Manila Standard - 2018 November 26 - Monday

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China oil deal hit, praised

Joma: A clear act of treason; Carpio: Booster of PH sea claim

By Nat Mariano, Rey E. Requejo and Macon Ramos-Araneta

VOL. XXXII • NO. 284 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

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HE Communist Party of the Philippines branded the joint oil and gas development deal between China and the Philippines “a clear act of treason” by the Duterte administration but acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio said Sunday he saw nothing wrong with the agreement.

“The signing and approval of the memorandum under the direction of Duterte is a clear act of treason, a blatant betrayal of the sovereign rights and national patrimony of the Philippines and the Filipino people,” CPP founding chairman Jose Ma. Sison said in a statement.

“While it is still arguable that the memorandum is still merely an ‘agreement to agree,’ the Philippines and the Filipino people must effectively reject the memorandum,” he said, because it ignores the country’s legal victory in its arbitration case against China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in 2016.

The document, which was signed dur-

ing the state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping last week, also “puts China at par” with the Philippines, despite its indisputable sovereign rights and sole ownership of and authority over the resources in the West Philippine Sea, Sison said.

The Duterte administration, he charged, has done a “significant amount of damage” to the country’s sovereign rights as the deal would lead China to assume that the Philippines has junked the PCA ruling.

“To overcome the damage and counter the act of treason, the Philippines and the Filipino people must act immediately to Next page

Lacson snipes at Joma: Ignore him, he’s out of touch with Reds

Senator Panfilo Lacson

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

RISK TAKERS. This picture taken on October 18, 2018 shows a “trolley boy” pushing a home-made cart along a train track in Manila. Scores of commuters in the city of about 12 million are propelled to their destinations daily by so-called “trolley boys” pushing metal carts that ply a few segments of the sprawling capital’s railroads. AFP

‘Trolley boys’ cheat death to make a living

By Joshua Melvin AS SOON as the train rumbles past, the men heave their home-made pushcarts back onto the tracks and passengers hop aboard – cheating death and beating Manila’s notorious traffic.

Scores of commuters in the city of about 12 million are propelled to their destinations daily by so-called “trolley boys” pushing metal carts that ply a few segments of the sprawling capital’s

WEATHER

‘Tomas’ seen reversing gear, may re-enter PAR TYPHOON “Tomas” is expected to re-enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility within the next 12 to 18 hours, but will not make landfall, the weather bureau said Sunday.

“Tomas” entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday but left quickly and was estimated 1,495 kilometers east of Aparri as of 11 am on Sunday.

The storm was packing maximum sustained winds of 145 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph, and was moving westsouthwest slowly.

Sea travel remains risky over the seaboards of Northern Luzon and the eastern seaboards of Central Luzon, Southern Luzon and the Visayas due to rough to very rough seas associated with the ongoing surge of the northeast monsoon. Rio N. Araja

railroads.

Passengers save time and money— paying just P10 (20 US cents) a trip— but must face the constant risk of being crushed by a passing locomotive if they or the trolley boys don’t move fast enough.

“Our job here is very dangerous, you need to know what time the train will pass by,” said 57-year-old Rene Vargas Almeria, who has been at it for nearly 20 years.

Commuter trains travel nearly two

SENATOR Panfilo Lacson on Sunday urged the public to no longer pay attention to Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairman Jose Maria Sison, saying he has lost control on the ground, but continued to benefit from the“revolutionary taxes” that the rebels collect.

“My attitude is, let us no longer listen to him because he is already out of touch... He no longer has control on the ground. He’s only with them during extortion,” Lacson said.

He added that Sison was no longer part of the struggle and “just there [in the Netherlands] living a good life.”

Sison, who has engaged President Rodrigo Duterte in a word war, has remained in exile in The Netherlands.

Jose Ma. Sison

Sison has been opposed all sitting presidents because his only intention is to topple the government, Lacson added.

Earlier, National Democratic Front (NDF) consultants said it was their government counterparts who advised them that their Nov. 23 meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte would not push through, prompting their decision to cancel their return to Manila “for the meantime.”

NDF chief negotiator Fidel Agcaoili said he was advised by Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza that he should no longer push through with his trip.

Asked if the cancellation of the meetings between the government and the NDF stemmed from the alleged threats against the communist leaders’ lives, Agcaoili said the government panel members Next page

dozen times a day along this 1.2-kilometer stretch of rail in the Sta. Mesa district, where authorities grudgingly tolerate the carts due to their popularity.

The trolley boys also ply a few other stretches of Manila’s battered rail system, that carries an average of 45,000 passengers a day.

Incredibly, casualties are relatively rare. Police do not keep statistics, but said they couldn’t remember the last time a faNext page tality occurred.

EU firms up ‘tragic’ Brexit deal BRUSSELS—European Union leaders on Sunday approved a historic Brexit deal, holding out hopes of close future ties even as one declared Britain’s withdrawal after four decades a “tragedy.”

The 27 leaders of the bloc met without Prime Minister Theresa May to endorse the agreement, which sets the stage for Britain exit from the bloc on March 29.

“EU27 has endorsed the Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration on the future EU-UK relations,” European Council President Donald Tusk tweeted,

as the leaders waited for May to join them.

Arriving for a special summit in Brussels, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, head of the bloc’s executive arm, said it was a “sad day.”

“To see a country like Great Britain ... leave the EU is not a moment of joy nor of celebration, it’s a sad moment and it’s a tragedy,” he said.

Michel Barnier, the former French foreign minister who negotiated the deal on behalf of the bloc, added: “We will remain allies, partners and friends.”

Next page

CHR wary of troop deployment in south THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said Sunday incidents of lawless violence in Samar, Negros Occidental and the Bicol region need to be thoroughly investigated as it expressed caution against the government’s move to send more troops to those areas.

“Incidents of violence demand thorough investigation and expedient justice

for the victims. This is the more immediate clamor that needs to be addressed to truly stop the cycle of violence,” CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia said in statement.

The statement follows President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to deploy more troops to those provinces following incidents of “lawless violence and acts of terror.”

Next page

BAR SCENE.

Bar examinees (upper photo) rejoice with their families and fraternity brothers as they leave UST campus in Manila after a grueling four Sundays of examinations. The oldest among the examinees, Ibarra Mariano, receives a bouquet of flowers and a warm welcome from his relatives. Norman Cruz

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Budget bill intact, says House leader

By Rio N. Araja HOUSE Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. on Sunday spoke of the need to finance and implement the programs of President Rodrigo Duterte to guarantee continuing development and advancement in the countryside and to promote peace and order.

He made the statement following the approval of the proposed budget for 2019.

“The approved bill retains and in some cases augments the funding for all the major programs requested by President Duterte,” said Andaya, chairman of the committee on rules.

“It is completely aligned with the President’s thrust of using this budget and tax revenues to finance progress and peace.”

Under the leadership of Speaker Gloria Arroyo, “not one major program of the President was scrapped” in the proposed P3.757-trillion national budget for 2019, Andaya said.

“In general, we followed the specs [specifications] of the proposed budget that he [Duterte]) sent to us.”

Voting 196 against eight with no abstentions, the House of Representatives on Nov. 20 approved on third and final reading the proposed 2019 General Appropriations Bill.

Andaya dismissed the allegations of Senator Panfilo Lacson who blamed the delay in the budget’s passage to the alleged pork insertions.

The House transmitted the budget to the Senate.

Andaya said Congress was open to changes should the Senate introduce different proposals when it meets in a bicameral committee conference.

‘Trolley boys’...

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Imee to the rescue of coco farmers

By Rey E. Requejo

I

LOCOS Norte Gov. Imee Marcos has proposed a rescue package for the coconut farmers who are suffering from the continuing slump in the domestic prices of copra.

At least 3.5 million coconut farmers have been affected by the slump, and most are deep in debt and some are no longer harvesting their crops.

Marcos visited the copra-producing provinces in Eastern Visayas and the Caraga Region in recent weeks, and spoke to some copra producers and farmers who told her about their problem.

“Our coconut industry continues to suffer because of the supply glut in the global market,” Marcos said.

“What makes this worse is that the slump is happening during the peak of the harvest season, which is from June to October.”

Data from the Philippine Coconut Authority showed that the average farm-gate

price of copra remained at P18 to P22 per kilo in October.

But the farm-gate price in Eastern Visayas was the lowest in the copra-producing regions at only P15.62 per kilo last month. That compares with the average 25-peso per kilo farm-gate price in the first quarter of the year.

“If the trend continues, there will be a 10 percent increase in the poverty incidence in the provincial areas where copra prices continue to drop. What we need is immediate intervention through a rescue package for our coconut farmers,” Marcos said.

She said the government must extend credit to the affected farmers in the coconut industry.

“No less than President Rodrigo Duterte had earlier ordered Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines to provide programs that will support small borrowers, particularly our farmers,” Marcos said.

“The proceeds from the P75-billion coco-levy fund should also be used to directly benefit poor coconut farmers.”

Marcos said the government must also crack the whip on the copra smugglers who were bleeding the farmers dry.

“We should unmask these smugglers and charge them before the proper courts,” Marcos said.

“Let’s not forget that large-scale agricultural smuggling is already considered economic sabotage under the law.”

Marcos said moving toward a 5-percent bio-diesel blend from the current 2 percent would serve as a long-term solution to the problem of plummeting copra prices.

The Biofuels Act of 2006 says all diesel fuels sold in the domestic market should be

Big-time trader of fake drugs arrested in Manila

By Macon Ramos-Araneta MORE than P1.2 million worth of various counterfeit over-the-counter medicines have been confiscated by Food and Drug Administration officials from an alleged distributor of fake drugs.

Alexis Asistio, 36, was arrested in his house on Orion Street in Tondo, Manila, FDA Director General Nela Charade Puno said.

She said aside from deceiving and defrauding consumers, the suspect was endangering people’s lives, health and safety.

“The presence, proliferation and selling of counterfeit OTC medicines in the market poses a great danger and health risks to the consumers,” Puno said.

“The public should be wary and vigi-

lant against those fake OTC medicines.

Consumers should buy them only from reputable drug stores.”

Seized from Asistio were 298 boxes of Bioflu (100 tabs per box); 200 boxes of Biogesic (500 tabs/box); 195 boxes of Alaxan FR (100 tabs/box); 395 boxes of Medicol Advance (100 tabs/box); 148 boxes of Neozep Forte (100 tabs/ box); 48 boxes of Solmux (100 tabs/ box); 18 boxes of Kremil S (100 tabs/ box); 8 boxes Dolfenal (100 tabs/box); 8 boxes Flanax Forte (250 tabs/box); 5 boxes Gardan (200 tabs/box); 3 boxes Imodium (200 tabs/box); and 4 pcs.

Dermovate ointment.

Retired Police Chief Supt. Allen Bantolo, Officer-in-Charge of the FDA Regulatory Enforcement Unit, said the suspect was caught in possession of the

counterfeit medicines for no other purpose than illicit distribution and sale, and that he had no license from the FDA. “Asistio and his associates are believed to be distributing and selling these assorted fake OTC products to sari-sari and similar small stores in Metro Manila at cheap prices, and offering substantial profits to the vulnerable and uninformed store owners,” Bantolo said.

The suspect was arrested in at his residence on Oct. 29.

Officials confirmed Asistio’s illicit activity after securing samples of the OTC medicines, which were subsequently confirmed as fake by Zuellig Pharma, Johnson and Johnson, Unilab and Pfizer, the manufacturers of the medicines.

Carpio said China “can come in as a subcontractor of Forum Energy or it can buy into equity of Forum Energy, or it could do both.”

“That’s okay because they (Chinese) are coming in to our service contractors,” he said.

Carpio also said the proposed 60-40 sharing scheme with Beijing in the possible exploitation of resources in WPS could also be pursued for as long as the government can again make sure that the country’s sovereignty would not be compromised.

“As long as the joint development complies with the Philippine Constitution and there is no waiver of our sovereign rights under the arbitral ruling, I have no objection,” he said.

Carpio, one of the five Supreme Court justices shortlisted by the Judicial and Bar Council for the vacant chief justice post, was referring to the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in July 2016 in favor of the Philippines against China’s claims over South China Sea territories.

The PCA invalidated China’s ninedash line claim to the South China Sea. It also held that Beijing violated its commitment under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea in building artificial islands within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

The MOU between China and the Philippines said an inter-governmental joint steering committee and an interentrepreneurial working group will be established and will be led by ministries of foreign affairs, as well as energy departments.

The Chinese identified China National Offshore Oil Corporation as the Chinese enterprise for each working group, while the Philippines has designated the Philippine National Oil CompanyExploration Corp. as the Philippine enterprise.

The MOU was also specific on the timeline of the agreement, stating that the “two governments will endeavor to agree on the cooperation arrangements within 12 months.”

The joint exploration, upon bearing

fruit, would pave the way for another cooperation agreement on the exploitation of resources found, according to the same document.

But the MOU also specifically stated: “This Memorandum of Understanding does not create rights or obligations under international or domestic law.”

An MOU, unlike a memorandum of agreement or an actual contract, is not yet legally binding on the parties.

Meanwhile, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said Cabinet members who signed the 29 deals with China during Xi’s state visit could face a grilling once the Senate begins floor debates on the 2019 national budget next month.

“This is to serve notice to department secretaries that the issue of the 29 agreements may crop up in the course of the plenary examination of their budget,” Recto said.

“So be prepared for queries. More so if the agreement binds us to a project which will be financed by loans, enlarges the national debt, or requires large budgetary counterpart requiring yearly appropriations,” he said.

The price tag of these commitments and the benefits that can be derived must be explained, Recto said.

“If these are grants and interest-free loans, then the Senate will be advised as well so that we can convey our thanks,” said Recto, adding that a senator during the budget debate can focus a powerful spotlight on these agreements.

But Senator Panfilo Lacson on Sunday said it is too early to draw any conclusions or make any comments on the deals because they have not been made public.

He added that it was premature and “cynical” to conclude that the President had surrendered the country’s rights and sovereignty by signing the agreements.

The senator also said the MOU with China merely states that two parties are willing to move towards a common direction and a common line of action.

Lacson said copies of the agreements have already been sent to Senate President Vicente Sotto III.

From A1

The same cannot be said of close calls—anyone who spends time pushing or riding the carts seems to have a hair-raising story to share.

Rodolfo Maurello’s scariest nearmiss in almost two decades as a trolley boy came when he failed to notice the train behind him as he was pushing a cart packed with passengers.

“The train was just meters away,” the 60-year-old said, recalling how he turned around with only seconds to spare and waved it to a stop.

“The sound of its brakes screeching was very loud.”

Almeria has a similar tale, which happened one day when his mind wandered and his sole passenger was looking the other way.

“I swung my head around and saw the train coming and yanked my trolley off the tracks,” he added. “It was really close.”

On a good day the trolley boys can make up to P500, ferrying passengers seeking to escape Manila’s infamous gridlock—a collision of poor infrastructure, weak public transit and an increasing number of cars.

Even as Manila’s population grew 50 percent from 1995-2015, investment in the city’s creaking transport system has not kept up, opening a gap for informal options like the pushcarts to fill.

Most journeys lack life-or-death drama, with workers in office attire and students clutching their lunch bags and pecking at their smart phones, a tattered beach umbrella providing the only protection from the burning sun or frequent downpours.

“There is no traffic,” 46-year-old Noemi Nieves said. “It is convenient for us and the fare is just right for our budget.”

Despite the risks and minimal comforts, commuters say the trolley carts offer a welcome shortcut to spending hours in traffic only to travel a few kilometers.

Danica Lorraine, 25, shaves nearly an hour off her daily commute, spared from having to take two additional buses each way.

“You just need to be cautious—very, very, very cautious,” she said.

Kerkleen Bongalon, a teacher, has— for the most part—gotten over her unease at riding the carts.

One stretch of her journey passes over the Pasig river—with a 15-meter plunge between the rail tracks and the water below.

“At first it was scary,” she said. “I don’t know how to swim so if something happens while we are on the bridge I really don’t know what would happen.”

“But nothing will happen because the trolley boys know the time the train will pass by”, she added. “I trust them.” AFP

China oil...

From A1

nullify and waste-basket the memorandum. Otherwise the traitor Duterte and his subalterns will commit more crimes of treason under the rule of confidentiality agreed upon in the memorandum,” he said.

But Carpio, who has been critical of the administration’s actions on the South China Sea, said he saw nothing objectionable in the government’s plan for joint exploration and development of natural resources with China in the West Philippine Sea. Carpio said the memorandum of understanding signed by the two countries last week had safeguards to ensure that the sovereignty of the Philippines would not be compromised.

“I think we’re pretty safe. The government has included service contractors, so if we cooperate, if the cooperation with China on oil and gas activities will be through service contractors, we’re very safe,” the acting top magistrate said, in an interview.

Carpio, a known expert on issues pertinent to the Philippine claims in the South China Sea, explained that a service contract for the joint exploration of gas and oil in contested areas in the SCS could actually boost the country’s rights over its exclusive economic zones in the WPS. “I don’t have any objection with that kind of arrangement because if China comes in through our service contractors, those service contracts expressly recognize that the area falls within Philippine sovereignty or sovereign rights,” he said.

Carpio even suggested that the service contractor in the Philippines’ Recto Bank, otherwise known as Reed Bank, Forum Energy, could tap a Chinese firm as a subcontractor.

Businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan’s PXP Energy Corporation, through its London-listed unit Forum Energy Plc, holds an exploration permit covering Recto Bank.

EU firms...

From A1

May, who arrived in Brussels on Saturday evening for final talks with Tusk and Juncker, was due to join the other leaders later in a highly symbolic moment.

Forged during 17 months of tough negotiations, the withdrawal agreement covers financial matters, citizens’ rights, Northern Ireland and arrangements for a 21-month postBrexit transition phase.

A short political declaration that accompanies the text sets out hopes for

future security and trade ties.

But it is not the final stage, as the House of Commons in London must still approve the deal -- and many MPs have warned they will not back it.

Until the agreement is approved, all sides are still planning for the potentially disastrous possibility that Britain leaves the EU with no new arrangements in place.

Media reports in London on Sunday suggested some of May’s own ministers were secretly working with EU diplomats on a “Plan B” in case parliament rejected the agreement next month.

But Austrian Chancellor Sebastian

Kurz, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency, said: “It is important that everyone in the UK is aware that the result that is now available is the result. It will certainly not be renegotiated and there will be no further room for maneuver.”

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte added: “Overall, I think this is the max that we can all do, both Theresa May and her government as well as the European Union.

“No victors here today, nobody winning, we’re all losing—but given that context, this (agreement) is acceptable.” AFP

blended with 5 percent coco methyl ester but this has yet to be implemented fully.

Marcos also encouraged investors to support more integrated coconut-based manufacturing plants for value-added products such as coconut water, coconut milk, virgin coconut oil and coconut flour.

At least 90 percent of the country’s copra production is made into coconut oil.

“If we can promote the manufacture of products other than coconut oil, I am confident the industry will be able to bounce back,” Marcos said.

The Philippines is the world’s secondlargest producer of coconuts at more than 153 million tons a year, next only to Indonesia. It is estimated that one fourth of the country’s farmlands is dedicated to coconut production, and most of them are in Southern Tagalog, Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Western Mindanao and Southern Mindanao.

But many of the coconut-producing areas have been consistently among the 20 poorest provinces in the country.

Lacson snipes...

From A1

did not disclose anything about such threats.

“They did not say anything [about the arrest], but they told us that the appointment with the President was canceled.

Just like that,” he said.

But the Palace said it has not canceled any talks with the NDF. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the informal talks with the communists, which will serve as a backchannel for the resumption of peace talks, had not been cancelled.

“There is no cancellation of any informal talk, what we have is one of them saying that he is afraid of being arrested.

And we’re saying that you cannot be arrested if you would want to have a talk,” Panelo told the ANC news channel.

Panelo assured that NDF leaders they would not be arrested even after Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año threatened to arrest Agcaoili and his fellow NDFP consultant Luis Jalandoni when they arrive in the Philippines.

“Certainly, [I’m giving the assurance] because how can we be talking if they will be coming in just to be arrested? As I said, Secretary Año was only saying that on the basis of the cancellation the peace talks. So, if there are any informal talks then that would not apply,” Panelo said.

CHR wary...

From A1

The CHR said the deployment of more troops might worsen violence instead of solving it, and that “increasing the presence of security forces might escalate tension and fuel fear in the community.”

“We urge the government to pursue development solutions rather than military approach to truly address the long standing problems that impact the basic rights and dignity of the people,” the commission said.

Also on Sunday, Senator Panfilo Lacson said the President, as commanderin-chief of the Armed Forces, could have called for the deployment of more troops even without issuing a memorandum order.

In an interview over radio dzBB, Lacson said troops from areas with no problems can be deployed to places that need them.

He added that he saw nothing wrong in Duterte calling on troops to address lawless violence.

Under the 1987 Constitution, he said the President, as commander-in-chief, may call out the Armed Forces of the Philippines to prevent or suppress lawless violence, rebellion or invasion covering the entire or any part of the country.

Memorandum Order 32 provides that the deployment of additional soldiers and policemen to suppress “lawless violence and acts of terror” in the provinces of Samar, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental and the Bicol region and “prevent such violence from spreading and escalating elsewhere in the country.”

MO No. 32 also reinforced the guidelines under the state of national emergency, which Duterte declared in September 2016 on the ground of lawless violence, following a deadly bomb attack in Davao City.

The AFP declined to comment on the memorandum order, saying it needed to meet first with the Defense and the Interior and Local Government departments to hammer out how to carry out its provisions on the ground.

“We say we support MO 32’s intent primarily because to protect the people and secure the state is the AFP’s constitutional mandate,” AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said. PNA

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2018

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Iloilo City consumers want PECO out

MAKATI XMAS PARTY FOR SENIORS. Makati Mayor Abby Binay (right) and former Vice President Jejomar Binay (3rd from left) gamely pose for one of many group shots

taken with senior citizens from the city’s 33 barangays who attended the 2018 Christmas Party for Senior Citizens hosted by the city in Bel-Air on Friday, November 23. Also present were Congressman Luis Campos and Vice Mayor Monique Lagdameo. The elderly guests were treated to a banquet and numerous raffle prizes which delighted them. At the party, Mayor Abby reiterated her plan for 2019 to grant P10,000 additional cash incentive per year to those aged 90 to 99, which will resume after they receive their P100,000 centennial cash gift, from age 101 onward for as long as they live. The said proposal has been submitted to the Sangguniang Panlungsod for its approval.

Bill bucks power line obstruction Live-out scheme for S

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

OFWs sought

By Rio Araja THE government has to push for a “live-out” arrangement between overseas Filipino workers and their foreign employers to prevent possible commission of abuse and exploitation .

“Many of our domestic workers overseas, especially in the Middle East, are prone to maltreatment because they live with their employers,”ACTS-OFW spokesperson Francisco Aguilar Jr. said.

“To counteract this vulnerability, we have to encourage live-out schemes for our domestic workers once they have completed their job shift,” he added.

To allow OFWs to stay out of their employers’ home would enable them to enjoy adequate rest and sleep, and greater privacy, he noted.

Japan allows Filipino “professional housekeepers” to leave their workplace after their eighthour work, Aguilar said.

The party-list raised concern over a Filipino domestic helper, Emerita Gannaban, 44, who died at the Prince Mahammed Bin Abdulaziz Hospital in Riyadh due to an illness, saying she earlier complained of maltreatment from her employer.

AYING that the country has already experienced 168 instances or a total of 1,426.11 hours of power outages this year based on the data from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, Senator Win Gatchalian said the government must now ensure the uninterrupted conveyance of electricity from power plants to consumers.

The outage hours experienced in 2018, Gatchalian said, was already thrice the duration of brownouts seen in 2017, when the country only registered 236 instances or 565.71 hours of outages nationwide.

In 2016, he said, the NGCP chalked up a total of 205 brownouts or just 396.11 hours.

Because of this, Gatchalian pushed

for a mechanism that will allow for the maintenance and rehabilitation of transmission, sub-transmission, and distribution lines.

Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy, sponsored Senate Bill No. 2098 (SBN 2098), otherwise known as the “Anti-Obstruction of Power Lines Act of 2018.”

The bill sought to ensure that the

power line corridor – including the land beneath, the air spaces surrounding, and the area traversed by power lines, including its horizontal, vertical, and similar clearance requirements – shall, at all times, be kept clear and free from any obstructions, dangerous structures, hazardous activities, or any similar circumstances that impede the continuous flow of electricity, according to the lawmaker.

Recognizing “the continuous conveyance of electricity as a matter of national security and as central to economic development, Gatchalian said the measure “will ensure that the conveyance of electricity from the power generating plants all the way to the end users – the consumers, business, and the aforementioned vital installations in the country – will be uninterrupted.”

TOYOTA SCHOOL GRADS.

Toyota Motor Philippines School of Technology held its 7th Commencement Exercises for sixty-nine new service technicians who have successfully completed the two-year Toyota General Job Automotive Servicing Course. These graduates have been equipped under an advanced curriculum that combines TESDA’S Automotive Servicing Course National Certification Levels I-IV and Toyota’s Technical Education for Automotive Mastery in the 21st Century (TEAM 21).

Through the school’s industry linkage, these new Toyota technicians have experienced working at local Toyota dealership setting under an on-thejob exposure program, applying the values and competencies they acquired from classroom lectures and workshop simulations. In its five years of operations, TMP Tech has already produced over a thousand graduates.

BIR urged to withdraw order to tax health cards

Rice tariffication bill up for bicameral decision; senator upbeat A BICAMERAL conference committee is expected today to take up the Rice Tarification bill, which is lined up for approval into law before the year ends after being certified urgent by President Rodrigo Duterte, according to Senator Cynthia Villar.

The country’s economic managers underscored the need to pass the rice Tarification bill into law for a long-term solution to inflation since the skyrocketing rice prices fueled inflation.

“If they will do it the right way, our rice would become cheaper,” assured Villar responding to the query on the lowering of the cost of rice once the bill is enacted into law.

Asked if it will be ratified before session break for the Christmas vacation, Villar replied, “yes, of course.”

The Nacionalist party senator also lamented the misconceptions, ehich she claimed, were intentionally circulated to discredit the rice tariffication bill and to block the passage of the needed support measures for local rice farmers.

Villar said that the bill includes a package of support programs that will help farmers adjust to competition under a tariffied regime.

Villar is the principal sponsor of Senate Bill 1998 or the bill which replaces the quantitative import restrictions on rice with tariffs, lifting the quantitative restrictions on rice, and creating the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund or Rice Fund.

The Senate passed the bill on third reading last week and the bicameral conference committee is set to be held on today.

“Remember, the need to impose tariff is an obligation under the World Treaty Organization agreement, which the country is a signatory to. It will be more difficult to deal with trade sanctions if we don’t abide by the agreement,” Villar pointed out.

“We will be doing our farmers a great disservice if we let them face the challenges of a tariffied system without support mechanisms in place,” she added.

The senator also said the bill seeks to re-

MOUNTING consumer complaints from Iloilo City residents over a utility firm’s penchant for overbilling its own customers, that company’s attitude in dealing with such complaints and the danger posed on people by its obsolete transmission facilities and the “spaghetti wires” that dot the city’s skyline are what caused Panay Electric Co. to lose its bid to renew its congressional franchise, a city official said yesterday.

Iloilo City Councilor Joshua Alim said Ilonggos have given the controversial utility firm all the chance in the past 96 years to improve its services, but it ignored consumer complaints and went on providing low quality of service arrogantly because of its status as a monopoly, Alim said.

He said PECO has been the subject of almost 1,800 consumer complaints these past years on issues of overbilling, frequent power outages that forced the city’s business community to pay for a study that identified what PECO should do to make its operation more efficient and lower its rates, and the company’s arrogant attitude towards addressing its own customers’ complaints.

“Despite constant criticisms aired on radio, despite many complaints about the bad quality of its service, and despite frequent power outages, PECO has done nothing to be a better service provider. The complaints appear to be all for naught. It has no heart for consumers, it has no concern for providing good service. (And) to think that they only have the privilege given by the government,” Alim said.

He pointed out that among complaints against PECO was that of ship captain Hazel Fernandez, who because he is frequently out of the country on maritime assignments, put a video camera to monitor the electric meter in his household so he could determine if indeed PECO’s roving meter readers are actually checking electricity consumption and not just guessing as many suspected.

Fernandez noted that since he is abroad most of the time, there should have been no electricity consumption in his house. He feels bad because PECO still send him high monthly bills.

Alim cited the case of Mildred Jaromahum, a retired teacher from Barangay Sinikway whose household of three had been trained to be sparing in the use of their electric appliances so their monthly electric bill will always be around P3,000.

One month in 2017, Jaromahum got the shock of her life when her monthly billshot up to P178,000.

Plagued by sleeplessness and stressed out by concern her electricity connection could be arbitrarily cut

by PECO, Jaromahum tried to reach any PECO employee in the company’s Facebook page, but there was no response. Finally realizing no one in PECO might be reading her missive, Jaromahum motored to PECO’s billing section to press for her claim she did not use P178,000 worth of electricity the previous month.

move the factors that the Philippine Institute for Development Studies identified as barriers to the Filipino farmers’ competitiveness.

These are the lack of mechanization, the lack of technical know-how, the lack of financial literacy and the lack of access to cheap credit.

The Federation of Free Farmers and Centro Saka Inc, are among the groups quoted by reports as opposed to the bill.

Villar stressed that under the bill, the excess rice tariff revenues and the P10 billion fixed appropriation for the Rice Rice Fund shall be released to the Department of Agriculture and shall be used for providing direct financial assistance to rice farmers as compensation for the projected reduction or loss of farm income arising from the tariffication.

Under the bill, the 10-billion Rice Fund will be allocated as follows: · 50% wil go to the Philippine Center for Post Harvest Development and Modernization (PhilMech) to provide farmers with rice farm machineries and equipment;

· 30% will be released to the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) to be used for the development, propagation and promotion of inbred rice seeds to rice farmers and the organization of rice farmers into seed growers associations engaged in seed production and trade; · 10% will be made available in the form of credit facility with minimal interest rates and with minimum collateral requirements to rice farmers and cooperatives to be managed by the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines; and · 10% will be set aside to fund extension services by PhilMech, Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for teaching skills on rice crop production, modern rice farming techniques, seed production, farm mechanization, and knowledge/ technology transfer through farm schools nationwide. Macon Ramos-Araneta

THE Bureau of Internal Revenue has issued a revenue memorandum circular that imposes tax on health card premiums, a move that Senator Sonny Angara said penalizes the poor and low-income families.

BIR should continue implementing tax-free health benefits, Angara said,urging the agency to withdraw its revenue memorandum circular (RMC), which states that premiums on health cards shall be subject to tax.

RMC 50-2018 (A7) provides that premiums on health cards paid by the employer for all employees shall be included as part of bonuses and benefits which are subject to the P90,000 taxexempt threshold.

In effect, the circular reverses previous BIR ruling and regulations that premium on health cards shall be tax-free.

BIR stated that RMC 50-2018 sought to clarify the implementing rules of Republic Act 10963.

Although they scrutinized each page of RA 10963, Angara said he cannot see the imposition of taxes on HMO or health card benefits.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

A4

Opinion

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2018

Government bans and taxes don’t solve obesity According to legislators’ logic, despite the fact that most American children consume almost twice as many calories when they go out to eat with their parents, compared with how much they consume at home, it’s the state’s job to make sure restaurants are aiding parents in keeping their AMERICA’S Golden State—California— children healthy. is home to about 1.5 million Filipino The state’s job? It’s the state’s job Americans. An estimated 278 thousand to provide the best environment for kids of those Fil-Ams are considered the production of goods and services to be obese. Don’t believe me? Spend that people value, and not to interfere some time eating out with your Fil-Am in people’s lives. It’s the parents’ job to relatives and friends on your next trip to teach their kids that drinking water is Los Angeles or San Francisco and you’ll better for them (and cheaper too) and not know what I mean. ask the state to do it for them.

To fight childhood obesity, California When governments get into the continues to march business of regulating toward becoming or taxing people’s America’s most personal lives, the restrictive state as role of personal It’s the state’s its governor—Jerry responsibility loses Brown—signed S.B. its importance and job to provide the 1192, a piece of all matters become best environment legislation mandating someone else’s that restaurants and No for the production responsibility. fast food spots may no wonder so many people of goods and longer list sugary drinks nowadays resort to the on their kids’ menus. “somebody ought to services that The only drinks they do something” call people value, and can properly advertise is for action whenever water and milk—that’s society faces a new not to interfere in right. hurdle. people’s lives.

Interestingly enough, The Philippine parents will still be government also allowed to order juices followed suit with or sodas (that’s “soft a sugar-sweetened drinks” to Pinoys), even beverage excise if these items are not listed as “default” tax that is supposed to help promote a beverages. However, if a restaurant fails healthier country. The Departments of to follow the new law and it advertises Health and finance support this as part of sugary drinks, it could face a fine of up a comprehensive health measure aimed to to $500. curb the consumption of sugary drinks and To state lawmakers, the law is address the worsening number of diabetes necessary to keep children healthy. and obesity cases in the country, while “Kids’ meals shouldn’t come with raising revenue for complementary health a side order of diabetes, obesity, or programs that address these problems. cardiovascular disease,” Assemblyman The bureaucrats promoted the tax as Kevin McCarty, a Sacramento Democrat, a measure that is meant to encourage said while carrying a cup with nine consumption of healthier products, to packets of sugar to make a point about raise public awareness of the harms of how much sugar a child ingests when sugary drinks, and to help incentivize the drinking a small soda.

Turn to A5

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

Blaming the media

I

T IS disheartening to see that some government officials have taken a page from US President Donald Trump’s playbook to denounce the media when the administration gets it wrong.

This week, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. apologized to presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo for calling him out on his statement that “it doesn’t matter who drafted” the agreement on joint oil and gas development in the South China Sea between the Philippines and China, since the document would be thoroughly vetted anyway.

His initial reaction and apology were both done on Twitter, a platform that lends itself to immediate—and often ill-considered shorthand responses based on incomplete or wrong information.

“Palace Com doesn’t care if it is a Chinese draft? I fu*k*n* care!”

Locsin said in a Twitter post on Nov. 21. “A framework or architecture for gas and oil in our part of the sea demands that draft be MINE...

MIO... FILIPINO.”

His apology to Panelo and denunciation of the media were just as swift.

“Lying media had you saying, “We don’t care if China made the first draft.” I reacted: “I fu*k*n* care.” Sorry. I fell for media lie.

When I was in media I never lied,” Locsin said in a tweet two days later.

We are grateful, of course, for Secretary Locsin’s clarification that he never lied when he was in media. We certainly hope he will carry over this tradition in his new role as Foreign Affairs secretary.

We do take issue with the broad brush the secretary uses to smear all the working men and women of the press when he uses terms such as “lying media” and “media lie.”

Does he believe in Trump’s mantra that the media are the enemy of the people?

When a government official gets

his foot in his mouth, he often tries to shift the blame by saying he was misquoted. But was the presidential spokesman really misquoted?

His full quote was: “If, assuming if, China made the first draft, so what, we vet it anyway.”

Was it a lie to paraphrase Panelo’s “So what” response by writing that he said it didn’t matter who made the first draft of the agreement because it would be vetted anyway?

Assuming, too, that there were nuances of meaning that were not conveyed in the news reports, was this truly a bigger offense than rushing to judgment with an ill-considered tweet?

Secretary Locsin might recall that a responsible journalist verifies his or her facts before going to print. Shouldn’t a high-ranking government official do the same before he flies off the handle and publicly shames the presidential spokesman, then the “lying media” in turn, simply because he just had to scratch his Twitter itch?

Fear or prejudice? left to decay into uselessness for decades?

Is a train service transporting humans for mobility and cargo to bring food prices down necessary or not? Do we have the wherewithal to finance such a huge undertaking?

Not unless Duterte puts all his predecessors, their customs and other EVEN while a visitor, in this case officials in Bilibid and gets them to open President Xi Jinping, was still in Manila, their bank accounts here and abroad, with we got a slew of dire warnings from the threat that Bato would do them in everybody and his mother about the otherwise. “dangers” of a “debt trap” in the offing as We also want to have a railway to our governments signed a number of trade Clark, and this time we are asking Japan and investment deals. to help us, but is anyone crying out against Never mind the political opposition. the Japanese?

With the forthcoming elections in mind, We want to improve our telco service, expect noises from them. They will which is probably the worst in Asia by always play to their perceived peanut now.

A young businessman whose gallery. grandparents came here from Fujian a And never mind the Left and their century or so ago partners with China’s anti-foreign hysteria. For the longest giant telecom firm and bids fair and square time, they have been crying out loud for the project. Again, everybody and against American influence, labeling his mother warns us about the “national every president a US puppet. Now they security” peril of being enmeshed with have found another straw man, this time China Telecoms.

America’s competitor for economic Assuming for the sake of argument dominance, China. that China And don’t even Telecoms would bother reconciling have access to the the Left’s impure thoughts conflicting stance What’s important of our government vis-à-vis US and officials and every is we continue to Build, China. civil servant, thus To them, Duterte Build, Build minus the pitting “national is a puppet of both security” at risk, graft and corruption the US and China. will the third telco Sign loans with that characterized our bother to snoop Japan, and they on each Juan and sordid past. would also call him Juana de la Cruz a Japanese puppet, as well? So let except that at this government use time, they would the internet and rather focus on the cell phone service US and China. Buy arms from Russia, of Globe and Smart, if we are afraid of and they will shout as well that Duterte is perils to “national security.” a Russian “babushka.”

Maybe they would feel more “secure” A certain Capital Economics, that with Singapore’s Singtel and Indonesia’s London-based “think-tank” headed by Salim, who are the Globe and Smart Oxonian Roger Bootle, along with an operators anyway. all-white bevy of economists suddenly For years and years, nay, decades, trots out warnings of impending doom, our governments looked the other fatuously saying that the Philippines way around as needs of a Malthusianwould be better off without Chinese burgeoning population multiplied. Now investments. And they pick the most we decry the absence of such services, egregious examples of foreign aid gone from mass transport to better roads to wrong—the Hambantota port in Sri telecommunications, absolute necessities Lanka. in this day and age.

The Sri Lankan leadership put up a Why even the most basic of needs— huge port in the Indian Ocean without water. Metro Manila stands the risk of a properly studying its economic prospects water crisis in another twenty years, so or viability. Saddled with a huge debt, we need a dam to trap the rains cascading they leased the property to the Chinese down the Sierra Madre. We’ve been for 99 years. talking and talking about this Kaliwa Dam Has Duterte and his economic team for ages, and now, because the Chinese been as reckless? government volunteers to finance the Do we need to revive the Bicol project, we throw all kinds of brickbats Express, which several administrations Turn to A5

Pre-election violence THE government is deploying more policemen and soldiers to places tagged as election hot spots. Mayors, vice mayors and other local officials have been killed in ambushes in the last quarter of the year leading to the run-up of the mid-term elections in May 2019.

President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to to deploy more men to Samar, Negros Oriental and the Bicol region where pre-poll violence has been reported.

I do not envy the President for his job.

Concerned citizens, however, voiced apprehension that this move could lead to a piecemeal placement of the entire country under martial law.

Mindanao rocked by terrorist attacks highlighted by the ISIS siege of Marawi last year has been placed under martial law. This

has been extended three times.

But what is the President to do when the exercise of free election is endangered by private armies with the communist New People’s Army also doing their share of violence to ensure that friendly local politicians win? With the President’s hands already full in his relentless war on illegal drugs trafficking, throwing more manpower to protect the election process would spread thin law enforcement. And then he’s also harnessing the military to stop corruption in the Bureau of Customs.

I do not envy the job of this President.

He has his hands full, not only with keeping the elections orderly and peaceful, but also ensuring that Customs does not allow the Turn to A5

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

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Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

Opinion

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2018

Tight Luzon, Visayas power supply in 2019

P146 billion and counting (Part 1) P146 BILLION is the amount ordered by the Commission on Audit to be reimbursed to the government by the foreign contractors, Shell Exploration B. V. (SPEX) and Chevron Malampaya LLC, operating the Malampaya Deepwater Gas-to-Power Project, one of the biggest industrial projects in the country, for underpayments of the government’s share in the project’s net earnings since its operation in 2001.

This amount is as of January 24 this year. It is bound to increase annually until the end of the concession period less than 10 years from now. Unless the Supreme Court and the arbitration tribunals in Singapore and Washington DC decide otherwise in the cases which SPEX and Chevron filed contesting the 2015 COA ruling ordering them to pay P53 billion in income taxes which were heretofore absorbed by government on the mistaken notion, as now ruled by the auditors, that it forms part of government’s 60-percent share in the project’s net earnings.

Since 2001, the contractors have passed on, as it were, and insisted that their income tax payments form part of the government’s share. Indeed, the Arroyo and PNoy administrations actually supported the contractors’ claim that the deduction of income taxes from the government’s share was a “.. tax assumption, not a tax exemption,” since the provision governing their case, Section 12 (b) of PD 87 issued by then President Marcos specified

CROSSROADS

JONATHAN DE LA CRUZ that the contractor is granted “... exemption from all taxes except income tax..”. This thinking was reinforced by a legal opinion issued by the lawyers of the Petroleum

That is only part of the story as far as the Malampaya Project is concerned.

Association of the Philippines, but of course, that the corporate income taxes was “supposed to be taken from the government’s 60-percent share rather than from the contractor’s 40-percent share of net earnings “in consideration of the huge investments they injected to make the project a reality. Why the past administrations allowed themselves to be suckered into this highly irregular proposition is beside me. But that is another story.

What is important is the auditors flatly rejected this pro-contractors’

proposition.

Said COA: “There is no provision in the law which specifically provides that the income taxes of the contractors will be part of the government. PD 87 and 1459 issued during the Marcos administration ere clear that the minimum government share was 60 percent of the net earnings of the Malampaya gas project. It can go up but it cannot go down without violating the law.”

Indeed, the COA clarified that under Section 8(2) of PD 87, it was made clear that the contractors’ service fee “shall not exceed 40 percent of the balance of the gross income” after the required deductions, including Filipino participation incentives and operating expenses.

Thus, the auditing body insisted that the contractors’ income taxes should not have been passed on to the government as “it decreased its share from the project to 34.03 percent while the contractors’ share increased to 65.97 percent.”

But that is only part of the story as far as the Malampaya Project is concerned. Service Contract 38 under which it the foreign contractors undertook the project and its subsequent interpretations including opinions and related implementation instruments are “awash with stories of fraud, abuse of political power, usurpation of authority, illegal arrangements and, worse, violation of the Constitution.” (To be continued)

Toward a better internet service CONSTANT reports about the dismal state of telecommunication services in the Philippines have tarnished the country’s reputation as a viable destination for tech savvy industries.

Instead of innovation or cutting edge, the images that come to mind are slow internet, dropped calls and congested networks.

Last year, Jack Ma verbalized it for all investors and tourists that came before him. Internet speed in the Philippines is not good, he said.

A recent report by mobile analytics company OpenSignal bared a huge disparity in the video experience scores of Smart Communications and Globe.

Measuring video experience on a scale of 0 to 100 where 100 is the best video experience possible, OpenSignal rated the average overall video experience of Smart subscribers at 42.21, placing it on par with the performance of United States carriers AT&T and Sprint. Globe, on the other hand, came in with a score of 29.22, lagging behind Smart by almost 13 points and the second-lowest among the nine countries in Asia-Pacific monitored in the OpenSignal report.

Using real-time measurements from actual smartphone users in the country, the report is based on the LTE connectivity of 76,034 test devices from May 1 to July 29 this year. LTE, which stands for Long Term Evolution, is better known as 4G. It refers to high-speed mobile connectivity that is 10 times faster than what’s provided by conventional handsets.

The quality of video experience is an important metric because it is the true test of network power. Among the details OpenSignal analyzes in order to determine a telecom carrier’s overall performance are download and upload speeds, latency and availability on both 3G and 4G spectrums.

The report for the months of May to July showed Smart LTE download speeds ahead nationwide at 13.09 Mbps (vs Globe’s 7.34 Mbps), as well

Pre-election...

From A4

smuggling of shabu. In between these concerns, President Duterte is also confronted with illegal Chinese workers who are displacing Filipinos in the job market .These illegal Chinese, police raid showed, are also involved in the operation of Shabu laboratories in the country. This is an illegal operation that is a threat to national security as it destroys our youth who are supposed to be the country’s future leaders.

Meanwhile, Duterte is also being accused of faling into the Chinese debt trap/ China is poring in billions of funds in grants and loan to banakeoll Philippine

Government....

From A4

industry to develop healthier products and complements.

Over time, however, what appears to be an overzealous attitude reveals itself as what it truly is: An attempt at keeping voters hooked on the state and the “solutions”

(vs 6.95 Mbps). Smart also has lower 3G and 4G latency at 98.28ms and 53.48ms, respectively.

Earlier this year, OpenSignal also awarded Smart for having the fastest LTE network, and gave it four citations: Best in 4G LTE download speed; Best in overall download speed; Best 4G latency performance; and Best 3G latency performance.

These numbers matter because Filipinos are the most avid video consumers of the world, as shown by a separate study done by Limelight Networks in August. Not only are more Filipinos viewing videos on their mobile phones, viewers in the Philippines spend about eight hours and 46 minutes each week on streaming videos. This exceeds the global average and beats the record for

India and the U.S. where people watch close to eight hours and 30 minutes of videos online. It also marks a shift in the viewing habits of Filipinos— at this level, they are spending more time watching streaming videos on smartphones than TV broadcasts, especially among the population under 46 years old.

Another notable trend is that professionally produced content on social media sites and user-generated content attract the most viewers in the Philippines than in any other country included in the Limelight Networks study. In fact, Smart has noted an almost 400-percent increase in the number of YouTube users and a whopping 850 percent surge in the volume of YouTube traffic between April and October this year. The period coincides with a promo that allowed free YouTube viewing for an hour daily with the purchase of various mobile data packages.

With so many eyes now riveted to online content, quality expectations are on the rise globally. Video rebuffering, or when the video pauses during playback in order to reload, is becoming unacceptable. The study has noted that for 2018, almost 70 percent of viewers will stop watching a video after a second rebuffering, or 2.2 times. Just two years ago, the global tolerance level for video rebuffering stood at 2.7 times, or almost three times of rebuffering before viewers skip the video altogether.

Apparently, video rebuffering isn’t a problem among Smart subscribers with the telco’s technical qualifications. Is it safe to say the same for the subscribers of Globe? Sadly, the numbers show otherwise, to the detriment not only of its subscribers but of the entire country as well.

And while Smart so far, has been outsmarting Globe in terms of internet speed, the latter has to do so much to improve its service. Not only for the sake of competition, but in the service of its subscribers, ironically, to which I belong.

infrastructureure projects roads, bridges and railways. But why should we worry ? That that to me seems more the problem of the lender than the borrower,The United States alone owes China trillions of dollars in debt aucumulated by previous presidents before Trump..

China’s own people are concerned that their country is spreading its resources thin with loans to Africa and South American countries. This, with its gargantuan military expenditure to advance its aggressive ambition in the region, could sap China’s strength.

China’s manpower and resources could suffer a setback if the United States in protecting the freedom of navigation, finally challenges China’s military buildup

in the CSC. Already, the US and China are locked in a trade war following President Donald Trump’s “America first” policy which imposes higher tariff on Chinese products. It is not remote for the European Union to follow the lead of their American cousins across the Atlantic.

Without the US and the EU, the Chinese market will be confined to the African and South American countries China has been assisting with huge loans through these years. But unless Africa and South America can really grow themselves into a large consumer market, it would not make sense to flood these countries with no money to spend for with Chinese goods This, as anyone knows, is the law of supply and demand.

provided by politicians and bureaucrats.

The more the elected politician “looks after” the voter, the more the voter feels compelled to vouch for him, his colleagues, and the state in the next election. “All for the greater good,” as they love to proclaim.

This isn’t the first time that California or the Philippines has tried to curtail the obesity epidemic by legislating or taxing

the problem away.

In 2009, California banned the sale of soda in public schools. But while supporters of the practice said children started consuming less soda as a result, the reality is that consumption of sugary beverages continued to grow among teenagers. Why? Well, they just switched to sports drinks instead.

In 2013, however, the party was over

as across all measured areas: at 15.24 Mbps in National Capital Region (vs.

8.43 Mbps); 13.48 Mbps in North Central Luzon (vs. 6.02 Mbps); 10.59 Mbps in South Luzon (vs 6.47 Mbps); 10.49 Mbps in the Visayas (vs 7.42 Mbps); and 12.23 Mbps in Mindanao

Mobile analytics company OpenSignal bared a huge disparity in the video experience scores of Smart and Globe.

A5

of these bureaucratic delays.

Strategically linked to the country’s economic growth is sustaining the Duterte administration’s ambitious infrastructure programs. This will require conscientious foresight, especially anticipating risks and threats. Economic planning requires THE current pace of economic activity, being alert to warning signs, so they may deemed as “normal” and even “positive” be addressed before things become too by experts, is creating a growing gap in late. the country’s power supply. According to In an earlier column, I already pointed a recent report, the Department of Energy out that the country’s power situation estimates for 2019 a 4 percent growth in demands perennial and immediate the power demand is expected for Luzon attention. In the five-year period between peaking at 11.2 gigawatts from 10.8 GW 2012 and 2017, the Luzon grid witnessed in 2018. demand outpacing capacity. Demand DOE Assistant Secretary Redentor grew by around 2,900 megawatts (MW) E. Delola said supply will be tight, the while supply only grew by 2,600 MW. demand will be In the first high, and the half of 2018, reserves will be additional just enough given installed capacity the scheduled grew by a maintenance. measly 3 percent Before any real An additional compared to “spot load” the 8.2 percent take-off could happen, requirement of d e m a n d , we need to cut the 300 megawatts resulting in seven sustained yellow alerts bureaucratic red tape i n c r e a s e compared to the and build more power in demand three during the prompted DOE’s same period last plants now. to reset their year. forecast for 2018 To reiterate, to 10.8 GW from if this trend 10.561 GW. continues, Tight supply this will have is also expected in the Visayas with enormous repercussions in the context peak demand estimates reaching 2.3 GW of ambitious economic forecasts. If the increasing by 9.5 percent.

Philippine economy, as the administration “In the Visayas we are a bit tight so we has confidently predicted, is poised to need the Luzon-Visayas interconnection,” take off, disruptions brought about by Deloda said. something fundamental as inadequate A little reassuring is that they (DOE) power supply are as disastrous as they are do not expect any red alerts, just yellow embarrassing. Studies have shown that alerts in the worst scenario. stable power capacity and affordable rates In the meantime, the House of are a requirement for any robust economy Representative recently passed are interconnected.

(November 13, 2018) House Resolution The combination of resilient No. HR0015, “URGING THE ENERGY macroeconomic fundamentals and the REGULATORY COMMISSION Duterte administration’s determination (ERC) TO IMMEDIATELY RESOLVE to curb chronic underspending has led to THE SEVEN (7) POWER SUPPLY bullish expectations about the Philippine AGREEMENT APPLICATIONS OF economy. Power is an important part THE MANILA ELECTRIC COMPANY of this equation, and the government (MERALCO), PROVIDED ALL THE needs to act accordingly lest an already REQUIREMENTS PRESCRIBED BY expensive and unstable power situation LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS debilitate any sort of momentum that the HAVE BEEN COMPLIED WITH AND economy gains.

THE APPROPRIATE HEARINGS ON Forecasts talk of robust, long-term THE APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN growth around or even above the 6-percent CONDUCTED”. mark over the 2016 to 2030 horizon. This The resolution refers to the pending would require an additional 7,000 MW Power Supply Agreements filed before of power generation capacity over the the Energy Regulatory Commission way next five years. Regulators need to start back in 2016 to build coal-fired power acting on investments in order to move plants with various generation companies. the power situation from sufficiency to The laudable resolution highlights the surplus. Work also must be done in areas urgency and very pragmatic rationale for like the rationalization of taxes and the fast action on these badly needed power removal of bureaucratic barriers to spur plants. Just remember the red and yellow more investments in the industry. alerts in 2017 because of the unexpected If our energy bureaucracy does not shut down and unscheduled maintenance act fast on this situation, The economic operations causing power interruptions in momentum—not the least due to the Luzon.

Duterte administration’s Build Build We need new power plants that Build program—will make our power would use the most efficient and situation more precarious. environmentally friendly technologies I’ll say it again: Sustaining our to replace outdated coal-fired plants that economic gains will not be possible are prone to transmission failures. Since without a stable and affordable supply of it takes at least seven to eight years to electricity. Before any real take-off could construct a power plant before it even happen, we need to cut the bureaucratic becomes fully operational, we are already red tape and build more power plants facing a looming power shortage because now.

Fear....

From A4

and fears.

A neighbor trying to be friendly after being shunned by a previous leader and milked of commissions by previous others approaches a new president in the person of Duterte, who willingly accepts their assistance, and we cry out against both of them.

Is it fear that motivates these? Or is more a case of prejudice?

I cannot for the life of me understand where the “hugot” comes from.

The Americans colonized us for half a century yet we idolize them. The Japanese occupied us for four years (my own grandfather and an uncle were massacred by retreating Japanese troops in February 1945 which is why I never knew them personally), with thousands upon thousands of our people dead and suffered, but how quickly we have forgotten and forgiven. A few grafttainted reparations in yen, and we “open our legs.”

The Americans sell obsolete war materiel to us for overpriced amounts and we shout hallelujah. Little brown Americans!

The Chinese, whose forebears came to our shores as friendly traders, and never colonized an inch of our territory even during the apex of their ruling dynasties, and whose succeeding generations have lived amongst us in peace, and intermarried with our different tribes, mindless

as it was the US federal government’s turn to ban sports drinks in schools nationwide. But despite the countrywide ban, the national obesity rate among kids aged between two and 19 years actually increased from 17.2 percent in 2013 to 18.5 percent in 2016. If anything, this increase proves that no matter how many new laws, regulations, or taxes are implemented, you cannot solve problems by restricting

of religion or cultural differences, are treated differently vis-à-vis the white Americans, the yellow Japanese, and even the similarly white-skinned and hairy-bodied Katsila.

Is that fear? Or prejudice?

Or is it simply because our Chinoy classmates always excelled in math subjects where for some strange reason we Pinoys “hated,” driving many of us to become lawyers because all that profession needs is a little logic and a lot of “laway”?

Is it because for some strange reason, that Chinoy who owns a big grocery in our hometown from where we buy our goods, only used to hawk and peddle in the wet market, while we are still “slaving” in our eight-hour lowly-paid jobs?

Is it because Lucio Tan and John Gokongwei, Henry Sy and now Dennis Uy are getting as rich, if not richer than the Spanish Zobel-Ayalas who we used to equate along with the Soriano’s as business royalty?

It’s more like “inggit.” Pure oldfashioned envy.

But coming from the white-skinned run “think tanks,” and the neversay-anything-good Left along with their fellow travelers in opportunism amongst the political opposition, never mind.

What’s important is we continue to Build, Build, Build, minus the graft and corruption that characterized our sordid past, and thus enable our saling-lahi to reap the fruits of our labors and our vision.

consumer freedom.

This lesson is particularly lost on California officials, as the state wastes no opportunity to ban something new whenever possible, or to Philippine officials, as the country also wastes no time in taxing something new whenever possible. eric.jurado@gmail.com

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Solon rules out merger between Mislatel, PLDT D

ESPITE the recent alliance forged between businessmen Manuel Pangilinan and Dennis Uy in a major oil exploration firm, it would be impossible for the two to eventually combine their telecommunications entities, a member of Congress said Sunday.

“There’s simply zero chance that anti-trust watchdogs will allow the three players in the telecommunications sector to revert back to two in the future,” said Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel.

“We already have a durable anti-trust law in place that prohibits mergers and acquisitions that diminish market competition,” Pimentel added.

Pimentel was referring to the Competition Law of 2015 which established the Philippine Competition Commission that is empowered to block any business combination that would reduce market rivalry.

The law, Pimentel said, did not exist when PLDT Inc. previously acquired rivals Smart Communications Inc. and Digital Telecommunications Philippines Inc., and when Globe Telecom Inc. bought Isla Communications Inc. and Bayan Telecommunications Inc. Last month, Uy’s Dennison Holdings Corp. spent P4 billion to acquire a 14.8-percent stake in Pangilinan’s PXP Energy Corp., which has the biggest share of the Sampaguita natural gas discovery in offshore West Palawan.

The National Telecommunications Commission last week confirmed the Uyled Mislatel consortium as the country’s third major telecommunications player.

Mislatel is poised to compete with PLDT led by Pangilinan and Ayalaowned Globe, which for years have ruled the country’s telecommunications sector.

“Years from now, we Filipinos will be very grateful to President Duterte for enabling a third player to come in, and for establishing effective competition in the telecommunications sector for the benefit of consumers,” Pimentel said.

“In the years ahead, we expect a greater number of Filipinos to enjoy affordable high-speed Internet access at home and on their mobile devices everywhere,” he added.

Lawmakers back Duterte on ROTC revival

By Rio N. Araja and Macon Ramos-Araneta LAWMAKERS are pushing for the revival of the mandatory Reserved Officers Training Corps following President Rodrigo Duterte’s appeal for Congress to pass a law for such purpose.

At the House of Representatives, Deputy Speaker and Batangas Rep. Romeo Abu said his House Bill No. 5113 seeks to make ROTC mandatory for Grades 11 and 12 students in public and private schools.

“I appeal to the House leadership to pass the ROTC bill in line with President Duterte’s desire to revive this aimed at promoting the prime duty of the government to serve and protect the people,” he said.

At the Upper House, Senator Richard Gordon filed a bill proposing to require all college students and those in technical vocational courses to undergo basic citizen service training.

“The Constitution recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation building and seeks to promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. It also seeks to inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs,” Gordon said.

“It is the prime duty of the government to serve and protect the people. Corollary to this, the Constitution empowers the government to call upon the people to defend the State and render personal military or civil service. To provide implementing legislation to these basic tenets in the Constitution, this bill proposes to require basic citizen service training, establish the citizen service corps, and creates the citizen service commission for this purpose,” he added.

EU, SC hold training on cybercrime laws, electronic evidence

By Rey E. Requejo

THE European Union, the Council of Europe and the Supreme Court through the Office of the Court Administrator held a training on cybercrime and electronic evidence for prosecutors and state attorneys in the Associate of Southeast Asian Nations in Makati City.

In his keynote address, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra stressed that “crime and criminals respect no state boundaries.”

“In this virtual and interconnected world, our collective defense against cybercriminals and cybercrime is only as strong as our weakest link. A critical mass of trainers is necessary if we are to establish a web of experts that can contain, neutralize and protect our entire region from the pernicious effects of cybercrime,” Guevarra said.

Prosecutors and state attorneys from 9 ASEAN member-states attended the fourday training held last November 20 to 23.

The training focused on cybercrime legislation, procedural powers in relation to electronic evidence and tools for international cooperation.

As crime is increasingly moving into the cyberspace, any type of criminal activity may nowadays entail evidence in electronic form. Securing such evidence to bring offenders to justice has become a major challenge as it may be stored on servers in foreign, multiple or unknown jurisdictions that are “somewhere in the cloud.”

The European Union and the Council of Europe, through the joint project on Global Action on Cybercrime Extended (GLACY+), are working with countries worldwide to develop sustainable training programs on cybercrime and electronic evidence, both for the judiciary and for the law enforcement.

The Philippines has been one of the priority countries of this capacity building initiative since 2014, benefitting from training courses, legislative advice and exposure to regional and international conferences and workshops on cybercrime.

DANCE FOR YOUR LIFE. Member of the Pinoy Predator Riders Club participate in a Zumba dance for a cancer awareness campaign at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in Pasay City on Sunday. Norman Cruz

Quimbo pushes for zero excise tax on fuel

By Rio N. Araja MARIKINA City Rep. Miro Quimbo on Sunday said the fuel excise tax under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law must be completely removed.

In an interview with dzBB, Quimbo insisted on the removal of the excise tax on gasoline and kerosene, saying “the tax remains anti-poor even if the prices of fuel have gone down.”

“Almost 80 percent of the poor have to bear the brunt of excise tax on these two fuel products,” he said.

Quimbo expressed confidence that Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo would back moves to scrap the excise tax on gasoline and kerosene.

“Many have already signified support for this move. I believe, before the year ends, there will be more and more support (to pour in). Hopefully, before our session adjourns, we can

pass it,” he said.

“The way (Speaker) GMA works, she works based on consensus. If she sees there are many supporters, aside from her on perspective, she could easily give her support. Before I talk to her, I still have to galvanize our massive intra-party support when it comes to this matter,” he added.

House Bill No. 8171, which is still pending before the House committee on ways, seeks to return to zero the excise tax on kerosene and diesel.

PLACID WATERS. A boat wades through the calm waters of the Hagonoy River in Bulacan on Sunday. Located approximately 54 kilometers from Metro Manila, the river serves as a channel for transporting people and commodities and a haven for fishing enthusiasts. PNA

New law boosts protection of OFWs in Canada THE welfare and protection of overseas Filipino workers in Canada will soon get a boost with a proposed law seeking to protect them from abuse.

Labor Attaché Margarita Eugenia Victorino said under the proposed legislation, a registry of employers and recruiters of temporary foreign workers in Canada composed of OFWs will be established.

“The establishment of a registry, as provided for in the proposed Temporary Foreign Workers Protection Act, or Bill 48-2018, aims to safeguard temporary foreign workers from abuse committed against them by their employer or recruiter,” Victorino said in her report to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III. Under the proposed measure, the registration process of employers and workers’ recruiters will be free and available online.

The proposed measure also stipulates that any employer or recruiter who will be found violating his obligations will face revocation of license and imprisonment for a year.

Canadian Labor Minister Harry Bains earlier announced that the proposed legislation has been submitted for first reading at the British Columbia Legislature.

Consultations with all stakeholders are also expected to be held and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Vancouver has been invited to take an active part in crafting the policies and guidelines for the implementation of the law.

Sports

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2018 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Cocolife Tigers rout Valientes in MPBL

NINE straight wins and counting.

Davao Occidental Cocolife Tigers tightened its grip on top of team standings after defeating the Zamboanga Valientes in dominant fashion, 93-68, in the south division of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup eliminations recently at Valenzuela Astrodome in Valenzuela City.

The Tigers of team owner Claudine Bautista of Davao Occidental LGU, backed by Cocolife president Elmo Nobleza, FVP Joseph Ronquillo and AVP Rowena Asnan, took control of the game in the early goings using their fluid offense from veteran players and hustle points from homegrown talents to mount a big lead, 44-24 at the half, en route to its ninth straight win.

They posted a couple of victories in the season opening, followed by 3 straight setbacks for their pacesetting 11-3 record in their division.

The Valientes tried to narrow the gap in the third canto, led by veteran Leo Avenido, Jonathan Parreno and Reed Juntilla.

But a backbreaking back-to-back treys by homegrown Tiger Joeph Terso and timely buckets from ex-pro Najorda and journeyman Bonbon Costodio stopped the Zamboanga uprising to hand the Valientes another loss as they skidded further to a 6-8 record in the league organized by Senator Manny Pacquiao.

“Our veterans’ adrenaline from practice to actual competition towed our upcoming and homegrown players to a high level just like this victory against the Valientes [Zamboanga],” said Davao Cocolife Tigers’ team manager Ray Alao said.

PhilCycling, Go for Gold form national junior team MARCRYAN Mendoza and Efren Reyes Jr. proved themselves worthy of spots in the national junior team that will compete in several international races next year after recently topping the Philcycling Go For Gold National Youth and Junior Trials.

With the ultimate goal of sending a Filipino cyclist to the Olympics, Philcycling and Go For Gold have tapped Mendoza and Reyes along with youth category champion Aljim Martin, Josue Albert Decuzar and John Paul Laureta.

According to Go For Gold project director Ednalyn Hualda, these riders would see action in the Asian Cycling Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan early next year and compete in other races overseas that offer UCI points.

Joining the seven-man junior squad to be bankrolled by Go For Gold under the auspices of Philcycling are Go For Gold mainstays Ean Cajucom and John Byron Lucero, a triathlete who will maximize his cycling talents for the national team.

Go For Gold godfather Jeremy Go said these riders will sign a one-year contract to train and race for the team with consent from their parents. They will also receive a monthly stipend from Go For Gold throughout the duration of the program.

Hualda said these riders would be encouraged to divide their time between racing and going to school. ``If you’re a part of the developmental program, education should also be a priority. This is one of the things that we want our cyclists to embrace,’’ said Go. Mendoza, son of veteran cyclist Ryan Mendoza, ruled the massed start road race and individual time trial events in the 16-17 junior category during the tryouts with Reyes placing second to Mendoza on both occasions.

In the 14-15 youth category, selecting Martin was a no-brainer after the 15-year-old from Villasis, Pangasinan topped both massed start and ITT events while Decuzar finished second in the road race. Laureta was the second fastest in the youth ITT.

IAN SANGALANG

Sangalang begs off from Gilas to focus on PBA finals GEPNITS IS TOP COLT. Jockey RG Fernandez (5th from left), Danny Salazar (3rd from left), representing owner Edgar

Salvador and trainer Filomeno G. Fernandez (left) raise their trophies after their horse Gepnits ruled the 2018 Philippine Racing Commission (Philracom) Juvenile Colt Stakes Race recently at the San Lazaro Leisure Park, Carmona, Cavite. They are joined at the awards rites by Philracom Chairman Andrew A. Sanchez (center), commissioner Victor Tantoco (6th from left) and Manila Jockey Club racing manager Ding Magboo (2nd from left).

Durant scores 44; Dubs hold off Kings, 117-116 L OS ANGELES, United States—Kevin Durant delivered a season-high 44 points as the Golden State Warriors needed a wild finish to hold off the Sacramento Kings 117-116 on Saturday night.

Two-time reigning NBA finals MVP Durant also had a season-high 16 free throws on 17 attempts for the Warriors, who won their second straight after snapping a four-game losing skid on Friday by beating Portland.

Klay Thompson got the winning basket with a put back of his own miss with five seconds remaining in the fourth.

“I don’t know if I got fouled, but who cares I got the putback,” Thompson said.

“You’ll take a game-winner any way you can get it I don’t care how ugly it is.”

The Kings made the Warriors work for the victory as De’Aaron Fox made two free throws with 26 seconds remaining to put Sacramento ahead after Thompson missed a 33-footer moments earlier.

Durant converted two free throws with

1:27 left and also had 13 rebounds and seven assists, while Thompson wound up with 31 points.

Thompson shot 12 of 26 with five threepointers as Stephen Curry missed his ninth straight game because of a strained left groin.

Curry, the two-time MVP, was re-examined Saturday and is expected to resume practising next week with a good chance he would return to game action during an upcoming five-game road trip.

“He’s doing much better and we’re just going to keep taking it day by day,” Kerr said.

Meanwhile, Karl-Anthony Towns had 35 points and 22 rebounds, Derrick Rose came off the bench to score 22 points and the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Chicago Bulls 111-96.

Jeff Teague added 18 points for Min-

nesota, which pulled away late to win for the fifth time in seven games since trading Jimmy Butler to Philadelphia.

Both the Timberwolves and Bulls were playing the second game of a back-to-back and their third game in four nights.

“We want to make the right plays, play to each other’s strengths, cover up each other’s weaknesses and play tough,” Minnesota coach Tom Thibodeau said.

“On the nights in which you don’t shoot well, hopefully your rebounding and your defense can carry you through.”

Zach LaVine scored 28 points and Jabari Parker had 27 as the Bulls lost for the sixth time in seven contests. Both players have reached 20 points in the past three games.

Justin Holiday had 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Bulls.

In Cleveland, rookie Collin Sexton scored a season-high 29 points and the Cleveland Cavaliers overcame 40 points by Houston’s James Harden to defeat the Rockets 117-108. AFP

By Jeric Lopez IAN Sangalang’s focus at the moment will solely be on the upcoming Finals of the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup. With some minor health concerns and a banged-up body, Sangalang opted to beg off from the National team in the coming window of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers this week to rest his aching body.

“May mga pain kasi after semis sa ankles and ‘yung sa tuhod ko na na-ACL,” said Sangalang. “So rest is needed muna talaga para rin maging ready a finals.”

Originally a part of National team coach Yeng Guiao’s 20-man pool, Sangalang informed the team that lingering pain in both his ankles and knee will force him out of action prior to the start of the PBA Finals on Dec. 5.

Guiao confirmed the development over the weekend and he accepts Sangalang’s decision, understanding his situation.

With that, Gilas Pilipinas will now work on a 19-man pool in which Guiao would have to select two sets of 12-man teams in games against Kazakhstan and Iran.

Team Pilipinas is set for battle against Kazakhstan on Nov. 29 and against Iran on Dec. 3, both at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City in front of its home crowd.

For Sangalang, his continued rest is expected to get him ready for the Hotshots’ best-of-seven finale against Alaska.

Former UP stalwart Lao ready for PBA

Kyles Lao shows his application form for the PBA Rookie Draft set Dec. 16 at the Robinson’s Place in Ermita, Manila.

URATEX TREATS INDUSTRY PARTNERS TO DAY OF GOLF — During its early years as a company,

Uratex has built a strong and lasting partnerships with the automotive industry players by providing foam for car seats to local assemblers. In line with its 50th anniversary celebration, Uratex has invited their automotive industry partners to a day of building camaraderie amongst peers, through a game of golf. Holding small golf tournaments with partners was once a tradition started by Uratex founder Robert G. Cheng, but this is the first time that Uratex has gathered all of its partners from across the automotive industry under one tournament. Well-wishes from partners flowed as they continue to strengthen the bonds they have with Uratex. On the other hand, Uratex vowed to continuously gain their trust and extend their partnerships for 50 more years. Photo shows RGC Group of Companies Executive Vice President for Automotive Eddie Gallor (second from right) and Uratex Corporate Sales Director Dindo Medina (fifth from right) with partners from the automotive industry.

KYLES Lao, a former stalwart of the University of the Philippines, has decided to turn professional after he submitted his application for the PBA Rookie Draft set Dec. 16 at the Robinson’s Place in Ermita, Manila.

Lao, who is currently playing for the Manila Stars in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, has mixed emotions on his PBA plans but knows he has done enough to prepare for the professional league.

“I have mixed feelings about it.

I’m excited and yet anxious,” said Lao, a 6-foot combo guard, who won Rookie of the Year honors with the Fighting Maroons back in 2013 in the UAAP. “It’s a dream for me to play in the PBA ever since I was young. It’s also a dream for my family. But there is also pressure because I don’t know what will happen. It’s not a sure thing if I’ll be selected in the first or second round, or if I’ll be picked

in the Draft,” added Lao. The 23-year-old Lao said his four seasons at UP under head coaches Bo Perasol, Ricky Dandan and Rey Madrid, his stint with AMA under coach Mark Herrera in the PBA D-League, and currently with coach Philip Cezar with the Manila Stars, have improved his skills to play at a high level -- the PBA. Lao is playing well so far as a back up guard of the Manila Stars, averaging nearly 10 points per game, including 13 points a game in the team’s three-game win streak the past two weeks, and has a +10 efficiency rating.

“He has one of the highest basketball IQ players that I’ve coached,” said Perasol, a former PBA mentor.

“Whatever he may be lacking in some aspects of the game, he works on it with pure determination and grit. His offensive arsenal has also dramatically improved as he had come of age. I hope that teams will give

him the chance that he rightly deserves,” he added.

Lao said he has learned a lot from these coaches, and he is confident all the knowledge imparted to him will be useful for him in the PBA. Whatever happens, Lao, who personally submitted the requirements for local applicants last Thursday ahead of the Dec. 3 deadline at the PBA Commissioner’s Office in Quezon City, is ready for it.

“I’m not sure where I’ll end up, or which team would pick me. But my family, they have been fully supportive to me, they told me to be ready. I have to prepare well too for the Draft Combine,” said Lao. “My stint with the UP Fighting Maroons, with the AMA team and now with the Manila Stars, it all helped me as a basketball player. With the people I played with and played for, they all gave me the confidence to aim for my dream to play in the PBA,” he said.

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

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Sports

BPC derby a three-way pursuit

San Miguel Beer big man Christian Standhardinger (with ball) drives past NLEX Road Warriors counterpart JR Quinahan (37). Standhardinger leads a three-way race for Best Player of the Conference. PBA Media

WHAT was earlier a one-sided Best Player of the Conference derby has turned to a three-cornered fight among Christian Standhardinger, Paul Lee and Chris Banchero entering the PBA Governors Cup Finals.

Standhardinger paces the stats race but Lee and Banchero have made a case for themselves in leading their teams to the finals in the season-ending tourney.

Meanwhile, the wide-open slugfest for the Best Import award has essentially come down to a virtual one-on-one between Alaska Milk’s Mike Harris and Magnolia’s Romeo Travis.

Barangay Ginebra’s Justin Brownlee, Phoenix Petroleum’s Eugene Phelps, Meralco’s Allen Durham, NLEX’s Aaron Fuller and Blackwater’s Henry Walker had all been strong bets until their teams moved out of the title hunt one after another.

Stats-wise, Harris is ahead of Travis with his whopping averages of 30.31 points, 20.69 rebounds, 2.81 assists, 1.13 steals and 1.00 block.

Meanwhile, the Magnolia import, a BPC winner in his previous PBA stint with Alaska Milk, norms 24.5 markers, 14.8 boards, 4.81 assists and 2.0 steals.

Standhardinger is the runaway leader in the stats race among the locals with 41.9 SPs (statistical points) a game. His downside was his inability to get San Miguel Beer even just in the Semifinals.

Same is the case for the second-running Stanley Pringle of NorthPort (34).

At third is Ginebra’s Japeth Aguilar (32.9), followed by Lee (31.64) and Banchero (31.56).

Eagles advance to UAAP Finals

By Peter Atencio

T

HIRDY RAVENA led the defending champion Ateneo Blue Eagles to an 80-61 swamping of the Far Eastern University Tamaraws.

Games Wednesday (Araneta Coliseum) 3:30 p.m. Adamson vs UP

Ravena’s huge effort with Angelo Kouame early in the game inspired the rest of their teammates as they propelled the Blue Eagles to their third straight finals appearance yesterday in the 81st Univer-

sity Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament.

Ravena, who fouled out late in the fourth period, had another big evening with 22 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block.

Ravena’s score was one point below his season-high of 23 points, and he made eight of it in the first period.

“We just had to put into our minds, na

kailangan mas gutom kami sa kanila, coming into the game,” said Ravena.

Averaging 12.1 points per game, Ravena struck thrice during an 8-0 run in the start of the game, and this included two rim-rattling dunks.

The Blue Eagles, also getting 18 points and 11 rebounds from Kouame, were able to limit the Tams to below their 73.5 point average. They took command of the game early taking charge, 17-8, at the end of the first period.

Arvin Tolentino, who norms 13.4 points, was held to just five points for the Tams, who will miss the finals for a third straight season.

“We knew that coming into this

Total SEAG events remain undetermined THERE is a possibility that only 51 sports will eventually ve featured in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

Five sports which includes kurash, e-sports, surfing, skateboarding and jujitsu have until Dec 7 to submit their application forms.

Member nations led by Singapore have expressed this concern after the SEA Games Federation Council held a two-day second meeting that ended last Friday to discuss the final list of sports proposed for the 30th South East Asian Games Philippines 2019.

Council officials said the five additional events still need to have endorsements either from their international federations or Asian bodies.

Chris Chan, the secretary-general of the Singapore National Olympic Council, said in an article which appeared in the Singapore Straits Times.

During the meeting held at the Conrad Hotel, a final list of approved 56 sports disciplines were presented.

The Philippines will announce the final list of events for the 56 sports on Dec 15.

The Games will be held in Clark Green City, Subic and Metro Manila in the Philippines.

Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee Executive Director Ramon Suzara discussed final list of sports disciplines for 2019 SEA Games following an inspection of Clark and Subic competition venues.

Suzara disclosed that Philippine SEA Games One Year Countdown Celebration at the Bayanihan Park, Clark, Angeles City, Pampanga on Nov. 30. Peter Atencio

game, we’re up against a tough FEU team which just had two great games against Adamson and La Salle. So, we wanted to lock in defensively from the start. We managed to limit their key players, whom we wanted to defend, and take out of their game. We got off to a good start and we were able to sustain it,” said Ateneo coach Sandy Arespacochaga.

The Blue Eagles, known for limiting rivals to an average of 61.9 points, shackled FEU to just 15 points in the second period. With Kouame showing the way with seven points in that quarter, Ateneo took a 38-24 halftime spread.

Ravena’s triple in the remaining 2:53

of the period saw Ateneo taking a 59-28 spread after the third.

The University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons won their first playoff match in 21 years, 73-71, off a gamewinner by season MVP Bright Akhuetie in the last two seconds over the Adamson Falcons. They will meet the Falcons anew in a rubber match on Wednesday for the second finals slot.

The Tamaraws were completely humbled as not a single player could score in double digits. Barkley Ebona led the way for FEU with nine points.

Prince Orizu completed his collegiate career with the Tamaraws with seven points and four rebounds.

Track legend de Vega supports PSC athletes’ incentive program

Lydia de Vega-Mercado stands beside, from left: GAB chairman Baham Mitra, PSC chairman William Ramirez and POC president Ricky Vargas during Hall of Fame awarding ceremonies.

LYDIA de Vega-Mercado said a lot has changed since she retired back in 1994.

And it will be only a matter of time before somebody who is better than her will show up.

The track star, who was considered Asia’s fastest woman in the 1980s, was among the 10 who were inducted into the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame in ceremonies held in Manila last Thursday.

“Nakikita ko naman. The athletes are doing their part to win medals for the country, and not for themselves only. At meron din na mga athletes na late bloomer.

Darating din ang time nila. They just have to keep on trying harder,” said de VegaMercado following rites held at the Philippine International Convention Center.

The 53-year old de Vega-Mercado shared her thoughts after coming back from Singapore, where she has been coaching kids at a private school for the last 14 years.

Her children, volleyball player Stephanie and Jonathan, joined her during the rites.

She first made waves at the 1981 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games held in Manila

with gold medal performances in the 200 and 400 meter events.

De Vega-Mercado distinguished herself as Asia’s sprint queen. She ran away with the gold medal in the 100-meter dash in the 1982 New Delhi Asiad, She duplicated the feat in the 1986 Seoul Asiad where she clocked 11.53 seconds.

So far, the incentives given to medallists, and the support that the Philippine Sports Commissions gives to athletes in training are among the things that have changed since her days as a Project: Gintong Alay athlete.

No such benefits and support were available to many national athletes at that time.

And this should be enough motivation for to excel in international meets.

She believes that the PSC is doing to enough, and that national athletes should be rewarded for their efforts to excel for the country.

Bowling wonders Paeng Nepomuceno and Bong Coo are among the ten awardees Also present and inducted that night was Boxing champ Erbito Salavarria who held both WBC and WBA flyweight belts during his prime. Peter Atencio

Belgium wins first ever golf World Cup MELBOURNE, Australia—Thomas Pieters and Thomas Detry held off Mexico and a charging Australia to win Belgium’s first ever golf World Cup by three shots in a “dream come true” Sunday.

The pair began the final day of foursomes action, where teammates take it in turns to play the same ball, with a five-stroke lead at Melbourne’s Metropolitan Golf Club.

But Australia’s Mark Leishman and Cameron Smith narrowed the gap to two coming down the home straight with three birdies in a row, and Mexico’s Abraham Ancer and Roberto Diaz were also closing in.

In a tense finale, the Belgians

restored a three-stroke lead with a birdie on the 16th but a nervy bogey on the next meant they had to keep their cool on the final hole.

A perfect approach shot eased the pressure and they holed out for a closing 68 and a 23-under-par win, with Australia and Mexico joint second.

Danish defending champions Thorbjorn Olesen and Soren Kjeldsen carded a 65 to tie for fourth alongside Canada’s Adam Hadwin and Nick Taylor, six behind Belgium. Greece finished last from the 28 teams.

“It’s a dream come true to play it, let alone win it,” said Detry, 25, after pocketing the biggest cheque of his

short two-year professional career.

“It was a huge thrill to play with Thomas (Pieters). We were on a college team (University of Illinois) together as amateurs in the US and we are great friends.”

The win earned the pair US$1.12 million each and a maiden World Cup crown for their country, although Ryder Cup player Flory Van Donck captured the individual title in 1960.

The more established Pieters, a three-time European Tour winner and Ryder Cup player, said that winning the World Cup was not something players normally have on their bucket list.

Thomas Detry (left) and Thomas Pieters of Belgium celebrate with the trophy after winning the World Cup of Golf at the Metropolitan Golf Club in Melbourne on November 25, 2018. AFP

IN BRIEF

Business

PH gets Chinese grant for two infra projects THE Department of Public Works and Highways said it obtained a grant from the Chinese government to finance two infrastructure projects in Visayas and Mindanao.

The DPWH said the Philippines and Chinese governments signed the implementation agreement for the conduct of feasibility study on the Davao City Expressway Project and the Panay-GuimarasNegros Island Bridges.

The implementation agreement for the 26 kilometers Davao City Expressway Project covers full-scale geological survey and topographic map measurement, thematic research on roads and bridges, engineering programs, socio-economic, engineering geology, hydrological surveys, environmental and social impact assessments, and feasibility study reports.

The study will be undertaken within a period not exceeding 12 months by CCCC Highway Consultants Co. Ltd., chosen by AIECO as the Chinese project implementation company.

The feasibility study for the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Island Bridges will be carried out within 14 months also by CCCC Highway Consultants Co. Ltd. Darwin G Amojelar

Retail competition in power pushed THE Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines is urging authorities to end the regulatory uncertainty over the electricity market by moving full steam ahead with the Retail Competition and Open Access scheme that gives consumers the power of choice.

“Having RCOA moving again will definitely enhance competition at WESM. We have received inquiries from several potential contestable customers who consume more than 750 kilowatts if they can already register. They want to benefit from lower electricity prices that retail electricity suppliers can offer. It’s time we push ahead with the full implementation of the EPIRA law,” said IEMOP president Francis Saturnino Juan.

IEMOP took over the operations of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market, the country’s trading floor of electricity, from Philippine Electricity Market Corp. in September.

Juan said that with the full implementation of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001, RCOA could be brought down to the level of household consumers. Alena Mae S. Flores

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2018

By Alena Mae S. Flores

AGRICULTURE FORUM. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Chuchi Fonacier (seated, fourth from left) and Philippine Chamber of Agriculture & Food president Danilo Fausto (seated, fifth from left) lead the ‘Agriculture Value Chain Forum’ on Nov. 23 with champions of the agriculture industry to orient commercial banks that agriculture business, with its encompassing value chain, is profitable to lenders who are averse to risks.

BoI likely to achieve 2018 investment goal of P680b T

By Othel V. Campos

HE Department of Trade and Industry is confident the Board of Investments will achieve the investment target of P680 billion by the end of 2018.

“Right now we’re short of P100 billion.

But since there remains a few projects scheduled for approval, we are positive that we will deliver,” said Trade Undersecretary and Board of Investments managing head Ceferino Rodolfo over the weekend.

Three major projects may get the approval of the BoI before December 15.

These are construction-related businesses either in cement or the steel manufacturing sector, a big-ticket tourism project and infrastructure.

The projects were mostly Filipino-

led, entailing massive amount of investments, Rodolfo said.

The BoI earlier hinted that the agency would approve the projects by mid-December this year.

The BoI approved investment pledges of P515.9 billion in the first 10 months of 2018, up 26 percent from P408.8 billion year-on-year.

The agency said foreign direct investment pledges in the January-to-October period jumped 157 percent to P39.3 billion from P15.3 billion a year ago.

Among the main sources of FDIs were Indonesia with P6.4 billion; Malaysia, P2.9 billion; Japan P2.8 billion; Australia, P1.1 billion; China, P1.1 billion; the US P612 million; Italy, P485.7 million; Singapore, P404.1 million; and Switzerland P357.7 million.

The BoI approved the investments of Petron Corp. for its P81.9-billion condensate processing complex project; FGEN LNG Corp.’s P62.5-billion LNG Terminal Project; Pulangi Hydro Power

Corp.’s P38-billion renewable energy development of hydropower resources project; and Citra Central Expressway Corp.’s P25.7-billion Metro Manila Skyway project.

Other approved investments were SteelAsia Manufacturing Corp.’s P24.1billion heavy steel section project; Solar Philippines Commercial Rooftop Projects Inc.’s P19-billion, P13.6-billion, and P13.6-billion solar energy development projects; APO Agua Infrastructure Inc.’s P13.3-billion bulk water supply project; and Ionic Cementworks Industries Inc.’s P12-billion cement production project.

Energy/power, manufacturing, transportation and storage, construction/infrastructure and real estate were the top five key industries that boosted the latest investment approval figures.

A significant increase in manufacturing investment projects was also noted, with commitments up 271 percent to P142.862 billion from just P38.474 billion in the same period last year.

MANILA Electric Co., the biggest retailer of electricity, expects full-year sales growth of 4.5 percent to 5 percent and a net income “slightly better” than in 2017, its top official said over the weekend.

“We’ll probably end this year at about 4.5 to 5 percent. I think we have to see what the final November and December figures are but call it 4.5 to 5 percent growth from last year,” Meralco president Oscar Reyes said.

Meralco’s sales volume reached 42,102 gigawatthours last year, up five percent from 2016.

Meralco posted a consolidated core income of P20.2 billion in 2017, up 3 percent from P19.583 billion in 2016. Meralco’s consolidated reported net income reached P20.384 billion last year, up 6 percent from P19.176 billion in 2016.

“Compared to 2017, I think because of this volume growth, we expect slightly better bottom line. I think we have to recognize that there are a number of developments that are happening,” Reyes said.

He cited factors that affected demand, including increased energy efficiency promotion and solar rooftop installation.

“Energy efficiency continues to grow because of available devices, because of technology. The elasticity of demand growth of electricity compared to growth of GDP (gross domestic product) keeps on declining.

Before, it was 1.3 percent in the 1990s, now we are doing about 0.75 percent growth in electricity for every 1 percent growth in GDP,” Reyes said.

Reyes said energy efficiency efforts helped consumers save on electricity bills, adding that “even if it means lower volume for us.”

“Number two is increasing adoption of rooftop solar for residential, industrial. It means they will be getting less from the grid and effectively generating their own,” Reyes said.

“These are headwinds that potentially mean that growth in electricity may decelerate plus further adoption of battery and energy storage... Against that is how fast your demand for electric vehicles grow,” he said.

SMC’s tollway unit posts P2.3-b profit

By Darwin G Amojelar THE tollway unit of San Miguel Corp. said net profit rose 6 percent in the third quarter of the year mainly because of higher vehicle traffic volume.

South Luzon Tollways Corp. reported a net income of P763.4 million in July to September this year from P720.4 million year-on-year.

SLTC’s profit in the first nine months rose 4 percent to P2.27 billion from P2.18 billion last year.

The company’s toll revenue posted a 4-percent increase in the third quarter to P1.48 billion from P1.43 billion last year, driven by higher traffic volume. The figure brought the

B

Meralco sees sales growing 5% this year

Banana growers eye Aussie, Korean marts THE Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association is set to send delegations to markets that still impose restrictions on Philippine banana exports.

PBGEA officials are set to personally explore the banana markets of South Korea and Australia and negotiate with counterparts on how better to proceed with a request to allow the entry of Philippine bananas into these markets.

Former PBGEA president Steve Antig will lead a group of banana growers to South Korea to convince their counterparts and the South Korean government to ease tariff and non-tariff restrictions on Philippine bananas.

Antig’s group aims to convince the South Korean government to agree on a bilateral agreement with the Philippines to lower the tax from 30 to zero percent.

Other PBGEA executives led by Benny Corcolon are scheduled to go to Canberra on November tomorrow to meet with government officials there and raise the possibility of allowing Philippine banana exports during the lean months so as not to compete with Australian banana growers.

Othel V. Campos

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

company’s total revenue in the first nine months to P4.5 billion from P4.3 billion last year.

“The continuous expansion of housing community and consumer socio-economic activities in the South contributed to the increase in traffic volume,” SLTC said.

“Apart from the industrial development in the area which gave rise to numerous industrial parks, Cavite and Laguna have become attractive to employees working in Metro Manila but preferred to raise their families in the south,” it added.

SLTC said these development enhanced the volume for class 1 vehicles, while traffic volume for class 3 vehicles also increased mainly due to the thriving Cala-

Dominguez woos Japanese businessmen, cites Tokyo’s role in developing New Clark

By Julito G. Rada FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the government of Japan is playing a key role in the development of the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac, which is the centerpiece of the ambitious “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program of the Duterte administration.

Dominguez said at a seminar held Nov. 21 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City the New Clark City was a new metropolis being prepared for the future and “driven by technology and the most forwardlooking industries.”

“The new city we are building here will be the icon for the dynamic urban centers that we intend to nurture as we march confidently towards the future.

This new city will foster innovation,” he said.

“It will showcase our capability to harness new technologies to build vibrant and sustainable communities. It will demonstrate the great progress that international partnerships make possible,” he said.

The seminar dubbed “New Clark City With Japan” aimed to encourage new Philippine and

CALAPAN WATER PROJECT. Calapan

barzon, the second most densely populated region after the National Capital Region.

The company also said it remained compliant with the terms of its concession agreement by providing sufficient funding for maintenance obligations under its contract with the government.

“Since the company has been in the operations for nine years, a higher maintenance budget is provided to restore and maintain the toll road and related equipment, part from enhancement activities to bring about improved throughput,” SLTC said.

The company spent P116.8 million for the pavement repair and asphalt resurfacing activities during the period.

Japanese business partnerships and introduce smart city solutions in developing NCC. It was organized by the Japan External Trade Organization in partnership with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, which is overseeing NCC’s development.

Dominguez said New Clark City and the rest of the flagship projects under the “Build, Build, Build” program had been made possible by a “fortuitous combination of factors.”

These factors, he said, include a decisive political leadership and a strong initiative to build a competent bureaucracy capable of executing large visions, the adequate fiscal space generated as a result of years of tough reforms, the continuing effort to reform the country’s revenue systems, “and the generous support of our international friends and development partners, notably the Japanese people.”

“The economic strategy we pursue seeks to achieve rapid, investments-led growth that raises productivity across the board throughout the archipelago. This is the way to achieve truly inclusive growth and dramatically bring down poverty rates among our people,” Dominguez said.

City Mayor Arman Panaligan (left) and Jolliville Holdings Corp. chair and founder Jolly Ting lead the ceremonial opening of the water valve to signify the formal operation of a 1,500-cubic meter water reservoir of Calapan Water, a subsidiary of Jolliville Holdings.

The water reservoir at Barangay Lumangbayan, Calapan City in Oriental Mindoro province, is part of a P400-million water facility development.

The project will boost the water service facility benefiting the present 15,000 to a projected 28,000 households by 2028 in the city.

PECO refutes claims, says Iloilo power rates lower PANAY Electric Co. refuted the claim of businessman Enrique Razon against the electricity distributor, saying his bid to take over the franchise to operate Iloilo’s power distribution needs is being railroaded in Congress.

PECO said in a statement that it had provided the power needs of Iloilo City households and business establishments for nearly a century.

PECO alleged that Monte Oro Resources & Energy Minerals Corp., which Razon’s Prime Metroline Holdings Inc. partly owns, was attempting to take over PECO’s franchise.

“Our company stands out among over 140 distribution utilities in the Philippines, a fact duly recognized by the Energy Regulatory Commission when we were awarded 100 percent fully compliant in securing and

insuring reliability of power supply in our franchise area,” PECO said.

It added, only four other distribution utilities had received that award.

PECO said Razon had claimed 1,800 customer complaints were registered against the power distributor.

But PECO said only 194 complaints were validated with the ERC out of 64,000 customers, or 0.003 percent of total subscribers. To date, only 25 complaints were pending with the ERC, with some involving power pilferage, PECO said.

PECO cited that ERC records showed that as of 2017, the Province of Siquijor Electric Coop. Inc. charged P14.0763 and was the most expensive in Visayas, compared with PECO’s rate of justy P8.2079.

“There are 19 other utilities in the Visayas alone with higher rates than PECO. VECO (Visayan Electric Co.)

of Cebu charges P8.1387, which is not much less than the rate of PECO,” PECO said in a statement.

“Mr. Razon can easily check data from the Distribution Management Committee of the ERC regarding the electric reliability figures of the country,” PECO said.

“The data clearly states that the country averages for SAIDI (System Average Interruption Duration Index) are at 5,135.43 minutes, contrary to Razon’s claims of 54 minutes and SAIFI (System Average Interruption Frequency Index) are at 40.31 incidents, contrary to his figure of 2.18 incidents,” Peco said.

This puts Iloilo City’s total SAIDI of 1552.86 minutes and SAIFI of 31.71 far below the national averages.

PECO said its system’s loss for 2017 was pegged at 8.37 percent, or below the ERC cap of 8.5 percent.

B2

Business

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks poised to extend rally

By Jenniffer B. Austria

S

HARE prices are expected to move higher during this shortened trading week after the market last week broke out of its recent sideways channel range.

Analysts said the traditional window dressing at the end of the month’s trading would also provide a boost to the market.

“With the index’s strong close today (Friday), its effectively broken out of its recent sideways channel range. Next resistance should be around the 7,4307,480 area,” Papa Securities trader Ga-

briel Jose Perez said.

BDO Unibank Inc. chief investment strategist Jonathan Ravelas said the local investor sentiment had improved following the drop in global oil prices and improvement in emerging market currencies driven by the slight weakening of the greenback.

“This further strengthens the view that inflation could have peaked, thus causing investors to rush back into the market as valuations remain reasonable,” Ravelas said.

“The week’s close at 7,340.18 signals some room to further test the 7,500 levels in the near-term. Momentum is slowly accelerating and supportive of a bounce, a break above 7,500 levels could extend the rally towards the 7,800,” he added.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index last week jumped 3.6 percent to

close at 7,340.18, while the broader All Shares Index climbed 2.3 percent to 4,409.23.

Except for the mining and oil index, which dipped 6.43 percent, all major indices ended in the green led by financials (+4.65 percent), property (+4.31 percent), holding firms (+3.4 percent), services (+1.25 percent) and industrial (+1.04 percent).

Foreign investors were net buyers for the week by P9.8 billion, while the average daily value traded stood at P8.5 billion from last week’s P7.6 billion.

Weekly top price gainers were Security Bank Corp., which surged 16.3 percent to P162.80; Megaworld Corp., which rose 11.3 percent to P4.85; and Bank of the Philippine Islands, which advanced 6.3 percent to P94.50.

Weekly top price losers were PXP Energy Corp., which dropped 19.3 per-

cent to P14.56; Cemex Holdings Philippines Inc., which slumped 17.1 percent to P1.65; and Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc., which declined 6.4 percent to P72.05.

Oil prices, meanwhile, slumped Friday to lows not seen since last year as concerns over high crude supplies and uncertain economic growth triggered massive selling.

The petroleum slump, which took major oil contracts down to their lowest level since October 2017, comes as oil output remains high in the United States, Russia and Saudi Arabia and as some forecasters have trimmed their outlook for global growth, due in part to the US-China trade fight.

US oil benchmark West Texas Intermediate dropped $4.21 to $50.42 a barrel for January delivery, a decline of 7.7 percent. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS WEEKLY STOCKS REVIEW STOCKS

NOVEMBER 19-23, 2018 Close Volume Value

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

MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp.

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

59.7 128.00 94.50 2.35 1.58 27.55 15.5 11.12 3.78 1.53 835.00 0.440 72.1 0.79 11.1 20.10 40.40 74.75 105.1 173 28.75 162.8 1849.00 65.90 1.14

89,470 8,088,480 8,443,270 246,000 3,826,000 491,200 6,900 3,280,700 259,000 158,000 160 1,390,000 27,526,700 4,495,000 152,600 1,600 317,700 6,260 970 24,620 375,900 5,492,740 30 63,110 358,000

FINANCIAL 5,304,055.00 328,215,930,183.00 768,426,242.00 568,270.00 6,065,980.00 13,542,195.00 106,972.00 35,137,600.00 983,490.00 243,840.00 127,660.00 623,200.00 1,983,566,360.50 3,385,300.00 1,696,394.00 31,490.00 12,712,905.00 451,844.00 101,809.00 4,279,176.00 10,585,870.00 835,980,934.00 54,520.00 4,157,532.00 408,120.00

Aboitiz Power Corp.

Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons.

Basic Energy Corp.

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

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

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

Pepsi-Cola Products Phil.

Petroenergy Res. Corp.

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

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

Swift Foods, Inc. TKC Steel Corp.

Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp.

Vivant Corp.

Vulcan Ind’l.

32.75 17.8 1.05 1.25 0.249 15.50 1.65 14.6 36.3 66.8 36.9 1.36 5.25 7 10.400 15.66 8.46 6.96 1.5 17.22 62.35 23.50 1.9000 6.00 8.55 1.550 283.00 58.90 4.65 3.36 9.88 25.25 10 16.84 0.165 390.00 5.84 1.3 4.10 8.00 4.59 8.50 0.91 11.30 48 5.1 4.75 1.77 2.8 1.26 10.22 83.6 5.2 0.121 0.82 135.3 2.32 1.51 17.00 1.66

5,693,100 3,129,700 46,007,000 1,670,000 34,500,000 15,800 43,622,000 3,584,000 386,000 840 647,200 717,000 444,700 15,000 4,095,800 3,804,700 285,300 4,807,800 3,000 9,233,600 1,238,310 177,800 101,395,000 783,500 37,015,500 2,011,000 2,349,980 90 10,003,000 21,000 16,200 1,943,300 2,800,300 15,244,500 1,450,000 1,135,820 206,300 3,449,000 118,000 8,384,800 1,414,000 42,700 1,659,000 7,035,800 5,065,200 1,797,900 150,000 1,172,000 67,000 1,394,000 284,000 9,590,780 4,712,400 1,080,000 695,000 3,685,930 1,025,000 34,703,000 43,700 65,039,000

INDUSTRIAL 184,098,015.00 55,201,012.00 49,010,860.00 2,061,750.00 8,356,210.00 249,746.00 78,029,460.00 50,407,148.00 14,360,325.00 54,232.50 22,663,110.00 976,780.00 2,493,736.00 103,750.00 43,058,950.00 58,184,816.00 2,460,542.00 33,324,582.00 4,880.00 159,671,389.00 78,075,838.00 4,090,775.00 173,628,660.00 4,788,836.00 293,077,922.00 3,027,680.00 661,803,644.00 4,577.50 46,041,820.00 69,130.00 143,558.00 48,887,710.00 27,303,998.00 263,715,296.00 243,970.00 439,343,794.00 1,253,156.00 4,670,510.00 469,080.00 65,726,008.00 6,391,700.00 361,534.00 1,516,570.00 76,403,548.00 244,810,055.00 9,357,476.00 703,480.00 2,124,800.00 187,850.00 1,688,440.00 2,864,852.00 1,013,557,068.00 24,766,014.00 132,370.00 570,400.00 485,673,669.00 2,378,600.00 51,748,810.00 744,500.00 104,661,970.00

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

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

Lopez Holdings Corp.

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

MJCI Investments Inc. Pacifica `A’ Prime Media Hldg Prime Orion Republic Glass ‘A’ San Miguel Corp `A’ Seafront `A’ SM Investments Inc. Solid Group Inc. South China Res. Inc. Top Frontier Transgrid Wellex Industries Zeus Holdings

0.540 48.15 11.14 0.84 6.30 19.82 1.400 1.420 939 1800.00 7 13.08 5.19 8.95 0.197 877 5.93 47.40 3.54 0.51 3.79 15.48 0.580 4.69 2.59 0.0340 1.150 2.300 2.68 172.00 2.2 914.00 1.31 0.72 280.000 429.00 0.2340 0.192

185,228,000 4,509,500 62,342,400 7,000 139,800 7,805,800 35,765,000 5,191,000 921,140 205 10,467,000 18,434,300 29,800 29,652,300 610,000 1,268,470 34,800 7,961,700 2,000 2,160,000 51,256,000 15,841,700 7,492,000 157,245,000 141,000 28,400,000 590,000 3,603,000 10,000 1,834,670 102,000 1,420,330 574,000 118,000 456,350 2,170 19,030,000 90,000

HOLDING FIRMS 97,661,770.00 216,768,410.00 677,749,660.00 5,920.00 879,544.00 154,375,798.00 50,537,920.00 7,461,890.00 857,308,650.00 312,085.00 75,172,618.00 236,883,186.00 122,830.00 244,094,170.00 142,350.00 1,120,977,565.00 205,250.00 372,994,665.00 7,080.00 1,081,925.00 192,766,890.00 255,951,206.00 4,215,970.00 726,717,310.00 418,790.00 968,300.00 679,880.00 8,628,400.00 26,800.00 316,104,518.00 225,370.00 1,308,951,565.00 731,560.00 86,190.00 124,300,406.00 1,040,520.00 4,420,930.00 17,280.00

8990 HLDG A. Brown Co., Inc. Anchor Land Holdings Inc. Araneta Prop `A’ Arthaland Corp.

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

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

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

Robinson’s Land `B’

7.570 0.76 11.00 1.850 0.580 41.500 2.18 4.05 5.98 0.405 0.86 0.850 0.218 0.345 7.560 17.84 0.485 1.42 1.00 2.55 2.46 4.85 0.365 0.4550 0.360 29.20 3.62 21.35

21,124,800 3,881,000 27,600 88,000 6,384,000 46,965,500 7,031,000 4,752,000 75,100 13,910,000 552,000 669,000 7,530,000 820,000 1,411,700 1,993,200 1,486,000 17,882,000 10,792,000 57,330,000 13,628,000 64,417,000 182,040,000 10,270,000 2,320,000 200 5,287,000 6,637,800

PROPERTY 157,478,285.00 2,932,000.00 303,526.00 156,720.00 3,554,300.00 1,885,261,900.00 15,523,970.00 18,419,610.00 443,520.00 5,619,550.00 465,740.00 569,300.00 1,617,260.00 274,300.00 10,701,551.00 36,558,044.00 731,360.00 26,078,350.00 10,803,130.00 143,021,160.00 32,884,690.00 303,077,320.00 65,811,400.00 4,655,950.00 824,000.00 5,840.00 19,023,050.00 137,574,285.00

NOVEMBER 12-16, 2018 Close Volume Value 59.5 124.00 88.90 2.35 1.55 27.7 15.2 10.66 3.96 1.45 835.00 0.475 70.3 0.8 11.1

115,150 7,064,570 14,567,770 597,000 6,412,000 542,800 90,442 1,167,500 173,000 451,000 300 6,360,000 34,964,030 1,535,000 30,600

6,785,282.50 836,794,403.00 1,228,379,857.00 1,464,270.00 9,018,250.00 15,100,940.00 79,520.00 12,172,804.00 667,840.00 641,160.00 250,500.00 2,915,850.00 2,380,857,209.00 1,182,830.00 335,616.00

40.00 71.5 105.2 184 28.1 140 1888.00 65.90 1.14

453,000 1,730 180 9,090 448,900 3,527,130 1,140 41,230 702,000

17,754,875.00 124,583.00 18,838.00 1,606,965.00 12,596,785.00 493,729,458.00 2,064,425.00 2,717,812.00 801,270.00

31.65 17.36 1.07 1.25 0.226 16.00 1.99 14 36.9 60.75 35.2 1.39 5.2 7 10.800 15.4 8.84 6.92 1.46 17.38 64.35 22.80 1.6200 6.21 8.66 1.480 282.00 50.00 4.65 3.33 9.80 25.7 10.5 17.6 0.165 376.60 6.00 1.49 4.05 7.84 4.55 8.50 0.93 11.06 48.5 5.2 4.66 2.01 3 1.24 10 83.95 5.27 0.121 0.88 131 2.33 1.43 18.50 1.48

32,987,000 3,591,000 75,858,000 1,676,000 13,690,000 12,100 25,399,000 6,923,400 883,400 1,630 3,171,400 1,349,000 71,000 54,800 3,675,000 1,389,300 2,195,600 3,252,500 4,000 12,063,600 452,780 149,300 77,909,000 868,400 31,203,800 1,477,000 2,800,520 340 189,000 44,000 91,700 3,204,600 883,900 29,166,100 3,830,000 1,156,840 14,400 1,169,000 938,000 6,760,700 773,000 15,300 4,662,000 322,300 5,648,270 176,700 96,000 493,000 85,000 4,729,000 2,383,200 19,277,470 6,160,000 40,000 433,000 3,277,630 230,000 26,400,000 2,000 57,831,000

1,039,194,625.00 62,486,016.00 80,648,830.00 2,078,170.00 2,903,710.00 185,738.00 50,560,540.00 91,188,532.00 32,377,370.00 99,029.50 111,689,395.00 1,942,890.00 379,360.00 381,406.00 39,621,280.00 21,186,722.00 19,120,742.00 22,503,628.00 5,840.00 204,309,528.00 29,058,851.50 3,503,095.00 126,352,640.00 5,229,309.00 269,008,947.00 2,221,050.00 772,386,712.00 17,000.00 887,800.00 144,380.00 648,000.00 80,612,815.00 9,377,992.00 515,383,438.00 623,090.00 439,767,782.00 83,283.00 1,765,980.00 3,712,640.00 54,255,907.00 3,427,760.00 126,854.00 4,311,930.00 3,495,046.00 281,464,730.50 917,982.00 447,240.00 964,670.00 248,530.00 6,160,580.00 23,466,932.00 1,628,439,529.00 32,181,233.00 4,890.00 361,070.00 410,251,042.00 535,890.00 37,205,660.00 37,000.00 90,038,240.00

0.475 46.30 10.70 0.78 6.20 22 1.470 1.470 905 1507.00 7.03 12.70 5.45 7.37 0.230 807 5.95 45.00 3.51 0.51 3.75 16 0.520 4.5

73,430,000 5,992,800 53,523,800 23,000 296,000 2,349,600 107,114,000 23,048,000 1,711,540 65 7,581,000 13,644,300 300 731,200 650,000 569,130 9,400 9,198,000 1,000 605,000 7,064,000 18,735,600 4,743,000 165,069,000

32,099,550.00 271,923,280.00 565,595,646.00 18,080.00 1,840,195.00 52,391,940.00 154,051,240.00 33,280,060.00 1,540,308,395.00 97,165.00 53,180,708.00 171,438,166.00 1,689.00 5,383,773.00 148,310.00 432,189,420.00 55,630.00 406,419,670.00 3,510.00 302,350.00 26,865,020.00 289,008,766.00 2,451,790.00 736,446,560.00

0.0330 1.160 2.440 2.69 168.50

28,600,000 696,000 9,015,000 16,000 1,283,280

937,800.00 821,910.00 22,238,530.00 41,930.00 219,488,893.00

890.00 1.28 0.71 279.000 570.00 0.2130 0.194

1,351,730 1,565,000 124,000 20,030 11,560 22,310,000 430,000

1,199,313,640.00 2,064,020.00 93,400.00 5,472,478.00 6,532,971.00 4,823,570.00 83,650.00

7.300 0.77 0.52 1.780 0.540 39.350 2.23 3.8 5.72 0.415 0.85 0.880 0.220 0.340 7.600 18.1 0.500 1.47 0.99 2.44

734,800 8,873,000 2,011,000 258,000 4,224,000 69,213,600 7,267,000 13,811,000 54,900 23,480,000 446,000 1,438,000 20,530,000 390,000 2,653,000 3,407,700 700,000 19,646,000 8,708,000 70,243,000

5,265,467.00 6,373,270.00 1,377,126.00 470,180.00 2,320,030.00 2,670,409,835.00 16,126,960.00 53,030,270.00 311,585.00 9,493,850.00 349,620.00 1,219,770.00 4,299,880.00 134,150.00 20,283,361.00 60,278,674.00 356,770.00 28,098,700.00 8,727,650.00 164,856,450.00

4.35 0.350 0.4400 0.360

54,656,000 248,050,000 10,500,000 2,090,000

245,786,770.00 84,501,400.00 4,615,100.00 763,350.00

3.6 20.40

4,509,000 19,818,900

16,343,230.00 396,691,750.00

STOCKS

NOVEMBER 19-23, 2018 Close Volume Value

NOVEMBER 12-16, 2018 Close Volume Value

Rockwell Shang Properties Inc. SM Prime Holdings Sta. Lucia Land Inc. Starmalls Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. Vista Land & Lifescapes

1.95 3.12 33.60 1.16 4.6 0.700 5.370

306,000 192,000 47,316,100 1,714,000 1,907,000 137,000 20,496,000

590,140.00 598,460.00 1,570,176,575.00 1,951,790.00 8,188,880.00 98,200.00 108,580,094.00

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

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

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

Pacific Online Sys. Corp.

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

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

SSI Group STI Holdings Transpacific Broadcast Travellers Waterfront Phils.

Wilcon Depot

9.89 19.42 1.46 0.360 0.039 13 1.9 8.02 68 7.89 7.79 7.55 2.02 7.87 1920.00 1975 5.20 320.00 9.55 3.41 94.45 1.80 10.12 7.20 0.100 6.6500 3.42 14 2.79 0.78 13.66 17.90 0.345 5.49 7.16 1.99 2.02 2.09 3.160 10.28 7.70 3.5 108.00 2.92 1200.00 0.320 0.640 43.05 72.05 6.73 2.57 0.630 0.365 5.29 0.510 12.120

111,600 286,300 25,000 4,220,000 42,000,000 5,700 13,424,000 32,535,000 745,680 5,600 53,797,300 79,400 23,000 2,257,500 74,805 188,840 535,000 3,040 300 7,848,000 7,640,690 31,000 15,700 12,400 17,380,000 319,886,500 16,000 4,900 3,300,000 1,032,000 16,644,000 3,200 510,000 101,600 25,447,200 10,320,000 8,712,000 834,000 25,709,000 41,200 82,900 24,000 285,930 2,418,000 272,330 4,320,000 25,928,000 6,839,600 2,020,260 119,700 41,388,000 13,546,000 125,250,000 16,680,800 6,010,000 16,984,400

SERVICES 1,092,394.00 5,575,072.00 32,060.00 1,501,200.00 1,563,900.00 74,502.00 23,657,280.00 250,497,867.00 49,815,513.50 43,980.00 450,735,968.00 604,468.00 49,170.00 14,556,203.00 143,677,985.00 373,860,940.00 2,799,323.00 969,658.00 2,863.00 25,975,780.00 725,093,384.50 55,470.00 160,526.00 89,150.00 1,637,040.00 2,307,346,234.00 53,030.00 68,966.00 9,222,210.00 738,460.00 213,801,116.00 51,966.00 178,300.00 542,913.00 181,634,962.00 20,775,390.00 16,396,430.00 1,598,050.00 77,855,170.00 419,612.00 637,905.00 83,260.00 30,793,197.00 7,216,690.00 285,944,080.00 1,357,400.00 17,029,600.00 292,327,255.00 149,578,117.00 805,924.00 107,225,680.00 8,415,350.00 45,499,650.00 86,961,143.00 2,902,600.00 206,093,046.00

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

United Paragon

0.0020 1.70 2.36 13.44 1.0900 1.92 0.290 7.11 1.720 0.202 0.092 0.101 0.007 0.0060 1.1 2.03 1.02 0.5200 0.9100 0.0130 0.0120 2.58 14.58 0.0120 3.4000 25.60 0.0063

896,000,000 91,778,000 122,000 117,900 2,000 2,932,000 310,000 70,500 3,231,000 890,000 9,320,000 210,000 3,400,000 1,000,000 237,000 56,145,000 153,000 167,000 2,377,000 184,700,000 101,200,000 9,773,000 85,209,700 282,000,000 623,000 7,016,700 21,200,000

MINING & OIL 1,789,600.00 163,972,970.00 287,210.00 1,656,070.00 2,180.00 5,573,910.00 90,450.00 496,245.00 5,477,130.00 179,460.00 887,480.00 21,070.00 164,900.00 6,000.00 264,900.00 112,352,600.00 152,940.00 86,450.00 2,078,110.00 2,227,400.00 1,305,500.00 25,655,240.00 1,425,031,596.00 3,511,600.00 2,356,800.00 179,330,140.00 139,200.00

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

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

19.5 98 462 489 97.4 102.5 480 480 5.17 947.5 940 95 1 99.5 990 999 102.2 102 999.5 75.2 76.6 73 74.95 74.9 73 74 73.5 2.09

181,200 11,100 370 17,510 25,730 8,750 100 400 159,000 1,920 1,420 1,630 2,029,000 10,610 90 290 1,160 390 9,200 81,810 17,320 1,438,380 90 526,300 417,970 507,400 725,430 3,000

LR Warrant

1.720

889,000

PREFERRED 3,454,550.00 1,079,300.00 171,500.00 8,470,550.00 2,495,537.00 896,875.00 48,000.00 192,000.00 810,344.00 1,772,675.00 1,308,850.00 155,302.00 2,036,550.00 1,055,693.00 89,100.00 290,140.00 115,227.00 40,152.00 8,929,475.00 6,145,319.50 1,326,131.50 104,947,116.00 6,745.50 39,080,030.00 30,770,780.00 37,460,431.00 53,318,460.00 6,180.00

WARRANTS & BONDS 1,479,270.00 SME 85,100.00 6,993,360.00 36,106,540.00

1.93 3.15 32.65 1.14 4.15 0.710 5.200

461,000 148,000 72,513,800 2,162,000 1,446,000 18,000 12,236,200

892,920.00 465,840.00 1,960,071,145.00 2,444,210.00 5,906,400.00 12,780.00 63,381,701.00

9.65 19.86 1.26 0.360 0.039 13.06 1.67 7.33 65.25 7.8 7.64 7.65 2.43 5.29

299,900 328,200 618,000 107,090,000 14,200,000 100 11,154,000 54,077,500 3,423,690 44,600 42,398,900 436,000 20,000 1,785,900

2,892,666.00 6,498,612.00 810,710.00 36,483,400.00 530,000.00 1,306.00 17,403,810.00 418,107,469.00 215,963,463.00 347,899.00 335,220,706.00 3,307,347.00 46,240.00 10,783,962.00

1925 5.27 320.00 11.00 3.29 94 1.87 10.5 7.15 0.097 7.8100 3.45 14.36 2.78 0.70 14.38 16.44 0.360 5.5 7.13 1.98 1.21 1.38 3.100 10.24 8.00 3.4 109.50 3.14 1165.00 0.320 0.640 42.00 77.00 6.79 2.72 0.580 0.36 5.14 0.470 12.360

426,960 1,024,500 23,630 100 18,110,000 6,078,090 2,000 84,400 54,300 12,080,000 511,745,000 180,000 13,100 4,969,000 1,279,000 7,440,900 20,600 580,000 191,400 14,883,000 6,960,000 510,000 48,000 45,544,000 43,000 58,500 84,000 98,280 2,077,000 420,920 4,100,000 14,202,000 4,854,100 2,152,940 216,200 38,739,000 20,391,000 240,900,000 50,621,600 10,120,000 26,435,700

781,362,850.00 5,362,680.00 7,485,792.00 1,100.00 62,623,760.00 561,077,227.00 3,840.00 907,700.00 393,121.00 1,123,710.00 4,011,445,048.00 612,850.00 185,974.00 13,121,880.00 907,550.00 109,625,390.00 309,898.00 212,900.00 1,030,181.00 106,057,555.00 13,618,320.00 421,940.00 53,490.00 140,957,130.00 445,966.00 457,730.00 282,490.00 10,488,628.00 6,546,720.00 503,386,250.00 1,300,300.00 9,120,630.00 204,794,610.00 163,681,878.00 1,497,979.00 105,694,390.00 11,855,470.00 82,155,850.00 258,956,141.00 4,737,900.00 323,283,168.00

0.0021 1.80 2.35 15.78 1.0900 1.92 0.295 7.01 1.740 0.205 0.100 0.109 0.007 0.0067 1.12 2.3 1.01 0.5200 0.9000 0.0130 0.0120 2.76 18.06 0.0110 4.0800 26.00 0.0059

670,000,000 27,470,000 5,419,000 58,700 64,000 1,821,000 1,100,000 328,000 3,294,000 42,740,000 519,130,000 18,020,000 961,700,000 37,000,000 263,000 36,409,000 67,000 147,000 3,605,000 32,100,000 267,100,000 17,608,000 16,982,900 113,000,000 990,000 6,250,700 11,000,000

1,397,000.00 48,595,640.00 13,221,410.00 837,624.00 69,760.00 3,500,340.00 315,900.00 2,298,334.00 5,694,850.00 8,423,250.00 50,879,320.00 1,803,450.00 6,407,100.00 228,100.00 287,580.00 86,284,060.00 66,290.00 76,440.00 3,134,030.00 405,900.00 3,472,000.00 52,719,450.00 309,869,442.00 1,336,900.00 4,034,390.00 162,841,010.00 65,500.00

19.1 95.45 465 487 97 100.5 480 450 5.25 915 920 96 1.03 101

158,500 28,900 9,610 3,040 39,020 10,640 320 29,620 24,900 5,740 30 1,960 332,000 10,390

3,059,079.00 2,759,705.00 4,421,250.00 1,483,690.00 3,773,698.00 1,066,720.00 153,600.00 13,321,200.00 129,813.00 5,232,400.00 27,600.00 189,246.00 337,780.00 1,035,276.00

1001 102 108.8 970 75.3 76 73 74.95 75 74.8 73.8 73.5

260 1,000 9,160 1,490 13,790 26,060 564,570 400,000 643,360 110,740 36,030 572,530

261,150.00 102,000.00 944,598.00 1,459,150.00 1,037,623.00 1,982,443.00 41,121,450.00 29,980,000.00 48,304,310.00 8,252,756.00 2,639,600.00 41,869,282.00

1.720

3,660,000

6,060,870.00

2.86 4.29 1.2

319,000 4,140,000 17,411,000

858,970.00 16,351,720.00 21,226,880.00

Makati Fin. Corp.

Italpinas Xurpas

2.67 4.24 1.1

31,000 1,720,000 32,299,000

First Metro ETF

109.5

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 25,540 2,765,810.00

106.5

93,230

9,722,523.00

10.1 1.03

DOLLAR DENONIMATED SEC. 17,610 179,152.00 20,560 20,784.80

10.2 1.03

15,110 140,260

152,084.00 142,101.60

USD DMPL A2 USD TECH B2

WEEKLY MOST TRADED STOCKS Abra Mining ISM Communications Philodrill Corp. `A’ Abacus Cons. `A’ Oriental Pet. `A’ MRC Allied Ind. Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

Transpacific Broadcast Greenergy Oriental Pet. `B’

VOLUME 896,000,000 319,886,500 282,000,000 185,228,000 184,700,000 182,040,000 157,245,000 125,250,000 101,395,000 101,200,000

STOCKS Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. ISM Communications Metrobank Ayala Land `B’ SM Prime Holdings PhilexPetroleum SM Investments Inc. GT Capital SMC Food and Beverage Ayala Corp `A’

VALUE 328,215,930,183.00 2,307,346,234.00 1,983,566,360.50 1,885,261,900.00 1,570,176,575.00 1,425,031,596.00 1,308,951,565.00 1,120,977,565.00 1,013,557,068.00 857,308,650.00

PH brokers warned vs buying more PSE shares THE local bourse wants to penalize stockbrokers that will purchase shares of the Philippine Stock Exchange for their own account to skirt the rule on the 20-percent ownership restriction.

The PSE said it wanted the penalty imposed to ensure compliance with the 20-percent ownership requirement limit under the Securities Regulation Code.

The purchase of PSE shares, according to the proposed amendments to the PSE rules governing trading rights and trading participants, will be considered a major violation and result in the imposition of penalties.

For the first offense, the PSE said trading participants acquiring PSE shares would be slapped with a P100,000 fine and a P200,000 penalty for the second offense.

For third and subsequence offense, the PSE would slap trading participants with a P300,000 fine and the suspension of trading operations for five consecutive trading days.

The trading participants, in addition, would be ordered to immediately dispose of the equivalent number of PSE shares bought in violation of the ownership rules and fully indemnify the PSE for any penalty that might be imposed by the Securities and Exchange Commission against the exchange for violating the ownership limitation.

The PSE said concerned parties would entitled to give their comments on the proposed amendments on or before Dec. 3.

Under the SRC, no single industry or group should own over 20 percent of an exchange. Brokers’ ownership in the local bourse currently stands at 21.7 percent even after the PSE conducted a rights offering last year.

The SEC currently prohibits brokers from buying PSE shares for their own account until such time that the exchange is in compliance with the 20-percent ownership requirement.

Jenniffer B. Austria

EDC delisted from exchange after Nov. 29 SHARES of Energy Development Corp. of the Lopez Group will be delisted from the Philippine Stock Exchange on Thursday.

The PSE said its board approved EDC’s petition for voluntary delisting from the official registry of the exchange effective at the end of business hours on Nov. 29.

The trading of EDC shares is currently suspended due to the company’s failure to comply with the 10-percent minimum public ownership requirement.

EDC on Sept. 19 filed with the PSE a petition for voluntary delisting following the approval by the company’s board of directors and the acquisition, through the conduct of a tender offer, of up to 2.04 billion EDC shares.

EDC on Oct 30 completed the tender offer that saw a total of 2.01 billion common shares bought for P7.25 apiece.

After the crossing of the tendered shares on Nov. 5, the remaining public shares of EDC accounted for approximately 0.16 percent of the company’s total outstanding common shares.

The company is the country’s largest renewable energy producer, with a capacity of 1,472 megawatts from hydro, solar, and wind power apart from geothermal. It operates the 150MW Burgos wind farm, the biggest in the country.

It also holds nearly 1,200-MW of geothermal capacity, which accounts for 61 percent of the country’s total installed geothermal capacity.

Philippines Renewable Energy Holdings Corp. in September last year completed a voluntary tender offer to acquire 8.9 billion common shares of EDC. The geothermal company said PREHC and parent First Gen Corp. at that time communicated to the market their intentions to eventually delist EDC “to pursue a corporate strategy that would require greater flexibility over factors like its dividend policy and leverage, and to support longterm growth.” Jenniffer B. Austria

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

TODAY extrastory2000@gmail.com

Business/World

Thousands protest sexist violence

P

ARIS―Tens of thousands of people rallied across Europe on Saturday against sexist violence, with more than 30,000 turning out in Paris.

Demonstrations across France drew around 50,000 people in all, according to organizer Caroline de Haas, to answer a citizen collective’s call for a “feminist tidal wave” of outrage against gender violence brought into sharp focus by the #MeToo movement.

Elsewhere, a thousand people braved driving rain in Rome while similar protests drew several hundred demonstrators in Geneva and Athens on the eve of the UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Wom-

en on Sunday.

In Spain’s capital Madrid, several hundred people took to the streets to march to loud drumming as some shouted “We are all here, the murderers are missing”.

Authorities put the Paris turnout at 12,000 and similar marches in Lyon, Marseille and Rennes at between 1,000 and 2,400, but De Haas felt moved to salute “the largest [feminist] mobilization France has known”, far bigger than a rally that drew some 2,000 last year.

French President Emmanuel Macron offered his support, tweeting: “The fight against violence against women is progressing daily but our society has a long way to go -- everyone must act and fight as this is everybody’s business.”

Participants clad in purple, the color of the #NousToutes women’s activist

protest movement, shouted slogans including “sick of rape”, “end impunity for aggressors” and “a woman is never responsible for the violence she suffers”, while also demanding sufficient government resources to tackle the issue.

“I am here to support all the victims and continue this struggle which started long before I came along,” said French actress Muriel Robin, who had organized a similar rally last month in the capital.

The rallies drew a number of men, including Tanguy, a 19-year-old student who turned out in the western city of Rennes to declare backing for “a movement which is not based on sex -- it’s not a fight pitting men against women but a fight by men and women, together, against inequality.”

The #NousToutes movement started

out in France in September, inspired by the #MeToo campaign that began last year since when the number of cases of sexual violence reported to police in France has risen 23 percent.

Latest French government figures say 2017 saw 225,000 cases of domestic violence against women by their partners while 2016 saw 123 deaths.

Further marches are planned for Sunday in a number of cities across Europe to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Macron last year made sexual equality a priority of his presidency.

But “if the money is not forthcoming public policy won’t follow on”, warned De Haas, speaking two days after several civil organizations called for a huge increase in public resources dedicated to the problem. AFP

EU leaders set to sign Brexit deal BRUSSELS―European Union leaders meet Sunday to approve a historic Brexit deal, which British Prime Minister Theresa May said would deliver her country a “brighter future”.

At a special summit in Brussels that was almost derailed by a row over Gibraltar, the other 27 leaders will gather to sign off the agreement before May joins them to mark the milestone.

Forged during 17 months of tough negotiations, the deal covers financial matters, citizens’ rights, Northern Ireland and a transition phase, and sets out hopes for future security and trade ties.

But it is not the final stage, as the House of Commons in London must still approve the deal before Brexit day on March 29, 2019 -- and many MPs have warned they will not back it.

Until the agreement is approved, all sides are still planning for the potentially disastrous possibility that Britain ends its four-decade EU membership with no new arrangements in place.

EU Council President Donald Tusk, who has always said he would prefer Britain not to leave, said on the eve of the summit that “no-one will have reasons to be happy” when Brexit happens.

But he said terms had been agreed that would “reduce the risks and losses”, and recommended that EU leaders sign off on the deal.

Euroskeptics in May’s Conservative party and their Northern Irish allies warn they will not support the agreement when MPs vote as expected next month.

But in an open “letter to the nation” on Sunday, May said it delivered on the 2016 referendum vote to leave, and was a “deal for a brighter future”.

Britain remains deeply divided over the decision, but the prime minister said that finally leaving could be “a moment of renewal and reconciliation.” AFP

REAL CARPIO SO

GREEN LIGHT “WHEN two security guards in Dalian in northeast China got their first month’s pay packet earlier this year, they asked why each received different amounts for identical work. The company responded that one man was 5cm (two inches) taller than his peer. Workers over 180cm earn more, they said, because bigger guards make people feel safer.”

The same feature article published recently by Foreign Affairs also cited Malcolm Gladwell. In his book Blink, the author noted that in the United States, Fortune 500 companies’ CEOs are “roughly three inches taller than the average American man.”

Across culture, being taller, especially among men, is linked to increased income, attractiveness, and ergo, social status. It is universally accepted that height is an advantage. Perceived to be dominant, the taller one is expected to win in a confrontation between two individuals.

In animals, dominance is defined as “an attribute of the pattern of repeated, agonistic interactions between two individuals, characterized by a consistent outcome in favour of the one member and a default yielding response of its opponent... ” However, how does this play in reallife social interactions? For example, when two people are passing through

B3

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2018 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF 12 dead in suspected Islamist attack MAPUTO―Twelve people have been killed in a suspected Islamist attack in northern Mozambique, with thousands of villagers fleeing the area into neighboring Tanzania, police sources said Sunday.

Early Friday, “there was an attack in Nangane district, where there are no security patrols. The attackers killed 12 people, mostly women and children,” a police source in Cabo Delgado province, who asked not to be named, told AFP. The attack took place in the village of Chicuaia Velha, just a few kilometers from Tanzania, forcing several thousand people to cross the border to seek safety, police said.

A local journalist said the villagers were killed by machete or died when their houses were set on fire by the attackers.

It was the third such incident in the last month in Cabo Delgado, leaving 20 dead in all.

The authorities have responded with a crackdown, rounding up some 200 suspects.

Over the past year, hard-line Islamists have been active in the region, stoking unrest just as the government in Maputo is pushing ahead with oil and gas development in the province. AFP

Uganda boat sinking kills 22 passengers MUTIMA―Twenty-two people have died and more than 60 are feared drowned after a pleasure boat sank on Lake Victoria, Ugandan police said Sunday.

The vessel carrying close to a hundred revelers sank during bad weather on Saturday in the latest deadly incident to affect passenger boats on Africa’s largest lake.

“Twenty-two bodies have been recovered and 26 people rescued,” said Asuman Mugenyi, director of operations for the Uganda police. “According to one of the survivors there were more than 90 people on board.”

The boat, on which party-goers were drinking, dancing and listening to music, sank a short distance from the shore off Mutima in Mukono District, close to the capital Kampala.

Mugenyi said overloading and bad weather were likely to blame.

“We expect [the number of passengers] is beyond the capacity of the boat. It was overloaded and unfortunately people were drunk,” Mugenyi said. “We suspect the mechanical condition of the boat and the weather contributed to the sinking.”

“A big storm hit,” said local government official Richard Kikongo. “It can be fine on land but bad weather on the lake.” AFP

Death toll in fire in California rises to 87 SPECIAL MEETING. Netherlands’ Prime Minister Mark Rutte waves to the press as he arrives at a special meeting of the European Council to endorse the draft Brexit withdrawal agreement and to approve the draft political declaration on future EUUK relations on Sunday, November 25, 2018, in Brussels. (Photo by JOHN THYS / AFP)

Trump: Mexico will hold US-bound refugees WASHINGTON―Asylum seekers hoping to enter the US via its southern border will have to wait in Mexico while they are assessed, President Donald Trump announced Saturday, appearing to confirm a report about a bilateral deal published by The Washington Post.

The move was cautiously welcomed by some refugees currently at the border, even as Mexico’s incoming interior minister Olga Sanchez Cordero, who was quoted by the Post as confirming the agreement, later issued a denial.

“Migrants at the Southern Border will not be allowed into the United States until their claims are individually approved in court,” Trump wrote on Twitter.

He added that the US “will allow

those who come into our Country legally” and emphasized: “All will stay in Mexico.”

The deal, which would overhaul US border policy, comes with Trump outraged over the presence of thousands of Central American migrants who marched to Mexico’s border city of Tijuana hoping to enter the US for a better life free from the poverty and gang violence in their homelands.

“For now, we have agreed to this policy of Remain in Mexico,” the Post quoted Sanchez Cordero as saying.

The government of new President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador will enter office on December 1.

But her office later issued a statement saying: “There is no agreement

of any type between the future federal government of Mexico and that of the United States of America.”

Trump has sent almost 6,000 soldiers to the Mexican border in support of Customs and Border Protection agents and National Guard troops already there, to forestall what Trump has called an “invasion” by “very bad people.”

After a trek of more than a month from Honduras, nearly 5,000 migrants -- including women and children -- are now in Tijuana living in a makeshift shelter.

Trump “is within his right. He is in his government,” but he is not like other presidents in his views of migrants, said a resident of the shelter, Carolina Flores, 38, of Honduras. AFP

The Abercrombie & Fitch Effect a narrow passageway, and the passageway can only accommodate one person at a time, who is more likely to give way—the taller one or the one who is shorter?

Or imagine a flow of people walking towards a uniform direction. What would be the reactions when one individual walks against the flow? Would they differ depending on the height of the individual? Would they be more likely to give way to a taller individual, thus less likely to bump into them, as compared to a shorter one?

These two scenarios were tested in “Human Height is Positively Related to Interpersonal Dominance in Dyadic Interactions” published in 2015. In the first, results show that men who gave way averaged 5.8 feet (69.6 inches), whereas the men who didn’t budge averaged 6 feet (72 inches). The men who “stood ground” were taller by 2.5 inches. In the second, the flow of people walking in a uniform direction was more likely to give way to taller individuals. They are more likely to bump and collide with shorter individuals.

Aside from an imposing stature, physical dominance in men is also manifested through “athleticism, and upper body musculature.”

Abercrombie & Fitch, an American clothing store, has been known for hiring “physically fit, athletic-looking

male employees to pose at store entrances shirtless, displaying their ‘sexy six-packs’.” To shoppers, this is a ploy aimed to entice female customers.

One study begs to disagree.

In “The Abercrombie & Fitch Effect: The Impact of Physical Dominance on Male Customers’ Status-Signaling Consumption,” participants of the study were exposed to males displaying dominant physical characteristics.

The study postulates that “because not all men can compete with a strong physique,” an alternative way to compensate for this inadequacy is through the “acquisition and display of costly products associated with wealth or status consumed in an attempt to impress others.”

In one scenario conducted in an Abercrombie & Fitch store, male customers, when greeted by a physically dominant male employee, spent approximately 131 percent more money than female customers. Moreover, average price per item spent was approximately 94 percent more expensive than the purchase of the female customers. Without the presence of the male employee, the average amount of money and price spent by the male customers do not differ from those of female customers.

In follow-up scenarios, selected participants were exposed to photos of dominant male models. A professional

graphic designer was also tasked to manipulate the “model’s physical dominance by broadening his upper body musculature and thighs as well as increasing his stature.” Results show that male participants who were exposed to the photos “preferred significantly larger logos” than those who were not exposed. They are motivated to consume status-signaling products, such as a new cell phone, new car, jewelry, watch, dress shoes, etc., but not functional items like gasoline, snacks, house hold goods, etc.

According to the study, “less physically dominant men... will feel an enhanced drive to compete with a physically dominant male..., and they will do so by purchasing products that demonstrate their financial superiority.”

The two studies cited in this article confirm my perennial suspicion... it is an animal planet.

Real Carpio So lectures at the Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business of De La Salle University. He is an entrepreneur and a management consultant.

Comments are welcomed at realwalksonwater@gmail.com. Archives can be accessed at realwalksonwater.wordpress.com. The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty, and its administrators.

LOS ANGELES―The death toll in northern California’s so-called “Camp Fire” rose to 87, officials said late Saturday, adding that the blaze was almost fully under control.

Cal Fire, the state fire authority, said in its latest bulletin that the fire - which broke out on November 8 - was 98 percent contained.

The office of the Butte County Sheriff said 249 people remained unaccounted for - a steep drop from 474 missing reported earlier in the day.

It added that only 54 of the fatalities have been identified.

More than 153,000 acres have been torched, with nearly 14,000 homes and hundreds of other structures destroyed by the powerful blaze, California’s deadliest and most destructive fire ever.

Previously the death toll had been put at 84.

Rain that soaked the Butte County fire area in the past days helped douse the remaining flames, but also made it more difficult for crews searching for bodies.

“Areas experiencing significant rainfall following a wildfire are at risk for debris flow and flash flooding,” the Sheriff’s office warned. AFP NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE ESTATE OF THE LATE VIRGINIA M A G S A R I L I AGUIRRE WAS EXTRAJUDICIALLY SETTLED BY HEIRS AS PER DOC. NO. 220; PAGE 44; BOOK NO. 84; SERIES OF 2017 BEFORE NOTARY PUBLIC ATTY. JOHN DOMINGO A. PONCE, JR. OF MAKATI CITY. (MS-NOV.12, 19 & 26, 2018)

Notice of Publication Notice is hereby given that an “Affidavit of Self-Adjudication” has been executed

by Myrna G. Estrada as sole heir of the late Frank E. Estrada under Doc. No. 69; Page No.15; Book No. IX; Series of 2018, executed before Atty.

Rogelio J. Bolivar, Notary for Quezon City.

(MS- NOV. 19,26 & DEC. 3, 2018)

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that PRIMA CASA LAND & HOUSES, INC., with office address at LGF Bldg. B. Evia Lifestyle Center, Daang Hari, Almanza Dos, Las Piñas City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as an expanding developer of economic and low-cost housing project (Lumina Iloilo Phase 2 Classic) with a capacity of 362 house and lot units on a non-pioneer status with project site at Brgy. Abilay Norte, Oton, Iloilo.

Any person with valid objections on the above-mentioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

(SGD.) MARY ANN E. RAGANIT Officer-In-Charge Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-NOV. 26, 2018)

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that COMMUNITIES ILOILO, INC., with office address at LGF Bldg.

B, Evia Lifestyle Center, Daang Hari, Almanza Dos, Las Piñas, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as an . expanding developer of economic and lowcost housing project (Lessandra Grove) with a capacity of 1,202 economic and low-cost units on a Non-Pioneer status with project site at Brgy. Abilay Norte, Oton, Iloilo.

Any person with valid objections on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

(SGD.) MARY ANN E. RAGANIT Officer-In-Charge Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-NOV. 26, 2018)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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

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monday, november 26, 2018

LGUs LocaL government units

Cagayan River dredging to start soon—Lambino WhEN Secretary Raul L. Lambino took over as Administrator and CEO of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority middle of last year, he made an ocular survey of the heavily-silted Cagayan River, once called Rio Grande by Spanish colonizers for its magnificence. “i promised to myself right there, we will restore the mighty river to its old glory and usefulness,” said Lambino.

Now, 18 months later, the Ceza chief is taking the extraordinary first step to fulfill this vow. two new units of XCMG XD600 cutter suction dredgers are in Port irene awaiting the first performance trial to be conducted by the Department of Public Works and highways.

Lambino said the DPWh has permission from CEZA to test the performance and durability of the new machines before acceptance by the public works department.

Jinyi import and Export trading Co., Ltd., a CEZA-registered locator, supplied the suction dredgers, which have just finished assembly in Santa Ana town, home of the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport.

One dredger unit will be deployed at the river’s mouth, one of its most heavily silted portions, causing the mighty waterway to overflow its banks and inundate nearby communities whose economies are agriculture-based. “it’s an annual cycle of destruction,” Lambino said. “Our hope is to alleviate the suffering of our rural communities along the river banks.”

Dredging, Lambino said, could be the solution to the problem of perennial floods and bank erosion in the area.

Belmonte leads campaign vs bullying in QC

CONSULAR OFFICE. The Department of Foreign Affairs has opened a new consular office at SM Cherry Antipolo, a first for the province of Rizal and for the City of Antipolo. Shown in

photo (from left) are Chuck Reduta, SM Supermalls Regional Operations Manager; Rizal Province Vice Governor Reynaldo San Juan, Jr; Rep. Chiqui Roa Puno of the First District of Antipolo City; DFA Assistant Secretary Neil Frank Ferrer; Ronald Allan Brosas, SM Supermalls Senior AVP; Antipolo Mayor Casimiro Ynares III; and Ma. Theresa Lazaro, DFA Executive Director, as they cut the ceremonial ribbon during the opening ceremony. Manny Palmero

Angeles to proceed with P1.2-b in projects

By Romeo Dizon

C

LARK FREEPORt, Pampanga—P1.2 billion worth of construction projects in Angeles City will continue as planned “to better serve the needs of the people,” Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan said Sunday.

A notice to proceed with the winning bidders will be issued anytime to start the projects – a five-storey new city hall, a sports complex, an elevated steel parking building, and the purchase of equipment and other office supplies, Pamintuan said. the mayor said the projects were approved by the authorities, including the Development Bank of the Philippines, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Department of interior and Local Government, and by the city council

through a resolution. “there is no need to transfer the funds to where they are not appropriated,” Pamintuan stressed.

During a media forum here, Pamintuan, who is also the president of the City Mayors’ League of the Philippines, said there is no more stumbling block to proceed with the implementation of the projects as soon as possible. the new five-storey city building will cost P580 million, the sports complex is worth P360 million, the

steel parking building is P60 million and the rest of the P1.2 billion will be spent on office equipment.

Earlier, Alexander Cauguiran, the former president of Clark international Airport Authority who is running for mayor in the 2019 elections, urged Pamintuan and the city council to instead use the P1.2 billion to improve the city college and hospital.

But according to Pamintuan, the Ospital Ng Angeles and the City College of Angeles are all well-equipped, serving the needs of both patients and students in the city. “in a public hospital, you cannot prevent congestion,” he said. “in my 15 years of government service, i see to it that the need of this sectors is always my top priority with outmost sincerity and dedication.”

By Rio N. Araja QUEZON City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte is leading a campaign to educate parents on bullying as part of her values formation program.

She recently held an anti-bullying seminar for parents at the Manuel L. Quezon Elementary School, saying cyber-bullying is the most prevalent form of bullying among young people.

“Based on the survey, almost 80 percent of the youth have been victims of cyber-bullying. those who bully on the internet have the guts to do so since it would be hard to identify them and get back at them,” Belmonte said. “this is why we have to closely monitor the friends of our children on the social media,” she added. the vice mayor also brought attention to emotional bullying, in which young people’s emotions are being manipulated; verbal bullying, in which children are subjected to hurtful statements and gossip; and physical bullying, in which children are physically assaulted or their belongings damaged.

Persistent bullying could lead to children’s death, she said.

Belmonte reminded parents that all schools must have anti-bullying policies that would inform parents on what to do in case their children are involved as victims or perpetrators of acts of bullying.

A child enjoys the stuffed toy she was given as an early Christmas gift from Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc. duing the foundation’s visit to inaugurate the Binaluan Hybrid Microgrid in the Palawan sitio. The wind turbine (inset) that now powers Sitio Binaluan, together with a solar panel system, will make the community’s Christmas brighter and happier, said PSFI Program Director Edgar Veron Cruz (also inset). Peter Paul Duran

Salceda hits poor execution of free college act thE Commission on higher Education, the technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and the Unified Financial Assistance System for tertiary Education Act (UniFASt) have been asked to explain the poor implementation of the Universal Access to Quality higher Education Act of 2017 or Republic Act 10931.

Albay Rep. Joey Salceda Salceda, principal architect of RA 10931 or the free college and tech-voc law, said its implementation is largely due to “mishandling, inexact policies, circuitous processes, wholesale delays and confusion, and lack of commitment.”

With a full P41-billion budget since

January 1, 2018, “these three agencies have little to show other than the misery and welfare losses of the intended student beneficiaries, their parents, and partner private schools,” Salceda noted. in his in-depth study titled “Grand Mismanagement of the implementation of Free College Law,” Salceda said the measure’s poor implementation also caused opportunity losses to the economy, and inconvenience among school partners, and could derail the holistic goal of the UAQtEA program if its policies and regulations would continuously be disregarded.

Some schools, he added, have begged for guidance on what to do with students, many of whom have already failed to en-

roll due to delays on the part of ChED. “As the principal author, sponsor, and advocate of universal access to quality tertiary education, i am deeply disappointed and depressed by these dismal turn of events, which do not bode well for the contribution of this law to nation-building and national development,” the lawmaker said.

Salceda’s study shows only nine public higher education institutions (hEis) engaged in the program have been paid

by ChED for the first semester tuitions of their enrollees as of Nov. 9. there are 112 state universities and colleges (SUCs) and 87 compliant local universities and colleges (LUCs) in the country.

A brighter Christmas for Palawan communities

By Peter Paul Duran With Christmas just around the corner, Shell Foundation has lit up erstwhile energy-less communities in Palawan for locals to appreciate the most wonderful of the year in a way they have yet to experience.

Pilipinas Shell Foundation inc.

(PSFi’s) project “Access to Energy” or A2E has given the gift of energy to communities in the province still not connected to the grid with the campaign empowering these areas to have their own sources of energy- clean and renewable at that. the A2E currently has five projects in Palawan. One such project is in Sitio Binaluan in Liminancong, taytay, where members of the press were invited to see just how this program works and how it has affected the community. the residents of the sitio held a ceremony recently in which the city’s Christmas tree was lit for the very first time. Aside from ushering in the holiday season, the event marked the first time the community will be celebrating a brighter and more joyful Christmas.

“We did not expect to gain electricity for 24 hours without brownouts, but now it’s here. We are very happy and very thankful to the Shell Foundation,” said Leonil Severino, President of the Binaluan Electric Association, which oversees the grid system for villagers to sustain the facility on their own in the future.

Sitio Binaluan, home to 509 indigenous tagbanuas, has a four-classroom school, a day care center, a church, a purok (village) center, a stage, and street lights—all of which are being powered by the A2E’s Binaluan Micro-Grid.

“We extend our gratitude to PSFi. thank you for changing the lives of the people of Binaluan forever,” Severino added. these microgrids make use of a combination of solar, hydro, wind, and diesel generator power to provide energy to clustered communities. For houses that are too far away from the grids, A2E has set up individual home systems for their energy requirements. the other four A2E projects are in Sitio Kalakwasan, Barangay Decabaitot, Barangay Baras, and Sitio Ligad, the newest beneficiary of the program. “this project is for you to use, hopefully you can keep this system running so that you can use it for a lifetime,” said PSFi Program Director Edgar Veron Cruz.

MYC commodore vows Bay cleanup thE new Commodore of the Manila Yacht Club, Robert “Bobby” Lim Joseph, is firm in his advocacy in cleaning up Manila Bay during his two-year term.

“Unlike the others, my approach would be through legal means. We have the best environmental laws in the world, we just have to implement it properly,” Joseph said. he said he will request a meeting with the Metro Manila Development Authority to discuss how to implement the law all the way to the barangay level, by teaching people about environmental protection.

“We also want Manila to have a prop-

er sewage treatment plan so that the water that will come out to the bay will be clean, and after so many years, we will have a clean Manila Bay,” Joseph said. “this bay can still be saved, and it’s about time that the Manila Yacht Club focuses on this gargantuan problem that affects the e-commerce and tourism of the country,” he added.

Joseph is the Commodore of the MYC for its 91st year, as the formal turnover was held last Nov. 17 during the Opening Day Ceremonies and Sail Pass for 2018-2019, with Senate President Vicente Sotto ill as the guest of honor.

Joseph has been part of the membersonly club for 20 years.

Life food

bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife @mStandardLIFe monday, november 26, 2018

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T Was a postcard-perfect setting. The scenic Taal Lake beckoned with its placid waters. There was the cool Tagaytay breeze blowing. and next to a very Pinoy Christmas tree was a bicycle filled with pretty flowers.

There is no denying the “holiday feels” at Taal Vista, the grand Dame of Tagaytay’s getaways, which is celebrating its 80th anniversary in January.

“Christmas in the Philippines is one of the longest celebrations in the world…and Taal Vista [is] proof that the Philippines is the most fun holiday destination in the world,” said Tourism secretary Bernadette RomuloPuyat during the hotel’s tree lighting ceremony on nov. 16.

“Taal Vista is an institution in the Philippine tourism industry and an exemplary model in terms of responding to the industry’s changing demands. although it has upgraded its rooms and facilities to keep up with modern times, it has not lost its charm—it has remained a home away from home,” she added. and indeed, Taal Vista spared no expense in making its guests who attended the ceremonies feel at home—from the piping hot bulalo and the innovative tinola chawanmushi, as well as holiday staples puto bumbong and bibingka, to the UP singing ambassadors serenading everyone with Filipino and European Christmas songs.

Taal Vista’s signature restaurant, Taza, likewise rolled out its seasonal menu. and as always, Taza takes its claim of freshness seriously—some of the herbs and vegetables come from the hotel’s mini-farm while seafood items are delivered almost every day from iloilo. Beef, on the other hand, is sourced from Bukidnon, which is carving a name as a ranch country where local producers have successfully raised Wagyu cattle in Mt. kitanglad.

The seasonal menu includes Cream of HOME AWAY FROM HOME. Taal Vista, which is celebrating its 80th anniversary in January, remains a favorite destination for those who like to enjoy the hotel’s homey comforts and Escalivada (roasted eggplant, red pep- delectable food with a side of Tagaytay’s cool breeze. pers, carrots, and tomatoes in cream fraiche); organic arugula with market vegetable salad in red wine vinaigrette; squash ravioli; sous vide lamb shank with caramelized onion, adlai rice and gremolata; and grilled octopus with jicama and carrots in truffle balsamic.

Taza also used hibiscus flowers for its dessert—delectable éclairs with chocolate and hibiscus cream.

Truly, the combination of warm service, cold breeze, good food, and even better ambience makes one want to stay at Taal Vista, whether for the holidays or just for a quick weekend trip. i just have to remind myself to pack a shawl next time, and to bring home more pan de coco for my loved ones.

Home for the holidays

I’m at joyce.panares@gmail.com.

Some of Taza’s sumptuous food offerings (from left) French Toast, Eggs Benedict, and Southern Fried Chicken.

Have your cake in 2 minutes

S’mores mug cake

Chocolate chip mug cake

Baking a cake used to be an activity in a microwave), and enjoy.

“Here [in the Philippines] we’re very for those with the skills, the equipment, Maya kitchen Culinary arts Cent- familiar with the cup noodles and its and the time to do it. Well, not anymore. er’s chefs suggest adding your favorite value and convenience. Happy Mug Even those with little to no knowl- toppings after—you can use fruits, can- allows us to make our products easier edge about baking or don’t have those dy sprinkles, and chopped nuts, among and more accessible [to more people] fancy-schmancy baking tools and oven others—or eat it on its own. because usually with our cake mixes, it can now have their cake and eat it, too as Each pack is good for one serving. takes a lot of time and effort to make cake mixes and all-purpose flour brand in an interview with Eric Fajardo, one, and you’ll also need an oven— Maya launches its newbusiness development there are a lot of barriers,” Fajardo told est product, the Manila StandMaya Happy ard.

Mug. The mug M a y a c a k e , H a p p y Fa j a r d o Mug is a said, is convenient ideal for mug cake mothers mix that can who want be prepared to indulge and cooked once in a in the microwhile withwave for two out havminutes. Each ing to go pack comes in through the a paper cup and whole procontains a ready cess of bakto mix cake and ing. it’s also sauce. it’s availa great activable in two flaity parents and vors: chocolate their children cake with caramel can do together. sauce and caramel it’s also great Maya Caramel Happy Mug and Maya Chocolate Happy Mug cake with chocolate for employees in sauce. offices with miMaking the mug crowave in the cake is quick and simple: you can use manager of Liberty Commodities pantry. its paper cup container or a mug, put the Corporation, the distributor of Maya Maya Happy Mug is now available cake mix, add one and half tablespoon products, he said Maya Happy Mug in leading supermarkets nationwide for of water, mix, put in a microwave for enables them to bring their products P40 (SRP). Go to www.themayakitchen. two minutes, add the sauce (which you to more people, especially to those com for recipe ideas and more informacan also put in the mix before putting it with no oven. tion. --Bernadette Lunas

Life

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monday, november 26, 2018 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Japanese restaurant Kitsho now serves its dishes, such as (from left) unagi (eel) sushi, salmon rolls with ebi tempura filling, and tuna sandwich, for breakfast.

J

Sushi for breakfast

APANESE restaurant Kitsho will be opening its doors to breakfast diners starting December.

The well-loved restaurant, known for serving authentic and wide range of Japanese fare, begins its dining schedule at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 12 midnight.

Gourmets and gourmands can choose from either comfort food for breakfast or a traditional Japanese meal of grilled fish (yakimono), such as Sake Shoychi (salmon) or Japanese Saba (mackerel) with miso soup and rice.

Those who prefer sandwiches over rice meals may opt for either the club house, teriyaki sandwich, German franks, ham French roast, or bacon and egg. Meat lovers can go for the sautéed beef teppan plate while pasta lovers may opt for Kitsho’s version of the Neapolitana.

Breakfast at Kitsho comes with unlimited serving of piping hot premium brewed coffee.

Executive chef Keita Kamimoto’s delectable sushi can also be enjoyed for breakfast. Diners can choose from kimchi rolls with its tangy swirls of Korean spice, or the irresistibly tasty unagi (eel) roll.

While Chef Keita can prepare all Japanese dishes, sushi and sashimi making is his forte. The new executive chef brings to Kitsho an impressive culinary experience of preparing superb Japanese food. His extensive training, which started at 17 in Hiroshima’s Suishin Chef School and continued in Sweden, Germany, Norway, China, and Equatorial Guinea, shows in every dish he creates in the kitchen.

Kitsho is located on the ground floor of Hotel Jen manila, right across the CCP Complex along Roxas Boulevard.

Call (02) 795-8888 local 2312 or 924Kitsho’s new executive chef Keita Kamimoto 3623 for inquiries and reservations.

A taste of Cordillera at Lamisaan “LAmisAAn” is an Ilocano word that translates to “a large table,” the place where families, friends, and loved ones gather and bond over a hearty meal, and discover the unique flavors of Cordilleran dining.

This is exactly the goal Holiday Inn Baguio City Centre’s Lamisaan Dining and Bar wants to achieve. The in-house restaurant of the newly opened hotel in the City of Pines offers daily breakfast buffet, special themed buffets on Saturday night and Sunday brunch, and ala carte dishes, showcasing the Cordillera region’s diverse produce.

This month, it features the culinary gems of Ilocos in “Classic and Nouvelle Ilocano Cuisine.”

Executive chef Alwin Mantuano cooks up a selection of dishes that are close to the hearts and palate of the Filipino and are at the same time uniquely Cordilleran.

“We go with the seasons, so that we could use different vegetables and ingredients in season and offer different dishes all year round,” says Chef Alwin.

“We are also inserting a young vibe into the plate so it’s not ‘old school’ food but classic in nouvelle way.”

For starters, the Carpaccio di La Trinidad creates an appetizing symphony of flavors—the sweet carpaccio of beetroot mixed with the saltiness of feta cheese and the tangy-sweet taste of Sagada orange, drizzled with honeycalamansi dressing.

Lamisaan’s menu also offers sinigang na Salmon sa sampalok, given a Cordilleran touch by adding in watercress that grows in abundance in Baguio.

The Chicken Supreme de Cordillera combines seafood and meat by stuffing the chicken with crustacean farce and finished with organic yogurtgarlic dressing for a fuller savory taste. For a truly Filipino meal, there’s Steamed Highland Rice that adds more

Chicken teriyaki is given a new twist as a sandwich meal.

BITES

Cadbury Dark Milk chocolate

Indulgently dark and milky

Carpaccio di La Trinidad

character to the dish with its texture.

“If you notice, there are similarities of products used because we are featuring highland vegetables sourced within Cordillera, like La Trinidad, Baguio, and some nearby towns,” adds Chef Alwin.

Also available is the Holiday Inn Baguio City Centre specialty, the Trio of Air-Fried Bagnet, which is the classic bagnet—less the guilt, but still delightfully crispy—cooked in three different methods. First as Binagoongan, which tosses it in with local veggies; then as the Pinoy favorite Kare-Kare; and

Air-Fried Bagnet variants (from left) Adobo, Kare-Kare, and Binagoongan.

as Adobo, served with 64-degree egg and pickled watermelon skin.

Other choices are Pastrami Spiced Beef; Slow-cooked Premium Angus Flat Iron Steak crusted with Pastrami Spice and served with chocolate and red wine reduction, smashed young potatoes, butter-fried broccoli, and carrots; and the Sagada Coffee-Rubbed Pork with Capocollo, the most marbled part of pork, topped with pommery mustard sauce.

Go to www.holidayinn.com/baguio or call (074) 620-3333 or (02) 571-6079 for more information.

How do you like your chocolate? Dark? Milky? Cadbury’s newest limited edition product Cadbury Dark Milk brings the best of both worlds, with the perfect blend of the rich cocoa taste of dark chocolate and the sweet velvety texture of milk chocolate.

The new Cadbury Dark Milk comes in three delectable flavors: the Perfectly Blended Chocolate merges rich cocoa notes with the smooth taste of Cadbury milk chocolate; the Crunchy Salted Caramel is an exciting fusion of blasting flavors of dark milk and salted caramel bits; and the Roasted & Caramelised Hazelnuts variant offers a nutty kick with its flawless combination of roasted and caramelized hazelnuts.

“With the new Cadbury Dark Milk, you no longer need to choose between the comforting sweetness of milk chocolate and the richness of dark chocolate,” says Arlene Amante, brand manager for chocolates of Mondelez Philippines, Inc. The Cadbury Dark milk is available in leading supermarkets, convenience stores, and department stores nationwide for P155 (sRP).

Epic hotdog sandwich Jollibee shows how mundane daily situations can be taken to epic level in a series of online videos featuring its Cheesy Classic Jolly Hotdog.

The bite-sized, 15-seconder videos remind viewers to never settle for a plain experience especially when they can amp up the fun level in outrageous ways.

Each video ends with a better way to enjoy snack time: the Cheesy Classic Jolly Hotdog, packed with extra beefy and extra cheesy ingredients that deliver an Cheesy Classic Jolly Hotdog “epic sa sarap experience.”

With its meaty, beefy sausage topped with a special dressing, grated cheese, and ketchup, the Cheesy Classic Jolly Hotdog delivers a snacking experience of epic proportions.

“Hotdog sandwiches have become so common that a lot of snack-loving Pinoys forgot how epic it can be, especially with the right combination of ingredients and toppings,” says Mari Aldecoa, Jollibee marketing director for core category.

“Jollibee’s Cheesy Classic Jolly Hotdog and these epically hilarious videos remind us all the epic fun that can be had during day-to-day situations like snack time.”

The Cheesy Jolly Hotdog is available in all Jollibee stores nationwide for dine-in, take-out, delivery, and drive-thru transactions for P50.

Entertainment

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2018

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GMA Kapuso Foundation, Alaska join hands for feeding project

McJim’s debut short film “Pitaka” (The Wallet) wins the Best Branded Digital Ad award at the 40th CMMA for its compelling and values-based narrative that promotes the best of the Filipino to the world.

McJim short films haul in more awards from local and international fests I

GMA Kapuso Foundation (GMAKF), GMA Network’s socio-civic arm, received a donation from Alaska Milk Corporation, a pioneer in promoting good nutrition in the country, to extend aid in GMAKF’s “Give-A-Gift: Feed a Child Project.”

The project is a 6 month feeding program which aims to improve the nutritional status of over 300 undernourished children by helping them achieve their ideal weight and height for their age.

“The KF feeding program, first devised by Mel Tiangco in 2004 and continued yearly to this day, is done by the Kapuso Foundation to help combat malnutrition and stunted growth among our children. We need to secure the future of our country by nourishing our youth,” said GMAKF EVP and COO Rikki Escudero-Catibog. cudero-Catibog Joining Escudero-Catibog in the donation turnover was GMAKF Founder and

Ambassador Mel C. Tiangco together with Alaska Milk Corporation’s Brand Manager Maxine Lauren M. Lozada, Marketing Services Manager Raymond R. Nacino, and Assistant Media Manager Karen M. Ventosa.

Lozada, on the other hand, voiced her appreciation of GMAKF’s dedication and she also expressed her thanks to GMAKF for partnering with Alaska in this crucial advocacy. “We have the shared vision of bringing affordable nutrition to children and making milk drinking accessible to communities that really need them. Thank you to GMA Kapuso Foundation for giving us an avenue to help contribute in uplifting the nutritional state of Filipino children.”

To donate to GMAKF’s projects, contact gmaf@gmanetwork.com or (02) 928-9351/928-4299. For more information, visit www.gmanetwork.com/kapusofoundation/donate.

T MAY be gratifying to receive international recognitions for our artistic works, but it is ultimately more rewarding when a prestigious Philippine awardgiving body acknowledges the sheer amount of talent Filipinos possess when crafting world-class content for the many creative endeavors they get into.

This is the message that trusted leather goods brand McJim Classic Leather wants to convey after its debut short film Pitaka (The Wallet) was hailed last Nov. 14 as the Best Branded Digital Ad at the 40th Catholic Mass Media Awards. It is the newest category in the CMMA that recognizes the shift in media consumption of the modern Filipino.

Directed by public relations entrepreneur Chris Cahilig, Pitaka is the result of McJim’s groundbreaking and innovative efforts to project the best of Filipino values to the world.

“In producing well-executed and compelling short films like Pitaka, McJim has applied its philosophy of style, quality, and elegance—the same values that have driven it to produce truly worldclass leather goods through the years,” says Cahilig.

And now, in the wake of mutiple nominations and awards McJim’s shorts have garnered from prestigious film fests here and abroad, McJim inspires us to look into ourselves first, to proudly claim our strength as Filipinos.

Cahilig affirms this, saying, “I am overwhelmed and thankful that Pitaka has achieved recognition in my own country from no less than the CMMA. This reminds us that it should not take other countries to reward world-class Filipino excellence. We must acknowledge our own strengths and proudly uphold these before the world.”

McJim’s “Pitaka,” produced by Cahilig’s Insight 360 Consultancy Services, Inc., bested six other finalists in the category, namely The Philippine Star’s “Andeng” (IdeasXMachina Advertising, Inc.); Southstar Drug’s “Credo” (Estima, Inc.); SM Supermalls’ “Daddy’s Girl,” “Little Things,” and “Tradition” (DDB Group Phils); and Manulife Philippines’ “Stand Up” (J. Walter Thompson Philippines).

Established by the late Jaime L. Cardinal Sin in 1978, the annual CMMA is one of the country’s most prestigious award-giving bodies for the mass media that honors works, individuals, and

institutions that promote Christian values and ideals—something that is very evident in McJim’s Pitaka.

Pitaka’s storyline pays tribute to the heroism of older members of Filipino families, whose good deeds are sometimes taken for granted by the younger ones. It endorses the timeless Filipino values of sacrifice and perseverance as exemplified by the breadwinner “Kuya” played by Karl Medina, who shelved his personal dreams in order to provide for his younger brother (played by Art Artienda). The frivolous younger sibling would eventually express his gratitude and appreciation for his Kuya’s efforts through a heartwarming, unexpected gesture.

Cahilig attributes the success of Pitaka, his debut work as filmmaker, to its raw and honest depiction of a slice of reality in typical Filipino families presented in an extraordinary way. “By touching on a real-life experience, Pitaka’s narrative communicates to the viewer on a deeper personal level and establishes an undeniable emotional connection without the need to sensationalize,” says Cahilig.

To enhance Pitaka’s emotional impact, McJim explored the beauty of the Filipino language and collaborated with Palancawinning poet and academician Louie Jon Sanchez in coming up with a beautiful poem that serves as the film’s narration (narrated by Neo Domingo). For this, Pitaka likewise won the Best Illustrated Poem category of the 2018 Wales International Film Festival last Oct. 4.

Pitaka was also made possible by screenplay writer and line producer Juan Archimedes Del Mundo, cinematographer Cesca Lee, editor Cyril Bautista, and production manager Max Ganda.

Aside from Pitaka, McJim’s first horror-thriller short film No Strings Attached is also making waves globally, with its recent feat as Best Social Shorts in the Liverpool International Film Festival 2018 in the United Kingdom.

No Strings Attached, which has reaped over 1.5 million views on the McJim

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Monday, November 26, 2018

ACROSS 1 Use a camcorder 5 Like plow horses 9 Ardently 14 Stare rudely 15 Yield, as territory 16 Posh hotel lobbies 17 Sights shower (2 wds.)

19 Nonsocial person 20 Garment part 21 FedEx units 22 Baseball field 24 Chemists’ cover-ups (2 wds.)

27 Poet’s contraction 28 Crunch targets 29 Snapshots 31 Kenya’s loc.

34 Deal with a knot 37 Symphony 39 Nonsense poet 40 Like a punk hairdo 41 Shed tears 42 Disrepute 44 Docks 45 Santa — winds 46 Archer of filmdom 47 Convent

dweller 48 Itinerary word 49 Diminish (2 wds.)

54 Whodunit poison 58 Ecol. police 59 Holbrook or Roach 60 Blue Grotto site 61 Glare shield 64 Delete a file 65 Sunblock additive 66 Caller’s code 67 Discourage 68 Fix 69 Docs prescribe them DOWN 1 Bottom line 2 Greek market 3 Exactly vertical 4 Constantly, to Poe 5 Goes diving 6 Swipe 7 Roulette bet 8 Achievement 9 Ill feeling 10 They can be split 11 First 007 movie (2 wds.)

12 Bank holding 13 Garden spot 18 Earth model 23 Scratchy

25 Illinois town 26 Fairies 30 Yucky 31 Nefertiti’s god 32 Comedian — Allen 33 Talks to a beat 34 Wrist-elbow connector 35 Vegas light gas 36 Bye, in Bristol (hyph.)

37 Ajar 38 Ritzy 40 Six-Day War site 43 Prince of Mo-

naco 44 Hoopster Jerry — 47 Took a snooze 48 Stanza 50 Troublesome car 51 Chicago’s airport 52 Lost color 53 Good hoppers 54 Did very well 55 One in a million 56 Minor dispute 57 Mollusk 62 Dark brew 63 Radio hobbyist

From left: GMAKF EVP and COO Rikki Escudero-Catibog, Alaska Milk Corporation’s Marketing Services Manager Raymond R. Nacino, Assistant Media Manager Karen M. Ventosa, Brand Manager Maxine Lauren M. Lozada, and GMAKF Founder and Ambassador Mel C. Tiangco.

Simply...

From C4

Director and PR entrepreneur Chris Cahilig receives the Best Branded Digital Ad award for McJim’s “Pitaka” at the 40th Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA).

Facebook page alone, has been officially selected to participate in seven other international film festivals in the US, Europe, and Australia. Together with the LGBT-themed Bag and the more unconventional Sinturon (The Belt), McJim’s short films have been selected in at close to 50 international film festivals in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, France, Serbia, Venezuela, Bolivia, Mexico, and Italy.

“By collaborating with the best Filipino talents and employing innovative cinematic techniques, McJim tells its stories in a new light, an achievement that is validated by the prestigious awards the brand has so far garnered. But more than the international and local awards, what makes Pitaka and other McJim shorts special is how these inspired and touched the lives of millions of Filipinos who have seen them,” Cahilig affirms.

As of this writing, Pitaka has been viewed over 25 million times in various Facebook platforms.

For generations now, McJim Classic Leather has been the leading and trusted brand for classic leather goods and accessories of superior quality and design.

For more information, visit and like the official McJim Facebook page at https:// www.facebook.com/OfficialMcJIM/.

A book on Banuae rice terraces A Banaue Story: Restoring a World Heritage Treasure Treasure, a coffee table book on the restoration of the world-famous rice terraces of Ifugao province, was launched on Nov. 12 at the Peninsula Manila.

The 265-page book is a testimony to the efforts of local farming communities in the province and the dedication of advocates in the preservation of the ageold architectural wonder often referred to as the: Eighth Wonder of the World, but which now faces alarming problems of degradation, neglect, and abandonment.

Apart from contributions from prominent personalities in the academe like Doctors Jesus Peralta, Ricardo Jose, and Bernadette Abrera, among others, the book, edited by former Philippine Daily Inquirer editor Ester G. Dipasupil, is replete with spectacular photographs of the terraces -- declared a world heritage site by UNESCO-- taken from all angles by noted photographers like Eduardo Masferre, John Chua, George Tapan, Alex Van Hagen, Albert Labrador, Joey de Leon, Pet Salvador Salvador, and P.J. Enriquez Enriquez.

It also includes documentation and onsite step-by-step procedures on the current restoration efforts being undertaken by volunteers from the villages as well as soldiers of the Philippine Army, with the support of businesswoman and cultural heritage stalwart Dr. Milagros O. How How, president and CEO of Universal Harvester, Inc. The book ends with an appeal not only to stakeholders but Filipinos from all over as well to help save the terraces in ways they know best, before this beloved

cultural icon vanishes completely from the landscape.

For book orders, email: banauerestoration@gmail.com or log on to http://www. banauerestoration.org Or call (632) 42123-78; (632) 709-5001 to 02; (632) 4214301 to 02. *** Help Katarina Rodriguez win Miss World 2018 Miss World Philippines 2018 Katarina Rodriguez is currently in Sanya, China, where she is fast emerging as one of the early favorites during the month-long preliminaries that culminate in the grand coronation night on Dec. 8.

Whether flaunting her stylish outfits or posting her group shots with fellow candidates, Katja stands out for her unmistakable style and panache.

The beauty from Davao recently appealed to her fellow Filipinos, pageant fans and followers alike, to vote for her and strengthen her online presence in the Multimedia challenge.

Here’s how we can vote for Katarina: 1. Download MobStar at Google Play or App Store 2. Create an account using your Facebook account or any email address 3. Search for “Katarina Rodriguez” or “Katarina PH.” Click the profile with the VERIFIED check mark 4.Swipe right on all her photos. One swipe id equal to one Like or Vote 6. Leave any comment using the hashtags #MissWorldPhilippines and #BeautyWithAPurpose The live telecast of the 68th Miss World pageant is on Dec. 8 on GMA. ** * More stories of these kinds at www.isah. red. Follow me on Facebook (@isahvr), Twitter (@isahvred) and Instagram (@ isahvred). IR

Entertainment

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

C4

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2018

ISAH V. RED

TNT Boys mark year with award, concert, album THEY are this season’s sensation on all platforms, both on electronic and social media. They are called TNT Boys, not because they explode on stage, but their performances on both the stage and before the cameras, are explosive enough to earn them plaudits from both local audience and audiences anywhere they perform outside the Philippines.

But the abbreviation really stand for “Tawag ng Tanghalan” as the three of them were discovered in the It’s Showtime segment “Tawag ng Tanghalan” kids.

The TNT Boys have travelled the world to sing on foreign stages and TV shows. It won Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids”.this year.

The trio of Mackie Empuerto, Francis Concepcion, and Keifer Sanchez show no signs of stopping and say they will take on more projects before 2018 ends.

On Nov. 14, the boys were named the Royal Cub awardee at this year’s RAWR Awards 2018 for consistently making headlines, trending on social

TNT Boys

media and on YouTube for their worldclass performances, and bringing pride to the country.

Fans of these three belters will see more of them every weekend as they officially in the Kapamilya musical variety show ASAP as regulars. Did you see their introduction two Sundays ago as they performed alongside the network’s finest singers?

More surprises also await their fans as the big shot trio releases a Christmas album titled TNT Boys Christmastime (for TNT Records) in December to give their own renditions of some of the well loved Christmas songs in time for the holiday season.

Mackie, Keifer, and Francis are also pulling all the stops for their first major concert titled Listen: The Big Shot Concert on Nov. 30 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Joining them are special guests Fantastica Vice Ganda, Jed Madela, K Brosas, and fellow Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids performers Chun-sa Jung, Esang de Torres, Krystal Brimner, Marco Masa, Noel Comia Jr., Onyok Pineda, Sheena Belarmino, and Xia Vigor.

Tickets are still available: Lower Box (P700), Upper Box (P400), and General Admission (P200) sections.

Visit ticketnet.com.ph or call (02) 9115555 for more details.

Officially established as a trio after their viral and electrifying vocal showdown in Gandang Gabi Vice last year, the TNT Boys has since bolstered their careers, having performed in several international talent shows, including the Little Big Shots in the US, UK, and Australia. They also performed for several heads of states, including President Rodrigo Duterte, Singaporean President Halimah Yacob, and Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O’ Neill.

In October, the boys travelled to the US to compete in an international talent competition, which will air soon.

Before becoming a group, Mackie, Kiefer, and Francis first impressed viewers as grand finalists in “Tawag ng Tanghalan Kids.” They also joined The Kids’ Choice and donated their cash prize of P50,000 to Bantay Bata.

Continued on C3

B

LUE Ant Extreme, known for its thrilling and action-packed content lineup, breaks the status quo by launching The Xtreme Quest.

Challenging people from different backgrounds, the quest’s biggest dare is to take on one of the most brutal obstacle course races, the Spartan Race.

This will test the physical and mental capabilities of the five participants who have said #ChallengeXccepted and willingly took on the dare.

Happening on Dec. 2 in Iskandar Puteri, Johor Baru in Malaysia, the Xtreme Quest participants are going through an intensive training for four weeks to prepare for the big race.

Coming from different backgrounds, the Xtreme Quest participants are Linda Law Na Na and Karen Kho from Malaysia, Novita Lam and Xin Lin Khaw from Singapore and Teejay Marquez from the Philippines.

They are all currently documenting their journey and progress to prepare for the race. Those who are looking on taking on the same challenge for themselves will be able to follow the highs and lows of their gruelling experience via their personal Instagram accounts and on Blue Ant Extreme’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

“We, at Blue Ant Extreme, continuously brings excitement to our followers and viewers.

The Xtreme Quest aims to light up our thrill seeking side and inspire all of us to push further and discover that we are capable of so much more than we think, and that we can go beyond the limits we set for ourselves,” said Beatrice Lee, CEO, Blue Ant Media Asia Pacific.

“We are very excited that our participants have accepted our challenge and are eager to conquer the Spartan Race. We hope that by doing this challenge, we reach out and encourage more people to be more daring and be ready to face the extreme challenges that will come their way,” Lee added.

Participant from the Philippines Teejay Marquez (@teejaymarquez), said that he has been looking for something new to try and something that will push him to his limits and get him out of his comfort zone, and seeing some of his friends do the Spartan Race got him interested which led him to saying yes to the the Xtreme Quest.

Follow Karen, Nana, Novita, Xin Lin, and Teejay on their Xtreme Quest journey on their social media handles, on https:// www.facebook.com/ blueantextreme and on @blueantextreme on Instagram.

SocMed star Teejay Marquez takes on a quest to test his limits

SocMed superstar Teejay Marquez joins four other participants from Singapore and Malaysia in documenting their progress as they prepare for a Spartan Race.

Teejay Marquez accepted the challenge because he wanted to get out of his comfort zone

KZ Tandingan’s exclusive performance at Okada Manila's Cove

Yuletide season arrives at Okada Manila THE premier lifestyle and entertainment destination ushered in the Philippines’ favorite time of the year with the press launch of its latest attraction, The Garden – a lush open space which offers guests a front-row seat to breathtaking views of the Manila Bay sunset.

Ideal for family gatherings at the resort, guests who want to escape the concrete jungle, and for anyone looking for the perfect outdoor venue for celebrations and events, The Garden is a sprawling spread of greenery within Okada Manila.

Guests will completely enjoy this brand new facility once it officially opens to the public.

“The Garden is more than an outdoor space—it’s an integral part of Okada Manila where guests can enjoy life’s best moments under the sky with people they treasure the most,” said Ivaylo S. Ivanov, Okada Manila’s Vice President for Hospitality.

Alongside the unveiling of The Garden, the grandest resort in Entertainment City ramped up the holiday festivities with a grand Christmas tree lighting ceremony along The Fountain Foyer, where guests were serenaded

by Chorus Vocales Philippines, Hazel Faith, and Monique Lualhati. Taking off from these memorable events, Okada Manila is all set to celebrate the holidays in style with an exciting line-up of events and promotions across its numerous attractions in the coming weeks.

Also. as the year draws to a close, the fun doesn’t stop as you can still enjoy nights of revelry, drinks, and world-class music acts at Southeast Asia’s largest indoor beach club and nightclub, Cove Manila. This beach party destination will celebrate its allstar anniversary with the three-part party series, Crescendome, which will bring in world-renowned DJs for three consecutive weeks: Tiesto on Nov. 30, DJ Snake on Dec. 7, and Afrojack on Dec. 15.

Come New Year’s Eve, with last year’s grand fireworks setting the standard, Okada Manila is set to make it bigger than ever, with something very special planned along the entire venue and for its guests.

“Our guests will never run out of fun and exciting experiences here at Okada Manila. Bring the whole family,barkada, and even your colleagues for unforgettable holiday celebrations,” added Ivanov.

For more information on upcoming events and promotions, visit www.okadamanila.com, like Okada Manila on Facebook, and follow @okadamanila on Instagram and Twitter.

Bringing regional Philippine culture to the world ABS-CBN Regional looks to the future as it celebrates its 30th anniversary this year by continuing its tradition of public service highlighted by this year’s edition of “Halad sa Kapamilya,” which will simultaneously happen in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

“Halad sa Kapamilya” will be held at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center, Lingayen Pangasinan; CitiMall, Mandalagan Bacolod; Cebu Technological University, Cebu City; and at the Palma Gil Elementary School, Davao City. There will be live updates of “Halad sa Kapamilya” from the MOR station in the area.

ABS-CBN Regional’s new head Tata Sy said the event will “be a meeting ground for all those needing help and those who want to help or give back.” It will continue to offer different services—medical, dental, optical, surgical, veterinary, legal, and livelihood seminars, among others—for Filipinos by their fellowmen.

The “Halad sa Kapamilya” started in Cebu in 2005 and was attended by 10,000 people. It became Grand Salad sa Kapamilya as it grew over the years, evidencing our people’s generosity and willingness to serve our fellow Kapamilyas.

Last year’s GHK registered over 23,000 beneficiaries and

1,000 volunteers. “What better way to celebrate 30 years than to provide a simultaneous platform where everyone can give, share and just love!,” said Tata.

ABS-CBN Regional, which is rooted in public service, will continue to be available to those who need it. It has consistently provided service in the areas where they can be found, forging a better relationship with local viewers.

According to Sy, the local stations have become the go-to hub for citizens in their areas. “Our Kapamilyas come to us for help, information, entertainment, talent development, public service, livelihood opportunities, legal assistance and all possible linkages to government and non-government entities,” she said.

It will also continue the established practice of being first responders in the face of calamities, such as the Ormoc flashfloods, super typhoon Yolanda, the Bohol earthquake, and the Naga landslides.

However, the chapter of ABS-CBN Regional also sees it facing the challenge of staying relevant in an ever-changing world. It continues to look for ways to evolve to be of better service to Filipinos not just in the country but also abroad. Sy shared that they will be “cooking up regional digital content to make global our

rich regional culture.”

ABS-CBN Regional is the fulfillment of the dream of Kapitan Geny Lopez to build “Bridges on the Air,” for the different regions of the Philippines. Powered by this vision, it has grown to 35 TV stations now bundled as 16 major hubs, from three original stations in 1988. It has also added 3 AM radio stations and 16 FM radio stations.

“Halad sa Kapamilya” began this month on Nov. 24.

Halad sa Kapamilya wellness activity