Manila Standard - 2019 February 17 - Sunday

ENTERTAINMENT / D3

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 7 • 4 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

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PAYABLES SPURRED KICKBACKS —ANDAYA

MEGAN YOUNG

READY TO SHIFT GEAR DESTINATIONS/ D1

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OUSE appropriations committee chairman Rolando Andaya Jr. on Friday said the unpaid contracts for infrastructure projects in 2018 have ballooned to P100 billion which allegedly forced some contractors to resort to bribery just to be paid, affecting the salaries of both government and private employees.

BAMBANTI FESTIVAL 2019 SETS GUINNESS WORLD RECORD MEASLES CASES DOUBLED, SAYS HEALTH CHIEF

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CHURCH: PICK POLL BETS WHO STAND FOR LIFE

GOVT TO SUE TO REGAIN DENGVAXIA PAYMENTS IT WILL take a court case to recover the P1.84 billion paid by the government to French pharmaceutical company Sanofi Pasteur for the Dengvaxia anti-dengue vaccines procured during the previous Aquino administration, a party-list lawmaker said on Saturday.

ACTS-OFW party-list Rep. Aniceto Bertiz said the Philippine Children’s Medical Center is expected to heed the House recommendation to initiate civil action against Dengvaxia distributor Zuellig Pharma Corp. to get the amount back.

The vaccines, which were on Phase IV testing at that time, were procured during the last months of the administration of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III at the urging of then-Health secretary Janette Garin and the funding provided by then-Budget secretary Florencio Abad Jr. The vaccines were found to exacerbate the effects of dengue on persons who have not been afflicted by the disease once they contracted it. Dengvaxia has been blamed for some 100 deaths, most of them children.

“The PCMC would be remiss in its duty if it refuses to abide by the House recommendation,”Bertiz said.

A joint committee of the House had urged the PCMC to file civil charges against Zuellig, former President Aquino, Abad, Garin, and other former officials for the recovery of the P3 billion paid for the Dengvaxia vaccine, less whatever amount may have already been refunded.

Zuellig sold the anti-dengue vaccine on behalf of French drugmaker Sanofi Pasteur, which previously returned P1.16 billion of the P3 billion in exchange for the unused shots.

However, Sanofi has refused to reimburse the P1.84-billion balance for the shots that had already been consumed, saying a total refund would be tantamount to admitting its vaccine was defective.

The House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability and Health, in their report approved on Feb. 2, also endorsed the filing of graft and technical malversation charges against Aguino, Abad,Garin, and other former and current officials over the bungled public vaccination program. Maricel V. Cruz

FIT FOR A QUEEN. Visitors walk past a cake shaped in the likeness of Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray during the 2019 Bakery Fair at the World Trade Centre in Manila on Saturday. Gray, who won the Miss Universe competition in December, is expected to take part in a homecoming parade this week in the Manila. AFP

DEEPER PROBE INTO SEASIDE DRUGS EYED

By Maricel V. Cruz

of illegal drugs recovered by authorities in the last 22 months.

Last week, some P5.4 million worth of cocaine was also found floating along the shores of Vinzons, Camarines Norte.

A recent buy-bust operation in a Tampa, Cavite warehouse also yielded P1.9 billion worth of shabu believed to have been brought into the country through “shipside smuggling.”

The most recent incidents of cocaine smuggling involved 28 sealed packs of high-grade cocaine worth P162 million discovered by two fisherSurigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace men in Lucena, Quezon in April 2017; Barbers, the panel’s chairman, said it 24 kilos of cocaine bricks worth P125 is “very alarming and frightening” that million retrieved by a fisherman in his province has become a dumping Matnog, Sorsogon in January 2018; ground for illegal drugs by foreign and and 18.8 kilos of cocaine valued at P79 million discovered in Divilacan, local drug syndicates.

It was at least the fourth sizable haul Isabela in February 2018.

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HE chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Dangerous Drugs has sought a deeper investigation into the P540 million worth of 77 cocaine bricks which were washed ashore in Dinagat and Siargao Islands in Surigao del Norte.

NAIA RUNWAY REPAIRS FORCE CEB FLIGHTS OUT

By Joel E. Zurbano

CEBU Pacific Air (CEB) has cancelled 10 international and more than 20 domestic flights scheduled on Feb. 15 and 16 and on Feb. 22 and 23 to give way to runway improvements at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila.

Among the cancelled international flights scheduled on Feb. 15 were CEB flights to and from Giangzhou, Macau and Xiamen. The Feb. 15 and Feb. 22 Manila-Ho Chin Minh-Manila and Manila-Kota Kinabalu flights and the Feb. 16 and Feb. 23 flights from Kota Kinabalu to Manila were also suspended.

In a statement, the CEB management said flights to and from Bacolod, Zamboanga, and Legazpi scheduled last Friday

In this file photo taken on March 11, 2013, then-US cardinal Theodore Edgar McCarrick arrives for a meeting on the eve of the start of a conclave at the Vatican. Pope Francis has defrocked McCarrick over accusations he sexually abused minors some 50 years ago, a Vatican statement said on Saturday. AFP

were also cancelled.

Other domestic flights cancelled include the Feb. 15 and Feb 22 flights to and from Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Cauayan, Butuan and Iloilo; and the Feb 16. and Feb. 23 flights to and from Cebu.

The airline also announced flight retime or rescheduling on Feb. 15, 16, 22 and 23 affecting the time of departure of flights to and from Hong Kong, Nagoya, Narita, Osaka, Guam and Taipei.

“We appeal for understanding and support as our airport authorities undertake these much-needed upgrades on our runways,” CEB management said.

“Aside from on-going, daily rehabilitation work, Manila runway operations will have additional restrictions on February 15, 16, 22 and 23 for the installation of runway lights,” the airline added.

Barbers expressed fear that the illegal drugs recovered in Siargao and Dinagat and other places could be part of “narco-politics” because the incident happened during the election period.

“It is an open secret in my province that some politicians are involved, directly or indirectly, in illegal drugs operations,” Barbers said, without naming the persons involved.

“It is not far-fetched to think that people involved in this have heightened their illegal activity and use their loot for the May 2019 elections,” he added.

Police said 37 blocks of cocaine were fished out of Dinagat Island on Thursday and another 40 cocaine blocks were recovered along the coast of Bgy. Pacifiko, San Isidro, Siargao Island on Friday.

CAT SCANNER.

World Cat Federation President Anneliese Hackmann tests the skills of Burmese and Bombay breeds of cats over the first international cat show in the country, Best Cats in the Philippines, organized by the WCF in cooperation with the World Felinological Center “Astra” at the GSIS gymnasium in Pasay City.

Ey Acasio

FILIPINOS should vote with discernment in the May 13 midterm elections and pick candidates who “stand for human life,” Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said Saturday.

Pabillo said the “people power and prayer power” the participants displayed during the Walk for Life 2019 event in Quezon City would “translate into vote power.”

One criteria we should have in choosing our candidates are persons who stand on solid principles,” the bishop said on the sidelines of the “Walk” at the Quezon City Memorial Circle.

Candidates who support the death penalty, the lowering of the minimum age of criminal liability, and those who are“mere sycophants of those in power positions” should not be elected, Pabillo pleaded with the public.

The Catholic Church is not telling the people who to vote for, the bishop explained, but is only giving guidelines on the “character and values” of candidates who deserve Filipinos’ votes.

“Its not our place as a hierarchy to tell people who to vote. We only express the qualities we should look for in candidates. But the laity can put any name they want on the ballot.

It’s their responsibility,” Pabillo said.

The Walk for Life is an annual event spearheaded by the Catholic Church to remind the faithful of their duty to uphold and nurture life, which is being threatened “by the creeping culture of death.”

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle appealed to the public to promote life in his homily at the Eucharistic celebration during the event, saying it is a gift from God that must be protected.

Tagle again condemned “extrajudicial killings” and reminded everyone to respect women who deliver life to this world.

Pabillo added that President Rodrigo Duterte is “gravely mistaken” in assuming the Church is against the people in his administration.

MORTAR BLASTS DISRUPT EVENT IN SULU TOWN THREE mortar rounds exploded near a public school in Patikul, Sulu on Saturday just as a medical mission was being held there, sending residents running for cover, the military said.

Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) spokesperson Col. Gerry Besana said the 60 mm mortar rounds exploded 200 meters from the Tanum Elementary School, where a medical mission facilitated by the 6th Special Forces Battalion was ongoing. No one was hurt, he added.

The explosions were believed to be initiated by the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group to discourage residents from participating in the event.

The mortars were estimated to have been fired 500 meters away from the school, Besana said in a statement.

“We strongly condemn this terroristic act resulting [in] the disruption of basic services delivery to the people,” said Westmincom chief Lt. Gen. Arnel Dela Vega.

The explosions happened two weeks after a gunfight in Patikul left five soldiers and three Abu Sayyaf bandits dead.

This happened after the military launched an operation to arrest Hajan Sawadjaan, an Abu Sayyaf leader believed to be involved in the twin bombings at the Jolo Cathedral during a mass on Jan. 27, where 22 were killed and more than 100 were hurt.

US CARDINAL DEFROCKED OVER TEENAGER ABUSE VATICAN CITY—Pope Francis has defrocked a former cardinal in a first for the Catholic Church over accusations American Theodore McCarrick sexually abused a teenager 50 years ago, a Vatican statement said Saturday.

McCarrick, 88, who resigned from the Vatican’s College of Cardinals in July, is the first cardinal ever to be defrocked for sex abuse.

He was found guilty in January by a Vatican court for sexually abusing a teenager, a decision confirmed by the pope in February, with no further recourse, according to the statement.

The announcement marks a spectacular fall

from grace for the previously influential cardinal and comes ahead of a Vatican conference from February 21 to 24, bringing together bishops from around the world to discuss protecting children within the Church.

Sex abuse scandals around the globe, and most recently in the United States and Chile, have shaken the church, with Pope Francis promising a policy of “zero tolerance” even for high-ranking church members.

McCarrick, former archbishop emeritus of Washington, was barred from practicing as a priest in July last year, after which he resigned

his honorary title of cardinal. He currently lives in Kansas.

The Vatican in 2017 asked the New York archbishopric to investigate the powerful cardinal after a man accused McCarrick of having abused him in the 1970s.

McCarrick was known for having sex with adult seminarians before he was accused of sexually abusing at least one teenager.

Prosecutors in the US state of Pennsylvania last year found 300 priests were involved in child sexual abuse since the 1940s, crimes that were covered up by a string of bishops. AFP

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RELAXING RIPPLES. Soothing sails by the speed craft MV Malambing and the MV Magalang on the placid Pico de Loro cove, a 40-hectare “residential Resort Village” 81 kilometers southwest of Manila, add to moments of recreation while enjoying the environment and topography which includes the nearby Mount Pico de Loro, which rises to 688 meters above sea level, among the ancient volcanic features of the Bataan Arc. Sonny Espiritu

DRUG USERS DWINDLING, SWS SAYS

By Vito Barcelo

MAJORITY of Filipinos believe the number of drug addicts in their area has decreased over the past year, according to the latest survey result conducted

by Social Weather Stations (SWS).

In its fourth quarter 2018 SWS survey from December 16 to 19, 2018, it was found that 66 percent of Filipino adults said the number of drug addicts last year was lower than Turn to A2 facebook.com/ ManilaStandardPH

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In a statement, the Camarines He said notices of cash allocation Sur 1st District congressman said were given in lump sum and discreconcerned Department of Budget tion was given to regional directors, and Management and Department so some contractors “have to resort of Public Works and Highways em- to bribery.” ployees had intimated to him the DPWH casuals were also not paid payables for 2018 infrastructure pro- their salaries for three months and jects had risen from P44 billion last were only given payment last week, November 2018 to more than P100 while 99 percent of the contractors billion by yearend. were still not paid fully for the This “gargantuan amount completed projects, accordof payable,” the lawmaker ing to Andaya. said, forces DPWH contracA persistent failure tors to “cough up kickbacks to pay salaries can critijust to be paid for completcally affect the daily ed infrastructure projects.” lives of these employAndaya added: “Acees and can also recording to my sources, the sult in resign and claim release of payment from constructive dismissal. the DBM to DPWH varies “In short, the DBM has per engineering resorted to rationing district. Some disof payments. If there tricts were paid 10 was rice shortage percent only, othbefore, now there ROLANDO ANDAYA ers 30 percent...”

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HEALTH Secretary Francisco Duque III on Saturday said measles cases in the country from January 1 to February 13, 2019 had reached almost 7,000, at the same time the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council said it wanted the outbvreak solved earlier than had been projected.

In an interview on Super Radyo dzBB, beamed nationwide, Duque said measles cases in the country had 6,921 in the period covered.

Metro Manila had the highest number at 1,752, representing 25 percent of the total cases, Duque said.

The metropolis was followed

by Region IV-A with 1,653 cases, representing 24 percent of the total cases.

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OIL PRICE HIKE SET AT P0.60/LITER ON 2ND ROUND

SUPRANATIONAL

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By Alena Mae S. Flores

CONSUMERS have to brace for another oil price increase this week of as much as P0.60 per liter, the second consecutive weekly oil price increase to reflect the movement of world oil prices.

“Expect fuel prices to go up next week. Diesel should go up by P0.50 to P0.60 and Gasoline should go up

by P0.40 to P0.50 per liter. Load up accordingly,”Unioil Philippines said in its weekly advisory.

On February 12, the oil firms raised pump prices by P0.90 per liter for gasoline, P0.85 per liter for Turn to A2

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PAYABLES...

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is cash shortage, thanks to Sec. (Benjamin) Diokno,” he added.

There was no immediately available reaction from Diokno.

Andaya warned that legitimate contractors might not continue bidding for infrastructure projects due to fears the government could not pay them on time and might make it to the point that banks will be demanding payments.

“A contractors’ revolt is possible. The Build, Build, Build Program may turn out to be Stop, Stop, Stop Program, courtesy of Sec. Diokno. Given this scenario, an economic slowdown is imminent,” Andaya added.

Andaya’s exposès against Diokno have yet to stop even as the 2019 national budget was already approved and ratified by both chambers of Congress.

The congressman has been accusing the Budget chief of “inserting” some P75 billion infrastructure fund in the proposed 2019 national budget without the knowledge of President Rodrigo Duterte, the DPWH, as well as district congressmen.

Diokno said the P75 billion should not be called “insertions” as these were “adjustments” that were part of the budget process.

He added this was a mere diversion from the “pork barrel” issue.

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DRUG MONEY FLOWING INTO CAMPAIGN—PDEA

HILIPPINE Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Aaron Aquino said politicians could be using drug money in campaigning for the May 2019 midterm elections.

“Drug money is being circulated “Unang Balita” which was beamed every time there will be some cam- nationwide. paign and elections to buy votes,” Aquino made the comment Aquino said in a report aired Friday after PDEA raided a house inside

a subdivision in Damariñas, Cavite and found 36 kilos of shabu worth P245 million.

Aquino said the drugs were linked to another 274 kilos of shabu worth P1.9 billion seized in Tanza, Cavite.

The PDEA traced the safehouse of suspected drug syndicate Jim Wahting, identified by authorities as a bigtime drug dealer who was arrested with Patrick Ban Kee in Quezon City.

PDEA said Wahting was supplying the Chinese nationals killed in an anti-drug operation in Tanza.

The agency said it had spent at least three years tracking down Wahting’s group which, it added, could be part of the Golden Triangle drug cartel operating in countries like Laos, Thailand and Myanmar.

The PDEA is also on the watchtower for policemen, soldiers and drug enforcement personnel.

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Region III follows with 282 cases, representing 14 percent of the total.

NDRRMC spokesperson Edgar Posadas said, also in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB, the Council was hoping health authorities could shorten resolution of the outbreak projected at between two and three months.

Posadas said the NDRRMC would help the Department of Health in monitoring and surveillance of measles cases.

“We were assured by the DOH that everything is manageable. This is what they (health authorities) said, that every three years measles cases rise,” he said.

Last week, the Health department declared a measles outbreak in Metro Manila, and other areas in Luzon and Visayas.

The outbreak is expected to last until June, according to the Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.

According to Duque, in San Lazaro Hospital, the referral center for infectious diseases, 70 percent of measles patients were from Metro Manila.

The remaining patients come from Bulacan, Cavite, and other provinces.

He said the DOH was conducting mapping activities, going from house to house to determine which communities have the most number of measles cases and encouraging parents to have their children vaccinated.

In Caloocan, there were 190 cases.

Manila had 338 cases, while Quezon City had 478 cases, Duque said.

Also targetted for immunization are 7 million grade schoolers from kindergarten to Grade 6 who have not yet been vaccinated or have received the measles vaccine but have not had the second dose.

He added the immunization program also targetted preschoolers and those outside of the ages mentioned.

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kerosene and P0.55 per liter for diesel.

Last February 4 and 5, the oil companies cut pump prices by P0.60 per liter for gasoline, P0.35 per liter for diesel and P0.20 per liter for kerosene.

Latest monitoring from the Department of Energy showed that year-todate adjustments stand at a net increase of P1.50 per liter for gasoline, P1.55 per liter for kerosene and P2.45 per liter for diesel.

According to DOE, oil prices went up last week after the United States imposed sanctions on state-owned Venezuelan oil company PDVSA, seen to reduce crude its exports.

The US banned both Venezuelan crude exports to the US and US exports to Venezuela through the sanctions.

Meanwhile, DOE monitored that French bank BNP Paribas expect the oil price to rise in the first-half on tightening supply conditions and anticipates to decline in the second-half on weakening economic activity and an increase in U.S. crude exports to international markets.

World oil prices was also affected by the shutdown of oil refineries.

China’s state-owned Sinopec will be shutting its 160,000 b/d Luoyang refinery, in northern Henan province from April 20 for a 55-day maintenance.

POWERLESS PROTEST. A child, helpless in her reaction, during a Philippine Red Cross Measles Outbreak Vaccination Response Saturday at the waterfront Baseco compound, Manila’s slum area, with the number of cases rising, according to the Department of Health. AFP

RICE TARIFFICATION LAW BEATS HIGH PRICES—SOLON

By Maricel V. Cruz A HOUSE leader on Saturday welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte’s signing of the rice tariffication law which an opposition leader said should be fully implemented to keep prices down.

Now that rice tariffication has become a law, Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte said badly needed funds would soon become readily available to palay farmers who have long been handicapped due to lack of access to financing facilities and the means to enhance their skills and productivity through modern farming methods.

Villafuerte, a co-author of this rice tarrification measure, said the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) under the rice tariffication bill, allocated 10 percent of its P10 billion allocation--or P1 billion--for credit to farmers and cooperatives, which would help the agriculture sector gain access to lending facilities.

In the Senate, Sen. Francis Pangilinan, Presidential Adviser for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization, in the previous Aquino

administration, in a statement, said the enactment of the Rice Tariffication law, while being trumpeted as the remedy for high prices, was also seen by some farmers’ groups as the death knell on the local rice industry.

Pangilinan said all concerned groups should keep a tight watch on the safeguard provisions of the law to ensure they would benefit the farmers and the industry, which would bear the brunt of the influx of imported rice.

The law provides for a P10 billion Rice Enhancement Fund from the duty on imports. This, as well as the other subsidies provided for by the law, should be felt by the farmers, Pangilinan said.

When it was passed, the TRAIN Law promised additional revenues for the government to bring ease to the people’s lives, he added.

In the House, Villafuerte said the rice tariffication bill, which would liberalize imports of the staple, would also benefit consumers, who include farmers, as it would expand the access of Filipinos to cheap rice.

“This will, in turn, prevent a repeat of the 2018 inflation surge brought

in large part by the supply shortfall and the subsequent retail price increase of rice,” said Villafuerte.

“Rice tariffication will benefit poor households the most, given that rice accounts for 20 percent of their consumption.”

Villafuerte recalled that inflation began to ease in the latter part of 2018 and is expected to drop even further this year following the decisive steps taken by President Duterte to remove administrative constraints on food imports and narrow the gap between farmgate and retail prices of rice and other foodstuff.

He said the President’s success in reining in inflation in the past few months was apparently one reason for the steady climb in Duterte’s public opinion poll ratings.

Villafuerte said the RCEF would directly provide farmers the facilities they need to boost their incomes and make them competitive in the global market.

As provided under the bill, the RCEF will have a minimum annual allocation of P10 billion for six years, and tariff revenues from rice imports in excess of P10 billion shall be appropriated by the Congress for this

sector, based on a menu of programs in the rice tariffication law.

Under the bill, the proposed fund will be allocated as follows: • 50 percent for grants to farmers’ associations, registered rice cooperatives, and local government units in the form of rice equipment, to be implemented by the Philippine Center for Post-Harvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech); • 30 percent for the development, propagation and promotion of inbred rice seeds to rice farmers and organizations, to be implemented by the Philippine Rice Research Institution (PhilRice).

The 10 percent will be in the form of credit at preferential rates to rice farmers and cooperatives to be managed by the Land Bank (Landbank) and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP).

The remaining 10 percent for extension services to teach rice farmers modern methods of farming, seed production, and farm mechanization, to be administered by PhilMech, PhilRice, the Agricultural Training Institute and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

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that in 2017, while 14 percent said it had increased and 7 percent said it had remained the same.

People who believe there are now fewer drug addicts last year are highest in Mindanao, President Rodrigo Duterte’s home region, with 83 percent saying there are few drug addicts, while 6 percent said otherwise and 4 percent said the number did not change.

Meanwhile, 71 percent of Filipinos in Visayas said it decreased, 11 percent said it increased and 6 percent said it

remained the same.

In Metro Manila, 67 percent said it decreased, 22 percent said it increased, and eight percent said it remained the same.

In the rest of Luzon, 54 percent said it decreased, 18 percent said it increased, and eight percent said it remained the same.

By locale, 68 percent of those in rural areas said the number of persons who used drugs decreased, nine percent said it increased, and 6 percent said it

remained the same.

In urban areas, 63 percent said it decreased, 23 percent said it increased, nine percent said it remained the same.

According to the Inter-agency Committee on Anti-Illegal drugs, more than 1.3 million suspected drug users and pushers had surrendered under the police “Oplan Tokhang” in Duterte’s first year, while at least 4,000 were killed.

But the survey revealed that 95 percent of Filipinos said it was impor-

tant for them that the police captured drug suspects alive (77 percent very important, 18 percent somewhat important), and five percent said it was not important (4 percent somewhat not important, 1 percent not at all important).

The dominant opinion in all areas was that it was important that drug suspects were captured alive: it was 97 percent in Metro Manila and Visayas, 96 percent in Mindanao, and 92 percent in the rest of Luzon.

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KOREAN DRUG SMUGGLER NABBED IN CALOOCAN

‘HUGPONG’ ENDORSES ESPINOS IN PANGASINAN THE Hugpong ng Pagbabago has officially endorsed the candidacy of the team of reelectionists Pangasinan Governor Amado Espino III and his father Congressman Amado Espino Jr. in a campaign sortie held in Urdaneta City.

The HNP, headed by presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, held the campaign in Urdaneta despite a pre-organized political rally in Binalonan City last Thursday.

Local political group Abante Pangasinan said the HNP snubbed the Binalonan event organized by its Mayor Ramon Guico III, and instead chose to hold the campaign rally in Urdaneta where Duterte endorsed the Espinos and their team alongside the senatorial candidates being supported by the party.

Guico is running to represent the Pangasinan 5th district against the Espino patriarch in the May 13 midterm elections.

Mayor Guico is an ally of brothers Alaminos City Mayor Arthur Celeste, who is running for the gubernatorial race against the younger Espino; and Bolinao Mayor Arnold Celeste, who is gunning the congressional seat in Pangasinan 1st district against former Department of Transportation undersecretary and former Metro Manila Development Authority general manager Thomas Orbos.

During the campaign rally in Urdaneta, Mayor Duterte raised the hands of the Espinos and their team.

Police estimated the crowd at about 3,500 and most of the people in the audience wore red shirts.

Among the candidates for senator in attendance during the event were reelectionists Senators Sonny Angara and Joseph Victor Ejercito, and former senator Jinggoy Estrada, Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos, journalist Jiggy Manicad and former Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs secretary Francis Tolentino.

Pangasinan is being tagged as a vote-rich province and has about 1.8 million voters, the country’s third biggest.

The HNP candidates earlier visited Pampanga and Bataan provinces. Joel E. Zurbano

By Vito Barcelo

CLEANUP CONTINUES. Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) personnel pull out bundles of garbage from the shores of Manila Bay in Barangay 649, Baseco Compound in Tondo, Manila on Saturday (Feb. 16, 2019). The cleanup drive, organized by the Kilos Kabataan para sa Kalikasan (KALAKASAN) movement together with other government agencies, aims to engage the youth to help in the rehabilitation of Manila Bay. PNA

QC HAS HIGHEST NUMBER OF APPREHENDED ‘LOITERERS’

By Joel E. Zurbano

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UEZON City topped the list of cities in Metro Manila with the highest number of individuals arrested for violating local ordinances since the government began in June 2018 the campaign against street bystanders or loiterers.

Based on the latest accomplishment report from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), the number of arrest made in Metro Manila reached a total of 740,774 as of 5 am of Feb. 16, 2019.

The Quezon City Police District (also known as Central Police District) recorded a total of 436, 578 apprehension since June 2018 followed by the Eastern Police District (EPD) with 139, 436 individuals arrested and North-

ern Police District (NPD) with 63,506 apprehensions.

The eastern part of Metro Manila is composed of cities of San Juan, Marikina, Pasig and Mandaluyong while the northern part is also known as the Camanava (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela) area.

Manila Police District (MPD), meanwhile, arrested 57,293 individuals while the Southern Police District (SPD) caught 43,961. The southern part composes the cities of Pasay, Paranaque, Las Pinas, Taguig and Muntinlupa, and the town of Pateros.

Of the 740,774, a total of 180,203 persons were arrested for violating the smoking ban and 45, 262 for curfew hours and 40,523 for not wearing upper clothes.

Also arrested were 34,968, most of them male, for drinking on the streets, the NCRPO reported.

More than 108,000 of those arrested were formally charged in court while a total of 149, 892 were fined with corresponding penalties.

President Rodrigo Duterte initiated the campaign in 2018 ordering the police to go against street loiterers or idlers to ensure a peaceful community, especially at night.

But the Chief Executive reminded that the police should arrest only those violating municipal or city ordinances like Urinating and Drinking in Public Places, Half Naked, Making Loud Noise, and Curfew of Minors, among others.

NCRPO director Guillermo Eleazar assured the public that street bystanders would not be picked up by the police as long as they follow local ordinances on loitering.

He said they will continue their police operations to ensure peace and order in the community, especially during this year’s May 13 midterm election period from January to June.

Meanwhile, Eleazar had ordered the deployment of more than 14,000 personnel in Metro Manila in connection with the campaign period for senatorial candidates and partylist groups.

“We will also increase the frequency of checkpoints in the metropolis to help deter criminal minds in executing their evil designs. On the other hand, I have strict orders to our commanders in the field, to observe proper procedures and professionalism when conducting the checkpoints,” he said.

GABRIELA WARNS DUTERTE AGAINST VETOING EXPANDED MATERNITY LEAVE

By Maricel V. Cruz TWO party-list lawmakers on Saturday expressed opposition to President Duterte’s plan to veto the expanded maternity leave bill Reps. Emmi de Jesus and Arlene Brosas of Gabriela Women’s Party said President Duterte’s signature to finally have the bill enacted is “long overdue.”

“The expanded maternity leave bill has gone through exhaustive deliberations with all agencies and stakeholders involved, including So-

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cial Security System. He should sign it now,” said de Jesus.

De Jesus, who sat as one of the bicameral conferees on the measure, said the President should not pander to fake news on the supposed huge costs to the Social Security System (SSS) of the measure, which allegedly stands at P6.4 billion.

“The supposed enactment of the expanded maternity leave bill should not suffer merely because of the incompetence of the SSS and its failure to collect contributions from delinquent employers,” de Jesus said.

“Instead of floating the cost, why not find ways to the plug the leaks at SSS by improving collection rate and dispose costly idle assets? asked de Jesus.

For her part, Brosas dismissed as “exaggerated” the computation being floated by SSS to sway the President to veto the measure, to favor the calls of business groups for the measure’s veto.

“The so-called P6.4 billion price tag of expanded maternity leave is way off the mark,” Brosas said.

Under the expanded maternity

JCI LAUNCHES PUBLIC SERVICE PROJECT THE Junior Chamber International Senate Philippines together with the Department of Transportation and Megawide Corporate Foundation Inc., formally launched “SerBus: A Service to Humanity Project” that provides free bus rides to commuters from Lawton, Baclaran and Pasay going to the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PTIX), and back. The buses (involving six air- conditioned buses year-round five days a week from Monday to Friday) also serve commuters coming from Monumento and going to EDSA, Baclaran and back.

Senate Committee Chairman for Transportation Senator Grace Poe served as the guest speaker for the event.

“JCI Senate Philippines has always been known for its love and service to humanity, which is why we are launching this noble project in time for this Love Month is just but proper and fitting,” said JCI Senate Philippine National President Domingo “Jun” Roque Jr. “These free bus rides are our collective expression of love to our fellowmen and to our country the Jaycee way. And we thank Megawide Foundation, Transportation Secretary Art Tugade, and Senator Grace Poe, for joining us in our noble endeavor.”

This was echoed by JCISP PR Director and The Outstanding Filipino 2019 Chairman JCI Senator

Melandrew T. Velasco who emphasized that service to humanity has always been integral to the programs and projects of JCI. “With the SerBus, Cavite residents and other commuters won’t have to complain anymore about the lack of transportation going to PTIX— or even to shell out the additional expenses,” he said. “They can have a comfortable riding experience with these fully air-conditioned buses.”

The formal Serbus launching took place at the Kartilya side of the Bonifacio Shrine beside Manila City Hall and SM Manila from 9AM to 11AM onFebruary 14.

Apart from SerBus, JCI Senate Philippines has other equally notable projects for this year such as the annual Search for the Outstanding Filipino Award or the 2019 TOFIL Awards which recognizes citizens 41 years old and above whose achievements are worthy of emulation; loyalty cards that grant JCI Senators special benefits every time they purchase any Unioil products; the massive propagation of JCI Creed Markers inscripted with the JCI Senate Philippines logo in strategic areas all over the country, and a new headquarters building in Quezon City.

JCI Senate Philippines also plans to construct waiting sheds along national roads to be littered with “Green Link” trash cans.

leave bill which was first filed by Gabriela partylist group in 2007, women workers in the private, public and informal sectors will enjoy 105 days paid maternity leave from the current 60 days.

Brosas said the President should heed the cries of expectant mothers lest he further affirm himself as antiwomen and anti-worker.

“If President Duterte vetoes the bill, he should expect a loud outrage by mothers who have long demanded the passage of the expanded maternity leave,” said Brosas.

IMMIGRATION agents and Korean police operatives arrested a Korean fugitive, believed to be a leader of an international drug smuggling syndicate that operates between Korea and the Philippines..

The Korean drug trafficker, identified as Lee Yun Sung a.k.a Lee Yun Sung Latayan and wanted by Korean police for drug smuggling, was arrested in an operation in Caloocan city, according to BIFugitive Search Unit chief Bobby Raquepo.

“Lee is also under the Interpol red notice, meaning he is a high-profile fugitive. He is wanted for distribution of illegal drugs through air freights from the Philippines to Korea,” he said.

“As an Interpol red notice, Lee is a high profile fugitive. He is wanted for distribution of illegal drugs through air freights from the Philippines to Korea,” Raquepo added.

The South Korean embassy has sought the assistance of the Bureau of Immigration for the immediate arrest of Lee who has been hiding in the country since 2007.

Lee arrived in the country on June 4, 2007 but did not renew his visa, thus he was considered an overstaying alien.

The Korean drug trafficker also faces three standing warrant of arrests issued by three different courts in Korea for illegal drug smuggling.

He is now detained at the BI jail in Taguig, and will be deported to face trial in his home country.

DFA CONDOLES WITH FAMILY OF PINOY SHOT DEAD IN CHICAGO THE Department of Foreign Affairs on Saturday expressed sympathies to the family of a Filipino-American who was killed in a suburb in Chicago in the state of Illinois last month.

The body of the victim, identified as Anthony del Barrio, was found frozen in Morton Grove on January 20. Based on inquiries from members of the Filipino community, the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago learned that the victim was a third-generation FilipinoAmerican born and raised in the United States.

The Consulate General said local authorities are investigating the death as a possible homicide but have yet to identify a suspect.

Anthony’s kin told ABS-CBN that the victim went out with a friend and the next they heard about him was from the police.

According to his sister Jocelyn del Barrio-Vargas, Anthony sustained two gunshot wounds through his left buttock and out his right thigh.

“Apparently, he was found at 9 o’clock in the morning by one of the neighbors in the area and he was in between two houses. It seems like his body has been out there throughout the night because his body was found frozen,” she said. PNA

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CHURCH: PICK POLL BETS WHO STAND FOR LIFE

GOVT TO SUE TO REGAIN DENGVAXIA PAYMENTS IT WILL take a court case to recover the P1.84 billion paid by the government to French pharmaceutical company Sanofi Pasteur for the Dengvaxia anti-dengue vaccines procured during the previous Aquino administration, a party-list lawmaker said on Saturday.

ACTS-OFW party-list Rep. Aniceto Bertiz said the Philippine Children’s Medical Center is expected to heed the House recommendation to initiate civil action against Dengvaxia distributor Zuellig Pharma Corp. to get the amount back.

The vaccines, which were on Phase IV testing at that time, were procured during the last months of the administration of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III at the urging of then-Health secretary Janette Garin and the funding provided by then-Budget secretary Florencio Abad Jr. The vaccines were found to exacerbate the effects of dengue on persons who have not been afflicted by the disease once they contracted it. Dengvaxia has been blamed for some 100 deaths, most of them children.

“The PCMC would be remiss in its duty if it refuses to abide by the House recommendation,”Bertiz said.

A joint committee of the House had urged the PCMC to file civil charges against Zuellig, former President Aquino, Abad, Garin, and other former officials for the recovery of the P3 billion paid for the Dengvaxia vaccine, less whatever amount may have already been refunded.

Zuellig sold the anti-dengue vaccine on behalf of French drugmaker Sanofi Pasteur, which previously returned P1.16 billion of the P3 billion in exchange for the unused shots.

However, Sanofi has refused to reimburse the P1.84-billion balance for the shots that had already been consumed, saying a total refund would be tantamount to admitting its vaccine was defective.

The House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability and Health, in their report approved on Feb. 2, also endorsed the filing of graft and technical malversation charges against Aguino, Abad,Garin, and other former and current officials over the bungled public vaccination program. Maricel V. Cruz

FIT FOR A QUEEN. Visitors walk past a cake shaped in the likeness of Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray during the 2019 Bakery Fair at the World Trade Centre in Manila on Saturday. Gray, who won the Miss Universe competition in December, is expected to take part in a homecoming parade this week in the Manila. AFP

DEEPER PROBE INTO SEASIDE DRUGS EYED

By Maricel V. Cruz

T

HE chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Dangerous Drugs has sought a deeper investigation into the P540 million worth of 77 cocaine bricks which were washed ashore in Dinagat and Siargao Islands in Surigao del Norte.

Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, the panel’s chairman, said it is “very alarming and frightening” that his province has become a dumping ground for illegal drugs by foreign and local drug syndicates.

It was at least the fourth sizable haul

of illegal drugs recovered by authorities in the last 22 months.

Last week, some P5.4 million worth of cocaine was also found floating along the shores of Vinzons, Camarines Norte.

A recent buy-bust operation in a Tampa, Cavite warehouse also yielded P1.9 billion worth of shabu believed to have been brought into the country through “shipside smuggling.”

The most recent incidents of cocaine smuggling involved 28 sealed packs of high-grade cocaine worth P162 million discovered by two fishermen in Lucena, Quezon in April 2017; 24 kilos of cocaine bricks worth P125 million retrieved by a fisherman in Matnog, Sorsogon in January 2018; and 18.8 kilos of cocaine valued at P79 million discovered in Divilacan, Isabela in February 2018.

NAIA RUNWAY REPAIRS FORCE CEB FLIGHTS OUT

By Joel E. Zurbano

CEBU Pacific Air (CEB) has cancelled 10 international and more than 20 domestic flights scheduled on Feb. 15 and 16 and on Feb. 22 and 23 to give way to runway improvements at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila.

Among the cancelled international flights scheduled on Feb. 15 were CEB flights to and from Giangzhou, Macau and Xiamen. The Feb. 15 and Feb. 22 Manila-Ho Chin Minh-Manila and Manila-Kota Kinabalu flights and the Feb. 16 and Feb. 23 flights from Kota Kinabalu to Manila were also suspended.

In a statement, the CEB management said flights to and from Bacolod, Zamboanga, and Legazpi scheduled last Friday

In this file photo taken on March 11, 2013, then-US cardinal Theodore Edgar McCarrick arrives for a meeting on the eve of the start of a conclave at the Vatican. Pope Francis has defrocked McCarrick over accusations he sexually abused minors some 50 years ago, a Vatican statement said on Saturday. AFP

were also cancelled.

Other domestic flights cancelled include the Feb. 15 and Feb 22 flights to and from Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Cauayan, Butuan and Iloilo; and the Feb 16. and Feb. 23 flights to and from Cebu.

The airline also announced flight retime or rescheduling on Feb. 15, 16, 22 and 23 affecting the time of departure of flights to and from Hong Kong, Nagoya, Narita, Osaka, Guam and Taipei.

“We appeal for understanding and support as our airport authorities undertake these much-needed upgrades on our runways,” CEB management said.

“Aside from on-going, daily rehabilitation work, Manila runway operations will have additional restrictions on February 15, 16, 22 and 23 for the installation of runway lights,” the airline added.

Barbers expressed fear that the illegal drugs recovered in Siargao and Dinagat and other places could be part of “narco-politics” because the incident happened during the election period.

“It is an open secret in my province that some politicians are involved, directly or indirectly, in illegal drugs operations,” Barbers said, without naming the persons involved.

“It is not far-fetched to think that people involved in this have heightened their illegal activity and use their loot for the May 2019 elections,” he added.

Police said 37 blocks of cocaine were fished out of Dinagat Island on Thursday and another 40 cocaine blocks were recovered along the coast of Bgy. Pacifiko, San Isidro, Siargao Island on Friday.

CAT SCANNER.

World Cat Federation President Anneliese Hackmann tests the skills of Burmese and Bombay breeds of cats over the first international cat show in the country, Best Cats in the Philippines, organized by the WCF in cooperation with the World Felinological Center “Astra” at the GSIS gymnasium in Pasay City.

Ey Acasio

FILIPINOS should vote with discernment in the May 13 midterm elections and pick candidates who “stand for human life,” Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said Saturday.

Pabillo said the “people power and prayer power” the participants displayed during the Walk for Life 2019 event in Quezon City would “translate into vote power.”

One criteria we should have in choosing our candidates are persons who stand on solid principles,” the bishop said on the sidelines of the “Walk” at the Quezon City Memorial Circle.

Candidates who support the death penalty, the lowering of the minimum age of criminal liability, and those who are“mere sycophants of those in power positions” should not be elected, Pabillo pleaded with the public.

The Catholic Church is not telling the people who to vote for, the bishop explained, but is only giving guidelines on the “character and values” of candidates who deserve Filipinos’ votes.

“Its not our place as a hierarchy to tell people who to vote. We only express the qualities we should look for in candidates. But the laity can put any name they want on the ballot.

It’s their responsibility,” Pabillo said.

The Walk for Life is an annual event spearheaded by the Catholic Church to remind the faithful of their duty to uphold and nurture life, which is being threatened “by the creeping culture of death.”

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle appealed to the public to promote life in his homily at the Eucharistic celebration during the event, saying it is a gift from God that must be protected.

Tagle again condemned “extrajudicial killings” and reminded everyone to respect women who deliver life to this world.

Pabillo added that President Rodrigo Duterte is “gravely mistaken” in assuming the Church is against the people in his administration.

MORTAR BLASTS DISRUPT EVENT IN SULU TOWN THREE mortar rounds exploded near a public school in Patikul, Sulu on Saturday just as a medical mission was being held there, sending residents running for cover, the military said.

Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) spokesperson Col. Gerry Besana said the 60 mm mortar rounds exploded 200 meters from the Tanum Elementary School, where a medical mission facilitated by the 6th Special Forces Battalion was ongoing. No one was hurt, he added.

The explosions were believed to be initiated by the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group to discourage residents from participating in the event.

The mortars were estimated to have been fired 500 meters away from the school, Besana said in a statement.

“We strongly condemn this terroristic act resulting [in] the disruption of basic services delivery to the people,” said Westmincom chief Lt. Gen. Arnel Dela Vega.

The explosions happened two weeks after a gunfight in Patikul left five soldiers and three Abu Sayyaf bandits dead.

This happened after the military launched an operation to arrest Hajan Sawadjaan, an Abu Sayyaf leader believed to be involved in the twin bombings at the Jolo Cathedral during a mass on Jan. 27, where 22 were killed and more than 100 were hurt.

US CARDINAL DEFROCKED OVER TEENAGER ABUSE VATICAN CITY—Pope Francis has defrocked a former cardinal in a first for the Catholic Church over accusations American Theodore McCarrick sexually abused a teenager 50 years ago, a Vatican statement said Saturday.

McCarrick, 88, who resigned from the Vatican’s College of Cardinals in July, is the first cardinal ever to be defrocked for sex abuse.

He was found guilty in January by a Vatican court for sexually abusing a teenager, a decision confirmed by the pope in February, with no further recourse, according to the statement.

The announcement marks a spectacular fall

from grace for the previously influential cardinal and comes ahead of a Vatican conference from February 21 to 24, bringing together bishops from around the world to discuss protecting children within the Church.

Sex abuse scandals around the globe, and most recently in the United States and Chile, have shaken the church, with Pope Francis promising a policy of “zero tolerance” even for high-ranking church members.

McCarrick, former archbishop emeritus of Washington, was barred from practicing as a priest in July last year, after which he resigned

his honorary title of cardinal. He currently lives in Kansas.

The Vatican in 2017 asked the New York archbishopric to investigate the powerful cardinal after a man accused McCarrick of having abused him in the 1970s.

McCarrick was known for having sex with adult seminarians before he was accused of sexually abusing at least one teenager.

Prosecutors in the US state of Pennsylvania last year found 300 priests were involved in child sexual abuse since the 1940s, crimes that were covered up by a string of bishops. AFP

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2019

Adelle Chua, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Opinion ISRAELI PHOTOGRAPHER REVIVES ARCHAIC ART FORM IN BORDER SERIES

EDITORIAL

READING THEIR RECORD, RHETORIC

T

HE drive to the May 13 elections has begun for national candidates: 62 senatorial candidates and 134 party-list groups—a 90-day campaign period as determined by the Omnibus Election Code.

Both camps, the administration and the opposition, immediately shifted to first gear with their campaign drumbeat rolling in voterich areas of the metropolis and nearby urban areas.

The candidates present multiple layers of persuasion and commitment to public service, which unnecessarily smolder during the campaign period, with the candidates aiming to

win over 2.5 million new registered voters from a total of 61 million counted by the Commission on Elections, the government’s poll watchdog.

The Senate race is seen as hidebound, with seven senators seeking reelection, six others wanting to return to the chamber and several prominent candidates, including those endorsed

by Duterte, fighting over only 12 slots.

President Rodrigo Duterte, in mid-stream of his six-year term, headed a kick-off rally by his Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan for its 11—one short to complete the list—senatorial candidates, including six “guest” candidates.

The opposition, on the other side, launched what they called a “game changer” strategy, with a house-to-house national campaign they believe will sustain their momentum up to E-Day. At the same time, some candidates are participating in a “face-to-face persuasion

campaign” where the party’s eight-point program is being launched for the information of the electorate.

Political platforms are carefully varnished, but necessarily, during the election campaign to enable the voters, many of whom have long ago made up their minds on who to elect as their voice in the national legislature to represent them properly.

We call on the Comelec to deliver on its warning to disqualify candidates who violate campaign rules, otherwise there is no point in making all the sound before and during the campaign period. It’s time to be tough.

At the same time, we stoutly ask the voters, who have an eye on their present and their future as well as on their children’s own, to keep reading the record and the rhetoric of the candidates and not be avoidably lost in them.

JESUITS ‘ON THE MARCH’ TRUE-BLUE Ateneans and lovers of history interested in the background of the Jesuit community that established and maintains the Ateneo schools and missions now have an interesting new resource to explore.

‘On the March: The Jesuits in the Philippines Since the Restoration’ (2018), records the “recollected, photographed, documented memories of the struggle and the glory of the Sons of St. Ignatius of Loyola—how these intrepid missionaries lived their lives, travelling from place to place bringing the good news,” according to publisher Ramoncito Cruz, founder of Mediawise Communications, Inc./Muse Books.

‘On the March’ is an impressive coffeetable book clocking in at over 250 pages replete with artistic and historic photographs. The book’s three chapters deal with the history of the Jesuits upon their return to the Philippines in 1859, nearly a century after they were expelled, and provide overviews of the various universities, schools, and apostolates they founded.

Chapter 1 has an article by historian Jose S. Arcilla, the book’s principal writer, on the intrepid and pioneering Jesuits who labored in the country.

Among those mentioned are Fr. Pablo Pastells and Fr. Horacio de la Costa, who figure prominently in Philippine history.

Pastells corresponded with Jose Rizal in the 1890s, attempting to

convince him to return to orthodox Catholicism. De la Costa (1917-1977) was the first Filipino provincial (superior of the Society of Jesus) and an expert on Philippine and Asian history and culture.

Chapter 2 looks at the Jesuit ministry in education in the Philippines, and gives overviews of Jesuit schools including AdMU, the Ateneo Law School, Ateneo de Zamboanga Univeristy, Ateneo de Naga University, as well as the Loyola House of Studies and the San Jose and St. John Marie Vianney seminaries.

As an alumna, I wish there were an essay on the Ateneo Graduate School of Business—but perhaps that’s for another book.

Chapter 3 surveys different aspects of the Jesuit apostolates, among them the Manila Observatory, the Museo de Parian in Cebu, and the Arete, AdMU’s creative hub for the fine arts.

Among the most moving pieces is the interview with Fr. Primitivo E. Viray Jr., superior of the Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus. About their current mission focus, he says: “Alleviation of poverty remains a very significant concern. With the Pope’s ‘Laudato Si [2015 encyclical on the environment and climate change], environmental concerns, how to protect the environment, have come up even more. Of course, education remains a priority, continuing with excellence in

By Jonah Mandel EDWARD Kaprov makes a final adjustment to the oversized, traditional-style camera perched on a heavy tripod aimed at an Israeli military jeep near the Gaza border.

“Let’s give it a shot,” the 43-year-old says as he strides briskly to the tent that serves as his darkroom.

Kaprov, a professional photographer, says he took to the mid-19th century wet-plate collodion process as part of an artistic project to “create a dialogue between the past and future”.

The method entails coating a glass plate in liquid substances, fixing it in the camera, exposing it for a few seconds and then developing it—all within 10-15 minutes.

Technological advances are all but ignored in the process which has remained nearly unchanged since it was invented in 1851— though Kaprov does use his smartphone as a light meter.

Kaprov unloads a table, basins, coolers and plastic jerrycans from the back of his panel van and deftly sets up his field darkroom in the tent.

He brushes clean the plate and carefully pours the collodion mixture on it.

Then he inserts it into a silver nitrate solution, which upon exposure would turn dark, with the collodion solidifying the forms to the plate.

Kaprov returns to the camera with the black magazine containing the wet glass. He inserts it, pulls out the magazine and leaves the glass in.

Covering himself with a blanket as he stoops over the camera, he opens the lens and counts out loud to three before retrieving the glass.

Back in the tent the plate is carefully removed and treated before being taken out into the sun, still immersed in liquid—as the images of the military vehicle and gate appear on the glass.

Borderline disorder The end product, a piece of glass roughly the size of A4 paper, doesn’t reveal the labour put into the process.

“And now, a cigarette,” Kaprov sighs in relief as he pats his pockets for his rolling tobacco.

The outdated technique is worth its remarkable hassle to Kaprov, who began a series of Israeli border images nearly 10 years ago using a regular digital camera, and around the year 2015 had something of an epiphany.

“I suddenly understood that I had to continue taking the pictures the same way the first images from the Holy Land were produced to create a dialogue between the past and future,” he says.

He spent a year learning about the technique through books and internet tutorials, experimenting with potent chemicals and assembling the necessary equipment before he was ready to hit the road and resume work on what is now called the Borderline Personalities Disorder series.

Kaprov’s interest in borders is part of his own quest to define or understand his place in Israel, the country he left his native Siberia for at 17.

“I haven’t really found myself since leaving my homeland for my historic homeland. I’m still searching,” he says.

With his cropped hair, short beard and trim physique, Kaprov looks every bit the outdoor man he is, spending days in the field seeking interesting frames in the company of his mixed border collie Robin.

“Even my dog is borderline,” he says with a grin.

Ancient novelty Israel’s frontiers tend to be marked by ominous fences fending off the unknown dangers of the surrounding Arab states and entities.

The absence of hikers, tourists and industry in much of those areas afforded him not only the raw images that could correspond with the old ones, but also much-needed peace of mind to focus on his art.

“I escaped one utopia only to find myself in another,” he says of his move from Communist Russia to the Jewish state.

The slow pace of the wet plate technique, used by just a few other photographers professionally in Israel, necessitates a special focus not only from the artist but also from his human subjects, who “enter a meditative stateof-mind,” Kaprov says.

And while using this method deprives most the opportunity for spontaneity—one of modern photography’s key characteristics—its ancient novelty attracts attention.

The soldiers who were in the jeep on the Gaza border approached Kaprov by the tent to see what he was doing.

A brief encounter led to the four paratroopers agreeing to pose for him on the same backdrop of their vehicle, accompanying him back to the tent again to see the outcome of the picture.

“As much as I’m result-oriented, there’s no denying that the process is a very central part of the issue,” Kaprov says later.

“It’s like magic taking place, to me and anyone around.” AFP

POP GOES THE WORLD

education.”

Fr. Viray emphasizes the significance of Mindanao as a key area for development: “If you cannot help resolve the difficulties of Mindanao, the country will not go forward…The poorest regions are in Mindanao. Peace and justice issues are there. So we should be paying attention to that, if we want to go forward. That is very clear.”

‘On the March’ was edited by journalist John Nery. Among the writers who contributed essays are Cora Llamas (associate editor), journalist Mike Baños, Fr. Bert Boholst SJ, and Margie Logarta.

Manuel Engwa is executive publisher.

The book earned a coveted Platinum Anvil Award at the 54thAnvil Awards held last January 30 at the Marriott Grand Ballroom. Organized by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines, Anvils are the ‘Oscars” of the public relations industry in the country, and the Platinum is the highest award it confers. It is given only to projects that stand out among the ‘Gold’ Anvil winners, already the best of the best.

Cruz, a visual artist, leverages his creative background to produce “elegant, artistic books of substance.”

He has produced other books for the Ateneo community: ‘150: The Ateneo Way’, released for AdMU’s sesquicentennial; ‘Veritas Integritas Justitia: 75 Years of the Ateneo Law

JENNY ORTUOSTE School;’ and ‘Jesuits in Mindanao: The Mission,’ which have all won International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Quill Awards and Anvils.

Cruz runs a tight ship with his managing editor Rey Albert Fuentes and art director Noel Avendaño, tapping a formidable stable of freelance writers, photographers, and graphic designers to partner with.

For all its diminutiveness as a company, Mediawise has won so many awards for excellence and quality that there isn’t enough display space at their office to show them all off.

As artifacts, their coffeetable books are magnificently sturdy, satisfyingly hefty, and gloriously attractive. Fullcolor photographs, art, and illustrations are crisply and sharply reproduced in beautiful detail, while well-written, informative text engagingly explains the subject. ‘On the March’ is the same.

I leave you with the words of St. Ignatius of Loyola: “Go forth, and set the world on fire.”

To inquire about ‘On the March’ and other Mediawise books, email Mon Cruz at mediawise02@yahoo.com.

Find me on FB and Twitter: @DrJennyO

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher ManilaStandard

Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www.thestandard. com.ph; e-mail: contact@thestandard.com.ph

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Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor / Jimbo Gulle, Issue Editor

NOKOR’S TRIBUTE TO KIM’S FATHER IN FREEZING COLD PYONGYANG, North Korea—The Day of the Shining Star dawned bitterly cold in Pyongyang. But thousands of North Koreans lined up in temperatures of minus 8 degrees Celsius on Saturday to pay their respects to late leader Kim Jong Il on his birthday.

Kim, the son of the isolated North’s founder Kim Il Sung and the father and predecessor of current leader Kim Jong Un, was born on February 16.

According to Pyongyang’s orthodoxy, he came into the world in 1942, in a snow-covered hut at a secret camp on the slopes of Mount Paektu, the spiritual birthplace of the Korean people, where his father was fighting occupying Japanese forces.

Outside historians point instead to official Soviet records, which say he was born a year earlier in a Siberian village where Kim Il Sung was in exile.

Either way, it is a key anniversary in a nuclear-armed nation whose people are taught from birth to revere the “Paektu bloodline”, as the Kim family which has ruled it for three generations is known.

Referred to as the Day of the Shining Star, the occasion is celebrated with ice skating displays, flower shows, and laudatory tributes in state media, all reinforcing the underlying narrative. AFP

PRAYER TIME. Muslim devotees pray during the world’s second largest congregation of Muslims, also known as Biswa Ijtema, at Tongi, some 30 kms from the north of Dhaka, Bangladesh on Friday. Several million Muslim devotees from around the world join the four-day long event that ends with a special prayer on the final day. AFP

MANAFORT BREAKS PLEA DEAL, FACES 24 YEARS IN JAIL WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump’s former campaign chief Paul Manafort faces up to 24 years in prison after being found to have violated his plea deal with Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation, a court document filed Friday said.

Mueller’s office said it agreed with a Justice Department calculation that Manafort should face “235 to 293 months, a fine range of $50,000 to $24,371,497.74, a term of supervised release of up to five years, restitution in the amount of $24,815,108.74, and forfeiture in the amount of $4,412,500,” the filing said.

Earlier this month, federal district judge Amy Berman Jackson agreed with prosecutors that Manafort had “intentionally” lied to investigators about his contacts with a suspected Russian operative, Konstantin Kilimnik, in 2016 and 2017 -- despite having pledged to cooperate as part of his September plea agreement.

Jackson also ruled that Manafort had lied about a secretive payment he made to a law firm, and lied on another occasion when investigators queried him about a separate, still secret investigation related to the Mueller probe.

The ruling meant that Mueller no longer has to abide by the deal, in which Manafort agreed to plead guilty to two reduced conspiracy charges, carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

Manafort is one of seven former Trump campaign associates who have been charged by Mueller’s team. AFP

‘STEALING BILLIONS, OFFERING CRUMBS’ —MADURO ON US CARACAS, Venezuela—President Nicolas Maduro hit out at the United States on Friday for “stealing” billions of dollars and offering “crumbs” in return as humanitarian aid, as Washington sanctioned five officials close to the Venezuelan leader.

Tons of US aid is piling up in Colombia close to the border with Venezuela as opposition leader Juan Guaido has vowed to defy Maduro’s efforts to block the supplies from entering the country.

“It’s a booby trap, they’re putting on a show with rotten and contaminated food,” said Maduro, speaking at an event in the southeastern town of Ciudad Bolivar.

“They’ve stolen $30 billion and are offering four crumbs of rotten food,” added the beleaguered socialist leader, referring to the United States.

Later Friday, Maduro asked the military to prepare for a “special deployment” to reinforce the border with Colombia—and make it “impregnable.”

“I am not exaggerating. In the White House, Donald Trump and Ivan Duque announced plans for war against Venezuela,” he said, referring to a meeting on Wednesday in which President Donald Trump reiterated that “all options” were on the table with regard to Venezuela.

The country is in the midst of an economic crisis that has left millions in poverty and facing shortages of basic necessities such as food and medicine. AFP

C

CHICAGO SHOOTING: 6 DEAD, 5 WOUNDED

HICAGO—An American man being fired from his job shot dead five co-workers at a factory on the outskirts of Chicago and wounded five police officers before being gunned down himself, in the country’s latest mass shooting.

The gunfire took place at 1:24 pm (1924 GMT) at the Henry Pratt Company in Aurora, Illinois, a suburb 40 miles (65 kilometers) west of Chicago, the country’s third-largest city.

Police named the suspect as Gary Martin, 45, of Aurora. He was a 15-year employee of the company and “information that we have indicates that he was being terminated today,” said Aurora Police Chief Kristen Ziman.

The shooting came the day after Nancy Pelosi, the powerful speaker of the House of Representatives, said gun violence is a “national

emergency” far more real than the one President Donald Trump ultimately declared Friday to build his wall at the Mexican border.

Police Chief Ziman did not have further details about why Martin was being fired, whether the killing was pre-meditated, or whether the victims were involved in his dismissal.

“Five employees were located deceased inside the building,” and preliminary reports indicated they were killed before police arrived, Ziman told reporters.

One other employee was wounded but his life was not in danger, she said.

Responding to multiple calls about a shooting at the company, which supplies water valves and employs about 200 people, officers were immediately confronted by Martin. He shot and wounded two of them with a Smith & Wesson handgun, the chief said.

As other officers arrived they entered the building, about half the size of a football field, to hunt for the retreating gunman and rescue people. Three more officers were shot but none of the five appeared to be in a critical condition, Ziman said.

After about 90 minutes, officers inside the

“vast, vast building” located the gunman who opened fire again and was killed by returning fire from police, she said.

Witnesses told local media the shooter was a disgruntled employee. They said they locked themselves in nearby buildings as he began firing.

Aerial TV footage showed dozens of police cars, ambulances and fire trucks at the scene as officers with shields entered the complex.

John Probst, who was in the building when the shooting began but was able to escape, told the local ABC TV affiliate he recognized the gunman as a co-worker.

“What I saw was the guy running down the aisles with a pistol with a laser on it,” he said. “We were just scared.”

Nancy Caal, an employee of a nearby repair workshop, told the Daily Herald newspaper she and three others had heard numerous emergency sirens, and so “went and shut the front gate and locked all of the doors.”

In a tweet, President Trump praised the “great job by law enforcement in Aurora, Illinois” and sent “heartfelt condolences to all of the victims and their families. America is with you!” AFP

TRUMP WALL ‘EMERGENCY’ FACES LEGAL HURDLES

WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump’s declaration of an emergency Friday to build a border wall immediately drew legal challenges that could easily escalate into a landmark test of the balance of power between the White House and Congress.

Legal experts said it was “unprecedented” for a president to use his emergency powers to overcome Congress’s refusal to fund his wishes, in this case a barrier on the US-Mexican border to keep out illegal immigrants.

They also questioned Trump’s categorization of the immigration issue as a national emergency and his tapping military funds for a

non-military project.

Hours after the announcement, the Trump administration faced an investigation by the House Judiciary committee and lawsuits from New York, California and the American Civil Liberties Union.

“President Trump is manufacturing a crisis and declaring a madeup ‘national emergency’ in order to seize power and subvert the constitution,” said California Governor Gavin Newsome.

“California will see you in court.”

Trump said he expected a legal fight and predicted he would prevail.

“We will have a national emergency, and we will then be sued,” Trump said Friday.

“Then we will end up in the Supreme Court, and hopefully we will get a fair shake, and we’ll win in the Supreme Court.”

Trump invoked the 1976 National Emergencies Act after Congress refused to allocate his requested $5.7 billion for a wall in a spending bill.

The White House says the emergency order empowers it to pull around $6.6 billion from other sources, mostly already-allocated funds in the Defense Department budget.

Democrats accused the president of an unconstitutional power grab.

“The president’s actions clearly violate the Congress’s exclusive

power of the purse,” Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leaders in Congress, said in a joint statement.

It is a precedent-setting move, said American University law professor Jennifer Daskal, adding that the National Emergencies Act had “never been used in that way, for good reason.”

Critics warn that Trump opened the door for future presidents to call on the act whenever they fail to get their way with Congress. A frustrated Democratic president might some day invoke it to get funds to fight ongoing “emergencies” of climate change and gun proliferation. AFP

LOGISTICAL WOES FORCE NIGERIA ELECTION DELAY

ABUJA, Nigeria—Nigeria’s electoral watchdog on Saturday postponed presidential and parliamentary elections for one week, just hours before polls were due to open.

The two main political parties swiftly condemned the move and accused each other of orchestrating the delay as a way of manipulating the vote.

Voting had been due to start at nearly 120,000 polling stations in Africa’s most populous nation at 0700 GMT, with a record 73 candidates on the ballot.

President Muhammadu Buhari, 76, was set to seek a second term of office against a stiff challenge from the main opposition candidate, former vice president Atiku Abubakar, 72.

But rumors began circulating late on Friday about a possible postponement after widespread reports of problems with the delivery of election materials,

including ballot papers.

Members of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) met in emergency session in Abuja and after examining the logistics plans concluded the timetable was “no longer feasible”, commission chairman Mahmood Yakubu said.

“Consequently, the commission has decided to reschedule to Saturday February 23, 2019,” he told reporters.

Parliamentary elections for 360 seats in the lower House of Representatives and 109 seats in the Senate will be held on the same day.

Governorship and state assembly elections will be pushed back to March 9, Yakubu said.

“This was a difficult decision for the commission to take but necessary for the successful delivery of elections and the consolidation of our democracy,” he added. AFP

CASUALTY. The body of a dead demonstrator lies on the ground during the clashes

in front of the National Palace in the center of the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince on Wednesday, on the seventh day of protests against Haitian President Jovenel Moise and the misuse of the Petrocaribe fund. Demonstrators moved the body of the dead demonstrator, killed moments before during clashes with police nearby, near the National Palace as a form of protest. AFP

Images

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK

ARCHITECTURAL BEAUTY. This picture shows the Si-o-Se Pol bridge (33 Arches bridge) over the Zayandeh Rud river in Isfahan, Iran on Feb. 16. The 295 meter-long bridge was completed in 1596 by Iranian Safavid king, Shah Abbas the Great. AFP

EASY ON THE EYES.

Miss Universe Catriona Gray attends the Bibhu Mohapatra Fall 2019 runway show during the New York Fashon Week. AFP

“MY BATTERY IS LOW AND IT’S GETTING DARK...” This file computer generated image obtained on Aug. 31, 2018 shows the Opportunity rover of NASA part of the Mars planet exploration program. After 15 years, the Mars rover has finally stopped responding following an immense dust storm on the planet. AFP

MOUNTAIN OF TRASH. Tons of garbage collected by different government agencies await disposal at the shores of Barangay 649, Baseco Compound in Tondo, Manila. PNA

EYE IN THE SKY. A drone shot of fish pens along San Juan River in La Union. Revoli Cortez

HOLD THE LINE. A student holds a placard during a protest at the state university grounds in Manila on Feb. 14 in support of CEO of Rappler, Maria Ressa, who was arrested a day earlier for a cyber libel case. AFP

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Riera U. Mallari, Editor sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Sports

GET YOUR CHILD INTO SPORTS

By Lorelee Antonette Yap and Lyka Navarrosa

G

REAT things start from small beginnings.

Continuing their campaign “Get your Child into Sports,” Milo Philippines encourages parents to persuade and support their children to join and be a part of their 2019 Milo Summer Sports Clinics during the program’s launching at Kidzania.

“Getting children involved in sports would be a more enjoyable and productive way to healthy living,” said Business Unit Manager of Milo Philippines, Willy De Ocampo.

The program started in 1983 with only three sports, consisting of basketball, swimming, and lawn tennis and less than 2,000 participants.

As years passed by, Milo expanded its Summer Sports Clinics Program by adding more sports so children will have many options to choose from, offering badminton, basketball, chess, fencing, football, futsal, golf, gymnastics, karatedo, lawn tennis, parkour, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, touch rugby, and volleyball.

Now on its 36th year, Milo included arnis, ultimate Frisbee, and wushu in its program because these sports were “gaining popularity,” as explained by Milo Sports Executive Luigi Pumaren.

Milo aims to engage children into sports and mold them to become better version of themselves by guiding them with important character values like discipline, confidence, and teamwork to build champions in the future.

The sport programs have produced popular names in the sports industry, such as Best Center graduate Chris Tiu, Southeast Asian Games Medalist for Taekwondo Japoy Lizardo, and Southeast Asian Games gold medalist for Gymnastics Kaitlyn De Guzman.

To date, there are 700 venues nationwide for

Junia Gabasa confident but wary of the talent-laden PLO

GABASA SEEKS TO SUSTAIN FORM IN PH LADIES OPEN

Kids learn karatedo the proper way.

the summer clinics that have 30,000 children participants. Milo, together with the Department of Education encourages the parents to enroll their kids in the sports programs to open their minds and hearts in these kinds of activities.

DepEd Undersecretary Atty. Tonisito Umali, who graced the launch, said the agency supports the programs of Milo, saying that children nowadays don’t have much interest in sports and are instead entertained by modern technology.

Contributing to this was the lack of safe play spaces to play and the fear of trying--barriers that hinder children from engaging themselves into sports

Based on record, there are 3 million grades 11 and 12 enrolled in Senior High School both in public and private schools. Unfortunately, students enrolled in sports are less than one-half of one percent of their total population, according to Umali.

The Milo Summer Sports Clinics 2019 will start in late March.

This program is endorsed by the Department of Education, Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Sportswriters Association and is in partnership with Chris Sports, SKLZ, and Rain or Shine.

For more information, visit Milo Philippines website: http://www.milo.com.ph

MISAL-LED JOOLA WHIPS UST-B, 3-0

Santé officials have entered into a partnership with Bea Grabador, professional swimmer and triathlete and Jessie Khing Lacuna.

SANTE FITNESS LAB, SCHOOL INK PACT WITH TOP SWIMMERS SANTE Fitness Lab and Santé Lacuna Swim School announced its partnership in a bid to strengthen their drive in sports development particularly in swimming at Relish Luxe Café in Pasig City.

Joey Marcelo, CEO of Santé, believes that the Santé Lacuna Swim Class is a step towards the fulfillment of Santé Fitness Lab’s vision of creating champions in sports particularly in the field of swimming as well as being a global leader in providing holistic and innovative fitness programs and sports rehabilitation.

“Finally, we are pleased to announce that Santé Fitness Lab will now offer swimming classes through Santé Lacuna

Swim School. We consider this as a milestone for us, especially that this can help level up our offerings and hone champions,” said Marcelo.

A premier one-stop fitness center, the Santé Fitness Lab not only serve as a gym but also a hub that offers comprehensive training programs from professional and everyday athletes. The fitness center, which has Sports Development programs, will start offering swimming lessons through Santé Lacuna Swim School.

Present at the contract signing are Bea Grabador, professional swimmer and triathlete and Jessie Khing Lacuna, Olympian and swimmer.

The two are both prominent fig-

ures in the field of swimming in and outside of the country and will be spearheading the Santé Lacuna Swim School.

“The partnership between Santé Fitness Lab and Santé Lacuna Swim School really comes from passion. I owe it to Sir Joey, who was my student in swimming, for giving me one shot,” said Grabador.

Commenting on the partnership, Lacuna said: “We’re extremely excited about this partnership since we all share the same vision in building the swimming community.

We’re really thankful to Sir Joey and Santé for giving us a chance and opportunity to have a platform where we can share our skills.”

TEAM Joola, led by former UAAP star John Russell Misal, demolished University of Santo Tomas Team B, 3-0, in the Men’s Open team event on Friday at the start of the 9th Flexible Cup International Table Tennis Championships at the Harrison Plaza Activity Center in Malate, Manila.

Coming from a strong Round-of-16 campaign in the World Championship of PingPong in London, Misal easily beat Nico Nayre, 11-7, 11-9, 11-9, in the first match, while Chen Lei Xin won over Reymart Mabuang, 11-2, 11-4, 11-5, in the second match. Alexis Bolante completed Team Joola’s sweep via 11-6, 11-4, 11-6 win over Carl Victorio, “Matagal na kaming naglalaro ni Nico, patas lang kami, medyo napaganda lang ang gising ko,” said Misal, UAAP Rookie of the Year (2013) and Most Valuable Player (2017), while playing for the National University.

Misal, proud native of Toril, Davao City, made headlines when he beat Briton star Ashley Stokes to reach the Roundof-16 at the prestigious World Championship of Pingpong held in London, England on Jan. 26-27. He was part of the Philippine delegation for the Sports Exchange program in Beijing and trained in Shengdeng, China last year.

The other members of the Joola team are Jong Ortalla and Charlie Lim, honorary president of Table Tennis Association for National Development, the organizer of tournament made possible by Flexible Packaging Corporation.

John Aside from Joola and USTRussell 2, also bracketed in Group Misal C are Malaysia and Fleet Marine. Indonesia, Philippine Army, Baker Studio and Trudel-UST are in Group A, University of Taipei, Green Paddle, UST-1 and Omila Sports Academy are in Group B, while Chinese Taipei, Hua Ching, Crime Lab-Altruists and Jade Dragon are in Group D.

JUNIA Gabasa hopes to ride the momentum of her recent victory in W Express RVF Cup as she gears up against a stellar international cast in the Champion Philippine Ladies Amateur Open which gets going Tuesday (Feb. 19) at the Manila Golf and Country Club.

The 17-year-old Cebuana, a former MVPSF regional champ and veteran of many international events, bucked the odds to humble a tough field in Canlubang last Friday, toughening up at the finish to hold off young Rianne Malixi by one and add the crown to her growing list of victories.

She shoots for another—and the biggest—in the Phl Ladies Open, which drew one of the strongest casts ever, including reigning Asian Games gold medalist and defending champion Yuka Saso, a troika of young, talented Thai shotmakers and a mix of foreign players ready to take on the best at the well-kept layout making its return as host of the country’s premier championship.

Still, Gabasa will be coming into the 57th staging of the annual championship presented by Champion and sponsored by Hana Shampoo, EVA Air, San Miguel Corp. and Diamond Motor Corp., brimming with confidence and a form tipped to reach its peak this week.

“My victory gives me excitement and a positive vibe to compete in the Phl Ladies Open,” said Gabasa. “I would say that anything can happen next week but I have to play my best and enjoy my game—taking it one day at a time and focusing on every shot.”

Other locals vying in the 54hole event, backed by Cherrylume, Inquirer, Elm’s Kapihan Group, Atty.

Gilberto Duavit, G&W Club Shares, Inc., Pascual Laboratories, Metro Pacific Corp., Ayala Land Premiere, Venice Godio, Taishan Insurance Brokers Phils. and the National Golf Association of the Philippines, are Nicole Abelar, Sunshine Baraquiel, Laia Barro, Sophia Blanco, Annyka Cayabyab, Laurea Duque, Sophia Legaspi, Pamela Mariano, Kayla Nocum, Rafaela Singson, Eagle Ace Superal and Malixi.

Thirty percent of the lowest handicaps from among the 94-player cast are automatically seeded into the Open Championship with 30 percent of the lowest scores and ties after the first round also qualifying in the centerpiece division. The rest will be classified into Classes A and B.

ANVIL RECOGNIZES ALLIANZ PNB LIFE’S DARE TO BE FIT CAMPAIGN ALLIANZ PNB Life has received honors at the recent 54th Anvil Awards ceremony, winning a Silver Anvil for its Dare To Be Fit employee engagement program and another Silver Anvil for its 2017 annual report.

The Public Relations Society of the Philippines, which hands out the awards annually, cited the Allianz PNB Life’s Dare To Be Fit campaign “for encouraging employees to participate in different activities that promote sports and a healthy lifestyle.”

Dare To Be Fit is a company-wide fitness and wellness program, which is aimed at encouraging employee participation to keep fit. Under the mechanics of the program, employees were divided into five groups that competed in two categories: athletic and nonathletic events. Athletic events led to

the selection of the best athletes, while efforts in non-athletic events promoted team spirit and enhanced individual competitiveness of participants.

“The program utilized social media, a step tracker app and a closely guarded manual tally using Excel. To keep the integrity of the points system, we gently reminded employees of our high-trust environment.

Most of all, it was a fun activity where almost every employee had participated. It sparked the competitive spirit of the organization,“ said the head of the program Amor Datinguinoo, who is also the chief legal officer of Allianz PNB Life.

The culminating activity of the program was an obstacle course race held during the company’s summer outing.

The program became so successful it launched a second run and employed a

full digital facility to further ensure the integrity of the competition.

The PRSP also lauded Allianz PNB Life’s 2017 annual report for “focusing on our right to dream big for ourselves and our country.” It also cited the company for highlighting “how one shouldn’t give up on his dreams.”

The annual report cover showed a dramatic photo of two young Filipino football players carrying the Philippine flag. The two were athletes the company sent to join a global football camp in Germany under the mentorship of FC Bayern Munich coaches.

Now on its fifth decade, the Anvil Awards honors excellence in public relations. It is given to companies that have public relations programs and tools that meet the standards and excelled in their respective categories.

Allianz PNB Life executives and representatives receive the Anvil Silver Award for their 2017 Annual Report titled “Dare to Dream Big“ during the awarding ceremonies held recently at the Marriott Hotel in Pasay City. (Second from left) Efren Caringal, chief finance officer; Ronnie Mirandilla, product officer; Rei Abrazaldo, brand communications and digital director; Gae Martinez, chief marketing officer; Connie Roldan, chief human resource officer; Charm Dacanay, executive assistant to the president; Alexander Grenz, chief operating officer; and Chris Cabognason, chief distribution officer. Andy Saracho, the 2018 Anvil Awards chairman and incoming Public Relations Society of the Philippines chairman handed the award.

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Business

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

25 FILIPINO COMPANIES JOIN LARGEST FOOD EXPO IN DUBAI

FILIPINO ARCHITECT FINDS SUCCESS IN SALON BUSINESS

THE Philippines’ national fish, milkfish or bangus, will be featured in Gulfood with the showcase of the ‘Sarangani Bay’ brand of Alsons Aquaculture Corp.

Some of the country’s top and emerging food companies are looking to get a bigger market share in the Middle East and North African region as they gear up for their participation in Gulfood at the Sheikh Rashid Hall, Dubai World Trade Centre at the United Arab Emirates on Feb. 17 to 21, 2019.

Led by the Department of Trade and Industry, through the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions, 25 food producers and manufacturers will represent the Philippines in a showcase of the country’s top halal-certified food selections including processed fruits and vegetables, marine products, coconut products, among others. “ The Philippines’ leading and emerging food brands are ready to take on the export demands of Middle East countries to widen the country’s reach on the existing Filipino niche and mainstream market in the Middle East,” said DTI-Citem executive director Pauline Suaco-Juan.

Cut & Fix International Salon founder Alexander Salvador

A

FILIPINO architect, who was trying to rebound from his network marketing ventures, engaged in a business experiment in 2012 and established a salon along a busy Manila street with the highest concentration of similar establishments.

Alexander Salvador, while recovering from the collapse of network marketing company OneGoal International, was accompanying his wife to a salon when an idea clicked in his mind.

Why not establish a salon where customers are willing to spend thousands regularly for hair treatment, he asked. While he had no expertise in beauty and wellness, his advantage, he says, could be his network marketing experience focusing on system and organization.

“I left behind OneGoal but decided to apply what I have learned from network marketing.

I wanted to determine if it is really effective,” Salvador, a 51-year-old father of four, says in an interview in his office in Quezon City.

“A number of people did not like my idea because I am an architect by profession, not a hairstylist. But a cousin of my wife decided to invest in my project and we also had an expert partner from the salon industry,” says Salvador.

He did his own research by introducing himself to different salons as a graduate student doing a thesis. He asked questions on the salary of employees, operational expenses and sources of supplies.

“I wanted to know if it would click, so we chose an area where there were a lot of salons. We found that along Retiro Street, there were 18 salons. We chose to build the first branch of Cut & Fix in the middle of Retiro,” says Salvador, the founder of Cut & Fix International Salon.

Salvador and his partners invested P500,000 in the first salon which opened in November 2012.

“By December, people were queueing in front of our salon because it is beautifully designed and offers affordable rates. We also offer 24-hour Wi-Fi and CCTV coverage. All our products are FDA-

approved. At that time, these were unheard of.

Because of my experience in network marketing, I knew how to get people’s interest,” he says.

With its quick success, he opened Cut & Fix to franchisees. Today, Cut & Fix has 47 branches in Metro Manila, of which 11 are company-owned and the rest are operated by franchisees who each pay P10,000 a month.

Salvador says the business continues to expand even when he is not around. “I applied the concept of system and organization to make it work,” he says. “If you apply the system and the organization in whatever field, it will be successful.”

One who is always lured back to the world of network marketing, Salvador now wants to use Cut & Fix branches as a platform for OneOkada International Corp. which he envisions to be the world’s leading professional network marketing company for wellness, beauty and digital technology products.

He uses Cut & Fix salons to promote the products of OneOkada and expand his network.

Prior to this, he met major setbacks over a span of two decades.

Salvador, who graduated with a degree in Architecture in 1993, briefly worked for WV Coscolluela & Associates Architects before discovering the opportunities available in network marketing.

“When I encountered network marketing, I resigned from work and joined Forever Living in 1996 to have financial and time freedom. When I was working as an employee, my monthly salary was P6,000. With Forever Living, my first check was for P70,000,” Salvador says.

After a year, Salvador joined GoldQuest, a pioneer in the binary business model. “The true essence of network marketing is not selling. It is building a network of users,” he says.

Two years later, Salvador along with 80 leaders from GoldQuest established another company called Power Homes Unlimited Corp. which was later ordered closed by the Securities and Exchange Commission for soliciting investments from the public.

Salvador says Power Homes was actually offering technology services, which were not yet widely accepted at that time. “At that time, their thinking is that products should be physical and services were not considered a product. Today,

electronic commerce is widely accepted,” he says.

He says by 2003, he and his partners decided to entrust their money to Rosario Rose Baladjay.

While they initially earned 10 percent from such investments, Baladjay’s company eventually ran into trouble. Salvador and his partners lost P8 million to Baladjay’s investment scheme.

He started from scratch and worked for an insurance company. One of his clients, a shoe manufacturer based in Meycauayan, Bulacan, asked his help to establish a network company to sell shoes, as the local industry was suffering from the influx of cheap imports from China.

Salvador agreed and established a networking platform for the shoe business which quickly flourished because of the power of word of mouth. The problem, he says, is that the shoe factory along with the outsourcing operations failed to catch up with demand, resulting in inferior quality that proved to be disastrous for the company’s one-year warranty offer.

“I was down again in 2007. By that time, I asked my wife to explore the opportunities in the US,” he says.

Family health problems ensued. His mother, an aunt and a sister all died of cancer between 2007 and 2011. “I prayed a lot. I and my siblings also have lumps on different parts of our bodies,” says Salvador, who is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

One day, he learned about a natural product on the Internet that is reportedly effective against cancer. “I checked on the Internet and found that Graviola leaves [guyabano] from Peru are 10,000 times stronger than chemotherapy. With the financial help from my wife’s cousin, I traveled to Peru and looked for suppliers. There, I also discovered maca or natural viagra and camu camu berries which are endemic to Amazon River. I brought them to the Philippines and shared them with my siblings,” he says.

“One of my sisters who was scheduled for a myoma operation found that the cyst disappeared. Today, my siblings still take these natural medicines,” says Salvador.

Salvador applied for membership with the American Botanical Council and developed capsules that combined Graviola and Transresveratrol. “I applied with the Intellectual Property Office for Gravitrol, the first product Turn to C2

“In the Philippines’ 14th participation, we will feature seven new companies in Gulfood which have products that fit the demand for halal-certified tropical, ready-to-eat and healthy food selections across the MENA region,” she said.

Seven new companies under the Philippine delegation are Columbia International Food Products, Inc. with tropical sweets and chewables; Alsons Aquaculture Corp. with ‘Sarangani Bay’ milkfish; Fitrite Inc. with tropical juices, dried fruits and sauces; Leonie Agri Corp. with food supplement and organic products; LTH Food Industries Inc. with flavored creamers and cupcakes; Monde Nissin Corp. with snacks and confectionaries; and PhilUnion Frozen Foods Inc. with premium canned pasteurized crabmeat and frozen seafood products.

Meanwhile, Philippine companies that are making a comeback in Gulfood include Brandexports Philippines Inc., Celebes Coconut Corp., Century Pacific Food Inc., Gem Foods International Inc., Krystle Exports Phil. Inc., Mama Sita’s, Marikina Food Corp., Market Reach International Resources, Mega Global Corp., Philippine Grocers Food Exports Inc., Pixcel Transglobal Foods Inc., Profood International Corp., Q-Phil Products International, Sagrex Foods Inc., San Miguel Pure Foods Company, See’s International Food, SL Agritech Corp. and Super Q. “The sheer number of returning companies in Gulfood under the Philippine delegation indicates the great opportunities that are present in the Middle East, as well as the high confidence in the marketing boost that DTI-Citem gives to its stakeholders,” Suaco-Juan said. “ These players are the same companies that started their export journey in IFEX Philippines and have gained experience in dealing with international buyers in our signature event—now they are taking it up to a notch in the global arena,” she said.

ASEANA CITY LOCATORS PARTICIPATE IN MANILA BAY REHABILITATION

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE Aseana Business Park Estate Association, an organization of locators and lot owners at Aseana City (formerly Aseana Business Park), has joined the call of the government to clean up Manila Bay and nearby esteros.

Located along Roxas Boulevard, Manila Bay is a natural harbor that hosts one of the world’s most majestic sunsets. However, garbage and other

pollutants from countless land and seabased sources have been an eyesore and health issue at Manila Bay. With the ambition to restore the bay to its former glory, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources started a three-year clean-up campaign, dubbed as the Battle for Manila Bay. The massive clean-up focused along the coast of Manila Bay, while simultaneous activities are being done in various cities. Aseana City took part

through the Adopt-an-Estero program.

As early as June 2013, ABPEA teamed up with the DENR in rehabilitating the 1,404-meter Redemptorist Water Channel, which stretches from Roxas Boulevard to Manila Bay. Aseana City’s assigned personnel collect an average of 60 to 70 sacks of garbage a week, produced by families living upstream in these canals. To date, ABPEA has already collected more than Turn to C2

Aseana City cleanup volunteers

Business

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FILIPINO... FromC1

OYO EYES 20,000 HOTEL ROOMS IN PH

By Othel V. Campos

under GMC which means God Made Cure,” he says.

“There were a lot of testimonials about the efficacy of Gravitrol,” says Salvador, who in 2011, decided to establish OneGoal as a network marketing company for health products. “ There were a lot of positive testimonials. One Stage 4 cervical cancer patient survived and even had a child,” he says.

While his products proved effective, Salvador eventually found himself ousted from the very company he established. A year after, OneGoal collapsed. That’s when he decided to leave network marketing in 2012 to build the brick-and-mortar business of Cut & Fix. Customers, however, still yearn for Gravitrol and other natural health products, says Salvador. He also discovered the health benefits of black garlic and other health products from Japan. A supplier named Yoshitaka Okada allowed Salvador to use his name as a part of a new company called OneOkada International in 2017.

“This time, we created a network marketing company that combines with traditional business,” he says.

Quezon City-based OneOkada now has a network of 10,000 users of natural health and beauty products such as black garlic from Japan, Graviola leaf extract and Trans-resveratrol, Camu camu extract and Maca root extract from Peru.

Salvador, who has four children, says his mission is to build a network o f u s e r s a n d c h a n g e Fi l i p i n o consumers’ misconception about network marketing. Combining his experiences in both traditional and network marketing businesses, he wants OneOkada to succeed by addressing flaws that he witnessed in previous ventures.

“Our purpose is to win the trust and confidence of the people about networking. We want to build a network of users and provide firstrate products and services in the field of health and beauty and digital technology,” says Salvador.

Roderick T. dela Cruz

ASEANA... FromC1 168 metric tons of garbage.

Now in its sixth year, the program resulted in a much cleaner waterway which has become a breeding ground for freshwater fish.

“There are so many ways to help our environment bloom again. As an individual, the easiest thing that you can do is to not litter. Pocket your trash. As an establishment owner, segregate waste materials,” said Rhiza Montances, the environmental compliance head of ABPEA. Montances said Aseana City aims to improve the condition of waste disposal by spearheading environmental seminars directed to businesses and commercial estates within Aseana City.

She said this effor t includes proper segregation of garbage, treatment of wastewater discharge and strict implementation of waste management.

According to ABPEA, zeroing waste materials in these water channels might take a long time but can be sustained by provision of boats to easily collect trapped waste materials, installation of floaters and water channel barricades that are made of steel, to the upper and lower area of the water channel, regular clean-up action by Aseana City’s very own volunteer cleaners, and the innovative use of bio fences, inspired

by Guatemala’s clean up movement along the Caribbean islands.

In the future, Aseana City hopes to give more life to its adopted estero by increasing pedestrian activity and beautifying the landscape along the water channel. Private institutions and establishments within Aseana City are also encouraged to take part in the clean –up.

Creating healthy ecosystems and keeping the environment robust will always be one of Aseana City’s fundamentals, as it progressively meets its goals of global development, the group said.

O

YO Hotels, India’s largest hotel chain, is expanding in the Philippines with a target to cover more than 20,000 rooms across the country.

After establishing its foothold in Southeast Asia with successful operations in Malaysia and Indonesia, Oyo Hotels found a ready market in the Philippines.

“We are here to create affordable living spaces.

Being cool in this world is being affordable. There is a genuine problem that exists between the hospitality and real estate sector shaking the equilibrium between price location and quality,” said Oyo chief operating officer Abhinav Sinha.

“If you got a hotel with a great price and great quality, the location is far away from the city. Very inconvenient. If you are looking for a great location and quality, the price won’t be affordable. If you find a great price and a great location, then you worry about the quality. By using tech and bringing the new models of service to the hotels, you efficiently address affordability issues,” he said.

The hotel and hospitality chain is set to further expand its presence in Southeast Asia with the start of its operations in the Philippines. Starting with over 21 franchised and leased hotels spread across Metro Manila, Tagaytay and Cebu, Oyo plans to penetrate more than 10 cities by 2020.

It committed to investing at least $50 million over the next few years with the mission of transforming its hospitality landscape in the country.

As a part of its continued commitment to the country, Oyo aims to generate more than 1,000 direct and indirect jobs that will help support the economic trajectory of the Philippines.

Launched in India in 2013, the tech-driven, full-scale hospitality chain works with small and independent hotels, while transforming them into quality living spaces, inducing operation efficiency through staff training, technology solutions for housekeeping, F&B and seamless experience for both guests and asset owners.

Oyo believes that neighborhood hotels possess the untapped potential of being at par with big chains in terms of both service and revenue per available room and is uniquely placed to bring this

Oyo Hotels COO Abhinav Sinha

advantage to the asset owners in Philippines.

The company has been at the forefront of leased and franchised hotel revolution in India, China, Malaysia, Nepal, UK, UAE and Indonesia.

“We are extremely excited to extend our quality-assured experience to travellers visiting the Philippines. Our priority here is to ensure that we bring Oyo Hotels’ top-notch service starting at P750 to the country, with the goal to become the most loved hotel chain,” Sinha said.

“With the current 21 hotels, over 500 rooms we aim to grow to 10+ cities by 2020 while becoming a household name for both local and international travellers visiting the country. Our growth in the country will be fueled by a strong local leadership and a team of young hospitality enthusiasts. We look forward to a fruitful journey in the months to come,” he said.

Oyo kick-starts its Philippine operation with 21 franchised and leased hotels across Metro Manila, Tagaytay and Cebu with more than 500 exclusive rooms.

As part of its expansion plan in the country, Oyo is looking to launch 20,000 more rooms in

more than 10 key areas all over the archipelago, including Palawan, Cebu, Boracay and Davao.

This means that by 2020, OYO would have created 1,000 jobs, further strengthening the hospitality and real estate industries in the country.

“At Oyo, our mission is to create a perfect space in every place by empowering hotel owners to become better hospitality players while ensuring an end-to-end controlled experience for our guests.

With our technology and operational expertise, we are enabling hotel owners with technology and across South Asia demand reach, that will help them drastically improve the customer experience while maintaining efficiencies, high occupancy, and yields,” Sinha said.

“We’ve been responsible for enabling over 100,000 job opportunities in South Asia, and look forward to creating 1000+ direct and indirect jobs in the Philippines by 2020,” Sinha said.

Oyo is backed by leading global investors including the SoftBank Group, Lightspeed India, Sequoia Capital, Greenoaks Capital, Hero Enterprise and China Lodging Group.

COMMUNICATING SUSTAINABILITY: THE LANGUAGE OF 21ST CENTURY BUSINESS AS AN AB Literature student, it was clear to Harris Guevarra that he would be landing a career in the academe. But 15 years after he graduated from De La Salle University, he is heading his own and leading a c o m p a ny twenty plus. team of

Drink president and CEO Harris Guevarra

The young entrepreneur’s path started in GMA network. “I was part of the team that was like the in-house advertising agency of the network. I created the strategy of the campaigns, then copywriting up to production,” he said.

Some of his commercials reaped accolades, like “Isa-Isa Kong Boto” which won the Singapore Apollo Award in 2008. After four years, he moved to a small advertising firm, got involved in its daily operations and realized that he could replicate the business and venture on his own.

So he did. In 2010, Drink was born initially, as a creative agency. “We were doing the usual below-theline advertising materials: brochures, pamphlets, flyers,” he said.

Then in 2013, they were requested by a client to produce a sustainability report. “I studied how it’s done and I developed a passion for sustainability.”

The following year, Drink decided to focus on helping corporations become sustainable by helping them write their sustainability reports. Now it is the core product of Drink.

Drink has made sustainability reports for top corporations, NGOs and government agencies. Clients include Ayala Corp., Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (including subsidiaries Maynilad, Philex Mining and PXP), Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., Universal Robina Corp,

A b o i t i z G ro u p, Fi r s t Ph i l i p p i n e Holdings (including subsidiaries First Gen Corporation and Energy D evelopment Cor poration) and Megaworld Corp.

It also did reports for Unionbank of the Philippines, Land Bank of the Philippines, UNICEF, Philippine Competition Commission, Wholesale Electricity Stock Market, Team Energy, S a n R o q u e Powe r Co r p o rat i o n , Philippine National Oil Company, Health Policy Development Program a n d Fo r e s t Fo u n d a t i o n o f t h e Philippines.

Sustainability reporting is important to know the real issues of the company’s stakeholders, for crisis management to avoid any disruption in operations.

It is also for branding and reputation because customers are becoming more conscious of the products that they buy, how they are sourced.

“Millennials in particular, trust companies that are sustainable,” said Guevarra who also holds a certificate in Business Sustainability Management from the University of Cambridge.

“But we believe that real change can happen when businesses go beyond reporting. You have to activate sustainability. The reports are for investors, if you really want to communicate sustainability, you have to be more creative and use different platforms,” he said.

Drink strategizes and produces i nte r n a l a n d ex te r n a l b u s i n e s s communications. Some samples of what

they’ve produced are a sustainability report in graphic novel form for Team Energy. For Energy Development Corp., they explained the basics of geothermal energy through a romantic story depicted in comics--which was translated into several dialects and via podcasts (radioseryes).

They also came up with a modest video contest for amateur directors, expounding on the theme, “Sa Geothermal May Forever.”

For Guevarra, what they do is not simply for profit. “I believe we have a role to play, to convince everybody to be sustainable because sustainability is the new trend in business. I call it the language of 21st Century business,” he said.

“I t changed the definition of success for a company. If before, you can say that you’re successful if you’re hitting your financial targets, nowadays, that’s just one aspect.

In sustainability, you also have to look at the social performance of the company. You have to look at environmental impac ts. And all these are tied to your policies and management approach,” he said.

“I want to rally the big Filipino brands. Those in food and fashion, the ones we encounter daily. I want to know what’s in the meal I eat and where the fabric I’m wearing comes from. They’re customer-facing and their impact is so big. They can make changes for themselves but they can also educate their customers,” Guevarra said.

RIO NORTE SETS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM INTO MOTION ECHAGUE, Isabela – One afternoon in October, Efren Santiago, the barangay chairman of San Miguel in Echague, was earnestly planting seeds on soil bags.

These seeds would then bring fruition to livelihood opportunities to empower the community of Barangay San Miguel.

Santiago led the planting of 36,550 seeds of plant species recently under the community development program of renewable energy developer Rio Norte Hydropower Corp.

Leading the planting group, Santiago was joined by RNHC’s forest management partner and community individuals, including a blind man who expressed his gratitude to work on a project that would benefit the people through livelihood opportunities.

Lhyzar Edrosolano, the new project manager of RNHC, said the seed planting activity is rooted from RNHC’s community development program, which is a benefit of the company’s 19.7-megawatt run-ofriver hydropower plant along Ilaguen River in Echague.

The program seeks to cultivate the

vegetation in the area and empower the communities.

“This forest management activity, which is a part of our community development program, is all for empowering the people of Barangay San Miguel. We want to make sure that our project, the 19.7-MW runof-river hydropower project, will not only provide power but will also help curb the poverty in the area by enabling the community to improve their livelihood through these programs,” Edrosolano said.

“We aim to have a positive impact on the environment of Barangay San Miguel and Echague, as well as to uplift the economic situation of our stakeholders,” he said.

Edrosolano said the program involves mobilizing the group as a cooperative which will plant the seeds. In turn, the harvest from the seeds will benefit the community through livelihood and income generation.

These benefits will enable the families to have enough resources to sustain their way of living and send their children to schools, he said.

The recent seed planting activity generated income for 15 individuals in Barangay San Miguel. Aton said this is only the first phase of the greening program, adding that future programs will orbit around livelihood-related initiatives.

RNHC signed memoranda of agreement with the municipality of Echague and the province of Isabela

to implement vital infrastructure and community development programs for the far-flung barangays in Echague, including Barangay San Miguel.

RNHC will construct two access roads about 45-kilometers long and implement a holistic community development program which are benefits from the company ’s upcoming hydropower project.

Tech & Gadgets

ASIA-PACIFIC $250K-PREDATOR LEAGUE RETURNS TO BANGKOK

C3

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2019 rumallari@thestandard.com.ph

GOOGLE...

From C4

P

who want to find a job that is near to their location, aligned to their courses and skills more conveniently.

The advanced feature is right on Google Search. If you search for a job, the results will be all the job listings over the web. Job offers will be coming from the websites of jobs on Google Search partners like the Department of Labor and Employment, Kalibrr, Jobayan, and Jobs Cloud.

You can explore an over half a million job listings that vary in any field from sales to engineering. Using the special type module in the search results, you can go into detail of the more in-depth experience.

Gathering 26 of Asia-Pacific’s best eSports teams, Predator League is all set to play in an offline final in Bangkok with a prize pool of $250,000 USD or over P13 million.

All set at Bangkok’s National Stadium, Predator will give gamers an immersive experience with Predator’s supreme gaming line including the massive Predator Thronos, the Predator Simulator Mobile, and the creations of Case Mode showcasing the best from Thai master modders.

“Predator Philippines is proud that the teams who will be representing the country are some of the teams to beat at this year’s AsiaPacific tournament,” said Sue OngLim, Predator Philippines Sales and Marketing Director. “It’s the most exciting tournament that Predator has established and Predator Philippines gives its all-out support to reinforce our brand’s commitment to the gaming industry in the region.”

The eSports industry has been making an unrelenting growth worldwide. According to market intelligence for games, eSports and mobile Newzoo, eSports’ global revenue is predicted to rise by 37% or $1.1 billion by 2019, versus 2016 revenue of $493 million. By 2021, the eSports industry is projected

With the oncoming trends today, businesses not only need to have a physical store but also an online presence. Google helps through its app, Google My Business. It is a tool that allows businesses to manage their online presence through the Google Search engine and Google Maps. A Filipino Merchant can easily verify and edit their business information, publish posts that promote an event or a special promo and, getting feedback from their customers. This new feature was introduced by Gabby Roxas the Head of Marketing at Google Philippines.

Google My Business works in three ways. The first one is standing out on the web by managing their business information that displays the products and services they offer and, what users can see when they search for their business. They can fill out their information and the hours, website and, street addresses would be shown to users. Another part of standing out is the website that Google My Business offers which is absolutely free and syncs with their business profile whenever they update it or when they post something.

They can showcase their business in those websites, they can customize the themes, photos and text of their site to their liking.

The second way is engaging the customers and building loyalty through feedbacks in Reviews or in Q&A’s, it is even possible to call them. Reviews can be written about a customer’s experience or they can leave their rating in the form of stars.

The third way is through insights that show how many people view their businesses or how many people asked for direction to go to their business and many more. These statistics allow them to be able to create strategies to promote their business.

REDATOR Gaming will be hosting the 2nd Asia-Pacific Predator League 2019 Tournament at the National Stadium, Nimibutr Sport Building on Feb. 15 to 17.

Google My Business

to generate $1.7 million in revenue.

These figures envision the eSports industry’s sustainable growth that related industries should support.

“The Asia-Pacific Predator League 2019 is meant to showcase the superb Predator-branded gaming equipment that team players from all over the region will be getting their hands on,” said Mr. Andrew Hou, President of Acer’s Pan Asia Pacific Regional Operations. “Players of PUBG and DOTA2 will be showcasing their skill and shine the light on AsiaPacific eSports athletes in the international gaming sphere.”

“Acer Thailand is honored to host this year’s tournament where we can welcome all 26 teams coming from all over the region,” said Mr. Alan Chiang, Managing Director of Acer Thailand and VP of Indochina region. “We have been very selective of the technologies and innovations of how we plan to showcase the games via broadcast, and we cannot wait to have

fans from across the region witness these players battle for victory.”

Apart from Asia-Pacific Predator League 2019 that will be held inside the stadium, a special concert from Bangkok’s idol girl group BNK48 will be performing. Outside the stadium, eSports fans will enjoy games and challenges from booth activities,

cosplay, and food trucks for all three days of the competition.

Get the latest information and watch Asia Pacific Predator League 2019 Live Streaming on Facebook—PredatorGamingPhilippines, Youtube—Predator Gaming, Twitch— Predator Gaming and www.predator-league.com.

LENOVO OUTSTANDING VISIONARY AWARDED TO MINDANAO-BASED NIGHT SCHOOL XAVIER University Ateneo Night School Program was recognized by Lenovo as an Outstanding Tech Visionary at the recently concluded 16th TAYO (Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations) Awards ceremony.

The XU Night School leverages technology to provide alternative education to drop-outs, out-of-school youth, and street children living in Cagayan de Oro City.

“We’re proud to give the Outstanding Tech Visionary Award to an organization whose goal is to make education available to out-of-school youth.

At Lenovo, we believe that education is everyone’s right and it plays a major role in uplifting society.

XU Night School’s use of technology makes them exceptional as it opens a wide assortment of courses and specializations that the students can choose from,” Lenovo Philippines Country General Manager Michael Ngan said.

The program, which started in 2016, aims to provide youth access to education and help them pass the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Acceleration and Equivalency test (A&E), which will allow them to return to formal schooling.

“The project started out as an advocacy from volunteers coming from various universities and schools in Cagayan de Oro,” said Edchelle Rellama, XU Night School Volunteer-Teacher. “We began with street children living in the Divisoria area as our beneficiaries,

Utilizing technology to provide interactive alternative learning to drop-outs, out-of-school youth, and street children, the XU Ateneo Night School Program was recognized by Lenovo, a global innovation leader and TAYO Foundation partner, as an Outstanding Tech Visionary at the TAYO 16 Awards ceremony. In photo from left to right: Camille Antonio, PR Manager for Lenovo Philippines, CID Communication and Edchelle Rellama, XU Night School Program Volunteer-Teacher (Science).

but now that we have developed the program and institutionalized it, we are now also taking in adults who are drop-outs and out-of-school youth.”

The XU Night School program is a 10-month curriculum based on DepEd’s Alternative Learning System (ALS) modules, further enhanced with lessons that ensures holistic development. These lessons include leadership training, values formation and sports classes which are aimed at improving students’ confidence and self-esteem.

After they pass the A&E exam, students can either take scholarship entry exams to different schools or study in a technical-vocational school for early employment opportunities.

The program’s most recent batch had 10 out of 17 students (59 percent) who passed the A&E exam and are set to go back to mainstream school program.

The XU program also had one graduate who chose to attend a technical-vocational school and is now employed as a qualified NC II Pipefitter.

Putting people first through technology XU Night School’s modified ALS curriculum is further enhanced with the use of technology, which makes learning easier as it provides a much more interactive learning experience.

In addition to the Outstanding Tech Visionary Award, Lenovo bestowed the XU Night School Program a cash grant of P20,000 and a Lenovo laptop.

AXA PH EXPECTS DIGITAL INNOVATIONS TO DRIVE GROWTH KEEPING up with the digital age and adapting to the latest technologies is a major part of the growth strategy of AXA Philippines, one of the leading insurance companies in the country.

This was revealed by Denis Duverne, AXA Group chairman, during his recent visit to the Philippines. “We do use new technologies in all parts of our businesses,” Duverne says. He adds that the Philippine entity is in fact quite advanced in the use of digital tools, accelerating its strategy to move from being a payer to becoming an encouraging partner.

“We are also constantly forging digital partnerships with new economy companies to help keep us up to date,” said Duverne.

AXA Asia CEO Gordon Watson who was also in town stressed the importance of data in their business. “Insurance is about data, so we use data analysis for better underwriting and to better respond to our customers,” Watson says.

“Our aim is to innovate our business model,” says AXA Philippines president and CEO Rahul Hora, “This is to enable our distributors to be better, by providing them tools, such as calculators for

their tablets or laptops, which results in better quality transactions with their prospects.”

AXA is proud to have its e-Financial Needs Analysis platform that helps customers learn about their insurance protection gaps in relation to their financial goals so they can act accordingly. A ‘light’ version through the chat bot “Coach Finn” can also be accessed on the AXA website.

Other innovative solutions that AXA has rolled out in country include MyAmbition, an affordable investment and life insurance plan that was the first in the country to be made available online, powered by their proprietary e-commerce platform AXA Ion. Its travel insurance Smart Traveller is also available for purchase online.

For health plan holders, a medical teleconsultation service is made available to them. It enables customers to schedule and have a virtual medical checkup with a doctor over the phone for simple health concerns.

Auto security policyholders also benefit from the AXA Assist app’s red button emergency feature, which at one tap can

AXA Group chairman Denis Duverne (center) with AXA Asia CEO Gordon Watson (right) and AXA Philippines president and CEO Rahul Hora

respond to the caller’s roadside needs.

With further convenience in mind for its customers, AXA has also developed the e-policy. E-policy is an electronic copy of their customers’ insurance policy that they can print, save on their personal storage, and even e-mail to their beneficiaries.

MyAXA app for desktop, laptop, tablet, or mobile gives customers the power to check their account value, remember due dates, pay for their premiums, or contact their adviser right from their device.

For more information, visit www.axa. com.ph.

Digiskarteng Pinay

Even now on the time that there are househusbands, housewives will never go out of trend in some of the Philippine households. Those moms are powerful and innovative women in their own ways.

That’s now the idea of launching the program in Google for the Philippines called Digiskarteng Pinay. It was a combination of the word, ‘Digital’ and the Filipino word, ‘Diskarte’. It was coined at a presentation

by Gara Santos-Ontiveros, the Google Philippines Industry Head for CPG. “We believe technology can play a critical role in making this happen. Enabling connectivity and access to the internet; providing relevant and useful content; and localized product experiences for all, individuals and businesses are critical and we at Google Philippines are committed to playing our part. Para sa bayan, para sa lahat.” said Lingan.

Internet connectivity has always been a problem in the Philippines. The provincial areas have a hard time connecting to signal towers and there are places that have absolutely no signal even in the city.

If it’s not the signal it’s the slow internet that holds the people back. The internet is almost always a requirement for communication, for information searches and many more. With Google and their many products, they will help push the Philippines to a brighter and a much favourable future with the knowledge they get from the web.

STOPPING...

From C4

K2-Series Now Available for Service Providers

Additionally, Palo Alto Networks announced the general availability of the K2-Series, the industry’s first 5G-ready next-generation firewall, specifically developed for service providers with 5G and IoT requirements in mind. With the K2-Series, service providers can prevent advanced cyberattacks targeting 4G and 5G mobile networks, IoT devices, and mobile users with unprecedented visibility into network traffic.

For more information on PAN-OS version 9.0, please visit https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/products/new/newpanos9-0.

For more information on the K2-Series, please visit https://www.paloaltonetworks. com/products/secure-the-network/nextgeneration-firewall/k2-series.html

Pricing and Availability

PAN-OS version 9.0 will be available to all current customers of Palo Alto Networks with valid support contracts.

The new network processing cards for the PA-7000 Series are available for order today, starting from $180,000. The new DNS Security service is available for order today, priced per next-generation firewall hardware or virtual appliance.

C4

TECH & Gadgets SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2019 Riera U. Mallari, Editor rumallari@thestandard.com.ph

STOPPING ATTACKS THROUGH PALO ALTO NETWORKS

GOOGLE’S INNOVATIONS FOR A BETTER FUTURE

By Carmela Martinez, Lorelee Antonette Yap and Lyka Navarrosa.

G

OOGLE, the American multinational technology company responsible for the world’s most reliable search engine, launched the first Google for Philippines event at The Blue Leaf Filipinas last Wednesday, with the aim of helping drive the country’s economic growth and support the Filipino people in this evolving digital reality.

Google does this by helping the Filipino people connect to the internet via Google Station, while making it easier to explore the digital with the help of Google Go. They also provide relevant and localized experiences with their all-new job listings on Jobs on Google Search, the motorcycle and number coding features on Google Maps and, the Digiskarteng Pinay on Youtube that empowers women with content that would improve their lives. The technology company also helps in growing businesses via their Google My Business app.

“Today we’re very excited to share with you product and partnership launches that would showcase our ongoing commitment towards our mission and more importantly, our ongoing commitment to the Philippines,” said Kenneth Lingan, Google Philippines Country Manager.

Google Station

Filipinos are well-known users of the internet as their source of information and even entertainment.

However, according to Global Director for the Next Billion Users Initiatives, Mahesh Bhalerao, there are two things that hinder us from utilizing the internet. The first one is the low capabilities of our devices and the second one is our internet connection. Because of the second reason, Google launched their new wifi platform for free. Mahesh Bhalero, Global Director of the NBU Partnerships introduced the Google Station.

Google station will be available in more than 50 venues like transport stations and terminals, schools and universities, government buildings, and mall and establishments across the country at the end of February and will provide a “free and high-quality internet” for all.

When users encounter a Google Station, their devices will automatically connect for the free internet.

Google Go

Google Go is a new and innovative way to access the web when a user is just starting out. It is like a light step-by-step guide for those who know little about

Shown from left are Gabby Roxas, Google Philippines Marketing Head; Stacie Chan, Product Partnerships Manager Google Asia Pacific; Gara Santos-Ontiveros, Industry Head for CPG (Google Philippines); Kenneth Lingan, Google Philippine Country Manager; Mahesh Bhalero, Global Director (NBU Partnerships); Nikka Arcilla, Google Maps Brand Marketing Manager; and, Simon Tokumine, Google Search – Group Product Manager. Carmela Martinez

the web. It eases them in via a tailor-made, easy-to-use and fast app through the Google Go. It can work in less favourable settings like a small, low data connection mobile phone. It was introduced by Simon Tokumine, the Group Product Manager at Google Search.

Google Maps

Nowadays, people tend to rely more on the internet like how we navigate inroads, where to hang out and relax or the newest destination a foodie can go to, and even locating the address you’re looking for when applying for a job or to meet up. That’s Google Maps for you which was presented by Nikka Arcilla the Brand Marketing Manager for Google Maps.

However, what’s more, exciting were the three latest features google maps can offer. The first one is for the number coding of vehicles where the user will indicate their coding day in the google maps and the application will tell the user on where is the best route they can take to avoid restricted roads.

This will enable vehicle owners to use their transportation and reach their destination without the hassle of getting caught in the road. This was made possible by Google in collaboration with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

The second one is the navigational mode for motorcycle riders who use iOS devices. This features will have

attributes like it tells the shortcuts for motor vehicles, it has customized ETAs, and even turn by turn navigations.

The third one is the Boracay Street View. This was done by working together with the Department of Tourism and the Municipality of Malay. With this feature, anyone can now search and enjoy the view of Boracay even at home. Also, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world can be easily located and recognized through this newest add-ons on Google Maps when tourists want to visit this destination.

Jobs on Google Search

With so many activities to do, meetings, gatherings to attend to, and with the busy schedule most of us have, physically checking out for jobs you might be interested in is tiresome. Given also that there are job offerings which are not widely known to make the whole job searching inconvenient.

That situation pictured, Google for the Philippines is now launching jobs on Google Search. This new feature was presented by Stacie Chan, Search Product Partnerships Lead—Asia Pacific.

The Internet has been a significant help in the present generation. Combining the need of the situation and the help that the Google can provide, jobs on Google Search is now accessible that will help those Turn to C3

BLACKPINK JOINS SHOPEE AS BRAND AMBASSADOR SHOPEE, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, recently revealed BLACKPINK as its campaign ambassador for the upcoming Shopee 3.3 Mega Shopping Day in the Philippines, along with the South Korean girl group’s commercial for television.

The mobile marketplace giant also launched the first YG Official Shop in the country on Feb. 11, giving Filipino K-Pop fans exclusive access to official YG merchandise from artists including BLACKPINK, WINNER, and iKON. Shopee is giving away exclusive deals to celebrate the launch of the YG Official Shop and BLACKPINK commercial.

Fans will get 10 percent off on the of-

ficial BLACKPINK lightstick from Feb. 11 to 18.

The Shopee 3.3 Mega Shopping Day promises yet another wave of unbeatable promotions from free shipping to flash sales starting at P33 between Feb.15 and March 3. Items worth as low as P99 and vouchers up to P3 million in total are all up for grabs on the mobile app.

Learn more about the Shopee 3.3 Mega Shopping Day at http://shopee. ph/3-3.

Visit the YG Official Shop on Shopee at https://shopee.ph/ygofficial.ph.

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

THE GIFT OF TECHNOLOGY “IT’S better to give than to receive,” a statement that rings true all year round.

For a country like the Philippines where tight-knit relationships are deeply cherished and widely celebrated, gifting becomes a tradition ingrained in Filipino culture. From the age-old gifts given during “pamamanhikan” or courting, to presents handed over in almost every occasion, there’s no better way to express one’s love than through the gesture of giving. Valentine’s Day is no exception.

Valentine’s, aside from Christmas, becomes a season of giving. Gifts become an essential part of this special day, becoming a symbol love and affection to those we hold dear. While chocolates, flowers or customized gifts are still the norm and regular choices for this occasion, there’s also been a rise in giving unconventional presents, especially ones aided by technology.

Tech gifts have gained momentum

over the past years, with more and more people realizing that although they’re premium, they offer a long-term value for the receivers. These gifts one can be used every day, while providing a more practical perspective to gifting.

For one, music lovers can now indulge on their favorite sounds and songs, anytime, anywhere with LG’s XBOOM Go PK5 range. Get them this perfect gift as the XBOOM Go delivers exceptional sound quality while being versatile and portable. Together with Meridian, British pioneers of high resolution audio, the XBOOM Go features a “Clear Vocal” function that allows you to listen to the singers’ crisp and detailed vocals without distortion at the highest volume. You can also conveniently control the speaker just by using your voice.

For couples who always prefer to stay indoors, LG televisions make a perfect gift because they improve the quality of “together time” at the convenience of the home. LG smart TVs

are perfect for reading the news, browsing the internet or viewing past vacation photos. And for that gamer, sports fan and movie addict in your life, a new LG 4K OLED TV would send the perfect “I love you” message with its stunning

visuals and immersive TV experience.

With its commitment in bringing only the best of what technology has the offer, LG amps up the way we see and do gifting—one that brings happiness for a longer time.

PALO Alto Networks, the global cybersecurity leader, underscored the need for increased IT security by releasing several new capabilities that predict malicious attacks and use automation to stop them in progress.

Beginning today, next-generation firewall customers who upgrade to PAN-OS® version 9.0 will get access to these new security capabilities, over 60 new features and new tools for easily implementing security best practices.

“At Palo Alto Networks, we’re focused on simplifying security by using analytics and automation,” said Lee Klarich, chief product officer. “Customers choose our next-generation firewall platform because of our commitment to continuous innovation and our focus on reducing the need for standalone products. Today’s announcements include our new DNS Security service, which uses machine learning to stop stealthy attacks aimed at stealing information from legitimate businesses.”

Among the new capabilities announced today, Palo Alto Networks unveiled software and hardware enhancements to the leading next-generation firewall platform that will help organizations strengthen security and simplify protections across their hybrid cloud environments: Predict and prevent: According to Palo Alto Networks Unit 42 researchers, nearly 80 percent of all malware uses DNS to establish command-and-control, making it difficult to spot and stop attacks. The new DNS Security service uses machine learning to proactively block malicious domains and stop attacks in progress.

Performance: Palo Alto Networks recognizes that customers with large data centers, high volumes of encrypted traffic, and a growing ecosystem of IoT devices need performance without compromising security. The PA-7000 Series, with new network processing cards, offers threat prevention at speeds twice as fast as the nearest competitor and delivers decryption three times faster than before.

Simplicity: Legacy firewall rules leave dangerous security gaps. The new Policy Optimizer helps security teams replace legacy rules with intuitive policies that provide better security and are easier to manage.

Taking the complexity out of managing scores of rules reduces human error, which is a leading cause of data breaches.

Broader, faster cloud security: Organizations want consistent security across multiple public clouds and virtualized data centers. The VM-Series now provides the broadest range of public cloud and virtualized data center environments by adding support for Oracle Cloud, Alibaba Cloud, Cisco Enterprise Network Compute System (ENCS) and Nutanix. Firewall throughput performance improvements for AWS and Azure of up to 2.5X, combined with autoscaling and transitive architectures, allow customers to automate security for dynamic and large-scale public cloud deployments.

Last year, Palo Alto Networks completed extensive customer research to guide the product changes. Customers overwhelmingly reference ease of operations as a reason they choose Palo Alto Networks. They want an integrated platform that reduces operational complexity and gives security teams confidence they can use best practices and minimize human error.

“We listened and responded to customer feedback and found that what customers want above all is simplicity and control,” said Klarich.

“With this release, we’re not only adding features like the DNS Security service, which eliminates the need for security teams to bolt on yet another standalone tool, we are minimizing manual efforts that are error-prone, so teams can focus on projects aimed at growing their business.”

Turn to C3

Destinations D1

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2019

Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor

manilastandardlife@gmail.com

@manilastandardlife

Isabela province's Bambanti Festival, held in thanksgiving for last year's harvest, featured exciting streetdance performances by 25 contingents. The municipality of Alicia won the Best Streetdance Contingent.

@MStandardLIFE

Cauayan City's award-winning agri-ecotourism booth.

BAMBANTI FESTIVAL 2019

SETS GUINNESS WORLD RECORD

I

N THE fourth week of January this year, the province of Isabela held its major festival, the Bambanti Festival to celebrate the economic, social, political, and cultural victories it has so far achieved. But as it reveled in its victories, the Region II province earned more—a Guinness Book of World Record, no less.

Naguilian and Palanan at second and third place, respectively.

Meanwhile, the Isabela’s Master Kusinero Cooking Competition, spearheaded by Mary Ann Arcega-Dy, showcased longganisa dishes of 28 towns and cities that participated. The municipality of Tumauini emerged victorious in the competition.

The highlight of the festival was the Streetdance and Showdown Competition, during which performers from 25 contingents delighted

the audience with their colorful costumes and dance moves. Echague was awarded Best Dance Showdown Contingent, while Alicia bagged the first prize for Best Streetdance Contingent.

However, the biggest winner during the festival was Isabela province after it set the record for most number of persons dressed as scarecrows. A total of 2,495 participants joined to set the new Guinness World Record title.

Official Guinness World Record adjudicator Paulina Sapinska confirmed the achievement and awarded the certificate to Isabela Governor Faustino “Bojie” Dy III and Vice Governor Antonio “Tonypet” Albano.

Echague won Festival King and Festival Queen, while Cauayan City took home the Best Giant Bambanti Installation award.

Cauayan City emerged as the overall winner, followed by the municipalities of Echague and Alicia.

Echague's performance which earned them the Best Dance Showdown Contingent award.

Bambanti is an Ilocano word for scarecrow, the human-like figure farmers use to guard their crops from birds. Being a primarily agricultural province, Isabela considers the bambanti an important part of its history and heritage. Hence, the festival is held in thanksgiving for the previous year’s harvest.

The week-long celebration, with the theme “Tagumpay ng Pusong Isabela” (Victory of Isabela Spirit), featured entertaining programs and competitions including Giant Bambanti Showcase, Bambanti Streetdance and Showdown Competition, Search for Bambanti Festi-

val King and Queen, Bambanti Village, and Isabela’s Master Kusinero Cooking Competition.

The Agri-Ecotourism Exhibit and Sale offered indigenous handicrafts, lifestyle merchandise, and traditional Isabela cuisine. There was also a showcase of culture and traditions of tribal communities of Gaddang, Ibanag, Ytaois, and Ilocano.

Cauayan City was awarded Best Bambanti Agri-Ecotourism Booth, followed by

Isabela Governor Faustino 'Bojie' Dy III and Vice Governor Antonio 'Tonypet' Albano proudly present the Guinness World Record title the province received during Bambanti Festival 2019.

ANOTHER STAR

FOR THE LONE STAR STATE

The facade of the majestic Texas State Capitol

SINCE we were already in Houston for dent republic, standing alone amidst the the Golden Wedding Anniversary of my other states that have already joined the elder brother Edgar and his bride, Jose JoseUnion. Added to that, the moniker also phine, some of my family members and reminds everyone of Texas’ gallant fight I decided to make day trips to several for independence from Mexico. Rememattractions the state offers. ber the Alamo?

I have always been intrigued by AusSo there we were, right in the middle of tin, the capital of Texas, and why it takes the city, marked by the majestic dome of MERCURY RISING the State Capitol. Built in 1888, the Capitol a back seat to Dallas and Houston in

BY BOB ZOZOBRADO popularity in spite of its eclectic live mu muand 22 acres of surrounding grounds are sic scene. In fact, it is supposed to be the the physical and symbolic center of the Live Music Capital of the World. However, government of Texas. The well-designed I seldom hear my friends or acquaintances mention this city landscape around the historic building adds to its charm. as part of their itinerary when they visit Texas. It’s always Dal DalCurving stone-edged carriage drives, black and white las and/or Houston that they visit. So I was glad our group diamond patterned pavement shaded by trees, and a decided to head over to Austin because I learned a lot from decorative iron fence on a stone base make the building’s the short trip. surrounding area conducive to leisurely strolls. However, First off, I finally got the answer to why Texas is called it was almost zero temperature when we were there, so The Lone Star State. For a long while, it was an indepen indepenTurn to D2

Destinations

D2

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Treston International College, represented by executive vice president Sheryl GenuinoSee, joins the AHLEI information session.

THE FIRST STEP TO WORLD-CLASS HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY OVER 80 representatives from government agencies, universities and colleges, and hotels and resorts attended the information session facilitated by Asia World Hospitality to promote American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute.

AHLEI, through its collaboration with US Embassy Commercial Service, invited speakers from the Department of Tourism, Department of Education, Seda hotels, and schools from all over the country.

Among the topics discussed was the development of human capital in the tourism industry, led by Regional Director Nelly Nita N. Dillera, CGSP of DoT Region 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN).

“AHLEI is a strong organization that gives premium programs to the hospitality and tourism workforce. It provides value-added learning with high quality modules and insights of top key experts plus the opportunity to practice and work abroad with the acquired skills and competency through their international certification,” said Dillera.

AHLEI also touched on the opportunities available in the tourism and hospitality industry, especially applicable to the Philippines, which drew 3.4 million foreign tourists in the first half of 2018, an 11 percent growth from previous year.

The institute provides working hospitality professionals with training and continuous learning. Its internationally recognized certification programs include certification options for every level of hotel employee, from front level to general manager.

Go to www.asiaworldhospitality.com for more information.

Lyceum Philippines University Laguna representatives.

DoT Region 12 regional director Nelly Nita Dillera (center) is one of the invited speakers at the info session.

CHECK IN

TO THE WORLD OF THRILLS

CEBPAC PASSENGERS CAN NOW CHECK-IN AT RESORTS WORLD MANILA

A

Resorts World Manila's Travelers Lounge offers satellite check-in services for Cebu Pacific flights departing from the Ninoy Aquino International Terminal 3.

IRLINE passengers with layovers or long wait times can take advantage of the newly opened Travelers Lounge at Resorts World Manila.

The lounge offers satellite check-in services for flights departing from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3. First to enjoy its benefits is budget airline Cebu Pacific.

“CEB passengers have the opportunity to enjoy the amenities and attractions at Resorts World Manila—which is directly connected to NAIA T3, while waiting for their flights,” said Javier Massot, vice president for Airport Services at Cebu Pacific.

To ensure that nobody misses their flights while enjoying RWM’s attractions and amenities, there are realtime flight status digital boards located at the lounge.

Getting to NAIA T3 from RWM is easy via Runway Manila, an air-conditioned, elevated walkway that directly connects Newport City to the airport. Free shuttle vans regularly make the rounds from Newport Mall and RWM hotels to the Runway Manila entrance from where passengers can walk to the airport within five minutes.

“We’re very pleased to have this

partnership with the Philippines’ biggest budget airline,” enthused Stephen Reilly, chief operating officer of Resorts World Manila.

He continued, “They fly hundreds of thousands of local and international tourists on their planes daily and we are glad to provide these travelers with the option of spending their pre-boarding hours enjoying the many thrills RWM has to offer.”

As an added treat for those who checkin at the satellite lounge, RWM is giving 300 pesos worth of non-negotiable slots credits, and P150 discount vouchers for every minimum P500 spend at RWM signature restaurants Impressions, Passion, Ginzadon, Café Maxims, and gaming area restaurants Silk Road, Silogue, Victoria Harbour Café, and Franks.

Resorts World Manila, however, clarifies that travelers with flights are responsible for reaching their boarding gates on time and they are encouraged to check the flight status boards around the property to allow enough time to reach the airport.

Resorts World Manila and Cebu Pacific executives, led by RWM chief operating officer Stephen Reilly and Cebu Pacific vice president for Airport Services Michael Ivan Shau, formally launch the RWM x Cebu Pacific Travelers Lounge.

The lounge provides hassle-free travel: airline passengers checking in can take advantage of RWM's attractions while waiting for their flights.

also serves as the senior advisor and liaison to the Governor for Texas Border and Mexican Affairs.

The staff in the office knew we we preferred to explore the build- were tourists but, nevertheless, allowed us inside and even showed ing’s interiors instead.

The State Capitol houses the of- us around. We were led to the fices and chambers of the Texas conference room where, I’m sure, Legislature and of the Governor. It important government transacis a rectangular building, and rising tions take place. What immedifrom its center is a dome in Italian ately caught my attention were the Renaissance design. I guess every unique bookshelves, the design of visitor to the Capitol takes time to which I’ve never seen anywhere take selfies with the dome because else before. I had to capture them the concentric circles viewed from on camera because I really found below is such a beautiful sight. I, them peculiar.

Visiting the State Capitol gave for one, spent a lot of time, getting the best angle for a perfect shot of me a crash course on Texas as the The State seal shows the lone star, which is also on the State flag. the dome, as seen from the ground Land of Opportunity. I learned that For 14 consecutive years, Texas for those of you who plan to move floor lobby, the result of which is its vibrant economy and businessfriendly climate make it the top has been the top exporting state across the Pacific, you might want somewhere in this column.

Going around the massive gov- state to do business in, per The Wall in the US, and CNN Money named to consider becoming a part of it the best place to Texas’ success story. ernment structure, we For all its interesting attractions launch a small busiwandered into the office ness. And there are and the positive factors I have disof the Secretary of State, YOUR WEEKEND CHUCKLE more Fortune 1000 covered during this recent Texas Rolando B. Pablos, one companies headquar- visit, I honestly think The Lone of the six officials formIf you want to change the world, do it when tered in the state than Star State deserves another star! ing the state’s Executive you are still a bachelor. After marriage, you can’t in any other state. So, just as what cowboys usually Department. His office even change a TV channel!

No wonder my elder do, together with the star, I’ll give is the repository for ofbrother and his fam- it a big “Yeehaw!” ficial and commercial ily have found their records, and he publishes governFor feedback, I’m at ment rules and regulations, and Street Journal, Forbes Magazine, home in Texas for the past many bobzozobrado@gmail.com. decades. Life is easy for them. And is the keeper of the State seal. He CNN, CNBC, and Newsweek.

ANOTHER...

From D1

The Capitol’s beautiful concentric circles of the Italian Renaissance dome, as seen from the ground floor lobby.

Entertainment

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2019

D3

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

‘SAHAYA’

STARS SPREAD KILIG IN CEBU From left: GMA bigwigs Gigi Santiago-Lara, Lilybeth G. Rasonable, Felipe S. Yalong, and Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, with Megan Young's manager Arnold Vegafria pose for a photo op after the actress' contract signing with the network.

MEGAN YOUNG

READY TO SHIFT GEARS

Megan with her beau Mikael Daez, who co-starred with her in the top-rating afternoon series, 'The Stepdaughters."

By Nickie Wang

A

T THE renewal of her exclusive contract with GMA Network, Miss World 2013 Megan Young described her 2018 as a “very busy year,” which made her look forward to a more relaxed yet productive 2019.

The beauty queen and actress-TV host was all smiles when she was interviewed right after she inked another talent management contract with the network where she started her career as a teen star.

Her first showbiz break was through the second season of the talent reality search, StarStruck in 2004. She then landed on her first acting job via Love to Love Presents: Love Ko Urok. Thereafter, she played the role of Anna in Asian Treasures and the role of a fairy in Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang.

“It’s nice to be here with my family. I’m really thankful to GMA for giving us a program that would showcase our talent. This year, I’m looking forward to something different. I don’t mind doing another afternoon series because I enjoy it. But I’m also looking forward to hosting jobs this year, ”she said and continued that this time around, she wants try light dramas and romantic comedies for her next projects.

Megan’s last program with GMA was the toprating afternoon soap The Stepdaughters with her real-life beau Mikael Daez and fellow Starstruck alumna Katrina Halili.

“I really wanted to do romcom because I’m so into Koreanovela. So that’s kind of my dream. I know some people aspire for heavy roles but I love the lightness and endearing moments of Koreanovelas. So maybe a story like that is something I look forward to. I also love anime na gagawing live action. I’ve never done anything like that,” she mused.

Present in the contract signing were GMA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, GMA Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Felipe S. Yalong, GMA Entertainment Group’s Senior Vice President Lilybeth G. Rasonable, GMA Senior Assistant Vice President for Alternative Productions Gigi Santiago-Lara, and Megan’s manager, Arnold Vegafria.

“Megan is not just a pretty face, she’s also one of the good actresses we have here in the network. That’s why we are happy that she renewed her contract with us. Her career still has a long way to go,” Atty. Gozon said of Megan’s loyalty as a Kapuso.

Rasonable, on the other hand, revealed that the network is already gearing up for Megan’s next big projects in the Kapuso station, “Of course, we are already thinking of another soap for her to star in. Based on the success of The Stepdaughters, which aired for almost one year, the viewers like seeing her on the small screen.”

“And we are happy on her performance in that series. She showed na magaling siya sa drama. She’s improved a lot. So we want to do more of that. And yes, she’s also a good host,” the TV executive said.

SUMMER VIBE. Megan Young flaunts her sensational curves in an Instagram photo shot in Camiguin early this month.

HEART AND KIM REIGN OVER THIS YEAR’S MOST STYLISH LIST METRO Magazine and lifestyle website Metro.Style unveil Heart Evangelista and Kim Jones as Most Stylish of 2019, leading the list of 50 empowered and fashion-forward women who have become the biggest inspiration in fashion and style.

Heart is known to be consistently well-dressed— from her travel style to everyday outfits. Her classic and chic style is recognized further abroad, as was proclaimed the muse of Crazy Rich Asians author Kevin Kwan and profiled in Paris for Harper’s Bazaar, and also invited to the 2018 Harper’s Bazaar ICONS Party held in New York City where she was also named as one of its best-dressed attendees.

Starting her 2019 with yet another achievement as Metro Most Stylish, Heart can look forward to more milestones in the months to come, including a top-secret project she has been working on all the way in China.

Also reigning over the number one spot, digital creative Kim Jones embodies the best of international style with a powerful voice that reaches to her global audience. A constant attendee of New York, London, Paris, Milan fashion showcases, she has collaborated

with international fashion brands not just as a model but also as director, including a Louis Vuitton fashion film launched late last year.

She is the also Creative Director of The Fore, a design studio built on collaborations with local designers such as Ken Samudio and Bagasao.

Kapamilya actress Bea Alonzo likewise made it to the top 10 Metro Most Stylish list. Year after year, the style icon wows audiences with her fashion picks, notable of which is her regal red Vania Romoff gown worn at the first ABS-CBN Ball.

Other notable driven women with impeccable sense of style in the list are Rocio Olbes-Ressano, Bea Valdes, Pam Quinoñes, Martine CajucomHo, Salome Uy, Apples Aberin, and Bea SorianoDee. Accomplished in their own fields and successful in different endeavors—these women are all known to have great personal style.

Check out the full list of #MetroMostStylish2019 on Metro.Style, and catch Heart, Kim, and the rest of the top 10 fashion-forward ladies in the Metro February issue, available on newsstands and on Apple iTunes store,Google Play store, and Magzter.

Metro’s Most Stylish Heart Evangelista

LOVE was in the air yesterday when love team Bianca Umali and Miguel Tanfelix spent their post-Valentine’s Day with their fans in Cebu together with their Sahaya co-star Migo Adecer.

The lead stars of the upcoming primetime drama series graced a mall show at Robinsons Galleria Cebu where they spread fun and kilig among the mallgoers.

Bannered by the much-loved BiGuel tandem, Sahaya is an inspiring story of a young Badjao woman who triumphed despite all of life’s challenges. StarStruck Season 6 Ultimate Male Survivor Migo Adecer completes the love triangle.

GMA RTV Vice President and Head Oliver Amoroso shared how excited the Cebuanos are for this new Kapuso offering.

“We, at RTV, are aware that their fans have been clamoring for BiGuel’s return to the small screen. As one of the most sought-after love teams of their generation, Bianca Umali and Miguel Tanfelix have already proven that they are the next stars to look up to,” he said.

All the freshest news, events, and updates about GMA Regional TV are now available on www.gmaregionaltv. com.

Miguel Tanfelix and Bianca Umali

NEW EDUCATIONAL CHANNELS FOR KIDS LAUNCHED KIDS and adults have more chances to experience the joys of learning while being entertained with SKYcable Select’s new channels— ZooMoo, Da Vinci Kids and FilmBox ArtHouse.

In ZooMoo, children get to explore and build their knowledge of the animal world in fun ways. Through shows like ZoomooPedia, kids get a closer look at the wonderful world of the wild as it answers questions such as “why is a flamingo pink? Or why do monkeys have tails?”

Meanwhile, real questions from kids get answered in the Da Vinci Kids channel, with its treasure trove of educational shows based on school subjects: science, math, technology, history, culture, nature, and sports.

The topics of each show is carefully handpicked for kids’ safe viewing.

A magical tour of arts history await children in Art with Mati and Dada while a peek into the world’s greatest moments of discovery can be enjoyed in Mindblowing Breakthroughs.

Adults, on the other hand, get to enjoy the fine art of film in FilmBox ArtHouse, a channel that showcases the best cinema classics and the works of world’s most prominent directors, including Hitchcock, Kurosawa, Fellini, and many more.

Contemporary arthouse movies that sprang from various film festivals such as Cannes, Toronto, Venice, Berlin, Locarno, Sundance, and Tokyo are also available.

Subscribers may choose to add any of these channels to their channel line-up via SKYcable Select for as low as P20/month. FilmBox ArtHouse and Da Vinci Kids are also available on SKYcable Select’s Family Pack for only P350/month. Call 418-0000 to subscribe.

D4

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2019

Desiree Carlos, Editor

Pets

daycarlos28@yahoo.com

A LOVE-FILLED DAY

WITH RESCUED DOGS AND CATS

By Katherine N. Lomboy

I

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.

have always been drawn to animals even though a dog bit me when I was three or four years old.

The incident left scars on my face but it did not make me afraid of dogs. I guess that dog gave me a love potion instead of rabies because I feel it actually opened my heart more to animals.

I have always wanted to have a dog. But my parents would not allow me to have one because of the incident and we lived in an apartment.

To satisfy my desire to be with animals, I would pet other people’s dogs and go to wildlife sanctuaries. My boyfriend, Dexter Goyala, would look for such places for us to visit.

Three years ago, I decided to bring home a dog without the consent of my parents and it was the best decision I ever made.

I was too exhausted, confused and tired at my previous work at that time. When Xedrick, my dog, came into my life, he made me feel so full of love. Having him around felt like I was being healed mentally, emotionally and physically.

Our home became a happier and lively place too.

It is because of him that I became more compassionate towards animals. Xedrick taught me not only to love him but to spread my love to others specially to the unfortunate ones I usually have packs of dog food in my bag when I go out of the house so that I can feed stray dogs.

On my 28th birthday two weeks ago, Dexter and I visited one of the foster homes of Save ALL Inc.Save Animals of Love and Light in Quezon City.

MY FURRY BESTIE

Author Katherine (in blue shirt) and partner Dexter play with rescued cats. She donated food for the rescues on her birthday which were received by Save ALL admins Maricel Mondejar (second from right) and Joanne Zamora (far right).

I did not really plan on visiting a foster home or shelter. I usually donate cash or items to shelters in my list as my way of thanking God for giving me another productive year.

Visiting a shelter was the last thing on my mind because even if I have a soft spot for animals, I did not wish to see the rescues in

Katherine and Dexter also met the rescued dogs.

a bad state or to hear their sad stories first hand.

But Dexter told me, “Why not try to spend some time with the rescues. Let them feel human compassion for a time.“ I thought about my dog who is very happy when he is around me and when I give him food. I thought: Why not make rescued dogs feel loved too?

Dexter and I were both in awe during the visit. It was not what we were expecting to see.

The foster home is clean. We even have to be “disinfected” before we can enter the home and play with the rescues. They have kind caretakers and admins/officers who were so accommodating that we did not feel we were strangers.

We even ate merienda (snacks) with them which made me feel like I had a birthday celebration.

And the rescues? You won’t even notice they were strays or were sick prior to their rescue.

They are well taken care of (it was very evident), and loved by the people around them.

The humans know the rescues by their names, and the stories behind their rescue. The rescues are so lucky to have these caregivers/ admins. They obviously not only have a good home and good food but they also get lots of kisses, rubs, and I love you’s from the admins and caretakers .

Just a warning to those who will visit the foster home: Once you look into their eyes, it is hard to look away and do nothing. As you

roam around the facility, you won’t be able to refrain yourself from trying to touch the rescues.

It felt like my goal there was to befriend all of them. I would bring my hand near a cage and my heart would go “Yes!” when a dog licked my hand.

As for the cats, it felt weird that they were all friendly and would try to reach for your hand or rub their backs on the cage or against your legs to welcome you.

I felt loved by them, honestly.

We have cats where I work and I can’t even get near them even though I always give them food.

They are so snobbish.

I can not forget Rafa. He is such a beauty!! He licked my hand and even brushed his back on the cage and allowed me to pet him.

It was my best day so far. My heart was so full.

One thing is for sure: this will not be the last time I will visit a foster home/shelter and we do hope this will open more opportunities for us to do more, to be more vocal and involved in helping the voiceless. We do hope our friends will do the same.

About the Author: Katherine N. Lomboy graduated magna cum laude at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines with a degree in Bachelor in Cooperatives major in Financial Management and Accounting. She now works with the Apex Cooperative of the Philippine Cooperative Movement- Philippine Cooperative Center (PCC) after five years in the banking industry.

KEEPER was surrendered by his owner to the San Mateo, Rizal pound for allegedly snapping.

Joan Go adopted him and he has not snapped at her at all since she got him.

She says, ”I saw a post in The Wagging Tails regarding a dog who was surrendered and had been there for more than two months. His eyes were infected already. So I commented that I’m willing to adopt. That was in April, 2018. “ “Now this little doggy is such a clingy, overprotective boy who is so sweet and so smart. He just loves resting on my shoulder where he doses off,” Joan says.

“He's always at my side wherever I would go. Sometimes I wonder what kind of owner would surrender such a sweet loving dog,” Joan adds.

PEPPER is a rescued asong Pinoy (aspin) puppy who was adopted by Sean Wilbur Enrique in October, 2017.

“Who would have guessed she would turn out to be a beautiful dog?

I named her Pepper because she is jet black in color, “ Sean says.

“She just loves to run around. She is the biggest of all my dogs and the most patient and giving of them all, “Sean adds.

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

WORLD CAT FEDERATION TAKES GREATEST CAT SHOW TO RP PASAY CITY will host the first ever international cat show in the country (Best Cats in the Philippines) organized by the World Cat Federation in cooperation with the World Felinological Center “Astra”.

The event will be held on February 16 and 17, 2019 at the GSIS gymnasium in Pasay City.

"We look forward to this exciting event.

The staff who are mostly volunteers are working hard to create the most magical cat show,” said Nina Akimova, show manager and organizer.

Exhibitors will compete for numerous prizes and awards culminating with the Best in Show.

In addition to the judging rings, the exhibition will have the theme “The Greatest Cat Show on

Earth," featuring acrobats, jugglers, stilt walkers and various production numbers.

The show will gather expert judges from all over the world including the President of World Cat Federation Ms Anneliese Hackmann (AllBreed, WCF, Germany), Ms Cornelia Hungerecker (All-Breed, WCF, Germany), and Ms Natal’ya Lebedeva of Russia (All-Breed, WCF, Russia).

There are also prizes for lucky spectators from pet supply store Pet Express.

The two-day show will be open to the public from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.

For further details, interested parties may visit the website en.top.cat.org/cat-shows/3525 and like the Facebook Page extimus cattus cattery.