Manila Standard - 2018 April 15 - Sunday

PINOYS TOLD: STAY INDOORS AMID STRIKES VOL. XXXII • NO. 59 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

THE Philippine government has warned the estimated 1,000 Filipino workers in Syria amid the ongoing missile strikes led by the United States, France, and the United Kingdom on the Syrian government’s chemical weapons facilities.

Since the strikes began at 4 a.m.

(Syria time) Saturday, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Elmer Cato said the Philippine embassy had not received any requests for assistance from any of the estimated 500 Filipinos in Damascus and the other 500 in other parts of Syria.

Filipinos were strongly advised to remain indoors, exercise vigilance and caution, and to avoid unnecessary travel.

“The embassy has issued an advisory requesting our kababayans to stay in their homes until further advise (sic),” Cato said in a statement on Saturday.

All personnel of the Philippine Embassy in Damascus led by Chargé d’Affaires Crescente Relacion, meanwhile, are safe and accounted for, he said.

Meanwhile, opposition and Akbayan Party-list Rep. Tom Villarin raised the possibility of thousands of undocumented Filipinos working in Syria.

“While the embassy reports that no requests for assistance have been made, it is a fact that there are thousands of undocumented Turn to A2

'7 OUT OF 10 ROGUE COPS STILL IN SERVICE' EXPLOSION NEAR DAMASCUS. A photo released early Saturday on the website of the official Syrian Arab News Agency shows an explosion on the outskirts of the Syrian capital after Western allies—the United States, Britain and France—fired more than 100 cruise missiles on the country. Top right photo, an image grab from a video released by the Syrian civil defense in Douma shows unidentified volunteers giving aid to children at a hospital following an alleged chemical attack on the rebel held town on Saturday last week while a picture (top left) released by the French Defense audiovisual communication and production unit shows the launching of a cruise missile from a French military vessel in the Mediterranean sea towards targets in Syria on Friday night. AFP

100 MISSILES RAIN ON SYRIA, SAYS US T

HE United States, Britain and France fired more than 100 cruise missiles at Syria, particularly against Bashar al-Assad’s Syrian regime on Saturday in response to alleged chemical weapons attacks that President Donald Trump branded the “crimes of a monster.”

The Russian defense ministry said a “significant number” of these were intercepted by Syrian air defenses.

“Russian air defense systems on Syrian territory have not been used to counter the missile strikes,” the ministry said.

As Trump embarked on a White House address to announce the action—taken in defiance of Russian warnings—explosions were heard in the Syrian capital Damascus, signalling a new chapter in a brutal seven-year-old civil war.

In Damascus, Syria’s government denounced Western strikes on its military installations as a “brutal, barbaric aggression” that violated international law.

“The Syrian Arab Republic condemns in the strongest terms the brutal American-British-French aggression against Syria, which constitutes a flagrant violation of international law,” the foreign ministry said.

The joint operation came one week after a suspected chemical attack on an opposition-controlled

town outside Damascus left more than 40 people dead.

Western powers blamed President Bashar al-Assad, but Syria and its ally Russia categorically denied the claims and accused the West of “fabricating” the incident to justify military action.

The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons was set to begin its investigation inside the Eastern Ghouta town of Douma on Saturday, just hours after the strikes.

Syria’s foreign ministry said the strikes aimed to block their work.

An AFP correspondent in the city heard consecutive blasts at 4 a.m.

(9 a.m. in Manila), followed by the sound of airplanes overhead.

Smoke could be seen rising from the northern and eastern edges of the capital.

After dawn, Syrians draped in

government flags descended on the heart of the capital in a show of defiance against the strikes.

Trump said he had ordered US forces to launch precision strikes “on targets associated with the chemical weapons capabilities of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad.”

He said a combined operation had been launched with the forces of Britain and France, whose leaders have rallied behind Trump’s call for a response to an alleged chemical attack on the town of Douma a week ago that rescuers and monitors say killed more than 40 people.

“This massacre was a significant escalation in a pattern of chemical weapons use by that very terrible regime,” Trump said.

“The evil and the despicable attack left mothers and fathers, infants and children thrashing in Turn to A2

By Francisco Tuyay

THE Philippine National Police Internal Affairs Service has called for an investigation after receiving complaints that 70 percent of the police it recommended for dismissal are still in the service.

In order for a policeman to be dismissed, the PNP chief or regional commander must sign the dismissal order based on IAS recommendation.

Meanwhile, four Manila police officers were arrested in an entrapment operations after they reportedly tried to extort money from an Egyptian national.

Reports from the office of the Philippine National Police-Crime Intelligence Task Force identified the policemen as SP03 Ranny Litonjoa Dionisio, P03 Richard Osorio Bernal, P01 Elequiel Jeric Fernandez and P01 Arjay Lastricia Lasap.

The CITF said the four police officers, all members of the Intelligence Section of Police Station-9 of the Manila Police District were arrested by the joint CITF operatives and agents of the National Bureau of Investigation at the Caltex Station, along Quirino Ave. corner Mabini Street inside the 7/11 convenience store at 6:15 p.m. Friday.

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CHINA TO HIRE 2,000 FILIPINO TEACHERS

By Vito Barcelo

PREPARING FOR POLLS: CHECKPOINTS IN PLACE

By Joel Zurbano GUN ban and other prohibitions during the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan election period are now in force.

Checkpoints were set up nationwide Saturday all over the country. At the same time, police authorities placed 5,744 villages on their watchlist for potential violence, said Chief Supt. John Bulalacao, the PNP spokesman.

During the election period, which ends on May 21, gun owners might not bring their firearms outside their homes, even if they had permits to

carry, Bulalacao said in an interview with newsmen.

At least one person was arrested at the start of the gun ban early Saturday, a person who was caught with a firearm inside a KTV bar in Cadiz City, Bulalacao said.

Meanwhile, the Commission on Elections has asked President Rodrigo Duterte to declare May 14, 2018 (Monday) as non-working holiday in connection with the village and youth council polls.

“The Comelec has already asked for May 14, 2018 to be declared a special non-working holiday. A proclamation Turn to A2 twitter.com/ MlaStandard

3RD PLACER. This picture by Manila Standard’s photographer Lino Santos, snapped on Feb. 25 during the annual cultural showcase 2018 Caracol Festival, has been announced by the local government unit as third placer. It shows groups of students and residents, dressed in nature-inspired, colorful costumes, performing to a variety of musical arrangements as they vied for the top prizes in the costume and dance competition. This is Makati City’s version of Mardi Gras.

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AT LEAST 2,000 Filipino English language teachers will be hired

by China this year under a Memorandum of Understanding signed between Philippine and Chinese officials witnessed by President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sideline of Boao Forum For Asia in China.

Duterte said the nine MOUs also yielded US$8 billion of investments, expected to generate more than 10,000 jobs for Filipinos.

“Among these is the Memorandum of Understanding on the employment of Filipino teachers of English language in China that allows for the employment of 2,000 Filipino English language teachers starting this year and will be valid for two years, subject to renewal,” the President said.

The President said China wanted to learn English which has become the global language and spoken by over 350 million people around the world.

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from the Office of the President is required,” said Comelec spokesperson James Arthur Jimenez.

Jimenez said the Comelec made the request through Resolution 10301 promulgated on Thursday (April 12) and signed by members of the Commission en banc composed of acting chairman Al Parreno and commissioners Luie Tito Guia, Ma. Rowena Amelia Guanzon and Sheriff Abas.

The poll official said there was a need to declare the synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections a special non-working holiday to afford registered voters the opportunity to participate fully in the exercise.

The government scheduled on May 14 the BSKE following its decision to postpone it twice on Oct. 31, 2016 and Oct. 23, 2017.

The Comelec declared the start of the election period Saturday with the filing of Certificates of Candidacy of aspiring candidates and reelectionists.

At the same time, former Comelec commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal said the proposal to require candidates to submit resumes (personal data) together with their COCs could only be voluntary.

“It cannot be mandatory, nor can it be used as a reason to refuse a validly accomplished COC,” he said.

Larrazabal also said non-submission of a program of government by village and youth council candidates “cannot be used to disqualify a candidate, nor can it be used as basis to impose any penalty.”

During the Election Period, the poll body imposed a gun ban and installed police security checkpoints nationwide.

It also prohibited the transferring of government officers and employees, including public school teachers.

The Comelec will not allow any appointment or hiring of new employees to any national or local government office or agency, including governmentowned or controlled corporations.

Suspension of any elective provincial, city, municipal or barangay officer is also prohibited beginning Saturday, unless it will be for purposes of applying the “Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.” The Comelec set the campaign period on May 4 until May 12 when candidates are not allowed to give donations or gift in cash or in kind to voters.

A simulation of this year’s elections will be conducted in Tondo, Manila on April 21 to test the readiness of the members of the Electoral Boards and the BBOCs to perform their respective duties.

CHINA...

BORACAY EYED TO HOST BEAUTY TILT POST-REHAB

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FTER approving the six-month closure of Boracay beginning April 26, President Rodrigo Duterte has broached the idea of holding a side event of the prestigious Miss Universe competition in the island resort.

Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo said during the April 4 Cabinet meeting in Malacañang, a Cabinet official acknowledged that it would be difficult to promote Boracay—the country’s top tourist draw which the President now describes as a “cesspool”—after its temporary closure.

“There was one Cabinet Secretary asking: ‘Will you be able to promote Boracay once you close it? It will be difficult to do that once we close it.’

I said Boracay is Boracay. We don’t need to promote it,” Teo said.

Duterte, said Teo, said: “If you want, we can hold the Miss Universe in Boracay. We can bring the Miss

Universe there so that everyone will go to Boracay again when we open it.”

Teo said discussions with the Miss Universe Organization are ongoing to hold the pageant in the Philippines anew, with the swimsuit competition to be held in the island resort.

“Nothing’s definite yet, but I’m working on Miss Universe. I want the Miss Universe to be here. We’re working on it if not this year, next year,” the Tourism chief added.

The world-class island resort of Boracay will be closed starting April 26.

Duterte said he plans to put the entire island under a state of calamity to release some P2 billion in contingency funds to help the thousands of workers and residents who will be affected by its closure.

Western Visayas is expected to lose a third of its earnings from tourism with the temporary closure.

Data from the Tourism department showed that of the 5,852,937 tourists who visited Western Visayas in 2017, at least 2,220,821 were from Aklan.

Boracay contributed 34 percent or 2,001,974 tourists and earned P56.15 billion in tourism receipts.

ATENEO HEAD WEIGHS IN ON SERENO CASE ONE of the country’s top universities on Saturday called on the Supreme Court to dismiss the quo warranto petition against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno—one of its graduates—filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida in a bid to remove her from the post.

Sereno can only be removed through impeachment, said Ateneo de Manila University president Father Jose Ramon Villarin, and that her appointment could not be nullified by a quo warranto, a writ or legal action requiring a person to show by what warrant an office or franchise is held, claimed, or exercised.

The Chief Justice, who is on indefinite leave as the petition and a looming impeachment trial in the Senate await resolution, is an economics graduate of Ateneo.

With Sereno’s recent announcement that she has recovered most of her missing Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, which she had filed as a law professor at the University of the Philippines, Calida’s petition is thus baseless and must be dismissed immediately, her spokesman said Saturday.

“SolGen Calida’s quo warranto petition was based on his claim that CJ Sereno did not file UP SALNs and that she failed to meet the constitutional requirement of proven integrity when she failed to submit her UP

SALNs to the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC),” said lawyer Josalee Deinla.

“His submission is an admission that his petition is baseless. The recovery of most of the SALNs destroys the SolGen’s main argument that the Chief Justice should be removed from office on ground that she failed to file her SALNs and submit them to the JBC,” Deinla added.

At this point, Villarin said in a statement, “the legal and proper process is impeachment and not quo warranto.”

“We thus categorically call on the Supreme Court to dismiss the quo warranto petition filed against the Chief Justice,” the Ateneo president added.

The high court heard oral arguments last week in Baguio City on a petition filed by Calida to invalidate Sereno’s appointment by then-President Benigno Aquino III, citing her alleged failure to fully disclose her wealth.

But Sereno had already retrieved most of her missing SALN even before the Solicitor General’s submission of the top magistrate’s financial statements to the Supreme Court last March 27.

Deinla said at least 11 of the missing SALNs have been found by the Chief Justice prior to Calida’s retrieval of the SALNs. Villarin called on the other SC mag-

istrates, including those opposing Sereno, to discern the “damage their actions have inflicted on themselves and on the whole of our democratic society.”

“The University expresses its dismay and disappointment at how vicious and malicious the search for accountability has become,” he said.

“It should alarm us when several justices who will decide on whether the Chief Justice has sufficiently complied with the requirement are among those who have accused her of wrongdoing in that regard, during hearings conducted by Congress, thus effectively prejudging the matter,” he added.

Associate Justices Teresita De Castro, Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin, Francis Jardeleza and Noel Tijam had testified against Sereno during the impeachment hearings at the House of Representatives.

“Let us allow the impeachment to unfold, to guarantee the impeachable officer due process of fundamental law,” Villarin said.

“As the nation’s highest court, the Supreme Court’s focus should always be to keep the freedoms of each person inviolable and sacred,” he added.

In any event, Deinla said, the fact that Calida confirmed that he had obtained the SALNs himself proved that the Chief Justice had indeed filed her UP SALNs contrary to solici-

tor general’s claim in his petition.

Deinla cited Paragraph 23 of the petition where Calida “categorically and without qualification” stated that the Chief Justice “only filed SALNs for the years 1998, 2002 and 2006 during her tenure as law professor at the UP College of Law from 1986 up to 2006.”

Calida, however, submitted in his reply to the SC on March 27, 2018 Sereno’s eight SALNs for the years 1985, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997, she said.

Deinla also said Calida could not claim that he was the one who retrieved the SALNs since even before the SolGen submitted it to the SC, the Chief Justice had already informed the high tribunal in her Comment filed on March 19, 2018 that she had already recovered most of the missing SALNs. “This proves that the Chief Justice had found the missing SALNs even before the SolGen submitted them to the Supreme Court on March 27, 2018,” Deinla said.

Sereno intends to present the recovered UP SALNs to the Senate impeachment court, without prejudice to her legal defenses, since her alleged failure to file SALNs before she joined the SC is not within the scope of the impeachment complaint, or the grounds for impeachment provided in the Constitution, the spokesperson added.

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Duterte has instructed Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III to start the implementation of guidelines for the hiring of Filipino English teachers who will earn at least US$1,200 a month or equivalent to more than P100,000.

For his part, Bello said the bilateral agreement with China might be renewed after two years and outlines the salaries, work hours, benefits and other employment rules for Filipino workers.

He said China actually needed 100,000 English teachers, and preferred nations whose mother tongue was English.

“Since English is the second language of Filipinos, China allows us to get a fair share on the market,” he said.

Bello said the agreement was forged as part of the two countries’ growing friendship and after China relaxed its rules, allowing foreigners to enter its labor force.

The labor chief said China was also set to accept Filipino domestic helpers and might soon replace Middle East countries as the main host to millions of Filipino household workers.

PINOYS...

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Filipinos working in Syria,” Villarin said.

“The escalation in the conflict with the military intervention of other countries definitely impacts on the lives of our countrymen now in harms way.”

Villarin also said many were women and vulnerable to possible increased levels of abuse especially during conflict situations.

“Locating and gathering these workers and putting them in a safe place is not just difficult but dangerous to both the rescuers and those to be rescued,” he said.

Villarin also urged the embassy to undertake pre-emptive measures and not wait for the problem to escalate.

“Exit visas and a waiver of all necessary departure requirements must be requested now from the Syrian government,” Villarin said. Maricel V. Cruz

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From A1 pain and gasping for air. These are not the actions of a man. They are crimes of a monster instead.”

‘One-time shot’ Joseph Dunford, Washington’s top general, said the strikes hit targets near Damascus and in Homs province including a scientific research center, storage facilities and a command post.

Syrian surface-to-air missile batteries had attempted to fire back, but there were no initial reports of losses, he added.

Syrian state media said air defenses were activated to block the attack and published images of smoke clouds hanging over the capital.

At the rally in central Damascus, 48-year-old Nedher Hammoud claimed to have seen US missiles “being shot down like flies.”

“Let them do what they want, kill who they want... History will record that Syria shot down missiles—and not just missiles. It shot down American arrogance.”

Syria’s foreign ministry denounced the strikes as a “brutal, barbaric aggression” and suggested they were aimed at “hindering” the work of inspectors from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons due to start in Damascus later on Saturday.

The strikes were a marked escalation

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From A1 The entrapment stemmed from the complaint of an Egyptian national whose identity was withheld, who was allegedly arrested on April 9 for alleged violation of Republic Act 99165 (Illegal Drugs) by more or less 10 personnel.

Reports said the Egyptian national was apparently asked to pay P200,000 so he would not be charged.

However, for still unknown circumstances, the demand was later reduced

compared with a US strike following a chemical attack a year ago, when only cruise missiles were used against a single airfield.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said no additional strikes were planned.

“Right now this is a one-time shot,” he said.

Dunford said Russia’s forces in Syria had been warned through existing “deconfliction” channels that Western planes would be in Syrian air space, but Washington had not revealed the target sites or timing in advance.

‘Dark path’ Trump also warned Russia and Iran not to stand by their ally in Damascus.

“Russia must decide if it will continue down this dark path or if it will join with civilized nations as a force for stability and peace,” he argued.

Russia’s defense ministry said more than 100 cruise missiles and air-to-land missiles had been fired and that “a significant number” were shot down.

It said that none of the Western strikes in Syria had hit areas covered by Russia’s air defenses around its Hmeimim air base and naval facility in Tartus.

The strikes had been expected since harrowing footage surfaced of the aftermath of the attack in Douma, which prompted a furious reaction from Trump.

Trump’s anger was shared by France’s President Emmanuel Macron, who

signed his country up for a joint response.

“We cannot tolerate the normalization of the use of chemical weapons,” Macron said in a statement.

Defense Minister Florence Parly said France fired cruise missiles from frigates in the Mediterranean and deployed fighter jets from home bases as part of its strikes.

Britain’s defense ministry said that four British Tornado jets had fired Storm Shadow missiles at a base 25 kilometers west of Homs city.

“We cannot allow the use of chemical weapons to become normalized— within Syria, on the streets of the UK, or anywhere else in our world,” Prime Minister Theresa May said, referring to a recent assassination attempt on a Russian double agent.

In the days between the attack in Douma and the US-led response, Washington and Moscow clashed repeatedly in duelling statements and debates.

UN chief urges restraint Moscow denied Assad had any role in the alleged attack, pushing a variety of alternative theories that peaked with a claim that Britain staged the event.

At the United Nations, Russia’s diplomats vetoed a US motion to reestablish an international investigation into chemical weapons use in Syria that could have established blame.

Washington, Paris and London have

nevertheless insisted that their own secret intelligence points to Assad’s guilt, and on Friday, a US spokeswoman said they had “proof.”

The Western leaders apparently found this a convincing enough reason to launch a punitive strike, but other observers are concerned the crisis could escalate.

The Russian military had vowed to respond to any attack, and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s administration had repeatedly warned that Trump was taking America down a dangerous path.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday called for calm, delaying a planned trip to Saudi Arabia to deal with the aftermath of the military action.

“I urge all member states to show restraint in these dangerous circumstances and to avoid any acts that could escalate the situation and worsen the suffering of the Syrian people,” he said in a statement.

Iran also warned of the potential impact of the strikes on the volatile Middle East.

“The United States and its allies have no proof and, without even waiting for the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to take a position, have carried out this military attack,” the foreign ministry said.

They “are responsible for the regional consequences of this adventurist action.” AFP

to P50,000 of which a check was issued with the agreement that it would be replaced eventually by cash.

The CITF and NBI operatives immediately accosted the four police officers, now in NBI custody while facing appropriate criminal cases.

Last year, at least six policemen reportedly extorting money from merchants passing at a checkpoint in Digdig, Caranglan, Nueva Ecija were arrested by CITF operatives.

Outgoing PNP Chief Ronald dela Rosa had emphasized the police policy to weed out “rotten eggs” in the police organization.

During the stint of Dela Rosa, at least 398 policemen, 167 of them linked to drug-related offenses, were removed from the roster of PNP troops.

Records from the PNP Directorate for Personnel and Records Management showed the 398 policemen ordered dismissed were among the 1,614 personnel who were meted out disciplinary penalties for involvement in administrative cases covering the period January 2016 to February 2018.

Among those dismissed were 151 policemen found positive for drug use with 18 more enforcers linked to drugrelated activities.

Statistics also showed that offenses ranging from Absence Without Leave were meted out to 91 cops; 10 for kidnapping; 22 for murder; three for rape; six for homicide; two for parricide; and three for alleged arrest/detention.

The PNP also said 1,216 other personnel were meted out disciplinary actions in the same period ranging from demotion, suspension, reprimand, restriction, and salary forfeiture.

The DPRM also revealed they have investigated 14,515 administrative cases.

Of that number, 8,422 cases were resolved while 6,093 more administrative cases are still being resolved.

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FIVE BIFF TERRORISTS NABBED

By Francisco Tuyay

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OVERNMENT troops arrested five people and seized three firearms following a raid in a hideout of a commander of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters at the outskirts of Paglat town in Maguindanao at 5:30 a.m. on Friday.

The identities of the arrested suspects were temporarily withheld pending the outcome of the tactical interrogation against them.

Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, commander of the 33rd Infantry Battalion, said the operation was conducted by combined troops from the Philippine Army and police Special Action Force against the BIFF faction of Sindatok Dilna, also known as “Motolite,” an associate of Gani Saligan of the BIFF.

Cabunoc said troops from the 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion backed

by Armored Personnel Carrier positioned themselves near the suspected BIFF safe house in Tual Village.

Government forces from the 33rd IB and 4th SAF then raided the hideout of the suspects even as the military rained artillery fire to prevent the terrorists from escaping. Cabunoc said the suspects did not resist arrest after they were overwhelmed by government troopers.

“We handcuffed five suspects and interrogated them in the presence of local government officials who witnessed the operations,” he said.

After the assault, troops seized three firearms consisting of one cal. Armalite Assault Rifle and two M1911A1 Cal. 45 pistols.

Cabunoc said that aside from the terrorists, the hinterlands of Maguindanao are also being used as hiding places by private armies

identified with local politicians.

“We have been alerted by the intrusion of alleged members of ISIS-inspired jihadists who mixed with the local population especially with the political armed groups in the area. We will not allow them to dominate a particular terrain in my area of operation in order to protect the gains of our past security operations here,” Cabunoc said.

The Army is working closely with local authorities in convincing local residents to hand over loose firearms to demonstrate their support to President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to collect illegal weapons that proliferate in Mindanao.

Last week, the BIFF suffered another setback as 13 of its fighters were killed in a series of skirmishes with security forces in different areas in Maguindanao.

Four bandits also surrender in the following a relentless military campaign.

DU30 SET TO SIGN EO VS ‘ENDO’

By Vito Barcelo VARIOUS labor groups expect President Rodrigo Duterte to sign this week an Executive Order that sets the direct hiring of employees as the general norm in employment, a policy which would limit the hiring of workers under the contractualization scheme.

The Associated Labor UnionsTrade Union Congress of the Philippines said that under the EO, the government, workers and business groups through a formal tripartite process will identify what particular activities, jobs and functions are to be hired under the contractual system.

ALU-TUCP president Michael Mendoza said President Duterte received a 3-page copy of the EO drafted by labor last week after eight hours of deliberation with labor leaders from ALU-TUCP, Nagkaisa labor coalition, and the Kilusang Mayo Uno with Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III and other top officials of the Department of Labor and Employment.

“Once signed, the EO will undo decades of injustice to millions of contractualized workers and ‘endo’ (end-of-contract) employees enslaved in poverty by contractualization work schemes resulting in poor wages, inadequate social protection benefits, insecurity of tenure and unsafe and unhealthy workplaces, all this amid growing profit-taking by corporations and unprecedented economic growth,” Mendoza said.

The labor group leader also said regularizing workers is a simple matter of justice and fairness.

“The heart of this major policy shift is found on Section 2 of the draft EO which says, Prohibition Against Contracting or Subcontracting, stating that direct hiring of the employee by the principal employer shall be the general norm in employment relations,” he said.

MANILA International Airport Authority General Manager Eddie Monreal on Saturday warned the public against a syndicate engaged in the so-called “Package Deliver” scheme, using the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in the illegal activity.

Monreal made the warning following the arrest of a 34-year-old woman in an entrapment operation conducted by operatives of the MIAA-Airport Police Department based on the complaint lodged by a certain Shirley Campones.

Campones sought the help of the airport authorities after an unidentified person sent her a text message, asking her to bring 11,000 US dollars in exchange for a package sent to her by one Fred Mc Neil who befriended her through social media.

Prior to the text message, Campones said Mc Neil told her he was coming to Manila to bring packages but he is being held at the airport in

‘SPEED UP PROCESSING OF NEW TNCS’ AN ADMINISTRATION lawmaker on Saturday said the government should expedite the processing of applications of at least four transport network companies that plan to rival the ride-hailing services of Grab Philippines.

This, according to Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte, will encourage competition and prevent a monopolistic pricing scheme in the industry.

Villafuerte urged the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to work double time in introducing new TNCs in the market after Grab was reported as to have applied for a fare hike to help its driver-partners cope with the increase in fuel prices.

Grab announced as early as January this year, or long before it decided to merge its operations with Uber, for a 5 percent fare increase, citing at that time the impending impact of the hike in petroleum products following the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion’s enactment.

“In the future, even without the impact of a fuel price hike or any other aggravating factor, Grab may, on its own, come up with ways to raise its fares even without LTFRB approval leaving riders with no choice but to cope with such increases because it is the only ride-hailing service available in the market,” Villafuerte said.

Maricel V. Cruz

HOUSE MOVES TO DECLARE BSP AS AN NGO

ELECTION PERIOD. Aspiring Sangguniang Kabataan and barangay officials troop to Commission on Elections-NCR office at Arroceros Street in Manila to file their Certificate of Candidacy for the May 14 SK and Barangay polls. Meanwhile in Manila, members of the Police Station 8 in Palanca Street, located near the Comelec Office main office, stop motorists for inspection.

The Comelec has imposed a gun ban as the period of filing candidacies for barangay and SK polls start on Saturday, April 14.

Ey Acasio/Norman Cruz

SOLON WANTS NFA’S AQUINO TO RESIGN

By Maricel V. Cruz AN ADMINISTRATION lawmaker on Saturday joined the clamor for the resignation of National Food Authority Administrator Jason Aquino for his alleged failure to ensure a steady and secure rice supply for the Filipino people.

“The NFA’s Chief mandate is to ensure a steady and secure rice supply, which on the other hand provides food security to the nation. This also ensures stable rice prices,” Parañaque City Rep. Gus Tambunting said.

“If these mandates are not met, then it brings into question the effectivity of the leadership at NFA,” he added.

Tambunting also said the NFA management should be able to show that the failure to keep buffer stocks is not due to failure of its leadership.

“Failing that, then current management needs to step aside to al-

low more ready and qualified leaders to take the necessary action,” he said.

He also proposed a reward system “for those who can identify rice hoarders.. considering the scale of the problem.”

Opposition and Anakpawis Partylist Rep. Ariel Casilao also said Aquino should be sacked for failing to ensure affordable rice in the market which in effect pushed for more rice importation.

“Instead of listening to local farmers and consumers groups to buy more local palay, President Duterte listened to NFA admin Jason Aquino who obviously was one of those responsible why we are experiencing a crisis on affordable rice supplies,” Casilao, member of the Makabayan Bloc, said.

Casilao lamented the continuing rice importation of the Duterte administration to fill up shortage of affordable rice in the market.

“President Duterte’s order to NFA to import 250,000 metric

tons [MT] of rice smacks of insult to local rice farmers especially now they are harvesting their rice produce,” Casilao said. “At the same time, he told NFA admin Aquino to ignore the National Food Authority Council, the highest decision body of the NFA invalidating the collegial character of the agency,” he added.

Casilao said almost a week ago, the Grain Retailers Confederation of the Philippines revealed that NFA supplies were running out not only in National Capital Region markets but also in Naga, Zamboanga, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon.

In Eastern Visayas, there were reports that there’s no more affordable rice sold in the market. Other reports said that in Taytay Public Market, there were no more NFA rice in almost two weeks, while in Marikina Market, the cheapest rice sold was P37. Casilao said that P37 was beyond the reach of poor families.

PUBLIC WARNED VS ‘PACKAGE DELIVER’ SYNDICATE

By Joel E. Zurbano

A3

SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Turkey because Customs authorities there found several expensive jewelries in his bag.

The texter asked for a meet-up last Thursday at a restaurant at the departure level of Naia Terminal 1 saying that he/she already have the package from Mc Neil. Campones was advised to bring the money in exchange for the supposed package.

But Campones became doubtful and sought the help of APD personnel who set an entrapment operation.

Campones then met a woman named Miriam Kanoute, a resident of Makati City, who introduced herself as a friend of Mc Neil. The APD men then apprehended the suspect after Campones handed to her a white envelope containing the money.

Kanoute, who is now detained at the MIAA police headquarters, was charged with violation of Article 315 (Syndicated Swindling/Estafa) of the Revised Penal Code and violation of Republic Act 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012) before the Pasay

Monreal City Prosecutors Office.

Monreal commended his men for the swift action and asked the public to be aware of the scheme.

“I call on everyone to be careful with their dealings with people they do not know. It pays to be cautious in this regard. We advise the public to seek the help of police authorities in case of doubt,” said Monreal.

This is not the first time that the government warned the public against the existence of a syndicate using the social media such as Facebook and Tinder in their illegal activities.

The Bureau of Customs recently made a warning against a group of people befriending social media users and promised packages containing gifts and money they will be received in exchange for payment of supposedly customs duties and taxes.

The syndicate usually get in touch with prospective victims online via chat or dating websites. After several weeks or even months, the perpetrators would send a message to their victims through email, promising to send gifts ranging from luxury bags, jewelry, laptop computers and other electronic gadgets via international door-to-door parcel.

Victims would be sent a tracking number and invoice for the purported shipment.

THE House of Representatives’ committee on government enterprises and privatization has formed a technical working group that will consolidate four bills declaring the Boy Scouts of the Philippines as a nongovernment organization.

Up for consolidation are House Bills 2232, 3212, 5411 and 7000. The committee chaired by Rep. Jesus Nonato Sacdalan of Manila named Rep. Rene Relampagos of Bohol as TWG head.

The House bills recognize the BSP as an independent, voluntary and autonomous organization. They also aim to institute a new charter for the BSP. In filing HB 5411, AKO Bicol Partylist Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr., said the BSP’s independence shall help install a more concrete institution to make it more attuned to the changing times and the growing challenges in the society.

Rep. Strike Revilla, author of HB 2232, said the BSP may be more developed to achieve its goals in the guidance and moral, civic and social development of children and youth in this rapidly changing world.

Relampagos, main author of HB 7000, said his proposal reflects the inputs of the BSP especially on restructuring its powers, duties and functions as a non-government entity auxiliary to the Philippines. He likened it to the newly enacted charter of the Philippine Red Cross under Republic Act No. 10072.

Maricel V. Cruz

JAPAN’S JS AKIZUKI, PH NAVY TO HOLD ‘PASSING EXERCISE’ THE Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer, JS Akizuki (DD-115), will cap her three-day goodwill visit to the Philippines with a passing exercise with Philippine naval units on Monday.

This was confirmed by Philippine Navy spokesperson Capt. Lued Lincuna in an e-mail message Friday.

A Passex consists of sea drills done to ensure synchronization of communication and cooperation between the participating navies in combined naval operations.

The JS Akizuki docked at the Alava Wharf at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority in Olongapo City on Friday.

The destroyer and its 200 officers and enlisted personnel will leave on April 16.

Before docking at the Alava Wharf, the JS Akizuki was given a meeting point procedure off Morong, Bataan by BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS-35). JS Akizuki is commanded by Commander Kazunori Ishii.

Also aboard was Capt. Ryoko Azuma, JMSDF Escort Division One commander.

Azuma is the first female to command a JMSDF squadron, which includes the helicopter carrier, the JS Izumo (DDH183), which also visited the Philippines in June last year.

A4

Opinion

SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

SHAME IN SHAMING

DEFAULT SETTING T

HE free flow of information in this generation has made people’s lives easier. Now we can have instant knowledge of almost anything we want to know about any particular topic— from proceedings in congressional hearings to the operating hours of a store we wish to visit. We can reach out to friends or relatives anywhere in the world, whereas before we had to wait for their letters for weeks or pay a fortune just to hear their voice.

But like many other things that start out as good intentions, today’s easy exchange brings with it pitfalls.

Fake news—disinformation—easily comes to mind.

It’s something we are all too familiar with here in the Philippines, given many social media users’ propensity to share away story links. Sometimes they genuinely believe they are doing good by providing information to their circle of friends. Alas, they do not bother to check whether the sources are legitimate, whether the story serves a more sinister purpose, whether it is not from a few years ago, or whether the situation is even plausible at all.

And then of course, there are those who deliberately sow confusion or feed erroneous information to

ON APRIL 8, a man went on Facebook and posted a photo of himself (in T-shirt and shades) and a woman (in bikini) on board a yacht.

Accompanying the photo is the now-famous post which reads, in full: “After a long and thorough thought, I’ve decided that I’m 100% in favor of fat-shaming. I think the world would be a better place if all these weak minds that are captive to their bad food habits were constantly told to get off their f*cking couches and stop being little b*tches.

Nothing motivates people to get into shape like insecurity. Not vanity, not health, not personal records, not clinical narcissism—NOTHING. Also, painstakingly sick of 2018 political correctness and all this ‘I’m offended’ bullsh*t. And, come on. The internet has provided us with a seemingly endless array of tried-and-tested diets and literally thousands of different kinds of exercises. With all this data at your fingertips, choosing to not even try is tantamount to obscene levels of laziness and/ or stupidity.

You got one body. Take care of it.”

others for their own ends.

It’s only a small comfort that the problem is not unique to Internet users in the Philippines.

To help address this, social media company Facebook has partnered with the International Fact-Checking Network to check the accuracy of news stories shared in the Facebook platform. Two Philippine news organizations, Rappler and Vera Files, have been certified by the network.

It’s tough work, really, not being able to take everything that appears on the news as fact. The essence of news, after all, is its truth, such that fake news is deemed an oxymoron by many.

But these are the times in which we live right now and these irresponsible information consumption habits have already been formed.

Fact-checking initiatives are always commendable, if the credibility of the organizations undertaking them is not assailed by those they are trying to check in the first place. Still, before we rely on the efforts of fact-checkers, people need to change how they accept what presents itself as news.

It’s a sad turn of event, but every reader, viewer, listener or social media user of any age must adapt a critical mindset. Not everything presented to them is accurate, and they must accept information only from trusted sources. These are dangerous times—especially when some government officials themselves are the source of misleading information.

What do you do with people who lift themselves by putting others down?

Social media users are angry, and quite predictably so. Who is this fellow, after all, who thinks he is entitled to shame fat people and characterize them as lazy idiots?

The man likely knew that his message was going to attract attention and fan a wide range of emotions. He posted his choice words anyway—this can only mean he feels so strongly about fat people (we wonder—did he have a bad experience with them, or was he himself once fat?), or that he really does not care what anybody thought of him.

What is enraging is the way he characterizes fat people as having unhealthy eating habits or refusing to get off the couch. What about those who have had weight struggles all their lives? Or those who have medical conditions?

Perhaps some who are not happy with their current weight or shape may have at the very least doubted themselves as well—but that is their own personal struggle, something a smug, arrogant stranger has no business inviting himself to.

The man also forgets that plenty of fat people simply do not care, likely because they have better things to be preoccupied about: improving their skills, widening their knowledge, taking care of loved ones, helping other people—and yes, respecting others however they may look like or whatever their beliefs might be.

The truth is, the perfect shape is a construct fed to us over generations.

We are told that one must be skinny, Turn to A5

JOY ROJAS’ 2ND SOLO SHOW TODAY ABSTRACT artist Joy Rojas’ second solo show ‘Material Maker’ opens today at the Pinto Art Museum, Antipolo.

A lawyer by profession and a member of the Saturday Group of Artists, Rojas explores textures, dimensions, and colors, particularly metallic, in his works. A number of the paintings in this show are named after Philippine racehorses (Rojas is

a longtime horseowner) and convey equine attributes such as speed, movement, and grace. Other works reference travel and other pursuits that Rojas enjoys.

I saw several of these works in Rojas’ studio when they were drying, and I was struck by the intensity of the colors and the thickness and tactile aspect of the textures. ‘Yin Yang 2’ with its cinnabar red background and gold touches reminds me of Hong Kong. ‘Confetti 2’ has a pleasing blue

and lavender background interrupted by gouts of red, pink, black, and burgundy paint; the background is heavily textured, almost like a stuccoed wall.

The horseracing reference is strong in ‘8 Times Lucky 2’ and ‘8 Times Lucky 3,’ similar works in different colorways.

They are mixed media works that combine eight mounted horseshoes with painted panels. The shoes are actual Victory horseracing plates and are different from those used in other

equine sports.

There are 28 paintings in the show’s catalog and all of them are interesting.

Rojas’ shows are always sold out so if you want one or more of his works, do go to the show early. ‘Material Maker’ runs until April 30. *** The National Book Development Board is staging the 9th Philippine International Literary Festival from April 19-20 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Dubbed ‘(Author)ities,’ the event features lectures and fora, a book fair, workshops, film screenings, and tabletop gaming stations, among other activities.

The opening remarks will be given

by NBDB Chairperson Flor Marie Sta. Romana-Cruz, welcome remarks

by CCP Vice President and Artistic Director Chris Millado, and the keynote interviewee will be multiawarded scriptwriter Ricky Lee. Turn to A5

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Opinion ‘POKER FACE’ STRIPPED AWAY

BY NEW-AGE TECH

VANCOUVER—Dolby Laboratories chief scientist Poppy Crum tells of a fastcoming time when technology will see right through people no matter how hard they try to hide their feelings.

Sensors combined with artificial intelligence can reveal whether someone is lying, infatuated, or poised for violence, Crum detailed at a big ideas TED Conference.

“It is the end of the poker face,” Crum said.

“We broadcast our emotions. We will know more about each other than we ever have.”

Eye dilation reveals how hard a brain is working, and heat radiating from the skin signals whether we are stressed or even romantically piqued.

The amount of carbon dioxide exhaled can signal how riled up someone, or a crowd, is getting. Micro-expressions and chemicals in breath reveal feelings.

The timing of someone’s speech can expose whether they are at risk of dementia, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, or bipolar disorder, according to the neuroscientist.

Brain waves can indicate whether someone’s attention is elsewhere in a room, regardless of the fact their gaze is locked on the person in front of them.

Technology exists to read such cues and, combined with artificial intelligence that can analyze patterns and factor in context, can magnify empathy if used for good or lead to abuses if used to oppress or manipulate, said Crum.

“It is really scary on one level, but on another level it is really powerful,” Crum said.

“We can bridge the emotional divide.”

She gave examples of a high school counselor being able to tell whether a seemingly cheery student is having a hard time, or police quickly knowing if someone acting bizarrely has a health condition or is criminally violent.

One could skip scanning profiles on dating apps and, instead, scan people for genuine interest.

Artists would be able to see the emotional reactions people have to their creations.

“I realize a lot of people are having a hard time with people sharing our data, or knowing something we didn’t want to share,” Crum said.

“I am not looking to create a world where our inner lives are ripped open, but I am looking to create a world where we can care about each other more effectively.”

With emotion-reading rooms, smart speakers, or accessories on their way, Crum is keen to see rules in place to make sure benefits are equally available to all while malicious uses are prevented.

“It is something people need to realize is here and is going to happen; so let’s make it happen in a way we have control over,” Crum told AFP. “We will be able to know more about each other than we ever have. Let’s use that for the right reasons rather than the wrong ones.” AFP

SHAME...

From A4

or fair, or tall, or curvy in order to be considered attractive. The campaign has succeeded so much it has caused too many people to have low selfesteem or spend unnecessary time, money and emotion trying to look perfect. Numerous businesses have profited from the insecurity they have created.

Sure, we should all aim to be “the best version of ourselves.”

Certainly, being able to wear the clothes we want to wear and feeling confident about how we look sounds like fun, but it should in no way be confused with selfactualization. The best argument for being in good shape is to take care of our health so that we can do the things we want to do and be around for the people we love for as long as we can.

Still, in the end, the yacht fellow is perfectly within his rights to express what he feels about others. The good news is that we still live in a democracy.

The better news is, we are also be perfectly within our rights to reject what he says.

If there is anything anyone should shed, it is bigotry—against people of certain faiths, of a certain body mass index, of a certain sexual preference, and yes, against bigots themselves who think they are better than the rest of us.

We’ve got one mind. Let’s keep it open. In these precarious times, the last thing we need is unnecessary hatred and resentment. adellechua@gmail.com

EVERYMAN

SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 2018

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

KOMEDIA, FOCUS OF MANY TOWN FIESTAS IN NORTHERN PHILIPPINES, ON THE WANE

By Honor Blanco Cabie PINILI, Ilocos Norte—Komedia, for scores the high point of many town fiestas in Northern Philippines, has lost its sound and colors with the last sound of the wind instruments accompanying the staged battle between the brightly robed notch performers.

Komedia had been undoubtedly the greatest and most popular theater during the last 100 years—1798-1898—of the Spanish rule, which began in 1521.

That was the year Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan discovered the islands— later to be called Las Islas Filipinas in honor of King Philip II—for Europe, 141 years after an Arab sheikh established the first Muslim mosque in the country’s far southern island of Simunul in the province of Tawi-Tawi.

Also known among Ilocanos as the Moro-moro, a common Spanish identification for Muslim, the stage drama had reference to Moors who once invaded Spain.

Abruptly interrupted during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines in the 1940s, komedia resurfaced in the 1950s and used to be staged at the center of each largely agricultural town.

Hundreds, even thousands, trooped to the improvised theater soon before sundown so they would not miss a line from the performers from the time the curtains were raised.

There they waited for the stage prompter and his performing artists, all garbed in colorful costumes.

Near the performance site, the well-heeled and better-dressed members of the town’s social class,

many returning students from the metropolis, attend formal programs at the amphitheater or open air auditorium.

For three or four nights in those bubble gum years, young Ilocanos—and surprisingly even adults and those in their senior years—enjoyed listening to the stories that usually revolved around tales of love and conquest between Christians and Muslims during the medieval period in Europe.

The ear of listeners in those years could compete with the tympanic membrane of today’s patrons of telenovelas, mostly imported from overseas.

For nights on end during the town fiesta, the “Muslims” at the performance site were always beaten and ended up embracing the Christian faith.

Unlike in better off towns of the archipelago, the duels between the two sides were not choreographed.

But the lighting—from a 350-candle power Coleman or Petromax gas lamps at the time—was sufficient to sustain the enthusiasm and energy of the crowd who preferred the theater to the plaza or the ferris wheels nearby.

The dialogues—thanks to the indefatigable prompter who hid very discreetly behind the plywood wall near the hat wearing-musicians— were delivered in rhyming verses.

That, while the participants leisurely strutted across the elevated stage as though digging their brains for an appropriate line of response.

It is not clear when the first komedia was staged in the different towns of northern Philippines.

Debate has been going on as regards the first such performance in the country.

But many historians agreed that the first komedia script was written by Jesuit Geronimo Perez which was staged in Manila on July 15, 1637.

It was obviously ushered in to mark the triumphant campaigns of Sebastian Hurtado de Corcuera against Muhammad Dipatuan Kudarat, better known as Sultan Kudarat, who ruled the sultanate of Maguindanao from 1619 to 1671.

At the time of his death in 1671, he was, by historical accounts, probably between 80 and 90 years old.

Earlier in 1598, or 77 years after the arrival of Magellan and his fleet, Jesuit students performed komedia in Cebu, now described in picture cards as the Queen City of the South.

While the debate breathes every now and then on the exact place where the komedia was first staged, which is beyond the ear-split range of the Ilocanos of the country’s far north, what is clear is that the komedia was for decades a favorite show among different generations.

It used to mark religious festivals or cap an agroindustrial fair and town fiesta. Ilocanos celebrated their fiesta in April or May in honor of their patron saint San Isidro Labrador.

It is enough to soften the impact of the scorching summer sun in any northern town, caressed by the warm sun of northern Philippines during summer.

HBC, who teaches management of communication development and journalism subjects in the undergraduate and graduate levels, is president of the alumni association of the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication.

DARK SIDE OF PLAY FOR SOUTH KOREA’S FEMALE GAME MAKERS

By Jung Hawon WHEN US video-game maker Riot Games held a highly anticipated League of Legends championship match in South Korea last year, about half the spectators in the packed arena were women.

Waving glow sticks and handmade banners to support a top player called “Faker,” more than a thousand young women—some of them dressed as characters from the game—erupted in celebration when the 21-year-old and his team sealed a 3-0 victory.

While the pastime is traditionally seen as the preserve of young men, the number of female gamers in hyper-wired South Korea has grown rapidly in recent years.

But the South’s $4.2-billion gaming industry has been hit by allegations of sexism and censorship targeting female gamemakers, likened by some to a modern-day witch-hunt.

South Korea is the world’s sixth-biggest video game market, boasting 25 million players— half the population—and multiple TV channels dedicated to broadcasting eSports competitions.

About 65 percent of South Korean women aged 10 to 65 play video games, according to state data, compared to 75 percent of men, and mobile games attract more female players than male.

Women now account for 42 percent of all gamers in the country, according to industry tracker Newzoo.

But female gamemakers account for less than a quarter of the male-dominated industry.

Despite its technological and economic advances, South Korea remains a patriarchal society in many respects, and behind the facade of the global game powerhouse lies a heavily male-oriented culture.

‘Anti-social ideology’ The latest row began when the CEO of Seoul-based IMC Games launched a probe into whether a female employee harbored “antisocial ideology” after complaints about her personal activity on Twitter.

Sung Hye-jin had followed several feminist groups and retweeted a post featuring a slang term describing sexist men.

Some of the industry’s key clientele of young, male gamers demanded her sacking, calling her a “cancer-like creature” who “followed a dirty ideology.”

Sung apologized for the perceived offense, vowing to unfollow the groups in question.

“I am so sorry that my reckless behavior caused such problems,” she wrote on Twitter.

She kept her job after CEO Kim Hak-kyu decided her actions were “just a mistake but not a crime,” but he assured customers he would “remain

JOY...

From A4 Gaming enthusiasts should check out the tabletop game demos and a talk on ‘Book to Game Adaptations’ led by Game Developers Association of the Philippines’ Ria Lu, Alvin Juban, and Shelly Kero. I’ve noticed the resurgence of the ‘80s tabletop roleplaying game Dungeons and Dragons among young adults recently, and those looking to learn more about D&D might find something interesting at the litfest.

This picture taken on April 9, 2018 shows a man walking past a billboard advertising a mobile game at a subway station in Seoul. AFP

endlessly vigilant” to prevent a recurrence.

Rights groups and the country’s top labor union have condemned the investigation.

“This misogynistic action... has left many women in shock and fear,” the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions said in a statement.

The KCTU accused Kim and many games firms of “thought policing” women workers.

Kim has since apologized in turn for his actions as the row spirals.

Boycott threats The global game industry has been dogged by criticism over its treatment of women in both games and real life—encapsulated in the socalled “gamergate” controversy in the US in 2014.

Critics of the way women were depicted in games received death and rape threats, prompting calls to reform the industry’s chauvinistic culture.

South Korea’s own game sector has a history of sacking women labeled as supporters of Megalia, a controversial online feminist group accused by many gamers of ridiculing men.

In 2016, top gaming company Nexon gave in to pressure from users to sack a voice actress after she posted a photo of herself wearing a T-shirt sold by the group emblazoned: “Girls do not need a prince.”

Another major developer, Smilegate, promised last month to remove images by female illustrators accused by gamers of being linked to

There will also be storytelling and spoken word poetry workshops.

The latter format has become more popular recently with the efforts of millenials poets such as Juan Miguel Severo. For comics enthusiasts, there will be a panel discussion on ‘Navigating the Power of Narrative in Comics,’ with Elbert Or as speaker.

For writers looking to get published, there will be talks about that, too, including ‘Finding Agents and Landing Book Deals in U.S. Traditional Publishing,’ with Rin Chupeco among

the group for writing or retweeting posts about women’s rights issues.

Many gamers monitor female developers to check whether any of their tweets, retweets or likes involve feminism, and file complaints to their employers with boycott threats, multiple industry sources told AFP. All of them refused to be named, fearful of consequences for their careers or a backlash against their employers.

“These gamers relentlessly attack whoever posts anything slightly related to women’s rights issues, and label the person a Megalia supporter who should be sacked immediately,” said one senior manager at an online game firm.

“Game sales could go down very quickly if we don’t cave in,” she added, saying many firms in the ultra-competitive industry end up removing accused staff.

The female CEO of one gaming company said that Nexon’s move in 2016 had emboldened and convinced many gamers that they had a “right to witch-hunt” female developers.

Many workers now take extra caution on social media and avoid posting “anything remotely related to women’s rights issues,” she said.

“It’s common sense that one should not be punished at the workplace for personal beliefs that have nothing to do with work,” said the CEO. “But that common sense is not accepted at all in this industry right now, especially for women.”

AFP

the speakers.

There are more panels, too many to list here, and all quite interesting. Visit booksphilippines.gov.ph for the full program of activities of the litfest. *** To all writers, April 30 deadline reminders: The University of the Philippines Institute of Creative Writing is accepting submissions for the 12th issue of ‘Likhaan: The Journal of Contemporary Philippine Literature.’ Send short stories, poetry, essays/creative non-fiction, critical/ scholarly essays, and excerpts from

graphic novels. All works must be original and unpublished. For more details, check panitikan.ph and email: likhaan.journal12@gmail.com.

Also, isn’t it time for submissions for this year’s Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature? The end of the month is only two weeks away, but I haven’t seen any updates from the sponsor. Nevertheless, be prepared to submit by April 30 as usual.

Dr. Ortuoste is a writer and communication consultant. FB and Twitter: @DrJennyO

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

World

Manila

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A6

TODAYAPRIL 15, 2018 SUNDAY, mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EGYPT EXTENDS EMERGENCY STATE FOR 4TH TIME EGYPT—Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah alSisi extended for three months from Saturday a state of emergency for the fourth time since it was first declared last year, the official gazette said.

A nationwide state of emergency was first imposed in April last year after two church bombings claimed by the Islamic State group killed at least 45 people, and was renewed in July, in October and in January.

“The armed forces and the police will take the necessary measures to confront the dangers of terrorism, its financing, and preserving security across the country,” the official gazette said.

It cited a decree issued by Sisi stating that the renewed three-month state of emergency would take effect from 1:00 am on Saturday (2300 GMT Friday).

The emergency law expands police powers of arrest, surveillance and seizures and can limit freedom of movement.

Under Egypt’s constitution, the threemonth state of emergency can only be renewed once, but the president can subsequently reinstate it.

Prime Minister Sherif Ismail also extended an overnight curfew in parts of North Sinai, where IS’s Egypt affiliate is based, according to another decree published Saturday by the official gazette. AFP

EU SENSES SHIFT IN PRIVACY TIDE IN ITS FAVOR

S

Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor / Jimbo Gulle, Issue Editor

MACRON, MAY ORDER FIRST MAJOR STRIKES

hortly after coming to power last year, Emmanuel Macron mused to a friend about the role of president.

“You go through stages,” he said.

“Innocence is not allowed.”

On Friday night, like British leader Theresa May, he ordered his first major military intervention.

Overnight, French and British aircraft took part in a wave of strikes against Bashar al-Assad’s Syrian regime in response to alleged chemical weapons attacks.

Though already active in a US-led coalition combating the Islamic State group in the region, the strikes against Assad represented a major escalation for French and British forces.

Macron, who faces a battle with trade unions at home over rail reforms, was widely seen as facing the sternest test yet of his foreign policy and commander-in-chief mettle.

“We cannot tolerate the normalization of the use of chemical weapons,” he said in a statement on Saturday morning, adding that “the facts and the responsibility of the Syrian regime are not in doubt.”

Around the same time as he was musing about power to his friend Philippe Besson after his election victory last May, Macron also laid out a clear policy on using military force in Syria.

In the same month, with Russian leader Vladimir Putin at his side, Macron said that further use of chemical weapons in Syria would be a “red line” that would trigger a response.

Having said on Thursday that he had “proof” that Assad was responsible -- which is denied by the regime -- analysts saw Macron as having no choice but to go ahead with strikes.

“When you fix red lines, if you don’t know how to make sure they are respected, you’re choosing to be weak,” Macron himself told The Guardian last June. “That’s not my choice.”

Many French officials still bristle as they recall how former US president Barack Obama had set a red line too over the use of chemical weapons, only to pull back at the last minute in 2013.

“The red line set by France in May 2017 has been crossed,” Macron said in his statement on Saturday morning.

He and his office published photos on Twitter showing him chairing a defense meeting at the presidential palace, as well as a video of Rafale fighter jets taking off.

For British leader May, whose time in office

has been consumed by the process of taking her country out of the European Union, the Syria crisis represented a new headache.

British involvement in military interventions abroad is controversial in a country still haunted by its role in the US-led invasion of Iraq.

Opposition politicians including the head of the Labour party Jeremy Corbyn and some Conservative colleagues of May called for a parliamentary vote before any British involvement.

British lawmakers voted down taking military action against Damascus in 2013, in what was widely viewed as an assertion of parliamentary sovereignty on the use of force.

But in her statement on Saturday morning, May said there was “no practicable alternative to the use of force to degrade and deter the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime.”

“This is not about intervening in a civil war. It is not about regime change,” she added.

“It is about a limited and targeted strike that does not further escalate tensions in the region and that does everything possible to prevent civilian casualties,” she said.

A YouGov poll in The Times conducted this week found that 43 percent of voters oppose strikes in Syria, with 34 percent unsure and only 22 percent supportive. AFP

BELGIUM—Sensing the Facebook scandal has shifted the transatlantic winds, the European Union is asserting itself as a forward-looking regulator rather than a retrograde bulwark against Silicon Valley’s innovative might.

After years of mounting concern, the European Union will introduce tough new data protection rules next month, which Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg himself has welcomed in the face of the latest scandals.

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which comes into force on May 25, gives web users much greater control over how their personal information is stored and used, with big fines for companies that break the rules.

“I was really desperate about thinking how to make the best possible campaign for GDPR so now this is well done, so thank you Mr. Zuckerberg,” the EU’s justice and consumer affairs commissioner Vera Jourova told reporters in Brussels this week.

“His declaration that they want to expand our European rules globally, it’s only good news, it sounds very nice to me.”

The GDPR is not the only EU action that has triggered accusations of protectionism against the new digital economy. It has also drawn fire over its massive antitrust fines against Google and Apple as well as plans to tax internet giants. AFP Republic of the Philippines Office of the President

PHILIPPINE DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE

PDEA Bldg., NIA Northside Road, National Government Center, Barangay Pinyahan Quezon City 1100, Philippines www.pdea.gov.ph

INVITATION TO BID SUPPLY AND DELIVERY OF ONE (1) LOT EIGHTY FIVE (85) TRAINED NARCOTIC DETECTION DOGS (CANINE) Bid Ref. No. 2018-18-1 1. ThePhilippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), thru its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), intends to apply the sum of FORTY TWO MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (P42,500,000.00) through General Appropriations Act (GAA) for CY 2018 being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the SUPPLY AND DELIVERY OF ONE (1) LOT EIGHTY FIVE (85) TRAINED NARCOTIC DETECTION DOGS (CANINE). Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected during bid opening.

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The PDEA - BAC now invites bids for the SUPPLY AND DELIVERY OF ONE (1) LOT EIGHTY FIVE (85) TRAINED NARCOTIC DETECTION DOGS (CANINE). Delivery of the goods is 15 calendar days upon receipt of Notice to Proceed. Bidders should have completed, within three (3) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

3.

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

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

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below during office hours (8:00 am to 5:00pm).

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on April 13, 2018 from the address given below and upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of TwentyFiveThousand Pesos (Php 25,000.00).

The Invitation to Bid and Checklist of Requirements may be downloaded from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and PDEA Website at www.pdea.gov.ph, provided that Bidders shall pay the applicable nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

The PDEA-BAC will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on April 18, 2018,10:00 AM at PDEA ODDGA Conference Room, NIA Northside Road, National Government Center, Quezon City, 1100 which shall be open to prospective bidders.

Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before April 30, 2018, 10:00 AM. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

Bid opening shall be April 30, 2018, 10:00 AM at PDEA ODDGA Conference Room, NIA Northside Road, National Government Center, Pinyahan, Quezon City, 1100. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

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Interested bidders may obtain further information from the BAC Secretariat Mr.Armando B. Macalalag Jr. at the PDEA Compound, NIA Northside Road, National Government Center, Quezon City from 08:00 AM to 04:00 PM only, Mondays to Fridays starting April 13, 2018at Tel No. (632)920-8082. However, any queries relative to the contents of the bid documents and the project requirements can only be made by bidders who purchased the bid documents not later than Ten (10) days prior to the Submission and Opening of Bids.

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

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10. For further information, please refer to: Mr. Armando B. Macalalag Jr. PDEA-Logistics Management Service PDEA Compound, NIA Northside Road, National Government Center, Quezon City Tel No. (632)920-8082

ROME’S BAD ROADS. A motorcyclist rides over potholes on a road along the Colosseum in downtown Rome on Thursday. Rome’s roads problems have been existing for years due to structural failures, as the city’s basement is historically riddled with natural cavities. As a result, potholes range from a few centimeters deep to several meters that severely disrupt traffic and sometimes cause spectacular car accidents. AFP

S. AFRICA LAYS TO REST ‘MAMA’WINNIE MANDELA Republic of the Philippines Office of the President

SOWETO, SOUTH AFRICA—South Africa will lay to rest anti-apartheid icon Winnie Mandela, Nelson Mandela’s former wife, with full state honors at a stadium funeral in Soweto on Saturday.

The ceremony will conclude 10 days of national mourning during which time thousands of South Africans have paid tribute to the “Mother of the Nation” at her Soweto home and elsewhere.

Winnie Mandela, who died in Johannesburg aged 81 on April 2 after a long illness, has been celebrated for helping keep Nelson Mandela’s dream of a non-racial South Africa alive while he was behind bars for 27 years.

On the eve of the funeral, Winnie Mandela’s body was transferred from a funeral parlor to

PHILIPPINE DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE

PDEA Bldg., NIA Northside Road, National Government Center, Barangay Pinyahan lie in state at her Soweto home. lead the mourners Quezon City 1100, Philippines www.pdea.gov.ph at a pre-burial service to INVITATION TO BID 37,000-capacity Orlando Hundreds of people lined the township’s be held in Soweto’s SUPPLY AND ONE (1) LOT EIGHTY FIVE (85) TRAINED NARCOTIC streets as a black hearse carrying herDELIVERY body OF stadium.

DETECTION DOGS (CANINE) slowly drove to her house led by uniformed American civil rights activist Jesse Jackson Bid Ref. No. 2018-18-1 men bearing the flag of Mandela’s African Nais expected to attend, asBids areand the presidents of 1. ThePhilippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), thru its Awards Committee (BAC), intends to applyNamibia the sum and of FORTY TWO MILLION FIVE HUNDRED tional Congress (ANC). the Republic of Congo.

THOUSAND PESOS (P42,500,000.00) through General Appropriations Act (GAA) for CY with 2018 being the Approved Budget for thethe Contract (ABC)ofto South paymentsAfrica, under ” The casket was also draped an ANC “She is truly mother the contract for the SUPPLY AND DELIVERY OF ONE (1) LOT EIGHTY FIVE (85) flag.

Jackson told journalists on Friday.

TRAINED NARCOTIC DETECTION DOGS (CANINE). Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected during bid opening.

Gloria Mabasa, 40, had a portrait of Winnie The township of Soweto is hugely symbolic 2.

The PDEA BAC now bids for the SUPPLY DELIVERY a OFcauldron ONE (1) LOT Mandela stamped on one cheek and- wore a invites in South Africa asAND it became of EIGHTY FIVE (85) TRAINED NARCOTIC DETECTION DOGS (CANINE). Delivery of headscarf with the ANC’s signature resistance rule the goods is green, 15 calendarblack days upon receipt ofagainst Notice to white Proceed.minority Bidders should completed, within three (3) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, gold and black colors as she have hersimilar last torewhich ended with elections in 1994. apaid contract the Project.

The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders. became the spects. AFP Winnie Mandela’s husband “In a way we feel orphaned but their legacy rst black of democratic South Af3. Bidding will be conductedfithrough openpresident competitive bidding procedures using a noncriterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules lives on,” said the gym workerdiscretionary who had“pass/fail” taken rica, but she9184, refused toknown follow many other and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) otherwise as the “Government Procurement time off to visit Winnie Mandela’s home.Act.” struggle-era politicians who moved from Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/solelike proprietorships, partnerships, organizations South Africa’s new President Cyril Ramatownships Soweto to formerlyorwhite-only with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens phosa, who took office two months ago, will suburbs after the ofend of apartheid.

AFP of of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations a country the laws or regulations

OSCAR-WINNING ‘CUCKOO’ DIRECTOR FORMAN DIES AT 86 One Burgundy Plaza Condominium Association, Inc. U3, One Burgundy Plaza Condominium 307 Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights 1108, Quezon City, Philippines Telephone: 426-2003 Telefax: 426-2003

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING AND ELECTION OF BOARD MEMBERS AND OFFICERS DATE : May 12, 2018 TIME : Saturday, 5:00 pm VENUE : Conference Room, 4F One Burgundy Plaza Condominium #307 Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights, Quezon City AGENDA I. Call to Order II. Proof of Due Notice of Meeting III. Determination of Quorum IV. Reading and Approval of the Minutes of the last Special Meeting and Election of Board Members and Officers held on December 2, 2017 V. President’s Report VI. Treasurer’s Report VII. Developer Issues VIII. Election of Board Members and Officers for 2018-2019 IX. Other Matters X. Adjournment Attested by:

(Sgd) JESUS A FAJARDO, MMOAS Deputy Director General for Administration Chairman, Bids and Awards Committee (MS-APR. 15, 2018)

EDGAR ROSENDO DELA CRUZ, MD Corporate Secretary (MS-APR. 15, 2018))

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which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below during office hours (8:00 am to 5:00pm).

5. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on April 13, 2018 from the address given below and upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of TwentyFiveThousand Pesos (Php 25,000.00).

CZECH REPUBLIC—Oscar-winShortly before the 1968 Invitation to Bid and Checklist of Requirements may be downloaded from the website ningThe Czech-born fi lm director Soviet-led occupation of of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and PDEA Website at www.pdea.gov.ph, provided that Bidders shall pay the applicable Milos Forman, known for “One Czechoslovakia, which putnonan refundable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” end to a liberal period known 6. The PDEA-BAC will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on April 18, 2018,10:00 AM at PDEA Conference NIAaged Northside as Road, National Government Center, Quezon and ODDGA “Amadeus, ” hasRoom, died the Prague Spring, Forman City, 1100 which shall be open to prospective bidders.

4.

86, Czech media said on Satur- moved to the United States 7. Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before day. via France.

April 30, 2018, 10:00 AM. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms agency and in the amount stated in ITB 18.

The CTK news quoted HisClause career overseas started his wife Martina asApril saying Forwith “Taking ” in 1971, folBid opening shall be 30, 2018, 10:00 AM at PDEA ODDGAOff Conference Room, NIA Road, National Government Center, Pinyahan, Quezon City, 1100. Bids will man,Northside who lived in the United lowed by “One Flew Over the be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address Late bids shall be accepted.

States, diedbelow. suddenly on not Friday Cuckoo’s Nest” four years later, after a shortbidders illness. which Forman his first 8. Interested may obtain further information frombrought the BAC Secretariat Mr.Armando Macalalag Jr. at the PDEA Compound, NIA Northside Road, National Government “HeB. passed away quietly, surOscar for the best director.

Center, Quezon City from 08:00 AM to 04:00 PM only, Mondays to Fridays starting April 13, No. (632)920-8082. queries relative the contents rounded by2018at his Tel family and his However, He any returned to to still-Comof the bid documents and the project requirements can only be made by bidders who closest people, ” she said. not later thanmunist Prague to fiand lm purchased the bid documents Ten (10) days prior to in the 1983 Submission Opening of Bids.

Born in the town of Caslav “Amadeus,” which earned him 9. PDEA reserves the to reject any18, and alla bids, declare aOscar, failure ofand bidding, or not award east of Prague onright February second which won the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 its IRR, without any liability to the or bidders.

1932,andForman lost thereby both incurring parents eight outaffected of 11bidder nominations. in10.Nazi camps.

Forman’s other films include For concentration further information, please refer to: In Mr. the 1960s, he joined the “Hair” (1979), “Ragtime” (1981), Armando B. Macalalag Jr. Management Service NewPDEA-Logistics Wave of filmmakers stand- “Valmont” (1989) and “The PeoPDEA Compound, NIA Northside Road, ing up against the Center, Communist National Government Quezon City ple vs. Larry Flynt” (1996), which Tel No. (632)920-8082 regime in former Czechoslo- handed him another best direcJESUS A FAJARDO, MMOAS vakia, making himself famous tor(Sgd) Oscar nomination, as well as Deputy Director General for Administration with “Black Peter,” “Loves of a “Man on Bids theand Moon” and Chairman, Awards(1999) Committee Blonde” and “The Firemen’s Ball.” “Goya’s Ghosts” (2006). AFP (MS-APR. 15, 2018)

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Sports

Manila

Standard

TODAY

NBA TEAMS DELIBERATELY TRYING TO LOSE GAMES HIT L

OS ANGELES—Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy believes NBA risks being tarnished by teams setting out to lose deliberately in order to boost their chances of building a stronger roster through the draft.

As the Pistons missed out on the playoffs for a second year running after finishing ninth in the Eastern Conference, Van Gundy took aim at in-form Philadelphia, who finished third in the standings.

The 76ers swept into the playoffs with a 16th straight victory on Wednesday, capping a 52-win regular season just two years after posting 10 victories against 72 defeats in the 2015-2016 season.

Van Gundy said the strategy of the 76ers’ and other teams who have been accused of “tanking” this season were a threat to the integrity of the league.

“We have about 10 teams that have gone out of their way to try to ensure they have a better chance to lose,”Van Gundy told the Chicago Tribune. “To me, the essence of sports is two teams playing against each other trying to win.

“Even in Philly’s years, I don’t think the players and coaches (were) out there tanking. It’s who they decide to put on the court and build (the) roster.

“But when you have a third of the league trying to lose games, I don’t think that’s good for our product at all. To me, it’s a lack of integrity in your league and lack of respect for your fans.

“Philadelphia is good and everyone is praising the process, how great it was, but the process is based on being as bad as you can be, historically bad for as long as you can. If that’s the process and the accepted way to build a team in the NBA, then something needs to change.”

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver re-

Head coach Stan Van Gundy of the Detroit Pistons talks to Ish Smith while playing the Toronto Raptors. “We have about 10 teams that have gone out of their way

to try to ensure they have a better chance to lose. To me, the essence of sports is two teams playing against each other trying to win,” said Van Gundy. AFP

portedly sent a memo to the league’s 30 clubs in February warning them that any side suspected of throwing games would receive the “harshest response possible.”

Teams at the foot of the NBA are often suspected of tanking in order to improve their chances of being given a favorable pick in the following season’s draft.

Several teams have come under suspicion this season, in what is the last year

before the NBA reforms its rules over how draft picks are allocated.

It has also coincided with a 2018 draft class which is expected to feature several potential elite talents.

“We have to find a way (to make sure) there is absolutely zero incentive to lose,” Van Gundy said. “I don’t know the best way to do that. But as long as there is incentive, some people will choose to go that route.” AFP

ARCILLA, PATROMBON STAY ON TRACK FOR POSSIBLE NET CLASH JOHNNY Arcilla and Jeson Patrombon toppled their respective rivals in straight-set fashions to roll into the semifinal round and stay on track for a title face-off in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala Brookside Hills Open Tennis Championships at the Brookside Hills Tennis Club in Cainta, Rizal yesterday.

The top-seeded Arcilla, 38, kept his run of lopsided results with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Rodolfo Barquin to arrange a Final Four showdown with third ranked Vicente Anasta, who held off Dheo Talatayod, 6-3, 6-4, in their quarters duel.

Arcilla earlier disposed of Renest Sonsona, 6-2, 6-2, then eased past Chat Conta, 6-1, 6-0, while Anasta downed Norman Gaspar, 6-1, 6-4, then thwarted Joseph Arcilla, 6-2, 7-6(4).

No. 2 Patrombon, on the other hand, clobbered Anthony Alcoseba, 6-0, 6-1, to advance in the lower half of the elite 32-player draw in the weeklong event put up by Palawan Pawnshop and backed

by Asiatraders Corp., distributor of Slazenger/Dunlop as official ball.

The 25-year-old Patrombon earlier scored a walkover win over John Sanga but needed an extra set to frustrate Dave

GOLDEN OLDIES LEAD RUGBY CHAMPS AT MANILA JOCKEY CLUB’S SAN LAZARO PARK CARMONA—The Manila Jockey Club, Inc., the country’s premier horse racing club and one of Asia’s oldest, successfully hosted the 30th edition of the Manila 10s International Rugby Festival recently at the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite, with the Fiji Golden Oldies leading the roster of winners.

The Golden Oldies clinched the Vets Division crown following a 19-5 win over the Extinct Volcanoes.

The Albay Bulkans captured the Shield Division title after a 17-0 whitewashing of the Subic Sharks, even as the Makati Chiefs-B bagged the Bowl Division plum following a 19-7 triumph over the Ibons.

The Manila Nomads blanked the Tush Burkeyz, 12-0, to rule the Plate Division, while the Makati Chiefs-A overpowered the Larrikins in what turned out to be the most lopsided win in the tournament, 53-0, to top the Cup Division.

MJC, represented by its VP for Marketing, Eduardo Ramirez de Arellano; and Manila 10s International Rugby Inc., represented by its Chairperson, Claire Barberis, formalized an agreement which establishes SLLP as the home of the “best social rugby tournament in the world” for the next five years.

Twenty-four teams from the Philippines, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Korea, Australia, Fiji, Japan, Singapore, and Taipei battled out a total of over 70 matches all within the course of two-days.

Throngs of local and international rugby fans gathered at the newly renovated SLLP multi-purpose field located at the center of the country’s only twin-racing tracks.

Field preparations were conducted as early as November, with drainage and additional groundworks also completed to improve the playing surface. The wide tournament space made possible the construction of two pitches with enough area for tents, benches, booths and other activities.

Moreover, SLLP also offers ample parking space, a 1,800-seater outdoor grandstand, VIP rooms and outdoor wash area facilities which makes it an ideal venue for the Manila 10s and other international sporting tournaments.

Apart from the rugby action, fans were also treated to a variety of food concessionaires along with various marquee sponsors who also conducted promotions and product selling.

The Manila Jockey Club was es-

Mosqueda, 6-2, 3-6, 10-4.

“The semis cast couldn’t get any better, guaranteeing another thriller of a title showdown among the best of the lot, which should further inspire our young players, especially those competing in the PPSPEPP age-group,” said Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro.

The last semis slot is being disputed by No.4 Fritz Verdad and fifth seed Noel Damian at presstime.

Second seed Patricia Velez, meanwhile, scored a 1-0 (ret.) win over Faye Dizon to seal a semis duel with Jade Capadocia in the women’s side of the event sponsored by Rep. Jack Duavit, Mayor Keith Nieto, Vitoria Construction, Pasture to Plate, Feeds Edition, Rublou Mall and Allan del Castillo and supported

by Greenrose, St. Louis Realty Corp., board member Gongora, East Electric Construction and Ortigas Hospital.

The third seed Capadocia crushed Miles Vitaliano, 6-0, 6-0, in their side of the quarters faceoff.

Slugging it out for the two other semis seat at presstime are top seed Aileen Rogan and Allyssa Bornia, and No. 4 Clarice Patrimonio and Charito Capadocia.

Republic of the Philippines CITY COUNCIL City of Manila ************************************ REGULAR SESSION NO. 108 10th CITY COUNCIL *********************************** RESOLUTION NO. 73 Series of 2018

UNDERPANTS RUN LURES THOUSANDS THOUSANDS of runners wearing colorful underpants and costumes in- cently staged the popular Underpants Run in Manila for the first vaded the streets of Filinvest Corporate City to show off their strength, time ever. stamina and sexy bodies when Century Tuna Superbods Ageless 2018 reFrom its previous successful stagings in Subic, Zambales, the Underpants Run, one of the most awaited running events in the country, definitely took Filinvest City in Alabang, Muntinlupa by storm as runners came in throngs to celebrate health and fitness while having a lot of fun.

Leading the pack were Century Pacific Food, Inc. senior vice president Greg Banzon, and Century Tuna Superbods celebrity endorsers Gerald Anderson and Matteo Guidicelli.

Superbods Ageless endorser Alice Dixson was also present to congratulate the runners and award cash prizes and gift packs to the winners in the 3K, 5K and 10K categories.

The Underpants Run is one of the many fun events lined up for the Century Tuna Superbods Ageless 2018, one of the biggest and most exciting summer events in the country.

Century Tuna Superbods Ageless 2018 is made possible with the support of Cove Manila, the official venue partner of Century Tuna Superbods Ageless Finals Night.

Major sponsors are Indesit, Mabe and Philips Domestic Appliances. Minor sponsors are Tanduay Distillers Inc., Zalora, Chevrolet, Gold’s Gym and Star Magic. Participating sponsors are Shakey’s, Quorn Gardenia, Vansydical, Sir George Salon and Fudgy Bar Participants showed off their strength, stamina and sexy bodies when 100-Calorie Pack. For more details and updates on events, visit Century Tuna Superbods Ageless 2018 recently staged the popular Century Tuna Superbods on Facebook: www.facebook.com/cenUnderpants Run in Manila for the first time ever. turytuna.

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SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 2018 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

RESOLUTION EXPRESSING FULL SUPPORT FOR THE WORLDWIDE WALK TO FIGHT POEVERTY SPEARHEADED BY THE FELIX Y. MANALO FOUNDATION , INC. OF THE IGLESIA NI CRISTO, TO BE HELD ON MAY 6, 2018, TO CONVERGE AT THE ROXAS BOULEVARD, MANILA AND OTHER MAJOR CITIES IN THE COUNTRY, AND SIMULTANEOUSLY, IN VARIOUS SITES AROUND THE WORLD, FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS SWEEPING SEVERAL COUNTRIES ACROSSS AFRICA DUE TO ARMED CONFLICTS AND NATURAL CALAMAITIES. PRINCIPAL AUTHORS: HON.ROLANDO M. VALERIANO, HON. TERRENCE F. ALIBARBAR, HON. MARY GRACE R. CHUA, HON. LOUISITO N. CHUA, HON. MA. ASUNCION G. FUGOSO, HON. MARTIN V. ISIDRO, JR., HON. MACARIO M. LACSON, HON. WARDEE P. QUINTOS XIV, HON. JOEL T. VILLANUEVA, HON. MANIEL M. ZARCAL, HON. SALVADOR H. LACUNA, HON. ARLENE MAILE I. ATIENZA, HON. KRYSTLE MARIE C. BACANI, HON. LARIS T. BORROMEO, HON. CARLOS C. CASTANEDA, HON. ERNESTO G. DIONISIO, HON. JESUS M. FAJARDO, HON. RICARDO A. ISIP, JR., HON. MOISES T. LIM, HON. PETER M. ONG, HON. ROBERTO R. ORTEGA JR., HON. JOEL M. PAR, HON. BIMBO EDUARDO V. QUINTOS XVI, HON. ELIZABETH Z. RIVERA, HON. RAMON M. ROBLES, HON. ANNA KATRINA P. YUPANGCO HON. CASIMIRO C. SISON, Majority Floor Leader and HON. MARIA SHEILAH “Honey” LACUNA-PANGAN, MD, FPDS, Vice-Mayor and Presiding Officer.

WHEREAS, guided by the teachings of the gospel and inspired by the passionate love and concern of Ka Felix Y. Manalo, the founder and first Executive Minister of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, Ka Eduardo V. Manalo, the grandchildren of the former and current Executive Minister of the congregation, gave birth to the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation, Inc. , (FYM Foundation) who was that intense desire to help the brethren and the people in need.

WHEREAS, the FYM Foundation of the Iglesia Ni Cristo has embark on an ambitious record-breaking endeavor designed to alleviate the humanitarian crisis sweeping parts of Africa brought by armed conflicts and natural calamities: The “Worldwide Walk to Fight Poverty”, to be held on May 6, 2018 around the globe, and coincidentally, closed to the 132nd Birth Anniversary on May 10, 2018, of the most revered foundation of the congregation.

WHEREAS, the endeavor is patterned after the Lingap sa Mamamayan (Aid to Humanity) Program that aims to provide relief goods, health care, and other services to the needy, especially those who are afflicted by calamities and disasters and even expanded to include seminars for disaster preparedness, first aid and family planning and in some cases, provide livelihood programs; WHEREAS, the City Government of Manila fully support the program and encourage other well-meaning organizations to emulate the same: NOW, THEREFORE, be it RESOLVED, by the City Council of Manila. To express full support, as it hereby expresses full support for the “Worldwide Walk to Fight Poverty” spearheaded by the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation, Inc. of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, to be held on May 6, 2018, to converge at the Roxas Boulevard, Manila and other major cities in the country, and simultaneously, in various sites around the world, for the benefit of the humanitarian crisis sweeping several countries across Africa due to armed conflicts and natural calamities; and be it FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall be published in newspapers of general circulation.

PRESIDED BY:

Members of the Golden Oldies team whoop it up after ruling the Vets Divison of the Manila 10s International Rugby Festival recently at the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite. tablished in 1867. It is one of the oldest existing racing clubs in the Asia Pacific region. Manila Jockey Club, Inc., as a business entity, was formally incorporated in 1937.

MJC operates the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite, featuring world class horse racing, gaming, and hospitality facilities.

MJC’s broadcast outfit, the San Lazaro Broadcasting Network, transmits live horse races, eight days a

month, enthralling a growing number of 300,000 horse racing fans at OffTrack Betting stations every race day.

Through partnerships with the Philippines’ leading cable-television and satellite-television providers, SLBN broadcasts Manila Jockey Club races to the entire country. Each race day’s uninterrupted coverage also provides analyses, dividends, news, and special features on horse racing and other major sporting events.

MARIA SHEILAH “Honey” LACUNA-PANGAN, MD, FPDS Vice-Mayor and Presiding Officer City Council, Manila This Resolution was adopted by the City Council of Manila at its regular session on April 12, 2018.

ATTESTED

JOSHUE R. SANTIAGO, MPMG City Government Assistant Department Head III Assistant Secretary to the City Council

(MS-APR. 15, 2018)

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SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 2018 Riera U. Mallari, Editor

Sports

Reuel Vidal, Issue Editor sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

UNBEATEN KHABIB IS WORTHY CHAMPION

The fourth and fifth rounds unfolded much like the third with both fighters staying on their feet and trading strikes. Iaquinta was taken down again late in the fifth round but he managed to survive although he did eventually lose by decision.

Khabib hiked his record to 26-0 and immediately called out Georges St-Pierre hoping for a big money fight.

“Now, I wanna fight with Georges St-Pierre in New York, Madison Square Garden, in November,” the 29-year-old Russian said.

A fight between Nurmagomedov and 36-year-old St-Pierre would be a blockbuster. The Canadian MMA legend returned to action November last year after a four-year break and beat Michael Bisping to claim the UFC middleweight crown.

Khabib Nurmagomedov (right) and Al Iaquinta trade leather at the center of the Octagon during their UFC championship fight at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. AFP

By Reuel Vidal

U

NBEATEN, unbowed and now champion.

Just like he promised unbeaten Khabib Nurmagomedov captured the UFC lightweight championship with a unanimous decision victory over a game but overmatched Al Iaquinta at the UFC 223 last week at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Most experts thought it would be an easy win for Khabib. After all Iaquinta was a last, last minute replacement of Anthony Pettis, who was a last minute replacement of Max Holloway who was himself a late replacement of Tony Ferguson.

And it did look like an easy win for Khabib early on. Less than a minute into the fight and the Eagle had already grabbed Iaquinta’s leg for a takedown. Nurmagomedov simply took over the round with his grappling.

Iaquinta did manage to scramble to his feet only to be taken down again.

Nurmagomedov did more of the same in the second round. He missed his first takedown attempt but still took down Iaquinta within the first minute. Nurmagomedov flattened Iaquinta on his back then went to work with ground-and-pound. Iaquinta

barely survived the round.

Things played out differently in the third round. Probably wanting to make things interesting Nurmagomedov didn’t look for the takedown and instead opted to trade shots with Iaquinta. Nurmagomedov still won the round but Iaquinta didn’t look so overmatched anymore.

Khabib Nurmagomedov (top) mounts Al Iaquinta and starts to inflict damage through ground and pound. Khabib eventually won to grab the UFC lightweight championship belt at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. AFP

Khabib Nurmagomedov climbs to the edge of the cage and signals that he’s number one among all the lightweights in the UFC. AFP

Nurmagomedov said a match against St-Pierre would be a “legacy fight” that pits him against one of MMA’s all-time greats.

The undefeated Russian has plenty of other options. There is former interim lightweight champion Ferguson who pulled out of UFC 223 due to a knee injury. There is UFC featherweight champion Holloway who stepped in for UFC 223 but who was prevented from participating by doctors.

And of course there is Irish MMA star Conor McGregor who seems to be drumming up interest for a really big UFC fight after he attacked a bus carrying UFC 223 fighters. He was reportedly seeking revenge in behalf of his sparring partner Artem Lobov who had a dust-up with Nurmagomedov earlier in the week.

CAN ANYBODY STOP THE SAN MIGUEL BEERMEN? COMING into the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup the question on everyone’s mind is: Can anyone stop the San Miguel Beermen?

The answer is probably not because the Beermen are gunning for nothing less than another PBA Grand Slam and no team seems capable of stopping them from winning at least the Commissioner’s Cup. The Beermen have June Mar Fajardo who has turned into the most dominant player in the history of the league.

He has six PBA Best Player of the Conference awards, which is the most by any player. He has four MPV awards and he’s just 28. Ramon Fernandez won his fourth MVP award at age 35.

And they have more than just Fajardo. The Beermen have a host of talented veterans led by Marcio Lassiter, Alex Cabagnot, Chris Ross and Arwind Santos to complete arguably one of the best-ever starting unit the league has ever seen.

They have a deep bench led by shock troopers Gabby Espinas, Yancy De Ocampo, Billy Mamaril, Chico Lanete and David Semerad.

And they have an excellent coach who has learned to use the most out of his players and win championships in Leo Austria.

How good are the Beermen? They just won their fourth straight Philippine Cup crown—the first team to do so in the league—after defeating the

San Miguel Beer big man June Mar Fajardo (left) protects the basketball against Magnolia Hotshots defender Rafi Reavis (4).

Magnolia Hotshots 4-1 in a best-ofseven championship that is as lopsided as the score indicated.

And they were led by Fajardo who finished with 42 points and 20 rebounds for the Beermen.

And in a case of the rich getting richer the Beermen will have probably the best big man to come into the league since… well since Fajardo himself in Christian Standhardinger when they compete next conference.

Is there reason to hope that the other teams could beat the Beermen this coming conference?

Well the players could get overconfident, complacent and not give their best. Or, players could go down with injuries. One of the other teams could have a dominant import who’s good enough to lead them to a PBA crown.

Remember Justin Brownlee who led Barangay Ginebra to a Governors’ Cup crown?

One or more of these scenarios could happen and the Beermen could finally be stopped from winning this conference title. Or carabaos could fly and jump over the moon. Which is to say, not likely.

Alaska Aces head coach Alex Compton shouts instructions from the sideline during a PBA game.

COMPTON, ACES WANT FRESH START AFTER finally advancing to the playoffs after two fruitless conferences the Alaska Aces are cautiously hopeful as they head into the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup. Alaska Aces head Alex Compton acknowledges the tough job ahead of him and the formidable teams they will face.

“It will be a challenge for us. We’re not one of the biggest teams. To win in this conference, I heard there’s a team called San Miguel who’s pretty good. What Chito (Victolero) has been doing in Magnolia, he’s doing a fantastic job and they’re big. Ginebra is obviously huge, and you got to get through to those teams. And then, Blackwater is a force to be reckoned with, JP Erram has been great.

NLEX knocked us out, they’re great.

TNT just got Terrence Romeo to pair with Jayson (Castro), and Meralco has always been good in the importladen conferences. So you got to go through these teams,” said Compton.

The Aces will lean on their local crew to step up and once again lead the team to the playoffs.

Calvin Abueva has been deadly as ever, old reliables Sonny Thoss and JVee Casio remain solid in their respective positions, Vic Manuel has regained his confidence from a calf injury and has been a solid contributor for the squad, and rookie Jeron Teng has shown flashes which made him one of the league’s top neophytes.

The team will also have a talented new import in Antonio Campbell.

“He can play inside and outside and he did that in college. Last year, I loved Cory Jefferson. He’s such a good guy, a great shooter.

I don’t think his back to the basket game had been what we were thinking what it was when he got here last year,” said Compton.

The Alaska mentor expects more from Campbell. He wants his new import to exploit his size and length to post up inside the paint on offense.

“We think that Tony can still have a good back to the basket game. We don’t want to play all pick-and-pop and take 50 threes and hope we shoot the lights out to beat them, but to have the options. Sometimes he can post, sometimes he can pop, sometimes he can go to the midrange and make passes. We’re hoping he can grow into that, read what they’re doing, and he has the skill set to do it,” said Compton.

He reiterated that what Campbell brings to the table is his ability to be a Swiss army knife, as he has shown potential to adjust to whatever schemes the team will enforce against the league’s favorites this coming conference. Campbell is 23 and the team sees the former Ohio Bobcat as someone who the team can develop and absorb their lessons like a sponge.

“It’s his first time playing overseas and it’s going to be a constant learning process. But it’s clear to us and to him that you just have to be versatile if you want to beat these great teams and that’s what we’re gonna be.

We can’t look them in the eyes and just overpower them with sheer height and talent. We have to be creative,” Compton said.

B1

SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 2018

Business

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

ZAP SIGNS DEAL WITH KFC GUAM

KFC Guam marketing director Edgar Caper

Cebu Pacific president and CEO Lance Gokongwei (center) sends off the 16 cadet pilots who will undergo a 52-week aviation training in Adelaide, Australia.

MILLENNIALS GET A CHANCE TO BE CEBU PACIFIC PILOTS T

WO ladies, twin scholars, two economists, a law student, a summa cum laude college graduate, a captain of a university cheering squad, an ice hockey player and a new father are among the 16 Filipino millennials now training in Australia to become commercial pilots.

“What drives me to become a pilot is that soon I will become a father, as my wife is pregnant. This is a great opportunity for me. This will bring a bright future for my son,” says Kayrwin Kirch Remolona, just before their flight to Adelaide, Australia to undergo a 52-week aviation training.

Remolona, who graduated cum laude from Philippine State College of Aeronautics with a degree in Aircraft Maintenance Technology, left his young family in Mabalacat, Pampanga to pursue his dream of becoming a pilot by joining Cebu Pacific’s Cadet Pilot Program.

He is among the 16 successful cadets, chosen from a pool of over 12,500 applicants, that comprise the first batch of the program. Cebu Pacific will spend $100,000 for every cadet to study at Flight Training Adelaide and experience 173 flying hours on their way to becoming licensed commercial pilots.

Cebu Pacific is spending a total of $25 million under the program to train 240 pilots, in three batches of 16 each per year for five years, to expand its current pool of 700 pilots who fly more than 60 aircraft.

The cadets, who are all millennials between the ages 21 and 27, have college degrees. Two of them are women: Janine Alyssa Marie Bautista of Cainta, Rizal graduated with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Philippine State College of Aeronautics and passed the Aeronautical Engineering board examination in 2015, while Martha May De Leon of Sta. Rosa, Laguna graduated with honors from PATTS College

of Aeronautics with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering.

Bautista says she has the support of her father to join the Cadet Pilot Program. “I wanted to become a pilot because my father encouraged me to become one. We could not afford it financially.

That’s why I am very thankful to Cebu Pacific for having this program,” she says.

De Leon, whose mother works as a caregiver in the United States, says being a pilot is in line with her love for travels. “When I was in elementary school, I really wanted to travel. When you were a kid, you only knew two professions—pilot and flight attendant. Since I wanted to be on the technical side, I dreamt of becoming a pilot,” De Leon says.

“Since this is a male-dominated profession, I am so thankful they chose the two of us to be a part of this. This environment is not new to us. We graduated from aeronautical schools.

All of our classmates were men. That gives us a background,” says De Leon.

Juan Carlo Wage of Bamban, Tarlac, who graduated from UP Diliman with a degree in Business Economics and received the highest grade in his undergraduate thesis, says passion is important to becoming a pilot.

Wage, whose parents both worked as caretakers and housecleaners in Pampanga, says he joined the program because, “I knew that it would change my life.”

“Aside from being able to travel, and learn and experience new things, I want to pay my mom and dad back for their hard work, and give them a good life as well,” he says.

Another cadet, however, says monetary compensation is just a secondary consideration.

“Seeing the clouds when you go up is one of the major benefits when you are a pilot. You get an office in the sky. The monetary matter follows after. For me, the monetary compensation is not really in my mind when it comes to being a pilot.

It is more of a passion,” he says.

Other cadet pilots are Dexie Jay Aljas of Banga, South Cotabato who graduated with a degree

in Electronics Engineering from Cebu Institute of Technology; Aaron Jhun Gumaru Bernabe of Santiago City, Isabela who graduated with a degree in Air Transportation from Philippine State College of Aeronautics and twins Ivan Kevin and Ian John Satentes of Noveleta, Cavite who graduated from PATTS. “I really want to become a pilot.... I am glad Cebu Pacific opened this program to give us this opportunity,” says Aljas.

Ian John Satentes says being an airline pilot is his lifelong dream, “but my family is not financially capable of supporting my dream.”

“My twin brother and I have the same dream of becoming pilots since we were kids. The reason for this is all the airplanes we saw up close whenever we accompany or fetch dad at the airport. While waiting for dad and looking at those big planes, our mom would always tell us that someday we will be inside the cockpit of whichever airplane she’s pointing at,” says Ivan Kevin.

Rydale Pintor of Cebu City has a degree in Aerospace Engineering and was a leadership awardee in Indiana Aerospace University in 2013.

James Kevin Chua, a son of entrepreneurs from Sta. Cruz, Manila, is an ECE graduate from De La Salle University, while Paulo Martin Concepcion of Sta. Rosa, Laguna, who is a part of the Philippine Ice Hockey Team, graduated with a degree in Applied Physics from University of Santo Tomas.

Ardreen Reguyal, a son of a fireman from San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, also studied in UST where he obtained a degree in Industrial Engineering.

Geronimo Miguel Mantes of Fairview, Quezon City, who served as a co-captain of Ateneo de Manila University cheering squad, graduated with a degree in Computer Science, while Lorenzo Miguel Montinola of Malate, Manila completed a degree in Management Economics from Ateneo and worked for multinational companies after college.

Jose Angelo Santos of Cainta, Rizal, whose mother is a dentist, is a cum laude graduate from UP Diliman where he is currently a law student.

Darryl Dave Ditucalan of Iligan City, a son of Turn to B2

BACKYARD BUSINESSES THRIVE DURING DRY MONTHS FILIPINOS are among the most persistent entrepreneurs in the world, with 70 percent believing they have the capabilities to become entrepreneurs, based on the Philippine Entrepreneurship Report 2015-2016.

This is best seen among microenterprises, which comprise nine in every 10 businesses in the Philippines.

A residential block is not complete without at least one sari-sari store. Pop-up tiangge stores are scattered around during fiestas and halo-halo and mais con yelo stalls sprout in every street corner during the hottest months.

“Every summer, we see the Filipino entrepreneur spirit thrive to turn the summer heat into an opportunity.

With the right mindset, tools, and ingredients, microentrepreneurs can grow their business and take it to another level,” says Marilou Acuña, Fly Ace Corp. group product manager for Jolly.

Acuña, representing Jolly Corn, provides five tips to ramp up sales this year, beginning with finding the right location. “Due to logistical convenience, microentrepreneurs usually set up their pop-up stalls in front of their homes. However, unless their houses are in front of a school or along a busy street, owners must think carefully about their area’s foot traffic and compare it with the potential sales that could be generated by locating to a more strategic place,” she says.

The second tip is to leverage on influencers.

Entrepreneurs should identify who the influencers are within the community, she says. By inviting these key individuals to try the product, entrepreneurs encourage good word of mouth from credible persons within the neighborhood.

Microentrepreneurs can then support this good word of mouth through easy-to-do promotional activities such as community bulletin board, flyers and social media.

Microentrepreneurs are encouraged to sell during community events such as the annual basketball game and Santacruzan. “Another opportunity is catering private groups, such as prayer meetings or the birthday of a neighbor. If all goes well, these events will provide a great platform for referrals and exposure for the business,” she says.

Jolly Corn also also advises microentrepreneurs to avoid too much credit. “Cash is the lifeblood of the business. Microentrepreneurs should avoid allowing too much credit since they still need cash to buy supplies and sustain operations. If offering credit cannot be avoided, microentrepreneurs should find the right balance and understand its limitation,” it says.

Finally, microentrepreneurs should find the right partner to perfect the product, according to Acuña. “Product quality is integral to the success of microenterprises. If the product is excellent, people will follow. Quality also includes the health benefits of the product. These days, even microentrepreneurs venture into the healthy food segment as more people become conscious of what they eat,” she says.

THE countr y ’s leading loyalty program, ZAP Philippines, teamed up with KFC Guam to provide endto-end support to develop customer loyalty program. The partnership marks the company’s first deal in Guam.

“Landing a deal with KFC in Guam is a testament to how our closed loop model has been able to make an impact in the businesses of our over 800 local partner merchants.

We aim to help KFC in making more data-driven decisions in creating campaigns for their consumers. consumers,” says Dustin Cheng, chief executive and co-founder of ZAP. KFC is the biggest fast food chain in Guam with a reach of over 180,000 residents on the island. KFC Guam marketing director Edgar Caper says investing in a customer loyalty program will enable KFC to get insights from diners’ behavior, including average transaction value, frequency of purchase and time of transaction.

“ZAP’s technology brings the ease and relevance both to operations and to the consumers. On the marketing side, the technology is distinct to [ZAP] and highly convenient to manage the database and trigger the consumer with messages of the brand,” Caper says.

With ZAP as the partner of KFC Guam, the quick-service restaurant will be able to benefit from the closed loop model offered by the leading loyalty program in the Philippines.

ZAP introduced the closed loop model in 2013 where merchants have full control of their loyalty programs as they don’t share points with others.

With this set-up, brands are able to enhance the consumer experience by improving marketing and operations resulting in enhanced brand-consumer relationship.

TECHNOLUX ANNOUNCES EVENTS FOR BUSINESSES T E C H N O L U X , t h e c o u n t r y ’s largest importer and distributor of foodservice, small wares and laundry equipment, announces its line-up of events meant to help entrepreneurs and businesses this month.

Technolux’s Business Series will be held at Mall of Kitchens in Makati City on April 20 featuring Vitamix Blenders and Monin.

Trusted and preferred by culinary professionals, cafes, and restaurants, Vitamix can be used in different ways, from crushing the toughest whole foods into a smooth puree, to chopping delicate ingredients to a perfect texture.

Monin, on the other hand, is the world’s leading producer of the finest flavored syrups and sauces and is the brand of choice by bars, restaurants, bartenders and chefs.

Also to be held at Mall of Kitchens is the Business Series on Comprital and Taylor on April 27. US brand Taylor ice cream machines are available different models to produce gelatos, sorbets, soft-serve and frosty ice cream.

Comprital specializes in gelato ingredients. Both are popular brands used by reputable companies across the globe.

Business

B2

SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 2018 business@manilastandard.net

GE JOINS PUSH FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY IN PH THE Philippines is now committed to reduce energy emissions by 70 percent by 2030 as a part of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. This has brought a renewed thrust to develop the nation’s renewable energy sector.

“With the looming threat of climate change, sustainability needs to be at the forefront of our concerns when it comes to servicing the country’s power needs,” said Jocot de Dios, chief executive of GE Philippines, during the digital-industrial company’s ‘Powering the Philippines’ conference.

The event organized by GE and the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, aimed at assessing the future of RE in the country and was attended by more than 100 stakeholders from both the public and private sectors— including the Department of Energy, Energy Regulatory Commission and members of the Philippine Independent Power Producers Association.

Based on figures from the DoE, coal, oil, and natural gas contribute over half of the Philippine energy mix, while RE sources like biomass, geothermal, solar, hydro, and wind add up to around 36.1 percent, with geothermal being the biggest contributor at 17.9 percent.

The DoE’s National Renewable Energy Program seeks to increase the RE-based capacity of the country to an estimated 15,304 MW by 2030, and to at least 20,000 MW by 2040, almost quadruple its 2010 level.

As of June 30, 2017, the DoE has awarded 831 RE projects under the RE bill, a huge increase from 22 projects since the RE bill’s passing in 2008. “ The increased generation from geothermal, hydro, and solar resources has lessened the country’s dependency on fossil fuels,” de Dios said. “Now, more than ever, the country is open to new ideas and solutions to produce more reliable, sustainable, and affordable electricity.”

GE, a global solar solutions provider, offers customers with an entire plantwide development strategy and solution that are less complex and with reduced cost and risks to ultimately lower the levelized cost of energy.

MILLENNIALS...

From B1 public servants, graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Electronics Engineering.

The 16 cadets passed a series of tests, medical and physical examination and attended an aviation foundation course at Philippine Academy for Aviation Training at Clark Freeport Zone before they were deployed to Australia.

Among the qualifications to join the program are a valid Philippine passport, college degrees, strong academic background and passionate and service-oriented attitude.

Captain Samuel Avila, vice president for flight operations of Cebu Pacific, reminds the cadets of three important attributes of a pilot—discipline, discipline and discipline.

“We are looking to attract more young, motivated, deserving individuals to be a part of our company and to serve our country in this expanding industry,” Avila says.

Avila says after completing their training in Australia, the cadet pilots will return to the Philippines to complete type-rating and licensing requirements to become commercial pilots, starting as first officers.

The cadet pilots will then reimburse the cost of the program through salary deduction over a maximum of ten years at zero-interest.

Cebu Pacific, the largest airline in the Philippines today, has 62 commercial aircraft that fly to 37 domestic and 26 international destinations across Asia, Australia, the Middle East and the US. The low-cost carrier plans to add six brand-new Airbus A321ceo, 32 Airbus A321neo and seven ATR 72-600 aircraft until 2022.

Cebu Pacific says the program remains open to Filipino citizens who are college graduates, proficient in English and hold passports valid for at least two years prior to the start of the program.

The screening process for applicants begins with an online screening, followed by an on-site screening for core skills and pilot aptitude tests, among other examinations where a fee of Au$425 (P17,000.00) will be charged.

CEB and FTA will jointly select the final list of candidates.

Candidates for the second batch of cadet pilots are currently being screened, while application for the third batch is set to open by mid-May 2018.

Avila says passion and discipline are two attributes that are important to the profession. “For every profession you choose, of course, financial compensation is a factor for it. But not matter what field you join, you should have a passion for whatever you pursue.

I love flying. I am a manager. I have been with this company since 1999. I’m at desk work most of the time, but I fly at least once a week. It is my passion,” says Avila. Roderick T. dela Cruz

WAXING SALON GOES DIGITAL

Lay Bare Franchising Corp. president Juan Paolo Hilario

G

LOBE myBusiness moves a step further to expanding its foothold in the Philippine retail and personal services industry with its newlyformed partnership with the country’s premier waxing salon Lay Bare.

Globe myBusiness helps the waxing salon navigate the digital world, first by powering Lay Bare’s pop-up booths that unveiled the new features of the store during its recent National Sales Conference with the theme “Next Generation Lay Bare. Create A Digital Experience” held at the Globe Tower recently.

“We in Lay Bare believe in the power of automation and have made significant strides in digitizing our business. Trying to be in the forefront of innovation possesses significant challenges, even greater being an SME,” said Juan Paolo Hilario, president of Lay Bare Franchising Corp.

“By having an established par tner in Globe that enables us to create meaningful technologies that match our needs, we don’t have to worry about complexities of running our systems,” said Hilario.

Lay Bare, the first waxin≠≠g salon in the Philippines, offers services such as waxing and threading to remove hair from legs, armpits, back, chest, upper and lower lips and other parts of the body. It opened its first salon in June 2006 in Makati City and a second branch in the Scout Area in Quezon City shortly after. It now has more than 100 branches nationwide and two outlets in Los Angeles City, California.

“Globe myBusiness is every entrepreneur’s digital partner in providing relevant business solutions so that they can reach more customers, expand their business and most importantly, create a hassle-free experience to their clients,” said Debbie Obias, vice president for segment marketing at Globe myBusiness.

“One of Globe myBusiness’ key focus is to support and serve the retail and personal services

industry and enable business owners and their stakeholders to become more competitive in the market while navigating the digital world,” Obias said.

With its trailblazing products, Lay Bare is the perfect fit for Globe myBusiness—which has been helping small and medium-sized businesses become more efficient in various ways.

“As the country moves toward the digital age, Globe myBusiness recognizes Lay Bare as a winning client that has proven its worth in the retail and personal services sector,” said Anne David, segment marketing head for supply chain at Globe myBusiness. “Lay Bare is a welcome addition to our growing list of partners.”

Among Globe’s business solutions are Auto SMS Blast Service that allows sending of bulk promo texts and connect to more customers; Auto Appointment Reminder which provides automatic appointment reminders to customers; and GCash, which allow customers to pay through the GCash Scan to Pay Feature using QR codes, avoiding the hassle of bringing in cash.

SMART WINS GRAND ANVIL FOR ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORDS PATIENTS from rural areas getting quick and efficient health service.

Children in communities without electricity learning how to write the alphabet through tablets. College students learning how to prepare for disasters. Lolos and Lolas knowing how to use their mobile phone to access the internet.

For helping improve the daily lives of these Filipinos through its corporate social responsibility programs, Smart Communications received several awards, including two top citations, at the 53rd Anvil Awards. Organized annually by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines, the Anvil Awards is considered the Oscars of public relations in the country.

In a ceremony held recently in Taguig City, Smart won the Grand Prix Award for having the highest number of Gold Anvils this year. The company also got the Grand Anvil recognition for Shine OS+ (Secured Health Information Network and Exchange), an electronic medical record system that enables health facilities to provide faster and better service to their patients. The Grand Anvil is given to the most outstanding PR program of the year.

A few years ago, workers in rural health units had to manually file and search for patient records. The practice was time-consuming, especially for patients who had to wait for medical files to be retrieved before they could consult with a doctor. Patient records were also at the risk of damage by rodents and the weather.

Today, a number of health facilities

The electronic medical record system called Shine OS+, run by Smart and Ateneo Java Wireless Competency Center, wins the Grand Anvil at the 53rd Anvil Awards.

can retrieve patient files with just a few clicks on a laptop. Workers can now serve more patients, refer them electronically to better-equipped health facilities, send SMS reminders for appointments and medication and submit relevant patient information to the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. for faster processing of claims and health statistics.

These are made possible by Shine OS+ which is being run by Smart and Ateneo Java Wireless Competency Center.

An open system, Shine OS+ also allows developers to create plugins addressing the various needs of

health workers. Among the plugins created are a system that automates the sending of reminder SMS to diabetes patients.

Dr. Clemencia Bondoc from the Zarraga Rural Health Unit in Iloilo, a Shine user since 2011, said, “We owe the improvement in the public health system to technology. The breakthrough in EMR made our workload lighter and helped address the lack in manpower.

We’ve been using this Smart innovation for more than five years. With a single click of a button, the patient’s record is already there so we get to serve more patients, and they go home satisfied with the services.”

Meanwhile, other Smar t CSR programs each won a Gold Anvil.

Learning as One Nation is an effort to help improve the Department of Education’s Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education program in General Santos and Sarangani. Smart is helping develop an app that teaches Arabic language and values, while promoting independent learning among Alive students through the Dynamic Learning Program created

by Ramon Magsaysay Awardees Dr. Christopher Bernido and Dr. Ma. Victoria Carpio-Bernido.

School-in-a-Bag is a learning package donated to public schools in remote areas without electricity. The donation includes a solar panel, mobile devices, digital educational content, teacher training, and monitoring.

T N T Tro p a n g R e a d y Ca rava n inculcates disaster preparedness among college students and encourages them to promote preparedness in their respective communities Other CSR programs won a Silver Anvil each, including Doon Po Sa Amin Storytelling Caravan which promotes local storytelling for Filipino children; Smart Millenniors which engages the youth to guide elders on the use of mobile devices and the internet; Smart TechnoCart, a donation package similar to the School-in-a-Bag that targets more urban communities and contains more devices; and Smart Wireless Engineering Education Program Awards which encourages students to create innovations solving real problems.

Smart Communities Facebook page also won a Silver Anvil.

Tech & Gadgets

B3

SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 2018 rumallari@thestandard.com.ph

UNIONBANK, ASPECT SOFTWARE IMPROVE CUSTOMER INTERACTION ‘JOSHLIA’ INTRODUCES NEW OPPO F7

Michael Magbanua

Richard Loberas

I

N LINE with its digital transformation, Union Bank of the Philippines, one of the largest banks in the country, has enhanced its customer service infrastructure, to further improve interaction between the bank and its clients and, at the same time, boost customer service agent performance.

In partnership with Trends & Technologies Inc., the leading integration of applications systems and services in the Philippines, UnionBank successfully deployed an Omni-channel Contact Center, Self Service and Workforce Management Solutions from Aspect Software, a global provider of fully-integrated consumer engagement, workforce optimization and self-service solutions.

Aspect and Trends have implemented Aspect® Unified IP 7.3® for the Inbound and Outbound customer interaction services; Aspect CXP™ for UnionBank’s omni-channel selfservice offerings and Aspect® Workforce Management™ for the bank’s customer service agents.

The solution will enable customers to seamlessly receive assistance when they move between live agent and self-service channels.

UnionBank earlier announced its three-year digital transformation journey aimed at digitizing its banking processes to deliver a more reliable, seamless and personalized banking service. The current enhancement of its core customer service infrastructure to Aspect Unified IP 7.3, Aspect CXP and Aspect Workforce Management is in line with the bank’s digital plan to provide its 6 million clients quality customer service and personalized banking interaction across channels.

“Key to the bank’s Digital Transformation Journey is building a digital mindset of our employees, stakeholders and of course our customers. To achieve that, we need to create smarter customer experiences, enabling service channels that are accurate, real-time and always available. Acquiring Aspect’s contact

Hasan Fard

center and workforce optimization solution is the first of many steps in that omni-channel approach,” said Michael P. Magbanua, Customer Engagement Group Head, First-Vice President of UnionBank.

Aspect has a long history of expertise, starting from the first ACD in 1973. Today, Aspect solutions power 1.4 million agents worldwide and support over 100 million daily customer interactions. Contact Center Solution implementation is one of the core strengths of Trends in the Philippines.

“We greatly admire and believe in the vision and strategies of UnionBank’s innovative leaders. We are very excited that UnionBank has chosen Trends as their partner to facilitate the enablement of their plan to reshape the Bank into a technology company with banking utilities,” said Hasan Fard, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Trends. “By utilizing Aspect’s solution and our technology expertise, we were able to successfully service UnionBank and offer a solution to digitize their customer service infrastructure.”

“Trends has been a partner of

UnionBank for more than 25 years.

This implementation of Aspect’s Customer Engagement Solution is a strong demonstration of how that par tnership is bolstering UnionBank’s Digital Transformation Journey,” said Dennis L. Matutina, Executive Vice President and Head of Channel Management Center of UnionBank.

“It’s a privilege to be a part of UnionBank’s digital transformation journey and equip the bank with a technology that can deliver quality customer engagement to improve customer satisfaction, loyalty and increase their value,” said Richard Loberas, Regional Vice President ASEAN & Korea of Aspect Software.

“It’s been a pleasure to work with UnionBank and Trends’ teams in implementing Aspect Unified IP 7.3, Aspect CXP and Aspect Workforce Management. We thank both teams for the great collaboration and hard work in ensuring a successful implementation of the project.”

For more information visit www. trends.com.ph.

For more information visit https:// www.unionbankph.com

IDC SEES A REBOUND OF SMARTPHONE, PC SALES

By Angelica Villanueva A BRIGHTER future for smartphones and PCs A recent study shows that a promising future awaits smartphones and PCs as Filipinos’ device usage habits continue to reshape and change the device trends in the country, a leading international research firm said last in a media conference last Thursday.

With their latest report, International Data Corporation states that the smartphone shipments declined by 7% last year while tablets shipments, due to to the lack of practical use cases, have dropped down to 1 million units with 30% year over year.

But with Filipinos’ device habits and continuity of patronizing top brands of smartphones, IDC expects

that smartphone sales will rebound this year.

“As mobile content continues to grow, smartphones have become the primary device for basic productivity and everyday media consumption, and this fuels the need for larger screens and higher specs,” said Jensen Ooi, Senior Market Analyst, Client Devices, IDC ASEAN. As for personal computers, Sean Paul Agapito, Associate Market Analyst, Client Devices, IDC Philippines, said that desktops and notebooks will remain to be convenient for Filipinos as personal computing devices.

IDC also added that if Filipinos will continue to be engaged in PC gaming and e-sports like DoTA and League of Legends, it is possible that the Philippine PC market will grow.

“As the Philippine economy matures, Internet services and coverage improve, and more Filipinos realize the potential of the Internet beyond social interaction—such as for education, work, and business among others—demand for PCs in the country is expected to grow even further,” Agapito said.

Agapito added that in the future as the Philippine economy gets mature, if the Internet services in the country will be improved, and more Filipinos will know the true potential of the internet especially for education, work, and businesses purposes, the demands for PCs is expected to grow even further.

To know more about the recent research, contact Jensen Ooi at jooi@id.com and Sean Paul Agapito at sagapito@idc.com.

Jensen Ooi, Senior Market Analyst, Client Devices, IDC ASEAN, discusses how smartphones sales will rebound this year.

Charles Dantes

OPPO Philippines’ endorsers Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto, officially launched the all-new OPPO F7 smartphone.

With a summer vibe themed launch in ABS-CBN’s Sunday entertainment show ASAP, the all-new OPPO F7 took centerstage flaunting its new 25MP front-facing camera with A.I. Beauty Technology 2.0 for more natural looking selfies.

Highest 25MP Selfie Camera The OPPO F7 is the latest smartphone from OPPO, equipped with the highest front facing camera of 25 megapixels with the improved A.I. Beauty Technology 2.0 that can target 296 facial recognition spots for a more precise personalized beauty. It can also now customize up to 4 faces whether male or female, to deliver unique beautification for every person in a frame.

Additionally, the OPPO F7 features real-time hardware HDR Technology to take a superior range of luminance levels when shot in bright or shaded environments. Selfies are more fun with dedicated augmented reality stickers and a cover shot bokeh effect that blurs the background to highlight the subject further.

Furthermore, embedded A.I beautification preferences of the user, based on the regular edits made to images in the photo album, and automatically creates similar adjustments on subsequent photos taken on the phone.

Super Full Screen with Multi-Tasking The OPPO F7 embodies a 6.23” Super Full-Screen display with a Full HD+ resolution of 2280x1080 for an enjoyable viewing experience. OPPO maximized the notch screen area with a dedicated multi-tasking toggle to quickly reply to messages or send text messages, users can also quickly take a screenshot or even screen capture to record your gameplay and share immediately.

New Generation of Performance With a new 12mm Octa-Core processor with dedicated A.I. chips, the OPPO F7 is 80% faster than its predecessor, with multi-tasking intended for heavy users thanks to its 4GB RAM. Storage is also upgraded to 64GB with options to expand with its dedicated MicroSD card.

“The OPPO F7 is our latest offering to our customers, we continue to change the selfie smartphone industry with our ground-breaking technologies such as the A.I. Beauty Technology. With our highest front facing 25MP Selfie Camera, improved performance, screen, and a body to admire, the OPPO F7 will surely be a hit just like any other F series models.”said Eason de Guzman, OPPO Philippines’Public Relations Manager.

All-New TV Commercial OPPO F7’s latest TV commercial acknowledges the dilemma of onlinebashing, it starts with OPPO endorser Julia receiving derogative statements, which netizens usually comment to anyone and especially to celebrities.

But with a real capture of herself, all defamatory statements are overpowered with the acknowledgment of Julia’s celebrity couple, Joshua Garcia.

SMART EMPOWERS PH RED CROSS-NOKIA DISASTER RESPONSE SOLUTION PLDT wireless unit Smart Communications will provide high-speed connectivity for a drone system that will help boost the disaster response efforts of the Philippine Red Cross.

Smart will provide connectivity support to Nokia drones, which will be used by the Philippine Red Cross for their humanitarian efforts.

The drone system, which will operate on Smart’s frequencies during times of emergency, is part of Nokia Saving Lives, a program that aims to provide communications’ technology and technical assistance to emergency response teams.

The initiative was showcased in Barcelona, Spain, at the recent Mobile World Congress organized by GSMA, an organization of nearly 800 operators and more than 300 mobile companies all over the world.

The system consists of drones, a portable data center, a mobile broadband network and applications like

Representatives of the Philippine Red Cross, Smart Communications and Nokia meet for the drone project. They are (from left) PRC disaster response and chapter support unit head Archieval Molos, operations center manager May Carol Layugan, Finnish Red Cross country delegate Juan Daniel Reyes, Smart community partnerships’ Joyce Panaligan and Mary Jane Francisco, PRC disaster management services manager Resty Lou Talamayan, Smart community partnerships senior manager Nova Concepcion, Nokia Philippines chief technology officer Timothy Senathirajah, and Nokia Manila Technology Center’s Lawrence Madriaga and Kenneth Pingca.

video streaming, gas sensing, mapping, and analytics, which can help Red Cross responders assess current status of lifelines and analyze immediate needs and gaps. This will enable Red Cross to provide emergency assistance to communities in more timely, effective and efficient ways.

Using Smart’s high-speed LTE connectivity and Nokia’s portable Ultra Compact Network, the system can also create a secure communication between drones, other equipment, and rescue team members.

The drone can be equipped with different types of cameras, sensors and speakers, and can also be used to carry first aid kits. The portable data center, meanwhile, is a computing and storage unit that can be used for immediate data analysis.

“Nokia is committed to using technology to make people’s lives better.

With our Nokia Manila Technology Center, we’re honored to collaborate

with Smart and the Philippine Red Cross in this disaster management enhancement project utilizing LTE connected drones in Philippines, helping the country improve emergency response, and save lives,” said Nicolas Bouverot, head of market unit Asia South.

“We are happy to be part of this project by providing vital communications support for the operations of the drones. This project is in line with our commitment to deploy tech innovations for the benefit of communities, particularly during times of disasters,” said PLDT and Smart public affairs head Ramon R. Isberto.

Smart is one of the three founding signatories of GSMA’s Human Connectivity Charter. The HCC aims to provide increased access to communication and information of for those affected by calamities, helping reduce loss of lives and contribute to humanitarian response.

Since its launch in 2015, HCC has grown to include over 100 mobile operator members and six humanitarian partners across more than 75 countries.

HCC was launched to enable network operators and industry partners to formalize their commitments to enhance their capacity to mitigate, prepare for, and respond to disasters through mobile technology.

Smart’s disaster preparedness programs were cited in GSMA HCC’s annual report in 2016. These programs include Smart’s Emergency Cell Broadcast System, which sends out location- and hazard-specific alerts; its ICT Bayanihan series of regional summits to institutionalize emergency telecommunications teams; and the Batingaw disaster management app, which has been replicated in the Horn of Africa. In 2017, the report said Smart had sent SMS and ECBS disaster alerts to 10 million people.

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SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 2018 Riera U. Mallari, Editor rumallari@thestandard.com.ph

TECH & Gadgets

SENNHEISER STEPS UP TO SHAPE AUDIO’S FUTURE

T

HE Nielson Airport that once operated in Ayala Triangle hasn’t seen a plane take off in more than 70 years. But last week, it was the place where Sennheiser announced a flight of a lifetime for audio enthusiasts in the Philippines.

The leading German audio specialist had just culminated the local leg of its four-month Sennheiser Sound Heroes project, which followed a dozen audio creatives as they discovered new sound experiences through Sennheiser products.

Their journeys produced an insightful first look at some interesting tech, covering areas such as 3D binaural recording (AMBEO Smart Headset), mobile journalism (HandMic Digital), specialized audio for video (MKE 440), and many others.

In the end, musician/DJ Dannie Farmer and lifestyle purveyor Deegee Razon bested a pool of talent that included singers/actors Khalil Ramos and Jay Gonzaga; DJ Jazmin Reyes; bloggers Cha Ocampo, Rhea Bue, Issa Pressman, and Ira Denise Oyco; filmmaker Maqui Castelo; MC Marga Bermudez; and concert photographer Magic Liwanag.

Dannie and Deegee’s novel approach to the Sennheiser sound journey earned them a trip to Sennheiser’s German HQ and flagship store, where they will experience never before seen technology in the world of high-fidelity audio.

They will be joined by Bryan Barcenas, the lucky winner of a raffle for Sennheiser customers.

Locally, Sennheiser also launched the Sennheiser Sound Forum—a series of sustained educational initiatives in the field of audio technology. The inaugural edition, also held at the Nielson Tower, covered topics such as consumer trends, the gaming industry, and even 3D audio. More sessions are planned later this year,

To introduce more people to the Sennheiser difference in sound, the brand announced that it’s offering huge discounts on the popular HD 4.50BTNC (left photo, down to P9,990 from P12,590) wireless headphones. At left, a woman enjoys her Ambeo Smart Headset.

and they all take from Sennheiser’s decades of expertise in audio.

As a gift to the growing community of audio enthusiasts in the Philippines, Sennheiser also launched the Sennheiser Insider newsletter, which brings industry news, promotional discounts, and exclusive deals in the Philippines.

All newly registered Sennheiser Insiders in the Philippines stand a chance to win a pair of Sennheiser CX 7.00BT wireless in-ear neckband headphones (worth P9,490).

Registration ends March 31, 2018: http://bit.ly/2pkVE9g To introduce more people to the Sennheiser difference in sound, the brand also announced that it’s offering huge discounts on the popular HD 4.40BT (Down to P6,990 from original price of P9,490) and HD 4.50BTNC (Down to P9,990 from P12,590) wireless headphones.

Sennheiser’s wide range of wired and wireless headphones are available in the Philippines from the following authorized Sennheiser retailers: Sennheiser Official Store on Lazada, Powermac Center, Egghead Audiohub, The Listening Room, RC Goldline, The A Shop, Techwarez, SM Appliance, Gadgets in Style, Classic HiFi Audio, Digistore, Soundroom, Ambassador Appliances, Western Marketing, PC Express, E-Phone, ETab, E-Phone Plus, Samsung Gateway, Samsung Bridgeway, Odyssey Next, The White Box and Gizmo Central.

The mobile journalism and audio for video microphones are available at: Aperture Trading Corporation, AVESCO Marketing Corporation, Channel International Enterprises Intune Pro Music Center, as well as the Sennheiser Official Store on Lazada.

Sennheiser is shaping the future of audio—a vision built on more than 70 years of innovation culture, which is deeply rooted within the company. Founded in 1945, Sennheiser remains family-owned and is today one of the world’s leading manufacturers of headphones, microphones and wireless transmission systems.

With 20 sales subsidiaries and longestablished trading partners, the company is active in more than 50 countries and operates its own production facilities in Germany, Ireland, and the USA. Sennheiser has around 2,800 employees around the world that share a passion for audio.

Since 2013, Sennheiser has been managed by Daniel Sennheiser and Dr. Andreas Sennheiser, the third generation of the family to run the company. In 2016, the Sennheiser Group had sales totalling 658.4 million euros. www.sennheiser.com

M LHUILLIER: REWARDING GRADUATES GRADUATION season is just around the corner and it’s the most important milestone for students of all ages.

After years of hardships, sleepless nights, and a whole lot of catching up deadlines just to make it to the cut, it’s time for them to close a huge chapter of their lives and start a new journey.

In this joyful season, it is only fitting for the graduates to be rewarded with a gift that they deserve. Not only do graduation gifts are meant to be a reward but it is also a perfect opportunity for the parents to show how proud they are of their children for finishing school.

If you’re running out of ideas on what to give on your graduating loved one, we have the best ideas for you to try: Smartwatch They say that after graduation, the “real life” begins and there’s no other way to prepare yourself than being always aware of time. A smartwatch is definitely one of the ideal gifts someone would appreciate to receive. It is a symbol to cherish every moment and to use time wisely.

Bag Another gift that will surely be functional is a

high-quality bag that can be used for future work. It is an essential staple that carries all forms of essentials. Opt for a design that has a laptop compartment for convenience when you’re always moving around.

Laptop On the other hand, if you are looking for a practical gift that the recipient can surely use on their future career, a laptop may be the most appropriate gift. It is a bit costly but you can guarantee that it is

beneficial whether for future work or future studies.

When choosing, pick a laptop that has the latest features to maximize its capabilities.

ML Wallet If all things mentioned above are already on the recipient’s possession, there is one thing you can give that will never fail—money. In this case, they can have the freedom to choose on what to buy for themselves and at the same time save yourself from planning and thinking on what to get them. M Lhuillier offers a variety of services that will make it convenient for you to send money. One of which is the ML Wallet that lets you send cash with just a few taps on your smartphone.

Whatever you decide to give to your graduating loved one during this season, make sure that you are not just confined on the material things. At the end of the day, showing your love and support in your own different way is what will matter the most.

To know more about ML Wallet, go to http://www. mlhuillier.com/ or visit their social media accounts: Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/mlhuillier.official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mlhuillierofficial/

LG TO UNVEIL AI PREMIUM SMARTPHONE LG’s newest phone finally has a launch date.

The electronics company recently announced that it will officially unveil its premium LG G7ThinQ smartphone on May 2 at the Metropolitan West in New York City and on May 3 at I’PARK Mall in Seoul.

Slated for release in Manila at the end of May, this premium unit will be the first G series smartphone to adopt the ThinQ name, which is used to brand all of LG’s consumer electronics, home appliances and services that utilize artificial intelligence.

This seventh generation G Series phone is the latest evolution of the the LG V30SThinQ, the first LG smartphone to incorporate AI technology as part of itscore features, including voice recognition and Vision AI. Apart from providing consumers with new ways to interact with their phone, the LG G7ThinQ will offer improved interconnectivity with other LG ThinQ devices such as home appliances, TVs and more.

“Now is the time when manufacturers have to pay close attention to what customers actually need and want for their smartphones,” said Hwang Jeonghwan, president of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “With the LG G7ThinQ, LG is continuing to deliver on its promise to enhance core technologies to meet customers’ real life needs by incorporating AI technologies that are more than features, they are part of the user experience.”

The LG G7 ThinQ‘s predecessor, the LG G6 was launched in Manila in April of last year. Dubbed the “social media phone,” the LG G6, which won an unprecedented 31 booth awards at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2017, features a 5.7-inch fullvision display, 18:9 aspect ratio, a dual lens 13-megapixel camera, Dolby Vision and HDR 10 support, and Google Assistant, not to mention a killer design. Expect the LG G7ThinQ to have more of the same features, but much improved and more beneficial to consumers.

UBER-GRAB DEAL HITS SPEED BUMP SINGAPORE—Singapore on Friday imposed restrictions on ride-hailing firm Grab’s acquisition of Uber’s Southeast Asian business until it concludes a probe into whether the sale may have infringed competition rules.

Grab, which is headquartered in Singapore, last month agreed to buy Uber’s foodand ride-hailing operations in the region, ending a battle between the companies and marking the US firm’s latest retreat from international markets.

But Singapore’s competition watchdog has raised concerns about the deal and Friday issued interim measures while it continues an investigation.

There is growing regulatory scrutiny of the deal across the region, with the Philippines and Malaysia also saying they are looking into whether it hinders competition.

Under the rules issued in Singapore, which take effect immediately, Grab and Uber will not be allowed to integrate operations in the city-state until the probe is concluded.

They will have to maintain separate pricing and cannot obtain confidential information from each other like costing or customer and driver details. AFP

ANNE CURTIS IS 1ST SHOPEE BRAND AMBASSADOR SHOPEE, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, announced Anne Curtis as its first brand ambassador in line with the launch of 5.5 Shopee Super Sale.

The campaign is set to be the biggest mid-year online sale in the Philippines and runs from April 13 to May 5. It features discounts of up to 90% off on thousands of products, with deals as low as 55 peso and daily flash sales. The Filipina-Australian superstar will also be making her debut as Shopee’s brand ambassador in Shopee’s first ever television commercial in the Philippines.

“We are thrilled to announce Anne as Shopee Philippines’ first official brand ambassador and to have her join us in kick-starting the biggest mid-year online sale in the Philippines. Her friendly, fun and sociable personality best represents Shopee’s brand positioning as the leading online shopping platform, especially among millennials. In addition to being the face of Shopee, and the upcoming 5.5 Shopee Super Sale, Anne will also be starring in our first ever television commercial,” said Terence Pang, Chief Operating

Officer of Shopee.

“I am always on the move because of my busy schedule. Shopee makes it so convenient for me to do all my online shopping on my phone. Shopee has grown tremendously over the past few years, and I am excited to be part of the Shopee family. As brand ambassador for Shopee Philippines, I look forward to more exciting campaigns and events to come,” said Curtis.

In line with the engagement of Curtis as Shopee Philippines’ first brand ambassador is the launch of 5.5 Shopee Super Sale.

Users can look forward to non-stop exciting deals lined up from April 13 onwards, leading up to the mega 24-hour shopping fiesta on May 5. The campaign will feature massive promotions including P55 deals, daily in-app vouchers and surprises, as well as discounts up to 90% off across a wide range of categories. Fans of Anne Curtis can also look forward to the “Anne’s Top Picks” collection and giveaways featuring Shopee merchandise autographed by the celebrity.

Users can also shop exclusive deals from leading brands under the recently launched Shopee Mall;

such as Samsung, Coca-Cola, Unilever, Nescafe Dolce Gusto, NIDO® ADVANCED PROTECTUS® 3+, NANKID® OPTIPRO® FOUR, Colgate-Palmolive, AVEENO® Active Naturals®, Belo Essentials, Equal Sweetener, Silverworks, Banana Peel, i2i New York, Unisilver, Faber-Castell, Deuter, Head Racket, Coleman and more.

Additionally, Anne will be launching her own cosmetics line on Shopee. From 11 April, makeup lovers will be able to purchase BLK cosmetics via the BLK Cosmetics Official Shop on Shopee Mall, which features a 100% Authenticity Guarantee, 7 Days Return, Cash on Delivery and Free Shipping nationwide.

To celebrate the launch of the BLK Cosmetics Official Shop, Anne will be giving away a limited edition autographed mirror to the first 100 customers, with a minimum spend of 1,000 pesos.

Check out the 5.5 Shopee Super Sale at https:// shopee.ph/m/55shopeesupersale.

Shop BLK cosmetics at shopee.ph/blkcosmetics.

For more information, visit www.shopee.ph.

Download the Shopee app for free on Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

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Young Life sunday, april 15, 2018

Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor

manilastandardlife@gmail.com

@manilastandardlife

running in colors

@MStandardLIFE

ADULTING 101

4 financial

tips

for fresh

college grads

HeRe’S a reminder to fresh graduates: life after school is never easy.

You will have bills to pay, obligations to fulfill, and work to do.

Managing your money is probably the single most important skill you need to have in life but will never learn in school. the first thing to learn is the art of saving money and how to be financially savvy.

Here are four tips from BPI Management, Inc. for uninitiated college grads who wish to start their adult lives the right way.

HAPPY HUES. Runners at the CM Paradise Run in Santa Rosa, Laguna celebrate their colorful finish.

I

t quIte literally was the most colorful day for those who joined ColorManila’s fun runs held simultaneously in Laguna and Dagupan.

Families, friends, and couples on April 8 trooped to Greenfield in Santa Rosa Laguna for CM Paradise Run, sponsored by Honda Motors, and to CSI Mall in Dagupan, Pangasinan for CM Glitter Run, co-presented by CSI Malls.

Many runners, from enthusiasts to professional athletes, joined the country’s most colorful fun run franchise as both events were packed and sold out.

Beauty queen Zara Carbonell, Philippine National Swimming team’s Jasmine Alkhaldi, and Philippine Volcanoes’ evan Spargo, were also seen enjoying the event at the CM Paradise Run Laguna leg.

“We are delighted to have had a successful weekend, marked by these two events, CM Glitter Run in Dagupan City and CM Paradise Run held in Laguna,” enthused ColorManila vice president Justine Cordero.

She added, “Our followers can look forward to at least 20 more events for the year, which will be held in different parts of the country. Our only goal is to keep our runners happy and for them to enjoy the events that we work hard for.”

ColorManila’s next CM Paradise Run events are happening in Iloilo on May 20 and in Cebu on June 17.

1. Get a decent job

Working to support yourself sets you up for independence and maturity. Having a source of income and being productive are essential. It’s the beginning of your relationship with money as an adult. Of course, others may have entrepreneurial inclinations. So whether it is a job or a business, the idea is to have the means to earn.

2. Keep a grip on your finances

If you’re living independently, you will be paying for your own food, utilities, rent, and other things you never worried about when you were still studying and living with your parents.

Learn how to spend wisely, and clearly identify needs and wants so you can fine-tune your budget. Make a habit of listing your expenses to make it easy for you to track where your money goes.

Knowing how much you spend in, say, a month, is important to help you create a realistic budget that works for you.

Families, friends, and couples participate in the country's most colorful running event.

What to Wear at music festivals tHe Philippine outdoor music event scene is thriving and growing as more large-scale music festivals and international artists are setting their sights on the country.

Music festival is not just a place to listen to indie music or dance to upbeat eDM tracks, it is also a great venue to showcase your Coachella or Woodstock vibe. Here are two looks you can wear for a day or night of awesome fun and non-stop music.

Downtown florals

Music festivals involve a whole night of dancing, jumping, and singing your heart out, so be sure to don your comfiest clothes to have the best fun. take out your summer-printed floral shorts and skirts and pair it with a cropped top—the no-fail, music fest look.

Key pieces: Floral bottoms, statement tassel earrings or flower accessories, Merrell 1SIX8 Linna Strap Sandals

Turn to C2

Dainty prints

For a more laid-back look, opt for floor-length bottoms and sleeveless blouses.

Printed loose pants and maxi skirts are best worn with other solid-colored coordinates such as textured and fitted tops.

Key pieces: Lace or satin cropped top, printed maxi bottoms, gold or bronze multiplelayered necklace, Merrell terran Ari sandals

young life

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sunday, april 15, 2018 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

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3. Start investing

the easiest way to make your money work for you is through investing because saving money alone is not enough to secure your financial future. there are many options for investments. One good way to invest is through mutual funds. these are professionally managed funds invested in a portfolio of various financial instruments or assets such as shares of stock of companies and bonds.

Various investment products could yield high returns for your money. these days, you can start investing in a mutual fund with as little as p5,000. the important thing here is to invest regularly. College graduates are in that sweet spot in their investing life cycle because they are young, and they have a lot of time to make their money grow.

The Songbird and her Son W

the asia's songbird, regine Velasquez-alcasid loves singing and spending time with her 6-year-old son, nate.

ith an illustrious entertainment career spanning three decades, regine Velasquez-alcasid has done almost everything. But for the asia’s songbird, there’s only one role she loves best: being a mom to her sixyear-old son nate.

4. Enroll in an automatic investment plan

the effort of setting aside a portion of your savings monthly to your investment may be a struggle at first. to make investing easier, enroll in a regular subscription plan. this way, you can schedule your monthly contribution to your investment for as low as p1,000. Further build your wealth through a non-hassle transaction, as you can easily enroll in these automatic savings schemes. this way, you save and invest a decent amount without feeling the financial burden.

For more information about ALFM Mutual Funds, and how to start your adult life on the right financial footing, visit www.alfmmutualfunds.com.

since nate came to her and husband Ogie alcasid’s lives in 2011, regine has slowed down on her career to spend more time with her son. the first seven years are the most crucial to a child’s development, as studies show, and the songbird is determined to make the most of it. regine shares one of their favorite bonding activities is to talk to each other before bed. “he always has a lot of kwento for me at night,” she says. “he would always say, ‘Mommy, last kwento,’ but this last story would go on for 20 minutes! But honestly, that’s the highlight of my day. he really loves talking.” according to regine, her son loves to play with unusual toys. “he loves hotel supplies like toothbrushes,” relates the celebrity mom. “so one time when i was traveling, i brought everything back home to him. he was so happy, akala mo binigyan ko ng special gift. to him, it was really special because he knows i remembered him. i then realized, you can buy your child all the toys you can think of, but what they really want is more time with you.” regine’s realization is not lost on nate, who, despite his parents’ celebrity status, prefers simple bonding activities

like going on picnics and playing with mom and dad. One of their favorite food to eat during those bonding moments is Jolly spaghetti.

“When it’s time for merienda, he would say “i want one Jolly spaghetti, two Chickenjoy legs, and two fries.” When i’m not at home, he would ask to order Jollibee and pay for it with his own money! Hindi niya ako hihintayin!” regine candidly shares. “the Jolly spaghetti is so yummy!” exclaims the six-year-old. “it’s sweet and cheesy and i can eat a lot of it!” regine and nate share their love for each other and of Jollibee’s sweet-sarap spaghetti in the latest Jolly spaghetti tV ad. in the commercial, regine revisits a familiar scene—a full concert auditorium with thousands of adoring fans—with a sweet-sarap surprise backstage for nate. the ad shows special everyday moments between mother and son, with regine narrating how being a mom has shed new light on day-to-day situations. “the storyboard is so touching and very personal,” says regine. “it shows my different roles as regine, but it also shows that my greatest one is being a mom, which is the most difficult yet most fulfilling role i have to play.”

nate's favorite merienda is a serving of Jolly spaghetti

HomescHooled acHievers

some of homeschool Global's achievers (clockwise): arianna natasha Chua, louise Mabulo, Cheska rojas, and harmie Constantino

hOMesChOOl Global, a Christian learning organization focused on providing comprehensive learning services, recently staged a Family Fun day to recognize homeschoolers who have excel in their respective fields. the event, dubbed “let’s Come together,” gathered some of successful hG homeschoolers who shared their talents to the thousand other homeschooled students and their families who attended. among those who took time to celebrate were Cheska rojas, homeschool tV host and now a theater actress who played the role Molly in Annie The Musical and one of the sewer kids in the play Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. rojas sang a cover of the popular song “i don’t Know My name” on her ukulele. twins Freya and Faline dorado, budding theater actors, performed together the song “it’s a hard-Knock life” from Annie The Musical. Freya played the role of Gretl in the Sound of Music Manila tour while Faline was one of the finalists during the auditions.

Mika O’hara, one of the Filipino delegates in the un youth assembly and a homeschool tV host and content creator, was the event’s emcee.

Other hG achievers present during the event who shared their inspiring journey were louise Mabulo, a winner in the Junior Master Chef competition of aBs-CBn and the country’s representative to the disciples escoffier young talent trophy in hong Kong; harmie Constantino, a scholar from the university of Georgia and an accomplished junior golfer; arianna natasha Chua, a bronze awardee at the China Junior Math Olympiad in 2011, a silver medalist at the international Mathematics Competition 2013 in singapore, and 5th overall at the international regions Mathematics league in university of nevada in 2016.

Other notable achievers from hG are gifted golfer Miguel tabuena and math whiz adrian nathaniel Chua.

For more information about Homeschool Global, visit www.homeschoolglobal.com.

Showbiz

SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 2018

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

MISS ECO INTERNATIONAL 2018

BET SUPPORTS BORACAY SHUTDOWN

By Eton Concepcion

C

YNTHIA Thomalla, who is set to compete against more than 70 representatives from all over the world at the Miss Eco International 2018 in Egypt, said during her send-off ceremony that she fully supported the government’s decision to close down Boracay temporarily to undergo rehabilitation.

The 22-year-old Filipino-German beauty from Southern Leyte hoped that those to be affected by the closure will be provided with alternative livelihood programs by the local government to help them carry through. She also expressed the need for tourists to be responsible and respectful of the environment and places that they would visit.

Thomalla, a dead ringer for Hollywood actress Anne Hathaway, is a model under Cebu’s Origin Model Management and has a degree in Tourism and Event Management. The youngest of four siblings, Thomalla was born in Germany to a German father and moved to her mother’s hometown in Macrohon when she was nine.

Miss Eco International 2018, now on its 4th edition, is touted as the biggest beauty pageant in the Middle East with the winner to work with the United Nations as an environment ambassador. Local franchise national director Arnold Vegafria expressed confidence of a Thomalla victory to follow on her batchmate Winwyn Marquez and Sophia Senoron’s title conquest at Reina Hispanoamericana 2017 in Bolivia and Miss Multinational 2018 in India, respectively.

Candidates to Miss Eco International 2018 will be treated to a tour of Egypt’s historic spots including Alexandria’s Bibliotheca Alexandrina and Elmontaza Park, Calimera Habiba Eco Resort in Marsa Alam, Wadi Elgemal protected area, and Luxor’s Karnak and Hatshepsut temples. Miss Eco International 2018 coronation finals will be held at the Cairo Opera House in Zamalek, Egypt on April 27 where reigning titlist Amber Bernachi of Canada will pass on her crown.

Cebu's pride Cynthia Thomalla is set to represent the country at the Miss Eco International 2018 to be held in Cairo, Egypt.

ONE LAST MISSION FOR MIKEE AND MIKOY IN ‘SIRKUS’ FINALE Andre Paras as the lovable strongman Martel

Sef Cadayona as the funny acrobat Al

ADVENTURE-FILLED fantasy series Sirkus starring Mikee Quintos and Mikoy Morales airs its final episode today at 6:10 p.m. on GMA-7.

Sirkus Salamanca leader Master Leviticus (Gardo Versoza) has made the ultimate sacrifice—giving up his life to save twins Mia (Mikee) and Miko (Mikoy) from La Ora’s (Cherie Gil) deadly blow.

With his dying breath, Master Levi gives the twins one final mission, which is to use their powers as the prophesied Tempus to go back in time and change one very significant moment. He tells them to plant the seeds of compassion where hate was once sown.

As time runs out for the Sirkus team, Mia and Miko use the time portal and return to the past. There, in the old gathering of magical folk called Pulang Pista, they meet the young Leviticus (David Remo). They tell him that they must stop a tragedy from happening that very day, a tragedy that would define the path of a young girl who would grow dark and bring destruction to the world.

Meanwhile, the Sirkus gathers together in one final embrace in the present, facing La Ora as she continues to wreak havoc. “Walang iwanan,” they say to each other.

Produced by the award-winning GMA Public Affairs team, Sirkus also features Andre Paras, as the lovable strongman Martel, Chariz Solomon as the quirky clairvoyant Astra, Sef Cadayona as the funny acrobat Al, and Klea Pineda as the gorgeous fire-breather Sefira.

Playing special roles are Zoren Legaspi and Angelu de Leon as the twins’ parents Miguel and Liza. Helping Che-

rie’s character are Divine Tetay and Facundo as La Ora’s minions Luca and Facundo, respectively.

The series is created by Program Manager Angeli Atienza and directed by internationally-awarded writerdirector Zig Dulay.

Mikee Quintos and Mikoy Morales as twins Mia and Miko

AXN adds 'Britain’s Got Talent' to its slate of April programming.

AXN

WELCOMES

‘BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT’ BRITAIN’S Got Talent, the UK version of the world’s favorite talent competition, will make its home on AXN today with the premiere of season 12 at 9:05 p.m., or within 24 hours of the UK telecast.

The kings and queens of entertainment Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and David Walliams return once again to their rightful thrones on the judging panel.

“AXN is Asia’s undisputed pan-regional home of talent where we provide performers of all backgrounds with a powerful platform to showcase their unique skills. The addition of Britain’s Got Talent to our programming line-up complements our record-breaking original production, Asia’s Got Talent,” said Virginia Lim, Senior Vice President and Head of Content, Production and Marketing, Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia.

Over the past few months, the popular judges have travelled the UK seeking out the weird and the wacky, the wonderful and the inspirational.

With thousands of applicants, AXN viewers will be astounded by the impressive line-up of acts competing to be crowned this year’s winner.

The past decade has seen Britain’s Got Talent deliver some of the most talked about winners including Paul Potts, Diversity, Ashleigh & Pudsey, Lance Corporal Richard Jones and most recently, Tokio Myers.

AXN is available on Cablelink Channel 38, Cignal Channel 121, Destiny Cable Channel 49, G Sat Channel 51, and SKYCable Channel 49. AXN HD is available on SKYCable Channel 247.

'Running Wild' host Bear Grylls

REAL AND RAW IN ‘SURVIVOR

SUNDAYS’

ROUGHING it up has never been this dangerous and exciting. This year, Discovery Channel pools together its toughest and wildest nature gurus for an adventure of a lifetime with new stunt Survivor Sundays, all set to embark today at 9 p.m. on Discovery Channel.

Get ready to see the real and gritty world of survival as the Survival Sundays features some of the world’s renowned survival experts such as Bear Grylls, Ed Stafford, Joel Lambert, Andy Qultmeyer, Joe Teti, and Matt Graham.

In a historic and unprecedented special edition episode of Running Wild, Grylls takes former president Barack Obama on an adventure in the Alaskan Wilderness. Stafford on the other hand, is spotted in our home turf, Coron Island in the Philippines, attempting to survive on a secluded beach. He hasn’t been abandoned on an island since his ordeals on ‘Naked and Marooned’ and when he gets seriously ill, he starts to struggle with ghosts from the past.

Out in the Pacific, Qultmeyer tries to survive in a remote Hawaiian jungle, one of the most rain soaked and challenging places on earth. Meanwhile, heading straight to Asia, Teti taking on the South Korean National Police (KNP) SWAT unit in a challenge like he’s never faced before, an urban evasion.

C4

sunday, april 15, 2018

Desiree Carlos, Editor

daycarlos28@yahoo.com

Pets

It’S offIcIally Summer In the PhIlIPPIneS pet tales

I

By desiree carlos

T IS that time of the year when people love to take it easy and go on vacations.

But for dogs, this can be a rather challenging and difficult time.

Recently, a number of dogs have been brought to the clinic due to heat stroke.

Doc Anthony Prado Basa of Sha Sha Clinic noted a rise in the number of dogs who were brought to the clinic with the following symptoms: *panting *dehydration *not much urine *increase in body temperature (41c up). A temperature of 109 °f (42.8 °C) is usually fatal. *redness of gums *drooling *rapid heart beat These are signs of heat stroke. Give first aid immediately and bring to your vet.

Doc Cerdy Deloso of Deloso Vetrinary Clinic added the following symptoms: seizure and coma. These obviously require Blacky loves baths during the summer days. Blacky and her four (4) fursiblings were taken in by Save ALL when her owner, a homeless old woman, had a stroke and lay dying on a street of Pasay City. Blacky is now in one of the foster care homes of Save ALL, waiting for a loving, lifetime adopter. immediate medical intervention.

Wikihow explains that dogs do not release heat as well as humans.

“It is not advisable to give the dog human sports drinks. If “As such, we may not be aware of the fact that a dog has the dog seems uninterested in water, cool or room temperabecome overheated until symptoms suddenly develop. Heat ture (low-fat, unsalted) beef or chicken broth is an acceptable stroke in dogs is a very serious condition and its onset can be substitute, “ Wikihow said. sudden, escalating into an emergency situation in a matter of “Do not force feed water to the dog if he cannot drink freely minutes. Knowing how to treat a dog experiencing heat stroke on his own. Instead, wet his lips, gums, and tongue with water may be vital to saving your dog's life,” Wikihow said. squeezed from a facecloth or clean towel, “ Wikihow added.

3. Cool the dog with water.

How to recognize heat stroke Ace, 3.5-month-old If possible, wet the dog continuously with water but make 1. Monitor your dog’s temperature. rescued pup of Save sure to reduce the pressure if the water is coming from a hose.

Please write down the following: dog’s temperature at what ALL who is up for It is best to wet the dog slowly with water from a dipper so time, conditions like direct sunlight, and the dog’s level of acadoption, seems to you can control the flow of water. What you are aiming at is to enjoy having pads of tivity prior to the and at the start of symptoms. These details his feet rubbed with slowly remove the heat from your dog. will be needed by your vet. alcohol to release “Do not submerge your dog underwater completely, as he 2. Observe your dog for initial heat stroke symptoms. the heat on a very can lose temperature too quickly, which may lead to other It is always best to catch a heat stroke in its early stages to hot day. complications,“ Wikihow said. prevent permanent damage to your dog’s internal organs.

It added, ”Be sure that the water is not overly cold. Very cold Some early signs of heat stroke include: or ice water can actually slow the dog’s cooling processes.” *Excessive or loud panting When you wet your dog, start with the extremities such as *Extreme thirst the paws, head and tail. *frequent vomiting Soak a towel in cool water and place this between his back *A bright red tongue and pale gums legs and in his armpits. Some put a cold bottle in a towel and *Skin around muzzle or neck does not snap back when pinched use this instead. *Thick saliva 4. Contact your veterinarian. *Increased heart rate Even if your dog is responding well to cooling treatments, 3. Be aware of signs of worsening heat stroke. you must contact your vet immediately.

Check your dog for the following signs: “Internal (organ) damage is a possible side effect of a heat *Increased difficulty in breathing stroke. undiagnosed complications can be fatal to your dog, “ *Gums that turn bright red, then blue or purple Wikihow said. *Weakness and/or fatigue 5. Place rubbing alcohol on the pads of the dog’s paws. *Disorientation Dogs release heat from the pads of their feet. *Collapse or coma Put rubbing alcohol on the pads to release the heat. The feet Please restrict the dogs’ movement at this time. Do not alshould be exposed to cool air.

How to help a dog suffering from heat stroke low the dog to run around until the heat stroke has passed.

Do not use too much alcohol. Your dog might ingest this 1. Remove the dog from the heat immediately.

If you can, carry your dog to a cool place instead of making and it is harmful to him/her.

It is best to move the dog to an airconditioned area. him walk.

If this is not possible, bring the dog to a shaded area, prefer2. Give the dog cool water.

Next Sunday: How to prevent heat stroke in dogs. ably with a lot of air flowing in that area.

Give your dog a small amount of cool water at first.

Pet trade Show 2018:

a fun, bonding day for pets and their owners A fun Sunday awaits pet owners and their pets at the Pet Summit Philippines’ Pet Trade Show 2018 at 12 noon the Blue Bay walk, Diosdado Macapagal avenue, Pasay City today.

There is a picnic area for dogs and free drinks, a playground, and lots of raffle prizes for owners and their pets, among others.

The event is organized by Paws & Tails Event Concepts and Management and ALL4PETSParty. Com with the support of north Crew Events and Projects.