MAUTE USES HOSTAGES AS FIGHTERS—AFP
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VOL. XXXI • NO. 215 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2017 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net
THE Maute group, blamed by security authorities for the siege in Marawi City since May, has started enlisting compulsorily civilians in an effort to increase their dwindling numbers in the provincial capital, Task Force Ranao Deputy Commander Col. Romeo Brawner has said. “They now force the hostages, especially the male hostages to fight with them,'' Brawner said on GMA 7 news program 24 Oras. The Maute group has found itself in a major battle with government troops after the terror group attacked Marawi last May. In addition to increasing their numbers with civilians, the Maute group also has been reported to be augmenting their production of improvised explosive devices by using dud bombs dropped by government forces. About 1,500 IEDs had so far been recovered by the 54th Engineering Brigade, and, with the help of other security units, the Army Engineers continued to create safe areas in the city which were free from Maute munitions, debris, and criminal organizations. Turn to A2
YELLOWS, REDS DARED TO JOIN FORCES VS RODY MAJOR COMPETITION. Hundreds of players from different parts of the country gather Saturday at the riverside SM City Marikina for the Rubik’s Cubes Philippine Championship 2017 at its Atrium area, the biggest competition of its kind, according to organizers. Norman Cruz
ARE YOU PEDOPHILE? DU30 ASKS GASCON P By John Paolo Bencito and Joel Zurbano
RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday tagged human rights advocates as “enemies” out to demonize the police as he mocked Commission on Human Rights chief Jose Luis Martin “Chito” Gascon, raising the possibility the latter was a ''pedophile'' for being so passionate over the killings of male teenagers.
Once again training his guns at his critics, including the Commission on Human Rights and opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros, Duterte said he never heard them condemn acts of criminals and just kept on harping calls that there was a state policy on drug-related deaths. “Human rights. They’re the enemies of the police. If a kid dies, they’ll just blame it on the police,”
Duterte said in an interview Friday aired over state-run television PTV4, when asked about CHR’s House-approved P1,000 budget for 2018. In a media interview in Davao City, Duterte accused Gascon, a former director-general for the opposition Liberal Party from 2008 to 2011, of being partisan in doing his functions as Commission on Human Rights chairman and told him
to call for his ouster. “Gascon, let me just tell the guy—he is really a spokesman for the Liberal [Party] and for the opposition who want me out of the presidency,” he said. “I am inviting you to try ousting me. So we can both stand on what we are fighting for.” Duterte then asked the human rights chief if he was a pedophile for being so “fixated” on young boys. “This Gascon—I hope to meet you one of these days. Why is this guy so suffocated with the issue of the young people, especially boys? Are you a pedophile? You are fond of children?” Duterte said. “You are so fixated with the death of young males, that’s why I’m having doubts that you b**** is a pedophile. Idiot. “ Meanwhile, 21 policemen in Metro Manila were killed and 47
others were wounded since the government crackdown on drug dealing and its use began in July 2016. This was revealed by Metro Manila police chief Oscar Albayalde following the results of a survey by the Social Weather Stations indicating that the number of victims of crime in the National Capital Region have been reduced but fear remained in unsafe streets and burglaries. “Peace is everybody’s concern. Winning the war against illegal drugs will benefit everyone. So, instead of fearing, I encourage the public to fight and [be] brave with us in fighting crime. We in the NCR commit to strengthen our anti-criminality campaign and war against illegal drugs in order to continuously bring down the fear of the public in unsafe streets and burglaries,” he said. Turn to A2
JINGGOY, OUT ON BAIL, EXCLAIMS: I'M A FREE MAN
EMOTIONAL REUNION. After spending three years behind bars, former senator Jinggoy Estrada is released Saturday on bail, and, while overwhelmed by the Sandiganbayan order, gets emotional during a meeting with his father, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada. Manny Palmero
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TOUCHED by his temporary freedom granted by the anti-graft court, former Senator Jinggoy Estrada proclaimed himself a “free man” last Saturday, after leaving the Philippine National Police Custodial Center inside Camp Crame. He said he was completely submerged with emotion when he found no security near him. ''I’m a free man already,” he told reporters in a chance interview following his release. “I can’t express my feelings right now. Certainly, I’m very, very happy, I’m very elated. I would like to thank the Lord God for giving me this opportunity. I would like to thank the magistrates of the Sandiganbayan for granting my petition for bail,” the former senator said. Estrada also expressed gratitude to his family and supporters for their “non-ending prayers.” The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division has ordered his release from detention at Camp Crame after his lawyers paid P1.3-million bail for his tempomanilastandard.net
rary freedom. In its order issued Saturday, the court also directed the PNP that Estrada be immediately released from its custody. Estrada is facing plunder and graft charges in connection with the alleged misuse of his Priority Development Assistance Fund allocation. He had been detained since June 2014. The P1.3 million paid by the camp of Estrada through the former senator’s counsel, Alexis Abastillas-Suarez, comprise: P1 million for the plunder charge, and P330,000 for 11 counts of violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act—and P23,350 for the legal fees. Estrada posted bail a day after the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division granted his bail petition despite facing the non-bailable offense of plunder, as the court said “there was no strong evidence” saying he was the “main plunderer” in the alleged P10-billion pork barrel scam. Suarez said the Estradas camp was Turn to A2
By John Paolo Bencito PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte challenged all his critics—including all “yellow” and “red” sides—to join forces against him but warned that he would not hesitate to use force against them should they break the law in upcoming large-scale rallies slated this week. “You can join forces, all you who have any beef against me,” Duterte said in Filipino in an interview over state-run television station PTV4. At the same time, Duterte said he was considering whether to accept the offer of communist rebels for an eventual resumption of the peace talks, but nevertheless could not accede to all their demands for the release of political prisoners. In a media interview, Duterte said he was not adverse to the idea of resuming talks with the left, but noted that he had given all the concessions to them and asked for their sincerity. Turn to A2
'TRILLANES CAN KILL FOR PROFIT' PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has said his outspoken critic in the Senate, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, for the sake of ambition, could do anything, even assassinate him just to be President. Describing Trillanes as a “wily” person, Duterte said he could have ended up dead like returnning from exile former Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., assassinated at the Manila International Airport tarmac in 1983—had Trillanes ended up as his Vice President. Duterte said his top critic once offered himself to be his running mate for the 2016 elections. “I just could not surmise how a person like him, I just could not tell—you’ll be my vice president?” Duterte said in an interview over government-run television station PTV4. Turn to A2
OATH OF ALLEGIANCE. Philippine-born Rona Cortez, currently serving in the US Navy, takes the Oath of Allegiance, to become a US citizen alongside other sailors from the Naval Station Great Lakes on Friday in Chicago, Illinois. AFP
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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com
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PINOYS IN UK TOLD: BE CALM, VIGILANT
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Albayalde acknowledged the survey result and dedicated it to the performing police officers in the field who relentlessly combat lawless elements and individuals engaged in drug use and trafficking. “Since the war on illegal drugs was implemented on July 1, 2016 to the present, 21 policemen assigned in different districts of the National Capital Region Police Office were killed and 47 others were wounded while engaging with drug personalities during police operations,” he said. Just recently, Police Officer 3 Junior Hilario died during the encounter with suspected drug pushers in Camarin, Caloocan City. Hilario, of Police Community Precinct 3, succumbed to a bullet wound in the head while undergoing treatment at Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Hospital in Tala. Hilario and his colleagues were about to arrest JaysondDela Cruz, alias Jayson Killer, and his partner Mart Ian Herrera on the night of Sept. 7 when the suspects engaged in a gun battle with the policemen. “Many more are ready to lay down their lives when duty calls,” Albayalde said. He added “we are here to serve and protect, to maintain peace and order, to defend the innocent people against lawless elements and other oppressors, to bring down the menace of illegal drugs. “Although we recognize that there are few police scalawags in our ranks who dragged us down, we are doing appropriate actions on it.” Albayalde said the NCRPO strengthened its Internal Cleansing Program, Reward-Punishment Program and Disciplinary Training Program to get rid of erring policemen. “We also strengthened our public engagement and encourage the public to report their complaints against abusive policemen and we assure that we will investigate immediately and act appropriately on the matter,” he said. The result of SWS survey, according to Albayalde, indicated the government was winning the war against drugs. Since the crackdown started, more than 83,000 individuals, including 119 elected officials, 23 uniformed personnel, and 138 government employees, were arrested nationwide. The CHR had been calling for justice for the deaths of teenagers Kian Loyd delos Santos and Carl Angelo Arnaiz, both killed by Caloocan City policemen. While Duterte acknowledged that the CHR was created “to investigate abuses and wrongdoings of government,” he nevertheless accused them of failing to give a second thought to the deaths inflicted by druggies. “You’re harping the line of the political enemy. That’s the problem. Forgetting all other crimes committed in the name of drugs. The victims here are the children. 10, 20 cases every day,” Duterte said. “Why can’t you move on to other issues that are besetting this country?” Duterte said. Instead of giving the CHR its allotment for next year, Duterte said the House of Representatives could give them away to his cops to buy “state of the art” body cameras that could be used during law enforcement operations. Duterte maintained his bloody drug war would continue to crush the illegal shabu trade, which he described as an ‘organized crime.’ “I will not be remembered as the President that let the Philippines go to the dogs, into drugs,” Duterte said. “I cannot back down on it. No way,” he added.
JINGGOY, ...
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elated over Estrada’s release from detention. “Now that he is released from detention, Estrada will have an opportunity to go around the country to thank his constituents,” Suarez said. Despite being released from his detention after posting a P1.3-million bail, the former senator is not yet cleared of plunder and graft charges in connection with the alleged misuse of his Priority Development Assistance Fund. In 2014, Estrada, along with his fellow former senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Juan Ponce Enrile, was detained in connection with the P10billion pork barrel scam. Maricel V. Cruz
By John Paolo Bencito and Sara Fabunan
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HE Philippines on Saturday denounced the latest terrorist attack on a London underground train Friday, injuring at least 22 people.
“We strongly condemn the latest terrorist attack near the Parsons Green station in Southwest London that left scores of people injured,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the blast as we wish them a speedy recovery,” he added. Abella said that the Philippine Embassy in London is closely monitoring the situation in the United Kingdom, following the latest attack. “Our embassy officials and staff have advised the members of the Filipino community to remain calm yet vigilant even as there are no reports of Filipinos injured in the explosion,” he added. The Philippine Embassy in London reported that there were no Filipinos among the 22 people injured in the explosion which authorities confirmed was caused by an improvised explosive device. “We denounce this act of terror perpetrated against the British people,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said shortly after arriving in New York where he will be attending the United Nations General Assembly. The United Kingdom has suffered four terrorist incidents this year. “We pray for the speedy recovery of those who were injured in this explosion,” the Secretary said as he urged members of the Filipino Community in London to remain vigilant. Philippine Ambassador to London Antonio Lagdameo said there are 22 people suffered injuries, none of which are life-threatening. The explosion occurred around 8:20 a.m. London Time at the rear car of a train pulling into the Parsons Green station of the London Underground’s District Line. The District Line is one of the busiest subway lines in the London Underground system, servicing the Wimbledon and Earl’s Court areas. There are approximately 182,700 Filipinos living in the United Kingdom. Of this number, 70 percent reside in the Greater London area.
FLASHFLOOD VICTIM. Jessamin Mina identifies her daughter Eurika Jamsen, 6, in an emotion-packed human drama after the child was recovered from a furious flashflood following tropical depression 'Maring' which lashed Calamba, Laguna only a few days ago. Norman Cruz
SLAIN TEENER BURIED IN TALA TODAY; KILLER UNKNOWN IT WAS Michael’s. The Public Attorney’s Office on Saturday confirmed that the body found at a garbage dump in Bulacan was that of 16-yearold Michael Angelo Remecio, who had been missing for almost three weeks now. After a forensic analysis on the
body discovered in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, PAO and Remecio’s parents declared the body belonged to Remecio. “Medyo nakapagaan ng loob ko dahil nakasigurado ako na anak ko talaga ang namatay na yun,” Michael’s father Dionisio Remecio said as quoted by GMA News.
Remecio left his home on Aug. 25 aboard a tricycle which he used to drive for a living in their area at Barangay 176, Bagong Silang, Caloocan City. Remecio’s family and friends remained at a loss as to the identity and motive of the killer. The teen’s father said his son
YELLOWS...
'TRILLANES... From A1
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“Well anyway, your message to me for the resumption of the talks, let me say this very carefully. It’s with you. Because when I became [President,] there were so many demands, and I conceded, and even appointing people from the left to join the government,” Duterte said in his hometown Davao City after a prisoner of war, Senior Police Officer 2 George Canete Rupinta, was released by the communist rebels as he was suffering from a heart condition. “I released almost something like 25 prisoners of war or so from Bilibid. But what you wanted is an immediate [response]—and there are things which I cannot concede alone because I am not the only one in control of this government,” he added. “I share the power with the legislative and the judiciary so do not ask for something that is unacceptable for the other branches of government,” Duterte said. But he gave assurances he saw to it “that all prisoners of war are treated well.” Duterte likewise addressed criticisms he was trying to impose authoritarian rule in the country, since he’s not the only one in charge of running the government. “Authoritarian, autocrat? It can’t be. The fact that I alone cannot operate indicates that there is some-
was being bullied in school, and was being pressured to join a fraternity. One of Remecio’s two girlfriends said that had he knew that something might happen to him. Remecio will be buried at Tala Cemetery in Caloocan City on Sunday.
thing to be done more than what meets the eye,”he said. “If you want to resume the talks, I am not adverse to the idea but let me sort out first the other branches of government and it is not my own,” he added. Duterte, nevertheless thanked the reds for their “humanitarian” gesture of releasing Rupinta. “I see that all prisoners of war have been treated well in accordance to the Geneva Convention. For that I would also like to acknowledge their respect for the law,” he said. Earlier this month, Duterte stressed that if communists wanted a return to the negotiating table, they should first declare a ceasefire with government forces. “If you want to resume the peace talks, you declare ceasefire or nothing,”Duterte said last Sept. 8 at Digos City. “And if say you want another war, be my guest.” In a move to convince Duterte to return to the negotiating table, NDF chief negotiator Fidel Agcaoili last August expressed willingness to sign a bilateral ceasefire deal with the government, once they agreed on agrarian reform and national industrialization. Agcaoili said the President knew that the NDF “will not agree to a bilateral ceasefire without an agreement on reforms,” referring to the Comprehensive Agreement
on Social and Economic Reforms, which would include agrarian reform and national industrialization. Duterte ended the peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front in July following a series of attacks of its armed wing the New People’s Army against government forces. While there had been no backchannel talks since Duterte’s pronouncements, Agcaoili said the communist rebels still saw possible openings with the President’s decision to speak directly with leftist protesters right after his congressional address. The fifth round of peace talks with the rebels was suspended on May 27, after the government panel withdrew from the negotiating table due to the order of the CPP to NPA guerrillas to intensify attacks against security forces. The President, who earlier expressed considering suspending government work and classes in Metro Manila on Sept. 21 in anticipation of threats of massive protests to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the declaration of martial law by then President Ferdinand Marcos, the upcoming protests would involve both “reds,” which include the militant Left, and “yellows” or personalities associated with the Liberal Party. John Paolo Bencito
“Soon after my inauguration, I could have not gotten off and already had a gun shot. I would have ended up like Ninoy Aquino,” the president added. “[Trillanes] is very dangerous— he’s ambitious. He wanted to be vice president. But he’ll do anything to be President. Hey Filipinos, wake up,” Duterte added. Hours earlier, Trillanes IV denied Duterte’s allegation his bank secrecy waivers would be of no use because some of the accounts had co-depositors who should also execute similar waivers for the bank accounts to be examined by the Anti-Money Laundering Council. Trillanes also denied Duterte’s remarks that he earned millions of pesos while he traveled frequently to China around the time the Philippines lost control of the Scarborough Shoal. “As I keep on stressing, AMLC has the power to access foreign accounts either held singly or jointly. That’s why I signed those waivers unconditionally,” Trillanes said in a text message to some newsmen. “Duterte just keeps on burying himself in lies. He can’t even release bank details of these supposed offshore accounts other than those released by Erwin Tulfo and Mocha Uson,” he added. “As for the Scarborough Shoal
issue, the Ombudsman had dismissed the issue which was based only on a conspiracy theory of [Sen. Juan Ponce] Enrile,” Trillanes said. The Ombudsman in June cleared former President Benigno Aquino III and Trillanes of treason and espionage charges filed against them for undertaking “backchannel” talks with China over territorial disputes. Duterte likewise accused Trillanes of killing for profit. Duterte had earlier accused Trillanes of treason when the country lost Scarborough Shoal to the Chinese in 2012, leading to an accumulation of alleged ill-gotten wealth to supposed off-shore bank accounts. Citing sources from a “foreign country,” Duterte said Trillanes had several currency accounts in Shanghai, Zurich, Geneva and Singapore—all “flagged as having international transactions.” Aside from these, the opposition solon allegedly had savings accounts in the Cayman Islands and British Virgin Islands. Duterte likewise blasted Trillanes for allegedly having more than 200 consultants, from the disbursement acceleration program, which was found illegal by the Supreme Court in 2014 for improper use of savings and inter-branch transfer of appropriations. John Paolo Bencito
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In one such operation, police captured an Amenton Rebosura and seven other drug personalities who hid in a house in Marawi. The suspects were brought to La-
nao del Sur’s police provincial office. Rebosura was reported to have admitted using illegal drugs but denied being part of the drug trade.
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HOUSE OKAYS BILL ON GCS
PH CALLS ON NOKOR TO TALK PEACE By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan THE Philippines on Saturday reiterated its call for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to stop its provocations and head back to the negotiating table hours after Pyongyang sent another ballistic missile towards Japan. “We again call on the DPRK to cease its provocative and highly dangerous actions that threaten the peace, stability and security of the region,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said from New York where he is set to attend the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly. “DPRK must put a stop to these tests and to start talks instead,” Cayetano said, as he reiterated Manila’s call for dialogue, saying the missile launches not only undermine efforts towards a peaceful resolution of issues in the Korean Peninsula but also exacerbate an already tense situation there. “We likewise continue to urge the DPRK to abide by the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, as the Philippines remains committed to complying with the same,” the secretary added. Cayetano said he will be consulting with fellow Asean Foreign Ministers in New York on what the Asean can do to help reduce tensions in the Korean Peninsula. The Asean Foreign Ministers are scheduled to meet next week in New York, and are expected to have a dialogue with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres at the sidelines of the UNGA. “Of course, we are also concerned about the safety of the 242,000 Filipinos in Japan who may be impacted by these provocative acts,” Cayetano added. “Our Embassy in Tokyo and Consulate General in Osaka are closely monitoring the situation and are regularly providing updates to the Filipino community,” the Secretary said. “Our kababayans in Japan must closely monitor the Embassy’s announcements and to update information on their whereabouts and contact details with the Embassy or Consulate General,” he said. Friday’s launch is the third such incident involving Japan, following a similar missile test on Aug. 29, which also ended with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, while the first occurred back in 1998.
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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com
By Maricel V. Cruz
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HE House of Representatives has unanimously approved on third and final reading a bill that seeks to regulate the issuance, use and redemption of gift checks, gift cards and gift certificates. House Bill 6016, otherwise known as the “Gift Check Non-Expiry Act,” makes it unlawful for any issuer to issue or sell a gift check, gift certificate and card gift that contains an expiry date. One of the bill’s authors, Buhay Party-list Rep. Lito Atienza, welcomed bill’s passage at the Lower House. “Consumers will now be given their share in the profitable exchange of cash—from consumers to the business establishment, to the merchants at a discount,” Atienza said. The bill is in line with the policy of the State to protect the interest of the consumer, promote the general welfare and establish standards of conduct for business and industry.
The bill provides that consistent with this policy, the State shall promote and encourage fair, honest, and equitable relations among parties in consumer transactions and protect consumers against deceptive, unfair and unconscionable sales acts and practices. To achieve this purpose, the State, through the Department of Trade and Industry recognizes that a gift check, gift certificate, and gift card represent value held in trust by the issuer thereof on behalf of its beneficiary or bearer and as such, consumers must not be unduly deprived of the value of their money. The bill defines “Gift Check, Gift Certificate, and “Gift Card” refer to instruments issued to an individual, partnership, or
a juridical entity for monetary consideration honored at a single merchant or an affiliated group of merchants as payment for consumer goods or services provided by such merchant or affiliated group of merchants upon presentation of said gift check, gift certificate, and gift card to the extent of the value, credit, or balance stored in the instrument. The proposal prohibits the imposition of an expiry date on the stored value, credit, or balance in the gift check, gift certificate and gift card. The gift check, gift certificate and gift card shall remain valid until the cessation of business of the issuer. The gift check, gift certificate and gift card shall be sold at a discount of five percent from its face value by the juridical entity who issues or sells the gift check, gift certificate and gift card for which consumer goods or services will be exchanged. The gift check, gift certificate and gift card that is sold at a discount shall not be used for the purchase of groceries.
CLOSED FIST. Leyte
(1st District) Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez (right) and Senate President Aquilino Pimentel lll (left) flashes President Rodrigo Duterte’s closed fist sign during the opening ceremony of the 38th Asean InterParliamentary Assembly at Makati ShangriLa Hotel in Makati City. Ver Noveno
Project Forum. “The Korea water conference is an important event to further promote the country’s effective, participative and successful PPP legal framework started in 1997 by President Fidel V. Ramos through a Concession Agreement in the water industry that the Philippines through Manila Water is now exporting to Asean countries like Myanmar, Vietnam and Indonesia,” said Velasco. Organized by AWC led by K-Water president Lee Hak Soo, the AIWW is a triennial water gathering for multi-stakeholders to seek tangible implementation for resolving Asian water problems and a forum for sharing AWC’s professional achievements as well as knowledge sharing with other professionals’ experience and networks. Velasco is also the country’s official representative to sign the World Water
Cities Declaration in the WWCF conference and the Water Declaration to the World in the AWC conference. The three water leaders are expected to share their best practices of the 20year successful Public-Private Partnership in the Philippines. Before the MWSS’ privatization in August 1997, the water service coverage in Metro Manila only accounted for 53 percent and system water loss was more than one-half due to leakage, unmetered houses, or pilferage from the consumers. The successful MWSS privatization in August 1997 during the Ramos Administration has brought good results. As of this year, 95 percent of the service area in Metro Manila to include areas in Cavite, Rizal and Laguna now enjoy ample water supply. Despite their massive capital expenditures for improvements of water supply and wastewater system, both
Maynilad and Manila still rank among the cities in Asia and the Philippines with lowest and affordable water rates. Since he assumed office February this year, Velasco has cited privatization as a major factor in the vastly improved water services in Metro Manila. He described the two concessionaires as “partners in the water service,” citing the need to work closely together in the collective mission to insure water security, strengthen and expand coverage of wastewater treatment plants to help reduce water pollution and protect major water resources. Apart from sharing his insights on water privatization and the important roles of concessionaires in the overall water supply and sewage system in Metro Manila, Velasco will present an MWSS institutional Video Documentary to highlight water security and successful PPP in the Philippines.
MALLS URGED TO JOIN DRIVE VS COLORUMS By Joel E. Zurbano THE government appealed to shopping mall operators to participate in its campaign against colorum and out-of-line vehicles, which it said is one of the contributing factors to the worsening traffic problem in the country. In a meeting held in Makati City on Friday, Metro Manila Development Authority general manager Thomas Orbos encouraged mall owners and operators to present their respective terminal plans to the Department of Transportation and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and prevent colorum vehicles from entering their premises. Orbos, also the concurrent chief of the Inter-Agency Council on Traffic, said that mall owners and operators should not allow colorum vehicles to operate in their establishments. He added business establishments should prioritize the safety and security of their customers. “This is shared responsibility and we have to reject colorums. Don’t allow them to use your establishments for their illegal terminals,” he said. Orbos stressed the importance of implementing traffic reduction measures within
DILG establishes brgy VAW desks FILIPINA women secretly or openly suffering from physical, sexual or psychological violence are urged to report to their barangays, particularly to the Barangay Violence Against Women Desks. According to the Department of the Interior and Local Government, around 88 percent or 37,178 of more than 42,000 barangays in the country have already established their Barangay VAW Desks based on the latest records of the National Barangay Operations Office. The NBOO is the DILG office in charge of closely and continuously monitoring the establishment of Barangay VAW Desks. NBOO director Leocadio T. Trovela said that “starting next year, the DILG will be annually checking the operation of Barangay VAW Desks by monitoring its functionality.” Trovela added that the monitoring of Barangay VAW Desks’ functionality shall be based on its establishment, resources, policies, plans and budget, and accomplishments.
US, PH soldiers renovate schools UNITED States Marines and sailors belonging to the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade and their counterparts in the Armed Forces of the Philippines held a groundbreaking ceremony in the renovation of several schools and a day care center in Casiguran, Aurora. The construction work is a joint civic assistance activity which forms part of the upcoming USPhilippine bilateral military exercise, KAMANDAG. The Philippine and US service members are conducting engineering and construction projects in three different sites in Casiguran. Military service members from both countries will work together during these bilateral projects to assist the local populace and strengthen the ties between the Philippines and the United States. The renovations of C.J. Torre Elementary School, Esperanza Elementary School, and Esperanza Daycare Center is aimed at providing children with a more spacious, modern, and comfortable environment in which to learn and play. The project includes building new classrooms and canteens and updating the school buildings’ electrical wiring. Sara Susanne D. Fabunan
PH condemns attack on Iraq
PH WATER PROJECTS FEATURED IN KOREA LEADERS of Metro Manila’s water supply system will discuss in Korea’s two major water conferences next week the 10-year water security program under the Duterte administration and the successful Private Public Partnership among Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, Manila Water, Maynilad and Bulacan Bulk Water’s Luzon Clean Water Corp. MWSS Administrator and Asia Water Council Director Reynaldo V. Velasco will serve as one of the resource speakers of the 1st Asia International Water Week and the World Water Cities Forum in Gyeongju, Korea from Sept. 19 to 23. Manila Water President Ferdinand M. dela Cruz and Maynilad president Ramoncito Fernandez will also act as resource speakers who will deliver their separate presentations on Drinking Water and Sanitation at the AWC Water
IN BRIEF
shopping malls and other commercial centers as they are now serving as transport hubs. Former MMDA chairman and now Marikina Rep. Bayani Fernando recently said that burning of colorum public utility vehicles is one of the solutions to address the worsening traffic problem in Metro Manila. Fernando, vice chairman of the House Committee on Transportation, also urged the government to rationalize the issuance of franchise to all public utility vehicles. “All PUVs must be given franchises, the jeeps, buses and UV Express. The truth is we lack public utility vehicles, but the problem is dispatching, and that is why we created the organized bus routed dispatching. The secret of all transport companies is the effective dispatching,” said Fernando. Upon issuance of franchise, Fernando said, “You will no longer become colorum. But first strike, your vehicle will be burned and from there, you will get another franchise before you can get a (new) unit.” He explained that “If you did not burn it, babalik iyan sa kalye. You have the right to own but you should not use it. As I see it pabalik balik lang ang problema, iyong mga bus nanuhuhol. Nakakasawa na. Ang bait kasi natin.”
CLEANUP. Different government agencies officials and staff, barangay officials and members of the Live for the River Coalition pick up garbage along a portion of the seven-kilometer Estero de Tripa de Galina in Pasay City during the International Coastal Cleanup Day. The celebration was led by Light Rail Manila Corp. president and chief executive officer Rogelio Singson. Norman Cruz
THE Philippines on Saturday expressed its condolences to Iraq and Iran as it condemned the terrorist attacks in the southern part of the country that left more than 80 people, including several Iranian pilgrims, dead. “Terrorist attacks such as those carried out against pilgrims in Dhi Qar Province have no room in civilized societies such as ours,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said in a statement from New York where he is set to attend the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly. “The Philippines condemns the latest attacks in Iraq and all other attacks against civilians by extremist elements in other parts of the world,” Cayetano said as he expressed condolences to the families of those who died and hopes for the early recovery of those injured. According to the Philippine Embassy in Baghdad, the attack on Thursday evening targeted a restaurant in Nasiriyah in Dhi Qar province south of Baghdad that was frequented by Shia pilgrims. Sara Susanne D. Fabunan
BAYAN, lumads slam Davao cops AN ACTIVIST group accused Davao City policemen of preventing delegates from boarding their flight to Manila to attend an indigenous peoples’ community schools conference on Saturday. Bagong Alyansang Makabayan secretary-general Renato Reyes Jr. in his Facebook post claimed that the lumad students, their parents and teachers attending the “Save Our Schools National Conference” at the University of the Philipines-Diliman in Quezon City were held up by Davao City policemen. Reyes said the policemen asked the lumad students to produce a permit to travel before they were allowed to board the plane. Lindy Trenilla, a social worker of the Children’s Rehabilitation Center in Souther Mindanao who is among the delegates, confirmed the post, and said that they have already secured and presented to the Davao police their travel permit given by the City Social Services and Development Office of Davao City.
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Opinion
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2017
mst.daydesk@gmail.com
Adelle Chua, Editor
TRUMP IS READY TO SELL OUT HIS BASE
EDITORIAL
T
DEVELOPING HUMAN CAPITAL
HE World Economic Forum recently released its 2017 Global Human Capital Report, where it ranked 130 countries on how they develop human capital. Human capital is the set of knowledge and skills people possess that enable them to create value in the global economic system. According to WEF, it is most developed in Norway, Finland, Switzerland, the United States and Denmark. In Asia, Singapore had the highest score—it ranked 11th in the world. The survey measured how societies harnessed their human capital in four dimensions: capacity, deployment, development and know-how. Capacity quantifies the existing stock of education across generations; deployment covers skills application and accumulation of skills through work; development reflects current efforts to educate, skill and upskill the student body and the working age population; know-how captures the breadth and depth of specialized skills use at work. Malaysia ranked 33rd, Thailand 40th, Vietnam 64th, Indonesia 65th. Other Southeast Asian countries—Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia, ranked 84th, 89th and 92nd, respectively. The Philippines ranks 50th among 130. What do
By Megan McArdle
THE most cursory evaluation of Donald J. Trump as a candidate revealed to us that he felt no need for small-minded consistency between his words and his actions. If it later proved convenient to back out of his promises, he’d do it in a New Jersey minute. Well, Trump seems to have decided now might be a good time to break faith with the immigration hardliners who formed the passionate core of his base: He had dinner with congressional Democratic leaders to discuss a path to legal status for some people who arrived in the US as children and are now here illegally. These seem to have been preliminary talks, so it’s not exactly fair to say that he is selling out his base. But he has put his base on the market. Priced to sell. We shouldn’t be surprised. The first year of a presidency is the year for bold action, but the man whose core credo is “I deal, therefore I am” has achieved … one Supreme Court confirmation, a handful of executive orders, and a reputation as perhaps the most incompetent manager ever to hold the presidency. Of course, on his spectacular failure to pass health-care reform, it’s worth noting that Trump didn’t really care about health-care policy, certainly not enough to acquire advisers who did. But things don’t look much more promising for his signature issues: tax reform, immigration, infrastructure. One can only imagine that he is, by now, rather desperate for a deal, any deal, to show that he actually is the man he sold to voters: an outsider who can Make Things Happen in Washington where others have failed. And since his prior adventures have rather frosted his relationship with congressional Republicans, why not see if there’s a deal to be made on the other side of the aisle? Turns out there is a deal to be made on the other side of the aisle: Offer amnesty to some number of immigrants now, in return for promises of tougher enforcement later. Democrats are well aware that the amnesty will be permanent, while the tougher enforcement can always be stalled in any number of creative ways – or, in the event of a Democratic presidency, undone entirely with the stroke of a pen. To secure an irreversible amnesty, Democrats may even be willing to agree to build “the wall” knowing as they do that a 2,000-mile wall isn’t much of a barrier unless you have a whole lot of Border Patrol agents to keep people from climbing over, tunneling under or cutting through it. Which is to say, Democrats will offer a “heads I win, tails you lose” deal: a substantive easing of immigration restrictions, covered by some toughsounding fig leaf that Republicans can point to when angry voters quiz them about it. Exactly the sort of deal, Trump voters solemnly informed me, that a President Rubio, Kasich or Cruz was sure to press for. The sort of deal that made it imperative to vote for Donald Trump. I disputed their analysis at the time, and still would. Politicians are generally constrained in their actions by a number of things, including their ideology, their desire to appear consistent, their fear of the voters (remember the “Gang of
our numbers say? We’re strong in capacity, measured by literacy and in attainment of primary, secondary and tertiary education. It is strongest for Filipinos between the ages of 15 and 24, with a literacy score of 98.5. We could use some boost, however, in knowhow, measured in terms of high- and mediumskilled employment share, economic complexity and availability of skilled employees. While the Philippines is not among the poorest performers—in fact, like most countries in the region it is in the middle of the pack, and on average the world has developed just 62 percent of its human capital—imagine how much better life could be in the long term if the capacities, skills and potential of workers are harnessed in the right way, toward the right direction. It is important to remember that these numbers on human capital are dynamic rather than fixed. “It can be enhanced over time, growing through use and depreciating through lack of use, across people’s lifetime,” says WEF. We hope our officials can take some time off to look at the report more closely. Its aim is to “support governments, businesses, education providers and civil society institutions in identifying key areas for focus and investment.”
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THE VOYAGER SPACE PROBES AND THE FUTURE OF SPACE EXPLORATION By Pecier Decierdo AS OF this writing, the Cassini spacecraft is no more. After 13 very fruitful years of exploring the Saturn system, Cassini finally crashed into the ringed planet on Sept. 15, 2017. With Cassini’s planned crash and burn into Saturn, humanity now has one less robotic emissary in space.
However, some of our remaining space probes are still sending us a treasure trove of scientific data. Two of them, the twin space probes Voyager 1 and Voyager 2, have been in the depths of space for more than 40 years now. (They were launched a little bit more than 40 years ago. Voyager 1 was launched on Sept. 5, 1977. Voyager 2 was launched 16 days before Voyager 1.) Boasting the title of being the farthest human-made objects from Earth, the Voyager space probes are pushing the boundaries of humanity’s reach in the universe. Like Cassini, they too will run out of fuel some day. In the
meantime, the scientific achievements that were made through them, and even the ones that are yet to be made, are worth celebrating. So let’s revisit the highlights of what the Voyager space probes have taught us about our place in the universe. The main objective of the Voyager space probes was to explore the outer Solar System. To accomplish the exploration of the outer Solar System, Voyager 2 flew by Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. As it did this, it also took photographs and measurements of the moons of the outer planets. To this day, Voyager 2 is the only
spacecraft to have explored the socalled ice giant planets Uranus and Neptune. Since no other missions are slated to go to those planets in the coming years, pictures of them and their moons taken by Voyager 2 are the only ones we will see for many years to come. Those achievements alone make for quite a legacy for the Voyager missions. However, the legacy of the Voyager space probes extends far beyond this. For example, the Voyagers essentially served as the reconnaissance missions for the next generation of outer Solar System missions, namely Galileo, Juno, and Cassini.
Galileo and Juno are space missions to study Jupiter. A big part of their missions is to investigate not only Jupiter, but also its moons. In particular, two moons stand out—Ganymede and Europa. Those moons stand out because they hold the possibility of harboring life. We now know that both moons hide seas of liquid water underneath their icy outer surface. We know this because of the Voyager space probes. Cassini, on the other hand, was a mission to study Saturn and its moons. As with the Jupiter system, two of Saturns moons are of particular Turn to A5
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Opinion TRUMP...
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Eight” failure?), and their loyalties to their political party, which makes them reluctant to do things that will hurt their allies in the next round of elections. Trump may be afraid of voters, but as for the rest: He has neither ideology nor principle, neither desire to appear consistent nor shame about failing to, neither allies nor any sense of personal loyalty. If he thinks he can get away with selling out his base, he will. (Perhaps most disconcertingly, you cannot even trust him to accurately gauge whether he can safely sell out his base.) Naturally he took to Twitter to defend his thinking, and what he said did not exactly project the air of a leader with his fingers firmly on the pulse of his voters. His empathetic defense of people who were brought here as children and now have no legal status could have been lifted from a Clinton/Sanders debate. And he seemed to think that this would be enough to offset any voter outrage: “The WALL, which is already under construction in the form of new renovation of old and existing fences and walls, will continue to be built.” One almost admires a salesman who’s too brazen to craft a believable lie, the kind who simply utters obvious falsehoods and hopes you’re too polite to call them on it. It has a sort of roguish grandeur to it. On the other hand, most people will not purchase anything from such a salesman. Those who appreciate the brazenness of the lies will lose their appreciation when he stops lying to you and starts making a deal with your enemies. As Ryan Lizza noted this morning: “MAGA twitter is absolutely on fire right now. His hardcore supporters seem shocked that Trump is a lousy deal maker who breaks his promises.” That groundswell of outrage may be the death of any incipient deal he has with Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi. But it may not. Singleissue immigration voters are in an unenviable position with Trump: If he betrays them, who else are they going to vote for? Some Republican they denigrated as an out-of-touch elite? Or a Democrat? But even if he does back down this time, his base should still be deeply worried. The fact that he even considered making a deal on immigration, and that he did so openly, indicates just how little leverage they have over the man they propelled into office. Not quite nine months into his administration, he’s already looking to sell them out. And if Democrats retake Congress in the midterms, they may well name his price. Bloomberg
THE VOYAGER...
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interest—Titan and Enceladus. Like Ganymede and Europa, we find them interesting because they might harbor life. In many ways, Enceladus is very similar to the icy moons of Jupiter. Titan, on the other hand, is entirely different. For one, instead of having liquid water, Titan has lakes of liquid methane on its surface! As with the two potentially lifebearing moons of Jupiter, Saturn’s moons were brought to the spotlight thanks to the Voyager space probes. Titan, in particular, was the reason why Voyager 1 was not able to visit Uranus. Instead of spending the space probe’s remaining fuel to go to Uranus as was planned, scientists instead decided to make it fly by Titan. The results of that visit helped pave the way for the Cassini mission. But the achievements of the Voyagers don’t end there. In fact, what makes the Voyagers so special among all of humanity’s excursions into space is that they are the farthest of them all. In fact, not only is Voyager 1 the farthest human-made object from Earth, it boasts of being the farthest object in the Solar System whose position is known. It is farther out that Pluto and all the other dwarf planets out there that we know of. And yet it still continues to send scientific data from that far out. It will be hundreds of thousands of years before any of the Voyager space probes reach another star system. Nonetheless, it is a great comfort to know that both space probes contain a mass of information about humanity in the 20th century. The Voyagers are the time capsules for our species, carrying videos and sounds that would represent us to any possible aliens (or future humans) who might bump into them in the distant future. Aside from being time capsules, the Voyagers are also products of collaboration between our bests minds. That way, they represent the best of humanity to whoever may find them. May they continue to serve as inspiration for us to keep on investing in the future of space exploration. Pecier Decierdo is resident physicist and astronomer of The Mind Museum.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2017
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NORTH KOREA’S SECRET WEAPON: ECONOMIC GROWTH By David Volodzko WITH the United Nations imposing yet another round of sanctions on North Korea for its nuclear provocations, it’s worth asking why such penalties have been failing for more than a decade. One reason is that the North Korean economy is improving more than is commonly understood—and that will make altering its behavior through trade barriers significantly harder. The current approach to sanctions is partly based on the assumption that North Korea’s economy is a socialist nightmare, but that’s no longer really true. Although the country is still poor, its gross domestic product grew by an estimated 3.9 percent in 2016, to about $28.5 billion, the fastest pace in 17 years. Wages have risen quickly, and per-capita GDP is now on par with Rwanda, an African economic exemplar. This progress is partly due to continued trade with China, which remains reluctant to crack down on its neighbor, despite calls for tighter sanctions. Although China agreed in February to ban North Korean coal imports, iron imports have surged and total trade increased by 10.5 percent in the first half of the year, to $2.55 billion. At the same time, economic reforms made in 2011 have begun to take hold, allowing factory managers to set salaries,
This undated picture released from North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency on Sept. 16 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un inspecting a launching drill of the medium- and-long range strategic ballistic rocket Hwasong-12 at an undisclosed location. AFP
find their own suppliers, and hire and fire employees. Farming collectives have been replaced by a family-based management system, which has led to far greater harvests. The government has even come to tolerate private enterprise on a limited basis. The results are striking. Street vendors, once rare, are now a common site in Pyongyang. Some neighborhoods have new luxury high-rises, modern supermarkets, fashionable shops, and streets busy with Mercedes-Benzes and BMWs. Although the government denies having abandoned the old socialist system, the evidence is undeniable:
By some estimates, the private sector now accounts for up to half of GDP. Meanwhile, given the country’s still-widespread impoverishment, simple improvements in agriculture and natural-disaster management are enough to yield significant new growth. Last year’s impressive GDP gains were due largely to recovery from a bad drought in 2015. For North Koreans, rising living standards are obviously a good thing. The problem is that the economy still has plenty of room to grow before further progress will require the removal of trade barriers. That means it could be years before
new sanctions would hurt enough to cause a significant change in behavior. Until then, the nation’s ideology of selfreliance, known as juche, seems almost plausible. Kim Jong-un, North Korea’s dictator, looks to be fashioning himself after South Korea’s Park Chung-hee or China’s Deng Xiaoping—that is, as an ironfisted economic reformist. Despite rampant human-rights violations, Park still stands tall in the memory of many South Koreans for bringing the country into economic maturity. Deng is largely responsible for turning China into the economic powerhouse that it is today. It’s easy to imagine that if Kim’s nuclear arsenal keeps the US military at bay long enough, he’s got a shot at a similar legacy. Of course, he still faces some enormous challenges, not least being cut off from the global system of trade. Hidebound apparatchiks may object to further reforms, a wealthier public may question the legitimacy of Communist rule in an increasingly capitalist state, and market bubbles could prove destabilizing. But faced with excruciating pressure and scant resources, North Korea has nevertheless been steadily achieving its goals for years. Further economic growth is likely to only help. Bloomberg
THAT INTELLIGENCE IS ARTIFICIAL, ALL RIGHT By Shira Ovide I’M SAD to say I was promised flying cars and I got ... vending machines? I’m referring to Silicon Valley’s derision du jour, a startup called Bodega. A couple of ex-Google employees are placing 8-square-foot locked cabinets in buildings or stores that are stocked with microwave popcorn, mouthwash, LaCroix sparkling water (of course) and other nonperishable items commonly sold at convenience stores. The idea, as the founders told Fast Company, is to have Bodega stations dotting cities to eliminate trips to centralized shopping locations. Think of it like online shopping, but less convenient. Bodega also promises every location will be customized through artificial intelligence (of course). Bodega outposts in dorms might have electronics and personal care items, while a machine in the office could stock pens, pads of paper and snacks. I have a one-word rebuttal to this pitch: Nope. This startup has basically invented a vending machine. Huzzah. And worse, they have invented a culturally insensitive vending machine company that doesn’t seem to have considered financial reality. Online shopping is growing quickly but more than 90 percent of US retail sales are in physical stores.
There is perennial outrage about technology companies that are solving annoyances experienced by the one percent. Bodega certainly fits the bill. The idea seems to borrow from the ubiquitous Google “micro kitchens” that ensure employees (and their dogs) are never far away from oases of Red Bull, cereal and other necessities of life as a Google engineer (and pet). And it feels particularly clueless to call the company Bodega, the Spanish word that in some cities is a catchall name for local convenience stores, typically owned by immigrants. It’s like a Bay Area startup intentionally chose a name to generate the most class angst, or to become a plot line in HBO’s “Silicon Valley.” After a few hours of outrage on Wednesday, Bodega issued a semi-mea culpa on Medium saying the founders don’t intend to kill the local convenience store but rather bring its best qualities to people that don’t have easy access to them. Rebuttal No. 2: I’m betting most Americans at least have access to a gas station convenience store. The company also said it underestimated the backlash it would face for using the name Bodega. But I also have a more pedestrian objection: Bodega doesn’t seem to be a good business. I have personal experience with vending machines. I have eaten a lot of potato chips and candy out of them. And the thing about
vending machines is a person in a truck has to refill them regularly with potentially dozens of items. Sometimes there’s a run on Cheetos, and then there are no Cheetos for a week, which is outrageous. Yes, Bodega may not have to pay rent for physical stores or employ store workers. But Bodega doesn’t eliminate the complicated costly logistics of a convenience store or a vending machine. Just like a vending machine or a store chain, Bodega staff or contractors will still need to buy a bunch of products and drive to stock them in many different locations. Maybe—maybe!—AI software can tailor inventory to each location, but it will be many, many years before robots can pick up cans, chip bags and little Advil boxes, walk them into an office or store, unlock the Bodega cabinets and place the items on shelves. And when that day comes, there’ll be humans waiting on the sidewalk to snatch a week’s supply of LaCroix Curate Pomme Baya. Inevitably, the machines will break. That requires more humans to go fix them. This does not scale, as the venture capitalists say. When people—often unfairly, in my opinion —criticize the tech industry for not tackling the world’s toughest problems, companies like Bodega are Exhibit A. Rant over. I’m going to grab a bag of Cheetos. Bloomberg
ASK GERMANS WHY LESS FREQUENT ELECTIONS MAKE SENSE By Leonid Bershidsky THE coming German election may be the last one run on a four-year cycle. The parties now represented in the German parliament and at least one that stands to enter it on Sept. 24 all agree that the legislative term should be extended to five years. That means it’s highly likely Germany will make the switch before 2021. They make some arguments that Americans, too, should consider. Since the end of World War II, the Federal Republic of Germany has only had eight chancellors, and three of them served for more than a decade; Angela Merkel will match Helmut Kohl’s 16-year record if she wins next week. But, unlike, say, in Russia, where the presidential term was increased from four to six years in 2008 specifically to extend President Vladimir Putin’s tenure, the emerging German consensus is not about a longer political life for leaders. It’s about the kind of calm common sense Germany’s political class proudly demonstrates to the rest of the Western world in these colorful times. Merkel’s party, the Christian Democratic Union, points out that the election campaign takes time out of a government’s productive term, and coalition negotiations post-election take some more. The coalition talks lasted a record 86 days in 2013 and they may take even longer this time
around. In the US, coalition talks aren’t a problem, but the campaigns themselves are insanely long. From the moment the first serious candidate, Ted Cruz, announced he was running, the campaign for the last presidential election went on for 597 days. The Social Democrats, Merkel’s coalition partners, point out that some pieces of legislation are so complex that they require more deliberation time than the current cycle affords. That, too, is an argument to which Americans should be receptive. A new US president generally has only a twoyear window of opportunity before the mid-term Congress elections, which often leave the president struggling against a hostile legislature. Hence the Republicans’ helpless flailing on health care this year: They know there’s not enough time to work out acceptable proposals, but they still try various hastily thrown together schemes because they hate the status quo. Germany’s smaller parties, such as the far-left Die Linke and the Greens, hope to combine a longer legislative period with more elements of direct democracy, such as popular votes on certain issues. If these parties want to hold more direct votes, it makes even more sense to decrease the frequency of national ones, because high vote frequency depresses turnout, as US political scientist Richard W. Boyd described in the 1980s. More recently, University of Dortmund’s
Sebastian Garmann has provided strong empirical evidence in support of the causal link between election frequency and turnout: To increase turnout, the frequency of elections should be reduced. This finding is particularly relevant for many countries in which, for example, local and national elections are held on different days (as is the case for Canada, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom, to name just a few). Moreover, it is relevant for countries such as the United States and Switzerland, which have—due to the roles played by primaries and referenda—a very high frequency of contests. Even without popular votes, Germany has something of a falling turnout problem: For most of the country’s post-war history, more than 80 percent of voters took part in federal elections, but in the last two contests, that share had dropped to about 70 percent. It may even drop below that mark for the first time ever on Sept. 24 if voters decide Merkel’s formidable poll lead is too wide for their ballots to matter. This increase in apathy still doesn’t bring Germany close to the US, where between 50 and 60 percent of voting-age citizens typically vote in a presidential election, despite the relentless media hype and the billions of dollars spent on persuading people to vote one way or another. Changing national election cycles probably won’t impact this. Garmann found that
there was no voter fatigue effect for federal elections and that voter fatigue “fades approximately six months after an election.” There are better reasons, though. One of them is cost. Budget savings are part of the reason the German city state of Bremen has introduced a measure to increase the state legislature’s term from four to five years—in line with the other German states. There can be no more costly elections than those in the American system; less frequency might slightly moderate the enormous waste of resources on saturation political advertising. It’s not entirely accidental that, globally, more countries have a five-year electoral cycle than a fouryear one, and only a handful have adopted even shorter ones. These countries suffer from frenetic, fruitless political activity, and that’s a source of frustration; in Australia, with its threeyear electoral terms, there is strong support for moving to four years. It is, of course, a bad time for many Americans to discuss changing the election cycle: Half the country can’t wait to be rid of President Trump. But with less frequent elections, Americans might choose a little more carefully. Adding just one year to the cycle doesn’t really make politicians less accountable than they are today, but it might make for saner politics. Those practical Germans, at least, intend to find out. Bloomberg
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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com
Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor / Jimbo Gulle, Issue Editor
EQUIFAX EXECS STEP DOWN AFTER BIG HACK SAN FRANCISCO—Equifax said Friday that two executives entrusted with watching over its computers are retiring, their departures coming after its maligned handling of a major hack at the credit reporting agency. The Equifax chief information officer and head of security will retire, effective immediately, as “part of the company’s ongoing review of the cybersecurity incident” that resulted in personal data of 143 million US customers being stolen by hackers. An as yet unspecified number of Canadian and British customers may have also been affected by the hack at Equifax, one of the three major credit bureaus that collect consumer financial data. The breach is considered one of the worst-ever because of the nature of data collected: bank and social security numbers and personal information of value to hackers and others. An internal investigation into the hack continues and the company is working with the FBI, according to Equifax. Word that top executives responsible for defending Equifax computer systems are out came on the same day that the Canadian privacy commissioner announced an investigation into the massive theft of personal data from the US credit agency. “The investigation is a priority for our office given the sensitivity of the personal information that Equifax holds,” the office of the privacy commission of Canada said in a release. AFP
‘SIGNIFICANT ARREST’ IN UK TRAIN ATTACK LONDON—British police said they arrested an 18-year-old man on Saturday at a Channel port in their investigation into the bombing of a London Underground train. “The 18-year-old man was arrested by Kent Police in the port area of Dover this morning, Saturday, 16 September, under section 41 of the Terrorism Act,” police said in a statement that described the arrest as “significant.” “Although we are pleased with the progress made, this investigation continues and the threat level remains at critical,” police said. The man is in custody at a local police station and will be transferred to a south London police station in “due course.” Thirty people were treated in hospital after a bomb detonated in a packed London Underground train on Friday morning, in what was Britain’s fifth terror attack in six months. The toll was revised upwards by one early Saturday. “This arrest will lead to more activity from our officers,” police said. “For strong investigative reasons we will not give any more details on the man we arrested at this stage.” AFP
‘DOKSURI’ RIPS CENTRAL AREA OF VIETNAM
MHA TINH, Vietnam—Shaken residents in central Vietnam were piecing their homes and businesses back together Saturday after a powerful typhoon hammered large swathes of coast and killed at least four people. Typhoon Doksuri tore through Vietnam Friday afternoon, reducing structures to piles of debris and knocking out electricity and telecommunications in several provinces, in one of the worst storms to hit the country in years. Residents woke up Saturday to the widespread destruction in normally idyllic coastal communities popular among beachgoers. “I sat inside my house covering my ears, I didn’t dare leave as I was so scared,” Mai Thi Tinh, whose restaurant in Ha Tinh province was completely destroyed, told AFP. “The power is still off so we can’t do anything. I don’t know how long it will take to recover,” she told AFP. At least four people were killed and eight injured, according to Vietnam’s Disaster Management Authority. Some 123,000 homes were damaged and trees and power lines were torn down in five hard-hit provinces, the disaster agency said. “The wind was so bad that I hid under the bed. I’m old but I’m afraid of death,” 70-year-old retired teacher Tran Ngoc Khang told AFP in Ha Tinh. AFP
ARMED AND READY. A picture taken on Saturday shows a masked member of the Imam Ali Division, one of the groups fighting within the Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization) paramilitaries, carrying an ammunition belt during a military parade in the holy shrine city of Najaf in central Iraq. AFP
NOKOR SEEKS MILITARY ‘EQUILIBRIUM’ WITH US
S
EOUL—North Korea said Saturday it was seeking military “equilibrium” with the United States as leader Kim Jong-Un vowed to complete Pyongyang’s nuclear programme.
North Korea successfully fired a Hwasong-12 intermediate-range ballistic missile over Japan on Friday, responding to a new round of UN sanctions over its sixth nuclear test with its furthest-ever missile flight. “Our final goal is to establish the equilibrium of real force with the US and make the US rulers dare not talk about military option for the DPRK,” Kim said, according to the official Korean Central News Agency. Kim said the country was close to the goal of completing its nuclear ambitions and should use all power at its disposal to finish the task, saying it had “nearly reached the terminal”, KCNA reported. The young leader said Friday’s launch had increased the North’s
“combat power of the nuclear force.” “We should clearly show the big power chauvinists how our state attain the goal of completing its nuclear force despite their limitless sanctions and blockade,” Kim said, according to KCNA. The UN Security Council condemned Friday’s launch as “highly provocative” and US President Donald Trump scheduled talks with the leaders of Japan and South Korea to address the crisis. The US Pacific Command confirmed Friday’s rocket was an intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM) and said the launch did not pose a threat to North America or to the US Pacific territory of Guam, which Pyongyang has threatened with “enveloping fire.”
Seoul’s defense ministry said it probably travelled around 3,700 kilometers (2,300 miles) and reached a maximum altitude of 770 kilometers. Video broadcast by the North’s Korean Central TV showed a missile blasting off from a mobile transport vehicle and shots of it soaring through clouds. “The combat reliability of Hwasong-12 was thoroughly verified,” Kim was quoted as saying by star TV presenter Ri Chun-Hee, who appears when North Korea wants to boast of its achievements or needs to make an important announcement. North Korea’s official party newspaper Rodong Sinmun allocated half its coverage to pictures of the launch. Yang Uk, an analyst with the Korea Defense and Security Forum, told AFP that Kim’s stated ambition of achieving a military balance with Washington was some way off. “It’s too unrealistic for North Ko-
rea to reach equilibrium in nuclear force with the US,” he said. The North has raised global tensions with its rapid progress in weapons technology under Kim, who is regularly pictured by state media overseeing launches and visiting facilities. “The latest launch, which was apparently made from a TEL (transporter erector launcher or missile vehicle) instead of a makeshift launch pad, means the North is now ready to deploy the IRBM Hwasong-12 for combat purposes,”Yang said. “The North appears to have resolved technical difficulties in launching the missiles from TELs. With its mobility being increased, Hwasong-12 poses an imminent threat to the US and its allies in the region,” he said. The North’s previous missile launch, a Hwasong-12 IRBM just over two weeks ago, also overflew Japan’s main islands and was the first to do so for years. AFP
A HISTORY OF PERSECUTION: MYANMAR’S ROHINGYA BANGKOK—Nearly 400,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled renewed violence in Myanmar, crossing the border in Bangladesh in waves following a military crackdown the United Nations says amounts to ethnic cleansing. It is the latest chapter in a long and tumultuous history of the Rohingya, the world’s largest stateless population. Before the most recent surge of violence, there were over one million Rohingyas in Myanmar’s restive Rakhine state. But the questions of who they are, how many live in Myanmar and when they arrived is hotly disputed, highly emotive and behind much of the current unrest. Many of the Muslim minority trace their lineage in Myanmar back generations, but were effectively stripped of their citizenship by the former junta and are demonized among the Buddhist-majority population as illegal immigrants. Here is a brief history of Myanmar’s Rohingya Muslims. When did they first arrive in Myanmar? By some accounts, they are descendants of Arab, Turkish or Mongol traders and soldiers who in the 15th Century migrated to Rakhine state, previously called the Kingdom of Arakan. Other historians say they emigrated from Bangladesh in several waves, a widely held view among most Burmese. For centuries the small Muslim minority lived peacefully alongside Buddhists SMALL RELIEF. A young Rohingya refugee washes himself at the Jalpatoli refugee camp in the no-man’s land area between Myanmar and Bangladesh, near in the independent kingdom, some were even advisors to Buddhist royals, Gumdhum village in Ukhia on Saturday. AFP
according to historians. Upheaval ensued from the late 18th century. In 1784 the kingdom was conquered by the Burmese and later by the British following the first Anglo-Burmese war of 1824-1826. Under British rule, a large number arrived to work as farmers and later as military recruits. “In the 1830s there was a massive influx of Muslim peasants from neighboring Bengal, mostly to work in the agriculture sector,” said Sophie Boisseau du Rocher, Southeast Asia expert at the French Institute for International Relations. By 1912, more than 30 percent of the population of Arakan state were Muslim, up from five percent in 1869, according to British census data cited by historian Jacques Leider. When did tensions start? Tensions between the Rohingya Muslims and the Buddhist majority date back to the beginning of British rule in 1824. As part of their divide-and-rule policy, British colonists favored Muslims at the expense of other groups. They recruited them as soldiers during World War II, pitting them against Buddhists aligned with the Japanese as the war played out on Burmese soil. “Both armies, British and Japanese, exploited the frictions and animosity in the local population to further their own military aims,” said Moshe Yegar, author of a book about Muslim communities in Southeast Asia. AFP
Sports
A7
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2017 reuelvidal@yahoo.com
PINOY ATHLETES START BID IN PARA GAMES
The Philippine team in high spirits during the Philippine flag-raising ceremony at the Saparmurat Turkmenbashi Olympic Stadium.
LUCK SMILES ON WRESTLER AS TEAM PH BAGS BRONZE
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SHGABAT—Wrestler Alvin Lobreguito had a sure bronze medal before he set out to his first battle in the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games on Saturday. Due to lack of entries, the 25-year-old Filipino grappler gave the Philippines its first medal even if he lost his semifinal encounter at the Main Indoor Arena of the sprawling Ashgabat Olympic Stadium. Lobreguito lost by superiority to Yakupnazar Yakubow of Turkmenistan, 4-0, in the 75-kg men’s freestyle event where there were only four entries. Yakubow pinned the Filipino to the ground early in the first round, en route to the technical advantage tally and on to the gold-medal match later in the day. Lobreguito, a Southeast Asian and Australasian wrestling tournament champion, will join fellow bronze medalist Faridun Qurbonov of Tajikistan after the latter lost his semifinal face-off with Allanur Gocow of host Turkmenistan. Gocow has forced an allTurkmenistan finale with Yakubow following a convincing 4-0 win over Qurbonov before a wildly cheering crowd at the Main Indoor Arena of the sprawling Ashgabat Olympic Stadium. While Lobreguito is set to stand proudly at the medal podium, fellow Pinoy wrestlers Jhonny Morte, Noemi Tener and Grace Loberanes fell to their respective opponents in the quarterfinals. With the bronze medal hanging around his neck, Lobreguito is bound to receive a cash incentive of P400,000 from the government. A gold medal in the 62-country Aimag is worth P2 million while a silver and bronze will fetch P1 million and P400,000, respectively. It was a painful first day of action for the national team as three other Filipino grapplers dropped their respective assignments. Neomi Tener lost to Am-
breen Masih of Pakistan, 4-1, in the 58kg, Grace Loberanes suffered a 5-0 beating from Lacyn Badaglyyewa of Turkmenistan, 5-0, in 52kg, and Johnny Morte fell to Turkman Döwletgeldi Berdiyew, 5-0, in the 68kg. The 10 Jiu-Jitsu fighters, however, are set to fight Monday. They are three-time International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation World Championship winner Meggie Ochoa, two-time Asian Beach Games
Hidilyn Diaz gets a blessing from father Andrzej Madej, Head of Diplomatic Mission of the Vatican in Turkmenistan, after hearing a mass for the Philippine team at the NOC Philippines building inside the Olympic Village. Also in photo is PSC chief of staff Dino Badilla.
will be held on Sunday night at the sprawling Ashgabat Olympic Stadium with 116 Filipino athletes competing in 17 sports comprising the Philippine delegation.
Tough competition
Kickboxers Robin Catalan and Carlo Jacildo with bowling legend Paeng Nepomuceno.
gold medalist Annie Ramirez, Hansel Terence Co, Gian Dee, Mark Lim, Golbert Ambao, Apryl Eppinger, Lou-Ann Jindani and Carolina Pajaron. In the last AIMAG in Incheon, South Korea back in 2013, the country won one gold medal and two bronze medals. Indoor Tennis action will start Sunday as Filipino bets Jason Patrombon, Anna Clarice Patrimonio and Khim Iglupas open their campaign, as well as the five-man Muay Thai team. The 19-year-old Iglupas and the 23-year-old Patrimonio, daughter of former PBA
four-time MVP Alvin Patrimonio, will compete together in the women’s singles and will team up in the double’s. Iglupas and Patrombon will play together in the mixed event. The preliminary round of Indoor Tennis is set on Sept. 17 to 22, while the medal round will begin on the 23rd. Their respective opening round games will be known after the drawing of lots scheduled Saturday evening. Meantime, Muay Thai athletes are Philip Delarmino, Ryan Jakiri, Ariel Lampacan, Meri Ann Geli Bulaong and Carrisa Tarapen. The opening ceremony
The AIMAG, now on its fifth edition, is fast earning its reputation as a tough competition among Asian nations, especially in non-olympic events of martial arts. Even Phl chef de mission Monsour del Rosario acknowledged the fact that AIMAG is not definitely not a walk in the park or in the same level of the SEA Games. “Mas mabigat ang laban dito, but because more martial arts sports are played here, may laban pa rin tayong maganda, “ said Del Rosario, himself a former Asian champion in Olympian in taekwondo. But it needs time before Philippines can feel the groove in AIMAG, a quadrennial competition like the Asian Games and Olympics. The Philippines is sending a token delegates for new sports like sambo and kickboxing. For kickboxing, there was not even an active kickboxing organization to talk about. To select the players, martial arts gyms got their acts together and formed an alliance to hold a pre-AIMAG tournament to help
select the players for the battle in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. However, not all winners were given green light to join the fight in Ashgabat. “Dalawa lang ang pumasa sa selection committee. Mas malakas sana ang tsansa natin,” said coach Rennie Ross, who accompanied only two fighters in AIMAG. They are Carlo Jacildo, who is seeing action in the 69kgs division and Robin Catalan in the 53 kg. “Gusto ko talagang manalo dahil ang sarap pala ng pakiramadam na I represent ang Pilipinas,” said Jacildo a former amateur boxer. “Itataya ko na lahat para manalo.” Catalan, meanwhile is a former world muay thai champion and current MMA pro fighter, who joined and topped the preAIMAG tournament, earning him a slot in the national team. “Handing-handa na, “ said the veteran fighter,” who trimmed seven kilos to make himself fit and ready to rumble.” The two kickboxers, will join star national athletes like Hidilyn Diaz, the 2016 Rio Olympian who won the silver medal in the women’s weightlifting. Also with them are the returning power couple from Cebu, Gerald Jamili and Cherry Clarice Parcon, who will be back to defend their crown in dancesport’s jive event they won in 2013 edition in Incheon, South Korea. The pair also bagged a bronze medal in another event while Amit took the bronze in the women’s 10 ball event. Also in the delegation is chess grandmaster Eugene Torre and billiards legend Efren “Bata” Reyes. “Nakaka pangilabot dito, kasama namin ang mga matitinding atleta,” said Ross. Among the events to be competed are chess, futsal, tennis, muay thai, kickboxing, sambo, kurash, jiu jitsu, bowling, cycling (track), indoor athletics, weightlifting (Powerlifting), taekwondo (WTF), dance sport, belt wrestling, wrestling (FS/Greco Roman), at cue sport (Billiards and Snooker).
KUALA LUMPUR—The goalball team opens its ambitious gold medal bid today that the Philippines’ chef de mission hopes will open the floodgate and a harvest of 27 golds as the ninth ASEAN Para Games comes off the wraps today at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium here. Goalball coach Freddie Estacion is looking to make the most out of its return to competition by gunning for nothing less than a gold after last competing in the 2005 staging in Manila where they booked a bronze. The team will be spearheaded by Jomer Anden, Lemuel Garcia and Jolan Camacho with James dela Cerna, Jefferson Balenton and Jeff Fernando as the other members in a sport where defending champion Thailand and host Malaysia are expected to contend for the mint. “We’re aiming high and we’re going for the gold,” said Estacion in Filipino. Partially blind chesser and flagbearer Minandro Ridor will lead the Phl delegation during the traditional parade of participating countries, a role he received after emerging the best performing Filipino in the 2015 Singapore edition. Ral Rosario, the chef de mission, is optimistic the Phl will pocket 27 golds, which will be a big improvement to its 16-gold haul in Singapore. Joining Ridor and Rosario in the leading lean but mean 111-member delegation are Phl Paralympic Committee president Michael Barredo and board member Kiko Diaz and Phl Sports Commissioner Arnold Agustin. A total of 368 gold medals will be staked in 16 sports disciplines including 133 in centerpiece athletes and 84 in the swimming competition. The other golds will come from archery (six), badminton (14), boccia (seven), chess (24), para cycling (26), football (two), goalball (two), powerlifting (19), tenpin bowling (18), table tennis (27), volleyball (one), wheelchair basketball (two) and wheelchair tennis (three). Track and field coach Joel Denada said they are looking at seven golds here after winning five in the 2015 edition in Singapore. Jerold Mangliwan eye to duplicate, if not surpass, his two-gold effort the last time out as he sees action in 100m and 200m for T52 division tomorrow at Bukit Jalil while Joel Balatucan seeks to win again in shotput F55 class. Newbie Cielo Honasan, who has competed in the regular event of the Palarong Pambansa, is expected to grab the spotlight as she is the heavy favorite to win in her events—100m, 200m and 400m. Also competing at the track are Rio Paralympic veteran Tess Burse, Cendy Asusano, Jessebel Tordecilla, Arman Dino, Isidro Vildisola, Roger Tapuz and Andy Avellana. Swimming should also be another source of medals for the Phl as Tony Ong predicts a four-gold haul and possibly more. Ernie Gawilan, Gary Bejino and Roland Subido won three golds in Singapore and should give it all to and win again here. The other Phl tankers are Arnel Aba, Patrick Crisostomo, Claire Caliso, Adran Azul, Judy Ann Neblaca and Edwin Villanueva. Ridor is targeting to sweep his events as well as FIDE Master Sander Severino and Henry Lopez as chess is seeking a seven-gold harvest or more.
MONDILLA COPS PGTA CROWN WITH LATE SURGE AT RIVIERA SILANG, Cavite—Clyde Mondilla survived a disastrous meltdown and bucked Tom Kim’s fiery charge at the back, banging in a clutch birdie on No. 16 to hack out a twostroke victory over the Korean amateur and Michael Bibat with a closing 67 in the $100,000 ICTSI Riviera Classic here yesterday. Mondilla wiped out an overnight two-stroke deficit with a solid five-under 30 start but blew a fiveshot lead at the back, enabling Kim to draw level on No. 13 on an eaglespiked rally. They traded pars in the next two holes before Mondilla birdied the 16th from close range then watched his young rival succumb to pressure, hitting a couple of sloppy wedge shots on the par-5 hole and holing out with a bogey. That crucial two-shot swing ended what had appeared to be another tight finish reminiscent of Rene Menor’s record six-hole playoff
victory over Thai Pasavee Lertvilai at ICTSI Splendido Classic as Mondilla matched Kim’s par-bogey windup to cruise to two-shot romp on a 72-hole total of nine-under 275. “I’m thankful my driving and putting clicked when I needed them most,” said Mondilla, who banked the top $17,500 purse in this third leg of the inaugural PGT Asia Tour put up by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. The victory also erased the stigma of his playoff setback to Jay Bayron here in the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour leg last year. “I really wanted to win this tournament after losing to Jay (Bayron) in sudden death last year. I waited for one year to redeem myself and I’m so happy to have pulled it off,” said Mondilla, who opened his bid here with a solid 65 only to reel back with mediocre 71-72 outputs in tough
condition in the middle rounds. The victory was the Del Monte ace’s third this year, counting his pair of thrilling one-stroke triumphs over Tony Lascuña and Miguel Tabuena at Manila Southwoods and over American Nicolas Paez, Jhonnel Ababa and Lascuña in the Philippine Masters revival at Villamor last May. Three behind Kim and two off Mondilla at the start of the final round, Bibat pressed his bid with back-to-back birdies from No. 4 but stumbled with a bogey on No. 8. But he birdied two of the last six holes for a 68 and tied Kim, who ended up with an even-par 71, at second at 277s. He took the runner-up purse of $11,500 while Kim claimed the low amateur honors. Jhonnel Ababa rallied with the day’s best bogey-free five-under 66 and grabbed solo fourth at 281 worth $7,000 while Lascuña finally
broke par with a 69 and wrested solo fifth at 283. He took home $5,600. Dutch Guido Van der Valk hobbled with a 72 and ended up sixth at 284 while Erwin Arcillas placed seventh at 285 after a 71 and Australian DJ Loypur rallied with a 66 to tie American James Bowen (71), Marvin Dumandan (76) and Charles Hong (76) at eighth at 286 in the event backed by Custom Clubmakers, Meralco, Champion, Summit Mineral Water, K&G Golf Apparel, BDO, Sharp, KZG, PLDT and M.Y. Shokai Technology Inc. Mondilla’s victory likewise underscored the local aces’ domination of the region’s newest circuit after Tabuena nipped Angelo Que and Indonesian Ian Andrew to rule the inaugural leg at Aboitiz Invitational at Southwoods and Menor bucked the odds to claim the Splendido crown.
Clyde Mondilla tips his cap as he acknowledges the cheers from the gallery after claiming the ICTSI Riviera Classic crown of the PGT Asia Tour.
A8
Sports
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2017 Riera U. Mallari, Editor / Reuel Vidal, Issue Editor / Randy Caluag, Issue Editor
sports_mstandard@yahoo.com
Lea Inlayo
BAD GIRLS OF UP TARGET FOUR-PEAT By Reuel Vidal
Mapua Red Robins player Jeo Ramos (0) drives past San Beda Red Cubs defender Addie Velasquez (6) while Mapua teammate Warren Bonifacio (15) screens San Beda’s Sam Abu Hijle (16). Peter Atencio
ROBINS, GREENIES EMERGE AS THREATS By Peter Atencio
W
HILE all the attention seems to be on the red-hot Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates who are unbeaten in the senior division things are likewise heating up in the junior division of the 93rd National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) basketball tournament. The Mapua Red Robins and the La Salle Greenhills Greenies are fast emerging as the most dominant squads in the junior division of the NCAA basketball tournament. This is quite unlike past seasons, when the San Beda Red Cubs were the dominant force. Over the past two weeks, the Red Robins posted two victories that put them in the solo lead with a 10-2 win-loss record. Their latest win was when they put away Emilio Aguinaldo College Brigadiers, 8268, on Thursday evening at the Arena in San Juan. Last Sept. 8 was a shocker. In a battle of league titans the Red Robins came away with a 73-71 beating of the San Beda Red Cubs. In this game, Carl Lacap hurt his right hand during a steal in the first quarter. But
he still came up with a timely steal in the last 3.8 seconds. Lacap snatched the ball away from Addie Velasquez during a battle for ball possession and set up Will Gozum for two winning charities. Against the Brigadiers, two of their starters, big man Warren Bonifacio and guard Joaqui Garcia came up with big plays that contributed to the Red Robins’ 10th win in 12 matches. The Red Robins are now ahead of the La Salle Greenhills in the standings. Red Robins coach Randy Alcantara said they’ll be needing four more wins in order to secure a twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four. Meanwhile, the Greenies are likewise doing well. Shooting guard Joshua David joined Joel Cagulangan in coming up with big plays that allowed the La
San Sebastian College Staglet Lewis Pasamante (6) starts his drive to get past Emilio Aguinaldo College defender CJ Boado (5). Peter Atencio
Salle Greenhills Greenies to eke out a 90-83 triumph over the Lyceum Junior Pirates. The 17-year-old David first shattered an 82-all deadlock with his drive in the last 1:39 of the game. Then, Junior Pirates hotshot Mclaude Guadana missed a triple off David’s defense in the next play. After Vincent Cunanan missed another trey in the next play, the Greenies moved ahead by six points
off a putback by Josh Marcos and Cagulangan, 88-82, with 21.3 seconds left. “Nagtulong-tulong kami. Teamwork ito,” said David. LSGH coach Marvin Bienvenida said the team is continuing to get better. “They were missing their outside shots, and they were making a lot of it in the first,” said Bienvenida. Guadana powered the Pirates with 22 points, while Neil Ruiz added 19. Trying to catch up to the
leaders are the San Sebastian Staglets who drew double digit outputs from four mainstays to put away the Emilio Aguinaldo College Brigadiers, 80-62, at the Arena in San Juan. Lewis Pasamante, Romel Calahat, Alex Desoyo and Bryan Pelias scored 12, 11, 11 and 10 points to lead the Staglets to their third consecutive win. This gave the Staglets their fifth win in 10 matches. This moved them to fifth spot to stay in contention for a Final Four berth. “Kailangan naming manalo para makapasok sa Final Four,” said Staglets coach Melo Banua. The Staglets broke free from a 15-all deadlock in the second period. Calahat dominated the boards to come up with 17 rebounds. Reserve players Jessie Sumoda and Ameer Aguilar combined for 11 points. Their efforts helped the Staglets take a 34-26 cushion at halftime. Maui Cruz hit 16 points for the Brigadiers, who fell behind at 1-9. The Staglets outrebounded the Brigadiers, 58-32, with injured Damie Cuntapay adding his share of nine points and 14 boards.
SEE AN ACTION-PACKED SUNDAY AT UNTV CUP AN action-packed triple-header awaits the UNTV Cup crowd this Sunday at the Pasig City Sports Center. In the first game of the tripleheader, the Department of Agriculture Food Masters faces the PDEA Drug Busters. The Food Masters will be led by head coach Zaldy Realubit and Assistant Coach Rodney Santos, who were both former professional basketball players in the Philippine Basketball Association. They will be matched by PDEA head coach Benjamin Jose and Assistant Coach Felix Armando. In the second game, the COA
Games Sunday (Pasig City Sports Center) Game 1: DA Food Masters vs PDEA Drug Busters, 2 p.m. Game 2: DOH Health Achievers vs COA Enablers, 3:30 p.m. Game 3: NHA Builders vs Malacañang-PSC Kamao, 5 p.m.
Enablers will face the DOH Health Achievers. The Commission on Audit’s team will be led by PBA legend Freddie Hubalde, while the DOH will be coached by Joshua Villapando. In the third game, seasoned
team NHA Builders will aim to demolish Season 5 runner-up team Malacañang-PSC Kamao. Assistant Coach Raffy Gonzales’s side had been prepping up since August. “Talagang pinaghahandaan namin itong Season 6. Alam naman natin na mayroong mga bagong teams na sumali ngayon at medyo mabibigat talaga yung ibang teams. Sana suportahan nyo ulit ang Malacañang-PSC. Kung ano po ang ibinigay namin last year, mas hihigitan pa po namin. Pagpapaguran po talaga namin,” said Gonzales.
Two of the new teams at UNTV Cup, DoH Health Achievers and PDEA Drug Busters, together with their mascots, join the opening ceremony of the League of Public Servants at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
DEFENDING University Athletic Association of the Philippines Ladies Badminton champion University of the Philippines Lady Shuttlers are ready and eager to defend their crown. In fact the Lady Shuttlers will be gunning for their fourth consecutive title come the 80th UAAP Season. Former UAAP Rookie of the Year Lea Inlayo said they are ready, welltrained and perfectly honed in time for their quest for a four-peat. “Objective po namin na ma-defend po yung title namin at makapag fourpeat [Our objective is to defend our title and get a four-peat]. We trained in Malaysia for one month at the New Vision Badminton Academy (NVBA). Pag balik po namin dito, training pa rin po kami everyday kahit may pasok na po [When we returned home, we continued our daily training even when we already had classes],” said Inlayo. NVBA is a world-class badminton training academy established in 2008. Its well-organized training programs—which include long term, short term intensive and exclusive training—have attracted players from all over the world. National players from the Philippines, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, New Zealand, South Africa, USA, Ireland, Mexico, India, Bangladesh, Maldives and other countries regularly come to train in the academy. The Lady Shuttlers are not taking any chances because of the keen competition in the UAAP. They set a 25-tie winning streak last UAAP season only to have the streak snapped by Ateneo right in the championship round. UP eventually bounced back to win the series 2-1. The Lady Eagles gave UP all it could handle and even drew first blood in the deciding tie with Bianca Carlos beating Bea Bernardo, 21-16, 21-18, in a battle of former league MVPs in the first singles. UP rose to the challenge winning the second singles and sweeping the two doubles matches to prevail. Gelita Castilo beat Cassy Ramos. Poca Alcala and Jessie Francisco subdued Ramos and Trixie Malibiran. Castilo and Inlayo rallied from one set down to overcome the challenge of Geva de Vera and Carlos. Inlayo said they expect the Lady Eagles to again put up the biggest challenge to UP this season. “Ateneo pa rin po sa palagay ko kasi po same roster pa rin ang players nila. Alam po namin na pinaghahandaan din nila yung upcoming season namin kagaya din po ng iba pang schools [I think Ateneo will be the biggest threat. They have the same players as last year. We know that Ateneo prepared hard or the coming season just like the other schools],” said Inlayo. The biggest advantage for UP remains its depth of talent with outstanding players up and down its roster. Inlayo said their players are equally talented and anybody will be hard-pressed to select the best from among her outstanding teammates. They also have no permanent teamups when they play in pairs. “Para sa akin po, lahat po magaling ang teammates ko. At pagdating po sa game mismo pinapaikot din naman po yung players sa line up kung sino po ang maglalaro [For me all my teammates are talented. And during games they frequently change the pairs and team-ups of who gets to play with whom],” said Inlayo. UP has always had a tradition of excellence to uphold in women’s badminton. Their longest win streak is six consecutive titles which they set in 1995 to 2000. In fact UP even won a doubles crown ruling both men and women’s tournament for four consecutive years in 1997-98, 1998–99, 1999– 2000 and finally 2000–01. The UP Ladies badminton team will again be favored as the team to beat come the 80th UAAP Season.
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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2017
Business
Ray S. Eñano, Editor / Roderick dela Cruz, Issue Editor business@manilastandard.net
HOW APPLE DISRUPTED THE WORLD OF TELECOM
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UY Kawasaki, a Silicon Valley marketing specialist, has challenged Asian telecommunication companies to keep innovating and follow the lead of Apple Inc., the world’s most valuable company, “so that you will not die.”
“Every company has to innovate,” says the 63-year-old former Apple Inc. ‘chief evangelist’. “Apple innovates a lot. It spends billions of dollars on innovating and they are highly successful, and customers love them.” “I can’t think of an example where customers don’t want their tech companies to innovate and they just want to get the same old thing. That is a sure way to die in tech,” says Kawasaki during ACC 2017, formerly Asian Carriers Conference dubbed as the region’s premier tech and telco event, hosted by PLDT Inc. at Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa in Lapu Lapu City, Mactan Island, Cebu province. More than 1,500 delegates from over 60 countries representing 400 companies attended this year ’s ACC which carried the theme ‘Reinventing Customer Experience in the Digital Age’. Now in its 13th year, ACC provides a venue for industry leaders to discuss and share the latest technologies and breakthroughs in telco, ICT and related industries. “What started as a group of carriers has transformed into an influential gathering of technology, software leaders and innovators. Given this emerging direction, it is fitting that we have invited a Silicon Valley icon, the former ‘chief evangelist’ of Apple, to provide insights on customer experience in this digital age,” PLDT executive vice president Eric Alberto says, referring to Kawasaki, a former chief marketing executive at Apple. Kawasaki, who is now a ‘chief evangelist’ of Australia-based online graphic design tool Canva, apart from being a brand ambassador of Mercedes-Benz, an executive fellow of the Haas School of Business at the University of California in Berkeley and a trustee of the Wikimedia Foundation, recalls the ‘art of transformation’ that has enabled Apple to become a $700-billion global company and change the way people communicate. Kawasaki, a Japanese-American, started working for Apple under Steve Jobs in 1984 where he was tasked to market Macintosh or Mac, the company’s first mass-market personal computer with a graphical user interface and mouse. Kawasaki is known for his people-centric approach to marketing, which focuses on highlighting products as experiences. He popularized the term ‘evangelist’ in the tech sphere and is heralded as one of the industry’s most passionate stalwarts. Kawasaki worked for Apple twice, first from 1983 to 1987, before he started a few companies. He came back to Apple, as Apple’s ‘chief evangelist’ from 1995 to 1997, then left again and started a venture capital firm. He also became a writer and speaker. Kawasaki says one of the most startling transformations that he has seen in his 35-year career in IT is Apple itself under Steve Jobs. “Think about the transformation that Apple went through. It was incorporated on April Fools Day, 1976. From there, it became a Macintosh company,” he says. “We went from Apple II personal computer to Macintosh personal computer. And then the mother of all transformations occurred of course when Apple became this extremely successful company. This is the kind of transformation that I was a part of, that I hope I helped cause a little bit. I learned a lot of lessons from Steve, from Apple, and I would like to pass on those lessons onto you, because you are in an industry that must transform itself, must disrupt itself. You are in a very, very competitive business,” he says in
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Together with Unicef celebrity advocate for children Anne Curtis (standing, left), Cebu Pacific cabin crew volunteers Kathleen Yu, Albert Atienza, Kokia Carpio and Tara De Los Reyes assist in the health and nutritional visit at San Isidro Day Care Center in Bobon, Northern Samar.
CEBUPAC, UNICEF TEAM UP FOR CHANGE
DISRUPTOR.
Silicon Valley marketing expert Guy Kawasaki
addressing the telcos and IT companies. “I hope that some of the lessons I learned from Apple, from Silicon Valley, I can pass on to you because you have been using your business to change the world, or as Steve Jobs said, to dent the universe,” says Kawasaki. Kawasaki shares 10 thoughts on innovation, disruption and changing the world. “If it is truly disruption that you want to do, if you truly want to change the world, you may not be able to ask your customer. Because your customer is going to define change and innovation and revolution
in terms of what they already know,” he says. Kawasaki recalls that in the mid 1980s, customers wanted a bigger, faster, cheaper Apple II. “Nobody asked for a Macintosh,” he says. “Customers wanted a better Apple II, but Apple gave its customers a completely different thing from what they would probably ask for. I learned a very valuable lesson. If you truly, truly want to disrupt the industry, you cannot necessarily ask your current customer. Because your current customers will only describe what they want in Turn to B2
THE Philippines’ leading airline, Cebu Pacific re-affirms its partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund or Unicef, as donations collected through the Change for Good initiative were used to implement health and nutrition development projects in rural communities in Northern Samar, Zamboanga and Maguindanao. Together with Unicef celebrity advocate for children Anne Curtis and local rural health workers, volunteers from the Cebu Pacific cabin crew visited Bobon, Northern Samar—one of the beneficiaryareas of donations collected from Cebu Pacific passengers through the Change for Good initiative. During the site visit in Bobon, Curtis and the CEB cabin crew joined Unicef and local government staff in giving prenatal, immunization and nutrition services to mothers and children. Bobon is one of the areas in the Philippines with the highest rates of stunting—an irreversible condition that prevents children from growing, learning, and earning in the future “Ce b u Pa c i f i c re a f f i r m s i t s commitment to our partnership with Unicef and the Change for Good initiative. We thank our passengers for the continued generosity and to our cabin crew and personnel who ensure that this meaningful program runs smoothly on all of our flights out of our Manila, Cebu and Iloilo hubs. We hope we can continue to find ways to give back to the community, to our stakeholders and our customers,” said Atty. JR Mantaring, Cebu Pacific vice president for corporate affairs. Collections for Change for Good on all CEB flights out of Manila, Iloilo and Cebu are used for Unicef Philippines’ “First 1,000 Days” campaign, which aims to provide optimal health and nutrition in the first 1,000 days of a Filipino child, from conception to the child’s second year of life. As of July 2017, donations from CEB passengers have helped prevent micronutrient deficiencies of around 41,000 children and 46,000 pregnant women in the Philippines. “I was so happy to see how the donations given inflight actually helped children and families in Bobon, Northern Samar. The next time you see a flight attendant bring the Change for Good bag down the aisle, don’t hesitate to give your spare change. Any amount, no matter how big or small, goes a long way for children’s health and nutrition,” said Curtis. Change for Good is a partnership between Unicef and the international airline industry, designed to collect coins of various currencies from travelers and use these to pool funds for life-saving materials and programs.
VALIANT ACADEMIC CHAMPIONS RECOGNIZED IN RECOGNITION of the country ’s “fearless” academic heroes and 21st century learning innovators, Bayan Academy, in partnership with Rex Bookstore, Knowledge Channel, ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya and the Department of Education, recognized this year’s recipients of the 5th Excellence in Educational Transformation Awards or EETA in a ceremony held recently at Dolphy Theater. For the fifth consecutive year, EETA recognized the innovative efforts of schools in transforming themselves into institutions that promote learning effectiveness and school efficiency while being true to their vision, mission and values. Four schools and two schools division
were awarded the highly esteemed accolades in the various categories. The EE TA recipients are: Lawit Elementar y School (Innovations in Access to Education and Learning Methodology for Learning Effectiveness), Department of Education–Schools Division of Carcar (Innovations in Quality Education: Learning Materials and Learning Methodologies for Learning Effectiveness), Department of EducationSchools Division of Camiguin (Innovations in Access to Education, and Learning Spaces and Places), Chiang Kai Shek College (Innovations in Leadership, Governance and Management), Create and Learning Paths School and Diliman Preparatory School (The Most Transformative School for Learning
Effectiveness and School Efficiency). Dominador Buhain, Rex Group of Companies chairman and current president of the Philippine Book Development Federation Inc., commended the recipients for their significant contributions in uplifting the quality of teaching and learning in the country. “We all believe in the value of promoting learning effectiveness and efficiency in schools. For us at Rex Bookstore, being an educational publisher since the 1950s, we know that our learning solutions are just one part of the equation. Equally important, if not more important are the schools, which are the hub of learning. They are our students’ second home. How these schools adapt to change greatly influence how our learners
The winners of the 5th Excellence in Educational Transformation Awards
adapt to the increasing demands of this complex modern world,” he said. Dr. Ed Morato, president of Bayan Academy, lauded the award recipients for using “weaknesses” such as their
smallness and inferior resources as a driving force to customize programs and craft superior strategies that deliver “real” and sustainable beneficial results for students.
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BATAAN LURES BEACH GOERS
Villa Dolores Beach Resort in Barangay Saysain, Bagac, Bataan.
BATAAN province, a peninsula with a long coastline that hugs the West Philippine Sea and Manila Bay, now rises as a beach destination that can be reached in two and a half hours by car from Manila. Bagac town in particular now attracts beach goers all year round, with the rise of modern facilities such as the newly built Villa Dolores Beach Resort. “We’d like to help make Bagac, Bataan a popular beach tourism destination in Luzon,” according to a representative of Villa Dolores. The resort, located in Barangay Saysain, is one of the nearest beach destinations west of Metro Manila. There’s no need to go to the airport and travel by plane to discover a favorite getaway and have an unforgettable beach and sand experience, the Villa Dolores’ representative says. The resort features beachfront rooms and cottages and facilities that are ideal for team building, wedding, events, group or family bonding.
RETAIL STORE GETS URBAN JUNGLE LOOK LIFESTYLE retailer urbanAthletics, known for its meticulous selection of sneakers and apparel from the most sought-after brands, has recently unveiled a new design for its flagship store at Greenbelt 3 in Makati City. The refashioned store follows the urban-industrial look with a dramatic and inspiring design that was first introduced in its boutique at S Maison, Conrad. Established in 2009 by the same group that runs Toby’s Sports and RunNR, urbanAthletics has attracted loyal customers who want to get their hands on the latest sneaker releases from the top sportswear brands. With a new store look and an improved product selection, the retailer hopes to increase its market share and establish its retail locations as an integral part of the local sneaker scene. Space Encounters, a firm that specializes in interior branding and furniture production, led the creative execution of the new urbanAthletics store, taking inspiration from the brand’s image and culture—street smart with polished class. “We really wanted the new stores to establish urbanAthletics’ retail and brand identity, separating it from all the other sneaker boutiques in the country. The new design of our stores reflects our commitment to elevating the customer experience to a new level. When clients enter the space, we want them to feel like they are at the heart of the sneaker culture. We want them to feel the passion that urbanAthletics has for its wellcurated selection of sneakers in a modern urban space that inspires creativity and individuality,” said Toby Claudio, president of Quorum International Inc., the parent company of urbanAthletics.
HOW APPLE... From B1 terms of what they already know. If they know an Apple II, they are gonna ask for a better, faster cheaper Apple II.” “The second thing I learned is that if you want to truly disrupt, then you have to jump to the next curve, to not simply build a better Apple II, but to get to the next curve in computing,” says Kawasaki, in highlighting the importance of innovation. He says most companies were so used to embracing their current operations that they failed to ride the next curve of technology. “You have to get to the next curve. You could be the most successful ice factory, but if you don’t embrace the refrigerator curve, you will die,” he says, citing the example of the ice business. K awasak i listed a number of companies that failed to jump to the next curve and lost their market, including Kodak, Wang, Polaroid, Smith Corona and Remington Rand. “Think about all the taxi companies that are threatened by Lyft and Uber. Think about all the hotels that are threatened by Airbnb. Those things are the next curve. Airbnb is not a slightly better hotel chain. Lyft is not a slightly better taxi company. You want to be on the next curve, if you truly want to disrupt,” he says. In developing a product, Kawasaki shares the product development technique called MVVVP, or minimum viable, valuable, validating product. “If you could create something viable, but
SOCIAL MEDIA’S BEAUTY QUEEN
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ia Alonzo Wurtzbach, the German-Filipino model who was crowned Miss Universe in 2015, acknowledges the role of social media in helping her win the world’s most prestigious beauty pageant title.
Wurtzbach, the third representative out of the Philippines to become Miss Universe after Gloria Diaz (1969) and Margarita Moran (1973), is an active user of Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. “My best experience in social media was of course everybody’s help in online voting during the 2015 Miss Universe. We actually crashed their website, because there was so much of us [Filipinos],” Wurtzbach, 27, tells journalists at the sidelines of ACC 2017, formerly Asian Carriers Conference, dubbed as Asia’s premier tech and telco event which was hosted by PLDT Inc. at Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa in Lapu Lapu City, Cebu. Wurtzbach, a five-foot-eight stunner whose father was from Stuttgart, Germany, got the highest scores from the judging panel, the contestants and the online voters during the competition held in Las Vegas on Dec. 20, 2015. Prior to this, she won the Binibining Pilipinas pageant on March 15, 2015. “From what I know, it was actually a unanimous decision from the judging panel. So all voted for Team Philippines. The girls voted Philippines also, and during the online voting, the Philippines was also number one. It was a big help. If in case the judges voted 50-50 on me, then maybe that [online voting] would have been the difference,” she says. “But it also really showed that we are number one, that we are the biggest fans of pageant, of Miss Universe and we have proven that through the statistics, especially during the online voting. That is why they had the pageant held here early this year,” she says, recalling Manila’s hosting of the 65th Miss Universe pageant in January. Wurtzbach, who studied at the Center for Asian Culinary Studies, says the existence of reliable Internet connection in the Philippines played a part in delivering Filipinos’ votes during the online voting segment of the competition. She recalls that in 2015, the Miss Universe organizers changed the mechanics of the competition. “I found out when I was already in Vegas that there would be a fifth judge for the competition, and the fifth judge was going to be you –the people who were watching at home. There was a small window that the votes could come in. If you missed that opportunity, the votes would not count anymore. So it was important that you had a fast Internet connection, whether at home, in your mobile phone, or your tablet. It was important that you got the live streaming, real-time,” she says. “When I came in until I exited the stage, that’s when you voted. After I exited, the votes would not count any more. We wanted the Philippines to win, so it was very important for me. And social media has been very helpful for me, also to reach a lot of people, not only during my journey towards Miss Universe, but also after Miss Universe,” she says. Wurtzbach has been an active social media user, with millions of followers for several years now. She has 5 million followers on Instagram, over 1.67 million on Facebook and 574,000 on Twitter. She describes her social media accounts as records of her life’s training and career. “I needed to work on my physique, my public speaking skills. I needed to work on a lot of things. A lot of people were l0oking down on my chances at Miss Universe because of the way I look, because I am not pure Filipino, but I am by heart. I used social media as a tool to show my progress, and to show people how dedicated I was in winning the crown for the Philippines. And you can see through my social media accounts that it is like a diary,” she says. “When you go back to my timeline, you will see the changes, the progress. You will see me going to the gym. You will see me doing the catwalk training.
not valuable, you would not dent the universe. Apple for example could sell laser printers. It could probably be quite successful with it, but is it a valuable contribution to society? Not at all at this point,” he says. Kawasaki then cites the importance of art or design in product development. “One of the things that separated Steve Jobs from any other tech CEOs in Silicon Valley is that Steve Jobs believed that engineers are artists. It was about art. I think if you want to disrupt the market, you have to think of engineers as artists, that they are making art. That is an expression of their soul. Make design count,” he says. Kawasaki says in order to disrupt the market, innovators should be willing to polarize people. “This means that when you have disrupted the market, you will polarize people. Some people will love what you do, some people will hate what you do. Some people love Macintosh, some people hate Macintosh. It is okay. The worst case is people don’t care what you have done, and you are irrelevant,” he says. “Don’t be afraid of polarizing people. I am not saying that you intentionally try to piss people off. But I am telling you that great innovation, that disruption tend to piss people off. Some people would love what you do, some people will hate what you do. It is okay,” he says. Kawasaki says disruptors should also learn how to ignore naysayers. “The naysayers are gonna tell you, it cannot be done, it should not be done, it is not necessary. When Apple came out with Macintosh, many people predicted its demise. When Apple decided to do
2015 Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach
You will see me lose three times as Binibini even. Everything is there. If you go to my social media account, and you go way, way back, you will see the first time I joined Binibini, the second time I joined, the third time, and finally Miss Universe, and now after Miss Universe,” she says. Wurtzbach says it is now very important to connect with people through social media. “It is really how we are all connected,” she says, in describing the power of technology. “So it is also kind of a responsibility, isn’t it, for each and everyone, not just for me as a beauty queen or ‘celebrity’, but for every individual? Personally, it has helped me to share what my life is after Miss Universe and what I am up to now. Now, social media is really the way to connect to other people. Don’t you guys notice that whenever you want to check up on someone, instead of going to their house, you just search on Facebook or Instagram?” she asks. “I would say that in the last five years, the growth of social media use has been significant. Nowadays, you can find old relatives online,” she says. On what things she avoids posting on social media, she says: “If you have the smallest doubt that you have to share it, don’t share it. That’s how I go by it. If you think that it is something people will like, that it is something fun and it is harmless, go for it. But if you have a little bit of doubt, then think about it, sit on it, don’t do it yet,” she says. Wurtzbach says she has also learned how to respond to negative comments on social media. “During my early years joining pageants, I used to reply to people who did not like me. But I have learned, with the guidance of my trainors, that it is better to just avoid negativity and ignore it is as part of the job. There will always be people who are going to have negative opinion about you. So it is just better to ignore this. Especially if you are going to join a competition, it can really get into your head, and you can lose your focus,” she says. “My worst experience was when I, during the competition, would
the Apple Store, many people said that there is no way that an Apple Store would work. It is a single brand. You cannot possibly support a store with a single brand. And yet today, per square foot, Apple is the most successful retailer in the world,” he says. Kawasaki says changing one’s mind in the middle of product development is fine. “To be successful as a disruptor you have to be willing to change your mind. Changing your mind is a sign of intelligence. It is not a sign of stupidity, not a sign of making mistake. Changing your mind is a good thing,” he says. A disruptor, he says, should find a niche. “For the marketing of disruption, it comes down to a very simple point. If you are an engineer, you need to create a product that is unique and valuable. If you are a marketing person, you need to convince the world that it is unique and valuable. When the iPod came out, it was unique and valuable,” he says. Kawasaki says to determine the success of the product or service, “let a hundred flowers bloom” or wait until the right market embraces it. “It means you take your best shot at positioning, branding and figure out who you are unique and valuable for. Then you shift it. Then you wait and see what happens. In many cases, you notice something happens. Your intended audience may not embrace your product. If you’re lucky, your unintended audience start buying your product or service.” “Companies star ted to use Macintosh for desktop publishing. It is not something we anticipated, not something we created. They were
gifts from God to Apple Computer. I believe in God. One of the reasons why I believe in God is that there is no other explanation for Apple’s continuous survival than the existence of the benevolent God,” he says. “At the end of the process, you have to churn, baby churn. This is the most difficult thing for a disruptor to do. Because as you have learned to be a disruptor, you have to ignore naysayers and experts who tell you that it cannot be done, it should not be done, it is not necessary, that an Apple retail store will not succeed. You need to be able to ignore those people. Once you shift, once your curve is now available to the public, you need to completely switch you mindset and churn. Churn means version 1 becomes 1.1, 1.2 1.3, 1.4, 1.5 and 2.0,” he says. “Macintosh started in January 1984. It took to 2017 to get a computer like an iMac Pro. One of the big learning lessons for me in my life is that I thought that Macintosh was so great that by January 1985, Apple would control the computing world. It never happened like that. It took 20 or 30 years for Apple to be truly successful. I never thought it would take that long,” he says. Kawasaki says the main lessons for telecom companies is to jump to the next curve. “When you jump to the next curve, that curve does not have to be perfect. Remember MVVVP. The first refrigerator was not perfect. The first laser printer was not perfect. The first digital camera was not perfect. Once you shift, you need to churn, baby, churn. This is the toughest thing for a
still see or read comments that would upset me, and then it would kinda rattle me for the night or for the day. It was really unnecessary because you were about to represent the Philippines in Miss Universe, and one comment on social media should not let you lose your focus on your ultimate goal. I have learned just to ignore, ignore,” she says. “We can be helpful when it comes to boosting our representatives in other countries, especially when they are about to go on competition representing the Philippines. We have seen that with beauty queens. We have seen that with athletes. We have seen that with artists or talents who are showcasing their abilities in the international stage. And we are very proud and it becomes a trending topic if a Filipino is joining the competition in other countries,” Wurtzbach says. “With that also comes some bashing, some nitpicking and I think it really comes with it. You can’t control everything we see online, or what we read online. What we can do is control how we feel about it, or our action,” she says. Wurtzbach says she is excited about the future of social media. “I can’t wait to see how it will become in the next five years. I really did not imagine five years ago that I would be able to find, connect to titas and cousins, or that I would be able to see my niece or sisters, even though they are in another country.” She says social media is generally good. “It has its disadvantages of course, but that only comes with irresponsible action or use of technology, but I think in general, technology can be very good,” says Wurtzbach. Wurtzbach is one of the speakers during ACC 2017, which was attended by more than 1,500 delegates from more than 60 countries representing over 400 companies. This year’s ACC ran on the business theme ‘Reinventing Customer Experience in the Digital Age’. ACC provides a venue for industry leaders to discuss and share the latest technologies and breakthroughs in telco, ICT and related industries. It brings together delegates from the wholesale fixed and mobile telco carriers, network and infrastructure providers, applications and service developers, handset and equipment manufacturers, and entertainment and content distributors around the world. “Apart from providing an ideal venue for discussion and sharing of ideas, the ACC also spearheads Thought Leadership on the future of technology and telco around the world,” says PLDT Global Corp. president and chief executive Kat Luna-Abelarde. Aside from PLDT and Smart, other platinum sponsors of the event are Huawei of China, BICS of Belgium, Ciena of Singapore, Orange of France, PCCW Global of Hong Kong, Sigma Telecom of Istanbul and XiComm of the US. Roderick T. dela Cruz
disruptor to do, because you have to go from ignoring feedback to listening to feedback,” he says. Kawasaki says a disruptor shall firmly believe in his idea, even before it becomes a reality. “One of the most valuable lessons I learned from Steve Jobs is not the skeptic’s point of view. The skeptic’s point of view is that if I see it, I will believe it,” he says. “But if you want to be an innovator, if you want to be a disruptive force, if you want to dent the universe, if you want to change the world, you need to embrace this attitude—that some things need to be believed to be seen.” “If you believe in the Internet of Things, if you believe in Macintosh, if you believe in iOS, if you believe in Android, if you believe that people would rent out their spare rooms to total strangers in the Internet [Airbnb], if you believe that people would get in the car from a company [Lyft], if you believe that it can happen, then you will see the Lyfts and the Ubers and the Apples and Airbnbs and all the companies that changed the world. Some things need to be believed to be seen. That is the art of disruption,” says Kawasaki. On what is the next curve for telcos, Kawasaki says: “I don’t know. By definition, if it is disruptive, people like me should not necessarily know. Probably, two people in a garage, or two people in an apartment, or two people in college who are gonna come up with this idea. Not somebody who is 63 years old. Your job is to encourage that kind of thinking, so that the next Steve Jobs is Filipino.” Roderick T. dela Cruz
LGUs PHILEX AWARDS 30 COLLEGE GRANTS By Dexter A. See TUBA, Benguet—Philex Mining Corp. has awarded 30 new college scholarships to beneficiaries in the host and neighboring villages of its Padcal mine in this province, bringing to at least 95 the total number of scholars for the current academic year enrolled in various schools in Baguio City and Benguet, and nearby Pangasinan and Nueva Vizcaya. Other than the six previous scholars who have failed to achieve the gradeweighted average required by the company and who now receive a 75-percent financial assistance, the rest of the scholars enjoy free full tuition, a book allowance, and a monthly stipend. “We are very proud of this program, as everybody agrees on the importance of education for the future of an individual, his or her family, the community, and the whole society,” the company’s CEO and president, Eulalio Austin Jr., said. “And we still extend assistance to those scholars who even have failed to obtain our cutoff grade average.” The number of new scholars may increase as there are four other applications undergoing screening, according to Aurora Dolipas, manager of Padcal’s Community Relations (ComRel) Department, who earlier said the company had set aside P14.4 million for its scholarship program for college, high-school, and elementary students, as well as for those in the technical/vocational (TechVoc) courses. Last year, Philex Mining allotted P11.8 million for its 114 full college and 24 TechVoc scholars; 374 students in elementary and high school who received educational subsidies; and 130 secondary students who were given education assistance (monthly monetary allowance). In a report, ComRel’s Crisel Alberto-Rosado said the first semester of schoolyear 2017-18 has 64 full college scholars and five others enjoying financial assistance through the company’s Social Development and Management Program, while 25 full scholars and one other receiving financial assistance through the DMTG, or Development of Mining Technology and Geosciences. All 95 college scholars were given a budget of P2.82 million, broken down as P1.87 million for the first 64; P69,699 for the next five; P858,768 for the 25; and P18,750 for the last one. SDMP and DMTG join the IEC, or Information, Education and Communications campaign, as three of the company’s major programs on corporate social responsibility. Having been implemented religiously by the company, these three programs get a mandated current annual budget of 1.5 percent of Philex Mining’s total operating expenses in the previous year. This year Philex Mining saw 24 of its college scholars graduating in various disciplines from the different colleges and universities, while seven other scholars finished their TechVoc courses.
SOLAR ‘SPARADISE’ IN PUERTO PRINCESA By Robbie Pangilinan PUERTO Princesa City is the gateway to paradise. It boasts of the world-famous Underground River and Tubbataha Reef, beautiful Honda Bay and Sabang Beach, Cowrie Island and Lu-Li Island, Butterfly Garden, Tribal Village, Ugong Rock, Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center, Mitra Farm, and the Special Battalion WW2 Memorial Museum. Hundreds of fireflies light up the night, too! Puerto Princesa is not only home to these tourist attractions, but also the location of the first full solar-powered spa in Palawan—Ella Spa. The “Solar Man” himself, Korean national Ralph Kim, had a vision on his very first day in the city—to build a business powered entirely by the sun. In 2015, Kim came to the Philippines and saw the country’s energy problems. He has been around Asia but felt particularly drawn to the Philippines because he says the people are more friendly. He set his heart on the Philippines and went back and forth from Korea before establishing his mission here, which is to use solar power for electricity. “Sunshine is a gift from God. It is clean and free. We should use it. You have abundant sunlight here, but a shortage of electricity supply,” said Kim. He established the Unique Korean Corp., a company that supplies solar energy to residential, commercial, and industrial clients from the Sky Taeho main factory in Korea. Years later, Kim established the 600-square meter, 50-bed Ella Spa, with 15 rooms that harness the natural energy of the sun via 20kw solar power generator. Forty-eight solar panels and 40 batteries power the spa’s 13 air-conditioning units and almost 100 lights.
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NEGROS ‘BIRD BABBLERS’ IN DANGER
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HE government has pressed for the conservation of endangered “Zosteropidae” bird babblers in Negros Island as biodiversity preservation has become crucial to the rural economy’s sustainable development. The babblers at the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park in Negros Island are threatened by bird hunting, illegal cutting for timber, firewood and charcoal production, human-induced air pollution, and conversion of forest to agricultural commodities, according to the Sylvatrop Journal of the Ecosystems Research & Development Bureau. In Sylvatrop’s special issue with the Biodiversity Conservation Society of the Philippines, experts revealed both Negros babblers—the flame-templed babbler (Dasycrotapha speciosa, endemic to Negros and Panay) and Negros-striped babbler (Stachyris nigrorum, endemic to Negros) have been classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. As of 2015, BirdLife International indicated that the population of D. speciosa in Mt. Kanlaon ranged at 2,500 to 9,999 individuals. This was greater than the
600 to 1,700 mature individuals for S. nigrorum. Reduction in population, threatened at 50 to 90 percent, of the bird species is believed to be continuing. “[We should] intensify regular forest monitoring in Mt. Kanlaon; establish and revisit biodiversity monitoring system for population of babbler species,” according to Sylvatrop authors Andrew T. Reintar, Shaira Grace B. Pios, and Dennis A. Warguez. They also pressed for conservation initiatives to start and education materials to raise public awareness on the biodiversity threat. ERDB director Dr. Henry A. Adornado said the study increases understanding of the status of Philippine biodiversity. “These efforts are aligned with ERDB’s mission to provide science-based information for the improvement of our environment. May this scientific information inspire us to work hard for the conservation of our rich flora and fauna,” Adornado said. Biodiversity protection promotes sustainable development of forests that are significant sources of food, timber and non-timber products, and raw materials for manufacturing supplies while generating livelihood for rural people. “We need biodiversity for its invaluable ecosystem services, providing oxygen, food, clean water, fertile soil, medicines, shelter, protection from storms and floods, a stable climate and recreation,” according to the Earth Institute. The IUCN itself recommended more surveys in Panay and around Mt. Silay
and Mt. Mandalagan in north Negros to locate other birds. It pushed for the establishment as protection area of the proposed Central Panay Mountains National Park and other key sites as the North Negros Forest Reserve. “This lowland forest species has a very small, severely fragmented and declining range. It is estimated that just 10 percent of remaining forest on the two islands where it occurs lies within the elevation range suitable for this species,” said IUCN. Reforestation is a solution to their threatened extinction. According to the study, “Tree density was found to be significant in the abundance of S. nigrorum; a decrease in tree density would
mean an increase in the abundance of S. nigrorum. This result strongly presses the fact that the species prefers mid-montane and mossy forest.” Thick undergrowth should be developed for D. speciosa, which is an omnivore. These babblers feed and breed in understory bushes, trees, vines, and ferns. According to the IUCN, while conservation sites have been identified, there has been no species management that successfully reintroduced the population, no awareness-education program, and no action recovery plan or monitoring. Needed protection includes site protection and management and habitat and natural process restoration.
BULAKENYO HERO. Bulacan First District Rep. Jose Antonio R. Sy-Alvarado, Gov. Wilhelmino M. SyAlvarado and Vice Gov. Daniel R. Fernando lead the wreath-laying activity at the monument of Marcelo H. del Pilar during the celebration of the 439th Founding Anniversary of the Province of Bulacan at the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium, City of Malolos, Bulacan. Joining them are (from left) Board Member Allan Andan, Hagonoy Vice Mayor Pedro Santos, Board Members Felix Ople, Allan Ray Baluyot and Rino Castro, Second District Rep. Gavini Pancho, and Board Members Ma. Lourdes Posadas, Alexis Castro, Therese Cheryll Ople, Emelita Viceo, Perlita delos Santos and Enrique dela Cruz. Rey Espiritu
VILLAVERDE HIGH’S VERMICOMPOSTING PROJECT LAUDED By Ben Moses Ebreo BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—The town of Villaverde not only prides itself with its aggressive reforestation program but also on solid waste management. The Villaverde National High School recently received a Gawad Kalasag Award on Solid Waste Management from the Department of the Interior and Local Government this year at the Philippine International Convention
Center. The award was attributed to VNHS’s best practices on Ecological Solid Waste Management, which started five years ago. VNHS has been implementing and sustaining its vermicomposting facility, which transforms segregated waste materials into organic fertilizers. “We use these fertilizers for our Gulayan sa Paaralan Project that serves as our source of vegetables to improve the nutritional status of our school-
ers,” said Ian Daryl Martin, VNHS’s SWMP coordinator. The school also uses its Material Recovery Facility used for generating recyclable materials as income-generating project. A paper conservation program was also introduced, using paper conservation trays to generate less-crumpled papers and advocate efficient consumption of papers. Each class also follows a weekly schedule to lead the picking of pieces
of paper and other wastes inside the school compound. Martin said these activities and projects contribute to their Trash to Cash Project, an income-generating activity approved by the Department of Education, which generates cash yearly from P2,000 to P3,000. “We use this amount in buying classroom needs such as instructional materials, which reduced the cash contributions from our students,” he said.
TANAUAN PROUD. Students Veronica G. Ocampo, a resident of Barangay Wawa
'MARING' RELIEF. Mayor Antonio Ferrer of General Trias City leads the distribution of food packs to residents of low-lying areas in Barangay Bacao at the height of Typhoon 'Maring' on Tuesday.
in Tanauan City, Batangas, and Dalton D. Mojica, who lives in Barangay Santor, flank Tanauan Mayor Antonio C. Halili (center) with their respective families. They paid a courtesy call on the mayor and hold up plaques containing copies of a resolution of commendation from the Sangguniang Panglunsod and their certificates of recognition as bronze medalists in the International Math Open for Young Achievers in Singapore from Sept. 1 to 4. Roy Tomandao
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Jimbo Gulle, Editor
Roger Garcia, Issue Editor
LGUs mslocalgov@gmail.com
MANILA BREAKS RECORD FOR COASTAL CLEANUP DAY By Bill Casas
T
HE City of Manila broke a record set two years ago in the number of volunteers who turned up at Manila Bay on Saturday morning for the 32nd International Coastal Cleanup Day.
As of 9 a.m., 10,849 volunteers turned up at the Baywalk along Roxas Boulevard to pick up trash and marine debris from Manila Bay’s shoreline, according to Belle Borromeo, chief of the city’s Department of Public Services leading the cleanup. During the 2015 ICC Day in Manila, Mayor Joseph Estrada led 8,351 volunteers and 700 Manila City Hall employees, who were later joined by 1,000 others from 20 private groups, in cleaning up the Baywalk area along Roxas Boulevard. About 372 cubic meters of waste were collected that day. The volunteers came mostly from various schools, colleges, and universities in and outside
Manila and corporations such as Asian Terminals, Inc., Petron, Magsaysay Group of Companies, Manila Hotel, Rizal Park Hotel, Toyota Motor Philippines, San Miguel Corp., Samsung Philippines, Republic Cement, and Unilever Philippines, among others. Speaking on behalf of Estrada, City Administrator Ericson Alcovendaz said the City of Manila is proud to have hosted this all-volunteer coastal cleanup activity done simultaneously worldwide. “On behalf of Mayor Estrada and the people of the City of Manila, we would like to express our most profound gratitude to all volunteers who are here this morning in an effort to clean our famous Manila Bay,” Alcovendaz said. Through ICC, he said people have learned to take care of the world’s seas, oceans, and waterways even as many others have remained undisciplined in the proper garbage disposal. “We still have a lot of countrymen who don’t follow the correct way of disposing their garbage. They still throw trash on our streets and into our rivers, seas and esteros,” Alcovendaz lamented. With the ICC Day 2017’s theme “Together for Our Ocean,” Alcovendaz called on Filipinos to “renew our commitment and cooperation so that we may succeed in our mission to rescue
our oceans, rivers, and waterways, and preserve them for the next generations.” Employees of various government offices were also present such as Department of EducationManila, Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Mimaropa, Department of Public Works and Highways-NCR, and Department of Tourism, as well as Rotary Clubs of Makati and Neopolitan. The Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard, and Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary also made their presence felt in the event. Various offices from the City Hall of Manila and the Manila Police District also sent representatives to the cleanup operation. Held every third Saturday of September, ICC is the largest volunteer effort for the ocean and waterways initiated in 1986 by Ocean Conservancy, a non-government organization based in Washington, DC, to engage volunteers in collecting marine debris from the world’s waterways. Around 90 countries, including the Philippines, regularly participate in this event. The Philippines canceled its coastal cleanup day activities on Sept. 17 last year due to the declaration of state of lawlessness by the national government.
IN CHARACTER.
Senator Manny Pacquiao (center) is flanked by Pauline Laping (left) of Miss Global Philippines and Rizza Lao (right), founder and chairman of Miss Global Philippines, during the launch Friday of Comic Con Asia at the City Club of Alphaland Place in Makati City. Coming on March 24 and 25, 2018, the convention will gather the best of comics, movies, series manga, anime, toys, gaming, and cosplay at SMX in Pasay City. Lino Santos
LENI BRINGS ‘ANGAT BUHAY’ TO EASTERN SAMAR VICE President Leni Robredo recently sat down with community leaders and residents to discuss how to improve their livelihoods during a visit to the towns of Hernani and Salcedo in Eastern Samar. In her visit to Canhugas Nature Park, Barangay 2 Poblacion in Hernani, Robredo met with fisherfolk, tricycle drivers, and sari-sari store owners to discuss the various problems faced by the community. Lack of sufficient livelihood was the main issue raised, despite the community’s proximity to a possible tourist spot. “We cannot rush this [development]. We want tourists to visit this
place, but we need to prepare it first. A lot of opportunities can open up for you when it is easier to get here,” the Vice President told residents. The VP was accompanied by representatives from TripKada and the Management Association of the Philippines, both of which committed to assist in the development of Canhugas Nature Park as a tourist destination. Through Angat Buhay partners Lingap sa Laylayan ng Lipunan and Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc., two Eastern Samar schools also received water filtration systems, and a pledge of two new
classrooms for Salcedo National High School, respectively, were also turned over the same day. She also encouraged the community to create a plan that would promote ecotourism in the area. The Vice President stressed the importance of careful planning especially when it involves bringing in livelihood opportunities. “If there’s no master plan, it might go to waste. If we just talk among ourselves, we might waste this beautiful spot. We might not maximize the opportunities here. So developing this area is the first step,” she said. The same day, Robredo also visit-
Local Gov’t Units
ed the members of the Farmers Entrepreneurs Association at a demo farm in Barangay Naparaan, Salcedo. In their conversation with the VP, the farmers identified the lack of financial resources to purchase livestock, poultry, and other farming materials as the biggest obstacle to improving their income. In both dialogues, VP Leni underscored the importance of enhancing incomes of existing livelihood opportunities, as well as the need to create new ones. “There should be enough jobs and income for you. If there’s a lack, something must be done,” she said.
MAKATI MATH WIZARDS LAUDED TEN math wizards from Makati public schools won one gold, four silver and five bronze medals at the 2017 International Mathematics Open for Young Achievers (IMOYA) held in Singapore last Sept. 1 to 4. Makati Mayor Abby Binay congratulated the winners and thanked them for valuing the investments of the city in their education. “Congratulations to our young Math wizards! Your hard work has paid off with your excellent performance in such a prestigious competition. Your achievements are the best reward we could ever hope for as we continue to invest our city’s resources in upgrading our public education system,” Binay said. In her report to the mayor, Department of Education-Makati superintendent Rita Riddle named Grade 3 student Justine Mae Vito Cruz of Bangkal Elementary School-Main as the gold medalist in the competition. The four students who won silver medals were Grade 7 students Ma. Angelica Marquez, Cedric Gabriel Evasco and Chryss Anika Bersabal, all from Makati Science High School, and Grade 5 student Juwan Emmanuelle Osama of Rizal Elementary School. The five students from Makati public schools who bagged bronze medals were Grade 7 students Lheiza Jhoy Caro and Gabrielle Leonard Cuadra of MSHS, and Grade 5 students Ron Aldwyn Abustan (Fort Bonifacio Elementary School), Allan Dave Pabillano (Comembo Elementary School), and Jameiah Marielle Prayco (F. Benitez Elementary School-Main). IMOYA is aimed at providing student-participants with a venue to showcase and enhance their skills in Mathematics while at the same time, giving them opportunity to share their home country’s culture and heritage to fellow delegates. During the competition, the Philippine delegation competed in various categories which included Middle Primary (Grades 3 and 4), Upper Primary (Grades 5 and 6), Junior High School (Grades 7 and 8), Intermediate Level (Grades 9 and 10) and Senior High School (Grades 11 and 12). The Philippines and Singapore competed against delegates from Indonesia and Thailand. Meanwhile, in August this year, 39 students from public elementary and high schools of Makati joined the Philippine delegation at the 13th International Mathematics Contest held also in Singapore. They brought home numerous medals which included three gold, seven silver and 14 bronze medals. Last February, 16 MSHS students became recipients of the prestigious Youth Excellence in Science medal from the Department of Science and Technology. It is given to Filipino students with exemplary achievements in international individual or team competitions in Mathematics and Science.
SM, UBS TEAM UP FOR SCHOOL BUILDING
The new building of Cogon Central School in Ormoc City bears a marker of the partnership between SM Prime Holdings and UBS Investments Philippines (inset) for the two-story, fourclassroom structure erected through SM Foundation and the Department of Education.
ORMOC CITY—“In the history of Cogon Central School, today is a memorable day for the pupils, parents and teachers since the long-awaited dream of having a new building becomes a reality.” Principal Marita T. Albienda said this of the school building SM Foundation recently turned over to the Cogon Central School, witnessed by Department of Education Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Manuel P. Albano and Councilor Nonilo Quilang, a representative of Mayor Richard Gomez. Construction of the new school building was made possible through the efforts of SM Prime Holdings through the SM Foundation in partnership with UBS Philippines. On hand to witness the official turn-
over was SM Foundation’s Executive Director for Education, Carmen Linda Atayde, and Juris Soliman, head coordinator of the Schoolbuilding Program of the Foundation. The new two-story four-classroom school building is furnished with 200 armchairs—including 20 specifically made for left-handed students— along teachers’ desks (all made by the Foundation of the These-Abled), 16 wall fans, eight blackboards, four wall clocks, four toilets, plus a toilet in the ground floor for persons with disability. According to DepEd Division Senior Program Specialist Elvin Wenceslao, the building is very safe having been tested last July 6 when a magnitude-6.5 earthquake struck the area.
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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2017 Isah V. Red, Editor
/
Young Life
Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor isahred@gmail.com.ph
MINIMALIST. Nordic brand ARKK Copenhagen offers ultra-luxe sneakers with clean silhouttes and subtle color treatments. Scan this icon to view the PDF
Eaglezero S-E15 in Lavender Tan
WALK THE STREETS IN
NORDIC KICKS
By Bernadette Lunas
A
NORDIC sneakers brand is making a case for minimalist streetwear footwear.
Designers and entrepreneurs Kasper Høj Rasmussen and Thomas Refdahl founded ARKK Copenhagen in October 2014 to pay homage to the minimalistic Nordic design philosophy of simplicity, quality, and focus on functional details. Hence, each pair features clean silhouettes and subtle color treatments in neutral hues, such as white, black, gray, olive green, and navy blue. No exaggerated stitching, imposing labels, and unnecessary accoutrements. The unique appeal of ARKK shoes captured the attention of Gruppo > Innovare, the local group that brings the Nordic brand to the Philippine shores.
In an interview with MS Young Life, deputy sales director Miguel Abellada said they contacted the principal in Denmark when a friend introduced the brand to them. “We felt it has potential given that there are people who are not too fond of mainstream brands or don’t want to wear the same pair of sneakers like everyone else,” explained Abellada. “ARKK would bring in some sort of feeling of exclusivity.” The principal then visited the country last year in November to size up the market which he said was “not too far behind when it comes to sneakers” and would be ready to be the 37th destination of ARKK Copenhagen.
WINE CELLAR ON YOUR PHONE HOW many times have you spent a couple of hundred or thousand pesos on a bottle of wine, which you got based solely on the “expert recommendation” of a salesperson, only to find out in one sip that it tasted like sandpaper? Sadly, this is usually the case in the Philippines especially when you are tight on budget and have little to no knowledge on wines. An Australian, who grew up in a vineyard in New South Wales and now living here in the country for about three years, noticed this gap for good wines that don’t cost an arm and leg. Here at home, Chris Urbano said, a consumer has to shell out P4,000 to be guaranteed that a bottle is of good quality. But as a wine importer himself, Urbano said that price is too much. “It’s not like it’s hard to buy alcoholic drinks in this country; it’s really quite easy,” he noted. “But what I found missing in the Philippine market is this big block in the middle—the good quality, value for money wine.” His solution: a curated online marketplace where each bottle has been carefully selected by Urbano himself. The Tagalog-speaking Australian founded Winery Philippines in 2016 to address the need for a channel that will bring quality, boutique wines to customers. The Winery Philippines is launched exclusively online via winery.ph in order to sell great wines at the best prices possible. The Winery Philippines initially offers 70 Australian and US wines “sourced from the best wineries,” but Urbano said they will eventually bring in Spanish, French, Chilean, and New Zealand wines in the next couple of months. “We vet everything before they make it on the website,” he guaranteed. Purchasing takes only six clicks from homepage to checkout; and can be done
Chris Urbano raises a glass of wine to officially launch Winery Philippines (Photo by Rex Sardinia)
on a desktop computer or on your mobile phone. Choose your bottle (choices include Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Grigio, Sangiovese, and Pinot Noir), add to cart, key in your shipping address, choose your payment method, and click “Complete order.” Prices of the wines range from P690 to P2,590 only. Add P150 for delivery within Metro Manila, while shipping outside Metro Manila will go through a third party provider. Shipping for two bottles or more, meanwhile, is free of charge. “And if you’re not happy with your wine, return it half full and we will refund your payment,” said Urbano. –Bernadette Lunas
All ARKK Copenhagen sneakers are designed in Denmark and are made of high quality uppers, laces, detailing, and custom-made outsoles (S-E15, H-X1)—resulting in ultra-luxe minimalist sneakers that are fashionable for the streets and beyond. Gruppo Innovare brings ARKK’s Eaglezero S-E15, Lion FG H-X1, Panther H-X1, Pythron S-E15, Scorpitex S-E15, Spyqon FG H-X1, and the Raven line (Nubuck S-E15, FutureGrid 2.0 S-E15, Mesh S-E15). Despite tough competition, Abellada is confident ARKK will fare well against more popular sneakers labels. He said, “The products are very good and the design is very minimal so it’s flexible.” He also cited the lenient dress code policy in many industries today which helps expand the already big local sneakers market. “More companies are now more permissive when it comes to their clothing rules, and there are more young and old wearing sneakers.” ARKK Copenhagen sneakers range from P4,995 to P8,495. They will be sold at The Nines, Sneak Peek, and online at Zeus.ph.
Pythron S-E15 in Combat Ash
Spyqon H-X1 in Black
Eaglezero S-E15 in Off-white Tan
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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2017
Isah V. Red, Editor / Nickie Wang, Issue Editor isahred@gmail.com
Showbiz
ALDEN
RICHARDS
PINOY BOY BAND JBK IMPRESSES ‘X FACTOR UK’ JUDGES
By Nickie Wang
A
NOTHER set of Filipino acts is aiming to replicate the success of the girl group 4th Impact who made it to the top 5 in the hit reality show The X Factor UK Season 12.
Since the premiere telecast of its 14th Season on Sept. 2, three Filipino acts have already advanced to the next round of competition. Leading the Pinoy talents that impressed judges Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne, Nicole Scherzinger, and Louis Walsh is the boy band JBK composed of Joshua Bulot, Bryan del Rosario, and Kim Lawrenz Ordonio. The trio, who went directly to the audition hall after their 24-hour flight from Manila, performed a cover of Sam Smith’s debut single “Lay Me Down.” British entertainment manager Louis Walsh commended the group for their dedication coming to the UK just to showcase their talent and chase their dreams while part Filipino Nicole Scherzinger praised the boys and boosted their confidence for their outstanding audition. “You are making the Filipinos so proud right now,” former Pussycat Dolls lead member told the band. The vocal trio’s performance is currently one of the most watched videos on The X Factor UK’s official YouTube channel with half-amillion views as of this writing. In the Philippines, the band’s audition is one of the top trending videos peaking at no. 6 overall on Thursday, three days after the show aired on RTL CBS Entertainment. JBK started out as an OPM boy band in 2014 and became a social media sensation for its a cappella cover videos of Filipino, Indonesian, Japanese, and Malaysian songs. The vocal group
BOND GIRLS. Gaga Lord (center) reenacts James Bond movies' opening scene with "The X Factor" judges Nicole Scherzinger (left) and Alesha Dixon (right)
released an independent album a year after it won a reality singing search in the same year. Meanwhile, two more Pinoy talents are moving to the next level of the show. Joining JBK are X Factor UK hopefuls Elysa V. and Gaga Lord who made instant impact on the four judges. Elysa V., who came all the way from Australia where her family is based, performed a rendition of Fleur East’s 2015 pop hit “Sax” in full energy. “For you, your mom, dad, everyone back home in Australia, it’s a Yes,” said Scherzinger after Elysa sang. On the first week of the show, Gaga Lord, made it to the first round of the auditions, when she performed a cover of Shirley
Bassey’s “Diamonds are Forever.” Gaga Lord (her real name) started her performance showcasing her full and brassy voice that immediately brought smiles to the judges’ faces. Cowell raised his hand and stopped the audition. “Right now, I feel like James Bond,” Cowell said in jest then asked Scherzinger and guest judge Alesha Dixon to dance and pose with Gaga as if they were Bond girls. The lady judges obliged and Gaga proceeded with her audition showing off her powerful voice while moving along with the two lady judges. “That was it! We are in our own James Bond movie. That was amazing. You are fantastic. I love you. I absolutely love you,” Cowell furthered. Fil-Aussie Elysa V. is moving to the next round of the show
BRITISH singer-songwriter Sam Smith dropped his highly anticipated single “Too Good at Goodbyes” on Sept. 8 accompanied by a video the artist created exclusively for his fans. Written with longstanding collaborator Jimmy Napes and Stargate, “Too Good At Goodbyes” is the Smith’s first release since 2015’s “Writing’s On The Wall” from the movie Spectre, which became the first James Bond theme to hit No. 1 on the Official U.K. Singles Chart. Meanwhile, the single’s music video premiere became available on Spotify in approximately 40 playlists including “Today’s Top Hits” and “This Is: Sam Smith” in vertical format. Smith joins artists such as Selena Gomez and Avicii who have premiered vertical videos on the popular music streaming
PLAYLIST
SAM SMITH RETURNS WITH NEW MUSIC
Sam Smith's new single is available on Spotify
Britain's favorite rock quartet, The Vamps, is returning to Manila
platform. The Vamps to launch third album in Manila Britain’s favorite rock quartet, The Vamps, just released its third studio album entitled Night and Day and it’s coming to Manila on Oct. 6 to promote the record that contains 12 new songs. Billed Middle in the Night, the tour that will kick off at Ayala Mall Vertis North, Luna Drive, in Quezon City will also be bringing the British pop trio New Hope Club as a special guest. The Vamps is known for its hit singles “Last Night,” “Can We Dance,” “All Night,” and “Cecilia.” This will be the band’s third time performing in the country, after its successful shows back in 2015 and 2016.
DEPICTS LIFE STORY OF BONI ILAGAN
Alden Richards plays a challenging role in a docu that remembers the Martial Law years
KAPUSO actor Alden Richards stars in the life story of Martial Law activist and award-winning screenwriter Bonifacio Ilagan in GMA Public Affairs’ Alaala: A Martial Law Special. Around 70,000 people were imprisoned; 34,000 were tortured; 3,240 were killed; and 884 disappeared involuntarily, from which 612 are still missing— more than four decades after former President Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial Law, human rights victims still cry for justice. And those who survived these dark years urge Filipinos to “Never forget.” On the 45th anniversary of President Marcos’ declaration of Martial Law, GMA offers a special documentary that follows the journey of Boni Ilagan. Named after national hero Andres Bonifacio, Boni in the special takes viewers to his experience from his days as an idealistic youth, upon the declaration of Martial Law and his eventual capture and torture in the hands of the Philippine Constabulary. His recollections are in a short film written by Boni himself. A film within a documentary, GMA Public Affairs’ docu team shadows the short film’s production, showing behindthe-scenes clips. Interviews from personalities that experienced the Martial Law atrocities first hand, as well as historians, provide the big picture of how it was during the Martial Law era. King Rodrigo, son of late Senator Soc Rodrigo tells us how they took the parliament to the streets and how the opposition fought against the dictator. JC Mijares-Gurango, grandson of Primitivo Mijares reveals the secrets his lolo discovered as propagandist of the Marcos family. He shares the inner workings of the conjugal dictatorship. Kapuso actor Alden Richards plays the role of the young Boni. Alden shared the challenges of portraying the role. “Physically, psychologically, emotionally, mentally—mahirap ‘yung role. I’ve never been tortured in any of my roles when I was doing projects with soaps and movies,” Alden said. Joining Alden in recreating one of the most tumultuous periods in Philippine history are Gina Alajar, Bianca Umali, and Rocco Nacino. Rocco portrays editor and journalist Pete Lacaba, who, together with Ilagan, also suffered under the hands of the Philippine Constabulary. The Kapuso actor discovered that he was related to the awardwinning writer. “[Sir Pete] came to me, saying, ‘Hey you know what I’m your mom’s second cousin.’ So that night halos hindi ako makatulog. Nag-research ako, I called up my mom and then naconfirm na kamag-anak ko pala si Sir Pete. It makes everything more meaningful at mas malalim para sa akin,” Rocco said. GMA Public Affairs’ Alaala: A Martial Law Special on SNBO tonight.
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila
Pets
Standard
TODAY
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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2017 Desiree Carlos, Editor daycarlos328@yahoo.com
MY FURRY BESTIE THIS corner will feature pets of animal lovers every week. We hope new owners and those thinking of getting a pet will be encouraged to be responsible “furparents” through these features. We also hope more people will be moved to be kind to animals when they read about the great relationship that can be created between humans and animals. For contributions, please email to daycarlos28@ yahoo.com and put My Furry Bestie as subject. Our dogs Lucas, Batchi, Summer and Shakti
BEWARE: LEPTOSPIROSIS D
IS ONLY A RODENT AWAY
Lepto-prone areas
O YOU see mice or rats or cockroaches in your house or in your garage?
If you have dogs, PET TALES please take precautionary measures BY DESIREE CARLOS as soon as possible. Rats, mice or other animal pests can carry and spread the bacteria that causes leptospirosis which can be fatal, and highly contagious to both dogs and humans Leptospirosis is widespread during the rainy season because of floods or canals with stagnant water. Thus, please be extra careful in flood-prone areas. The water may be contaminated with urine of mice or rats that carry the bacteria. I discussed illnesses in dogs (lepto and kennel cough) during the rainy season briefly in a previous column. But I have heard of many cases of leptospirosis yet again so let us review. What is leptospirosis? PET MD says Leptospirosis is an “infection of bacterial spirochetes, which dogs acquire when subspecies…penetrate the skin” and spread in the body through the bloodstream. It adds the bacteria reproduces in the liver, kidneys, central nervous system, eyes, and reproductive system. “Soon after initial infection, fever and bacterial infection of the blood develop, but these symptoms soon resolve with the reactive increase of antibodies, which clear the spirochetes from most of the system. The extent to which this bacteria affects the organs will depend on your dog’s immune system and its ability to eradicate the infection fully,” Pet MD says. But, PET MD adds the bacteria can stay in the kidneys and multiply, subsequently infecting the urine. If the infection progresses, the liver and kidneys can be severely damaged and can thus be fatal to your pet. At high risk for severe complications are young pets with less developed immune system This can be transmitted to both humans and animals. Children are the ones who are at high risk of being infected.
Symptoms in dogs
When you observe one or two of the symptoms,
1. Subtropical, tropical, and wet environments. 2. Marshy/muddy areas with stagnant surface water and frequented by wildlife. 3. Heavily irrigated pastures like rice fields. Means of contact: 1. drinking water contaminated by urine of cats, mice and other rodents. 2. passing through or swimming in contaminated water. 3. open wounds At high risk are dogs in kennels or shelters. A dog who has been diagnosed with leptospirosis (through chemical blood profile, a complete blood count, urinalysis , an electrolyte panel, and a fluorescent antibody urine test) should be ISOLATED AND NOT ALLOWED TO COME INTO CONTACT WITH OTHER DOGS. A responsible pet owner or shelter/kennel manager will do everything to keep the other dogs away from the sick dog to stop the spread of this fatal disease. Wear latex gloves when handling your pet and items he used. “Urine, semen, post-abortion discharge, vomit, and any fluid that leaves the body will need to be handled with extreme caution, Pet MD says
Brownie survived leptospirosis because his owner Melita Benavidez not only gave him tender, loving care, she also brought him to the vet for proper medical treatment. If you can not afford medical care for a pet, please do not get one.
bring your dog to the vet immediately: • Yellow skin and/or yellow color in whites of eyes – anemic symptoms • Rapid dehydration • Always thirsty and urinates. This may indicate f chronic renal (kidney) failure, progressing to inability to urinate • Vomiting. There may blood. • Diarrhea. Stool may have blood. • Dark red speckled gums (petechiae) • Bloody discharge from the vagina • Sudden fever and illness • Sore muscles, reluctant to move • Swelling of the mucous membrane • Mild swelling of the lymph nodes • Stiffness in muscles, legs, stiff gait • Dog Shivers • Dog is Weak • Dog is Depressed • No appetite • Spontaneous cough • Difficulty in breathing, fast breathing, irregular pulse • Runny nose
Treatment
1. confinement for severe cases 2. fluid therapy to reverse the effects of dehydration 3. anti-vomiting drug may be given if the dog is vomiting to keep the food down. 4. blood transfusion may be done if your dog has been severely hemorrhaging. 5. antibiotics will be given but this depends on the stage of infection so do not decide on the kind of antibiotics yourself.
Next week, I will share tips on how to keep those mice, rats and cockroaches away. Have a great Sunday everyone. Namaste!
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
National Commission for Culture and the Arts
PHILIPPINE DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE
Invitation to Bid for Supply of Labor and Materials for the Renovation of PDEA ANNEX Building (Re-Bid) Bid Reference No. 2017-25 1. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), thru its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), through the General Appropriations Act (GAA) Capital Outlay 2017 intends to apply the sum of FIFTEEN MILLION PESOS (Php15,000,000.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) for the Supply of Labor and Materials for the Renovation of PDEA Annex Building. 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 Renovation of PDEA Annex Building. Completion of the Works is required 180 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 August 14, 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 Twenty-five Thousand pesos only (Php25,000.00). 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. 6. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on September 19, 2017 at 2:00PM at PDEA DDGA’s 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 October 2, 2017 at 1:00PM. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18. Bid opening shall be on October 2, 2017 at 1:00PM 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. 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 City from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM only, Mondays to Fridays starting September 12, 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. 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-SEPT. 17, 2017)
SPARKY, 2, is Ira Joven's "youngest son." Ira shares: "He brings so much joy in our home. He's very loving and protective. We love him so much!"
Prevention
Republic of the Philippines Office of the President
INVITATION TO BID SUPPLY, DELIVERY, INSTALLATION, TESTING AND COMMISSIONING OF 750 KVA GENERATOR SET Bid Ref. No. 2017-36 1. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), thru its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), intends to apply the sum of EIGHTEEN MILLION PESOS (P 18,000,000.00) through General Appropriations Act (GAA) for CY 2017 being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) for the SUPPLY, DELIVERY, INSTALLATION, TESTING AND COMMISSIONING OF 750 KVA GENERATOR SET. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected during bid opening. 2. The PDEA - BAC now invites bids for SUPPLY, DELIVERY, INSTALLATION, TESTING AND COMMISSIONING OF 750 KVA GENERATOR SET. Delivery of the goods is 100 calendar days 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 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 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. 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 September 12, 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 twenty five thousand pesos (PhP25, 000.00). 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 September 19, 2017, 2:00 p.m. at ODDGA 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 October 2, 2017, 1:30 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. Bid opening shall be on October 2, 2017, 1:30 p.m. at ODDGA 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 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 September 12, 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. 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: Mr. Arvin E Sadullo PDEA-Logistics Management Service PDEA Compound, NIA Northside Road, National Government Center, Quezon City Tel No. (632)920-8082 (Sgd) JESUS A FAJARDO, MMOAS Deputy Director General for Administration Chairman, Bids and Awards Committee (MS-SEPT. 17, 2017)
LOUIE, a toy poodle, grew twice the size of his parents and siblings, thus adopter Lalay Tan-De Guzman calls him "giant toy poodle". Says Lalay, "I love him so much because he cheers me up and calms me down as needed. I want to be as devoted to him as he is to me."
1. Have your dog vaccinated against leptospirosis. 2. Keep your place clean. 3. KEEP THOSE RODENTS AWAY.
Republic of the Philippines Office of the President
PHILIPPINE DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE
GORI (short for gorilla) is the peacemaker in the family of Joy Gallarpe. Given to Joy by her mother's friend, sweet Gori doesn't like fights among the dogs in the household. "Referee sya ng mga ibang dogs ko," Joy says. Gori also became a mom to Joy's rescued kitten. She breastfed the kitty for a year. "She's like a human to me," Joy adds, "Magaling umintindi. Pag may kasalanan, nakayuko at iha-hug ka."
(sgd) JESUS A FAJARDO, MMOAS Deputy Director General for Administration Chairman, Bids and Awards Committe
NATIONAL LIBRARY OF THE PHILIPPINES P.O. Box 2926 T. M. Kalaw Street, Ermita 1000 Manila, Philippines
Phone:(632) 336-7200 loc. 106 Email: bac@nlp.gov.ph
INVITATION TO BID ONLINE RESOURCES/DATABASES FOR iPeL 2017 Reference No. : 4775732 Sol. No. : tnl17-54 The Procuring Entity through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), invites bidders/supplies to apply for eligibility and to bid for the hereunder procurement: Name of Project
: SUPPLY AND DELIVERY OF ONLINE RESOURCES/DATABASES FOR iPeL2017 Location : Conference Room, Ground Floor, NLP Bldg. Approved Budget Contract : Thirty Seven Million Pesos(Php37,000,000.00) Source of Fund : General Fund Delivery Period : 15 days Schedule of Activities: Procurement Stage Issuance and Availability of Bidding Documents Pre Bid Conference Submission of Bids Opening and Evaluation of Bids
Start Date September6, 2017 –September25, 2017 September13, 2017 ; 1:30PM September25, 2017 ; 1:30PM September25, 2017 ; 1:31PM
Interested Bidders may obtain further information from NLP Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) Secretariat. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on September6, 2017from the address below from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday to Friday and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount ofTen Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00). It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the NLP, provided that Bidders shall pay the non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of bids. Item No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
DESCRIPTION/S
QTY
Emerald Management eJournals Gale Science in Context General OneFile GREENR (Global Ref on the Environment) InfoTract Engineering Philippine eJournals Proquest Central (PQC) and ProQuest Dissertation and Theses (PQDT) SpringerLinkeJournal TOTAL
1 1 1 1 1 1
Approved Budget Contract 6,000,000.00 1,450,000.00 4,876,410.57 923,589.43 1,750,000.00 3,000,000.00 6,500,000.00 6,000,000.00 6,500,000.00 37,000,000.00
The NLP reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected Bidder or Bidders. For further information, please refer to: RICA JANE SANTOS AND RHODORA JULIAN BAC Secretariat National Library of the Philippines Tel. No.: 336-7200 loc.106/215/408 Email: bac@nlp.gov.ph SGD. EDGARDO B. QUIROS BAC, Chairperson (MS-SEPT. 17, 2017)
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
C4
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2017 Riera U. Mallari, Editor rumallari@thestandard.com.ph
Gadgets & Games
EXPERIENCE PRECISION, SPEED WITH XPERIA XZ1
P
ACKED with features that are set to unleash a one’s creativity and change the way the user views mobile entertainment, the Xperia XZ1 was presented by Sony Philippines to the media after its unveiling at the IFA in Berlin, Germany. Breakthrough in Mobile Creativity
The Xperia XZ1 is the latest addition to Sony’s flagship family and it showcases the brand’s dedication to innovation through XZ1’s 3D Creator. For the first time ever in a smartphone, you can easily scan 3D objects using the brand’s unique in-house algorithm. There are four high quality 3D Scan modes: Head, Face, Food, and Free Form Scan. Each has its own custom guides on how best to do them. Share the scan with friends on various messenger apps or create an avatar for use for games and gifs. Hook it up with a 3D printer and you can make your own collectible.
Ultimate Pocket Camera
ranges, the XZ1 can capture moments in a way no other smartphone can. Coupled with its memory stacked Exmor™ RS image sensor, you will be able to take stunning pictures and record videos at 960 frames per second—resulting in one-of-a-kind Super Slow Motion videos. The XZ1 also boasts of a new autofocus burst which perceptively follows your chosen subject and adjusts accordingly to ensure the action shots you take are sharp. On the flip side, its 13-megapixel front camera with 1/3’’ sensor and a display flash makes outstanding selfies always possible even when it’s dark.
Premium Display, Sound, and Hardware
Using the same technoloThanks to Sony’s Motion Eye™ camera built using tech- gies on its Bravia TVs, the XZ1 nical expertise from Sony’s incorporates High Dynamic ‘α’ and Cyber-shot™ camera Range (HDR) in its 5.2-inch Full
Soft skill development workshops like Design Thinking, Interview Techniques, Communication & Presentation Skills round off the comprehensive training course.
SAP LAUNCHES YOUTH ENABLEMENT PROGRAM
The Xperia XZ1 is the latest addition to Sony’s flagship family and it showcases the brand’s dedication to innovation.
HD display. Other technologies like TRILUMINOS™ Display for mobile, X-Reality™ for mobile and Dynamic Contrast enhancer work together to ensure that colors are rich, and images are life like.Powering the XZ1 is the cutting edge Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 835 Mobile Platform with X16 LTE, providing blazing fast performance, support stun-
ning graphics, while enhancing battery efficiency. Battery life is also not a problem as the XZ1 is equipped with Smart Stamina which works ahead of time by estimating how long your battery will currently last based on how you normally use your phone. Get a free Sony wireless Bluetooth® Speaker (SRS-XB10) worth P2,999 when you preorder in participating Sony
Centres and Xperia Shops from Sept. 15 to Oct. 1. Find out the latest updates and promos from Sony by visiting their official website, www.sony.com.ph and following them on social media through facebook.com/SonyPhilippines and facebook. com/SonyMobilePH, twitter. com/SonyPHinc and instagram.com/sonyPHInc.
RBANK WANTS CLIENTS TO SWITCH TO EMV ROBINSONS Bank (Rbank) has recently announced that it will be finishing up its migration from regular ATM cards to EMV chip-enabled cards by the end of this year. All Rbank ATM cards will be deactivated by Nov. 6, 2017 and thus they encourage their clients to visit their branch of accounts to upgrade their cards to the new Robinsons Bank Visa Debit Card as soon as possible to avoid any inconvenience after the deactivation date. The bank also announced that upgrading to the new EMV chip-enabled card will be free during this period. The Robinsons Bank Visa Debit Card is one of the bank’s newest products aimed at making life and banking more convenient and safe for its customers. This allows Robinsons Bank clients to shop online or through Point-of-Sale termi-
nals securely anywhere in the world where Visa is accepted. They will also be able to access their funds 24/7 worldwide and enjoy the very best in the world of entertainment, travel, leisure and more. Robinsons Bank is part of the JG Summit Holdings, Inc., one of the largest conglomerates in the Philippines owning and operating brands such as Cebu Pacific, Robinsons Land, Universal Robina Corporation, Robinsons Malls and more. The bank increased its assets by double digits in the past year growing by 35.9%, becoming one of the fastest growing commercial banks in the country. Robinsons Bank currently has a branch network of 130 with plans to open in more locations across the country as part of its drive to make life better for more Filipinos.
STARMOBILE ROLLS OUT STAR-TAGAL PROMO
CHRISTMAS comes extra early (and extra long) this year as Filipino mobile company Starmobile rolls out “STAR-TAGAL”, its biggest raffle promo ever. With over P4 million worth in prizes—tax free– customers can take home hundreds of new Starmobile devices, home appliances, 8 Honda motorcycles, 2 brand-new Toyota cars, or P1,000,000 in cash! “The STAR-TAGAL promo is the company’s way of thanking Filipinos as we cap off our 5th year of operations.” said Michael Chen, Starmobile Chief Operating Officer. “This nationwide
e-raffle is also a means of reinforcing our commitment of manufacturing high quality and high spec’d mobile devices which we have done so since 2011.” From Sept. 1 to Dec. 31, customers who purchase any Starmobile product can participate in the STAR-TAGAL promo. Each phone, tablet, or laptop purchased during this period comes with a scratch card carrying a unique code that customers can register via SMS to join the raffle (see the mechanics below). At stake every month are brand-new Honda Wave motorbikes, LCD TVs, home appliances, Starcube TV Digital
BIOSTAR: THE FUTURE OF GAMING BIOSTAR, the renowned leader in gaming hardware, celebrates its 31st anniversary and kicks off another successful year with a bang, by introducing exciting innovation and more powerful motherboards. With the rise of DIY PCs and the boom of the gaming market in the country over the years, there has never been a more opportune time than now for BIOSTAR to expand. BIOSTAR elevates your gaming/ digital experience by offering you more powerful boards and innovative products that boasts a sporty, trendy aesthetic. Be bold and be exceptional with BIOSTAR. ‘“Beyond Better, Racing to the Future’ has served as our motto, embodying our commitment to our customers for continuous development and improvement’,” said Kevin Cheng, Global Marketing Manager of BIOSTAR. “BIOSTAR integrates all the must-have benefits into a
high-performing gaming motherboard, and proudly offers more exclusive and optimal features to the eSports and gaming industry. In the next five years, we aim to be the No. 1 brand in gaming, as well as in crypto mining industry.” Established in 1986, BIOSTAR changed the game by catering to the urgent gaming demands of customers, and with each new product, it exceeded customer expectations. Over the next three decades, BIOSTAR has shipped over 100 million motherboards all around the globe, and aims to ship another 100 million more in the next decades. Today, BIOSTAR has expanded its operations to four business units that produce motherboards, graphics cards, industrial PCs and other technology for healthcare. In the Philippines, BIOSTAR, through EA Global, has been catering to the growing market that demands higher, better
specs for its AMD motherboards. Responding to the evolving needs of the market, this year, BIOSTAR proudly launched its 2nd Gen RACING series motherboard. This motherboard excited gamers and the eSports market with its ATX, uATX and Mini-iTX series. BIOSTAR also cares about gaming enthusiasts on every game level, so it also introduced its RACING B250GT5 for mid-level gamers and RACING Z270GT7 for high-level players, offering the same performance, but more choices. For AMD lovers, BIOSTAR proudly becomes the first to launch the RACING X370GT5 for mid-level gamers and RACING X370GT7 for high-level players. By offering AMD AM4 Mini iTX motherboards, RACIN G X370GTN and RACING B350GTN, BIOSTAR fulfills its promise of providing gamers the best quality products at competitive prices.
Kevin Cheng, Biostar Global Marketing Manager
TV boxes, and best-selling Starmobile devices such as the PLAY Five, PLAY Boost, UP Sense, ENGAGE Aura, and the KNIGHT Spectra. To end the promo with a bang, a grand raffle draw will be held in January 2018 wherein a lucky few can drive home in a brand-new Toyota Wigo or Toyota Innova, or take home P1 million in cash tax free. For more information, visit the nearest Starmobile Store in your area or visit the official Starmobile website at starmobile.com.ph or the official Starmobile Facebook Page at facebook.com/starmobilephones.
SAP SE recently announced the launch of its flagship program for young talents, SAP’s Young Professional Program, in Southeast Asia. Developed by the SAP Training and Development Institute, this program was introduced with the objective to support sustainable employment opportunities for top graduates from the respective local universities. Through this program, selected candidates will go through a series of intensive trainings on exponential SAP technologies to help them navigate the new digital landscape. With pilots running in Indonesia and the Philippines in 2017, the Young Professional Program will last for 3 months, covering a development plan, which will allow students to gain certification on a set of SAP’s solutions with key focus on SAP’s latest innovations. Soft skill development workshops like Design Thinking, Interview Techniques, Communication & Presentation Skills round off the comprehensive training course. The overall program is designed to boost the business system knowledge and entrepreneurial mindset of local university graduates with an overarching, long term goal of supporting and training young minds to thrive in the digital economy. It aims to benefit 50 early talents from the two countries in the first wave of the program in the region. With a limited number of places available, candidates selected for the program will be provided all training free of charge. “Throughout 2017, SAP has been making great strides to invest in skills development and digital literacy of “SAP has been making great strides to invest in skills development of ASEAN youths. Through the SAP NextGen and programmes such as the ASEAN Data Science Explorers, SAP is already supporting the digital literacy of 13,000 youths in Southeast Asia. This is part of our overarching philosophy that young people will be our future leaders and we need to start investing in them today as we pave the way for a brighter digital future together,“ said Claus Andresen, President and Managing Director, SAP Southeast Asia.
D-LINK: FORMIDABLE ROUTER
FAST-PACED, on-the-go, and with a crucial priority for high-speed connectivity, the world today has increasingly higher and higher demands for the best Internet performance—and your Small Office/Home Office environment is no exception. Powered by a dual-core processor, the DIR-882 AC2600 MU-MIMO Wi-Fi Gigabit Router is a formidable wireless networking solution that can help you make the most of your broadband connection because it is designed for high-bandwidth applications such as HD, 4K, and 3D video, all of which you can easily enjoy in your home, hassle-free. Depending on the ISP on the WAN side, the DIR-882 has a Gigabit WAN port to support faster Internet connection speeds of up to
1000Mbps/1Gigabit. The Wi-Fi speeds on 2.4GHz (up to 800Mbps) and 5GHz (1,732Mbps) add up to a total of 2600Mbps. If these are combined via the four Gigabit LAN ports, the DIR-882 can upgrade net-
work speeds locally while streaming and transferring files for the fastest Internet access ever. Multimedia applications these days are in constant need of seamless HD streaming. Whether you’re making online calls, playing multiplayer games, or surfing content-rich websites, two concurrent wireless networks are essential
to everyday productivity. On top of the dual-band Wi-Fi, the DIR-882 features improved range, backward compatibility, and a stateof-the-art QoS engine to help prioritize traffic to ensure uninterrupted bandwidth. With the 4x4 Multiple Users-Multiple Input, Multiple Output antenna configuration, you can get concurrent communication with multiple compatible devices, which means faster speeds and smoother streaming of 4K video and online gaming. Ready for a wireless connection like no other? Rest assured that your connection will reach the farthest corners of your home and office environment. The DIR-882’s antennas have been meticulously designed to keep away from as many dead zones as possible. Boost your connectivity with D-Link today.