Manila Standard - 2018 June 11 - Monday

VOL. XXXII • NO. 116 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

Trump, Kim set for historic meet

PLAIN PANTOMIMIST. Don’t be duped. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un impersonator Howard X (left) and US President Donald Trump impressionist Dennis Alan (right) get some eyes at the Merlion Park, a Singapore landmark and major tourist attraction, located at One Fullerton in the city state near the Central Business District. The real Kim arrived in Singapore Sunday and Trump is now on his way to Singapore for their scheduled June 12 Summit. AFP

Singapore summit dubbed as ‘one-time shot’ at peace

Jet ski rider drowns amid typhoon ONE person died following the heavy rain brought by the enhanced southwest monsoon due to tropical storm “Domeng,” the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council

said Sunday.

Authorities said the casualty, Algemon Dalisam Nuñez, 27, drowned after falling from his jet ski due to the strong current.

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DOMENG’S FURY. Protected by umbrellas from the rains whipped by severe Tropical Storm ‘Domeng,’ people cross a flooded street in Manila as the storm slightly intensified while it continued to make its way out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility before

PH polevaults to top 12 on Internet

By Rio N. Araja THE Philippines has jumped to number 12 as the country with the highest number of Internet users, according to a Makati City lawNext page maker.

Pacquiao’s tormentor loses boxing title SPORTS A7

‘China jet got go-ahead to land in Davao’ THE Chinese military aircraft that landed in the Philippines only made a refueling stop, Special Assistant to the President Christopher Go said Sunday.

“The request for landing was received, processed and cleared by relevant Philippine government agencies,” Go said in a statement Sunday.

The presidential top aide issued the statement after photos of Chinese military transport plane IL-176 landing at Davao City International Airport circulated on social media last week.

“The landing was requested for the specific purpose of refueling and was granted and given with specific conditions for compliance by the requesting party,” he said.

Go said such “technical stops” by foreign government and commercial planes, including those for refueling purposes, are closely coordinated by relevant government agencies, following domestic procedure and in consideration of existing agreements.

He added that the same courtesy is extended to Philippine government aircraft when technical stops need to be undertaken.

Go confirmed that the requesting party coordinated with the Defense department, the Foreign Affairs department and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.

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dawn on Sunday. By Sunday night, Domeng was plotted at 855 kilometers east northeast of Basco, Batanes. AFP

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INGAPORE— North Korean leader Kim Jong-un arrived in Singapore Sunday for an unprecedented summit with Donald Trump, an attempt to address the last festering legacy of the Cold War, with the US president calling it a “one-time shot” at peace.

Pyongyang’s nuclear arsenal—which has seen it subjected to several sets of UN Security Council sanctions and threatened with military action by the Trump administration—will top the agenda.

Bringing the Korean War to a formal end 65 years after hostilities ceased will also be on the table at the first-ever summit between a North Korean leader and a sitting president of its “imperialist enemy.”

Kim arrived in Singapore on board an Air China 747 that according to flight tracking website Flightradar24 took off from Pyongyang in the morning ostensibly bound for Beijing, then changed its flight number midair and headed south.

The city-state’s foreign minister Vivian Balakrishnan tweeted a picture of himself shaking hands with Kim at Changi Airport, and the North Korean leader was driven into the center in a stretch Mercedes-Benz limousine, accompanied by a convoy of more than 20 vehicles.

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Sotto on harassment: Let’s complain to China

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Rio N. Araja SENATE President Vicente Sotto III said Sunday the Philippine government can directly complain to China about the harassment suffered by Filipino fishermen in the Panatag or Scarborough Shoal at the hands of Chinese Coast Guard patrolling the area.

“The action of the Coast Guard is not the action of the President of China,” he said in an interview with radio dzBB. “Let us complain to China. Let us send

our complaint to them. Let us get the facts and from there, let us complain. Let us see if they will act or not,” Sotto said.

In doing so, the Philippines should use a diplomatic approach in bringing this issue to China, saying “it’s better to have friends than enemies.”

“Why are we going to fight China if we are capable of diplomatic means?” said Sotto, adding that the country cannot afford to engage into war with the Asian superpower.

“Those who want a fight should go there first. Why send our soldiers there?” he added in Filipino.

Sotto said China has been “kind” to the Philippines.

“I just do not know if they know all the help China has been giving us,” he said, citing the role played by China in the development of the national power grid.

He also cited the need to validate Magdalo Party-list Rep. Gary Alejano’s statement that the Duterte administration ordered the military to stop patrolling the West Philippine Sea. “Where did he hear this? Did he go there?.... We will know where he got that [information],” Sotto said.

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Court lets 5 top Reds to join peace talks

By Rey E. Requejo FIVE leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines have been allowed by a Manila Regional Trial Court to travel abroad to participate in the resumption of peace talks with the Philippine government this month.

In an order issued on Friday, the Manila City RTC, Branch 32, granted the

motion to travel abroad filed by CPP leaders Benito Tiamzon, Adelberto Silva, Rafael Baylosis, Randall Echanis and Vicente Ladlad, allowing them to travel abroad from June 22 to 30 to join the informal and formal peace talks.

The communist leaders were among the accused in a murder case arising from the discovery of the mass Next page

THE TRICOLORS. Luningning Tan-Gatue, 86, puts finishing touches on dozens of Philippine evolution flags. Tan-Gatue has been stitching thousands of flags since she married Gregorio Tan-Gatue, a third generation flag maker after the second world war. Norman Cruz

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News

MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

PH...

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Rep. Luis Campos Jr. said that, based on the Internet World Statistics’ latest ranking of the top 20 countries with the most number of internet users, 67-million Filipinos are now browsing the web, translating to a penetration rate of 63 percent of the population.

The Philippines moved up from number 15 a year ago with 54-million users, or a penetration rate of 52 percent of the population, he said.

Because of the high number of Internet users in the country, he urged his fellow lawmakers to pass House Bill 5337 seeking to categorize broadband or high-speed internet access as a “basic telecommunications service” subject to direct state regulatory supervision.

“We have to pigeon-hole broadband as a basic service to assure Filipinos of superior Internet services and faster connection speeds countrywide,” Campos said.

Under the bill, once broadband service is classified as a basic service, the National Telecommunications Commission could compel suppliers to upgrade their networks so they could deliver a faster connection speed within a fixed deadline.

“We have to give the NTC the muscle to effectively protect and advance the rights and welfare of Internet users,” Campos said.

BIFF ‘bomb factory’ up in smoke

By Francisco Tuyay

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ECURITY forces on Sunday destroyed a factory for making Improvised Explosive Devices operated by the terrorist group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters on the outskirts of Liguasan marshland in Maguindanao.

Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said a number of BIFF fighters might have been pinned to death after government forces pounded the periphery where the IED factory was situated

around 4 am on Friday day.

“We were able to destroy the main IED factory in Southern Liguasan, so this is a big loss on their IED emplacements in crowded areas,” Sobejana said as ground forces continued to clear the site.

Sobejana said 60 to 100 BIFF fighters believed scattered in the vicinity guarding the IED factory challenged military attackers, igniting running gun battle.

“There was resistance but our troops maneuvered at a close distance prompting them [the enemy] to scampered in different places in the marsland,” Sobejana said.

He said composite troops had employed aerial and ground bombardment against the BIFF defenders to neutralize the target without collateral damage to the civilian population.

“A reasonable force was employed to neutralize the military target,” Sobejana said.

He said military operation that resulted

in the destruction of the IED factory was done deliberately.

“We have to make sure that no civilians would be affected to preserve the peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front,” Sobejana said.

Reports indicated that the IEDs being used by the BIFF in their bombing sorties in crowded places in Maguindanao were coming from the factory.

Sobejana said the troops has raised the Philippine Flag at the center of the IED manufacturing facility.

As to number of BIFF fighters killed, Sobejana said they could not still account for them because the area where the fighting took place was surrounded by water.

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Council spokesman Edgar Posadas said the victim, who worked for a resort in El Nido, Palawan, went missing on June 6 and his body was retrieved on June 8.

Domeng intensified into a typhoon While leaving the Philippine area of responsibility at 9:30 am on Sunday, and the weather bureau said it will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon and trigger rain in Luzon this week.

Meanwhile, in Mindoro, six fishermen were rescued at sea on Saturday night after their boat collided with a bulk carrier.

In Cavite, a man crossing a river with his nine-year-old child was swept away by the strong current and has been declared missing. His child was pulled to safety by bystanders.

Officials are closely monitoring the situation in Pampanga, where some 15 houses were damaged.

On June 5, Domeng became a tropical depression from a low pressure area and turned into a typhoon on Sunday morning.

Heavy rain had affected many areas of the country since Saturday, causing damage to a bridge, brownouts, flooding and some trip cancellations.

Low-lying areas in Metro Manila were flooded overnight, inconveniencing motorists and residents.

At 2 pm on Sunday, the weather bureau raised the orange warning level in Cavite and warned that floods might threaten the area.

The Yellow warning level was raised in Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, Batangas and Laguna, where flooding may occur in the low-lying areas. Rio N. Araja

Court...

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grave in Leyte containing suspected victims of the communist rebel purge in the 1980s.

The CPP leaders were released from detention in August 2016 to join the peace negotiations as consultants of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.

But the lower court ordered their rearrest in January following the request of the Department of Justice when the peace talks bogged down in November last year.

In their motion, Tiamzon and Silva told the court that the peace negotiations between the government and the NDFP are “currently underway” following President Rodrigo Duterte’s announcement last April of his plans to revive the peace talks.

“Thus, they entreat that their bail bonds be reinstated and declared effective for the duration of the peace negotiations,” the order stated.

The accused also said they have been invited by NDFP negotiating panel chairman Fidel Agcaoili to attend the informal talks, which will be followed by the formal talks.

They also said they have respective functions during the event, which they claimed “are indispensable.”

“After a careful consideration of the arguments of both parties, the Court grants the accused-movants’ motion to travel abroad,” the court’s order read.

However, the accused were required to strictly follow the rules the court set for their provisional liberty, including the requirement to return to the country within three calendar days after the completion of the informal and formal talks.

Tiamzon and Silva were required to post another P100,000 bond as their previous bail bonds have already been canceled.

COLLECTIBLES CONVENTION. Model toymaker Dennis Mendosa shows miniature dolls of President Rodrigo Duterte as ‘The Terminator’ (left) at the TOYCON 2018, where toys and other collectibles are on display on Friday. AFP

Trump,...

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Kim was due to meet Singaporean President Lee Hsien Loong later on Sunday, the city-state’s foreign ministry said, while Trump was flying from Canada on board Air Force One after leaving the G7 summit early.

Authorities imposed tight security around the summit venue and related luxury hotels—including installing extra pot plants outside Kim’s expected accommodation to obstruct reporters’ views.

Tuesday’s Singapore meeting is the climax of the astonishing flurry of diplomacy on and around the Korean peninsula this year, but critics charge that it risks being largely a triumph of style over substance.

Washington is demanding the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of the North, while Pyongyang has so far only made public pledges of its commitment to the denuclearization of the peninsula—a term open to wide interpretation—while seeking security

Sotto...

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Both Malacañang, the Defense Department and the Foreign Affairs Department have denied Alejano’s claim.

Senator Richard J. Gordon, meanwhile, condemned the harassment suffered by Filipino fishermen who complained that Chinese Coast Guard personnel in the area were confiscating some of their catch.

“We are freedom-loving people. These are marginalized people. Why are you doing this to the poor people who are just trying to make a living. This is what makes being friends with China nowadays difficult,” he said.

“The actions of the Chinese coast guards are more like the mulcting practices of rogue law enforcers…. They are no different from the pirates of olden times who prey on helpless victims,” Gordon said.

The senator also said the Chinese leadership should exercise extreme control over their forces patroling the area, which is a common fishing ground for all the claimants.

Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate, meanwhile, suggested that the government send Philippine Coast Guard to escort Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea, as he condemned the Chinese Coast Gaurd for harassing Filipinos fishing in the area.

“Our officials should always assert our independence, instead of them acting as apologists for China, who apparently now treats the Philippines as her vassal state,” he added.

guarantees.

Former US deputy secretary of state Richard Armitage expected little progress on the key issue of defining denuclearization.

“The success will be in the shutter clicks of the cameras,” he said. “They both get what they want.”

Trump insisted last week that the summit would “not be just a photo op,” saying it would help forge a “good relationship” that would lead to a “process” towards the “ultimate making of a deal.”

But as he embarked for Singapore he changed his tune, calling it a “one-time shot” and adding he will know “within the first minute” whether an agreement will be possible.

“If I think it won’t happen, I’m not going to waste my time,” he said.

He has also dangled the prospect of Kim Jong Un visiting Washington if the meeting goes well.

But even the merit of the event itself— long sought by the North, and which Trump apparently impulsively agreed to in March, reportedly without consulting his advisers—has been called into ques-

tion.

“People call it a historic summit but... it is important to understand that this summit was available to any US president who wanted to do it and the point is no US president wanted to do this, and for good reasons,” said Christopher Hill, a former lead US nuclear negotiator with North Korea.

The two countries have been at loggerheads for decades.

The North invaded the South in 1950 and the ensuing war saw US-led UN troops backing Seoul fight their way to a stalemate against Pyongyang’s forces which were aided by Russia and China, before the conflict ended in stalemate and an armistice which sealed the division of the peninsula.

Sporadic provocations by the North have continued while Pyongyang has made increasing advances in its nuclear arsenal, which it says it needs to defend against the risk of a US invasion.

Last year it carried out by far its most powerful nuclear test to date and launched missiles capable of reaching the US mainland, sending tensions soaring to a level

unseen in years as a newly elected Trump traded threats of war and colorful personal insults with Kim, with Trump dubbed a “dotard” and Kim “Little Rocket Man.” But the South’s Winter Olympics in February catalyzed a flurry of diplomatic moves as Seoul’s dovish leader Moon Jae-in sought to bring the two sides together.

Kim has met twice with both Moon and Xi Jinping, the president of China, long the North’s most important ally.

Pyongyang has taken some steps to show sincerity, returning US detainees and blowing up its nuclear test site.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said last week that progress was being made in bringing the two sides together in their understanding of denuclearization.

But Trump—for whom a major accomplishment would bolster his position ahead of midterm elections in November—baffled observers when he said he did not think he had to prepare “very much” for the summit.

“It’s about attitude,” Trump said. “So this isn’t a question of preparation.” AFP

“We are not saying that we declare war on China. But what we need is for Malacañang to stand up for our fisher folk and our territory. We have already suggested in the past the filing of a diplomatic protest and increasing patrols of our seas, among others. One thing is clear though, the government must do something now to stop this invasion of China,” he said.

At the same time, he slammed a plan of the United States to intensifty and expand its naval patrols in the West Philippine Sea to challenge China’s military buildup.

The Chinese government assured the Philippines that it would “apply the law very harshly” on violators of the fishing agreement at the Bajo de Masinloc or the Scarborough Shoal, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said Sunday.

The statement came after a video of Chinese nationals appearing to take some of the Filipino fishermen’s catch from Scarborough Shoal circulated this week.

Cayetano said the issue was already raised by DFA Undersecretary Ernesto Abella during a meeting with Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua.

Cayetano said he had also discussed the subject with the envoy during the 17th Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day on Saturday.

While he did not elaborate on the issue, the foreign affairs chief said he got an assurance that China will apply the “law” very harshly to violators.

Cayetano said the two parties are now studying the establishment of a complaint system so that all nationalities that have

the right to fish within the Scarborough Shoal area can air their concerns directly.

Cayetano also urged the fishermen to report immediately such “incidents” to the proper authorities, “so that they can act right away.”

“Let me assure the fishermen that we are doing everything, that both sides have assured that at the traditional fishing grounds, we will be able to fish undisturbed,’’ he said. “Now if there are incidents, report them to us, and we will not hide it from the media.”

Cayetano said Beijing and Manila have agreed to discipline their respective coast guards and fishermen.

Rolly Bernal, a fisherman from Masinloc, Zambales, for his part said he hopes that the assurance made by the Chinese government will take effect immediately.

“Our only call here is for the government to solve this problem—the harassment of the Chinese coast guard, and for us to be able to fish freely,” he told the Philippine News Agency in an interview Sunday.

“I hope the Chinese coast guards stop approaching our boats and taking our catch. That’s what we, fishermen, want,” he said in Filipino.

Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal is located 124 nautical miles from Zambales.

Following a standoff between China and the Philippines in 2012, Filipino fishermen were prevented from fishing in the area. It was only in 2016 when the two states were thawing frozen ties and when

President Rodrigo Duterte expressed concern over the issue that fishermen were allowed to operate again in the Scarborough Shoal.

On Saturday, Special Assistant to the President Christopher Go said President Duterte did not order the Armed Forces of the Philippines to stop patrolling the disputed West Philippine Se Go made this assurance after Alejano claimed that the Duterte administration has ordered the military to stop guarding the area. With PNA

‘China...

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“The DND, DFA and CAAP and other relevant agencies - work together to ensure that requesting parties comply with our domestic procedures and requirements.”

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque also confirmed the landing of the military aircraft in Davao City, citing report by the CAAP. “As verified and reported by CAAP, no movement of passengers was made outside the terminal building. The Chinese aircraft used a local handler, Transnational Aviation Support Service, to arrange the requirements for the permit.

The flight was given an entry and exit permit, like any other private flights,” Roque said. PNA

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Opinion

MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2018

The foolishness of God charity, for just as evil can be so banal, humanism and nothing more can be all too fragile! Tria haec…these three then, that make it possible to be truly human—faith, hope and charity—find their wellspring in what can never be concocted or whimsically conjured.

A MAN and a woman, equally stark Religion is always a response of naked, in a garden abounding in fruit sorts to what Marion has powerfully trees and awash in the fragrance of characterized as “saturated phenommany bowers, apparently doing noth- enon”—that which presents itself but ing all day, and then chancing upon a overflows its presentation, that which serpent that beguiles them into fore- is phenomenal but awaits no judgment swearing all that they were sworn to of validation on my part. Assensum live by—and then getting evicted for mentis et cordis rapiens…that which all eternity from the wrests the assent of garden of delights, mind and heart! forever to suffer the Every myth is an dire consequences expression in narof their contumely: rative form of a That indeed reads What we powerful but unarlike a childish if ticulated human expreach, it has been not silly story. But perience. The story said, is folly to it is never wise to of Oedipus Rex, for ridicule the sacred the Gentiles, but example, is stupid, narratives and scripif it is read as a resalvation for those tural myths of any port of what supposwho believe. religion, for in them edly happened. But are reposed the wiswhen so read, the dom of saints and fault is not with the sages, and the enstory, but with the lightenment of the reader. The probenlightened. lem is not with the text, but with the I do not want my beliefs ridiculed, as hermeneutic. When psychologists tell I do not want others insulted because us today about the Oedipus complex, of what they believe. Every religion is then we start to understand how wise a struggle with the ultimate questions they were who spun the myth of Oedithat will never be answered by syco- pus Rex—and what a compelling, uniphants and bootlickers, not by com- versal experience it is that has made puters nor by calculators. They are the story appeal to all civilizations sometimes called “the ultimate ques- and that makes for instructive reading tions” and philosophers, throughout down to our troubled days. It is no less the ages, have raised them, each in his true with the Adamic myth. Genesis own way, each proffering a thoughtful has been the subject of numerous exeanswer. Religion offers hope that ena- getical studies that involve familiarity bles persons in the direst of straits to with original languages (the Hebrew plod on. It allows the grieving family of the Old Testament), literary forms members of those unjustly deprived and genre, historical sitz-im-leben. It of life to carry on with life and to live has never been an easy book to read with the promise of eventual vindica- and it certainly was never meant for tion. It is the most powerful motive for Turn to A5

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

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Who’s the boss?

SPAT on social media should be an occasion for presidential intervention.

But when Special Assistant to the President Christopher Go appeared before a briefing in the Palace to inform the press that President Rodrigo Duterte had asked him to apologize to media celebrity Kris Aquino, and ordered Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson to do the same, the die was cast.

Sadly, the results were not too good for the President, who emerged from the kerfuffle looking indecisive and namby-pamby.

At the center of the controversy was Uson’s use of a video of the late senator Benigno Aquino Jr.—Kris Aquino’s father—receiving a kiss from two women on board a plane before he was assassinated in 1983. Uson used the video to defend Duterte, who was criticized for soliciting a kiss from a woman who attended his meeting with the Filipino community in South Korea.

Aquino lashed out at Uson for disrespecting her father in a Facebook video of her own—and got an apology from the Palace the next day.

Had Uson followed orders, that would have been the end of that—but she didn’t.

In a video posted on her Facebook page, Uson said in Filipino: “This is not about Kris Aquino. This is about putting malice in a kiss. It was simply compared to the actions of other leaders like her father.” In another post, she refused “to apologize for the truth.”

In one fell swoop, Uson accomplished two things: 1) she defied the President; and 2) she showed ultimate confidence that she could do anything she wanted without consequences.

Ironically, in defending the President, she simply made him look weak.

The President’s response—invoking Uson’s constitutional right to free expression—did not help.

“As I respect the opposition, I must also respect my camp. She has invoked the right of free expression,” he said.

“Once you invoke that, I can’t do anything.... It’s your right to criticize me.

Duterte said he had apologized because Uson “works for me in Malaca-

ñang.”

We applaud the President’s defense of free expression, but that is clearly not the issue at hand.

If it were, the President should not have fired the Dangerous Drugs Board chairman Dionisio Santiago for “blabbering” before media in November 2017. Was it not also Santiago’s constitutional right to speak his mind?

If Assistant Secretary Uson had gone on her Facebook page and called the President weak because he would not or could not discipline her, or compel her to follow his orders, would we still be getting a civics lesson on free speech?

She did not do this, of course, but this is the conclusion her actions will lead people to reach.

The President is correct, of course. We all can speak our minds.

But if you are the President of this country, shouldn’t your subordinates follow your orders without question, regardless of this right?

And if they cannot or will not do this, isn’t it a President’s prerogative to discipline—or even fire—a recalcitrant employee?

FIT strikes again kwh reduction could in fact have been higher. Though, every single component in the monthly bill decreased, such reductions were tempered by the latest increase in the Feed-In Tariff Allowance (FIT-All), AS WE bid the sweltering summer a uniform charge added to everyone’s months goodbye, there is certainly power bills to help subsidize renewrelief in welcoming a cooler, if often able energy developers. It represents rainier, weather. For consumers, there part of a larger scheme to attract inis relief too in the form of lower pow- vestments in cleaner energy but for er rates in June. wind and solar, still expensive and Meralco announced this week a cannot be relied on as a baseload fresh round of power rate cuts, this power supply. time by P0.1252 per kilowatt-hour For June, the Energy Regulatory (kwh) due to lower generation and Commission approved a P0.0733-pertransmission charges. The adjust- kwh increase in FIT-All, bringing the ment is seen to bring down the overall rate to P0.2563 per kwh. rate to P9.8789 Unde r st a ndper kwh from ably, consumer P10.0041 per groups were kwh last month. quick to quesThis translates tion the wisdom Consumers are to a decrease in the approved already feeling the pain of some P25 hike, crying for residenfoul because the from the combined tial customERC granted a impact of rising ers consuming higher FIT-All 200 kwh to up rate of P0.2563/ fuel costs and basic to P62.60 for kwh despite the commodities. those consumapplicant Naing 500 kwh. tional TransIn particumission Corp.’s lar, Meralco prayer for the approval of a said the June cut was largely due to lower Power lower FIT-All rate of P0.2291/kwh, Supply Agreements cost, which in calling it an act of grave abuse of disturn was attributed to higher ca- cretion tantamount to lack or excess pacity from plants in Pagbilao and of jurisdiction.

Ilijan, both of which returned to Consumer advocacy group Citizennormal operations following their Watch expressed objection, citing that respective scheduled maintenance. the manner in which the decision was A P0.0861 decrease in transmission determined was irregular and that charge to residential customers by consumers were deprived of due prothe National Grid Corporation of cess. the Philippines also contributed to “If not for the higher FIT charges, the decrease. consumers could have enjoyed a bigThis means that in two months, ger overall decrease but instead was many Meralco customers have seen slapped with a 7 centavo KWH intheir electricity bills decrease by crease,” said CitizenWatch Convenor, more than P130. Broadly speaking, lawyer Hannah Viola. this news is critical for two things: Laban Konsyumer Inc., through First, it continues a two-month down- lawyer and former Department of ward trend for power rates despite the Trade and Industry undersecretary traditionally high-demand summer Victorio Mario Dimagiba, asked ERC months; secondly, it bucks a years- to reconsider the FIT-All increase, high inflation rate attributed to the arguing that it “violates the basic and implementation of the Tax Reform cardinal principle of the first rights for Acceleration and Inclusion Law guaranteed in our Bill of Rights of among a host of external factors, like the 1987 Constitution, mandating, higher oil prices.

‘No person shall be deprived of That being said, the P0.1252-perTurn to A5

Out of touch with reality

THE country’s inflation rate has reached a five year high of 4.6 percent. The TRAIN law has driven up the prices of basic commodities. Gasoline and petroleum prices continue to rise, pushing prices up even more.

This is the bleak picture of the Philippine economy today.

To hear Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno explain it in an interview with CNN Philippines’ Pinky

What Diokno said was that the government imposed a law that would negate the revenue to be earned by the government because it would have to be given back to the poor.

Webb, things can only get better. He mouths the government line that Filipino families can live on P10,000 a month. The man, a recycled official from the discredited Estrada administration, is out of touch with reality.

Explaining the effects of the excise tax and spiraling oil and gas prices, Diokno said the increase in the prices of crude oil was not foreseen in the global oil market.

What? If actuarials in the life and property insurance industry can do it, why not in the global oil market ? These can be read in news reports of oil producers like Saudi Arabia reducing oil production or Iran holding back its own output because Turn to A5

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

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Opinion Finally, the Singapore summit CROSSROADS JONATHAN DE LA CRUZ TOMORROW, June 12, as we and a host of other countries commemorate Independence Day, freedom from the bondage of colonial rule and slavery, Singapore will host a summit which has the promise of ending bondage of another kind—a nuclear armageddon. On Sentosa Island—ironically considered the prisoner island when Singapore, then still part of Malaysia, was under British rule—the leaders of the United States, the only remaining superpower in the world, and North Korea, the newest nuclear armed nation, will sit across the table from each other. They will have the first ever meeting of these nation’s leaders since the end of the Korean War in 1953.

This summit comes after more than a year of harsh exchanges and threats of annihilation between US President Trump and North Korean President Kim Jong-un. In fact, the meeting was almost called off just more than two weeks ago after yet another round of heated exchanges between senior officials of both countries.

But it will finally take place. And the world, specially North Korea’s immediate neighbors South Korea, Japan and China, heave a sigh of relief. Definitely there will be prayers and good wishes for the meeting’s success.

Up to the last minute nobody has come up with any definitive measure of success. Not even the United States and specifically President Trump who is known to do seat-of-the-pants policy making via his favorite Tweets.

Earlier, there were hyper-optimistic talks on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. This was a possibility attributed to newly elected South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who had earlier met with Kim in a summit of their own. But that prospect has since been downplayed; even Trump himself somehow had to admit it.

Answering a question from Reuters,

The foolishness...

From A4

unbelievers.

Paul Ricoeur has a very interesting reading, applying his hermeneutic method. The whole story conveys two senses, not easily reconcilable, of evil.

There is the ethical sense that is found in the malice with which Eve defies the Divine injunction and induces Adam to do the same. But there is also the tragic sense that is conveyed by the unwelcome presence of the serpent.

Why was it there? What was it doing there? Why was it lying in wait for a gullible Eve? Are these not the very same questions we ask about the evil that is greater than ourselves, greater than the evil that we do? For apart from the fact that we are agents of stupid, thoughtless and hurtful acts, we also experience that we are victims

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of political developments.

The crux of the problem here is that the bright boys who conceptualized the TRAIN law only factored in the huge revenues that would accrue to the government—but not the downside to the poor and downtrodden sector of our society.

Well-paid as a Cabinet member, Diokno does not feel the suffering of the low-income or middle-class Filipinos.

Perhaps he should try going to the market instead of relying on his maid or his wife. Then he would know the reality on the ground, how much food really costs these days because of the effects of the TRAIN Law. He said this can be offset if both hus-

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life, liberty, or property without due process of law,’” the group said in a statement.

“What Laban Konsyumer finds erroneous is the manner by which this Honorable Commission disregarded its own pronouncements of protecting the consumers from rate applications that fail to comply with due process requirements and then, itself violating the said due process requirements that it espoused when it issued the assailed decision.”

a day after announcing that the summit was still pushing through, Trump advised that it might take more than one summit-like meeting to get a deal on denuclearization done. “I’d like to see it done in one meeting. But often times that’s not the way deals work. There’s a very good chance that it won’t be done in one meeting or two meetings or three meetings. But it’ll get done at some point. It may get done really nicely and really intelligently, or it may not get done intelligently. It may have to be the hard way.”

The deal maker in Trump is obviously hedging his bets. But no matter. That these two leaders of nuclear nations will finally meet makes this initiative worth the risk.

This is essentially what Trump himself said when he snarled at New York Senator and Minority Leader Charles Schumer, after the senator suggested that there are real risks inherent to a seat-of-the-pants policy-making style.

Well, he got some choice words from Trump who advised that Schumer and the rest of the Democratic establishment from former Presidents Obama and Clinton and more so, Hillary, the former Secretary of State, never got anywhere trying to meet with the sitting North Korean leader to discuss things.

In fact, Trump pointed out, they only imposed sanctions on North Korea after it had already developed and had in fact tested—however crudely—its intercontinental ballistic missile system which can reach Hawaii and the United States.

End of exchange.

On the other hand, a number of theories have circulated about Kim’s reasons for finally getting out of his comfort zone.

He is under pressure from a restive populace, a majority of whom continue to live in want and fear as a result of sanctions— at least, this is how one story goes.

Another story says top military brass and the inner circle within the party leadership have come around, finally finding the courage to tell Kim that they cannot forever be taking their neighbors hostage and the world with a Tin Pan kind of nuclear arsenal.

And then, there is the reading that President Trump is very different from

the others before him. He can really order a strike which can annihilate Kim and the leadership, a possibility which was bragged about by Trump’s national security adviser, John Bolton.

This is the same statement that nearly caused the calling off of the summit.

Nobody will know what finally prompted Kim to join President Trump in Singapore. What matters is that it was revived.

Just a few days before June 12, President Trump and the senior members of his administration had a sneak preview of what to expect from the summit. He met with Kim Yong-chol, the former North Korean intelligence chief who is considered one of the closest, if not the closest, to President Kim. He was given all the courtesies and trappings of a very, very important visitor and he did not disappoint. Apparently, he carried with him details of a North Korean plan, possibly discussed with South Korean President Moon who visited the White House a week before the North Korean envoy’s arrival, which was pleasantly received by Trump and his Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo.

Bits and pieces of what the plan is and how it will be negotiated and implemented will probably be issued pieceby-piece by the two sides to cover their bases at home.

The best that can happen is if the two leaders can be persuaded to issue a joint statement, no matter how fuzzy it may be. The statements coming out of Seoul and Pyongyang after the leaders of the South and North met in Panmunjon— also a first between leaders of the divided peninsula after the armistice in 1953—may serve as the template for such an awaited statement.

As one keen observer of the scene noted, “...neither man will necessarily get all he wants, but both can use the photographs and their interpretations of what transpired to move on from what exists right now. As the British war time leader and statesman once said, ‘Jaw, jaw is better than war, war.’”

Indeed, sitting together and moving even just an inch from what exists today is better than threats and bombasts.

of evil that seems to be beyond us and greater than ourselves. Read this way, does the Adamic myth in fact not turn out to be a very powerful and brilliant commentary on fundamental human experience and one of the intractable problems of all time—the problem of evil?

As for the “sins of the fathers,” the failings of the clergy, there is no secret about that. We, ordained ministers, are fully cognizant of our failings when we preside at the rites by which God’s people are sanctified, and we are full of shame, guilt and trepidation when we must preach a Gospel that many a time we ourselves have failed to live! But that is exactly the point: It is not ourselves we preach, for then there would be nothing but guilt and shame. It is a Gospel of liberation, forgiveness and compassion that we are summoned and consecrated to announce: A Gospel that is at

the same time a judgment on our lives as it is on those who listen to us. But it surely is one thing to be a sinner and to be ashamed and remorseful, and quite another to be a sinner and to boast about one’s sinfulness in arrant defiance.

What we preach, it has been said, is folly to the Gentiles, but salvation for those who believe. God chooses earthen vessels because the treasures within that come from him do not depend for their worth on the poor vessels that carry them. He chooses men and women with feet of clay, to remind them that they make their way through the pathways and byways of this often treacherous world not by their own power, never on their own steam, but because they are borne on eagle’s wings!

band and wife are working. The head of the family is already finding it difficult to put food on the table for a family of four or five. Diokno should also just ride a taxi and ask the driver how’s he doing with making the operator’s imposed boundary. I do this on a regular basis to know what the people in the lower part of the totem pole are saying about TRAIN. Diokno should have referred to the Department of Labor and Employment’s data on the number of unemployed Filipinos. He would realize that often, heads of families are out of work which is why they and their children scavenge for whatever they can find to sell from the garbage heap. A major global TV network once documented and ran a full-length feature on how Filipinos scrounge for leftover food to boil and eat. It’s known among the hungry as “pagpag.” When I saw the

documentary, my stomach turned—not because of the filth in the leftover food, but because of the pathetic situation our countrymen have to suffer.

Diokno said the government is preparing some P2 billion for poor families to offset the rising cost of living. So why was this not at the same time in the implementation of the TRAIN law, Webb asked.

Diokno had a hard time answering.

In other words, the government imposed a law that would negate the revenue to be earned by the government because it would have to be given back to the poor. This would happen at the end of the year, according to the budget secretary.

In other words, the government has passed the TRAIN Law so it could give back revenues to the people when they complain about its ill effects. Talk about senseless thinking by officials around the President.

It is also important to note that Meralco, as a power distributor, does not earn from either pass-through charge, such as generation and transmission charges, or taxes and other public policy charges like the FIT-All rate, which are directly remitted to government coffers.

And so, while the incentive given to investments in renewable energy might seem laudable as a policy, for an ordinary consumer, its benefits seem amorphous at best. It’s even been described by the Federation for Economic Freedom as illogical, arbitrary, and ultimately unjust. It is neither Meralco nor the government that

benefits from increased FIT-All rates, which is the lone downer to the backto-back cut in electricity rates.

Consumers are already feeling the pain from the combined impact of rising fuel costs and basic commodities. This means that every saved peso could bring relief, especially for the D and E segments of society.

Government has defended TRAIN and parried the unanticipated inflationary backlash to many external factors, but any policy that will cause unnecessary burden to the masses should be stopped.

In these trying times, all Filipinos deserve a better level of sensitivity.

rannie_aquino@csu.edu.ph rannie_aquino@sanbeda.edu.ph rannie_aquino@outlook.com

MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2018

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Tourism keeps Vietnam’s ancient water puppets afloat IN A darkened theater in central Hanoi, a wooden dragon emerges from a pool to the sound of cymbals crashing in a traditional water puppet show that lures hundreds of tourists daily but is largely shunned by locals.

Backstage behind a thin bamboo screen, around 20 puppeteers slosh around waist-deep in rubber overalls wielding the marionettes with long rods.

“The puppets are pretty heavy... and the water also creates resistance,” said puppeteer Nguyen Thu Hoai, who swapped her galoshes for flip-flops between sold-out shows.

“But our years of training and experience helps us control them,” added Hoai, who like many of her colleagues graduated from Hanoi’s College of Theatre and Cinema.

Some of the puppets weigh as much as 10 kilograms (22 pounds) and the largest ones, like the one-meter-tall (three-foot) fairy, require four people to manipulate.

The shows at Hanoi’s Thang Long theatre have become a staple on the well-trodden tourist circuit and draw thousands every week, including many first-time viewers.

“I’ve never seen a puppet show that way with the water,” American tourist Caroline Thomoff told AFP after a show.

“I could really see people fishing, dancing and all the different performances that happened.”

Vietnam is the birthplace of the centuries-old art form that emerged in the northern rice paddies as entertainment for farmers.

The earliest record of the performances is on a 12th century stele that still stands at a pagoda in northern Ha Nam province, but historians say water puppetry likely originated even earlier.

The shows traditionally featured age-old fables and mythical lore, like the famous Hanoi parable about a Vietnamese king’s treasured sword that was used to fight off

Chinese invaders.

Overseas appeal The tropes haven’t changed much, and neither have the hand-carved wooden figures of animals, boats, farmers or fish painted in brilliant golds, reds and greens, according to Chu Luong, the director of Thang Long theater.

“When our children and later generations see performances they will be just like the original versions,” he told AFP. Despite its ancient roots—or perhaps because of them—the shows draw little attention from local Vietnamese viewers, especially millennials.

More than half of Vietnam’s 93-million people are under 30 and often prefer their entertainment in digital form.

“There are new types of entertainment now, electronic devices and the Internet, so apart from festivals we can’t perform all the time because [local] people don’t watch a lot,” said Pham Dinh Viem, a third-generation puppet carver from a craft village in Thai Binh province.

Like other puppet craftsmen in the village, Viem doesn’t earn enough to support his family making the marionettes so he picks up work on the side as a manual laborer.

But he perseveres, hopeful the next generation might pick up a passion he says runs in his blood.

Yet as interest wanes at home, there are signs water puppetry may be gaining traction abroad.

Canadian Director Robert Lepage returned to Toronto this year with an adaptation of Stravinsky’s opera “The Nightingale,” in which the orchestra pit was transformed into a pool of water for singers-come-puppeteers commanding marionettes.

For puppetmaker Viem, such innovative approaches may be the secret to reviving the centuries-old tradition among locals.

“If the script and the performance don’t change, it’s impossible to serve the audience in the long-term,” he said. AFP

In eastern Iraq, a small town builds weightlifting champions WHILE some towns in Iraq are known for producing oil or textiles, Badra boasts its own special conveyer belt—churning out weightlifting champions.

In cafe´s along the main road dissecting the small town, 10 kilometers (six miles) from the border with Iran, chatter rarely veers far from the successes of local lifters.

In the old days, “men measured their performance by lifting cast iron, often spare parts of cars,” said Khudeir Basha, who grew up nearby and became coach of the national weightlifting team.

“In 1974, the youth of Badra decided to take part in the Iraqi championships,” the bespectacled coach recalled, referring to himself and his friends.

The hopefuls headed south to Diwaniya province, where they swept up “all the prizes,” astonishing fellow competitors who had never heard of Badra.

Since then, he said, weightlifting has been synonymous with the town of 15,000, some 200 km east of Baghdad.

A weightlifting training center, set up in 1993 in a Badra high school, is still in operation.

The spartan hall echoes with shouts of encouragement by Basha, who sets an example by keeping himself in peak condition.

Heavy lifter Salwan Jassim Abbood, who is in the 105-kilogram category, returned from the Asian weightlifting championships in Turkmenistan last year with a silver medal.

The new generation wants to “continue what Badra has launched in the weightlifting field,” the thickset athlete said.

With seemingly little effort, Abbood propelled a barbell from the floor to far above his head, the bar ends sagging slightly under heavy discs.

In 2016, the 26-year-old took part in the Olympic Games in Brazil.

Ten years previously, his brother Mohammad won silver at a contest in Qatar.

“It’s up to us and the coaches to keep going so Badra remains a factory for champion weightlifters,” said Abbood, who will represent

Iraq at the Asian Games in Indonesia this summer.

Capital of weightlifting Lifters here are acutely aware that they are upholding a tradition.

Another medal winner, 28-yearold Ahmed Faruq, said he was “proud to have made this small town Iraq’s capital of weightlifting,” noted for its victories in Asian and Arab competitions.

“Big names have been here and we need to protect that identity,” he said.

But despite those successes, the gym is in poor shape.

Paint peeled from the pale green walls, a solitary fan recycled warm air and the upholstery on the leg press had worn away, disgorging yellow foam as if from a putrid wound.

Iraq’s sports authorities are losing interest in Badra and the weightlifting club, coach Basha lamented.

The small management team has resorted to drumming up its own income to keep things ticking over.

“Every year, the club generates 30 million dinars [$25,000, just over 20,000 euros] by renting out shops it bought,” says Mohammad Kazem, a 55-year-old former athlete, now manager of the weightlifting club.

And while that isn’t a lot, Kazem said he committed to training the next generation of lifters for free.

He and fellow talent scouts regularly tour schools and sports clubs in the town and beyond, to recruit “nursery champions” and ensure “there are people... to protect [Badra’s] reputation and keep the story going.”

In the club, athletes regularly execute lifts exceeding their own weight.

The success of Abbood, Faruq and others “is proof that Badra is the number one weightlifting town [in Iraq] and also the most attached to the sport,” said Kazem.

With schoolchildren among the disciplined lifters filling the gym, it seems the production line will keep grinding on, urged on by posters of past winners peering down from the peeling walls.

AFP

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News

MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Chief fiscal out of Okada’s $10-m estafa cases

By Rey E. Requejo

T

HE chief government prosecutor has decided to inhibit himself from the $10-million estafa cases against Japanese gaming tycoon Kazuo Okada.

In a letter to Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra late last week, Acting Prosecutor General Jorge Catalan Jr. recused from the cases following petition from complainant Tiger Resorts Leisure & Entertainment Inc. seeking his inhibition.

The cases were transferred to the Department of Justice from the Parañaque City prosecutor’s office after the reported leakage to

Okada’s camp of the resolutions clearing the billionaire in the estafa charges.

“In view of the said motion for our inhibition, we are refraining from taking any action on these cases, much less to recommend (sic) the designation of a prosecutor as acting city prosecutor of Parañaque City,” Catalan said in his letter.

“Accordingly, we leave it to

the sound discretion and judgment of the Secretary of Justice to cause the issuance of a department order for the designation of a member of the National Prosecution Service as Acting City Prosecutor of Parañaque to continue the preliminary investigation of the subject cases,” added Catalan.

As head of the DoJ’s National Prosecution Service, Catalan approved the controversial reso-

lution that dismissed criminal charges against alleged drug suspects Kerwin Espinosa and businessman Peter Lim. In seeking his inhibition, TRLEI cited Catalan’s earlier approval of a resolution junking perjury charges against Okada and the company’s former president Takahiro Usui on March 19, a decision the company has since appealed before the DoJ.

“TRLEI fears that if Prosecutor Catalan were to decide the cases or choose the prosecutor who would take over the cases, they would wrongfully and unfairly suffer a similar fate as the case in Makati City . . .” the motion stated.

A June 1 letter from the DoJ to lawyers of Tiger Resort showed that Guevarra’s office will designate a new prosecutor to handle the estafa cases.

CA revives case vs Tau Gamma

INFORMAL SETTLERS. Illegal settlers residing along a creek in Padre Algue in Tondo, Manila clean-up the garbage that clog the waterway which has

caused chest-deep flooding in the area, following a heavy downpour from severe Tropical Storm ‘Domeng,’ which left the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Sunday. Norman Cruz

Poe has reservations on arming prosecutors

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Grace Poe, reacting to a suggested solution to arm government prosecutors following the killing of some in their league, said Sunday she condemned the slaying but had reservation on arming them.

Earlier, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said he would ask for funding for firearms for government prosecutors, nine of whom have been killed since President Rodrigo Duterte came into office.

The killings include the killing of Ombudsman assistant special prosecutor Madonna Joy Tanyag, who was stabbed this week in a suspected robbery incident.

But Poe stressed she had always maintained that increasing the capabilities of the country’s law enforcement institutions in terms of detection, investigation and prosecution remained to be the better option in addressing the rising criminality.

“We cannot possibly propose to arm every sector that has become the target of criminals as our way forward,” she added.

Senator Aquilino Pimentel III has also misgivings on arming government lawyers as he told guns-for-hire and swindlers to be afraid of the law.

He warned guns-for-hire that the law would easily catch them if they commited a crime.

Solon urges PhilHealth: Cover shrink powwow CITING the importance of early intervention and prevention in treating mental illnesses, Senator Juan Edgardo Angara has urged PhilHealth to cover the fees for consultations with psychiatrists.

Globally, more than 300-million people are now living with depression, the leading cause of ill health and disability.

A 2011 World Health Organization study found that the Philippines had the highest incidence of depression in Southeast Asia.

The recent deaths of wellknown personalities Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade have sparked calls to strengthen mental health policies worldwide.

“Mental and behavioral disorders can lead to impairment in judgment, self-inflicted pain, or worse, suicide. This can be prevented,” said Angara, He related that early intervention through consultation with psychiatrists and proper medication should be readily accessible

for ordinary Filipinos.

“The huge expenses should not be an obstacles especially to the poor, to seek medical treatment,” said Angara.

The senator has been leading the call in the Senate for the expansion of PhilHealth’s primary care benefit package, which includes free checkups and consultations, laboratory tests, and medicines, for all Filipinos.

Currently, PhilHealth only covers hospitalization brought about by acute attacks of mental and behavioral disorders at a package rate of P7,800.

Consultations and medicines are not covered.

In 2016, a national suicide prevention hotline called HOPELINE was launched by the Department of Health.

However, the service is limited to answering calls and questions, and referring patients to mental health professionals.

The Philippines has only 490 psychiatrists or one psychiatrist

per 250,000 Filipinos—a far cry from the standard ratio of one per 50,000 people.

“Another problem is we do not have enough psychiatric facilities and psychiatrists in the country,” said Angara.

Angara, one of the authors of Senate Bill 1354 or the Mental Health Act, said he was optimistic that President Rodrigo Duterte would sign the measure into law soon.

The bill was transmitted to Malacañang in May 21.

The mental health bill aims to provide basic mental health services down to the barangay level by mandating the DoH to provide psychiatric services to all regional, provincial, and tertiary hospitals, while increasing the capacities of mental health professionals.

“While the government works to make mental health care more affordable and accessible, another challenge is getting Filipinos to overcome stigma.” Macon Ramos-Araneta

THE Court of Appeals has ordered the Makati City Regional Trial Court to proceed with the trial of the criminal case filed against five members of Tau Gamma Phi Fraternity who were responsible for the fatal-hazing of College of Saint Benilde student Guillo Cesar Servando four years ago.

In a 25-page decision, the CA’s Special Fifth Division through Associate Justice Amy Lazaro-Javier nullified and set aside the orders issued by the Makati City RTC Branch 57 Presiding Judge Honorio Guanlao on Dec. 22, 2015 and Feb. 19, 2016 dismissing the complaint for violation of Republic Act 8049 or the Anti-Hazing Law filed against the respondents and denying the prosecution’s motion for reconsideration, respectively.

The CA ruled that Judge Guanlao hastily dismissed the case after the prosecution failed to present its witnesses during the dates provided by the court during the pre-trial stage of the case.

The trial court junked the case citing the respondents’ right to speedy trial under the Speedy Trial Act of 1998 and the guidelines provided by the Supreme Court for decongesting holding jails by enforcing the rights of accused persons to bail and speedy trial.

“While courts recognize the accused’s right to speedy trial and adheres to a policy of speedy administration of justice, the State may not be deprived of a reasonable opportunity to fairly prosecute criminals,” the appellate court stressed.

“The Supreme Court has invariably held that delay per se does not offend one’s right to speedy trial. It is the unjustified delay which does,” it said.

Court records showed that the first hearing was set on Dec. 10, 2015, where the eight prosecution witnesses did not appear.

On the same day, the trial court sent out notices to the prosecution witnesses requiring them to explain their absence during the first scheduled hearing date.

During the second scheduled hearing on Dec. 15, 2015, against the prosecution witnesses did not show up, prompting the prosecution to move for issuance of warrants against them. Rey E. Requejo

Facebook, OWWA to empower workers FACEBOOK, the world’s leading social media platform, has partnered with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration to empower migrant Filipino workers and their families to fully harness the positive component of online networking and communication technology, the Labor department said in a statement on Sunday.

The partnership will be implemented through digital literacy seminars to help the workers and their families know the right use of social media and enable them to participate in building a positive and respectful community online, the department said.

The digital literacy seminars will also provide small business training for Filipino workers with an entrepreneurial skill to prepare them for their eventual return to the country.

OWWA’s launching of the tie-up with Facebook was one of the highlights of the 2018 Migrant Workers’ Day celebration with the theme Kabuhayan at Teknolohiya para sa OFWs at Pamilya held at the Philippine International Convention Center and was attended by 2,000 migrant workers and their families.

OWWA also signed a Memorandum of Agreement between it and Coca-Cola Far East Limited to further strengthen its reintegration program through the entrepreneurship pathway specifically for returning female workers.

Dengue cases on the rise in Cordillera

GRADUATES, FINALLY. The British School Manila International Baccalaureate Graduation. Officials have said the event has underlined the relationship between the graduating class and the school and the quality of the graduates is a testament to the commitment they have to their holistic education. Contributed Photo

FOLLOWING reports of an 87-percent increase in dengue fever cases in the Cordillera Administrative Region in the first 17 weeks of 2018, Senator Nancy Binay on Sunday called on authorities to intensify information and cleanup drives to prevent rainy season diseases, particularly dengue fever.

Binay described as “alarming” the almost 100-percent increase in dengue fever cases in Cordillera from January to May based on the report of the Department of Health.

She said the health and education departments should help spread the right and timely information to educate everybody about dengue.

The Department of Health-Cordillera (DoH-CAR) reported that out of the total dengue cases recorded in the region this year, 266 (29.5 percent) came from Kalinga; 195 (21.6 percent) from Benguet; 104 (11.5 percent) from Baguio City; 76 (8.4 percent) from Apayao; 67 (7.4 percent) from Abra; 24 (2.7 percent) each from Ifugao and Mountain Province; and 147 cases (16.7 percent) from non-CAR provinces.

Binay said that possible dengue outbreaks and spikes in cases could be attributed to poor sanitation, improper waste management, and unhygienic surroundings.

The senator also called on the mobilization of local authorities, the AFP reserve force, and the DPWH to help in cleanup drives, especially in school grounds.

“More can be bitten in schools by dengue fever carrying mosquitoes so let us focus on cleanliness. Let us check the possible breeding ground of moswuitors like stagnant water,” Binay said.

“Let us also focus on our drainage systems, water storage, catchments and impounding facilities at flood-prone areas,” she added.

Binay said it was alarming that spikes in dengue fever cases in certain regions were also happening.

“Prevention is always the better option, so authorities must act immediately to stop or minimize the impact of rainy season diseases, particularly possible outbreaks of dengue fever,” the senator added. Macon Ramos-Araneta

Sports

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MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2018 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Crawford stops Horn, grabs title; Fury wins return bout LOS ANGELES—Unbeaten Terence Crawford punished Jeff Horn en route to a ninth-round technical knockout on Saturday to seize the Australian’s World Boxing Organization welterweight world title.

America’s Crawford, the former undisputed super lightweight world title holder, outclassed the Aussie who was defending the title he won in a huge upset of Manny Pacquiao in July of last year in Brisbane.

Horn defended the belt with a technical knockout of Gary Corcoran in December, but he was dominated by Crawford all the way at the Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Crawford, who improved to 33-0 with 24 knockouts, battered Horn for eight rounds, knocking him down in the ninth with a flurry of blows.

Horn beat the count, but Crawford unleashed another barrage and referee Robert Byrd called a halt at 2:33 of the round.

With the win, Crawford claimed a world title in a third weight division.

He defeated Julius Indongo last Au-

gust to become the undisputed super lightweight world champion.

A former WBO lightweight world champ, Crawford made the move up to welterweight in impressive fashion.

He won every round and was never really hurt by Horn, who fell to 18-1 with one draw and 12 knockouts.

A vocal Australian contingent among the crowd of 8,112 lustily backed Horn, but he was in trouble from the start as Crawford caught him with a hard left just seconds in.

Crawford, using his speed and his ability to switch stances to good effect, landed almost at will, Horn absorbing the punishment without finding a way to answer.

Meanwhile, former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury declared himself completely happy with his fourround comeback win on Saturday night, despite a lack of action.

Fury only got going in the fourth round and his brief exhibition of power convinced Sefer Seferi’s corner to pull out the Switzerland-based Albanian before Jeff Horn (right) tries to keep his balance after a punch from Terence Crawford in the eighth round of their WBO welterweight title fight at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Crawford won by TKO in the ninth round. AFP the start of the fifth round. AFP

Dubs want to be even better

C

LEVELAND—Kevin Durant says he will stay, Stephen Curry is enjoying the success and the Golden State Warriors appear set for a solid run next year at their fourth NBA crown in five seasons.

The Warriors completed an NBA Finals sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, their 108-85 rout delivering a 4-0 blanking in the best-of-seven championship series for back-to-back titles and a third crown in four years.

Durant won his second title and second NBA Finals Most Valuable Player award, the power forward scoring a career playoff high 43 points in game three.

“I’ve just got to keep getting better,” Durant said. “I think I’ve got a lot more to go.

So I’m just trying to prove to myself that I could just stay in it for the long haul, and hopefully I continue to have some success.”

Durant signed as a free agent with the Warriors in 2016 for less money than he could have made elsewhere to help the Warriors afford to bring him aboard and still be able to keep versatile forward Draymond Green and key guard Klay Thompson alongside 3-point sharpshooter Curry.

Now Durant says he only needs to hammer out final details on a rich deal to remain with the Warriors, which would keep them as the team to beat next season.

Durant is already curious about how young teammates progress next season.

“I want to see Jordan Bell come back a

better player. I want to see Quinn Cook come back a better player. I’m excited to see how they come back next year,” Durant said. “I know the veterans are going to come back and do exactly what they need to do.

“Looking forward just to different tricks that we use throughout the season next year. I can’t wait.”

There is some history motivation for next season. Only the 1960s Boston Celtics dynasty reached five NBA finals in a row. And the only teams to win four crowns in five years were that Boston squad and the 1950s Minneapolis Lakers in the NBA’s infancy.

“I haven’t really thought about it,” Curry said of how long the Warriors might reign.

“Any question that kind of talks about the future and whatnot, you don’t want to cheat the moment.

“We’ll have plenty of time over the sum-

mer to talk about what next year’s going to look like and what it’s going to take for us to get back to this stage next year.

“I really just am happy to be a champ again. If I get another opportunity next year to come back into the finals, I’m going to have the same attitude about winning a championship and whatever happens, happens.”

Durant staying sets up another offseason of “superteam” building by rivals when dealmaking begins in July, as Houston and Boston assembled top talent last year and each was one win from the finals.

Cleveland star LeBron James could join NBA scoring champion James Harden and Chris Paul in Houston or unite with young talent in Philadelphia to better challenge the Warriors. And the Magic Johnsonguided Los Angeles Lakers are also expected to make free agent moves. AFP

Diaz’s tourney to search for new PH lifters

By Peter Atencio MORE than 130 lifters from all over the country are expected to take part in the 2018 Hidilyn Diaz Weightlifting Open Championships when it is held from July 27 to 29 at Meralco Fitness Center in Ortigas, Pasig.

Tournament director Cyrus Cruz expect more entries to join after many good lifters were not able to see action in the recent 2018 Philippine National Games in Cebu City.

“Maraming hindi nakalipad papuntang Cebu, kaya maraming sasali,” said Cruz, who also heads the University of the Philippines Weightlifting Club.

The tournament, which is held with the support of the Manny V. Pangilinan Sports Foundation and the Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas, aims at helping Olympian Hidilyn Diaz leave a legacy behind when she finally retires after the 2020 Olympics.

And that’s to find talents and young lifters who have Olympic dreams and can excel in international competitions.

It will serve as a tryouts for aspiring members of the national team and for those who can join the seven lifters who have been selected to see action in the coming Asian Games in Indonesia.

A selection process will also be conducted for the national squad that will be formed for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games next year.

Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella said they have recommendations for Diaz and her teammates to be included for the national delegation to the coming Asiad and those who will excel in the HDWOC. “The tournament will be another qualifying competition for the Asian Games and the SEA Games. We have made recommendations to the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission. Sana ma-approve ito,” said Puentevella during the launch at the Crossfit Ortigas Center.

Nestor Colonia, a teammate of Diaz in the Rio Games, is lined up for the Asiad for the 62 kg class, along with Jeffrey Garcia in the men’s division.

Kristel Macrohon (75 kg) is with Diaz in the women’s side, along with Elaine Perez, Elreen Ando and Dessa de los Santos.

Dutertes back Asean chess tilt in Davao

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte and Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte gave their full support to the 19th ASEAN+ Age Group Championships slated June 18 to 28 in Davao City.

“We in the government root for your success and hope that you will accomplish greater feats in the future,” said Duterte through a letter. “Together, let us harness the strengths of one another and continue our path towards real and lasting change.”

For the Presidential Daughter, chess can be an avenue for participants to be successful not just in the sport but also in life.

“The game of chess has always been considered a metaphor for life, with the skills invaluable in chess also considered invaluable in life like discipline, courage, determination, sacrifice, and the ability to take risks and to make careful, calculated decisions arrived at after various considerations,” she said.

The host city Mayor is pulling out all the stops to make the 11-day tournament, which is organized by Chess Events International and sanctioned by National Chess Federation of the PH president Butch Pichay, a successful one.

Last week, the Department of Education has also allowed student participants who will miss classes remedial exams or special classes while the PH Sports Commission has also committed to support the event.

Justify is 13th Triple Crown champ horse

Kevin Durant, Draymond Green and the rest of the Golden State Warriors celebrate after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers ,108-85, to win the 2018 NBA Finals. AFP

Youth Olympic Games qualifier, Sprint meet set June 17 FIFTY-SEVEN young and aspiring triathletes from 17 countries are vying for 10 slots in the Buenos Aires Youth Olympic Games in October as the Subic Bay Freeport Zone is all set to host the 1st ASTC Asian Youth Olympic Games qualifier as well as the 2018 Southeast Asian Triathlon Sprint Championships on June 17.

Currently listed to start in the sprint distance YOG qualifier are the Philippines’ Karen Manayon, Lauren Plaza, Joshua Ramos, Juan Francisco Baniqued, Inaki Lorbes and Joshua Averion.

Other notable entries include Teppei Tokuyama (Japan), Nicholas Rachmadi

(Singapore), Dongwook Kim (South Korea), Ka Eun Kim (South Korea), Tsz Ho Li (Hong Kong), Maki Uchida (Japan), Megan Hwee Wen Tan (Malaysia), Tingnui Li (China) and Ekaterina Ryazanova (Uzbekistan).

At stake in the event organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines and supported by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Tourism Department, Philippine Sports Commission, Standard Insurance, Gatorade and Asian Center for Insulation are five slots for youth males and five slots for the youth females for the 2018 YOG triathlon event in Bue-

nos Aires, Argentina, open only to junior elite triathletes (born in 2001 and 2002) and entered by their national federations through the International Triathlon Union.

Meanwhile, the finest triathletes from the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Cambodia, among others, will aim for honors in the SEATA Sprint Championships, composed of a 750-meter swimming off ACEA Subic Bay, a 20-kilometer cycling through the PNP Camp in Corregidor street to the Petron Gas Station and a 5-kilometer run along San Bernardino street before finishing at ACEA Subic Bay.

Lady Warriors repel Angels, share Premier volley lead

POCARI-AIR Force shook off a sluggish start and out-steadied PetroGazz in the next three sets as it carved out an 18-25, 25-20, 26-24, 25-21 victory late Saturday to force a three-way tie for the lead in the quarterfinal round of the Premier Volleyball League Season 2 Reinforced Conference at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

Import Arielle Love and former MVP Myla Pablo combined for 34 of the Lady Warriors’ 57 spikes as against the

Angels’ 49 as the defending champions banked on their power and blocking, 117, to cushion the impact of their sloppy service reception that yielded six aces for the Angels.

Love banged in 23 points, including three blocks, while Pablo also came through with three blocks and finished with 18 points for the Lady Warriors, who also drew 15 markers from Madeline Palmer and matched the BaliPure Water Defenders and BanKo Perlas Spikers’ re-

versals over their respective elimination round tormentors.

BaliPure turned back Iriga-Navy, 2517, 18-25, 20-25, 26-24, 18-16, while BanKo-Perlas dominated Tacloban, 2522, 25-20, 25-18, as the three gained the head-start in the single round quarters where the top two will join early qualifiers Creamline and PayMaya in the Final Four of the season-opening conference organized by Sports Vision and backed by Mikasa and Asics.

NEW YORK—Justify became the 13th horse in history to win US racing’s coveted Triple Crown with an electrifying triumph in the 150th Belmont Stakes on Saturday.

In adding the Belmont to his Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes victories, the unbeaten Justify made Bob Baffert just the second trainer to saddle two Triple Crown winners.

Drawn in the unfavorable first post, Justify burst from the gate under jockey Mike Smith and never trailed in the 1 1/2 mile race dubbed the “Test of the Champion”.

“I can’t describe the emotion that’s going through my body right now,” Smith said as he made for the winner’s circle.

“This horse ran a tremendous race. He’s so gifted. He’s sent from heaven.”

Despite drawing the rail, Justify went off as a 4-5 favorite and more than lived up to his billing.

Gronkowski, a 24-1 shot trained by Chad Brown and part-owned by New England Patriots star Rob Gronkowski, came from well back to finish second under jockey Jose Ortiz.

LOTTO RESULTS

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

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MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2018A

Sports

So rises to no. 7 in Fide rankings FILIPINO grandmaster Wesley So climbed up the FIDE rankings despite his title setback in the 2018 Norway Chess tournament.

From no. 9, he moved up to no. 7 with 2779.5 ELO points after Grandmaster Fabiano Caruana earned the €75,000 top purse for beating So in round 8.

Caruana, who remained at no. 2, forced So to resign under time pressure in 48 moves of a Ruy Lopez last Thursday. The 2822.1 ELO-rated Caruana said he didn’t do well in the opening and drifted away.

Then, they got into time trouble and with just seconds on the clock, he made a good move by grabbing a pawn with his rook to h3 move on the 40th. That’s when So blundered with a rook d3 push.

So went on to settle for fifth place with a win, a loss and six draws for four points.

World no. 1 Magnus Carlsen ended up in a three-way tie for second position after he drew with Maxime Vachier-Lagrave in 17 moves of a Ruy Lopez.

Sharing 4.5 points with Carlsen are Hikaru Nakamura and Viswanathan Anand. Nakamura halved his point with Levon Aronian in 42 moves of a Queen’s Gambit Declined.

Anand, who was in the lead in the early rounds, won in 32 moves of a Queen’s Gambit Declined over Sergey Karjakin.

The games were shortened after GM Ding Liren injured himself in a bicycle accident after three rounds and was forced to withdraw. Peter Atencio

SPARRING SESSION. Filipino Boxing legend Senator Manny Pacquiao begins his sparring sessions in preparation for his July 15 bout in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia against Argentine Lucas Martin Matthysse. Sonny Espiritu

Columbian Dyip mauls Phoenix 5, arrests slide

Thais aim to reach peak at Ladies PH Golf Tour A 21-PLAYER strong Thai contingent, led by leg winners Yupaporn Kawinpakorn, Supakchaya Pattaranakrueang and Onkanok Soisuwan, sets out for another crack at the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour crown when The Women’s Championship is fired off beginning Wednesday (June 13) at the Summit Point Golf Club in Lipa City, Batangas.

Kawinpakorn beat Chihiro Ikeda by three at Beverly Place in Pampanga last January; Pattaranakrueang edged Cyna Rodriguez in sudden death at Luisita last April; and Soisuwan romped off with a seven-stroke victory over amateur Mikha Fortuna and fellow Thai Tiranan Yoopan last month as the Thais, including Pavarisa Yoktuan’s win at Splendido last February, took four of the first eight legs of this year’s circuit sponsored by ICTSI. Unless the locals and the rest of the compact field step up in the upcoming 54h o l e championship, a fifth title looms for the country’s perennial regional rivals in the P1.5 million championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. Saruttaya Ngam-usawan, who also won at Royal Northwoods in 2016, is also in the fold along with Aunchisa Utama, Chommapat Ponthanarak,

Chonlada Chayanun, Chonnika Rungruang, Goonlacha Paiboonpong, Intuon Detkhum, Jaruporn P Na Ayuttaya, Kanokwan Yospark, Mookharin Ladgratok, Pannapa Polnamin, Pattraporn Kratururk, Pimpadsorn Chaiyapan, Saraporn Chamchoi, Trichat Cheenglab and Yoopan.

But focus will be on Kawinpakorn, who will be coming into the event brimming with confidence f o l lowing a

victory in the China LPGA Zhuhai Heritage in Guangdong over the weekend with Ladgratok finishing third.

By Jeric Lopez

C

OLUMBIAN Dyip bucked a terrible start and finished burly in the payoff period to pummel Phoenix Pulse, 115-107, and snap its skid in the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday night.

John Fields was a workhorse all night for the Dyip, pouring in a monster double-double performance of 29 points and 26 rebounds on top of six assists in an amazing display to carry his team to victory.

The Dyip, led by Fields, exploded for 42 gigantic points in the fourth period to put the struggling Fuel Masters away.

That solid showing to end the game propelled Columbian to its fourth victory as it snapped a three-game slide in the process. The Dyip improved to 4-5 to move up in the middle, improving its chances of making the quarterfinals.

On the other hand, Phoenix suffered its third straight defeat, falling to 3-5 in the lower echelon of the standings.

Fields got a lot of help, too. Glenn Khobuntin contributed 18 markers,

while the backcourt tandem of Jerramy King and Rashawn McCarthy each added 15.

After a sluggish first quarter start where it trailed by 14 right away after the first 11 minutes, Columbian picked itself up and battled back methodically.

The Dyip was able to trim its deficit to only four, 44-48, at the half after the Fuel Masters evidently slowed down.

With momentum, Columbian Dyip continued its fight in the third even as Phoenix kept its lead, 75-73, heading the final 12 minutes of play.

But the Dyip were determined as they clicked on all cylinders in the fourth.

In a stretch in the middle of the period, Columbian outscored Phoenix, 24-13, to carve a 112-99 advantage with under a minute left and snag the win emphatically.

Eugene Phelps’ game-high 34 points and Matthews Wright’ 33 both went for naught as the Fuel Masters were unable to get themselves together when it mattered in the fourth.

The Scores: COLUMBIAN 115 - Fields 29, Khobuntin 18, King 15, McCarthy 15, Camson 13, Tubid 10, Escoto 6, Ababou 3, Sara 2, Cahilig 2, Corpuz 2, Celda 0.

PHOENIX 107 - Phelps 34, Wright 32, Perkins 14, Revilla 5, Intal 5, Wilson 5, Chan 4, Mendoza 2, Kramer 2, Chua 2, Jazul 2, Gamboa 0, Dehesa 0.

NCAA to tap Maharlika cage referees THE National Collegiate Athletic Association is looking at tapping referees from the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League for Season 94 of the basketball competition scheduled to open on July 7 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Perpetual Help’s Frank Gusi, who chairs the NCAA Management Committee, said these pool of game officials from the MPBL will take the place of the Basketball Referees Association for Schools, Colleges and Universities, which was tapped a season ago.

“The pool of referees from the MPBL will officiate this year,” said Gusi.

League commissioner Arturo “Bai” Cristobal, back at the helm for the second straight year, confirmed the recent development but stressed the NCAA board will only finalize it this week.

“The league will make the final decision this coming week,” said Cristobal.

The new pool of officials will be first employed right on Season 94’s very first game pitting defending champion San Beda with host Perpetual Help at 2 p.m., followed by the 4 p.m. encounter between San Sebastian and last year’s losing finalist Lyceum of the Philippines University.

The league will be officially ushered in at 12 noon.

Meanwhile, Gusi said the NCAA on Tour will continue this game with Perpetual Help, Letran-Calamba, Jose Rizal, Arellano U, and La Salle-Greenhills or San Sebastian-Cavite each hosting first round games.

Yupaporn Kawinpakorn

Magsanoc: Team Pilipinas must learn quickly at Fiba 3x3 caging

By Peter Atencio TAKING outside shots in the latter part of the game is something that Team Pilipinas must do in the 2018 FIBA 3x3 World Cup at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

Coach Ronnie Magsanoc said the team of Stanley Pringle Jr., Christian Standhardinger, RR Pogoy and Troy Rosario learned this the hard way after Mongolia relied on late outside shots from Tserenbaatar Enkhtaivan to frustrate the Filipinos in the last two minutes of their game, 21-17.

The lessons learned from that loss in the men’s matches on Day 2 last Saturday will be remembered when the Team Pilipinas plunges into action today against powerhouse squads Canada at 4:50 p.m. and Russia at 7 p.m.

The two games will decide Team Pilipinas’ fate if they will make it to the quarterfinals round.

“We’re still there. We just have to learn how to close it with a two-point (outside) shot. We have to learn quickly,” said Magsanoc.

The 14th-seeded Canadians, led by Steve Sir, are on top of Pool B and they can qualify to the quarterfinals with a win over the Philippines.

And so can the third-seeded Russians, behind sharpshooters Ilya Aleksandrov

and Dmitry Koshakov, if they find a way to hurdle the host squad.

The Russians are smarting from a 1720 upset loss at the hands of Canada last Saturday and are looking for a chance to bounce back. They share the same 1-1 win-loss record with the Philippines and Mongolia.

Second seed Slovenia has reached the quarterfinals after posting a third win in four matches in Pool B following a 21-7 crushing of Indonesia and a 21-15 triumph over Estonia.

Gasper Ovnik led Slovenia with 9 points against Indonesia and 10 points against Estonia.

Poland (2-1), banking on Pawel Pawlowski’s nine points in a 20-16 win over Japan, has also qualified with Slovenia in Pool B on a better quotient over Estonia.

Earlier in the day, Michael Hicks had six points as Poland edged Estonia, 17-13.

In women’s action, Spain reached the quarterfinals after eliminating Perlas Pilipinas, 21-17, with Paula Palomares making 11 points.

Janine Pontejos top-scored for the Filipinas with 13.

They joined top seed China and sixth ranked France, which topped Pool B. China swept its four-game assignment after dropping Kazakhstan, 15-13, and routing Argentina, 22-4.

Austria’s Dominic Thiem and Spain’s Rafael Nadal clash today for all of the French Open marbles. AFP

Meet Nadal’s French Open finals’ foe—Dominic Thiem

PARIS—Dominic Thiem is the iron man of men’s tennis who is never happier than when his racquet is doing the talking.

That is just as well as the 24-year-old Austrian, who faces Rafael Nadal for the French Open title on Sunday, is not a man for wearing his heart on his sleeve.

When he held his first press conference after his opening Roland Garros win, the official transcript stretched to a modest 64 words in English in response to just one bland question. When 10-time French Open champion Nadal walked into the conference room 24 hours later, he spoke close to a 1,000 words in English. Such is Thiem’s low profile that there were gasps when he criticised having to undergo mandatory national service in the Austrian military.

“It’s a pain in the arse,” complained Thiem in a rare headline-grabbing outburst.

GQ magazine once carried a profile of the 6ft 1in (1.85m) Austrian with the headline: “Dominic Thiem is the future of tennis -- so why doesn’t anybody care about him?”

However, his private demeanour should not be confused with crippling modesty either on or off the court. He has a seasonleading 35 wins having played 13 tournaments in 2018. By comparison, Nadal is in his seventh.

Such is Thiem’s dedication to his job that he even played -- and won -- a small-change claycourt tournament in Lyon the week before Roland Garros while his rivals were already in Paris.

“There are always things to learn, you don’t lose energy,” Thiem once explained in defence of his gruelling schedule. “To play a full consistent schedule is my aim -- I was struggling with this before.”

Numerous stories have grown up around Thiem -- the most popular are those relating to his habit of once training by carrying tree trunks on his back or swimming in rivers in the deep of winter. He denounces these tales as myths. What is true is that he has been trained by Gunther Bresnik -- the former mentor of Boris Becker -- since childhood.

He once dated a former contestant from the 2010 Miss Austria beauty pageant but now is in a romance with leading French player Kristina Mladenovic.

Thiem is bidding to become the first Austrian man to win a Grand Slam since Thomas Muster triumphed in Paris in 1995.

“He sent a message to my physio because they work together... we see each other every year in Vienna, and that’s it,” explained Thiem, the polar opposite of the combative Muster. AFP

IN BRIEF Dominguez assures transparent projects FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III assured European businessmen that transparency will prevail in the government’s massive infrastructure projects that will link communities, enhance productivity and create new jobs, especially in the countryside.

Dominguez, speaking during a meeting with key officials of the Europe-Asean Business Alliance, said the Philippines was open for business, especially in the area of infrastructure development. He said he wanted to see companies from Europe participating in the bidding of these projects.

Dominguez told EABA members that the government was “very transparent” in its transactions, and continued to pursue reforms in the country’s tax system following the enactment this year of the first package of the Duterte administration’s Comprehensive Tax Reform Program, which reduced personal income tax rates while raising additional revenues to help support the government’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ infrastructure program.

The EABA members informed Dominguez and Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez that they were interested in contributing to the economic reform agenda of the Duterte administration, by setting up businesses, which they said were “an important contributor to economic prosperity.” Julito G. Rada

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More households saved in 2nd quarter MORE households saved money in the second quarter compared with the first quarter, results of the latest Consumer Expectations Survey conducted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas show.

The percentage of households with savings rose to 37.4 percent in the second quarter from 36.6 percent in the first quarter. The increase in the number of savers was observed in the provinces while the number of savers decreased in the National Capital Region, the survey found.

Meanwhile, the percentage of respondents who reported that they could set aside money for savings during the current quarter rose to 43.3 percent from 41.8 percent in the first quarter.

Data showed that of the 446 households included in the survey that received remittances from their relatives working abroad in the second quarter, 94.2 percent used the money they received to purchase food and other household needs.

The proportion of households that allotted part of their remittances for education (64.1 percent), medical expenses (46.9 percent), debt payments (22.9 percent), savings (33.9 percent), purchase of appliances/ consumer durables (21.1 percent), purchase of house (8.7 percent), and purchase of car/motor vehicle (7 percent) declined.

Meanwhile, the percentage of OFW households who allocated part of their remittances for investment (5.2 percent) and other miscellaneous expenses (4.9 percent) increased. Julito G. Rada

Business

By Darwin G. Amojelar

T

HE Transportation Department said it expects to make a decision on the unsolicited proposal of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. to rehabilitate and take over the operations and maintenance of Metro Rail Transit Line 3 by the end of the year.

“By end of the year, we expect to address the unsolicited proposal [of MPIC] after finishing the maintenance and operating issues of MRT3 and after finishing the Dalian issue,” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said.

Tugade was referring to the audit of the 48 Chi-

na-made trains worth P3.8 billion that the previous government procured from Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stocks Co. The Transportation Department also tapped Japan’s Sumitomo Corp. and technical partner Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to rehabilitate and restore the MRT 3 system to its original performance standards under a government-to-government official development assistance platform.

Tugade said MPIC was currently undertaking due diligence for the MRT3 system.

MPIC and Ayala Corp. earlier offered to invest up to P20 billion to rehabilitate, operate and maintain the MRT3.

The consortium is also looking at buying out the stake of the government and private investors in MRT 3.

The government through Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines own a combined 80-percent economic inter-

MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2018

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est in MRT 3, while the balance is held by creditors of Metro Rail Transit Corp.

MPIC in 2011 offered to buy out the shares of LBP and DBP in MRT 3 for $1.1 billion.

The MPIC-Ayala group earlier said it expected to take over the O&M of MRT 3 in six months, from the submission of its application as the original proponent to the government in July.

MPIC submitted a proposal to the Department of Transportation in 2011 to invest $524 million to rehabilitate and upgrade MRT 3.

The Aquino administration, however, rejected Metro Pacific’s offer that would involve raising commuter fares.

MRT 3, which runs along Edsa from North Avenue in Quezon City to Taft Avenue in Pasay City, serves over 500,000 passengers a day, beyond its rated capacity of 350,000.

The line has a fleet of 73 Czech-made air-conditioned rail cars.

ADB unit keen on supporting LNG hub project

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Philippines climbed three places to rank 12th worldwide in terms of the number of internet users.

This is based on the Internet World Stats’ latest ranking of the top 20 countries with the highest number of Internet users.

The survey found out that some 67 million Filipinos were now browsing the web, translating into a penetration rate of 63 percent.

The Philippines moved up from15th place in 2017 with an estimated 54 million users, or a penetration rate of 52 percent.

Makati City Rep. Luis Campos Jr. asked Congress to pass House Bill No. 5337, which seeks to categorize broadband or high-speed Internet access as a “basic telecommunications service” subject to direct state regulatory supervision.

“We have to pigeon-hole broadband as a basic service to assure Filipinos superior Internet services and faster connection speeds countrywide,” said Campos.

Chinese tech magnate Jack Ma had said in a recent visit he was not happy about the Philippines’ Internet connection speed, which was rated the slowest in Asia Pacific by Akamai Technologies Inc.’s State of the Internet Report. Othel V. Campos

REPRESENTATIVES from the government, academe and consumer advocacy groups converged at the 1st Summit on Harm Reduction organized by The Vapers Philippines recently at the Sulo Riviera Hotel in Quezon City.

Dr. Konstantinos Farsalinos, an international researcher on electronic cigarettes, presented two studies at the multi-stakeholder summit which showed that smokers with asthma and hypertension experienced improved lung function and lower blood pressure after switching to e-cigarettes or personal vaporisers.

A research fellow at the Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center in Athens, Greece, and at the Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras, Greece, and at the Greek National School of Public Health, Farsalinos has been conducting research on e-cigarettes as principal investigator since 2011. As of 2018, he has published more than 60 studies and articles in international peer-reviewed scientific journals about smoking, tobacco harm reduction, and e-cigarettes.

A two-year study by Italian researchers looked at 18 smokers with mild to moderate asthma. All smokers switched to e-cigarettes but two eventually relapsed and resorted to dual use of combustible cigarettes and e-cigarettes.

At the start of the study (prior to switch to ecigarettes), researchers assessed the subjects’ respiratory symptoms, lung function (through spirometry), airway hyper-responsiveness (level of irritation and constriction), asthma control, asthma exacerbations (asthma attacks) and tobacco consumption. Measurements recorded at baseline prior to switching were compared with those at the follow-up visits at 6, 12 and 24 months.

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

Govt to rule on MetroPac’s MRT bid

PH ranks 12th in Internet users

Studies cite benefits of using e-cigarettes

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

NEW MB MEMBER. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor and Monetary Board chairman Nestor Espenilla Jr. (third from left) welcomes newly-appointed MB member Bruce Jularbal Tolentino (fourth from left). With them are (from left) MB members Antonio Abacan Jr., Felipe Medalla, Peter Favila and Juan de Zuñiga Jr. The appointment of Tolentino completes the roster of the MB, the highest policy-making body of the Bangko Sentral.

Finance set to release criteria for third telco selection

By Julito G. Rada THE Finance Department expects to finalize within the week the parameters for the selection of the third telecommunications player in the country, Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said over the weekend.

Dominguez said in a statement it was the priority of the department to have a selection process that would ensure the third telecommunications player to be chosen could effectively compete in the telco market.

Dominguez said the original proposed process failed to set up parameters that would ensure that the third telco had the capability, both financial and technical, to compete in the long term.

The proposed process used “commit-

ted level of service” as the main criteria in the selection of the third player.

“I’ve expressed my concerns on the proposed process as I find the prequalification criteria as being weak, and I think that scoring should not be based on ‘commitments.’ You know, the beauty contest in the past resulted in frequency hoarding and those companies failed to improve service. They just made money by flipping assets government owns. I don’t want that to happen again,” Dominguez said.

Dominguez said the DOF was currently evaluating what pre-qualification criteria, like financial and previous telco experience, could be applied to improve the selection of the third player.

“The government should not forget what the task at hand is. The mandate of

the president was not only to bring in a third telco player, but more importantly, to ensure that its entry will result to rendering of better services to the consumers at the lowest possible cost,” he said.

Dominguez, when asked about the approval of the criteria, said that “we hope to be done with this task by Friday next week.”

The Department of Information and Communications Technology tightened the general guidelines on the entry of a major telecommunications player in the country.

The DICT issued a new memorandum order on April 13, 2018 that outlined the minimum financial backing and technical requirements that the potential challenger to the duopoly of PLDT Inc. and Globe Telecom should posses.

THE Asian Development Bank is keen on supporting the proposed $2-billion integrated liquefied natural gas terminal project in the Philippines, a bank official said last week.

“I think the LNG business may be potentially for ADB to come back (to), but the private sector [arm of] ADB. ADB has two lending [arms]―sovereign or government to government, then we have this commercial based private sector department,” said Yongping Zhai, ADB chief of energy sector group, sector advisory service cluster, sustainable development and climate change department.

ADB’s private sector department stopped funding energy projects in the Philippines in recent years, but it was an active participant in the sector during the privatization of National Power Corp.

The Philippines plans to put up its first integrated LNG hub in preparation for the eventual depletion of the Malampaya natural gas in northwest Palawan.

“I understand given the current natural gas supply’s expected shortage in next 5 to 10 years, the LNG would be an option for the Philippines to supply power to meet the requirement,” Zhai said.

He said the ADB private sector department would be “very keen to see what will be the lending opportunities related to the whole supply chain of LNG business.”

“I think again our private sector people could be…a stakeholder because building LNG terminal, you have pipeline, you have off-taker, who will buy this LNG. Whole chain may require different entities to compact ADB in different ways,” he said.

State-run Philippine National Oil Co. also tapped ADB for technical assistance for its LNG venture.

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Business

MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Sluggish trading expected this week

By Jenniffer B. Austria

T

RADING at the Philippine Stock Exchange is expected be sluggish during the three-day trading week with investors looking overseas for guidances.

The local financial markets will be closed on Tuesday to celebrate the country’s Independence Day and on Friday in observance of the end of Ramadan.

Investors overseas will be looking for cues from several US financial data that will be released this week, as well as the the outcome of the G7 summit held over the weekend.

Local investors, meanwhile, will be awaiting the release of the latest data on foreign exchange remittances.

“Most of the technical indicators are slightly bullish.

If buying appetite continues to strengthen, the index could maintain its position above the 50-day moving average,” Luis Limlingan, managing director at Regina Capital Development Corp., said.

“Strong resistance still remains at 7,850 while sup-

port is at 7,450,” Limlingan said.

After several consecutive weeks of decline, the Philippine Stock Exchange Index finally ended on the positive, rising 1.4 percent to 7,740 points, while the broader All Shares climbed 1.1 percent to 4,690.

All major sub-indices ended in the red led by mining and oil (+2.55 percent), services (+2.11 percent), financial (+1.9 percent) and holding firms (1.3 percent).

Foreign investors remained net sellers for the week

by P2.08 billion, while the daily value turnover stood at P5.8 billion, down from the previous week’s average of P8.3 billion.

Weekly top price gainers included Atok Bing Wegde Co., which rose 45 percent to P28.70; Cemex Holdings Philippines Inc., which advanced 7.4 percent to P3.33; and Blomberry Resorts Corp., which climbed 6 percent to P10.98.

Weekly top losers were led by PAL Holdings Inc., which declined 5.3 percent to P9.05; DoubleDragon Properties Inc., which dropped 3.5 percent to P27.90; and Manila Water Co Inc., which fell 3.4 percent to P27.05.

World stock markets were mixed on Friday at the start of a tense Group of Seven summit amid disagree-

ment between the US and allies on trade, Iran and other issues.

The two-day G7 meeting that opened in Canada has earned the unofficial “G6 plus one” moniker following a series of aggressive trade actions by US President Donald Trump that have angered allies.

US stocks spent much of the morning in negative territory but shifted into the black around midday. The S&P 500 finished up 0.3 percent and the Nasdaq edged up 0.1 percent.

European stocks closed mostly lower following a slump in Asia—and after a week of largely strong gains in the wake of robust US jobs data and easing political headwinds in Italy and Spain.

“Investors are either worried that nothing will get resolved, or Trump will become more entrenched in his aggressive approach to trade,” said Connor Campbell, financial analyst at Spreadex traders, adding that the meeting would probably be “feisty.”

Traditional allies such as the European Union and Canada are also frustrated at Trump’s withdrawal from hard-fought international agreements on climate change and on containing Iran’s nuclear program. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS WEEKLY STOCKS REVIEW STOCKS

JUNE 4-8, 2018 Close Volume

Value

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

MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp.

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

59.35 137.10 99.30 2.99 1.65 34.5 6.67 16.68 14.76 3.5 9.47 0.66 1.49 850.00 0.550 80 1.14 11.98 20.00 50.70 86 105.6 206.8 33.1 200.6 1960.00 89.00 1.18

95,790 10,168,370 7,416,470 154,000 3,393,000 735,200 1,900 99,900 3,590,900 246,000 2,700 26,000 53,000 1,350 6,165,000 23,241,010 31,144,000 40,400 21,800 699,240 2,070 320 2,940 652,200 1,162,260 490 209,890 3,000

FINANCIAL 5,654,419.00 1,343,156,322.00 736,944,688.00 434,680.00 5,730,950.00 25,265,320.00 12,719.00 1,653,342.00 53,804,552.00 867,150.00 24,613.00 17,160.00 79,940.00 1,186,435.00 3,290,800.00 1,874,286,864.00 37,016,010.00 485,592.00 437,295.00 35,545,663.50 178,620.00 33,741.00 608,738.00 22,708,980.00 229,701,492.00 953,675.00 18,682,260.00 3,540.00

Aboitiz Power Corp.

Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons.

Asiabest Group Basic Energy Corp.

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

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

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

Pepsi-Cola Products Phil.

Petroenergy Res. Corp.

Petron Corporation Phil H2O Phinma Corporation Phinma Energy Phoenix Petroleum Phils.

Pilipinas Shell Pryce Corp. `A’ RFM Corporation Roxas and Co. Roxas Holdings SFA Semicon Shakeys Pizza SMC Food and Beverage SPC Power Corp.

Swift Foods, Inc. TKC Steel Corp.

Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp.

Vivant Corp.

Vulcan Ind’l.

38.2 14.1 0.62 1.28 19.9 0.223 110 25.60 3.33 16.28 255 50 61 87.95 54 1.92 5.1 8.71 10.600 16.12 11.56 7.19 5.44 1.77 14.62 62 20.65 8.94 15.42 2.300 284.00 51.95 5.1 3.39 17.00 27.05 12.26 22.5 0.188 338.00 7.00 2.27 4.49 9.00 5.94 7.70 1.41 12.50 48.6 6.1 4.60 2.54 3.65 2.07 13.14 67 5.15 0.136 0.96 131 2.56 3.11 22.00 1.15

8,628,700 3,335,800 6,437,000 1,336,000 179,700 14,230,000 2,830 626,000 57,661,000 3,453,700 270 2,044,410 2,060 230 1,876,630 391,000 14,500 167,000 6,923,800 3,127,600 86,700 1,156,400 3,645,300 15,000 1,583,900 1,428,810 1,011,700 197,800 5,475,800 8,217,000 3,870,580 1,410 338,600 4,000 20,000 1,477,000 987,500 9,033,800 1,780,000 1,735,900 280,300 22,499,000 294,000 3,783,400 654,600 255,800 525,000 861,800 2,809,500 181,500 3,597,000 6,775,000 132,000 7,185,000 2,231,700 1,110,700 5,269,500 10,020,000 420,000 5,555,370 102,000 71,685,000 100 213,056,000

INDUSTRIAL 332,577,765.00 46,994,922.00 3,843,130.00 1,694,930.00 3,558,990.00 3,212,550.00 316,716.00 16,754,790.00 183,121,550.00 56,290,776.00 60,118.00 102,047,588.50 126,811.50 18,585.50 97,672,132.00 753,170.00 72,340.00 1,491,656.00 74,998,756.00 50,384,642.00 1,000,190.00 8,303,455.00 19,347,970.00 26,240.00 23,612,242.00 88,623,126.50 21,820,061.00 1,759,172.00 84,404,366.00 18,205,460.00 1,090,484,760.00 72,536.50 1,697,766.00 13,530.00 338,952.00 40,284,890.00 12,121,380.00 205,285,615.00 321,910.00 405,006,204.00 1,968,026.00 51,955,470.00 1,297,100.00 34,165,030.00 3,785,446.00 1,986,019.00 736,790.00 10,519,372.00 136,721,925.00 1,087,780.00 16,544,480.00 17,101,670.00 487,260.00 14,446,980.00 29,293,854.00 74,025,211.00 28,463,034.00 1,310,620.00 387,200.00 698,402,994.00 265,760.00 214,796,770.00 2,200.00 219,315,780.00

0.285 64.00 12.98 0.94 6.20 0.680 0.690 966.5 6.31 11.12 4.95 7.50 0.197 1000 6.70 59.35 5.5 5.38 0.56 4.08 20.55 0.580 5.01 3.36 0.0370 1.270 2.960 2.60 140.00 917.50 1.65 0.80 264.000 553.00 0.2300 0.218

HOLDING FIRMS 596,340,000 155,854,390.00 4,635,980 288,859,819.00 31,800,000 416,390,984.00 184,000 172,700.00 129,800 799,324.00 20,402,000 13,768,020.00 3,380,000 2,312,680.00 1,273,750 1,232,702,900.00 30,839,800 193,776,662.00 56,376,500 629,591,682.00 134,000 663,010.00 170,800 1,283,711.00 610,000 119,590.00 769,560 768,820,867.50 8,500 56,650.00 5,884,380 402,426,988.50 3,900 20,960.00 14,200 77,488.00 3,159,000 1,804,110.00 24,937,000 102,255,760.00 24,690,000 505,106,162.00 17,441,000 10,982,850.00 111,103,300 564,679,850.00 4,000 13,440.00 41,000,000 1,506,500.00 43,270,000 59,847,130.00 3,545,000 10,434,840.00 40,000 105,770.00 906,990 127,721,117.00 762,060 689,214,530.00 541,000 878,240.00 248,000 198,500.00 20,500 5,321,954.00 870 451,810.00 7,010,000 1,600,660.00 530,000 114,420.00

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

Forum Pacific GT Capital House of Inv. JG Summit Holdings Jolliville Holdings Keppel Holdings `A’ Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp.

Lopez Holdings Corp.

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

MJCI Investments Inc. Pacifica `A’ Prime Media Hldg Prime Orion Republic Glass ‘A’ San Miguel Corp `A’ SM Investments Inc. Solid Group Inc. South China Res. Inc. Top Frontier Transgrid Wellex Industries Zeus Holdings 8990 HLDG A. Brown Co., Inc. Anchor Land Holdings Inc. Araneta Prop `A’ Arthaland Corp.

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

Double Dragon Empire East Land Ever Gotesco Filinvest Land,Inc. Global-Estate Interport `A’ Megaworld MRC Allied Ind. Phil. Estates Corp.

Phil. Realty `A’ Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry

7.340 1.03 15.30 2.020 0.820 40.800 3.38 4.79 6 6 0.460 1.02 0.960 0.232 0.425 27.9 0.620 0.119 1.65 1.29 1.10 4.9 0.650 0.4300 0.520 29.05

24,060,100 12,742,000 96,100 224,000 4,660,000 41,747,800 664,000 1,526,000 13,037,000 2,300 94,970,000 96,000 846,000 17,310,000 780,000 4,497,800 1,661,000 870,000 28,457,000 3,409,000 38,230,000 118,456,000 231,323,000 5,620,000 14,219,000 100

PROPERTY 174,969,260.00 13,104,770.00 1,429,030.00 451,500.00 3,732,350.00 1,709,875,310.00 2,257,140.00 7,165,610.00 76,932,956.00 13,800.00 42,663,950.00 97,380.00 814,230.00 3,983,960.00 334,400.00 128,020,270.00 1,030,500.00 101,670.00 45,942,560.00 4,322,650.00 44,413,480.00 580,105,870.00 150,049,580.00 2,439,950.00 7,319,340.00 2,905.00

MAY 28-JUNE 1, 2018 Close Volume Value 59 131.00 99.00 2.88 1.50 33.85 6.7 16.56 15 3.58 9.72 0.66 1.52 900.00 0.540 79.85 1.07 12.38 20.30 51.00 86.7 105.3 207.8 37.9 194 1940.00 89.00 1.19

96,890 13,606,120 9,953,710 226,200 653,000 427,900 5,300 43,100 3,631,000 274,000 7,200 5,000 9,000 110 3,139,000 38,680,700 1,990,000 212,200 1,300 1,377,260 130 340 8,860 962,800 2,264,550 1,545 305,200 523,000

5,697,397.50 1,760,459,946.00 971,220,989.50 2,082,170.00 988,830.00 14,476,130.00 36,138.00 712,358.00 54,273,560.00 981,780.00 65,436.00 3,300.00 13,670.00 94,025.00 1,644,710.00 2,192,383,592.50 2,117,130.00 2,629,680.00 26,395.00 70,363,060.00 11,271.00 36,555.00 1,822,708.00 35,309,235.00 434,689,648.00 3,012,400.00 27,232,526.50 622,900.00

38.95 14.34 0.58 1.28 19.98 0.227 114.5 23.80 3.1 16.4 220 50 61.05 87.95 53 1.92 5 9 10.940 15.98 11.86 7.18 5.35 1.65 14.98 62 20.75 8.75 15.48 2.050 283.80

7,437,300 5,911,200 5,634,000 12,686,000 353,200 9,490,000 990 80,200 17,196,000 1,939,200 330 2,895,070 9,720 320 1,260,050 582,000 803,200 373,400 16,121,900 4,446,900 1,139,300 3,257,900 20,828,400 7,000 3,815,600 376,800 407,000 367,500 11,401,600 5,061,000 5,346,460

288,389,830.00 84,148,688.00 3,314,700.00 16,661,090.00 6,982,589.00 2,132,170.00 113,323.00 1,897,545.00 52,202,650.00 32,659,638.00 76,696.00 145,362,217.00 604,641.00 27,407.50 69,267,428.00 1,119,750.00 4,016,000.00 3,475,727.00 175,876,346.00 70,799,636.00 13,180,232.00 23,390,573.00 109,307,086.00 11,660.00 56,107,196.00 23,783,109.50 8,054,439.00 3,228,594.00 177,239,160.00 10,462,620.00 1,486,168,032.00

5.1 3.23 17.50 28 12.5 22.3 0.178 334.80 6.58 2.2 4.35 8.75 5.95 7.86 1.40 12.80 49.65 6 4.61 2.72 3.5 1.76 12.8 66.5 5.5 0.133 0.94 128.8 2.62 2.97

504,300 25,000 27,500 11,505,800 497,600 12,374,400 2,660,000 3,282,640 90,000 7,292,000 325,000 13,075,400 3,129,200 122,200 2,214,000 279,300 3,425,710 348,000 393,000 10,036,000 454,000 1,242,000 2,902,000 1,938,500 8,658,200 3,040,000 1,167,000 7,191,040 149,000 63,125,000

2,538,212.00 80,610.00 499,196.00 311,075,275.00 6,366,588.00 277,872,110.00 474,480.00 919,739,008.00 590,078.00 17,128,560.00 1,377,430.00 116,751,471.00 18,781,832.00 966,426.00 3,098,620.00 3,518,524.00 171,742,200.50 2,093,815.00 1,813,880.00 27,092,900.00 1,677,090.00 2,152,960.00 36,864,978.00 133,264,363.50 48,417,884.00 409,720.00 1,104,010.00 931,144,464.00 374,570.00 190,329,490.00

0.82

10,711,000

8,700,380.00

0.206 63.00 13.06 0.89 6.18 0.690 0.700 960 6.4 10.90 4.97 7.65 0.200 978 6.50 58.00 5.2 5.73 0.56 4.09 20.35 0.570 4.79

30,980,000 23,325,710 35,615,000 244,000 392,900 61,814,000 13,665,000 2,037,680 5,123,500 39,482,700 5,000 25,100 1,190,000 688,195 17,700 16,222,080 500 32,800 2,294,000 69,194,000 10,363,500 2,736,000 204,833,000

6,631,790.00 1,363,652,868.50 468,772,896.00 216,770.00 2,435,199.00 42,395,030.00 9,612,780.00 1,914,184,775.00 32,111,839.00 422,877,316.00 22,480.00 188,454.00 236,180.00 673,914,995.00 115,172.00 931,527,461.00 2,554.00 177,137.00 1,323,390.00 273,059,400.00 216,946,735.00 1,558,130.00 962,908,730.00

0.0370 1.330 2.870 2.90 142.00 906.50 1.60 0.84 266.000 570.00 0.2310 0.220

46,600,000 68,654,000 12,862,000 37,000 1,185,220 1,864,170 708,000 112,000 23,920 710 9,410,000 1,310,000

1,713,500.00 97,695,250.00 38,634,650.00 107,300.00 169,058,137.00 1,615,093,000.00 1,128,220.00 90,180.00 6,290,470.00 387,980.00 2,142,970.00 272,530.00

7.300 1.01 14.02 2.010 0.790 40.550 3.38 4.71 5.8 6 0.435 1.00 0.960 0.226 0.420 28.9 0.630 0.120 1.62 1.27 1.10 4.9 0.620 0.4550 0.520 29.05

13,076,900 18,925,000 18,300 131,000 2,372,000 60,673,400 737,000 4,797,000 48,062,700 13,200 38,370,000 227,000 1,582,000 25,500,000 270,000 3,691,400 2,321,000 230,000 43,152,000 4,947,000 6,366,000 95,193,000 301,850,000 13,240,000 14,786,000 2,200

96,160,872.00 18,994,780.00 254,700.00 264,370.00 1,871,640.00 2,451,788,515.00 2,502,010.00 22,778,920.00 284,717,203.00 85,968.00 16,596,400.00 239,850.00 1,514,640.00 5,873,860.00 114,750.00 109,032,730.00 1,446,790.00 27,160.00 68,312,990.00 6,235,400.00 6,788,890.00 456,317,790.00 285,126,870.00 5,863,100.00 7,552,870.00 63,850.00

STOCKS

JUNE 4-8, 2018 Close Volume

MAY 28-JUNE 1, 2018 Close Volume Value

Value

Primex Corp.

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

2.6 20.35 2.08 3.25 37.70 1.09 9.98 0.800 6.960

24,035,000 16,002,800 1,030,000 284,000 37,539,800 2,727,000 7,323,700 174,000 15,711,600

63,502,070.00 327,803,964.00 2,099,690.00 923,770.00 1,414,711,525.00 2,980,030.00 72,858,538.00 142,510.00 107,143,978.00

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

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

Manila Broadcasting Manila Jockey Melco Crown Metro Retail MetroAlliance A MetroAlliance B NOW Corp.

Pacific Online Sys. Corp.

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

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

SSI Group STI Holdings Transpacific Broadcast Travellers Waterfront Phils.

Wilcon Depot

15.86 26.4 1.33 0.510 0.045 13 4.99 10.98 0.0550 87 8.8 7.62 7.20 2.29 19.46 950 1660 5.58 311.80 12.50 3.90 86.95 2.35 13.02 8.21 0.117 1.6200 3.95 15.04 4.09 1.06 25.35 17.12 4.29 5.52 2.98 2.86 2.86 9.950 11.76 9.05 2.9 8.11 123.00 5.20 1319.00 0.360 0.970 47.90 87.80 9.00 2.11 1.270 0.43 5.02 0.840 11.960

93,100 790,600 38,000 64,890,000 23,400,000 7,002,700 29,100 48,611,500 63,020,000 2,154,030 22,800 3,901,300 161,300 33,000 890,500 16,520 263,380 1,137,100 49,550 21,700 4,323,000 14,329,350 192,000 13,100 44,300 13,740,000 12,106,000 3,901,000 5,900 7,670,000 4,245,000 2,175,300 3,200 139,000 16,475,800 4,911,000 75,609,000 9,324,000 64,442,900 1,700 91,200 70,000 200 332,470 1,844,800 420,135 5,650,000 22,503,000 2,617,200 1,089,120 21,250,900 8,590,000 42,663,000 39,340,000 55,688,000 18,420,000 26,309,100

SERVICES 1,438,062.00 20,804,890.00 50,740.00 32,837,250.00 1,054,000.00 88,330,876.00 147,334.00 536,385,178.00 3,517,080.00 190,739,980.00 200,660.00 29,309,448.00 1,159,534.00 74,790.00 17,189,381.00 15,730,840.00 431,477,910.00 6,399,451.00 15,240,780.00 271,250.00 16,465,630.00 1,232,670,330.00 419,120.00 172,828.00 363,582.00 1,580,680.00 19,352,850.00 16,534,460.00 88,826.00 30,916,490.00 4,540,810.00 55,373,575.00 58,654.00 577,790.00 92,352,673.00 14,700,310.00 250,114,560.00 29,971,500.00 666,418,701.00 19,874.00 833,626.00 205,440.00 1,622.00 41,467,415.00 9,725,453.00 546,600,865.00 2,044,000.00 22,284,380.00 124,086,315.00 95,795,072.50 180,700,730.00 18,393,500.00 52,554,720.00 16,886,950.00 271,911,590.00 15,357,200.00 313,709,958.00

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

United Paragon

0.0027 1.60 4.48 28.70 1.4500 1.69 7.280 7.28 2.300 0.195 0.136 0.135 0.009 0.0080 1.52 5.04 1.12 0.5200 0.9000 0.0130 0.0120 5.30 13.04 0.0120 2.0500 30.00 0.0062

MINING & OIL 1,285,000,000 3,690,700.00 10,177,020 11,763,290.00 308,000 1,324,330.00 2,054,100 67,136,459.00 1,000 1,450.00 4,168,000 7,081,640.00 1,410,100 422,678.00 1,200 8,744.00 21,028,000 48,433,910.00 3,940,000 734,090.00 11,730,000 1,552,610.00 6,190,000 815,110.00 14,000,000 119,300.00 6,000,000 48,800.00 1,596,000 2,471,500.00 4,606,000 22,486,910.00 374,000 404,140.00 348,000 186,170.00 1,038,000 921,910.00 1,533,100,000 19,411,000.00 2,200,000 27,300.00 3,265,300 43,032,158.00 12,818,400 172,890,550.00 105,900,000 1,202,600.00 26,000 52,720.00 18,000,600 538,710,000.00 21,000,000 129,200.00

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

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

25.1 101.1 499 508 101 106 109 505 515 5.4 961 970 100 1.07 103 1021 1030 102.8 111 970 77 79.85 76 76.5 77 76.7 77 76 2

1,153,600 1,000 40,860 17,890 43,080 270 82,710 10,900 1,100 1,381,000 23,240 40,810 860 1,861,000 10,040 6,700 11,550 14,620 16,030 16,100 1,770 63,650 100,010 27,970 125,540 161,610 37,600 76,650 1,000

LR Warrant

2.480

WARRANTS & BONDS 2,161,000 5,226,920.00

Italpinas Xurpas

5.12 3.28

2,852,700 3,797,000

First Metro ETF USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2 USD TECH B2

2.67 20.70 2.05 3.28 37.20 1.1 10.12 0.780 6.950

24,137,000 23,931,800 1,689,000 230,000 146,477,000 6,953,000 41,146,400 618,000 23,208,900

63,394,860.00 498,453,163.00 3,465,080.00 750,100.00 5,446,759,445.00 7,638,140.00 542,366,956.00 503,200.00 155,696,722.00

15.5 26.3 1.38 0.460 0.047 12.98 5.41 10.36 0.0540 88.9 8.8 7.45 7.70 2.24 18.50 910 1583 5.68 309.80 12.50 3.80 83.35 2.15 13 8.21 0.114 1.4100 3.75 15.04 4.21 1.08 25.65 18.80 4.16 5.75 3.00

284,800 326,900 105,000 13,350,000 21,400,000 600,300 3,500 82,461,700 30,470,000 388,670 7,400 7,594,000 7,600 18,000 2,023,700 360 262,310 1,857,200 415,340 100 4,528,000 12,225,580 88,000 36,000 16,700 3,230,000 1,759,000 572,000 33,900 4,765,000 9,457,000 8,514,000 18,200 236,000 10,538,700 1,283,000

4,452,316.00 8,710,805.00 139,490.00 6,117,300.00 961,200.00 7,582,416.00 18,340.00 898,977,442.00 1,652,530.00 34,355,703.50 65,120.00 57,151,078.00 57,347.00 39,930.00 40,476,017.00 327,600.00 411,662,420.00 10,541,384.00 133,959,630.00 1,250.00 17,962,430.00 1,022,765,636.50 183,770.00 468,680.00 136,595.00 362,820.00 2,398,660.00 2,142,080.00 511,946.00 20,281,250.00 10,291,800.00 221,935,900.00 333,232.00 962,150.00 60,010,599.00 3,843,230.00

9.740 11.34 9.56 2.85 8.11 130.00 5.50 1295.00 0.370 1.010 46.75 89.00 8.19 2.14 1.170 0.435 4.82 0.830 11.420

177,634,700 6,100 38,000 150,000 700 29,450 1,597,200 767,945 8,700,000 22,850,000 1,987,000 1,657,750 2,662,300 3,012,000 2,640,000 250,900,000 30,039,000 8,171,000 5,736,200

1,868,043,624.00 71,458.00 353,549.00 436,890.00 5,677.00 3,773,883.00 8,961,409.00 996,053,175.00 3,102,500.00 22,880,750.00 93,212,535.00 146,962,678.50 21,008,079.00 6,509,540.00 3,096,030.00 119,569,250.00 145,801,480.00 6,685,500.00 64,154,266.00

0.0028 1.59 4.36 19.80

332,000,000 11,128,000 57,000 110,500

913,000.00 17,715,300.00 238,470.00 2,197,290.00

1.7 0.300 7.45 2.440 0.182 0.135 0.135 0.009 0.0083 1.51 4.82 1.11 0.5400 0.9000 0.0120

3,056,000 450,000 9,100 10,779,000 1,520,000 3,130,000 2,309,000 2,000,000 33,000,000 2,130,000 8,711,000 297,000 530,000 1,428,000 58,300,000

5,196,280.00 133,450.00 66,185.00 25,954,490.00 273,280.00 421,560.00 328,620.00 17,000.00 292,000.00 3,246,400.00 41,935,790.00 324,850.00 272,360.00 1,233,470.00 700,700.00

5.28 12.68 0.0120 2.0200 28.75 0.0062

1,686,400 14,298,500 314,400,000 183,000 4,788,100 2,000,000

8,729,074.00 179,190,730.00 3,759,500.00 370,210.00 136,457,430.00 12,500.00

25 105 499 515 100.5 106 107 505 518 5.43 881 980 100.2 1.05 103.5 1022 1030 103

1,401,800 1,030 7,170 11,050 196,110 1,110 36,740 22,570 14,020 1,434,000 4,210 5,820 1,980 317,000 108,180 1,000 1,050 1,080

35,910,290.00 104,248.00 3,584,800.00 5,563,260.00 19,802,880.00 118,270.00 3,931,359.00 11,397,850.00 7,034,925.00 7,810,233.00 3,527,480.00 5,731,340.00 195,869.00 332,910.00 11,198,293.00 1,022,000.00 1,077,140.00 111,240.00

993 77 79.95 75.3

700 29,370 178,590 612,120

682,130.00 2,232,247.50 14,112,169.50 46,081,953.00

78 76.5 77 77 2

56,610 183,580 7,700 431,400 11,000

4,339,850.00 14,026,409.00 592,900.00 33,295,215.00 22,150.00

2.550

1,438,000

3,627,810.00

SME 14,309,782.00 12,285,210.00

5.09 3.25

7,814,000 18,235,000

41,199,033.00 58,800,530.00

115.4

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 125,320 14,358,858.00

117

75,530

8,777,877.00

10 10 1.02

DOLLAR DENONIMATED SEC. 20,390 205,306.00 1,100 11,000.00 100,000 102,000.00

10.2 10.28 1.02

19,550 5,540 25,000

197,232.20 56,851.20 25,500.00

PREFERRED 29,016,815.00 101,100.00 20,244,524.00 9,197,895.00 4,351,011.00 28,620.00 9,058,100.00 5,573,500.00 566,500.00 7,525,388.00 22,338,185.00 39,777,835.00 84,802.00 1,947,310.00 1,025,235.00 6,840,700.00 11,896,500.00 1,500,530.00 1,779,330.00 15,740,455.00 136,282.00 5,028,751.50 7,579,128.50 2,139,705.00 9,750,680.00 12,367,430.00 2,872,520.00 5,896,100.00 2,000.00

WEEKLY MOST TRADED STOCKS Oriental Pet. `A’ Abra Mining Abacus Cons. `A’ MRC Allied Ind. Vulcan Ind’l.

Megaworld Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

Philodrill Corp. `A’ Century Property MetroAlliance A

VOLUME 1,533,100,000 1,285,000,000 596,340,000 231,323,000 213,056,000 118,456,000 111,103,300 105,900,000 94,970,000 75,609,000

STOCKS Metrobank Ayala Land `B’ SM Prime Holdings Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Ayala Corp `A’ I.C.T.S.I. Jollibee Foods Corp.

GT Capital Bank of PI Universal Robina

VALUE 1,874,286,864.00 1,709,875,310.00 1,414,711,525.00 1,343,156,322.00 1,232,702,900.00 1,232,670,330.00 1,090,484,760.00 768,820,867.50 736,944,688.00 698,402,994.00

PH plans air talks with Switzerland and India

By Darwin G Amojelar THE Philippines plans to hold air talks with India, Papua New Guinea and Switzerland this year to expand air traffic rights, the Civil Aeronautics Board said over the weekend.

CAB executive director Carmelo Arcilla said the Philippine air panel would finalize the dates for the separate air talks with the three countries.

The Philippine negotiating panel is composed of officials from the CAB, Departments of Transportation, Tourism and Foreign Affairs, as well as from Clark International Airport Corp. and representatives of local airline companies.

“The most critical is India because its a big market,” Arcilla said.

Philippine Airlines earlier filed with the CAB for the resumption of flights to India, while Air Asia and Cebu Pacific filed for flight entitlements to India.

Data from the Department of Tourism showed that the number of tourists from India rose 18.3 percent to 107,278 visitors last year from 90,816 visitors in 2016.

Arcilla added the Philippine air panel would also hold separate air talks with Papua New Guinea and Switzerland in the coming months.

The number of visitors from Switzerland to the Philippines last year, according to DoT, reached 29,837 from 29,420 visitors in 2016. Papua New Guinea visitors rose 4.8 percent to 8,110 last year from 7,738 in 2016.

The top markets for the Philippines are South Korea with 1.60 million, followed by China, 968,447; United States of America, 957,813; Japan, 584,180; Australia, 259,433; Canada, 200,640; United Kingdom,182,708; Singapore, 168,637 and Malaysia, 143,566.

Other high-growth markets include Hong Kong, 111,135; New Zealand, 28,983; Germany, 85,431; France, 64, 777; Saudi Arabia, 54,716 and Netherlands, 33,821.

Ortigas tower posts P8-b sales —Global Estate GLOBAL-Estate Resorts Inc., a unit of Megaworld Corp., said it generated P8 billion in sales from the soon-tobe-launched new residential development in its Renaissance complex along Meralco Avenue, Ortigas Center in Pasig City.

The project, to be called The Fifth, is a 36-story residential condominium within the Renaissance community slated for completion by 2024.

The Fifth will offer units ranging from a studio room of up to 37 square meters in area, one bedroom with a maximum of 86 sq. m., two-bedroom units of up to 137 sq. m. and a threebedroom unit with a maximum of 229 sq. m. All units will have their own balconies offering cityscape views of Ortigas, Quezon City and the Antipolo hills.

“The Fifth will offer unique amenities that allow young professionals, start-up families and even millennials find time to slow down and relax at the end of each busy day. We are very excited about this new residential community,” Megaworld Global-Estate Inc. head of sales and marketing Karen Arcilla said.

The project is strategically located right beside St. Paul’s College-Pasig and just less than five minutes away from the Asian Institute of Management, Poveda College, University of Asia and the Pacific and The Medical City.

It boasts of recreational amenities exclusive for its residents, including the Sky Lounge and Viewing Decks, Cabanas, Al Fresco Bar, Lounging and Yoga Deck, outdoor playground, children’s playroom, fitness center, swimming pool, whirlpool bathtubs, function hall, coffee shop, spa and a CoLab Working Space.

GERI in 2017 posted a net income of P1.6 billion, up 45 percent from a year ago level. Over 70 percent of its income still come from residential sales.

The company is beefing up commercial and retail spaces across its tourism and leisure townships in the country in line with a target to generate P650 million in recurring revenues by 2020.

Jenniffer B. Austria

Manila

Standard

TODAY

extrastory2000@gmail.com

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2018 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Business/World

B3

Trump’s trade fury torpedoes G7 summit Moscow not running show Q in war-torn Syria—Assad DAMASCUS―Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad denied Moscow is running the show in his war-torn country, saying in an interview released Sunday his government operates independently of its Russian and Iranian allies.

In a wide-ranging interview in Damascus with the Mail on Sunday, Assad slammed the United States and British military actions in Syria as “colonial” while praising supporter Russia.

“We’ve had good relations with Russia for more than six decades now, nearly seven decades. They never, during our relation, try to dictate, even if there are differences,” he told the British newspaper.

Assad admitted his government has disagreed with Russia and Iran throughout the country’s seven-year conflict.

“That’s very natural, but at the end the only decision about what’s going on in Syria and what’s going to happen, it’s a Syrian decision,” he said.

Moscow intervened militarily in Syria’s conflict in 2015, when Assad’s forces were struggling to hold territory against rebel fighters.

Russian air strikes and military advisors have since helped regime troops seize back more than half the country.

Tehran, too, has sent military advisors to Syria, but Assad has denied that Iranian troops are on the ground.

Iran’s regional foe, Israel, has repeatedly warned it will not accept an entrenched Iranian presence in Syria.

It is suspected of carrying out numerous raids on Syrian government positions over the years, and last month announced unprecedented strikes on what it said were Tehran-operated bases in Syria.

In his interview, Assad denied Moscow had ever had prior knowledge of such strikes, despite close cooperation between Israel and Russia. AFP

Creative campuses, anyone?

MORE than a decade ago, education expert Robinson posed this GLORIFE SAMODIO Ken controversial question in a TED talk: “Do schools kill creativity?”

He observed how educational institutions are being run based on outdated paradigms which influence students to merely conform and memorize lessons. Fast forward to the present: we in the academe still ask ourselves if we are still “killing” our students’ creativity, especially here in the Philippines. Scholars and industry practitioners have already identified creativity as one of the 21st century “literacies” and skills needed by young people. They believe that if academic institutions are serious in preparing students for the real world, educational systems must also be reformed to center on building creativity, and to keep up with the demands of today’s active learners. In the US and the UK, the concept of the “creative campus” emerged.

Scholars and advocates of creativity from the University of Alabama define creative campuses as those that allow students to experience creativity and sharpen the skills needed in today’s knowledge-based economy. Such campuses emphasize the value of fresh ideas and nurturing relationships. Unfortunately, in the Philippines, only a few institutions give premium to creativity. For some, creativity may be part of their organizations’ vision and mission statements and strategies, but is not practiced in the day-to-day operations, nor supported through infrastructure and institutional policies. This is the reality for most educational institutions in the country, especially those that do not offer tracks or courses engaged in the creative and cultural industries.

On the other hand, there are now attempts from the government sector to emphasize creativity in the fields of business and education.

The Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022 includes directions on advancing Filipino creativity and ensuring that learners can appreciate the importance of inventiveness and creativity. In the discussions during the Asean Creative Cities Forum 2017, experts expressed the need for more relevant engagements between the academe and the industry in terms of cultivating creativity among the younger generation, as the region pushes for the development of a sustainable creative ecosystem.

In recent years, the Asean youth has greatly contributed to the booming of the creative industries in the region. As a result of various efforts in the formal and non-formal modes of education, Asean youth channeled their creative talents in coming up with highly marketable products and services in animation, film making, game design and mobile app design. With these prospects in the creative industry, the education sector in several Asean countries responded to ensure the relevance of their curricula with industry practices, while aspiring to foster the artistic skills of the youth and inculcating the mastery of various cultural expressions.

In the Philippines, the National Commission on Culture and the Arts came up with the Philippine Cultural Education Program in 2003. In recent years, the educational system has shifted to K-12, which brought about the enhancement of the culture and arts curricula. This provided more opportunities for young artists to hone their talents, with the Special Program for the Arts, and the Arts and Design track for senior high school. This was coupled by the efforts of the Technical Education Skills Development Authority, and some colleges and universities with their culture and arts-related course offerings.

With these trends, the case for our educational institutions to provide conducive environments that incubate their students’ creativity has become more imminent. Academe-based creativity and cultural programs should be planned and implemented vis-à-vis the vision, policies and programs of the government to create greater socio-economic impact.

The application of creativity on the academic and co-academic programs should now be clearly observed in campus; campus infrastructures should reflect—aside from its expected function—the spirit of innovation and artistry. Institutional culture should espouse diversity, collaboration and openness to failure.

To further establish the culture of creativity in educational institutions, cross-disciplinary works and student artist-faculty partnerships should be encouraged. The perspective of fusing disciplines, such as science and art, are now becoming a norm in academe-based researches, discussions and even in artistic productions. Inter-disciplinary concepts have lately elicited interest and discourse from academics, convincing them to be more open for partnerships with co-academic sectors in generating ideas for projects and researches. However, support is needed from academic administrators to inspire these types of endeavors.

Building a creative campus environment is a herculean task, as it involves the proper grounding and education of all the stakeholders on the value of creativity in our lives—from school administrators, teachers, staff, students and even parents. Unless we consciously change our paradigms and take serious action in the academic sector, we will all be guilty of continuously killing the creativity of the Filipino youth and the possibilities of an innovative future for our country.

GREEN LIGHT

Glorife Samodio is a Doctor of Business Administration student of De La Salle University, where she also serves as director of the Culture and Arts Office. She is the founding president of the Association of Cultural Offices in Philippine Educational Institutions Inc. For comments or reactions, she may be reached at glorife_samodio@dlsu.edu.ph. The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty, and its administrators.

UEBEC CITY―The G7 summit ended in a farce and a renewed threat of a global trade war on Saturday as US President Donald Trump abruptly rejected the text of a consensus statement and bitterly insulted the Canadian host.

Just minutes after a joint communique that had been approved by the leaders of the Group of Seven allies was published in Canada’s summit host city Quebec, Trump launched a Twitter broadside from aboard Air Force One. The US leader left the meeting early en route to Singapore and a historic nuclear summit with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, only to take exception to the comments made by Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at a news conference.

“Based on Justin’s false statements at his news conference, and the fact that Canada is charging massive Tariffs to our US farmers, workers and companies, I have instructed our US Reps not to endorse the Communique as we look at Tariffs on automobiles flooding the US Market!” Trump tweeted.

“PM Justin Trudeau of Canada

acted so meek and mild during our @G7 meetings only to give a news conference after I left saying that ... he ‘will not be pushed around.’ Very dishonest & weak.”

Earlier, Trudeau had told reporters that Trump’s decision to invoke national security to justify US tariffs on steel and aluminum imports was “kind of insulting” to the Canadian veterans who had stood by their US allies in conflicts dating back to World War I. “Canadians are polite and reasonable but we will also not be pushed around,” he said.

Trudeau said he had told Trump “it would be with regret but it would be with absolute clarity and firmness that we move forward with retaliatory measures on July 1, applying equivalent tariffs to the ones that the Americans have unjustly applied to us.”

After Trump’s angry tweets, Trudeau’s office issued a brief

Republic of the Philippines Department of Health CENTRAL OFFICE BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE

InvItatIon to BId Procurement of varIous Goods

response: “We are focused on everything we accomplished here at the G7 summit. The Prime Minister said nothing he hasn’t said before—both in public, and in private conversations with the President.”

The outburst against Trudeau, and by association the other members of the G7 group, is

only the latest incident in which Trump has clashed with America’s closest allies, even as he has had warm words for autocrats like Kim and Russia’s Vladimir Putin.

This has raised concerns at home and abroad, and shortly after Trump tweeted respected Republican Senator John McCain responded. AFP

FINANCING, REHABILITATION, DEVELOPMENT, EXPANSION IMPROVEMENT, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF BOAC, MARINDUQUE The Municipality of Boac (“The Municipality”), created under the Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, states that the local government, as a territorial and political subdivision, enjoys local autonomy and fiscal autonomy. Thus, local governments have the power to create their own sources of revenue in addition to their equitable share in the national taxes as well as the power to allocate their resources in accordance with their own priorities. Under this principle, The Municipality subjected its Municipal Waterworks (“The Waterworks”) to a feasibility study in lieu of its goal in improving the efficiency and delivery of various water services in the municipality.

The Municipality now invites interested Private Sector Participants (PSPs) to submit bid proposals for the above-captioned Project. The Municipality is in search of a Private Sector Partner to undertake the project under a Concession Agreement as the legal framework compliant to the municipality’s local PPP Code. The winning PSP shall FINANCE, REHABILITATE, DEVELOP, EXPAND, IMPROVE, OPERATE AND MAINTAIN THE WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF BOAC, MARINDUQUE subject to the detailed terms and conditions stated in the Tender Documents.

Name of Project:

FINANCING, REHABILITATION, DEVELOPMENT, EXPANSION IMPROVEMENT, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF BOAC, MARINDUQUE

Location of Project:

Municipality of Boac, Marinduque

Project Description:

This project involves a Concession Agreement between the municipality of Boac and the winning bidder for the Financing, Rehabilitation, Expansion, Improvement, Operation and Maintenance of the Water Supply System in the Municipality of Boac.

Application for eligibility shall be evaluated based on a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion.

An IPP shall be considered eligible upon compliance with the following minimum qualification requirements: 1.

Legal Eligibility

1.1 The IPP must be either of the following:

1. The Department of Health (DOH), through the General Appropriations Act of 2018 intends to procure the following project listed below: IB No.

Name of Contract

IB No. 2018-077-A IB No. 2018-270 IB No. 2018-271

ABC (PHP)

Procurement of Filgrastim 300mcg Injection – Re-Bid 14,457,080.00 Procurement of Sofosbuvir 400mg Tablet 70,125,000.00 Procurement of Daclatasvir 60mg Tablet 49,500,000.00

Cost of Bidding Documents (Php)

a. b. c.

25,000.00 50,000.00 25,000.00

2. The DOH now invites Bids from eligible Bidders for the procurement of the above-caption projects. Delivery of the Goods is required as specified in Section VI. Schedule of Requirements. Bidders should have completed contracts similar to the cited projects as stated in the ITB. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

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

1.2 If the IPP is a Consortium, each member of the Consortium must be disclosed during the pre-qualification stage and the Lead Member thereof must be specifically identified. For this purpose, the Lead Member must have at least fifty one (51%) equity interest in the Consortium, and the total percentage interest of all Consortium Member must be one hundred percent (100%).

2.

4. Interested bidders may obtain further information from the COBAC Secretariat, Ground Floor, Building 6, DOH, San Lazaro Compound, Rizal Avenue, Sta. Cruz, Manila and inspect the Bidding Documents at 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday.

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS), provided that Bidders who interested to participate shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

5. The DOH will hold a Pre-bidding Conference and the Submission and Opening of Bids at COBAC Conference Room, G/F, Bldg. 6, DOH, San Lazaro Cmpd., Rizal Ave., Sta. Cruz, Manila on the schedule given below: IB No.

Name of Contract

IB No. 2018077-A IB No. 2018-270 IB No. 2018-271

Procurement of Filgrastim 300mcg Injection – Re-Bid

Activity (Date & Time) Pre-bidding Submission and Conference Opening of Bids

3.

3.1

4.

Financial Eligibility The IPP should have the capability to finance the completion of the entire project supported by financial documents which will form part of the financial proposal.

A letter from a domestic universal/commercial bank, or an international bank with a subsidiary/branch in the Philippines, or any international bank recognized by the BangkoSentralngPilipinas (BSP), attesting that the IPP is one of its current clients, and is in good financial standing.

Additional eligibility criteria are specified in the instruction to IPPs. Only those IPPs that are deemed eligible shall be entitled to submit bid proposal, which must be in accordance with the instructions contained in bid documents.

The PPP Prequalification Bids and Awards Committee shall evaluate the proposals usingThe Quality Based Evaluation/Selection (QBE/QBS) procedure.

The criteria and rating system for the evaluation of the proposals shall be provided in the instruction to IPPs. The following procedure, schedule and instructions shall be strictly observed:

Activity Submission of signed Letter of Intent (LOI), purchase of Volume I of the Tender Documents for a nonrefundable fee of Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php50,000.00) and submission of Eligibility Documents Deadline for written clarifications for volume I Deadline of feedback to PSPs clarifications for volume I Deadline for Submission of Eligibility Documents Opening and Evaluation of Eligibility Documents including determination of eligible/ineligible PSP

June 2018; Procurement of Sofosbuvir 1910:00 A.M. 400mg Tablet Procurement of Daclatasvir 60mg Tablet

03 July 2018; 9:00 A.M.

6. Bid must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before the date given above. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated below: Form of Bid Security

Technical Eligibility

2.1 The IPP must have completed a similar or related project within the last ten (10) years. For this purpose, the total project cost is equal to Three Hundred Twenty Seven Million Six Hundred Thirty Six Thousand Six Hundred Seventeen Pesos and Ninety One Centavos (MPhp 327,636,617.91).

3.2

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183.

A duly licensed sole proprietorship owned by a Filipino citizen; or A partnership or corporation created pursuant to the Corporation Code of the Philippines and registered with the SEC A consortium of two or more entities with at least sixty percent (60%) of both voting and non-voting interest in the said Consortium being owned and held, by citizens of the Philippines and/or by Philippine registered corporation at least 60% of both the total number of outstanding shares of stock, whether or not entitled to vote in the election of directors are owned by the Philippine nationals.

Amount of Bid Security (Not less than the required percentage of the ABC)

(a) Cash or cashier’s/manager’s check issued by a Universal or Commercial Bank. (b) Bank draft/guarantee or irrevocable letter of credit issued by a Universal or Commercial Bank: Provided, however, that it shall be confirmed or authenticated by a Universal or Commercial Bank, if issued by a foreign bank. (c) Surety bond callable upon demand issued by a surety or insurance company duly certified by the Insurance Commission as authorized to issue such security. (d) Bid Securing Declaration

Two percent (2%)

Five percent (5%) No percentage required

Bid opening shall be at COBAC Conference Room, G/F, Bldg. 6, DOH, San Lazaro Cmpd., Rizal Ave., Sta. Cruz, Manila. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address above. Late bids shall not be accepted.

7. The DOH reserves the right to reject any and all Bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

8. For further information, please refer to: COBAC-A Secretariat Building 6 Department of Health San Lazaro Compound, Rizal Avenue, Sta. Cruz, Manila Tel. Nos. 651-7800 local 1625 to 1627; 1650 to 52 Facsimile No.: 711-6061/740-6830

Notification to Participants

Eligible

/

Ineligible

Period of Appeal

Schedule

Additional Instructions

June 04 - 22, 2018

The Eligibility Documents may be purchased ONLY from PPP PBAC Secretariat Office at the Kasilag St., BgyIsok I, Boac, Marinduque.

June 20, 2018 June 22, 2018

June 29, 2018

July 2-13, 2018

July 16-23, 2018

Time: 12:00 nn.

Philippine Standard Time (“PST”) Venue: Office of the PPP PBAC Chairman Kasilag St., BgyIsok I, Boac, Marinduque.

Time: 1:00 p.m. PST Venue: Office of the PBAC Secretariat at Kasilag St., BgyIsok I, Boac, Marinduque.

The PPP PBAC will notify eligible PSPs thru email and/or facsimile

July 25-31, 2018

Purchase of Volume II of the Tender Documents by PSPs declared “eligible “for non-refundable fee of One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 100,000.00), payable either in cash or Manager’s check.

Pre-selection conference

July 25-31, 2018

July 25, 2018

Tender Documents may be purchased from PPP PBAC Secretariat at Kasilag St., BgyIsok I, Boac, Marinduque.

Time: 9:00 a.m. PST Venue:PPP PBAC Secretariat office at Kasilag St., BgyIsok I, Boac, Marinduque.

Period of Preparation of Proposals July 25(Financial and Technical) October 26, 2018 Last day of submission of written queries/ August 31, 2018 clarifications Last day of Issuance of response to October 08, 2018 queries/clarifications Deadline for Submission of Proposals

October 26, 2018 Time: 12:00 nn PST

Time: 1:00 p.m. PST Opening of Comparative Technical October 26, 2018 Venue: PPP PBAC Secretariat Proposal (Preliminary Examination) office at Kasilag St., BgyIsok I, Boac, Marinduque.

Detailed Evaluation of Technical October 26 - 31, Proposals 2018 Notification to the PSPs who passed November 05, 2018 Notification from PPP PBAC shall or failed the Evaluation of Technical be through email and/or facsimile Proposal Time: 1:00 p.m. PST November 06, 2018 Venue: PPP PBAC Secretariat Opening of Financial Proposals office at Kasilag St., BgyIsok I, Boac, Marinduque.

November 06Evaluation of Financial Proposals 09,2018 Notification of the PSPs who passed and Novemeber 12, Notification from PBAC shall be failed the Financial Evaluation 2018 through email and/or facsimile The PPP PBAC will notify the November 12-16, winning PSP thru email and/or Notice of Award 2018 facsimile

For any queries and or clarifications, please address your communication in writing to the Chairperson of SBAC at the address indicated above or fax the same at (042) _______________ or email the same to _____________________________.

Municipality of Boac reserves the right to reject any or all submissions, waives any minor deviations, and award the contract for the Concession Project to the IPP whose financial proposal is the best among the qualified interested private proponent/ whose technical proposal are complying.

All proposals must be accompanied by a Bid Security in the form of cash, manager’s check, letter of credit, or bank draft/guarantee issued by a reputable local/foreign bank, or surety bond callable on demand issued by GSIS or an entity duly registered and recognized by the office of the Insurance Commissioner, or a combination thereof payable to the Municipality of Boac amounting to 2% of the total project cost.

Municipality of Boac assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify any IPP for the expenses incurred in the preparation of the bid proposal.

(SGD) NESTOR F. SANTIAGO, JR., MD, MPHC, MHSA, CESO III Assistant Secretary of Health COBAC – A Chairperson (MS-JUNE (MS-JUNE 11, 11, 2018) 2018)

(SGD) LCOL LUNA EULOGIO R MANRIQUE, ENP, MNSA, CESE Chairperson PPP PBAC (MS-JUNE (MS-JUNE 4, 4, 2018) 2018)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

LGUs

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

B4

LocaL government units

monday, june 11, 2018

By Rio N. Araja

Karla O’Hara crowned 2018 Miss Makati MAkATI Mayor Abby Binay has announced the winner of the search for Miss Makati 2018—karla O’Hara of Barangay Pio del Pilar—who bested 15 other candidates during the coronation ceremony held Saturday evening at the Circuit Makati Event Grounds in Makati.

Mayor Abby said the newly crowned Miss Makati 2018 will serve as the city’s ambassador of goodwill, representing the city and its advocacies and programs, such as women and youth empowerment, and helping promote Makati as the premier investment destination in the country.

“We are proud to present the new Miss Makati who embodies the qualities of the Makati woman: smart, innovative, graceful, confident and empowered. A woman of beauty and substance,” the mayor said.

O’Hara, 21, is a Mass Communications graduate from St. Louis University and is currently a freelance model. She describes herself as a positive person who always sees her glass half full.

Irina Cortez of Barangay Sta. Cruz was named Miss Makati Tourism 2018. She also won two special awards, the Best in Modern Filipiniana and Best in Long Gown.

Aya Frances Cruz of Barangay Rizal bagged the new Miss Makatizen title.

Miss Makati 2018 took home P200,000 as major cash prize, scholarship at Canadian Tourism and Hospitality Institute, various gift items and gift certificates worth thousands of pesos.

Miss Makati Tourism 2018 won P150,000 cash, scholarship at CTHI, and gift items and gift certificates.

Miss Makatizen won P100,000 cash, scholarship at CTHI, and gift items and gift certificates.

The first runner-up was Millen Cueto of Barangay West Rembo and second runner-up was Fatima Thamara Loong of Barangay South Cembo.

Dana Ashley Mayo of Barangay Cembo won two special awards, the Social Media Choice award, and the Best in Sportswear. Andrea Yap Diangco of Barangay San Antonio was chosen as Miss Photogenic while Maria kathleen Agulto of Barangay Guadalupe Nuevo was named as Miss Congeniality.

Now on its 28th year, the Miss Makati 2018 pageant was one of the highlights of the citywide celebration of the 348th foundation day of Makati. It was hosted by Robi Domingo and Stephany Stefanowitz.

The board of judges in this year’s pageant was chaired by Manny Blas II, Vice President of Ayala Land, Inc.; with members Gil Granado, President of the Fashion Designers Association of the Philippines or FDAP; Atty.

Mary Grace Arboladura, corporate counsel of Finex Management and a yoga teacher; and Jaimee Herrel, beauty queen and TV host.

QC declares June 15 as Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Karla O’Hara of Barangay Pio del Pilar, 21, shows the look that helped her beat 15 other candidates for the Miss Makati 2018 title during the coronation ceremony Saturday evening at the Circuit Makati Event Grounds in Makati.

Bigger cruise ships now docking at Subic

S

UBIC—The Subic Bay Freeport has entered the next level in its cruise ship tourism program, as bigger and more luxurious vessels began making port calls here this week.

MS Ovation of the Seas, the latest in the Quantum-class cruise vessels of the Royal Caribbean International cruise line, arrived here on Friday for its maiden port call.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma noted that the Ovation of the Seas was the biggest ship to ever dock in Subic in its long history as a naval facility.

“This ship is huge, even bigger than the so-called super-carriers of the US Navy that used to dock here when Subic was still a military base,” Eisma pointed out.

“So, as you can see, we have now taken this cruise ship program several notches higher. We started in February

this year with Costa Atlantica, which has a passenger capacity of just over 2,000, and now we have this—Ovation of the Seas with almost 5,000 passengers and crew,” she added.

“We are glad that in its own little way, Subic is able to help in the national government effort to raise tourist arrivals in the country and generate more income for local people,” Eisma said.

The Ovation of the Seas is an 18-decker ship that measures 348 meters long, has a gross tonnage of 168,666, a maximum occupancy of 4,905 passengers and, along with its sisters Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Sea, is considered the sixth biggest cruise ship in the world today.

To accommodate cruise ship passengers who wanted to visit tourist attractions in Subic and nearby communities last Friday, organizers had to field more than 50 tourist buses, the SBMA said.

Two days earlier, MS World Dream, owned by Genting Hong kong Ltd., also docked at Subic’s Alava Wharf for a day-long stay in Subic.

World Dream, which has a capacity of 3,400 passengers, is listed as the 19th biggest among the cruise ships in operation today.

Eisma said more cruise ships can be expected here, as the Subic agency is undertaking facility development projects to further improve port services, allow the handling of bigger maritime vessels, and boost port income.

She said the SBMA and the national government have allocated a total of P135.8 million for the port infrastructure development program.

THE 37-member Quezon City council, led by Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, has declared June 15 as “Quezon City’s Elder Abuse Awareness Day” in support of the United Nations’ efforts to address the maltreatment of older persons.

Belmonte backed Ordinance No. Sangguniang Panglungsod 2670 of 2018, saying it is only proper the city government and even the entire country join the international community in stopping any forms of abuse on the elderly.

“Elder abuse is happening in our country and sadly, it remains one of the least investigated types of violence. It is time that we at the city government step up the campaign against this problem,” she said.

The vice mayor said elder abuse is a global social issue affecting the health and human rights of millions of older persons around the world “and an issue which deserves the attention of the Quezon City government.”

Meanwhile, the city council has also approved Ordinance No. SP-2682, approving the release of an initial fund of P16 million to provide free antirabies shots to city residents.

“Rabies is regarded as a significant public health problem as it is 100-percent fatal, though 100-percent preventable,” Belmonte said.

P200m for Balili flood control project eyed

By Dexter A. See BAGUIO CITY—An inter-agency body says it needs P200 million to bankroll the Balili River Flood Control and River Park project that will help clean up a large portion of the river system which starts from Baguio City to Naguilian, La Union, apart from serving as an ecotourism destination in La Trinidad town.

Regional Director Reynaldo S. Digamo of the Cordillera office of the Environmental Management Bureau is waiting for the endorsements from the Administration Council of the Benguet State University and its Board of Regents for the Department of Public Works and Highways to include the funding of the project in its annual budget next year.

“We hope that BSU will be able to do its important role for the realization of the project because it will be a multi-approach in addressing pressing concerns not only on pollution but also in dealing with other problems of the locality,” Digamo stressed.

Among the major components of the multiyear project include the put up of flood control structures in critical portions of the river system that passes through the property of the State-run higher education institution, stone walling, put up of an eco-park, dredging of portions of the Balili river, put up of biked lanes and the construction of a road network geared towards helping ease the monstrous traffic congestions in the capital town’s main highway.

Cagayan farmers get irrigation job

TACLOBAN FIRE.

Leyte 1st District Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez, assisted

by Barangay 30 Chairwoman Arlene Hidalgo, visits the houses gutted by fire of 31 families living in that compound in Tacloban City.

Romualdez also visited their evacuation center at Tacloban City Training Center to distribute cash assistance to the families. Ver Noveno

By Ben Moses Ebreo ALCALA, Cagayan—The Department of Agrarian Reform recently turned-over a solar-powered irrigation system in barangay San Esteban here in a bid to increase agricultural productivity of farmers.

The solar-powered irrigation system will benefit the 35-member San Esteban Agrarian Reform Community in this town.

Rosalina Bistoyong, DAR undersecretary for support services, said the area was chosen because of its arid location.

“Some areas here are too dry or too barren to support vegetation. We are providing our farmers with this solarpowered irrigation because we know that this will greatly increase their production,” she said.

The irrigation system was funded under the DAR’s Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Project in partnership with the Department of Agriculture Bureau of Soils and Water Management.

The project includes community orientation, planning, and training on the operation of the project facility and installation of solar pump equipment.

SM City Marilao wins gold medal at 2018 Asia Pacific Stevie Awards

By Jun David SM City Marilao has won gold award and international recognition for “Innovation in Energy and Sustainability” during the 2018 Asia Pacific Stevie Awards held recently in Hong kong.

SM City Marilao’s 2017 e-LluminArt, as remembered, was an eco-friendly light installation at the mall that uses innovative approaches focusing on the theme of recycling, reducing energy consumption and sustainability.

The installation was created with energysaving lighting and recycled materials recovered from the Marilao River cleanup drive.

Curated for 2017 Earth’s Day with a cho-

sen theme “Environment and Climate Literacy”, e-LluminArt’s core concept was to engage the audience with the eco-friendly light art installation while stressing the importance of recycling and conservation.

E-LluminArt also shed light to Sta. Cruz Mission Parish community as the art pieces and all solar-powered LED bulbs were donated to help with the community’s lighting needs where lighting and electricity remains scarce in the area.

Apart from winning gold award, SM’s Foodfest and Entertoyment Fest in Marilao as well as in Sangandaan, Valenzuela, Baliwag and Pulilan received bronze awards for Innovation in Brand Development and Branded Entertainment.

These unique festivals were likewise rolled out last year; highlighting the innovative culinary talents, emerging dining concepts and fun play entertainment for kids and adults.

The Stevie Awards are considered the world’s premier business awards, confirming recognition of the achievements, innovations and positive contributions of organizations as well as working professionals worldwide.

Stevie Award judges include the world’s most respected executives, entrepreneurs, innovators, and business educators.

More than 800 nominations from organizations across the Asia-Pacific region were considered this year.

NEW SIGHT. Bulig Bugto Foundation’s founding president Atty. Christopher ‘Boy’

Bolastig (left) gives free reading glasses to some residents of Basey, Samar during its medical and surgical mission there. Bulig Bugto or ‘Tumulong ka, Kapatid’ is a nongovernment organization that recently gave medical assistance to 5,000 residents of barangay Sta. Rita, Marabut, and Basey in Samar.

Life

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

food

monday, june 11, 2018

C1

Clockwise: The Grand Kitchen, the all-day dining restaurant of Grand Hyatt Manila, serves ready-to-eat meals and dishes prepared a la minute; The Common Good’s Green Egg Sandwich served with slow-roasted tomatoes, avocado, salsa verde, asparagus spears, and black olives; Sushi and sashimi from The Grand Kitchen’s cold section

Upping the ante in the

metro buffet scene T

Wo weeks ago, I found myself trying out two different buffet options—one at I’M Hotel in Makati and the other at The Grand Hyatt Manila in Bonifacio Global City. Both have unique dining concepts befitting their target market.

I’M Hotel has revamped its dining area, now called The Common Good and packaged as a food playground with the promise of spoiling guests with Asian cuisine options where no dish is priced above P400.

To complement its buffet spread, The Common Good has introduced signature dishes that can be ordered a la carte.

For healthy options, head to The Fountain and Paul&ranuka food stations. Try the Green Egg Sandwich, an open-faced gluten-free sourdough with slow-roasted tomatoes, avocado, salsa verde, asparagus spears, and black olives, and I’M Hotel’s very own enzyme

drink, made from 100 percent fresh organic fruit that is allowed to go through a secret fermentation process so that natural sugars are released, along with probiotics to aid digestion and promote skin radiance.

For those craving Indian food, the Tiffin station offers Prawn Masala (you can ask the chef to adjust the spiciness according to your tolerance level) and roti Paratha, a South-Indian flatbread made by frying stretched dough that is flavored with clarified butter.

At the Al Dente station, Italian classics are given a playful Filipino twist.

The iconic flatbread pizza is topped with sisig, and with egg to boot.

Guests hankering for oriental flavors should make a beeline for the Empress Jade, one Bowl Wonder, and Perfect Four stations for fantastic dim sum, noodles, and Malay dishes. There is Nasi Lemak (fragrant rice with fried boiled egg, peanuts, small shrimp, green cucumber, and sambal to taste); Ebi Tendon (crispy shrimp in tempura batter and seasonal vegetables served on top of Japanese rice); and Dim Sum Platter (hakaw, seafood beancurd roll, and shu mai).

The South African-Portuguese dish Peri-Peri roasted Chicken and the Honey Thick Toast (with mango, banana, and hazelnut or green tea and ginger) await guests at the Parilla and Sucre stations, respectively.

“The Common Good aims to make good food the common denominator of the experience of all our guests,” said I’M Hotel marketing manager Melissa Lim.

At The Grand Kitchen, which is the multi-cuisine, all-day dining restaurant of the iconic Grand Hyatt Manila, sustainability is the buzzword.

“We are a 100 percent sustainable kitchen. Food waste here is absolutely minimum,” said Executive Chef Mark Hagan.

“The whole kitchen is designed so everything can be cooked a la minute,” added Hagan.

There are, of course, ready-toeat dishes such as the cheese platter, prawn cocktail, sashimi and sushi, bulalo soup, and steamed catch of the day which are complemented by dishes that are prepared a la minute.

The ebi tempura, for example, is served piping hot, ditto with the steaks and grilled prawn. There is also several choices for Japanese skewers, including Wagyu cubes, chicken wings, squid, shiitake, zucchini, and asparagus bacon. Pasta is likewise made to order— you have a choice of penne, pappardelle, and spaghetti to be paired with mushroom ragout, seafood, or pesto sauce.

Make sure not to leave The Grand Kitchen without trying their Hainanese chicken rice—a delicious complete meal on its own served with soup made from chicken broth and three dipping sauces.

“You can interact with the chefs while placing your order,” said Hagan.

“Instead of just exposing the dishes for too long until it is time to refill, we make sure that hot food is served hot and cold food is served cold,” he added.

I’m at joyce.panares@gmail.com.

Healthy enzyme drinks made from100 percent fresh organic fruit that is fermented to release natural sugars.

The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf celebrates its 15th anniversary in the Philippines

15 years

of serving coffee and tea

By Danielle Macadangdang Bean and Tea Leaf chief executive For 15 years, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf has been serving cups after cups of coffee and tea to its customers in the Philippines. Since the opening of its first store at Greenbelt in 2003, it now has over 100 stores across the country and thousands of loyal patrons The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, born and brewed in Southern California, focuses on serving only the highest quality products. The brand selects only the top 1 percent of specialty grade Arabica beans and the top two leaves and a bud of the finest hand-plucked, whole leaf teas.

In celebration of its 15th year in the country, The Coffee Bean has launched “15 Years of You and Me” campaign which highlights the brand’s origin, and journey in the Philippines centered on heartwarming memories that happened over a cup of coffee or tea.

“At the start, like most early stage companies, we didn’t know a lot.

But through hard work, perseverance, learning from our experiences, building teams, and lots of prayers—by God’s grace—we are where we are,” shared The Coffee

officer Walden Chu. Further, the company aims to continue to give back to the communities it serves.

“Delivering our best also includes serving the communities we are present in,” said Chu. “I’m very proud of our deliberate efforts to give back to the community. our different units somehow support a segment of society, whether it’s our coffee and tea growers, local housing projects, and even education and community awareness through our Caring Cup Programs.”

Through Caring Cups program the brand passionately gives back to communities in need of service.

The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf will launch new and exciting surprises for its patrons in the coming months as it takes on new partnerships and launches fresh flavors through its beverages.

Kicking off its anniversary celebration, the brand brings back its Mondays Made Better promo, which started on April 23 and will last until June 30. During this period, customers can enjoy their favorite drinks every Monday for only P100.

The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf selects only the top two leaves and a bud of the finest hand-plucked, whole leaf teas.

Life

C2

monday, june 11, 2018 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

A

Dine with dad

iphoto

fter many years of letting dad pay for your meals when the family dines out, it’s time you pick up the check when you invite him to feast on sumptuous dishes at any of these restaurants in celebration of his special day.

Arla Foods inaugurates new headquarters in pH Arla Foods Corporation Philippines, the local subsidiary of Danish-based cooperative Arla Foods, recently inaugurated its new head office in the country, located at 5th floor, KMC Solutions, V. Corporate Center, L.P. Leviste Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City. Photo shows the event’s guest of honor, His Excellency Brian Mikkelsen, Danish Minister for Industry, Business and Financial Affairs leading the ribbon-cutting ceremony. With him are (from left) Arla Foods vice president for Southeast Asia Mark Boot, Danish Ambassador to the Philippines His Excellency Jan Top Christensen, and Arla Foods Corporation Philippines senior general manager Jens Christian Krog Nielsen.

Kitsho serves a wide array of authentic Japanese cuisine, including sushi, sashimi, and teppanyaki, among many others.

Delectable Japanese cuisine treat dad to a wide spread of Japanese fare at Kitsho Japanese restaurant and Sake Bar. Get him the juiciest Wagyu or uS beef steak or any of the other delectable teppanyaki options like the King Salmon. But before that, make sure he has sampled any of the sashimi specials, as well as a few options from the extensive sushi selection. if he is a tuna lover, he could opt for either the Maguro or Chutoro concoctions. for food meant to be shared, browse through the many options in the yakimono (grilled), hot pots, and/or ramen selections.

if dad wants to celebrate on a weekend, he gets to bring in another guest for free for every set of five diners. Lunch buffet is at P1,232 per person (VAt inclusive) while the dinner buffet is at P1,400 per person (VAt inclusive). to sweeten the deal, the men of the hour get to enjoy a complimentary glass of either draft beer or wine, with his meal, any day in June.

Kitsho is located on the ground floor of Hotel Jen Manila along Roxas Boulevard in Manila. Call (02) 994-3623 or 795-8888 ext. 2312 for inquiries and reservations.

BelVita shares the importance of breakfast and how Filipinos can get the nourishment they need from this brand of breakfast biscuit.

Biscuits for breakfast

Treat dad to a buffet spread at Circles Event Cafe

Sage Bespoke Grill, Shang Palace, and Inagiku will serve special treats in celebration of Father’s Day.

A spread of various fares does dad love to have as many options as he wants?

Bring him and the whole family to Circles event Café which will offer a special father’s day spread on June 17.

An abundant feast of Western and Asian dishes, including tenderloin, pasta, fresh seafood, and an array of tempting desserts, among others will be offered at the restaurant’s seven live theater kitchens. the buffet also comes with unlimited chilled juices, iced tea, and local beers. these are all available for P2,500 net per person for both lunch and dinner buffet. the whole family may also indulge in an authentic Japanese spread with inagiku’s father’s day utage lunch buffet featuring sushi, teppanyaki grilled meats, sukiyaki, and other Japanese specialties for P2,950 net per person. for dads who prefer to have a sumptuous Chinese lunch feast, he and the family can indulge in Premium

dim Sum Plus at Shang Palace, which includes unlimited dim sum, appetizers, soup, rice, noodles, and dessert for P2,070 net per person. for an intimate dining experience with dad, treat him to a father’s day Brunch Buffet at Sage Bespoke Grill, which will serve hefty and succulent steak proportions and other meat specialties, Josper-grilled to perfection for P2,000 net per person.

Put a sweet ending to your meal by giving dad the father’s day cake available at Sinfully Circles from today until June 17. A whole cake is priced at P1,880 net while the cupcake is at P110.

Circles Event Café, Inagiku, Shang Palace, Sage Bespoke Grill, and Sinfully Circles are located at Makati ShangriLa. Call (02) 814-2580 for inquiries and reservations.

StudieS reveal that breakfast remains the most important meal of the day. Consuming a good amount of energy-giving foods in the morning sets the pace, mood, and quality of your activities throughout the day.

However, most filipinos aren’t always able to hit their energy requirement for the day as a growing number skip breakfast. then why do so many filipinos skip breakfast when it’s so important? Culture will tell us why. filipinos are used to rice and viandbased meals even for breakfast, dishes that require time on the dinner table and are far from grab-and-go. And in the market, there’s a lack of alternatives to the standard Pinoy breakfast rice meal that caters to the modern, fastpaced filipino lifestyle.

BelVita, the first-ever breakfast biscuit in the country from Mondelez Philippines, aims to change the way filipinos consume breakfast. in fact,

the product is out to help filipinos eat a balanced breakfast conveniently. these breakfast biscuits are filling and nutritious, as they are made with whole grain cereals and eight important vitamins and minerals necessary to start the day right. for energy-depleted filipinos, belVita’s whole grain cereals include whole wheat and oat, “good” carbohydrates that help keep the body active without making it feel empty. the fiber in whole grain cereals also helps optimize digestion and gut activity, helping keep the body clean of toxic waste that needs to be rid off daily.

Meanwhile, the eight vitamins present in each belVita biscuit are vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, d, Calcium, iron and Zinc. these make for stronger bodily functions and immune system.

BelVita is available in a four-pack box with an SRP of P30.50 and single 20g pack worth P8.25.

Each belVita breakfast biscuit comes with good carbohydrates and eight important vitamins and minerals.

Entertainment

MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2018

C3

nickie.standard@gmail.com

STUDENT FILMS showcased in Seattle

The cast of 'Contessa' on the Kapuso Artistambayan set.

A scene from 'Ang mga Turo ng Gabi,' a film about a teacher battling depression.

termination to finally be in contact with her father. It bagged the Best Film, Best SEVEN short films from the De La Director (Timan), Best Screenplay (TiSalle-College of Saint Benilde Digital man and Balmes), Best Performer (Ulip) Filmmaking program (BenildeFilm) and Best Musical Score (Marcus Sanwere officially selected and screened as tos and Joseph Salcedo) at Pelikultura part of the Diwa Filipino Film Show- 2018. It also won Best Screenplay at De case of Seattle held at the Armory Loft La Salle University’s Indie Un-film Fes1 Seattle Center, Washington on June 2 tival 2017. It is a nominee for Best Short and 3.

Film at the Cinema One Originals FestiJohn Craig de Guz- val 2017 and 41st Gawad Urian. man’s Amy, Christian Rae VillanCesar & Magda is a film about a man ueva’s Ang Mga Turo ng Gabi (The who’s trying to survive his extinguished Lessons of the Night), Aleina Espine- married life. Cesar (Francis Mata) tries li’s Ang Pagbabalik Tanaw ni Olym- to bring back the spark of their relationpia Mercado (A Look into the Life of ship by mimicking an ideal woman Olympia Mercado), Kim Timan’s Car- (Larissa Louise Alivio). He has yet amel Child, Pamela Barrios’ Cesar & to discover the uncertainty of how his Magda, Lino Balmes’ Orlie, and Dev wife, Magda (Bridge Martin), would Angeo and Krisabsorb the transfortine Medemation. It is one of nilla’s Saglit (A the finalists in the While) were short film category among the films of Sinag Maynila about the Filipino Film Festival this diaspora featured year. in the Seattle In Orlie, after event. hearing about the Amy tells the Orlando Massacre, story of Mark the lead character (Seaver Choy) finds himself deepwho is reminded ly affected. While of Amy (Chloe seeking refuge in Tabanda), a perhis bathroom, he son who has just comes to discover passed away in the extent of his Typhoon Yolanda wounds. After win(Haiyan), as he ning Best Supersees her in his short Film at the reverie. It earlier CineFilipino Film won Best Short Festival 2018 and Film and Best 'Cesar & Magda' talks about a man a jury commenEditing at the 9th who tries to revive his extinguished dation at the 12th Largabista Film married life.

Filminute, the oneFestival in Taclominute film comban, Leyte and tied for the Best Nar- petes at Mister Vorky: 5th International rative Film award at the first ASEAN Festival of One Minute Film in Serbia Biennale or ASEANnale Film and and the 18th Korea Queer Film Festival Multimedia Competition in UP Dili- in South Korea. man this year.

Finally, Saglit (A While) is about a In Ang Mga Turo ng Gabi, Juanita former couple, Misha (Anna Luna) and (Sheenly Vee Gener), a teacher battling Kai (JC Santos), who spends one last depression, teams up with her delin- night together before the former gets quent student (Dylan Ray Talon) to re- married and the latter migrates. trieve something important for her over Diwa, a small community film festithe course of one night. The short film val made in cooperation with the annupreviously won Best Editing (Annie al Pagdiriwang Philippine Festival, aims Chua) and Best Performance (Talon) at “to celebrate the Filipino Spirit wherPelikultura: The CALABARZON Film ever it resides by exhibiting films from Festival 2018. the Philippine islands and beyond,” Ang Pagbabalik Tanaw ni Olympia according to Festival Director Adrian Mercado is about a middle-aged woman Alarilla.

(Maddie Martinez) remembering Pagdiriwang, which commemorates memories of a treasured relationship the anniversary of Philippine indetriggered through her taste buds. pendence, is presented by the Filipino In Caramel Child, which is set in the Cultural Heritage Society of Washingyear 2003, Katherine Kaye Jones (An- ton (FCHSW) to promote better undergelica Ulip), or Kakay, is a child of a standing of the Filipino arts and culture. call girl, Ellie Pilorin (Sue Prado), and Held at the Seattle Center since 1987, an absent American man. A poster of it has grown into the largest festival of the Regional Science Quiz Bee and her Filipino art, craft, song, dance, music, mother’s American client (Savino Bell- history, literature, and culture in the Paini) will fuel Kakay’s curiosity and de- cific Northwest.

By Seymour Barros Sanchez

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Monday, June 11, 2018

ACROSS 1 Iodine source 5 Gold brick 10 Cudgel 14 Bouquet 15 Nutritional regimens 16 Spacious 17 Feed the kitty 18 Having unlimited power 20 Disgustingly dirty 22 Urban transport 23 Make serve again 24 Bantu speakers 26 Corn serving 27 Holds closely 30 Fall guys 34 Rock fractures 35 Leap in a tutu 36 Denver hrs.

37 Home furnishings 38 Pigs 40 Juan’s home 41 Undivided 42 Unable to hear 43 Candy-bar filling 45 Pulls a muscle 47 Horse-drawn carriages 48 Part of UCLA 49 Syrup source 50 Ticked off

53 RSVP word 54 Boorish person 58 Thermometer scale 61 Country’s k.d.

— 62 Toga party site 63 Reddish tint 64 Low in calories 65 Itches 66 Fiber optics pulse 67 Tart plum DOWN 1 Zen question 2 Ferber or Best 3 Bushels 4 Salty snacks 5 Bride’s reply (2 wds.)

6 Halo 7 Biological group 8 Redding or Skinner 9 Recipe meas.

10 Feeds a crowd 11 Place 12 Coffee brewers 13 Data unit 19 Take the dais 21 Round dwelling 25 Reduces 26 Consumed (2 wds.)

27 Curly coifs 28 Unnerve 29 More immense

30 Slammer 31 Physical likeness 32 Theme 33 Box-score info 35 Skippy rival 39 Used to be 40 Panaceas (hyph.)

42 Radio part 44 Paris hub 46 Storm warnings 47 Briny 49 Demeanors 50 Not quite certain

51 Steakhouse order 52 Kublai — 53 Mets’ former ballpark 55 Ice pellets 56 Not deceived by 57 Type of arch 59 Canucks org.

60 Pothole filler

G

MA Network continued to increase its presence across various digital platforms, with more millennial users accessing its content.

The network’s efforts to produce exclusive materials online helped GMA’s main Facebook page (www. facebook.com/GMANetwork) become the fastest-growing in the industry, increasing by 29 percent in April 2018 versus the previous year. In comparison, rival network ABS-CBN’s FB followers grew by 17 percent in the same period.

Kapuso fans on Facebook were treated to a variety of content including interactive live chats with their favorite GMA stars via the Kapuso ArtisTambayan, weekly Kapuso Exclusive videos, as well as live music sessions and Q&A with Kapuso singers on Playlist Live.

Providing further support for the online programs, GMA Network’s Twitter and Instagram pages (@ gmanetwork) remain the leading entertainment accounts in the Philippines. As of May 2018, GMA has more than 1.02 million Twitter followers while ABS-CBN has almost

Simply Red...

From C4

The Philippine Wedding Summit 2018, once again opens its door to brides and grooms on June 23 and 24, with a big celebration featuring more than 300 of the Philippines’ finest wedding suppliers at the Ground Floor of the SMX Mall of Asia.

Produced and organized by Themes & Motifs, the country’s most prestigious wedding fair organizer, The Philippine Wedding Summit will highlight thousands of the latest wedding ideas, products, and services in a two day fiesta of wedding fineries. Brides and grooms-to-be and their guests can download e-tickets for FREE entrance and more details about the two day grand event through www.themesnmotifs. com. Free tickets are also available from participating exhibitors of PWS 2018.

Mega hotel and posh wedding banquet venue City of Dreams Manila joins The Philippine Wedding Summit 2018 as its major participant, with local industry big names such as Goldenhills Jewelry, Hizon’s Catering, and Studio 1 Photography to showcase their latest wedding packages for today’s upwardly mobile and well-travelled soon-to-weds. Top event stylist, antique collector, and most sought after visual merchandising guru Henry Pascual is

GMA Network strengthens

DIGITAL PLATFORMS

871,000. On Instagram, the Kapuso Network has more than 938,000 followers versus competition’s 676,000.

Moreover, GMA’s entertainment website (www.GMANetwork.com) experienced its all-time highest performing periods in March and April, generating 115 million and 119 million page views, respectively.

Meanwhile, the GMA Network mobile app now enables Kapuso viewers

to watch full episodes of their all-time favorite GMA shows. Over 50 titles are available including Encantadia, Alyas Robin Hood, Destined to be Yours, My Faithful Husband, My Husband’s Lover, and Mulawin, to name a few.

For more updates on Kapuso stars and shows, follow GMA’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @GMANetwork or visit the official website at www.

GMANetwork.com.

this year’s official creative director and event stylist.

Themes & Motifs rebrands itself as The Wedding Inspirations Co. to better convey its advocacy to bring dream weddings to life through its events, website, & publications. In PWS 2018 , it will launch its feature rich website with the latest and best wedding ideas, promos, & discounts, and access to Inspirations for Weddings eMagazine. Soon to weds can post and upload their wedding planning blogs as well as their prenup photos in the all-new free website. A gifts registry section to enable soon-to-weds to receive gifts from relatives and friends is also included. On the other hand, wedding suppliers may easily post their promos, ideas, and photo/video galleries absolutely free.

A special Half-A-Million Pesos promo awaits all soon-to-weds who will book their favorite wedding suppliers in PWS 2018. Every P1,000 booked at the event will be entitled to a raffle coupon for a chance to win P500,000 in cash. Other minor prizes will be drawn be the hour in special mini raffle draws intended to add excitement to the fun and exciting wedding fair.

Hizon’s Catering will treat soonto-weds to a sumptuous sampling of their tried and tested menu selection as well as new culinary delights from their kitchen in a grand food tasting session right inside the main exhibit hall

of PWS 2018.

As a special treat to wedding suppliers and soon-to-weds, a special seminar series will be conducted for free by Pascual who will discuss in separate sessions the latest trends for soon-to-weds and valuable business tips for wedding suppliers.

The Philippine Wedding Summit will highlight the latest wedding ideas, products, and services.

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

C4

Entertainment

MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2018

JURASSIC WORLD’s

reel-to-real experience

HIP-HOPPERS. AiAi delas Alas (third from right, back row) flanked by the members of popular hip-hop group, Ex-Batallion.

AiAi fulfills dream of a hit song WHEN AiAi de las Alas was looking for a songwriter who could pen the hit song that she most badly want (“Gusto ko naman kasing magka-gold record…kahit wala na yata ngayon yan ngayon,” she confessed) someone told him to meet a group of guys that she would later know as the Ex-Battalion.

During the meeting, De las Alas and the group made an agreement. The boys will write a song and AiAi would record it. Not only that, the group also asked her to be their manager. As the cliché goes, the rest is history.

De las Alas has the song, and ExBattalian has their manager.

A press conference held in Le Reve Pool and Events Venue in Quezon City two Friday ago, De las Alas officially announced a partnership among her, Viva Entertainment, and Ex Battalion (Ex B).

This partnership, also known as #VivAiEx for Viva, Ai Ai, and Ex B, will take the boys of Ex Battalion to greater heights in the entertainment industry and enhance their career.

Being known for their music and contributions to the local rap scene, the members of Ex B namely, Bossx1ne,

Emcee Rhenn, King Badger, Skusta Clee, James Brando, and Flow G, are lined up for a lot of festivities ISAH V. RED this year, with a concert being one of them. Not only that, but they are expected to make their acting debut in an upcoming Viva Films movie along with their manager.

De las Alas has agreed to top bill a movie for Viva Films and she has brought along as co-stars her the Ex Battalion. The film is set to start filming in July. Mel del Rosario will write it with Dado Lomibao directing.

The movie marks the return of Ai Ai to Viva Films where she made her early appearances while a struggling young actress. Since then she has become the country’s leading comedienne on television and on the big screen with landmark box-office hits like Ang Tanging Ina, Sisterakas, My Bebe Love and others.

She ventured into a new side of the entertainment business early this year when she became the manager of Ex Battalion.

Meanwhile, the members of Ex B will be getting ready for their first major concert to be produced by Viva.

Continued on C3

AS SM Cinema launch the Reel-to-Real Experience, the largest film exhibitor in the country recently unveiled the Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom interactive exhibit in SM City North EDSA The Block Atrium.

The interactive exhibit features dinosaur displays and the nest of Owen’s lead raptor Blue. The Jurassic World IQ of the guests were also put into test through the dino games and quizzes, and top scorers received exclusive Jurassic World prizes.

Movie goers can enjoy films beyond the big screen through exciting life-like interactive exhibits and engaging activities.

With this, SM Cinema makes movies come to life and enables movie goers to enjoy the full cinematic experience, from onscreen to on-ground, and online.

See the dinos of Jurassic World through this exhibit at SM City North EDSA The Block Atrium until June 10, SM City Fairview from June 14 to June 21, SM City BF Paranaque from June 28 to July 8 and at SM City Clark on July 12 to July 22.

Three years after the destruction of the Jurassic World theme park, Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) and Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard) return to the island of Isla Nublar to save the remaining dinosaurs from a volcano that’s about to erupt. They

Owen Grady’s (Chris Pratt) lead Velociraptor, Blue, at the Jurassic World Interactive Exhibit.

soon encounter terrifying new breeds of gigantic dinos while uncovering a conspiracy that threatens the entire planet.

Catch Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom at IMAX, Director’s Club and SM Cinema branches nationwide starting June 6. Book your tickets now through the new website, www.smcinema.com or for an even more convenient experience, download the SM Cinema app now through the App Store and Google Play. You may also follow /SMCinema on Facebook and @SM_Cinema on Instagram for more information.

A couple that

COOKS TOGETHER

Celebrity couple Drew Arellano and Iya Villania host the 4th season of 'Home Foddie,' a cooking show that is all about inspiring home cooks to reinvent their favorites dishes in few easy steps.

really enjoy our time together even though we don’t get as much time as we wish we could. Masaya na kame even we are just making toast, that's why working together is a big bonus,” Iya OW important is cooking in shared.

Asked who's the better cook, Iya raised her white flag and keeping the marriage flame commended her better half. burning?

“I learn how to be quick in the kitchen creating quick yet good meal for Primo. But generally, it’s Drew. He's more confident in I bet you’ve already heard of the kitchen,” Iya admitted. this question many times over.

Drew replied that his Yet, you’d still be interested confidence lies on being to know the answer straight creative and resourceful. from the mouth of real couples “Don’t be afraid to be who find spending some time creative. There are food options together in the kitchen a form of that are already conveniently bonding apart from the obvious packed, that you can just fact that it's a sweet moment to mixed and match and become fill each other's tummy. the Pablo Picasso of your Case in point, when husband kitchen,” Drew relayed adding and wife Drew Arellano and that their natural chemistry as Iya Villania welcomed some husband and wife is the perfect members of the press to the formula for appearing natural fourth season press conference on TV. of their show Home Foodie, San Miguel Purefoods some showbiz reporters were Home Foodie ushers in a new so eager to ask the couple and exciting season featuring whether or not cooking the couple as they level up together has become a sexy their cooking skills. The show time for them. itself features more consumer “That's why baby number Drew and Iya's natural chemistry makes the show much livelier engagement, new chefs and 2,” Drew grinned with a and more engaging. more delectable dishes that are slight naughtiness pointing his certified Madalicious, which right index finger to the very the couple explained, “madali na, delicious pa.” pregnant Iya. “Last time we’re doing the show she was pregnant In this season, we will see Drew and Iya’s confidence in the with Primo and now she's pregnant again.” kitchen. They are ever playful and perky while helping the chefs But he was quick to shift into serious mode and said sincerely, prepare the featured dishes. They provide tips and offer Madalicious “Our relationship just keeps on getting better. I know this is just meal solutions to both TV viewers and to the online community. for show sometimes [laughs]. We are very happy to have this Also this season, we will also meet two new chefs who will kind of relationship that keeps on getting deeper especially that join Chef Llena Tan-Arcenas in guiding Drew and Iya create we have Primo now.”

Madalicious Meals - they are Chefs Martin Narisma and John Iya agreed that cooking together makes their relationship Valley. stronger. She said although recently top priority is to prepare Home Foodie features a wide array of San Miguel baby food, they still manage to spend some time in the kitchen Purefoods products used in different Madalicious Meals. given that they both love to cook and eat.

It premieres today on GMA 7 and will air from Monday to “It strengthens our bond. We both love to eat and cook so we Friday after Unang Hirit.

By Nickie Wang

H The cover of the WayWard-inspired book available on digital platform NoInk.

MayWard-inspired fanfic ‘Lost Souls,‘ now in print ABS-CBN Publishing has published its first user-generated story Lost Souls --an online novel uploaded on digital platform NoInk written by LilMisSkrengge-- into a printed book.

The Lost Souls fanfiction, inspired

by Maymay Entrata and Edward Barber, has been a huge hit among readers from the NoInk community since its upload back in January of this year. It is the first book launched under the NoInk imprint.

This fanfiction tells the story of Maymay, a wandering soul looking for a way to properly say goodbye to her boyfriend Bobby, whom she left behind when she suddenly died.

Having only 24 days left to do this, she asks the help of Edward, the best psychic in town.

Together, the two set out to find Bobby but to no avail. While Maymay’s time nears its end, she and Edward get

even closer. Will Maymay fulfill her mission, or will Edward be her reason to remain a ‘lost soul’ forever?

Aside from Lost Souls, LilMisSkrengge has also written five more MayWard stories on NoInk. Other engaging and relatable content can be accessed through the ABSCBN Publishing’s multimedia reading site as it continues to receive and promote works written by fans and inspired by Kapamilya artists.

NoInk is part of the digital initiatives of ABS-CBN, which is rapidly transitioning into an agile digital company with the biggest online presence among Filipino media companies, and a growing list of digital properties.

Newly published book Lost Souls is available in National Bookstore and Power Book outlets nationwide for only P195.