Manila Standard - 2018 June 24 - Sunday

VOL. XXXII • NO. 129 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

SPRAWLING DESTINATION. Inside

Alviera’s two-hectare SandBox in Porac, Pampanga north of Manila, the adventure destination has a unique selection of facilities that provide a memorable outdoor experience for everyone.

SandBox has Asia’s first rollercoaster zipline and the tallest giant swing in the Philippines as its main attractions. Other fun activities to be enjoyed include archery and ATV/UTV rides for those who are seeking a more thrilling adventure. Teddy Pelaez

WORLD CUP INSPIRES EGG ART HO CHI MINH CITY—Football scarves, shirts and... eggshell art?

World Cup swag has taken a quirky turn in Vietnam where a retired school teacher is making mascot memorabilia from hollowed-out eggs, meticulously crafted by Turn to A2 hand.

RODY RULES OUT ARREST OF 'TAMBAY'

By Vito Barcelo and Joel Zurbano PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte told off his detractors for not listening well to his speech which caused

38 NATIONS SEEK END TO 'KILLINGS'

By Vito Barcelo and Maricel V. Cruz

T

HIRTY-EIGHT states, including Spain, France, Britain, Australia and Germany, have urged the Philippine government to put an end to drug killings and to cooperate in an investigation—a call immediately pooh-poohed by Malacañang.

“We urge the government of the Philippines to take all necessary measures to bring killings associated with the campaign against illegal drugs to an end and cooperate with the international community to investigate all related deaths and hold perpetrators accountable,” Iceland said on behalf of 38 states during the 38th session of the UN Human Rights Council.

But Malacañang ridiculed the international human rights group’s concern over human rights situation in the country, telling the 38 UNHRC memberstates the Philippines was applying its own rule in investigating abuses particularly on its drug war.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the government did not need to be called out to conduct a probe on alleged human rights abuses because the police and other law enforcement and government agencies were doing their part to look into reports of abuses.

“Well, even without the call, Congress has already implemented the law. We have already conducted inventories on the deaths of suspected drug dealers and users in the ongoing war versus illegal drugs,” Roque said.

In a related development: • In the House, lawmakers on Saturday expressed differing views on the Council statement urging the Philippine government to put an end to drug killings and to cooperate in an investigation.

Reps. Rodolfo Albano III of Isabela and Johnny Pimentel of Surigao del Sur shrugged off the UN Human Rights Council statement.

Albano defended the administration’s war on drugs.

“We are investigating all drugrelated killings already,” said Albano, majority leader for the House contingent’s Commission on Appointments.

In fact, Albano said the Philippine government might withdraw from the Council because of its alleged bias against the

Duterte administration’s policy on war on drugs.

“Let us do a Trump, let us leave the UN body,” Albano added., referring to US President Donald Trump’s statement that Washington was withdrawing from the UN Council.

Pimentel echoed Albano’s view.

“We can always withdraw from the Council just like what the United States did.”

Besides, Pimentel said, there was no proof that the extrajudicial killing was being perpetrated by the government. “The deaths [were] a result of legitimate buy-bust drug operations,” Pimentel, chairman of the House committee on good government, said.

But Magdalo Party-list Rep. Gary Alejano said “President Duterte is indeed famous worldwide in his brutal war on drugs which already claimed thousands of Filipino lives in the country.”

Alejano said the fact remained his war on drugs “violates the constitutional due process [of law] and respect for human rights.”

Rep. Gus Tambunting of Parañaque City said he respected the statement of the Council.

“The government has been firm that the human rights of our people must be respected,” Tambunting, chairman of the House committee on games and amusement, said.

But opposition Rep. Tom Villarin of Akbayan said the Philippine government should listen to the call of the UN Human Rights body.

“I think the Philippine government should heed this call by the UN Human Rights Council unless it wants to be tagged as the deadliest country in the world with respect to human rights violations,” Villarin said.

He added the statement of the UN Human Rights body “also serves as a warning that inaction would mean that the international criminal court can now proceed with the much-anticipated investigation on the deaths of thousands by President Duterte’s war on drugs.”

He added: “It will signal other UN bodies to look into possible sanctions against the Philippines for such impunity. It’s long overdue and should be the tipping point for the end of Duterte’s reign of terror.”

In Malacañang, Roque insisted the government was looking into allegations if due process was being followed or not.

“We don’t need the call of other countries. We are doing it even without the call of UNHRC,” Roque said in a text message.

In a joint statement, the UNHRC said that they were “encouraged by reports that the Government of the Philippines has indicated a willingness to cooperate with the UN to allow an objective assessment of the human rights situation in the country.”

“We urge the Government of the Philippines to cooperate with the United Nations system—including the Human Rights Council and its Turn to A2

ANOTHER BONER FOR PCOO

SOUTHERN TRADITION. Yakan

women in Mindanao’s Basilan tribal village demonstrate how to weave their traditional garments, known for difficult patterns, at the village booth at the ARMM compound on Thursday. The villages feature traditional living, tribal communities, livelihood, heritage, arts, cuisines and products.

Omar Mangorsi

WHEN will they ever learn?

After the ‘Norwegia’ and ‘Rogelio’ fiasco, the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) is again hogging the spotlight for committing yet another mistake in its news release dated June 13.

The PCOO, this time, referred to Senator Sherwin Gatchalian as ‘Winston,’ a mistake that the senator himself pointed out.

In a post, Gatchalian asked: “May twitter.com/ MlaStandard

facebook.com/ ManilaStandardPH

S

manilastandard.net

pagasa pa ba ang PCOO (Is there still hope for the PCOO)???”

The PCOO has yet to correct the error on its website as of this writing.

Earlier, the PCOO headed by former broadcaster Martin Andanar drew flak after it called Norway “Norwegia” in its Facebook post, and later erroneously name the late National Security Adviser Roilo Golez as “Rogelio.”

Golez’s full name is Jose Roilo S. Turn to A2

an uproar over the “tambay” issue, and clarified he never ordered law enforcement agents to arrest street loiterers.

Duterte said that, as a lawyer, he was fully aware of the rights of every person and clearly stated under the constitution that “tambay” or loitering was not a crime, but explained there were ordinances to be followed.

“They are not listening these f….k,” the President said in his profanity-laden speech during this year’s National Information and Communications Technology Summit in Davao. Turn to A2

'WHO IS THIS STUPID GOD?' PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Friday night asked “Who is this stupid God?” as he continued a tirade against priests, religion, and critics of the government’s war against illegal drugs.

Toward the end of his speech at the opening of the 2018 National ICT Summit in Davao City, the President touched on the story of Turn to A2

President Rodrigo Duterte

DRUG TESTS NOT FOR KIDS—HRW

By Vito Barcelo and Joel Zurbano PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s “war on drugs” may soon place thousands of primary school children in harm’s way, according to Phelim Kine, deputy director in Human Rights Watch’s Asia Division.

Kine’s statement followed the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency announcement on Friday it was seeking the authority from the Dangerous Drugs Board to impose annual surprise drug screening tests on teachers and school children starting from the fourth grade.

PDEA has justified the move as an attempt to identify 10-year-old potential drug users so they “can get intervention while they are still young.”

But Malacañang advised PDEA to first consult with the Department of Turn to A2

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A2

SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

CUSTOMS MEN RAID FAKE GOODS WAREHOUSES

By Vito Barcelo THE Bureau of Customs confiscated thousands of boxes of fake goods such as shoes, apparels, beauty products, toys, bags, cook wares, tiles and other imported items estimated to be worth P300 million in several warehouses in Baclaran, Pasay City.

The bureau raided three warehouses in Baclaran, Parañaque city and found the counterfeit smuggled goods inside Sunjoy Tower, Bagong Milenyo, and New Russel buildings.

“The operation was conducted after the BOC-ESS received a tip that fake items are stored in the buildings,” BOC Commissioner Isidro Lapeña said.

The Customs operatives, armed mission order conducted series of operations Inside the warehouses and discovered large volume of shoes, bags, backpacks, all believed to be counterfeit.

Lapeña said the intercepted shoes stored in the warehouses have an estimated market value of approximately P200 million while the bags are said to be worth P100 million.

The warehouses were owned or leased to certain Cai Lu Zhi, Yang Yang, Yong Shun Chen, and Angkong.

No arrest was made as the alleged owners of the warehouses were not in the premises during the raid. Only the warehouse security personnel was present during the raid.

Counterfeit goods are classified as prohibited under the Republic Act No. 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.

The warehouse owners will be charged with violations of Section 118 (Prohibited Importation and Exportation) of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) in relation to Republic Act 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code.

ONLINE GAMBLING RING BUSTED; WEBSITE HOST IN PH

H

ANOI—Vietnamese police broke up an online football gambling ring worth around $26 million, arresting four people as authorities look to stop black market betting that surges during sporting events like the ongoing World Cup. Gambling is illegal in Vietnam apart from the state-run lottery and a few casinos which are only open to foreigners.

But the law is widely flouted, especially during top-tier sports competitions when many punters head online or to illegal gambling dens to try their luck.

The four people were arrested in Ho Chi Minh City on Friday, accord-

ing to a report published the same day in the police’s official Cong An Nhan Dan newspaper. Several others were also summoned for questioning.

The suspects allegedly admitted to operating transactions through a website hosted in the Philippines.

“Since early 2017, the total transactions of the gambling ring have been worth more than 600 billion

'WHO...

From A1 Adam and Eve in the Bible and how they were tempted by the snake.

Saying “malice was born” the moment Adam ate the fruit Eve offered him, Duterte then said: “Who is this stupid God? Estupido talaga itong p***** i** kung ganun [This son of a whore must really be stupid]. You created some— something perfect and then you think of an event that would tempt and destroy the quality of your work.”

“How—how can you rationalize a God?” he added. “Kaya nga sabi ko diyan ‘wag ka maniwala niyang… [That’s why I say you don’t believe in...]”

It was the latest jarring statement on religion by the President, who says he believes in God but doesn’t care for organized religion despite being born a Catholic, even as he found a more receptive audience in his native Davao than one in Iloilo province on Thursday.

The President was speaking to about 3,000 agrarian reform beneficiaries at a multipurpose gym in Cabatuan, Iloilo when bells rang continuously from the nearby church, forcing him to pause for more than a minute before asking: “Is that the Angelus or they are just ringing for me?”

Also, while audiences normally laugh at Duterte’s crude jokes and admonishments in any public setting, the Iloilo crowd was mostly silent and just clapped politely at the end of the President’s speech, according to news reports and first-person accounts shared on Facebook and other social media.

The President has been dealing with recent calls by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines to tone down his rhetoric on priests slain by unknown gunmen, which has forced about 200 men of the cloth to apply for permits to carry guns and defend themselves.

In Davao, Duterte said he could not accept the concept of having an original sin. Vito Barcelo

passionate punters.

Authorities around the region are stepping up scrutiny of sports betting as the 2018 World Cup in Russia leads to a spike in online bets.

Thailand arrested more than 2,500 suspected gamblers from June 14 to June 20 as part of a sweeping crackdown, according to deputy national police spokesman Krissana Pattanacharoen.

Most of those arrested will face suspended sentences and a small fine, police said.

In neighbouring Cambodia, Prime Minister Hun Sen told listeners in a speech broadcast live on his Facebook page this week not to bet on the tournament because “the ball is round” and unpredictable.

THREATS SLOW DOWN BID TO UPGRADE AFP THE government’s ongoing campaign against various threat groups are definitely slowing down efforts to modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Saturday.

“Of course, because money that could have been used for modernizing our troops are used to fight terror,” Lorenzana said.

“For instance, in the five-month Marawi siege, the AFP spent almost P4 billion [to fight and defeat the Maute Group terrorists], excluding the amount to care for the IDPs [internally displaced persons] by other agencies that ran into billions as well,” he added in response to que-

38 NATIONS...

From A1 special procedure mandate holders— without preconditions or limitations,” the UNHRC added The statement also said the group was concerned over alleged harassment of members of the Commission on Human Rights and those exercising the freedom of opinion and expression, including human rights defenders and journalists.

“We call upon the Philippines to provide and guarantee a safe and secure environment for all, including journalists and Human Rights defenders,” it said.

dong ($26 million),” state-run Vietnam Television reported, adding that thousands of people across Vietnam had used its services.

Under Vietnam’s criminal code, anyone participating in gambling or organizing gambling could face up to 10 years in jail.

The government has moved to ease restrictions, introducing a pilot program in 2017 that would allow wagers on a limited number of international football matches and adopting a law earlier this month that permits state-sanctioned betting.

But the illegal market remains dominant as the small amount allowed for betting—$44 per match—is deemed too miniscule by

RODY...

From A1 “I never said arrested (sic). But if you are drinking in the alley, in the squatters’ area. If you are there, making a sala out of the road there, I’ll have you arrested. Here in Davao, you cannot see [anyone] doing it,” Duterte said.

“You know, for them to be aware, these constitutionalists, that loitering is not a crime. Of course it is not,” the President told his audience at the SMX Convention Center in Davao City Friday night.

Duterte said as the “father of the nation,” he could still order the arrest of loiterers especially those “unruly” who might pose danger to other people especially women and children.

“Of course I can accost you. I would say, ‘what are you doing here?’ If you are a minor under the power of parens patriae, you are the father of the nation, you can always give an advice for people like minors,” he said.

Parens patriae is a Latin phrase for “father of the nation” which refers to the principle that a political authority carries the responsibility of the protection of the citizens.

“So I said: if you are unruly go home or I’’ll arrest you; that is a police power of the state,” he added.

DRUG...

From A1 Education over the proposed plan to have elementary students undergo mandatory drug testing.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque feared that such proposal might trigger fury among parents and human rights advocates.

“Consult with the Department of Education because that is the agency with primary jurisdiction, especially so since majority of our students are in public schools...” Roque said.

Kine worked as a journalist for more than a decade in China, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Taiwan prior to joining Human Rights Watch in April 2007.

He has written extensively on human rights issues including military impunity, transitional justice, corruption, child sex tourism, religious intolerance, and illegal land confiscation.

PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino said the proposal covered not only Grade 4 students and up, but also

ries on whether ongoing internal security operations have an effect on the AFP’s modernization.

Fighting in Marawi City began on May 23, 2017 when elements of the Islamic State-inspired Maute Group attacked the city.

That triggered a battle that ended five months later in October, when military units neutralized Abu Sayyaf leader and Islamic State Southeast Asia “emir,” Isnilon Hapilon, along with 1,000 militants.

Defense department spokesperson Arsenio Andolong previewed Lorenzana’s comments last Wednesday,when asked what the public could expect for Horizon

Three of the Revised AFP Modernization Program, which is expected to run from 2023 to 2028.

“Horizon Three [still] has to be studied and discussed because we have a new mix. There has been movement, so that will allow us to now plan for what [equipment and platforms] we need,” Andolong said.

“It pre-supposes that we have already reached the level of credible defense posture, so we will now be concentrating on territorial defense already,” the spokesman added.

“But of course, we still have our internal security operations that are ongoing. That is one of the hindrances to our modernization because our

He stressed that efforts to rid the streets of loiterers could help lessen crime and maintain peace and order, especially since the problem on illegal drugs “has become far worse.”

Meanwhile, lawmen said they arrested 417 individuals in the southern part of Metro Manila in line with the government’s continuing campaign against loiterers on the streets aimed to ensure a peaceful community.

In related developments: • Labor contractualization should be blamed for the proliferation of loiterers in the country, labor groups said Saturday as they criticized recent arrests of tambays or those lingering idly on the streets.

“Those idle Filipinos should have jobs. If they don’t have jobs, they will just spend their time loitering and chatting with their neighbors,” Pepsi Cola Workers Association vice president Ricardo Gandalla told reporters.

Contractual employees fear that they would be easy targets of operations to clear the streets of loiterers as they have more idle time than regular workers, said Ed Cubelo, chairperson of Kilusang Mayo Uno Metro Manila.

• Salinlahi Alliance for Children’s Concerns, meanwhile, slammed mandatory drug testing for grade 4 pupils, ROTC and the anti-tambay campaign of the Duterte adminis-

tration during its 32nd anniversary commemoration at St. Scholastica’s College in Manila.

Former DSWD secretary Judy Taguiwalo, Australian nun Patricia Fox, retired Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iniguez Jr, and more than 300 child rights advocates, daycare workers and children from different child-focused organizations and institutions participated in the event.

“Duterte’s fascist rule makes Filipino children more vulnerable to abuses. He started it by assuring the police of protection while conducting operations which claimed the lives of about 44 children. Now he wants to bring the his Oplan Tokhang to schools by requiring pupils as young as 9 years old.” said Eule Rico Bonganay, Salinlahi national secretary general.

Elements of the Southern Police District and local police stations conducted the simultaneous operations from 5 pm last Friday until 5 am Saturday in the cities of Muntinlupa, Taguig, Makati, Pasay, Parañaque and Las Piñas, and the town of Pateros.

SPD spokesperson Jenny Tecson said most of those brought to the police stations violated the curfew on minors with 172 the total number of apprehension followed by drinking in public (79) and smoking in public places (77). With PNA

teachers and other school employees.

He explained it would help ensure a more effective campaign against illegal drugs.

PDEA has justified the move as an attempt to identify 10-year-old potential drug users so they “can get intervention while they are still young.”

But to make it happen, Aquino said, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 must be amended.

But Kine observed Filipino students who might fail mandatory drug tests might have a deadly consequence.

In his report, Kine slammed Duterte’s war on drugs which he said might soon place thousands of primary school children in harm’s way.

“But this proposal, the latest dangerous outgrowth of Duterte’s anti-drug campaign which has already claimed the lives of dozens of children, will place school children at grave risk,” he said.

Kine said: “It marks a drastic extension of mandatory drug testing already in place for all college students and applicants, and will effectively allow the police to extend their “anti-drug” operations to primary school classrooms.

attention is being divided,” he said.

Horizon Two, which is slated for 2018 to 2022, is the AFP’s transition period from internal security operations to territorial defense.

However, due to the conflicts, the progress of the AFP in this acquisition phase is “somewhere in between” as the Defense department is acquiring equipment for internal and external defense usage, Andolong said.

Horizon One lasted from 2013 to 2017 and resulted in the acquisition of the three Del Pilar-class frigates, 12 FA-50PH light-lift interim fighters, and two strategic sealift vessels, to name a few. PNA

WORLD...

From A1

Nguyen Thanh Tam, 67, spends hours every day making the models, driven by his football fanaticism—a passion shared by millions across Vietnam glued to the World Cup since the tournament kicked off in Russia earlier this month.

Most of his tiny statues are of tournament mascot Zabivaka, a wolf in sports goggles kicking a football, and he has models of football heroes Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in the works.

“Over the past few years, I have been spending my time making football mascots with eggshells as a way for me to show my love for football,” Tam told AFP, speaking before a basket of eggs in his Ho Chi Minh City home.

Though not widespread in Vietnam, using eggshells in art is not unheard of: traditional lacquer works often feature inlaid eggshell in lieu of white paint.

Tam says working with the fragile shells requires sharp focus.

“I love this work because it requires me to be creative, observant, meticulous and relaxed,” Tam added. AFP

ANOTHER...

From A1

Golez, as pointed out by his son Parañaque Vice Mayor Rico Golez.

The mistake on Gatchalian’s name came after Palace Spokesman Harry Roque advised the PCOO to make use of the spell check feature to avoid future blunders.

Meanwhile, Andanar said that the PCOO has launched a machinery to help counter fake news, disinformation.

Andanar said the Provincial Communications Officers Network will act as a galvanizing force to help government educate netizens and the public in countering the spread of fake news and disinformation.

“When we disseminate real information, we are actually doing service to society and to the next generation.

This is important for all of us in nation building,” said Andanar before close to a hundred participants composed of public information officers from local government units (LGUs) and regional

line agencies, academe, youth and local media.

Andanar cited the gains of the Duterte administration such as the almost double growth of foreign direct investments into the country and the significant drop of crime volume, which has earned the Philippines a favorable image as an investment hub.

“The foreign direct investment inflows at the end of 2015 was at $5.6 billion which grew to $10 billion at the end of 2017,” said Andanar.

According to the communications secretary, crime volume also dropped by 21 percent from 1.2 million in July 2014 to April 2016, down to 962,000 in July 2016 to April 2018.

“These are real numbers,” as Andanar further cited the positive gross domestic product growth of the country which stands at 6.7 percent at the end of last year.

“These are the reasons why investors are coming in and why Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged 1.3 trillion yen or P500 billon” for investment and development assistance to the Philippines, he added. With PNA/PIA

News

LAWMAKER UPBEAT BILL ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA WILL PASS IN CONGRESS

By Maricel V. Cruz

T

HE main author of the medical marijuana bill in the House of Representatives on Saturday expressed high hopes that Congress will support and enact the measure.

MARIJUANA BUST. QCPD Police Station 10 operatives led by Police Supt. Ariel Capocao seize 10 kilos of dried marijuana plants worth P300,000 during a buy-bust operation at dawn along Congressional Avenue in Quezon City. The suspects were identified as Mark Philip Jualan, Jordan Brinlas and Juan Soriano. Manny Palmero

SOLON BATS FOR COAST GUARD UPGRADE AN OPPOSITION lawmaker on Saturday urged the government to provide additional support for Filipino fishermen, particularly those fishing in the western seaboard.

Magdalo Party-list Rep. Gary Alejano made the call amid the recent spate of issues on the contested West Philippine Sea. “Harassment of Filipino fisherfolk by the Chinese, in the West Philippine Sea is real and happening,” Alejano, a member of the House opposition, said.

He also appealed to the leadership of the House of Representatives to prioritize the passage of pending bills at the Lower House that calls for Coast Guard modernization.

One of which is House Bill 111 authored by Alejano.

Alejano, a former Marine officer, said the government should help the Filipino fishermen by establishing guidelines on how to deal with tensions in contested areas.

“Local government units and other relevant agencies should be tapped to discuss and clarify with the fishing communities their role on the issue and what actions to take when fishing in our waters in the West Philippine Sea,” Alejano said.

“Moreover, there is a need to consolidate the various fisherfolk organizations for better and easier coordination with the local government,” he added.

Alejano also said the government needs to provide small-scale fisherfolk with fishing vessels and other equipment that would ease their navigation in farther seas.

The lawmaker proposed to develop a system for scheduled fishing missions which will be accompanied by the Philippine Coast Guard.

“Being a maritime nation, there should be no question in modernizing our coast guard. At the start of the 17th Congress, I filed a measure calling for such. My office has been coordinating with the PCG and we are hoping that the House leadership would see the urgency and merit of the passage of the bill,” he said. Maricel V Cruz

Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano III, author of House Bill 6517 or the Philippine Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act, said he is optimistic that lawmakers will realize the medicinal and beneficial use of cannabis by patients suffering from pain and other debilitating medical conditions.

“We advocate the legal use of medical marijuana not to put to risk the lives and well-being of the Filipino people; but to help patients who are terminally ill or afflicted with debilitating medical conditions and suffer from unimaginable pain,” Albano, majority leader for the House contingent’s Commission on Apoointments, said.

Albano said he is confident that the Senate leadership under Senator Vicente Sotto III will change his position for the bill.

Albano’s bill is currently pending at the Lower House for second, and third and final reading approval. It was unanimously endorsed by the House committee on health, chaired by Quezon Rep. Angelina Tan, last Oct. 2.

He said the bill does not and will not promote the use of marijuana for recreational purposes as it seeks to legalize and regulate the medical use of cannabis which has been confirmed to have beneficial and therapeutic uses to treat chronic or debilitating medical conditions.

“The bill clearly provides that the use of medical marijuana has to comply with strict regulatory requirements under the Department of Health,”Albano said.

“By saying that the medical marijuana will be a gateway to illegal drugs or will encourage addiction, the critics of my bill obviously do not know what they are talking about,” Albano added.

Albano pointed out that his bill addresses concerns and apprehensions aired by several medical groups and other sectors who were against the bill.

BACOOR INT’L MUSIC EVENT GETS GOING THOUSANDS of people gathered for the opening ceremony of the first ever Bacoor International Music Championships 2018 (BIMC2018) at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila yesterday.

The three-day music championships, which is attended by 34 bands from seven Asian countries such as Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong and the Philippines, is organized by the city government of Bacoor, the marching band capital of the Philippines.

At 9 am, the international competition kicked off with a parade

of delegates, who marched their way down to the Quirino Grandstand grounds, while showcasing their talent and artistry.

Bacoor City Mayor Lani MercadoRevilla, the main organizer of the event, spearheaded the welcoming rites.

“This historic event has a lot of milestones. This is the first time we are holding an international music competition of this kind and magnitude,” Mercado-Revilla said.

“This event also marks their sixth cityhood anniversary that was ratified through a plebiscite on June 23, 2012,”

she added.

While the BIMC2018 is a musical event, it is also an avenue to make the delegates especially and the spectators appreciate culture, arts and music.

“May this event inspire us to do our best, explore our artistic talent, and develop positive talents while doing something we like, making music,” Mercado-Revilla said.

Meanwhile, Glenn Pangapalan, representative of Special Assistant to the President Bong Go, said that the ocassion would also promote the country’s tourism.

“I am very optimistic after the eventual success of this competition that more of our friends will participate to benefit our ever-growing Philippine tourism industry. Verily, this international marching band competition is representative of values that we want to share with the world,” Pangapalan said.

The historic event is in partnership with Winter Guard International and the Asian Marching Band Confederation. It will take place in three different venues inside and outside Manila.

Patricia Marie Cabela

3,000 MISAMIS FAMILIES TO GET POTABLE WATER

REBEL RETURNEE. Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and Datu Gibang Apoga, legendary leader of the Ata Manobo tribe, along with military and LGU officials of Davao del Norte, release white balloons to symbolize the surrender of the influential rebel leader during a peace rally in Talaingod, Davao del Norte. Datu Gibang waged an armed struggle against the government for 28 years. He surrendered along with 150 of his followers after negotiations with military leaders. The surrender was facilitated by the office of Speaker Alvarez.

FOR decades, around 3,000 households in the municipality of Medina in Misamis Oriental have had to share around 60 communal faucets for their water needs.

People across seven barangays would endure long queues and irregular schedules of limited water supply. This led to rows and altercations among families within the community, especially during the dry season.

“Kapag walang tubig, isa iyan sa (dahilan) para magkagulo iyong mga pamilya. Tubig talaga ang kailangan [The lack of water is one of the causes of conflict among the families. Water is really a great need],” Medina Vice Mayor Kim Michael Odchigue said.

To help alleviate the situation of the communities, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, through 2017 PAMANA (PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn) Program, shelled out P25 million to provide a potable water system in the municipality.

The project will install direct water connection to 3,000 households.

Half of the project has already been completed and is scheduled to be fully operational by this coming October.

“It will alleviate poverty and promote sanitation sa mga tao. Kung may sapat na tubig na pumasok sa kabahayan [If enough water reaches the households] for drinking and for household consumption—isa iyon sa mga (factors) to improve sanitation and quality of life,” Odchigue said.

The project will also help sustain livelihood programs within the community.

PAMANA has been implemented by the government since 2012 to reduce vulnerabilities and empower fragile communities.

Playing a vital role as a complementary track to peace negotiations, the program involves socio-economic interventions to isolated and conflict-affected areas not just to foster sustainable development but also to avoid the recurrence of sources of conflict.

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SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

FVR MARKS KOREAN WAR ANNIVERSARY

TO COMMEMORATE the 68th anniversary of the outbreak of Korean War on June 25, 1950, former President Fidel V. Ramos, a Korean War veteran, leads today, June 24, the celebration of Filipino heroism at the PEFTOK Korean War Memorial Hall, Philippines-Korea Friendship Center at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has been invited to serve as the guest of honor and speaker that will include the new Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Philippines Han Dong-Man. “May all the efforts for the reunification of South and North Korea develop progressively and be rewarded with a rich harvest of enduring peace and bountiful prosperity for the Korean people and for the perpetual harmony and security of all mankind,” says Ramos. “Today we honor our valiant heroes.”

“I believe that the veterans deserve the title of hero,” says Philippine Ambassador to Korea Han Dong-Man. “There is no doubt that the Republic of Korea would not be enjoying peace, democracy and economic prosperity today without the noble and great sacrifice of Filipino Korean war veterans.

In addition to suffering the brutality of war, PEFTOK soldiers had to contend with homesickness, language disparity and the harsh Korean winter unfamiliar to Filipinos.”

On June 25, 1950, the Philippines was one of the 16 Asia-Pacific countries led by the United States that responded to the urgent call by the United Nations to deploy combat troops to South Korea when war broke out, invaded by communist Chinese and North Korean forces. These 7,420 Filipino soldiers were collectively known as the Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea (PEFTOK).

Then-UN General Assembly President Carlos P. Romulo explained to President Elpidio Quirino and the Philippine Senate that to participate in the Korean War was not only in the Philippines’ national interest but a duty it had to perform as a UN-member nation.

Romulo further said that the UN Security Council resolution which was passed on June 27, 1950 or two days after the Korean War erupted calling all UN member countries to help South Korea did not tear asunder the war renunciation provision of the Philippine Constitution—that it was not an act of aggression, but rather “in response to the UN’s call for assistance.”

MAYOR ABBY SUSPENDS ERRING MAKATI BUILDERS

By Joel E. Zurbano MAKATI City Mayor Abigail Binay on Saturday ordered the suspension of 21 private construction works in the city for violating the building code.

The City Building Office has started issuing Notices with Stoppage Order against the 21 ongoing construction projects found non-compliant with the provisions of the National Building Code of the Philippines (Presidential Decree 1096).

Binay said this is a reminder to everyone that building construction, whether for residential or for business purposes, should always be done in full compliance with existing laws.

“We reiterate the need to secure a building permit before doing any construction or renovation work to ensure that it conforms to all safety standards.

Above all else, the priority of any building or homeowner and contractor should be the safety and well-being of the occupants, which include family members, workers, and business clients,” she said.

The city government of Makati under Binay has taken a tough stance on the strict enforcement of the Building Code and other laws promoting public safety and order in line with the citywide advocacy for resilience and sustainability.

City Building Office officer-in-charge Elmer Acuesta said the owners and operators of the 21 construction projects violated Sections 301 and 1102 of the Code, and Rule XI (Protection of Pedestrians during Construction or Demolition) of its revised Implementing Rules and Regulations.

Acuesta identified the number of construction projects issued with stoppage orders in the following barangays: Cembo (6); East Rembo (3); West Rembo (2); Palanan (1); Kasilawan (1); Poblacion (1); Pinagkaisahan (1); San Isidro (1); San Lorenzo (1); Guadalupe Nuevo (1); Pitogo (1); Bangkal (1); and San Antonio (1).

The work stoppage will be in effect until the owners secure the necessary permits, the building official said.

Section 301 of the Building Code states that no person, firm or corporation, including any agency or instrumentality of the government shall erect, construct, alter, repair, move, convert or demolish any building or structure or cause the same to be done without first obtaining a building permit therefor from the Building Official assigned in the place where the subject building is located or the building work is to be done.

A4

SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018

Sports

Reira U Mallari, Editor sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

SPORT OF FUTSAL GETS SHOT IN ARM

“And this type of sport really teaches that: teamwork, communication, values, discipline, and respect.

How do we deal with mistakes?

How do we deal with failure? This is the beauty of sports and it should be essential in any community development program. So we’re very happy that DMCI Homes has agreed to bring this sporting program to its communities,” he continued.

Founded by businessman Danny Moran, who was a former Philippine national team football player, the Moran Foundation has focused on the modalities of football and futsal as means to achieve its mission of empowering children especially the underprivileged by developing their leadership, character, values and life skills.

“The sport requires quicker decision making, better decision making on the court. Since you touch the ball more often compared to football, you need to make decisions faster. In a way it helps develop the player more technically if they want to play football eventually,” Moran pointed out.

“Some of the best players in the Futsal camp participants get some pointers from Philippine Football world, Lionel Messi, Pelé, Cristiano Federation coaches Rey Ritaga and Kevin Goco.

Ronaldo, they all started playing futsal when they were young. So we really want to advocate this type ELIEVING it is one of the sports where Filipinos can Head of the PFF and volunteer of of modality, this type of sport for Moran Foundation said they are Filipinos. Given the fact that we have better excel in, the Henry V. Moran Foundation has the planning to stage pick-up games the areas to play futsal, it just takes joined hands with premier real estate developer in selected DMCI Homes condo com- more futsal programs for us to allow DMCI Homes to stimulate the grassroots development of munities to generate interest for futsal. football to eventually improve also,” The group has also started con- Moran further shared. futsal in the Philippines. ducting clinics for kids aged 4-12 DMCI Homes President Alfredo The Moran Foundation, which “I believe we have better chances years in DMCI Homes’ Zinnia Towers Austria for his part said the collaboraworks closely with Philippine Football in this sport because first of all a futsal development in Quezon City be- tion with PFF and the Moran FoundaFederation, public schools and chari- ball is denser and has less bounce ginning May 2018. tion is in line with the company’s mistable organizations in promoting the compared to football which means But more than promoting futsal, sion of providing a learning environdevelopment of futsal in the country, it is played mostly on the ground,” Goco said building character among ment for residents of its residential hopes to make use of sports ameni- explained Ritaga, in reference to the the Filipino youth is the ultimate goal condominium communities through ties of residential condominium 5-a-side indoor football played on of the foundation in propagating the engagement in sports activities. communities to develop more futsal basketball courts and small open sport in the country.

“Most of our projects have a players in the country. space.

“Things like teaching them con- basketball court and other sports “So we don’t need big players to fidence, how to communicate, how amenities because we believe that FIFA Futsal Elite Referee and Futsal Coach Rey Ritaga, who is the first Fili- play the sport. In futsal, a player can to deal with one another and the they are great learning tools for pino national player to ever officiate excel as long as he or she is armed team. Things that will help them residents. Not only do sports build in a FIFA Futsal World Cup event said with the necessary skills like drib- when they’re in school and even- character, sports also help promote he sees better potential for Filipinos bling, scoring, speed and teamwork,” tually when they’re going to work interaction among residents which to excel in futsal compared to other he added. for an organization. It’s all about is good for community building,” Kevin Goco, Futsal Department teamwork,” Goco related. sports because of its system of play. he disclosed.

B

BRAZILIANS BACK ON TRACK SAINT PETERSBURG—Brazil needed two injury-time goals to defeat a dogged Costa Rica on Friday as Philippe Coutinho and Neymar scored to put the five-time World Cup winners back on track for the last 16.

The Brazilians looked to be heading for a second frustrating draw in a row before Barcelona forward Coutinho poked the ball through Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas’ legs in the 91st minute in St Petersburg.

Neymar, who had a penalty award ruled out by referee Bjorn Kuipers after he consulted the Video Assistant Referee, volleyed in the second goal seven minutes into injury time. It was the latest strike in World Cup history.

The world’s most expensive player slumped to his knees in tears at the end and later posted a message on

Twitter and Instagram hitting back at criticism of his emotional reaction.

“Not everyone knows what I went through to get here. Even parrots can talk, but walking the walk... not everyone does it. I cried out of happiness, overcoming, grit and desire to win,” Neymar said.

It was only Neymar’s fourth competitive match since breaking a bone playing for Paris Saint-Germain in February.

Argentina group finely poised In stark contrast to Brazil’s relief, Argentina and the under-performing Lionel Messi were in disarray following their shambolic 3-0 defeat to Croatia on Thursday.

The Argentina management was forced to deny stories that the players wanted coach Jorge Sampaoli sacked before their final group game against Nigeria—they said

the claims were “absolutely false”.

Adding to the acrimony, several Spanish media outlets reported on an audio recording of former Argentina international Diego Simeone in which he lambasts the “anarchy” in the team and says he would choose Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo over Messi, if he had the choice.

“Messi is very good, but it is clear that he is very good because he is surrounded by extraordinary players (at Barcelona),” said Simeone, who now manages Atletico Madrid.

“The question I ask is ‘if you have to choose between Messi and Ronaldo in a normal team, who would you choose?’”

Argentina’s uphill battle to qualify for the knockout phase may however have been aided by Nigeria’s 2-0 win over Iceland on Friday that leaves Group D intriguingly poised.

Brazil’s forward Neymar cries after scoring a goal during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group E football match between Brazil and Costa Rica at the Saint Petersburg Stadium in Saint Petersburg. AFP

MAVERICKS ARE RUGBY KINGS

Ronald Longasa (right), who was awarded Man of the Match for the SKF Mavericks, passes the rugby ball to a teammate after being confronted by an HMR Ibons defender.

THE SKF Mavericks beat old rivals HMR Ibons to rule the 2018 SPI Rugby Championship at Southern Plains.

The Championship encounter was everything the spectators had expected, a closely fought match where the weather could have been the difference between the two. With no rain, the match fell evenly across the playing conditions.

The Mavericks sped out of the gates early, holding nothing back, the Mavericks taking a 5-0 lead before Ronald Longasa went ahead with a stellar

line break showing fabulous speed and footwork. Longasa set up the second 5 pointer for the Mavericks.

The HMR Ibons fought back scoring a try of their own. At 12 to 7, the Mavericks slotted a penalty goal through Matthew Cowley to take the Mavericks to a 15 to 7 head start.

The HMR Ibons continued to threaten the line with their potent backline, continually putting pressure on the Mavericks defense. A converted try to the Ibons put them back in the match closing the scoreline to 15 to 14

with over 10 minutes remaining.

Strong performances by Jeremy Hernandez, Jed Dimaguya and Lito Ramirez kept the Mavericks in front. Consistent efforts from Jovic Paypon and Lyndon Adlao from the Ibons kept the Ibons in the match.

In the end it was the Mavericks who capitalized on a last minute penalty to secure the win. A penalty goal added an extra three points, leaving a final score of 18 to 14 in favor of the SKF Mavericks who secured 2018 Domestic SPI Championship Title.

MAVS NBA DRAFT’S WINNER

By Reuel Vidal THE Dallas Mavericks came away the biggest winner of the 2018 National Basketball Association Draft when armed with the fifth overall pick they somehow snagged arguably the best player available in Luka Doncic.

They paid a steep price for Doncic. They traded their fifth pick this year to move up and also gave away their 2019 first-round pick, which is top-five protected. But a transcendent talent like Doncic is definitely worth it.

The 19-year-old Doncic led Slovenia to a Eurobasket title last summer. In the process he became the youngest Most Valuable Player of the EuroLeague in its history.

He then led Real Madrid to its 10th EuroLeague title with a victory over Fenerbahce in Belgrade recently. He then promptly became the youngest MVP of the EuroLeague Final Four in its history.

The 6’7” Doncic is virtually unstoppable at his position. He overwhelms smaller opponents with his size and relies on his guile and smarts to beat bigger defenders He is a great ball handler and penetrates to the cup with ease. He is a great passer, has great vision and sees the floor like few players can. But his most important asset is his fearless mindset. He attacks relentless to find an open teammate or score himself.

BENTILLO EYES ‘TRIPLE’ IN GENSAN FOILED at home last week, April Minette Bentillo tries to do it on the road as she guns for three division titles in the PPS-PEPP Gen. Santos regional age-group tennis tournament, which got going yesterday (Saturday) at the Gen. Santos City Tennis Courts.

The 14-year-old Bentillo hopes to live up to her top billing in all three categories, including her age bracket and make up for her setbacks in the 16- and 18-and-under finals in last week’s Sultan Kudarat stop of the circuit sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala headed by president/CEO Bobby Castro.

But a slew of players will be out to foil her bid, including Jillian Manangking and Angela Ripdos in 14-U, and Ma. Angelica Novis, Kyle Rivera and local bet Febe Lagarde in both the 16- and 18-U titles of the Group 2 tournament presented

by Dunlop.

Bruce Hurtado and Alfred Directo, meanwhile, are tipped to slug it out in the boys’ premier 18-U category with Karl Palo, Jay Balaoing, Jude Padao and Directo headlining the 16-U cast in the four-day event backed by Asiatraders Corp. and sanctioned by the Unified Tennis Philippines, made up of PPS-PEPP, Cebuana Lhuillier, Wilson, Toby’s, Dunlop, Slazenger and B-Meg. Padao, Balaoing and Palo also banner the huge 14-U cast that includes Reyman Saldivar Jr., Jason Flores Jr., Charles Jumawan, Rey Napala and Armando Saldivar, who gains the top seeding in the 32-player 12-U draw with Flores as No. 2 and Jumawan and Shaun Globasa seeded third and fourth, respectively.

B1

SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018

Opinion

Adelle Chua, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

LONG STORY SHORT ADELLE CHUA

‘YES’ TO A KISS IT HAS been a few weeks since that presidential visit in South Korea where President Duterte called a woman from the audience and kissed her on the lips.

Since then, the nation has found other things to be outraged over —China, the killing of priests, the attacks on the Catholic faith, the new directive on ‘tambays.’ The list goes on.

Certainly this presidency is a colorful one—on that we can all agree.

The Palace pointed out that the President sought permission, as a gentleman would. In fact, he asked the woman, Bea Kim, whether she was married, and whether she could assure her husband that the kiss that was about to happen did not mean anything at all.

Kim, a Filipina overseas worker married to a Korean, said there was no malice in the kiss she shared with the President.

“It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” she said.

She added the gesture was made to liven up the audience, as it did— the crowd laughed and cheered. It meant absolutely nothing to her and to the President.

Kim did say she was nervous, excited and scared before it happened—her husband was seated in front of the stage.

ARMING PRIESTS

S

OME 188 priests and 58 ministers have requested the Philippine National Police for permits to carry firearms outside their residences.

The period covers June 2017 to June 2018, a time characterized by concerns over the safety of religious leaders, even as the PNP has yet to say how this number compares to previous periods.

The latest incidence of violence against priests was in Nueva Ecija two weeks ago. Forty-four-year-old Fr. Richmond Nilo was preparing to say Sunday Mass when he was gunned down right inside his chapel.

Other recent shootings took place in Laguna, Cagayan and another town in Nueva Ecija.

But while some priests have sought to arm themselves against what appears to be growing animosity against them, their leaders are not keen on the idea. Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Florencio said it would breed more chaos without solving anything. Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos would not allow arming priests in his diocese.

“Sacrifices and sufferings are part and parcel of being priests,” he said.

Indeed a religious vocation is a decision to embrace difficulties and danger. Carrying guns even for self-defense implies a readiness to respond with violence to violence—and do not the teachings say “Thou shall not kill”?

That taking up arms runs counter to the basic premises of priesthood is a matter that should be resolved by the priests and their leaders.

Meanwhile, those of us who look on can only shake our heads at the impunity of those who target these religious figures. Have we gone so low?

Everybody, it seems, is fair game these days. It’s a shame that those who preach non-violence and peace now feel compelled to go against what they say for selfpreservation. The solution—ridding society of lawless elements that feel emboldened to kill whomever they please—is clear. The way to achieve this, however, remains a mystery. The public is torn between the message that they can now feel safer in their homes and on the streets on the one hand, and the reality that they see on the ground, on the other.

Consent is tricky.

Mr. Duterte’s defenders say there was nothing wrong with the gesture because the woman had agreed to it. She was neither coerced or intimated—look, she was even smiling!

Such should be an acceptable and reasonable expression of consent.

The two were both adults. He asked, she said yes. What’s the beef?

And if there were anybody to be blamed, some add, it should be no other than Kim herself, who had agreed to the encounter in the first place. What was a married woman doing allowing other men to kiss her on the lips?

The fact is, we don’t really know what went on in Kim’s mind when she said yes to the President, and after that kiss actually took place, and even while she spoke afterward depicting the kiss as harmless.

Outwardly she was cool and confident. But was that yes really a yes, or because she was put on the spot and saying no would have been unthinkable? After all, this was not just another man—this was the President of the Philippines. The two of them were not on equal footing.

Consent is tricky. Defined by Stanford University’s Office of Sexual Assault and Relationship Abuse Education and Response, consent “is an affirmatively nonverbal act or verbal statement that is informed, freely given and mutually understood.

Lack of protest or resistance does not mean consent, nor does silence mean consent….Whether one has taken advantage of a position of influence over another may be a factor in determining consent.”

Only Kim will be able to say (to herself and not in front of cameras)

Turn to B2

FEMINIST ART SHOW, UP LIKHAAN SPECIAL CALL FOR WORKS I WAS recently informed that there are many female artists who have created artworks related to women’s rights and other current national issues, and that an art show featuring these works might soon be organized.

Why is having such a show

important?

The soul of a nation is in its art, and to discover the state and condition of of the nation’s soul, we look to artists to interpret that. That means the expressions of not only visual artists, but also writers and all other sorts of

creators and makers.

An exhibit that showcases women’s art will bring awareness to women’s rights and other issues confronting women, as well as human rights and societal issues in general. Among the feminist themes that might emerge

POP GOES THE WORLD

from such a show would be related to LGBTQ concerns, menstruation, menopause, divorce, domestic abuse, childhood trauma, political and social injustice, inequality, and many others.

In such a show I would like to see instances of craftivism, which uses

JENNY ORTUOSTE Turn to B2

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B2

Opinion

SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Adelle Chua, Editor

US WAS RIGHT TO QUIT THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL THE Trump administration withdrew from the United Nations Human Rights Council on Tuesday, making good on a pledge to leave a body it accused of hypocrisy and bias against Israel.

“For too long, the Human Rights Council has been a protector of human rights abusers, and a cesspool of political bias,” Nikki Haley, the American ambassador to the UN, said Tuesday at the State Department in Washington. She said the decision was an affirmation of US respect for human rights, a commitment that “does not allow us to remain a part of a hypocritical and self-serving organization that makes a mockery of human rights.”

There are 193 countries in the United Nations today. Of these, Israel has been singled out as an especially egregious offender of the organization’s mandate to preserve and enhance human freedom and

PINOY LIFE

tolerance.

Israel has about seven million citizens of which a fifth are Arab.

The government is vibrantly democratic; its press wide open, and religious freedom fully respected.

Women have equal rights, and gays live openly.

Here are some facts: Thirty-eight percent of all the resolutions of the United Nations Human Rights Council—the UN’s top human rights body—that are critical of specific countries have been directed at Israel alone. The Council has a permanent agenda that governs every regular session.

This agenda is composed of 10 items, one of which is always reserved for criticizing Israel.

Between 2006—when the council was created—and 2012, it published 48 reports condemning Israel.

During that same period, there were nine reports on Syria’s mass killings and torture of its own citizens, three on Iran’s genocide-threatening

By Bladimer Usi

regime, and not one on, for example, China—which denies more than a billion people elementary freedoms.

I could go on, but I think you get the idea.

So we are faced with a choice.

Either there’s something very wrong with Israel that I’m not telling you about or there’s something very wrong with the United Nations that you should know about.

Let’s look into the history of both.

First, Israel.

Ever since its establishment (voted for by the United Nations, by the way) in 1948, Israel has had to fight its neighbors solely in order to survive.

It has endured innumerable acts of terrorism, the most intense from 2000-2005, the so-called Second Intifada in which children and other innocents were blown up in places like pizza parlors, and buses, and at weddings. It still suffers from rocket attacks against civilians from the Gaza Strip, which is controlled by a

terror group, Hamas, whose stated reason for existence is to destroy Israel.

Israel has developed a strong military and a web of security fences and walls to protect itself. Do these security measures cause hardships to people who must deal with this network? Yes, they do. Israel would like nothing better than to tear all these fences and walls down. But bitter experience informs them to what would happen if it did.

Is Israel a perfect country? Of course not. But it is one of the freest and most open societies in the world.

That’s Israel history.

Here’s the UN’s.

In 1949, when the UN admitted Israel as a member state, the UN had 58 member countries and a clear democratic and pro-Western orientation. Today the UN has 193 member countries, most of which are not even free.

Among its many negative changes, the UN changed the principle of “self-determination” from a post-World War II, postHolocaust human rights principle to a tool to wield against the West, especially against Israel.

This reached its fullest expression at the notorious Durban Conference, held in South Africa in 2001. The Durban Conference was billed as a UN world conference against racism and intolerance, but it turned into an orgy of anti-Israel and anti-Jew propaganda.

Of all the bad actors in the world, the final Durban Declaration found one state guilty of racial discrimination—you guessed it, Israel. The Durban Declaration, however, remains to this day the centerpiece of the UN’s allegedly anti-racism agenda.

There’s only one country in the world whose very legitimacy is questioned, only one country that is openly threatened with annihilation. That country is Israel.

And what has the United Nations done about it? Worse than nothing.

It has itself become a global platform for anti-Semitism and the destruction of the Jewish state.

The US was right to quit the “biased” United Nations Human Rights Council. eric.jurado@gmail.com

‘YES’... From B1 if she felt coerced indeed. In the event that she didn’t—then good for her. She found herself in the situation because she chose to be in it. She could decide for herself if she wants to be kissed or not, and she does not deserve to be judged for deciding either way.

But that is Kim—an ordinary worker. She is not president of any country, and she is not be measured against standards befitting an elected leader. Mr. Duterte, on the other hand, is. He is, first and foremost, expected not to take advantage of—or flaunt—his ascendancy so that he could have his way with women.

Gimmickry is hardly an excuse to demean the Office of the President—even when the woman says yes, even when the crowd cheers in approval. adellechua@gmail.com

FEMINIST... From B1 textile and other crafts—embroidery, crochet, and the like—to create works that make political statements. One example is the Pussy Hat, a crocheted or knitted pink hat with cat ears that was first used for the Women’s March in the US on Jan. 21, 2017, as a symbol of resistance.

Said its creator Krista Suh: “The pussy hat is now a part of our language.

Some women’s rights supporters use it to communicate their pain, anger and determination to take down the patriarchy.”

I would also like to see the participation of women from the marginalized sectors, and not only artists from the bourgeoisie who can afford expensive art materials.

The former most need to have their stories shared and their voices heard because they are the ones who remain silent and unheard because they lack access to the usual platforms. This is where craftivism can come in, because not everyone knows how to paint or draw or has the materials to do so.

Anyone can use any medium to create art. What matters is having creativity, imagination, and the desire to make a statement or convey a message.

For example, Peruvian arpilleras —fabric rectangles upon which are appliqued figures that tell a story— first originated in the slums of Peru in the 1970s as a way of expressing feelings and emotions about an incident of land occupation that was carried out by a massive police force.

The women who first made arpilleras used old, worn-out fabric and textile scraps to portray people and buildings, and thread to embroider details and text.

I imagine that bakers can use bread

to create edible tableaus, weavers and embroiderers can use thread to bring stories to life, and crocheters and knitters can work words of resistance and solidarity on a piece or attach other media to it.

Anyone can use any medium to create art. What matters is having creativity, imagination, and the desire to make a statement or convey a message. I hope such a women’s art show will be inclusive and diverse, and provide a common platform where all Filipinas can make their voices heard. *** From the University of the Philippines Institute of Creative Writing: “The ICW is issuing a special call for submissions to 40@40, a commemorative issue of Likhaan: The Journal of Contemporary Philippine Literature.

“The anthology will be released on the ICW’s ruby anniversary in December 2018.

“The ICW began in 1978 as the UP Creative Writing Center, and will be celebrating a 40-year legacy of excellence and leadership in creative writing and national cultural development. 40@40 will showcase 40

new, unpublished works from a roster of writers closely affiliated with the institution, namely the ICW’s fellows, associates, advisers, awardees, and the alumni of the UP National Writers’ Workshops.

“UP Vice President for Public Affairs and former ICW Director Jose Y. Dalisay Jr. will serve as the anthology’s editor.

ICW Fellows Professor Emeritus Cristina Pantoja-Hidalgo and Jun Cruz Reyes will serve as co-editors for English and Filipino, respectively.”

Submission in the following genres, in English and Filipino, not exceeding 10,000 words, will be accepted: one short story or novel excerpt, one to three poems, one literary or personal essay (memoirs, profiles, etc.), or one short play or play excerpt. Send via email to likhaan.40on40@gmail.com by July 31, 2018, at 5:00 pm.

For more details on format and other requirements, please visit panitikan.ph or email Managing Editor Pipay Warren at likhaan.40on40@gmail.com.

Dr. Ortuoste, a writer and researcher, has a PhD in Communication. FB and Twitter: @DrJennyO

IN TOGO, HI-TECH ORTHOPEDIC CARE GOES ROUGH CRUCIAL TEST

By Emile Kouton IN A consulting room in Togo’s capital, Lome, Geraldo Emmanuel —handicapped since birth six years ago—waits patiently on a bed while a digital scan is taken of his right leg.

Thanks to new 3D technology, he may be able to walk normally within a few months.

“The child walks on his toes so I’m scanning his leg so we can make him an orthotic using a 3D printer,” said Enyonam Ekpoh, from Togo’s national orthopedic device and physiotherapy center (CNAO).

A few hours later, Adjovi Koudahe, 46, has tests to receive a 3D brace for her right leg, which has been paralyzed since a car accident in 2012.

“I’ve stopped doing anything because I’m in pain. I can’t walk properly anymore,” said the former trader, who limps heavily, aided by a crutch.

“Despite all the treatment I’ve had, my leg won’t respond and drags along the ground. But with the brace they want to make here, I’ve got high hopes.”

Three-dimensional printing is a fasttrack way to make individually-tailored prosthetics and orthopedic supports that compensate for a lack of a limb, deformity or paralysis.

The technology, initiated by a charity called Handicap International, allows the bespoke devices to be produced faster and reach a larger number of patients.

But if it is familiar to orthopedic clinics in rich countries, it has yet to be introduced to poorer countries where needs are greater and the social safety net much smaller.

Only five to 15 percent of people in low-income countries who need a prosthetic limb or orthopedic brace get one, according to the non-profit organization based in France.

Handicap International—recently renamed Humanity & Inclusion—is pushing ahead with research and clinical trials to see how the technology can be used in poor settings.

In 2016, it carried out clinical trials of three types of lower limb prosthetics in Madagascar, Syria and Togo, the results of which were highly encouraging.

A more ambitious project called “3D Impact” has been running in Togo, Mali and Niger since November last year, where 100 patients are getting made-to-measure 3D devices for free.

The project is backed by 700,000 euros ($816,000) of funding from the Belgian Development Agency.

Fifty of the 100 patients will be in Togo, where many handicaps affecting mobility are linked to strokes or infectious diseases such as polio, said Impact 3D manager Simon Miriel.

Saving time 3D printing is revolutionary for doctors working in conflict zones or even just hard-to-reach areas: the scanner is the size of about two mobile phones and very easy to transport.

One has been tested at a regional orthopedic center in Dapaong, some 620 kilometers (390 miles) by road north of the capital.

Normally, patients far from hospitals would have had to travel to have casts taken.

“It saves us a lot of time,” said Miriel.

“As need be, scans can be sent directly by telephone to the specialist in charge of making the digital orthotic on a 3D printer.”

In all, four 3D scanners are being used in the three countries.

The project’s two printers are located in a laboratory in Avepozo, some 15 km from Lome, and work non-stop to produce all the orthopedic devices.

Togo is a good choice, said Miriel.

“It is one of the few countries in West Africa which has a good structure for orthopedic care.”

Specialists from across the region are trained at the national school of medical auxiliaries (ENAM), which is a partner in the project.

The test phase is expected to finish before the end of the year, and will be followed by a long evaluation about the successes and problems, costs and benefits.

But, if all goes well, the cost of 3D orthopedic devices will fall dramatically, the charity hopes.

The devices that were tested in 2016 were printed overseas and cost between 1,500 and 2,000 euros each (from $1,745 to $2,330)—a huge sum in West Africa, where the average wage often does not exceed $100 a month.

But once the devices are made incountry, they will become “a lot more accessible,” said Miriel. AFP

Maynila Araw ng

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ESTRADA HONORS

MANILA’S TOP TAXPAYERS

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ANILA Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada has recognized the city’s top business and realty taxpayers that helped laid out numerous projects that benefit the majority of Manilenos during the awarding ceremony at the Manila Hotel on Friday as part of the 447th Araw ng Maynila celebration.

Mayor Estrada awarded at least 20 companies and businesses in the city that “sincerely and continuously” paid their taxes.

The ten outstanding business taxpayers are Manila Electric Company, International Containers Terminal Services Inc., SM Prime Holdings Inc., Unilever Philippines Inc., Mercury Drug Corporation; Asian Terminals Inc., Maynilad Services Inc., Philippine Star Daily Inc., Puregold Price Club Inc., and Golden Arches Development Corporation.

Also recognized for their contribution for paying real property on time were Asian Terminals Inc., Manila North Harbour Port Inc., Unilever Philippines,; SM Prime Holdings Inc., Bangko Sentral ng

Pilipinas, International Containers Terminal Servcies Inc., Home Guaranty Corp., Manila Electric Co., Robinsons Land Corporation and Megaworld Corporation.

All the top taxpayers received plaques of appreciation and trophies.

The Manila Chief Executive also awarded the Gatpuno Andres Bonifacio Award to Jose Trinidad Pardo, a known economist who held numerous positions in government and public services and is a recipient of The Outstanding Young Men Award.

Pardo received numerous awards in the past such as The Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) Award, the President Manuel Roxas Memorial, and Man of the Year Award 2000.

MANILA...

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called “Manila Waterfront City.” This mixed-use development project is the fourth big-ticket reclamation venture approved under the Estrada administration in less than two years. Mayor Estrada signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) and real estate firm J-Bros Construction Corp. last June for the construction of a P100-billion, 419-hectare commercial district in another portion of the bay.

The Horizon Manila, touted to be the biggest reclamation project in Manila Bay so far, involves the construction of three islands between the Manila-Pasay boundary in the south and Roxas Boulevard in the east, stretching to about 3.5 kilometers on the edge of the bay.

A third reclamation proposal has been offered by the UAA Kinming Group Development Corp. It is called New Manila Bay International Community and will have a total of 407.42 hectares new land reclaimed from the bay.

Also planned is the P7.4-billion expansion of the Manila Harbour Centre in Tondo by the construction firm R-II Builders, Inc. A fifth reclamation project, which had long been in the drawing board before Estrada’s term, is set to begin construction in Manila Bay – the 148-hectare Solar City urban center. Last January, the city council of Manila finally ratified the consortium agreement and the Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) signed by the city government and Solar City proponent Manila Goldcoast Development Corp. (MGDC) on April 7, 2012 and June 7, 2012, respectively. Solar City is a 148-hectare, state-of-the-art, tourism, commercial and residential district that will rise in Manila Bay to host business centers, residential and commercial properties, and tourism facilities, including an international cruise ship terminal.

Estrada realized that Manila’s land area has remained the same all these years, from the time of Spanish colonizers, up to the American and Commonwealth era, and onward to modern times -- 42.88 square kilometers.

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From B4 tails from its past remain, starting from the bridge, the arch, walls, and floorings. It is fascinating to witness how these were preserved over time and despite natural disasters. Fort Santiago has an entrance fee of 75 pesos.

4.

Manila Cathedral.

Have you ever asked your parents where they wanted to be married with the love of their life? This ancient church was built in 1571 and has survived earthquakes, fire, and even war. The cathedral’s exceptional historical design nears distinct details such as creatively tarnished glass windows and reflective marble floors designed by Filipino artist Galo Ocampo in the 20th century.

5.

National Museum.

Founded on October 29, 1901, throughout the years the main museum of the Philippines has undergone many phases of redesigning and repair. Originally, the National Museum had five galleries but now has four, all located here in Manila; the

In 1998, Pardo served as Cabinet Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and then the Department of Finance (DOF) in 2000, during the term of Estrada when he was President.

Mayor Estrada also awarded the Youth Role Model Award to Karen Antonette A. Papilleras, Sports/ Youth Development Award to Arturo “Coach Turo” Valenzona, Women/ Social Relief Award to Atty. Teresita Cruz Sison, and Corporate/ Community Service Award to Dr. Francis Chua.

In recognizing the contributions of all the awardees, Mayor Estrada thanked them for helping the city rise from the ashes by paying the multibillion debts he inherited from the part administration.

“With your support, Manila is truly regaining its historical title as the Pearl of the Orient,” Estrada said.

The former President and now Manila Mayor also boasts that the

Adding to the problem is the presence of so many churches, mosques, houses of worship, government buildings, schools and colleges, both religious and secular, which are all exempted from taxes although some of them are being run as businesses.

Just like modern metropolitan areas such as Hong Kong, Singapore and Cebu, the city of Manila needs to expand its land area to modernize and march to progress, Estrada said.

Once completed, these reclamation projects will increase the land area of the city to 58.3 square kilometers (5,830 hectares). From the point of view of taxation, these will be quality land because exempted lots such are churches and schools are relatively few, unlike in, say, Intramuros.

“All these reclamation projects will redound to the benefit of Manilans, first by providing the city with tremendous increases in real property tax revenues along with business and corporate taxes, and second, by generating jobs in the various businesses and enterprises for Manila’s jobless and new graduates entering the labor force,” said Mayor Estrada.

He added that increased tax collections will directly translate into more social services for the city, such as public health care, hospitalization benefits, subsidies for the elderly, cemeteries and schools, feeding programs for children, educational benefits, economic and livelihood opportunities for women, police and security matters, college and university education for residents, barangay programs, and a host of other concerns.

Rebuilding the city and restoring its principal role and image as the nation’s capital is no mean task, as Mayor Estrada is now realizes.

Critics and nitpickers are everywhere, some even filing charges against him for the reforms that he would like to implement in Manila.

But Mayor Estrada, the tough guy that he is, is unperturbed. Once he set his mind into achieving a good dream, he will follow through on it. This is the kind of tenacity he displayed during his 16-year stint as mayor of San Juan.

His dreams for Manila are a work in progress, as he realized that he needed one last term to finish them. Bambi Purisima

National Museum for Fine Arts, Anthropology, Natural History, and National Planetarium.

The National Museum was restored lately, funded by PAGCOR worth 20 million pesos, and is now free to the public. It is open from Tuesdays to Sundays starting at 10 a.m.

6.

San Agustin Church.

This church was named as a National Historical Landmark by the government in 1976 and was part of the four churches built during the Spanish colonial era that was selected as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO under the title of Baroque Churches of the Philippines in 1993. It is not called Baroque for nothing; according to thecrazytourist. com it has “marvellous interior where trompe l’oeil paintings on the barrel vault and pilasters mimic pediments, reliefs, rosettes, laurels and other intricate mouldings.”

7.

Quiapo Church. The home of the Basílica Menor del Nazareno Negro (Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene) and also canonically known as Parish of Saint John the Baptist, this best known for the people’s

veneration to the Black Nazarene and for granted prayers of religious piety. Every anuary 9 annually, millions of devotees celebrate the feast of the Black Nazarene and spend hours on its 6.5 km traslación. Devotees also pay their homage to the icon every Friday – already known as “Quiapo day”—but like any other place in the metro, beware of traffic.

8. Chinatown. The Filipino culture has been enriched by Chinese culture, and is evident when you reach the Binondo area where numerous ChineseFilipino friendships arches stand. These arcs symbolize the fusion of Filipino and Chinese in business over the years.

Although the Araw ng Maynila festivities last for a week, it is not the only opportunity for you to visit these places. Knowing, remembering, and searching for the Filipino identity does not stop with the numerous commemorations of holidays and nationally important dates. At the end of the day;, it is how the Filipinos protect and give importance to the motherland.

GARBAGE OUT. Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada personally leads the garbage clearing operations along Radial Road 10 in Zaragoza, Tondo on Friday. Lino Santos city is now financially stable and actively implementing infrastructure projects that would benefits millions of Manilenos in the future.

“We have cemented roads, cleaned esteros, renovated hospitals and health centers and were able to purchased state of the art medical equipment and built new school buildings,” Estrada said.

He vowed that he will make Manila

more rooms for business ventures, leisure sites and tourist friendly destinations.

Estrada also assured that the money from the taxes paid by the businesses and realtors will be used to benefit Manilenos through the creation of more jobs, and more business opportunities.

“It will boost the city’s income and to fund social service agenda for the benefit of the poorest of the poor,” Estrada added.

STREET LIGHTING PROGRAM MANILA’S EFFECTIVE WEAPON AGAINST CRIME EARLY in the term of Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada in 2013, he enunciated the overriding principle of his administration of the city. He said that for any locality to attain progress and maintain a sustainable and robust economy, the first order of business is peace and order.

So Mayor Estrada immediately took care of the Manila Police Department to maintain the peace in Manila. Without much funds in the city coffers -- Mayor Erap said the former administration left some P4 billion in debts still payable by the city -- he tried his best to pay the back-

log in additional allowances of the police.

Incidentally, the city of Manila now is debtfree according to Mayor Estrada.

In return, the policemen’s morale was refurbished, sustaining a big boost.

The MPD itself was given an award for becoming the best police district in Metro Manila, the award coming from the National Capital Region Police Office. Crimes such as kidnaping, carnapping, homicide and robbery were minimized.

Traffic of course was the biggest beneficiary of Mayor Estrada’s campaign, for

provincial and city buses without terminals in Manila were prohibited to enter the city, and loading terminals were rationalized.

One basic requirement for a peaceful, crime-free community is lighting, street lighting in particular. This is because a well-lit place discourages the commission of crime. And towards this end, the mayor trained his sights.

Adequate and working street lights also promote business and tourism, as residents and officials of any big city in the world will testify.

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Maynila Araw ng Jimbo Gulle, Editor

MANILA POISED FOR RETURN TO GLORY

I

N 2013, Joseph Ejercito Estrada was enjoying his blissful retirement from politics and public service and was content in relaxing tasks of caring for his children and grandchildren, aside from writing bits and pieces of his memoirs, later to be turned into a book.

This book-writing endeavor led him to revisit his roots, as far back as the very beginning, meaning his birth at a hospital in Manuguit, Tondo, Manila.

“Erap” thought about the city of his birth, the people who gave him their support and loyalty when he was a struggling actor until a character from Tondo, “Asiong Salonga,” catapulted him to movie stardom in the 1960s.

Estrada realized that he owed so much from the ordinary masses of Manila, and when he realized how badly the principal city of the nation was managed and ruled then, he decided to make himself available again for another run in the local elections, this time in Manila.

And so Mayor Estrada started his planned 3-year-term on June 30, 2013, and is now in the cusp of starting his third and final term in 2019.

It is time, then, for the mayor to take stock of what he had done for the city, how far he had pushed with his original objective of putting Manila back in the map, of effecting an urban renewal for the city that would reclaim for Manila its original title of “Pearl of the Orient.”

Finding Manila bankrupt and more than P4-billion in deep debt when he started his administration, Estrada wanted to rescue the city from oblivion, bring back to Manilans the respect and dignity that they deserve, provide a livable environment, and set up the city which after all is the capital of the Philippines on its way to becoming world-class.

A year after, Manila received the award Most Competitive City in Metro Manila, and Estrada realized that his dreams for the city was bearing fruit.

Now the mayor is proud to have given the city its world-class health facilities and renovated hospitals, an efficient dialysis center, an MRI machine in Ospital ng Maynila, well-appointed health centers, and dedicated health professionals, doctors, nurses, etc. who are trained to help.

Modern public markets and parks with clean air-conditioned toilets, free education, tertiary level institutions, street lighting, flood control, waste management, in-city housing, residential land distribution, anti-drugs campaign, disaster preparedness, social welfare, assistance in burial, cemeteries and columbarium, job opportunities, livelihood programs, policies on ease of doing business, taxpayer services, tourism and cultural concerns, etc. are all in place.

To cap all these, Mayor Estrada and the City Council were able to pay off the millions of city liabilities.

Then, if there will be a so-called “Erap legacy” in the city of Manila, as Mayor Joseph Estrada girds for a third and final term as mayor of the nation’s capital, it would be a new map of the city with a couple hundreds of hectares of new land rising from Manila Bay, thanks to the latest technology in reclamation engineering.

This is in consonance with President Duterte’s massive infrastructure push called “Build, Build, Build.”

Through the years, Erap has been fairly successful in revitalizing the city, first by getting enough revenues to pay off its creditors of Lim-era liabilities then totaling P4.4 billion, and then restoring and bolstering basic social services to Manilans after making the city financially viable and debt-free.

As of latest count, there are five huge proposals in various stages of approval or implementation for reclaiming land in Manila. These are: The 318-hectare commercial and tourism hub along the shorelines of Roxas Boulevard

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TOP 8 PLACES TO VISIT DURING ARAW NG MAYNILA

By Michie Galanida MANILA, The “Pearl of the Orient,” celebrates its 447th Araw ng Maynila today,

June 24, 2018. Through the years, the city of Manila has been keeping up with the fast-paced economic developments of the world.

Being the capital of the Philippines and the first stop for tourists and other visitors, Manila has retained some of its historical landmarks to remind the peole of the true Filipino identity – one the people of this land should cherish.

These top landmarks will make you feel Filipino on this special day: 1.

Luneta Park. What’s more Filipino than visiting the mausoleum of our National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, in his famous shrine in Manila? Although the execution of Rizal did not happen in the exact spot where the Rizal Monument now stands, this half-moon-shaped place (hence its

name) was dubbed as the death penalty capital during the Spanish Era. Inscribed in Rizal’s monument is his famous poem Mi Ultimo Adios (My Last Farewell) and is guarded by ceremonial soldiers 24/7. This scenic landmark requires a good angle in your photos.

2.

Intramuros. Going to the oldest part of Metro Manila is quite the feels.

Seeing different buildings and structures preserved brings nostalgia as if you were transported in history. The “Old Manila” was the capital during the 16th century up until the late 1890s in the time of the Spanish East Indies. Inside this ancient structure found are most of the relics and things used by Jose Rizal and by the Spaniards during his time. The Rizal Shrine and Rizaliana Furniture Exhibit is also located inside Intramuros’ walls, making it more relevant for people who want to know Rizal more.

3.

Fort Santiago. Famous as Rizal’s prison before he was shot, de- Turn to B3

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OUTSTANDING EMPLOYEES. Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada hands out the annual Outstanding Employees and Loyalty Awardees in keeping with tradition for this year’s 447th Araw ng Maynila celebrations. Estrada also handed out Special Awards for officials who have been exceptionally dedicated and whose work has inspired their own units, which this year include: Dr. Merle Sacdalan (Justice Jose Abad Santos General Hospital); Atty. Fortune Opinion-Mayuga (Bureau of Permits), and Engr. Lorenzo Alconera (City Engineering). Joel Santos

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Business

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

WHY MONDELEZ ALLOWS EMPLOYEES TO WORK AT HOME

By Othel V. Campos

T

HIS company allows employees to work at home four days a month, allows women 120 days of maternity leave, provides pre-natal milk and extends health benefits to couples including those of the same gender.

Snack giant Mondelez Philippines has developed a fresh approach to getting the most from its human resources, creating an atmosphere of fulfillment both professionally and personally.

The company believes that moving forward into the changing times, organizations should also adapt to ways of how people should be working.

In embracing these changes, the company dared to introduce three life-changing policies on the pretext of being both open and inclusive, two of them a first in the entire Mondelez global conglomerate.

“We want to share this to the world. This is something that should not be contained within our company. In fact, we hope this will create a new trend for all companies worldwide,” says Mondelez Philippines human resource lead Shiela Jane Sta. CruzPangilinan.

The company believes that with current mix of workforce, its open and inclusive policies are necessary to bring out the best from its employees.

Mondelez manpower is about 50 percent Generation X and 50 percent millennials. Gen X adapts quite agreeably with the evolving changes in the workplace.

Pangilinan believes that the company should focus on capacity, capability and culture to aid the company in attracting talents and keeping them within the system.

Within a circle of 452 employees, Mondelez is trying to spin a web of care and joy within its workforce.

Not only is the company meeting the basic and mandatory provisions of law when it comes to employee benefits, it goes out of its way to go beyond what is basic.

For one, a certain percentage of company’s workforce are allowed to work from home, at the most, four days a month, subject for approval of supervising seniors in the company.

Pangilinan says the new policy, which has been in practice in many Mondelez subsidiaries around the world for quite sometime, has been beneficial for employees given the worsening traffic in Metro Manila.

“Working from home can turn out to be the best days to be productive and have the trust of the company. Working from home will give us the flexibility to work without stressing out or worrying about personal issues and at the end of the day, achieve our goals,” says Pangilinan, adding that the work from home policy also provides flexibility of time and travel.

In addition, married and expecting women are accorded the privilege of having 120 days of paid maternity leave which is twice the norm in the Philippines.

Mondelez Philippines human resource lead Shiela Jane Sta. Cruz-Pangilinan

They are also allowed to charge pre- and post-natal consultations to the company’s healthcare provider, including select procedures.

There is also a provision for pre-natal milk that the company offers through a partnership on top of cash assistance that is payable without interest within 20 months.

“We believe in women leadership but at the end of the day, we’d like to have diversity and equal employment opportunity across all genders. This expanded maternity benefit is a first within our organization. We’re hoping it will set a trend for Mondelez globally,” Pangilinan says.

The company is a strong supporter of women empowerment and leadership of women. About 37 percent of the company’s employees are women.

Mondelez Philippines is also one of the first companies to officially include domestic partners in their employees’ health benefit through the company HMO, regardless of gender.

Married couples, those with live-in partners and the company’s lesbian and gay community co-habitating for at least five years are all beneficiaries of the open and inclusive health management benefit.

“We see no problem, especially for the third gender, to come out and avail of this benefit. All they need to have is a certification from their barangays that they are living

HOPE NAMED AMONG “BEST FOR THE WORLD” COMPANIES HOPE (Generation Hope Inc.), the company behind the ‘Hope In A Bottle’ brand, has earned a place among the ‘2018 Best for the World List’ released recently by B Lab, a nonprofit organization that certifies companies based on how they create value for their employees, the local community and the environment. B Lab combed through its roster of over 2,000 certified “B Corps” to identify companies that are not just “best in the world”, but more importantly “best for the world”. B Lab’s “Best for the World” is the only list of businesses that uses comprehensive, comparable, third party-validated data about a company’s social and environmental

performance. B Lab co-founder Jay Coen Gilbert said Hope has distinguished itself as a company that is “changing the system by building businesses that seek to create the greatest positive impact”. “With the rise of anger at a system that feels rigged, people are hungry for companies like Hope,” he said.

Hope founder Nanette Medved-Po said: “We believe that every Filipino has the power to vote with their peso about the things they value most.” “Today, we are in the midst of transforming Hope into a movement that – fueled by the power of co-branding – makes it easier for Filipinos to give back,” she said.

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together for five years,” Pangilinan says.

Despite the additional cost that is sure to impact on the company’s expenses, Mondelez is convinced that the new policies will also impact the company in a positive way.

“We need to pay back our employees, create a great place to work for them. Yearround, we find opportunities to reconnect and build community, the family. We try to leverage on our size, a small company and the breadth and skill as a global company. We call it glocal, maximizing the global lens at the same time implement the local opportunities we have,” Pangilinan says.

The new expanded benefits provided a good leverage for the company in keeping skilled and trustworthy employees. It noticed a significant decrease in attrition rate from double-digit in 2017 down to a single digit in the first few months of 2018.

Further, “creating moments of joy”, is a corporate undertaking to keeping company people happy about their job and assures them that their family is also an extended family of the company.

“We believe that at Mondelez, there are always great leaders to create great teams.

We also have the opportunity to develop the next generation leaders. But, it is not all about work. We work hard but we play hard.

We celebrate success and that’s how we live,” Pangilinan says.

TECHNOLUX MARKS 43RD ANNIVERSARY WHAT started as small firm that supplied laundr y and kitchen equipment to hotels in 1975 has become the largest importer and distributor of complete line of foodservice, small wares, laundry equipment and consumables in the country.

It is the supplier of choice among the country’s top hotels, resorts, restaurants and food businesses.

That ’s how one can describe the growth of Technolux which celebrated its 43rd anniversary on June 15.

The company marked many ‘firsts’ in the hospitality and F&B industry including being the pioneer in live demo kitchen, nationwide service offerings and a facility called Mall of Kitchens that carries an extensive line of kitchen and food-service equipment and small wares for commercial and household use.

Today, Technolux has over 70 brands of kitchen, laundry and small wares under its portfolio. Among them are some of the world’s most popular and respected products such as Manitowoc, Vittore, Taylor Ice Cream Machine, Convotherm, Turbo Air (kitchen equipment).

It carries IPSO, Braun, Firbimatic Dry Cleaning Equipment, Sankosha Finishing Equipment, PSO laundry equipment, G.A. Braun, Sidi Mondial Finishing Equipment, Hoffman Newyorker Finishing Equipment, Forenta Finishing Equipment and Seitz the fresher company.

Other brands are Dandux laundry carts, Cardinal weighing scale, Autovalet uniform conveyor system, Thermopatch laundry tagging machines and Colmac tunnel finisher (industrial laundry equipment) and Eurochef, Rak , Eurochef, American Metalcraft, Cambro, Zieher Germany, Deson Furniture, Server, Athena Hotelwares, Icel, Tablecraft, Adcraft, Prince Castle and Lava Cast Iron (small wares).

It has recently introduced a new line of guest room supplies and housekeeping solutions for hotels and resorts with brands such as Hanview Leather, Resin and Acrylic Collection, William Roam Amenities, Suites Guestroom Appliance and Supplies, Kawajun Interior Finishing Hardware, Benalla Hotel Intelligent System and Onity Electronic Door Locks.

For over 40 years, Technolux has invested heavily on training its people so they can give the best in customer service. The company has a 24/7 call-center facility to respond and attend to clients’ inquiries and requests. For faster customer-service response, it has a fleet of technicians on motorcycles who are deployed within four hours.

Te c h n o l u x n o w h a s 4 0 0 employees across all its offices in Metro Manila, Cebu, Boracay, Davao and Zamboanga.

“We are grateful to our principals from different parts of the globe whose trust in us continues to make us the No. 1 supplier in the industry.

We are equally appreciative of our customers whose patronage we have enjoyed through the years. We value our partnership with them,” says Technolux president Roland Verzosa.

The company moves forward to the future, enthusiastic that their business will grow even more, with the entry of new top-notch products that will help propel the success of their customers’ enterprises. Verzosa says Technolux remains committed to giving the best after-sales service to its clients.

PHILEX’S SCHOLARS.

Three Grade VI students of Philex Mines Elementary School are awarded with high honors—Rhainiel Mae Malnag, Ashley Mae Novelozo and Esther Asaph Yaos. With them during the “Moving Up Ceremony” at the PMES grounds in Barangay Camp 3, Tuba, Benguet are Philex Mining Corp. assistant vice president and Padcal mine assistant resident manager Roy Mangali and Padcal community relations manager Aurora Dolipas. A total of 193 students finished their primary studies on June 6 this year at PMES which is subsidized

by Philex Mining. PMES also held graduation ceremonies for its 163 pupils in kindergarten on June 4 and conducted recognition ceremonies on June 5 for its outstanding pupils from Grades 1 to V.

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THAILAND WORST COUNTRY FOR VAPERS WARSAW—Leaders of national bodies for e-cigarette users ranked Thailand as the worst country in the world to be a vaper or user of electronic cigarettes.

In a survey of the 36 national organizations, 33 of them nominated Thailand as having the most restriction for vaping. Australia, with 18 nominations, was considered the second worst country while India was third with 16.

“Thailand has a draconian approach with tourists as well as local people regularly getting arrested for vaping.

Police often search vehicles at road blocks for e-cigarettes and then use them to extract fines. This is not just terrible for Thai smokers who want to quit but also makes it a country to avoid for the tens of millions of tourists and business people around the world who vape,” said Asa Ace Saligupta who runs the End Cigarette Smoke Thailand consumer group.

Among those countries considered to be best in the world, the UK emerged at the top with 32 nominations, while Germany had 25 and France 23.

“The United Kingdom government has had the most remarkable change of heart on vaping. Four years ago, it was trying to ban all e-cigarettes on the market. Today, the UK has three million vapers - and this is accelerating the decline in smoking among the British,” said Prof. Gerry Stimson of the UK charity New Nicotine Alliance.

The Philippines was listed the 11th worst country for vapers. Dr. Konstantinos Farsalinos, a researcher at Onassis Cardiac Surgery Centre in Athens, earlier identified the Philippines and Malaysia as two Southeast Asian countries with large populations of e-cigarette users, without any law regulating vapers.

The survey was conducted at the annual Global Forum on Nicotine in Warsaw, Poland which this year has attracted 500 delegates from 60 countries. The organizations surveyed are members of the International Network of Nicotine Consumer Organizations. Each member was allowed to nominate up to five countries in the worst category and five in the best from a list of the world’s 100 most populous nations.

Healthcare professionals and academicians called on countries to allow and regulate vaping or the use of electronic cigarettes in the face of growing evidence that these smokefree nicotine products are the most effective harm reduction tool to end smoking.

T h e Pu b l i c H e a l t h E n g l a n d reported in 2015 that e-cigarettes are 95-percent less harmful than smoking, as the harmful chemicals present in cigarette smoke are either not in EC vapor or only found at much lower levels.

“Vaping is 95-percent less harmful than smoking,” said Dr. Joe Kosterich, an Australian doctor whose interest in e-cigarettes grew from listening to the experience of patients struggling to quit smoking and those whose success has come from vaping.

HOPE...

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Hope was certified a B Corp last year for its rigorous standards of social a n d e nv i ro n m e nt a l p e r fo r m a n ce, accountability and transparency. It was the first Philippine company to earn the distinction. The B Corp list includes ice cream giant Ben & Jerry’s and reusable bottles maker Klean Kanteen.

Hope was formed in March 2012. Unlike most non-profits and charity groups, the company runs a business. But all its profits go into building classrooms. In Hope’s case, the business has been bottled water: Hope in A Bottle. It has so far sold over 13 million bottles with the help of corporate partners like Starbucks, UCC Coffee, 7-Eleven and the Seda hotel group, allowing it to build 57 classrooms around the country.

“We’ve put building public school classrooms at the top of our list, and invite everyone to build more, one Hope product at a time,” said Medved-Po.

FILIPINO INVENTOR OBTAINS TRADEMARK FOR MISTY KOOL F

ILIPINO inventor and entrepreneur Edgardo ‘Gary’ Vazquez has secured the ‘Misty Kool’ trademark for his mistdispensing apparatus from the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines.

“Finally, it is certified,” says Va z q u e z , t h e 6 5 - ye a r - o l d inventor of the outdoor airconditioning system.

Misty Kool is a misting system that sprays ultra-fine microns of water to cool off any area. It conserves energy while offering an air-cooling effect and repels flying insects, dust, smoke and pollen.

The Bureau of Legal Affairs of IPOPHL promulgated a decision on May 30, 2018 that the ‘Misty Kool’ trademark owned and used by Vazquez to refer to his Misty Kool Spray Mist Dispensing Apparatus or movable spray mist fan is a registrable trademark.

The decision was issued to resolve the case IPC No. 14-201700274 entitled ‘Daneiros Trading vs. Edgardo Vazquez.’ Vazquez was represented by Atty. Oscar Manahan, an IP rights lawyer.

The decision underscores that the essence of trademark registration is to give protection to the owner of a trademark. It also confirms the superior quality of the product that Vazquez sells as a fruit of his industry and skill.

Likewise, it is an assurance that the consumers are procuring a genuine article or product, says Vazquez.

The Misty Kool machine consists of a misting fan, high-pressure pumps, fine nozzles, switches, oil indicator, programmable timer, automatic shut-off mechanism, hose, 41-liter water tank and heavydut y wheels with lock ing mechanism.

He offers the technology in two forms—a line machine and electric fan-type unit that can produce Baguio-like breeze instantly.

Misty Kool produces mist, which evaporates into the air, and this is sometimes called “flash evaporation” because it happens “quickly as a flash” and gives a stronger cooling effect.

Vazquez says the air is cooled evenly and feels more like a fog.

“In engineering, they call it the flash point. When you subject the water at a very high pressure, then extrude it through a very fine nozzle, it automatically becomes mist and floats in the air,” says Vazquez, who is also

known as the inventor of the Vazbuilt modular housing technology in the Philippines.

Vazquez shares the results of a comparative analysis of Misty Kool line and fan systems versus cooler/ humidifier and air-conditioner. The study found that Misty Kool is more environment-friendly, more userfriendly, more economical, more portable and mobile and covers a larger area, compared to the two machines.

It also repels insects and captures smoke, dust and pollen particles.

A misting system reduces humidity and cools the air with mist via a high-pressure pump and nozzle spray. Vazquez says unlike a cooler/ humidifier that requires constant cleaning, Misty Kool has a water filter that ensures that the mist is clean all the time, and the fan carries the mist across the areas to lower ambient

temperature.

“I am sure this would be a big help in selecting the best outdoor cooling system,” says Vazquez.

The Misty Kool fan system can cover 85 square meters, more than the 50-sqm reach of a cooler/ humidifier or the 10-sqm coverage of air-conditioner. It has an air-flow delivery of up to 50 meters, compared to cooler/humidifier’s 18 meters and air-conditioner’s five meters.

Vazuez says his invention also has 90-degree oscillating fan, compared to the directional coverage of a cooler/ humidifier.

Vazquez says M ist y Kool is applicable to any area or industry.

It is now being used at patios and gardens, al fresco dining areas, beach resorts, gymnasiums, arenas, public areas and greenhouses.

Vazquez has also developed

a bigger machine to suck heat from the air and repel pollution in industrial sites surrounded by communities.

The bigger machine called Turbo Kool is a remote-controlled, elevated dust suppression control system that can blow cool fine mist more than hundreds of meters into the air that can capture dust and other particulates and bring them down to the ground. It can also lower temperature by 5 to 10 degrees Celsius, says Vazquez, who based the design on Misty Kool.

He says that unlike the Misty Kool line system and electric fantype machines, the Turbo Kool dust suppression control system is ideal for industrial areas, power plants, ports, materials handling facilities, construction sites, orchards and large gardens. Roderick T. dela Cruz

METRO AGOO WATER DONATES OVER 1,500 BOOKS LIKASDIWA Foundation Inc., the corporate social responsibility arm of Metro Agoo Waterworks Inc., has donated 1,579 books to 15 public elementary schools in Tubao, La Union.

MAWI is a subsidiary of Calapan Waterworks Corp., the water unit of Jolliville Holdings Corp. led by businessman Jolly Ting. MAWI launched its water operations in Agoo in 2016 and expanded its service area to include several barangays in the neighboring town of Aringay. Tubao is the source of the water supply.

Jolliville Holdings Corp. vice president Eric Montelibano, MAWI general manager Alex Manto and LikasDiwa Foundation managing director Marisol Lim Ybañez led the turnover of the books to the principals of the 15 public schools at Tubao Central Elementary School in the presence of Tubao mayor Dante Garcia on May 25, 2018.

Ybañez said the book donation represents MAWI’s Library Enhancement and Appreciation Development

Modern and dated elementary books for donation LikasDiwa Foundation Inc. with the happy beneficiaries of the Library Enhancement and Appreciation Development program

program which aims to boost the school library materials in support of the Department of Education’s “Adopt a School” program.

“This initiative is intended to improve the library materials of the schools by increasing the number of available reference books in their library,” she said.

She said the books with a total value of P110,530 were sorted

and donated to 4,268 pupils of 15 elementary schools in Tubao.

Manto, on his part, said the book donation is just one of the CSR programs of LikasDiwa Foundation and that many more CSR programs will be implemented in the area soon.

“LikasDiwa Foundation and MAWI believe that this program will improve the quality of education and will encourage the students to read in order for them to widen their knowledge,” said Manto.

World

Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor / Jimbo Gulle, Issue Editor

SAUDIS REV UP TO LIFT WOMEN DRIVING BAN RIYADH, Saudi Arabia—Donning a virtual reality headset, Aziza sits behind the wheel of a racing simulator as Saudi Arabia prepares to lift its decades-old women driving ban—and instantly slams the gas pedal: 70 mph, 80, 90...

Potentially thousands of women drivers such as 22-year-old Aziza will take the wheel of a real car in the conservative desert kingdom on Sunday, when the world’s only ban on female motorists is lifted.

“This will be a big day for us,” said Aziza, a speed-loving psychology student, as she focused on the simulation, complete with a toy steering wheel and throttle, clutch and brake foot pedals.

“We have waited a long time.”

Some three million women in Saudi Arabia could receive licences and actively begin driving by 2020, according to consultancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Euphoria was mixed with nervousness in the capital’s Riyadh Park complex, where traffic authorities organized a carnival of sorts to give women a feel for driving before the ban ends.

Dozens of women zipped around twisted tracks in go-karts and toy cars, while some flocked to booths where female instructors in head-to-toe Islamic niqab robes offered lessons on traffic signs. AFP

ARGENTINA GETS FIRST $15B OF $50B LOAN FROM IMF BUENOS AIRES—Argentina on Friday received $15 billion, the first tranche of a $50 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund, to help stabilize its fragile economy, the South American nation’s central bank said.

Following a currency crisis in April and May, the IMF announced the $50 billion standby loan in early June after Latin America’s third largest economy sought help to bolster market confidence.

The peso plunged to a record low this month, and since the start of the year the currency has dropped more than 30 percent against the dollar.

On Wednesday the Washingtonbased IMF approved the $50 billion aid package. It said the first $15 billion will contribute to budget support while the $35 billion balance will be “precautionary.”

The fund said that its assistance would back efforts by Buenos Aires to put public debts on a sustainable path, reduce the need for financing and tackle inflation while strengthening the central bank’s independence, while maintaining social spending.

Argentina has a bitter history with the global crisis lender, which many Argentines view as having imposed tough conditions that worsened economic pain 17 years ago. AFP

GREECE HAILS ‘HISTORIC’ DEAL TO END DEBT CRISIS ATHENS—Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Friday hailed an agreement

by Eurozone ministers that will put an end to the country’s eight-year bailout program as an “historic” step.

Eurozone states declared the severe debt crisis that has weighed heavy on the country since 2010 to be over, allowing Athens to escape some of the supervision of its creditors from August.

Wearing a tie for the first time since becoming prime minister in 2015 -- after pledging to wear one only when Greece’s debt was cut -- Tsipras told a celebratory meeting of coalition lawmakers on Friday night that the country could return to being a “social state”.

“Austerity will gradually be replaced by social justice,” he promised.

However, removing his tie at the end of the speech, he argued that “the Greek people had won a battle but not the war.”

Coming nearly a decade after Greece’s finances spun out of control, sparking three bailouts and threatening the country’s euro membership, he earlier declared the deal as an “historic agreement.”

“We are turning a page,” he added, but cautioned that the country “must not destroy the path taken on the reforms and on budgetary efforts.”

The eurozone ministers’ hard-fought agreement was declared earlier Friday, slating Greece to leave its third financial rescue since 2010 on August 20. AFP

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SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

FAMILIES IN LIMBO AMID BORDER CHAOS E

L PASO, Texas—The fate of 2,300 children wrested from their parents at the United States border with Mexico remained unclear Friday two days after Donald Trump ordered an end to migrant family separations, as the president accused Democrats of spinning “phony” tales of suffering for electoral gain.

While the US leader bowed to global outrage over the splitting of families, conflicting messages were contributing to a sense of chaos in the handling of the crisis.

Government agencies were unable to say what would happen to the children already sent to tent camps and other facilities spread across the country while their parents were charged with immigration offenses.

Having been forced into a climbdown on the hot-button issue of immigration, Trump swung back into fighting mode—insisting he remained committed to the “zero tolerance” policy that aims to deter the flow of migrants from Central America.

“We must maintain a Strong Southern Border. We cannot allow our Country to be overrun by illegal immigrants as the Democrats tell their phony stories of sadness and grief, hoping it will help them in the elections,” he tweeted.

In a possible indication of the scope of the crackdown the Trump administration envisions, Time magazine reported that the US Navy is preparing plans to build detention centers for tens of thousands of immigrants on remote bases in support of the “zero tolerance” policy.

Trump also met at the White House with parents of victims killed by undocumented immigrants.

The parents standing with Trump have been “permanently separated from their loved ones,” the president said, “because they were killed by criminal illegal aliens.”

Trump continued to make political hay out of the crisis, accusing Democrats of “playing games” and not supporting tougher border policies. To fel-

HOT ISSUE. An Agence France Presse journalist reads a copy of Time Magazine with a front cover using a combination of pictures showing a crying child taken at the US Border Mexico and a picture of US President Donald Trump looking down, on Thursday in Washington DC. AFP low Republicans, his message was to “stop wasting their time on Immigration” until after the November midterm congressional elections.

On Thursday, divided congressional Republicans failed to pass one immigration reform bill, and a second proposal that includes language ending family separations was put off until next week.

While Melania Trump sought to demonstrate concern with a surprise

visit to migrant children at the border on Thursday, the administration remained under siege amid continued accounts of parents unable to find their children and no system in place for reuniting them.

Lawyers working to reunite families said they were struggling to navigate a labyrinthine process.

“It’s very difficult to reunite children with their parents because these government agencies were not prepared,

and they’re not designed, for family separation,” said Efren Olivares, a lawyer with the Texas Civil Rights Project that represents 381 migrant parents.

Near Washington, protestors shouting “Shame!” demonstrated early Friday outside the home of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, two days after Trump announced her department would take over the handling and processing of families at the border. AFP

10 DAYS AFTER SUMMIT, HARD WORK YET TO BEGIN

DIMMING RESCUE. A woman speaks on a phone while waiting for rescue teams to find her missing family members from a capsized ferry at Lake Toba, in North Sumatra province, on Saturday. Indonesian authorities on Friday turned to cutting-edge sonar technology as they search one of the world’s deepest lakes for victims of a deadly ferry disaster. AFP

WASHINGTON—The landmark summit between President Donald Trump and Chairman Kim Jong Un ended with a pledge of “complete denuclearization,” but ten days on no timetable for action has emerged.

After flying back to Washington last week, giddy with success, the US leader tweeted “There is no longer a Nuclear Threat from North Korea”—a bold claim with Kim’s arsenal still in place.

But senior US officials admit there is much work to be done as negotiators thrash out the details of what they hope will be Pyongyang “complete, verifiable and irreversible” disarmament.

Many observers were disappointed that the short statement of intent signed by the two leaders was not more clear on the definition of denuclearization, fearing Kim plans to keep his hard-won deterrent.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo angrily insists that the term “complete” in the document “encompasses” the concept that the denuclearization will be “verifiable and irreversible.”

Trump has gone further, claiming on June 12 that the process will start very quickly, then on June 21 confusing the issue: “It will be a total denuclearization, which is already taking place.”

Pompeo has been only marginally more cautious.

On June 13, he said “We believe that Kim Jong Un understands the urgency ... that we must do this quickly” and added that he hopes for “major disarmament” with two-anda-half years. AFP

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TECH & Gadgets SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018 Riera U. Mallari, Editor rumallari@thestandard.com.ph

VIVO X21

VIVO UNVEILS ITS MOST ADVANCED PHONE YET

By Angelica Villanueva

O

PPO is giving its Filipino fans another wonderful phone experience as it has officially launched the newest member of its family, the OPPO F7.

By Jordan Thomas Pimentel

V

IVO on Thursday released a new smartphone with a fascinating new feature ahead of competition: In-display fingerprint scanning technology.

Unlike other fingerprint-scanning apps and devices Vivo has built it right into the bottom of the screen and it integrates biometric authentication into the display itself. It unlocks the phone with a press from the user’s registered thumbprint without the need of a third-party security app that is sure to take up considerable storage.

Other than the new built-in finger scanner, the Vivo X21 offers upgraded facial recognition technology with “Face Access” which scans users’ facial features for an enhanced two-way security access.

Vivo’s new flagship is equipped with a 6.28-inch 19.9 AMOLED Display. With a super slim notch and

Vivo launches Pioneering In-Display Fingerprint Scanning Technology in the Philippines with its new flagship smartphone X21.

1.66mm side bezels it achieves a 90.3% screen-tobody ratio for wider viewing. Armored with Gorilla Glass 3 that offers sufficient protection and durability from bumps and falls. It has a 12MP + 5MP dual camera setup at the rear, and a 12MP front camera equipped with fast-focusing technology and AI scene recognition features.

A Qualcomm Snapdragon SDM 660 AIE Octacore processor powers the X21. It has 6GB of RAM, 128GB storage capacity, and 3200 mAh battery. It comes with the Funtouch OS 4.0, a mobile operating system based on Android 8.1 The Vivo X21 is available in the Philippines today Friday, June 22 at a retail price of P29,999.

Display and AI photography featured in the X21.

Vivo has been the industry pioneer of In-Display Fingerprint Scanning Technology from showcas-

ing its first prototype demonstration to successful mass production. To ensure user expectations for this technology are being met, Vivo has tasked its teams to innovate and perfect this technology on the new X21 to provide a reliable and secure unlocking solution to all consumers.

Vivo X21 replaces the rear fingerprint sensor with the latest In-Display Fingerprint Scanning Technology. This allows the sleek and unified design of the smartphone to be preserved without the need for a rear fingerprint sensor. With mere a flick of the wrist and a press on the screen to unlock, this convenient and seamless process is intuitive for any user.

Other than In-Display Fingerprint Scanning Technology, X21 also offers upgraded facial recognition technology with Face Access which scans users’ facial features for enhanced security.

GET DISCOUNT, INK WITH HP PRINTER PURCHASE HP gives its enterprising customers the best reasons to take advantage of high-volume printing opportunities, all summer long and until past mid-year, as it extends its “HP DeskJet GT All-in-One Printer” promo from now until July 31.

The extended promo enables more users to enjoy the convenience of printing thousands of highquality pages at an extremely low cost as every purchase of HP DeskJet GT 5820 e-Allin-One Printer or HP DeskJet GT 5810 Allin-One Printer gives a P1000 instant discount and a free bottle of HP GT51 Black Original Ink. The HP DeskJet GT printers’ high-capacity ink tank system can produce high-quality printouts of up to 8,000 pages using its tri-color bottle set and up to 5,000 pages using its black bottle set, to offer hassle-free printing at an extremely low cost. With the transparent ink tanks, consumers can also easily monitor ink levels and enjoy efficient spill-free refills.

Even with their hectic work schedule, entrepreneurs can rely on the HP DeskJet GT to directly print, scan, or copy from any device by connecting their smart phone or tablet to the printer using the HP All-in-One Remote app.

So hurry, go to any authorized HP reseller nationwide and get the HP DeskJet GT All-in-One Printer at a P1000 discount with free HP Black Original Ink. Promo is extended until July 31, 2018. Visit www.hp.com or see posters and print ads for more details.

Better mobile data experience also means better business

E-LOAD SELLERS SEE IMPROVED BUSINESS WITH better mobile data connectivity now in place in Quezon City, small business owners like Agnes Atchuela, whose sarisari store is on A. Roces Ave., are feeling the boost in their earnings as well.

“I’m a mobile data user myself, so I have also noticed that the connection is faster these days,” said Atchuela, who also owns a canteen beside her sari-sari store. “More people are loading up, and they’re buying higher load denominations, which is why our income has also increased.”

Atchuela’s sari-sari store is open 24 hours, and sales are brisk as early as 5 am, when workers and students start their days. “Sales also pick up around end of day, 6 to 8 pm, when they come home from their offices and schools, as well as around the end of the week and near paydays,” she explained.

“I hope the network keeps improving, so our businesses would, too,” she added.

Fellow sari-sari store owners Antipolo Deterala and Marissa Marquez, whose stores are also in Quezon City, have also felt

the network improvement’s impact on their own incomes.

“The network is stronger than before, and because of this our sales have doubled,” said Marquez.“I was surprised to see young people loading up. I thought they were going to use it for calls, but when I asked they said it was for mobile games. They said the improved network has also improved their gameplay.”

Deterala reports similar feedback from her own customers. “They say the connection is faster now than before,” she said.

Apart from mobile games, more customers are also using the improved network to stream videos on YouTube. Until July 15, Smart, TNT and Sun prepaid customers registering to load packages like GigaSurf99, AllOutSurf99, GigaSurf 50, AllOutSurf 30, Panalo Data 30, Panalo Combo 30, Super Combo 20, and Big Time Data 70 can watch YouTube for one hour for free daily. They can enjoy this special offer for the duration of the packages that they buy.

BROTHER LAUNCHES DIRECT TO GARMENT PRINTER BROTHER, a most trusted partner of small to medium enterprises, ups its game in high-quality printing with the newest and most advanced GTX Direct-to-Garment printer.

The GTX DTG printer streamlines the process of printing designs on clothing such as shirts, jackets, caps, and shoes by making it straightforward, quick, and painless. The versatile model has changeable platens and GTX Graphics Lab (free downloadable software to adjust and fix designs before printing) to make printing on materials of different shapes and sizes possible.

“The GTX Direct-to-Garment printer is business-generating and maximizes productivity by producing high-quality results quickly and easily. Besides, it is highly suited to Filipino culture because we love to personalize,” says Glenn Hocson, president of Brother Philippines.

Brother has also teamed up with CustomThread, a start-up company that supplies quality custom apparels for teams, to launch the GTX Directto-Garment printer at the recent 6th Philippine SME Business Expo held at the SMX Convention Center in SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City.

“We believe that Brother shares our values in terms of quality, integrity, and most of all customer service.” shares Erik Sy, CEO and founder of CustomThread. For a rapidly growing startup like CustomThread, Brother’s GTX DTG printer is perfect to keep up with customer demands without sacrificing the quality of the products.

CustomThread influencers and power couple Kean Cipriano and Chynna Hortaleza made a special appearance at the Brother x CustomThread booth to give a demo of the game-changing printers.

“Kean and I have been really interested in getting into the textile, retail industry. To have a printer like the GTX, it completely changes the game, even if you’re new in the business,” explains Chynna.

“Now that we’ve been introduced to the GTX printer, it’s encouraged us to come up with new ideas and designs, and even consult graphic artists.” shares Kean, whose band Callalily has partnered with CustomThread for their official merch. “So many people can benefit from this technology—from artists, to businesspeople, to consumers.”

With Brother at your side and the GTX DTG printer powering your work, anything is possible for small and medium businesses.

For more information on Brother Philippines, visit www.brother. com.ph or follow Brother on Facebook: Facebook.com/BROTHERatyourside, Twitter: @BROTHERPhils; and Instagram: @BrotherPhils.

Expo goers got to test the Brother’s new GTX Direct-to-Garment Printers.

GLOBE CONFAB TACKLES CLOUD, CYBERSECURITY

(From left) ES Solomon-GoCanvas APAC Sales and Product Engineer, Marlon CruzTrustwave Country Director, Peter Sharples-Amazon Web Services APAC Head of Major Initiatives, Channels and Alliances, Pebbles Sy-Manalang- Globe Chief Information Officer, Albert M. De Larrazabal-Globe Chief Commercial Officer, Peter Maquera, Globe SVP for Enterprise Group, Ferdie Saputil-Google Cloud Philippines Country Lead, Jason Huang-Executive Director of Ademco, Francisco Layug III -President of Ademco Philippines (ESSCOR), and Gil B. Genio, Globe Chief Technology and Information Officer.

GLOBE Business, the information and communications technology arm of Globe Telecom, brings out an array of powerful tools and solutions that will enable enterprises to build and secure their business and digital ecosystems for seamless connections with customers.

Together with world-class providers Amazon Web Services, Google, RightCloud, GoCanvas, Trustwave, and Bitsight, Globe Business was able to capitalize on Cloud and Cybersecurity innovations to help

companies glide smoothly in their journey towards digitalization. These tools took center stage during the“Breakthrough with Globe Business Solutions” event at Edsa Shangri-la Hotel attended by key leaders and executives from various industries.

“Globe has gone through the same journey as most of our enterprise clients. We always need to try new technologies, set up quickly at minimal cost, and constantly test new products until we figure out

what will work for our customers. We cannot do this on traditional and on-premise environments where costs will be too high. Cloud has given us the flexibility and ability to innovate quickly, continuously, and at scale,” said Ernest Cu, Globe President and CEO. He added: “As an enterprise, we also have access to critical information about our customers and as a responsible company, we need to protect that by ensuring that we have the right Cybersecurity tools in

place to fight evolving threats that may compromise our data, jeopardize our operations, and most importantly impact our customers.”

Thus, to help businesses overcome corporate and technological challenges while creating and maximizing their value to the stakeholders, Globe Business offers a full suite of business solutions that drive business agility, scalability, and maximizes the current potentials of the Cloud complimented

by Cybersecurity tools.

D1

Destinations SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018

Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor

manilastandardlife@gmail.com

@manilastandardlife

@MStandardLIFE

SWISS EXCURSION

SEEK SWITZERLAND

Hike the Alpine Pass with Saint Bernard dogs.

MAGNIFICENT VISTA. Grindelwald is one of the most popular and cosmopolitan excursion destinations in the picturesque country that is Switzerland.

I

N THE heart of the Alps lies the birthplace of gruyere, the watch worn on the moon, and Roger Federer. But aside from cheese, timepieces, and world class athletes, there are so much more things left to be admired in Switzerland.

This landlocked country in Central Europe boasts a hybrid experience—a combination of alpine or nature attractions and urban lifestyle—something that, according to tourism officials, visitors look for in any destination.

Majestic alpine scenery featuring the Matterhorn in Zermatt, scenic views in Interlaken, tranquil lake in Lucerne, charming medieval architecture in Bern, museums and designer stores in Zurich, and palatial hotels in St. Moritz, among many other picturesque destinations straight out of a storybook can be easily accessed by tourists.

The Swiss Travel Pass covers the country’s 26,000 kilometers of rail, bus, and boat routes. It includes rides on buses and trams of 75 towns and cities, trips on famous scenic routes including the glacier Express and the Golden Pass Line, and free entry to more than 480 museums where all accompanied children up to 16 years of age can travel completely free of charge.

For self-drive or chauffeur drive vacation the “Grand Tour of Switzerland” is the ideal choice.

It takes tourists on a 1,600-kilometer road trip through the country’s most beautiful regions.

Along the way, tourists can discover the four

Health and beauty tourism is becoming a big thing in Switzerland, too. At the very beginning of tourism in the country, guests came to recover from health issues with the help of its crystal clear mineralized water combined with the fresh clean mountain air. Many generations later, guests rediscover Switzerlinguistic regions of Switzerland, five Alpine land as the must-place to be for a healthy and passes, 11 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and beautiful vacation.

22 of the most beautiful lakes—a journey What with its breathtaking sights and depacked with adventure from start to finish. lights, Switzerland surely is a bucket list destina destination for many Filipinos.

In fact, according to Urs Eberhard, executive vice president of the Swiss National Tourism Board, tourist arrival from the Philippines has increased within a three-year span.

“Since Switzerland Tourism started with a ‘fact-finding’ mis mission in late 2014 and intensified its activi activities in the Philippines thereafter, the market grew from 23,081 mpact s in Lucerne, a co rne. annual overnights to m eu us m e th Explore Lake Luce 38,772 overnights. city that sits on This represents an increase of not less than 67 percent,” shared Eber EberWhen it hard. comes to food, Switzerland, even though Based on data they gathered, tourists from famous for its cheese and chocolate, offers the Philippines travel independently and like a large variety of European cuisine featuring to discover a destination more in depth. specialties for all four seasons. Culinary sight“Filipino travel agents cater to this trend and seeing tours with locals is also booming. For create Mono Switzerland Products. We see a example, the Zurich Food Tour, a cultural hot- big potential for incentive trips to Switzerland spot of Zurich-West, features the background which highlights the combination of Swiss and history behind the city’s culinary revolu- quality and prestige, Swiss hospitality and eftion. Local delicacies feature different types ficiency, and hassle-free travel within the destiof rich and organic vegetables, meat, seafood, nation that make Switzerland the ideal choice and local drinks. for a reward trip,” said Eberhard.

Zurich, a city by the water, is abuzz with activities day and night.

Try your hand at skiing in St. Moritz.

Enjoy the picturesque view in Interlaken in the Bernese Oberland.

WHERE LIFE WILL ALWAYS BE… LA VIE EN ROSE Not only will she be very effective in organizing lifestyle events for the hotel, like the one I attended, Ms. Adda will also be a crowd-drawer. She has the beauty, the height, the charm, and the voice. What more can one ask for?

That lunchtime event at Sofitel trumpeted the hotel’s coming activities which MERCURY RISING are part of its French Week celebration next month, designed to offer customers

BY BOB ZOZOBRADO a culinary journey across five gastronomAS I was approaching the private func- ic regions in France. tion room at Sofitel’s Spiral, I heard right Normandy, in the northwest, is best away the melodious voice of an “angel” known for its apples, seafood, and camsinging my favorite French love song, embert cheese, and Brittany, for its La Vie En Rose. The “angel” turned out crepes that dot every corner of the place. to be Elle Adda, a statuesque Fil-French Alsace-Lorraine in the northeast is best beauty who is the daughter of my long- known for its smoked bacon which is used time friend in the rich Chiqui Venand flavorful eracion, a Quiche LorYOUR WEEKEND CHUCKLE stunning raine. Alsacharmer tian cuisine Is there another word for SYNONYM? herself. highlights Ms. Adda the use of is the newpork, often est addition to Sofitel’s lifestyle workforce. paired with Dry Riesling recognized globOf course, because she has the Veneracion ally as indigenous to the region. “blood” in her, she sings like a nightingale, Eastern France, which includes the the trademark asset of the descendants of Bourgogne and Franche-Comte regions, the Veneracion matriarch who was widely boasts Comte cheese, yellow wine, known to have put together the multi- smoked ham, and sausages. Burgundy, awarded world-famous Madrigal Singers. which is one of France’s top-producing

Elle Adda, the attractive addition to Sofitel’s workforce

French Master Chef Julien Cosse

wine regions, is also known for its Beef Bourguignon.

The French Mediterranean region in the southeastern part of the country is known for its Bouillabaisse and Salad Nicoise. Ratatouille Brocciu cheese, from ewe’s milk and whey, is also a popular culinary offering.

Bordeaux and the Basque country in southwest France highlight the flavorful Foie Gras, Confit de Canard, and Dried Plums, usually enjoyed with the rich red wine that Bordeaux is known for.

All these sumptuous regional delicacies will be made available to customers during the hotel’s French Week, thanks to the culinary wizardry of the hotel’s very own French Master Chef Julien Cosse, who is a first-timer here in our country. I had an opportunity to chat with him and he told me how much he enjoys whipping up his favorite French dishes here because we, Filipinos, know how to appreciate honest-to-goodness French cuisine.

Aside from Spiral, which is the hotel’s buffet dining venue, the exquisite French flavor will also be made available to customers at the hotel’s Le Bar where a rich selection of the finest cheeses, wines, and pastries will be served a la La Grande Epicerie de Paris.

What got me interested is the Wine Appreciation Class, The Art of Wine, which the hotel is putting up. I must admit that, even if I enjoy French wine, I still have so much to learn about it. This oneafternoon seminar will be handled by the hotel’s French wine connoisseur Tanguy Gras who will make participants discover the sensory world of wine across the rich wine regions of France.

Being a French luxury hotel brand, Sofitel is really painting a beautiful picture in the consciousness of local residents, using the allure of the French way of life, as its canvas, delivering the message to the public that, in the hotel, life will always be rosy! I can hardly wait to immerse myself in the hotel’s French week offerings because I want to experience what the late Louis Armstrong promised when he sang: “…

Give your heart and soul to me...And life will always be...La Vie En Rose.”

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

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

Republic of the Philippines

TODAY ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL AND RECOVERY FROM END-USERS OF THE PRICE ADJUSTMENT UNDER THE ERCAPPROVED PSA BETWEEN MANILA ELECTRIC COMPANY (MERALCO) AND THERMA LUZON, INC. (TLI), BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE IMPOSITION OF INCREASED EXCISE TAXES ON COAL UNDER THE “TAX REFORM FOR ACCELERATION AND INCLUSION� LAW, WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY,

=

AETy

ERC CASE NO. 2018 -__ MC

MANILA ELECTRIC COMPANY (MERALCO) AND THERMA LUZON, INC. (TLI), Applicants. x - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x

HR

=

applicable Heat Rate, in btu/kwh

DF

=

applicable Degradation Factor (no unit)

ĆŠBCQ

=

Bilateral Contract Quantities, in kwh

RP

=

Replacement Power, in kwh

CHV

=

Coal Heating Value, in btu/kg

Additional Excise Tax for year y, in PhP/MT, as follows:

Applicable Year

[y]

Additional Excise Tax in PhP/MT [AETy]

2018

1

40

2019

2

90

2020 and onward

3

140

I, DENNIS A. DELA SERNA, Filipino, of legal age, with office address at NAC Tower, 32nd St., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, after being sworn in accordance with law, hereby depose and say that— 1.

I am the authorized representative of THERMA LUZON, INC. (“TLI�), Petitioner-Intervenor in this case; 2.

I have caused the preparation the foregoing Joint Application and have read the contents thereof, and, based on my own personal knowledge, belief and on authentic records of TLI, all the allegation contained therein are true and correct; A copy of the Secretary’s Certificate authorizing me to cause the preparation of the instant Application and sign this Verification and Certification is attached hereto as ANNEX “E�; 3.

TLI has not commenced any other action or proceeding involving the same issue/s in the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals or any court, tribunal, or quasi-judicial agency and, to the best of my knowledge, no such other action or claim is pending therein; and 4.

Should I hereinafter learn that the same or a similar action or claim has been filed or is pending in the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals or any court, tribunal, or quasi-judicial agency, I shall report said fact within five (5) days from discovery thereof to this Honorable Commission.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereto affixed my signature on 20th day of June 2018, in Taguig City, Philippines.

JOINT APPLICATION Applicants MANILA ELECTRIC COMPANY (MERALCO) and THERMA LUZON, INC. (TLI), through their respective undersigned counsel, and to this Honorable Commission, most respectfully state that: 1.

MERALCO is a private corporation existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal office located at Lopez Building, Meralco Center, Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City. It may be served with notices and other processes of this Honorable Commission at its principal office address or through its counsel at the address indicated herein.

2.

MERALCO has a legislative franchise to operate and maintain a distribution system in the cities/municipalities of Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite and Rizal and certain cities/municipalities/ barangays in Batangas, Laguna, Quezon and Pampanga, pursuant to Republic Act No. 9209, and is authorized to charge all its customers for their electric consumption at the rates approved by the Honorable Commission.

DENNIS A. DELA SERNA Affiant

Impact of the increased excise tax on coal on the Price under the PSA 14. MERALCO conducted a simulation of the impact of the increased excise tax on coal on the Price under the PSA, under given assumptions.

14.1 Notwithstanding the pendency of the Honorable Commission’s confirmation of the Extended Term of the PSA, i.e., from 26 December 2019 until 25 December 2022, MERALCO deems it prudent to include in its simulation such Extended Term in order to provide the Honorable Commission a more comprehensive impact of the increased excise tax on coal on the Price under the PSA.

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this 20 June 2018 at Taguig City Philippines. Affiant, who personally appeared before me and exhibited to me his Community Tax Certificate with No. CC201622012876 issued in Quezon City on 21 January 2018 and Passport with No. P5991577 A issued by the Department of Foreign and valid until 9 February 2028.

Doc. No. 388; Page No 79; Book No. I; Series of 2018.

3.

TLI is a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of Philippines laws with office address at NAC Tower, 32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. It is the Independent Power Producer Administrator that manages and controls the contracted capacity of the 700 MW (net) coal-fired power generating facility in Pagbilao, Quezon. It may be served with pleadings, notices, orders, and other processes of the Honorable Commission through undersigned counsel.

4.

On 09 March 2012, applicant MERALCO filed an application with the Honorable Commission for the approval of its Power Supply Agreement (PSA) dated 29 February 2012 with TLI for the purchase of 350 MW capacity of the Pagbilao Power Plant (Unit 1), a coal-fired power generating facility in Pagbilao, Quezon. The case was docketed as ERC Case No. 2012-035 RC.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES PASIG CITY

4.1. The PSA is originally for a term of seven (7) years following fulfilment of certain conditions under the PSA, including approval of the Honorable Commission.

SECRETARY’S CERTIFICATE I, WILLIAM S. PAMINTUAN, a duly elected, qualified and incumbent Assistant Corporate Secretary of the Manila Electric Company (MERALCO), a corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the Philippines, do hereby certify that:

5.

In its Decision dated 17 December 2012 in ERC Case No. 2012-035 RC, the Honorable Commission approved with modification said PSA, thus: “WHEREFORE, the foregoing premises considered, the application for the approval of the Power Supply Agreement (PSA) between Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) and Therma Luzon, Inc. (TLI) is hereby APPROVED with MODIFICATION.

14.2 As can be gleaned from the foregoing simulation, under given assumptions, the resulting increase in TLI’s generation cost due to the new coal tax rates, for the years 2018 to 2020, are as follows:

Accordingly, the approved rates are as follows: xxx.�

6.

With the approval of the Honorable Commission, MERALCO’s PSA with TLI is set to expire on 26 December 2019.

6.1 It should be noted, however, that on 6 May 2016, MERALCO filed a Manifestation with Motion dated 05 May 2016, praying for the Honorable Commission’s confirmation that the extension of the PSA from 26 December 2019 until 25 December 2022 (“Extended Term�), pursuant to the Supplemental Agreement executed between the parties, is consistent with and valid under Section 2.2.3 of the ERC-approved PSA. 6.2

8.

Year

Increase in TLI Generation Cost (in PhP)

2018

0.0187/kWh

2019

0.0425/kWh

2020

0.0667/kWh1

Said Manifestation with Motion is still pending confirmation by the Honorable Commission.

Year

Increase in Meralco Captive Generation Cost (in PhP)

2018

0.0013/kWh

2019

0.0030/kWh

2020

0.0047/kWh2

The TRAIN Law became effective on 01 January 2018.

“VIII. EVALUATION

“SEC. 151. Mineral Products. – “(A) Rates of Tax. – There shall be levied, assessed and collected on minerals, mineral products and quarry resources, excise tax as follows: “(1) On domestic or imported coal and coke, notwithstanding any incentives granted in any law or special law:

(1)

xxx The Energy Fees, Variable O&M Charges were verified to be a pass-through cost representing the charges that the IPPAs are required to pay to PSALM under the IPPA Agreements. xxx The Fuel Cost was, likewise, found to be a pass-through charge, subject to the guaranteed heat rates as provided under their respective Agreements. xxx X. COMPARISON BETWEEN TLI’S PROPOSED RATE AND THE COMMISSION’S APPROVED RATE xxx The Fuel Costs are also adopted since they represent the recovery of costs of fuel used to generate electricity subject to the guaranteed heat rates under the IPPA Agreements. xxx�

“SEC. 48. Section 151 of the NIRC, as amended, is hereby further amended to read as follows:

(2)

(3)

ALLEGATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY 16.

Applicants replead all the foregoing statements.

17. It is respectfully reiterated that the increase in the excise tax is a mandatory imposition of the TRAIN Law. Thus, such increase would have to be included in the Monthly Fees chargeable to and payable

by MERALCO and consequently recoverable from MERALCO’s customers.

“Effective January 1, 2018, Fifty pesos (P50.00) per metric ton; “Effective January 1, 2019, One hundred pesos (P100.00) per metric ton; and

18. Considering that the TRAIN Law is in effect, it is necessary that the PSA immediately reflect the effect of the new excise tax rates. Thus, the request for the issuance of a Provisional Authority.

“Effective January 1, 2020, One hundred fifty pesos (P150.00) per metric ton; xxx� (Emphases and underscoring supplied.)

19. In support of this Joint Application and the prayer for issuance of a Provisional Authority, the Judicial Affidavits of MR. RONALDO S. RAMOS, Vice President for Corporate Services of Aboitiz Power Corporation’s Coal Business Unit and MR. CIPRINILO C. MENESES, Head of MERALCO’s Energy Sourcing Office, are attached as ANNEXES “B� and “C�, respectively.

Price structure under PSA incorporates excise tax on coal 9.

“RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors of the Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) authorize, as it hereby authorizes, Messrs. MANUEL V. PANGILINAN, Chairman, OSCAR S. REYES, President & Chief Executive Officer, SIMEON KEN R. FERRER, Corporate Secretary, ALFREDO S. PANLILlO, Senior Vice President, Head, Customer Retail Services and Head, Corporate Communication, RAMON B. SEGISMUNDO, Senior Vice President Head, Human Resources & Corporate Services, ROBERTO R. ALMAZ0RA, Senior Vice President, RONNIE L APEROCHO, Senior Vice President & Head, Networks, RUBEN B. BENOSA, First Vice President & Head, Corporate Logistics, Ms. IVANNA G. DELA PEĂ‘A, First Vice President & Head, Regulatory Management Office, WILLIAM S. PAMINTUAN, First Vice President, Assistant Corporate Secretary, Compliance Officer and Head, Legal and Corporate Governance, JOSE RONALD V. VALLES, Vice President and Head, Regulatory Affairs, MARIA ZARAH R. VILLANUEVA-CASTRO, Senior Assistant Vice President & Head, Corporate Legal Services, RAUL G. CORALDE, Assistant Vice President & Head, Litigation Services, MICHELLE O. DELOS SANTOS-BONA, Assistant Vice President & Head, Legal Operations Support, CRISTOPHER B. ARPON, Legal Counsel & Head, litigation Team 1, CORNELIO MANUEL III C. DICCION, Manager & Head, Litigation Team 2, EUGENE JUDE DENIS GERARD E. ALABANZA, Senior Manager & Head, Tax & Labor Litigation, and any lawyer or employee of MERALCO that any of them may designate, name or appoint:

15. It bears emphasis that in its Decision dated 17 December 2012, the Honorable Commission recognized the pass-through nature of fuel costs, which include the excise tax on coal, thus: 3

8.1 Among other things, the TRAIN Law increased the excise tax on coal from PhP10.00/ metric ton to PhP 50.00/metric ton, effective January 1, 2018. This tax is to increase year on year, up to PhP 150.00/metric ton for coal, effective January 1, 2020, thus:

thus:

At the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company duly convened and held on February 26, 2018, at which meeting a quorum was present, acted throughout and voted, the following resolution amending the resolution of the Board on February 23, 2015 on the same subject, was approved and that said amendatory resolution is in full force and effect on the date hereof:

14.3 In addition, as seen from the foregoing simulation, the increase in MERALCO’s captive generation cost for the years 2018 to 2020 would be:

7.

The instant Joint Application seeks the approval by the Honorable Commission of the adjustment of the Price under the ERC-approved PSA, and the corresponding recovery of such adjustment from MERALCO’s customers, brought about by the imposition of the increased excise taxes on coal under Republic Act No. 10963, otherwise known as the “Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN),� or TRAIN Law. Increased excise taxes on coal under the TRAIN Law

PRAYER

Under Appendix D of the PSA, excise tax is included as part of the Monthly Fuel Payment, “xxx APPENDIX D CALCULATION OF PAYMENT

WHEREFORE, premises considered, Applicants MERALCO and TLI respectfully pray that the Honorable Commission: 1.

Issue an Order GRANTING PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY to implement the Additional Coal Excise Tax Monthly Payment to adjust the monthly payments under the PSA, and the corresponding recovery of such adjustment from MERALCO’s customers, beginning from effectivity of the imposition of the increased excise taxes on coal under the TRAIN Law; and

xxx Energy Payment Component C – Monthly Fuel Payment The Monthly Fuel Payment (MFP) shall be based on the following formula:

đ?‘€đ?‘€đ?‘€đ?‘€đ?‘€đ?‘€đ?‘ˆđ?‘ˆđ?‘ˆđ?‘ˆđ?‘ˆđ?‘ˆ = đ?‘€đ?‘€đ?‘€đ?‘€đ?‘€đ?‘€đ?‘€đ?‘€đ?‘ˆđ?‘ˆđ?‘ˆđ?‘ˆđ?‘ˆđ?‘ˆ +đ?‘€đ?‘€đ?‘€đ?‘€đ?‘€đ?‘€đ?‘€đ?‘€đ?‘ˆđ?‘ˆđ?‘ˆđ?‘ˆđ?‘ˆđ?‘ˆ +đ??´đ??´đ?‘€đ?‘€đ?‘€đ?‘€ đ?‘ˆđ?‘ˆđ?‘ˆđ?‘ˆđ?‘ˆđ?‘ˆ (in USD) 1

} } S.S.

2.

After hearing on the merits, a DECISION BE RENDERED APPROVING the implementation of the Additional Coal Excise Tax Monthly Payment to adjust the monthly payments under the PSA, and the corresponding recovery of such adjustment from MERALCO’s customers, beginning from effectivity of the imposition of the increased excise taxes on coal under the TRAIN Law. Other relief just and equitable under the circumstances are likewise prayed for.

Pasig City, 20 June 2018.

to represent the Company, in the institution, prosecution, and defense of any claim, complaint, action, proceeding, petition, application, protest, suit, or case, for or against the Company, before any court, prosecutor’s office, regulatory, quasi-judicial, or administrative body, agency, or office of the national or any local government; to sign, execute, and deliver in connection therewith the necessary or appropriate complaint, petition, application, position paper, memorandum, all types of pleadings and motions, verifications, affidavit-complaint, counter-affidavit, affidavit of merit, affidavit of desistance, affidavit of witness, and all other affidavits of whatever nature, certificate of non-forum shopping, powers of attorney, certifications, and all other instruments as may be necessary or proper; to represent the Company or to designate, name, and appoint a representative or an attorney-in-fact in behalf of the company during the investigation, inquest, preliminary investigation, preliminary conference, pre-trial, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, trial, execution, and all other stages of or incidents related to the case, proceeding or action; to negotiate, enter Into, and agree to an amicable settlement, compromise agreement, plea bargaining, admissions or stipulations of fact or documents, simplification of issues, limitation on the number of witnesses, alternative modes of dispute resolution, withdrawal, dismissal or waiver of claim or action; and to perform and execute any and all actions or deeds as may aid in the prompt disposition of such cases, proceedings, or actions filed in behalf of or against the Company;

“RESOLVED, FURTHER, that any previous resolution of the Board of Directors on the same subject matter that is inconsistent herewith shall be deemed terminated, superseded and revoked.�

Pursuant to the above resolutions, It Is hereby certified that MERALCO is authorized to file the Joint Application with the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) entitled: “IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL AND RECOVERY FROM END-USERS OF THE PRICE ADJUSTMENT UNDER THE ERC-APPROVED PSA BETWEEN MANILA ELECTRIC COMPANY (MERALCO) AND THERMA LUZON, INC. (TLI), BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE IMPOSITION OF INCREASED EXCISE TAXES ON COAL UNDER THE “TAX REFORM FOR ACCELERATION AND INCLUSION� LAW, WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY� and that Atty. JOSE RONALD V. VALLES, Vice President and Head, Regulatory Affairs, Is an authorized representative and signatory of the company with respect to the aforesaid joint application.

WITNESS THE SIGNATURE of the undersigned as such officer of the Company and its corporate seal hereunto affixed on this 20th day of June 2018.

WILLIAM S. PAMINTUAN P Assistant Corporate Secretary SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this 20th day of June 2018., affiant exhibited to me his Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) 146-473-562, issued by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BlR) as his competent evidence of identity.

xxx

a) Monthly Fuel Commodity Cost (MFCCUSD)

1

MANILA ELECTRIC COMPANY Applicant Lopez Building, Ortigas Avenue, Barangay Ugong, Pasig City

đ?‘€đ?‘€đ??šđ??šđ?‘–đ?‘–

đ?‘€đ?‘€đ?‘€đ?‘€đ?‘€đ?‘€đ?‘€đ?‘€đ?‘ˆđ?‘ˆđ?‘ˆđ?‘ˆđ?‘ˆđ?‘ˆ = (∑ đ??ľđ??ľđ?‘€đ?‘€đ??ľđ??ľ − đ?‘…đ?‘…đ?‘€đ?‘€) ∗ đ??ťđ??ťđ?‘…đ?‘… ∗ đ?‘ˆđ?‘ˆđ?‘€đ?‘€ ∗ 1,000,000 ∗ đ?‘€đ?‘€đ?‘€đ?‘€đ?‘€đ?‘€0 ∗ ďż˝đ?‘€đ?‘€đ??šđ??š ďż˝ (in USD) xxx

Where:

0

By:

THERMA LUZON, INC. REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES TAGUIG CITY

FCC0 =

base fuel commodity cost, including excise tax, as indicated in Schedule 1, expressed on a HHV and gross-as-received basis, and expressed in USD/MBtu. xxx�

Increased excise tax on coal as “Charges due to Change in Law� under the PSA

FRANCIS DINO S. ANTONIO Roll of Attorneys No. 48145 PTR No. 3960946; 01/22/18; Pasig City IBP No. 023558; 01/10/18; RSM MCLE Compliance No. V-0004608; 6 November 2014

10. Sections 10.2(c) and 16.6.5 of the PSA provide that should there be any increase in existing charges, fees, taxes, duties assessments, or other similar amounts, a party to the PSA may claim the same as a Charge due to Change in Law. Thereupon, the parties shall enter into good faith negotiations to agree on a satisfactory solution, including an adjustment of the Price, which adjustment shall be submitted to the Honorable Commission for approval. Thus:

SECRETARY’S CERTIFICATE I, Aren Marie S. Go, Filipino, of legal age and with office address at Aboitiz Corporate Center, Gov. Manuel A. Cuenco Ave., Kasambagan, Cebu City, Philippines, after having duly sworn in accordance with law, hereby depose and state that: 1.

2.

CARMEN GRACE S. RAMOS Roll of Attorneys No. 55945 PTR No. 3960948; 01/22/18; Pasig City IBP No. 023559; 01/10/18; RSM MCLE Compliance No. VI-0000248; 11 July 2016

ANGELICA DIANE B. MONTEZA Roll of Attorneys No. 55575 PTR No. 3960949; 01/22/18; Pasig City IBP No. 023560; 01/10/18; RSM MCLE Compliance No. V-0000242; 11 July 2016

THERMA LUZON, INC. (TLI) Applicant By:

(iii)

If no order is issued granting the Application for Price Adjustment within sixteen (16) months from Meralco’s receipt of the Notice of Change in Law, or

(iv)

the total amount of unreimbursed New or Increased Charges, Disallowed Pass-Through Amounts that Power Supplier is unable to collect from Meralco, and the Refundable Amounts actually refunded

by Power Supplier, accumulated during all Interim Periods for all Change in Law events occurring for the entire Term (“Unreimbursed New or Increased Charges and Refundable Amounts�) exceeds the equivalent of two percent (2%) of the Capacity Payments for the current Contract Year (“Level 1 Threshold�).

(a)

xxx

(b)

If a Change in Law occurs under the circumstances and having the consequences described in Section 10.2(b) and Section 10.2(c) or amounts paid under Section 12.1.3 exceed the Level 2 Threshold, and the Parties have failed to agree on a solution satisfactory to each of the Parties, then the Party that is adversely affected by the Change in Law may terminate this Agreement upon sixty (60) Days prior written notice to the other Party.� (Emphases supplied.)

TLI’s claim of Change in Law pursuant to Sections 10.2(c) and 16.6.5 of the PSA 11. In its letter dated 26 January 2018, TLI notified MERALCO of the occurrence of a Change in Law pursuant to Sections 10.2(c) and 16.6.5 of the PSA, relative to the imposition of increased excise taxes on coal under the TRAIN Law. Attached as Annex “A� is the letter dated 26 January 2018 of TLI to MERALCO. 12. After a series of meetings between MERALCO and TLI and TLI’s provision of its calculation showing depletion of coal inventory and onset of use of new coal for the February 2018 supply month (March 2018 Bill), the parties agreed to file the necessary Application for Price Adjustment with the Honorable Commission. Hence, the instant Joint Application.

13. Applicants propose the following formula to adjust the monthly payments under the PSA to recover the costs associated with the increased excise tax on coal due to the TRAIN Law: Monthly Payment for Coal Additional Excise Tax (MPCAET) MPCAET = V x AETy where:

Volume of coal utilized during the relevant Billing period, in MT as calculated in the formula below: =

a)

b) MA. MARGARITA S. LIM PTR No. A – 3749337 / January 23, 2018 / Taguig City IBP No. 021984 / January 9, 2018 / PPLM MCLE Compliance No. V – 0016454 / March 31, 2016 Roll No. 64612

CELENI KRISTINE G. GUINTO PTR No. A – 3749336 / January 23, 2018 / Taguig City IBP Lifetime No. 011964 / Quezon City MCLE Exemption No. V – 001508 Roll No. 62390 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES CITY OF PASIG

NAME

DESIGNATION

Katrina M. Platon

Attorney-in-Fact

Ma. Margarita S. Lim

Attorney-in-Fact

Celeni Kristine G. Guinto

Attorney-in-Fact

and/or any person appointed by any one of them, be authorized to:

KATRINA M. PLATON PTR No. A – 3783452 / February 27, 2018 / Taguig City IBP Lifetime No. 706864 / Makati City MCLE Compliance No. V – 0018713 / April 13, 2016 Roll No. 38338

The ERC denies, in whole or in part, the Application for Price Adjustment, or

the Parties shall enter into good faith negotiations to agree on a satisfactory solution regarding the amendment of this Agreement to restore each Party’s commercial position prior to such Change in Law, including an adjustment of the Price. If the Parties fail to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution within sixty (60) Days from the commencement of negotiations, the provisions of Section 16.6.5(b) shall apply. xxx 16.6.5 Termination in the Event of Change in Law

V

RESOVLED FURTHER, that in connection with the foregoing, the Company hereby authorizes any one (1) of the following authorized representatives:

7th Floor, Lopez Building, Ortigas Avenue, Barangay Ugong, Pasig City Tel no. 1622-2260; Fax No: 1622-3550

In the event that, (i) Meralco is unable to file an Application for Price Adjustment within thirty (30) Days from receipt of Notice of Change in Law, or (ii)

I am the Assistant Corporate Secretary of THERMA LUZON, INC. (the “Company�), a company duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the Philippines, with principal office address at NAC Tower, 32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City.

At the Regular Board Meeting held on April 10, 2018, at which meeting a quorum was present and acting throughout, the following resolution was unanimously passed and approved: “RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors of Therma Luzon, Inc. (the “Company�) authorize, as it hereby authorizes, the Company to a Joint Application with Manila Electric Company (“MERALCO�) before the Energy Regulatory Commission (“ERC�) entitled: “IN THE MANNER OF THE APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL AND RECOVERY FROM END-USERS OF THE PRICE ADJUSTMENT UNDER THE ERC-APPROVED PSA BETWEEN MANILA ELECTRIC COMPANY (MERALCO) AND THERMA LUZON, INC. (TLI), BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE IMPOSITION OF INCREASED EXCISE TAXES ON COAL UNDER THE ‘’TAX REFORM FOR ACCELERATION AND INCLUSION� LAW, WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY� (the “Application�);

“10.2 Charges Due to Change in Law (a) xxx new charges, fees, taxes, duties, assessments or other similar amounts (“New Charges�), or any increase in existing charges, fees, taxes, duties, assessments or other similar amounts (“Increased Charges�) xxx. xxx (c) If as a result of a Change in Law, Power Supplier becomes liable to pay New Charges or Increased Charges with respect to this Agreement, xxx Power Supplier shall send a notice to Meralco of the occurrence of such Change in Law (“Notice of Change in Law�) and Meralco shall file the necessary application with the ERC for adjustment of the Price (“Application for Price Adjustment�) within thirty (30) Days from receipt of the Notice of Change in Law; provided that Meralco shall not be liable to pay any adjustment in the Price from the time the Change in Law becomes effective until the ERC approves the Application for Price Adjustment (“Interim Period�); xxx

} } S.S.

c)

} }S.S.

d) e)

VERIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION OF NON-FORUM SHOPPING

File such Application, and to represent the Company and to appear for or on its behalf in all proceedings, pre-trial, hearings, meetings and discussions before the ERC with respect to the Application, to perform any and all acts and deeds and to submit and sign such documents and pleadings necessary to implement this authority; Act as agent of and appear in behalf of the Company in the proceedings relating to the said Application, with full power to make commitments and take positions, and to consider (i) the possibility of an amicable settlement or a submission to arbitration, mediation or other modes of alternative dispute resolution; (ii) the simplification of the issues; (iii) the necessity or desirability of amendments to the pleadings; (iv) the possibility of obtaining stipulations or admissions of facts and of documents totally or partially to avoid unnecessary proof; (v) the limitation of the number of witnesses or time allocated to particular witnesses and issues; (vi) the advisability of a preliminary reference of issues to a commissioner; (vii) the necessity or desirability of having an expository hearing or consumer forum; (viii) the procedures at the hearing and hearing schedule; (ix) the submission of written testimony and exhibits to be offered and the marking thereof; (x) the agreements regarding service of documents; and (xi) such other matters as may aid in the prompt disposition of the proceedings; Negotiate, conclude, enter into and execute a compromise or amicable settlement of the Application, if appropriate, or to submit the Application to alternative modes of dispute resolution, under such terms and conditions as they may deem just and reasonable; File any appeal or represent the Company in further proceedings; and Do and perform on behalf of the Company any act and deed relating to the Application which the Company could legally do and perform;

RESOLVED FURTHER, that Mr. Dennis A. Dela Serna, Attorney-in-Fact, be authorized to:

I, JOSE RONALD V. VALLES, Filipino, of legal age, married, with office address at 7th Floor, Lopez Building, MERALCO Compound, Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City, after being sworn in accordance with law, hereby depose and say that—

a)

1. I am the Vice President and Head, Regulatory Affairs Office, of Applicant Manila Electric Company (MERALCO). In such capacity, I have caused the preparation and filing of the foregoing Joint Application;

b)

Execute, sign and obtain any document, including verifications and certifications of non-forum shopping, which may be required in the filing of any pleading, motion, or comment during the course of the Application; Represent the Company, and/or appoint any other person to represent the Company, as its witness during the hearing ofthe Application; and Do and perform on behalf of the Company any act and deed necessary to be done in the premises, and the Company hereby ratifies and confirms all that have been done, or that shall be done or cause to be done, by virtue of his authority;

2.

Moreover, I have been authorized by the Board of Directors of MERALCO to certify that Applicant has not heretofore filed any similar action, pleading or application involving the same issues before the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals or any other lower courts or administrative bodies. A copy of the Secretary’s Certificate authorizing me to cause the preparation of the instant Application and sign this Verification and Certification is attached hereto as ANNEX “D�;

c)

3.

I have read and understood the allegations contained therein and the same are true and correct based on my personal knowledge and authentic records made available to me in the ordinary course of business of MERALCO;

a) b)

4.

To the best of my knowledge, no similar action or proceeding is pending before the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, the lower courts or administrative bodies; and

RESOLVED FINALLY, that the Company hereby affirms, confirms and ratifies all that the foregoing representatives have done in connection with the Application.�

RESOLVED FURTHER, that Mr. Ronaldo S. Ramos, Vice President - Corporate Services, be authorized to: Represent the Company in the filing of the Application with ERC; and Represent the Company, and/or appoint any other person to represent the Company, as its witness during the hearing of the Application;

5.

If I should hereafter learn that a similar action has been filed before the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, the lower courts or administrative bodies, I undertake to report such fact to this Honorable Commission within five (5) days from notice of such fact.

3.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto affixed my signature this 20th day of June 2018 at Pasig City, Philippines.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand this APR 11, 2018 at Cebu City, Philippines.

JOSE RONALD V V. VALLES Affiant

SUBSCRIBED and SWORN to before me this 20th day of June 2018, affiant having exhibited to me his Social Security System ID bearing the number 33-10900088.

4.

The above board resolutions have not been revoked, amended, or modified, and are in full force and effect as of the date hereof.

The foregoing statements are in accordance with the records of the Company.

Company

Aren Marie S. Go Assistant Corporate Secretary NCN SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this APR 11, 2018 at Cebu City, Philippines. Affiant, who is personally known to me, exhibited to me her Passport No. EC3490982 issued at DFA Cebu on February 20, 2015 and Community Tax Certificate No. 11796052 issued at Cebu City on January 26, 2018.

Doc. No. 382 Page No. 88 Book No. V Series of 2018.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES TAGUIG CITY

} } S.S.

VERIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION OF NON-FORUM SHOPPING

1

Increase in TLI’s Generation Cost (in PhP) in year 2021 until expiration of Extended Term on 25 December 2022 is 0.0674/kWh. until expiration of Extended Term on 25 December 2022.

(MS-JUNE 24, 2018)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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With his good looks, charming personality and grit for success, David just might be the newest Kapuso star we should all watch out for. For more reasons to swoon over this Kapuso cutie, we have come up with a list about who he is behind the scene: A sports fan While it is true that he has his heart on sports, David does not only have his head on the game.

He loves to play basketball above all else, and he stacks up knowledge on his most favored icons.

He recently finished a book on basketball legend Michael Jordan, and after trying his hand at boxing, he felt the need to read on the life of mixed martial artist Ronda Rousey. Recently, he has tried his hand on polo, and believe us when we say he looks exactly like a prince when he’s on a horse.

Spoils his family Spread across his Instagram posts are photos of his parents and siblings. Every moment with his family counts and he never fails to capture all of this in pictures. As a modern-day scrapbook, his Instagram is full of memoirs of successes and simple celebrations. He profoundly expresses his love for his mom, gratitude for his dad, support for his brother and his playful yet sensible boundaries for his sisters.

He has a knack for knowledge David has a bachelor’s degree in Business Management (Major in Computer Applications) from De La Salle College of St. Benilde. His family has brought him up business-minded, and this has become his motivation to do well in his studies. He managed to put up his own business, and is now thriving to expand his investments. Right after he graduated, David put up his own fitness gym in Taft and branded it as Alpha Fitness Club.

Harbours soft spot for fans After mustering up the courage to ask David out, his fangirl from Zamboanga Fritz Enriquez didn’t bother to wait for his reply. Never in her wildest dreams

Every moment with his family counts, like on this Father's day IG post.

FILIPINO-INDOCHINA CONNECTIONS

IN ‘THE ATOM ARAULLO SPECIALS’

ATOM Araullo takes viewers on an exciting seven-day backpacking journey across Indochina in The Atom Araullo Specials. Atom crosses the borders of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos to explore not just the cultural wealth of Indochina, but also the fascinating stories showcasing the historical FilipinoIndochina connections.

Join Atom in Vietnam as he experiences a one-of-a-kind food trip in the World’s Most Affordable Country. Watch his attempt at riding a motorcycle through the crazy streets of Ho Chi Minh City, also known as the Motorbike Capital of the World.

The award-winning journalist also searches for the ancestors of an ethnic group in Mindanao, the Cham people.

Next, Atom explores the kingdom of Cambodia, where he tries to locate the Filipinos who first brought brass

music to the kingdom and who even became members of the Royal Brass Band of the king of Cambodia. He then gets acquainted with Cambodia’s Tonle Sap Lake, Southeast Asia’s biggest lake, through an enlightening boating and fishing experience.

In Laos, Atom learns the traditional way of making whiskey in Luang Prabang and accepts the challenge of looking for a dangerous and exotic ingredient.

Afterwards, Atom discovers how Filipino heroes saved thousands of Laotians during the ‘50s and ‘60s.

Learn more about the connections between Filipinos and these Indochina countries through Atom’s seven-day journey across borders in The Atom Araullo Specials: Backpacking Indochina this afternoon, 4:30 p.m., on GMA-7.

David Licauco, 22, owns a fitness gym, and that's how he gets his piping hot bod.

would she expect that he’d agree, but the Kapuso star burst Frtiz’s thought bubble and said yes, but on one condition: she had to post about her proposal and garner 10,000 likes and shares for it.

Despite failing to get the target number, David disregarded the deal and went on with the fishball date.

Turns his curiosity into passion David doesn’t deny that he started showbiz out of curiosity. “At first I was just testing the waters [in showbiz] until I actually got into the entire process of acting. It felt nice to act, so now it’s my goal to get more challenging roles and be able to perform them well,” David shared.

After his Mulawin vs. Ravena stint as Malik, David is now ready to take the lead. He stars alongside Shaira Diaz in the upcoming Regal film Because I Love You, and takes the role of a sophisticated bachelor.

With his newfound passion, he hired a personal coach for his acting, and has worked hard to impress his mentor. Aside from this film, he will also be one of the lead stars of the upcoming GMA Afternoon Prime series, Kapag Nahati Ang Puso, with Bea Binene, Benjamin Alves, and Sunshine Cruz.

Atom Araullo backpacks to Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam in today's episode of 'The Atom Araullo Specials.'

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

FIVE

MILLENNIAL

FILMS FOR PRIDE MONTH

By Michie Galanida WHILE rainbow flags are raised up during parades as millions of people take part in the LGBTQ+ community march to take their pride heart out, they aspire one thing: to be understood despite societal norms.

As we join in the celebration of love, acceptance, and inclusion this Pride Month, we are having a quick rundown of movies that every millennial LGBTQ+ can relate to: 1. Baka Bukas (2017) Alex (Jasmine Curtis-Smith) is a photographer based in Manila whose currently in the process of figuring out what she wants in life including her ‘ever since’ feelings with Jess (Louise delos Reyes).

Their friendship was put to test when Jess found out that it was harder to come out to her as Alex’s best friend than it is with her mom. Little did they know that it was something what they wanted all along but can love to withstand the choices they have to make; love between career and everyone else.

2. Love, Simon (2018) The struggle of coming out in the open has also been an issue for Simon Spier (Nick Robinson). Mostly LGBTQ+ people resort to online dating apps or sites in a doubtful search for love or more than that, Simon was not an alien to this phenomenon and fell in love with an anonymous classmate nicknamed Blue. With this undertaking, he embarks on a journey of an inspiring, funfilled journey of friendship and finding love.

3. Die Beautiful (2016) A Filipino transgender named Trisha (Paolo Ballesteros) unexpectedly dies in a middle of her coronation in a beauty pageant. Her last request was on every night of her wake she wishes to be dressed as a different celebrity, however conservative father likes to bury her as a man. Trisha’s friends are left with no choice but to steal her body and have her wake in a hidden location. The wake paved the way to look back on Trisha’s unusual but colorful life as a son, sister, friend, wife, mother and lastly, a queen.

4. Blue is the Warmest Color (2013) This French movie is a coming-of-age story of Adele (Adele Exarchopoulos) whose life changed when she met a young woman with blue hair named Emma (Lea Seydoux).

She finds herself yearning to determine her purpose and identity as a woman and an adult. As she discovers more of herself, she experiences ups and downs such as seeking and losing herself in the process and overcoming love and loss overall.

5. Ang pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros (2005) This classic is about a young boy named Maxi (Nathan Lopez) who fell in love to a newly-assigned police officer in their area who changed their lives gradually. Maxi’s family is known for their tenacity in crimes and great camaraderie in the neighborhood and even to authorities. The police officer started investigating Maxi’s father and two brothers who’s relatively involved in the crimes at their area. Maxi as an open gay is largely supported by his men-dominated family and neighborhood, though he was often harassed by street people and was once abused of information during the investigation.

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SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018

Desiree Carlos, Editor

daycarlos28@yahoo.com

HOW TO PREVENT AND ADDRESS

A DOG’S HOWLING

O

WNERS need not PET TALES surrender their

BY DESIREE CARLOS dogs who howl to kill pounds or no-kill shelters, or abandon them anywhere.

1. Howling due to sounds will stop once the trigger is gone. Once the police car or ambulance or fire truck has passed by your area, the dog will stop howling.

2. But if the trigger is always present, or you live near a fire station, you can use desensitization and counterconditioning (DSCC) to train your dog to be quiet when he hears a siren or the trigger.

ASPCA explained: “When the problem is rooted in how a dog feels about a particular thing, it sometimes isn’t enough to just teach him a different behavior---like to fetch a toy instead of howling, for example.

Instead, it’s most effective to change his motivation and feelings, which are the underlying reasons for the behavior problem in the first place.”

“Systematic desensitization and counterconditioning are two common treatments for fears, anxiety, phobias and aggression---basically any behavior problem that involves arousal or emotions. It’s often most effective to use these two procedures together when trying to resolve animal behavior problems. “ Please look for a certified applied animal behaviorist or a certified professional dog trainer to help you.

Rafa and Nica, pups who survived the fatal parvo virus after being rescued by animal welfare group Save ALL, enjoy playing in the garden. Give your dogs more time to play to expend extra energy so that they will just sleep or stay quiet after playing.

Stick to the new rule: no treats until he’s been quiet for at least five seconds. Then give him the treat or the attention he is seeking. d. You can teach your dog to be quiet by asking him to.

ASPCA explained: “First, say “Speak!” and try to get your dog to bark or howl. (Knocking on a wall or door usually works well.) Praise your dog when he starts making noise-but DO NOT give him a treat or toy. Then say “Hush” or “Quiet.”

The moment your dog stops barking or howling for a second or two, quickly say “Good!” and give him a tasty treat. Repeat this sequence over and over, slowly stretching out the time that your dog must be quiet before earning his goodie. At first, one second of silence can earn him a successtreat. After he’s success fully mastered that step, increase the time to three seconds. If he’s successful again, increase the time to secfive seconds, then ten sec onds, then 20 seconds, and so on.”

Train 'em young. Start teaching them when they are pups: give them treats, attention and toys when they are quiet. Do not spoil your pups. Set some rules and stick to the rule. They will not depart from it.

3. Howling to get your attention can be addressed in many ways.

Some dogs learn that they can get your attention when they howl. If this is the reason, the dog will howl in your presence when he wants food, attention or a desired object.

To stop the howling, teach him: a. That howling will not work if wants something by not giving him the object he desires when he howls. Ignore him or her.

“Don’t look at him, touch him or speak to him. Don’t try to scold him either. Dogs, like kids, often find any attention rewarding-even if it’s negative attention. So scolding your dog might make his howling behavior worse! Just pretend your dog is invisible. If you find it difficult to do this, try folding your arms across your chest and turning away from him completely, “ ASPCA stressed. b. Reward the dog instead when he/she is quiet. Tell him/her that he/ she will get what he wants if he is quiet.

“If your dog realizes that howling always makes him invisible to you and being quiet earns him your attention as well as all the great stuff he wants in life, he’ll quickly learn to curb his vocal behavior, “ASPCA said. c. You can also give treats and attention randomly when he is not making any noise.

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

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

Last week, we identified the reasons dogs howl so we can prevent howling and/or address this without giving up on our dogs.

In sum, here are the reasons dogs howl: 1. To mark their territory.

2. To call back a member of the pack, which is YOU when you leave the house to go to work or to do chores.

3. To warn owners of they have been injured or are sick and thus need to be brought to the vet.

4. To inform the owners they have discovered something.

5. To get attention and get something they wants.

6. To get attention due to separation anxiety.

7. As a reaction to environmental triggers like police sirens.

In Howling in Dogs in WebMD, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty Against Animals (ASPCA) stressed: “ Separation anxiety howling only occurs when a dog is left alone or otherwise separated from his owner. This kind of howling is usually accompanied by at least one other symptom of separation anxiety, such as pacing, destruction, elimination, depression or other signs of distress.”

Suggestions to address the howling

MY FURRY BESTIE

4. Spend Time with Your Dog There are dogs who howl due to loneliness.

Dogs who have been kept outside for a long period of time without human contact tend to howl.

Here are tips from ASPCA: a. Bring your dog inside the house more often. b. Play games with your dog. c. Bring him to a fun training class which focuses on rewarding good behavior.

“When you must leave your dog home alone for more than a few minutes, be sure to give him plenty of toys and attractive chew items to enjoy by himself,” ASPCA suggested.

LITTLE ONE was rescued Oct. 5, 2017 by Kat Perez Abundancia.

“I was walking that time when I saw a guy handing over a sick kitten to a boy. I think she was around one month old then. I didn’t hear the conversation but it seems the guy was asking the boy to dispose of her somewhere,” Kat recounts.

Kat adds: “In front of this guy were his kids. I heard them saying "Bye Bye, Miming." That was when I realized that they were really going to dispose of the kitten.”

“Since I know the boy, I ran after him and asked where he planned to bring the kitte. He didn’t reply so I asked him for the kitten instead, “ Kat recalls.

Kat took care of the kitten 24 hours. She fed LITTLE ONE and gave her medicine.

“Since she’s my newest baby, I called her little one as she was so tiny then, malnourished and very sick. Today, she is very healthy. She may still be small but she is a bully. She loves to cuddle, play, and can already jump from high places, “ Kat says.

TABBY, 8-10 months old, was a stray puppy who Alex-Zandra Palmero adopted.

“I remember how excited he was whenever I was about to feed him and other strays dogs outside of our house.

Well, until now he's still excited during feeding time , “Alex-Zandra says.

“Tabby is a happy, energetic, hyper, super takaw na puppy. He's very friendly to other people and loves playing with my toddler too. One thing I can say, I will never regret adopting him, “Alez-Zandra adds.

5. Find help if you feel you need assistance to address the challenge.

Because howling issues can be challenging to work with, enlist the help of a certified professional dog trainer (CPDT).

“Many CPDTs offer group or private classes that can give you and your dog lots of help with attention-seeking howling, “ASPCA said.

6. Bring your dog to the vet If the howling continues and even worsens, please bring your dog to the vet to determine if there is a medical cause for the howling. Your dog might be sick.

INDI and KANYE live in Australia with owner Arturo Roberto Soriano and family.

HUMAN FOOD FOR CATS

Amber, rescued by Save ALL from the busy streets of Pasay where he was almost ran over at 4- 6 weeks old, is now two years old and will eat anything. He is up for adoption and in foster care.

THERE are human food that owners can give to cats, and there are also human food that are bad for them.

In “People Foods Cats Can Eat” from WebMD, the following food can be given to cats: 1. Meat 2. Whole grains 3. Fish 4. Eggs 5. Vegetables 6. Cheese Here is the list of food that are toxic to cats or bad for cats: 1. Chocolate 2. Grapes and raisins 3. Onions and garlic

4. Macadamia nuts Whole Grains 5. Bread dough You can give oats to your cat which is a 6. Alcohol good source of protein also.

7. Xylitol, an artificial sweetener found in Other grains that many cats like are: sugar-free gum and candy 1. corn and polenta (a coarsely ground cornmeal, has a good texture for them); Meat 2. brown rice; Unknown to many, cats are meat eaters.

3. barley; They need the protein from meat to keep 4. wheat berries (but mash them first); their heart strong and for good eyesight.

5. smaller grains like millet and couscous; You can give cooked beef, chicken, tur- and key, and small amounts of lean deli meats.

6. whole wheat breadcrumbs.

Do not give raw or spoiled meat. It will Please cook the grains so that the cat make your cat sick. can digest these well.

To put it simply, what you can not and will not eat should not be given to your pet.

To be continued next week