Manila Standard - 2019 January 29 - Tuesday

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ISIS owns up to Jolo blasts VOL. XXXII • NO. 348 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

• Sayyaf member’s brod, a bomb maker, also a person of interest • Police, military, OTS heighten nationwide alert level • More reason to keep martial law in Mindanao—Palace

BOL plebiscite part 2 to forge ahead—Comelec

By Francisco Tuyay and Nat Mariano

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HE Islamic State terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the double bomb attack on a Catholic church in Jolo, Sulu, that killed 20 people and wounded scores of others, but police said they suspect the blasts were the work of the brother of a slain Abu Sayyaf leader.

THE second round of the plebiscite to ratify the Bangsamoro Organic Law will push through on Feb. 6 as scheduled despite the bombing of a Catholic church in Jolo on Sunday, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Monday.

“That has not been discussed. It is not being discussed. It is not being considered,” Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said when asked if the vote would be deferred.

“We will prepare as normal. If anything, the police will probably be on greater watchfulness,” he said.

The Feb. 6 plebiscite will cover the six municipalities of Lanao del Norte: Baloi, Munai, Nunungan, Pantar, Tagaloan and Tangkall, and 39 barangays of North Cotabato in the municipalities of Aleosan, Carmen, Cabacan, Midsayap, Pigkawayan, and Pikit.

The first round of the plebiscite was held Jan. 21, covering the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Cotabato City and Isabela City in Basilan.

The “yes” vote prevailed overwhelmingly.

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SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadist activities, said ISIS issued a formal communique Monday claiming two suicide bombers had detonated explosive belts Sunday inside and outside the church.

But Philippine National Police chief Oscar Albayalde said CCTV footage showed Alias Kamah, a bomb maker and brother of bandit leader Surakah Ingog, and several other suspects near the church shortly before the two blasts.

Investigators said the two kilos of explosives used in the attack were probably set off by a cellphone.

Next page

Pope Francis, world leaders condemn attacks

Lacson’s P50-b ‘insertion’ bared

by House team

By Rey E. Requejo

By Maricel V. Cruz

POPE Francis condemned Sunday’s bombing of a Catholic church that killed 20 people in Jolo, Sulu.

“I reiterate my strongest reprobation for this episode of violence who is once again plunging the Christian community into mourning,” Pope Francis said during an Angelus message as he wound up World Youth Day celebrations in Panama.

The United States, European Union, Australia and Canada on Monday also condemned Sunday’s bombing but vowed to continue to support the peace process in Mindanao.

The Department of Foreign Affairs assured the international community that the perpetrators of the cathedral bombing would be brought to justice.

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A SENATOR who had consistently denied using pork barrel and exposed the alleged budget insertions of fellow legislators was found to have insertions amounting to P50 billion during Monday’s congressional bicameral committee meeting on the stalled 2019 national government budget.

This came up even as Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr., chairman of the House committee on appropriations, said senators introduced P190 billion in insertions or alleged pork barrel in the proposed P3.757trillion national budget for 2019.

Andaya said the P190 billion was almost 25 percent bigger than the P51-billion alleged insertions in the House of Representatives. Next page

PRESIDENTIAL RAGE. President Rodrigo Duterte visits the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cathedral Monday, where 20 people were killed by a double bomb attack Sunday, exprresses disappointment that there are still those who sow terror and murder people.

ON THEIR TOES. Members of the Philippine National Police, some with K9 assistants, inspect all south-bound passenger buses at the crowded Araneta Bus Terminal in Quezon City Monday as part of heightened alert for law enforcements agents following the cathedral bombing in Jolo, Sulu on Sunday.

Manny Palmero

Pump price hike 4th in a row

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE Oil distributors raised the price of diesel by P0.55 per liter, gasoline by P0.20 and kerosene by P0.40 starting at 12:01 am Tuesday to reflect the movement of world oil prices.

“Effective 12:01 a.m. Jan 29, 2019, Chevron Philippines [Caltex] will increase the wholesale posted price of Platinum and Silver by P0.20 per liter, diesel by P0.55 per liter and kerosene by P0.40 per liter [all VAT inclusive],” the company said in a statement.

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House sets ‘criminal age’ at 12 VOTING 146-34-0, the House of Representatives on Monday approved on third and final reading House Bill 8858, which lowered the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 12 from 15.

The House plenary session, presided by deputy speaker and Davao City Rep. Mylene Garcia-Albano, passed the bill that proposes to widen the scope of the juvenile justice and welfare system and strengthen the social reintegration programs Next page

Jeepney artists stalked by extinction fears BERNARDO de la Cruz casts his eyes around the nearly silent workshop where he used to toil overtime handpainting custom decor on jeepneys, the singularly Philippine minibuses facing the scrapheap.

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Pinoy rock music icon Pepe Smith passes, 71

By Nickie Wang

PINOY rock exponent Pepe Smith has passed away.

He was 71.

Smith, or Joseph William Feliciano Smith in real life, died in a hospital Monday morning as confirmed by his daughter Daisy Smith-Owen in a Facebook post. Next page

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News

TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Silence, prayers best response to cruel words, bishops say THE Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines has broken its silence on tirades heaped on the Catholic Church, saying they too needed guidance in order to properly guide the Catholic faithful.

“Forgive us for the length of time that it took us to find our collective voice. We, too, needed to be guided properly and prepare in discernment before we could guide you,” the CBCP said in a pastoral statement penned by its president, Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles.

The group of Catholic bishops said it has “silently noted” instances when the Church received “cruel words” that “pierced” it like “sharp daggers.”

“We have taken our cue from Pope Francis who tells us that in some instances, the best response is silence and prayer,” the CBCP said.

President Rodrigo Duterte has frequently assailed the Catholic Church and its doctrines, having accused its priests of sexually abusing children and mocking its practices and beliefs. Once, he called for bishops who criticize his administration to be killed.

In response to this, the CBCP opted to keep mum. “We do not want to add fuel to the fire. Our comments may just exacerbate the matter,” Fr. Jerome Seciliano, Executive Secretary of the CBCP Permanent Committee on Public Affairs said.

But in “Conquering Evil with Good,” the pastoral letter the CBCP issued Monday after its three-day plenary assembly, Filipino bishops said that while they respect the right to freedom of religion and expression, these rights do “not include a license to insult other people’s faith, especially our core beliefs.”

4 Reds killed in Mindanao clashes F

By Francisco Tuyay

OUR members of the New People’s Army were killed while a wounded rebel was captured following two separate skirmishes with army troopers in Cotabato and Iligan City on Sunday.

The first clash occurred when army soldiers surprised a group of heavily-armed NPAs reportedly extorting from villagers in Sitio Kalo Kali, Brgy Bagumbayan, Magpet in Cotabato at around 1 p.m.

Col. Ehrlich Noel Paraso, commander of the 19th Infantry Battalion, said about 70 armed terrorists of Guerrilla Front 53 of the Southern Mindanao Regional Command scampered to different directions as troops opened fire at the rebel group.

By Nat Mariano

BISHOPS SPEAK UP. Catholic Archbishop of Davao and president of the Catholic Bishop's Conference of the Philippines Romulo Valles (L) speaks while fellow Bishop Antonio Ledesma of the archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro listens during a press conference in Manila on Jan. 28, 2019. The Catholic Church condemned the bombing on the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in Jolo on Jan. 27, which killed at least 20 people and injured dozens others. AFP

ISIS...

Sulu province, which voted “no,” will still be included in the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao because it is part of the ARMM. On the other hand, Isabela City, which also voted “no,” will remain in Region IX. Following the deadly blast in Jolo, Sulu that left 20 people dead and scores wounded Sunday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said it would take “extra precautionary round of the BOL plebiscite.

“We will take extra precautionary measures in the advent of the Jolo incident. Meanwhile, our troops are advised to be always on the alert for any changes in the security protocols to anticipate the fluid situation. All other security arrangements stay the same,” AFP public affairs office chief Col. Noel Detoyato on Monday said in a text message.

The military has allocated some 10,000 troops and support units to help secure the plebiscite, along with the Philippine National Police.

A leader of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, meanwhile, dismissed talk that it or any other “revolutionary group” was behind the Jolo blast.

“Let us wait for the final result of the investigation by the government because to conclude at this time who did it is speculation,” said MILF vice chairman Ghazali Jaafar.

“No revolutionary group or members of a true revolutionary organization will do that because when you plant bomb in the middle of a population, there will be victims—some will die, some will get wounded, but who knows if those who will die or be wounded are your relatives and friends and many supporters,” he said in an interview with ANC’s Early Edition.

Experts voiced concern on Monday over the impact the attack would have on a decades-long push for peace that culminated last week in voters approving expanded Muslim self-rule in the south.

“This is a big challenge for the Bangsamoro government,” said Rommel Banlaoi, chairman of the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research. AFP

Sunday’s bomb attack came a week after most voters in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao—except for Sulu province—ratified the Bangsamoro Organic Law in a plebiscite. The law creates a new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in which Muslims will have greater autonomy.

President Rodrigo Duterte visited the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cathedral Monday afternoon and, surrounded by coffins of those who died in the attack, spoke to the people gathered near the ruins of the church.

His spokesman said the President was outraged by the attack and disappointed that, despite the steps toward peace, there were still those who sowed terror and murdered people.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said they were aware of the ISIS claim of responsibility, but rather than speculate, they would await the results of an investigation to determine who was behind the attack.

Panelo also fended off suggestions that martial law was not effective, since it did not stop the church attack. He said attacks such as this were all the more reason to keep martial law in place in Mindanao.

Following the blast, the PNP and AFP put their forces on heightened alert nationwide.

“Regional directors were instructed to initiate further security measures to preempt and prevent similar incidents [in their] areas,” said PNP director for operations, Mao Aplasca.

AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, meanwhile, played down the ISIS claim, saying it was “still propaganda at this time.”

“They have [made] false claims in the past,” he said, siting the Resorts World incident in 2017 in which a lone gunman went on a rampage.

The PNP had enforced a lockdown in the Jolo town proper, setting up several checkpoints along its perimeter. Anyone entering the area will be subject to inspection.

Commercial establishments remained

From A1

“We grieve over the unnecessary loss of so many lives in this act of violence than can only be perpetrated by the forces of evil.

We will find them and bring them to justice.

Those responsible for this crime will not go unpunished,” the DFA said in a statement.

Despite the attack, the DFA said the government will continue its efforts to bring peace to Mindanao.

“This terrorist act comes at a sensitive and yet hopeful period following the ratification by an overwhelming majority of the Bangsamoro Organic Law that seeks to bring peace and progress to Mindanao,” it said.

“The Philippine government remains steadfast, along with international partners and other stakeholders, in achieving lasting peace in the Bangsamoro, particularly in the Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi,” it added.

In a statement, the US Embassy said:

Authorities had extended their sympathies to the family of the dead terrorist as they coordinated with the local government unit and the PNP counterparts to help find the family’s whereabouts and those of the relatives of the wounded rebel.

“Members of the terrorist group have a choice―they can remain and accept their fate of being killed in an encounter against government troops, or they can go back to their families and return to the mainstream society,” said Maj. Gen. Ronaldo Villanueva, commander of the 4th Infantry Division.

The second fighting took place in the outskirts of Butan City where army troops of the 29th Infantry Battalion battled CPPNPA terrorist in Sitio Patagon, Brgy Anticala at about 1:30 p.m. Sunday leaving three terrorist killed.

Palace names new appointees

BOL...

From A1

Pope Francis...

Paraso said despite being outnumbered, the soldiers overwhelmed the rebel group in the firefight that lasted for about 30 minutes.

The rebels eventually retreated to different directions leaving behind a dead rebel and several wounded fighters.

An army soldier was also wounded in the fighting.

Paraso said a wounded rebel tried to evade soldiers who were conducting map-

ping operations after the fighting, but was intercepted in a military checkpoint in Brgy. Gubatan and was immediately brought by an ambulance for medical attention.

Recovered from the battle scene were an M14 rifle, an M16 rifle with anM203 grenade launcher, an anti-personnel landmine, 5 magazines with 20 rounds of ammunitions, 2 flags each from the NDF, NPA and CPP, medical paraphernalia and subversive documents.

“We had been receiving reports from concerned civilians about the presence of the terrorist NPA in the area the reason why we launched our operations. This village was a former mass base of the terrorist group and they are trying to recover it by harassing the populace and threatening former rebels to rejoin them in their failed armed struggle,” Paraso said.

From A1

“The US Embassy in the Philippines condemns the bombings in Jolo. We offer our sincere condolences to the families of the victims and hope the injured make a quick recovery.”

The EU described the bombing as “a human tragedy” and “an attack against the basic right to practice one’s religion.”

“The EU fully supports the Mindanao peace process and last week’s plebiscite on greater Bangsamoro regional autonomy.

The EU plans to continue such support in the future,” it said.

Canada said that the attack should not undermine the efforts to secure peace in Mindanao.

“We convey our deepest sympathies to the victims and their families and wish a prompt recovery to the injured. These reprehensible acts will not undermine the desire of the Filipino people in Mindanao and throughout the country for peace and security,” it said in a statement issued by its embassy in Manila. With Maricel V. Cruz and Nash B. Maulana

closed in downtown Jolo while residents in the outlying towns opted to stayed home.

Government officials led by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, AFP chief Gen. Benjamin Madrigal, Acting Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano and Albayalde flew to Jolo to inspect the blast site.

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon said they were looking to two groups as persons of interest, including Kamah.

Albayalde played down the possibility that it was a suicide attack.

“It’s very unlikely that a suspected suicide bomber carrying a big bag with explosives in it would penetrate inside without having been noticed by churchgoers,” he said.

He said cellphone parts were found at the blast site suggesting a phone was used as the detonator.

Metro Manila too was put under heightened alert.

National Capital Region Police Office Director Guillermo Eleazar ordered all police commanders in Manila and Quezon City, and the Eastern, Southern and Northern Police districts to intensify checkpoint operations at entry and exit points of Metro Manila.

“I have placed the NCRPO in full alert status,” he said.

In the next few weeks, he said, the NCRPO will increase the number and frequency of checkpoints including its ongoing “Oplan Sita.”

“We will deploy our police men and women in strategic areas of Metro Manila to increase police presence and visibility, to discourage, prevent and deter any evil plots from unfolding,” added Eleazar.

He said there was no reason for the public to be alarmed and asked people to continue with their daily routines.

“I encourage you to remain alert and vigilant. Report any suspicious person or behavior, report any new or unfamiliar face in the neighborhood to the nearest policeman,” Eleazar said.

At the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, personnel of the Office for Transportation Security are also on alert and are screening all passengers entering at the initial and final security check thoroughly.

With AFP

Jeepney...

From A1

These rolling art galleries adorned with images of everything from Batman to babies, as well as disco lights and chrome wheels, have for decades provided cheap transport for millions.

But pollution and safety concerns have led to a modernisation programme, with jeepneys 15 years or older to be taken off the streets by 2020.

“This is an act of treachery against fellow Filipinos,” said de la Cruz. “This is a uniquely Filipino product. We were born with it.”

When he began 45 years ago, there were hundreds of artists giving the vehicles their famously boisterous paint jobs.

Now there are estimated to be fewer than a dozen left.

He has seen orders decline from a high of up to 80 a month in the 1980s to just one or two now. AFP

AFTER terminating him from the Department of Labor and Employment for his strong ties with the Left three months ago, President Rodrigo Duterte has welcomed anew Joel Maglunsod in his administration as executive director of the National Maritime Polytechnic.

According to the documents released by the Palace on Monday, Maglunsod is set to lead the country’s maritime training center, which is under the supervision of the DOLE. Though he did not elaborate the grounds of Maglunsod’s termination, the President called out the leftist group Kilusang Mayo Uno for staging workers’ strikes in the country.

“They always go on strikes, they will paralyze the economy... I will go after all the members of the Mayo Uno and Joel Maglungsod, the undersecretary of Labor,” Duterte said.

Meanwhile, President Duterte has reappointed Interior Secretary Eduardo Año and Social Welfare Secretary Rolando

Lacson’s...

From A1

“The Senate version is seeking an amendment or a total net increase of around P190 billion and the House is requesting for P51 billion,” Andaya told the bicameral conference committee that was opened to reporters on Monday at the Manila Polo Club in Makati City.

Senator Loren Legarda, the chairman of the Senate committee on finance, backed Andaya’s statement and named Senator Panfilo Lacson, the panel’s vice chairman, as the one who introduced almost P50 billion in “institutional amendments” out of the P189.2 billion that the Senate inserted in its version.

“We were supposed to include the institutional amendments of Senator Lacson ... almost P50 billion of that [P189.2-billion] are amendments of the vice chairman [Lacson]. I accepted most of his amendments,” Legarda said.

She said P68 billion out of the P189.2 billion in insertions were unprogrammed

Bautista as ad interim secretaries of their respective departments.

The President also signed the ad interim appointment of Civil Service Commission Commissioner Aileen Lizada.

Former police Highway Patrol Group head Antonio Gardiola Jr., meanwhile, replaced Lizada’s spot as a board member of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

The President also named Kelvin Lester King Lee as commissioner at the Securities and Exchange Commission for a term expiring on Dec. 2, 2023.

Other appointed officials were Paul Christian Cervantes, who was named a member of the Energy Regulatory Commission for a term expiring on July 10, 2020, and Francis Laurel, who was appointed as a member of the University of the Philippines Board of Regents for a term expiring on Nov. 14, 2020.

Duterte also named Noel Eugene Servigon as ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Ma. Teresita Daza as ambassador to Chile with concurrent jurisdiction over Ecuador and Peru. funds, or were being requested by various agencies like the Office of the President, Office of the Vice President, Congress, the Interior, Agrarian Reform, Agriculture and Health departments and others.

Lacson, who had consistently criticized the House leadership for its alleged insertions in the national budget, defended his so-called “institutional amendments,” which he said were done by request from various agencies.

“An example of the institutional amendments that I introduced and adopted by the Senate is the P4 billion for the activation of an infantry division. This was requested by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the PNP [Philippine National Police],” Lacson told the panel.

Legarda then asked the congressional bicameral conference committee on the 2019 national budget to agree and vote on the ‘institutional amendments’―a proposal that Andaya struck down.

Lacson, a staunch critic of pork barrel, then urged the congressmen “to have a pie with an acceptable figure that you can divide.”

Pump price...

House...

The other oil firms that raised prices were Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, PTT Philippines, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., Seaoil Philippines and Petro Gazz, while the others were expected to follow suit.

This would be the fourth consecutive weekly oil price increase triggered by the unrest in Venezuela.

Meanwhile, Senator JV Ejercito on Monday urged the government to collect taxes efficiently and correctly to raise more funds, instead of implementing the second wave of fuel excise tax increase that took effect this month.

He even called on the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs to run after big-time tax evaders.

He said the right collection of taxes and running after tax cheaters should be the strategy.

“So let’s suspend the implementation of the fuel excise tax increase temporarily and embark on an effective, efficient and correct collection of taxes,” Ejercito said.

“At the same time, launch a serious and sustained campaign against tax evaders.”

The total adjustments in pump prices this year has stood at P1.20 per liter of gasoline, P1.05 per liter of kerosene and P2.10 per liter of diesel. With Macon Ramos-Araneta

for children in conflict with the law, and by amending Republic Act 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006.

Opposition lawmakers led by Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman were among those who opposed the bill’s passage.

“Lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility will not result in lower crime rates. Data show that children commit only 1.72 percent of reported crimes and most of them are poverty-induced crimes like theft. Poverty is the problem that must be addressed and solved,” Lagman said.

Instead, Lagman said, the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 must be fully implemented with the assurance of adequate funding for non-penal institutions and programs for children in conflict with the law.

“We must not expose children to the adversities and hazards of prosecutory and judicial processes just because the government has failed to implement the juvenile justice law,” Lagman said.

“Due to lack of funding for the creation and operation nationwide of the Bahay Pag-asa, children in conflict with the law are bound to be confined in jail-like facilities. No prison is fit for a child.”

Maricel V. Cruz

From A1

Pinoy...

From A1

“Thank you for everything papa bear ko. Thank you for being the best dad in the world. I know you’re in the best place now, no more pains papa.. I will see you in few days. I love you to the moon and back,” Smith-Owen said.

Her Facebook post was accompanied by a photo of her and her father in the tribute. The caption also said that Smith had trouble breathing before they rushed him to the hospital. She

From A1

did not confirm the cause of his father’s death.

In 2017, Smith suffered his third stroke, which left the rock icon with a speech impediment. A year later, he underwent a gallbladder surgery.

Smith was born in Angeles, Pampanga on Dec. 25, 1947 to American father Edgar William Smith, a US serviceman, and Filipino mother Conchita Feliciano.

At the age of 9, Smith learned to play the drums. He was 11 when he and his friends formed a rock band called The Blue Jazzers, which was eventually renamed The Villains and later as The Surfers.

A4

Opinion

TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Why I can’t retire I HAVE often been asked by relatives and friends why, at the age of 91—I will be 92 this year—I have not retired. But what will I do if I retire?

I love what I am doing, pounding on my manual typewriter three times a week to meet my deadline. Secondly, if I retire, I will have nothing to do because I have no hobbies. I don’t garden or tinker with anything. I will die of boredom. I will become a pest and a useless entity to my wife.

There are other reasons, of course, like money. My wife and I spend no

What will I do if I stop writing?

less than P50,000 a month for maintenance pills—I take a dozen of them every day, and so does my wife.

Where will I get that kind of money if I don’t work?

Actually I feel fortunate because my memory is still intact. Others my age are already on a wheelchair, or are afflicted with dementia.

This is why I admire former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile who still wants to serve at the age of 94. He is my idol.

Another reason I cannot retire is that journalists like me have no pension and retirement plan. When journalists retire, they just fade away.

Journalism is regarded more as a

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

calling than a profession. We are often a forgotten breed unlike in other countries where journalists are members of cooperatives who also own the newspapers.

It’s really tragic that despite the risks we take as messengers of the truth, this is the fate that awaits us.

Some are killed or sued for libel.

As for me, retirement is not in my vocabulary. I will end up as a pest who will be cared for by my wife who is five years younger than I am, and by my daughter who was kind and blessed enough to take us in. She built for us our own part of the house and gave us our own household help.

Thank God we don’t yet need our own caregivers.

To me, life is just a journey where the road never ends. *** Another reason I cannot retire is the fact that I co-founded the Standard with my good friend, the late Rod Reyes.

It was during the first weeks of February 1987 that the late Manda Elizalde, who was on self-exile during the martial law days, decided to come home. Manda called up Rod and said he would like to put up a newspaper upon his return. He mentioned me as being part of that publication.

I have been with the Standard since then, as a columnist and as first chairman of the editorial board. I am now its chairman emeritus.

I used to publish many exposes.

For the record, I am the only journalist convicted twice by the Supreme Court. First, I exposed the unpromulgated Supreme Court decision dismissing the charge against then Defense Secretary Juan Ponce Enrile because the crime of rebellion with murder was an impossible crime. Rebellion already included murder.

Santa Banana, since I could not be

T

Jolted back to earth

HE Islamic State has issued a statement that it was behind the blasts that killed at least 20 and injured scores of others during Mass at a Catholic Church Sunday morning. This claim notwithstanding, probes are under way and authorities have assured the public that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.

Several countries and world leaders have condemned the blasts, saying it was a senseless act by cowards. Senseless, indeed. Cowards, indeed.

News of the bombing dampened an otherwise hopeful and optimistic mood across the strife-torn South. The

Bangsamoro Organic Law had just been passed by Congress and a plebiscite was held just a week ago to get the people’s nod on the law that would establish a new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.

The passage of the law was hailed as something no other administration has done before. President Rodrigo Duterte’s strong political will was said to be instrumental.

Finally, lasting peace—or at least its possibility—appeared within reach.

Then again, we may have spoken too soon. The Jan. 21 plebiscite had its own share of delays and other problems. The law is being challenged before the Supreme Court on grounds of unconstitutionality.

Most importantly, Sunday’s blast was a painful reminder that despite the passage of the law, the projected results of the plebiscite, and all the lofty objectives toward peace and

development, Mindanao will not magically turn into a peaceful place. Foremost, international terrorists have found their way to it, and not even the extended martial law across Mindanao could stop this.

The blasts also showed the rest of us what “terror” truly means. A church is a place for solace, but it turned out that not even the most sacred places are safe from the evil designs of the enemy.

Incidents like the Jolo bombings could be powerful sources of disenfranchisement.

Authorities are now scrambling for answers and people are staying indoors, fearing for their lives. This could only validate terrorists’ faith in their own designs.

The biggest fight we can put up now is against despair. It’s a long and thorny road ahead, but Mindanao, supported by the rest of the country, must move forward.

Turn to A5

Pope Francis in Panama

THIS has been a good week for Catholics, especially the youth, with Pope Francis visiting Panama to attend World Youth Day. Once again, tens of thousands of young people flocked to this gathering of hope with a majority coming from the countries of Central America.

The main theme of the Pope’s homilies in Panama was hope. In his mass with priests and religious, acknowledging the crisis faced by the Church because of the sexual abuse scandals, he talked about how to overcome weariness. In the vigil mass with the pilgrims, Pope Francis exhorted the role of Mary as the great influencer. And on his final mass in Panama, the Vicar of Christ proclaimed the importance of love to find meaning in our live and to change our society better.

The Pope’s homily in his Mass for clergy was based on the Gospel reading that describes Jesus wearily sitting beside the well and asking the Samaritan woman to give Him a drink of water.

Pope Francis reflected on the theme of weariness in the lives of priests, consecrated men and women, and members of lay movements. According to him, “The causes of this weariness, he said, range from long hours of work, to relationships that lead to exhaustion and disappointment,” “from simple daily commitments, to burdensome routines,” “from predictable little problems, to stressful periods of pressure.’’

What is needed, according to Francis, is “a well from which we can set out once more.”

Pope Francis called this “the weariness of hope,” one that paralyzes us because it “calls into question the energy, resources and viability of our mission in this changing and challenging world.” “What was meaningful and important in the past can now no longer seem valid,” he added. This weariness of hope is a result of seeing a Church wounded by sin that opens the door to the “heresy” of believing that the Lord and our communities have nothing to say to the new world now being born.

The response, like Jesus in the well

with that Samaritan woman, was to be courageous and ask to quench our thirst, trusting that, as God did yesterday, “He will still do tomorrow.”

In the Vigil Mass, Pope Francis gave Mary a new title the “the ‘influencer’ of God,” being the ultimate example of how to say ‘yes’ and to “trust in the love and promises of God.” According to Francis: “Mary’s ‘yes’ echoes and expands in every generation . . . To be an “influencer” in the 21st Century is to be guardians of roots of everything that makes us feel part of one another” that makes us “feel we belong.”

The Pope challenged the young pilgrims from all over the world: “Are you willing to say ‘yes’? Are you willing to be an ‘influencer’ like Mary?”

Finally, in the last Mass, before going

The Pope challenged the young pilgrims from all over the world.

back to Rome, Pope Francis proposed to young people how they could find happiness and meaning in the world: “You, dear young people, are not the future but the now of God. He invites you and calls you in your communities and cities to go out and find your grandparents, your elders; to stand up and with them to speak out and realize the dream that the Lord has dreamed for you.

Not tomorrow but now, for wherever your treasure is, there will your heart also be. Whatever you fall in love with, it will win over not only your imagination, it will affect everything. It will be what makes you get up in the morning, what keeps you going at times of fatigue, what will break open your hearts and fill you with wonder, joy and gratitude. Realize that you have a mission and fall in love; that will decide everything. We may possess everything, but if we lack the passion of love, we will have nothing. Let us allow the Lord to make us fall in love!

For Jesus, there is no “meantime,” but only a merciful love that wants to Turn to A5

Iron will South Korean tourists again led the pack with 1.6 million. But the biggest increase was posted by Chinese visiup by 30 percent year-on-year to We hope their example tors, reach 1.3 million. This is one of the will be multiplied many windfalls from Duterte’s foreign policy tilt towards China. The mainland times over by other Chinese are not the most pleasant THE well-known resilience of our people of good heart and people to be around, so we can only country and people has found new hope that their renminbi spending great faith. meaning in the latest tourism statistics is making up for their lack of social for 2018. graces.

According to the Department of This kind of resilience is another Tourism, the number of foreign visiargument for exercising the iron potors reached 7.1 million last year, or which used to draw about two-million 7.6 percent over the 6.6 million posted visitors a year. If we “normalize” for litical will that will be needed to clean in 2017. This was achieved despite the this closure, the increase would actu- up the worst of our nation’s excesses. six-month closure of Boracay island, ally be closer to 27 percent.

Turn to A5 Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher

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Opinion Whole-of-nation approach WE’RE going to hear more and more of it in the days ahead, especially from government functionaries, who seem all too eager to mention it at every opportunity.

We’re referring to the buzzword these days, which is the “whole-ofnation approach” to solving the country’s main problems, whether it’s poverty, corruption, armed rebellion or terrorism.

The basic rationale for the wholeof-nation approach is that government cannot go it alone, even if it can muster enough economic resources through taxation, and has extensive presence from the national down to the grassroots levels.

The private sector has the capital to generate jobs and make the economy grow. But business has to operate within parameters set by law—and the government. Of course, business is now well aware of the social dimension of its work. Thus, we have corporate social responsibility projects that seek to convey the message that it’s not only after profit but also wants to help in alleviating poverty or protecting the environment.

Civil society refers to the organized citizenry composed of people’s organizations—farmers, workers, fisherfolk, youth, women, small entrepreneurs, and indigenous peoples, among others—and non-government organizations or nonprofit groups and institutions engaged in development work or espousing various causes.

They, too, must operate within the constitutional or legal framework, and conform to social norms.

Hence, the government should be the main catalyst of change, with the private sector and civil society providing support to its development initiatives.

Before this new approach became fashionable, we had “comprehensive,” “holistic,” “integrated,” and

Why...

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charged with writing an exposé under the freedom of the press doctrine, the justices convicted me as a lawyer and an officer of the court. I was found in contempt. My case became a landmark decision and was made into a Bar question under legal ethics.

The other case of my conviction by the Supreme Court was when I exposed the fact that a high court justice was given a trip to Hong Kong

by Chinese druglord and gambling lord Sy Pio Lato of Binondo, Manila.

I have receipts to prove it. But the Supreme Court deemed it important to convict me to protect their own.

I have been invited to write for oth-

Iron will From A4

Chief among these is the toxic pollution of Manila Bay, which Duterte has now lined up in his cross-hairs following his spectacular achievement in Boracay.

This monumental marine cleanup is estimated to take up to seven years— well into the post-Duterte era, requiring him to build up irreversible momentum.

The resources required to do the job are staggering, not to mention the resistance we can expect to be mounted from so many quarters: Informal settlers and their leftist advocates; pollutive industries and their rightist advocates; the two water concessionaires who should be doing a better job of processing the sewage of Metro Manila; and all other manner of vested interests who benefit—one way or another, no matter how indirectly—from leaving Manila Bay a cesspool.

The redoubtable former general, DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu, has his work cut out for him, even if he can only finish, at best, one half of the job.

What’s needed now is a lot of volunteer support, an exemplar of which are the pro-Duterte Republic Defenders group, headed by another former general, Ambassador Vidal Querol. We hope their example will be multiplied many times over by other people of good heart and great faith. *** The biennial plenary session of the Catholic bishops last Saturday was blessed by the usual message of support from the Holy Father, who assured

“total” approaches to national problems. Those buzzwords became trendy in the 1970s onwards.

The whole-of-nation approach was actually preceded by the “whole-ofgovernment approach” or WGA. This refers to the joint activities performed by different government departments and agencies in order to provide a common solution to a particular problem or issue.

The whole-of-nation approach basically entails a more participatory process. While the WGA was statedriven, the whole-of-nation approach is more of a partnership between the government and different segments of society.

The whole-of-nation approach can apply to the campaign against ille-

How do you make it work in practice?

gal drugs by addressing both supply and demand. The government can deal with the supply through police operations and draconian measures, but the rest of society must do its part especially in reducing the demand, through treatment and rehabilitation of drug dependents, education of the youth on the dangers of drug addiction, and similar measures.

The whole-of-nation approach can also apply to fighting terrorism.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddyboy Locsin, while still our Permanent Representative to the United Nations, underscored during last year’s UN General Assembly annual debate on measures to eliminate international terrorism, that the Philippine government has adopted the whole-of-nation approach, and affirms its rejection of “terrorism in all its manifestations wherever, by whomever, and against whomsoever committed—and whatever the excuse.” Terrorism, he emphasized, “is a global problem no

country can tackle alone. The fight against terrorism should unite us all.

Foreign terrorist operations do not recognize borders.”

It’s not just in the Philippines where the whole-of-nation approach has gained credence.

In Singapore, public service agencies have been urged to adopt a whole-of-nation effort through partnership by government with business, citizens and other stakeholders to develop better solutions together.

A statement of a recent meeting of foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations also reaffirmed the importance and effectiveness of the whole-of-nation approach over a purely military option in combating terrorism and violent extremism and mentioned ways of fighting terrorism, including “preventive education, involvement of women and youth and civil society, promotion of peace and moderation as a counternarrative, and more effective use of social media in countering terrorist messages online.”

While the whole-of-nation approach represents an improvement over WGA, it requires diligent efforts on the part of government to attract not just the private sector and civil society behind development initiatives. It also requires close coordination among government agencies at various levels, which may not be an easy thing to do at all.

The way I look at it, the wholeof-nation approach sounds good in theory, but how do you make it work in practice? The government can only ask the private sector or civil society to extend their cooperation or assistance in certain projects, but not compel them. If there are no diligent efforts to convince the private sector and civil society to support government initiatives, then this approach becomes just a slogan uttered in an echo chamber, calculated to look good before the people but in essence pure and simple lip service with little commitment to make it really work.

We hope not. ernhil@yahoo.com

er newspapers, but I did not want to leave the Standard. I like its vision and the people I have been working with, more so now that the paper is owned by the sons of my good friend, the late Kokoy Romualdez.

I guess I will continue writing for the Standard until I write “30.” *** I share the pessimism of former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile that there will be lasting peace in Mindanao with the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law creating the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to replace ARMM. Santa Banana, there are the IS-inspired rebel groups who want to put up their own caliphate in Mindanao.

The recent bombing of a church in Jolo, for instance, is an example of

what terrorists are capable of doing.

When and where they will strike next is anybody’s guess.

I am pessimistic for many reasons. The BARMM is a creation of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, a breakaway group from the Moro National Liberation Front.

Sulu did not vote “yes” to join the BARMM. Its governor filed a petition before the Supreme Court challenging the BOL’s constitutionality.

That petition is now pending.

And then, there is the fact that Misuari’s MNLF did not participate. This is why like Enrile, I am not convinced that the ratification of the BOL will usher in peace, order and development of Mindanao and Sulu.

them of his prayers “for your efforts to shepherd in truth and love those entrusted to your pastoral care, especially your efforts to advance the mission of the Church in the Philippines.”

His message was of course to be expected, in Asia’s only majority-Catholic country, and with the Philippine Church’s 500th anniversary just around the corner in 2021. But it is already being spun into an anti-Duterte salvo as well, more so with an inter-faith rally scheduled to be held this Friday after the President’s latest diatribe against the Church and, more recently, legislative moves to lower the minimum age of criminal liability.

If the President—or any other public figure—chooses to criticize the Church—or anybody else, for that matter—then don’t be surprised if those being attacked will answer right back in their own defense. That is simply self-preservation, protected by various constitutional guarantees of free speech and expression. And don’t complain if that self-defense is backed by something as mighty as the institutional weight of the Church. After all, the presidency is no slouch, either.

When heavyweights like these two institutions collide, at the expense mainly of the public well-being, it’s high time for someone to mediate. Our best suggestion is for peace and dialogue to be arranged by Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who is both a former occupant of the presidency and a devout Catholic lady who enjoys the support of most— though not all—of the bishops.

Will the Speaker step up to the plate on yet another mission above and beyond? Time, and God, will tell.

*** As I write this column, I’m getting online reports about an explosion during Sunday Mass at the Catholic cathedral in Jolo, Sulu that has reportedly claimed 10 civilian and five military fatalities among its victims.

This horrific incident comes just after the conclusion of a regional plebiscite in Mindanao on the Bangsamoro Organic Law that reportedly approved the law and the consequent replacement of the current ARMM with a new Bangsamoro judicial entity. Were the cathedral bombers lethally sore losers who hate the MILF and/or just want to keep fighting forever?

The bombing also comes after the SWS 4th quarter survey last year found “moderate” support among all Filipinos for BOL and BARMM, with 36-percent supportive, 22-percent opposed, and a significant plurality of 42-percent neutral or no opinion. The last one is a large bloc of undecided citizens who remain to be persuaded by the results of the plebiscite and, more important, by the behavior of the protagonists in that plebiscite towards each other afterwards.

How the MILF deals with this latest bombing and similar crimes, as it prepares to take power in Bangsamoro, will be closely watched by the Christian majority, for whom the Mamasapano SAF 44 incident is still a raw memory.

Insh’Allah, the same kind of iron will with which the MILF waged war will also sustain them as they now keep the peace.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2019

Multi-creditor bankruptcies shouldn’t happen not have to heavily rely on borrowed resources. Hanjin’s headquarters should have kept itself abreast of the circumstances of additional equity to help Hanjin Philippines solve its liquidity problems, and Hanjin Philippines should have sought such THE reaction of most knowledge- equity from its mother company able Filipinos to the news regarding instead of piling on more and more the bankruptcy of the shipbuilder of debt. Why didn’t that happen?

On their part, Hanjin Philippines’ Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Philippines Inc.—the larg- creditors could have helped avert est bankruptcy in this country’s his- their common debtor’s financial detory—must have been the question bacle if they had exchanged infor“How could that have happened?” mation about the financial position It was a perfectly reasonable ques- of Hanjin Philippines—more spetion because the parent company of cifically, the movement of its debt— Hanjin Philippines is a South Korean and thereby placed themselves in company and South Korea has some the position of being able to judge of the world’s most successful ship- whether their common client’s borrowing activity had reached a preyards. carious level.

The followWould RCBC, up to that for instance, question was have allowed “Couldn’t the its lending to South KoThe five banks could Hanjin Philiprean motherhave helped avert pines to reach company not $140 milhave extendtheir common debtor’s lion if it had ed financial financial debacle if learned that assistance four other maand thereby they had exchanged jor Philippine prevented the information about the commercial bankruptcy?” financial position of banks already The answer had a comto that is Hanjin Philippines— bined expothat Hanjin more specifically, the sure of around Heavy Inmovement of its debt. $272 million dustries and to Hanjin Construction Ph ilippi nes?

Philippines I’m sure it Inc. is a sepawould n’t. rate and independent corporate entity that had Yet good sleuthing—particularly access—thanks to its powerful par- with the BSP (Bangko Sentral ng entage—to ample financial resourc- Pilipinas), the credit information es in its host country. “Ample” ac- agencies and the external-auditor curately describes the magnitude of community —would surely have the financial resources available to yielded the information that Hanjin Hanjin Philippines: at the time that Philippines’ borrowing activity had it declared its bankruptcy, Hanjin reached dangerous levels.

The trouble is that for a variety Philippines owes a total $412 million to five of the largest commer- of reasons—a desire for a bigger cial banks in this country (RCBC credit market share, arrogance and $140 million, Landbank $80 mil- a misplaced obsession with secrecy, lion, Metrobank $72 million, BPI among others—financial institu$60 million, BDO $60 million). The tions are loath to exchange inforpeso equivalent of $412 million is mation. Commercial banks are no far greater than the amount owed to exception. The results of this disa consortium of domestic banks by inclination to share information what until then had been the big- are situations like the Hanjin Philgest corporate bankruptcy in this ippines bankruptcy. Not willing to country, to wit, that of Victorias share information, creditors fall together.

Milling Co. in the 1990s.

This brings me back to the title of Hanjin Philippines’ debacle very probably would not have happened this column. Multi-creditor bankif its South Korean mother company ruptcies should not happen. But they had been more financially support- happen, and it’s because creditors ive and its Philippine affiliate did don’t want to talk to one another.

For real or for show?

www.emiljurado.weebly.com

Readers can write me at gbolivar1952@yahoo.com.

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IT BOTHERS me that some celebrities these days dare oppose what majority of the people implore of the 17th Congress, which is lowering the minimum age of criminal liability to 12 from 15 years old.

Among them, of course, are talking heads of the yellow propaganda who will reject anything and everything that the Duterte administration would advocate to bring about change to improve the quality of life in this country.

One would wonder if they are merely generating publicity or trying to gain media mileage, shifting from a washedup career in entertainment to politics.

I have nothing against actors, entertainers and other celebrities running for public office, much less voicing out their opinions. Everyone is entitled to have one.

But one must consider that the lawmakers had conducted thorough study

Pope...

From A4

and research before they proposed to amend the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, otherwise known as “The Stupid Kiko Pangilinan Law.” But these TV and movie personalities who oppose such move must likewise study and consider the details of the proposed measures, both from the Senate and the House before running their mouths and voicing out their opinions without substantial basis.

Incidentally, one of the Senate bills seeking to lower the age of liability to 12 is that from a former musician, TV, and movie personality-turned-politician Senate President Tito Sotto.

Needless to say, Tito Sen has gone over ample data from the Philippine National Police to support his proposal, which is similar to that of Senator Dick Gordon.

One female TV host opines that nine years old is “too young to be sent to an institution for rehabilitation, and be taken away from his family.”

Another, a washed-up action star, added that instead of sending these nine-year-olds to prison, the government should fund programs to keep them off the streets. lyzed and paralyzing gaze born of fear and exclusion, speculation and manipulation.

Before leaving Panama, Pope Francis condoled with us in the Philippines, reeling from the bombings in the Cathedral of Jolo which killed 20 or more people. He entrusted the victims of the attack to Christ and to the Virgin and prayed for the Lord to “convert the hearts of the violent and grant the inhabitants of that region a peaceful coexistence.”

enter into and win over our hearts.

He wants to be our treasure, because he is not a “meantime,” an interval in life or a passing fad; he is generous love that invites us to entrust ourselves.

He is concrete, close, real love.

He is festive joy, born of opting for and taking part in the miraculous draught of hope and charity, solidar- Facebook Page: Professor Tony La ity and fraternity, despite the para- Viña Twitter: tonylavs

News

A6

TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

DOJ orders 3 policemen to answer murder raps

IN BRIEF Garcia graft trial to continue—Court THE Sandiganbayan will continue the trial of the graft case against Cebu Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia following the denial of her motion seeking the dismissal of her case in connection with the alleged anomalous 25-hectare lot purchase she entered into during her term as governor.

Voting 3-2, the antigraft court’s Second Division resolved to deny Garcia’s appeal for lack of merit.

In denying Garcia’s motion, Associate Justices Lorifel Pahimna, Oscar Herrera Jr., and Efren dela Cruz said Garcia’s motion was “mere lengthy reiteration of the arguments she interposed in her previous motions which have already been passed upon, discussed and judiciously resolved.”

Garcia is facing one count each of alleged violation of Section 3(e) and 3(g) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and technical malversation in connection with the purchase of the 24.92-hectare Balili property in Tiga-an, Naga, Cebu, in 2008 for Cebu’s human-settlement and seaport project.

She was accused of allowing the purchase of the beachfront lot.

But it was later found out through a Department of Environment and Natural Resources’s land survey that 19.67 hectares of the property were submerged in water and unfit for the intended projects. Maricel V. Cruz

DICT to provide cameras for Manila Bay rehab THE Department of Information and Communications Technology will provide closed circuit television cameras and monitoring sensors for the rehabilitation of the Manila Bay. DICT Acting Secretary Eliseo Rio Jr. said that sensors would be used for monitoring the water pollution level in the bay.

“The coliform content of the Manila Bay is around 300 million [MPN] per 100 mL and it should be reduced to 100 MPN only.

What can the DICT do about this? We will be putting up sensors here so that the coliform level can be monitored by the Office of Secretary Cimatu,” Rio said in his speech during the launching of the Manila Bay rehabilitation program on Sunday.

CCTV cameras may be used by the Department of the Interior and Local Government for the apprehension of people dumping wastes into the Manila Bay. “In coordination with DILG, we will put up CCTV cameras to help the DILG Secretary catch litterers. The important thing here that DICT can provide is connectivity, so that this information would reach the command and control systems of the DILG, Philippine National Police,” Rio said.

Around 5,000 volunteers participated in a solidarity walk from Quirino Grandstand to Rajah Sulayman Park to start the Manila Bay rehabilitation program on Sunday. PNA

By Rey E. Requejo

DONATED MOTORCYCLES. Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua and Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada inspect the 50 units of e-motorcycles donated by China to the Manila Police District Command during its 118th founding anniversary on Monday. Norman Cruz

HIV-positive cases in 15-24 age group tripled from 13%

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

T

HE proportion of HIV-positive cases in the 15 to 24 year age group nearly tripled from 13 percent in 1999-2008 to 29 percent in 2009-2018 in only 10 years, according to the November 2018 latest update of the Department of Health’s HIV and AIDS Registry.

For November 2018, there were 945 new cases (900 males and 45 females), with 71 already in the advanced stages of infection; six of whom are pregnant women.

There were 56 newly-diagnosed adolescents 10-19 years old; all were infected through sexual contact (five male-female sex, 41 male-male sex, and 10 had sex with both males and females).

There were six newly diagnosed children less than 10 years old, all were infected through mother-to-child transmission.

In the same month, there were 37 reported deaths; seven cases were aged 15 to 24.

From January 1984 (when the first case in the Philippines was reported) to November 2018, 4 percent (2,532) of all

cases were 19 years old and younger at the time of diagnosis.

Out of the 2,532, there were 160 children less than 10 years old, among them 157 were infected through mother-tochild transmission; one through blood transfusion; and two without data on mode of transmission.

The predominance of young people infected with the human immunodeficiency virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is persistent in the government’s monthly report; many who are recorded officially may have been diagnosed during the late stages of infection due to underlying factors.

Benjamin de Leon, president of the

Forum for Family Planning and Development, Inc. (The Forum), said the enactment of the HIV and AIDS Policy Act of 2018 (RA 11166) may improve the scenario for children and youth, as it would stop the rapid virus transmission among those in the young age brackets who had to seek parental and guardian consent prior to getting tested.

“Our work in The Forum involves responding to the reproductive and sexual health needs of children and young people through education and information campaigns to increase awareness,” said De Leon.

“The situation in the areas where we work is dismal because young people lack information and therefore, are not empowered to know about their health and how to seek help,” he said.

“The infection can spread unchecked if we continue to deny children and youth the necessary and urgent medical attention that they can get,” he said, adding “it is also urgent to address their lack of information, which is one of the major reasons why infection rates in the country are rising alarmingly.

SolGen seeks dismissal of petitions vs ML THE Office of the Solicitor General has asked the Supreme Court to dismiss the three other petitions questioning the legality of the extension of martial law in Mindanao.

In a manifestation, Solicitor General Jose Calida appealed to the SC to junk the similar petitions filed by the Makabayan bloc led by Bayan Muna party-list rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate, the group led by former Commission on Elections chairman Christian Monsod and the group of Lumad teachers and students represented by the Free Legal Assistance Group along with the first petition filed by opposition lawmakers led

by Albay 1st district Rep. Edcel Lagman.

Calida, who represents the respondents from executive and legislative branches, argued that all four petitions have exactly the same arguments and should be dismissed for lack of merit, saying the three other petitions did not raise new issues apart from those already discussed in the Lagman petition.

All petitions alleged that the latest extension of martial law in Mindanao is unconstitutional because the factual bases for the declaration no longer exist.

However, the Solicitor General asserted that rebellion, a key requirement for declaration of martial law under the Constitution, persisted in Mindanao. Rey Requejo

BICAM MEETING. Senate Panel Chairperson Senator Loren Legarda (left) discusses with Congress Panel Chairman Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. (right) the importance of the 2019 national budget during the Bicameral Meeting between the Senate and Congress at the Manila Polo Club in Makati City. (Story on A1) Ver Noveno

GMA leads investment mission to Saudi Arabia for Mindanao

By Maricel V. Cruz

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has submitted to the Commission on Appointments (C.A.) for confirmation the nominations and ad interim appointments of the following officials: Department of Foreign Affairs (nominations) Mr. Noel Eugene Eusebio MejicaServigon – Chief of Mission, Class I, as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Permanent Representative of the Republic of the Philippines to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Jakarta, Indonesia; and Ms. Jean Alia Yasin Robles – Foreign Service Officer, Class IV Armed Forces of the Philippines (ad interim appointments) Edgar Crisanto R. Violan (Res.) and Isidro T. Ungab(Res.) - Colonel

The public may submit any information, written report, or sworn/notarized complaints or oppositions in thirty two (32) copies on the above nominations and appointments to the CA Secretariat, 6th Floor, PNB Financial Center, D. Macapagal Boulevard, Pasay City, Metro Manila.

For the schedule of the public hearings, the CA Secretariat can be reached through telephone numbers 834-2713, 831-1824, 831-0527, 832-9830, 834-2706 and 551-1989.

(MS-JAN. 29, 2019)

HECTOR A. VILLACORTA Secretary

Malacañang to PAO: Probe allegation

By Nat Mariano

SPEAKER Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will lead an investment mission to Saudi Arabia to look for business opportunities for Mindanao as she was scheduled to leave the country Monday.

Arroyo will be accompanied by Mindanao Reps. Mauyag B. Papandayan Jr., Macmod D. Mending Jr., Amihilda J. Sangcopan, Bai Sandra A. Sema, Ruby M. Sahali and Shernee A. Tan in the REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES investment mission.

COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTS Arroyo was originally invited by ANNOUNCEMENT her Saudi counterpart, Dr. Abdullah

28 January 2018.

THE Department of Justice on Monday ordered the three police officers implicated in the death of Quezon City Prosecutor Rogelio Velasco to submit their response to complaints filed against them by the National Bureau of Investigation.

The DOJ, through Senior State Prosecutor Peter Ong, gave respondents Senior Police Officer 2 (SPO2) Rodante Sicat Laimarmo, PO3 Arthur Yasonio Lucy and PO1 Jose Lunar Mercado until Feb. 19 to file their counter-affidavits.

After submission of counter-affidavits, complainants will have up to March 11 to submit a reply.

Ong also gave the parties up to March 25 to submit a rejoinder if they would still deem it necessary. After which, Ong said the case would be deemed submitted for resolution.

Velasco was shot to death on May 11, 2018 along Don Antonio Street, Barangay Holy Spirit in Quezon City.

He was driving his red Toyota Innova when a white Toyota Innova with plate number XNR 256 blocked his path and four armed men stepped out and fired at the victim.

Velasco was rushed to the East Avenue Medical Center but was declared dead on arrival due to multiple gunshot wounds.

Death Investigation Division Investigation Agent Ariel Ross Calub said they were able to identify the suspects based on witnesses’ testimonies and closed circuit television footages.

According to him, based on the CCTV footage, the suspects met inside the Quezon City Memorial Circle.

Some of the suspects were onboard the white Toyota Innova while others came from a black Toyota Fortuner.

From Quezon City Circle, Calub said the suspects left some 15 to 20 minutes prior to the crime.

Velasco was the first prosecutor attacked in 2018, but he was the 7th victim since October 2016.

Bin Mohammed Bin Ibharim Al Sheik, President of the Majlis Al Shura or the Consultative Assembly of Saudi Arabia, to the KSA for an official visit.

With the passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, she saw it as a good opportunity for an investment mission to enable the representatives from Mindanao to look for investors for their region.

In an earlier interview, Arroyo said the representatives from Mindanao were now keen on inviting investors to Mindanao in the light of the passage of the BOL. “The Bangsamoro congressmen are now eager to go to the next step—try to get investments. So that having the

Bangsamoro they will be able to bring down the poverty there by having business activities so we’re helping them out.

We are going to have an investment mission in Saudi Arabia,” she said.

During her visit, she will meet with Dr. Abdullah in Riyadh. She will also meet with the Council of Saudi Arabia Chamber of Commerce in Riyadh together with the Mindanao representatives to explore business opportunities in Mindanao.

Speaker Arroyo with the help of Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia has also arranged a meeting for the representatives from Mindanao with the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce in Jeddah.

BOC, PDEA partner to prevent entry of prohibited drugs

By Joel E. Zurbano THE Customs bureau has forged a partnership with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to prevent the entry of prohibited substance at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the country’s main gateway.

Drug trafficking remains the serious concern of the government under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Shabu, marijuana and ecstasy are the top three narcotics distributed in the streets and these prohibited substances are manufactured by Chinese, Taiwanese and Mexican drug syndicates, according to PDEA.

Customs and PDEA agents are now conducting intense inspection and screening to ensure all air parcels, baggage and shipments arriving in the airport are cleared from any illegal substances and unauthorized import of other controlled chemicals.

NAIA Customs collector Carmelita Talusan said canine narcotic units also bolstered security and has been sweeping in Central Mail Exchange Center, DHL, FedEx, CargoHaus and all other bonded warehouses in NAIA where goods are stored.

Since Aug. 30, 2017, Customs has also been very proactive and relentless in its effort to combat the smuggling of illegal drugs.

The bureau was able to intercept an estimated P3.436 billion worth of illegal drugs and arrested a total of 23 drug personalities.

Talusan said Customs continues to strengthen its coordination with other regulating agencies to secure the Philippine borders and protect the environment from illegal wildlife traders, illegal entry of drugs and other prohibited goods, among others.

“The Bureau of Customs is very much on board in the country’s war against drugs and we will exert our efforts to continue protecting our nation and prevent the use of our ports in the smuggling of illegal drugs into the country,” said Talusan.

MALACAÑANG on Monday urged the Public Attorneys Office to file charges and “substantiate” its allegation that the government had been bribing Dengvaxia victims to keep mum about the controversy.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo made the remarks after PAO chief Persida Rueda Acosta claimed that the Department of Health offered money to Dengvaxia patients, urging them to drop their charges against government officials.

In an interview with dzMM, Acosta accused Health chief Francisco Duque III of paying each family P50,000 to ensure that the case would just be dropped.

“That’s a serious charge. She should substantiate that,” Panelo said in a Palace press briefing.

Asked if the Palace would initiate an investigation on the issue, Panelo said Acosta should be the one to file the appropriate charges if she deemed it true.

“That is just an allegation, so we cannot just be poking into every allegation of every person or citizen of this country. If they have evidence against particular public official, then sue them and let due process run its course,” Panelo stressed.

On Thursday, the PAO filed a criminal complaint anew before the Department of Justice against Duque and former Health Secretary Janette Garin.

According to PAO, Norma Gotoc reached out to their office about the death of her son Dr. Kendrick Gotoc.

“Complainant highly suspects Dr. Kendrick’s death is related to his inoculation with Dengvaxia, prompting them to seek assistance from the Public Attorney’s Office,” the complaint said.

The young Gotoc, who passed away at the age of 39 last April 2018, managed to tell his mother that he received shots of the vaccine three times.

Under the complaint, the respondents are accused of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and violations of the Anti-Torture Act and Consumer Act Gotoc’s complaint is the 31st case filed before the DOJ about the Dengvaxia controversy. Three preliminary investigations are pending before the agency involving deaths of schoolchildren and one police officer.

Sports Rose shoots a 69, holds off Scott to win at Torrey Pines LOS ANGELES—World No. 1 Justin Rose added to his impressive hardware collection on Sunday, shooting a three-under par 69 to win the Farmers Insurance Open by two strokes.

England’s Rose captured his 10th US PGA Tour title as he held off a hardcharging Adam Scott down the stretch and secured the victory with a 21-under par total of 267.

Australia’s Scott closed with four straight birdies in his four-under par 68 on the Torrey Pines South Course in La Jolla, California.

“I haven’t won in January since about 2002, so this feels great,” said the 2013 US Open champion Rose.

The 38-year-old Rose, leading by three to start the day, got off to a rough and tumble start with three bogeys in his first five holes, but got back on track with a birdie on the par-four seventh.

He made back-to-back birdies around the turn and then held on for the win with his sixth and final birdie of the day on 18.

Rose, who surpassed $50 million in PGA Tour earnings, said he is relieved to see that changes he made in his equipment and his game are paying off.

“I am really happy. I challenged the status quo and changed everything up in the search to try and get better,” said Rose, who switched to a different brand of clubs at the end of last year.

“I felt comfortable with the way I drove the ball this week on a tough test.

“A whole new look for me. But I don’t mind it, if it is going to produce this golf.”

This is Rose’s first win since the Turkish Airlines Open on the European Tour in November. He came into the event after finishing in a tie for 34th at the Desert Classic in La Quinta, California.

He also won with new caddie Gareth Lord on his bag for just the second time.

Rose’s regular caddie Mark Fulcher is recovering from heart surgery.

“He’s the number one player in the world, and he’s showing why,” Scott said. “Even when he was a little off, he kept it together.”

Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama tied for third with Talor Gooch at 16-under 272 after firing a five-under 67. American Gooch shot a 68.

First-round leader Jon Rahm, four time major winner Rory McIlroy and defending champ Jason Day finished in a three-way tie for fifth, seven strokes back of Rose. Day shot 67, McIlroy had 69, while Rahm closed with a 72. AFP

Indonesian joins local tournament ANGGY Sepdianto will compete in the men’s open doubles of the 12th Prima Pasta Badminton Championships set Feb. 22 to March 3, with his partner Hanz Bernardo at the Powersmash badminton courts in Chino Roces, Makati City.

Sepdianto, a former member of Indonesian junior team and is based Sepdianto here in Manila since 2010, has been known for his competitive nature, winning different local and international badminton tournaments in the past.

“I’m excited to compete and play against the best players in the Prima tourney. I love competing against the best,” said Sepdianto, who won the men’s doubles title of Apacs International Tournament along with Bernardo last Dec. 18 at the Zone badminton courts in Makati City.

He is expected to also join this year’s FDG Cup and the Bingo Bonanza Philippine Open.

Besides the Apacs tournament, the 29-year-old Sepdianto also won last October’s TUD Philippine Badminton Open men’s doubles title, alongside Jerickson Oba-ob. He was also a bronze medalist in the men’s doubles of 2016 Bingo Bonanza and the 2013 FDG Cup Open.

Sepdianto had been successful playing in the men’s singles competitions in the past, settling for the silver in the JPGG Indonesia International Challenge U-17 class in 2006 and bagging a bronze medal in the 2007 Singapore Open’s U-19 men’s singles event.

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Harden carries Rockets again L

OS ANGELES—Chris Paul returned from injury, but it was James Harden’s 40 points that fueled the Houston Rockets’ 103-98 come-from-behind victory over the Orlando Magic in the NBA on Sunday.

Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Harden extended his streak of games with at least 30 points to 23. He chipped in 11 rebounds, six assists and three blocked shots—including one in the last 30 seconds to help the Rockets seal the win.

Paul, who missed 17 games with a left hamstring injury, finished with 12 points, six assists and five steals.

Houston trailed by as many as 15 in the third quarter, never taking the lead until there were less than five minutes remaining.

Harden keyed their rally, scoring seven straight Rockets points in the final 2:12 of the contest starting with a basket that put Houston up 95-93.

“They kept digging it and digging it and finally we held them to 37 in the second half,” Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said.

“That was awesome—that was really good defense.”

Paul George led the way in Oklahoma City, scored 36 points and pulling down 13 rebounds in the Thunder’s 118-112 victory over the league-leading Milwaukee Bucks.

Russell Westbrook notched his 16th triple-double of the season with 13 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists, and the Thunder put the brakes on Milwaukee’s Most Valuable Player candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo to post a fifth straight win.

Oklahoma City led by as many as 19 points in the third quarter.

Milwaukee closed to within three with 1:09 left in the game, but George answered Bucks guard Eric Bledsoe’s three-pointer with his own from beyond the arc to push the Thunder’s lead back to 113-107 and contributed two of the free throws that Oklahoma City used to seal the game.

Antetokounmpo finished with 27 points

and 18 rebounds and Khris Middleton added 22 points for the Bucks, who saw their six-game winning streak end.

In Dallas, Toronto star Kawhi Leonard scored 33 points and the Raptors withstood a triple-double from Dallas rookie Luka Doncic in a 123-120 victory over the Mavericks.

Pascal Siakam converted a three-point play with 3:56 remaining to break a 108108 tie as the Raptors erased a sevenpoint fourth-quarter deficit.

Danny Green stretched Toronto’s lead to 116-112 with 1:34 to play, and after Dallas’ Harrison Barnes missed a pair of free throws Leonard scored on a driving layup.

Mavs prodigy Doncic, 19, scored 35 points with 12 rebounds and 10 assists to become the first to post two triple-doubles in the NBA while still a teenager.

However, it wasn’t enough to prevent Toronto from improving to 37-15 to pull into a virtual tie atop the East with the 3513 Bucks.

Cavs snap skid Elsewhere, the NBA-worst Cleveland Cavaliers snapped a six-game skid with a 104-101 victory over the Chicago Bulls.

The game came down to the final possession, with Bulls guard Zach LaVine’s three-point attempt over Cedi Osman bouncing off the rim at the buzzer.

The Cavs limited the Bulls to one basket from the field in the final 3:50 as they clung on for the win.

“We haven’t been in that situation often, but when we do get there, it’s important moving forward that we learn how to play down the stretch, we learn how to execute, how to defensively get the stops that we need,” Cavaliers head coach Larry Drew said. “Certainly any time you do that on the road it makes it that much sweeter.”

In New York, the Miami Heat climbed back to .500 with a 106-97 victory over the Knicks.

Miami guard Wayne Ellington scored all 19 of his points in the second half, including a pair of three pointers that pushed the Heat’s lead to 100-92 with 1:08 remaining.

Veteran Dwyane Wade added 15 points off the bench for Miami in his penultimate appearance at Madison Square Garden before he retires at the end of the season. AFP

Patrombon, Patrimonio capture PPS Actifit crowns

Members of the Predator League-PUBG Philippine Finals champion ARKANGEL hoist the Predator Shield after dominating the competition. They are joined by Predator brand ambassador Alodia Gosiengfiao (2nd from left) and Acer Sales and Marketing Director Sue Ong Lim (right). Paul Gelario

Arkangel wins Predator League, gets Bangkok slot

By Paul David L. Gelario ARKANGEL dominated 15 other teams as it ruled the Predator League: PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds Philippine Finals, winning the P120,000 top purse and the bronze-colored Predator Shield at the Glorietta Activity Center on Sunday, January 27.

The team amassed a total of 104 kills in a thrilling 12-round matchup, catapulting them to the top of the team leaderboard.

Vortexfarm placed first runner-up and pocketed P40,000, while NCGC and Team No Future finished second and third runners-up, respectively, and received P20,000 each.

For winning the PUGB, Arkangel will compete at the Predator League Finals 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand on Feb. 15 to 17, with a total prize pool of P400,000.

The best 12 teams from other participating countries in the Asia Pacific region will also be vying for the lifechanging prize pool.

“It is a pleasure to be able to give the players the venue and the possibilities to take gaming to a whole new level” said Acer’s Sales and Marketing Director Sue Ong Lim. She added that Esports has been officially added to the calendar of the South East Asian Games.

“This is the very first year that Esports

will be officially a medal sport in the SEA Games,” she added. “The rise of PC gaming is really unstoppable for the past three years.”

A cutting-edge gaming chair designed

by Predator named Predator Thronos Gaming chair was also launched in the competition.

The chair is equipped with an ergonomic seat design, foot rest, reclinable until 140 degrees, vibrating in synchronization with the sound of the games.

It supports up to three 27-inch gaming monitors, and a space for a Predator gaming PC. Predator offers three bundles for the Predator Thronos that comes a starting price of P699,999.

TOP seed Jeson Patrombon overwhelmed unseeded Joseph Victorino with his power game, scoring a 6-3, 6-1 romp while unranked Christine Patrimonio trounced younger sister Clarice via the same scoreline to clinch the singles crowns in the PPS-PEPP Actifit Open Tennis Championship in Valenzuela City Sunday.

Patrombon flashed top form and superb condition, scoring heavily on long rallies to fashion out the victory and cap his impressive week-long performance that saw the Davis Cupper veteran from Iligan City ace drop just 11 games against five rivals.

“This is a good win to start the year and I thank Palawan Pawnshop for putting up these Open tournaments,” said Patrombon, who eased out Philipe Coteron (6-0, 6-0), Raymund Diaz (60, 6-1), Joseph Arcilla (6-1 6-1) and Fritz Verdad (6-3,6-1) on his way to the championship.

Christine, on the other hand, banked on her baseline game to outlast Clarice and complete a surge sparked by her shutout win over Franchezka Malaki before toppling third seed Rachel Velez, 6-0, 6-2, and stopping top junior Alexa Milliam, 7-5, 6-2, in the semifinals of the event put up by Palawan PawnshopPalawan Express Pera Padala headed by president/CEO Bobby Castro.

“My game plan was to really make it tough for her on baseline rallies while pouncing on her unforced errors,” said Christine, who held serve all throughout her 1:35-minute victory in the tournament presented by Dunlop and coorganized by John Mari Altiche.

Sharing the spotlight are Legends division winners Expedito Lim and Dennis Sta. Cruz, who clinched the 40s and 50s titles, after organizers forfeited Alvin Lim and Rex Gabuat’s victories in both categories. Elmer Arcega and Tony Buella copped the 60s diadem in the event backed by Liquid Gold Wine & Spirits, Ayala Amity Centennial Lions Club, Skin Rejuve and Calle Café.

Perpetual, Benilde dispute 2nd volley finals berth UNIVERSITY of Perpetual Help System Dalta tries to show its win over College of St. Benilde in their first Final Four duel was no fluke as the two collide today one last time for a finals berth in the 94th NCAA women’s volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

Against all odds, the fourthseeded Lady Altas summoned their last remaining strength and brought down the top-ranked Lady Blazers, 25-23, 25-21, 2025, 25-23, last week to force a deciding game scheduled at 4 p.m.

Cindy Imbo came through when it mattered most and fired a game-high 19 hits she laced with 16 spikes, while Jenny Gaviola and Jhona Rosal also played instrumental by chipping in 15 and 11 points, respectively.

They would have to replicate their performances for the Lady

Altas to have a chance of beating the Lady Blazers again and grabbing their first finals appearance since reaching it five years ago and eventually won it all.

The winner of the knockout showdown moves on the bestof-three finale against defending champion Arellano University, who turned back last year’s losing finalist San Beda, 25-18, 2521, 25-23, a week ago to snare the first finals berth.

Emilio Aguinaldo College, for its part, faces off with second seed College of St. Benilde at 2 p.m. for the right to tackle UPHSD, the reigning titlist which swept its way straight to the finals, in the finals starting Feb. 1.

The Generals stayed alive after shocking the Chiefs, last year’s finalists, in a come-from-behind 24-26, 8-25, 25-20, 25-18, 21-19 win.

Jan Arianne DAguil (15) of CSB Lady Blazers scores against the defense of Perpetual Help’s Maria Aurora Bianca Tripoli (1) and Jenny Gaviola (15) in a game won by the Lady Altas (25-23, 25-21, 20-25, 25-23).

Sports

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

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TUESDAY, JANUARY29, 2019

Mighty Sports faces Magnolia in tune-up tiff THE preparations of Mighty Sports for the Dubai International Basketball Championship will be put to another test today when it faces PBA Governors’ Cup champion Magnolia in an exhibition match at Ronac gym in San Juan City.

Coach Charles Tiu is looking for more consistency and a better cohesion this time as they lock horns with the Hotshots at 9:30 a.m.

Though they beat the Blackwater Elite, 106-99, in a recent tune-up, Tiu, younger brother of former Rain or Shine star guard Chris Tiu, was far from being satisfied. “Though a win is a win, we still have a lot of work to do.”

“In a scale of 10, we’re still at level 5,” said the boyish-looking tactician, who is also CNN Philippines Sports Desk anchor. “We need to reach 7 or 8 before we leave for Dubai. The tournament there is very tough.”

Backed by Go For Gold, SMDC, Healthcube and Oriental Group, the sports apparel and accessories team is leaving for Dubai on Thursday for the Feb. 1 to 9 cagefest that lures some of the toughest clubs from Lebanon, Jordan and United Arab Emirates.

Alex Wongchuking, who co-owns the team with younger brother Caesar, is looking forward for a better finish this time after the team blew several opportunities in its first foray in the annual tournament two years ago.

“I’ll be happier if we can reach the semis this time,” said Wongchuking. “That’s our goal and I’m confident coach Charles, coach Jong (Uichico), coach Woody (Co) and coach Dean (Castano) can bring out the best from Lamar (Odom) and the rest of the team.”

Though he was still a shadow of his old deadly self, the 6-foot-10 Odom produced five points in their game against the Elite.

“My legs are dead a little bit but it’s going to be better as time goes by,” said Odom.

Ginebra resident import Justine Brownlee is expected to lead Mighty Sports, along with Chinese league veteran Randolp Morris and exciting Fil-Am players Jeremiah Gray and Roosevelt Adams—who are deadly from the 3-point area.

Also in the team are former pros TY Tang, Joseph Yeo, Santy Santillan, ex-Ginebra player Jett Manuel, Gab Banal, University of the Philippines playmaker Juan Gomez de Liaño, College of St. Benilde’s Justin Gutang and former Xavier star Angelo Wongchuking.

FEU-Diliman sets jrs football finals match with National U KIETH Absalon netted a hat-trick as Far Eastern University-Diliman overpowered De La Salle-Zobel, 9-0, to forge a UAAP Season 81 juniors’ football finals showdown with National University Sunday.

The Baby Tamaraws dislodged the Bullpups on the top of the table with 17 points with a match left in the elimination round.

NU finished its elims’ stint with 16 points in second place, following a goalless draw with University of Santo Tomas in the other match at the FEUDiliman pitch.

The Bullpups are making their firstever championship stint.

Pocholo Bugas and Kart Talaroc scored twice, while Marc Tobias and Andrei Sabejoh also hit the back of the net for the Baby Tamaraws.

Gunning for a record ninth straight title, FEU-Diliman will face NU in the one-game Final, whose schedule will be announced later.

The Tiger Cubs moved up to five points while the Junior Archers remained without a point.

The final elimination round matchday fixtures on Sunday starting at 1 p.m. will have UST taking on De La Salle-Zobel, and FEU-Diliman battling Ateneo.

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic poses for photographs with the championship trophy at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Melbourne, a day after his victory against Spain’s Rafael Nadal in the men’s singles final of the Australian Open tennis tournament. AFP

Novak: I played my best final M

ELBOURNE—Novak Djokovic said he played his “best final in a Grand Slam” to win a record magnificent seventh Australian Open with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 rout of Rafael Nadal Sunday.

“It’s one of the best, if not the best, matches I’ve played in a Grand Slam final,” the Serbian world number one said after winning his 15th major title in just 2hr 4min.

The demolition of second seed Nadal put Djokovic, 31, out on his own ahead of Roger Federer and Roy Emerson, who both won six Australian Open men’s singles titles.

The top seed dropped to his knees and kissed the ground after vanquishing his greatest rival.

“It’s quite unreal we are still playing at this level and still competing for the biggest titles in sport and it’s just an amazing evening,” he said, pausing frequently to hold back his emotions.

“Under the circumstances, maybe this is the best quality tennis I have played against Rafa in a final.”

‘This is amazing’ “I’m just trying to contemplate on the journey in the last 12 months. I had the surgery exactly 12 months ago,” he added, referring to an elbow operation that saw

him slump out of the world’s top 20 before bouncing back to win Wimbledon and the US Open.

“To be standing now here in front of you today and managing to win this title and three out of four Slams, this is amazing. I am speechless.”

The pair’s only previous final in Australia, in 2012, developed into a recordbreaking 5hr 53min slugfest—the longest in Grand Slam history.

A repeat of that epic never materialised with Nadal uncharacteristically nervous at the start and Djokovic taking an immediate advantage that he would never relinquish.

Djokovic said a fast start had always been his plan. “(It was) exactly what I intended to do, to step out and bring on the intensity because I knew there would be intensity waiting for me on the other side.”

The Spaniard had not lost a set and had not had his service broken since the third set of his first round match but that streak ended in a flash as the Serb came

sprinting out of the blocks.

“I definitely needed a good start, we had both been playing well coming into the match,” said Djokovic. “I knew I had a good chance if could dictate the play.”

Total control Djokovic was in total control on his own delivery and won his first four service games without conceding a single point, even inducing Nadal to miss a forehand completely on the way to grabbing the set in 36 minutes.

The second set followed a similar pattern, with Djokovic racing through games on his own serve, while Nadal struggled to hold.

The pressure told in the fifth game and Djokovic broke again when Nadal hit a lob volley long after an exchange at the net.

The on-song Serb was so fired up he broke Nadal again to go to 5-2 before serving out for a two-set lead with three aces in a row with just 1hr 16min on the clock.

The statistics were as telling as the scoreline: Djokovic had served eight aces to Nadal’s one and made just four unforced errors while the Spaniard had coughed up 20.

When Djokovic broke again in the third game of the third set it was just a matter of how quickly he would finish off Nadal. AFP

Wild start looms in windy LPGT Splendido THE local aces will be hard-pressed to sustain the charge set up by Dottie Ardina’s convincing win at Beverly Place last week as they slug it out with the Thai and Korean bets in today’s (Tuesday, Jan. 29) start of the ICTSI Splendido Ladies Classic in Laurel, Batangas.

Princess Superal hopes to carry the cudgels for the hosts as Ardina and last week’s runner-up Pauline del Rosario try their luck in the Women’s World Championship Qualifying in Singapore with Cyna Rodriguez and Chihiro Ikeda tipped to back the reigning Ladies Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit champion in the 54hole championship serving as the fourth leg of the 2018-19 LPGT season.

But the Thais are all primed up to reassert their might with former leg winner Supakchaya Pattaranakrueang back in the hunt for a second LPGT crown after nipping Rodriguez in a three-hole playoff at Luisita last year and the likes Punpaka Phuntumabamrung, Chonlada Chayanun and Ornnicha Konsunthea

raring to rebound from their setback at Beverly Place.

Focus will also be on Hwang Minjeong, who beat Superal, Rodriguez and Ikeda at Mt. Malarayat in 2015 as an amateur with the young Korean, who also romped off with the Philippine Amateur Stroke Play crown last year, seeking no less than a victory in her first LPGT crack as a pro.

But more than the elite field’s individual skills, their mental toughness will be put to severe test right from tee-off with the wind expected to come into play in most holes of the rolling, hazard laden layout as it did during practice.

Meanwhile, former two-time LPGT Champion Tour titlist Lee Jeong Hwa of Korea is likewise eager to rebound from her missed cut stint last week while compatriot Lee Ji Hyeon tries to atone for her 14th place finish in her pro debut after topping the Baguio kickoff leg of the seventh season of the circuit put up by ICTSI last October.

Princess Superal

SEAG football squad to come from UAAP, NCAA leagues

By Peter Atencio A COLLEGIATE squad composed of players from leagues like the University Athletic Association of the Philippines and the National Collegiate Athletic Association will comprise the national squad for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta said the national squad is now being formed with University of the Philippines coach Anton Gonzales calling the shots.

“We will have a team for the SEA Games, and it’s an under-22 squad,” said Araneta.

The national squad will have its exposure when they join the 2019 ASEAN Football Federation U-22 championships in Cambodia from Feb. 17 to March 2.

The tournament, which will involve 11 teams, will be held again for the first time since 2005, with Thailand the defending champions.

Consultant Scott Cooper, according to Araneta, will be around to give Gonzales a hand in gearing up the U-22 squad.

The only obstacle in the formation of the team is the approval of the UAAP to release their players for the meet.

The Philippines is in Group A with Vietnam, Thailand, TimorLeste, Laos, Brunei and the Philippines, while Group B has Malaysia, Myanmar, Indonesia, Cambodia and Singapore.

Group empowering PWDs gets Smart award

Athlete and youth sports mentor Brylle Samgel Arombo receives the Smart Communities Award for PADS from Smart public affairs head Ramon R. Isberto and senior manager Stephanie Orlino.

FOR its efforts to enable persons with disability to develop as independent, integrated and empowered citizens, the Philippine Accessible Disability Services received an award from PLDT wireless unit Smart Communications.

PADS athlete and youth sports mentor Brylle Samgel Arombo received the Smart Communities Award from PLDT-Smart public affairs head Ramon R. Isberto and senior manager Stephanie Orlino during the 16th TAYO (Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations) Awards ceremony held recently at GSIS Theater in Pasay City.

Based in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, PADS was named one of

the 10 TAYO Awards finalists for its Paddle for All program, which employs adaptive dragon boat racing, a seated sport, to enable the blind, deaf, amputees and wheelchair users to engage in sports.

The Smart Communities Award is given to the organization that embodies the advocacies of Smart. The company’s corporate social responsibility program is built on partnerships with various stakeholders to promote disaster preparedness, education, health and livelihood for all.

It also utilizes communications technologies to help connect communities, promoting inclusion especially for underserved sectors.

“The winning organization dis-

plays the same drive to work with the community and the government toward a common goal. For PADS, it’s to uplift the quality of lives of persons with disability,” said PLDT-Smart public affairs head Ramon R. Isberto.

Arombo’s right leg was amputated below the knee following a vehicular accident in 2016. It was the lowest point of his life—he felt ashamed, didn’t want to eat and go out, and tried to commit suicide several times.

He soon discovered PADS and joined its adaptive sports program. Today, at 21, he is one of the group’s youngest athletes and sports trainers, teaching dragon boat racing to out-of-school youth and PWDs like him.

IN BRIEF

Astoria spent P1.5b for Palawan resort

LOCAL hotel chain Astoria Hotels & Resorts has spent P1.5 billion so far for the ongoing development of Astoria Palawan in Puerto Princesa City.

The resort is now furnished with 30 new premier villas, with direct access to the Sulu Sea beachfront. This brings to 146 the total number of rooms for Astoria Palawan.

The total investment covers the Palawan Waterpark by Astoria, which features an expansive wave pool, tall water slides and a lazy river ride, among others.

“This investment is proof of our belief in the continued growth of foreign tourists, our commitment to develop the countryside as part of our nation building efforts, and to make a positive impact on human capital by providing avenues for gainful employment to our fellow Filipinos,” said hotel chain president Jeffrey Ng. Astoria Palawan also launched corporate social responsibility initiatives to help the underprivileged.

The hotel recently hosted fisherfolk and farmers to its Sikap Pinoy event, where Astoria Palawan’s invited speakers shared life goals and simple financial educational tools with the locals.

Othel V. Campos

Polyard to purchase oil from Alegria field

POLYARD Petroleum International Group signed an agreement on Jan. 10 to purchase oil from the Alegria onshore discovery in Cebu.

Polyard unit China International Mining Petroleum Company Ltd., operator of service contract 49, owns majority of the Alegria discovery in South Cebu.

“Currently, GA Oil is mobilizing its oil trucks to prepare for a hauling of at least 150 barrels of crude oil on a daily basis at the end of January,” Polyard said.

CIMP discovered an estimated 27.93 million barrels of oil with a possible production recovery of 3.35 million barrels, or a conservative estimate of 12 percent of total oil in reserves.

Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. earlier expressed interest to acquire crude oil from the Alegria oil and gas onshore discovery in Cebu for its Batangas refinery.

“We are always evaluating whatever may be feasible. What is tricky is if it is compatible to our refinery and is the pricing sufficient for us to make margins, but we are open-minded,” said Pilipinas Shell president Cesar Romero earlier.

Alena Mae S. Flores

EO on ‘unserved’ electricity areas up

THE Department of Energy endorsed to the Office of the President the draft executive order that will direct distribution utilities and electric cooperatives to connect “unserved and underserved areas” to ensure the attainment of total electrification.

“Our concern is total electrification program. We look at the ECs serving, we want them to step up and serve the people. If they cannot serve the people and somebody comes in, we are not opposing this franchise because it wants to serve the people,” Energy Assistant Secretary Gerardo Erguiza Jr said.

The EO directs DoE and relevant energy agencies to formulate comprehensive plans and programs to accelerate electrification and increase the quality and affordability of service in unviable, unserved, underserved or poorly served areas in the country, and address the concerns on under-performing and ineffective distribution utilities.

Alena Mae S. Flores

Business

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2019

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Luxury cars sales slumped over 50% in PH last year

By Othel V. Campos

BDO-NU PARTNERSHIP. BDO Foundation president Mario Deriquito (third from left) and National University president Renato Carlos Ermita Jr. (fourth from left) lead the signing of a memorandum of understanding to develop simple accounting and bookkeeping modules for farmers, giving them the opportunity to grow their business and improve their financial literacy. NU faculty members will use these modules to train the farmers in communities to be identified by the foundation.

DA’s ban on cow leather threatening 16,000 jobs S

By Jess Malabanan

AN FERNANDO― About 16,000 workers of Superl Philippines Inc., a top manufacturer and exporter of leather bags based in Pampanga province, may lose their jobs because of a Department of Agriculture directive banning the importation of cow leather.

Superl Philippines, one of the biggest companies at the Angeles Industrial Park in Barangay Calibutbut, Bacolor, Pampanga, is the leading manufacturer of leather bags for distribution abroad.

Acting Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda asked Agriculture Secre-

tary Emmanuel Piñol to reconsider the lifting of the ban on cow leather and exempt Superl from DA Memorandum Order 23.

The order, issued in August, imposed a temporary ban on the importation of domestic and wild pigs as well as similar products like pork meat and semen from Latvia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Ukraine and China to prevent the entry of African Swine Fever in the Philippines.

Superl informed Philippine Economic Zone Authority director-general Charito Plaza that an “abrupt ban” was imposed on 100-percent treated cow leather “without prior notice” beginning Jan. 24.

The company said it appealed the case because the sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances were placed a year in advance.

“Secretary Piñol’s order covered only swine. If treated cow leather would also be included, the operation of Superl would stop and many

Pampanga workers would lose their jobs,” Pineda said.

Superl makes hand bags and wallets for international well-known brands. It has been operating its factory on an 8.5-hectare lot at the Angeles Industrial Park since 2012.

The company spends P220 million in salaries, P20 million in workers’ insurance and P13 million in electricity every month.

Superl general manager Ho Ming Fung asked Rep. Aurelio Gonzales to request “for the exclusion of SPI and its subsidiary for the rejection of SPS importation clearance for cow leathers.”

Pampanga provincial board member Jun Canlas said Superl was in “no danger” of causing contamination because it was bringing in treated cow leather. “Health safety is out of the question. What is in danger of being jeopardized is the regular employment of 16,000 workers,” Canlas said.

NAT RE RENEWS CERTIFICATE.

The National Reinsurance Corporation of the Philippines renews its certificate of authority with the Insurance Commission.

The renewed certificate, valid until 2022, reaffirms the financial stability of the country’s only authorized professional reinsurance company and its ability to continue to serve and pay claims to its client companies. Shown are (from left) Nat Re head of life reinsurance Vic Tanjuakio, head of nonlife reinsurance Sandy Reyes, chief executive Allan Santos, Insurance commissioner Dennis Funa, officer-in-charge of the technical services group and deputy commissioner Ferdinand Florendo.

Bangko Sentral to update target for investments

By Julito G. Rada THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is optimistic the country’s sustained strong macroeconomic fundamentals will attract more foreign investments this year.

“We are confident that in 2019, with inflation down, sustained government spending, with consumption expenditure being resilient and robust, we should see more investments coming in,” Bangko Sentral Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said in an interview Monday.

He said the central bank was reviewing the economic assumptions it announced earlier, including the targets on net foreign direct investments and foreign portfolio investments or hot money.

“We are reviewing this for the April and May cycle. So we will be announcing our new target for 2019 and 2020,” he said.

FDI net inflows increased 1.8 percent in the first 10 months of 2018 to $8.5 billion from $8.4 billion a year ago. Net investments in debt instruments grew 18.6 percent to $5.9 billion, while reinvestment of earnings rose 2.3 percent to $677 million.

Net investments of equity capital declined to $2 billion from $2.8 billion in January to October 2017. Equity capital placements during the period came largely from Singapore, Hong Kong, the United States, Japan and China.

These were infused in manufacturing, financial and insurance, real estate, arts, entertainment and recreation, and electricity, gas, steam and air-conditioning supply activities.

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor

Meralco preparing for Malampaya natural gas field shutdown

By Alena Mae S. Flores

POWER retailer Manila Electric Co. is making its own preparations for the scheduled maintenance shutdown of the Malampaya natural gas project in October, a top executive said Monday.

Meralco utility economics head Lawrence Fernandez said the company would be looking for other sources of power if needed.

The Malampaya consortium plans a four-day maintenance shutdown on Oct. 12 to 16. This will affect the operations of Sta. Rita, San Lorenzo, Ilijan, Avion and San Miguel natural gas power plants in Batangas with a combined capacity of 3,200 megawatts.

Power rates historically go up at the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market, the

country’s trading floor of electricity, during the Malampaya shutdown because of the tightness in supply.

“Normally, there is a coordination meeting set whenever there’s a Malampaya shutdown. All stakeholders will meet to ensure there is adequate supply and to also ensure minimal impact on consumers,” Fernandez said.

“We will get guidance from the Department of Energy to coordinate efforts to ensure reliable power during the planned shutdown. Past initiatives included IPSAs, ensuring availability of adequate alternative/liquid fuel, adjusting maintenance shutdowns of other power plants etc… All these will be considered by stakeholders during the coordination meetings,” said Fernandez.

The department is looking at mitigating measures to prevent price spikes during the expected shutdown of the Malampaya gas field in northwest Palawan in October.

“We don’t want to be unprepared. I want to know. They said October this year. What are preparations, measures that will be undertaken that there will be fuel for the plants that are dependent on them,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said.

Cusi said some natural gas power plants could run on condensate, which is also produced by the Malampaya gas field.

Cusi said he wanted to know if the condensate, a byproduct of natural gas currently exported by the consortium, could be utilized during the shutdown.

SALES of luxury vehicles slumped more than 50 percent in 2018, sharper than the 16-percent sales drop in the entire Philippine automotive sector, Lexus president Raymond Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said the lower sales of luxury brands stemmed from the higher excise taxes under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law which was implemented in January 2018.

“It may take us two to three years before we can fully adjust to the new tax scheme. We are happy, though that despite slower sales, hybrid models are gaining more popularity because of new incentives,” he said.

Rodriguez said aside from Lexus, other luxury brands were in similar predicament given the increase in automotive taxes. Rodriguez said forward buying in end-2017 positively also impacted on sales last year.

Lexus sold 615 units in 2018, down 50.8 percent from 1,251 units sold in 2017. Of the total sales, hybrid cars accounted for about 15 percent or 99 units.

Rodriguez said it would be difficult for the company to replicate the 2017 sales feat when forward buying really pushed sales to an all-time high.

“But we’re optimistic we will sell as much as 700 units this 2019,” he said.

Rodriguez said that despite slower sales in 2018, Lexus improved its market share to about 35 percent from 31 percent in 2017 across all luxury car brands.

“We’re second place and it’s not bad. Volume does not always matter.

We hope to be first place in customer service,” Rodriguez said.

He said that for 2019, the brand will rely on the UX and ES models to prop up sales as well as NX and RX models which are Lexus’ bestsellers.

Metro Pacific set to invest P45b on new toll roads

By Darwin G. Amojelar METRO Pacific Tollways Corp. is spending P45 billion this year to build new expressways in Metro Manila and Cebu.

MPTC chief financial officer Christoper Lizo said the capital expenditure for this year would be used to fund the construction of Cavite Laguna Expressway, NLEx-SLEx Connector Road, Cebu Cordova Link Expressway, C5 Expressway and R10 Section of NLEx Harbor Link Project.

“With the significant development in the right-of-way acquisition, we are confident that construction of the five projects can accelerate and completion can be finished earlier than expected,” Lizo said.

The company spent only P9 billon last year, amid the delay in the delivery of right of way for the projects.

MPCala on Dec. 21 signed a P24.2billion loan with Banco De Oro Unibank Inc., Union Bank of the Philippines, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., Bank of the Philippine Islands, Security Bank Corp. and Land Bank of the Philippines.

The loan would partly cover the project cost and concession fee to the government.

MPCala is paying P27.3 billion in concession fee to the government for the construction of Calax.

Calax, one of the largest publicprivate partnership projects, involves the financing, design, construction, operation and maintenance of a fourlane, 47-kilometer closed-system toll expressway connecting Manila–Cavite Expressway and South Luzon Expressway.

The P35.43-billion expressway will start from Cavitex in Kawit, Cavite and end at the SLEx-Mamplasan Interchange in Biñan, Laguna.

B2

Business

TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks end flat; PLDT, Puregold up T HE stock market closed flat Monday in mixed trading after late selling capped early gains and as investors search for a catalyst that could push the benchmark index firmly above 8,000 points.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index added just 0.7 point to finish at 8,053.92 on a value turnover of P9.1 billion after a strong opening. Losers edged gainers, 108 to 102, with 44 issues unchanged.

Speculative issue Premiere Horizon Alliance Corp., with investments in mining and the property business, surged 29.5 percent to P1.36, while PLDT Inc., the biggest telecommunications firm,

advanced 4.3 percent to P1,385.

Puregold Price Club Inc. of retail tycoon Lucio Co climbed 2.4 percent to P46, but Jollibee Foods Corp., the largest fast-food chain, fell 2 percent to P317.

The rest of Asian markets reversed early gains to end mostly down Monday as investors look ahead to a week chockfull of crucial events including the highlevel trade talks between China and the United States.

After starting the day on a positive note regional markets went south as investors contemplate what the week has in store, while China released another batch of disappointing data showing profits at the country’s industrial firms fell in December.

Shanghai ended down 0.2 percent while Hong Kong slipped 0.1 percent in the afternoon and Tokyo dropped 0.6 percent. Singapore skidded 0.1 percent, while Seoul was marginally lower and

Mumbai dropped 0.9 percent.

However, Taipei put on 0.4 percent and there were also gains in Wellington and Bangkok.

Hopes that a deal can be struck between the world’s top two economies have helped fuel a rally this month in global equities, which had been hammered in December.

While there have been conflicting reports on the likelihood of an agreement to solve the trade war, analysts say it is in the interests of both sides to reach a deal, with China’s economy stuttering and President Donald Trump gearing up for his re-election campaign.

“Although coming to an agreement is still tricky, both sides have little incentive to escalate tensions,” said Tai Hui, chief market strategist for Asia-Pacific at JP Morgan Asset Management.

“Markets will at least expect an extension of the truce in tariff increases beyond early March, while more

difficult issues are still being worked on by both sides.”

As well as the Wednesday-Thursday meeting in Washington, dealers also have in their sights the Federal Reserve’s latest policy meeting, where the central bank’s statement will be pored over for an idea about its interest rate plans.

Also coming up is the release of US jobs and economic growth data, Chinese manufacturing activity results, another vote on Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal and a number of big-name earnings, including from Apple, Samsung, Facebook and Alibaba.

Wall Street provided a positive lead after another batch of upbeat earnings reports, though observers said there was little major reaction to news that Trump had agreed to re-open the government after public services started to buckle in the longest-ever shutdown. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2019

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 59.5 30,000 92.1 3,532,890 2.17 96,000 138 3,739,320 1.49 177,000 29 357,200 16.5 112,100 12.6 345,100 4.87 256,000 7.8 1,200 0.65 22,000 1.38 155,000 0.445 450,000 83.4 1,564,990 1.13 4,792,000 12.78 216,700 20.2 1,400 44.5 80,800 186 670 60.8 12,070 26.85 90,700 175 231,070 1,810 10 64.45 286,970 1.14 30,000

1,766,950 325,212,815.50 207,100 517,392,455 255,190 10,257,170 1,849,650 4,357,270 1,245,380 9,342 14,300 216,450 200,850 130,405,765 5,355,460 2,760,928 28,360 3,611,910 123,936 732,796.50 2,439,190 40,835,984 18,100 18,523,156 34,200

1,003,500 59,149,841 217,382,638 -2,803,690 -1,193,606 42,837,084 -90,400.00 258,185 -7,380 7,917 1,360,200 2,672,275 -4,451,909.50 -

37.5 16.08 1 1.36 0.24 2.34 15.6 140 30.7 17 41 60.05 1.78 6.1 6.4 11.68 15.8 7.97 7.43 1.55 20.1 74.1 27 2.12 6.71 11.7 1.66 317 4.29 3.15 10 27.05 12.48 18.24 372.6 0.175 5.9 1.37 3.64 7.8 6.33 9.29 1.28 10.7 47.1 5.81 4.75 1.83 2.81 1.4 11.74 94 6.45 0.125 0.94 145.5 2.36 1.86 16.5 1.54

INDUSTRIAL 38.4 1,302,100 16.24 371,500 1.04 10,017,000 1.39 178,000 0.246 360,000 2.38 28,902,000 15.7 471,100 140 140 30.75 28,700 17.58 80,700 41 563,000 64.6 20 1.78 96,000 6.3 5,400 6.4 3,200 11.74 3,786,200 15.94 1,810,300 8.05 1,160,700 7.64 283,300 1.55 1,000 20.35 1,797,300 74.1 47,050 27.7 607,700 2.17 5,740,000 7.3 9,005,100 11.88 841,500 1.68 575,000 317 596,470 4.31 49,000 3.3 44,000 10.48 4,000 27.4 301,400 12.5 370,500 18.28 2,137,700 375 226,730 0.176 200,000 5.9 140,800 1.39 3,332,000 3.64 48,000 7.82 1,166,200 6.33 3,177,700 9.3 3,100 1.3 33,028,000 10.78 75,000 47.15 873,700 5.81 1,900 4.75 3,000 1.83 406,000 2.98 11,000 1.45 59,000 11.74 315,300 95.35 776,280 6.45 113,500 0.125 330,000 0.96 232,000 148 667,900 2.36 49,000 1.89 26,979,000 16.5 100 1.55 3,043,000

49,684,440 6,046,976 10,266,940 244,320 88,050 69,931,640 7,396,850 19,600 885,500 1,437,474 23,083,280 1,246.50 171,000 33,188 20,480 44,478,778 28,930,834 9,331,815(3, 2,156,460 1,550 36,672,840 3,531,032.50 16,830,305 12,436,150 65,664,342 9,963,326 969,840 190,522,802 210,410 141,940 41,344 8,261,195 4,650,686 39,029,640 85,210,778 35,100 842,646 4,617,330 174,750 9,128,372 20,795,061 28,813 42,866,770 805,158 41,301,355 11,039 14,270 752,060 31,930 84,050 3,762,362 73,723,373 737,442 41,390 224,060 98,835,321 115,790 52,649,470 1,650 4,719,400

28,175,565 470,892 -7,620 -20,421,820 887,766 108,680 -33,030 21,480 -10,676,160 -5,806,014 225,523.9997) 140,151 14,609,495 1,818,776 8,100 157,880 1,435,311 2,882,578 8,500 -14,243,132 -3,609,145 -2,022,252 5,314,918 19,199,836 1,763,100 18,200 1,874,281 -183,665 8,370 -19,773,480 121,814 -8,951,620 -4,750 -5,600 -2,718,960 45,902,385 -1,935 6,250 44,104,107 1,709,540 21,840

0.65 63 14.22 0.75 6.5 26.25 1.41 1.42 922.5 7.47 12.04 12.1 0.238 1,025 5.95 63.05 5.7 4.82 0.62 5.21 15.58 0.59 4.87 0.038 1.17 2.41 2.56 165 970 0.81 1.32 464.8 258 0.245 0.212

HOLDING FIRMS 0.66 14,799,000 63 1,117,720 14.28 4,767,500 0.75 30,000 6.55 11,900 28.8 450,100 1.42 7,921,000 1.43 2,858,000 927 672,730 7.49 1,014,300 12.24 3,895,500 12.58 147,100 0.238 10,000 1,035 93,740 5.95 200 63.7 1,458,420 5.7 1,000 4.82 3,000 0.62 339,000 5.22 3,822,200 15.58 2,803,600 0.59 398,000 4.9 32,152,000 0.038 26,100,000 1.17 6,000 2.43 286,000 2.56 66,000 165.4 602,800 970 259,620 0.81 250,000 1.35 255,000 464.8 50 280 8,810 0.26 9,990,000 0.212 10,000

9,816,600 71,256,543 68,153,972 22,750 77,415 12,621,130 11,301,200 4,096,590 624,281,165 7,596,915 47,733,372 1,846,380 2,380 97,277,260 1,190 94,003,785.50 5,700 14,460 213,460 20,448,827 44,499,736 236,570 159,709,640 1,036,500 7,020 694,400 168,960 100,124,980 255,752,895 208,200 341,080 23,240 2,419,390 2,563,750 2,120

34,750 13,542,202 9,764,392 76,760 -1,980,075 2,690,210 -60,863,950 3,006,372 20,696,028 -16,272 4,318,030 31,588,693 3,993,216 -19,531,520 -73,800 -28,676,720 -2,511,256 41,130,875 -179,550 -23,240 -1,488,892 -

4,430,488 554,550 30,698 720,030 3,773,270 701,225,700 2,693,830 ( 1,523,210 2,556,700 257,970 191,860 1,289,300 114,500 20,406,998 17,471,090 25,025 13,980,010 845,670 58,449,499 4,437,450 10,975,100 29,461,710

517,615.00 154,500 21,160 248,026,535 611,570.0001) -191,700 -79,700 25,910 -8,010 -10,476,974 3,033,075 -1,603,950 -5,850 44,368,335 1,731,300 160,160

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

58.5 91.8 2.15 136.5 1.44 28.1 16.5 12.56 4.75 7.74 0.65 1.43 0.445 83 1.07 12.54 21 44.5 184.5 60.6 26.85 177.8 1,810 65 1.14

59.5 92.7 2.17 139.3 1.5 29.4 16.5 12.72 4.97 7.8 0.65 1.43 0.46 83.7 1.15 12.78 21 45 186 60.95 27.1 178 1,810 65.5 1.14

58.5 91.8 2.13 136.2 1.44 28.05 16.5 12.56 4.75 7.74 0.65 1.38 0.445 82.95 1.05 12.54 20.2 44.5 181.1 60.25 26.85 175 1,810 64.45 1.14

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

37.7 16.2 1.02 1.36 0.246 2.35 15.9 140 30.9 18.38 41.5 60.05 1.79 6.1 6.4 11.72 15.8 8.18 7.55 1.55 20.5 75 27.7 2.19 6.71 11.8 1.7 323 4.29 3.15 10 27.1 12.48 18.3 372.6 0.176 5.99 1.39 3.64 7.81 6.79 9.3 1.3 10.7 47.4 5.81 4.76 1.89 2.81 1.4 12.1 94.45 6.45 0.126 0.97 149.3 2.37 2.12 16.5 1.55

38.4 16.36 1.06 1.39 0.247 2.49 15.96 140 31.1 19 41.5 64.6 1.79 6.3 6.4 11.8 16.1 8.18 7.66 1.55 20.6 76 27.7 2.24 8.5 12.2 1.72 324 4.31 3.3 10.48 27.5 12.64 18.4 378.4 0.176 6.12 1.4 3.65 7.86 6.82 9.3 1.32 10.78 47.75 5.81 4.76 1.89 2.98 1.45 12.2 95.35 6.55 0.126 0.97 149.4 2.37 2.12 16.5 1.58

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

0.66 64.7 14.36 0.76 6.5 26.45 1.44 1.44 924 7.48 12.04 12.38 0.238 1,034 5.95 65.5 5.7 4.82 0.64 5.49 15.66 0.59 4.98 0.041 1.17 2.42 2.56 168.6 987 0.82 1.33 464.8 260.2 0.25 0.212

0.68 65.8 14.4 0.76 6.55 29.45 1.46 1.45 933 7.5 12.4 12.6 0.238 1,050 5.95 66.35 5.7 4.82 0.64 5.5 16.14 0.61 5.06 0.041 1.17 2.45 2.56 169.4 1,001 0.85 1.35 464.8 280 0.265 0.212

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

8.7 0.81 10.6 1.66 0.97 44.6 2.49 4.26 0.475 0.79 0.89 0.24 0.385 8.67 20.85 0.51 1.52 1.18 5.24 0.43 0.465 2.47

8.8 0.84 10.6 1.66 0.99 44.8 2.54 4.26 0.48 0.79 0.89 0.248 0.385 9.21 21.5 0.51 1.58 1.19 5.3 0.43 0.52 2.5

8.7 0.81 10.58 1.64 0.94 43.85 2.49 4.17 0.465 0.77 0.87 0.24 0.38 8.67 20.85 0.495 1.52 1.17 5.24 0.42 0.46 2.36

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

0.405 3.3 55 23 1.98 3.12 39.6 1.37 5.94 0.71 5.92

0.46 3.3 64 23.4 2 3.12 39.95 1.37 6.04 0.71 5.92

0.4 3.23 45.05 22.75 1.98 3.09 39.6 1.33 5.94 0.7 5.82

0.455 3.3 50 23.05 1.98 3.12 39.95 1.33 5.95 0.7 5.87

7,640,000 257,000 11,030 928,000 23,000 91,000 10,371,800 859,000 203,900 110,000 5,803,300

3,394,650 839,230 591,887 21,424,285 45,740 282,410 413,476,185 1,149,940 1,215,073 77,100 34,044,940

-91,000 3,250 8,363,950 274,559,550 65,620 -17,863,894

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL ASIAN TERMINALS BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CEBU AIR CENTRO ESCOLAR CHELSEA DFNN INC EASYCALL GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN BRIA GRAND PLAZA HARBOR STAR INTL CONTAINER IPEOPLE IPM HLDG ISLAND INFO ISM COMM JACKSTONES LBC EXPRESS 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 TRAVELLERS WATERFRONT WILCON DEPOT

13.9 24.95 1.33 0.455 0.04 15 3.03 10.5 0.054 85.7 7.99 6.51 7.36 16.6 2,120 5.72 350 11.9 3.05 107 11.14 7.25 0.125 6.05 3.12 15 3.26 0.81 18 0.355 4.89 2.67 2.19 2.24 3.64 9.64 13.5 117 3.11 1,330 0.91 1.1 45 85 8.19 2.45 0.77 0.46 5.85 0.7 13.36

14.2 25.3 1.38 0.465 0.04 15 3.05 10.74 0.06 89.2 8 6.65 7.36 16.6 2,160 5.84 355 11.9 3.05 109.6 11.14 7.25 0.132 6.09 3.24 15 3.36 0.81 18.3 0.355 5 2.74 2.25 2.43 3.74 9.64 14.3 117.5 3.12 1,386 0.91 1.42 46 87 8.29 2.54 0.78 0.47 5.9 0.73 13.36

13.6 23.85 1.33 0.445 0.039 15 2.85 10.48 0.053 85.7 7.9 6.42 7 15.4 2,118 5.71 340 11.9 2.99 107 11 7.2 0.125 5.82 3.12 15 3.26 0.81 18 0.345 4.88 2.65 2.09 2.24 3.6 9.4 12.04 117 3.02 1,330 0.88 1.07 45 84.95 8.17 2.43 0.75 0.455 5.39 0.69 13.24

SERVICES 13.88 23.9 1.34 0.455 0.04 15 2.96 10.56 0.058 88.95 7.9 6.43 7 15.74 2,142 5.8 353.8 11.9 3 108.6 11 7.2 0.127 5.86 3.24 15 3.29 0.81 18 0.345 4.99 2.68 2.12 2.28 3.6 9.44 13.08 117.5 3.03 1,385 0.89 1.36 46 86.5 8.22 2.45 0.76 0.465 5.4 0.72 13.24

65,800 440,100 156,000 2,430,000 6,000,000 300 3,234,000 8,401,200 81,940,000 514,320 10,300 1,387,800 44,100 241,000 51,785 297,300 1,610 200 1,062,000 3,049,540 1,400 8,500 8,190,000 8,056,700 52,000 200 673,000 73,000 1,227,300 160,000 307,700 1,684,000 1,224,000 33,000 1,665,000 37,000 1,731,600 210 1,249,000 146,975 8,315,000 608,498,000 2,717,900 999,570 530,000 16,939,000 7,169,000 36,400,000 1,550,500 2,882,000 572,800

918,112 10,752,290 209,890 1,102,200 238,800 4,500 9,530,560 88,630,512 4,718,020 45,360,623.50 82,080 9,001,598 308,988 3,807,188 110,988,150 1,718,576 563,762 2,380 3,187,660 331,146,264 15,456 61,495 1,050,540 47,943,841 166,740 3,000 2,227,470 59,130 22,246,158 56,000 1,516,646 4,519,280 2,587,810 76,930 6,054,540 350,084 22,747,160 24,656 3,822,170 201,212,300 7,490,110 769,229,330 124,036,565 86,457,363 4,356,538 42,216,680 5,496,410 16,883,350 8,547,081 2,042,060 7,607,602

-18,200 54,000 51,520 -382,610 58,500 14,217,074 912,024 9,274 7,584,140 45,000 29,213,262 -52,600 -862,171 -148,700 10,419,786 776,120 -116,480 -34,166 19,975 -938,800 104,515,430 131,170 -6,617,660 -971,665 31,002,107.50 1,501,730 1,334,730 -1,274,100 -247,594 765,838

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

0.0021 1.59 2.99 14.9 1.25 2.03 7.91 1.49 0.22 0.119 0.121 1.19 2.53 1.16 0.69 0.98 0.012 0.012 0.012 3.65 3.98 15.06 23.1 0.0075

0.0021 1.62 2.99 15 1.25 2.06 7.97 1.5 0.228 0.119 0.121 1.19 2.54 1.16 0.69 1 0.012 0.013 0.012 3.74 4.08 15.14 24 0.0086

0.002 1.58 2.82 13.4 1.25 2.03 7.8 1.47 0.219 0.118 0.121 1.19 2.46 1.09 0.69 0.96 0.012 0.012 0.012 3.65 3.98 14.9 23.1 0.0075

MINING & OIL 0.0021 107,000,000 1.6 2,460,000 2.9 191,000 13.6 33,800 1.25 100,000 2.04 296,000 7.9 4,700 1.49 2,945,000 0.221 110,000 0.119 1,240,000 0.121 50,000 1.19 4,000 2.49 772,000 1.14 561,000 0.69 55,000 1 334,000 0.012 2,600,000 0.013 700,000 0.012 104,900,000 3.74 49,000 4.08 1,803,000 15 684,500 23.25 1,009,100 0.008 167,000,000

224,300 3,931,040 552,240 462,808 125,000 605,420 37,171 4,388,260 24,460 147,400 6,050 4,760 1,929,300 622,090 37,950 325,890 31,200 8,600 1,258,800 179,030 7,260,400 10,270,206 23,858,390 1,372,600

21,000 14,150 -20,500 155,840 782,600 5,880 -2,600 1,458,810 156,146 630,335 -

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

21 498 98.2 102 5.61 929.5 900 95.5 1 101.4 963 100 105 75.25 76 72.65 72.6 74.8 73 73.5 73.4

21.1 498 98.2 102 5.67 929.5 900 96 1.01 101.4 963 100 105 75.25 76 72.65 72.6 74.8 73.05 73.5 73.5

20.65 498 98 102 5.6 929.5 900 95.1 1 101 963 100 105 74.8 75.5 72.5 72.05 74.4 73 72.65 73

PREFERRED 20.8 619,400 498 50 98 550 102 500 5.6 75,000 929.5 100 900 7,390 95.1 1,500 1.01 201,000 101.4 3,410 963 30 100 8,200 105 100 74.8 4,420 75.5 13,000 72.5 2,800 72.05 5,910 74.4 8,010 73.05 7,000 72.65 2,190 73 28,400

13,003,505 24,900 53,902 51,000 421,205 92,950 6,651,000 143,235 201,010 345,696 28,890 820,000 10,500 331,934 982,817 203,150 427,668 599,144 511,050 159,265 2,080,400

3,455,355 31,000 -

LR WARRANT

1.95

2.07

1.95

WARRANTS 1.96 405,000

813,550

-

ITALPINAS XURPAS

4.82 1.31

4.95 1.37

4.8 1.3

4.9 1.33

2,382,180 16,013,330

-192,000 -390,640

FIRST METRO ETF

119.7

120.5

118.8

MS

PROPERTY 8.8 0.83 10.58 1.66 0.97 44.2 2.51 4.17 0.465 0.77 0.87 0.246 0.38 9 20.95 0.495 1.52 1.17 5.29 0.42 0.47 2.36

506,000 678,000 2,900 435,000 3,901,000 15,793,200 1,072,000 363,000 5,430,000 330,000 220,000 5,300,000 300,000 2,264,300 826,800 50,000 9,076,000 719,000 11,068,400 10,440,000 22,380,000 12,232,000

USD DMPL A2

10.2

TRADING SUMMARY FINANCIAL

10.2

SHARES

20,716,874

INDUSTRIAL

146,901,995

HOLDING FIRMS

118,739,001

PROPERTY

162,498,398

SERVICES

825,472,048

MINING & OIL

395,150,355

GRAND TOTAL

1,682,089,300

10.2

SME

492,000 12,093,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 119.5 21,820 10.2

DDS

4,880

2,609,426 49,776

-

VALUE 1,840.89 (UP) 16.15 1,446,106,749.56 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,733.02 (DOWN) 45.44 1,113,288,117.405 HOLDING FIRMS 7,873.63 (DOWN) 53.96 1,872,292,418.92 PROPERTY 4,004.18 (DOWN) 9.02 SERVICES 1,611.54 (UP) 30.54 2,522,024,320.88 MINING & OIL 8,519.82 (UP) 63.46 2,097,617,814.585 PSEI 8,053.92 (UP) 0.72 57,686,575.642 All Shares Index 4,856.38 (UP) 2.76 9,130,034,808.88 Gainers: 102; Losers: 108; Unchanged: 44; Total: 254

Megaworld sees P1.5b in sales from Maple tower

By Jenniffer B. Austria MEGAWORLD Corp., the biggest lessor of office spaces, expects to generate P1.5 billion from the sale of office spaces within its 140-hectare Maple Grove township in General Trias, Cavite.

Megaworld said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it would start selling office spaces in the 17-story One Corporate Place, which would offer 93 select office units with layout sizes ranging from 63 square meters to 281 square meters.

The office spaces are suitable for corporate offices and business process outsourcing companies, including small-to-medium enterprises.

“Maple Grove’s rising business district in this side of Cavite allows companies to thrive and grow their businesses in a green and sustainable community where everything is integrated and within reach. The entire development itself, as in any other townships that we’ve already built, will be walkable from one office tower to another, or to the mall, residential towers and parks that we will build around the community,” Megaworld vice president for sales and marketing Rachelle Peñaflorida said.

One Corporate Place is equipped with its own building management system and will feature a 24-hour security and fire command center, seismic detection and monitoring system, standby generators for 100-percent backup power, fire security system, water reservoir with separate fire reserve water tanks, and a 24-hour CCTV monitoring system.

The entire building will be fiber optic-ready.

The office tower will also be highlighted with sustainability features that include a roof deck garden, use of energy-saving LED lights in common areas and dual-flush type water closets for common toilets, and its own material recovery facility that allows waste segregation and recycling.

“Owning an office space in Maple Grove would be a wise move especially that General Trias is now fast becoming a key growth area of Cavite. In five years, we expect rental prices to go up as more developments rise within the township,” Peñaflorida said.

Benchmark index to hit 8,600 points —COL Financial ONLINE brokerage firm COL Financial Inc. expects the bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange Index to resume its upward momentum with the yearend target likely to reach 8,600 points COL Financial research head April Lynn Tan said several factors, including the slowdown in inflation rate for 2019 and the continued inflow of foreign funds, were currently boosting the stock market.

“There is some fundamental basis to what were are seeing today. I think domestically it was inflation story last year with the headline inflation going out of control and there is uncertainty how the government will address this,” said Tan. “But the fourth quarter of 2018, we saw how inflation has slowed from its peak in September and October. You can see the two major drivers of inflation— fuel and food actually going down also from their peaks,” Tan added.

She said the slowdown in inflation would be good for interest rates and consumer spending.

Tan said Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas might no longer raise interest rates this year and would likely resume the cut on bank reserve requirements.

The central bank last year raised interest rights five times in a bid to temper inflation.

With the market’s decline last year, Tan said the PSEi had also become attractive to investors, with foreign funds flowing back to the Philippine market. Foreign inflows since that start of the year have reached P12.65 billion.

Tan, however, said she was cautiously optimistic about the market due to so called “twin deficits,” referring to the budget and current account gaps.

She expressed concern the government might slowdown on spending and that slower global economic growth could hurt Philippine exports and remittances.

Tan has a positive outlook on the banking sector this year because of higher margins due to higher rates, as well as increased trading gains.

Jenniffer B. Austria

World

B3

TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Climate change pushing killer whales to go north

PREPARING FOR THE LUNAR NEW YEAR. This photo taken on January 22, 2019, shows dancers training to perform a lion dance at the Kaifang Culture headquarters before the Lunar New Year celebrations in Xushui, Hebei province. -Kaifang Culture is the oldest lion dance company in northern China and has performed for four generations. The lion dance is a common feature to bring good fortune, prosperity and good luck to businesses and chase away evil spirits during the new year that falls on February 5 this year. AFP

NORWAY―Paying no attention to nearby divers, a killer whale and her calf hunting for food frolic in a snowy Norwegian fjord.

Their favorite meal, herring, abounds, but climate change means both predator and prey must increasingly migrate further north.

The clear and calm waters of Reisafjorden, in Norway’s Far North, have in recent years become the winter playground of the Scandinavian country’s killer whale population.

At three degrees Celsius (37 Fahrenheit), the cold water is perfect for the herring which, ahead of the spawning season in February and March, have fattened up and make a tasty dish for the hungry killer whales, also known as orcas.

As if they were performing an underwater ballet, the whales encircle a school of herring, forcing them up to the surface before slapping the water with their large tail fins to stun them.

“Then they all share the feast,” eating only the best parts of the fish: the eggs, meat and semen, explains Pierre Robert

de Latour, founder of the organization Undersea Soft Encounter Alliance, on board a whale-watching vessel.

“It’s food that’s easy to hunt, available in great quantities, and very high in calories,” he says.

But in the past 20 years, the herring migrated 300 kilometers north, leaving the Lofoten Islands in search of waters that remain under six degrees Celsius— the temperature required for them to reproduce.

The Norwegian killer whales, which only occasionally feast on seals or smaller whales, have followed the herring.

“We believe that the global warming which is responsible for the rising water temperatures has pushed the herring further north,” said Robert de Latour.

“In the long term, they’re going to move even further north. If the stocks were to diminish it would be an environmental catastrophe for whales, orcas, sea birds and cod,” he warns.

For now, the killer whale population along Norway’s coast appears to be thriving. AFP

New protests called against Maduro

C

ARACAS― Venezuela’s selfproclaimed president Juan Guaido called Sunday for two new protests, in an effort to push the military to turn against leader Nicolas Maduro and back a European ultimatum demanding free elections within the week.

In a video posted on Twitter, the head of the opposition-controlled National Assembly said the first of the nationwide strikes, on Wednesday from noon to 2:00 pm (1600-1800 GMT), would

be one “to demand that the armed forces side with the people.”

The second, on Saturday, will be a “big national and international rally to back the support of the European Union and the ultimatum” from Britain, France, Germany, Portugal, Spain and the Netherlands that they would recognize Guaido as interim president unless Maduro calls elections by February 3.

The EU was more vague, saying it would take “further actions” if elections were not called in the coming days, including the issue of recognition of the country’s “leadership.”

Australia, meanwhile, said it “recognizes and supports” Guaido as interim president pending elections. And Italy has called for “a rapid return to democratic legitimacy.”

The United States separately warned there would be a “significant response” if US diplomats, Guaido or the opposition-controlled National Assembly were targeted with violence and intimidation.

Maduro so far has not budged from his position, telling CNN Turk: “No one can give us an ultimatum.”

Nearly 30 people have been killed and more than 350 arrested in clashes with security forces over the past week.

Encouraged by the international support for his cause, Guaido is on a mission to weaken the military’s support of Maduro, which has been essential to keeping him in power since 2013.

His appeals have included promises of amnesty, and mass protests to dramatize the depth of popular opposition to Maduro, who has presided over a virtual

collapse of the economy and a severe humanitarian crisis, with shortages of food and medicines.

Supporters circulated copies of amnesty measures approved by the National Assembly to friends and relatives in the military, but some soldiers burned or ripped up the document.

Venezuela’s military attache in Washington, Army Colonel Jose Luis Silva, switched his support to Guaido in a video that called on his brothers in arms to follow his lead.

Maduro appeared at a military exercise in the state of Carabobo where he called for “union, discipline and cohesion” to defeat what he called an “attempted coup d’etat.”

“Traitors never, loyal always,” he exhorted the military audience. Televised images showed tanks lined up in a row

Chinese rights lawyer jailed for five years for subversion

IN BRIEF

Kim murder case adjourned again

SHAH ALAM, Malaysia―The trial of two women accused of murdering the North Korean leader’s half-brother was adjourned Monday until March, and the case will now drag on until at least mid2019.

Siti Aisyah from Indonesia and Doan Thi Huong from Vietnam have been on trial since October 2017, accused of murdering Kim Jong Nam by smearing the nerve agent VX on his face at Kuala Lumpur airport.

The brazen assassination in February 2017 shocked the world, but the women have denied murder, saying they believed they were taking part in a prank and were tricked by North Korean agents.

Proceedings in the trial of the women, both in their 20s, have moved slowly due to the large number of witnesses and infrequent hearings. There have been no hearings since August, when the prosecution finished presenting its case.

The latest hold-up has been caused by an appeal from the defense, which is urging the prosecutors to make key witness statements available. The prosecution argues the statements should not be made public.

With the appeal still ongoing, a series of hearings scheduled for this week were canceled, and the trial will now resume on March 11 with Huong’s defense. AFP

New Australia fish deaths SYDNEY―Thousands more fish have died in a key river system in drought-hit eastern Australia just weeks after up to a million were killed, authorities and locals said Monday, sparking fears an ecological disaster is unfolding.

Fisheries officials said they were on their way to Menindee, a small outback town in far-west New South Wales state, after the third mass fish kill in the area in less than two months.

The town is near the Darling River, part of the Murray-Darling River system that stretches thousands of kilometers across several states and supplies the country’s food bowl.

“There’s lot of small [dead] fish... a lot of the larger fish have already perished in the last two kills,” Menindee tourism operator Rob Gregory told AFP, adding that he counted 380 dead fish in just a 20-foot stretch of river.

Gregory said Menindee was renowned as having one of the best fisheries in the far-west region.

“This is a true environmental disaster that is equivalent to a lot of other things that are occurring like the bleaching of the coral in the Great Barrier Reef,” he added. AFP

and soldiers firing their weapons.

“Are you coup-backers or are you constitutionalists? Are you pro-imperialist or anti-imperialists?” Maduro asked.

Thus far, the military has backed the leftist regime, which was ushered into power more than 20 years ago by the late Hugo Chavez, but there have been some signs of unrest.

Guaido, 35, heads the opposition-controlled National Assembly and declared himself acting president in Caracas on Wednesday during an anti-government rally by tens of thousands of people.

He contends that Maduro’s reelection to a second six-year term was fraudulent.

His bid was swiftly endorsed by Canada, the United States and many Latin American countries. AFP

SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS. From left,

Rebekka Johnson, Rachel Bloom and Kimmy Gatewood arrive at the 25th Annual Screen Actors†Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on January 27, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. AFP

California’s marijuana tourism finally gets smoking LOS ANGELES―When California legalized recreational marijuana use in 2016, Gene Grozovskiy decided he would show tourists the big change behind the scenes.

Now he’s seeing some green, thanks to strong interest in all that grass in Los Angeles, considered the world’s largest pot market where the air routinely smells of weed.

The 35-year-old took inspiration from his father, a Russian immigrant who led tours of Los Angeles for decades. The younger Grozovskiy outfitted a bus to take visitors on pot-themed outings.

But he acknowledged that getting Green Tours off the ground has not been easy.

It’s the same complaint heard from many with pot-related businesses in California: while dreaming of big money, what they have encountered is plenty of bureaucracy and high taxes from the state.

“At first, the cannabis industry did not accept us, the tourism industry did not accept us,” said Grozovskiy.

“It took a year of literally knocking

on doors and fighting,” he explained.

The company lost money in 2018 but expects to be in the black this year.

Rivals, such as Green Line Trips, Weedology, Dope Tours and Food High, cropped up over the first few months after recreational pot use was legalized.

Grozovskiy’s tour takes about four hours and includes a visit to a dispensary—selling not only weed but also candies, chocolate and other edibles— a local growing facility, a bong factory and a house for smoking. It costs $89.

Rather than typical Hollywood tour stops, Grozovskiy’s bus will take patrons to experiences like a smoking session with actor Tommy Chong from “That’70’s Show,” for $179. In the future, he hopes to bring other celebrities on board, like Snoop Dogg.

Guide Ryan Lance told the story of cannabis: how it was first used as medicine in the United States before being outlawed.

Now, its recreational use is legal in 10 US states, including California, and in the capital Washington.

Among the major changes since legalization, marijuana-linked arrests have declined sharply—down from millions in recent decades.

In the dispensary, manager Scott B, who wouldn’t give his last name, detailed the various types of marijuana plants that exist.

He also described how to differentiate female from male plants, how they are crossed, and the light and water the plants need to thrive.

The manager detailed worrisome state taxes, strict tests that can lead to millions of dollars in weed being discarded and how some companies employ five-year-old children to test the safety of their packaging.

Dan Chlebanowski, 30, who has been a pot lover since his teenage years, listened closely.

“I think any time you’re interested in something, and anytime you can see the behind-the-scene aspect of that, it’s always fun,” he said.

“I mean you see it at Disneyland, you see it here in Hollywood, why not for cannabis, you know?” AFP

BEIJING―Prominent Chinese human rights lawyer Wang Quanzhang was sentenced on Monday to four and a half years in prison for state subversion, sealing the fate of another attorney swept up in a 2015 crackdown.

Wang, 42, who defended political activists and victims of land seizures, disappeared in the sweep—known as the “709” clampdown—aimed at courtroom critics of Communist authorities.

Charged in January 2016 with alleged state subversion, Wang had been the last of more than 200 lawyers and activists arrested in the crackdown to be tried or released. The event is dubbed “709” because the arrests started on July 9, 2015.

Wang was “found guilty of subverting state power, sentenced to four years and six months in prison, and deprived of political rights for five years,” the Tianjin Second Intermediate People’s Court said in a statement.

After more than two years of being in legal limbo—detained without a trial date—Wang’s court hearing took place behind closed doors in Tianjin on December 26.

At the time, the court said the trial was closed to the public “due to the state secrets involved”.

Wang’s wife Li Wenzu was placed under de facto house arrest the day before her husband’s trial to prevent her from attending.

Li has actively protested her husband’s detention. Last April, she attempted to march 100 kilometers to the detention facility in Tianjin where her husband had been held.

In December, before Wang’s court date was announced, Li and three supporters shaved their heads and tried to submit a petition to a Beijing court protesting Wang’s detention.

Rights organizations denounced Wang’s jail sentence, with Amnesty International calling it “a gross injustice”.

“His sentence is part of the Chinese government’s ongoing crackdown on rights lawyers,” explained Maya Wang, senior researcher at Human Rights Watch. AFP

LGUs

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

B4

Navoteños gain free birth docs via ordinance

By Jun David

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2019

Pass 2019 budget now, Makati seniors ask dads

By Joel E. Zurbano

S

ENIOR citizens in Makati City on Monday appealed to members of the City Council to immediately approve the 2019 executive budget as they expressed their concern over the adverse impact of the delay on benefits and privileges provided to them by the city.

The budget proposal has been pending with the City Council since its first reading on Oct. 24 last year, as members of the opposition bloc allied with former mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay Jr. continue to hold its approval in abeyance.

Consequently, major programs and new initiatives pushed by present administration for the benefit of the elderly cannot be implemented.

Junjun is running against his sister incumbent Mayor Abigail Binay in the mayoralty race this coming May elections.

Rogelio Villamarin, chairman of the Barangay Council of Senior Citizens of Brgy. Pembo, said senior citizens of Makati will surely be dismayed if their benefits were suspended because of the delay in budget approval.

“The benefits provided to us by the city are so good—from free cakes, free medicines and hospital care, even the education of the youth—all of these are unequalled and irreplaceable. Governance [of the city] has been going excellently, but now there is trouble,” he said.

Anita Bay, BCSC chairperson of Brgy. Guadalupe Viejo, said that she and fellow senior citizens throughout Makati have been looking forward to enhanced benefits included by the administration of Mayor Binay in the 2019 executive budget.

“We really look forward to the cash incentives and projects for seniors because they give us joy; even the small things make us so happy. We hope they won’t deprive us of that,” Bay said.

She pointed out that being “very emotional,” senior citizens may take it hard if they do not receive their benefits on time. “Some of us may take it hard that their health may be affected.”

BCSC Chairman Salvador Estorque of Brgy. Sta. Cruz also assailed the delay in budget approval, saying that many indigent senior citizens in his community expect to receive their incentives on time.

“It is not right for them to hold up the budget. The incentive means so much to us, especially in our barangay where many indigent senior citizens expect to receive the incentive,” he said.

“They should not compromise the welfare of senior citizens and all residents of Makati. How can the Mayor and the city run without a budget? How can proposed projects be implemented without a budget?” said Domingo Castrilleon, a senior resident of Brgy. Guadalupe.

Makati seniors are also anticipating the prompt approval of the additional P10,000 cash gift for Blu Card holders aged 90 to 99 years, which was proposed by Mayor Abby last November.

Draft Ordinance No. 2018-082 granting the said benefit has been shelved at the Committee level since then.

Fernando Mirabales, a 91-year-old resident of Guadalupe Viejo, together with his wife, Josephine Mirabales, 86, expressed their disappointment over the majority’s apparent lack of enthusiasm for the said proposal.

“We hope they will approve it to allow senior citizens like us to enjoy the gift in the little time we have left.

I might not recognize money anymore when I am almost 100,” he said.

Aside from running their own sarisari store, the sprightly senior couple said they enjoyed watching free movies at least twice a week at a nearby highend mall, and free salon and spa services once a month. The said benefits are among the privileges enjoyed by Blu Card holders in Makati.

THE Navotas City Government on Monday distributed birth certificates to Navoteños who filed their birth registration belatedly.

An initial batch of 120 indigent Navoteños benefitted from the free late birth registration project of Vice Mayor Clint Geronimo and Coun. Ethel Joy Arriola-Mejia.

Residents normally pay around P1,500 to process late birth registration, but beneficiaries of the project received their birth certificates for free.

Fees, penalties and charges on late birth registration were waived under City Ordinance 2018-19 authored by Arriola-Mejia and signed by Geronimo.

In his speech, Mayor John Rey Tiangco congratulated the beneficiaries and urged them to tell others about the project.

He noted that due to financial constraints, some families find it difficult to pay for birth registration fees.

“Navotas also has a free birth registration program for Navoteño children born at the Navotas City Hospital or the city’s lying-in center. All you have to do is comply with the requirements,” he said.

Residents born in Navotas may still avail of the free late birth registration.

For inquiries, they may call 281-8531 local 300 or 310.

‘Itawes’tribe pushes pottery as cultural livelihood, treasure Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi receives a plaque of appreciation from the Department of Health for its outstanding blood donation services during this year’s Dugong Bayani Awarding Ceremony at Hotel Rembrandt in Quezon City.

Munti makes it 3 DOH Jose Rizal Awards in a row FOR the third consecutive year, Muntinlupa City earned the Jose Rizal Award from the Department of Health, the highest citation in the agency’s Dugong Bayani Awards.

DOH lauded Muntinlupa, through Mayor Jaime Fresnedi, for its outstanding blood donation services during this year’s Dugong Bayani Awarding Ceremony held at Hotel Rembrandt, Quezon City on Jan. 25.

Muntinlupa Blood Council and the City Health Office recorded more than 3,600 blood units collected in different mobile blood donation events in the city.

Conferring the award were DOH National Voluntary Blood Services Program director Dra. Criselda G. Abesamis, Philippine Blood Center Head Donor Management Officer Dra. Melanie Sionzon, PBC Mobile Blood Donation chief Dr. Pedrito Y. Tagayuma, and PBC officer Salvador Aydante Jr., RMT. Also joining the ceremony were CHO consultant Dra. Magdalena Meana, CHO chief Dra. Maria Teresa R. Tuliao, and NVBSP Medical Coordinator Dra. Rowena R. Tan. The Jose Rizal Award is given to or-

ganizations and agencies with a collection of 2,000 or more blood units. Annually, DOH recognizes organizations with significant amount of blood unit collections donated to the Philippine Blood Center.

Fresnedi vows to continue the local government’s initiative in blood donation services. The mayor actively participates in local mobile blood donation schedules and is a Blood Galloner for 2015-2016.

The local exec expressed his gratitude to Muntinlupeño blood donors for their unwavering support to the city’s blood donation programs.

Nickel Asia Corp. assistant vice president lawyer Ryan C. Jornada hands the company’s contribution to Lt. Gen. Emmanuel B. Salamat of NOLCOM Heroes Foundation.

NAC says thanks to hero soldiers via foundation NICKEL Asia Corp., together with other sponsors, have rallied to support the Northern Luzon Command Heroes Foundation Inc. NAC provided P500,000 as its initial contribution to the efforts of the Foundation.

NOLCOM HFI was established on National Heroes Day in August 2018. The main goal of the Foundation is to source financial support for Filipino battle casualties and families of fallen soldiers within Northern Luzon.

The brainchild of Lt. Gen. Emmanuel B. Salamat of NOLCOM, it has a very wide coverage—Regions 1, 2, 3 and the Cor-

dilleras, the maritime areas in the Western and Eastern side, Bajo de Masinloc, Mabulis Island, and the Philippine Rise.

Salamat shared that the families of Filipino soldiers who died in battle continue to suffer financial difficulties and that NOLCOM HFI hopes to secure a viable source of funds for financial assistance to the soldiers and the families they left behind.

“It is very inspiring that civilian support comes to the Foundation the way NAC and the other corporations did. A perfect timing for civilians to share with us the principles of social responsibilities.” Salamat said.

Lawyer Ryan C. Jornada, Assistant VP for NAC, said it is not often that Filipinos get to thank the soldiers who risk their lives in service of the nation.

In his remarks, Jornada emphasized two words, Pasasalamat at Pag-asa (Thanksgiving and Hope), to thank NOLCOM HFI for the opportunity to help, and in wishing that the advocacy of the Foundation will live on for a long time for the Filipino soldiers and their families.

“We are thankful to NOLCOM HFI for giving NAC this opportunity to express appreciation to our fallen soldiers, the combat casualties, and their families,” Jornada said.

By Ben Moses Ebreo IGUIG, Cagayan—Ancestors of the Itawes tribe in barangay Atulo in Iguig, Cagayan left the art of pottery making in their village as part of their culture.

Today, villagers are now engaged in pottery business, ever grateful for their skills as they express their pride and gratitude for their abundant soil resources from God. Aside from agriculture, the soil provides livelihood for the villagers, transforming them into quality clay products of various sizes and shapes.

Through the art of pottery which was handed down by their Itawes ancestors, they manually shape them into flower pots, jars, cooking pans, water jars and bricks, among others giving them income for their families.

“Our pottery skills has been the major capital in making clay-products as a source of livelihood among the Itawes tribe in our town. This is where they earn income just to send their children to school,” said Lorna Banatao Pido, 68, the first seller of pottery products of Iguig since the 1990s.

Many pottery products are made and formed manually by the villagers, using locally-made tools to shape and cook them in various works of art within their own backyards using rice straws.

It takes an hour or more to cook these pottery products depending on their sizes and shapes before they are displayed along the alley.

Starting their trade from producing household products like rice bowls, cooking pans, water jars and small flower pots they further ventured into producing home decorations such as huge jars, mini-fountains and other products based on the specified orders of their customers.

Norma Pabillar, 55, said she can produce at least eight cooking pans in a day, depending on the supply of soil and clay they get for free within their barangay.

She said the community has been very grateful for the natural blessing of rich natural resource in their town.

“Our supply of soil which we transform into clay products using the art of pottery has been a major factor for the improvement of economic life among our villagers,” Pabillar added.

Analiza Lagundi, 47, a mother of four who was in the pottery making business for 27 years, also admitted that she was able to send their children to school through their income from pottery making.

Joy: Health more important than profits in QC

By Rio N. Araja QUEZON City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte on Monday said health is the priority over profit as far as a stricter smoking ban in the city is concerned.

If elected as QC’s next mayor, Belmonte vowed to implement as a stricter smoking ban amid complaints that the city government is being “lenient” over its implementation.

She said the people’s health is more important than the bars and other establishments’ added profit due to such leniency.

The city government would revisit Ordinance 1420 for revision to realign it with the Executive Order No. 26 issued by President Rodrigo Duterte in May 2017, added the vice mayor, who presides

over the city council.

“I know some who have died because of vicerelated illnesses, and some were just victimized by second-hand smoke. That’s the reason why we have a smoking ban but still, there are people whose counter-argument is the loss of profit for bars [and other establishments],” Belmonte said.

“You have to weigh which is more important— your profit or the people’s health? I think health is more important,” she added.

Second-hand smoke can also cause lung cancer and other health problems, the vice mayor said.

“You might think it’s okay for you, being a smoker, to acquire respiratory diseases, but you’re forgetting your smoke can kill the person next to you who doesn’t smoke, and it’s obviously unfair.

Let’s also think about that perspective,” she said.

Pottery products of various sizes and shapes are displayed along the alley of the national highway in barangay Iguig, Cagayan, as they wait for buyers. Pottery making is one of the sources of livelihood and culture among the Itawes tribe called ‘Minabbanga.’ Ben Moses Ebreo

Life

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

HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT

@MStandardLIFE TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2019

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ONE FOR NATURE. Executives and employees of Tagaytay Highlands, Belle Corporation, and Highlands Prime, Inc. participated in One Tree at a Time,

Preserving nature, one tree at a time a tree-planting activity in Tagaytay Highlands.

The greatest thing we can pass on to the next generation is a clean and green country.

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HERE are only a few things, if none, better than living in the midst of nature. And if one is blessed with this luxury, they are also charged with the responsibility of protecting and preserving it.

– Manuel Gana, president of Belle Corporation

In 1994, Willy Ocier envisioned to plant one million trees in Tagaytay Highlands by 2044, 50 years after the inauguration of the club.

Premier mountain resort destination Tagaytay Highlands continues to promote a lifestyle that is close to nature, evident in the abundance of flora and fauna surrounding its various residential communities.

To highlight this nature-inspired lifestyle and reinforce its commitment to environmental protection and sustainability, Tagaytay Highlands recently held its annual “One Tree at a Time” tree-planting activity.

Before the end of 2018, executives and employees of Tagaytay Highlands, Belle Corporation, and Highlands Prime, Inc. planted over 500 forest and fruit-bearing saplings donated by Sagittarius Mines, Inc. across the different residential prop- Various types of saplings were planted around the mountain resort development. erties in the mountain resort complex.

Sustainable materials such as bamboo At the opening ceremony held in Bis- event is meant to “inculcate in the minds preserve and take care of nature. shovels were also used during the tree plant- tro Saratoga, Belle Corporation president of employees the spirit of volunteerism “The tree-planting event is not just ing to align with the event’s advocacy.

Manuel A. Gana stressed that the annual and that it is everyone’s commitment” to a corporate policy but a commitment

to environmental sustainability,” said Gana. “We will not just plant trees; we will also ensure their survival.”

Aside from planting trees, Tagaytay Highlands Club general manager Claire T. Kramer likewise noted that the club contributes to environmental sustainability by controlling the use of diesel and electricity, and lowering the consumption of water and energy.

This protocol effectively reduces their carbon footprint.

The participants were then treated to a lively boodle fight. Volunteers were requested to bring their own water bottles, in support of initiatives on sustainability to lessen the use of plastics and paper.

Likewise, this promoted employee engagement and fellowship among the different stakeholders.

“The greatest thing we can pass on to the next generation is a clean and green country. Thus, the Tagaytay Highlands will constantly be committed to preserving the finest in nature, one tree at a time,” added Gana.

Your ‘fresh start’ essentials IT TAKES more than just will power to achieve goals. When it comes to becoming fit and prioritizing health and well-being, there are things— literally—necessary to kick start a health journey.

Under Rustan’s wellness campaign “A Fresh Start,” a variety of items, from sneakers to water bottles, is offered at discounted prices.

Enjoy 25 percent off on all spring/ summer 2018 items and 15 percent discount on all fall/winter 2018 items at Under Armour in Rustan’s Makati, Alabang, Shangri-La, Gateway, and Cebu. Giving athletes more reason to hit the track and court, Under Armour is also giving away free six-pack socks for every purchase of Hovr Sonic or Phantom Shoes.

Nike also helps everyone get into the groove by encouraging them to “Just Do It!” For every P5,000 purchase until Feb. 28, customers get the chance to play a game at the Nike store, Rustan’s Makati branch, where they get the chance to win exclusive Nike water bottles or Nike Swoosh.

Enjoy bigger discounts as well at Oak Oakley at Rustan’s Makati and Gateway, with 20 percent off on selected apparel; and at Champion at Rustan’s Makati, ShangriLa, Alabang, and Cebu, with 25 percent off on selected styles until Feb. 28.

For those with other passions outout side the gym and court, Reef and Jack Nicklaus have special deals, too.

Reef at Rustan’s Alabang offers divdiv ing and swimming essentials at 40 per percent off until Feb. 28.

Jack Nicklaus, on the other hand, treats customers to three chances to hit a hole in one. Those who will win can avail a 15 percent discount on all Jack Nicklaus regular items, or an additional 10 percent discount on any Jack Nicklaus spring/summer 2018 collection, which is currently on 20 percent off. They can also take a shot at Rustan’s Gateway and Alabang (Feb. 1 -3) and Rustan’s Makati and ShangriLa (Feb. 8-10, 15-17, and 22-24).

Score great stuff for kids with up to 70 percent discount on select items at Under Armour and New Balance, and up to 90 percent off on select items at Nike.

S’well 17oz. bottle in geode rose print and 18oz. tumbler in teakwood print

Under Armour Hover Sonic Shoes, Men’s Blitzing 3.0 Cap, and Expandable Sackpack

adidas Stan Smith Originals

Employee-volunteers join hands to plant trees across residential communities in Tagaytay Highlands.

New Balance Heathertech in red

New Balance 5 in 1 Shorts in blue

Life

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Experts explain importance of detoxification

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WARENESS of healthy eating and exercise is on the rise, mostly among millennials. While this is a considerable improvement, health experts note a crucial stage in healthy lifestyle remains untapped.

According to Dr. Rommel Tinio, The Farm at San Benito’s resident medical doctor, regular detoxification is essential in bringing back the body’s naturally healthy state.

While there is an abundance of do-ityourself detox programs in the market, he said there are key components that are oftentimes neglected or not properly addressed. This results in an immune system that is weak and a body that is unable to function properly.

Bodies are like machines, for it to work properly it needs regular maintenance, periodic check-ups, and the right parts and process to ensure it will work. Recognizing this, The Farm’s team of medical professionals spent years of careful research and development in perfecting the art of detoxification, incorporating all the essential components of a proper detox to make sure that an individual’s body is at its optimum state.

Integrative doctors at The Farm at San Benito, a wellness resort in Batangas, recommend doing detox cleansing at least once a year to help restore the body’s optimum ability to absorb nutrients.

Integrative doctors at The Farm recommend doing detox cleansing at least once a year, right after the indulgent holidays.

The Batangas-based wellness resort offers a variety of world-class detox programs including Detox D’Lite, an allinclusive four-night program starting at P80,000++ per person based on double occupancy. The Detox D’Lite is upgradable to a six-night Weight Management for an additional P40,000++ for rapid, guaranteed, and sustainable weight loss.

The detox retreat program lets customers experience a full immersion in clean living through medically guided meals and fasts primarily on pure vegetable juices and nutrient-dense whole

The Farm’s detox retreat program lets guests experience a full immersion in clean living.

foods, physical movement and fitness exercises, and medically supervised treatments and services to support the elimination of harmful substances trapped in the tissues of the body, while restoring the body’s optimum ability to absorb nutrients.

To complete the holistic and balanced approach of The Farm, its team of medical specialists make sure that there are also mental and spiritual enrichment therapies.

Over the years, The Farm at San Benito has helped thousands of people succeed in their quest to live a healthier and balanced lifestyle through integrative medical services, preventive health awareness, and consumption of nutri-

tious foods in its purest form.

Since its early beginnings in 2002, it has offered numerous distinguished and effective “Healing Retreats” through detox cleansing, wellness spa treatments, and organic vegan food, yoga and meditation with fitness regimen.

The Farm at San Benito’s general manager, Preet Singh, announced the new and exciting developments to look forward to this 2019 at The Farm.

“Our team of physicians who are trained specifically on a science-based, evidence-based and results-driven approach to attaining optimal health has been expanded and we have been working on more innovative products and services,” said Singh.

HEALTH BULLETIN

The truth about family planning IN THE Philippines, 5,000 mothers die from pregnancy-related complications every year, according to UNICEF. A 2014 report by the Maternal and Child Health Integrated Program Philippines revealed that hypertension and postpartum hemorrhage, among other fatal complications that occur during labor, delivery, and the postpartum period, result from closely spaced births and various chronic and infectious diseases.

Health experts assert these lifethreatening complications are preventable through proper use of contraception.

In the course of Dr. Bernabe Marinduque’s medical practice and as president of the Philippine Society for Responsible Parenthood, he observes: “Many women and couples want to delay or limit pregnancies but are not using any form of contraception. Either Dr. Bernabe Marinduque, president they don’t use it or stop using it altoof the Philippine Society for gether even after receiving counseling Responsible Parenthood from healthcare providers.”

Dr. Marinduque says there are various ceptions about family planning among reasons for this, chief among them are individuals, and within families and com“uninformed beliefs or negative miscon- munities where the mother belongs.”

Many women and their families think that using modern contraceptives will result in adverse effects on the body or the womb, or cause birth defects. Another related fear is that contraception causes infertility (nakakabaog)—although such rumors usually originate from some vague, unverifiable source, like a friend of a friend’s friend.

In many instances, the partner is afraid that sexual drive or performance will suffer because of contraceptives.

And then there are cultural beliefs such as children or pregnancies are blessings and should not be prevented, or that contraception is a form of abortion.

Marinduque says that by discussing these persistent myths among individuals and couples, people can make better and informed choices about birth spacing that directly have an impact on their health, well-being, and relationships.

Pursuant to the Philippine Reproductive Health Law, 51 contraceptive products have been made available, all of which have been determined safe as approved by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (the ap-

proval served as precursor to the lifting of the TRO issued by the Supreme Court). These contraceptives are nonabortifacient, meaning they do not induce abortion.

Both traditional and modern contraceptives should be used or administered properly, says Dr. Marinduque.

Some side-effects of contraceptives like intrauterine devices and subdermal implants include headaches, spotting, irregular menses, and slight abdominal pain, but these are temporary or short-term discomforts. Mothers can go back to their regular fertility cycle once the contraception is discontinued, as in the case of progestin subdermal implants that prevent pregnancies for up to three years.

According to the Department of Health, contraceptives generally do not diminish sexual desire or performance.

On the other hand, family planning even improves sexual and social relations because it helps reduce anxieties

associated with ill-timed pregnancies.

Dr. Marinduque explains that “aside from misconceptions, access is also another key area that needs to be addressed if we are to save mothers’ and infants’ lives. There are times when people who may be aware of the economic and health benefits of contraception do not know where or how to obtain information and services.”

His group, the non-stock, nonprofit PSRP is a professional organization that advances family planning through training and practice of members, promoting research and international collaboration, and getting involved in community health care and outreach programs especially among the disadvantaged.

“When people are empowered to make informed choices,” says Dr. Marinduque, “we can dispel the fears associated with myths about family planning, as well as the deadly consequences of poor birth spacing.”

iPhoto

Mang Inasal donates books to Iloilo public schools

Discussing persistent myths about contraceptives among individuals and couples can help them make better and informed choices about birth spacing.

LOCAL fast food chain Mang Inasal recently donated P500,000-worth of children’s story books to public schools in Iloilo City and selected grade schools in the province through “Sa Pagbasa, May Pag-asa” program of the Jollibee Group Foundation.

Mang Inasal Vis-Min area manager Thomas Jason Medel (right) led the turnover of books to Jaro II Elementary School principal Liney Arbinoya. They were accompanied by Mang Inasal ICC restaurant manager Hanna Polido and Mang Inasal PR manager Ed Timbungco.

The donation was part of the celebration of Mang Inasal’s 500th store at the Iloilo City Center, Diversion Road, Mandurriao, Iloilo City. The store, which formally opened in June 2018, was a homecoming of sorts; it opened its first store in Iloilo 15 years ago.

Entertainment

TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2019

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nickie.standard@gmail.com

No competition between Kyline and Therese

'A Tale of Three Cities,' with Tang Wei and Sean Lau is a movie based on the true story of Jackie Chan's parents.

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NE of the most celebrated festivals in the FilipinoChinese community is back this year, with more films about love, family, culture, and community promoting Chinese culture and language to the Philippine community.

The 13th Spring Film Festival runs from tomorrow, Jan. 30, to Feb. 5 featuring seven full-length films and kicking off in the newest premier cineplex of the Metro, Red Carpet in Shangri-La Plaza.

For 13 years now, Ateneo De Manila University Ricardo Leong Center for Chinese Studies, together with Shangri-La Plaza, has been bringing the Filipino-Chinese community together through a series of film screenings that introduce Chinese films to the country. The event is made possible also with the help of the Film Development Council of the Philippines, Ateneo Celadon, ChinoyTV, and Credit Suisse.

Tackling love, family, community, the past, and many other interesting topics, these award-winning films are a great opportunity for everyone to appreciate not just the diverse culture of every country, but the importance of relationships that are strengthened through awareness of language and culture as well.

Based on the real story of Jackie Chan’s parents, A Tale of Three Cities shows how they fell in love, were separated due to the Chinese Civil War, and reunited in Hong Kong.

From the romantic-drama genre, the festival will showcase I Belonged to You,

Seven Spring Filmfest titles celebrate Chinese culture and language

the story of a broken-hearted DJ and his new intern who he falls in love with.

Guests will also be able to watch Lost in White, a movie whose plot revolves around the finding of a corpse that leads two detectives to way more than just a regular murder investigation.

And from the romantic genre, The Third Way of Love features the union of a rich man and an intelligent woman.

From the mystery genre, Detective Chinatown portrays how a man is falsely accused of murder–and his daring resolve to find the true killers.

Last but not least, the comedy film Lost in Hong Kong features a married middleaged man who tries to reconnect with his first love at university, only to be stopped by a murder investigation.

The film festival will run for a week

at the newest movie house in Shangri-La Plaza—Red Carpet—for a better viewing experience.

To further celebrate Chinese culture, and as part of the Chinese New Year celebrations, Shangri-La Plaza will be presenting Chinese Costumes on the Catwalk, a fashion show showcasing traditional Chinese attire, also tomorrow, Jan. 30, at the Grand Atrium.

On Feb. 3 artists will be holding a Chinese Painting Workshop at the Grand Atrium for those who want to dabble in the delicate art.

For inquiries about the Spring Film Festival, you may call Ateneo De Manila University at 426-6001 local 5208 or 5284. For other inquiries, please call Shangri-La Plaza Red Carpet at 3702578. Admission for all events is free.

KYLINE Alcantara understands that many are already pitting her against Therese Malvar since both of them topbill GMA’s latest drama offering titled, Inagaw na Bituin.

“They say we are like the junior versions of Ms. Nora Aunor and Ms. Vilma Santos. It’s flattering but for the record, I’m not competing with her. Everyone knows that Therese is a critically-acclaimed actress and it’s quite challenging to share the frame with her in this show,” she avers.

Both of them are award-winning junior actresses and although they haven’t shot any heavy scene yet, fans are already comparing their acting prowess.

“Yes, I’ve been hearing talks like that. But in all honesty, I don’t want the idea of competition between us. That would just affect my performance.

Just let things flow naturally.”

Kyline has high respect for Therese’s talent.

“Everyone knows her calibre. She has won lots of acting accolades and I admire her both as an artist and individual. It’s just the people who are pitting us with each other. For me, there’s no competition,” she reiterates.

“I can see that she’s professional and so am I. We will do our best in this soap but not to the point of competing with each other. We will work together to make the show a success” she continues.

The series, according to Kylie, features an ensemble effort along with our other veteran co-stars like Sunshine Dizon, Angelika dela Cruz, Angelu de Leon, Marvin Agustin and Gabby Eigenmann, The appealing lass has made a mark as a prime screen antagonist via the highly successful Kambal, Karibal.

Due to her effective portrayal, she was tagged as “La Nueva Kontrabida.”

How does she feel that in Inagaw na Bituin, she’s now one of the female leads?

“Honestly, I’m nervous about it. I’m not sure what the viewers’ reception would be specially that ‘Kambal, Karibal’ was a ratings winner. It’s risky. I feel that it’s harder to be the main star rather than be the villain. I just hope the public will like the show when it airs,”

ends Kyline. *** Since his contract with GMA-7 expires this month, many are curious if Dingdong Dantes will renew as a Kapuso talent. To this, the Cain at Abel lead says: “My being a Kapuso is a lifetime thing. The rest is just for technicality.”

He’s been with GMA for 23 years already. Did he ever considered switching mother studios at one point in his career?

“There was no instance in the past I remember that I thought of that. This is my home. It’s where I grew up and every day, I feel the love in here. I’m not saying though that when I’m in other territories I don’t feel it. There is also. But what I’m trying to say is that I’m grateful. Wherever I go, there is warmth, willingness to collaborate and of course, respect.”

The popular actor is grateful of the fact that he is one of few talents who can cross over to the rival outfit for projects just like his case with Star Cinema.

“I’m really grateful for that. I thank GMA for giving me the opportunity to explore particularly on the movie side.

If not for them, it won’t be possible. I really owe GMA a lot.”

The last show on his contract is the currently airing Cain at Abel but this early, talks are rife that he will top-bill the Pinoy adaptation of the hit Koreanovela “Descendants of the Sun.” Will he accept the offer if ever?

“To be honest, I haven’t seen it. I have to watch it first. But why not?

Let’s see.”

Many of their fans wish that if that will be the case, his wife Marian Rivera will be his leading lady.

“Well, I wish. I want to work with Yan again on a television project. But for now she cannot do it if ever because she’s on the family way,” states Dong.

'Inagaw na Bituin' lead cast members Therese Malvar and Kyline Alcantara in Iloilo to join in the celebration of the annual Dinagyang festival.

TNT Boys officially joins international talent show ‘The World’s Best’

TNT Boys Mackie Empuerto, Keifer Sanchez, and Francis Concepcion

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Tuesday, January 29, 2019

ACROSS 1 Denomination 5 Arroyo 9 Clinton’s veep 13 Diamond Head site 14 Shed, as light 15 Thin porridge 16 Beat decisively 17 DEA operative 18 Gentle slopes 19 Vouch for 21 Gas pedal 23 Oater hero 25 One of us 26 City near Inchon 28 Dug 33 Bite 36 Bribe, informally 38 Popular soft drink 39 Declaim 41 Hoisting apparatus 42 Unit of length 43 Poet — Angelou 44 Rummage for food 46 Job application info 47 Make certain 49 Recipe direction 51 Put 2 and 2 together 53 Massaged

57 Very annoyed 62 Long for 63 Was sincere 64 One, in Munich 66 Slugger — Aaron 67 City on the Seine 68 Waterfall sound 69 A Great Lake 70 Rushed 71 Work units 72 Changed hair color DOWN 1 Fountain treats 2 Mars neighbor 3 Mailbox device 4 Edible roots 5 Really liked (2 wds.)

6 Doctor’s org.

7 Gossip, slangily 8 Scratchy 9 Fortitude 10 Give the boot to 11 Fishing gear 12 End of a threat 15 Cluster 20 Attack on a castle 22 Romantic offering 24 Tierra del — 27 Animals’ homes 29 Excellent

30 Flecks 31 Really skimps 32 “Coming Home” co-star 33 Icy burg 34 Persia, today 35 Forks over 37 Midnight — 40 Letter after sigma 42 Confused fight 44 Govt. agents 45 Quick looks 48 Makes a scene 50 Rushed off 52 Steel plow

inventor 54 Pepys’ book 55 Big Bird colleague 56 Feinted, in hockey 57 Urchins 58 Third-quarter tide 59 Feel concern 60 Phillips University town 61 Name in fashion 65 Hassle

THE unstoppable rise of TNT Boys continues as they opened 2019 with more recognitions under their belt and will represent the country in the international talent show The World’s Best, which airs soon on US TV network CBS. The trio sustained their winning streak this January, having nabbed the “Breaking Boundaries” award at the 3rd Wish 107.5 Music Awards for their massive impact on audiences worldwide and for breaking into the international scene.

The group of Mackie Empuerto, Keifer Sanchez, and Francis Concepcion also won the Push Music Performance of the Year at the recently held Push Awards for their trending performance of

“Too Much Heaven” by Bee Gees in Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids.

Aside from the numerous recognitions, the TNT Boys will also raise the country’s flag once again on the international stage in their much-awaited stint in the international talent competition The World’s Best, where they will compete with the most impressive talents from different fields and countries around the globe.

Viewers already got a glimpse of the show when it released its teaser, which featured Tony-award winning actor James Corden as host and Hollywood A-lister Drew Barrymore, Grammy winner Faith Hill, and drag

queen superstar RuPaul as its league of judges.

Since their trio was launched in 2017, the TNT Boys has remained unstoppable.

They and has performed in Little Big Shots US, UK, and Australia. They were also hailed as the grand champion of Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids.

Last November, they successfully staged their first major solo concert at the Araneta Coliseum, which made them the youngest artists to headline a sold-out concert, not only at the Araneta Coliseum but in the whole country. The ASAP Natin ‘To regulars also released a Christmas album titled TNT Boys Christmastime under TNT Records.

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2019

Tough men cry

The cast of the upcoming drama, 'Kara Mia,' (from left) Paul Salas, Mika dela Cruz, Barbie Forteza and Jak Roberto.

GMA Regional TV celebrates

Dinagyang with mall shows, concerts Pop sweetheart Julie Anne San Jose and balladeer Christian Bautista with Golden Cañedo and Donita Nose and Super Tekla.

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MA Regional TV—the regional arm of GMA Network—brought to Iloilo the stars of current and upcoming Kapuso shows as well as the country’s most sought-after concert performers as part of the colorful celebration of Dinagyang Festival from Jan. 25 to 27.

Cast members of the hit afternoon series My Special Tatay—Arra San Agustin, Bruno Gabriel, and Rita Daniela—were at Festive Walk Mall on Friday (Jan. 25) for a mall show.

Adding fun to the afternoon were comedic duo Boobay and Tekla of The Boobay and Tekla Show, which premiered on Sunday evening.

Also celebrating Dinagyang Festival was Derrick Monasterio who joined the stars of My Special Tatay and The Boobay and Tekla Show that day.

On Saturday (Jan. 26), the lead stars of the much awaited primetime drama Kara Mia—Barbie Forteza and Mika dela Cruz—were at Robinsons Place Iloilo for a Kapuso Mall Show at 4:00 p.m.. They were joined by their co-stars Jak Roberto and Paul Salas.

Kapusong Ilonggos were also entertained by young actresses Kyline Alcantara and Therese Malvar from the upcoming drama series Inagaw na Bituin, as they joined the Kara Mia cast in the program.

On Sunday (Jan. 27), GMA Iloilo had a live coverage of the Dinagyang Festival Dagyang Tribes Dance Competition beginning at 8:30 a.m.. It was the first time that GMA Iloilo did a live coverage of the annual fest since 2013.

The Hala Bira! The One Western Visayas Special Live Coverage was hosted by One Western Visayas anchors Atty. Sedfrey Cabaluna, Adrian Prietos, and Kaitlene Rivilla. They were joined by One Western Visayas correspondents Zeny Quilantang and Darylle Marie Sarmiento.

Later in the afternoon, two of the country’s sought-after and multitalented actors—Janine Gutierrez

From left: Tekla and Boobay, Bruno Gabriel, Arra San Agustin, Derrick Monasterio, and Rita Daniela.

and Tom Rodriguez who will banner the upcoming fantasy series, Dragon Lady—headed on to SM City Iloilo to celebrate Dinagyang Festival via a Kapuso Mall Show at 4:00 p.m.. Joining them were the lead stars of another upcoming series, Hiram na Anak, led by Yasmien Kurdi and Dion Ignacio.

And in the evening, Asia’s Pop Sweetheart Julie Anne San Jose and Asia’s Romantic Balladeer Christian Bautista bannered the Kapuso Concerts series with The Sweetheart and the Balladeer: Fun Night Only at the Iloilo Convention Center, Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

Together with Julie and Christian were the comedic duo of Donita Nose and Tekla and special guest, The Clash Grand Champion Golden Cañedo.

Last Jan. 19, the stars of TODA One I Love kicked off the highlyanticipated festivities of Dinagyang Festival. The well-loved onscreen pair of Kylie Padilla and Ruru Madrid or KyRu treated their fans to a Kapuso Mall Show in Vista Mall Iloilo City together with their co-stars Jackie Rice and David Licauco. TODA One I Love is the upcoming political romantic comedy series under GMA Public Affairs.

“We prepared a lot of surprises for our Kapuso viewers this year. And for the Dinagyang Festival, we are bringing some of the network’s biggest stars. But we are not stopping here. We are also launching the first leg of our Kapuso Concerts here in Iloilo—The Sweetheart and the Balladeer: Fun Night Only. We are excited that this quality concert will be bannered by no less than Asia’s Pop Sweetheart Julie Anne San Jose and Asia’s Romantic Balladeer Christian Bautista,” GMA RTV Vice President and Head Oliver Amoroso said.

“We are even adding a touch of comedy courtesy of Donita Nose and Tekla. Golden’s fans in Iloilo should also watch out for our The Clash grand champion. I’m sure that our Kapusong Ilonggos will have a great experience,” he added.

All the freshest news, events, and updates about GMA Regional TV are now available onwww.gmaregionaltv. com. Follow GMA on Facebook at www. facebook.com/gmanetwork and GMA Regional TV at www.facebook.com/ GMARegionalTV and on Twitter and Instagram via @GMARegionalTV.

A celebration of dance and music

Performers at 'Tugtog at Sayaw sa Erehwon 2018'

FRIENDS, partner artists and institutions of the Erehwon Center for the Arts gathered on Dec. 15 at 6:30 p.m., at the Tanghalang

Behn Cervantes, for the center’s yearly celebration of dance and music.

In line with the founding of the Erehwon

Robin Padilla with 'Bato The Movie' co-stars Ricky Davao (leftmost) AVL's Arnold Vegafria and Kito Estrada (rightmost)

ACTOR Robin Padilla is very passionate about his latest film where he plays the titular role. Since the time he announced that he was portraying former Philippine National Police chief Gen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa in a film, the action star has been very active on social media giving his fans updates on the big screen project.

He first announced that he would play the character of Gen. Bato via a sneak peek for the film in December.

A few weeks later, he shared the second trailer of the movie showing his shaved head.

“I had to copy how Bato walks kasi iba ang lakad ng mga military. We are different, appearancewise if you look at us now but we could be of the same size in the part of his life shown in the movie. I can’t exactly copy Gen. Bato because I also have an interpretation of the character as an actor, but we try to be as truthful as possible in showcasing the character,” Robin told the press in a media event held last Thursday.

But copying Bato wasn’t really the biggest challenge he encountered when filming the movie—he had to cry in the film, something he hasn’t done in his previous big screen projects.

“Sa buong buhay ko, hindi pa ako humagulgol sa pelikula. I have never been shown crying in a scene. But I have to be like Gen. Bato na matikas sa mata ng publiko pero umiiyak din. Just like Manny Pacquiao who is not ashamed to cry in public. Tough men cry,”

the 49-yearold action star asserted.

Bato The Movie: The General Ronald Dela Rosa Story tackles the colorful life of the former PNP chief. But more than just being a policeman who dedicated his life and loyalty to his country, the movie also shows a different side of the man who’s known for his loyalty to the President.

At first look, people might see Bato as a bulky and a tough-looking police officer but behind the alpha male appearance is a man who is passionate about fighting for the good and compassionate about his family. The film shows that he is a loving husband and a caring father.

The film also mirrors the challenges that a policeman encounters in the field. It emphasizes the daily dangers that a police officer faces brought about by his sworn dedication to protect the oppressed and fight for the good.

Joining Robin Padilla in the movie is an all-star cast including Beauty Gonzales, Alvin Anson, Archie Alemania, Chanel Morales, Efren Reyes, Gardo Versoza, Gina Alajar, Jess Mendoza, Joko Diaz, Jun Hidalgo, Kiko Estrada, Kiko Matos, Manuel Chua, Marx Topacio, Menggie Cobarrubias, Mon Confiado, Polo Ravales, and Ricky Davao.

From AVL and Regal Entertainment, the film unspools in theaters tomorr o w , Jan. 30.

Robin Padilla plays Gen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa in an upcoming biopic.

'Dragon Lady' stars Tom Rodriguez and Janine Gutierrez

Art Council last November, this year’s Tugtog at Sayaw sa Erehwon is a baby step towards consolidating the center’s artistic talents as it showcased performances by four artistic groups under the Erehwon Art Council - the Erehwon Dance Scholars, the Erehwon Rondalla, the Erehwon Chorale, and the Erehwon Jazz Orchestra.

The show also featured a foreign guest performer, the Ryu Dance Company from South Korea, courtesy of Bayanihan’s Fiesta Folkloriada 2018.

Fresh from their successful first dance concert in November, the Erehwon Dance Scholars performed “Pasikat na Baso”, “Binuyugan”, “Tinikling”, and “Karatong”. The Erehwon Dance Scholars is composed of students from Batasan Hills National Highschool and Bagong Silangan Highschool in Quezon City, who are passionate in promoting Philippine folk dances, under the mentorship of trained folk dancers Dante Ballesteros, Roldan Bonifacio, and Janet Amor.

The dance performance was accompanied by live stringed instrument music rendered by the Erehwon Rondalla, the newest addition to the Erehwon Art Council’s fold of artists.

The audience was also treated to a night of Christmas carols from the Erehwon Cho-

rale. The group is an award-winning chorale comprised of college students from the University of Manila, trained under the guidance of passionate musicians mother-and-son duo, Mary Anne Villanueva and Armand Joseph Villanueva.

The crowd was then eased into a more festive groove through the night with soothing live music from the Erehwon Jazz Orchestra.

The orchestra is composed of professional musicians with diverse musical repertoire that includes jazz standards, swing, ballad, bossa nova, and latin jazz.

Tugtog at Sayaw sa Erehwon is also a celebration of the Center’s participation in cultural exchanges of global magnitude.

The Center has brought a piece of “Fiesta Folkloriada 2018” to Quezon City, with the Ryu Dance Company from South Korea performing the opening number for Tugtog at Sayaw sa Erehwon.

Since 2016, every year, in cooperation with the Bayanihan Philippine National Folk Dance Company, Erehwon Center for the Arts hosts a performance of one of the international dance companies participating in the Fiesta Folkloriada, an international dance festival where the “participating ensembles showcase their unique cultural heritage through dance and music”.

Through Erehwon Center for the Arts hosting of this performance, the festival reaches out to an audience beyond the confines of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).

Tugtog at Sayaw sa Erehwon 2018 welcomed the presence of University of the Philippines College of Arts and Letters, Art Studies Department faculty member and awardwinning book author Purissima “Petty” Benitez, Johannot and husband Daniel Henri Johannot, Doya Varela, who represented her husband Jess Varela, the President of the Erehwon Art Foundation, Inc., Erehwon Volume III author Laya Boquiren, and Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Culture and Arts Officer, Angelo Camus, and Gallery Genesis owners Ernie and Chichi Salas and family.

Erehwon Center for the Arts CEO/Chairman Rafael Rivera Benitez was joined by the Erehwon Art Council members Chinggay Lagdameo, Bonifacio Ilagan, Prof.

Neil Doloricon, Edgar “Egai” Fernandez, Pablo “Adi” Baens Santos, Antipas “Biboy” Delotavo, Jose “Al” Giroy, Jun Vicaldo, Boy Domiguez, Eghai Roxas, and Jun Impas, in hosting the event.

Tugtog at Sayaw sa Erehwon is Erehwon Center for the Arts’ annual year-ender cultural celebration of music and dance to usher in the Yuletide season.