Manila Standard - 2018 November 18 - Sunday

PHOENIX SETS OFF SIXTH PRICE ROLLBACK

By Alena Mae S. Flores DAVAO-BASED oil player Phoenix Petroleum Philippines led the latest oil price rollback of as much as P1.30 per liter starting noon Saturday, the sixth consecutive weekly rollback to reflect the movement of world oil prices.

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VOL. XXXII • NO. 276 • 4 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

SAYYAF KILLS FIVE SOLDIERS, HURTS 23 M

ILITANTS have killed five soldiers and wounded 23 others in a major ambush by members of a notorious Islamist kidnap-for-ransom group, military authorities said Saturday.

The soldiers were searching for hostages taken by the Abu Sayyaf group when the gunmen attacked them in Jolo on Friday, regional military spokesman Lt. Col. Gerry Besana told reporters.

Meanwhile, the Abu Sayyaf Group bandits have released a woman they kidnapped to-

gether with her husband almost two months ago in Zamboanga del Norte, police said Saturday.

In a statement, the Sulu Provincial Police Office said the victim, Helen Roda, was released around 2:30 p.m. Thursday in Barangay Anuling, Patikul, Sulu.

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CITY OF LIGHTS.

Manila City government turns on the lights on 200 lanterns along Roxas Boulevard from P. Burgos Street to Vito Cruz—part of the 1,300 to be put up along major thoroughfares, parks, and city government buildings and properties across the city. Lino Santos

CLASH OF TITANS: CHINA, US LOCK HORNS ANEW A4

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ABBY LAUDS ‘PSYCH’ LICENSURE PASSERS

HARBINGER. The giant Christmas tree in front of the Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City is lighted just in time for the Yuletide season.

Sonny Espiritu

PAPUA NEW GUINEA, PH INK ‘AGRI’ DEAL

By Joel E. Zurbano MAYOR Abigail Binay on Saturday praised the 35 psychology students of University of Makati (UMak), including one who made it to the top six for passing the Psychometrician Licensure Test held last Oct. 29 and 30.

“My warmest congratulations to our newly licensed psychometricians!

Thank you for bringing pride and glory not just to your alma matter, but to Makati City as a whole. May you inspire more young Makatizens to strive hard in their studies,” said Binay.

The city chief executive also lauded board sixth placer, Van Halen Adto, for a notable achievement, saying “your hard work and passion to excel in your chosen field are worth emulating by the youth of Makati.”

Based on the official results released by the Professional Regulation Commission last Nov. 9, only 47 percent or 4,035 out of the 8,453 examinees nationwide passed the said licensure examination.

UMak has obtained 53.03 percent overall passing rate after 35 out of its 66 examinees passed, including Adto who ranked 6th with an overall rating of 81.20 percent.

College of Science Department of Psychology head Dr. Donna Carbonilla said the other newly licensed psychometricians from UMAK are Mark Yvonne Abejero, Ma. Crisanta Attunaga, Pamela Mae Bagarinao, Geraldine Grace Ballesta, Ma. Andrea Baluyut, Hazel Barino, Stephanie Grace Borromeo, Ariane Jane Capiltan, Jayson Emmanuel Co, Ana Marie Elaine Dalena, Kimberly Mae De Leon, Marimar Dela Cruz, Norielyn Follero, James Philip Gervacio, Richel Joy Guiling, Geraldine Lachica, and Jasmin Grace Ladisla.

Completing the list of UMak passers are Maria Romelyn Longno, Melody Magtarayo, Angeline Mercado, Mary Grace Miranda, Airel Ann Olarte, Mary Jane Oliveros, Marjorie Olladas, Agape Christelle Maye Perez, Jovigail Pili, Rehenna Jane Reyes, Angela Grace Sales, Melissa Sicat, Adriane Jomel Sodusta, Irish Anne Sta. Ana, Donna Tesorero, Joy Marie Todoc, and Mary Christine Vargas.

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5K COPS TO SECURE SINO LEADER’S VISIT

HE Manila Police District is making sure that Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit next week is safe and secured.

MPD Director Senior Supt. Vicente Danao said his office has deployed around 5,000 policemen to secure Xi’s visit and are now under heightened alert.

“We are preparing at least 4,000 to 5,000 personnel along the route [of Xi Jinping],”Danao told ABS-CBN News Saturday.

He said police will lock down all areas where the Chinese president will pass through.

Malacañang earlier confirmed that Xi would be in the country for a state visit from Nov. 20 to 21.

It would be the first visit of a Chinese president in 13 years after its former president Hu Jintao, visited the country in 2005, and is happening amid improving ties between Manila and Beijing.

Xi first visited the country in November 2015 to attend a world leaders’ meeting. The Philippine president at the time was Benigno Aquino III, who later hailed China to a United Nations-backed arbitral tribunal over the South China Sea dispute and won.

Meanwhile, Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año called on the Movie and Television Review Classification Board and the ABS-CBN television network management to look into the alleged negative portrayal of the police in the latter’s top-rated TV series “Ang Probinsiyano”.

Año made the call before some 400 local government executives, legislators, private sector stakeholders, top Philippine National Police officials, National Police Commission officials and the National Advisory Council during the closing rites on Friday evening of the four-day 4th National Advisory Council Summit at the Monochrome Events Place in Nuvali green district this city.

He said he would seek a meeting with the MTCRB and ABS-CBN management to discuss the issue.

He admitted that there are still issues the PNP face, where around 0.1 percent of the police organization is among those he called the “pasaway” (scalawags) but assured t h a t t h e D I LG i s a d d r e s s i n g these, including the TV show’s bad portrayal of cops. With PNA

COMELEC: REPORT POLL ‘INFLUENCERS’

IN THE wake of persistent reports about certain groups claiming that they can influence the outcome of the upcoming automated elections, the Commission on Elections has issued a strong warning against this activity.

“The Comelec forcefully reiterates that any person claiming to be able to influence the outcome of the elections, in exchange for whatever amount of money or other consideration, is a scammer and a criminal,” said Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez.

Last week, a woman was reportedly arrested for charging local candidates an exorbitant fee, in exchange for assurances of manipulating the Automated Election System in their favor. “The AES has

been used since 2010, and the results have stood the test of time and scrutiny. No evidence has ever been presented that the results were wrong or tampered, simply because it cannot be done,” Jimenez said.

In the meantime, the election body has issued a statement stating that“all Comelec officials and employees join the entire Commission en Banc in condemning these claims, in the strongest possible terms, and vow to spare no effort in bringing all who make such spurious promises, to justice.”

“The public is invited to report these scammers directly to us, through hotline numbers 5259294 and 5259296, or through social media @ COMELEC on Twitter, and @Comelec.

Ph on Facebook,” said Jimenez.

THEY are fools and are like the terrorist group ISIS. This was how President Rodrigo Duterte described the Magdalo Party in a scathing speech he delivered before the Filipino community in Papua New Guinea.

“Be careful with Magdalo. Be careful of ‘yang partidong Magdalo. Ito ‘yung mga rebeldeng sundalo na nagkalat diyan sa Makati pati sa Peninsula Hotel. And they destroyed everything, parang ISIS ang mga buang.”

“Its members know nothing but kill, pick a fight, and shame people, “the President said.

“Wala silang alam kung ‘di to kill, maghahamon, magbastos. Be careful again with military lalo na ‘yang mga

rebelde tapos na-rehab because they were extended pardon by Aquino (former President Benigno III], ayon.”

According to the President, when the party assumed power, they began to feel they are invincible.

Magdalo has for its members Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and Rep. Gary Alejano, who is running for a Senate seat in 2019.

Alejano, meanwhile, hit back at the president and said that the Magdalo party is not a terrorist group.

“The Magdalo are not terrorists. It is extremely flippant and utterly disrespectful for the President to liken us to terrorists,” Alejano said in a statement.

“Being former soldiers, we have risked our lives on many occasion to fight terrorists and protect our country from enemies

BAY CLEANUP YIELDS TONS OF GARBAGE THE Manila Bay weekend cleanup campaign initiated by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority yielded more garbage as agency personnel collected seven truckloads or more than 27 tons of waste.

This is the third Saturday that the MMDA gathered individuals to pick up and haul trash on the shoreline of the Manila Bay this month.

On Nov. 3, the collected garbage weighed about 27 tons followed by 34 tons last week.

M M DA c h a i r m a n D a n i l o L i m s a i d t h e c l e a n u p d r i ve, a i m e d to promote environmental consciousness, involved 200 agency streetsweepers and was participated in by employees and teams from the city government of Manila, Coast Guard, Manila Bay Sunset Partnership Program, Rotary Club members, and college students.

Most of the waste collected were bamboo poles and driftwood which had been carried by currents from nearby fish pens, water hyacinths, plastics, household trash, and sorts of garbage thrown indiscriminately into esteros and creeks. Joel E. Zurbano

ENTERTAINMENT / D3

WILL

KATARINA RODRIGUEZ BE PH’S 2ND MISS WORLD? DESTINATIONS/ D1

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DESTINATION AND A HOME

MRT 3 OFFLOADS 650 PASSENGERS

DAZZLING SHOW. LED and glow dancers added dazzle and enlightenment during the recent launch of 8990 Leisure and Resorts, at Makati City, which is set to introduce a diverse range of luxury hotels and resorts that cuts across the market. It is eyeing to open in the Philippines’ key tourist destinations in the next five years. Ey Acasio

DU30 DESCRIBES MAGDALO GROUP ‘LIKE AN ISIS’

By Maricel V. Cruz

A FIVE-YEAR Memorandum Of Agreement for greater cooperation on agriculture was signed between the Philippines and Papua New Guinea on the sidelines of the attendance of President Rodrigo R. Duterte at the 26th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders Meeting on Friday.

A statement from Malacañang said among the areas of cooperation under the agreement include a tieup on rice and grain production, including the development of hybrid species; production of coconut, cocoa, coffee, rubber, and palm oil; horticulture production; aquaculture and inland fish farming; post-harvest development; livestock breeding; and improvement in breeding cattle and goat.

It also covers training on bio-security mechanism and systems for monitoring, including sanitary and phytosanitary measures; agribusiness development; infrastructure development such as irrigation facilities and abattoirs; and agricultural research, education, and training.

Moreover, there will also be investment in agriculture; exchange of professionals, scientists, and technicians; transfer of genetic materials and technology; exchange of scientific and technical information; and collaboration on studies and research.

Both countries can also organize workshops, symposiums, training courses, and exhibition on related subjects. PNA

CHINA and the United States crossed swords Saturday ahead of an APEC summit, duelling over protectionism, trade tariffs and “chequebook diplomacy” as they laid out sharply contrasting visions for the Pacific Rim region.

In combative back-to-back speeches at a business forum held on a hulking cruise ship moored in Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea, Xi Jinping and US Vice President Mike Pence pulled few punches.

The feisty exchanges laid the ground for what could be a fiery encounter between the Chinese leader and President Donald Trump at next month’s G20 in Argentina.

Xi lashed out at “America First” trade protectionism and in a thinly veiled swipe at Washington stressed that global trade rules should not be applied “with double standards or selfish agendas.”

The world’s top two economies have been embroiled in a spiralling trade war, imposing tit-for-tat tariffs on each other’s goods in a confrontation experts warn could torpedo the global economy.

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of the state,” Alejano, a staunch critic of the Duterte administration, added.

Alejano also cried foul over what he described as the President’s insult and disrespect to the Magdalo group—which has been critical to the President and his administration.

He said Magdalo has been an advocate of anti-corruption.

“When we were assigned in different parts of the country, we saw first-hand the poverty and lack of government services for Filipinos. Worse, we saw the corrupt activities of government and military officials while the people and soldiers on the ground were struggling. This led us to stage the Oakwood and Manila Peninsula protests to air our grievances and expose the widespread corruption in government,” Alejano said.

HERE we go again.

MRT 3 passengers had to endure another inconvenience when its nor thbound train was forced to unload 650 riders due to a technical problem.

In an advisory, the MRT 3 management said the train offloaded an approximately 650 passengers at Buendia station due to electrical failure in the train’s motor at 1:10 p.m.

“Passengers were loaded in the next train which arrived 6 minutes later,” it said.

“We apologize for the inconvenience,” it added.

The MRT 3 management said the electraical failure may have been casued by worn-out electrical subcomponents.

It added that preventive maintenance and replacement of electrical components were implemented as remedial measures.

I WAS NOT NEGLIGENT AS MAKATI MAYOR—PEÑA

ASPIRING Makati City congressman Romulo Peña Jr. on Saturday debunked the claim of his rival that he was negligent when he acted as city mayor from 2015 to 2016.

“If my rival meant that my short-lived but remarkable performance as acting mayor falls under neglect, then I will be proud to say that I am indeed a ‘negligent’ leader,” Peña said in a statement.

Peña is seeking a House seat to represent the first district of Makati this coming May 2019 midterm elections.

He is running against former Vice President Jejomar Binay who said earlier that public services and government operations “were ignored and declined

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APEC CRUISE SHIP..

during the time of Mayor Peña and these included significant benefits for residents he initiated during his term as Makati mayor.”

Binay, who also served as mayor of Makati from 1986 to 1998 and from 2001 to 2010 before he was elected vice president in 2010 also said that his daughter, incumbent Mayor Abigail Binay, deserved to be reelected because she performed well and had shown genuine compassion for her constituents compared to her predecessor.

But according to Peña, he implemented good governance and transparency, and paved the way for notable improvements in Makati during his time. Joel Zurbano

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This picture taken on Nov. 13, 2018 shows security guards keeping watch over the cruise ship Pacific Jewels, which will accommodate delegates and journalists at the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit, in Port Moresby. AFP

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RODY'S AX FALLS ON UNNAMED PUBLIC OFFICIAL

EDUCATION CHIEF EASES TEACHERS' WOES OVER SSL

By Vito Barcelo PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte, attending the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in Papua New Guinea, said another top—but unidentified—government official would be fired by him on his return to the Philippines, Malacañang said Saturday.

The President, who cut short his three-day visit to Papua New Guinea, is expected to arrive Sunday morning in Davao City.

He came from Singapore where he participated in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo declined to name the official but said the government official was involved in graft and corruption.

In his speech before Filipino community in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, Duterte said he would try to stop corruption and needed to return, because there would be another official to be fired.

“I will really remove you. Sorry," Duterte said during a meeting with the Filipino community last Friday night.

In line with his campaign to weed out corruption in the bureaucracy, Duterte said he had fired several officials including a Cabinet member whom he caught “lying” during a Cabinet meeting.

The President was originally scheduled to attend the APEC economic leaders’ summit on Nov. 17 and 18 to push for closer economic integration in the region.

The Palace released a revised itinerary of the President and was scheduled to leave Papua New Guinea and arrive at the Davao City international airport on Sunday morning.

The Palace assured that despite the President’s absence in some APEC events, the Philippines continued to support the chairmanship of Papua New Guinea.

On the drugs campaign, the President said in his speech “I have remaining three (years). I hope that I can put in place something.”

There are over 40,000 Filipinos in the country, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Duterte assured the Filipino workers in Papua New Guinea that the administration had gained momentum in fighting corruption and illegal drugs.

Moreover, he said he had also fired several members of his government, including police personnel, who were accused of abuses and wrongdoings but acknowledged that it continued to be a problem.

“Do you know why illegal drugs continues? Because it’s money and it’s very hot,” Duterte said, stressing that several police personnel were drug coddlers themselves.

Last week, Duterte said he wanted “the entire government machinery” to participate in the administration’s aggressive crackdown on illegal drugs.

“I will issue a memorandum circular directing the entire government machinery to mobilize its assets and to take an active role in government’s anti-illegal drug campaign nationwide,”Duterte said.

The President said he also wanted to create a task force on anti-illegal drugs composed of different law enforcement agencies.

“What we have is the moving forward to eradicate illegal drug trade, activate a National Anti-illegal Drug Task Force,” Duterte said.

He said the task force would be composed of the personnel assets from the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Bureau of Customs, Philippine Coast Guard and other agencies of the government. With PNA

PHOENIX SETS...

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Phoenix announced the rollback of P1.30 per liter for gasoline and P1.10 per liter for diesel while other oil companies were expected to follow suit.

This latest rollback comes even as the government has decided to suspend the implementation of the second phase of the excise tax by January 2019 as part of the government’s ongoing tax reform program.

Prior to this latest rollback, year-to-date adjustments as monitored by the Department of Energy are now at a net increase of P3.90 per liter for gasoline, P7.10 per liter for diesel and P6.43 per liter for kerosene.

Gasoline in Metro Manila currently sells from P45.70 to P59.30 per liter while diesel sells from P41.50 to P50.29 per liter.

World oil prices have been on downward trend this past weeks amid ample supply but weak market.

DoE monitoring showed that gasoline prices have been falling due to supply overhang.

The oil firms also cut prices gasoline prices by P2.30 to P2.50 per liter and diesel

by P2 per liter last week.

By Jimbo Gulle

P

UBLIC school teachers threatening a nationwide sit-down strike on Nov. 29 got the same raise as other government workers under the Salary Standardization Law, yet enjoyed comparatively more benefits than their peers in public service and would even get raises to their allowances soon, Education Secretary Leonor Briones told Manila Standard.

In a telephone interview late Friday, Briones said she would have to find out the legal implications of a strike planned by the members of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers, and added she would wait to see what their other demands are.

Even then, public school teachers can expect a raise in their so-called “chalk allowance” from P3,500 to P5,000 by next year and a similar increase to their anniversary bonuses, the Education chief told the Standard.

Briones noted that this was on top of their unique benefits as teachers— two months’ worth of paid vacation leave during summer when school is out and two weeks’ paid vacation during the Christmas holidays.

“No other [government] employee

receives that benefit,” she said. “We also have to consider how to compensate other people in government, like the guidance counselors, engineers and nurses [also employed by the Department of Education].”

“We have to see the perspective of the national government, which has to treat its many children equally as much as possible. [The SSL increase] is for everybody,” Briones added.

In a press conference Friday, ACT laid out its plans to demonstrate the teachers’ unhappiness over the programmed P551 wage increase next year—which they said was inadequate as they were overworked and underpaid—as provided by the SSL. The law that improved government workers’ salaries is covered

under Republic Act 10717 (the General Appropriations Act of 2016) and Executive Order No. 201, series of 2016, both signed by then-President Benigno Simeon Aquino III. In May, President Rodrigo Duterte promised to raise public teachers’ salaries but admitted doubling their salaries, as lobbied for by groups like ACT,“may not be possible at this time.”

“But I can’t double it. We can’t afford. I’m not blaming anybody, but there are simply too many Filipinos.

We lack resources,” Duterte said during a teachers’ conference in his hometown of Davao City last May 4.

Briones also noted that giving into the group’s demands would widen the public school teachers’ gap with their private school counterparts, who are already “crossing over” to the government institutions because the salaries there are already much better, even when compared to school systems abroad.

“It’s an interesting phenomenon.

Private schools in the provinces are already closing down because they can’t catch up with the [teachers’] salaries and benefits in public schools,” the Education chief said.

“We have to see what their other demands are, but on first glance, how many billions [of pesos] will you need to give increases to over 800,000

teachers?” Briones asked. “So we shall see what other benefits we can give them without breaking the law, and not widen their gap with other government employees.”

At a news conference in Quezon City on Friday, Joselyn Martinez, ACTPhilippines chairperson, said they would hold a series of actions in Metro Manila and other regions.

“On Nov. 19, we will go to the Senate to submit the signatures we have gathered to demand a wage increase,” she said.

“On Nov. 29, we will have a nationwide sitdown strike, the highest form of strike. Teachers will not teach. They will go outside of their schools, while some will [just] stay at the [school] gate or quadrangle to dramatize our sentiments to President Duterte that we are not happy to get an increase of P551 [in 2019],” Martinez added.

Teachers who do strike may be charged with refusal to perform official duty, gross insubordination, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, and absence without leave, according to Republic Act 4670 or the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers. The penalty for striking is a suspension of six months to one year for the first offense, and dismissal from service on the second offense.

PINOYS IN PAPUA. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and several members of his Cabinet stand at attention during the singing of the Philippine national anthem during his meeting with the Filipinos based in Papua New Guinea at the Filipino Community Center in Port Moresby on Nov. 16, 2018. Presidential Photo

SAYYAF KILLS...

From A1

ASG sub-leaders Mujer Yadah and Injam Yadah released Roda following the alleged payment of a P1-million ransom, police said.

The ransom was reportedly delivered by two unidentified negotiators who, at the same time, accompanied Roda in her travel to Zamboanga City aboard a commercial ferry, police said.

Roda was released 29 days after the ASG bandits freed her husband, Rufo, a militiaman, on Oct. 18 following the alleged payment of P1.2 million in ransom.

They were seized on Aug. 31 by five ASG bandits following a firefight in Barangay Piacan, a coastal village

CLASH...

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Xi urged the world to “say no to protectionism and unilateralism,” warning it was a “short-sighted approach” that was “doomed to failure.”

For his part, Pence vowed US tariffs would remain in place unless Beijing “changes its ways.”

“We’ve put tariffs on $250 billion in Chinese goods and that number could more than double,” he told CEOs from around the region.

Amid fears diplomatic and trade friction could spill over into the military sphere, Pence announced the US would join forces with Australia in the develop-

in the town of Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte.

Six people, including a militiaman, were killed while a child was wounded in the clash that broke out when the militiamen responded to the reported arrival of five gunmen clad in camouflage uniforms.

Roda’s release has brought down to six the number of hostages still in the hands of the ASG bandits. The hostages include a Dutch, a Vietnamese, and four Filipinos.

According to Besana, “The effort is part of our mission to rescue the remaining hostages.”

The Abu Sayyaf is a loose alliance of several hundred armed militants formed in the 1990s with seed money from Osama bin Laden’s Al-Qaeda network.

Friday’s clash was one of the deadliest since an Abu Sayyaf faction

ment of a new naval base.

And in a move likely to irritate Beijing, he also briefly met Taiwan’s APEC representative.

Trump decided to skip the summit in Papua New Guinea, leaving the door open for Xi, who arrived two days earlier for a state visit and has been the undoubted star of the show.

Xi opened a new road and a school in Port Moresby, where he was serenaded by dozens of people from various tribes sporting parrot feathers, possum pelts and seashell necklaces.

Staggering debt The APEC summit of leaders from 21 countries across the region has developed into a tussle for influence between an increasingly assertive China and a more withdrawn US.

joined other foreign and Filipino militants in seizing the southern Philippine city of Marawi last year, leading to a five-month battle that claimed more than 1,100 lives.

The Abu Sayyaf is now believed to hold “less than 10” hostages, Besana said.

The group is based in Mindanao but its members began in 2016 to kidnap sailors in the waters between Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.

The militants have also raided and taken hostages from resorts in the Mindanao and neighboring Malaysia.

Most of the hostages have been ransomed off for huge amounts of money and several were beheaded, including two Canadian tourists in 2016.

A Dutch birdwatcher abducted on

a nearby island in 2012 is believed to be among those still in Abu Sayyaf’s hands.

The Dutchman’s Swiss colleague escaped in 2014 after grabbing a kidnapper’s machete and killing him.

The soldiers who survived Friday’s ambush did not see any hostages during the 90-minute clash near the town of Patikul, Besana said.

Besana added the soldiers from the Army’s 41st Infantry Battalion were on combat patrol when they encountered the ASG bandits under Almuder Yadah and Sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, identified as two notorious ASG leaders.

He said the fighting erupted in different stages, the first lasting for an hour. After a couple of minutes of lull, gunfire rang anew, sparking a 30-minute battle. AFP, Francisco Tuyay, PNA

This appeared to be borne out by the first “family photo” of leaders, which featured Xi front and center while Pence was absent.

But in his speech, Pence criticized Chinese largesse in strong terms, mocking the Belt-and-Road initiative that sees the emerging superpower offering loans to poorer countries in the region to improve infrastructure.

The vice president urged Pacific nations to embrace the United States, which, he said, did not offer a “constricting belt or a one-way road.”

He said the terms of China’s loans were “opaque at best” and “too often, they come with strings attached and lead to staggering debt.”

“Do not accept foreign debt that could compromise your sovereignty,”

he said.

“We don’t drown our partners in a sea of debt... We don’t coerce, corrupt, or compromise your independence. The United States deals openly and fairly.”

As if pre-empting the criticism, Xi defended the plan amid attacks it is akin to “chequebook diplomacy” to further Chinese interests in the region.

He denied there was a “hidden geopolitical agenda... nor is it a trap as some people have labelled it.”

And the Chinese leader warned that no one would gain from heightened tensions between the US and Beijing.

“History has shown that confrontation -- whether in the form of a cold war, hot war or trade war -- will produce no winners,” he said.

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GOV’T SETS P24-B BOND ON MISLATEL

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P24-BILLION performance bond is what Mislatel will give up in favor of the Philippine government if it fails to make good on its commitments as the third telecommunications player in the country, according to Eliseo Rio, officer in charge of the Department of Information and Communications Technology.

“For the first time in our history, we required a new telco player to come up with timebound commitments and putting their money where their mouths are,” Rio said.

The roadblocks have been cleared for the confirmation of the Mislatel consortium led

by Davao tycoon Dennis Uy and China Telecom as the third player with the resolution of petitions against Mislatel’s selection.

“The National Telecommunications Commission En Banc may now issue the confirmation order in favor of the selected new major telco player, which is Mislatel, should it qualify,” Rio said in a Facebook post.

The Mislatel consortium was chosen as the “provisional” third telco player after submitting complete bid documents last Nov. 7.

Mislatel, however, faced questions on its eligibility and franchise validity from disqualified bidder Sear Telecom and its partner TierOne, a group supported by former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson.

Mislatel had pledged to provide Internet connection service at speeds close to that in Singapore.

President Rodrigo Duterte had pushed for the entry of a third telco player to challenge PLDT and Globe, and improve communication and Internet services in the country.

I SEEK JUSTICE, NOT REVENGE—PAOLO DAVAO CITY—Presidential son and former Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte on Saturday said he was not bound to exact revenge on outgoing Senator Antonio Trillanes IV. “I honestly do not seek revenge. What I seek is justice,” Paolo said in a statement posted on Facebook.

He said Trillanes is worthless, “perhaps except for the few who believed in the lies he concocted against me and my family.”

“As he is today, he will be worthless.

I have filed cases against him and he should man up and face these cases in court,” Paolo said.

He said he will devote his time to serve the Dabawenyos “considering the insignificance and uselessness of Mr. Trillanes.”

On Friday, President Rodrigo Duterte said Paolo is running for Congress to get back at Trillanes, who had tagged him behind the P6.4-million shabu smuggling that the Bureau of Customs failed to intercept in 2017.

“I think he’s running for Congressman kasi napahiya. Pinahiya ni Trillanes,” Duterte said before the Filipino community in Papua New Guinea.

“Pulong gaganti talaga yan. He will be running for Congress, tabla sila doon,” Duterte said.

Trillanes will end his term as senator next year and he denied reports that he was made a nominee of the Magdalo Party.

He added he is not running in any position.

Paolo had since filed criminal and civil libel charges against the Magdalo senator.

Still on Trillanes, President Duterte said former Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes committed suicide after Senator Antonio Trillanes IV shamed him at a Senate hearing several years back.

“Yung binastos niya [Trillanes] tapos the guy [Angie Reyes] tried to stand up and said, ‘I just want to protect my dignity.’ Tapos sinabi nito… ‘I could not really believe it from a PMAer to a PMAer nauna ka.’ Sabi niya [Trillanes] ‘You sit down because you do not have any dignity’,” Dutere said referring to the shaming episode at the Senate.

Then, Duterte said Reyes went to the cemetery, and at the tomb of his mother he took his life.

Reyes was accused of pocketing at least P50 million in “sendoff ” money upon his retirement as military chief in 2001, which led to a Senate inquiry.

‘SOME ICC JUDGES IDIOTS’

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Friday again hit out at the International Criminal Court, asserting that he would not submit himself for trial in The International Criminal Court because some of its judges are “idiots.”

Duterte spoke before the Filipino community in Papua New Guinea on Friday.

Duterte does not recognize the ICC, saying that it is an EU creation, and that it is not the International Court of Justice.

He claimed that some of its judges are probably pedophiles and drunkards. “So why would I

allow myself to be tried by a few idiots?”

He also renewed his threat to slap one of ICC prosecutors who is in Manila.

The ICC wants to begin soon its investigation into alleged human rights violations of the Duterte administration that led to the thousands of deaths linked to his war on illegal drugs.

Recently, a lawyer sued Duterte before the ICC for allegedly committing crimes against humanity, also stemming from the rising number of deaths related to his war on drugs.

GENERAL GUIDELINES: 1. Disposal of GSIS Investment Properties – Retail Units (IP-RUs) is through a competitive public bidding process.

Acceptance of Purchase Offer shall start on the scheduled bidding date and time.

2. Dropping of bid envelopes inside the designated bid box will be on the date of auction from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Opening of Bids will immediately follow.

3. Disposal of GSIS IP-RUs is on “As-Is Where-Is” basis.

Interested bidders are enjoined to personally inspect the GSIS IP-RUs for sale. “As-Is Where-Is” is defined as the present physical condition of the retail unit that GSIS is selling and the buyer is buying, “with all attendant faults, if any,” whether or not immediately apparent and without any express or implied warranty. The buyer takes this condition at his or her own risk, without recourse against the GSIS as to their condition. This includes knowledge by the buyer of the presence of occupants in the retailunit being purchased.

4. Strictly, “One bidder, One specific property” only, which means that a bidder cannot submit two (2) or more bids for one property. A bidder may submit one bid each to as many properties as he wants to buy, as long as, he posts a bidder’s deposit for each property in an amount provided below. The bidder must present valid government IDs upon registration on the date of public bidding.

5. Purchase offer may either be in Cash or through External Financing Institution.

6. A downloadable bid form shall be properly accomplished with the following data: a. b. c. d. e.

Name and complete address of the bidder Exact address of property you are interested to bid Transfer Certificate of Title No. Amount of bid (in numbers and in words) 10 % Bidder’s Deposit equivalent to 10% of the total amount of bid offer f. Signature of the bidder/representative 7. Bid proposal shall be written in words and in figures and shall not be lower than the Minimum Bid Price of the property published in the newspaper or posted in the GSIS website. Should there be a difference in the amount in words and in figures, the amount in words shall prevail.

8. Bidders’ deposit equivalent to at least 10% of the Bid Offer shall be in the form of MANAGER’S CHECK payable to the Government Service Insurance System 9. The following shall be inserted on the sealed bid envelope: a. the properly accomplished downloadable bid form b. Manager’s Check payable to Government Service Insurance c. System representing deposit equivalent to at least 10% of the Bid Offer d. the Special Power of Attorney (SPA), if the bidder is an authorized representative e. pre-conditional approval from PBCOM, if applicable f. proofs of occupancy (see No. 12.c.1 and c.2) 10. The following information shall be clearly written outside the sealed bid envelope (mailing envelope) (Address of Property you want to bid) Block No. ______ Lot. No. ______ Phase No.____ Name of Subdivision Address of Subdivision TCT NO. _______ Mode: __________ Cash __________ thru External Financing Institution Name of Bidder: Mailing Address: 11. Interested bidders planning to purchase the GSIS property through External Financing Institution (EFI) shall first secure certification from accredited banks

stating that he/she is qualified to avail of a loan from External Financing Institution and insert inside the bid envelope.

12. The existing tenant or occupant or his duly authorized representative through a valid Special Power of Attorney (SPA) has the right to match the offer of the declared highest bidder, provided: a. he/she is present during the bidding b. participated in actual bidding c. presently occupying the property subject of bidding supported by the following proofs of occupancy: c.1

Barangay certificate that he/she is occupying or residing in the subject property

c.2. Any valid government identification document with his/her address similar to the address of the property he/.she is bidding.

13.If the occupant will exercise his/her right to match the offer of the declared highest bidder, he/she need not secure another bank pre-qualification corresponding to the matched offer. Instead, he/she shall pay the equity in cash as stated in Notice of Approval of Sale (NOAS).

The equity shall be computed as the difference between the Letter of Guarantee from the bank and the offered bid amount.

14.The declared highest/winning bidder shall submit within the day of the actual bidding, the following documents: (a) duly accomplished Personal Profile/Company Profile/Corporate Profile, whichever is applicable (downloadable); (b) photocopies of two valid IDs (one should be a government-issued ID); (c) Articles of Incorporation/Partnership, By-Laws and current General Information Sheet, for corporation/ partnership, if applicable; (d) Registration Certificate from SEC for corporation/ partnership, DTI for sole proprietorship and CDA for cooperatives, or any proof of such registration, if applicable; (e) current Mayor’s permit issued by the city or municipality where the principal place of business of the winning bidder is located, if applicable.

15.A Notice of Approval of Sale (NOAS) shall be issued to the highest/winning bidder on the day of bidding.

16.In case the bid is in CASH, the 90% balance of the bid amount shall be paid either in cash or manager’s check within thirty (30) calendar days from receipt of NOAS, without privilege of extension.

17.In case the bid is thru EFI, the equity shall be paid in cash within thirty (30) calendar days from receipt of Letter of Guarantee (LOG) by the GSIS. The equity is the amount corresponding to the difference between the LOG and the Offered Bid Amount.

18.Upon issuance of the NOAS to the highest/winning bidder, the Bidder’s Deposit of the other non-winning bidder/s shall be returned immediately.

19.Non-compliance with the terms and conditions stated in the NOAS shall result in the forfeiture of the bidder’s deposit.

20.In case the highest/winning bidder fails to comply with the requirements within the specified time, the GSIS shall write the second highest bidder to confirm if he/she is still interested to acquire the property. If still interested, GSIS will require him/her to pay the non-refundable deposit equivalent to ten percent (10%) of his/her previously submitted bid amount and will be issued NOAS. 21.GSIS reserves the right to waive any formality or to reject any or all bids received. The list of properties available for sale may be updated without prior notice.

22.For inquiries, you may call Real Property Accounts Management Department at telephone nos. 479-3536 or 976-4619.

(MS-NOV. 17,18 & 19, 2018)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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News IN BRIEF

ABBY LAUDS ‘PSYCH’ LICENSURE PASSERS

HARBINGER. The giant Christmas tree in front of the Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City is lighted just in time for the Yuletide season.

Sonny Espiritu

PAPUA NEW GUINEA, PH INK ‘AGRI’ DEAL

By Joel E. Zurbano MAYOR Abigail Binay on Saturday praised the 35 psychology students of University of Makati (UMak), including one who made it to the top six for passing the Psychometrician Licensure Test held last Oct. 29 and 30.

“My warmest congratulations to our newly licensed psychometricians!

Thank you for bringing pride and glory not just to your alma matter, but to Makati City as a whole. May you inspire more young Makatizens to strive hard in their studies,” said Binay.

The city chief executive also lauded board sixth placer, Van Halen Adto, for a notable achievement, saying “your hard work and passion to excel in your chosen field are worth emulating by the youth of Makati.”

Based on the official results released by the Professional Regulation Commission last Nov. 9, only 47 percent or 4,035 out of the 8,453 examinees nationwide passed the said licensure examination.

UMak has obtained 53.03 percent overall passing rate after 35 out of its 66 examinees passed, including Adto who ranked 6th with an overall rating of 81.20 percent.

College of Science Department of Psychology head Dr. Donna Carbonilla said the other newly licensed psychometricians from UMAK are Mark Yvonne Abejero, Ma. Crisanta Attunaga, Pamela Mae Bagarinao, Geraldine Grace Ballesta, Ma. Andrea Baluyut, Hazel Barino, Stephanie Grace Borromeo, Ariane Jane Capiltan, Jayson Emmanuel Co, Ana Marie Elaine Dalena, Kimberly Mae De Leon, Marimar Dela Cruz, Norielyn Follero, James Philip Gervacio, Richel Joy Guiling, Geraldine Lachica, and Jasmin Grace Ladisla.

Completing the list of UMak passers are Maria Romelyn Longno, Melody Magtarayo, Angeline Mercado, Mary Grace Miranda, Airel Ann Olarte, Mary Jane Oliveros, Marjorie Olladas, Agape Christelle Maye Perez, Jovigail Pili, Rehenna Jane Reyes, Angela Grace Sales, Melissa Sicat, Adriane Jomel Sodusta, Irish Anne Sta. Ana, Donna Tesorero, Joy Marie Todoc, and Mary Christine Vargas.

T

5K COPS TO SECURE SINO LEADER’S VISIT

HE Manila Police District is making sure that Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit next week is safe and secured.

MPD Director Senior Supt. Vicente Danao said his office has deployed around 5,000 policemen to secure Xi’s visit and are now under heightened alert.

“We are preparing at least 4,000 to 5,000 personnel along the route [of Xi Jinping],”Danao told ABS-CBN News Saturday.

He said police will lock down all areas where the Chinese president will pass through.

Malacañang earlier confirmed that Xi would be in the country for a state visit from Nov. 20 to 21.

It would be the first visit of a Chinese president in 13 years after its former president Hu Jintao, visited the country in 2005, and is happening amid improving ties between Manila and Beijing.

Xi first visited the country in November 2015 to attend a world leaders’ meeting. The Philippine president at the time was Benigno Aquino III, who later hailed China to a United Nations-backed arbitral tribunal over the South China Sea dispute and won.

Meanwhile, Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año called on the Movie and Television Review Classification Board and the ABS-CBN television network management to look into the alleged negative portrayal of the police in the latter’s top-rated TV series “Ang Probinsiyano”.

Año made the call before some 400 local government executives, legislators, private sector stakeholders, top Philippine National Police officials, National Police Commission officials and the National Advisory Council during the closing rites on Friday evening of the four-day 4th National Advisory Council Summit at the Monochrome Events Place in Nuvali green district this city.

He said he would seek a meeting with the MTCRB and ABS-CBN management to discuss the issue.

He admitted that there are still issues the PNP face, where around 0.1 percent of the police organization is among those he called the “pasaway” (scalawags) but assured t h a t t h e D I LG i s a d d r e s s i n g these, including the TV show’s bad portrayal of cops. With PNA

COMELEC: REPORT POLL ‘INFLUENCERS’

IN THE wake of persistent reports about certain groups claiming that they can influence the outcome of the upcoming automated elections, the Commission on Elections has issued a strong warning against this activity.

“The Comelec forcefully reiterates that any person claiming to be able to influence the outcome of the elections, in exchange for whatever amount of money or other consideration, is a scammer and a criminal,” said Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez.

Last week, a woman was reportedly arrested for charging local candidates an exorbitant fee, in exchange for assurances of manipulating the Automated Election System in their favor. “The AES has

been used since 2010, and the results have stood the test of time and scrutiny. No evidence has ever been presented that the results were wrong or tampered, simply because it cannot be done,” Jimenez said.

In the meantime, the election body has issued a statement stating that“all Comelec officials and employees join the entire Commission en Banc in condemning these claims, in the strongest possible terms, and vow to spare no effort in bringing all who make such spurious promises, to justice.”

“The public is invited to report these scammers directly to us, through hotline numbers 5259294 and 5259296, or through social media @ COMELEC on Twitter, and @Comelec.

Ph on Facebook,” said Jimenez.

THEY are fools and are like the terrorist group ISIS. This was how President Rodrigo Duterte described the Magdalo Party in a scathing speech he delivered before the Filipino community in Papua New Guinea.

“Be careful with Magdalo. Be careful of ‘yang partidong Magdalo. Ito ‘yung mga rebeldeng sundalo na nagkalat diyan sa Makati pati sa Peninsula Hotel. And they destroyed everything, parang ISIS ang mga buang.”

“Its members know nothing but kill, pick a fight, and shame people, “the President said.

“Wala silang alam kung ‘di to kill, maghahamon, magbastos. Be careful again with military lalo na ‘yang mga

rebelde tapos na-rehab because they were extended pardon by Aquino (former President Benigno III], ayon.”

According to the President, when the party assumed power, they began to feel they are invincible.

Magdalo has for its members Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and Rep. Gary Alejano, who is running for a Senate seat in 2019.

Alejano, meanwhile, hit back at the president and said that the Magdalo party is not a terrorist group.

“The Magdalo are not terrorists. It is extremely flippant and utterly disrespectful for the President to liken us to terrorists,” Alejano said in a statement.

“Being former soldiers, we have risked our lives on many occasion to fight terrorists and protect our country from enemies

BAY CLEANUP YIELDS TONS OF GARBAGE THE Manila Bay weekend cleanup campaign initiated by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority yielded more garbage as agency personnel collected seven truckloads or more than 27 tons of waste.

This is the third Saturday that the MMDA gathered individuals to pick up and haul trash on the shoreline of the Manila Bay this month.

On Nov. 3, the collected garbage weighed about 27 tons followed by 34 tons last week.

M M DA c h a i r m a n D a n i l o L i m s a i d t h e c l e a n u p d r i ve, a i m e d to promote environmental consciousness, involved 200 agency streetsweepers and was participated in by employees and teams from the city government of Manila, Coast Guard, Manila Bay Sunset Partnership Program, Rotary Club members, and college students.

Most of the waste collected were bamboo poles and driftwood which had been carried by currents from nearby fish pens, water hyacinths, plastics, household trash, and sorts of garbage thrown indiscriminately into esteros and creeks. Joel E. Zurbano

MRT 3 OFFLOADS 650 PASSENGERS

DAZZLING SHOW. LED and glow dancers added dazzle and enlightenment during the recent launch of 8990 Leisure and Resorts, at Makati City, which is set to introduce a diverse range of luxury hotels and resorts that cuts across the market. It is eyeing to open in the Philippines’ key tourist destinations in the next five years. Ey Acasio

DU30 DESCRIBES MAGDALO GROUP ‘LIKE AN ISIS’

By Maricel V. Cruz

A FIVE-YEAR Memorandum Of Agreement for greater cooperation on agriculture was signed between the Philippines and Papua New Guinea on the sidelines of the attendance of President Rodrigo R. Duterte at the 26th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders Meeting on Friday.

A statement from Malacañang said among the areas of cooperation under the agreement include a tieup on rice and grain production, including the development of hybrid species; production of coconut, cocoa, coffee, rubber, and palm oil; horticulture production; aquaculture and inland fish farming; post-harvest development; livestock breeding; and improvement in breeding cattle and goat.

It also covers training on bio-security mechanism and systems for monitoring, including sanitary and phytosanitary measures; agribusiness development; infrastructure development such as irrigation facilities and abattoirs; and agricultural research, education, and training.

Moreover, there will also be investment in agriculture; exchange of professionals, scientists, and technicians; transfer of genetic materials and technology; exchange of scientific and technical information; and collaboration on studies and research.

Both countries can also organize workshops, symposiums, training courses, and exhibition on related subjects. PNA

of the state,” Alejano, a staunch critic of the Duterte administration, added.

Alejano also cried foul over what he described as the President’s insult and disrespect to the Magdalo group—which has been critical to the President and his administration.

He said Magdalo has been an advocate of anti-corruption.

“When we were assigned in different parts of the country, we saw first-hand the poverty and lack of government services for Filipinos. Worse, we saw the corrupt activities of government and military officials while the people and soldiers on the ground were struggling. This led us to stage the Oakwood and Manila Peninsula protests to air our grievances and expose the widespread corruption in government,” Alejano said.

HERE we go again.

MRT 3 passengers had to endure another inconvenience when its nor thbound train was forced to unload 650 riders due to a technical problem.

In an advisory, the MRT 3 management said the train offloaded an approximately 650 passengers at Buendia station due to electrical failure in the train’s motor at 1:10 p.m.

“Passengers were loaded in the next train which arrived 6 minutes later,” it said.

“We apologize for the inconvenience,” it added.

The MRT 3 management said the electraical failure may have been casued by worn-out electrical subcomponents.

It added that preventive maintenance and replacement of electrical components were implemented as remedial measures.

I WAS NOT NEGLIGENT AS MAKATI MAYOR—PEÑA

ASPIRING Makati City congressman Romulo Peña Jr. on Saturday debunked the claim of his rival that he was negligent when he acted as city mayor from 2015 to 2016.

“If my rival meant that my short-lived but remarkable performance as acting mayor falls under neglect, then I will be proud to say that I am indeed a ‘negligent’ leader,” Peña said in a statement.

Peña is seeking a House seat to represent the first district of Makati this coming May 2019 midterm elections.

He is running against former Vice President Jejomar Binay who said earlier that public services and government operations “were ignored and declined

during the time of Mayor Peña and these included significant benefits for residents he initiated during his term as Makati mayor.”

Binay, who also served as mayor of Makati from 1986 to 1998 and from 2001 to 2010 before he was elected vice president in 2010 also said that his daughter, incumbent Mayor Abigail Binay, deserved to be reelected because she performed well and had shown genuine compassion for her constituents compared to her predecessor.

But according to Peña, he implemented good governance and transparency, and paved the way for notable improvements in Makati during his time. Joel Zurbano

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Adelle Chua, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Opinion

EDITORIAL

I

SOUNDS OF SCIENCE

HOMECOMING BELLS

T’S been a long time. Depending on one’s timeline, the Balangiga bells’ return after 117 years raises excitement among Filipinos with a sense of self-determination.

The church bells—three taken by the US Army from the town of Balangiga in Eastern Samar as war trophies after the massacre in 1901 during the Philippine American War—are finally being returned.

The return—two bells displayed at the Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming and one at the US Army Museum in South Korea—is expected to close a controversial chapter in the shared history of Manila and Washington, who both fought the invading Japanese forces in the 1940s.

The return ends a decades-long quest by Manila, and is, in the eyes of political and diplomatic analysts, expected to bolster bilateral ties.

PECIER DECIERDO

WHAT DOES BIODIVERSITY HAVE TO DO WITH YOU?

Of course, we cannot ignore the scenario where US veterans and Wyoming state’s delegation to the US Congress, which opposed the return have become a memorial to the 45 American soldiers killed during a surprise attack on Sept. 28, 1901 in Balangiga.

But we cannot brush off either the number of Filipinos aged 10 and above who were ordered killed—over 2,500 by US media and history books but more than 10,000 by Filipino historians.

The return, expected to be completed in the next few weeks, is expected to heal an “unhealed wound” in the interlaced relations between Washington and Manila.

Analysts have pitched in the thought the return of the bells is a victory long time in coming for the Filipinos although both sides benefit, much differently from actual war.

As US Defense Secretary James Mattis said, “Bells mark time, but courage is timeless.”

Former Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III himself said “there are no winners and losers here.”

FROM Nov. 17 to 29, representatives from countries all around the world will meet for the 2018 United Nations Biodiversity Conference.

During the conference held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, the global community will discuss ways to halt biodiversity loss and protect the world’s ecosystems.

But why should we care about what governments do to address the issue of biodiversity?

What is biodiversity anyway, and what does it have to do with the rest of us?

Here are the short answers. Biological diversity, or biodiversity for short, refers to the richness of life on Earth. Biodiversity helps in providing food and water to billions of people.

It also provides very valuable services to the economy. It provides services to you right now, even if you do not know it. Ultimately, it might end up saving your—or your loved ones’—life.

Unfortunately, biodiversity is declining around the world, and the global community is racing to find strategies to stop this decline before it is too late. For a couple of reasons, those of us in the Philippines or who are Filipino citizens have a special role to play in these efforts.

First, the Philippines is one of the most biologically diverse places on Earth. Second, biodiversity in the Philippines is seriously under threat.

Let me expound on the above points.

There are several ways to measure biodiversity. It can be measured in terms of how many different kinds of living things there are (in other words, how many species). It can be measured in terms of the variety of genes. It can also be measured in terms of the variety of ecosystems.

Whatever way it is measured, conserving biodiversity is important for so many reasons.

Here are three of them.

First, biodiversity provides services that are necessary for humans. For example, a diversity of plant life and soil microbes is important in purifying and protecting our water supplies.

According to the Biodiversity Information System for Europe, ecosystems such as forests and wetlands “provide clean water at a much lower cost than man-made substitutes like water treatment plants.” For so many around the world, these ecosystems are the only thing supplying them with clean water.

Second, biodiversity protects human health and saves human lives. For example, biodiversity is known to regulate and control the spread of infectious diseases. One way this can happen is through the suppression of diseasecarrying organisms such as flies and mosquitoes. As a result, damage to biodiversity can translate to the spread of epidemics. According to the Co-operation on Health and Biodiversity, the outbreaks of “SARS, Ebola, Marburg, Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, avian influenza and malaria have been attributed to human impacts on biodiversity.”

Biodiversity also protects human lives by decreasing the damage from natural hazards.

For example, forests protect communities from flash floods. Similarly, mangrove forests also protect nearby communities from storm surges. According to one research, the loss of mangrove forests would put 3.5 million people and roughly $400 million at risk.

Third, biodiversity provides the resources to improve human health. For example, many Filipino scientists are fighting to protect the country’s biodiversity because many of our local organisms are likely sources of medical products ranging from pain relievers to new antibiotics that can replace our increasingly ineffective arsenal. One of these days, you will probably need a medical treatment that would not have been possible were it not for biodiversity.

This list could be a lot longer. Biodiversity improves air quality and agriculture, provides billions of pesos in ecological services, feeds millions of people, has high cultural and aesthetic value, and so on. Ultimately, there should be one in this long list of reasons to convince you to join the fight.

As mentioned above, we in the Philippines are in a special position to protect biodiversity.

The Philippines is one of the world’s 17 “megadiverse countries” and has been called the “center of the center” of marine biodiversity in the world. On the flipside, the Philippines is also one of the world’s “biodiversity hotspots”.

These hotspots are places where biodiversity is both high and under serious threat.

The threats to biodiversity are huge and interrelated: habitat destruction, pollution, overexploitation, and climate change. We humans are transforming the face of the Earth because of our growing population and its corresponding demands for resources, energy, and space to live and grow food. The wheels of the global system seem to relentlessly turn toward further destruction of our environment.

However, we can help address this issue if we use the political process to nudge our government to honor its international commitments to protect biodiversity. We can also harness the power of social movements to pressure the big economic players to help in the efforts to preserve the richness of life on Earth.

NO MORE TELCOSERYE

By Richard Orsino RECENTLY, a phenomenal show has emerged, scoring an all-time high rating elbow-to-elbow with ABS-CBN’s late-night teleserye Halik. Too bad, your guess is not as good as mine. I was referring to our first-ever telcoserye, a spontaneously concocted drama that emerged from President Rodrigo R. Duterte administration’s search for a new major player for the Philippines’ telecommunications industry.

Predicted to be far from over, the telcoserye has been extended with more dramatic episodes as the seventh of November turned out to be the climax rather than the resolution of the story. With more characters coming into picture and more people providing their “expert” opinion, the public, being the truly interested party, is forced to keep watch even if the direction of the story is becoming vaguer by the day.

The ambiguities of the telcoserye, further aggravated by various interpretations of socalled “experts” gave birth to sidesplitting gossips that must be debunked.

Fallacies vs reality China Telecom’s inclusion alone in the Mislatel consortium led to the convenient allegation that it was the realization of Duterte’s earlier pronouncements that he offered to the People’s Republic of China the privilege to operate the third telecoms carrier in the country.

Said convenient allegation became seemingly more illusory with China Telecom’s partnership with Udenna Corp. and Chelsea Logistics Holdings Corp., owned by Davao business tycoon Dennis Uy, reported to be one of Duterte’s election fund contributors.

With or without a categorical denial from Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, there is nothing difficult with concluding that such fallacious allegations is nothing more than mere gossip. Like all other gossip items,

they have no weight. Nor will they bring anything beneficial to our lives.

Let us not rob the Mislatel consortium the credit it deserves, having met all the qualifications and followed all the rules during the selection process. We watched it place its bid fair and square. It complied with all the requirements.

Given the time afforded to the participants to prepare for the big day, other bidders still disappointingly failed to do so as if they were attending a laboratory activity with incomplete materials. Too bad, unlike in the classroom setting, the strict committee would not allow them to ask their bid competitor to supply them with P700-million security or technical capacity certificate during the checking of papers. Oh wait, we saw one bidder trying to persuade the other bidder to complain about them during the proceedings, right? Too bad, it did not work. Besides, it was inappropriate.

Stick with DICT Assistant Secretary Eliseo Rio’s statement in his recent ANC interview, “We did not look at personalities. We did not look at whoever is close to the President. We looked at documents.” Forget then the fallacies and allegations. What we saw should be what we believe. We are even empowered to replay on Facebook what really happened.

Plot twists Came Nov. 7, we were all excited not only to know who would emerge as our NMP, but also, it was our first time—and the first in the Philippine history—to witness a bidding for a big-ticket item. This level of transparency should be commended as a major milestone of the government and agencies should follow suit.

We thought the drama would end with NOW Telecom’s TRO prayer being dismissed by the court, lack of participation in the bidding, and subsequent exit with a message consistent with the true spirit of Christmas

season—“whoever emerged as the winner we must help them succeed against the true enemy of the people.” We were wrong.

High hopes for a truly entertaining bidding, much like in a beauty pageant or basketball game, became shattered after two of the three participants—PT&T and Sear Telecom—were disqualified due to incomplete requirements.

We could only hope that they put up a good fight by submitting actual requirements in accordance to the rules and when it would have mattered, not with their plot twists filled with motions for reconsideration.

If you were disappointed, in which bidder should you be disappointed? Were you disappointed with the Mislatel consortium because they were diligent enough to ensure that the requirements placed in that fancy luggage were complete? I was not. I was disappointed with PT&T and Sear Telecom for coming to the selection day with those fancy corporate suits and incomplete requirements and continuing to waste our mobile data with their erroneous motions and whining.

I felt bad for the NMP selection committee having to work over the weekend, missing their family time just to beat the three-day calendar only to decide over issues that are outside its jurisdiction. It was hard to believe that Sear’s lawyers did not know that their contractual issue alleged between Mislatel and Digiphil should have been brought to regular courts instead. More so, we, the public, were certainly not interested to their private undertakings.

Furthermore, it certainly upsets me knowing that PT&T thought it could trick the government and public to believe that it has been operating for 10 years where in fact, it went under rehabilitation. Worse, its SSS dues to its employees remain unpaid.

With Sear and PT&T’s mere incapacity to comply with the basic requirements to be-

come our third telco, what kind of service can we expect from them? We are so done with mediocrity and false promises, aren’t we?

The future of bidding Drama aside, I move that this quality and manner of bidding for multimillion projects be continued with improvements.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III proposed that bidders, through a waiver, should be prohibited from protesting the decision of a government agency should they lose the bidding. He based his proposal from observations that the disputes such as in the third telco bidding always happen in many bidding processes to the inconvenience of the government. Therefore, protests of the losing bidders unduly delay the government’s procurement of goods and services.

Whether or not waiver of protests will make it to the procurement rulebook, one thing is clear—our NMP is still provisional and remains unable to work for us because of motions not worth our slightest consideration.

If their next motion will state their true intention to become teleserye producers, maybe we can reconsider. They seem to have been so enjoying the plot twists and limelight after all.

Bottom line Finally, it is time to set our priorities straight once and for all. Why do we need and want an NMP? The bottom line is that an entry of a new player in our telecommunications industry will naturally lead to an increased competition— more choices for consumers, improvement in the quality of services and lower subscription costs. All other economic benefits will follow.

We want no more drama. We want to see Mislatel, our NMP, in action.

Richard Orsino is a retired executive who worked three decades in the telecommunications industry.

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher ManilaStandard

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor / Jimbo Gulle, Issue Editor

CHEMICAL ARMS MEET SEES CLASH OF MAJOR POWERS THE HAGUE, Netherlands—Global powers are set to clash next week as the world’s chemical arms watchdog meets for the first time since it was rocked by allegations of Russian spying.

The Organisation for the Prevention of Chemical Weapons in The Hague faces difficult talks over a new investigative team that will start work next year to apportion blame for attacks in Syria.

Moscow has warned the OPCW risks becoming a “sinking Titanic” over new powers which would also allow it to probe incidents like the Salisbury nerve agent attack on a Russian double agent.

But the darkest shadow over the meeting will be the expulsion of four Russians accused by Dutch authorities in October of trying to hack into the watchdog’s computer system.

New OPCW director-general Fernando Arias admitted in an interview with AFP on Monday that the watchdog was “going through a difficult moment” given recent events.

Key member states including Russia, the United States, Britain and France will all be able to have their say during the meeting, as will all 193 countries involved in the body.

Former Spanish diplomat Arias, who took over as chief earlier this year and will give the opening address at the meeting on Monday, insisted however that the toxic arms body was “more needed than ever.”

Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013, the OPCW is responsible for upholding the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention to end the use of all toxic arms. AFP

BOLSONAROS MAKE BRAZILIAN POLITICS A FAMILY AFFAIR

RIO DE JANEIRO—With Jair Bolsonaro president-elect, and his three sons in elected office—Flavio in the Senate, Eduardo in the Congress and Carlos on Rio de Janeiro’s city council—politics in Brazil is something of a Bolsonaro family affair.

Last week, three of Bolsonaro’s five children joined him at the Congress in Brasilia for a ceremony to mark the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the country’s constitution.

Carlos wasn’t there, but Flavio, Eduardo and their younger brother Renan, still a student, were among those invited to the president-elect’s meeting with Supreme Court chairman Dias Toffoli.

Toffoli was noticeably cool towards Eduardo, who mocked the court during the campaign, telling supporters that if the court tried to remove his father from power, it would take just two soldiers to shut it down. The hint at a military coup rankled with the judiciary.

Eduardo, along with Flavio and Carlos, all campaigned fiercely for their father—who takes office on January 1—backing his extreme rightwing views during the campaign, and are constantly at his side during the transition period.

“It’s the first time that we will have a president who will have a son in the Chamber and another in the Senate,” said Sylvio Costa of politics website Congresso em Foco. AFP

ARGENTINE SUB WRECK FOUND ONE YEAR AFTER BUENOS AIRE—The wreckage of an Argentine navy submarine that exploded and disappeared one year ago was located in the Atlantic Ocean on Friday, said the navy, crushing the last hopes for relatives of the 44 crew.

There has been “positive identification of the ARA San Juan,” at a depth of 800 meters (2,600 feet), a statement on Twitter from the navy said.

The Seabed Constructor, a vessel owned by US search firm Ocean Infinity, which set out in September on the latest attempt to find the San Juan, made the discovery.

The navy lost contact with the submarine on November 15 last year, about 450 kilometers (280 miles) from the Argentine coast. It was on its way back to base from Ushuaia at the southern tip of Argentina.

“I still had hopes that they could be alive,” Luis Niz, the father of one of the missing sailors, told reporters, even though the government of President Mauricio Macri had earlier declared that there were no survivors from the San Juan.

“We are with the other relatives. They are going to show us the photos. They say that our youngsters are inside,” said Yolanda Mendiola, the mother of crewman Leandro Cisneros, 28. AFP

TIGHTROPE WALL. A migrant, who claimed not to be part of the Central American migrants moving towards the United States in hopes of a better life, walks on the US-Mexico border fence in Playas de Tijuana, Mexico, on Wednesday. US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Tuesday he will visit the US-Mexico border, where thousands of active-duty soldiers have been deployed to help border police prepare for the arrival of a “caravan” of migrants. AFP

W

CIA: SAUDI ‘MBS’ HAD KHASHOGGI KILLED

ASHINGTON—The US Central Intelligence Agency has concluded Saudi Arabia’s powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was behind the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, US media reported Friday, citing people close to the matter.

The Unites States’ assessment directly contradicts the conclusions of a Saudi prosecutor one day prior, which exonerated the prince of involvement in the brutal murder.

But The Washington Post, which broke the story, said the CIA found that 15 Saudi agents flew on government aircraft to Istanbul and assassinated Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate.

Queried by Agence France-Presse, the CIA declined to comment.

Khashoggi, a Post columnist, had gone to the consulate to obtain documents necessary to marry his Turkish fiancee.

Saudi Arabia—which quickly dismissed the reported CIA findings— has repeatedly changed its official narrative of the October 2 murder, first denying any knowledge of Khashoggi’s whereabouts and later saying he was killed when an argument degenerated into a fistfight.

In the latest version presented by the Saudi prosecutor on Thursday, a 15-member squad was formed to bring Khashoggi back from Istanbul “by means of persuasion” -- but instead ended up killing the journalist and dismembering his body in a “rogue” operation.

The CIA examined multiple intelligence sources, the Post said, among them a phone call between the prince’s brother— the Saudi ambassador to the United States—and Khashoggi.

The ambassador reportedly told the late journalist that he would be safe to go to the consulate in Istanbul and get the papers he needed.

But a Saudi embassy spokesperson said that Ambassador Khalid bin Salman had never discussed “anything related to going to Turkey” with Khashoggi.

“Amb Prince Khalid bin Salman has never had any phone conversations with (Khashoggi),” the statement posted on the ambassador’s Twitter account said.

“The claims in this purported assessment is false,” it said.

The US intelligence agency also said in determining the crown prince’s role it considered him a “de facto ruler” of Saudi Arabia: “The accepted position is that there is no way this happened without him being aware or involved,” the Post quoted an official as saying.

That official dubbed Prince Mohammed a “good technocrat” -- but also someone unpredictable who “goes from zero to 60, doesn’t seem to understand that there are some things you can’t do.”

The New York Times later reported that the CIA findings were also based on calls from the kill team to one of the crown prince’s senior aides.

But the paper said that while the intercepts showed Prince Mohammed was working to lure Khashoggi to Saudi Arabia, the crown prince had not said in the calls that he wanted Khashoggi killed.

The Times cited officials as saying US and Turkish intelligence so far have not found direct evidence connecting the prince to Khashoggi’s killing. AFP

MISSING IN CALIFORNIA ‘CAMP FIRE’ SOARS TO 1,000 PARADISE, California—The number of people listed as missing in a devastating northern California wildfire soared past 1,000 on Friday as the remains of eight additional victims were found by rescuers.

Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea told reporters that the number of people unaccounted for had jumped from 631 to 1,011 in the last 24 hours as authorities receive more reports of people missing and as emergency calls made when the fire broke out are reviewed.

“I want you to understand that this is a dynamic list,” he told reporters. He said that on a positive note, 329 people who had been

listed as missing since the fire broke out had so far been accounted for.

“The information I am providing you is raw data and we find there is the likely possibility that the list contains duplicate names,” he said, adding that some people who had escaped may also be unaware that they have been listed as missing.

The eight additional sets of human remains found bring to 71 the total number of dead from the so-called Camp Fire, the deadliest and most destructive in California history.

The inferno erupted November 8, laying waste to the town of

Paradise at the northern foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains and sending thousands fleeing.

President Donald Trump is set to visit the region on Saturday to survey the damage and meet victims of the fire that has devoured an area roughly the size of Chicago.

In an interview with Fox News ahead of his visit, Trump doubleddown on his earlier claim that mismanagement of California’s forests was to blame for the fires.

But he acknowledged that climate change may have contributed “a little bit” to the wildfires.

“You need forest management.

It has to be,” Trump told Fox. “I’m

not saying that in a negative way, a positive -- I’m just saying the facts.”

Authorities said the Camp Fire has burned 146,000 acres (59,000 hectares) and was 50 percent contained Friday.

They added that 47,200 people had been evacuated because of the fire and nearly 1,200 were living in shelters.

Smoke from the fire forced the closure of public schools in San Francisco on Friday and the shutdown of the city’s iconic cable cars as the Air Quality Index soared to 271, comparable to Dhaka, Bangladesh and worse than Kolkata, India. AFP

FRANCE BRACES FOR ROAD WOES VIA ‘YELLOW VESTS’ PARIS—French drivers seething over high fuel prices have vowed to snarl traffic across the country Saturday in a widely supported protest that could prove the trickiest so far for President Emmanuel Macron.

The “yellow vests” movement, named for the high-visibility jackets worn by supporters, erupted on social media last month with calls for mass blockades of roads and highways.

Anger over fuel costs, blamed on taxes imposed by Macron to fight pollution, has been simmering for months, particularly in smaller towns and rural areas where public transport is patchy.

“Nobody thinks about the people on the city fringes, in the provinces, in rural areas,” said Priscillia Ludosky, a business manager in a Paris suburb who launched an online petition last May which now

has more than 850,000 signatures.

“They tell them to use alternative transportation but the reality is that’s not possible. They have no other choice but to pay up,” she said.

But analysts say the movement now represents more widespread frustration over stagnant spending power under Macron, a former investment banker who promised economic revival and to restore people’s trust in government.

Critics accuse him of neglecting the needs of the poor and the provinces in favor of tax cuts for the wealthy and other policies which mainly help well-heeled urbanites.

A poll by the Elabe institute this week found that 73 percent of respondents backed the “yellow vests”, and 70 percent wanted the government to rescind the fuel tax hikes, which are slated to continue through 2022. AFP

BREXIT PROTEST. Anti-Brexit campaigners unfurl a banner on Westminster

bridge on Thursday in front of the Houses of Parliament in London. British Prime Minister Theresa May gave a press conference that afternoon amid intense criticism from lawmakers over her Brexit deal. AFP

Images

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK

BRIGHT TRAIN. Sparkling holiday decors and life-sized outdoor installations give life to a section of Filinvest City’s Spectrum Linear Park. It attracted promenaders at the launch of the mall’s ‘Christmas Comes Alive’ display, which opened to the public on Friday. Live bands and performers will also grace the park every Friday and Saturday from 6 pm to midnight at the mall in Alabang, Muntinlupa City. Ey Acasio

TIMELY DONATION. Andrew Romualdez (center), representing his parents, Philippine Constitution Association and Lakas-CMD President Martin Romualdez and Leyte 1st District Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez, helps in distributing medicines to more than 500 poor families during a medical mission at the Auditorium of St. Therese Educational Foundation of Tacloban City. The project was sponsored by Tingog Sinirangan Party-List with volunteer doctors and nurses from RTR Hospital, Tacloban City Hospital, EVRMC Hospital, Home School Community Partnership, Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts of Tacloban City. Ver Noveno

BIRTHDAY WISHES. Juliette Gomez-Romualdez (third from left), her son Lakas-CMD President Martin Romualdez (center), Movie and Television Review and Classification Board Chairperson Rachel Arenas (third from right) and former Congresswoman Carissa Coscolluela (second from right) blow candles on their cakes as they simultaneously celebrate their birthdays in the month of November at Edsa Shangrila Hotel in Mandaluyong City. Joining them are (from left) Bataan Rep. Joet Garcia, former Northern Samar Rep. Paul Daza, and Quirino Rep. Carlo Cua. Ver Noveno SILLY SEASON. As a Christmas adornment, Mickey Mouse ears are added to the red ‘stop’ sign on a stoplight along Rizal Park in Manila. Lino Santos

YACHTING SEASON. Senate President Vicente Sotto III (center) applauds with Manila Yacht Club Commodore Robert Joseph (left) during the MYC’s Opening Day 2018-2019 event on Saturday. Norman Cruz

ALL SMILES. Former First Lady Imelda Marcos (left) gestures to her daughter, Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos, as she waits for the release order from the graft court following her hearing at the Sandiganbayan in Manila on Friday. AFP

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2018

Riera U. Mallari, Editor sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Sports

PAYUMO EMERGES 1ST CASSIA CUP CHAMPION

NTONIO “Tonito” Payumo from the Philippines recently emerged as the inaugural 2018 Cassia Cup Champion at the Laguna Golf Bintan with a gross score of 70 equivalent to 41 stableford points.

Payumo received the tournament trophy from no less than Sir Nick Faldo himself, Laguna Golf brand ambassador and six-time Major winner.

The Filipino winner also received a luxurious golf holiday package at BanyanTree Phuket.

“I am looking forward to going back to the Philippines in the near future,” Faldo told Payumo, recalling that it has been a long time since he was in the Philippines, where he designed the Faldo course at Eagle Ridge and Country Club in the mid 1990s.

Faldo also led two Golf Clinics and a three-hole playing lesson, where he shared insightful golfing tips that inspired the crowd.

“The Cassia Cup at Laguna Golf Bintan was a great event where I was able to interact with the golfers and fans. I love coming back to Laguna Bintan under the Banyan Tree Group. It is a beautiful destination integrated resort with a lovely beach and fine cuisine, a scenic golf course and an amazing spa for a total getaway,” said Faldo.

The Laguna Bintan Integrated Resort presented a once-in-a-lifetime weekend getaway with its inaugural Cassia Cup. Adding hype to Laguna Bintan’s vibrant lifestyle programming, the tournament saw 115 guests inclusive of 90 golfers, who competed over 18 holes with separate ladies and men’s divisions.

Meanwhile, Team Philippines, where Payumo was also member, took home four awards at the World Amateur Golfers Championship and Invitational in Johor, Malaysia.

Mayolito Pillerin was crowned Division 3 (handicap 11-15) champion, with Payumo emerging as the Division 1 second runner-up and Marc Leviste (handicap 16-20) clinching a runner-up finish in Division 4.

Pillerin, a businessman from Davao, tallied a total of 289 to beat Oskari Hiltunen of Finland (292) by three shots and Khairiansiah Salman (293) from Indonesia by four to bag the championship.

Defending champion Payumo started slow in the first round and was outside the top 12 with an 81, but fought back into contention and finished strong to bag third place. His scores for the four days were 81, 70, 76, and 70 (297 aggregate).

Van Nam Doan of Vietnam fired a 67 in Day 4

Sir Nick Faldo shows his fine form (above). At right, he joins the PH’s Antonio Payumo (with tophy), inaugural winner of the Cassia Cup.

at the Els Club (290 aggregate) to win by one over Finland’s Santtu Malin (291 aggregate), who came in second. Raghav Malik of India (302 aggregate) and Piotr Ludya of Poland (304 aggregate) came in fourth and fifth, respectively.

In Division 4, Leviste fired the day’s lowest score—a net 63 on the last day at the Els Club to finish with a 285 aggregate, which was good for second place, behind Rosian Ismail of Malaysia (282). Winston Cheng of the Netherlands came in third with a 288 aggregate.

In the two-man invitational team event, Leviste and Edward Co took third place with a combined net score of 596, three strokes behind champion, Perodua of Malaysia.

The 5-man championship team composed of

Oliver Gan, Antonio Pascua, Joven Papio, Eric Si and Danny Odeste finished seventh, ahead of powerhouses Germany (eighth) and United States (ninth).

The World Final was staged in four different courses in Johor, namely Forest City Golf Resort, Horizon Hills and Country Club, Els Club Desaru Coast, and Palm Cempaka Golf Course.

National teams from 40 countries have battled their way through national championships to reach the world finals of the World Amateur Golfers Championships and Invitational. They were joined by VIP golf enthusiasts, business leaders, sponsors and even royalty from all parts of the globe.

WAGC is the largest amateur golf tournament in the world and has been commemorated 22 times in numerous countries around the world.

PCSO PRESIDENTIAL GOLD CUP RETURNS TO SLLP MANILA Jockey Club, Inc., the premier horse racing club in the country and one of Asia’s oldest will be hosting the 46th PCSO Presidential Gold Cup on Dec. 9 (Sunday).

As the most awaited event in the local racing calendar, the coveted Gold Cup title is sought after by the best athletes in the industry today.

It also remains the most popular event among the Bayang Karerista, who flock SLLP and its Off-Track stations to watch their champions take the stage.

A Memorandum of Agreement Signing Ceremony was held at Manila Golf and Country Club to formalize the holding of the event and finalize the commitments of each party. In attendance were top officials from MJC, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and the Philippine Racing Commission.

“I am very proud to announce that the Presidential Gold Cup is coming home to San Lazaro Leisure Park! We are honored to be a partner of PCSO in this very noble and historical event in the local horse racing calendar,” said Atty. Alfonso G. Reyno III, President

Ret. Gen. Alexander Balutan (3rd from left), PCSO General Manager shakes hands with Atty. Alfonso G. Reyno III, MJC President and CEO after their agreement bringing the PCSO Presidential Gold Cup back to the San Lazaro Leisure Park.

They are joined by (from left) Atty. Alfonso R. Reyno Jr., MJC Chairman; Andrew A. Sanchez, Philracom Chairman; Arnel N. Cansas, PCSO Assistant General Manager for Gaming; and Jose Ramon Magboo, MJC Racing Manager

and CEO of MJC. Since its establishment in 1934, the PCSO has been a strong supporter of the local horse racing industry. Apart from the Gold Cup, it also sponsors year-round horse races that contrib-

utes to the upliftment and advancement of the sport.

“PCSO takes pride in honoring the President with a very special event that will feature the new crop of horses that are currently dominating the racing

scene. This race has gained tremendous prestige, which has become the definitive championship for elite local-bred horses,” said Ret. Gen. Alexander Balutan, General Manager of PCSO. Locally-bred runners will compete for the grand five million pesos (P5,000,000) distributed purse for the 1st to 4th placers, including a cash incentive to the winning breeder.

Declared runners include Manalig Ka/CS Pare Jr. by Aurelio P. De Leon; Electric Truth/MA Alvarez by Leonardo M. Javier Jr.; Highway One/VR Dilema

by Cool Summer Farm; Dixie Gold/OP Cortez by Joseph C. Dyhengco; Radioactive/KB Abobo and Sepfourteen/JA Guce by SC Stockfarm Inc.; Salt and Pepper/JB Hernandez by Herminio S. Esguerra; and Pangalusian Island/JPa Guce by Wilbert T. Tan. The Presidential Gold Cup was conceived by the PCSO board headed by the late Chairman and General Manager, Nereo C. Andong. It instantly became a popular event among the racing community with Sun God owned

by Don Pedro Cojuangco winning the inaugural race in 1973.

MORENO FASTEST IN PHOENIX SLALOM JEVOY Moreno of JAF Racing Team bagged the overall and front wheel best time of the day as the RACE Motorsports Club finally came back to Baguio after more than two decades to hold the 10th leg of the Phoenix Pulse Technology National Slalom Series.

Moreno defeated his rivals Milo Rivera, Inigo Anton and Richard Gallardo with a clocking of 37.94.

Anton of Mark Young Cars placed runner-up with a 38.08, followed by Rivera of the Tough Gear Racing Team with 38.22.

Gallardo of JAF Racing Team was next with 39.27, his teammate Vegil Calayo followed with 39.73, with Powee Base of PMMS Rennsport Racing Team finishing sixth with 39.99.

Rivera, however, bagged the Rear Wheel Production best time of the day, while Moreno clinched the Front Wheel best time, followed by Anton, Gallardo, Calayo and Base.

Calayo ruled the novice best time of the day over Base and Ram Rafanan of Speedjav Racing Team.

The 2018 RACE Motorsports Club Phoenix Pulse Technology National Slalom Series with enhanced power and acceleration is also supported by major sponsors Federal Tyres, 3K Batteries, New SR KYB Special Shock Absorbers and the City of Baguio. It is also supported

by Starbright Body Kits, Auto Transporter, media partners Stoplight TV, C! Magazine, Auto Car Magazine and Power Wheels Magazine, medical team AEROMED, official hotel Baguio Veniz Hotel, Sizzling Plate, Carlos and Karen Anton, Mayor Mauricio Domogan, Baguio Sports Committee led by Gudz Gonzalez and Paul Rillorta and the Athletic Bowl Burnham Park, Baguio City.

The event was participated in

by Tough Gear Racing Team, PMMS Rennsports, RODLEA Racing Team, JAF Racing Team, Mark Young Race Cars, Speedjav Racing Team, Gadzspeed Racing Team and Mel Torres Racing Team.

The 11th leg will be held on Nov. 18 at the Robinsons Starmills in Pampanga, where double points will be awarded to the winners until the 12th leg. Practice runs will be from 7 to 10 a.m., with one practice run each driver. Official runs will start right after the mass at 11 a.m.

For details, contact Bing Bang Dulce at 09178119337 or like the event’s Facebook page racemotorsportsclub.

Some of the Official Results: Novice Stock Injected: 1st Cedric Querimit 48.28; 2nd Alex Marcelo 62.32 Novice Modified A: 1st Ram Rafanan 45.97; 2nd Rod Chang 50.09 Novice Modified B: 1st Vegil Calayo 41.02; 2nd Ram Rafanan 41.96; 3rd Powee Base 42.99 Novice Modified C: 1st Vegil Calayo 39.96; 2nd Powee Base 40.97; 3rd Ram Rafanan 41.85 Novice 1A: 1st Vegil Calayo 39.73; 2nd Powee Base 39.99; 3rd Ram Rafanan 44.66 Novice 1B: 1st Vegil Calayo 40.04; 2nd Sofia Munoz 45.58; 3rd Powee Base 48.14; 4th Ram Rafanan 50.46 Novice 1C: 1st Vegil Calayo 41.36; 2nd Sofia Munoz 44.58; 3rd Powee Base 46.18 Novice 1D: 1st Vegil Calayo 40.02; 2nd Sofia Munoz 45.95 Novice 1E: 1st Vegil Calayo 39.62; 2nd Sofia Munoz 45.86

SUN LIFE CYCLE PH. Piolo Pascual (second from left) joins the big field of riders in the second Sun Life Cycle PH at Bonifacio Global City yesterday.

The event, organized

by Sunrise Events, Inc. and held to promote a healthy lifestyle, was graced by Star Magic artists and participated in by over a thousand bike enthusiasts and kiddie riders.

Vegil Calayo of JAF Racing Team takes the novice best time of the day.

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2018

Business

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

ASEAN RESEARCHERS UNCOVER IMPACT OF VAPING ON HEALTH Oppo executives launch Oppo R17 Pro in the Philippines.

OPPO FOCUSES ON HIGH-END SMARTPHONES

By Darwin G. Amojelar

Harm reduction advocates push for the regulation of e-cigarettes, heat-not-burn products, snus and other electronic nicotine delivery systems in Asia-Pacific. Shown during a news briefing before the start of the 2nd Asia Harm Reduction Forum at Dusit Thani Manila Hotel in Makati City are (from left) Harm Reduction Alliance of the Philippines convenor Ron Christian Sison, Prof.

Helen Redmond of New York University and Dr. drg. Amaliya of University of Padjajaran (Indonesia).

P

RELIMINARY findings of studies conducted by two universities in the Philippines and Indonesia show that vaping or the use of electronic cigarettes is less harmful than smoking.

other aspects such as occupational health, HIV, road safety and air pollution,” Sison said.

Tobacco harm reduction advocates gathered in Manila for the 2nd Asia Harm Reduction Forum to push for the harm reduction approach to address the global smoking scourge. More than half of the world’s 1.1 billion smokers are reportedly in Asia, and harm reduction advocates claim that the best way to save smokers from serious illnesses is to provide them with less harmful alternatives such as e-cigarettes, heath-not-burn products and Harm reduction advocates, including doctors, Swedish snus which, unlike nicotine patches and scientists and lawmakers, said the results of other nicotine replacement therapies, still provide such clinical research should convince health the sensation or pleasure of consuming nicotine.

The 2015 Global Adult Tobacco Survey showed authorities, including the Department of Health in the Philippines, to consider the use of e-cigarette that 23.8 percent Filipino adults were smokers. The as an effective harm reduction tool or as a way to smoking rate among Filipino women (5.8 percent) was among the highest in Southeast Asia. On quit smoking.

“Tobacco harm reduction is currently not average, Filipino smokers start at the age of 17.8 maximized and implemented as a policy. There is years. Meanwhile, Indonesia has the world’s highest much work to be done in encouraging society and smoking rate at 76.2 percent among males aged 15 legislators to adopt harm reduction in public policy,” and older.

In India, one million people die each year Coop-Nattco Party-list Rep. and House minority leader Anthony Bravo said in a keynote speech because of smoking-related illnesses, according to during the 2nd Asia Harm Reduction Forum at Dusit Samrat Chowdery of Association of Vapers India.

Fortunately, he said “despite government bans and Thani Manila Hotel in Makati City.

Prof. Ron Christian Sison, a medical technologist restrictive policies, awareness on tobacco harm and lead convenor of Harm Reduction Alliance of the reduction is increasing and more smokers are Philippines, said results of a pioneering clinical study switching to reduced harm products.”

Smoking, which produces the toxic tar, is linked conducted by his research team at the University of Santo Tomas, found that vapers have lower to many illnesses, with studies showing that it can biomarkers of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in shorten the lifespan of an individual by an average their bloodstream, which are associated with the of 10 years.

Prof. Jay Jazul of the University of Santo Tomas development of lung cancer, compared to those of Faculty of Pharmacy, who is also a co-convenor of cigarette smokers.

“The said biomarkers are said to be relatively and Harap, said a genotoxicity assessment on groups of statistically significant and high among those who smokers, non-smokers and e-cigarette users showed are smoking and relatively low among those who different results. The research team conducted are having e-cigarettes,” Sison said in news briefing. a mammalian erythrocyte micronucleus assay to Sison said his team presented the preliminary determine the cadmium and lead levels among the results of the study before a technical working group three groups.

Results pointed to an interaction effect of of the Senate committee on health and demography.

The Senate plans to come up with a regulatory policy different treatments. E-cigs are not without risks, on e-cigarettes, which are also known as electronic but the findings showed they are less harmful than cigarettes.This is because the cadmium and lead nicotine delivery systems.

“When I presented this, I also had a chance to meet levels are significantly higher among conventional all those public health specialists in the Philippines smokers than among users of e-cigs, said Jazul.

A perception study among 220 respondents and initiated the establishment of Harm Reduction Alliance in the Philippines. We started with tobacco in Metro Manila also checked the efficacy of vape harm reduction and we are targeting expanding, among users where 67.7 percent revealed that they to cover not only tobacco harm reduction, but also did not experience any side effects in using e-cigs.

There were also positive changes in terms of smell and physical endurance, they said. Respondents also stated that ECs are safer than cigarettes.

Jazul, however, cited the need to conduct a more comprehensive study with a larger number of participants to validate the results of the initial research.

Meanwhile Dr. drg. Amaliya of University of Padjajaran (Indonesia), said her team conducted a study called “Electronic Cigarette: Findings on Oral Mucosal Cells” to evaluate the prevalence of cellular changes among smokers, non smokers and e-cigarette users in the light of recent studies showing that tobacco and alcohol play a great role in oral carcinogens. In fact, smokers are known to have a 3.4-percent risk of oral cancers.

In the micronucleus assay test, findings showed significant differences in micro nucleated cells among the three groups. Results indicate that the oral mucosal cells of e-cigarette users represent no changes that could be associated with malignancy, she said.

Dr. Amaliya said that in terms of oral health, there was no instability discovered among e-cig users, unlike smokers.

“Evidence shows that tobacco harm reduction products are at least 95 percent less harmful than cigarettes. Switching completely from smoking to vaping provides substantial health benefits,” said Prof. Tikki Pangestu of Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore.

Co-organized by Harap and Yayasan Pemerhati Kesehatan Publik Indonesia (YPKP- Indonesian Public Health Observer Foundation), the regional forum builds on the success of the First Asia Harm Reduction Forum in Jakarta last year.

Participants said that despite strict government regulation, high taxes and extensive public awareness campaigns, smoking remains a major public health issue in Asia, with over half of the world’s smokers living in the region.

The forum aims to educate society on harm reduction through better alternative products and to promote and advocate for practical solutions that can contribute to the improvement of overall public health.

“There are currently about 16 million Filipino smokers. Only a small percentage of them want to quit smoking, and an even smaller number will actually succeed in quitting smoking. Harm Turn to C2

OPPO, the Chinese smartphone manufacturer is turning its focus towards the high-end smartphone segment in the Philippines, as it sees a huge potential with the increasing purchasing power of Filipino consumers.

“We are testing of this price point, but I believe the purchasing power of Filipino is still there and the economy of the Philippines is expanding. We can feel that compared before,” Oppo Philippines vice president for channel sales Zen Han said in an interview.

Had said the Chinese firm is optimistic about the Philippine market.

Data from World Bank showed that the Philippines’ gross domestic product per capita rose to $8,342.80 last year from only $2,591 in 1990.

The economy grew 6.3 percent in the first nine months of the year and remained one of the fastest-growing in Asia, next to Vietnam, China and Indonesia .

“We can see the potential of this price point because we have been familiar with the market for the past four years. We can see a lot of finance instalment ways that they provide to the consumers. So, that’s positive,” he said.

After the successful launch of Oppo Find X, the Chinese phone maker, which entered the Philippine market in 2014, introduced R17 PRO, targeting the high-end market.

“Launching Oppo R17 Pro to the Philippine market is a great milestone for us. We’ve been very excited about introducing the model as the first in our legendary R Series. R17 Pro signifies Oppo’s transformation of fully expanding in the high-end smartphone market,” Oppo Philippines’ vice president for marketing Jane Wan said.

The R17 Pro invented a brand-new “three-color and bi/quad-direction” gradient design. By adding a lightcondensing layer, the R17 Pro’s misted glass casing allows light to flow on the surface of the device, demonstrating leading color aesthetics and innovation.

The R17 Pro adopts Corning Gorilla Glass 6 for the first time, with 6.4 inches of screen, 91.5 percent screen-to-body ratio, and in-screen fingerprint unlock.

It is able to withstand a drop from a one-meter height to a rough surface for an average 15 times, doubled that of the Gorilla Glass 5 performance.

The R17 Pro also carries SuperVOOC flash charging technology, allowing users to enjoy safe and efficient charging technology. It can charge up to 40 percent in only 10 minutes.

The R17 Pro also support NFC wireless payment, making the transition to mobile payments easy and convenient.

Oppo R17 Pro will be available in the Philippines starting Nov. 24 for P38,990.

“With the launch of R Series adding to our product portfolio, we look forward to bringing Oppo’s technology for more consumers to enjoy,”Wan said.

In 2017, Oppo was ranked as the number four smartphone brand globally, according to International Data Corp.

Data from IDC showed that smartphone shipments in the Philippines reached 7.8 million units in the first half of the year, up 5.6 percent from a year ago.

SHOPEE POSTS RECORD SALES ON 11.11

By Othel V. Campos SHOPEE, a leading online shopping site, said it posted record sales on Nov. 11 which marks the start of its big Christmas sale.

Iin its third year in the Philippines and Taiwan, Shopee said the first wave of its big Christmas sale drew more than 11 million orders across the region—around 4.5 times the number in 2017. Total site visits hit more than 42 million and over 58,000 items were sold in a single minute.

“As our biggest Shopee 11.11 Big Christmas Sale shopping event to date, this year’s sale was extremely wellreceived by users, and again surpassed all

past achievements in record time,” said Shopee chief operating officer Terence Pang.

The 11.11 Big Christmas Sale in the Philippines featured an upsized package of non-stop promotions at up to 99 percent off, the comeback of the Shopee Shake in-app game, and exclusive deals from brand and strategic partners.

Top participating brands and sellers enjoyed up to 1,159 times their average daily orders and over 1,500 percent increase in traffic.

Among the brand merchants that actively participated were Maybelline, Asus, P&G, Unilever, St.

Ives, Mossimo, Unisilver Time, Wyeth Promil and Platinum Karaoke.

Shopee teamed up with Cebu Pacific, Smart Telecommunications, Rakuten and Viber for promotion.

According to platform statistics, women’s apparel, mobile and accessories, and home and living emerged as the top three categories.

S h o p e e’s m o b i l e - f i r s t s t rate g y continued to be a key success factor for this year’s 11.11 Big Sale in the country, with around 95 percent of orders made on mobile.

Shopee Shake also remained popular among Filipino users and was played around 2 million times throughout the

campaign.

“We owe our success to the continued support of our users,” Pang said.

“Shopee will continue to innovate to bring users more exciting campaigns, activities, and features, and work closely with our sellers, brands, and partners to deliver an unmatched online shopping experience. We are excited to kick-off the next round of the Shopee 11.11-12.12 Big Christmas Sale. and we invite everyone to check it out,” he said.

Users can expect unbeatable deals and huge discounts from leading brands and partners, plus exciting activities with Shopee’s Brand Ambassador Jose Mari Chan.

Business

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2018 business@manilastandard.net

SMART INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY RISES IN MEGA MANILA F O R many hardwork ing Filipino families and professionals who dream of purchasing their own home, a place that provides a vibrant lifestyle not far from their workplaces and urban centers is what they aspire for. This makes condominium living a smart investment to make.

Top-of-mind property developer Amaia Land Corp. makes this dream more reachable to more Filipinos by offering quality yet affordable condominiums in Mega Manila, one of which is Amaia Steps Altaraza.

Strategically located on Quirino Avenue corner Governor F. Halili Avenue in Barangay Tungkong Mangga, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan, Amaia Steps Altaraza is Amaia Land’s first affordable mid-rise condo development in Altaraza Town Center, a 55-hectare township project where urban lifestyles complement the laid-back charms of community life.

With Ayala Land’s expertise in building communities, Altaraza Town Center is projected to be the next growth complex in northeastern Manila. This urban community, which is ensconced within a vast spread of residences and commercial spaces, is also set against a picturesque backdrop of the Sierra Madre mountains. Small wonder why Amaia Land has chosen it as the site of Amaia Steps Altaraza.

Amaia Steps Altaraza will rise near commercial establishments like SM City San Jose del Monte, The District by Ayala Malls, Waltermart, and Puregold Tungko; educational institutions like STI College, Colegio de San Agustin, and Apec Schools; transport hubs like the MRT; and other nearby developments like Colinas Verde Residential Estate and Country Club.

Future residents of Amaia Steps Altaraza will enjoy leisurely weekends at its first-rate amenities: a large swimming pool, pretty landscaped areas, a children’s play area, and a cozy clubhouse.

With its mission to serve aspiring Filipino homeowners with affordable yet quality homes, Amaia commits in building sustainable communities that support comfortable lives today and in many years to come.

Own ing an affordable superiorquality condo is a dream that is now being brought closer to hardworking Filipinos through Amaia Land’s easy payment options: cash, deferred cash, and bank financing.

ASEAN... From C1 reduction must be integrated in public health policies to help reduce smokingrelated illnesses and deaths in the country,” said Sison.

Experts from India, Indonesia, Singapore and Sweden called on governments to develop appropriate regulation of alternative products in order to advance tobacco harm reduction.

“In Japan and South Korea where alternative tobacco products are widely available, smoking prevalence rates have dropped sharply. In Singapore and Australia which have banned e-cigarettes, smoking prevalence rates have remained unchanged,” said Andrew Da Roza of Promises Healthcare (Singapore).

He said there was no evidence supporting concerns that young people who use alternative nicotine products go on to become tobacco smokers. “Global data show that smoking prevalence rates have decreased among youths who use alternative products such as e-cigarettes,” he said.

Da Roza lauded Congressman Bravo and other local legislators who have introduced bills advocating e-cigarettes as harm reduction tools. “Please support Congressman Bravo and his colleagues in their advocacy to advance tobacco harm reduction in the Philippine Congress,” he said.

Prof. Helen Redmond of New York University said while the overall smoking prevalence has declined in the United States, the rate among vulnerable groups the homeless, those with mental health issues and those taking illegal drugs, has not moved.

Tobacco harm reduction is about saving lives and helping people make the switch. Current alternatives such as nicotine patches and gums do not have high success rates, she said.

On the other hand, vaping, electronic cigarette products, heat-not-burn, and snus emerged as game-changing revolutionary products and that are considered the future.

“We have to get these products into the hands of people who need the most and we have the opportunity to help the people switch and live. It is about life and death. We need to do everything we can to make these products accessible to the people,” she said.

“We will never live in a nicotinefree world as nicotine is here to stay,” Redmond said. Roderick T. dela Cruz

TANDUAY RUM BAGS ‘BRAND OF THE YEAR’

T

HE prestigious World Branding Awards, the ultimate global brandrecognition accolade, has recently named Tanduay Rum the “Brand of the Year” in a glittering ceremony held at the State Apartments of Kensington Palace.

“We are elated with the recognition given once again to Tanduay. For the past years, we have continued to come up with new product innovations and create memorable experiences for our consumers that further strengthened our brand equity,” said Paul Lim, chief marketing officer of Tanduay Distillers, Inc. Winners are uniquely judged through three streams: brand valuation, consumer market research, and public online voting. Over 230,000 consumers from around the world participated in the voting process. Seventy percent of the scoring process comes from consumer votes. Only one winner was chosen in each category per country.

“In June, we were recognized by an international award for being the world’s top selling rum. Now, a world recognition of the brand affirms even more that we continue to provide our consumers with a great product experience,” Lim said.

It was also this year that Drinks International magazine published a ranking of the sales of global rum brands. According to the document, based on 2017 sales figures, Tanduay has overtaken Bacardi as the world’s best-selling rum as the company sold 19.5 million 9L cases (vs. Bacardi’s 16.8 million) and showed 17 percent growth year-on-year.

The brand awards, on the other hand, brings Tanduay among the greatest and most recognizable brands in the world such as BMW, Cartier, Club Med, JinkoSolar, Johnnie

Tanduay president Lucio ‘Bong’ Tan Jr.

Walker, Lego, L’Oréal, Louis Vuitton, Nescafé, Rolex, Samsung, Schwarzkopf and Yakult.

Regional winners were Ajinomoto, Uniqlo (Japan); Giordano, Optical 88, Sasa, Shangri–La (Hong Kong); Indomie (Indonesia); LuLu; Rak Ceramics (United Arab Emirates); MTN (South Africa); and Zara (Spain).

National tier winners read like a who’s who of branding, with many known globally, and are all iconic brands in their respective countries.

“The awards celebrates the achievements of some of the greatest brands around the globe. With an average of just six winners per country, it is truly a great achievement to be a winner of these awards,” said Richard Rowles, chairman of the World Branding Forum.

This year, the awards were split into two award ceremonies, with brands from the

Americas and the Caribbean awarded in a separate New York event earlier in July.

“More than 4,500 brands from 57 countries were nominated this year, with 351 brands from 49 countries declared as winners – 81 brands from 16 countries were awarded in New York; and 270 winners from 33 countries awarded in London. Not every country was awarded, as a few did not receive enough votes to qualify,” said Peter Pek, chief executive of the Forum.

Now in its fifth year, the awards is organized by the World Branding Forum, a global nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing branding standards. It organizes and sponsors a range of educational programs. The forum also publishes branding news on its website that reaches a global audience of over 23.69 million.

ILOCOS NORTE HOSTS 2018 NATIONAL INVENTORS WEEK THE Department of Science and Technology in collaboration with institutional partners will showcase Filipino inventions at the 25th National Inventors Week on Nov. 20 to 23 at the Teatro Ilocandia in Batac City.

The event coincides with the 75th (Diamond) Jubilee year of the Filipino Inventors Society Producers Cooperative, one of DOST’s partners.

The others partners include the Technology Application Institute, Mariano Marcos State University, the provincial government of Ilocos Norte and the city of Batac.

The four-day event will feature and highlight technology and invention exhibits, technology for, training and workshop on entrepreneurship and financial management, training on scientific writing and among others. The activities are mandated under Presidential Proclamation No. 285 of 1993 which encourages them to showcase unique and marketable inventions of Filipinos for

the Filipinos.

The event has “Inventrepinoy for sustainable growth and prosperity” for its theme.

Among those expected to attend are DOST Secretary Fortunato De la Peña, former PNP chief Ronald dela Rosa, former special assistant to the president Christopher Lawrence Go, Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos, Batac City mayor Albert Chua, FISPC president FranciscoPagayon, MMSU president Dr. Shirley Agrupis, and DOST regional directors Armando Ganal and Sancho Mabborang.

DOST- Ilocos Norte director Joven Viernes said the agency was expecting some 50 exhibitors to present their locally invented products. Rxperts are expected to share their knowledge and wisdom in developing local entrepreneurs and inventors into innovative ‘InventrePinoys” who can push the country towards sustainable economic development.

“Our inventors have dedicated themselves to creating innovative and customizable inventions.

Their self-confidence, vision, wisdom, motivation and delivery skills bring the best ideas to their fullest reality. That is why we, in the FISPC give due honors to local Filipino inventors on this special day. We likewise take this opportunity to render due recognition to all Filipino inventors all over the world,” said Pagayon.

De la Peña will keynote the event which he describes as “an earnest effort to help our Inventrepinoys carve and push sustainable growth and prosperity.”

The other event partners and sponsors are Splash and Healing Galing, One Store, Air 21, Portasol, Probaton, Filwin, Care x Herb, Misty Kool!, EM-Core Dot.Net, Davis & G Blackseed Soap, Filgenius Enterprise, JOCO, Life Source, E Pick Me Up, Carlita R. Doran Herbal Corp., Plantex, Building Beaver Corp., Phenix Garuda, Hana Land Development Corp., E-Pick me up Corp. and Hilmarc’s Construction Corp.

ONE FAMILY, ONE GARDEN

East-West Seed Foundation’s school-based vegetable gardening program

WITH the price of chili pepper skyrocketing to more than P1,000 per kilogram, soaring prices of fuel to P60 per liter and rising inflation, how do you become a wise consumer in this time of crisis?

One, you might want to start cutting household expenses. Two, you would find an additional source of income. And three, you would choose to grow his own food.

This is essentially the spirit behind the partnership between East-West Seed Foundation and the Department of Social Welfare and Development. The publicprivate partnership project will help families under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program establish and sustain their household vegetable gardens, with the aim to increase household food security and contribute to the improvement of the overall health of the 4Ps beneficiaries.

The project is composed of a series of vegetable farming trainings and nutrition education campaigns. For those with limited spaces, urban gardening techniques will be taught. Set to be initially

launched to 500 households in Antique, Capiz, Batangas, and Cavite, the project will also train and develop 4Ps parents and field workers to become “barefoot technicians” or community gardening champions who are expected to promote the value of household gardening in their respective communities.

“Because of the partnership and shared vision with EWS Foundation, we are looking forward to more healthy communities in the country,” said 4Ps managing director Leonardo Reynoso.

“This partnership will provide EWS Foundation with the opportunity to fulfill its vision of food security and quality nutrition education for Filipino communities. It is our privilege to be a part of this advocacy and we are looking forward to a successful partnership,” EWSF executive director Crisanto Sabino said.

Sabino also said they are also working with CARD-MRI Development Institute and Nestle Philippines to reach more communities and develop more vegetable gardens in public schools. The partnership with CMDI will be initially launched to communities in Laguna.

Tech & Gadgets

ONLINE SHOPS TOP TARGETS FOR DATA STEALING MALWARE

A

S THE big annual holiday shopping season gets underway, new Kaspersky Lab research shows that banking Trojans are actively targeting online users of popular consumer brands, stealing credentials and other information through these sites.

Kaspersky Lab technologies detected 9.2 million attempted attacks by the end of Q3, 2018, compared to 11.2 for the whole of 2017, with detections for one malware family up by 34%.

Half all online shops attacked were well known consumer apparel brands including fashion, footwear, gifts, toys and department stores.

Online shoppers in the US, Italy, Germany, Russia, and emerging markets appear to be particularly at risk.

Traditionally, banking Trojans target mostly users of online financial services, looking for financial data to steal, or building botnets out of hacked devices for future attacks. Over time, several of these banking Trojans have enhanced their functionality and reach to target the data and credentials of online shoppers, and obtain root access to their devices.

The main malware families stealing from victims through e-commerce brands are Betabot, Panda, Gozi, Zeus, Chthonic, TinyNuke, Gootkit2, IcedID, and SpyEye (where detections were up by 34%). The Trojans target well known e-commerce brands to hunt for user credentials like login, password, card number, phone number, and more. They seize the data from victims by intercepting input data on target sites, modifying the online page content, and/or redirecting visitors to phishing pages.

The main findings of the research report include: Half (50%) of the brand names targeted by the malware families detected are established high street labels, including fashion, footwear, jewelry, gifts, toys and department stores, followed by consumer electronics brands (12%) and entertainment/gaming (12%).

Overall, the research found 14 malware families targeting a total of 67 consumer e-commerce sites, which include 33 consumer apparel sites, eight consumer electronics sites, eight entertainment and gaming sites, three

popular telecoms sites, two online payment sites, and three online retail platforms, among others.

Of these: Betabot was found to be targeting 46 different brands, including 16 different consumer apparel brands, four consumer electronics brands and eight entertainment/gaming brands; with most of those affected in Italy (14.13% of users affected by any malware were targeted by this threat), Germany (6.04%), Russia

for what appear to be hacked merchant accounts.

“Credential-stealing banking malware is nothing new. However, the existence of families hunting for data related to online shopping accounts is perhaps more unexpected. If your computer is infected with one of the listed Trojans, then criminals are able to steal payment card details while you enter them on the shop’s website.

After that, it is easy for a hacker to get to your money through a compromised credit card,” said Yury Namestnikov, principal security researcher, Global Research and Analysis Team, Kaspersky Lab. “Cybercriminals could also use the stolen accounts in money laundering schemes: buying things from a website using victims’ credentials so they

shopping online: If you are a consumer A powerful, updated security solution is a must for all devices you use to shop online. Avoid buying anything online from websites that look potentially dangerous or which resemble an incomplete version of a trusted brand’s website.

Don’t click on unknown links in email or social media messages, even from people you know, unless you were expecting the message.

If you are an online brand or trader Use a reputable payment service and keep your online trading and payment platform software up-todate. Every new update may contain critical patches to make the system less vulnerable to cybercriminals.

Some banking Trojans target dozens of consumer online shopping sites, with the US, Europe and emerging markets particularly affected

(5.5%) and India (4.87%).

Gozi was found to be targeting 36 brands, including 19 consumer apparel and three consumer electronics brands; with most of those affected in Italy (19.57% of users affected by any of malware), Russia (13.89%), Brazil (11.96%) and France (5.91%).

Over three million sets of e-commerce credentials were found up for sale on a marketplace easily accessible through the Google search engine. The highest prices are charged

look like known customers and don’t trigger any anti-fraud measures, and then selling those items on again.

As we come into the busiest online shopping season of the year, we urge consumers and retailers to be extra vigilant about their security, and to check and double check the integrity of websites before entering or downloading any data,” added Namestnikov.

Kaspersky Lab recommends the following steps to stay safe when

Use a tailored security solution to protect your business and customers.

Pay attention to the personal information used by customers to buy from you. Use a fraud prevention solution that you can adjust to your company profile and the profile of your customers.

Think about how much money you wish to keep in an online payment transaction account at any one time.

The greater the balance, the higher the value of that account to hackers.

BROTHER PH LIVES BY ‘AT YOUR SIDE’ MOTTO

LEADING provider of IT solutions for the home and office, Brother International Philippines Corporation (Brother Phils.), lives by the “At Your Side” mantra, a guiding principle to everything the company does.

Living by this mantra means being with customers in their everyday journey by providing them with superior quality products, as well as Dr. Park best-in class service and value.

Brother Philippines set up shop in the country in 2000, with corporate offices in Makati. The company then moved its headquarters to BGC (Bonifacio Global City), which also houses a service center catering to fixing all Brother products—from printers, multi-function centers, fax machines, label-makers, and typewriters.

To further demonstrate Brother PH’s commitment to its customers in the Philippines, extension offices were put up in key cities all over the country. These offices serve as the local headquarters, as training

venues for local promodizers, and as service centers for customers thereby ensuring customers access to excellent before and after sales service.

To date, there are six company-owned extension offices put up in the following areas: Cebu in 2005, Davao in 2008, Cagayan de Oro in 2009, Naga in 2010, Pampanga in 2012, and most recently, Iloilo in May 2018.

Further strengthening Brother PH’s presence in the country are 200 accredited service centers (ASCs) nationwide—from Aparri down to Zamboanga—one of the biggest service networks for any technology brand in the country.

Brother PH President Glenn P. Hocson said customers can look forward to their opening of more extension offices in the coming years as the company seeks to continue to grow its service network and reach more Brother customers.

“We hope that our customers will be more con-

fident with their purchase of the company’s innovative products knowing that there is a Brother local office that can help them maximize the use, as well as maintain their machines,” Hocson said.

Notably, in its early years, Brother PH gained a following when it came up with the innovative idea of turning the fax machine into a printer and the winning strategy of being present in IT stores.

In more recent years, Brother has introduced high speed laser and Inkjet models, multi-function centers with wireless connection, and the Philippines’ first LED and A3 printers, among others.

“We work hard to live by our motto ‘At your side’ and we walk our talk by always putting our customers first. We are committed to give them the best of technology to make working at their homes and offices more productive and efficient. Providing superior value to our customers is our way of building strong and long-lasting relationships with them,” Hocson said.

MSI-ECS GATHERS EXPERTS TO PREACH DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

By Charles Dantes IN THE hopes of addressing different chal-

lenges and solutions, IT distributor MSI-ECS gathered technology experts and leaders in the recently concluded CXO Innovation Summit in Cebu to enlighten different enterprises on why digital transformation is the “key to the survival” in the industry.

Divided into several sessions, the summit revolved around the guidelines of the evolving business architecture while continuing to thrive in the market. Topics ranging from transformation of smart cities, IoT, cloud storage, data management, cyber security, blockchain and the use of Artificial Intelligence in enterprises were discussed during the event, offering a much bolder take on how to incorporate new digital approach.

Prioritizing data security As of today, data management has been one of the pivotal factors in handling different organizations, ranging from small enterprises to corporate-level businesses, but the growing number of data also showed an alarming growth of different types cyber attacks and security breaches in the past couple years.

To further learn about the matter, Tarun Gupta, Regional Account Manager of cyber security firm Trend Micro, said that an early detection of the malware or threat would be a good sign of limiting the amount of stolen data. The average number of days before an attack is detected is around 99 days.

Gupta also emphasized that hackers can be cunning in breaching your data as cyber security tightens up its defense.

Building a Smart City With a polarizing idea of having a complete hi-tech city, Zdravka Newman of network solution giant Cisco, shared what would be the latest trend called smart cities.

A highly connected and immersive take of relations from different objects and areas is needed to efficiently manage data and even the resources of the city. From changing the regulator of light post to properly management of waste disposal, Newman said that a proper use of sensors and devices incorporated from one place to another seamlessly will properly manage incoming and regulate data.

The next “big thing”?

One of the hottest terms in the tech industry, IT experts and leaders believed

Different digital innovators shared their insights about digital transformation during the first CXO Innovation Summit by MSI-ECS at Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu. Charles Dantes

that blockchain will be the next “big thing” after the internet in the business industry.

Defined as a shared, incorruptible, permissioned ledger with consensus and immutability, blockchain allows users to transact in a shared ecosystem and create permanent records of transactions. With today’s landscape of transactions, appropriate data management and data storage plays a big role in the business.

A few steps behind On a holistic point-of-view, experts and

leaders of the tech industry expressed that the world is still not yet prepared to embrace the concept of digital transformation. In a research study, we are nearing 20 trillion gigabytes of data all over the cyber space, which an alarming huge number of professionals believe we are not yet capable of managing and securing.

We are still a few steps behind to completely foster the idea of digital transformation, that is why we need to deal with the challenges one step at a time.

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2018 rumallari@thestandard.com.ph

SAP SUPPORTS...

From C4

Filipino conglomerates, recently announced its deployment of SAP S/4HANA to kickstart their journey towards becoming the leading digital conglomerate in the country JG Summit’s chief information officer Carlo Santos also stressed he eyes positive things to happen with their engagement with SAP. “We only expect good things to happen moving forward. We know that SAP will help us remain competitive at every step of our journey towards digital transformation through their breed of innovative solutions, specifically SAP S/4HANA, over the coming five years,” he said.

Meanwhile, Singapore-based CrowdFarmX, a start-up farming cooperative on the blockchain, will be deploying SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud to speed up the onboarding of 10 million Southeast Asian farmers onto its platform in the next 22 years.

David Tan, CrowdFarmX’s founder and CEO, maintained that the global food supply chain requires to be “completely reimagined” in order to remain sustainable for the years to come.

Tan said SAP S/4 HANA Public Cloud allows their company to have an “intelligent and intuitive” digital backbone that supports their complete visibility of the supply chain and their rapid scalability.

“This is crucial to pioneering next-generation agriculture by bringing and supporting farmers to gain more benefit from market opportunities. Our ultimate goal is to uplift farmers from poverty, make farming a more lucrative profession, and secure the world’s future food supply,” Tan added.

On the other hand, Globe Telecom, a leading full-service telecommunications company based in the Philippines, recently signed a three-year deal with SAP, for business suite platform and service solutions aimed at digitalizing its financial processes, supporting real-time decision making, and supporting agile environment.

Rizza Maniego-Eala, Globe’s chief finance officer, also echoed the other consumers as she expressed optimism with their company’s venture with SAP S/4 HANA. “Through SAP S/4HANA business suite platform, as well as Concur and Ariba Procure-to-Pay (P2P) service solutions, we will be able to modernize our business processes to keep up with the fast-changing landscape of the business and market,” she said.

“This initiative will help transform our finance processes into more agile and real-time decision-making tools. More than looking at numbers and transactions, we will further strengthen our capability to add value company-wide by providing insights crucial to making informed decisions,” Eala added, expecting an improvement in their business productivity and operational efficiencies to enable their crossfunctional teams to deliver a richer internal and external customer experience.

Lastly, Body Shop Indonesia is also using SAP SuccessFactors to digitize their HR and employee processes, while Mitsui & Co., Ltd., one of the world’s most diversified and largest comprehensive trading, investment, and service companies, is standardizing the organization’s travel and expense process through SAP Concur.

“At The Body Shop Indonesia, we embarked on a digital transformation journey that encompasses our people, products, processes, and platforms,” said Mira Fitria Soetjipto, Human resources, Technology and Strategy Management director of Body Shop Indonesia.

“As we prepare for the workforce of the future, we leveraged SAP SuccessFactors to digitize our HR processes and ensure that our organization’s strategy and goals are aligned to our workforce performance. SAP SuccessFactors technology was an enabler for us to become an intelligent enterprise and sustain a competitive advantage,” she said.

For his part, Ikuo Hayashi, Mitsui & Co. ASIA PACIFIC’s general manager for information systems, said they are greatly satisfied with their IT investment in SAP Concur “[We are] developing further opportunities to improve employee productivity. We now have a platform to deliver our broader aims of migrating IT systems in Asia to the cloud and standardizing operations across the region,” Hayashi concluded. Nat Mariano

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TECH & Gadgets SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2018 Riera U. Mallari, Editor rumallari@thestandard.com.ph

SPOTIFY FOR APPLE WATCH HELPS KEEP TIME WITH MUSIC W

E’RE constantly on the go— whether bouncing between the gym, work, school, errands, or just chilling—and our smartwatches are the tool to help keep us up to speed.

Now, Spotify is introducing a new app for the Apple Watch, giving you the ability to seamlessly access and control your favorite music and podcasts without missing a beat. We know the importance of having music on the go, which is why we’re excited to bring a new Spotify app to our highly mobile users on Apple Watch. With this new app, users can enjoy an improved experience with better control and the ability to seamlessly connect to your speakers or devices. And while we continue to innovate, we have many exciting things coming up—including the ability to listen to your music and podcasts offline. More activities—more control.

Smartwatches let us access the world with a flick of our wrists. Ready to start your run? Hit play from your Apple Watch without having to wrangle your phone out of its running case. Running into a friend as you head into the grocery store?

Tap pause to grab a cart and a chat. Not feeling a slow song during your birthday party? Skipping to the track that matches your mood and activity is now as easy as checking your notifications. Or, while listening to your favorite podcast, easily rewind 15 seconds to catch that detail you missed.

It’s all right there on the watch face.

Speaking of parties, easily connect your speakers

Spotify is introducing a new app for the Apple Watch, giving you the ability to seamlessly access and control your favorite music and podcasts.

or devices via Spotify Connect to effortlessly DJ from your watch. Easier access—easier discovery.

The new integration with Apple Watch makes accessing your recently played songs simple, even with your phone in your pocket. Plus, if you find a new favorite track while on the go, just tap t h e icon on your watch screen to save it to your collection—and then feel free to stream it

over and over again.

This new experience will be rolling out to Apple Watch users over the coming week. Make sure that you have the latest version (v.8.4.79) of Spotify, or download it on the App Store—and look out for more updates coming soon. Apple Watch is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the US and other countries.

GLOBE TELECOM NOW OFFERING iPHONE XR LIVE STREAMING PLATFORM NiMO TV COMES TO PH

GLOBE Telecom is now offering the iPhone XR, bringing the latest iPhone innovations to more people, at Globe Stores nationwide!

Globe customers can choose from six colors—Blue, Coral, Yellow, White, Black, and Red—and three storage capacities—64GB, 128GB, and 256GB. Make great strides towards your plans with iPhone XR powered by ThePLAN. Grab the latest model in the 2018 iPhone series for only P2,899 (ThePLAN 1799 + P1,100 monthly cashout). Creating and sharing your favorite moments just got easier with the 256GB memory capacity and new A12 Bionic chipset of iPhone XR plus ThePLAN’s 11GB data. Unwind and enjoy premium entertainment on iPhone XR’s legendary display with free 6-month subscriptions to Amazon Prime Video and DisneyLife.

Make big moves and create the life you want with iPhone XR! Choose the best data plan from Globe ThePLAN or ThePLATINUM Plan to maximize your new phone’s latest features.

Find out more about ThePLAN for iPhone XR at globe.com.ph/ iphone-xr and get yours today at Globe Stores or at the Globe Online Shop. Stay updated on the latest promos and offers by following Globe on Facebook and Twitter. For more details on iPhone, visit apple.com.

MAKE way for an epic gamestreaming app as NiMO TV officially launches in the Philippines bringing in exclusive partnership with Rules of Survival and TNC Pro Team Dota 2.

NiMO TV, a game streaming app focusing on community interactivity through chat and virtual gifts expands in the Philippines following its successful launch in other Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

NiMO TV features a user interface that streams top-trending games like PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, Mobile Legends, Dota 2, Rules of Survival and live online access to esports events and tournaments through its front-page listing. It also allows game streamers and viewers to chat with one another in its live chatting platform, with this feature NiMO TV aims to create an ecosystem, which involves streamers, viewers, brand sponsors, and celebrity players with hopes to build the streaming experience more interactive and fan-friendly.

NiMO TV continuously strengthens its pool of streamers

in both novice and veteran gamers.

One testament is an exclusive partnership with the Philippines’ Pride TNC Pro Team Dota 2, a globally recognized squad who cemented its legacy by consistently qualifying and winning different Dota 2 Championships in the World with total earnings of more than 126 Million Pesos throughout their professional career.

One exciting event in the pipeline is the upcoming Rules of Survival— NiMO TV—Philippine Champions League tagged as one of the country’s biggest esports league with a combined pool prize of P500,000. A cash prize ranging from P25,000 to P100,000 awaits the sixth to the first place winners of the event.

With NiMO TV’s expansion to the Philippines, they aim to make a solid presence in the rapidly growing world of esports and game streaming.

Download the NiMO TV app at Apple app store and Google Play store.

Click link here. https://nimotv. onelink.me/B6cW/d16e7349

ST. LUKE'S HOLDS INNOVATION CONTEST IN today’s fast-paced society, advancements happen in the blink of an eye.

Modern improvements in systems and technology have enabled people to develop creative breakthroughs stemming from even the smallest of ideas. It is most inspiring to know that many of these novel concepts come from the youth.

This year, St. Luke’s Medical Center is inviting all third to fifth year college students nationwide to join its first Innovations Designed for Excellence and Advancement Student Innovation Awards.

St. Luke’s Medical Center pillars itself on social responsibility and innovation, and is committed to the discovery of unique concepts that will be of valuable service to the rest of the community.

Thus, the St. Luke’s Student Innovation Awards aims to recognize young, bright ideas, and to uncover new ways in delivering quality healthcare. This endeavor is also endorsed by the Commission on Higher Education, in accordance to the Higher Education Act of 1994, which ensures the advancement of learning and research.

Students are encouraged to submit their entries, either as individuals or as a group, with the theme, “A Safer, Sustainable, and Connected World.”

Entries can be any inventive, original development in medical or technological advancement geared towards creating healthcare solutions.

The winners will be chosen by a panel of subject matter specialists and selected experts through rigorous assessment on each submission’s novelty, robustness, impact, adaptability, and clarity. These students will be awarded in February 2019, and will receive cash and special prizes.

For the submission of entries, students must download the contest application form from the official website of St. Luke’s Medical Center, and submit a five-page project proposal, along with the YouTube link to a 60-second video presentation on or before Dec. 16.

Email your requirements to StudentInnovation@stlukes.com. ph. For more information, please contact the Student Innovation Awards Team at 723-0101 ext.

4720 or 4721. You may also visit the official website of St. Luke’s at www.stlukes.com.ph, or the official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/StLukesPH.

SAP SUPPORTS SEA CUSTOMERS ON THEIR INTELLIGENT ENTERPRISE JOURNEY SAP recently showcased customers in Southeast Asia who have embarked on a journey towards becoming an Intelligent Enterprise.

According to SAP, the economic stimulus in Southeast Asia continues to grow, resulting in the expansion of the digital economy. However, each country in the region is developing at a different pace and faces specific challenges in terms of digital maturity.

With over 45 years of experience and expertise in 25 industries, SAP is in a unique position to support customers in Southeast Asia on their journey to succeed in the digital economy and transform their business into an Intelligent Enterprise.

“The digital ecosystem in Southeast Asia continues to grow and mature, presenting immense opportunities for organizations to harness the power of data,” said SAP SE president and managing director

Claus Andresen.

Andresen said SAP has helped more than 10,000 companies in Southeast Asia to adopt digital innovations for more than 29 years.

“Today, we continue to expand our innovation portfolio in new ways, allowing our customers and partners to innovate with purpose and confidence. We are glad that companies continue to choose SAP as their trusted partner on their journey to become intelligent enterprises,” he added.

Intelligent enterprises operate with visibility, focus, and agility to achieve game-changing outcomes. They do more with less and empower employees through process automation. They deliver a best-in-class customer experience by proactively responding to customer expectations. They invent new business models and revenue streams.

Tanduay Distillers, Inc., an internation-

ally awarded diversified beverage company, based in the Philippines, kicked off their journey of revitalizing their business processes with SAP S/4HANA. For his part, Nestor Mendones, Senior Vice President for Finance and Chief Finance Officer of Tanduay, said he believes technology will be the “key” to the company’s strategic goals.

“We are armed with data so that we can make be more agile and make more informed decisions. By enhancing our operations, supply chain and distribution, we move our organization from being transactional and administrative to being more focused and performancedriven,” said Mendones, expressing optimism that Tanduay will continue to dominate in the alcohol industry through its consistent innovation.

Also, JG Summit Holdings Inc., tagged as one of the most diversified Turn to C3

A panel session with SAP customers moderated by Peter Moore, Vice President of Platform & Data Management, SAP Southeast Asia; Mira Fitra Soetjipto, Human Resources Director, The Body Shop Indonesia; David Tan, Founder and CEO of CrowdFarmX; Rizza Maniego-Eala, Chief Financial Officer of Globe Telecom; Ikuo Hayashi, General Manager of Information System, Asia Pacific, Mitsui & Co (Asia Pacific) PTE LTD, and Carlos Santos, Chief Information Officer of JG Summit

Destinations D1

sunday, november 18, 2018

Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor

manilastandardlife@gmail.com

@manilastandardlife

@MStandardLIFE

A destinAtion And A home

VACATION AT HOME. Premier mountain resort development Tagaytay Highlands offers world-class services and an extensive

T

portfolio of luxury homes, raging from log cabins to hilltop lot properties to condominiums.

HeRe is nothing quite like living in a place where it always feels like a getaway,

Over the years, Tagaytay Highlands has become the destination of choice of the country’s affluent lot who appreciates the exclusivity and leisurely life it offers.

As the only mountain resort of its kind and scale near the metro, the development is constantly seen as a game-changer in luxury mountain resort in Asia.

In fact, Tagaytay Highlands was listed

by Bloomberg as one of “The Hamptons of Asia” in a feature in September that revealed where the region’s ultra-rich people are spending their weekends as they gear up for the best weather of the

year. The mountain resort complex was listed among other popular havens in the region such as Bali in Indonesia, Karuizawa in Japan, Alibaug in India, and Phuket in Thailand.

Today, it celebrates more than two decades of exclusive mountainside resort living with world-class services and an extensive portfolio of luxury homes for its members and residents—ranging from log cabins to hilltop lot properties to condominiums.

Headlining Tagaytay Highlands’ signature log cabin communities is Woodlands

Families living in Tagaytay Highlands enjoy amenities that make it feel like everyday's always a getaway.

Point, a charming community of contemporary ski resort-inspired luxury log cabins, ranging from 239 to 320 square meters, made of Western red cedar imported from the highlands of Canada. Sitting on one of the most elevated terrains of the property, Woodlands Point is a timeless hideaway enveloped by thousands of Norfolk pine trees and panoramic vistas of the Canlubang countryside, Laguna de Bay, and verdant mountains.

Families who aspire for a picture-perfect vacation home amidst nature can settle at Horizon Terraces. This 3.2-hectare community features a fine selection of Asian contemporary garden suites and villas set against panoramic nature vistas of Mt Makiling, Midlands Golf Course, Taal Lake, and its own lush central park. The Garden Suites is perfect for a quick weekend escape from the bustling metropolis with well-planned one- and two- bedroom units, with areas ranging from 43 to 68 square meters. The Garden Villas is for large families, featuring well-appointed three-bedroom townhouses highlighted by a multifunctional space or den on the ground floor.

Nestled at the heart of Tagaytay Midlands is Sycamore Heights, a contemporary Asian-themed community of homes featuring modern elements of earth tones in lots ranging from 250 to 959 square meters. This sought-after community is bounded by breathtaking views of the Taal Lake and Volcano,

the Midlands fairways, and the mountainside with nature-inspired amenities amidst lush, wide open spaces.

Residents can savor a laid-back yet vibrant lifestyle in their home at Vireya, the first and only tropical resort community in Tagaytay Highlands that perfectly blends the cool mist of the mountains with the warmth of the tropics. With the scenic Taal Lake and Mt. Makiling at a far distant, tropical-inspired homes can be built on 250 to 562 square meter lots with elements of wood and wide glass windows to let the verdant outdoors in. Staying true to its vision of holistic living, Vireya presents diverse points of interests within the community—exclusive leisure amenities that promote wellness and adventure right at their doorstep.

To cap all of this, Tagaytay Highlands is everything the affluent set needs to make lasting memories, thanks to its wide array of world-class services and recreational amenities accessed through membership rights at The Country Club.

Indoor sports facilities include swimming, tennis, bowling, and badminton and other outdoor pursuits such as Pedal Go Kart Racing, Sporting Arrow, and life-size board games at the Supersized Game Park.

Tagaytay Highlands also offers foodies a number of specialty restaurants and dining places such as the popular Highlander Steakhouse, Highlands China Palace, and Gourmet Avenue.

The mountain resort complex has been listed among other popular havens in Asia.

destinations

D2

sunday, november 18, 2018 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Beach on a Budget

The golden sunset provides the attractive background for a typical Filipino silhouette.

m

y eldesT son, Juan Carlos, is fond of driving around the metropolis and to the neighboring provinces, in search of something new and exciting. every now and then, he comes home raving about a new discovery that he and his girlfriend enjoyed.

Here’s that interesting worthy of an epic cinematic destination he recently dissoundtrack. Whether it’s covered and, since I didn’t camping with the children, want to dilute the “flavor” of a weekend with the gang, his description of the place, fun time after office hours I decided to yield my colwith colleagues, or a roumn this week to him. dear mantic sunset date with readers, take a look at this your partner, it’s the perfect mercury rising place to unwind. interesting discovery, as deBy BoB zozoBrado scribed by my eldest son: unlike the more famous With the recent staggerbeaches of boracay, siargao, ing “one-two punch” of risand Puerto Galera, where you ing fuel prices and skyrocketing inflation either have to fly or take a ferry, or Pagudpud rates, it’s no surprise that more and more and la union which take at least a half day’s beachgoers are resorting to dIy (do-it-your- worth of road time (not to mention expensive self) vacations to get their fix of “vitamin sea.” toll fees), Calatagan’s manuel uy beach takes Whether they are backpackers, barkada the best of the aforementioned beaches with trippers, or families on vacation, more and a more budget-friendly come-on. more tourists are looking for seaside escaThe best way to travel is to share a ride pades that aren’t so heavy on the pocket. with friends/family, maximizing the numCreating the perfect trifecta of proximity (to ber of individuals splitting the toll fee of manila), budgetabout P175.00 friendliness, and per way (approxinatural beauty, mately us$3.50). the manuel uy Fuel costs are yoUr weekend CHUCkLe beach in Calataalso kept to a gan, batangas minimum when oPTImIsT: The glass is half full. is certainly the sharing a ride.

PessImIsT: The glass is half empty. beach to go to for upon arrival, moTHer: you’re messing up my table. those dIy-brandeach guest pays Why didn’t you use a coaster? ed adventures. either the day located just a pass of P100 mere three and a (us$2) or the half hours away overnight fee of from congested manila, this beach is per- P200 (us$ 4), with appropriate discounts fect for those days when you just have to for senior citizens. Children below 6 years “get away from it all.” For those of you who old enter for free. Guests also pay for parkneed to recharge with a healthy breath of ing, P100 (us$2), and the environmental fresh air, the beach is exactly what your fee of P30 (less than us$1). doctor prescribed. since there are no rooms or formal accomThe symphony of sun, sea, sand, and sky modations, visitors pitch tents to stay in for (and stars) offers a picturesque moment the night. There is a corresponding camping

The perfect antidote to stress—sand, sea, and sky.

fee of P150 (us$3), which is good for up to four persons (the more in the party, the higher the fee). Guests may bring their own tents, or rent them for P500 (us$10). because this beach is a seaside campsite, it is assumed that guests bring their own food and drinks. Hot water, charging ports for mobile phones, stoves and rice cookers are available for rent, but most guests bring their own to further cut costs. once you arrive at the beach, it’s a race against other guests to get the choice spot to pitch your tent or set up your picnic area. once you have settled down, there is a smorgasbord of naturebound activities to choose from. eager guests wade in the waist-deep water of the shallow surf, usually between 6:30 a.m. to around 10:00 a.m. when the sun is not too harsh, and then again, at around 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. when the lifeguards leave for the day.

Island-hopping with friends is a great way to spend the day, but if you’re on a tight budget, you can spend the hot hours at the cooking area preparing your feast for the rest of the day, or hide in your cozy tent under the shade of the many trees. social media-conscious guests try out their “fantasized dream poses” in any of the Instagram-worthy locations at the resort, from the rugged rocks a la little mermaid, to the sandy shoreline, or the shallow sea. at the end of the day, you see time slowing down, as the mesmerizing sunset slowly tucks itself behind the horizon, giving way to the spectacular sky of stars. and, to think, one can have this awesome bonding with nature...at a budget!

For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@gmail.com.

Global industry experts headline MiCe ConferenCe exPerTs in various industries from different parts of the world are flying to the country for a mICe (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) conference in bacolod on nov. 27-29. organized by the Tourism Promotions board, the marketing arm of the department of Tourism, the mICe Conference or mICeCon is the biggest industry gathering of its kind and is a highly anticipated educational event for travel and tourism practitioners. mICe is a major contributor to the growth of Philippine tourism. mICeCon 2018 aims to establish the Philippines’ standing as the preferred destination for meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions as outlined in the mICe roadmap 2030, which targets to increase revenues derived from the mICe industry to some P25 billion by growing annual mICe arrivals to 3 percent, and increasing the total usable space for exhibitions to over 170,895 square meters.

From left: Jerry sibal, Peng ee and susan sarfati

For this year’s event, the TPb has gathered an impressive roster of local and international speakers, namely: susan sarfati, founding chief executive officer of The Center for association leadership and executive vice president of the american society of association executives; liz Jackson, vice president of association management

Group and president of associated luxury Hotels; Peng ee, of the Global Commerce business unit of TTG asia media; and Jerry sibal, founder of Jerry sibal design and a world-renowned event designer and florist. apart from being named one of the 25 most influential people in the meetings industry by meeting news, sar-

fati’s achievements include non-profit Times executive of the year, the spirit of Hospitality award, as well as over two decades of experience in creating high-performance individuals, teams, and organizations.

Jackson has been involved in the association community of Washington, dC for 30 years, taking on executive career roles and as a member of several professional association boards of directors. some of the awards she has received include meeting Professionals International member of the year, Greater Washington society of association executives’ board member award, and american society of association executives Fellow selection for leadership.

Peng ee has extensive experience in exhibitions and events, and was recently appointed to transform the Global business unit of TTG asia media, organizer of the IT&Cma, the

leading international mICe event centered in the asia Pacific, as well as the TTG’s mICe show in China, which saw the largest Philippine contingent in its history.

For more than 25 years, sibal has built a name for himself as a leading event designer and floral artist, creating magical settings for both private parties and corporate events. In may, he produced the first-ever Philippine Tourism expo, in partnership with the doT and TbP, a four-day event held at the vanderbilt Hall, new york Grand Central Terminal. aside from the learnings derived from the engaging talks, the mICeCon 2018 program also includes networking opportunities during themed social functions. It likewise aims to showcase what bacolod City has to offer as a mICe venue, while further upgrading its capabilities in targeting and handling the mICe market.

Entertainment

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2018

D3

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

’ASAP‘ IS NOW

’ASAP NATIN ‘TO’

Fans anticipate the much-awaited collaboration of Sarah Geronimo and Regine Velasquez on 'Asap Natin 'To' stage today.

WILL

KATARINA RODRIGUEZ BE PH’S 2ND MISS WORLD?

By Eton Concepcion

W

pageant?

OULD it be ‘third time lucky’ for Miss World Philippines 2018 Katarina Rodriguez when she vies for the Miss World crown at the 68th edition of the prestigious

Rodriguez, who left for Sanya, China for the month-long competition, has an impressive resume when it comes to her beauty pageant stint. In 2014, she finished as second runner up in Asia’s Next Top Model Cycle 2, and in 2017, she was named first runner-up in Miss Intercontinental in Hurghada, Egypt.

The 26-year-old Davaoeño model and Business Management and Philosophy degree holder from De La Salle University, will compete against 120 delegates coming from the four corners of the world to try to capture the country’s second Miss World title.

“I am excited to compete and I want to thank all of you for your support. The big part of being a beauty queen is the honor and challenge of carrying your national flag and represent your countrymen. So I really have to bring my best foot forward and showcase the best version of myself and my country,” Rodriguez said during her send-off held recently.

The send-off party, which was held in a

restaurant in Quezon City, was attended

by Miss Eco-International Philippines 2018 Maureen Montagne, Miss Multinational Philippines 2018 Kimi Mugford and Miss World Philippines 2018 1st Princess Chanel Morales together with Miss World Philippines national director Arnold Vegafria and General Manager Bessie Besana.

“Being crowned Miss World Philippines was for me ‘a coming of age mark’ for being a woman,” added the HIV-AIDS awareness advocate, who is being likened to ‘Quantico’ star Priyanka Chopra who won Miss World in 2000.

“Katarina has the poise and regal bearing of a winning queen. She’s a woman of substance and it shows the minute she talks about her passion and advocacies,” Vegafria said.

Reigning Miss World Manushi Chhillar from India, a recent visitor in Manila will crown her successor on Dec. 8. Catch the live telecast of Miss World 2018 on GMA 7.

Katarina Rodriguez is currently in Sanya, China representing the Philippines at the 68th edition of the prestigious Miss World pageant.

AFTER 23 years of being the regular Sunday entertainment habit of every Filipino, ASAP opens the stage to celebrate stories of hope, love and inspiration from Kapamilya fans all over the world on the new ASAP, now ‘To! starting today, called ASAP Natin ‘To! 18.

Nov. 18.

The celebration of real stories and real people starts with the inspiring story of a couple from Surigao whose dreams of getting married was put on hold because of a devastating accident.

ASAP Natin ‘To! fulfills their wedding dream by getting them married live on air this Sunday with ASAP Natin ‘To! stars Gary Valenciano, Piolo Pascual, Sarah Geronimo, Daniel Padilla, Ogie Alcasid, Moira, Luis Manzano Manzano, Regine VelasquezAlcasid, and other ASAP Natin ‘To! Kapamilya stars.

Meanwhile, Iñigo Pascual’s viral hit “Dahil Sa’yo,” celebrates music and life among Kapamilyas along with the Zumbalolas from Cebu, the dancing jail warden from Iwahig, Puerto Princesa, Palawan who will jam with Iñigo, Darren Espanto, Glinoga Jeremy Glinoga, Kyle Echarri and Mayward’s MayMay Entrata and Edward Barbers Barbers.

Sarah Geronimo sits down with the fathers of the TNT Boys, composed of Mackie Empuerto, Concepcion and Keifer Francis Concepcion, Sanchez to get to know their dreams for their children. The fathers share how much they love the boys no matter what. Watch out too for the exciting singing collaboration from Sarah and the TNT Boys.

Viewers also get to meet three Kapamilyas whose lives were touched by the talent of Asia’s songbird, Regine VelasquezAlcasid: a girl whose father idolizes Regine so much that he did the same training of partly submerging his daughter inside a drum full of water while singing to strengthen her lungs and vocal power; a promodizer who never tires of singing Regine’s songs; and a power belter from Dubai who made her dreams come true with her own renditions of Regine’s songs.

Also this Sunday, the muchawaited collaboration between Regine and the country’s singing champions AnQuinto KZ Tandgeline Quinto, ingan, Jona, Frenchie Dy, Nympha Janine BerElha Nympha, din Jed Madela, Marcelito Podin, moy Jason Dy, Mitoy Yonting, moy, Belleza and Erik SanNoven Belleza, tos lights up the stage.

Plus, for the very first time, catch the exciting team up of Regine and Sarah on the ASAP Natin ‘To! stage.

ASAP is the longest-running, multiawarded and top-rating Sunday musical variety show on Philippine television, currently airing weekly on ABS-CBN and aired over 20 different countries and territories through The Filipino Channel (TFC).

Catch all these and more in ASAP Natin ‘To! at 12:00 noon today.

GMA NETWORK LETS LOVE OVERFLOW IN CHRISTMAS STATION ID

Alden Richards leads 800 GMA artists and employees in the network's Christmas station ID

GMA Network ushers in the holiday season with a powerful message of love in its 2018 Christmas Station ID dubbed, “Ipadama ang Puso ng Pasko” which premieres today, Nov. 18, on Sunday PinaSaya.

This year, the Kapuso Network, together with communities here and abroad, come together to give us the holiday feels as they celebrate the heart of Christmas.

The Christmas campaign puts the spotlight on the Network’s recognized heart for genuine public service and how its talents and personalities also reach out to help communities in their own ways.

Symbolizing the essence of being a Kapuso, some of the scenes featured were the bayanihan preparation of Give-A-Gift: Alay Sa Batang Pinoy Noche Buena packs at the GMA Kapuso Foundation (GMAKF) Operations Center led by its founder and ambassador Mel Tiangco; various personalities participating in different outreach activities that spread love and bring cheer to communities; and the inspiring story of how GMA’s four-decade long medical-social service TV program Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko continues to touch lives.

More importantly, the heartwarming vignettes affirm that Christmas is very much alive in the hearts of Filipinos.

The theme song entitled “Puso ng Pasko” Is performed by various Kapuso personalities headlined by Michael V, Alden Richards, Jennylyn Mercado, Tom Rodriguez, Lovi Poe, Christian Bautista, Aicelle Santos, The Clash

Give-A-Gift: Alay Sa Batang Pinoy Noche Buena packs at the GMA Kapuso Foundation (GMAKF) Operations Center led by its founder and ambassador Mel Tiangco.

Grand Champion Golden Cañedo, and Julie Ann San Jose, with lyrics

by Rexy Jolly Conopio and BJ Camaya while music was composed and arranged by Ann Figueroa.

Watch how GMA celebrates the heart of Christmas. Don’t miss the launch of Ipadama “Ang Puso Ng Pasko: The GMA 2018 Christmas Station ID” featuring over 800 artists and employees today on Sunday Pinasaya and catch the full version on GMANetwork.com and on GMA Network’s official social media accounts.

D4

sunday, november 18, 2018

Pets

Desiree Carlos, Editor

daycarlos28@yahoo.com

My Furry Bestie THIs corner features pets of animal lovers every week. We hope new owners and those thinking of getting a pet will be encouraged to be responsible “furparents” through these features. We also hope more people will be moved to be kind to animals when they read about the great relationship that can be created between humans and animals.

For contributions, please email to daycarlos28@yahoo.com and put My Furry Bestie as subject.

A CAT heAler naMed Hercules Hercules, rescued while a kitten, became the family's rescuer, teaching the members of his family to value time with each other and expressing love for one another.

(Inset) He may not live as long as cats with no medical condition like his, thus, author Therese and members of the family spend as much time with him now, cuddling him and all.

By Therese Castro

H

ercules’ cries saved him.

It was May 2015 when we heard the crying. My brother steve rushed out the gate, frantically searching for what sounded like the yelps of a kitten. My brother’s search almost ended fruitless until he spotted a tiny golden patch of fur.

The young kitten was sprawled on the ground, unmoving, its mouth barely mouthing meows of help with a voice fading like the dimming light in its eyes. little did we know that God sent us an Angel.

Many resist rescuing animals because they only think about the costs of the medical treatment or vetting, and the scratches on their furniture. They see saving animals as an extra chore, an added burden on the mind and wallet.

But caring for an animal is more than cleaning the litter box, more than stocking up on cans of food, and little toy mice tied to a stick on a string. Hercules heals my family.

My family is introverted and private. We are not the kind of family who is used to hugging each other or saying “I love you.” There are rifts between family members, and many words left unsaid, many emotions kept suppressed.

Hercules was a bridge, he opened our hearts. caring for him enabled full participation of the family whether it was playing with him together, sharing photos and memories of him, bringing him with us on our trips, and even the cleaning of the litter and feeding became a bonding activity.

Hercules is so unconditionally loving. even though my dad isn’t particularly fond of cats, Hercules still has the audacity to approach my dad and sometimes I can catch dad’s smile.

When there would be fights in the household, he would cuddle up to those feeling angry, or sit radiating peace and love, reminding us that there are more important things than our resentments.

During my lowest times when I would feel too ashamed or too lonely to reach out for help and a hug, without asking, Hercules would make his way up to my bed on his own or cuddle my back or my lap, or be so insistently clingy as if to remind me, “I love you. I’m always here for you.”

Animals open our hearts. They teach us how to love and offer love unconditionally, without reason or condition. The least we can do is to be kind to them, to offer our shelter and care, because the value they give in our lives far outweighs the labor of love needed to care for them.

It is sad though that Hercules has a condition: seizures due to extreme malnutrition during his developing weeks.

My family and I know that Hercules’ time is limited, but rather than seeing it as a curse, we see it is a gift.

It means that there is more need for love more than ever, for peace more than strife, for kindness more than hatred.

More memory-making and appreciating. More faith than fear.

Don’t think there’s a stray animal at your door. Think: there’s a miracle at my door.

About the author: Therese Castro is a BA International Studies major in Development Studies and minor in Gender from Miriam College. She is also an Intuitive Life Coach and guest-starred in Rx. 93.1 discussing healing with the Angels, perception, and life guidance through Tarot and Oracle readings. She is a metaphysical educator, empath, and mama to four (4) cats and one dog. She loves to write and blog about self-help and wellness at http://www.facebook.com/guidedbywings

DAl was given his unusual, cute name by the grandfather of owner Marielle Alday when he first came into their lives. He is now 15 year old.

“His mom is a half-labrador and halfdalmatian. His dad is a dachshund.

Dal’s head and tail are as big as a lab, his body is like that of a dachshund, and his coat looks like the coat of a dalmatian,” Marielle says. she adds: “He is pretty heavy at 45 kilos. He used to weigh 51 kilos but he had a health issue last year and lost weight. The vet found out he has an enlarged heart and we had to put him on a diet.”

But Marielle says,”Today, Dal is a healthy baby boy and a real goofball. He is super malambing (sweet), very mabait (good) and I love him so so much!”

understanding and loving your senior pet and cats. There is also an eye doctor for dogs who remove cataracts.

You may also be advised to re-arrange your home for a dog or cat who is losing his/her eyesight or who can no longer climb the bed, or to do some changes in your garden or yard if a dog or cat has developed an allergy to pollens, among others.

(Part 2) OWNers who have spent glorious, wondrous years with their pets always want to see their pets happy and healthy, specially during their golden years.

Of course owners fear the inevitable: the time their pets will cross the rainbow bridge.

But we can ensure their golden days or years will be the best ever by doing some things to ensure they are given the best care at this time. senior pets need more attention, including frequent visits to the vet.

It is advised that a senior pet undergo a blood test twice a year. If there are unusual values in the test results, further tests will be recommended by your vet.

Your vet will also suggest a change in diet depending on the condition of your dog or cat.

The food is also checked based on the age of your pet. Please check out dog food and cat food for senior pets.

There are formulas or food prepared by pet food companies for different stages of a dog’s or cat’s life.

Food for seniors are different. A number of pets may develop diabetes, for example, thus you will be advised on what to give and what you can not give.

You can also talk to a dog nutritionist if you plan to provide natural food such as boiled vegetables, meat (but not so much), and herbs which the vet will say are good for dogs.

Your vet may also suggest supplements for the heart, the liver, muscles, and the kidneys, and to address arthritis.

In some cases, a senior pet may develop an eye problem like cataract, or pigmentation, or short-sightedness.

There are now eye doctors for dogs and cats. They will prescribe eyedrops

Behavioral changes

silver, rescued from the pound in 2014 by save Animals of love and light, is now around 14-16 years old. she has a cataract in both eyes.

Two drops of eye are put in both eyes every day to arrest the progression of the cataract. silver also has a growth in two breasts. The save All admin team decided not to have the growths removed after Dr. Dexter Mercurio asked this simple question: "If you are now 80 years old and you have a growth somewhere in your body, will you still have it removed? silver is around 80 years old in human years. Do you want to have the growths removed?" to arrest cataract or eyedrops to moisten dry eyes which is irritating to dogs

Fortunately, AVMA revealed that senior pets exhibit behavioral changes that warn owners that something is changing in your pet or there is a possible medical reason.

“As your pet's owner, you serve a critical role in detecting early signs of disease because you interact and care for your pet on a daily basis and are familiar with your pet's behavior and routines. If your pet is showing any change in behavior or other warning signs of disease, contact your veterinarian and provide them with a list of the changes you have observed in your pet. sometimes, the changes may seem contradictory - such as an older pet that has symptoms of hearing loss but also seems more sensitive to strange sounds,” AVMA said.

AVMA listed possible behavior changes in senior pets: • Increased reaction to sounds • Increased vocalization • Confusion • Shows signs of disorientation • Lesser interaction with humans • More irritable • Less responsive to commands • Increased aggression/protective behavior • Prone to anxiety • More house soiling • Less self-hygiene/grooming

• Repetitive activity • Wanders a lot • Sleep cycles change often

Senility in senior pets

senility is possible, said AVMA. “Once any underlying or other disease causes have been ruled out, there is a chance your pet may be experiencing cognitive dysfunction,” said AVMA. It added: “studies conducted in the early 1990s were the first to identify brain changes in older dogs that were similar to brain changes seen in humans with Alzheimer's disease (ie, ß-amyloid deposits). laboratory tests were also developed in the 1990s to detect learning and memory deficits in older dogs. recently these studies have started on younger dogs in order to fully understand the effect of aging on the canine brain. similar studies in young and older cats are also ongoing.”

But do not worry too much. AVMA said that although the genetic cause of cognitive dysfunction in some dogs has not been identified by researchers, there are already medicine and specific diets that can help manage this condition in dogs.

If you think your pet is developing this condition, please discuss it with your veterinarian immediately. Desiree Carlos Save ALL decided against surgery and continues to give her the best life possible by giving her more attention, and engaging her in activities she loves like walking, car rides, and going to pet restaurants for her favorite liver lasagna or banana muffins. But she is given only a little of her fave food to keep her healthy.

Save ALL continues to follow the prescribed food for her and gives her supplements as advised by the doctor.

PuMPKIN was rescued from the street in October, 2014. rescuer-owner Nerissa coronejo Purisima says: “He was basically skin and bones so we thought he would not survive but because of tender loving care, he became a very confident, happy and healthy kitty that he’s meant to be.” she adds: “The first picture was taken two days after the rescue and the two other pictures are his latest photos. He is now four years old.”

“Yes, I am a proud parent of a rescued kitty,” Nerissa says.

Editor's note: These stories were compiled by admin Miks Lim of Save Animals of Love and Light (Save ALL), a SEC-registered animal welfare group that helps animals in need, and encourages and promotes responsible pet ownership, adoption of rescued dogs and cats from fosters, shelters and pounds, and spaying and neutering of pets to control animal population in the country, among others.