Manila Standard - 2018 October 21 - Sunday

'GOOD HOUSEKEEPING'

CONGRESS, SC, CABINET GET GOOD RATING—SWS

VOL. XXXII • NO. 248 • 4 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

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UBLIC net satisfaction ratings of the House of Representatives, Senate, Supreme Court, and the Cabinet rose to “good” in the third quarter of the year, according to a new survey by Social Weather Stations.

The third quarter SWS survey, whose results were released on Friday, was conducted using face-to-face interviews of 1,500 adults nationwide.

It has a ±3 percent margin of error for national percentages and ±4 percent each for Balance Luzon, and ±6 percent for Metro Manila, the Visayas, and Mindanao.

Results from the survey, from Sept.

15 to 23, showed the Senate recorded the highest score among key government institutions, retaining its “good” public satisfaction rating.

Turn to A2

DEATH TO DRUG IMPORTERS, DU30 VOWS

By Vito Barcelo PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has warned drug importers again they would be killed if they continued to flood the country with illegal drugs.

Duterte said while there were no more drug laboratories operating in the country, the importation of drugs remained active.

Turn to A2

DESTINATIONS/ D1

HOW A FUN SUNDAY LOOKS LIKE DOUBLE-QUICK.

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BORACAY AS ‘GOLD STANDARD’

By Rio N. Araja

T

HE Department of the Interior and Local Government wants to make Boracay the gold standard for all resort destinations in the country, even as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources will allow citizens’ arrests to enforce stricter littering laws on the world-famous island.

The DENR also said tourists may still enjoy parties, grilling, and other beach activities on Aklan’s prized island for as long as these are done indoors or in areas away from the shore.

DILG Officer-In-Charge Eduardo M. Año said while local and foreign tourists will be welcome again to visit Boracay during its soft reopening on Oct. 26, it will take about two years to

complete the island’s rehabilitation.

“There will be a lot of laws and ordinances to be implemented in Boracay under our supervision to make sure that there will be no repeat of what happened before,” Año said in a statement Friday.

He said the immediate problems on violations of environmental laws in Boracay have been fixed after its

six-month rehabilitation.

As for the citizens’arrests, DENR Undersecretary for Solid Waste Management and Local Government Benny Antiporda said this is to prevent the same scenario during the first day of the dry run last week, when trash was still found on the beach.

This drew criticism from no less than Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, who admonished the litterbugs on television.

“We will not allow it to happen during the island’s reopening on Oct. 26,” Antiporda said.

Another environment undersecretary, Sherwin Rigor, said several prohibitions proposed as policies for the reopening of the world-famous resort island will be imposed only in

beachfront areas.

The bans were meant to protect the shore and maintain the pristine quality of its powder-white sand, Boracay’s most attractive feature.

According to Rigor, among those prohibited are the construction of stage platforms for entertainment purposes, and setting up tables, chairs, massage beds, beach umbrellas, souvenir shops, and food stalls.

Electrical fixtures, such as lightings and wirings, will also be removed and prohibited from the beachfront vegetation area.

“These structures will be banned at all times within the 25+5 meter easement area, which is a ‘no-build zone’, and within the beach vegetation area,” Rigor said. With PNA

N. ECIJA COUNCILOR CANDIDATE SHOT DEAD

By Francisco Tuyay

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signs the guest book during the inauguration of the Gaisano Grand Citygate Mall at the Buhangin District in Davao City on Oct. 19, 2018. Joining the President is his partner Cielito ‘Honeylet’ Avanceña and Benito Gaisano (right). Presidential Photo

‘HONEYLET IS MY TRUE LOVE’

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has described his partner, Cielito “Honeylet” Avanceña, as his “true love.”

“Out of everyone else that I know, she’s the one that I will really believe in,” Duterte said during the inauguration of the Gaisano Grand Citygate Mall in Davao City on Friday.

The President made the remark after mentioning in a speech a former girlfriend who happened to be a “gobernadora” (lady governor).

Duterte and Avanceña have been

together for more than 20 years.

They have a 13-year-old daughter named Veronica, also known as Kitty.

The President also took pride in their daughter for being smart, just like Avanceña.

“She is good at… Because she’s a valedictorian. That’s true. Her daughter takes after her,” Duterte said.

“Like Honeylet’s daughter. Her lowest grade is 91. That’s the lowest. I told her, ‘Nak, back then I only studied just a little.’ Because

she’s always complaining, always studying and rarely goes out anymore,” he added.

On Oct. 7, Duterte and his family spent the weekend in Hong Kong to take a break, apparently without the knowledge of some Cabinet members, especially former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.

His former top aide, Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, uploaded photos of himself with Duterte, who was joined by Avanceña and Kitty. PNA

IRONWOOD HORSE.

Grade school students admire the driftwood art of Zachary Guangco Alcoseba at the Manila Art Exhibits on ‘Stories From the River’ display at Fort Santiago in Manila on Friday.

Lino Santos

A CANDIDATE for councilor in Nueva Ecija was shot dead by a motorcycle-riding gunman near his house Friday afternoon.

Supt. Amado Corpuz, police director of Central Luzon, identified the victim as Allan Joson, 42, a resident of Barangay Jolo, San Antonio town.

Corpuz said Joson was standing along the street a few meters away from his home when an unidentified suspect on board an orange Yamaha Mio motorcycle shot him.

Reports said the suspect had a black complexion, medium built and was wearing a bull cap and a red T-shirt.

“The Police Regional Office-3 strongly condemns the murder of councilor aspirant Allan Joson,” Corpuz said. An in-depth probe is being undertaken to identify, locate and eventually arrest the suspect, he added.

Joson was the first casualty in what appeared to be a case of political violence, two days after the deadline of filling certificates of candidacy passed for the 2019 midterm elections.

Corpuz said police have yet to established the real motive of Joson’s slaying.

“We are looking into all angles to establish possible motives and we are exerting all means to get to the bottom of this unfortunate incident,” Corpuz said.

“We assure the public, as well as the victim’s family, of our total commitment to ensure the immediate resolution of the case through proper investigation,” he added.

The entire PRO-3 extended its deepest condolences to the bereaved family, even as Corpuz solicited public support to prevent similar occurrences.

The Philippine National Police had already mobilized its forces, particularly in hunting down gunfor-hire syndicates and private armies, to ensure peaceful and orderly elections.

PH NOW 2ND ON GLOBALIZATION LIST THANKS to its thriving business process outsourcing industry, the Philippines is the second-best globalization destination in the world this year, rising from third spot in a list run by global strategic advisory firm Tholons.

Tholons said the 2018 Services Globalization Index saw the Philippines just behind India in the “Top 50 Digital Nations” with Brazil at third place.

The United States, Mexico, Canada, Russia, Vietnam, Colombia, and South Africa make up the rest of the top 10, Tholons added.

The index evaluates and ranks countries and cities based on availability and quality of talent in the area, business catalyst or the level of industryrelated activity and organizational support, cost of doing business, infrastructure, innovation, and risk and quality of life, among others.

Six Philippine cities also made it to the report’s

“Top 100 Super Cities,”with Manila rising to second from fourth in 2017.

Two Indian cities—Bengaluru and Mumbai —sandwich the capital city in the top 3. Other Philippine cities on the list are Cebu (11th from 12th in 2017), Davao (75th from 85th), Santa Rosa in Laguna (87th from 100th), Bacolod (89th from 97th), and Iloilo (new to the list at 92nd).

“Most of the services will get commoditized for the biggest leaders in services globalization like US, UK, Canada, Europe, India, Philippines, East Europe, and Latin America,” the index report said, according to ABS-CBN News.

BPO services has propped up the Philippines with over 1.15 million Filipinos working in it. Along with remittances from overseas workers, the sector is one of the top earners of foreign exchange for the country.

TECH IN DISASTER AREAS. Vodafone volunteers Harm Kanters (left) and Ainhoa Montero de Espinosa set up the Instant Wi-Fi and Charge solutions at the landslide operations center in Itogon, Benguet.

PALACE FLIPS ON DRUG TEST ELECTION TACK

Like greased lightning, construction workers rush to put in place steel bars as pillars of the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 Project, an elevated expressway stretching in its entirety over Metro Manila from Buendia, Makati City to Balintawak, Quezon City with a length of about 17.54 kms. with some improvement in the selected at–grade sections.

The MMSS3 Project viaduct intends to decongest main thoroughfares in Central Metro Manila area, particularly Edsa. Sonny Espiritu

By Vito Barcelo MALACAÑANG on Saturday backtracked from its statement rejecting the proposed mandatory drug testing of candidates in the 2019 elections, saying it would still study the measure for those running for the Senate, the House of Representatives, and local positions.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo earlier said drug testing should be voluntary, not a mandatory requirement, for candidates.

In a statement, Panelo said the Palace is not rejecting the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency proposal and will “discuss it further.”

PDEA has proposed a surprise drug test on candidates, while the Dangerous Drugs Board sought a mandatory drug test on officials once they get elected.

“The Palace wishes to clarify that it does not dismiss in toto PDEA’s proposal to conduct mandatory drug testing of political aspirants for next year’s elections,” Panelo said.

“The Office of the President shall first consider and evaluate these in order to make a learned decision on the matter,” he added.

Earlier, the Palace spokesman said that mandatory drug testing for Senate and House candidates is violative of the Constitution, as it adds another qualification outside of that enumerated by the law.

BINAY FETED BY WORLD SCOUT

By Joel E. Zurbano

SHABU FROM MICP FOUND ACROSS PH

By Rio N. Araja SHABU confiscated from past buybust operations in the National Capital Region and Maguindanao have matched the shabu seized at the Manila International Container Port in August, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said.

Director General Aaron Aquino on Saturday said laboratory results showed that samples from recently recovered sachets of the drug in Quezon City, Manila, Muntinlupa City and Maguindanao were similar to samples from the seized P3.4 billion worth of shabu at the MICP. He said the samples were illegal drugs seized from PDEA’s entrapment operations in Maguindanao’s Sitio Tenorio, Barangay Awang Dos on July 19; Quezon City’s Congressional Avenue, Barangay Bahay Toro in Quezon City on Aug. 1; Manila’s Ronquillo Street, Sta. Cruz, Manila on Aug. 26; and Muntinlupa’s Alabang Town Center on Oct. 1.

TUCP TO REVISE P320 WAGE HIKE THE Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines is planning to revise its P320 wage hike petition to reflect the 6.2-percent thirdquarter inflation rate in their bid for a substantial wage increase for workers in Metro Manila in a scheduled wage hike consultation on Monday, Oct. 22.

ALU-TUCP spokesman Alan Tanjusay said the P320 wage hike petition they filed in June this year only reflected the prevailing conditions of the first-quarter inflation rate of 5.2 percent.

However, due to higher inflation in succeeding quarters, the real value or purchasing power of the daily wage fell to P340 a day, Tanjusay added.

“Prices of food and costs of services continued to rise since June. So we are crunching the numbers to faithfully reflect the needs of workers and their families to cope with current 6.2 percent inflation rate,” he said.

“We might amend our first wage hike petition so that the Wage Board would have a real-time appreciation of realities surrounding the challenges facing workers,” Tanjusay said.

The Regional Tripartite Productivity and Wages Board-National Capital Region is set to meet at 9 am tomorrow in the first of three sectoral consultations and public hearings to determine the wage increase for workers in the region.

Metro Manila workers are currently receiving a minimum wage of P512 a day. Vito Barcelo

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BRONZE WOLF AWARDEE BINAY

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THE World Scout Committee has given former Vice President Jejomar Binay the prestigious Bronze Wolf Award for his exemplary leadership and service at all levels of Scouting.

The Bronze Wolf is the highest honor given to a volunteer scout leader worldwide, and is the only distinction presented by WSC, the executive body of the World Organization of the Scout Movement.

The award was given during a ceremony on Saturday at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

Binay expressed his gratitude for the recognition, saying he wanted to share the honor with all Turn to A2 manilastandard.net

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TARGETS PH'S 7TH MISS INTERNATIONAL CROWN

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SE ASIA BOOSTS FIGHT VS 'REAL, PRESENT' THREAT SOUTHEAST Asian nations seeking to combat the threat of militancy have agreed to share intelligence, Singapore’s defence minister said Saturday, as he warned of a “real and present” danger to the region.

More than a year after Islamic Statelinked fighters seized the southern Philippine city of Marawi, the terrorist threat is as potent as ever, said Ng Eng Hen after hosting a meeting of defence ministers.

“Unfortunately even as the situation in Iraq and Syria improves, we are expecting more foreign fighters to come this way,” he added.

Ng said all 18 ministers at the gathering in Singapore, from Southeast Asia and key partners outside the region, viewed “terrorism as a real and present threat.”

The Southeast Asian delegates adopted an information-sharing platform called “Our Eyes” that will be used to share real-time intelligence that can immediately be acted upon, the minister added.

This came after the countries realised that they had underestimated the threat before the attack on Marawi, where the rebuilding effort could cost around $1 billion, he said.

Proposed by Indonesia, the platform is based on an intelligencesharing alliance set up by the United States, Britain and three other countries after World War II to monitor the former Soviet Union.

The weekend security meeting was attended by the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, as well as US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis and their counterparts from countries including China, Australia, India and Russia.

In last year’s assault on Marawi, hundreds of armed militants backed by foreign IS fighters attacked and took control of the largely Muslim city in a bid to establish a base in Southeast Asia.

Philippine troops, supported by sophisticated surveillance planes from the United States, dislodged the militants after five months of heavy fighting that left more than 1,000 people dead and the city in ruins.

Militants from other Southeast Asian countries, including Indonesia and Malaysia, were involved in the fighting. AFP Those at the meeting “felt that this must never happen again to any city within ASEAN,” Ng said. AFP

'GOOD...

From A1 Sixty-two percent of the respondents were satisfied with Senate’s performance while 14 percent said they were not.

About 23 percent were undecided.

SWS said the 7-point increase in the Senate’s net satisfaction was due to increases of 13 points in Balance Luzon, and 12 points in Mindanao.

But its score dropped 9 points in Metro Manila and 1 point in the Visayas.

The Senate’s score was at +48 in September from +41 in June.

Satisfaction ratings for the House of Representatives and the Supreme Court rose by one grade from “moderate” to “good” at +36 and +31, respectively, according to the survey reults.

The lower chamber gained 11 points, while the high court posted an increase of 12 points.

The Cabinet, on the other hand, also enjoyed good gains in the survey.

It inched up its public satisfaction rating score by 6 points, from +25 in June to +32 in September.

By socioeconomic class, satisfaction with the Senate, House, and SC, either increased or barely moved in classes D and E. Satisfaction with the Cabinet increased in class D as well, but fell by 4 points among class E. Satisfaction ratings fell for all 4 among classes ABC. Meanwhile, satisfaction ratings increased for both men and women in all age ranges.

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MORE OIL PLAYERS CUT PUMP PRICES BIG TIME

ET another round of fuel price reductions awaits Filipino motorists as oil companies announced major rollbacks in the pump prices of their petroleum products effective Sunday and Monday.

Independent oil players Unioil and Clean Fuel announced they would slash the prices of gasoline

by P2 per liter, and diesel by P0.90 per liter.

The adjustments will take effect at 6 am today.

But the Pasang Masda transport group on Saturday said the gov-

ernment should not take back its plan to suspend fuel excise taxes next year and its fare hike approval because of this week’s “big-time” oil price rollback.

On GMA News TV’s “Balitanghali” beamed nationwide, Pasang Masda president Obet Martin was asked to weigh in on statements from

Department of Finance officials indicating it was no longer necessary to suspend the second tranche of fuel excise taxes after the price of crude breached $80 per barrel.

Martin argued the oil prices could still shoot up.

He also defended the recentlyapproved fare hike petition which would hike the minimum fare for jeepneys to P10 starting next month.

He doubted the community of PUV operators would agree to a “bawas-pasahe” scenario even if oil prices continued to drop.

Meanwhile, major players Pilipi-

nas Shell, Petron Corp, and PTT Philippines said they would cut the prices of gasoline by P1.85 per liter, diesel by P0.90/liter starting 6 am Tomorrow.

Petron will roll back the price of kerosene by P.90 per liter, while Shell will reduce its kerosene price

by P0.95 per liter.

“Price adjustments reflect movements in the international oil market,” Petron said.

Phoenix Petroleum and Petro Gazz, on the other hand, implemented price rollbacks of their diesel and gasoline products during the weekend.

DU30 OFFERS HOUSES, JOBS TO NPA

By Vito Barcelo PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte softened his stance against the communist rebels and even offered members of the New People’s Army good life by providing them houses and jobs.

In his brief remarks at the inauguration of Gaisano Grand Citygate Mall, the President also acknowledged the initial support the NPA had given him when he was running for the presidency.

“I will not be where I am today without the help of the people of Davao and the NPA. I’m thankful for that,” he said.

In a related development: • The Communist Party of the Philippines is willing to resume

peace negotiations with the government whenever President Duterte was ready.

In a statement posted on his Facebook page, founding chairman Jose Maria “Joma” Sison said it was up to the President to end his position of having terminated the peace negotiations through Proclamation 360.

“The standing policy of the NDFP is to negotiate with the GRP anytime he is ready to resume the peace negotiations in accordance with The Hague Joint Declaration and further agreements,” said Sison.

Duterte reiterated to them the significance of working with the government.

“And because you helped me, I am asking you to also help me find a way for all of us to live,” Duterte said.

“I would not be here in this position right now if not for the people of Davao, including the NPA. I don’t want to fight with you. I also don’t want to kill you. We are friends,'' the President said.

The NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

The President, through an executive proclamation, declared the NPA as a terror group in December 2017.

“What we have to do in our generation—it behooves this generation to find the elusive peace,” Duterte explained.

The Chief Executive also reassured the rebel returnees that jobs were waiting for them, especially in Davao, and they could avail themselves of livelihood training skills from the Technical Education and

Skills Development Authority.

“There are jobs here, and that makes me very happy. You NPAs sleep on it. Nobody else is closer to the NPAs here than the Davaoeños,” he said.

Meanwhile, the President lauded the Gaisano Group for playing a vital role in the lives of the Davaoeños, and for contributing to the overall progress of Davao City.

“I want to thank you a lot first because of the jobs. You have generated jobs for the people here,” he said.

“You know, when I was still mayor, I told you that I would do my best to lift the economy here in Davao City so that we could provide more jobs. Now there are a lot of businesses,” he added.

and seized 945 grams of suspected “shabu” (crystal meth) worth P11 million.

The President even told police officers to carry out their duties, promising to pardon them if they were investigated or convicted of killing suspects in the course of carrying out their mission in the drug war.

“If they want to put up a violent fight, thereby placing yourself, the lawmen, in jeopardy, go for it. That is my order,” he said.

According to Duterte, “Importation [of the illegal drugs], it’s from the Bamboo Triad. They hold drug operations in Southeast Asia and Mexico,” he said.

“These drug dealers know fully well that their business is against the law. They know the consequences of their criminal acts, especially when they are caught in the act and they violently resist arrest. They know that illegal drugs waste away lives, destroy families, and ruin relationships,” the President said.

Duterte launched the anti-drug crackdown after he took office in

June 2016 to wipe out the drug trade in the country.

Despite criticisms both here and other countries, Duterte said he would not be dissuaded from continuing his war on drugs.

Geñorga said his men were shocked to find the huge volume of drugs as they never expected the suspect to have such a big stock in his possession.

The BPPO chief said the suspect allegedly received a kilogram of shabu from his suppliers but already managed to sell some of the stash prior to the raid.

This development, Geñorga said, only showed the huge market for drugs in Bohol and the need to work on demand reduction to eliminate the problem.

A kilo of shabu can be repacked into approximately 40,000 smaller packs, which will then be sold to small players in the drug trade operating near and around the city, he said.

Geñorga, on the other hand, said he was happy with the successful implementation of the Enhanced

Managing Police Operations, which resulted in the arrest of 45 persons, including Alburadora, in different parts of the province.

About 1.87 kg. of shabu with a total street value of P11,810,266 had been seized from the suspects upon the implementation of the EMPO this week.

Geñorga said they were also verifying the information that an inmate of the Bohol District Jail was allegedly supervising Alburadora’s drug trade from inside the prison facility.

The Cybercrime Division is also conducting a forensic investigation on Alburadora’s mobile gadgets to establish the connection between the suspect and the BDJ inmate.

Meanwhile, the BPPO has finalized its operational and security plan for the upcoming observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. Geñorga said BPPO personnel would be deployed to main transportation hubs and tourist information desks, and would beef up security in major cemeteries across the province. With PNA

DEATH...

From A1

The President issued the warning during the inauguration of Gaisano Grand Citygate Mall in Davao city, saying they should not underestimate him.

“Don’t destroy the country and its young people, or else [you] face consequences,” said Duterte, who has been criticized for his continuing drug war that has claimed more than 4,000 suspected drug pushers and users.

In a related development: • The chief of Bohol’s provincial police has lamented the extent of the drug problem in the province.

In a press conference with members of the Bohol Police Provincial Office press corps, Senior Supt.

Angeles Geñorga said on Friday the huge amount of drugs seized by his men recently made him realize that much needs to be done to deal with the province’s drug problem.

Personnel of the Provincial Intelligence Branch and Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit, armed with a search warrant, raided the residence of suspect Joseph Alburadora in Barangay Mansasa on Wednesday

BINAY...

From A1

his fellow Filipino scouts in the country and abroad.

“I am deeply grateful to the World Scout Committee for considering me to be worthy of the Bronze Wolf Award. It is such a great honor, and I would like to humbly share it with my fellow Filipino scouts all over the world who embody the principles of Scouting in their own pursuits,” he said.

Binay also called on fellow scouts who are in leadership positions to strive to fulfill the mission of the scout movement, which is “to contribute to the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potentials as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of their local, national and international communities.”

“I hope that those among us who are leaders in their own right are making a conscious and sustained effort to be catalysts of holistic growth among the youth, taking every opportunity to bring

out the best in them and help them achieve their full potential,” he said.

The Bronze Wolf awardee is a known advocate of youth empowerment through quality education.

As mayor of Makati for over two decades prior to his election as vice president in 2010, Binay established a strong public education system that has become the benchmark for quality public education in the country.

He prioritized the construction of modern school buildings and facilities comparable to private schools, making these highly accessible and conducive to learning.

Today, students in the city’s public schools continue to enjoy free school supplies and school gear from head to toe, giving those from poor families a fighting chance at succeeding in life.

Makati also gained international prominence when its public health

program that was Binay’s brainchild, the Yellow Card, was named a “Best Practice” by the Dubai International Award 2002.

Today, Makati remains one of Metro Manila’s healthiest cities, with one of the lowest mortality and malnutrition rates in the country.

During his term as mayor, Binay was also ranked fourth among the Top Ten World Mayors in 2006. The biennial award organized by the City Mayors Foundation aims to raise the profile of mayors worldwide, honoring those who have served with excellence and dedication, and spurred the overall growth and development of their cities.

The former vice president first joined the scout movement over 30 years ago as a Cub Scout in the Philippines.

He earned his First Class award but left the Movement as a Senior Scout to pursue his law profession. He later returned to Scouting as a volunteer adult scout leader who would go on to become president of the Boy Scouts of

the Philippines and chairman of the Asia-Pacific Region.

To date, Binay is the only scout to have served on the Asia Pacific Regional Scout Committee for 12 years (19982004, 2007-2012), and the only Regional Committee member to have served as chairman of the Asia-Pacific Region for two three-year terms (2007-2010, 2010-2012).

As regional chairman, he set a high standard of leadership in National Scout Organizations, and strengthened camaraderie among national and regional leaders.

He also welcomed the Cambodia Scouts Association to the Movement while setting the groundwork for other prospective member countries like Timor-Leste, Myanmar and Vietnam.

As part of the transition team, he was especially instrumental in the successful transfer of the World Scout Bureau Global Office from Geneva, Switzerland to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

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‘NLEX HARBOR LINK CAMANAVA AREA PASSABLE

BY XMAS’

TROOPS CAPTURE THREE ASG BANDITS

GOVERNMENT troops have captured three Abu Sayyaf Group bandits as military operations continue in the hinterlands of Sulu province, an official said Saturday.

Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, Western Mindanao Command chief, said the three were captured following a clash with the Army’s 5th Scout Ranger Battalion in Barangay Maligay, Patikul, Sulu at about 9:40 a.m. Thursday.

Dela Vega identified the captured ASG bandits as Gafur Albani Absari, Medzfar Mangkabong, and Madjid Mangkabong.

The three were turned over to the Army’s 501st Infantry Brigade for proper disposition and filing of charges in coordination with the Sulu Provincial Police Office.

“My congratulations to the troops of the Joint Task Force Sulu, headed by Brig. Gen. Divino Rey Pabayo for the aggressive measures taken in order to ensure that criminals will never be free to roam in the province [of Sulu],” he said.

The military’s operations in Sulu’s hinterlands aim to rescue the 10 remaining ASG hostages, consisting of two foreigners—a Dutch and a Vietnamese—and eight Filipinos.

Meanwhile, three more members of the Islamic State-inspired Maute group have surrendered in Lanao del Sur, the military reported Saturday.

According to Major Gen. Roseller Murillo, commander of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division, the three surrendered to troops of the 49th Infantry Battalion in Masiu, Lanao del Sur last Thursday.

Murillo said they turned over one rocket-propelled grenade launcher, a caliber .45 pistol and several rounds of ammunition.

He said the three, whose identities were withheld, were placed under debriefing.

Murillo said they surrendered to Lt. Col Edgar Villanueva, commander of the Army’s 49th Infantry Battalion, through the efforts of Councilor Hamil Gubar, Liga ng mga Barangay president of Masiu, and Maliksaif Masjida, Afgani Deputy Base commander of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. PNA

AIRLIFTED. Air Force personnel airlift equipment and K9 from the Coast Guard which will be used for rescue and retrieval operations.

JAPAN NEEDS 50K PH WORKERS STARTING 2019

S

TARTING next year, expect a rush of Filipino nurses, farmers, construction workers, shipbuilders and those in the hospitality sector to make a beeline for available jobs in Japan.

This after the Japanese government announced that it would accept at least 50,000 Filipino workers as part of its new policy on residency status for foreign workers in various industries in the next six years.

They will join the 1.28 million foreign workers already in Japan, based on data from its Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare cited in various reports.

In his speech last Friday at the 44th Philippine Business Conference, Japanese Ambassador Koji Haneda said in line with the new Japanese policy of employing at least 500,000 foreign workers for the next six years from 2019 to 2025, Japan will open its doors to more Filipino workers, mainly to serve its aging population.

‘Japan faces an aging society and lacks labor force, while the Philippines is abundant with young labor force with great potential,’ Ambassador Koji Haneda said.

“While we are waiting for the rules and regulations of this new scheme to be released, I personally estimate more than 50,000 workers from the Philippines will come to work in Japan with this new work permit by 2025,” he added.

Haneda said that the government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will soon finalize its new rules for giving temporary residence to foreign manual laborers, as its parliament is set to deliberate during its extraordinary session in autumn on the creation of a new residency

status that would allow foreign workers in a wider range of industries to stay for 5 years.

The new policy effectively lifts the ban on the recruitment of foreigners for manual labor.

Haneda’s speech actually tackled the three defining aspects of the Philippines and Japan’s economic partnership: cooperation in infrastructure development, mutually beneficial trade policies, and “people-to-people ties.”

Haneda said there are 153,600 Filipino workers in Japan, or 12 percent of the total number of foreigners workers in that country.

Most of the Filipinos in Japan belong to highly specialized fields, such as engineering and the academe as Japan currently allows the hiring of only highly-skilled foreign workers.

Under the new program, however, one in 10 job openings starting the summer of 2019 will be filled by a Filipino.

Haneda said that based on Japan’s initial rollout of the Basic Policy on Economic and Fiscal Management and Reform 2018, Filipino workers are allowed to work in the nursing, farming, construction, hospitality, and shipbuilding industries, while businesses in other industries—among them, manufacturing and fisheries‚ have also asked the government to allow them to hire foreigners too.

Presently, Japan only hires Filipino nurses and care workers due to special arrangements under the JapanPhilippines Economic Partnership Agreement, which took effect in 2008.

“Japan has accepted more than 2,200 Filipino candidates under JPEPA,” Haneda said.

On June 5, during a Cabinet meeting, Abe cited the “reviews conducted by Chief Cabinet Secretary [Yoshihide] Suga and Minister [of Justice Yoko] Kamikawa on the acceptance of foreign personnel.”

DENR NOT LIKELY TO CLOSE BAGUIO CITY FOR REHAB LIKE BORACAY

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources is not keen on closing Baguio to tourists to give way to a rehabilitation similar to what it did on Boracay island.

In a press conference during his visit in country’s summer capital on Wednesday, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu, said “Baguio is still Baguio, pupuntahan pa rin kayo ng mga tao [people will still go to you],” he told members of the media.

He said that the department could help address some environmental issues being faced by the city.

“We will gladly be with you in giving support in terms of technical

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and advises based on experiences para naman ma-save the very purpose of Baguio (so that we can save the very purpose of Baguio),” Cimatu said adding that possible rehabilitation will take time.

He said that if there will be moves in the future, they are willing to give support but said that rehabilitation will take time.

Cimatu cited some of the problems he saw but said the local government unit could address them.

“Pag akyat mo sa Baguio, kita mo na talaga maraming buildings na nakalagay sa no build zone, maraming areas na hindi masyado ang sewerage system, yung inyo

yatang basura dinadala pa sa Tarlac, so these are the things na pwedeng maayos [going up Baguio, you can see buildings built on no build zones, there are many areas which have poor sewerage system, I think your garbage is still being haules to Tarlac],” Cimatu said.

He, however, said that such can be addressed while tourists continue to visit the place.

Following the closure of Boracay island from tourists, speculation cropped up that the city would be the next tourist destination that will be closed for rehabilitation.

Earlier, Mayor Mauricio Domogan had repeatedly said that the issues of a

final garbage disposal facility is being addressed by the city government.

The city government has signed a Usufruct agreement over a big parcel of land owned by the Benguet Corporation within the closed mining facility in its former open pit mining area, for the city’s multi-purpose waste facility. This facility when completed will be share with the BLISTT (Baguio, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba and Tublay) towns, which are adjacent to the country’s mountain resort city.

The mayor also cited various ordinances, programs and initiatives that address air pollution and sewerage in the city. PNA

FOREIGN INVESTORS TO INVEST IN CLEAN ENERGY MINI-GRID

By Alena Mae S. Flores

CANDLES FOR THE DEAD. A vendor in Delpan, Tondo in Manila starts to sell candles as All Souls‘ Day nears. Norman Cruz

AROUND 16 foreign investors expressed interest in partnering with local electric cooperatives to invest in clean energy mini-grid around the country.

These foreign investors recently participated in a business-to-business (B2B) matchmaking session in Manila.

Ernesto Silvano, Jr., National Electrification Administration director of the Office for Renewable Energy Development, said that with 1,702 potential off-grid sites in the Philippine, the country’s 121 electric cooperatives in the country which have to face up to the challenge of electrifying the Philippines by 2020.

“The B2B Forum is a useful platform for electric cooperatives in the Philippines to meet mini-grid technology providers. Half of our electric cooperatives have already been engaging in

similar B2B events since the beginning of 2018, and since then three projects have been completed and two are in the pipeline.” Silvano said.

A post-event survey conducted by the Alliance for Rural Electrification that co-organized the first-ever Philippines Mini-grid Business-to-Business (B2B) Forum in Manila recently showed that 16 foreign participants said they would or were very likely to invest in mini-grids in the Philippines.

The B2B forum was primarily organized by the Department of Energy with the support of the European Union. The Philippines National Electrification Administration (NEA) was also one of the supporting organizations.

More than 280 technology providers, project developers and investors from Asia, Europe and North America took part in the B2B Forum.

THE North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Harbor Link Segment 10 in the Camanava (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela) area will be passable by Christmas.

Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar announced this on Friday as he inspected the newly-constructed portion of the project at McArthur Highway, Karuhatan, Valenzuela City, together with NLEX Corp. officials led by its president Rodrigo Franco.

He noted that works are getting close to completion now that the DPWH has given 100 percent of the right-of-way between Karuhatan, Valenzuela City to C3 Road, Caloocan City.

He said the completion of the project will be the Duterte administration and Metro Pacific Tollways Corp.’s Christmas gift to the people as they target to deliver it in time for the holidays.

“We will try to finish this just in time for the Christmas rush to help ease the public’s traffic woes and it will be passable by holiday season,” Villar said.

NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10 is composed of the 5.65-kilometer elevated expressway traversing the NLEX from McArthur Highway Karuhatan, Valenzuela City, passing through Malabon City and C3 Road, Caloocan City and the 2.6km section between C3 Road, Caloocan City, and R10 in Navotas City.

Villar said that the first section is now 83 percent complete while the construction progress of the second section stands at 5 percent. PNA

‘ONLY FEW SENATE WINNERS SINCE 1946 FROM MINDANAO’

By Nash B. Maulana ASIDE from Maguindanao Representative Zajid Mangudadatu, two other Muslims—journalist and peace advocate Samira Ali Gutoc and Princess Ann Sahidula of Sulu—have also filed certificates of candidacy for the May 2019 Senate run.

Mangudadatu said not only have the country’s Muslims been deprived of Senate representation, but also Mindanao in general. The current Senate has only two from Mindanao—Aquilino Pimentel III of Cagayan de Oro and Juan Miguel Zubiri of Bukidnon.

“Yes I would want to do an honorable campaign, kaya (that’s why I’m) still looking for a campaign manager,” Ali-Gutoc said.

Sahidula, a former Sulu congresswoman and vice governor, is not your typical Muslim woman. Aside from being a shooter, Sahidula sings with her own children and band, the way modern TV performers do.

The Commission on Elections has a short list of serious senatorial candidates from Mindanao: SAP Christopher “Bong” Go, BuCor Director Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, Peace Activist Samira “Sam” Ali-Gotoc and Congressman Zajid “Dong” G. Mangudadatu (in alphabetical order). Others who have filed senate run CoCs were hardly aided by party machinery to launch a nationwide campaign, according to Comelec sources.

This number is merely half the list of 11 Mindanao candidates who have made it to the Senate in nationwide elections since 1946.

MAKATI CITY’S NO. 1 AND 2 MOST WANTED ARRESTED THE long arm of the law finally caught up with Makati City’s most wanted criminals.

Louie Guevarra, 47, who is facing 99 counts of rape was arrested in Makati on Friday evening on the strength of a warrant from Judge Rico Sebastian Liwanag of the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 136.

The court did not set bail for Guevarra, married and works as a construction worker.

The Makati police made it a double after it arrested the city’s second most wanted person in 62-year-old Renato Leal Cipriano, who is charged with 2 counts of rape.

Makati RTC Branch 3 also did not set bail for the accused.

Cipriano works as a parking attendant.

Guevarra and Cipriano, who were arrested within 15 minutes of each other, are now detained inside the Makati police station.

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News

BORACAY AS ‘GOLD STANDARD’

By Rio N. Araja

T

HE Department of the Interior and Local Government wants to make Boracay the gold standard for all resort destinations in the country, even as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources will allow citizens’ arrests to enforce stricter littering laws on the world-famous island.

The DENR also said tourists may still enjoy parties, grilling, and other beach activities on Aklan’s prized island for as long as these are done indoors or in areas away from the shore.

DILG Officer-In-Charge Eduardo M. Año said while local and foreign tourists will be welcome again to visit Boracay during its soft reopening on Oct. 26, it will take about two years to

complete the island’s rehabilitation.

“There will be a lot of laws and ordinances to be implemented in Boracay under our supervision to make sure that there will be no repeat of what happened before,” Año said in a statement Friday.

He said the immediate problems on violations of environmental laws in Boracay have been fixed after its

six-month rehabilitation.

As for the citizens’arrests, DENR Undersecretary for Solid Waste Management and Local Government Benny Antiporda said this is to prevent the same scenario during the first day of the dry run last week, when trash was still found on the beach.

This drew criticism from no less than Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, who admonished the litterbugs on television.

“We will not allow it to happen during the island’s reopening on Oct. 26,” Antiporda said.

Another environment undersecretary, Sherwin Rigor, said several prohibitions proposed as policies for the reopening of the world-famous resort island will be imposed only in

beachfront areas.

The bans were meant to protect the shore and maintain the pristine quality of its powder-white sand, Boracay’s most attractive feature.

According to Rigor, among those prohibited are the construction of stage platforms for entertainment purposes, and setting up tables, chairs, massage beds, beach umbrellas, souvenir shops, and food stalls.

Electrical fixtures, such as lightings and wirings, will also be removed and prohibited from the beachfront vegetation area.

“These structures will be banned at all times within the 25+5 meter easement area, which is a ‘no-build zone’, and within the beach vegetation area,” Rigor said. With PNA

N. ECIJA COUNCILOR CANDIDATE SHOT DEAD

By Francisco Tuyay

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signs the guest book during the inauguration of the Gaisano Grand Citygate Mall at the Buhangin District in Davao City on Oct. 19, 2018. Joining the President is his partner Cielito ‘Honeylet’ Avanceña and Benito Gaisano (right). Presidential Photo

‘HONEYLET IS MY TRUE LOVE’

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has described his partner, Cielito “Honeylet” Avanceña, as his “true love.”

“Out of everyone else that I know, she’s the one that I will really believe in,” Duterte said during the inauguration of the Gaisano Grand Citygate Mall in Davao City on Friday.

The President made the remark after mentioning in a speech a former girlfriend who happened to be a “gobernadora” (lady governor).

Duterte and Avanceña have been

together for more than 20 years.

They have a 13-year-old daughter named Veronica, also known as Kitty.

The President also took pride in their daughter for being smart, just like Avanceña.

“She is good at… Because she’s a valedictorian. That’s true. Her daughter takes after her,” Duterte said.

“Like Honeylet’s daughter. Her lowest grade is 91. That’s the lowest. I told her, ‘Nak, back then I only studied just a little.’ Because

she’s always complaining, always studying and rarely goes out anymore,” he added.

On Oct. 7, Duterte and his family spent the weekend in Hong Kong to take a break, apparently without the knowledge of some Cabinet members, especially former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.

His former top aide, Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, uploaded photos of himself with Duterte, who was joined by Avanceña and Kitty. PNA

IRONWOOD HORSE.

Grade school students admire the driftwood art of Zachary Guangco Alcoseba at the Manila Art Exhibits on ‘Stories From the River’ display at Fort Santiago in Manila on Friday.

Lino Santos

A CANDIDATE for councilor in Nueva Ecija was shot dead by a motorcycle-riding gunman near his house Friday afternoon.

Supt. Amado Corpuz, police director of Central Luzon, identified the victim as Allan Joson, 42, a resident of Barangay Jolo, San Antonio town.

Corpuz said Joson was standing along the street a few meters away from his home when an unidentified suspect on board an orange Yamaha Mio motorcycle shot him.

Reports said the suspect had a black complexion, medium built and was wearing a bull cap and a red T-shirt.

“The Police Regional Office-3 strongly condemns the murder of councilor aspirant Allan Joson,” Corpuz said. An in-depth probe is being undertaken to identify, locate and eventually arrest the suspect, he added.

Joson was the first casualty in what appeared to be a case of political violence, two days after the deadline of filling certificates of candidacy passed for the 2019 midterm elections.

Corpuz said police have yet to established the real motive of Joson’s slaying.

“We are looking into all angles to establish possible motives and we are exerting all means to get to the bottom of this unfortunate incident,” Corpuz said.

“We assure the public, as well as the victim’s family, of our total commitment to ensure the immediate resolution of the case through proper investigation,” he added.

The entire PRO-3 extended its deepest condolences to the bereaved family, even as Corpuz solicited public support to prevent similar occurrences.

The Philippine National Police had already mobilized its forces, particularly in hunting down gunfor-hire syndicates and private armies, to ensure peaceful and orderly elections.

PH NOW 2ND ON GLOBALIZATION LIST THANKS to its thriving business process outsourcing industry, the Philippines is the second-best globalization destination in the world this year, rising from third spot in a list run by global strategic advisory firm Tholons.

Tholons said the 2018 Services Globalization Index saw the Philippines just behind India in the “Top 50 Digital Nations” with Brazil at third place.

The United States, Mexico, Canada, Russia, Vietnam, Colombia, and South Africa make up the rest of the top 10, Tholons added.

The index evaluates and ranks countries and cities based on availability and quality of talent in the area, business catalyst or the level of industryrelated activity and organizational support, cost of doing business, infrastructure, innovation, and risk and quality of life, among others.

Six Philippine cities also made it to the report’s

“Top 100 Super Cities,”with Manila rising to second from fourth in 2017.

Two Indian cities—Bengaluru and Mumbai —sandwich the capital city in the top 3. Other Philippine cities on the list are Cebu (11th from 12th in 2017), Davao (75th from 85th), Santa Rosa in Laguna (87th from 100th), Bacolod (89th from 97th), and Iloilo (new to the list at 92nd).

“Most of the services will get commoditized for the biggest leaders in services globalization like US, UK, Canada, Europe, India, Philippines, East Europe, and Latin America,” the index report said, according to ABS-CBN News.

BPO services has propped up the Philippines with over 1.15 million Filipinos working in it. Along with remittances from overseas workers, the sector is one of the top earners of foreign exchange for the country.

TECH IN DISASTER AREAS. Vodafone volunteers Harm Kanters (left) and Ainhoa Montero de Espinosa set up the Instant Wi-Fi and Charge solutions at the landslide operations center in Itogon, Benguet.

PALACE FLIPS ON DRUG TEST ELECTION TACK

By Vito Barcelo MALACAÑANG on Saturday backtracked from its statement rejecting the proposed mandatory drug testing of candidates in the 2019 elections, saying it would still study the measure for those running for the Senate, the House of Representatives, and local positions.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo earlier said drug testing should be voluntary, not a mandatory requirement, for candidates.

In a statement, Panelo said the Palace is not rejecting the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency proposal and will “discuss it further.”

PDEA has proposed a surprise drug test on candidates, while the Dangerous Drugs Board sought a mandatory drug test on officials once they get elected.

“The Palace wishes to clarify that it does not dismiss in toto PDEA’s proposal to conduct mandatory drug testing of political aspirants for next year’s elections,” Panelo said.

“The Office of the President shall first consider and evaluate these in order to make a learned decision on the matter,” he added.

Earlier, the Palace spokesman said that mandatory drug testing for Senate and House candidates is violative of the Constitution, as it adds another qualification outside of that enumerated by the law.

SHABU FROM MICP FOUND ACROSS PH

By Rio N. Araja SHABU confiscated from past buybust operations in the National Capital Region and Maguindanao have matched the shabu seized at the Manila International Container Port in August, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said.

Director General Aaron Aquino on Saturday said laboratory results showed that samples from recently recovered sachets of the drug in Quezon City, Manila, Muntinlupa City and Maguindanao were similar to samples from the seized P3.4 billion worth of shabu at the MICP. He said the samples were illegal drugs seized from PDEA’s entrapment operations in Maguindanao’s Sitio Tenorio, Barangay Awang Dos on July 19; Quezon City’s Congressional Avenue, Barangay Bahay Toro in Quezon City on Aug. 1; Manila’s Ronquillo Street, Sta. Cruz, Manila on Aug. 26; and Muntinlupa’s Alabang Town Center on Oct. 1.

TUCP TO REVISE P320 WAGE HIKE THE Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines is planning to revise its P320 wage hike petition to reflect the 6.2-percent thirdquarter inflation rate in their bid for a substantial wage increase for workers in Metro Manila in a scheduled wage hike consultation on Monday, Oct. 22.

ALU-TUCP spokesman Alan Tanjusay said the P320 wage hike petition they filed in June this year only reflected the prevailing conditions of the first-quarter inflation rate of 5.2 percent.

However, due to higher inflation in succeeding quarters, the real value or purchasing power of the daily wage fell to P340 a day, Tanjusay added.

“Prices of food and costs of services continued to rise since June. So we are crunching the numbers to faithfully reflect the needs of workers and their families to cope with current 6.2 percent inflation rate,” he said.

“We might amend our first wage hike petition so that the Wage Board would have a real-time appreciation of realities surrounding the challenges facing workers,” Tanjusay said.

The Regional Tripartite Productivity and Wages Board-National Capital Region is set to meet at 9 am tomorrow in the first of three sectoral consultations and public hearings to determine the wage increase for workers in the region.

Metro Manila workers are currently receiving a minimum wage of P512 a day. Vito Barcelo

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Opinion

Adelle Chua, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

SOUNDS OF SCIENCE

THE 2019 BUDGET CHALLENGE

C

ONGRESS faces a considerable challenge when lawmakers resume their session in a little over three weeks to discuss the proposed P3.757trillion national budget for 2019.

The plenary deliberations had been scheduled to begin last week but these had been marred by what political observers described as intramurals in the House of Representatives, not to mention what appeared to be a discrepant disagreement between the executive and the legislative branches on the budgeting system.

There is the report, for instance, that members of the House are opposed to the shift to the cash-based budgeting, maintaining the line that major cuts will be implemented if they approved the proposed expenses program.

But the Department of Budget and Management upholds the idea that the shift to cash-based from obligation-based budget will “force the agencies” to bring on completion of projects and use their funds

PECIER DECIERDO

TALKING ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE HERE AND NOW

allotted within the year.

It may be a good idea for Juan dela Cruz to be told at this junction what is cash-based budgeting as differentiated from obligation-based budgeting to have a clearer picture of what to expect when lawmakers finally imprint their signature on the proposal.

According to economists, cash-based budgeting limits contractual obligations and disbursement of payments to goods delivered and services undertaken within the fiscal year.

For years, government agencies’ budgets have followed the two-year, obligation-based budgeting, which expends payments as obligations or commitments that may not necessarily be delivered within the year.

According to Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, in this arrangement agencies tend to enter into contracts before the year ends so that they can commit themselves to projects even if these will not be completed in the same year.

Waiting, for Juan dela Cruz, already dumbstruck by events and confronted by continuing rising prices of prime commodities, is becoming a bad habit.

WHY don’t enough of us care about climate change? Better yet, why don’t we care about this issue enough to cause the society-wide change needed to address the challenge?

These questions reveal that the challenge of climate action requires not just climate science.

Rather, it requires a deep understanding of human psychology. Let us take a quick look at some of what the science of the human mind has to say about this challenge.

The science behind human-caused climate change is firmly established. We know, to a very high degree of confidence, that human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, is causing our planet to warm at an alarming and unprecedented rate. Furthermore, we know that this global warming results in a variety of things, from the rising of the sea to the increased frequency of freak storms.

The special report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) earlier this month not only agrees with the above statements. It also shows that the window for preventing the worst from happening is closing in on us.

Given the way the issue is phrased above, many of you probably ended up feeling hopeless and therefore not inspired to act.

Furthermore, our day-to-day lives present more pressing personal challenges. This leaves us with little motivation to care about a “distant” threat.

This tendency of the human mind to care much less about more distant future consequences is called hyperbolic discounting.

Writing for ScienceNews, Julie Rehmeyer presents hyperbolic discounting using the following questions: “How much would you be willing to spend now to make your child $100 richer in the future? What about your grandchild in the farther future, or your great-great-greatgreat-great-great-grandchild in the very distant future?”

Alternatively, we can also ask, “How much would you be willing to spend to prevent your child from being $100 poorer in the future?”

Because of hyperbolic discounting, most of us today will tend to undervalue the wealth and health of future generations compared to the comforts of living under “business as usual” today.

This is why many science communicators have argued for a shift in the framing of the climate change issue. While it is true that climate change concerns the future, it also concerns the present. Perhaps highlighting the present effects of climate change alongside its future effects will help in counteracting the effects of hyperbolic discounting.

According to the Psychology of Climate Change Communication published by the Center for Research on Environmental Decisions (CRED) at Columbia University, one very effective way of framing climate change is by combining the “future frame”—talking about climate change in terms of future consequences—and “The Now.” Survey data gathered by CRED has shown that “the average person finds little difference between getting $250 now or $366 in one year (implying an interest rate of roughly 46%).”

Their data shows a similar discounting rate for environmental problems. According to their research, “the average person finds little difference between 21 days of clean air now over 35 days of clean air next year.”

Given these results, they recommend often talking about climate change in terms of the present day or the near future.

Bringing that close to home, we Filipinos might be made to care more about climate change if we are shown how much climate change is costing us in the present day, and how much better we would be if we start pressuring our government to prioritize renewable energy over fossil fuels right now.

Speaking of bringing the climate change close to home, another issue with the way climate change is often communicated is this: it is communicated in terms of global impact.

This might be effective for some people. It might, however, be far less effective for most people.

In a study by University of British Columbia psychologist Robert Gifford, 327 participants answered a survey that measured how much they cared about climate change. Before the participants did so, one group read a poster with information about the worldwide effects of climate change. Meanwhile, another group read a poster that showed effects on the local environment. A third group did not get any message at all. Gifford’s results suggest that the people who read about the local effects were more engaged with climate change compared to the people from the other groups.

The fact that different people have very different priorities in life might, at first, seem like a hindrance to making people care about climate change. There is the danger of making climate change compete with worries like economic anxieties.

However, with the use of results from psychology, we can harness the power of such diversity of concerns to show that many of them are inextricably linked to climate change, and that they are linked to it in the here and now.

CHILDREN STILL SUFFER, ONE YEAR AFTER MARAWI LIBERATION Save the Children Philippines

A YEAR after the liberation of Marawi, thousands of children still miss out on school while families remain in cramped evacuation centers.

More than 350,000 people fled Marawi after fighting broke out on May 23 last year.

At least 86,000 children were affected by the conflict with an estimated 22,700 who missed out on their classes, based on the Child Protection Rapid Assessment (CPRA) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Save the Children Philippines has launched the “Balik Marawi, Balik Eskwela,” project over the weekend to provide 1,000 school age children in Marawi and those attending schools in Lanao del Sur to have access to safe and equipped learning spaces. The four-month project with funding assistance worth P1.9 million Insular Foundation Inc. runs from October 2018 to February 2019.

Lawyer Albert Muyot, CEO of Save the Children Philippines, said the project facilitates purchase of school materials such as teacher’s tables, children’s armchairs and teacher kits for Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) and implementation of interventions.

“The conflict has left scars on hundreds of children that are difficult to heal,” said Muyot. He said that the DSWD report cited the psychological impact of humanitarian crises on children.

The DSWD report said children suffer psychological stress during disasters and emergencies. These include different reactions such as sleeping problems, nightmares, withdrawal, concentration problems, guilt feelings.

Children stop going to school due to financial constraints since their parents had little to no source of income while they were in evacuation camps.

Muyot said resuming classes for displaced children of Marawi addresses the psychosocial problems among affected children in Marawi.

Displaced children regain a sense of normality and routine in classrooms, said Muyot. “School also gives children the opportunity to be with their friends, to have fun and forget about what they have been through, and offers protection from risks they’re vulnerable to,” he added.

Save the Children Philippines calls on local governments in Marawi to implement RA 10821 or Children in Emergency and Relief Act of 2016 that addresses the needs

of children before, during and after a disaster and emergency. The Comprehensive Emergency Program for Children (CEPC) lines up disaster risk reduction measures to ensure safety of children during emergencies such as Marawi conflict.

RA 10821, the first legislation of its kind in Asia was passed in 2016 following the experience of Typhoon Haiyan where 6 million children were affected and led to massive deaths and destruction of properties and infrastructure.

With over 6,000 people dead, Typhoon “Haiyan” (local name “Yolanda”) opened the minds of government agencies and civil society organizations on the need for implement a coordinated humanitarian response to address the vulnerabilities of children in times of disasters and emergencies.

The law mandates local officials to establish the following in their respective cities and provinces: • A Comprehensive Emergency Program to protect and safeguard children, and promotes human rights, ensures children have access to essential services for immediate recovery.

• Heightened Surveillance against child trafficking and other forms of violence and

abuse against children in the aftermath of disasters and calamities • Increased participation of children in disaster risk reduction (DRR) planning and post-disaster needs assessment • A system of restoring civil documents for children and their families to better access services and protection against the exploitation • Less disruption of educational services with limited use of schools as evacuation centers and proper use of temporary learning spaces.

• Improved care and process for family tracing and reunification for orphaned, unaccompanied and separated children.

• Improved data collection and reporting related to affected children for better understanding of their needs.

• Child-centered training and standard setting for all responders for community and village leaders, school personnel and rescuers.

“Save the Children Philippines stands ready to help in rebuilding the war stricken city,” said Muyot. The effective implementation of RA 10821 in cities and municipalities through the CEPC will ensure protection of rights and welfare of children.

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher ManilaStandard

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.thestandard. com.ph; e-mail: contact@thestandard.com.ph

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AUSSIE COALITION HEADED FOR LOSS IN BY-ELECTION SYDNEY—Australia’s embattled conservative coalition was heading for a spectacular defeat in a crucial byelection Saturday, as analysts declared victory for a high-profile independent candidate.

The loss, if confirmed after counting finishes, would snuff out the LiberalNational coalition’s one-seat parliamentary majority.

It would also be the biggest-ever swing in a by-election against a sitting government.

The poll in the wealthy Sydney seat of Wentworth was triggered after former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull was ousted in a party coup in August —the sixth change of national leaders in the last decade Turnbull’s successor, Scott Morrison, is facing public anger about the leadership merry-go-round and constant infighting in Canberra, and could be made to pay in Wentworth, traditionally a seat held by his Liberal Party.

Just over an hour after polls closed, respected veteran analyst Antony Green of national broadcaster ABC said with some nine percent of the vote counted, the Liberals were facing a more than 25 percent swing against the party.

The benefactor was doctor and independent candidate Kerryn Phelps, who capitalised on the voter discontent.

“I think we can say that Kerryn Phelps will win the Wentworth byelection and this has been a pretty bad result for the Liberal Party,” Green said.

The Wentworth loss would transform the coalition into a minority government, effectively turning Morrison into a lame duck prime minister.

Voting is compulsory in Australia but the buzz around the polling stations was unusual for Wentworth, with dozens of volunteers from different parties inundating voters with leaflets for their candidates.

“I’ve done over 20 elections and this is the first time at eight o’clock (in the morning) we’ve had a queue,” Liberal Party volunteer Kevin Berry told national broadcaster ABC. AFP

100,000 TAIWANESE IN MAJOR RALLY FOR INDEPENDENCE TAIPEI, Taiwan—Tens of thousands of Taiwan independence campaigners took to the streets Saturday for a major rally that is a rebuke to Beijing and a challenge to the island’s already embattled government.

The protest in central Taipei came as China increasingly pushes its claim to the self-ruling democratic island and President Tsai Ing-wen struggles to appease Beijing and independence factions.

It was the first large-scale protest calling for an outright independence vote since Taiwan first became a democracy more than 20 years ago.

Organisers claimed a turnout of more than 100,000.

Demonstrators gathered outside the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) headquarters chanting slogans and waving flags reading “Independence Referendum”.

“Want Referendum!” and “Oppose Annexation!” the crowd shouted.

China still sees Taiwan as part of its territory to be reunified, despite the two sides being ruled separately since the end of a civil war on the mainland in 1949.

Taiwan considers itself a sovereign state, with its own currency, political and judicial systems, but has never declared formal independence from the mainland.

Beijing has warned it would respond with force if Taiwan tried an official split.

Organised by new group Formosa Alliance, which is backed by two proindependence former Taiwan presidents, Lee Teng-hui and Chen Shuibian, the rally called for a public vote on whether the island should formally declare independence from China.

“We want to tell China to stop bullying Taiwan,” Alliance leader Kuo Peihorng, 63, told the crowd.

“Taiwanese people want to be their own master,” he added.

Families brought their young children to the event, but the majority of protesters were older residents, with some pro-independence church groups also joining the rally.

“Only through holding a referendum can Taiwanese people show to the international community our right to build an independent new country,” said Tsai Wen-li, 63, a retired postal worker who wore a T-shirt reading “Taiwan is my country”. AFP

BIG BEACH HEAD. A child plays in front of a sculpture titled ‘Damien Hirst Looking For Sharks,’ part of the annual ‘Sculpture by the Sea’ exhibition in Sydney on Friday. The annual event showcases artists from all over the world exhibited on the coastal walk between Bondi Beach and Tamarama. AFP

ON KHASHOGGI DEATH

TRUMP SEES SAUDI WORD AS ‘CREDIBLE’

W

ASHINGTON—United States President Donald Trump said Friday he found Saudi Arabia’s explanation about the death of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi credible and termed it an “important first step.”

Trump added if the US takes action, he does not want it to impact arms sales to the kingdom, which said Khashoggi was killed in a fight at its Istanbul consulate.

Turkish officials pointed to a state-sanctioned hit.

“I do, I do,” Trump said when asked if he found the Saudis’ explanation credible, adding: “It’s early, we haven’t finished our review or investigation, but... I think it’s a very important first step.”

“I would prefer, if there is going to be some form of sanction or what we may determine to do, if anything... that we don’t use as retribution canceling $110 billion worth of work, which means 600,000 jobs,” he said during a visit to Arizona, referring to a major arms deal

with the kingdom.

Meanwhile, the international community must keep up the pressure on Saudi Arabia after its admission that journalist Jamal Khashoggi died in its Turkish consulate, Reporters without Borders (RSF) said Saturday.

Riyadh had to be held to account for the death of Khashoggi and the imprisonment of other journalists, Christophe Deloire, Secretary General of the Paris-based media rights watchdog tweeted.

“Any attempt to get rid of the pressure on Saudi Arabia and to accept a compromise policy would result in giving a ‘license to kill’ to a Kingdom that puts in jail, lashes, kidnaps and even kills journalists who dare to investigate and launch debates,” he wrote.

“After the recognition of Khashoggi’s death, we expect a determined, constant and powerful pressure to be kept on Saudi Arabia in order to get the whole truth on the case and the release of Saudi Arabian journalists (who have) been condemned to crazy and horrible sentences,” he added.

Trump has sent mixed messages about Khashoggi for days, vowing a severe response but also saying that the United States wants to preserve its close relationship with the conservative kingdom. AFP

WIKILEAKS FOUNDER SUES ECUADOR FOR VIOLATING ‘RIGHTS’ QUITO, Ecuador—WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange sued the Ecuador government on Friday for violating his “fundamental rights” and limiting his access to the outside world while in asylum at its London embassy.

The 47-year-old Australian’s legal action comes with speculation mounting that Ecuador is preparing to end its standoff with the British government by terminating his high-profile stay.

Assange found refuge in the embassy in 2012 after a British judge ruled he should be extradited to Sweden to face allegations of sexual assault.

That case has since been dropped but Assange fears being extradited to the United States to face charges over the WikiLeaks website’s release of troves of sensitive US government files.

WikiLeaks said its legal counsel Baltazar Garzon would launch a legal case against the government for

“violating (Assange’s) fundamental rights and freedom.”

Britain’s Press Association news agency said the case is expected to be heard in Ecuador next week.

WikiLeaks said its move comes almost seven months after Ecuador “threatened to remove his protection and summarily cut off his access to the outside world, including by refusing to allow journalists and human rights organizations to see him.”

It added that the embassy was requiring Assange’s visitors—including journalists and lawyers—to disclose “private or political details such as their social media usernames.”

Quito confirmed blocking Assange’s internet and mobile phone access in March after accusing him of breaking “a written commitment” not to interfere in Ecuador’s foreign policies.

A protocol governing Assange’s stay at the embassy -- revealed by

Ecuadoran internet site Codigo Vidrio and never denied by Quito -warns that further breaches will lead to “termination of asylum.”

The website reported that the embassy intends to stop paying for Assange’s food and medical care in December.

Under the protocol, Assange is to have his access to the internet restored via the embassy wifi.

Garzon told a press conference in Ecuador on Thursday that Assange was suing Ecuador Foreign Minister Jose Valencia over his “inhuman” living conditions at the embassy.

Valencia said on Friday that Ecuador would “respond in an appropriate manner, in respect of the law.”

Quito “has full legal support for its position, because the protocol was adopted in accordance with international rules and Ecuadoran law,” the minister said. AFP

KHASHOGGI HITS ‘MBS’ IN NEWSWEEK INTERVIEW WASHINGTON—Saudi critic Jamal Khashoggi criticized Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s “authoritarian rule” shortly before his death, in an interview published following confirmation he died at the kingdom’s Istanbul consulate.

Speaking off the record to a Newsweek journalist working on a story about the Saudi leadership, he insisted he did not view himself as “an opposition” -- he just wanted “a better Saudi Arabia.”

“I’m not calling for the overthrow of the regime, because I know it’s not possible and is too risky, and there is no one to overthrow the regime,” Khashoggi said.

“I’m just calling for reform of the regime.”

He described Prince Mohammed as “an old-fashioned tribal leader” out of touch with Saudi’s poor.

“Sometimes I feel that ... he wants to enjoy the fruits of First World modernity and Silicon Valley and cinemas and everything, but at the same time he wants also to rule like how his grandfather ruled Saudi Arabia,” Khashoggi told Newsweek.

“He still doesn’t see the people. When he sees the people, that’s when the actual reform will start.”

Khashoggi also criticized Prince Mohammed’s lack of “proper advisers.”

“He is moving toward a Saudi Arabia according to him, a Saudi Arabia according to Mohammed bin Salman only,” said Khashoggi, who was himself a contributor to the Washington Post newspaper.

Khashoggi described two of the prince’s aides -- sports chief Turki al-Sheikh and the since-dismissed media adviser Saud al-Qahtani -- as “very thuggish.”

“People fear them. You challenge them, you might end up in prison, and that has happened,” he said. AFP

YOUNGEST AFRICAN BILLIONAIRE DEWJI FREED BY KIDNAPPERS

POUTY FACE. Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission,

reacts during the second day of a European Union leaders summit at the European Council in Brussels on Thursday. EU leaders meet for a summit focused on migration and internal security, after reviewing the state of the Brexit negotiations with Britain. AFP

NAIROBI, Kenya—Tanzanian tycoon Mohammed Dewji, Africa’s youngest billionaire who was kidnapped earlier this month, said Saturday he had been released and had returned home safely.

“I thank Allah that I have returned home safely. I thank all my fellow Tanzanians, and everyone around the world for their prayers,” he said in a tweeted message.

“I thank the authorities of Tanzania, including the Police Force for working for my safe return.”

His father Gullam Dewji confirmed his son’s release in comments to the Tanzanian daily Mwanachi. His uncle, Azim Dewji said the kidnappers had released him early Saturday in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s economic capital.

The family had offered a reward of half a million dollars (435,000 euros) for information that would help police find him.

Tanzanian police said Friday they had identified the driver of a vehicle used in the kidnapping and were making progress in their investigation.

Dewji was kidnapped on October 11 by gunmen -- said to have been white -- as he entered the gym of a hotel in Dar es Salaam.

Mohammed Dewji, 43, heads the MeTL Group which operates in about 10 countries with interests in agriculture to insurance, transport, logistics and the food industry.

Dar es Salaam police chief Lazaro Mambosasa told journalists that the assailants had “shot into the air” before bustling Dewji into their car. AFP

Images

ine mach nt e o h ack nme er a b ite gover d n u sp eping a, de u ily sle a in Manil y Espirit m a f n s e s r n e l A o e t oor. S hom e Por ER. Ascene at th uplift the p T L E SH ommon mises to pro is a c

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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

TINSEL SEASON. A merchant arranges assorted colorful Christmas tree decorations for homes and offices, which are affordably priced at the Dapitan Christmas arcade in Manila in anticipation of the holiday season. Ey Acasio

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK

IS THIS CHINA? No, just a row of Chinese-language advirtisements displayed at the pedestrian underpass near the Makati Stock Exchange. Lino Santos

ALMOST DONE. The view through a fence of the Paranque Southwest Integrated Terminal Building near Coastal Road shows it’s near completion. Sonny Espiritu

CARVING AN ICON. Professional sculptor John Yumol from UP Balara in Quezon City creates his

masterpiece of Jesus Christ with a guitar, and other images mostly sold in religious shops. Manny Palmero

ARCING LIGHTS. Christmas archs adorn the entrance of a shopping mall in Makati City in time for the coming holidays. Bobby Cabrera

‘IT’ SCARY. Security guards at the Tierra Pura Village in Quezon City arrange displays at the gate— including a scary picture of the clown made famous by the movie ’It’—ahead of Halloween and All Saints Day next month. Manny Palmero

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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2018

Reira U Mallari, Editor sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Sports

BUILDING A WINNING LEAGUE OF LEGENDS TEAM

T IS an understatement to say that League of Legends is popular—over time, it has grown into the symbol of mobile gaming of today’s generation. The game may be pretty daunting for a newbie but have no fear, we’ll walk you through the basics of what LOL is, and how to build a winning team.

What is LOL? League of Legends is a free multiplayer online battle arena computer game available for PC. The game is set on the Summoner’s Rift, where teams have their own base that they must guard while attacking the opponent.

The two teams are identified by their colors: the Blue team whose base is on the lower left and the Red team whose base is on the upper right.

Each team has turrets in each of their three lanes that will deal damage to any enemy within its range, and protects a central structure called the Nexus. After a team destroys the enemy turrets on the map, the enemy’s Nexus may then be destroyed to achieve victory.

As a player (or summoner as what LOL players are called), you get to choose one from among hundreds of champions, each with unique strengths and abilities. Each champion has at least five abilities (one passive, three main and one ultimate ability) that can grow stronger through experience, or purchasing items and gold. LoL pairs you with live teammates, so devoting time and being present for the duration of the game is a must.

The road to becoming an LOL gamer 1. Build the team As a new player, you have to accept that there is no way to instantly create the perfect team. It is best to look for players who play with synergy—people who work and communicate with each other to emerge victorious.

2. Choose your role Are you the type of player willing to set the pace of the game? You’re a true born jungler! Or perhaps you are the type who likes working on the sidelines? Then the support role is the way to go! Start setting your roles with your teammates, work on your team synergy and you’re sure to be on your way to victory!

3. Master the game The key to any successful professional esports career is to fully master the game. Find time to practice more with your team, experiment

Robinson

ROBINSON STICKING AROUND WITH PIRATES FOR 5 YEARS

By Peter Atencio

As a player (or summoner as what LOL players are called), you get to choose one from among hundreds of champions, each with unique strengths and abilities.

with various item builds and try out new champion compositions as well as strategies no matter how wild and seemingly unorthodox they may seem. Remember, the best LoL teams came on top because they did something no other team has ever thought before!

4. Shotcalling and Leadership Shot callers are not a necessity in the team; however, their presence is valuable. This player tells the rest of the team where to go and what to do, asserting leadership and strategy. Deciding who the leader would be in-game is a definite must.

The hierarchy in team building does not suggest one is better than the other, but it serves as a strategy to help the team win more games. Leaders make sure that players understand the team dynamic and make them play their roles to achieve the team’s goal and emerge victorious.

5. Fast Internet Connection Another necessity to building a winning LOL team is having reliable, fast internet to keep the ball rolling.

International broadband speed testing authority Speedtest by Ookla re-

ports that with just a speed of 2Mbps, you can enjoy a smooth, lag-free LOL game, and you can easily get this with Globe At Home Prepaid WiFi. More than delivering good connection, Globe At Home Prepaid WiFi offers FREE INTERNET for League of Legends to stay on top of your game!

Just load any HomeSurf promo until Nov. 15.

HomeSurf comes in three promo packages: HomeSurf 15 for 1GB valid for 1 day, HomeSurf 349 for 10GB valid for 10 days and HomeSurf 599 for 15GB valid for 30 days. The free internet access has the same validity as your chosen HomeSurf promo.

With Globe At Home available in more channels, family members can now go home to enjoy surfing at 2x faster speeds, 2x wider coverage and 2x stronger signal vs. pocket WiFi! Buy your own prepaid wifi from Globe stores nationwide. It is also available in Ministop, Home Along, Abenson and via Home Credit in MemoEx. Be an LOL champion with Globe At Home Prepaid WiFi! For more information, visit broadband.globe.com.ph/ prepaid -wifi.

PH BLU BOYS CRUSH FOES IN MAKASSAR OPEN THE Philippine Blu Boys trampled Bedford of Australia, 6-3, to sustain its impressive campaign in the Makassar Open Internaitonal men’s and women’s softball tournament in Makassar, Indonesia over the weekend.

After edging the Aussies, 10-9, in their first meeting, the Blu Boys bowed to the New Zealand side, 1-5, but struck back with victories over Piccadilly of New Zealand, 3-0, and Lakidende of Malaysia, 1-0, before thumping the

host Pirates, 10-0.

“The Blu Boys are definitely a force to reckon with in the international scene. I wish them good luck and I am confident that they will deliver good results,” said Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (ASAPHIL) presidentJean Henri Lhuillier of the national men’s softball team which is coming off a silver medal finish in the 10th Asian Men’s Softball Championship recently.

NU, UST BAG 3RD WINS

NATIONAL University and University of Santo Tomas scored straight-set wins against their respective foes to remain undefeated in the girls’ division of the UAAP Season 81 high school volleyball tournament Saturday at the Blue Eagle Gym. Alyssa Solomon had 12 points, including two blocks, as the five-peat seeking Bullpups topped UP Integrated School, 25-8, 25-18, 25-13.

Regina Jurado and Imee Hernandez had nine and eight points, respectively, as the Junior Tigresses bested University of the East, 25-17, 25-12, 25-21.

Now sporting similar 3-0 slates, NU and UST dispute the solo lead in a rematch of last year’s championship series at 9 a.m. Sunday at the same Katipunan venue.

Sheena Toring also had two blocks to finish with nine points, while Faith Nisperos accounted five of the Bullpups’ 15 service aces.

Angel Canino had three blocks for a 16-point effort, while Jewel Encarnacion chipped in 11 hits, including two service aces as De La Salle-Zobel moved to solo third with a 25-19, 2517, 25-23 win over Adamson University.

The Junior Lady Spikers rose to 2-1, while the Baby Falcons have lost two in a row after a 2-0 start in fourth place.

AS THE Lyceum Pirates headed back into the finals, coach Topex Robinson earned a lot of respect as head coach of a team which nobody expected get very far last year.

As a show of gratitude, school officials forged a new partnership with Robinson, who will stay on as head coach for the next five years.

As Robinson contemplates on becoming the newly created position of Director of Basketball Operations of the LPU system, the fate of the Pirates in the Final Four semifinals is still in his mind.

That’s after the defending champion San Beda Red Lions pounced on a pair of turnovers to put away the Lyceum Pirates, 75-68, last Thursday at the Arena in San Juan.

The Red Lions, who will face the University of Perpetual Help Altas in the Final Four, took the no 1. seeding with their 16-1 win-loss record, with still a game left in their schedule.

The Pirates, getting 16 points from Mike Nzeusseu and 14 from Jaycee Marcelino, finished the eliminations with a 15-3 win-loss card.

The second seeded Pirates will now six days of rest before they meet the third-seeded Letran Knights in the Final Four.

In accepting his new role, Robinson will oversee the staffs of all the LPU teams, both junior and seniors’ squads.

The“Love, Serve, Care”mantra that Robinson instilled in the Pirates has propelled them to unprecedented heights.

From the bottom of the league in NCAA Season 92, the Pirates made history in Season 93 with an 18-game elimination-round sweep and a finals berth.

This year, the Pirates are contenders again, after finishing second in the elimination round with a 15-3 record and with a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four that starts next week.

Also under Robinson, LPU won the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup last May. “We are happy to have extended a new contract to Coach Topex,” said LPU President and Attorney Robert P. Laurel in a statement.

JEREBKO BASKET LIFTS WARRIORS PAST JAZZ

GOLF CHAMPS. Clyde Mondilla (third from left) holds his trophy as he poses

with (from left) Luisita Golf and Country Club’s Jeric Hechanova, low amateur Aidric Chan and Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. executive director Narlene Soriano after holding off Peter Stojanovski of Macedonia and fellow local ace Jay Bayron to snare the PGT season-ending ICTSI Luisita Invitational crown last Friday.

LOS ANGELES—Jonas Jerebko executed a clutch tip in with 0.3 seconds left against his former team to lift the Golden State Warriors to a 124-123 win over the Utah Jazz on Friday.

Kevin Durant scored 38 points and Stephen Curry tallied 31, while Sweden’s Jerebko came off the bench to score 10 and the game winner in a wild contest in front of a crowd of 18,300.

“My teammates knew this was a big game for me coming back here. I wanted to win and told them I really wanted this one,” said Jerebko.

The Jazz built a big lead by scoring 47 points in the second quarter but Golden State clawed their way back into it with a strong second half, led by Curry.

The defending NBA champion Warriors are favoured to win their third title in a row but many wondered how they would do Friday against the Jazz’s lockdown defence at the Vivint Smart arena.

Utah was the only team last year to beat Golden State three times.

Journeyman Jerebko, who also played for the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons, joined the Warriors in the offseason after being let go by the Jazz.

“He had a little bit of juice and fire coming here to Utah to show up his old teammates,” said Curry of Jerebko.

On the Warriors’ final possession of the game, Durant attempted a jump shot from the free-throw line which rattled off the rim but Jerebko was right there to outmuscle Rudy Gobert for the winner.

“I took the ball out, so I knew I was going to give it to K.D. and I knew he was going to shoot it, so I just tried to get to the rim,” Jerebko said.

Durant wished he had made the shot but he was also pleased for Jerebko.

“Jonas was there in the right place at the right time,” Durant said. “It was very fitting that he comes back here and gets the game-winning tip. We were very excited for him.”

Australia’s Joe Inglis led the Jazz with

27 points while Donovan Mitchell, who was runner-up for rookie of the year last season, scored 19 in the loss.

Mitchell launched a desperation shot at the buzzer but there wasn’t enough time on the clock to properly execute the catch-and-shoot play.

Elsewhere, Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 26 points and 15 rebounds as Milwaukee Bucks tried out their new long-range attack in their home opener Friday to beat the Indiana Pacers 118-101.

Khris Middleton delivered 25 points for the Bucks who attempted a franchise record 47 shots from beyond the arc.

First year Milwaukee coach Mike Budenholzer said they are trying to be aggressive and create space for threepoint attempts.

“If there’s going to be rotations, there’s going to be helps, there’s going to be shifts, and there’s opportunities to shoot threes, then we’ll take those,” he said. AFP

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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2018

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor / Roderick dela Cruz, Issue Editor business@manilastandard.net

FORMOSO NAMED WRC AMBASSADOR FOR ASIA-PAC

World Retail Congress ambassador for Asia Pacific Lorenzo ‘Enchong’ Formoso

M

MANILA RANKS SECOND AMONG 100 ‘SUPER CITIES’

ANILA has regained the second spot among the world’s top 100 ‘super cities’ for the outsourcing industry which is now being transformed by digital services.

The ranking based on the “Tholons Services Globalization Index 2018” was an improvement from Manila’s fourth place in 2017.

“Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi and Hyderabad from India, and Manila from the Philippines continue to be in the top 5 of super cities. Manila has regained its 2nd position from last year’s when it slipped to 4th position,” says Tholons, a global strategic consulting, digital industrial innovation and investment advisory group.

Other Philippine cities in the prestigious list are Cebu City at 11th spot; Davao City, 75th; Sta. Rosa, 87th; Bacolod, 89th; and Iloilo, 92nd.

R eal estate ser vices and investment management company Colliers International Group Inc. says the improvement in Manila’s ranking should buoy its stature as a major outsourcing destination.

Tholons says the services globalization (outsourcing) industry has been shaken by the paradigm shift and big industry leaders are grappling to align their business model to the new world of enterprise digital innovation and transformation.

It says the industry has been knocked by digital forces. Robotics, artificial intelligence, social media, mobility, big data, block chain, digital supply chain, digital trust, as-a-service will continue to punch established players.

The cities covered by the Tholons survey were ranked based on talent skills and quality; business catalyst; cost; infrastructure; risk and quality of life; and digital innovation.

Colliers says Manila fares well in terms of talent as the country’s capital accounts for an estimated 70 percent of the estimated 1.3 million

Telus employees in Manila

outsourcing employees in the Philippines.

Manila also continues to attract highly-skilled college graduates from other parts of the country.

Aside from call centers, Colliers sees the aggressive entry of more knowledge process outsourcing companies in Manila that provide higher-value outsourcing services such as health information management, medical coding, legal transcription, and software engineering.

“The entry and expansion of technology firms such as Google, Amazon and Facebook is a proof of the improving skill-set of Manila employees. However, this should be sustained by continuous upgrading of college curriculum and training provided to college students,” it says.

In terms of cost, Manila remains as one of the most attractive office markets in Asia because of its relatively cheaper lease rates.

Manila also fares well in the digital and innovation category. “In our opinion, this can be attributed to a vibrant start-up community in Manila. A number of large Filipino companies and multinational corporations have invested in and mentored a number of start-ups that offer a wide range of mobile services including financial technology,” Colliers says.

“The improved ranking only solidifies Manila’s stature as a preferred outsourcing destination.

Despite the uncertainty brought about by the introduction of the Tax Reform for Attracting

Better and High-quality Opportunities [or Trabaho] bill in Congress and delay in the approval of buildings applying for Philippine Economic Zone Authority accreditation, Philippine cities remain on the radar of large outsourcing locators,” says Dom Fredrick Andaya, Colliers International Philippines director for office services.

“Among the challenges in the near term is to sustain our lead against our Southeast Asian peers that are starting to catch up,” says Andaya.

Colliers says that in 2018, it expects Manila (National Capital Region) to have a net takeup of 1.06 million square meters (11.41 million sq ft), making it comparable to major office markets in the region such as Shenzhen, Shanghai and Beijing.

Aside from cost considerations, the quality of office space in Manila has also been improving following the completion of new LEED- and WELLcertified towers, as well as the proliferation of flexible workspaces that cater to both start-ups and established multinational corporations, it says.

However, infrastructure and the quality of life categories continue to weigh down Manila’s ranking. “In our opinion, this is due to Manila’s poor showing in annual competitiveness surveys,” Colliers says.

According to the 2017 Global Competitiveness poll of the World Economic Forum, the Philippines ranked 90th out of 137 countries in terms of overall infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Manila ranks 137th among 231 cities in a quality of life survey by consultancy firm Mercer Global.

A bright spot for Manila is the implementation of the Ease of Doing Business Act, according to Colliers. The law should enable a streamlined business registration process for local and foreign locators and should play an important role in enticing outsourcing firms to operate in Manila.

Colliers says Manila and other Philippine cities should aim to be part of the Top 25 Potential Digital Leaders list at par with highly successful cities such as New Yok, London, Singapore and Dubai.

WORLD Retail Congress chairman Ian Mcgarrigle has appointed Philippine Retailers Association vice chairman Lorenzo Formoso as WRC ambassador for Asia Pacific.

Formoso is the past chairman and now vice chairman of the Federation of Asia Pacific Retailers.

With 32 years of experience in travel retail, Formoso spearheaded the PRA in its major programs especially the staging and hosting of the 17th Asia Pacific Retailers Convention & Exhibition in Manila in October 2015.

The APRCE, held biennially by the FAPRA is considered as the biggest and longest running retail convention and exhibition in the Asia Pacific region. It consists of the recognized national retail trade organizations in 18 membereconomies—Australia, China, Chinese Taipei, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam.

Formoso chaired FAPRA from 2015 to 2017. He presided over the federation’s policies and programs aimed at helping promote the growth and development of retailing in the region. He also attended the 18th APRCE in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia as FAPRA chairman in October 2017.

Formoso also represents the FAPRA and the PRA at the Forum for International Retail Associations a n d E xe c u t i ve s, a g ro u p o f associations based in New York that tackles issues concerning retail in their respective regions. FIRAE is composed mostly of US and European retail aggrupation.

He has also been invited as speaker and resource person in numerous international retail conferences such as the Tax-Free Asia Pacific in Singapore, Trinity Forum in Seoul and Taipei, MAPIC in Cannes and Milan, the WRC in Paris and recently in WRC Madrid in May. As WRC Ambassador, Formoso is tasked to promote the WRC in Asia Pacific and attract more participation from Asian retailers in WRC’s international retail network.

“I hope to be able to contribute to the objectives of the WRC as the Asia Pacific becomes an active contributor in its conferences, this with the end in view of addressing the dynamic changes in the retail landscape worldwide.” Formoso said.

Formoso will be one of the speakers and will judge one of the major awards in the coming 2019 WRC in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

The World Retail Congress is a retail conference organization based in London that brings together the leaders of today’s global retail industry.

P350-MILLION WATER PARK SET TO RISE IN ORIENTAL MINDORO J O L L I V I L L E Holdings Corp., throughsubsidiary Jolliville Leisure and Resort Corp., is building a P350million themed water park in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro.

In a statement, JLRC said Jolly Waves Water Park and Resort will feature premium facilities complete with day-time accommodations, unique water amenities, function rooms and diverse diving options.

JLRC said the project sits on a 4.6-hectare property in Barangay Sapal, Calapan City. Once completed, it will offer tourists, visitors and

residents of Mindoro Island an exciting recreational facility.

JOH, a publicly listed real estate management company controlled by businessman Jolly Ting, said it will fund the project through internally generated cash flows and bank loans.

Construction and land development of the theme park started in the fourth quarter of 2016 and is now 80-percent completed.

JLRC said it expects to open the park to the public in 2019.

Once operational, the leisure park will allow guests to enjoy its wave

pool, running river, giant water slides, bike and body zip lines, overnight cottages, function rooms and 100 cabanas.

“It is the first of its kind in the M i m a ro p a re gi o n ,” J L R C s a i d.

Mimaropa, or the Southwestern Tagalog Region, consists of the provinces of Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan.

Last year, Jolliville opened a 25room business hotel in Calapan City offering quality accommodation to travelers in the capital city of Oriental

Mindoro. The hotel also serves as a training center for the personnel who will manage the water park development.

Orlando Tizon, Oriental Mindoro Tourism, Investment and Enterprise Development O fficer, said the province attracted some 480,000 visitors in 2017.

“Of this figure, about 50 percent of the guests went to the famous pristine beaches in Puerto Galera.

The province has also expanded its development inward,” said Tizon.

One of these developments is

the Jolly Waves Water Park which is set to open by the first quarter of 2009.

Calapan Water Works Corp., a subsidiary of JOH, also manages and operates the water system in Calapan City. It supplies water to 35 barangays covering more than 25,000 households.

JOH is a diversified conglomerate with business interests in various industries that include real estate, power generation, water distribution, management, leisure and business process outsourcing.

Business

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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2018 business@manilastandard.net

AYALA GROUP PUSHES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

BOUNTY AGRO PRESIDENT RECEIVES ASIAN AWARD

Ayala Foundation president Ruel Maranan

“AYALA has put in place interventions that contribute to all 17 sustainable development goals, covering not only our business operations, but also our social and environmental commitments.”

These were highlighted by Ayala Foundation president Ruel Maranan as he spoke at the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Summit held on Oct. 8 at Conrad Manila.

Speaking at a session entitled “Family Businesses and Foundations: A Force for Sustainable Development,” Maranan emphasized the pioneering work of the Ayala group in the field of sustainability reporting.

Given such standards, Ayala Foundation aims to be a community development expert by investing heavily in initiatives that have high social impact and by ensuring the sustainability of its community programs.

Maranan also pointed out the need for community solutions that are as suitable as they are sustainable.

“Sustainability is a byproduct when we are engaged. Be part of the solution,” he said.

He said a part of this could be achieved by empowering community leaders who will be on-theground advocates for community development.

Maranan concluded his talk by citing Ayala Foundation’s slogan—As One We Can. He said: ”Let us make that slogan [As One We Can] a way of life; imagine how formidable we will become if we do it together.”

The other session speakers were Cedie Lopez-Vargas of the Lopez Group Foundation, Ramon Gil Macapagal of the SM Foundation and Mike Liwanag of JG Summit.

The first of its kind in the Philippines, the GRI Sustainability Summit gathered together leaders from the business and development sectors to share perspectives and experiences in sustainable development.

LUNG CENTER OFFERS COURSE ON DENTISTRY THE Dental, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department of the Lung Center of the Philippines in Quezon City will conduct an orientation on One-year Hospital Dentistry with Minor Oral Surgery on Oct. 26 at the LCP’s Dental Unity Room C6.

Fo r m e r l y o f fe r e d b y t h e Philippine College of Oral and M axillofacial Surgeons, the course is comprised of hospital decorum, proper management of medically compromised patients, review of basic oral surgery and exposure to oral and maxillofacial surgeries.

Attendees to this orientation course will be the fourth batch.

One year is a requirement for residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery which is the only full time program .

Included in the residency program is the oppor tunity for rotation abroad as well as M a s te r i n S c i e n ce i n O M S .

Bounty Agro Ventures Inc. president and general manager Ronald Mascarinas (center)

R

ONALD Mascariñas may be the president and general manager of a poultry integrator company, but he is everything but chicken in his leadership.

Lauded as one of the S o u t h e a s t A s i a n r e g i o n’s Outstanding Leaders in Asia at the Asia Corporate Excellence & Sustainability Awards held at Fair mont Singapore on O c t. 11, 2018, M ascar iñas was deemed an exceptional leader who has demonstrated sound leadership, successfully applying management wisdom to s p e a r h e a d grow t h a n d prominence for his organization.

Cited as an individual who exhibits the ideal blend of business acumen, professionalism, entrepreneurial caliber and astuteness, Mascariñas was instrumental to the continued success—in fac t, the ver y sur vival— of his company, Bounty Agro Ventures Inc. BAVI was initially established as a poultry integrator company operating in Cebu and Davao, carrying the Bounty Fresh brand.

Incorporated in 1997, BAVI is presently ranked 207th among the top 1,000 corporations in the Philippines.

In 2002, the company embarked on a program to modernize operational capability and market expansion, led by Mascariñas. The [resident helped link together hundreds o f b ro i l e r c o n t r a c t f a r m s, dozens of hatcheries, feed mills, poultry processing plants and processed meats plants, with the end goal of establishing a highly efficient supply chain in poultry integration. The venture was an unmitigated success, and consistently earned Triple A rat i n g s by t h e N at i o n a l Meat Inspection Service for cleanliness.

The implementation of the Asian Free Trade Agreement, however, led to an open market, which led to cheaper imports.

Faced with thin margins and fierce competition, BAVI faced a dire threat to its existence. In the light of this challenge, Mascariñas made a bold move to diversify operations. BAVI launched its own retail operation, and developed a complementing range of cooked chicken and dressed chicken products. In 2009, the company launched its oven roasted chicken business under the trade name “Chooks-to - Go”, completing the integration cycle of poultry operations, from the farm to the dinner table.

Under Mascariñas’ leadership, BAVI has set itself apart from the

industry by being the first and only poultry integrator to offer antibiotic-free chicken. BAVI is presently the country’s number one poultry integrator, and largest rotisserie chicken chain, with more than 1,200 rotisserie stores nationwide.

In a pre-award interview, Mascariñas, attributed his bold business strategy to the trinity of vision, people and training.

“I have always believed in the importance of a good reputation founded on ethical and fair business relationships; and the paramount importance of competent and trustworthy people in the organization working as a team. What connects the two is good management. A good leader teaches, guides, a n d e ve n h a n d h o l d s, i f needed. A good leader does everything to ensure that people who work with them are encouraged, and taught the value of discipline,” he said.

His win is one of 11 awards won by the Philippines at the fifth Asia Corporate Excellence & Sustainability Awards.

HOW A FILIPINO NURSE ACHIEVES UK DREAM JOB

Charles Castaneda

MANY Filipinos dream of working as a healthcare professional in the United Kingdom. Luckily for 25-year-old Charles Castaneda, that dream will soon come to fruition.

In a few months, he will be flying to the UK to start his career as a nurse—a dream-come-true that Castaneda attributes to his success taking the International English Language Testing System.

IELTS is the world’s proven English

language test. It is trusted and accepted by more than 10,000 institutions worldwide.

At first, Charles viewed IELTS as a challenge that he needed to overcome to push through with his plan of working abroad. “But the more I prepared for it, I realized it was more of a bridge that will bring me closer to pursuing my dream of becoming a nurse in the UK,” he said.

Taking IELTS is among the UK body requirements to work as a nurse in the UK. An IELTS band score of not less than 7 across all sections of the test is required to prove that the test taker is able to communicate well in English, something Charles knows important for nurses who want to work in English-speaking countries like the UK. This will allow them to be able to communicate well, to build rapport with colleagues, understand the needs of the patients and explain therapeutic interventions.

“As a healthcare professional, being able to communicate well in English is essential because we deal with people’s

health and well-being,” he said.

Charles took IELTS with the British Council earlier this year. His reason for choosing to take it with the British Council was because of its long history of teaching and assessing English, making them an authority in the English language.

“I also found out that upon signing up for the test, the British Council offered a lot of free resources for me to utilise, so I can really prepare for the test and achieve my desired band score,” he said.

Charles was very particular with the Road to IELTS, an online preparation course by the British Council, because it made preparing for the test convenient for him.

Working as a nurse in one of the biggest hospitals in Manila, he didn’t really have time for himself because he often had to render overtime work beyond his assigned 9-to-5 shift, even on weekends.

“It was really convenient for me because I couldn’t find time to physically be at their office to use the resources,” he said. “With Road to IELTS, I was able to prepare for the test during my free

time. I had 30 hours free access to its video tutorials and sample tests. All I needed was an internet connection and my phone.”

“Registering for the test was equally convenient because of the friendly customer service team that assisted me from the time I enquired to the actual registration,” he said.

“They made the whole experience as stress-free as possible by going out of their way to go the extra mile for test takers who dream big like me,” he said.

Overall, Charles is grateful to have the chance to make his dream of working in the UK come true through taking the IELTS test. “I’m excited to practice my profession in the UK, and I’m happy that I will soon be reaping the benefits of the hours I spent in preparing for this test,” he said.

The British Council is the UK’s international organization for cultural relations and educational opportunities. It works with over 100 countries across the world in the fields of arts and culture, English language, education and civil society.

Tech & Gadgets

H

NOKIA MOBILE INTRODUCES 6.1 PLUS, 5.1 PLUS PHONES

MD Global, the home of Nokia phones, recently announced the availability of the Nokia 6.1 Plus and the Nokia 5.1 Plus in the Philippines.

These smartphones bring all-screen, stand-out design with the quality expected of a Nokia phone—powerful performance and AI imaging, and a pure, secure and up-to-date Android One to impressive price points.

A stunning, contemporary smartphone with an immersive, all-screen design, the Nokia 6.1 Plus is equipped with smart storytelling features and a display that is perfect for watching videos, messaging friends and catching up on your social feeds. The Nokia 5.1 Plus delivers a great gaming performance and AI imaging features in an accessible, stylish package.

“Since the beginning of our journey, we’ve focused on delivering an experience that you would expect from a Nokia phone—design and craftsmanship that stands out, technology that helps you get more out of your day, and our focus on pure, secure, up-todate Android™. Today, we are building further on our promise by offering two new smartphones—Nokia 6.1 Plus and Nokia 5.1 Plus—ffering the latest innovations such as an all-screen design with the quality you can only expect from a Nokia smartphone. Powered by the latest chipsets and joining the Android One family, both phones deliver a great performance, as well as smart AI imaging features, you would expect from a premium smartphone,” said Juho Sarvikas, HMD Global chief product officer.

On the other hand, Shannon Mead, HMD Global Philippines country manager, said: “People look for something new every day and so, apart from making sure we deliver the latest mobile innovation, we strive to give customers more than what they need at a price point. At HMD Global, we bring accessible technology that innovates human experience of connecting with one another and of creating stories to remember. By launching the Nokia 6.1 Plus and Nokia 5.1 Plus, we aim at providing

the Nokia fans the access to reliable devices that is affordable and within their reach.”

Nokia 6.1 Plus: Immerse in new ways of powerful storytelling The Nokia 6.1 Plus 16MP/5MP dual-sensor rear camera delivers excellent sharpness and detail in your pictures. Thanks to advanced imaging, you can capture professional-style pictures using selectable bokeh blur, which can be adjusted in real-time when you take the image.

Bring your photos to life with HDR for incredible color depth and advanced AI imaging, which includes fun filters, masks and 3D personas as well as portrait lighting to add captivating lighting effects to your shots. Alternatively, capture highly detailed, mirror-like selfies with the perfectly balanced 16MP front camera. Best of all, you don’t have to choose between the two, #Bothie mode can now apply AI enhancements on both cameras simultaneously with masks and filters and stream it live real-time to Facebook and YouTube directly from y o u r

Nokia 6.1 Plus

Nokia 5.1 Plus

camera app, another first made available on a Nokia smartphone.

With its impressive all-screen design, the Nokia 6.1 Plus gives you a bigger screen experience in a slim and compact package.

Its 5.8-inch full HD+ screen with 19:9 ratio and 96 percent color gamut allows for a vivid viewing experience, making the Nokia 6.1 Plus a perfect smartphone for enjoying immersive content experiences.

Beautifully crafted to the exacting standards expected of a Nokia phone, it is encased in glass on the front and back with the surface luxuriously curved for the ultimate feel in the hand. On top of the elegant look, the Nokia 6.1 Plus runs on the latest Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 636 Mobile Platform, which is 40 percent faster than the previous iteration of the chipset, delivering first-class graphics and battery efficiency enhancements to ensure you can enjoy your audio and video for even longer.

Nokia 5.1 Plus: Elevate your gaming experience Powered by the advanced MediaTek Helio P60 octa-core processor usually seen in a higher-tiered smartphone, the Nokia 5.1 Plus is designed to deliver precise power to handle gaming, video or multitasking applications with ease. It is also equipped with all the essential sensors that allow users to experience the latest games and apps to their fullest.

The stunning edge-to-edge 5.8inch HD+ display gives fans maximum content with a minimal footprint. The Nokia 5.1 Plus features a pure design with 2.5D curved front and rear glass, complemented by curved edges and a CNC-machined metal camera bezel with an optical glass window and a high-gloss finish frame. At 8mm thin, the ergonomic design with continuous curvature makes for the ultimate feel in the hand. The Nokia 5.1 Plus’s die-cast full metal chassis with a polycarbonate frame is quality tested in extreme temperatures and undergoes drop tests to ensure that it meets the exacting quality standards for a Nokia phone.

The advanced imaging allows you to capture studio-style shots with depth-sensing imaging, selectable bokeh blur and portrait lighting.

The dual 13MP/5MP rear cameras with electronic video stabilization ensure that you film steady, sharp videos to perfectly capture special moments with friends, no matter what the situation is.

Pure, secure and up-to-date, reinforced with Android One commitment Both phones join the Android One family of Nokia smartphones, offering an experience designed

by Google that is smart, secure and simply amazing. Each device will stay fresh over time with three years of monthly security patches and two years of guaranteed OS updates after launch. As with all Nokia smartphones in the Android One program, you’ll get more battery and storage space out of the box, thanks to no additional skins or unnecessary third-party applications. Stay ahead of the game with the latest Google services such as Google Assistant and Google Photos with free unlimited high-quality photo storage. *

LG ELECTRONICS CHIEF TO DELIVER KEYNOTE AT CES THE President and Chief Technology Officer of LG Electronics, Dr. I.P. Park, will deliver the pre-show keynote address at the upcoming CES® 2019.

Dr. Park’s address will take place at 18:30 on Jan. 7 at the MGM Park Theater in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. In LG’s first ever CES keynote, Dr. Park will present AI for an Even Better Life and offer fresh perspectives on how artificial intelligence will change customers’ lives, based on the three key pillars of AI: Evolve, Connect and Open. He will address how innovative AI technologies will enrich the users’ experience at home, on the road and in the office. Envisioning how AI will impact every aspect of our lives, Dr. Park also will explain how LG—which is transforming itself from a product

Dr. Park

manufacturing company to a lifestyle innovator—is pioneering such developments.

As the president and CTO of LG Electronics, Dr. Park is spearheading innovations in artificial intelligence as the company’s main growth engine. With more than 30 years of R&D experience in consumer electronics, automotive robotics, tele-

communications and software industries, he is recognized as one of the world’s top CTOs for his achievements in leading R&D teams to spur innovation by combining traditional hardware-oriented technologies with exponential software-oriented technologies.

“CES 2019 is expected to mark an inflection point in AI development and implementation across everyday products and services,” Dr. Park said.

“At LG, our strategy is to reach beyond expectations to enrich the daily lives of consumers with lifestyle-focused AI applications, concepts I plan to amplify onstage at CES.” Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), said, “LG is a global powerhouse at the forefront of the AI

revolution, which will impact nearly every major industry from technology to healthcare, agriculture, transportation, engineering and beyond. We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Park to the CES 2019 stage as he delivers LG’s first keynote in CES history. We look forward to hearing his insight into the future of AI that is redefining our homes, businesses and communities.”

CES 2019 will showcase lifechanging technology from 4,500 exhibiting companies across 20 product categories, featuring solutions that will transform how we live, work and play. The show provides access to the very latest transformative tech such as 5G connectivity, artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, smart home, smart cities, sports, machine intelligence and more.

STAND OUT WITH STARRY PURPLE OPPO 9 EVERY year, fashion experts, designers, artists, and the world’s creative population eagerly await the hue that will be announced as the color of the year.

Apart from thrilling trendsetters and trendwatchers, the chosen color is also seen in a wide variety of products, clothing, accessories, and more recently, in tech must-haves, including smartphones.

In 2018, color experts declared Ultra Violet—a vivid, stunning hue that evokes mystery, adventure, and excitement—to be the color that will dominate the year’s tech and fashion trends. This hue also brings to the fore the concepts of originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking, which perfectly align with global innovation leader OPPO and its latest smartphone offering, the beautiful F9.

Embracing 2018’s trendiest hue in technology Packed with amazing features,

the OPPO F9 takes technology to a uniquely expressive path with the Starry Purple colorway. Not only does it represent the timeless qualities of the color of the year, but it also provides the opportunity to add a unique, festive color to one’s Christmas season.

“Style enthusiasts and trendy techies who dare to be unique will definitely love the most striking smartphone to date: our own OPPO F9 in stunning Starry Purple,” said Jane Wan, OPPO Philippines VP for Marketing.

“It is a powerful, sophisticated device they can proudly carry around during their holiday gatherings and any occasion beyond that.”

Inspired by the glorious night sky dotted with sparkling stars, the F9 in Starry Purple is specially designed to be bold and edgy—just the right smartphone for those who want to be expressive in every aspect of their lives. The gradation in the back cover

starts from a glossy indigo at the top, which then seamlessly transitions to a deep purple finish. Small beads are sprayed on the top portion to achieve the twinkling starry effect that has interesting depth.

This eye-catching smartphone also combines striking, fashionable design with powerful specs to take user experience to the next level. The Starry Purple F9 comes with the convenient VOOC Flash Charge technology, which allows users two hours of talk time with just five minutes of charging.

Apart from the beautifully designed body and stunning back cover, the F9 boasts of a unique waterdrop screen, 6GB RAM, and dual rear cameras.

Break the routine and lead an aesIt’s time to embrace boldness with the stunning color of the year thetic trend this Christmas with the Starry Purple F9, now available in stores and authorized resellers for low www.facebook.com/OPPOPH and P17,990.00 (SRP). For more details on @OPPOPhilippines on Twitter and OPPO’s products and activities, fol- Instagram.

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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2018 rumallari@thestandard.com.ph

KEYS TO BETTER FINANCIAL INCLUSION BUILDING an inclusive financial system has become an important policy objective in the country. Latest figures from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas for 2017 stated that 77 percent of adult Filipinos remain unbanked, with 52 percent unable to allocate money for savings.

In line with the aim to improve the state of financial inclusion in the Philippines, a National Strategy for Financial Inclusion was optimized to help raise awareness, understanding, and coordination among stakeholders about the subject. The national strategy, which is aligned with the Philippine Development Plan, is divided into four areas namely policy and regulation, financial education and consumer protection, advocacy programs, and data and measurement.

One of the companies with a flagship campaign focused on promoting financial literacy is Home Credit Philippines, a Prague-based consumer finance business which has been in operation in the country for five years. In 2016, it launched its flagship campaign Juan, Two, Three which focuses on teaching the basics of budgeting and saving to different communities all over the country.

Chief Executive Officer of HCPH Annica Witschard says that a multidimensional approach is necessary for the progress of financial inclusion in the country. “The challenge is that a huge chunk of the public is not equipped with the basics of handling their finances. We need to start educating people to help them become financially literate.”

This rings true for the 21 percent of the 52.8 million adults in the country who do not have formal bank accounts because of their perceived lack of need for them. Moreover, the 2017 BSP Report for financial inclusion states that 10 percent do not have proper knowledge of how to open an account, while 8 percent have a lack of awareness about it.

Annica continues, “The problem is that we don’t really talk about the basics of financing as much as we should.

It isn’t formally included in the curriculum of our primary schools, for example. This gap is something that advocacy programs focused on teaching financial literacy can address.”

The results of financially-focused advocacy campaigns like the Juan, Two, Three Campaign are proof to this. Annica shares, “We have gotten a lot of uplifting feedback from those we visited. People have been saying that they didn’t understand the importance of keeping their money on formal bank accounts before.

Others simply shared that they didn’t know they can still save regardless of how much their salaries are. Directly reaching out to these people, which traditional financial institutions do not always cater to, is very eye-opening,” says Annica.

SONY INTRODUCES INTRODUCES...

From C4

Another improvement is the Customizable Automatic Power Off function on the companion Headphones Connect app, which means the headphones can stay on and in Noise Cancellation mode without being connected to a device—perfect if you want noise reduction without listening to music. For example, you can rest peacefully while on a long-haul flight.

Easy, practical, comfortable The 1000XM3’s has a new, slimmer silhouette and are lighter in weight than their predecessor. They are very comfortable to wear, thanks to a deeper earcup and a thicker headband cushion. They feel good whilst looking good! They also come with a stylish fabric case which will satisfy the fashion-conscious and new, eyecatching colour options of black or platinum silver with gold highlights.

Besides offering 30 hours of battery life with Noise Cancelling and BLUETOOTH® connection, the 1000XM3 headphones have an upgraded Quick Charging function that provides five hours of wireless playback after a mere ten minutes of charging via a contemporary USB type-C™ port.

Voice calls are also made clearer, with the introduction of multiple microphones, ideal for hands-free conversations.

The WH-1000XM3 is now available in the Philippines.

C4

TECH & Gadgets SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2018 Riera U. Mallari, Editor rumallari@thestandard.com.ph

1 AUTOMATED PARKING SYSTEM TO RISE IN PH ST

By Paul Gelario

Y

OU’VE seen it on television and in the movies—those big metal structures moving one’s car into an available area where it could be parked.

Soon, you will see it here in the Philippines.

Oroza Enterprises of the Philippines, in cooperation with the Houkoku Parking Systems Co. of Japan, is bringing to the country its first-ever Automated Parking System, a mechanical system that automatically moves cars from the car park entry to an available parking space, using multiple levels and stacking cars vertically to use the least square footage possible in order to park as many cars as possible.

Oroza Enterprises is involved in the distribution of retail and consumer goods, industrial equipment leasing as well as real estate and property development, while Houkoku is under Houkoku Holdings, which is part of Wathahan Co Ltd., a 16th generation business in Japan that is involved in various industries.

“The first Automated Parking System in the country aims to not only address common parking problems, but also revolutionize the parking business in the country,” said Ding Oroza, president of Oroza Enterprizes, which recently signed an exclusive distributorship with Houkoku Parking System of Japan, represented by Satoshi Akamatsu and Koshi Okamoto.

“Japan leads the way in design and innovation when it comes to APS and Houkoku is among the best in Japan.

We’re excited over this partnership,” added Oroza.

Hans Sy of SM Prime Holdings also inked a contract with Oroza Enterprises, making SM Megamall as the first ever site of the APS in the country. It is expected to rise at the back portion of

HYPE LAUNCHES PINOY-MADE TRANSPORT APP

By MJ Blancaflor

Ding Oroza (3rd from left), President of Oroza Enterprizes and Hans Sy (right) of SM Prime Holdings link hands with Houkoku Parking Systems Co. of Japan’s Satoshi Akamatsu and Koshi Okamoto for the creation of the first-ever APS in the country.

SM Megamall along Julia Vargas St. A partial APS structure will be built before by December, to be completed before the first quarter of next year.

Oroza Enterprises enumerated the various benefits that an APS has over over parking facilities, such as maximization of available space as cars are parked closer to each thereby maximizing the number of vehicles that can be parked; no more ramps, driving lanes, curbs etc.; and ceiling height is kept in the minimum.

In addition to the space saving, many APS designs provide a number of secondary benefits such as: parked cars and their contents are

more secure since there is no public access to parked cars; minor parking lot damage such as scrapes and dents are eliminated; drivers and passengers are safer not having to walk through parking lots or garages; driving around in search of a parking space is eliminated, thereby reducing engine emissions; only minimal ventilation and lighting systems are needed; handicap access is improved; the volume and visual impact of the parking structure is minimized and shorter construction time.

“What excites us its its low environmental impact as there is no heavy construction required as

most of these APS structures are already built in Japan, we’d just be bringing them over here for assembly,” added Oroza.

The earliest use of an automated parking was in Paris, France in 1905 at the Garage Rue de Ponthieu, consisting of a multi-story concrete structure with an internal elevator to transport cars to upper levels where attendants parked the cars.

After over a century, APS has come a long way and has evolved into other forms such as Mechanical Parking System, Robotic Parking System, Rotary Parking System, Automatic Parking and Stacker Parking.

SONY INTRODUCES NEXT-LEVEL NOISE CANCELLATION HEADPHONES

THE WH-1000XM3 headphones are the newest addition to the highly-accredited Sony 1000X family. This headband-style around ear model offers all the much-loved features from the previous WH-1000XM2 model, while adding multiple key improvements including upgraded Noise Cancelling performance to enhance your listening and user experience.

Block more ambient sound Listen with next level silence thanks to Sony’s industry-leading Noise Cancellation technologies. The 1000XM3’s benefit from a newly developed HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1 which has approximately four times greater performance than the previous processor.

This newly-developed component can not only negate transport noise like its predecessor, but also further cancels out daily background sounds such as street noise and human voices. It also features Dual Noise Sensor technology that captures ambient noise with dual microphones and then passes the sound data to the processor to cancel the noise.

These headphones are made to fly, as their Atmospheric Pressure Optimizing feature allows

the Noise Cancelling performance to adapt specifically to high altitude by using sensors to detect the air pressure around you and optimize the Noise Cancelling accordingly.

Premium, superior sound Designed with the professional who frequently travels in mind, these headphones deliver exquisite High-Resolution Audio with a 40mm driver unit with a Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) diaphragm that handles heavy beats and can reproduce a full range of frequencies up to 40kHz. This enables you to enjoy listening to your music exactly how the artist intended.

The HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1 works not only for Noise Cancelling, but also realizes stunning high sound quality with 32-bit Audio Signal Processing and the combination of DAC with Amplifier functionality. This offers exceptionally high sound quality, best-in-class signal-to-noise ratio, and low distortion for portable devices.

Smart listening The activity recognition feature, Adaptive Sound Control, detects your physical situation. With 3 auto mode-changes for the 1000XM3’s, you can hear all ambient sounds together with music when walking, hear announcements as well as your music when waiting and be immersed in music with Noise Cancellation when travelling by train or bus.

This smart listening experience is enabled by the SENSE ENGINE™. Also, you can customize to your preferences with the Sony | Headphones Connect app.

Customize your sound Quick Attention Mode lets you hear what’s going on around you without taking your headphones off. Place your right hand over the right housing to decrease music volume instantly, which allows you to quickly respond to those around you.

For example, when flying, you can order your drink without taking your headphones off. There are other ways to control the sound too—swipe the touchpad on the right housing to turn the volume up/down or to change track.

Turn to C3

1ST-EVER LOCALIZED WEATHER MOBILE APP LAUNCHED RECENTLY, we have been able to access near-real-time weather updates on television and on websites.

But localized weather updates on your smartphone—why not?

Aboitiz social enterprise Weather Solutions is expanding its reach to include tech-savvy, “weather-wiser” citizens.

Launched during the first Aboitiz Advancing Business and Communities Summit last September the Weather Solutions mobile app fully demonstrates how people and technology are advancing business and communities in the digital space.

The Weather Solutions mobile app, designed by its namesake,

Aboitiz social enterprise Weather Solutions, gives accurate seven-day, by-the-hour forecasts of specific locations. Utilizing 826 automated weather stations deployed all over the Philippines, the mobile app will help users monitor locations of interest with hyper-localized weather information.

With the Weather Solutions mobile app, users may have access to: • Color-coded warnings for rain, wind, and temperature maps in the Philippines, based on world meteorological standards • Easy overview of selected locations’ weather information • Fresh user interface and experience, with a swipe feature for

hourly forecasts on each selected location • Detailed seven-day weather forecasts for each selected location “We are pleased to offer the new Weather Solutions mobile app. We believe being #WeatherWiser does not have to be difficult or boring —we hope our users will be able to fully utilize our great new features and by doing so adopt a #WeatherWiser mindset moving forward,” said Jojo Z. Marasigan, Weather Solutions General Manager.

The Weather Solutions mobile app is available for download for free via the Apple Store for iOS users or the Google Play Store for Android users.

A FILIPINO-MADE ride-hailing app offering a safe and fast booking service of vehicles was formally launched Sunday at the SMX Convention Center.

Hype, like Singapore-based company Grab, was formed to provide pre-arranged transportation services between the passengers and registered car owners and taxi drivers.

In contrast with its competitor, Hype is founded and managed by a company composed of an allFilipino staff.

Run by Hype Transport Systems, Inc., the ride-hailing service tags itself as a “viable transport alternative.”

“We wanted Filipinos to have the power to choose the most affordable, the safest, the most convenient, and with the most number of transport options possible,” said Nicanor Escalante, president of Hype Transport Systems, Inc. The app has five vehicle options: HYPE Taxi, HYPE Pool, HYPE Sedan, HYPE AUV, and premium option HYPE SUV. Fares start at a base fare of P40 with an additional charge of P14 per kilometer. Price surges will be capped off at two times the original fare.

When asked about the difference between Hype and the popular Grab, Escalante said their app allows users to book rides through a text message.

“Kami lang ang mayroon no’n.

Even the text that you will send us is free of charge,” he said.

Speaking before reporters at the launch, Hype’s Chief Technology Officer John Cordoniz Jr. explained that the app detects if the user is connected to a WiFi or has a mobile data.

If not, the app would redirect the user to a page giving him the option to book a ride using text message, Cordoniz explained.

Hype also developed a mechanism to respond to emergencies that could arise during the ride.

It has a “panic button” that warns their customer service if the passenger or the driver is in danger. The panic button is also an option for either the passenger or the driver if they feel uncomfortable during the ride.

This was Hype’s solution to protect their stakeholders from harassment cases which were reported in other transport vehicle network service providers.

More players, lower cost Grab dominated the TNVS industry after it bought the entire Southeast Asian operations of California-based Uber earlier this year.

For economics professor Carlos Manapat, the entry of a new TNVS provider in the transport market would benefit the riding public.

“The entry of a new player allows consumers to choose and it lowers the price,” Manapat told Manila Standard.

“If there are more [TNVS] providers, one company cannot dictate the cost of services,” he added.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) issued a two-year accreditation to Hype last April, allowing them to operate nationwide as a TNVS provider.

Destinations D1

sunday, october 21, 2018

Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor

manilastandardlife@gmail.com

@manilastandardlife

@MStandardLIFE

FOREVER SUMMER. Cove Manila's indoor beach club, with

its state-of-the-art climate-controlled dome, makes summer beach parties possible all year round—day or night, rain or shine.

Ocean Park's haunted attraction Dark Waters

Spooktacular

Halloween at ocean park Hong kong

How a fun Sunday

lookS like

By Mae Gianina C. Pascual

Guests are in for a scary experience.

B

rUnCh, booze, and music in a place where it’s always summer—now that sounds like a fun way to spend your Sunday, especially if you are the party-loving kind, right?

For those dreaming of a beach getaway within the metro, Cove Manila, Southeast Asia’s biggest indoor beach and night club, located at Okada Manila, offers a unique way to spend the last day of the weekend.

Cove Manila’s “What’s Good Sundays” is something plucked out of a partygoer’s dream: an Ibiza-like beach celebration with Manila Bay views, in a state-of-the-art climate controlled dome, where guests can enjoy mouth-watering brunch grub and refreshing drinks. It’s a fun way to cap off the week and head to a new one in an upbeat mood.

“Cove Manila is the perfect Sunday destination for fun-loving individuals who want to spend their special day without worry, and complete with great food, drinks, and a unique ambiance,” said Cove Manila director Moto heathcliff. he added, “There’s no need to drive all the way to the south or north for a beach experience that you can share with your loved ones because we’ve got an unparalleled beach experience right here at Cove Manila.”

The promotion is available, obviously, every Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. There are two food and drink packages to choose from: the Brunch Package comes with unlimited food and house beverages (carafe, cocktails, and

TheMe park Ocean Park hong Kong packs all the ghouls, spirits, and out of this world fun for its halloween Fest 2018.

This year’s Ocean Park halloween celebration sees the launch of 13 unique experiences at 11 haunted attractions, including attractions using advanced technology.

slush) from the club’s exclusive brunch menu for P2,999++ per head; and the Bubbly Package that comes with unlimited food and house beverages plus unlimited bubbly and Bellini for P3,999++ per head.

Guests can take a dip in the pool with their Sunday crew while feasting on unlimited brunch classics and drinks.

Meanwhile, those who are not keen on partaking of a brunch feast but raring to dance their hearts out can head over to the club’s Sunday pool party, where ladies get in for free while gentlemen need to pay P500 for entry and a drink.

And when the gorgeous Manila Bay sunset rolls in after the promo at 4:00 p.m., guests are invited to party until 10:00 p.m.

Aside from Sunday parties, Cove Manila has a lineup of other exciting events for the month of October.

“Sundays are not the only days when we have something exciting happening here at Cove Manila. This October, we also have an exciting lineup of DJ acts that will definitely make you want to hit the dance floor!” enthused heathcliff.

Guests can party to the beats of DJ Wellman on Oct. 26 at Cove Manila night Club, while on Oct. 31, a special halloween event, in partnership with nice To Meet You, featuring Paul van

Ghouls and spirits await at hospital horrors.

The club presents dance performances and exhibitions.

Dyk and DJ Soda, is happening at Cove Manila Beach Club.

Go to www.covemanila.com or Cove Manila on Facebook for more information.

Photos by Mae Gianina C. Pascual

One of the highlights is the park’s collaboration with the School of Creative Media, City University of hong Kong, which presents hong Kong’s first haunted attraction with a 360-degree projection and 3D mapping alternate dimension, X-Dimension presented by Yahoo! hong Kong.

Sanrio characters dress up for the 'heLLO-ween' party.

X-Dimension is composed of two sections: the projection zone, where guests put on 3D glasses, before being Cove Manila's 'What's Good Sundays' promotion offers sumptuous brunch feast complete with cocktails and other refreshing drinks.

The spacious living room of a Junior Suite.

Turn to D2

cebu’S affordable luxury When I was told that a new “luxury Streets, is this beautiful property, One hotel” would open in downtown Cebu, Central hotel. Being the tallest building I was curious to find out its exact locaamong all the others in this section of tion. Being a Cebuano, born, raised, the city, it definitely looks like the oband schooled in the Queen City of the vious winner among dozens of contesSouth, I am very familiar with every tants in an imaginary race to progress. nook and cranny of the city, and I know The hotel has 157 well-appointed fully well that the congested downguest rooms, each with a panoramic mercury rising view of the city. It has several functown area no longer has any space for

By BoB zozoBrado a “luxury hotel.” tion rooms: for intimate gatherings But, life is full of surprises. When I aror for productive business meetings, rived at the hotel, I couldn’t believe what I saw. and a large ballroom for grand celebrations. The relaxStanding 20 storeys high on what used to be an old ing infinity pool on the 19th floor offers a breathtaking lumber yard at the corner of Sanciangko and Leon Kilat Turn to D2

destinations

D2

sunday, october 21, 2018 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

spooktacular...

From D1

When the journey

Kids participate in the fun-for-family 'HeLLo-ween' party.

drawn into a visually-shocking vortex of technology, in which Leap Motion technology precisely tracks hand movements allowing the projection scene to “interact” with them in all directions. other advanced technologies include virtual and augmented reality technologies that create more realistic and interesting experiences for guests of all ages, for example, devil seeker’s tale presented by vivo. devil seeker’s tale combines rich elements from chinese ghost stories with supernatural exorcism. Guests will pick up a bow equipped with a smartphone device, and through the use of ar technology, will be able to see devils pop up on their device’s screen and shoot them down. they can even compete with their friends to become the best exorcist.

becomes the Destination

LEISURE DESTINATION. airport hotel belmont Hotel offers several facilities and amenities, such as a roof deck pool, to invite even those without a flight to catch at

W

naIa to spend a night or two.

Hen beLMont ManILa opened in october 2015, it was looking beyond being just a comfortable airport hotel for layovers or delayed flights. this year, the hotel was named as the country’s airport Hotel of year by the travel and Hospitality awards.

Located at newport city’s integrated leisure complex, the 470room, 4-star hotel aims to be a leisure destination in the southern metropolis even for those who don’t fly. connected to the ninoy aquino International airport terminal 3 by the runway Manila overhead walkway, the cozy business hotel has become an urban oasis for its features worthy of a staycation. the 10-story hotel sports a contemporary architectural design and a tropically landscaped

Vr Morgue transports guests to a room where dead bodies are kept.

atrium, which provides an overlooking view of the resorts World Manila township.

It boasts a podium garden, a 24-hour fitness center and workout area, lap pool with an in-water lounge, sunbathing lounge, massage deck and seating area, pool spa, and steam and sauna rooms.

Guests can enjoy the 360-degree panoramic view of the south, as well as landings and take-offs of airplanes, while they dip in the roof deck pool or outdoor Jacuzzi. It also has an arcade on the

In addition to these technologically advanced attractions, sanrio characters Hello Kitty, Kuromi, Pompompurin, Little twin stars, cinnamoroll, gudetama, and bad badtz-Maru dress up in the “HeLLo-ween” costume for the first time to host the magnificent “HeLLo-ween” party at ocean Park.

Ocean Park Halloween Fest 2018 is happening today until Oct. 31, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. For more details on Ocean Park Halloween Fest 2018, visit www.oceanpark.com.hk.

deluxe room provides creature comforts for a restful sleep and delightful stay.

CoCo-inspired Halloween event Quest Plus clark invites Halloween revelers on oct. 28 for a spooktastic “skulloween” experience.

Inspired by the award-winning film Coco and the Mexican tradition “day of the dead,” this year’s Halloween event appeals to the kids and the kids-at-heart alike. children in their scariest and most creative costumes can roam around the Quest Plus grounds while their companions enjoy the food, activities, and bazaar booths around the hotel.

For only P599 for children (with one accompanying adult), tickets are inclusive of the following: kiddie snacks, loot bags, entrance to the activity areas, chance to win raffle prizes, and an official entry to the “skulloween: a coco inspired Halloween” program, wherein participating children will have their chance to walk on the runway and have a chance to win the best costume award and receive grand prizes such as an overnight stay in one of Quest Plus’ club suites with exclusive access to the Q Lounge.

Call (045) 599-8000 or visit www. questhotelsandresorts.com/clark for more information.

ground level, with coffee shops, convenience stores, and dining and retail outlets for guests’ convenience.

Meanwhile, its dining outlet, café belmont, has become a getaway for a culinary journey with its wide array of delectable cuisines. Guests can sink their teeth into the hotel’s specialty dishes—blueberry burger made of 100 percent pure us angus beef patty, chicken pesto lasagna, and crunchy crispy pata, to name a few. as part of its third anniversary treat this october, the hotel is offering the east Meets West buffet, a dinner feast of mixed asian and western spread every Fridays and saturdays for only P1,100 nett per person.

It also has a P3,333 and P3,999 nett superior room promo (without and with buffet breakfast

for two, respectively), which includes a bailey bear stuff toy and a 33 percent discount on food and beverages. the hotel is also positioning itself as a cozy watering hole with its nightly bottomless Heineken draught beer promo with a complimentary grub of choice for P1,200 nett per person at rooftop 11. It also has a month-long barbecue and drink all you can promo with a live poolside entertainment every saturday, from 6:00 to 10:00 pm for P1,100 nett per person.

For power lunches, guests can choose from an array of themed executive lunch—brunch buffet on tuesdays, Healthy buffets on thursdays, and Mongolian spread on sundays for P500 nett per person.

Call (02) 318-8888 or go to www.belmonthotelmanila.com for more information.

gives it so many pluses, which visitors usually consider when booking their accommodations. It is right next to a big shopping mall, and is just a block away from a year-round night market. It is only two blocks from historic colon street, the oldest street 360-degree view of the city and of the neighboring in the country. islands. For wellness buffs, the fully equipped gym the seaport for vessels sailing to the rest of the and the spa come in handy. country is only about five minutes away by car, and For those who have to store up on calories, for the bus terminal for passengers traveling to the the energy they need to soak in all the fun that southern part of the province is only a block away. the city offers, there is the all-day dining restausome of cebu’s big universities are within the onerant, cafe tartanilla, which has a delectable buffet block radius of the hotel. spread for breakfast and lunch. It also prides itself and the best thing about one central Hotel is its on having the longest happy hour among all other easy-on-the-pocket rates. regular room rates are beverage outlets in the city’s downtown area. “Tarso affordable that my friends in cebu right away tanilla” is cebuano for “calesa.” booked themselves for an overnight stay, when but what makes one central Hotel luxurious? they heard me rave about the hotel.

Its interior design, done by no less than multiI wouldn’t be surprised if, in a few weeks’ time, awarded architect and interior designer James the towering one central Hotel glows at night. one central Hotel will start to run full and will Jao, a known trendsetter in eco-architecture and have to turn down some bookings. I have faith in sustainable development. Having learned his craft from the London school of economics where he With Julie alegrado-Vergara at the helm, the bluewater Hospitality’s management capabilities, received his Master’s degree in city design and bluewater resort chain has succeeded in running especially with Margie Munsayac, vice president social science, Jao used the hotel as his artist’s 90 percent occupancy even during the low season, for sales and marketing of bluewater resorts, callcanvas, fusing modern aesthetics with climate-re- by attracting customers from here and abroad with ing the shots in marketing the hotel. I’m sure the sistant, green materials. its uniquely cebuano “Amuma” brand of hospital- owners will earn back their investment, and much, the subdued elegance in the wall panels in the ity, something guests immediately feel as soon as much more, in no time.

With this much confidence in one reception area, the awesome design central Hotel’s expected speedy of the 17-feet-long glass chandeliers climb to success, I asked steven yu, in the ballroom, the very functional YOUR weekend CHUCkLe its chairman and chief executive ofyet minimalistic look of the guestficer, where and when his next hotel rooms, etc. speak volumes of the the father asked his daughter if she’d seen his old newspaper. she will open. although he admitted his hotel owners’ preference for subtle told him that newspapers are “old school.” she said that people use family’s ownership of many other sophistication in style and grace, a tablets nowadays, and handed him her iPad. needless to say, the fly real estate properties in the provconcept faithfully interpreted by Jao didn’t stand a chance. ince, he was tight-lipped on their fuin every part of the hotel’s interiors. ture entrepreneurial moves.

What else gives the hotel an edge as a true-blue cebuano, I’m just over the others in the same category? It is managed by bluewater Hospitality Man- they enter one central Hotel. In fact, dealing with happy that my home city, the Queen city of the agement company, the outfit that owns and runs its staff is such a pleasure, as they make you feel south, has another “jewel” on her crown—and an the very successful chain of resorts—bluewater like you have been friends for years! “Amuma” is affordable one at that!

Maribago in Mactan, bluewater Panglao in bohol, cebuano for pampering or nurturing.

For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@gmail.com. and bluewater sumilon in oslob.

Furthermore, the hotel’s convenient location

cebu's...

From D1

Quest Plus clark presents skulloween

For the month of october, café belmont serves a dinner feast of mixed asian and western spread for its east Meets West buffet.

Entertainment

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2018

D3

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

FUTURE LADY COP TARGETS PH’S 7TH MISS INTERNATIONAL CROWN

By Eton Concepcion

B

B. PILIPINAS-INTERNATIONAL 2018 Ahtisa Manalo looked radiant and queenly as she faced members of the press at the send-off party organized by the Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI) at the Novotel Manila, Araneta Center before her trip to Japan to compete at the 2018 Miss International pageant. short when I apply at PNP,” she said regarding her wish to become a police officer.

Ahtisa was asked on the social issues and advocacies closest to her heart. On the LGBT issue: “Every gender deserves equal rights and equal opportunities in life. Many of my friends and a lot of those who have helped me in my career come from the LGBT community.” On animal rights and welfare: “I have 21 cats would you believe? I remember I cried a lot when my first pet died when I was about nine years old.”

On dealing with bashers: “I admit that I don’t post a lot. I don’t get affected by comments from people who don’t really know me.”

On other advocacy she wants to work on: “Environmental preservation which is the first issue that I took when I first joined a beauty contest.”

“I can’t wait to party with you (as Miss International),” Gray told Ahtisa. “Don’t forget to pray wherever you are in Japan,” Huelar advised her ‘baby girl’ co-queen.

Reigning titlist Kevin Lilliana of Indonesia will crown her successor during the Miss International 2018 finals to be held on Nov. 9.

GIVES SNEAK PEEK OF ITS ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL

ROYALS

ON BONDI

Ahtisa Manalo, 21, hopes to make her country proud by aiming for the 7th crown for the Philippines at the Miss International pageant in Japan.

YASSI SURPRISES FANS JACK ‘n Jill Calbee continues to take the Filipino snacking experience to a whole new level as it gave supermarket shoppers an unforgettable treat through a sampling activity with a twist.

With the help of its endorser, celebrity Yassi Pressman, Jack ‘n Jill Calbee gave consumers a surprise meet-and-greet moment with the Ang Probinsyano star.

Disguised as a Jack ‘n Jill Calbee promodizer, Yassi invited supermarket customers to try the potato chip brand’s latest offerings: Honey Butter, and Wasabi Potato Chips.

The unsuspecting participants eagerly lined up to try free samples of Jack ‘n Jill Calbee snacks and were surprised after Yassi revealed her identity. They also received gift bags with assorted Jack ‘n Jill Calbee products.

Participants couldn’t help but express their excitement after discovering that the sampler was TV actress Yassi. One Jack ‘n Jill Calbee fanatic shared, “I’m a fan of Calbee, lalo na ‘nung

‘BORN TO BE WILD’

PRISTINE places, endemic and newly discovered species, and heart-warming wildlife stories. For the past 11 years, viewers joined Born to be Wild in its wildest journeys and adventures, becoming one with the program in its advocacy to preserve nature and appreciate its beauty.

The travel and wildlife program kicks off its month-long anniversary celebration this today by looking back on the unforgettable places and adventures from the past 11 years.

Over the years, Doc Ferds Recio and Doc Nielsen Donato have responded to hundreds of animal rescues and vet missions, and participated in various conservation projects. But there are more places to go, and there is more work to do.

For the travel and wildlife program’s 11th anniversary special, the country’s favorite wildlife veterinarians visit two locations where wildlife and environmental conservation are in focus: Nairobi, Kenya and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Doc Ferds goes to the Arabian desert to see how desert animals like camels have become part of the lives of locals. He also visits an animal hospital to observe how technology helps save their beloved falcons.

Doc Nielsen, on the other hand, travels to Kenya’s famed national conservation parks where he encounters the big cats, giraffes, zebras and hyenas. He and his team also witness the protection given to the last two remaining individuals of a rare species of rhino.

Catch Born To Be Wild today, after AHA! on GMA 7.

Manalo with her fellow Binibini queens Catriona Gray (left) and Jehza Huelar during a send-off press conference organized by BPCI at the Novotel Manila in Araneta Center.

“I’ve been waiting for this moment, and I’m not going in Japan to settle for anything less than the title,” Ahtisa confidently declared to the delight of her well-wishers and supporters that included Miss Universe Philippine Catriona Gray and Miss Supranational Philippines Jehza Huelar.

“I have to be the best in every way I can, even when nobody is looking, to stand out but not overpowering others. To meet with as much people as I can and to consider the Japanese culture as they are known to be homogenous people,” Ahtisa said when asked on her game plan and strategy in the forthcoming international pageant.

“I have to incorporate issues which are the focus of the Miss International pageant. I’m going to tackle women empowerment, gender equality, inner strength as well as the cultural side of the pageant,” the doll-face Ahtisa said regarding her planned speech for the finals.

Ahtisa, a 21-year-old Accountancy graduate of Manuel Enverga University Foundation, from Candelaria, Quezon is aiming for the country’s seventh Miss International title since Gemma Cruz won the first in 1964 and to tie Venezuela for the country with the most number of wins.

“Becoming a beauty queen has changed me a lot. I have to be prim and proper, I have to be responsible in what I say and in all my actions,” Ahtisa revealed. “I’m ready to cut my hair

Doc Nielsen Donato and Doc Ferds Recio host Born to be Wild, the country’s first and only wildlife documentary series.

Honey Butter. When Yassi appeared, nagulat talaga ako kasi hindi ko siya ine-expect. It was really a fulfilling experience lalo na siya ‘yung nagbigay ‘nung gift pack.”

“As part of our NAKS level campaign, which aims to take consumers’ snacking experience to a whole new level, we continue to elevate the fun by coming up with exciting activities and innovative product offerings,” shared Kate Barrios from Calbee-Universal Robina Corporation.

Enjoy a leveled-up snacking experience as Jack ‘n Jill Calbee takes you to the ‘NAKS’ level with its potato chip snacks and one-of-akind activities. Catch more surprises from the brand by visiting Jack ‘n Jill Calbee’s Facebook (@JacknJillCalbee.PH) and Instagram (@ JacknJillCalbee) accounts.

Check out Jack ‘n Jill Calbee’s exciting sampling activity from a video on this link https:// www.facebook.com/YassiPressmanViva/ videos/349756405566293/.

BRITISH royals Harry and Meghan kicked off their shoes and donned tropical garlands Friday, as they hit Sydney’s famed Bondi beach for the latest stop on their Australian tour.

Expectant Meghan donned a summer dress, putting aside her high heels, while Harry ditched his usual suit for chinos as the couple lapped up cheers from Australian fans and enjoyed Bondi’s surf.

Despite morning fog, the pair met local surfers enjoying winter swells and sat down on the sand for a long chat with leaders of the OneWave group, which focuses on helping people improve mental health by getting outdoors.

Pre-prepared signs screaming “G’day Harry and Meghan” greeted the royal couple, who have received a warm welcome from fans throughout the start of their 16-day pacific tour.

While half of Australians oppose having British monarchs as head of state, and the vast majority of Australians have carried on with business as usual during the visit, there has been sizable support for the celebrity couple at every stop.

News that the Duchess of Sussex is pregnant has only made the crowds swell.

Amid a torrent of fawning press coverage declaring Meghan the “Queen of hugs” and the prince receiving “buckets of love,” the Australian Republican Movement is putting on a brave face.

“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very welcome visitors” the group said at the start of the trip, pointedly adding that “Australians of all ages know the difference between this wonderful event and the questions of our nation’s identity and future.” AFP

The royal couple met with a surfing group that takes part in a mental health awareness session on the beach.

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sunday, october 21, 2018

Desiree Carlos, Editor

Pets

daycarlos28@yahoo.com

How to keep your pets saFe

during tHe Ber MontHs

By Desiree Carlos

pet tales

T

By desiree carlos HE mostawaited occasion by many is just around the corner.

Christmas is now only 65 days away!

As early as September, we have been preparing for this love-filled and happy day for everyone.

Preparing for the holidays is both exciting and tiring though. We can be so busy that we might forget some important things that can harm our pets.

“While many pets are adaptable to the holidays, and can find them exciting just like you do, there are some hazards you will want to look out for to make this season safe and fun for everyone, “ said Amy Dyck in 9 Holiday Hazards for Pets in the site, Home Alive Pets.

Dyck listed items to keep away from pets and what to avoid: 1. Seasonal Plants A lot of the popular plants during the holiday season are “moderately toxic” to dogs and cats. Some can cause severe problems.

Please keep your pets away from poinsettias, holly, ivy, and mistletoe.

Pine needles can also cause upset stomach and even perforations when ingested by your pet.

“Keep toxic plants out of reach, watch for missing leaves or berries, and opt for artificial whenever possible,” Dyck stressed.

2. Fires and Candles For those living in countries where there is snow or it is very cold, owners do opt for fireplaces to keep themselves warm.

Also, “warm fireplaces and the glow of candles evoke strong holiday memories,” Dyck said.

Thus, owners in countries like the Philippines love to light candles.

But Dyck warned: “For playful and curious pets, however, they can be a serious risk. Keep candles out of reach where a pet cannot knock them over or brush past. Always use a secure fireplace screen. Snuff candles and douse fireplace embers completely before leaving your pet unattended with them.”

3. Decorations Dyck noted that a lot of the decors look like toys to pets and “should be used with caution and supervision.”

She said: “Tinsel and other shiny, stringy ornaments should be watched closely or avoided with cats, as it can cause internal blockages if ingested or tangle the cat.”

She added: “Be wary of small ornaments that can be swallowed completely and especially any edible ornament such as popcorn strings or dough ornaments. Choose durable ornaments over glass that can be broken and leave shards. Artificial snow is also toxic and should be avoided.”

While putting up decors, Dyck suggested that owners keep their pets away from the decorations and to

keep them busy with their favorite or new toy.

“Have a beautifully decorated house with pets and enjoy the holidays knowing your family is safe, “ Dyck said.

4. Gifts Gifts wrapped in colorful papers and tied with ribbons look so nice under the Christmas tree or on the gift table.

But Dyck stressed: “Edible gifts such as those containing chocolate, candies, or baking should not be accessible. Chocolate, coffee, liquor, and

them behind furniture, under carpets, or under a tree skirt. Taste deterrents or indoor repellents can keep pets from chewing cords and away from trees or other decorations,” Dyck said.

6. Stress The holiday stress affects both people and pets.

“Keep things as consistent as possible to ease stress on your dog or cat.

Amidst your busy schedule, keep pet mealtimes and exercise as regular as you can. Be careful how much time your pet is spending at home alone. If you can't make it home to play with, exercise, and feed your pet on certain days, ask a friend or hire a dog-sitter to do just that. Is your house a whole lot busier than usual? Make sure your pet has a quiet place to retreat to. Even if your pet likes to be the center of attention, you may want to give him some mandatory quiet time so he can relax,” Dyck said.

Henry, rescued from the pound when he was days old by Save Animals of Love and Light (Save ALL), can keep a poker face during a photo shoot. But show him a popular dog treat, and he would go round and round the room, wagging his tail, his smile ever so wide. other ‘people’ foods can be toxic to pets (even in small quantities). Keen noses might also pick up on scented candles and soaps and mistake them for food, so keep these gifts tucked safely away.”

She added: “Ribbons and bows, as well as wrapping paper can cause harm if ingested by your pet. Ribbons can bind your pet, contain wires that can puncture, or cause blockages if ingested.”

5. Cords Please make sure electrical cords can not be reached by pets who love to chew.

“Electrical cords are everywhere around the holidays. Keep cords away from chewing pets by taping them to walls, using cord protectors, or by hiding

“Lastly, make sure you schedule some time just with you and your pet.

Whether it's a lovely walk in the snowy streets or cuddling on the couch, your pet will appreciate that you take the time just for them - even when you're busy,” Dyck added.

7. Trees A Christmas tree can pose some problems.

“The tree is the staple of every holiday decorator, but it presents hidden risks to your pet. If you have a live tree, make sure treated water is out of reach of thirsty pets, as it can cause uncomfortable gastro-intestinal side effects such as nausea or vomiting. Watch that your dog or cat is not ingesting pine needles that can puncture and

cause stomach discomfort,” Dyck said.

It is also important to keep the tree stable and sturdy, and it should be placed away from a furniture which your pet can use as a ladder.

“Automated spray repellants or other training aids are products that may help you safely keep your dog or cat away from the tree or other holiday decorations. Sometimes, a simple fix such as placing aluminum foil at the base of the tree, or hanging a jar of coins (or other noisy knicknacks) on the lower branches where your cat may climb can deter curious cats. Cats hate the feel of foil on their paws and don't like the sound of rattling coins,” Dyck said.

8. Holiday Food Admittedly, we all are excited about the food during the holiday season! We wonder what the members of the family will bring for the yearly reunion, or what our mom will serve this time.

“Food is a big theme around the holidays, but that can spell out trouble for your pet if you aren't keeping close watch. Many of the most toxic human foods for pets are common during the Christmas season, such as chocolate, liquor, nuts, and high fat foods such as gravy and pastries,” Dyck warned.

She added: “High fat foods, such as many table scraps that include gravy or fried foods, can cause pancreatitis, which is a common diagnosis over the holidays and can result in death if not treated promptly.

“Cooked bones, while not a human food, per se, are also a related hazard to pets over the holidays. Cooked bones, in comparison to raw bones, are brittle and can cause intestinal blockages or perforations if ingested, “Dyck said.

Dyck also said: “Avoid open bowls of food and don't leave food, boxes of chocolate (particularly chocolate liqueurs), alcohol, or leftovers where they can be accessed by a curious pet. Keep garbage secure, both indoors and out, for your pet's safety and others'. “ 9. Visitors Most families have guests during the Christmas season. Please inform your guests of some things that will make sure everything will go well for both humans and pets.

These include: 1. Please tell your guests not to give table food or scraps to pets.

2. Watch the children, specially when they are around pets. “Often, kids misinterpret pet cues and are unaware of risks involved. Watch your pet closely. When under stress or frightened, pets that are normally even-tempered can become aggressive, “ Dyck stressed.

3. Explain to your guests that bringing their pets can cause stress as you will have to keep watch over your pets and the visiting pets. “Unless you know them and are able to keep a close watch, say no to visiting pets.

New visiting pets can add stress to an already anxious pet, which could result in aggressive behaviour or acting out,” Dyck said.

iMportant tips For caring For kittens (Part 1 of two parts) KITTENS, like babies of humans, need a different kind of nurturing. Their needs are definitely different from that of adult cats.

“When it comes to raising kittens, the philosophy is pretty similar to that of bringing up children.

If you provide proper care and training when

they’re young, it increases the odds they’ll grow up to be healthy, well-adjusted adults. So if you recently adopted a kitten, start incorporating this advice as soon as possible,” said Jennifer Sellers in Petfinder’s Kitten Care: Must-Know Tips for Raising Kittens.

Here are the tips from Sellers: 1) Never treat kittens like adult cats A kitten has different needs compared to an adult cat and these needs change at different stages of the kitten’s life until she or he becomes an adult.

Under eight weeks of age.

At this age, a kitten should be with her mother and siblings.

“Because kittens this young are unable to regulate their own temperatures, they rely on one-another’s body heat to survive. In addition, they are still developing vision and leg coordination,” Sellers said.

Sellers stressed: “If you adopt or foster an orphan kitten in this age group, Kiwi, child of rescued cat Chloe, loves scratch pads and other toys. Like pups, kittens love toys.

special care will need to be taken, including bottle-feeding the kitten for every two hours up to four weeks of age and possibly helping your kitten pee and poop. It’s best to consult with a veterinarian for specific instructions and advice.”

• Eight to eleven weeks of age.

The kitten is usually weaned by eight weeks and should be eating a kitten diet which is “energy dense, rich in protein and highly digestible,” Sellers said.

“Whether choosing dry kibble or wet food, be sure it is formulated for kittens,” Sellers added.

At this age, the kitten also begins to develop complex motor skills such as running, jumping, playing and exploring.

“This is a delightful period of kittenhood, but also one that can be dangerous to your kitten if she isn’t appropriately supervised. Start setting boundaries for your kitten and keep her in a safe, enclosed room while you can supervise her,” Sellers said.

• Two to four months of age.

Sellers said the kitten’s growth is faster at this age as the kitten’s energy is three times more than that of an adult cat.

“They’ll need three to four individual meals a day during this time. According to Vetstreet.com, these meals should be minimum 30 percent high-quality protein, “ Sellers said.

• Four to six months of age.

This is the time the kitten reaches adolescence and sexual maturity.

“Talk to a veterinarian about having your kitten spayed or neutered before your kitten reaches this stage to avoid unpleasant habits like territorial spraying and accidental litters, “ Sellers stressed.

2) Good behavior should be rewarded and allow the kittens to socialize This is very important, Sellers said.

Sellers said “The socialization and training your cat receives during kittenhood will affect how well she will likely interact with people and other animals when she’s older.”

Sellers shared an experience of a foster, Jane Harrell, who said: “I remember the first time I fostered kittens and how worried I was about scaring them. What I didn’t know was that that was a critical socialization period for them and not exposing them to things made them more nervous as adults. Now when I foster kittens I do everything I can to get them exposed to as much as possible – loud noises, walking on leashes, strangers, you name it! It all helps them become better-adjusted, healthy adult cats.”

Please make sure your kitten gets to socialize with other cats and humans and make these experiences a pleasant, enjoyable one always.

(To be continued next week.)

My Furry Bestie THIS corner features pets of animal lovers every week. We hope new owners and those thinking of getting a pet will be encouraged to be responsible “furparents” through these features. We also hope more people will be moved to be kind to animals when they read about the great relationship that can be created between humans and animals.

For contributions, please email to daycarlos28@yahoo.com and put My Furry Bestie as subject.

MOLLY was posted for adoption in a whatsapp group of Sheryl Marie’s child by a parent.

Sheryl messaged the parent and asked why Molly was put up for adoption. The parent replied that the real owner can no longer take care of Molly as only two dogs are allowed in the new condo unit.

When Sheryl went to the place of Molly’s first owner, Molly immediately went to her and “sumiksik na sa akin.”

Sheryl recalls. “ The owner was surprised. She said it was unusual for Molly to approach a human in that manner because she usually barks at guests.”

After hearing that, Sheryl knew Molly was meant to live with her and her family.

Molly, a three-year-old mixed terrierschnauzer, is “super playful. She likes to be appreciated all the time. She is also very affectionate. That’s what made me love her more,” Sheryl says.

MOCHA was found walking on a side street when adopter Jastina Marvie saw her. She was apparently lost as she was only about two months old then.

Jastina took pity on the shih tzu baby and brought her home.

Mocha was then diagnosed with parvo virus which is common to pups who have not been vaccinated.

The vet said Mocha had a slim chance of surviving but Jastina did not give up on Mocha.

She fed Mocha every two hours, and kept her hydrated because she kept vomiting. She did not sleep for days just to monitor Mocha.

She would also bring her to the vet everyday for medication.

Her efforts paid off and Mocha recovered.

Mocha is now 10 years old.

After recovering from her illness, she became very attached to Jastina.

“She is super loving and loyal, “ Jastina says.

She adds: “ Mocha is a super poised dog. She's a ladylike. Lol. She also likes to be cuddled. She's perfect for me because she knows how to make me smile when I feel sad. She is my stress reliever.”

Editor's Note: These stories were compiled

by Miks Lim, admin of Save Animals of Love and Light (Save ALL), a SEC-registered animal welfare (AW) group which promotes messages such as adopt from AW groups, shelters or pounds, spay or neuter your pets to help control animal population in the country, be kind to animals, help animals in need, among others.