Manila Standard - 2016 November 06 - Sunday

SENATORS TO RENEW EJK PROBE

VOL. XXX • NO. 267 • 5 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2016 • www.thestandard.com.ph • editorial@thestandard.com.ph

By John Paolo Bencito

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FEAR FULFILLED. File photo shows Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa speaking to Philippine National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa about his fears of being killed by drug lords against whom he would testify.

PNP ALSO EYES RUBOUT ANGLE

By Francisco Tuyay and Mel Caspe

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HE Philippine National Police will investigate several angles in the killing of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa, including the possibility that he was ordered slain to scare his son from revealing the contents of “blue book” on the narcotics trade and traffickers.

PNP Director General Ronald dela Rosa, who is in the United States to watch the boxing bout of Senator Manny Pacquiao, ordered the investigation hours after Espinosa and another inmate was killed inside the Baybay City Provincial Jail in Leyte at dawn Saturday.

Dela Rosa said police officials are concerned that the mayor was killed to discourage his son Kerwin Espinosa, who is detained in

the United Arab Emirates, for possession of fake travel documents, from testifying against police officials who allegedly received drug and gambling money.

“I hope Kerwin will not be scared and will continue to reveal everything that he said in the initial testimony he gave to investigators. His statements are very crucial,” the PNP chief said in radio interviews.

He said the alleged blue book

contains the identities of police officials involved in the protection of the illegal drug trade and vowed to investigate certain regional officials of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

He also ordered the CIDGNorthern Leyte team, led by Chief Inspector Leo Laraga, who was involved in the incident to stay at their headquarters pending the investigation.

“I want to know the truth. We will conduct a proper investigation.

The public should not worry. Even if police officials are involved in the investigation, there will be no whitewash. We will ensure there is a clean and impartial investigation,” Dela Rosa said.

Dela Rosa suggested that there may be a connection between the killing of Espinosa and Kerwin’s supposed source Edgar Allan Alvarez, who was also killed by policemen last August during an alleged

raid inside the Leyte Regional Penitentiary in Abuyog town.

“We will include that in the investigation. We’ll find out if the same persons were involved in the deaths of Espinosa and Alvarez,” Dela Rosa said.

Laraga, for his part, insisted that detained Espinosa was killed because he lobbed a grenade at the police team that was supposedly tasked to serve a warrant of arrest against Espinosa on another case.

Laraga said the jail guard on duty barred them from entering the detention facility and his team was forced to use a bolt cutter to “break in” to the jail.

The team leader expressed confidence that he and his team will be cleared in the investigation because the CCTV cameras installed in the provincial jail will show what really happened during the supposed raid.

YOUNGSTERS HELP BREAK GERMAN PENCIL LINE FEAT

LONGEST PENCIL LINE. Young people hold up what they hope to be the longest pencil line in the world which may break the record set in Germany. Manny Palmero twitter.com/ MlaStandard

THE Philippines has set a new world record for having formed the longest line of pencils at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday.

Spearheaded by the Council for the Welfare of Children, Departments of Education and Social Welfare and Development and SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, some 2,000 students aged 14 to 17 years old formed a 859-meter pencil line besting the record of Germany at 459 meters which it set in 2015.

The breaking of the world record marked the celebration of National Children’s Month and the launching of the 1 Million Lapis campaign, which is

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aimed at collecting one million pencils for donation to underprivileged children.

Carrying four pencils each, the students formed a line along MOA’s By the Bay area early morning Saturday connecting their pencils with one another.

Confirming the world-breaking feat were representatives from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Manuel Nague of the Land Registration Authority who led the survey and measurement of the line.

Details of the event together with the pertinent documents will be submitted to the Guinness Book of World Records for review.

thestandard.com.ph

CWC executive director Patricia Luna said they are extremely delighted by the outcome of their initiative as they have not only set a new world record but also highlighted the need to make school supplies easily accessible to the youth.

Royston Cabunag, project director of SM Cares Program for the Youth, said the 1 Million Lapis campaign started as a pet project of SM Prime Vice President for Corporate Communications Elena Bautista Horn and then Department of Education Undersecretary Mario Derequito as a way of addressing the shortage of school supplies, particularly Turn to A2 pencils, in schools.

WHILE Malacañang chose not to comment on the killing of detained Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr., lawmakers said on Saturday they would seek an investigation of the incident which was described “biggest challenge to the credibility of the [Philippine National Police].”

“Right now it’s really under investigation so we cannot give an actual comment,” Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said on state-run radio dzRB. But both several lawmakers they will seek congressional investigations of the incident.

“Offhand, I can smell EJK,” said Senator Panfilo Lacson, who was himself a director general of the Philippine National Police during the term of former President Joseph Estrada. “I base my conclusion on the circumstances that surround the killing.”

Lacson said he will ask Senator Richard Gordon to resume the probe into alleged extrajudicial killing. “I will discuss the possibility of resuming the EJK investigation with Justice Committee chairperson Sen. Richard Gordon and focus on the Espinosa killing when session resumes on Monday,” he said.

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US POLL W A T C H

4 DAYS LEFT: BETS STRESS CONTRASTS CLEVELAND—Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump brandished starkly different visions of America as they headed into a fierce final weekend of campaigning, one celebrating hope as the other bashed corruption.

Trump doubled down on his attacks on Clinton as a product of a venal and incompetent establishment, while Clinton headlined an optimistic concert spectacular featuring superstar singer Beyonce.

Forecasts based on polling averages still give the 69-yearold Democrat an edge over the 70-year-old Republican property mogul ahead of Tuesday’s vote.

But Trump has been buoyed by signs that he is closing the gap in the key swing states that will decide who secures an electoral college win.

So both headed Friday to the American rustbelt, where blue-collar voters that were once reliable Democrats may be tempted by Trump’s protectionist promise to repatriate jobs from Mexico and China.

Clinton’s campaign brought her to Cleveland, Ohio, a state that fellow Democrat President Barack Obama won in 2012 but where she now trails Trump in opinion polls by around five percentage points.

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SPORTS /C4

PACMAN SEEKING TO LAND BIG PUNCH

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PALACE: DUTERTE HAS OWN SOURCES

By John Paolo Bencito REVILLA

REVILLA RUSHED TO TAGUIG HOSPITAL

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ALACAÑANG on Saturday maintained that President Rodrigo Duterte has his own sources of information after the Metro Manila’s chief of police said they had no reports of any kidnapping incidents in the metropolis as claimed by Duterte.

Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella made the claim to defend Duterte who had earlier claimed that were six kidnapping cases in the Chinese community in Binondo, Manila.

“We don’t know if there [are real-

ly kidnappings in Binondo] but he has his own sources,” Abella said on state radio dzRB when asked about the Metro Manila police chief Oscar Albayalde’s denial that there was an increase in kidnapping cases in the metropolis.

“We will verify the information coming from the President,” Albayalde had said.

However, “as of this time, we really haven’t received any report from any sector that there really is kidnapping especially in Manila,” he added.

But Abella insisted “if there are really no [kidnapping activities that happened in Binondo], I’m sure the President has his own form of information. That’s all I can say.”

Albayalde said the PNP AntiKidnapping Group had also yet to record a kidnapping incident since Duterte assumed the presidency.

“With a constant communication with the Chinese community, we haven’t received any complaints from them,” Albayalde said.

In a speech delivered Friday before members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Duterte claimed that drug traffickers have shifted to kidnap-for-ransom activities, following the government’s crackdown on the narcotics trade.

“There’s a very low supply of drugs now. But these fools shifted to kidnapping. That’s the new game. In three weeks, there were about six kidnappings in Binondo.

Be careful,” the President said.

“This is an entirely new game.”

FORMER senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. was rushed to the hospital on Saturday after complaining about vomiting, severe headache and hypertension, the Philippine National Police said.

PNP spokesman Senior Supt. Dionardo Carlos said Revilla was first taken to the emergency room of the PNP General Hospital inside Camp Crame at around 9:00 a.m. but the doctors said he should be transferred to the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City.

“He experienced vomiting, severe headache and hypertension,” Carlos said, adding that the former senator was brought to St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig on board a PNP ambulance and arrived at 11:40 a.m.

The former senator’s wife Bacoor Mayor Lani Mercado said Revilla vomited twice on Saturday morning and was experiencing severe headaches and high blood pressure.

“We got worried due to [the] family history of aneurysm,” she said, adding that Revilla underwent several tests and will be under observation at the hospital.

Revilla and former Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Juan Ponce Enrile were charged with plunder in 2014 for allegedly allocating millions of pesos of their pork barrel funds to fake nongovernment organizations set up by businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles.

They were also charged with graft in connection with their allegedly anomalous priority development assistance fund disbursements: from 2006 to 2010 for Revilla, 2004 to 2010 for Ejercito, and 2004 to 2012 for Enrile.

SENATORS...

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Lacson said the incident is the “biggest challenge to the credibility of the PNP” and “could affect affect even the other operations involving drug suspects killed under similarly suspicious circumstances.”

“I can’t understand for the life of me how a prisoner inside a prison cell could even think of fighting back against police officers serving a warrant for his arrest,” Lacson added.

In a separate statement, Gordon said Espinosa’s killing was “a dagger in the heart of the criminal justice system as it appears that even those who are in the custody of the law are no longer safe.”

“How can we encourage suspects to surrender under the law in this situation? It’s a slap on the face of the rule of law and it signals a more desperate system – a ‘take no prisoners’ approach. This creates an atmosphere of intimidation and fear and puts everybody in danger,” Gordon said.

“It is in the public interest to dispel speculations as well as to allay fear among our people. The police must show that it is responsible and capable of protecting its citizens and delivering justice to them under the rule of law,” he said.

JUST KIDDING. President Rodrigo Duterte tells lawyers on Friday that he was just joking when he said he spoke with God who told him to stop his profanities.

He also blamed the media for not knowing when he is serious and just kidding.

Malacañang Photo

4FromDAYS...

A1 She was introduced with a show-stopping set by rapper Jay-Z and his even more famous wife Beyonce, who sang songs of emancipation and empowerment wearing a version of Clinton’s trademark pantsuit.

“The world looks to us as a progressive country that needs change,” Beyonce declared. “I want my daughter to grow up to see a woman lead our country. That is why I’m with her.”

Riffing on the theme, Clinton portrayed her campaign to become America’s first female president as the next step in the civil rights struggle.

“We have unfinished work to do, more barriers to break, and with your help, a glass ceiling to crack once and for all,” she declared, to loud cheers.

Trump has run one of the most aggressive and populist campaigns in history—browbeating his Republican primary rivals into submission before launching into Clinton, “such a nasty woman.”

Trump was in Hershey, Pennsylvania bidding to use his popularity with the white, male working class to smash a hole in the “firewall” pollsters once thought Clinton enjoyed in Democrat-leaning states.

“I want the entire corrupt Washington establishment to hear the words we’re about to say. When we win on November 8 we’re going to ‘drain the swamp’,” he said, as the 13,000-strong crowd took up the chant.

He predicted that Clinton will face prosecution after an FBI inquiry into her inappropriate use of private

YOUNGSTERS...

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email when she was secretary of state, and vowed to tear up current US free trade deals.

“We’re gonna win Pennsylvania big,” he said. “And by the way, I didn’t have to bring J-Lo or Jay-Z. I’m here all by myself,” he added, mocking in advance Hillary’s celebrity event.

A Pennsylvania polling average compiled by tracker RealClearPolitics gives Clinton a 2.6-percentage point edge in the state, but the huge crowd Trump drew was clearly in tune with his message.

Some of Clinton’s supporters have a similar feeling—or in their case, a creeping dread.

Clinton’s supporters were getting tense. “It’s nerveracking that Trump’s gotten this far,” said Rachel Zeolla, 27, who works in marketing, at an earlier rally in Pittsburgh and for the first time some pollsters agree with them.

Pennsylvania, Michigan and perhaps Ohio were once seen as low hanging fruit for Clinton, guaranteeing her victory even if she doesn’t pick off a prize like Florida—but the race has tightened.

The prospect that the November 8 vote will be close or that a once unlikely Trump victory could presage instability and recession has rocked markets.

The S&P 500 stock index closed down for the ninth straight day Friday, and the leaders of America’s friends and foes alike are watching in amazement as the world’s most powerful nation turns on itself. AFP

“Many students share a pencil because their parents don’t have the means to buy them and despite this situation, they still do their best to study and write. This is our way of making learning easier for them because education is a right guaranteed to them,” Cabunag stated.

This early, Luna said they have already surpassed their 1 million target as more than 3.3 million pencils have already been donated and pledged for the project.

Most of the pencils were donated by pencil maker Amspec.

All the donated pencils will be given to various remote provinces across the country.

“Wae are very happy

with the outcome of our partnership to help our children get the education they deserve and we are honored by the overwhelming support of our private donors to make this a successful project because we did not only reach the 1 million target but surpassed it more than 3 times,” she stated.

With the success of the project, Luna said they are looking at launching a similar program that will include other school supplies such as bags and notebooks. “This will open hopefully new doors and with our ever reliable partners, we will be able to help more Filipino children realize their dream of having an education,” Luna said.

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FLAG CARRIER TO LAUNCH 7TH BOEING 777 PLANE

By Joel E. Zurbano

HARASSMENT CRITICIZED. Militant lawmakers have condemned what they call the harassment and tagging of a school for lumads, like the children in this photo, and intimidation of teachers in a community in Sultan Kudarat.

SOLONS RAP RED TAGGING OF LUMAD TRIBES SCHOOL T

By Maricel V. Cruz

wo militant lawmakers on Saturday condemned what they called the continuing harassment and intimidation of students and teachers of a community school for Manobos in Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat since last month allegedly by government officials and men in uniform.

ACT Teachers party-list Reps. Antonio Tinio and France Castro said the harassment had been going on since Oct. 11 allegedly perpetrated by representatives of Departments of Education, Interior and Local Government, the local government including Mayor Abubacar Maulana, and elements of the PNP and the Philippine Marines.

The two urged President Rodrigo Duterte to order a probe and hold accountable the local government officials, PNP and AFP troops who aim to spoil the peace talks.

“We strongly condemn this ongoing repression of educators and developers of IP [indigenous peoples] communities in the region,” said Tinio.

He vowed to push for a congressional inquiry into the matter.

“This goes against the constitutional mandate to ‘encourage non-formal, informal, and indigenous learning systems, as well as selflearning independent, and out-of-school study programs particularly those that respond to community needs’,” he said.

“We challenge all agencies to look into the allegations of the victims and to immediately put an end to all forms of attacks on lumad schools and people’s organizations,” he said, adding they will launch a congressional inquiry into this matter.

Quoting a report of the Save Our Schools Network, Tinio said the Lumad School Diya Menuwa, a community school run by the Center for Lumad Advocacy and Services (Clans) and serving 1,003 Manobo students, is being tagged by the perpetrators as a school for the New People’s Army and not recognized by the government.

Per the report and statements Clans gathered, on Oct. 11, 2016, Tinio said armed and plainclothes-wearing police hang tarpaulins labelling Clans as a front for the NPA. The tarp bore the logos of the municipal government of Palimbang, the National Commission of Indigenous People, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Education, Philippine Marine Corps, and Philippine National Police.

The police also entered the school and took pictures of it as well as the volunteer teachers, Tinio said, citing the report.

The following day, officials of Barangay Kipunget gathered the residents to a meeting where the vilification was repeated, he said.

Based on the report, the two lawmakers said municipal officials also held a “caravan” covering Kipunget and several other sitios and barangays where they distributed flyers with the same contents of the tarp and told residents that there will be a P5,000 reward for those who can take pictures of the Clans teachers or point who the NPA are.

“Teachers who refuse to stop teaching at the school will only be given three warnings, or else be arrested,” Castro lamented.

VILLAFUERTE EYES CARBON TAX VS POLLUTERS A NEOPHYTE lawmaker is calling on the Duterte administration to seriously consider the implementation in the near future of a carbon tax on manmade carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions now that the world’s economies have agreed on a timeline.

This timeline is for the gradual phaseout of greenhouse gases to mitigate the escalating effects of climate change.

Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte said imposing a carbon tax on manmade polluters should be considered by the Duterte administration under its multi-year comprehensive tax program, the first package of which was already endorsed to the Senate and the House of Representatives last month.

“A carbon tax would not only help us comply with our international commitments to help curb global warming; we can also use the proceeds from the tax to develop clean energy production processes for our industries and fund other environment-friendly initiatives,” said Villafuerte, vice chairman of the House committee on appropriations.

Villafuerte made the statement following a landmark agreement in Rwanda’s capital of Kigali on a timetable to phase out hydroflourocarbons (HFCs), a type of hydrocarbon used in refrigerators and airconditioners, considered a major step in curbing global warming.

Under the agreement, Villafuerte said the use and manufacture of HFCs will be made to decline in three phases: Industrialized economies will begin by 2019, China, Brazil and Africa by 2024; and India, Pakistan and many others by 2028.

Villafuerte is currently working on a proposed carbon tax bill he plans to file in the current Congress and weighing the pros and cons on the impact of such a measure on developing economies like the Philippines. Maricel V. Cruz

FLAG carrier Philippine Airlines will launch Tuesday its seventh Boeing 777 plane at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City, its officials said.

The brand new plane (B777-300ER), according to PAL president and chief operating officer Jaime Bautista, has a seating capacity of 370.

He said the arrival of the new plane, which is Wifi-enabled, brings to 79 the total fleet count of the PAL Group.

The 777 is the world’s most successful twin-engine, long-haul airplane.

The 777-300ER is equipped with the world’s most powerful GE90-115B commercial jet engine, and can seat up to 386 passengers in a three-class configuration with a maximum range of 7,825 nautical miles (14,490 kms).

The aircraft launching, to be held at the Col. Jesus Villamor Airbase Grandstand of the Philippine Air Force at 5:30 p.m., will coincide with the presentation of PAL’s 75th Anniversary Commemorative Stamp.

During the turnover ceremony last week, PAL officials led by Bautista accepted from the Boeing Company and Intrepid Aviation the B777-300ER aircraft which would be deployed on PAL’s transpacific routes to North America.

Marking the turnover was a ribboncutting ceremony led by Intrepid president and chief commercial officer Doug Winter, Intrepid senior vice president Gerry Aubrey, Boeing vice president for Everett Field Operations and Delivery Jeff Klemann and Bautista.

Filipino priest Fr. Alex Pablo blessed the state-of-the-art aircraft after reading a special prayer of thanksgiving and safe journey.

Also present during the turnover ceremony were Transportation Undersecretary Roberto Lim, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines Deputy Director General Capt. Manuel Antonio Tamayo, Civil Aeronautics Board chief legal officer Wyrlou Samodio, PAL director John Tan, PAL senior vice presidents Siegfred Mison and Angelito Alvarez, among others.

Boeing sales directors Chris Hartshorn and Liza Gorsky, Boeing Communications director Joanna Pickup and Boeing Marketing director Mike Carson were also among those present.

In a speech, Winter said Intrepid is cementing its place as a leading wide body lessor by growing its fleet with the 777.

“We appreciate their confidence in the airplane, which offers superior economics and a memorable passenger experience.”

847 OFWS GET FINANCIAL AID FROM GOVT

By Vito Barcelo

NUCLEAR ENERGY. Former Rep. Mark Cojuangco (right) argues Saturday at a forum in Quezon City for adoption of nuclear energy and the activation of the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, criticizing private companies for failing to keep electricity rates down. Andrew Rabulan

COJUANGCO: WHAT MADE DU30 CHANGE MIND ON NUKE? FORMER Pangasinan Rep. Mark Cojuangco, who has been pushing for the reopening of the mothballed nuclear power plant in Bataan, has shifted gear and wants to know what influenced President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to keep the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant closed for the remainder of his term.

“I want to know why he changed his mind about reopening the nuclear power plant,” Cojuangco told a weekend forum.

The Department of Energy said the government needs to

get the people’s approval before the controversial Bataan Nuclear Power Plant could be opened.

“So with the directives of the Secretary [Alfonso Cusi], there is no clear direction on reopening the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant. It has to be subjected or submitted to national consensus,” Energy Undersecretary Donato Marcos told congressmen during the agency’s budget hearing two months ago.

Marcos said this was the agreement among the mem-

ber-countries of the International Atomic Energy Agency at the International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation Conference, which the Philippines hosted from Aug. 30 to Sept. 1 at the Diamond Hotel in Manila City.

Cojuangco, who has been pushing for the reopening of the abandoned nuclear power plant for years, said Duterte’s abrupt turnaround confused him as he was open to its use during the campaign period.

Duterte told a forum on a local television channel in Feb-

ruary that all sources of power, including nuclear power, must be considered to address the country’s power concerns.

Then President Ferdinand Marcos’ administration saw the creation of the plant following the oil shocks in the 1970s.

But after Marcos was toppled during the so-called 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution, his successor President Corazon Aquino transferred the nuclear plant’s assets to the government without operating it.

AT LEAST 847 distressed overseas Filipino workers received financial and other assistance from the government, the Department of Labor and Employment confirmed Saturday.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the number of distressed OFWs provided government help came mostly from Saudi Arabia who were affected by the retrenchment of foreign workers due to the drop of oil price in the world market.

He said 10,200 OFWs have been provided with assistance from Riyadh, Al Khobar and Jeddah.

Bello said the 847 OFWs were not being paid their salaries by their employer, the Kharafi National KSC, the past two to four months.

Of that number, 773 are laborers and 74 are in supervisory, engineering, and administrative positions.

Bello said representatives from the Polo and Kharafi National KSC met last month to discuss the recurring problem of delayed payment of salaries and agreed to settle their obligation to the affected OFWs. He said the Kuwaiti company also allowed the workers to resign and return to the country.

The DoLE chief said the government will continue to extend assistance to OFWs still in Saudi Arabia who wish to return home.

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2016 Francis S. Lagniton, Issue Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

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HOUSE TO REWORK TRAFFIC POWERS BILL

By Maricel V. Cruz

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technical working group of the House committee on transportation will begin to rework next week the Department of Transportation’s proposed bill to grant President Rodrigo Duterte emergency powers to address the traffic crisis in the country.

BACK TO NORMAL. Traffic on Metro Manila’s main Epifanio de los Santos Avenue was again its usual state of monstrosity after the national memorial days for the dead on Friday. Revoli Cortez

MM POLICE READY HOLIDAY MEASURES

By Joel E. Zurbano THE Metro Manila police is now preparing a number of public safety measures ahead of the holiday shopping season, according to Metro Manila police director Oscar David Albayalde.

“Currently, the NCRPO is focused in preparation to secure the coming Yuletide Season.

As we conclude our Undas [All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day] celebration, we shall now prepare for the holidays,” Albayalde said.

He said policemen have already been deployed to assist government agencies like the Metro Manila Development Authority and the Highway Patrol Group in managing traffic

in the metropolis, especially areas near shopping malls, where heavy traffic is expected during the peak buying months.

“We have 94 malls in the Metro and we expect them to cooperate with us so that we will be able to manage the traffic situation. We have to ease the burden this brings to the public as the holiday rush approaches,” he said.

Albayalde said the police will intensify security operations in all places of convergence in the metropolis, such as malls, shopping centers and transport terminals.

The NCRPO is considering deploying 70 percent of its force to increase police visibility in Metro Manila streets and to

readily respond to any eventuality that might occur during the holiday season.

Aside from this, Albayalde said, “we are prepared to secure Metro Manila against any form of criminality and terrorism as we continuously intensify our war against drugs and other illegal activity.”

During the observance of Undas, the NCRPO recorded zero crime incidents all over Metro Manila.

“This peaceful observation proves that when community works with the police, we can achieve our goals is zeroing criminality. This will serve as our another reference in securing future events and celebrations in the Metro,” Albayalde said.

The TWG will start drafting the substitute bill after the committee on transportation, chaired

by Catanduanes Rep. Cesar Sarmiento, conducted marathon hearings on various proposals before the congressional break.

There are at least 10 bill filed by congressmen, DOTr, other government agencies and private organizations pending at the committee.

Sarmiento said he believes the TWG will have an easier task because the committee has now narrowed down the scope of the proposed law to certain metropolitan areas, i.e., Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Davao, and for the necessary projects to cover only the land transport sector.

“While we have limited the scope of the bill to land transportation, this does not mean that the other sectors have no issues. They may not be under a traffic or congestion crisis but there is much to be improved in our maritime and aviation sectors,” said Sarmiento.

During the committee’s last marathon hearing last October 20, Sarmiento said they want to hasten deliberations on the proposals by running through the provisions of the bill and consulting guest stakeholders and concerned agencies.

Sarmiento said the committee also aims to deal with the effects of implementing the emergency powers bill on families and businesses that depend on the transport industry for their livelihood and will consider possible government solutions.

“These points will be considered in the final tenor of the Traffic Crisis Bill that this committee will approve,” Sarmiento said.

Sarmiento said his panel had already asked all agencies and stakeholders involved to submit their position papers immediately so their concerns will be included in the final output of the committee prior to plenary deliberations on the measure.

The TWG is also expected to discuss the DOTr’s proposed funding requirement, as well as the agency’s projected timeline for the implementation of proposed programs and projects.

Sarmiento said that posts made on social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter reveal that some traffic schemes, such as the implementation of the “No Window Policy,” are already being felt by the commuting and riding public alike, especially in the metro’s major thoroughfares.

“We have pointed this out to the DOTr and its attached agencies. There are immediate solutions that only need brain power and political will, like prudent law enforcement,” Sarmiento said.

As a final word to the DOTr, Sarmiento reminded the agency of its mandated task to oversee the movement of people and goods in the country.

“We assume that you are the best of the best transport experts in the country. We have been doing our very best to support you. Please do not fail us…do not fail the nation,” Sarmiento stressed.

PALACE NAMES NEW BOC EXECS MALACAÑANG named five new deputy commissioners of the Bureau of Customs even as Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon urged importers and brokers to join the government’s campaign against graft and corruption which has cost the government billions in lost revenue.

The appointment papers of the new officials were signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and included Natalio Ecarna, a retired major general and undersecretary for operations at the Department of National Defense who was named deputy commissioner for revenue collection.

Ariel Nepomuceno, head of the enforcement group under former Customs commissioners John Sevilla and Alberto Lina, was designated deputy commissioner for enforcement.

Teddy Sandy Raval, Enforcement and Security Service under Lina, was assigned deputy commissioner for intelligence.

Meanwhile, Edgar Macebo was

named new district collector at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport while Vicente Philip Maronilla was designated district collector for the Manila International Container Port.

Earlier, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III named a new deputy commissioner for Enforcement, Isabelo Tibayan, to replace Arnel Alcaraz.

Meanwhile, Faeldon appealed to all importers and brokers to join the government’s campaign against graft and corruption.

“We are facing a great challenge: the challenge of eradicating the image of a corrupt Bureau. You know the extent of corruption in the Bureau of Customs,” Faeldon said during a forum with importers in Manila.

Faeldon said transforming BoC’s image will greatly improve the importers’ businesses and the Bureau’s revenue collection. Vito Barcelo and

John Paolo Bencito

LATIN INFLUENCE. Students of the Tarlac State University perform the traditional ‘fandango sa ilaw' [fandango by candlelight] during the 9th opening and lighting a Christmas créche at the military headquarters in Tarlac City on Saturday. Although Spanish in origin, the fandango is also one of the main folk dances in Portugal and South American countries. Lino Santos

Sung Y. Kim

PALACE PLEASED WITH US ENVOY

By John Paolo Bencito MALACAÑANG welcomed on Saturday the appointment of Korean-born diplomat Sung Y. Kim as the new United States Ambassador to the Philippines, saying it was a “significant” signal that the US may want better cultural understanding with the Philippines.

“It’s very significant that they chose an Asian,” said Palace Spokesman Ernesto Abella. “I’m sure it’s some form of a signal that they want to be on a better cultural footing.”

“That seems to be right now one of the most obvious, one of the major significant reasons why they chose a Korean. Maybe, what they want is to understand us better, that we’re able to relate on better cultural terms,” Abella said.

Kim was sworn in by US State Secretary John Kerry last Thursday and he will be the first Asian-American to serve as ambassador to Manila.

Like President Rodrigo Duterte, who has repeatedly hit the US for purportedly meddling in Philippine internal affairs, Kim worked as a public prosecutor in Los Angeles which hosts a sizable community of Filipino-Americans.

After joining the foreign service, Kim worked at the US embassies in Seoul, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong.

In 2008, he was appointed special envoy for the Six-Party Talks on North Korea’s controversial nuclear prPresident Barack Obama nominated Kim to replace outgoing US Ambassador Philip Goldberg on May 19, 2016. He was confirmed by the US Senate on September 28 and was sworn in by Kerry last Thursday.

VOTER LIST-UP READY

By Vito Barcelo THE Commission on Elections said it is ready to receive five million more voters’ when registration for the October 23, 2017 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections resumes on November 7.

“We are expecting three million voters for the barangay elections and additional two million for the Sangguniang Kabataan elections,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said.

According to the estimate of the Comelec, there will be over 1 million more voters for the 2017 Barangay and SK elections than the 2016 presidential elections.

Around 54 million voters registered for the May 2016 National and Local elections.

Applications for registrations, transfer/transfer with reactivation, reactivation, change/correction of entries and inclusion/reinstatement of records in the list of voter will be accepted at the local Offices of the Election Officers (OEOs) from Nov. 7, 2016 to April 29, 2017, Mondays to Saturdays, including holidays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on Dec. 24 and 25, and April 13 and 14.

“We will have a longer registration period but we are urging the public to register early to avoid long queues. We are accepting applications even on Saturdays and holidays to accommodate more people,” Jimenez added.

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Opinion

Adelle Chua, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

POP GOES THE WORLD JENNY ORTUOSTE

VARGAS LLOSA IN MANILA: ON DICTATORS AND WRITING

“WHY do you think that all dictatorships have tried to control literature? They have established systems of censorship…”

This interesting remark was made

by Nobel laureate Mario Vargas Llosa at a press conference at the Instituto Cervantes last Nov. 3. He has written over 30 works of fiction and nonfiction, and is also a columnist of the Madrid newspaper El Pais, which is circulated throughout Latin America.

At the presscon at the Instituto Cervantes, the 80-year-old Peruvianborn novelist said about writing, “Dictators [and] dictatorships are right in being suspicious of this kind of activity, because I think this activity develops in societies a critical spirit about the world as it is…”

Vargas Llosa speaks from experience, having observed the various oppressive regimes that were established at various periods in Latin America, and weathered the authoritarian regime of dictator Manuel Odría, who came to power in Peru in 1948, when Vargas Llosa was 12.

A former presidential candidate in Peru, Vargas Llosa has been involved in politics most of his life. “It’s very difficult for a Latin American writer to avoid politics,” he said in October 2010, after learning that he had been awarded the Nobel Prize that year.

“Literature is an expression of life, and you cannot eradicate politics from life.”

The restrictive controls that Odria imposed on social life were among the factors that influenced Vargas Llosa to reject systems that arbitrarily restrict individual freedoms and leaders who abuse power and flout the law through the imposition of their will.

He expressed this mindset as a recurring theme in his body of work, exploring despotism, military violence, and rebellion in some of his novels, among them The Time of the Hero (1963), Conversation in the Cathedral (1969), The War of the End of the World (1981), and the Feast of the Goat (2000). His decision to take this path in his writing garnered him the Nobel Prize for literature in 2010, which he received “for his cartography of structures of power and his trenchant images of the individual’s resistance, revolt, and defeat.”

He wrote those works fearlessly, knowing full well the risks that a writer takes for defying the status quo. As he told Time magazine in 1984: “If you are killed because you are a writer, that’s the maximum expression of respect, you know.”

For those who are new to Vargas Llosa, which novel of his should be read first? At the presscon, UST Center for Creative Writing and Literary Studies director Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo asked him which of his numerous novels he would recommend that she ask her students to read, by way of introducing him to

YOLANDA’S REVELATIONS I

t is almost three years since Super Typhoon “Yolanda” devastated the central Philippines and shook the nation to its core. On Nov. 8, 2013, what was said to be the strongest typhoon in recorded history made landfall several times across the country, from Eastern Samar to Palawan, and left on its trail untold loss and devastation.

The rest of the world turned its attention to us. We never doubted we had allies in coping with the disaster. For that, we will always be grateful—and much as we aim to better help ourselves in the future, we do not share the President’s pronouncement that we do not need any aid from others. We do, we do.

But more than the humbling realization that we cannot exist alone, Yolanda reminded us that there were many gaps that needed to be filled despite the existence of a law, the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010. A law merely lays down what it is we think we need to do. Implementing what the law prescribes is another thing—and it was here we failed miserably.

There was a gap between what science told forecasters and what was communicated to the people. There was a failure to grasp that rushing to help the surivivors was not a matter of who got there first, and the most loudly.

There was ignorance of the needs of those in the periphery, and of the challenges in bringing them help amid the bureacratic and logistical bottlenecks.

There was the all-too-human issue of turf protection, and misplaced pride, and the apparently basic desire to bring down others in the attempt to boost one’s stock. We also saw how those who are expected to know

better simply gave in to petty politics while glossing over the more fundamental, more human demands of the situation.

Finally, we discovered that we can be lazy enough to address lose ends when doing so would not serve our own purposes anymore.

Case in point: The finding that despite the time that had passed, not all the rightful recipients of shelter assistance have received the help that has been promised them.

It is difficult to consistently work on building resilience among individuals and communities because disasters, especially eye-opening ones like “Yolanda” was, come only occasionally.

In between, there are equally important and seemingly more urgent issues: poverty, the economy, crime, drugs, violence. Despite this, however, the Duterte administration must not lose sight of this objective: to strengthen the capacity of communities to anticipate disasters, prevent loss and damage, address their immediate effects and then, in the long term, build back better and emerge stronger than they ever were to begin with.

These efforts may not be front and center now, but when the next big disaster comes, all the hard work of the past few years can be wiped out, and we will have been set back again when it is already so difficult to trudge along.

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SLAYING MONSTERS LONG STORY SHORT ADELLE CHUA

SOME people get a kick out of horror movies. They are never more alive than when they watch heart-stopping, goosebump-inducing, scream-inviting flicks. They relish the roller coaster of emotions and the bragging rights at being brave enough to survive them.

Imagine the bragging rights.

I hated horror movies. Why create for yourself a stress so unnecessary? In the case of the cinema, why pay all that money just to get yourself scared? It all seemed pretty silly to me.

This revulsion towards horror movies had some basis. When I was eight or

nine, my grandmother took me to watch Lovingly Yours, Helen (the movie) where the late teen actress Julie Vega played the role of a young woman possessed by an evil spirit. After watching the movie, I became feverish—even delirious. I distinctly Turn to B2

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VARGAS...

ASK YOURSELF

From A1

them.

After some thought, Vargas Llosa chose the novels that he said were the hardest for him to write: Conversation in the Cathedral, The War of the End of the World, and The Storyteller (1987).

Conversation in the Cathedral is based on the Odria years and Vargas Llosa’s experiences as a student activist at the time. The protagonist Santiago Zavala has a conversation with Ambrosio, a chauffeur, in a bar called the Cathedral. The narrative revolves around their stories and examines corruption in the Peruvian government. “At what precise moment had Peru fucked itself up?” is the second sentence in the novel—a very good question we can ask about our own country.

The War of the End of the World is based on true events in Brazil during the late 1800s. Antonio Conseilhero is a preacher heralding the end of the world during a time of economic crisis and the end of slavery. He gathers followers from among the poor and together they establish their own town. Troops are sent in to quell the cult and violent battles ensue.

The Storyteller was influenced by a 1958 trip to the Amazon jungle. Saul Zuratas leaves his life in the city to become a storyteller (hablador) for the Machiguenga natives. The novel explores the question of what to do with indigenous peoples: leave them to their traditional ways, or teach them modern ways through the intervention of missionaries, ethnographers, and other outsiders, who may be seen as bullies and dictators who seek to impose their ways on a secluded tribe?

Vargas Llosa will deliver a lecture at and receive an honorary professorship from the University of Santo Tomas tomorrow (Nov. 7), and receive an honorary doctorate from De La Salle University on Nov. 8.

His first visit to Manila was in 1978, when, as president of Poets, Essayists, and Novelists International, he met with the group’s Philippine members. This was during the Marcos regime and his description of that period is unequivocal.

“It was a dictatorship,” he said.

For millennials who are clueless about the truth regarding the Marcos dictatorship, or older people who have amnesia about what really happened during that time, read Vargas Llosa to know the workings of dictatorships and why they ultimately fail, and literature’s role as societal critic, watchdog, and defender of freedom.

Dr. Ortuoste is a California-based writer. Follow her on Facebook: Jenny Ortuoste, Twitter: @jennyortuoste, Instagram: @jensdecember.

SLAYING...

From A1

remember dreaming that the possessed Vega, speaking in another voice and having big, red eyes, was sitting on top of a closet, just like she had in the movie. And yes, she was staring at me.

I must have been sick for a week.

Many years later, I ventured to watch The Exorcism of Emily Rose at a movie house while I was killing time waiting for a friend to get off work. The movie was supposed to be a trial of a priest prosecuted for the exorcism he had performed on a girl, who eventually died. It would be a riveting legal drama, I thought, with all the scary parts supposed to be secondary. I was wrong—I got spooked silly that I walked out of the theater.

Years later, my dread of the witching hour lingered. In Tacloban City, writing about the sixth month mark of Typhoon “Yolanda,” I woke up at exactly 3 in the morning with all the lights in my hotel room turned off—even though I had gone to sleep specifically keeping them on. I had no idea how I was able to make it between then and sunrise.

So yes, I had plenty of reason to be averse to horror movies. They have a way of creeping into my life.

But something snapped this Halloween season, when remembering the dead, enjoying the break from work and school and contemplating all things scary proved to be main themes.

And I thought, since I vowed, at the start of my 40th year, to do things I would never have dreamed of doing before— riding at the back of a motorcycle up the hills, taking a zipline that is supposed to be the steepest in Southeast Asia, trying out restaurant food aside from the stuff I usually order, eating more meat—why not give horror movies another try?

And so this week alone, I saw three movies: two were about possession, and one was about a creature that haunted a household at wartime.

I would be lying if I said that the movies did not scare me anymore.

I noted that the ones on possession were terrible because of their startling effect. Once you actually see the images onscreen, there is just no way to unsee

By Cathrine Gonzales A QUESTION from Bob Ong’s book troubled me for days. The question was straight—and scary. He wrote in Tagalog, “Are you tired of being a Filipino?”

What can a millennial say? I am full of hopes for the Philippines. I respect business, media and government leaders. Everytime the national anthem plays, I sing it with full conviction. Yes, I am proud to be a Filipino.

But this pride is being challenged.

The ugly side is revealing itself to me.

Let me share the following: One day on my way to Sta. Mesa, a boy of about seven climbed into the jeepney I was riding. He reached out to each passenger a small envelope to ask for money. His face was gentle.

You would be swayed. When no one gave him the alms he wanted, he

immediately jumped off the jeepney and sneered at the passengers: “T*ng-ina niyo. Ang dadamot niyo.”

Everyone in the vehicle laughed; I did, too. But why were we even amused in the first place?

I am sure all commuters have experienced this. In this country, beggars are commonplace. They come in all ages: there are babies and there are senior citizens. Unbearable!

What should have been a productive workforce has been reduced to helpless dependents.

There was even a time when I saw an American begging with his greasy clothes. This made me ask, is coming to the Philippines a curse that will make you poor?

Maybe it is also for this reason why a large number of talented Filipinos have already gone abroad. Maybe they have lost all hope they could improve their

lot in this country.

Just watch the news. You have narcopoliticians, cops, celebrities involved in corruption, murder, theft, etc. That stabbing incident of an 18-year-old architecture student by two thieves in Taguig is also a nightmare. This is what life has been here, with Filipinos killing and stealing from each other.

News can indeed make you do a face-palm. One morning when I turned on the television, a “news” item ruined my day.

“Actress A, nagpablonde ng buhok.”

During a crucial time like this,why is this story even part of the news?

Let’s just not blame the media.

I’ve noticed that many Filipinos are content with subscribing to the latest telenovelas and their favorite celebrities that they would buy each detail of their careers. It is a sad truth. Many of us do not have the drive to go the distance.

We are happy watching those who do.

These are just examples of what an average Filipino sees every day. They may be amusing to hear, but there lies the problem. We see these are normal and do not do something about them.

So back to my favorite author’s question: I am tired of what a Filipino’s life has become, but I am certainly not tired of being a Filipino. Sure, we see the ugly side all the time, but it does not mean we must lose all hope.

Cathrine Gonzales is a journalism senior at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

Manila Standard accepts contributions, on any topic, from readers between 18 and 35 years old for the column Our Voice. Essays should not exceed 800 words. Send to adellechua@ gmail.com.

WHAT IS NATURAL?

By Pecier Decierdo AS I was grocery shopping the other day, one trend struck me. I noticed that many of the products, from fruit juices to hair products and even some insect killers, were labeled “natural.” To up the ante, some were proclaimed to be “all natural” or “100% natural.”

I thought that was funny. After all, many of them were in plastic or glass bottles, albeit the labeling was green.

The brown of recycled paper is also a fairly common packaging color.

More than one bag of chips, wrapped in plastic and aluminum foil were also made of “natural ingredients,” so claimed the labels outside.

What is natural? That is, what does it mean for a thing to be natural, and what does it take for that thing to be natural?

Before I go back to these questions, let us first examine the sentiment behind the “natural” label. The people who put those labels put them there because they thought claiming something is “all natural” or “100% natural” would give those products an edge over their competitors. Since more and more products claim to be natural, that’s probably true.

I’m guessing this is because, in many people’s minds, “natural” is synonymous to better, more nutritious, more healthy, or less harmful. “Natural” products are seen as simply superior. Alternatively, products that are not natural are seen as more dangerous, more toxic, more harmful, more unhealthy. After all, if a product is not natural, then doesn’t it

them. But no, I did not develop a fever.

These days it is easier to imagine that the effect is such because of makeup and good editing. Just always anticipate that the producers intend to surprise you at every turn.

Thoughts about spirits that roam during the witching hour can also be debilitating. Because these are things you cannot see, who knows whether the spirits are there? Then again, it may also be that they aren’t. Our mind is capable of playing great tricks on us.

An active imagination can be used to scare the wits out of you.

So try, instead, thinking about your looming deadlines or your overdue submissions. Let’s see if they do not give you the same sinking feeling of helplessness and foreboding. Would it not be to your advantage if you took your ripe imagination, sat down in front of your computer, and typed away? As for the movie—just admire the painstaking work and dedication of the film crew to come up with this product.

Now this is spookier: Think about the stealthy monsters that whack you on the back of the head when you least expect it, ruining your happiness just when you believe things were going so well. Shall you just cower? Of course not. You pick up your weapon and slay them.

There are ghosts that cannot seem to be extinguished, because they keep turning up just when you believe they have gone away. Shall you pull a blanket over your head? Of course not—stare the ghosts in the face and claim you will eventually be ok.

My experiment is not done. Several others are lined up for the next few evenings. One coping trick: Sometimes I watch several minutes of a comedy right after each horror film just so it is not the last thing I remember before I go to sleep. I also remind myself, if it gets really unbearable, that I can just close my eyes, cover them with my hand, or shut the darned thing off. Yes, I have that much power.

So bring it on—it’s just a movie, after all. Real life, with its blows and heartstopping surprises, is way, way scarier.

Imagine the bragging rights if you come out of that, unscathed. adellechua@gmail.com

mean it’s “unnatural”? A thing being “unnatural” already seems like an argument against it.

But aren’t many diseases natural?

Chicken pox, small pox, measles, malaria, polio, parasitic infections, even most cases of cancer, aren’t these natural? How about rats and mosquitoes and the diseases they spread? Or disasters? Typhoons, earthquakes, tornadoes, volcanic explosions, asteroids colliding with the Earth, aren’t these natural, too?

For millions of years, almost everything that killed our ancestors were “100% natural,” from the venom of snake and spider bites to the poisons that they ingested from mushrooms or fruits. Heck, what could be more “natural” than death?

Let us turn that around by looking at a few things that can be considered “not natural.” We inject insulin on a diabetes patient. This insulin is often manufactured in the lab using techniques that involve DNA recombination. We vaccinate children to protect them from diseases, and we do this by injecting them with a harmless version of the cause of the disease. We take in food supplements to complete our nutrient requirements.

We modify fruits and vegetables to make them bigger, tastier, and more nutritious.

In special circumstances, we are advised to take antibiotics to kill bacteria that have infected us “naturally.”

We do so many things that are “unnatural” that are beneficial to us. In fact, if death and disease are natural, then isn’t opposing them unnatural?

So something being natural or

unnatural is says little of its effect on our health. Some things we call natural make us healthier and prolong our life. Others do the opposite. The same can be said of things that are unnatural. If we really want to know if something is better for our health, we have to study its effects using science. If the science says it is safe or even beneficial, then it doesn’t matter whether it is natural or not.

But I think the contrast between what’s natural and unnatural is more problematic than their benefit and harm. It’s more problematic because what counts as natural in the first place?

At the root of the word ‘natural’ is the word ‘nature.’ To be natural means to be of ‘nature’, a word that came from the Latin natura. Natura can be translated to ‘in-born disposition’ or ‘innate quality.’ Today, we still say “comes natural” to you when you seem to be good at it without prior training. We also talk about the “natural inclinations” of people. (“It’s not in his nature to do that.”)

Our use of the word ‘nature’ to refer to forested mountains or pristine rivers and lakes is fairly new. The contrast between this “natural world” and the “artificial world” of people, buildings, roads, and other artifacts of civilization did not have any reason to exist for a long time. In fact, many cultures today, especially those of tribal peoples, still don’t make the distinction.

The Greeks were among the first to distinguish between natural and artificial. The traits that plants, animals, and other objects have when

humans don’t intervene the Greeks referred to as physis. Natura is the Latin translation of the Greek physis.

Both were applied to the tendency of smoke to rise (rising is smoke’s natural tendency) or rocks to fall (falling is part of a rock’s nature). When left alone by humans, the animals and plants of the forest will go about their “natural course.” This is probably the origin of our use of the word ‘nature’ to mean the state of the world untouched by human activities.

But aren’t humans curious and inventive “by nature”? Aren’t we, as a species, “naturally inclined” to find things out and apply what we know to create and invent? If so, then shouldn’t the products of human creativity and ingenuity be called “natural” too? But if they are, then what is left to be called unnatural?

It is sometimes convenient and easy to make the distinction between the natural world—the great outdoors and the wildlife found in them—and the world of people. Often, however, it is neither convenient nor easy.

Furthermore, it’s not always helpful.

Sometimes so-called natural products are superior, sometimes they are not.

Natural does not always mean better, nor does it always mean worse.

The concept of what is natural is a powerful concept, but we shouldn’t lazily apply it or, worse, abuse it to sell products.

Pecier Decierdo is the resident astronomer/physicist at The Mind Museum.

IT’S NOT JUSTTRUMP CASTING CLOUD OVER SOUTHEAST ASIA GROWTH

By Enda Curran and Y-Sing Liau DONALD Trump’s protectionist policies aside, rising political risk in Southeast Asia is casting a shadow over economies that have been a driver of global growth in recent years.

Foreign investors pulled out of Thailand stocks at the fastest pace this year in October.

The Philippine peso has sunk close to levels last traded during the global financial crisis.

Malaysia’s currency is also in a funk.

The common denominator is heightened political risk—from President Rodrigo Duterte’s stinging attacks on the US and his violent crackdown on crime in the Philippines to the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej in Thailand that’s removed an anchor of stability in the country. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, meanwhile, is embroiled in a funding scandal that’s being investigated by authorities around the world.

“Political risk is certainly on the rise in Southeast Asia,” said Bill Hayton, author of The South China Sea: The Struggle for Power in Asia. “The return of geopolitical competition in the region is creating uncertainties that had gradually dissipated following the end of the Cold War.” The worry for investors is that the uncertainty will stall decision making, and scare off tourists and foreign investors at a time when exports—the region’s key growth driver—are already struggling. That’s before even factoring in global risks, like higher US interest rates and a Trump win in elections next week.

So far, the hit has been felt on financial markets, rather than the economy. Capital Economics Ltd.’s Krystal Tan and Gareth Leather said in a research note that they are sticking to their 2016 growth forecasts for the Philippines and Thailand this year, but next year is more uncertain and depends how the politics plays out.

The International Monetary Fund is forecasting growth of 3.3 percent in Thailand next year, 4.6 percent in Malaysia and 6.7 percent in the Philippines. Sovereign risk—measured by five-year credit-default swaps —have risen for all three countries since September.

Thailand risk

“Investors are not happy with the developments in these three countries as it introduces uncertainty,” said Manu George, a Singaporebased fixed-income director at Schroder Investment Management Ltd., which oversees the equivalent of $424 billion globally. With heightened political uncertainty from the US

to Europe, “we are all resigned to the fact that geopolitical risk has risen globally,” he said.

The biggest worry may be Thailand, Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy, where Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn has requested a delay in taking the throne. The country has been under military rule since a 2014 coup with elections due to be held late next year.

Foreign funds sold a net $514 million of Thai equities in October, more than five times as much as from the Philippines. Economists have warned that a year-long mourning period may curb growth on entertainment and other social spending. Airlines and tour operators are bracing for possibly fewer visitors to a country famed for its beaches, islands and nightspots. Tourism makes up about 10 percent of gross domestic product and has fanned a surging current-account surplus.

Worst performer

In the Philippines, the peso fell to a sevenyear low of 48.618 in October and was Asia’s worst performer in the third quarter, when it fell 3 percent. Global funds have pulled more than $600 million from Philippine stocks since inflows this year peaked in August. While government officials have sought to soothe nerves, there are worries the nation’s more than $20 billion business outsourcing industry, which is dominated by American firms, will be hurt by Duterte’s pivot away from the US and toward China.

The use of alleged extrajudicial killings of criminals is hurting confidence, said Celeste Tay, senior sovereign analyst in Singapore at investment manager Loomis, Sayles & Co.

“Such degradation of the rule of law over time could negatively impact foreign direct investment interest in the Philippines and hurt its longer-term economic prospects,” she said.

‘Heightened tension’

Any impact from Duterte’s statements may be felt in the fourth quarter, local newspaper Malaya reported on Friday, citing Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia. While foreign direct investment from the US has been weakening, interest from China is picking up, he was quoted as saying.

Malaysia’s uncertainty centers around a global probe into allegations of corruption and money laundering involving state fund 1Malaysia Development Bhd., whose advisory board Najib chaired until May. 1MDB and Najib have repeatedly denied those charges and his domestic support has held up.

To be sure, no one is forecasting an economic crisis just yet and it’s not like the region is new to these kinds of concerns. With the exception of Duterte’s comments, “everything that is happening in Southeast Asia is not particularly surprising,” said Trinh Nguyen, a senior economist for emerging-market Asia at Natixis SA in Hong Kong.

Still, the worry spots are growing against a backdrop of other challenges, such as China’s growing military and political muscle in the region, said Damian Karmelich, managing director of risk firm Political Monitor in Sydney.

“The region is challenged by a number of types of emerging political risks, each of which add to the potential for heightened tension,” he said. “The risk outlook is moderate to high.” Bloomberg

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Manila

Republic of the Philippines StandardENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION

TODAY

World

Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF THE ANCILLARY SERVICES PROCUREMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE NATIONAL GRID CORPORATTION OF THE PHILIPPINES AND SN ABOITIZ POWERMAGAT, INC., WITH PRAYER FOR THE ISSUANCE OF PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

IN THE MATTER OF APPLICATION THE FOR APPROVAL OF THE ANCILLARY SERVICES PROCUREMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE NATIONAL GRID CORPORATTION OF THE PHILIPPINES AND SN ABOITIZ POWER BENGUET, INC., WITH PRAYER FOR THE ISSUANCE OF PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY ERC CASE NO. 2016-164 RC

ERC CASE NO. 2016-165 RC

NATIONAL GRID CORPORATTION OF THE PHILIPPINES (NGCP) AND SN ABOITIZ POWERMAGAT, INC. (SNAP-MI),

IN AFRICA, LITTLE ENTHUSIASM FOR US VOTE AFTER OBAMA

Applicants.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES:

Notice is hereby given that on 24 August 2016, Applicants National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) and SN Aboitiz Power-Magat, Inc. (SNAP-MI) jointly filed an Application (with Prayer for the Immediate Issuance of a Provisional Authority) dated 11 August 2016 for approval of the their Ancillary Services Procurement Agreement which was executed on 08 August 2016. Relative thereto, the following were the allegations in the said Application:

Notice is hereby given that on 24 August 2016, Applicants National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) and SN Aboitiz Power-Benguet, Inc. (SNAP-BI) jointly filed an Applicalion (with Prayer for the Immediate Issuance of a Provisional Authority) dated 11 August 2016 for approval of the their Ancillary Services Procurement Agreement which was executed on 08 August 2016. Relative thereto, the following were the allegations in the said Application:

1.

1.

NATURE OF THE CASE This Application is for the approval of the Ancillary Services Procurement Agreement (ASPA) between the NGCP and SNAP-BI, pursuant to the Decision dated 3 October 2007 in ERC Case No. 2006-049RC, entitled: “In the Matter of the Application for the Approval of Ancillary Services - Cost Recovery Mechanism (AS-CRM) of the Ancillary Services Procurement Plan, with Prayer for Provisional Authority. “ PARTIES

2.

Applicant NGCP is a corporation created and existing under the laws of the Philippines, with office address at NGCP Building, Quezon Avenue corner BIR Road, Diliman, Quezon City. It is the concessionaire which assumed the power transmission functions of the National Transmission Corporation (TRANS CO) pursuant to Republic Act No. 91361 (EPIRA). It holds a franchise under Republic Act No. 95112 to engage in the business of conveying or transmitting electricity through high voltage back-bone systems of interconnected transmission lines, substations and related facilities, and for other purposes. The franchise also includes the conduct of activities necessary to support the safe and reliable operation of the transmission system.

3.

Applicant SNAP-MI is a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the Philippine laws with principal office address at Magat Hydroelectric Power Plant, Brgy.

Aguinaldo, Ramon, Isabela. It may be served with orders, notices, and other legal processes through its undersigned counsel. It is the owner and operator of Magat Hydro-Electric Power Plant (Magat HEPP), which was certified and accredited by NGCP as capable of providing Regulating Reserve (RR), Contingency Reserve (CR) Dispatchable Reserve (DR) and Black Start Capability.

2.

Applicant NGCP is a corporation created and existing under the laws of the Philippines, with office address at NGCP Building, Quezon Avenue corner BIR Road, Diliman, Quezon City. It is the concessionaire which assumed the power transmission functions of the National Transmission Corporation (TRANSCO) pursuant to Republic Act No. 91361 (EPIRA). It holds a franchise under Republic Act No. 95112 to engage in the business of conveying or transmitting electricity through high voltage back-bone systems of interconnected transmission lines, substations and related facilities, and for other purposes. The franchise also includes the conduct of activities necessary to support the safe and reliable operation of the transmission system.

3.

Applicant SNAP-BI is a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the Philippine laws with principal office address at Binga Hydroelectric Power Plant, Brgy.

Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet. It may be served with orders, notices, and other legal processes through its undersigned counsel. It is the owner and operator of Ambuklao HydroElectric Power Plant (Ambuklao HEPP) located at Bokod, Benguet which was certified and accredited by NGCP to be capable of providing Regulating Reserve (RR), Contingency Reserve (CR), Dispatchable Reserve (DR) and Black Start Capability.

4.

Republic Act No. 9136 provides that it is the responsibility of NGCP to ensure and maintain the reliability, adequacy, security, stability and integrity of the nationwide electrical grid in accordance with the performance standards for its operations and maintenance, as set forth in the Philippine Grid Code (PGC), adopted and promulgated by the Honorable Commission, and to adequately serve generation companies, distribution utilities and suppliers requiring transmission service and/or ancillary services through the transmission system3.

5.

Similarly, the PGC provides that NGCP is responsible for determining, acquiring, and dispatching the capacity needed to supply the required Grid Ancillary Services and for developing and proposing Wheeling Charges and Ancillary Service tariffs to the ERC4.

6.

Ancillary services (AS) as defined in Section 4b of the EPlRA “refer to those services that are necessary to support the transmission of capacity and energy from resources to loads while maintaining reliable operation of the transmission system in accordance with good utility practice and the Grid Code to be adopted in accordance with this Act.” These services are essential in ensuring reliability in the operation of the transmission system and consequently, in the reliability of the electricity supply in the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao grids.

7.

In order to implement and regulate the procurement of AS, the Honorable Commission approved the Ancillary Services Procurement Plan (ASPP) through its Order dated 9 March 2006 in ERC Case No. 2002- 253 and the Ancillary Services-Cost Recovery Mechanism (AS-CRM) through its Decision dated 3 October 2007 in ERC Case No. 2006-049RC.

8.

Pursuant to its mandate, NGCP invited and negotiated with all prospective generation companies capable of providing ancillary services, one of which is SNAP-BI.

9.

On 8 March 2013, NGCP and the SNAP-BI entered into another ASPA (2013 ASPA) for a period of 3 years. On 27 March 2013, the parties filed an application docketed as ERC Case No. 2013-054RC before the Honorable Commission for the approval of the 2013 ASPA, which was provisionally approved through an Order dated 3 June 2013. The Honorable Commission in page 12 of the Order stated that: “The Commission believes that the contracted ancillary services capacity is needed to augment the deficiency of ancillary reserve capacity and maintain the reliability of the operation of the transmission system and electricity supply in the Luzon Grid”.

10.

Due to the necessity of extending the services of providing the same ancillary services, the Applicants again entered into another ASPA under the same rates, terms and conditions5. In the latest accreditation tests conducted in 2015 on the Ambuklao HEPP, the plant demonstrated capability of providing RR, CR and DR. The copy of the Accreditation Certificate is attached as Annex “A”.

11.

Similar to the existing ASPA, NGCP agreed to procure and SNAP-BI agreed to continuously provide, under the new ASPA, the following AS for a period of a period five (5) years:

ANTECEDENT FACTS 4.

Similarly, the PGC provides that NGCP is responsible for determining, acquiring, and dispatching the capacity needed to supply the required Grid Ancillary Services and for developing and proposing Wheeling Charges and Ancillary Service tariffs to the ERC4.

6.

Ancillary services (AS) as defined in Section 4b of the EPlRA “refer to those services that are necessary to support the transmission of capacity and energy from resources to loads while maintaining reliable operation of the transmission system in accordance with good utility practice and the Grid Code to, be adopted in accordance with this Act.” These services are essential in ensuring reliability in the operation of the transmission system and consequently, in the reliability of the electricity supply in the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao grids.

In order to implement and regulate the procurement of AS, the Honorable Commission approved the Ancillary Services Procurement Plan (ASPP) through its Order dated 9 March 2006 in ERC Case No. 2002- 253 and the Ancillary Services-Cost Recovery Mechanism (AS-CRM) through its Decision dated 3 October 2007 in ERC Case No. 2006-049RC.

8.

Pursuant to its mandate, NGCP invited and negotiated with all prospective generation companies capable of providing ancillary services, one of which is SNAP-MI.

9.

It may be recalled that TRANSCO and SNAP-MI entered into an ASPA in October 2008.

On 4 February 2009, TRANSCO and SNAP-MI filed an application docketed as ERC Case No. 2009-007RC, which was approved in the Decision dated 12 October 2009. The Honorable Commission on page 21 of the Decision stated that: “Based on the foregoing, it was determined that the contracted Ancillary Service capacity is needed to augment the deficiency of ancillary reserve capacity and maintain the reliability in the operation of the transmission system and electricity supply in the grid.”

10.

11.

12.

ANTECEDENT FACTS

Republic Act No. 9136 provides that it is the responsibility of NGCP to ensure and maintain the reliability, adequacy, security, stability and integrity of the nationwide electrical grid in accordance with the performance standards for its operations and maintenance, as set forth in the Philippine Grid Code (PGC), adopted and promulgated by the Honorable Commission, and to adequately serve generation companies, distribution utilities and suppliers requiring transmission service and/or ancillary services through the transmission system3.

5.

7.

Obama has found resonance even in his own family, with half-brother Malik enthusiastically campaigning for Trump on Twitter, and even accepting an invitation to attend the final televised presidential debate in Las Vegas last month.

Malik’s position is not, however the norm, and many Africans readily denounce Trump’s views.

“Hillary Clinton, she is someone with a vision but this guy -- how do you call him? -- he is arrogant and a racist, he can be angry and even start more wars,” said Benjamin Namkobe, a 31-year-old motorcycle taxi driver in Nairobi.

Neither candidate has made much mention of Africa in their major speeches since being named their party’s candidate, but this is no surprise, said J. Peter Pham, director of the Africa Center at the Atlantic Council think tank in Washington.

“Africa largely does not figure into the electoral dynamics of the United States,” said Pham, adding that “foreign policy in general” takes a back seat.

He pointed out that US policy towards Africa “tends to enjoy bipartisan support”, meaning it does not represent a point of differentiation in debates. AFP

Also, on 8 March 2013, NGCP and the SNAP-MI entered into another ASPA (2013 ASPA) for a period of three years. On 27 March 2013, the parties filed an application docketed as ERC Case No. 2013-053RC before the Honorable Commission for the approval of the 2013 ASPA, which was provisionally approved through an Order dated 3 June 2013. The Honorable Commission in page 12 of the Order stated that: “The Commission believes that the contracted ancillary services capacity is needed to augment the deficiency of ancillary reserve capacity and maintain the reliability of the operation of the transmission system and electricity supply in the Luzon Grid.”

Due to the necessity of extending the services of providing the same ancillary services, the Applicants again entered into a new ASPA under the same rates, terms and conditions5.

In the latest accreditation tests held in 2015 on the Magat HEPP, the plant demonstrated capability of providing RR, CR, DR and Black Start Services. The copy of the Accreditation Certificate is attached as Annex “A.”

Capacity

Similar to the existing ASPA, NGCP agreed to procure and SNAP-MI agreed to continuously provide, under the new ASPA, the following AS for a period of a period five (5) years:

Capacity

Non-firm

Firm

Regulating Reserve Contingency Reserve Dispatchable reserve Black Start Capability

CONTRACTED CAPACITY RATES AND IMPACT SIMULATION

A copy of the ASPA is attached as Annex “B.”

12.

Also, the Applicants used the following rates for the capacity fees as provided in the previous ASPA: Firm:

Also, the Applicants used the following rates for the capacity fees as provided in the previous ASPA:

Regulating Reserve Contingency Reserve

Applicable Rates (Maximum Hourly Rate) Php 2.50/kW/Hr Php 1.50/kW/Hr

Regulating Reserve Contingency Reserve

Non-Firm:

Regulating Reserve Contingency Reserve Dispatchable Reserve Black Start Capability

Applicable Rates (Maximum Hourly Rate) Php 3.00/kW/Hr Php 2.25/kW/Hr Php 1.25/kW/Hr Php 2.14/kW/Hr

Regulating Reserve Contingency Reserve Dispatchable Reserve Black Start Capability 14.

SNAP-MI respectfully submits that the proposed rates represent a reasonable recovery of the opportunity cost in making available generation capacity to provide the procured AS.

15.

The rates under ASPA were subjected to a simulation with the following results:

Ancillary Services Regulating Reserve Contingency Reserve Dispatchable Reserve

Indicative Rate Impact P/kW-month P/kWh 6.1501 0.0331 3.9701 0.0214 2.3189 0.0125

A copy of the said rate impact simulation is attached as Annex “C”.

15.

Consistent with the AS-CRM, all the related and incidental expenses which NGCP will incur as a result of the procurement and operation of the ancillary services shall be recovered from all the load customers in the Luzon Grid.

ALLEGATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

16.

It is a declared policy of the State to ensure the quality, reliability, security and affordability of the supply of electric power (Section 2b, EPlRA). With this end in view, there is a need to comply with the system requirements for AS to ensure grid system reliability. As mentioned above, NGCP has the mandate to procure the required AS. However, the Honorable Commission must first approve the contract before the same could be implemented.

17.

It is a declared policy of the State to ensure the quality, reliability, security and affordability of the supply of electric power (Section 2b, EPlRA). With this end in view, there is a need to comply with the system requirements for AS to ensure grid system reliability. As mentioned above, NGCP has the mandate to procure the required AS. However, the Honorable Commission must first approve the contract before the same could be implemented.

17.

18.

As mentioned above, the Honorable Commission has already declared that there is a necessity for NGCP to procure the contracted ancillary services capacity of SNAP MI to maintain the reliability of the operation of the transmission system and electricity supply in the Luzon Grid.

As mentioned above, the Honorable Commission has already declared that there is a necessity for NGCP to procure the contracted ancillary services capacity of SNAP BI to maintain the reliability of the operation of the transmission system and electricity supply in the Luzon Grid.

18.

19.

SNAP-MI must continue to provide the current contracted ancillary services beyond the 2013 ASPA to maintain the reliability of the power grid. Based, on the current levels of available contracted AS in the Luzon Grid, the firm contracted AS have not yet met the required levels of the ASPP. The copies of the relevant actual data and its corresponding graphical presentations showing the required and available levels of AS in the Luzon Grid are attached as Annex “D.”

SNAP-BI must continue to provide the current contracted ancillary services beyond the 2013 ASPA to maintain the reliability of the power grid. Based on the current levels of available contracted AS in the Luzon Grid, the firm contracted AS have not yet met the required levels of the ASPP. The copies of the relevant actual data and its corresponding graphical presentations showing the required and available levels of AS in the Luzon Grid are attached as Annex “D. “

19.

20.

NGCP must be guaranteed that there are available AS on a daily basis to assure reliability of the grid. There is no assurance that the non-firm capacities would be available when needed.

NGCP cannot gamble on this chance. As the grid operator, the contracted capacity of SNAP, especially its firm capacities, are greatly needed.

NGCP must be guaranteed that there are available AS on a daily basis to assure reliability of the grid. There is no assurance that the non-firm capacities would be available when needed.

NGCP cannot gamble on this chance. As the grid operator, the contracted capacity of SNAP, especially its firm capacities, are greatly needed.

21.

Thus, NGCP and SNAP MI agreed to execute another ASPA for a period of another five years. With this ASPA, the Luzon Grid is assured of AS until 2021.

20.

Thus, NGCP and SNAP BI agreed to execute another ASPA for a period of another five years. With this ASPA, the Luzon Grid is assured of AS until 2021.

21.

Also, as the demand for power in the Luzon increases, the requirements of the system to ensure stability, reliability and security likewise increases. Ensuring the integrity of the system is essential to protect the interests of the public. The absence of system reliability and stability will certainly discourage investments and growth.

22.

Applicants respectfully submit that the immediate approval of the ASPA by this Honorable Commission is a necessity to maintain the present reliability and security of the Grid. In support of these allegations, NGCP submits a copy of the Judicial Affidavit of Engr. Lizaflor Bacani-Kater, which is attached as Annex “E.”

22.

Also, as the demand for power in the Luzon increases, the requirements of the system to ensure stability, reliability and security likewise increases. Ensuring the integrity of the system is essential to protect the interests of the public. The absence of system reliability and stability will certainly discourage investments and growth.

23.

Applicants respectfully submit that the immediate approval of the ASPA by this Honorable Commission is a necessity to maintain the present reliability and security of the Grid. In support of these allegations, NGCP submits a copy of the Judicial Affidavit of Engr. Lizaflor Bacani-Kater, which is attached as Annex “E.”

PRAYER WHEREFORE, premises considered, Applicants respectfully pray that the Honorable Commission to: a) b)

Immediately ISSUE a provisional authority to implement the subject ASPA; APPROVE, after notice and hearing, the subject ASPA.

Applicants pray for other just and equitable relief under the premises.

The Commission has set the said Application for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, Expository Presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and presentation of evidence on 17 November 2016 (Thursday) at ten o’clock in the morning (10:00 a.m.), at the ERC Hearing Room, 17th Floor, Pacific Center Building, San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City.

All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the proceeding may become a party by filing, at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements in the ERC’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, a verified petition with the Commission giving the docket number and title of the proceeding and stating: (1) the petitioner’s name and address; (2) the nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding, and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and (3) a statement of the relief desired.

All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the proceeding may file their opposition to the Application and or comment thereon at any stage of the proceeding before the Applicants conclude the presentation of their evidence. No particular form of opposition or comment is required, but the document, letter or writing should contain the name and address of such person and a concise statement of the opposition or comment and the grounds relied upon.

All such persons who wish to have a copy of the Application (with Prayer for the Immediate Issuance of a Provisional Authority) may request the Applicants, prior to the date of the initial hearing, that they be furnished a copy thereof. The Applicants are hereby directed to furnish all those making said request with copies of their Application and its attachments, subject to reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs.

Any such person may likewise examine the Application and other pertinent records filed with the Commission during standard office hours.

WITNESS, the Honorable Chairman JOSE VICENTE B. SALAZAR and the Honorable Commissioners ALFREDO J. NON, GLORIA VICTORIA C. YAP-TARUC, JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT, and GERONIMO D. STA. ANA,, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 17th day of October 2016 in Pasig City.

ATTY. NATHAN J. MARASIGAN Chief of Staff Office of the Chairman and CEO Republic Act No. 9136 entitled, “An Act Ordaining Reforms in the Electric Power Industry, Amending for the Purpose Certain Laws and for other Purposes”; An Act Granting the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines a Franchise To Engage in the Business of Conveying or Transmitting Electricity Through High Voltage Back-Bone System of Interconnected Transmission Lines, Substations and Related Facilities, and for other Purposes; Section 9 (c) and (d); Section 6.3.1.2; The proposed schedules are: 95MW RR firm capacity for 24 hours a day and 7 days a week; and its 60MW CR firm capacity during peak hours.

(MS-OCT. 30/NOV. 6, 2016)

ISSUE a provisional authority to implement the subject ASPA; After notice and hearing, APPROVE the subject ASPA.

Applicants pray for other just and equitable relief under the premises.

The Commission has set the said Application for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, Expository Presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and presentation of evidence on 17 November 2016 (Thursday) at ten o’clock in the morning (10:00 a.m.), at the ERC Hearing Room, 15th Floor, Pacific Center Building, San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City.

All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the proceeding may become a party by filing, at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements in the ERC’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, a verified petition with the Commission giving the docket number and title of the proceeding and stating: (1) the petitioner’s name and address; (2) the nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding, and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and (3) a statement of the relief desired.

All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the proceeding may file their opposition to the Application and or comment thereon at any stage of the proceeding before the Applicants conclude the presentation of their evidence. No particular form of opposition or comment is required, but the document, letter or writing should contain the name and address of such person and a concise statement of the opposition or comment and the grounds relied upon.

All such persons who wish to have a copy of the Application (with Prayer for the Immediate Issuance of a Provisional Authority) may request the Applicants, prior to the date of the initial hearing, that they be furnished a copy thereof. The Applicants are hereby directed to furnish all those making said request with copies of their Application and its attachments, subject to reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs.

Any such person may likewise examine the Application and other pertinent records filed with the Commission during standard office hours.

WITNESS, the Honorable Chairman JOSE VICENTE B. SALAZAR and the Honorable Commissioners ALFREDO J. NON, GLORIA VICTORIA C. YAP-TARUC, JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT, and GERONIMO D. STA. ANA, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 17th day of October 2016 in Pasig City.

ATTY. NATHAN J. MARASIGAN Chief of Staff Office of the Chairman and CEO 1

2

5

The rates under ASPA were subjected to a simulation with the following results:

Consistent with the AS-CRM, all the related and incidental expenses which NGCP will incur as a result of the procurement and operation of the ancillary services shall be recovered from all the load customers in the Luzon Grid.

a) b)

4

14.

Regulating Reserve Contingency Reserve Dispatchable Reserve

PRAYER WHEREFORE, premises considered, Applicants respectfully pray that the Honorable Commission to:

3

SNAP-BI respectfully submits that the proposed rates represent a reasonable recovery of the opportunity cost in making available generation capacity to provide the procured AS.

Indicative Rate Impact P/kW-month P/kWh 24.9009 0.1340 12.2620 0.0660 2.7928 0.0150

ALLEGATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

2

13.

Ancillary Services

A copy of the said rate impact simulation is attached as Annex “C.”

1

Applicable Rates (Maximum Hourly Rate) Php 3.00/kW/Hr Php 2.25/kW/Hr Php 1.25/kW/Hr Php 2.14/kW/Hr

Ancillary Service

Non-Firm:

Ancillary Service

Applicable Rates (Maximum Hourly Rate) Php 2.50/kW/Hr Php 1.50/kW/Hr

Ancillary Service

Firm:

Ancillary Service

Regulating Reserve Contingency Reserve Dispatchable reserve Black Start Capability

Contingency Reserve

A copy of the ASPA is attached as Annex “B.”

16.

Contingency Reserve

Non-firm

CONTRACTED CAPACITY RATES AND IMPACT SIMULATION 13.

Type of Ancillary Services Regulating Reserve

Type of Ancillary Services Regulating Reserve

Firm

HK DAD RUNS FROM OBESITY INTO RECORD BOOKS the next day signed up for a 250 kilometre (155 mile) six-day ultramarathon in the Gobi Desert.

“I’d never run five kilometres before, never mind a marathon. It sounded ludicrous, but I needed something that would scare me enough to make sure I didn’t get lazy or give up,” he adds.

A vet by day, he had a year to train, and started cycling before building up to running.

“Running was too tough when I was that out of shape.

It certainly wasn’t any kind of magic transformation, and I wasn’t naturally fit. But little by little I did get better,” he says.

To his astonishment he not only completed the ultramarathon, he enjoyed it and cast about for a fresh challenge, taking on triathlons, marathons and Iron Man competitions around the world.

Last year, he took on the World Marathon Challenge, running seven marathons on seven continents in seven days. While he lost part of his toes to frostbite running in Antarctica and suffered a fractured ankle racing in Africa, but went on to beat the 11 other competitors to win the overall title. AFP

NATURE OF THE CASE This Application is for the approval of the Ancillary Services Procurement Agreement (ASP A) between the NGCP and SNAP-MI, pursuant to the Decision dated 3 October 2007 in ERC Case No. 2006-049RC, entitled: “In the Matter of the Application for the Approval of Ancillary Services - Cost Recovery Mechanism (AS-CRM) of the Ancillary Services Procurement Plan, with Prayer for Provisional Authority. “ THE PARTIES

N

WEIGHING in at 120 kilogrammes (265 pounds), a smoker and drinker revelling in Hong Kong’s hedonistic expat scene, David Gething was heading for a heart attack by his 40th birthday.

He could so easily have ended up a health statistic, another casualty of the city’s excesses, he says. Instead he funnelled his energy into sport -- and ran right into the record books.

Aged 41, Gething with two children has two world marathon records under his belt and has just released a book about his racing adventures, Relentless. But it was a different story less than a decade ago.

“Being an expat opens a lot of doors, and you can get away with a party lifestyle you’d never imagine even existed back home,” he tells AFP. “But nothing comes without a price, and that lifestyle can certainly get you into trouble.”

Gething, now a lithe 67 kilos, pinpoints the moment his life changed, crediting his wife with sitting him down ahead of their first child’s birth and delivering some brutal, but necessary home truths.

He stopped smoking and

Applicants.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES:

AIROBI—“The dream becomes reality”, “Our son, our hope”: the headlines in the Kenyan press in 2008 captured pride and excitement after the election of Barack Obama.

Eight years later, enthusiasm for the outgoing president has faded on a continent that he is accused of forsaking.

The election of the first black president of the United States on November 4, 2008 sparked scenes of jubilation in Kenya, the homeland of Obama’s father. A public holiday was declared in honour of his victory.

There were widespread hopes that Obama would do much for Africa, but as he prepares to hand over to either Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump, he is accused of neglecting the continent.

“Africa had unrealistic expectations towards Obama given his origins,” said AlyKhan Satchu, a Kenyan economic analyst. “Especially during his first term, Obama was less involved in Africa” than his predecessor George W. Bush.

“People judged him very harshly during his first mandate because he didn’t do much for Africa,” said Liesl Louw Vaudran, an analyst at the Pretoria-based Institute for Security Studies think tank.

Obama was slow to engage in Africa, a continent far from the heart of US interests, preferring to make the Asia-Pacific region the centrepiece of his foreign and economic policy.

African frustration with

NATIONAL GRID CORPORATTION OF THE PHILIPPINES (NGCP) AND SN ABOITIZ POWERBENGUET INC. (SNAP-BI),

3 4 5

6

Republic Act No. 9136 entitled, “An Act Ordaining Reforms in the Electric Power Industry, Amending for the Purpose Certain Laws and for other Purposes”; An Act Granting the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines a Franchise To Engage in the Business of Conveying or Transmitting Electricity Through High Voltage Back-Bone System of Interconnected Transmission Lines, Substations and Related Facilities, and for other Purposes; Section 9 (c) and (d); Section 6.3.1.2; The proposed schedules are: 22MW RR firm capacity for 24 hours a day, and 7 days a week for the months of July to November; and 22MW RR firm capacity during peak hours for the month of December; 30MW CR firm capacity during peak hours of January to June (Mondays to Saturdays except holidays); and 60MW firm capacity during off-peak hours for the months of July to November; and 30MW CR firm capacity for December during off-peak; The actual testing of the Ambuklao HEPP for Black Start Capability is scheduled in September 2016.

(MS-OCT. 30/NOV. 6, 2016)

B4

World

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2016 mstdaydesk @gmail.com.ph

END OF ISIS TO TAKE MUCH LONGER: WASHINGTON WASHINGTON—After Iraqi security forces eventually recapture Mosul, the Islamic State group will be left with only Raqa in neighboring Syria as a bastion, and the jihadists’ self-proclaimed “caliphate” will be largely gone.

The US-led coalition has been striking IS across both countries for more than two years, and has long held Raqa in its sights -- an IS defeat there would be a defining endpoint of the campaign.

But Pentagon chief Ashton Carter surprised commanders last week when he declared the actual assault on Raqa could start “in the next few weeks,” after British Defense Minister Michael Fallon made a similar prediction.

Privately, many high-ranking Pentagon officials were caught offguard, and expressed skepticism the Raqa push could start so soon, given the Gordian knot of unpredictability in the chaos of Syria.

Carter’s timeline is “a little more ahead of what I have been hearing so far,” Wone US defense official told AFP on condition of anonymity, choosing his words carefully.

Another US defense official said the military’s expectations for Raqa—a city with a pre-war population of about 220,000—didn’t match Carter’s timeline. AFP

ROAD TO NOWHERE. Paul Green, President and Founder of Halcyon Gallery, stands in front of Bob Dylan’s painting “Endless Highway” during a preview of his artwork in London. Bob Dylan, music legend and Nobel laureate, is also a prolific painter whose works depicting the landscapes and culture of America are the focus of a major London exhibition. AFP

L

MAY TOLD TO ACT ON BREXIT RULING

ONDON -- Prime Minister Theresa May was urged Saturday to try to quell the furore sparked by a High Court ruling that she needs parliamentary approval before triggering Britain’s exit from the EU. Former ministers called on her to address the angry backlash after three senior judges upheld a challenge to her right to start the departure process without MPs having their say first.

May spent Friday trying to assure European leaders that Thursday’s verdict would not affect her timetable for triggering Article 50, the formal procedure for leaving the European Union.

But on the domestic front, members of her governing centre-right Conservative Party and pro-Brexit newspapers were raging about the ruling, fearing it

could derail the process.

Bob Neill, the chairman of parliament’s scrutiny committee on justice affairs, said the attacks were “threatening the independence of our judiciary,” as he urged May to intervene.

“Some of the things which have been said about the court’s judgement by politicians have been utterly disgraceful,” the Conservative told The Times newspaper.

May and her government “must now make clear that the independence of the judiciary is fundamental to our democracy.

You have to respect that even if you think they have got a decision wrong”, he said.

On Friday, May telephoned European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, European Council President Donald Tusk, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande.

She told them the government still intended to invoke Article 50 between the New Year and the end of March, and that she was confident of winning a Supreme Court appeal against Thursday’s ruling.

The High Court decision raises the prospect of a protracted parliamentary debate, although EU leaders have urged a swift departure.

In a sign of the likely parliamentary storms ahead, pro-Brexit Conservative lawmaker Stephen Phillips resigned as an MP on Fri-

ANGRY MOB WANTS SOKOR PREXY TO STEP DOWN SEOUL—Thousands of South Koreans took to the streets Saturday to demand embattled President Park Geun-Hye resign over a crippling corruption scandal.

Protesters chanted slogans and carried banners urging Park to step down, the day after she issued a grovelling televised apology over the influence-peddling affair which has shattered public trust in her leadership.

Some 40,000 demonstrators were expected to turn out at the rally in central Seoul, watched over by 20,000 police officers.

Police had banned protesters from marching through the streets, citing traffic congestion, but thousands were permitted to gather.

But authorities were braced for demonstrators trying to make their way towards the presidential Blue House.

In a highly personal televised address to the nation Friday, Park said the scandal involving her long-time confidante Choi SoonSil was “all my fault,” but denied reports linking her and Choi to a religious cult.

Park’s approval rating crashed to just five percent this week, the lowest-ever rating for a sitting South Korean president.

“I thinks she should step down as she has lost all her moral authority as president,” a 53-yearold, who gave only his family name Ahn, told AFP. A formal investigation is focused on allegations that Choi, 60, leveraged her close relationship with Park to coerce local firms into donating large sums to dubious non-profit foundations that she then used for personal gain.

Choi was formally arrested on Thursday on charges of fraud

and abuse of power, but public anger has largely focused on allegations that she meddled in affairs of state and had access to confidential documents, despite having no official position or security clearance.

The South Korean media has portrayed Choi, whose late father was a shadowy religious leader and an important mentor to Park, as a Rasputin-like figure who wielded an unhealthy influence over the president.

“What is really irritating is the fact that Choi was acting like a regent for Park, controlling her decision-making,” said a 20-yearold political science student Kim Do-Hyun at the rally.

In an effort to restore trust in her administration, Park has reshuffled ministers and senior advisers, bringing in figures from outside her ruling conservative Saenuri Party. AFP

IN BRIEF TURKISH COURT ARRESTS 9 JOURNOS

day, citing “irreconcilable policy differences with the current government”.

He said “quitter” was a label he could live with, but “Conservative no longer is”.

The resignation leaves May’s government with a slim working majority of 14 in the 650-member House of Commons.

The Daily Telegraph newspaper reported Saturday that ministers were openly discussing the possibility.

It quoted an unnamed government member as saying: “The problem we have got is we have a Brexit majority in the country and a Remain majority in parliament.

The pound -- which has tumbled to multi-year lows since the referendum -- soared against the dollar and euro, standing at $1.25 during afternoon trading in London on Friday. AFP

SCANDAL. Choi Soon-Sil, the woman at the heart of a lurid political scandal engulfing South Korea’s President Park Geun-Hye is escorted following her formal arrest, from the Central District Court in Seoul.

Embattled South Korean President Park Geun-Hye’s newly nominated prime minister warned she could face a probe, hours after prosecutors detained a former presidential aide. AFP

AN ISTANBUL court on Saturday remanded in custody ahead of trial nine staff from the opposition Cumhuriyet newspaper, in a case that had caused international concern, the Dogan news agency said.

The nine placed under arrest after their detention earlier this week include prominent names like the editor-in-chief Murat Sabuncu, cartoonist Musa Kart and columnist Kadri Gursel. They are charged with links to Kurdish militants and the group blamed for the July 15 coup bid. AFP

WIDODO CANCELS AUSTRALIA TRIP AFTER PROTESTS INDONESIAN President Joko Widodo has postponed a trip to Australia due to start Sunday after violence broke out at a mass rally against a Christian governor accused of insulting Islam, the government said.

Around 50,000 people marched in Jakarta on Friday to protest comments made by governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, with clashes erupting between police and demonstrators -- one of whom reportedly died of an asthma attack.

“Current development has required the President to stay in Indonesia,” a statement released on Saturday by the foreign ministry said.

Widodo visited Australia in 2014 for the G20 shortly after being elected as president, but this month’s trip would have marked his first official bilateral visit. AFP

KIDNAPPED ITALIANS, CANADIANS RELEASED IN LIBYA TWO Italians and a Canadian who were kidnapped in the south of conflict-torn Libya in September have been released and flown to Italy, the Italian government announced Saturday.

The Italians, Danilo Calonego and Bruno Cacace, and Canadian Frank Poccia were freed during the night “due to the effective cooperation with local Libyan authorities,” it said in a statement. AFP

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wo young ladies from the University of the Philippines-Visayas teamed up with two Malaysian engineers to convert water lilies clogging lakes and rivers into eco-friendly charcoal for cooking.

“Four million die every year because of in-house air pollution mainly due to firewood used for cooking. We found a cleaner solution which is smokeless ‘charcoal’ made of water hyacinth,” says Zherluck Shaen Rodriguez, the 22-year-old chief marketing officer of HiGi Energy Pte. Ltd. in Tarlac province.

Rodriguez describes HiGi as an Asean social startup that seeks to reduce the use of firewood and charcoal by converting agricultural wastes such as water hyacinth, rice hulls and coconut husk into smokeless biomass briquettes which can serve as a cleaner and cheaper alternative cooking energy in rural areas.

Rodriguez together with Hazel May Pajotagana, the 23-year-old chief financial officer of HiGi recently represented the Victoria, Tarlac-based startup in the Impact Hub Fellowship Program on Sustainable Energy Solutions.

HiGi is one of the three groups that won the six-month fellowship program and P800,000 in financial support from Impact Hub Manila, World Wide Fund for Nature, Peace and Equity Foundation and the Asian Development Bank. Other awardees are Solar Solutions and CleverHeat Thermal Technologies.

Rodriguez and Pajotagana teamed up with Jackie Yap and Leon Kee, two young Malaysian engineers to establish HiGi Energy and produce briquettes for lowincome communities under the brand ‘Uling Lily’. Yap, 24, serves as the company’s chief executive and Lee, 22, is the chief technology officer.

“HiGi refers to Hyacinth for Green Energy,” says Rodriguez.

Rodriguez, who obtained a Business Administration degree from UP Visayas in Iloilo in 2014, believes that aside from being a social enterprise, HiGi can also be a profitable business, as about 65 percent of households in the countryside still use firewood and charcoal in cooking.

“We are a nine-month-old startup based in Victoria, Tarlac where there is a lot of water hyacinth or water lilies,” she says.

Rodriguez, who was born in North Cotabato, says the concept about HiGi started after a flood hit Cotabato last year. The founders discovered that water hyacinth aggravated the flooding as it clogged the river and residents found it difficult to cook because there was no dry firewood.

“There were hundreds of families affected by flooding in Cotabato City. We found out they were using firewood and charcoal in cooking,” says Rodriguez.

The young founders asked: “Why not use water hyacinth for cooking?” Armed with a new idea to solve an age-old problem, the Filipino and Malaysian partners went on to form a company in Tarlac, which now has nine employees who chop, grind and turn water lilies into briquettes.

“Our echo-friendly briquettes are cheaper, burn longer and are actually smokeless,” says Rodriguez.

Pajotagan says HiGi will use the cash prize from the Impact Hub Fellowship Program on Sustainable Energy Solutions to scale up

Business

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2016 Ray S. Eñano, Editor / Roderick dela Cruz, Issue Editor business@thestandard.com.ph

MILLENNIALS TURN

WATER LILIES INTO CHARCOAL

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MILLENNIALS HiGi Energy Pte. Ltd. chief marketing officer Zherluck Shaen Rodriguez and chief finance officer Hazel May Pajotagana

business operations and acquire machineries to increase production and enable them to serve other areas that are infested by water hyacinth.

Rodriguez says while their initial focus is Tarlac, the company aims to expand to other areas such as Metro Manila and Laguna, where water lilies pose a problem.

“We are actually in market expansion and also product development stage. We are more now into finding more people to actually use the product,” says Rodriguez.

“We are expanding in Metro Manila within this year. We will be having a lot of barbecue parties to invite more people to showcase our products,” she says.

Rodriguez says HiGi is an example

that ‘millennials’ are concerned about the environment. “Millennials are doing new things to solve old problems,” she says.

Pajotagana agrees, saying millennials are driven to make a change. “We are proud to be millennials,” say the two young ladies.

“We are now seven months away from home. If we make an impact here, then we can go back home and be proud of what we actually did,” says Rodriguez.

Impact Hub Manila co-founder LizAn Kuster says 53 groups initially participated in the fellowship program on sustainable energy, a number that was trimmed down to three in the final stage of the competition.

“Why did we choose three” Because

we see in so many people and teams so much potential and we just didn’t want to limit ourselves to one,” says Kuster.

Apart from a substantial seed funding, the winning groups are given access to the collaborative co-working community of Impact Hub, facilitated introductions and connections to likeminded peers, investors and experts on energy and entrepreneurship as well as continuous training, mentoring and coaching over the course of six months.

“What is happening now is they will go through a six-month incubation phase where they get grants—more than P500,000 in cash each and they will receive more than P300,000 in work space and mentorship,” says Kuster. Roderick T. dela Cruz

Manny Pacquiao is the new Anta endorser.

PACQUIAO PICKED AS NEW ANTA ENDORSER NINE months after being dumped

by Nike for his alleged anti-gay remarks, eight-division boxing champion Manny Pacquiao was chosen as the new endorser of global sportswear brand Anta.

Anta Sports Products Limited announced in a statement that Pacquiao signed the endorsement deal in a ceremony at Wynn Las Vegas on Nov. 2.

Those who attended the signing ceremony, aside from Pacquiao, are Pacquiao’s manager Vegafria Arnold, Chinese boxing champion Zou Shiming and Anta officials led by chairman and chief executive Ding Shizhong, president James Zheng, senior brand and marketing director Major Zhu and sports marketing director Yang Chun.

Anta introduced “Fight On”themed Pacquiao series during the event.

The Chinese brand said after signing Chinese boxers Zou Shiming and Yang Lianhui, the endorsement deal with Pacquiao “not only helps improve the brand influence of Anta across the globe, but also helps strengthen the presence of Anta in the training and boxing market.”

“Manny Pacquiao is one of the world’s best professional boxing champions and Anta is one of the leading sportswear brands in China. The collaboration is a big news for both boxing, and the sports industry in general,” the company said.

Pacquiao began professional boxing at 16 and during his legendary 21-year career he has won world boxing titles in eight different weight categories.

Anta brand president Zheng Jie said: “Pacquiao is not only a great boxer, but he serves as a great role model for all sports enthusiasts. He is strict with his training routine and never gives up, which is in keeping with the brand spirit of Anta.

Furthermore, Anta and Pacquiao are determined to inspire all customers to continue to ‘Fight On’.”

Pacquiao said not only is Anta a leading brand in China, but it also has a strong global influence. “I have followed ANTA’s development in boxing, and got more details from Zou Shiming. Undoubtedly Anta is very professional in the research and development of boxing products as well as the promotion of boxing events. I am looking forward to advocating professional boxing with Anta around the world,” said Pacquiao, who now serves as a senator in the Philippines.

Anta hopes that the signing of Pacquiao will become the strong “engine” for growth for the brand’s training series and the enhancement of the functionality of its boxing products.

Business

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2016 business@thestandard.com.ph

FILIPINO STUDENT GETS INTO MIT LGO

DOMINIQUE Rustia became the first student from the Philippines to enroll in the prestigious Leaders for Global Operations or LGO Program of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Sloan School of Management in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

In the MIT LGO program, Rustia will earn both an MBA from MIT Sloan and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from MIT’s School of Engineering.

Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato dela Peña (right), together with Filipino Inventors Society Producers Cooperative president Francisco ‘Popoy’ Pagayon (center) and FISPC engineering committee head Arjay Munsayac

Dominique Rustia The MIT Sloan School of Management is where smart, independent leaders come together to solve problems, create new organizations and improve the world, according to a statement sent by Jennifer Grady, the media relations specialist at MIT Sloan School of Management.

Rustia previously earned a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering from De La Salle University in Manila. She graduated cum laude and at the top of her class with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from the same university in June 2012.

“With her technical prowess, natural curiosity, and humility, we are fortunate to have Rustia in MIT’s LGO Program, and to be able to attract talent of her caliber from around the world,” says Thomas Roemer, executive director of the MIT LGO Program.

“I came to MIT for its focus on action learning, which is reflected in the Institute’s mission of ‘mens et manus’ or ‘mind and hand.’ Students work on hands-on projects to solve real-world issues, applying what they learn in class,” says Rustia. “I also came here because of MIT’s entrepreneurial network, clubs, and labs that provide opportunities to learn from industry leaders and conduct cuttingedge research.”

Rustia is from Manila and previously worked for Mondelez International (formerly Kraft Foods Philippines) as part of its Graduate Trainee Program. Rustia also cofounded a recruitment startup called InternMe.

FILIPINO INVENTOR ENDORSES ELECTRIC CANON FIRECRACKERS

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Filipino inventor promotes the use of a canon-type electric firecracker on New Year’s Eve, amid the government’s plan to impose a ban on pyrotechnics nationwide.

Francisco ‘Popoy’ Pagayon, president and chief executive of Filipino Inventors Society Producers Cooperative, says the canon-type firecracker is an electric device that should replace traditional pyrotechnics which can be harmful and risky.

“With our canon-type electric firecrackers, you can bring the celebration of New Year’s Eve inside your home without any risk to health and property,” says Pagayon.

Pagayon says the invention, whose patent was filed with the Intellectual Property Office, is timely as President

Rodrigo Duterte plans to expand the firecracker ban from Davao City to other parts of the country. A ban on pyrotechnics has been enforced in Davao City since 2002.

“Our e-firecrackers do not emit toxic smoke and harmful chemicals to the atmosphere. You can celebrate the festive occasion safely by using e-firecrackers that produce similar sounds caused by pyrotechnics,” he says.

Arjay Munsayac, head of FISPC’s engineering committee, says the canon-type e-firecrackers provide the same thrill to celebrants, because the users need to light up the trigger before they can produce successive explosive sounds.

“This is our innovation, because the thrill of firing up a pyrotechnic is still there. The difference is that it is safe to spark e-firecrackers even inside your homes. It produces rapid explosive sounds, without causing an actual explosion. We use safe materials,” Munsayac says.

Munsayac says the canon-type efirecrackers consist of electronics that

load electricity to produce strong sounds, similar to the explosions caused by ‘piccolo’ firecrackers.

“With one-time payment, you can produce unlimited number of explosive sounds in many occasions. The good thing about it is that you can use efirecrackers every year during the New Year’s Eve celebration,” says Munsayac.

Last year, FISPC also displayed an electric firecracker developed by electronics engineer Jun Meneses.

Pagayon says FISPC continues to look for solutions to other problems prevailing in Philippine society. Elektro, a can-like electric firecracker, has an ignition tube, which when lit by fire, starts a sequence of firecracker sounds. “If you want to celebrate New Year’s Eve safely, you can try our Filipino inventions that provide real solutions,” he says.

The canon-type e-firecracker is produced by Oral Educational Distributor Media Affairs Inc. and showcased at FISPC Showroom and Business Center at Delta Building along Quezon Ave. corner West Ave.

in Quezon City.

Pagayon, who is credited for ‘Probaton’, a truncheon which has armed more than 150,000 policemen and village watchmen across the country, says the canon-type e-firecracker is one of the four innovations introduced by FISPC this year.

“Probaton can be used in antidrug campaign, while the canon-type e-firecracker is timely for the New Year’s Eve celebration,” he says.

Other innovations introduced by the cooperative are Probiotic for poultry and livestock; traffic cone overland emergency device, a multipurpose road safety and trouble aid for motor vehicles; and D&G Black Seed Soap, which is made from blackseed oil and powder.

“We have already filed applications for government patent for these innovations,” says Pagayon.

Pagayon says FISPC is open to other Filipino inventors and entrepreneurs who would like to promote their products and reach a bigger market. Roderick T. dela Cruz

JUDO CHAMPION NOW AYALA’S MEDICAL DIRECTOR A FORMER member of the Philippine national judo team now oversees the healthcare unit of Ayala Corp. which aims to build the largest network of medical clinics and drugstores in the country.

“We are committing 1,000 Generika drugstores and 100 FamilyDoc clinics by 2020,” says Dr. Michael Laurente Santos, the medical director of Ayala Healthcare Holdings Inc. Ayala Healthcare was established in June 2015 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ayala Corp., reviving the conglomerate’s healthcare business which began with Botica Zobel 180 years ago.

Santos, who obtained a bachelor’s degree in Sport Science from the University of the Philippines-Diliman in 2001 and a doctor’s degree in medicine from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila in 2009, was a national judo champion and MVP for judo during the 59th season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.

He trained for four months in Japan and could perform various disciplines such as Nage-no-kata, Kime-no-kata and Ju-no-kata.

Santos was also a track and field varsity player at UP and a member of the national powerlifting team. He was a national open powerlifting champion in the 67.5-kilogram weight division and national open bench press champion in the same weight division.

Santos is also an expert rescue scuba diver, skin dive instructor, surfer/skim boarder and mountaineer. He was also a TV production assistant, a live clips operator and event producer.

“That was a long time ago. I had a weird childhood,” he says.

From left: GE Healthcare Philippines government affairs and policy leader Martin Crisostomo, Ayala Healthcare Holdings Inc. medical director Michael Santos, Asian Development Bank health specialist Eduardo Banzon and GE Healthcare Philippines country manager Ivan Alexi Arota.

Santos still believes that fitness and lifestyle have important role in healthcare. “We always advocate, not only personally but with FamilyDoc as well, that before anything else, lifestyle change is the best form of management that we could get,” he says.

“If you exercise and you get to eat healthier, your body becomes better. Of course maintenance medicine is important. But if you don’t change as a person, medicine is not enough,” says Santos.

As the medical director of Ayala Healthcare, Santos is in charge of expanding the chain of FamilyDoc clinics and Generika drugstores. He says FamilyDoc is a three-in-one communitybased primary care clinic offering outpatient services, a diagnostic facility and a pharmacy under one roof.

“We opened the first two clinics in Las Piñas and Cavite last year. We now have six. Starting April next year, we will open 30 clinics. The target is to have 100 clinics by 2020,” he says.

Santos says from more than 600 outlets, the goal is to have 1,000 Generika drugstores by 2020, offering quality, yet affordable generic medicines.

He says a typical FamilyDoc Clinic is managed by two doctors, a pharmacist and three to four nurses, depending on the patient volume. The clinics have Xray and ultrasound equipment provided

by GE Healthcare.

“Our price points are very attractive for the broad C and D [income groups] It is more affordable,” he says.

Santos says more FamilyDoc clinics will rise outside the central business districts but “in the fringes of Metro Manila where employees live.”

“By early 2018, we will already be the

largest [chain of clinics],” he says, adding that Ayala Corp. is investing in the healthcare sector to meet the needs of the people.

“We feel that there is an unmet need.

The market is unable to deliver adequate service. There are a lot of things we can do in terms of consolidation and integration. Healthcare is actually a commodity,” he says.

Santos says while profit is a goal for any business, Ayala Healthcare focuses on making it sustainable first. “We are hoping to become profitable. But it has to be sustainable first. The business has to make sense. Our aim more than profit is sustainability,” he says.

Santos says Ayala Healthcare tapped GE Healthcare to avail of its quality and affordable medical equipment. “Our partnership with GE started out in the early stages of FamilyDoc. We were looking for quality and affordable equipment. They are a very good supplier.

Aside from that, they have been helping us with international best practice, education and a lot of things,” says Santos.

GE Healthcare Philippines country manager Ivan Alexi Arota says the multinational company is committed to providing affordable medical equipment to emerging markets such as the Philippines.

“Our company has committed $300 million to develop solutions geared towards emerging markets,” says Arota.

Arota says GE Healthcare introduced an affordable CT scan machine in the Philippines this year to help secondary hospitals meet the needs of patients.

He says these machines from India are about 40 percent cheaper than other brands. Roderick T. dela Cruz

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2016 reuelvidal@yahoo.com

RUGBY 7S CONCLUDE EXCITING SEASON

ATENEO’S CARLOS WON’T BE DENIED Eventual champion Bianca Carlos of Ateneo De Manila University prepares to receive a serve from opponent Sarah Joy Barredo during their Bingo Bonanza National Badminton Open women’s singles title match.

By Reuel Vidal

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ianca Carlos, star player of the Ateneo De Manila University women’s badminton team, will not be denied.

Carlos virtually toyed with defending champion Sarah Joy Barredo, 21-13, 21-11, to win the women’s singles title as well as the P100,000 top prize at the Bingo Bonanza National Badminton Open last month at SM Megamall.

She said winning the cash prize wasn’t as important as being rewarded for all her sacrifice and hard work.

“I think winning the Bingo Bonanza is not about the money but the blood, sweat and tears. All the hard work you did from training paid off. You sacrifice your free time to go out and relax and instead train more. I think the real beauty of victory is from the pain of not

giving up in anything,” said Carlos.

What was expected to be tightly contested title match turned into a lopsided rout as Carlos manhandled Barredo to follow up an equally one-sided, 21-15, 21-10, demolition of Malvinne Ann Alcala in the semifinals.

The victory more than made up for the disappointing finish by the Ateneo’s ladies badminton team in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines competition a few weeks ago.

Leading their best-of-three championship playoff 1-0 Ateneo lost two successive matches to yield the series to the University of the Philippines Lady Fighting Maroons.

Ros Pedrosa executes a forehand return against Clarence Filart in the men’s singles championship match of the Bingo Bonanza tournament.

In the second match of that title showdown Ateneo led 2-1and needed to win just one more game to annex the title. UP won backto-back games to win that match and extend the series where Ateneo eventually placed runner-up to their fellow Katipunan-based school for the second consecutive year.

Carlos won her singles and doubles matches in the UAAP tourney but UP relied on a deeper bench to prevail in the team competition.

After a disappointing turn at the UAAP nothing could stop a motivated Carlos in the Bingo Bonanza tournament.

“Competing in this tournament is a different experience compared to the UAAP. Even if we weren’t able to grab the gold, I believe our team gave the best fight against UP. I won in the Bingo Bonanza carrying not only my name but the whole team. So I did it for my team and coaches. I still have one more playing year in the UAAP. Hopefully we can get the championship next year,” said Carlos who admitted her desire to get back at the UP Lady Fighting Maroons.

Ateneo men’s varsity badminton player Clarence Filart almost made it a double celebration for their school but fell short as he bowed to Ros Pedrosa who tallied an emphatic 21-11, 21-14 victory to claim the men’s singles crown as well as the P100,000 prize in the annual tournament sponsored by Bingo Bonanza.

The Ateneo men’s badminton team, led

by Filart, likewise came tantalizingly close to a UAAP title but eventually placed second to champion National University.

In the Bingo Bonanza championship match Carlos controlled the match early and relied on her aggressive attacking style to keep Barredo on the defensive.

The former National Open champion alternated powerful smashes with deceptive drop shots to force Barredo to commit one error after another. Carlos posted a decisive victory in just 35 minutes.

Earlier, Carlos gained a measure of revenge after she smashed UP’s Alcala in the semifinals.

Carlos is a former National Open champion and many-time 19-under champion. She set the tone early with her power game and commanding court coverage to foil Alcala, 21-15, 21-10, and move into the gold medal match against the top-seeded Barredo.

BRENT LEADS YELLOW CAB WINNERS

By Peter Atencio LINDSAY Whaley, who helped the Grasshoppers of Brent International School win the title in her age category, was hailed as the MVP of the 17-under girls division of the Yellow Cab Football Cup last weekend at the Gatorade Blue Pitch at the Circuit in Makati City.

Over 500 children with a passion for the game of football saw action in the first ever Yellow Cab Football Cup, which began last October.

In 15-under boys action, Jeckster Galicia scored the winning goal of Gawad Kalinga in their 1-0 win over La Salle Greenhills in the finals.

Their coach Chester de Torres said the boys played well, and it was their good passing and com-

munication inside which helped them win.

Makati Football Club took the 13-under boys crown following a 3-0 victory over La Salle Greenhills, with Adri Caraig taking the MVP plum.

Joey Takuma emerged as MVP in the 11-under section after Makati FC outplayed Kaya Yellow, 3-1.

LSGH-Field of Hope won the 9-under side following a 3-1 victory over Makati FC, with Aaron Azurin taking the MVP award.

British School Manila White won over British School Manila-Blue, 3-1 in the 7-under boys action, with Alana Gil as the MVP. Whaley scored eight goals in matches that day to win the best striker and MVP honors in her division.

But the Grasshoppers of Brent International School faced Kaya

Black, Whaley unselfishly passed the ball to midfielder Carmen Castellanos, who scored the winning goal in the sixth minute.

The Grasshoppers eventually won the crown after the 1-0 result over Kaya Black in their finals encounter.

“It was really good. We had a lot of fun today,” said the 15-year-old Castellanos, an 11th grader who eventually bagged the best midfielder award.

Their coach Trinchy Garcia said the tournament proved to be a confidence booster for the girls, who are taking a break from their stint in the Interscholastic Association of Southeast Asian Schools, which sees them travelling to Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Singapore and other countries in the region for school-based tournaments during the season.

Children battle to control the football during a game in the first ever Yellow Cab Football Cup held at the Gatorade Blue Pitch at the Circuit in Makati City.

THE Alabang Eagles finished the 2016 JML 7s League undefeated, capping their season with a 21-0 beating of the Clark Jets, 21-0, to go back-to-back in the 2016 JML Rugby 7s League at the Southern Plains Rugby Complex in Calamba, Laguna.

The team proved to be a class above the rest, conceding only 36 points throughout the seven weeks of competition.

“It has been a great campaign for the Eagles, undefeated for the entire tournament. We will use this momentum leading into our next tournament in Cebu in November,” said Philippine Rugby Federation Union’s Jake Robrigado Letts.

The Albay Vulcans were able to seal a comfortable 17-5 win over the Manila Carabaos in the Shield Final. But it was the CBRE Mavericks that stole the show, beating their rival Alabang teams in the finals of the Plate, Bowl and Women’s divisions.

Philippine Under 18 Volcanoes Bryan Tan, Wiremu O’Regan-Brown and Ryan Santos all showed glimpses of class but it was Santos’ younger brother and Philippine Under 16 Volcano, Reed Santos, who shone, earning him the most valuable player award for the Bowl division. The Mavericks won the Bowl final over the Alabang Loros by a single conversion, 14-12.

The Plate final was also a very close encounter. The CBRE Mavericks beat the Alabang Ibons 10-7. The strength and power of Alabang Ibons and Philippine Volcano players Christopher Hettel and Timothy Kong wasn’t enough to counter the speed and agility of CBRE Mavericks and Philippine Volcanoes Alexander Aronson and Lito Ramirez.

With the final selections being made for the Ladies development tour to Bangkok in mid-November, the Women’s final was always going to fierce. This also finished very tightly, but yet again the CBRE Lady Mavericks edged out the Alabang Lady Eagles by a single try, winning 12-7. Lady Volcano, Sylvia Tudoc was the stand out player, earning herself the most valuable player award and ticket to Bangkok.

Timothy Kong of the Alabang Ibons (right) is about to fall down into the pitch after being tackled by a CBRE Mavericks defender. Raymond Braganza/PRFU

“It has been an exciting finish to a busy domestic competition, it is amazing to see more and more homegrown players embracing and excelling in the sport. We now look forward to the international season starting in December for our National U19s playing Korea, Singapore and UAE,” said Jovan Masalunga, Rugby Development Manager of the PRFU. The PRFU is the official governing body of Rugby in the Philippines. Over the last decade, the PRFU has continued to teach, grow and develop the sport of Rugby and its values throughout the country. The national side is more commonly known as the Philippine Volcanoes.

The PRFU hosts three domestic leagues each year for all versions of the game. Rugby can be played under three different variants.

Rugby 7s is played with only seven players per side for a total of 14 minutes per match. Each team plays three matches per day. This is a much faster version of the game which is played at the South East Asian Games, Asian Games and Olympic Games.

Rugby 15s is played with 15 players per side. This is a much more physical game that lasts 80 minutes.

Rugby 10s is played with 10 players per side. A match lasts 20 minutes in total which is also a full contact game.

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2016 Riera U. Mallari, Editor / Reuel Vidal, Issue Editor sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

PACMAN SEEKING TO LAND BIG PUNCH

By Robbie Pangilinan

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AS VEGAS—Manny Pacquiao, the only eightdivision world champion, and WBO welterweight champion Jessie Vargas easily made the 147-pound weight limit Saturday, with the former tipping the scales at 144.8 pounds and the latter at 146.5 pounds in front of a huge crowd at the Wynn Las Vegas – Encore Theatre.

Eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao waves to an adoring crowd during the weigh-in for his WBO title clash with reigning champion Jessie Vargas. Below, the protagonists are shown for the traditional staredown. AFP

Pacquiao and Vargas face each other on the ring at the Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Las Vegas, Nevada today for their 12-round World Boxing Organization welterweight title clash.

The Pambansang Kamao will try to regain the WBO welterweight crown and attempt a knock out to re-establish his reputation.

Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach has been training the fighting Senator of the Philippines to use his speed and excellent footwork to land the big punch.

“Manny closes the distance better than any fighter in the world in my opinion,” he noted. “When he is on his toes and uses his foot speed to close the distance so fast that his opponents don’t see what’s coming. That’s where he succeeds with his speed.”

Another of Pacman’s trainer, Buboy Fernandez, warned: “Pag nakipagsabayan (Vargas) ay may paglalagyan.”

Trainer Justine Fortune is confident that Pacquiao will “hurt Vargas like what he did with Margarito and the other Goliaths,” adding that Pacquiao is in 120% condition.

Vargas is also eyeing for a KO and taunted Pacquiao by saying that the famous Filipino boxer had lost his killer’s instinct.

“I will have to knock Pacquiao out,” the defending champion said.

Meanwhile, for the co-featured fights of WBO junior featherweight titleholder Nonito Donaire Jr. and his mandatory challenger Jessie Magdaleno also made the weight, 121.8 and 121.25 pounds, respectively, for their 12-round WBO junior featherweight title.

The 34-year-old Donaireis defending his title for the second time and Pacquiao knows that his fellow Filipino fighter will give his all for the title.

“When you hit Magdaleno, he will fight back. Magdaleno is a brave guy, he’s got balls and he will fight back. And that might be his downfall,” Pacman said, The Filipino Flash Donaire is confident that he going to dominate the fight in eight rounds or less.

PATRIOTISM THRU A MOUTHGUARD LAS VEGAS via YSA— Atop the boxing ring of the Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas on November 5, Manny Pacquiao will again represent his beloved country, the Philippines, where he is an elected senator.

From his Pinoy heart and mind, boxing gear, down to his mouthguard, Pacquiao shows off his being a Filipino. He will be sporting a red, white, and blue mouthguard with the seal of the Philippine Senate in the middle.

The mouthguard of the Fighting Senator of the Philippines was created by none other than mouthguard maker to the stars, Dr. Ed de la Vega, DDS, a well-known dentist in Los Angeles and Manny’s official photographer since 2008.

“We created a design for Manny with the help of artist Jun Aquino,” said dela Vega.

“Many fighters opt to put their names or their monikers on their mouthguards, but of course, the eight-division world champ doesn’t need to do this because everyone knows who he is. A simple design with a logo, that’s all he needs,” added the dentist. Robbie Pangilinan

Manny Pacquiao helping Dr. Ed de la Vega design his mouthpiece

ALL EYES ON DUKE, BETTEN BOHOL—Sam Betten and Dimity Lee Duke head a big field of over 600, including newcomers, elite performers and the pros as they slug it out in a test of strength and stamina in the Bellevue Resort 5i50 Triathlon firing off today (Sunday, Nov. 6) at the Bellevue Resort in Panglao Island here.

Although the Aussie tandem remains the triathletes to beat owing to their form, experience and skills, reversals are not being ruled out both in the men’s and women’s side of the centerpiece pro category of the 1.5k swim, 40k bike and 10k run event as well as in the elite and age group competitions.

Top Filipina triathlete Monica Torres, a consistent top finisher, has begged off due to personal reasons but Rebecca Ohlwein, Betten’s girlfriend who has been competing since 2012, is in the fold, ready to challenge Duke along with Amelia Watkinson and Michelle Duffield.

“Looks like it’s gonna be a hard one tomorrow (today). There’s a couple of new girls here, they haven’t raced here before and hopefully I can cash in on my advantage. But they’re quality athletes,” said Duke of her chief rivals, particularly Watkinson.

Members of Smart Tri Team check their bikes upon registration for the Belleveu 5150 Triathlon.

“She (Watkinson) comes in red-hot. She won the Subic 5150 a couple of months ago. I’ll just keep an eye on her. But anything can happen. I have to give it my best and let’s see what happens,” added Duke, the 2016 Bangsaen Triathlon Thailand champion, who also finished third in the Century Tuna Ironman 70.3 in Subic early this year.

The Bellevue Resort 5150 will fire off at 6:28 a.m. on Nov. 6 with Wave 1 composed of the pros and Filipino elite while the male age group 15-39 will start at 6:30 a.m.

The male age group 15-39 will flag off at 6:35 a.m. while the female age groups and relay teams will start at 6:40 a.m.

Cut-off time for the swim stage is at 7:40 a.m. while the bike and finish line cut-offs are set at 10:10 a.m. and 12:10 p.m., respectively.

Spicing up the event is the Sunrise Sprint race, a 750m swim, a 20k bike and a 5k run event for beginners and for those who has been off the circuit and out to make a comeback. The 102-athlete field will start at 8 a.m. for the male division and 8:05 a.m. for the female side.

“While we acknowledge that triathletes look to compete in the Ironman series, we also realize that one needs to start somewhere and the Sunrise Sprint race does exactly that,” said Fred Uytengsu, founder of the organizing Sunrise Events Inc. “The distance is still challenging for the novice triathlete and we hope to encourage many athletes to start with this (distance).”

The Bellevue 5i50 also caps SEI’s triathlon calendar for the year that included the Xterra Albay, Century Tuna Ironman 70.3 and the Alaska Ironkids in Subic. For details, visit www. bellevue.5150philippines.com.

SEI and Bellevue Resort, a world-class resort on the coastline of Panglao Island in Bohol, have lined up a challenging course with the swim stage to start in the shores of Bellevue Hotel. The bike and run legs will be relatively flat but also feature narrow roads and hilly areas.

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LGUs

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2016 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

22ND PANAGBENGA FESTIVAL TO BE LAUNCHEDNOVEMBER 14

Local Gov’t Units

KOREA’S PRODUCTS ON DISPLAY AT SHANGRI-LA

By Dexter A. See

B

aguio City— The Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Inc. (BFFFI) will be launching various private sector-led and government-supported activities for the 22nd staging of the month-long Panagbenga on Nov. 14, 2016, during the regular flagraising ceremony at the city hall grounds.

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LIGHT IT UP. (From left) Bb. Pilipinas 1st Runner-Up Angelica Alita, Bb. Pilipinas 2nd Runner-Up Jehza Mae

Juelar, television and movie celebrity Vice Ganda, Ms. Universe Philippines Maxine Medina, BPCI Chairperson Stella Marquez Araneta, Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental Jennifer Hammond and Bb. Pilipinas Globe Nichole Manalo grace the lighting of the giant Christmas Tree at the Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City recently.

Sonny Espiritu

Anthony de Leon, general manager of the Baguio Country Club and co-chairman of the Panagbenga Executive Committee, said the launching of the city’s premier crowd-drawing event will help promote the flower festival as a must-see event among foreign and local tourists come February and early March next year.

The traditional events for next year’s flower festival include the grand opening parade on February 1, the market encounter that will run for the whole duration of the festival, the grand street dancing parade, the grand float parade, the week-long Session Road in Bloom and the grand closing ceremony and fireworks display.

The BFFFI official claimed organizers are inclined to invite diplomats from various countries to help promote the annual flower festival in their respective countries and to attract more foreign visitors.

He added that the grand opening parade, the grand street dancing parade and the grand float parade as well as the closing ceremony and fireworks display will all be held at the Melvin Jones grandstand instead of the Baguio Athletic Bowl.

By inviting diplomats to attend the main events of the flower festival, he said it will provide an opportunity for the festival to be given sufficient international exposure that will translate to more foreign visitors to the city.

Organizers will continue to introduce the needed innovations to the major events to help attract more people from different parts of the world to watch the activities lined up for the month-long festival.

The flower festival was named Panagbenga, a Kankana-ey term for the blossoming of flowers, because the festival is held right in time for the blossoming of flowers being produced by local flower growers in the nearby towns of La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba and Tublay.

Organizers are spending close to P12 million annually to bankroll the various activities lined up for the festival with P4 million to be spent by the local government for the prizes of the winners in the different contests of the festival.

Korean Ambassador Kim Jae Shin (5th from left) leads the ribbon-cutting ceremony of ‘K-Ribbon Selection’ exhibit last Nov. 2, 2016.

THE Shangri-La Mall Plaza Grand Atrium in Mandaluyong City hosted the launching of the “KRibbon Selection” Exhibit last November 2.

The exhibit was organized

by Korea's Ministry of Culture.

Sports and Tourism, the Korean Embassy and the Korean Cultural Cente to increase Korea's brand and cultural awareness among Filipinos.

The products displayed at “KRibbon Selection” are brands recognized by the Korean government for its premium quality.

The K-Ribbon Selection is also the Korean government’s flagship project to showcase the excellent cultural products that carry the cultural value of Korea.

Gracing the opening of the exhibit is Korean Ambassador Kim Jae Shin together with Lee ChilYong, Korean Royal Craft Culture Association chairman; Mina Gabor, chairperson of the Philippine Small & Medium Business Development Foundation, Inc. (Philsmed); and Marline Mualan, Marketing Division manager of Shangri-La Plaza Mall.

In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Kim said he hopes that more Filipinos will take an interest in Korean culture and products through this exhibit. He also noted that the K-Ribbon selection exhibit is a good opportunity to showcase the premium Korean products and generate sales for Korean businesses here in the country.

Gabor, on the other hand, expressed her willingness to partner with Korean businesses here in the Philippines. Gabor expects that through this exhibit Korean and Philippine businesses will have joint business ventures in the future.

Various Korean cultural products including cultural contents, (animation and comic characters), hanbok (Korean traditional clothes), Korean Fashion, Korean traditional handicrafts, and Korean cuisine

SAN PEDRO CITY RECEIVES DILG SEAL

By Roy Tomandao FOR the fourth time, the City of San Pedro in Laguna received the annual citation given by the Department of the Interior and Local Government to local government units for good governance standards.

As a municipality, then under the leadership of former Mayor Calixto R. Cataquiz, San Pedro was awarded the 2013 Seal of Good Housekeeping by then DILG Secretary Jessie Robredo. The award was renamed Seal of Good Governance and was awarded to San Pedro by then Secretary Mar Roxas in 2014.

In 2015, San Pedro City Mayor Lourdes S. Cataquiz received the Seal for San Pedro as a high-performing city, also from Secretary Roxas.

Last October 27, 2016, Secretary Ismael Sueno handed the Seal to Mayor Lourdes S. Cataquiz during an awarding ceremony held at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel in Pasay City.

The Seal is conferred to cities and municipalities which have measured up to performance standards on financial administration, social protection, disaster preparedness, business friendliness and competitiveness, peace and order, and environmental management.

In exhorting the winning LGUs to sustain its high performance, Secretary Sueno said: “If you have received the award, do not relax, do not be complacent, do more, do not stop.

Instead, engage more. Interact with the public and other sectors and listen to their concerns, find ways to improve services. Level

up to make this nation great again. The password today is change. Make change happen.”

Keynote speaker Senator Loren Legarda encouraged the awardees to continue implementing the laws that are passed by the Senate, saying “no matter how useful the laws that we enact, if we do not implement it effectively, it is just ink on paper.” She reiterated that the LGUs are responsible for implementing the policies and programs under those laws.

During the event, Secretary Sueno and Undersecretary Austere Panadero urged the LGUs to support genuine local autonomy through federalism, which is part of President Rodrigo Duterte’s program of governance.

Senator Sonny Angara and Secretary Sueno presented the Seal to the recipients.

San Pedro City Mayor Lourdes Baby Cataquiz

Turn to D2

LGUs

D2

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2016 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

MARKET EXPANDS FOR CORDILLERA HEIRLOOM RICE BAGUIO CITY—Consumers, buyers and farmers alike contribute in expanding the market of one of Cordilleran’s pride—the traditional or heirloom rice.

As healthy foods become preferred dietary options worldwide and as people become more health-conscious, the market for such organic products continues to broaden. According to International Rice Research Institute’s Dr. Bob Zeigler, “consumers are even ready to pay extra money for highquality foods that are rich in specialized nutrients.”

Based on the baseline nutrition analysis of selected heirloom rice varieties done in 2014 at IRRI, heirloom rice is rich in iron, sodium, calcium, niacin, potassium, niacin, folic acid, proteins, carbohydrates, and antioxidants, which are being sought after by health practitioners.

According to heirloom rice farmers, the demand for heirloom rice is growing, resulting in shortage of supply.

Rowena Sawil, an heirloom rice farmer from Kalinga, said that there are times that they cannot meet the demand of buyers due to lack of supply. On the other hand, the situation may also mean the sprouting of opportunities for other farmers.

Sonia Pengosro of Benguet Heirloom Rice Terraces Farmers Agriculture Cooperative said that the return to the traditional practice of planting heirloom rice will contribute to the preservation of culture and tradition. It also helps in the rejuvenation of the environment.

The Department of Agriculture Cordillera, IRRI and PhilRice and the farmers are currently working together to conduct studies regarding the nutritional value, genetic diversity, grain quality and development process toward Geographical Indication (GI) Registration of the different varieties of heirloom rice.

“The GI registration will command a 100 percent increase in the value of heirloom rice in the Cordillera due to its ethnodiversity. It is also a way of promoting traceability of the product; the farmers and locale,” said Dr. Digna Manzanilla, co-project leader of the Heirloom Rice Project.

Meantime, the DA continues to promote heirloom rice in the local and international markets.

“Maraming salamat at naisali itong heirloom rice sa HVCDP. Dito marecognize uli in the whole world ang heirloom rice ng Cordillera,” said Wasig Sacla, an organic farmer, as he and his fellow organic farmers thanked the DA-CAR, IRRI, PhilRice and DA Secretary Emmanuel Piñol for their unceasing efforts to promote and preserve the region’s heirloom rice.

During the Regional Heirloom Rice Market Encounter and Organic Agricultural Investment Forum cum Exhibit led by the Agri-business and Market Assistance Division of DA last October 26 and 27, organic farmers, heirloom rice farmers, buyers, local officials, and heirloom rice key spokespersons from DA-CAR, IRRI, PhilRice addressed the issues regarding the conservation, preservation and market of the region’s heirloom rice for its sustainable development.

Dexter A. See

Red Cross volunteers deliver the much-needed relief goods, first aid kits and basic needs like clothing and blankets to the victims of Typhoon ‘Ferdie’ in Batanes.

BATANES: A JOURNEY WORTH SAILING

R

eaching out to our Filipino brothers in Batanes is a long and challenging journey. But no amount of distance and hardship can sway Philippine Red Cross from providing relief and assistance to the most vulnerable and extending much-needed help to those who were recently at the receiving end of the trail of destruction wrought by Typhoon “Ferdie.”

When the PRC first traveled and destroyed homes greeted to Batanes on October 12, the assessment teams to which devastation, displaced families, PRC responded by providing

KOREA’S ...

From D1

are on display at the exhibit. Visitors also got a chance to experience Virtual Reality (VR) presentations and computer-generated hanbok photo experience.

Alongside with the K-Ribbon Selection, a ‘Royal Heritage Craft Exhibition’ is also held at the same venue. Visitors can see various Korean traditional handicrafts such as tableware, wood products, porcelain tea and stationery

sets displayed at the area.

Also, a ‘K-Food Open Kitchen’ is available from November 5 to 6. Several traditional Korean food products are on display in the area. Visitors can also taste and enjoy Korean food such as bulgogi, samgyetang and kimchi.

The exhibit is open until November 8 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the ShangriLa Mall Grand Atrium. Admission is free.

For more information, contact Korean Cultural Center at 555-1711 or info@koreanculture.ph.

CHRISTMAS AVENUE. Christmas is in the air as colorful Christmas lights and decors adorn Ayala Avenue in Makati. Sonny Espiritu

immediate assistance such as psychosocial support and hygiene promotion to those whose lives were tragically altered by the typhoon. To further strengthen their communities, build resilience and prepare them for future disasters, PRC also began its recruitment for Red Cross 143 volunteers in order to establish a much-needed chapter in the province.

Later on, Red Cross sailed aboard the Philippine navy ship to Itbayat

and Basco on October 26, bringing with them supplies and support needed for the victims of Typhoon “Ferdie.” The Red Cross volunteers saw the impact first-hand and made the necessary efforts to help and rebuild their lives.

Finally on October 29, relief supplies were distributed to 6,030 individuals who were provided with plastic mats, blankets, mosquito nets, tarpaulins and hygiene kits.

Indeed, it was a journey worth sailing.

AMADEO CAVITE MAYOR HOLDS FIRST SOMA AMADEO Cavite Mayor Albert A. Ambagan Sr. held his first “State Of Municipal Address” which focuses on health, education, infrastructure, implementation of peace and order, agriculture, and tourism development, among others.

The SOMA was held recently at the Municipal Covered Court of Amadeo, Cavite where the mayor informed his constituents that his three years of service will have for its main thrust the top 10 priority projects for the year 2016 to 2019.

The municipality of Amadeo, which was named after King Amaedo of Spain, is a fourth class municipality in the province of Cavite with a population of 37,649, according to the 2015 census.

Known as the “Coffee Capital of the Philippines,” Amadeo is famous for its Pahimis Festival, which showcases the town’s coffee industry. The festival is usually held on the last weekend of February while its town fiesta is held on the last Sunday of April.

Amadeo is politically subdivided into 26 barangays (12 urban, 14 rural) composed of the following; Banaybanay; Buho; Bucal; Dagatan; Halang; Loma;’ Maitim I; Maymangga; Minantok Kanluran; Minantok Silangan; Pangil; Barangay I (Poblacion); Barangay II (Poblacion); Barangay III (Poblacion); Barangay IV (Poblacion); Barangay V (Poblacion); Barangay VI (Poblacion); Barangay VII (Poblacion); Barangay VIII (Poblacion); Barangay IX (Poblacion); Barangay X (Poblacion); Barangay XI (Poblacion); Barangay XII (Poblacion); Salaban;

Talon and Tamacan.

Ambagan said that included in his top 10 projects for the town are the establishment of a safe and environmentfriendly Material Recovery Facility (MRF); the completion and renovation of farm to market roads, the construction of organic farming agricultural training center, the onstruction of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Training Center; configuration and development of Municipal Public Market, the development of a multipurposed hall and training centers, the renovation of rural health center, the municipal police station and additional police vehicles and the introduction of agro-tourism and development of the public cemetery.

Mayor Ambagan said he also plans to preserve a green environment for the town to mitigate the impact of climate change as well as to empower women’s rights, quality education for both in and out-of-school youths. He added that to this end, the mayor’s offfice is working with officials of the Cavite State University for the establishment of the Amadeo Satellite Campus.

As the country’s coffee capital, Ambagan said Amadeo needs to fast-track the development of its coffee production through modern plantation in coordination with the National Coffee Board.

The mayor also emphasized the need to keep peace and order in the town’s barangays, as he vowed to install CCTV cameras to prevent the commission of crimes and also identify the perpetrators. Benjamin Chavez

Gadgets & Games

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2016 rumallari@thestandard.com.ph

INTELENET TO OPEN MORE JOBS

By Randy Caluag

In this November 1, 2016 photo illustration a person points to the new Instagram app on a smartphone. AFP

I

INSTAGRAM GETTING INTO SHOPPING nstagram on Tuesday said it will start testing features that let smartphone or tablet users easily buy items they find on the popular photo and video sharing service.

The test slated to begin next week in the US will be tailored for Instagram applications on Apple mobile devices, according to a blog post by the Facebook-owned service.

The move will build on a strategy by the world’s leading online social network to connect shoppers and shops, earning revenue from purchases.

“Mobile has changed the way people shop,” Instagram said in the blog post “We’re excited to announce an easier experience to shop the products you love on Instagram.”

Instagram cited industry statistics indicating that smartphone purchases are commonly used in the US to browse or research options regarding potential purchases.

Twenty US retailers including Kate Spade and JackThreads will take part in the Instagram ecommerce test, sharing posts that provide more information along with “Shop Now” icons for streamlined purchasing, according to the blog post.

“This test is going to change the scope of what we, as retailers, are capable of offering on mobile,” JackThreads chief marketing officer Ryan McIntyre said in the post.

“Our customers will be able to shop seamlessly from their social media feeds -- allowing us to reach guys where they’re already hunting for what’s new.”

Rival firm Pinterest last year dove into ecommerce with “pins” that let people buy items they like at the popular online bulletin board.

Pinterest became a hit, particularly among women, by giving people virtual bulletin boards that they can decorate with pictures showcasing interests in anything from food to sports, to fashion or travel.

Meanwhile, Facebook delivered another blockbuster earnings performance, showing solid growth in mobile ad revenues as the social network expands into new services.

While Facebook topped Wall Street expectations in the quarter, shares dove more than eight percent to $116.54 after an earnings call during which executives warned that revenue growth should be more tempered next year and that the company planned to invest heavily in engineers and data-centers for long-term goals.

“People were expecting them to hit it out of the park, and it is hard to sustain that,” Silicon

Valley analyst Rob Enderle of Enderle Group said of the market reaction to what appeared to be a stellar earnings report.

Profit leapt 166 percent to $2.4 billion on revenue that surged to $7 billion from $4.5 billion during the same period a year earlier, third quarter results showed.

“We had another good quarter,” Facebook cofounder and chief executive Mark Zuckerberg said in the earnings release.

“We’re making progress putting video first across our apps and executing our 10 year technology roadmap.”

Eye on the future

Zuckerberg has laid out a long-term vision for Facebook that includes virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and even providing internet service to remote areas using self-flying drones.

Facebook’s third quarter earnings results “displayed strong top-line momentum and improved profitability,” Baird Equity Research said in a note to investors.

The social network had an average of 1.79 billion monthly users as of the end of September in a 16 percent jump from a year earlier, according to the earnings report.

The number of people accessing Facebook from mobile devices monthly climbed 20 percent to 1.66 million. AFP

BROTHER: FOR WORKFLOW EFFICIENCY BROTHER International Philippines, Corp. or Brother PH recently launched the new ADS2400N Desktop Scanner with Gigabit Ethernet Networking as a remarkable addition to its stateof-the-art line of document scanners.

Innovative Features

The Brother ADS-2400N offers true network scanning, without having to log on to a central PC or install software at multiple location points. The ADS-2400N supports TWAIN and ISIS drivers for software integration and image processing, and incorporates Hi-Speed USB 2.0 for super fast processing. The desktop scanner model scans to email, File, Image, Network, OCR (optical character recognition) software, SharePoint®, USB Host and FTP (file transfer protocol) or SFTP (secure file transfer protocol).

Built for professional business usage, Brother ADS-2400N boasts of scan speeds of up to 60ipm (30ppm) and a large 50 sheet capacity document feeder capable of scanning 27 to 413gsm paper weights. Moreover, the ADS-2400N uses a wider output tray to neatly capture paper fed through the automatic document feeder. Paper trays are angled to encounter less paper resistance so paper can glide easily and stack smoothly, reducing paper folds.

The new desktop scanner model also has Multifeed Detection that uses sound waves to identify potential misfeeds. The paper pathway is automatically suspended and the user alerted if an irregular signal is detected. The Advanced Reverse Roller system, meanwhile, manages incoming bulk paper jobs so only one sheet is processed at a time, for outstanding reliability when scanning a variety of document types and weights.

Outstanding Benefits

The Brother ADS-2400N offers true network scanning, without having to log on to a central PC or install software at multiple location points

INTELENET Global Ser vices, a leading business process service provider backed by Blackstone, launched its newest facility in the Philippines to consolidate its presence and support its growth in the region.

The new facility is expected to double its employee count as thousands of job requirements are expected to be generated by its latest branch in Taguig City.

The facility will provide a worldclass platform to the growing Intelenet Global Services team, replete with state-of-the-art technology, next generation business process solutions and global best practices to draw from.

The expansion will enable Intelenet Global Services to increase its seating capacity by 100% from the existing capacity.

The new facility will further serve to amplify Intelenet’s service delivery across geographies and will continue to offer critical services & processes in the BPM cycle to all its clients across the BFSI, Travel & Hospitality, Healthcare, Retail & Manufac turing verticals. “ The Philippines is fast becoming a big investment hub a n d o u r n e w f ac i l i t y h e re i n Manila will serve to contribute to the rising domestic as well as global demand, from the IT & BPS industry” said Susir Kumar, Executive Chairman of Intelenet Global Services.

Enjoy Brother ADS-2400Nnetwork scanner that is fast becoming a category favorite especially for mid to large-sized offices. Reasonably priced at SRP of Php24,990, its true network capability allows offices to enjoy improved workflow efficiency with scanned business critical information shared across teams and departments with minimum user involvement.

Achieve high productivity with its fast scan speeds and outstanding reliability even when scanning a variety of document types and weights. Last but not the least, be cost efficient with early detection of misfeeds, which reduces the risk of damaged documents and lost data.

Other desired features also include its OCR and mobile scanning capability, and inclusion of industry leading software.

Increased Scanning Options

The Brother ADS-2400N network scanner is a valuable addition to Brother’s scanner portfolio which also includes the DS-620 mobile scanner for field personnel, or employees who work remotely or are always on the go.

The mobile scanner is bundled too with powerful software to become the perfect solution for document management and improved workflow. Powered simply by USB from your laptop, scan all types of documents to various destinations, available to view on one’s mobile device, whenever and wherever.

(From Left) Prabhu Srinivasan , Intelenet Chief Strategy Officer, Intelenet Executive Chairman Susir Kumar and Country Head Bireswar Singh stresses some points during the media briefing.

“Our new facility will play a key role in helping Intelenet achieve its larger goal of delivering exceptional value added services to clients across geographies under our new TAP ( Technology, Analytics, and Process Excellence) framework.

With an established presence across several geographies, we look forward to expanding our global delivery footprint utilizing the talented workforce that Philippines has to offer.

This would act as a major catalyst for growth and employment in the competitive and ever expanding global business process services market.”

Intelenet entered Philippines in 2008 and is one of the leading firms, committed to delivering the best in class service to all its clients through its innovative capabilities, TAP framework and NextGen Tools.

It has grown at a CAGR of 47% over the past 7 years. This expansion marks Philippines as a favorable market for business process management services.

Intelenet® is playing a pioneering role towards driving this growth by investing in the talented youth of the country.

Backed by Blackstone (A leading global private equity player), Intelenet Global Services is currently on a high growth trajectory and is looking at expanding globally with the aim being to become a world class BPM provider worldwide.

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2016 Riera U. Mallari, Editor rumallari@thestandard.com.ph

Gadgets & Games

GO AHEAD, DIP YOUR DEVICE INTO THE WATER E

By Paul Duran EVER tried making a wish every time 11:11 strikes? Well, no need for those sanguine moments as Lazada will grant everyone’s wishes during its fifth month-long Online Revolution, which starts 11.11.

And the significance of this 11.11? P11 peso deals on top of amazing flash sales and exclusive bundles that will surely spice-up anyone’s Christmas shopping list.

The biggest online shopping event in Southeast Asia will kick off on Nov. 11, 2016 and will run through a month ending with a bang on December 12, which will see more than 12,500 local and international brands as well as 8,000 merchants participating, certainly living up to this year’s theme“Brands for All.” Lazada will offer everything customers love, and the P11 peso deals will feature some of the site’s top sellers such as a Virtual Reality Box, LED light bulb rotating lamp and a Genius gaming mouse among many others, are up for grabs.

Limited-time flash deals are also on hand for a 32’ Slim LED TV for P5,499, a Fujidenzo 20L microwave oven for P1,999, a Star Mobile 4.5’ smart phone for P999, an HP desk jet printer for P888, and a L’Oreal lip and cheek palette set for P399 are only some of the many highlights during this mega shopping day. Perfect value indeed for all the Christmas gift-seekers out there.

And with the exponential growth of the e-commerce giant since launching the Online Revolution in 2012, expect a bigger, meatier and merrier sale.

“Since 2012, Online Revolution has become the biggest shopping event in Southeast Asia, where consumers can find amazing deals from the mot popular brands conveniently from their smartphones or laptops,”said Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder Inanc Balci during Lazada’s press launch at Ascott Hotel in BGC. “The reason we do Online revolution is not to increase the revenues of Lazada, we have a more holistic more longterm vision for the Philippines. We want to increase the e-commerce penetration in the country. We want more people to shop online here and in Southeast Asia,” added Balci, who says e-trade helps the country “flex” all of its economic muscles.

VER wanted to take your Apple device to the outdoors but can’t, lest you risk it being broken? Or to the beach, but didn’t want to be bothered by plastic pouches or bulky dry bags? With award-winning cases from global brand Catalyst now available at Power Mac Center, you can take all the adventures you want without worrying about your precious devices.

Catalyst is a lifestyle accessories brand that creates products that enable people to explore and share their world. It was founded by climbing partners Josh Wright and June Lai, who designed and developed their own protective cases after seeing that these were not available in the market then.

The brand launched on crowdfunding platform Kickstarter in 2011 and has since introduced the highest performance line of everyday cases, accessories, and sleeves featuring their own proprietary technology. It recently launched in the Philippines at Power Mac Center Power Plant Mall in Makati City.

Catalyst has a wide range of products including waterproof, dirtproof, shockproof, and drop-proof cases for the iPhone 6S/6S Plus/SE, iPad Mini 4, and iPad Pro 9.7”. These cases are made of premium quality materials including impact resistant polycarbonate, a soft-touch rubber bumper, silicone seals, and air- and water-tight acoustic membranes.

They feature a transparent front and back, perfect for showing off the device’s sleek design.

Every unit is also 100 percent tested IP-68 waterproof to 16.4ft (5m) and designed to meet or exceed military norms for impacts or drops up to 6.6ft (2m). This makes it versatile enough to bring to any kind of adventure—be it snorkeling, mountain climbing, or even just everyday exposure to the elements.

YOUR WISH IS LAZADA’S COMMAND

Also featured in the Power Mac Center launch is the first and only waterproof case for the Apple Watch.

It features Catalyst-patented technology including a double-sealing waterproof system, true sound acoustic membranes, signature rotating digital crown, tactical side button, and an innovative silicone sealing wrap. Now you can take your Apple Watch wherever you go —impromptu swimming adventures included.

Completing the lineup is the Catalyst floating lanyard that keeps the encased device afloat, thereby protecting it from getting lost in the bottom of the ocean. The lanyard comfortably fits any wrist size and has a bright orange color and reflective logo and strap that make it highly visible in open water.

“We are thrilled to welcome Catalyst to the Power Mac Center family and to finally be able to share these innovative products to the Filipino market. What we love about Catalyst is that it supports the adventurer in all of us. It pushes boundaries and lets us explore and just enjoy,” said Power Mac Center Marketing Director Joey Alvarez.

Catalyst products are now available in select Power Mac Center stores. More information may be obtained from the Power Mac Center website <www.powermaccenter.com> or Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts (@PowerMacCenter).

Andrew Lee, Business Development Manager of Catalyst, demonstrates how easy it is to put and remove the iPhone in the waterproof and drop-proof Catalyst case. A brave soul (right) willingly let his iPhone participate in the water test during the launch of Catalyst at Power Mac Center Power Plant Mall recently.

HAIER SOARS WITH ‘SPACE REFRIGERATOR’ GLOBAL technology leader Haier takes another giant leap for mankind by joining the Shenzhou XI launch this October.

This is the company’s fourth time to join a space mission as part of research and development into aeronautic technology for commercial refrigerator applications.

“We are proud to be the only home appliance brand so far to ever reach space,” said Yutaka Itamochi, President and CEO of Haier Philippines. “Our company has gone a long way in terms of quality and innovation, and our technology is now making history thanks to space missions like Shenzhou XI.” Shenzhou XI is a two-manned mission that is scheduled to dock at Tiangong 2 space laboratory where astronauts will spend about a month to test systems and perform experiments.

Appliance giant takes to outer space aboard Shenzhou XI mission The mission is part of China’s efforts to establish a permanent manned space launch in June 2012 with Shenzhou IX pliances. For more information, visit the station by 2022. Tiangong 2 was only where it was used to preserve medical website <http://www.haier.com/ph/> reagents. or connect on Facebook <http://www. launched in September this year.

As a global leader in home appli- facebook.com/Haier.Philippines>. ance products and services, Haier HR-70H About Haier Group Since 2006, Haier has been involved puts importance on innovating and Since its founding in 1984, the in the development of spaceflight tech- creating first-class products that go Haier Group has remained committed nologies including refrigeration and beyond customer expectations. Haier to creating and innovating first-class is about inspiring Filipino families to products that go beyond customer remote monitoring and control.

November 2011 marked the com- live life on a higher standard through expectations. Haier is about inspiring pany’s first success to join a launch its energy-efficient, user-friendly, and Filipino families to live life on a higher with Shenzhou VIII, followed by another environmentally conscious home ap- standard through its energy-efficient,

user-friendly, and environmentally conscious home appliances. Originally a small collectively owned manufacturing plant on the verge of bankruptcy, it has now grown into an international group with more than 70,000 employees worldwide. Realizing a US $32.09 billion with a profit of US $2.4 billion turnover in 2014, has been selected as one of the world’s Top 10 innovative companies according to a People’s Daily Online report issued by the USA Newsweek website, and has been recognized as the World’s No. 1 Home Appliance Brand for the seventh year in a row by Euromonitor since 2009.

Haier blasts off for 4th time with ‘space refrigerator’

Online Revolution mascot

The deals extend to over 17 products categories including Fashion, Health and Beauty, Home and Living, and Electronics. Lazada is focusing deep into its customers’ interests with weekly specials – a curation of items for beauty fans, supermoms and families, techies and fashionistas.

As if these weren’t enough, Lazada will also launch games to make Christmas online shopping more fun. You can even get shopping vouchers, brand giveaways from Samsung, MommyPoko, Unilever, JBL, Lenovo and more.

Lazada has also partnered with top brands to make shopping more rewarding. To get an additional 12% off on top of already discounted prices. And if you’re feeling lucky, Isuzu Philippines is giving away a brand new pick-up for more out of town road trips, and Turkish airways is raffling air tickets to fly you off to your dream vacation.

Visit www.lazada.com.ph or download the Lazada mobile app for free to join the biggest online shopping event of the year.

E1

Young Life

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2016 Isah V. Red, Editor / Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor isahred@gmail.com.ph

FROM THE GYM TO THE STREETS WE are in the age of erasing boundaries and embracing blend.

In fashion, for instance, wearing workout clothes in places other than the gym has become acceptable that we even have a name for it: Sporty chic.

Take cues from the off-court looks of NCAA and UAAP lady spikers on how you can go around running errands wearing athleticwear but still looking like you get your life together.

THE RETURN OF THE

BLING-BLING

By Bernadette Lunas

F

LASHY and ostentatious, bling-bling is one of the icons of hip hop culture. The slang term became popular in 1999 when 17-year-old rapper B.G.’s (Baby Gangsta) song “Bling Bling” made it to Top 40 of Billboard Hot 100.

Bling-bling refers to big and elaborate accessories either worn or carried as fashion statement or status symbol. The jewelry crawled its way from the hip hop stage to street corners. From the year it had cracked mainstream popularity, it had been around until early 2000s—it is said that the flame of its fame died down in 2003.

But the appeal of sparkling jewelry endures decades and trends.

Today, bling-bling is making a chic comeback in the form of dainty and sophisticated lockets. And many young women couldn’t get enough of it.

Perhaps we can blame it to this generation’s love for all things vintage, but this modern version of locket necklace is piquing the interest of many thanks to its timeless appeal, sentimental value and uniqueness.

The said lockets feature something many look for in objects today: personalization. The wearer can customize them using charms or pendants or chains, however she likes it according to occasion or her preference.

Pinterest is currently replete with this kind of locket necklace, some come in bracelet format, and sellers offering it are now popping up in malls and online stores worldwide. One such brand offering this bling is Dutch label LOCKits Jewelry.

LOCKits offers a wide range of stainless steel necklaces, bracelets and watches. It features elegant designs and boasts of practicality as it lets the wearer create her own style by mixing and matching using interchangeable pendants and inserts (also called coins) and chains.

Watch strap company Asprey Time thought this jewelry is unique hence they brought the Netherlands-based brand to the Philippines.

“We found that there is a certain level of uniqueness in this brand that you don’t see very often in Manila or perhaps in Asia, so we thought that this would be something interesting to those who are into fashion or looking for new things,” Asprey Time Managing Director Marnie Chua said in an interview with Manila Standard.

Chua said LOCKits, or this type of jewelry for that matter, combines fashion and fun. “You collect things, you mix it. I think it is more dy dynamic than the usual jewelry that you will use.”

The accessory is made of high quality materials and claims to resist wear and tear. Cleaning it is no big deal, according to Chua who said that it only needs wiping with any type of cloth.

Since the opening of its first branch at Megamall in August this year, LOCKits has re received quite a following from female millen millennials. “So far the reception is very good. The ladies are quite excited about it,” enthused Chua.

The future of the brand is promising, so much so that the Asprey Time executive revealed that they’re planning to have five branches by the end of 2016 and open 20 more next year.

With this development, we can probably say that the bling-bling is back from the dead and shines brighter than ever.

Scan this icon to view the PDF

CREATE AND EXPRESS. The modern version of locket necklace is reminiscent of bling-bling, popularized by the hip hop culture, but with more sophisticated and practical approach that appeals to women who love to personalize their accessories according to their preference.

Monochromatic luxe

San Beda Red Lions’ Lady Red Spiker Brandy Kramer looks effortlessly cool wearing a black, white and gray ensemble.

On Brandy: Mesh jacket by Zalora Man; sports bra by MillennX Athletic Gear; leggings by Plusfit Active Wear; Grid 9000 sneakers in light gray by Saucony Originals

Bold and fun

Workout clothes in nice prints worn with casual pieces in varying materials make for a bold sporty look. Adamson University volleyball player Jema Galanza does this style effortlessly.

On Jema: Bomber jacket by H&M; one-piece swimsuit by MillennX Athletic Gear; shorts, stylist’s own; Shadow Original Vegan sneakers in black by Saucony Originals

Laidback and sexy

Lady Tigress Carmela Tunay bares more skin without looking tacky with cross back swimsuit worn as top, gym shorts and jacket tied around the waist.

On Carmela: Bomber jacket

by H&M; one-piece swimsuit and shorts by MillenX Athletic Gear; Jazz Original sneakers in charcoal/gray by Saucony Originals Credits: Photographed by Jerferson Permejo Styled by Edrelyn Santos Hair and makeup by Ronald “Bullet” Reyes

Young Life

E2

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2016 isahred@gmail.com

MILLENNIAL MUST-HAVE: ON-THE-GO STORAGE WITH their “explore the world and never settle in one place” attitude, millennials need objects that can keep up with their on-the-go lifestyle. They need things that they can take anywhere—whether he/ she is an urban warrior commuting everyday or a traveler constantly living in a suitcase or an active athlete training for the next running event.

And as they work and play, they also need the perfect storage solutions that will keep their stuff safe and secure while they’re out and about. Here’s an infographic by self-storage directory Self Storage Finders that outlines some of the creative and preferred storage methods and devices used by today’s “Generation Go.”

PEACE BEGINS WITH THE YOUTH

19-year-old Moro leader urges millennials to be peacebuilders

I

T’S not true that today’s young generation is all about themselves. Take for instance Datu Beds Kali, a Bangsamoro youth leader.

Kali has lived all of his 19 years in Cotabato City, a place marred by blood, conflict, and social and economic injustices.

“I have lived in an area in Mindanao that is among the most affected by war and conflict,” begins Kali. “We have witnessed firsthand the violence and unfairness of the world, in this corner alone.”

He laments the condition of his fellow people due to the armed conflict and injustice brought about by misrepresentation in the media.

“The call us ‘the future of tomorrow,’ but how can that be if we are prevented from attending school because there are no more classrooms? And the few ones left are re-purposed as evacuation centers?” bemoans Kali.

The 2013 Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS) released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) revealed that the ARMM, in which Cotabato City is part of, has the highest number of out-ofschool children and youth among all regions in the country, pegged at 14.4 percent.

The said survey also showed that the Muslim Mindanao region had the lowest functional literacy rate of 72.1 percent, the primary reasons being, “26 percent of those who dropped out left their classrooms to look for jobs; 17.7 percent to marry, and 16.5 percent lost interest in pursuing their basic education.”

Kali furthers, “Our mothers worry day and night, praying for the safety of their husbands and children. It is sad, but ‘round here, prayers don’t always get answered.”

His upsetting realization is backed by a 2016 report of the United Nations Security Council, which indicates that “sporadic low-intensity clashes continue to affect children, predominantly in Mindanao, despite limited largescale armed engagements in the past year.”

The report also mentioned that children are “significantly affected by violent extremism in the past years” and that “they are often targeted by different terror acts to cause more casualties and fear among the communities.”

The ill effects of war have pushed Kali, together with other Bangsamoro millennials, to dedicate his life to peacebuilding.

The Development Communication student of University of Southern Mindanao, believes that youth plays a vital role in peacebuilding especially in educating the people on Moro history as well as on the culture and origin of

the Bangsamoro armed struggle.

“Millennials can do many things to contribute to peacebuilding,” opines Kali. “We have the time, ideas and skills to strategize and put into motion concepts that will eventually strengthen our advocacy for peace.”

Currently, Kali has been organizing interfaith dialogues and joining peace conventions to know more about ways the youth can contribute to peace advocacy. He also encourages young citizens to involve themselves with this movement—starting with schools, “we can organize dialogues, brainstorming sessions and discussions, we can convene student leaders and partner with other institutions to discuss

narratives dealing on peace.”

The young Moro leader also cited using social media as an avenue to reach more people and raise awareness on peace. “How good would it be if we spend a little more time for peace on social media? I think that would not be asking too much since we open our social media accounts almost everyday, anyway,” he says.

Kali is optimistic that the youth can do so much to reset the course of the present narrative. “I know change does not happen magically, but through our unified efforts, we can make it happen. We can make a difference.” –OPAPP

BUILD PEACE, NOT WAR. Bangsamoro youth leader Beds Kali dedicates his life to peacebuilding by means of education and use of social media.

Showbiz

ENZO PINEDA DEBUTS AS KAPAMILYA E

nzo Pineda has officially left the Kapuso Network, his home studio since he graduated from realitybased artista-search Starstruck in 2010.

It can be recalled that Enzo did not renew his contract with GMA’s Artist Center, the network’s own talent management company back in August, which fueled rumors that he’s already decided to cut his ties with GMA 7. But does he have a solid contract with his new home studio?

Regardless of the answer, Enzo seems to have made a sound career move based on the initial response of the viewers who saw him in Till I Met You on Wednesday.

Viewers where surprised that the 26-year-old actor was introduced as the newest cast member of the romantic series top billed by James Reid and Nadine Lustre. In the primetime drama, Enzo plays the character of Stephen, a race car driver and will be seen more often with Ali (JC Santos), a closeted gay man.

Shortly after his debut in the drama program, he posted a photo on Instagram.

“Vroom! Vroom! Thanks for the warm welcome. I’m so excited for everybody to learn more about Stephen in ‘Till I Met You,” he wrote as caption for his photo while taping on a race track.

“Well, my dad told me why your dad wanted me to hang out with you. And actually, I think we have something in common,” this was the response of Stephen when Ali apologized to the first. He’s under the impression that his dad was disturbing Stephen just to accompany him. And if we are to read between the lines, we would know what role Stephen is going to play in the weeknight drama.

According to ABS-CBN PR wire, Stephen’s inclusion in the story will be a sub plot to Iris and Basti learning the ropes of married life. The character is a general’s son that is tasked to turn Ali straight.

Apart from Till I Met You, Enzo will star in an upcoming Star Cinema film, Extra Service, which stars Coleen Garcia, Jessy Mendiola, and another former Kapuso, Arci Muñoz.

Enzo is now under the roof of Arnold Vegafria’s ALV Talent Circuit - the same agency managing the careers of Iya Villania, Nikki Gil, John Prats, Carla Abellana, and Billy Crawford, among others.

PBA courtside reporters Mara Aquino and Rizza Diaz brought their A-game on the cover of the popular men’s magazine’s November issue.

Diaz, who has already been featured on FHM in two countries (Philippines and Singapore) for quite a few times now shares the limelight with first-time FHM Cover Girl Aquino, a Filipino Canadian who grew up in Toronto and started her job as sportscaster in 2014.

Both muses are consistently voted among the hottest and sexiest courtside reporters in the country and have been part of the magazine’s annual Sexiest List.

For its current issue, the magazine describes the spread of the bosom-buddies as a cordial invitation to a photo shoot where these leading ladies share hugs and friendly banter. A feature story on the two quotes: “Diaz and Aquino having pillow fights in what is indubitably the sexiest simulation of a sleepover this magazine has ever prepared.”

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Sunday, November 6, 2016

104 Heavy hydrogen discoverer 105 Daydream 106 1936 Olympics standout Jesse — 108 Paired, as oxen 110 Bobby of ice hockey 111 Tree sprites 114 Prepare an apple 115 Messy quarters 117 Washboard — 120 Common Market inits.

121 Early U-235 regulator 123 Licorice herb 125 Gagarin’s occupation 127 Fray 129 Put — (save) 131 “All — Up” (Elvis) 133 Smithy’s furnace 134 Inner motivation 135 White-sale buy 136 Gauzy fabric 137 Ring-shaped reef 138 Vile smile 139 Try extra hard 140 Appended 141 Ms. Zellweger DOWN 1 Pop star Paula — 2 — diem (seize the day) 3 Miffed, plus 4 Verne skipper 5 Comprehend 6 In demand 7 PLO biggie 8 Cliff 9 Part of LAX 10 Teller’s stack 11 Glimpsed 12 Full of difficulties 13 Shucks corn 14 Bullfight yell 15 Graceful wrap 16 Muffle, as sound 17 Incan treasure 18 Vacuum tube 19 Columbus’ port 20 Ruhr Valley city 30 More amiable 32 Clean energy source 34 Water conduits 40 Hair goop 42 DeMille of epics 43 Contented murmurs 44 Forays 45 Roach and Linden 46 Neutral and first 47 Exaggerated 48 Venomous snake 49 2001 to Livy 50 Charged particle 51 Wall Street dread 52 Kayak cousin 54 Divert

55 56 58 59 62 63 64 65 67 68 69 71 73 74 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 85 86 87 89 90 93

Encourages strongly Loses some Expert Hotel offering Dupe Stops a train Destroys, as by fire Emmy-winning Ed Flutie and others — but goodie Laugh-a-minute folk Clear-thinking Grinch creator Court orders Edges a doily Grizzled Tissue layers Haciendas Popcorn nuisances What i.e. means (2 wds.)

Tibet’s capital Generously Maureen of film What x may mean Manicurist’s board Diary keeper Greasy Actor Keenan —

94 95 96 98 99 100 102 105 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 122 124 126 128 130 132

E3

FHM’S HOT NOVEMBER MUSES

Former Kapuso Enzo Pineda is warmly welcomed as the newest cast member of primetime romantic drama ‘Till I Met You’

ACROSS 1 Breezing through 6 Casals or Picasso 11 Social mores 16 Avoid 21 Less fussy 22 Acrylic fabric 23 NFL coach Don — 24 March sign 25 Bard’s forte 26 Take a breather 27 Conundrum 28 Bright crescents 29 Satisfactory (3 wds.)

31 Goldbrick 33 Sitter’s bane 35 Woodland creature 36 Confederate general 37 Kebab bed 38 Itches 39 Cyclades locale 41 Vet patient 42 Chest for oolong 44 River or wine 46 Stickier 51 Orchard product 52 “Brian’s Song” lead 53 Make much of 57 Bewitch 58 Strong silent type?

59 Weighs anchor 60 Hi-tech scan 61 Exec. group 62 Rajahs’ spouses 63 Bankrolls 64 Estimate 66 Cause a blister 67 Wicked one 68 Hodgepodges 69 LIght brown 70 Ice floe dweller 72 Fuel cartel 73 Metamorphic rock 74 See firsthand 75 Complete reversal (hyph.)

77 Skirt the issue 78 Everyday language 79 The Windy City 82 Jazzy Armstrong 83 Came to the suet 84 From memory 88 Listens in 89 Stage 90 Excludes 91 That guy 92 Mushers’ vehicles 93 Holds up well 94 “Holy cow!”

95 Falsely incriminate 97 Pacino and Hirt 98 Kind of cab 99 Toy-store stock 100 Eavesdropper 101 Mach 1 breakers 103 “Watermark” singer

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2016

Yesteryear Swampy ground Wharf denizen Vee makers Fists, slangily Seraglio Kickback Patted down Ahab’s vessel Over there Use a compass Filmdom’s T.E. Lawrence Techies Pine for Fleetwood Mac vocalist “The — Mutiny” Berate To date (2 wds.)

Slugger Hank — Call, as an elk Ancient monument Yarborough, of NASCAR This, in Tijuana Memo Curie daughter Deep- — (get rid of) Paul Newman role

BOSOM BUDDIES. Sultry sportscasters Mara Aquino and Rizza Diaz on the cover of FHM

E4

Showbiz

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2016 Isah V. Red, Editor / Nickie Wang, Issue Editor isahred@gmail.com

TANNER MATA: BIG BROTHER’S HOT NEW DISCOVERY

By Nickie Wang

F

ilipino American Tanner Mata, one of Pinoy Big Brother’s newest housemates, is making a lot of buzz and stealing the hearts of television viewers since he entered the famous yellow house last week.

With his striking good looks, it’s quite easy to understand why.

The brown-eyed Tanner hails from Nueva Ecija, but grew up in the US with his mother and stepfather. He was rocking the runways, print ads and magazine spreads before he’s roped in to audition for the 11-year-old reality series’ latest edition. He was born and raised in Denver, Colorado and started strutting the

runway on Philippine shores just this May when he decided to settle in Manila.

The heartthrob stands at towering 6 feet and 1 inch and has a smile “that would melt the hearts of everyone in a room.”

The sporty stunner enjoys playing football, basketball, and is also an experienced snowboarder. He is very much single and has a huge crush on Liza Soberano.

With his classic and manly look, netizens instantly tagged the 21-year-old fashion model as the Asian Clark Kent prompting them too to create numerous fan pages on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter solely dedicated to his stint in PBB. Members of his fan base, which number grows each the day, believe that he can be the next James Reid or Sam Milby, two PBB halfies who have been successful in making a name for themselves after they left the house.

The Fil-Am first debuted on local TV via It’s Showtime when he was introduced as one of the first batch of housemates to enter Big Borther’s house. The video clip of his appearance on the noontime time was uploaded on ABS-CBN’S official YouTube channel and easily made its way to become one of the top videos of the week amassing more than half a million views in just five days.

When asked by host Vice Ganda on what his expectations are in the PBB house, Tanner just smiled saying he has no clue but he’s up for the challenge.

“I actually don’t know. I’m just going to have fun with it,” he said.

Tanner was officially welcomed into Big Brother’s house on Oct. 28 as one of the regular housemates alongside Bibang Bentang-guena of Batangas, Baninay Bautista; Rampa Raketera of Bulacan, Ali Forbes; Longing Son of Taguig, Luis Hontiveros; Lucky Bet na Miss of Tacloban, Thuy Nguyen; Dazzling Daughter of Bulacan, Cora Waddell; and Overseas Filipino Warrior of Tondo, Jerome Alecre.

Before his stint in PBB, he’s under the management of IM Agency Manila, a Philippinebased International modeling agency.

His professional photos and pictures of everyday life have earned him more than 50,000 Instagram followers.

The rising model has an identical twin brother named Tyler, who is modeling for big apparel brands in Bangkok and Singapore.

SOCIAL MEDIA HEARTTHROB. PBB Season 7 housemate Tanner Mata is a commercial model. The towering 21-year-old hot-on-camera Fil-Am sweeps TV viewers off their feet with just his wide, charming smile. Photo credit, Tanner Mata’s Instagram

IMELDA

SCHWEIGHART’S

5

SWEEPING

STATEMENTS Former Miss Earth Philippines Imelda Schweighart might leave the country anytime soon, at least according to her mother who said that they might go to back to New Zealand after her daughter had experienced the wrath and unforgiving jabs from online trolls.

She relinquished her crown as Miss Philippines Earth on Monday after Internet users bashed her for criticizing Miss Ecuador. The 21-year-old Schweighart was gunning for an unprecedented third straight Miss Earth crown for the Philippines after Angelia Ong and 2014 titleholder Jamie Herrell but failed miserably.

So, before we bask in any dramatic and crazy turn of events, let’s have a rundown of the controversial statements from the current “most hated beauty queen” in the pageant world.

1. Her nasty remarks about the new Miss Earth winner, Katherin Espin of Ecuador, after she failed to advance in the finals at 2016 Miss Earth pageant: “The winner has fake nose, fake chin and fake boobs.

Miss Earth should be natural.”

2. And this was the way she apologized after her “unmindful” statement above: “If it’s a crime to tell the truth, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend Miss Ecuador…I don’t know her enough but she was my roommate.”

3. When she felt offended that the gown, which she’s supposed to wear in case she gets in to the finals, was given to Miss Ecuador: “Honestly, I’m not bitter.

I’m just offended. Why? Because the gown that I was supposed to wear was given to Ecuador. I was just so offended.

4. Shortly after she resigned as Miss Earth Philippines, she posted this on her Facebook account: “Goodbye stupid peeps!”

5. And finally, the most controversial statement that came out of her mouth happened during one of Miss Earth pre-pageant events broadcast via Facebook Live.

“Our president is doing Hitler stuff in the Philippines.”

Imelda Schweighart will go down in modern pageant history as the most controversial national beauty queen