea uerido, collaboration is one of the key elements of the program’s development and success. “We are grateful for the leadership and support of both the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs and Ayala

Foundation for collaborating with the previous FYLPRO batches to develop an even more meaningful and prestigious leadership immersion program for the 2015 FYLPRO delegates, Batch 4. I’m looking forward to how the new set of FYLPRO delegates will learn from the experience and develop high impact legacy projects that will help our Filipino communities in the Philippines and the US,” she said. The 2015 FYLPRO is made possible with the invaluable partnership of the Ayala Foundation, Inc. and the generous support of corporate sponsors Philippine Airlines, Ayala Corporation, Chevron Philippines, Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Philamlife, PHINMA, and SGV and Co. For more information on FYLPRO, please visit http: FYLPRO.com .  Philippine Embassy Philippines / June 29, 2015

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July 2015 – No. 13 • UK & Europe Edition

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From phones to power, UP engineers at core of MVP Group’s projects in nation-building MANILA - Twenty-seven years after completing his chemical engineering degree, TV5 president Emmanuel C. Lorenzana returned Monday to his alma mater, with a message for future engineers to give back to the country and the University of the Philippines. Lorenzana, president and CEO of Mediaquest, TV5, and Cignal Digital TV, told the UP College of Engineering’s Class of 2015 at their recognition ceremony at the PICC plenary hall that he spent “some of the most wonderful days of my life in UP,” where he graduated in 1988. Reading from a speech on behalf of the Group’s chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan, he urged the UP engineering graduates to learn to “embrace failure” and never fear taking risks as they continually search for ways to make their education relevant to the people’s needs. “As president and CEO of Mediaquest, the holding company that brings together our TV, print, digital and social media concerns, I have in my day-to-day, the wise counsel and guidance of someone many of us know simply by his initials, MVP,” Lorenzana said. In the speech that Lorenzana read for him, Pangilinan paid tribute to the solid education that UP’s College of Engineering has provided its alumni, who he said represent a big fraction of the work force in the companies under his etro aciﬁc roup the engineers

in Maynilad water company; Manila Electric; and in the Manila North Tollways Corp., among others. irst acific the parent compan of etro acific and which he founded in Hong Kong in 1981, is invested heavily in infrastructure in the Philippines “because it is an essential building block of nation building,” Pangilinan said. While improving our people’s lives “is the core ideology of our group,” the best way to do this, added Pangilinan, “is to create jobs – if only to keep more of our people here.” As infrastructure “requires substantial engineering inputs, and deployment of the full spectrum of engineering knowledge and experience,” Pangilinan said the Group has relied heavily on engineers for their companies. In all, “we have 374 UP engineers in our companies; six are presidents and CEOs.” The Group needs them, he pointed out, because “they are pragmatic,” are problem solvers. He cited the latest project won by an MVP company which would require good engineers the tollwa s group won the bid to build the Cavite-Laguna presswa or . etro acific will spend no less than P50 billion to build a 45-kilometer tollway from Cavitex to [Santa Rosa], Laguna. The project, said Pangilinan “will spur growth in NCR and Calabarzon, and create o s. t will improve traffic and property values. Tourism will

Emmanuel C. Lorenzana, president and CEO of Mediaquest, TV5, and Cignal Digital TV, addresses the UP College of Engineering’s Class of 2015 at their recognition ceremony at the PICC plenary hall Monday, June 29.

rise in the area...Overall, we become a better nation.” Pangilinan recalled the formidable challenges the Group faced in earlier investments, most of which were hurdled with the help of good engineers. When they invested in Maynilad Water in 2007, “water pressure then was so weak for water to get to the second oor of houses and uildings. And, due to leaks, pilferages, and decaying pipes, Maynilad was losing 69% of its water input from Angat Dam. Now, he said, “non-revenue water is down to only 29%, water pressure has risen to international standards, and potable water has become available for

Govt accused of ‘coordinated harassment’ of activists in run-up to Aquino’s last SONA MANILA -- The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan accused the government on Tuesday of carrying out “a coordinated campaign of harassment against legal activists” in the weeks leading to President Benigno Aquino III’s last state of the nation address on July 27. Renato Reyes Jr., Bayan secretary general, said in a statement that several organizations belonging to the alliance have reported that their leaders and organizers have been “placed under surveillance, approached and threatened by suspected state security forces” and, in some cases, “some of those conducting surveillance and making threats on the activists have introduced themselves as members of the military.” Some of the activists, he added, were approached in their homes, indicating they were being tailed. Among the groups, Reyes said, is the Confederation for the Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees or Courage, whose leaders “have been approached and threatened or have received threatening letters from suspected military elements,” for which the public

workers’ union has filed complaints before the Commission on Human Rights. Other groups whose leaders and staff workers have received threats or been placed under surveillance are the Kilusang Mayo Uno, Anakpawis and Gabriela. “Ifugao-based activists affiliated with Bayan and the Cordillera People’s Alliance have also been publicly attacked by the military as members of the New People’s Army,” Reyes added. “The intensifying harassment and threats come at a time when the staunchest critics of the administration are preparing to hold mass actions for Aquino’s final SONA. The harassment of activists constitutes an attack on the freedom of expression and the freedom of association,” Reyes said. He challenged the CHR and Department of Justice “to stand in the defense of the constitutional rights and freedoms of the critics of the regime. These rights cannot be enjoyed only by those blindly supporting the Aquino government.” At the same time, the Bayan official also blasted the Philippine National Police for its crowd dispersal drills, which

he said were meant to “intimidate people who are planning to join the mass actions” during the SONA. “What kind of government promotes competition in the violation the rights of the people?” he asked. “What the PNP should do is to review its adherence to human rights. It is notorious for not respecting the rights of protesters. The CHR meanwhile should look into this practice of making a media showcase of crowd dispersal drills,” Reyes said.  InterAksyon.com / June 30, 2015 / 12:08 PM

Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr.

Maynilad’s nine million customers.” Such remarkable turnaround of Maynilad, Pangilinan stressed, re ects the wor mainl of engineers – a good portion of whom came from UP.”

Engineers in power distribution.

Meanwhile, Meralco, he said, demands significant engineering capabilities across the broad range of its businesses – construction of new power plants; expansion and futureproofing of its distri ution networ . He reported as well that a “smart grid overlay on top of our physical network, including the deployment of smart meters, is being built to allow consumers to better manage their consumption and costs.” Outside its franchise area, Meralco “collaborates with provincial power distributors to upgrade their infrastructure, improve services, and lower the cost of purchased power.” Meralco’s investment in one of Pampanga’s electric cooperatives shows, Pangilinan pointed out, “that not only is consumer welfare enhanced by our entry – economic activity has also been stimulated in the area.” In the Group’s mining and hospitals businesses, “engineering inputs have also een critical and eneficial he added. The recognition rites of the College of Engineering, led by its Dean Aura Matias, honored 836 graduates of the 2015 class – counting 4 summa cum laudes, 60 magna cum laudes, and more than a hundred cum laudes. UP kids ‘most distracted’. Earlier, at the start of his address, Pangilinan described UP students as among “the most distracted college kids of all” because they’re always busy attending rallies against government; criticizing capitalists like him; joining all sorts of organizations. When they’re not protesting, they are malling; or going to the in-campus theater; or jamming at night; or, during weekends, jogging and devoting time to all sports “except basketball.”

He said UP engineering graduates reminded him of “ang paborito kong celfone – Smart,” and described them as like Meralco, “maliwanag ang bukas.” Then he added, “itinuturing ko kayong lahat na parang TV5 – mga kapatid!” At the end of the road, he said, the most important appeal he would make to UP students is to make sure that as the “iskolar ng bayan,” they would give back to their school and to the country. He encouraged them to seize good opportunities to work and study further abroad, but urged them to make sure they return, as he did, after spending 23 years in Hong Kong. He repeated what he has told graduating students since “There is no magic, no mystery, no secrets to succeeding. Success springs from values as basic and old-fashioned as being honest and truthful, working hard, playing fair, setting goals, and having the discipline and the determination to achieve them. Most of all, success is about passion. Passion to succeed. Passion to compete. Passion for excellence.” He said his life in HK “as an OFW taught me to be brave. And I learned to be personally accountable. irst acific pushed me into the entrepreneur’s world, which meant two things m responsi le to deliver profits and e uall importantl m responsible for the welfare of my employees and the people we serve.” Taking risks, keeping values. Young people, he stressed, must learn to take risks. “You will never see what is beyond your horizon if you have no guts to sail out. Or, as Stephen urr shows us paano a ma a a score kung hindi mo bibitawan ang bola? You won’t ever win if you don’t shoot that ball – it really is as simple as that.” Having taken that risk as a young man when he leapt from being employee to entrepreneur in Hong Kong, Pangilinan said he never regretted coming back to what “is home for me.” “I believe in the Filipino... of Rizal, Bonifacio and Ninoy Aquino – who all left home and, after having touched the embers of enlightenment, came back. I believe in the Filipino because now he ll find a wa to survive and succeed outside his shores. I believe in the Filipino most of all because of our values.” What he called “the sunlight of our shared values – our music, the ability to laugh at ourselves, and a deep and abiding faith in God” sustained him in his two decades in HK, and these are the values, Pangilinan stressed, “that shine for Filipinos everywhere, however far they may be from home.”  InterAksyon.com / June 29, 2015 / 7:04 PM

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July 2015 – No. 13 • UK & Europe Edition

Parents, teachers seek child abuse action against GMA-7 reporter BUTUAN – Parents, with the support of teachers filed a child a use complaint with the local police against GMA-7 news reporter Julius Segovia on Saturday afternoon last week for allegedly humiliating in public two nine-year old pupils at a campus journalism workshop. e filed a police complaint under RA 7610 against Julius Segovia after he publicly humiliated and insulted our nine-year old child and another pupil during the workshop last Saturday. We intend to use this police complaint to file a case in court as our child was traumatized after the incident. She re uested not to go to school ecause she feels embarrassed about having to face other students,” said Cheery Ann, the mother of one of the humiliated children. The police blotter record (photographed by Erwin Mascariñas, below), with entry number 095, was filed at around pm of une 2 2015 at the Butuan City Police Station 1 under the Women and Children Welfare Desk. In the blotter it was claimed that Julius Anthony M. Segovia humiliated

the victims in front of the participants, and uttered demeaning words during the seminar workshop on campus journalism held at Inland Convention Center. Segovia was said to have told the child “if you don’t do your work, you might as well get out. If not, let me talk to your adviser. Where are they?” ointing his fingers at the children the speaker then allegedly spoke into the microphone and pointed again at the children asking for the advisers, and asking them to go out. Arcelie Cultura, Grade 6 adviser of Doongan Elementary School, disclosed that she was just two meters away from the girl when it happened. t first did not pa that much attention to it, then I saw Segovia with an angry facial expression and he was obviously irritated. He approached the children and said something to them. He came back later, this time angrier than the first time and with a much loaded voice. I tried to ask: What’s wrong? He said bastos (rude) daw. The child was very much humiliated, as around 400 participants were looking at her,” Cultura said.

Cultura further related that Segovia stated, “’if the girls were not doing anything, they should leave.’ He asked if they were just waiting for snack break. Who is the teacher in charge of that girl? Pointing to the child, he was saying ‘Kung bastusan lang ang gusto ninyo mag bastusan na tayo (If we want to be rude here, we can certainly play the rude game).’” “The children paid P2,800 each, and the teachers P3,000 to attend this workshop. How dare he say they were just there for the snacks, which they can afford beyond what we paid for the event,” Cultura continued. One of the two children, a nineyear old Grade 4 pupil at Butuan City SPED Center, with her parents’ consent, elaborated on what happened. “I was excited so I took photos of our speaker. I did not realize that he appeared to be sleeping in the photo. We were laughing at our table, but not at him. He approached us and demanded that the photo be deleted. I was so afraid because he was angry, and I felt embarrassed as everyone was looking at me,” said the child. Explanation and apology. “As parents, we are shocked at how an event meant to educate could hurt our daughter. When we arrived at the workshop venue at around 4:20 in the afternoon, we immediately noticed a crowd outside the hall and within that crowd I found my child crying and the teachers trying to calm her down. As a mother, I immediately hugged my child. She was shaking and crying hard,” said the mother, who added that at ﬁrst the onl wanted to re uest for an explanation from the speaker and the organizer of the event. “The organizers and Segovia made us wait for three hours. He never faced us to give his side of the story and to clarify what really happened. e initiall did not intend to ﬁle a complaint but he [Segovia] just made us look like fools,” the mother added. Cultura added to the statement of the mother, pointing out that the

Parents of one of the pupils (back toward the camera) treat the child to her favorite meal after she became listless and lost interest in going to school in the wake of the humiliation incident. Photographed by Erwin Mascarinas, InterAksyon.com

matter might have been easily resolved if Segovia faced the parents and the teachers who were waiting to hear his side. “One of his topics was all about media ethics, yet there he was not showing the right ethics in front of the children and teachers. We left the place at almost 8:00 in the evening, all the while waiting to hear his side or a possible apology, but he never came out,” the Grade 6 adviser said.

Teachers and Students walk out.

Several teachers from different schools who also felt offended by the humiliating comments from the speaker directed at the child, numbering about 80 in all, decided to walk out of the convention hall. “The narrations about what happened are all true. He humiliated the two children in front of everyone in the hall. The sad part is that he did not only insult the kids, but he insulted the teachers as well,” said Agan Mark Carag, a teacher at Agusan National High School and advisor of the campus organ. Carag pointed out that, together with other teachers and students, they all stood up and left the hall after they felt humiliated. “We [teachers] paid P3,000 pesos to attend the seminar but it turned

out to be a humiliating experience. We felt embarrassed by the statements of Mr. Segovia. He also implied in his statement that we were Bisaya in how we speak and write our English. Who does he think he is?” Carag asked. Allan Baliling, a teacher in Special Program in the Arts and Analyn Pamesa, adviser on creative writing also from ANHS, echoed the statement of their fellow teacher, pointing out that the only unfortunate part was that nobody was able to video the incident because they were all shocked at what the broadcast reporter said. The organizer of the event: Center for the Professional Advancement of Educators, stated over the telephone that they are declining to comment on the incident and would, in the meantime, wait for the advice of their lawyer. For its part, GMA management is looking into the matter, said Cel Amores, Assistant Vice President for Regional News operations of GMA ews and u lic fﬁars without elaborating further. A message was sent to Segovia using his Facebook account on Sunday to obtain his side of the story, but no reply has, so far, been issued regarding the allegations.  Erwin Mascariñas / InterAksyon.com / June 30, 2015 / 5:43 PMAles et facrenius eliis coer pra

Chiz wants probe on ‘pathetic state’ of Internet in PH MANILA, Philippine – Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero will look into the “pathetic state” of Internet speed in the country to see how the government can address the situation and give the information technology (IT) sector a boost. “The current situation in the country is, sad to say, unacceptable. The state of Internet speed is pathetic, and unless we remedy this situation, our IT sector is likely to suffer in the long term,” Escudero said. The senator said the government, particularly the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and the National Telecommunication Commission (NTC), should give the situation immediate attention.

“The government should crack the whip on our telecommunications companies. If they have to be mandated to allocate some of their earnings for improving Internet speed, mainly through investing in more equipment and hardware, then so be it,” Escudero said. “These telcos have been going to town in the past few years telling their shareholders that they have been earning billions of pesos. But they conveniently forget the millions of subscribers and users who put those billions in their coffers but who continue to suffer from poor service,” he added. “The point is, something needs to be done and done very soon.” The senator, who chairs the Senate Committee on Finance, said he is willing to spearhead

legislation that would help improve the situation. “The problem is that government agencies that are supposed to monitor these telcos and help consumers don’t seem to feel the urgency of the situation,” Escudero said. The senator also warned that slow Internet speed may derail the projected growth of the IT-BPO industry. “The IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) recently reported that it was targeting 25 billion in revenues and 1.3 million jobs by 2016. Even these targets might be affected if our Internet service in the country does not improve, and we might see these jobs go to other countries in the region that can provide investors and clients better

Internet services,” Escudero warned. He cited recent reports by global Internet metrics analyst Ookla and cloud service provider Akamai that showed the dismal state of internet speed in the Philippines. The latest Ookla household download index report ranked the Philippines 21st

out of 22 countries in Asia, trailed only by Afghanistan. Singapore was ranked first with a broadband speed of 122.43 Megabits per second (Mbps) followed by Hong Kong with 102.96 Mbps. The household downloads speed in the Philippines clocked in at an embarrassing 3.64 Mbps. On the other hand, Akamai’s latest state of the Internet report showed that the country’s average Internet speed in the fourth quarter of 2014 was 2.7 Mbps, peaking at 21.9 Mbps. South Korea had the fastest average Internet speed in Asia with 22.2 Mbps while Indonesia had the slowest average at 1.9 Mbps.  Ernie Reyes / InterAksyon.com /

Senator Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero. InterAksyon.com

June 30, 2015 / 5:48 PM

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NFA chief, Senate agri panel chair warn of health risks from consuming ‘fake rice’ MANILA – National Food Authority (NFA) Administrator Renan Dalisay on Tuesday asked the public to immediately report to it incidents of them coming across possible “fake rice” smuggled from China, citing the risk warnings aired by the Department of Health. This, even as the agency started simultaneous inspections in various parts of the country after getting a sample of suspected fake rice from

an unspeciﬁed canteen which will e subjected to laboratory test at the Food Development Center. Noting complaints that some people had consumed “rice that tasted like Styrofoam,” he said the sample initially sent to NFA was already cooked rice, and too little for conclusive tests. Authorities got more from the canteen where it was served, and submitted this to the Food Development Center for further study.

TV5 screenshot of suspected fake, or plastic rice. The NFA is conducting simultaneous inspections following reports some people are selling “fake rice” from China - with plastic resin ingredients, among others. NFA also discovered smuggled Chinese rice in Pasay City, and is checking whether this is part of smuggled stocks auctioned off by Customs in October. ©Interaksyon.com file

“Offhand, our people suspect it’s [the suspected fake rice] a mix of corn and rice,” he added. However, he conceded that reports of “fake rice” coming from China that “accordingly had plastic resin” was alarming enough to issue an alert. If that’s true, and there’s resin, that’s dangerous. We were told by DOH that when you eat several times something with plastic resin, it’s like eating one plastic bag,” Dalisay explained, speaking in Filipino.

Villar to DA, NFA: stop spread of fake rice. Relatedly, Senator Cynthia Villar

on Tuesday urged the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the NFA to look into the reported proliferation of synthetic rice in the country. “Obviously, the manufacturer of fake rice is doing this in the name of proﬁt. e heard this is cheaper to produce and looks very much like the farm-grown rice. Our fear is that many of our kababayan will not be able to tell the difference and will be deceived into buying this cheaper type,” Villar said. Fake rice, which was also reported in neighboring countries China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam, allegedly reached Philippine shores, with a reported discovery in Davao del Sur, noted Villar.

Reports said the synthetic rice is made of potatoes, sweet potatoes, and plastic, shaped into grains. Materials found in pipes and cables were also used in this type of rice. Chinese rice ‘illegal per se’. NFA’s Dalisay said that port authorities were alerted on the importation of Chinese rice, which is illegal per se since the country does not import rice from China. Last October, the Bureau of Customs, following its mandate, auctioned off Chinese rice, Dalisay said. But there is pending legislation in Congress to stop auctions like this; and add the seized rice to the national buffer stock, he said. In calling for a nationwide crackdown on peddlers of fake rice, Villar, for her part, said special attention must be given to small shops in rural areas, where fake rice could be discreetly sold,” she added. The chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food and concurrent chair of the Congressional Oversight Committee on Fisheries and Agricultural Modernization said she e pects the to su mit the ofﬁcial report on the matter. “The Bureau of Customs and the

Coast Guard should also continue guarding our ports for the possible illegal entry of fake rice. We should be mindful that this type could be mixed with normal rice,” she added. The senator said an information campaign should be immediately launched to give the public pointers on how to identify fake rice and to encourage consumers to report its presence to authorities. “Maraming magkakamali dito at ang sabi pa nga, one week na daw hindi pa napapanis ang kanin. Magmadali tayo ditto dahil parang kumakain ka ng plastic kapag ito ang kinain mo [A lot of people could be misled into buying this; and some claim it doesn’t spoil even after one week. Let’s move fast because when people eat this, it’s like they’re eating plastic] ,” she added. Health experts have warned that consuming such fake grains could be deadly or could cause serious damage to the digestive system. If enacted into law, Villar added the smuggling of fake rice will be declared as economic sabotage under the bill she authored, Senate Bill No. 2765 or the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2015.  Ernie Reyes / InterAksyon.com / June 30,

2015 / 5:53 PM

P100K bounty oﬀered for arrest of Tania Dee’s ex-husband, as lover tags him in slay ANGELES CITY – Mayor Edgardo “Edpam” Pamintuan has put up a P100,000 cash reward for tipsters who can provide information leading to the arrest of Fidel Sheldon Arcenas, the principal suspect behind the murder of RCBC teller Tania Camille Dee, as Arcenas’ girlfriend gave CIDG a statement pointing to him as the mastermind. Both the suspect and his live-in partner Angela Tinio Dychioco had earlier gone missing and their phones inoperative. However, on Tuesday, police said Angela had issued a statement pointing to Arcenas as the mastermind of his ex-wife’s killing. Friends and relatives of Dee also appealed to Angela to help persuade the suspect to surrender and face the consequences of the incident. Angela is the daughter of Regina

Dychioco, owner of the house where Dee’s body was found Sunday after an 8-day search, and considered an aspirant for a city councilor seat in the 2016 elections. Regina had tipped off the police about the possibility that Dee may have been harmed after her daughter and her lover abruptly returned the key to the house which they borrowed in April. The city’s chief executive, meanwhile, offered the bounty in a bid to speed up

TV5 screenshot of Fidel Sheldon Arcenas, main suspect in the killing of his estranged wife, Tania Camille Dee.

the arrest of Arcenas, even as he appealed to other government law enforcement agencies to help bring justice to the Dee family.

Coddled by influential persons Pamintuan strongly believes that Arcenas is being coddled by influential persons. “I have been in close coordination with the chief of the Angeles City Police Office, Senior Supt. Eden Ugale and Chief Insp Ferdinand Aguilar, the CIDG Provincial chief, since the time Ms Dee went missing. When her body was found buried in a shallow grave in Sta. Maria Village, Barangay Balibago, I immediately gave instruction to arrest all suspects. However, it seems that the principal suspect is nowhere to be found or is being coddled by people close to him,” Pamintuan said in a statement sent to reporters. Dee’s body was found buried at the backyard of the suspect’s former residence

at Sta. Maria Subdivision, Barangay Balibago in this city on June 28, or eight days after she was reported missing by her friends trough the social media networks. Sources from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Pampanga said the victim was left to starve and might have been kept in an isolated place before she was killed using a handgun. The autopsy report disclosed that Dee had an empty stomach, an indication that she was not fed by her captor or captors. Pamintuan condemned the murder of Dee even as he called for the cooperation of the suspect’s father, Fidel Arcenas, in helping convince his son Fidel Sheldon to yield. The elder Arcenas is said to be Assistant Chief Operating Officer of the Administration and Finance Sector of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise one Authority (TIE A), under COO Mark

Lapid, son of Senator Manuel Mercado “Lito” Lapid. “I believe Mr. Arcenas is still closely connected with the Lapids. I am asking Mr. Arcenas now to help us by asking his son to voluntary surrender, if he knows his whereabouts or has contact with him,” Pamintuan stated. The mayor said “The father of the suspect, Fidel Arcenas, is known to me personally, but I have not seen or talked to him since 1998, when he started working with then Pampanga Governor Lito Lapid. “I am also asking our colleagues in government including those in the national government to assist in solving this crime. Let us not protect the principal suspect. He can defend himself if he is innocent. Justice must be served.” Pamintuan added.  Jess Malabanan / InterAksyon.com / June 30, 2015 / 1:41 PM

Ombudsman orders General Purisima dismissed over P100-M courier contract

MANILA The fﬁce of the Ombudsman has ordered the dismissal from service of former Philippine National Police chief Gen. Alan Purisima over a multimillion courier contract entered into by the PNP in 2011. It was the same case for which it had earlier ordered his preventive six-month suspension. Purisima recently returned to the force ut on virtuall oating status while awaiting his retirement. The resolution issued by the

Ombudsman, however, has ordered him and other ofﬁcers e pelled from the service for grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and grave abuse of authority. One of them is Central Luzon police regional chief, Gen. Raul Petrasanta. They were accused of having forged a P100-million contract with Werfast, a courier service, at a time when the company’s incorporation and other basic documents were still being processed. Since the Ombudsman ordered his

suspension in December, his post had been assumed in acting capacity by Gen. Leonardo Espina, who is retiring on July 9. Malacañang Palace declined comment on the reported Ombudsman’s order of dismissal, with Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. saying they “will await the ofﬁcial cop of the resolution from the fﬁce of the m udsman for us to e able to properly address this matter.”

Trish Roque / News5 / June 30, 2015 / 6:29 PM

In this Feb.10, 2015 file photo, a then-suspended Gen. Purisima speaks at the Senate hearing on Mamasapano. InterAksyon.com file

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July 2015 – No. 13 • UK & Europe Edition

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Kid Peña sworn in again as acting Makati mayor

MANILA – Makati Vice Mayor Romulo “Kid” Peña Jr. was sworn in as acting mayor Tuesday morning a da after the fﬁce of the Ombudsman ordered the suspension of Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay Jr., the second time it has done so this year. Binay was ordered suspended over complaints about the alleged overprice in the construction of the

Makati Science High School Building ut li e the ﬁrst time has refused to acknowledge his suspension and has locked himself inside City Hall. Just before Peña’s oath-taking, a brief fracas broke out between Binay’s supporters, who threw plastic chairs at riot police as they blocked representatives of the Department of Interior and Local Government from posting the notice of suspension at

the locked down City Hall. In March, the Ombudsman also ordered the mayor suspended over similar charges of overpricing, this time in the construction of the Makati City Hall Building 2. However, the order remained unserved after the Court of Appeals issued a temporary restraining order.

 Ernie Reyes / InterAksyon.com / June 30, 2015 /

5:53 PM

Sun Cellular launches new postpaid plans under new campaign

Celebrity host Drew Arellano at the Sun Cellular event in Quezon City. InterAksyon.com

MANILA – Sun Cellular of the PLDT group has rolled out new postpaid bundles under the company’s new marketing push. In line with Sun’s “Choose Better” campaign, the company launched the entry-level P450 Sun Best Value postpaid plan with unlimited calls and text, 20 hours of mobile surfing, free Facebook, 250 texts to other networks, and a free Android phone. The P450 Non Stop Surf Plan, meanwhile, has 1GB data streaming and another 1GB music streaming on the Spinnr app. The company also launched new prepaid offers Call and Text Unlimited

P100, and Nonstop Surf P25. Sun vice president Joel Lumanlan said they are confident of sustaining double-digit growth in its postpaid subscriber base after hitting 18% growth year-on-year in the first quarter. “We are very confident that Sun will sustain this momentum of doubledigit growth and outpace its direct competitor,” Lumanlan said. InterAksyon.com is the online news portal of TV5, which is also part of the PLDT group including Sun. 

Makati Vice Mayor Kid Peña is sworn in for the second time as acting mayor on Tuesday. Photo by Jamin Verde, InterAksyon.com

Jose Bimbo Santos / Interaksyon.com / June 29, 2015 / 12:56 PM The commotion Tuesday morning at Makati City Hall.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda does the ‘NaeNae’ MANILA - A video clip of Albay Governor Joey Salceda is going viral on Facebook for his joining the “NaeNae” dance craze, as popularized by American singer Silento. On Thursday morning, a video of the governor and a group of teenagers doing the “NaeNae” was shared on his ofﬁcial ace oo page oe Constant Kindness Salceda. It was captioned “#imheretopromotealbay #IDIDNTLIE #NaeNaeCover #DaeDaeNever”. The video shows the governor making the sign of the cross before showing off his moves. He appeared to enjoy himself, a wide grin plastered on his face the entire time. A fan of the newly-crowned NBA champion

Golden State Warriors, Salceda earlier told journalists on the day of the championship match with the Cleveland Cavaliers that he would perform the NaeNae dance if his favorite team triumphs. As of Friday afternoon, the video had already gained 3,760 likes and 1,042 shares. Netizens who made almost 350 comments were tickled to see the governor dance, with some acknowledging that they played the video clip over and over again. Meanwhile, defending PBA Governors’ Cup champion Star Hotshots also posted a video of themselves doing the “NaeNae” on Thursday.  Tricia Aquino / InterAksyon.com / June 19, 2015 / 3:24 PM

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July 2015 – No. 13 • UK & Europe Edition

BOXING

Malaysian boxer, a Pacquiao fan, gifted chance to train at famed Wild Card gym MALAYSIAN ﬁghter uhamad Farkhan Mohd Haron almost threw in the towel two years ago but is now dreaming of a world title after being

gifted a two-year training stint at the Wild Card Boxing Club by a generous royal. The opportunity to train at the

©AFP

FOOTBALL

world famous gym in Los Angeles, owned by Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach, comes courtesy of Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, a member of the Johor Royal family in Malaysia, who agreed to sponsor the stint. Farkhan, who had impressed the prince by knocking out former Asian champion Hendrik Aritonang in a March cruiserweight contest, will now have the chance to train with world champions such as Filipino Manny Pacquiao and Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto. “I’m honored the prince trusted me. He saw my potential and is helping the sport to grow,” Farkhan told Monday’s MalayMail. “With his support, I can look forward

Continuation from page 40

Azkals notch 2nd straight win in FIFA World Cup qualiﬁers after trouncing Yemen After coming off the bench last game, Bahadoran took over the starting spot left by the injured Stephan Schrock. He quickly made his presence felt as he almost assisted on the Azkals’ first goal just two minutes into the match. But an attacking Ramsay couldn’t contain his pass. Seven minutes after, Ramsay dished a cross to Patino but also failed to make a shot. Phil Younghusband also had two good looks at the goal but they were stifled by the Yemen goalkeeper.

But the Azkals also had some lapses. They allowed Yemen to sneak in on offense through two counterattacks which almost produced goals. Still, the first half ended with a nil-nil tie before Bahadoran scored a goal. Down by just one, Yemen tried to score an equalizer for the remainder of the match, pressuring the Azkals on defense in an effort to claim more possessions. They came close of tying it at the 73rd minute but their shot went wide off the post. The Azkals quickly responded in the

counterattack, with Ramsay slotting in his first international goal just two minutes after to seal the win. The match was supposed to be played at Yemen’s home turf, but turmoil there made it impossible. Yemen, ranked 165th in the world, also played in Qatar last week to open its campaign, losing to Group H co-leader North Korea. The Azkals (137th) will next see action on September 8 against Uzbekistan (74th) at the Philippine Sports Stadium in Bulacan.  InterAksyon.com / June 17, 2015 / 1:52 AM

inebra coach Frankie im fined P sus ended one game for al in Abue a incident BASKETBALL

BARANGAY Ginebra head coach ran ie im was fined a heft and suspended one game by the PBA on Tuesday for his actions during his team s uarterfinal game against the Alaska Aces last Friday at the SMARTAraneta Coliseum. im was penali ed for engaging in contact with Alaska forward Calvin Abueva after the player was shoved and fell in front of the Ginebra bench. Abueva’s Aces, the No. 1 seed in the Governors’ Cup playoffs ended up winning the game, 114-108, to oust the ings and advance into the semifinal round. Alaska representative to the PBA Board Dickie Bachmann told

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InterAksyon.com after the game that they were planning to review the incident. “Normally, our coaching staff usually views the previous game.

We’ll try to see something and if we do, we’re going to send it to the PBA ommissioner s fﬁce for review he said.  Rey Joble / InterAksyon.com /, June 30, 2015 / 4:42 PM

to being Asian champion and maybe the world title. “Determination is the key to success and I believe I can win the world title maybe in four years. But for now, I want to focus on Asia.” The 27-year-old won middleweight gold at the Southeast Asian Games in aos in 2 ut the ohor orn fighter now a light heavyweight, endured a difficult time thereafter. His father, a former boxer and vice president of the Malaysian Amateur Boxing Federation, died in 2012 of heart failure and the fighter was hospitali ed after being attacked the same year. He recovered but his struggles left him considering his future in the sport. “I left the elite squad to turn pro.

The federation didn’t support me when I was with them and I almost quit. “But I chose my own path and I am determined to make my country proud.” Farkhan will compete at the Asian championships in Jakarta next month, his ﬁrst opportunit to deliver success with his new team of backers. The ﬁghter said ilipino ac uiao who has won world titles in eight different weight divisions and is considered one of the sport’s great entertainers, was his inspiration. “It’s hard but I’ll strive for it. Now with the support of the crown prince, my road will be a little easier. I’ll promise to bring back more glory.”  AFP

/ June 29, 2015 / 2:27 PM

©AFP

After SEA Games golden feat, ABAP sets sights on Philippines’ first Olympic gold

AFTER an impressive golden feat in o ing in the 2 Southeast sian Games in Singapore, the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines is setting its sights on its next goal: winning the countr s ﬁrst ever Olympic gold medal. “Our goal has not changed,” ABAP president Ricky Vargas said. “Our SEA Games performance gives me positive hope for qualifying more boxers to the Olympics. I hope our supporters see it the same way and help us give our promising boxers more opportunities to hone their craft.” Filipino boxers dominated their rivals in the SEA Games, raking in a total of ﬁve golds three silvers and two ron es to ecome the top country in the competition. Josie Gabuco (women’s light weight ario ernande men s antamweight an lar Bautista men s weight unel antancio men s lightweight and umir arcial men s welterweight all ruled their respective categories en route to

the gold. “To Team ABAP, my heartfelt congratulations! Our grassroots training program is beginning to pay dividends. We took a calculated risk with our mix of youth and experience. The young and promising boxers stepped up and our senior boxers have proven their reliability,” Vargas wrote in a text message sent to ABAP executive director Ed Picson. “Our Filipino coaches and boxers adapted very well to the new AIBA scoring system and style of boxing,” Vargas added. “Ten medals, including ﬁve golds ust overwhelming Than you so much for doing the country proud.” The Philippines hasn’t won an Olympic gold medal, and Filipino boxers have come close to bringing it home. Anthony Villanueva settled for silver in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics while Onyok Velasco also wounded up with one in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.  InterAksyon.com / June 16, 2015 /•

12:14 PM

Former Ginebra import Jackson Vroman found dead in pool at California home

NATURALIZED Lebanese player and former Ginebra import Jackson Vroman was found dead Monday in a swimming pool at his California home. He was 34. The Salt Lake Tribune, based in Utah where Vroman is a native, and the The Des Moines Register confirmed the news, disputing earlier reports by lebanesebasketball.net and his college, Iowa State University, that he was killed in a car crash. The cause of the death was not immediately known, although social media star Dan Bilzerian, who claims to

be a friend of Vroman, recounted how the Lebanese star was killed in an unfortunate accident inside his home. “He was sitting down, he got up to go inside the house, tripped on the stairs, hit his head and drown in the pool,” Bilzerian tweeted. Vroman played for Ginebra in 2012 and led the team to the Commissioner’s Cup semifinals. He averaged 16.64 points, 12 rebounds and 4.09 steals during his oneconference stint in the PBA. A scoring power forward, he was also part of a formidable Lebanon squad

that figured in many battles against the Philippines on the international stage. With him in the team, Lebanon placed fourth in the 2009 FIBA Asia Championship and earned a wildcard to play in the 2010 FIBA World Championship. A son of former NBA player Brett who played in the 1980s, Vroman was picked in the second round of the 2004 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls. He bounced around the league, suiting up for the Suns and the then-New Orleans Hornets before playing overseas in China, Spain and the Philippines.  InterAksyon.com / June 30, 2015 / 8:57 AM

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AFTER 12-round war with undefeated American boxer Floyd Mayweather, Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao admitted that he was surprised at the outcome as he e pected to win the megafight between two of this generation’s greatest fighters. t s a good fight. thought won the fight. He didn t do nothing ac uiao said as he was interviewed in the ring. He alwa s moved outside. got him man times with solid punches. elieve won the fight. Pacquiao was pressed during the interview on why he wasn’t able to fight his usual wa in the contest. The official ompu o stats showed

him connecting on only 81 of his 429 punches (19%) while Mayweather landed of his . He s moving around. t s not eas to throw a lot of punches if he’s moving around. But if he sta ed can throw a lot of punches. He added though that he was not bothered by Mayweather’s size and strength in this one. can handle his power. He s not strong like (Antonio) Margarito or other opponents li e iguel otto li e that. He s not igger than me. t s not the si e. Si e doesn t matter. ve een ﬁghting igger than him. o pro lem.

MANILA - Manny Pacquiao’s life story, with its inspiring triumph over adversity after each fall, has been mirrored et again in his fight with Floyd Mayweather, despite his loss unanimous decision. Thus ran the common thread of officials reacting to the outcome of the fight. Malacanang Palace, in a statement released Secretar Herminio oloma r. on ehalf of resident

Aquino, said: “Filipinos can hold their heads up high: our national pride, ongressman ann ac uiao did us all proud when he stood his ground against one of the best boxers of our time lo d a weather. “President Aquino reiterates his thanks to Manny for serving as an inspiration to every Filipino in overcoming the daily challenges in the pursuit of a etter life and future.

 InterAksyon.com / May 3, 2015 / 1:31 PM

Pacquiao’s good fight inspires Filipinos, say Philippine officials nd then reiterating his pre ﬁght unsolicited advice for the Filipino boxing icon to devote more time to his family while he is still healthy,, r. uino e pressed hope that “Manny may now be able to devote more time with his family and that he is able to maintain good health that

will serve him in good stead in all his future endeavors. ther ofﬁcials reactions had similar themes of thanking Pacquiao for inspiring ilipinos Sa araw na ito, ipinakita ni Manny na tayong mga Pilipino ay handang humarap at umangon sa anumang pagsu o .

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EL GAMMA PENUMBRA THANKS SUPPORTERS FOR ‘ASIA’S GOT TALENT’ VICTORY THIS time, the votes were more than enough to put them over the top. Four years ago, shadow play dancers El Gamma Penumbra dazzled local viewers of ABS-CBN’s “Pilipinas Got Talent”, the Philippine edition of the famous “Got Talent” franchise, where they made it all the way to the Grand Finals. Despite being a crowd favorite, however, the group did not get enough public votes to even land in the top three. The eventual winner that year was the singing group the Maasinhon Trio, which was largely criticized for not being in the same league as El Gamma Penumbra and the two runners-up in terms of talent. Turn to page 28

VP Binay: No need to waive my right to bank secrecy Story on page 12

El Gamma Penumbra with ‘Asia’s Got Talent’ host Rovilson Fernandez.

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GMA Network turns over 1,783 blood bags to the Philippine Red Cross Story on page 24

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CONTROVERSIAL actress and TV host Kris Aquino has dropped another bombshell again. One day before the 29th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution that swept her mother to power in 1986, the self-styled Queen of All Media posted a blog entry called “The State of My Heart” that revealed more details about her short-lived romance with Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista last year. Kris’ recollection of her special relationship with the actor-comedian turned politician dubbed as Bistek included a marriage proposal from the latter, which she described as “probably the least romantic proposal any woman has ever received.” n the ﬁrst rida of pril nearl a year ago during merienda, he said he was tired, he didn’t want to play games, he was tired of chasing and of running away, and he wanted to feel secure with someone he could grow old with. He said, walang romance, walang lokohan, walang bolahan. Okay na raw ba ko to marry him kasi nga PAGOD na sya?,” Kris wrote.

Kris Aquino and Herbert Bautista.

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MANNY PACQUIAO, ANO ANG REGALO KAY PRINCE HARRY?

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Although she did not categorically state that she said yes to his proposal, Kris agreed that she wanted to grow old with Mayor Herbert. “I knew we’d never be bored conversing, and maybe this was where God led 2 individuals who deserved a chance at life long companionship with maturity, and full acceptance of equally colorful pasts.” Quoting a line from her favorite Sharon Cuneta movie, “Minsan Minahal Kita”, Kris also wrote, “He made me believe, he made me believe we had a chance.” As Kris further recalled all of her happy moments with Mayor Herbert, she also revealed that it all came crashing down after she made their relationship public on “Aquino & Abunda Tonight,” her nightly talk show with Boy Abunda. “I made the mistake of speaking about him the following night on A&A. The next day, over the phone he broke up with me, right before Bimb’s 7th birthday party.

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KRIS AQUINO SAYS HERBERT BAUTISTA PROPOSED MARRIAGE LAST YEAR

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Entertainment Complex, and will be anchored on a 22-story, five-star hotel with 128 all-suite rooms whose chief draw will be its nearly a hectare casino floor. “The hotel’s entertainment hub will fill a critical need for luxury accommodations, meetings and event facilities as well as creative and innovative entertainment concepts targeted to the expanding and affluent Chinese and

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a uha a ann . agi ang ipagmamalaki ng bawat Pilipino [Today, Manny showed that we Filipinos are ready to face whatever challenge. ann ever ilipino is proud of ou came the cheer on statement from Vice President e omar Bina . Story on page 28

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na namin. Kasi pag may nakikita, biglang magtatago siya. Ibubuka niya ulit, magtatago uli siya.” Madalas naman binibiro si Marian na dahil tila lalo siyang gumaganda, baka babae ang kaniyang dinadala. Natatawang sagot niya, “Iba ang pakiramdam ko! Pero baka mali ako. Tignan natin.” Sa kabila nito, magpapasalamat raw sila sa Panginoon at magiging masayang mga magulang sina Dingdong at Marian anuman ang maging kasarian ng kanilang panganay.

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MANNY PACQUIAO: ‘I THOUGHT I WON THE FIGHT’

Another casino rising, right in the heart of gridlocked Manila FOR casino habitues from the Santa Cruz and Balintawak areas frustrated by the dailly gridlock from driving to Solaire and City of Dreams for their regular fix, a neighborhood solution is under way. Construction of a hotel-casino complex within the former San Lazaro racetrack is going full-blast, hopefully in time for its soft opening this December. The project is called Winford Leisure and

May 2015

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DINGDONG, MARIAN ‘WILL BE GRATEFUL’ WHETHER FIRST BABY IS A BOY OR A GIRL KAGAYA ng lahat ng soon-to-be parents, excited narin sina Marian Rivera at Dingdong Dantes na malaman ang kasarian ng kanilang unang baby. Ayon sa ulat ni Nelson Canlas sa “24 Oras” nitong Martes, nagtungo na sa OB-gynecologist si Marian kasama ang kaniyang asawa nitong Lunes upang malaman kung boy o girl ba ang kanilang panganay. Gayunpaman, tila binibitin pa ng kanilang coming baby ang kniyang mga magulang dahil hindi pa raw makumpirma ang kasarian nito. Kuwento ng aktres, “Akala naming makikita

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KAPATID PA RIN: Derek Ramsay renews contract with TV5

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Malaysian boxer, After SEA Games a Pacquiao fan, golden feat, ABAP gifted chance to sets sights on train at famed Philippines’ first Wild Card gym Olympic gold Story on page 38

Former Ginebra Ginebra coach import Jackson Frankie Lim fined Vroman found P50,000, suspended dead in pool at one game for Calvin California home Abueva incident

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FOOTBALL

Azkals notch 2nd straight win in FIFA World Cup qualifiers after trouncing Yemen THE Philippine national men’s football team got a huge lift from veteran Misagh Bahadoran and newcomer Iain Ramsay as their goals lifted the Azkals to a 2-nil victory over Yemen in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers early Wednesday morning in Doha, Qatar. Bahadoran, who sparked the Azkals upset of Bahrain last week, fired a spectacular shot at the 52nd minute while Ramsay, one of the team’s newcomers, put the exclamation point at the 75th minute. Striker Javier Patino also played a crucial role, assisting on both of the goals as the Azkals earned their second straight win of the qualifiers to grab a share of the lead in

Group H with six points to show. After a goalless halftime, Bahadoran propelled the Azkals just seven minutes after the break. Coming off the right flank, he linked up with Patino for a nice two-man action as they entered the box. Bahadoran, after receiving the ball, then spun past his defender and drilled home a goal at the 52nd minute to give the lead to the Azkals. His shot was followed 23 minutes after by Ramsay. Leading a counterattack, the Filipino-Australian got a pass from Patino and beat defenders before slotting in a goal to seal the win. Continue to page 38

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