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VOL. XXXI • NO. 44 • 5 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2017 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@thestandard.com.ph
RODY: PH A NARCO STATE UNDER NOY By John Paolo Bencito
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HE Philippines turned into a “narco-state” during the administration of former President Benigno Aquino III when as much as 40 percent of local government units being involved in the illicit trade, President Rodrigo Duterte said Saturday.
“[Do] you know why shabu flourished everywhere? Because most of the politicians were already into drugs,” Duterte said
during the groundbreaking ceremony of the P700-million drug rehabilitation center in Malaybalay, Bukidnon.
“Little did we realize that five years [ago], we were already a narco-state and 40 percent of the basic government units—the barangay, then you have the municipality, city, province—were already into drugs,” he added. During the Aquino administration, a local politician who was also a top leader of the ruling party died with several others in a helicopter crash while transporting the proceeds of drug trafficking. Duterte said it is thus not surprising that detained Senator Lei-
la de Lima, who was then secretary of justice, would benefit from the drug trade, a charge that De Lima has repeatedly denied and for which she stands trial. As a result, he said drug lords have turned thousands into “imbeciles” with about 77,000 victims of crimes perpetrated by drug addicts. “If you count the victims, according to the victims of drug addicts, it’s 77,000,” the President said, exhorting the police not to waver in the war against drugs. Turn to A2
BUSINESS/ C2
LADY BPO PIONEER MAKES HER MARK IN INSURANCE SECTOR
GADGETS / D3
GARMIN: MULTISPORT WATCHES FOR FITNESS, ADVENTURE, STYLE
SPORTS / C4
PETRON FAVORED TO WIN PSL TITLE PRESIDENTS AT ODDS. President Rodrigo Duterte appears to be pondering what he will do with his predecessor Benigno Aquino III during the turnover ceremony at Malacañang June 30 last year. Some eight months (or 268 days) later, Duterte said Aquino allowed the Philippines to become a narco-state.
DIGONG: EU WANTS ‘FIX ROOMS’ VS DRUGS By John Paolo Bencito ASIDE from demanding the release of jailed Senator Leila de Lima, Europeans also suggested that the Duterte administration put up “shabu clinics” similar to the “supervised injection sites” in several countries in Europe but disparag-
ingly called “fix rooms.” “The EU communicated to us and they want a ‘health-based solution.’ These sons of b*****s, they want us to build clinics. Instead of arresting and putting them in prison just like in other countries, they will inject you or give you shabu if you want it. Then you can leave,”
Duterte told a group of FilipinoChinese businessmen. “If you want marijuana, there is a place there, government-sponsored. [It’s an] idiotic exercise. If you want cocaine, they will give you cocaine. If you want heroin, they will give you heroin. People just go there and consume every chemical
until kingdom come, until they are crazy like the four million [here],” he added. “I’ll give it a liberal increment of something like 700,000 to 800,000 out of their mind all over the Philippines. Who will answer for this? Who will answer for those who died?” Duterte fumed. Turn to A2
REDS TO ANNOUNCE CEASEFIRE BY MAR. 31 By John Paolo Bencito COMMUNIST rebels announced on Saturday it will declare a unilateral ceasefire not later than March 31 but President Rodrigo Duterte said he will take the matter under advisement because of the actions of the New People’s Army during the last truce. “I have to consult the Speaker, I have to consult the Senate President. I have to convene the National Security Council and I have to ask the generals of the army and the police,” Duterte said dur-
ing the groundbreaking of a drug rehabilitation center in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. “Especially the military and police, I will call for a meeting and ask them whether it would be good at this time because I already got mad because they decided to lift the ceasefire [last Feb. 1]. That was also unilateral,” he added. “If they don’t follow it, there will just be an aberration in the system of talking peace,” he said, recalling the Feb. 3 incident when three soldiers were Turn to A2
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RECRUITMENT DRIVE. Members of the Katipunan ng mga Guro ng Bayan hold up recruitment streamers and posters at the Carriedo Station in Manila. Norman Cruz
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FISHERMAN LIVES THRU 2 MONTHS IN OPEN SEA SYDNEY—A Filipino fisherman has been rescued in Papua New Guinea after drifting at sea for 56 days, but his uncle died during the ordeal, a report said Saturday. The men left General Santos in the southern Philippines in January but hit bad weather and were swept out to sea, the PNG Post Courier reported after a fishing boat spotted Roland Omongos, 21, on March 9. The newspaper, citing local police, said the pair had no food and the survivor’s uncle died. It said Omongos kept his body for as long as possible but was forced to throw it overboard when it started to decompose. He survived on two five-liter containers of water and was found weak and distressed by the Bermadethe Marie which was journeying from Wewak to Rabaul, a town on the Papua New Guinean island of Turn to A2 New Britain.
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DUTERTE ALREADY FIRED 92 OFFICIALS
DUTERTE ASKS CHINESE HELP FOR BUKIDNON AGRICULTURE PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday reiterated that the Philippines plans to have closer cooperation with China. In his speech during the Kaamulan Festival in Bukidnon, President Duterte said the Philippines just wanted to be friends with China. “China is my neighbor. I just want to make friends and trade so that my people will be happy and improve our country,” he said, adding that China gave assistance for the improvement of the Philippines. However, Duterte underscored that “he will not enter into a military alliance with any country.” The President also acknowledged the presence of Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua at the festival and considered the diplomat’s presence as meaningful, saying that it would help open doors for better diplomatic relations with China. The Chief Executive also asked China to help in developing the country’s agriculture. Duterte said that China had imported more products from the Philippines such as pineapples and bananas. Duterte said he asked China to give priority to the development of agriculture in Bukidnon, a landlocked province in Northern Mindanao and the country’s eighth largest province. “I would like to take this rare opportunity to ask Ambassador [Zhao] Jianhua to bring the first agricultural tractor to Bukidnon in order that the province’s agricultural industry could be developed to the fullest,” he told around 50,000 cheering people. The President also encouraged the people of Bukidnon to plant crops that could be exported to China, saying that China no longer restricts agricultural products from the Philippines. He said China currently accepts 100 percent all bananas exported from the Philippines while pineapple exports to China stand at 75 percent. “China would buy all agricultural products from the Philippines and it is high time that the country’s agricultural industry take the opportunity to plant any agricultural product for export,” Duterte said. The Chief Executive recounted that when the country was exporting its produce to the United States, the US government would impose product standards, leading to the rejection of the Philippine exports. However, when the Philippines began exporting its produce to China, the US also began accepting the country’s crops. “Actually, we remain friends with the United States, but we should not rely so much on Americans anymore because we have close friends, neighbors like China,” Duterte said.
By John Paolo Bencito
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RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday said he has already fired 92 government officials from different agencies because of claims of corruption.
“I have fired 92 [officials]. I have fired so many Customs officials, BIR and the regulatory boards, the one giving the franchises for public utilities, 92 all of them this month alone, March. I said go,” Duterte said during the groundbreaking of a P700-million drug rehabilitation center in Bukidnon. “I said, do not f*** the govern-
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“My orders to the police: Arrest them if it is possible. Go out and hunt for them. But if you are confronted with a violent resistance, if you think that your life is in danger... my God, shoot and shoot them dead before you are killed,” he added. But police officials themselves said they sense a change in public attitudes with more and more people showing support for the government’s campaign against drugs. In the province of Maguindanao, thousands of people joined the Mamamayang Ayaw Sa Anomalya, Mamamayang Ayaw sa Ilegal na Droga (Masa Masid) when it was launched in Buluan, Maguindanao on Thursday. Muslim Mindanao police director Chief Supt. Reuben Sindac said Maguindanao’s provincial and municipal officials have immediately committed support for the Masa Masid program. Sindac said the drug enforcers have neutralized no fewer than a hundred large-scale drug traffickers in Maguindanao since July 2016 with the help of the provincial government.
FISHERMAN...
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Omongos has been examined by doctors and is being held on the boat in Rabaul while arrangements are made for his return home, the Post Courier added, giving no further details. AFP
ment with its money. Cause if you do, we will not understand each other,” he added. Duterte made the revelation after Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco told the Manila Standard that he was issued “gag order” after three of Duterte appointees under his supervision were fired or suspended amid allegations of corruption.
Shortly after conversing with Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Evasco said he was still investigating the cases of National Food Authority administrator Jason Aquino and Philippine Coconut Authority administrator Avelino Andal. But Evasco did not confirm or deny whether he ordered the suspension of Aquino and Andal or whether it was ordered by Duterte. Without mentioning names, Duterte said on Saturday that one of officials he fired was a man who had been a part of his team since 1988.
“You be ready to go. Just like a guy who was with me since 1988. He was a part of my team but when we were already in the government, I heard that he was suggesting this and that. I said ‘you have to go.’ The first whiff of corruption, it’s finished.” He was apparently referring to longtime friend Peter Laviña who was forced to resign Feb. 28 as administrator of the National Irrigation Administration after the latter was accused of extortion. Duterte said he was hurt by accusations leveled at Laviña but he set aside his personal feelings to show that he means business.
AGILITY AT WORK. A man shows the agility he has gained from years of loading plastic containers onto trucks in Manila. Ey Acasio
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“Who will now answer for those? The EU? The Human Rights Commission? How about the lives of the people killed because of shabu?” he added. The EU, through Ambassador Franz Jessen, earlier expressed its intention to provide aid to the Philippines particularly in its rehabilitation program for drug surrenderers. The EU is also currently reviewing whether the Philippines can still qualify for trade incentives that are pre-conditioned on compliance with international agreements but Duterte said that is “the least of his worries.” “I’m now the President. The least of my worries is the EU. I have to build a nation. That’s why I went to China. I went everywhere, because we are really poor and we have to improve the economy,” he said. A monitoring team from the EU earlier arrived in the country for an assessment of the country’s trade perks under the Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP+), which allows the Philippines to export to the EU without duties or with reduced tariffs. The Philippines was given preferential status under the European Union-GSP+ in December 2014, allowing the duty-free export of some 6,000 eligible products to the EU market. Duterte, who won the presidency on a campaign promise that he will rid the country’s drug problems in six months, said drug users are inclined to commit different crimes.
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ambushed in Malaybalay City. One of the troopers sustained more than 70 gunshot wounds. He reiterated his rejection of the communist rebels’ claim that certain parts of the country were considered their territory, especially since this was being used as an excuse to ambush soldiers. “I don’t like that,” he said. “That is a pretext to ambush my soldiers. We would have nothing to talk about if that’s the case.” Duterte made the remark after government and National Democratic Front negotiators signed a joint agreement to revive the talks that Duterte called off last Feb. 3 after the killing of the three soldiers. The resumption of the talks was announced after Duterte demanded last March 3 that the communists comply with three “requests:” a genuine ceasefire done in sincerity, the release of all soldiers and civilians being held captive by the NPA and a
stop to NPA extortion activities. On Saturday, the Communist Party of the Philippines announced the looming ceasefire. “The CPP said it looks forward to a similar unilateral ceasefire declaration by the [government] as mutually agreed upon in the March 10-11 backchannel talks,” the communist rebels said in a statement. The peace negotiations, now on its fourth round, will resume next month following successful backchannel talks in Utrecht last March 10 to 11. The CPP likewise called on the government for a “slow down” on the military’s ongoing all-out offensive and aerial bombing and shelling campaigns against NPA-held areas “to help create a favorable atmosphere for the mutual ceasefire.” The CPP also said that they are anticipating the release of 19 elderly and sick political prisoners, as well as four detained NDFP consultants and one other recently rearrested.
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MMDA GENERATES P2.4M IN ADDITIONAL REVENUE By Joel E. Zurbano
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HE Metro Manila Development Authority has generated about P2.4 million in additional revenue during the first five days of implementation of a policy prohibiting lightweight trucks on Epifanio de los Santos Avenue and Shaw Boulevard.
Based on the latest report released by the agency’s Public Information Office, a total of 1,234 trucks, mostly cargo, pick-up and delivery vans, were apprehended by MMDA traffic enforcers from March 20 to 24. The highest number of apprehended lightweight trucks was made on Monday along Edsa when 600 drivers were caught violating the Light Truck Ban. On the first day, traffic enforcers apprehended 377 truck drivers from 6 a.m. to10 a.m.
Violators were slapped with a P2,000 fine. Initial assessment of the traffic situation along Edsa following the enforcement of the policy showed the travel speed of motorists plying Edsa increased by five minutes, MMDA acting chairman Thomas Orbos said. The ban is being enforced in the following areas: • Southbound lane Edsa (from North Avenue in Quezon City to Magallanes in Makati City) and whole stretch of Shaw Boulevard (cities of Mandaluyong and Pasig) from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.; and • Northbound lane of Edsa (from Magallanes to North Avenue) and whole stretch of Shaw Boulevard (Mandaluyong and Pasig) from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Under the policy, trucks which have a gross capacity weight of 4,500 kgs. and below will not be allowed to pass Edsa and Shaw Boulevard from Monday to Saturday except Sundays and holidays. Light trucks carrying perishable goods are not covered by the ban but they still need to apply for exemption. Also exempted are government and
emergency vehicles such as firetrucks and ambulances. Orbos said the MMDA came up with the scheme after members of the Metro Manila Council, the agency’s governing board and the policy-making body, composed of the 17 local chief executives in the metropolis, approved a resolution banning light trucks from plying the two major thoroughfares to improve the traffic situation. He added there was a necessity to regulate the light trucks on the roads which have also contributed significantly to traffic congestion in the metropolis. “This is only one of the several measures approved by the local executives during the meeting in an effort to further improve traffic condition in Metro Manila,” Orbos said. Aside from the light truck ban, there is also a total ban for heavy trucks on the entire stretch of Edsa from Magallanes to North Avenue except Sundays and holidays. The ban covers trailer trucks, stake trucks, dump trucks, cement trucks/mixers, long bed trucks, wing vans, closed vans, panel trucks, and other similar vehicles.
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ERRING COPS TO UNDERGO INTENSIVE TRAINING By Joel E. Zurbano THE National Capital Region Police Office announced on Saturday it sent 48 erring police personnel to Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City for intensive disciplinary training to stop their wrongdoings and improve their performance. The 15-day training beginning on Friday, according to Metro Manila chief Oscar Albayalde, is in line with the Internal Cleansing Program of the NCRPO. “These cops are with existing administrative charges and cautioned for their lapses while on duty. Within the training period, these police officers are restricted within the training camp,” said Albayalde. He said the NCRPO disciplinary training program sought to instill discipline and build ethics, assess the commitment level of each police officer to their sworn duties, and also teach financial management to strengthen financial capacity of the police. “The problem on undisciplined and rogue cops has been a long time challenge in the Philippine National Police particularly at the NCRPO. The abuses and involvement of few police officers to illegal activities ruin the image of the entire organization,” said Albayalde. “This is disappointing,” he added. “I swear that under my leadership, I will not allow these bad eggs to influence others nor continue their habits of destroying the image of good policemen. It is about time to look at this problem on a perspective where we can help the police rebuild their life and become better public servants.” Albayalde emphasized that while many police officers were recognized for good service, this disciplinary training program was the best opportunity of the policemen who were cautioned or committed less grave offenses to improve themselves and deepen their commitment with the police organization.
SOLON LAUDS SIGNING OF PARIS AGREEMENT By Maricel V. Cruz
HEAT EXHAUSTION. Children submerge themselves Saturday in a portable swimming pool in Capulong, Tondo, with the state weather bureau advising the public to take precautions against heat prostration as the heat index nationwide is expected to dramatically rise on the front steps of summer. Norman Cruz
FLAG CARRIER EXPANDS PRESENCE IN N. AMERICA
RABIES TRANSMITTER. Pet owners bring their dogs Saturday to the Philippine Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals along Recto Avenue in Manila for vaccination against rabies, one of the most dangerous viral diseases which infects the central nervous system of domestic and wild animals and spreads to humans through bites, scratches and exposure to infected saliva. Norman Cruz
TWO more Boeing 777-300ERs will be added to the fleet of Philippine Airlines to expand the flag carrier’s presence in North America. The airline recently forged an agreement with Intrepid Aviation for the lease of two more brand-new B777s which will arrive in December 2017 and January 2018. PAL president and chief operating officer Jaime Bautista said with the new planes, the airline will now have a total of 10 B777 for its long range fleet and an overall fleet of 78 aircraft. The two new aircraft will also be introduced to London route as well. The new deliveries, with the expected arrival of the first of six brand new A350900s next year, will augur well for the airline’s transpacific routes. PAL is also expecting the arrival of the
Q400 Next Generation turboprops for domestic flights starting July 2017. The first of 21 A321 NEOs will arrive beginning January 2018. The airline, in partnership with telecommunication company Globe, will mark its 76th year by way of a three-day expo in Bonifacio Global City, enabling the public to experience the different products and service innovations lined up as the carrier continues its journey towards becoming a 5-star full service carrier by 2020. “Philippine Airlines has been continuing the tradition of service innovation to provide passengers a heartwarming travel experience that represents the best of the Philippines and the best of the Filipinos,” said Bautista during the media launch at the BGC in Taguig City last Friday.
A HOUSE leader on Saturday lauded the signing by President Rodrigo Duterte of the Paris Agreement on climate change as well as the Senate’s concurrence with this landmark accord that both underline the Philippines’ formal expression of solidarity with the heightened international drive to arrest global warming. CamSur Rep. LRay Villafuerte said the Senate ratification of the agreement was “timely and significant” as this would mean the process on the Philippines’ accession to the climate change treaty would likely be completed before Earth Day on April 22. He said: “Coming from a province and region that is highly vulnerable to climate change, the President’s signing of the Paris Agreement and the Senate’s ratification of this accord are certainly welcome. “Once we complete the ratification process, we would now have a full seat in the Conference of Parties that will tackle the treaty’s implementation. “We would now have a say in the conference and we can lobby for more funding on behalf of emerging economies such as the Philippines that are most vulnerable to climate change.” Villafuerte was referring to the next round of meetings of the parties to the Paris Agreement scheduled in November in Bonn, Germany. He lamented that CamSur had been most vulnerable to the changing weather patterns triggered by global warming. “Long dry spells and strong typhoons have upset the planting seasons in CamSur’s farms, affecting palay production and the sharing of water resources in the watersheds of Lake Buhi-Barit in the province and in Quinale in Albay,”he said. Six of the average 20 typhoons that enter the country each year pummel Bicol, he said. With the Philippines’ accession to the Paris Agreement, Villafuerte said. the country would now have the moral high ground to aggressively access a proposed $100-billion global fund to help “weatherproof” developing economies most vulnerable to climate change.
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SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2017 Francis S. Lagniton, Issue Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com
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'APPOINTING BARANGAY CHAIRS PROBLEMATIC'
By John Paolo Bencito
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NTERIOR Secretary Ismael Sueno said President Rodrigo Duterte’s plan to just appoint barangay leaders and do away with elections could pose some problems. To address this, Sueno said he is meeting with the top leaders of both the House and the Senate to discuss what needs to be done to satisfy the President’s wishes. “Marami pong mga kaakibat na problema diyan. [This could pose some problems] First of all, he [President Rodrigo Duterte] cannot do it by a decree...It has to be by law. Kaya kagabi nagkausap kami ni Senate President Koko Pimentel kung anong gawin,” (This is why Senate President Koko Pimentel and I talked about this),” Sueno said in an interview on dzBB. “I’m coordinating with Senator Koko Pimentel and I will talk to Speaker [Pantaleon] Alvarez kung paano tulungan...I know Speaker [Alvarez] is now preparing for this, so si Senate President Koko nga sabi niya, ‘I have to talk to our people in the Senate, kung anong gawin namin dito,’” he added. [Senate President Koko told me that “I have to talk to our people in the Senate on what to do about this."] Sueno said Duterte believes that majority of the barangay chairmen who will be elected during the Oct. 23 elections are the moneyed candidates and probably involved in illegal drugs. “Alam niyo po sabi ni Presidente, ‘pag ka mag-eleksyon kasi tayo ngayong Oct. 23, ang manalo for sure yung mga may pera. Tsaka yung mga may pera karamihan niyan drug money ‘yan, galing sa droga,” he said. [The President said that if the elections pushes thru on Oct. 23, for sure only the moneyed candidates will win, and most of these candidates get their money from illegal drugs]. Sueno said Duterte’s plan to appoint barangay leaders is part of his desire to rid the country of illegal drugs. The Commission on Elections said it is studying the possible consequence of another postponement of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls. “What are the ramifications of another postponement? The barangay elections have been postponed once, and as a result of that the barangay officials were held over,” Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez said. “We don’t know if the next law that postpones it, if such a law comes, will also provide for a holdover or will provide for a different solution to the question of leadership at the community level,” he added. Jimenez said they are also studying its possible effect on the electoral system. “We are studying what will be the effect of this to our electoral system if there won't be a holdover and just appointment of leaders,” he said. The poll official, however, chose not to comment on the constitutionality of just appointing barangay officers-in-charge (OICs). “At this point we cannot opine on that one…because we are still studying the consequence of a postponement,” said Jimenez. Election watchdog groups are not in favor of again postponing the Oct. 23, 2017 barangay polls saying electoral exercises must be held regularly and periodically. “Elections should have regularity and should push through. Postponing elections undermine a democratic process instituted to ensure every individual citizen’s right to choose their leaders and make them accountable,” Eric Alvia, secretary general of the National Movement for Free Elections, said in an interview. The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting believes there is no substitute to periodic elections in a democracy. “There is no substitute to periodic elections in a democracy to check the accountability of elected officials, to get fresh mandate. That includes barangay elections and elective barangay officials,” PPCRV chairman Rene Sarmiento said. However, he said the village polls can also be postponed if there is a legitimate reason for doing so. Earlier, President Duterte said he wants the village polls postponed anew due to the purported influence of drug money into it. The law on the postponement of the Oct. 31, 2016 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections was approved by President Duterte on Oct. 15, 2016. The law moved the election to October this year.
OVERALL CHAMPS.
Officials and students of San Beda College in Mendiola watch the colorful fireworks as they celebrate the school’s backto-back general championship in the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The event gives recognition to the school’s outstanding athletes who had contributed to the overall championship. Sonny Espiritu
ALVAREZ SAYS LENI'S TIRADES 'BETRAYAL' OF PH GOVT By Maricel V. Cruz
PROUD FATHER. President Rodrigo Duterte and common-law wife Honeylet Avanceña congratulate their daughter Veronica with a loving kiss during her graduation at the Stella Maris Academy of Davao. SAP Christopher Bong Go
JBC ACCEPTING 3 NEW APPLICANTS By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan THE Judicial and Bar Council said on Saturday that it is looking for a new Court of Appeals Associate Justice and a Sandiganbayan Associate Justice after its two lawyers—former Court of Appeals Associate Justice Noel Tijam and former Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Samuel Martires—were promoted to the Supreme Court. Tijam and Martires were named 175th and 176th Justice of the High Court on March 2 and March 8, respectively. In a statement, the JBC said that it is now open to receive application for the two vacant positions. Likewise, the JBC is also looking for a lawyer who would fill in the vacant position as Special Prosecutor of the Office of the Ombudsman after Ombudsman’s Special Prosecutor Wendell
Barreras-Sulit’s term ended last March 11. “Applications/recommendations should be submitted to the JBC Secretariat,” the announcement said. The JBC was created through Article VIII Section 8 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, and is mandated to screen individuals who will fill in vacancies to the Office of the Ombusdman, Deputy Ombudsman, Special Prosecutor, and the offices of the Chairperson and Regular Members of the Legal Education Board. The JBC has been “vested with great responsibility” to ensure that the applicants possess the necessary qualifications for positions as identified in various laws, specifically the Constitution. Its creation, according to the late Chief Justice Roberto Concepcion, was necessary in “attaining and preserving the independence of the judiciary.”
SPEAKER Pantaleon Alvarez on Saturday said Vice President Leni Robredo’s continuing criticisms against the Duterte administration’s policies, including its war on drugs, would be an outright violation of the Constitution. At the same time, Alvarez doubted that Robredo, who will be facing an impeachment complaint to be filed by Alvarez himself, won fair and square in the last May 2016 vice presidential election. “We cannot call her vice president because we are not even sure if she was the real winner in the last vice presidential election,” Alvarez told a television interview when he talked about the impeachment complaint to be filed against Robredo, and the impeachment complaint filed against President Duterte. Robredo beat then-Senator Bongbong Marcos by 260,000 votes in the vice presidential race. Marcos has since filed an election protest. Robredo, interim chairperson of the Liberal Party, earned the ire of many fellow government officials, including Alvarez, for sending a videotaped message to the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs wherein she derided the Duterte administration’s war on illegal drugs. Alvarez clarified that he is not playing politics when he said there may be sufficient evidence to remove Robredo from office once the case is filed. He said Robredo ruined the country’s image for her action. “We will determine objectively if she committed something stupid to ruin the country’s image. I am not playing politics here, I am not lobbying for someone else to be her replacement as vice president,” Alvarez pointed out. Alvarez insisted what Robredo did was shameful and illegal. “It was first ever in Philippine history when a sheepish government official who sent a video clip to the United Nations to ruin the country’s image. To me, that is a betrayal of public trust,” Alvarez said. Earlier, Alvarez said he respects the call of President Duterte to stop impeachment moves against Robredo but the House is bound by its constitutional duty to process the complaints independently from the Executive. Meanwhile, lawmakers cautioned Congress against impeachment complaints to be filed against Robredo. “If the complaint is undertaken by the Speaker as a punitive measure aimed to oust her as the duly elected vice president with such ridiculous charges, they know not what will be coming their way. House members are not that dumb as they want us to believe,” Akbayan party-list Rep. Tom Villarin said. Parañaque Rep. Gus Tambunting said “impeachment is always a political process and thus divisive.” “While there may be issues being thrown at both the President and the Vice President, a divisive political exercise this early in the President’s term will not only be divisive, it contributes to the government losing its focus on important matters of governance,” Tambunting said.
EXPORTS UP AFTER MEETING WITH XI—DU30 PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday said that his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping last year turned out to be a good decision as Philippine exports were boosted as a result. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of the P700-million drug rehabilitation center in Bukidnon, Duterte said that the country’s improving relationship with China has immediately taken effect on local fruit exporters. “You know, I went to China and I said, “President Xi Jinping, I come here in peace. I am not asking for anything. I am just trying to ask you to reconsider your deci-
sions. You have banned almost of the products from the Philippines. For one reason or another quality wise and everything. I said, “Can we fix it? Ah no. What should we be doing to improve the quality? Because the pineapples are rotting and the bananas you know, it’s all down and they could not even pay for their laborers.” Immediately after his meeting with President Xi, Beijing has lifted the suspension of 20 banana and six mango exporters from the Philippines. “And after my meeting, he said you can export again. And you know what? It is back to normal,
100 percent,” Duterte said, gaining applauses from the crowd. “The banana is nearing 70 percent. And China, with all of its maybe they think also that we are relatives.” Amid tensions during the height of the territorial row over the West Philippine Sea, Beijing destroyed 35 tons of bananas from the Philippines valued at $33,000 which led to the suspension of 27 exporters. The bananas were destroyed in Shenzen, a major entry point for Philippine bananas, after notifications of non-compliance.
John Paolo Bencito
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SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2017 Adelle Chua, Editor
Opinion
Joyce Pangco Pañares, Issue Editor
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EDITORIAL
POP GOES THE WORLD JENNY ORTUOSTE
WHY EVERYONE SHOULD KEEP A SKETCHBOOK
A FAIRER WORLD M ARCH is women’s month. Every year the world “celebrates” women in all societies— paying tribute to the ones who have made a difference despite the odds, and committing to help all those who have yet to find their voice, much less pursue their potential.
It should not be a token celebration. Unfortunately, many people mistake Women’s Month celebrations for exalting women, asserting that they need protection, and that they must be treated with flattery and be subject to special rules and considerations. We all know this isn’t so. Just recall that viral video of a professor being interviewed on BBC about South Korean politics. In the middle of the telecast, his children storm into his home office and
approach the screen. When the professor learns about this, he tries to distract his daughter into doing something else; it is only when his wife gets the children out of the room and closes the door that he becomes visibly relieved. Another video surfaced a few days later. This time it is a female professor being interviewed. When her daughter walks into her home office, she picks up the child lovingly while continuing to talk serious matter with the interviewer. She gives a bottle of milk to the toddler. She entertains the other, younger child with a rattle. She does other household chores—preparing a meal, ironing a shirt, cleaning the toilet, even defusing a bomb—while carrying on the conversation on the fate of the Korean president with a straight face, hardly looking overwhelmed. Finally her husband comes and asks where his other sock is, and she concludes the interview before she proceeds to tell him where it is. The second one is a parody, of course, but there is truth to what it shows us. And this is exactly why women are seen in awe not just in the month of March
but every day—they are able to take on multiple roles even under the direst of circumstances. Often, they do so with flair. In homes saddled with extreme poverty, for instance, the woman finds ways to still feed her family. In conflict areas, a woman’s first concern is that her children are safe and well-fed. Female corporate executives or top officials, tasked with making high-impact decisions, are not tied to their office desks—they are able to enjoy personal and family time as well. But perhaps the best role that women can take on is to help others realize their economic status, religion or gender does not define them. A woman inspires others to speak out when everybody else cowers, or to break patterns when it is so much easier to go with the status quo. Unfortunately, she has to deal with harsher backlash when she dares speak her mind. Women’s Month is not a time to speak patronizingly about the “fairer sex.” Every day, instead, is a challenge to build a fairer world for everybody— regardless of gender.
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JUNIORS’ JOURNEY LONG STORY SHORT ADELLE CHUA
THIRTY-SIX young musicians have collectively qualified to represent the Philippines in the Summa Cum Laude International Music Festival in Vienna in July. These members of the Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra will compete against similar youth groups from Austria, Germany, China, United States, Ja-
pan, Australia, Thailand, Spain, and Italy. The contest will be held at the prestigious Golden Hall of the Musikverein. The MSJO, whose members are between nine and 21 years old playing the violin, viola and cello, has also been invited to play in concert venues in Salzburg, Munich and Prague. They will go on to
the Sound of Music tour and undergo tutorials and workshops by the best music teachers in Europe. The trip does not come free. The tour fee and airfare will be shouldered, partly by the families of the children and partly by the orchestra through scholarships. Turn to B2
I’VE always been a great believer in Joan Didion’s advice on keeping a notebook. In her essay named exactly that, included in her “Slouching Towards Bethlehem” collection of essays, she says it is “in order to remember, of course, but exactly what was it I wanted to remember?... So the point of my keeping a notebook has never been…to have an accurate factual record of what I have been doing or thinking,” but rather “how it felt to me.” Notebooks—and diaries and journals— are, therefore, a way to experience the world and to express that experience. We take an event, say, “lunch with Adelle on Thursday,” and write it down in our planner. In our notebook or diary we expand on that, noticing some things and not others, and sometimes remembering things wrong, but that was how the lunch was for us. A sketchbook has the same purpose. But what relevance does it still have today, in the age of mobile phone cameras, which are more convenient to use and accurate as to image quality? But that is exactly the difference between photography and drawing. Photos are too detailed, too perfect, when sometimes what you want to capture is an emotion or an impression. Making marks on paper, however tentative or hesitant, is still more special than a photograph because a drawing is your own interpretation of what you saw. Keeping a daily sketchbook is like keeping a notebook, but primarily in drawings rather than words. You might say, “But I can’t draw…” Did that stop us, when we were children, scribbling merrily all over our Grade 1 pads and squabbling over the gold and cornflower crayons? We can all draw, and sketching is a way to tap into the potential to develop that skill while creating and preserving memories— “create” because we choose what to remember, and “preserve” because those drawings are safe in a book. It’s not only memories we can keep pressed between the pages of a sketchbook, but flights of fancy as well. An officemate saw me scrawling in my sketchbook when we were away at a training. “My nine-year-old daughter draws a lot,” she said, “those anime characters and robots, but on loose sheets of paper that get misplaced or thrown away.” I said, “Get her a sketchbook so you have a record of her progress. It’ll be great for you both to see later on how her skill and imagination have developed.” For some, sketching is a way to communicate what’s inside them that they cannot, or will not, express verbally. In her graphic novel One Hundred Demons, cartoonist Lynda Barry advises putting down on paper all the demons you’ve wrestled with in your past—in her case, a lice-ridden boyfriend and a stereotypeaddled grandmother (who was Filipina). Writer and visual artist Jay David has his own 100 Demons project, a Moleskine notebook populated by a vampire Voltes V and a Frankenstein Mazinger Z, among other creatures. Artist Al Rio (IG: @artistmonk) says she keeps a sketchbook because “Ideas tend to pop up, sometimes at inconvenient times. So I…sketch it for later reviewing. Also, sketching notable moments—reunion dinners, road trips, beach with friends— sometimes captures the spirit of that point in time better than photographs.” Art can also be used not only to remember, but as a remembrance or souvenir. Another artist, Rica PalomoEspiritu (IG: @ricaespiritu) says, “I do keep several [sketchbooks], in a vain attempt to organize my drawings—one would be for doodles, zen doodles, urban sketches, people sketches…” In high school, people admired her skill and would ask for her artworks, which she gave away freely, tearing pages from her sketchbooks. “I’d buy one every two weeks and give it away. That alone gave me the incentive to draw.” Like a notebook, a sketchbook is an intensely personal artifact that can be shared if you wish, as Rica did and Didion, too with the material in her notebooks (she went on to use her jottings in her work). Similarly, neither notebook nor sketchbook need be expensive, unless the allure of quality art materials tempts you—then go for it. Other people, perhaps even you, have spent money on less useful things. Turn to B2
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GENDER GAP IN DRUG POLICIES By Werner Sipp I WILL never forget the visit I made to the women’s outpatient treatment service at Pereira Rossell Hospital, in Montevideo, Uruguay, in November 2015. I was in the country in my capacity as president of the International Narcotics Control Board and had the chance to participate in a group therapy session with some of the drugdependent women at the hospital. Many of them spoke about how they had become estranged from their families and communities as a result of their drug dependence, some had been living on the streets; many held their children in their arms. I met Ana-Paula, a mother in her twenties, whose optimism and warmth I admired, given her ongoing struggle. I was deeply moved by her story of how she had sought treatment for her coca paste dependence upon discovering she was pregnant. She realized she had lost control of her life and wanted nothing more than to have a healthy baby. She had succeeded in not using coca paste for the past few months, found a place to live in a housing center for women and a job—the money from which she entrusted to her friend for safe-keeping out of fear that she may be tempted to use it to buy coca paste again. Her main concern now was raising her son and planning for his future, and she told us that coming to the treatment service had allowed her to regain control of her life. Unfortunately, unlike Ana-Paula, many drug-dependent women do not have the opportunity to access treatment and shelter, or are prevented from doing so. All over the world drugdependent women are ostracized from their communities and left without support. Although women and girls account for one-third of global drug users, only one in five drug treatment recipients is female. Women who take drugs are often stigmatized and discriminated. For this reason the International Narcotic Control Board’s Annual Report for 2016 emphasizes the need for drug policies and programs that take women into account. For drug policies to be truly effective, we have to consider the distinct situations of men and women. Governments need to take the specific needs of drug-dependent women into account to make sure their rights and those of their families are protected. Unfortunately, many drug-related policies and programs worldwide still fall short in this regard. Our Report shows that female prisoners and sex workers are at particularly high risk of drug use. If we look at the past 15 years we see a major increase in the number of women arrested for drug-related offenses and, once imprisoned, female prisoners are much more likely to become drug users than men. When women are imprisoned, family life is often greatly disrupted. There is a strong link between sex-work and drug use; women may turn to sex work as a means to support a drug-dependent lifestyle, while sex workers may use drugs to cope with the demands and nature of their work. Sex workers in many parts of the world are prevented from accessing treatment due to stigma, judgmental attitudes as well as the discomfort felt by the women themselves in predominantly maleattended treatment centers. Drugdependent women with children may also be reluctant to access treatment out of fear that they will be seen as unfit mothers and that their children will be taken from them. One-size-fits-all drug policies are not enough. We need betterinformed policies, a more efficient allocation of sorely-needed resources and prevention programs which are targeted specifically at pregnant women, sex workers, people living with HIV/AIDS and prisoners. All this is essential if we want to protect and improve the health and wellbeing of women and move closer to a solution to the world’s drug problem. It is my hope that this will ultimately give more women like AnaPaula the chance to regain control of their lives and provide brighter futures for them and their families. Werner Sipp is the president of the International Narcotics Control Board, which is the independent, quasi-judicial body that monitors implementation of the United Nations international drug control conventions.
WHY THE NUMBER PI IS WORTH CELEBRATING By Pecier Decierdo MARCH 14 is celebrated all around the world by geeks and nerds as Pi Day because 3-14 are the first three digits of pi. Pi was first discovered by mathematicians as the ratio between a circle’s circumference and its diameter. It is named after the Greek letter that is first in the Greek word perimitros, which means perimeter. If you get any circle and divide its length around (its circumference) and its length across (its diameter or what can be thought of as its “width”), you get pi. That’s true for any circle, no matter how big or small. Any circle at all. In fact, this fact is so essential to circles that if the ratio of a shape’s width and its length around is not equal to pi, then that shape is not a circle. That the ratio between any circle’s diameter and its circumference is always this constant, which can be approximated as 3.14159 to the fifth decimal place, has led people to endow this special number with cosmic, sometimes even mysterious, spiritual, or religious significance. A moment’s thought would make you appreciate part of the mystery that the ancient mathematicians, philosophers, and mystics have attached to pi. Just think about it: we haven’t gone measuring the circumference and diameter of every single circle all around the world. Such a thing is not possible. And yet if we say that for every single one of them the ratio between the circumference and diameter is the same—3.14159 and so on— we would be saying something true.
In fact, we can say such a thing not just for all circles that exist in the world, we can say it for all possible circles. That is an astounding fact! There are so many circles that exist in the world. How many? It’s hard to tell, but we know that it’s a ridiculously large number. Still, it is a finite number. On the other hand, there are infinitely many possible circles! For every single one of these infinitely many circles, the ratio between the circumference and diameter is equal to 3.14159 and so on. Give your self a few more moments to let that sink in. The Pythagoreans, the followers of the Greek mathematician Pythagoras, held mystic beliefs about numbers. They believed that the world is made of numbers, that numbers are the fundamental building blocks of reality. But for many of them, it wasn’t just any numbers, it was whole and natural numbers—0, 1, 2, 3, and so on. They thought that all numbers could also be constructed from natural numbers. For example, 0.5 can be written as ½, the ratio between 1 and 2. Meanwhile, 0.25 can be written as ¼, the ratio between 1 and 4. Even the negative numbers can be written in terms of the negative counterparts of the natural numbers. Pi baffled the Pythagoreans. They tried to figure out which natural numbers pi was a ratio of. Two of them—22 and 7—are close, but these are only good approximations because 22/7 is not pi. They tried and tried to look for the pair of natural numbers whose ratio will give them pi. They tried ratios of ratios—repeating fractions. It
seems they have to keep to taking ratios of ratios forever and ever to get pi. It seems a finite set of natural numbers does not exist that can capture the essence of pi. It seems that pi was beyond reason, contrary to reason. Pi was “irrational.” The Pythagoreans’ search for the natural numbers whose ratio was pi was, of course, a journey to the end of the rainbow. That is why pi can never be written as a finite set of decimals. The digits of pi will go on and on forever, without repeating or exhibiting a pattern; without rhyme and, if the Pythagoreans are to be believed, without reason. The ancient Indians computed to about five digits, the ancient Chinese to about seven. In the 14th century, the Indian mathematician Madhava and the European mathematician Gottfried Leibniz independently came up with a formula that can spit out as many digits of pi as desired (or as can be quickly computed). Some NASA engineers said that, for the purposes of sending spacecraft to distant worlds within the Solar System, 15 or 16 digits is sufficient. We celebrate pi because it is a great starting point to the wonderland of wonders and shapes that is mathematics. So next year, take the time to celebrate pi day by seeing how many digits you can memorize, learning about the history of mathematics, writing a piku (a poem whose stanzas have 3 syllables, then 1, then 4), or maybe just eating some pie. Pecier Decierdo is resident physicist and astronomer of The Mind Museum.
A REPUBLICAN FIASCO YEARS IN THE MAKING By Jonathan Bernstein AFTER seven years of pledging to repeal and replace Obamacare as soon as possible, Republicans pulled their bill from the House floor just before a scheduled vote—because it was going to go down in flames. We should pause and realize what a big deal this is. The number one agenda item for years, the one that most House Republicans campaigned on when first elected, and they couldn’t manage to even get an initial bill out of the House. Not only that, but it was clear this week that even though most of them were willing to vote for it, practically no one was enthusiastic about what they had produced. It also polled terribly, and conservative health care wonks hated the bill. Who was responsible? A president with a short attention span and no grasp of either process or policy didn’t help. A speaker of the House with little experience or, so far, much in the way of demonstrated legislative ability wasn’t helpful, either. Then there is the rejectionist House Freedom Caucus, who have shown again and again that they are willing to let the perfect (from their very small minority point of view) be the enemy of the good. This time, that wasn’t hard, since no one really thought the House’s product was any good. Really, however, this is only the latest climax of a long cycle of Republican dysfunction which dates back to George H.W. Bush’s administration, when House radicals upended Bush’s budget deal with Democrats in a dramatic floor vote.
JUNIORS’... From B1 MSJO’s executive director and conductor Jeffrey Solares is hard pressed to raise at least P2.5 million for the orchestra’s share in the expenses. He has explored numerous ways to come up with the funds. He has been talking to potential sponsors, institutions and individuals both, and has begun on online crowd funding campaign through gogetfunding.com. On May 27, the children will have a fund-raising concert at the Manila House at Netpark, Bonifacio Global City. Meanwhile, the families of the young musicians are also doing their best to provide their share, realizing that this is an opportunity that does not come by often to just anyone. *** The young musicians have to play from among a list of pre-selected pieces that would best show their skill and technique. They rehearse on weekends especially now that most of them are on summer vacation from school. Yes, they are typical teenagers who must
Those radicals, led by Newt Gingrich, eventually took over the Republican conference in 1995, and promptly shut down the government twice. They stripped the House of the resources it needed to legislate, and committees of their institutional memory by termlimiting their chairs. They capped it off with an irresponsible impeachment of a popular president. After that, Gingrich was gone, but the Republican House just got worse, with a decade marked by repeated mismanagement and corruption. When Republicans regained their House majority in the 2010 election, they had a chance to change their ways, but they showed they were no different, even shutting down the government again. Meanwhile, despite pledging as soon as they took office to write a bill to replace Obamacare, they never bothered to do the hard work of actually putting together a policy. Oh, there are real conservative health ideas out there. But the party as a whole, and the House in particular, just didn’t bother. And it’s not just health care: They can’t, or won’t, create viable policy. There’s no Republican immigration bill, no Republican replacement for Dodd-Frank, and on and on. They rarely even manage to talk policy beyond clichés and symbols. So here we are. Two months into Trump’s presidency, he’s signed almost nothing into law. His presidency is in disarray, and Trump’s inability to move votes confirms that everyone in town has figured out he’s a paper tiger with
attend regular school, play games, spend time with their friends and families. When they get their instruments out of their cases, however, and sit in front of their sheet music, they are transformed into another set of youngsters altogether. It’s a set that does not mind long hours of rehearsals and traveling to different venues for their performances. Usually, they practice at the mall, at the space near the MSO Academy branch in Glorietta, Makati City. Last November, they had their debut, Strings Like Teen Spirit, at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. They made the rounds of Ayala malls during the Christmas season. They play regularly at Concert at the Park, Luneta. What do they play? It’s a mix of classical pieces, original Pilipino music and even arrangements of modern rock and pop songs—think Coldplay. Think Nirvana. But the Summa Cum Laude competition is a different challenge altogether. Rehearsals are more punishing—and it is to the credit of their parents who tirelessly bring them to these venues and wait for them that they are able to do
very limited influence. The House isn’t in any better shape. Whatever they choose to tackle carries the strong possibility that Speaker Paul Ryan can’t find enough votes between relatively moderate conservatives who won’t sign on to extremist legislation and the House Freedom Caucus, which thrives on opposing very conservative bills because they’re not conservative enough. Better skills would help, to be sure. It’s still not too late for Trump to clear out the White House, hire a real chief of staff, and start over. And on the Hill, it’s possible that the health-care fiasco will have taught Ryan and his committee chairs a little bit about how to legislate, although it’s hard to see how they can solve decades of dysfunction overnight. If they do move to taxes next, it’s certainly possible they can manage to pass a big, budget-busting tax cut. Especially if they keep it simple. If, however, they really try to do something that deserves the name “tax reform”—that is, major legislation that will change how the individual and corporate tax systems are structured, rather than just slashing rates—then it’s likely they’ll run into the same problems they faced with health reform. True tax reform is almost impossible in the best of times, since it basically involves harm to small, well-organized groups with abundant resources in order to provide general benefits to large, unorganized groups. And this is hardly the best of times. Bloomberg
what they do. And derive some fun out of it, in the process. *** It will be a great experience, no doubt. But the cost of the travel is prohibitive. Many of the young musicians come from lower- or middle-income families who, while able to provide for basic needs, no longer have additional funds to cover a European trip. This is a call for help for all those who support the arts and believe in the ability of children to bring pride and honor to the country. The MSJO members are talented and hardworking. Their years-long study of music has given them discipline to balance orchestra work with other aspects of being a teenager. Going on this trip will no doubt hone their skills, strengthen their camaraderie and develop their passion for music. They will serve as good examples to their peers and other young people to pursue their dreams and work hard at them, no matter the obstacles. Why support music? It feeds the soul. It inspires us to do better. It tells us there is nothing we cannot do. adellechua@gmail.com
WHY...
From B1
There is something meditative and calming about pulling out a pen and notebook, and, while waiting in traffic or at the dentist’s office, drawing what you see in front of you, or what you wish you did. Reduced anxiety and stress is a good payoff for a few minutes of your time, right? And like other skills, the more you practice, the better you get at it. Now that’s an incentive to start. For guidance on technique and style, these Instagram accounts are truly inspiring: @ urbansketchers, @paulwang_sg, @leighpod, @ lizsteelart, @parkablogs, @artwalk, @pwscully, @ simoneridyard, @larrydmarshall. These are but a few of the many talented sketchers whose works are online. Their accounts are a great resource for sketching tips and inspiration, and as you dig deeper, you’ll find more sketchers and discover those whose styles resonate with you. In any case, the thing is to start. Right now. You just might find it very rewarding. Dr. Ortuoste is a California-based writer. Follow her on Facebook: Jenny Ortuoste, Twitter: @jennyortuoste, Instagram: @ jensdecember
World GENDER-BENDING FASHION GAINS TRACTION ON TOKYO RUNWAY TOKYO—If gender bending fashion is suddenly all the rage in the West, think Pharrell Williams promoting Chanel’s new unisex handbag, then nowhere has the look excelled more than in Tokyo. Japan, for decades a pioneer of the androgynous look in the style of Comme des Garcons, Yohji Yamamoto and Kenzo, is spawning young designers blurring the lines expertly between masculine and feminine. Genderless-looking boys are gaining traction in fashion circles and on the streets of Tokyo – gay but mostly straight men who dye their hair and wear make-up – not in an effort to pass themselves off as women but to create a new standard of beauty. “Our big theme has always been ‘unisex’,” says Takeshi Kitazawa, one half of the design duo behind trendy label DRESSEDUNDRESSED, sold by dozens of stockists in Japan and abroad. “’Genderless’ is now really common,” he explains after his show at Tokyo Fashion Week, a parade of eight male and four female models each wearing interchangeable clothes. Staying true to its brand name, it was a half-dressed, half-undressed look of coats and trousers slashed at the side with deep splits and men – rather than women – parading down the catwalk in bare legs. AFP
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CITIES TO DIM LIGHTS IN A NOD TO EARTH P
aris—From Sydney to New York, cities and monuments dimmed their lights on Saturday in a show of solidarity against the threats being faced by the planet from humankind. This year marks the tenth anniversary of Earth Hour, an annual bid to raise awareness about global warming caused by the burning of coal, oil and gas to power cars and power plants. Since it was first held in 2007, in Sydney alone, great strides have been made in highlighting the dire state of the planet, according to the
conservation group WWF, which organizes the event. Earth Hour, said its coordinator Siddarth Das, must show that “each individual can help turn the page towards a sustainable, climate-resilient future for all.” Following the path of the sunset around the world, Saturday’s events kicked off with the Sydney Opera
House dimming its lights, then moved westward through Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas. Monuments including the Empire State Building, the Kremlin, Big Ben, the Tower of Pisa, the Eiffel Tower and Egypt’s pyramids will go dark to mark the event. Lisbon hosted a concert by candlelight while Singapore held a “carbon-neutral run.” Last year, scientists recorded the Earth’s hottest temperatures in modern times for the third year in a row. Nations agreed in Paris in 2015 to limit average global warming to two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees
Fahrenheit) over pre-industrial temperatures. That is the level at which many scientists say humankind can still avoid worst-case climate outcomes in terms of rising sea levels, worsening droughts and floods, and increasingly violent superstorms. “Climate change is visible proof that our actions can have a ripple effect beyond physical borders,” Das said. “It is up to each of us to ensure the impact we create helps instead to improve the lives of those around us and elsewhere, at present and in the future.” AFP
TILLERSON TO MEET ALLIES AS NATO RACES TO SAVE TALKS WASHINGTON—US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will meet with NATO members next week in Brussels, as alliance diplomats worked to nail down the date. “We are currently planning to hold the meeting of NATO foreign ministers on March 31. Consultations on scheduling among Allies are ongoing,” a NATO official in Brussels said. The NATO foreign ministers meeting had been planned for April 5, but that was thrown into chaos on Tuesday when Tillerson revealed he would not be attending. US officials now say Tillerson will head to Brussels on Friday. “The Secretary of State will visit NATO in Brussels, Belgium,” acting State Department spokesman Mark Toner said, without revealing any details of planned meetings. Officials suggested that a complicating factor might be the agenda of Britain’s Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who might not be able to make it to Brussels on March 31. NATO member Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has already announced that he expects to meet Tillerson in Ankara on Thursday, March 30. AFP
UNIVERSITY SETTLES LAWSUIT OVER HEZBOLLAH SUPPORT
BEIRUT—A Lebanese university will pay $700,000 to settle a US lawsuit over allegations it provided “material support” to entities linked to Hezbollah, US officials said. The American University of Beirut confirmed it was settling the lawsuit, which charged it had violated the terms of grants it received from US Agency for International Development. The US Attorney’s Office in Manhattan announced the deal on Thursday, saying AUB would be required to pay the US government $700,000 and revise its internal policies to ensure future compliance with US law. “For years, the American University of Beirut accepted grant money from USAID, but failed to take reasonable steps to ensure against providing material support to entities on the Treasury Department’s prohibited list,” said Acting Manhattan US Attorney Joon H. Kim said. “With today’s settlement, the University is being made to pay a financial penalty for its conduct, and importantly, it has admitted to its conduct and agreed to put proper precautions in place to ensure that it does not happen again.” The civil lawsuit charged that AUB violated US law by providing media training between 2007-2009 to representatives of two media outlets—Al-Nour Radio and Al-Manar television—under US sanctions for their ties to Hezbollah. AFP
POWWOW. Native American dancers participate in the Grand Entry during the Denver March Powwow in Colorado. Held over four days, the event attracts an estimated 55,000 participants, made up of dancers, drummers, vendors, and spectators. AFP
POPE HEADS TO MILAN HINTERLAND TO RALLY POOR VATICAN CITY—Pope Francis visited Milan Saturday where he met families on a housing estate, break bread with inmates in a local prison and held a mass for hundreds of thousands of believers in nearby Monza. Bells in church towers across over 1,000 diocese rang when Francis got off the plane at Milan-Linate airport outside the northern Italian city. The Argentine made his first stop at the Case Bianche (White Houses), a run-down, soulless collection of concrete tower blocks from the 70s on the fringe of a wealthy city better known for its football clubs and fashion weeks. “It is a symbolic choice. The pope wanted to arrive at the heart of Milan by passing first through the outskirts,”parish priest Augusto Bonora told AFP, saying the parishioners were “wildly excited” when they heard Francis was dropping by. The head of the Roman Catholic Church popped into three homes for a chat, sitting down with an elderly couple, a family where one member suffers from a serious illness, and a Muslim family with several children. “The Case Bianche is a suburb like many others, with all the associated problems, from security to small-time trafficking,” Bonora said. With its dirty stairwells, broken mailboxes and defective lifts, the neighborhood has become “a little ghettoised,” said Mirella, 68, whose son lives on the estate in one of the forgotten corners of the country’s economic capital. Bonora admits that “like all suburbs,
it’s been somewhat forgotten by those in charge,” but insists that there social programmes in place to help the young or care for the elderly. After visiting the families, the pontiff performed a blessing near a small Virgin of Lourdes sanctuary in front of over 8,000 locals. Francis’s visit is “a unique occasion. Many people, non-Christians included, came to ask for passes (to attend the blessing),” said Cesare Nera, who lives in a nearby neighborhood and has taken part in the preparations. “Pope Francis inspires confidence, he says that the church must go out and that is what we are trying to do in our little parish,” he said, referring to the pontiff ’s call for Catholics to leave their pews and get their hands dirty. After a meeting with religious leaders, Francis headed to the 19th century San Vittore prison where he sat down with 100 inmates and staff for a lunch of risotto, escalope Milanese and panna cotta prepared by the prisoners themselves. “Sometimes, a certain hypocrisy leads to people considering you only as wrongdoers, for whom prison is the sole answer,” he told jailbirds in November at a special audience for prisoners at Saint Peter’s Basilica. “We don’t think about the possibility that people can change their lives. We put little trust in rehabilitation … into society. But in this way we forget that we are all sinners and often, without being aware of it, we too are prisoners,”he added. AFP
BLESSED. A young girl hugs Pope Francis during a visit in the ‘Case Bianche’ neighborhood on March 25 in Milan. AFP
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AIR STRIKE ON SYRIAN PRISON KILLS 16
PURIFICATION. Balinese people walk along Kuta beach to attend prayers for the Melasti ceremony on the Indonesian resort island on March 25. AFP
OBAMACARE REPEAL BID COLLAPSES
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ASHINGTON— President Donald Trump faced the biggest blow yet to his young presidency as his bid to repeal Obamacare went down in flames at the hands of rebel Republican lawmakers. Barely two months into his term, Trump was forced to withdraw an embattled Republican health care bill Friday, moments before a vote, leaving his campaign pledge to dismantle his predecessor’s health care reforms unfulfilled. The stinging defeat showed the limits of Trump’s power to deliver on an ambitious legislative agenda despite Republican control of both houses of Congress. Already rocked by a string of damaging reversals and controversies, Trump must now consider how to move forward in the face of a fractured, rebellious Congress. “Trump will have a very hard
time dealing with these divides because he does not understand them,” said John Pitney, a professor of American politics at Claremont-McKenna College. On Trump’s agenda are a major overhaul of the tax system and a bill to upgrade infrastructure like roads and bridges. “We were very, very close” to securing enough support for the bill, Trump said in the Oval Office. But with no Democratic backing, “we couldn’t quite get there.” Trump had thrown his full political weight behind the measure, spending days arm-twisting recalcitrant Republicans, and he declared himself “disappointed” and
a “little surprised” by the defeat. The battle was an eye-opening experience for Trump, a billionaire real estate tycoon who entered the White House with no experience in politics or government, including the delicate navigations of Congress. The bill’s defeat marked a second major policy setback for the new president, who has seen his attempt to curb travel from Muslim-majority countries twice frozen by the courts. Instead of projecting humility, Trump went on the offensive, branding Democrats as the real “losers” of the failed repeal bid because “now they own Obamacare. They own it, 100 percent.” The president met with House Speaker Paul Ryan earlier in the day, then spoke with him by telephone when it was clear the party did not have the votes to get its plan across the finish line. “I told him that the best thing I think to do is to pull this bill and he
agreed with that decision,” Ryan said. But while Trump was quick to blame Democrats for not giving “a single vote” for his plan, Ryan owned up to the failures. “I will not sugar coat this. This is a disappointing day for us,” said the top Republican in Congress. The Trump-backed plan, intended to expand free-market competition in the insurance industry and lower the cost of premiums for most Americans, would also have slashed public assistance to people who have no health coverage through their employer. Some 14 million people stood to lose their coverage starting next year, according to congressional forecasts, if Trump’s pet measure was passed. Basic benefits covered under Obamacare – such as maternity care and emergency room visits – would no longer have been considered essential and required for insurers to provide. AFP
STEM CELL HELPS SOME MEN WITH ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION PARIS—Men unable to have an erection after prostate surgery enjoyed normal intercourse thanks to stem cell therapy, scientists reported Saturday at a medical conference in London. In first-phase clinical trials, eight out of 15 continent men suffering from erectile dysfunction had sex six months after the one-time treatment, without recourse to drugs or penile implants. The positive result showed no signs of flagging during a subsequent yearlong monitoring period. “As far as we know, this is the first time that a human study with a 12-month follow up shows that the treatment is lasting and safe,” said Lars Lund, a professor at Odense University Hospital in Denmark who took part in the trials. “That is much better than taking a pill every time you want to have intercourse,” he told AFP. The results were promising enough to convince Danish health authorities to authorize so-called phase III “doubleblind” randomized trials in which one group of men is given stem cell therapy and another placebos. Only men recovering from prostate cancer and able to control their blad-
ders will be enrolled in the new experiments, Lund explained by phone. To perform the procedure, doctors remove fat cells from a patient’s abdomen via liposuction. The cells undergo a brief treatment and emerge as all-purpose stem cells, meaning they can mutate into almost any specialized cell in the body. “We do not cultivate the cells or change them in any way,” said Lund’s colleague Martha Haahr, head researcher and lead author of a study detailing preliminary results, published last year in EBioMedicine. The stem cells are then injected with a syringe into the penis, where they spontaneously begin to change into nerve and muscle cells, as well as the endothelial cells that line blood vessels. Men are under general anaesthesia while all of these happen, and are discharged from the hospital the same day. Prostate surgery is responsible for about 13 percent of erectile dysfunction cases. Up to 80 percent of men experience difficulty having sex immediately after an operation, previous research has shown.
WHO’S A GOOD BOY? A member of the Royal Malaysian Police K-9 unit performs during the 210th Police Day parade in Kuala Lumpur on March 25. AFP
BEIRUT—At least 16 people were killed overnight in air strikes on a prison in the rebel-held city of Idlib in northwest Syria, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor said Saturday. It said the dead included prisoners and prison guards, but did not have an immediate breakdown of the toll. The strikes were believed to have been carried out by Russian warplanes, which have been flying sorties in support of President Bashar al-Assad’s government since Moscow began a military intervention in September 2015. The Observatory, which relies on a network of sources inside Syria for its information, says it determines whose planes carry out raids according to type, location, flight patterns and munitions used. It added that guards opened fire in the aftermath of the strike on fleeing prisoners, and there were initial reports of additional casualties in that fire. AFP
MYANMAR REBUFFS UN PROBE ON ROHINGYA YANGON—Myanmar on Saturday rejected the UN rights council’s decision to investigate allegations that security officers have murdered, raped and tortured Rohingya Muslims, saying the probe would only “inflame” the conflict. The Geneva-based body agreed Friday to “urgently” dispatch a fact-finding mission to the Southeast Asian country, focusing on claims that police and soldiers have carried out violations against the Rohingya in Rakhine state. The army crackdown, launched in October after militants killed nine policemen, has sent tens of thousands of Rohingya fleeing across the border to Bangladesh. Escapees have given UN investigators gruesome accounts of security officers stabbing babies to death, burning people alive and committing widespread gang rape. AFP
LAPTOP BAN HITS DUBAI FOR 1.1M WEEKEND TRAVELLERS DUBAI—Dubai International Airport and its flag carrier Emirates began implementing a ban on laptops and tablets on direct flights to the US Saturday, on one of the busiest travel weekends of the year. At least 1.1 million people are expected to pass through the busiest international airport as the city marks UAE spring break, Dubai Airports’ senior vice president for communications Anita Mehra said. An estimated 260,000 travellers were expected to pass through each day from Friday through Monday. Dubai International Airport expects 89 million passengers this year. The United States announced a ban on all electronics larger than a standard smartphone on board direct flights out of eight countries across the middle East. US officials would not specify how long the ban will last, but Dubai-based Emirates told AFP that it had been instructed to enforce it until at least October 14. Travellers using 10 airports across the Middle East and North Africa are subject to the ban. AFP
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SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2017
Business
Ray S. Eñano, Editor / Roderick dela Cruz, Issue Editor business@thestandard.com.ph
HOW ‘FIL-AM’ BOYS GREW CHILI’S IN PH
By Othel V. Campos
O
PINOY APP READIES ASEAN EXPANSION
ne of the country’s most eligible bachelors, Luigi Vera, oversaw the expansion of Chili’s Grill & Bar Restaurant in the Philippines which now has a dozen stores, including two that opened this year. Vera and his longtime business partners— Richie Yang and Robert Epes—are celebrating their two decades in the casual dining business, after putting up the first Chili’s store in Makati City in 1996. “There were challenges along the way. It was never purely smooth and fun as we tread on our 20th year. It was like raising kids, tough but fulfilling,” says Vera who is very hands-on with the business. He describes himself as more of a store guy than an office executive. He prefers having meetings in stores and making daily rounds of Chili’s outlets as managing director. Spending time in stores is what he takes delight most about especially during the construction of a new branch. He set aside a lucrative career as a civil engineer back in the US where he and partners went to school. For a US-educated guy, Vera is not the typical “Amboy-Conio” type. Chili’s crew is fond of his funny antics and of his personal managerial touch. Educated in Xavier School from elementary to high school, he was also ‘Jesuits-raised” in the US. He studied at Sta. Clara University in the Bay area in the US, another Jesuits-run institution near San Jose. Yang, one of his business partners, also enrolled at Sta. Clara while Epes, an American who grew up in the Philippines, also went to college in the Bay Area. When it was time for them to go home to the Philippines, they thought of putting up a business together. What brought them together is their combined love for food and the Chili’s brand. They formed Am-Phil Inc., but not after the three of them created stable professional careers in the Philippines with Vera working for Citibank and Yang and Epes for their family businesses. “It was in 1987 when we first stepped into Chili’s in Cupertino, California and we instantly loved their food. We will order the same things— steak fajitas, burgers, baby back ribs, wings over buffalo and country fried steak. Our theory was to go into business while all of us were employed elsewhere so that the business wouldn’t be supporting us,” Vera says. When asked why Chili’s is not as aggressive as other brands in creating more footprint in the casual dining space, Vera has a standard reply. He says that “expanding the brand, even as it is a necessary tool to grow a business, is not an imperative move for the company to survive competition.” “We don’t need to be number one in terms of sales and size. We endured all these years because we value consistency. It is a big factor why we’re still here. People say Chili’s food is still the same quality as when we introduced the brand twenty years ago. The service is also friendly. That’s why we have customers who keep on coming back,” he says. Expansion, he says, is nothing like finding location, “and that’s it.” It should be finding the perfect location—a dilemma that has always been a big deal for the team. “There should always be the right blend of
Mober Technology Inc. founder Dennis Ng
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RESTAURATEUR.
Am-Phil Inc. managing director Luigi Vera oversaw the expansion of Chili’s Grill & Bar Restaurant in the Philippines.
where to put a branch, the volume of foot traffic and the convenience the branch can afford to give the customers,” Vera says. He cites a long standing ambition to put up a branch in Manila City, along the famous Adriatico strip but traffic was outrageous and parking was a problem in the area. Growing the brand to a dozen branches fell on perfect timing, a great gift for a 20 year-old franchise. Chili’s pilot branch in Greenbelt, established in 1996, is still up and running, unlike other casual diners and restaurants that came up only to disappear years, if not months later. Other Chili’s branches are strategically situated in Greenhills, Tomas Morato, Rockwell Power Plant, Alabang Town Center, Megamall, Fairview Terraces, Mall of Asia, UP Town Center and the Block at SM North Edsa. Even as Chili’s bestsellers remain—baby back ribs, burgers, fajitas, burgers, chips, nachos, chicken crispers and margarita drinks—the food chain continues to update its menu such that it
has three types of burgers with a wider variety. It also adapted to Filipino’s choice of food and introduced Beef Salpicao and Country-Style Prok Belly, a Filipino signature fare that cannot be found in any Chili’s stores upstate and Chili’s anywhere in the world. Alongside Chili’s franchise, Am-Phil has also ventured into smaller yet ambitious brands such as Super Bowl of China, Nanbantei of Tokyo, Tokyo Tonteki and Salvatore Cuomo Restaurant and Bar inside the Bonifacio Global Center. As AmPhil grows its food enterprise, its workforce is also expanding with 1,000 people working for all company franchises. The company, a strong believer in empowering children and education improvement, also supports Children’s Hour. This is a shared vision of company co-owners. Vera is a devout Christian, from a family who goes to Church regulary if the occasion permits while Yang is a church minister. “These values we share with the people we work with and with our customers,” says Vera.
FILIPINO start-up and mobile app Mober Technology Inc. has disclosed plans to penetrate the delivery market of Singapore and other markets in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Mober founder and chief executive Dennis Ng says the company is raising at least $1 million from preseries A funding for an equity swap of 10 percent to enable to company to innovate, intensify marketing support and move on to the latest technology on bulk deliveries via web-based or mobile-based tracking. “It is a mature market. I expect we will not have any difficulties in transaction and deliveries. Our success there will depend on our van partners who, I supposed, are very reliable partners given that Singapore is a very picky,” he says. Established in 2015, the two-yearold company has a standing offer from a Singaporean company to buy out Mober for $5 million. “I refused because we have so much ideas we are excited to execute and we know there is huge demand for the service we offer. I am interested to let go of the company entirely,” he says, adding that he is willing to dispose of 20 percent equity with van partners in Singapore if they are performing well enough. He says the delivery opportunities in the Philippines is growing rapidly with the current nationwide inventory of 15,000 vans and about 10 million transactions. The start-up company is doing local roadshows for funding in Cebu and Davao where the company is also trying to gain foothold. Mober will be available in Cebu by April and in Davao within the year. Mober expects to hit $12 million in cumulative revenue by 2019, at 3 million deliveries and a minimum $4 commission rate per $18 transaction. It grew by 65 percent month-onmonth in 2016. From an average of 238 transactions in the first quarter of 2016, it grew to 6,842 transactions in the fourth quarter of 2016. From 100 van partners, the company plans to have 3,000 van partners by 2019. Among the company’s captured markets are SM appliance Center, Our Home, Mandaue Foam, Dimensione, Adidas, Red Ribbon, Blims Furniture, Bags in the City, HMR Philippines, Inc., WorldBex, Rockwell Land, Better Dog and other local companies with mobility requirement. It also has initial talks with Philippine Airlines for “straight-fromthe airport” delivery to clients within a 15-kilometer radius. Mober is growing to be the preferred business-tobusiness of Philippine retailers and establishments because of accessibility and real time delivery. Othel V. Campos
COLEGIO DE SAN JUAN DE LETRAN RECOGNIZES 400 OUTSTANDING ALUMNI ALUMNI of Colegio de San Juan de Letran reunited at the New World Hotel in Makati City on March 23, ahead of the school’s celebration of 400th year by 2020. Colegio de San Juan de Letran Alumni Association used the occasion to honor Letran’s 400 Great Men and Women (Grandes Figuras) who have shown and manifested the school’s ideals of “love to God, country and alma mater.” Colegio de San Juan de Letran is a private Roman Catholic Dominican institution of learning in Intramuros, Manila. Established in 1620, it has the distinction of being the oldest college in the Philippines. The school has produced Philippine presidents, revolutionary heroes, poets, legislators, members of the clergy and jurists. It has also produced several Catholic saints who lived and studied in its campus. Among the awardees are Carmelo Casas, Antonio
Tuviera, Henry Lim Bom Liong, Jaime Bautista, Dr. Gregorio Andaman Jr., Don Juan Geronimo Guerrero, Jose Maria Aligda, Charles Yu, William Uy, Bernie Atienza, Maj. Gen. Victor Felix (ret), Dr. Gregorio Andaman, Dr. Manuel Mariano and Cavite Rep. Strike Revilla. The awardees were recognized for their selfless and humble way of serving communities and making Letran proud through their good will. Revilla, of Batch ‘93 who started his political career at the age of 25 when he was elected as councilor of Bacoor in 1995, says his Letran education helped him become a better public servant. Grandes Figuras awardee Rep. “It’s Letran that helped me think what good things I can contribute to our country. Love to God, country and alma Strike Revilla (center) with Letran’s mater stays with me even after I finished school,” says Revilla, Fr. Boyd Sulpicio (left) and Fr. Clarence Victor Marqez (right). who served as mayor of Bacoor from 2007 to 2016 before being elected as a member of Congress.
Business
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SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2017 business@thestandard.com.ph
BRAIN TUMOR PATIENTS SEE BEAMS OF HOPE A DIAGNOSIS of a brain tumor often means traditional brain surgery: invasive procedures that carry with it high-risk especially for the delicate tissues of the brain. A breakthrough technology called Gamma Knife allows patients to now choose a non-invasive procedure proven to shrink brain tumors or stop its growth nearly 90 percent of the time. Gamma Knife actually uses gamma rays instead of the traditional surgical knife. This non-invasive procedure has the ability to target small brain tumors without hurting the surrounding healthy tissue. For every Gamma Knife surgery, a multidisciplinary team of neurosurgeons and radiation oncologists carefully customize the dosage of gamma rays and deliver the exact amount with micro-precision with the help of a state-of-the-art software. By using tiny beams of radiation, Gamma Knife surgery is able to treat hard-to-reach tumors that traditional open brain surgery cannot. More accurate targeting means being able to deliver a full dose of radiation at one time instead of multiple treatments.
LADY BPO PIONEER MAKES HER MARK IN INSURANCE SECTOR
QBE Group Shared Services executive general manager Karen Batungbacal-De Venecia
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The medical team of Philippine Gamma Knife Center at Cardinal Santos Memorial Hospital
In the country, the Philippine Gamma Knife Center is housed at Cardinal Santos Memorial Hospital. The Philippine Gamma Knife Center is one of the multidisciplinary centers of the Brain and Spine Institute at Cardinal Santos Medical Center. Established in 1998, the Philippine Gamma Knife Center has since performed almost 3,000 successful Gamma Knife procedures since it launched. It has acquired the Leksell Gamma Knife Perfexion, the most accurate and most advanced radiosurgery technology available in the world today. “Perfexion now has an eXtend program, which allows the delivery of multiple sessions of Gamma Knife by using a head cushion to immobilize the patient’s head—it improves their tolerance for multi-session procedures. Before, treatments that took 3 to 5 consecutive days would be difficult for the patient. This means, Perfexion can now safely treat brain tumors that require more than one session of Gamma Knife Radiosurgery,” says Dr. Ted Vesagas. He says over 280 successful procedures have been undertaken using Perfexion at the center. With this new technology available in the country, more people will be able to overcome the devastating diagnosis of a brain tumor because of the beams of hope that the Gamma Knife Perfexion surgery delivers.
n a challenging environment where markets are increasingly unpredictable, ‘cut-throat’ is the perfect word to describe the insurance industry today. Although growth is probable and expansion is expected to be sustained by 2019, incumbent insurers nonetheless face existential pressures. The insurance industry has been maledominated from its earliest days. Some consider it a profession that has minimal place for women. However, in the recent 2016 Women in Insurance Conference Series, a conference spearheaded by the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation in Los Angeles, women were identified as having made great strides in achieving equality in the industry on an international scale. Survey results showed that 86 percent of insurance professionals believe that the industry is making progress towards gender equality. In the Philippines, a woman stands out as she maneuvers her company’s success in the local insurance market. Kar en Batungbacal-De Venecia, executive general manager of QBE Group Shared Services, knows the real deal and continues to dominate the Philippine insurance scene. Starting operations in the Philippines in 2013, the largest global insurer in Australia, the QBE Insurance Group, aggressively penetrated the Philippine insurance arena since its establishment. Karen is instrumental to the success of the QBE Insurance Group both internationally and locally. As she builds the QBE name in the Philippines, Karen works in tandem with Joli Wu, another woman leader who stands as the president and chief executive of QBE
Seaboard. QBE Seaboard Insurance Philippines is an insurance company that combines the operations of QBE Insurance (Philippines) and the portfolio of Seaboard Eastern Insurance Company. It helps corporations and professionals to minimize and mitigate risk by providing a wide range of cover against legal liabilities. Karen leads the QBE Group Shared Services Center, the strategic hub of QBE’s global business and processes. She is a pioneer in the business process off-shoring and shared services space, having built and led companies in this sector since 2000. She co-founded and was the first president of IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines and continues to be a senior advisor to the Board of Trustees of the association. Now, leading the full operations of QBE-GSSC, she is faced with a greater role that makes her responsible for rem ov ing ro ad b l o c k s a n d m a k i n g multi-million peso contracts that fuel the company’s fire. As a female leader, Karen believes that a woman’s intuition is an asset in a society that correlates rational thinking to decision making. “A woman’s touch in leadership puts in a unique perspective in terms of management style. A femaIe leader brings intuitiveness to the table in a business culture where we are engrossed with rational thinking. Although this is a tried-and-tested trait, sometimes, we also need to take a step back and consider our instinct towards something,” she shared. As a woman who calls the shots in the organization, Karen admitted that she still has to contend in a field dominated by men. In the business scene where success stories of businessmen tend to attract the limelight, Karen attests that it is challenging for women leaders to stand out. “My dynamics change when I am around a group of businessmen. It’s a whole new
playing field when you’re in a room full of assertive personalities. But I always keep in mind what I am capable of as a woman leader. Besides, I know women like me in the workplace have the DNA for leadership, at par or even greater than the opposite gender,” she said. Being a female leader in a maledominated business culture, Karen is a representation of major advances for women in the workplace. The Philippines, ranking 4th among ten of the countries with the highest percentage of women leaders, is a living proof of how Filipinas are starting to be at par with men in running the business scene. “It’s great to see women out there who are successful. I thank them, all of these trailblazers, who made it easier for all of us to aim high in our respective industries. To see that there are already women associations like the Filipina CEO Circle, a circle of Philippine women corporate leaders that I am also a part of, is proof that we are indeed moving forward,” she said. As an advocate for women, Karen encourages all to continue celebrating and embracing who they are and what they are capable of as females. “I believe it’s the woman in me that helped me make those “leaps of faith” into the many adventures in my life. Many of my life and career choices weren’t logical. Most of it was based on what I felt I should be doing, a gut-feel, and I trusted that gut-feel,” she said. A bright future for QBE and the industry as a whole is what Karen strives for as a woman leader. She prides herself in leading a winning team whose members promise to walk with her hand-in-hand towards success. She continues to propel over 3,000 employees from Manila and Cebu and promises to lead in ways she does best—providing a corporate culture that emphasizes diversity and inclusion, and empowering Filipino women to become industry leaders themselves.
194 CHILDREN OF COCONUT FARMERS GET UCPB SCHOLARSHIPS UCPB and its affiliate Coconut Industry Investment Fund companies are funding the college study and technical-vocational training of 194 more coconut farmer children in school year 2017-2018. The new scholars will bring to 2,894 the total number of children of coconut farmers who have received grants for a four- to five-year college course or a 12- to 16-month technical-vocational course from the UCPB-CIIF Scholarship Program since its launch in 2003. Coconut farmers are among the poorest in the country. Most could not afford to send their children to college or even trade school. The UCPB-CIIF Scholarship Program, which is being implemented by the UCPBCIIF Foundation, pays for the scholars’ tuition and other school fees and provides them with a monthly living allowance. “We have been supporting the program from the start and will continue to do so because it is helping to uplift the living
condition of coconut farmers, which is the bank’s common social mandate with the CIIF companies,” UCPB president and chief executive Higinio Macadaeg, Jr. said. The CIIF companies supporting the scholarship program are Cocolife, UCPB General Insurance, Cocochem and the CIIF Oil Mills Group. Macadaeg cited the results of the annual survey conducted last year which showed that 80 percent of the scholar-graduates are earning incomes with 86 percent percent of them earning enough to be able to regularly send money home for their families’ daily expenses and their siblings’ education. The UCPB-CIIF Scholarship Program has so far produced 1,467 graduates, 756 of whom earned technical-vocational skill certifications from six Don Bosco Training Centers and 711, college degrees from 71 state colleges and universities. Another 269 scholars are graduating this school year. The UCPB-CIIF scholars come from 63
coconut provinces from as far North as Quirino and Aurora Province to as deep South as Tawi-Tawi and Jolo. Nearly a fifth of the program’s college graduates have completed their courses with honors with two graduating summa cum laude, eight magna cum laude and 94 cum laude. More are expected to join the program’s honor rolls as the scholars graduating this year have posted an average grade of 1.84. The success of the program has generated support from other companies and foundations, outside of the UCPB and the CIIF groups, including San Miguel Foundation, which is sponsoring 10 technical-vocational scholars in Mindanao; the Philippine Development Alternative Foundation, 20 college scholars in the Bicol Region and in the Visayas; Bataan Shipyard and Engineering Co., 34 college scholars in Manila and in the Visayas; and Save Coconut Foundation and St. Paul University Quezon City, 36 college scholars in Manila.
With his mother beside him, Coco Foundation scholar Joderick Montebon shows off his certificate of recognition for academic excellence during his graduation last year.
Sports
C3
SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2017 randyproject@yahoo.com
KICKBOXING SEEKING SLOTS IN MARTIAL ARTS GAMES
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ARTIAL Arts clubs specializing in kickboxing are hoping to form a competitive team and join the Philippine delegation to the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG) that will take place in September in Turkmenistan. Monith Pabroa, head coach of the D Elements MMA, maintains a slew of mixed martial arts fighters who have kickboxing and muay thai as skill base. “Marami akong pwedeng fighters na isabak sa qualifying events. Currently they are very active sila sa MMA scene,” said Pabroa, a member of the National Muay Thai and Kickboxing Council of the Philippines (NMKBP). NMKBP is a group of martial arts gyms headed by Emmanuel Sabrine, who is also the founder of the Southeast Asia Fighting Championships, based in Angeles City, Pampanga. Other members of the NMKBP are New Blood MMA of Larry Baluyan and Rey Abiquebel, Rey Biagtan of Biagtan MMA in Caviete, to name a few. The NMKBP have bonded with other gyms like YawYan Kampilan, Phil Kamao, MP Highland and World Kickboxing League-Philipines to form the Kickboxing Alliance of the Philippines (KAP). The KAP has an active line-up of Filipino fighters ready to carry the country’s flag in international competitions, like the Asian martial arts games. Among the athletes who have expressed intention to join the kickboxing national team are CJ De Tomas, former kickboxing champion in the national games and currently MMA champion at URCC, and Aj Matthews, a Fil-American MMA fighter seeing action at Bellator. Stakeholders of the KAP have also vowed to work closely with the Muay Association of the Philippines (MAP), headed by Gen. (ret.) Lucas Managuelod and secretary general Pearl Managuelod. “Maganda ito para sa kapakanan ng mga fighters and unity ng martial arts sa Pilipinas,” Brico Santig of WKL-Philippines. “We can help both in kickboxing and muay thai ng MAP. Hopefuly, we’ll be able to come up with a competitive team that will qualify to the criteria set by officials.” The Philippine Olympic Committee has formed the task force that will lead the selection of athletes who will make up the Philippine delegation to be headed by Chief of Mission Monsour Del Rosario of tae-
GAB chairman Baham Mitra
GAB TO REQUIRE PRO BOXERS TO UNDERGO MRI
Baden Loman is one of the kickboxers hoping slot in the Asian martial arts games
kwondo and deputy chief Raymund Lee Reyes of karate. For sports that are not regular member of the National Sports Associations under the POC, Reyes said they are planning to hold unified qualifying events. “Dito natin makukuha ung best athletes to represent the Philippines,” said Reyes. The Task Force had recently made its assessment of athletes bidding to join the games set Sept. 17-27 in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Around 30 wrestlers, 28 athletes in the sport of kurasch and eight athletes in dance sports are currently preparing to join. “This is what we got so far, from the many number of events listed,” said Lee-Reyes in an radio interview. Del Rosario and Lee-Reyes recently checked the preparations of Filipino athletes by visiting the office and training areas of many NSAs involved. So far, there are 12 male and 5 female athletes that are aspiring to make it to the Greco Roman squad in regular wrestling, while another 20 are being considered in belt wrestling. Sports officials are still finding out if there are players from billiards team, bowling Association. In sports of kurasch, they are thinking of bringing along 14 male and 14 female athletes. In the 2013 AIMAG held in
Phil Kamao has been conducting kickboxing event at its home gym in Caloocan City to discover fresh talent in the sport
Incheon, South Korea, the PhilipChery Gamili and Clarice Parpines won three medals—one gold con claimed the gold and bronze in and two bronzes—and wound up dancesport while Rubilen Amit took 19th out of 43 competing nations. the bronze in billiards.
THE Games and Amusements Board thru Chairman Abraham Mitra announced it is now considering including magnetic resonance imaging or MRI as one of the licensing requirements for professional boxers. In a meeting of the GAB ratings committee recently, Chairman Mitra mentioned to attendees that “as a response to the recent debate between Senators (Franklin) Drilon and (Manny) Pacquiao during the interpellations on Senate Bill No. 130,” the GAB is now inclined and seriously studying requiring all professional boxers to undergo MRI”. The GAB ratings committee is composed of GAB officials and representatives from promoters groups, managers, matchmakers, media and boxers, Chairman Mitra mentioned to attendees that “as a response to the recent debate between Senators (Franklin) Drilon and (Manny) Pacquiao during the interpellations on Senate Bill No. 130,” the GAB is now inclined and seriously studying requiring all professional boxers to undergo MRI”. Mitra said that boxers shall be required to undergo MRI tests annually in order to secure a license. Senator Pacquiao was quoted in the Senate debate transcript as saying that “ dapat ginagawa ng GAB, pero hindi nila ginagawa (GAB should be doing it, but they are not doing it)”. Leading matchmaker Art Mones said, “this is another imposition on the boxers, and, promoters will surely carry the burden. This imposition could kill Philippine boxing as they might stop promoting because of the high cost of MRI which is about P8-12,000.” Mitra and commissioners Fritz Gaston and Eduard Trinidad regularly meet with boxing stakeholders in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. “We are extending our utmost assistance to them to reinvigorate Philippine boxing,” Mitra said. “Our mandate is to look after the welfare of the boxers and we do all our best to make sure they are all fit to fight and that we avoid mismatches,” said Mitra. He added, “we look up to Senator Manny as our Godfather and guru and if he feels very strongly that MRI should be imposed then we will heed his advice and do so.” “We recognize the wisdom of requiring MRI from the start, for the welfare of the boxers. It’s just a question of budget, and GAB has reiterated that need from the inception of the discussions,” Mitra concluded. Pacquiao filed the bill dubbed Boxers’ Welfare Act seeking to form the Philippine Boxing Commission separate from the GAB and will have its own separate budget and officials.
ELITE CAST TO VIE AT 12TH MERCEDES TROPY
MERCEDES-BENZ owners take time out from their busy corporate schedules and the like to compete in a special golf tournament with a select roster of guests, who share the same passion for the sport. The MercedesTrophy, an international three-tier structured amateur golf series which stakes coveted spots in the MT World Final in Germany, fires off tomorrow (March 27) at the posh Sta. Elena Golf Club in Sta. Rosa, Laguna with over 200 players competing. To speed up play for a big field, organizers have set up a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. with the awards rites set at 4 p.m. What makes the 12th staging of the annual event special is that MercedesBenz will donate to the Cardinal Medical Charities Foundation, Inc. as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program. “A specific amount of cash will be
donated to the organization based on the number of players,” said Marvin Caparros, MercedesTrophy Golf director. Marco Mendoza (Class A), Victor Mapua (Class B) and Joseph Sy (Class C) shared top honors in last year’s edition of the event with Myra Caparros bagging the ladies crown in the tournament also held at Santa Elena Golf & Country Club. Three division champions and their respective runners-up along with the winner in ladies play will represent the Philippines in the MercedesTrophy Asian Finals in Australia via Philippine Airlines (business class). The MercedesTrophy 2017 is sponsored by Makati Shangri-La Hotel, PLDT Alpha, Philippine Airlines, Shell Philippines, and QBE Seaboard Insurance, Inc. with TW Steel, Security Bank Corp., Business Mirror, and Remy Martin as minor sponsors.
Felix Ang (fifth from left), president of Auto Nation Group, Inc., the general distributor of Mercedes-Benz in the Philippines, poses with sponsors of the MercedesTrophy 2017 set on Monday (March 27) at Sta. Elena Golf Club in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. They are (from left) QBE Asia Pacific Regional head for Agency Lucas Teng, QBE Seaboard Insurance Philippines head of Retail Larry Wu, QBE Seaboard Insurance Philippines CEO Joli Wu, PLDT Alpha Enterprise head Jovy Hernandez, PLDT VP and head of Corporate Relationship Management D Vic Tria, and PLDT VP and head of Corporate Relationship Management B Jay Lagdameo; Shell Philippines Finance director Jerome Pascual; Philippine Airlines SVP for Airline Operations Ismael Augusto Gozon and VP for Security Caesar Ronnie Ordoyo.
C4
Sports
SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2017 Riera U. Mallari, Editor / Reuel Vidal, Issue Editor / Randy Caluag, Issue Editor
sports_mstandard@yahoo.com
PETRON FAVORED TO WIN PSL TITLE
Shinya Aoki
GRAPPLING LEGEND RETURNS TO ACTION
P
HILIPPINE Super Liga teams virtually revamp their line-ups every season. Theoretically, it should be difficult to predict which teams will fare well. But since all the teams do this anyway, it isn’t really difficult to know which teams will be favored to win it all. Just pick the team with the best lineup. This conference is no exception with top teams Petron Blaze Spikers and Cignal HD Spikers parading new, but star-studded squads. After the completion of the elimination round the Petron Blaze Spikers leaned on their deep, deep bench to become the only unbeaten team into the final round. Petron’s starting unit consists of setter Rhea Dimaculangan, opposite hitter Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, open spikers Ces Molina and Mina Aganon, as well as middle blockers Mika Reyes and CJ Rosario. Then there are reserve spikers Bang Pineda and Mela Tunay. It’s as good a lineup as any in the PSL. The Blaze Spikers assembled that powerhouse squad after recruiting Reyes, Dimaculangan, Tunay, Dusaran and Bacolod middle blocker Gianes Dolar in the off season. The recruits join Aganon, Pineda, Molina, Maizo-Pontillas, Rosario, Mayette Zapanta and April Ross Hingpit to spearhead the Blaze Spikers this conference. The biggest challenge for Petron will be the HD Spikers with former RC Cola-Army star players Rachel Anne Daquis, Honey Royse Tubino and Jovelyn Gonzaga as well as former Petron team captain Maica Morada. They join the veteran core of Janine Marciano, Paneng Mercado,
Petron Blaze Spikers middle blocker Mika Reyes (3) tries to hammer a spike through the blocking hands of Foton Tornadoes blocker Dindin Santiago-Manabat (16).
Mylene Paat, Cherry Vivas, Sandra Delos Santos, Lourdes Patillano, May Macatuno, Len Cortel and Chie Saet and all-star libero Jheck Dionela. The Foton Tornadoes with mid-
Petron Blaze Spikers veteran opposite hitter Aiza Maizo Pontillas (8) eludes Generika-Ayala defenders Patty Orendain (5) and Mikaela Lopez (11).
dle blockers Dindin Santiago and Maika Ortiz, open spiker Grethcel Soltones, veteran setter Rubie De Leon as well energetic libero Jen Reyes should have made this a three-way title fight. But with the exit of Santiago-Manabat due to injury effectively eliminates Foton from title consideration. Petron validated its lofty preseason ranking by sweeping its elimination round schedule. Its last elimination round match was a dominant 25-11, 23-25, 25-18, 25-19, victory over GenerikaAyala. Team captain Molina and Aganon were all fired up while libero Dusaran did a marvelous job manning the defense for the Blaze Spikers. The five-set duel won by Petron over Cignal HD earlier in the elimination round validates the view that the PSL will be a tough battle between the two squads. The Blaze Spikers advanced to the final round where they join Cignal, a Japanese guest team in Kobe Shinwa University and the Foton Tornadoes. The final round
starts March 30. Molina, one of seven Filipinas who played in the FIVB Women’s Club World Championship last year, delivered 11 kills and a block to finish with 13 points. Aganon scored 13 markers, all on spikes, underscoring Petron’s dominant attacking style. Dusaran, who filled big shoes with the departure of Reyes, was responsible for 12 of the Blaze Spikers’ 43 digs. She made life easier for veteran setter Dimaculangan who mapped out Petron offense. Petron won the first set but stumbled out of the starting gate in the second set. Although they started out slow, the Blaze Spikers were able to come back as Molina, Aganon and Rosario turned a 1-4 deficit into a 16-8 lead entering the second technical timeout. Maizo-Pontillas joined the fray as she uncorked a bomb from the service line for a 20-13 lead which virtually decided the victory. Angeli Araneta and Gen Casugod led the scoring parade for Generika with 11 and 10 markers.
FORMER ONE Championship Lightweight world champion and Mixed Martial Arts legend Shinya Aoki returns to action with a blockbuster Grappling Super-Match against International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation World and Pan American Brazilian jiujitsu champion Garry Tonon. The legendary Aoki saw his fouryear winning streak snapped when he yielded his crown to reigning ONE Championship Lightweight world champion Eduard Folayang. He returns to action to regain lost luster and resume his MMA career. The match will be held at ONE: Dynasty of Heroes set May 26 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. The spectacular fight card is headlined by an exciting main event bout between ONE Women’s Atomweight World Champion Angela “Unstoppable” Lee and top challenger Istela Nunes. Victor Cui, CEO of ONE Championship said Aoki remains one of the greatest grapplers in all of mixed martial arts. “Aoki’s ability to scientifically break down opponents on the mat is nothing short of legendary in the industry. At the same time, Garry Tonon is known as one of the most exciting Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitors in the world. The Aoki-Tonon Grappling Super-Match is certainly a matchup that fans will not want to miss. Catch them in Singapore this May!” Aoki of Shizuoka, Japan is one of the world’s most decorated mixed martial artists. He is the DREAM Lightweight Champion, former Shooto Welterweight Champion, and the former ONE Lightweight World Champion. The 33-year-old Aoki is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under Yuki Nakai and has won multiple grappling tournaments across the globe. He also holds a black belt in judo. A veteran in both MMA and the Brazilian jiu-jitsu scene, Aoki’s reputation as a grappling specialist is unrivaled. Tonon of the United States is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under Tom deBlass and Ricardo Almeida. He is a No Gi specialist who has clinched multiple world titles at the IBJJF World and Pan American Championships. At age 14, Tonon fell in love with wrestling and grappling and has developed into a bonafide grappling superstar over the course of his career. He is a prominent fixture in submission-only format competitions such as Metamoris, Polaris and the Eddie Bravo Invitational. Ticket information for ONE: DYNASTY OF HEROES is available at www.onefc.com For more updates on ONE Championship, please visit www.onefc. com, follow on Twitter and Instagram @ONEChampionship, and like on Facebook at https://www.facebook. com/ONEChampionship.
GLOBE TAPS FORMER NBA STAR TO TEACH CHILDREN FILIPINOS simply love basketball and Globe-Telecom teamed up with NBA Cares to give underprivileged children a once-in-a-lifetime experience of being taught by an NBA legend. Glen Rice and two-time Philippine Basketball Association most valuable player LA Tenorio staged last week a twohour NBA Cares-Globe Telecom sports clinic for underprivileged children. Rice and Tenorio taught 40 children from Globe partner communities and Globe employee volunteers basic basketball skills such as dribbling, passing, and shooting to hone the talents of the aspiring basketball players. Both Globe and NBA Cares, the league’s global social responsibility program, share the
mission of inspiring play and teaching the values of basketball as a way to address important social issues. “In view of the Filipinos undying love for basketball, Globe is supporting the league’s week long celebration of Philippine culture through the NBA Filipino Heritage Week. Through this basketball clinic, we’re giving the underprivileged youth a chance not only to meet Glen Rice but also to be coached by an NBA legend. Together with NBA, we are able to create opportunities and unique experiences for Filipino kids that aims to bring out their potential,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe Senior Vice President for Corporate Communications.
She added: “Sports is a great equalizer. Working with underprivileged communities and discovering several sports-oriented and talented children encourage us that we are indeed on the right track in nationbuilding through grassroots sports development.” The basketball clinic is a subset of a larger Globe grassroots sports development program called “Sports Para Sa Bayan”. Due to the popularity of basketball, football, and volleyball among Filipinos, Globe uses these sports as the perfect platform to promote a healthy lifestyle, build character, and create opportunities for academic advancement for the underprivileged Filipino youth
—instilling in them not only the importance of having great skills but also of good values and good education. Meanwhile, Tenorio, who is also the founder of Method Basketball Academy, was tapped by Globe in 2016 to lead the basketball component given his passion for basketball and desire to impart his knowledge and skills to the youth. The basketball program will kick off within the second quarter of 2017 and consists of free basketball clinics for boys and girls ages 9-14 in key cities nationwide. In addition, the program involves a 3-on-3 tournament nationwide to determine the team that will participate in the NBA 3X Philippines 2017 in Manila and get a chance to watch an NBA game abroad.
NBA legend Glen Rice teaches children proper ball handling during the event held by Globe Telecom.
D1
SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2017
Jimbo Gulle, Editor
Roger Garcia, Issue Editor
LGUs
Local Gov’t Units
mslocalgov@gmail.com
BICOL ZOO TO GET MORE ANIMALS By Manilyn B. Ugalde
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COLORS OF BOUNTY. Participants of the Ani ng Laguna (AniLag) festival display their best in the street dance competition participated in by 25 municipalities and five cities. The week-long celebration is Laguna’s thanksgiving for the bounty of the province, and an offering for the preservation and protection of the country’s largest freshwater lake, the Laguna de Bay. Gov. Ramil Hernandez spiced up the festivities with attractive prizes for winners in the various competitions. The town of Lumban bagged the first prize in the street dance contest with a prize package of P1 million worth of municipal projects and P200,000 in cash. The second prize went to San Pablo City with P500,000 in projects and P100,000 cash reward, while Sta. Rosa was third with P300,000 worth of projects and P50,000 cash. Hernandez also gifted the town of Sinoloan, San Pablo and Mabitac for topping the trade fair competition with the same package of prizes, while another set of prize incentives went to Paete, San Pablo and Rizal for the float contest.
FOOD PRODUCTION FOR SMALL FARMERS
By Brenda Jocson
T
UGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan—”Small farmers which include women in small family farms will be the future in food production in this country and not the corporate farms.”
Thus said Senator Cynthia Villar, the chairman of the Senate’s committee on Agriculture, as she stressed that food production
does not belong to large companies when it comes to making the country self-sufficient and that women have a great tasks and im-
portant roles to play. But sadly, Villar said, that while women have always been the dominant force in agriculture, many among them are still in the poverty level. Villar cited reports from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization of an increased world population by 2050 which will require farmers to produce not less than 70 percent of world’s total production of food.
MANILA BAY REHAB.
Local government leaders of three provinces within the boundaries of Manila Bay recently forged an agreement to spearhead a sustaining rehabilitation program aimed at curbing and mitigating the alarming level of pollution of its waters. Cavite Gov. Jesus Crispin ‘Boying’ Remulla (left), together with Bulacan Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado (center) and Bataan Board Member Manuel Beltran, who represented Bataan Gov. Albert Garcia, recently signed the Memorandum of Understanding in Tagaytay City.
She also noted that in the countryside, majority of small farmers and fishermen belong to the most marginalized sector in the country where women does the majority of the tasks. The senator was here to grace the celebration of Women’s Month after visiting Nueva Vizcaya last week to grace a growing credit cooperative in their general assembly. She also visited the province of Isabela. Villar said at least one-fourth of the world’s population are farmers who are women of great influence. “Twenty-five percent of the world’s population are women farmers whose role are significant but they are not aware of how powerful they are,” she said. Villar also encouraged the women of Tuguegarao City to engage themselves in waste recycling to become more productive citing Las Piñas City where the people are making money from products made of waste materials. She said women have a lot to contribute to development given the proper opportunities which include the opportunity to learn new skills and use those to attain a level of financial independence.
LAGUNA’S SEARCH FOR PEACE THROUGH MUSIC By Raul M. Francia STA. CRUZ, Laguna—“Where words fail, music speaks.” Perhaps these words of the Danish poet and writer Hans Christian Andersen were what inspired peace warriors of a lowly town about 100 kilometers south of Manila when they thought of “Isang Gabi ng mga Awit ng Pag-Ibig… sa Bayan.” As talks between the government and the National Democratic Front were stalled, residents of Magdalena and nearby municipalities were abuzz with words of Freddie Aguilar and a host of local talents performing for the cause of peace. Then thousands showed up to watch him rock with
his Watawat band, along with locally popular alternative musician Rence Rapanot, who shared the locals’ desire for enduring peace. Magdalena, a fourth class municipality of Laguna of more than 25,000 people, is nestled in the boundaries of Pagsanjan, Cavinti, Majayjay, Liliw and Nagcarlan. It prides itself as the “Little Hollywood” owing to the number of local films and telenovelas shot on its enchanting and mystic spots, including the church. More than 20 years ago, the erstwhile quiet and sleepy town became part of the operational area of the Melito Glor Command of the New People’s Army which covers the east and southern part of Laguna and the provinces of Rizal, Quezon and Batangas and Mindoro, then known
to be headed by Rogelio “Ka Roger” Rosal who became spokesman of the Communist Party of the Philippines until his death in 2011. Magdalena’s own son, Tirso “Ka Bart” Alcantara took over the NPA southern Tagalog leadership when Ka Roger was made CPP spokesman. He was wounded and arrested six years ago in Lucena City but was release last August as consultant of the National Democratic Front at the peace talks that resumed in Oslo, Norway. “This is the first ever of its kind here in Laguna,” said Dennis Villavecer, the representative of Gov. Ramil Hernandez who witnessed the event held recently at the town’s open grounds. Laguna residents from as far as
Calamba and Los Baños, along with those from surrounding towns, joined to celebrate the spirit of peace. The thousands quietly sat or sang with the performers with the rendition of songs of love and the people’s struggle. The Concert for Peace was organized by the ALMES-MES Alumni Association in cooperation with the Rotary Club of Fort Bonifacio Global City District 3830. The event was part of the centennial celebration of the town’s central school, Ananias Laico Memorial Elementary School spearheaded by its alumni association. Rotary FBGC’s participation was in observance of the 112th year of Rotary International. Peace and conflict resolution is among Rotary’s focus this year.
LEGAZPI CITY—The lone Bicol wildlife sanctuary here is expecting a donation of additional exotic animals that would double the present 200 types of various exotic and non-exotic species being maintained by the province. A total of 250 exotic wildlife of various species will be donated to the Albay Parks and Wildlife Center at Barangay Bogtong, said Dr. Florencio Adonay, the Provincial Veterinarian Office head manning the operation. The Cavite City government decided to close its 3,000-square meter mini-zoo to convert the site as the extended school premises run by its city government, thus donating the animals to Albay, Adonay said. He clarified, however, the Memorandum of Agreement for the donation of the animals has yet to be signed between Albay Gov. Al Francis Bichara and Mayor Bernardo Paredes of Cavite City, who personally offered the donation. The Cavite City mini zoo is located inside a subdivision within the city proper, Adonay said. Established in 1995, the fivehectare Albay Wildlife was a project of Gov. Bichara when he was first elected as governor. Adonay also welcomes donations of any wildlife species from citizens. According to the list received by Albay, the animals to be donated from Cavite City include two tigers, pythons, and exotic and nonexotic birds. Albay Wildlife only has one tiger at present. Albay spokesperson Danny Garcia said Gov. Bichara was delighted over the wildlife donation from Cavite, adding it would certainly attract local patronage from the region’s six provinces. The provincial veterinarian disclosed that for feeds and medicines, the province has allocated an annual P2-million budget, saying this will surely double once the animals from Cavite arrive.
STEM TALKS PROGRAM FOR MILLENNIALS VIA ROTARY IN THE spirit of promoting education, the Rotary Club of Makati Dasmariñas has been rolling out its “STEM Talks Program,” a lecture series for science high school students, aimed at encouraging and promoting career development in Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM). The first one featured world renowned Filipina Astro-Physicist Dr. Reina Reyes, the second one featured the national government’s focal person for renewable energy, geologist and DOE director IV Mario Marasigan. RCMD works in partnership with Makati Science High School and has conducted two iterations already at their campus. The lectures are available online through RCMD’s Facebook and Youtube pages; soon, an interactive website will be launched. In future, the goal is to expand the scope to include other Science High Schools. The Rotary Club of Makati Dasmariñas would like to invite other high schools and NGOs to partner with the club for future implementations. Contact information and content related to STEM Talks can be found in www.rcmakatidasma. com/stemtalks.
mst.daydesk@gmail.com
Republic of the Philippines Department of Health CENTRAL OFFICE BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE Invitation to Bid PROCUREMENT OF VARIOUS GOODS 1.
The Department of Health (DOH), through the General Appropriations Act CY 2017 intends to procure the following projects listed below: IB No.
Name of Contract
ABC (PHP)
Cost of Bidding Documents (Php)
2017-015-A
Procurement of D-dtranscyphenothrin – Re-bid Procurement of Pyriproxyfen – Re-id Procurement of Insecticide Treated Screen – Re-bid
24,241,400.00
25,000.00
16,655,177.10
25,000.00
56,888,040.00
50,000.00
2017-017-A 2017-019-A 2.
The DOH now invites Bids from eligible Bidders for the procurement of the abovecaption projects. Delivery of the Goods is required as specified in Section VI. Schedule of Requirements. Bidders should have completed contracts similar to the cited projects, equivalent to at least twenty five percent (25%) of the ABC. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.
3.
Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183.
4.
5.
Interested bidders may obtain further information from the COBAC Secretariat, G/F, Bldg. 6, Department of Health, San Lazaro Compound, Sta. Cruz, Manila and inspect the Bidding Documents at 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday.
Name of Contract
PHILIPPINE DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE INVITATION TO BID
Activity (Date & Time) Pre-bidding Submission and Conference Opening of Bids
REHABILITATION OF PDEA ICT CAPABILITIES Bid Ref. No. 2017-28 1.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), thru its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), intends to apply the sum of THIRTY MILLION PESOS(P 30,000,000.00) through General Appropriations Act (GAA) for CY 2017 being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) for the REHABILITATION OF PDEA ICT CAPABILITIES. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected during bid opening.
2.
The PDEA - BAC now invites bids for theREHABILITATION OF PDEA ICT CAPABILITIES. Delivery of the goods is 180 calendar days (6 months) upon receipt of Notice to Proceed. Bidders should have completed within three (3) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II Instructions to Bidders.
3.
Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a nondiscretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Act.”
17 April 2017; 9:00: A.M
Bid must be duly received by the COBAC-A Secretariat at the address below on or before the date given above. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated below:
(a) Cashier’s/manager’s check issued by a Universal or Commercial Bank. (b) Bank draft/guarantee or irrevocable letter of credit issued by a Universal or Commercial Bank: Provided, however, that it shall be confirmed or authenticated by a Universal or Commercial Bank, if issued by a foreign bank. (c) Surety bond callable upon demand issued by a surety or insurance company duly certified by the Insurance Commission as authorized to issue such security. (d) Bid Securing Declaration
8.
The project is pushed by the Philippine government-hosted Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture in collaboration with the Climate Change Commission, and the Municipality of Boston in Davao Oriental. The project called “Community-based Waterways Clearing Project as an Adaptive Measure to Reduce Flooding” is an initiative of the Asian Development Bank and CCC called “Climate Resilience
PDEA Bldg., NIA Northside Road, National Government Center, Barangay Pinyahan Quezon City 1100, Philippines www.pdea.gov.ph
Form of Bid Security
7.
community-based waterway clearing operation was launched in the Municipality of Boston in Davao Oriental to prevent and reduce flooding of low-lying areas.
The DOH will hold a Pre-Bid Conference and the Submission and Opening of Bids at COBAC Conference Room, G/F, Building 6, Department of Health, San Lazaro Compound, Rizal Avenue, Sta. Cruz, Manila on the schedule given below:
April 2017; 2017-017-A Procurement of Pyriproxyfen – Re-bid 0310:00 A.M of Insecticide Treated 2017-019-A Procurement Screen – Re-bid
6.
By Brenda Jocson
Republic of the Philippines Office of the President
of D-dtranscyphenothrin 2017-015-A Procurement – Re-bid
6.
DAVAO ORIENTAL OPENS WATERWAYS CLEARING WORK A
It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS), provided that Bidders who interested to participate shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.
IB No.
Amount of Bid Security (Not less than the required percentage of the ABC)
Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183.
Two percent (2%)
4.
Interested bidders may obtain further information from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below during office hours (8:00 am to 5:00pm).
5.
A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on March 24, 2017 from the address given below and upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of twentyfive thousand pesos (PhP25, 000.00).
Five percent (5%) No percentage required
Bid opening shall be at COBAC Conference Room, Ground Floor, Bldg. 6, Department of Health, Sta. Cruz, Manila. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address above. Late bids shall not be accepted. The DOH reserves the right to reject any and all Bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.
The Invitation to Bid and Checklist of Requirements may be downloaded from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and PDEA Website at www.pdea.gov.ph, provided that Bidders shall pay the applicable nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids. 6.
The PDEA-BAC will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on March 29, 2017, 1:00 p.m. at PDEA Main Conference Room, NIA Northside Road, National Government Center, Quezon City 1100 which shall be open to prospective bidders.
7.
Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before April 11, 2017, 1:00 p.m. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.
For further information, please refer to: COBAC-A Secretariat Building No. 6 Department of Health San Lazaro Compound, Rizal Avenue, Sta. Cruz, Manila Tel. Nos. 651-7800 local 1625 to 1627; 1650 to 52 Facsimile No.: 741-9775 (SGD) GERARDO V. BAYUGO, MD, MPH, CESO III Undersecretary of Health COBAC – A Chairperson
Bid opening shall be on April 11, 2017, 1:00 p.m. at PDEA Main Conference Room, NIA Northside Road, National Government Center, Pinyahan, Quezon City 1100. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.
Republic of the Philippines Department of Health CENTRAL OFFICE BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTERESTS (REIs) 1.The Department of Health (DOH) intends to apply the sum of Fifteen Million Philippine Pesos (PhP 15,000,000.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payment under the contract for the procurement of various consulting services listed below. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at the opening of the financial proposal. Project Funding Evaluation Bidding Approved Budget for Duration Source Procedure Document Name of Project Type the Standard Contract Fee (PhP) (PhP) 1. Procurement of Consulting Firm 10,000,000.00 20 GAA QCBE 10,000.00 Services for the System months 2017 Development and Expansion of the Integrated Licensing Information System – Rebid under REI-CS-GOP-2017008-A 2. Procurement of Consulting Firm 5,000,000.00 12 GAA QCBE 5,000.00 Services for the Development months 2017 of Competency-Based Model/ Framework and CompetencyBased Job Description for Personnel of DOH Retained Hospitals and Selected Regional Office Positions under REI-CS-GOP-2017-011
3.
4.
5.
6.
02 March 2017
Mr. Arvin E Sadullo PDEA-Logistics Management Service PDEA Compound, NIA Northside Road, National Government Center, Quezon City Tel No. (632)920-8082
Pasay City, Philippines
(MS-MAR. 19,26 & APR. 2, 2017)
(MS-MAR. 26, 2017)
Republic of the Philippines Office of the President
Republic of the Philippines Office of the President
PDEA Bldg., NIA Northside Road, National Government Center, Barangay Pinyahan Quezon City 1100, Philippines www.pdea.gov.ph
PDEA Bldg., NIA Northside Road, National Government Center, Barangay Pinyahan Quezon City 1100, Philippines www.pdea.gov.ph
PHILIPPINE DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE
1.
4.
5.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), thru its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), intends to apply the sum of THIRTY-TWO MILLION FIVE HUNDRED FORTY THOUSAND PESOS(P 32,540,000.00) through General Appropriations Act (GAA) for CY 2017 being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) for the SUPPLY, DELIVERY, AND TESTING OF 48 UNITS MOBILE ARMOR RIFLE PROTECTIVE/BALLISTIC SHIELD (LEVEL IV). Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected during bid opening. The PDEA - BAC now invites bids for SUPPLY, DELIVERY, AND TESTING OF 48 UNITS MOBILE ARMOR RIFLE PROTECTIVE/BALLISTIC SHIELD (LEVEL IV). Delivery of the goods is 180 calendar days upon receipt of Authority to Import from PNP-FED. Bidders should have completed within three (3) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II Instructions to Bidders. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a nondiscretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Act.” Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183. Interested bidders may obtain further information from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below during office hours (8:00 am to 5:00pm).
The Invitation to Bid may be downloaded from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and PDEA Website at www.pdea.gov. ph, provided that Bidders shall pay the applicable non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids. 6.
The PDEA-BAC will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on March 23, 2017, 1:00 p.m. at PDEA Main Conference Room, NIA Northside Road, National Government Center, Quezon City 1100 which shall be open to prospective bidders.
Bid opening shall be on April 4, 2017, 1:00 p.m. at PDEA Main Conference Room, NIA Northside Road, National Government Center, Pinyahan, Quezon City 1100. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted. 8. Interested bidders may obtain further information from the BAC Secretariat c/o Ms. Aroceli E Sonido or Mr. Arvin E Sadullo at the PDEA Compound, NIA Northside Road, National Government Center, Quezon City from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM only, Mondays to Fridays starting March 21, 2017at Tel No. (632) 920-8082. However, any queries relative to the contents of the bid documents and the project requirements can only be made by bidders who purchased the bid documents not later than Ten (10) days prior to the Submission and Opening of Bids. 9. PDEA reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. 10. For further information, please refer to:
(SGD) MA. CAROLINA V. TAIÑO, CPA, MGM, CESO IV Assistant Secretary of Health COBAC B Chairperson (MS-MAR. 26, 2017)
Invitation to Bid forSupply of Labor and Materials for the Construction of PDEA Regional Office 8 Building 1.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), thru its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), through the General Appropriations Act (GAA) Capital Outlay 2017intends to apply the sum of EIGHTEEN MILLION PESOS (Php18,000,000.00)being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) for the Supply of Labor and Materials for the Construction of PDEA Regional Office 8. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.
2.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) now invites bids for Supply of Labor and Materials for the Construction of PDEA Regional Office 8. Completion of the Works is required 240 working days upon receipt of Notice to Proceed. Bidders should have completed a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in SECTION II Instructions to Bidders.
3.
Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using nondiscretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act.” Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, cooperatives, and partnerships or organizations with at least seventy-five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.
4.
Interested bidders may obtain further information from Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00 AM to 4:00PM only.
5.
A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested bidders on March 23, 2017 from the address below and upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of Twentyfive Thousand pesos only (Php25,000.00).
A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on March 20, 2017 from the address given below and upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of twentyfive thousand pesos (PhP25, 000.00).
Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, cooperatives, and partnerships or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.
March 26, 2017 (Date of Issue)
PHILIPPINE DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE
INVITATION TO BID SUPPLY, DELIVERY, AND TESTING OF 48 UNITS MOBILE ARMOR RIFLE PROTECTIVE/ BALLISTIC SHIELD (LEVEL IV) Bid Ref. No. 2017-29
7.
COBAC B SECRETARIAT Department of Health 2nd Floor, Building 6, San Lazaro Compound, Sta. Cruz, Manila 1003 Tel. No. 651-7800 Loc. 1625 – 1627; Telefax No. 711-6061 Website: www.doh.gov.ph;
MARIA ELBEN SL. MORO Hearing Officer
(Sgd) JESUS A FAJARDO, MMOAS Deputy Director General for Administration Chairman, Bids and Awards Committee
Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the IRR of R.A. 9184.
For further information, please refer to:
The applicant is hereby required to have this Notice of Hearing published at least once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a broadsheet of national circulation. The Notice of Hearing and the Application shall be served, by this Office, to all concerned parties/airlines, either by facsimile or electronic mail, in compliance with CAB Board Resolution No. 97 (2003).
10. For further information, please refer to:
The COBAC shall draw up the short list of consulting firms from those who have submitted Expression of Interest, including the eligibility documents, and have been determined as eligible in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”, and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). The criteria and rating system for short listing are:
8.
NOTICE OF HEARING Pursuant to the provisions of RA776, as amended, Notice is hereby given that T’WAY AIR CO., LTD. has filed with the Civil Aeronautics Board a petition for issuance of Foreign Air Carrier’s Permit (FACP) to operate scheduled international air transportation services. The above-entitled case is scheduled for hearing on April 18, 2017 at 10:00 AM, CAB Conference Room, Old MIA Road, Pasay City before the undersigned, wherein the applicant shall present relevant evidence. Pre-marking and comparison of documents to be presented during the hearing shall be on April 4, 2017 at 10:00 AM, three (3) days thereafter. Applicant shall submit the marked documents together with the scanned copy to Hearing Examiners’ Division (HED) in accordance to CAB Resolution No. 6 (BM 01-01-27-2016) dated January 27, 2016, otherwise known as Less Paper Transaction of CAB.
Let a copy of the petition and this Notice be posted at the CAB Bulletin Board beginning today.
A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on March 27 to May 2, 2017 from the address above upon payment of applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB.
The DOH reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.
CAB Case No. EP-189-17/HED022017-012-0
PDEA reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.
3.
7.
T’WAY AIR CO., LTD., Petitioner. x---------------------------------------------x
9.
Interested bidders may obtain further information from COBAC Secretariat, COBAC Conference Room, G/F, Building 6, Department of Health, San Lazaro Compound, Sta. Cruz, Manila and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given above during 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday.
Applicable Experience (40 %) Qualification of Personnel (40 %) Current Workload (20 %)
IN RE: PETITION FOR ISSUANCE OF FOREIGN AIR CARRIER’S PERMIT
Parties/airlines opposed to the granting of this application must file their written opposition on or before the scheduled pre-marking date furnishing a copy of the same to the applicant or appear at the hearing with such evidence as may be proper under the circumstances. Failure on the part of any interested party to file their opposition on time or appear at the hearing shall be construed as a waiver of their right to be heard and the Civil Aeronautics Board shall proceed to hear and decide the application on its merits.
2.
a) b) c)
Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation and Communications CIVIL AERONAUTICS BOARD
Interested bidders may obtain further information from the BAC Secretariat c/o Mr. Arvin E Sadulloat the PDEA Compound, NIA Northside Road, National Government Center, Quezon City from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM only, Mondays to Fridays starting March 27, 2017 at Tel No. (632)920-8082.However, any queries relative to the contents of the bid documents and the project requirements can only be made by bidders who purchased the bid documents not later than Ten (10) days prior to the Submission and Opening of Bids.
The DOH now calls for the submission of eligibility documents for the above mentioned procurement projects. Eligibility documents of interested consulting firms must be duly received by the COBAC-B Secretariat on or before April 3, 2017, 9:00 A.M. at COBAC Conference Room, G/F Building 6, Department of Health, San Lazaro Compound, Sta. Cruz, Manila. Applications for eligibility will be evaluated based on a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion.
It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that Bidders shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.
and Green Growth in Critical Watersheds (TA8493)” funded by the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction. Dr. Gil C. Saguiguit Jr., Searca head, said they are expecting to complete the clearing operation by mid-April 2017 on a threekilometer waterways running through Barangays Carmen and Cabasagan, as well as the Poblacion, in Boston. “We have tapped workers from the local community organizations to dredge and clear the waterways as part of Searca’s mandate to build capacities of individuals and institutions working in the broad area of agricultural and rural development for the past 50 years,” Saguiguit said. He said Searca is also offering assistance to Boston in the preparation of the feasibility study of its project proposal covering the sea wall, mangrove rehabilitation, and eco-tourism development. Judith Castres, executive assistant at the Office of the Mayor of Boston, expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by ADB, CCC, and Searca Consortium to their municipality. “The people of Boston town is also hoping that the CCC will further extend its support to the municipality,” Castres said. On the other hand, the community representatives expressed commitment to support the municipality as they have done the same with the previous rehabilitation projects with the United Nations Development Programme and International Labor Organization after Boston was ravaged by Typhoon ”Pablo.” Alexis Lapiz of CCC said the Boston local government can submit a proposal to access the People’s Survival Fund for its priority climate change adaptation initiatives. Lapiz said the CCC gives premium to community-based and people-oriented projects, particularly those that deal with environmental conservation and protection, livelihood and enterprise development, and climate change adaptation.
8.
(MS-MAR. 26, 2017)
2.
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
LGUs
SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2017 D2 Standard TODAY Manila
It may also be downloadedfree of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that bidders shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids. 6.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on March 29, 2017 at 2:00PM at PDEA Main Conference Room, NIA Northside Road, National Government Center, Quezon City 1100, which shall beopen to prospective bidders.
7.
Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before April 11, 2017 at 2:00PM. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.
Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before April 4, 2017, 1:00 p.m. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.
8.
Interested bidders may obtain further information from the BAC Secretariat c/o Mr. Arvin E Sadullo or Ms. Jella P. Palacios at the PDEA Compound, NIA Northside Road, National Government Center, Quezon Cityfrom 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM only, Mondays to Fridays starting March 20, 2017at Tel No. (632)920-8082.However, any queries relative to the contents of the bid documents and the project requirements can only be made by bidders who purchased the bid documents not later than Ten (10) days prior to the Submission and Opening of Bids.
9.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.
10. For further information, please refer to: Ms. Jella P. Palacios or Mr. Arvin E Sadullo PDEA-Logistics Management Service PDEA Compound, NIA Northside Road, National Government Center, Quezon City Tel No. (632)920-8082
Ms. Aroceli E Sonido or Mr. Arvin E Sadullo PDEA-Logistics Management Service PDEA Compound, NIA Northside Road, National Government Center, Quezon City Tel No. (632)920-8082
(MS-MAR.26, 2017)
Bid opening shall be on April 11, 2017 at 2:00PM at PDEA Main Conference Room, NIA Northside Road, National Government Center, Quezon City 1100.Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.
(Sgd) JESUS A FAJARDO, MMOAS Deputy Director General for Administration Chairman, Bids and Awards Committee
(Sgd.) JESUS A FAJARDO, MMOAS Deputy Director General for Administration Chairman, Bids and Awards Committee (MS-MAR. 26, 2017)
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
Gadgets & Games
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SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2017 rumallari@thestandard.com.ph
MAKE GRADUATION PHOTOS LAST A LIFETIME
From left, fenix 5, fēnix 5S and fēnix 5X
GARMIN: MULTISPORT WATCHES FOR FITNESS, ADVENTURE, STYLE G ARMIN recently announced the fēnix 5, fēnix 5S and fēnix 5X, adding three watches designed with adventurers of all sizes in mind to its popular line of multisport GPS wearables.
The fēnix 5S is lighter, sleeker and smaller than previous models —perfect for small wrists without sacrificing multisport functionality. The fēnix 5X boasts preloaded wrist-based mapping; and the compact fēnix 5, like other fēnix watches, is feature-packed and ready to take on any adventure with an all-new industrial design. All of the fēnix 5 models are 24/7 wearable with extended battery life, daily activity tracking1, Garmin ElevateTM wrist heart rate technology, and a host of connected features. And users can easily switch between stylish leather and metal accessory bands to sporty silicone in seconds and without tools, thanks to the new QuickFitTM bands. With the new fēnix 5 lineup, users now have a watch that compliments their style and adventures. The fēnix 5, 5S and 5X pre-orders
were announced in conjunction with the Century Tuna Ironman 70.3 at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center. The new range will be available starting on the last week of March 2017 at official Garmin resellers, Garmin Center stores and kiosks around the country. They are now available for pre-orders wherein exclusive deals and discounts are offered for those who will pre-order the limited first batch of fē nix 5 watches. The fēnix 5S has been named a CES 2017 Innovation Awards Honoree in the wearable technologies category in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA upon its global reveal this year. Products entered in this prestigious program are judged by a preeminent panel of independent industrial designers, independent engineers and members of the trade media to honor outstanding design
and engineering in cutting edge consumer electronics products across 28 product categories. “After years in the wearables market, Garmin knows that athletes and adventurers come in all sizes, which is why we have designed the new line of fēnix 5 watches to fit every wrist and every workout,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of worldwide sales. “This is the first time Garmin has created a variety of sizes for one product so now users don’t have to choose between getting the features they want and wearing a watch that fits.” Upon launch, the fēnix 5 and fēnix 5S will have a suggested retail price of P36,950; the fēnix 5 Sapphire, fēnix 5S Sapphire at P39,950 and the fēnix 5X will have a suggested retail price of P42,950. Only watches purchased from authorized dealers in the Philippines will include the exclusive 2-Year Garmin Protect Warranty and invite-only programs ran by Garmin Connect Coaches plus 20% discounts from partner institutions like the PACE Pre-hab & Recovery Center.
“Garmin devices are well known to be tough, rugged and of the best quality - but as an added commitment to our customers, we are offering the exclusive 2-Year Garmin Protect Warranty for those who purchased their devices from official resellers in the Philippines. By June this year, Garmin will open its first ever local service and repair facility to be ran and managed by NAVCO so that servicing can be done locally. We hope this will be a good news to many loyal Garmin fans”, said NAVCO president, Ryan Tan. The fēnix 5 range is the latest solution from Garmin’s expanding outdoor segment, which focuses on developing technologies and innovations to enhance users’ outdoor experiences. Whether hiking, hunting, geocaching, golfing, or using satellite communication, Garmin outdoor devices are becoming essential tools for outdoor enthusiasts of all levels. For more information about Garmin’s other outdoor products and services, you may call 0917-8LEADER or (02)-632-9513.
PH ROBOTICS TEAM BAGS 192 MEDALS
Kid Innovators Zandra Pauline Chavez, Jonathan Gilbert Ignacio and Ezekiel Godwin Torres from Colegio de San Juan de Letran Calamba proudly presented their project called Flood Alert System. It is a device that will give an automatic early warning to the community during the heavy rain that causes flood through the use of sensors. Also it determines the direction and humidity of the air.
THE Philippine Robotics Team, organized by the Data Science and Technology Corporation with support from Wyeth Nutrition through the Wyeth Nutrition Kid Innovators Program, brought home close to 200 medals at the 18th International Robot Olympiad held in Beijing, China. The young delegates comprising over 70 students from 18 schools made the country proud with 19 Gold, 19 Silver, 31 Bronze and 123 Technical Awards. The IRO is an annual Robotics competition participated by over 1,000 students from over 20 countries. Robotics enthusiasts as young as 9 years old who exemplified creativity and advanced robotics knowledge and skills were encour-
aged to develop and build robots for specific missions designed by the IRO committee. Wyeth Nutrition, with its commitment to help nurture a child’s potential for greatness, presented the Wyeth Nutrition Kid Innovators Special Award to 15 of the youngest delegates from the Junior Creative category for their achievements in the success of the Philippine Robotics Team. Among the special awardees are Bianca Nicole Casimiro, Chelsea Lianne T. Gomez, Zara Alexandra Genuino, Bjorn Isaac Costes Escalona, Jaden Coen Reyes, Raphael Antonio Caguiat from De La Salle-Santiago Zobel School, Andrew Brian T. So, Ethan Brook L. Ong, Matthew Riley C. Raymundo,
Daphne Anjanique Ng Tan, Alyssa C. Yao, Francine Mae E. Ang from Jubilee Christian Academy and Ezekiel Godwin Torres, Jonathan Gilbert Ignacio, Zandra Pauline Chavez from Colegio de San Juan de Letran Calamba. They were presented during the ceremonies hosted by DSTC and Philippine Robotics Team partner, Wyeth Nutrition. Joseph Jacob, Chairman of The National Science & Technology Fair of the Department of Education, said he hopes that this achievement will continue to inspire parents in supporting their kids. “Dear parents, may you never get tired of providing the much needed guidance to your kids as they pursue their love for science.”
GRADUATION is an unforgettable day in the life of any student. More than receiving that much-coveted diploma or certificate, the occasion affirms that one great climb in the ladder of success that a young learner has so far reached. For parents and guardians, the milestone is much sweeter as it validates all the sacrifices and hard work they have made to provide for the education of their children. That is why both students and their families exert so much effort in capturing the events that surround a graduation event, from discreetly taking pictures and videos of solemn baccalaureate masses, to taking candid shots of graduates hugging their loved ones right after the commencement ceremony. Realizing how much people truly cherish and value the special moments they have captured in digital images, long after the celebration of graduation, HP enables people to reinvent memories that never fade and share these through pictures printed using HP printers and Original HP Ink cartridges. With an innovative ink cartridge technology that has taken the company more than 500 years of combined experience to develop, HP produces ink cartridges that use 36,000 drops of ink per second to make graduation smiles last a lifetime, on HP Photo Paper. With HP Ink’s superior ink quality which boasts of accurate, vibrant colors in permanent ink, photographs printed using Original HP cartridges remain fade resistant and free from smudges and streaks, making your son’s proudest graduation moments still look stunning, even years after. Its unmatched reliability enables the Original HP Ink to work the first time, every time so there are no wasted photos of such memorable moments as your daughter marching in her black toga or receiving her priceless diploma. Its fast-drying and anti-curling properties also prevent costly and inconvenient paper jams. Original HP Ink’s affordability also allows for more prints at a lower cost so you can make dozens of copies of graduation pictures to share your child’s achievement with relatives and friends. With its superb way of reinventing memories that never fade for generations of families to share and enjoy, the HP printer and Original HP Inks are truly the best tools to keep special moments alive. Want to reinvent memories today? Head on over to the nearest HP printer reseller to get an HP DeskJet printer and Original HP Inks that can produce pictures that will last a lifetime.
HP produces ink cartridges that use 36,000 drops of ink per second to make graduation smiles last a lifetime, on HP Photo Paper.
FORD TESTS LARGE-SCALE 3D PRINTING FORD Motor Company is testing 3D printing of large scale car parts using the Stratasys Infinite Build 3D printer Ford is the first automotive company to trial this technology with Stratasys, and is currently exploring potential applications for future production vehicles, like Ford Performance vehicles or for personalized car parts. Increasingly affordable and efficient, 3D printing large car parts, like car spoilers, could benefit both Ford and consumers. Parts that are printed can be lighter in weight than their traditionally manufactured counterparts, and may help improve fuel efficiency. Ford Motor Company is exploring how large one-piece auto parts, like car spoilers, could be printed for prototyping and future production vehicles, as the first automaker to pilot the Stratasys Infinite Build 3D printer. Capable of printing car parts of practically any shape or length, the
Stratasys Infinite Build system could be a breakthrough for vehicle manufacturing, providing a more efficient and affordable way to produce tooling, prototype parts, or components at low volumes, like Ford Performance vehicles, or for personalized car parts. “With the Infinite Build technology, we are now able to print large tools, fixtures, and components, making us more nimble in design iterations,” said Ellen Lee, Ford technical leader for additive manufacturing research. “We’re excited to have early access to Stratasys’ new technology in order to help steer the development of large scale printing for automotive applications and requirements.” The new 3D print system is located at Ford’s Research and Innovation Center in Dearborn.
An emerging technology for manufacturing
As 3D printing becomes increasingly efficient and affordable,
companies are employing this emerging technology for manufacturing applications in everything from aerospace, to education, to medicine. Wider adoption in 3D printing has been driven by recent technology advances, new areas of application and government support, according to Global Industry Analysts Inc. By 2020, the global market for 3D printing is expected to reach $9.6 billion, the organization reported. In the future, 3D printing could have immense benefits for automotive production, including the ability to produce lighter-weight parts, which may help improve fuel efficiency. A 3D-printed spoiler, for instance, may weigh less than half of its metal-cast equivalent. Additionally, 3D printing is a more cost-efficient way to produce parts only needed at low volumes, like prototypes and specialized parts for racecars. Further, Ford also may use the technology to make larger printed
tooling and fixtures as well as personalized components for customers.
How it works
Specifications for the part are transferred from the computer-aided design program to the printer’s computer, which analyzes the design. Then, the device goes to work, printing one layer of material at a time—in this case, plastic—and then gradually stacking the layers into a finished 3D object. When the system detects that the raw material or supply material canis3D printing large car parts, like car spoilers, could benefit ter is empty, a robotic arm automatiboth Ford and consumers cally replaces it with a full canister. This allows the printer to operate for hours prototypes and specialized parts months for prototype tooling to be or days while unattended. for racecars. In addition, when not produced. With 3D printing, Ford limited by the constraints of mass can print the same part in days at Benefits of 3D printing production processes, compo- a significantly reduced cost. For Though 3D printing isn’t yet fast nents can be designed to function example, a prototype for a new intake manifold could be produced enough for high-volume produc- more efficiently. Using traditional methods, an over a couple of days as opposed tion manufacturing, it is a more cost-efficient way to produce parts engineer would create a computer to several months, at an order of only needed at low volumes, like model of the part and wait for magnitude lower cost.
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SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2017 Riera U. Mallari, Editor rumallari@thestandard.com.ph
Gadgets & Games
GADGETS ON PLANES: WHAT'S THE THREAT?
HOW FB, SOCIAL MEDIA CHANGED THE WORLD IN A DECADE By Jeff Castillo
Sebastien Caron, director general of ASCT, a training centre for airport security: "These (laptops, tablets) types of electronic devices contain all the component parts of an improvised explosive device (IED) except for the detonator and the actual explosives."
P
ARIS—The United States and Britain have banned laptops and tablet computers from passenger cabins on certain airlines’ flights from some airports in Turkey, the Middle East and North Africa, citing terror threats. Why this measure now? Normally, decisions taken by American authorities and implemented by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are the result of specific threats identified by US intelligence agencies, Jean-Charles Brisard, president of the Center for Analysis of Terrorism told AFP. “Certain groups like Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula have been trying for years to adapt to the progressive security measures put in place by the US and their allies, in particular by miniaturising explosives.” The new measures “will be based on specific threats, without doubt an initiative by AQAP, one of the most advanced and sophisticated groups—in particular with regards to miniaturisation of explosive devices,” he added.
Has this happened before? After AQAP and rebel groups in Syria drew closer together in 2014, the TSA banned devices with flat batteries, saying that passengers could be required to demonstrate that laptops and phones could be powered up before boarding planes, Brisard said. “The fear, which was based on precise information, was that the battery’s housing could conceal a miniature explosive of just a few hundred grams,” he said. Why Arab countries and Turkey? “The reality is that the main threat will come from the countries listed by American authorities,” said Brisard, adding that TSA regulations were generally followed around the world. Some countries will not have the same level of security screenings as
in the US and other western nations, he added. Why laptops and tablets? “These types of electronic devices contain all the component parts of an improvised explosive device (IED) except for the detonator and the actual explosives,” said Sebastien Caron, director general of ASCT, a training centre for airport security. By adding those two missing elements, it could be possible to effectively assemble an IED, making these devices more sensitive than other electronics, he added. How can explosives be detected at security inspections? If airport security have any doubt about a passenger and their baggage they can use a trace detector —a small wipe—to check for any explosives, Caron said. If the electronic device has been booby-trapped, there will be traces of explosive of that can be found. The wipe can be analysed in seven seconds and will warn of any explosives detected, the expert said. How can they monitor checked baggage?
In France, checked baggage is passed through an Explosive Detection System which can determine whether any explosives are present by analysing the molecules inside the bags. If the machine estimates that there may be a threat, it alerts airport security who can take the bag aside for a more comprehensive check. “Out of 100 bags, only 30 percent pass through a human inspection, who will usually be able to clear 25 out of those 30 of having any threat,” Caron said. “The remaining five percent are sent to an even more sophisticated tomography machine,” which is a very expensive X-ray or ultrasound machine, he added. What consequences for travellers? Caron worries that the new measures will cause tension with travellers. “Passengers are mainly business people who need to work or tourists who don’t want to be deprived of their devices to relax or watch a movie. It’s going to be complicated to manage.” AFP
SMARTPHONE DEVICE CAN TEST SPERM QUALITY MIAMI—A new smartphone device can analyze a man’s sperm quality and let him know in a matter of minutes whether he suffers from infertility, US researchers said Wednesday. Infertility affects more than 45 million couples worldwide. Over 40 percent of fertility problems are due to poor quality sperm. The technology described in the journal Science Translational Medicine aims to make it easier and cheaper for men to test their sperm at home. “We wanted to come up with a solution to make male
infertility testing as simple and affordable as home pregnancy tests,” said co-author Hadi Shafiee, a doctor in the division of engineering in medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. “Men have to provide semen samples in these rooms at a hospital, a situation in which they often experience stress, embarrassment, pessimism and disappointment.” The new test, however, “can analyze a video of an undiluted, unwashed semen sample in less than five seconds.” It works by using a com-
bination of an optical attachment that can connect to a smartphone and a disposable device for loading a semen sample, said the report. Researchers tested the device using 350 semen specimens at the Massachusetts General Hospital Fertility Center. The smartphone-based device detected abnormal semen samples—based on World Health Organization thresholds on sperm concentration and motility—with an accuracy of 98 percent. The cost of the materials used
Researchers tested the device using 350 semen specimens at the Massachusetts General Hospital Fertility Center.
to assemble it came to $4.45. “The ability to bring pointof-care sperm testing to the consumer, or health facilities with limited resources, is a true game changer,” said co-author John Petrozza, and director of the MGH Fertility Center. “This development will provide faster and improved access to fertility care.” The device is not yet available to the public and is still in the prototype stage. Researchers are planning additional tests before filing for US Food and Drug Administration approval. AFP
WHEN Mark Zuckerberg set about developing the first Facebook prototype, he intended it initially to connect only a couple of students on his Castillo campus. A little over a decade later, this social media app has reached and connected more than 1.8 billion monthly users all over the world, transcending geographical, social, cultural, and religious barriers. Today, Facebook has emerged as a tool that has brought a total difference to how people communicate, share thoughts, promote their views and opinions, and even influence their respective communities. These last few years, however, people have also seen how Facebook and other social media platforms propagate troubling issues, which pose threats to the security of the users, especially when interactions become less personal as these platforms evolve. People who are socially awkward or shy suddenly feel empowered. It is also becoming more apparent that social skills have changed. People have become less able to cope with interpersonal interactions because they can conveniently hide behind their profiles. There is also the problem of “oversharing.” Many Facebook users tend to share too much information about themselves, their families, their habits, and their lives without realizing that they are exposing themselves to potential cybercrimes. For instance, Facebook users who overshare are at risk of identity theft. According to the latest report of the Philippine National Police- Anti-Cybercrime Group, this is the third in the top cybercrime cases filed with them last year with 288 cases as compared to 101 cases in 2015 and only 61 in 2014. Cyber criminals may steal users’ information through social engineering. They create fake accounts and establish trust with their possible victims over time. Once it is built, they will ask them to divulge information like banking details and passwords, and commit crimes against them. Cyber criminals may also ask Facebook users to click on links that might infect their computers with malware. URLs can be manipulated to make it hard to identify whether it links to a legitimate or malicious site. The principle social media users should bear in mind is that any information they post online should no longer be considered private. They need to be mindful about their status updates, and avoid revealing their whereabouts. While Facebook and other social media applications continue to strengthen their measures to ensure cyber security, users must always remember that they are in the driver’s seat; they are in control. As we become more and more connected, the opportunity for people to make nefarious moves against us also increases It is always wise to exercise caution where Facebook and social media is concerned. Users must exercise restraint and common sense.
SAMSUNG UNVEILS PREMIUM LINEUP OF QLED TVS
Samsung QLED TV
PARIS—Samsung Electronics today unveiled new details surrounding its premium lineup of QLED TVs and The Frame at a global TV launch event held at the iconic Louvre Museum in Paris, further demonstrating Samsung’s leadership in defining the future of home entertainment with advanced cutting-edge technology. “At Samsung, we strive to provide our customers with the most advanced technology to deliver unrivaled viewing experiences and cutting-edge designs that complement their everyday lives,” said HS Kim, President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “With state-of-the-art picture quality, design, and smart features, our 2017 lineup is truly ushering in a new era for television.” Samsung selected Paris,“the City of Lights,”
to unveil the“TV of Light,”a name given to the QLED TV for its delivery of optimal brightness levels and stunning visual experience. The venue choice for the event at the Louvre Museum—known for its rich history in art and culture—also highlighted Samsung’s focus on the Lifestyle TV concept, represented by two works of arts, the Samsung QLED TV and The Frame. The latest QLED TVs were designed with the consumer in mind and focus on addressing three key consumer pain points through the solutions known as Q Picture, Q Smart and Q Style. Samsung once again worked with Yves Behar, a renowned Swiss designer, to create the innovative TV, The Frame and offer consumers an elegant masterpiece that seamlessly blends into the interior of any home.
Q Picture: Perfect combination of light and color
The newly-announced QLED TV takes quantum dot technology to the next level with advancements in light efficiency, stability and a wider color spectrum.With new metal quantum dots, the QLEDTV addresses all the major aspects of picture quality, including viewing angle, color volume, brightness and bold contrast.The QLED TV can express accurate color and achieves a 100 percent color volume—the highest on the market today, earning accreditation by Verband Deutscher Elektrotechnieker (VDE), one of Europe’s largest technical-scientific associations. In addition, the QLED TV’s rich, deep black levels and bold contrast provide a consistent viewing experience regardless of a room’s lighting. The QLED TV’s advanced HDR 1500 functionality allows users to see every hidden
detail as it was meant to be seen, with no loss or distortion of color.
Q Smart: Elevating the home entertainment experience
Samsung’s Smart Hub has been expanded to offer an even more intuitive and unified experience, directly via the QLED TV. The enhanced Samsung One Remote Control now supports more devices and offers voice control capabilities across more Smart TV features. Paired with the latest SmartView App—available on Android or iOS mobile devices—users will enjoy their personalized Smart Hub. Additionally, the TV Plus service offers the easiest and fastest way to find, purchase and watch the latest 4K films and entertainment. The new Music service also allows for easy searching and identification of songs heard in the background of TV shows and films.
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SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2017 Isah V. Red, Editor
/
Young Life
Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor isahred@gmail.com.ph
GEN Y SPENDS
A MONTH’S WORTH OF PAYCHECK TO ATTEND A WEDDING
5 COOL HAIRSTYLES FOR SUMMER THE mercury’s rising and we’re all having that sticky feeling— these two occurrences could mean one thing, it’s already summer. The changing of the season calls for an update on how we look—an update, such as hairstyle, which is more practical and easy to manage as we course through this fun, albeit scorching, weather. Here are five easy and chic hairstyles women can sport in summer.
Layered lob
This hair trend that’s been sweeping salons for over three years now remains a chic choice of cut that looks universally flattering on all hair types. Lob, or long bob, strikes the balance between long and short hair, and perfect for those who can’t let go of their long locks but don’t want to go all-out short. Opt for shoulder length chop which you could tie up in a ponytail should you prefer. Layers, meanwhile, add dimension and laid-back appeal to your summer hairstyle.
THE ROAD TO FOREVER IS EXPENSIVE. Wedding is not only expensive for the couple getting married; according to a survey, a millennial guest spends about P30,000 just to attend a nuptial.
By Bernadette Lunas
While the figures could be higher when translated in the Philippine setting, where cost of living is relatively cheaper than in the States, some Pinoy Gen Y wedding guests admit that they had hile browsing through Facebook, I spent close or even higher to that amount in attending a nuptial. found that the long-time boyfriend of Albert Castro, 28, recently had a close friend tie the knot in a high school classmate just proposed Palawan. He said he spent about P38,000 to attend said friend’s wedding. “That’s the sum total of the amount I spent for airfare, to her, a post shortly followed by a colleague accommodation for two nights, gift for the newlyweds, my attire, going down on his knees to ask his girlfriend to and a few other expenses,” he shares. Priceline’s Bridal Season Travel Survey reveals that acmarry him. commodation is the biggest expense of 38 percent of There was no resentment on my part when I saw those millennial wedding guests, especially if the couple desocial media announcements; the thought that came cides to hold the ceremony out of town without shoulwas actually about the money the would-be brides and dering their guests’ lodging. grooms would be spending. Because of the costly price of being a guest, a third or The road to forever does not come cheap. In the Phil39 percent of millennials opt out of attending a wedding ippines, for instance, exchanging vows in a traditional event, according to the survey. However, 47 percent of Scan this icon to setting—complete with church ceremony, reception, those who traveled for weddings did so for the chance view the PDF gowns, rings, souvenir, to travel, while 67 percent and photo and video sersaid they traveled for the vices—could cost couples celebration. from P192,000 to P600,000, “Letting go of that according to iMoney PH. much money for a single But it’s not only the event became a lot easier couple getting married because not only was I who’s spending a lot in present during my close this lucrative wedding friend’s special day, but it industry. According to a gave me an excuse to go study by travel website to Palawan,” says Castro. Priceline.com, a millenThe rule of thumb, he nial guest spends about says, is that if you have a $600 or P30,000 by just friend who is getting marattending a wedding. ried soon, save up for it. The survey, which was Otherwise, a good excuse, conducted in Februsuch as the guest expense, ary this year, asked 591 for not attending will be women and 425 men in enough for them to underthe United States how stand. much they spend for each wedding-related event.
W
French braid
Girls with long locks may french braid their hair all the way down to the tips while keeping it loose and a bit messy, for a boho appeal. Short-haired women, don’t fret, as you may sport this style by braiding a section of your hair on each side and pinning them. Use a curling iron to make soft tousles. This look is perfect for keeping hair out of your face.
Photo from Le Fashion blog Turn to E2
TRAVEL TO JAPAN OR BALI FOR FREE
Fly to Japan with three of your family or friends by using PayMaya
Understanding millennials’ love of travel, mobile money and digital payments service PayMaya is treating their clients to a Travel Blowout promo where they have a chance to win an all-expense paid trip to Indonesia or Japan. The promo, which started in February, will choose one lucky PayMaya user to win a trip to Bali in March and Osaka and Kyoto in April. The prize includes roundtrip airfare and accommodation for four and P50,000
pocket money. “We are thrilled to offer the Travel Blowout promo and further enable millennials to pursue what they love, seize the moment, and live in the here and now,” says PayMaya Philippines brand and marketing head Sharon Kayanan. The following activities enable the user to earn one raffle entry each: downloading and activating the PayMaya app, purchasing and activating the physical card, purchasing and us-
ing the app or the card with a minimum single receipt of P1,000, having the account upgraded and approved, and paying bill in-app. “PayMaya has always strived to widen millennials’ travel opportunities by providing a means to pursue their passion even without having a credit card,” shares PayMaya Philippines managing director and co-COO Paolo Azzola. Go to www.paymaya.com for more details.
Young Life
E2
SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2017 isahred@gmail.com
5FromCOOL... E1 Half-up top knot
After guys had their fair share of the man-bun trend, it is now girls’ turn to have fun with the easy to do and versatile half-up style. This style looks effortlessly chic when done right. Instead of simply putting the upper half portion of your hair in a bun, make it more feminine (or make it look like you actually put in a lot of effort) by adding soft, beach-y waves with the use of curling iron or by simply air drying it. Add wisps of hair on both sides for an unpolished look.
HOW MILLENNIALS AFFORD TRAVEL I
t remains a mystery among older folks how today’s young generation is funding their travels with only their allowance or starting salary as resource. Because necessity is the mother of invention, millennials, who would rather spend on experiences than material things (78 percent), have found ways to tick items off their travel bucket list.
Photo from missysue.com
Low side updo
This universally flattering style works best on hair with medium to long length. Grab your tresses on one side and secure them with bobby pins and hairspray. For a lived-in feel, keep it unpolished-looking by making the bun messier. Pull a small portion of hair on both sides for an undone appeal, and pin a cute clip near the bun for a feminine touch. This style works best in a sizzling weather as it keeps hair from sticking to your neck.
29-year-old Adrian Cailao has explored some of the best destinations in the Philippines
JJ Se poses on San Juanico Bridge—a travel funded by him working hard and saving up
High ponytail
But speaking of keeping hair out of your face, nothing still beats the classic ponytail. It’s sleek, it’s versatile, and it’s easy to do. To make this look more put-together, cover the elastic with one-inch section of your hair, which is pulled from the underside, and wrap it around the base of the tail. Straight-haired women may curl their stiff ponytail to achieve a softer look.
Aia Tabal was able to go to Norway because she strategically saves up for her trips
Take these smart and young travelers Adrian Cailao, JJ Se and Aia Tabal for example; they have seen sights in and out of the country perhaps more than some of those older than they are. Here they share their secrets on how they are able to go places. Plan Adrian considers traveling as one of his core interests. At 29 years old, he has explored some of the best destinations in the Philippines. He shares he usually travels with a group of friends, and together they plan ahead, about a year in advance. “We look for airline seat sales, we read blogs on budget traveling, and we have a (savings) pool for travel fund,” says Adrian. Hustle Contrary to popular description of millennials, they do not wait for an apple to fall from the tree, they work hard before they can eat the apple. JJ believes travel is a great means to expand his range of experiences, but says dreams don’t just fall into one’s lap. When he is not out posting his adventures on Instagram, he is busy shuttling between his work in Alabang and graduate classes in UP Diliman. “I live in the south so I have to go back again, go home to get rest, and repeat the routine the following day,” relates JJ, who recently went on his first solo flight abroad to Malaysia and Singapore last year. Invest JJ admits that he didn’t understand the importance of life insurance before, considering it as something that only adult should get. But his policy at Insular Life (www.insularlife.com. ph) has helped him fund his goals. Aia, a new graduate from Ateneo Business School, has explored much of the Philippines, popular Asian destinations like China, Korea and Japan, and recently in Norway. How was she able to do that? She strategically saves up for her trips. “I compute my expected cash inflow for the year, deduct expenses including my premiums for Insular Life’s Wealth Secure, and then plan out my trips,” she shares, adding “If budget permits, I also do top-ups for my Wealth Builder policy, because I’m planning to withdraw some of it for my future international trips.” Aia says her next destinations are Australia and Maldives Adrian, meanwhile, says that he already has two years worth of financial tracking records. He uses them to strategize on his spending and investments. “If a travel would not fit the budget, I have to say ‘no’. I’ve learned to focus on my goals and now I am building up my insurance policies and investment profits to fund my next trips in Europe and America.
RUNNING TOWARDS A GOAL
Gerald Anderson, the Philippine delegate to the Skechers Performance Los Angeles Marathon, got emotional after receiving his medal for finishing the 42k run in 4 hours, 25 minutes, and 2 seconds. “This is a goal that I really wanted to accomplish,” enthuses Gerald. Crossing the finish line was a shining moment for Gerald, “Proud ako sa sarili ko na natapos ko, and nakarating ako sa finish line. Ang layo ng tinakbo namin. It’s really amazing.” He placed at 4,277th among the
18,867 finishers. Gerald has been training since late last year for his very first marathon on March 19. He also has Skechers GORun Forza to thank for finishing his first marathon. “My Skechers GoRun was incredibly responsive and comfortable to use. It propelled me to the finish line,” he shares. He adds, “Sobrang magaan ang shoes ko. They really helped me run far and strong.” Winner of the Competitor Magazine’s “Best Debut” Spring 2016 award, GORun Forza features superior stabil-
ity that comes with the signature Skechers GORun comfort and a seamless minimal upper combined with a two-part Resalyte stabilized midsole. With its technology, the shoe promotes a smooth heel to toe transition, delivers lightweight cushioning, and has added response. Skechers Performance is the title sponsor of the 2017 Los Angeles Marathon whose course saw runners race from Dodger Stadium to a scenic finish just steps from the Santa Monica Pier.
Gerald Anderson is ecstatic to join and finish his first 42k run at the prestigious Los Angeles Marathon
Showbiz
SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2017
E3
INTRODUCING PINOY AT HEART. K-pop star Sandara Park considers the Philippines her second home
ANGELINA
CRUZ
VIRAL
SANDARA PARK ON PH SAFETY AND TOURISM A VIDEO of Sandara Park defending the Philippines in a Korean TV show is making rounds online with the original clip reaching 2.5 million views on Facebook three days after it was posted.
The video, originally posted on March 20 on Team Philippines, a fun community sharing everything good about the country, shows the “Pambansang Krung Krung” in Korean TV show Battle Trip describing the Philippines as a safe and beautiful country. The show’s episode featuring Dara was telecast in January but it’s only recently that it got the attention of local fans. “One of the reasons why I introduce the Philippines to Battle Trip is people always ask me about the Philippines, ‘Isn’t it dangerous? I hear public safety is poor? They always ask me that,” says Dara (translated from Korean) talking to the show’s guests and hosts. “It’s just that unfortunate incidents are shown in the news, I wanted to show that, it’s not dangerous at all,” she adds. After she defended “her second home,” a video clip of Dara and her Korean model friend Seung Hyun touring various Philippine sites is shown – from lush green mountain
landscapes to white sand beaches bordered by clear blue waters. Having lived in the Philippines for quite a long time before becoming a member of the popular girl group, 2NE1, Sandara proved how much she knows the Philippines by introducing exciting and native food to her friend. They visited Coron, Palawan to go hiking and snorkeling. Meanwhile, Dara is now working solo under YG Entertainment after renewing her contract. She returned to acting as she plays the lead in the upcoming K-movie One Step, which premieres in April. The film is a music drama that aims to communicate and share a range of emotions through music. In the movie, the Korean pop star plays Si-hyun who is left with no memories of the accident or her past. The accident causes her to see sounds in color which is often disorientating, forcing Si-hyun to protect her ears. The movie will also hit Philippine theaters in May.
CROSSWORD PUZZLE Sunday, March 26, 2017
ACROSS 1 “Swinging on — —” 6 Hotel employee 11 Stem-to-stern timber 15 Unsuitable 20 Cool place 21 Sealing a deal 22 Spouse’s kin (hyph.) 24 Ranch stray 25 Farm structures 26 Cholla and nopal 27 Sort socks 28 Allows to use 29 First mummy, mythologically 31 Upscale cooks 33 Big name in speakers 34 PC chip maker 35 Elegant lighting 37 Potter’s need 39 Smoking or —? 41 NASA counterpart 42 French bottled water 43 Voice-mail prompt 44 B-movie crooks 46 Cigar end 50 Magazine execs 51 Pitt, of the movies 52 Pew locale 53 Cronyn of “Cocoon” 57 Mistake fixers 59 Rind 60 Snicker (hyph.) 61 Camelot lady 62 Eerie laugh 63 History test answer 64 Slip-up 65 Tina Turner’s ex 66 Uneasy 67 Hay unit 68 Madrid art gallery 69 Straw-colored 72 52, for Caesar 73 Nasty 74 Big quarrels 75 Cat’s hello 76 Pasta choice 79 Downgrade 80 Waned 84 Head covers 85 New Orleans pro 86 Tour de force 87 Rower’s need 88 Elaborate 91 White-water craft 92 Insinuate 93 Pablo’s girl 95 Garden-pond fish 96 Monica of the courts 97 Aught or naught 98 Granola kin 99 — Ness 101 Winning margins 102 More than serious 103 Top number in pool 104 Fits to — —
105 106 107 108 109 111 112 114 117 118 119 124 126 128 130 131 132 134 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144
Skippers’ OKs Las Vegas rival Aunt or bro. Mach 2 fliers Have a life Wood-finishing oil Musical London Tony-winner — Caldwell Huntsville loc. Charged particles Food Burning issue? Language of Pakistan Archie Bunker’s wife Says something Harem head of yore Racoonlike mammal Free Throws a steer Like tartan Lucy’s pal Secret — Buoy up Bard’s “— — Like It” Dits and dahs Climber’s foothold DeGeneres sitcom
DOWN 1 Kind of prof 2 — kebab 3 Ms. Shire of “Rocky” 4 Add beauty to 5 Lodge 6 “Old” London theater 7 Gum arabic yielders 8 Mossy growth 9 “— the Dragon” 10 Pre-weekend shout 11 Ms. Basinger 12 Make possible 13 John of “Crocodile Rock” 14 Insect resins 15 In neutral 16 Whistle time 17 Shooting marble 18 Yearns for 19 Physicist Nikola — 23 Sometime 30 Rigorous 32 Danish toast 36 Ceilings 38 Wabash loc. 40 Curved molding 43 Orchard unit 44 Uncultivated one 45 Yon maiden 46 Deprive of wind 47 Muse of astronomy 48 Strategy 49 Impatient chucks 51 — noire 52 Techies 54 PC system 55 Emcee’s device 56 Blissful spot
58 59 60 63 64 67 68 69 70 71 73 74 75 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 85 86 88 89 90 91 92 93 94
Tarzan actor Ron — Blanch Gridiron deal MOMA artist Blow, as a volcano Flour holders Unskilled workers Gala Part of LAX Floor Pull the lever Emulates a butterfly Main dish, often I knew it! Two-timer Things to crack Late-night Jay Rackets Young raptor Storm sewers Red-tag events Caveman discovery N. Mex. neighbor Cheer on Riviera resort Odometer button Submarine — Wiedersehen Big Apple team
96 Teriyaki topper (2 wds.) 97 Insult wittily 98 Environment 100 Laugh syllable 101 Hit dead-center 102 Thick 103 Matted wool 106 Skedaddle 107 Like many brooks 110 Kubla Khan’s place 111 Advertised to excess 112 Protruded 113 Salad follower 114 Moon Unit — 115 Grad-school exams 116 Dryden work 118 Pocatello’s state 119 Scorch 120 Lagoon boundary 121 Himalayan country 122 Minotaur’s island 123 Krupp Works site 125 Columbus’ home 127 Univ. marchers 129 Like some controls 133 Percent ender 135 Cousteau’s summer
Dara visits the country once in a while either for work of just for for leisure
Local music newest muse, Angelina Cruz, has just released a debut single that coincided with the announcement that she is now part of Universal Records roster of recording artists. Her debut single is a cover of Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling In Love” and is now available for digital download. Following her being signed by Universal Records, the 15-year-old singer took to Instagram to express her excitement. “This makes me over the top happy and absolutely grateful that something this unimaginable can be possible. All this couldn’t be done without @universalrecordsph and you guys, Thank you!!” she wrote her Instagram post. Angelina is the eldest daughter of Sunshine Cruz and Cesar Montano. According to her mother, they decided to use Cruz as her stage name because most of their relatives in showbiz who ventured into music are using Cruz instead of their real family name. “She’s starting out as a singer. Even Donna is not a Cruz before. When she started she was an Yrastorza. Even Rayver and Rodjun, they are Ilustre(s), but they are using Cruz because Cruzes are known as musicians. So I think it would be an advantage to use Cruz,” Sunshine explained.
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Showbiz
SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2017 Isah V. Red, Editor / Nickie Wang, Issue Editor isahred@gmail.com
SEARCH IS ON FOR HIGHLIGHTS OF
Angel Locsin is Darna no more
By Nickie Wang
T
HE moviemaking technology that Star Cinema will use to produce the film is equally interesting as to who will play the title role. Indeed, there are so many things to be excited about the big screen adaptation of Mars Ravelo’s Darna.
Liza Soberano in her super heroine form
People have been waiting, anticipating since 2013 on who will shout “Ding ang bato!” when ABS-CBN announced that the iconic superhero would be revived on the big screen more than a decade since her last sighting. Also, fans are intrigued whether the film outfit would already employ a 3D technology that displays images twice as fast as the current standard or they would opt to reincarnate Darna using the stunning detail and clarity of Imax format. It’s really about time for us to see a locally produced movie blown up on huge screens only known to cater to films made in Hollywood studios. But only time will tell if this would really ever happen. What we can control though is the name of the actor who will essay Narda who will transform as Darna after swallowing the “white stone.”
Since Angel Locsin will no longer breathe life into the iconic super heroine, fans have started sending their virtual request on social media on who they think fit to wear the red costume. In January, Pia Wurtzbach expressed her desire to play the role since she is also making some preparations for her showbiz comeback. In an interview during the Binibining Pilipinas press launch on Wednesday, the former Miss Universe said that ABS-CBN has numerous plans for her career but Darna is not included. Pop Queen Sarah Geronimo is also one of the names that surfaced to play the role after the original actor quit due to health reasons. But the Popsters’ matriarch is not so keen to do it unless people would want to see a conservative Darna. “Gusto niyo bang makakita ng Darna na naka-jumpsuit? (Do you want to see Darna in jumpsuit?)” she said when asked for her reaction. The list of names that can potentially play Darna goes on with Nadine Lustre, Yassi Pressman, Anne Curtis, Julia Montes, Maja Salvador, Kathryn Bernardo, Jessy Mendiola, and Ritz Azul as the most favored by fans. But there’s another star that might have already been chosen to play the title role. In an interview with Manila Standard in February, Liza Soberano talked about the rumors circulating since January about her replacing Angel Locsin as Darna. Although she said she’s preparing for “a very big project,” she denied it being Darna. “I heard rumors about it, but no, that role is meant for Ate Angel. I have my own projects and we will have loop tests next month. I’m already training for it as early as now,” she said. If her “very big project” is another romcom, then why does she need any physical training? Could it be possible that the 19-year-old is already preparing herself physically to the demanding requirement of Darna? Well, that’s us engaging insome wishful thinking and trying to read between the lines.
SHAWN MENDES’
'ILLUMINATE' TOUR IN MANILA CANADIAN pop sensation Shawn Mendes brought the house down the moment he stepped out on the stage at his concert at the Mall of Asia Arena last Saturday. With his guitar slung casually across his back, the teen singer was greeted by the deafening screams of thousands of Filipino fans that flocked to the venue. Now, let’s relive those moments: The guitar man Dressed casually in a grey T-shirt and jeans, the Canadian singersongwriter brought his weapon of choice – his guitar. His instrument that well complimented his signature style of singing was enough to drive throngs of fans into hysterical frenzy.
All the big hits The Vine-star-turned-popsinger dished out nothing but big hits. The 14-song concert presented the upbeat “Treat You Better,” the soaring poprock anthem “Mercy,” the soulful acoustic “Three Empty Words,” and the LSS inducing single “Stitches,” to name a few. Die-hard fans His followers packed the concert venue as early as 3 p.m. But that’s definitely worth it as the 90 minute concert kicked off at 8 p.m. During the show, Mendes said: “I’ve never been to the Philippines and it is a world away from me. But to hear you sing to my every song is just amazing. I’m so happy that my songs have connected with so many people on many different ways.”
Pia Wurtzbach in a fan made Darna costume
DERRICK MONASTERIO
Pre-show Mendes toured the country ahead of the concert. His crew went to Balite Falls (in Cavite). They drove into the woods that opened up to a waterfall, where there were a bunch of kids. After the trip, Mendes said that he now plans to come back and probably visit Taal Volcano.
SIZZLES IN FASHION MAGAZINE
HOT. Actor Derrick Monasterio with student athlete Matthew Custodio, and model Emil Khodaverdi for Benchmark, Bench's in-store magazine
WHILE most female stars are heading to the countryside to flaunt their beach- ready figures, Kapuso leading man Derrick Monasterio did something different to tease all the girls out there. The 21-year-old actor headlines Bench’s latest in-store magazine showing off what his fans have been missing since the cold weather enveloped the metro during the first quarter of the year. In its summer themed issue, Benchmark Magazine features the Kapuso actor alongside model Emil Khodaverdi and student athlete
Matthew Custodio half-naked. Derrick joined the list of celebrity endorsers for the local brand in April 2015. Since then, he’s become part of the clothing apparel’s major campaigns. Apart from modeling gig for the fashion brand, Derrick is also excited to share with his fans his latest TV project. During an announcement made last week in Sunday Pinasaya, the actor was introduced as one of the voice cast on board for the comeback of Voltes V. The Japanese anime series is making another comeback in line with its 40th anniversary.
Canadian pop star Shawn Mendes in concert at the MOA Arena last Saturday