Manila Standard - 2017 September 24 - Sunday

HAZING INFO HOTLINE: DIAL DOJ NUMBER

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VOL. XXXI • NO. 222 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2017 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

BAYSIDE REST. Three bikers take time out from several kilometers of leg-breaking drive and inhale fresh breeze blown shorewards by the placid waters of picture perfect Manila Bay to help energize their tired limbs shortly before sundown along Roxas Boulevard. Lino Santos

NARCO-POLS BEHIND MAUTE/IS—DUTERTE D By F. Pearl A. Gajunera

AVAO CITY—President Rodrigo Duterte has disclosed the existence of a matrix implicating names of narco-politicians financing the Marawi siege—which started in May this year—and showing the extent of damage brought by drug problems in Mindanao. Duterte showed the matrix for the second time running after his fifth visit in Marawi last Thursday, which included the name of slain Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. “I have something for you tonight [Friday]. I’ll just pass it on… That’s for public consumption already...how they operated the drug campaign in Marawi and the entire Mindanao,” Duterte told a gathering of the Davao media at Matina Enclaves here. “That is the work of the intel-

ligence for the last three months or two when we were able to penetrate the… insides of the… the entrails of the city,” he said. “There they discovered that the Maute was really preparing for a long haul. Until now, they never ran out of ordnance, explosives, ammunitions, and all,” he said. According to the Chief Executive, those identified as linked to the illegal drug trade were “really fighting over supremacy of the supply.” Turn to A2

RELAXING NOTES. President Rodrigo Duterte takes time off from the hectic demands of his office to soothe his tympanic membrane with novelty songs dished out by Norman Mitchell, a Davao-born comedian, whose genre is composed of parodies to entertain his audience. Malacañang Photo

MEN IN BLACK FIRE AT ARMY POST; 3 MARAWI HOSTAGES FREED By Francisco Tuyay

FRESH OFFENSIVE. Smoke billows from houses following aerial bombings recently by Philippine Air Force planes on Islamist positions in the lakeshore provincial capital of Marawi City, with military authorities claiming troops had captured the command center of Islamic State group supporters who have besieged Marawi since May 23. AFP

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ARMED men in black uniforms attacked an army post in the sleepy town of Bayang, Lanao del Sur, just hours after government forces, closing in against the Maute terrorist group in Marawi City, rescued three more hostages. Bayang Mayor Aslani Pangarungan Balt, in a radio interview Saturday, said around 20 armed men lobbed grenade launchers at an army post adjacent to the townhall, immediately sparking a brief gunfight. The military validated the incident, saying nearly a dozen armed men were involved in the attack, but described this as a mere harassment, but they were taking stricter security measures. Citing witnesses accounts, Col. Romeo Brawner, Task Group Ranao deputy commander, said only five to seven armed men figured in the fighting lasting for a minute Wednesday. “The firefight only lasted for one minute. The troops on the ground were expecting the fighting to last long, but the attackers immediately retreated,”

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Brawner said. Brawner said they were closely coordinating with local leaders in Bayang to possibly establish the armed men’s identities. Bayang is a fifth class town near Marawi City, bounded by Butig town, an enclave of the Maute brothers and the site of fierce gun battle between security forces and the extremist group. Shortly after the Bayang attack, Brawner said troops from the 65th Infantry Battalion conducted intensified patrols in nearby areas surrounding Bayang. Reports said 20 to 30 armed men were spotted during the attack. However, another group of some 60 rebels were seen in the outskirts of Bayang. Two days after the attack, armed men were seen in the same area as Bayang local government officials vowed to challenge the armed men into a fight. “We are taking this seriously, but based on our initial assessment, it’s just a nuisance group and is not connected to the Marawi terrorist,” Brawner said. Turn to A2

THE Department of Justice has created a hotline where anyone who had any information or knowledge on the hazing death this month of University of Santo Tomas law freshman Horacio Castillo III may call to tell authorities what they know. “To those who know anything about what happened to Horacio Castillo III, if you were there when it happened, then you have blood on your hands, time to wash it with the truth and with justice for Atio,” Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said in a statement during the weekend. Tips and information about Castillo’s death may be sent to the “Horacio Hotline” via mobile number 0995-442-9241. In his statement, Aguirre said those involved in the hazing incident who had remained silent “have already imprisoned yourself.” “We are waiting for your call, do no injustice, suffer no injustice,” Aguirre said, emphasizing the motto of the Aegis Juris Fraternity which was tagged in Castillo’s killing. “Hiding will not do you any good. Running from the truth is like being locked up in a jail with no bars,” Aguirre added. Meanwhile, Filipinos in Chicago and the Midwestern part of the United States have been urged to report to law enforcement authorities any sightings of Ralph Trangia, one of the suspects in Castillo’s death. Turn to A2

'SOME SALN ITEMS MAY BE KEPT PRIVATE' By John Paolo Bencito CABINET secretaries have the right to keep away from public sight items within their Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth, Malacanang insisted Saturday amid massive “redactions” observed despite these being public documents. “While we uphold the principle of transparency and accountability in public service, those working in the government, such as members of the Cabinet, still have the right to privacy,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement. “There are some who may use the sensitive personal information and other data contained in the SALNs to harass people or commit fraud. We, therefore, consider security concerns as valid issues,” Abella added. But Freedom of Information advocates said the vetting by data protection officers made on public documents released by government offices mocked the FOI Executive Order by President Rodrigo Duterte. On Friday, they raised concern over what they considered as an “epidemic of redaction” on documents concerning public officials, while the FOI-EO was in effect. Turn to A2

RODY INSISTS ON TRILLANES' BANK ACCOUNTS OPPOSITION Senator Antonio Trillanes IV was wrong when he claimed the alleged bank accounts were not his, even if he had flown to Singapore to disprove them, President Rodrigo Duterte has said. In a speech before Davao-based journalists Friday, Duterte questioned the way Trillanes was able to disprove all of his allegations. The President warned it was only a matter of time before he revealed the real bank records of Trillanes. “I know he’ll take the bait. It’s already there, close to reality. He saw the numbers. It was just a matter of number 1. So he knows I’m going there,” he added. Duterte said “no bank” would take Trillanes’ bait to certify that he did not have the supposed bank accounts—reason why his claims were useless. Turn to A2

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NARCO-POLS...

From A1

Meanwhile, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Eduardo Año said Friday the President and the military had information that suggested the Parojinog family of Ozamiz City were involved with the Maute group through their alleged illegal drugs operations. Año added the military had attempted to find out how the Maute group raised the money to finance their attack on Marawi City, and they arrived at the conclusion that part of the money came from the illegal drug trade. “When we tried to dig up everything, information about this, how the Maute-ISIS got this enormous money in doing this rebellion, part of that funds are from drugs. So we made the study and we analyzed...,” said the military commander. Año also recounted that the President had mentioned the names of other local government officials who were involved in illegal drugs. He added: “It’s difficult to mention names, but one of these local government officials, Mayor Sabalna [Talitay, Maguindanao Mayor Montasir Sabalna], he is in hiding now, he is included in the matrix.” According to Año “this is a report from the military not from the PNP.” Duterte said he always wondered how the Maute group sustained high-caliber firearms and thousands of bullets—reason he asked the intelligence group to trace the financiers of the terrorist group. “How come the Maute brothers and the terrorists were able to stockpile so much ordnance and bullets and ammunitions and IED? Where did they get those?” he said. Duterte said the matrix did not show yet the entire picture of the problem of narcopoliticians financing the Marawi siege. “To what extent was this drug used to build up the terrorist activity is something which we have really to find,” he said. The matrix shows 11 alleged drug lords, including Chinese businessman and 19 drug dealers in the different parts of Mindanao. During the clearing operations by the Philippine Marines, they recovered P52 million in cash and P27 million worth of checks in Maute’s strongholds last June 5. It was alleged that the recovered money and checks came from the financiers of the terrorist group. Several days after the recovery of money, police also recovered five kilos of shabu in the abandoned house of former Marawi mayor Sultan Fahad Salic and his brother incumbent Vice Mayor Arafat Salic.

RODY... From A1 “I said well in advance that I will reveal the deposits. Just you wait. And the names of the partners, I will reveal it (sic), including his accounts,” Duterte said. “His purported certification he said he got from the bank, the bank will never do that. No bank in the Philippines would ever do that,” he added in a mix of Filipino and English. Last Tuesday, Trillanes went to the DBS branch in Singapore’s Alexandra Road with a printout of a supposed account registered under his father’s name. A DBS teller, however, said there was no such account at their bank. Trillanes then tried but failed to get a certification from DBS because he was not a client. The opposition lawmaker then went to the Raffles City Tower to check business listings for the “Hongkong Shanghai Bank,” where he also allegedly concealed account with a balance of some SGD 278,000, but found no bank there. Later that day, Duterte admitted “inventing” the wrong number of Trillanes’ supposed bank accounts in Singapore to “catch” the senator for lying. Duterte, however, said Trillanes’ actual account number was 1178000281-60-2 and not 1780-00296-01-2 as what he claimed, and was eventually reported and picked up by the media. He also alleged that the loss of the Scarborough Shoal to the Chinese had led to the accumulation of alleged ill-gotten wealth by Trillanes in his supposed off-shore bank accounts. In the same speech, Duterte slammed the senator on his track record of “lying.” John Paolo Bencito

PH TO UN: RIGHTS AFFIRMED AMID WAR T

By John Paolo Bencito and Sara Fabunan

HE Palace on Saturday welcomed the United Nations Human Rights Council’s final adoption of the Third Philippine Universal Periodic Review, claiming that the Duterte administration respects human dignity amid the war on illegal drugs. “The adoption of the Philippine UPR report in Geneva recognizes the human rights record of the Philippines and our country’s commitment to human rights under the leadership of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said. “This likewise reaffirms our respect for the dignity of the Filipino people and the protection of the Filipino family as we strive for a better life in a society free of illegal drugs and other crimes,” he added. The Palace congratulated officials for successfully “explaining to the world” the Philippines’ policies, practices, commitments and obligations in the area of human rights. “We congratulate the efforts of Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary (DFA) and the Philippine team in Geneva for their tireless efforts in explaining to the world our policies, practices, commitments and obligations in the area of human rights,” Abella said. The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights reiterated on Friday its call to the Philippine government for an end the impunity and adherence to the rule of law in its campaign against criminality and illegal drugs. In its report, adopting the Universal Periodic Review outcomes of the Philippines, Algeria and Poland, the OHCHR also called on the Duterte administration to perform their mandates and respect the independence of the Commission on Human Rights, citing the decision of the House of Representatives to allocate P1,000 or a measly $20 to the CHR for their 2018 Budget. “The Commission reiterated its call on the Government to end impunity and adhere to the rule of law in the campaign against criminality,” the OCHR said. “It called upon the Government to

enable oversight mechanisms to perform their mandates and respect the independence of the Commission on Human Rights. Despite the disabling and exclusionary environment, the Commission would continue to perform its constitutional duty in line with the Paris Principles,” the commission added. OCHR urged the Philippines to ensure “accountability, transparency, and cooperation” in investigation of human rights violations, especially torture and enforced disappearances, and to provide adequate protection for human rights victims, whistle-blowers and witnesses, prosecute all perpetrators and honour its human rights obligations. During the recent UN meeting, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations Office at Geneva Evan Garcia has outlined that the participation of the Philippines in the Universal Periodic Review reflected its sustained support for this process as an effective peer review and underlined its desire to strengthen the process as a responsive monitoring and review mechanism. Of the 257 recommendations received, only a total of 103 were fully accepted or will be complied with by the Philippines. These 257 recommendations mirrored the recommending States’ understanding of the current human rights situation in the Philippines, and recognized and respected the State as currently implementing or having implemented them. These recommendations were classified into four items. The Philippines noted a total of 154 recommendations anchored on the State’s national circumstances. Among those, there were 99 that the State accepted in principle and could have partially supported because they were very much aligned with the aspira-

suspect in Castillo’s death, is now in police custody, and could face charges for violation of the AntiHazing Law and for perjury after initially giving a “false statement” to the police, Manila Police District spokesman Supt. Erwin Margarejo told reporters Friday. Castillo, 22, died last weekend in fraternity initiation rites after suffering “massive injuries.” The DoJ had offered protection for witnesses in the fatal hazing incident. Aguirre, meanwhile, said Friday that some senior members of the Aegis Juris Fraternity were preventing those present at Castillo’s initiation from speaking out. UST Faculty of Civil Law Dean Nilo Divina, who founded the Aegis Juris Fraternity in 1979, vowed to seek justice for Castillo. In a statement, Aegis Juris said its members who were involved in Castillo’s death were ready to submit themselves to investigations by the Senate and National Bureau of Investigation.

MEN...

From A1

In the Marawi City fighting, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo Año said three hostage victims were pulled out from the main battle ground, which already claimed the lives of 151, 689 terrorists and 47 civilians. “The other night, three civilian hostages were rescued,” Año said Friday in Camp Aguinaldo during the culmination of the AFP’s Public Affairs Offi-

agents; public threats, intimidation and false information against human rights defenders, journalists and oversight actors; and the vote in the House of Representatives to reduce the Commission’s budget to $20, which was recently restored but with a possible 15 percent reduction in the total budget proposal. Lao People’s Democratic Republic commended the acceptance by the Philippines of a large number of recommendations, including those it had proposed. “It appreciated the adoption or implementation of measures aimed at combatting poverty and promoting the right to education and the rights of vulnerable groups,” the OHCHR said. Libya appreciated that many of the Universal Periodic Review recommendations had been adopted, which showed that the Philippines wished to promote and protect human rights. It however hoped the Philippines would continue these efforts, especially in the field of unemployment, and recommended the adoption of the report. Madagascar on the other hand welcomed the delegation and commended the efforts made to promote and protect human rights in the Philippines despite recent disasters. It noted with satisfaction the ratification of the Convention of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations against Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children. Malaysia was appreciative of the Philippines’ acceptance of many of their recommendations, and its efforts to improve access to quality education for vulnerable and marginalised groups, and in particular girls, as well as the focus on poverty. Malaysia recommended that the Human Rights Council adopt the report. Maldives thanked the Philippines for its acceptance of the majority of the recommendations. It continued to encourage the Philippines to comply with international standards in combatting the use of drugs. Myanmar thanked the delegation of the Philippines and commended its positive and constructive cooperation with the United Nations mechanisms. “It was pleased that a vast majority of the recommendations had been accepted, including two made by Myanmar, and wished the Philippines every success in implementing the recommendations,” the OHCHR stated.

‘NANDO’ THREATENS PANGASINAN, C LUZON

HAZING...

From A1

Bagong Henerasyon Party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy, chairman of the House Committee on Public Information, called on Filipinos living in the area to practice their “civic duty” to help authorities locate Trangia. Together with his mother, Trangia fled the country for Chicago via Taiwan on Sept. 19, a day before Aguirre issued a lookout bulletin for the members of the Aegis Juris Fraternity linked to Castillo’s death. There are 12,684 registered Filipino overseas voters in Chicago, according to the Philippine consulate in the city. Herrera-Dy also called for the suspension of the passports of all the suspects in Castillo’s death. “The movements of these suspects in the tortuous hazing of Castillo must be severely curtailed so that they can be found and arrested,” Dy said in a press release on Saturday. “They must not be allowed to elude arrest and prosecution to the fullest extent of our laws,” she added. John Paul Solano, the principal

tions of the Government to enhance the human rights governance framework in the Philippines. However, the Philippines could only note these recommendations because it could not guarantee or commit at this time to their fruition given that the results of processes required to implement them were beyond the sole control of any of the branches of the Government. “Also, in the set of 99 recommendations were those perceived to insinuate that the State had not taken any action whatsoever on the concerns raised. Full acceptance would denigrate the State’s current serious efforts that already addressed the issues raised,” the OCHR said. The Philippines noted recommendations referring to the extrajudicial killings allegedly resulting from the State’s antiillegal drug campaign of the administration as these were already addressed during the interactive dialogue with the Universal Periodic Review Working Group on May 8, 2017. The OCHR acknowledged that the Philippines had sufficiently explained that deaths which occurred in the course of the implementation of the anti-illegal drug campaign “were not extrajudicial killings.” “Similarly, the State clarified that concerns on the re-imposition of the death penalty and the lowering of the age of criminal responsibility were subject to deliberations in the Philippines Congress, which included comprehensive consultations,” it said. In effect, of the 154 recommendations that the Government had noted, only 55 could not be fully supported by the Government. Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines said it came before the Human Rights Council at a time when human rights promotion and protection in the Philippines was at a crossroads. It also said that a culture of impunity continued and human rights were challenged on the ground by a series of factors including; the relentless war against illegal drugs that had resulted in thousands of deaths, largely victimizing the poor; the extension of the martial law in Mindanao and an active armed conflict that had caused internal displacements; the pursuit of a legislative agenda that reintroduced the death penalty and lowered the minimum age of criminal responsibility; the discovery of a secret detention cell and its denial by State

cers and spokespersons summit. But he refused to provide details on the circumstances of the rescue of the hostages whose identities have yet to be established. Año projected the rescue of captive priest Fr. Chito Suganob and Lordvin Ocopio last Sunday, indicated the closing of the Marawi City episode.

THUNDERSTORMS and scattered rainshowers are forecast in Metro Manila, Central Luzon and neighboring areas as a result of Tropical Depression ''Nando'' near Dagupan City in Pangasinan, the weather bureau said Saturday. Nando, the 14th cyclone to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility, was estimated at 280 kilometers west northwest of Dagupan City around 3 p.m. It

was packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 60 kph, moving west northwest at a speed of 24 kph. Pagasa said stormy weather will prevail over Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Mindoro and Palawan. It warns of possible landslides and flash floods in these areas.

'SOME... From A1 “We are sensing that some...officers are so spooked by the threat of huge penalties that they would commit, should commit, a breach of privacy rights,” Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism executive director Malou Mangahas told a press conference. Mangahas, who co-convenes the Right to Know Right Now (R2KRN) coalition, cited larger amount of information blacked out by “data privacy officers” of the Malacañang Records Office when they released the December 2016 SALNs of Cabinet officials to Entrepreneur magazine upon request. As reported by PCIJ’s Vino Lucero, the 29 SALNs given to the magazine in August 2017 bore “more significant” redactions compared to the documents acquired by the PCIJ in June 2016. Abella insisted the move to blacken out sensitive information was to ensure that “the privacy and security of the official and their family,” and what was redacted “are not information on assets, liabilities, and net worth but personal data like family members, home address, among others.” “We must take note that the current SALN form has not been amended to comply with the data privacy in consonance with the global requirements/ standards,” he claimed. Ironically, Communications Secretary

Martin Andanar—an early supporter of the FOI executive order—emerged as having the most types of detail redacted on his SALN: 10, namely Filer’s Address; Spouse’s Office Address; Name, Date of Birth, and Age of Unmarried Minor Children; Description of Real Properties; Exact Location of Real Properties; Acquisition Costs of Real Properties; Acquisition Costs/Amounts of Personal Properties; Outstanding Balance of Liabilities; Business Address of Business Interests and Financial Connections; and ID No. of Filer and/or Spouse. Two other members of the Cabinet— Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II and Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Ubial— meanwhile had nine types of detail redacted. These were blacked out in the SALNs of both Aguirre and Ubial: Filer’s Address; ID No. of Filer and/or Spouse; Acquisition Costs of Real Properties; Acquisition Costs/Amounts of Personal Properties; Exact Location of Real Properties; Outstanding Balance of Liabilities; and Spouse’s Office Address. Redacted in Aguirre’s SALN as well were Business Address of Business Interests and Financial Connections and Description of Real Properties. In Ubial’s these were also blacked out: Name of Creditor and Name, Date of Birth, and Age of Unmarried Minor Children.

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CASH GIVEAWAY A SCAM—MARCOS

HE promise of a cash windfall from the Marcoses through a cooperative drove people from all over Luzon and some parts of Metro Manila to the University of the Philippines Los Baños campus on Saturday. The supposed recipients packed the UPLB Baker Field, each carrying a booklet featuring Marcos’ face. The booklet discusses the “The Life and Achievements of Ferdinand E. Marcos.” The back bore the words “Bullion Buyer LTD.” A woman who came all the way from Malabon said she attended the event because they were told that Marcos’ money will be given to them. “Ipapamigay daw ang pera ni

Marcos,” she said. But former Senator Bongbong Marcos, the son and namesake of the late strongman, immediately confirmed that the gathering at the UPLB cash, was a scam. “We have just received reports of people gathering because of promises of gold from the Marcoses. We do not know of nor have any involvement of any of these gatherings,” Marcos said in a statement

read over a television network. “It’s a scam pure and simple. I have repeatedly warned the public against unscrupulous individuals who have been using our family to advance their personal interests. Today’s event is a classic example of that,” he added. Curiously, the gathering happened only two days after the 45th anniversary of Marcos’ declaration of martial rule, when various militant and civil society groups marked a National Day of Protest to remember victims of abuses during the dictator’s repressive regime. In a television interview, the chairman of the cooperative identified as the “One Social Family Credit Cooperative” who refused to be identified or

photographed said that the booklet contains “all the achievements of President Marcos during his time.” UPLB Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs Dr. Serlie Jamias identified one of the organizers of the event as Jeffrey S. Fortuna, who introduced himself as the National Inspectorate and Cooperative Secretariat of “One Social Family Credit Cooperative.” Jamias said it was Fortuna who applied for a permit to hold the event at the school’s campus. But as early as May of this year, the Securities and Exchange Commission had issued an advisory against transacting with a certain group by that name.

OWN, NOT RENT, GOVT URGED LIKE a family scouting for its first home, the government should explore “rent-to-own” options for offices it rents to the tune of billions of pesos a year, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said. “There should be a plan in which chosen government offices can graduate from being renters to owners,” Recto said in commenting on the P17.4 billion earmarked for property and equipment “rents and leases” in the 2018 national budget. The amount is higher than the P13 billion allocated this year, and more than double the P8.4 billion spent last year. Recto said that in the spirit of transparency and accuracy, the national budget should break down lease and rental payments into real estate and equipment. “But what can’t be denied is that government is one of the biggest property lessees today,” Recto said. “Maraming forever tenants. Kasama na ang Senado kasi umuupa lang kami sa GSIS, which is our landlord,” he said. Recto said many offices have stayed in the same buildings for so long, “that if you compute the rents they had paid, it would have been enough to finance the construction of their own.” He, however, admitted that not all cases call for a shift from renting to owning, “but when feasible, government or governmentowned banks should finance the construction.” “Hindi rin naman kailangan na an agency will own the whole building, pwedeng ilang floors lang, basta hindi na uupa,” he said. In regional centers, Recto said there should also be a plan to converge national government offices in one place. “Kailangan may plano para sa regional government center, at doon ilalagay ang mga ahensya na walang sariling gusali. Pero doon sa meron ng sariling building, hindi na kailangan lumipat,” Recto said.

IN BRIEF Bill on women, LGBT pushed DISCRIMINATION against women, lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgenders will carry stiffer penalties under a proposed measure that has been passed on third and final reading at the House of Representatives. Occidental Mindoro Rep. Josephine Ramirez-Sato said House Bill 4982 or an Act Prohibiting Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity or Expression (SOGIE) seeks to eliminate discrimination, biases, and breaks existing barriers to a fair, equal and equitable policy environment on SOGIE. “With the proposed measure, the Philippines puts forward its status as a leader in the global trend promoting gender equality, including LGBT,” Sato said. Listed among the discriminatory practices is denying access to public services, including military service, including sexual orientation, gender identity or expression in the criteria for hiring, promotion, transfer, designation, work assignment, reassignment, dismissal of workers; refusing admission or expelling any person from any educational or training institution on the basis of SOGIE. Maricel V. Cruz

‘Dismal’ mobile data speeds hit

LONG WAIT. Applicants for the renewal of their driver’s license at the Land Transportation Office in Quezon City express dismay even after Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade announced that the licenses will be released after 30 minutes. Photo shows the jampacked applicants waiting for the release of their licenses. Manny Palmero

DENR QUIZZED ON TADECO-BUCOR DEAL By Maricel V. Cruz A HOUSE leader asked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to clarify the extent of the land deal between Bureau of Corrections and the Tagum Agricultural Development Co. Inc. “It is imperative that the committees will be clarified on these aspects of the investigation to find out whether or not the government was at a disadvantageous position on the implementation of the subject of the joint venture agreement [JVA],” Rep. Johnny Pimentel, chairman of the House committee on good government and public accountability, said at a congressional hearing on the allegedly anomalous JVA contract of BuCor and Tadeco. Pimentel said his committee and the committee on justice, headed by Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali, heard various claims on the land of the Davao Prison and Penal Farm. The committees

uncovered that the metes and bounds of such land under the supervision and management of BuCor was disputed and even the portion of the land occupied and utilized by Tadeco is doubtful, he said. “The committee also received different statistics on the actual gain obtained by the government from the operation of the JVA vis-a-vis what should be the accruing to the government in terms of guaranteed income and production shares from the operation of Tadeco in the Davao Penal Colony (Dapecol),” Pimentel said. Pimentel said the House would want the documents from the DENR that would show the actual use on the occupants on the land under the supervision and management of BuCor in the Dapecol and the subject of the JVA. Pimentel’s panel has probed into the matter after Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez filed House Resolution 867

filed to get into the nittygritty of the controversy. In filing the resolution, Alvarez said the JVA contract, while guaranteeing the BuCor a share of P26.5 billion per year for P5,308.36 hectares, actually prejudices the government by as much as P106.167 million per year since the prevailing price of lease contracts in that area is P25,000 per hectare per year, according to Alvarez. DENR regional officer lawyer Felix Alicer said the DENR has already submitted its report. But the problem, he said, pertains to the extent of the actual occupation, considering that this is so vast and situated in four municipalities. Alicer made a slide presentation of the area to clearly show its extent and actual use. Aggregated land area as provided in Proclamation 414 covers 28,826 hectares. The DENR found out that the land area is 30,907 hectares based on the technical description in the

proclamation, Alicer said. In his resolution, Alvarez noted several Presidential Proclamations which ceded portions of the 30,000 hectares, to wit: 1) Proclamation 103 for 10,000 hectares for the National Abaca and Other Fibers Corporation (NAFCO); 2) Proclamation 127 dated April 30, 1949 and Proclamation No. 127; 3) Executive Order 372 covering 2,500 hectares and 2,005 hectares; 4) August 1995, Kapalong Public Land Subdivision or PLS 70, approved in 1956, that disposed areas A and D which were given to NARRA for settlement; 5) September 3, 1956, Proclamation No. 341 issued by President Ramon Magsaysay, who ceded at first 10,000 hectares and later 2,139 hectares followed by several Proclamations which gave portion of the land to the administration of DENR, DAR, PADCO and NAFCO.

MMDA, QC SIGN MOA ON TRAFFIC By Joel E. Zurbano

FOREIGN POLICY. Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano (left) is being interviewed by former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, president of the Asia Society Policy Institute, on his views when he attended an event at the Asia Society in New York City, USA on Sept. 21, 2017. King Rodriguez

THE Metro Manila Development Authority has signed an agreement with the Quezon City government in connection with the establishment of alternate routes for Epifanio de los Santos Avenue in time for the Christmas season, when traffic is expected to be heavy. Under the agreement, at least 30 main thoroughfares in the city were also identified as part of the Kalayaan Lanes, or alternate routes for private vehicles. Among these roads are Amoranto Avenue, Balintawak Cloverleaf, Banawe Street, Biak na Bato, Congressional Avenue, Commonwealth Avenue, Circumferential Road -5 (C-5 Road), D. Tuazon Street, Dapitan Street, De Jesus Street, Del Monte Avenue, E. Rodriguez Avenue, Gilmore Avenue, Granada Street, Katipunan Avenue, Luzon Avenue, Maria Clara Street, Matimyas Street, Mayon Avenue, Mindanao Avenue, Quezon Avenue, Santolan Road, Sto. Domingo Avenue, Scout Magbanua, Scout Tobias, Timog Avenue, Tomas Morato Avenue, Visayas Avenue and West Avenue. MMDA chairman Danilo Lim expressed optimism that the Kalayaan Lanes would

help decongest some major roads in Metro Manila, particularly Edsa. “We are very thankful to the Quezon City government for extending their support to ease traffic. We are asking the public to use these alternate routes for their own convenience,” he said. The agreement states that the MMDA will identify Kalayaan Lanes that are within the territorial jurisdiction of Quezon City; provide sufficient traffic enforcers to execute traffic rules; coordinate with government agencies such as Land Transportation Office, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and Philippine National Police for the effective implementation of the undertaking; and coordinate with the Local Government Units for its implementation. The barangays in Quezon City, for its part, shall clear road obstructions and illegally parked vehicles in affected roads; support MMDA by providing traffic enforcers to assist in traffic management, such as Barangay Peace Keeping Security Officer and traffic aides; put up signages to guide motorists who will be using the Kalayaan Lanes; and enact barangay ordinances for effective implementation.

A HOUSE leader on Saturday asked the National Telecommunications Commission to crack the whip on the country’s telecommunications companies by ordering to upgrade their services. Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte made the call in the wake of the latest industry findings that mobile data speeds remain among the world’s slowest in the first half of 2017. “We do not know why our major telecom firms continue to post disappointing global averages when it comes to broadband speeds when smaller companies and startups have the capacity to match the average speeds in other countries at even cheaper prices,” Villafuerte said. At the same time, Villafuerte pushed for the passage of his House Bill 4695 that imposes stiffer penalties against telcos who failed to address “horrendous” complaints such as poor network signals, overcharging, interrupted or dropped voice calls, vanishing prepaid loads, surge of spam messages and lousy customer care service. Maricel V. Cruz

‘Protect rights of PH seafarers’ SENATOR Joel Villanueva on Saturday reiterated his call to give protection to the country’s seafarers by passing the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers. In line with the celebration of the National Seafarers’ Day on Sept. 24, Villanueva underscored the importance of enacting a measure that will not only recognize the rights of seafarers but also institute mechanisms to protect their rights, provide them compulsory benefits, and enforce standards set by international laws. Villanueva co-authored Senate Bill No. 314 or An Act Instituting the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers introduced by Senator Sonny Angara. The proposal is set to be discussed in an upcoming Sept. 27 hearing of the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development chaired by Villanueva. The said measure aims to fill in the gaps in legislation, particularly the Overseas Filipinos and Migrant Workers’ Act of 1996 (RA 8042), which neither completely address concerns of the Filipino seafarers nor abide by the existing standards set by the International Labor Organization and the International Maritime Organization.

Salalima told to explain claim RESIGNED Information and Communications Technology secretary Rodolfo Salalima should shed light on the supposed “corruption” in his agency after he resigned due to conflict of interest, Malacañang said Saturday. “Good governance being the North Star of the Duterte administration, Mr. Salalima may want to shed light on certain incidents in the department he once headed,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said. In a hastily called general assembly with DICT officials Friday, Salalima explained that he wanted to step down as the agency’s top official because he cannot deal with corruption and interference. Earlier, Duterte expressed that he is already finding “the best guy” as a possible replacement for Salalima, whose agency is currently rolling out lucrative multibillion projects, such as the P1.7-billion free public Wi-Fi initiative and the P1.2-billion National Broadband Program. John Paolo Bencito

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Opinion

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2017

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE HOUR

By Pecier Decierdo

AS WE go into October, the Philippines will start seeing shorter days and longer nights. Because of our modern clocks, this change in the length of daytime will not affect our way of measuring time. However, it was not always like this. Before there were clocks, an hour used to be a unit of time whose length changed throughout the year. Why was this so? The answer has something to do with the way people used to measure time. Before clocks were invented, people kept time using celestial objects. Many societies, for example, counted the months using the moon’s phases. One whole cycle, usually counted from one new moon to the next, was a month. (This is apparent in many languages. In Tagalog, for example, the words for moon and month are the same: buwan.) It also seems rather obvious that the motion of the sun is used to keep the hours of the day. However, we now have clocks whose readings we can compare with the sun’s position in the sky. For example, when our clocks read 12 noon we can note that the sun is high in the sky. Without a clock, such a comparison is not possible. After all, other ways of keeping time, such as candles and hourglasses, don’t work in a sustained way. For much of history, the sun’s motion was the only way to count the hours in a day. This was usually done through a sundial. A typical sundial has a stick or bar that casts a shadow. This is called the gnomon (pronounced “know-mon”). As the sun moves in the sky, the gnomon casts its shadow in different directions. With the help of markers, the direction of the shadow can be used to tell the time. As the sun moves from east to west, the gnomon’s shadow moves in a clockwise direction. That’s the reason why the hands of a clock turn clockwise—they were designed to mimic the motion of a gnomon’s shadow! In many of the earliest sundials, there were 12 main markers to read the hours. In other words, there were 12 hours in the daytime. For symmetry’s sake, nighttime was also divided into 12 hours. That gives a total of 24 hours in a complete cycle of day and night. Why 12? It was probably because the ancient Mesopotamians, who built some of the earliest sundials, used a base 12 number system. They came up with this number system because they would use their thumb to count the joints of the other fingers in the same hand. (Each finger excluding the thumb has three joints. If you count those joints using your thumb, you’ll be counting to 12.) The number system we use today is a base 10 number system. Now, back to our main topic. If daytime and nighttime are exactly 12 hours each, then the length of one hour would depend on the length of the day. However, that lengths of day and night are not fixed. During summer, the days are longer than the nights. During winter (or during the -ber months in the Philippines), it is

TIES THAT BIND

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HE nation is angry yet again. This time, the outrage is spurred by the death of a young man at the hands of those whom he made the grievous mistake of wanting to call his brothers. Horacio Tomas Castillo III was a promising 22-yearold law freshman at the University of Santo Tomas. But he died last weekend, his body dumped on a sidewalk in Tondo. He was the victim of a hazing ritual gone awry. In the past few days, more details have surfaced about who exactly were present the night Castillo suffered a heart attack after undergoing severe beating. We now see CCTV footage of him in the company of other Aegis Juris fraternity members. On social media we see screen shots of what appeared to be a frantic conversation among those involved in the hazing. We know one of the suspects has turned himself in even as he claims he did not actively participate in the hazing. And now one of the others has been able to flee to the US, on board a dawn flight out of Naia. The condemnation of the practice is universal. Contrary to other issues, there are no opposing camps here trying to discredit each other. Everybody mourns the senseless death and abhors the violent manner it was brought upon Castillo. There is

unanimous revulsion toward fraternities that say they promote brotherhood but demand that those who wish to belong show their willingness in extreme ways. Current legislation merely regulates hazing with stiffer penalties for schools and officers of the fraternity or sorority. It becomes a crime only when someone dies, or is raped, sodomized or mutilated. There is a proposal to amend the law but no action has been taken. And perhaps not even a law would be enough of a deterrent to these barbaric practices. Most of the men in power in government and in corporations are, themselves, products of these fraternities. They survived similar or equally excruciating demands to prove their loyalty. Fortunately for them, they did not die. They are living testaments to a culture that says it’s whom you know that counts, and that without such connections to protect and sustain them through school and their career, they would be nothing. Horacio’s is not the first death from hazing. It will not be the last. It won’t be if we are angry for a few days or weeks and then forget about the issue once we find other things to get worked up about. It won’t be if the code of silence persists among those in the know, if the culture of belongingness, however twisted, asserts itself as an attractive option for the young, and if people keep defining themselves by their associations and loyalties.

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NCRC ANNOUNCES ACCEPTED ABSTRACTS FOR NATIONAL CONFERENCE

IT’S all systems go for the 5th National Communication Research Conference scheduled for Nov. 23-24 this year in the University of the Cordilleras, Baguio City. The NCRC recently released its list of accepted abstracts for presentation

at the only conference ever for communication researchers and practitioners. A “record-breaking” number of abstracts were received earlier this year for consideration. According to an official communication, “Only 68 percent of the 132 abstracts submitted this year have been accepted…90 were endorsed for presentation by the Screening Committee, after a rigorous deliberation process, for this year’s conference.” Last year’s event was attended by over 600 participants who

viewed 30 presentations. This year’s conference theme is “Filipino Communicative Experience,” an exploration of how Filipinos communicate, particularly as creators and audiences of content in traditional and new media. The event is spearheaded by the University of the Philippines-Diliman College of Mass Communication’s Communication Research Department, a Commission on Higher Education Center of Excellence, in partnership with the UP Baguio Department

of Communication, University of the Cordilleras, and Philippines Communications Society. The NCRC has been recognized at the Philippine Quill Awards as a “model for communication training and education.” Research papers will be presented by students, scholars, and practitioners. “Since 2012,” an informational video goes, “NCRC has served as a venue for disseminating research, showcasing lectures by international scholars and experts… and [building]

networks among students, scholars, and professionals, contributing to a dynamic research culture in the Philippines.” According to UP-CMC Dean Elena E. Pernia, PhD., the conference aims to “spread the culture of research [and] to provide a venue for people who conduct research.” Over 23,000 people viewed the list of this year’s accepted abstracts on the NCRC’s Facebook page, an indication of high interest in the event. Turn to A5

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Here’s a selection of topics to be presented this year: “Appreciating the Role of Folk Media in Rural Development,” by Jude Vincent E. Parcon; “Recording Igorot-ness through Igorot-made Music Videos,” by Domingo, de Velez, and Landicho; and “#MarcosPaRin? The Marcos Myth in the 20th Century,” by Areola, Bonifacio, Evora, Maranan, and Maximo. The two-day conference will be bookended by three pre- and postconference workshops. On Nov. 22, “Pagpapahayag” comprises seminars on research dissemination and research presentation, while on Nov. 24, “Paglilikha” is a day-long activity that covers the conceptualization of qualitative and quantitative research. The conference is open to the public for a fee of P300 that gets you a badge, a book of the abstracts, and a certificate of participation. I’m excited to be presenting my PhD dissertation “Kulturang Karera: Communicating Philippine Horseracing Culture” at this year’s NCRC. I’ll be sharing my model framework for studying subcultures and other special interest groups. It will be my first time to present a research paper and I look forward to learning from my colleagues in the discipline. Having a venue to share findings and insights is every research geek’s wet dream. I used to run my fingers over the spines of the theses and dissertations shelved at the UP-CMC Graduate Students lounge, thinking it was a pity that all the interesting knowledge inside them was locked up in their pages, far from the eager eyes of appreciative readers. Now the results of months, even years, of study will now see the light of day and be shared with others who could learn and benefit from them. Although pure research has no need to justify itself with a practical purpose— “knowledge for knowledge’s sake” is my mantra—imagine if a practical use or application were found for the research conducted by patient and dedicated scholars. That would make the research even more rewarding and meaningful. And with the NCRC as a venue to disseminate the work of Filipino communication scholars, the world of research is made much more vibrant and relevant. Dr. Ortuoste is a California-based writer. Follow her on Facebook: Jenny Ortuoste, Twitter: @jennyortuoste, Instagram: @jensdecember, @ artuoste

A BRIEF...

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the other way around. As a result, a summer’s hour ends up being longer than a winter’s hour! This difference explains lines from Medieval poetry that talk about a summer’s hour or a winter’s hour. For example, consider the following lines from the Old English text The Later Genesis: “Oh, he exclaimed, if I could just free myself for one winter’s hour, what could I do with this host of hell!” In the poem, the speaker (who happens to be the Devil shackled in hell) uses the phrase ‘one winter’s hour’ to convey how little time he needs to accomplish his goal. He is not asking for much, just one winter’s hour. To give another (more modern) example, consider the following lines from Mary Elizabeth Robinson’s “To An Infant Sleeping”: “The Summer day of life will lour/ As long, poor Boy, as Winter’s hour.” Here, Robinson uses ‘winter’s hour’ to express the brevity of youth (“The Summer day of life”). Such figures of speech only work because in the old system of keeping time, a winter’s hour can be significantly shorter than a summer’s hour. The invention of clocks that could keep time with great precision put an end to this inconsistency in the length of an hour. Today, one hour is defined as 3,600 seconds. One second, in turn, is precisely defined in terms of fundamental physics. That said, it is still instructive to look back to those time when we had to rely on the celestial motions to mark the passage of our lives. Learning about those times remind us of species’ intimate connections with the cycles of our cosmic neighborhood. Pecier Decierdo is the resident physicist and astronomer of The Mind Museum.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2017

A5

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FACEBOOK MARKS THE END OF SOCIAL MEDIA’S WILD WEST By Conor Sen THE news that Facebook will turn over details of Russian ad buys to Congress recalls a column written by my colleague Eli Lake early year. He wrote that in forcing National Security Adviser Michael Flynn to resign, President Donald Trump “caved in to his political and bureaucratic opposition.” That February column warned: “Flynn is only the appetizer. Trump is the entree.” In the case of Facebook Inc., the 3,000 advertisement buys turned over to Congress are indeed the appetizer. Regulation carrying the force of law is the inevitable entree. It was only 16 months ago when reports surfaced that Facebook employees were removing stories of interest to conservative users from its trending news section. Facebook responded by automating the section, removing humans from the editorial process. Thus began Facebook’s uneasy journey into self-regulation. Of course, removing humans from the editorial process and allowing unfiltered content to be distributed has its own issues, as Facebook learned during the election last year. Allegations

of “fake news” influencing the 2016 presidential election were widespread after Trump defeated Hillary Clinton. The site was accused of being played by foreign entities promoting false articles. Facebook responded by pledging to take steps to combat fake news. Increasingly, Facebook is finding itself in an impossible position as it tries to remain, in spirit at least, a content-agnostic platform that allows everyone to have a voice. Sometimes the company faces scrutiny when it allows certain content to remain, as in the case of fake news or neo-Nazi propaganda. Other times it faces scrutiny for removing content. Recently Facebook’s algorithmic ad targeting has been faulted as well. ProPublica reported last week the disturbing finding that algorithms allowed the existence of an ad category for anti-Semitic content. The story also noted that algorithms correlated the behavior of anti-Semites with those in a “Second Amendment” category, a finding that upset gun-rights advocates who don’t want to be seen as anti-Semites. What’s apparent in the past 16 months is a Wild West of self-regulation. Time and time again,

Facebook has shown that if confronted with a challenge, the company will listen and often respond. Partisan trending topics, fake news, neoNazis, Russian meddling—if it generates enough outrage, it’ll get addressed eventually. But Facebook’s power and influence seem likely to grow beyond the “self-regulation” phase. That’s why markets are willing to give the company a valuation of $500 billion when its 2017 profits will be in the neighborhood of only $15 billion. (Bloomberg data shows analysts expect Facebook’s revenue to grow to $76 billion in 2020, almost doubling projections for 2017.) The question remains how long self-regulation will be acceptable to the public and Congress. Now Facebook has tipped its hand. Large, multinational corporations don’t turn over documents to Congress out of the goodness of their hearts. Facebook’s statement about why it’s turning over information to Congress goes to great lengths to emphasize it was the company’s own decision, and that the first priority is to protect user privacy. Don’t be fooled. Self-regulation will fail, and real regulation will begin. This is how it starts. Bloomberg

KILLING ME INSIDE

A Rohingya refugee from Myanmar’s Rakhine state holds a baby after arriving at a refugee camp near the Bangladeshi town of Teknaf on Sept. 5, 2017. AFP

By Sam Jahan COX’S BAZAR, Bangladesh—The phone rang at 4 a.m. It was Kamal, a Rohingya man whom I met last fall during the Rohingya exodus to Bangladesh who was living near Cox’s Bazar, a fishing port not far from the Myanmar border. “Assalamu Alaykum Kamal bhai, what’s up?” I said in a sleepy voice. “Sir! They are burning everything... killing us randomly. I’m going to Burma to bring my relatives. Please let the world know about this oppression and pray for us!” he said, panting. He seemed to be running. He then hung up. I haven’t heard a word from him since. The phone call left me wide awake. I knew the Myanmar army had been gathering in the Rakhine region for the past few days and that scores of Rohingya were arriv-

ing at the border of Bangladesh, despite repeated denials from border and coast guards. I was supposed to be home for a week of bed rest because of severe back pain. But after Kamal’s phone call, I literally begged my office to let me go to Cox’s Bazar on a reporting mission. I knew enough of the story to realize that something big was brewing. Whenever the Myanmar army conducted operations in the Rahine state, it resulted in scores of Rohingya fleeing and international accusations that the government forces were engaging in ethnic cleansing of the Muslim minority people living in the Buddhist-majority country. I flew to Cox’s with my notebook, tape recorder, camera, tripod and a bag full of painkillers. I headed to a border guard outpost in a frontier area called Ghumdhum to meet with a commander.

The gentleman was very cooperative. He allowed me to film our interview, during which he said that the situation was calm and quiet. As soon as I turned off the record button, as if on cue, hundreds of rounds of gunshots erupted on the other side of the border, nearly a kilometer away. Mortar shells dropped intermittently into the ditches inside the no-man’s land, sending up splashes of 15-20 meters high. I saw thousands of people, who had been hiding in the hills, running for their lives toward the border. I’ve never seen anything so astounding before. I was intimidated, excited, angry and above all very curious. This was happening before my own eyes. The commander ordered his men to be ready for any emergencies and sent dozens of personnel to the border posts and trenches. These men allowed the Rohingya to come closer to the Bangladesh border, though

they didn’t allow them to enter the country. “At least we can let them come closer so that they are safe from the mortars’ range,” the commander said. As I filmed the fleeing refugees in the distance, kicking myself for not having brought a bigger lens, the commander approached me, asking me to reinterview him. He seemed to be emotional and made a bold statement for a government official. “We can see great numbers of refugees coming down from the hills, mostly women and children. We hear heavy firing from a Burmese post, but we cannot see exactly what is happening. The situation seems very tense and we are on the highest alert.” By the next day, the world knew of the atrocities that were reported in the Rohingya villages. Having run away, scores of them were now stranded inside Bangladesh. The next morning I rushed to the same spot. The Bangladesh border officers were guarding at least 500 Rohingyas who managed to cross. I was mesmerized. They were all women, children and old men. Sitting under the scorching sun after being drenched by the monsoon … As with any other humanitarian crisis, there are politics involved. We journalists try to cover what’s happening as best we can. I have returned home now from my mission. But I keep wondering what all of those kids that I wrote about are doing now, whether they’re alive and safe. Collateral damage is inevitable in any conflict, I understand that. But I just can’t get over all the grief that I saw, especially the children suffering. I managed to take care of my physical pain with medicine, but I wonder what painkillers will heal my mind after what I’ve witnessed these days. AFP

LONDON’S UBER BAN IS A BIG BREXIT MISTAKE By Tyler Cowen PRIME Minister Theresa May made a big speech Friday on Brexit negotiations, but the bigger news coming out of London may have been that the transit authority, Transport for London, decided not to renew the license of Uber Technologies Inc. to operate inside city limits. The decision is a clear statement that the future of both London and the UK are less bright than we might have thought even a few days ago. Banning Uber shows that a postBrexit nation won’t be the libertarian paradise that many Brexit advocates have been predicting or at least clamoring for. The notion was that European Union regulation was horribly restrictive, and British business would blossom under a reign of newfound freedom, if only it could be left to its own devices. Although that was never very plausible to begin with, it was a common argument from Brexit supporters such as MP Daniel Hannan. It’s now hard to raise that point with any credibility. The new Britain appears to be a nationalistic, job-protecting, quasimercantilist entity, as evidenced by the desire to preserve the work and pay of London’s traditional cabbies.

That’s hardly the right signal to send to a world considering new trade deals or possibly foreign investment in the UK. Uber, of course, is an American company, and it did sink capital into setting up in London—and its reputational capital is on the line in what is still Europe’s most economically important city. This kind of slap in the face won’t exactly encourage other market entrants, including in the dynamic tech sector that London so desperately seeking. A striking feature of this decision is the use of an outright ban rather than a gentler negotiation. Whether or not you agree with them, there are plausible criticisms of Uber. You might think the drivers need stronger security checks, the company needs to be removed from congested areas, it should pay more for local infrastructure, its drivers face subpar labor standards, and so on. Those worries, to the extent they are true, would suggest some mix of higher regulations and taxes for Uber. Yet the announcement of a pending ban is sending a broader signal to London and indeed British business that due regulatory process might be weak moving forward. It’s enough to make one long for the arduous, multistage regula-

tory decision processes of the EU. The good news is that the announcement did seem to leave open the possibility of revision through the appeals process. The London transit authority cited Uber’s approach to crime reporting and medical certification, as well as a lack of transparency to regulators as reasons for the ban. That suggests a revamped Uber might stand a chance. In the meantime, the service is up and running. But is the best way to deal with business regulation to take dramatic moves that grab headlines and fill my Twitter feed? Or does this tend to politicize and polarize opinion on what should be more narrowly technocratic issues? The Uber ban might seem like a kind of populist measure, but from the consumer side it is likely to harm wealthy Londoners the least, or perhaps even benefit them. I’ve taken many cab rides and Uber rides in London, and in general I find the cabs to be pretty expensive. But they offer better service. You can find one right away, the drivers have a remarkable and indeed fabled knowledge of London roads, they are on the whole good drivers, and the vehicles are large and comfortable. I prefer to take London cabs over London Uber,

even when Uber might be cheaper. Over time, let’s say Uber would continue to encroach upon the cab business. It then becomes harder to hail cabs, as arguably is already the case. Uber fares might be lower, but the average quality of the ride would be lower, too. That’s a better deal for poorer people, and an inferior deal for the well-off. Wealthy people are just fine with paying more and getting the better service. So in essence the Uber ban is locking in a system that harms poorer Londoners the most. Keep in mind the London Tube is not 24/7, and cabs are often more reluctant to pick up customers from dicier neighborhoods. Of course, London cabbies are better off from the ban, and there are anecdotal reports of them celebrating in the streets. That’s sooner a sign of bad public policy than a beneficial act for London users and riders, numbering about 2.5 million for Uber. Although cabbies are likely to see higher incomes, an estimated 40,000 people are driving for Uber in London. They will have a harder time making ends meet. Unfortunately, the UK is in a position where it can’t afford too many more mistakes. It just made one. Bloomberg

World

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

3.4 NOKOR QUAKE IS ‘SUSPECTED EXPLOSION’ BEIJING, China—China’s seismic service CENC on Saturday detected a zero-depth, 3.4-magnitude earthquake in North Korea, calling it a “suspected explosion.” The epicenter is roughly the same as that of a previous shallow earthquake on September 3, which turned out to be caused by a North Korean nuclear test, the official Xinhua news agency said. The earthquake comes after days of increasingly bellicose rhetoric between US President Donald Trump and Kim Jong-Un’s regime, which has raised international alarm. The September test was North Korea’s sixth and most powerful detonation, triggering a much stronger 6.3-magnitude quake that was felt across the border in China. Pyongyang later said it had tested a hydrogen bomb that could be fitted onto a missile -- an assertion that no foreign government has so far confirmed. The move prompted global condemnation, leading the UN Security Council to unanimously adopt new sanctions that include restrictions on oil shipments. Hydrogen bombs, or H-bombs, are thermonuclear weapons far more powerful than ordinary fission-based atomic bombs, and use a nuclear blast to generate the intense temperatures required for fusion to take place. AFP

TRUMP LAUNCHES TIRADE VS NFL FLAG PROTESTERS LOS ANGELES — Donald Trump on Friday launched a foul-mouthed tirade at National Football League players who protest the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at games, urging team owners to “fire” athletes who take a knee or raise a fist during the anthem. Speaking at a Republican rally in Alabama, the American president drew loud cheers and chants of “USA, USA, USA” when he said fans should “leave the stadium” when it happens because it shows “disrespect of our heritage.” “Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a bitch off the field right now, out, he’s fired. He’s fired!’”Trump said at the rally podium. “You know, some owner is going to do that. He’s going to say, ‘That guy that disrespects our flag, he’s fired.’ And that owner, they don’t know it (but) they’ll be the most popular person in this country.” The protests began last year when quarterback Colin Kaepernick refused to stand for the anthem to protest racial injustice and police brutality. Several more players have since joined in, nearly all of them black. Kaepernick, who was unable to land a job with a team this season, has attracted support from his peers but also some backlash. The 29-year-old said he started his protests because he wanted to spark a nationwide debate. AFP

MEXICO MOUNTS LAST-DITCH PROBE FOR SURVIVORS MEXICO CITY—Mexican rescuers worked through the night Saturday in a desperate last-ditch search for survivors of an earthquake that killed nearly 300 people, hoping to defy experts who say the chances of finding life in the rubble after 72 hours are bleak. That 72-hour-mark beyond which hope is considered futile expired at 1:14 pm (1814 GMT) Friday -- the hour that the 7.1 earthquake struck on Tuesday. Three days is the limit that experts say people trapped in rubble without water, often with crushed limbs, can hold on. Usually, the next phase is sending in bulldozers to clear away the debris and recover bodies. But with Mexicans remembering “miracle” rescues a week following a worse quake in 1985 that killed 10,000 in the capital, and with anguished families refusing to cede to grief, President Enrique Pena Nieto promised officials would prolong their delicate probing for survivors. “We have to keep up the rescue effort to keep finding survivors in the rubble,” he said on a visit to neighboring Puebla state, also badly hit. “No to machinery. Yes to hope,” read one handwritten sign outside a toppled building in Mexico City. The open-ended extension posed a dilemma for rescue workers in the ruins of a Mexico City clothing factory, just one of 39 collapsed buildings in the capital: Continue, but until when? AFP

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Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor / Jimbo Gulle, Issue Editor

IRAN TESTS MISSILE, DEFYING WARNINGS

EHRAN, Iran—Iran said on Saturday that it had successfully tested a new medium-range missile in defiance of warnings from Washington that it was ready to ditch a landmark nuclear deal over the issue. State television carried footage of the launch of the Khorramshahr missile, which was first displayed at a high-profile military parade in Tehran on Friday. It also carried in-flight video from the nose cone. The broadcaster did not say when the test had been conducted, although officials had said on Friday that it would be tested “soon.” Previous Iranian missile launches have triggered US sanctions and accusations that they violate the spirit of the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and major powers. President Donald Trump has threatened to bin the agreement over the issue, saying that Iran’s

missile programme could give it the technical knowhow for a delivery system for a nuclear warhead when a sunset clause in the deal expires in 2025. He is due to report to Congress on October 15 on whether he believes Iran is following the nuclear deal and whether it remains in US interests to stick by it. If he decides that it is not, that could open the way for US lawmakers to reimpose sanctions, leading to the potential collapse of the agreement. Trump said on Wednesday he had made his decision but was not yet ready to reveal it. The other signatories to the deal

-- Britain, France, Germany, China, Russia and the EU -- have all pushed for the deal to continue. They say Iran has stuck to its commitments -- as repeatedly stated by the International Atomic Energy Agency. They say that the nuclear deal was never intended to address other issues. At Friday’s military parade, President Hassan Rouhani vowed that Iran would press ahead with its missile programme regardless of the warnings from Washington. “We will strengthen not only our missiles but also our air, land and sea forces... When it comes to defending our country, we will ask nobody for their permission,” he said. Revolutionary Guards aerospace commander General Amir Ali Hajizadeh said the new Khorramshahr missile has a range of 2,000 kilometers (1,250 miles) and can carry multiple warheads. Iran says all its missiles are designed

to carry conventional warheads only and has limited their range to a maximum of 2,000 kilometers, although commanders say they have the technology to go further. That makes them only mediumrange but still sufficient to reach Israel or US bases in the Gulf. As well as carrying out missile tests, Iran has also launched a space satellite and fired missiles at Islamic State group targets in eastern Syria in recent months. Iran has said repeatedly that it has no choice but to boost its defenses as its regional rivals Israel and Saudi Arabia sign huge arms contracts with Washington and other Western governments. Rouhani hit out on Friday at those who “create problems for the peoples of our region every day and boast of selling arms to the bloodthirsty Zionist regime which has been attacking the peoples of our region for 70 years like a cancerous tumor.” AFP

FREE SPEECH. Protesters hold up banners at an anti-same-sex marriage rally in Sydney on Saturday. As the Australian vote on legalizing same-sex marriage kicked off September 12, Australia’s ruling and opposition parties vowed to work together to introduce laws against hate speech during the contentious postal vote on gay marriage. AFP

DAM FAILS IN PUERTO RICO, 70K TOLD TO EVACUATE SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico—Some 70,000 people were ordered to evacuate their homes Friday after a rain-swollen dam in Puerto Rico failed in the latest disaster caused by Hurricane Maria. With the death toll from the storm at 33 across the Caribbean, the National Weather Service office in capital San Juan issued a flash flood warning for people living along the Guajataca River and said the 1920s earthen dam was in danger of collapsing altogether. “All Areas surrounding the Guajataca River should evacuate NOW. Their lives are in DANGER!” the service said in a tweet. Flooding has already begun downstream, it said. Shortly thereafter, Governor Ricardo Rossello issued an order for some 70,000 people living in the area in the northwest of the island to get out. According to the newspaper El Vocero, Public Safety Secretary Hector Pesquera said a drain that normally releases a stream of water from the dam in a controlled fashion had broken. Instead the busted drain sent water gushing down a ramp-style conduit, eventually washing away huge chunks of soil from the grassy green slope of the dam, according to video on the WeatherNation website. However, the flash flood warning was only due to last until 0600 GMT, the weather service said, suggesting that the river waters were receding. Puerto Rico was already battling dangerous floods after Hurricane Maria

ravaged the island early Wednesday. Rescuers raced against time to reach trapped residents. Rossello has called Maria the most devastating storm in a century after it destroyed the US territory’s electricity and telecommunications infrastructure. Rossello told CNN the island is lacking communications and the preliminary assessment at this point is 13 fatalities. “Right now, our efforts are to make sure we have everybody safe, that we can rescue people. Our efforts have already produced almost 700 rescues so we’re clearly focused on that.” The National Hurricane Center said some areas in Puerto Rico could see 40 inches (more than a meter) of rain from Maria, and Rossello warned of dangerous mudslides brought on by the deluge. “We have a lot of flooding, we have reports of complete devastation of vulnerable housing. Of course, it’s still raining over here.” Maria has been blamed for at least 33 deaths, including 15 in Dominica, three in Haiti and two in Guadeloupe. After lamenting that Puerto Rico had been “absolutely obliterated” by Maria, US President Donald Trump spoke with Governor Rossello Thursday night and promised to speed up relief efforts. Although the southeast coast suffered the worst damage, no part of the island escaped the storm’s wrath, including the capital San Juan where there was widespread flooding. AFP

BAMBOO IDOL. This photo shows workers assembling a 100-foot bamboo idol of the Hindu deity Durga in Guwahati, in honor of the Durga Puja festival, on Friday. The 100-foot idol of Durga is aimed at breaking the Guinness World Records for the tallest bamboo sculpture. AFP

Sports

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2017 reuelvidal@yahoo.com

Harrison Carceller Blake

VOLCANOES LEVEL UP IN SOKOR SHOWDOWN Meralco Bolts import Allen Durham (5) is unstoppable as he glides to the hoop against the GlobalPort Batang Pier.

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MERALCO, GINEBRA SHOWDOWN LOOMS

OOKS like the ongoing 2017 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup will be a repeat of its 2017 version.

Not that anyone’s complaining because the 2016 edition was a historic showdown of epic proportions won by a last-second three-pointer at the dying seconds of the deciding game. The defending champion Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and last year’s runner-ups Meralco Bolts are again on top of the standings leading to the playoffs. The Bolts (8 wins, 2 losses) exerted just enough effort to trample import-less GlobalPort Batang Pier side, 100-93, and gain a share of the lead with Ginebra at the tail end of the eliminations at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. The Batang Pier virtually lost the before it even started as they had to play All-Filipino as import replacement Jamal Thomas was measured above the 6-foot-5 height limit. Chris Newsome led all scorers with a game-high 28 points. He also collected seven rebounds and five assists. The Bolts and the Gin Kings (8-2) thus tied at the top of the standings. Do-everything import Allen Durham was a again a monster as he put up another triple double with 22 points, 22 rebounds and 10 assists.

The two teams are assured of at least a tie for the top four slots which will give them a twice-tobeat incentive in the quarterfinals. The Batang Pier gave a good account late in the game on flurries. But it wasn’t enough to turn the tide. GlobalPort ended the conference with just three wins and eight losses. Meanwhile, at the other side of what is shaping up as the other side of the championship draw Ginebra import Justin Brownlee gave the Gin Kings an early

boost to beat the Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters, 89-82. The Gin Kings leaned on Brownlee to grab the early initiative to beat back the challenge of the Elasto Painters. Later late in the game Brownlee, Thompson and Tenorio joined hands to beat back the final rally of the Elasto Painters to grab at least a tie or the fourth spot after the single-round robin eliminations. Failing to complete a rally from 16 points down, the Elasto Painters are chasing a top four finish. They are guaranteed a berth in the playoffs but may have to face a twiceto-win handicap. Chasing the two leaders

Meralco Bolts spitfire Mike Tolomia (middle) protects the basketball against three GlobalPort Batang Pier defenders.

Meralco Bolts playmaker Chris Newsome (middle) passes off to teammate Scottie Thompson (left) during their game against the GlobalPort Batang Pier.

are the NLEX Road Warriors (7-3), the TNT KaTropa (6-3) and San Miguel Beer (6-3). The top eight slots to the playoffs are already decided but the teams are playing for better position Import J’Nathan Bullock and local gunners Jericho Cruz, Gabe Norwood and Chris Tiu led the Rain Or Shine rally. They managed to cut the gape at 80-78. But that was as close as they could get. The Gin Kings behind Thompson, Brownlee and Tenorio strung up the baskets to push ahead beyond recall, 86-78, with just a minute left.

Brownlee led the scoring parade with 28 points. Japeth Aguilar went scoreless but Tenorio, Thompson and Greg Slaughter picked up the scoring slack. The Elasto Painters made a stand but could not catch up. The Gin Kings built a huge advantage early and hung on to beat back the chasing Elasto Painters. Ginebra is battles TNT KaTropa as of press time and the Bolts square off against Grand Slam-seeking San Miguel Beer today. It’s not set in stone but all indications point to a repeat of last year’s PBA finals all over again.

INCHEON, Korea— Two weeks ago the Globe Philippine Volcanoes narrowly missed a Top 4 finish in Round 1 of the Asia Sevens Series. This would have been their best finish in Asia since their Bronze medal placing in 2013. The Volcanoes have a chance at redemption against the very team who beat them in extra time in the first round of the series in Hong Kong this weekend. “The team came very close in Hong Kong; a loss in overtime against Korea was heartbreaking. A Top 4 finish in the whole of Asia would have been an ideal start to the series. Never the less, we have another shot this weekend in Korea, it’s going to be another tough weekend up against the best in Asia” shares Harrison Carceller Blake, Team Captain for the Volcanoes. The Volcanoes have been placed in Pool B, facing hometown favourites Korea, second seeds Hong Kong and Southeast Asian rivals Malaysia on day one of competition. The Volcanoes welcome back Team Captain Blake, speedster Jonico Ater Hardwick and have selected debutant Japanese Filipino Kohei Mitsuhashi for round two of the series. Both Danny Bembo Matthews and Joe Palabay Dawson have been ruled unavailable for selection, both suffering short term injuries. “Having Harrison and Jonico back in the 12 is a positive, both are game changers and have that x-factor on the field. Blake leads well from the front and Jonico is a great finisher. I am also looking forward to Kohei’s debut tournament, he deserves his selection and adds great balance to the makeup of this squad” shared Jake Letts of Philippine Rugby. The Volcanoes have been residing together for the past eight days at their High Performance Facility at Southern Plains, Laguna. The national team used this training camp as their key preparation for each international event. The players are run through extensive practice sessions under coaches Frano Botica and David Johnston. “At times we performed very well in Hong Kong, we just need to be more accurate on our defence and kick offs so we can continue to move up the ladder in Asia” said a confident Botica, a former New Zealand All Black. The tournament will run for two days and be played at Incheon Asaid Stadium, Korea. The top eight teams are vying for series points to determine the Top 2 teams over three legs which will qualify for the 2018 Rugby Sevens World Cup. Round three of the series will be played in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Oct. 14 and 15.

EALA, TWO OTHERS SUSTAIN FORM IN WTA FUTURE ELIMINATIONS ALEXANDRA Eala, Macy Carlos and Tracy Llamas posted back-to-back wins to stay unbeaten in their respective divisions in the Cebuana Lhuillier WTA Future Stars qualifying tournament at the Valle Verde Country Club in Pasig yesterday. The left-handed Eala, who crushed Sydney Enriquez, 6-0, 6-0, in the opener of the three-day elims last Friday, toppled Minette Bentillo, 6-0, 6-2, then whipped Julia Ignacio, 6-0, 6-1, to clinch the top spot in Group B of the 14-and-under crossover

semifinals of the tournament which offers berths in the WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) Future Stars Finals in Singapore next month. Carlos, who outclassed Alexa Milliam, 6-2, 6-1, in the first round, also disposed of Justine Maneja, 6-2, 6-0, and Gabrielle Zoleta, 6-1, 6-1, to notch the top spot in Group A. Milliam, meanwhile, bounced back with a tough 4-6, 6-4, 14-12 decision over Maneja. Llamas, who stunned top seed and last year’s 16-and-under finalist Car-

lyn Guarde Friday, dominated Jazzelle Madis, 6-2, 6-0, then thwarted Kiana de Asis, 6-3, 6-3, to gain the top seeding spot in Group B in their side of the event. Danna Abad bested Winona Cabardo, 6-0, 7-5, in the other 16-U duel of the tournament sanctioned by Unified Tennis Philippines and supported by Dunlop Sports. “We are amazed with the level of talent and commitment displayed by the girls on the second day of the WTA Future Stars tournament. This underlines

my belief that given the proper venue and push to improve their skills on the court, the girls will be more than capable to deliver. I look forward to seeing more impressive matches coming from our young tennis players as we enter the semi-finals,” said UTP co-founder and Cebuana Lhuillier president and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier. They dispute the top slots in the two categories today with the winners earning berths in the WTA Future Stars Finals set Oct. 16-23 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

Alexandra Eala leans on her solid baseline game to gain the top spot in the WTA Futures eliminations semis.

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Sports

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2017 Riera U. Mallari, Editor / Reuel Vidal, Issue Editor / Randy Caluag, Issue Editor

sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

MEQUI AND COMPANY VOW TO PURSUE PEPING’S OUSTER T

HE simultaneous movements held in Manila and Cebu by sports personalities calling for the ouster of Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco were not as enormous as expected.

Michael Dasmarinas after a sparring session with former World Boxing Council world superflyweight champion Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzales

HARDSTONE’S DASMARINAS TO FIGHT IN SINGAPORE

But if there was anything significant gained from their actions on the National Day of Protest on Sept. 21, according to former Philippine Sports Commission chief Aparicio Mequi, it was the awareness that there are people willing to stand up against Cojuangco.

What’s next? “We will keep the pressure,” said Mequi. “We will pressure the government to file charges against Peping (Cojuangco). All the government can do is drag Peping to court.” Mequi was talking about the millions of pesos of unliquidated advances from the Philippine Sports Commission when the country hosted the Southeast Asian Games in 2005. On Thursday, Mequi and some sports leaders, including Philippine Swimming League (PSC) chairperson and former sentor Nikki Coseteng, joined more than a hundred athletes and officials in a protest action against Cojuangco. “I don’t hate Peping as a person. I hate what he personifies. Peping personifies bad performance and bad governance,” said Mequi, citing the recent debacle of the Philippine in the KL Southeast Asian Games where it produced only 24 golds for 6th place. Mequi appealed to heads of national sports associations, which make up the POC, to be patriotic and reorganize from within their own ranks. “I beg for the others (POC officials) to help reorganize the POC,” said Mequi. “Let’s be patriotic. To institute change, you have to implode from within,” stated Mequi, who also revealed that there are about NSAs working from behind the scene to topple Cojuangco. Coseteng believes that she is seeing that a change is coming in Philippine sports. One of the first NSA officials to openly talk about change in the POC leadership is Ricky P. Vargas, president of the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines. “I have not changed my original stand on the need for leadership change. That said, we must effect change

Philippine Sports Commissioner Mon Fernandez with kali arnis athletes in a Cebu rally calling for the ouster of Philippine Olympic Committee president Peping Cojuangco. (From FB of Karla Kintanar-Fernandez)

Former senator Nikki Coseteng, who is also an official of Philippine Swimming League, talks about the sad state of Philippine Sports. Listening intently are more than a hundred athletes and officials during a forum at the Rizal Memorial Basketball Coliseum.

in an orderly, legal and unified manner. There are options provided for this in the POC By-Laws,” Vargas said in a statement. He said however that change “must be genuine. No cosmetics, no theatrics, no ifs and buts. We must opt for fresh ideas, bolder initiatives and new faces. The old leadership of POC was not of one man alone. Those who shared in the mantle of leadership must give way to a new beginning and instead take a positive role as mentors in bringing about change. Lest he be accused of doing it for his own benefit, Vargas said that he will relinquish his original plans to become head of the POC. Vargas ran for POC president against Cojuangco but was disqualified by the POC election committee. Case has been filed in court to challenge his disqualification. Among those who joined the rally at the Rizal Memorial was Philippine Volleyball

Federation (PVF) president Edgardo Cantada was among those behind the rally, and stated that Cojuangco has to go. “We have nothing to lose, Mr. Cojuangco. But when you step down, Philippine sports has everything to gained,” remarked Cantada in a written statement. Among those who showed up were PSL president Susan Papa, Philippine Dragon Boat Federation (PDBF) head Marcia Cristobal and former Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Johnny Romualdez. PSC commissioner Ramon Fernandez, who has been openly vocal against Cojuangco, led a simultaneous rally in Cebu. Known as Maxi Green on his Facebook page, talked about the unliquidated funds that the PSC is asking the POC and the NSAs to account for. “Peping says lack of funds for training, facilities, etc etc. But check the PSC releases to POC and NSAs I forwarded,”

Former Philippine Sports Commission chairman Aparicio Mequi (left) in an interview with the media

remarked Fernandez. Fernandez said that from the years 2010 to 2016, the POC and the NSAs got more than P129million in assistance. With hundreds of young Cebuano athletes, Fernandez posted in his Facebook page, “May Kinabukasan pa ang mga batang ito. Give it to them.” With the current turbulence hovering Philippine

sports, talks about the Philippines getting suspended by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is going around the social media. Susan Papa of the PSL said if it will bring about change, the Philippine should be ready to bite the bullet. “Suspend the POC, government intervention is needed. Change the system,” she said.

RINGSTAR Boxing, a Singapore-based sports management and boxing promotions outfit, has just signed Filipino boxer Michael “Hot & Spicy” Dasmarinas. The 25-year old Dasmarinas is a native of Camarinas Sur, and has a current record of 252, with 16 of the 27 wins won via KO. Dasmarinas is under the Hardstone Boxing Promotion of Art Monis, who is also an international matchmaker. He is touted as the next Filipino fighter to watch out for in RingStar’s upcoming fight on Oct. 20, at the Suntec City Convention Center, ‘The Roar of Singapore III - The Chosen Wan’. RingStar Boxing CEO Scott Farrell says, “We are very excited about signing Dasmarinas. RingStar has a plan to bring him to the top and turn him into a world champion, and make him an inspiration to his fellow countrymen in the Philippines. His career so far on paper makes him look like a good opponent for someone to beat for a major title; we at RingStar now want to guide him and his career, and take him to the top, as I see Dasmarinas as a world-class and a future division dominator.” Dasmarinas will go up against a Thai contender with a record of 12-1, and after this bout, he is set for his first world title fight in China, in early 2018. Sanctioned by the International Boxing Organization (IBO), The Roar of Singapore III will take place on Friday, 20th October, 2017 at the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre. Tickets are available at www. sistic.com.sg. Get the latest announcements at www.ringstar-boxing.com and follow us at www. facebook.com/ringstarboxing and on Twitter and Instagram at @ringstarboxing.

TORRES, DELOS REYES BOOST POWERMAN CAST MONICA Torres and Joey Delos Reyes prime themselves up for a battle royale against some of the world’s top and rising duathletes as they banner the local challenge in the 2017 Powerman Philippines Asian Championship Presented by Summit Drinking Water, which fires off Oct. 8 at Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga. Torres, a perennial top local finisher in the annual Ironman 70.3 Philippines, will be coming into the keenly awaited event upbeat of her chances following a big campaign in the recent Powerman Asian Duathlon in Malaysia where she ruled the ITU Asian Middledistance division. She also topped the Trisports

51.5 and Musaman events this year and turned in a couple of top six finishes in Pattaya and Bangsaen, Thailand even as she expressed confidence that the upcoming Phl Asian tilt will further boost Phl duathlon in particular and the local pros in general. “The future of Phl duathlon looks bright and very exciting. With a number of newbies in the sprint races and the very best of international pros, including the sport’s world champions, the event shows the caliber of the races that we produce,” said Torres. “With the local pros posting podium finishes in recent years, I believe we will be dominating the Powerman series very soon.”

Monica Torres (left) and Joey Delos Reyes head the local challenge in Powerman Asian tilt

For his part, Delos Reyes vows to go all out to improve on his previous Powerman finishes in Thailand and Indonesia as he sets out against an elite field in the premier run-bike-run event organized by F&F International Events Group. “I will try to improve on my last run and I’ll do my best for our country and to make my Team Standard Insurance proud,” said Delos Reyes, who emerged the top Asian duathlete and finished fourth overall in Powerman Thailand. He also placed second and fourth overall in Powerman Indonesia early in the season. Powerman Philippines’ general manager Kaye Lopez also expressed hopes of a solid Phl showing in the

event, believing the local duathletes have got what it takes to be among the best in the world. “The driving force behind this year’s event is to bring the Filipino duathletes to the world stage by capitalizing on our duathletes’ innate strength in running and cycling and providing them with the opportunity to compete against the best in the world,” said Lopez. The Powerman Philippines Asian Championship also serves as a qualifier for the Powerman World Championships in Zofingen, Switzerland. The event is also part of the country’s preparations for the Asian Duathlon Championships which it will host in a few years time.

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2017

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor / Roderick dela Cruz, Issue Editor business@manilastandard.net

MMDA CHAIR ENVISIONS A BIGGER ‘MEGA MANILA’

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HE man in charge of putting order in Metro Manila has unveiled a multi-pronged plan to resolve the traffic problem, which involves reducing the volume of vehicles on the street by building mass transport systems, creating layers upon layers of roads above the ground and underground and developing a much larger ‘Mega Manila’ to ease the population density. Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Danilo Lim says the plan is in line with the Duterte administration’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ infrastructure program and strategy to spread economic activities outside the metropolis. Lim, 62, says in an interview at MMDA headquarters in Makati City that while these long-term solutions are being undertaken, there is a need “to swallow a bitter pill” to unclog major thoroughfares and other roads in the 614-square-kilometer metropolis, which has a daytime population of over 20 million and a population density of over 20,000 people per square kilometer that ranks among the highest in the world. “Let us develop a culture of discipline so that we can restore order in our streets. Of course, that does not address the problem of overcrowding. However, it can help mitigate the problems of Metro Manila,” says Lim, a retired brigadier general who was appointed to the MMDA post on May 22. As MMDA chair, Lim has to contend with major concerns such as road congestion, flood during rainy days, garbage disposal, beautification of the streets and putting an order in the chaotic urban jungle where more than 20 million people produce over 10,000 tons of garbage daily. “May hair is turning gray fast,” says Lim, the first non-elected politician to head MMDA, which is tasked to deliver metro-wide services to 17 cities and municipalities in the National Capital Region without undermining the autonomy of local government units. Lim, who was born on June 2, 1955 in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya, studied at the University of the Philippines, Philippine Military Academy and US Military Academy and is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Makatarungan Class 1978. He was incarcerated at Camp Crame for four years from 2006 to 2010 on rebellion charges in connection with the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny. He was freed on May 31, 2010 and joined the 2010 senatorial race, but lost. He briefly served as deputy commissioner at the Bureau of Customs, but resigned in 2013. On his first day at MMDA, Lim vowed to cleanse the ranks of erring personnel and ordered a thorough inventory of equipment and physical assets. “I felt older, but a little wiser and a lot more determined to confront the problems and challenges that come with the position,” says Lim, when asked how he coped with the job. “It is easier in the military, because the soldiers will immediately obey your orders. Here, it is different. If you want something done, you have to study it carefully, you have to consult people. If you want to discipline someone, you have to deal with civil service eligibility of these people,” he says. Lim says as MMDA chair, he cannot act on his own without consulting the mayors. “We work through the Metro Manila Council. If we have resolutions and we have to implement a new system, it needs the approval of MMC,” he says. “The chairmanship is not enough, in truth. You have to deal with LGUs, especially the very established ones here in Metro Manila. They were elected by the people. They are independent and have their own authorities. So you have to work through them, with them,” says Lim.

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CHAIRMAN.

MMDA chairman Danilo Lim

MMDA has only 2,600 plantilla positions, excluding contractual employees to address the needs of over 20 million people. Its budget comes from the national government, local government units and the Road Board of the Department of Public Works and Highways. Lim considers traffic congestion as his biggest challenge. “The reality is it is really very hard to find a good solution to the traffic problem when your cars are multiplying, but the roads aren’t. Last year, vehicle sales hit a record 420,000 units. According to industry people, 65 percent of these vehicles found their way to Metro Manila. This year, we expect vehicle sales to reach not less than 450,000 units,” he says. “You can just imagine the new vehicles that are added each day to Metro Manila roads. For the past several decades, there are no really big ticket infrastructure projects completed. We are four to five decades behind in infrastructure compared to other countries,” he says. Lim says one solution is to create more space or roads. “People spend an inordinate amount of time going from one point to another. We need to add space. This is why we now build roads, bridges, subway, and bypass roads. This would have the effect of transforming a one-story house into a multi-level building. That’s what we are waiting for,” he says. “In other countries, they have several layers of

infrastructure above ground and below ground. Metropolises in other countries have never stopped putting up infrastructures,” he says. Lim says to tackle the problem, the Duterte administration launched the ‘Build, Build, Build’ program. “We will have a longer Skyway. There will also be a first subway in the country from Mindanao Ave. in Quezon City to FTI to Ninoy Aquino International Airport. There will be MRT 7 along Commonwealth Ave. and there is the NLEx-SLEx Connector Road. The Philippine National Railways also plans to put up a rail line from Tutuban to Malolos to Clark,” he says. “But for the meantime, while these projects are being built, we have to deal with the traffic problem. We need to take a bitter pill as a remedy to the traffic problem. Once these projects are completed hopefully within the term of President Duterte, the traffic congestion will ease,” he says. Lim says there is also a plan to reduce the volume of vehicles on the street, such as retiring old vehicles and expanding the number coding scheme. “A congressman suggested that we expand the number coding scheme to reduce the number of vehicles on the road. We are open to the suggestion, but then again, I have to take this up with MMC,” says Lim. “On the other side, some people oppose this, saying it is a violation of their rights. Those who Turn to B2

Fruitas Group Inc. founder and chief executive Lester Yu receives recognition at the 10th Asean Business Awards held in Manila.

FRUITAS GETS ASEAN RECOGNITION SEVERAL Philippine brands continue to demonstrate exceptional success anchored on their contribution to the economic and socio-cultural development of the region— which is what the Asean Business Awards aims to do. The Asean Business Awards ser ves as a platform for brands and businesses that display potential of becoming global economic players in their different industries, and included among the esteemed list of finalists for this prestigious recognition is Fruitas Group Inc. Fr u i t a s G r o u p I n c . w a s recognized for two categories— SME Employment Excellence and SME Innovation Excellence. As a national finalist for the employment categor y, the company was recognized for creating a stimulating and supportive workplace, also getting nods for its inclusive employment with deaf and mute persons being hired as well to be front-liners. As the Asean regional finalist for the innovation category, the leading group in the food cart industry in the country was acknowledged for its constant introduction of new brands and products that have grown to be loved by Filipinos. “The company is proud to be recognized, especially on the 50th year of the Asean, and the 10th of the Asean Business Awards. This is both an inspiration and a challenge for us to sustain the momentum of innovating and introducing new products and brands, and being a people-centric organization,” says Lester Yu, founder and chief executive of Fruitas Group Inc. From a single food stall in 2002, Fruitas Group Inc. is now recognized for introducing original food and beverage concepts catering to the demands of the Filipinos, and innovative brands that have become staples in commercial institutions and establishments across the country. “The Asean Business Awards honors influential companies and brands that are transforming the way industries are doing business by being an example. We are honored to have been gi ve n t h e o p p o r t u n i t y to showcase our accomplishments and how these have impacted our growth in this category,” says Yu.

MR. FREEZE’S NEW BUSINESS MODEL COOLS THE METRO AT NIGHT THERE is no market too small for entrepreneurs. An untapped market can easily become an emerging center for commerce to those with the eye and acumen for business. Gerry Santos can vouch for this. His enterprise—Mr. Freeze Purified Tube Ice—grew with the community it had catered with bags and, eventually, truckloads of ice. His “gut feel” for business and pool of partners have helped him expand his one ice plant along the inroads of Blumentritt, Manila, to a franchise with numerous branches nationwide. Today, Mr. Freeze has patrons from every corner: in sari-sari stores,

convenience stores, and malls. Its number is steadily rising, that investors from top local destinations, including Boracay and Baguio, and next wave cities, are reaching out to Santos to invest in ice. Entrepreneurs from all walks of life, among them tricycle drivers and small-scale distributors, have joined Mr. Freeze’s network of partners. Even then, the need for cold beverage, fresh produce, and refreshing snacks continues to rise and hike up the demand for Mr. Freeze. It would still take a lifetime to fill up the ice plants of the Philippines,” Santos said. The country’s climate and the

public’s thirst for clean, safe ice make Mr. Freeze a sustainable and very attractive investment. With the right strategy, entrepreneurs can fast-track the growth of their ice business. For Gerry, this meant engaging existing networks of tricycle drivers and wet market suppliers, and getting smart with resources with Meralco Biz Partners’ Peak/Off-Peak Program. “We started operating at 10 p.m. last July. The Peak/Off-Peak Program contributes significantly to our day-today operations. By our estimates from last year, we were able to bring down our energy costs by 10 percent,” said

Santos. Under the program, Mr. Freeze enjoys lower energy cost that keeps their prices stable and fully within the reach of their market. According to Meralco, machineintensive businesses can generate as much as 37 percent energy cost savings by shifting to POP’s off-peak hours. “Right now, we have industrial plants and construction companies experiencing the game-changing effect of Meralco Biz Partners’ program. These companies are realigning their savings to maintenance and expansion efforts,” said Ma. Cecilia Domingo, senior assistant vice president and head of Meralco Biz Partners.

Mr. Freeze chief executive Gerry Santos recommends getting smart about operations with Meralco’s peak/off-peak program.

Business

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2017 business@manilastandard.net

CANOLA OIL LOWERS RISK OF CORONARY HEART DISEASE

Rockwell Makati Residential Unit

“T Touted as one of the healthiest oils in the world, canola oil is rich in the cholesterolreducing phytosterol nutrient and has unsaturated fat content.

FILIPINOS’ penchant for fried food such as chicken, beef, pork or fish has raised an alarm among health advocates who associate frying with the liberal use of cooking oil, which is flagged as a product that is detrimental to one’s cardiovascular health. Studies, however, show that not all cooking oils are the same, and not all of them are harmful to human body. Scientific studies indicate that there is actually a heart-healthy nutrient found in canola oil, which lowers one’s bad cholesterol level and minimizes one’s risk of acquiring coronary heart disease and hypertension. Canola is extracted from grapeseed, which is low in uric acid and glucosinolates. Thus, while canola oil is characterized by a low level of harmful saturated fatty acids, it has substantial amounts of monounsaturated fatty acids, which are touted to have positive effects on cardiovascular health through the regulation of plasma lipids and proteins. In 2006, the US Food and Drug Administration declared that “eating about 1½ tablespoons (19 grams) of canola oil daily may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease due to its unsaturated fat content.” Research published in Nutrition Reviews further reveals five studies that compared canola-based diets with typical Western diets and found evidence that canola was able to reduce total cholesterol levels by an average of 12.2 percent. This cholesterol-reducing action is made by possible by canola’s phytosterol content. Phytosterols, like sterols and stanols, are natural plant-derived compounds that are structurally related to cholesterol. Studies have shown that an intake of 2 grams per day of stanols or sterol reduce lowdensity lipoprotein by 10 percent. USDA also acknowledged that plant sterol or stanol is generally recognized as safe by manufacturers, and has authorized them to claim that foods rich in phytosterol may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease—one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality, not just in the US but in the rest of the world. Years of scientific evidence have increasingly bolstered the status of canola oil as one of the healthiest oils . This explains why canola is the third largest vegetable oil produced after palm oil and soybean oil, and is also the second most consumed cooking oil in the United States. NutriAsia Golden Fiesta Canola Oil is a good source of phytosterols. Two grams of phytosterols per day may potentially reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

Cafe Veranda Taal Vista Hotel

FORMER HANDYMAN BUILDS A DESIGN FIRM

HERE is no such thing as a small project,” says MJ Ringor, chief executive of Mundo Design + Build. Established in 2009, the integrated design and construction firm started as a oneman show in a 60-square meter office space and has now grown to a team of more than 120 employees.

After earning his degree in Industrial Design from the University of Santo Tomas, Ringor flew to New York to join his family. He took on odd jobs and worked as a handyman. He also got into furniture restoration. He would bring home old furniture he’d find on the street and fix them. “Our friends liked what I did and started throwing projects my way. Clients would fly me inter-state to do their homes,” he says. He eventually figured that this was something he could duplicate in the Philippines. “My clients in the US referred me to their friends here. I also got clients by hanging out at Home Depot and giving out my calling cards. There was a time I’d stay in Starbucks and offer my services to those I would hear discussing home finishing or renovation plans. My first projects were residences,” he recalls. “The business was initially just about design but my clients would always complain about the poor service from their contractors. They saw my potential in project management and pushed me to get into construction. What makes us stand out is that we do not outsource the work so the client gets a genuinely centralized service, nobody is at the mercy of a third party. The project is easier to control,” Ringor explains. This set-up allows them to work faster as well. “Our clients have commended us on our efficiency. We get things done quickly without sacrificing the quality. We have quality control officers who check all the projects and look into every detail. And I am very hands-on,” he adds. Ringor is often seen immersing himself in the job and getting his hands dirty, just like he did when he was just starting out. Mundo’s current client mix is 60 percent commercial and 40 percent residential. The cost of

Mundo Design + Build chief executive MJ Ringor

projects they have taken on ranges from P250,000 to P200 million which include offices, retail outlets, restaurants, condo units and houses. Their client roster includes Vikings Restaurant, Café Veranda in Taal Vista Hotel, Hotel 101, Microsoft, Millward Brown, Philex, Task Us and TNS.

St. Michael Church

MMDA... From B1 are rich with more than two vehicles can also get around the number scheme. Two months ago, I actually floated the idea of implementing the coding scheme twice a week, instead of the current one day per week. I floated the idea to get the reaction, sentiment, feedback of our people, but there was a strong opposition to it, to the point that it was not tackled at MMC,” says Lim. Lim says another solution is to start planning for a bigger ‘Mega Manila,’ a term first made popular by marketing agencies of consumer goods companies. Lim says Edsa, the main thoroughfare in Metro Manila, is heavily congested because there was no traffic

impact assessment done before any structure was put up along its stretch. There are now 36 shopping malls and 45 bus terminals along Edsa, he says. “We need to think of a solution. Let us look at areas outside Metro Manila. Instead of thinking of Metro Manila, let us begin thinking about Mega Manila. For example, from Calamba to Angeles and everything in between,” Lim says. “From there, let us start planning. Our planning should already incorporate the projected economic growth and population growth over the next 40 years or 50 years. Infrastructure development should consider the projected population and economic growth so that we can spread out development. We are currently stuck with Metro Manila, so why not spread out to other areas,” Lim asks.

Ringor’s ehief executive role is supported by his wife, Kaye who serves as chief financial officer. They are backed by a team of licensed professionals headed by design director Alelee Nanette Castro, an architect and project director Majalyn Rose Datuin, an engineer. “Our relationship with our clients is very personal. Our approach is one-on-one. We are flexible, we can easily adjust to the clients’ preferences and demands. We understand that these can change while the work is in progress,” Ringor says. As for their design principles, he says it is always a collaboration with the client. “We listen to what they want. Our role is to give our professional opinion, to say why something might not work or suggest better ways of executing what they want. But we never insist on any particular design. We don’t impose our style”. Recently though, as part of their Go Green campaign, they have been quite strong in suggesting eco-friendly options to their clients such as the use of solar energy, LED lights, recycled materials, non-toxic paint, inverter air conditioning and special toilets. “It really depends on how far they would want to go or if they are even willing to do it in the first place. Again, we do not insist,” Ringor says “Some think that going green is more expensive but it actually comes out cheaper in the long run.” Further expansion is on the horizon, with custom furniture production in the pipeline. “Mundo’s goal is to ‘build your world’. We’d like to be able to meet all your requirements. That’s where I want the company to go. And not only do we build aesthetically and structurally, but I also want us to build the world of our staff and people in the community,” Ringor says. This explains why the company is big on corporate social responsibility, carving out time for orphanage visits and medical missions. Among Mundo’s staff are 20 individuals from the indigent youth in their community. ”We’ve also helped in constructing the San Ildefonso Church in Makati and the St. Michael Archangel in Bonifacio Global City. We like to help where we can,” says Ringor.

Residential Project

He says the government began creating new centers of activities outside Metro Manila, with DOTr already transferring to Clark, Pampanga. “Let us spread the development so that we can defeat the problem in details and parts by parts. Let us start planning. Our planning should be 40 to 50 years ahead, covering infrastructure, population growth, economic growth.” For the meantime, Lim says MMDA is in talks with Metro Manila mayors to support the Kalayaan Lane as an alternative road to Edsa. He says the Department of Transportation also plans to adopt a Singaporean intelligent transport system using technology to mitigate traffic congestion. M M DA a l s o t e a m e d u p w i t h the Depar tment of Science and Technology to enhance the No-

Contact Apprehension Policy using a technology-based application called Contactless Apprehension of Traffic Violators on 24-hours Basis, All Vehicle Detection System. The system will display the vehicle’s detection and tracking, profiling, plate localization and plate character recognition for more detailed traffic violation identification. Lim says on the garbage problem, MMDA plans to tap waste-to-energy technologies to convert 10,000 tons of garbage that the metropolis produces daily into electricity. He says this would also free up space on landfills. Lim says with the cooperation of local officials and basic discipline being observed by the people in Metro Manila, “somehow we can make this metropolis more livable and vibrant.” Roderick T. dela Cruz

LGUs BUKIDNON ELECTRIC CO-OP BOARD SUSPENDED By Alena Mae S. Flores THE National Electrification Administration has put the board of Bukidnon Second Electric Cooperative Inc. under preventive suspension amid an ongoing internal investigation. In an order dated Sept. 5, the NEA board put the members of the Buseco board of directors on a 30-day preventive suspension effective immediately to prevent undue influence on the motu proprio investigation being conducted by the NEA Administrative Committee. NEA, in a statement, said the suspension order was due to the continued defiance of the Buseco board to heed several directives issued by the agency, which has supervisory powers over all electric cooperatives in the country. The NEA board cited the two resolutions passed by Buseco board: Opposing and disallowing the order to intervene and/or take over the management of Buseco, and enforcing the regularization of Deiter Hoff Arellano as a general manager of the electric cooperative. NEA ordered Arellano to be removed from office in an order dated June 22 after he was found guilty of grave misconduct, dishonesty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the electric cooperatives and its memberconsumer-owners. According to NEA, the order shall enable the Administrative Committee to investigate charges against respondent members of the Buseco board “by preventing them from intimidating or in any way influencing witnesses against them and to protect the integrity of evidence in their possession, the issuance of preventive suspension herein is necessary.” NEA also ordered the suspension of Danilo Paciente, Gloria Ranile, Erlinda Basera, Dioscora Ngoho, Alex Payangga, Charlie Castillanes, Francis Boniao, Edwin Galicia, and Tarcisio Barros. The suspension means all orders emanating from Buseco board are no longer valid, according to lawyer Alexander Paul Rivera, NEA corporate board secretary. NEA Administrator Edgardo Masongsong issued an office order last May creating a team to oversee the management of Buseco due to internal conflict among the members of the board, allegations of irregularities, and to ensure its continued operational and financial viability.

BFAR BANS IMPORTED FISHERY PRODUCTS By Ben Moses Ebreo TUGUEGARAO CITY—The Cagayan Valley regional office of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources will be imposing the ban on sale of imported fish and fishery products in local wet markets. Officials also warned fish transporters and dealers to comply with the ban as one of the major priorities of the BFAR national leadership. Lawyer Arsenio Bañares, BFAR’s chief of Fisheries Management Regulatory and Enforcement Division, said Fisheries Administrative Order 195 covers frozen fish products in wet markets such as imported mackerel, bonito, squid, sardines, salmon and salmon head, and pangasius or cream dory. “The importation of these fishery products is not prohibited, but the regulation states that these should go only to institutional buyers such as canneries, restaurant chains and fish processing plants, not to wet markets,” he said. Bañares also said the regulation aims to protect local fish producers and ensure the quality of fish in the wet markets. “While the Order was issued way back 1999, BFAR lacked personnel to enforce the law back then,” he said. BFAR officials have already met with the affected fisheries sector on the implementation of Republic Act 9147 or the Conservation and Protection of Wildlife Resources and their Habitats and Fisheries, and Administrative Order 233, governing trade of aquatic wildlife which are not farmed, Bañares added.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2017

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mst.daydesk@gmail.com

SOLON BATS FOR TEACHERS’ TENURE

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LAWMAKER in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is defending the constitutional right to security of tenure of provisional teachers in Cotabato City. Assemblyman Abol Alam Padate of the second district of Lanao del Sur filed a bill, RLA Bill No. 22, which demands the permanent employment of provisional school teachers who have not passed the Licensure Exams for Teachers but have served for seven years or more. Padate said provisional teachers in ARMM have sought his help. They have been losing their jobs to new licensed teachers. The implementation of the new policy could result in severe consequences in the communities, he added. In a privilege speech delivered earlier, Padate underscored that social justice is the crux of the ARMM. Although he believes in ARMM’s plan to improve the standards of education, he disagrees with the proposal of mass replacement of longserving teachers. “They deserve the protection of the law,” said Padate. He explained that most of these

teachers in temporary positions are the family breadwinners. If they lose their jobs, they won’t be able to send their children to school. The family’s low income could drive the youths to join outlawed groups or terrorist organizations that wangle money, he added. Moreover, licensed teachers, who might replace the provisional teachers in remote areas, will be facing risks. Families of dismissed provisional teachers might turn against them, blame the government, or burn schools, he added. These provisional teachers have devoted years of educating the young Bangsamoros, sometimes risking their lives to teach in far-flung areas, Padate pointed out. The solon cited the case of four teachers and one guidance counselor, who filed a case of illegal dismissal against St. Mary’s College of Dipolog in 2000. The latter could no longer accept them because they failed to be accredited through the LET. The school maintained it was merely complying with the law, which requires current teachers to register as professionals. The respondents argued that their security of tenure could not be crushed simply because they failed to register with the Professional Regulation Commission or to undergo the LET before the

deadline. The law also provides exceptions to the taking of examination. The teachers maintained their termination was illegal because they possessed civil service eligibilities and special permits to teach. Padate said the Supreme Court upholds the full protection of labor under the policy of social justice. “On humane justification, the law extends itself to help the interests of the working class,” he said. He recalled that a bill like the RLA Bill No. 22 was filed during the 7th Regional Legislative Assembly, but was vetoed by the regional governor because it went against national law and the reform initiatives of the administration. Padate said it was a matter of interpretation of law. Padate expressed hope that the new bill will be supported. The lawyer-solon will volunteer his service and his law firm for its defense in case it is questioned. He also cited a similar bill passed in the House of Representatives and in the Senate, which would grant civil service eligibility or permanent status to government employees who have no such eligibility. If the same could be done on the national level, Padate said it could also be done in the ARMM. Ayunan Gunting

PEACE DAY AWARD. United Nations Department of Economics and Social Affairs, through the Southern Philippines Muslims-Non-Muslim Unity Development Association, recognized Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi (center) for his local humanitarian programs in celebration of the 2017 International Peace Day. SPMUDA International founder HRH Tuanku Dr. Camad Ali (left) awarded the mayor with the title Datu Ko Kalilintad (Chieftain of Peace), the highest citation for a non-Muslim given by the organization, last Friday at the Tejeros Hall, AFP Commissioned Officers Club in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

NPD ASSIGNS 300 NEW COPS TO CALOOCAN POLICE STATIONS THE Northern Police District has assigned some 300 policemen at the Caloocan City Police Station Friday morning. NPD Director Amando Empiso briefed the policemen during the send-off ceremony from the four police stations in Caloocan, Malabon,

Navotas and Valenzuela as part of the reshuffle. "The reassignment is a matter of policy, any PNP personnel regardless of ranks can be reassigned anywhere in the country," Empiso said. The 300 new policemen were assigned to the different Police

Community Precincts. Last week, National Capital Region Police Office Director Oscar Albayalde ordered the relief of 62 policemen in Caloocan for involvement in several incidents, including the controversial deaths of minors Kian delos Santos, 17; Carl Angelo Arnaiz, 19 and

Reynaldo de Guzman, 14. He said responsible policemen from the NCRPO will be assigned to the Caloocan police. Around 1,000 NPD policemen will undergo retraining and orientation before they will be assigned to other police stations. Jun David

TOYOTA STRENGTHENS TIES WITH SANTA ROSA By Roy Tomandao SANTA ROSA CITY, Laguna—Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. is forging ahead with its four pillars of service —education, medical and health, environment and community service —for this city. Lawyer Rommel Gutierrez, first vice president of TMPC, told reporters here the firm aims to improve its services beyond its commercial and manufacturing presence in the city’s special economic zone. Apart from manufacturing the popular Vios and Innova models locally at its Santa Rosa plant, “Toyota also attended the government summit for electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles, and the program for modernization of local PUVs [public utility vehicles],” Gutierrez said. “We’re not out to totally change the PUV but upgrade the vehicle, as the government sees the need to

Toyota Motors Philippines first vice president lawyer Rommel Gutierrez (second from left) and Ivan Anthony E. Claudio, section manager of TMPC (third from left), explains the Four Pillars Foundation of the company to local reporters. Roy Tomandao develop it from assemblers and local collaborate on the improvement of the players. We can come up with the best engines [of PUVs], like using only Euro solutions and alternatives, and we can 4 (rated) engines for the good of the

environment,” he added. Even Toyota’s diesel engines are being developed to be more environmentfriendly, Gutierrez noted, as it continues to provide the local market with its Filipino-made cars. “Toyota Santa Rosa still manufactures the Vios and Innova to maintain and sustain the plant for the local supply, as these models are being used by both taxi and Uber or Grab drivers, and so we have to maintain our good service,” he added. Beyond that, TMPC is continuing its reforestation of 2,500 hectares of the Penablanca Protected Landscape and Seascape in Cagayan province, a project that began in 2007, Gutierrez said. The firm’s mother company, Toyota Motors of Japan, has pledged $3 million and a Hilux pickup to the project in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Conservation International.

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2017

Jimbo Gulle, Editor

Roger Garcia, Issue Editor

LGUs mslocalgov@gmail.com

MAKATI CELEBRATES FILIPINO FASHION

By Joel E. Zurbano

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AKATI City Mayor Abigail Binay led the opening of the Kasuotang Pilipino Fashion Show at the Glorietta 2 Activity Center, which features the works of the biggest names in the city’s fashion industry. The Makati City government, through its Museum and Cultural Affairs Office, spearheaded the event that highlighted the start of the Makati Fashion Week celebration from Sept. 22 to 24 at the same venue. The event showcased the creations of 10 Makati-based designers inspired by the traditional costumes from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. They are Therese Andaya, Albert Andrada, Ronaldo Arnaldo, Joel Bautista, Janet Castro, Noel Crisostomo, Frankie de Leon, Luis delos Santos, Albert Figueras and Jinggo Inoncillo. The creations for Luzon were modeled by wives of diplomats, namely Dr. Kieu Phung, wife of the Ambassador, Royal Danish Embassy; Lizia Lu, wife of the Ambassador, Embassy of

the State of Israel; Monthip Upatising, wife of the Ambassador, Royal Thai Embassy; Wang Qi Jessen, wife of the Ambassador, European Union Embassy; and Connie Garcia, wife of the former Ambassador of the Philippines to the Russian Delegation. Other models for Luzon included Councilor Concepcion Yabut; Barangay Captains Dennis Almario and Martin John Pio Arenas; Cita Avecilla-Roman, 1970 Miss Young Philippines; Dr. Rosario Duque; Dr. Riza Caldoza, Mrs. International World Ambassador 2017; Arleen Pangilinan; lawyer Dindo Cervantes; and Vincent Sese. The creations representing Visayas were worn by Tosca Puno-Ramos; Geraldine dela Rosa; Trinidad Antiporda; Marichu Arabejo; Flora Custodio; Marilou Longden; Aida Villanueva; Mayda Tankiang; Josephine Gaviola; Rosemarie Sibug; Ryan Barcelo; Leonardo de Paz; Virgilio Glorioso; Rogelio Sangalang; and Enrique Villamiel. Mindanao-inspired creations were modeled by Councilor Nemesio Yabut Jr.; Nicole Sobria, Ms. Makati 2017; Heidi Santos, Miss Tourism 2017; Engineer Reynaldo Paredes; Engineer Renato Mandrique; Jimmy Bacamante; Dwayne Samarista; Princess Jasmine Rae Baldoza; Erika

Marie Ventura; and Andrea Gonzales. Other models for Mindanao included Esteph Delgado; Pauline Abigail Ebora; Alannis Reign Binoya; Sirene Sutton; Abygail Panahon; Alexis Alysa Sale; and Jaqueline Acuña. Meanwhile, an exhibit dubbed “Trends” featuring the works of the biggest names in the fashion industry of Makati is being held at Glorietta 2 Activity Center to mark the Makati Fashion Week. The exhibit area showcases the collection of the 10 city-based designers previously mentioned. Shoes and fashion accessories on sale will also be available during the exhibit, making it just right for one’s early Christmas shopping. To culminate the event, a fashion show will be held at the same venue on Sunday at 6 p.m., featuring singer and theater actor Nyoy Volante. The first Kasuotang Pilipino fashion show was formally staged in Makati City in the year 2000, in line with Proclamation No. 241 signed by former President Fidel V. Ramos in 1993 mandating the observance of the “Linggo ng Kasuotang Pilipino” every September. The Makati Fashion Week was launched by the MCAO in 2015 to showcase the creations of city-based designers.

Models show off the creations of Makati’s top fashion designers in the Kasuotang Pilipino Fashion Show 2017 at the Glorietta in Makati Center to observe the Linggo ng Kasuotang Pilipino (Week of Filipino Attire). The show was an exhibit of authentic Filipino attire from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, and saw Makati City government officials, employees, and some members of the diplomatic corps modeling the creations. Also present were Mayor Abby Binay (center, above), her husband Rep. Luis Campos of Makati’s 2nd District (right), and Lingling Cervantes of the Makati Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (left). Diana B. Noche

FINANCIAL LITERACY WORKSHOPS IN 2 CITIES FORTIFYING its commitment to address the widening life protection gap in the country, British life insurer Pru Life UK recently held financial literacy workshops as part of the community program, “Microinsurance distribution through online communities” or MicroComm, in the cities of Butuan and Tacloban. In partnership with Germany’s Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and technology provider CommLinked Inc., Pru Life aims to promote the accessibility of afford-

Workers at Bohol Furniture and Lumber Supply prepare the lumber to be dried at the furnace-type lumber dryer provided by the Department of Science and TechnologyForest Products Research and Development Institute.

able life insurance for Philippine communities, in support of the Insurance Commission’s microinsurance agenda. “Essentially, we are creating open communities comprising everyday people with extraordinary networks. This project with GIZ and CommLinked supports our commitment to make insurance inclusive and accessible using technology,” said Kenn C. Ramirez, Pru Life UK’s vice president for Channel Incubation. Held on Aug.11 to 12 at Watergate Hotel, Butuan and Aug. 18 to

20 at Ironwood Hotel, Tacloban, the workshops covered the topics of microinsurance and entrepreneurship. They gathered over 140 participants from various sectors in the local communities, such as small business owners, teachers, members of the local government unit, and retirees. Launched in early 2017, the program seeks to facilitate online community discussions as well as the distribution of financial literacy materials and microinsurance products to the country’s low-income sector through the official website www.

Local Gov’t Units

empoweringfilipinos.com. Butuan City in Mindanao and Tacloban City in Visayas are the pilot sites of the MicroComm program. MicroComm reinforces Pru Life UK’s commitment to addressing financial literacy and reducing the protection gap in the Philippines. Since it was established in 1996, the company has expanded its reach to over 130 branches and sales offices in the Philippines, with the biggest life agency force at more than 18,000 agents, and has emerged as one of the top five life insurers in the country.

BY THE BAY COASTAL CLEANUP DRAWS 1K SURPASSING its target of 1,000 participants in this year’s Coastal Cleanup drive, a total of 1,066 took part in cleaning the 1.5-kilometer stretch of Manila Bay fronting SM by the Bay at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City. Gathering as early as 4 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 16, participants— composed mostly of students, SM employees and young professionals—cleaned the area of garbage that lined up the bay. The Coastal Cleanup started at 5 a.m. and ended at around 9 a.m. The participants managed to collect a total of 8,467 pieces of garbage, enough to fill three dump trucks by the end of the activity. The SM by the Bay Coastal Cleanup is an annual environmental awareness event in support of the International Coastal Cleanup Day. It was held in partnership with the Philippine Coast Guard, Pasay City Environment Office, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Prime Holdings. In a study conducted by Ocean Conservancy, the Philippines ranked third among the countries who are contributing highly to plastic pollution in the ocean. “If water pollution continues to rise, a lot of people and sea creatures risk being endangered. But there is still time to change and leave something good for future generations,” said Elena Horn, vice president of SM Prime Corporate Affairs. This year, participants were paired and assigned to different stations with one serving as the collector and the other as tabulator. Data collected were forwarded to Ocean Conservancy for final tabulation. The event also featured fun activities, including the locking of padlocks at “Love Locks by the Bay” as a pledge to preserve the environment. Miss Philippines Earth 2017 Winners also graced the event to support the campaign. College student Jocelyn de Jesus, 19, from Pasay City said she did not mind the early morning activity on a weekend since she knew it was for a good cause. “We all have to do our share for the environment because it’s for our children’s future,” she explained. SM by the Bay has been joining the Coastal Cleanup as a show of support to preserve the country’s coasts and waterways. The Coastal Cleanup, held every third Saturday of September, was created by Ocean Conservancy to unite everyone in giving back to Mother Earth. The event was also supported by SM Hypermarket, Stage Pro, Waffles and Soda Corp, Jollibee and Maynilad. Hundreds of SM employee-volunteers also attended the event, and took part in the CleanUp as part of SM’s employee volunteerism program that supports social responsibility initiatives. Horn said organizers were happy with the turnout this year because it showed that the cleanup drive is gaining recognition and support of the people.

BOHOL FURNITURE FIRM HITS IT BIG WITH DOST-FPRDI DRYER EVER since his business started using the Department of Science and Technology’s Forest Products Research and Development Institute’s furnace-type lumber dryer, Cirilo Sumampong’s life has never been the same again. While he used to be a small lumber retailer in the town of Dauis in Bohol, he is now the province’s biggest supplier of custom-built furniture. His company, Bohol Furniture and Lumber Supply, earns a gross income of P1.16 million a month, and enjoys brisk business all-year round. “During our first years in the business, we were producing nothing but door jambs and airdried lumber, and earning only P1,500 a month,” Sumampong relates. “Sales were good only between September and December each year.” “Now, with our kiln-dried wood, we make trusses, floor planks, doors, door jambs and all kinds of furniture—beds, chairs, dining sets.

Thanks to our number one client—the hotels and beach resorts that have sprung all over Bohol in recent years—our products are in demand all the time,” he added. “When we decided to expand in 2012, we asked the Bohol Provincial S&T Center to help us acquire a 10,000 board feet FTLD,” Sumampong continued. “They introduced us to DOST’s Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program or SETUP, which gave us a grant of P1 million. During our first operation in 2014, we grossed a whopping P2.5 million from a beach resort owner.” “From then on, life was never the same for us. While we used to consume only 7,000 board feet of lumber per year, we now use up to 100,000 board feet of gmelina and mahogany wood annually,” he added. “Our product lines grew, and because we knew that we were

using quality materials, we gained confidence in dealing with our buyers.” “Our clients became aware of the value of kiln-dried lumber and learned to trust our products. We managed to pay the SETUP grant after one year, and later, we bought a big lot where we put up another store and a showroom. The dryer also created jobs for people in the community, as we trained and hired operators,” he said. “We never expected this kind of success, and we are very thankful for everything that the FTLD has brought to us,” Sumampong admitted. “For now, we do not have plans of adding more units to our factory. We simply want to use our dryer to bring to our clients wood products that will last a long time because these have been dried the best way possible.”

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2017 Isah V. Red, Editor

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Young Life

Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor isahred@gmail.com.ph

By Daniel Reyes

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ONDOMINIUMS have allowed many Metro Manila-based Filipinos to live in convenient locations within or nearby commercial and business districts. But such accessibility and added amenities come in exchange of actual living space. “In recent years, we’ve seen condo sizes shrink. And as they do, homeowners have to learn how to maximize their spaces—to live comfortably without feeling cooped up,” noted SM Home assistant vice president for Marketing Tom Castañeda. To help condo owners create a space that is comfortable and functional, SM Home partnered with interior designers Ivy Crisostomo, James Razo, and Erika Uichanco, and Architect Maya Franco for its latest design series dubbed “Essentials of Condo Living” on Sept. 16 and 17. The featured experts created living spaces designed in Scandi-chic style with touches of rustic-luxe.

Choose multifunctional furniture

Scandi-chic minimalist approach is ideal in designing small spaces as this “less is more” concept focuses on selecting a few but very functional pieces. “When you say Scandinavian, it is about simplicity; then the chic part is more of the feminine elements [injected by] using colors and textures such as suede,” explained Crisostomo. Considering space constraints in a condominium, Crisostomo emphasized getting multifunctional furniture such as a sofa bed and a center table that has storage. Razo, who were assigned to design the bedroom, used a dresser-cum-night-and-study table and low table at the foot of the bed. “These key furniture pieces are multifunctional and allow additional storage… then different textures are added for interest and contrast,” he said.

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HOW TO LIVE BIG IN A SMALL SPACE

CONDO LIVING. With the right design and furniture pieces, it is possible to live comfortably in a limited space of a condominium unit.

Create illusions

Mirrors can transform a room and instantly make it larger than it really is. Razo advised placing the mirror strategically to

properly give an illusion of space. “It should mimic the reflection of a window or a passage way so that it adds depth or another dimension to it because the mirror acts as a space multiplier,” he explained. Illusions can not only be achieved with mirrors, though, as lighting and dark colors, such as the Scout’s Honor and Fine Wine, can blur the edges of a certain space as well as set the mood in the room. “I realized that while light colors reflect light, dark colors absorb light. And as they absorb it there’s much more subtleties and hues which somehow blur the edges of the space,” shared Franco. Moreover, Crisostomo said that putting an accent lighting adds a dramatic effect to a certain space

overdoing it. Uichanco suggested to stick with three to five items and just play with heights and textures. “In my case I used three candle holders and two vases, so it’s a matter of mixing everything and playing with heights. Then I used two different vases, one with texture and the other being plain,” she said. She also added that playing with heights and textures is not only limited to table decorations, but can also be applied to lights. “I played with two lighting fixtures by using two different shapes and colors. Just like what I did, I put them in different heights again like the centerpiece because it adds more depth,” she explained. In the end, these interior designers and architect posit Play with heights and textures that in a very limited space the essentials of condo living Elevating the dining experience can easily be done is multi-functionality without sacrificing comfort, and by adding a centerpiece, but experts cautioned against planning well to lessen the clutter.

From left: SM Home assistant vice president for Marketing Tom Castañeda, Ivy Crisostomo, James Razo, Erika Uichanco, and Maya Franco

HAPPY SKIN’S CUTEST COLLECTION LOCAL cosmetics brand Happy Skin makes Sanrio fans truly happy with its 23-piece collection—its largest to date—of lippies, blush-ons, nail polish and more featuring Hello Kitty, My Melody, and Lala and Kiki (Little Twin Stars).

Air Touch Sponge (P499) in My Melody

Shut Up & Kiss Me Moisturizing Lippie in Hello, Hello Kitty (P599) comes in apple pie color; Moisturizing Lippie in Best of Friends (P599) comes in blushing rose; Matte Lippie in Kitty Cat (P699) comes in cool red

Get Cheeky With Me All- Day Hydrating Blush in Hello Kitty (P899) comes in peach shade Make A Clean Sweep Micellar Makeup Wipes (P249)

Skin Perfecting Super Absorbent Charcoal Blotting Sheets (P175)

Express Gel Polish (P299 each) in Red Apples (red), Purr-fect (deep violet), Peaches & Cream (peach), Curious Kiki (light blue), and Lala Love (baby pink)

The Happy Skin x Sanrio Characters collection is now available at Happy Skin stores and counters.

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2017

Isah V. Red, Editor / Nickie Wang, Issue Editor isahred@gmail.com

EYE CANDY

‘THE GOOD SON’

RISING HEARTTHROB

CAST IN ARANETA CENTER

SANTINO ROSALES

SPEND your weekend with the stars of ABS-CBN’s upcoming drama, The Good Son in a fan meet at the Farmers Plaza activity area today at 4 p.m.. Led by popular young Garcia, who last star Joshua Garcia appeared on the network’s 2016 afternoon series The Greatest Love, the gathering brings together the new show’s young cast members in an exciting afternoon treat for fans before t h e new show debuts on TV. Fans coming to the event are enjoined to post photos and video clips on their social media accounts with the hashtag #TheGoodSonAtAraneta.

Y

OU’VE already seen him on your Instagram feed, and most likely you were curious when you his billboard on Edsa together with his father promoting a remittance company. He’s even joined his popular celebrity father in a few out-of-town gigs.

Celebrity scion Santino Rosales could be following in his dad's footsteps as he enters the world of fashion, but the young heartthrob insists that showbiz is not for him.

With his charming looks and head-turning stature, Santino Rosales is definitely a perfect material for a leading man. But despite his star qualities, the 17-year-old son of award-winning actor Jericho Rosales and former model Kai Palomares seems to be heading in a different direction, at least for now. “I am never going into showbiz. I’m not into it. It’s not for me. I am not going to take a job that

Santino Rosales finds modeling very classy

SPITTING IMAGE. Just like his father, Jericho Rosales, Santino can just easily penetrate showbiz with his feature alone

I don’t love doing,” the lad said in previous interview. Instead of dabbling immediately in showbiz, like most of showbiz scions do, he focuses on three things: school, modeling, and football. The 6-footer teenager began stirring up the fashion industry after walking the runway for Ayala Style Origins: Emoticonic fashion show, under the fresh batch of faces presented by Professional Models Association of the Philippines (PMAP). He also narrated that his mother, who is a former model herself, inspired him to join the in-

dustry. Talking to a few members of the press recently, Saint (his nickname) said that after knowing details from his mom, he found modeling as “very presentable and classy.” Hence, he immediately accepted modeling offers and even became a Candy cutie way back 2016. Education is also something that he prioritizes. He is currently studying at Collegio de San Agustin where he is currently in Senior High school. He plans to go to either De La Salle or Ateneo de Manila University for college and envisions himself as an entrepreneur. He even revealed details of a business venture that he wants to try with a friend -- a shop wherein old car parts are turned into furniture. Aside from modeling,

‘BOSSING AND AI’

FOR YOUR COMEDY WEEKEND CLAIMING their spot on weekend primetime are Blockbuster Comedy Royalties Bossing Vic Sotto and Comedy Queen AiAi delas Alas, with a new breed of comedy game show beginning todoy via Bossing and Ai. It’s Bossing versus the Queen of Comedy as the show pits them against each other together with a different team every week–and they will try to battle it out in different and exciting segments. With their undeniable box office chemistry, how will they outwit each other and prove which one dominates? Taking the late night timeslot, AiAi looks forward to how far their banters are going to get, “Siguro mas makikita rito kung paano kaming magbiruan ni Bossing, at exciting kasi talagang paligsahan kami. Kailangan nilang abangan kung sino sa amin ang mas witty.”

Meanwhile, Bossing doesn’t seem to get intimidated as their long-lasting friendship has made him memorize his partner’s tactics. “Kabisado ko na siya, kaya mas dapat siyang maghanda,” Bossing quips. Joining the duo are Jose Manalo as Bossing’s permanent sidekick; and the loud and perky Tart Carlos, as AiAi’s permanent ally. Game master Oyo Sotto, will facilitate the games every week and will deliver the losers’ consequences every month. On its pilot episode, they will be joined by Teri Onor as one of the game participants. Which team has the beginner’s luck? Don’t miss the premiere of Bossing and Ai beginning today after the magazine show Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho on GMA.

Vic Sotto and AiAi delas Alas take their tandem to a whole new level by giving audience another interesting brand of entertainment

sport is one thing that keeps him busy. Saint plays football for two different teams; one of them is the Makati-based professional team Kaya Futbol Club 17 and his school’s team, the other. He began professional training with Kaya FC and shared that he ultimately dreams of playing for his favorite team, Real Madrid. Life, for Saint, may sound like something out of a fairytale but he revealed that he has his fair share of letdowns. He voiced out that he had experience failure more than once. But instead of pulling him downwards, he utilized this experience to fuel him to work harder and persevere even more. Entering the fashion industry was never easy for the young celebrity kid. Like any other aspirants, he had to wait for opportunities. And opportunities were limited. His audition to his school’s football club was no joke either; he was rejected too many times before finally being admitted into the team. Joining both Kaya FC and PMAP, for him, was a Godgiven gift so he can enhance his skill. Despite the lush background, Saint is a man of values. Humility, according to him, is one of the traits a person should have. He acknowledges the privileges that he has but never forgets that keeping his feet on the ground is one essential belief. “My mother and father give me their full support in whatever plan I have, and they would always remind him to be humble,” he said. – Sundy Locus

The cast of the much anticipated coming-of-age drama, The Good Son

The thrilling event, one of the many highlights visitors can keep expecting at the Araneta Center, will give fans the chance to have an up close and personal encounter with their soon-to-be favorites who will play key roles in the much anticipated drama, The Good Son. Joshua, who stars as Joseph “Jopet” Reyes Buenavidez in the new series, will be joined in the festivities in Farmers Plaza by costars McCoy de Leon (who plays Oliver “Obet” Reyes Buenavidez), Jerome Ponce (Lorenzo “Enzo” Gesmundo Buenavidez), Nash Aguas (Calvin “Cal” Gesmundo Buenavidez), Alexa Ilacad (Justine

"The Good Son" lead star Joshua Garcia

Castillo), and Elisse Joson (Sabrina Lorenzo). The Good Son tells the story of a father (Albert Martinez) who leaves behind a dark secret after his death: the other family he had kept hidden from his wife. It is directed by Manny Palo and Andoy Ranay. Early reviews of the drama pegged it as “compelling,” “well-directed,” and “well-acted.” The show premieres tomorrow following La Luna Sangre on ABSCBN’s Primetime Bida. The cast also includes Mylene Dizon, Eula Valdez, and John Estrada. For more information on the fan meet and various events in Araneta Center, visit www. aranetacenter.net; the Araneta Center Facebook page; and its Instagram and Twitter accounts @ thearanetecenter.

McCoy de Leon in a scene from the upcoming series

Pets

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2017 Desiree Carlos, Editor daycarlos328@yahoo.com

MY FURRY BESTIE

CARING

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 YOUR

BUNNIES

For contributions, please email to daycarlos28@yahoo.com and put My Furry Bestie as subject.

By Nonoy Parlade

E

VERYONE will agree that rabbits are among the cutest pets that you can find.

Sadly, rabbits are maltreated and die of neglect or poor care everyday. Before you get this dream pet, here are 12 things you need to know about the proper care of rabbits in the Philippine setting: 1) Every rabbit from a shop or a breeder will most likely have a microscopic critter or some bacteria that needs treatment. Thus, you should first bring your new pet to a rabbit savvy vet. An initial consultation will cost P300-P500. Prescribed medicine might double that amount. It is recommended that your pet gets checked by the vet every three months. 2) It is very hard to find a rabbit savvy vet in the Philippines. Facebook pages on rabbits like SaveRabbitsPH can help you find a couple in Metro Manila. Please look for a vet who knows proper rabbit care before you get a bunny. 3) A rabbit's main diet (at least 80 per cent) is grass hay. It is important for their dental, digestive and mental health. A rabbit will normally consume a 750-gram bag of hay in three to four weeks. This costs P300-400. Stocks are not always available, so make sure to stock up on supply that is good for two to three months. Most hay are imported except for star grass which you can source locally. 4) Baby rabbits are very susceptible to fatal diarrhea. When it happens, bring the rabbit to an exotic pets vet immediately or you risk losing him to dehydration or infection. 5) A basic rabbit enclosure should be at least 12 square feet. Rabbits are the playful sort and will also need three to four hours of supervised play time outside the cage or pen. Exercise is important to keep their digestive system healthy. It also keeps them happy. 6) Rabbits are highly susceptible to the elements. Rain, heat, bugs, predators, among others, can kill your rabbit very fast. It is highly recommended that rabbits stay indoors. 7) Rabbits absolutely fear getting picked up and do not like being handled. Very different from the cute and cuddly image you may have seen on TV, rabbits will prefer to stay on the ground, untouched. 8) Rabbits should be spayed or neutered when they are six month old. When not "fixed", rabbits can exhibit aggressive behavior like biting and spraying urine. Thus, if you have a baby rabbit pair, you will have to separate them once their hormones kick in or they will fight. Furthermore, un-fixed rabbits have a high risk of getting cancer.

Dexter

ALPHA, a nine-month-old kitten, was holding on to a piece of styrofoam during a flood in Bulacan when Sylvia P. Ongsing saw her. Sylvia rescued her and gave her a space in her home. Alpha turned out to be a sweet cat who is very friendly, even to dogs.

Ethan

9) Rabbits are very clean creatures. They groom themselves constantly. You do not have to bathe your rabbit. In fact, bathing rabbits can shock and kill them. In case of a poopy butt, just use a warm towel to clean the bunny. 10) An owner needs to groom his rabbit daily. Because rabbits constantly keep themselves clean, they also ingest a good amount of fur, especially when they are molting. This may cause intestinal blockage. To help prevent this, groom your rabbit with a soft brush daily. 11) The rabbit owner will need to build up a formidable inventory of first aid: pain killer, antibiotics (oral & topical), eye drops, gas drops, gut motility, anti fungal cream, among others. Rabbits are particularly prone to digestive ailments and their health can quickly spiral in a few hours without first aid. 12) Rabbits live up to 10 years. Getting a bunny means being prepared for that commitment (food, housing, play time, medical bills, etc). That means, you have to come in with a great deal of maturity before getting a rabbit. There you have it. These are the most basic things and each one requires a great amount of research. Rabbits have amazingly developed personalities and can be great long-term companions. However, it is only fair to them (and to other pets) that you are willing to commit the needed amount of care before you jump into this relationship. Remember, their whole life depends on you.

BMo follows Amilie MIcaller-Leonidas wherever she goes and sleeps wherever Amilie is. She is often found sleeping beside Amilie’s computer or sitting on top of a book, thus Amilie calls her "my study buddy."

(Nonoy Parlade is a loving parent to five rabbits. His vision is to save 100 rabbits in the country and to promote responsible and compassionate animal care, particularly for rabbits.)

Daisy

MISTY, a senior cat, loves senior humans. A foster, eight-year-old Misty became a companion to 75-year-old Felicitas Sibarre Garcia. They are now inseparable, says daughter Kryndall Garcia. “She’s very clingy to older folks,” Kryndall says. Misty is easy to please too as she will eat anything from kibble to vegetables, Kryndall adds.

Lily

KEEPING THEM LEPTO CARRIERS AWAY PET TALES

BY DESIREE CARLOS TO KEEP our dogs safe from leptospirosis, it is important 1. to have your dog vaccinated, and 2. to keep the rodents away. There are many strains or types of leptospires, the bacteria that causes leptospirosis, thus it is important to have your dog vaccinated yearly. It is also important to prevent owners and others from being infected. Leptospires can be transmitted from pets to humans through direct or indirect contact with contaminated animal tissues, organs, or urine, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP). It adds that the leptospires may still be in the urine for as long as three months after infection due to lack of adequate care or treatment. To prevent infection: 1. Avoid handling urine, blood, or tissues from an infected pet. 2. If you have to handle animal tissues or urine, wear gloves and boots. 3. Always wash your hands after handling your pet or anything that might have your pet’s excrement on it. 4. Use antibacterial cleaning solution to clean surfaces like the matting of cages. 5. Please follow the medical treatment prescribed by your vet. To prevent rodent infestation: 1. Seal all holes inside and outside the home to prevent rats, mice, and cockroaches from entering your place. Mice and rats can easily squeeze through these holes. Look for gaps or holes inside your house under, inside and behind kitchen cabinets, refrigerators and stoves. Also look inside closets near the corners, around doors, pipes

Diamond, pulled out from a pound by animal welfare group Save Animals of Love and Light (Save ALL), survived leptospirosis and other illnesses.

under sinks and washing machines, pipes going to hot water heaters, around floor vents and dryer vents, in the attic, basement, laundry room floor drains and between floor and wall juncture. Look for gaps and holes outside your house in the roof, around windows, doors, the foundation, attic vents and crawl space vents, under doors, and around holes for electrical, plumbing, cable, and gas lines. Here are some tips: a. Fill small holes with steel wool. Put a sealant around the steel wool to keep it in place. b. Use cement, lath screen or lath metal, hardware cloth, or metal sheeting to fix large holes. c. Do flashing around the base of the house by using pieces of metal to cover angles and edges. Do the same for structures outside the house and garages. (Note: Hardware stores have these materials.). 2. Trap rodents The CDCP advises: “Choose an appropriate snap trap. Traps for catching mice are different from those for catching rats. Carefully read the instructions before setting the trap.” From the CDCP:

• Put a small amount of peanut butter (about the size of a pea) on the bait pan of the snap trap. • Put the bait end of the trap next to the wall to form a "T" with the wall. Rodents run next to walls or other objects for safety and do not like being out in the open. • In areas where humans seldom go, put the trap where there is evidence of frequent rodent activity. • Rats are cautious and will approach the trap after several days. Mice are less cautious and may be trapped quickly. • GLUE TRAPS OR LIVE TRAPS NOT RECOMMENDED. The trap may scare the mice and make it urinate when caught . As their urine may contain germs, this will increase your risk of being exposed to diseases. • Place traps in structures outside the house and areas where rodents have been seen. 3. Clean up Make sure your place is always clean. To remove rodent food sources: • Keep food in thick plastic or metal containers with tight lids. • Clean up spilled food immediately and do not leave unwashed dishes and cooking utensils on the kitchen counter. • Keep cooking areas and grills outside your house very clean. • Throw away uneaten pet food right away and do not leave pet food or water bowls overnight. • Use a thick plastic or metal garbage can with a tight lid. • Compost bins should be 100 feet or more away from the house. • Grains and animal feed should be kept in thick plastic or metal containers with tight lids. • Throw the trash every night or put outside the house, also inside a thick plastic or metal container with a tight lid. Clean the garbage bins frequently with soap and water. • Remove possible nesting sites outside the home. Elevate garbage cans at least one foot off the ground. Throw old tires, old furniture, all junk. Cut the grass and shrubs too. I hope these tips will help you. Have a great Sunday. Namaste!

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2017 Riera U. Mallari, Editor rumallari@thestandard.com.ph

Gadgets & Games

VIVO V7+: SLEEK, STYLISH WORKHORSE OF A PHONE

By Peter Paul Duran

come in champagne gold and matte black is expandable to 256GB of external memory, though the fingerprint scanner at the back is just for added security.This phone is also for music buffs looking for a smartphone that can deliver clear and crisp sound thanks to its fully upgraded AK4376A Hi-Fi audio chipset. For more information about the Vivo V7+, and other releases from from Vivo, visit www.vivo.com/en

T

HE selfie game needs more challengers for this emerging phone brand. Launching the world’s first 24MP front camera with its newest flagship V7+, Vivo has certainly proven status as one of the top tier smartphone companies right now. The top five global smartphone brand released the stylish, sleek, yet workhorse of a phone Wednesday at the Marriott Grand Ballroom in Pasay, with partners, dealers, celebrities, and members of the media getting a sneak peek of the revolutionary 18:9, 5.99” all-screen Full View display smartphone. Besides its clearer selfie front cam with Special Face Beauty 7.0 and Portrait Mode mimicking DSLR-like shots as well as its 84.4% screento-body ratio, the V7 Plus also features Vivo’s first try on face detection technology

Celebrity Vivo endorsers, led by Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo, are shown during the Vivo V7+'s grand launch. Peter Paul Duran

which will help you access the phone through biometric recognition instantly. This latest offering from Vivo also has Game Mode which prevents incoming calls and messages from interrupting your gaming, backed up by 4GB of RAM

and Qualcomm Octacore Snapdragon 450 SoC processors for hours on end of gaming, thanks to its 3225mAh battery capacity. The 16MP main shooter, 64GB flagship phone running on Funtouch OS 3.2 based on Android’s Nougat

7.1, significantly still doesn’t venture into the dual camera scene unlike flagship models from other brands, though the trade-off is quite understandable especially if it’s priced handsomely at just P17,990! The phone which will

TAIWAN TO SHOWCASE INNOVATIONS AT IOT FILIPINOS will be amazed at the Taiwan Internet of Things (IoT) Solutions for Smart Living Forum, taking place at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on Sept.30. Sponsored by the Taiwan Bureau of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Economic Affairs and organized by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council, the Forum will be brought to life by representatives from some of Taiwan’s best tech brands speaking about cutting edge devices whose IoT solutions can redefine workflows and processes in various industries. IoT is a giant network of connected things that have an on and off switch to the Internet, and is set to revolutionize businesses, governments, and consumers and how they interact with the physical world as we know it today. The Taiwanese brand VIVOTEK will showcase its latest stereo network camera—the SC8131, which generates data by tracking numbers of people and their flow paths. Business owners can leverage this information for operational decisions such as improving store layouts and product promotions. Another application refining smart retail is the Acer Being Signage. This aids retailers in the entire digital

marketing process, from consultation to operation. It also provides software that uses a cloud-based video analytics solution for creating, delivering, and monitoring digital campaigns. Using mixed reality technology and calculation camera image positioning technology, the Taiwanese Main Orthopaedic Biotechnology Co. Ltd. has created precursory medical glasses that enhance accuracy and shorten surgery time for the medical industry. They will talk about their hi-tech wearable glasses designed to enhance surgeons’ performance and simplify orthopedic procedures. This technology will become a key tool for significant advances in surgery. IoT is not limited to this - the Ropali-Teco Corporation will highlight advances that provide Filipinos access to electronic vehicles, and enhance user experience by customizing local tricycles and jeepneys with their safety, efficiency, and ecological features. The electronic vehicles utilize a 2.3 kilowatt electric motor and have a 20% climbing capacity for sloping paths. This is a good start for public vehicles to decrease fuel consumption and create safer travel for passengers.

Rina Bugayong (Senior Assistant Vice President for Marketing for SM Shoes and Bags), Sue Ong-Lim (Acer Philippines’ Sales and Marketing Director), Alessandra de Rossi, Empoy, Manuel Wong (Acer Philippines’ General Manager), and Alejandro Cruz (Vice President for SM Advantage Loyalty Marketing and E-Commerce)

ACER’S PRE-HOLIDAY PROMO By John Jospher de Leon LEADING tech and innovation company Acer Philippines is partnering with SM Men’s fashion brand Salvatore Mann and“Kita Kita”stars Alessandra De Rossi and Empoy in bringing its pre-holiday promo, launched at the Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall last Sept. 19. Acer Philippines tapped the services of De Rossi and Empoy in its nostalgic and heartwarming short film titled #KasyaPa, which shows the struggles a lot of people experience in work, life and love. “We build partnership with brands and personalities that

only resonate Acer’s aesthetic and appeal, but help enrich and strengthen them as well,” said Sue Ong-Lim, Acer Philippines’ Sales and Marketing Director. “Empoy and Alessandra, in their most recent film “Kita Kita” and as seen in #KasyaPa, exhibit relatability and resilience- traits that personify Acer. Meanwhile, Acer laptops and gadgets are sleeks and fashionable, yet highly functional- characteristics that define Salvatore Mann bags too.” The Mega Fashion Hall was also turned into an elegant runway via an eyecatching fashion show, where the Salvatore Mann

LENOVO: TACKLING CHALLENGING WORKLOADS LENOVO announced 42 new world record benchmarks for the ThinkSystem server portfolio, integrated with the latest Intel® Xeon® Scalable processors, according to industry leading benchmark organizationsA. The ThinkSystem portfolio of solutions is engineered to help customers reduce complexity and tackle their most challenging workloads. “Data is growing exponentially, driven by aggressive digital adoption initiatives across all industries. Amidst this digital age, we see massive growth opportunities for the data center market in the Philippines,” said Abraham Lim, Country Manager, Data Center Group Lenovo Philippines. “Staying ahead is a major challenge for many industry players, and Lenovo is here to help them ride the wave of digital transformation. As we have done so in many years, we are innovating for and with our customers. With our exceptional end-to-end solutions portfolio, we aim to empower companies with the right tools to be more agile and competitive.” The new ThinkSystem portfolio, brings the gold-standard for the industry under a

single unified brand spanning servers, storage and networking systems. The ThinkSystem portfolio can adapt to changing IT needs while reducing complexity and cost. Lenovo’s latest server portfolio includes 14 highly configurable servers across rack and tower, mission critical, dense and blade platforms, as well as new hyperscale system designs, all of which streamline IT infrastructure and lead to increased service levels in the data center that tie directly to business growth. Additionally, customers can choose between different technologies and scale technology as workloads change. Lenovo engineered the ThinkSystem portfolio to work seamlessly with an organization’s previous investments, without the need to completely re-architect the data center. Lenovo has added seven new solutions covering cloud, big data, analytics and database that are supported on the new ThinkSystem servers, as well as introducing two new Intel® solutions. These enterprise solutions are designed to deliver value to customers by utilizing Lenovo’s innovations in server performance and reliability as well as collaboration

collection, designed exclusively for Acer’s pre-holiday promo, was presented. Any purchase of Acer laptops and projectors until Oct. 15, 2017, will earn buyers exclusive Salvatore Mann bags. Customers will get a duffel bag or backpack for every purchase of an Acer projector, an Acer Aspire i3-powered laptop or desktop; and both for every purchase of an i5-powered, i7-powered, or all-in-one Acer Aspire laptop or desktop. Additionally, exclusive Salvatore Mann sling bags await SM Advantage, SM Prestige, and BDO Rewards Card Holders. Salvatore Mann is exclusively available in the SM store.

MFC-3930DW InkBenefit

BROTHER: IDEAL PRINTER FOR CREATIVE INDUSTRIES CREATIVE industries often have specific needs and wants when it comes to bringing their concepts to life. Architects will often need large-scale printing, interior designers will have vibrant printing needs to capture design textures and advertising art directors will need printers that can print precisely, clearly and efficiently. Up to the task is leading Japanese home and business solutions brand Brother with its new InkBenefit A3 printers. The four inkjet models in the series include the MFC-J3930DW InkBenefit, MFC-J3530DW InkBenefit, MFC-J2730DW InkBenefit and MFC-J2330DW InkBenefit. Specifically designed for highquality printing, the InkBenefit A3 printers are engineered to deliver dependable quality in minimal time and at a low cost. Creatives may now enjoy maximum productivity with fast prints of up to 22ipm for mono prints, while 20ipm for color, plus a 6-second First Print Out Time (FPOT). That means less waiting time for outputs and more time conceptualizing impressive new ideas for the project. InkBenefit A3 printers also make it possible for its users to print from anywhere. Whether you’re multitasking or rushing to get to your next meeting, printing storyboards and rendered layouts can’t get any more convenient with InBenefit A3’s wireless connectivity feature. Wi-Fi Direct option allow users to connect using their smartphone, tablet, laptop and desktop without the need for a router. The series is compatible with a wide range of mobile and cloud print and scan solutions including Brother’s iPrint&Scan, Apple AirPrint, Mopria and Google Cloud Print, which work directly from the mobile device. Brother’s award-winning WebConnect‡ technology also allows businesses to interact with Facebook as well as popular cloud storage services such as Dropbox, One Drive, and Google Drive. There’s also no need to run for paper refills with high capacity trays that can hold up to 600 sheets, lessening the need for constant paper refills. The series also boasts of its Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) function that allows up to 50 sheets for a hassle-free scanning of multi-page documents, adding to its multifunction benefits.

OPPO A71 AT 0% INSTALLMENTS

Han Chon (left) and Abraham Lim

with industry-leading software partners. Performance Unlocked: ThinkSystem Achieves 42 #1 Performance Benchmarks In addition to reducing complexity and streamlining operations, today’s customers are increasingly looking for more from their investments and require confidence in their technology partner to deliver the type of performance and availability necessary to run demanding and evolving workloads like Microsoft SQL Server. Building on its longstanding recognition as the #1 x86 server vendor for reliability and customer satisfaction1, Lenovo’s new ThinkSystem servers have achieved 42 #1 performance world records.

PRAGUE-BASED Fintech company Home Credit and OPPO are partnering once again to offer the new OPPO A71 smartphone at 0% interest installments even without a credit card. With its already affordable price tag of P8,990, the new OPPO A71 can be availed by budget-savvy shoppers for only P927 per month at 6 months, with a 40% downpayment. The promo runs until Jan. 31, and offered in leading partner outlets throughout the country. Customers only need to present at least two valid IDs to apply, right inside the store, and can get the result of their loan application within minutes. The A71 is a 5.2” smartphone with OPPO’s latest sleek uni-body design and luster edge for a more compact, enjoyable and

Oppo A71

ergonomic grip. Measuring only 7.6mm thick and weighing just 137 grams, this smartphone is finished with a nano-silver technology for a more elegant and overall premium feel. Its immersive 5.2” IPS HD display, powered by the latest Color OS 3.1 U I , provides the best experience whether watching movies or playing games. Its great screen color reproduction is comple-

mented by a protective scratch-resistant glass. Improved Photography Experience Alongside the strong performance of the A71 is the improved camera optics of a 13-Megapixel camera with 1/3.06 sensor size for better sensitivity. It even includes multi-frame denoising technology for an overall clearer performance even in dark conditions. The 5MP front camera with a bigger 1.4 µm pixel size will give better selfies with more detail, light and HDR mode for the best output. Additionally, you can have more dramatic effect with preset filters, selfie panorama, or bokeh for a richer selfie experience. All these with OPPO’s famous Beautify technology, to give the best selfie experience through natural enhancements.