Manila Standard - 2020 February 4 - Tuesday

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NCoV death toll at 360 exceeds SARS fatalities VOL. XXXIII • NO. 355 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

CHINA’S death toll from a new coronavirus jumped above 360 on Monday to surpass the number of fatalities of its SARS crisis two decades ago, with dozens of people dying in the epicenter’s quarantined ground-zero.

The 57 confirmed new deaths was the single-biggest increase since the virus

was detected late last year in the central city of Wuhan, where it is believed to have jumped from wild animals at a market into humans.

The virus has since spread to more than 24 countries, despite many governments imposing unprecedented Next page

48 more under virus probe

None of the patients were Filipinos—DOH

By Macon Ramos-Araneta, Ronald O. Reyes, Maricel V. Cruz and Joel E. Zurbano

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HE number of patients under investigation for the deadly novel coronavirus (nCoV) more than doubled Monday to 80, from 32 the day before, health officials said.

These include 67 who are currently admitted and isolated, 10 who have been discharged under strict monitoring, two confirmed nCoV cases—including the first death outside China— and one patient who died of pneumonia but tested negative for the dreaded virus.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said none of the patients were Filipinos, and that the only death related to the virus here was a 44-year-old Chinese man from Wuhan.

The patient was admitted and isolated at San Lazaro Hospital in Sta. Cruz, Manila, but developed severe pneumonia and died.

There has been no local transmission of the disease so far, Duque said.

The first confirmed case was a 38-year-old Chinese woman, who traveled with the man who died to Cebu and Dumaguete before coming to Manila.

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FACE MASKS OVERPRICED; FIVE CHINESE NABBED A2

Duque said the substantial increase in the number of patients under investigation was due to the strengthened surveillance system and contact tracing done by the Bureau of Epidemiology.

The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine said 30 patients tested negative for nCoV while two tested positive.

Forty-eight results were pending.

The Interagency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases was set to meet with President Rodrigo Duterte Tuesday afternoon, together with other government agencies and resource persons, to discuss developments and next steps in the management of virus threat.

Duque renewed his reminders to the public to practice preventive measures such as proper hand washing, observance of cough etiquette, and maintaining healthy lifestyles for added resistance against infections.

Epidemiology Bureau Director Chito Avelino said eight of the more than 70 persons who were tracked down because they had come in contact with the Chinese couple were exhibiting symptoms of coughs and colds.

Avelino said that the DOH was able to trace a total of 74 persons who had been at close contact with the Chinese couple infected with the novel coronavirus.

He said they were immediately advised to go on home quarantine and not to interact with family members for 14 days.

Avelino did not say where these persons were.

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Lockdown on 8 Davao barangays THE Department of Agriculture has placed eight barangays of Don Marcelino in Davao Occidental on lockdown to prevent the spread of African swine fever while General Santos City has sealed off its borders to prevent the entry of all possible infected pork products.

Don Marcelino has been placed under a state of calamity after samples drawn from around 1,000 dead pigs tested positive for African swine fever in barangays Lindasan, North Lamidan, South Lamidan, Calian, Mabuhay, Lawa, Nueva Villa and Baluntayan.

“Theories are being investigated as to how the virus reached the isolated town,” Agriculture Secretary William Dar said Monday.

Seven barangays in the town of Malita, also in Davao Occidental, are under surveillance.

In General Santos, city veterinary office head Antonio Marin said the local Next page

CORONA CONCERNS. Members of the Philippine National Police Health Service wear protective suits during a press conference headed by PNP Chief Archie Gamboa at PNP Headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City as part of the preparedness to help those infected by the novel coronavirus. PNP units with Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and High Yield Explosives capability, particularly the Special Action Force, Crime Lab and Health Service, are the frontline troops that will perform police public safety functions. Manny Palmero

DFA suspends visa issuances to Chinese

By Rey E. Requejo, Joel E. Zurbano, MJ Blancaflor and Darwin G. Amojelar THE Department of Foreign Affairs has temporarily stopped issuing visas to Chinese and other foreign nationals traveling here from China, Hong Kong

and Macau as part of efforts to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus (nCoV), which has killed more than 360 people.

In an advisory posted on Sunday, the DFA said the suspension was necessary due to the “developing situation of the 2019-novel coronavirus.”

The DFA also banned the entry of foreign nationals who have been to China

14 days before their visit to the Philippines.

Those with visa-free entry privileges and transit passengers who have also been to China are also covered by the ban, the department said.

Filipinos, including those with jobs in China, are also covered by the tempoNext page rary travel ban.

READY BUT STRANDED. More than 100 Chinese passengers dash Monday to the NAIA Terminal 1 to board a China Southern flight back to Guangzhou, only to be out in left field.

2 quakes jolt Taal Volcano

By Rio N. Araja

CONFUSING CALM. Authorities have recorded two volcanic tremors in Taal Volcano out of the 134 shocks during the 24-hour observation, indicating ’magmatic activity beneath (it) that could lead to eruptive activity at the main crater.’

THE Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology recorded two volcanic earthquakes in Taal Volcano out of the 134 tremors during the 24-hour observation, signifying “magmatic activity beneath the Taal edifice that could lead to eruptive activity at the main crater.”

At 4:20 a.m. on Sunday, a quake of magnitude 3.2 was felt at intensity 4 in the towns of Laurel, Agoncillo and Lemery in Batangas, while Tagaytay City in Next page

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mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Masks overpriced; 5 Chinese nabbed male Chinese patient at the San Lazaro hospital died of nCoV ARD. Carlos also asked for additional hazard pay given to health workers.

The Chinese patient, who died on Saturday, was the companion of the 38-year-old female Chinese national who was the first case of nCoV ARD in the Philippines.

Retailers of medical supplies in Bambang, Manila, said it had been a week since they last received a fresh supply of surgical face masks amid fears over the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak.

According to a report on Balitanghali

by GMA News’ Mark Salazar on Monday, almost all medical supply stores in Bambang had a “Face mask not available” sign plastered across their windows.

Based on the suggested retail price of the Department of Trade and Industry, one box of surgical masks should only be priced at P40 to P50, while the N95 masks should cost P80 to P100 apiece.

The Chinese vendors were charged with violating Republic Act 7581 and RA 7394.

Authorities were also trying to find out if the five had work permits.

The Chinese nationals, meanwhile, denied the allegations against them.

Samonte reminded sellers not to take advantage of the 2019-nCoV situation in the country.

“Paalala namin na ibenta n’yo, ‘wag n’yo samantalahin ang ganitong sitwasyon... dahil may kakaharapin silang pananagutan sa batas,” he said.

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Department of Health to help in controlling the spread of the deadly virus.

The chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives (CBRNE)trained personnel belong to the SAF (Special Action Force), the Health Service, Crime Lab and EOD-K9 units.

The doctors from the PNP Health Service could also help in the mandatory quarantine procedures of returning Filipinos from countries affected by nCoV, Gamboa said.

The chairman of the House of Representatives’ committee on health, meanwhile, urged lawmakers to approve a P1-billion supplemental budget to fight the spread of nCoV. Quezon Rep. Angelina Tan, the panel’s chairperson, said the extra budget could go to strengthening the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine.

In related developments: • The Metro Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said it sees no reason for the public to panic over the nCoV outbreak. Metro Manila Development Authority General Manager Jose Arturo Garcia Jr. appealed to the public not to spread unreliable information or fake news about the virus.

• The PNP said it is considering a temporary lockdown of its training facilities such as the Philippine National Police Academy and the National Po-

lice Training Institute for the safety and protection of the cadets and trainers.

Police Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa said the PNP would coordinate with the DOH. • Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano called on the house committee on tourism and house committee on economic affairs to start working with the Department of Tourism to assess the short- and medium-term effects the nCoV scare would have on tourism and the travel industry, saying measures should be taken to cushion the impact to this sector. Deputy Speaker Luis Raymond Villafuerte, meanwhile, said local governments should activate task forces on the nCoV threat that could advise their constituents about what precautionary measures they could take.

• Senator Imee Marcos said the government must move on from a belated travel ban and enforce more comprehensive measures to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus in the country.

One measure could be random temperature tests at the entrances of court offices, conference venues and meeting rooms. She said dispensers of antiseptic hand sanitizers should be installed not just in toilets but also along hallways and other strategic places. Also, she said the use of face masks by frontline, public desk, service utility personnel must be required. With PNA

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“We have sent a notice to airlines and shipping agents requiring them to screen passengers before boarding to restrict the arrival of aliens who have visited the areas of concern in the past 14 days,” Morente said.

President Rodrigo Duterte ordered a temporary ban on travelers from China, Hong Kong and Macau Sunday.

The ban also disallows the departure of Filipinos going to China and its administrative regions regardless of visa type.

Over the weekend, the Department of Health announced two confirmed cases of the coronavirus, with one fatality—the first nCoV-related death outside of China.

On Tuesday, the Bureau of Immigration suspended the issuance of Visas Upon Arrival for Chinese nationals, in an effort to slow down the arrival of Chinese tour groups.

Immigration officers have been instructed to refer foreign nationals who came from Hubei province to the Bureau of Quarantine.

Travelers from Hubei were later barred from entry altogether, before the ban was expanded to include the whole of China and its two administrative regions.

“We urge everyone to temporarily refrain from unnecessary travel, and to bear with the government as we implement this measure,” Morente said. “Let us work hand in hand to ensure that the country is protected from this virus.”

The Department of Labor and Employment, meanwhile, urged all Filipinos working overseas to take the necessary precautions and to immediately report any suspected cases of nCoV to Philippine overseas labor offices.

Citing World Health Organization guidelines, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III reminded Filipino workers abroad to avoid close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections, and to wash hands frequently or use an alcoholbased hand rub, and to avoid contact with farm or wild animals.

He also advised Filipino workers to avoid visiting crowded places and hospitals, and to wear a mask if necessary, and to consult a doctor immediately if they develop any of

the symptoms, such as fever or respiratory problems.

Local airlines announced the cancellation of all flights between the Philippines and China in compliance with the directive of President Duterte to protect Filipinos from the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Philippine Airlines said effective immediately flights between Manila and Beijing, Hong Kong, Guangzhou (Jinjiang) and Macau are canceled until Feb. 29.

“We are constrained to cancel these flights in compliance with the Feb. 2, 2020 directive of the President of the Philippines and the related order of the Philippine Civil Aeronautics Board, which aim to protect the Philippine public by helping to contain and neutralize the spread of the novel coronavirus,” PAL said.

“Our all-Filipino flight and cabin crew members are likewise included in this ban,” PAL said.

“These new entry and exit restrictions compel us to cancel flights, and thus we seek the cooperation and understanding of our passengers whose travel plans will be affected,” it added.

Cebu Pacific also canceled flights between the Philippines, Hong Kong and Macau until Feb. 29, 2020.

All other flights to and from China (Beijing, Shanghai, Xiamen, Guangzhou, Shenzen) remain canceled until March 29, 2020.

Air Asia Philippines, meanwhile, canceled all flights from Manila, Kalibo, and Cebu to and from Chinese cities, Hong Kong and Macau.

The three airlines said their affected passengers may get refunds with service fees waived.

Passengers may also rebook their flights with rebooking service fees waived, once the travel bans are lifted and flights to and from China, Hong Kong and Macau are reinstated.

PAL on Monday also advised air travelers going to the United States to allot at least four hours at the airport before departure time, as each passenger will need to undergo extra screening that includes an interview on his or her recent travel history, in line with new rules imposed by the US Department of Homeland Security.

survived and were still floating despite Taal Volcano’s eruption.

“Half of the surviving cages still have healthy living fish, but they need to be fed and fattened to maximize quality and value.

We also need to repair our cages and start recovering and rebuilding whatever is left of our livelihood. These fish are our only chance to recover and sustain our 12,000 workers and their families," the group said.

Alert Level 3 remained over the Taal Volcano.

“The Department of Science and Technology-PHIVOLCS reminds the public that sudden steam-driven and even weak phreatomagmatic explosion, ash fall and lethal volcanic gas explosions can still occur

and threaten areas within Taal Volcano island and nearby lakeshores,” PHIVOLCS Monday’s bulletin said.

The agency said the entry into the Taal Volcano island and areas over Taal Lake as well as the communities west of the island within the seven-kilometer radius from the main crater must still be strictly prohibited.

“People are advised to observe precautions due to ground displacement across fissures, frequent ash fall and minor earthquakes,” PHIVOLCS said.

It said the communities beside the active river channels, particularly where ash from the main eruption phase had been thickly deposited, should increase vigilance during heavy and prolonged rainfall.

By Willie Casas

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HE Manila Police District-Special Mayor’s Reaction Team have arrested five Chinese nationals in the city for selling overpriced face masks, amid the threat of the 2019 novel coronavirus.

Surgical masks were being sold for P100 to P150 per box and N95 masks for P100 to P200 per piece.

SMaRT Investigation Chief Police Captain Edward Samonte said they received information regarding the selling of overpriced masks in a mall in Binondo, Manila, which prompted them to conduct a test buy.

“Nag-collect tayo ng mga resibo na allegedly ‘yong mga surgical masks

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travel bans on people coming from China.

The World Health Organization has declared the crisis a global health emergency, and the first foreign death from the virus was reported in the Philippines on Sunday.

In China, all but one of the 57 new deaths reported Monday were in Wuhan and the rest of Hubei province, most of which has been under lockdown for almost two weeks to stop people leaving and transmitting the virus.

The national death toll reached 361, exceeding the 349 mainland fatalities from the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome outbreak of 2002-2003.

SARS, caused by a pathogen similar to the new coronavirus and also originated in China, killed 774 people—with most of the other deaths in Hong Kong.

The virus is also having an increasingly heavy economic impact, shutting down businesses across China, curbing international travel and shutting down production lines of major international brands.

Stock markets in Shanghai and Shenzhen plunged by nearly 9 percent on Monday morning as investors returned from a Lunar New Year holiday that had been extended to stop people traveling around China.

Hundreds of firms tumbled by the maximum 10 percent as investors got their first chance in more than a week to react to a barrage of bad news from the spiraling outbreak.

Travel and tourism shares plummeted after domestic and international travel curbs were imposed to slow the virus.

In Wuhan, which has been transformed from a bustling industrial hub into a nearghost town, residents have been living in deep fear of catching the virus.

The city’s medical facilities have been overwhelmed, with state news agency Xinhua reporting Monday that 68 medical teams of 8,300 staff from across China had been sent to Hubei to “aid novel coronavirus control.”

The number of infections in China also jumped significantly on Monday, passing 17,200.

Amid mounting pressure the government has been racing to build two new hospitals in extraordinarily quick timeframes.

The first of those, a 1,000-bed facility, was due to open on Monday, just 10 days after construction began.

About 1,400 military medics will treat patients at the hospital, dubbed “Fire God Mountain”, according to state media.

However with the death toll surging in Wuhan and other areas of Hubei, it was not immediately clear what overall impact the hospitals would have on the virus spreading elsewhere.

In a worrying signal about it already spreading in significant numbers to other parts of China, the eastern industrial city of Wenzhou was on Sunday placed under a similar lockdown to Wuhan.

Roads in Wenzhou, 800 kilometers to the east, were closed and its 9 million people were ordered to stay indoors.

Only one resident per household in Wenzhou is allowed to go out every two days to buy necessities, authorities announced.

The emergence of the virus coincided with the Lunar New Year, when hundreds of millions travel across the country in planes, trains and buses for family reunions.

The holiday—originally scheduled to end last Friday—was extended by three days to give authorities more time to deal with the crisis.

But some major cities—including Shanghai—extended the holiday again, and many schools and universities delayed the start of new terms.

Road traffic on Sunday, when hundreds of millions of people would have been expected to return to their cities of work, was down 80 percent, the transport ministry said.

Train journeys were down 74 percent on last year, according to Xinhua, with plane trips during the new year holiday down around a fifth.

In a bid to stagger the return to work, many companies offered staff the option to work from home or defer travel, or simply closed.

The G7 countries—Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Britain and the United States—have all confirmed cases of the virus.

They will discuss a joint response, German Health Minister Jens Spahn said on Sunday. AFP

ay binebenta nila ng P100 to P150 per box. ‘Yong N95 naman ay binebenta ng P100 to P200 per piece, which is overpriced,” Samonte said.

The shortage of face masks prompted a Health official to appeal for more access to the protective mask.

Director Celia Carlos of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine made the appeal a day after the Department of Health confirmed that a 44-year-old

The DOH in Eastern Visayas on Monday confirmed a second patient under investigation for the coronavirus.

Dr. Minerva Molon, DOH Eastern Visayas regional director, said the second patient under investigation in the region is a 30-year-old Filipino woman with a history of travel to Hong Kong and Macau.

She developed symptoms such as a cough and sore throat five days after arriving in the Philippines on Jan. 21, the DOH official said.

“Currently, she is now in one of the referral hospitals for 14 days isolation as per guidelines... Samples were collected… for confirmatory test of 2019nCov ARD in RITM,” said the DOHEastern Visayas Center of Health Development.

The first patient under investigation in the region was an American who traveled to Wuhan. He was discharged on Saturday, Feb. 1, after 14 days of quarantine.

The Philippine National Police said Monday that some 105 of its personnel were ready to help in the repatriation of Filipinos from China.

PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa on Monday said their personnel are ready for deployment once called upon by the

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration said they would coordinate with work agencies to protect the jobs of Filipinos who have work permits in China but cannot go back because of the travel ban, Bureau of Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval said.

“All Filipinos will not be allowed to depart for Hong Kong, China and Macau.

The OWWA and the POEA will do their part to ensure that the jobs of Filipinos abroad will remain despite the travel ban,” Sandoval said in a press briefing.

A large number of Chinese nationals were stranded at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport while some chose to extend their stay at their hotels as Immigration authorities started imposing the expanded travel ban for foreigners coming from China and its special administrative regions.

The Chinese nationals, most of them tourists, were stranded at the airport and waiting for assistance from the Chinese Embassy after major airlines canceled flights to and from the different parts of China because of the nCoV outbreak.

Sources from various hotels in Manila also told Manila Standard that some of their guests from China decided to extend their stay in Manila for fear of the infectious disease in their homeland.

“We have so many Chinese guests staying at our hotel but they chose not to go home at the moment,” said a hotel worker in Manila.

Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said his agency immediately implemented the expanded travel ban, hence all foreign nationals, regardless of their nationality, coming from China and its special administrative regions will be turned back and not allowed to enter the Philippines.

He said Filipinos and Philippine permanent resident visa holders will be allowed to enter subject to a 14-day quarantine to be carried out by the Bureau of Quarantine.

Morente said that the ban includes passengers who have been to China, Hong Kong and Macau in the last 14 days.

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Cavite felt intensity 2 due to a quake of magnitude 2.3 at 5:42 a.m.

Meanwhile, the 3,000-strong Taal Lake Aquaculture Alliance Inc. on Sunday appealed to government authorities to give its members sufficient “window hours” daily to feed and harvest thousands of tons of healthy and marketable fish still in their cages.

In a letter to Agriculture Secretary William Dar, Batangas Gov. Hermilando Mandanas and other ranking government officials involved in Taal’s rehabilitation, the group said 70 percent of their fish cages

Cure for HIV, flu works vs. nCoV, Thai health ministry claims A CHINESE woman infected with the new coronavirus showed a dramatic improvement after she was treated with a cocktail of anti-virals used to treat flu and HIV, Thailand’s health ministry said Sunday.

The 71-year-old patient tested negative for the virus 48 hours after Thai doctors administered the combination, doctor Kriengsak Attipornwanich said during the ministry’s daily press briefing.

“The lab result of positive on the coronavirus turned negative in 48 hours,” Kriengsak said.

“From being exhausted before, she could sit up in bed 12 hours later.”

In related developments: • The World Health Organization will work closely with health experts in Thailand after Thai doctors saw an apparent success in treating a 71-year-old Chinese woman who was infected with the 2019 novel coronavirus by giving her a mixture of antivirals used to cure flu and HIV. WHO country representative to the Philippines Rabindra Abeyasinghe noted on Monday that further studies were needed to prove the effectiveness of the antiviral drugs given to the patient in Bangkok.

• A claim by Chinese scientists that a liquid made with honeysuckle and flowering plants could help fight the deadly coronavirus has sparked frenzied buying of the traditional medicine, but doubts quickly emerged.

As the death toll from the SARS-like pathogen sweeping the country continues to rise, shoppers have swamped pharmacies in search of “Shuanghuanglian.”

The rush came after the influential state media outlet Xinhua reported Friday that the esteemed Chinese Academy of Sciences had found the concoction “can inhibit” the virus.

The doctors combined the anti-flu drug oseltamivir with lopinavir and ritonavir, anti-virals used to treat HIV, Kriengsak said, adding the ministry was awaiting research results to prove the findings.

The news comes as the new virus claimed its first life outside China―a 44-year-old Chinese man who died in the Philippines―while the death toll in China has soared above 300.

Thailand so far has detected 19 confirmed cases of the virus believed to have originated in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, which is under lockdown.

That is the second highest number of cases outside of China, with Japan recording 20.

So far, eight patients in Thailand have recovered and returned home, while 11 remain in hospital.

In a video released Sunday, health minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited a patient from Wuhan who had recovered from the coronavirus, chatting with her amicably in Mandarin as she thanked him and the medical staff.

Thai authorities are trying to balance screening of inbound Chinese visitors with the economic needs of its tourist sector, which is heavily reliant on arrivals from the mainland.

Messages of support saying “Our hearts to Wuhan” in English, Chinese and Thai were plastered on a Bangkok mall popular with tourists.

The bulk of confirmed cases have been Chinese visitors to Thailand, but on Thursday the kingdom recorded its first human-to-human transmission when a Thai taxi driver was diagnosed with the disease.

The taxi driver had not traveled to China, but may have had contact with tourists.

Thailand’s government is also battling public criticism that it has been slow to evacuate scores of its citizens from Hubei province, at the center of the outbreak.

Anutin said evacuation would happen on Tuesday, and the returnees would be quarantined for 14 days.

MJ Blancaflor with AFP

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government has banned the entry of all pork products and live pigs from Davao Occidental and other areas in the wake of the confirmed cases of ASF. Marin said they had assigned additional personnel to ensure the round-the-clock monitoring of the city’s entry and exit points, especially the highways leading to Davao Occidental.

The local government of Don Marcelino has already ordered the activation of a Regional Animal Disease Task Force to focus on ASF cases.

Transporting hogs in and out of the municipality, as well as selling pork will be prohibited, Don Marcelino Mayor Michael Maruya said.

Authorities will also establish animal quarantine checkpoints in the entry points around the municipality.

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Senate to ask Du30 to reconsider revoking VFA

Gov’t agents arrest Thai drug mule at NAIA

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

By Joel E. Zurbano

AT LEAST three senators on Monday filed a resolution in the Senate asking President Rodrigo Duterte to reconsider his plan to unilaterally revoke the Visiting Forces Agreement between the Philippines and the United States pending its review by the upper chamber.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Senator Panfilo Lacson and Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon initiated Senate Resolution No. 312.

Sotto said he expects that “most, if not all” members of the chamber would support the resolution.

The VFA between the Philippines and the USA was entered into and came into force upon ratification of the Senate of the Philippines on May 27, 1999. Its primary goal is to facilitate the promotion of optimal cooperation between America and the Philippine military forces in the event of an attack by a common foe.

“A careful deliberation of these matters must be taken into account before finally arriving at a decision which will ultimately affect not only the security and economy of the Philippines but also that of our neighboring countries in the Asia-Pacific region,” read the four-page resolution.

“Now, therefore, be it resolved, as it is hereby resolved to express as it hereby expresses the sense of the Senate to earnestly request the President to reconsider his planned abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement in the meantime that the Senate is conducting a review and impact assessment with the end view of ensuring the continued safety and security of the Philippines and the Asia Pacific and maintain the existing balance of power within the region,” it added.

GOVERNMENT agents arrested a Thai tourist who was caught in possession of smuggled shabu worth P28 million early Monday morning at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Pakjira Janwong has just arrived from Bangkok on board Air Asia flight Z2288 when she was intercepted by Customs personnel at the NAIA Terminal 3.

Her luggage was subjected to X-ray machine scanning which showed images of suspected dangerous drugs, prompting the authorities to place it under 100 percent physical examination. The Customs men then discovered 4.125 kilos of shabu.

The Office of Customs-NAIA district collector Carmelita Talusan turned over Janwong and the seized prohibited substance to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for custody and proper disposition.

The government has commended Customs agents assigned at the NAIA for having the most number of significant drug-related operational accomplishments in 2019.

Since January last year, Talusan’s men busted more than 40 cases of prohibited drugs—cocaine, shabu, marijuana and ecstasy, mostly smuggled from the United States, China and European countries.

Airport and Customs authorities were also able to arrest at least 15 foreigners for trying to smuggle cocaine and other prohibited drugs at the NAIA from 2018 to 2019.

The United States Drug Enforcement Administration was the one who tipped off government agents in the Philippines about the arrival of foreigners, mostly drug mules, in Manila.

SAFE HAVEN. Committee on Welfare of Children Chairperson and Tingog Party-List Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez answers to the comments and suggestions by several resource persons during the deliberation of her House Bill 4158, an act providing safe haven for abandoned newborn infants at the House of Representatives. Romualdez stresses the intent of the bill is for the protection of the newborn infants abandoned by their parents. The bill is also authored by Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez. Ver Noveno

Comelec set to test new mobile voting app C

OMMISSION on Elections Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said on Monday that the commission will soon test a mobile app that may be used for voting in the country’s elections.

In a statement, Guanzon said they are looking at four suppliers of a mobile app voting program or system that have offered to conduct a test run for Comelec.

“If successful, we will ask Congress to pass a law,” she said.

“We will test it muna. We will be transparent with mobile app voting testing,” she added.

Guanzon said the poll body would invite representatives from election watchdogs Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, Lente and the National Movement for Free Elections to observe and critique the proceedings.

Under the present Automated Elec-

NHA hit for inaction in sewage damage

By Rio N. Araja A GROUP of urban poor dwellers on Monday slammed the National Housing Authority for its supposed inaction on the breakdown of a sewage treatment plant in Pasig City.

Hundreds of members of the Alliance of Peoples’ Organization stormed the National Housing Authority in Quezon City to demand its prompt action on the frequent breakdown of the sewage treatment plant of the in-city housing project, lowrise buildings that were granted to informal settlers families who used to dwell along Manggahan Floodway, Pasig.

“For over a year now, the 2,300 residents have to bear the obnoxious smell resulting from the STP’s breakdown. Furthermore, the detestable exposure to defective STP causes headache among the residents, especially the children, women, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups residing in the buildings, making them prone to respiratory ailment,” said Lalaine Suarez, the group’s president.

“We are sick and tired of the inaction and neglect of this agency to our appeals. They promised us that they will come up with a memorandum of agreement with Manila Water Co. Inc. and Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System to be able to transfer the maintenance and operation of the STP to Manila Water as it has the technical capacity to manage and operate STP. But until now we are in a limbo as to what happened to the MoA,” she said in a statement.

The group also demanded the immediate resumption of the construction of the remaining seven buildings that had been granted to 120 informal settler families whose dwellings along Manggahan Floodway were demolished in 2017.

The construction of Manggahan Residences, an in-city low-rise building located across the Manggahan Floodway, Eastbank Pasig started in 2013 and was supposed to be completed in June 2016.

The construction was stopped in 2016 due to a complaint lodged by the beneficiaries about the substandard construction of the buildings, and the delay and non-payment of NHA to the project contractor, the group said.

PhilHealth extends coverage to nCoV-infected patients THE board of directors of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.has approved a benefit package for member-patients under investigation for possible 2019-nCoV infection who are admitted in health care facilities for isolation and quarantine as advised by competent physicians.

Currently, treatment due to coronavirus infection is covered and paid for using case rates. In more severe cases where an infection leads to moderate

or high-risk pneumonia, the social health insurer likewise covers attendant medical costs incurred by the patients.

In order to help arrest the spread of the 2019-nCoV, the state agency is strongly supporting the Department of Health in its call to observe cleanliness, practice good personal hygiene which include frequent hand washing, and avoid crowded places as much as possible.

tion law, votes can only be cast by being physically present in voting centers and feeding the ballot to vote counting machines.

In the 2019 midterm polls, at least 961 Vote Counting Machines malfunctioned and 1,665 secure digital cards were corrupted on election day.

The Comelec said each VCM caters to at least 1,000 registered voters, which means that defective VCMs could have affected at least one million voters.

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Wise and timely I HAVE written that the best thing President Rodrigo Duterte could do to mitigate the spread of the dreaded novel coronavirus was for him to ban the entry, and immediately, of all Chinese from the mainland.

Santa Banana, Duterte did it, not only for those from the mainland, but also Chinese from Hong Kong and Macau!

This is the only way to protect 110 million Filipinos.

For this, I am not only praising Duterte for realizing that the infection could come not only from Hubei province, but from all over China. My gulay, the World Health Organization has declared a global emergency!

Duterte’s decision is not unreasonable. It is wise and timely. As President, first and foremost, he must think about the health and safety of 110 million Filipinos who are all at risk. All the more so now that one person has died of the virus here.

At the risk of being accused of discriminating against the Chinese and promoting Sinophobia, I cannot think of any other way to protect 100 million Filipinos from the dreaded virus.

I have learned from my little knowledge of infectious diseases that some people may not exhibit symptoms but could be carriers. I saw that in a Hollywood movie called Contagion.

This explains the need for a ban.

Even if the Chinese do not show symptoms, they could already be carriers. Health Secretary Duque knows

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

this, so he often gives the basic reminded of always washing our hands.

If Russia, an ally of China, and the much poorer Mongolia can close their borders with China, then why in the world would we still accept Chinese from other parts of the mainland?

More than diplomacy, the health and safety of 110 million Filipinos are important.

What really surprised me was the President’s earlier decision to allow a Xiamen Airline plane to land in Davao City. The Bureau of Quarantine immediately cleared the 79 passengers. My gulay, if Duterte knew what was good for us, he should not have allowed the landing in the first place.

The bureau also allowed a cruise ship from China carrying 1,400 passengers to dock at the Port of Manila.

Why? The President should impose heavy penalties on any agency of government that risks the well-being of Filipinos! *** My book was launched last Thursday, Jan. 30. It was held at the Manila Golf and Country Club. My boss here at the Manila Standard, Majority leader Rep. Martin Romualdez, was there to show support for me. Actually my family and I were worried that people might not show up for fear of the virus. But our prayers were heard, and many of our friends came.

I thank Martin as I do my publisher Rollie Estabillo and the Manila Standard staff particularly opinion editor Adelle Chua, who made the launching a big success.

Thanks also to columnist Mike Toledo who is also vice president of Philex Mining and Manny Pangilinan’s Metro Pacific for being the emcee. He was great.

My thanks, too, to Fr. Rocky Evangelista.

Former President Gloria Macapagal

Sober urgency

I

N ONE weekend, the Philippines rapidly went from having no confirmed case of the dreaded novel coronavirus (nCoV) to becoming the first country outside of China to register an nCoV-related death.

the center of the virus outbreak that has killed more than 300 and infected more than 14,000.

Both arrived in the Philippines via Hong Kong on Jan 21. The man was admitted to a hospital for pneumonia on Jan 25 after having a fever, cough, and sore throat.

Trying to put a positive spin on the developments, Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III emphasized that these were “imported” cases and there was no evidence of local transmission.

While this is indeed a reason to be thankful, it is no excuse for complacency. After all, a number of other countries such as the United States, have reported person-to-person transmission of the disease even when the carrier is showing no symptoms.

That we are the first country with a recorded death traced to nCoV is hardly reassuring that our hospitals will be able to cope with more confirmed cases.

We are also wary about government assurances that our health workers are adequately protected from infection as

The Department of Health announced Sunday that a 44-year-old man from Wuhan with an nCoV infection has died, marking the first such death outside of China.

He also represents the second confirmed case and in the Philippines as his traveling companion, a 38-year-old woman from Wuhan, was the country's first confirmed patient. Before they were diagnosed, the two had traveled to Cebu and Dumaguete, before flying back to Manila. Her illness was announced Jan. 30.

Both patients are from Wuhan, China,

they treat the confirmed nCoV cases.

To allay public fears, Health officials must quickly show that they have progressed in their contact tracing, and that the people that the two confirmed cases came in contact with are being quarantined and monitored.

The nCoV outbreak in Wuhan was first reported in December—so authorities have been rather slow to react. For example, the government only banned the entry of Chinese nationals from Hubei province on Jan. 31, leaving a month-long window during which travelers could have spread the virus to the local population.

The nCoV outbreak is deadly serious, and we cannot afford to act like it is business as usual.

On the other hand, we shouldn't let our fears get the better of us and slip into racist actions, such as one private university which ordered its Chinese students to quarantine themselves for two weeks “to ensure a healthy and virus-free environment.”

We need to move forward with sober urgency.

Turn to A5

A precautionary and compassionate approach (First of two parts) AS THE deaths and number of confirmed infections of the virus originally known as 2019-nCoV and now named novel coronavirus surges around the world, scientists are scrambling to figure out the virus’ qualities and find a vaccine to this scourge. The death toll continues to rise with a total number of confirmed cases worldwide at more than 17,000 with nearly 400 fatalities as of first week of February, and present in dozens of countries. Last Feb. 2, Philippine health officials reported the second infection and first death in the country, the first fatality outside China.

The virus is characterized as a super-spreader, with the number of infections skyrocketing in so short a time. With so much uncertainty surrounding the nature and characteristics of the nCoV, it is understandable that people are panicking and extreme measures to stem the spread of infections have been implemented.

The Chinese authorities have instituted draconian measures, locking down Wuhan, a city of 11 million, which is unprecedented. That lockdown has been extended to several cities and regions in China and countries are scrambling to evacuate their citizens out of Wuhan in emergency airlifts. In the meantime, airlines are suspending flights to and from Wuhan and even in the whole of China.

On the local front, the Philippine government has been criticized for its insipid, sluggish and indecisive response in the early days of the outbreak. The president initially refused to impose a travel ban, saying “it would not be fair to China.” Echoing his superior, Health Secretary Duque warned that banning Chinese tourists may have serious “political and diplomatic repercussions.” Because of lack of travel restrictions, a

flight from Xiamen with more than 50 passengers was allowed to land in Davao and some 778 Chinese passengers of a cruise ship allowed to disembark in the port of Manila.

Despite these obvious missteps, the government has finally issued a travel ban to and from China, and measures are in place to arrest the spread of the virus. Better late than never.

While disagreeing with his initial actions, I generally support Secretary Francisco Duque, whom I have worked with, and his team of professionals in the DOH. My only advice to them is to be completely transparent as they need to be, above all, credible during these times. There is much to disclose, for example, on the first death reported.

While compassion is the language of God, as Pope Francis so often says, hatred is the weapon of the devil.

Given our limitations, it is best to adopt the precautionary approach by formulating a blueprint of and implementing preventive measures to address the potential of widespread infection. It must be a collective effort entrusted not solely to health officials but to everybody from the highest levels of government to the lowest, including barangay officials.

The opposition and private sector must be harnessed to its fullest.

The President should stop attacking his perceived enemies and business leaders, many of whom like MVP, the Ayalas, and Lopezes are already at the forefront of the response to the Taal disaster and this virus scare.

Purveyors of fake news should be stopped at all costs. Fake news, as Secretary Duque puts it—is more viral than the virus, causes people to panic into making irrational decisions which do more harm than good to Turn to A5

Uphill climb for family planning program

IS IT possible to reduce poverty in the Philippines without at the same time implementing an honest-to-goodness family planning program?

The answer, as far as the Commission on Population and Development (PopCom) is concerned, is a big, fat NO. PopCom Executive Director Juan Antonio Perez III, who is also an undersecretary of the Department of Health, believes that the national program on family planning is a crucial— and therefore indispensable—element in substantially reducing poverty incidence in the country.

His statement follows close on the heels of the latest pronouncement from the National Economic and Development Authority that the poverty rate in the Philippines can be cut in the years between 2016 and 2022.

While the direct impact of family planning programs is within individual households, its beneficial

effects could be felt even at the macroeconomic level.

“Efforts in family planning bear both an immediate and eventual influence on the Philippine economy,” Perez pointed out.

“For instance, the reduction of prevalence of unplanned or unwanted pregnancies translates to potential savings for many families. Those funds could be allocated for collectively improving the quality of life of family members, such as for healthcare, education, livelihood, and many others as possible investments for a better future.”

We risk losing the gains we have already made in fighting poverty.

The Health undersecretary explained that it is at the household level where improvements in the quality of life should manifest: “Having fewer children, or having the number of children one can afford, leads to increased household savings, improved nutrition and better educational opportunities.”

Households headed by the youngest mothers stand to benefit the most from a family planning program that also addresses early childbearing or adolescent/teen pregnancy.

Perez cited a 2016 study by Alejandro Herrin, "Education, Earnings and Health Effects of Teenage Pregnancy in the Philippines," which found that early childbearing reduces an adolescent’s future earning capacity, as it diminishes the chances of completing high school, or K to 12. Lack of a diploma results in a loss of P300 a day income for young mothers, the study found.

Given this, PopCom believes it is crucial for the Philippines to address the family planning and reproductive health needs of the poorest and youngest mothers, in order to make a dent on core hunger and poverty in the country.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia earlier said the intensified implementation and full funding of the National Program on Population and Family Planning or NPPFP for the next three years will widen its scope and impact.

To help curb teenage pregnancies, Turn to A5

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher ManilaStandard

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Opinion Give ‘em a run for their money (First of two parts)

THIS morning, the task force formed

by President Duterte to propose various Constitutional reforms will formally present their recommendations for the first time to the House committee on constitutional amendments headed by Cagayan de Oro Congressman Rufus Rodriguez.

It’s been a long and bruising ride for those of us who’ve provided support for this cause, in one form or another, ever since Duterte took office in 2016. Over that period, the campaign has morphed: first, from a single-minded focus on federalism, to a diverse range of reforms today; and second, from the objective of replacing the 1987 Constitution wholesale, to a more pragmatic approach of winning what battles we can win today while keeping our powder dry for the original target.

Today seems to be an auspicious moment to summarize the area of proposed reform that seeks to reduce if not dismantle the protectionist language in the 1987 Constitution that discriminates against foreign investors based solely on their alien citizenship. That’s always been my assignment, buttressed to a great degree by the intellects of my fellow “raging incrementalists” in the Foundation for Economic Freedom.

In fine, these are the main points

we’ve been making, and which are thankfully now echoed by much of the President’s economic management team: *** One: the Philippines is the most restrictive against foreign direct investment (FDI), globally as well as just within the region (ranked number 1 in both cases), based on a 2014 FDI regulatory restriction index compiled by the Department of Finance. More recently, as of 2018, World Bank data over the preceding 10 years shows that FDI into the Philippines only averaged 1.6 pct of its GDP, the lowest within the entire ASEAN where the average was 5.89 percent.

By opening our doors, we would be encouraging the entry of foreign investors who do not like to break the law.

Two: Not surprisingly therefore, the Philippines also lags the rest of its peer group of the six largest ASEAN members when it comes to the quality of its infrastructure, based on a 2015 global ranking conducted by the World Economic Forum. Not only are we the bottom dweller overall; we are also the bottom dweller in each and every category of infrastructure surveyed—from roads to ports to telephony.

Three: As a result of poor FDI and infrastructure, jobs are fewer and

Wise...

From A4

Arroyo made it to the event, as did former Vice President Jejomar Binay and his daughter Senator Nancy Binay. Senator Francis Tolentino was also present.

Former President Fidel Ramos, who could not make it that evening, sent his assistant Jose Magno. JoMag was with him during the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Ramos’ former National Security Adviser Jose Almonte was also there.

I am also thankful that Bobby Ongpin sent Alphaland Dennis Valdes in his place. Ongpin was my former student and I have followed his stellar career. I also thank Tony Lopez and Eric Canoy for coming.

I was also pleased with the presence of lawyer Felipe Gozon of GMA 7, and my idol, National Artist for Literature Frankie Sionil Jose and his wife.

Also present was the richest woman in the Philippines, according to Forbes Magazine—Banco de Oro chairperson Tessie Sy Coson. She said she could not miss the occasion because she knew how close I was to her father. She stayed on until the end of the event!

PopCom will assist the Department of Education in boosting the nationwide school-based rollout of comprehensive sexuality-education programs.

While Pernia has emphasized the practice of savings as protection against unexpected income losses or expenses, Perez explained that responsible parenthood, as a way of life, will make a family less vulnerable to financial shocks.

“Part of PopCom’s crusade is to help deliver the government’s goal of enabling comfortable and secure lives for Filipinos by 2022 through family planning. By then, we can measure the level of our success hopefully against a drastically diminished prevalence of poverty throughout the Philippines," the Health undersecretary emphasized. Perez is on the right track in linking the importance of family planning and responsible parenthood in reducing poverty incidence in the country.

But while I commend Neda, PopCom and the Department of Health for pushing for the full implementation of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law, or Republic Act No. 10354, they also face an uphill climb in doing so.

The RH Law guarantees universal access to methods on contraception, fertility control, sexual education, and maternal care. But its approval by the legislature came only after intense debates between those who supported it and those who staunchly opposed it.

While there was general agreement on its provisions on maternal and child health, those against the measure, such as politicians, academic and religious institutions, frowned on the widespread distribution of family planning devices such as condoms, birth control pills and intrauterine devices or IUDs. The Supreme Court delayed the implementation of the law in March 2013 in response to legal challenges. On April 3, 2014, the Court ruled that the law was "not unconstitutional" but struck down eight provisions.

Responsible parenthood and family planning programs should be integral parts of government's economic development programs. With our 108 million population—and counting as we speak—we cannot have sustained economic development amid runaway population growth at 1.6 percent that's among the highest in this part of the world. Otherwise, we risk losing the gains we have already made in fighting poverty. ernhil@yahoo.com

themselves and the public in general.

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

GAA delay not main cause of 2019 slowdown ALMOST all international and individual analysts of the Philippine economy’s below-expectations performance in 2019 have attributed its 5.8-percent GDP (gross domestic product) growth last year to the fourmonths-late approval of the 2019 GAA (General Appropriations Act by President Rodrigo Duterte. The Chief Executive signed that all-important piece of legislation on April 27, 2019.

There were also corruption, bureaucracy and absorptive capacity.

A logical interference from the attribution of the disappointing 2019 GDP outcome to the 2019 GAA’s delayed approval is that approximately P400 billion year-on-year in the 2019 GAA have been spent by the government on its economic—chiefly infrastructure—and social projects. Does such an inference accord with the realities on the ground?

I don’t think so. The inference that delayed GAA approval equals around P400 billion (the programmed 2019 government spending total minus the programmed spending total) with the Philippine economy’s physical and administrative realities.

One reality—perhaps the most important of the realities—is corruption.

The belief is held widely—even in World Bank and ADB (Asian Development Bank) circles, though discreetly—that corrupt payments to government officials at all levels— account for anywhere from 30 to 40 percent of GAA allotments. These fiscal leakages wind up, for obvious reasons, not as incremental government expenditures on labor hirings and construction materials for bridges and schools, but as additions to private bank accounts. Result? A low multiplier effect, as economists say.

Another factor underlying the disconnect between what is appropriated by the GAA and what is released

by DBM (Department of Budget and Management) is, quite simply, the bureaucracy. The time that elapses between the inception of a government project—whether of the economic

or social kind—can very often seem like an eternity. Officials of government line departments are wont to say that this or that project is ready to go, but all too often that is not the case. Between inception and release of a DBM special allotment release order (SARO) lots of administrative obstacles—reviews, approvals and signatures—to be overcome. So, how can an additional P400 billion worth of GAA allotments be all spent within four months?

Finally, there is the Philippine economy’s absorptive capacity. To be able to absorb an additional P400 billion worth of government spending, the economy should have installed a commensurate amount of absorptive capacity of both the physical and the administrative kind. It clearly did not do that. The recurrent underspending by the government line departments surely attests to their incapacity to quickly absorb large increases in the resources allocated to them by the GAA. It was not the delayed 2019 GAA approval that was responsible for the economy’s comparatively low take-up of the government’s higher spending capacity; underspending has been a recurrent feature of the fiscal landscape in recent years. Underspending took place in the “normal’ GAA years of 2017 and 2018.

Of course, there can be no disputing that the 90-day election ban on government spending was a major factor in the Philippine economy’s less-than-6-percent growth in a spending program’s life. The law on election-year government spending probably needs a revisit.

But was Secretary of Socio-Economic Planning Ernesto Pernia on solid ground when he estimated that “a full percentage point (of a growth) was lost because of the delay in the passage of the Budget (and said that) “we could have hit close to, if not smack into, 7 percent”? I don’t think so.

Given its performance in recent years, the Philippine economy almost certainly could have achieved higher-than-6-percent GDP growth in 2019. But “close to, if not smack into, 7 percent” growth? Probably not.

The operational-environment factors discussed above—corruption, bureaucracy and absorptive capacity— would have militated against such a performance by the economy.

The four-month delay in the approval of the 2019 GAA definitely was a major factor in the lower-than-expected growth in last year’s GDP. But it was only one factor, albeit a major one. Other factors, including the ones discussed here, need to be held partly responsible.

Legalize, regulate motorcycle taxis now

From A4

From A4

Continued tomorrow

Val Villanueva was also there.

I was made happy by the presence of Edgard Cabangon, now chairman of the ALC Group of Companies after his father, Antonio Cabangon Chua, who was one of my best friends.

George Yang of McDonald’s was also there.

My former students were led by Reli German, Susing Pineda and Elpi Cuna.

Thanks, too, to Pangasinan Rep. Baby Arenas and daughter Rachel.

My friends from the 365 Club, my nieces and nephews, my wife’s friends—thank you all.

Last but not least I thank my daughter Nina and son Nickey who both worked hard to make this event a reality. *** ERRATUM In my Jan. 28 column. I mentioned that Smartmatic had been banned in some countries. After further digging, I realized I had made a mistake—I have never seen any record that supports it was ever banned in any country.

In fact, Smartatic fired Venezuela as a client because the country released election results that were not the same as the results from its machines.

I apologize for the confusion. Mea culpa.

Uphill climb...

A precautionary...

poverty is higher. Over 10 million Filipinos now work abroad, whether permanently or temporarily. As of 2015, we were the only country to fail to cut our poverty rate by half in the preceding 25 years. One might of course object that self-rated poverty has in fact dropped substantially since, under Duterte. This of course begs the question of how much faster, or how much earlier, the improvement might have unfolded with the right economic policies.

Four: Duterte himself is no stranger to, let alone enemy of, the idea of liberalizing. The ten-point agenda he brought into office in 2016 included the following as its third item: “Increasing competitiveness and the ease of doing business…as well as pursuing the relaxation of the Constitutional restrictions on foreign ownership”. This was echoed by both local business groups and foreign chambers of commerce, indicating the underlying soundness of the idea.

The record thus shows that citizenship-based restrictions on foreign investment are binding constraints to growth. They have importantly contributed to lower investments, fewer jobs, poor infrastructure, and non-inclusive development. Today, when a global economy is changing even faster because of technology and cross-border openness, it does us no good to remain inflexible and unresponsive because of decades-old restrictions hard-wired into nothing less than the basic law of the land.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2020

The precautionary approach is most suited when scientific uncertainty is most acute, like what we are seeing now with this potential pandemic. We do not know how long this will last, whether or not the contagion will sub-

THE continued service of some 60,000 motorcycle taxis as permitted by the Department of Transportation has apparently alleviated the dire need for efficient public transportation in Metro Manila, thanks to the intercession of Senator Bong Go and his colleagues in the Upper Chamber on behalf of commuters.

Now the transport Technical Working Group should be working hard to complete their long-delayed “study” on this mode of public transport, instead of engaging in malicious bickering with the operators of Angkas, JoyRide and others.

The TWG’s focus now should be to aid the lawmakers in legislating on legalizing and regulating the motorcycle taxi operations and the conduct of the thousands of units on the streets.

The TWG must cast aside the foolish idea of sweeping them off the streets.

Meantime, it is the responsibility of these online-based ride-hailing companies to ensure that their motorcycle drivers are seriously trained on road safety and monitored to strictly observe existing traffic rules at all times.

Just wait until one Angkas unit figures in a serious road accident. The TWG will surely be all over the motorcycle taxi firm.

There have been complaints about some abusive and reckless driving by some motorcycle drivers of Angkas and Sampa, including illegal counter-flow driving, running the redside and the virus exhaust itself like in previous epidemics such as SARS, Merscov, swine flu or ebola, or what treatments it will respond to.

Precaution must be complemented by a compassionate approach. Specif-

light, driving up the ramp and on the sidewalk, splitting the lane, defective headlight and tail lights, and improper helmets.

What options do the people have?

As customers, the riding public should promptly report any infraction to Angkas, JoyRide, MoveIt or Sampa, as the case may be.

Abusive and reckless motorcycle drivers must be penalized, their license revoked. They should be removed from the streets.

Of course, these violations are, of course, very common among motorcycle riders in general and are a cause of irritation to other motorists and pedestrians day in and day out. They are also the cause of hundreds of road accidents involving motorcycles daily in Metro Manila and elsewhere in the country.

Unfortunately, the frequent sight of road mishaps involving motorcyically, we must also fight hard to suppress a natural tendency to discriminate against the stranger, in this case Chinese nationals—simply because they belong to the at-most risk group.

Derisive looks, hurtful comments, or

cles has been viewed with disdain.

Riders are blamed, instantly.

Incidentally, President Duterte recently signed RA 11468 designating Nov. 3 as National Day of Remembrance of Road Crash Victims.

The authorities, on the other hand, must once and for all enforce traffic rules and regulations at all times, rain or shine and even at night. Often, traffic enforcers are just not there where and when they're needed.

The influx of these ride-along motorcycle taxis has obviously added to the ever-increasing number of public and private vehicles crowding the metro streets, not to mention the illegal "habal-habal" motorbikes that have been tolerated and a source of police corruption for many years.

And, with the half-hearted and ningas-kogon style of traffic management in Metro Manila and in other cities, the traffic quagmire will never be eased. It is very frustrating on the part of motorists and commuters caught in traffic tangled up at an intersection due to a broken traffic light and there is no traffic enforcer on duty, natutulog sa pansitan!

Traffic enforcers should man the major thoroughfares, not only EDSA, and simply go after the homicidal maniacs on the streets, motorcycle riders and car drivers alike!

Meantime, the motorcycle taxi operations should be legalized so they can be duly regulated. maligning any ethnic or nationality group for its own sake is dehumanizing not only to the discriminated but more so to the one discriminating.

Continued tomorrow

A6

News

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Nograles wants OJTs protected

NGCP audit up to Energy commission, Senate told

By Maricel V. Cruz

ENERGY Secretary Alfonso Cusi told a Senate energy committee hearing Monday that he was not aware of the country’s power supply exposure to sabotage.

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. for his part admitted there were security threats to the country’s power grid but guaranteed certain measures might be adopted to address the same.

They were reacting to questions raised

by Senator Win Gatchalian who pressed Esperon on any danger or threat to national security as far as the country’s power supply was concerned.

National Grid Corporation of the Philippines president Anthony Almeda stressed they were not objecting to an audit, but insisted it should be done by the Energy Regulatory Commission and not the DOE and Transco.

At the Senate committee on energy hearing, Almeda also guaranteed that Filipinos were in control of the power grid and China was not capable of shutting it off.

“This actually is a lingering question in many of the legislatures and I want to answer that basic question during the course of this hearing,” said Esperon.

“But I must say that on the basic question, is there any danger or any threat in so far as the national grid is concerned? There are, there are. But I’d caution immediately against being in panic about it because there are also measures that we can adopt to allow NGCP as it’s doing now to continue operations,” he added.

Cusi also told the Senate panel they still had to conduct an audit of NGCP because NGCP has even elevated the issue before a court.

He also guaranteed that Filipinos were in control of the power grid and China was not capable of shutting it off.

Gatchalian questioned why the NGCP Technical officer was a Chinese.

He quizzed energy and NGCP officials why the supervision and running of the “intestine” of the country’s power line given to a foreigner.

It was also discovered that there were 100 cyber attacks in the NGCP in a matter of only two weeks which were not disclosed to concerned government agencies.

The committee has given the ERC until Feb. 10 to submit its audit report. From there, Gatchalian said the committee will make a recommendation if the NGCP franchise would be recalled.

NGCP is a consortium of three corporations—Monte Oro Grid Resources Corporation, Calaca High Power Corporation, and the State Grid Corporation of China. Macon Ramos-Araneta and Alena Mae S. Flores

CLUCKING CHICKENS. Live hens are sold in Arranque Market in Manila on Monday, amid media reports that an outbreak of h5n1 bird flu happened in China’s Hunan province which resulted in almost 18,000 chickens culled. Norman Cruz

‘CPP-NPA-NDF now becoming irrelevant’

T

HE Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front is against the government’s plan to intensify the implementation of socioeconomic interventions in conflict-ridden communities because the organization is fast losing its clout and relevance, according to Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez Jr. “The number of rebel returnees grows day by day because they have realized that the government already has programs and policies in place that aim to address their needs and general welfare. Hence, there is no more reason for them to bear arms and pursue armed struggle,” he said.

“The armed struggle has no legitimacy in a civilized society. Armed violence is an anathema of peace and development, and the CPP-NPA should be disbanded,” Galvez added.

He believed that CPP founder Jose Maria Sison’s continued attacks on the government’s peace agenda was a response to the successful implementation of Executive Order 70 which institutionalized a “Whole-of-Nation Approach,” implementation of good governance, and promotion of social justice to end the decades-long communist rebellion.

“Sison and company are working overtime to sabotage the implementation of EO No. 70 because their organization will be rendered irrelevant. Obviously, they are

hurting because of the government’s successes on its current inclusive peace and developments efforts,” Galvez said.

LPE gains so much ground EO 70 has led to the creation of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, which has 12 clusters.

Among these clusters is Localized Peace Engagements.

Galvez said Sison must understand that EO 70 is “people-centered and communitybased in finding lasting solutions on the root causes of social divides and conflict; and not a military security operations as how Sison tried to label and demonize it.”

EO 70 is anchored in serving the people, their families, their communities and improving their social conditions and their lives for an enduring peace and inclusive growth.

“EO 70 has nothing to do with military combat operations but more on how to harmonize our government instrumentalities and services in addressing the needs of our people. EO 70’s ultimate objectives are on

the attainment of social justice and equitable service to humanity through the LPEs,” Galvez explained.

LPE, among others, aims to empower people, make communities conflict-resilient, and provide a safe and direct line of communication between the government, the people and rebels who want to give up armed struggle.

Debunking Sison’s claim Earlier this month, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte distributed P 11.9 million in immediate cash assistance to 262 former rebels in Leyte under the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.

The cash assistance had been released through the local agencies and people’s cooperatives.

In November 2019, 35 members of the CPP-NPA’s Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee availed of the E-CLIP after LPEs were successfully conducted in the Zamboanga Peninsula.

The rebel returnees, who are now living peaceful and productive lives as civilians, have promised to convince their comrades to lay down their arms and return to the folds of the law.

At present, thousands of armed regular members and supporters are now enjoying the dividends of the government programs for NPA combatants and their families.

Solon assails another pay hike

By Willie Casas and Maricel V. Cruz ASSISTANT Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro on Monday denounced President Rodrigo Duterte for his directive to raise salaries of military and uniformed personnel for the second time in his term while only giving measly increase for public school teachers and other government employees and divided it in four tranches.

Castro urged President Duterte to clarify the leaked directive.

In a leaked confidential Presidential Directive 2020-0049 circulating on Facebook with a subject “Additional Increase in the Salaries of Military and Uniformed Personnel,” the letter stated that Duterte promised to give military and uniformed personnel another round of increase in their salaries before his term ends and instructs concerned agencies to “work on the increase.”

“We strongly denounce this Presidential directive to increase the salaries of Military and Uniformed Personnel for a second time under the

Duterte administration,” Castro said.

“President Duterte already doubled the salaries of Military and Uniformed Personnel last 2018, while the increase for public school teachers had to go through numerous ‘studies’ and when approved, the increase would be given in four tranches, even going beyond President Duterte’s term.”

“Also, why is the Presidential Directive confidential when issues on salaries should be made public as it concerns all government employees and the Filipino people?

President Duterte should disclose to his people where their taxes go. It should go to basic social services and not just to the salaries of armed men.”

Castro said teachers have been called so many names by cabinet secretaries for demanding for a substantial salary increases and were told that government cannot afford their substantial pay hike.

But when it comes to uniformed personnel, this administration is quick to act on the proposal, immediately finding the funds for its swift implementation, Castro said.

BETTER SAFE THAN... Students of M.H. del Pilar Elementary School in Quezon City and their teacher wear face masks to stay off the novel coronavirus (nCoV) as the DOH advised the public to wear face masks for safety. Manny Palmero

Du30 assures Navy of continued support

By MJ Blancaflor PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Monday assured the Philippine Navy of his continued support in enhancing their capability against internal and external threats through modernization.

In his speech, the President also urged members of the Philippine Navy to support the leadership of the new flag-officer-in-command Rear Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo, as he expressed gratitude to retired Admiral Robert Empedrad for his “successful tour of duty.”

“Let me assure you that you will have my full support and this administration will always assist in enhancing the capabilities of the men and women

of the Philippine Navy as we pursue a more peaceful future for all,” President Duterte said.

He also expressed confidence in the leadership of Bacordo in protecting the “freedoms and democratic values” of the country.

“Admiral Bacordo, I am confident that our Navy under your leadership will continue to achieve more milestones in the campaign to protect the freedoms and democratic values that we hold dear,” Duterte said during the change of command rites at the Philippine Navy Headquarters in Manila.

“It is my hope you will become the embodiment of integrity and valor as you lead your Navy in securing the seas and the future of our land,” he added.

Bacordo has been a commander of the Philippine Fleet since April 2019.

He was a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Hinirang” Class of 1987.

Duterte also thanked Empedrad for his more than three decades of professional career in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, saying the naval presence of the country has increased under his leadership.

“Your most recent efforts in spearheading humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations for our compatriots working in Iran and those affected by the eruption of Taal Volcano vividly attest to your faithful adherence to military professionalism and selfless dedication to duty,” Duterte said.

A NEW legislator seeks an end to what he called was the “exploitation of on-the-job trainees or interns hired by private companies and the government.”

Rizal Rep. Fidel Nograles has filed House Bill 5652 or the Interns’ Rights, Welfare, and Benefits bill that bans the practice of unpaid work rendered by interns, particularly those training with the government.

The bill also mandates the activation of a grievance mechanism where interns could air their complaints, particularly for cases of abuse such as sexual harassment and intimidation.

Nograles said the bill hoped “to secure and protect the interns during the whole duration of their internships.”

The measure would also protect interns from “abusive and irrelevant work assignments by just working on what is described in their internship contract and following a clearly defined internship plan,” Nograles added.

“This bill seeks to recognize the contribution of on the job trainees in the companies where they were assigned,” he said.

Interns, he said, provide fresh and unique insights that contribute to process improvement, as well as talent in key areas such as technology, yet they are not compensated for such contributions.

“The most that outstanding interns could get at the present system is the promise of employment upon graduation,” Nograles lamented.

He relayed that he has had various conversations with students who became disillusioned after their internship because they were assigned tasks that were not related to their course.

“Some of the older generation still see the value in making interns go through tasks such as brewing coffee or acting as messengers. But in this digital age, that seems a massive waste of the talent of the young ones,” said Nograles who used to teach in law school.

Nograles expressed hope that with the passage of the bill, the youth would be inspired, instead of turned off, by the workplace.

Gringo dared: Probe colorum courier services A NATIONWIDE anti-crime group filed Monday a letter-complaint with the Department of Information and Communications Technology asking Secretary Gregorio Honasan to conduct a formal inquiry into so-called “colorum” or illegally operating courier services in the country.

In a communication signed by Citizens Crime Watch president Diego Magpantay and lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, head of the CCW legal panel, Honasan was urged to investigate “as to why these illegal courier services have been allowed to operate for an appreciable length of time without [the DICT] making use of its regulatory powers.”

The letter also called on the DICT to task for the “demonstrable inaction on the part of its key officials in the face of such palpable disregard of laws and regulations.

According to industry estimate, almost a hundred unauthorized delivery services are operating in the country at present.

These include “big players” capitalized at hundreds of millions of pesos, those owned by foreign entities in contravention of the Corporation Code, and those who are only licensed for courier services in the National Capital Region but are operating throughout the country.

The complaint also asked the DICT “why those entities obviously guilty of open breach of the law have been allowed registration, thus legitimizing disrespect for rules and regulations.”

Senate officer faces administrative, criminal charges before Ombudsman A SENATE officer is facing administrative and criminal charges before the Office of the Ombudsman for serious dishonesty and falsifying official document, according to a formal complaint filed by employees of the upper chamber.

The charges were filed against Senate Secretary Myra Marie D. Villarica as she certified the correctness of the Senate Journal on what transpired on the floor concerning the approval on third reading of Senate Bill 1074, the measure proposing a raise on taxes of alcohol beverages and electronic cigarettes.

Villarica was not immediately available for comment.

Such grave offenses are punishable by dismissal from government service, including crim-

inal and civil liability.

Represented by Singson and Montealto Law Office, the Senate employees filed the information before the Ombudsman, Friday, Jan. 31.

Official Senate records stated that Villarica read on the floor the title of SB 1074 when it was approved on third and final reading and she affixed her signature on the Senate Journal, a document which contains a succinct and accurate account of what has taken place in every session.

Yet, the actual proceedings, as captured in the video recording showed otherwise, according to the complaint.

Villarica allegedly failed to read the title of the measure before conducting a roll call vote of all the senators present.

Sports

Manila

Standard

TODAY

A7

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2020 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Novak takes aim at Federer’s slams

M

ELBOURNE—Novak Djokovic put Roger Federer on notice as he won his 17th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open and warned he was going all-out for the Swiss’s record of 20—and his mark for weeks as world number one.

Djokovic, who came through a mid-match slump to win his eighth title in Melbourne, is relentlessly totting up the victories that could soon end the debate over who’s the greatest in history.

The five-set victory over Dominic Thiem was his eighth in eight finals in Melbourne, putting him alongside Federer and Nadal as the only men to win the same Slam eight times.

It makes Djokovic, 32, the first man in the Open era, and only the second in history, to win Grand Slam titles in three different decades—and as a not-insignificant bonus, returns him to world number one.

In an ominous sign for his rivals, the Serb has started the year unbeaten with Wimbledon, the French Open, the Tokyo Olympics and the US Open all lying in front of him as tantalising opportunities.

He is clear-sighted about his goals: overtaking Nadal’s 19 Major titles and Federer’s 20 to become the all-time Grand Slam king, and outdoing the Swiss master’s record 310 weeks in the top ranking.

Djokovic has so far clocked up 276 weeks as number one and could pass second-placed Pete Sampras’s 286 in April, and Federer’s 310 on October 5.

“Obviously at this stage of my career, Grand Slams are the ones I value the most. They are the ones I prioritize,” said Djokovic, adding “there’s a lot of history on the line”.

“Grand Slams are one of the main reasons why I am still competing and still playing full season, trying to obviously get the historic number one (record). That’s the other big goal,” he said.

‘Huge win’ With five Major titles in just over two years, and unbeaten by Nadal and Federer at the Grand Slams since 2014, there’s no question who’s now the leading member of the Big Three.

The latest rankings tell the story at the top of men’s tennis: Djokovic is number one, Nadal, one year older at 33, is second and 38-year-old Federer is a relatively distant third.

Seven-time Major winner Mats Wilander said Djokovic’s win in Melbourne sets a marker for a year in which he could sweep all before him.

“At the end of the year, we could have two players on 20 or two on 19 or even more because Novak can win all four,” he said.

Manila

NOTICE OF Standard EXTRAJUDICIAL

TODAY SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late Nelly Reyes Ledesma who died on November 29, 2018 in Makati City is the subject of an Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate among Heirs identified as Doc, No. 64; Page No. 15; Book No. 171; Series of 2020, in the Notarial Registry of Atty.

John Domingo A. Ponce, Jr., a notary public for and in the City of Makati.

“This is a huge win for him going forwards. A loss here would have been very difficult to get confidence and come back.

“But the door is open for him to start climbing through it and talk about being the greatest ever.”

As he jets out of Melbourne, his name etched yet again on the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup, Djokovic warned that his confidence and expectations were soaring.

“I’m super-happy with the way I started the season. It kind of sets the tone for the rest of the year,” he said. AFP

(MS-JAN. 28, FEB. 4 & 11, 2020)

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT Second Judicial Region BRANCH 33 Ballesteros, Cagayan RONALYN A. ARELLANO, CIV. CASE NO. 33-634-2019 Petitioner, For: -versusDECLARATION OF NULLITY OF BIGAMOUS MARRIAGE” SEMIE Q. AGUILO Respondent. x-------------------------------------------x PETITION PETITIONER, assisted by the Public Attorney’s Office, by the undersigned counsel, and unto the Honorable Court, respectfully allege the following: PARTIES 1.

Petitioner is a Filipino Citizen, of legal age and a permanent resident of Sitio Muru, Barangay Siguiran, Abulug, Cagayan, Philippines, where she may be served with notices and other court processes. A copy of the Petitioner’s voter’s ID and Certificate of Indigency issued by Barangay Siguiran, Abulug, Cagayan are herein attached as Annexes A and B respectively;

2.

Respondent is also of legal age, Filipino citizen and whose whereabouts is currently unknown as of the moment, however his last known address isBlock 11, Kabisig Floodway, Cainta, Rizal;

3.

Petitioner and Respondent met sometime in 2001 in Caloocan, Metro Manila where they were then working;

4.

Upon meeting the Petitioner, Respondent immediately commenced courting the former and pursued her relentlessly;

5.

After months of courtship, Petitioner gave in to the sweet-talks of the Respondent and eventually gave her elusive “yes” unto the latter, thus starting a romantic relationship;

6.

This relationship grew deeper and soon they felt that they are ready to put their relationship to a different level, thus they started seriously considering to enter into marriage;

7.

Thus, after they secured all the necessary documents, Petitioner and Respondent got married on February 26, 2002 in a civil wedding officiated by the Mayor of Cainta, Rizal. A copy of their marriage certificate is herein attached as Annex C;

8.

The Parties then started living peacefully as husband and wife in Caloocan and soon thereafter, Petitioner got pregnant with their child who was born on December 7, 2002. A copy of the Certificate of Live Birth of the Parties’ child is herein attached as Annex D;

9.

Unfortunately, around this time, life happened, when a certain “Analie” showed up in their doorstep and identified herself as the first wife of the Respondent;

10.

Confused and hurt of the sudden turn of events, Petitioner confronted the Respondent and asked him regarding the claim of “Analie” and it was only then that Respondent confessed that he was indeed previously married to Analie in 1994 and that they just parted ways without their marriage being annulled. A copy of a Certification issued by the Office of the Civil Registrar General is herein attached as Annex E;

11.

Since then, Petitioner and Respondent begun having marital problems which they tried to patch up for the sake of their daughter. However things went irreconcilably sour, thus Petitioner decided to take their daughter and bring her home in Abulug, Cagayan in the early part of 2003;

12.

Thereafter, Petitioner immersed herself in various works so as to be able to provide the needs of her daughter, even taking up overseas job and sacrificed being with her daughter;

13.

The Respondent on the other hand never bothered to reach out to them nor send support to their daughter, completely disappearing from the Petitioner’s life;

14.

Hence, Petitioner is now filing this instant Petition to once and for all be freed from her bigamous marriage with the Respondent.

FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS

PSL SUPERCUP 2020 SPIKE FOR A CAUSE. Philippine Superliga players, represented by Alohi Robins-Hardy of Cignal, Coach Edgar Barroga, Sta. Lucia’s Shaira Joseph and team manager Von Mojado and Generika’s Sherwin Meneses are shown with PSL officials, namely President Ian Laurel, Larong Volleyball ng Pilipinas Pres. Joey Romasanta, PSL Dir. Ariel Paredes and Ginio Panganiban and officials of the Local Government of Imus, such as Mayor Emmanuel Maliksi, Councilor Tito Monsod (glasses) and Sports Development head Joel Legaspi.

Patrombon scores PPS Suarez 3-peat

JESON Patrombon blasted Joshua Kinaadman with his power game in the opening set then hurdled a minor bump in the second to fashion out a 6-2, 6-4 victory for a third straight PPS-PEPP Fr. F. Suarez Open crown at the Villa Aurora Tennis Club in Cebu City over the weekend.

The multi-tilted Iligan City ace strung up four straight games to shatter a 1-all count in the opener then fought back from a pair of one-game deficits in the second by sweeping the last three games to complete the straight-set triumph in two hours and 33 minutes.

It was Patrombon’s third straight Fr. Suarez Cup trophy after dominating fellow Davis Cup veteran Johnny Arcilla in 2018 and routing doubles partner Vicente Anasta via the same scoreline, 6-0, 6-1, last year with the victory coming on the heels of his gold medal feat in the men’s doubles with Casey Alcantara in last year’s SEA Games.

Winner of the Gov. Umali Cup, Brookside Open, Actifit Open and Pintaflores Open last year, Patrombon, 26, crushed Venz Alforque, 6-3, 6-2, in the quarters then eased out No. 6 Leander Lazaro, 6-2, 6-3, to reach the finals of the event presented by Dunlop and put up by Palawan Pawnshop Palawan Express Pera Padala.

“Patrombon continues to impress and dominate with his form and staying power which the young, aspiring players should emulate,” said Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro, who hopes to produce more Patrombons, Arcillas, Anastas and Kinaadmans through the PPS-PEPP junior circuit.

Sharing the spotlight are Legends doubles winners Jason Benitez and Jordan Cimafranca, who whipped Jonathan Bernardo and Jerry Bernabe, 8-1, for the 30s title; Graeme Foster and Adonis Lominoque, who ripped Bernardo and Bernabe, 8-1, in the 40s finals; and Alquin Antigua and Lominoque, who blasted Mario Guillermo and Roy Tabotabo, 8-2, for the 50s trophy.

Aldrin Geluz, meanwhile, turned back Jason Benitez, 8-4, to annex the 40s men’s singles crown.

Next up is the Best of the Best Top 8 on Feb. 6-11 in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental. For details, call PPS-PEPP Sports Program Development director Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464.

Patrombon capped his big week by pocketing the doubles plum with Anasta as they toppled Arcilla and Arthur Pantino, 6-3, 6-3, to claim the top P20,000 purse in the event sanctioned by the Unified Tennis Philippines made up of PPSPEPP, Cebuana Lhuillier, Wilson, Toby’s, Dunlop, Slazenger and B-Meg.

PRAYER WHEREFORE, all the foregoing considered, it is respectfully prayed unto the Honorable Court to render judgment declaring the marriage between the Petitioner and the Respondent as null and void from the beginning for being a Bigamous Marriage.

Other reliefs just and equitable under the premises are likewise prayed for.

April 17, 2019. Ballesteros, Cagayan, Philippines PUBLIC ATTORNEY’S OFFICE Ballesteros District Office By: ALDWIN KENNETH F. BALDOVINO Counsel for the Petitioner Public Attorney II MCLE Compliance No.VI-0011901

CHAMPS ARE HOME. Members of the victorious Mighty Sports-Creative Pacific team pose after arriving at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 yesterday. Mighty Sports completed a seven-game sweep of the Dubai International Basketball Championship in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday.

UP Beta Sigma Fraternity holds Battle Royale IX ‘20 THE University of the Philippines Beta Sigma Fraternity, in partnership with SM Foundation, proudly presents: BATTLE ROYALE IX: “Fight for #SocialGood”.

For nine years, the U.P. Beta Sigma Fraternity in Los Baños has brought the Mixed Martial Arts scene to the town. This year, the fraternity will hold its 9th installment of Battle Royale on Feb. 14 at the Baker Hall, UPLB, starting at 7 p.m.

The MMA event will feature nine bouts and 18 athletes from Metro Manila, CALABARZON area and Region II. In line with this year’s tagline: “Fight for #SocialGood”, part of the proceeds of the event will go to the victims of the Taal volcano eruption and to the annual Operation Big Brother—a Christmas charity event organized by the UP Beta Sigma Fraternity for children in grassroots communities in Los Baños, Laguna.

To purchase tickets, priced at P200 for VIP and P150 for the upper deck, contact Tyrone Balaguer at 09067438231.

Taguig...

From A8

QC trimmed the deficit to within six at the break, 35-29, before Mayo began to heat up in the ensuing half, scoring nine points in the third quarter alone to keep Kyusi@80 at bay with a 17-point cusion, 58-41.

“Sinabi ko sa mga players na ‘mas lamang tayo kapag nagsamasama tayo’, kaysa ‘yung puro oneon-one lang. ‘Yun lang ang naging advantage namin sa kanila,” added Ramos, who automatically took home the Best Coach award from the M-League that also has SMS Global Technologies, Inc. as official livestream and technology partner, Spalding as official ball, Team Rebel Sports as official outfitter, PLDT as official internet service provider and Manila Bulletin as media partner.

Alexander Junsay topscored for the runners up as he scattered with 17

markers and 11 rebounds, while fellow starter Dexter Castillo filled the shoes left by Udjan in the middle, also producing a double-double performance with 15 points and 11 boards.

QC’s mythical team duo of Nathan Lopez and Drick Acosta struggled all game long, scoring only four points apiece while combining for a dismal three for 16 shooting from the field, adding to Kyusi@80’s woes as they only converted a combined 19 of their 71 attempts for a 26% shooting clip in the deciding final game of this 24-under tourney that also has Synergy 88, World Balance, Excellent Noodles and San Miguel Corporation as major sponsors.

At the start of the game, the league had its own tribute for NBA legend and basketball idol of many 24-under players in the tourney, Kobe Bryant, who passed away five days earlier in a tragic helicopter crash along with 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others.

CC: Office of the Solicitor General 134 Amorsolo Street, Legazpi Village, Makati City VERIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION AGAINST FORUM SHOPPING I, RONALYN A. ARELLANO, of legal age, Filipino and a resident of Sitio Muru, Brgy. Siguiran, Abulug, Cagayan, Philippines, after having been duly sworn to in accordance with law, do hereby depose and say: 1.

2.

3.

That I am the Petitioner in thisPetitioner, That I caused the preparation of the foregoing Petition, That the allegations contained therein are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and based on authentic documents: Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRlAL COURT Second Judicial Region Branch 33 Ballesteros, Cagayan

I FURTHER CERTIFY: 4.

5.

6.

That I have not therefore commenced any action or proceeding involving the same issue in the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals or any tribunal or agency; That to the best of my own knowledge, no action or proceeding is pending before the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals or different division thereof, or any tribunal or agency; That if I should learn thereafter, that there has been filed or pending before the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals or different division thereof, or any tribunal or agency, I will undertake to completely inform the aforesaid courts and such other tribunal or agency of that fact within five (5) days therefrom.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, wehave hereunto set our hand this17TH day of April, 2019 in Ballesteros, Cagayan.

RONALYN A. ARELLANO Affiant Voter’s ID No.-0752-0185D-IFMA188320000-6 SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me, on the place and date above-written.

ALDWIN KENNETH F. BALDOVINO PUBLIC ATTORNEY II PURSUANT TO R.A. 9406 DOC. NO.1105 PAGE NO.52 BOOK NO.1 SERIES OF 2019

RONALYN A. ARELLANO, CIV. CASE NO. 33-634-2019 Petitioner, For: -versusDECLARATION OF NULLITY OF BIGAMOUS MARRIAGE” SEMIE Q. AGUILO Respondent. x-------------------------------------------x ORDER Before this Court is a Motion for Leave to Serve Summons by Publication filed by the petitioner, through counsel, to the effect that as perOfficer`s Return date October 2, 2019, the Process server tried to personally serve Summons upon the person of the respondent at his given address, however, it was discovered the the respondent is not known and cannot be located therein, hence, the petitioner respectfully prayed the the summons be served by publication.

Finding the otion to be impressed with merit, the motion hereby GRANTED. Let therefore Summons be issued to be served together with this Order upon the respondent through publication once a week for two (2) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines.

SO ORDERED. Ballesteros, Cagayan, November 14, 2019.

FRANCISCO S. DONATO Executive Judge

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRlAL COURT Second Judicial Region Branch 33 Ballesteros, Cagayan RONALYN A. ARELLANO, CIV. CASE NO. 33-634-2019 Petitioner, For: -versusDECLARATION OF NULLITY OF BIGAMOUS MARRIAGE” SEMIE Q. AGUILO Respondent. x-------------------------------------------x SUMMONS A VERIFIED “Petition for “ Declaration of Nullity of Bigamous Marriage” having been filed by the petitioner, RONALYN A. ARELLANO, on the ground of Bigamous Marriage pursuant to Article 35, par. 4 of the Family Code, as amended praying that your marriage to her celebrated on February 26, 2002, be declared NULL and VOID ab initio. Copy of the Petition may be obtained from this Court) YOU. SEMIE Q. AGUILO, is hereby directed to file your Answer and/or responsive pleading within a period of THIRTY (30) days from the last date of publication hereof, otherwise, the petitioner will take judgment against you and may be granted by this Court the reliefs pryaed for in her petition.

WITNESS THE HON. FRANCISCO S. DONATO, Executive Judge of this Court this 14th day of November 2019 in Ballesteros, Cagayan.

ATTY. LEMWELL L. ALAPIT Clerk of Court VI MS-Feb. 4 & 11, 2020

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor

sports@manilastandard.net

sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

A8

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2020

Morrison 3rd place in Indiana tilt

By Peter Atencio FIL-AMERICAN William Morrison hurled 19.06 meters in the men’s shotput event of recent Indiana University Relays.

Morrison once again missed the qualifying standard to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and after making his best heave on his sixth try.

Representing Indiana, Morrison’s feat earned him a bronze medal.

Josh Freeman hurled the ball to a distance of 20.3 meter for the gold, with Alabama’s Isaac Odugbesan taking the silver with his 19.26-meter showing.

The 23-year-old Morrison was hoping to hit the Olympic standard of 21.10 meters to make it to the Olympiad.

Two weeks ago, he hurled 19.17 meters during a two-day indoor meet at the Vanderbilt University Recreational Center in Nashville,Tennessee.

Morrison is best remembered during the 30th Southeast Asian Games, where he claimed the gold with his 18.38-meter effort.

All his recent feats are below the national mark of 20.40 meters, which he achieved last June.

So far, only pole vaulter EJ Obiena has earned an Olympic ticket in athletics.

Female pole vaulter Natalie Uy, sprinter-hurdler Eric Cray, runner Kristina Knott, newly-added marathoner Christine Hallasgo and Mary Joy Tabal are also seeking entry to the Olympics through qualifiers, along with Morrison.

All are seeking qualification for the World Indoor Athletics Championships that was supposed to be held in Nanjing this March.

But the event has been postponed by a year to March 2021 because of the coronavirus, which has now infected around 6,000 people worldwide and caused 132 deaths.

World Athletics said in a statement that it had agreed to delay the event to provide “our athletes, member federations and partners with a clear way forward in what is a complex and fastmoving set of circumstances”.

Organizers added “it had no other option given that the spread of the virus both within China and outside was still at a concerning level.

Patrick Mahomes of Kansas City raises the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers, 31-20, in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida. AFP

Comeback king Mahomes lifts Kansas City to Super Bowl win M

IAMI—Patrick Mahomes led a thrilling late comeback as the Kansas City Chiefs ended their 50-year wait for a Super Bowl crown with a 31-20 victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

Chiefs quarterback Mahomes shrugged off an error-strewn start to overturn a 2010 49ers fourth quarter lead in a gripping battle for the Vince Lombardi Trophy at the Hard Rock Stadium.

The Super Bowl win was Kansas City’s first NFL Championship since their triumph over the Minnesota Vikings in 1970, and only their second ever.

And it owed everything to the nerve of Mahomes, who for the third straight postseason game led the Chiefs back from a double-digit deficit to seal a dramatic win.

“We kept believing,” said Mahomes, who was later named Super Bowl MVP. “That’s what we’ve done all postseason.

They guys really stepped up. They believed in me...We found a way to win it in the end.”

The Chiefs quarterback had looked out of sorts until early in the fourth quarter, throwing two interceptions in the face of fierce pressure from the magnificent San Francisco defense led

by the marauding Nick Bosa.

But with the game on the line in the fourth quarter, Mahomes led his team on two long drives to set up touchdowns for tight end Travis Kelce and running back Damien Williams.

Those scores put the Chiefs into a 2420 lead and Kansas City made the game safe when Williams danced up the sideline for a 38-yard rushing score with 1min 12sec remaining.

Mahomes finished with 286 passing yards and 26 completions from 42 attempts with two touchdowns. The Chiefs quarterback also rushed for a touchdown early in the first quarter.

But the defeat was desperately hard on the 49ers, who were chasing a recordequalling sixth Vince Lombardi Trophy.

The 49ers had barely put a foot wrong through three quarters, with their defense shackling Mahomes superbly and their offense moving the ball confidently to put

them in the driving seat late in the game.

Garoppolo cracks But as the pressure in the fourth quarter mounted, 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo’s sure touch deserted him and the Niners offense dried up.

With Mahomes leading the Chiefs on two long drives to engineer a 24-20 lead, Garoppolo had one last chance to lead the 49ers on a game-winning drive with 2min 44sec remaining.

But the Chiefs defense suddenly began to find gaps to pressure Garoppolo, and when he was sacked on 4th&10 to hand possession back to Kansas City, the writing was on the wall.

Two plays later Williams then drove the final nail into the 49ers coffin, finding space down the left hand touchline and galloping into the endzone for a score to make it 31-20.

Garoppolo was then intercepted on the next 49ers possession and it was left to Kansas City to run down the clock for victory.

The win was a long-awaited first Super Bowl triumph for Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, the 61-year-old veteran long regarded as the best NFL coach not to win a championship. AFP

Generals turn back Lions

By Peter Atencio

2-0 FOR ARELLANO. Bacolod native Shanine Pretta (9) of the Perpetual

Help Altas volleyball team attacks the defense of Arellano University during their Saturday bout at the Lyceum of the Philippines University Gymnasium in Intramuros, Manila in the NCAA Season 95 Girls’ Volleyball Tournament. AU won in straight sets, 25-14, 26-24, 25-9, for its second consecutive victory in the tourney, while Perpetual Help absorbed its first setback in two outings. Dennis Abrina

JOSHUA Mina provided the needed points that fueled the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals to a 25-22, 25-20, 18-25, 25-19 beating of the San Beda Red Lions yesterday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.

The win brought the Generals closer to a seat in the Final Four of the 95th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s volleyball tournament.

Making 24 points, Mina had 21 attacks, two blocks and a service ace during their 90-minute affair with the Red Spikers.

The Generals kept their win-loss record spotless after six games.

“Pinaghahandaan naman namin every game ng mabuti kasi ayoko ng mapabayaan,” said EAC coach Rod Palmero.

EAC will try to remain unbeaten, when it clashes with San Sebastian Col-

lege Stags on Thursday.

The Red Spikers’ back-to-back setbacks put them in fifth at 3-3.

Sophomores Aeron Daduya and Danrich Melad contributed 17 and 14, respectively, for the Generals.

In women’s action, San Beda took solo fourth with a 25-15, 25-16, 27-25 conquest of the EAC Lady Generals.

Skipper Cesca Racraquin had 22 points for the Lady Red Spikers, who picked up their fourth triumph in six matches and stayed in the race for the last semis berth Nieza Viray added 13 points, including the match-clinching kill that closed out the extended third frame, while Kim Manzano had two blocks to finish with seven points for the Lady Red Spikers.

The Mendiola-based squad also kept within reach of University of Perpetual Help System Dalta and defending champion Arellano University, which are tied in second at 5-1.

Judiciary capture last UNTV Cup semis slot TWO-TIME champion Judiciary outlasted Philippine International Trading Center, 65-55, in their do-ordie duel to clinch the fourth and last semis ticket in the 8th UNTV Cup at the Paco Arena in Manila.

The Judiciary Magis finally pulled away from a tight contest after former PBA players Warren Ybanez and Chester Tolomia connived with Eric Dionisio in a telling run to prevail and complete the semis cast in the annual tournament organized

by UNTV President and CEO Dr. Daniel Razon for public servants.

Judiciary’s victory earned for itself a semis date with No. 1 seed and defending champion Armed Forces of the Philippines starting this Sunday also at the same venue.

The other semis Department of AgGames Sunday (Paco Arena) pairing—also a bestriculture also finished 3:30 p.m. – DENR vs NHA of-three affair—will with a 7-5 record fol5 p.m. – AFP vs Judiciary have No. 2 seed Delowing an 87-83 win partment of Environover NHA early in the ment and Natural Resources going up day but Judiciary took the last semis against National Housing Authority. berth due to the winner over the other A tax-free P4 million grand prize rule. will go to the chosen charity of the AFP and DENR advanced outright championship at the end of the once- to the semis after finishing 1-2 in the a-week tourney next month. The two-stage elimination round. runner-up’s own charity will receive The scores: P2 million.

DA 87—Fernandez 27, Dematera Frederick Salamat and Ybanez, 16, Mastelero 13, Casaysayan 12, Silva who carried the fight for the Magis in 11, Hassan 4, Lim 2, Comerciase 2. the first half, finished with 16 and 15 NHA 83—Prado 22, Vitug 14, points, respectively, while Tolomia Lustestica 10, Tibay 9, J. Dizon 8, added 12 and Dionisio 8 in posting Tibay 8, Mercado 4, Crisostomo 3, their 7th win in 12 games after the Forbes 2, M. Dizon 2, Alastoy 1. quarterfinal round.

Quarters: 12-18, 38-34, 62-57, 87-83

Warren Ybanez of Judiciary looks for an opening during their game against the PITC Global Traders in the UNTV Cup on Sunday at the Paco Arena. Ybanez helped the Magis clinch the last semis berth.

Members of the Taguig City Generals display their medals and trophy.

Taguig bags Metro League cage crown THE Taguig City Generals hoisted the Metro League 24-and-under men’s basketball crown after a surprising wire-to-wire victory over Kyusi@80 76-58 in their winner-take-all championship bout last Friday at the Hagonoy Sports Complex in Taguig.

Lerry John Mayo finished the titleclinching game with 20 points, 17 rebounds, and four steals as he put on a terrific display all throughout the series to bag the Most Valuable Player plum in this tournament backed by the Metro Manila Development Authority and the Philippine Basketball Association and has Barangay 143 as presentor.

Burly center Zuharto Mamaluba and Richmond Gilbero also provided a spark off the bench as they chipped in 17 and 14 points, respectively, to help the Generals complete a series turnaround after absorbing an overtime 80-85 home loss in the opener of the best-of-three finals in this tourney also supported by Gerry’s Grill, Summit Water, Alcoplus, Nature’s Spring and Goodfellow.

“Sobrang hirap talaga,” said Taguig tactician Mixson Ramos after a grindout affair with QC. “Kasi nakita mo naman ‘yung mga players ng Quezon City, talagang players sila ng mga school. ‘Yung sa’min, puro mga dito lang talaga sa Taguig, so dinadaan lang namin sa tiyaga.”

Taguig, which won the title by winning back-to-back do-or-die games including a 69-65 overtime decision in Game 2 last Jan. 21 at the UP Epsilon Chi Center in Quezon City, raced to an early lead as Mamaluba scored ten straight points inside the paint bridging the first and second frame for a 24-10 lead against Kyusi@80 which missed the services of center Adzhar Udjan in the shaded lane after getting ejected for two unsportsmanlike infractions in Game 2 and thus an automatic one-game suspension.

The Mayor Joy Belmonte-backed Turn to A7

Market tumbles to 13-month low B2

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2020

Razon Group buys 25% of Manila Water SMC commits to rush work on P Skyway project

By Jenniffer B. Austria

ORTS and casino tycoon Enrique Razon Jr. is acquiring a 25 percent stake in Manila Water Co Inc.., the embattled utility company owned by the Ayala Group, for P10.7 billion.

By Darwin G. Amojelar SAN Miguel Corp. said Monday said it will work double time to ensure the Skyway Stage 3 project opens by July this year, despite a fire at a nearby warehouse in Pandacan, Manila that collapsed a portion of the road project.

“We are saddened by this unfortunate incident mainly because it will delay a vital infrastructure project that would have alleviated traffic woes of our motorists sooner,” said SMC president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang. “But rest assured, we will work 24/7 to endeavor to complete the entire project in five months. This is just a three-month delay from the original opening target,” he added.

Motorists had anticipated the road’s opening by April 1 this year.

Skyway Stage 3 was designed to eliminate choke points and provide motorists seamless connection between and north and south. It stretches from Gil Puyat Avenue in Makati and traverses through San Juan, Manila and Quezon City all the way to the North Luzon Expressway.

Upon completion, traveling to and from Buendia and Balintawak could only take 15 minutes.

SMC said its initial investigation showed the fire was a freak accident that could have likely started from the DMCI construction yard that eventually spread to its nearby plastics warehouse, which at that time was being relocated out of Pandacan.

The relocation is part of the company’s efforts to clear its properties in Pandacan, in consideration of Skyway and future projects.

Earlier, SMC completed the removal of the oil depot facilities of subsidiary Petron Corp. in the area.

IN BRIEF

8990 Holdings sees revenues hitting P20b

MASS housing developer 8990 Holdings Inc. said it expects to hit P20 billion in revenues this year with the launching of new projects.

8990 Holdings chairman Mariano Martinez said in an interview Monday at the sidelines of the topping-off ceremony on its Urban Deca Homes Ortigas project the company would generate P9.5 billion in revenues from the first four buildings scheduled for turnover this year.

“This (Deca Homes Ortigas) will be the remain driver for our revenues for this year,” Martinez said.

The four buildings will offer a total of 3,800 units with an average selling price of P2.5 million. The first two buildings have already been pre-sold.

The company is set to start construction of new projects in Cubao, Quezon City and in Davao City.

The Deca Homes Ortigas is a 22-tower development offering 19,000 residential units.

The company earlier tapped Megawide Construction Corp. as contractor of the huge development.

The whole development, which will also include a shopping mall, is expected to be completed over the next four years. Jenniffer B. Austria

NLEX, San Fernando address traffic woes

NLEX Corp. signed an agreement with the City of San Fernando, Pampanga to address traffic concerns and keep up with the developments at the San Fernando Interchange, one of the busiest NLEX interchanges.

Under the agreement, both parties will establish measures for efficient traffic management to further improve the safety and security of the public.

The agreement includes the management of traffic flow, enforcement of traffic rules and security control within the San Fernando Interchange.

It also involves regular consultation between the two parties on projects and programs that may affect the area.

NLEX and the city government first entered into a deal in May 2009.

The tollway company implemented several improvement projects in the interchange that prompted changes in the previous agreement.

The enhancements include the expansion of the interchange bridge and San Fernando Northbound Exit, the construction of additional lanes toll lanes at San Fernando Southbound Entry and Exit and installation of traffic signals. Darwin G. Amojelar

BSP, Bank Indonesia sign digital agreement THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and Bank Indonesia signed Feb. 1 a memorandum of understanding that will strengthen cooperation in the area of payment systems and digital financial innovation.

The BSP said in a statement Monday the agreement aimed “to provide a framework for closer cooperation between the two central banks to achieve a more secure, efficient, and reliable payment system, and to promote digital financial innovation.”

The document was signed by BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno and Governor Perry Warjiyo of Bank Indonesia.

The signing was held to conclude a bilateral meeting between the two central banks, which discussed numerous advances in digital economy and central banking, infrastructure financing using market instruments, and sustainable financing frameworks.

At the end of the meeting, both central banks expressed their commitment to strengthen bilateral cooperation in further enhancing mutual economic and financial system development. Julito G. Rada

Manila Water said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Monday Prime Metroline Holdings Inc. of Razon was buying 820 million common shares of the utility firm at P13 per share.

The Ayala Group will remain a major

shareholder of Manila Water with a 38.6 percent-stake from the previous 40.9 percent The water utility firm said the entry of Razon as a strategic investor was expected to bolster the company’s ability to provide

reliable, efficient and sustainable water and wastewater services in the East Zone and at the same time pursue growth initiatives both domestically and globally.

It is also expected to strengthen the company’s balance sheet and allow it to be more agile in pursuing long-term strategic initiatives.

“Our partnership with the Razon group will result in clear synergies to achieve Manila Water’s long-term goal of providing sustainable water and wastewater services to our customers in the East Zone of Metro Manila and in the other markets we serve,” said Manila Water chairman Fer-

B1

nando Zobel de Ayala.

“Our partnership combines our respective technical and management expertise.

Looking beyond our domestic businesses, the extensive global experience of Mr. Razon through his port operations opens more opportunities for Manila Water to serve new markets,” he added.

This is the second partnership between Razon and Manila Water. WawaJVCo, a joint venture between Razon’s Prime Infra and businessman Oscar Violago’s San Lorenzo Ruiz Builders Group, earlier signed an agreement with Manila Water to develop the Wawa bulk water supply project.

B2

Business

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2020 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market tumbles to 13-month low T HE stock market extended its fall Monday on fears the coronavirus outbreak could slash global growth this year, throwing a spanner in the works just as economies were showing signs of stabilizing after more than a year of slowing.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index dropped 63.76 points, or 0.9 percent, to a 13-month low of 7,137.03 from 7,083 on Nov. 16, 2018 on a value turnover of P5.9 billion. Losers beat gainers, 129 to 73, with 39 issues unchanged.

Megaworld Corp., the biggest lessor of office spaces, declined 5.4 percent to P3.83, while Security Bank Corp., the sixth-largest lender in terms of assets,

shed 4.8 percent to P168.60.

Semiconductor maker Cirtek Holdings Philippines Corp., however, jumped 23.6 percent to P11, while Manila Water Co. Inc. advanced 4.9 percent to P12.76 after disclosing that Prime Metroline Holdings Inc. of port tycoon Enrique Razon Jr. was acquiring 25 percent of the water utility for P10.7 billion.

Chinese equities, meanwhile, plunged almost eight percent Monday as nervous traders returned from their extended Lunar New Year break, hit by fears that the coronavirus, which has killed more people than SARS, could hammer the country’s economy.

The steep losses led another sell-off across Asia following a painful week for global markets with the virus death toll topping 360 people and more than 17,000 infected, and governments around the world banning flights to and from China.

There was red on the boards elsewhere

in Asia. Tokyo was one percent lower, while Sydney, Singapore, Wellington and Taipei all shed more than one percent. Jakarta lost 0.6 percent, Bangkok dropped 0.3 percent and Seoul was flat.

However, Hong Kong edged up after losing almost six percent in three days last week, while Mumbai also rose slightly.

Observers said that with China being a crucial part of the global trade infrastructure, other countries would also be badly hit, while major corporate names have frozen or scaled back their Chinese operations, threatening the global supply chain.

The World Health Organization invoked a global health emergency last week but stopped short of recommending trade and travel restrictions that could have had a bruising effect on China.

“The situation is terrible and China’s economy will be dealt a bad blow,” said Stephen Innes at AxiCorp.

“As will (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries that have built significant trade ties with China, even more so those countries that are tourist destination spots and service providers to Chinese tourists. They will be dealt the nastiest blow of all.”

Shanghai plunged almost nine percent at the open on the first day back after the Chinese New Year break as traders played catch-up with last week’s global retreat.

The market had been due to reopen on Friday but authorities extended the holiday to buy time in the fight against the virus.

Monday’s losses were the biggest since the 2015 market rout, though the composite index managed to pare some of the losses, helped by the central bank’s decision to pump 1.2 trillion yuan ($173 billion) into the economy.

The yuan fell about 1.5 percent against the dollar. With AFP

Manila Standard BuSineSS daily StockS review Monday, FeBruary 3, 2020

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING),

FINANCIALS 53 2,750 81.75 875,390 144.5 1,445,670 0.86 18,000 24.95 455,700 18.48 1,600 11 240,200 3.96 78,000 0.64 2,000 0.375 230,000 56.05 4,255,650 0.77 90,000 12 17,900 31.3 217,800 53.45 4,640 20 192,800 168.6 434,140 1,887 105 62.8 78,700

143,965 71,624,262.50 208,843,884 15,480 11,392,515 29,162 2,650,260 296,910 1,280 86,800 242,249,798.50 66,460 214,700 6,787,590 245,123.50 3,850,943 74,164,692 190,235 4,949,277

8,284,742 -23,447,183 -430,120 -156,513,406.50 -3,180,290 -1,934,281 -32,705,776 -773,098.50

32 1.95 11.34 0.51 1.19 2.71 0.204 1.32 14.96 163.3 8.22 30.1 58.8 2.09 5 8.61 11.8 8.4 7.22 2.05 19.98 66.65 1.55 35 1.78 10.16 6.52 1.08 190 41.95 3.2 6.52 12.62 9.92 14.24 256 5.22 1.85 3.85 3.43 9.7 11.44 29.4 4.7 5 1.65 1.6 0.91 9.4 70.5 8.9 0.91 143.3 1.08 15.08 0.89

INDUSTRIAL 32 1,310,900 2.07 3,218,000 12.04 1,364,600 0.58 3,367,000 1.19 80,000 2.78 6,269,000 0.229 780,000 1.45 12,031,000 15 468,400 163.3 860 11 20,985,600 32.15 200 58.8 100 2.1 220,000 5 17,000 8.66 2,337,700 11.94 98,300 8.4 56,200 7.24 154,900 2.06 10,293,000 20.3 974,900 66.65 186,680 1.66 30,388,000 36.5 56,900 1.86 2,369,000 10.16 1,872,900 6.82 1,439,400 1.68 6,985,000 196 426,520 42 10,200 3.2 3,000 6.52 21,300 12.76 62,569,600 9.99 92,500 14.8 2,396,300 259 281,420 5.24 17,000 1.86 81,000 4.08 20,000 3.43 4,396,000 9.7 2,000 11.9 48,500 29.45 92,800 4.7 15,000 5.05 15,300 1.66 57,000 1.6 5,000 1.5 12,675,000 9.5 12,700 73.5 135,960 9.1 144,900 0.99 53,000 144.4 859,370 1.13 9,077,000 15.1 3,000 0.96 2,374,000

42,165,295 6,586,680 16,357,064 1,867,460 95,670 17,835,300 161,320 16,763,360 7,024,828 140,443 210,839,371 6,225 5,880 463,110 85,000 20,216,159 1,189,406 472,416 1,118,400 29,425,760 20,044,561 12,443,544 50,428,960 2,072,800 4,379,370 19,730,578 9,798,050 10,900,410 83,288,099 428,390 9,690 139,332 851,459,332 925,013 34,970,422 73,062,030 89,015 150,910 77,560 15,412,420 19,400 576,302 2,752,635 70,530 76,830 94,220 8,000 16,259,230 120,255 9,853,025.50 1,317,722 50,030 124,622,976 10,153,960 45,290 2,234,310

-12,226,855 1,365,380.00 830,440 -44,080.00 -5,990 -1,559,360 6,902,124 3,402,711 11,553,334.00 33,530 244,754 96,100 -6,061,281 -480,930 -1,067,740 1,959,750 7,320 10,626,306.00 3,366,976 -458,920 16,996,325 33,463 69,615,040 -16,858 -24,552,316 -23,391,896 -33,440 -620,870 -30,926 -1,012,860 4,710 26,400 1,356,750 9,500 593,361 -24,737,555 -50,980 -10,570 -

0.85 51.45 10.8 0.69 6.01 10.58 0.9 742.5 2.55 6.29 6.14 12.9 3.61 0.209 700.5 5.1 71 5.5 0.5 3.78 9.9 0.58 3.36 5.14 1.19 139 983.5 0.82 1.22 188 186 0.21 0.195

0.81 48.05 10.5 0.66 6 10.1 0.88 711 2.48 6.08 5.91 12.5 3.61 0.202 665 5.1 68.5 5.5 0.475 3.69 9.65 0.55 3.19 4.3 1.15 132 955.5 0.79 1.1 184 166 0.203 0.195

HOLDING FIRMS 0.84 4,505,000 49.8 861,400 10.52 3,270,100 0.68 63,000 6 40,000 10.46 29,000 0.9 445,000 716 301,150 2.5 946,000 6.19 339,900 6 6,286,200 12.5 184,200 3.61 7,000 0.203 180,000 665 136,900 5.1 2,000 69.5 1,281,870 5.5 5,800 0.5 165,000 3.69 2,770,000 9.73 4,774,300 0.58 1,259,000 3.2 45,623,000 5.12 221,000 1.15 28,000 136.6 402,960 974.5 127,450 0.82 59,000 1.22 202,000 188 20 176 3,310 0.203 1,120,000 0.195 50,000

3,741,080 42,878,120 34,466,616 41,810 240,012 295,970 393,880 220,479,850 2,373,500 2,083,766 37,860,394 2,341,224 25,270 36,780 92,751,930 10,200 89,100,057 31,900 79,495 10,226,350 46,461,390 693,510 149,454,820 1,101,180 32,840 54,957,830 124,163,560 46,640 222,440 3,720 585,690 227,710 9,750

154,060 -9,817,070 9,561,788 51,300 2,369,510 -68,040 1,231,031 -17,232,339 -5,169,445 -972,019.50 418,760 -29,655,101 -47,751,200 -24,864,009 -19,347,990 -38,960 1,950

14.74 0.65 9 1.71 0.8 41.45 1.55 4.58 6.66 0.48 0.8 0.187 0.38 8.75 18 0.4 0.101 1.47 1.04 4.04 0.213 0.38 1.12 0.31 2.06 25.3 2.06

14.7 0.62 8.78 1.6 0.76 40 1.52 4.45 6.41 0.47 0.78 0.177 0.37 8.7 15.72 0.39 0.1 1.42 1.03 3.83 0.192 0.38 1.05 0.31 2.02 24.25 2.05

PROPERTY 14.7 554,700 0.65 385,000 9 200 1.62 350,000 0.79 1,052,000 40.95 9,543,500 1.54 411,000 4.5 160,000 6.66 15,400 0.48 2,470,000 0.8 84,000 0.186 3,590,000 0.375 650,000 8.72 201,600 17.9 848,100 0.4 130,000 0.1 100,000 1.43 7,974,000 1.03 1,497,000 3.83 23,627,000 0.207 16,040,000 0.38 270,000 1.07 1,439,000 0.31 130,000 2.03 478,000 24.25 1,792,600 2.05 136,000

8,165,162 242,190 1,778 585,530 815,750 391,370,195 628,480 721,470 98,939 1,173,250 66,780 646,110 242,150 1,761,139 13,705,618 50,800 10,040 11,444,160 1,553,190 92,064,950 3,227,210 102,600 1,537,320 40,300 970,760 44,233,075 279,810

612,474 -7,751,205 -15,200 144,540 43,100 35,930 -899,751 -2,568,932 -3,782,870 -11,919,300 -94,250 -94,630 -22,332,070 -

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

ASIA UNITED BANK PH ISLANDS BDO UNIBANK BRIGHT KINDLE CHINABANK COL FINANCIAL EAST WEST BANK FERRONOUX HLDG FIRST ABACUS MEDCO HLDG METROBANK NTL REINSURANCE PB BANK PHIL NATL BANK PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK SUN LIFE UNION BANK

52.15 82.5 148 0.86 25 18.2 11.02 3.9 0.64 0.375 57.45 0.77 12 31.6 53 20 177 1,911 63.5

53 82.7 148 0.86 25.1 18.48 11.18 4 0.64 0.39 58.95 0.77 12 31.6 53.45 20.8 177.7 1,911 63.9

52.15 81.3 142.5 0.86 24.95 18.1 10.96 3.6 0.64 0.375 56 0.72 11.98 30.8 52 19.1 168.1 1,800 62.6

ABOITIZ POWER AC ENERGY AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS AXELUM BASIC ENERGY CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CHEMPHIL CIRTEK HLDG CONCEPCION CONCRETE A CROWN ASIA DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP EMPERADOR EUROMED FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG FRUITAS HLDG GINEBRA GREENERGY HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE LIBERTY FLOUR MABUHAY VINYL MACAY HLDG MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO PANASONIC PEPSI COLA PETROENERGY PETRON PHINMA PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL PRYCE CORP RFM CORP ROXAS AND CO ROXAS HLDG SFA SEMICON SHAKEYS PIZZA SMC FOODANDBEV SPC POWER TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VITARICH VIVANT VULCAN INDL

32.3 1.98 12.04 0.52 1.2 2.95 0.205 1.4 15 163.4 8.87 30.1 58.8 2.11 5 8.78 12.5 8.42 7.24 2.7 20.3 66.65 1.61 35 1.89 12 6.9 1.15 191.9 41.95 3.29 6.56 13.4 10.1 14.7 264 5.23 1.88 3.86 3.62 9.7 11.9 29.95 4.71 5.02 1.65 1.6 0.99 9.5 72.9 9.21 0.91 145 1.14 15.08 0.9

32.85 2.11 12.06 0.58 1.2 2.95 0.229 1.46 15 163.4 11 32.15 58.8 2.11 5 8.78 12.5 8.5 7.24 3.28 21 66.95 1.72 36.5 1.94 12 7.19 1.77 197.2 42 3.29 7.13 14.6 10.1 14.8 264 5.24 1.88 4.08 3.62 9.7 11.9 30 4.71 5.05 1.66 1.6 1.5 9.5 73.5 9.21 0.99 148 1.15 15.1 0.97

ABACORE CAPITAL ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANGLO PHIL HLDG ANSCOR ASIABEST GROUP ATN HLDG A AYALA CORP AYALA LAND LOG COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV FJ PRINCE A FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT KEPPEL HLDG B LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG METRO PAC INV PACIFICA HLDG PRIME MEDIA SAN MIGUEL CORP SM INVESTMENTS SOC RESOURCES SOLID GROUP SYNERGY GRID TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

0.82 49.3 10.8 0.66 6.01 10.58 0.89 727 2.55 6.08 6.14 12.9 3.61 0.209 679 5.1 70.15 5.5 0.48 3.72 9.8 0.56 3.3 4.3 1.19 139 971 0.79 1.1 184 186 0.203 0.195

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

14.72 0.65 8.78 1.71 0.78 41.45 1.52 4.58 6.42 0.48 0.79 0.177 0.38 8.7 15.9 0.39 0.101 1.46 1.04 4.04 0.213 0.38 1.12 0.31 2.04 25.25 2.06

VOLUME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING),

SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND VISTAMALLS

3.18 39 2.48 1.75 7 5.4

3.18 39.05 2.5 1.85 7.15 5.58

3.18 38.75 2.45 1.69 6.51 5.26

3.18 38.9 2.5 1.82 6.59 5.48

1,000 14,885,000 97,000 6,497,000 555,700 162,400

3,180 578,668,260 239,190 11,518,410 3,791,386 878,529

206,634,100 -1,756,034 -

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL ALLHOME APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY CEBU AIR CHELSEA DFNN INC DISCOVERY WORLD EASYCALL FAR EASTERN U GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN BRIA GRAND PLAZA HARBOR STAR INTL CONTAINER IPEOPLE IPM HLDG ISLAND INFO ISM COMM JACKSTONES LEISURE AND RES LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA MANILA BULLETIN MANILA JOCKEY METRO RETAIL METROALLIANCE A METROALLIANCE B NOW CORP PACIFIC ONLINE PAL HLDG PHIL SEVEN CORP PHILWEB PLDT PREMIUM LEISURE PRMIERE HORIZON PUREGOLD ROBINSONS RTL SBS PHIL CORP SSI GROUP STI HLDG TRANSPACIFIC BR WATERFRONT WILCON DEPOT

9.4 16.5 1.32 10 0.395 0.045 2.56 9 75 5.05 4.91 2.01 7.8 923 1,890 5.26 424.6 13.46 1.16 130 7.94 5.05 0.099 3.21 2.1 2.28 0.9 8.84 0.425 3.03 1.95 0.99 0.96 2.18 2.1 7.01 141.9 3.43 996 0.53 0.325 38.1 76.25 8.8 2.22 0.6 0.25 0.58 18.84

9.49 17.8 1.32 10 0.405 0.049 2.7 9.05 75 5.2 5.1 2.01 8 930 1,900 5.31 435 13.46 1.24 130 7.94 5.1 0.099 3.35 2.1 2.28 0.95 10.48 0.44 3.03 1.96 1 0.96 2.3 2.1 7.3 142.5 3.58 1,013 0.53 0.325 38.65 77 8.8 2.22 0.61 0.25 0.59 18.86

9.25 16.5 1.31 9.52 0.39 0.045 2.55 8.88 73.9 4.97 4.9 2.01 7.75 923 1,862 5.22 424.6 13.46 1.04 126 7.94 5.05 0.098 3.17 2 2.2 0.9 8.82 0.4 3.01 1.87 0.94 0.96 2.14 1.98 6.95 141.9 3.12 993 0.455 0.3 38.1 76.25 8.8 2.1 0.59 0.245 0.58 18.4

SERVICES 9.49 17.46 1.31 9.7 0.39 0.049 2.61 9 74 4.98 4.9 2.01 7.8 930 1,900 5.29 435 13.46 1.18 128 7.94 5.1 0.098 3.3 2 2.22 0.95 9.84 0.43 3.01 1.88 1 0.96 2.3 2.06 7.3 142.5 3.32 1,002 0.5 0.31 38.35 76.25 8.8 2.1 0.6 0.245 0.59 18.56

12,900 112,000 27,000 2,070,500 2,100,000 1,000,000 224,000 3,424,700 572,140 916,200 44,000 1,000 5,800 130 20,205 349,600 550 100 4,129,000 383,710 15,200 2,800 460,000 3,388,000 143,000 224,000 4,000 7,918,700 1,920,000 197,000 1,904,000 598,000 10,000 1,828,000 284,000 27,300 8,320 7,770,000 152,660 9,808,000 16,610,000 816,800 86,870 55,000 2,016,000 4,100,000 4,510,000 310,000 6,066,900

120,540 1,933,600 35,420 20,243,464 824,550 47,500 579,940 30,811,220 42,356,745.50 4,597,895 217,000 2,010 45,165 120,430 38,280,240 1,848,130 235,082 1,346 4,730,680 49,203,578 120,688 14,190 45,090 11,019,030 300,100 496,510 3,730 77,601,446 784,950 594,510 3,607,740 564,610 9,600 4,095,500 574,660 191,996 1,184,788 25,987,490 153,331,150 4,963,660 5,119,700 31,458,750 6,630,740 484,000 4,291,200 2,443,580 1,111,100 180,470 112,806,424

2,829,024.00 -17,290 -2,020,849 -5,832,726 -442,902 14,106,565 77,600 -975,980.00 2,091,109 -458,970 -30,182,894 -176,260 -172,150 20,000 1,016,638 -28,550 -27,865,575 -819,800 -375,400 7,053,340 -3,010,540 41,090 9,068,518

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

0.0016 7.91 1.1 2.4 11.76 3.07 0.27 6.7 1.43 0.207 0.094 0.095 0.75 2.77 1.03 0.44 0.69 0.01 0.01 2.85 8.5 21.6 0.0055

0.0016 8 1.1 2.4 11.76 3.07 0.27 6.85 1.45 0.207 0.102 0.099 0.76 2.84 1.03 0.44 0.7 0.011 0.011 2.85 8.78 21.6 0.0055

0.0014 7.55 1 2.31 11.76 2.99 0.265 6.69 1.4 0.2 0.094 0.095 0.75 2.66 1.01 0.44 0.69 0.01 0.01 2.82 8.25 20.2 0.0055

MINING & OIL 0.0015 276,000,000 7.9 152,400 1.04 3,760,000 2.31 840,000 11.76 100 2.99 1,813,000 0.27 180,000 6.69 3,600 1.43 1,817,000 0.205 650,000 0.098 5,640,000 0.099 2,700,000 0.75 297,000 2.8 15,011,000 1.01 3,000 0.44 10,000 0.7 29,000 0.011 6,500,000 0.011 26,700,000 2.83 455,000 8.25 1,290,100 20.35 275,600 0.0055 4,000,000

413,600 1,181,686 4,030,470 1,950,550 1,176 5,455,400 48,200 24,102 2,574,520 130,720 558,210 259,300 224,880 41,584,760 3,060 4,400 20,140 70,300 282,100 1,291,500 10,861,353 5,624,755 22,000

-135,580 -149,060 2,741,930 -181,270 -69,300 -2,234,740 5,680 -184,068 -1,646,080 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B2R ALCO PREF B ALCO PREF C CPG PREF A DD PREF GLO PREF P GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B HOUSE PREF A MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 3B PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B PNX PREF 4 SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

15.56 495 101 103 102 100.2 480 5.15 953 975 98.05 100.1 1,060 102.3 107.5 1,031 1,000 77 76 75.15 75.9

16 495 103.1 103 102 100.2 490 5.15 970 977 98.05 100.1 1,060 102.4 108.9 1,035 1,000 77 76 75.15 76

15.4 495 101 103 102 100 480 5.1 953 975 97.05 100 1,060 102.3 107.5 1,031 1,000 77 76 75.15 75.9

PREFERRED 15.4 146,200 495 180 103.1 3,010 103 2,500 102 1,100 100 3,600 480 3,400 5.12 340,700 970 1,290 977 50 97.05 3,100 100 18,990 1,060 90 102.4 1,100 108.9 100 1,035 1,650 1,000 900 77 15,660 76 6,800 75.15 1,000 76 52,600

2,278,810 89,100 304,031 257,500 112,200 360,230 1,634,100 1,751,116 1,234,300 48,810 303,537.50 1,899,015 95,400 112,630 10,806 1,704,150 900,000 1,205,820 516,800 75,150 3,997,300

-2,078,958 4,800 -1,546,236 4,900 -

LR WARRANT

1.1

1.1

1.01

WARRANTS 1.1 115,000

122,390

-

ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH MAKATI FINANCE XURPAS

3.4 9.82 2.3 0.81

3.51 9.92 2.3 0.83

3.32 9.51 2.3 0.78

3.48 9.92 2.3 0.81

1,708,750 3,356,080 6,900 945,900

-240 -

FIRST METRO ETF

109

109

107

4,531,539

174,770

USD DMPL A2

9.78

9.78

9.78

1,760.40

-

NAME

MS Trading Summary

SHARES

FINANCIAL

10,597,964

INDUSTRIAL

207,425,179

HOLDING FIRMS

75,891,779

PROPERTY

101,931,720

SERVICES

87,270,659

MINING & OIL

348,162,510

GRAND TOTAL

833,354,668

SME

499,000 344,100 3,000 1,183,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 107 41,880 9.78

DDS

180

VALUE 1,688.81 (down) 36.12 878,717,960.09 FINANCIAL 8,966.22 (up) 44.78 INDUSTRIAL 1,835,389,502.802 6,874.74 (down) 25.57 HOLDING FIRMS 1,009,431,464.75 PROPERTY 3,793.22 (down) 45.52 1,469.32 (down) 5.84 SERVICES 1,408,191,940.13 7,331.11 (down) 332.15 MINING & OIL 652,154,109.07 7,137.03 (down) 63.76 PSEI 76,628,214.77 All Shares Index 4,256.83 (down) 35.38 5,871,075,902.46 Gainers: 73; Losers: 129; Unchanged: 39; Total: 241

Gotianun eyes P26-MW hydro power project in 2 provinces

By Alena Mae S. Flores FDC Utilities Inc., the energy unit of Gotianun Group, plans to put up the 26-megawatt Pampang hydro power project in the municipalities of Santa Fe in Nueva Vizcaya and San Nicolas in Pangasinan.

FDCUI said in a statement it would develop the hydro project under unit FDC Renewables Corp. (FDC Renewables).

“Filinvest recognizes the need for the country to develop RE sources to have a balanced energy mix and attain energy security. We have been working on this project for quite a while now and we hope to fast track its completion. Such efforts are in support of the government’s constant drive towards sustainable energy development in the country,” said FDCUI president and chief executive officer Juan Eugenio Roxas.

The company received a certificate of confirmation of commerciality from the Energy Department last month for the Pampang hydro project.

With the issuance of the certification, FDC Renewables can now proceed with the construction of the project until commercial operations, subject to securing the necessary permits and licenses from concerned government agencies and local government units.

The project will tap the Pampang River through a run-of-river scheme which exploits the natural flow of the river to generate energy. A low dam across the river is enough to regulate the flow.

“With the government’s Build Build Build initiatives, electricity consumption in the country continues to increase. This project, among many others, intends to curb the supply gap we might experience,” Roxas said.

FDCUI plans to complete the remaining permittingrequirements to proceed with project construction before the end of the year. The project is expected to be completed by 2024.

The multi-billion peso hydropower project does not only grant communities access to clean and affordable energy but also provides an economic opportunities for host municipalities.

FDCUI also has solar, biomass and hydroelectric power projects in the pipeline.

Fruitas acquires 2 new brands as part of expansion

By Jenniffer B. Austria FRUITAS Holdings Inc., a leading food and beverage kiosk operator, is expanding further its store network with the acquisition of two new brands.

Fruitas said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it acquired 100 percent of the outstanding shares of SoyKingdom Inc., a privately-held company carrying The Tofu Store brand and specializing in soybean-related products.

Fruitas unit, Negril Trading Inc., operator of De Original Jamaican Pattie Shop and Juice Bar, also purchased the assets of Kuxina, a stall concept specializing in serving Filipino dishes “Our 18th year in the kiosk business is a testament of our ability to innovate and identify suitable additions to our portfolio, unified by our vision to be woven into the fabric of daily lives of Filipinos. We will further strengthen our existing brands and seamlessly integrate our latest acquisitions, broadening our offerings to include both traditional and contemporary Filipino food and drinks,” said Fruitas president and chief executive Lester Yu. The Tofu Store, with outlets in Little Baguio, San Juan and Sta. Mesa Heights, Quezon City and offers soy milk, taho, tofu and other soybean-related products, will continue to operate.

The Tofu Store has been serving customers since 2006 and has gained a loyal following among its patrons, which also include restaurants.

Fruitas said the demand for freshlymade and conveniently available soymilk, taho, tofu and other soybean-related products would further increase in the Philippines.

More Filipinos are discovering the versatility of the products as a standalone beverage or snack and key ingredient in everyday meals.

The company will also take over two stores of Kuxina and continue franchise arrangements with eight new stores.

From a single Fruitas stall opened in 2002, the group now has over 1,000 stores across the country and over 20 brands in its portfolio.

World

B3

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2020 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Most Canadians reject paying for Harry, Meghan’s security

HALFTIME SHOW. Singer Jennifer Lopez performs along with her daughter Emme Maribel Muñoz during the Pepsi Super Bowl LIV Halftime Show at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020, in Miami, Florida. AFP

MONTREAL―A clear majority of Canadians feel their country does not have to pay for security for Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle, who have settled in British Columbia.

Seventy-seven percent of the people surveyed by Nanos Research, for CTV, believe the Canadian taxpayer does not have to pay for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex because they are not in Canada as representatives of the Queen.

Canada is a parliamentary monarchy and Queen Elizabeth II is the reigning head of state.

Only 19 percent of Canadians would not object to their country assuming a share of the security costs.

There has been no official announcement about the question of security for Prince Harry and Meghan, or who will cover the bill, now that they have officially left the royal family.

Canadian authorities have only indi-

cated that discussions were taking place.

More than two-thirds of Canadians feel the privacy of the couple and their infant son will be better respected in Canada than it was in Britain.

But Harry and Meghan―who live in Victoria, on Vancouver Island―are taking no chances: last month they issued a legal warning to media over photographs of the duchess out walking her dogs with Archie, their son.

Their lawyers claimed the images were taken without Meghan’s consent, the BBC reported, and the couple were prepared to take legal action.

Perhaps more worrying for the couple in the long run is that only 32 percent of those surveyed were strongly in favor of maintaining links with the royal family and their country’s status as a constitutional monarchy. Twenty-eight percent said they were only somewhat supportive of that option. AFP

Medics strike for China border closure IN BRIEF Democrat candidates brace for Iowa vote DES MOINES—Months into the Democratic nomination marathon, after seven debates, countless rallies, bitter candidate clashes and an impeachment effort to remove the US president, Iowa on Monday holds the first-in-the-nation vote to see who challenges Donald Trump in November.

More than two dozen White House hopefuls began the journey, some as early as a year ago. Eleven now remain, exactly nine months from Election Day. Despite the historically diverse field consisting of men and women of color and young candidates with little Washington exposure, the two frontrunners today are septuagenarian white men -Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden -- with more than 80 years of political experience between them.

The heartland state’s all-important vote will likely whittle the field further as it provides the first verifiable results in a contest deciding the party’s future direction, and its 2020 flagbearer.

In a typical election year, Iowa absorbs the country’s full political attention. But this presidential cycle has been anything but normal.AFP

H

ONG KONG― Hundreds of Hong Kong medical workers walked off their jobs on Monday, demanding the city close its border with China to reduce the spread of the coronavirus―with front-line staff threatening to follow suit in the coming days.

The financial hub has 15 confirmed cases of the disease, many of them brought over from the Chinese mainland where the epidemic began and has so far killed more than 360 people.

The action by non-essential medical staff comes as the city’s pro-Beijing leadership resists completely sealing the border.

Authorities have argued that doing so would be discriminatory, economically

damaging and go against advice from the World Health Organization.

Instead, the city government has closed down some crossings with arrivals down some fifty percent since last week.

But there is growing public anger in a city that maintains a deep historical mistrust of the mainland after the 2003 SARS outbreak―which was initially covered up by Beijing―killed nearly 300 Hong Kongers.

Thousands of members of a newly formed medical worker union voted to strike on Saturday unless their demand for the border to be closed was met, with the first group downing tools on Monday.

The first strikers are “non-essential” staff but the union has said front-line workers, including doctors and nurses, will walk out on Tuesday if their demands are not met.

Staff gathered outside hospitals across the city on Monday morning, handing white ribbons to colleagues encouraging them to join the strike action.

“If there is no full border closure, there won’t be enough manpower, protective equipment, or isolation rooms, to combat the outbreak,” Winnie Yu, chairwoman of the 9,000 member Hospital Authority Employees Alliance, told reporters.

Talks with the government broke down on Sunday after the union said city leader Carrie Lam had decided to not attend discussions in person.

The Hospital Authority, which employs some 75,000 people, said it sympathised with calls to lower the risk of new infections but was opposed to industrial action, saying patients would suffer.

It warned half of pre-booked operations would be cancelled or delayed by the strike.

Hong Kong’s government called on workers to “reconsider their decision, continue to safeguard Hong Kong with their professionalism and together win the battle against the disease”.

Some 13,400 mainlanders entered Hong Kong on Saturday, down from

UK’s Johnson to detail tough stance in talks

Latin pride on display MIAMI―Jennifer Lopez and Shakira turned the Super Bowl halftime show into a giant Latin dance party Sunday, wowing the sold-out crowd with their greatest hits.

The performance, at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, was a high-energy celebration of culture and abs, as both women showcased soaring vocals and thunderous dance routines.

Shakira opened in a glittering ensemble, getting the crowd of 65,000 on their feet with “She Wolf” and “Wherever, Whenever”.

She was then joined by Puerto Rican reggaeton singer Bad Bunny for a few lines of “I Like It” (originally sung by rap star Cardi B) before segueing into her iconic hit, “Hips Don’t Lie”.

The stage then cleared as Jennifer Lopez appeared atop a miniature Empire State Building, a nod to her New York roots, much like King Kong -- or Queen Kong, as it were.

After a few bars of “Jenny From the Block,” Jenny herself took the crowd through a medley of “Love Don’t Cost A Thing”, “Get Right” and “On the Floor”, her transitions as fast and sharp as her dance moves.

Lopez started out wearing a black leather, heavily cutout jumpsuit. AFP

‘Jihadists’ kill 18 civilians OUAGADOUGOU—Suspected jihadists have killed 18 civilians in an attack in northern Burkina Faso, the governor of Sahel region said.

“The defense and security forces brought back the body of the nurse to give it to her family in Yalgo and secure the area to allow the burial of other victims,” Colonel Salfo Kabore said on Sunday.

Several similar attacks were carried out a week ago in the country’s north, with one on January 25 leaving 39 civilians dead in the neighboring province of Soum, northwest of Seno.

A security source told AFP that during the massacre, which took place in Lamdamol village in Seno province Saturday, “the attackers, heavily armed and on motorbikes, literally executed the local inhabitants”.

A local health official, speaking from the town of Dori in the north, said the chief nurse at the nearby village of Lamdamol was among the victims. AFP

27,800 three days earlier before the partial checkpoint closures were announced.

More than 100,000 Hong Kong residents are also crossing in each day from the mainland.

Criticism of the Lam administration’s decision not to seal the border has come from opposition lawmakers and some medics—but also from her own proBeijing camp.

“We think the government should take decisive and strict immigration control measures to minimize the chances of the virus coming into the city,” Starry Lee, from the pro-establishment DAB Party, told reporters on Monday.

The virus outbreak comes at a politically precarious time for Lam who has record-low approval ratings after deploying riot police to face down seven months of sometimes violent pro-democracy protests.

Animosity towards Beijing and mainlanders has also risen steeply in recent years in lockstep with Hong Kongers pushing for democracy. AFP

BEAN-THROWING CEREMONY. Kindergarten children holding boxes of beans take part in a bean-throwing ceremony to

drive away evil spirits and bring good luck during the annual Setsubun Festival at the Sensoji temple in Tokyo on February 3, 2020. AFP

‘1917’ wins big at Baftas to take pole position for Oscars LONDON―Sweeping World War I odyssey “1917” won big at Sunday’s Bafta awards, landing the best film prize and best director trophy for Sam Mendes, and putting it in line for potential Oscars glory next weekend.

The movie, which follows two British soldiers on a perilous mission across no man’s land, had already scooped the Golden Globe for best drama, and has 10 Academy Award nominations including for best picture.

Hailed as a groundbreaking piece of cinema, it scooped seven of the nine prizes it was nominated for at Britain’s top film awards, including in cinematography, production design, sound and special visual effects.

“It’s moving for me to get this in my hometown for the first time,” said Mendes, the first British winner of the best director Bafta since Danny Boyle prevailed in 2009 for “Slumdog Millionaire.”

“Thank you to all the people who have gone to see this in the cinemas,” he told the star-studded ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

At this year’s Baftas, the same five

movies filled the best film and best director nominations.

Joining “1917” and Mendes were “Joker” (Todd Phillips); South Korean comedy thriller “Parasite” (Bong Joonho); “The Irishman” (Martin Scorsese), and “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”

by Quentin Tarantino.

The evening proved particularly anticlimatic for the latter two: Tarantino’s comedy-drama won just one award— Brad Pitt, for best supporting actor— while Scorcese’s crime flick finished empty-handed.

But the evening was perhaps equally disappointing for hit film “Joker”, which led the way with 11 nominations but ended up with just three prizes, including Joaquin Phoenix for best actor.

He beat Hollywood heavyweight Leonardo DiCaprio (“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”) as well as Adam Driver (“Marriage Story”), Taron Egerton (“Rocketman”) and Jonathan Pryce (“The Two Popes”).

Renee Zellweger claimed the best actress award for her portrayal of Judy Garland’s late-life comeback tour in

“Judy”, marking a stunning renaissance for her own wide-ranging career.

She saw off stiff competition from a talented field boasting Jessie Buckley (“Wild Rose”), Scarlett Johansson (“Marriage Story”), Saoirse Ronan (“Little Women”) and Charlize Theron (“Bombshell”).

“This is very humbling,” she told the audience of Hollywood royalty.

“Miss Garland, London town, which you have always loved so much, still loves you back. This is for you.”

Meanwhile Laura Dern won the best supporting actress gong for Netflix’s divorce tearjerker film “Marriage Story”.

She beat out her co-star Scarlett Johansson, for her role in “Jojo Rabbit”, as well as Florence Pugh (“Little Women”) and twice-nominated Margot Robbie (“Bombshell” and “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”).

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts, in its 73rd annual movie awards, are often seen as indicative of which way the Oscars might go in Los Angeles, this year on February 9. AFP

LONDON―Prime Minister Boris Johnson will on Monday outline a hard-line stance in post-Brexit negotiations with the European Union, arguing Britain does not need to follow various EU rules to strike a trade deal.

In a keynote speech detailing his vision for the country’s future, days after its historic departure from the bloc following nearly half a century of membership, Johnson is to say he will seek a “pragmatic agreement”.

The British premier will note London has been told in earlier divorce talks with Brussels that it has the option of an ambitious trade deal, “which opens up markets and avoids the full panoply of EU regulation”.

“There is no need for a free trade agreement to involve accepting EU rules on competition policy, subsidies, social protection, the environment, or anything similar,” Johnson is set to say, according to excerpts of the address released by his Downing Street office.

“The UK will maintain the highest standards in these areas -- better, in many respects, than those of the EU -without the compulsion of a treaty and it is vital to stress this now,” he will add.

Johnson also insists that if that type of agreement, similar to one the EU recently struck with Canada, is not possible then Britain would opt for a less comprehensive trade deal.

“The choice is emphatically not ‘deal or no-deal’,” he will say.

But in a sign of the potentially fraught nature of the high-stakes talks, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar urged London on Sunday to “tone down” what he called “nationalistic rhetoric”.

Britain should avoid repeating the past mistake of insisting on “rigid red lines” which “makes it hard to come to an agreement”, he said.

Late on Friday, Britain ended almost half a century of often reluctant membership of the European Union, an organisation set up to forge unity among nations after the horrors of World War II.AFP

LGUs

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor lgu@manilastandard.net editor.lgustandard@gmail.com

B4

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2020

PCL support for Bicol dad Salceda surges MEMBERS of the Philippine Councilors League aching for active participation in nation building have vowed overwhelming support for the reform agenda espoused by the league’s Bicol regional chairman Jesciel Richard Salceda, councilor of Polangui town in Albay and a member of the Albay Provincial board.

Following Salceda’s recent successive meetings with PCL leaders in 18 key provinces of the country, support for his candidacy for PCL national chairmanship have surged.

The young local legislator is a graduate of Yale University and nephew of Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, currently chair of the House’s Ways and Means Committee.

In his agenda, the younger Salceda said league members are given the role as “modernizing agents of the society in pushing for constitutional change that fortifies the role of local governments and their legislative bodies in pursuing local economic development.”

Salceda said under his program, the PCL “will have representatives to sit as member of their respective Regional Development Councils” and will have participation in crafting amendments of the Philippine Constitution.

He said it is high time the league’s strength and role in nation-building, which had remained unexplored and unachieved, be explored and fully used to attain the country’s desired economic change.

The PCL Bicol chair has been going around the country to help campaign on leading government initiatives and political reforms such as term extensions of elective officials and constitutional change.

Joy inspecting QC hospitals to fight nCoV

By Rio N. Araja QUEZON City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Monday vowed to give her best to ensure the city’s readiness in dealing with the 2019 novel coronavirus.

Belmonte will inspect three city-run hospitals―Quezon City General Hospital, Rosario Maclang Bautista General Hospital and Novaliches District Hospital―to ensure their readiness for any eventuality, amid a report of two confirmed cases of nCoV in the country.

“Despite the absence of nCoV here in our city, it is best to be prepared for any possibility,” the mayor said.

“We have to be ready for any eventuality. We cannot just relax because the health of our residents is at stake,” she added.

The mayor said the city has already equipped the three hospitals with much-needed safety equipment, including an isolation tent, to handle possible nCoV patients.

She said the city’s health officials have also met with private hospitals to discuss the protocols in handling suspected nCoV cases.

According to Belmonte, at least 80 frontline responders and logistics personnel from the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, headed by Mike Marasigan, recently went through preparedness training on the proper use of personal protective equipment, proper handling of patients, and proper disposal and disinfection of equipment.

GRAND CELEBRATION. Biñan City Mayor Arman Dimaguila (second from right) and Vice Mayor Gel Alonte (second from left) flank Rep. Alonte as they walk the streets Sunday to mark three occasions—Biñan’s 10th Cityhood Anniversary, 75th Liberation Day, and 273rd Foundation Anniversary. They also graced the groundbreaking of the New Biñan City Jail and Custodial Facility and opening and blessing of the Silangan Drug Reformation and Rehabilitation Center (inset photos). Roy Tomandao

Makati shuts down hotel

By Joel E. Zurbano

T

HE Makati City government padlocked a hotel after authorities discovered that the establishment engaged in sex trafficking foreign women.

On orders of Mayor Abigail Binay, the city’s Business Permit and Licensing Office closed down Golden Dragon Star Premium Hotel in Barangay Pio del Pilar for violating Republic Act No. 10364 or the Expanded AntiTrafficking in Persons Act of 2012 and Section 4A of the Revised Makati Revenue Code or operating without a business permit.

Three Chinese nationals―Kevin Sy, 25; Xiao Lo, 23; and Tong Po, 25―have been arrested during the police operation against the establishment last week.

The Makati City police also rescued 13 other foreigners―two Russians, two

Vietnamese and nine Chinese women―allegedly employed as sex workers, while five Filipino employees were invited for questioning at the police station.

Makati police chief investigator Maj. Gideon Ines said prior to the raid, a Chinese national helped to have access to the hotel a police operative who disguised as customer and handed over P22,000 to the hotel maintainer for a “good time”.

In January, Mayor Binay also ordered the closure of a KTV bar inside a hotel situated near the city’s Central Business District, also for alleged sex trafficking.

Two Taiwanese nationals were also arrested for operating the alleged prostitution den.

Authorities said the police operation stemmed from the information of a confidential informant regarding the rampant proliferation of prostitution activities involving foreign nationals, mostly workers at the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operation, in southern Metro Manila.

The city government of Makati had already declared an indefinite moratorium on the issuance of new business licenses and permits to service providers of POGO due to rising criminality and prostitution.

“We would no longer accept new applications for POGO service providers and crack down hard against illegal activities that are catering to POGOs and their employees within Makati,” said Mayor Binay.

COMPLAINT FILED.

Lawyers Diego Magpantay (right), president of Citizens Crime Watch, and Ferdinand Topacio show the press the letter of complaint they filed with the Department of Information and Communication Technology asking Secretary Gregorio Honasan to conduct a formal inquiry into ‘colorum’ or illegally operating courier services in the country during a press conference in Quezon City on Monday.

CCW said almost a hundred unauthorized delivery services are operating in the country at present.

Manny Palmero

‘Brace for heavy traffic, Skyway works to start’ THE local government of Muntinlupa has advised motorists and commuters to brace for heavy traffic as construction of Skyway Extension Project in West Service Road goes on full swing.

Starting Feb. 16, operator Skyway O&M Corp. and project contractors EEI Corp. and Cadcor Builders and Trading Corp. will break ground on West Service Road from southbound Alabang At-Grade Toll Exit to Alabang Hills Subdivision.

“We are scheduled to drill 38 bored piles for eight weeks. Target timetable involves six weeks of construction from Alabang Toll Exit to Alabang Hills and two weeks for the remaining areas up to Sucat Interchange,” Cadcor representative Joselito Fajardo said.

With the construction of Skyway Extension Project, Skyway’s Lane 3 southbound and the northbound lane of West Service Road will be closed, city officials said.

Muntinlupa Traffic Management Bureau chief Danidon Nolasco said upon coordination with Skyway, oneway traffic will be implemented from South Station to Alabang Hills Subdivision for southbound while traffic up to Sucat Interchange will remain two-way.

He added that Skyway is set to open a temporary opening near the South Station Exit to allow vehicles to pass through from West Service Road to Alabang Viaduct.

BARMM: Professional LGUs lead to more resilient communities

By Nash B. Maulana DAVAO CITY―Community progress and resilience would no longer be elusive in the predominantly Moro region, as officials say bold steps were made towards a continuing move to professionalize the local leadership

and governance.

Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Al Hadj Murad Ebrahim of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao said the regional government is building a strong working relationship with the municipal and provincial local government units within

FOR THE FARMERS.

Farmers in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur will receive 38 farm tractors—one for each of the town’s barangays—donated

by Mayor Luis ‘Chavit’ Singson, who noted the municipality relies mostly on farming, on Saturday.

Dave Leprozo

its political jurisdiction.

During the early weeks of 2020, BARMM heads of offices have been into a series of forums, including a Bridging Leadership Program, supported by the United Nations Development Programme.

BARMM Interior and Local Gov-

ernments Minister Naguib Sinarimbo said his office commits to undertake programs, projects and activities “to capacitate and transform the [region’s] LGUs; to promote progressive and resilient Bangsamoro communities whose people enjoy peace and harmony.”

PNP gets new choppers for disaster work

By Ben Moses Ebreo BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—The Philippine National Police has acquired new helicopters to boost their disaster response, relief operations and medical evacuation.

Brigadier General Angelito Casimiro, PNP Regional Director for Cagayan Valley, said the national police recently acquired two Robinson 44s, one Bel type, and two 2H 125 Airbus helicopters.

“These choppers are insured through the Government Service Insurance System that is why our pilots need more than 1,500 flying hours [before operating them],” he said during a recent visit to the province.

Casimiro added the helicopters have 1 or 2 engines with 3 to 4 propellers.

The 2H 125 Airbus choppers cost P150 million each, while the Bel type is worth a whopping P750 million, the police regional chief said.

Life

Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife @MStandardLIFE

HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2020

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Life after stage 4 cancer “P

INAGSAKLUBAN ng langit at lupa.”

A Filipino idiomatic expression used to describe an extremely unfavorable situation; that life is terrible and cruel.

ward, saying that “instead of feeling sorry for myself, I chose to be thankful that I was still alive and decided that I’m going to fight.”

“After the work-ups and diagnostic confirmation, I made the decision to offer the patient a combination chemotherapy with the least toxic side effects, with high consideration of him being a stroke survivor,” shared Dr. Hernandez.

The chemotherapy was initiated in January 2017. A chest CT scan was done after every three cycles to monitor progression or regression of cancer lesions. These revealed that the patient’s lung mass continued to decrease in size. The combination therapy continued on for nine more cycles, until another re-evaluation scan revealed that the lung mass had progressed instead of regressed.

“We had to change protocol, and I had to offer another type of chemotherapy with a different technology and supposedly manageable side effects,” related his medical oncologist.

However, the new regimen of chemotherapy affected Rufino’s quality of life

This very phrase captured exactly what small-scale business Rufino (not his real name) felt after finding out that he had stage 4 lung cancer.

Medical and screening tests were commonplace for Rufino. These tests were necessary after suffering his third stroke in two decades—the first was in 1998, the second in 2015, and the latest one in 2016. Being diagnosed with diabetes also meant that hospital visits and diagnostic procedures were quite routine.

The realization

“When I was younger,” Rufino shared, “I didn’t have a care in the world. I let myself go. I was rather overweight and I smoked two packs of cigarettes a day.”

“Fast forward to 1998, I had my first stroke. My doctor took very good care of me. He recommended that I change my lifestyle completely to a healthy one. No more vices, no more unhealthy food.”

And so he did as his doctor advised.

Nineteen years later, a second stroke hit. The third one attacked him a year after. It was then, in 2016, that the Xray of his lung showed the finding that would change his life forever.

The X-ray procedure was only meant to supplement his post-stroke check-ups, but his pulmonologist found an unexpected mass in his lung. Upon discovery, he was referred to a cardiologist, then to a medical oncologist. And after a needle biopsy, it was confirmed that he had advanced lung cancer.

“The patient underwent a biopsy of the cervical lymph nodes because it was the least toxic procedure to diagnose the

NEVER GIVE UP. A stage 4 lung cancer survivor shares his journey of fighting and eventually conquering the fatal disease with the help

of positive attitude and support from healthcare professionals.

patient,” said Dr. Katherine Hernandez of St. Luke’s Medical Center, Rufino’s medical oncologist.

“Through this procedure, we discovered that it was indeed a metastasis from the lung. A metastasis in lymph nodes is categorically an advanced stage of lung cancer—stage 4. Fortunately, it did not spread yet to other major organs.”

Dr. Hernandez said that Rufino simply had no idea of the existence of the disease because he had no signs and symptoms. If not for the palpable cervical lymph nodes, the disease would not have been discovered since he was asymptomatic, the medical oncologist explained.

Rufino was, needless to say, shocked.

“Cancer na agad (already) after two decades of quitting smoking. I didn’t even have the usual cough symptoms!”

The treatment journey

Despite the sleepless nights after his diagnosis, Rufino made it a point to speak to his medical oncologist about his treatment options in moving for-

‘‘

Turn to C2

Instead of feeling sorry for myself, I chose to be thankful that I was still alive and decided that I’m going to fight.”

Former cancer patient Rufino (not his real name) used to be a smoker and did not care about his health, until he had his first stroke and was advised to change his lifestyle to a healthy one.

By Bernadette Lunas NEWS about the novel coronavirus (also known as 2019 n-Cov) continues to send many into panic, so much so that the last time I was in a grocery store, the entire shelf of rubbing alcohol was cleaned out, save for a few bottles of “alcologne” with questionable efficacy.

And don’t even get me started on face mask hoarding.

As of Feb. 3, the Philippines has two confirmed cases of n-CoV, both came from Wuhan, with one of them, a 44-yearold, reported dead after developing “severe pneumonia.” The first death due to novel coronavirus outside of China.

“In his last few days, the patient was stable and showed signs of improvement. However, the condition of the patient deteriorated within the last 24 hours, resulting in his demise,” said Health Secretary Francisco Duque III. Hours before the announcement, the government has temporarily banned nonFilipino travelers arriving from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau.

Currently, the virus has spread in 26 countries and infected over 17,300. The World Health Organization last week

declared coronavirus a global health emergency as the outbreak continues to spread outside of China.

The virus is believed to have originated in the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan, China, about 650 miles south of Beijing and home to more than 11 million people. As number of confirmed cases in China and abroad continues to increase, authorities hypothesize that human-to-human transmission is possible.

“The virus initially appeared to spread only by very close contact such as hugging, kissing, or sharing eating utensils,” said Dr. David Heymann, chairperson of a WHO committee that is gathering data on the virus.

A good news, however, came from Japan over the weekend, with the National Institute of Infectious Diseases saying it has succeeded in cultivating and isolating the virus from an infected person. The isolated virus will be used to develop a vaccine and drug for the coronavirus, as well as a test kit for quick diagnosis.

Many experts assert there’s no reason to panic or hoard face mask. The Department of Health on Jan. 31 called on to the public to stop hoarding face

Instead of hoarding face masks, experts suggest regular and proper handwashing.

Fighting coronavirus with proper hygiene

DOH recommends taking vitamin C, keeping hands clean, and avoiding crowd as much as possible. Additional photos from AFP

masks as shortage of supply will affect health workers and those who really need them.

Instead, the Health department recommends easy-to-follow ways to prevent contracting the virus such as regular and proper handwashing, covering mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, avoiding close contact with people who are experiencing fever and cold or flu-like symptoms, cooking meat and eggs thoroughly, and avoiding unprotected contact with live wild and farm animals.

When washing hands, it’s better to use germicidal soap and warm water. A germicidal soap contains antimicrobial ingredients that fight bacteria and fungi, which can cause a range of illnesses from skin infections to pneumonia.

Use 70 percent rubbing alcohol if soap and water are not available.

The DOH also advises to eat healthy food, such as malunggay, and drink lots of water. Get enough rest and exercise.

Vitamin C also helps in strengthening the immune system.

Life

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2020 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Fitness event sets world record Hundreds of health and fitness enthusiasts and their loved ones hugging a plush teddy bear to set a new Guiness World Record for the most number of people hugging a soft toy simultaneously.

T

HE recent health and fitness event Maxifest held at Central Park SM By the Bay in Pasay City gathered hundreds of runners and wellness enthusiasts to set a new world record while getting fit.

Maxicare Healthcare Corporation, one of the country’s leading health management organization, staged its biggest health and fitness event in a bid to encourage more people to lead healthy lives.

During the event, each participant hugged a plush Maxibear to set a new Guinness World Record for the most number of people hugging a soft toy simultaneously.

After the official announcement was made, the plushies were donated to the children of Kythe Foundation, the beneficiary of the event.

Kythe Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit, non-stock organization working to improve the quality of life of hospitalized children with cancer and other chronic illness.

“We are very pleased with not only setting a new Guinness World Record, but also with the outcome of the entire event. It was nice to see everyone get fit with their loved ones, and we hope they

FAILED to achieve last year’s resolutions? It appears you are not alone. Far from alone. Because according to a study by the University of Scranton, a mere 8 percent of people achieve their New Year’s goals.

Unrealistic expectations, researchers say, are the main reason resolutions fail.

A registered nutritionist and lecturer, Dr. Carly Moores advises not to make many changes all at once. Start small and continue to build on as you go along.

A leading insurer recommends setting practical goals that are achievable and have long-term positive impacts, such as the following:

Guinness World Record adjudicator Swapnil Dangarikar (fifth from left) announcing Maxicare’s world record during the Maxifest event in Pasay City.

will continue to improve the quality of their lives through exercise and healthy living,” said Maxicare president and chief executive Christian Argos.

Fitness enthusiasts and celebrity couple Drew Arellano and Iya Villania led the fun while sharing their insights on fitness and wellness. Other celebrities and influencers including Gretchen Ho, Joyce Pring, Jam Manalo, Kimpoy Feliciano, Sam Hashimoto, Apple David, Kyle Vergara, and Jackie Go also joined the celebration.

Premier race organizer RUNRIO, Inc. led an exhilarating Maxifest run which featured a 500-meter dash for three to 12-year-old kids, a 2k Senior Sprint for 60-year-olds and above, and 3k, 5k, 10k, and 16k runs. After the run, top finishers per category were awarded.

Aside from the run, there were also over 50 food stalls at the Maxicare Market, a one-stop shop for ready-toeat plant-based alternatives to promote health and wellness through plant-based nutrition.

Eco-friendly alternative to dry cleaning UNKNOWN to many who bring their clothes to the dry cleaner, the process exposes their beloved garments to liquid solvents found to be harmful to people and the environment. Most commonly used chemical to gently clean fabrics is perchloroethylene or perc, also used in industrial degreasing, paint stripping, and metalworking.

Several studies reveal perc causes dizziness, drowsiness, headaches, loss of consciousness, limited memory

loss, skin blistering, and visual and coordination issues. Prolonged exposure increases the risk of cancer.

Improper disposal of perc also poses environmental risks. While USA and Europe has seen the dangers of using the chemical, in the Philippines, most dry cleaners still use it.

For a much more sustainable and safer alternative, Reviva Luxury Garment Care brings to the Philippines the Wet Cleaning Technology invented by

Reviva managing director Charmaine Ang talks about wet cleaning technology.

Life...

From C1

quite negatively. After receiving just three cycles, he started to experience alopecia (hair loss), fatigue, nausea and vomiting, malaise, difficulty in breathing, and even hemoptysis (coughing of blood). All these factors almost made him want to give up.

Luckily, Dr. Hernandez had another treatment option in mind for her patient.

“Immunotherapy works to enhance the immune system of the patient to help attack and fight the cancer cells,” she explained. “Right after Rufino consented for the treatment, I gave him the first dose in August 2018. After several intravenous infusions of immunotherapy, Rufino then underwent a PET CT

Doable New Year’s resolutions

scan. As expected, the results were really promising! The pulmonary lesions had decreased in size.”

And for several more infusions, Rufino soldiered on. “For every three cycles, I had to undergo a reevaluation of my condition, and every time I had a scan,” he says quite proudly, “the doctors would tell me that the mass in my lung got significantly smaller and smaller and smaller.”

“And I got my hair back! I was so excited about that, I even decided to grow a moustache to match!”

A new lease on life

“To date, Rufino has received 16 infusions of immunotherapy, and in medical oncology language, that means his condition has indeed stabilized,” Dr. Hernandez explained, citing her pa-

Kreussler Textile Care of Germany.

According to Reviva, wet cleaning cleans even the most sensitive dry clean-only fabrics using water and biodegradable cleaning agent called Lanadol. Unlike laundry, wet cleaning uses special equipment that precisely controls the process.

Reviva processes all kinds of fabrics with different construction and trimmings such as haute couture, bespoke suits and tuxedos, baby garments, evening wear, bridal and ball gowns, wool, cashmere, leather, silk, and garments with linings, beadwork and, sequins.

“We are proud to make wet cleaning technology available to the Philippines and combine it with the Filipino’s renowned gentleness and care,” said Reviva managing director Charmaine Ang. She added, “We believe that it’s not enough that your garment looks clean.

In Reviva, we check everything to make sure you get a garment that is safe from harmful chemicals and feels better when worn.”

Some of the notable fashion designers that have been served by Reviva since its soft launch included Francis Libiran, Happy Andrada, Renee Salud, Hannah Kong, Ryan Uson-Ablaza, as well as RTW shops like Suit it up.

Reviva’s services are available in its shops at Venice Luxury Residences, McKinley; Aspire and Dream Tower, Eastwood; and The Podium, Ortigas.

Customers can also book online to avail pick up and deliver services. Visit www. reviva.com.ph for more information. tient’s latest PET CT scan results.

She continued, “There were no longer the side effects like weakness, fatigue, alopecia, and others, which he previously experienced. And even as a stroke survivor, he was stronger, and even walking faster than before.”

“It was empowering to see the positive effects of the treatment on me.

Instead of thinking about dying, I was thinking about how I was going to live my life again,” Rufino enthused about the novel cancer treatment introduced to him. “Tumatakas na nga ako at pumapasyal! (I can now go out and travel)!”

Rufino said all these things with a huge grin on his face.

“Now that I have a new lease on life, I want to share the fact that there really is hope against advanced lung cancer!”

Take the stairs instead of the elevator.

Develop daily healthy habits

Instead of aiming to lose weight or gain multiple abs, strive to develop habits that can get you there like staying hydrated, eating the right food, and squeezing in exercise in your life. Exercise may be as simple as taking the stairs at work instead of the elevator. Another good habit to adopt is to plan an annual schedule of medical and dental check-ups.

Learn something new

Learn how to play an instrument.

Find out what you want to do and invest in it, regardless if only a few people actually are into it. You can also add value to your resume or portfolio by attending seminars or online courses.

Let go of things that no longer serve you.

Be financially savvy

Being financially savvy is not the same as being frugal. It requires the ability to make wise financial decisions. Set a budget for short-term and long-term goals. Download a finance app on your phone that will help you stick to your budget.

Make investments and buy insurance that provides ample protection for the unexpected.

Protect your energy

It simply means loving yourself more and putting yourself first. Make sure you still have time for yourself and not neglecting yourself in the process of being there for your loved ones.

This may also mean saying no to some invitations, letting go of things that no longer serve you, or cutting off ties with “friends” who bring you down.

Set a budget for your goals.

Invest in your health

Get an insurance to cover sudden health expenses.

Axa Philippines’ Health Start is an affordable and practical choice for people who want protection against health-related expenses. Health Max also provides coverage against critical illness with an advanced health fund that the policyholder can utilize starting at age 70.

Entertainment SNAPSHOT

tuesDAY, februArY 4, 2020 nickie.standard@gmail.com

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GMAKF executive honored at the 2020 Rotary Golden Wheel Awards they constructed and rehabilitated three elementary schools in Marawi City (20 classrooms and 40 comfort rooms in total) and the Kapuso Tulay Para sa Kaunlaran project where they built the foundation’s first two bridges in Mindanao—the first bridge in Paquibato, Davao City and the second, in naawanManticao, Misamis Oriental. the Golden Wheel awards is presented by the Quezon City government and the rotary Club International District 3780. It recognizes outstanding nonrotarians who best exemplify the rotary spirit of “service above self” and the guiding principles of the rotary’s Four Way test.

GMa Kapuso Foundation (GMaKF) Executive Vice president and Chief Operating Officer Rikki EscuderoCatibog (center) was honored at the 2020 rotary Golden Wheel awards held last Jan. 25 in Quezon City.

Escudero-Catibog, who was among the twelve awardees for this year, was given the Golden Wheel under the Corporate social responsibility category for her “significant service to the community and the nation that resulted in the improvement of the lives of Filipinos.” as the head of GMa network’s socio-civic arm, she spearheaded the execution of some of GMaKF’s pioneering projects for 2019 such as the Rebuild Marawi Project where

Gerald Anderson comes clean I

The legendary pop group The Jacksons is set to return to Manila for a concert on March 6.

n a recent guest stint in the popular morning show Magandang Buhay where he promoted his latest soap A Soldier’s Heart, Gerald Anderson admitted that he really had misgivings in his controversial breakup with former girlfriend Bea Alonzo but insisted that he should not be solely blamed.

The Jacksons set to perform in Manila

Gerald Anderson

The actor with his co-stars in the primetime series, 'A Soldier's Heart'

“Until now, there are nights when I’m still thinking of how I could’ve handled our relationship better before. I’m not perfect. there are moments when I ask myself what I could have done better,” Gerald said. “and then, as time passes by, I realize that there are always two versions to an issue. Every person has a different perspective when it comes to relationships. I believe that it takes two to tango. a relationship doesn’t fail just because of one person. the other party is also accountable.”

Gerald hit the headlines last year because of his split-up with Bea. He was accused of “ghosting” because according to reports, he just stopped talking to the actress. He received a lot of flaks due to this. Fortunately, he found some sort of a support group on his A Soldier’s Heart co-stars like Carlo Aquino, Elmo Magalona, Nash Aguas, Yves Flores, and Vin Abrenica.

“During that testy period in my life, they were there for me. they were good listeners. You can just imagine how heavy I felt during those times and it’ll just be worse if I didn’t have people to turn to. You’ll definitely explode. So I’m very thankful for their presence,” the 30-year-old actor said. actually, in the beginning, he sought advice from these guys but didn’t reveal that it was him who was the true subject.

“One time, I opened up and told them that a friend of mine was having some trouble with his love life. they were generous enough to give their advice.

that helped me feel better. I realized that I wasn’t the only one going through the same ordeal. It was relieving. I just admitted the whole thing to them when the news about the split-up broke out,” he said. according to the actor, his support group gave him the needed strength to overcome the odds. “they gave me good company during the low point in my personal life. Just the mere sight of them calmed my senses. We would just play basketball during lull breaks on the set or dine out.

It really felt good that I have friends like them.”

In everything that he’d been through, the Kapamilya star learned an important lesson.

“God will give you challenges at the right time.

He gives the worst trials to the strongest soldiers,” Gerald stated. *** No politics For ten years now, Ejay Falcon has been giving Christmas gifts to his fellow natives of pola, Oriental Mindoro. this apart from sponsoring basketball leagues featuring his old friends and classmates and entertain senior citizens. Due to this, many are convincing the appealing lad to enter politics but he is not keen to.

“I have no plan!” he avers. “For me, it’s a huge joy to share your blessings with people especially in our province which was devastated by recent typhoons. It’s all help and I’m not asking anything in return. I would rather focus my attention on my showbiz career.”

Instead of politics, Ejay dreams of finishing his studies.

“As long as I haven’t finished schooling, I don’t want to enter something which I’m not yet equipped to handle like politics.”

In fact, the Sandugo lead star is already contemplating on going back to College after his hit soap opera makes its curtain call. “ I think that’s the only thing that’s lacking in me: a College degree. I really intend to pursue my studies in the coming days. I will just fix my work schedule. after Sandugo, I will find time to go back to school,” ends Ejay.

as part of its 60th anniversary celebration, the smart araneta Coliseum brings back to Manila one of the most successful groups in music history—the Jacksons— on March 6 at 8:00 p.m..

Catch the Indiana-based brothers as they relive their Motown and pop classics such as their Billboard no.1 songs “I Want You Back”, “aBC”, and “I’ll Be there” for a night of nostalgia under the Big Dome. the Jacksons, popularly known as the launching pad for Michael Jackson’s solo career, have sold more than 100 million records worldwide. the group was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1980,

Intimate...

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With the mentorship and guidance of simon Cowell, more windows of opportunities were opened. In addition, prior to her X-Factor UK stint, she joined the Great British Festival singing Competition and emerged as the Grand Finalist.

In 2019, she returned to the philippines to continue what she started. as a recording artist, she already garnered different awards such as 2019—top Global teen performing artist, 2019 Kuala Lumpur awardee, 2019 asia’s Music princess given by Global Music,

was inducted to the rock and roll Hall of Fame in 1997, and awarded the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999.

It was at the smart araneta Coliseum where the group concluded their historic Jackson 5 Final Tour, which included the late King of pop, in 1976. after 44 years, the Jacksons returns to the City of Firsts to give an all-out performance that will remind the philippines of the group’s glorious music and vibe. tickets are now available at ticketnet. For more information and inquiries, visit ticketnet Online (www.ticketnet.com.ph), https:// www.smartaranetacoliseum.com/, or call (+632) 8911-5555.

and 2019 Excellence award Pasadong Mang-aawat sa mga Kabataan.

Maria released her first album entitled Just Maria, which is available in the philippines and in the Us. In the latter part of 2019, she became the first solo artist being launched of the EMC Entertainment, Inc. “pilit pa rin” is her latest recording under EMC Entertainment, Inc which can be streamed through various platforms such as itunes and spotify.

For ticket inquiries, you may contact 09266789722 / 09171761369 /09366982077 and look for Hyacinth or Michelle. ticket price is p1,500.00, which includes buffet dinner.

Very Wang...

From C4

“I got even more excited when I learned that even before the unveiling of my first store, there had been a lot of inquiries about it. people are interested to franchise it, and now we have over four kiosks, and 45 licensees and operators,” ruffa admits. ruffa likewise reveals that she is putting a sustainable twist to her business by encouraging consumers to use reusable straws every time they buy a cup.

“I draw a lot of inspiration from my children and they always ask me to think of the environment. that is why we are observing sustainable practices in our milk tea business. I am so happy to share all of these details during our launch which will happen in the next few weeks,” she adds. renegade Branding Concepts Founder and CEO Robbie Antonio believes the new concept will be embraced by the public.

“We are very happy to partner with ruffa on her milk tea business. Everyone knows that she only supports products and brands she believes in, so everyone will realize that this new business concept is something they can support,” antonio said. antonio is one of the leading branding personalities in the world. He has partnered with some of the biggest brands in the world including Versace Home, armani Casa, yoo by philippe starck, Missoni, and trump Organization, to name a few. He has also worked with influential global celebrities like the late architect Zaha Hadid, I. M. pei, Lenny Kravitz, British fashion designer Ozwald Boateng, and Paris Hilton. the Milk tea shop by ruffa has branches in Makati, Quezon City, pampanga, and pangasinan.

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

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Entertainment

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2020

‘The Crown’ bowing out after fifth season

From left: Seth Fedelin, Andrea Brillantes, Dimples Romana, Beauty Gonzalez, Francine Diaz, ad Kyle Echarri with directors John Lapus and Jojo Saguin

Pulling down the curtain for

‘KADENANG GINTO’

THE television hit series The Crown is set to end after the fifth season when Imelda Staunton will play Queen Elizabeth II, the show announced on Twitter on Friday.

Peter Morgan, the creator of the Emmy-winning Netflix show, had initially envisioned six seasons for the period drama but said he realized it was time to pull down the curtain while developing the fifth season.

“At the outset I had imagined The Crown running for six seasons but now that we have begun work on the stories for season five it has become clear to me that this is the perfect time and place to stop,” Morgan said in a statement.

The show’s third season debuted in November last year with Olivia Colman taking on the role of Elizabeth II from Claire Foy, who

played the queen for the first two seasons.

Staunton is set to take over from Colman -- who won a Golden Globe this year for her performance -- in the fifth season.

“I have loved watching The Crown from the very start,” Staunton said in a statement. “As an actor it was a joy to see how both Claire Foy and Olivia Colman brought something special and unique to Peter Morgan’s scripts.

“I am genuinely honored to be joining such an exceptional creative team and to be taking ‘The Crown’ to its conclusion.” AFP

Imelda Staunton is praised by her predecessors for bringing 'something special and unique' to the role of Queen Elizabeth II.

Intimate nights with

MARIA LAROCO

W

ITH tears cascading on her cheeks, not the first in a more than three-hour finale press conference for the hit afternoon series, Kadenang Ginto, Beauty Gonzalez asked her costars Dimples Romana, Kyle Echarri, Francine Diaz, Seth Fedelin, and Andrea Brilliantes, and the rest of the supporting cast to stand up and take a bow.

“Kadenang Ginto wouldn’t reach 16 months on air and become this successful if not for your support,” the actress who plays Romina Mondragon in the afternoon drama told the press and the members of the blogging community.

“We owe it to you and to our viewers who continuously give us reason to be better at our craft. We hit our all-time high ratings and became a trending topic on social media because of you,” she carried on.

With its massive success, Kadenang Ginto has even gone international as it is currently airing in Myanmar and has also earned an Indonesian adaptation (Putri Mahkota, currently airing on ANTV).

Throughout its 16-month run, the series

Francine Diaz and Kyle Echarri

has dished out catfights that trended on social media introduced multiple memes such as “Cassie, hindi ka muna papasok sa school,” and the red luggage meme featuring Dimples that went to different parts of the globe, including the outer space.

The series also spawned the hit teen quartet The Gold Squad, composed by stars Andrea, Francine, Seth, and Kyle, who have recently launched their first digital movies on iWant and now being followed by their 1.8 million subscribers on their official YouTube channel.

Now, as the screen fades out to black on the Kadenang Ginto, with pain and revenge as their motivation, the four Mondragons are preparing for the biggest war of their lives in the final week of the top-rating series.

Daniela (Dimples), still harboring on the idea that Romina (Beauty) took everything away from her, has become vindictive than ever after her husband Carlos (Adrian Alandy) died in her arms for defending her mortal enemy.

While Daniela is cooking up her plans, Romina is determined to prove that Daniela is the mastermind behind the threats against her and her family.

However, with the menacing Hector (Joko Diaz) still scheming behind bars and a spy still in their midst, Romina will have to fight tooth and nail to put a stop to her enemies.

Meanwhile, Cassie (Francine) is still in hiding to continue the charade of being dead, and Marga (Andrea)— twisted by her mother’s manipulations—has rejoined Daniela’s side and blames Romina for the death of her father. She will take matters into her own hands as she suspects that Cassie’s death was fake.

What plans does Daniela have under her sleeve, and what are Romina’s final moves?

Will Cassie and Dimples Romana and Beauty Gonzalez

Seth Fedelin and Andrea Brillantes

Marga remain enemies until the end? Find out this Friday. ***

Ruffa’s tea

Long-time fans of actress and reality TV star, Ruffa Gutierrez, will have something sweet and delightful to look forward to.

The statuesque former beauty queen, who is best known for her charismatic appeal and wit on their family’s reality TV show It Takes Gutz to be a Gutierrez is trying her hand at franchising and she is launching her line of milk tea stores in the coming weeks.

“This is truly a dream come true. I’ve always wanted to open up a business and have something with my brand on it.

Finally, all the stars aligned and I found a good partner who is willing to execute my vision. The fact that it is about milk tea, which my children absolutely love, just makes it all the more special,” Ruffa said.

Ruffa who is soon appearing in ABSCBN’s primetime drama Love Thy Woman partnered with startup franchising incubator Renegade Branding Concepts to create her business. The company is also helping other celebrities realize their dreams of opening up their businesses, including world boxing icon, Manny Pacquiao, Sunshine Cruz, and David Licauco, to name a few.

The actress said she feels tremendous support from friends, family and the public.

“My family is quite supportive of my new venture and they even helped me come up with the name, and they gave comments on the design. It was a family affair.” Continued on C3

Actress and beauty queen Ruffa Gutierrez ventures into milk tea business.

TEEN singer Maria Laroco is having a solo dinner concert entitled First Love on Feb. 14 and 15.

The show, which will be held in Iagos Restaurant on Tomas Morato, promises to showcase a variety of repertoire that will prove the teen singer’s versatility in different genres.

The two-night concert will have a dinner buffet starting at 7:00 p.m. and the show proper begins at 9:00.

The show is directed by Mannix Baja under EMC Entertainment, Inc. with Hanzel Villafuerte as media communications head.

“It’s going to be an intimate night.

The venue is very intimate. The venue can accommodate around 200 guests, so this will allow the audience to enjoy the evening while I sing for them,” Maria told Manila Standard in an interview.

“The show will have mixed genres, songs mostly sang by male artists. I will give them a different twist, different flavor, if you will,” the 18-year-old singer added.

Maria Laroco started her passion for singing when she was three years old when her mother would encourage her to show her talent when there were visitors in their humble house in Pangasinan. Very juvenile all she was when she started to enter different amateur singing contests that ignited her fire and enthusiasm for singing.

Lea Salonga is one of her great influences where Broadway songs were her contest pieces before. Aretha Franklin and Liza Minelli were also her international idols as they became a big part in the molding her craft in both

Pop, Jazz, and Soul genres.

Joining the The Voice Kids Philippines in 2014 made a great leap in her singing journey as she was one of the Season 1 contenders. After her journey in the talent show, she continued to hone her craft as guest performing artist to different networking companies and later on found her light in Simon Cowell’s big UK TV show, The X-Factor in 2018.

The X-Factor UK opened a big stage for her career and making it to the international scene is one of her greatest dreams. She received outstanding reviews from her performances in that international show especially her audition piece “Purple Rain” (popularized

by Prince) and later on finished as one of Top 6 in Girls Category.

FIRST LOVE. Former ‘The X Factor UK’

semifinalist Maria Laroco stages an intimate Valentine concert on Feb. 14 and 15.

Julie Anne named NCCA music ambassador ACTRESS and singer Julie Anne San little way. This will actually encourage me Jose was recently named as one of the to help and inspire more people especially newest ambassadors for music by the the youth in pursuing their National Commission for Culture and the passion dahil Arts (NCCA). n a p a k a To kick off the National Arts talented po Month in the country, talaga ng Julie was awarded a mga Pilipino,” plaque of recognition she adds. to solidify her role.

Currently, Julie shared Julie is among in her speech how the mainstay grateful she is to accept performers of the responsibility of GMA Network’s influencing the nation, Sunday musicalmost especially the youth, comedy-variety through her work, “I’m just so show All-Out honored and grateful to be here Sundays. today and to be chosen bilang isa sa mga ambassadors ng Filipino music, arts, and culture.” “ M a r a m i n g , The National Commission m a r a m i n g for Culture and the Arts salamat po for giving named pop diva Julie Anne me this opportunity San Jose as one of the to contribute to our newest ambassadors for country in my own music.