Manila Standard - 2017 October 23 - Monday

Temporary shelters top rehab plan for Marawi

By Bill Casas, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Julito G. Rada TEMPORARY shelters for the displaced residents of Marawi City will be ready

by December this year, a Malacañang official said Sunday.

Government troops are clearing areas inside the battle zone to make sure no bombs are left when residents return to their homes, said Communications Secretary Martin Andanar.

“The war zone is almost 100 percent cleared,” Andanar said in an interview on radio dzMM. “We could easily clear the whole of Marawi.

Rest assured by December, we would be able to deliver hundreds of temporary shelters for our countrymen,” he said in Filipino.

Andanar said the building of permanent structures for the internally displaced persons will also begin as soon as all the areas in the war-torn city have been cleared.

Andanar said the government has allotted P5 billion for Marawi just for this year.

A separate budget will go to the rehabilitation of the southern city next year.

President Rodrigo Duterte declared the liberation of Marawi last week following the death of terrorists Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute inside the battle area.

Andanar said Task Force Bangon Marawi has been discussing rehabilitation plans with the local government and private sector even before the President declared the city’s liberation.

The five-month long war between soldiers and terrorists has left more than 1,000 dead and displaced hundreds of thousands of residents from Next page

Troops get HK trip but no bounty reward

TIGHT WATCH.

A soldier took this photo of a building where the remaining Maute terrorists in Marawi are supposed to be hiding, and which is being watched closely by soldiers and policemen.

Armed Forces of the Philippines photo/ GMANews Online

VOL. XXXI • NO. 251 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • MONDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2017 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

THE soldiers who fought to liberate Marawi from the Maute terrorists will be given a vacation in Hong Kong as promised by President Rodrigo Duterte, a spokesman said on Sunday.

“That will push through, but the President has yet to set a schedule,” said Communications Secretary Martin Andanar in an interview on radio dzMM. “The President promised that, especially the women soldiers from Day 1 up to Day 148 that they will travel to Hong Kong and the President will shoulder all expenses on the hotel and possibly pocket money,” Andanar said.

The private sector would be helping Duterte to fulfill his promise, said Maj. Gen. Restituto Padilla, spokesman of the Armed Forces.

“An airline company will give free tickets and some private individuals will give pocket money,” Padilla said in a separate interview.

Duterte last week said Marawi has been liberated from terrorist influence, five months after Islamic Stateinspired militants stormed the southern city.

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Last stand: Wives fight with holdouts T

HE remnants of the Maute terrorists have been cornered in a building in Marawi City and are no longer holding any hostages, the military said Sunday.

In a press conference, Col. Romeo Brawner, deputy commander of Joint Task Group Ranao, said those left in the building were wives of the terrorists who chose to fight with their husbands.

“We believe there are no more hostages,” Brawner said in Filipino. “The latest number of hostages we rescued is 20... We believe that those who are inside that building have chosen to stay with their husbands.”

“We gave them all the chances to surrender,” he added, noting that some gave up and would be treated as non-combatants and be debriefed.

DEVELOPMENT WORK. Public Works Secretary Mark Villar inspects Marawi City, where his department is now working to complete development work on the temporary houses for the evacuees who are returning home after the defeat of the terrorists.

Earlier, the Free Malaysia Today news website reported that suspected Malaysian militant Mohd Amin Baco, said to be the leader of the remaining terrorists holed up in Marawi, has been cornered in a building by government troops.

Amin, who comes from Sabah, was reported to have been a member of the outlawed Darul Islam Sabah group in the state’s coastal district of Tawau before he left to join the Abu Sayyaf terror group in Mindanao some years back.

The military said it was continuing its mopping up operations to rid the city of terrorists by Sunday. Next page

‘Bar aliens from running automated polls’ Looking for kin’s grave? Try this site

BUHAY Rep. Lito Atienza has called for revisions to the country’s automated election system so that only entities wholly owned by Filipino citizens may serve as technology and service providers.

“It is in the country’s best interest that we allow only Filipino citizens to run our AES, and exclude foreigners from having such an extensive influence over our elec-

By Bill Casas

tions,” Atienza said.

“Indeed, we find it ironic that while we’ve prohibited aliens from gaining control of the nation’s highly sensitive sectors such as mass media, telecommunications and schools, we’ve surrendered to a large degree our far more delicate AES to a foreign body,” Atienza said.

Since 2010 the country’s AES has been run

by Smartmatic Interna-

twitter.com/ MlaStandard

tional Corp., a Londonbased solutions contractor wholly owned by Venezuelan citizens.

The 1987 Constitution restricts the ownership and management of Philippine mass media entities to companies 100 percent held by Filipino citizens.

The Constitution also prohibits foreigners from owning and controlling more than 40 percent of

THE Manila North and Manila South Cemeteries have created websites to allow families to quickly locate the graves of their departed on All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day this November.

More than two-million people will be visiting the two cemeteries on those two days, and one of their problems is locating the graves of their loved ones.

To help solve that problem, the READY FOR THE VISITORS. Flower and candle City of Manila created the websites vendors have set up makeshift stalls at the main entrance www.manilasouthcemetery.com.ph to the Manila North Cemetery for the people visiting their Next page

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facebook.com/ ManilaStandardPH

S

manilastandard.net

departed on All Souls’ Day and All Saints’ Day. Ey Acasio

House move to oust CJ questioned AN ANTI-CORRUPTION group on Sunday questioned the motives of House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez in pushing for the ouster of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

“We have been monitoring the development and an obviously seen hand is manipulating the outcome of the impeachment hearing,” said Jo Perez, a spokesperson for the Filipino Alliance for Transparency and Empowerment.

“It seems that his [Alvarez] investment in her Next page

Manila cops object to city tag ‘unsafe’ THE Manila Police District said Sunday that a British study ranking Manila as among the least safe cities in the world was inaccurate.

Speaking on behalf of Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, MPD director Chief Supt. Joel Coronel said the Next page

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News

MONDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2017

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

SC requires new lawyers to do pro bono services

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

S

TARTING Nov. 25, the new lawyers must render free legal assistance before they can offer legal services and charge for those.

But based on a Supreme Court ruling promulgated on Oct. 10 but was only released recently, lawyers who are already practicing in the executive and legislative branches for six months before taking the Bar exams are exempted from the requirement.

Also exempted are those who have finished the “clinical legal education program” and have already rendered pro bono legal work

prior to their admission to the Bar. “The legal profession is imbued with public interest. As such, lawyers are charged with the duty to give meaning to the guarantee of access to adequate legal assistance under Article III, Section 11 of the 1987 Constitution,” the high court says in a 14-page order.

“As a way to discharge this constitutional duty, lawyers are obliged to render

Panelo: Drug dependents are ‘potential criminals’ AN OFFICIAL on Sunday described drug dependents as “potential criminals” and stressed the need to sustain the Duterte administration’s war on illegal drugs “If you have three-million drug addicts, you have three-million potential criminals. Many drug-related crimes come from there’’ Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo told dzMM radio.

“That is why the President said ‘I will not allow this generation to be affected by that’.”

Panelo said the drug war had been “successful’’ despite the presence of some scalawag policemen.

He said thousands of drug suspects had surrendered while several top policemen with drug links were removed from the service.

President Rodrigo Duterte claims the country has about three-million drug users. He also claims using shabu for a year or more would shrink a person’s brain and make his rehabilitation “useless.

The Duterte administration has rejected criticism that it lacks the commitment to rehabilitate drug users.

In August, then Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said eight drug rehabilitation centers would be built across the Philippines and financed by private firms, including conglomerate San Miguel Corp. and property firm Megaworld.

Last year, the government opened what it called a “mega” drug rehabilita-

tion facility financed by a Chinese tycoon that would treat up to 10,000 patients The Duterte administration’s 13 rehabilitation facilities treated 14,733 outpatients in 2016, up more than three times from the previous year, and close to 30,000 in-patients or up four percent over 2015, the Department of Health said.

However, the department submitted a budget of P759.6 million for statemanaged rehabilitation facilities under the government’s proposed 2018 spending plan, which is 75 percent less than this year’s budget of P3.08 billion.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government proposed to raise the budget for police anti-drug operations from P20 million to P900 million this year, according to several lawmakers.

The Philippine National Police data show 3,800 people have been killed in operations in which police say armed suspects violently resisted arrest.

Duterte’s opponents and activists dispute that, saying executions and coverups are commonplace but which the police deny.

Earlier this month, Duterte ordered the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to lead the narcotics war, putting police in the backseat as it faced allegations of abuse.

PDEA has said it is short of manpower and will still need to tap police reinforcements in their operations.

Last...

works by then.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier said that martial law in Mindanao would not be lifted until the government has neutralized all terrorists in the region.

Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao on May 23 after the Islamic Stateinspired Maute group overran Marawi City.

When the 60-day period had elapsed, Duterte sought and was granted an extension

by Congress until Dec. 31.

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri agreed that martial law should continue until the end of the year to ensure the safety of residents returning to the city during its reconstruction and rehabilitation.

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In an interview on radio dzBB, Armed Forces spokesman Maj. Gen. Restituto Padilla said they were still looking for Bacu, but added that he had little influence on what would happen in Marawi because he was cornered.

Padilla also said that martial law as still needed until the end of the year, despite the deaths of top terrorist leaders Isnilon Hapilon, Omar Maute and Malaysian Mahmud Ahmad.

He said the military would do its best to address the remaining terrorist net-

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any telecommunications firm or any educational institution here except those run by religious groups and mission boards.

Atienza has also called for stronger safeguards against

the tampering of Precinct Count Optical Scanners or PCOS machines.

“In fact, it might be better for the Comelec to reduce electronic operations to the transmission of precinct tallies and to simply revert to the easier-to-verify manual counting of votes at the precinct level,” Atienza said. Rio N. Araja

pro bono services to those who otherwise would be denied access to adequate legal services.”

The high court says incoming lawyers must provide 120 hours of pro bono legal work for poor litigants as part of its efforts to champion the constitutional guarantee to “free access to the courts and quasi-judicial bodies.”

The rule will be implemented starting with the successful barristers who are set to take this year’s Bar exams, which will be held during four Sundays of November.

The magistrates say lawyers must ensure people’s access to legal services “in an efficient and convenient manner compatible with the independence, integrity and effectiveness of the profes-

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the once-bustling Mindanao city.

Senator Grace Poe on Sunday batted for a P5-billion Bangon Marawi Fund to be taken from the 2018 national budget, which is being debated in Congress.

The amount would be used to augment the P20 billion to be released within three years by the government for the reconstruction and rebuilding of the city.

Poe, a member of Senate special committee on Marawi that oversees the government’s rebuilding initiatives in the war-torn area, proposed that the additional fund be included under the unprogrammed appropriations of the 2018 national budget.

Economic leaders and members of the Cabinet’s security cluster should start drawing up a master plan that would cover all the needs of Marawi, such as well-planned housing, schools, hospitals, livelihood and improved security in the area, Poe said.

“The Marawi rehabilita-

Manila...

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results of the Safest Cities Index 2017 do not necessarily represent the City of Manila alone.

“The study was measured based on identified megacities in different parts of the world so it would appear that it is not only confined to the local government of Manila alone,” Coronel said. “So this will include other cities in Metro Manila as well.”

In the Safest Cities Index 2017 released by Economist Intelligence Unit, the research arm of the Londonbased multimedia company The Economist Group, Manila was ranked 55th out of the 60 cities examined in the biennial report.

sion.”

The 15-member high court tasked the Office of the Bar Confidant and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, the country’s biggest lawyers’ group, to oversee the compliance of the new lawyers with its order titled “Community Legal Aid Service Rule.”

Under this rule, the new lawyers are given one year after signing the roll of lawyers to complete the required 120―hour free legal services in criminal, civil and administrative cases.

Besides indigent litigants, rookie lawyers must provide free services among groups, individuals and organizations who cannot get assistance from the Public Attorney’s Office due to conflict of interest.

Senate wants active role in peace process SENATE Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said Sunday the Senate must take a more active role in the peace process after meeting with Norway’s new special envoy to the Philippines.

Drilon recently met with Idun Tvedt and Elisabeth Slattum of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss the peace and reconciliation efforts that the Norwegian government has been helping to facilitate between the Philippines and the communist National Democratic Front.

Tvedt is the new Special Envoy to the Philippines on the peace and reconciliation efforts with the NDF, replacing Slattum. Tvedt is due to arrive today for a two-day trip.

Drilon expressed his gratitude to the Norwegian government “for supporting the peace negotiations between the Philippines and the NDFP.” “The Philippines is very grateful to the Norwegian government for acting as a third-party facilitator of the peace process between the Philippines and the NDF,” Drilon told Idun.

He underscored the importance of involving the Senate in the peace talks.

“Right now the peace process with the NDF is not being discussed formally or informally in the Senate,” Drilon said.

“There is a need to involve the Senate in the peace and reconciliation efforts between the Philippines and the NDF because in the end, a law will be needed to define the relationship of the parties.” ful development and dealing with conflict situations, we would be honored in helping in terms of [re]building and engaging in any possible way what we can do in this situation,” Georgieva said.

Dominguez emphasized the need for World Bank’s technical advice and expertise in reconstructing the entire city of Marawi as the Philippines has very limited experience in handling a rehabilitation program of this magnitude.

“The rehabilitation of Marawi is a complicated situation,” said Dominguez, noting as an example the issue involving land titling for its returning residents, many of whom are informal settlers living in multi-story structures.

“The World Bank has the experience in reconstruction.

We want to rebuild the entire city and keep a part of it as a memorial,” Dominguez said.

Also on Sunday, Senator Nancy Binay said that the inclusion of indigenous peoples as well as internally displaced persons was vital to the efforts of the national government to rebuild a better Marawi City.

By Macon RamosAraneta

The new lawyers may also offer their legal services on cases about public interest and legal issues that may affect the society.

The tribunal says the rule is not intended to prevent the successful Bar passers from using their profession for their own pecuniary interests.

“This rule is not intended to impair the private practice or employment of covered lawyers,” the high court says.

“Barring any conflict of interest or any other violation of the Code of Professional Responsibility, covered lawyers can engage in private practice and accept paid clients or be employed in the government or in the private sector within the twelvemonth period for compliance.”

tion plan should be futureproof and include infrastructure for security against elements who would attempt to besiege the city anew,” the senator said.

The government has allocated P5 billion for the postconflict plan of the war-torn city in 2017, which would be taken from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund. An additional P10 billion will be released in 2018. The budget allocation for 2019 would be estimated based on the remaining needs of the plan, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said.

The government is also studying the possibility of a P30-billion bond float starting next year to help augment the funds for the city’s recovery.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the end of the Marawi siege would further boost investors’ confidence in the Philippine economy.

In a statement, Dominguez said the government could now focus on a comprehensive plan to reconstruct the southern city and provide economic opportunities for its returning residents.

Dominguez said the record performance of the stock market following President Rodrigo Duterte’s announcement last Tuesday of the “liberation” of Marawi City from Islamist militants pointed to the positive investor sentiment on the end of the conflict.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index gained 49.80 points or 0.59 percent to end 8,497.74 on Tuesday.

That day’s stock rally saw an 8,586.73 intraday peak.

Dominguez noted that even with the crisis in Marawi City and the declaration of martial law in Mindanao, the business community has remained bullish on the economy and supported the President’s decisive action to deal with the terrorist attack.

“We expect investor confidence to strengthen further and the economy to grow even faster now that the conflict has been virtually resolved and the government has started raising spending on infrastructure and human capital development, which will supercharge growth and create more jobs for our people,” Dominguez said.

Earlier, Dominguez reported that World Bank chief executive officer Kristalina Georgieva has confirmed the institution’s commitment to work with the Philippine government in helping conflict-torn Marawi City rise from devastation, along with scaling up support for peace-building efforts in Mindanao.

In a recent meeting in Washington DC with Philippine officials led by Dominguez, Georgieva said the World Bank can provide technical aid and other forms of assistance to the Philippines to help rebuild Marawi City.

Georgieva also welcomed Dominguez’s plan to tap domestic resources to raise funds for Marawi’s reconstruction, which, she said, was “the right thing to do” and underscored the importance of “inclusive development” as a key aspect of the rehabilitation strategy for the city.

“We can only express all of our sympathy for what has been going on in Marawi,” said Georgieva during the meeting held at the World Bank office. “As an institution that has committed to peace-

Joining Manila at the bottom 10 are Cairo, Tehran, Quiro, Caracas, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Dhaka, Yangon and Karachi.

Tokyo was named the world’s safest city for the second consecutive time.

Coronel admitted that the Philippines, as a whole, is poor when it comes to digital security and infrastructure security, two of the four parameters of the study. The other two are health security and personal security.

“For the Philippines, the reason we got a low score is that we are low on digital security,” Coronel said. “We are weak in security measures against cyber threats and online attacks,” he said.

The rating, he said, “was made on the basis of not only the city of Manila alone but

also of other cities composing the megacities of Metro Manila.”

A megacity is a metropolitan area with a total population in excess of 10 million people. With a 2016 population of 24.12 million, Metro Manila, composed of the 16 cities and one municipality of the National Capital Region, is the fifth biggest megacity in the world by population.

For the purposes of the report, digital security is defined as the strength of a city’s cyber security and internet access, while health security measures air and water quality, along with health care.

Personal security considers crime, violence and police engagement, while infrastructure security looks at transportation, and vulnerability to natural and terrorist

strikes.

Early this month, Estrada reported that crime rate in Manila has dropped by 38 percent this year, with MPD registering a marked improvement in its ability to solve crimes.

Citing a report submitted by Coronel, Estrada said index crimes in the past 12 months decreased by 38.7 percent for a high of 5,474 cases in 2016 to only 3,393 in the current year.

Moreover, Estrada reported that the MPD’s crime solution efficiency during the same period improved from 54.8 percent in 2016 to 67.5 percent this year wherein six to seven out of 10 crimes have been solved by the city police force with the arrests of suspects and the filing of cases against them. Bill Casas

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The military has begun a gradual pullout of troops from the battle zone. Commandos are set to undergo stress debriefing and retraining, Padilla said.

Padilla earlier said the mutli-million-dollar reward for terrorist leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute was not intended for government troops.

He said that the $5-million reward from the US government will go to the informants, who will still need to undergo validation by the US agents.

He added that there is a committee assigned to review the process of awarding the bounty.

Padilla said, however, that it has not yet been decided who will collect the P10-million reward that President Rodrigo Duterte offered for Hapilon and P5 million each for the two Maute brothers, Abdullah and Omar.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana earlier confirmed the deaths of Hapilon and Omar. Omar was shot in the head by a government sniper while Hapilon died of gunshot wounds in his chest.

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation on Saturday said that the DNA samples it tested matches that of Hapilon.

impeachment is driven by something other than a desire to exact accountability—it seems that he is one of the people who stands to benefit from her impeachment,” Perez added.

Sereno is facing impeachment proceedings after the House committee on justice said there were sufficient grounds to proceed, after lawyer Larry Gardon accused her of culpable violation of the Constitution, corruption, betrayal of public trust and other high crimes.

Alvarez said Sereno should personally appear in the impeachment proceedings to do the cross-examination herself instead of her lawyers.

Sereno’s legal counsels wrote to the House justice com-

mittee last month, asserting her right to counsel and to crossexamine the witnesses.

Alvarez said if Sereno could not face the accusations against her, she should quit.

FATE said that Alvarez’s remarks “would easily lead one to think that the impeachment against Sereno is driven by personal agenda rather than the interest of the country.”

“Indeed, Alvarez’s choice of words would easily lead one to think he definitely has an ax to grind against Sereno,” the group said.

The anti-corruption group said that in 2007, before she joined the Supreme Court, Sereno testified and executed an affidavit before the Sandiganbayan, saying that the Philippine International Air Terminals Co. Inc. contracts that Alvarez pushed were “grossly disadvantageous to the government.”

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and www.manilanorthcemetery.com that point to the location of the graves.

All one has to do is go to the websites, type the names, dates, sections, lots or graves of their departed and then click.

The data will then be shown on screen.

Aside from the websites, the management of Manila City Government’s two cemeteries are expediting the preparations for All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. In the Manila South Cemetery, five new toilets have been built aside from several portalets that have been placed there.

Several staff members of the two cemeteries and family members are also cleaning up the graves of their departed, and the cleaning is allowed until Oct. 30.

In the Manila North Cemetery, the roads inside leading to the graves have been fixed.

Private cars will be banned inside the cemetery starting on Oct. 29 until Nov. 2 because of the large number of visitors on those days.

Officials are urging that parents make name tags for their children so they can be located right away if they get lost.

Starting Oct. 31 until Nov. 2, the Manila North Cemetery and Manila South Cemetery will be open 24 hours a day. Bill Casas

News Lawmakers back more benefits for Ombudsman

By Rio N. Araja CONGRESS passed on second reading a proposed measure providing retirement benefits and hazard allowance to the Office of the Ombudsman officials and employees.

Under House Bill 6578 or the “Retirement Law of the Office of the Ombudsman,” the Ombudsman shall enjoy the same retirement and other benefits as those of a presiding justice of the Court of Appeals.

Zamboanga Rep. Ann Hoffer, the bill’s co-author, said benefits and allowances of employees and officials of the Office of the Ombudsman are still not comparable to those of their counterparts in other government agencies and in other anti-graft and corruption bodies in the Asia Pacific Region.

She said the Ombudsman also “suffers from a high turnover of personnel, who eventually join other government agencies or the private sector that offer better compensation and retirement benefits.”

Co-author Cibac Rep. Sherwin Tugna also expressed concern over the heavy task of gathering of evidence and preparing air-tight cases against erring government officials, saying wages and package of benefits are not commensurate to the heavy workload of Ombudsman officials and employees.

Oriental Mindoro Rep, Reynaldo Umali, House committee on justice chairperson, has endorsed the measure for plenary approval.

A deputy Ombudsman and a special prosecutor shall enjoy the same retirement and other benefits as those of an associate justice of the Court of Appeals.

Scholarship for dependents of uniformed men pushed

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Antonio Trillanes IV has sponsored Senate Bill No. 1463 that grants educational assistance and benefits to dependents of uniformed and law enforcement personnel who are killed or permanently incapacitated in the line of duty.

“It is, thus, only fair for the government to give preference and priority to their welfare and of their families, especially when something untoward happens in the performance of their duty,” said Trillanes, chairman of the Senate committee on Civil Service, Government Reorganization and Professional Regulation.

Trillanes said in the past years, Congress has enacted various measures that seek to provide additional benefits to dependents of uniformed personnel, but these may have unintentionally overlooked members of other law enforcement agencies who also face the same or similar risks.

He said existing laws providing benefits to dependents of uniformed personnel is limited, in the case of educational assistance, to only one dependent, which is far from being fair and ideal.

Under his proposed measure, the surviving children of the deceased or permanently incapacitated members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau of Corrections will be given full scholarship from kindergarten to tertiary level to include allowance for books, school supplies, and food and transportation.

Team Building e-book launched RYAN Cruz, a recruitment and training professional from Brookside Hills, Cainta, Rizal has launched his first e-book titled “The Power of Teams.”

The seven-chapter digital book tackles factors influencing the team’s performance which include trust building, enable (members) coaching, accountability for results, managing team stages, strength base, senior leader models and organization culture.

The 72-page e-book, according to the author, aims “to empower the readers to learn on the lens of my experiences and exposure to the subject – teams.”

The author argues in his book, available online, that in what he calls today’s “volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous world,” teams play a critical part in getting things done.

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MONDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Edsa traffic cuts short Asean security dry run T HE Asean Security Task Force decided to cut short its convoy dry run on Sunday due to heavy traffic along Edsa near Connecticut.

ASTF Commander Police Dir. Nap Taas, riding in the second convoy that left Clark International Airport at 10:30 am, encountered the tail end of the traffic at the corner of Edsa and Quezon Avenue.

Edsa was reduced to just two lanes due to a road repair due to a recently discovered sink hole near Connecticut.

According to Taas, only two of their convoys were able to complete the

rehearsal from Clark to the designated hotels.

“It was still a successful run overall since all our 20 convoys were able to rehearse the Clark and the North Luzon Expressway leg of the ceremonial route. We still have three weeks to practice the Edsa leg of the route,” he said.

Yesterday’s dry run is the fourth one conducted by the ASTF through the

Technical Working Group on Traffic Management for the upcoming 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit this November.

Meanwhile, the family of a Bulacan cop who was run over and killed by a van while performing Asean traffic duty stands to receive more than P1.6 million in financial and housing assistance, including insurance and other benefits from the Office of the President and other agencies of the government, Interior officer-in-charge Catalino Cuy says the family of the late PO1 Mark Mendoza will get a special financial assistance amounting to

P500,000 from the Office of the President; shelter assistance of P450,000 from the National Housing Authority; and a yearly educational stipend from kindergarten to college for two dependents from the Philippine National Police.

An insurance benefit totalling P700,000 will also be received by Mendoza’s legal beneficiaries from the Public Safety Mutual Benefit Fund Inc. Cuy, who personally visited the wake of Mendoza to condole with the family, also handed over to the victim’s wife, Honesty Mendoza, special financial assistance amounting to P152,000 from the PNP.

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Opinion

MONDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2017

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

Deserving of contempt

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FTER they paddled one of their own to death, members of the Aegis Juris fraternity plotted to escape paying the price for murder. This became all too apparent at the Senate hearing last week on the hazing death of University of Santo Tomas law student Horacio Castillo, who paid the ultimate price last month to be a member of a group that, as it turned out, was utterly unworthy of his trust and loyalty.

A Facebook Messenger chat among seven Aegis Juris members showed that they enthusiastically planned an initiation rite that they knew to be dangerous and prohibited. Then, after Castillo was dead, they planned to cover it up with a “code of silence” and the deactivation of their social media accounts.

But a subsequent chat presented during the hearing by Senior Supt. Joel Coronel, director of the Manila Police District, showed the extent to which fraternity

members sought to cover up the crime to evade prosecution.

The chat thread showed that most members were in a panic over what to do about the death of Castillo and later agreed to meet at the Novotel Hotel to discuss the case. While some were in favor of talking with Castillo’s parents, most said they wanted to avoid and evade prosecution, and were concerned that the incident would destroy the future of their fraternity brothers who were involved in the hazing.

Part of the discussion involved a plan to contact the family in hopes of reaching an agreement or settlement, but most members said they would find ways to see that evidence would no longer be available to those conducting the investigation.

“To our mind, it appears that the agreement made then by those who met at Novotel Hotel was to cover up and to obstruct justice,” Coronel told the Senate panel.

At the hearing, the president of the fraternity, Arvin Balag, exemplified this stragegy by refusing to even say if he was a member of Aegis Juris.

His refusal to answer even the most basic of questions on the grounds that he could incriminate himself seemed supremely arrogant, particularly in light of earlier testimony from another fraternity member that it was he who ordered that Castillo be taken to Chinese General Hospital rather than the nearby UST Hospital, and that those who

took him should lie about the circumstances of his condition.

It was he who declared a code of silence.

But no code can silence the tragic story told by Castillo’s body, which bore bruises on both arms, cigarette burns and candle wax drippings all over his body.

In the end, the Senate panel declared Balag in contempt for refusing to answer their questions, and ordered him detained.

But our contempt for him and his fellow fraternity brothers goes deeper than that.

For beating a fellow student to death, then cynically trying to cover it up to save their own “future” with their “code of silence,” Balag and the Aegis Juris fraternity show a complete lack of any sense of right and wrong, and an utter disregard for justice.

They are a blight on the University of Santo Tomas and our society. How could we have produced such men?

The lawyer’s conscience

form of academic prostitution that a skewed “research culture” has spawned is for aspiring academics or academic-wannabes to offer huge sums to get their papers to print. It was the opposite not too long ago— journals and publications of repute offered in the very least token honoraria to reputable writers and publicists. Those were the days that respectable journals sought out noted and acknowledged writers. It is the shameful opposite these days: mediocre writers must pay journal publishers to publish articles that one’s own grandparents may not even care to read!

Not too long ago, I picked up a journal, intrigued by a studied that announced itself to be a

OVER lunch at the office last Wednesday, we watched the live coverage of the Senate Committee on Public Order’s hearing on the death of Atio Castillo.

With me was our deputy resident representative, a lawyer, and my head executive assistant, a former media person who worked for several years as information chief of a prominent senator.

The revelations of Chief Supt. Jiggs Coronel, which exposed a meeting of the Aegis Juris fratmen after the death of their hazing victim at the Novotel, along with the text message exchange trail which clearly indicated a cover-up operation were too shocking, to say the least.

Even the committee chairman, the normally imperturbable Senator Ping Lacson, was visibly disturbed.

The facial expression of Senator Migs Zubiri during the hearing was pained.

And yet, watching the hardened faces of many of the fraternity “brothers” of Atio Castillo as they kept their silence, or prevaricated even, invoking their right against self-incrimination even on such matter-of-fact questions as one’s position in the fraternity, one was left aghast and asking what kind of lawyers these fratmen were or about to become.

Atio’s father was beside himself in crushing devastation. “The boy we had cherished, who brought us so much pride and joy, he had many dreams. He wanted to be a lawyer, a senator, and even justice of the Supreme Court,” Horacio Castillo Jr. could only rue.

Lacson, himself no stranger to the hazing traditions of the Philippine Military Academy, shuddered at the coverup attempts, led as they were by lawyers of the fraternity members.

He thought it unbecoming of the lawyers to help cover up the crime and it was “disgusting” for the members to leave their

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Turn to A5

The mediocrity of research in higher education THERE is a mad drive to do research in higher education these days—where the emphasis is on “mad” and not “drive”. Higher levels of voluntary accreditation rely heavily on research output. Vertical typology—whether an institution is a vocational or crafts institution, a professional school or a university—is determined considerably by research.

And “performance based bonus,” in state universities and colleges, uses research and publication as part of its table of criteria. But the result is a deluge of unpardonably mediocre papers

made to pass off as highlevel research.

There is, first of all, the hard fact that in the Philippines, university professors must teach a load of subjects—and prepare for them (on the premise that they are intent at earnest teaching)—that there is neither leisure nor time for research. It would be ideal if members of a university’s professorial corps could be assigned a maximum of 9 to 12 units, leaving ample time for research and publication. But that means having to multiply the number of teachers, and that is a tough prospect both for private as well as for state higher education institutions because that has serious fiscal consequences.

Then there is the ineluctable fact that some who

may be of course. competent Every proat imparfessor must tin—teachdo prodiIt absolutely i ng — m ay gious readmakes no sense be mising if his erable at professing for me for a writing. is to be university to have And that, worth the a flourishing of course, s t u d e n t s’ begs the time. And research question every prodepartment that of whether fessor must does not engage a profespossess sor must the comin a continuing n e c e s s a rto conversation with petence ily be a produce its instructional competent lecture researcher. notes and corps.

I am fully even stuaware that dent handthe almost out—bespont a ne c a u s e ous—and, to me, preten- off-the-cuff witticisms and tious response—will be “of nuggets of wisdom do not course”, but that does not an academic lecture make! seem to me to be a matter But to produce a well

thought-out, methodologically sound, systematically written research paper calls for quite other skills with which, it should not be presumed, every professor is endowed.

And because no one can hope for an advance in rank without coming out with some publication of sorts, there is now a race to get Springer, SCOPUS publications and other so-called “accredited journals” to publish one’s written musings, peppered with citations from books of which the “researcher” has read one or two pages! Aside from the age-old form of prostitution that is blamed for the spread of dreadful diseases, and cyber-prostitution that, most of the time, moves from virtual sex to actual sex, the scandalous

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher can be accessed at: manilastandard.net Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www. manilastandard.net

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Opinion

MONDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2017

A5

A country in crisis THERE are people who say this country is at the crossroads. Some say we are past the crossroads having taken a fork in the road leading to the precipice. At the extent of painting a pessimistic picture, the Philippines in reality is a country in crisis.

To be fair, one’s assessment depends on which side of the political divide one is on.

Toxic politics, for one, is the main factor dragging the country down to the abyss. The leadership and major players in the political landscape are too preoccupied with protecting their turf that they don’t realize that they themselves are the ones digging the ground from under them and the rest of us with them. This observation is not mine alone. It is culled from more discerning political analysts whose overriding concern like mine is the welfare and well-being of the citizenry. Is that too much to ask and expect from our leaders?

Unfortunately it is the

people who put the present leadership into power. But it’s not yet too late for the captain of the ship of state to change course before it runs aground and hit the rocks in shallow water.

The current controversy over President Rodrigo Duterte’s fulmination against the European Union is a case in point of the government’s slashand-burn foreign policy. It is no longer a presidential outburst; it has been elevated into official policy when Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alan Peter Cayetano stated the Philippines will no longer accept foreign grants from the EU. As the country’s top diplomat, Cayetano enunciated the government policy vis a vis Europe.

Earlier, the former senator from Taguig in an interview with Al Jazeera defended the government’s war on drugs and dismissing the alleged extrajudicial killings of suspects during police operations as collateral damage.

Collateral damage and the death of civilians caught in the crossfire is what happens during aerial bombing of houses and buildings as in the battle of Marawi. But the war zone in Marawi was more or less

defined. Not so in the war on drugs where suspects are allegedly killed even in kneeling position, according to witnesses.

Young people who were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time with suspects become part of police statistics. There is an estimated 3,000 people killed in the government’s drive against drugs.

This fatalities are much more than the death toll combined on both sides in the five- month old war to liberate Marawi from the clutches of the Maute/ISIS terrorists.

Our soldiers deserved to be extolled as heroes. They persevered and carried on to free beleaguered Marawi. The two leaders of the terror group— Omar Maute and Isnilon Hapiloni—were killed in the military’s final push to victory. President Duterte should also be commended for his resolve to free Marawi.

But we beg to differ in the government’s disengagement with the EU because a small, little known European parliamentary group criticized the extra judicial killings in the war on drugs. The EU itself has disowned and disclaimed

the splinter group was an EU bloc mission.

There was no need in a moment of anger to tell the EU ambassadors in the country to get out and leave within 24 hours This is a declaration of severing diplomatic ties with 28 member countries in the EU. The United Kingdom at least asked its people whether they like to leave the European Union in what is known as Brexit.

The people spoke and manifested their decision in a referendum. Britain’s landmark exit from the EU was the voice of the people, not just the decision of one man.

The false pride of one man could affect 100 million Filipinos, many of whom are jobless, homeless and eating less, if they are eating at all. Any financial help, not just from the EU but from all sources, is not a policy of mendicancy. It is the interdependence of nations with another.

But it’s not a misguided foreign policy that is the bane of the nation.

Terrorism, separatism, communist insurgency, crime, corruption, unmanageable traffic plus the rising prices of basic and essential commodities add to the heady brew of social

unrest. Lifestyle checks have been ordered by the President on officials and personnel of the Bureaus of Customs, Internal Revenue and Immigration. This is not my own assessment of the serious situation alone. The ongoing public inquiries being conducted by the Senate into the spate of corruption speak volumes of the malfeasance in these bureaus.

The equilibrium or check and balance among the executive, judiciary and legislative branches is in peril of being upset with the three impeachment moves against the heads of the Commission on Elections, Office of the Ombudsman and the Supreme Court.

Whether there’s basis or not in any of these impeachment moves, the fact is the credibility of these constitutional bodies has been undermined.

I do not wish the ouster of the President. Like other citizens of this country, I would like him to succeed.

We cannot afford another uprising either by the people or the military, the very guardians of stability. We can no longer be a country whose government is still a work in progress despite decades of so-called democratic institutions.

Researchers need to recognize what they don’t know

By Mark Buchanan RESEARCHERS in the fields of social science and medicine are debating how to fix an increasingly recognized problem: A lot of their findings are either outright wrong or can’t be replicated. Satisfying as it would be to have a simple solution, to some extent they might just have to learn to live with uncertainty.

The medical statistician John Ionnides laid out the issue more than a decade ago, in a paper titled “Why Most Published Research Findings Are False.” Looking specifically at social science and biomedicine, he found that the limitations of available data, study design and the human mind meant that research outcomes often did little more than reflect the prevailing bias.

Others have found similarly troubling results. In one study, Federal Reserve economists were able to confirm the findings of less than half of a selection of 67 economics research papers. Another analysis estimated that 85 percent of biomedicine research is wasted, because results either never get published or rest on unscientific study design.

One big weakness is a measure that researchers commonly use to assess their results. Known as a p-value, it is supposed to indicate the likelihood that an outcome occurred by statistical fluke. If that likelihood is below five percent (a p-value of less than 0.05), the result is deemed “statistically significant.”

Yet researchers have so much freedom in designing studies that even the well-

The mediocrity...

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“phenomenological analysis”— and it soon became apparent to me that while the author thought that “phenomenological” was titillating enough to capture the attention of readers, there was hardly anything resembling Husserl, Merleau-Ponty or any of the evolved forms of phenomenology that warrant the use of the descriptive “phenomenological”.

And because there is “pressure” to research and to publish, one comes across every sort of insane correlational study. I will not be surprised if somewhere, there has been published a study that asks about the correlation, if any, between the sexual activity of a couple and the luxuriant growth

The lawyer’s...

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fraternity brother Castillo in that condition.

The mere fact that they asked John Paul Solano who was not with them during the final initiation rites to bring the fallen Atio to Chinese General Hospital some two kilometers away, instead of the UST Hospital of their own school which was just meters and minutes away is by itself evidence of a coverup for an “accidental” death.

Was covering up for unintended consequence

intentioned often fool themselves, tweaking the data and analysis until they yield “significant” results for the wrong reasons.

What to do? Some researchers want to set a more challenging threshold, lowering the required p-value to 0.005 (0.5 percent). While this could eliminate some borderline studies and reduce the number of papers published, it might also suppress some useful work. Experiments involving people are subject to a lot of natural variation, and researchers must often work with small data sets. As a result, some legitimately interesting effects or relationships deserving further study might not meet a p-value test.

Another group of statisticians has sensibly suggested that researchers

of plants and shrubbery outside their bedroom window! It is even worse now some gurus at the Commission on Higher Education have decided that only the journals that they list as “accredited” will count as vehicles of research output. That, to me, is a serious transgression of academic freedom and professional autonomy.

If a group of philosophy professors should band together and decide to come out with a publication of their research papers, why should they seek the approval of some authority to superintend their publication and adjudge it as “reputable”? The Journal of the Philippine Judicial Academy is not on CHED’s list—but the articles and studies that find their way to that journal are far more sophisticated and learned than the printed mutterings that find

instinctive for those schooled in the law? Was the instinct to protect oneself from possible prosecution too overpowering even for a lawyer’s conscience?

And when the instinct to protect each other elevates itself into the realm of planning a coverup to the point of hiding and obliterating whatever evidence there was, isn’t that too much even for a lawyer’s conscience?

I asked our lawyer-deputy for the oath of office that they take upon passing the bar, and clearly, it states: “I will do no

drop the whole illusion of precision. Focusing on a specific p-value threshold, they argue, puts too much emphasis on one line of evidence.

Such measures should be viewed in the context of other information, including the size of the effect and the presence of a plausible explanation for its existence.

Beyond that, various practices can help researchers avoid fooling themselves.

Consider how physicists searching for evidence of gravitational waves kept their colleagues on their toes: They secretly authorized several team members to inject false data into the detectors, forcing everyone to take every possible precaution to ensure that they wouldn’t take some fluke for the real thing.

Elsewhere, journals are

their way to the “accredited publications”. I still have on my desk a Springer publication on the first page of which are two grammatical errors that one will not find in a decent university journal that may not be CHED-accredited!

Commissioner Popoy de Vera recently posted on Facebook a piece on the “disconnect” between academe and social reality—brought about largely by aimless or purposeless research—research for the sake of research points!

And that brings me to my final rant. While every university is supposed to be a university hub— particularly its graduate school— what many times happens is that the research component of the university becomes a self-contained, self-enclosed, self-propelled section that has its own aims with nary a connection to the academic aims

falsehood, nor consent to the doing of any in court”.

Furthermore, a lawyer swears that he or she “will not wittingly or willingly promote or sue any groundless, false or unlawful suit, or give aid nor consent to the same”.

Yet there they were, in the “court of the people,” if one may call the Senate hearing as one, clamming up in obvious conspiracy, uttering falsehoods, with the consent of some of their elders even.

Knowing that it would be the courts of law that would eventually decide their

pushing researchers to better document their work, and are moving to approve and register papers earlier in the process—an approach that refocuses scrutiny on the quality of the scientific approach and the importance of the research question, rather than on the statistical significance of the results.

Medicine and the social sciences face a daunting task: They’re trying to answer questions that are both urgent for humanity and extremely difficult, due to the inherently complex nature of their subjects.

Instead of seeking certainty, they might have to recognize that some problems overwhelm our current abilities to tease out any useful insight. No use of statistics can get around that. Bloomberg

of the institution. My point is that research should both lead to improved instruction and come about as the result of instruction. That is the reason that many of the significant archaeological finds involved PhD students doing field work.

That is research that is intrinsically connected to instruction. It absolutely makes no sense for me for a university to have a flourishing research department that does not engage in a continuing conversation with its instructional corps.

I hope research in Philippine academe does not go the way of many things in this troubled and controversial land—born out of good intentions, misshapen at birth, totally deformed in its metamorphosis! rannie_aquino@csu.edu.ph rannie_aquino@sanbeda.edu.ph rannie_aquino@outlook.com

fate, hiding or destroying evidence early on would in the end provide them legal lifeline. More like Mafiosi than advocates of truth and justice.

Thus did the elder Castillo state: “Naaawa rin ako sa kanila. Kasi their lives are over. Do you think magiging lawyers pa sila?”

Well, stranger things have happened in this benighted land where law is easily bent in its practice, often utilized as the refuge of clear scoundrels, and conscience can be obliterated by “mental reservation or purpose of

evasion.”

Such a sad observation upon the state of the legal profession in our country. *** Last week brought some good news, though.

Not only were Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute neutralized, but even their Malaysian financier and ringleader as well, Mahmud Ahmad. The Marawi tragedy is over for all intents and purposes. The IS has been beaten in Raqqa as well.

With continued vigilance and international cooperation, this scourge

Taxes and illicit trade THE Duterte administration has identified its banner Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion package—or TRAIN—as a priority measure and, it is moving. House Bill No. 5636, the first of five tax reform packages, is now in the Senate and is expected to be signed into law by the end of the year.

The word “reform” in TRAIN might need elaboration.

To be sure, there are long overdue changes that need to finally happen. For instance, the middle class had long been crying for relief, and there is indeed a need to adjust for progressivity and fairness existing income tax regimes, something that this proposal aims to address hoping for inclusive growth.

But its gains might be overshadowed by the plethora of new taxes that is expected to heavily figure in an ordinary Filipino consumer’s everyday life. After all, the measure seeks to generate some P300 billion in new revenues ostensibly to fund its much-needed infrastructure agenda.

This money will need to be sourced somewhere, and new taxes on petroleum products and sugar-sweetened beverages, just to name a couple, will certainly affect a household’s budget.

A recent multi-industry study by the University of Asia and the Pacific bares that in a span of five years, illicit traders were able to smuggle at least P904.6 billion worth of goods into the country. This figure, staggering as it is, only covers eight industries with frequently smuggled products like petroleum, steel, resins, wood, cigarettes, sugar, palm oil, The harms and automotive batteries.

The real numbers then could of illicit trade be even higher, perhaps even go beyond approaching the trillion-peso mark. economics.

Not too long ago, the country, already inundated with news on violent crackdowns against drugrelated suspects, was treated to another punch in the gut: some P6.4 billion worth of shabu was successfully smuggled into the country, under the watch of a bureaucracy already saturated with antiillegal drugs rhetoric. The alleged involvement of the President’s son in the mess only served to make things even more complicated.

What these reveal is something many know already: there are chronically massive gaps in the way that the Bureau of Customs is policing our ports, resulting in equally massive revenue losses for the government. Some estimates peg the economic impact of so-called illicit trade on the country’s Gross Domestic Product from 2011 to 2015 at about P495.5 billion, in addition to more than a trillion-peso loss in domestic production or gross output and some 291,070 displaced workers, all due to smuggling.

Some quarters even go as far as calling illicit trade a crime against the economy and humanity. Said Federation of Philippine Industries chairman Jesus L. Arranza: “Illicit trade cuts across all industries—from agricultural products to heavy industries. It is a crime against the economy and humanity that calls for a zero-tolerance approach from all of us. It is a serious economic problem that robs the government of billions of pesos in revenues, harms consumers and undercuts legitimate local manufacturers.”

Government losses due to smuggling are not limited to undervaluation or under declaration of goods due to lack of or improper tax assessment. These goods also effectively kill legitimate local industries and manufacturers who are unable to compete with these tax-free contrabands. When this happens systematically, over time, loss of jobs and even closure cannot be far behind.

The harms of illicit trade even go beyond economics.

Some smuggled items, like cigarettes, illegal drugs, and even guns, not just elide taxation, they even abet the spread of addiction, crime, and even terrorism. That an underground arms and illegal drug trade had helped prop up the rebellion in Marawi provides a very disturbing picture.

This is the backdrop against which the Duterte administration’s TRAIN bill must be contextualized.

In this light, imposing new taxes on the already overburdened consumers seems to be a cop-out compared to the difficult task of plugging the huge tax leaks. But since the TRAIN seems all but unstoppable, consumers will just need to again brace themselves for higher costs. For an administration freshly out of a so-called honeymoon period, the results of upcoming satisfaction surveys will be interesting when the people start feeling the gap in their daily budget. upon civilization should be put to a decisive end.

Back home, Conde Nast adjudged Boracay as still the best island get-away, with Cebu and Palawan not far behind. But this should not get our tourism officials as well as the Aklan provincial government complacent.

The island is beset by so many problems borne by congestion beyond the 1,100 hectare island’s carrying capacity. It is high time a more comprehensive development of the neighboring beaches both in Aklan and Romblon, was put into place to complement Boracay as our prime attraction.

And alternative island destinations properly planned, the infrastructure laid out, good for the next 30 years or more, such as Siargao with 12 times

more land than Boracay, or Coron, Culion, Romblon, Camotes, Guiuan, Calayan, Siquijor, and so many other beautiful sites.

And good news as well is the Naia having “graduated” from the ranks of the world’s worst airports, a national shame for many years during which PNoy dug in for his relative who allowed the airport, sadly named after PNoy’s father himself, decrepit and disgraceful.

Each time I go to the airport, I get pleasantly surprised at the improvements, from cleaner toilets to shorter downtimes from taxiing to taking off.

There are to be sure a lot of details that need fixing, but it’s manager, Ed Monreal, heir to a monumental mess, is certainly doing something good.

Finally, we see direction. Finally, we are getting quick action.

A6

World

MONDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2017 Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor

Big meth seizure in Rakhine YANGON―Myanmar police have seized more than $5 million worth of methamphetamine pills in the north of violence-racked Rakhine state this month, an officer said Sunday.

Millions of the caffeinelaced meth tablets were intercepted in Maungdaw district, the center of an army-led crackdown that has driven more than half a million Rohingya Muslims to flee across the border into Bangladesh in just two months.

Myanmar troops poured into the area in late August to launch a counter-offensive against Rohingya militants who attacked police posts. This grew into a full-blown ethnic cleansing campaign against the Muslim minority, according to the UN and others.

As the region reels from the refugee crisis, a lucrative narcotics trade continues across the border into Bangladesh, where there is high demand for the addictive meth pills known by their Thai name “yaba” or “crazy medicine”. AFP

Abe eyes big win in election TOKYO-Millions of Japanese braved typhoon conditions Sunday to vote in a snap election likely to hand Prime Minister Shinzo Abe a fresh mandate to revive the world’s third-largest economy and press his hard-line stance on North Korea.

If preelection surveys are correct, Abe’s conservative coalition will cruise to a crushing majority to win a fresh term at the helm of the key US regional ally and Asian economic powerhouse.

Polling stations opened across the country at 7:00am (2200 GMT Saturday) with voters battling high winds and driving rain as an election-day typhoon barreled towards Japan that could weigh on turnout.

Analysts say a low turnout is more likely to benefit Abe, whose conservative voters are more determined.

The near-constant drizzle throughout the campaign has not dampened the enthusiasm of hundreds of doughty, sash-wearing parliamentary hopefuls, who have driven around in campaign minibuses pleading for votes via loudspeaker and bowing deeply to every potential voter. AFP

Craving movies in Saudi IYADH―The lights go out, the projector whirls and entertainment-starved Saudis sink into plush seats to soak up an experience they have been denied for decades―a trip to the cinema.

The rare movie night this week in Riyadh was a precursor to an expected formal lifting of the kingdom’s ban on cinemas, long vilified as vulgar and sinful by religious hardliners.

Following a decree allowing women to drive, authorities have hinted cinemas would soon be permitted as part of ambitious reforms for a post-oil era that could shake up the austere kingdom’s cultural scene.

“Cinema is like the soul of Saudi society,” said Faisal Alharbi, director of “National Dialogue”, one of three short films screened to an audience packed into the capital’s King Fahd Cultural Center. AFP

Germany’s far-right celebrates its gains

FOTO

VISIT. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is received by Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud prior to their meeting in Riyadh. AFP

COTTBUS, Germany―Chancellor Angela Merkel hails from Germany’s ex-communist East, yet it is here where the anger against her runs deepest and the far-right protest party AfD has celebrated its strongest gains.

The electoral success of the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany, which scored 12.6 percent in September 24 elections, stunned much of the country.

But in Cottbus, located in the Lusatia coal mining region near the Polish border, many cheered the strong result for the party whose battle cry is “Merkel must go”.

In the city of 100,000 people that is dominated by drab Soviet-style tower blocks, the AfD even beat the chancellor’s conservatives, more than doubling its national result by attracting 26.8 percent of the vote.

The list of grievances against Merkel is long if you listen to Klaus Gross, 67, a former army officer of the Soviet-allied regime who became a sales representative after Germany’s 1990 reunification.

“First we had the policy of rescuing the euro, then renewable energy with all these wind turbines everywhere,” he said, pointing to a green energy push that unsettles many in a region dependent on massive open-pit coal mines. AFP

Catalonia decision slammed B

ARCELONA-Spain took drastic measures Saturday to stop Catalonia from breaking away, announcing plans to dismiss its separatist government and call fresh elections in a move the region’s leader compared to the dictatorship of Francisco Franco.

Catalan president Carles Puigdemont and his ministers-who sparked Spain’s worst political crisis in decades by holding a banned independence referendum―will be stripped of their jobs and their ministries taken over under the measures laid out by Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.

After hundreds of thousands of protesters flooded Barcelona’s streets earlier Saturday to show their anger at Madrid, Puigdemont said Rajoy was guilty of “the worst attack on institutions and Catalan people” since Franco, calling for the parliament of the semiautonomous region to meet urgently.

Franco ruled Spain with an iron fist from 1939 to his

death in 1975, and among other repressive measures took Catalonia’s powers away and banned the official use of Catalan language.

Cautious, though, Puigdemont did not once say the word “independence” as Spain and the rest of the European Union waits to see if he will carry out his threat to declare a breakaway state.

Barcelona police said 450,000 people joined a protest in the regional capital earlier, many chanting “freedom” and “independence” and waving Catalonia’s yellow, red and blue separatist flag.

Madrid could take direct control over Catalonia’s police force and replace its

public media chiefs, with Rajoy saying he had no other choice, faced with a grave threat to Spain’s national unity.

Elections for the semiautonomous region must be called within six months, he added.

The measures must now pass through the Senate -- a process that will take about a week -- but Rajoy’s conservative Popular Party (PP) holds a majority there and his efforts to prevent a break-up of Spain have the backing of other major parties.

The Catalonia crisis could cause a “dangerous dislocation”, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told the Journal du Dimanche, adding that he hoped the elections would “clarify the situation.”

Home to 7.5 million people, wealthy Catalonia fiercely defends its language and culture and has previously enjoyed control over its policing, education and health care. AFP

Former US presidents attend concert COLLEGE STATION―All five of America’s living former presidents took the stage Saturday at a benefit concert in Texas to raise money for the victims of the hurricane-ravaged southern United States and the Caribbean.

Former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter appeared together on stage at Texas A&M , praising Americans for their willingness to help fellow citizens and urging them to do more.

The effort by the three Democrats and two Republicans has raised over $31

million from 80,000 donors for the victims of hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, George H.W. Bush’s office said.

“All of us on this stage here tonight could not be prouder of the response of Americans. When they see their neighbors and they see their friends, they see strangers in need, Americans step up,” Obama said.

“Let’s all work together and make America still a greater volunteer nation,” said Carter, making an apparent play on President Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” campaign slogan.

The Georgia native said that Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit he’s worked with for 36 years, would build 6,000 homes in hard-hit areas. It’s raised $20 million of the $100 million sought, he said.

And “I too am here to urge you to give to this fine fund, and I want to thank all the volunteers,” the younger Bush said.

“There’s still work to do,” Clinton said. “It can be a new beginning if we just do what we ought to do and prove that the heart of America, without race or religion or political party, is greater than our problems.” AFP

FIRST BIRTHDAY. Karolina Kurkova and Tobin Jack Drury Tot Living By Haute Living Celebrates Asahd’s First Birthday With Cybex on October 21, 2017 in Miami, Florida. AFP

Maternal deaths climbing in Zambia LUSAKA, Zambia―The birthday of twins Karen and Kelly Junior will always be tinged by sadness as it also marks the day their mother died in childbirth―a tragic occurrence of increasing public debate in Zambia.

Their mother, Karen Kalengele, 33, was admitted to the Medcross hospital in Lusaka, one of the country’s most prestigious private medical facilities, on March 18 to give birth.

Her labor was slow and, as she was expecting twins, doctors chose to perform a Caesarean section.

It was apparently successful but, soon after the birth, her husband Kelly Chuunga, 45, was informed of her death.

“We were with my sisters in a room where the babies had been brought and we were busy taking pictures while my wife was dying on the operating table,” Chuunga, a finance manager, told AFP. For any explanation, he relies on a death certificate that concludes his wife succumbed to a pulmonary embolism―a sudden blockage of an artery in the lungs.

“I don’t know whether it was negligence or it was an accident. It has left me with a lot of questions I don’t have answers to,” he said, adding he didn’t want to pursue a legal case against the hospital.

No-one at Medcross was reachable for comment when contacted by AFP. The reluctance to discuss or complain about cases of maternal death in Zambia has been challenged recently by the death of 29-year-old journalist Sithembile Zulu, who worked for the government-run Daily Mail. AFP

Monks, nuns make big business in France

SHEPHERDING GEESE. A man shepherds geese in the village of Krevo, some 100 km northwest from Minsk on October 22, 2017. AFP

CHANTELLE, France― After prayers at the Chantelle Abbey in Allier, central France, a marketing meeting between the abbey’s nuns and their employees discusses the latest orders for its on-site soap and cosmetics products, the delivery destination: Germany.

The community of Benedictine sisters has been manufacturing cosmetics since 1954, after two sisters, a chemist and a mathematician, began the practice.

Body lotions, shower gels

and moisturizers are among the products made in the abbey’s own laboratory, where the nuns acknowledge they must now make time for prayer and business.

“A company, must develop or it dies,” said Mother Pascale, dressed in a veil and scapular while supervising production.

“We have needed to develop, to make more turnover and to modernize our clientele,” she added, sounding more business executive than spiritual leader.

For the Benedictines,

manual labor is imperative to respect the rule of Saint Benedict, which dates back to the sixth century.

As long as it is not during the hours of prayer, the sisters can work on the products, from conception to packaging.

Even Sister Marie-Suzanne, at the age of 97, and dean of the abbey, is involved in the work.

But in order to meet the demand, the abbey has hired some 10 non-religious employees to help with the production. AFP

Sports

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MONDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2017 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Horse owners’ prize gets P122M boost Mabuhay Miles Elite golf slated

By Nathanielle Punay THE Mabuhay Miles Elite Invitational Golf Tournament holds its Silver (25th) edition on Nov. 18 at the Orchard Golf and Country Club, with participants coming from Philippine Airline’s Mabuhay Mile Elite, Premier Elite and Million Elite members.

Players that will be divided based on their handicap will be playing on a 36-hole golf course located in Dasmarinas, Cavite, split into two courses. These are the Palmer and Player courses, designed by Arnold Palmer and Gary Player, respectively.

There will also be nine categories to be launched in the tournament, namely Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D, Ladies, Seniors, Guest, Lowest Gross and Overall Net Champions.

The 18-hole stroke play event will be played in line with the Rules of Golf by the Royal and Ancient Golf of St. Andrews and the Local Rules from the Orchard Golf Club.

Major sponsors and partners for this year’s tournament include Toyota, Century Park Hotel, Pan Pacific Hotel, Mastercard, Omnipay, Petron, PNB, Boeing and PNB Gen Insurers.

Last year’s winners were Jenz Vincent Tecson, Bernabe Punsalan, Louis Bartolome Borja, Joseph Owen Fulo, Elson Jose Dagondon, Emeterio Dikitanan, Christine Marie Valdehueza, Tranquilino Magpantay, Rodrigo Perez and Vicente Solon.

The annual tournament first took off in 1992 with the name “PAL Mabuhay Club Invitational Golf Tournament” and was renamed in 2002 as “Mabuhay Miles Elite Invitational Golf Tournament”.

La Salle ends title drought DE LA SALLE captured its first women’s title in eight years with a 3-2 conquest of University of the Philippines yesterday in the UAAP Season 80 badminton tournament.

Nicole Albo easily disposed Mary Ann Marañon, 21-10, in the deciding singles to help the Lady Shuttlers capture the best-ofthree series, 2-1, at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall.

Now the second winningest team in the sport, De La Salle annexed its fifth title overall - and the first since 2009.

Poca Alcala defeated Arianne Rivera, 20-22, 18-21, in the opening singles to put the Lady Maroons ahead.

Iyah Sevilla turned back Marina Caculitan, 20-22, 21-12, 21-18, in the second doubles to allow the Lady Shuttlers to level.

De La Salle then took the upper hand, as Isay Leonardo and Albo outlasted Alcala and Jessie Francisco, 21-23, 21-17, 21-16, in the first doubles.

Lea Inlayo and Mary Ann Marañon swept Sevilla and Lindsay Tercias, 21-16, 21-10, in the second doubles to give UP a lifeline.

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WHOPPING 128 percent increase of horse owners’ prizes to P122,929,590.91 for the Philippine Racing Commission-sponsored stakes races in 2018 is expected to further boost revenues and lift the standard of racing to world-class levels

Horse-owners’ prizes stood at P53,970,000 in 2016, which increased to P71,929,590.91 this year--already a 33 percent improvement by P17,959,590.91.

But that’s not all.

Both the Senate and the House of Representatives have approved an additional budget of P51 million from the Department of Budget and Management for rating-based Philracom races in 52 weeks for 2018.

This means a total horse-owners’ prize of P122M from the figure of P53,970,000 in 2016, which the Philracom believes, can sustain the commission’s gains in terms of revenues and patrons.

“It’s a domino effect.

When you increase the horse-owner’s prizes, they are more engaged in buying new horses. They hire more trainers and more grooms, thus more more income to more people. As a result, they produce bet-

ter horses that give us better, competitive races. This in turn attracts more racing aficionados,” said Philracom Chairman Andrew A Sanchez. “We are therefore thankful to both the Senate and the House of Representatives for boosting the racing industry.”

In a noteworthy accomplishment, the Philracom has already arrested the decline of horse-racing revenues for the past three years with a marked increase in sales of P8 mil-

lion after the first nine and a half months of the year.

As of October 11, 2017, horse-racing revenues have increased by P8,002,595 (0.14%) to P5,653,542,572 from the P5,645,539,977 of the same time last year.

And as of Oct. 19, the Comparative Average Prize of the Day has increased by 2.96 percent to P214,998.20 from the P208,634.14 last year and P208,304.29 in 2015.

The Philracom’s P22,170,755 average sales

per raceday in 2017 is also a marked improvement from the P21,303,924 average sales figure from last year.

Its P2,510,454 average sales per race this year is also better than the P2,450,321. average in 2016.

Contributing immensely to the spike in revenues was Philracom’s implementation of a new ratingbased handicapping system as a result of the commission’s recent membership with IFHA, coupled with its marketing campaign.

Fiba president: PH has enough time to prepare for World Cup bid

By Peter Atencio

Charlie Morton #50 of the Houston Astros throws a pitch against the New York Yankees during the first inning in Game Seven of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 21, 2017 in Houston, Texas. AFP

It’s Astros vs Dodgers in World Series LOS ANGELES—The Houston Astros defeated the New York Yankees 4-0 on Saturday to book a Major League Baseball World Series showdown with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

After fending off elimination in game six on Friday, the Astros won the best-of-seven American League Championship Series four-games-tothree to reach the World Series

for the second time i n club histor y.

Evan Gattis and Jose Altuve homered for the Astros, who had won the first two games of the series at home before dropping three straight in New York.

Charlie Morton pitched five strong innings for the Astros, who were swept by the Chicago White Sox in their only prior World Series ap-

pearance, back in 2005 when they played in the National League.

“So far we have one more series to get the ultimate prize,” said Astros Manager A.J. Hinch, whose team opens the World Series in Los Angeles on Tuesday. “But there’s two teams left standing, and I don’t care what cities they’re from, one of them is from Houston.”

Gattis opened the scoring with a solo homer off Yankees starter CC Sabathia in the fourth inning.

Altuve’s homer in the bottom of the fifth sparked a three-run frame against Yankees relief pitcher Tommy Kahnle, who also surrendered a two-run double to Astros catcher -- and former Yankee -- Brian McCann.

AFP

Australian tennis graduate pro course set THE Australian Tennis Professional Coaches Association will hold a five-day training course for Filipino tennis coaches next month aimed at further improving the level of teaching and at the same time boost the sport here.

Presented by MCTA

(Macs Crankit Tennis Academy of Australia) coach Patricia Concon-Puzon, the ATPCA Graduate Pro course is designed to educate and develop participants to a standard where they are able to professionally coach junior and adult groups from

beginner to intermediate standard.

“The Philippines deserves the best. The ATPCA is a tool for all the aspirants to learn and be confident,” said Concon-Puzon, a former mainstay of the Philippine team and member of the ATPCA

with a Master Pro Level 3 title. “We want to give back to our individual students all our knowledge and graduates will all be part of the world’s Orange Coach where they can keep contact with all coaches on all levels in the ATPCA.” AFP

THERE is enough time to prepare and make improvements.

FIBA Central Board and Commission president Hamane Niang of Mali, who heads a three-man FIBA Evaluation Commission, said this after meeting with officials of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and government officials on Saturday night.

The Philippines is bidding to co-host the 20123 FIBA Basketball World Cup with Indonesia and Japan.

“It is still possible to prepare for improvements. And for this, the FIBA has a guarantee from the government,” said Niang after a meeting at the Conrad Hotel in Pasay City.

Niang arrived Thursday night to inspect facilities which will be used should the Philippines win its bid to co-host the Basketball World Cup. Niang and his team received a warm welcome from President Rodrigo Duterte upon their arrival.

It was noted that the facilities in Japan have yet to be constructed, while Indonesia is rehabilitating what they have.

After the two-day ocular inspection, Niang was shown facilities that are already available, such as the Philippine International Convention Center, Smart Araneta Coliseum, Mall of Asia Arena and the Philippine Arena.

Niang said that the full support guaranteed by the Philippine government is noted.

The presentation made by Philippines will be discussed on Dec. 9 during a meeting of the FIBA Central Board, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Foreign Affairs secretary Allan Peter Cayetano were around to represent the government panel during the talks, along with SBP president Al Panlilio, SBP executive director Sonny Barrios and SBP deputy executive director for international affairs Butch Antonio.

The tournament will feature the best 32 teams from 32 countries all over the world.

The 2023 World Cup will also serve as a qualifier for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.

Languido, Miranda rule Milo Marathon in Davao City HARD work and passion equipped the athletes during the 41stNational MILO Marathon Davao leg on Sunday.

Richeel Languido and Judelyn Miranda emerged triumphant as they landed first place at the 21K half marathon.

Almost 10,000 runners conquered the streets to race for the finish line. Training directors of the Philippine Olympic Committee, and celebrity training coaches Jim and Tony Saret led the pre-race warm up sessions for the elite athletes and category runners, respectively.

Richeel Languido earned the top spot at the 21K half marathon with 1:15:14 at the clock, closely followed by Michale Echalieco (1:18:29) and Arnie Macaneras (1:20:19). Meanwhile, over at the female division, Judelyn Miranda, who also topped the Davao leg in the 39th National MILO Marathon in 2015, clocked in at 1:32:07,

followed by Vivian Avegonzado at 1:41:38 and Lalaine Payricio at 1:42:22. Supporters should expect to see the two winners once again at the National Finals in Cebu City on December 3 to try and claim the title of MILO Marathon King and Queen.

It was clear that the 31-year-old Richeel Languido was in the perfect condition to win the competition. He dominated the field and was ahead of everybody right from the start. Though it may seem that it was an easy challenge for him he admitted that the race was not an easy challenge.

“I had a hard time going back since the route was uphill and it is also my first time in Davao. Luckily, I was able to make it up in the last 3K or 4K,” said Languido.

He shared his training regimen which comprised of an hour and a half run before heading to work and a 30-minute jog before heading home.

He plans on bringing his wife and children along with him for the CDO leg. “It’s fun to join the MILO Marathon. You get to bond with your friends. I plan to bring my wife and kids to the CDO race so they can experience the thrill and excitement for themselves”.

Meanwhile, Judelyn Miranda, a 32-yearold security management official from Tagum City, emerged victorious as the female winner of the 21K race. Judelyn is no stranger to marathons; this is her third time to participate in the Davao race. Miranda admitted that because of her job she wasn’t able to train as much as she would have wanted and openly shared that she had a hard time during the marathon.

The National MILO Marathon will continue in Butuan (Nov. 12) and Cagayan De Oro (Nov. 19). The National Finals in Cebu City will be on Dec. 3.

Chief PNP Bato Cup opens Oct. 27 at Garden Square MORE than 300 participants and foreign players are set to compete in the first Chief Philippine National Police Bato Cup Battle of the Champions Table Tennis Championships presented by San Miguel Corporation on Oct. 27 to 29 at the Garden Square in Harrison Plaza in Malate, Manila.

Eight elite teams composed of Table Tennis Association of North District, Hua Ching Foundation, Philippine Air Force, University of Cebu, Star Paper Corp., Omila Sports Academy, PNP Table Tennis Club and Awei are going to compete in the battle of the champions division.

“We are expecting more

participants including foreign players from Japan, China, London, Malaysia and Korea that will challenge the Filipino players. Aside from foreign participants, players from the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao regions are also there to compete,” says Organizing Committee Chairman PSSupt Michael John F Dubria.

Aside from the battle of the champions event supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, the other divisions are the men and women’s school/government agencies teams, Liha team, men’s and women’s singles and Executive event for Law Enforcement/Military and team managers.

Richeel Languido reaches the finish line ahead of the pack.

LOTTO RESULTS 6/55 00-00-00-00-00-00 6/45 00-00-00-00-00-00 4 DIGITS 0-0-0-0 3 DIGITS 0-0-0 2 EZ2 0-0

P0 M+ P0 M

Riera U. Mallari, Editor Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor sports@thestandard.com.ph sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

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MONDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2017

Sports

Local pug dies after sparring session

By Randy Caluag

Stephen Curry (30) of the Golden State Warriors dribbles past Memphis Grizzlies defender Andrew Harrison (5) at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. AFP

Dubs bow to Grizzlies L

OS ANGELES—The defending champion Golden State Warriors and finals runners-up Cleveland Cavaliers are still shaking off the cobwebs, with both NBA powerhouses suffering double-digit defeats on Saturday.

The Warriors fell 111-101 to the Grizzlies in Memphis, while the Eastern Conference champion Cavaliers were manhandled at home by the Orlando Magic 114-93.

The Warriors dropped their second of three games to start the new season as

center Marc Gasol scored 34 points for the Grizzlies, who continued their strong play against Golden State at the FedExForum.

Last season Memphis handed Golden State two of their 15 regular-season losses, including a 110-89

rout in December at the same venue.

The Warriors got 37 points from guard Stephen Curry and 29 points and 13 rebounds from forward Kevin Durant. But both were thrown out of the game with 43 seconds left for arguing with the officials.

Curry was tossed after he threw his mouthpiece in the direction of an official after he thought he had been fouled on a drive to the basket. Durant tried to argue in Curry’s favor and was sent to the dressing room as well.

It was the first time in his career that Curry was ejected in a regular season game. A much calmer Curry said after the game that his ejection was justified.

In Cleveland, Nikola Vucevic scored 23 points and the Orlando Magic snapped a 17-game losing streak to the Cavaliers.

Orlando led by as many as 37 points and never trailed.

The skid was the longest in Magic history to any one team, just as the winning streak was Cleveland’s best against a single opponent. The Cavaliers

hadn’t lost to the Magic since November 2012.

Jonathon Simmons came off the bench to score 19 points for Orlando and Evan Fournier finished with 13 points. D.J. Augustin had 12 points and 16 assists.

In Salt Lake City, the short-handed Utah Jazz used a dominant defensive effort to upset the Oklahoma City thunder 96-87.

Joe Ingles scored 19 points to lead five Jazz players in double figures. Rudy Gobert added 16 points and 13 rebounds for Utah, who

held their Northwest Division rivals to just 20 points in the paint.

Elsewhere, LaMarcus Aldridge scored 28 points and had 10 rebounds, Rudy Gay had 12 points and Pau Gasol tallied 10 as the San Antonio Spurs added to the Chicago Bulls’ early season misery with an 87-77 win.

The Spurs, who are playing without last season’s leading scorer Kawhi Leonard and French star Tony Parker, led by as many as 17 points in the fourth quarter. AFP

Bulldogs Difficult question hangs over coming 2017 PBA Draft subdue Growling Tigers

By Jeric Lopez

By Peter Atencio THE National University Bulldogs gave retired player Danny Ildefonso a rousing welcome as a coach.

Temporarily taking over from suspended mentor Jamike Jarin, Ildefonso came up with great tips on how to win a close fight with University Growling Tigers yesterday at The Arena in San Juan.

Six-foot-nine Ghana slotman Issa Gaye took charge underneath in the third period and from there the Bulldogs turned back the Growling Tigers, 91-83, in their featured match in the 80th University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament.

“Wala pa naman akong experience sa coaching. I just prayed to God. Sabi ko sa kanya, ikaw na ang bahala sa akin. Ayun.

Binigyan niya ako ng wisdom,” said Ildefonso.

The Bulldogs have so far bounced back from two straight losses, and have improved to fifth place with their 4-6 winloss record.

The Growling Tigers stunned the Bulldogs by overtaking them, 52-49, off baskets from Marvin Lee and Jordan Sta. Ana. Gaye, who had 22 points and six rebounds, and teammate Matt Salem, provided answers to Ildefonso’s prayers afterwards.

WHO will have the top pick in the upcoming 2017 Philippine Basketball Association Draft next week?

That question is still in everyone’s mind and the answer is still not certain up to this point after a surprising development over the weekend.

Kia, a team obviously struggling with success and personnel management,

shockingly reached an agreement with San Miguel Beer to deal away its top pick last weekend.

The Picanto agreed to let go of its top first round pick in exchange for three seldom-used players from San Miguel in wingmen Keith Agovida, Rashawn McCarthy and veteran Jay-R Reyes.

While both sides have agreed to the deal and the papers were already passed to the league for approval,

PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa is still yet to make his decision on whether or not to approve the pending transaction.

Having the worst record overall for this season, it is expected that the Picanto will have the first overall pick.

Should the mentioned deal be approved by the league, reports indicate that San Miguel is intent on getting top big man prospect

Christian Standhardinger.

This isn’t the first time that Kia has traded its top pick.

It did the same thing in 2015 where it dealt away its top pick to TNT KaTropa.

Also, the Picanto has made questionable moves before. They dealt away then stars Nino Canaleta and Aldrech Ramos two years ago right after they led the team to its first stint in the playoffs.

The league is expected to make an announcement regarding this deal the soonest as the draft fast approaches.

As of this report, everyone’s attention reverted back to Game 5 of the 2017 Governors’ Cup finals where Barangay Ginebra and Meralco continue their war and break their 2-2 deadlock in their best-of-seven championship showdown.

SUPERFLYWEIGHT Jeffrey Claro died yesterday after falling into a coma following a sparring session on Friday at a gym in Mandaluyong.

The Palawan native, who had a professional record of 1 win and 4 losses, was practicing for a possible fight in November.

Games and Amusement Board (GAB) chairman Baham Mitra, together with the boxer’s family and representatives of Naris Singwangcha foundation, was at the hospital when the superflyweight contender passed away.

The GAB helped in making arrangement for the funeral service at the Veronica Memorial Chapel in Pasay City.

The Games and Amusements Board (GAB) sent its condolences to the family of Claro who passed away at the Ospital ng Maynila this morning according to Mitra who had closely monitored the boxer’s condition after he fell into a coma in the hospital.

Singwangcha, a known Thai philanthropist donated US$1,000 to the family of Claro, whose last fight was on May 26 in Antipolo City where he won by unanimous decision over Oscar Lim. It was his first win after four professional fights.

The GAB, in statement posted on its Facebook page, said Claro was among the group of boxers “that was found by GAB to have fake CT scan and was asked to submit a new CT Scan with plates included.”

Claro’s license was not revoked but he was not allowed to fight again until he submits a new CT scan.

Previously, Claro’s fight was postponed twice due to tooth extraction and after he suffered UTI.

Miado battles unbeaten Thai in ONE Championship return in Myanmar FILIPINO mixed martial arts fighter will face tall odds when he makes his ONE Championship return.

Miado locks horns with undefeated Thai prospect Pongsiri “The Smiling Assassin” Mitsatit on the undercard of ONE: Hero’s Dream at the Thuwunna Indoor Stadium in Yangon, Myanmar on November 3, 2017.

The three-round meeting with Mitsatit is a critical match for Miado who

is looking to get his career back on track after suffering a split decision loss to compatriot Robin Catalan in his debut this past April.

“I am happy that ONE Championship has given me the opportunity to showcase my talent on a global scale. My goal is to be a world champion. This is the first step in my road back to the winner’s circle.

Soon, people will know who I am,” Miado said.

He said a victory will be a big step towards fulfilling his dream to become a household name in MMA. Miado is part of a deep talent pool of Filipino mixed martial artists with huge potential and his objective in the constantly-growing sport is to etch his name among the all-time greats.

“This is my big opportunity to show people my capabilities as a martial artist.

I am very proud and blessed

that they are giving me this chance again. For now, I will do my best and train hard.”

Although he is still a relative newcomer to the game, Miado is armed with a strong boxing background as he made a name for himself as a boxer in the Bicol Region and garnered an incredible 32-2 amateur record.

Relocating to Manila two years ago, it was no surprise

that success has followed him as Miado amassed an impressive mixed martial arts record of 6-0 since making his professional debut in January 2016.

Miado’s success rate has already seen him claim regional titles such as the Blaze FC strawweight championship belt in December 2016.

The 24-year-old Filipino standout currently hones his craft at Underground

Battle MMA Gym in Marikina City, where he is mostly training in anticipation of his second promotional bout under the ONE Championship banner.

As Miado seeks to earn his first win in ONE Championship, a tough task is in front of him as Mitsatit will look to build the momentum to produce on what promises to be a sensational mixed martial arts career against the Filipino.

Batang Pinoy winners earn slots in nat’l pool

Philippine Sports Commissioners Charles Maxey and Arnold Agustin, representing PSC chairman Butch Ramirez, join Ilocos Sur governor Ryan Luis Singson (fourth from left) after the hoisting of the banners during the opening ceremony of the 2017 Batang Pinoy Luzon Games in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. Randy Caluag

VIGAN, Ilocos Sur—Chess is one of the 19 sports disciplines included in the program of the Luzon Leg of Batang Pinoy Luzon hosted by the heritage province headed by Governor Ryan Singson and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission.

Sports commissioner Charles Maxey said the Luzon leg winners in chess competition will earn the right to compete with champions from the Visayas and Mindanao leg for slots in the national pool.

“The national champion of chess will gain inclusion

to the national pool where they will receive a monthly allowance of P10,000 from the PSC,” said Maxey.

Maxey led the opening rites of the chess competition yesterday at the Baluarte Function Hall, together with fellow commissioner and chess aficionado Arnold Agustin and tournament director Red Dumuk.

The rapied chess event ushered in the chess competition that attracted 165 woodpushers including the powerhouse Dasmarinas, Cavite team headed by Daniel Quizon, Justine and

Kylen Joy Mordido, Jerlyn Mae San Deigo and Michael Concio, Jr. The Standard event starts today and ends on Thursday while the one-day blitz event is scheduled on Friday.

Elimination matches in other sports for this multievent for 15-year-old-below athletes also started yesterday with Laguna and Bulacan debuting with aplomb in badminton and Pasig City winning their opening game in basketball in separate venues in this historic city most popular for its preserved Spanish architecture.

Fifteen-year-old Joshua Balane struck with 17 points to lead Pasig to an 84-73, win over Bulacan’s San Ildefonso squad for an early lead in the Pool A of this two-bracket boys’ basketball competition at the Caoayan Covered Court.

Over at the Badminton Center of the adjacent Bantay City, Laguna’s Roy Angelo Pedron made short work of Jazphel Centino, 21-3, 21-8, while Pila, Laguna’s Charles Bagasbas worked extra hard in disposing of Francis Amora of Ramon, Isabela, 21-8, 13-21, 21-12.

Exporters downplay EU threat

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Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com MONDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2017

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Razon drops bid for Rizal Memorial IN BRIEF BSP posts P8.9b in net income

BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas it posted a net income of P8.87 billion in the first eight months, down 14.7 percent from P10.40 billion a year ago on lower revenues and as the peso strengthened against the US dollar.

Data showed that revenues in January to August fell 17 percent to P42.79 billion from P51.58 billion in the same period last year.

Interest income grew 19.6 percent to P37.35 billion from P31.22 billion, but miscellaneous income fell sharply by 73 percent to P5.44 billion from P20.36 billion.

The regulator posted a net loss on foreign exchange fluctuations of P2.95 billion in the eight-month period, compared to the P5.58-billion net income last year.

Expenses declined to P45.75 billion from P46 billion last year. Interest expenses settled at P25.25 billion, lower than P29.82 billion a year ago, while other expenses increased to P20.50 billion from P16.18 billion last year.

Julito G. Rada

Globe’s Cu says telecom as an industry is dead GLOBE Telecom president and chief executive Ernest Cu said that in order for a telco business to survive nowadays, digital transformation is a must.

“We actually declared that the telco industry as we know it is dead. Calling, SMS, long distance, all that is going away in favor of what is the digital lifestyle of the Filipinos,” Cu said during the recently concluded DigiCon 2017.

Cu noted the company’s shift from a telco business, to a full-on entertainment and digital services provider in order to meet the rapidly changing and growing demand of customers.

“That’s why you see that everything we’ve done ever since that declaration has been towards empowering the Filipino digital lifestyle” Cu said.

Cu said that going digital should be done not just for the sake of going digital, but as a means to deliver experiences for customers. “It’s a matter of understanding the consumer. Where they’re headed, and what they need to empower that desire. And a lot of it really is about digital,” Cu said.

Inflation to remain manageable MOST private sector economists expect inflation to remain manageable over the next three years on expected global economic recovery, results of the latest survey conducted by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas show.

The mean inflation forecast for 2017 declined to 3.1 percent in September 2017 from 3.3 percent in June 2017 survey. Mean inflation forecast for 2019 also declined to 3.4 percent in September 2017 from 3.5 percent in June 2017.

“Meanwhile, average inflation forecast for 2018 was unchanged at 3.4 percent during the same review period,” Bangko Sentral said.

“Most analysts expect full year 2017 inflation to remain close to the midpoint of the government’s target range of 2 to 4 percent amid relatively balanced risks to inflation,” it said.

Analysts, however, noted possible upside risks to inflation such as volatile global oil prices, weaker peso, initial implementation of the comprehensive tax reform program, government spending on infrastructure, rise in utility rates, robust consumer spending during the holiday season and base effect.

A key downside risk to inflation was seen to emanate from global economic recovery. Julito G. Rada

By Jenniffer B. Austria MARSH FORUM.

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USINESSMAN Enrique Razon Jr. dropped a multibillion-peso bid to redevelop the 11-hectare Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila into a modern urban complex.

Senior executives of some of the country’s largest companies attend Marsh Philippines’ forum in August that discussed the latest developments in risk management, including using it as a driver of corporate growth especially at a time of uncertainty and volatility.

Marsh, a global leader in insurance broking and innovative risk management solutions, has been operating in the Philippines for the last 54 years. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan Companies, the publicly-traded global professional services firm.

At the forum are (from left) Marsh Asia chief executive David Jacob, JG Summit Holdings Inc. president and chief operating officer and Cebu Pacific president and chief executive Lance Gokongwei and Marsh Philippines chief executive Ramon Zandueta.

Petron files case vs PNOC for lease contract violation

By Alena Mae S. Flores OIL refiner Petron Corp. said it filed a case against state-owned Philippine National Oil Co. for breach of a binding and compulsory sale-leaseback contract.

Petron said in a statement released over the weekend that PNOC’s action not only posed a threat to the company’s shareholders but also to the broader economy that relies on its petroleum products.

Petron through counsel Poblador Bautista and Reyes filed a complaint

before the Mandaluyong regional trial asking for the issuance of a temporary restraining order to “stop PNOC from performing acts aimed at ousting Petron of its leased properties.”

“If PNOC will continue to disregard its reciprocal obligations on the conveyance of our land, then they should return the properties to us. Petron has invested billions of dollars on these properties. PNOC’s actions clearly jeopardizes the country’s fuel supply security and government’s thrust to develop key industries,” Petron said.

Petron has existing lease agreements with PNOC for the sites of its $3-billion refinery in Bataan, 24 bulk plants and 67 gasoline stations. The company supplies more than a third of the country’s petroleum requirements.

Petron’s decision to go to court came ahead of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi’s pronouncement directing PNOC to negotiate with Petron to come up with a “win win solution.”

“We need to clarify that’s the TRO for. I understand PNOC has not issued any order and what has been ex-

pressed in their letter is desire to set aside a provision.

If Petron finds the position expressed by PNOC unacceptable, they should talk,” Cusi said.

Petron, however, said it offered to negotiate the agreement with PNOC as early as 2016 but it was constrained to seek judicial intervention when PNOC president Reuben Lista announced plans to terminate the lease agreement with Petron on the basis of provisions in the contract allegedly disadvantageous to the government.

Razon said in a chance interview the proposed redevelopment of the sports complex on Pablo Ocampo St. in Malate would no longer be pursued because of the opposition by the Philippine Sports Commission, a major tenant in the complex.

“It will no longer proceed. PSC opposes it,” Razon said.

RMSC is owned by the city government of Manila, but PSC has usufruct rights to the property.

Razon’s group submitted a proposal in December 2016 to redevelop the country’s national sports complex.

The redevelopment would involve the construction of contemporary buildings to house modern offices and commercial areas run by smart technologies, with modern amenities and green open space.

The redevelopment also involves a preservation plan that will maintain and fortify the façade. A sports museum will also be built.

The proposed redevelopment aims to enable Manila to quickly catch up with other cities in the National Capital Region that have quickly grown and modernized.

The proposed plan will also provide a new revenue stream for Manila and create thousands of jobs.

Built in 1934, RMSC was reconstructed in 1953 after its destruction during the World War II and reno-

vated in 2011.

Legendary baseball players Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth once played an exhibition match in the baseball stadium in the 1930s.

RMSC has not undergone any structural and facilities improvements or upgrading since its renovation in 2011, rendering it virtually unsuitable and unsafe not only for training athletes, but also for holding local but also international games.

Managed by the PSC, the property itself is owned by the City of Manila.

Manila has not generated any income from RMSC for years, leaving the city with no funds to modernize the facilities.

RMSC consists of the coliseum, the swimming center, the baseball stadium and the track and football stadium. The four main facilities serve as venue of various local and international sports events including Far Eastern Games, 1954 Asian Games and the Southeast Asian Games in 1981, 1991 and 2005.

PSC earlier said it planned to rehabilitate RMSC for the country’s hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

Various groups also expressed opposition to the planned RMSC redevelopment, citing the need to preserve the country’s national sports facility, which has been the training ground of national athletes.

Broker confirms data breach

By Othel V. Campos THE National Privacy Commission vowed to make all the necessary steps to help online stock broker COL Financial Group Inc. resolve a potential data breach to its system.

Privacy Commissioner Raymund Liboro said the commission received a notification from COL Financial on Oct. 20, informing them that a breach might have occurred.

“We note that this notification has adhered to standard breach reporting protocols set forth in NPC Circular 16-03, on Personal Data Breach Management,” he said.

The company said in the notification that “sometime in the afternoon of 17 October 2017” it detected “a possible breach” in its system that “may involve some personal client information.”

The company assured the commission that it took immediate measures to address the incident, creating a response team to look into the “likelihood of the threat and probable extent of a data breach, if any.”

Attached to the notification was a preliminary report giving additional details of what the breach response team had done.

The company said it ran an initial vulnerability scan of its website that showed “favorable” results.

AirAsia PH chooses Clark as main hub of operations

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE Philippine unit of Southeast Asia’s largest budget airline plans to establish Clark International Airport as its main hub as the government removes navigational fees to support operations.

“We plan to establish Clark as our main hub, because Manila is too crowded. If I have 70 planes in 10 years, I do not have a place to park in Manila. So, the government was gracious enough to comply with our request. We need more airports,” Capt. Dexter Comendador, chief executive of Philippines AirAsia, said.

The airline plans to have a total 26 aircraft by end-2018.

Comendador said the government removed airport fees and navigational fees in Clark and was also expected to remove travel tax to attract more passengers to fly in Clark.

“Since we are opening Clark as a hub, we plan to fly to Korea, China, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau and Taipei,” Comendador said.

AirAsia launched commercial flights at Clark in 2012 before transferring its hub to Metro Manila following a strategic partnership with ZestAir in 2013.

Philippines Air Asia resumed flights from Clark with three weekly flights to Kalibo (Boracay) in March.

AirAsia Philippines operates a fleet of 17 aircraft with domestic and international flights out of hubs in Manila, Cebu and Kalibo.

TOURISM FORUM. Local and national government officials lead the opening of the highly-successful 1st North Philippines Tourism Forum and Career Fair at Camp John Hay Trade and Cultural Center. Organized by Department of Tourism regional director for the Cordillera Administrative Region Marie Venus Tan (second from right), the pioneering event highlights tourism’s role in jobs and livelihood generation and socioeconomic development. With Tan in the opening rites are (from left) DoT region 3 officer-in-charge Carol de Guzman, Baguio Country Club general manager Anthony de Leon, Baguio City Rep. Marc Go, DoT assistant secretary Frederick Alegre, Baguio City executive secretary Rafael Tallocoy representing mayor Mauricio Domogan and DoT Ilocos region director Martin Valera.

JG Summit eyes airports, infrastructure projects THE infrastructure arm of JG Summit Holdings Inc. disclosed a plan to submit unsolicited projects to the government to develop airports and other transport infrastructure projects.

“I think transport related, primarily. We are still looking for opportunities,” JGSHI president and chief operating officer Lance Gokongwei told reporters, when asked about the plans of the newly-created infrastructure unit.

The Securities and Exchange Commission approved in September the incorporation of JGSHI. JG Summit earlier teamed up with Filinvest Group to develop Clark International Airport for P187 billion, but the proposal was rejected by the Transportation Department as the government chose to undertake the expansion of the airport by itself.

JG Summit also teamed up with Metro Pacific Investments Corp. to jointly bid for the P17.5-billion Mactan-Cebu International Airport passenger terminal project, but it lost to GMR-Megawide Group.

The company has interests in airline, real estate, banking, food and beverage and petrochemical.

It also holds minority interests in power generation and telecommunications.

JG Summit, the investment company of tycoon John Gokongwei, earmarked P48.2 billion for 2017 capital expenditures, higher than P41.9 billion it spent in 2016, to expand operations of core businesses.

Of the total, Universal Robina Corp, the group’s food manufacturing unit, budgeted P7.2 billion to expand the capacities of exist-

ing facilities both here and abroad.

Property unit Robinsons Land Corp. allocated P16 billion to construct new malls, offices, hotels and land banking activities.

The balance will be used for fleet expansion of Cebu Air, operator of Cebu Pacific and Cebgo; operating and maintenance capex of the petrochemicals group; and the expansion and maintenance projects of Robinsons Bank Corp.

JG Summit posted a consolidated net income of P14.64 billion in the first half of the year, down 16.5 percent from P17.53 billion in the same period last year.

Consolidated core net income amounted to P15.95 billion, slightly lower than 15.99 billion in same period in 2016.

Revenues went up 12.6 percent to P134.47 billion from P119.38 billion. Darwin G. Amojelar

B2

Business

MONDAY,OCTOBER 23, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stock index likely to stay over 8,400 on Q3 reports

Energy studies PSE’s bid to run electricity market

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE Energy Department is studying the proposal of the Philippine Stock Exchange to operate the country’s electricity spot market, a top official said over the weekend.

“We are exploring all possible set up that will be good for the industry and the consumers. It’s worth studying, we are studying it,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said.

PSE wants to diversify its portfolio and discussed with the Energy Department its plan to operate the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market, the country’s trading floor of electricity.

PSE is a non-stock, non-profit entity aimed at creating a fair, efficient and effective market for the selling of stocks, warrants, bonds and other securities.

The Philippine Electricity Market Corp. presently operates WESM, which started operating in 2006. WESM was established to provide for a competitive, efficient and reliable market for electricity.

The Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 mandated the creation of WESM which shall be governed by the PEMC board.

WESM is operational in Luzon and the Visayas and is now under trial operations in Mindanao.

By Jenniffer B. Austria

HARE prices are expected to move sideways this week, as the market continues to build momentum before making an attempt to hit the 8,500-point level, analysts said over the weekend.

S

Analysts said the market was expected to trade between 8,400 and 8,500 points this week ahead of the release of third-quarter financial performance by the first batch of companies.

“Movements within 8,400 to 8,500 should help fortify a new base for the bourse, as fund managers express keen interest on the momentum build-up of govern-

ment’s infra projects,” 2TradeAsia.com said.

“Investors should start expanding valuation timeline towards 2020, with price/earnings ratio multipliers cheapening from to 16x,” it said.

Aside from domestic developments, investors were expected to watch the release of third-quarter gross domestic product data by

the US this week.

BDO Unibank chief investment strategist Jonathan Ravelas said the index could hit another assault towards the 8,500/8,600 level in the near-term, especially if third-quarter earnings exceeded expectations.

The PSEi, the 30-company benchmark index of the Philippine Stock Exchange, lost 0.3 percent to close at 8,420.95 points on Oct. 20, while the broader allshare index retreated 0.5 percent to 4,913.79, as the market succumbed to profit taking.

Except for the financials and holding firms which went up 0.2 percent and 0.6 percent respec-

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS WEEKLY STOCKS REVIEW STOCKS

OCTOBER 17-20, 2017 Close Volume

AG Finance Asia United Bank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI China Bank BDO Leasing & Fin. INc. Bright Kindle Resources Citystate Savings COL Financial Eastwest Bank Filipino Fund Inc. First Abacus I-Remit Inc. Manulife Fin. Corp.

MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp.

PB Bank Phil Bank of Comm Phil. National Bank Phil. Savings Bank Philippine trust Co. PSE Inc. RCBC `A’ Security Bank Sun Life Financial Union Bank Vantage Equities

4.46 59.2 143.00 98.00 33.4 3.91 2.27 9.03 15.9 31.05 8.25 0.65 1.71 960.00 0.660 92.75 0.82 12.8 24.75 58.60 88 108 238 59.8 263.2 1935.00 86.80 1.27

Aboitiz Power Corp.

Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons.

Asiabest Group Basic Energy Corp.

Bogo Medelin C. Azuc De Tarlac Cemex Holdings Century Food Chemphil Conc. Aggr. ‘A’ Conc. Aggr. ‘B’ Cirtek Holdings (Chips) Concepcion Crown Asia Da Vinci Capital Del Monte DNL Industries Inc. Eagle Cement Emperador Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) EEI Euro-Med Lab First Gen Corp.

First Holdings ‘A’ Ginebra San Miguel Inc. Holcim Philippines Inc. Integ. Micro-Electronics Ionics Inc Jollibee Foods Corp.

Liberty Flour LMG Chemicals Mabuhay Vinyl Macay Holdings Manila Water Co. Inc. Maxs Group Megawide Mla. Elect. Co `A’ MG Holdings Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp.

Pepsi-Cola Products Phil.

Petron Corporation Petroenergy Res. Corp.

Phil H2O Pilipinas Shell Phinma Corporation Phinma Energy Phoenix Petroleum Phils.

Pryce Corp. `A’ RFM Corporation Roxas and Co. Roxas Holdings San Miguel ‘Pure Foods `A’ SFA Semicon Shakeys Pizza SPC Power Corp.

Swift Foods, Inc. TKC Steel Corp.

Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp.

Vivant Corp.

Vulcan Ind’l.

42.65 11.16 0.74 1.38 19.5 0.214 108 19.38 5.11 15.14 180 70 83 44.85 63.2 1.92 6.51 11.5 10.000 14.88 7.00 5.65 13.60 1.61 16.88 64 16.80 12.36 18.8 1.800 246.00 60.60 5.12 3.25 22.15 31.7 19.02 16.36 290.60 0.214 10.90 2.94 9.84 6.28 5.84 62.6 9.90 1.75 11.40 6.8 4.80 1.91 4.6 310 2.27 13.3 4.68 0.140 1.20 137 3.29 2.12 27.95 0.98

Abacus Cons. `A’ Aboitiz Equity Alliance Global Inc. Anglo Holdings A Anscor `A’ ATN Holdings A ATN Holdings B Ayala Corp `A’ Cosco Capital DMCI Holdings F&J Prince ‘A’ F&J Prince ‘B’ Filinvest Dev. Corp.

Forum Pacific GT Capital House of Inv. JG Summit Holdings Jolliville Holdings Keppel Holdings `A’ Keppel Holdings `B’ Lopez Holdings Corp.

Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp.

LT Group Mabuhay Holdings `A’ Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

Pacifica `A’ Prime Media Hldg Prime Orion Republic Glass ‘A’ San Miguel Corp `A’ Seafront `A’ SM Investments Inc. Solid Group Inc. South China Res. Inc. Top Frontier Unioil Res. & Hldgs Wellex Industries Zeus Holdings

0.335 75.00 15.26 1.10 7.01 0.420 0.415 1070 8.49 15.60 4.9 5.1 7.57 0.198 1190 7.98 76.20 4.4 5.48 5.42 5.86 0.85 17.78 0.385 6.89 0.0530 1.520 2.070 2.65 102.50 2.63 979.50 1.48 0.85 299.000 0.2650 0.1890 0.209

8990 HLDG Anchor Land Holdings Inc. A. Brown Co., Inc. Araneta Prop `A’ Arthaland Corp.

Ayala Land `B’ Belle Corp. `A’ Cebu Holdings CEB Landmasters Cebu Prop. `A’ Century Property City & Land Dev. Cityland Dev. `A’ Crown Equities Inc. Cyber Bay Corp.

Double Dragon Empire East Land Ever Gotesco

4.930 8.53 1.08 2.370 1.000 43.150 3.77 5.25 4.84 5.8 0.510 1.26 1.220 0.211 0.465 42 0.680 0.144

Value

FINANCIAL 450,030.00 4,763,626.00 2,060,343,888.00 1,035,066,565.00 42,780,450.00 299,720.00 97,562,000.00 7,242.00 270,104.00 82,412,510.00 9,909.00 17,550.00 297,330.00 1,667,135.00 10,574,550.00 1,018,992,681.50 1,788,210.00 563,878.00 136,525.00 185,374,840.50 23,186.00 339,429.00 668,026.00 321,898,014.00 529,886,254.00 1,819,175.00 8,301,836.50 126,180.00 INDUSTRIAL 2,923,900 123,014,275.00 6,695,900 74,042,048.00 2,967,000 2,222,110.00 2,534,000 3,464,420.00 138,200 2,689,164.00 3,220,000 696,310.00 520 57,671.00 19,000 355,930.00 50,548,700 253,599,892.00 13,037,600 199,929,994.00 20 3,600.00 8,460 594,286.00 30 2,471.50 3,976,600 177,483,655.00 1,040,620 67,600,180.50 994,000 1,894,000.00 463,700 2,951,838.00 422,300 4,857,056.00 17,761,200 180,024,760.00 3,146,000 46,556,362.00 6,959,500 48,740,575.00 73,736,800 417,728,518.00 5,969,600 76,477,010.00 54,000 86,940.00 8,772,700 155,353,774.00 1,366,830 88,467,611.50 444,300 7,353,242.00 109,800 1,361,746.00 14,029,500 274,371,756.00 2,055,000 3,667,300.00 3,163,380 778,607,668.00 120 7,061.00 6,325,100 32,067,515.00 15,000 48,660.00 3,600 74,500.00 5,945,900 189,619,080.00 2,114,500 41,635,140.00 7,715,000 126,312,594.00 2,235,800 647,262,740.00 9,390,000 1,991,900.00 411,200 4,498,678.00 3,739,000 11,162,920.00 12,180,300 120,455,582.00 625,500 3,979,161.00 345,500 2,015,318.00 3,007,990 191,496,998.00 17,800 175,492.00 4,254,000 7,409,920.00 2,181,700 24,443,380.00 260,400 1,717,923.00 1,257,000 6,020,970.00 1,000 1,910.00 109,000 504,870.00 42,910 13,262,442.00 12,191,000 26,992,250.00 672,100 8,963,308.00 134,000 618,050.00 2,640,000 372,270.00 1,004,000 1,230,200.00 9,851,570 1,418,211,028.00 77,000 255,830.00 15,690,000 33,358,180.00 11,900 277,910.00 1,204,000 1,167,110.00 HOLDING FIRMS 3,570,000 1,213,900.00 2,767,140 207,262,397.00 32,819,100 517,374,048.00 753,000 771,540.00 278,400 1,935,488.00 109,550,000 46,818,800.00 33,179,000 17,918,300.00 4,347,640 4,724,266,265.00 6,597,900 55,931,213.00 17,681,000 279,508,900.00 7,700 38,253.00 2,300 11,730.00 242,700 1,832,252.00 1,090,000 215,160.00 862,710 1,061,597,455.00 187,900 1,503,047.00 3,692,690 280,587,448.50 34,000 155,120.00 2,600 13,622.00 500 2,710.00 24,424,700 141,948,210.00 3,864,000 3,242,050.00 5,015,400 87,733,998.00 50,000 19,250.00 50,234,000 344,987,379.00 90,480,000 4,738,960.00 24,988,000 43,120,090.00 1,556,000 2,232,130.00 21,000 55,650.00 2,393,520 244,163,590.00 105,000 271,050.00 1,067,050 1,037,742,220.00 4,215,000 6,165,720.00 275,000 233,650.00 14,890 4,443,448.00 420,000 112,950.00 2,750,000 523,180.00 2,740,000 575,020.00 PROPERTY 3,352,000 16,733,800.00 33,200 282,535.00 31,313,000 35,088,860.00 1,734,000 4,074,160.00 29,767,000 29,902,430.00 65,412,900 2,806,572,450.00 2,883,000 10,898,040.00 26,700 140,189.00 3,955,000 19,353,440.00 10,600 60,305.00 26,626,000 13,608,750.00 686,000 846,030.00 879,000 1,088,010.00 129,470,000 26,706,960.00 3,210,000 1,503,500.00 1,204,400 50,514,655.00 5,415,000 3,733,950.00 350,000 50,870.00 100,000 80,160 14,187,510 10,573,450 1,273,100 81,000 37,733,000 800 17,000 2,602,400 1,200 27,000 169,000 1,760 16,029,000 11,097,530 2,125,000 43,900 5,500 3,174,410 260 3,100 2,790 5,396,330 2,008,070 945 95,840 99,000

OCTOBER 9-13, 2017 Close Volume Value 4.52 59.75 143.30 99.90 35.9 4.00 2.33

207,000 132,550 9,923,900 7,152,570 1,321,500 19,000 19,627,000

953,610.00 7,890,992.00 1,372,234,005.00 719,267,343.00 47,556,055.00 76,760.00 84,295,650.00

16.1 32.25 8.26 0.7 1.75 960.00 0.690 90.55 0.84 12.86 25.00 58.25 89.9 109 240 57.45 259.8 1935.00 86.80 1.31

1,188,300 6,353,700 2,500 329,000 684,000 710 10,404,000 9,512,040 1,255,000 223,600 2,100 771,610 1,210 4,260 4,430 5,681,800 2,370,050 900 361,940 80,000

19,124,720.00 201,706,765.00 20,834.00 219,800.00 1,218,650.00 680,450.00 7,179,350.00 846,582,470.50 1,049,010.00 2,890,478.00 52,500.00 44,348,533.00 108,563.50 472,753.00 1,063,890.00 318,592,861.50 600,002,140.00 1,741,675.00 31,383,945.50 105,200.00

42 10.86 0.77 1.38 19.2 0.221 118 19.10 5.01 15.3 180 73

3,834,100 6,844,700 873,000 5,639,000 41,300 11,380,000 2,150 24,800 54,614,400 47,916,200 400 3,030

160,654,670.00 72,362,896.00 682,760.00 7,772,880.00 798,594.00 2,547,110.00 250,595.00 478,722.00 282,827,895.00 754,541,870.00 70,830.00 221,119.00

42.3 64.05 1.94 6.22 11.68 10.060 14.84 7.05 5.71 12.90 1.61 18.54 66.5 17.12 12.32 20.35 1.860 247.00 60.60 4.98 3.24 22.75 31.45 19.86 16.44 289.60 0.219 10.50 2.99 9.99 6.67 6.15 66 10.00 1.77 11.30 6.5 4.70

2,637,200 500,770 1,053,000 2,485,200 106,100 23,892,000 7,789,600 3,307,300 147,754,300 6,627,900 58,000 8,843,000 460,020 2,395,200 145,400 19,246,600 1,197,000 2,068,720 3,050 24,857,500 91,000 97,000 6,724,900 1,011,400 17,405,800 3,471,990 12,920,000 670,600 1,965,000 9,510,300 348,900 179,100 2,588,480 26,100 3,541,000 4,540,100 1,528,900 27,638,000

111,105,020.00 33,051,740.50 2,019,770.00 16,128,268.00 1,218,158.00 242,201,074.00 116,469,772.00 23,519,794.00 837,612,481.00 88,436,532.00 98,510.00 166,640,940.00 30,864,504.00 37,632,674.00 1,798,926.00 379,523,392.00 2,212,780.00 507,763,204.00 184,585.50 134,545,920.00 290,800.00 736,815.00 212,038,135.00 20,129,196.00 294,100,052.00 999,754,436.00 2,815,750.00 7,232,672.00 5,884,350.00 95,622,663.00 2,353,697.00 1,098,335.00 172,669,483.50 257,566.00 6,289,360.00 52,531,192.00 9,612,290.00 125,890,870.00

4.42 308 2.48 13.5 4.6 0.141 1.27 149 3.47 2.13

140,000 10,970 2,740,000 3,826,900 213,000 2,510,000 1,903,000 7,143,030 185,000 11,618,000

627,030.00 3,382,266.00 6,820,550.00 51,892,956.00 988,550.00 357,150.00 2,530,920.00 1,056,359,223.00 636,170.00 24,391,610.00

0.97

560,000

541,570.00

0.345 74.80 16.44 1.10 6.95 0.405 0.400 1071 8.45 16.00 4.9 5.7 7.60

2,210,000 3,044,500 39,558,300 346,860 31,800 144,070,000 32,990,000 3,835,985 19,831,800 35,619,700 221,600 7,600 385,100

765,300.00 228,491,126.50 663,220,392.00 369,540.00 219,798.00 56,224,250.00 12,962,200.00 4,056,400,095.00 167,707,697.00 575,884,196.00 1,095,336.00 42,320.00 2,936,085.00

1220 7.99 75.75 4.76 5.2

482,800 341,300 4,625,020 6,900 2,000

584,259,310.00 2,715,244.00 357,420,740.00 35,345.00 10,300.00

5.73 0.85 17.5 0.400 6.85 0.0500 1.280 2.110 2.71 101.00 2.61 952.00 1.43 0.86 299.000 0.2750 0.1900 0.212

6,383,000 2,922,000 10,700,800 200,000 106,489,100 268,690,000 3,686,000 3,690,000 34,000 2,891,230 11,000 2,079,030 3,400,000 6,000 29,060 1,152,000 1,640,000 3,460,000

36,507,422.00 2,486,430.00 193,594,834.00 80,050.00 726,717,205.00 14,521,480.00 4,932,880.00 8,041,910.00 90,160.00 292,211,968.50 28,470.00 1,946,953,595.00 4,887,280.00 5,200.00 8,621,400.00 317,050.00 312,640.00 740,260.00

4.930 8.81 1.13 2.450 1.060 43.350 3.82 5.25 4.9 5.81 0.520 1.27 1.290 0.223 0.475 41.95 0.700 0.144

1,584,000 37,900 85,874,000 1,869,000 23,657,000 82,823,500 12,088,000 321,500 14,397,300 500 27,910,500 1,113,000 22,897,000 154,592,000 4,640,000 883,900 4,744,000 3,420,000

7,831,760.00 326,798.00 56,048,920.00 4,568,650.00 25,127,860.00 3,560,364,250.00 45,500,640.00 1,696,789.00 72,112,673.00 2,905.00 16,561,810.00 1,427,000.00 29,493,170.00 39,066,570.00 2,215,300.00 37,239,975.00 3,282,790.00 493,440.00

STOCKS

OCTOBER 17-20, 2017 Close Volume

Global-Estate Filinvest Land,Inc. Interport `A’ Megaworld MRC Allied Ind. Phil. Estates Corp.

Phil. Realty `A’ Primex Corp.

Robinson’s Land `B’ Rockwell Shang Properties Inc. SM Prime Holdings Sta. Lucia Land Inc. Starmalls Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. Vista Land & Lifescapes

1.53 1.94 0.82 5.3 0.315 0.4150 0.510 6.56 25.45 1.84 3.16 36.50 1.05 6.92 0.870 5.890

2GO Group’ ABS-CBN Acesite Hotel APC Group, Inc. Apollo Global Asian Terminals Inc. Berjaya Phils. Inc. Bloomberry Boulevard Holdings Cebu Air Inc. (5J) Centro Esc. Univ.

Chelsea Discovery World DFNN Inc. Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Golden Haven Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. Imperial Res. `A’ IPeople Inc. `A’ IPM Holdings Island Info ISM Communications Jackstones LBC Express Leisure & Resorts Lorenzo Shipping Macroasia Corp.

Manila Broadcasting Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Melco Crown Metro Retail NOW Corp.

Pacific Online Sys. Corp.

PAL Holdings Inc. Paxys Inc. Phil. Seven Corp.

Philweb.Com Inc. PLDT Common PremiereHorizon Premium Leisure Puregold Robinsons RTL SBS Phil. Corp.

SSI Group STI Holdings Transpacific Broadcast Travellers Waterfront Phils.

Wilcon Depot

19.9 39 1.63 0.540 0.052 10.98 5.05 10.38 0.0700 112.2 8.99 10 2.1 7.55 2000 5.98 18.98 2.56 103.4 2.72 12.28 8.39 0.158 1.3900 3 16.04 4.04 1.47 19.04 16.90 0.560 2.95 7 4.15 2.220 10.92 5.08 2.86 175.00 8.56 1708.00 0.395 1.340 50.90 91.50 6.08 4.30 1.570 2.07 3.86 1.020 8.620

Abra Mining Apex `A’ Atlas Cons. `A’ Atok-Big Wedge `A’ Benguet Corp `A’ Benguet Corp `B’ Century Peak Metals Hldgs Coal Asia Dizon Ferronickel Geograce Res. Phil. Inc. Lepanto `A’ Lepanto `B’ Manila Mining `A’ Manila Mining `B’ Marcventures Hldgs., Inc. Nickelasia Nihao Mineral Resources Omico Oriental Peninsula Res. Oriental Pet. `A’ Oriental Pet. `B’ Philex `A’ PhilexPetroleum Philodrill Corp. `A’ Phinma Petro Semirara Corp.

United Paragon

0.0025 1.72 4.87 16.28 1.8600 1.8800 1.6 0.380 8.21 2.580 0.260 0.185 0.196 0.010 0.0110 1.87 6.66 1.7 0.5000 1.0100 0.0130 0.0130 7.56 8.86 0.0120 2.4300 41.10 0.0076

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B2’ Alco Preferred B DD PREF First Gen F First Gen G GLOBE PREF P GMA Holdings Inc. GTCAP PREF B Leisure and Resort MWIDE PREF PCOR-Preferred A PCOR-Preferred B PF Pref 2 PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B SMC Preferred B SMC Preferred C SMC Preferred D SMC Preferred E SMC Preferred F SMC Preferred G SMC Preferred H SMC Preferred I

38.5 532 515 107.5 107.5 105.7 115.1 540.5 5.66 1030 1.06 108.1 1065 1146 1013 106 100 75.95 81.25 76.5 78.1 82.7 77.15 79.5 79.5

LR Warrant

2.400

Makati Fin. Corp.

Italpinas Philab Holdings Xurpas

2.87 5.55 4.35 5.52

First Metro ETF

127.6

USD DMPL A1

10.5

OCTOBER 9-13, 2017 Close Volume Value

Value

34,932,000 78,877,000 6,494,000 120,572,500 97,210,000 14,030,000 33,775,000 11,828,900 6,361,200 766,000 488,000 55,239,000 5,857,000 2,300 491,000 20,349,500

54,115,140.00 156,144,610.00 5,325,010.00 650,804,862.00 31,128,100.00 5,855,950.00 17,559,680.00 76,581,057.00 167,068,115.00 1,393,990.00 1,534,210.00 2,034,970,460.00 6,132,260.00 15,967.00 419,250.00 121,274,118.00 SERVICES 319,900 6,310,356.00 272,200 10,800,975.00 1,072,000 1,737,520.00 7,317,000 3,916,100.00 349,280,000 17,216,960.00 15,000 164,700.00 6,400 32,425.00 61,343,600 634,566,378.00 76,770,000 5,394,260.00 1,848,960 207,583,892.00 3,700 33,071.00 20,639,900 197,142,897.00 9,000 19,160.00 1,218,300 8,642,131.00 415,135 842,208,160.00 2,163,100 12,964,857.00 599,600 12,137,196.00 63,089,000 150,746,320.00 4,102,300 422,629,306.00 104,000 288,580.00 14,800 175,904.00 1,605,500 13,469,748.00 11,350,000 1,766,180.00 412,000 564,950.00 1,204,000 3,833,990.00 60,700 962,596.00 2,751,000 11,222,920.00 49,844,000 75,381,810.00 30,498,000 571,046,863.00 9,700 166,684.00 1,258,000 706,720.00 1,198,000 3,410,020.00 28,006,500 193,631,062.00 3,706,000 15,272,150.00 5,916,000 13,371,840.00 30,600 337,488.00 16,500 155,859.00 4,000 11,440.00 21,480 3,752,510.00 3,088,500 27,105,537.00 627,725 1,062,114,685.00 3,880,000 1,534,050.00 109,926,000 156,013,150.00 8,231,140 425,626,944.00 5,246,800 496,302,159.00 1,719,300 10,643,387.00 32,789,000 140,214,110.00 37,322,000 58,763,150.00 16,000 31,320.00 9,021,000 35,778,860.00 70,709,000 73,758,080.00 16,802,300 138,756,797.00 MINING & OIL 521,600,000 2,692,700.00 36,757,000 64,526,160.00 2,161,300 10,991,866.00 15,200 242,276.00 165,000 305,780.00 1,729,000 3,308,260.00 11,868,000 18,579,880.00 1,170,000 444,300.00 89,900 730,295.00 9,339,000 24,463,940.00 1,290,000 325,750.00 66,040,000 12,678,700.00 5,200,000 1,047,900.00 105,500,000 1,089,100.00 800,000 8,800.00 3,248,000 5,977,580.00 20,071,800 138,567,409.00 201,000 339,880.00 772,000 393,140.00 872,000 890,320.00 56,500,000 682,400.00 252,700,000 3,091,300.00 4,033,600 30,967,583.00 35,726,300 314,569,390.00 268,900,000 3,194,400.00 191,000 471,480.00 17,356,300 738,436,825.00 27,000,000 203,500.00 PREFERRED 74,700 2,878,800.00 13,260 7,139,150.00 12,020 5,808,710.00 13,000 1,397,500.00 215,970 22,829,945.00 260 27,944.00 78,320 9,007,632.00 650 351,350.00 1,938,300 11,038,219.00 8,130 8,377,700.00 119,000 126,080.00 27,940 3,018,864.00 4,940 5,261,100.00 9,585 10,984,450.00 10,485 10,628,685.00 11,930 1,259,211.00 55,400 6,019,635.00 54,170 4,092,314.50 125,490 10,199,985.00 34,850 2,663,980.00 27,000 2,108,700.00 131,300 10,736,325.00 122,370 9,447,309.00 708,330 56,224,685.00 109,310 8,673,522.00 WARRANTS & BONDS 373,000 909,890.00 SME 199,000 571,130.00 12,110,600 69,440,690.00 392,000 1,748,650.00 2,433,200 13,437,177.00 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 54,320 6,969,450.00 DOLLAR DENONIMATED SEC. 40,590 434,623.00

1.60 2.03 0.90 5.45 0.330 0.3950 0.530 6.41 26.80 1.82 3.19 36.50 1.05 7.44 0.890 6.090

34,481,000 26,422,000 1,648,000 106,921,900 236,080,000 31,690,000 29,760,000 25,277,000 10,176,200 1,335,000 126,000 49,606,000 4,064,000 1,800 780,000 10,871,200

55,030,110.00 54,168,380.00 1,483,640.00 573,814,842.00 78,977,800.00 13,821,450.00 14,966,850.00 167,546,547.00 271,700,855.00 2,430,160.00 401,020.00 1,767,568,910.00 4,272,430.00 12,563.00 691,900.00 66,631,791.00

19.8 40.1 1.65 0.550 0.052 11 5.23 10.30 0.0720 111.6 8.98 9.56 2.16 7.25 2040 6.02 20.30 2.30 104.5 2.79 11.86 8.39 0.157 1.3600 3.3 15.68 4.19 1.26 17.18 17.02 0.610 2.81 7.1 4.19 2.310 11.08 5.08

311,300 228,400 1,667,000 10,349,000 1,082,200,000 8,800 1,600 43,680,000 75,360,000 1,323,420 46,800 11,009,700 53,000 442,300 155,040 3,957,900 1,914,600 40,598,000 4,733,630 239,000 23,200 1,376,900 19,620,000 835,000 4,552,000 11,000 4,006,000 1,823,000 43,327,000 70,600 4,135,000 4,074,000 34,199,300 3,838,000 3,468,000 42,000 20,900

6,188,098.00 9,214,055.00 2,789,850.00 5,730,230.00 58,847,600.00 96,932.00 8,391.00 449,177,578.00 5,362,410.00 145,958,004.00 418,574.00 106,669,587.00 119,590.00 3,345,599.00 321,297,860.00 23,921,531.00 37,107,742.00 101,764,300.00 498,503,595.00 682,790.00 275,504.00 11,560,994.00 3,144,400.00 1,136,110.00 15,297,410.00 172,578.00 16,569,980.00 2,303,570.00 704,250,630.00 1,208,994.00 2,510,210.00 11,613,980.00 253,399,913.00 16,247,500.00 8,097,520.00 463,620.00 106,184.00

172.00 9.19 1641.00 0.395 1.440 52.80 97.90 6.28 4.10 1.620 2.17 4.01 1.060 8.110

2,516,250 3,921,700 440,275 11,920,000 19,125,000 12,146,640 6,842,980 3,605,400 47,287,000 63,645,000 8,000 30,145,000 75,045,000 26,860,500

427,766,782.00 37,021,940.00 740,151,205.00 4,703,950.00 28,321,390.00 649,102,802.50 682,337,574.00 22,371,560.00 194,141,070.00 102,035,450.00 17,550.00 126,913,780.00 84,108,090.00 222,383,300.00

0.0026 1.84 5.08 16.42 1.9000 1.9900 1.55 0.375 8.29 2.560 0.260 0.187 0.200 0.011 0.0110 1.85 7.03 1.73 0.5100 1.0200 0.0120 0.0120 7.94 9.17 0.0120 2.5300 44.25 0.0079

2,668,000,000 63,011,000 1,460,000 15,500 502,000 114,000 19,324,000 21,000,579,800 140,400 21,099,000 1,130,000 54,700,000 6,750,000 169,700,000 12,500,000 4,050,000 18,326,500 190,000 715,000 1,450,000 365,800,000 84,900,000 6,654,700 93,731,400 290,100,000 162,000 8,175,800 15,000,000

6,736,600.00 117,590,610.00 7,180,740.00 239,776.00 928,440.00 216,850.00 30,348,490.00 192,300.00 1,150,698.00 55,795,170.00 285,900.00 10,051,830.00 1,346,190.00 1,716,600.00 137,500.00 7,667,470.00 126,910,860.00 324,400.00 370,430.00 1,480,270.00 4,569,000.00 1,086,800.00 53,460,809.00 836,651,372.00 3,275,100.00 406,200.00 367,133,715.00 117,600.00

39.2 539.5 530 107.5 106.5 107.9 115.3 541 5.72 1049 1.06 108 1066 1146 1018 105.1 112.8 75.5 81.25 76 78.1 81.5 77.1 79.5 79.5

1,319,000 39,390 99,740 12,500 13,820 14,260 10,230 2,770 1,912,300 13,060 610,000 9,610 575 965 1,410 1,990 200 151,240 250,800 31,010 19,500 112,020 48,450 373,460 351,880

52,821,745.00 21,255,890.00 51,833,625.00 1,343,750.00 1,463,550.00 1,506,351.00 1,179,619.00 1,497,220.00 10,996,492.00 13,631,850.00 646,170.00 1,047,580.00 612,950.00 1,106,480.00 1,433,220.00 208,844.00 22,560.00 11,391,095.00 20,344,010.00 2,356,760.00 1,523,045.00 9,068,594.00 3,778,853.00 29,497,485.00 28,084,883.50

2.490

1,452,000

3,539,870.00

5.1 4.51 5.62

6,654,600 213,000 2,826,700

34,291,798.00 984,160.00 15,990,910.00

127.9

54,360

6,895,010.00

10.9

14,830

159,047.00

WEEKLY MOST TRADED STOCKS Abra Mining Apollo Global Philodrill Corp. `A’ Oriental Pet. `B’ Crown Equities Inc. Megaworld Premium Leisure ATN Holdings A Manila Mining `A’ MRC Allied Ind.

VOLUME 521,600,000 349,280,000 268,900,000 252,700,000 129,470,000 120,572,500 109,926,000 109,550,000 105,500,000 97,210,000

STOCKS Ayala Corp `A’ Ayala Land `B’ Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. SM Prime Holdings Universal Robina PLDT Common GT Capital SM Investments Inc. Bank of PI Metrobank

VALUE 4,724,266,265.00 2,806,572,450.00 2,060,343,888.00 2,034,970,460.00 1,418,211,028.00 1,062,114,685.00 1,061,597,455.00 1,037,742,220.00 1,035,066,565.00 1,018,992,681.50

tively, all other sub-indices ended in the red, led by mining and oil which declined 5.4 percent and industrial which dropped 2.2 percent.

Foreign investors were net sellers by P2.5 billion last week. Average daily turnover improved to P9.7 billion from the previous week’s P8.5 billion.

Top gainers last week were Macroasia Corp. which jumped 10.8 percent to P19.04, Cirtek Holdings Philippines Corp. which climbed 6 percent to P44.85 and PLDT Inc. which advanced 4.1 percent to P1,708.

Heavy losers included Universal Robina Corp. which slid 8.05 percent to P137, Alliance Global Group Inc. which fell 7.2 percent to P15.46 and Semirara Mining and Power Corp. which dropped 7.1 percent to P41.10.

PLDT completes Mindanao fiber line

By Darwin G. Amojelar PLDT Inc. said it completed the P1-billion domestic fiber optic network expansion project in Mindanao to provide additional resiliency for the transmission backbone that serves homes and enterprises in the island.

“Our sustained network investments are part of our commitment to deliver the best quality services, particularly internet connectivity, all over the country,” PLDT chairman and chief executive Manuel Pangilinan said.

“With the completion of this project, customers using our fixed and mobile phone networks in Mindanao will experience even more superior voice, data and multimedia services,” he said.

Spanning over 300 kilometers to reinforce the loop in Mindanao island, the fiber infrastructure runs through the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Davao del Norte and Davao del Sur. The fiber optic cables have been installed underground, making it less vulnerable to damage caused by strong winds, falling trees and utility poles.

The added resiliency complements the boosted capacity in the DFON facilities in the area which has over 300 gigabits per second already installed in the local loop and is targeted to raise the capacity to 400 Gbps by end of the year.

The newly installed fiber optic cables augment the existing network that spans from Cagayan de Oro to Malaybalay, Davao, Tagum, Bayugan and Butuan.

“This fiber redundancy project opens up the region for more investment and development projects that will be enabled by PLDT’s expanded network capacity, and improve the quality of services to industries and consumers located in Mindanao,” PLDT chief revenue officer Eric Alberto said.

“With this significant expansion in our fiber footprint, PLDT further pulls away from competition in reaching more customers with fiber optic connectivity that is the most reliable network infrastructure for many digital services,” he said.

PLDT invested P300 billion or $6 billion over the last 10 years to roll out the country’s most expansive network infrastructure both for domestic and international.

Business Manila

Standard

MONDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2017

TODAY

PNOC stalling on LNG project

By Jenniffer B. Austria BUSINESSMAN Gregorio Araneta III expressed concerns that the government’s move to review its options on the planned $2-billion integrated liquefied natural gas project will further delay country’s objective of achieving energy stability.

Araneta in a recent interview said his group already had an existing unsolicited proposal called “energy city,” which had undergone extensive and detailed studies over the past few years.

Philippine National Oil Co., however, rejected the proposal submitted

by Araneta-owned Energy Oil and Gas Holdings Inc. PNOC is now exploring at least two options, either a build-operate-transfer scheme or a joint venture that it plans to seal with private sector partners on the planned $2-billion facility.

“In this country, an LNG terminal and then energy power plants should be done long time ago. We have give a proposal to do this in 2015, there was company in PNOC that granted it. Then they write tho me that they are revoking it,” Araneta said.

“It took me a long time to put this project up. If they decide to bid out or form joint venture, then they are just delaying the process of achieving energy stability,” he added.

B3

Exporters downplay EU threat

By Othel V. Campos

T

HE country’s biggest group of exporters downplayed the contribution of the EU Generalized System of Preferences Plus, or GDP+, to the recovery of Philippine exports.

The Philippine Confederation of Exporters claimed the removal of the GSP+ as a trade privilege would not impact greatly on Philippine shipments to Europe.

“That’s nothing fatal. Some European say we’ll lose 60 percent of our exports, that’s not true. What the government is saying is that our exports to Europe is 23 percent of

the total exports. My estimate is that we’ll lose some but we may be able to retain at least 10 percent,” said association president Sergio Ortiz-Luis.

He noted that the EU Commission had been vocal about the state of human rights in the Philippines, specifically on extrajudicial killings, and labor conditions as well.

The EU should not use human rights and labor issues as conditions for the retention of the GSP+, he said.

The group said the Philippines could give up the 23 percent contribution EU GSP+ exports to Philippine shipments, valued at nearly $200 million, if the privilege was tied to human rights issues.

“We are not trying to be better than them or others. But they should not use that scheme to meddle with internal affairs. It will be costly for us to always mind their protocols. I’d rather that we keep our pride as a country if the losses will amount to that

only,” Ortiz-Luiz said.

He said not all exportera benefited from over 6,200 tariff lines under the trade scheme. Garments is a good export product, he said, but the Philippines has very limited exports of the product.

The Philippines’ EU GSP+ utilization rate increased from 71 percent in 2016 to over 91 percent in the first half of 2017. Out of €6.6 billion total exports to the EU, €1.7 billion enjoyed GSP+.

The GSP+ program allows beneficiary countries to export specific products to the EU duty free. GSP+ gives zero tariff to 6,247 product lines entering the EU market.

EU is the fourth largest export market of the Philippines with over €6 billion worth shipments. Exports to the EU year-on-year rose 36 percent in the first two quarters of 2017.

Philippine exports had been down in the last 24 months and rebounded to positive only in the last few months of 2016.

The Department of Trade and Industry, meanwhile, is confident it will pass the annual review of the EU GSP+ that will allow to country to retain if not expand the current benefits the Philippines enjoys under trade arrangement.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez earlier said the EU asked the Philippines to provide new data and information that would strengthen Manila’s position as a beneficiary.

“That will be part of the review that will happen on October to December. They will assess how well the beneficiary countries are using the scheme and the impact it has on the economy,” he said.

HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD Expanded National Capital Region Field Office 2nd Floor, HLURB Building, Kalayaan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City NOTICE Notice is hereby given that CITYLAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (Owner/Developer) has filed with this Board for a change in project area from 5,718 to 2,418 square meters covered by TCT No. 008-2017000266 for GRAND CENTRAL RESIDENCES located at EDSA corner Sultan St., Brgy. Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City. This project was issued License to Sell No. 27022 dated September 23, 2013 and Certificate of Registration No. 22332 dated July 29, 2010.

All papers relative thereto shall upon request and payment of processing fee, be available for inspection during business hours by any person having legal interest thereon.

Absent any legal impediment, the above-cited project is deemed registered and a certificate, in evidence thereof, shall forthwith be issued after five (5) days from the last day of publication.

Quezon City, Metro Manila, OCT. 11, 2017 (Sgd) ATTY. NORMAN JACINTO P. DORAL Officer-In-Charge (MS-OCT. 23 & 30, 2017)

HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD Expanded National Capital Region Field Office 2nd Floor, HLURB Building, Kalayaan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City NOTICE Notice is hereby given that CITYLAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (Owner/Developer) has filed with this Board a sworn registration statement for the sale of units at PIONEER HEGHTS I located at Pioneer Street, Brgy. Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City specifically described as Lots 2-C, 2-D and 2-E, Psd-00-036943, Lot 1-B, Psd-00-036942 and Lots 1 and 2, Block 2, Psd-32695 under TCT Nos. 11182, 11183, 11184, 11188 (portion only), 98432 and 98419 (portion only) with total area of 4,831 square meters.

That the above owner/developer has issued an Affidavit of Undertaking in lieu of the proof of compliance to the modes and manners provided

by RA 7279 as amended by RA 10884. That within six (6) months after the issuance of the License to Sell, the owner/developer of the main project shall submit the proof of compliance per HLURB`s revised IRR by which the developer of the main project can fullfil and satisfy the balanced housing development requirement.

All papers relative thereto shall upon request and payment of processing fee, be available for inspection during business hours by any person having legal interest thereon.

Absent any legal impediment, the above-cited project is deemed registered and a certificate, in evidence thereof, shall forthwith be issued after five (5) days from the last day of publication.

Quezon City, Metro Manila, OCT. 18, 2017 (SGD) ATTY. NORMAN JACINTO P. DORAL

Officer In Charge

BUSINESS EXPO. Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry president George Barcelon (front row, from left) and wife Irene Barcelon lead the ribbon-cutting rites during the opening of the conference and expo on Wednesday. The are joined by Jennifer Leviste, wife of 43rd PBC chairman Jose Leviste Jr. (extreme right) and Ching Yujuico, wife of Ambassador and PCCI chairman Benedicto Yujuico

PAL bares appointment of Tagle PHILIPPINE Airlines announced the appointment of Jose E. L. Perez de Tagle as vice president for corporate communications effective October 1, 2017.

‘Josen’ is a 32-year veteran of PAL. He started as a reservations agent in 1985. PAL is his first employment after graduating from De La Tagle Salle University Manila.

He worked in various divisions handling commercial code sharing alliances, interline prorate agreements, and airline tariff systems and services.

As the assistant vice president for government affairs, the self-tagged

DR. FLORENZ C. TUGAS

GREEN LIGHT TO keep going is to live God’s purpose in your life.

The bigger world that awaits us is not an ideal and perfect one. In fact, it’s a world full of hurt and pain.

It will surely test our being a Lasallian every day. Just recently, the business world was confronted with security issues in the banking sector and loss of confidence in the public accounting sector. In the government, there exists a widening gap between the opposition and the administration made worse by fake news left and right.

Just the same, choose to be a Lasallian always. I still believe that the root of all these problems is moral decay and values corruption. Being a Lasallian achiever entails that we live as salt and light to the world. The salt prevents moral decay and the light shows the way.

Another problem that results from moral decay and values corruption is selfishness. One thing I love about our university is the discipline we instill even in our simple clean-as-you-go policy. More than ensuring physical cleanliness, it advo-

“cloud-hopping diplomat” represented the flag carrier in bilateral negotiations with over 50 countries to secure international aviation rights entitlements for PAL’s global expansion.

Josen also served as chairman since 2014 of the Board of Airline Representatives, an organization of 36 international airlines operating in the Philippines, and delegate to various committees and councils of the International Air Transport Association, the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines and the Asean Air Transport Working Group.

Josen’s father was a former PAL flight purser.

Republic of the Philippines Department of Finance Securities and Exchange Commission IN THE MATTER OF

Salceda files bill to boost PPP projects LEGAZPI CITY—Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda is pushing for further refinements and reforms in the country’s Public-Private Partnership scheme through House Bill 788 he recently filed in Congress.

The measure will also help enable the government to fund up to P6.3 trillion worth of big-ticket infrastructure projects under President Duterte’s ambitious “Build, Build, Build” development program.

HB 788, titled PPP Rationalization Act, is

designed to propel and accelerate the implementation of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2022, which listed big transport and industrial projects that are expected to usher in the golden era of Philippine infrastructure, and put the country at par with neighbors in the global economic race, said Salceda.

The proposed measure, he added, prescribed “clearer parameters on government undertakings“ and allow the “creation of a Risk

Management Fund to ensure fiscal sustainability and enhance the ability of implementing agencies in the discharge of their mandates and contractual obligations.”

“It also seeks to provide the necessary ‘Investment Recovery Schemes’ within an allowable bracket that are ‘revenue-based,’ availability-based, and other non-monetary payments (e.g. commercial development rights, or the grant of a portion or percentage of the reclaimed land).”

Learnings from higher learning (Part II) cates values preservation and promotes care and concern for others which deter the attitude of self-centeredness.

The bigger world is also a world of constant outsmarting each other. It is just alright to be competitive but do it in the most gentle and honest way.

Living your purpose also means you live a life of restoration. Restoration is when you correct others without passing on misinformed judgment.

Likewise, living your purpose entails being a person of honesty and integrity especially when no one is watching. Very often, the most difficult is to remain good when we are all alone.

Nugget of Wisdom #2: Embrace your being a work-in-progress, do not settle The Lasallian business education envisions its graduates to become nationbuilders who are exemplary and innovative. More specifically, they are expected to possess the following attributes, and everyone knows these: critical and creative thinker; effective commu-

(MS-OCT. 23 & 30, 2017)

nicator; service-drive citizen; and reflective life-long learner. Whether you realize it or not, fellow graduates, you are seated right now, next or a seat or seats apart, to a Lasallian nation-builder.

Look at that person. Eleven terms ago, fifteen or even more terms ago than that, that person was a diamond in a rough. The university chose to accept that person not because he or she was perfect but because that person needed to be worked on.

I, too, needed to be worked on. And the university was gracious enough to see the potential in us, our minds that need teaching, our hearts that need touching, and our lives that need transforming.

As a matter of fact, our being worked on does not end today. Our being a work-inprogress will never stop. And the good thing about that is we keep on getting better each day.

To embrace your being a work in-progress is to not settle.

The bigger world is a world of continuous improvement. As we build our niche, let us be reminded of

the word “exemplary” in our RVRCOB vision-mission. To be exemplary is to manifest excellence and quality in everything we do, when we do business, when we deliver goods, when we render services. We also reflect excellence and quality as we seek for higher learning and continuing professional development.

Pondering further on our being a work-in-progress, I believe that big improvements do not happen overnight. As such, we need to advocate an attitude of affirmation. Let us learn to celebrate victories, however big or small they are.

Moreover, let us not settle for what is comfortable and convenient. Challenge where we are and dream big. There will always be ways to improve and become better.

Dream of a better nation, a better government, and let us find our roles in achieving them. Getting there may be long and tough but it has to start somewhere.

Fellow Lasallians, keep going, live God’s purpose in your life. Fellow Lasallians, embrace your being a work-

in-progress, do not settle.

Let us be Lasallians for God and country. Let us be Lasallians for others. Let us be Lasallians for ourselves.

Let us be Lasallians, especially when no one is watching.

All glory to God, God bless you all, thank you. And Animo Lasalle!

Dr. Tugas graduated October 14, 2017 with a degree of Doctor of Philosphy in Business. This was his response, given on behalf of graduating masteral and doctoral students, during the Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business Recognition Rites. He is a full-time faculty member of the Accountancy Department of the Ramon V. Del Rosario College of Business of De La Salle University. He specializes in Auditing and Assurance, Basic Accounting, and Management of Information Technology courses. He can be reached at florenz.tugas@ dlsu.edu.ph.

The views expressed here are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty, and its administrators.

: : REGISTRATION OF COMMERCIAL PAPERS CITYLAND, INC. : : x----------------------------------------x

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that on 13 October 2017 a sworn Registration Statement was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on behalf of CITYLAND, INC. for the registration of Seven Hundred Million Pesos (Php700,000,000.00) worth of Commercial Papers.

According to the papers presented, the following persons are the officers/directors of the corporation: Name Stephen C. Roxas Andrew I. Liuson Grace C. Liuson Josef C. Gohoc Paul Y. Ung Peter S. Dee Alice C. Gohoc Helen C. Roxas Emma A. Choa Rudy Go Eden F. Go Melita M. Revuelta Romeo E. Ng Melita L. Tan Rosario D. Perez Atty. Emma G. Jularbal

Position Director/Chairman of the Board Director/Vice Chairman of the Board Director/Deputy Vice Chairman of the Board Director/President Independent Director Independent Director Director Director Executive Vice President/Treasurer Senior Vice President/Compliance Officer Vice President Vice President/Assistant Corporate Secretary Vice President Vice President Vice President-Executive Affairs Vice President-Legal Affairs/Corporate Secretary

Said registration statement and other papers/documents attached thereto (collectively known as *RS*) are open to inspection by interested parties during business hours, and copies thereof, photostatic or otherwise, shall be furnished to any party, upon request, at such fees as the Commission may prescribe. The RS and the Prospectus dated 13 October 2017 and the corresponding updated version may be downloaded from www.cityland.net.

VICENTE GRACIANO P. FELIZMENIO, JR. Director Markets and Securities Regulation Department (MS-OCT. 20 & 23, 2017)

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE EX-OFFICIO SHERRIF QUEZON CITY

TYPE: 2BR AREA: 57.5 SQ.M. % PARTICIPATION: 0.125%

PHILIPPINE SAVINGS BANK, Mortgagee, -versus-

FRE NO. 11740

SPS. DONNY DEL PRADO AND IVY E. DEL PRADO rep by LILIA DEL PRADO as Attorney-In-Fact.

Mortgagor/s x-----------------------------------x

NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE OF REAL PROPERTY UNDER ACT 3135 (AS AMENDED) UPON extra-judicial petition under ACT 3135, as amended

by ACT 4118 and pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Deed of Real Estate Mortgage executed on October 13, 2016

by SPS. DONNY DEL PRADO AND IVY E. DEL PRADO rep by LILIA DEL PRADO as Attorney-in-Fact.

–5F Cluster 7, Greenhills Garden Sqno.297, Boni Serrano Ave., Quezon City, Mortgagors in favor of PHILIPPINE SAVINGS BANK, Mortgagee, to satisfy the mortgage debt in the amount of Php 2,118,218.79 as of June 21, 2017 plus accruing interest, and penalty and other charges together with all the lawful fees and expenses of foreclosure sale, the Ex-Officio Sheriff of the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City and/or his duly authorized Deputy Sheriff, hereby announces that on November 22, 2017 between the hours of 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. at the Office of the Clerk of Court & Ex-Officio Sheriff, Regional Trial Court, Hall of Justice Bldg., Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City, will sell thru public auction to the highest bidder for cash, in Philippine Currency, the following described real property/ies with all the improvements existing thereon, to wit:

in the diagrammatic floor plan appended to the enabling or master deed of the condominium project annotated on TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE N-165131-33 which embraces and describes the land located at B. SERRANO AVE., CUBAO, Q.C. with an area of (10,444; 200 & 200) Square, Meter, xxx xxx All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned at the aforesaid office on the above stated date and time.

Interested parties are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the title to the said property/ies and the encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

In the event that public auction should not take place on said date due to fortuitous event or if the same be declared a nonworking holiday, it shall be held on November 29, 2017 at the same time and place without further notice.

Quezon City, Metro Manila, October 4, 2017.

(Sgd.) MICHAEL T. INSAME Sheriff IV

(Sgd.) GREGORIO C. TALLUD Clerk of Court VII and Ex-Officio Sheriff WARNING: It is absolutely prohibited to remove, deface or Destroy this Notice of Sheriff’s Sale on or Before the date of the auction sale under penalty of the law.

Copy Furnished:

ATTY. CONSTANTINO L. REYES 4th Floor PSBank Centre Bldg., No. 777 Paseo de Roxas Ave., cor. Sedeño St., Makati City SPS. DONNY DEL PRADO AND IVY E. DEL PRADO rep by LILIA DEL PRADO as Attorney-in-Fact.

CONDOMINIUM CERTIFICATE 5F Cluster 7, Greenhills Garden OF TITLE NO. N-004-2014027187 Sqno, 297, Boni Serrano Ave., Registry of Deeds-Quezon City Quezon City

GREENHILLS GARDEN SQUARE Unit 5F Greenhills Garden Square 7 Cluster 7, No. 297 Col. Boni 5F Serrano Ave., Quezon City.

CLUSTER: LEVEL: UNIT:

F

(MS-Oct. 16, 23 & 30, 2017)

Munti named Most Business Friendly LGU

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor editor.lgustandard@gmail.com

B4

MONDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2017

LGUs LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi (second from left) receives a plaque from President Rodrigo Duterte after the city won the Most Business-Friendly LGU Award, Level 1 Category from the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry awards at the Manila Hotel last Thursday. Joining Fresnedi were City Administrator Allan Cachuela and Local Economic and Investment Promotion Officer Gary Llamas.

Lumbatan looks after Marawi refugees LEGIONS of refugees from battle-scarred Marawi City have sought asylum in communities around Lake Lanao.

Lumbatan, a historic town in Lanao del Sur, has embraced its neighbors from the city despite challenges in getting relief goods and a lack of trained manpower.

“Our municipality welcomed more than 900 internally displaced families when the war broke out between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and ISISlinked Maute Group,” said Lumbatan Mayor Allan Lao. From 995 families, 811 remain based on the master list issued by the Municipal Social Welfare Development Office, Lao added.

The IDFs are staying with their relatives in 21 barangays of Lumbatan.

“The effect of the Marawi Crisis is not only limited to the war zone, but also to the communities along the eastern and western part of the lake. The lack of good roads makes these places inaccessible in sending support,” said the mayor.

In the east-west part of Lanao del Sur, food and relief assistance was limited because most of the support went to others, Lao added.

“Fire blocked the roads.

The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Council delivered the food supplies through Lanao del Norte.

A normal 90-minute drive turned to seven hours. Vehicles had to pass through tight security. We had attention to women, children and people with special needs. It takes good governance and strategy to deliver goods and services,” he added. Ayunan G. Gunting-Al-Hadj

QC eyes P19-b budget

By Rio N. Araja

T

HE 36-member Quezon City council will begin hearing today the city’s 2018 proposed budget of P19 billion.

City administrator Aldrin Cuña said the bulk of next year’s budget—P8.2 billion or 43.37 percent—shall go to social services, while P6.3 billion or 33.32 percent would be earmarked for public services. Economic services shall get P3.2 billion, while legislative services are

allocated P1.14 billion.

The proposed budget has been initially filtered by the local finance committee, of which Cuña is chairman.

“The proposed appropriations program for the ensuing fiscal year seeks to maintain our standing as the Philippines’ back-to-back

most competitive city in terms of infrastructure, economic dynamism, efficiency and resiliency,” said Mayor Herbert Bautista in a draft message to the city council obtained by Manila Standard.

In 2017, the city’s approved budget was P16.1 billion. As of Oct. 3, Quezon City’s total annual income from taxes and fees has reached P15.18 billion against its full-year target of P17.72 billion.

In 2016, Quezon City surpassed its budget target with a surplus of P16.1 million.

Meanwhile, Bautista on Sunday vowed to give 100 percent support to police to deter criminality.

The mayor assured Quezon City Police District chief Guillermo Eleazar of the city government’s commitment to provide them with all they need to beef up their capability and improve their crimefighting efforts.

With 19 months left before the 2019 local elections, Bautista said the city government will continue to support the QCPD to ensure the benefits

of peace and order shall be enjoyed by the city’s three million constituents.

The city recently donated 150 patrol motorcycles and 485 bullet-proof vests to the QCPD at Camp Karingal.

Bautista also disclosed the procurement of additional patrol vehicles and firearms, rehabilitation of all existing police stations, and construction of three additional police stations to ensure 24hour police visibility.

Moreover, the mayor said the city government would

also acquire a custommade mobile patrol van to be converted into an incident command and communication center.

The police’s cyber-crime office, equipped with 250 surveillance cameras, will start its operations in November, he added.

The Quezon City government earlier donated vehicles, hand-held radios and other communications equipment, firearms and ammunition and gasoline subsidy to fully support the police.

IN BRIEF Romualdez leads Leyte Landing rites

SURPRISE INSPECTION. The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology conducted a random inspection at the municipal jail in Sta.

Cruz, Laguna under ‘Oplan Greyhound’ on Sunday headed by Jail Chief Inspector Warren Geronimo (left), the District Jail Warden. With the Sta. Cruz police and local firemen, the BJMP team went through six cells of 350 prisoners, including 38 women, and recovered improvised icepicks, knives, cigarettes, toothbrushes, umbrellas, pen, scissors—but no drugs or drug paraphernalia. Roy Tomandao

Water project to benefit 7 Agoo barangays AGOO, La Union—Seven waterless barangays in Agoo, La Union will soon be enjoying clean and potable water from Metro Agoo Waterworks Inc. This was announced

by Agoo Mayor Stefanie Eriguel after signing an agreement with MAWI officials led chairman Jolly

Summit stresses midwives’ role in family planning FAMILY planning is future planning for women. It is empowering women to choose a bright future. These were some of the fundamental concepts espoused during the recent Midwives Summit dubbed “Aligning with Global Trends: Midwives as LARC Providers” at Xenia Hotel in Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga.

Midwives from Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales provinces attended the event that highlighted

BY SUPPORTING businesses to make it “BIG in MUNTInlupa” and exemplifying ease in doing business locally, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry has hailed Muntinlupa City as the 2017 Most Business Friendly Local Government Unit for Level 1 Category.

PCCI lauded other winning cities, provinces, and municipalities with outstanding programs and policies that create an environment conducive to business during the 43rd Philippine Business Conference at the Manila Hotel last Oct. 19.

President Rodrigo Duterte attended the ceremony and presented the award to Mayor Jaime Fresnedi and other local executives.

PCCI President George Barcelon lauded the initiatives and strong partnership of the LGUs with the private sector and local chamber for achieving reforms particularly in the ease of doing business.

Zest-O Corp. will be donating a onestorey school building in Muntinlupa for winning this year’s Search.

Other winning LGUs are Tagum City in Davao (Level 2 Category); Vigan City, Ilocos Sur (Level 3), and Bohol Province (Provincial Category).

Muntinlupa City is at the forefront of innovation in investment promotion and streamlining business procedures by pioneering the implementation of Business One Stop Shop - Single Window Transaction.

their vital role in family planning and in delivering safe pregnancies, childbirths, and postpartum care.

Organized by the Integrated Midwives Association of the Philippines in partnership with PhilHealth Region III with support from MSD in the Philippines, the summit promotes the World Health Organization’s push to address the unmet need for family planning, which is a primary factor contributing to maternal mortality.

Ting and president Roderick Ongcarranceja to provide water services in Barangays Ambitacay, Balawarte, San Isidro, San Manuel Norte, San Nicolas West, San Roque East and San Roque West.

The memorandum signing at the ABC Hall of Municipality of Agoo was

witnessed by Sangguniang Bayan members of Agoo, officials from the Department of Interior and Local Government, and the respective barangay councils of the beneficiaries.

Eriguel said: “We value this new development as our constituents are in dire need of potable water. This

will have direct impact to some 2,649 families in addressing health and sanitation issues in their communities. The five barangay beneficiaries are in coastal areas, while the two barangays are situated in mountain ranges where there is lack of sustainable water supply.”

TOP MOM. Mrs. Sara Jane Saliba of Barangay Pasong Camachile 1 in General Trias City, Cavite (center) waves to the crowd as she is crowned the 2017 Ginang ng Nagkakaisang Kababaihan ng General Trias (Lady of the United Women of GenTri or NKGT) at the Robinson’s Place GenTri activity center in Barangay Tejero. Anna AlcantaraFerrer, wife of General Trias Mayor Antonio Ferrer, pins the winner’s sash on Saliba with the help of son Toby Ferrer (left) and entrepreneur Leah Anne Misenas.

TACLOBAN CITY—Mayor Cristina Gonzales Romualdez joined local and foreign World War II veterans and other guests as she led the 73rd commemoration of the Leyte Landing here on Friday.

Also present were Presidential Adviser on Military Affairs Arthur Tabaquero and actress Janella Salvador.

World War II veteran Eduardo Bermudo, now 94 years old, still remembers the torment he and his comrades suffered during the war, and the continuing fight they are waging today for a decent living.

“The US government didn’t recognize my father as a war veteran. All our documents were lost during Typhoon “Yolanda.” My father survived the war and the Bataan Death March. He even survived “Yolanda,” so he is a hero in our hearts,” said Carlos Bermudo, son of the sergeant.

Tabaquero commended the organizers for giving tribute to the veterans, saying it is good for the youth to meet war veterans “whose service and sacrifice gave us the peace and freedom we enjoy now.”

“We must continue to do this because it is good to show the new generation that our love for our country must come first for the future of the Philippines,” he added.

Commander Brian Clark of the United States Navy felt honored to be in the event and recognize the veterans who fought and survived World War II, as well as other veterans who continue to serve today. Robbie Pangilinan

Tacloban thanks USAID for support TACLOBAN CITY—Mayor Cristina Gonzales Romualdez expressed the city government’s gratitude to the United States Agency for International Development for the support it has extended to the city since it was hit and devastated by typhoon Haiyan in 2013.

The USAID recently began construction of a P10million climate-resilient building, which will house an evacuation and livelihood training center.

“The building will boost the rehabilitation initiatives of the city government, which includes providing sustainable livelihood opportunities to Taclobanons and disaster resiliency,” said Romualdez in a message to the USAID. Michael Klecheski, Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy in Manila, highlighted the initiatives of the USAID after Haiyan, which included the construction of 310 classrooms, provision of livelihood activities for 1,000 sari-sari stores, and the construction of 12 health facilities as part of its $143-million assistance to typhoon-devastated communities.

“We thank Mayor Romualdez for her cooperation and for always being hands-on. Tacloban can rest assured of our continuous support for its ongoing rehabilitation efforts,” said Klecheski. Robbie Pangilinan

Life

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com

food

monday, octoBeR 23, 2017

C1

Indulging on sake SAKE PAIRING. Sake Samurai Elliot Faber (right) talked about sake and Japanese Whisky while Royce Pua (left) presented the signature degustation dishes of 12/10 best paired with the former’s sake creations.

C

RATE&BARREl X Malt Manila explores the delightful world of sake with no less than sake samurai Elliot Faber in a talk at the sM Makati store.

sake, which has been long considered the national drink of Japan, is part of the country’s culture and tradition. it is often served with special ceremony. it is gently warmed in a small earthenware or porcelain bottle called tokkuri and sipped from a small porcelain cup called a sakasuki.

While it is often referred to as “rice wine”, it is made from rice through a brewing—rather than fermentation— process that converts starch into alcohol, similar to the way that beer is made. With that, sake’s popularity is spreading around the world.

Elliot, one of the few who has been honored as a sake samurai by the Japan sake Brewers Association Junior Council, is the perfect person to talk about this iconic Japanese Drink. Hong Kong-based Elliot is the Beverage Di-

12/10’s Oyakodon is best paiured with the thick and creamy Nigori Sake

rector for Yardbird, A Modern Izakaya, Ronin, and sunday’s Grocery. He is also the founder of sunday’s Distribution—a beverage distribution company focused on a specific collection of wine, sake, and spirits.

As a certified sommelier and an advanced sake professional, Elliot

is a senior whisky advisor to Zachys Wine Auctions, a contributing editor to JamesSuckling.com, and the co-author of Sake: The History, Stories and Craft of Japan’s Artisanal Breweries.

Elliot has been a judge for the Decanter Asia Wine Awards since its launch in 2012 and has judged other awards,

Crate&Barrel x Malt Manila featured Sunday’s Nigori, Junmai Sake, and Japanese Whisky

including the international Wine spirits Competition and the Asia Wine spirits Competition.

Elliot showed his sake creations in Crate&Barrel’s glassware: the Bitty Bite Tall, Callaway shot, and otis Highball glasses; pairing these with the signature degustation dishes of

12/10 using Crate&Barrel’s ikeTray, Tondo plate, Gemma Appetizer plate and platter and palisades Cheeseboard.

The steamer Bar Cabinet, a Crate&Barrel exclusive, is also used.

Crate&Barrel is in SM Aura Premier, SM Makati and SM Megamall.

Chef Donita Rose’s creations for Love Dish 2017, Ginataang Chicken Adobo at Silogue and Mango Strawberry Jelly are available at Cafe Maxims and Impressions, respectively.

Golden hearts on silver platters

Filipinos love food and sharing food is one way they show their love and concern for others.

Resorts World Manila (RWM), the philippines’ premier integrated entertainment and tourism destination, has cooked up a creative way to show compassionate care for the Filipino people.

With the help of acclaimed celebrity chefs and home cooks, RWM presents love Dish 2017: a menu by celebrities for a cause. proceeds from sales will go to RWM’s three partner charities: CoR Foundation, pasay City social and Welfare Development, and the Right start Foundation.

Former MTV Asia VJ Donita Rose, who took a hiatus from the philippine entertainment scene to study culinary arts and work as a professional chef in various restaurants in the United states, leads the lineup of celebrity culinary artists which includes writer, TV host, and blogger Stephanie Zubiri-Crespi; character actor Dimples Romana; showbiz scion Luigi Muhlach; TV and movie actor Meg Imperial; TV and radio host Sam Oh; and singer and theater actor Mark Bautista. “i’m a great believer in doing what you can to help others,” Donita says. “i had recently gotten involved with Right start Foundation, which is all about giving new beginnings for the

From left: RWM’s Mae Bernardo, Chef Donita Rose, Mark Bautista, Chef Cyrille Soenen, Sam Oh, Dimples Romana, Acel Bisa-Van Ommen, and RWM’s Archie Nicasio

poorest of the poor. When i was invited to participate in love Dishes, i saw the perfect opportunity to bring the two projects together to make a bigger impact.”

Donita, Dimples, Mark, Meg, and luigi have each prepared dishes which were further refined with the help of Chef Cyrille Soenen, RWM’s director for culinary arts and the first and only Maitres Cuisiniers de France (Master Chef of France) in the philippines.

Considering her early dislike for Filipino food, Donita has more than come around to the cuisine. she now takes pleasure in adding gourmet flourishes to local specialties, as exempli-

fied by her love Dishes recipes. The ginataang chicken adobo, available at RWM’s Café Maxims, is a richer and more succulent take on what may just be the quintessential Filipino dish.

Her creamy mango strawberry jelly sounds deceptively simple, but is an absolutely heavenly confection fit for impressions, RWM’s signature French fine dining restaurant. The local fruits are flambéed and suspended in cream cheese with condensed milk and a heavy cream base, all topped with a strawberry and mango coulis.

Joining Donita’s dessert at impressions is stephanie’s sambal-spiced mixed mushroom farfalle. The dish

fits in seamlessly with the restaurant’s continental menu, and is a testament to her vast experience as a chef and restaurateur, her exposure to global cuisines, and her affinity for Europe. it is creamy, velvety, and aromatic, with the deep spiciness of sambal kicking in just in time to keep the savory richness from being cloying.

Dimples’ salted egg prawns recipe, which has received Chef Cyrille’s haute cuisine treatment, is featured in passion, RWM’s signature Cantonese fine dining restaurant. “it’s a very timely and trendy dish, and i’ve put a very Filipino spin on it,” Dimples says of her recipe. “My dish

is slightly sweet, very saucy, and goes very well with rice. Chef Cyrille has also added extra touches that gave it an extra depth of texture and flavor.”

The son of two of the most famous names in philippine show business, luigi found his niche and made his name as a professional chef. He has served in a consultant capacity in restaurants of major hotels, including Cru steakhouse at Marriott Hotel Manila. He is also the Corporate Chef for the Red Crab Group and the Excello Group of Restaurants “love Dishes is a great way to help others through food,” luigi says. “of course, as a chef, you look for ways to share your talent with as many people as possible, and if by doing that you are also able to do a good thing, then everybody wins.” luigi’s sinuglaw sa aligue is a masterful take on a classic Filipino pulutan. Fresh tanigue cubes are drenched in vinegar, coconut milk, and crab fat concoction, and given a full flavorful kick with siling labuyo and other spices. served with crisp, paper-thin, golden slivers of chicken skin, it is pure, delicious indulgence and available in The Terrace at Maxims Hotel and in Bar 360 at RWM’s Gaming Area. in addition to lighting up TV and Turn to C2

Life

C2

monday, october 23, 2017 isahred@gmail.com

Frequent diners at Kuya’s W

ith its wide variety of offerings, it is no wonder that celebrities have discovered many different ways of enjoying the extensive menu of Filipino, italian, Spanish, American, and Mediterranean fare of Kuya’s at QC.

Among the stars sighted at the restaurant were Ricky Davao, Maja Salvador, Toni Gonzaga Soriano, Alex Gonzaga, Andrei Felix, Wency Cornejo, Cookie Chua, Lei Bautista, Medwin Marfil, John Lloyd Cruz, Linda Jumilla, Raul Manzano, Daniel Matsunaga, Migs Bustos, Anthony Taberna, Enchong Dee, Mike Enriquez, Heidelyn Diaz, Tony Velasquez, and Glaiza de Castro.

Considering the wide array of culinary pleasures Kuya’s at QC offers, diners have plenty of dining delights to choose from. the crispy pata al ajillo tKO (total

knuckle obsession) is a heaping serving of pork leg lavishly garnished with sliced chilis and sauteed garlic. they have seven different kinds of sinigang: baboy, tadyang, malaga, talakitok, hipon, bangus, or the house specialty, anghang—made more special with the combined goodness of mango, kamias, and guava. Some of the celebrities’ favorites are the house specialty burgers and pizza.

Celebrate “OctWObeerfest: until Oct. 31. For P350, you get two beers with a choice of: frankfurters and German potato salad, or pressed burgers and chili fries, or pizza and barbecue.

enjoy the turkey spread buffet on thanksgiving Day, nov. 23.

At P600, the buffet includes roast turkey, roast pork, mashed potato, cranberry, sweet potato, caesar’s salad, baked macaroni, and chicken macaroni soup.

At Kuya’s at QC, all you have to do is have fun in your parties: weddings, baptisms, birthdays, corporate events, etc. there is a function room for 15 guests, which come with free videoke. they also offer caterings for any occasion with options for cooking pizza, bibingka and puto bumbong at parties. the all-time favorite kare-kare is made with honest to goodness oxtail and, unlike most other restaurants’ versions, with two kinds of tripe.

Kuya’s at QC is at 147 Mother Ignacia Avenue, South Triangle, Tomas Morato, Quezon City.

Telephone number 709-7880.

Jed and Julian’s, part of Kuya’s at QC, has its own stock of diners’ favorites, such as specialty pizzas and burgers.

The Crispy Pata al Ajillo TKO (Total Knuckle Obsession) is a heaping serving of pork leg lavishly garnished with sliced chilis and sauteed garlic.

Starbucks’ signature pairings

Five ensaymada variants: salted egg, quezo de bola, ube, monggo, and dulce de leche

Ensaymada collection at Andrew Café the delectable ensaymada is the pastry of choice for coffee breaks and merienda time for many Filipinos.

Andrew Café, named after the late Brother Andrew Gonzales, a gourmand who was formerly a Secretary of the Department of education, serves delightful ensaymadas in five variants: salted egg, quezo de bola, ube, monggo, and dulce de leche, all filled with luscious bits and pieces of the same flavor.

Golden...

From C1

movie screens around the Philippines, the winsomely pretty Meg is currently taking up culinary arts at the SKD Academy where she has proven to be a natural. the very first dish that she experimented with was a baked parmesan-crusted chicken, which she has tweaked and refined to its current recipe. this is also the recipe that she shared with RWM for Love Dish.

Meg’s parmesan-crusted chicken breast at Café Maxims is worlds apart from the typical fried chicken fingers that one may find in children’s menus. the sharpness and crisp texture of the parmesan breading are balanced by the light and juicy tenderness of the chicken breast, each element drawing out the best flavors as the tastes and textures dance around your mouth.

When it comes to Korean desserts, most Filipinos would be familiar with bingsu, the popular shaved ice treat. taking the opportunity to introduce a lesser-known recipe from her native country, Sam chose ho tteok, a Korean pancake with a sweet nutty filling, as her Love Dish. Diners can find Sam’s ho tteok, served with house-made black sesame seed and salted caramel ice cream, and drizzled with matcha glaze, at Ginzadon, RWM’s signature Japanese and Korean restaurant. “it’s a very accessible street

the pastry comes in two sizes, 16 mini pieces, and 9 classic ones per box.

All these are whipped up by resident pastry chef Timothy Robert Gonzales.

Andrew Café is at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde taft Campus corner estrada and Leon Guinto streets, Malate, Manila.

Call (02) 230-5100 local 1888 for orders.

food that’s especially popular in the winter because they’re served warm with the syrup oozing out when you bite into it,” Sam says. “there’s a crunchier kind but i prefer this soft and chewy version which is the kind my mom and i make at home as a snack.”

Mark’s perfectly baked peanut butter cupcake recipe is sweet, simple, and satisfying. his cupcakes, which can be bought at Café Maxims and RBar, are generously made with premium peanut butter, with its rich sweetness punctuated by chunks of dark chocolate. there is a slight crunch at first bite, which gives way to a melt-in your mouth softness that transports you to a childhood of peanut butter cups and warm hugs. “every year, for the last 15 years, i would spend my birthday at an orphanage or other institution to share my blessings with others. Because i had to do shows abroad, i wasn’t able to do it this year,” he said. “RWM’s Love Dish Project came at the perfect time and gives me a chance to not only showcase my baking skills, but also to help a lot of people.”

RWM’s Love Dishes are available at select signature restaurants until Dec. 31. Download the RWM Mobile App for free on the AppStore and GooglePlay for complete information on Love Dish and RWM’s CSR initiatives.

For bookings and inquiries, visit rwmanila.com or call the tourist/ visitor hotline at (02) 908-8833.

MAny of us live hectic lives, with countless deadlines to meet, requirements to deliver, and tasks to complete; sometimes having time for a healthy and hearty meal can be quite challenging. Good thing, we have Starbucks, which serves the perfect treats for both breakfast and lunch through their new Signature Pairings.

Starbucks Signature Pairings are delectable meals partnered with your favorite coffee or tea. these are available at a discounted price when you purchase it with any tall handcrafted beverage. Starbucks Signature Breakfast is available from the store’s opening until 10am, while you can avail the Starbucks Signature Lunch from 10am to 2pm.

“We know how many of our customers are constantly in search of great food that they can enjoy with their favorite Starbucks handcrafted beverage, that’s why we’re bringing in new food options that will satisfy their cravings,” Keith Cole, head of Marketing for Starbucks Philippines said.

For a delectably filling lunch try the two new pasta dishes

by Starbucks. Classic beef lasagna is made with savory meat, creamy béchamel sauce and lasagna baked with a topping of mozzarella cheese. Penne pesto with mushroom is also a great choice for those looking for a quick and delicious meal, it is made with penne that is sautéed with button mushroom and creamy pesto sauce.

For those searching for a light and quick option for their midday meal, arugula pasta salad with creamy parmesan is an ideal option. Made with al dente tri-color fusilli pasta, fresh tomatoes, black olives, and red bell pepper, served on a bed of arugula with a creamy parmesan dressing, this is the perfect healthy meal to get you through the day. you can also try the oriental vermicelli chicken salad, a delicious meal of vermicelli noodles tossed in oriental dressing with crunchy vegetables, crispy fried wanton strips and sesame chicken slices. Arugula pasta salad with creamy parmesan and oriental

Starbucks’ gourmet pasta dishes, Penne Pesto and Classic Beef Lasagna, are perfect as light midday meals

vermicelli chicken salad are the latest additions to Starbucks Bistro Bowls, which makes it a perfect on-the-go meal. these dishes are perfectly paired with any Starbucks handcrafted beverage, and by purchasing a tall beverage you can get these at ₱20 off. Breakfast

options like the Mango Greek yogurt Parfait and Blueberry Greek yogurt Parfait can also be enjoyed at a lower price when purchased with any tall handcrafted beverage.

Visit your favorite Starbucks store and savor the flavors of these Signature Pairings today.

Fruitas Group of Companies visits roots after 15 years the Fruitas Group of Companies (FGC) continues the celebration of its 15th year in business by going back to its roots and revisiting the place where it sold its first fruit shake in 2002.

FGC founder and chief executive officer Lester Yu started his fruitful journey 15 years ago when he risked everything he had to put up the first Fruitas stall in SM Manila.

Fast forward to 2017, FGC has become a household brand in fresh beverages and food concepts, housing over 20 brands, establishing over 800 stalls nationwide and providing jobs to over 1,500 employees. From a single kiosk that only served an average 100 cups a day, Fruitas is now serving millions of customers nationwide.

Fruitas brand ambassador Jasmine Curtis-Smith serves free Fruitas shake to customers at SM Manila, where the first stall of the brand was put up 15 years ago.

“Our company has grown strong throughout the years, and it wouldn’t have been possible if it weren’t for our loyal customers who have been patronizing our products since we opened here in SM Manila,” said the founder and CeO of Fruitas Group of Companies. “We remember starting out slow back then but we are glad to have endured and thrived in the business before healthy lifestyle became a trend.”

For FGC, going back to the very first mall that warmly welcomed the brand has made the company realize how far the company has gone, and how far they could go. the journey of the Fruitas Group of Companies only proves how the company has been successful in its business model, and its capability to adapt to trends. FGC has managed to cater to the demands, and exceed expectations across different demographics throughout generations.

Fruitas brand ambassador, ac-

tress and model Jasmine Curtis-Smith experienced being a Fruitas server in the original store at SM Manila. Over 150 Fruitas customers were treated to a free Fruitas shake of their choice, and had the chance to interact with the local celebrity.

Curtis-Smith was also able to share how she’s able to keep a healthy lifestyle with Fruitas. “this is one of our efforts of being able to thank our consumers and encourage other Filipinos to get into a healthier lifestyle. With the continuous support of our customers, we plan to move forward and become the leader in bringing the freshest products and brands in the country,” said yu.

To get more information and be updated on its future promotions, like and follow Fruitas through Facebook (facebook. com/FruitasShakes), Twitter (twitter.com/fruitasshakes) and Instagram (instagram.com/ fruitasshakes).

Robinsons Supermarket celebrates World Bread Day ROBinSOnS Supermarket gives everyone more reasons to buy their favorite bread, cupcake, and other baked treats as it kicked off the month-long celebration of World Bread Day at Robinsons Place Antipolo with “Great Deals at 5.”

For the whole month of October, shoppers can get premium items of the day for only P5.00 whenever they buy P175 worth of any bread or cupcake. Proceeds of the promo will be donated to World Vision.

Supermarket shoppers can also get instant P5.00 savings on different sets of selected items weekly or enjoy 5 percent discount on selected healthy you, Robinsons Supersavers, and Baker John bread products. Robinsons Rewards Card members can also earn additional 5 points when they buy participating products. to launch this promo, Robinsons Supermarket recently held a bake-off contest

among its bakery concessionaires to showcase their resourcefulness and creativity. the creations were sampled and judged by lucky supermarket shoppers.

Like www.facebook/RobinsonsSupermarketOfficial on Facebook or visit its official website at www.robinsonssupermarket.com.ph to stay updated on Robinsons Supermarket’s offers and activities.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2017

Coco–Vice tiff on MMFF film entries VICE GANDA sheds light on the issue that allegedly, he and good friend Coco Martin have a misunderstanding at present due to the fact that they have competing entries in the forthcoming Metro Manila Film Festival. While he is one of the main stars of The Revengers along with Daniel Padilla and Pia Wurtzbach, Coco top-bills the latest silver screen installation of the classic FPJ material Ang Panday.

“As far as I’m concerned, all is well. I can’t speak for anyone else but for me, I’m okay with Coco. Actually, I’ve expected it already when I learned that both of us have our respective MMFF entries this December. For me, that was very likely.

“That’s how things are in show business, right?

It’s actually the norm. People always look for negative angles which they could feast on. It’s just sad because they are more interested in talking about unpleasant issues rather than the opposite.

They are mum on positive news,” says Vice.

Many are curious to know if he and Coco are still communicating these days.

“Honestly, not that constant unlike before. Let’s face it, our respective workload is heavy. That alone eats up much of our time. Of course, when we have some free time from our hectic schedule, we would rather call or talk to our family. In my case, I would choose to talk to my mom than anyone else, right?”

The popular comedian-host explains that this latest development between him and Coco is just part of their job as actors.

“That’s the point,” Vice avers. “Actually, Coco and I have the same goal and that is to give the public quality entertainment especially on Christmastime. Last year, we joined forces in ‘Super Parental Guardians’ which was shown prior to the MMFF. We’re happy and proud that it became a mammoth hit.

“This time around, we have respective entries in the annual film fest. Our goal remains the same although we are not together in one project. We just want to be of service to our movie-going public. He has his way, I have my own. As I’ve said earlier, we just want to be of service to our audience specially this Yuletide season.”

Speaking of The Revengers, the TV host-comedian expresses his excitement over the project.

“For one, it holds many firsts: it’s my maiden superhero film and I’m with a new screen combination. I love the thought of working with Daniel and Pia. It’s quite refreshing. I’m also thrilled to wear a superhero costume this time. I’m sure the people will like our offering!”

Considering his impressive box-office record in the MMFF, is he under pressure with his entry this year?

“You know, I don’t want to consider it as pressure. On the contrary, it’s something I look forward to. Actually, I told Direk Joyce (Bernal), this project is for P1 billion. She’s the one who got under pressure. Ha-ha-ha!

“But I assured her, I’m praying for it and I’m claiming for the realization of my request. God is good! I’m confident about our offering. As long as you have a fine material, I believe that you’ll fulfil your goal,” ends Vice. ******** Aiko Melendez is glad that former boyfriend Aga Muhlach is back in doing films once again.

“Yes! After so many years, it’s refreshing to see him acting on the big screen again in Seven Sundays.Aga’s such a good actor and everyone knows that. It’s really nice to have him back. The showbiz industry missed him!” she states.

The Wildflower mainstay even jokes of doing another potboiler with the come-backing actor.

“I hope we can still do a remake of May Minamahal. As long as no one will get jealous. Ha-haha!”

Meanwhile, Aiko is also happy with her recent reconciliation with Ara Mina. Did they continue communicating after burying the hatchet, so to speak?

“We text each other constantly. But we haven’t gotten out yet for a dinner or something like that.

I’m looking forward to it though,” she states.

T

HE worldwide search for the next big OPM love song is back in Himig Handog 2017, the largest Filipino songwriting competition that gave birth to recent winners “Anong Nangyari Sa Ating Dalawa,” “Mahal Ko o Mahal Ako,” and “Dalawang Letra,” and the new song selections performed live on the ASAP stage A total of 10 songs made it to this year’s competition out of almost 7,000 entries across the world. In Himig Handog tradition, these are interpreted by some of today’s local artists.

This year’s interpreters include Jake Zyrus for Agatha Morallos’ song entry “Bagyo,” Migz Haleco for Eric de Leon’s “Bes,” Inigo Pascual feat. Aikee for Michael “Aikee” Aplacador’s “Extensyon,” Morissette for LJ Manzano and Joan Da’s “Naririnig Mo Ba?,” and Jona for Raizo Chabeldin and Biv De Vera’s “Sampu.”

Also doing their unique song rendition are Unit 406 for Gabriel Tagadtad’s “Tanghaling Tapat,” Kyla and Jason Dy for Soc Villanueva’s “Tayo na Lang Kasi,” Kaye Cal for Karl Gaurano and Teodoro Katigbak’s “The Labo

What song will be

the next big OPM hit?

Composers accompanied by their chosen interpreters during the media launch of this year’s “Himig Handog”

Song,” Moira for Libertine Amistoso’s “Titibo-Tibo,” and Janella Salvador for Karlo Zabala’s “Wow na Feelings.”

The songwriter with the best song gets the grand prize of P1 million cash. Runners-up also get exciting prizes: P500,000 cash prize (2nd place), P200,000 (3rd place), P150,000 (4th place), and P100,000 (5th place).

Special awards will likewise be given to MOR’s Choice, Star Music Listeners Choice, and One Music PH Choice for Favorite Interpreter, each with P50,000 cash prize. Another special award goes to TFC’s Global Choice for Favorite Song with $2,000 take home money.

ACTOR/SINGER Matteo Guidicelli once again wowed his fans with his music.

Matteo took his new single, “Hey” on the ASAP stage on Oct. 8, with no less than two of the country’s hit musicians of 90’s bands - Ira Cruz of Bamboo, Introvoys and Passage and Nathan Azarcon of Rivermaya.

With the two reuniting on stage to jam with Matteo since they last played together in Hijo band way back 2011, the performance was remarkable that definitely took the fans back to the golden age of Pinoy bands.

Both Ira and Nathan have established themselves in the OPM industry as their bands conquered the airwaves and

the music scene of the 90’s; and their alternative rock sound is one of Matteo’s musical influences.

Matteo’s sound in this single captures the interests of his audience as he brings back the 90’s alternative rock vibe. The song is about the typical Pinoy courtship story of trying to win the favor of the girl’s parents.

“Hey” is part of Matteo’s new album, which will be launched in his concert on Nov. 30 at Kia Theater.

The actor/singer also announced the special guests on his first big concert – rising artist Kiana Valenciano and rapper Loonie and one of this generation’s sought-after female artists, Morisette Amon.

DOWN 1 Hotel name 2 Long for 3 Vacation trip 4 Matriculates 5 Stranger 6 Former NEC rival 7 Isle off Sicily 8 Prepare mushrooms, maybe 9 Ms. Farrow 10 Very deep 11 Reduce to poverty 12 Stepped on 13 Farm flappers 19 Rinse 21 Perfume label word 25 Bulrushes 27 Dines 28 Stray calf

Matteo and his team also collaborated with Louie Ocampo and Rowell Santiago who, according to Big Bang Production’s Shy Sison-Vesagas, worked with Matteo in his sold-out concert in Cebu.

“Hey” was launched in ABS CBN’s MOR on Sept. 13 and its music video the week after. It has been doing very well on the charts of the top FM stations since it was launched, which is likely to be a hit just like his first album that received the Gold Award after his performance in

Megan Young adds sparkle to Fil Fest USA THE Kapuso in the US had a captivating Fil Fest USA, with Miss World 2013 Megan Young who graced the occasion on Oct. 14 in Virginia.

Organized by Fil Fest USA LLC with the participation of GMA Pinoy TV, the event was a celebration of Filipino-American culture at the Norfolk Waterside District in Virginia. The presence of beauty queen Megan Young was the highlight of the whole day affair, which honored the region’s Filipino settlement and story through dance, music, food, and the arts.

Other highlights includedcultural performances from regional and local artists, as well as exhibits showcasing Filipino products and top destinations courtesy of the Philippine Department of Tourism.

More than 7,000 attended the event including members of various Filipino-American youth organizations, namely, the Filipino Young Professionals of Washington DC (FYP-DC), Filipino Intercollegiate Networking Dialogue, Inc. (FIND), and Filipino-American Student Organization (FASA), and

Monday, October 23, 2017

59 Tuxedo, often 63 Freed from blame 66 Small eatery 67 Hits the books 68 Deep — bend 69 Mideast country 70 Ready to use (2 wds.)

71 Get by effort 72 Zhivago’s love

began in early 2000s and was later revived in 2013. Many entries from this songwriting challenge have become huge hits and have been picked as theme songs for several TV shows and movies.

Previous songwriters and interpreters have gradually made their mark in the OPM scene.

Digital copies of this year’s Himig Handog song finalists are now available for download and streaming online, and lyric videos may be viewed via the StarMusic channel in YouTube. The album is available in record stores nationwide.

The Himig Handog 2017 grand finals in ASAP will be on Nov. 26.

A peek on Matteo’s ‘Hey!’ in ‘ASAP’

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Tempo 5 Refinery shipments 9 Glee 14 Computer graphic 15 Pac-12 team 16 Accustom 17 Wk. day 18 Organized listing 20 Nulls 22 — — premium 23 Wraps up 24 Resting place 26 Tied 28 Fools 31 Artists’ stands 35 Some parents 36 Scaleless fish 38 Rancher, maybe 39 Give it — — 40 Burdensome 42 Knot-tying words (2 wds.)

43 Ravi’s forte 45 Stitched together 46 Vast number 47 Took advice 49 Hashes over 51 Platform 53 Fall guy 54 Back from work 57 Fiesta shout

The MYX Best Music Video will be awarded to the winning students with a P50,000 cash reward.

This year’s music videos are produced by seven participating schools: Bulacan State University (“Bagyo”), Columban College Olongapo (“Bes”), Lyceum of the Philippines-Laguna (“Extensyon”), Southern Luzon State University (“Naririnig Mo Ba?”), Holy Angel University-Pampanga (“Sampu”), De La Salle Lipa (“Tanghaling Tapat”), and MINT College (“Tayo Na Lang Kasi”).

Now on its eighth year, Himig Handog is a songwriting competition led by ABS-CBN and Star Music. It

29 Act like a ham 30 Fishtailed 32 Napoleon’s fate 33 Takes on cargo 34 Powder, to skiers 35 Pulverize 37 Planted seed 40 General vicinity 41 Take a load off 44 Book appendixes 46 Lettering guide 48 Name in fashion 50 Mimic

52 Quench 54 White-hat wearer 55 Slow-moving beasts 56 Big ditch 58 Sicily’s erupter 60 Mitchell mansion 61 Remote 62 Singer — Horne 64 Clairvoyance 65 Always, in poems

neighboring states such as Washington DC, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.

In line with the FilipinoAmerican History Month, Fil Fest USA also served as a venue to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Naval Air Station in Norfolk, as well as the 75th Anniversary of the Bataan Death March in the Philippines. A Parade of Lights took place to honor the Filipino World W ar II veterans, and a Congressional Gold Medal will be given to the survivors or the closest relatives of deceased veterans.

Theater on Nov. 30. Tickets are ASAP. Listen and watch “Hey” and still available @ ticketnet.com. more of Matteo’s music at Kia ph.

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com MONDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2017

EMPOY is BACK ISAH V. RED

S

TRIKE while the iron is hot.

That’s a saying many businessmen would say when one of their products suddenly becomes a bestseller. And, that also applies to Viva Films and Blank Pages new film starring unexpected box-office star Empoy.

Fresh from the success of the mega-hit movie Kita Kita, Empoy will, again, delight his new legions of followers with his very own brand of comedy and pampakilig in this latest romantic comedy, The Barker, directed by comedian Dennis Padilla.

The Barker is Empoy’s big screen comeback after Kita Kita box-office record- breaking turn in July. This time, Empoy is teamed up with Viva Princess Shy Carlos, whose acting chops got noticed in Ang Pagsanib Kay Leah Dela Cruz.

This is Dennis’directorial debut but it was a perfect chemistry for both Dennis and Empoy from the conceptualization of the movie up to the last shooting day.

Fusing Dennis’ expertise in comedy and Empoy’s style makes The Barker a non-stop fun and entertainment of a movie that will surely tickle and make kilig the viewers.

“Kahit na this is my first time na magdirek, I never encountered any difficulties naman. Napakagaan na katrabaho ni Empoy. Para nga kaming naglalaro lang sa set.

You will see it sa entire movie, yung good vibes, yung fun… everything!” enthused Dennis.

The shooting began weeks before the theatrical screening of Empoy’s mega blockbuster film Kita Kita. As a fellow actor and now director, Dennis believed in Empoy’s brand of comedy.

The Barker is a co-production between Viva Films and Blank Pages Productions, known for producing films based on true events that are socially relevant since its founder, Arlyn de la Cruz, is a senior journalist.

Joining Empoy and Shy are Jeric Raval, Wilma Doesnt, Ronnie Lazaro, Janice Jurado, and The Greatest Love’s power couple Sylvia Sanchez and Nonie Buencamino. The film also stars newcomers Jemina Sy and Raffy Reyes.

The Barker opens in cinemas nationwide on Wednesday. *** GMA is first local TV network to implement closed captioning in Philippine free TV Leading broadcast station GMA Network has officially started implementing closed captioning this month, becoming the first local TV station in the country to do so.

Offering a more inclusive viewing experience, GMA’s closed captioning enables its viewers to read a full transcription of the dialogue as well as other key elements of the program such as background music, effects, etc. at the bottom part of the screen. This is especially beneficial to viewers who are deaf or who are hard of hearing.

The Network’s move is in compliance with Republic Act No. 10905, which requires “all franchise holders or operators of television programs to broadcast or present their programs with closed caption option…”

An initial test of this service was applied to the film Mission Impossible aired in Kapuso Movie Festival on Sept. 28.

Currently, the Network is fully implementing closedcaptioning in all movie blocks shown on GMA-7 and select movies on GMA News TV and will be operational on certain television models. *** GMA Network dominated this year’s COMGUILD Awards,

COMGUILD’s Most Loved Male Endorser Alden Richards with Maine Mendoza, whom he has shared numerous endorsements with

ACE LEADING MAN.

Empoy redefines “guapo” in his new film “The Barker,” which also stars Viva artist Shy Carlos

TV5, ESPN launch ESPN 5

This year’s COMGUILD Hall of Famer is broadcast journalist Mel Tiangco

reaping 13 out of the 22 awards both for television and radio categories during the 12th Annual Conference of Journalism and Mass Communication Students of the Philippines.

COMGUILD Hall of Famer Mel Tiangco was accorded the Media Persona of Excellence award. Mel co-anchors 24 Oras and hosts the weekly drama anthology Magpakailanman.

Peabody-awardee Jessica Soho, was again recognized as Best Magazine Show Host. Her top-rating Sunday program Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho took home the Best Magazine Show award.

Vicky Morales was named as the Most Outstanding Female News Presenter of the Year for the Network’s flagship newscast 24 Oras.

Meanwhile, Unang Hirit further cemented its presence as the country’s leading and longest-running morning TV show, taking home the Best Morning Show citation.

Weekly infotainment show I-Bilib won the Best Educational Program while host Chris Tiu, was named Best Educational Program Host.

Several programs and personalities of leading local news channel GMA News TV were also recognized by COMGUILD. Senior news reporter Raffy Tima was the Most Outstanding Male News Presenter of the Year for GMA News TV’s noontime newscast Balitanghali.

Good News was Best Entertainment News Show while Morales was named as the Best Entertainment News Show Host. Lifestyle show Pop Talk won Best Lifestyle Program.

GMA’s flagship AM radio station DZBB also took home major awards. COMGUILD cited Saksi sa Dobol B as Best AM Radio Program while Mike Enriquez Best AM Radio Anchor.

Meanwhile at the COMGUILD Academe’s Choice Awards held recently, Alden Richards won the Most Loved Male Teen Endorser. Eat Bulaga’s phenomenal love team AlDub, in turn, took home the award for the Advertisers’ Most Admired Love Team. In addition, concert prince Bae-by Baste was named Most Admired Child Endorser.

TV5 Network Inc., (TV5) and ESPN are collaborating to introduce a new brand for Filipino sports fans – ESPN 5.

Mike Morrison, vice president and general manager, ESPN APAC, said, “ESPN’s focus around the world is simple: to serve sports fans. This long-term collaboration across television and digital allows us to jointly serve millions of sports fans in the Philippines with exceptional content and coverage. We are very excited about the opportunities that lie ahead as we bring ESPN’s great content, and decades of experience in sports media together with a dynamic leader in Philippine sports broadcasting like TV5.”

Through this collaboration, TV5’s “Sports 5” will be rebranded as “ESPN 5”, encompassing all sports coverage on TV5. In addition, ESPN will license to TV5 more than 2,500 hours of additional programming per year from its portfolio of sports rights, original programming and studio programs. The companies will also join forces to produce a daily Philippine edition of the iconic SportsCenter to air on TV5.

ESPN5 and the SportsCenter Philippine Edition will air on TV5’s free-to-air television channels – TV5 and Aksyon 41.

Speaking about the agreement, Vincent “Chot” Reyes, TV5 president said, “Our partnership with ESPN, long recognized as the worldwide leader in sports, gives us tremendous upside in the quality of sports programming that we bring to the market.

ESPN strengthens our current position as the country’s sports authority. It is also a testament to our belief that the Filipino audience deserves the world’s best in sports content and programming.”

The brand and content deal between ESPN and TV5 is part of TV5’s strategic effort to deliver the most comprehensive, wideranging sports coverage in the Philippines, with Filipino audiences benefitting from the combination of local and global sports coverage, exclusive, industry-leading news and information programming from both ESPN and TV 5.

On TV, the ESPN 5 lineup will consist of TV 5’s current portfolio, including the PBA, FIBA competitions, GILAS, UFC and the PSL, along with thousands of hours of new sports coverage and content from ESPN which include more than 70 NFL games per season.

These include Monday Night, Sunday Night and Thursday Night Football games, as well as the entire NFL Playoffs, The Super Bowl and Pro Bowl. Alongside the live games, ESPN 5 will be able to feature award-winning ESPN NFL studio programming such as NFL Live.

Other ESPN programming included

in the ESPN 5 agreement includes: Original, award-winning ESPN studio programs including Around the Horn and Pardon The Interruption.

U.S. College Basketball (including the March Madness® NCAA Championship Tournaments); X Games, the premier action sports and youth lifestyle competition globally; ESPN’s Big Fights library, including many of the greatest boxing fights of all time; ESPN Films’ multi-Award Winning sports documentaries (including the 30 For 30 series); Major conference American college football (including the College Football Playoff and National Championship and comprehensive coverage of the college football bowl season); IndyCar Racing (including the iconic Indianapolis 500); NCAA college sport championships from baseball, softball, lacrosse and football; The iconic SportsCenter Philippine Edition

will be a unique, daily program that will be produced each day from TV 5 studios in the Philippines.

ESPN and TV5 will offer a co-branded multisport ESPN 5 website and an accompanying ESPN 5 app to fans in the Philippines. The ESPN 5 site and app will offer a world-class, mobile-first digital platform that combines TV5’s sports content including local sports news, video and analysis with ESPN’s coverage of top sports from around the world – including basketball, global football (soccer), tennis, boxing, MMA, badminton, athletics, American football, eSports and more. The digital properties will feature scores, up to the minute news and statistics, commentary and analysis, video and more – all with a focus on specifically serving Filipino fans. More details on the cobranded website and app will be shared at a later date.

The two companies will also jointly launch an ESPN 5 edition of the ESPN Player streaming service later this year, which will feature thousands of additional hours of live streaming content. At launch this will include hundreds of NCAA college basketball and football games, X Games and IndyCar racing.