Ms sect c 20170423 sunday

C1

SUNDAY, APRIL 23, 2017

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor / Roderick dela Cruz, Issue Editor business@thestandard.com.ph

ZALORA SUPPORTS ASIAN DESIGNERS

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By Othel V. Campos ZALORA’S Private Label marks its third year with strong collaboration with Asian designers.

Zalora Asia head of marketing Rayne Reid says the electronic commerce market of the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries experiences a growth in “online transactions across the region” that drives Zalora’s reach.

“We move very fast in fashion.

That is always an interesting part of the Private Label. We’re very committed about our customers across Southeast Asia. We try to bring the latest fashion and also familiar favorites,” she says.

By familiar favorites, Reid is referring to global fashion brands that consumers grew up with and mid to expensive fashion labels that found a home in the Zalora platform.

IP PROTECTORS. The Philippines celebrates the National Intellectual Property Rights Month in April. Leading the celebration are (from left) US Embassy Manila trade officer Brian Breuhaus, Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines director-general Josephine Santiago, Philippine Association of the Record Industry Inc. chairperson Marivic Benedicto and iflix country manager Sherwin dela Cruz.

MOBILE APPS RESCUE PH MUSIC INDUSTRY

M

medicine.

OBILE applications are giving music and entertainment pirates a dose of their own

A music industry executive says mobile apps have come to the rescue of the Philippine music and entertainment industry from digital pirates by offering a strong price point at P129 a month for an unlimited access to songs and movies, beating the cost of pirated items.

“I think embracing innovation is really the key to defeating piracy,” says Philippine Association of the Record Industry Inc. chairperson Marivic Benedicto, who is also the head of Music Publishing and New Media for Music at ABS-CBN Film Productions Inc. Benedicto says mobile platforms Spotify, Youtube and iflix are giving the music and entertainment industry a second wind and an opportunity to recoup the amount it is losing to pirates or intellectual property thieves.

“With Spotify and Youtube, and eventually Facebook being monetized, we are looking at going back to where the record industry was, in terms of investing in new artists and song writers,” Benedicto says in a news briefing in Makati City during the celebration of the World Intellectual Property Day. “I think Spotify has reduced music piracy by 95 percent,” she says, adding that Spotify is now the preferred music platform of millennials, because of its mobile-first design and multiple-screen features.

The key, she says, is the P129-a-month price point.

“That is a good start. Iflix followed with P129-amonth offering. It seems to be an effective price point.

Now, the Philippines is the fastest growing market for Spotify. We also rank No. 14 among Spotify markets in the world,” says Benedicto.

Benedicto says Spotify gives about 70 percent of its earnings to content providers, which is shared by the record label, composers and song writers. She says Youtube also gives out 55 percent of its earnings to content providers.

“What’s P129 versus buying four DVDs for P100.

You pay P129 a month and you get 21,000 hours of content on iflix and thousands of songs on Spotify.

In a CD, there are only 100 songs or MP3s. And there is no parallel between pirated experience and legitimate source,” she says.

Benedicto says Spotify particularly changed the industry and gave Filipinos a legitimate platform to access music digitally. “People now don’t bother to go to pirate sites, because Spotify is also free, although it has a premium model at P129 a month.

With Spotify having no borders and published worldwide, the Filipino music has been discovered in other territories. We have a few artists who are being listened to in countries like Taiwan and Malaysia.

Of course, it is not yet like the 1980s, but we are already starting to get back the revenues, get back the investments. Record labels are having more courage to develop, to invest in new genres. It is helping artists a lot, because it is a borderless platform. You can get discovered everywhere,” she says.

“Last year, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry declared there was no longer music piracy. Of course, there still is, but it is no longer a significant issue, because everybody is now on the legitimate platform like Spotify and Youtube,” Benedicto says.

Sherwin dela Cruz, the country manager of iflix, says the subscription video-on-demand service also changed the consumption of entertainment content and gives people a better viewing experience than those offered by pirate sites.

“We really had to pinpoint a good pricing so that we can really scale. For us, the price we offer in the Philippines is P129,” says dela Cruz, adding that the subscription fee gives users 21,000 hours of high-

resolution content on iflix, compared to P100 for just three or four DVDs of pirated movies.

“I am happy to announce that so far, we had 1.2 billion minutes streamed on the site,” dela Cruz says.

“I firmly believe that we can offer a better service, we can offer more choices, we can offer more content at a price that people do not really mind. Piracy is not actually free. People actually pay for it, like in the cost of CDs. It is just going to the wrong pockets,” says dela Cruz.

Benedicto, however, concedes that composers would never be able to experience what they had in the 1980s. “A gold record used to be 90,000 units in the late 1990s. Now, it is down to 7,500 units. We now have one legal replicating plant in the Philippines.

There used to be four. SM has already removed the record bars in its department stores,” Benedicto says.

Data from the Philippine Association of the Record Industry Inc. show that the Philippine music industry had total sales volume of 791,310 with trade value of P159.916 million in 2016.

Benedicto says the industry began to accept that the way people consume music is changing. She says this is why players in the music industry cooperated and gave Spotify a try in 2014. “We talked and agreed to their terms to see how it works and take it from there. Spotify offered a minimum guarantee for the country which at first was very small. After two years, the minimum guarantee they are offering now is 15 times that amount. You can see how the market grew in the last two years,” says Benedicto.

“We were skeptical at first, but we saw how it could help address the problem of piracy. We are number 14 now in the world in terms of the number of subscribers at Spotify. The Spotify model was so successful because it was not very far removed from the experience of the consumer. They were getting it for free, and it is 100-percent legal,” she says.

Wilson Tieng, president of Solar Entertainment Corp., says IP thieves still make millions from Turn to C2

HONG KONG PUBLICATION NAMES BEST FILIPINO CEO Globe Telecom president and chief executive Ernest Cu is recognized the best CEO in the Philippines.

GLOBE Telecom president and chief executive Ernest Cu was recognized as the Philippines’ best CEO by FinanceAsia, a Hong Kong-based magazine.

Globe also ranked as the third Best Managed Company in the country and was cited in several other categories.

FinanceAsia, a leading publisher of financial news in the Asia Pacific region, said Cu bagged the top spot in the Best CEO category with 23 points. Globe also placed third in Best at Investor Relations, fourth in Best at Corporate Social Responsibility and sixth in Most Commitment to Corporate Governance.

The citations were based on a survey

conducted by FinanceAsia involving investors on their views on which listed companies around Asia they consider to be best managed, with the best senior executives. FinanceAsia received responses from 180 portfolio managers and buy-side analysts from around the world. FinanceAsia is a member of the Haymarket Media Group and covers investment banking, capital markets and strategic corporate finance.

“The host of citations from FinanceAsia underscores our commitment to achieve remarkable results not only in terms of financial performance but also in adhering to the principles of good corporate governance, corporate social responsibility and investor

relations. I am deeply honored that Globe has been recognized for our remarkable efforts in the industry,” said Cu. Cu said the recent success of Globe was at the heels of the company’s purposeled transformation to become a better organization ready for the future. Anchored on its corporate vision of leading a Philippines where families’ dreams come true, businesses flourish and the nation is admired, the company defined its purpose moving forward to treat people right by creating a Globe of Good.

Globe aspires to be an industry leader with purpose, helping customers discover new ways to enjoy life.

Zalora Asia head of marketing Rayne Reid At the second Philippines Zalora Style Awards Night, Reid discussed how Zalora managed to merge more than 10 instore brands into six uniquely different styles for women and two for men, forming the core fashion basics of the Private Label.

The core labels are Zalora Women label and Zalora Men label. There is also a trendy and hip vibe for the young adults called Something Borrowed.

Private Label operates in six markets—Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Taiwan and the Philippines.

“We try to cover all of these markets in different and interesting ways for the fashion customer. In Southeast Asia, we always have summer time and the subtropical vibe. Whether it is through our styling or our fabrication or through having constant color and prints, we can really make a difference for our customers. We also focus on specific fit in Southeast Asia, basically a petite market especially for women,” she says.

“Fashion right now is all about opu l e n c e — e m b e l l i s h m e nt s , beadings, color stories that are vey rich. We’re loving right now all the textures of velvet, embroidered meshes as well as simplified lines coming through tailored silhouettes easy for everyone to wear,” Reid says.

Zalora has an exclusive design studio in Singapore, with a mix of all nationalities between Americans and Europeans and a strong group of Southeast Asian designers from Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Reid is excited over the prospect of getting on board Filipino designers. “We have Filipino buyers in the buying team. We manufacture across the region— China, Indonesia and Malaysia.

We’re always looking for new vendors. We believe strongly in vendor development. Where we see good partnership either with the brand or the manufacturers.

We’re always s eeking t hos e opportunities. We spoke with the Philippine team about the strong brand relationships that Zalora has created here. And how that strong partnership brings the brand to Filipino customers,” she says.

Business

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SUNDAY, APRIL 23, 2017 business@thestandard.com.ph

FILIPINO TECHPRENEUR FINDS SUCCESS IN SILICON VALLEY Cavite 2nd District Rep. Strike Revilla

SOLON WANTS EMPTY LOTS TAXED HIGHER A LAWMAKER has filed a proposed bill seeking higher taxes on empty lots to encourage owners to cultivate or develop these properties for productive use.

Cavite 2nd District Rep. Strike Revilla filed House Bill No. 1683 seeking to amend Section 236 of the Local Government Code of 1991 by increasing the ceiling tax on additional ad valorem tax on idle lands from the current 5 percent to 10 percent.

Revilla says he filed the measure amid the continuing non-cultivation and nonutilization of lands, given the relatively minimal tax burdens on idle lands.

He says the Philippines has a total land area of 30 million hectares classified into forest lands and alienable and disposable lands. Fore lands cover 15.8 million hectares, while 14.2 million hectares are alienable and disposable lands. Of the total alienable and disposable lands, 93 percent or 13 million hectares are classified as agricultural lands.

“Should these large agricultural lands be efficiently utilized, there will be higher agricultural productivity, therefore greatly addressing problems in food security,” he says.

HB 1683 provides that a province, city or municipality within Metro Manila may levy an annual tax on idle lands at the rate not exceeding 10 percent of the assessed value of the property which shall be in addition to the basic real property tax.

“Our idle land tax remains largely unutilized by our local government units as a revenue source. Increasing the rate shall provide them more flexibility in its imposition and shall serve as a better source of revenue,” Revilla says.

MOBILE...

From C1

stealing creative content from computers and mobile devices. “Criminals, operating individually or in groups, bait visitors by the prospect of gaining access to creative content. When baited, they use spywares and bots to access and/or control their victims’ devices remotely and steal their data, which may be used for identity theft and other malicious scams. These criminals make millions of dollars this way,” Tieng says.

“Users might not think much of the pop-ups, toolbars, ads, fake prompts and files downloaded covertly in the background as soon they visit the site, but these expose them to great online security and personal risks. We highly encourage Filipinos to use legitimate subscriptionbased content streaming services that provide safer access to a wide selection of content,” says Tieng.

Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines director-general Josephine Santiago says President Rodrigo Duterte signed Proclamation No. 190 declaring April as the national intellectual property rights month.

“An effective intellectual and industrial property system is vital to the development of domestic and creative activity, facilitates transfer of technology, attracts foreign investments and ensures market access for our products. IP also serves as a tool for improving the lives of people as well as promoting public good,” Santiago says.

The Philippines has been out of the US Trade Representative Special 301 watch list for three consecutive years now. Last year, Filipino authorities confiscated P6.5 billion worth of pirated or counterfeit goods. Santiago is hopeful the Philippines will remain out of the watch list when the USTR discloses its next annual report on April 30.

Brian Breuhaus, trade officer of the US Embassy Manila, says countries with strong innovation and IP rights protection also perform well economically. He says 52 percent of goods exports of the US and 38 percent of its gross domestic product are tied to IP. Industries with IP products also employ over 45 million Americans and hundreds of millions worldwide, he says.

Santiago thus urges all Filipinos to “join us in our advocacy of defending the rights of creators, innovators and inventors and in fighting infringement, piracy and other forms of IPR violations.”

Roderick T. dela Cruz

V

eem, a money remittance company established by Filipino techpreneur Aldo Carrascoso, has recently received an additional $24 million in new funding.

The sum of investments f r o m N a t i o n a l Au s t r a l i a Bank, GV (formerly known as Google Ventures), Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers, SBI Investments Co. Ltd., and Silicon Valley Bank will be allotted for expansion into more countries and addition of new products.

The money remittance company formerly known as Align Commerce processes several hundreds of millions of cross border businesses including overseas Filipino worker payments in over 60 countries. Veem has offices in three continents.

Founded by Carrascoso in 2014, the reliable and real-time system of sending and receiving payments via email is designed to replace the complex and costly telegraphic transfers, wire systems and Swift, by bypassing the banks, or the middlemen.

“I didn’t like the way traditional remittance companies preyed on OFWs and small business. The only choices they had charge large fees, make the process harder and more complicated,” Carrascoso says. Veem uses a combination of proprietary multirail payment systems and the blockchain, described as one of the fastest growing areas for tech investment.

“We started in my garage in Westlake, Daly City,” says Carrascoso, who recalls creating his first line of code when he was in fourth grade. “Technology has always been a passion. I was born in a very tech forward family where technology was part of our everyday lives. I have always been fascinated by technology and how it affected people around me,” he says.

Recognizing that people is crucial to growing businesses, Carrascoso took up Psychology at the Ateneo de Manila University before flying to Boston for the Babson Entrepreneurship program.

“One of my key deliverables for grad school was a tech startup, that was when my first venture started, which was verego.com, a matchmaking service, a tinder for companies,” he says.

His other startup, Jukin Media / Jukin Technologies is now one of the largest usergenerated licensing platforms in the world, currently in 221 markets, servicing nearly every major television network with content, and has over 35 billion

Filipino techpreneur Aldo Carrascoso views online.

“What has guided me consistently was my purpose, which is improving the lives of people through technology.

All my startups were always about making the process easier for large trends that were taking place,” he says.

Throughout all his business dealings in the US, Carrascoso says that he would constantly find ways to refer to his ties to the Philippines, whether by mentioning the country in his speaking engagements or by hiring Filipinos as employees.

“Filipinos have the creative chops so my vision for the Philippines is for it to be a global hub for creative innovation, for it to be the first to come to mind when creative technological innovation is needed,” he says.

He is very eager to share what he

has learned in Silicon Valley with young Filipinos who want to enter the tech industry. He is active in the Science & Technology Advisory Council in Silicon Valley which seeks to elevate Philippine-based start-ups and try to give them real-world Silicon Valley type of training.

He also works with Philippine local organizations to promote entrepreneurship and bring the Silicon Valley type of thinking to the Philippines. Furthermore, he is in collaboration with a number of universities on various curriculum, mentoring and workshop programs.

Speaking from experience, Aldo reveals that Silicon Valley investors are always very, very busy. They know if you are wasting their time and you will be destroyed if you do that. “We all practice

something called OHD – open, honest and direct. A lot of them are former technologists and very specialized. They know the ins and outs of the topic you are trying to pitch so they can smell B.S. a mile away,” he says.

But Aldo assures that the investors are very active in helping the businesses succeed and will open a lot of doors.

“Oh and they dress down big time. In hoodies, usually. So people often say that if you walk into Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers offices in a suit, you’re a newbie,” he says.

His tips to anyone who wants to do a startup: “Focus on execution, vet and form the right team, do large disruption rather than incremental improvements and surround yourself with a good support system of mentors and investors.”

PAMPANGA-BASED FIRM EMPLOYS INTERNATIONAL BENCHMARKS INNOVATION and quality are two attributes that can make or break any commercial enterprise. For RDF Feed, Livestock & Foods Inc., the same attributes have catapulted its agri-food business into what it is today.

RDFFLFI is the leading companyowned and company-operated agri-food system enterprise in the P h i l ippi n e s . Un l i k e ot h e r m e at distributors, RDFFLFI breeds and processes its own livestock, runs its own feed mills, stores and distributes meat products and operates retail outlets and restaurants to make foodstuff readily available to the market.

To ensure that its extensive network runs smoothly, RDFFLFI has streamlined its operations to include advanced technology and solutions. Dr. Robert Lo, the company’s chairman and chief executive, says RDFFLFI employs five to six consultants who propose the best food technologies and methods. In addition to

RDF Feed, Livestock & Foods Inc. chairman and chief executive Dr. Robert Lo (fifth from left) receives a trophy during the 6th Meralco Luminaries Awards. this, the company is staffed with a strong research and development team who are encouraged to think out-of-the-box.

“Our passion to innovate and make things better has propelled our position in the market. RDFFLFI customers have

very exacting demands and it is our job to not only meet but exceed our markets’ needs,” says Lo. “We make it a point to benchmark against international brands and observe if there are certain food systems we can adopt here. But, we don’t just adopt the technology, we always seek to improve its use in our systems, So far, the technologies and procedures we have applied here fared exceedingly well,” he says.

With this corporate mindset, RDFFLFI was recognized for its pioneering spirit and drive for excellence to make things better, brighter and richer for the people at the 6th Meralco Luminaries Awards.

The award underscores the company’s resilience and ability to thrive despite the challenges faced in the industry. It also highlighted RDFFLFI’s adeptness in optimizing energy resources in an efficient manner.

“We are honored to be given this

recognition as it is a testament to the company’s passion for excellence in ensuring safe and fresh meats for our consumers. Through this award, consumers are doubly assured that the meat processed at our facilities are climate controlled, clean, safe, and still fresh when they receive it,” says Lo. From its humble beginnings of producing and selling quail eggs 28 years ago to full-scale commercial feed and livestock production, fresh and processed meat retail operations, and restaurant and food delivery service, RDFFLFI has proven that it is poised to capture a bigger share of the agri-food systems market.

With bold visionaries like Dr. Lo at the helm and his 1,800-strong staff following his lead, RDFFLFI introduces another novel food and food delivery concept that will make high-quality food more accessible to Filipinos.

Sports

SUNDAY, APRIL 23, 2017

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reuelvidal@yahoo.com

FOLAYANG HUMBLES BRASH TING TO RETAIN ONE TITLE

By Reuel Vidal

F

EARSOME inside the cage yet humble in victory.

Eduard Folayang had just spent the past 25 minutes outfighting dangerous challenger Ev Ting to retain his ONE Championship Lightweight world crown.

Instead of rejoicing in his skill and proclaiming his greatness the first words from Folayang were to thank his opponent Ting and to express gratitude to God for all the blessings that he has received.

“I would like to thank Ev Ting, he really came prepared for this fight. We came to give the fans a good fight, and that’s what we have done. This is the essence of martial arts, five rounds to show how much we’ve prepared for a long time,” said Folayang.

He then expressed his gratitude to God for all the blessings he has received including serving as a role model for his countrymen especially the poor and the underprivileged who see in him an assurance that hard work and perseverance will ultimately be rewarded.

Folayang later acknowledged his checkered ONE Championship career. Prior to his victory over Ting, Folayang had won hard fought decisions over Tetsuya Yamada and Adrian Pang before his spectacular conquest of Japanese MMA legend Shinya Aoki which earned him the ONE Lightweight world title.

Folayang recalled his last bout at the Mall of Asia Arena where he was knocked out with a flying knee by Timofey Nastyukhin.

“This fight means a lot. A lot of you (fans) were discouraged the last time I was here. I slept on that mat. I rose up from my circumstances. I needed to train a lot to improve a lot. This is it on my shoulder,” said Folayang while clutching the ONE Championship belt. “Thank you for your support.”

Ting was fast on his feet as he threw jabs and kicks while continu-

Gina Iniong

INIONG’S PATIENCE REWARDED

BY ONE ONE Lightweight champion of the world Eduard Folayang (left) unloads a roundhouse kick which challenger Ev Ting barely deflects with his elbows during their ONE Championship fight at the Mall of Asia Arena. ONE Championship

ing to dart in and then out to stay out of range of Folayang’s own counter attacks. Ting had the quicker hands and feet but Folayang was the harder more devastating striker.

Folayang was stung several times

by Ting’s quick hits but by the third and fourth rounds Folayang’s heavier, more telling blows were taking their toll. Ting was flat on his feet by the fourth round.

By the fifth Ting had lost all ability to move around with speed. In frustration he dared Folayang to stand in the center of the ring and fight. Folayang was wise to Ting’s desperate ploy and continued to hit from afar to post

ONE Lightweight champion of the world Eduard Folayang (right) and challenger Ev Ting trade haymakers at the center of the cage during their championship fight at the Mall of Asia Arena. ONE Championship

Confetti rains down on ONE Lightweight champion of the world Eduard Folayang (center) who is flanked by Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao and ONE Championship President and CEO Victor Cui. Folayang successfully defended his ONE Championship crown against challenger Ev Ting at the Mall of Asia Arena. ONE Championship

the decisive victory.

Folayang, thanks in large part to coach Mark Sangiao, executed a perfect winning strategy to beat Ting.

Folayang relied on his world class Wushu stance to strike from afar with kicks to go along with punches.

Ting was quicker but Folayang completely negated Ting’s faster strikes through his longer, more lethal kicks and spinning back fists.

Folayang didn’t always connect but his length when striking with hands and feet kept Ting on his heels

and unable to attack effectively.

After five rounds, the audience had to wait a few more minutes for the decision of the judges. But there was really no mystery. Folayang’s victory was total and everybody in the arena, including Ting himself, knew who had won the bout.

The judges then announced Folayang’s unanimous victory. A primal roar and cheer erupted from the audience of 20,000 at the Mall of Asia Arena as the Filipino champion’s hands were raised in triumph.

PATIENCE is its own reward.

Gina “Conviction” Iniong found out that this was true as she finally saw action in ONE Championship after years of trying to break into Asia’s premier mixed martial arts organization.

The 27-year-old Filipina finally achieved her dream when she saw action at ONE: Kings of Destiny at the Mall of Asia Arena last Friday, April 21. Iniong dominated Natalie “The Kilapino” Gonzales Hills en route to a unanimous decision victory to put the cherry on top of her ONE debut.

Iniong was introduced to martial arts in high school when she was recruited

by Mark Sangiao to join the University of the Cordilleras Wushu squad. She led her school to victories in national tournaments and it was only logical that she eventually turned to MMA as a member of Team Lakay.

Inong was aggressive from the start and put Hills on the defensive. “The Kilapino” landed some solid hits in the early going. She even caught one of Iniong’s leg kicks, but the Team Lakay product pushed Hills against the fence and hit her with some sharp knees.

Iniong then threw Hills across the cage with a suplex.

Iniong let her hands fly even more in round two. The 29-year-old Hills unloaded jabs and kicks but Iniong parried her attacks and countered with powerful combinations. Iniong then caught Hills with a stinging right hand which sent “The Kilapino” to the cage wall. Iniong then pinned Hills against the cage and then unloaded with more strikes.

Desperate for a win Hills tried to take the initiative with strikes. She even tried to take Iniong down but the Team Lakay veteran proved too elusive and continued to pepper Hills with strikes.

Iniong earned the victory by unanimous decision and improved her overall MMA record to 5-2. Hills suffered her fifth consecutive loss as her recorded skidded to 1-5.

BANARIO KOS CZECH WITH ONE PUNCH FORGET Manny Pacquiao’s one-punch knockout of Ricky Hatton which has served as the highlight reel as one of the most devastating knockouts ever.

Honorio Banario delivered an even more impressive one-punch demolition when he flattened Czech Republic’s Jaroslav Jartim in the second round of the ONE: Kings of Destiny undercard at the Mall of Asia Arena last April 21, Friday.

Jartim had just unloaded a kick with his right leg which was caught by Banario. As Jartim tried to retreat, Banario lunged forward and smashed a left hook into his face.

Jartim was out cold as soon as the punch connected. Limp as a doll he fell backwards and landed on the canvas flat on his back with his head bouncing on the floor a few times.

The knockout was total and Banario didn’t even move forward for a ground and pound attack.

Jartim was still out cold and flat on his back long minutes later. He was out of for so long the organizers didn’t have time to wait for him to wake up and stand beside Banario. Breaking protocol the announcer proclaimed Banario the winner by knockout with Jartim still lying on his back.

A feared striker who is slowly developing his ground game, Banario actually announced before the fight that he’d like a submission victory. Things didn’t go as planned for the man they call “The Rock.”

But Banario was hardly in a position to complain.

“Things happen. Instead of implementing my game plan of submission, my hand connected. That is what I always dream, you know? I always dream of a finish. I have become more refined. I’ve become stronger,” Banario said.

Banario, with Wushu as his core combat skill, has always been a fearsome striker.

But this is his most devastating victory by strikes.

Jartim, who was riding a three-fight win streak, was a last-minute replacement for “Ruthless” Rob Lisita. He took on the fight on less than two weeks notice. His record fell to 8-6.

Banario started the contest with quick strikes. But he soon abandoned his upright stance to try to submit Jartim. Banario grabbed Jartim then slammed him to the canvas just one minute into the fight.

Jartim was quick to fend off Banario’s submission attempts. The two then grappled on the cage with Banario controlling the ebb and flow of the fight in the first round.

Banario continued to control the fight and again brought Jartim to the ground early in the second. The Czech wiggled free and then unloaded a right kick at Banario who countered with a left hook which ended the fight. Reuel Vidal

Jaroslav Jartim (left) moves backward as he tries to avoid the left hook by Honorio Banario which knocked him out cold to end the bout. ONE Championship

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Sports

SUNDAY, APRIL 23, 2017 Riera U. Mallari, Editor / Reuel Vidal, Issue Editor / Randy Caluag, Issue Editor

sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

UA 3X3 CEBU LEG FINALS GET GOING Milo Rivera and Joyce Pring, hosts of new TV show Garahista

MOTORSPORTS FOR ALL

By Randy Caluag

T

HERE is a perception that motorsports is just for the elite, those with money and rubber to burn.

Garahista will change that notion.

“We want to show what motorsports is since the perception of people on motorsports is that it is for the rich, so we want to try to change that perception.

Racing is for everybody especially for people who love cars,” said Milo Rivera, host of the first realitybased motorsports show on Philippine TV. Named Garahista, derived from the words garahe (garage) and karerista (racer), this half-hour show, which premiered on primetime last Thursday on ABSCBN Sports + Action after the NBA playoffs, features teams from different walks of life as they build and race their vehicles in different racing platforms.

Garahista director Cesar Marquez and Rivera granted Manila Standard an interview at the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum last Tuesday at the Golden Phoenix Hotel, where they promoted their TV show.

Marquez revealed that for the first season of Garahista, seven teams from all walks of life are given a second-hand, stock car to tinker with and

transform into racing machines with the use of just P30,000. The teams worked 30 hours non-stop and are now preparing to race their “builds.”

“There are shows like this abroad, but this is the first of its kind on Philippine television, and I’m sure car and racing enthusiasts will be elated to have this show just for them,” said Marquez in the forum backed by San Miguel Corp., Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., Accel and Golden Phoenix Hotel.

“Our racers get limited money and limited time.

After their build, magda-drag race sila, magsa-slalom sila under the supervision of the AAP (Automobile Association of the Philippines), so hindi ito bastabasta karera na nagbuo ng race car at kinarera na lang basta,” added Marquez. “Garahista is about us.

It is about our sincere desire to excel, to achieve our dreams despite the limitations and challenges. No matter what is given us, we will be determined to finish the race that has been set before us.”

Rivera, who is co-hosting the show with DJ, Vlogger and Racer Joyce Pring, said Garahista is their means to spread to the world that motorsports is for everyone, not just for the elite.

“This is a good avenue to promote motorsports. It will be held in mall parking lots so that people coming out from the department stores and groceries can watch something as they go out or before they go in,” said Rivera, a World Gymkhana Racing Champion.

“You have people, you have teams, you have drivers, mechanics from all walks of life. ‘Yung iba mga ex-race car drivers na tumigil because of financial constraints. You have car dealers and playstation enthusiasts, gusto nila to feel the excitement of an actual race. You have people from everywhere put together in one competition. One thing that is common about them is they love cars.

Given the concept of the show, they try to put out something out of nothing because of limited budget and time. It’s really nice to know that ‘ganoon lang ang ginawa nila, ganoon na katulin?’ I’m all for it because we pursue something that we love,” added Rivera.

Garahista is held under the supervision of the Automobile Association of the Philippines and is backed by Dunlop, Rota Wheels, Tru Health, Fontana, Back Stage, Solaire, Palawan International Circuit, Batagas Racing Circuit, Carmona Race Circuit, Clark International Speedway, AeroMed, WalterMart Taytay, United Auctioneers, Dad and Mom’s Family Restaurant, Rosario Cars and Brembo Brakes.

The show’s pilot episode aired last Thursday to good reviews from car and motorsports enthusiasts, but director Marquez vows there is more to expect in the succeeding episodes.

“Gagalingan pa namin ang paggawa. Actionpacked segments start on episode 3. Ang first two kasi profiling pa lang ng mga racers,” said Marquez.

FIERCE BATTLE UP AS XTERRA DANAO UNWRAPS

Titleholder Bradley Weiss (seated, fourth from left) of South Africa poses with the other triathletes vying in the elite pro event of XTERRA Danao.

DANAO, Cebu—Bradley Weiss goes all-out for a repeat, Ben Allen seeks redemption while the rest vow to spring a surprise or two in what promises to be an exciting, punishing XTERRA series firing off here today (Sunday, April 23).

The heat and the new but exacting course featuring unfamiliar terrains are expected to add up to the challenge for the compact 15-man field, including 11 in the premier men’s side, guaranteeing a spirited battle fir the top purse of $15,000, ranking points and the bragging rights as the first champion of the country’s premier Off-Road

Triathlon in Danao.

“I am sure it will continue to be a thrilling battle right until the final race of the series,” said Weiss days before the 1.5km swim, 40km bike and 10km run event organized and produced by Sunrise Events, Inc. headed by general manager Princess Galura.

Weiss rallied from behind to surprise Allen in the last XTERRA series in Albay. But the South African expects to have his hands full in his title-retention bid with Allen raring for a payback and the rest hoping to get a crack at the coveted crown.

“My biggest rivals will be Sam Osborne from New Zealand and

Allen, who are both currently ranked higher than myself in Asia Pacific Tour,” said Weiss.

Allen also can’t wait to get back at Weiss and see what the new venue could offer.

“Both Jacqui (Slack-Allen) and I are very excited to race in the Danao region. Cebu is the heart of triathlon in the Philippines and it’s the perfect location for people to visit and enjoy an active and healthy lifestyle,” said Allen.

Japanese Takahiro Ogasawara, Taylor Charlton, Kieran McPherson, Brodie Gardner, Olly Shaw, Alex Roberts, Dan Brown, Will Kelsay and local bet Joseph Miller.

THE Cebu leg finals of the Under Armour 3x3 Southeast Asia 2017 blasts off today (Sunday) with the top winners getting the ticket to the Manila national finals slated for April 28-30 at the BGC in Taguig City.

A total of 70 teams from different schools in Cebu registered for the event, all hoping to make it to Manila and all the way to the Asia championship.

The winners in the Manila final will get the chance to become part of the national team.

Tournament organizers said Under Armour is giving each competitor the opportunity to make it to the national 3x3 team who will compete in the FIBA 3x3 U18 Asia Cup from May 26 to 28 at the Cyberjaya Gem in Mall in Malaysia.

The lucky team will to play for the Philippines in the competitions, while also having their flights and accommodation fully paid.

The selection of winning teams that will join the national contingent will be made by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

Under Armour recently announced that it is sponsoring 50 percent of the team’s registration fee to encourage more U18 teams to join the competition.

In addition, Under Armour also created an Open Category for passionate basketball players, local or nonresident, aged 19 to 50 as they also get the opportunity of pitting their skills against different teams.

The Open Category will have a men’s and women’s division and winners get the chance of winning cash prizes and medals.

The event is supported by supported by PDI and Business Mirror, with event partners Gatorade.

Wilson, Crystal Clear, De Los Santos Medical and Innewvation.

Visit www.ua3x3.com for more information about the Under Armour 3x3 Southeast Asia 2017 Tournament.

PNP CHIEF DELA ROSA IS BIG MMA FAN

By Randy Caluag

PHILIPPINE National Police chief Ronald Dela Rosa, who recently challenged vigilantes to a gun duel, can also put away his gun and engage any one in a handto-hand combat.

After all, the burly top cop is also a martial arts expert.

“I trained in judo, karate and boxing,” revealed Dela Rosa, wearing a specially designed Team Lakay shirt in support of the Filipino fighter Eduard Folayang.

Dela Rosa was at cageside and rooted for Benguet pride Folayang, who successfully retained his ONE Championship lightweight title against tough Malaysian challenger Ev Ting on Friday night at the Mall of Asia arena.

“Support natin ito para kay (Eduard) Folayang,”

Dela Rosa told a small group of reporters as they briefly interrupted the fans who lined up to have their pictures taken with the popular police officer.

Dela Rosa admitted he is a big fan of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and intently followed the sport since its beginning in the 80s era of Brazilian jiujitsu master Royce Gracie.

Dela Rosa, who watched the ONE Championship for the first time, and the full-house crowd were treated to a night of thrilling actions as Folayang led Team Lakay’s onslaught against their foreign foes.

There were other VIP guests who cheered for the Filipinos but Dela Rosa maintained a low-profile presence.

Boxing senator Manny Pacquiao, a ONE Championship shareholder, was with some politician friends. He later went inside the cage to award

the belt to Folayang.

In the co-main event, Folayang’s Team Lakay teammate Kevin Belingon demolished Toni Tauru on the way to a submission victory via verbal tapout in round one.

Other Lakay fighters who shone bright were Honorio Banario, who knocked out Jaroslav Jartim with a single left hook at 1:31 minutes of round 2 in their bantamweight bout; Danny Kingad who dominated Muhammad Aiman in their flyweight clash and Gina Iniong, who decisioned Natalie Hills in their women’s atomweight bout.

Robin Catalan defeated Jeremy Miado by Split Decision (SD) after 3 rounds of their all-Filipino tussle. The only Filipino casualty of the night was Eugene Toquero who bowed to Indonesian Tefer Rahardian.

PNP General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa posing the patented Duterte fist.