Manila Standard - 2018 October 24 - Wednesday

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Du30 names 7 national artists PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will bestow the Order of National Artists on seven Filipinos who have made significant contributions to the development of Philippine arts.

In a list released yesterday, this year’s awardees are Francisco Mañosa for architecture, Kidlat Tahimik (Eric de Guia) for film, Ramon Muzones and Resil Mojares for literature, Ryan Next page

VOL. XXXII • NO. 251 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

Ryan Cayabyab

Amelia Bonifacio

Kidlat Tahimik

Francisco Mañosa

Resil Mojares

Ramon Muzones

Larry Alcala

Senate looks into oil tax, TRAIN

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Alena Mae Flores

COLORFUL COSTUMES.

Children from different schools in Rizal wear chromatic costumes as they participated in a parade at SM City in Taytay in celebration of United Nations Day Tuesday. United Nations Day 2018 marked the 72nd anniversary of the UN Charter’s entry into force, and celebrates everything the UN represents and has achieved since its establishment in 1945, whose first president of the general assembly was Filipino Carlos Romulo of Camiling, Tarlac. Norman Cruz

THE Senate committee on energy is set to examine the government’s strategy to ensure energy security amid skyrocketing world oil prices.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, panel chairman, noted that diesel and gasoline prices have shot up by as much as P5.45 and P6.30, respectively, from July 25, 2018 prices, and said these prices have been exacerbated by the fuel excise tax imposed under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law (Republic

Act No. 10963).

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, however, said the imposition of an excise tax on fuel added very little to pump prices, referring to the additional P2 that would be added to the cost of gasoline and diesel in 2019 under the TRAIN Law. “This tax is not responsible for the spiral in fuel prices, Donald Trump is. The global market, over which we have no control, is responsible for this,” Dominguez said.

Dominguez, however, did not mention the excise tax that was already imposed on diesel (P2.50) and gasoline (P7) starting in

Farmers vs farmers eyed

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Sagay massacre meant to discredit agrarian program, says DAR chief

By Rio N. Araja and Macon Ramos-Araneta

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GRARIAN Reform Secretary John Castriciones on Tuesday said farmers belonging to the National Federation of Sugar Workers could be behind the killing of nine of their fellow members who occupied a private farm in Hacienda Nene in Barangay Bulanon, Negros Occidental on Oct. 20.

“Our undersecretary received confidential information that those who shot the victims were members of their group, [too],” Castriciones said in an interview over radio dzMM. He said this could be part of efforts to discredit the government’s agrarian reform program.

He said the Philippine National Police and DAR are both conducting their own investigations into the identity of the per-

petrators and the motive behind the killings.

Based on police reports, the communist rebels have some “influence” on several members of the federation, he said.

Castriciones said the Presidential Agrarian Reform Council met with different farmer leaders, such as with Jimmy Tadeo, and had come to the conclusion that neither the military nor the Next page

Palace 4 squares behind Arroyo’s IPU pullout bid

Anti-TB drug game changer PARIS—A new treatment for a drug-resistant strain of tuberculosis can cure 80 percent of sufferers, according to a trial hailed Monday as a “game changer” in the fight against the global killer.

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By Rey E. Requejo and Macon Ramos-Araneta

THE Department of Justice will file a motion for partial reconsideration of the ruling of Makati City Judge Andres Soriano, who found that Senator Antonio Trillanes IV was able to prove he filed his amnesty application and had admitted his guilt in the coup d’etat case filed against him.

“The DOJ will file, not later than Friday, a motion for partial reconsideration of the order of RTC Makati City

Branch 148, only insofar as it found that Senator Trillanes had sufficiently shown that he filed his certificate of amnesty, and that therefore it follows that he also admitted his guilt for the offense of coup d’etat,” Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said in a text message to reporters.

Earlier, Guevarra said it is the DOJ, and not the Office of the Solicitor General, that will decide on what legal steps to undertake following the denying by the Makati City regional Next page

Boracay beckons again, task force says

By Nat Mariano, Maricel V. Cruz and Macon RamosAraneta MALACAÑANG on Tuesday backed House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s bid to pull the country out of the Inter-Parliamentary Union as the group meddles in the country’s judicial processes.

“I support the call of Speaker Arroyo,” said Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo in a Palace press briefing Tuesday.

“Ever since that has been the stance of the President. We’ve been hearing him make speeches in the same tone,” he added.

Panelo said no international human rights organization has jurisdiction over the country.

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DoJ to Trillanes: It ain’t over yet

By Nat Mariano BORACAY has been restored to 80 percent of its pristine beauty, the Boracay Inter-agency Task Force said Tuesday, adding the land reform packages on the island will be distributed before Christmas.

Environment Undersecretary Jonas Leones said the inter-agency body was “ready to open” the famous tourist spot to the public by Friday as they had already placed safeguards on the island.

He said they were optimistic and con-

fident that they had addressed the major environmental problems on Boracay.

“Issues were already resolved by the inter-agency. Although we can say that we’re not yet 100-percent complete, we’re going to that direction,” Leones said.

“At least we can say that we are now 80 percent restoring the pristine beauty and original situation of Boracay.”

Meanwhile, after its six months closure, Boracay will once again open its doors to the tourism industry on Oct. 26, and with it the improved transportation serNext page vices to and from the island.

BOAT CHRISTENING. The couple Lucio and Carmen Tan pour champagne Tuesday during the christening of m/v Malambing and m/v Magalang at the seaside terminal of Mall of Asia before traveling to Pico de Loro. The practice, old hands say, is to appease Neptune while splashing some on the boat hull so Neptune and the boat both get their appropriate portions. Sonny Espiritu

Drug lords out to get me—BOC chief

By Vito Barcelo CUSTOMS Commissioner Isidro Lapeña on Tuesday accused his accuser, sacked deputy collector Lourdes Mangaoang, of being used by a drug syndicate to tarnish the image of the Bureau of Customs and to replace him as its head.

“There is no doubt that these attacks against me and the officers, [the] men

and women of the Bureau of Customs, is a well-funded and coordinated attack to undermine the reforms I started,” Lapeña told reporters.

“She could be being used wittingly or unwittingly by a drug syndicate,” he said of Mangaoang who has been transferred to the Customs Monitoring Unit.

Lapeña made his statement even as Next page

China, ASEAN kick off naval war games BEIJING—China and Southeast Asian states kicked off their first joint maritime exercises on Monday in an effort to ease regional tensions linked to rival claims in the South China Sea. Eight warships set sail from the port of Zhanjiang, in China’s southern Guangdong province, with 1,200 military personnel taking part in the event, according to Chi-

nese state broadcaster CCTV. Beijing’s expansive claims to the South China Sea have long been a source of friction with rival claimants in Southeast Asia, as well as Washington which has traditionally been the dominant naval power in the area.

The navies of China and the 10-member Next page

BIRTHDAY GREETING. Lakas-CMD Party president Martin Romualdez hands a bouquet of flowers to his wife, Leyte 1st District Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez during a celebration Tuesday at the south lounge of the House of Representatives. Ver Noveno

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Abe embarks on rare visit to China

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OKYO—Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe makes a rare trip to China this week hoping improved relations will lead to new economic partnerships, as the two countries come under US pressure on trade.

The two leaders are likely to focus on a range of potential deals, including joint investments in infrastructure in regional nations including Indonesia and the Philippines.

Abe has signaled some interest in China’s massive “Belt and Road Initiative,” which funds major infrastructure work, but experts said a concrete deal on

FB closes 95 pages, 39 accounts in PH FACEBOOK said Tuesday it shut down a network of several pages and accounts linked to President Rodrigo Duterte's supporters for spam violations and breach of authenticity policies.

The social networking site said it removed 95 pages and 39 accounts for operating as a “spam network” on social media.

Facebook did not specifically name the pages, but the examples they provided were pro-Duterte pages such as Duterte Media, Duterte sa Pagbabago BUKAS, DDS, Duterte Phenomenon and DU30 Trending News, among others.

The site said 4.8 million users followed at least one of the removed 95 pages. These pages violated Facebook’s policies by “encouraging people to visit low-quality websites that contain little substantive content and are full of disruptive ads.”

Facebook said the published content in the removed pages ranged from politics to entertainment, and all shared links to the same advertising click farms off Facebook.

Other pages with similar links but did not directly refer to the President included Hot Babes, News Media Trends, Bossing Vic, Pilipinas Daily News, Like and Win, Manang Imee and Karlo ang Probinsyano.

“We don’t want this kind of behavior on Facebook―and we’re investing heavily in both people and technology to keep bad content off our services,” Facebook said.

Nat Mariano

Du30 names...

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Cayabyab for music, Amelia Lapeña Bonifacio for theater, and Lauro “Larry” Alcala for visual arts.

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Cultural Center of the Philippines handpicked the seven outstanding individuals.

The President will also accord the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan Award to Ambalang Ausalin, Estelita Bantilan, and Yabing Masalon-Dulo.

The Order of National Artists is the highest recognition given by the government to Filipinos for their exemplary performance in their own fields of expertise.

Aside from the rank and title, the seven National Artists will also receive an insignia, a citation, and a lifetime emolument and benefits similar to those received by the highest officers in the country.

Among the incentives are P100,000 cash award for living awardees, P75,000 cash award for posthumous awardees, a monthly life pension medical and hospitalization benefits, life insurance, a state funeral at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, and a place of honor at national state functions.

Anti-TB drug...

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Doctors in Belarus—a country with one of the highest rates of multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis in the world—spent months treating patients with a new drug, bedaquiline, alongside other antibiotics.

The results, seen exclusively by AFP, were startling: Of the 181 patients given the new drug, 168 people completed the course and 144 were totally cured.

The World Health Organization says currently only 55 percent of people with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis are successfully treated.

The Belarus trial cure rate—80 percent— was largely replicated in bedaquiline trials in other countries in eastern Europe, Africa and Southeast Asia, according to abstracts seen by AFP, due to be unveiled at a major tuberculosis conference later this week.

“The results from this study confirm... that newer drugs like bedaquiline can cure and are game changers for people living with multi-drug-resistant and extremely drug-resistant tuberculosis,” Paula Fujiwara, scientific director of The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease who was not involved in the research, told AFP. Lead researcher Alena Skrahina, from the Republican Research and Practical Centre for Pulmonology and TB in Minsk, called the bedaquiline results “promising.”

“Generally, our study confirms the effectiveness of bedaquiline in previous clinical trials, and does not confirm the concerns about safety problems,” she told AFP. Tuberculosis killed at least 1.7 million people in 2017, according to the WHO, making the airborne infection the world’s deadliest infectious disease. AFP

Japanese participation was unlikely for now.

Both sides are keen to improve economic cooperation, with Japanese business eager for increased access to China’s massive market, and Beijing interested in Japanese technology and corporate knowhow.

“Japan and China have really nicely complementary economies, and they can benefit hugely from having closer trade and investment ties,” said Kristin Vekasi, assistant professor of political science at the University of Maine, and an expert on Japan-China ties.

“They’ll try and bring home some economic tangibles. That’s generally where they’ve been able to successfully cooperate in the past.”

The visit is the first by a Japanese premier since 2011 and is part of a years-long process of repairing ties in the wake of a disastrous falling-out in 2012, when Tokyo “nationalized” disputed islands claimed

by Beijing.

Farmers...

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government was involved in the killings.

“Not even a single government official is involved here,” he said.

Castriciones said he was at the DAR provincial office in Negros Occidental to personally go through the records of the victims, and determined than one of them were beneficiaries under the agrarian reform program.

“Two of them were minors, who could never be qualified as agrarian reform beneficiaries,” he said.

He added that the disputed land on which the farmers were killed was never placed under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.

The Commission on Human Rights, meanwhile, has also sent a fact-finding team to investigate the killings, its spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia said.

The police on Tuesday said they have established “persons of interest”—one of them being the farm onwer—in the killing of the nine sugar farmers in Sagay City, Negros Occidental, on Saturday.

PNP chief Oscar Albayalde declined to say how many persons of interest were tagged, or who they were, but he said there were two witnesses now in police custody.

Initial reports after the killing incident identified the farm owner as Mrs. Carmen Tolentino.

Senate looks..

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2018 under the first tranche of excise taxes under the TRAIN Law. At the current rate of P60 a liter for gasoline, the existing excise tax of P7 would account for 11 percent of its price.

Dominguez said the imposition of the excise tax was completely justified “considering the social and environmental impact of fossil fuel consumption.”

“Compared to excise taxes imposed on the same products elsewhere, the one imposed by the new tax reform law is negligible,” the Finance chief said.

Amid soaring gas prices, lawmakers have called for a suspension of the increase in the

DoJ...

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trial court of its motion for the arrest of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV. “It is the DOJ who will decide what legal step to take,” Guevarra said.

Guevarra made the statement after Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo announced that Solicitor General Jose Calida will appeal the trial court ruling directly before the Court of Appeals instead offiling a motion for reconsideration before the Makati City judge, Andres Soriano.

The DOJ chief said the next legal move will be known before the end of the day.

DOJ prosecutors represented the state before two Makati City courts where two judges have issued opposite rulings on whether or not Trillanes should be rearrested for coup d’état and rebellion charges.

Guevarra on Tuesday underscored the importance of proceeding with the amnesty cases against Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, saying it serves as a deterrent for like-minded military adventurism in the future.

“With all due respect, pursuing one to answer for the crime of rebellion or coup

Palace...

From A1

He added that groups such as the IPU merely besmirch the country’s judicial system by coming to conclusions even without conducting a prior investigation.

“They came here and investigated [Senator Leila] De Lima, and I think Senator [Antonio] Trillanes [IV]. Then they made a finding that it seems there was a violation of human rights [and] that no due process

China, ASEAN...

From A1

Association of Southeast Asian Nations agreed to hold the week-long maneuvers as part of efforts to promote stability and ease tensions across the disputed sea.

Singapore, which is co-organizing the event, Brunei, Thailand, Vietnam and Philippines deployed ships to participate in the exercise, according to China’s defense ministry.

Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Myanmar sent observers, according to CCTV. Exercises are expected to include a joint search and rescue operation and commu-

The incident prompted anti-Japanese riots in China, and kicked off a frosty spell that has only gradually and recently begun to thaw.

Since an awkward 2014 encounter between Abe and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of a summit, there have been ministerial visits by both sides and a softening of rhetoric.

But Abe’s trip will be a test of how far the two countries have come, and the need for progress is all the more urgent as US President Donald Trump levies tariffs and rattles sabres on trade with both China and Japan.

“The trade war with the US seems like it’s helping bring them together a bit,” said Vekasi.

“In that sense, they’re actually on the same side... and if Japan leans away from the US because of decreased economic opportunities, there’s a potential for closer ties with China,” she told AFP. AFP

Nine of the newly recruited members of the National Federation of Sugar Workers were killed while resting in a makeshift tent in Hacienda Nene owned by Tolentino at 9:45 pm Saturday.

The victims were made to stay at the tent in the middle of the farm lot on the promise of becoming regular tillers or tenants.

But Albayalde said the victims are not legitimate tillers as the farm lots have already been distributed to legitimate beneficiaries.

“They are not the legitimate tillers or tenants or land owners because that farm lot has been distributed already to legitimate farmerbeneficiaries,”Albayalde said.

“This nine just occupied that farm lot,” he said.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, meanwhile, directed the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct its own investigation into the massacre of the nine farm workers.

Guevarra said the probe may be undertaken even as the Philippine National Police is conducting its own investigation .

“We will not wait for the results of the PNP investigation if we think that the circumstances require our immediate participation, we shall conduct our own investigation,” Guevarra said.

The victims, including four women and minors, were resting at their makeshift shelter inside Hacienda Nene in Bulanon, Sagay city when unidentified armed men opened fire on them. The suspects then fled the

crime scene.

The local government has already offered a P500,000 reward for any information that might lead to the identification and arrest of the killers.

Aside from the PNP, the Department of Agrarian Reform and other agencies tasked with implementing the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program have also created a task force to investigate the killing.

Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday said the killing of nine farmers by 40 armed men at Hacienda Nene in Barangay Bulanon, Sagay City, Negros Occidental, demonstrates the culture of impunity has spread throughout the country.

“That this happened under the watch of President Rodrigo Duterte, who prides himself in allegedly instilling fear in the heart of criminals, points to two possible things: Despite his tough talk against criminals, the perpetrators of this gruesome crime are not afraid of him; or, his rhetoric of violence and the climate of fear he created inspired this latest act of violence,” Hontiveros said.

Either way, she said, Duterte failed in his promise to keep the people safe.

“His simplistic and barbaric approach to enforce law and order is not working. It only preys on poor people but leave the bigtime druglords, landlords and oligarchs untouched,” she said.

Other senators expressed outrage over the killings and called on the police to conduct a swift and thorough investigation.

excise tax on fuel scheduled for Jan. 1, 2019, and some have even called for a rollback of the taxes imposed in 2018.

Dominguez said the economic managers have recommended the suspension of the tax increase for next year, if the average price of oil stays above $80 per barrel, as provided under the TRAIN Law. Dominguez also acknowledged that TRAIN has added to inflation.

“There is no question TRAIN contributed to the elevated inflation rate. The excise taxes imposed on sugary beverages and on cigarette products reflect in higher prices. Those higher prices were intended,” he said.

Dominguez said the higher taxes on sugar and cigarette products were meant “to dissuade consumption of harmful products.”

In his resolution, Gatchalian said the DOE

is the agency mandated to carry out the policy of energy self-reliance and self-sufficiency through integrated and intensive exploration, production, management, and development of indigenous energy resources; and to rationalize, integrate, and coordinate the various programs of the government towards selfsufficiency.

“DOE has committed to implement measures to mitigate the effects of the continuous price increase in the world market, and to oversee the proper implementation of TRAIN, in so far as taxes on petroleum products are concerned,” Gatchalian said.

“Despite these efforts, it is necessary to be apprised of DOE’s strategic framework to achieve energy security and energy selfsufficiency to prevent similar situations from arising in the future,” he added.

d’état is not a useless exercise, as it sends a warning to all similarly minded persons who have devious plans of endangering the security of the republic,” Guevarra said.

The remarks were made in response to some lawmakers’ call for the executive to back down on the cases against Trillanes, a constant critic.

Soriano turned down the government’s plea for an arrest warrant and a hold departure order against the lawmaker citing that the judgment clearing the lawmaker had long been final and executory.

“The dismissal [of the case] has become final and executory,” Soriano said, citing the legal doctrine of “immutability of a final and executory judgment.”

Senate Minority leader Franklin M. Drilon, meanwhile, said the Supreme Court can no longer disturb the factual findings

by Soriano on Trillanes’ case, citing the jurisprudence that the “Supreme Court is not a trier of facts.”

“Well-settled is the rule that the Supreme Court is not a trier of fact. The Supreme Court cannot assume the role of trier of facts which, by law and jurisprudence, belongs to the lower courts,” Drilon said.

The case of Trillanes is undeniably a question of fact, Drilon said.

“Factual findings of the lower courts are entitled to great weight and respect on appeal, and in fact accorded finality when supported by substantial evidence on the record,” Drilon said.

In the case of Trillanes, he said, the lower court has affirmed the fact that Trillanes validly complied with the requirements for his amnesty application.

“I do not see how this finding can be disturbed by the Supreme Court especially considering that the original decision of Makati RTC Branch 148 attained finality seven years ago,” Drilon said.

Senator Leila de Lima said she welcomed with guarded optimism Soriano’s decision.

Nowadays, she said it is difficult for the judiciary to defy the wishes of the government, especially if pressure is coming directly from Duterte’s personal interest to have Trillanes arrested and silenced. “This act of independence from pressure exerted

by Malacañang is thus a breath of fresh air coming from the judiciary,” she said.

“I consider this development as a positive act of independence of the judiciary.

We must recognize small victories against Duterte’s tyranny, and this is definitely one of them,” De Lima added.

was given to them. In effect, they’re saying that our judicial system is not functioning,” said Panelo.

“They’ve been giving pre-judgments.

And to our mind, that’s an intrusion, an insult, offensive to the decency of this country, as well as an intrusion on our sovereignty,” he added.

Earlier, Arroyo, who was the head of the IPU Philippine delegation, recommended to the Senate that Philippines withdraw its membership from the IPU because of the group’s continuous intervention in the

country’s judicial system.

Upon Arroyo’s recommendation, members of the Senate, the chamber which belongs to the IPU, are divided.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said the suggestion was “defeatist” and a “tacit admission that indeed critical lawmakers are being persecuted under the Duterte administration.” However, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said he was “inclined to concur” with Arroyo, stressing the country is a “sovereign state with a working judicial process.”

nication exercises while in formation, the Chinese defense ministry said in a statement late Sunday.

The joint naval exercises are taking place after preparatory tabletop exercises were held in Singapore in August between ASEAN and China.

In a speech during Monday’s opening ceremony, Singapore chief of navy, Rear-Admiral Lew Chuen Hong emphasized the security benefits, as well as economic growth, to be reaped from regional collaboration, reported The Strait Times.

“To allow the stable and collective use of a shared space, a set of common rules and understanding is very important,” he said.

The Chinese defense ministry said Sun-

day the exercises would “enhance mutual trust” and “help promote military relations between China and ASEAN countries, strengthen maritime security cooperation, and enhance the ability to jointly respond to security threats.”

Attending an ASEAN ministerial meeting where the drill was announced on Friday, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said he did not believe the exercises were “contrary” to US interests.

The United States has raised concerns about China’s installation of military facilities in artificially-built islands in the South China Sea, and routinely conducted “freedom of navigation” operations to challenge Beijing’s territorial claims. AFP

Wage boards decide on pay hike—Palace

By Nat Mariano THE regional wage boards have the final say on whether or not to approve any petition seeking higher salaries, Malacañang said Tuesday following the labor groups’ petition for a bigger minimum wage increase in Metro Manila.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the Palace would respect the decision of the wage board.

“You know, the wage board will determine whether or not there is a need for an increase,” Panelo said.

“The Palace will respect whatever the decision of the wage board is.”

On Sunday, Associated Labor UnionsTrade Union Congress of the Philippines insisted on a P334 wage increase in Metro Manila despite possible objections from employers.

ALU-TUCP Spokesman Alan Tanjusay said he hoped their petition would be approved after the meetings with the National Capital Region Wage Board this week.

The ALU-TUCP petitioned for a P320 increase in June 2018, but then adjusted the amount to P334 as a result of the increase in the inflation rate.

Tanjusay said he expected representatives from small and big businesses to challenge their position paper for a wage increase.

“Historically, it has been repeatedly rejected, but we will insist on our petition,” Tanjusay said.

“If it is approved after the meetings, it will be published in newspapers and will be effective after 15 days.”

Boracay...

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Boracay may be one distant nook in the Visayas, but it will now become easier to reach thanks to the increasingly organized system of transportation in Kalibo and Caticlan.

Moreover, Legacy carrier Philippine Airlines and its partner Mabuhay Maritime Express on Tuesday launched a ferry service to help the government promote the newly rehabilitated Boracay.

“Philippine Airlines and subsidiary Mabuhay Maritime Express [MME] Transport Corporation have been collaborating since 2016 to establish seamless air, land and sea connectivity for passengers whose final destination is the world-famous Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan,” said PAL corporate communications department chief and spokeswoman Maria Cielo Villaluna.

Asked when the government will distribute land to the indigenous peoples on Boracay, Leones said it would happen before Christmas.

“The instruction of the President is to fasttrack it. In fact, there is a presidential directive received by our office directing us to facilitate the distribution of land,” Leones said.

He said both the DENR and DAR had been closely coordinating to facilitate the land redistribution.

“Based on our records, the DENR has already transferred the approximately eight hectares of land to the DAR for distribution.

But DAR is now preparing tenurial instruments like Certificate of Land Ownership Agreement,” Leones said. With Eric Apolonio and Joel E. Zurbano

Drug lords...

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Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency director general Aaron Aquino said he was willing to face any investigation into the shipment of shabu worth P6.8 billion that supposedly slipped past the Bureau of Customs in August.

PDEA deputy director general Ricardo Santiago said the agency will stand by its findings that the magnetic lifters abandoned in a warehouse in Cavite contained shabu.

“Our dog sat down when it smelled traces of shabu inside the magnetic lifters,” Santiago told reporters on the sidelines of the launching of Grab Philippines’ road safety map.

Meanwhile, civic groups are urging the PDEA to either put up evidence to back its claim that an alleged P6.4 billion worth of shabu had slipped past the Bureau of Customs or shut up and buckle down to work if it could not produce a single gram of evidence.

Ed Cordevilla, head of the Filipino League of Advocates for Good Governance or FLAG, made the statement after PDEA and Customs officials continued trading accusations over the shabu.

“They have yet to produce any evidence to back their claims that shabu was spirited out of Customs,” Cordevilla said.

President Rodrigo Duterte himself publicly stated his reservation regarding the veracity of PDEA’s claim. Recently, PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde even doubted the insinuations that the price of shabu had become cheap due to a flood of supplies as alleged by the head of PDEA.” Mangaoaong, who was also placed under a lifestyle check on suspicions of corruption, was removed by Lapeña after she claimed in a Senate hearing that the four magnetic lifters released by the bureau and later found in a warehouse in Cavite contained P6.8 billion worth of shabu.

“The issue against us is being manipulated by the drug syndicates in order that it will be diverted away from them,” Lapeña said. With Rio N. Araja and Rey E. Requejo

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Koko denies consulting Topacio on reelection bid

POWER CHAT.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte discusses matters with Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rolando Bautista, Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III, and former Bureau of Corrections Chief Ronald dela Rosa on the sidelines of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines Luzon Island Cluster Conference at the SMX Convention Center in Davao City on Oct. 22, 2018.

Presidential Photo

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III on Tuesday denied the claim of lawyer Ferdinand Topacio that the senator consulted him over his reelection bid, saying he would never solicit the views of a lawyer “better known for starting personal squabbles than winning legal battles.”

“There is no truth to Atty. Topacio’s statement that I consulted him about the legal issues surrounding my candidacy,” said Pimentel.

“I have never asked Atty. Topacio for any legal opinion in my entire life. There is a very short list of election lawyers I would consult regarding this matter, and he is not on it,” added the senator from Mindanao.

The former Senate President said Topacio is known for feuding with public officials, colleagues in the legal community, and members of the media.

The controversial lawyer, has had clashes with former Presidential Management Staff Undersecretary Karen Jimeno, former Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, radio host Mo Twister, and Inquirer columnist Mon Tulfo.

But Pimentel welcomed the filing of a disqualification case filed against him by Topacio at the Commission on Elections, as the case “will pave the way for this issue to be settled, so we can focus on the issues that really matter to our people.”

Pimentel, also the PDP Laban president, disputed the legal arguments raised by Topacio against his reelection bid and said that the Constitution does not bar him from running in the May 2019 midterm polls.

“The Constitution, the law, and jurisprudence are on my side. Wellregarded legal minds known for their expertise in elections law have likewise chimed in; they agree with my position: I can run for reelection.”

In a forum earlier this month, respected election lawyer Romulo Macalintal, who is running for a Senate seat with the opposition, said that Pimentel’s first years as a senator should not be counted.

According to Macalintal, it is “clear in the Constitution” that the term of office of a senator shall be six years.

House okays bill granting benefits to kids of retired COA, CSC members

By Maricel V. Cruz THE House of Representatives has backed a measure granting survivorship benefits to the dependent children of deceased or retired members of the Commission on Audit, Civil Service Commission, Commission on Elections and the Ombudsman, who is a solo parent, or the surviving parents or nominated persons of such deceased retiree.

House Bill 7820, principally authored

by Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas of Ilocos Norte, aims to advance the policy of the State to strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution, taking into account the variety of family composition that has been undergoing fundamental changes in the society.

To fulfill this objective, the bill proposes to amend Republic Act 10084 entitled “An Act Granting Survivorship Benefits to the Surviving Legitimate Spouse Of A Deceased Retired Member of the Commission On Audit, Civil Service Commission On Elections and The Ombudsman, and For Other Purposes.”

The bill seeks to include a new Section 1-A to RA 10084 which shall read as follows: “In case the deceased retired chairman of the Commission on Audit, Civil Service Commission, Commission on Elections) and the Ombudsman was unmarried, the survivorship benefits shall be paid as follows: a) When the deceased retiree was a solo parent, as defined under RA 8924, otherwise known as the “Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2002,” and survived by dependent children or other children under the care of the deceased retiree as stipulated under RA 9262, otherwise known as the “AntiViolence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004,” including children who have reached the age of majority but are unable to fully take care of themselves or protect themselves from abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation, or discrimination because of a physical or mental disability or condition as defined under RA 7610, otherwise known as the “Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act,” the dependent children shall be entitled to receive on a monthly basis all the retirement benefits that the deceased retiree was receiving at the time of death under the provisions of applicable retirement laws then in force.

Cops at PNPA for last 2 years ordered relieved I N AN effort to prevent more cases of harassment against police cadets, the leadership of the Philippine National Police has ordered the relief of police officials who have been assigned to the Philippine National Police Academy for the last two years.

PNP Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said the order has already been made even before the PNPA faced yet another controversy involving its cadets.

In the latest incident, three upperclassmen reportedly forced two PNPA underclassmen to perform oral sex on each other as punishment for allegedly committing several violations.

“Actually even before na nangyari yan, nagbigay na ako ng directive sa directorate for personnel na i-relieve lahat doon yung mga na-assign na doon for the last two years,” Albayalde said in an interview at Camp Crame.

“Yung naka-dalawang taon na doon pina-relieve na namin para magbago ulit yung mga naka-assign doon na pulis, including senior officers, dahil

merong mga rumors na ganun before,” he added.

Albayalde was referring to rumors on the various acts that PNPA cadets were asked to do as a form of punishment.

“Kung anu-ano ang mga pinapagawang parusa doon sa mga kadete although hindi ko na alam, wala akong report nito na kadete mismo ang nagbibigay ng parusa na ganyan,” he said.

Albayalde, however, said he had decided to retain Academy Director Joseph Adnol for the time being as PNPA head despite the latest incident.

“Mag-stay muna sya until such time na malipat yung PNPA sa PNP at yung [NPTI] [National Police Training Institute],” Albayalde said.

The PNP chief said that if reports were proven true, the cadets involved

in the incident would face outright dismissal.

“We can assure you na maliban sa criminal case na ito ay magkakaroon pa sila ng administrative charges that will lead to their dismissal in the cadetship,” he said.

Only last March, at least 40 cadets of the PNPA had beaten up six graduating upperclassmen on their graduation day.

These cases of harassment, according to Albayalde, were proof that there is now a need to improve the quality of education, discipline and leadership in the academy.

“Kaya naman pinipilit namin ito matransfer sa PNP para makita natin kung ano talaga ang pagkukulang at kung anong kailangan na quality ng officers dapat meron tayo pagkagraduate nitong mga kadete na ito dahil darating ang panahon after their graduation, sila din ang hahawak ng tao sa atin on the ground,” he said.

“Napaka-importante na itong mga ito ay matitino pagka-graduate at sila ang magle-lead at magiging senior officers at sila hahawak ng PNP,” Albayalde said.

CamSur municipal mayor ordered jailed for graft THE Sandiganbayan sentenced a former municipal mayor of Camarines Sur to eight years in prison for a graft case when he unlawfully deprived a municipal health officer of salaries and allowances in 2010.

In a 27-page ruling, the anti-graft court’s First Division also ordered former Bato, Camarines Sur mayor Jeanette Bernaldez to be perpetually barred from holding any public office.

The Sandiganbayan also directed the Municipality of Bato to pay the unpaid salaries and allowances of Dr. Annelyn Mendoza from June 2010 to August 2010 in the amount of P56,387.39.

Court records showed that Bernaldez detailed Mendoza to the Camarines Sur Provincial Health Office on April 14,

2009, which the municipal health officer contested by filing an appeal with the Civil Service Commission.

Mendoza eventually, reported to the PHO on April 20, 2009.

Bernaldez then assigned Mendoza to the municipal sub-office in Pagatpatan, Bato on Dec. 2, 2009 and detailed her back to the PHO on Dec. 16, 2009.

The CSC granted Mendoza’s appeal on Dec. 4, 2009 and ordered her reinstatement as municipal health officer of Bato town. However, Bernaldez did not recall Mendoza’s detail to the PHO. The anti-graft court noted that Mendoza was able to receive her salaries and allowances from March 2010 to May 2010 as it was only the Human Resource Management Office

of Pili, which signed her Daily Time Records (DTRs).

But Bernaldez issued a directive in June 2010, stating that the DTRs of department heads should be signed by her, but as for Mendoza, it should be her supervisor at the PHO who should sign them.

As she had stopped reporting to the PHO, Mendoza could not have her DTRs signed by officials there.

“As further proof of her ill will, the accused refused to approve Dr. Mendoza’s applications for leave, and also issued MD No. 077-10, directing Dr. Mendoza to turn over within 24 hours the air conditioner and telephone issued to her without any justifiable reason,” the anti-graft court said in its decision. PNA

JV said he holds Erap in high respect despite reported rift EVEN if his father, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, is not supporting his reelection bid, Senator JV Ejercito on Tuesday said he still holds him in high respect.

“I have the highest respect for my father who has given me so much in life,” Ejercito said.

He said that his high regard to the elder Estrada was the reason why he had tried to maintain the good name of the former president in the past two decades as a public servant.

“I was raised by my father to have the capability to think for myself. I hope that one day when we talk, he will understand me,” he said.

The elder Estrada had said that he would support the senatorial run of Senator Jinggoy Estrada, his son with Dr. Loi Estrada, and other candidates such as former senators Bong Revilla, Juan Ponce Enrile, incumbent senators Grace Poe and Nancy Binay and former Ilocos Norte Rep. Imee Marcos, who will be gunning for a Senate seat for the first time.

But Ejercito said that whatever criticisms would be hurled against him, Mayor Estrada would remain as his father and he would remain his son.

“We should not waste our time on these kind of intrigues,” said Ejercito, Estrada’s son with San Juan Mayor Guia Gomez, a former actress.

Ejercito added that “we should focus on helping Filipino families to achieve a good life. That is what I wanted to talk about— education, health, housing and jobs.

Meanwhile, Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, president of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan, has expressed confidence that neophyte Senator Manny Pacquiao’s “influence” will lead the ruling political party to the victory in the 2019 mid-term elections.

Pimentel confirmed that the boxing champion-turned-politician will be the PDP-Laban’s national campaign manager, replacing party vice chairman and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi.

“Well known and respected, organized, has an extensive network, influential, etc. all the right reasons to tap him are there,” he said of Pacquiao, a first-termer senator who won in the 2016 national polls. Macon Ramos-Araneta

Eco groups hit DTI, DOH on delayed IRR

By Rio N. Araja ENVIRONMENTALISTS on Tuesday filed a petition for writ of mandamus enjoining the Quezon City Regional Trial Court to order the Department of Trade and Industry and Department of Health to immediately issue Republic Act 10620’s implementing rules and regulations.

Rene Pineda of the EcoWaste Coalition led the filing of the petition, along with Laban Konsyumer Inc. president and lawyer Vic Dimagiba and counsel for the petitioners Atty. Gregorio Rafael Bueta.

At least 20 mothers accompanied the two environmentalist groups.

“The inexcusable five-year delay in the issuance of the IRRs has unjustly deprived consumers, particularly parents and their children, access to vital product labeling information that can help in making informed purchasing decision and prevent hasty purchases of unsafe and unsuitable toys,” Pineda said.

The groups hit the DTI and DOH for

their failure to release the IRRs of RA 10620 or the “Toy and Game Safety Labeling Act” five years after the law’s passage.

According to Pineda, the filing coincided with the national observance of the consumer welfare month and international lead poisoning prevention week from Oct. 21 to Oct. 27.

Then President Benigno Aquino III signed into law RA 10620 on Sept. 3, 2013.

Section 12 mandates the DTI and DOH to promulgate the law’s corresponding guidelines.

Dimagiba challenged the two government agencies over their supposed “open bias in favor of toy manufacturers.”

According to Bueta, the five-year delay to issue the IRRs was “unacceptable and is even unheard of.”

Based on the petition, a first draft of the IRRs was submitted for public consultation in April 2014, in which the EcoWaste Coalition participated and submitted comments.

SCARY MASKS. A kid enjoys looking at a selection of scary Halloween masks in display at a mall in Quezon City. Lino Santos.

A4

Opinion

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Even-handed

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

defended Pimentel in the poll protest he won against Migz Zubiri.

Why then did Topacio file the case?

“This is a matter of the rule of law. I am doing this as a citizen and as a lawALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO yer mandated and sworn to uphold the law,” explained Topacio. His contenBOTH sides claimed victory in the tion is that Koko already served two ruling of the Makati Regional Trial consecutive terms including the last Court 148. RTC Judge Andres Soriano year and six months of a six-term left in an even-handed decision last by Zubiri.

Monday rejected the government’s Koko, after serving out the petition to issue a hold departure remaining term, then ran and won order and arrest warrant against reelection. He claimed that serving out Senator Antonio Trillanes IV. At the Zubiri’s term should not be counted as same time in his 33-page decision, a full term and he therefore can run Judge Soriano ruled that Presidential again. Newly remarried to a Kathryn Proclamation 572 was a valid exercise Yu, Pimentel is optimistic the court of the Executive Branch prerogative. will uphold his position.

“This is a momentous day for justice Appearing with his new bride at and what is right,” exclaimed an Karen Davila’s TV program, Pimentel ecstatic Trillanes expressed his who had expected views on other a worst case legal issues scenario. pending in The ruling in effect “The fight is Congress.

On far from over,” places on the state, divorces, he insisted Justice as the repository of said it should be Secretary Me- official records, the discussed deeply nardo Guevarra and thoroughly who is expected responsibility of keeping as there is a legal to elevate the gov- such documents. remedy already ernment’s case to on nullity of the 14-member marriage which Supreme Court can be secured from the Church. for a final ruling.

Solicitor General Jose Calida initi- He said the same thing on the proposal ated Proclamation 572 that claimed to return the death penalty. the amnesty granted to coup plotter BOC under fire Trillanes was void ab initio or flawed The Bureau of Customs is under from the start. This was, according to fire for allowing four magnetic lifters government prosecutors, because the containing P6.8 billion worth of shabu. amnesty was signed by then-Defense BoC examiner Lourdes Mangaoang, Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and not by now on floating status, claimed that former President Benigno Aquino III. Customs chief Isidro Lapeña looked Judge Soriano also ruled that the other way even if the bureau’s Trillanes applied for amnesty, contrary X-ray machine showed suspiciousto the government’s claim he did not looking objects inside the magnetic officially do so because he could lifters. not present documents supporting “Machines don’t lie, only people his application. The ruling in effect do,” said Mangaoang, who added places on the state, as the repository Lapeña is the worst commissioner of official records, the responsibility ever appointed to the bureau. She is of keeping such documents. unfazed by the death threats she has Did the government lose or misplace been receiving for her exposé. She Trillanes application papers? also called the lifestyle check done on “He [Trillanes] should have kept a her by BOC officials as a diversionary copy of such a vital document,” opined tactic to cover-up the smuggled shabu former Senator Juan Ponce Enrile , shipment. adding that anyone who applies for Managoang’s allegation must have a a driver’s license or pays income tax ring of truth to it. The Philippine Drug has an LTO or a BIR receipt. Enrile Enforcement Agency recently said who is running for the Senate in the that the prices of shabu has gone down 2019 mid-term elections expressed considerably because of oversupply. his opinion on the TV program “The Is it because of the tons of smuggled Source” hosted by anchor Pinky Webb. shabu now flooding the market?

Can Pimentel run?

Experts in the building industry Another legal issuel was raised on doubted the expensive magnetic lifters the eligibility of Senator Aquilino were imported for the purpose of “Koko” Pimentel to seek reelection. construction. The smugglers thought The disqualification case was filed that X-ray machines would not be able at the Commission on Elections. to detect illegal drugs inside the heavy Would you believe that of all people, steel and iron casing of the lifters. it was lawyer Ferdinand Topacio who They did not count on Mangaong and challenged Koko’s eligibility? Recall a few still honest employees at the that Topacio was the same lawyer who corrupt-ridden customs bureau.

Time to decide

BACK CHANNEL

A

T SOME point, President Rodrigo Duterte will have to make up his mind.

Does he believe the chief of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, who says that P6.8 billion worth of crystal meth or shabu was smuggled into the country through Customs? Or does he believe his Customs chief that no such thing happened?

A Palace statement Monday that the President trusts them both insults our intelligence—and is the kind of wimpy response we don’t expect from the likes of Mr. Duterte.

The crux of the problem is that both officials disagree over four empty magnetic lifters found in an empty warehouse in Cavite on Aug. 9.

PDEA chief Aaron Aquino insists the lifters contained shabu, the presence of which was detected by the agency’s drug-sniffing dogs. The shipment, Aquino says, is now flooding the market, bringing a sharp drop in the price of the illegal drug from P6,800 a gram in July to P1,400 today.

Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña says no such thing happened, and that no traces of the drug showed up in their own tests.

Clearly, they cannot be both correct, and it is silly to say the President trusts them both.

If the lifters had in fact contained drugs as the PDEA says, the vehement denials from the Customs chief suggest a

coverup.

On the other hand, if the Customs chief is correct and that no drugs were in the lifters, then the President has an overzealous PDEA chief who cannot be trusted to make the right call in the crucial war on illegal drugs.

To complicate matters, Lapeña has now sacked the deputy collector who accused Customs officials of covering up the smuggling of shabu through four magnetic lifters.

Customs deputy collector Lourdes Mangaoang, the former X-ray division chief, was put on floating status, allegedly for underperformance, and a bureau spokesman pointedly denied she was transferred to silence her.

Mangaoang, he said, was moved because of the “ongoing internal cleansing of corrupt Customs officials” and would be subject to a lifestyle check.

But an official at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport who requested anonymity said Mangaoang was doing her job well because NAIA is one of the top BOC ports and exceeded its collection target of P3.587 billion in September this year.

Mangaoang said her removal was a warning to stop her from testifying against Lapeña.

None of these allegations have been proven, but they hardly inspire confidence. On the surface, we see a whistleblower being sacked by the very people she is speaking out against. Can the Palace continue to ignore these disturbing developments?

Foreign parents fight in vain for custody in Japan

By Karyn Nishimura-Poupee EMMANUEL, Stephane, Henrik and James come from very different backgrounds, but they share the same painful experience of battling Japan’s legal system—in vain—for access to their children after divorce.

Once married to Japanese women, they say they were prevented from contact with their children when their relationships disintegrated, sometimes even after court rulings in their favor.

Tough laws and patriarchal cultural norms that overwhelmingly see mothers granted sole custody after a divorce—80 percent of the time, according to official figures—mean that fathers rarely see their children again.

Frenchman Emmanuel de Fournas has spent years battling for access to his daughter after his Japanese ex-wife moved back to Japan.

Despite winning a court order in France and filing a case under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction in September 2014, he is still fighting for the right to see his daughter.

“I thought I could benefit from the clear rules of The Hague Convention, but... they aren’t respected in Japan,” he told AFP. “I’ve lost everything, my savings, my job,” he said tearfully. AFP was not able to contact the mother.

His experience is not unusual.

Henrik Teton from Canada and James Cook from the United States have similar stories to tell.

“What kind of justice system is it if decisions are not implemented? There is room to do more and better,” says Richard Yung, a French senator who came to Japan to plead the cases of several French parents.

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Features Cryptocurrency bitcoin marks 10 years

By Kevin Trublet OCT. 31, 2008 marked the birth of bitcoin. Ten years on, the world’s first cryptocurrency is at the forefront of a complex financial system viewed warily by markets and investors.

From its first evocation amid a global financial crisis, in a white paper written by Satoshi Nakamoto, an unknown pseudonym, bitcoin conveyed a political vision.

The “abstract” set out in the paper for bitcoin, currently worth about $6,400 per unit from a starting point of virtually zero, was for “a purely peer-to-peer version of electronic cash (that) would allow online payments to be sent directly from one party to another without going through a financial institution.”

A decade on, this continues to be carried out via a decentralized registry system known as a blockchain.

Such ambition for a cryptocurrency was fueled by the bankruptcy of US investment bank Lehman Brothers in September 2008, an event that discredited the traditional system of “a small elite of bankers... (that) establishes monetary rules imposed on everybody”, according to Pierre Noizat, founder of the first French bitcoin exchange in 2011.

Following its creation, bitcoin evolved for several years away from the public eye, grabbing the attention for the most part of geeks and criminals— the latter seeing it as a way to launder money.

After bitcoin surpassed $1,000 for the first time in 2013, it began to attract the attention of financial institutions.

The European Central Bank compared it to a Ponzi scheme, but Ben

Bernanke, then head of the US Federal Reserve, hailed its potential.

A turbulent childhood In early 2014, the cryptocurrency faced its biggest crisis to date, with the hacking of the Mt. Gox platform, where about 80 percent of all bitcoins were traded.

The result was a collapse in their value, leading to predictions of the virtual currency’s death.

It took until early 2017 for bitcoin’s price to fully recover.

That marked the start of a “turning point” according to Noizat, as the controversial cryptocurrency then rocketed to more than $19,500 by the end of the year according to Bloomberg data.

That meant bitcoin had a total capitalization of more than $300 billion, according to the specialized website Coinmarketcap.

By January 2018 the value of all cryptocurrencies exceeded $800 billion, before the bubble burst.

The concept of a digital currency has progressed substantially thanks to bit-

coin, cryptocurrency analyst Bob McDowall told AFP, pointing to the creation of 2,000 rivals.

“It becomes more than a technological, economic innovation. It almost becomes a religion for some people,” he noted.

According to Anthony Lesoismier, co-founder of investment fund Swissborg which offers portfolios based on blockchain, “the real revolution has been on a philosophical level.”

But for economist Nouriel Roubini, decentralization in crypto is a myth.

“It is a system more centralized than North Korea. Miners are centralized, exchanges are centralized, developers are centralized dictators,” Roubini tweeted.

If the initial idea was for bitcoin to facilitate payments, a majority of observers recognise that it is used above all as a store of value or as a speculative instrument owing to volatility in its value.

“You need 20 years for this kind of... technology to take hold completely,” said Noizat, who is banking on faster transaction speeds for bitcoin.

As it stands, about five to ten bitcoin transactions can be processed per second compared with several thousand for Visa cards.

Looking ahead, US market regulators are considering applications for bitcoinbased exchange-traded funds, which if approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission would see the virtual currency become part of a financial system it set out to bypass.

“We must cross some bridges in the short term” to generate the general public’s interest and trust, said Lesoismier, who described himself as both an “idealist” and “realist.” AFP

Itogon tragedy: Technology vital in search for signs of life CATHERINE Balolang, 30, a licensed nurse and child development worker, was well aware of the kind of danger the approaching typhoon could bring to the mountainous region she calls home.

News reports said “Ompong” (international name: “Mangkhut”) would barrel through northern Philippines, including Benguet province, where mining is one of the top industries.

Coming from a family of miners, residing in Ucab village in Itogon town, she has learned to live with her fears and prepare for the worst. The family’s survival kits packed, she joined fellow village volunteers in monitoring weather reports, such as through a group chat they created on Facebook Messenger.

Suddenly what seemed an interminable silence followed as “Ompong” intensified on Sept.15, toppling power and communication lines, and cutting off contact with folks in the mining sites.

As the worst of the typhoon passed, and mobile phone and data services were gradually restored, the village volunteers’ group chat became deluged with queries and calls for help, as well as grim reports no one wanted to hear.

The typhoon had triggered a landslide in Itogon. Among those trapped in a mining site was a cousin of Balolang, whose wife and children lived in Isabela, another typhoon-ravaged province.

She and her fellow volunteers converged near the landslide site, as the community organized rescue missions, ahead of the official operations by local authorities. Everyday thereafter, the volunteers went back to the site, not only to search for their missing loved ones but also to help in the operations in whatever way they could.

Telecommunications company Smart Communications immediately deployed portable generator sets to the barangay (village) hall for the use of rescuers. The barangay usually taps the company to send provisions for power whenever there’s outage due to calamities.

“The barangay rescuers need electricity to charge their searchlights, portable radios and power banks, which are important for retrieval operations.

They also need to charge their phones, and be able to communicate with their families, as well as the local authorities,” said Vivien Prado, a Smart sales employee based in Baguio City, about 16 kilometers from Itogon.

Efforts soon shifted from rescue to retrieval as it became apparent that the chances of finding survivors in a landslide of that magnitude were slim. In the aftermath, 70 died and dozens were injured or went missing.

Like food, first aid, and relief goods, technology plays a crucial role in an emergency.

Upon Prado’s recommendation, Smart, with the support of Vodafone

Free charging of mobile phones is a vital service provided at the operations center.

Foundation, set up free charging and Wi-Fi services in Ucab. The Londonbased foundation deployed their Instant Charge and Wi-Fi solutions at the barangay hall, the retrieval site, and the designated operations center for response, relief and evacuation for typhoon victims.

The ultra-portable Instant Wi-Fi solution, which provided robust and secure Wi-Fi to up to 1,500 users across an area of up 10,000 sq m. It also set up an Instant Charge station, which powered up to 32 phones simultaneously.

“After an earthquake or any humanitarian crisis we observed that, apart from food and water, what victims need is connectivity, to be able to inform their families that they are OK, to call, to not feel isolated,” said Ainhoa Montero de Espinosa, relationship and governance manager at Vodafone, who volunteered for this mission in Itogon.

“They also need to charge their phones, especially if they fled their homes,” said Harm Kanters, a technical solution architect at VodafoneZiggo Netherlands, another volunteer of the foundation.

In 2012 and 2013, Vodafone brought its ultra-portable Instant Network to Davao Oriental and Eastern Samar provinces, which were devastated

by Typhoons “Pablo” (“Bopha”) and “Yolanda” (“Haiyan”), respectively.

The solution provided affected residents with cellular coverage within 3to 5-km radius, and enabled up to 80 calls and thousands of text messages sent at the same time.

“The Philippines experiences about 20 typhoons a year. So at Smart, we work hard to keep our network online and to restore services quickly in case of disruptions. At the same time, we also work with partners like Vodafone Foundation, so we develop good working ties with international organizations, which will be invaluable especially for largescale disasters like earthquakes and super typhoons,” said Smart public affairs head Ramon R. Isberto.

“We need Wi-Fi to consolidate data on dead and missing persons, send reports, post updates, make records and

send to headquarters immediately,” said Jasmine Bugtong, a police officer at the Cordillera Administrative Region, which has jurisdiction over Benguet.

Air operations officer Jomar Marcito, who was deployed at the designated operations center for typhoon response, relief and evacuation, also relied on mobile communications. “We need it for continuous communications, to check if there’s a need to augment air operations, or other activities that would need our attention,” he said.

For Itogon Mayor Victorio Palangdan there was no overstating the importance of having stable, secure communication in times of disasters. “We send reports to Manila and even abroad… we’re crippled without information,” he said.

The communication facilities at the operations center enabled Balolang to update her fellow volunteers on the progress of retrieval operations, and family members on the search for her cousin.

Charity Lubiton, 17, whose uncle was trapped in the landslide, was finally able to contact her relatives. Both women lost their kin; and the bodies were retrieved after a week.

Ucab village chief Kennedy Waclin vowed to continue the search until all missing persons are found. “We need to give the dead a proper burial,” he said.

The retrieval operations halted on Sept. 30, two weeks after the devastating landslide.

For housewife Jill Landocan, 32, who lives in another part of Ucab that was hit by a landslide, her mobile phone was a life saver. She recalled texting her sister-in-law to leave their house quickly, and soon after the latter got her message, their kitchen ceiling fell. “If they didn’t get my message on time, they probably would have been trapped,” Landocan said.

The landslide in Itogon revived objections to small-scale mining operations.

Balolang is not one to engage in debate.

“My father is a miner, his parents are also miners. This is the life we know, and the community we live in. Mining has given me the life and opportunities I have now, and I will always be grateful for it,” she said.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2018

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Dinosaur country: Fossil hunters’ South African paradise

By Philippe Alfroy THE sun rises over the South African bush as scientists laden with backpacks climb a hillside.

They get down to work, carving into two immense blocks of stone that have concealed the secrets of an ancestor of modern-day crocodiles for some 200million years.

Jonah Choiniere and his team from Johannesburg’s Witwatersrand University had tracked the reptile from another age for three years.

The search brought them to a stretch of farmland in the central town of Rosendal, where they are surrounded by cattle and impalas.

“In 2015, one of my students just saw a few [fossilized] bones coming out,” said Choiniere, his shirt sticking to sweat from the morning’s hike.

“We started to excavate it and we brought it back to the lab and it turned out to be a hip of a species we’ve never seen before,” said the palaeontologist, who is originally from the United States.

The delicate excavation process at the site is grindingly slow and continues today.

Before being extracted, the stone surrounding a fossil is carefully enveloped in a protective layer of plaster.

After five hours of drying time, the stone is chiselled free, lifted by three strong people, and then transported by road nearly 300 kilometers (185 miles) to Johannesburg into the expert hands of Wilfred Bilankulu.

“My job is to make the fossils visible,” said the former fine arts student.

“I’m taking off the jacket that has been put in place around the fossil, and after I prepare them using dental tools.”

Rare specimen The herculean task will take between eight and 12 months. A similar amount of time will be needed to meticulously examine, compare and describe the find.

Choiniere expected a bountiful haul even before he had the discovery in hand.

“This is a pretty good harvest for us.

We didn’t know what to expect when we came into this quarry... I can say it’s much better than what we were expecting, very promising,” he said.

Given the bones already uncovered, Choiniere’s research student Rick Tolchard can barely hide his excitement.

He knows he is in the presence of a rare specimen, the improbable forefather of the crocodile family which today stalks African waterways.

“Two hundred and fifty to 200 mil-

Foreign...

From A4

Patchy enforcement Although Japan has signed the Hague Convention designed to prevent a parent from moving a child to another country and blocking access for the former partner, Tokyo demonstrates “a pattern of noncompliance” with the pact, according to the US State Department.

For foreign parents, most often fathers, “this poses major problems, because they have a different mentality and they can’t comprehend losing custody or the right to visit their child,” said Nahoko Amemiya, a lawyer for the Tokyo Public Law office.

Even when foreign parents win their case in a Japanese court, enforcement is patchy.

The State Department’s 2018 report described “limitations” in Japanese law including requirements that “direct enforcement take place in the home and presence of the taking parent, that the child willingly leave the taking parent, and that the child face no risk of psychological harm.”

With opinion divided on what causes the most trauma to children, the longer a child is separated from one parent, the more reluctant authorities are to intervene, citing a “principle of continuity.”

“It’s not that Japanese courts favor the Japanese parent, it’s that they favor the ‘kidnapper,’” who is living with the child, said John Gomez, founder of the group Kizuna, which advocates for parents separated from their children.

‘Horrible shock’ Japan’s government defends its record, saying most of the 81 cases filed

lion years ago, these animals were the dominant land carnivores and they were found all over the world... [but] in South Africa we don’t have a record of them,” he said.

“Some of them were, I imagine, sort of like a crocodile crossed with a lion, a very large quadrupedal, legs under the body, with these massive big jaws—a very intimidating animal.

“The one here would have stood on his hind legs, it would have looked more like a theropod dinosaur, almost like a raptor.”

In recent years, South Africa has become a top destination for dinosaur hunters.

Just an hour’s drive from the Rosendal farm, Choiniere’s team has already unearthed fossils belonging to a newly discovered type of dinosaur that roamed the earth 200-million years ago.

‘Giant thunderclap at dawn’ Measuring four meters (13 feet) to the shoulder and weighing 12 tons—twice the weight of a modern elephant —the giant herbivore known in the local Sesotho language as Ledumahadi mafube (“a giant thunderclap at dawn”) shook up the family tree of extinct monsters.

Choiniere said it could well be “the first of the true giants.”

The beast is a forerunner of the 60-tonne sauropods familiar from Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster “Jurassic Park” series.

Experts say the southern tip of Africa is an ideal place to study the transition between the Triassic and Jurassic periods, when mass extinction events shaped the evolution of the planet.

“One of the reasons is that about 66 percent of the surface of South Africa has fossils on it—there are a lot of fossil-bearing areas,” Choiniere said.

“We don’t get much rainfall, especially in the interior, so we have areas that erode rapidly—and that erosion exposes fossils.”

“It’s phenomenal, it’s really great,” said palaeontology masters candidate Cebisa Mdekazi, a young student flying the flag for the next generation of South African palaeontologists.

“It also instills pride for your country—you have all those amazing things in our country, and we can show the world.”

Her professor, Choiniere, is far from finished with South Africa.

“Every time we go out into the field and we dig something up, there’s a pretty good chance that it might be something new,” Mdekazi said.

“It’s dinosaur country, and there’s no way we’ll ever finish the work in my lifetime.” AFP

under The Hague Convention since 2014 have been settled.

“The majority of the cases in which we intervened have been resolved, but we are aware of six or seven where the return decision could not be implemented,” said Shuji Zushi, a foreign ministry official.

“In these cases, there is a very strong conflict between the two sides and that leads to media attention or political action,” he said.

Stephane Lambert spent years fighting to see his son after his wife and child moved away from their home in Japan—a case not covered by The Hague convention.

“The Japanese police don’t do anything in this kind of case,” he said.

“On the basis of a court ruling, I saw my son for a total of 14 hours for the whole of the following year, and not at all after that, because my wife refused the visits,” he said.

“I can’t think about my son anymore. Looking at a photo of him tears me apart. I’ve learned to forget him.”

There are some signs of change: A panel of experts met in June to discuss new ways to enforce court orders, as well as the issue of joint custody and changes to the law.

But regardless of changes to the law, the pain of parental separation is always traumatic—as demonstrated by the case of Joichiro Yamada, who was 10 when his Japanese father and American mother split up.

“My dad told me: you live with me now,” the 20-year-old told AFP, crying at the “horrible shock” of being separated from his mother.

“I spent a year with him. I wanted to go back to my mother. A year felt like an eternity.” AFP

News

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Kiribati nat’l, 2 Senegalese intercepted

By Vito Barcelo IMMIGRATION authorities have intercepted three foreigners who tried to enter the country with fraudulent travel documents, according to BI Commissioner Jaime Morente.

The three aliens—a Kiribati citizen and two Senegalese nationals—were intercepted in separate occasions at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Morente said Tuesday.

“All of them were caught in possession of bogus passports,” Port Operations Division Chief Grifton Medina said, adding the passengers were immediately excluded and booked on the first available flights back to their ports of origin.

As a result of the incident, Medina said the BI again thwarted attempts by international syndicates to smuggle illegal aliens with bogus travel documents into the country.

“We have also placed them in our blacklist to prevent them from returning to the Philippines,” he said.

The Kiribati national, identified as Eliezear Mercy Obiora, was intercepted at the NAIA Terminal 1 while Senegalese nationals Jonas Mendy and George Mendy were apprehended at the NAIA Terminal 3.

BI Spokesperson Dana Krizia Sandoval said the biographical pages of the aliens’ passports were found to be altered upon examination by the BI’s forensic document laboratory.

She disclosed that aside from using fake passports, the passengers were not able to explain their purpose in coming to the Philippines when interviewed by officers from the BI Travel Control and Enforcement Unit.

“They did not have any clear idea on what to do and where to go once they got into the Philippines, and they were also deemed to be likely to become a public charge,” Sandoval said.

“We suspect that this is an attempt to use the country as a jump-off point to other first world countries,” she said.

“Our officers are highly-trained to detect incidents of fraud. Add that to our technologies—I believe illegal aliens with fake documents should think twice before trying to come here,” she added.

Solon backs possible ML extension A PRO-ADMINISTRATION lawmaker on Tuesday supported calls to extend martial law in Mindanao beyond Dec.31 should there be a formal proposal filed in Congress for such an extension.

Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte, vice chairman of the House committee on national defense and security, said the clamor of various groups to extend military rule for the third time on the island should be considered by Congress in deliberating on whether to grant the extension if and when Malacañang asked for it.

“We should give more weight to the inputs of the people living in Mindanao in considering a request for the extension of martial law on the island. Mindanaoans are the ones experiencing what it is like to live under martial law for a year-and-a-half now, so they would have a better grasp of what is an acceptable option for them for continued peace and security,” said Villafuerte , also vice chairman of the House committee on local government.

He cited, for instance, the observation of Ozamiz Archbishop Martin Jumoad, who said that crime incidents in Mindanao had declined since martial law was enforced.

The Catholic leader also said military rule helped enforce discipline among the people in the South, with law enforcers performing their duties in a professional and respectful manner.

Jumoad also noted that unlike the Marcos-era martial law, the freedom of expression and freedom of the press were still very much alive in Mindanao.

Villafuerte said the people had no reason to be apprehensive over the possible extension of martial rule in Mindanao, considering that there had been no reports of widespread violations by the military or police on the island ever since it was first imposed in May last year.

President Rodrigo Duterte first imposed martial law in Mindanao on May 23, 2017, after the Maute terrorists laid siege on Marawi City.

He asked for a five-month extension that lasted until Dec. 31, 2017 after the 60-day declaration lapsed in July.

A second extension was granted by the Congress continuing the period of martial law until Dec. 31, 2018.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo earlier said Malacanang might ask for an extension of martial law in Mindanao for a third time depending on the advice of the military. Maricel V. Cruz

EXPRESSWAY NETWORK. The Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., the holding company of NLEX, SCTEX and CAVITEX, is boosting the service capacity of its expressway network to provide more convenient travel to the public. In photo (from left) Atty. Romulo Quimbo Jr., SVP for Communication and Stakeholder Management, NLEX Corp.; Nemesio Castillo, vice president for Project Management, NLEX Corp.; Rodrigo Franco, president and CEO, Metro Pacific Tollways Corp.; Abraham Sales, executive director, Toll Regulatory Board; Glenn Campos, vice president for Technology, NLEX Corp.; and Renato Punzalan, vice president for Tollways Development and Engineering, MPT South, join hands during the ‘Safe Trip Mo Sagot Ko’ Motorist Assistance Program press conference at Luxent Hotel in Quezon City. Manny Palmero

Sandiganbayan denies leave of court plea of Ampatuan

By Maricel V. Cruz

T

HE Sandiganbayan has denied the plea of former Maguindanao Gov. Datu Sajid Ampatuan for a leave of court and may be in danger of getting convicted outright in the case involving his alleged anomalous purchase of petroleum products in 2009 should he file a demurrer to evidence.

In a resolution dated Oct. 17, the anti-graft court’s Fifth Division said the motion for leave to file demurrer to evidence of Ampatuan was denied because it would only delay the proceedings of the case.

This means that Ampatuan can still file his demurrer, a motion seeking an outright dismissal of a case due to weak evidence, and he will be considered as having waived his right to submit rebuttal evidence, and thus the court will decide on the case solely on the basis of the evidence submitted by the Ombudsman.

“Given the sufficiency of the testimonial and documentary evidence to sustain the indictments against the accused, it is incumbent upon

the accused to adduce evidence in his behalf to refute the allegations of the prosecution,” the Sandiganbayan said.

The Ombudsman earlier filed falsification of public documents and violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act charges against Ampatuan.

Ampatuan was charged at the Sandiganbayan last year for allegedly favoring the Shariff Aguak Petron Station for the supply of fuel and lubricants for the road and construction projects in the province allegedly without public bidding.

It involves the provincial government’s procurement of 614,650 liters of diesel worth P22.37 million.

Ampatuan, then a private individual, claimed the charges against him “reek (sic) of contradictions,” saying the said transaction was “properly documented.”

Ampatuan cited an absence of evidence that showed he knew beforehand of the alleged irregularities in the project.

He also justified the acquisition of fuel supply from the Shariff Aguak Petron Station being the only gasoline station in the area then.

However, the Sandiganbayan said it was incumbent upon Ampatuan to ensure all transactions he approved had gone through the regular process.

“The projects were procured without the conduct of public bidding that deprived the local government of the opportunity to obtain the lowest possible costs,” the Sandiganbayan said.

“These circumstances point to corresponding unwarranted preference and benefit to Shariff Aguak Petron Station considering the prima facie proof of the limited capacity of the said gas station to supply the reported fuel purchases,” it added.

PETITION FOR MANDAMUS.

Children’s health and consumer protection advocates resort to legal action to press the government to issue the long-delayed Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 10620, or the Toy and Game Safety Labeling Act of 2013, after their repeated demands went unheeded. A petition for a writ of mandamus was filed at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court by the EcoWaste Coalition, Laban Konsyumer Inc. and mothers for the promulgation of the IRR by the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Health.

Manny Palmero

Ex-Leyte drug unit chief hurt in ambush

A FORMER Ormoc City Drug Enforcement Unit chief and now assigned at the Eastern Visayas police regional office in Palo, Leyte was ambushed on Tuesday.

Unidentified gunmen shot Police Senior Inspector Joseph Joevil Young at about 7:10 am in front of his residence at Barangay Buri of the town while he was about to leave for work with his two children on board his silver Toyota Vios.

Initial investigation disclosed the suspects, wearing brown cover-all, faces masked, and bull cap, armed with automatic rifle, were from a color gray Toyota Fortuner and shot the victim.

Young, 39, sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was brought to Divine Word Hospital in Tacloban City, about 11 kilometers away.

The two children, however, were safe.

Chief Inspector Joemen Collado, chief of Palo municipal police station, said they were investigating the incident.

Police recovered some 36 empty bullet shells in the area. Ronald Reyes

1 in every 7 teachers faces GSIS loan woes MORE than 122,000—or one in every seven—public school teachers are confronted with due and demandable loan arrears which need to be settled until Oct. 31 as per the records of the Government Service Insurance System.

Teachers protested over the ballooning of arrears which are mainly caused by the failure of GSIS and the Department of Education to make the agencyto-agency loan payment work through the automatic salary deduction system.

In a tripartite dialogue with GSIS and DepEd arranged by ACT Teachers Party-list last week, both agencies refused to take responsibility for the debacle.

GSIS denied teachers’ demand to condone the compounded interests and penalties and warned instead of an additional 12 percent interest imposition if arrears were not settled on the set deadline.

DepEd, on the other hand, offered no reprieve and even called on teachers to “cooperate and move forward,” saying that the problem was the doing of past administrations.

“The two agencies have created a colossal problem but refuse to take any responsibility. It is highly unfair that they want to penalize teachers for the failure of their rotten systems,” said Joselyn Martinez, chairman of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers Philippines.

Martinez holds the DepEd accountable for many years it has “illegally prioritized the deduction of loan payments for private lending institutions instead of the GSIS.” She added this was a classic example of how teachers were made to suffer due to corruption within the agency.

“GSIS cannot evade accountability as well. What did the agency do during those years when DepEd was not remitting loan payments? Apparently, GSIS likes it better for loans to compound as it spells bigger profits for them,” Martinez stated.

Martinez denounced GSIS’ unbending stand to make teachers shoulder the full cost of the arrears when “the problem of incompatible and unreliable computer systems of both agencies remain unresolved.”

Recede wins gold in editorial writing FIFTH grader Coleen Cabie Recede of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy of Minglanilla, Cebu received a gold medal in the recently concluded Division Schools Press Conference (elementary level) at the Lamberto Te Cultural Center in Daanbantayan in the north of the island province.

Recede, a consistent academic top lister since Grade 1, received the medal in editorial writing where the contestants were told to write about the Naga landslide caused by a heavy rainfall on Sept. 20 which killed at least 78 people with five others still missing.

The tragedy was the second deadly landslide in five days, the first in Itogon, Benguet, on Sept. 15, triggered by another powerful typhoon which left at least 35

people dead.

The news and editorial writing category, which involved some 50 students from the different public and private schools in Cebu, was held on Oct. 17 and 18. It is not clear when the regional level competition will be held.

Recede, whose sister pharmacist Tai Ching Kate won 1st Place (national level) in the New York Times Collegiate Journalist Training Camp earlier this year, was chosen by her coach Mrs. Johnelyn Marie Valleser to represent her school.

Recede, daughter of Ponciano Recede of Lipa City, Batangas and the former Mary Jane Cabie of Minglanilla, tackled the Naga tragedy, pointing to its causes and lessons to be derived from the landslide.

Sports All eyes on loaded Cignal team in Superliga A LOADED Cignal squad will show up when the Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference fires off on Oct. 30 at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Head coach Edgar Barroga confirmed that they already secured the services of Royse Tubino, Lutgarda Malaluan and Roselyn Doria for the prestigious women’s club league bankrolled

by Isuzu, Sogo, Senoh, Asics, Mikasa, Mueller, UCPB Gen, Bizooku and Genius Sports.

Tubino, who was part of the Cignal squad that clinched the Invitational Conference title last year, will make her return to spark the offense while Malaluan and Doria are tipped to provide the defensive muscle for the HD Spikers.

Aside from them, skipper Rachel Anne Daquis will also return as well as mainstays Janine Navarro, Rialen Sante, Jheck Dionela, Acy Masangkay, Cherry Vivas, Cindy Amutan, May Macatuno, Rap Aguilar and Shirley Salamagos.

Rising star Mylene Paat will also be back, bringing with her tons of experience after a successful stint with the Philippine national team in the 18th Asian Games and AVC Asian Women’s Cup the past couple of months.

“We like our chances this conference.

All our needs were addressed both on offense and defense,” said Barroga, adding that their new recruits are still in the process of brushing up with their system.

“Right now, we’re working on our chemistry inside and outside the court.

As much as possible, we need a little more practice time with them so they can study our system and get into the flow of the team.”

Last year, the HD Spikers pulled off a stunner when they paraded a solid roster built around veterans Gonzaga, Daquis and Tubino, three players who were largely credited to the success of the Philippine Army.

Cignal, which was still under George Pascua, emerged with a bronze medal finish behind Petron and F2 Logistics, who figured in a dramatic finals showdown.

Barroga said they want to either match or surpass their performance in 2017.

“We’re slowly completing the pieces.

It’s now a matter of making them work together,” he said, bracing for a tough battle in this tourney that also has ESPN5, Hyper HD and AksyonTV as broadcast partners.

Region 4A seals SBP 3x3 3-peat; Region 10 wins girls’ cage crown REGION 4A, representing the provinces of Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon, and Rizal, displayed that they are a rising force in the Philippine basketball landscape when their Under-16 squad bagged their third consecutive Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Under-16 Pambansang Tatluhan at the Harrison Plaza in Manila.

Region 4A’s Ley Acosta hit the game-ending triple with 1:52 to play, 21-16, dispatching tough Region 11 from Davao City for an incredible three-peat in the annual age-group 3x3 competition.

The balanced inside and out game with Twin Towers Jan Rae Atienza and Jan Derick Villarez and the sweet shooting of Ley Acosta were more than enough to hold off a Davao squad that was led by John Rey Pasaol, the younger brother of University of the East star, Alvin Pasaol, and the undersized Wilfred Remollo.

“I think our winning three straight SBP Under-16 3x3 titles says we are doing something right in the region,” said one of Region 4A’s program head Oliver Bunyi who played with La Salle in the UAAP and served as a part of the first Smart Gilas national team program. “The cooperation between our provincial partners has been incredible.

This is for them.”

Region 4A’s Jan Derick Villarez also credited the win to two of his three other teammates who are all with him playing for Lyceum of the Philippines University Laguna. “Malaking tulong na kami nila Acosta and Darrell Capaceta magteammate na. Alam namin ang bawat galaw namin.”

The other player of the winning R4A team not with LPU’s Laguna program is Atienza who plays for Stonyhurst Southville International School.

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2018 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Lions continue mastery of Altas

S

AN Beda University continued its dominance of Perpetual Help as it carved out an 80-72 win yesterday in a game that served as a preview of their Final Four showdown in the 94th NCAA basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

Donald Tankoua and graduating guard Jeramer Cabanag conspired in a big fourth quarter run when the Lions outscored the Altas, 25-14, to seal their 11th straight victory and finished the elimination round with a 17-1 (win-loss) record for the No. 1 seed.

Tankoua and Cabanag each scored eight in that pivotal fourth quarter breakaway and finished with 23 and 16 points, respectively.

It was the second win by the Lions over the Altas following a 67-65 triumph

in the season inaugurals on July 7 at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.

And San Beda and Perpetual Help, which wound up with an 11-7 card, will meet again on Friday at the start of their Final Four showdown at the Filoil Flying V Arena with the former needing just a win to advance to the best-of-three finale unfolding on Nov. 6 at the MOA Arena.

A deciding game, if necessary, is on Monday at the same venue.

Since it was their last game, San Beda

coach Boyet Fernandez decided to start the graduating players in Cabanag, Robert Bolick, Javee Mocon, Ranbill Tongco and Jomari Presbitero.

“It’s seniors’ day for us,” said Fernandez.

Earlier, San Sebastian walloped Arellano U, 91-63, and ended the season with a 6-12 slate.

The Chiefs slipped to 5-13 mark.

The Scores: First Game San Sebastian 91—Calisaan 24, Ilagan 13, Bulanadi 11, Calma 9, Dela Cruz 9, Baytan 8, Valdez 4, Sumoda 4, Capobres 3, Are 3, Isidro 2, Desoyo 1, Villapando 0, Arciaga 0.

Arellano U 63—Alcoriza 17, Canete 10, Sera Josef 8, Alban 6, Dela Cruz 6, Concepcion 4, Bayla 4, Ongolo Ongolo 3,

Games Friday (Filoil Flying V Centre, San Juan) 8 a.m.- MU vs SBU (Final Four jrs) 10 a.m. CSB-LSGH vs JRU (Final Four jrs) 1:30 p.m.- LPU vs CSJL (Final Four srs) 4 p.m.- SBU vs UPHSD (Final Four srs)

Dela Torre 3, Segura 2, Sacramento 0.

Quarterscores: 14-18; 49-30; 73-46; 91-63.

Second Game San Beda 80—Tankoua 23, Cabanag 16, Bolick 12, Mocon 9, Presbitero 6, Canlas 6, Doliguez 2, Nelle 2, Oftana 2, Soberano 2, Abuda 0, Carino 0, Eugene 0, Tongco 0.

Perpetual Help 72—Aurin 18, Charcos 17, Eze 12, Coronel 9, Razon 8, Sese 5, Pasia 3, Cuevas 0, Mangalino 0, Pedrosa 0, Peralta 0, Tamayo 0, Jimenez 0.

Quartercores: 15-18; 38-30; 55-58; 80-72.

Kaya FC wants to pay homage to Alcantara

Henry Fernandez led the DA Food Masters to a big win over the two-time champions Judiciary Magis, 106-78, in the UNTV Cup held at the Pasig City Sports Center.

Responders hand Defenders 1st UNTV loss PHILIPPINE National Police forced Jeff Sanders to commit a five-second violation with only five ticks left and eke out a 60-59 win over defending champion Senate in the 7th UNTV Cup held over the weekend at the Pasig City Sports Center.

It was a sweet win for the PNP Responders as they got their campaign back on track after losing two of their first three games in the annual tournament for public servants.

Olan Omiping led PNP with 16 points, while Antonio Tolentino added 15 as the Responders handed the Senate Defenders their first defeat in four games in Group A elims of the tournament organized by UNTV president and CEO Daniel Razon.

Omiping credited the team’s solid de-

Games Sunday (Pasig City Sports Center) 2 p.m. – Judiciary vs Ombudsman 3:30 p.m. – PITC vs DOJ 5 p.m. – AFP vs GSIS

ter Gecale combined for 30 points—the bulk coming in a decisive third quarter run where they pulled away for good.

Equally impressive was Department of Agriculture which clobbered two-time titlist Judiciary, 106-78, in Group B action.

In what could be his best game so far, Christian Dematera produced 28 points in leading the DA Food Masters of Sec. Manny Piñol to their third win in four games. Former Cebu star Henry Fernandez added 18 points.

fense for the win after restricting the usually high-scoring Garri Sevilla to just three points and Sanders to 10 points.

Senate’s defeat left AFP as the only undefeated team in Group A. In the other Group A match, PITC Global Traders finally nailed their first win in four games with a 94-61 drubbing of the GSIS Furies—thanks to the Group A: AFP (3-0), Senate (3-1), DOJ inspired showing of William Vasallo.

(1-1), PNP (2-2), GSIS (1-3), PITC (1-3).

Vasallo led five PITC players in double Group B: NHA (3-0), DA (3-1), figures with 18 points aside from eight re- Malacañang-PSC (2-1), PhilHealth (2-2), bounds while Haddi Porto and Mark Les- Judiciary (0-3), Ombudsman (0-3).

FOR Kaya FC-Iloilo, winning the inaugural Copa Paulino Alcantara is the best possible way it can pay homage to one of the province’s most beloved sons.

Jing Jamlang of Kaya FC pointed out that Ilolio was where the late great FC Barcelona legend was born, and that it’s only appropriate for the club to go out of its way and win the tournament named after the former national team stalwart.

“Paulino Alcantara was born in Iloilo, and if we win this, it would be huge for Iloilo fans,” said Jamlang on Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Tapa King Restaurant in Farmers Plaza, Cubao as he talks about the coming final between Iloilo’s official football club against Davao Aguilas FC. “This is family and we fight for each other, and that’s the reason why there’s a lot of success within the club.”

But the Aguilas are out to spoil Kaya in its championship bid as a chance to represent the country in the group stages of the Asian Football Confederation Cup early next year is also at stake in Saturday’s winner-take-all match at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

“We’re looking forward to Saturday’s game. It’s our main objective to qualify to the AFC Cup, so we’ll do everything we can to win,” said Davao Aguilas’ Darrel Cheng, who also graced the weekly public sports program presented

by San Miguel Corporation, Tapa King, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.

A Spanish-Filipino, Alcantara was born in Concepcion, Iloilo in 1896 and moved to Barcelona, Spain at the age of three, where he eventually established a career in football playing as star forward for powerhouse FC Barcelona.

Alcantara, who died in 1967, held the club record for most goals scored which was broken recently by Lionel Messi.

Velez, Milliam sustain hot form

ELITE BIKE STORE. Gruppo Innovare Corp. managing director JL Gavino (third

from left) and Specialized Asia Hub commercial director Gino Abano (second from left) lead the launch of the newest Specialized elite bike store at SM By the Bay at MOA recently. With them are (from left) Specialized Asia managing director Hideki Mochizuki, GIC asst. sales manager Justine Pascual and Ritchie Santayana and Miguel Abellada, sales directors of GIC, the authorized distributor of Specialized bicycle components in the country.

JOHN David Velez and Alexa Milliam put on another dominant show and racked up three titles each to share the MVP honors in the PPS-PEPP El Kapitan-Argao national age-group tennis tournament at the El Kapitan-LGU Outdoor Tennis Courts in Argao, Cebu last Monday.

Velez, 14, ruled his age group with a 1-0(ret.) win over Chad Cuizon then the rising Davaoeño star upended Venz Alforque twice to clinch the 16- and 18-and-under titles via 6-3, 7-6(4) and 6-2, 4-6, 10-6 victories, respectively.

Milliam, from Pontevedra, Negros, trounced Mia Gemida, 6-4, 6-2, in the 14-U finals, foiled Ashley McKenzie, 7-6(5), 6-0, in the 16-U championship, and thwarted doubles partner Sydney Enriquez, 6-3, 6-3, for the 18-U diadem in the Group 2 tournament sponsored by El Kapitan Resort and Wilfredo Albarracin.

Their victories came on the heels of their equally impressive three-title feats in Dumaguete last week, making the PPS-PEPP MAC’s Crankit aces the hottest players in the circuit put up by Palawan PawnshopPalawan Express Pera Padala and presented by Dunlop.

“Hard work and work ethics are paying off for these two young aces, who have been dominating not only their age group but also the higher divisions,” said Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro.

Meanwhile, La Carlota City in Negros Occidental will stage the next PPS-PEPP stop on Oct. 24-28 while San Carlos City will hold the Pintaflores Festival on Oct. 29-Nov. 5.

Listup is ongoing. For details, call PPS-PEPP Program Development director Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464.

Milliam and Enriquez later took the 18-U doubles title with an 8-4 victory over siblings Ashley and Khymberly Mc Kenzie, 8-4.

Other singles winners were Louise Paliwag and Mitch Largo (12-U) with the former notching her second title via 4-5(4), 4-0, 4-2 reversal over top seed Kevin Tabura in the 10-unisex finals of the event sanctioned by Unified Tennis Philippines, made up of PPSPEPP, Cebuana Lhuillier, Wilson, Toby’s, Dunlop, Slazenger and B-Meg. The other doubles winners were Cedric Bravo and Lemuel Garbosa (boys’ 14-U), Mia Gemida and Sheynna Yu (girls’ 14-U) and Josh Largo and Eric Longakit (10-unisex).

9 jins vie in World Grand Slam qualification event NINE well-trained Filipino jins will compete in the second open qualification round of the 2018 World Taekwondo Grand Slam Championships on October 26-28 in Wuxi, China.

Carrying the colors of SMART/MVP Sports Foundation, the Philippine campaigners in the prestigious event are: Male—Francis Aaron Agojo (-58 kilograms), Jenar Torillos (-58 kg), Arven Alcantara (-68 kg), Samuel Thomas Harper Morrison (-80 kg),and Dave Cea (-80 kg).

Female—Baby Jessica Canabal (-49 kg), Pauline Louise Lopez (-57 kg), Rhezie Aragon (-57 kg) and Darlene May Arpon (-67 kg).

The officials accompanying the team

are Dindo Simpao, head and coach; John Paul Lizardo and Carlos Jose Padilla V, coaches.

The Filipinos will see action against national athletes from 59 other countries like Korea, France, Spain, Iran, Turkey, Chinese Tapei and the United States.

The tournament also serves as a tuneup for the Philippine team’s participation in prestigious 2019 international events like the World Championships, Asian Open Championships and the Korea Open, among others.

Supporting the Filipinos’ campaign are PLDT, Meralco, the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee and Milo.

Filipino hopeful Arven Alcantara (left) connects with a full-moon kick to the head of his Vietnamese opponent in a previous international match.

Sports

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

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2018

Mills’ basket, James’ missed freebies key Spurs’ win LOS ANGELES—An overtime fightback from the San Antonio Spurs left LeBron James waiting for his first win with the Los Angeles Lakers in a high-scoring thriller at the Staples Center on Monday.

San Antonio ran out 143-142 winners after two late free throw misses from James allowed Patty Mills to drain a jump shot for the Spurs with seven seconds remaining to snatch victory.

Mills’ late winner was the final act of a pulsating battle which saw the Lakers overturn a 128-120 deficit with a minute left in the fourth quarter to force overtime, with James raising the roof with a three-pointer to tie the game.

James had looked poised to lead the Lakers to their first victory of the regular season after they surged into a 141-136 lead with 55 seconds of overtime remaining.

But San Antonio regrouped to come storming back and when James missed two free throws that would have given the Lakers a three-point lead, Mills struck to give the Spurs the win.

The defeat left James reflecting on his first 0-3 start to the season since his rookie NBA year in 2003.

The 33-year-old was able to draw positives from the loss, however.

“I know what I got myself into,” James told reporters. “It’s a process.

We’ll be fine. I didn’t come here thinking we were going to be blazing storms right out the gate.

“We’re going to continue to get better. I like the direction we’re going in. Obviously we haven’t got the results or the wins yet, but it’s a long process.”

LaMarcus Aldridge led the scoring for San Antonio with 37 points while DeMar DeRozan added 32.

Kyle Kuzma top scored for the Lakers with 37 points as James finished with 32 points.

Lakers coach Luke Walton said his team could take positives from the game despite the defeat.

“Overall, very pleased with our guys tonight,” Walton said. “That’s three games we’ve had a chance to win now. Obviously it’s about winning and losing at the end of the day.

“It’s a tough one to take but we’ll be back in the gym tomorrow doing it all over again.”

Warriors romp Elsewhere Monday, reigning NBA Finals champions the Golden State Warriors improved to 3-1 in the Western Conference with a 123103 demolition of the Phoenix Suns in Oakland. AFP

Phoenix eyes berth in PBA quarterfinals

By Jeric Lopez THE jockeying of position continues as the elimination round of the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup hits its homestretch.

A critical double-header is slated today with Phoenix and San Miguel Beer looking to enhance their quarterfinals’ bid, while Rain or Shine and NorthPort are desperate for a win to stay alive.

The Fuel Masters (6-3) are looking to book a seat in the quarters when they go head-to-head against the Elasto Painters (2-6) at 4:30 p.m. even as the Beermen (4-4) go for a third straight win against the Batang Pier (2-7) at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

It’s basically do-or-die for Rain or Shine and NorthPort as both teams need to win their respective assignments to stay alive and keep their slim chance of making the top eight.

For Phoenix, a win against the Painters will give it an outright ticket to the next round. Also, the Fuel Masters need a win to stay in the hunt for a top four finish.

The top four finishers at the end of the eliminations will earn a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals against the lower-seeded teams.

Lastly, peaking San Miguel Beer, winner of two in a row, can move closer to quarters berth as well should it keep rolling against the Batang Pier.

LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers walks off the court after a 143142 loss to the San Antonio Spurs at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. AFP

New manager sets high goals for Azkals

By Jimbo Gulle

R

EACHING a top-90 world ranking, attracting the top Filipino global football talents to local shores, and employing top international coaches for the Philippine men’s national team.

These are some of the goals that Jun Miras hopes to reach with the Azkals after the Philippine Football Federation hired him recently as its marketing and promotions manager for the men’s soccer squad.

A longtime friend of Dan Palami, Miras lost a genial bet with the Azkals general manager, and thus gave in to Palami’s urging to help market the team and give it a bigger warchest, as the Philippines looks to improve on its current world ranking of 114.

Miral signed a five-year deal with the PFF, led by its president Nonong Araneta, last September.

To promote the Azkals as a brand, however, he said the Pinoy footballers

must do two things: win consistently and keep or improve on their global standing, ideally by breaching the top 100.

“Kailangan manalo ng team, kailangan anG height natin ‘di bumaba, para makakuha tayo ng players and coaches with international experience [Our team needs to win, the height of our ranking must not go lower, so we can recruit better players and coaches],” Miral told a gathering of reporters at a hotel in Mandaluyong City on Tuesday.

If those odds are high, Miral’s task is even higher: he must raise at least $1 million (P54 million) a year to match the financial assistance the Philippines gets annually from the International Football Federation

or FIFA, and then imprint the Azkals brand on the hearts and minds of Filipinos who still are mostly basketball fanatics.

But Miral, an information technology professional who also runs a thriving outof-home advertising company, said the pressure is not on him, but on Palami and the Azkals to perform better than their current historic highs—having qualified for the Asian Cup of the Asian Football Federation for the first time.

“We want to set the standard in sports advertising, like right now, if you don’t own a team, you cannot advertise it,” he said. “What we’re trying to do is build a total advertising package for a Philippine team, so we can do this later for baseball, volleyball or basketball. We’re trying to build a template.”

The Azkals are currently negotiating with various corporate sponsors on longterm deals that would at least finance the team’s trips abroad, get them better gear, and give them better allowances, Miral said.

7-under 65 gives Salvador 3-stroke lead TARLAC—Elmer Salvador broke out of a long scoring spell with a solid seven-under 65 yesterday, emerging from a crowded leaderboard with a three-stroke lead over Jhonnel Ababa and two others at the start of the $100,000 CAT (Central Azucarera de Tarlac) Open at the Luisita Golf and Country Club here yesterday.

Expecting nothing spectacular after struggling for form in the first five tournaments of the Philippine Golf Tour Asia and in the last seven legs of the PGT, Salvador put on a fiery game when conditions turned from ideal to tough in afternoon play, completing a bogeyfree 33-32 card that overshadowed Ababa’s equally impressive 68 along with those of Jobim Carlos and Tim Stewart of Australia.

“I didn’t expect to score this low but got by irons and putting going. I just hope to sustain this form to the finish,” said Salvador in Pilipino. He missed matching Clyde Mondilla’s record-setting 64 last week with a muffed birdie putt from 10 feet on No. 11.

Ababa and Carlos took charge in the early going with identical 68s with the former also completing a flawless four-birdie card and the latter birdying four of the last seven holes to seize the clubhouse lead until Salvador came

Elmer Salvador sparkles late to upstage Jhonnel Ababa, Jobim Carlos and Tim Stewart.

in late with his imposing round.

Stewart, who tied for second with Peter Stojanovski of Macedonia in last week’s ICTSI Luisita Invitational won by

Mondilla, rebounded from a bogey on No. 4 with five birdies at the back to get into the mix in the sixth leg of the second season of the region’s newest circuit put up by ICTSI. After snapping a long title drought with an 18-under feat last week, Mondilla settled for a three-birdie, three-bogey stint, his 72 dropping him to joint 37th, seven strokes off Salvador.

“I struggled a bit on the greens, missing at least four makeable birdie putts,” said Ababa, who actually considers himself lucky on PGT Asia where he won three titles, including back-to-back romps at Riviera and Pradera Verde to close out the inaugural season of the region’s newest circuit last January. He also dominated this year’s fourth leg at Forest Hills last July.

Carlos, whose breakthrough victory at PGT Asia Riviera last June sparked a run of solid finishes on the PGT, including two victories and a couple of runner-up finishes to emerge the top player after the 10-leg local version of the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., likewise put himself in early contention for a second PGTA win on a strong finish.

Eagles want another big game from Kouame Games Wednesday (Araneta Coliseum) 2 p.m. Ateneo vs UE 4 p.m. UP vs FEU

By Peter Atencio WITH fans still talking about Angelo Kouame’s recent game, the defending champion Ateneo Blue Eagles fight it out with the University of the East Red Warriors at 2 p.m. today at the Araneta Coliseum.

Kouame took over when the Blue Eagles dominated the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, 82-62, last Saturday in their featured game in the 81st University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament.

The Blue Eagles’ big man from the Ivory Coast finished with 33 points and 27 rebounds and his huge game came at a time when they are dealing with the absence of Thirdy Ravena and the Nieto twins, Mike and Matt.

“We took advantage of our opportunities. FEU was locking down on our shooters, that is why Ange was freed up. Credit to our guards for looking for him,” said Blue Eagles’ assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga.

With Ravena back from a one-game suspension, he is expected to one again share the big load under the boards with Kouame.

But the Blue Eagles will still have to be on their toes with Matt and Mike Nieto still recovering from a case of dengue fever.

For now, the Blue Eagles are sharing the lead at 7-2 with the Adamson Soaring Falcons.

Meanwhile, Far Eastern University, playing without an injured Prince Orizu, battles the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons at p.m.

The Tamaraws are tied with the La Salle Green Archers at 5-4.

Orizu, the Tams’ 6’’10” slotman who hurt his left ankle with 2:59 left in the first quarter of their game against the Blue Eagles, won’t be around with Arvin Tolentino, who is serving a twogame ban.

Without Orizu, FEU will have a headache taking care of the boards with Fighting Maroons’ big man Akhuetie Bright prowling the shaded lanes.

The last time around, Bright had a team-high 28 points, 13 rebounds, three steals and two blocks when the UP won over UE, 94-81.

Makati Football Club brings young Filipinos to international stage

C2-sponsored football organization, Makati Football Club, during JSSL Tournament 7s held at Padang, Singapore.

THE local football scene is gaining more popularity as Filipino teams continue to strive in the international playing field.

With several young Filipinos becoming more interested in the sport, Makati Football Club commits to promote football in the country while developing little champions on and off the field.

Since 1976, MFC has been helping children who are passionate for football through proper training and guidance in their endeavor.

The club also puts emphasis on every child’s development outside of the sports academy. “We are using football as a tool for child development. We’re not just teaching them the skills to become better at the

sport but we’re also guiding them in their academics so they can become better individuals,” shares Selu Lozano, MFC Chief Operating Officer.

MFC sponsors football scholars who are given opportunities to excel in their education and the sport. As part of their training, the players are also sent abroad to compete in international games.

“You’re only as good as the competition you play against. That’s why we diligently train our kids and expose them to tournaments,” said Lozano. “We’ve also been fortunate to organize trips abroad where they can compete in international leagues to help them reach the next level.”

Some of the major awards that the club has won are the Gothia Cup and Helsinki Cup in 1985; and more recently, the Yellow Cab Cup, Powerade Cup and Alaska Cup in 2016; and the Zobel Cup, Manila Japanese Cup, Ceres Cup, Singapore International Tournament, Summer Youth League, Gothia Cup, and Powerade Cup in 2017.

This year, MFC also bagged the Paul Parker Trophy, the highest recognition given at the 2018 JSSL Tournament 7s in Padang, Singapore. The C2 Cool and Clean-sponsored football organization bested the competition with their skills and was declared as the overall champions after accumulating a total of 32 points.

IN BRIEF

Jeepneys, food trucks exempted from toll hike

METRO Pacific Tollways Corp. said Tuesday it submitted anti-inflationary measures for the long-delayed toll hike at North Luzon Expressway and Manila-Cavite Expressway.

“We submitted a program to the TRB [Toll Regulatory Board] for a limited period especially during the time that there are worries about inflation. Any adjustments in toll would have an impact on inflation, but we’ve implemented measures to really mitigate or lessen the impact especially the socially sensitive sectors,” MPTC president and chief executive Rodrigo Franco told reporters at he sidelines of ‘Safetrip Mo, Sagot Ko’ motorists assistance program.

He said that food delivery vehicles and jeepneys would be exempted from the toll hike to mitigate the adjustment’s impact to inflation.

Franco said another measure to address inflation was the implementation of the toll hike on a staggered basis over a period of four to five years.

Franco said the cumulative increase of toll over the last six years was 21 percent for NLEx. The company proposed an initial increase of 9 percent. “We hope it would be approved in the next board meeting [on Wednesday],” he said. Darwin G. Amojelar

Business

Travel buyers trooping to TBEX for B2B deals

HUNDREDS of buyers and sellers of travel packages will gather under one roof for a business-to-business meeting in November this year to boost national and international tourist traffic and help small and medium enterprises.

With the slogan Creating a Responsible Travel Business Line, the B2B meeting dubbed ‘Travel Business Exchange (TBEx) Pilipinas 2018’ will be held atClark Marriott Hotel on Nov. 8 to 9, with SMEs under the Network of Independent Travel & Allied Services Philippines Inc. participating.

TBEX Pilipinas project director and business event creator Angel Ramos Bognot said buyers and sellers would come from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Participants from other countries are also expected.

“Mostly medium size, Nitas-member companies can quickly form consortiums to organize big-volume tour packages that can fill up airline seats in any flight to anywhere in the country or across the world,” Bognot said.

“Nonetheless, most of the sellers will come from Luzon and Visayas, especially those operating around Clark, thus enabling them to expand their captive markets beyond their usual domains,” Bognot said.

The sellers are industry suppliers, such as airlines, hotels, restaurants and catering firms, resorts and spas, tour and transport operators, destination management companies, retirement clinics and medical tourism hospitals, souvenirs and dive shops and other service providers.

A seller is allocated a minimum of 38 different buyers at a maximum of 12 minutes for each B2B session.

CEBU PACIFIC’S 5TH YEAR IN DUBAI. Cebu Pacific, the Philippines’ largest carrier, celebrates the 5th anniversary of its direct service between Dubai and Manila. Cebu Pacific is the only low-cost carrier flying directly between the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates. Cebu Pacific celebrated the milestone with a series of events, highlighted by a specially-prepared “boodle fight” dinner for the Filipino community in Dubai, led by celebrity blogger and digital influencer Kyle Jennerman. Since 2013, the Manila-Dubai route has become one of the strongest performers in the entire Cebu Pacific network, with seat load factor—or the percentage of seats filled by passengers—consistently above 85 percent.

Chelsea declared original proponent for Davao airport

By Darwin G. Amojelar

T

HE Department of Transportation, through the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, granted the original proponent status to Chelsea Logistics Holdings Corp. for the development, 30-year operation and maintenance of Davao International Airport worth P49 billion.

Under its unsolicited proposal, Chelsea also offered a new technology to enhance passenger experience and capture data to deliver efficient operations.

As the original proponent, Chelsea will be given the opportunity to match

any competing bid by other companies for the development and operation of Davao airport under the subsequent Swiss Challenge.

Meanwhile, the CAAP also declared Mega 7 Construction as the original proponent for the operation, maintenance and upgrade of facilities and systems in the Kalibo International Airport.

Chelsea Logistics submitted a P49billion unsolicited proposal to the DOTr on May 28, 2018, while Mega 7 Construction Corp. sent a P3.8-billion offer on Aug. 6, 2018.

The DOTr and CAAP had no objections on the unsolicited proposals, subject to legal, technical and financial conditions.

Both proposals will also include the expansion of passenger terminal buildings and a concession period for 30 years.

The unsolicited proposals will undergo Swiss challenge. This means other groups may submit counterproposals, while both companies have the option

each initially. The frequency will increase to eight by December.

“We aim to offer travelers a seamless air to sea transfer, taking passengers to their favorite tourist destinations as fast and as comfortable as possible,” said Bautista, who is also the president and chief operating officer of PAL. More than 40-inter-island ferry companies have been plying the waters around the archipelago for decades, providing inexpensive transport for passengers, cargo and vehicles from major domestic points.

With support from the local government, MME is building its own jetty port in Kalibo, 10 minutes away from the airport where free shuttles are available for Boracay-bound passengers.

The hour-and-a-half ferry service will be fastest route to Boracay.

Apart from modern facilities and generous amenities, the two ferries have attendants that provide heartfelt service similar to the pampering of a 4-star global airline.

MME earlier secured a green light from the Board of Investments as a domestic shipping operator of high-speed passenger ship with a project cost of P602 million to service the Kalibo-Boracay route.

Boracay is popular with Chinese and South Korean visitors, which are also the largest markets for the Philippine tourism industry.

PAL’s parent firm PAL Holdings Inc. posted a comprehensive loss of P444.78 million in the first six months. Revenues reached P75.13 billion in the first half, up 13 percent from P66.31 billion a year ago. Darwin G. Amojelar

to match such bids.

The Davao and Kalibo International airports are among DOTr’s high-priority infrastructure projects under the “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program.

The Duterte administration is keen on developing new international and regional airports to enhance connectivity and mobility and address congestion in premiere gateways.

Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc., the infrastructure unit of the Aboitiz Group, earlier obtained an original proponent status to operate and maintain the future development and expansion of the New Bohol International Airport.

The new airport on Panglao Island aims to replace the current airport in Tagbilaran City, which is currently serving under one million passengers a year. With a much larger capacity, the New Bohol International Airport will be a catalyst in unlocking the tourism potential of Bohol and the rest of the region.

B1

get Coordinating Committee downgraded the 2018 GDP growth target to a range of 6.5 percent to 6.9 percent from the previous estimate of 7 percent to 8 percent, amid the global economic challenges, high oil prices and faster inflation rate.

The government’s infrastructure spending along with other capital outlays reached P68.4 billion in August, 70.5 percent or P28.3 billion more than the same period last year, according to the Budget Department.

“We owe it to the Filipino people that implementing agencies immediately utilize the public funds that have been released to ensure the effective delivery of public services within the fiscal year.

This is in accordance with annual cashbased budgeting that Congress should pass into law for future administrations to adhere to,” Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said. Darwin G. Amojelar and Alena Mae S. Flores

SALES of imported vehicles dropped 13 percent in the first nine months from a year ago, amid rising oil prices, inflation and interest rates, the Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors said Tuesday.

Avid said members sold 65,917 vehicles in January to September, down from 75,949 units delivered in the same period in 2017. Avid accounts for a quarter of total vehicles sales in the Philippines, with the rest represented by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines.

“Avid sales hit 65,917 units sold in the first nine months of the year as consumer vehicle demand is tempered by the rising commodity prices and interest hikes,” said Avid president Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo.

The group said sales sank 18 percent in the third quarter to 22,774 units from 27,605 units a year ago.

Demand for passenger cars slowed down 20 percent in the nine-month period to 23,531 units from 29,266 units a year earlier. Third-quarter passenger car sales plummeted 30 percent to 7,350 units from 10,497 units.

Sales of light commercial vehicle sales, which accounted for 63 percent of total Avid sales, also dropped 10 percent in the first nine months to 41,808 units from 46,683 units.

The segment declined 11 percent in the third quarter to 15,279 units from 17,108 units in the same period last year.

Avid said high inflation and credit downgrades, coupled with rising cost of food and other basic needs contributed to households’ less favorable outlook on their buying conditions across all big ticket items.

“Nevertheless, Avid will continue to offer innovative products and services with the customers in mind amidst its expectation that both supply and demand factors will stabilize,” Agudo said.

Cusi urges govt agencies to settle debt with electric-coops, distributors

By Alena Mae S. Flores ENERGY Secretary Alfonso Cusi asked government agencies to settle their debt with electric cooperatives and distribution utilities.

Data showed that defense and law enforcement agencies had unsettled obligations of P17 million with power utilities.

“Being part of the government, we need to be earnest in pursuing energyresiliency and efficiency. In order to attain our energy goals, it is important that we are all able to uphold our commitment to our stakeholders and service providers,” Cusi said in a statement.

The department, through a memorandum signed by Undersecretary Alexander Lopez, coordinated with the

respective heads of the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard and National Bureau of Investigation on the settlement of delinquent accounts payable to distribution utilities and electric cooperatives totaling P17 million.

“As we’ve been pushing for massive electrification, energy efficiency and security of the country, I am pleading on behalf of the distribution utilities, including the electric cooperatives, for the concerned government institutions to settle their outstanding accounts. DUs and ECs collect revenue to generate cash flow that would enable them to provide efficient and sustainable services to the areas they serve,” Cusi said.

F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

PH seen to grow faster in second half THE Philippine economy is expected to grow faster in the second half on the back of strong government spending, ING Bank said Tuesday.

“Strong government spending will likely bolster growth into second half of 2018 and offset a likely slowdown in household spending due to accelerating inflation and elevated borrowing costs,” ING Bank in Manila senior economist Nicholas Mapa said.

“Our forecast for 6 percent to 6.5 percent growth in the second half will rely more heavily on the national government’s ability to pump prime to offset the projected deceleration in household consumption as the twin effects of accelerating inflation and higher borrowing costs begin to bite,” he said.

The Philippine economy, as measured by gross domestic product, grew 6.3 percent in the first six months.

The interagency Development Bud-

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2018

By Othel V. Campos

PAL expects Kalibo-Boracay ferry service to boost tourism A WHOLLY-OWNED subsidiary of Philippine Airlines said the new ferry service between Kalibo, Aklan and the resort island of Boracay will further boost tourism in the Visayas.

“We decided to join ― and revolutionize―the inter-island ferry service business to complement local air travel as a holistic approach to promoting Philippine tourism, “ Mabuhay Maritime Express president Jaime Bautista said.

MME, a wholly-owned subsidiary of PAL, will mount regular Kalibo-Boracay ferry services using two brand-new 42-meter catamarans with tri-class configuration including first class, premium class and regular.

The 410-seater, high-speed catamarans, named MV Malambing and MV Magalang, will make four daily runs

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

Imported cars dropped 13% in nine months

Manila, Washington resolve trade issues

TRADE Secretary Ramon Lopez and US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer announced Tuesday several achievements resolving bilateral trade issues under the bilateral Trade and Investment Framework Agreement.

The two countries held a bilateral meeting on Aug. 31, 2018 in Singapore during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Economic Ministers Meeting.

Both governments agreed that that enhanced bilateral engagement on trade under Tifa should include work that yields benefits for agricultural producers, importers, exporters and consumers and intention to work together in a number of areas.

The two countries agreed to collaborate on the development of cold chain requirements and best practices in the Philippines, taking into account international guidelines and codes of practice regarding food hygiene adopted by the Codex Alimentarius Commission.

This work will build on private sector and local efforts already underway in the Philippines to improve the existing cold chain. The US also agreed to make best efforts, subject to availability of US resources, to provide technical assistance to enhance cold chain development and management in the Philippines.

Othel V. Campos

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

Tuesday, October 23, 2018

BAP GREEN FINANCING.

The Bankers Association of the Philippines, Asean Bankers Association and the Association of Banks in Singapore, together with the World Wildlife Fund, gather financial institutions and industry experts to discuss green financing and its feasibility in Southeast Asia. Green financing is a form of investment specifically dedicated to sustainable projects that could help mitigate the effects of climate change. Shown is BAP president and chief executive Nestor Tan as he opens discussion on green financing.

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

53.7330

Japan

Yen

0.008865

0.4763

UK

Pound

1.296400

69.6595

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127562

6.8543

Switzerland

Franc

1.004218

53.9596

Canada

Dollar

0.763417

41.0207

Singapore

Dollar

0.724743

38.9426

Australia

Dollar

0.707900

38.0376

Bahrain

Dinar

2.653998

142.6073

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266517

14.3208

Brunei

Dollar

0.722126

38.8020

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000066

0.0035

Thailand

Baht

0.030525

1.6402

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

14.6300

Euro

Euro

1.146700

61.6156

Korea

Won

0.000883

0.0474

China

Yuan

0.144001

7.7376

India

Rupee

0.013595

0.7305

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.240442

12.9197

New Zealand

Dollar

0.655700

35.2327

Taiwan

Dollar

0.032338

1.7376

Source: PDS Bridge

B2

Business

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market ends rally; Vulcan, IRC up S TOCKS fell Tuesday to end a five-day rally, as Asian markets plunged on rising geopolitical risks such as US tensions with Russia and Saudi Arabia, trade issues with China and Italy’s budget stand-off with the European Union.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, shed 38 points, or 0.5 percent, to close at 7,197.62, as four of the six sub-sectors ended in the red. It was down 15.9 percent since the start of the year.

The heavier index, representing all shares, also tumbled 14 points, or 0.3 percent, to settle at 4,383.84, on a value turnover of P5.1 billion. Losers out-

numbered gainers, 120 to 74, while 40 issues were unchanged.

Seven of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led by Vulcan Industrial & Mining Corp. which jumped 8.3 percent to P2.88 and IRC Properties Inc. which rose 3.1 percent to P2.66. Megawide Construction Corp. advanced 2.3 percent to P17.30.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong lost more than three percent to wipe out its gains from the previous two trading days, while Shanghai and Tokyo were more than two percent off.

The losses brought an end to a rally that was fuelled by China’s top brass issuing coordinated statements of support for the country’s markets and officials unveiling tax cut plans.

The advances had provided some much-needed support to Asia but investors reverted to selling on Tuesday, with nerves tested further after Donald Trump’s warning that he will pull out of a nuclear treaty with Russia and bolster

America’s arsenal.

“Global financial markets continue to struggle to rally as various geopolitical concerns weigh on investor confidence,” Nick Twidale, chief operating officer at Rakuten Securities Australia, said.

He said that with regards to China, dealers “will be very keen to see if they can maintain the stellar run that they’ve experienced over the last couple of days.”

“With the rest of the world looking much more pessimistic in the current environment there could be a firm correction on the cards,” he said.

Shanghai sank 2.3 percent, having jumped more than six percent since Thursday’s close, while Hong Kong fell 3.1 percent in the afternoon.

Chen Jihao, partner at Gaoxi Hedge Fund in Beijing, said the words of support from Beijing would only have a limited impact and expects further selling as Chinese leaders struggle to boost the economy while fighting a huge debt

mountain.

“Stocks in the past two days were like a patient, just coming out of the ICU and going straight to the nightclub -- the symptoms may have temporarily gone away, but it is far from cured, and it’s only a matter of time before medicine starts to wear off,” he told Bloomberg News.

“I still abide by the belief that there will be no bull market in a deleveraging process,” he said.

Tokyo plunged 2.7 percent, Sydney lost more than one percent and Singapore fell 1.3 percent. Seoul dived 2.6 percent, Wellington lost 1.5 percent and Taipei was two percent off.

There were also steep losses in Mumbai and Jakarta.

Asia was given a tepid lead from Wall Street, where traders are turning their attention to next month’s midterm elections, which could turn control of Congress over to the Democrats.

With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2018

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 59 15,320 83 1,120,710 2.26 2,000 122.7 1,755,920 28.15 39,500 15.22 58,800 11.72 432,700 4.13 53,000 7.81 300 1.58 12,000 0.495 710,000 68.05 2,142,190 0.9 75,000 20 5,200 41.65 39,400 190 6,500 102.4 600 76.2 2,250 28 6,300 151.6 993,520 1,830 5 65.9 18,620

903,800 93,524,191.50 4,690 215,218,289 1,112,740 899,774 5,095,474 212,980 2,343 19,010 348,400 146,013,755 67,800 103,758 1,633,885 1,234,987 61,213 171,450 176,675 151,087,932 9,150 1,227,801.50

880,870 -6,784,765 66,539,340 -828,480 -864,796 -84,210 -37,814,987.50 41,520 340,029 19,542,320 -1,208,019

34.25 17.88 0.98 1.26 0.21 2.25 13.2 35.65 17.02 38.5 1.61 4.44 6.61 10.52 14.94 8.22 6.98 7.15 1.7 15.8 64 24.9 6.4 11.52 1.71 265.4 45 4.8 25 11.1 16.86 349 0.178 1.62 4.2 8.15 4.53 8.95 0.96 10.4 50 5.56 4.78 2.27 2.83 1.6 11.16 84.2 5.19 0.88 142.7 1.54 18.98 2.67

INDUSTRIAL 34.5 5,476,900 18 356,000 1 4,987,000 1.26 73,000 0.223 30,000 2.28 8,797,000 13.2 300,800 36 665,000 17.5 15,500 38.5 1,300 1.63 297,000 4.8 77,000 7 3,400 10.64 317,500 15.2 419,500 8.61 287,300 7 313,200 8 165,900 1.7 1,000 16.2 1,153,200 64 8,030 25.5 7,900 6.4 40,900 11.52 1,219,400 1.71 259,000 268 688,370 60 200 4.8 69,000 25 233,800 11.2 24,000 17.3 9,301,700 351 179,840 0.179 190,000 1.66 3,358,000 4.2 48,000 8.2 1,791,300 4.85 194,000 9 38,600 0.97 182,000 10.8 70,500 50 465,440 5.7 26,500 4.8 520,000 2.27 242,000 2.83 8,000 1.6 178,000 11.2 186,900 84.7 1,832,770 5.2 234,500 0.95 171,000 144 465,010 1.57 6,169,000 18.98 800 2.88 85,263,000

189,004,335 6,422,366 4,953,710 92,210 6,440 20,372,610 3,970,734 24,032,900 278,610 50,200 480,470 356,700 23,205 3,402,016 6,340,928 2,443,529 2,189,683 1,264,762 1,700 18,604,024 516,375 199,015 265,872 14,084,798 445,380 184,810,508 10,500 332,650 5,891,275 267,620 160,535,060 63,187,996 33,900 5,708,180 203,960 14,739,337 896,000 347,390 176,730 741,748 23,458,901 148,394 2,494,420 555,940 22,680 287,630 2,092,348 155,192,053.50 1,220,879 152,510 66,878,901 9,720,770 15,184 241,553,430

-25,730,970.00 -350,908 -95,940 -271,310 -31,854 -19,475 -7,800 4,890 1,873,798 -1,748,000 1,351,119 -1,085,663 743,447 -3,256,460 183,641.50 -68,067 9,968,368 75,287,058 -1,890,190 -44,592 29,324,638 14,601,224 -45,780 -5,433,444 -19,440,062.50 -33,600 1,457,620 -2,008,440 -91,755,717.50 28,027,131 50,370 932,830

0.46 47.75 11.8 0.73 6.1 25.45 1.24 1.23 911.5 6.78 12.02 7.1 774 5.95 47.65 2.94 0.52 4.29 13.62 0.53 4.92 3 0.037 1.16 2.33 156 878 1.4 400 273 0.232 0.21

HOLDING FIRMS 0.475 35,090,000 48.35 848,400 11.9 3,035,500 0.74 127,000 6.2 191,800 26 88,100 1.25 20,658,000 1.26 5,014,000 917.5 77,890 6.81 1,909,200 12.2 2,134,800 7.2 32,800 790 284,800 5.95 1,800 48.6 570,900 2.94 7,400 0.54 1,064,000 4.44 464,000 13.76 12,442,300 0.61 16,829,000 4.95 5,454,000 3 20,000 0.038 3,900,000 1.16 54,000 2.38 226,000 158 339,790 888 278,850 1.4 172,000 400 10 280 7,600 0.237 1,320,000 0.21 210,000

16,488,950 41,045,845 36,317,092 92,720 1,188,354 2,281,055 26,219,680 6,329,960 71,439,260 13,007,500 26,037,100 235,950 225,164,185 10,710 27,747,235 21,756 563,440 2,044,450 172,792,466 10,021,330 27,065,471 60,000 148,100 62,820 532,110 53,485,482 246,909,180 240,800 4,000 2,120,534 312,560 44,100

157,300 5,009,190 -9,257,352 904,432 1,428,820 -3,478,035 -3,433,315 -2,267,890 81,322,960 -7,550,145 4,690 8,585,344 -81,740 -10,627,405 -34,200 -3,927,995 32,153,205 -1,026,980 -

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

59 83.6 2.43 122.9 28.1 15.8 11.76 4.01 7.81 1.58 0.485 69 0.9 19.86 41.5 189.9 102 76.2 28 152.7 1,830 65.95

59 84.05 2.43 123 28.2 15.82 11.92 4.18 7.81 1.59 0.5 69 0.93 20 41.65 190.3 102.4 76.2 28.55 154 1,830 65.95

58.75 82.9 2.26 121.1 28.1 15.2 11.66 4.01 7.81 1.58 0.48 67.9 0.9 19.86 41.2 189.9 102 76.2 28 149.8 1,830 65.9

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS BASIC ENERGY CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA CONCEPCION CROWN ASIA DAVINCI CAPITAL DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP EMPERADOR ENERGY DEVT EUROMED FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG GINEBRA HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE LIBERTY FLOUR LMG CHEMICALS MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO MG HLDG PEPSI COLA PETROENERGY PETRON PHIL H2O PHINMA PHINMA ENERGY PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL PRYCE CORP RFM CORP ROXAS AND CO ROXAS HLDG SFA SEMICON SHAKEYS PIZZA SMC FOODANDBEV SPC POWER TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VITARICH VIVANT VULCAN INDL

34.7 18.02 1.01 1.3 0.21 2.35 13.36 35.65 17.6 39 1.61 4.44 6.61 10.52 14.98 8.37 7 7.16 1.7 16 64.1 24.95 6.5 11.9 1.73 271.8 45 4.8 25.4 11.18 16.9 353 0.178 1.7 4.26 8.32 4.82 9 0.97 10.5 51.55 5.56 4.8 2.38 2.85 1.65 11.2 84.5 5.2 0.96 145.6 1.59 18.98 2.69

34.8 18.1 1.01 1.3 0.223 2.39 13.36 37.1 18.34 39 1.63 4.9 7.1 10.8 15.2 8.66 7 8 1.7 16.2 64.9 25.5 6.66 11.9 1.74 271.8 60 4.85 25.45 11.24 17.8 353 0.179 1.7 4.27 8.4 4.86 9 0.99 10.8 51.9 5.7 4.8 2.38 2.85 1.65 11.2 84.95 5.24 0.96 145.6 1.62 18.98 2.95

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

0.465 48.9 12.18 0.73 6.1 26.65 1.25 1.23 930 6.8 12.2 7.1 775 5.95 49.15 2.94 0.55 4.48 13.7 0.53 5.05 3 0.039 1.17 2.36 156 889 1.4 400 278 0.241 0.21

0.48 49 12.26 0.74 6.2 26.65 1.3 1.29 930 6.96 12.44 7.2 797.5 5.95 49.35 2.94 0.55 4.48 14.18 0.64 5.05 3 0.039 1.21 2.39 158.9 891 1.4 400 280 0.241 0.21

8990 HLDG A BROWN ARTHALAND CORP AYALA LAND BELLE CORP CEB LANDMASTERS CEBU HLDG CENTURY PROP CROWN EQUITIES CYBER BAY DM WENCESLAO DOUBLEDRAGON EMPIRE EAST FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE IRC PROP MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES PHIL REALTY PRIMEX CORP PTFC REDEV CORP ROBINSONS LAND

6.99 0.78 0.65 41.15 2.53 4.36 5.05 0.42 0.219 0.395 8.1 20.4 0.53 1.45 1.08 2.6 4.5 0.6 0.41 0.41 3.19 29.05 20.7

7.02 0.79 0.65 41.35 2.55 4.43 5.05 0.42 0.222 0.395 8.22 20.6 0.53 1.46 1.08 2.74 4.5 0.6 0.42 0.41 3.21 29.05 21.1

6.97 0.78 0.62 40 2.42 4.36 5.05 0.415 0.219 0.395 8 19.68 0.52 1.44 1.07 2.6 4.41 0.58 0.41 0.4 3.11 29.05 20.1

VOLUME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

1.94 3.11 35 1.13 5.96 0.75 5.37

1.94 3.18 35 1.13 6.04 0.75 5.38

1.94 3.11 33.95 1.11 5.91 0.75 5.22

1.94 3.11 34 1.12 5.95 0.75 5.26

7,000 12,000 8,828,600 419,000 176,000 25,000 8,693,500

13,580 37,530 302,221,195 465,230 1,044,200 18,750 45,735,803

3,880 18,660 -125,813,550 -32,181,806

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

11.8 21.5 1.46 0.43 0.041 1.71 8.83 65.5 8 5.73 8 2.2 14 1,998 5.18 302 2.88 1.91 92.7 12.5 7.7 0.109 3.03 3.44 0.86 18.24 5.05 7.12 2.21 1.43 5.48 10.56 8.29 108.9 3.55 1,410 0.84 0.35 41.95 78.9 7.19 2.66 0.8 0.53 5.18 0.6 11.4

11.8 21.7 1.46 0.445 0.042 1.8 8.83 66.7 8 5.95 8 2.2 14 2,046 5.19 309.8 2.99 1.95 94.5 12.5 7.7 0.109 3.1 3.51 0.86 18.26 5.45 7.13 2.29 1.43 5.48 10.7 8.29 109.8 3.58 1,415 0.85 0.36 42 78.9 7.19 2.67 0.81 0.58 5.2 0.63 11.46

11.5 21.3 1.46 0.43 0.04 1.71 8.46 65.4 8 5.5 7.27 2.18 12.98 1,984 5.1 300 2.75 1.91 92.6 11 7.7 0.108 3.03 3.44 0.84 17.8 5.05 7.08 2.21 1.35 5.2 10.56 8.29 105.3 3.51 1,370 0.82 0.35 41.1 77.5 6.74 2.59 0.79 0.52 5.17 0.6 11.3

SERVICES 11.5 21.7 1.46 0.435 0.04 1.75 8.5 65.4 8 5.87 7.65 2.18 13 2,030 5.14 309.6 2.78 1.91 92.65 11 7.7 0.108 3.1 3.44 0.85 17.9 5.45 7.08 2.25 1.35 5.21 10.7 8.29 106 3.56 1,376 0.82 0.355 42 78 6.77 2.6 0.79 0.56 5.19 0.61 11.44

20,900 9,600 8,000 210,000 1,700,000 2,559,000 9,810,200 120,870 5,500 3,576,200 396,600 11,000 340,800 39,435 168,200 7,670 5,796,000 28,000 312,170 1,600 200 340,000 12,000 553,000 31,000 1,294,400 7,100 4,670,200 326,000 23,000 2,848,200 1,000 900 397,720 156,000 41,640 1,539,000 710,000 320,100 687,400 5,200 10,205,000 1,870,000 49,984,000 742,200 2,551,000 831,200

243,560 206,150 11,680 91,650 69,300 4,470,040 84,494,927 7,948,610.50 44,000 20,871,770 3,027,998 24,000 4,453,284 79,746,895 862,384 2,338,956 16,726,080 53,560 29,072,761 17,810 1,540 36,820 36,500 1,908,900 26,480 23,241,574 37,646 33,149,488 739,580 31,830 14,972,628 10,574 7,461 43,303,304 551,790 57,971,060 1,277,060 250,900 13,372,940 53,668,999.50 35,288 26,737,220 1,494,880 27,766,220 3,848,107 1,563,300 9,479,384

8,000 1,760 -34,407,509 -1,023,880.50 -326,563 150,200 14,326,750 266,060 238,170 -7,427,867.50 -3,100 -55,330 -470,400 5,447,213 209,960 678,708.00 219,324 -99,120 -8,831,845 -23,150 -9,272,490 4,038,005 -2,022,750 -29,520 310,860 -696,119 -315,800

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

0.0023 1.6 2.91 17.48 1.91 0.3 7.28 1.82 0.219 0.109 0.109 1.29 2.72 1.07 0.59 1.03 0.013 0.012 4.08 3.42 16.04 28.8 0.0069

0.0024 1.67 2.92 17.48 1.92 0.3 7.41 1.89 0.239 0.109 0.112 1.3 2.76 1.07 0.59 1.03 0.013 0.012 4.09 3.45 16.58 29.25 0.0069

0.0023 1.59 2.9 17.4 1.91 0.3 7.26 1.81 0.218 0.109 0.109 1.23 2.7 1.03 0.59 1 0.012 0.011 3.92 3.22 16.04 28.5 0.0069

MINING & OIL 0.0024 50,000,000 1.65 8,303,000 2.9 76,000 17.4 5,700 1.91 355,000 0.3 10,000 7.26 2,900 1.85 9,093,000 0.23 2,380,000 0.109 80,000 0.109 750,000 1.23 41,000 2.71 877,000 1.07 3,000 0.59 189,000 1.01 1,380,000 0.013 22,600,000 0.012 20,800,000 4 401,000 3.28 2,121,000 16.22 1,097,700 28.8 428,500 0.0069 4,000,000

115,100 13,627,920 220,620 99,196 680,050 3,000 21,099 16,785,870 546,370 8,720 81,790 52,180 2,382,150 3,170 111,510 1,393,790 279,200 244,100 1,599,640 7,062,410 17,922,806 12,337,255 27,600

-161,980 -14,500 -1,236,840 6,630 -54,180 -971,890 -32,428 -1,120,410 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2 ALCO PREF B DD PREF GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF B HOUSE PREF A LR PREF MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 2A PCOR PREF 2B PNX PREF 3B SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2I

21.5 470 490 100.3 97 4.95 893 99 1.03 102 1,000 1,019 105 75.15 76.9 74.45 74.9 74.75 75 74.6

21.8 470 490 100.3 97 4.96 893 99 1.03 102 1,000 1,020 105 75.15 76.9 74.45 74.9 75 75 74.7

21.5 470 490 100.3 96.5 4.95 893 99 1.03 99.8 1,000 1,019 105 75.15 76 74.45 74.9 74.75 74.5 74.6

PREFERRED 21.55 1,700 470 50 490 50 100.3 10,000 96.5 31,490 4.96 55,000 893 50 99 1,300 1.03 11,000 99.8 10,560 1,000 15 1,020 565 105 200 75.15 4,000 76 74,380 74.45 1,700 74.9 300 75 1,280 75 4,300 74.7 76,540

36,810 23,500 24,500 1,003,000 3,042,070 272,350 44,650 128,700 11,330 1,055,025 15,000 576,190 21,000 300,600 5,676,494.50 126,565 22,470 95,755 321,275 5,715,038

-2,165 -247,600 10,000 51,000 -3,540,645.50 -

LR WARRANT

2.4

2.4

2.31

WARRANTS 2.33 335,000

786,240

-

ITALPINAS XURPAS

4.76 1.92

4.94 1.98

4.68 1.7

4.85 1.74

2,361,130 18,110,620

104,470 -3,909,850

FIRST METRO ETF

109

109

107.5

706,027

15,120

10,000 75,000

-

NAME

MS

PROPERTY

7 0.78 0.65 40.6 2.42 4.43 5.05 0.42 0.221 0.395 8.2 19.7 0.52 1.44 1.07 2.66 4.45 0.59 0.42 0.405 3.2 29.05 21

73,500 1,112,000 110,000 6,853,900 510,000 206,000 100 1,730,000 1,850,000 40,000 127,400 467,500 25,000 1,954,000 531,000 32,923,000 8,376,000 28,890,000 590,000 2,170,000 807,000 100 979,400

514,705 874,360 69,780 276,955,115 1,252,770 908,730 505 720,400 407,660 15,800 1,038,772 9,401,672 13,050 2,816,510 568,180 88,395,680 37,198,460 17,019,630 247,400 879,550 2,540,500 2,905 20,377,690

7,010 -120,431,045 -669,070 -84,000 -369,266 2,650 -653,440 1,085,250 -4,761,320 -202,010 -692,300 -1,501,760

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2

10 10

TRADING SUMMARY FINANCIAL

10 10

SHARES 8,372,892

INDUSTRIAL

171,451,863

HOLDING FIRMS

113,092,544

PROPERTY

113,542,706

SERVICES

107,917,112

MINING & OIL

125,018,860

GRAND TOTAL

650,025,773

10 10

SME

495,000 10,123,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 108 6,530 10 10

DDS

1,000 7,500

VALUE 1,632.23 (down) 8.30 716,070,937.32 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 10,773.98 (down) 90.37 1,756,596,825.41 HOLDING FIRMS 6,993.40 (up) 24.07 1,045,578,136.99 PROPERTY 3,542.53 (down) 59.54 1,474.04 (down) 17.93 838,119,896.29 SERVICES MINING & OIL 9,547.01 (up) 41.56 691,758,961.17 PSEI 7,197.62 (down) 38.54 75,617,233.84 All Shares Index 4,383.84 (down) 14.89 5,144,938,529.23 Gainers: 74; Losers: 120; Unchanged: 40; Total: 234

Melco maintains offer to buy out minority for P11b

By Jenniffer B. Austria MELCO Resorts & Entertainment Philippines Inc. said majority shareholder MCO Philippines is keeping a buyout offer of P7.25 per share to minority shareholders.

MCO Philippines said in an amended tender offer filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it planned to purchase 1.57 billion Melco shares held by minority shareholders for a total price of P11.38 billion.

The company said the purpose of the tender offer was to increase its shareholdings in Melco from the current 72.54 percent and was no longer for delisting purposes.

MCO Philippines said while it amended the purpose of the tender offer, it would proceed with the voluntary tender offer if the applicable requirements for voluntary delisting were met such as if the public float fell below 10 percent and it obtained the required Philippine Stock Exchange approval.

It said if the requirements were not met, Melco would remain listed.

Under the PSE rules, companies with a public float of less than 10 percent would automatically be delisted from the local bourse.

Tender offer period will be on Oct. 31 to Nov. 29.

Melco said while some minority shareholders were not happy with the price, they were not obliged to participate in the tender offer.

“The bidder [MCO Philippines] respects certain MRP shareholders may have different views on the terms of the tender offer, including the offer price.

No MRP shareholder is under any obligation to participate in the tender offer,” the company said.

“If any MRP shareholder does not believe that the [tender] offer price of P7.25 per share is attractive, they may choose not to tender their MRP shares in the tender offer. Even if an MRP shareholder believes that the offer price is at or above fair value, they still have no obligation to participate in the tender offer,” it said.

Melco, owned by Macau-based casino operator Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd., was listed in the PSE through backdoor listing when it acquired Manchester International Holdings Unlimited Corp. in 2012.

It operates City of Dreams Manila, an integrated casino resort located at a 6.32-hectare property in governmentsponsored Entertainment City in Parañaque City.

Cebu Landmasters investing P10b in modern Davao CBD CEBU Landmasters Inc. said it will launch a 22-hectare central business district in Matina, Davao City with an initial capital investment of P10 billion.

Cebu Landmasters said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the 22-hectare project would become the first major business park in Davao with office, retail, convention center, medical building and hospital components.

“It is expected to attract investments and employment while providing convenience and upscale lifestyle and amenities to the city. Phase 1 is estimated to cost P10 billion and is expected to generate about 10,000 jobs for construction workers,” Cebu Landmasters said.

The Davao Matina Business Park project is one of the large-scale projects that the property firm is undertaking to fortify its presence and leadership in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Cebu Landmasters said affiliate MingMori Development Corp. was also in the final stages of compliance for the 100-hectare Minglanilla Reclamation and Techno-Business Park project in Cebu.

The property firm said the project would be a game changer in Cebu, generating over 100 hectares of light industrial and commercial uses in the south of Cebu where there is a very strong population base.

The company is also firming up negotiations for two properties in Cagayan de Oro City that would be converted into integrated estate developments.

“We target to develop estates in Cebu, Davao and Cagayan de Oro as the opportunities are huge in these economic growth areas,” Cebu Landmasters chief executive Jose Soberano III said.

Jenniffer B. Austria

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

World

Manila

Standard

TODAY

B3

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2018 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘Dangerous’ hurricane bears down on Mexico

VISIT. Britain’s Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, arrive at a traditional welcome ceremony after they landed in Suva, Fiji, on October 23, 2018. Harry and his pregnant wife arrived in Fiji for a three-day official visit, part of their tour of Australia and the South Pacific. AFP

Saudi Arabia hosts forum under Khashoggi shadow R IYADH―Saudi Arabia opened an investment conference on Tuesday despite a wave of cancellations from policymakers and business titans over the murder of journalist and government critic Jamal Khashoggi.

The three-day Future Investment Initiative (FII) was meant to project the historically insular petro-state as a lucrative business destination and set the stage for new ventures and multi-billion dollar contracts.

But the summit, nicknamed “Davos in the desert”, has been overshadowed by growing global outrage over the murder of Khashoggi

IN BRIEF North’s anthem played for S. Korea SEOUL―South Korean footballers were left dumbfounded at an international tournament in Indonesia when organizers played the North’s anthem instead.

Ahead of an AFC under-19 Championship qualifier against Jordan at the Patriot Candrabhaga Stadium on the outskirts of Jakarta, the South’s team lined up with their hands on their hearts.

But instead of Seoul’s hymnlike anthem “Aegukga”, North Korea’s national tune blared out, leaving them stony-faced and silent.

The South’s coaching staff told officials of the mistake, and while the correct song was then played, they protested after the game on Monday evening.

Seoul’s football authorities said Tuesday they will file a formal complaint with the Asian Football Confederation.

“This is the first time that the North Korean anthem was played instead of Aegukga at any official international match for any level of the national football team,” the Korea Football Association said in a statement. AFP

inside the kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul on October 2, with a string of leading international investors pulling out over the case.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has vowed to reveal what he has called the “naked truth” about the Khashoggi murder― a killing Ankara has said was “savagely planned”.

The Riyadh conference began amid tight security at Riyadh’s Ritz-Carlton hotel, with Russian Direct Investment Fund chief Kirill Dmitriyev, the CEO of French energy giant Total Patrick Pouyanne and Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, among the confirmed speakers listed by organiZers for the opening day.

But a growing list of investors and international figureheads have declined to show up in Riyadh in apparent protest against the Khashoggi killing.

International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde and US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin have pulled out.

Siemens chief executive Joe Kaeser, corporate chiefs from JP Morgan, Ford and Uber, and media powerhouses like Bloomberg, CNN and the Financial Times have also scrapped plans to attend.

Ministers from Britain and France as well as the United States, which have huge defense deals at stake with Saudi Arabia, have stayed away.

Pakistan’s Khan attended however as his government continues to seek funding to plug its deteriorating finances.

A wider Western boycott of the conference suggests rising political risks in Saudi Arabia that could hit foreign direct investment, which already plunged to a 14-year low last year, according to a UN body. AFP

Court: Train speeding when it crashed TAIPEI―A train that derailed and killed 18 people in Taiwan was speeding when it flipped off the tracks, a court said Tuesday, with the driver suspected of “professional negligence” for switching off a speed control system.

The crash on the popular east coast line injured 187 people Sunday and left the Puyuma Express lying zig-zagged across the tracks in the island’s deadliest rail accident for a quarter century.

The injured driver, identified by his family name Yu, was released on bail Tuesday after being interrogated by prosecutors and returned to hospital where he was being treated for injuries

including a fractured rib.

A statement from Yilan district court, which had reviewed evidence and questioned Yu as part of the bail hearing, said he had admitted to turning off the Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system used to monitor speed due to problems with the train’s power supply.

As the train approached Xinma station, the site of the crash, it was traveling at 140 kilometers per hour instead of the 80 kph speed limit imposed due to a curve in the track, the court said.

Yu said he had turned off the system at an earlier station and had not switched it on again because he had been talking to a rail coordinator, describing the

(MS-OCT.24, 2018)

This is to notify THE PUBLIC that TOP HIGH GLOBAL RESOURCES INC., is moving to a new place of office.

New Address: 0239 MANUEL BUILDING, COR. SAN ISIDRO & SANCHEZ STS. BRGY. 8, MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON (MS-OCT. 24, 2018)

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FERTILIZER AND PESTICIDE AUTHORITY FPA Building, B.A.I. Compound, Visayas Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City, P. O. Box 2582, Quezon City Tel. Nos.: 920-8173*920-8573*922-3368*441-1601 E-mail Add.: fpacentral77@gmail.com Website: http://da.gov.ph

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Institution/Business Name & Business Address of Applicant Pioneer Hi-Bred Philippines 8F iSquare Building 15 Meralco Avenue Ortigas Center, Pasig

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Name of Transformation Event

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Name of Active Ingredient/Protein CRY1F X CRY1Ab X CP4-EPSPS

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ATMOSPHERE. A general view of the atmosphere at Visionary Women, An Evening With Female Artists Catherine Opie And Marilyn Minter, on October 22, 2018, in Los Angeles, California. AFP

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Sanctions on five Myanmar generals SYDNEY―Australia’s government on Tuesday unveiled sanctions against five officers in Myanmar’s powerful military who are accused of overseeing barbaric violence against members of the Rohingya ethnic group.

Following similar actions by the United States and the European Union, Australia announced it would freeze the assets of officers, including a Lieutenant General who commanded a special operations group believed to be behind the atrocities.

Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said the officers― Aung Kyaw Zaw, Maung Maung Soe, Aung Aung, Than Oo and Khin Maung Soe― were “responsible for human rights violations committed by the units under their command”. AFP

move as “professional negligence”.

“As he had turned off the ATP, he did not have the assistance of automatic speed monitoring and braking and should have taken necessary reactive measures, knowing there was a big curve ahead, instead of hitting the brake near the platform that led to the derailment,” the statement said.

A spokesman for the Yilan district prosecutors’ office, Chiang Chen-yu, told reporters there had been discrepancies between the driver’s statement, evidence collected and witness accounts.

“There is a strong suspicion of [the driver’s] guilt,” Chiang added. AFP

EL ROSARIO, Mexico―Mexico braced Monday as an “extremely dangerous” Hurricane Willa bore down on the Pacific coast, where it is expected to hit with potentially deadly wind and flooding.

The Category 4 hurricane―downgraded after earlier reaching Category 5―was on course to slam into Mexico somewhere around the resort town of Mazatlan on Tuesday afternoon or evening, said the US National Hurricane Center.

Willa now has maximum sustained winds of 250 kilometers (155 miles) per hour, the NHC said in its latest update.

Despite weakening slightly, “Willa is expected to be a dangerous major hurricane when it reaches the coast of Mexico,” it said.

Willa is expected to dump 15 to 30 centimeters (six to 12 inches) of rain on parts of Sinaloa, Nayarit and Jalisco states, with some areas getting up to 45 centimeters.

“This rainfall will cause life-threatening flash flooding and landslides,” the NHC warned.

The center said large storm swells off the coast are also “likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.”

The hurricane was located about 175 kilometers west-southwest of Cabo Corrientes, churning north at 13 kilometers per hour.

It was on track to sweep past the Marias islands, where Mexico has a federal prison, early Tuesday.

The interior ministry did not immediately respond to questions on whether it planned to evacuate the inmates housed there.

Sinaloa, Nayarit and Jalisco declared a state of alert and canceled school state-wide Monday as rain and heavy waves began to set in.

In the resort town of Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco Governor Aristoteles Sandoval ordered the N OTICE evacuation of hoNotice is hereby given that HAUSPLUS tels and coastal ar- VENTURES INC., with office address at Suite eas. Shelters were 1103 - Annapolis Wilshire Plaza, 11 Annapolis St., Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila, is applying for opened on higher registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a ground to accom- New Developer of Economic and Low-cost Housing Project (Villa Belissa Subdivision) with a capacity modate evacuees. of 696 house and lot units on a Non-Pioneer status project site at Brgy. Sapang Palay, San Jose Del “This could be- with Monte City, Bulacan. come a phenomenon Any person with valid objection/s on the abovewith very destructive mentioned project may file his/her objection in writing, consequences. We under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication. will probably have to (SGD.) MARY ANNE E. RAGANIT start evacuating [othOfficer-In-Charge er] communities,” he Infrastructure and Services Industries Service said. AFP

□ Renewal

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Remarks_______________

PIP Use Category □ Insecticide □ Fungicide □ others, specify________________

6.

Name and Address of Technology Developer/Formulator/Manufacturer of Transformation Event Pioneer Hi-Bred Philippines 8F iSquare Building 15 Meralco Avenue Ortigas Center, Pasig

7.

Name and Address of Source of protein Pioneer Overseas Corporation 6900 N.W. 62nd Ave., P.O. Box 256 Johnston, IOWA 50131-0256 USA

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Applicant`s Signature/Authorized Representative Name: Antonio Alfonso Title: Regulatory and Stewardship (RAS) Manager

Signature: ___________________

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES PROVINCE OF_________________S.S. MUN./CITY OF QUEZON CITY

OTICE Two American warships sail throughN TaiwanStrait WASHINGTON―Two US warships sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Monday, a military spokesman said, in a move bound to aggravate China amid heightened tensions with Beijing.

The USS Curtis Wilbur and USS Antietam conducted a routine transit to demonstrate US commitment “to a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Colonel Rob Manning told reporters.

It was the second time in the

Notice is hereby given that HAUSPLUS VENTURES INC., with office address at Suite - Annapolis Wilshire Plaza, 11 Annapolis St., space of three months that1103 Amerseparately since the end of a civil Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila, is applying for ican warships had conducted sowartheonBoard the mainland in (BOI) 1949.as a registration with of Investments New DeveloperBeijing of Economic and Low-cost Housinga called “freedom of navigation” recently conducted Project (Villa Belissa Subdivision) with a capacity exercises in the 180 kilometer military maneuvers, inof 696 houseseries and lotofunits on a Non-Pioneer status project site at Brgy.aSapang Palay, San Jose Del wide stretch of water. with cluding live fi re exercise in the Monte City, Bulacan.

Multiple Chinese warships Taiwan Strait in April, declaring Any person with valid objection/s on the aboveshadowed the two US mentioned vessels its willingness to confront Taiproject may file his/her objection in writing, during the transit, following at with wan’s “independence forces.” under oath, the BOI within three (3) days from the datecials of this publication. a safe distance, defense offi Washington remains Taipei’s told CNN. most powerful unoffiE.cial ally and (SGD.) MARY ANNE RAGANIT Officer-In-Charge China still sees Taiwan as part its main arms supplier despite Infrastructure and Services Industries Service of its territory to be reunified, switching diplomatic recognition despite the two sides being ruled to Beijing in 1979. AFP (MS-OCT.24, 2018)

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO before me this day of OCTOBER 04, 2018 at QUEZON CITY, affiant exhibited to me Community Tax Certificate No. 23647642 issued on January 16, 2018 at Tarlac City, Philippines.

(MS-OCT. 24, 2018)

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

B4

LGBTQ laud Herbert for QC Pink Filmfest

LocaL government units

wednesday, october 24, 2018

By Rio N. Araja

NEW HOSPITAL. Secretary Raul L. Lambino (fourth from left), Presidential Adviser for Northern Luzon and Administrator and CEO of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, joins (from

left) former House Speaker Jose de Venecia, Dagupan City Mayor Belen Fernandez, Taguig Rep. Pia Cayetano and Mrs. Marilyn Lambino in Dagupan City on Saturday for the inauguration of the five-story Training and Eye Center Building of the Region 1 Medical Center. Joseph Muego

FILMMAKERS in Quezon City on Tuesday lauded Mayor Herbert Bautista for advocating anti-discrimination among the lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders and questioning (LGBTQ) community.

Nick Deocampo, Quezon City International Pink Film Festival director, thanked Bautista for providing a comprehensive anti-discrimination policy on sexual orientation and gender identity.

“Quezon City is the leading local government that promotes such antidiscrimination policy through a film festival,” he said.

Deocampo said LGBTQ-themed films as platforms have helped raise public awareness on the social and health issues besetting the members of the community.

This year’s filmfest features the free showing of 64 award-winning local and international films, and hosting seminars on LGBTQ rights and health issues.

The Quezon City International Pink Film Festival will run from Nov. 14 until Nov. 25 at the Gateway Cineplex, University of the Philippines Film Center, and Cinema Centenario.

The city government vowed to uphold and protect the LGBTQ sector its right to human dignity; reduce social, economic and political inequalities, and remove cultural inequities under the Section 1 (a), Article XIII of the 1987 Constitution.

Makati caravan benefits 60k ‘Cheaper fuels Pet cats spayed, neutered for free in Taguig City

THE city government of Taguig on Tuesday encouraged residents to avail the free cat spaying and neutering services instead of going to a private clinic where the same services may cost them up to P5,000.

Cat owners can avail of the free service initiated by the City Veterinary Office’s which aimed at fighting rabies, controlling their population and ensuring a safe neighborhood.

“We included spaying and neutering in our program against rabies because one of the ways in eliminating rabies in our city is to control the population of our pets,” CVO officer-in-charge Dr. Alexis Siblag said.

According to Dr. Siblag, neutering takes only three to five minutes, and spaying only between eight and 10 minutes.

Residents who avail of the program are also given long-lasting injectable antibiotics and pain relievers for their cats—also free of charge.

Interested residents are welcome to visit the CVO at the city’s Model House on Cayetano Boulevard in Barangay Ususan. “you will only need to register and submit some requirements, including a barangay residency or voter’s ID proving you are a bona fide resident of Taguig City,” said Siblag.

“As soon as your documents are proven accurate and complete, personnel from the CVO will contact you to schedule the operation,” the CVO chief added.

According to Dr. Siblag, they get to accommodate an average of 10 pets per day on weekdays, which is when the CVO is open.

As of October 2018, 180 female cats had been spayed and 124 male cats had been neutered, a significant increase from the 207 such operations in 2017.

The free spaying and neutering programs are only two of many the city has been implementing for the benefit of Taguig pet lovers. Joel E. Zurbano

By Joel E. Zurbano

M

AyOR Abigail Binay on Tuesday said some 60,209 residents of 33 barangays in Makati City have availed various free services offered through the Lingkod Bayan Caravan held every Saturday in a designated barangay.

Binay called on residents, whom she fondly calls “Makatizens,” to keep track of the caravan schedules in their respective barangays so that they can receive the benefits intended for them.

“I initiated the Lingkod Bayan Caravan in 2016 right after I assumed office, out of my desire to make basic services more accessible to our dear Makatizens.

Our service caravan is doing the rounds of all 33 barangays, including the villages, to ensure that we reach as many residents as possible,” the mayor said.

“All they have to do is bring themselves

and their family members to the venue to get the free services, which include free hot meals, medicines, reading glasses, toys and children’s storybooks,” she added.

Binay pointed out that the caravan has fostered the “bayanihan” spirit between the city government and the private sector. Aside from basic services, participants in caravans can also pay their electric and water bills through authorized utility payment centers set up at the venue.

The caravan is one of the twin programs established by the current admin-

istration in line with the mayor’s thrust of inclusivity, where “everyone partakes of the city’s robust economic growth.”

The Ugnayan sa Barangay weekly dialog has drawn thousands of residents who were able to ask questions and express their concerns directly to the mayor herself, who made sure to be always present.

Early this year, she directed department heads to report on their accomplishments and upcoming projects prior to the dialog proper, to promote transparency and keep residents well-informed.

“Our weekly dialogs have helped us gain first-hand accounts of our constituents’ prime concerns and suggestions on how we could improve our services.

We have also been able to explain to them how and why we are implementing a certain measure or action, which can get them to cooperate and support our initiatives,” Binay said.

HANDWASH DRILL. Grade 5 and 6 pupils and their teachers participate in hand-washing drills at Lagro Elementary School last Tuesday.

The Quezon City Health Department conducted drills to teach children the importance of proper hand washing to mark the 2018 Global Handwashing Day.

may impact public health’

By Rex Arcadio R. San Diego II IS CHEAPER fuel the answer?

While there is a clamor for more affordable fuels to address inflation, it might be wise for the government and the public to consider its health impacts.

Speakers and participants to the recent Kamayan para sa Kalikasan Forum in Quezon City were one in this conclusion.

Environment Undersecretary Juan Miguel T. Cuna noted that while the intention to address inflation is noble, there is a need to review, even reconsider the approach due to a number of reasons―both legal and medical.

“We cannot regress and compromise air quality,” Cuna pointed out.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board’s recent approval to increase jeep, and bus fares in November was met with public displeasure.

The Department of Energy’s response is to reintroduce Euro-2 grade fuels―a move that runs contrary to the provisions in the Clean Air Act. The highest concentration of pollution in Metro Manila is in EDSA, making it a dangerous place for hundreds of thousands who travel, work, study or stay along the thoroughfare.

“We might be killing, penalizing ourselves by regressing in terms of fuel quality. Why regress when we know that lower quality fuels can result in more health problems for the public,” Rene Pineda, president of Partnership for Clean Air, noted.

P6-m DoLE Central Luzon emergency fund helps typhoon victims SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga—The Department of Labor and Employment in Central Luzon has launched an emergency program worth P6 million that benefited 1,466 residents who were victims of calamities that hit Pampanga and other provinces of the region.

Zenaida Angara-Campita, DOLE Central Luzon regional director, said the “Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa At-

ing Disadvantage/Displaced Workers” (TUPAD) program was launched for typhoon-affected communities in Pampanga as the government’s initial step to assure their early recovery.

“Each of the 1,466 beneficiaries received P4,200 from DOLE for service rendered such as cleaning and declogging canals, clearing of road debris, and basic repair and maintenance of common infra-

structures in the area,” Campita said.

The beneficiaries come mostly from coastal towns of Pampanga and are part of the total 323 persons or 76 families dislocated by typhoons in the region as reported by the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council in Central Luzon.

The council also said about 745 barangays in 110 cities and municipalities were also affected by calamities that hit the region.

The DOLE program lasted from 10 to 30 days depending on the nature of work the recipients performed.

Aside from the salary they received based on the prevailing minimum wage in Central Luzon, Campita said the beneficiaries were also provided with social protection to ensure work safety under Government Service Insurance System micro insurance. Romeo Dizon

CdO hopes to settle big drainage problem

By Lance Baconguis CAGAyAN DE ORO—This city’s flooding will play a key issue in the 2019 midterm elections, as each of aspiring mayoralty candidates promised to fix in their term.

One of the most vulnerable areas is the Lim Ket Kai mall complex and the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines campus along Claro M. Recto Avenue (National Highway).

The P1.8-billion drainage masterplan project hit a snag when the LKK Complex property owner changed its mind at the last minute and prevented the Department of Public Works and Highways from digging along its private road to reach the subterranean drainage.

This was revealed by Engineer Leowald Pecore,

DPWH project engineer 3 and in-charge of Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental projects. “[LKK] agreed before, but now they changed their mind,” Pecore said.

City Engineer Rolando Pacuribot said the city’s drainage master plan, crafted by the University of the Philippines-Planning and Development Research Foundation, Inc., provided four solutions for the LKK-USTP area.

DPWH has already completed a massive 3-by3 meter subterranean drainage system that runs from C.M. Recto to Agora area that will drain rainwater into Macajalar Bay. This is where DPWH and the city government hit a wall, as LKK will not allow the diggings along its two-lane road that would bypass Bitan-ag Creek and connect it to the Agora drain.

CAMPAIGN PROMISE. Right after filing his certificate of candidacy, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur Mayor Zuriel Zaragoza (10th from left) poses with the province’s tobacco farmers in front of the unfinished Farmers Convention Center. Zaragoza aims to break the Singson clan’s 50-year hold of the province as he runs for governor against the incumbent Ryan Singson. Norman Cruz

Life

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

fashion and beauty

wEdnESday, octoBEr 24, 2018

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Fit Me Powder Foundation gives off an ultra-smooth poreless coverage.

Maybelline launches new additions to Fit Me line pLAYtIMe. This year’s Slim’s Fashion & Arts School’s Best of Student Work featured designs inspired by board games, arcade games, toys,

Fashion at play and nursery rhymes.

T

He future of fashion is bright and fun as seen in the recent Slim’s Fashion & Arts School’s best of Student Work 2018 at SM Megamall’s Mega Fashion Hall.

A joint project of Slim’s Fashion & Arts School, SM, and Swatch, the annual exhibit’s theme this year “laro,” focused on playtime—a stark contrast to last year’s show which drew inspiration from the iconic works of Salvacion lim-Higgins, the school’s founder. “laro” showcased the playful side of design, with designs inspired by board games and arcade games, toys and nursery rhymes—all in a riot of colors and textures.

The exhibit featured 30 designs which are some of the best pieces pro-

duced by this year’s advanced classes.

There were outfits embellished with playing cards and plastic toys, spiralcut draped dresses inspired by slinky toys and pinwheels, a barong artfully hand-painted with a child flying a kite, and even elaborate dresses reflecting favorite childhood stories like Cinderella and Alice in Wonderland.

Also on display was a series of fashion sketches conceptualized and drawn by the students. even with the exhibit’s fun theme, the students were able to showcase their

serious craftsmanship and design talent.

It was also notable how all fashion renderings and garments on display were designed, cut, and sewn by the students themselves, many employing complex construction techniques which have long been part of the school’s trademark.

Founded in 1960, Slim’s Fashion & Arts School is the most established fashion institution in the country. Included in its long list of notable alumni are Joe Salazar, Cesar Gaupo, Michael Cinco, Joey Samson, Chito Vijandre, and Albert Andrada.

This is the fourth year Slim’s and SM have collaborated in this exhibit.

MAybellIne new york finally brings to the Philippines Fit Me range’s bestselling powder foundation and blush.

The new Fit Me Powder Foundation is an ultra-lightweight product that gives off an ultra-smooth poreless coverage as it is infused with blurring pigments to minimize pores and control oil.

The compact foundation variant is made of micro velvet powders that fit perfectly with any skin texture. It is also packed with SPF 32 PA+++, providing sun protection in addition to

the fresh and natural matte look.

The Fit Me Powder is available in eight skin-fitting shades.

Meanwhile, the new Fit Me blush is a blendable blush that gives off a natural, healthy glow that’s versatile for any skin tone.

This melt-into-the-skin blush delivers the right true-to-tone color perfect for everyday makeup. It comes in four shades.

Both Fit Me Powder Foundation and Fit Me Blush are now available at Maybelline counters nationwide.

Fit Me Blush delivers true-to-tone color perfect for everyday makeup.

spotted Gigi wears tommy in NYC Gigi Hadid

Fern Garcia’s terno features melted plastic toys forming a cage peplum.

Dinnes Obusan meticulously created a terno depicting Chinese Garters through hand-made jersey piping.

Actress and TV host Anne Curtis in an outfit by Slim’s student Claire Arguelles Francisco

SM senior vice president for marketing communications group Millie Dizon and designer Oskar Peralta, the first graduate of the Slim’s Fashion & Arts School

Model Gigi Hadid was recently seen walking around the big Apple wearing a pair of capsule collection acid wash jeans from Tommy Jeans.

Tommy Jeans is available at select Tommy Hilfiger stores globally. In the Philippines, Tommy Hilfiger is located at Central Square in Bonifacio High Street Central, Greenbelt 5, Kiss & Fly-NAIA Terminal 3, Newport Mall, Rustan’s Makati, and Rustan’s Shangri-La.

Life

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wednesday, october 24, 2018 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Philippine textiles in the spotlight

By Diana B. Noche

F

or three days, oct. 1214, the HABI Fair held at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City showcased Philippine-made textile products, traditional woven native materials, and cotton.

More than 80 exhibitors participated in the trade fair, the most number since the HABI Fair started several years ago. Also, for the first time, textile exhibitors from the ASEAN region (Brunei, Laos, Indonesia, Myanmar, Malaysia, and Vietnam) took part.

Co-founded by Maribel ongpin and HABI The Philippine Textile Council, the fair is designed to show the craftsmanship of the country’s indigenous weavers from Kalinga, Ifugao, Mindoro, Ilocos region, Samar, and Basilan’s Yakans.

Metro Manila consumer market, long conditioned to the use of synthetic fabrics, got updated on the many ideas and possibilities locally woven textiles could turn into.

But the fair wasn’t all about selling the displayed products, it was also a way to impress upon the public’s awareness the utilization of earth-friendly resources and their sustainability, as well as the primacy of preserving the traditions of many generations past.

A fashion show featuring clothes made of natural materials proved the unlimited extent to which style and elegance could feel and look.

Womenswear made of natural textiles

HABI Fair proves the style and elegance of Philippine-made textiles.

Menswear made of natural textiles

A highlight of the fair, aside from the workshops and lectures on sustainability, was the first Lourdes Montinola Prize for piña weaving. Montinola wrote “Piña,” a book that aims to substantiate the pineapple cloth as a national treasure.

The contest was open to all artisans who weave, dye, embroider, or embel-

lish the fabric in the most innovative way. The winners—Arlene Tumbokon of Heritage Arts and Crafts, Ursulita de la Cruz of the De La Cruz House of Piña, and Ana Legaspi of La Hermania Atelier—and their winning pieces would make any Filipino proud.

Photos by Diana B. Noche

Z Zegna’s latest collection pays homage to the natural splendor of Oasi Zegna, with its warm colors and patterns.

Made for the outdoors

A fashion show featuring clothes made of natural materials was one of the highlights of the recent HABI Fair held at Glorietta Activity Center.

TechnoMarine’s iconic timepieces

THE majestic influence of oasi Zegna gives rise to a mountaineering-inspired collection of Z Zegna.

Z Zegna continues its commitment to the era of performancebacked wardrobes, where tailored and technological underpinnings converge to deliver multifunctional attire for the modern adventurer in open-air freedom.

Trekking becomes the intrepid protagonist of the season as warm colors and patterns play homage to the natural splendor of oasi Zegna, the mountain territory that covers an area of about 100-square-kilometer in the Alps around Biella, including the first 26 kilometers of the Panoramica Zegna road.

Deep forest, chestnut, pine, crocus, chanterelle, slate, and berry red are enhanced by three-dimensional textures and graphics typical of Northern European cultures.

Silhouettes are ample yet contained, with rounded down jackets and tapered trousers. Bouclé, tweeds, and checks are paired with quilting and

technical finishes, maxi pocket detailing featured on pants, outerwear, and detachable accessories. once again, Techmerino, with its athletic leisure attitude, is an integral pillar of the collection’s urbanized alpine appeal. The styles presented at Pitti commemorate the legendary Gruppo Sportivo Zegna, successor to the 1930s sports program that was organized by the Ermenegildo Zegna company for its associates and employees in Trivero.

The combination of easy comfort and performance returns this season with a new interpretation of the Techmerino Wash & Go suit. Available in light gray mélange or pied de poule flannel, this innovative, machinewashable suit can be domestically laundered, dried, and worn immediately thereafter.

Techmerino sock sneakers and boldly modern trekking boots with high-impact soles pave the way for adventure.

In the Philippines, Ermenegildo Zegna is located at Greenbelt 4 and Rustan’s Makati.

Cruise Collection’s top five signature pieces boast originality and vibrant personality.

THE top five signature timepieces from TechnoMarine’s bestselling Cruise Collection boast originality and exemplify the vibrant dynamic lifestyle.

Infused with color and bold elements in its design with interchangeable straps and covers, each model in the collection has a personality on its own.

The collection merges horological innovation and superior engineering with spirited design, therefore, fulfilling the wearer’s aesthetic desires as much as their need for a serious dive watch. It is an inventive collection with aspirations for more than just urban adventures.

First of the top five watches is TechnoMarine’s most iconic design— the Cruise original. It features a sleek

design with a wave pattern dial in either silver or yellow gold tone stainless steel case.

Keeping with the trends, the Cruise Star is a slight makeover of the original, making it the top selling design in the collection. It sports the same iconic wave pattern dial but in a chic stainless steel case with a 14-karat rose gold plating.

Another model is the Cruise Monogram, which carries the brand seal with revere and purpose. The fascinating shark tooth pattern dial from this Cruise design has generated a number of patrons, and is a growing crowd favorite.

The Cruise Jellyfish features a unique strap (inspired by a shark’s tooth) com-

bining sporty aesthetics with rugged construction, which makes it perfect for the great outdoors.

The unconventional dial designs, with elements of sea critters make the Cruise Dream another noteworthy and distinctive model. It guarantees to catch the fancy of watch enthusiasts with a unique and quirky style.

TechnoMarine is offering a 30 percent discount on all models in the Cruise Collection from oct. 27 to Nov 4.

TechnoMarine is located at Greenbelt 3, Robinson’s Galleria, Robinson’s Magnolia, Shangri-La Plaza, SM City Cebu, SM Lanang Premier Davao, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, SM North Edsa, TriNoma, and Uptown Mall.

Three-dimensional textures and graphics typical of Northern European cultures enhance the warm colors used for the pieces.

Entertainment Simply...

From C4

The press conference was held after ABS-CBN executives and employees gave her a grand red carpet welcome that left her in tears, and a contract signing that was attended by ABSCBN chairman Mark Lopez, president and CEO Carlo Katigbak, COO for broadcast Cory Vidanes, TV production head Laurenti Dyogi, Dreamscape Entertainment head Deo Endrinal, head of finance for broadcast and news and current affairs Cat Lopez, and Regine’s sister and manager Cacai VelasquezMitra.

Regine started her television career in the ‘80s on ABS-CBN musical shows Teen Pan Alley and Triple Treat, and starred in an MMK episode in 2002, for which she won the Best Actress trophy at the PMPC Star Awards for TV. In 2002, she headlined One Night with Regine at the National Museum, which she identified as one of her most memorable concerts, that raised funds for ABS-CBN’s Bantay Bata 163. At the ABS-CBN Ball 2018, she announced her plan to stage another benefit concert for the reopening of Bantay Bata’s Children’s Village.

Welcome home, Kapamilya Regine Velasquez Alcasid! *** Benefit Duo Piano Concerto for Museo Pambata The Miravite Consulting Group presents Duo Piano Concerto, a piano concert to support the Museo Pambata Foundation Inc. It will be held on 7 p.m. tonight at the Maybank Performing Arts Theater, Bonifacio Global City.

The concert features Raul M. Sunico and Natascha Majek in a rare duo piano concerto.

Raul M. Sunico achieved worldwide recognition when he performed four piano concertos of Sergei Rachmaninoff in one evening. He has performed in solo recitals as well as with the best orchestras throughout Europe, North America, Australia, Middle East, and Asia.

Natascha Majek collaborates as a pianist with various orchestras, including the Symphonie Orchester Basel, and has been the soloist in other orchestras. She has since been performing in numerous recitals in Switzerland, Austria, and Italy, with a repertoire that extends from Bach to early 20th century music.

The Miravite Consulting Group is presenting this concert to raise funds for Museo Pambata Foundation Inc., the organization that runs the country’s first children’s museum. To be able to maintain a quality educational experience for all children, Museo Pambata receives donations from generous individuals, corporations, and foundations who are also committed to providing alternative learning venues for children.

This event is sponsored by Tillie Pelagallo, Mega Subic Terminal Services, Inc., WS Family Foundation, Inc., BPI, Club Tropicana, and Lyric Piano.

Ticket prices are P3000 / P2000 / P800 and are available in all Ticketworld branches.

For more information about the event, please call 0906-4157819 or email concertoduo@gmail.com.. *** For more of the stories featured, please log on to https://isah.red. You can also follow me on Facebook (@isahvr), Twitter @isahvred and Instagram @isahvred.

Iconic Kamuning Bakery celebrates #WorldPandesalDay

DOWN 1 Nudges 2 “Peter and the Wolf” duck 3 Poet’s black 4 Oater town 5 Citrus fruits 6 Some bouquets 7 Pa Cartwright 8 Cinch 9 Thing 10 Perched 11 Writing fluids 12 Type of arch

nickie.standard@gmail.com

Love and revenge in

‘The Legend of Zu’

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The event was attended by GMA Network Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe Gozon, Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, Belmonte some celebrities and VIPs. On Oct. 28 Sunday 8:00 a.m., the public is also invited to a free medical, dental and optical mission at Kamuning Bakery Café in cooperation with Chinese General Hospital led by its CEO Dr. James G. Dy. These Oct. 16 and Oct. 28 events are the last two events to be held here, before Kamuning Bakery Café’s burnt ruins shall be totally demolished, except for two surviving pugon brick ovens which shall be retained for heritage preservation during its reconstruction.

With hashtag #WorldPandesalDay, this is a unique socio-civic and cultural endeavor to highlight the importance of the Philippines’ humble yet popular pandesal bread, to underscore the importance of all people helping solve the age-old problem of hunger.

Wilson Lee Flores said an inspiration for World Pandesal Day is the Bible story of a poor boy who gave five loaves of bread and two fish, which faith in God multiplied to feed thousands.

As part of its non-traditional civic and cultural causes, Kamuning Bakery Cafe also hosts the tertulia-inspired and non-partisan “Pandesal Forum” for newsmakers and leaders to dialogue

A scene from ‘The Legend of Zu’

Flores received the Manuel L. Quezon Award from (from left) Councilor Franz Rumaren, Vice Mayor Belmonte and Mayor Herbert Bautista.

with media and intellectuals over meals of pandesal with other foods and coffee brewed from Benguet province arabica beans.

Kamuning Bakery Café owner Flores said: “In this liberal and informal Pandesal Forum which is part of this company’s unique CSR or corporate social responsibility, discussions focus on socio-economic, gut or “pandesal” issues affecting the people, and other topics.”

“The pandesal is unique to the Philippines, loved by the masses, middleclass and by all, it symbolizes people’s simple happiness and wish for liberation from hunger,” Flores added.

Kamuning Bakery Café is also the first

Philippine bakery café to celebrate “World Poetry Day” every March 21, by inviting the public to send in original poems as payments for their coffee or tea.

Ever since Wilson Lee Flores took over and revived Kamuning Bakery Café, it has championed diverse socio-civic, cultural, arts and other causes including the donation of four public schoolbuildings.

The first public school was donated in the historic seaside town of Balangiga in Eastern Samar province. This fourthclass municipality was victim of cruel colonial war over a century ago from 1901 to 1902, with its stolen church bells still in the US.

Crimson turns pink for breast cancer awareness

By Darwin Pesco CRIMSON Hotel Filinvest City launched “Passionately Pink” to commemorate the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month through special promotions, events, and activities.

“Passion Forward Exhibit” opened the month-long event for spreading awareness about breast cancer, which showcases fashion art from Francis Libiran, South Arts Festival, and other talented designers, at the Crimson Hotel in Alabang on Sept. 25.

“We have started our awareness campaign against breast cancer last year in line with our efforts to give back to our community. It is also alarming to know that the Philippines has the highest incidence of breast cancer in Asia with three out of 100 Filipino women are at risk of getting it in their lifetime. Both mom and the daughter are at risk of getting a breast cancer. However, cancer prevention is possible if they know how to beat it.”

Mr. Gerhard Doll, General Manager of Crimson Hotel Filinvest City, Manila, stated.

Crimson’s activities will benefit the STAGEZERO by Project Pink Support

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

51 Gladiator’s hello 52 Claws or talons 54 On horseback 58 Gives money to a merchant (2 wds.)

62 Camel relative 63 Cookbook amts.

65 Needing a shampoo 66 Fire iron 67 Walk-on, maybe 68 Raines or Fitzgerald 69 Like some watermelons 70 Took a good look 71 Dizzy of baseball

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HE 4th “World Pandesal Day” was held on Oct. 16 at the burnt ruins on Judge Jimenez Street corner K-1st Street, Barangay Kamuning, Quezon City where Kamuning Bakery Café gave free 70,000 pandesal bread and other food.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1 “Uptown Girl” singer 5 Tennis strokes 9 Easy-to-find constellation 14 Israeli diplomat — Eban 15 Early garden?

16 Striped antelope 17 One lacking manners 18 Actress — Freeman 19 Said in fun 20 Lawmaker 22 Uses a steam iron 24 High-IQ group 26 Libras’ mo.

27 Heads a meeting 30 Zipped up 35 Weaker, as an excuse 36 Sincere 37 Scandinavian 38 Wheel buy (2 wds.)

39 Opposed 42 Fleetwood — 43 Close relatives 45 Part of CPA 46 Noted wise guy 48 Longfellow hero 50 Uses dynamite

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2018

13 Nonverbal OKs 21 — incognita 23 Delicate blooms 25 From Kenya 27 Lock horns 28 Asian capital 29 Fridge maker 31 Female relative 32 Signatures 33 Legislate 34 Hibachi sites 36 Dash gauge 40 Like some communities 41 Add up

44 Teemed with 47 Roped 49 Place for birds 50 Unfair 53 Orchard product 54 Yodeler’s home 55 — gin fizz 56 Winnings 57 Raison d’— 59 Folder holder 60 Clay pot 61 O’Neal of films 64 Oriental sauce

Group, a non-stock, non-profit organization that aims to encourage and empower patients, families and the community to take action against breast cancer.

“In addition to spreading word of mouth for this meaningful cause, our main goal is to raise funds that will benefit our partner foundation -- the Stagezero by Project Pink Support Group,” Doll added.

For the “Passionately Pink” campaign, a concert for a cause entitled In the CompanY of Pink featured renowned vocal group The Company with MYMP at the Crimson Grand Ballroom on Oct. 12.

Also, guests may avail special “Bloom in Pink” room packages from Oct. 1 to 31, in which the overnight stay is available at P4, 999 net for Deluxe Room, P5, 999 net for Premier Room, while overnight stays with breakfast will be at P5, 999 net for Deluxe Room and P6, 999 net for Premier Room.

Additionally, Crimson hotel is offering “Think Pink Meetings” packages for October meetings booked at the hotel inclusive of pink lemonade, Passionately Pink edition of Fil the Bear, pink-themed snacks for coffee breaks.

Various special “Passionately Pink”

WITNESS a story of love and revenge in GMA Heart of Asia’s newest fantaseries, The Legend of Zu, which premiered on Oct. 22.

The Chinese fantasy drama features the story of the Zu Mountain, the number one Sword sect in a thousand years.

In order to protect the world from evil and chaos, the Sect Leader Zhuge Yuwo placed the magical blood stone, Pulang Bato into Ding Yin’s ((William Chan) body to prevent Shangguan Chan Jingwo ((Nicky Wu) from obtaining it. The Stone is a demonic object that wreak havoc such as conquering and destructing the world, and even resurrecting the dead if it falls into the wrong hands.

Ding Yin stays at the Zu Mountain to work on building and controlling his powers. He meets Lu Pao’s daughter, Yu Wuxin (Zanilia Zhao), and realizes that she looks exactly like his deceased wife.

Ding Yin and Yu Wuxin initially use each other. She wants to steal the blood demon, and he wants to use her to get to her father. Eventually, the two falls in love and inner conflicts start to unravel within Zu Mountain.

Will Ding Yin fulfill his mission to carry the stone and protect the world?

Follow him and his sect mates’ journey every morning at 8:50 on GMA.

B. Stagezero by Project Pink with the General Manager of Crimson Hotel Gerhard Doll activities and promotions will also happen for the whole month of October including the Pink Kisses Corner at Café Eight and Pretty in Pink Afternoon Tea sessions at the hotel’s Lobby Lounge from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. with Art and Sip sessions happening every Friday and Saturday, and guests can check out Drops of Pink, which features an array of dainty drinks.

Other highlights of “Pink” include Health and Healing: A Mother-Daughter Retreat on Oct. 13, which included Breast Cancer 101 discussion, meditation plus mindful

eating and weight management tips; Share Hope Fundraising Dinner on Oct. 18, which combined a culinary experience of fivecourse dinner, the finest wines and a silent auction for breast cancer awareness; and Tickled Pink Pool Foam Party where you can have a fun night out and make a difference at the same time on Oct. 27.

For more information on the “Passionate Pink” visit the official website at www. crimsonhotel.com/manila/ or call (02) 863-2222.

Entertainment

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

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2018

Dingdong

Old-school funk with a mix of reggae

Dantes, Dennis Trillo banner MassKara

WHAT do you get when you mix old-school funk and reggae? How about a track with hip-hop influences with a twist of R&B? Jamaican-Canadian recording artist J. Young rocks that perfect blend with a collection of year-round summer anthems, dance hall beats, and chill beach tunes on his first full length Philippine debut release entitled Three Sixty.

Produced by Adam H. Hurstfield, Three Sixty features the single “They Ain’t You” as the banner track for the new release.

Festival mall shows in Bacolod

Jamaican-Canadian recording artist J. Young was in town to promote his record ‘Three Sixty,’ which is a good mix of summer anthems and dance beats.

Work on J. Young’s 12-track album started back in 2015, and the two continued to tinker all tracks until it was finally ready for the big Philippine release.

J. Young and Adam H. agreed to call it Three Sixty for its ability to go full circle from pop, to R&B, to dance, to funk, to pop again.

Jumping from the reggae funk of Electric to EDM pop tune “They Ain’t You” to a track that pays homage to the King of Pop in “She’s A Thrilla” also featuring the Canadian pop hit “Oxygen”, and that’s just four out of twelve.

The new record now finds its home among the most exciting albums that Viva Records have released this 2018.

J. Young is a passionate artist with an ear for reggae melodies. His music career kicked off when he performed alongside Boys II Men, then went on to be signed with an Australian record label.

As much as he loved working in the land down under, his heart also wanted to venture off to his home country, Canada. This is where he met and began his work with Adam H. Adam H. of course, has worked with a huge number of noteworthy artists including, Ne-Yo, Elise Estrada, The Manhattans,Ashley Tisdale, Sarah Burgess, Sarah Geronimo, and James Reid, to name a few.

Three Sixty is Now Available on Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, and all digital music stores.

The official music video for “They Ain’t You” featuring Roxanne Barcelo and Ashley Rivera aired on MYX last Sept. 28 within Pinoy Myx. He also collaborated with singer Nicole Omillo in her song “Die For You.” His single “Lit” will have a Tagalog version with girl group After 5 sharing the mic.

Through Adam’s XOXO Entertainment Corp (an imprint of Universal Music Canada), Three Sixty will be coming out worldwide soon.

“The Philippines is our starting point. And why not, right? My company has partnership with labels around the world so they can expect this album to be everywhere soon,” Adam said.

Three Sixty is available on Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music and all digital music stores nationwide.

GROUFIE. Rayver Cruz, Thea Tolentino, Kris Bernal, Carla Abellana and

Rocco Nacino pose before a massive crowd that flocked to the activity area of SM Bacolod for the Kapuso MassKara Festival mall show.

A-list actors Dingdong Dantes and Dennis Trillo reunite in the upcoming drama 'Cain at Abel.'

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T WAS a triple treat for Kapusong Negrense on Sunday when GMA Regional TV brought the stars of Pamilya Roces, Asawa Ko, Karibal Ko, and Cain at Abel to this year’s colorful celebration of the MassKara Festival in Bacolod.

At Robinsons Place Bacolod at 6:00 p.m., Dingdong Dantes and Dennis Trillo bannered the Kapuso Mall Show.

The powerhouse tandem will soon be seen together via the upcoming primetime series, Cain at Abel. Treating mallgoers as well were their co-stars Solenn Heussaff and Sanya Lopez.

Also joining the MassKara revelry was actress Carla Abellana, who has just made her primetime comeback via Pamilya Roces. Together with Carla was her costar and husband in the series, Rocco Nacino. They treated fans to an afternoon ofentertainment at Kapuso Mall Show in SM City Bacolod at 4:00 p.m..

Meanwhile, giving the Kapusong Negrense a sneak peek of what to expect in the newest afternoon soap Asawa Ko, Karibal Ko was actress Kris Bernal. Keeping Kris company were two of the leading actors in the series—returning Kapuso Rayver Cruz and actress Thea Tolentino.

Prior to the mall shows on Sunday, Kapuso actor Mike Tan serenaded the candidates of MassKara Queen 2018 on Friday, Oct. 19, at

the SMX Convention Center in Bacolod City. Hosting the event was One Western Visayas anchor Atty Sed Cabaluna.

“As one of the most popular and colorful festivals in the country, the MassKara Festival is an event that we at GMA Regional TV continue to support over the years,”says GMA Regional TV Department’s Vice President and Head Oliver Amoroso.

“On top of promoting this annual festival, we value this opportunity to reach out to our loyal viewers and bring to them our top Kapuso personalities and programs.

This year, we are proud to share with our Kapusong Negrense three of our latest offerings on television—Pamilya Roces, Asawa Ko, Karibal Ko, and Cain at Abel. We hope that they also support these programs in the regions,” he adds.

Pamilya Roces, which debuted last Oct. 8, tells the intertwined lives of five sisters and their mad scramble to chase after their father’s love and legacy. Joining Carla as her sisters in the series are Gabbi Garcia, Sophie Albert, Shaira Diaz, and Jasmine Curtis-Smith.

Asawa Ko, Karibal Ko, on the other hand, aired on Monday showing viewers a different face of infidelity with its compelling storyline.

The series also features the special appearance of actor Jason Abalos, whose character will eventually become a sexually reassigned woman, to be portrayed by Thea.

Meanwhile, Cain at Abel sees the reunion of two Philippine television kings for the first time after Endless Love, their last project together in 2010.

All the freshest news, events, and updates about GMA Regional TV are now available on www.gmaregionaltv.com.

Follow GMA on Facebook atwww.facebook. com/gmanetwork and GMA Regional TV at www.facebook.com/GMARegionalTV and on Twitter and Instagram via @ GMARegionalTV.

Who will be the next Queen of Quezon City?

QUEZON City continues its endeavor to spread Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) awareness through the search for the next Queen of Quezon City (QQC).

After thorough screening, 24 candidates have been officially chosen to take part in this year’s pageant and compete for the title.

The candidates, all residing in Quezon City comprise of Erwina Tirambulo from Talayan Village; Redj Daria Espinosa from Brgy. Tagumpay; Ehm-jay Buena Tuazon from Brgy.

Loyola Heights; Terresa Caranzo and Samantha Garcia from Brgy. Bagong Silangan; Louise Manalo from Brgy. San Roque, Cubao; Avah Torres Pineda from Brgy. Pag-ibig sa Nayon; Angel Artita from Brgy. Bagbag, Novaliches; Shine Rodriguez and Jhade Ellorin Soberano from Brgy. Bagong Pag-asa; Naomi Fontanos from Brgy. U.P. Village; Denine Palacio from Brgy. Mariblo; Keith Legara from Brgy. Tali-

papa, Novaliches;Casey Banes Paculan from Brgy. Piñahan; Scarlet Alcaraz and Yanyan Idalia from Brgy. Commonwealth; AndreaJustine Aliman from Brgy. Sacred Heart; Nica Kate Sapinoso Brgy. San Roque, Cubao; Jhonna Castro from Brgy. Holy Spirit, Maria General from Brgy. Nagkaisang Nayon; Summer Lariosa from Brgy. Dioquino Zobel; Rami Hannash from Brgy. Sta. Lucia, Novaliches; Ghen Antolin from Brgy.

Sta. Monica, Novaliches; and Pamcee Vera Perez from Brgy. Gulod, Novaliches.

The candidates were screened by a community led by Teresa Mariano, the QC Chief of Staff for Administration; Police Senior Inspector Rene Balmaceda, the first openly transgender cop in the Philippine National Police (PNP); and Andrew de Real, TV director and writer of Godfather of Malate and King of Comedy Bars.

From these candidates, the city will choose a new “Queen of Quezon City”, who will receive P300,000. It will also choose its new court, which will include “Lady Equality,” “Lady Respect,” and “Lady Pride,” who will each receive P100,000.

The candidates will be judged accord-

ing to their physical qualities - beauty, intelligence, and personality - and readiness to embody the ideals of the LGBT community.

The pre-pageant was held on Oct. 15 and the journey of the candidates will culminate on Coronation Night, Nov. 10, Saturday, at the University Theatre, Diliman, Quezon City.

The pageant offers a platform for the LGBT community to empower themselves and stop the discrimination they have continually faced, focusing on the virtues of respect, equality, pride, and empowerment.

Through this pageant also, Quezon City aims to emphasize the city’s role as a pioneer in the promotion and advocacy of gender fairness and equality among its residents and all Filipinos.

The city marked a big step in creating a gender-fair and gender-sensitive environment when it passed ordinance no. 2357 or the ordinance providing for a comprehensive antidiscrimination policy on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression (SOGIE) in 2016 with its corresponding Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).

Visit https://www.facebook.com/queenofquezoncity/ for more details.

ISAH V. RED

Songbird

sings from her original coop

Regine Velasquez on the stage of Dolphy Theater during ABS-CBN’s red carpet welcome for the songbird.

FOR more than two decades, the songbird chirps her melodies from a coop at the corner of Edsa and Timog avenues. She has made that coop her home and nothing could impel her to take flight and find another coop, or even fly back to her original coop.

But, last week, Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez, after landing on a bigger coop that sits on a lot along Sgt. Esguerra, Mother Ignacia and Eugenio Lopez Drive, announced that she has returned to her original home and is now a certified Kapamilya.

To many Kapamilya fans and officers that have been anticipating the day she would decide to fly home, this was a thrilling event, and to many of Regine’s fans that are also Kapamilya followers, they thought her decision was long overdue.

Yet, for Regine, coming back to ABSCBN where she practically started after she won the talent search Ang Bagon Kampeon is indeed a milestone because she never thought the Kapamilya network was still willing to take her after many years of intercession from the network that never materialized.

Teary eyed Regine said that her decision to come home was both difficult and uncertain, but thanks to her husband Ogie Alcasid, who had returned to the Kapamilya lot after leaving Kapuso and later Kapatid networks, he paved the way for her and the ABS-CBN management to talk.

Regine signed a two-year contract with the network on Oct.17 making her a certified Kapamilya.

She revealed her first major projects include a singing competition and a musical sitcom. She will also be seen every Sunday onASAP. Regine is a singer and whether she has become successful in other fields in show business like hosting and acting she continues to crave for a platform on which she can be what she is. And that was what the other networks couldn’t promise her. It took her almost a year to not to renew her contract with her former network while weighing the options to move and find out if the Kapamilya network was willing to take her in and if there was still a space for her.

And, surprisingly, all those questions in her mind and the uncertainties she had were erased totally when she got the yes from the network.

“Kinakabahan ako,” she admitted, “Hindi ko talaga alam kung ano ang magiging resulta ng pag-uusap namin. But when I got a call from ma’am Cory (Vidanes) I was literally speechless.”

The OPM icon, host, and actress revealed in her first press conference as a Kapamilya that she would judge a singing competition for the first time in the upcoming show Idol Philippines.

“It’s my first time to judge a singing contest, so it’s another first for me,” she said.

Also for the first time in her career, she will star in a yet-to-be-named musical sitcom with her husband Ogie Alcasid and actorIan Veneracion. She joined ASAP in Sidney as a run-up to her being a mainstay of the Sunday noontime variety show.

With excitement, the Songbird announced that she would perform the theme song -- written by Ogie -- of the upcomingteleserye The General’s Daughter.

“The reason why I’m here is because I don’t know how much longer I will be able to sing. And I want to work with very talented singers, that’s it -- that before I end my career I can say that I worked with the number one station,” she said.

“I realized that I still have something to give. That’s why I’m here, that’s why I returned,” she added, and said that “now is the perfect time” for her ABS-CBN homecoming. Continued on C3