Manila Standard - 2019 March 10 - Sunday by Manila Standard

TAX LOSSES ON ALIENS UP By Vito Barcelo

HE Bureau of Immigration has said it will no longer issue Special Working Permits and Provisional Working Permits to foreigners intending to work in the country— unless the company would submit the withholding tax of their foreign workers.

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 28 • 4 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • SUNDAY, MARCH 10, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente issued the order after the Department of Finance reported that the government was losing at least P3 billion in tax revenues a month from foreign workers in the Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogo) industry who do not pay personal income taxes. Morente said the Bureau would now require foreign applicants to submit additional documents such Turn to A2

INDAY SARA HITS OUT AT LENI OVER 'HONESTY'

ENTERTAINMENT / D3

THE MANY ROLES

PATRICIA TUMULAK PLAYS

DESTINATIONS / D1

LUXURY IN LEGAZPI

WOMEN POWER.

Presidential daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio (above) heckles Vice President Leni Robredo (left below) to bid farewell to her dreams of becoming the country’s chief executive, particularly when she insists one has to be honest to run for public office, underscoring that the latter’s honesty has been questioned since day one of her six-year term.

By Macon Ramos-Araneta PRESIDENTIAL daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio on Saturday taunted Vice President Leni Robredo to just say goodbye to her dreams of becoming President if she insisted in saying one must be honest to run for public office. She lashed back at Robredo for commenting about honesty and integrity, noting that since the first day she assumed the vice presidency, her honesty had been questioned. “Since day one of her term as Vice President. She is not called fake VP for no reason,” said Carpio, who has been leading the campaign caravan of the 13 senatorial candidates endorsed by Hugpong ng Pagbabago. “She is facing an electoral protest for massive fraud during the 2016 elections,” she added. HNP is the regional party established by the Davao mayor who is being eyed as the strongest contender in the 2022 presidential elections. Turn to A2

PH-WIDE ALERT AS EL NIÑO SEARS NORTH LUZON, COTABATO WRITING ON THE WALL. An unidentified farm

hand looks forlorn while footslogging through his parched terraced land in the countryside during the weekend, with weathermen forewarning residents in many provinces in Luzon and Mindanao that 2019 may be the hottest year yet, spurred by El Niño and climate change, with temperature projected to hit over 40 degrees C, or 104 plus degrees F. twitter.com/ MlaStandard

WEATHERMEN have alerted residents of many areas in this archipelago republic—particularly in Northern Luzon and in Mindanao—on the effects of El Niño, with summer charging in this month. In North Cotabato, for instance, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said the dry spell prevailing over the province has thus far damaged P477 million worth of agricultural crops. facebook.com/ ManilaStandardPH

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TESDA WHISTLEBLOWER GETS DEATH THREATS By Joel E. Zurbano

HE whistleblower in the P1.4-billion graft case filed against 11 officials of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority claimed she is receiving death threats. In a statement, TESDA Specialist II Armina Flora Tayko-Villanueva said she sought the help of the Office of the President and law enforcement agencies after she received numerous threats via phone calls and text messages. On March 5, Villanueva filed before the Office of the Ombudsman the graft case accusing her colleagues of conspiracy to rig the procurement of special toolkits for TESDA scholars on behalf of their preferred contractor. The accused were Pilar de Leon, Imelda Ong, Luz Victoria Amponin, Maria Magdalena Butad, Renato Geron, Gaspar Gayona, Dante Navarro, Maria Clara Ignacio, Gracia dela Rama, Conrado Duque and Leonardo Pinac. Villanueva alleged the 11 officials violated Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices law for conspiring to rig the bidding for the procurement of P1.4 billion worth of starter toolkits on Special Training for Employment Program. The 11, former members of the TESDA bids and awards committee, were accused of having caused the delay of the awarding of the contract to the winning bidder, which Villanueva said was compliant with all regulatory requirements. The 11 invalidated the win of the bidder to cause a rebidding in favor of their long-standing contractor, ACMI, who lost during the first round of the procurement bids due to lack of competency and standing, Villanueva said. TESDA records show that most of the contracts entered into by the agency had ACMI as third party supplier. Some of these contracts involved procurement of vehicles, production of printed materials and several others. Villanueva tagged De Leon, chief of the TESDA administration office, as the mastermind behind what she described as the anomalous rebidding. On Jan. 25, Villanueva also lodged a formal administrative complaint against these officials before the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission.

SUMMER-READY.

A man arranges inflatable pools for sale along C3 Road in Caloocan City. Lino Santos

BILL LOWERING POWER PASS-ON CHARGES HAILED By Maricel V. Cruz AN ESTIMATED 16 million households stand to benefit from the bicameral conference committeeapproved “Murang Kuryente” bill, a measure which is envisioned to clear the huge debts of the National Power Corp. that is being charged to the monthly electric bill of consumers, a House official said on Saturday. Under the proposal, some P208 billion from the net government share of the Malampaya fund will be allocated to cover payment for the stranded contract costs and stranded debts of the NPC, said Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, the chairman of the House Committee on Energy. Once implemented, Velasco said it will translate to a savings of P172 per household that consumes an average 200KwH per month. “This will lighten the burden of Filipinos from the high cost of electricity without hurting the government coffers,” he said. Stranded contract costs refer to the

excess of NPC’s contracted cost of refer to any unpaid financial obligaelectricity with independent power tions which have not been liquidated producers over the actual selling of by the proceeds from the sales and the output, while stranded debts privatization of NPC assets.

MONUMENT TO FAITH. Manila Archibishop Luis Antonio Tagle, Papal Nuncio Gabriele Caccia, former Supreme Court Justice Artemio Panganiban and GT Foundation”s Alfred Ty lead the launching of the Manila Cathedral coffee table book that documents the completion and restoration works done in the cathedral from 2012-2014. Norman Cruz

ONLINE TRAFFICKER CONVICTED By Ronald O. Reyes TACLOBAN CITY—A Calbayog City regional trial court has sentenced a 33-year-old mother to 15 years imprisonment after offering to stream live online the abuse of her young daughter. The mother, who was arrested last year, was sentenced to an additional one month jail term after she pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography materials. As part of a plea bargain, the suspect was meted out the sentence after confessing to the crime. “I was hurt when you took pictures of me naked. I felt guilty because I got separated from you for what happened,” the child told her mother in the vernacular during a reconciliatory meeting facilitated by a social worker and a local church pastor. “Forgive me for what I’ve done to you. I am ashamed of it. I hope you can forgive me, and we can be together again,” the mother said. The convicted child trafficker was also ordered to pay combined fines totaling P775,000. She was originally charged with qualified trafficking in persons, which bears the penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of not less than P2 million, according to the civil society group International Justice Mission. IJM, which partners with local authorities to rescue victims of violence, said: “This conviction through plea bargaining affirms that in holding Online Sexual Exploitation of Children (OSEC) perpetrators accountable, child protection should always be prioritized.”

6.0-MAGNITUDE QUAKE HITS E. MINDANAO A 6.0-MAGNITUDE earthquake struck at sea off the eastern part of the country late Friday, with no early reports of damage. The US Geological Survey and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the quake struck at 11:06 p.m., its epicenter about 41 kilometers north of Santa Monica in Surigao del Norte. Its depth was measured at 54 kilometers by the US agency, and the local quake monitors said in an advisory that it was not expected to have caused damage. The Philippines is part of the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” an arc of intense seismic activity that stretches from quake-prone Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin. AFP

El Niño, a climate pattern that describes the unusual warming of surface waters in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, is the “warm phase” of a larger phenomenon called the El NiñoSouthern Oscillation or ENSO, with such events occurring irregularly at two- to seven-year intervals. Climate analysts and weather forecasters say 2019 may be the hottest year yet, spurred by El Niño and climate change. Turn to A2

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GASOLINE PRICE ON UPSWING, UNIOIL SAYS

DUTERTE THUMBS DOWN LEGALIZE-MARIJUANA BILL

By Alena Mae S. Flores OIL companies are expected to raise the price of gasoline by P0.80 to P0.90 per liter next week to reflect the movement of world prices. Diesel prices, however, is forecasted to remain the same. “Expect gasoline to increase next week. Diesel should remain the same and gasoline should increase by P0.80-P0.90. Load up accordingly,” Unioil Philippines said in its weekly advisory. On March 5, the oil firms cut the price of kerosene by P0.35 per liter and diesel by P0.10 per liter but raised the price of gasoline by P0.10 per liter. The Department of Energy said oil prices fell last week amid weakening factory output in China and Japan and record US crude output, although the markets remained relatively well supported by supply cuts led by OPEC producers and some non-affiliated producers like Russia who agreed late last year to reduce output by 1.2 million barrels of oil per day to prop up prices. “Demand from China and Japan weakened. Activities of Chinese factories declined, followed by the second biggest economy in Asia, which is Japan. America has ample supply and there is also an impact from the slowdown of India activity,” Energy Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said previously. Year-to-date adjustments now stand at P3.75 per liter for gasoline, P4.35 per liter for diesel and P0.35 per liter for kerosene, according to the latest monitoring report of the DOE. Gasoline prices in Metro Manila currently range from P45.25 to P60.89 per liter and diesel from P41.40 to P50.23 per liter. Meanwhile, DOE will issue the circular governing the monitoring and unbundling of prices of petroleum products within the month, a move geared towards price transparency in oil prices, officials said. Fuentebella said the rules are currently being finalized but assured that it will be issued in March and hopefully then signed by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi. “It will have to [be issued] because many do not understand the Oil Deregulation Law and also consider other issues such as biofuels, taxes,” Fuentebella said. “This is a way to address industry take,” he said, adding that oil companies will have to compete in terms of services and prices while consumers have the power of choice which oil company to patronize. DOE wants to unbundle oil price components including the industry take or profits of the oil companies. The oil industry is presently deregulated, which means any movement in oil prices does not require prior government or regulatory approval. He said DOE is also still reviewing the reports of the oil companies including their position papers to avoid any “legalities.” Under the circular which shall be known as the Guidelines for the Monitoring of Prices on the Sale of Petroleum Products by the Downstream Oil Industry in the Philippines, oil companies are required to unbundle and provide an explanation for the oil price adjustment. “Oil companies shall strictly comply with the submission of the formal notice of price adjustments per liter for liquid fuels and per kilogram of LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) as required in Section 2, containing the computation and the corresponding explanation of the unbundled cost items of all products subject for sale,” the draft circular stated. The circular shall apply to all persons or entities engaged in any or all of the activities covered under Section 5, Chapter 2 of Republic Act No. 8749, specifically on the sale of gasoline, automotive and industrial diesel, kerosene, jet fuel, bunker fuel oil and household and automotive LPG. The oil companies shall be required to submit to the DOE the breakdown of its price movement which includes product cost, freight cost, insurance, foreign exchange rate, duties, taxes, biofuel cost and industry take. It said retail outlets shall also submit if required, its computations with corresponding explanation of the retailer’s price of all petroleum sold in a specified period including product cost, hauler’s fee, taxes and retailer’s take. The circular also stated that the DOE secretary can make public from time to time portions of information obtained under the circular in times of public interest, submissions to Congress, submit recommendations for additional legislations, and publication of reports and decisions “in any manner as may be best adapted for public information and use.” However, the same circular stated that the secretary cannot make public any trade secret or any commercial or financial information obtained which is privileged or confidential.

By Vito Barcelo

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte made a sudden doubleback in his decision to legalize marijuana, saying he would no longer support its legalization for medical purposes.

The President made the announcement during the PDP-Laban campaign rally in Negros Occidental, where Duterte told the audience he would not allow the cultivation of marijuana in the country. He said legalizing cannabis for

medical use would be used as an excuse to cultivate the plant. “That would be an excuse. I did not agree. Not in my time, not in my time,” Duterte said. The President admitted he was “ignorant” about research regarding

the supposed medicinal properties of marijuana despite previously saying this was already an “ingredient of modern medicine.” This is in contrast to his previous stand on the legalization of marijuana for medical use. Late last year, Malacañang said Duterte would sign any bill that would legalize it. In his speech in Negros Occidental, Duterte said: “You must remember that heroin, cocaine, and the derivatives are products of opium poppy plant. It takes time to be absorbed, if at all. You get crazy.

That’s a plant. Marijuana. They are cultivated.” Duterte said considering marijuana as a medicinal drug was equivalent to condoning wrongdoings. “I am ignorant of that kind of research, I must admit. And I do not read it and I do not intend to legalize it. I do not want to. Legalization would be used as an excuse. People might cultivate it and say it is for medicinal purposes,” he said. “They say it’s medicinal. Suddenly, everything will become medicinal. That would be an excuse,” Duterte said. With PNA

RESUMED REHABILITATION. Women and members of Local Government Units in the metropolis participate in the cleanup drive at the Manila Yatch Club section of Roxas Blvd. as women and students celebrate Women’s Month in March along the erstwhile perfect-picture Manila Bay. Norman Cruz

PH-WIDE...

From A1

Experts say that in normal, non-El Niño conditions, trade winds blow in a westerly direction along the equator, with these winds piling up warm surface water in the western Pacific, so the sea surface is as much as 18 inches higher in the western Pacific than in the eastern Pacific. El Niño is an abnormal weather pattern caused by the warming of the Pacific Ocean near the equator, off the coast of South America. Experts add the sun warms the water near the equator, which can make more clouds and, therefore, more rain. However, normally there are trade winds, which blow that warm water west. According to Climate Information monitoring section chief Analiza

Solis, in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB beamed nationwide, there was a possibility the Philippines could get a tempertature as high or more thab 40 degrees Celsius or 104 degrees Fahrenheit in many areas of Northern Luzon, particularly Tuguegarao in Cagayan. But weathermen said they would monitor the so-called “human comfort index” since high humidity could worsen the heat felt by people. In simplest terms, the heat index is the “feels-like” temperature, or how hot it really feels when the relative humidity is factored in with the actual air temperature. According to experts, a human body cools itself by the evaporation

Due to extreme weather condition, the towns of M’lang, Aleosan, Alamada, and Pikit have declared a state of calamity, prompting the local government units to use their respective calamity funds to aid affected farmers in cushioning the impact of the dry spell. “The number of affected farmers and amount of crop damage could still go up when all reports are forwarded to our office,” Villaluz said over the Church-run dxND radio station in Cotabato City. He said North Cotabato was not included in the list of provinces that would be hit by the extreme weather condition, “but nevertheless, farms were dried up, damaging crops in the process.” PNA

INDAY SARA...

TAX...

From A1

as proof of payment of witholding tax before they would be issued work permits. Among the requirements that work permit applicants will submit are: withholding tax; validity of stay as tourists; address, existence, nature of business, and financial viability of petitioning company; and SEC and other government licenses to operate. Only authorized BI officers at the main office and alien control officers in the bureau’s field offices might approve or disapprove applicants for SWP and PWP. Morente said that Filipino workers paid their taxes and that foreign workers were not exempted from paying taxes. There are more than 100,000 foreign workers in the country, majority of them employed in online gaming industry, while some are working in retail stores, construction, and other jobs but do not pay taxes. The BI chief said the bureau would

of perspiration from the skin. On a hot, humid day, less evaporation of sweat occurs, diminishing the body’s ability to cool itself. Solis said some 10 provinces, six in Luzon and four in Mindanao, might experience drought or dry spell as the phenomenon would mean lesser rainfall. North Cotabato’s PDRRMC warning and action officer Arnulfo Villaruz also placed the number of farmers affected by the droughtspawned El Niño phenomenon at 8,500, based on data provided by municipal disaster offices in the province. The province has experienced less amount of rainfall since early February.

coordinate with the Department of Finance, the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Department of Foreign Affairs in the implementation of the new order. According to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, there was no law that exempted foreigners working in the Philippines from paying taxes. “The law says you work here, you pay tax. Anywhere in the world, it’s the same: you are a foreign worker, an OFW [overseas Filipino worker] in the United States, you pay tax. Why shouldn’t they pay tax here? It’s unfair,” Dominguez said. A rough calculation by Dominguez showed that with an estimated 100,000 foreign Pogo workers earning about $2,500 a month, each would have to pay about $600 in the 25-percent personal income tax. “That’s $60 million [over P3 billion] a month that we seem not to be collecting.” Dominguez said.

However, she has remained mum on her political plans, insisting that as of the moment, she wanted to focus on the senatorial bets being supported by the HNP to ensure their victory. Carpio also accused Robredo for trying to copy her late husband, former Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, but but has failed at every turn. She said Robredo had refused to answer allegations of her relationship with a married man. “She may or may not get away with these but we all know she is not forthcoming in everything,” Carpio added. “The reason why good moral character is not a requirement to run for Vice President is because we have so many Leni Robredos in this world,” Carpio stressed. She has been going around the country to woo voters in supporting the candidacy of their senatorial candidates.

Senators have expressed mixed reactions on the pronouncement of Carpio that honesty should not be an issue for candidates running in an elective post since “almost everybody was lying.” Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Duterte has vouched for the governance skills of Ilocos Norte Gov. and now Senate candidate Imee Marcos, despite what critics call her dubious claims over earned college degrees. Marcos, oldest of the three children of former President Ferdinand Marcos and incumbent Ilocos Norte 2nd District Rep. Imelda Marcos, finished law at the University of the Philippines in Diliman. “Imee led a very colorful life. She is good in local government. There are of course charges against her because of her father [who declared martial law in 1972 and lifted it in 1981]...of course, the sins of the father cannot visit the daughter,” Duterte said. “I look at her as a very good asset in the Senate,” Duterte added.

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MMDA SEIZES 85,000 ILLEGALLY PARKED AUTOS

FESTIVAL LIGHTS. Senator Nancy Binay joins the ceremonial lighting for the Pindang Festival in Mangaldan, Pangasinan on Friday, March 8.

12 CUSTOMS PORTS TOP REVENUE TARGETS

THE Metro Manila Development Authority has apprehended a total of 85,637 vehicles since it implemented the intensified campaign against illegal parking in the metropolis last year. Records from the MMDA Traffic Discipline Office also showed that 22,591 of the total apprehended vehicles in 2018 were impounded aside from fines slapped against the owners. As of January this year, the MMDA was also able to apprehend more than 7,900 vehicles, 2,846 of which were caught illegally parked unattended on major streets. Sixty of those apprehended were impounded. The agency started last month enforcing a new policy increasing fines for illegal parking in the National Capital Region. On the first day, more than 60 vehicles were apprehended in simultaneous operations along F.B. Harrison Street, Taft Avenue and Gil Puyat Avenue, all in Pasay City; Quirino Highway, Roxas Boulevard, T.M. Kalaw in Manila, and in the areas of Baclaran in Parañaque City. MMDA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Pircelyn Pialago said the Metro Manila Council, the agency’s governing board and policymaking body, made the decision to increase the penalty to further free all obstructions along main roads, especially during rush hours from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. She said the penalty for illegal parking for attended vehicles was raised to P1,000 from the previous P200; fine for illegal parking for unattended vehicles was increased to P2,000 from P500; fine for obstructing the road was increased to P1,000 from P150; and fine for yellow lane violation was increased to P1,000.

Apprehended vehicle owners will be fined for illegal parking plus obstruction, twice a day for the same violations. The MMDA formed two groups— Task Force Alpha and Task Force Bravo —to operate against illegaly-parked vehicles. MMDA general manager Jose Arturo Garcia Jr. said the government is hoping that through this campaign, it will be able to change the selfish behavior of most of these irresponsible drivers and individuals violating traffic rules. Areas where parking are prohibited: All national roads in Metro Manila; Primary and secondary roads of cities and municipalities in Metro Manila that are: Within six (6) meters of any intersection or curved lane; Within four (4) meters of driveways or entrances to any fire station, hospital, clinic and other similar establishment; Within four (4) meters of fire hydrants; on roadsides of any legally parked vehicle; On pedestrian crosswalks; In front of any authorized driveway; On the sidewalks, paths and alleys not intended for parking; At the foot or near bridges; at any place where official signs have been erected prohibiting parking and/or declared No Parking Zone by the MMDA such as the Mabuhay Lane, and other areas duly declared as “No Parking Zone” provided by law or ordinances. MMDA data showed that at least 45,236 vehicles were apprehended for illegal parking in 2017. President Rodrigo Duterte said he want all roads in the country’s biggest cities cleared of all illegally-parked vehicles to ensure a smooth flow of traffic in the metropolis. Joel E. Zurbano

By Joel E. Zurbano

WELVE of the 17 collection districts surpassed their respective revenue targets in February, contributing to the P44.4-billion overall collection of the Bureau of Customs.

Documents from the Customs Finance Service Office also showed that the agency’s tax collection is 1.6 percent or P698 million higher compared to the P43.7-billion collection in the same period last year. Revenue collection was up in the Port of Manila which collected P6.5 billion, more than P5 million against its target. The port managed to continue its operations and surpass the target for the month despite the fire incident that destroyed an estimated P50 million worth of government systems and facility. “Come hell or high water, not even a conflagration can stop us from raising Port of Manila from the ashes through sheer will power of someone who refuses to be disheartened and daunted by challenges no matter how insurmountable the odds may seem,” said lawyer Rhea Gregorio, PoM district collector. The Port of Manila is the bureau’s third largest collection district. Strong performances last month also allowed the ports of Cagayan de Oro, Subic, Davao, Batangas, Surigao, Zamboanga, Limay, Legazpi, Tacloban, Aparri and San Fernando to hit their revenue targets. Cagayan de Oro collected P2.2 billion; San Fernando, P377 million; Batangas, P11.3 billion; Legazpi, P80 million; Tacloban, P111 million; Surigao, P2 million; Zamboanga, P58 million;

Davao, P2.3 billion; Subic, P2.2 billion; Aparri, P35 million and Limay, P2.3 billion. The Manila International Container Port, Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Port of Iloilo, Port of Cebu, and Port of Clark, although they missed their collection target for February, also contributed to the collection performance of the bureau. The bureau’s initial total accrued revenue from January to February 2019 has reached P92.793 billion, exceeding the P92.329 billion target by 0.5 percent or a revenue surplus of P464 million. The agency’s revenue collection performance is the result of the correct valuation and tariff classification being implemented in all ports. Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero commended the men and women of the agency for their shared efforts and commitment to realize its mandate. Meanwhile, Port of Manila officials declared that the port is no longer congested, saying the yard utilization level in the south harbor was down to 64 percent as of Feb. 4. At present, the number of laden containers piled up at Manila South Harbor stood at 78 percent while empty containers were only occupying 47 percent of the yard.

MANGGAHAN FLOODWAY HOUSING PUSHED By Maricel V. Cruz A COMMITTEE in the House of Representatives on Saturday called for the fast-tracking of the process for the turnover of 71 hectares of lamd allotted for the squatters relocated from the Manggahan Floodway in Pasig City. This cropped up during the hearing conducted by the House Committee on Housing and Urban Development, chaired by Rep. Alfredo Benitez of Negros Occidental, on House Bill 8255, authored by former President and Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Arroyo’s bill proposes to award 71 hectares of the Manggahan Floodway Socialized Housing Project site in Taytay, Rizal to qualified beneficiaries. Arroyo said that through her bill, the land titles which is being awaited for by the housing beneficiaries for about 25 years now shall already be available in 2020. The bill is a result of Proclamation 458, issued by then President Fidel V. Ramos in 1994, declaring certain parcels of land along the floodway for disposition in accordance with Republic Act No. 7279 or the “Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992.” “Unfortunately for the residents, charitable and educational institutions actually occupying said lands, the lots have not yet been awarded to them by the National Housing Authority (NHA). Despite a series of dialogues, consultations, and the creation of a technical working group to identify issues

and concerns regarding the Manggahan Floodway Socialized Project Site, no actual and specific action has been taken to fully provide security of housing to the urban poor,” Arroyo said in her explanatory note of HB 8255. Arroyo added that the Urban Poor Affairs Office of the local government of Taytay previously estimated the population in the Manggahan Floodway within the jurisdiction of Taytay to be around 42,033 as of 2014, from 6,365 households in 2005. “It is a thriving community which, if properly supported by the government, could be utilized as a model community for the urban poor for its self-sustaining development, community participation, maintenance of peace and order, and economic independence,” said Arroyo. Consequently, plans and programs that aim to develop and implement procedures on the issues of sanitation, environmental protection, structural stability, as well as economic viability have not been fully achieved to this day, according to her. In response to the committee’s call to expedite processing of the land titles, NHA Division Manager engineer Ma. Therese Siat, informed the panel that the NHA shall conduct a board meeting to discuss and approve their corporate funds, including the P38-million budget needed for conducting the survey in the area, which she explained is the initial step to fully execute the legislative measure. CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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TESDA WHISTLEBLOWER GETS DEATH THREATS By Joel E. Zurbano

SUMMER-READY.

A man arranges inflatable pools for sale along C3 Road in Caloocan City. Lino Santos

excess of NPC’s contracted cost of electricity with independent power producers over the actual selling of the output, while stranded debts

refer to any unpaid financial obligations which have not been liquidated by the proceeds from the sales and privatization of NPC assets.

MONUMENT TO FAITH. Manila Archibishop Luis Antonio Tagle,

Papal Nuncio Gabriele Caccia, former Supreme Court Justice Artemio Panganiban and GT Foundation”s Alfred Ty lead the launching of the Manila Cathedral coffee table book that documents the completion and restoration works done in the cathedral from 2012-2014. Norman Cruz

SUNDAY, MARCH 10, 2019

Opinion

Adelle Chua, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

SOUNDS OF SCIENCE

HONORING THE WOMEN

E JOIN the rest of the world in celebrating Women’s Month in honoring and paying tribute to the females who have dedicated and continue to dedicate their lives to ensuring that women are granted equal rights as men.

This is one instance when we pause—as if we never did before in the silence of our heartbeats —in celebrating the marvelous, if astounding, success and achievements of strong women, not only in the Philippines but throughout the world. We do not even need to go beyond our

shoreline to raise respect and honor for our women. For they are seen and felt within the comforting four walls of the home, where they begin to enrich the souls of children and the family that each member may become a useful unit of society. These women at home may not be in government, may not have remunerative jobs in private firms, or even in multilateral organizations in support of promoting and endorsing humanitarian relief, advocating human rights principles and normative policies, advancing sustainable development and resolving some of the world’s most composite or confused conflicts. In the Philippines, a highly patriarchal society, we have seen women being empowered and increasingly occupying meaningful spaces in various structures of society—in blocks of

PECIER DECIERDO

IS THE WORLD ENDING IN 11 YEARS?

politics, the economy, and other fields of human endeavor where a person’s full blast is almost always needed. We have seen how women in the Philippines have taken on essential roles to make society more comfortable for the different genders. And they have been successful in their efforts in raising the bar of equality, and in their discipline at nation-building. We know that, even in the absence of such celebration, the Philippines at least has been striving to promote gender equality, as witness the notable achievements of women in the different coordinate branches of government, in the private sector and elsewhere where the men previously had the whip hand and prepotence. Thus, this month, as in the other 11 months of the Gregorian calendar, we honor the Filipino women.

IS THE world ending in 11 years? The short answer is no. If so, what are these dire warnings about the urgency of the climate crisis about? Well, they are that. They are warnings, based on sound scientific findings, that climate change will get so much worse if we do not act about it with both intensity and urgency. In other words, according to science, we must change things radically and we must do it quickly. For context, I am of course referring to the special report issued last year by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). It is a report based on thousands of peer-reviewed scientific studies done by thousands upon thousands of scientists working independently around the world. In the report, the scientists found that we have approximately 11 years to dramatically shift the way society operates in order to avert what others have described as a “climate catastrophe”. (I put “climate catastrophe” in quotes because for millions around the world, the current level of warming—about 1 degree Celsius—has already had some catastrophic consequences.) The IPCC deadline is based on the following elements. First, it is based on the differences in impact between a warming of 1.5 degrees versus 2 degrees. (2 degrees of warming is the target set by the Paris Agreement.) Second, it considers the level of change that society must undergo in order to limit warming to only 1.5 degrees. (Note that an increase in warming from the current 1 degree to 1.5 degrees is already accepted as inevitable.) Third, it is based on the amount of time left for us to make those changes, which is where the 11-year mark comes from. Each of these elements are worth looking at more closely. First, the differences in impact between 1.5 degrees of warming versus 2 degrees. Much has been written about these differences. Just to give one striking example here, there will be 10 million more people who will be flooded to to rising sea levels when warming is 2 degrees compared to 1.5 degrees. Another difference that I find personally distressing is the impact on coral reefs, an ecosystem which I love. In a world with 1.5 degrees of warming, coral damage is expected to be between 70 and 90 percent. With 2 degrees of warming, the number is going to be 99 percent. The list of differences go on, but they all point to one thing: a warming of 1.5 degrees is worse than what we are experiencing right now, but it is so much more preferable to 2 degrees. However, one thing that I think is not stressed enough when comparing 1.5 degrees with 2 degrees is the concept of tipping points. A tipping point is the point beyond which events become far less predictable and controllable. In the context of climate change, a tipping point is a point beyond which the impacts of climate change are not only worse, they are very hard to determine exactly. 2 degrees of warming will greatly increase the likelihood of us going past several tipping points. Going past these tipping points might take us into a world that is “systematically uninsurable”. These are the words of Christiana Figueres, the former UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Executive Director, who said that insurance companies cannot insure things in a world that has passed the tipping point. Going to the second element, according to the IPCC, report drastic changes must be made in order to limit warming to 1.5 degrees. The words “unprecedented” and “transformational” have been used a lot in describing the changes needed. In terms of hard numbers, the change needed is a reduction in carbon emissions to 45 percent by 2030 and to near zero by 2050. 11 years into 2030, we are not even close to approaching the 45 percent target. As urgent and as scientific as this deadline might be, it is not a hard deadline. What that means is that everything we do to effectively reduce carbon emissions will improve the situation, from replacing coal-fired power plants with renewable energy sources to decreasing the number of cars on the road by investing in public mass transit, and from decreasing emissions from agriculture by consuming less meat to increasing the number of native trees in the forest through tree-planting activities. The IPCC report does not give us black and white options, with apocalypse on one hand and a happy ending in another. Rather, by presenting the science-based best-case scenario, it encourages us to aim for the greatest reduction in carbon emissions in the soonest possible time. But while it is not all or nothing, it is now or never. The future of our descendants cannot wait any longer.

POLLS, DEBATES AND HONESTY By Val Abelgas FOR decades, various groups have been striving to educate voters, reminding them in every election to thoroughly study the candidates’ qualification to ensure that only those who have the best intentions and competence would lead the country. They emphasize the need for honesty, integrity, competence and selfless service for candidates. They also call on people to give importance to platforms and agendas rather than on popularity in selecting their leaders. Obviously, the calls have fallen on deaf ears. Elections after elections, many candidates who possess the opposite qualifications win, some for the simple reason that they are popular and can charm the audience during campaign rallies. Never mind that they have spotty records and dubious past, or are simply incapable of dispensing the duties of the positions that they were seeking. With the midterm elections coming in May, candidates will be cuddling babies, dancing and singing on stage, clasping hands, distributing giveaways and even attending wakes to win over the voters. Very few will be discussing issues or defining platforms because, let’s admit it, most Filipino voters couldn’t care less. An interesting voters’ survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations found that while 25 percent of Filipino voters wanted a candidate who will not be corrupt, 21 percent preferred those with good personal characteristics, and 21 percent liked trustworthy candidates, only 3 percent liked candidates who were bright or intelligent, and only 2 percent preferred those with plans for growth or vision for the country! No wonder the candidates of the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) are refusing to debate

with Otso Diretso bets. For example, why would former actor Lito Lapid be interested in a debate when he had won as senator, governor and vice governor without having to participate in one nor had to explain his plans and platforms? Or why would Bong Go have to sweat his way into a debate when all he had to do was smile, give away shirts and other things, or simply sit beside the popular President Rodrigo Duterte? Indeed, why waste precious hours and sweat when only 2 percent of voters care about what they would say and that only 3 percent are interested if they have the brains and ability to perform their duties once elected? But the courageous presidential daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, the Hugpong leader, said she was willing to take the cudgels for her silent lambs and debate all by herself against the eight candidates of Otso Diretso. Such bravado! But, as correctly pointed out by the opposition Otso Diretso bets, Mayor Sara is not the candidate for the Senate and should not be the one debating them. Let the candidates speak for themselves, they chorused. Why is the debate important? Because through the debates, candidates would be able to explain and expound on their supposed plans and platforms and voters would be able to discern who among the candidates understand what they are saying, have the competence to push their agenda, and have the integrity to become a member of the revered Senate of the Philippines. Candidates from both sides would be able to question the soundness of the other bets’ plans and platforms, and their honesty, integrity and competence. The Senate, after all, is a lawmaking body with only 24 members who discuss and debate important issues needed to pass legislation. It is not a

place where one can just sit and smile while the direction of the country’s future is being discussed or debated. If the HNP candidates didn’t want to debate, they should have opted to run for the House of Representatives where with almost 300 members, one can afford to just sit and even be absent without anybody noticing it. Besides, an administration congressman needs only to say “aye” to every administration-sponsored measure and “nay” to every oppositioninitiated legislation. And then, there’s the matter of honesty. For Mayor Sara and Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, “honesty” should not be a campaign issue in the coming elections. “As a voter, I have to exercise my own judgment whether honesty will be a part of my choice,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a Palace press briefing Thursday. “Why so many who are dishonest get elected? That means many do not consider honesty. It really depends on the voter.” We shouldn’t have to remind Atty. Panelo that as a citizen, it should be an important part of his choice. “All candidates have been telling lies, that’s why honesty should not be an issue,” said Mayor Sara in defense of former presidential aide Christopher “Bong” Go, who has been accused of using government funds for his campaign, and Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos, whose claims of graduating from Princeton University and the University of the Philippines Diliman College of Law were denied by representatives of both institutions. Also under question for honesty among the HNP candidates are former Senators Bong Revilla, Jinggoy Estrada and Juan Ponce Enrile, who were all indicted for plunder for their alleged participation in the pork barrel scam.

Since everybody’s been lying, voters should not worry about it? Doesn’t make sense, especially for lawyers like Mayor Sara and Panelo. In fact, to repeat the above SWS survey: 25 percent of voters want candidates who will not be corrupt; 21 percent prefer those with good moral character; and 21 percent like trustworthy candidates, all of which have direct correlation with “honesty.” Voters should be more discerning when choosing the people who will occupy the venerable seats in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, and the thousands of local posts all over the country especially in this midterm elections because it will determine whether we would go the same path as President Duterte and his allies in Congress have led us in the past three years, or whether Congress, especially the Senate, should stand up to the abuses of the Executive Branch and bring back the constitutionally mandated check-andbalance and balance of power among the three government branches. If Comelec wouldn’t arrange a debate among the Senate candidates, media groups and entities should initiate one. If the HNP candidates refuse to participate, we can assume that they don’t have a sound platform nor the competence to perform the duties of a senator. After all, the Senate is responsible for writing and passing laws, confirming presidential appointments, ratifying treaties and other agreements with foreign governments, and providing oversight to the executive branch, among others, all of which require thorough debates and discussions. valabelgas@aol.com Mr. Abelgas is former managing editor of Manila Standard. He now lives in the United States.

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher ManilaStandard

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World

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TRUMP ‘ALL IN’ ON NOKOR STRATEGY

ASHINGTON—In Hanoi, Donald Trump overturned the widely held assumption he would be willing to settle for an interim agreement on North Korea’s denuclearization.

But despite the breakdown of the summit and the atmosphere of skepticism that now abounds, the US president seems determined to stick with his “all or nothing” approach, betting on his personal “chemistry” with Kim Jong Un to save the day. Trump insisted Friday his relationship with Kim “remains good” even as his aides attempted to paper over the collapse of the high-stakes second summit which concluded last week without even a modest deal on reducing Pyongyang’s nuclear

program in exchange for sanctions relief. “Nobody in the administration advocates a step-by-step approach,” a senior State Department official told reporters this week. In other words, Washington wants what administration officials have called a “big deal”—“the complete elimination of their weapons of mass destruction program,” the State Department official said. In return, Washington would ease the pain of the crippling sanctions that

have strangled the isolated North’s economy. “It really seems there’s an all or nothing approach right now from the administration,” Frank Aum, a former advisor to the Pentagon, said at a recent meeting hosted by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP). “That seems to be backtracking” which “the Kim regime would not be very happy about,” Aum added. It’s a position that has taken many observers by surprise given how, in the run-up to the summit, the administration dropped numerous hints it was willing to take a more incremental approach to the talks. “In no rush” was how Trump repeatedly described his stance—a position echoed by his Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who emphasized:

“We’ve always known this would be a long process.” The administration’s point man on North Korea, Stephen Biegun, said the US would be prepared to pursue commitments “simultaneously and in parallel” while suggesting there was room for maneuver when it came to sanctions. That created the impression that Washington could be willing to countenance the step-by-step disarmament and sanctions relief sought by Pyongyang. But when Kim proposed dismantling the Yongbyon nuclear complex in exchange for lifting the main sanctions, Trump refused. “It has very much been characteristic of past negotiations to take an incremental approach to this that stretches it out over a long period of

time, and quite honestly, has failed on previous occasions,” the senior State Department official said. In Washington, the new line has been interpreted as a victory for National Security Advisor John Bolton, long a hawk on North Korea, over Pompeo and Biegun. Even as Washington increasingly turns its attention toward next year’s presidential election, the administration exhumed a goal that has long been buried and seen as unrealistic by experts: the total denuclearization of North Korea by the end of Trump’s term in 2021. For Jenny Town of the 38 North think tank, the lack of even a partial accord has meant “we have lost that momentum” created by last year’s rapprochement. AFP

CHINESE HOPEFUL ON TRADE TALKS

LOOKING SMART. A Chinese journalist wears camera-enabled smart glasses for live reporting outside the Great Hall of the People on the eve of the opening session of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference in Beijing on Saturday. AFP

AUSTRALIA ADMITS FAILINGS IN PACIFIC, AS CHINA LOOMS SYDNEY—Australia has admitted it had not focused enough attention on its Pacific backyard but vowed to make “long overdue” amends, amid growing Chinese influence in the region. “I think we would have to accept some criticism,” Australia’s minister for international development and the Pacific, Anne Ruston, told AFP on Friday. “We have perhaps not put as much attention and effort into our own region as we should of.” In recent months, Ruston has been at the sharp end of trying to fix that—jetting toand-fro between Australia and far-flung Pacific Islands, as part of Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s “step-up” in the region. The policy includes more aid, more security assistance, more diplomats working in the region and, crucially, more face-to-face contacts. It is, in large part, a response to Beijing’s growing economic, political and military activity in the region. “I think we’ve had our focus gazed much further afield for a very long time,” said Ruston. “It has certainly, more recently, been forced to be refocused back onto our own region.” “That’s a good thing. And it was certainly long overdue.” While Australia was more focused on Fallujah than Fiji, China has been doling out loans and investment in the region and scooping up natural resources and telecoms contracts. Still, Ruston rejected suggestions that Australia, by moving to develop security facilities in Papua New Guinea and Fiji is

causing the type of militarization many complain China is embarking on. “This is our region, this is our area, this is where we live,” she said. “However, you see the security and sovereignty of our region the Pacific is extremely important to Australia.” - The biggest issue Australian re-engagement has been hampered by deep disagreements with Pacific nations over the conservative government’s skeptical stance on climate change—an existential threat to many island nations. Fiji Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has been among those accusing Australia of putting its coal industry “above the welfare of Pacific peoples”. “It is a very, very real issue for them,” Ruston acknowledged. In places like Kiribati—where the average height of the land is a few feet above sea level —it is “singularly the biggest issue that they have at the moment”. To square the circle, Canberra diplomats have tried to separate climate policy writ-large from day-to-day work to temper its impact. The mitigation and infrastructure needs are enormous, “we are talking tens of billions of dollars to be able to get the Pacific up to the kind of development standard, that I think Pacific aspires to have for itself”, said the minister. Australia has committed to some ambitious projects, like helping Papua New Guinea bring electricity to 70 percent of the population by 2030. Today the percentage stands in the low double digits. AFP

BEIJING—Beijing is hopeful about its next round of trade talks with the United States, China’s vice minister for commerce said Saturday, after revealing that top negotiators had tried to hammer out a deal over burgers and eggplant chicken. China and the United States have been locked in a bruising trade war since last year, imposing tit-for-tat tariffs on more than $360 billion in two-way trade, which has left global markets reeling. Top-level negotiators have met thrice in an attempt to reach an agreement ahead of next week, when additional tariffs could be levied on Chinese goods entering the US as a truce period expires. “When you ask about the prospects for the next Sino-US economic and trade consultation, I feel that there is hope,” Vice Minister for Commerce Wang Shouwen told journalists at a press briefing on the sidelines of China’s National People’s Congress. He added that Beijing’s top economic official Liu He and US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer held talks over a packed lunch of burgers and eggplant stir-fried with chicken—a common Chinese dish—in Washington last month. “Vice Premier Liu ate a beef burger, and Lighthizer ate eggplant and chicken (with rice),” Wang said. “Throughout the consultation process, there was coffee and tea... but both drank plain water.” “This was to find common ground,” he added. Chinese Commerce Minister Zhong Shan had on Tuesday said the negotiation process was very “difficult and taxing” with “lots left to do”, but that breakthroughs had been made in several areas. But there have been conflicting comments from Washington and Beijing on the negotiations. Donald Trump on Friday said he remains optimistic but will not sign a pact unless it is a “very good deal”, and a top economic advisor said the US president could walk away from a bad deal. Commerce officials also said a foreign investment law—widely expected to be passed by China’s rubber-stamp parliament next Friday —will allow foreign companies to take part in government tenders. Only 48 sectors remain on a“negative list” where foreign investment is either prohibited or requires special approval, Wang told journalists. AFP

‘NEVER-ENDING’ I.S. FORCES SHOCK US-BACKED FIGHTERS

(MS-MAR. 10, 2019)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

NEAR BAGHOUZ, Syria—US-backed fighters have been hoping for weeks that the final day has come for the Islamic State group’s “caliphate”, but its last tiny sliver of land just won’t seem to empty. Tens of thousands of dust-covered women, children and men have streamed out of the ragged tent encampment in the Syrian village of Baghouz since December —and despite that exodus they still keep on coming. The numbers have flummoxed the Kurdish-led forces and bogged down their offensive to finish off the once sprawling proto-state. “When we began the operation, we knew there would be civilians, but not in such a big number,” Adnan Afrin, a spokesman for the Syrian Democratic Forces, said Thursday.

In recent days thousands more men and women— including those who once flocked to join IS from across the globe— left the IS pocket. That upended assumptions that few families remained holed up in Baghouz and those who refused to leave, or surrender were choosing to die there. “They’re coming from underground... they’re never-ending,” said one SDF official. The International Rescue Committee on Friday said as many as 12,000 people from Baghouz have arrived in one camp for noncombatants in northeast Syria over the past 48 hours, including some 6,000 people on Thursday alone. The women trucked out of the bastion this week gave drastically varying figures on the holdout families that remain in the

bombed-out and besieged jihadist bastion. “There’s still more,” said Umm Aboud from the northern Syrian city of Al-Bab. “You see how many people have come out in the past few days, there’s that many still inside,” said the mother of four, her bright green eyes peering through a black veil. More than 55,000 civilians have arrived in the Kurdish-run Al-Hol camp since December, according to the International Rescue Committee. “The IRC and other agencies are doing all they can do help the new arrivals but Al-Hol camp is now at breaking point,” the organization said Friday. “No one could have guessed that such a large number of women and children were still living in Baghouz.” AFP

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SUNDAY, MARCH 10, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

OFFICIAL TOAST. President Rodrigo Duterte (2nd from right) listens to visiting Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who offers a toast at the state banquet at Malacañang on Thursday. They are flanked by the President’s partner Honeylet Avanceña (left) and the premier’s wife Dr. Siti Hasmah Binti Haji Mohamad Ali. Presidential Photo

WOMEN UNITED. Activists from a local indigenous group raise clenched fists during a protest near Malacañang to commemorate International Women’s Day in Manila on Friday. Ted Aljibe/AFP

LABORED MARCH. Members of activist group Gabriela push a carriage with an effigy of President Rodrigo Duterte as they march toward Malacañang to mark International Women’s Day in Manila on Friday. Ted Aljibe/AFP

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK SEWAGE CAMERA. Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu and Public Works Secretary

SHELLS FOR SHABU? Members of the Department of Justice investigation panel

Mark Villar (with helmets and vests) inspect two remote-operated sewage inspection cameras that will be used to detect the amount of trash passing sewers at the start of the desilting and dredging of 100 meters of the Manila Bay seawall between the US Embassy and the Manila Yacht Club on Tuesday. Norman Cruz

inspect on Friday the magnetic lifters used to smuggle billions of pesos’ worth of illegal drugs past the Bureau of Customs at the Manila International Container Port. Norman Cruz

LUNCH BREAK. A

‘cochero’ or calesa driver feeds his horse around noontime at the Luneta Park in Manila. Lino Santos

BLOOD DRIVE.

Teachers from the Department of Education’s Division of Cotabato donate blood to the Philippine Red Cross in the launching of the ‘Dugong Guro, Dugong Bayani’ (Teachers’ Blood is Heroes’ Blood) at the Saguing Central Elementary School in Makilala, Cotabato. Geonarri Solmerano

ARC FACSIMILE. At first glance, it looks like the Arc De Triomphe in Paris, but it is the Arc of the Marikina Sports Center at night. Joggers, cyclists, swimmers and other health buffs pass by it as they work out freely at the center, which is open 24 hours daily. It was built in 1969 during the term of Rizal Gov. Isidro Rodriguez Sr. Sonny Espiritu

EBU—Not minding the enormity of what was at stake, Cebu Country Club yesterday completed its date with PAL Interclub history, winning the overall championship coming from a lower division by turning back powerhouse Manila Southwoods. Burly Bayani Garcia and Pio Neri fired level-par 72s worth 36 points each and Mark Dy accounted for 35 in leading a balanced final day assault on a Cebu Country Club course they call home as the Founders Division favorite steamrolled its way to a crown to remember with a nine-point victory over Southwoods. “This is definitely unexpected,” skipper Marco Sarmiento, whose 33 was the last score to count, said before joining his teammates in a wild celebration. “We talked about how to attack (the final day) and that was to play with that (history) not in our minds. “And I guess it worked,” he said as Cebu CC tallied 516 counting 252 points churned out at tight Mactan Island Golf in the middle two rounds and an opening 124. This marks just the second time that a team from a lower division won the overall title, as Cebu CC duplicated a 1988 feat by an Aguinaldo team made up of future international luminaries like Ramon Brobio and swing coach Bong Lopez. Southwoods got 38 points from Yuto Katsuragawa but couldn’t get the others to deliver the numbers non-playing skipper Thirdy Escano expected, settling for second and blowing their own bid to win the tournament a fifth straight time, a record solely held by Canlubang. Chepe Dulay scored 34 points, Carl Corpuz added 32 and either 31 of Josh Jorge and former junior world champion Kristoffer Arevalo counted for Southwoods’ closing 135 and 507 overall, 17 points ahead of Luisita. The Luisitans got 34 points from Paolo Wong and 32 from Don Petil to make up the bulk of a closing 126,

SUNDAY, MARCH 10, 2019

Riera U. Mallari, Editor sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Sports

PAL INTERCLUB

CEBU CC WRITES INTERCLUB HISTORY Members of the Cebu Country Club, led by team captain Marko Sarmiento, flash the no. 1 sign. Charles Dantes

with Del Monte shooting a 119 after 36 points from Romeo Jaraula. The Cebu CC victory also giftwrapped for Orchard Golf Club the Founders Division crown with the Dasmarinas-based squad tallying 482 after a fourth round 129 for a 24-point win over Forest Hills. Zachary Castro scored 35 and Gabriel Macalaguim 34 to lead Orchard, which also drew 32 from Francis Lanuza and 28 from Jong Goo-kim. Former US NCAA standout Jude Eustaquio fired 36 points and Inigo Raymundo accounted for 31 to lead Forest Hills.

This year’s Interclub is sponsored by Radio Mindanao Network, Asian Air Safari, and Vanguard Radio Network. Also extending support are ABS-CBN Global Ltd. (The Filipino Channel), Rolls Royce, Primax Broadcasting Network, UM Broadcasting Network (Mindanao), Fox Sports, Cignal TV, GECAS, Boeing, Lufthansa Technik AG, Manila Standard, Marco Polo Plaza Cebu, Dusit Thani Manila, and Casino Filipino. Official hotel is Quest Hotel Conference Center Cebu. Day 4 partial scores: CHAMPIONSHIP—Manila Southwoods 507 (125-116-131-135), Luisita

490 (118-114-132-126), Del Monte 479 (122-121-117-119), Tagaytay Highlands 464 (124-109-104-127) FOUNDERS—Cebu Country Club 516 (124-121-131-140), The Orchard 482 (121-110-122-129), Forest Hills 458 (110-113-117-118), Valley Golf CC 439 (108-117-111-103), Apo Golf 429 (101-117-95-116), Riviera 427 (112115-104-96), Negros occidental 419 (106-91-113-109), Sherwood Hills 390 (101-105-95-89), Southern California Redhawks 376 (93-100-88-95), FilAm Golf Tour 1 368 (87-84-99-98), Par 2000 312 (58-93-67-94)

RACING GENES RUN IN DAQUIGAN’S BLOOD ALFONSI Rei Santos Daquigan recently proved that racing genes run in his family’s blood. Son of newly crowned 2018 Pirelli Cup Lightweight A champion Dannie Daquigan and nephew of vintage car racing champion Dexter Daquigan, Alfonsi won the Daijiro Super Minibike Cup East Japan Championship at the Circuit Akigase in Saitama, Japan recently. In a dominant show, the nine-yearold Alfonsi ruled Saturday’s dry practice race, the Sunday wet race session, the qualifying time attack all the way to the final race to top the Intermediate Class of the Daijiro Cup, site of his first international triumph in the novice class two years ago. “This is my most memorable race since it’s my first time to win in the intermediate class. Last year, I just placed second and third only, and the year prior, I won the novice crown,” said Alfonsi, a student of Golden Values School of Novaliches. The final race was his most dominant show as Alfonsi was able to holeshot the first turn to grab a huge lead, which he further padded until claiming the chequered flag. Kawai Ryunosuke placed second, while his fellow Japanese Tamura Soichi was third. Completing the top six are Fukawa Koutaro, Yanki Yanki

Alfonsi Rei Santos Daquigan negotiates a sharp turn during his winning campaign at the Daijiro Super Minibike Cup in Saitama, Japan. Inset shows the 9-year-old rider with fellow podium finishers.

and Kamitori Fugo. “It’s hard to win races here in Japan, since the competition here is very high. Most of the time, we don’t make it to the podium, it’s hard not winning but that’s the reality—it’s hard to win races. So this victory is very sweet,” said Alfonsi, who was still able to pull off the emphatic win even though his gloves became stiff and hardened by the extreme weather conditions. Alfonsi, who usually trains Friday to Sunday, with his dad Dannie and

Vrei Ar Suba at the Carmona Racing Circuit, also plans to hone his craft in the summer in Indonesia and Japan. “I’m still very new to the sport of motorcycle racing, so I’m still adjusting myself to the environment. Last year, I was very playful and not that really focused on the things I do inside the track but now, I can say I’m more mature. I take it seriously now,” said Alfonsi, whose father wanted him to play golf at first, but relented eventually and let him pursue his

passion for motorsports. Unlike other regular kids who got hooked watching TV shows for children, Alfonsi loved watching MotoGP races when he was just four years old, prompting him to ask his dad for a bike of his own. “I just fell in love in road racing circuits because of the corner speed and hard braking. I also love the combination of the motorcycle and the racing suits plus the helmets as they look like an astronaut on a fast bike,” said Alfonsi. “My goal is just to enjoy motorsports and if winning will come our way, then it will be a bonus. But for now, we just simply want to enjoy every moment.” During Saturday’s practice session, Alfonsi led the cast of drivers all the way and even posted the fastest laptime of 34.88, with no rider in the field breaking the 35-second barrier. Sunday’s wet condition was a complete opposite of the previous day, but with practically the same result in the 27-rider field divided into three classes. It was in the qualifying sprint race when Alfonsi was finally tested. In a desperation move, Ryunosuke tried to make his move on Alfonsi, but took a spill, taking down Soichi in the process and allowing the Filipino rider to cross the finish, with the two riders coming in later.

M-BENZ TROPHY GOLF AT STA. ELENA OVER 200 players gear up for another face-off in the MercedesTrophy Golf Invitational tomorrow (Monday, March 11) with no less than berths both in the Asian and world finals up for grabs at the Sta. Elena Golf and Country Club in Laguna. The huge field, featuring Mercedes-Benz owners and golf enthusiasts, will play over the posh 27-hole layout with the winners in three men’s divisions and their respective runners-up along with the ladies champion to represent the Philippines in the MercedesTrophy Asian Finals set in Brisbane via Philippine Airlines.The best Filipino placer in the event, presented by Auto Nation Group, Inc., exclusive distributor of MercedesBenz in the country and backed by Platinum sponsors Makati Shangri-La Hotel, Philippine Airlines, PLDT, Paramount Life and General Insurance, Shell Philippines and TW Steel, will then head to the world finals set in Germany in October. The 14th staging of the annual event, backed by Boysen, Business Mirror, Remy Martin, Security Bank and Boss and held to raise funds for the Cardinal Medical Charities Foundation, Inc., a non-government organization that grants medical care and financial subsidy to disadvantaged patients, was launched in elaborate rites during the MercedesTrophy Sponsors and Champions Night last March 1 at the Makati ShangriLa Hotel. Aside from the rare chance to mix it up with other regional winners, participants in the Asian Finals will also be treated to an experiential drive showcasing the world-class performance and dynamic handling of M-Benz vehicles.

UP FACES FEU DEFENDING champion University of the Philippines seeks to regain its winning ways as it tangles with Far Eastern University today (Sunday) in the UAAP men's football tournament. Kick-off is at 1 p.m. at the FEU-Diliman pitch. Ateneo eyes for its first backto-back wins of the season against Adamson University at 3 p.m., while University of Santo Tomas tries to rebound from its worst loss of the tournament in the 9 a.m. clash with University of the East.

UP MAROONS SUBJECT OF NEW BOOK their trip to the UAAP Finals is nothing THE University of the Philippines short of phenomenal.” Fighting Maroons surprised pundits “As an outsider looking in, I hope to by barging into the UAAP men’s basconvey how the story of a rival school is ketball finals just four years after finishincredibly inspiring, even to those who do ing the annual tournament with just not bleed maroon. I hope to do justice to one win—and now one of the rising their story by writing an accurate, compreyoung sports journalists in the county hensive, well-researched book that will anis going to explain how UP’s alumni enswer many questions about the rise of the gineered this amazing turnaround. Maroons,”added Ganglani. To be penned by columnist Naveen “What were the early challenges Ganglani, who has extensively covered the group faced as UP tried to rehabilithe Fighting Maroons and the UAAP tate its reputation as one of the UAAP’s since 2009, the new book will provide cellar-dwellers? What was the motivareaders with an in-depth look into the The new book will provide readers with an in-depth tion behind the bonfire during a oneevents leading to the humble beginlook into the rise of Fighting Maroons. win campaign which was celebrated nings of NowhereToGoButUP, a group of UP alumni volunteers who dared to believe that they could rein- in Diliman, but mocked outside of the university’s walls?” “What led to UP hero and legend Paul Desiderio nearly missvigorate UP’s resource-challenged sports programs. “I’m incredibly lucky and grateful to the members of Nowhere ing out on the chance to wear the school’s name across his chest? to go but UP group, who have given me the opportunity to tell this How was a once-in-a-generation talent like Juan Gomez De Liaño brought into the fold? Why was it so important for UAAP MVP amazing story,” said Ganglani. The writer, a De La Salle University alumnus, who roots for his Bright Akhuetie to leave a legacy at UP that he chose the school Alma Mater’s Green Archers, nonetheless acknowledges that “the over other suitors? These are just some of the questions the book rise of the Fighting Maroons in the past five years leading up to hopes to answer,” shared Ganglani.

GOLF QUEEN. World No. 1 Sung Hyun Park (left) receives the trophy from ICTSI and Solaire Resort & Casino chairman Ricky Razon after completing her wire-to-wire triumph in the first The Country Club Ladies Invitational at the TCC course Friday. The Solaire brand ambassador later donated her $15,000 prize to the Child Protection Network (CPN) Foundation, Inc., a non-government organization of doctors, social workers, lawyers, police and volunteers dedicated to ensure that all children in the Philippines and throughout Asia are protected from abuse.

SUNDAY, MARCH 10, 2019

Business

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

MICROSOFT APPOINTS ARGENTINIAN AS GM FOR PH

Microsoft Philippines new country general manager Andrés Ortola

From left: Jojo chief technology officer Teng Sorreta, marketing manager Eunice San Miguel and chief strategy officer Jay Fajardo.

PINOY APP AIMS TO BUILD A COMMUNITY OF COURIERS

FILIPINO startup company has developed a mobile app to build a community of couriers among motorists and commuters.

First Shoshin Holdings Inc., a company founded by Jack Ponce Enrile, launched on March 8 the Jojo Pasabay delivery app which connects senders with transporters going to a particular destination. Jojo marketing manager Eunice San Miguel describes this disruptive technology as ‘crowdshipping’ as it allows commuters and motorists to earn by delivering a parcel near their destination. “Jojo is a Pasabay delivery app which connects senders with transporters who are already headed towards the direction of your package,” San Miguel says during the press launch at SM Megamall in Ortigas. “What we are creating is a win-win situation for the sender and the transporter. The sender gets fast and efficient shipping while the transporter gets to earn extra going to a place he is already headed to,” she says. Jojo chief strategy officer Jay Fajardo says the app was launched with an initial 60 transporters, although the goal is to dramatically increase the app users to 18,000 within a month. The app is available on Apple Store and Google Play Store. The web version can be found at www.myjojo.com. “First Soshin Holdings is the official company behind Jojo. Jojo is one of our projects. Today, we have 14 to 15 employees. Our short-term target for the next month is to have 18,000 users,” says Fajardo. Transporters can deliver legal items, documents or parcels with the maximum size of 10x10x10 inches at P99 for the first three kilometers and P8 for every extra kilometer within Metro Manila. Fajardo says under Jojo’s business model, the transporters will get the lion share of the fees. “We follow the 80-20 rule, which means 80 percent goes to the transporter and we take 20 percent as a form of a fee to use our platform,” he says. Fajardo says unlike other ridesharing services which were hampered by regulatory issues, the use of Jojo delivery app does not require the same government regulation. San Miguel says what makes Jojo different from other logistics services is the community that it builds. “It becomes convenient, especially with our busy lives. We want to get the item we shop for fast. You would have access to a pool of verified transporters. They have undergone rigorous KYC [know your client] to become transporters. There is also package insurance for up to P5,000,” she says. “It is a sustainable way to ship because you are using people who are going there anyway. Are we adding more vehicles to the road? Are we adding more feet on the road? The answer is no. In that way, we are able to minimize our carbon footprint,” says San Miguel. “As a transporter, you are helping a sender and as a sender, you are helping a transporter. So it is symbiotic and mutually beneficial for both. It is also a good chance to relive the Bayanihan spirit which is distinctively Pinoy. It is time for us to be neighbors again,” she says. Payment for delivery can be settled during pickup or drop-off, she says. “Every transaction is cash to cash basis but we are working things out so that we can have other payment options,” says San Miguel. “You can track your item real-time. The recipient will get a four-digit code to make sure that the correct person receives the package,” says San Miguel. San Miguel says to maintain the high quality of service, Jojo requires

all transporters to attend a training session. First Shoshin launched the app with the line ‘Sabay Kita’ which encapsulates the Filipino community and the chance to earn while commuting. “With Jojo Pasabay delivery, what we are making sure is that you get fast and efficient delivery while helping a fellow Filipino stuck in the road. Look at Edsa and MRT and you will see millions of people going about different destinations every day. It is an untapped logistical resource,” says San Miguel. Fajardo says one of the founders of First Shoshin thought about developing the Jojo Pasabay delivery app after observing the unproductive hours spent by motorists and commuters who are stuck along the busy roads of Metro Manila each day. “One of our founders had a view of Edsa just like this and he saw all these commuters who were wasting their time stuck in traffic. So the idea was the monetization of that wasted time. If you can actually convert these commuters into transporters, you create millions of entrepreneurs, millions of transporters and they can now turn what was a negative into a positive. So the time wasted is now time spent earning a livelihood,” says Fajardo. San Miguel says Jojo transporters are in control and can choose deliveries that match their way. The app uses an advanced GPS tracking system to get the exact location of the package. She says to become a Jojo transporter, an applicant must submit two government IDs, an updated National Bureau of Investigation or police clearance, a sketch of permanent residence and authorization letter of the motor vehicle, if not owned. Applicants are also required to attend a seminar/briefing on requirements, rights, duties and obligations of a transporter. San Miguel says that as independent contractors, Jojo transporters have the responsibility to diligently check the items to be delivered and may decline to pick-up and/or deliver the goods when the sender refuses to open the packaging for inspection. Roderick T. dela Cruz

FOOD DISTRIBUTOR MIGRATES TO THE CLOUD MULTI-M Food Corp., one of the top distribution companies for food service chains in the Philippines, is embracing digital transformation to continue its mission of providing quality food products with dependable customer service. Project SAPFire, which began in January, aims to improve MMFC’s operations, finance, inventory, sales and supply chain as the company manages its growth strategy and expansion into new markets. MMFC chose SAP Business ByDesign for this purpose, with Service 101 plus Consulting to implement and deploy the solution across MMFC’s business entities and satellite offices in Cebu, Davao and Bulacan. SAP Business ByDesign, a single cloud

ERP software for fast-growing, midsize businesses, is a complete end-to-end business suite that unifies every functional department and process from accounting and finance to manufacturing, supply chain management and human resources. With a cloud solution, MMFC has the potential to have satellite offices access and consolidate financial reports per business entity which would assist in compliance with BIR tax reporting. It would also help them have faster access to sales reports and computations for agent commissions, as well as assist in the supply chain management to have more efficient handling of product costs, weights and deliveries. “We are optimistic about the rollout of SAP

Business ByDesign’s capability to help fastgrowing businesses like ours be more efficient and ready to meet growing market demands,” said Irene Lee, president of MMFC. “As we seek to grow and expand into new markets, we also remain committed in our mission to provide good food and great service. Balancing this growth as well as maintaining the same impeccable service that our customers expect. Going on the cloud with SAP Business ByDesign will help us to do that,” Lee said. SAP Philippines managing director Edler Panlilio, said: “We are especially proud that one of the best food distribution companies like Multi-M Corp. has chosen SAP as their foundation to grow further.”

MICROSOFT appointed Andrés Ortola as the country general manager for the Philippines where he will work closely with partners to help businesses realise their vision of digital transformation. Prior to this appointment, Ortola led the enterprise commercial business for Singapore, where his leadership and focus on transfor ming the business delivered unprecedented value for Microsoft customers and partners. Originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, Ortola has 20 years of experience in the IT industry and has held various regional leadership positions in consulting, sales management, marketing and business management. His previous experiences include regional roles at Microsoft, Quest Software, IBM and as a co-founder for entrepreneurial projects. “I believe Philippines is on the cusp of greatness. As we all know, the economy is among the fastest growing in Asia Pacific and our customers are hungry for transformation. I’m looking forward to working with our team to deliver a strong and consistent agenda that contributes to the digitalization of the Philippines economy, transforms our key industries and has a strong positive societal impact,” said Ortola. He will report to Andrea Della Mattea, president of Microsoft Asia Pacific. “I’m thrilled to have Andrés lead one of our most dynamic, exciting and vibrant markets in Asia Pacific. His expertise and experience in creating growth opportunities and leading teams will be integral to support our customers and partners in the Philippines,” said Mattea. Ortola has extensive global experience and has called South America, Europe, Middle East and Africa and most recently Asia as home. He is a sports fan and particularly enjoys watching, coaching and playing rugby. His free time is spent exploring the world with his family.

Business

SUNDAY, MARCH 10, 2019 business@manilastandard.net

FRANCORP SET TO HOLD SEMINAR ON FRANCHISING A GOOD BUSINESS FRANCHISING a business still ranks as the most popular growth strategies among aspiring investors. While regarded the “safest” choice, it is not without its challenges—reasons that even the “most prepared” entrepreneurs or “established” brand enterprises need a thorough understanding and know-how of the trade. With today’s industry ripe with existing and up-and-coming franchise investment concepts, starting out “smartly” is indeed a game-changing advantage for a business to prevail successfully, and sustainably. But how and in what ways can entrepreneurs begin wisely in franchising? How can they map out the best future for their businesses? Aspiring franchisors, newbie investors and start-up owners seeking to revitalize their existing businesses to maximize their expansion potential can seek the answers by learning these essential rudiments in the trade straight from the experts in a series of seminars presented by Francorp, the worldwide leader in franchise development and consulting, in cooperation with the Philippine Franchise Association on March 30 to 31, 2019 at the Franchise Asia 2019 at SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. Participants will learn how to grow their business using other people’s money, time and connection. See the step by step process of how to franchise a business, the latest and future industry trends, gainful tips and secrets from the biggest names in franchise today including evolving industry practices, systems and product innovations crucial to keep businesses moving forward. Designed “by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs” to help grow their businesses wisely, this year’s seminar series focuses on various timely topics on franchising. “For a franchise business to succeed, it has to have well-placed systems and a clear business plan. As for owners, on a personal level, they must have the maturity and the readiness to deal with any possible eventualities. Also, developing the right managerial skills and keeping abreast with the latest trends and future franchise concepts is crucial and is a strong indicator that predicts the business’performance and longevity,” said Noel Siggaoat, managing director of Francorp Philippines. He said these concerns could be best learned via a systematic and guided approach coming from professional franchise advisors/analysts. A globally-leading franchise development and consulting firm, Francorp’s reputation is built on years of solid experience and industry expertise. To date, Francorp has helped develop over 3,000 franchise businesses and assisted more than 10,000 companies worldwide in their franchise expansion. Headquartered in Chicago, Francorp has grown to 22 offices and hundreds of franchise consultants not only in the United States but also in South America, Asia, the Middle East and South Africa.

TECHNOLUX CO-PRESENTS SUCCESSFUL FIRST LAUNDRY SHOW

TECHNOLUX Equipment & Supply Corp. was a co-presentor of the “1st Cleaning and Laundry Show 2019” held successfully at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City. The company led the array of local and international suppliers, manufacturers, exhibitors and companies involved in laundry systems, cleaning equipment and chemicals, janitorial and custodial supplies and IT service providers. Technolux’s booth, which occupied a sprawling 540-sqm area, showcased laundry equipment such as cutting-edge smart hard- and soft-mounted washer-extractors, tumble-dryers, detergents, steamers and ironers that they import and supply to the country’s top hotels, resorts, laundromats and other institutions. Technolux senior vice president for salesfood service provincial, laundry, hotel project and design Alex Dumayag joined other special guests at the ceremonial toast. “The 1st Cleaning and Laundry Show 2019 was a great opportunity to celebrate the continued growth of the laundry business in the country,” Dumayag said in his opening speech.

ONLINE PORTAL MATCHES FILIPINO FRANCHISORS WITH INVESTORS By Othel V. Campos

ASY Franchise, a tech-enabled platform, is looking at matching as many as 1,000 franchisors with investors in 2019, the ﬁrst year of its operations. EasyFranchise.com co-founder and Potato Corner owner and chief executive Jose Magsaysay Jr. said the platform, which is open to both local and foreign companies, targets to have about 2,000 small, micro and medium enterprises on its site by year-end. “There is a huge opportunity for technology to be used to grow the franchise industry. Several other sectors such as transport and energy have seen huge growth and development by introducing disruption through technology. Through Easy Franchise, we hope to support the whole industry in reaching its goal of moving past the P1.3-trillion mark in 2020,” he said. By incorporating technology to connect franchise investors and franchisors, Easy Franchise is linking the franchise market to the world through its innovative platform that simplifies the daunting tasks related to franchise buying up to management and business growth. The company will generate revenues from ads within the platform and from priority listing, as well. “We’re actually targeting the OFW segment, wherein most are absentee owners and investors who leave their franchises to relatives or friends who are not well-equipped in managing a business, thus, the business goes under,” he said. He said the platform will allow investors to choose from a roster of franchising companies. Investors are guaranteed that a professional team will provide management support to their franchise. Easy Franchise was developed by a team of franchisors and technology experts to provide a comprehensive franchise investing experience to franchise buyers and investors, as well as to connect

Easy Franchise co-founder Jose Magsaysay Jr. (From Easy Franchise Facebook page)

franchisors to would-be entrepreneurs. Driven by technology, Easy Franchise provides all franchising benefits, while simplifying tasks for franchise investors by eliminating processes such as researching the legitimacy of franchise systems, their support features, prices and brand equity. It provides services such as franchise directory, a location-based search engine, and a franchise

matching feature, which creates a matchmaking algorithm that combines the strengths and taste of the franchise investor to a franchise system. Aside from providing support, Easy Franchise also allows franchise investors to leverage on technology to monitor their businesses through an in-site digital dashboard, which also houses features that help simplify tasks related to managing the business.

GENDER GAP AMONG DIGITAL REMITTANCE SENDERS NARROWS LEADING online money transfer service WorldRemit, in celebration of the International Women’s Day, revealed data showing that the gender gap for sending digital money transfers to the Philippines narrowed by almost 20 percent in five years. Filipinos living abroad sent h o m e a re co rd $ 3 3 b i l l i o n (P1.72 trillion) in 2018, making the Philippines the third largest remittance receiving country in the globe. This makes up about 10 percent of the country’s GDP - the highest share in the region. The new WorldRemit research shows that the proportion of females sending digital money transfers to the Philippines via WorldRemit grew by 10 percent, compared to the global average of 7 percent. About 35 percent of WorldRemit’s customers sending to the Philippines are female, compared to 25 percent in 2014. Despite the global gender gap, female overseas workers from the Philippines send a greater share of remittances compared their male counterparts, and they rank education as the most important

WorldRemit celebrates the contribution female OFWs as gender gap in digital remittance narrowed by almost 20 percent in five years.

reason for sending remittances. Of the 10 million Filipinos currently working abroad, about 55 percent are now women with many living in countries such as the United States, Australia and New Zealand. Money sent from mothers, sisters and aunts living abroad helps millions of families in the Philippines pay for essential needs such as healthcare and education. Globally, women represent nearly

half of all remittance senders and tend to send a higher proportion of their income despite earning less than men. Evidence suggests that, although female migrants tend to earn less than their male counterparts, they send a higher proportion of their income home more frequently. Digital money transfer companies are improving women’s access to remittances and helping their money

go further. WorldRemit enables the Filipino diaspora to send money home in a few taps from their phones without having the travel to an agent, lowering costs and increasing speed and convenience. “Ensuring digital inclusion for financial services for Filipino women living at home and abroad is critically important, as we know that when women thrive, families, businesses and local economies thrive too,” said Michael Liu, managing director for Asia-Pacific at WorldRemit. “Our data shows that women play an increasingly vital role in development of the Philippines by sending money home to support education, cover healthcare costs, make investments, and more. At WorldRemit, we’re committed to simplifying that process, and making it faster, cheaper and easier to send and receive remittances,” he said. Wo r l d R e m i t c u s to m e r s complete over 1.3 million transfers every month from over 50 countries to over 145 destinations.

SUSTAINABILITY GIANTS COME TOGETHER FOR A GREENER PH With Dumayag and the laundry division team were Technolux principals from different countries who talked about their products. They included John Varley, vice president for sales at Autovalet Systems; David Kidney, commercial director for Asia-Pacific for GA Braun of New York; Andrew Kan, director of sales, key accounts at Alliance Laundry Systems Llc; Vincenzo Minarelli, export sales director in the dry-cleaning division of Firbimatic S.p.a. and Norbert Perera, Seitz Malaysia general manager. Other Technolux guests who showed their support were William Stelton, Technolux chairman; Roland Verzosa, Technolux president and chief operating officer; Kevin Mulijana, country director of Seitz Indonesia; and Wendy Wong, sales and marketing executive. Being an industry leader and the country’s largest importer and supplier of laundry and food service equipment and small wares for over 43 years, Technolux also displayed its “self-service coin-operated laundry business” powered by IPSO laundry equipment. “We see more and more people tapping into the very promising laundry business which continues to undergo a massive revolution. There is so much untapped market and Technolux is currently doing its best to explore that,” Dumayag said.

AS COMPANIES all over the world aspire to do their share in maintaining global ecological balance, sustainability has become not just a cool buzzword for advocates but a requirement in almost everything they do. In real estate, sustainability is fast becoming a design requirement as much as aesthetics or security. From energy efficient building materials right up to designing buildings with rainwater collecting features, green building advocates are developing solutions to reduce pressure on the planet. ArthaLand Corp., the leading boutique developer in the country, and First Gen Corp., the Philippines’ pioneer and leader in the natural gas industry, are two such green building advocates. The two companies have come together to boost sustainability in real estate and energy through projects that support the environment. ArthaLand and First Gen’s first project together is the premium-grade office development, ArthaLand Century Pacific Tower in BGC which, during its construction, was already the recipient of the Best

Green Development and Highly Commended in the Best Office Architectural Design categories of the Philippines Property Awards. It has received both Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design platinum rating and recently the Building for Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence 5-star certification, the highest and most prestigious categories in both green building rating standards. The multi-awarded corporate building uses 100 percent clean and renewable energy through a hydroelectric power plant source supplied by First Gen coming from their Pantabangan-Masiway Hydroelectric Plant located in Nueva Ecija. This makes ACPT non-reliant on coal-based energy sources. First Gen is the leading clean energy company in the Philippines and is also the only power generating company of its size that does not have coal power in its portfolio. Their investments span from natural gas, geothermal, hydroelectric, wind, to solar power. “One of the core principles that guide our business is that progress doesn’t need

to come at the expense of our health, the environment, and the future of the next generations,” First Gen chairman Federico Lopez, says. “By partnering with an organization that embodies the same principles is a big step in making sustainability a way of life for every business,” Lopez says. ArthaLand has been known to build structures that adhere to global and national standards in green buildings. Their first project, Arya Residences, is the first and only residential building in the country to receive a LEED gold certification from the US Green Building Council and also the first and only residential project to be given BERDE 4-star certification by the Philippine Green Building Council. “Sustainability has become more than just a corporate social responsibility concept for us. It has become a mission to leave a blueprint of future-proofing in every premium-grade structure that we build,” says ArthaLand treasurer and executive vice president Leo Po. “Part of this mission is to use clean and renewable energy and reduce our environmental footprint,” Po adds.

Manila

Standard

Tech & Gadgets

TODAY

SUNDAY, MARCH 10, 2019 rumallari@thestandard.com.ph

TECH-ING UP BANGSAMORO YOUTH W

ITH the recent ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law and new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao established, Bangsamoro champion and acknowledged mother of the BOL Rep. Bai Sandra Sema has begun engaging and mobilizing the youth of Mindanao through the “Coop Kicks” technology and entrepreneurship program. Done in partnership with the One Cooperative Insurance System of the Philippines, the largest cooperative insurance organization in the Philippines, Coop Kicks features entrepreneurship and technology bootcamps, pitching competitions, mentorship, incubation and marketplace support, and access to financing for innovative business ideas and models. “Now that the Bangsamoro Organic Law has been ratified by the people and the BARMM established and in place, it is time to

work for the youth by empowering them and creating more opportunities for them to take part in charting the new course of the region towards peace, unity, and prosperity,” Rep. Sema stressed. “The Coop Kicks program aims to tech-up the youth and encourage them to take an active role in shaping the future of Mindanao.” Coop Kicks is an ongoing project by 1CISP launched in October of 2018. The Bangsamoro Coop Kicks, which is the program’s second leg, was launched on March 6,

2019, at in Cotabato City. Keynote speakers during the Cotabato City launch included Rep. Sema; Roy Miclat, president of 1CISP; and Jove Tapiador, cofounder and Chairman of Fintech Philippines Association—a nonprofit association representing and promoting the Philippines as a premier financial and technological innovator in Asia. Cooperatives, teams, or individuals who are residents of Mindanao and who have breakthrough business solutions, products and/ or services awaiting a kickstart can join the Coop Kicks pitch fest. Duly registered cooperatives in Mindanao may also become part of the program as business proponents or finance providers. Short-listed proponents can avail of free registration in entrepreneurship and technology

bootcamps, and a chance to become one of the finalists in the Coop Kicks final round. Winners in the final round will be awarded P100,000.00 seed funding support; free use of a fully supported co-working space for up to one year in Cagayan de Oro City; a highly qualified mentor during the incubation period; support for business registration, processing and development; and access to Series A funding during the full development phase. “I have always believed that our youth are the future of the Bangsamoro. Now that the BOL has been ratified, we will be relying on you to provide a better future for yourselves and for your elders,” Rep. Sema stressed, addressing the Bangsamoro youth. “The BOL is now in your court,” she added.

Jove Tapiador (left), Fintech Co-Founder and President; Rep. Bai Sandra Sema, (center), Mother of BOL; and Roy Miclat, 1 Cooperative Insurance Systems of the Philippines, as they talked about how together, technology and the youth, the community through innovations, concepts and new ideas to create opportunities in the Bangsamoro region, can pave the way for a progressive and successful youth.

LENOVO SPEARHEADS MAKEOVER OF SCHOOL LENOVO Philippines’ General Manager Michael Ngan led a contingent of Lenovo volunteers to restore Alno-Kadoorie Elementary School, located in the remote barangay of Alno in La Trinidad, Benguet. Over the two-day outreach program, Lenovo distributed school items for the students and supplied chairs and tables for its classrooms, Lenovo, led by Michael Ngan re-painted some of the with officials of Alno-Kadoorie rooms to give the school its Elementary School. much-needed facelift after the devastation brought about by Typhoon Ompong. A staunch advocate of education, Lenovo—a global leader in the PC market and smart devices industry, carries out various initiatives to inspire knowledge and cultivate minds. Lenovo Philippines regularly collaborates with academic institutions to provide teachers and students the tools they need to push through with their educational journey despite adversities such as natural calamities, as well as the lack of financial and material resources. For its annual outreach program, Lenovo Philippines recently partnered with the Alno-Kadoorie Elementary School to give the school its much-needed facelift after the devastation brought about by Typhoon Ompong—a powerful tropical cyclone that hit Northern Luzon provinces in 2018. In particular, the typhoon brought about heavy rains, flash floods, and landslides in Baguio City and Benguet province. Lenovo Philippines’ General Manager Michael Ngan led a contingent of Lenovo volunteers to restore AKES, which is located in the remote barangay of Alno in La Trinidad, Benguet. Over the two-day program, the team distributed school items for the students and supplied chairs and tables for its classrooms. They also re-painted some of the rooms, including the clinic as well as the Physical Education room. “At Lenovo, we believe that education plays a major role in uplifting our society. To ensure that this program is meaningful, we coordinated closely with the school to identify their most immediate and relevant needs. We hope that our actions have helped AKES create a more conducive learning environment and empower the students to better appreciate their education,” Ngan said. Meanwhile, Mark Binay-an, the head teacher of AKES, said that this is the first time that a private institution extended help to the school. “We feel honored to be chosen as the beneficiary of Lenovo Philippines’ CSR activity. The company’s support will go a long way in helping our students in their educational journey. We hope that you will push this advocacy further and be able to reach out to more far-flung schools in the Philippines,” Binay-an said.

DO-IT-ALL SAMSUNG M20 NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE SAMSUNG’s latest innovation, the Galaxy M20, is now availabile. The Samsung Galaxy M20 runs on a whopping 5,000 mAh battery, its largest in the mid-range category. Users will worry less as they can make calls for 29 hours, play videos for up to 17 or and listen to music for 101—all by charging once. When the battery does run low, the Galaxy M20’s fast-charging feature can power the device up to 10% in just 10 minutes. Its Phase Detection Auto Focus is quick and accurate and ideal for fast-moving and distant subjects. The Galaxy M20 camera comes with an AI-solution to optimize scenes in real-time, and automatically adjusts saturation, white balance, and brightness. Selfies can be elevated withstickers, stamps, and flattering filters, for professionallooking images. All of the features are integrated

into the Galaxy M20’s FHD+ Infinity V-display. This offers an uninterrupted viewing experience with a 6.3” edge-to-edge display and a 90% screen-to-body ratio. It’s an immersive device that will delight users who love to play games, stream content, browse, multitask, and more. It is complemented by a slim glossy back, and two color choices: charcoal black and ocean blue. The Samsung Galaxy M20 is available starting today with a suggested retail price of PH10,990.00. It is exclusive from online merchants Lazada, Shopee, Argomall, Abenson, and MemoXpress. Users may visit the online merchants’ websites to know more about their promos with the Galaxy M20. Each purchase of the smartphone also comes with access to the Samsung Members app, an online community that offers news, tips, diagnostic checks, and exclusive benefits like event invitations, special offers, and discounts on Samsung services. For more information, visit the official Samsung website samsung.com/ph

(MS-MAR. 10, 2019)

TECH & Gadgets SUNDAY, MARCH 10, 2019 Riera U. Mallari, Editor rumallari@thestandard.com.ph

OLX DATA: BEST TIME TO BUY, SELL USED SMARTPHONES

HE coming release of the Samsung Galaxy S10 means it’s decision-making time. Loyal fans are thinking about selling their previous generation unit and upgrading to the latest one. Meanwhile, those who simply need to replace their phones that conked out are mulling over buying the older model. Whether you intend to sell or buy a used smartphone, it’s worth knowing the price trends of the previous generation phones when their latest iterations are about to be launched. It can give you an idea of the best time to buy or sell a secondhand mobile phone. To give you a clear view of the best time to buy or sell, online classifieds giant OLX studied its data on the most sold phone brand in the world, Samsung. OLX examined the prices of used Galaxy S8 units when the S9 was revealed. The biggest online buy and sell platform also looked at the classifieds community’s interest (measured in views and inquiries) in secondhand S8 phone ads when its successor was about to be launched. “Intuitively, prices for older generation phones swiftly lose value after the release of a newer model. Our data support the claim. Through our in-depth analysis, we

By MJ Blancaflor

get precise insights on timing. As you know, timing is everything,” said OLX’s Head of Goods & Services Rambo Joinani.

The best time to sell

To get the best value out of your pre-loved phone, put it up for sale on OLX 30 days before the release of the latest model. Can’t let go of it that soon? Sell it on the date of the newest model’s release to spare yourself from a P700 price decrease when you vend it a week later. Inquiries on and views of used smartphones on OLX usually peak 20 days before the release of a new model. The interest starts to slow down 7 days before the latest generation phone’s launch.

The best time to purchase

In general, the best time to buy a previous generation phone is 7 days after the launch date of the newest model. You can save as much as P2,000 by just delaying

your purchase. If you’re upgrading to the 10th generation Samsung Galaxy S phone, consider selling your old phone on OLX, where you can reach thousands of po-

tential buyers. In the market for a pre-loved phone? Search for a secondhand unit on OLX, where you can select from a wide selection of mobile phone listings. Visit https://www.olx.ph/.

FASTER INFLIGHT WI-FI? NO PROBLEM, SAYS PAL EVER take off on a long flight, only to remember an important message or an email you forgot to send? Not to mention the worrying while inflight or apology you’d have to craft for not making your deadline? Here’s some good news – among the many things you’d miss when you go on a trip abroad, connections no longer have to be part of them! Unlock your phone and latch on to myPAL Wi-Fi Hi-Speed, discover why staying online while onboard has never been this fast and convenient. Leave your loved ones some peace of mind. No more radio silence between your “Hey, I’m already in the plane!” and your “Hi, I just landed!” texts. Access your go-to messaging apps while inflight, sending those awaited updates to the ones who matter the most to you. Never miss a beat. Worry no more about losing your office momentum—access your emails and your important files in the skies and use that valuable travel time to your advantage. Imagine that: while you’re high up and flying in comfort, you could get work done as well! Post fun times in real time. Took a funny video as soon as you settled

into your seat? Post it on your Stories! Captured a photo of your delightful inflight meal? Load it up on Facebook! Why wait until you land to share your Philippine Airline experience? Make sure your accounts are updated with the cool things you encounter, even while inflight! Customize your onboard fun further. Sure, your PAL flight already comes with an amazing range of shows to binge on and music selec-

tions to sound trip to – but sometimes you just need to browse and search for your specific type of content. Go ahead and surf your go-to websites with internet speeds that rival your regular on-ground connections. Long flights don’t have to feel long. With myPAL Wi-Fi Hi-Speed’s complimentary 30mb for all passengers and 100mb additional for Business Class, staying connected doesn’t have to stop the moment

your flight takes off. The same goes for when you hit your data cap. Easily renew and topup an additional 100mb for only USD5, payable onboard by credit card. Fly the way you deserve and surf to your heart’s content with Philippine Airlines – and learn all about this speedy new feature on philippineairlines.com. Philippine Airlines is the national flag carrier of the Philippines, proud to be the first and longest-serving airline in Asia under its original name since being founded in 1941. Philippine Airlines is a full-service scheduled airline whose fleet of 85 aircraft operate flights to 33 destinations in the Philippines and 40 international destinations in the United States, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, the Middle East, New Zealand and all over Asia. It also serves an additional 41 destinations through code share alliances with partner airlines. Philippine Airlines recently received a 4-Star global airline rating from Skytrax, the international air transport rating organization, having proven excellence and commitment to world-class standards across Skytrax’s global metrics that measure product and service quality.

WHAT VIVO IS COMING UP WITH THIS MONTH WHILE the rest of the Asia-Pacific region has already had their thrilling encounters with the Vivo V15 Pro and its revolutionary features, Filipinos are still wondering when they will ever get their hands on the newest flagship smartphone from the innovative mobile phone developer. If there is any indication that Vivo Philippines is #ComingUP with something exciting for Filipinos in the next few days, its website (www.vivoglobal.ph) sports a countdown image of the V15 Pro with its signature elevating front camera. This ends speculations on whether the mid-range smartphone that will soon be available in the local market will sport the pioneering and state-of-the-art optics technology. Matching the aesthetics of the Vivo V15Pro, the 32MP elevating front camera sits hidden underneath the display and mechanically pops up using a highly-sophisticated micro-stepping motor,

an independent driver IC and a precision control algorithm when the user accesses selfie mode. Among its other innovations, Filipinos can also marvel at the Vivo V15Pro’s 6.39” Super AMOLED Ultra FullView™ Display and discover a better way of enjoying their favorite movies, videos, online content or playing games with a notch-less screen. With the countdown ticking to possibly the much-anticipated official launch of the V15Pro in the country or its exclusive availability

SURVEILLANCE TECH PUTS TRUST AT RISK—AUSSIE SCHOLAR

in the local market through preorder channels, one thing is sure. Vivo Philippines is #ComingUp with its latest flagship smartphone with innovations that can truly elevate the Filipino lifestyle. Filipinos will soon get their hands on the Vivo V15Pro with its elevating front camera and 6.39” Super AMOLED Ultra FullView™ Display. Vivo is a leading global technology company committed to creating trendsetting smart mobile innovations and services. Vivo

is devoted to forming a vibrant mobile internet ecosystem, and currently owns and operates an extensive network of research operations, with R&D centers focusing on the development of cutting-edge consumer technologies including 5G, AI, mobile photography and next-generation smartphone design. In recent years, Vivo has taken frequent efforts in the sports field and is committed to promoting the mutual penetration of the brand’s diverse fields and diversifying its brand image. Vivo Philippines announced its partnership with the NBA by the end of 2017. Currently, Vivo has over two hundred million users enjoying its mobile products and services around the world. Vivo is present in 18 markets globally and features offline retail stores in over 1,000 cities worldwide. In the Philippines, Vivo is the top3 smartphone brand in terms of market share with 1.5 million users nationwide.

AN AUSTRALIAN philosopher and educator warned the public in a forum Thursday about the dangers of surveillance technology, particularly its impact on trust among people. John Weckert, who has done studies on trust in an online environment, said that there “must be limits on monitoring in order for trust to exist.” Trust allows people to act autonomously and is “good for one’s self-esteem,” Weckert said in the forum held at the University of Santo Tomas in celebration of the 20th year encyclical of Pope John Paul II’s “Fides et Ratio.” A trusted person is more likely to develop virtues than a distrusted one, he said. “If you keep your workforce under surveillance, you’re not helping them develop good habits,” Weckert added, addressing the audience mostly composed of students and religious people. He said that while monitoring the workplace is important to ensure security, it limits the space for autonomy and trust. “People who do not trust one another will end up cooperating only under a system of formal rules and regulations,” Weckert said. He also noted that surveillance technology such as camera and wireless sensors “can be used unfairly.” He also said facial recognition tools are “dangerous,” because these are “not 100 percent accurate.” Weckert, a professor emeritus at the Charles Sturt University, also warned the public about the danger of algorithms. In computer technology, an algorithm is a set of instructions designed to perform specific tasks. Search engines such as Google use algorithms to display the most relevant results for specific queries. “Most people don’t know what’s going on inside them since these are complicated for an average person,” Weckert said in the forum organized by the UST Ecclesiastical Faculties and Center for Religious Studies and Ethics.

LG’S SMART HOME TECHNOLOGIES EMPOWER WOMEN FOR today’s generation of modern and multi-tasking Filipino women, the most valuable currency is time. Time, as the adage goes, is gold. Time lost cannot be restored. And time saved enables women, and men alike, to do more— spend longer and better-quality time with loved ones, pursue passions and unlock new opportunities. Time at home is especially valuable for women who share in the household tasks. Efficiency is the name of the game. After all, time at home is best spent enjoying life’s simple pleasures. This is where LG’s smart home technologies play an invaluable role. In the daily struggle for efficient use of precious time, the electronics giant’s intuitive and smart technology takes the burden out of household tasks so that they do not take more time, and energy, than is necessary. Take the LG’s TwinWash, powered by SmartThinQ technology, as an example. It allows users to control and monitor the washer anytime and from anywhere using the LG mobile app. It can also be linked to Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa so users can remotely start or pause a load, monitor cycle status and ‘command’ the washer to perform other functions. The InstaView Door-in-Door refrigerator is another case in point. It minimizes loss of cold air, prolongs freshness and saves energy and time, with the simple act of knocking twice. It may seem insignificant but as multi-tasking mothers, wives, sisters, and women know—one less thing to worry or think about is always a relief. A recent study from the U.S. found that “invisible labor” at home can take a toll on the mental and emotional wellbeing of women who are expected to perform these tasks. Invisible labor refers to household responsibilities that are not physically enforced.

Destinations D1

SUNDAY, MARCH 10, 2019

Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor

manilastandardlife@gmail.com

@manilastandardlife

LUXURY IN LEGAZPI

@MStandardLIFE

The Executive Board Room can sit up to 30 people.

The Function Hall can accommodate 120 guests.

'BEST HOTEL EXPERIENCE.' The recently opened Marison Hotel in Legazpi City aims to offer the best and maximum comfort and convenience to its guests.

By Bernadette Lunas

Before their father, Chisan Uy, passed, he had expressed his desire to own a hotel and leave something in the city that people can see. “I told him then that we were going to build a hotel, even though no one in our family has a background in the hotel business,” related Uy-So. The Marison Hotel features a rustic industrial and contemporary chic style complete with exposed bricks, elegant centerpieces, plush couches and chairs in both public areas and guest rooms, and a good amount of wood and metal furnishings. It offers 118 rooms, each equipped with a ﬂat screen television, a desk, coffee and tea making facilities, and bathroom. Some are ﬁtted with a terrace and separate living room. Some rooms Turn to D2

pon entering the newly opened The Marison Hotel in Legazpi City, one can feel a distinct elegance— elegant but unassuming, posh but unpretentious—as its owners did not skimp on the quality of every item used and being used in the property.

From left: Legazpi City Councilor Alan Rañola, The Marison Hotel vice president for sales and operations Emily Uy, president and chief executive Daisy Uy-So, and Department of Tourism Region 5 director Benjamin Santiago.

Daisy Uy-So, president and chief executive of The Marison Hotel, takes pride in offering only the best. Most of the four-story hotel’s furniture and ﬁxtures, Uy-So said, were imported from China just so they can maintain the “feel” the hotel aims to express. “We want only the best so we look from the guest’s point of view,” Uy-So said, adding, “Apart from being the perfect base for anyone who wants to see the beauty and splendor of Legazpi, we offer maximum comfort and convenience for the whole family.” Perhaps this being the Uy family’s ﬁrst venture in the hospitality industry and the realization of their patriarch’s dream of owning a hotel, they don’t want to leave anything to chance. The family's main business involves feeds and fertilizer.

Coffee and chill at Sans Café & Bar

MERCURY RISING

OUR TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE

MERCURY RISING BY BOB ZOZOBRADO

ONE recent morning when our respective schedules matched, we, the Board of Trustees of Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Philippines Chapter, decided to pay a courtesy call on Pocholo Paragas, the chief operating officer and general manager of Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA). It turned out to be a very interesting free-wheeling discussion on

the development, promotion, and supervision of the tourism projects in our country. It is always such a delight to chat with young, intelligent, and committed ofﬁcers who are at the forefront of our tourism industry. Those of us in the industry feel energized with the dynamism of these leaders and feel excited that all these could only point to a bright future we can look forward to. Turn to D2

From left: TIEZA’s Jethro Lozada, PATA Trustee for Finance Marlene Insigne, TIEZA chief operating officer Pocholo Paragas, PATA Chairman Bob Zozobrado (the author), PATA Trustee for Education Pat Alberto, TIEZA’s Bing Francisco, PATA Trustee for Legal Apolonio Anota, Jr., and PATA Trustee for Membership Simon Ang

Destinations

SUNDAY, MARCH 10, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

OUR...

Surfing, sun bathing, sight-seeing in Sorsogon

From D1

TIEZA was created by Republic Act 9593 or the Tourism Act of 2009. Its four-pronged responsibilities are—the building of tourism infrastructure, the operation and management of our tourism assets, the designation, regulation, and supervision of Tourism Enterprise Zones, and the collection of travel taxes. This Tourism agency develops areas in the country with high cultural, historical, religious, heritage, or eco-tourism values, thereby shaping a deep sense of awareness and pride for our natural bounties and our uniqueness as a race. In some parts of the country, it restores and rehabilitates historical landmarks, and builds facilities in accordance with the Department of Tourism’s National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP). In some areas, TIEZA runs facilities that offer accommodations, or food and beverage, or specialized sports such as golf and scuba diving. In some provinces, the agency has partnered with the private sector and with local governments units, to empower them and their communities in running the localities’ assets. Once an area is developed as a Flagship Tourism Enterprise Zone, the DoT and TIEZA invite for partnership private entities which eventually enjoy ﬁscal and non-ﬁscal incentives. There are also instances when these private stakeholders discover the tourism potential of a certain area and initiate the request for partnership with TIEZA. Either way, such joint investments create employment and spark economic activities in those communities. Presidential Decree 1183 has allowed the imposition of Travel

Sorsogon showcased its rich marine resources and storied maritime heritage in the recent Hobie Challenge.

NTERACTING with whale sharks or butanding may be reason enough to visit Sorsogon. But aside from these gentle giants, there are more must-see destinations and must-do activities in this province in Bicol Region. Juag Lagoon Marine Sanctuary in Matnog

YOUR WEEKEND CHUCKLE All men try to be brave. Horror movies don’t scare them... but five missed calls from the wife make them panic!

Tax on any individual leaving the country, regardless of where the ticket was issued. The amount collected is shared by three government bodies—50 percent goes to TIEZA, 40 percent goes to the Commission on Higher Education, and the remaining 10 percent goes to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. TIEZA uses its share for its priority tourism projects and activities, as laid out in the DoT’s NTDP. Our more-than-an-hour-long chat with COO Paragas was an engrossing exchange of information and ideas, so encouraging because his dynamism was very infectious that we, PATA Board of Trustees, left his office with the resolve to do even more as our share, towards ensuring the continued success of our industry. It’s just quite sad to note that, when asked I asked him about it, COO Paragas clarified that, yes, his tenure is co-terminus with that of our President, who officially appointed him to the position. It would really be a pity to see this “low-profile dynamo” leave our industry, but such is the texture of life. While they are around, we just have to make the most of these effective and energized tourism leaders—Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, Tourism Promotions Board COO Marie Venus Tan, and TIEZA COO Pocholo Paragas—who are currently at the forefront of making it “more fun in the Philippines” not only for our visitors, but also for those of us who have been long-time stakeholders in our country’s tourism industry. For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@gmail.com.

The pinkish-white sand Subic Beach in Sorsogon.

LUXURY... From D1 have a view of the Mayon Volcano. Within the 2,000-square-meter hotel are facilities and amenities that make for a complete experience such as two outdoor swimming pools, a ﬁtness center, and three dining options: the main restaurant, IL Morso Italian Restaurant; the Sans Cafe & Bar, which serves Illy coffee; and Chilo Bar on the roof deck which offers a wide array of mocktails, cocktails, wines, and beers, among others. The Marison Hotel is also ready for

Each of the 14 towns of Sorsogon boasts unique characteristics and treasure trove of tourism gems. Located in the heart of Sorsogon City, the provincial capital, is Rompeolas (baywalk), a scenic promenade with a view of the mountains and Pinaculan Island, which is being developed by the provincial government as a tourist zone. The seat of government is the postcard-pretty Provincial Capitol which features a classical Graeco-Roman architecture, and has a museum and heritage center which chronicles the province’s checkered history. Beach lovers can bask in the resort colony in Bacon District, known for Tolong Gapo and Pagol beaches, and the crater-like Paguriran Rock Island which has a shallow lagoon enclosed by a craggy rock wall. For a cozy sight-seeing, tourists can have lunch with a side of lush mangrove forest view at the Buhatan River Cruise. Another must-see is the 3,215-hectare Abang Mangrove Reserve in Prieto Diaz, an award-winning wetland which is a habitat to around 30 bird species. Also within the town is Nagsurok Caves which has an underground river which snakes through its half-mile length. An emerging tourist hotspot is

the Pacific coastal town of Gubat which is frequented for the powdery beige sand and turquoise water of Rizal Beach and Buenavista Beach, Bicol’s surfing mecca whose waves are ideal for beginners. Lola Sayong Eco-Surf Camp offers surfing lessons at rock-bottom rates where one can get initiated to the sport and help send local youths to school. An old-time poster image is the 3,673-hectare Bulusan Volcano Natural Park, a lush rainforest and wildlife sanctuary reserve. Its core, Bulusan Lake, is a quiet retreat where visitors can go around its 16-hectare surface on kayaks and pedal boats, get a massage on a raft, or commune in the stillness of nature. A few minutes away is Balay Buhay sa Uma, an agri-tourism resort noted for its bee farm, freshwater ponds, cold spring pool, and indigenous greens, surrounded by cool springs emanating from Bulusan Volcano. Meanwhile, neighboring Irosin town has a number of sulfuric hot springs which are believed to be therapeutic. Heritage buffs can marvel at St. Joseph Church in Barcelona. The church has a coral rock baroque dome-like structure and bell tower, with the remnants of the old municipal hall, fortress, and school building nearby. Juban is regarded as a heritage town because of its well-preserved houses built in the traditional bahay na bato architecture. A noteworthy house is Casa Feliz, which has found new life as a pension house, and a “living museum” showcasing heirloom pieces. Gibalon Shrine in Magallanes, on the other hand, has an interesting historical tidbit, being the site of Luzon’s first Catholic Mass held in 1569.

business and conferences as Legazpi City gears up to become one of the top MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) destinations in the country. It has a fully equipped Executive Board Room that can accommodate up to 30 people and a big function room that can cater to up to 120 people. “The opening of The Marison Hotel is a testament that the Bicol region has come into its own as a prime tourist and business destination in the country,” enthused Uy-So. She added, “We enter the hotel industry with the ﬁrm belief that Bicol—especially Legazpi, has a lot to offer to both its local Take a dip in the outdoor pool

The Marison Suite is equipped with the essentials and added amenities such as a separate living room.

Premiere Suite Queen

This merry mix of culture, nature and adventure came into a conﬂuence as the province recently hosted the 19th Philippine Hobie Challenge, the country’s premiere extreme regatta. Organized by the Philippine Inter Island Sailing Federation, grizzled veteran sailors from all over the world take part in this fun race to put the spotlight on the lesser known coastal areas of the archipelago. This year’s edition ﬁred off on Feb. 18 in Donsol, and sailed to Subic Beach in Matnog, which is popular for its pinkish powdery sand and crystalline water. Participants extended outreach programs by donating useful materials to the host communities as part of the group’s social responsibility. Governor Robert Lee Rodrigueza said the inclusion of Sorsogon in the Hobie Challenge is a recognition of its rich marine resources and storied maritime heritage dating back to the Spanish period. The local chief executive noted that the tourney will boost the initiatives to position the province as a hub for water-based recreation under its “So Sorsogon” tourism branding which tags it as “so breathtaking, so precious, so gifted, so mesmerizing, and so gastronomic.”

and international visitors. We are not only very eager to provide a premium hotel experience to our guests, but The Marison Hotel also looks forward to helping the Bicol Region welcome a much bigger tourist base in the years to come.” The Marison aims to secure a four-star rating, thereby joining the big names in the hospitality industry in the city. But more than a rating to flaunt, the Uy family aspires for their new business to be a place where guests can enjoy the best hotel experience and where staff members realize their full potential. “I can confidently say that our asset is our people. From the start, we let them know what we want. We don’t want politics. Dito lahat tulungan lang (Here, we help each other),” said Uy-So. Aside from quality products and services, facilities and amenities, and well-trained staff, The Marison Hotel is an ideal jump-off point for exploring Legazpi City. It’s situated a quick five-minute drive from the Legazpi Airport, and about 20 to 30 minutes away from attractions like the Cagsawa Ruins, Ligñon Hill Nature Park, Daraga Church, and ATV tour adventure, among others. The Marison Hotel is at Corner Imelda Roces Ave., Legazpi City, Albay. Call (052) 732-7777 or email reservations@ themarisonhotel.com for inquiries and reservations.

Entertainment

SUNDAY, MARCH 10, 2019

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

SEVEN KAPAMILYA STARS TO CATCH ON JEEPNEY TV THIS MONTH

PUSH TO READ. The former Miss Philippines - Fire titleholder (at Miss Philippines Earth 2009) puts her dreams into action as she carries out her passion project, "Push to Read,” which takes her to different barangays and public schools to read stories to children.

THE MANY ROLES PATRICIA TUMULAK PLAYS T

V HOST and actress Patricia Tumulak remains resolute in pursuing her love for acting and being an advocate of reading. The GMA Artist Center star plays Queenie in the newest GMA Afternoon Prime musical drama series, Inagaw na Bituin, which has been receiving praises and high ratings ever since it started airing. “Hard work definitely pays off. I’m happy that the viewers like and appreciate the show. I get more motivated to work. I’m extremely grateful and honored to be part of this stellar cast. I’m elated because it’s a good training ground for me to hone my skills in acting, plus I get to work with my idols in the industry,” she said.

Patria with '24 Oras' anchors Vicky Morales, Mel Tiangco, and Atom Araullo

Patricia feels ecstatic as she challenges herself to do both of what she’s passionate about - acting and hosting. The immense support she’s surrounded with inspires her to explore her undeniable talent as she continues to hone her craft as an artist. “I’m so grateful to GMA because they trust me when it comes to hosting and acting. So kahit anong ibigay na opportunity, I’ll do my best. Nakakataba rin ng puso yung love from my family, friends and viewers who don’t get tired of giving me their support.” Apart from this, she makes sure to stay committed to her aspirations outside the entertainment scene. The enthusiasm she has for teaching, which she refers to as her first love, never goes away; it only continues to bloom and unravel new and exciting things for her. A graduate of Early Childhood Education, the Kapuso beauty aspires to put up her own preschool someday. She gets a big head start in putting her dreams into action as she carries out her passion project, ”Push to Read.” “With my line of work now, I can’t do full time so I thought of making my own initiative wherein I can squeeze time in between work or during my free time to be with kids and educate them,” shared Patricia, who’s also a former beauty queen. Last year, she conducted her project in Bacolod which motivated her to make “Push to Read” a nationwide project. “I gather kids from different barangays to conduct a story telling. Aside from sharing my blessings, my mission is to instill the love of reading to kids by helping develop their imagination and creativity.” She hopes to share and pass down this advocacy to the future generations as she plans to publish her own storybook in the forthcoming years.

IT’S not officially summer yet but Jeepney TV is already jam-packed with heat and excitement as the channel brings in well-loved ABS-CBN programs I Can See Your Voice, Magpahanggang Wakas, Be My Lady, and more starting this month. Catch these seven Kapamilya stars who are gracing your screens with notable television stories and scenes: Jericho Rosales and Arci Munoz Echo and Arci star in intense drama series Magpahanggang Wakas as Waldo and Aryann, whose love will be tested when Waldo killed a man who attempted to rape his beloved girlfriend.

Erich Gonzales and Daniel Matsunaga Pinang (Erich), a nurse who has no time for romance, meets Phil (Daniel), the person who caused her mother misfortune when he was young in the series Be My Lady. Now, Phil shows off his good side and expresses his willingness to learn what it’s like to be Pinoy, and eventually, falls in love with a dalagang Filipina in the character of Pinang.

Luis Manzano The multi-awarded host is back on Jeepney TV, this time in a mystery music game show I Can See Your Voice, which challenges panelists (SING-vestigators) and viewers to guess if the featured contestants are real singers (SEE-ngers) or not (SEE-ntunado) in a tricky spectacle of videos and pretend performances.

Angel Locsin and Piolo Pascual Piolo and Angel make Saturday afternoon endearing for viewers as their movies air back-to-back in Pasado Pelikula for the whole month of March. Catch Paano Kita Iibigin and Love Me Again on March 16, Starting Over Again and Four Sisters and a Wedding on March 23, and The Breakup Playlist and Unofficially Yours on March 30. Jeepney TV is available on ABS-CBN TVplus channel 11, SKYcable channel 9, Destiny Cable Analog 41 and Digital 9.

TV host, actress, and former beauty queen Patricia Tumulak enjoys wearing many hats on and off cam.

CATRIONA SHINES IN ‘RAISE YOUR FLAG’ TRIBUTE CONCERT By Eton Concepcion MISS Universe 2018 Catriona Gray treated her fans to a free-admission concert dubbed Raise Your Flag held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Feb. 24. “Raise Your Flag” was also the title of the song that Gray said when she was asked by host Steve Harvey to come up with a title for a song that she would write to sum up her Miss Universe journey. Gray was fitted by fellow Binibining Pilipinas representatives to the Miss Universe pageant from 2010 to 2017 that included Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach who’s appearance made the show a rare treat having two recent Miss Universe winners from the Philippines together. Only 2012’s Janine Tugonon, who is now

based in New York, was missing in the comingtogether reunion with Venus Raj (2010), Shamcey Supsup-Lee (2011), Ariella Arida (2013), MJ Lastimosa (2014), Maxine Medina (2016) and Rachel Peters (2017). They walked the stage in a locally-designed, fabulous all-red evening gown mini fashion show together with Bb Pilipinas-Globe Michele Gumabao, Bb Pilipinas-Supranational Jehza Huelar, and Bb. Pilipinas runners up Vickie Rushton, and Samantha Bernardo, and Kapamilya young star Maymay Entrata. Gray brought the house down when she appeared in her now iconic and stunning red lava gown by Mak Tumang. Madam Stella Marquez de Araneta led the BPCI while former Binibining Pilpinas winners

present in the event were Chiqui Brosas-Hann, Alma Concepcion, Jenette Fernando-Hizon, and Patricia Fernandez. Gray shed tears of joy when parents Mita and Ian Gray made a surprise appearance on the show. “The reason I am who I am today is because of these two people. Whatever I wanted to do in pursuit of my dreams, they were always there to support me every step of the way,” Gray said. The children of Young Focus based in Tondo, Manila, a pet organization of Gray’s advocacy joined their Miss Universe idol-supporter onstage before the show ended with debut of the song “Raise Your Flag” performed by KZ Tandingan and Kritiko. Raise Your Flag for Catriona Gray airs tonight on ABS-CBN.

Catriona Gray is all smiles during the 'Raise Your Flag' tribute concert and fashion show held at the Araneta Colesium.

SUNDAY, MARCH 10, 2019

Desiree Carlos, Editor

daycarlos28@yahoo.com

Pets

A THERAPY DOG FOR KIDS WITH ADHD

NUMBER of PET TALES studies have BY DESIREE CARLOS shown that dogs trained to be therapy companions can reduce the symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. Animal assisted intervention (AAI) has been found to reduce stress, improve cognitive function, reduce problem behaviors and improve attention, says Rick Nauert (PhD), associate news editor of PsychCentral, in “Therapy Dogs Can Help Ease Symptoms of ADHD in Kids. To help his son Mihail, 11, who was diagnosed with ADHD, my brother Kai decided to adopt a dog from the pound to be Mikhail’s emotional companion as the doctor recommended, and not buy a dog. Thus, his family did not only got help for his son, but they were also able help a rescued or abandoned dog. Here is their story as told by Kai: My son, Mikhail, age 11, was diagnosed with ADHD. His doctor said it would be better for him to have a dog as an emotional animal. We went through the pictures on the internet and instantly among thousands of choices in the pound, he chose Rex. He was so excited to go and get him. We went to the pound and there he was. While people say, we rescue animals, Rex kind of rescued us. He was such a delightful, very sweet and loving. My son instantly bonded with him and Rex would sleep beside him all the time. Anytime someone approaches Mikhail, even me, Rex would always guard him and protect him. Rex by the way, is half blind, hence not a lot of people wanted to adopt a half-blind dog. A year after we adopted him, we decided to take him to the park close by. We took the leash out and playful as he was, he bolted across

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.

Mikhail with therapy dog Rex, a half-blind dog from the pound that his family adopted. Mikhail adopted Bear, a dog rescued by a teenager while scavenging for food in trash bins. He and his father Kai decided to adopt him when they saw him shivering inside his cage in the pound.

the street and into the freeway. We looked for him for hours and posted lost dog signs on the internet. Three days later, a lady called and said they found Rex. We were ecstatic. We rushed to meet her in the park only to have our heart stop when we saw his bloodied body wrapped in a blanket as the lady and the police officer approached us. My wife and I cried. We were just glad Mikhail was not with us at that time. After Mikhail’s school, we decided to break the bad news to him. He did not take it well of course and cried non- stop. A week later, I asked him if he wanted to go to the pound again. He said he wanted to mourn Rex first before getting another dog. I was so proud of his maturity. A month later, we got Bear from the pound. After we saw him shiv-

MY FURRY BESTIE

Therapy dog Rex with his human family: Dad Kai, Mom Melanie and brother Mikhail.

ering in his cage, we both knew he needed our care so we chose him. Bear is a five-year-old half chihuahua and half pug. He was seen by a teenager rummaging around the trash bins and was immediately brought to the pound.

He gets overly-excited when I get back from work. He likes being cuddled all the time. He is such a sweet puppy who brings so much joy and love into our lives. We are glad we adopted this stray dog who eventually became a therapy dog for my son.

CHOPI is a six- year-old playful Japanese spitz who "likes to have fun and run around the yard at full speed," says her owner. “She spends most of her afternoons outdoors, rolling on the grass and feeling the wind on her fur. She also has a sweet side for she likes to receive cuddles and belly rubs,” her owner adds. The owner adds,”This happy dog is also a heartworm disease survivor.”

YOKO loves running around the house and playing fetch, says furparent EG Dee. “Yoko is male and only two years and seven months of age. He loves sitting by the porch and to people-watch, EG shares. “Yoko's best part of the day is breakfast!! He loves pandesal!” EG adds. Yoko also loves to travel with his furparent. 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.

John Hughes, founder of Dogs Mountain Sanctuary, rescued thousands of dogs bound for slaughter, and dogs from the streets and pounds before he died in October, 2014.

Veterinarians from RODEO CLUB DMMMSY NLUC CHAPTER gave anti-rabies shot to more than 150 rescued dogs in Dogs Mountain Sanctuary as part of their anti-rabies campaign with Top Breed Dog Meal.

ANTI-RABIES SHOT AND TREATS FOR RESCUED DOGS IT WAS a wondrous blessings-filled day for more than 150 dogs rescued from dog meat traders, the streets and pounds last Sunday. Veterinarians gave anti-rabies shots to the dogs at Dogs Mountain Sanctuary in Naguillan, La Union as part of the anti-rabies campaign of Top Breed Dog Meal and RODEO CLUB DMMMSUNLUC Chapter . The dogs were also delighted with the 20 bags of much-needed dog food donated by Top Breed, specially Boxer (see photo) who was rescued from the street. Top Breed also gifted the sanctuary with leashes and harnesses, shampoo, and disinfectant for the dog pens. Dogs Mountain Sanctuary was built 13 years ago by British national John

Hughes and his wife Shirly Sebusa to provide a home for dogs rescued from the dog meat traders. The dogs, coming in the sanctuary in the hundreds per batch then, reached a whopping 1,000 in the early years of the sanctuary. Their mouths taped or tied with a rope, and their legs tied behind their backs, these beautiful creatures were to be brought to a slaughterhouse. Their meat would have been sold to eateries and carinderias for dog meat-eating clients . Most of the slaughter-bound rescued dogs have died of old age. Some are still cared for in the sanctuary, with rope marks on their noses. When most dog meat traders started to change their modus operandi by killing the dogs where they got them and putting the dog meat under pork and

chicken meat, Dogs Mountain took in dogs who lived in miserable conditions in pounds, starving to death or slowly dying from illnesses. Other dogs they took in were about to be put to sleep after their owners did not claim them from the pound. John and Shirly also shared a passion for rescuing dogs who were hit by vehicles, or looked sick while they scavenged for food on the streets. When John died about four years ago, Shirly was left to take care of the dogs. Her twin sister Ashley continued to assist in running the sanctuary. Ashley has a knack for “classifying” dogs based on their personalities. She would “organize” them based on their traits per pen and supervise the caretakers. Shirly and Ashley themselves clean

the cages and cook natural food with their caretakers. When John’s inheritance (funds he saved from his pension) for the dogs started to dwindle, the twins decided to stop accepting rescues and focused on providing the best care they can given their resources. It has not been easy since John died. Shirly learned to ask for help from family and friends to continue providing two meals a day for the rescued dogs. This is why Shirly, Ashley, caretakers Justin and Elmer and the dogs and cats they take care of and love always celebrate with gratefulness every time someone or a group sends help. Because dogs are not just dogs to these animal welfare advocates, they seek ways to always provide the care

Boxer is so happy Dogs Mountain received donations of dog food. Look at him smile!

they believe the dogs deserve. This, based on the resources at hand. To help Dogs Mountain Sanctuary, please send donations in kind to Dogs Mountain Sanctuary, Dogs Mountain lane, Bisang, Lioac Sur, Nagulian, La Union. For donations of funds, please send to: PayPal: dogsmountainsanctuary@ gmail.com BDO Account Name: Shirly Sebusa Account Number: 008610101709 Please contact Dogs Mountain through their Facebook page. DC