Manila Standard - 2018 January 06 - Saturday

TRASLACION PREPARATION. Filipino devotees of the Black Nazarene flock to the Quiapo Church in Manila for the first Friday Mass of the month and of the year (right) while a security man and his K-9 bomb-sniffing dog (below) check the vicinity of the Luneta Grandstand where the annual more than 2-kilometer Traslacion procession will start on Tuesday and wind up in Quiapo as MMDA workers (farther below) arrange the orange barriers along the route of the religious festival. Lino Santos

VOL. XXXI • NO. 323 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

TRAIN rolls, prices spike Palace says impact temporary, cites long-term benefits

By John Paolo Bencito and Maricel V. Cruz

By Rey E. Requejo

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Drones, snipers watch over ‘Nazarene’

By Joel E. Zurbano TO ENSURE the safety of devotees of the Black Nazarene in the annual Traslacion procession in Manila during the Catholic icon’s feast day on Jan. 9, the National Capital Region Police Office will deploy drones and snipers to monitor the festivities in all high-rise buildings along the parade route and all segments of the religious march.

In a press conference, NCRPO chief Director Oscar Albayalde said snipers of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force will be paired with surveillance equipment to support 5,613 policemen that will secure the sixkilometer procession from the Quirino Grandstand to the Quiapo Church.

Authorities have projected that up to eight million Catholic devotees will join the annual procession of the Black Nazarene, a 17th-century dark-skinned image of Jesus Christ that Filipinos believe grants prayers when touched.

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada has already suspended classes in all levels, as well as work in the local government, for the Traslacion, which will start at 5 a.m. on Tuesday, with devotees following the image of the Black Nazarene and frantically trying to touch the supposedly miraculous image.

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno also ordered work suspended in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and trial courts in Manila on the day of the Traslacion.

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Court upholds rejection of rights victims’ claim

HE Palace urged consumers to accept what it described as “minimal” and “temporary” increases in the prices of basic commodities as a result of its tax reform package, but a militant lawmaker warned that angry voters would take their revenge in the 2019 elections.

In a statement, Palace Spokesman Harry Roque admitted that prices of basic commodities will increase because of the new tax reform package, but said these would help the government better serve the poor in the long run.

“While adjusting excise taxes would raise prices of some commodities faced by consumers, we assure everyone that it will be minimal and it will be temporary,” Roque said.

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THE Court of Appeals has sustained its decision denying the petition of the victims of the martial law regime of President Ferdinand Marcos seeking to enforce a ruling of a United States court awarding them about $2 billion in damages.

The court, through Associate Justice Normandie Pizarro, denied the motion for reconsideration filed by a group of human rights victims, saying there was

Rody accepts Paolo’s resignation PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Friday has formally accepted the resignation of his son Paolo Duterte as vice mayor of Davao City, “effective immediately.”

In a letter to Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte and outgoing Interior Department officer-in-charge Catalino Cuy, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea confirmed the President has already accepted the resignation of his son from the elective post.

A SPOKESMAN for the Commission on Elections said Friday that it is possible that no elections will be held in 2019 as a result of a shift to a federal system of government.

But the poll body’s spokesman, James Jimenez, told an online news site that the cancellation of elections was not a foregone conclusion, even if the shift to federalism succeeds.

“Such a shift—should it happen—can be accomplished without depriving the sovereign Filipino people of their constitutionally guaranteed right to select their own leaders through free and fair elections,” Jimenez told the Interaksyon website.

“The Commission on Elections remains committed to fulfilling its mandate of conducting free and fair elections in accordance with the provisions of the 1987 Constitution,” he said.

Meanwhile, Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III dismissed insinuations that the proposed shift to federalism was intended for President Rodrigo Duterte’s extension of term in office.

He said the ruling PDP-Laban has been advocating federalism since 1982, even before Duterte was on the national radar.

Duterte and Pimentel are chairman and president of PDP-Laban, respectively.

Under a federal form of government,

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Sara Duterte, who was on leave Friday, previously said only her father could accept Paolo’s resignation.

That rule is in Section 82 of the Local Government Code of 1991, which says resignations by elective local officials shall be deemed effective only upon acceptance by the President, in the case of governors, vice governors, and mayors and vice mayors of highly urbanized cities and independent component cities such as Davao City.

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Ex-AFP chief goes to DILG; Cuy to DDB

By John Paolo Bencito INTERIOR Undersecretary Eduardo Año is the new officer-in-charge of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Palace announced Friday.

Meanwhile, former Undersecretary Catalino Cuy, who oversaw the DILG briefly after President Rodrigo Duterte fired then-secretary Ismael Sueño, will

Comelec fires up No-El scenario: Possible

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

a lack of new or substantial matter that would warrant a reversal or modification of its July 7, 2017 decision.

In earlier decision, the court held that the judgment promulgated by the Hawaii District Court in 1995 was not binding because that court had no jurisdiction over the case.

“To our minds, the failure of the final judgment to meet the standards of what a valid judgment is in our country compels us to deny its enforcement,” Next page the court said.

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LAND OF THE MORNING. Among the featured images in Nasa’s Best Earth-from-

Space Photos by astronauts in 2017 is sunrise on the Philippine Sea, in the archipelago republic once described in Social Studies books as the ‘Land of the Morning’—from the English version of the country’s national anthem. Nasa Photo

Marawi damage estimate raised to P49.8b

By John Paolo Bencito AT LEAST P49.81 billion will be needed to fully rehabilitate Marawi City, Malacañang said Friday after an intial post-conflic needs assessment showed the city lost P18.21 billion after terrorists overran and

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occupied parts of the city.

“That [P49.81 billion] would represent everything—if you want to rehabilitate Marawi, housing and everything, all the things that are needed for Marawi to get up,” Communications Assistant Secretary Next page

CHED chief hit over foreign trips

By Maricel V. Cruz

COMMISSION on Higher Education Chairwoman Patricia Licuanan went abroad eight times last year without President Rodrigo Duterte’s permission, a party-list lawmaker Next page said Friday.

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Bishops seek dialog with Du30

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HE Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines on Friday toned down its criticisms of President Rodrigo Duterte and asked him to engage in an open dialogue for the welfare of the people and the country.

In a statement, CBCP president and Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles said the “communication lines are open” and that the Church

would always consider the teachings of the Gospel in dealing with the government.

“Our standpoint is we come from the viewpoint of

Sayyaf men behead two in Basilan

TRAIN...

From A1

SUSPECTED members of the Abu Sayyaf Group beheaded a couple in the remote village of Sumisip in Basilan late Thursday, local police reported.

Senior Insp. Ian Sanchez said local authorities identified the couple as Abdurahim Kutih and his wife.

Basilan Gov. Jim Salimman then said a reliable source told him the man was the brother of an Abu Sayyaf member.

He also claimed the group of Abu Sayyaf sub-commander Radzmil Jannatul was behind the beheading, saying the area was a known stronghold of the terrorist group.

Police, however, said it remains unclear why the bandits would target a relative of their member.

Court...

From A1 “Rules of comity should not be made to prevail over our Constitution and we cannot allow foreign impositions to trample upon our sovereignty.”

The appellate court’s decision upheld the ruling of a Makati City Regional Trial Court that dismissed the complaint filed by Priscilla Mijares, Loretta Ann Rosales, Hilda Narciso Sr., Mariani Dimaranan and Joel Lamangan on their behalf and on behalf of the 10,000 human rights victims during the Marcos regime in the US case or Class Action No. MDL 840.

The appellate court said the Hawaii District Court certified the suit as a class suit, which should mean that the parties who filed the case both for themselves and those they sought to represent shared a common legal interest.

But it said the final judgment of the Hawaii court that sought to be enforced in the Philippines, the claimants were classified into three subclasses: torture, summary execution and disappearance victims.

The court said such classification of the claimants was an obvious recognition that “no common question of law and fact exists between/among the claimants.

“In other words, each claimant in MDL 840 had a right, if any, only to the damage that such individual may have suffered, and not one of them had any right to or can claim any interest in the damage or injury which another suffered. Hence, MDL 840 was not and should not have been brought as a class suit.”

Ex-AFP...

From A1 now take the chair of the Dangerous Drugs Board.

Año’s immediate appointment as secretary of the DILG was prohibited under Republic Act 6975 or the DILG Act of 1990, which states that no retired or resigned military officer or police official may be appointed as secretary within one year from the date of his retirement or resignation.

Año, who was Armed Forces Chief of Staff, retired from military service last Oct. 26, 2017, after he reached the mandatory retirement age of 56.

Cuy, a former chief of police of Davao City, replaces former DDB chairman Dionisio Santiago, who was fired last November for his criticism of the government’s mega drug rehabilitation center in Nueva Ecija.

Santiago’s predecessor, Benjamin Reyes, was also fired for “contradicting the government” on official drug figures and policy. With PNA

Roque then cited projections by the Department of Finance, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, and the National Economic and Development Authority, that there would “only [be] around 0.4-0.7 percentage point increase in inflation during the first year of implementation with the impact tapering off over time.”

The first package of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program will help the government address massive inequality in the country, Roque said.

“Rather than look at the short-term minimal price increases, we must view the persistent poverty and high inequality which result from the systemic inability of the poor to participate in society actively and productively. The poor are denied opportunities and are routinely excluded from access to adequate social services and infrastructure that boosts productivity,” he said.

“Much more than providing

the Gospel and the teachings of the Church. We will continue to engage the government,” Valles said.

He said he was “a little fortunate” because he and the president both come from Davao City.

Valles downplayed the reports he is a close friend of Duterte but said they were indeed friends.

He said the bishops had many ideas for discussion and plans of action that were more or less universally recognized.

“There is also a ‘set play’ like the nine-year preparation for the celebration in 2021 [of the quincentennial establishment of Christianity in the Philippines] which I cannot just suddenly change,” Valles said.

He said the social action arm

of the Catholic Church should further strengthen its efforts in disaster preparedness and response considering the number of natural calamities that recently hit the country, specifically the Visayas and Mindanao.

“While the social action arm is doing very well, we should learn from our weaknesses and respond to calamities soonest. There are still

families in Davao temporarily staying at the evacuation centers,” Valles said.

He said the CBCP should focus on the laity and integrating the Catholic faithful, who are not members of the church-based organizations, into the Basic Ecclesiastical Communities “where they can play a more active role” in the Church. Vito Barcelo

higher take home pay to wage earners, TRAIN would also mean more jobs, better infrastructure, and more efficient delivery of services from massive investment in infrastructure and in people.”

“These investments would increase the productive capacity of the economy, thereby creating more and better jobs and result in high quality education, better health services, and adequate social protection so that everyone, especially the poor, is accorded with equal economic opportunities towards prosperity.”

The President signed into law package 1A of the TRAIN on Dec. 19, 2017. This slashes and restructures personal income tax rates that stayed the same for two decades, while also jacking up or slapping new taxes on the consumption of oil, cigarettes, sugary drinks and vehicles.

ACT Teachers Party-List Rep. Antonio Tinio said the high prices would come back to bite the lawmakers who supported TRAIN in the 2019 elections.

“We have said all along that

the higher prices of goods and services due to TRAIN will impose a heavier tax burden on the poor,” Tinio said.

“Going by previous experience with the expanded VAT [E-VAT] law, the Filipino electorate will get payback at the polls in 2019,” Tinio said.

Tinio was among the nine lawmakers in the House who voted against the passage on third and final reading of TRAIN as contained in House Bill 5636 in May; while 246 lawmakers voted for the measure.

Tinio said the poor will be the ones greatly affected by the TRAIN law, including a potential P12-minimum jeepney fare that some transport groups have vowed to seek.

“The impact on the middle and higher income groups will be cushioned by substantial reductions in income tax,” Tinio said.

Another party-list lawmaker urged the Department of Energy to look into the reported premature implementation of new tax on oil products even before the it claimed the new tax on oil

under Republic Act (RA) 10963 or TRAIN, which will take effect in two weeks.

Anakpawis. Rep. Ariel Casilao said some gasoline stations already posted the new tax scheme effective Jan. 1, 2018.

“This is the immediate effect of the Duterte government’s TRAIN. There’s no happy in the new year as the new tax law will be implemented”, Casilao said.

He said despite the P250,000 exemption of personal income tax of 7.5 million Filipino employees, the supposed savings would mean nothing as these will be erased by new and additional tax on oil.

The Education department, meanwhile, said teacheers should get more take-home pay and allowances in 2018 once the tax reform law goes full swing.

With the new tax reform package and the 3rd tranche of the Salary Standardization Law (SSL) of 2015 in effect, a Teacher 1 (SG 11) is expected to receive a gross basic salary of P20,179 and will have a net take home pay (NTHP) of P20,012.89 (with PERA) amounting to a to-

tal net increase of 16.21 percent or P2,792.03 per month, DepEd said in a statement.

Under the 2017 tax schedule, a Teacher 1 used to have a starting basic salary of P19,620 and a take home pay of P17,220.86 (with Personnel Economic Relief Allowance or PERA).

Moreover, the annual “chalk allowance” saw an increase from P2,500 to P3,500, which is allotted for the purchase of chalks, erasers, and other classroom supplies and materials.

The clothing allowance also increased from P5,000 to P6,000, the department said.

Taxi operators meanwhile are asking for a higher flag down rate of P50 to cushion the impact of higher taxes on oil products that will result from TRAIN. Ridesharing firm Grab is also proposing a six to 10-percent or P10 to P13 increase in fares.

The company is set to file a petition for the increase before the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board within the week, Grab Philippines country head Brian Cu said. With PNA

Rody...

From A1 Davao City 3rd District Councilor Bernard Al-ag, the current majority floor leader of the 18th City Council is poised to replace Paolo Duterte as vice mayor.

Meanwhile, Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano III, majority leader for the House of Representatives’ contingent to Commission on Appointments, said the President’s decision to accept Paolo’s resig-

Drones,...

From A1 Estrada said the class and public work suspension is “for public order, safety, convenience, and to reduce traffic congestion.”

The suspension of work in national government offices located in Manila, as well as work in private offices, are left to the discretion of their management, the mayor said.

Meanwhile, various environmental groups are optimistic that Black Nazarene devotees will observe a zero-waste feast in Quiapo and its environs.

The groups―Buklod Tao, Green Brigade and the Ecowaste Coalition―gathered in front of Quiapo Church late Thursday and implored the millions of devotees who will take part in the Traslacion to express their faith in a manner that is respectful of the environment.

“When we respect the environment and our fellow human beings, we also respect the Señor Nazareno,” the groups said.

“The Catholic devotion to the Black Nazarene is truly breathtaking and splendid. Sadly, the annual ‘Traslacion’ is sullied by the unrestrained littering at the “Pahalik” and prayer vigil site in Luneta and along the proces-

Marawi...

From A1 Ana Maria Banaag said in a briefing in Malacañang.

The estimated P50-billion budget however, might increase once the National Economic and Development Authority completes its comprehensive rehabilitation and reconstruction plan for Marawi, Housing Secretary and Task Force Bangon Marawi chief Eduardo del Rosario said.

“When it comes out, it will now factor in everything that would include the master development plan being envisioned by the city of Marawi and the province of Lanao del Sur,” he said, adding that Neda’s plan is expected to come out in the second week of March.

Del Rosario said that at least five “big” developers are expected to submit unsolicited proposals to rebuild the most af-

nation “only proved that he trusted the judgment and respected the decision of his son, especially if it is for the good of his people.”

The President earlier said he would not be stopping his son “from doing what he thinks is right,” adding that Paolo might have been fed up already with all the recent issues hounding him.

On Christmas Day, the President’s son stepped down from his post, after a series of scandals hounded him and his family and threatened to cast a shadow over his father’s administration.

“When I was growing up, my parents never failed to remind me of the value of the time honored principles of ‘delicadeza’ [sense of propriety] and this is one of those instances in my life that I need to protect my honor and that of my children,” Paolo said in an emotional address during a special council session at the Davao City Hall.

Paolo said he took responsibility for all that has happened as a result of a “wrong decision” to marry at a very young age, referring to his marriage to Lovely Sangkola, with whom he has three children—

Omar, Rodrigo II and Isabelle.

Recently, Paolo had a very public row with his teenage daughter Isabelle on social media, after she accused him on Twitter of beating up a childhood friend.

Paolo and the President’s son-in-law, lawyer Manases Carpio—the husband of Mayor Sara—were also dragged into P6.4-billion shabu shipment from China, after Customs fixer Mark Taguba implicated both men.

Taguba later apologized for dragging them into the mess. John Paolo Bencito and Maricel V. Cruz

sional route,” said Daniel Alejandre, Zero Waste campaigner of Ecowaste Coalition.

Police snipers “will act as observers,” Albayalde said.

“They have telescopes, the team from the SAF. They are complete. They are experts from the SAF and will all be deployed to buildings where the image will pass by,” he added.

The SAF troopers will prevent security breaches and provide immediate response in the event of a terror attack, the NCRPO chief said.

Albayalde assured the public that police intelligence officers have been monitoring threats of any attack on the feast day and have not detected any such threats so far.

“So far, we have not obtained any information, although we have said that we cannot relax.

Our intelligence operatives are continuously monitoring threat groups even outside Metro Manila who can operate here while this Traslacion will be ongoing,” Albayalde said.

Last year, Ecowaste expressed disappointment with the people who participated in the event and decried the assorted trash that piled up along the procession route.

The Metro Manila Development Authority collected 202 tons of garbage follow-

ing the Traslacion last year which was attended by 1.5 million devotees.

The trash collected composed mainly of plastic food wrappers, food leftovers, bamboo skewers, plastic bags, soiled newspapers, cigarette butts, styrofoam materials,, empty mineral water bottles, tetra packs and canned soft drinks.

“With the impacts of climate worsening at a disturbing pace, it is incumbent upon us to ‘think environment’ in everything that we do, including in the way we profess and live our faith,” said Noli Abinales, Buklod Tao adviser.

“We hope that our people’s devotion to the Black Nazarene will translate to a greater appreciation of the need to protect Mother Earth from littering and other acts that pollute and destroy her,” he said.

He stressed that “indiscriminate garbage disposal makes our communities more vulnerable to floods and diseases.”

The groups reminded devotees that Manila, the center of the mammoth event, is already generating too much garbage estimated at 1,152 tons per day as per estimate by the MMDA. “Religious festivities should not exacerbate Manila’s garbage situation,” the groups emphasized.

The groups lamented that in 2016, the MMDA also collected about 315 tons of garbage along the processional route.

As the feast of the Black Nazarene falls within the “Zero Waste Month” as declared based on Presidential Proclamation 760, the groups exhorted the Archdiocese of Manila in general and the Saint John the Baptist Parish (or Quiapo Church) in particular to instill greater environmental awareness and responsibility in the hearts and minds of the devotees.

The groups further requested the city government of Manila to deploy environmental police to dissuade devotees from littering and ensure compliance to Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act. Republic Act 9003 prohibits and penalizes “the littering, throwing and dumping of waste matters in roads, sidewalks, canals, esteros, parks and other public places.”

Violators can be fined from P300 to P1,000, compelled to perform community service at the local government unit where the offense was committed, or be directed to pay the fine as well as render the community service, according to the said law.

fected parts of war-torn Marawi City by Jan. 15, and one winning bidder will be awarded by mid-April.

All proposals would be subjected to a Swiss Challenge, in which the government will receive an unsolicited bid for a project and after publishing its details, invite third parties to match or even exceed the offer.

“I think it’s premature to name the developers but it is safe to say that we have big developers. They will be submitting their unsolicited proposals

by Jan. 15,” he said.

“And based on the study of our experts... the earliest time that we can start with actual groundwork is April 15. Now, how will it go? We will select from those five. We organized a technical working group to select from the five based on their submission,” he added.

The government is planning to develop Marawi’s ground zero from scratch, with roads to be widened, buildings

cleared, power lines placed underground, and a new drainage system and waste and water treatment facilities will be built as part of the rehabilitation plan, Del Rosario said.

Clearing efforts by the military were already ongoing and are expected to be finished by first week of April, but at least 14 600-pounder unexploded ordnance from FA-50 jets would have to be recovered first.

Del Rosario said that residents would have to sign waivers before going back to their respective homes and get their belongings.

Marawi, home to 200,000 individuals, was overrun by the Maute Group, which went on a rampage after a military operation failed to arrest terrorist leader Isnilon Hapilon.

Fighting broke out on May 23, 2017, but government troops were able to retake the city on Oct. 23. More than 1,000 people died in the fighting.

So far, the National Housing

Authority has turned over 500 transitional shelters for those displaced by the fighting. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. also gave out 300 temporary housing units.

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the Department of Social Welfare and Development, meanwhile, are providing skills training and pre-employment assistance program. They awarded toolkits for 2,615 displaced persons in Iligan City and Lanao del Norte.

The Department of Education distributed 4,500 learner’s kits and 1,300 teacher’s kits.

In terms of food security, the Department of Agriculture distributed 60 units of fiberglass boats through its “Balik Sigla sa Ilog at Lawa” project; post-harvest equipment, such as tractors, harvesters, and water pumps; and fertilizers and high-value rice and corn seeds worth P3.6 million.

With Alena Mae Flores

Comelec...

From A1 he said there will be a total of 12 “centers of power” unlike the present unitary form where all executive powers belong solely to the President.

“So I have high esteem for the President. He’s willing to let go of some of his powers,” Pimentel said.

Instead of scaring the public, Pimentel called on everyone to have a healthy debate on federalism.

A measure proposing the shift to a federal form of government has yet to be filed in the Senate.

“Let’s have a healthy debate but let it be based on ideas, based on a specific draft. Let us not scare the public,” Pimentel said.

He described as “alarmist” speculations that the term of incumbent officials would be extended under the proposed shift to federalism.

However, he admitted that a study group of the ruling PDPLaban has submitted a draft proposal, which contains a long transition period to allow the change from the present unitary to a federal form.

But Pimentel ruled out an extension of term limits under

CHED...

From A1 Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) party-list Rep. Jericho Nograles said that instead of securing her travel authority from the Office of the President (OP) as a 2005 executive order requires, Licuanan delegated herself as the approving authority for her own requests for authoritiy to travel abroad.

The EO requires all members of the Cabinet and officials of equivalent rank to secure their travel authority from the OP. CHED is an attached agency of the OP. “Usurpation of the powers of the President? Did CHED Chairperson Licuanan usurp the power of President Duterte by approving her own travel authority contrary to EO 459 [series of 2005],” Nograles, a deputy majority leader, said even as he also showed photos of Licuanan’s “Authority to Travel Abroad” which she issued to herself.

Beef up measures vs risks— Asean chief JAKARTA—The Association of Southeast Asian Nations needs to beef up its disaster management efforts after the region was hammered by deadly storms that left a path of destruction in their wake, its new chief said Friday.

Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi, a veteran Bruneian diplomat, pointed to a tropical storm that battered the southern Philippines last month, leaving at least 240 dead and tens of thousands displaced.

Also in December, a tropical cyclone pounded Indonesia’s main island of Java and killed at least 41 people, with tens of thousands forced from their homes by severe flooding and landslides.

“Our region is disaster-prone,” Lim said at his inauguration ceremony at Asean’s Secretariat in Jakarta.

“This underscores the need to strengthen Asean cooperation in disaster management and humanitarian assistance,” he added.

The 10-member group has tended to focus much of its endeavors on regional diplomacy and economic growth.

Lim takes over from Vietnam’s Le Luong Minh, who said Friday that the organization’s main challenge is to bring it “closer to its people.”

Lim said that Asean must be “more proactive” and “improve [its] capabilities” in disaster-relief efforts.

“It is therefore incumbent upon us all to enhance the resilience of our communities through disaster risk reduction interventions, climate change adaptation strategies, as well as conservation and sustainable management of biodiversity and natural resources,” he added.

The Asean secretarygeneral serves a non-renewable term of five years with the post rotating among member states. AFP the proposal.

In the draft proposal, he said the Senate and the House of Representatives would still be retained except that senators would be elected by region, while House members would still be elected by district.

He said there would be no need to use incumbent officials in a holdover capacity.

Opppsition Senator Risa Hontiveros, on the other hand, said the Duterte government is testing the waters and conditioning the public’s mind regarding two major political projects: absolving the Marcoses of their crimes and pushing for term extensions through federalism.

Hontiveros said that the sudden talk of a “no election” scenario, term extension and proposals to drop all cases against the Marcoses in exchange for a cut of the Marcos wealth is part of an elaborate political communication strategy to measure and massage public opinion.

“It comes as no surprise that the public is being bombarded with all these political prospects and scenarios coming from the key leaders of the Executive and Legislative branches of the government,” she said.

“Grave misconduct is defined by the Supreme Court as flagrant disregard of established rules, among others,” Nograles said Nograles said this can be also a ground for filing of charges against Licuanan before the Office of the Ombudsman, which could hound her even after she retires this year.

Based on documents obtained by his office, Nograles said Licuanan requested seven “official business” travels and one “ personal travel” and spent at least P893,102 in government funds.

For one month in June 2017, Licuanan crisscrossed the globe, traveling to California, USA, then France and then Germany, all listed as official business trips.

“She even traveled business class while our President travels economy,” Nograles said.

Nograles said he finds it immaterial if Licuanan’s travels were necessary. The law requires her to secure the approval of the President, he said.

News ‘Bistek’ lauds QC cops for drop in crime QUEZON City Mayor Herbert Bautista on Thursday lauded the Quezon City Police District in view of the 40 percent decline of crime rate in the city from July 2016 to December 2017.

“I thank the QCPD, especially Chief Supt. Guillermo Eleazar, since the city was generally peaceful. We noticed a 40 percent drop in crime,” he said.

Comparing the last 18 months from July 2016 to December 2017 with the previous 18 months from January 2015 to June 2016, QCPD statistics showed a notable 40.09 percent decline in the eight index crimes (murder, homicide, robbery, theft, physical injury, motorcycle theft, motor vehicle theft, rape) or 8,931 crime incidents in the last 18 months compared to 14,908 in the prior 18 months. Rio N. Araja

Sampaloc area hit by fire ABOUT 150 families lost their homes after fire struck a residential area in Sampaloc, Manila last Thursday.

The fire started inside a house located at Galicia Street, in Barangay 401 in Sampaloc.

Two firemen were injured during the fire which reached the third alarm.

According to a report from the Manila Bureau of Fire Protection, the fire started at around 11:50 a.m.

The fire burned down around 50 houses.

The fire quickly spread in the affected houses that were made of light materials.

According to ManilaBFP Fire Chief Insp.

Crossib Cante, two firemen sustained minor injuries. Bill Casas

Govt agents nab shabu smuggler at Naia

By Joel E. Zurbano GOVERNMENT agents on Friday arrested a 57-year-old man for smuggling prohibited drugs at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

The drugs—composed of 50 tablets of Ecstasy and plastic sachets containing methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu—was discovered inside the baggage, which was left behind at the airport on Jan. 2 by suspect Vicente Fernandez Jr. As a standard operating procedure, duty guards who spotted unattended luggage called the attention of members of the Police-Aviation Security Group for verification of its content. The verification was made with the help of sniffing dogs.

Fernandez arrived at the Naia Terminal 3 last Tuesday but he returned Friday to claim his baggage at the airport’s lost and found division where he was arrested by agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Naia police personnel.

PDEA-Naia supervisor Gerald Javier said the identity of Fernandez surfaced after his passport was found inside the baggage.

The drugs were immediately brought to the PDEA main office for laboratory tests.

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Lacson denies Faeldon ‘cruel treatment’ claims S

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

ENATOR Panfilo Lacson on Friday described as “crazy thoughts” the claims made by former Customs commissioner Nicanor Faeldon that the senator was behind the supposed “cruel” treatment while he was in detention in the Senate over contempt charges.

Lacson instead said that Faeldon faces big trouble as he is set to be charged with a non-bailable case of agricultural smuggling.

“He doesn’t have a clue about the Customs and Tariff Code and the CMTA. Why? There can’t be smuggling of cement simply because it is not subject to tariff,” Lacson said.

“For quite a long time that he served as commissioner, he dedicated most, if not all his time counting tara instead of learning the Customs Code,” he added.

Lacson has filed charges against Faeldon before the

Office of the Ombudsman for graft and economic sabotage over the alleged release of smuggled rice.

Faeldon on Thursday accused blue Ribbon chairperson Senator Richard Gordon of supposedly inflicting on him cruel, degrading and inhuman punishment. He alleged that Gordon was getting orders from Lacson whose son, Panfilo Jr., he accused of cement smuggling.

Gordon had ordered the detention of Faeldon in September last year for repeatedly refusing to appear before the Blue Ribbon

probe on shabu smuggling.

In a statement issued yesterday, Gordon said Faeldon in a letter dated this year wrote to him seeking permission to hear Mass and undergo a check-up with his cardiologist supposedly in preparation for his attendance in the Black Nazarene’s Traslacion.

Gordon said Faledon also sought permission to travel to the DND Headquarters in Quezon City purportedly to meet with Secretary Delfin Lorenzana regarding his recent appointment as assistant secretary.

“He even requested permission to leave without being accompanied by the members of the Office of the Sergeant at Arms [OSAA],” Gordon said.

But Gordon said he turned down Faeldon’s request because his release without the company of the OSAA would have meant that he was being released from custody, without his having cleansed himself of his ‘contumacious’ conduct, the very

reason why he is detained.

Gordon said he told Faeldon that he was concerned for his safety and that attendance in the Traslacion would have exposed him to danger and that the OSAA would not be able to guarantee his safety what with the hundreds of thousands of, maybe even a million, people attending the Black Nazarene event.

“The Chair finally suggested that if what he needed was to attend Mass, that desire could be met in the Senate which has masses celebrated at 12 noon from Monday to Thursday,” said Gordon.

After receiving Faeldon’s letter, Gordon said his Committee got another letter from Faeldon’s lawyer seeking permission to go to the DND Headquarters in order for him to take his oath before Lorenzana.

Consistent with the previous denial of his request, Gordon said they informed Faeldon that the safety concerns still remains, what

with the previous threats that were made against him.

Gordon said he then suggested that Faeldon take his oath in the premises of the Senate where he could be assured of his safety.

“Capt. Faeldon had previously made requests of the Chair, i.e., celebrate with relatives his father’s birthday, and another family event, inter alia. The Chair accommodated his requests for humanitarian considerations and because his security was ensured by the family events being held within the Senate premises,” said Gordon.

“An important reason why his request for a furlough could not be granted is also because Capt Faeldon is held for contempt of the Committee and thus of the Senate. The citation for contempt was, and still is, a collegial act which the Chair, on his own, cannot reverse,” said Gordon.

Lastly, Gordon said Faeldon has been appointed to a position in the Executive Department.

BRACING FOR THE TRAIN. Consumers brace for a possible hike in the prices of meat products as producers and traders are expected to incur additional costs due to the implementation of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion. Photo shows meat sellers at Commonwealth Market as they incline to their products. Manny Palmero

P125 million worth of cocaine found ashore in Sorsogon THE rescue of a foreign cargo vessel last Tuesday, Jan. 2 may have “accidentally” led to the discovery of the smuggling of cocaine in the country.

Police said they recovered 24 kilograms of cocaine in Sorsogon worth an estimated P125 million.

According to initial reports from the PNP and the

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the illegal drugs, which were recovered on Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 3, were found inside blue plastic containers that were washed along the shores of the Juag Lagoon in Matnog, Sorsogon.

The containers were brought to the Matnog police station for laboratory

examination. The examination later confirmed that the substance inside the containers were cocaine.

Authorities said the illegal drugs may have come from the foreign cargo vessel marked Jin Ming, which made an emergency docking on Jan. 2 near the shoreline of Pambujan, Northern Samar.

A total of nine crew members were manning the cargo ship, six of which are from China, two from Hong Kong and one from Taiwan.

Police said the crew members are under the custody of the town mayor.

The cargo vessel is being guarded by the local police, awaiting inspection.

PNP chief Director Gen-

eral Ronald dela Rosa has said that he would visit to monitor the inspection, according to PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Dionardo Carlos on Thursday. “[The PNP chief] is expected to proceed to the area to personally oversee the progress of this developing story,” Carlos said.

Fisherfolk group slams govt for inaction in Kagitingan Reef

By Bill Casas

UPDATE. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and Undersecretary Rolando Domingo

updates the public on the Dengvaxia vaccine, following the DFA`s suspension of the sale of Dengvaxia for the year, and imposing a P100,000 administrative fine on Sanofi for failing to comply with post-marketing authorization requirements for the vaccine during a forum in Manila Hotel. Norman Cruz

THE militant fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas on Friday slammed President Rodrigo Duterte and the Armed Forces of the Philippines for allowing China to convert the Kagitingan Reef, internationally known as Fiery Cross Reef, into a fortified Chinese military airstrip.

Kagitingan Reef is part of the disputed Kalayaan Group of Islands in the Spratly Region of the South China Sea. It is part of the country’s 220-naughtical mile exclusive economic zone. In 2004, China started to construct artificial island in the reef.

According to Hong Kong-

based news site, the reclaimed island now features a 3,125-meter runway for 6K strategic bombers to land.

In a statement, Pamalakaya lambasted Duterte and his armed forces for failing to prevent China from reclaiming and converting the resource-rich marine territory into its military fortress.

“Duterte has to blame for this outright foreign takeover of our marine territory.

His soft approach towards to beg for foreign aid has led to total sell-out of our national sovereignty. Our winning in the case filed before the international tribunal has been disregarded not only by China but by the Philippine government itself,” Fernando Hicap, Pamalakaya chairman, said in a statement.

CA nullifies RTC order on Veloso ‘deposition’

By Rey E. Requejo THE bid of overseas Filipino worker Mary Jane Veloso to get justice against her alleged illegal recruiters suffered another legal setback after the Court of Appeals has nullified a regional trial court order allowing to take her testimony against the accused through a deposition inside her detention cell in Indonesia where she is facing death sentence for illegal drugs trafficking.

In a decision, the CA’s Former Eleventh Division through Associate Justice Ramon M. Bato Jr. granted the appeal of petitioners Ma. Cristina P. Sergio and Julius L. Lacanilao to nullify and set aside the orders of Presiding Judge Anarica J. Castillo-Reyes of Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija RTC, Branch 88, allowing the taking of deposition of Veloso inside her cell in Indonesia.

Petitioners Sergio and Lacanilao along with a certain Ike have been charged before the lower court with qualified trafficking in persons case, a criminal offense punishable under Republic Act No. 9208, or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, in connection with the alleged illegal recruitment of Veloso. They have been detained since then.

“We are not unmindful of the gravity of the offenses charged against the petitioners. Likewise, we are not oblivious of the sad and unfortunate fate that befell Mary Jane. However, the circumstances in this case call for the application of Rule 119 which categorically states that the conditional examination of a prosecution witness shall be made before the court where the case is pending in light of the constitutionally enshrined right of the petitioners to meet the witnesses face to face or the right of confrontation and cross examination,” the CA ruled.

It cited Section 1, Rule 115 of the Revised Rules on Criminal Procedure, which provides that “in all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall be entitled… to confront and cross-examine the witnesses against him at the trial.”

Time is vital to country’s progress, DoST says

By Rio N. Araja TIME is a vital component of the country’s social, political and economic life, according to the Department of Science and Technology.

At a news conference at the Philippine Atmopheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration in Quezon City, Dr. Richard Burgos, DoST’s Science and Technology Information Institute director, cited the importance of time consciousness and synchronization, saying “any saving in time will redound to productivity, efficiency, effectiveness and profitability.”

“All of us will benefit from keeping time,” he said.

Billions of pesos would be lost because of tardiness if the Philippine Standard Time of all analog, mechanical and digital clocks and watches are not synchronized, the agency said.

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Opinion

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

Adelle Chua, Editor

Toying with trolls

A

SENATOR lost his cool and cursed at his critics who called him a political turncoat over social media.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian called

his critics “gago” and “ulol” on Twitter—and he is not apologizing because he believes he was talking to paid trolls.

The Oxford dictionary says a troll is an ugly creature depicted as a giant or a dwarf, but this is not the definition we are most familiar with.

What we know about trolls, in today’s context, is that they “sow discord on the Internet by starting quarrels or upsetting people, post-

ing inflammatory, extraneous of off-topic messages with the intent of provoking readers into an emotional response, or otherwise disrupting normal, on-topic discussions often for amusement.”

Oh, yes—for money, too.

“These are paid individuals, robots that are designed to destroy you and bring out the worst in you,” the senator said. He is clearly not standing down; he refuses to delete his tweets.

The worst in Gatchalian was brought out, apparently, by accusations that he has changed political affiliations even as he insists he has remained with one party, the Nationalist People’s Coalition, for the past 17 years.

We all know, of course, that political parties here in the Philippines

are malleable and do not concretely stand for anything—but that is not the point the senator wishes to make.

He says he wants to block these trolls or mute them; he wonders if there were a way to “police” these entities.

For all we know, these trolls— if they really were them instead of genuine critics—must be laughing their heads off at how they got a rise out of the senator. In this way, they succeeded. And they will never stop.

Then again, Gatchalian is not really the highest official of the land to utter choice words at his critics. In this alley he would still be playing second fiddle to the inhabitant of Malacañang, who makes no show of being prim, proper and presidential when he feels

slighted or contradicted.

Gatchalian—and all other officials who invest in their online as well as in their offline personalities— should pick their battles. Precisely because they are mere troublemakers, trolls merely add to the political noise without contributing anything to the discourse.

Does anybody truly care what they think, granted that they even attempt to truly think in the first place instead of just mouthing off?

These are, after all, the entities whose following makes superstars out of airheads. These are the hollow, clanging drums who are arrogant about their hollowness.

Let’s not give them the satisfaction of bringing out the worst in us.

HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA

Nice food products now long gone

Test of character POWER POINT ELIZABETH ANGSIOCO HOPEFULLY, first-term senator Sherwin Gatchalian has learned a lesson or two in dealing with online criticism. The senator has been under fire for calling netizens ‘gago’ and ‘ulol’ after he was confronted with tweets he posted years ago expressing support to former President Noynoy Aquino’s administration. Gatchalian caught netizens’ attention when he said that “the nation has already lost its soul in the last six years” in response to a Rappler article on the Liberal Party. The senator was called “balimbing” and “trapo” by netizens noting how

quickly the young politician changed his political affiliations.

More than the changing of affiliations, however, netizens slammed Gatchalian over his foul language. Many reminded him that he is a senator and that his words and actions should respect his office, if not those he deals with. His conduct was regarded as unbecoming of an elected senator.

Gatchalian has since tried to explain his meltdown in various media interviews even as he refused to apologize for his foul manners. He said that he is just human like everyone else. He even called his detractors “trolls” and “bots” who are paid to destroy and bring out the worst in him.

Let me categorically

state that prior to this incident, I did not have any negative opinion on Senator Gatchalian. In fact, because he is young and possesses track record in local politics, I thought that he has potentials to become a better senator than some

Ang pikon, talo. of his colleagues. However, his handling of the Twitter incident is disappointing.

Social media test one’s character. In social media, everyone is fair game, including politicians.

I have always been an advocate of good manners

and right conduct whenever and wherever. In fact I have written several pieces on how bad manners have taken a hold in our society nowadays.

Sometimes, if one does not watch it, traits that you do not want people to see unexpectedly surface. Everyone has weaknesses and everyone has a breaking point.

However, these must be managed especially when one is a public servant because public servants are accountable to the people. As one netizen correctly said, “kami ang nagpapasuweldo sa inyo (we are the ones who pay your salary).”

Being criticized comes with the territory of being in politics. People has the right to call politicians out when they see that things are wrong. In the

incident involving Senator Gatchalian, netizens were quick to point out his being a “political butterfly” as evidenced by his own Twitter posts. This could have been easily addressed if the senator chose to address the issue head on. He could have told people his reason/s for switching allegiances.

There could have possibly been a debate but this is what people do on socmed. The good senator could have shown people that he takes comments seriously. This could have earned him more respect.

Instead, he chose to call them “gago” and “ulol.”

Truth be told, the criticism against Gatchalian was nothing compared with the black propaganda that has targeted both Senator Leila De Lima and

Vice President Leni Robredo. Yet, they never reacted the way Gatchalian did. This to me, is strength of character.

Perhaps the senator did not expect to be confronted with his own old Twitter posts and did not quite know how to react.

Perhaps he could not believe that netizens would have the courage to do as they did because after all, he is a sitting senator. So he lost his cool and hurled invectives at them. The incident seems to indicate that Gatchalian has a low threshold for criticism, or opinions contrary to his.

Maybe the senator is not used to being opposed.

Well, this is also understandable (not necessarily acceptable) because he was Valenzuela mayor

MANY sentimental Filipinos who are more or less half-a-century old occasionally recall quality food products now long gone.

Magnolia Choco-Vim was a chocolate milk beverage sold in cylindrical cone glass bottles. It tasted better than Magnolia Chocolait. Choco-Vim was half the price of Chocolait, and because ChocoVim had a bottle cap, it was easier to open than the stapled plastic seal of the Chocolait bottle.

A very popular treat of old was the Magnolia ice cream sandwich, which consisted of two thin rectangular sugar-coated wafers with an inch thick of vanilla ice cream between them. It was wrapped in gold aluminum foil, and its aroma was awesome.

Magnolia also had a nanca (jackfruit)-flavored popsicle, which complemented the orange and chocolate flavored ones.

They were called twin popsies (with two popsicle sticks, of course) which school children could share. One could buy just one-half of the popsicle, too. Only the orange and chocolate popsicles remain today.

They now go by a new designation—ice lollies.

Even the Magnolia trademark has changed from the happy face trademark kids loved to see, to its present one which resembles a person sticking out his tongue.

The old trademark ought to be returned.

In the carbonated softdrinks line, the now-defunct Cosmos Bottling Company used to produce Sarsi, a sarsaparilla or root beer beverage, and Sunta, an orange cola. Both were sold in slim bottles, and because they were local brands, their retail price was much lower than the franchised brands. Sarsi had a distinct bouquet which one savored before drinking it. Sunta was

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Opinion Were we taken for a ride?

BEFORE 2017 ended, there’s one story that surprisingly stood out in the social media—the “disappearance” of 17-year-old Ica Policarpio.

Ica went missing outside a coffee shop in Muntinlupa City on the night of Dec. 21 and with the help of netizens was found in San Pablo, Laguna on Sunday, Dec. 24. She was safe and sound. It was a typical family drama we have all watched in the movies: the missing child finally reunited with her family right before Christmas.

While most of us were relieved by Ica’s safe return, her reappearance raised more questions than answers.

Was she kidnapped and eventually abandoned by her abductors? Did she intentionally run away from home?

Was it a prank, part of the so-called 48-hour challenge?

Were we taken for a ride?

The Policarpio family’s melodramatic statement that they issued in an apparent attempt to silence the bashing they have been receiving in the social media did not help. Now that Ica has been found, they are asking for privacy, saying only that her disappearance is due to “deep emotional distress.”

When you asked for the public’s help and suddenly invoked your privacy when everything turned out right, what does it make you? You shouldn’t have gone public in the first place if you wanted privacy.

Many people have responded and prayed for Ica’s safety. People were genuinely worried, unconsciously following up updates in Facebook and Twitter. Many more went out of their way to help. They, at the very least, deserve some answers.

Social media these days are now filled with attention whores. They have created a generation of narcissists whose happiness level is practically measured by the attention they get in the cyberworld, by the number of “likes,” “comments” and “shares” they get from their posts.

Sadly, many of us have been somewhat deceived into giving our time and effort to those social media attention seekers instead of supporting nobler causes and coming to the aid of those who are really in need.

It baffles me that Policarpio’s story generated more care and compassion in the social media than, for instance, for a man who lost his wife, two children, and mother-in-law to floods brought by typhoon Vinta a few days before Christmas. Now that is not fake news.

As for Ica, we just have to let her be. At least she enjoyed her little moment of fame. It is now time for us to revert our attention to more serious issues that greatly matter to us.

TOMORROW, Sunday, January 7, is the Feast of the Epiphany which means “manifestation” or “showing forth.”

For many, it marks the end of the Christmas Season although some would wait until next Sunday, the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, to take down their Christmas decorations. A few traditionalists would actually wait for February 2, 40 days after Christmas, which is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord or Purification of Mary (commonly called Candlemas).

In the end though, it does not matter when the official end of the Christmas season is. After all, as most popular Filipino Christmas carol exclaims: “May the spirit of Christmas be always in our hearts.”

The Feast of the Epiphany commemorates the visit by the Three Wise Men, also called the Three Kings or the Magi from the East, traditionally named Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar, to the Infant Jesus in Bethlehem. The gospel of Matthew never actually mentions the number of Magi, but most Western Churches traditionally assumed them to have been three in number, (in Eastern Christian Churches

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never too sweet and was already great by itself.

Sunta is gone, while the Sarsi brand has been acquired by the competition. Sarsi is now sold in cans. It no longer tastes like the original, and it doesn’t have the bouquet.

Regarding chocolate bars, Serg’s was a local favorite. It came in plain and in crunch (with pinipig bits), and it was affordable. The Serg’s factory was located along Ortigas Avenue Extension, near the Cainta junction. It was demolished to give way to a mall in the 1990s.

Universal Robina had a popular line of milk chocolate under the Presto brand, with flavors ranging from plain, almond, orange, and raisin.

During the Christmas season, they were sold in colorful boxes with witty, folded covers made of white cardboard and cellophane.

Presto used to have a chocolate trio—manor house, which was hard chocolate; wafret, which consisted of several vanilla sugar-coated wafers coated and filled with chocolate; and milky way, a kind of chocolate fudge. The wafret was great. In time, the three items were discontinued. The wafret has recently resurfaced, but it is a poor imitation of the original.

Gina, a popular brand of mango nectar, used to have a guyabano nectar line. The guyabano nectar was so delicious and nourishing, physicians recommended it for health. It’s no longer around.

Another food line now gone is the Maya canned condensed soup, a local version of Campbell’s. Its choices ranged from mushroom soup to onion soup; from tomato vegetable soup to minestrone.

Universal Robina used to sell Robina Farms glazed, barbecued chicken which was a delight. It smelled good and had a taste like no other chicken in the market. The chickens were grown at the company’s farm in Antipolo.

When Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) was introduced in Manila around 1969, its gravy had a thick, distinct flavor because it was made with chicken stock and ground chicken innards. Today, the KFC gravy is made of soy sauce, salt, cooking oil, artificial flavors and artificial color, and lots of flour. There

the number is usually 12) which is implicit in the statement that they brought three gifts namely, gold which represents kingship, frankincense which symbolizes divinity, and myrrh for death.

In one of his homilies to mark the feast of the Epiphany, Pope Francis said that the journey of the Magi from the East and their discovery of the babe is a sign that Jesus came to save all peoples, not just his fellow Jews. “According to tradition, the wise men were sages, watchers of the constellations, observers of the heavens in a cultural and religious context which saw the stars as having significance and power over human affairs,” the Pope told the congregation. “The wise men represent men and woman who seek God in the world’s religions and philosophies: an unending quest.”

For all of a human’s complex nature, she innately seeks the divine. It is in our nature to look for answers to fundamental questions, of our being, of our very existence. It is a metaphysical quest to look for these answers. Just like the Magi, the human being’s natural proclivity is to constantly undertake a spiritual quest.

For all we know, the Three Kings, being eastern sages, were polytheists or believers in many gods, who decided to undertake a

difficult journey in search of the truth. The Gospel says that it is the Spirit of the Lord who revealed to them the truth. In the words of the Holy Father, “The Holy Spirit prompted them to follow the star, kept them strong when their quest proved difficult and filled them with the grace they needed “to have a personal encounter with the true God.” They may not have believed that the baby Jesus was the messiah, but the Holy Spirit helped them “enter into the mystery,” the Pope said. As such, they are models of conversion to the true faith. They were searching for the true king and, inspired by the Holy Spirit, they found Jesus, not clothe in the splendour of a worldly king but in glory concealed in the manger of Bethlehem, on the cross upon Calvary.

The story of the Magi reminds me of Bituin (Star), composed by Fr. Arnel Aquino SJ and popularized

by Bukas Palad, the most beautiful Christmas song I know. It’s a song I sing all year long; its refrain resonates very much with me: “Hesus, bugtong na anak ng ama Tala ng aming buhay, liwanag/Liwanag, kapayapaan, kahinahunan, kapanatagan ng puso/ Giliw ng Diyos at pag-asa ng maralita/Biyayaan Mo kami ng pagtulad sa Iyo/ Nang magningning bilang ‘Yong mga bituin.”

(Jesus, only son of the Fa-

ther/Guiding star of our life/Light, Peace, Quiet, Contentment in the heart/ Loved by God and hope of the poor/You blessed us by becoming human/That all the stars may shine.)

In the Pope’s Christmas homily, Francis invited us to contemplate the Nativity: “In front of the crib, we rediscover ourselves as loved, we taste the real sense of life.” The Vicar of Christ called on us “to begin anew from the crib, from the Mother who holds God in her arms”; “Looking in silence, we allow Jesus to speak to our heart: his smallness tears down our pride, his poverty disturbs our pomp, and his tenderness moves our hard hearts.”

The Feast of the Epiphany teaches us two things.

One, that the Magi’s visit in the manger demonstrates that Jesus was the king of all kings; that God came into this world not only for the Jews or a select few but for all of humanity. Two, that it is of fundamental necessity that we look for God, the truth, and not to idolize empty temporal trappings of the world presenting themselves as gods, allowing these false gods to take control of our lives. God reveals himself to those with clean and sincere hearts, and those who earnestly and humbly search for him. Often, we find him in the most unlikely places, amid pover-

ty, pain, solitude and suffering. He reveals himself not to the mighty, but to the lowly and humble ones.

God disdains pride.

With the end of the Christmas season let us always remember that, like the Three Kings, God is always willing to manifest himself to all, especially to those with contrite and humble hearts. Yet despite his omnipotence, he shows himself in situations that do not often conform to the standards and expectations of the world, for God thinking is not of human beings.

A poem by Howard Thurman, an AfricanAmerican theologian, educator, and civil rights leader, the song version of which has also been popularized by Bukas Palad in the Philippines, offers the right attitude for all of us as the Christmas season ends: “When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone, when the kings and princes are home, when the shepherds are back with their flocks, the work of Christmas begins: to find the lost, to heal the broken, to feed the hungry, to release the prisoner, to rebuild the nations, to bring peace among the people, to make music in the heart.”

Let’s all do the work of Christmas now.

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Distributing lands or increasing land income?

Mr. Nocum is a former investigative journalist. is hardly any difference between the chicken gravy of KFC and that of its competitor, Jollibee.

Speaking of Jollibee, the palabok dish of this fastfood chain used to be very flavorful. The original recipe had, among others, tofu and smoked fish, and spring onions. It had a bright red juicy sauce. Today’s palabok is dull and its sauce is yellow ochre.

The mami in Ma Mon Luk is no longer what it used to be. In the good old days, the mami had a tasty soup base, and its asado meat was always top quality. The restaurant had branches along Quezon Avenue near corner Banaue, along Aurora Boulevard at the Araneta Center in Cubao, and at Plaza Miranda in Quiapo. For a time, it had branches at Edsa-Kamias and along Katipunan Road at Loyola Heights in Quezon City.

The Cubao branch is now gone. Sadly, the mami at Ma Mon Luk is no longer a culinary delight. Even the smell of the restaurant premises has ceased to be inviting.

For many, the mami and fried rice sold at Chopstick House across the street from the old New Frontier Cinema Theatre (now the Kia Theatre) at the Araneta Center were food items to die for. This restaurant was owned by Ah Haw, a Chinese businessman.

It closed shop in the 1990s due to labor problems.

In the late 1970s, the best siopao in town was the chicken pao sold at Kowloon House outlets throughout the metropolis. The filling was very delicious, and unlike the siopao sold in other establishments, the Kowloon House chicken pao’s filling was a lot bigger than the steamed roll covering it. Through the years, however, the size of the filling diminished. Today, it is like any other dimsum sold at any other Chinese delicatessen.

Another siopao brand now long gone is C&M. The taste of the asado siopao of C&M was greatly enhanced when it was dashed with the house sauce. Its intense white color gave the impression that it was very clean. C&M had outlets at the university belt in downtown Manila, and at the Araneta Center in Cubao.

It ceased operations at the end of the 1970s.

Yes, eating was a wonderful experience during those good old days. Alas, those days are now gone.

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The work of Christmas

EVERYMAN

By Armand Dean Nocum

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2018

BACKBENCHER ROD P. KAPUNAN ONCE again, I saw a rally by the militant farmers, and as usual, they had all the placards and streamers held high for all to see.

The slogan was demanding land reform.

The first thing a passerby would say is that it is the same slogan they have been shouting since the time of President Quezon, continued by President Magsaysay and sparked the renewed unrest in the late 60s that led President Marcos to proclaim P.D. No. 2: Declaring the entire country a land reform area and P.D. No. 27: Decreeing the emancipation of the tenants from the bondage of the soil, transferring to them the ownership of the land they till.

I do not wish to ridicule our efforts to bring about genuine land reform. It would also not be fair for me to attribute our attempt to introduce land reform only to one President. Certainly, each of them contributed in their own way to being about land reform.

What bothers me is that the division of big farm estates would not help liberate our farmers. These assumptions are based on three considerations: First, land reform is our only solution to improve the economic plight of our farmers.

Second, that progress will ensue once the big lands are

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for many years, and mayors are regarded as bosses by their constituents. The privileged person, the boss that people cannot contradict surfaced during his meltdown.

The thing is, there are many thinking, even contrarian people in social media. They will test, even oppose if they do not agree

subdivided. Third, handing back the lands to the tillers would put rural insurgency to an end.

These assumptions are bundled into one belief that property ownership by the farmers of the land they till is the key to their economic emancipation.

We blindly accepted that notion, and partly by our ideological belief that he who works for the land to make it productive should own it. The trouble with this theory is that it advances the supposition that only the tillers of the land can make them productive, unmindful that even before the advent of the land reform, the peasants have been exerting their labor to make the land productive.

Transferring ownership of the land from the landlords to the peasant to emancipate them from the bondage of exploitation is a presumption that today has been proven to be a fallacy. We follow the conventional Marxist theory that it is in the ownership of the means of production that creates the mechanism of exploitation, thus after a long process, breeds economic inequality. We overlook the fact that the existence of gross inequality is not only between the landlords and the farmers, but the famers against the industrialists and urban workers, the capitalist employers, and the state employees, but of the sordid truth that the farmers are always at the bottom of the economic ladder.

Breaking up the big estates will not alter the economic status of our farmers from their present state.

It will not stop the anomalous practice of reselling the land awarded to them.

Subdivided lands can be easily reconsolidated into the hands of the landlords or anybody who has the capital with an eye to developing them to produce higher yield other than for agricultural purposes.

We are lured by the no-

with people. Netizens are not without options in handling oppositors. One can ignore (“deadma” as I call it), engage, or block people. Trolls and bots should be blocked. However, if one chooses to engage, then one must keep his/her cool. We need to remember that offline or online, ang pikon, talo. Sen. Gatchalian got pikon.

His handling was really off even after the incident.

Apologizing was his best

tion giving our famers a piece of land they could till will help improve their economic status. But as we see it, they are still struggling to escape the bottom of the economic ladder.

Their status from tenant farmers to farm lot owners personally tilling the soil did not change for the better, compared to those employed as industrial and manufacturing workers, against white -collar workers by the government and private sectors, and even against farmers employed by big farming estates.

They continue to struggle to make ends meet.

This explains why many land reform beneficiar-

ies either abandon their lands to look for higher paying employment or are tempted to sell their farm lots to one willing to buy them at a price they could not refuse.

Other cunning landlords try the idea of buying back those lands following the same theory that the bigger the lands are, the higher yield it will produce. However, they take the risk of violating the law on land reform and incurring the ire of the insurgents that have been using land reform as their platform to entice followers in the rural areas.

The theory of subdividing the lands by introducing land reform has not been proven to be economically sufficient to change the status of our farmers.

They continue to find ways to improve their economic condition because reality tells them that owning a land does not guarantee deliverance from poverty.

This is the usual case because we focus on the idea of ownership of the agricultural products and not on how we could make the land per se productive to yield higher income to be shared by those involved in the production of the commodity.

For as long as our farmers earn the least, they will always seek to find employment that will offer them higher income. They are trapped in a far more vicious situation because they belong to that sector that could least cushion their income from the im-

pact of inflation and price increases.

If ever they experience a windfall increase in the price for their produce, other sectors have already benefited through wage increases and in the cost for their services.

Neither can they demand an amendment to the land reform program which at present is fixed to three hectares for irrigated and five hectares for non-irrigated lands. Land distribution has its own limitation for them to live up to their role as the tillers of the land. It was not conceived to allow them to hire a farm hand—that would mean a reversion to the hated practice of tenancy system, notwithstanding they would be complying the minimum wage law to make things uneconomical for them.

In other words, we should focus on how to increase the income of our farmers rather than in providing lands to make good our promise of land reform. It is in the continuing low income of the farmers why land reform has been a failure, the reason why land conversion has become rampant and beneficiaries sell their lands to the highest bidder.

Let us raise the income of our farmers without focusing on the idea of property ownership to the level they would be proud to be called farmers earning similar to the farmers in Japan and Western Europe.

option. This would have shown humility and people would surely understand because everybody commits mistakes and lapses in judgment. The senator would have emerged a bigger person because not many in his position would accept committing a mistake. After all, as he himself said, he is just human.

Sadly, Gatchalian not only refused to accept his mistake, he even resorted to calling his critics “bots”

and “trolls.” This earned him more criticism because those who criticized him were legitimate Twitter users who have been in social media for years. Maybe the senator was coached to say this but it did not serve his purpose. More people got angrier by his refusal to accept his lapse. He is, like other public servants, accountable to the people.

Let this incident teach Senator Gatchalian and others in public service

important lessons in dealing with those who put them in position. They cannot act like privileged, spoiled brats. They are answerable to the people. If they choose to remain in social media, they must know what they face because those in social media will test their character.

It’s the capacity to earn, not the ownership of property.

rpkapunan@gmail.com

bethangsioco@g mail. com @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Another heist in Metro Manila probed

By Joel E. Zurbano

A

NOTHER heist took place in southern Metro Manila, this time in Parañaque City, where four armed men looted cash and valuables from an eatery and its customers.

Police said Friday the robbery happened inside Goto Bar along Dasa Street in Barangay San Isidro around 2:30 a.m. Thursday.

Authorities are investigating if the robbers were part of the same group of men who barged into Mabuhay Manor Hotel Tuesday morning in Pasay City and carted away at least P4

million worth of cash and valuables from the establishment and its guests in just five minutes.

Initial investigation showed the robbers took the P7,000 cash earnings of the eatery and the Samsung mobile phone and tablet worth at least P11,000 owned by store manager Marilyn Vizzara.

One of the customers, Aniceto Manalo, was also robbed of his personal valuables and cash amounting to P6,500.

Police said the robbers, all wearing motorcycle helmets, barged into the establishment and at gunpoint announced the heist.

During the robbery, Manalo was shot and wounded on his left thigh by one of the robbers.

The victim was rushed to the Las Piñas City General Hospital and is now in a stable condition, according to police.

The robbers fled on board motorcycles toward the direction of Sucat Road.

National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Oscar Albayalde ordered the immediate relief of the police community precinct commander in the area.

He also gave investigators two days to resolve and identify the persons responsible for the robbery.

“Although, the money involved was not that big, still it’s a robbery. We have seen four armed men and this is not an ordinary group,” said Albayalde.

“We are conducting followup operation on this case and I’ve given the chief of police two days to resolve the case.”

There were also reports

that one of the robbers tried to hurt a child during the robbery.

Last Tuesday, four armed men also stormed Mabuhay Manor Hotel at the corner streets of Ortigas and F.B. Harrison in Pasay City where a Filipino-American guest and other customers were robbed of at least P4 million worth of cash and important personal belongings.

The robbers, armed with short firearms, grabbed the .38-cal service firearm of the duty guard Jho-an Jabagat and divested all the money from the cash register amounting to P33,000.

Dominador Castro, at the hotel with three members

of his family, and other guests of the establishment were not spared by the robbers who took their cash and valuables, including a Rolex watch, and assorted gadgets and pieces of jewelry.

After the heist, the robbers fled on board their getaway vehicle, a black Hyundai Starex van, and sped off toward the direction of Roxas Boulevard.

Police are looking at the possibility of an inside job.

Meanwhile, the Taguig City police arrested five individuals, believed to be members of a robberyholdup gang, after they were chanced upon having a gambling session in Sitio

8 in Fort Bonifacio.

The suspects were identified as Nicanor Canlas, 53; Nelson Villegas, 49; both residents of Western Bicutan, Taguig City; Reynario Acdog, 46, of Moonwalk, Parañaque City; Jefferson Musa, 22, and Willar Baula, both residents of Fort Bonifacio, also in Taguig City.

Recovered from the suspects were a .38-cal. revolver and four live ammunitions and one .45-cal pistol.

Investigation showed two of the suspects—Musa and Baula—were responsible for robbing a woman in Pasong Tamo, Makati City last November.

PhilHealth members to shoulder 25% hike

By Macon R. Araneta

PIONEERING EFFORTS. (From left) Japan International Cooperation Agency Chief Representative Susumo Ito, Bulacan Gov. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado, Senator Joel Villanueva, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Japanese Ambassador Koji Haneda and Senator JV Ejercito lead the groundbreaking ceremonies of the North-South Commuter Railway project Friday at Brgy. Tabing Ilog, Marilao, Bulacan. The Jica-funded commuter train project is a 37-km long railway line that will connect Malolos in Bulacan to Tutuban Station in Manila to address the serious traffic congestion in Metro Manila. The train will traverse seven river railway bridges and one highway crossing and will have 10 rail stations in between Manila and Bulacan. Orlan Mauricio

DOTr breaks ground for PNR project THE Department of Transportation broke ground Friday for Phase 1 of the government’s Philippine National Railways line linking Metro Manila to Clark Field, with this first segment running from Tutuban station in Manila to Malolos City in Bulacan.

The groundbreaking was held for the Advance Construction Mobilization of Phase 1 of the Clark railway at an open area in Maria Socorro, Marilao, Bulacan, and attended by transportation and local officials.

Also gracing the event was Bulacan’s first senator in 20 years, Joel Villanueva, who cited the PNR ManilaClark project as a boon to economic activity and to commuters.

The project is seen to ease the monstrous vehicular traffic in Metro Manila and speed up travel to north of the metropolis, particularly areas of Central Luzon where modern townships are being developed.

According to DoTr Assistant Secretary for Railways Timothy John Batan the preconstruction phase would be handled by an interagency group and the local government, particularly the site clearing, road levelling and the removal of structures that obstruct the rail lines.

Phase 1 of the PNR Clark project runs 38 kilometers from Tutuban to Malolos.

It has 10 stations and is expected to serve on average 340,000 people daily.

PHILIPPINE Health Insurance Corp. members must now shoulder a 0.25-percent increase in premium contributions starting January 2018, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said Friday.

He said member contributions would now be 2.75 percent from the 2.5-percent contribution rate.

He said the computation was based on a member’s monthly basic pay, according to PhilHealth Circular 20170024, signed last Oct. 11.

The increase will double the actuarial life of the PhilHealth fund to eight-anda-half years from four-anda-half years, Duque told a forum in Manila.

Covered by the adjustment are members employed in the formal economy, including kasambahays, family drivers, and sea-based Overseas Filipino Workers, and all employers in the government and private sector.

The PhilHealth circular also states the contributions are now computed, based on a salary floor of P10,000 and ceiling of

P40,000, as follows: P275.00 for those making P10,000 and below per month, or P137.50 each from the member and employer P275.02 to P1,099.99 for those earning P10,000.01 to P39,999.99 per month, or P137.51 to P549.99 each from the member and employer P1,100 for those earning P40,000 and above per month, or P550 each from the member and employer For a kasambahay or household help, the member’s contribution “shall be shouldered solely by the household employer” in line with the Domestic Workers Act, unless the member is receiving a salary of P5,000 and above in which case he or she would have to pay the proportionate share.

More than a third or P50 billion of the Department of Health’s P165-billion budget for 2018 has been allotted to fund PhilHealth, Duque noted.

PhilHealth has a national coverage of 90 to 92 percent.

Majority of those not covered by PhilHealth benefits are in “geographically disadvantaged areas,” or far-flung or remote areas or barangays.

Homicide ‘right charge’ for shooting HOMICIDE, not murder, was the “appropriate charge” to file against the Mandaluyong City policemen who mistakenly fired at a car and killed two people shortly before the new year, the Philippine National Police said Friday.

PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. Dionardo Carlos said the police stood by its decision to homicide charges against 10 Mandaluyong cops and three village watchmen because there was no criminal intent involved in the encounter.

“The record is that is the appropriate charge for the case. Why would we ask for a higher case when there is no criminal intent? We hope that they understand that is the appropriate case,” Carlos said, responding to criticism of the lesser charge of homicide.

However, Jonalyn Amboan, one of the two civilians

killed on Dec. 28, seemed to have been shot at close range, according to the initial autopsy report of the Crime Laboratory of the Eastern Police District.

Supt. Isidro Cariño of the EPD Crime Laboratory said it was possible Amboan tested positive for gunpowder nitrates because she might have been shot in close quarters.

Before the incident, the woman was wounded in a prior shooting involving her boyfriend, with her companions bringing her to a hospital on board a Mitsubishi Adventure.

Police, acting on calls for help of several barangay watchmen, ran after and shot at the Adventure after they were led to believe that it carried armed suspects in an earlier shooting in Mandaluyong.

It turned out that the owner of the vehicle and his compan-

ions were bringing Amboan, who was killed along with the Adventure’s driver.

The findings of the PNP Special Investigation Task Group, which probed the botched operation, supported Carlos’ statement.

“Treachery and aid of armed men were not purposely sought; at that time they acted in the performance of their duty,” SITG chief Senior Supt.

Florendo Quibuyen said.

The Mandaluyong cops were made to believe by the village watchmen “that the vehicle was armed and there were already exchanges of fire prior to their arrival or prior to the pursuit,” Quibuyen added.

Meanwhile, the officer-incharge of the Mandaluyong City Police, Chief Supt. Reynaldo Biay, assured the public there would be no coverup in the investigation.

TO THE RESCUE. Unidentified volunteers dash to rescue a motorcylist involved in a road accident Friday at the Quezon City Memorial Circle near the city hall which caused temporary vehicular logjam. Police are investigating the incident. Manny Palmero

No changes in passport features, says Cayetano Duterte credited for drop

By Sara D. Fabunan THERE will be no changes on the passport features even after the Department of Foreign Affairs started issuing the 10-year valid passports without added charges this year.

Foreign Secretary Alan Cayetano said they decided to implement the extended passport validity by Jan. 1, 2018 to allow them some time to notify the DFA consular offices nationwide that would issue a 10-year Philippine passport.

The DFA said these passports would use the current

electronic passport booklets and the design, security features and even the number of pages would remain the same.

The P1,200 for “express” processing fee of 10-working days and the P950 regular processing fee of 20 working days still would apply.

The DFA also noted that passports issued prior to Jan. 1, 2018 which have a five-year validity, shall remain valid until their expiration date.

Since Jan. 1 and 2 were holidays, passport applications made starting Jan. 3 shall be issued passports that are valid for 10 years so long as the ap-

plicant is not a minor.

Under the new Philippine Passport Act (Republic Act 10928), applicants who are below 18 years old will still be issued passports valid for five years.

The DFA expects to release the first batch of 10-year valid passports on Jan. 12.

President Duterte signed the Philippine Passport Act last Aug. 2, as part of his administration’s promise.

The implementation of the law that extended the validity of Philippine passports from five to 10 years, except for applicants who are minors, was delayed by five months.

in New Year pollution level

By Rio N. Araja THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources on Friday credited President Rodrigo Duterte’s executive order limiting firecracker use for the significant drop in New Year celebration pollution levels.

Secretary Roy Cimatu said he was overwhelmed by the significant reduction in air pollution levels recorded in Metro Manila during the New Year revelry as against previous year.

He attributed the welcome development to the presidential directive regulating the use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices.

He said there was no doubt the reduc-

tion was due mainly to the issuance of Executive Order 28, adding there was widespread public compliance.

“This just goes to show that the law, if properly implemented and readily complied with by the citizenry, will bring about the needed results for everyone’s benefit,” he noted.

He said although EO 28 was only on its first year of implementation, it already resulted in remarkable improvement in the National Capital Region’s air quality during the New Year celebration.

“We hope that this is just the start and Filipinos will get used to welcoming the New Year without the firecrackers and fireworks that pose serious danger to human health and the environment,” he said.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

Manila

Standard

TODAY

Giannis leads All-Star balloting

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2018 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Leishman leads Tourney of Champs L OS ANGELES—Australia’s Marc Leishman fired eight birdies in a sixunder par 67 on Thursday to seize a one-stroke lead in the US PGA Tour’s Tournament of Champions in Hawaii.

Leishman

strung

to- lead, with American Brian

“Pretty solid,” Leishman said of his round in the first USPGA Tour event of the calendar year, which features a 34-player field made up of last season’s tournament winners.

“I played well, drove the ball pretty well—with the exception of a couple of drives—and the putter was really, really solid.

“So, happy with eight birdies,” added Leishman after a day that saw strong winds buffet some of the

bigger names in the field.

Defending champion Justin Thomas, whose victory here last year marked the start of a five-win season that included his first major title and the FedEx Cup playoff crown, carded a one-under par 71.

British Open champion Jordan Spieth struggled to a two-over par 75.

Fowler eagled the final hole as he bounced back from a double-bogey at the 13th, and Johnson birdied

NEW YORK—The Milgether four birdies in a row Harman and Venezuela’s waukee Bucks’ Giannis Anfrom the seventh through Jhonattan Vegas sharing tetokounmpo is the leading the 10th holes on the par-73 second on 68. vote-getter in the first fan Plantation Course at KaIt was a further stroke returns FRIDAY, of NBAJANUARY All-Star 5, 2018 palua on Maui. back to world number one voting released on Thursday. mst.daydesk@gmail.com He rolled in a 19-foot Dustin Johnson, Rickie Greece’s Antetokounmpo, birdie putt at the 17th to Fowler and South Korean who earned his first Alltake sole possession of the Kim Si-Woo on 69.

Star nod last season, received 863,416 votes to edge the Cleveland Cavaliers’ four-time NBA Most Valuable Player LeBron James (856,080) by 7,336 votes for the top spot in the Eastern Conference and overall after the first 12 days of fan voting.

Antetokounmpo, 23, has enjoyed a stellar start to the 2017-18 campaign. He is the league’s second in scoring, averaging 29.1 points per game, and ranks in the top 20 in blocks, steals and rebounds.

Four-time All-Star Kyrie Irving of the Boston Celtics leads among East guards with 802,834 votes—putting him third overall in the voting.

In the Western Conference, the Golden State Warriors’ Kevin Durant leads AXA PHILIPPINES STAGES FIRST YOUTH BASKETBALL CLINIC. AXA Philippines, one of the leading insurance with 767,402 votes and teamcompanies in the country, recently held a basketball clinic for children ages 5 to 13 in partnership with the University mate Stephen Curry is next of Makati and the Makati Youth Development Center. Nearly 40 kids, representing three different barangays in Makati, with 735,115—putting them participated in the training session which culminated in a friendly game. AXA chose the 10 most outstanding players fourth and fifth overall. from the group and will support them as they participate in the Jr. NBA Philippines 2018 presented by Alaska— The 67th NBA All-Star the NBA’s global youth development program that promotes basketball participation, sportsmanship, teamwork, Game will take place on and an active lifestyle. AXA Philippines, through its corporate social responsibility arm, continuously spearheads and Sunday, February 18 at Staparticipates in similar development activities to help empower communities to live better lives. ples Center in Los Angeles.

Under a new All-Star Game format that replaces the traditional matchup between the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference, the The La Salle Green Archers will Earlier, Ayo confirmed his deOFFICIALS of University of Santo team rosters will be chosen by Tomas are still finalizing a deal with parture from the La Salle Green now be under Louie Gonzalez, who two captains from the pool of Archers camp via his Twitter ac- will make his debut when the team former La Salle coach Aldin Ayo. starters and reserves.

Sources said Ayo could handle the count, although he is still silent on takes part in the Philippine ColleThe captains will be the Growling Tigers for the next six years his status whether he is moving to giate Champions League set from on All-Star starter from each conFeb. 2 to 11. His official duty begins UST or not. if plans push through. ference who receives the most Ayo, who guided La Salle to on Jan. 16, when the Archers resume The University’s Institute of fan votes in his conference, but Physical Education and Athletics two finals’ stints, said the “different their practice sessions. they can choose their players Gonzalez was Ayo’s deputy with is expected to make an official views in handling the team,” was without respect to conference announcement on Ayo’s status on one of the main reasons for his La Salle, Letran and Far Eastern affiliation. AFP University. Peter Atencio departure.

Jan. 11.

News

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UST still finalizing deal with coach Ayo

Judiciary 5 tries to bounce back AFTER a tough loss to Games on Sunday the AFP Cavaliers, the (Olivarez Sports Complex) Judiciary Magis take 3 p.m. GSIS vs Judiciary on dark horse GSIS 5 p.m. NHA vs Senate Furies on Sunday at the Olivarez Gym in Parañaque City.

Aiming to get back on track, the Magis, led

by Justice Midas Marquez, Chester Tolomia, Don Camaso and Warren Ybañez, will flex their muscle on Sunday in trying to beat the hot-streaking Furies, who have a 5-game winning streak.

The GSIS basketball team will rely on its consistent producers Rene Boy Banzali, James Patrick Abugan and Dennis Bunyi, with support from role players Tristan Henandez, Michael Nuyana, Aaron Sunga and big man Anthony Cuevas.

Meanwhile, the Senate Defenders battle the NHA Builders in the main game at 5 p.m.

The Senate basketball club, led by Sen. Sonny Angara and Sen. Joel Villanueva, with the help from old reliables Jeffrey Sanders, James Mangaran, Harly Ng and Michael Dan Omega, is expected to have an explosive duel with the armed and deadly NHA team, which also has a solid roster of runners and gunners like the former MVP Antonio Lustestica, Waldemar Tibay, John Derrick Dizon, Alvin Vitug, Marvin Ladia and Marvin Mercado.

In October, he was runner-up in a playoff to Thomas at the CJ Cup @ Nine Bridges in South Korea.

While Leishman said his recent strong results didn’t mean he was “owed anything” in 2018, he said he was looking forward to the year with confidence.

“It’s not a given I’m going to play well,” he said. I’ve got to keep working, but confidence certainly makes it easier to play well.” AFP

Alab Pilipinas-Singapore Round 2 on ABS-CBN S+A A REVITALIZED Tanduay-Alab Pilipinas gets another crack at their rivals, the Singapore Slingers, this Sunday in enemy territory at the OCBC Arena in Singapore.

Fans can catch the game live at 4 p.m. on S+A and S+A HD with a replay at primetime at 8 p.m.

Alab is going for its third straight win in the tournament when they face Singapore, which drew first blood in the budding rivalry when they paid Alab a visit in Laguna last November 29, 97-83.

This time, however, the Philippine contingent will be powered by new reinforcements Justin Brownlee and Renaldo Balkman, who led the team in downing the Westports Malaysia Dragons last Wednesday, 90-79.

Playing fresh off the plane, Brownlee had quite the debut when he stuffed the stat sheets with 28 points, seven rebounds, eight assists, three steals, and two blocks, while Balkman, the former NBA journeyman who is making his way back to the Philippines, put up 17 markers and hauled down a team-leading 11 rebounds.

Reigning ABL MVP, and Tanduay-Alab superstar Bobby Ray Parks is thankful for the arrival of the two high-impact reinforcements as he can now focus on the defensive side of the game, being the primary stopper of the opposing team’s leading scorer.

Taekwondo instructors’ assembly set MORE than 500 national and regional instructors and Philippine Taekwondo Associatiion officers from all over the country will converge on Sunday at the Rizal Memorial coliseum for the 2018 National Instructors’ General Assembly meeting.

The PTA organized the important event with SMART and MVP Sports Foundation to discuss taekwondo’s plan for the year as well as the sport’s calendar and the performances of regional officers especially in the National Capital Region.

Registration for the event will be held from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

PTA Chief Executive Officer and Grandmaster Sung Chon Hong says the assembly will talk about the PTA’s 2017 accomplishments and discuss the 2018

the par-five 18th to seize his share of fourth place.

Leishman got off to a crisp start, rolling in a fivefoot birdie putt at the first hole.

He hit nine of 15 fairways on the day and 15 of 18 greens in regulation.

The 34-year-old Australian enjoyed his best PGA Tour season of his career last season, winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the BMW Championship.

“Balkman and Brownlee are athletic, and they make us get up and down the floor, making us a way faster team, it’s a great fit.

They’re great talents, which makes everything easier in facilitating and creating and at I can focus more on putting pressure on opposing guards,” he said.

Veteran gunner Dondon Hontiveros agreed with the reigning ABL MVP, and praised the versatility and experience of the two new imports.

“We needed imports who are fast. With Justin and Balkman, these are the types of guys that (Coach) Jimmy wants for our team, they can switch and guard multiple positions aside from creating their own offense. Aside from that, they have experience, with Brownlee coming off a championship and Balkman from a stellar tour of duty overseas, with national team stints,” the Cebuano hotshot said.

Meanwhile, the Slingers, who will be hosting the second game between the two teams, will also be parading a new world import in former Hi-Tech Bangkok City reinforcement Christien Charles to replace Canadian Ryan Wright to man the paint for the 2016-2017 ABL Finalists. The two-time World Import MVP and ABL all-time blocks leader will team up with Xavier Alexander and FilCanadian AJ Mandani in trying to derail Tanduay-Alab’s winning run.

Republic of the Philippines Province of Bataan City of Balanga BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE OFFICE InvItatIon to BId no. Goods-085-2017 85

The Provincial Government of Bataan, through the Special Education Fund intends to apply the below listed procurement w/ corresponding Approved Budget of the Contract (ABC). Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected a bid opening.

Name of Project

Shown are many of the instructors who are preparing for Sunday’s general assembly.

national and international competitions like the World Qualification Tournament for the Buenos Aires Youth Olympic Games, World Junior Taekwondo Championships, Asian Taekwondo Championships, World Poomsae Taekwondo Championships, the 18th Asian Games, the Philippine Taekwondo League and many other events.

The meeting will also feature a refresher course on the new World Taekwondo Federation officiating rules as well as the updated techniques for both Poomsae and Kyorugi.

Taekwondo is the country’s leading producer of gold, silver and bronze medals in various international events in Asia, Southeast Asia and the world.

In memory of

Approved Budget of the Contract (ABC)

1. Printing of Instructional Materials for distribution to Kindergarten, Grade I and Grade 2 Schools in the Division of Bataan 2. Printing of Instructional Materials for distribution to Kindergarten, Grade I, Grade 2 and Grade 3 Schools in the Division of Bataan 3. Supply and Delivery of 66 Robotics Package for distribution to Elementary Schools in the Division of Bataan

=P=15,264,000.00 =P=39,024,800.00

=P=15,576,000.00

The Provincial Government of Bataan now invites bids for the above listed Procurement.

Delivery of goods is required within 30 Calendar Days. Bidders should have completed, at least one (1) contract that is similar to the contract to be bid. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using nondiscretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

Bidding is open to all interested bidders, whether local or foreign, subject to the conditions for eligibility provided in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from Office of Bataan Bids & Awards Committee and inspect the Bidding Documents from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the same office.

Bid documents will be available only to eligible bidders upon payment of a nonrefundable amount of using standard rates approved by GPPB as stated on their Resolution No. 04-2012 listed below.

Approved Budget for the Contract 500,000 and below More than 500,000 up to 1 Million More than 1 Million up to 5 Million More than 5 Million up to 10 Million More than 10 Million up to 50 Million More than 50 Million up to 500 Million More than 500 Million

Maximum Cost of Bidding Documents (in Philippine Peso) 500.00 1,000.00 5,000.00 10,000.00 25,000.00 50,000.00 75,000.00

The Provincial Government of Bataanwillhold a Pre-Bid Conference on January 12, 2018 at 10:00 A.MatProvincial BAC Office, PEO Capitol Compound, Balanga City, Bataan.

Bids must be delivered on or before January 26, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at Provincial BAC Office, PEO Capitol Compound, Balanga City, Bataan. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated on IRR of RA 9184 or Bid Securing Declaration in standard form.

GSIS Furies’ James Patrick Abugan elevates for a layup during his team’s game against the PDEA Drug Busters.

LOTTO RESULTS 6/45 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ 4 DIGITS 00-00-00-00 3 DIGITS 00-00-00 2 EZ2 00-00

Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend opening of Bids at Bataan BAC Office. Late bids shall not be accepted.

LEONILO C. REYES

January 17, 1964 – January 4, 2018 Interment will be after 1 p.m. Mass on Sunday January 7, 2018 at Memorial Service Evergreen Chapel & Crematory 1354 C. Raymundo Ave., Pasig City

In case of the above dates is declared a special Non-Working Holidays, it will automatically reset on the next working days.

Other necessary information deemed relevant by the Provincial Government of Bataan Activities Schedule 1. Advertisement/Posting of Invitation to Bid January 05, 2018 – January 11, 2018 2. Eligibility Check Refer to date of Opening of Bids 3. Issuance and availability of Bidding Documents January 05, 2018 – January 26, 2018 4. Request for Clarification January 16, 2018 5. Opening of Bids January 26, 2018 The Provincial Government of Bataan reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

For further information, please refer to: Ms. Aileen C. Sagun Provincial BAC / PEO Bataan Provincial BAC / PEO Office, Capitol Compound, BalangaCity, Bataan 047-237-9316 bac@bataan.gov.ph

(MS-JAN. 6, 2018)

(SGD) ENRICO T. YUZON BAC CHAIRMAN

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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

A8

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2018

Saso rolls to 2-shot Ladies Golf Tour win

Sports

CALAMBA, Laguna—Yuka Saso shrugged off Ploychompoo Wirairungreung’s early charge and quelled the Thai ace’s late rally with clutch birdies as the top amateur humbled the elite pros by winning the ICTSI Ayala Greenfield Ladies Challenge crown by two on a closing 70 here yesterday.

Saso watched her huge five-shot lead reduce to a couple of strokes after five holes as Wirairungreung sizzled with three birdies in ideal condition but pulled away again on a two-shot swing (birdie-bogey) on No. 7. She then matched her rival’s birdie on the par-3 16th that all but completed her impressive wire-to-wire romp in the kickoff leg of this season Ladies Philippine Golf Tour sponsored by ICTSI. “I didn’t expect to win because of the quality of competition. But I’m happy I did it,” said Saso, who leaned on her hot irons and superb putting to frustrate her pursuers and close out with a 35-35 card for a 54-hole total of seven-under 209.

It was the second pro crown for the 16-year-old Saso, who scored a three-shot victory over Korean Ji Won Kang at Eagle Ridge in 2016.

Five strokes behind Saso with Pauline del Rosario at the start of the final round, Wirairungreung birdied the first two holes against Saso’s birdie on No. 2 and threatened to within two with a birdie on No. 5 which Saso bogeyed. But the FilJapanese shotmaker quickly recovered the two strokes on a similar two-shot swing on the seventh then held sway at the back with pars and that decisive birdie.

The Thai made one last charge with a third straight birdie on No. 13 but failed to rattle off her young rival, who drilled in a six-foot birdie putt on No. 16 that all but shattered Wirairungreung’s hopes for a comeback. She also birdied the 16th then holed out with another birdie for a 67 and a 211.

Wirairungreung, however, took the top purse of P150,000 with Saso claiming two trophies, including the low amateur, in the event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. Saso also became the latest amateur to win on the LPGT after Abby Arevalo nipped del Rosario by one on a last hole birdie at Riviera last July and her victory ended the Thais’ domination of the country’s premier circuit after Renuka Suksukont and Yupaporn Kawinpakorn reigned at the Phl Ladies Masters and South Forbes Invitational last month.

Road Warriors try to stay hot Sunday

Yuka Saso soars high with the coveted pro crown and low amateur trophy

Chot readies new breed of Gilas Pilipinas players

By Peter Atencio

T

HREE tall players from the junior division of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines and the National Collegiate Athletic Association are among those being called to join the new Gilas Pilipinas national pool.

National coach Chot Reyes is looking at the possibility of having the 7’2” Kai Sotto, the 6’7” Carl Tamayo and the 6’9” Will Gozum join the practices of the national squad that’s being readied when the Philippines co-hosts the 2023 FIBA World Cup with Japan

Benilde tossers rip Knights Games tomorrow (Jan. 7) 8 a.m.- LPU vs UPHSD (jrs) 9:30 a.m.- LPU vs UPHSD (m) 11 a.m.- LPU vs UPHSD (w) 12:30 p.m.- EAC vs AU (m) 2 p.m.- EAC vs AU (w) 3:30 p.m.- EAC vs AU (jrs)

DEFENDING champion College of St. Benilde officially started the post Johnvic de Guzman era with a bang as it overpowered Letran, 25-12, 25-21, 2518, yesterday in the men’s division of the 93rd NCAA volleyball tournament at the Filoil Arena in San Juan City.

Isaah Oneal Arda and Mark Jethro Orian came through big and filled the vacuum left by de Guzman, who played his final season a year back. Arda and Orian fired 17 and 13 points, respectively, to help the Blazers set in motion their titleretention bid.

“My two senior players, Arada and Orian, have taken over the leadership role from Johnvic (de Guzman) and they’re leading by example,” said CSB coach Arnold Laniog in Filipino.

“We were just sloppy and giving up easy points. Good thing we made some adjustments,” said Laniog, who had taken over the women’s squad after former mentor Macky Carino moved to Perpetual Help late last year.

and Indonesia.

“By no means final, but for now #23for23#thefuture #playlouderin2023 #basketballiscominghome,” said Reyes in a twitter message.

The 17-year-old Sotto is now playing for the Ateneo Blue Eaglets that are currently unbeaten after the

first round of the 80th UAAP junior cagefest.

Gozum is the season MVP of the NCAA junior cagefest and played his last season for the Malayan High School Red Robins.

On the other hand, Tamayo, a transferee from Adamson University, is currently in Team B of the Nazareth School-National University Bullpups.

Officials of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas are looking for a new generation of basketball players, who will be able to showcase their talents in the FIBA World Cup six years from now.

They believe that the likes Jason Castro, Kiefer Ravena and other standouts belonging to the present batch of the Gilas Nationals will be too old for the tournament in 2023.

Reyes also included three Filipino-American players, who are currently based in the United States.

They are Dwight Ramos from California State University-Fullerton, Remy Martin of Arizona State University and Wake Forest’s Troy Rike.

Ramos is profiled as a 6’5” freshman guard, who is known back in high school for his defensive intensity.

Martin, also a freshman, stands 5’11” and is good on hustle and defense. He averages 10.2 points and 3.1 assists.

Rike is going into his senior year with Wake Forest and is a towering 6’7” forward.

Reyes has drafted a 23man pool that also includes Kobe Paras, UAAP stars like Thirdy Ravena, Paul Desiderio and Isaac Go. He is also considering as well as NCAA cagers Robert Bolick, CJ Perez, Jeo Ambohot and Javee Mocon.

Athletic guard Juan Gomez de Liano from the University of the Philippines is also listed.

By Jeric Lopez FOLLOWING more than a week of break, the fireworks for the year start tomorrow for the Philippine Basketball Association as action resumes in the 2018 Philippine Cup with a fiery doubleheader.

Early co-league leader NLEX (2-0) aims on staying hot as it goes for the solo lead when it faces Phoenix (1-1) at 4:30 p.m., even as crowd darling Barangay Ginebra (1-0) and GlobalPort (0-1) test each other in the main event at 6:45 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in the first playdate of 2018.

Currently, the Road Warriors are tied with defending champion San Miguel Beer at the top with 2-0 slates and they can overtake the Beermen and grab solo first with another win.

Through the spectacular all-around play of rookie sensation Kiefer Ravena, the Road Warriors have been stellar so far.

Ravena, who was named as the season’s first Player of the Week before the calendar

turned, didn’t waste time in introducing himself to the league as he immediately made an impact in leading his team to two straight victories, the last one at the expense of GlobalPort, 115-105, on Christmas day.

Now, he looks to keep his fine form as he faces the challenge from the Fuel Masters, who will have No. 4 pick Jason Perkins on their side.

Like NLEX, Phoenix was likewise triumphant in its last game, listing its first win against Kia, 125-102, last Dec. 27.

The Gin Kings rediscovered the winning formula right away in their tournament debut as they continued their mastery of Magnolia, 89-78, also last Christmas to crack the winning column.

“We’re looking to sustain our nice start and gain some momentum to start this year,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone.

Ginebra shoots for a second straight win, but would have to tackle the unpredictable Batang Pier, who are in search of their first victory.

Jarata crowned Andrada Cup champ TOP seed Marc Andrei Jarata capped his weeklong brilliance by turning back second seed Axl Lajon Gonzaga, 6-7 (9), 6-4, 6-1, in yesterday’s finals of the 14-under boys in the 29th Andrada Cup age-group tennis tournament at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

The 12-year-old Jarata flirted with defeat when he dropped the opening set. But he won the next two sets, clinched the title and earned possible inclusion to the Philippine juniors’ team for international events lined up this year.

“After losing the first set, I hit longer balls and that gave him a hard time. That was the key. I’m very happy with this victory,” said the youngster from Agoo in La

Union after receiving the glass trophy from former tennis chief Salvador Andrada.

Jarata, who won four matches the past five days, can now look forward to the qualifiers of the World Juniors and the Junior Fed Cup in March or the Juior Davis Cup in April.

Top seed and 2016 Palarong Pambansa champion Kryshana Brazal breezed past Angeline Alcala, 6-2, 6-1, for the girls’ 14-under crown..

In other finals matches of the country’s longest-running tennis grassroots tournament, Kean Sebastian Enriquez outplayed Kriz Roque Lim, 6-0, 6-0, in the 10-under unisex; Sherin Rey Nuguit drove past Darwin Cosca, 6-3, 6-2, in boys’

12-under; Marielle Jarata survived Angeline Alcala, 6-3, 7-6, in girls’ 12-under; and Venz Alforque wore out Exequiel Jucutan, 7-5, 3-6, 5-4 (ret), in the boys’ 16-under.

Philippine Lawn Tennis Association president Atty. Antonio Cablitas and secretary-general Romeo Magat were also on hand to award the trophies to the winners in the tournament backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, Thadeus Sports, Altamar Shipping and Tecnifibre.

Still being played at presstime were the finals in the boys’ 18-under title between Venz Alforque and Jules Lazaro, and the girls’ Venz Alforque returns the ball to Exequel Jucutan during the 29th 18-under between Melanie Dizon Andrada Cup (Group 1) Boys’ 16-Under Finals at Rizal Memorial Tennis and Althea Fay Ong. Center Malate Manila. Lino Santos

Standard Insurance athletes dominant in 2017

Torres

THREE top local athletes being managed by Standard Insurance Inc. excelled in their respective fields last year in international and local competitions.

Businessman-sportsman Ernesto “Judes” Echauz, Group Chairman of Standard Insurance, said their cycling team, led by Jan Paul Morales, top caliber duathlon runner Joey de los Reyes and long distance triathlon champion Monica Torres showed solid form to become champions in 2017.

The Philippine Navy-Standard Insurance cycling team, the top cycling team in the Philippines, won the Pilipinas Ronda overall individual and team championships in the last four consecutive years.

The team is composed of top Philippine riders, including Rudy Roque, Roland Oranza and Morales, the 31-year-old native of Calumpang, Marikina City It was a dominating performance last year for Morales, who won in the Ontario California Criterium Race in United States, while emerging champion in the elite division of the 3rd Road Bike Philippines Sual Cycling Challenge in Pangasinan, last May. Last August, Delos Reyes successfully defended his Elite title and led the team in sealing another 1-2-3 finish for the second consecutive year in the Bike King Duathlon held last Sunday at the Alviera in Porac, Pampanga.

Delos Reyes completed the

long distance 6-kilometer run— 60km bike—4km run with a winning time of two hours, 14 minutes and 56 seconds.

De los Santos, a national team member, came second during in the National Duathlon Championship 2017 at the Subic Bay Freeport, last November. He also placed third in the Powerman China and placing fourth in Powerman Thailand On the other hand, Torres, a perennial top local finisher in the Ironman 70.3 Philippines, is a long-time thriathlete and duathlon star in the Standard Insurance stable, according to Echauz.

“Because of her winnings both locally and internationally in the long distance events that she joins,

she has also been regularly recognized by sports media organizations,” he said.

Torres topped the Powerman Asia Duathlon Championships— Malaysia 2017, last March. Emmanuel Commendador and Torres, both from the Philippines, dominated the top podium spots for the male and female elite category with a finishing time of 02:48:36 and 03:04:11, respectively.

She also won the Tri-Sports 51.5 held in Ilocos Norte, also last March and grabbed the podium in the inaugural MusaMan Trt-DavNor 2017, a standard distance triathlon hosted by the provincial government of Davao de Norte, last June.

AG Finance shareholders reject ISOC’s tender offer

B2

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2018

B1

’17 inflation rate settled at 3.2%

By Julito G. Rada

T

HE inflation rate averaged at a manageable 3.2 percent in 2017, or well within the government’s official target range of 2 percent to 4 percent, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Friday.

Inflation in December stood at 3.3 percent, or the same level in November last year. But the December inflation was faster than the 2.6 percent a year ago. The 3.2 percent average last year was also higher than the 1.8 percent average in 2016.

The PSA attributed the 3.3 percent inflation in December to faster increases in food prices (corn, meat, fish, fruits, cereals), which were tempered by lower non-food inflation (transport, housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels).

“We see inflation over the near-term to remain stable despite pressures that may be brought about by the newly-enacted TRAIN [Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion] program, weather patterns, and uncertainties in international oil markets,” Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said in a statement.

Pernia said the moderate full-year inflation rate of 3.2 percent in 2017 was a good basis for maintaining the government’s inflation target at 2 percenty to 4 per-

cent for 2018.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. said inflation was expected to remain manageable over the policy horizon after the favorable numbers posted in 2017. He said inflation was projected to settle above the midpoint of the target range in 2018 to 2019.

“Robust domestic economic activity, ample liquidity and well-anchored inflation expectation continue to support to within-target inflation. Looking ahead, the BSP will remain vigilant against

any risks to the inflation outlook to ensure that the monetary policy stance remain consistent with the mandate of maintaining price stability conducive to economic growth,” Espenilla said.

Espenilla said during the joint meeting of Rotary Club of Manila, Rotary Club of Makati West and Rotary Club of Forbes Park the other day that monetary authorities would closely monitor the impact of the TRAIN implementation on consumer prices and would not hesitate to adjust the monetary

policy stance if needed.

The last time the Monetary Board tweaked the policy settings was in September of 2014.

Pernia said supply conditions, especially of major agricultural commodities, appeared favorable within the near term. The crop outlook according to the PSA as of October 2017 indicated increases in harvest areas across regions, attributed mainly to sufficient water supply and government interventions such as the continued provision of

high-yielding seed varieties and fertilizer support.

To relieve the inflationary effects of TRAIN, Pernia said the government must prioritize amending domestic laws that would end quantitative restrictions on rice and replace them with tariffs.

“This measure will remove the policy uncertainty in rice trade and, thus, encourage more investments in production and post-production innovation. The revenues from the tariff can be used to fund or subsidize such innovations,” Pernia said.

Globe investing $850m this year for expansion

By Darwin G. Amojelar

Travellers International Hotel Group Inc., owner and operator of Resorts World Manila, formalizes an agreement with Hotel Okura Co. Ltd., a luxury Japanese hospitality chain, to operate Hotel Okura Manila, a 191-room hotel, as part of the country’s first integrated resort. Signing the agreement are (from left) Travellers chief financial officer Bernard Than Boon Teong, Travellers president and chief executive Kingson Sian, Hotel Okura Co. Ltd. president Toshihiro Ogita and Okura corporate executive officer Hidetoshi Ishimaru. Okura is scheduled to have a soft opening in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Travellers signs deal to run Hotel Okura in Resorts World

By Jenniffer B. Austria TRAVELLERS International Hotel Group Inc., a joint venture of Alliance Global Group and Genting Hong Kong Ltd., signed an agreement with Japan’s Hotel Okura to operate a 191-room hotel within integrated resort and gaming complex Resorts World Manila in Pasay City.

TIGHI said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Okura Hotel was scheduled to open by the fourth quarter of 2018. Hotel Okura will be one of the new three

hotels slated to open within Resorts World Manila in Pasay City. The two others are Sheraton Manila Hotel and Hilton Manila.

“The Philippines, especially Manila, is a very promising market considering the nation’s gross domestic product and population size, both of which are growing fast. The local hotel business is benefiting from these and other favorable trends,” said Okura president Toshihiro Ogita.

“Having worked closely with Mr. Kingson Sian, we are confident that we will

receive their full support as a reliable partner to operate the hotel. We will leverage the group’s expertise in traditional Japanese hospitality to make Hotel Okura Manila a much-beloved hotel among both local and foreign visitors,” Ogita added.

TIGHI earlier announced that Hotel Okura would also construct another 13-story hotel with 380 rooms in Bayshore City Resorts World, the second complex of TIHGI set to rise on the Entertainment City complex in Parañaque City Okura plans to expand

its growing portfolio to 100 properties worldwide, with focus on Asia. It has announced the opening of Okura brand hotels in Cappadocia, Turkey in 2019, Manila, Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh City and Yangon in 2020, and Taichung in 2021.

Hotel Okura Macau opened in 2011, followed

by The Okura Prestige Bangkok and The Okura Prestige Taipei in 2012.

“Hotel Okura aims to strengthen the bond with promising markets including the Philippines,” Travellers said. Hotel Okura has made

a donation of $100,000 to the Philippine Red Cross for natural disaster recovery in 2013.

Resorts World Manila has over 1,800 rooms across four hotel brands—Marriott Hotel Manila and its West Wing expansion, Maxims Hotel, Remington Hotel and Belmont Hotel.

Resorts World Manila plans to expand its portfolio to 3,500 hotel rooms by 2019, including the completion of the 391-room Sheraton Manila Hotel and the 355-room Hilton Manila, and the expansion of Maxims Hotel.

IN BRIEF

San Roque spillway rehab done

STATE-RUN National Power Corp. has completed the rehabilitation of the San Roque dam’s spillway area, three months ahead of schedule.

The completion of the P275 million rehabilitation project ensures the integrity of the 200-meter-tall facility on the Agno River in Pangasinan.

“The rehabilitation project was immediately bid out and implemented in January of last year to avoid further erosion and increased rehab cost. It was substantially completed in the last quarter of 2017, three months ahead of schedule,” said Napocor president and chief executive officer Pio Benavidez.

The dam underwent rehabilitation after traces of erosion were discovered at the base of the dam’s spillway.

Findings revealed that erosions were caused by scouring which was aggravated by extreme typhoons that hit the dam like Typhoons Ineng (Typhoon Goni) and Lando (Typhoon Koppu) in 2015.

Alena Mae S. Flores

ICTSI unit to issue new bonds INTERNATIONAL Container Terminal Services Inc. said its subsidiary will issue new senior perpetual bonds for debt refinancing, acquisitions and capital expenditures (capex).

The board of ICTSI approved the issuance by Royal Capital B.V. of new senior perpetual securities guaranteed by the port operator.

The company did not disclose the size and the rate of the new bonds to be issued by the ICTSI subsidiary.

“This is an opportunistic new issue of senior perpetuals, targeting minimum benchmark size,” ICTSI senior vice president and chief financial and compliance officer Rafael Consing said.

Consing said ICTSI’s unit would use proceeds from planned issuance to finance acquisitions, capex and stretch liabilities.

Darwin G. Amojelar

38 rice areas will be competitive AT LEAST 38 rice-producing provinces and a city will have competitive advantage over Thailand and Vietnam in rice production with the 35 percent tariff on rice imports and the lifting of quantitative restrictions, the National Economic and Development Authority said.

Results of the preliminary analysis conducted by the Neda and the natural resources and environment staff showed that the rice production in at least 39 areas would remain competitive with a P4.00 per kilogram cost advantage over rice imports with tariff of 35 percent.

“Rice per kilogram in these areas will be P4 cheaper compared with Thai and Vietnamese rice. And these provinces can produce about 73 percent of the total food requirement of the country,” Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said.

The areas include Nueva Ecija, Kalinga, Pampanga, Bataan, Biliran, Bulacan, Zamboanga del Sur, Isabela, Bukidnon, Nueva Vizcaya, Laguna and Pangasinan. Julito G. Rada

SCG DONATION. Siam Cement Group of Thailand unveils a life-size elephant family sculpture during a handover ceremony at the Botanical Garden in Baguio City. Leading the ceremony are (from left) Surasak Kraiwitchaicharoen, country director of SCG in the Philippines, Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan and Thailand Ambasaador to the Philippines Thanatip Upastising.

GLOBE Telecom Inc. said it will spend $850 million this year to expand its mobile and fixed broadband networks.

The company owned by conglomerate Ayala Corp. said the sustained level of capex was aligned with its vision to improve internet services in the Philippines and establish first world internet connectivity.

Globe last year also programmed $850 million in capital expenditures.

Globe president and chief executive Ernest Cu said the company would expand its data network and address the surge in customer demand for on-demand video content.

“Majority of the company’s capex for 2018 is geared to meet customer demand for more bandwidth-intensive content, which, in turn, will support the revenue momentum of our data-related services,” Cu said.

He said Globe had progressively increased its capex spending since 2015, averaging 31 percent annually on a capex-to-revenue ratio basis.

Using the annualized year-to-date September 2017 revenues and the full year 2017 guidance of $850 million capex, full year 2017 capex-to-revenue ratio will be nearly 34 percent.

“We continue to be efficient in our network build, evidenced by the superiority of our mobile network, in terms of higher 3G and LTE availability both on a regional and nationwide basis,” he said.

He noted Globe mobile data network for the first nine months of 2016 and 2017 carried over 2.4x the traffic of competition.

Cu said capital spending for the year would finance the company’s commitment to provide fast internet service to two million homes by 2020.

A good portion of the company’s capex will also be utilized for the deployment of massive MIMO technology to expand and enhance its LTE network.

Globe, Smart extending validity of prepaid loads

THE country’s two largest telecommunication companies said they will comply with the government’s order to extend the validity period of mobile prepaid load to one year.

Globe general counsel Froilan Castelo said all prepaid load with denomination of P300 and above would carry a one-year expiration period from the current 120 days.

“We welcome the latest directive of the DICT (Department of Information and Communications Technology) granting a six months extension on the implementation of the one-year load expiration for denominations below P300,”Castelo said.

The validity period of prepaid load with denomination of P1 to below P300 expires between three days and 75 days.

Castelo said the six-month extension would give the company ample time to prepare for the smooth and seamless implementation of the expiration change across all denominations.

Among the changes that Globe will address are expansion capacity, system tests and additional number series.

“Furthermore, there may be new conditions applied to prepaid services within the next six months to ensure a sustainable quality of service,” Castelo said.

Smart spokesperson Ramon Isberto said his company would also comply with the new circular of the government, which extends the validity of prepaid load to one year.

“In particular, Smart, TNT and Sun prepaid loads worth P300 and above shall be moving forward have a one-year validity, regardless of the validity period printed on the physical cards already out in the market,” Isberto said.

Darwin G. Amojelar

Gross international reserves rose to $81.5b at the end of 2017—BSP THE country’s gross international reserves rose to $81.5 billion at the end of December last year, surpassing the target of $80.7 billion, due mainly to inflows arising from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ foreign exchange operations and revaluation adjustments on its gold holdings.

Data showed the endDecember reserves were higher than $80.3 billion recorded a month ago. The

full-year GIR was also higher than $80.69 billion in 2016.

Bangko Sentral Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. said the end-December reserves level remained adequate as it could cover 8.3 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income.

“It is also equivalent to 5.8 times the country’s short-term external debt

based on original maturity and 4.2 times based on residual maturity,” he said.

He said the inflows were partially offset by payments made by the national government and the Bangko Sentral for their maturing foreign exchange obligations.

Net international reserves, which refer to the difference between the BSP’s GIR and total short-

term liabilities, increased $1.1 billion to $81.4 billion as of end-December, compared with the endNovember NIR of $80.3 billion.

Data showed the value of Bangko Sentral’s gold holdings increased to $8.336 billion from $8.045 billion a month ago.

Reserves hit an all-time high of $86.139 billion in end-September 2016. Reserves ended 2016 at $80.69

billion from $80.66 billion a year ago.

Bangko Sentral last year projected the reserves to hit $80.7 billion, down from the $84.7-billion estimate made in December 2016, due to an expected balance of payments deficit of $500 million, down from the previous estimate of $1 billion surplus.

The GIR is estimated to hit $80 billion this year.

Julito G. Rada

B2

Business

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks rally; index near 8,800

T

HE stock market rose the eighth straight trading day Friday, with the Philippine Stock Exchange Index registering another record high on improving prospects for the economy.

The PSEi increased 30.17 points, or 0.4 percent, to a new all-time high of 8,770 on a value turnover of P10.6 billion. Gainers overwhelmed gainers, 126 to 87, with 51 issues unchanged.

Universal Robina Corp., the biggest snack food maker, jumped 5.1 percent to P163.90, while parent JG Summit Holdings Inc. of industrialist John Gokongwei gained 3 percent to P77.95.

GT Capital Holdings Inc. of

tycoon George Ty advanced 3.2 percent to P1,367, while major property developer Ayala Land Inc. added 2.8 percent to P45.50.

Conglomerate San Miguel Corp. climbed 3.5 percent to P120.

The rest of Asian markets, meanwhile, picked up the baton from another set of records on Wall Street.

Dealers are now turning their attention to the release later in the day of key US jobs data, which is expected to show the world’s top economy continuing to improve.

A forecast-smashing reading Thursday on private take-ups boosted optimism, which had already been bolstered by US tax cuts, healthy corporate profits and strong manufacturing figures from

around the world.

Global markets powered ahead in 2017 as economies showed long-running improvements after years of faltering.

Greg McKenna, chief market strategist at AxiTrader, said in a note that data from the manufacturing and services sectors “suggests economic strength across the globe remains robust.”

He noted that an index of world factory activity was at its highest level in seven years.

On Wall Street the Dow ended above 25,000 for the first time, leading records across Wall Street.

In Tokyo the Nikkei ended up 0.9 percent at a 26-year high following its more than three percent jump Thursday, while Sydney added 0.7 percent.

Seoul rose 1.3 percent, with dealers buoyed by news that North Korea had accepted the South’s offer of talks next week, further easing geopolitical tensions in the region.

Shanghai closed 0.2 percent higher but Hong Kong lost 0.1 percent and Singapore eased 0.2 percent.

While oil prices inched down in Asia they remain elevated after recent rises to around three-year highs thanks to Middle East tensions, while the US sees stockpiles fall as it is hit by a severe cold snap.

The latest gains have given impetus to petroleum-linked firms, sending them rallying this week.

In Hong Kong Sinopec was up two percent while CNOOC was

also higher. Woodside Petroleum in Sydney was up along with Santos, though Tokyo-listed Inpex eased.

However, Ric Spooner, a Sydney-based analyst at CMC Markets, told Bloomberg News: “There’s been a oneway, very steep and uninterrupted rally off the last minor low in mid-December near $56, so it won’t be surprising to see a pause here.”

On forex markets the dollar rose slightly against the euro, but the single currency remains buoyant with the eurozone continuing to improve, which raises the chances of a reduction in the region’s massive stimulus program, bringing monetary policy in line with the Federal Reserve. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 2018

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 3.4 59,000 60 4,380 113.8 2,218,350 3.89 34,000 160 4,521,170 2 1,095,000 33.35 320,500 15.7 4,500 32.3 2,436,600 0.71 500,000 1.75 166,000 1,018 20 0.58 551,000 106.8 4,487,950 0.99 423,000 12 5,700 24.5 3,000 56.95 49,230 240 2,200 113.9 300 55.9 146,660 246 5,333,040 1,890 5,190 86.9 76,290 1.26 439,000

197,950 262,765 252,246,167 131,500 723,493,522 2,209,200 10,683,585 69,860 78,712,175 355,000 283,110 20,390 322,410 479,625,357 419,680 69,766 73,500 2,803,650 527,610 34,540 8,212,089.50 1,330,005,740 9,829,625 6,634,669 551,960

225,623 60,787,209 -16,060,280 3,394,810 -12,572,690 85,000 167,766,049 -3,960 -1,097,558.50 171,080.50 -15,158,088 -19,750 811,530.50 -127,500

40.55 11.2 0.61 1.34 17.18 0.217 129.1 5.12 15.52 162 48.5 19.56 63 60 1.9 5.29 10.84 11.24 14.62 12.1 7.58 5.59 1.66 16.08 62.2 26.85 10.2 18.14 2.08 255 4.1 3.15 28.05 18.28 17.76 325 0.2 8.3 2.18 5.86 9.2 5.5 8.39 1.74 12.82 62 6.75 529 4.94 2.2 1.87 13 5.4 0.132 1.17 154.1 2.99 1.89 0.78

INDUSTRIAL 41 1,280,900 11.44 2,101,800 0.62 805,000 1.34 455,000 17.84 17,900 0.217 100,000 138 180 5.25 4,788,000 15.6 2,674,900 162 110 52.5 681,510 19.56 2,400 64 1,530 62 500 1.93 131,000 5.53 43,000 10.84 17,200 11.24 5,096,500 14.72 557,500 12.6 4,895,700 7.75 2,653,500 5.6 2,193,500 1.66 4,000 16.12 5,608,400 62.95 183,540 29.45 1,437,200 10.28 168,800 18.2 502,900 2.13 4,102,000 255 946,040 4.24 391,000 3.24 20,000 29.1 1,193,700 18.3 206,700 17.78 1,151,700 329.2 368,560 0.204 440,000 9 50,000 2.19 1,441,000 5.9 43,500 9.34 2,360,400 5.6 708,300 8.4 31,000 1.75 2,650,000 13.66 3,060,700 62.4 58,130 6.75 2,100 530 30,940 4.98 40,000 2.2 84,000 1.89 315,000 13.06 363,000 5.4 134,800 0.134 2,410,000 1.18 63,000 163.9 3,858,310 2.99 50,000 1.95 8,866,000 0.78 168,000

52,710,280 25,114,130 498,720 610,050 316,698 21,780 23,624 24,945,006 41,672,326 17,850 34,086,519 46,944 97,390 30,560 250,280 232,078 188,112 58,040,810 8,215,122 61,755,878 20,452,514 12,307,525 6,640 91,364,062 11,507,925.50 41,473,930 1,746,570 9,184,004 8,885,430 242,201,952 1,659,130 63,410 34,372,165 3,785,088 20,511,038 121,106,550 88,200 434,991 3,151,580 256,907 22,056,988 4,011,674 260,404 4,654,780 41,140,468 3,628,115.50 14,175 16,396,870 198,100 187,550 595,470 4,772,904 739,405 321,360 74,220 625,864,518 149,500 17,587,700 131,360

8,185,890 -4,402,078 666,292 2,092,682 198,515 -60,350 1,090 -2,396,298 -2,208,044 16,414,442 9,658,283 -1,705,524 -3,662,438.00 5,007,783.50 499,835 -700,952 -3,055,070 -495,000 -62,565,120 425,000 31,500 10,852,705 933,314 -11,140,610 79,715,878 8,040 -1,242,260 3,935,317 2,400,550 -2,136,942 714,617.50 -9,423,800 -131,900 226,758 10,720 234,148,242 2,988,530 -

0.32 76 16.46 1.05 6.98 0.43 0.465 1,069 7.7 15 7.64 0.199 1,390 7.7 78.3 5.76 5.4 5.36 0.71 5.85 19.02 0.325 6.78 3.3 0.045 1.19 2.12 2.6 120.2 2.63 1,080 0.89 1.81 287 0.24 0.183 0.202

0.3 75.5 16.36 1.03 6.88 0.42 0.45 1,040 7.65 14.4 7.51 0.199 1,320 7.69 75.55 5.75 5.4 5.36 0.68 5.71 18.76 0.32 6.66 3.3 0.044 1.13 2.06 2.5 116 2.53 1,020 0.88 1.75 281.2 0.22 0.183 0.19

HOLDING FIRMS 0.315 1,600,000 76 1,116,260 16.4 6,703,600 1.03 113,000 6.98 55,000 0.42 1,770,000 0.455 1,910,000 1,065 521,745 7.68 969,800 14.72 9,569,000 7.64 4,700 0.199 10,000 1,367 271,340 7.7 27,800 77.95 2,287,870 5.76 2,500 5.4 6,000 5.36 2,400 0.71 383,000 5.83 828,300 18.94 4,367,000 0.325 60,000 6.66 30,101,300 3.3 7,000 0.045 11,400,000 1.19 51,000 2.07 293,000 2.51 12,000 120 1,347,890 2.57 165,000 1,020 711,310 0.88 27,000 1.8 4,875,000 287 3,540 0.22 110,000 0.183 10,000 0.202 130,000

496,900 84,721,123.50 109,920,896 116,480 383,890 752,600 874,850 551,470,320 7,437,644 141,550,306 35,783 1,990 371,975,940 214,056 178,131,505.50 14,392 32,400 12,864 269,570 4,821,322 82,594,666 19,400 200,996,523 23,100 510,400 58,130 610,440 30,190 160,880,646 423,880 749,884,615 23,860 8,731,510 1,014,452 24,560 1,830 25,180

-66,150 38,534,609 -9,160,362 5,200 46,661,895 262,524 49,172,194 -6,777 1,990 103,976,385 72,162,879.50 4,260 2,861,654 -11,659,572 3,250 -35,443,206 14,742,293 110,349,120 8,900 28,470 2,200 -

6.87 1.06 12.48 2.38 0.9 45.6 3.87 4.78 5.76 0.49 1.14 1.19 0.225 0.45 41.6 0.65 0.145 1.9 1.45 0.75 5.34 0.37 0.36 0.62

6.25 1.04 11 2.33 0.88 44.4 3.85 4.69 5.7 0.48 1.05 1.15 0.221 0.45 39.95 0.65 0.144 1.88 1.42 0.74 5.21 0.34 0.35 0.6

23,388,098 3,997,800 336,040 146,210 1,029,150 503,219,290 4,230,870 4,123,980 217,424 851,400 193,380 134,710 752,110 162,000 27,304,655 300,950 17,380 22,849,530 4,900,080 1,229,100 196,912,639 36,202,600 436,800 4,240,900

-3,412,643 1,216 -88,000 27,856,095 3,628,750 23,080 211,674 -67,600 246,740 6,602,365 -260,000 1,440 7,853,160 26,972,724 103,500.00 6,200

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

AG FINANCE ASIA UNITED BANK PH ISLANDS BDO LEASING BDO UNIBANK BRIGHT KINDLE CHINABANK COL FINANCIAL EAST WEST BANK FIRST ABACUS IREMIT MANULIFE MEDCO HLDG METROBANK NTL REINSURANCE PB BANK PBCOM PHIL NATL BANK PHIL STOCK EXCH PHILTRUST RCBC SECURITY BANK SUN LIFE UNION BANK VANTAGE

3.42 59.9 112.7 3.91 160 1.95 33.3 15.7 32.7 0.71 1.72 1,020 0.57 106.9 1.01 12.76 24.5 56.8 240 117 55.9 250 1,975 86.75 1.25

3.42 60 114.1 3.91 160.7 2.08 33.4 15.7 32.7 0.71 1.75 1,020 0.59 107.9 1.01 12.76 24.5 57.5 240 117 56.2 251 1,975 87.2 1.28

3.35 59.9 112.5 3.85 159.6 1.95 33.25 15.3 32.2 0.71 1.69 1,018 0.57 106 0.97 12 24.5 56.55 237 100.2 55.65 246 1,890 86.75 1.25

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS ASIABEST GROUP BASIC ENERGY BOGO MEDELLIN CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CHEMPHIL CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA CONCEPCION CONCRETE A CROWN ASIA DAVINCI CAPITAL DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP EMPERADOR ENERGY DEVT EUROMED FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG GINEBRA HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE LMG CHEMICALS MABUHAY VINYL MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO MG HLDG PANASONIC PEPSI COLA PETROENERGY PETRON PHIL H2O PHINMA PHINMA ENERGY PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL PRYCE CORP PUREFOODS RFM CORP ROXAS AND CO SFA SEMICON SHAKEYS PIZZA SPC POWER SWIFT FOODS TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VICTORIAS VITARICH VULCAN INDL

41.5 12.26 0.61 1.34 17.68 0.218 129.1 5.3 15.62 165 52 19.56 64 62 1.91 5.38 10.98 11.3 14.62 12.12 7.65 5.62 1.66 16.6 62.9 27.55 10.6 18.7 2.12 255.6 4.2 3.15 28.1 18.36 17.8 327 0.204 8.3 2.18 5.86 9.3 5.84 8.41 1.74 12.98 62.5 6.75 529 4.96 2.3 1.91 13.3 5.42 0.132 1.18 156 2.99 1.9 0.78

41.55 12.26 0.63 1.35 17.9 0.218 140 5.3 15.7 165 52.5 19.56 64 62 1.93 5.53 10.98 11.5 14.88 12.86 7.81 5.65 1.66 16.6 62.95 29.6 10.6 18.7 2.23 257.4 4.39 3.24 29.1 18.4 17.96 329.2 0.204 9 2.2 6.01 9.37 5.84 8.41 1.77 13.66 62.5 6.75 530 4.98 2.3 1.91 13.38 5.52 0.134 1.18 165 2.99 2 0.79

ABACORE CAPITAL ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANGLO PHIL HLDG ANSCOR ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B AYALA CORP COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT JOLLIVILLE HLDG KEPPEL HLDG A KEPPEL HLDG B LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG METRO PAC INV MJC INVESTMENTS PACIFICA PRIME MEDIA PRIME ORION REPUBLIC GLASS SAN MIGUEL CORP SEAFRONT RES SM INVESTMENTS SOC RESOURCES SOLID GROUP TOP FRONTIER UNIOIL HLDG WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

0.31 76 16.46 1.05 6.88 0.42 0.46 1,040 7.68 14.44 7.51 0.199 1,320 7.69 75.6 5.75 5.4 5.36 0.71 5.8 18.78 0.325 6.78 3.3 0.044 1.15 2.06 2.6 116 2.57 1,050 0.89 1.78 286.8 0.22 0.183 0.19

8990 HLDG A BROWN ANCHOR LAND ARANETA PROP ARTHALAND CORP AYALA LAND BELLE CORP CEB LANDMASTERS CEBU HLDG CENTURY PROP CITY AND LAND CITYLAND DEVT CROWN EQUITIES CYBER BAY DOUBLEDRAGON EMPIRE EAST EVER GOTESCO FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE IRC PROP MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES PHIL REALTY

6.85 1.06 12.2 2.33 0.88 44.4 3.86 4.77 5.76 0.49 1.1 1.19 0.221 0.45 40 0.65 0.145 1.89 1.44 0.74 5.24 0.34 0.35 0.62

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

PRIMEX CORP ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

5.55 21.55 2.06 3.21 39.3 1.03 8.9 0.84 6

5.62 21.6 2.14 3.21 39.7 1.03 8.95 0.86 6.05

5.47 21.3 2.02 3.2 38.95 1.02 8.7 0.84 5.99

5.59 21.4 2.12 3.21 39.35 1.03 8.95 0.85 6.04

760,300 4,403,800 2,039,000 884,000 11,425,600 1,123,000 2,000 102,000 1,611,400

4,204,814 94,267,950 4,228,780 2,835,640 450,767,295 1,150,660 17,715 85,880 9,690,706

-1,471,234 -36,509,650 149,560.00 94,242,600 -1,218,939

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL ASIAN TERMINALS BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CEBU AIR CENTRO ESCOLAR CHELSEA DFNN INC DISCOVERY WORLD EASYCALL FAR EASTERN U GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN HAVEN GRAND PLAZA HARBOR STAR IMPERIAL INTL CONTAINER IPEOPLE IPM HLDG ISLAND INFO ISM COMM JACKSTONES LBC EXPRESS LEISURE AND RES LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA MANILA BULLETIN MANILA JOCKEY MELCO RESORTS METRO RETAIL MLA BRDCASTING NOW CORP PACIFIC ONLINE PAXYS PHIL RACING PHIL SEVEN CORP PHILWEB PLDT PREMIUM LEISURE PRMIERE HORIZON PUREGOLD ROBINSONS RTL SBS PHIL CORP SSI GROUP STI HLDG TRANSPACIFIC BR TRAVELLERS WATERFRONT WILCON DEPOT

19.76 35.4 1.43 0.46 0.042 11.9 5.4 11.46 0.071 99.7 8.81 8.55 6.7 2.38 16.5 970 1,865 5.88 21.8 11.7 4.59 2.63 107 13.1 8.33 0.141 1.37 3.07 16.2 3.85 1.2 22.6 0.55 4.7 7.8 3.89 18.72 3.13 11.1 2.77 8.9 114 7.46 1,480 1.28 0.36 49.05 94.85 5.65 3.18 1.52 2.76 4.05 0.98 8.28

20.5 35.4 1.43 0.475 0.043 11.9 5.4 11.66 0.072 100.3 8.81 8.8 6.7 2.48 16.5 970 1,865 5.95 22.8 11.7 4.69 2.76 111.1 13.8 8.33 0.141 1.39 3.18 16.2 4 1.2 24 0.58 4.76 8.2 3.89 24 3.18 11.1 2.8 8.9 114 7.57 1,500 1.31 0.36 50 95 5.65 3.2 1.56 2.76 4.11 1.02 8.63

19.76 34.95 1.43 0.46 0.042 11.9 5.4 11.28 0.071 99.7 8.81 8.5 6.68 2.31 15.6 970 1,802 5.88 21 11.7 4.52 2.63 107 13.1 8 0.14 1.37 3.07 15.7 3.85 1.18 22.55 0.53 4.5 7.78 3.82 18 2.89 11.1 2.77 8 111.5 7.44 1,445 1.28 0.355 49.05 93.5 5.54 3.13 1.52 2.6 4.01 0.98 8.2

SERVICES 20.3 35 1.43 0.475 0.042 11.9 5.4 11.28 0.071 100 8.81 8.65 6.68 2.37 16.3 970 1,805 5.95 21 11.7 4.64 2.76 107 13.7 8.31 0.141 1.37 3.17 15.8 3.94 1.18 22.7 0.53 4.61 8.01 3.82 18.2 2.91 11.1 2.78 8.9 112 7.5 1,445 1.29 0.355 49.5 94.1 5.6 3.13 1.53 2.62 4.07 1 8.2

342,200 44,800 104,000 1,060,000 11,900,000 1,200 200 10,826,300 4,050,000 232,650 100 594,200 3,000 89,000 51,100 90 43,135 207,800 318,900 1,100 2,045,000 17,000 2,730,470 19,400 134,400 2,710,000 349,000 37,000 4,000 827,000 60,000 4,636,900 64,000 1,016,000 12,541,800 940,000 181,000 19,787,000 500 172,000 510,400 12,030 303,700 303,020 2,908,000 1,220,000 1,182,800 962,750 96,800 952,000 2,093,000 1,245,000 1,188,000 5,107,000 9,230,900

6,909,471 1,570,145 148,720 487,750 506,900 14,280 1,080 123,446,324 288,100 23,276,624 881 5,127,612 20,069 214,070 817,540 87,300 78,224,790 1,230,208 6,993,875 12,870 9,464,020 46,570 297,099,952 262,300 1,116,640 379,960 478,810 115,930 63,140 3,264,320 70,990 107,032,080 35,360 4,701,950 100,758,236 3,602,900 3,730,906 60,159,240 5,550 480,520 4,092,560 1,360,094 2,286,258 440,985,600 3,750,100 434,150 58,653,250 90,760,019.50 539,249 2,996,410 3,226,810 3,314,840 4,843,810 5,113,290 77,596,221

75,110 5,720 4,750 172,200 10,440,798 -3,353,923 132,785 -16,728 14,644 -87,300 -11,530,285 -837,560 -74,238,339 42,000 68,500 23,700 3,310,725 19,630,222.00 111,820 1,276,280 92,250 -907,902 45,422 108,667,015 -655,520 3,600 -32,405,850 -44,483,516 -35,595 -56,750 617,530 -866,850 -35,050 797,239.00

ABRA MINING APEX MINING ATLAS MINING BENGUET B CENTURY PEAK COAL ASIA HLDG DIZON MINES FERRONICKEL GEOGRACE LEPANTO A LEPANTO B MANILA MINING A MARCVENTURES NICKEL ASIA NIHAO OMICO CORP ORNTL PENINSULA ORNTL PETROL A ORNTL PETROL B PHILODRILL PHINMA PETRO PX MINING PXP ENERGY SEMIRARA MINING UNITED PARAGON

0.0023 1.55 5 1.74 1.61 0.325 7.06 2.68 0.208 0.153 0.157 0.0095 1.7 6.5 1.49 0.445 0.92 0.013 0.013 0.011 2.02 6.26 8.05 36.6 0.0074

0.0023 1.59 5 1.74 1.62 0.365 7.2 2.68 0.208 0.154 0.158 0.0096 1.73 6.65 1.49 0.48 0.93 0.013 0.013 0.012 2.3 6.46 8.25 37.1 0.0075

0.0023 1.54 5 1.74 1.59 0.325 7.06 2.62 0.199 0.152 0.157 0.0095 1.68 6.44 1.4 0.44 0.92 0.013 0.012 0.011 2.02 6.26 7.95 36.3 0.0074

MINING & OIL 0.0023 18,000,000 1.55 4,783,000 5 19,600 1.74 14,000 1.62 526,000 0.335 7,630,000 7.2 400 2.66 1,684,000 0.207 950,000 0.154 4,040,000 0.158 1,640,000 0.0096 16,000,000 1.7 1,302,000 6.59 1,495,600 1.48 241,000 0.44 70,000 0.93 106,000 0.013 6,600,000 0.012 146,700,000 0.012 50,400,000 2.2 57,000 6.38 1,422,800 8.15 1,072,700 36.35 1,006,400 0.0075 6,000,000

41,400 7,438,670 98,000 24,360 842,540 2,594,250 2,866 4,466,830 193,140 619,440 258,120 152,400 2,213,270 9,874,350 341,420 31,300 97,980 85,800 1,760,500 604,700 127,220 9,066,349 8,666,697 36,783,950 44,800

155,000 -30,780 -47,300 2,080 3,160 -1,956,260 1,242,732 4,800 -1,300 -19,200 495,816 817,080 -5,138,615 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B2 ALCO PREF B DD PREF FGEN PREF F FGEN PREF G GLO PREF P GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF A LR PREF MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 2B PF PREF 2 PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H

34.8 511 107 104.4 110 110.3 523 5.7 1,012 1.06 106.6 1,140 1,005 103 112 76.5 80.9 76.5 76.55 80.5 77 78.6

34.8 511 107.1 104.5 111 110.3 523 5.75 1,012 1.06 106.6 1,140 1,005 103 112 76.6 80.9 76.5 76.55 80.5 77 78.6

34.8 511 107 104.4 110 110.3 523 5.59 1,010 1.05 106.1 1,140 1,002 103 112 76.45 80.9 76.5 76.55 78.55 77 78.6

PREFERRED 34.8 2,900 511 40 107.1 1,580 104.5 5,010 111 310 110.3 780 523 2,200 5.75 112,700 1,010 40,040 1.05 19,000 106.1 10,000 1,140 5 1,002 10,105 103 3,000 112 100 76.6 45,530 80.9 1,240 76.5 70 76.55 460 78.55 860 77 380 78.6 150

100,920 20,440 169,108 523,544 34,310 86,034 1,150,600 640,220 40,440,440 19,970 1,062,064 5,700 10,125,390 309,000 11,200 3,482,419 100,316 5,355 35,213 67,650.50 29,260 11,790

-86,034 -315,746 4,200 -45,090 -35,213 -67,650.50 -29,260 -11,790

LR WARRANT

2.52

2.52

2.43

WARRANTS 2.5 261,000

645,860

-

49,776,360 5,600 88,030 14,806,110

72,220 1,947,730

MS

PROPERTY 6.4 1.05 12.44 2.38 0.88 45.5 3.86 4.72 5.7 0.48 1.14 1.17 0.224 0.45 40.8 0.65 0.144 1.9 1.43 0.75 5.3 0.37 0.355 0.61

3,644,000 3,796,000 27,800 62,000 1,166,000 11,091,100 1,096,000 873,000 38,000 1,760,000 177,000 115,000 3,390,000 360,000 666,800 463,000 120,000 12,054,000 3,431,000 1,659,000 37,104,500 100,680,000 1,230,000 6,970,000

ITALPINAS MAKATI FINANCE PHILAB HLDG XURPAS

12.28 2.8 3.64 4.9

12.68 2.8 3.64 5.22

11.2 2.8 3.49 4.85

FIRST METRO ETF

132

133.6

132

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2

10.4 10.1

10.4 10.1

10.1 10.1

T RADING S UMMARY FINANCIAL

11.2 2.8 3.62 5.07

SME

4,256,700 2,000 25,000 2,916,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 133 29,850

10.1 10.1

DDS

SHARES

VALUE

23,333,735

2,953,552,323.87

INDUSTRIAL

74,153,437

1,773,636,899.40

HOLDING FIRMS

82,051,738

2,739,773,891.93

PROPERTY

214,354,654

1,405,203,585.815

SERVICES

105,900,657

1,544,855,607.16

MINING & OIL

272,490,416

86,462,602.454

GRAND TOTAL

779,521,791

10,572,158,767.53

19,500 36,090

3,961,334

198,360 364,509

100,125

-

FINANCIAL 2,253.48 (up) 1.50 INDUSTRIAL 11,500.13 (up) 155.84 HOLDING FIRMS 8,940.68 (up) 9.67 PROPERTY 4,096.22 (up) 41.98 SERVICES 1,606.65 (down) 11.76 MINING & OIL 11,599.49 (up) 70.22 PSEI 8,770.00 (up) 30.17 All Shares Index 5,076.32 (up) 16.57 Gainers: 126; Losers: 87; Unchanged: 51; Total: 264

Oil exceeds $62 a barrel on lower US stockpiles OIL held gains Friday near the highest close in more than three years as US crude stockpiles shrank for a seventh week, the longest run of declines since August, offsetting a rebound in production.

Futures were little changed in New York, up 2.4 percent for the week. Crude inventories slid by 7.42 million barrels last week, also the biggest decline since August, according to government data Thursday. Supplies at Cushing, Oklahoma, the delivery point for West Texas Intermediate, fell to the lowest since February 2015, while nationwide output expanded to a near record.

WTI for February delivery was at $61.86 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, down 15 cents, at 2:52 p.m. in Hong Kong. Total volume traded was about 48 percent below the 100day average. Prices added 38 cents to $62.01 on Thursday, the highest close since December 2014.

Brent for March settlement lost 15 cents to $67.92 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange after rising 0.3 percent on Thursday to the highest close since December 2014. Prices are up 1.6 percent this week.

The global benchmark crude traded at a premium of $6.15 to March WTI. Oil is extending gains after climbing more than 12 percent last year as the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies cut output to trim a global glut. However, the recent surge in WTI may lead to expanded US output. The drill rig count will “substantially increase” with crude prices between $61 and $65 a barrel, according to 42 percent of industry executives that responded to a Dallas Federal Reserve survey last month. Bloomberg

AG Finance shareholders reject ISOC’s tender offer

By Jenniffer B. Austria MINORITY shareholders of AG Finance Corp. ignored the tender offer of ISOC Holdings Inc., a holding company owned by Megawide Construction Corp. chairman and chief executive Michael Cosiquien and his family.

None of the 86.4 million shares, representing 33 percent of the total outstanding shares of AG Finance owned by the minority, participated at the end of the offering period on Jan. 4, according to a report filed with the Philippine Stock Exchange.

With the completion of the tender offer, AG Finance said its major shareholder RYM Business Management Corp. completed the sale of its 175.4 million shares in the company, equivalent to a 67-percent stake, to ISOC for P380 million.

ISOC after the acquisition plans to amend the articles of incorporation of the company and change its corporate name.

Formed just April last year, ISOC is considering transforming AG Finance into a real estate, energy or logistics company. ISOC is currently building a 2,412 square-meter cold storage facility.

“However, as of date, while various options are being considered, there are neither concrete plans nor definitive agreements with regard to the said options as the bidder is still studying the structure and options best suitable for its plans,” AG Finance said.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

TODAY

World

extrastory2000@gmail.com

B3

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2018 Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

2 Koreas agree to hold talks S EOUL―North and South Korea agreed on Friday to hold their first talks in more than two years, hours after Seoul and Washington decided to defer their joint military exercises, which always infuriate Pyongyang, until after the Winter Olympics.

The meeting, the first since December 2015, will take place in Panmunjom, the truce village in the heavily fortified Demilitarized Zone that divides the peninsula.

South Korean President Moon Jae-In said that “overly optimistic expectations” were “undesirable” but added: “We will do our best to make the Pyeongchang Olympics an Olympics for peace and settle the nuclear issue peacefully.”

Tensions have been high after the North carried out multiple

of talks and earlier this week the hotline between them was restored after being suspended for almost two years.

Late Thursday, Moon and his US counterpart Donald Trump agreed to delay the giant Foal Eagle and Key Resolve joint military drills until after the Winter Olympics, which begin in Pyeongchang on February 9.

That announcement came hours after Trump said high-level talks between North and South would be “a good thing”―although the US has long insisted that it will not negotiate with Pyongyang unless it first takes concrete steps towards disarmament.

Seoul’s unification ministry said it had received a fax from Ri Son-Gwon, head of the North’s Committee for Peaceful

missile launches in 2017, including a number of ICBMs, and its sixth atomic test, by far its most powerful to date.

The tentative rapprochement comes after the North’s leader Kim Jong-Un warned in his New Year speech that he had a nuclear button on his desk, but at the same time offered Seoul an olive branch, saying Pyongyang could send a team to next month’s Games in the South.

Seoul responded with an offer

Reunification of Korea, a state agency handling inter-Korean affairs, saying: “We will come to the Peace House at Panmunjom on January 9.”

The Peace House is a South Korean-built building on the southern side of Panmunjom, where troops from the two sides face off against each other across a concrete dividing line.

Ministry spokesman Baek Tae-Hyun told journalists that the size and composition of the delegations would be settled by fax.

“I understand the North is also going to have talks with the International Olympic Committee next week,” he added.

Last year saw fears of conflict spike, with Kim and Trump trading personal insults and threats

Congress members briefed on Trump’s mental health WASHINGTON―At least a dozen members of the US Congress, most of them Democrats, were briefed by a Yale University professor of psychiatry on President Donald Trump’s mental health, US media reported.

The briefing by Bandy Lee, the editor of “The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump: 27 Psychiatrists and Mental Health Experts Assess a President,” took place on December 5 and 6.

“Lawmakers were saying they have been very concerned

about this, the President’s dangerousness, the dangers that his mental instability poses on the nation,” Lee told CNN. “They know the concern is universal among Democrats, but it really depends on Republicans, they said,” according to Lee.

Republic of the Philippines

13. Applicants submit that the rates represent a reasonable recovery of its opportunity cost in making available generation capacity to provide the procured AS.

ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF THE ANCILLARY SERVICES PROCUREMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES AND PANASIA ENERGY, INC., WITH PRAYER FOR THE ISSUANCE OF PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY,

ERC CASE NO. 2017-083 RC

NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES (NGCP) AND PANASIA ENERGY, INC. (PANASIA), Applicants.

P/kW-month

P/kW

RR

36.4327

0.0735

CR

6.3117

0.0127

DR

5.8167

0.0117

RPS

3.4893

0.0070

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

15. PANASIA submits the copies of the following documents:

Notice is hereby given that on 19 September 2017, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) and Panasia Energy, Inc. (PANASIA) filed an Application dated 06 September 2017 (Application) for the approval of their Ancillary Services Procurement Agreement (ASP A) with prayer for the issuance of provisional authority.

Document

NGCP and PANASIA alleged the following in their Application: NATURE OF THE CASE

Annex

Certificate of Compliance

“D”

Certification of No Existing Power Supply Agreement

“E” “F”

Articles of Incorporation

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

Latest Security Exchange Information Sheet

PARTIES 2. Applicant NGCP is a corporation created and existing under the laws of the Philippines, with office address at NGCP Building, Quezon Avenue corner BIR Road, Diliman, Quezon City. It holds a franchise under Republic Act No. 95111 to engage in the business of conveying or transmitting electricity through high-voltage back-bone systems of interconnected transmission lines, substations and related facilities, and for other purposes. The franchise also includes the conduct of activities necessary to support the safe and reliable operation of the transmission system.

Commission

-

General

“G”

Latest Audited Financial Statement

“H”

WESM Registration

“I”

ALLEGATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY 16. It is a declared policy of the State to ensure the quality, reliability, security and affordability of the supply of electric power (Section 2b, EPIRA). With this end in view, there is a need to comply with the system requirements for AS to ensure grid system reliability. As mentioned above, NGCP has the mandate to procure the required AS. However, the Honorable Commission must first approve the contract before the same could be implemented.

3. Applicant PANASIA is a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the Philippine laws with principal office address at 3204B East Tower PSE Centre, Exchange Road Ortigas Center, Pasig City. It may be served with orders, notices, and other legal processes through its undersigned counsel. It is the owner and operator of the 540MW Bataan Combined Cycle Power Plant (BCCPP) in Barangay Luz, Limay, Bataan, which was certified and accredited by NGCP as capable of providing Regulating Reserve (RR), Contingency Reserve (CR), Dispatchable Reserve (DR) and Reactive Power Support (RPS).

17. On 13 December 2012, NGCP and PANASIA filed an application for the approval of its Ancillary Services Procurement Agreement (ASPA 2012) docketed as ERC Case No. 2012-134RC. In the Order dated 18 February 2013, the Honorable Commission issued an Order provisionally approving the Application. Page 8 of the Order provides: “An initial evaluation of the instant application discloses that the ASPA entered into by and between NGCP and PANASIA will redound to the benefit of the customers in terms of continuous, reliable, efficient and affordable power supply as mandated by the EPIRA [Section 2. Declaration of Policy - (b) “to ensure the quality, reliability, security and affordability of the supply of electric power].” (Emphasis. supplied) The parties implemented the 2012 ASPA on the March 2013 Billing Period.

ANTECEDENT FACTS 4. Republic Act No. 9136 provides that it is the responsibility of NGCP to ensure and maintain the reliability, adequacy, security, stability and integrity of the nationwide electrical grid in accordance with the performance standards for its operations and maintenance, as set forth in the Philippine Grid Code (PGC), adopted and promulgated by the Honorable Commission; and to adequately serve generation companies, distribution utilities and suppliers requiring transmission service and/or ancillary services through the transmission system2.

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

5. Similarly, the PGC provides that NGCP is responsible for determining, acquiring, and dispatching the capacity needed to supply the required Grid Ancillary Services and for developing and proposing Wheeling Charges and Ancillary Service tariffs to the ERC3.

19. PANASIA must continue to provide ancillary services beyond the 2012 ASPA to maintain the reliability of the power grid. Based on the current levels of available contracted AS in the Luzon Grid, the firm contracted AS have not yet met the required levels. The copy of the Luzon AS Availability showing the required and available levels of RR, CR, and DR in the Luzon Grid is attached as Annex “J”.

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

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

21. The importance of RR, CR, DR, and RPS from PANASIA to ensure and maintain the reliability, adequacy, security, stability and integrity of the Luzon Grid cannot be overemphasized.

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

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

8. Pursuant to its mandate, NGCP on different dates published in newspapers of general circulation a Notice of Invitation for Prospective Ancillary Services Providers, inviting all grid connected merchant plants and independent power producers to participate in the provision of ancillary services. NGCP received several positive responses from generation companies. Upon receipt of the intention from PANASIA to provide ancillary services, NGCP commenced negotiation for the execution of a new ASPA.

23. Applicants further submit that if and when the 2017 ASPA is approved by this Honorable Commission, it is hereby understood that it will only take effect, immediately upon expiration of the 2012 ASP A or on the April 2018 Billing Period.

PRAYER

9. In view of the need for PANASIA to continue providing ancillary services, the Applicants on 25 August 2017, executed a new ASPA (ASPA 2017). NGCP agreed to procure and PANASIA agreed to supply Ancillary Services in the form of: RR, CR, DR and RPS for a period of five (5) years under firm and non-firm arrangements. A copy of the Ancillary Services Procurement Agreement between NGCP and PANASIA dated 25 August 2017 is attached as Annex “A”.

WHEREFORE, premises considered, Applicants respectfully pray that the Honorable Commission to: a) Immediately ISSUE a provisional authority to implement the 2017 ASPA, to take effect upon expiration of the 2012 ASPA or on the April 2018 Billing Period;

10. During the period of negotiation, NGCP conducted several tests on Units GT1, GT2, GT3, GT5, GT6 and GT7 of the BCCPP, and certified that the power plant has met and complied with the Standard Ancillary Services Technical Requirements of the ASPP as capable of providing the following:

b) APPROVE, after notice and hearing, the 2017 ASPA. Applicants pray for other just and equitable relief.

The Commission has set the Application for determination of compliance with jurisdictional requirements, Expository Presentation, Pre-Trial Conference, and presentation of evidence on 18 January 2018 (Thursday) at nine o’clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.) at Multipurpose Hall, Brgy. Luz Kitang I, Limay Bataan.

60MW /unit of RR under Free Governor Mode; 60MW /unit of CR under Free Governor Mode; 80MW / Block of DR; and RPS.

All persons who have an interest in the subject of the instant case may become a party by filing with the Commission a verified Petition to Intervene at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating herein the docket number and title of the case and stating the following:

Thus, NGCP issued the Ancillary Services Certification with Accreditation No. 2016L0013, attached as Annex “B”.

CONTRACTED CAPACITY RATES AND IMPACT SIMULATION

i.

The petitioner’s name and address;

11. Schedule 1 of the ASP A provides for the types of AS that can be nominated by PANASIA, as follows:

ii.

The nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and

(i)

iii. A statement of the relief desired.

Firm Contracted Capacity:

All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the case may file their Opposition or Comment thereon at any stage of the proceeding before Applicants rest their case, subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 Rules of Practice and Procedure. No particular form of Opposition or Comment is required, but the document, letter, or writing should contain the following:

a. Regulating Reserve (Secondary Reserve) - 60MW, one (1) Gas Turbine (GT) Unit during peak hours (12 hours) or 0801H to 2100 or Interval 9 to 21 from March 01 to September 30 of each year for the period of five years; (ii) Non-Firm Contracted Capacities:

1) The name and address of such person;

a. Contingency Reserve (Primary Reserve) Available capacity on top of the Technical Pmin of each GT Unit (Technical Pmin is the minimum stable load of each generating unit, as indicated in the Service Provider’s Certificate of Compliance);

2) A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and 3) The grounds relied upon.

b. Regulating Reserve (Secondary Reserve) - Up to 60MW per GT Unit; c.

All such persons who wish to have a copy of the Application may request from Applicants that they be furnished with the same, prior to the date of the initial hearing. Applicants are hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the Application and its attachments, subject to the reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Any such person may likewise examine the Application and other pertinent records filed with the Commission during the standard office hours.

Dispatchable Reserve (Tertiary Reserve) - Up to 40MW per GT Unit;

d. Reactive Power Support - Available capacity of Reactive Power outside the range of 85% lagging and 90% leading power factor.

12. Schedule 4 of the ASPA provides for the applicable maximum hourly rate for the capacity covered by the ASPA, as follows:

Ancillary Service

Regulating Reserve Contingency Reserve

WITNESS, the Honorable Chairperson and CEO AGNES VST DEVANADERA, and Commissioners ALFREDO J. NON, GLORIA VICTORIA C. YAP-TARUC and GERONIMO D. STA. ANA, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 18th day of December 2017 in Pasig City.

Applicable Rates (Maximum Hourly Rate)

FOR AND BY AUTHORITY OF THE COMMISSION:

Php2.25/kW /Hr (Firm)

Php2.00/kW /Hr (Non-Firm) Php1.12/kW /Hr (Non-Firm)

Reactive Power Service

Php4.00/kVar /Hr (Non-Firm)

and formula in the computation of the Ancillary Services Fees as well as the Incidental Energy Cost.

Item No. Item Name Item

Location Total Land Area Floor Price Land Title No/s.

Property Use and Encumbrances

1 2 3

GENERAL CONDITIONS: Disposal of the Real Properties for auction/sale will be on “AS IS – WHERE IS” and on “CASH” basis. The bidder further acknowledges that he has been given every opportunity to investigate, inspect and verify the REAL PROPERTY offered to ascertain the actual conditions thereof as well as the status of the title/tax declaration. Bidder accepts PAGCOR’s disclaimer of any warranty, implied or otherwise, that the assets conform precisely to the description available in the invitation to Bid. Further, the bidder, knowing the risks and assuming the consequences of eviction, accepts PAGCOR’s absolute waiver of warranty therefrom.

2.

Prospective bidders must be Filipino citizens or otherwise authorized by law to acquire real property in the Philippines. In case of a corporation or partnership, 60% of its capital must be owned by Filipino citizens.

3.

Officers and employees of PAGCOR and their relatives within the 4th degree of consanguinity and affinity shall be ineligible to bid.

4.

No bid below the floor price shall be accepted.

5.

Bid shall strictly be in Philippine Currency.

6.

TCT No. 010-2014003181 is covered by a Deed of Absolute Sale between Public Estates Authority (PEA), presently known as Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA), and PAGCOR. The land title is still under the name of the PEA, now the PRA. Expenses for the transfer of title from PRA to the winning bidder shall be for the account of the winning bidder.

PAGCOR shall thereafter deliver to the winning bidder TCT No. 010-2014003181 with the covering Deed of Absolute Sale between PAGCOR and PRA, and TCT No. 010-2014000775 free from all liens and encumbrances except the Contract of Lease (and its addenda) executed between PAGCOR and Bloomberry Resorts and Hotels, Inc. (formerly Bloomberry Investments Holdings, Inc.) and the Deed of Assignment between Bloomberry Resorts and Hotels, Inc. and Sureste Properties, Inc. It is expressly understood and agreed that the property shall be used exclusively for the purpose for which it was intended, i.e. that it serves as an integral part of the PAGCOR Entertainment City Project and is to be utilized for the purpose of developing and maintaining thereon a world-class integrated resort in accordance with the plans approved by lessee and PAGCOR. The winning bidder cannot use the property in any manner and for any purpose not consistent with PAGCOR’s Entertainment City Project and must conform to applicable zoning regulations and restrictions.

Furthermore, it is understood that the ownership of the property does not confer to the winning bidder the right to operate gaming facilities and business. A casino license or license to operate gaming operations is NOT part of the sale of the Property. Hence, the winning bidder of the Property shall neither have right nor authority to operate a casino or any other gaming operation. This paragraph shall be inapplicable should the Lessee be declared the highest bidder or is able to match the bona fide offer of the highest bidder.

7.

Pursuant to the Contract of Lease (and its addenda), the Real Property Tax, including arrears, penalties and charges, if any, shall be for the account of the Lessee.

8.

All other applicable taxes including capital gains tax, transfer costs, registration fees, documentary stamps taxes and other expenses incidental to the sale and transfer of the assets shall be for the account of the winning bidder who shall be responsible in causing the transfer/issuance of certificates of title under its name.

9.

The Contract of Lease (and its addenda) between PAGCOR and the Lessee shall be registered and annotated on the title of the subject property. The lease contract shall be binding on the winning bidder. As such, the Lessee’s security of tenure shall be respected and guaranteed.

10. Where a re-survey or re-location of the land applied for is necessary, all expenses therefore including the preparation of plans and other papers shall be defrayed by the winning bidder.

11. PRE-BID CONFERENCE DATE: January 15, 2018 TIME: 2:00 p.m.

VENUE: 5th Floor Meeting Room C, PAGCOR Corporate Office, AG New World Manila Bay Hotel and Casino 1558 M.H. Del Pilar corner Pedro Gil Streets ,Malate, Manila 12. INSPECTION OF PROPERTIES 12.1 Inspection shall commence on January 4, 2018 until January 25, 2018.

12.2 For schedule of inspection, please coordinate with Ms. Shalee D. Nacino, BACD Secretariat at Tel No. (02) 521-1542 local. 258.

13. BIDDING REQUIREMENTS 13.1 Inside a sealed envelope: 13.1.1 Articles of Incorporation / Partnership for corporation/s or partnerships, and proof of citizenship for individuals.

13.1.2 Latest General Information Sheet, if applicable; 13.1.3 Financial Statements, 2016; 13.1.4 Income Tax Return, 2016; 13.1.5 If with Representative, Special Power of Attorney (SPA) or Secretary’s Certificate.

13.1.6 6Terms of Reference and Bid Bulletin (if any) with all pages signed by the bidder or the authorized representative; 13.1.7 Sworn Statement that each of the documents submitted in satisfaction of the bidding requirements is an authentic copy of the original, complete, and all statements and information provided therein are true and correct; and 13.1.8 Photo copy of any government issued ID of the bidder or the authorized representative.

13.1.9 Duly accomplished Bid Form 13.1.10 Bid Bond - equivalent to 10% of the floor price in the form of Manager’s Check issued by any Universal or Commercial Bank payable to “Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation”.

Note: Bid Form and bid bond shall be placed inside a sealed A4 envelope 13.2 The following details shall be written in the envelope: Upper left hand corner: Name of Bidder Address Contact Number Fax Number Center: BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE FOR DISPOSAL (BACD) PHILIPPINE AMUSEMENT AND GAMING CORPORATION PAGCOR Corporate Office AG New World Manila Bay Hotel and Casino 1588 M.H. Del Pilar Street cor. Pedro Gil Streets Malate, Manila.

Name of Property: Bay City Properties ITB Number: BACD17-002(Re-bidding) Bottom: Do not open before 2:00 P.M., January 26, 2018.

13.3 Bid Documents shall be available at Room 202 Engineering Room (c/o Ms. Shalee Nacino) 2nd Floor, PAGCOR House, 1330 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita, Manila (10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.) upon payment of a non-refundable Bidding Fee of P75,000.00.

14. BID BOND 14.1 Failure to post a bidder’s bond shall constitute a ground to reject the bid.

14.2 The bidder’s bond shall be forfeited in favor of PAGCOR in the event of any of the following: 14.2.1 Withdrawal by any bidder of his/her bid during the conduct of the auction, i.e. from 2:00 P.M., January 26, 2018 up to the time the highest and second highest bid has been declared; 14.2.2 Withdrawal by bidder of his bid after the same has been declared the highest bid; and 14.2.3 Refusal of the highest bidder to accept the award/contract for any reason after it has been awarded to him.

14.3 Bid bonds of bidder/s, except that of the highest bidder, shall be returned to them as soon as the highest and second highest bid has been declared or at a reasonable time thereafter and the waiver to file the Motion for Reconsideration/Protest has been signed by the respective bidder.

15. SUBMISSION OF BIDDING REQUIREMENTS 15.1 The Invitation to Bid shall form part of the Terms of Reference.

15.2 Submission and opening of bids shall be on January 26, 2018, 2:00 p.m. at Meeting Room C, 5th Floor, PAGCOR Corporate Office, AG New World Manila Bay Hotel and Casino, 1558 M. H. Del Pilar corner Pedro Gil Streets, Malate, Manila.

15.3 Bidder / authorized representative shall be present during the auction.

15.4 Bidders shall address and submit their sealed envelopes to: BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE FOR DISPOSAL (BACD) PHILIPPINE AMUSEMENT AND GAMING CORPORATION PAGCOR Corporate Office AG New World Manila Bay Hotel and Casino ,1588 M.H. Del Pilar Street cor. Pedro Gil Sts. Malate, Manila.

15.5 No bids shall be accepted after the scheduled opening date and time.

16. AWARDING 16.1 At least Two (2) bidders must submit a bid tender for the properties to be auctioned. If there is only one offeror then there shall be a failure of bidding.

16.2 The bidder who offers the highest bid (the Bona Fide Offer resulting from the successful bidding process) shall be declared as the highest bidder subject to the provisions specified in item 16.3.

16.3 After the declaration of the highest bidder, the Lessee, in case he participated in the auction but was not declared as such, shall thereat be notified of his Option to Match the highest bid (the “Bona Fide Offer”) within one hundred twenty (120) days in view of the provisions of its existing contract with PAGCOR. If the Lessee did not participate in the auction, it shall be notified in writing of the Bona Fide Offer and shall have a period of one hundred twenty (120) days from receipt of such written notice within which to match the Bona Fide Offer. In order for the Lessee to successfully match the Bona Fide Offer, full payment must be made within the one hundred twenty (120) day period as stated above.

16.4 The highest bidder, in case he/she is not the Lessee, shall be notified in writing in the event the Lessee exercises its Right to Match the Bona Fide Offer.

16.5 Post qualification for the highest bidder or the Lessee, as the case may be, shall be conducted to verify the documents submitted and to clear the bid bond.

16.6 Awarding to the winning bidder shall be subject to the approval of PAGCOR Board of Directors.

16.7 Notice of Award shall be issued after the Board has granted approval.

16.8 In the event of a failed public bidding, PAGCOR may resort to Negotiated Sale consistent with applicable laws, rules and regulations.

17. PAYMENT 17.1 Bid bond shall be considered as partial payment and the difference between the bid bond and the highest bid price shall be paid in the form of manager’s check from any Universal or Commercial Bank.

17.2 The remaining balance of the bid price shall be paid in full at PAGCOR’s Finance and Treasury Department (FTD) Cashier within five (5) calendar days (inclusive of 3 working days clearing of manager’s check) from the receipt of the Notice of Award.

17.3 Failure of full payment within the prescribed five (5) calendar days or withdrawal by the winning bidder of his bid offer/price shall mean forfeiture of his 10% bidder’s bond in favor of PAGCOR to be applied as liquidated damages.

18. PAGCOR reserves the right to disqualify any and/or all prospective bidder/bidders if found that they have submitted falsified documents and/or information, and the right to accept or reject any or all bids, to annul the bidding process, to waive any defects of formalities found therein and to accept such bid or a part thereof as may be deemed most advantageous to PAGCOR without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

19. PAGCOR reserves the right to change any of the rules as it sees fit. Revised Terms of Reference will be issued whenever applicable.

PAGCOR further reserves the right to amend the Terms of Reference any time prior to the submission of the sealed bids. If the amendments are of a nature that will affect the bids, PAGCOR will entertain request to reschedule the bidding.

20. PAGCOR reserves the right to reject any and/or all bids, or declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract, if there is prima facie evidence of collusion between relevant public officers or employees of the agency or between the Corporate Disposal Committee or between the BAC for Disposal and any of the bidders, or if collusions is between or among the bidders, or between a bidder and a third party, including any act which restricts, suppresses or nullifies competition, or if the BAC for Disposal is found to have failed to follow the prescribed bidding procedures, or for any justifiable and reasonable ground where the award of the contract shall not redound to the benefit of the government.

21. All documents submitted by the bidders are presumed to be legally in order, that the person signing and executing said documents is authorized to do so and that the signatures appearing thereon are authentic and not forged. Any material defect or misrepresentation on the documents which will invalidate or render unenforceable the bids submitted shall cause the rejection of the bid and the forfeiture of any amount tendered to PAGCOR. 22. All communications as regards the conduct of public auction shall be addressed to: BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE FOR DISPOSAL (BACD) Thru the Secretariat: Ms. Shalee Nacino 2nd Floor, General Services and Engineering Department (GSED) PAGCOR House, 1330 Roxas Blvd., Ermita, Manila Tel. No.: (02) 521-15-42 loc. 258 (Sgd) ATTY. ANGELINE PAPICA-ENTIENZA Chairman Bids and Awards Committee for Disposal (BACD) PAGCOR

An Act Granting the National Grid Corporation ofthe Philippines a Franchise To Engage in the Business of Conveying or Transmitting Electricity Through High Voltage Back-Bone System of Interconnected Transmission Lines, Substations and Related Facilities, and for other Purposes; Section 9 (c) and (d); 2007 PGC, Section 6.3.1.2; (MS-DEC. 30/ JAN. 6, 2018)

LOT 1 Bay City Properties Two (2) parcels of land purchased by Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) from the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA): a. An area of 3,733 square meters (more or less) covered by Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) No. 010-2014000775 under PAGCOR’s name and a Deed of Absolute Sale dated 19 February 2013; and b. An area of 156,626 square meters (more or less) covered by a Deed of Absolute Sale dated August 16, 2017.

Central Business Park I – Islands B & C of the Bay City, Parañaque City 160,359 square meters (more or less) Php 37,233,130,000.00 (VAT Exclusive, Zero Rated) TCT No. 010-2014000775 is registered under the name of PAGCOR with an area of 3,733 square meters more or less; and TCT No. 010-2014003181 is registered under the name of PRA with an area of 156,626 square meters more or less The Properties are subject of a long-term lease initially in favor of Bloomberry Resorts & Hotels Inc. who built and operate the Solaire Resort & Casino thereon. However, the leasehold rights were later assigned to Sureste Properties, Inc. (“Lessee”).

The lease period is up to July 11, 2033 and is extendible for another term under certain conditions. The Lessee has a Right to Match the highest complying bid for the Properties. The Lessee has mortgaged its leasehold rights over the Properties. In the same vein, the title and rights over the buildings, structures and other improvements thereon were likewise mortgaged to various lenders.

1.

JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT Oversight Commissioner for Legal

Php3.00/kW /Hr (Non-Firm)

Dispatchable Reserve

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is inviting offers to buy through sealed bid in the auction/bidding of Two (2) parcels of land located at Central Business Park I – Islands B & C of the Bay City, Parañaque City under ITB No. BACD17-002(Re-bidding).

DESCRIPTION

I.

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

TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES:

SEOUL-Fewer than 100 North Koreans a month defected to the South last year, Seoul said Friday, the lowest for 15 years as Pyongyang and Beijing both tighten controls on movement.

A total of 1,127 North Koreans came to the South last year, down 21 percent from 2016, according to data from the unification ministry. It was the lowest figure since 2001.

The vast majority of defectors from the impoverished North, which suffers chronic food shortages and is subject to UN Security Council sanctions over its banned nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, go first to China. AFP

InvItatIon to BId through Sealed BId In the auctIon/BIddIng of two (2) parcelS of land located at central BuSIneSS park I – ISlandS B & c of the Bay cIty, paranaque cIty under ItB no. Bacd17-002 (re-BIddIng)

Indicative Rate Impact

AS Type

A copy of the Rate Impact Simulation for PANASIA with a brief discussion on how NGCP derived the proposed ancillary services rates is attached as Annex “C.”

x-------------- --- --- -- -- -- -- --------x

i. ii. iii. iv.

“Trump is going to get worse and will become uncontainable with the pressures of the presidency,” she told Politico.

All but one of the lawmakers briefed were Democrats, and Lee declined to identify the lone Republican attendee. AFP

of war, and the US president responded to Kim’s New Year message with a Tweet that his nuclear button was “much bigger and more powerful”, prompting scorn and alarm from analysts.

Concerns over North Korea have overshadowed the Winter Games, which Seoul and the organisers have proclaimed a “peace Olympics”, urging Pyongyang to participate, unlike the 1988 Summer Olympics in the South, which it boycotted.

Tensions always rise during the annual drills, which Pyongyang condemns as preparations for invasion and often responds to with provocations. Beijing and Moscow both see the exercises as adding to regional tensions.

But recent days have seen a rare softening of tone on both sides. AFP

Defector numbers go down

(MS-JAN. 4, 2018)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Dino Ray Directo III, Editor

B4

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2018

Metal FRESH

Truck lift system ALL brands of trucks come into the Philippines in various shapes and sizes. But the best brands to buy are those with economical spare parts and reliable maintenance and service centers. Servicing trucks and large heavy tonnage vehicles takes a long time, so you need heavy duty lifts to do the job faster. These are the lifeline of and truck service center. For the past few years, industry pioneer Emicor Inc has been providing the truck industry with reliable heavy duty lifts.

Emicor offers a full line of truck

This celebrity mini bus is a hotel room on wheels.

Manila-proof your ride

Trucks &Buses

Plush Captain chairs keep the owner comfortable during long rides

Text by Dino Ray V. Directo III

lifts to fit any need. With a variety of lift systems to choose from, EMICOR provides you with the option to choose what style lift best fits your shop. Whether your shop handles buses, semis, or heavy trucks our lifts will give you every option you need - with the power and reliability that Power Twin Ace system is known for. This Japan made lift can handle lifting any way you need by wheels, runway, or axel. “The Power Twin Ace lift system is the perfect solution for shops that are moving to vehicle lifts for the first time,” says Mike de Joya of EMICOR, the country’s largest car/truck lift system company in the country.

EMICOR is also the exclusive distributors of the Smart Parking system. “Because it’s a drive-on lift, it’s easy for technicians to quickly get vehicles into position. And its quick rise time further minimizes the time they spend waiting to get to work,” adds de Joya.

Unlike traditional four-post lifts that have controls located on a single post, the Power Twin Ace system lift features a patented compressed air system that makes it possible to service large sized vehicles simultaneously by providing a centralized piping of oil, compressed air, and lifts the vehcile high enough for mechanics to assess the vehicle under chassis and make repairs all in go. This allows service areas to improve their productivity by minimizing the time they spend walking around the vehicle.

With no complicated or expensive electrical installation, no cables, chains or sheaves to maintain and fewer moving parts, the fully Power Twin Ace Lift system is less costly to install and easier to maintain than a traditional four-post lift. “This system is 100 percent made in Japan and is ideal for truck service shops,” adds de Joya.

For details on how to fast track your truck service requirements, you may call +632 3723601 to 05 or log on to smartparking@emicor-

U

NVEILED early this year at the Manila International Autoshow (MIAS), Hyundai’s H350 is a luxury 14-seater van that aims to lock horns with the Mercedes Benz Sprinter and the Volkswagen Crafter. Initially developed

by Hyundai as its first LCV for the European market which is largely based on a flexible platform designed to support three body styles; a cargo van, flatbed truck and a minibus, which is the one available in the local market. The exterior styling borrows from Hyundai’s design philosophy, featuring a hexagonal grille that flows seamlessly into wraparound headlights. There are LED daytime running lights as well, plus sculpted flanks designed to segment the van’s high-rising side panels. Inside, the three-seat front cabin layout is paired to a multifunction, fourspoke steering wheel, with a large center console that emphasizes the car-like pretensions of this massive vehicle.

Now, if you are the King of custom rides like Atoy Llave, the man behind ‘Manila Proofed”, having a stock H350 just won’t cut it. “This mini bus is perfect for the mobile home concept,” says Llave who worked on this customized H350. Owned by celebrity Kim Chiu, this H350 underwent an extensive interior modification process that took 30 days to complete. According to Llave, the planning process

alone and the drafting of designs took him a week to highlight the wish list of Chiu, who is a regular customer of Atoy’s custom shop along West Avenue in Quezon City. “This is her second vehicle which I customized for her,” adds Atoy.

The term “Manila Proofed” was borne out of the frustration of Metro Manila traffic. For daily commuters, going to work is a daily grind that will re-

A cinematic audio and video system entertains the owner during heavy traffic.

ally test one’s patience and fortitude. “What it really means is that I will customize your interiors for it to comfortable and pleasant to the point that the owner of a Manila Proofed vehicle will not be bothered by the chaos of rush hour traffic. I will transform your mini bus or van into a mobile home/office on wheels,” reveals Atoy. Established in 2008, the King of custom rides has transformed countless vans and mini buses of celebrities, politicians and businessmen who want to travel in comfort and style. “My biggest break is when Kris Aquino commissioned me to customize her Hyundai bus into a mobile home. I have done countless custom jobs for her and I owe her a lot,” says Atoy who has also ‘Manila Proofed” the vans of Batangas Governor and legendary actress Vilma Santos and power broker Chavit Singson.

Kim Chiu’s H350 is like a hotel room on wheels.

The whole interior was ripped out and replaced with comfort features and amenities fit for a celebrity. The rear boasts of a three Captain’s chairs and a plush five feet and eight inches sofa bed for Chiu. It also has a Focal audio and video cinematic system that enables the star to watch her favorite movies while in traffic or during breaks from movie shoots. “Its really what I wish for, everything I require was incorporated into the design of my H350.

I love the curtains which is very important for my privacy,” relates Chiu.

Using lightweight and composite materials, Atoy no longer tweaks the suspension because most mini buses were built to carry heavy loads. For vans such as the Toyota Grandia, a suspension replacement is required to make the ride more comfortable. “I replace the stock shock absorbers with specially designed Bilstein springs which I requested to be developed for my Manila Proofed vehicles,” he adds.

At present, Atoy’s custom shop is a beehive of activity with 20 custom mini buses and vans being worked on six days a week. Plans are in the pipeline for a custom van with a mobile gym and the King of custom is currently working on a design to manufacture an affordable wheelchair lift system.

“The price for a wheelchair lift system is P500k and my design will hopefully bring it down to below P100k,” says the man, who has remained humble despite his popularity.

Isuzu Sta. Rosa now open for business ISUZU Philippines Corporation (IPC) marked another milestone last December with the grand opening of Isuzu Gencars Sta. Rosa in its bid to expand and saturate its market presence in the Southern Tagalog region.

The new dealership is part of Gencars Inc., a conglomerate of ALC Group of companies that are engaged in various business activities such as automotive, insurance protection, media, pre-need assurance, banking and finance, security, hotels and real estate, is the latest and seventh dealership of Gencars Inc. that covers and caters to the province of Laguna and nearby areas.

Located along the highway of Tagaytay Road in Barangay Pulong Santa Cruz in Sta. Rosa City, Isuzu Gencars Sta. Rosa has a total showroom area of 539-square meters which can accommodate a total of 10 units display, including Isuzu’s biggest trucks.

Aside from vehicle sales, the Japanese car brand focuses on providing the best customer experience as the showroom houses a complete customer-centric approach. The entertainment system, com-

fort rooms (with PWD assistance) and customer lounge add leisure and comfort to the shopping experience of customers and potential buyers. The façade offers a huge space to walk-in customers, with perfect interior trims that exude a highquality ambiance.

To officially open the new dealership, a mass was held by Fr. Rey Adalid and Fr. JojoBuenafe, followed by a ribbon cutting and blessing of showroom and service bay area. The event also became the venue for Gencars’ annual Christmas party.

Leading the ceremonial grand opening of Isuzu Gencars Sta. Rosa were Isuzu Philippines Corporation President Hajime Koso, Isuzu Gencars Inc. President and CEO D. Edgard A. Cabangon, local government officials from Laguna, and select members of the motoring media.

In his welcome remarks, Hajime Koso, President of Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC), said that this year is indeed a milestone year for Isuzu Philippines and Gencars Inc. as both are having a momentous year worth celebrating.

“We are grateful for and honor our partnership with Gencars Inc. Their solid chains

of dealership are vital to the growth of Isuzu brand in the country. Their company (Gencars Inc.) has been with us for long time carrying the brand essence of what Isuzu is– quality products, foundation of partnership and trust to customers,” said Koso.

The new Isuzu dealership in Sta. Rosa will provide a strong alliance for car buyers and entrepreneurs in the growing Southern Luzon. From their top-selling vehicles such as such as mu-X and D-MAX and trucks lineup, the company vows to delivers quality products and exceptional aftersales service and parts to its market.

“We are confident that Isuzu Gencars Sta. Rosa will dominate and deliver its commitment in the South. Moving forward, customers will also benefit the efficiency of our newly Blue Power engine,” explained Koso.

Launched this year, Isuzu unveil ‘Blue Power,’ which is the latest eco-friendly diesel technology developed by Isuzu, that provides maximum engine output, low emission, fuel economy, and durability to Isuzu vehicles. This Blue Power technology is found in their mu-X, D-MAX, NSeries, F-Series, and C&E Series trucks.

Life

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com

HealtH and environment

satuRday, januaRy 6, 2018

C1

Celebrity ‘fitspirations’ pump up Golden Fiesta’s Heart Healthy Camp

WORK IT. Celebrity fitness inspirations, led by Nico Bolzico and Solenn Heussaff, participate in a warm-up session before their much-awaited clash at Golden Fiesta’s Heart Healthy Camp in BGC.

P

OWER couple Solenn Heussaff and Nico Bolzico of the wildly popular “hubby vs. wifezilla” videos took their “feud” to the Golden Fiesta Heart Healthy Camp Celebrity Edition as they led other stars and fitness enthusiasts in trying out various fitness routines at the Bonifacio Global City recently.

The celebrities were split into two groups— Team Solenn and Team Nico—as they engaged health buffs, competed in circuit training, and sweat it out with camp participants.

The second leg of the free-admission Golden Fiesta Heart Healthy Camp was also graced by former Philippine Azkals player Anton del Rosario and his fiancée, fashion designer royalty Sam Richelle; Miss Earth 2015 Angelia Ong; Mr. World Philippines 2016 Sam Ajdani; volleyball superstar Rachel Daquis; actress Maricar de Mesa; Miss World Philippines 2015 Hillarie Parungao; model-mom Angel Jones; singer-actress Ana Roces; and model June Macasaet.

Team Nico eventually emerged as winner, but Team Solenn did not give up without a fight. The celebrities tried out various workout activities like the Heart Pumps! Plyometric Box Jumps, Heart Skips! Low Hurdles, Heart Beats! Agility Ladders, Elastic Heart! Fitness Band, Heart Swing! Kettle Bells, and Heart Waves! Battle Ropes.

As early as 5 a.m., scores of young professionals who aspire to be heart-healthy trooped to the camp to interact with their celebrity fitspirations as they learned and enjoyed new fitness techniques—all for free.

Aside from joining various stations of

workout activities manned by professional coaches and trainers, participants were also treated to a live cooking demo—using hearthealthy Golden Fiesta Canola Oil—by celebrity chef and fitness buff Jose Sarasola. The chef-actor taught participants how to prepare simple but healthy recipes at home, like Golden Fiesta Lettuce Salad with Guyabano Vinaigrette, Golden Fiesta Bangus Back Fillet and Adobo Kangkong Duo, and Golden Fiesta Japanese Chicken Katsu in Curry Sauce. A food sampling followed.

“It’s not every day that we get a chance to train with our celebrity idols and fitspirations, not to mention jump-starting a new fitness regimen with them—for free. This is why we are so happy that our participants took this chance to sign up for the Golden Fiesta Heart Healthy Camp,” said Carl Constantino, category marketing manager at NutriAsia.

“It is a great opportunity for you to evaluate your lifestyle and initiate positive changes, including making the right food choices.

After all, it’s an event made possible by heart-healthy Golden Fiesta Canola Oil.” After the BGC leg, the Golden Fiesta Heart Healthy Camp was held at Eton Centris Walk in Quezon City on Dec. 3.

Celebrities, fitness enthusiasts, and families troop to BGC for the second leg of Golden Fiesta’s Heart Healthy Camp

Participants try out various workout activities that are good for the heart The Golden Fiesta Heart Healthy Camp is coming soon to a venue near you, so don’t forget to check out Golden Fiesta’s official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/GoldenFiestaPH/ for up-

dates on upcoming legs.

Golden Fiesta by NutriAsia, the country’s number one cooking oil brand, is available in leading supermarkets nationwide. Nut-

riAsia is a powerhouse of beloved, timeless, and iconic Filipino food brands that include Datu Puti, UFC, Silver Swan, Papa, Jufran, Mafran, Mang Tomas, and Golden Fiesta.

‘Karcher Cleans the World’ comes to Manila IN ITS efforts to preserve the Rizal Monument, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and the National Parks Development Committee partnered with Kärcher, the global leader in cleaning technology, to clean and spruce up the Rizal Shrine in Luneta on Dec. 14, 2017.

Karcher used high pressure cleaning, the same specialized techniques it has employed to help restore over 100 historic monuments worldwide to their former glory under its ongoing global initiative, Kärcher Cleans the World. These monumental cleaning projects include the Matsudagawa dam

in Japan, Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, the Statue of Liberty in New York, and the famous Merlion in Sentosa, Singapore.

Last year, Karcher chose the Philippines as its beneficiary for the campaign with the cleanup of the Rizal Monument, which, throughout the years, has seen its fair share of wear and tear. Its white granite obelisk, together with the bronze statue of Rizal, was unfortunately a far cry from its original look as streaks of black dirt collected over the decades tarnished its once-regal appearance.

Being the world market leader in clean-

ing technology, it was an honor for Kärcher to be able to harness its expertise to restore such a monument that embodies the life and works of the great Filipino martyr.

Hartmut Jenner, CEO and chairman of the Management Board of Kärcher said, “Standing as a beacon of Filipino culture and values, the Rizal Monument deserves nothing but the utmost care about its appearance, and we are honored to be given this opportunity. This assignment also reaffirms Kärcher’s commitment to our clients in the Philippines, and our mission to preserve historical landmarks around the globe.”

Keep hands clean The Global Handwashing Day promotes the benefits of proper hand washing

Karcher used high pressure cleaning technique to help bring back the Rizal Monument to its former glory

THIS year, over 11 million Filipinos were taught the right way to wash their hands, a simple practice that is scientifically proven to keep children and adults safe from viruses and bacteria which can cause different illnesses.

Every year, nations around the world celebrate Global Handwashing Day (GHD), an advocacy which promotes the benefits of washing the hands.

In the Philippines, this event is a month-long activity urging individuals to practice proper washing of the hands and integrate it to their daily lives to make our society healthier.

One of the companies supporting the campaign is Philusa Corporation, a company that has been part of the Filipino home for generations. Their homecare products like RHEA Isopropyl Alcohol and Cleene Antibacterial Foaming Hand Soap with Moisturizer were widely used during the celebration as students and various communities participated in drills to wash the hands.

The GHD celebration promoted this year’s theme “Our Hands, Our Future” through eight events in key locations in the country.

“We have always been supportive of this movement to teach proper washing of the hands to every Filipino because it is integral in creating a healthier society.

Philusa has always tried to reach out to various communities and encourage practices that keep every Filipino healthy,” Neogin A. Evangelista, Philusa Corporation’s president and CEO said.

Manila Water Foundation (MWF), which spearheaded the program, shared the importance of this campaign in ensuring the health of Filipinos, especially children. “Gaya po ng nasabi na ng maraming mga pantas, ang kinabukasan natin ay nakasalalay sa ating mga kabataan.

Kaya naman po natutuwa kami na nandito tayong lahat ngayon upang turuan ang ating mga anak tungkol sa kahalagahan ng paghuhugas ng kamay sa pag-iwas sa mga mikrobyong nagdudulot ng sakit,” MWF President Geodino Carpio said.

The campaign has amplified its reach by launching online and digital campaigns. On Facebook, over 70,000 individuals have participated through online quizzes and discussions, while more than 1.7 million Filipinos were informed about this life-saving advocacy through Viber public accounts. Approximately 230,000 motorists were also reached through an educational AVP, which was played through MMDA’s electronic billboards along EDSA for the whole month of October. Text blasts were also sent to more than 9 million people.

Life

C2

saturday, january 6, 2018 isahred@gmail.com

Bringing fun and joy C

to underprivileged kids

ONCeNTRIx, a leading global business services company, reinforced its commitment to social causes by partnering with United Airlines at the Adventure Bear Program 2017. The event, held at the National Children’s Hospital in New Manila, Quezon City, organized by United Airlines annually, helps deprived groups in the Philippines and perfectly aligns with Concentrix Philippines’ CSR efforts to give back to the community.

Adventure Bear Program is an initiative of United Airlines to serve the economically backward groups in the community and support local hospitals and charities.

Concentrix Philippines has always been at the forefront of working for the welfare of children, among other noteworthy causes. It has earlier organized the Marawi Donation Drive, held school refurbishing and coastal cleanup drives, and donated computers to schools.

“Giving back to the community has always been part of our culture here at Concentrix, and we are delighted and thankful for being part of United Airlines’ Adventure Bear Program,” said Concentrix country leader Elek Toth. “It is indeed a privilege to see how this effort has brought smiles and

United’s senior manager for Contact Center Supplier Performance Mark Seville distributes meals to the patients of National Children’s Hospital joy to the less-fortunate children. It’s been a truly humbling experience.”

Now in its third year, the decision to support the National Children’s Hospital this

United’s senior manager for Contact Center Supplier Performance Joyce Neumeyer spends time with the cancer patients at National Children’s Hospital

year was to spend quality time with indigent children from poor backgrounds. The hospital is a government facility run by the Department of Health and dedicated to pediat-

ric care. The young patients were presented with Ben Flyin’ Adventure Bears and happiness bags, and participated in a balloon twisting activity and other fun games.

The smiles on the faces of the children capped a truly wonderful day, and one worth remembering for all Concentrix Philippines staff!

Get the glow with Bewell C

Smart Living

THe reputation of Vitamin C as an immunity booster and beating colds and flu is incontestable. However, it is also an antioxidant that can address not just diseases but ageing issues.

It all starts with oxidative stress. Oxidation happens when our bodies process the oxygen we breathe and our cells produce energy from it. This process produces free radicals which results damage to cells and the amount of free radicals become oxidative stress. excess amount of free radicals go on about their business and cause the cells to function the way normal, healthy cells do. To simply put it, we age because of damaged cells and this happens all the time. These free radicals have three types: reactive oxygen species, reactive carbonyl species, and reactive nitrogen species.

Reactive oxygen species are found in the air we breathe, cigarette smoke, UV rays, stress and pollution. These destroy the skin’s moisture barrier, causes inflammation, results in wrinkles, brown spots and rough texture.

Reactive carbonyl species result from excessive alcohol consumption and intake of carbohydrates such as sugar, rice and pasta. They make the skin sag, causes deep wrinkles and fine lines and dark, discolored brown spots.

It all sounds exhausting and dramatic, but what do you do when these free radicals are eating up on antioxidants? Load up on Bewell-C. Bewell-C (Sodium Ascorbate) is a non-acidic Vitamin C supplement that helps you maintain a healthy glow. As it’s a potent antioxidant, it destroys free radicals which keep wrinkles and skin dryness at bay.

The vitamin C in Bewell-C also helps absorb iron from the food you eat which helps you feel and appear more energized. Bewell-C also helps the body to produce enough collagen for a firm and toned skin. It also clears the skin and blemishes as it replace damaged tissues in the body. With your intake of Bewell-C, you will surely get the glow.

As an everyday supplement, Bewell-C provides all the benefits of vitamin C without the risk of hyperacidity and other harmful side effects associated with

Spring cleaning

By Romolo V. Nati

Vitamin C, which can be obtained from Bewell-C, helps maintain a healthy glow and helps destroy free radicals high doses of the most common form of Vitamin C, which is ascorbic acid.

Bewell-C, as good as natural orange!

Bewell-C is available in Mercury Drug and other leading drugstores nationwide for only P5.50 per capsule SRP. For more information about Bewell-C, visit www.facebook.com/bewellcsodiumascorbate/

Learning from the best DeNTAL practitioners had a rare opportunity to learn from a world authority on dental implant Dr. Peter Moy during a recent one day-only sold out conference in Manila. Participants also witnessed a live dental implant surgery and well updated on the latest development in dental osseointegration.

Dr. Moy, a protégé of Dr. Per-Ingvar Branemark, the father of modern dental implant, has made it his mission to train professional dentists in proper methods in implant and elevate the standards of dental osseointegration in the Philippines.

He was joined at the conference by board of members of different dental societies including Dr. Tony Concepcion of the Philippine Prosthodontic Society, Dr. Aaron Neal Lu of the Philippine Academy of esthetic Dentistry, and Dr. Steve Mark Gan of GT Industries.

The dental implant conference was presented by Straumann Philippines, the world’s leader in implant, restorative, and regenerative dentistry, in partnership with the Philippine Society of Periodontology, Philippine Academy of Implant Dentistry and Philippine Prosthodontic Society.

Dr. Peter Moy and Dr. Steve Mark Gan

From left: Dr. Adriel Peter Rosario, Dr. Audrey See, and Dr. Betc Velasco

From left: Brian Lam, Mike Balani, and Geoff Moy

From left: Alexis Valenzona, Dr. Alyssa Martinez, and Dr. Gabriel Zapata

AS THe New Year dawns, so do new beginnings, in the form of New Year’s resolutions. One tradition in many parts of the world is to literally clear out the old and make way for the new, by cleaning and tidying up one’s home. In whatever culture this tradition occurs, and on whatever date on the calendar that signifies renewal and replenishment, “spring cleaning” is not just about cleaning up. It is also about renewing and reconnecting with one’s home, one’s most important and intimate physical space.

As an architect and designer, and in my work at Italpinas Design Corporation, physical space is my medium. Tidying up around the house is not just a mundane chore, but also a chance to optimize the design and layout of where one lives, bringing it back to the ideal that was intended by its design. Architects give much thought to layout and space. We think carefully about where solid matter (like walls and columns) should be placed, but we also think just as carefully about the placement of empty space. empty space directs the eye, and as such, cues the body about how to move and whether or not to be at ease.

Simply by being empty space, it reassures the mind of comfort, and directs the flow of air and light. Deliberately empty space, in its blankness, represents possibility. Filling that space with clutter or superfluous ornamentation makes it inanimate, preoccupied, and unwelcoming.

Designing built environments in any place requires sensitivity to its cultural, demographic, and physical conditions. In the Philippines, and particularly in the fast-growing cities where we develop our projects, conditions are influenced by the country’s fast-paced growth and economic development. Population density is relatively high in the cities, spending power is increasing by many measures, and a broader variety of goods are available on the market than before. At the same time, media sends us messages about “lifestyle”, which encourage us to spend on material belongings, whether consciously or subconsciously.

As anyone who has cleaned out their closet will know, these material things build up, and often become a part of our physical habitat as clutter. This inevitably affects the way we live in our homes. Whether we live in a house or a condominium unit, space is now at a premium. Deliberately empty spaces, whether floor space or even a tabletop, can disappear under a build-up of objects. What makes us hold on to these things?

Among the Filipino words I have learned during my time here, there is one word, “sayang”, which comes to mind. We often cling to unnecessary belongings because we feel a chance that they will be useful in the future, and it would be a waste (“sayang”) to dispose of them. If we take the perspective of our home being our most valuable and most loved physical possession, however, then I believe that the real “sayang” is when the physical spaces of our homes are compromised. We cannot live in the same exact floor space as clutter or superfluous ornamentation. When unneeded belongings pile up in a place, the inhabitable area of our homes decreases inch by inch. The flow, visually and physically, intended by the designer, is impaired.

As I do my own spring cleaning, I try to remind myself that the waste (“sayang”) of giving away an object that may or may not be needed again, is small, in comparison to the “sayang” of compromising the livability of the space itself.

Perhaps it is an especially apt time of year to think about the clutter of material belongings, because we are just now moving on from the consumer rush of Christmas shopping and the material flurry of gift-giving. The gifts that we have lovingly given and appreciatively received have fulfilled their purpose, which is to convey affection. Once this goodwill has been transmitted, however, the physical object remains, whether the recipient actually needs it or not. It then stands the chance of truly being put to good use and being appreciated for years to come, or of contributing to the accumulation of clutter in the home.

From an architect’s perspective, good design, including empty spaces, is also a gift. It’s a benefit that lasts for generations, or for the life of a physical home, whether it’s a house or a condominium, and whether it’s owned, or rented, or borrowed. It outlasts fashions and lifestyle trends. It is investment rather than consumption. As 2018 begins, one of my resolutions, not only as an architect, but, as a dweller in my own physical space, will be to appreciate the home that I have as my most valuable physical possession, and the one that contributes most to my wellbeing.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2018

C3

Isah V. Red, Editor • Nickie Wang, Writer

PEOPLE ...are not talking about

…are talking about

Derek Ramsay

Dingdong Dantes

His win was a surprising turn as many actors did a tremendous work portraying their characters. It’s not his fault that the MMFF jury chose him as this year Best Actor, he had no choice but to accept the award. However, every single movie critic in the country believes that the award he won during the Gabi ng Parangal belonged to someone else. We can only imagine how Derek deals with that.

Wedding anniversaries are an excellent opportunity to honor your other half. That is why when opportunity presented itself this actor wasted no time to show the entire world how grateful he is to be Marian Rivera’s husband. The anniversary video greeting of Dingdong for his wife has gone viral online amassing more than two million views, with netizens praising the Alyas Robin Hood star for his unwavering love for Marian.

Oh, it feels like Valentine’s Day already.

Kris Bernal

It’s true that being a celebrity is a full time job, but this busy bee has made the choice to fill her schedules with even more work. After opening a burger joint two years ago, Kris will soon open another restaurant. She even flew to South Korea to do an intensive research on Korean cuisine to come up a menu that would complement local taste buds. Obviously, Kris knows where to put her earnings and how to invest them.

Empress Schuck

Once you’re out of everyone’s radar even just for a few months, it’s kind of hard to make a comeback and expect that people will still warmly receive you. And that’s exactly what’s happening to Empress who took a break from showbiz after getting pregnant with her first child. For consolation, she has certainly experienced success in her career, starting early in showbiz as a child star. She just needs to accept that it’s hard to find similar success and her career already ended a long time ago.

Aga Muhlach

Diego Loyzaga

The country’s leading fast food chain brought so much nostalgia when it unveiled its latest TVC featuring the actor and his lovely family. More than the fried chicken that every Filipino is very much familiar with, the TVC served hefty amount of memories that made us look back at Aga’s career as one of the most successful endorsers in the country. Although we are not buying their reenactment of the classic “Isa pang Chickenjoy” moment, it’s just so refreshing to see him and his twins in one frame again.

Just so you know, the Kapamilya star did a social media stunt similar to what had made Ahron Villena a hot topic among netizens a few months ago. Like Ahron, Diego inadvertently (?) posted a nude photo of him on Instagram story, which he immediately deleted. Yes, dear readers, we also have the same question in mind. But one thing for sure, social media content doesn’t get uploaded online by sheer accident.

‘Dayaw’ season 4 on ANC THE Philippines’ national living treasures take the spotlight in the new season of the documentary series Dayaw, with Senator Loren Legarda hosting on ANC, the ABS-CBN News Channel.

The fourth season premiered last Thursday. Six new episodes that focus on our culture bearers, Filipinos who mastered their craft and devoted their entire lives to keep their traditions alive, serving as “sisidlan” or living vessels that bear the wealth of our tangible and intangible heritage are featured in the fourth season.

Legarda, National Commission for Culture and the Arts’ (NCCA) Dangal ng Haraya Patron of Arts and Culture, hopes to further inspire the Filipino audience to appreciate and love our own culture through this new season of the program.

“As I was going through my spiels for the show, I realized that all of us are also sisidlan. We are all vessels of heritage and cultural knowledge if only we appreciate, learn, and embrace our culture and make its preservation a part of our legacy to future Filipinos,” said Legarda.

In the first three episodes, Dayaw features recipients of the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA) or the National Living Treasures Award, a distinction accorded by the Philippine government to the finest traditional artists

of the land.

The documentary series features the lives and contributions of Maguindanao kudyapi virtuoso Samaon Sulaiman, Pala’wan musician and epic chanter Masino Intaray, Hanunuo Mangyan poet and master of syllabary Ginaw Bilog, T’boli master weaver Lang Dulay, Tagabawa Bagobo master weaver Salinta Monon, Tawi-Tawi mat weaver Haja Amina Appo, Tausug textile weaver Darhata Sawabi, all of whom have already passed on; as well as the remaining living GAMABA awardees—Kalinga musician and dancer Alonzo Saclag, Panay Bukidnon epic chanter Federico Caballero, Yakan musician Uwang Ahadas, Kapampangan metalsmith Eduardo Mutuc, Ilocano casque maker Teofilo Garcia, and Ilocano

textile weaver Magdalena Gamayo.

The fourth episode explores men and women that have chosen to study, record, document, and teach these artistic traditions to a greater audience and continue to nurture and pass on the important knowledge and techniques to future generations.

The fifth episode takes us to various museums all over the Philippines – museums that act as vessels for our people’s intangible and tangible treasures.

The final episode of the season is entitled, “Rediscovering Traditions,” and as a season-ender, viewers will discover a pocket of culture that has survived and thrived amid the modern encroachment.

Dayaw is a project of Legarda in partnership with NCCA, the prime government arm dedicated to the

promotion of Philippine arts and culture, and ANC, the country’s premier 24/7 allEnglish cable news channel.

Legarda said this partnership has strengthened through the years and has reaped good feedback for the series’ breathtaking visuals and its compelling storytelling.

“The synergy between the NCCA and ANC has enhanced through the years and this helps in making Dayaw more successful. The ANC team has imbibed the importance of these cultural treasures and the partnership with NCCA has really made Dayaw an effective tool to communicate to a wider audience. Dayaw is our gift to the Filipino people. It is our way of embracing our duty as ‘sisidlan’ or vessels of our heritage,” she said.

Dayaw airs on ANC with live streaming on

Join Sen. Loren Legarda in another season of “Dayaw” on ANC featuring Philippines’ national living treasures.

A scene from ‘Kolya’ (1996), a critically acclaimed drama film about a man whose life is reshaped in an unexpected way

Academy Award Winning Film Opens Czech Movie Fest KOLYA, the 1997 Academy-award winning movie for Best Foreign Language Film, will officially launch Czech Embassy Manila’s yearlong cinematic celebration, “Czech Movie Gems”.

Open to the public, it will take place at Cinematheque Centre Manila on Jan. 10 at 6:30 in the evening. Expected guests to share the opening night are artists, directors and cinematographers from the Philippine film scene.

Oscar awardee Jan Svěrák successfully directed the film, working alongside his father, legendary Czech actor, writer and playwright, Zdeněk Svěrák.

The cast of the movie features A-list Czech celebrities with then newcomer and child wonder, Russian Andrej Khalimon who gave life to the main character of the movie, Kolya.

This Svěrák masterpiece, centered on a man’s sudden “twist” in life brought by unexpected circumstances of love, is a tender comedy of genuinely endearing characters.

Czech Ambassador Jaroslav Olša, Jr. invites everyone to catch Kolya’s screening, as “it is a touching tale of friendship, love and compassion— truly a must-watch that should not be missed”.

Kolya has received high praises from the film community since its release in 1996 and was well received by audiences around the world. Critics of MovieGuide.com have dubbed the film as “Beautifully acted, deeply moving and an artistically stunning foreign language film“ while Entertainment Weekly saw it as “a heart-melter that is truly deserving of its accolades”.

Apart from the film’s international acclaim, the Czechs did not miss to recognize Kolya, as the highest awardgiving body in the Czech Republic, bestowed six Czech Lion awards for Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Screenplay and Best Editing.

The Czech movie festival organized in cooperation with the Film Development Council of the Philippines will begin this month till January 2019. Films, selected personally by Czech Ambassador Jaroslav Olša, jr., also a film enthusiast, will showcase the most interesting Czech movies of the last decades, including award-winning masterpieces, unique genre films, as well as the top grossing viewers favorites. Screening will be held every second Wednesday of the month.

Joel D. Lacsamana, Editor jdlacsamana@gmail.com

C4

FLOW OF LIVING

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2018

#GIVEBACK. Infinity, gearing up to be the first Central Business District t(CBD) in Central Luzon, recently hosted a car show dubbed as #Giveback, by the Aerolla organization, one of the biggest car groups in Pampanga. More than 50 cars were exhibited at the Infinity grounds by organization members who gathered not only to showcase their automobiles, but to raise funds for recipients of the group’s annual tradition of giving back(Seen in photo). The car show was organized by Aerolla with Ford Philippines.

Founded in 2014, Areolla has been holding a charity event for their chosen recipients. Ford Philippines partnered with the Infinity to promote road safety advocacy (Inset). The 40-hectare Infinity is the flagship project of AC Beautiful Islands (ACBI) Realty and Development Corporation, the real estate arm of the JENRA Group of Companies. The Infinity is masterplanned by Palafox Associates, and is located right in front of the Angeles City toll exit.

H

ANSGROHE, one of the leading makers of cutting edge water fixtures recently released products in the Philippine market that allow users to easily choose their options, and enjoy care-free wash and shower experiences.

Following the flow of big and premium shower pieces are the rainmaker select, the raindance E, the unica E, and some new releases from the Axor collections (Seen here).

The unica E shower set is a flexible handheld piece with a flat and round showerhead, plus a glassy finish.

Rainmaker select are multi-jet overhead showers which uses both air and Hansgrohe is known for its function- water pressure to produce bath rain. al select water control, and extra-large Hansgrohe products are distributed by showerheads known as the XXL feel- Kuysen enterprises, importer of over global bathroom and kitchen brands. good shower collections.

ECO-WISE CHILLERS

TRANE, a provider of indoor comfort solutions and a brand of Ingersoll Rand, recently introduced its line of “next generation” chillers in the Philippines during a briefing for owners, buyers, engineers, and technology consultants for hotels, malls, high-rise buildings, airports, and industrial plants.

The CenTraVac water-cooled chiller, and Sintesis™ air-cooled chiller form part of Trane’s portfolio of EcoWise products that feature low-global

warming potential (GWP) refrigerants. Trane is the first company in the world to introduce hydrofluoro olefin (HFO) refrigerants for use in centrifugal chillers. “Chillers lie at the heart of a modern building’s air-conditioning system,” explained Trane vice president for emerging markets Simon Ho. “Investing in the right chiller is not only making business sense to building owners but also good for the environment.” Trane is supportive of

the Kigali Amendment of the Montreal Protocol. Established in October 2016, the amendment on “Montreal Protocol” sets a timeline for phasing down the global consumption of hydroflurocarbon (HFC). In line with this, the CenTraVac™ and Sintesis™ chillers were equipped with new refrigerants R514A and R513A which minimize the impact of global warming. Shown here are Trane PH’s management with guests at the briefing.

HI-TECH ENTERTAINMENT AT HOME TCL Multimedia, a TV manufacturer and QLED TV innovator, recently conducted a virtual racing competition, in partnership with Gameloft, makers of Asphalt Nitro, for mallgoers of the SM Mall of Asia Cyberzone Area in Pasay City.

The three-day racing event gathered hundreds of participants, who competed for the daily grand prize, a brand new TCL 32” D2900, and a smartwatch from Gameloft. To win the race, every participant was put in a nerve-wracking round of the video game, Asphalt Nitro, and try to finish the race in the shortest possible time.

Participants enjoyed the features of TCL C2 Android TV and the TCL X3 TV during the event. These stateof-the-art TVs featured a unique entertainment expe-

DAIICHI’S FINANCE CENTRE GETS PEZA NOD

THE Finance Centre, Daiichi Properties’ newest office building, recently received accreditation as a Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Information Technology (IT) center.

The 42-story building is located in Bonifacio Global City. PEZA is an agency of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) that promotes investments in the country, and facilitates the business operations of

DMCI HOMES’ PRISMA IN FINE FORM. DMCI Homes

rience with its innovations in connectivity, picture quality, sound, and multifunctional features.

“Today, TV is more than just for watching your fa-

ENERGY SAVINGS FOR SMES

TOSHIBA SPI recently unveiled an air conditioning solution that offers a combination of part-load energy efficiency, reliability, and tolerance to wide power fluctuations. The solution translates to energy savings due to a part-load efficiency of 20.8 kJ/kW-hr. It uses twin rotary compressors that offer an energy efficiency ratio (EER) on part-load. Toshiba SPI is ideal for convenience stores, small offices, fast food chains, and banks, which run long hours throughout the day. “Wide power fluctuations are concerns commonly faced by businesses in provinces, and Toshiba SPI’s reliability is ideal to ensure minimal downtimes,” said Rajan Komarasu, group director of Concepcion Building and Industrial Solutions. “After a blackout, Toshiba SPI has a feature that will restart the unit at its settings just before the power went out. “

vorite programs,” said Eason Cai, chief executive officer of TCL. “Consumers now want a TV that allows them to connect to the internet, play their favorite

games, watch live streaming programs, and even listen to their favorite tunes.

TCL’s C2 Android and X3 offer multi-dimensional entertainment.”

recently launched the second tower of its top-selling Prisma residences development in Barangay Bagong Ilog, Pasig City. Like the first tower Astra, Prisma’s second building Celeste, will also have 41 residential floors with a mix of one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom units.

Astra, which is set for completion in April 2022, is already 92 percent sold as of November 26, 2017.

Prisma residences is located right in the middle of Central Business Districts Ortigas and Bonifacio Global City with a 360-degree view of the Ortigas and Makati skylines, as well as the mountains of Antipolo and Laguna de Bay at the roof-deck.

investors in the country’s PEZA Special Economic Zones. The agency is authorized to provide member-companies certain incentives.

“The PEZA accreditation of the Finance Centre is something that we at Daiichi Properties are truly happy about because it allows us to help boost local and foreign investments and strengthen the economy,” said Daiichi Proper-

ties senior vice president Charmaine Uy. To be completed in the second quarter of 2018, the 3,000-square-meter plaza Finance Centre was designed by Gensler, a renowned architectural firm that also designed the headquarters of global companies such as Facebook, Airbnb, and Uniqlo, as well as the Incheon International Airport, the largest airport in South Korea.