Manila Standard - 2019 March 30 - Saturday

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 48 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

New dawn sets on Moro land —Du30

El Niño beats down hard on Muslim region

By Nat Mariano

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RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Friday bared he was “extremely happy” with the symbolic inauguration of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, calling on the people to work towards building lasting peace and inclusive progress in the war-torn region of Mindanao.

By Rio N. Araja and Macon Ramos-Araneta ABOUT P605 million worth of agricultural crops in two provinces of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao were destroyed by the El Niño that has beset the region since early February, an agricultural official said Friday.

This developed as the state weather bureau said the Angat Dam in Bulacan, which supplies most of the water for Metro Manila, may reach its critical level by May. Mohammad Yacob, head of the BARMM Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform, said the damage could go even higher as reports from three other provinces of the region—Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi—have yet to come.

In a speech Friday, the President acknowledged the support that the Moro people gave to the government from the creation and passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, the success of the BOL plebiscite, down to the establishment of the BARMM. “May I just express in front of you my extreme happiness… that we were able to realize at least a part, maybe not all, but a part of what the entire country could have wished for the Moro people of Mindanao,” the President said.

“I cannot express my sense of gratitude to you for understanding, giving us the time to craft the law, and making it legal. We promise a new dawn for the Bangsamoro area or territory,” he added.

The President said the inauguration of the BARMM opens a new chapter

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RING IN THE NEW. President Rodrigo Duterte bangs the agong in front of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Al Hajj Murad Ebrahim (right) to signal the inauguration of the new political entity in Cotabato City on Friday. Omar Mangorsi

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GMA: China partner in dev’t not threat

By Maricel V. Cruz and Nat Mariano

competitor or a threat, Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said Thursday night.

Arroyo, who attended the Boao Forum for WITH China poised to become the world’s leading economy, developing countries includ- Asia Annual Conference in Hainan, China, ing the Philippines should further boost their said the country through the years has proven Next page ties with Beijing instead of looking at it as a

TUCP slams special envoy for labor twit

By Vito Barcelo and Maricel V. Cruz

DETAINED. A policeman escorts

Rappler founder and CEO Maria Ressa as she arrives at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Friday. Ressa was arrested on a fraud charge but posted bail (See story on A2). AFP

THE Trade Union Congress of the Philippines has urged the government to step up training of Filipino construction workers and increase their pay to stop foreign workers from taking the jobs.

At the same time, TUCP president Raymond Mendoza, who made the call amid the rise in foreign workers working in both private and public construction projects within the country, bashed Special Envoy to China Ramon Tulfo for Next page

SILLY SEASON STARTS. A woman walks past campaign posters of local politicians and party-list groups on a fence along Harrison Street in Pasay City on Friday, as the official campaign period for the midterm local elections begins (See story on A2). Lino Santos

Gov’t treats druggies equally

By Nat Mariano PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte does not give special treatment to anyone involved in the illegal drug trade, Next page

‘Stop funding Red fronts’

Why Pope resists ring-kissing bared VATICAN CITY, Holy See— Pope Francis tries to stop people kissing his ring because he fears it could spread germs, the Next page

By Nat Mariano THE European Union should cease its funding to the groups alleged to be acting as legal fronts of the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People’s Army, the Palace said Friday.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo agreed with the move of National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. formally asking the EU to stop financing alleged

Beached phone mystery solved

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REDS VS. ANTI-REDS.

Anti-communist demonstrators from the Liga Independencia Pilipinas use masks and bear a cross to denounce the 50th year of the New People’s Army rebellion in a protest at Mendiola in Manila, even as NPA guerrillas stand in formation in their Sierra Madre mountain hideout in this file photo (inset).

Lino Santos with AFP

PLOUARZEL, France—For more than 30 years bright orange “Garfield” phones have been washing up on the French coast to the Next page

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News

SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 2019

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Election period may halt aid to farmers hit by drought

By Vito Barcelo THE Commission on Elections said Friday it fears the 2019 election period may hamper the release of cash aid to droughtaffected farmers due to a law stopping the government from disbursing public funds during an election.

The Comelec has repeatedly reminded all political candidates from giving “cash assistance” to constituents, which could be used to accuse them of an election offense.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police said Friday it had deployed personnel across the country to ensure peace and order as the local campaign period began.

“As of today, the peace and order [situation] in the country is generally peaceful, and we see that hopefully this will be maintained until election day on May 13,” said PNP Spokesman Police Col. Bernard Banac.

He told ANC’s Headstart that the PNP hd deployed personnel who were ready to respond to any eventuality.

He also said there were 941 areas nationwide declared as election hotspots.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez spoke of an election rule against releasing government funds during election period.

But he said exemptions could be made depending on the situation.

He said the unauthorized release of public funds may be directly or indirectly considered a violation of the election code.

Office of Civil Defense Administrator Ricardo Jalad said extending cash assistance to farmers affected by the drought had become difficult during the campaign season.

“We need the approval from the Comelec in the release of cash assistance to affected farmers,” Jalad said in a radio interview.

Gov't...

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Malacañang said Friday and warned celebrities not to get involved in the illegal drug trade.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo made the remark following the public clamor to release the names of more than 30 celebrities in the government’s drug watchlist.

In other developments: The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency on Friday conducted a surprise mandatory drug test of drivers of public transport.

The agency conducted the operation in various public transport terminals across the country as part of its way of monitoring drivers who may be under the influence of illegal drugs.

“The drug test is part of Oplan Harabas that aims to ensure the safety of passengers through the conduct of surprise mandatory drug testing to public utility transport drivers,” PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino said. *The release of the list of politicians allegedly involved in illegal drugs ahead of the May elections was not meant to “destroy the enemies of the administration,” an official said Friday.

“I think it would be unfair to say that this is a witch-hunt to destroy the enemies of the administration,” DILG Assistant Secretary Jonathan Malaya told ANC. “It is an honest-to-goodness effort to end the drug trade, which has been plaguing the country for a very long time.”

Panelo said the declassification of the names of suspected drug-using celebrities would still depend on the President Duterte’s decision.

“I guess the President will have to determine whether or not he will direct the release of the personalities named therein. He will weigh the considerations,” Panelo told reporters.

Beached phone...

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bemusement of local beach cleaners, who have finally cracked the mystery behind them.

Locals had long suspected a lost shipping container was to blame for the novelty landline phones, modelled on the prickly feline cartoon character, that have plagued the northern Finistere beaches for decades.

“Our association has existed for 18 years and in that time we have found pieces of Garfield telephones almost each time we clean,” said Claire Simonin, the head of local beach cleaning group Ar Viltansou in Brittany.

But it wasn’t until a local resident revealed that he had discovered the container after a storm in the 1980s that they were finally able to locate it—wedged in a partially submerged cave only accessible at low tide.

The dry-witted Garfield, first dreamed up by illustrator Jim Davis in the late 1970s, has since spawned a television show, a film series starring Bill Murray as the voice of the titular cat, and a merchandising empire worth hundreds of millions of dollars annually. AFP

Ressa rearrested, posts bail anew M

ARIA Ressa, a prominent critic of President Rodrigo Duterte, was rearrested on Friday in what press freedom advocates called retaliation for her news site’s dogged coverage of the government.

Ressa and her website Rappler have been hit with a string of criminal charges in recent months, which have sent shock waves through the Philippines’ media scene, prompting allegations she and her team are being targeted for their work.

But Malacañang on Friday insisted press freedom had nothing to do with Ressa’s rearrest.

“She is complaining again that she’s being arrested. All are equal before the law.

She wants to be treated differently, [but] that cannot be done,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo told reporters.

The latest charges allege she and her colleagues at Rappler violated the rules on the foreign ownership of media. She was taken into custody after arriving at Manila’s airport from a trip abroad.

“The press in this country is under attack... We won’t take the threat sitting down,” Ressa told reporters after her release on the equivalent of $1,700 bail.

“The rule of law has been weaponized.”

Rappler has reported extensively, and unflatteringly, on Duterte’s deadly narcotics crackdown that has claimed thousands of lives and which rights groups say may be a crime against humanity.

Duterte has also lashed out at other critical media outfits, including the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper and broadcaster ABS-CBN. He threatened to go after their owners over their alleged unpaid taxes or block the network’s franchise renewal application.

Ressa, 55, and six other current and former Rappler associates are accused of al-

New dawn...

“Maybe in due time with the prayers to our Allah that we’d able to fix also the western part and I hope to talk to our brother Nur Misuari on the western side,” Duterte said in his speech. “I pray for success and the guidance of Allah in our endeavors.”

Three days ago, the Chief Executive bared he was “in a hurry” to sign a pact with Misuari.

The President has previously ordered Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, Presidential Adviser for the Peace Process Carlito Galvez to craft a new deal with the MNLF. The details of the agreement, however, have not been released yet.

Officials of the BTA on Friday elected a former member of the House of Representatives as speaker of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao interim parliament.

Lawyer Pangalian Balindong, former deputy House speaker for Mindanao, will lead the parliament until the regional elections slated in 2022.

Earlier, Balindong was appointed by the parliament as deputy speaker of Ghazali Jaafar of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, who was initially designated as assembly speaker.

Jaafar, however, died two weeks ago due to a heart ailment in a hospital in Davao City.

During a special caucus of the BTA on Thursday, Balindong was unanimously nominated by BTA members to take the place of Jaafar in the parliament.

The MILF has 41 representatives to the 80-member BTA, who will work as part of the legislative body of the expanded political entity that came into being, as a result of the government and MILF peace process.

The election of Balindong came as the BARMM and BTA’s formal launch, with President Duterte in attendance, was set to take place at the Shariff Kabunsuan Complex here Friday afternoon.

Also elected as interim parliament deputy speaker was Hatimil Hassan from Basilan while lawyer Laisa Alamia was chosen as minority floor leader.

Maguindanao lawyer Lanang Ali Jr. was also elected as majority floor leader while Raby Angkal and Dan Dimakenal Caludtiag, would sit as secretary-general and sergeant-at-arms, respectively, of the BARMM parliament.

Earlier, Task Force Bangon Marawi chairperson and housing czar Eduardo del Rosario assured the public that there is no delay in the target completion of the rehabilitation of Marawi City.

In a press briefing, Del Rosario said the government is still on target with respect to its timetable for completion of the rebuilding of the war-torn city by December 2021, noting that it will be completed within the term of President Duterte.

“We have been hearing some critics that we are somewhat delayed in the rehabilitation of Marawi City. With regards to our timetable of completion, there is no delay,” he said.

“We are still confident that by December of 2021, the rehabilitation of Marawi City will be almost complete,” he added.

Del Rosario said early recovery activities will take about six months to one year, while actual recovery will commence a year after. With PNA

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in the country’s history, hoping that it will address “the injustices of the past and plot the new course towards a more promising future for Mindanao and the rest of the country.”

“This momentous event brings us a step closer to the realization of our decades-old dream of a peaceful region that is governed by the autonomous government that serves all Muslims, Christians, lumad, and other indigenous peoples, and every Filipino who also call Mindanao their home,” Duterte said.

“We entrust this responsibility to the distinguished members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority [BTA] under the able leadership and through the vision of Chief Minister Al Haj Murad Ebrahim,” he added.

The President also hoped that aside from living up to its aspirations and principles embodied in the past peace agreements with different Moro fronts such as the Moro National Liberation Front and Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the new Bangsamoro government would also promote good governance, transparency, accountability, and inclusive political empowerment.

“To my dear Bangsamoro sisters and brothers in the BTA, the power to chart the course of your region’s future is now in your hands. I trust that you will wield this power with utmost care, the future of succeeding generations of the Filipinos, especially the Moro of Mindanao, depends on it,” Duterte continued, appealing to the public to work for the benefit of all Mindanaoans and the country.

“As we mark a new chapter in our history, I call upon Bangsamoro to take advantage of this opportunity and finally correct the historical injustices and forget the bitterness of the past so that we may embrace each other as Filipinos,” he added.

Meanwhile, the President noted that “lasting peace and inclusive progress” would only be assured with the “smooth and effective” implementation of the annex on normalization. The annex, according to the President, includes the decommissioning of former MILF combatants.

In his speech during the event, Bangsamoro Interim Chief Minister Murad Ebrahim announced that the list of MILF combatants to be decommissioned was already submitted to the government last Monday.

“Mr. President, last Monday, the MILF already submitted the complete list of its combatants and weapons to the international decommissioning body for decommissioning, representing the first phase of the process,” Murad said.

The normalization annex, which deals with the decommissioning of the MILF’s armed wing and disarming private armies in the new Bangsamoro region, is the last of the four annexes to the CAB forged between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in 2014.

These annexes were initially crafted to serve as guides for the Bangsamoro Basic Law, seeking to end the decades-old armed conflict in the war-torn region.

On the other hand, the President expressed optimism that he could “fix” the government’s deal with the MNLF, led by its founding chairman Nur Misuari.

Why...

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Vatican said Thursday in response to a viral video showing the Argentinian repeatedly withdrawing his hand from worshippers.

The incident was captured Monday during a visit to the Italian hill town of Loreto where the 82-year-old greeted dozens of parishioners.

While some simply bowed their head and shook his hand, others leaned forward to kiss his ring.

The smiling pope can be seen pulling back his hand repeatedly.

“The pope told me the reason he did not allow people to kiss his ring was because of hygiene... to avoid contagion when there are long queues of people,” Vatican spokesman Alessandro Gisotti said Thursday.

“Personally, he likes to embrace people.”

The video was shared online and had gained more than 11 million views on the Twitter social media platform by Thursday afternoon.

The scene in Loreto drew criticism from conservative Catholic observers who also frequently attack the pope over what they consider his too liberal approach to social issues.

However, it has since emerged that the video was only a short version of a longer clip, which shows the pontiff patiently letting people kiss his ring at first before the queues grew longer.

Nonetheless, the incident has sparked a public debate over decorum during a papal meet and greet.

The Vatican advises worshippers not to bend the knee in front of Francis who is said not to appreciate the practice. AFP

lowing foreigners, through a 2015 bond sale, to take control of the website.

Under the Constitution, investment in media is reserved for Filipinos or Filipinocontrolled entities.

This case and most of the 10 previous ones against Rappler spring from the 2015 investment from the US-based Omidyar Network, which was established by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar.

Philippine authorities first arrested Ressa in February on an Internet libel charge, which sparked international condemnation and allegations that she was being targeted for Rappler’s critical stance on Duterte.

“This case against Ressa... is unprecedented and speaks volumes of the Duterte administration’s determination to shut the website down for its credible and consistent reporting on the government,” said Carlos Conde of Human Rights Watch.

Rappler generally casts a critical eye on the President’s leadership and his government, including the nation’s deep-rooted corruption and Manila’s moves to court Chinese trade and investment.

But Duterte’s anti-drugs campaign is his signature initiative and he fiercely defends it against criticism.

High-profile critics have wound up in jail or been pushed out of their jobs in government, including the nation’s first female chief justice of the Supreme Court.

Ressa insists the site is not anti-Duterte, saying it is just doing its job to hold the government to account.

The country’s corporate regulator revoked Rappler’s business license last year over the 2015 bond sale, but the site continued operating as it appealed the case in the courts.

Last month, Ressa spent a night in detention after being arrested at her office but eventually posted bail for allegedly libeling a businessman in a news article written in 2012.

Ressa’s legal team said this latest case would not stop Rappler from doing its work.

“Let it be clear that these acts of harassment will not deter our clients from doing their duty as journalists,” legal counsel Francis Lim said in a statement.

“We believe in the rule of law.” AFP, with Nat Mariano and Joel E. Zurbano

El Niño...

GMA:...

Citing the March 26 report of BARMM Task Force El Niño, Yacob said the data was only from the provinces of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, where 10,818 hectares of rice and 11,039 hectares of corn have been affected.

“Of the total 21,857 hectares affected, 11,050 hectares were considered totally damaged [with] no chance of recovery,” he said.

A total of 18,423 farmers have been affected in the two provinces, with 11,087 in Lanao del Sur and 7,336 in Maguindanao.

Yacob said ahead of the weak El Niño, the ministry started implementing mitigating measures to cushion the impact of the dry season that included planting of heat-resistant variety of agricultural crops, use of open source pump irrigation system and shallow tube wells.

“Also included in the mitigating measures was the massive vaccination of livestock across the two provinces,” he added.

Meanwhile, Richard Orendain, hyrologist at the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said as of Friday 6 a.m. Angat Dam’s water level had not gone down, and was at 193.96 meters against its normal rule curve of 190.86 meters.

However, he noted the dam may reach 182 meters by the end of April and 177.29 by May, below its low water level of 180 meters.

“We have a normal distribution from Angat Dam for power, domestic use and irrigation,” he told the Manila Standard.

“It is not that threatening,” he said, adding “the dam is still far from its critical level.”

Orendain said that even if Angat’s water elevation would dip to its critical low at 180 meters or below, “that does not mean there will be no water for us.”

“Water for irrigation purposes has been cut,” he said, noting he was confident because the National Water Resources Board has done so. With PNA

wrong the negative notions of its policies towards reform and opening up as it has become a partner in development.

Arroyo is a member of the board of BFA, which gathers together leaders in government, business and academic institutions throughout Asia to share their thoughts on the most pressing issues in the region and the world.

Talking to the press, Arroyo said that when she was trade undersecretary in the 1980s, when China had just started to open its economy, she often wondered about the role it would play in the global trade setting.

“You know, when China was beginning to develop, about six years into its transformation, I was undersecretary of trade and industry, and we were looking at this economic dragon that was rising in Asia, and we were wondering when China would become a competitor in the world.

Little did we know that China is in a class of its own, and now, 40 years later under the presidency of Xi Jinping, it has become a partner in development. China, for us in the developing countries, is a market, a donor and a provider of capital and technology,” Arroyo said.

The Philippines in particular, she said, is benefiting from China’s transformation because it has become the country’s no. 1 trading partner.

“As a market, for instance, it has become the Philippines’ number one trading partner. So we have been able to benefit a lot by selling goods to China. Agricultural products, for instance, if you eat a banana, it’s probably from the Philippines. So it’s been a very big market for the Philippines,” she said.

As a donor, China has been a major source of assistance to some of the Philippines’ major projects, she said.

“For instance, China has built bridges in the Philippines, it is building a dam for a water system and irrigation, and it will be building a major railroad. Not just one but two major railroads. So those are some of the ways by which China has benefited the Philippines,” she said.

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communists-linked groups.

“The EU should [cease its funding]. The funding would [only] be used in destabilizing the government,” Panelo told reporters.

“If these are legal [communist] fronts and their main purpose is to break down the government, then the EU should reconsider [funding them].”

In other developments: • The European Union and the Belgian Embassy in Manila on Thursday received initial documents and pieces of evidence against a number of groups allegedly fronting for the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army.

During a meeting at the Department of Foreign Affairs, EU Program Manager on Governance Louis Dey and Belgian Ambassador Michel Goffin committed to review the documents submitted by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

Goffin, Belgian Ambassador to the Philippines, said the EU and Belgium considered it illegal to fund terrorism whether directly or indirectly.

• The Armed Forces of the Philippines will continue gathering information on the alleged ‘front groups’ of the CPP-NPA. “The AFP will continue gathering information to unearth hidden or embedded organizations in the identified fronts as mentioned in the documents submitted to EU.” The AFP will continue supporting this endeavor to cut off the foreign funds that is being squandered by the recipient front organizations by funneling it to fund the armed groups and other effort(s) to subvert the Philippine government,” AFP public affairs office chief Noel Detoyato told PNA on Friday.

• The communist rebels’ defeat in Victoria, Northern Samar, on Thursday, where three insurgents were killed and another was captured, indicated that the revolutionary movement was running out of cadres capable of fighting a war, a military official said.

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TUCP...

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saying Filipino workers were lazy and “slowpokes.” .“Mr. Tulfo should have known these better than any of us because he was newspaperman all his life and he witnessed how workers highly contributed to the welfare of our country.”

“These statements are uncalled for, unpatriotic and acts of betrayal to his countrymen particularly to Filipino workers who built and continues to build our economy and the economies of other countries whether they work here or abroad,” Mendoza added.

Mendoza said the Filipino workers are known for their hard work and efficiency globally.

The labor group also observed that Filipino construction workers arebeing treated poorly, with meager salaries, inadequate social protection benefits, unsafe and unhealthy working places and dirty resting and living areas.

“Due to this low dignity, they opt to work abroad,” Mendoza said.

He said the government’s National Wages and Productivity Commission must exercise its mandate by conducting an immediate time-and-motion study on construction work to determine the need to raise salaries rate based on the laborintensive construction job.

The TUCP also called on the Technical Education Skills Development Authority to work double time in conducting training and providing certification to workers in work sites even on Saturdays and Sundays.

There is also a need for the Department of Labor and Employment to re-examine the efficiency of government policy on labor-market test method in granting employment permits to foreign workers.

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GOODWILL VISIT.

The Royal Thai Navy (RTN), HTMS (His Thai Majesty Ship) Naresuan (FFG-421) and Bangpakong (FFG-456) arrive for a goodwill visit at Pier 15, South Harbor in Manila on March 29. The Thai delegation is headed by the Deputy Commander of Royal Thai Naval Academy, Rear Adm. Chanint Phadungkiat. Part of the visiting contingent is the RTN Cadet Cruise Training Unit comprised of more than 500 naval cadets. Norman Cruz

2 PIA finance officers quit over ‘irregularities’

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WO officials of the state-run Philippine Information Agency have reportedly resigned from their posts after an internal fact-finding inquiry launched by the office revealed irregularities involving its Finance Management Division.

Denying information that he had fired key finance personnel in PIA, Director General Harold Clavite confirmed that he created an independent committee in September last year to look into miscalculations in the division.

“I cannot fire permanent personnel of government as their tenure are covered by the Civil Service Commission.

There were a number of questionable transactions and some of them turned out to be made without prior approval by my office,” Clavite said.

The two officers, he said, voluntarily resigned from office in November 2018.

The said transactions include wrong charging and misappropriation of funds. It was reported that certain government rules and procedures allowing the release of funds may have been bypassed.

The fact-finding committee reported that “there were forms for

fund transfer where the authorized signatory (were) changed from ‘head of the agency’ to officials of (PIA’s) finance management division.”

This means that some officers have made themselves the signatory to these forms and have been releasing funds from the government-owned Land Bank of the Philippines, even without prior approval and knowledge of the head of the agency.

Suspicions of misconduct surfaced after certain amounts have appeared irreconcilable in PIA’s cash books.

According to other sources within the organization, the internal inquiry has sent shivers to officers who reportedly violated administrative policies.

Two months since the committee began checking the irregularities at the Finance Management Division, its chief of finance and deputy officer submitted their resignation letters.

Both of them filed their resignation

in late November last year while the inquiry was ongoing.

The Commission on Audit has reportedly been apprised of such matters. COA Circular 2012-003, dated Oct. 29, 2012, states that under Section 33 of Presidential Decree 1445, the commission “shall promulgate such auditing and accounting rules and regulations as shall prevent irregular, unnecessary, excessive, or extravagant expenditures or uses of government funds or property.”

The PIA management is currently studying appropriate charges that will be filed against the accountable officers as they await the final report from the fact-finding committee. If proven guilty of manipulation and illegal transfer of funds, those accountable will face administrative cases and other sanctions demanded by the court.

Clavite, a former digital content manager for the United Nations, also said that these actions are vital to PIA’s operations and “to maintain integrity and transparency in the organization.”

He said funds need to be properly managed to be able to fit into its priorities in support of the priority agenda of the administration.

Clavite reiterated that the primary goal of the inquiry is to improve existing financial systems, processes, and policies.

Facebook takes Jinggoy eyes ‘womb-to-tomb’ down PH pages remedies for farmers, indigent for ill behavior

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

A TOTAL of 67 pages, 68 accounts, 40 groups and 25 Instagram accounts associated with public relations man Nic Gabunada was taken down by Facebook for “inauthentic coordinated behavior” and for using fake accounts to mislead people about the origin of contents posted on the pages.

The pages taken down reportedly used a mix of real and fake accounts to drive messaging in behalf of political candidates, Facebook’s head of cybersecurity policy Nathaniel Gleicher said during a press briefing in Taguig.

Gleicher said that a total of 3.6 million Filipinos follow at least one of the pages and at least 1.8 million accounts were involved in one of the identified groups.

“They key here is they’re using fake accounts, purports to represent a real person,” added Gleicher, who flew to Manila for the briefing.

Gabunada had confirmed that he handled the social media campaign of President Rodrigo Duterte in 2016, but added that he was “surprised” that his name was tagged with the pages which the social media has taken down.

“Before kasi Facebook automatically makes you part of a group without asking you. Now they have to give consent. My name is all over the place. This may be the reason why some pages, after they examined, nandoon ang pangalan ko,” he said.

“I was so surprised…I just thought this is all unfortunate na ilagay pangalan ko,” he added.

He added that it was “unfortunate” that Facebook associated his name with the 200 profiles and pages that were taken down due to misleading behavior and fake accounts.

He added that some of the pages mentioned were not even associated with him.

Gabunada’s personal Facebook account was also taken down on Friday morning.

But Gleicher explained that posting political contents was “not the basis” of the takedown, adding that it was not even the person behind the behavior, but the pattern that violates Facebook policies.

RETURNING Senator Jinggoy Estrada is batting for a package of measures to provide womb-to-tomb benefits for the nation’s poorest of the poor which constitute 20 percent of the population—one of every five Filipinos is dirt-poor.

He said that farmers and children of the poor remain caught in a stranglehold of abject poverty, existing on a scant P50 for their daily needs.

“We are a Christian nation and whatever we do to the least of our brethren, we do that to God,” Estrada said.

Estrada noted that the children of poor families “are the most vulnerable sector, since daily hunger robs them of their quota of intellect that touches off learning disabilities and reduced capacity to gain competencies for work.”

Rather than craft piecemeal approaches for poverty reduction, Estrada said “a comprehensive, long-term strategy must be established as legislative agenda to bring down poverty to the irreducible minimum.’

He said that this is what he will seek to attain in the provision of womb-to-tomb benefits for the poorest of the poor.

“It is not enough that we provide money dole-outs, we must also have a survey of whatever skills that those in the poverty threshold possess— and we must use such skills for needful services to the community where the poor are. Indeed, we should create the opportunities in which we can employ the poor,” he added.

JPE: Probe entry of illegal drugs PUWERSA ng Masang Pilipino senatorial candidate Juan Ponce Enrile has called on police and military authorities to improve intelligence gathering amid the entry of more illegal drugs in the country during his campaign in Cavite on Wednesday.

Enrile, former defense minister of the late President Ferdinand Marcos, said at the sidelines of his rally in the province that a porous border needs a more agile military and police.

If elected back to the Senate, he vowed to push for a higher budget for the police and military establishments so that they could purchase more border patrols boats, and modern intelligence

gathering equipment.

“We need more equipment, patrol boats, helicopters, and stronger intelligence to arrest big-time drug lords. In this so-called war on drugs, we must be willing to put the money where our mouth is to enforce the law,” Enrile said.

Enrile made the statement following the admission by President Rodrigo Duterte that the drug menace has worsened and that more and more drugs are coming in.

The veteran lawmaker noted that big shabu shipments amounting to billions of pesos have recently been seized by the police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

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Omnibus Rules on Campaign Finance.

(MS-MAR. 30, 2019)

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Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIALS

High hopes...

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RIDAY’S inauguration of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao gives us hope that peace and development, which have been elusive for decades, could finally be within reach.

The ceremony led by President Duterte in Cotabato City is a symbol of the nation’s unrelenting pursuit of what is right and just for everybody.

In his speech, Mr. Duterte said they had envisioned the new autonomous entity “to address the injustices of the past and plot the new course toward a more promising future for Mindanao and the rest of the country.”

He called upon the Bangsamoro to take advantage of this opportunity and finally correct the historical injustices and forget the bitterness of the past “so that we may embrace each other as Filipinos.”

Mr. Duterte also told the members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority that the power to chart the region’s future is now in its hands.

We harbor no illusions about this: The road ahead will be tough and confusing and riddled with difficulties.

But getting to this point is already a milestone given where all others before have tried, and failed.

We must brace ourselves for numerous challenges as we try to make this work, this time. But we must never entertain the thought that we will once again fail. There is just too much at stake for everybody.

...and a low blow

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#HoldTheLine

HAT politics is a dirty g1ame is a given— mud, lies, and sometimes blood splattered all over. But candidates can always choose to play it clean and fair.

Quite sadly and outrageously, however, some politicians, their supporters, and friends in media refuse to abandon negative campaigning and insist on assigning faults where there are none.

It would not be surprising if the politicians are themselves the ones doing so. It would be a natural impulse. After all, in politics, the one who scores the most hits is considered the winner.

But if non-participants in an electoral contest are the ones launching direct attacks against candidates, the rules of engagement are altered. In fact, such an engagement becomes a oneway exercise.

When reporters and commentators go on the offensive against certain political personalities, the contest can never be categorized as being in the “same weight division.” People in media would always have the last say on issues, their outlets—print, broadcast, and multimedia—being in constant operation.

Electoral officials, on the other hand, only have a limited political shelf life—six years for national officials and three years for local executives, including members of Congress.

True, news is sacred while opinion is protected. But in both cases, facts must reign supreme all the time. Being factual also brings you closer to the truth.

Quite unfortunately, there is a grey line between news and commentary. It is in this twilight zone of sorts where some reporters and writers practice their dark art.

Call them Journalism Jedis who have crossed over to the Dark Side.

Of course, they are few and far between, but they exist— somehow tolerated but never

welcomed.

Why? Because they debauch, rather than exalt the profession.

We could only hope one veteran journalist has not hit this perilous road to perdition.

One thing is for sure at the moment—he has found himself in a dark alley by making sweeping, baseless generalization against the character and competence of a highly respected political leader from Eastern Visayas.

And the worst part of all is that he made his conclusion without providing any reasonable and sufficient factual explanation.

In law as in any debate, the rule is that he who accuses must prove.

Here is what he wrote about the lawmaker: “Presidential daughter Sara “Inday Sara” Duterte-Carpio is endorsing former Leyte congressman Martin Romualdez as Speaker of the House of Representatives.

How sure is Sara that Romualdez will win?

Leyteño voters are so sick and tired of the Romualdezes as public officials that they want new faces.”

The operative words here are “sick and tired.”

How did he draw this conclusion? Was there a survey indicating this general sentiment? He did not provide any.

And so, before this person makes more baseless and outrageous claims against the character and fitness of a political leader to hold a lofty public office, perhaps he should first look at the record of his own sibling who was unceremoniously removed from a prestigious Cabinet position.

Why did he not continue to pursue his senatorial ambitions which were dashed by the family scandal?

ELEVEN live cases, seven times to post bail, and two arrests within the span of a little over a year. Wow. Ordinary mortals subjected to this kind of experience will most likely have wrecked nerves due to stress and tension by now. But Maria Ressa is different. She has nerves of steel, stainless steel even.

Coming home from a brief trip to San Francisco early morning of March 29, Ressa was arrested inside the airport for alleged violation of the Anti-Dummy Law. According to reports, the case was raffled off to Regional Trial Court Branch 265 of Pasig City on March 27, and by the following day, an Arrest Warrant against Ressa was already issued by Acting Presiding Judge Acerey Pacheco.

Ressa, the Chief Executive Officer and executive editor of Rappler.com peacefully went with the arresting officers to the Pasig Court. She was accompanied by her lawyer. She posted bail and is now free.

Her co-defendants in this case are members of Rappler’s 2016 Board of Directors and Glenda Gloria, another well-known journalist, and the company’s managing editor. They all posted bail a few days earlier even before any warrant for their arrest was issued.

I met Maria Ressa through common friends at a dinner in her house many years ago when she was still with CNN and making the big decision to leave her stable career there to come back and practice her vocation here. I remember asking her why she would do that when she already had what many journalists here could only aspire for. Her answer was clear: She was making the move because she felt she could do more in her own country. And as they say, the rest is history.

We have seen each other on-and-off the past years but managed to stay in touch.

We even had coffee to discuss her plans to set-up Rappler. At that time, she believed there was space, and need for more responsible practice of journalism that could help

bring about real change in the country.

Under Ressa’s helm, Rappler has come a long way and has become one of the, if not the most influential media outfits in the country. It is also a known critic of this administration. It is common knowledge that President Rodrigo Duterte and his people do not like being criticized. Thus, critics are being silenced through threats and harassment.

Look at what they did to Senator Leila de Lima. She remains in jail for fabricated drug-related cases. Senator Antonio Trillanes is another critic who faces criminal charges. Former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, she who refused to be stymied by Duterte, was removed from position by her peers via a questionable quo warranto petition filed by the Solicitor General himself.

‘Let’s all continue to work.’

I repeat, Maria Ressa faces 11 court cases, has been arrested twice, and posted bail seven times all within a period of a little over a year.

The Filipino people should know that the repression of the Constitutionally-guaranteed freedom of the press does not only concern media outfits and journalists. It concerns everybody because a controlled press cannot be relied upon to report real news. Censorship will be the norm and our media will be the government’s propaganda arm.

Thus, the people’s access to information, particularly on governance and how those in power are performing, will be extremely limited. It will be like the dictator Marcos’ time all over again. Since our knowledge about what actually happens in the country will be limited, it will be hard for us to form contrary opinion and critical thinking will also be suppressed.

The way journalists are harassed sends a chilling effect on ordinary citizens. As it is now, I know some friends who are being very careful with what they say especially on social media. One asked me, what if I also get targeted for being too critical? This is already happening. Our freedom to think freely and express ourselves is beginning to be compromised.

People should take inspiration from Maria Ressa. I keenly watched all her interviews during and after this last arrest. I looked for signs of being rattled, embattled, but did not see any. She remains cool, collected, articulate, sharp, and in control in the middle of the very stressful situation she is in. Her words continue to be direct and pointed. Her smile, voice, and tone were the same as many years ago during the dinner when I first met her.

Her last line in an interview after posting bail was, “Now, I will work. Let us all continue to work.” No, I do not see Maria Ressa defeated. I have a hunch she will even grow bigger in the eyes of Filipinos, and the world.

Often, she says, “We will hold the line.”

It is time for all of us to #HoldTheLine and #DefendPressFreedom. After all, this is not just Ressa’s fight but OURS.

The media is also targeted, especially those perceived as anti-Duterte. A leading television network is still waiting for its franchise to be approved and Duterte is on record as having said that he will not allow this to happen. Also, a leading broadsheet has been the subject of tirades by the President. However, Rappler seems to be this administration’s “favorite” whipping boy with the 11 court cases it faces, and Maria Ressa’s frequent trips to different courts to post bail.

It appears that there is a pattern to intimidate, harass, and silence media practitioners critical of the President. In Ressa’s case, our courts seem surprisingly efficient in issuing warrants of arrest, and the police and other arresting officers are real quick in acting out the arrests.

Compare this with how slow the process is when it comes to killers of the thousands of innocent Filipinos murdered in connection with the war on drugs. Compare this with how slow corrupt govern- @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angment people are brought to justice. sioco on Facebook

Restoring faith in the party-list system sent. Groups claiming to be represent representing urban poor, drivers, etc. are fielding nominees who, themselves have never The days of the experienced living in shanties nor have made living out of driving dilapidated pretenders are over. jeepneys or tricycles.

The days of the pretenders may finally be over as now we have regional FOR the longest time, the party-list system has been bastardized by those way represent the sector the particular political parties entering the derby for reprefielding in nominees who do not in any party-list group is claiming to repre Turn to A5 Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher

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Opinion A prodigal church and country

THE Fourth Sunday of Lent is traditionally called Laetare Sunday that means “rejoice” in Latin. While we associate Lent with the Passion, Death and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, it is also a season of joy, for through the Paschal mystery God’s great love for us has been revealed in Jesus. Though his death and resurrection, Christ has reconciled us with God and our fellow human beings.

The parable of the Prodigal Son, which is the Gospel for this Sunday, illustrates to us the depth of God’s love for us. This is a familiar-enough parable which we learned from our Sunday Bible class or told to us by our parents or teachers.

The story goes this way: A man has two sons. The younger son asks his father for his inheritance. Once received, the son promptly sets off on a long journey to a distant land and begins to waste his fortune by leading a dissolute and profligate life. When the money runs out, a severe famine hits the country and the son finds himself a job feeding pigs to survive. Eventually, he grows so poor that he even longs to eat the food for the pigs. In humility, he recognizes his foolishness and decides to return to his father and ask for forgiveness and mercy. The father, upon seeing him, immediately turns to his servants and asks them to prepare an enormous feast in celebration of his son’s return. The father had been waiting for his son’s return and accepted him with open arms. Meanwhile, the older son, upon his return from the field, boils in anger after discovering a party with music and dancing to celebrate his younger brother’s return.

The father tries to dissuade the older brother from his jealous rage explaining, “You are always with me, and everything I have is yours.”

This parable invites us to consider the depth of God’s mercy and love.

Unlike the Pharisees who were criticizing Jesus for sharing table with sinners and so becoming ritually unclean, Jesus reaches out to sinners while they are still sinners, inviting them to conversion through fellowship with him.

Jesus is God acting among us; by befriending us, he is inviting us to return to friendship with God. Through friendship with Jesus, our sins are

forgiven and we, in turn, bear fruit for God. In the parable, we consider the temerity of a son who asks for his inheritance before his father has died. It was justified for the father to express indignation. And yet the father agrees to honor the son’s request and divides his property among his two sons. The younger son takes his inheritance and leaves home to lead a wasteful and immoral life. The older son remains, continuing to provide for the father and the household. Yet despite having been disgraced by his younger son, the father eagerly awaits for his son’s return watching the road all the time.

When he eventually sees his wayward son, the father not only welcomes him

Stop the madness, stop the killings, stop the persecution.

We are often like the two sons in the parable. Oftentimes, we, like the younger son, defy our father’s wishes and by our sins disgrace ourselves in his eyes. We only realize our folly when we encounter the bad consequences of our misdeeds. Also, we can be like the older son who regards other’s mistakes with hatred and resentment. We easily judge others because unlike us, they are not “clean.” But as seen in the parable, God the father looks at our mistakes through the lens of mercy, love and forgiveness which we ought to learn and imitate.

What is true for us individuals is true also for the Catholic Church and many religious organizations reeling from the sex abuse scandals. It is also true for our country where poor jourpeople are being massacred and jour nalists are prosecuted and persecuted for speaking truth to power. It is my hope that the leaders of the Catholic Church and our country will see the light, acknowledge their sinfulness, and reform.

The Church must have a zero-tolerance policy for child sex offenders, regardless of seniority of the clerics puninvolved. Such clerics must be pun ished without exception. This is not about a merciless Church but a prudent measure for accountability and deterrence. As important, the Church must embrace with love the victims, care for them as the children of God and the Church that they are. We must not second guess victims and not underestimate their pain and suffering manifested through righteous anger.

The country needs conversion. The law has been weaponized for political purposes. Duterte did not invent it. The law was weaponized for political ends against Corona, MacapagalArroyo, Binay, and Poe, and now it is being done to De Lima and Trillanes, and even to non-politicians like Maria Ressa. Worst, the poor in the war against drugs have been targeted mercilessly.

We are on the road to perdition.

Some would say we are there already.

But this can easily be reversed. I pray that like Saul on the road to Damascus, our political leaders are struck with lightning and see the light. Stop the madness, stop the killings, stop the persecution.

God will forgive a prodigal church and country but first it must ask forgiveness and convert.

but also runs out to greet him and then honors him with a party. How much more can one demonstrate love and forgiveness?

The older son is consistent; he is a hard worker. So his anger may seem justified. Yet he is blinded by resentment and anger. The father appears sad and even confused by the older son’s indignation. He says in reply that they should celebrate because the lost son has returned. The father is filled with gratitude and love for the older son’s faithfulness yet his love is not diminished by the rejoicing at the return of the errant son. The older son’s jealousy reveals his failure to understand the depth of his father’s love.

So the parable’s message is this: No matter how irresponsible you are, no matter what you’ve done, God will take you back. Yes, God will always take us back with open arms only if we show the slightest humility and contrition. “A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not reject” (Ps 51:17). But the young son’s return and acceptance by the father is not the end of it all. The road to recovery is long and hard. He has to learn to slowly heal the wounds caused by turning his back from the father. He needs to own up to his mistakes and make it up to the father. On the other hand, the older son has to learn to forgive and share Facebook Page: Professor Tony La his father’s love.

Viña Twitter: tonylavs

Kill the illegal drugs market IT MAKES sense to require all television networks employees and talents to undergo drug test as director-general Aaron Aquino, chief of the Philippine Drugs Enforcement Agency, suggested the other day.

Aquino singled out the TV networks apparently in answer to an interview question in relation to the inclusion of at least 31 entertainment celebrities in President Rodrigo Duterte’s dreaded narco-list.

The PDEA chief said the list can easily reach over a 100 big names on the screens who use shabu, cocaine and designer drugs and he suggested that radio-

Restoring...

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the party-list system, advocating the issues and interests of the marginalized but whose nominees have never pretended to come from the impoverished ranks of society.

While we have An Waray and Ako Bicol before, the regional parties in the partylist system have been expanding.

This year’s list includes the party-list groups Tingog Sinirangan and Sulong Dignidad.

Tingog Sinirangan which has incumbent Leyte Rep. Yedda Marie Kittilstvedt Romualdez, will represent Region 8, one of the more impoverished regions in the country.

According to Romualdez, her partylist group would advocate the advancement of Eastern Visayas by fighting poverty and economic woes caused by the rising prices of basic commodities, push for pro-poor programs and genuine developments to be felt by ordinary people and make the country less vulnerable to disasters, as she stressed the need for Region 8 to be represented under the party-list system to ensure that margin-

tv networks make drug test “mandatory.”

Drug addiction among TV and movie personalities, who serve as “role models” to youngsters, has been rampant for as long as we can remember. It is only now that this is being seriously addressed. Entertainers comprise a juicy market to drug dealers and many lives have been destroyed.

But as far as I’m concerned, it would be a stroke of genius if he had recommended that drug test be made mandatory at all workplaces.

I support the proposal of the AntiCrime & Terrorism thru Community Involvement (ACT-CIS) to make drug test a “pre-employment requirement” at all private, as well as government institutions.

The usual “random drug test” conducted at the offices is not enough to ferret out drug users and addicts among the

workers, who find a way to avoid it.

In fact, a drug test must be required of all high school and college students upon enrollment. We all know that youngsters at the campuses all over the country are a prime target of illegal drugs traffickers.

Anyone who secures a driver’s license, including a student driver permit, must pass a valid drug test administered by a duly-accredited med-tech clinic.

And, why not require drug test before anyone can secure a barangay clearance, police clearance and NBI clearance?

The point of making drug test compulsory for employment and enrollment is to stave off the continued proliferation of pernicious illegal drugs, which thrive on the lucrative market of drug abusers and addicts.

We must kill the market of illegal drugs as well as its sellers. Kill them all, like Manong Digong said.

alized sector will have one strong voice in Congress.

“We hope to give one strong voice to the people of region and champion the cause of authentic regional development and make not only Region 8, but the entire country less vulnerable to disasters.”

On the other hand, Sulong Dignidad will be representing the marginalized groups in the National Capital Region.

Sulong Dignidad actually started as a local political party of Una ang Makati.

However, due to the continued expansion of its objectives, ideals and advocacies, more people from the National Capital Region applied for membership in the Party, which was made possible with party convention held in January 20, 2017 when the party, amended the Formal and Short name of the Party from Una ang Makati Local Party into Sulong Dignidad Party, expanded its constituency by accepting members from other cities and municipalities in NCR who are residents and registered voters in the region, converted itself from a local political party into a regional party and adopted as part of its objectives, ideals and principles the concept of human dignity.

At the forefront the Sulong Dignidad’s advocacy is its Number One nominee, lawyer Rico Paolo Quicho.

Rico earned his Juris Doctor from the Ateneo de Manila University School of Law in 2003 and was admitted to the Philippine Bar the following year. He obtained his Masters of Laws degree at the University of the California, Berkeley (Boalt Hall) with a Certificate of Specialization in Law and Technology in 2015.

He commenced his legal career as a Junior Associate from 2003 to 2007 at the Siguion-Reyna Montecillo and Ongsiako Law Offices, the oldest law office in the Philippines and a renowned training ground of the country’s legal luminaries. Rico left SRMO to establish his own firm, Quicho and Angeles Law Offices which specialized in domestic and international civil, criminal, commercial and administrative litigation.

Rico gained prominence in 2012, during the historical impeachment trial of former Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona where he was one of those who represented the former chief Justice as a spokesperson.

From time to time, being a a member of Corona’s highly touted defense team, he had to face off with the senators sitting as jury.

While Corona lost the case due mainly to the alleged political pressure coming from the previous administration

SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 2019

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Fit for April Fools’ Day del Rosario’s booboo decision why we lost Scarborough Shoal or Panatag Island to China. It was the US, through its reconnaissance and surveillance operations in the South China Sea that informed the Philippine government. Del Rosario alerted the Philippine navy of the presence of FILIPINOS together with the rest of the Chinese fisherman allegedly harvesting civilized world were astounded not of the endangered marine species in the area. substance of the complaint filed by the The Aquino government, in turn, retwo former officials of the Noynoy Aqui- sponded by sending BRP Gregorio del no administration before the International Pilar to assist our coast guard in arresting Criminal Court against China’s President those Chinese fisherman. That was in the Xi Jinping, foreign minister Wang Yi, and month of April 2012.

Chinese ambassador to the Philippines, China protested claiming the PhilipZhao Jianhua on behalf of the Filipino pines was “militarizing” the shoal, and fishermen for alleged “crimes against hu- responded by sending its own coast guard manity” but on what they want to convey. vessels accompanied by an “armada” of Some say the decision of former Sec- fishermen to create a picture of seaborne retary of Foreign Affairs Albert del Ro- “people power” against an aggressive sario and former OmPhilippine navy. For budsman Conchita weeks, vessels of Carpio-Morales to the two countries file a nicely given face each other in diplomatic brandthe shoal. ing called “comIt was clear that What were they munication” was the standoff was not really meant to thinking? the direct result of achieve a legal victhe alert made by tory but more of the US to the Phila political propaippines. Whether ganda, hoping these the decision to send two could persuade navy ships to assist our world opinion. coast guard was made by del Rosario or As one hoi poloi suggested, they by Aquino is now inconsequential. What should have filed their complaint on April is clear is that during that crucial moment Fools’ Day. Probably they would have of the standoff, nowhere could one find been able to communicate to God to save the shadow of any US official exerting efthem from the eternal damnation of stu- fort to help break the impasse peacefully. pidity. The world is askance suspecting The Philippine was in a very tight situsomething is terribly wrong with them. ation on how to resolve the impasse like Even those opposed do not argue whether setting free the Chinese fishermen or of the ICC has jurisdiction over the case but leaving the shoal, where our ships were are asking what specific provision in the entrapped, without losing control of the Statute of Rome was violated by China? shoal. Neither did the US navy nor any The more discerning public do not American diplomatic trouble shooter focus why del Rosario and Morales filed showed up to help us out in that tight situtheir so-called communication with the ation they created.

ICC on March 15, or two days before the As conveyed by Trillanes to Tiglao, deadline set for our country to officially del Rosario already reached (a sequential withdraw from an international organiza- withdrawal) agreement in Washington.” tion that has the soul and the bones for Nobody knows whether that agreement being founded by the most ruthless and was reached between the Chinese and the exploitative countries that practiced co- Philippine government through the backlonialism and imperialism, but on why channel efforts of the US. But most likely, the two failed to perform their duty while the US was fully aware of what was gothey were still in the service. ing on. In fact, the friction originated by Had they filed their communication the US to alert us of the “Chinese invaduring the Noynoy Aquino administra- sion” in the Panatag Shoal with the overtion, the two would not have been treated reacting Aquino government sending in as such. That would have given them the our warship caused China to interpret the stature they represent the claim of the decision as a challenge to their presence 350,000 fishermen who were allegedly in the area which they too claim as their deprived of their economic livelihood di- territory. rectly as a result of the building of strucNobody really knows, but the facts are tures and acts that prevented them from clear that when we withdrew our ship, fishing in an area they consider as their the understanding is for a simultaneous ancestral fishing ground. More than that, withdrawal. Tiglao, quoting del Rosario, the country of the head of state they sued in an article he wrote in 2017, “During is not even a member of the ICC, or that the impasse at Scarborough Shoal with the organization has mechanism to en- China, we were approached by the US, force its judgment. an honest broker for both China and the Remember, it was the Aquino admin- Philippines, to agree to a simultaneous istration that assiduously worked to as- withdrawal of ships from the shoal. We sure the return of the US military bases. therefore agreed. At the appointed time, Pro-US trumpeters have been sounding we withdrew, whereas China did not—in out the idea of amending the scope and violation of the agreement.” However, dimension of our Mutual Defense Treaty neither the US nor China admitted there to include not only territories in the ar- was an agreement—only talks for such an chipelago proper. They want those un- agreement. Indeed, if there was an agreeinhabited islands included, not realizing ment, would the “honest broker” US not that the December 10, 1898 Treaty of create a ruckus that China reneged to an Paris between the US and Spain excluded agreement it brokered.?” them as they are not part of the ceded terThis is the big question many of ritory. Specifically, the Reed Banks or the our pro-US supporters are asking. The Panatag Shoal, an area known to have oil US cannot even confirm or refuse to deposit which del Rosario is suspected to acknowledge that it took place, except have keen interest, is a disputed territory. to keep us hanging in limbo that the People who have been hooting for the US is ready anytime to help us against presence of the US to allow it to regularly China, but adding as our incentive that patrol in the South China Sea should un- we include the uninhabited islands derstand that it is the US that creates the not included the treaty they handed us political situation that would necessitate in1946. It became even clear that the their presence in this country. Even in the US wants to incorporate matters where two regional but limited bloody wars it their interest takes precedence over initiated in Asia, the Korean war and the our interest which is to freely navigate War in Indochina, it was this country that treating South China Sea as their lake in contributed in its own way to the US war the Pacific rim. efforts there.

Columnist Bobi Tiglao insists it was rpkapunan@gmail.com

(sweetened by the additional funds from the illegal disbursement acceleration program), Rico’s star obviously rose as in the 2016 presidential elections, he was personally handpicked by former Vice President Jejomar Binay to be his Spokesperson for Political Affairs.

So, why focus on human dignity?

“Because human dignity is the core value of governance and we want to promote competent and effective governance to fight poverty, hunger and unemployment,” Rico declares.

“We believe that every Filipino must be treated equally and fairly, that every Filipino’s dignity and self-worth should always be at the forefront of legislation.

We believe that every Filipino’s life is sacred, that every Filipino should be protected from violence, harm and unfair treatment. We believe that empowering local government institutions to provide social services, that every Filipino should have access to education.

We believe that every Filipino must have meaningful jobs.”

Rightly said. Very much different from the rhetoric of the traditional partylist groups.And his work may back up his pronouncement as in the course of of daily routine, he has to interact with a lot of people, including the marginalized

and those with high aspirations—the students.

Aside form his law firm work, Rico also serves as the dean of the University of Makati School of Law, a local university established under the charter of Makati City, the country’s premier business hub. Outside of his administrative role in UMAK SOL, he also teaches in various law courses, particularly Civil Procedure, Evidence and Trial Technique, and Negotiable Instruments Law, at the San Beda Alabang School of Law, and Civil Procedure and Property Law at the John Wesley School of Law at Wesleyan University.

He was also a former lecturer of Trial Technique for the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education. Recently, and in line with the Philippine political developments, Rico has been sought after as expert resource person in topics regarding federalism, territorial disputes, the role of technology in harnessing the proper delivery of public service by local government units and data privacy.

Yedda and Rico. They might be successful in their own fields. But they still find time to push and fight for the interests of the impoverished sectors. And yet, they do not pretend to be one just to gain votes.

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SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 2019

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Samar’s Rep. Tan convicted, but acquitted in another case

By Maricel V. Cruz THE Sandiganbayan on Friday acquitted Rep. Milagrosa Tan of Samar of a case involving the alleged purchase of P69 million worth of medical and dental supplies but on March 1 the anti-graft court convicted her on the anomalous purchase of P16.1 million worth of emergency supplies.

The anti-graft court’s First Division cleared Tan, Roselyn Larce, Bienvenido Sabenecio Jr., Francasio Detosil, Ariel Yboa, Rolando Montejo, and George Abrina of graft and malversation of public funds because the Ombudsman failed to prove their guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

In its decision on Friday, the Sandiganbayan ordered the release of the bail bonds of Tan and her companions and directed the Bureau of Immigration to remove them from the hold departure list.

The Ombudman accused Tan of taking advantage of her position as provincial governor when she purchased various drugs, medicines, and dental supplies from Zybermed Medi Pharma owned by private respondent Roselyn Larce between March 28 and Aug. 21, 2007.

However, on March 1, the anti-graft court’s Fourth Division convicted Tan for eight counts of graft over the alleged anomalous purchase of P16.1 million worth of emergency supplies.

Tan was allowed to post bail pending finality of the decision.

Zybermed, a Pasig City-based business, was not licensed to operate a business in Catbalogan City, according to the prosecution.

Prosecutors also told the court that the Commission on Audit ruled that the purchase in question was “unnecessary and non-responsive to the exigencies of the service.”

The court ruled, however, that there was no proof the contract with Zybermed had put Samar province at a disadvantage. It said the prosecution failed to compare the prices between Zybermed and other potential suppliers.

The court’s 67-page decision partly read: “There is no evidence that the drugs and medicines purchased were overvalued nor was there any showing of the accepted, appropriate or standard prices for the items.

The court cannot merely speculate.”

GIFT OF SONG. Is Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada singing the lyrics of Florante’s ‘Handog’ when he mixes with senior citizens and his supporters at the covered court of the 1.5 hectare Paraiso ng Batang Maynila Friday as local officials start to gear up for the local campaign? Is he singing Parang kailan lang/ Ang mga pangarap ko’y kay hirap abutin/ Dahil sa inyo/ Napunta ako sa aking nais marating. Norman Cruz

Women urged to join job fair

By Joel E. Zurbano

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HE city government of Makati urged women residents to participate in the job fair and other activities on Sunday at the City Hall Quadrangle to mark the culmination of Women’s Month celebration.

Mayor Abigail Binay said the event would be a whole day of fun-filled activities designed to give joy and empowerment to all women of Makati in recognition of their indispensable role in the progress of the city and of society as a whole.

“I am encouraging all women Makatizens to come and participate in the activities the city has prepared for them. Come on Sunday and avail yourselves of oppor-

tunities to be healthier, financially independent, or simply relax and enjoy some pampering, free of charge,” she said.

The city chief executive said free medical services, such as anemia screening, free vaccination for pneumonia, Japanese encephalitis and cervical cancer, would also be made available during the event through the Makati Health Department.

Binay also called on women among

some 2,376 registered solo parents in the city who are in need of a job to participate and take advantage of the job fair.

She said having a job would not only help them in raising their children but will also empower them to become better versions of themselves.

Spearheaded by the Women’s Welfare Section of the Makati Social Welfare Department, the series of activities on Sunday will be held from 6 a.m up to 3 p.m. at the City Hall Quadrangle.

MSWD chief Maribel Lumang said the celebration, themed “We Make Change Work for Women,” will start with a Zumba Dance Fitness activity at 6am and will be followed by a job fair, free medical services, free massage and beauty care provision, games and learn-

ing sessions, and processing of new applications for Makati Health Program (Yellow Card) and Philhealth ng Masa Program.

Lumang said the job fair, in coordination with the Makati-Public Employment and Services Office will start at 8 a.m. until 12 noon. Participating companies include Burlington Industries, New Weather Forces Group Inc., Lay Bare Waxing, Mirof Resources Inc., Fineco Management Corp., McDonald’s, Q2 HR Solutions, Elixer Multipurpose Cooperative, Goldilocks Bakeshop, and SM Supplies Station.

Jobseekers are advised to bring relevant documents such as resume with ID pictures, birth certificate, and barangay clearance.

Reg’l health Stop Umali from releasing P500m—petitioners office holds 4-day training on misting

By Vito Barcelo

By Macon Ramos-Araneta THE Department of Health-CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) regional office held a four-day “Training on the Insecticide Application and Introduction of Dengue Indoor and Outdoor Residual Spraying for Sanitary Inspectors and Spraymen” of various local government units of Batangas.

“Spraying and misting operations is done to suppress an ongoing epidemic or to prevent one like dengue” stressed Regional Director Eduardo Janairo.

The event dealt on the safe and correct use of residual insecticide to indoor surfaces and outdoor surroundings to get rid of the breeding places of mosquitoes.

Aside from protectting the health of people, Janairo also said the move would guarantee the health and safety of a sprayman.

“Proper handling and spraying of insecticides during spraying operations is very important for the welfare of the community including the sprayman,” said Janairo.

He cited the need to observe safety precautions. Because of this, he said every personnel involved in vector prevention and control must be well trained and equipped with the knowledge and skills to avoid any incident.

A total of 70 participants were trained on the preparation of the spraying machine and equipment including the proper mixture of chemicals, handling and spraying techniques.

Participants were also introduced to three types of spraying machines and how to operate each of them.

Procedures after spraying such as proper disposal of remains of insecticides and empty packaging including preventive maintenance and troubleshooting of the equipment is included in the four-day training.

According to Janairo, there are some steps that should be followed before spraying and misting is conducted in the community to avoid any untoward incident.

AN ALLIED political party of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Laban has filed a petition before the Commission on Elections to forbid a provincial governor from releasing P500 million for the supposed construction of several infrastructure projects in Nueva Ecija in violation of the election code.

The Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija, a local political party aligned to President Rodrigo Duterte’s PDP-Laban party, filed a four-page petition before Comelec Chairman Sheriff Abas, seeking to stop incumbent Nueva Ecija Gov. Czarina Umali to release half a billion peso fund for several local infra projects in the province.

The petition, signed by Virgilio A. Bote, PDP-Laban provincial chairman

of Nueva Ecija; Board Member Edward Thomas F. Joson, Nueva Ecija 3rd District Rep. Rosanna V. Vergara; and 1st District Rep. Estrelita B. Suansing, cited the Omnibus Election Code or Batas Pambansa Bilang 881 that prohibits the government from disbursing public funds as well as delivering materials for public works during election period.

The petitioners said that for the May 13 mid-term elections, the ban on public works would run from March 29 to May 12.

It also asked the Department of Budget and Management not to release nor authorize the release of any appropriation of public funds that might be directly or indirectly be used in violation of the exiting election code.

“We received information that our incumbent governor filed an action before

the Comelec requesting for an exemption to utilize a budget for infra projects in Nueva Ecija,” the petition stated.

The local political party also provided a copy to the Office of the President, Senator Aquilino Pimentel, chairman of the Senate Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation, and Rep. Sherwin Tugna, House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms.

The Balane-PDP Laban officials feared that the release of funds would be used by incumbent local officials to influence voters, saying the construction of local infrastructure projects might be used for their campaign propaganda.

“It is very clear that their intention for the release of P500 million is to fund their projects and programs to advance their election agenda,” according to Bote, one of the four petitioners.

THE state-run Social Security System has said 70 of its branches nationwide will be open on March 30 to accept applications for the Loan Restructuring Program with penalty condonation as the deadline on April 1 draws near.

“As we anticipate the influx of member-borrowers on the last week of application for the LRP, the SSS Management has decided to open 70 branches on Saturday, March 30, to accept members wanting to avail of the program,” SSS Officerin-Charge Aurora Ignacio said.

The LRP with penalty condonation is open to member-borrowers with past due short-term loans such as calamity loan, salary loan, emergency loan, educational loan (old), Study-NowPay-Later-Plan, Voch-Tech Loans, Y2K Loans, and Investment Incentive Loan.

The special program shall waive the penalty once the loan principal and interest under the restructured loan is fully paid within the approved term.

The following 29 branches in National Capital Region will be open on the said date to accept LRP applications namely Cubao, Diliman, Kalookan, Novaliches, San Francisco del Monte, Valenzuela-Dalandanan, Fairview, Navotas, Malabon, Antipolo, New Panaderos, Marikina, Pasig-Pioneer, San Juan, San Mateo, Cainta, Tanay, Binondo, Legarda, Pasay-Roxas, Pasay-Taft, Welcome, Manila, Alabang, Makati-Gil Puyat, Makati-JP Rizal, Taguig, Alabang-Zapote, and Paranaque Sucat.

Meanwhile, 15 branches in Luzon namely Baguio, Cauayan, San Carlos, Olongapo, Dau, Bacoor, Binan, Calamba, Lucena, Batangas, Lemery, Lipa, Puerto Princesa, Legazpi, and Naga will also be open on said date.

Zero tells voters: Be wary of bets

ADDED INCOME.

Senator Nancy Villar cites the national feeding program to help bring up incomes of dairy and vegetable farmers while attending the Farm Field Day cum Technology Showcase in connection with the 26th anniversary of Philippine Carabao Center at Pavilion in Nueva Ecija.

Lino Santos

OceanaGold pays over P60-m taxes to NV PLGU BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—OceanaGold Philippines, Inc. recently paid its latest Real Property Tax to the provincial government here.

Marjorie Idio, OGPI’s Communications and External Affairs superintendent, said more than P60 million worth of RPT was paid last week to the coffers of the provincial government.

“This 2019 RPT payment covers our 2018 operations within our areas of coverage,” she said.

Idio also said the local government unit of Kasibu also received P83 million for their 2019 RPT payment covering their 2018 operations.

Idio, along with the members of the OGPI’s leadership team, recently appeared in the hearing of alleged violations

SSS branches to accept LRP applications

of the mining firm to several affected villagers of Barangay Didipio in Kasibu town before the members of the provincial Board’s Environment Committee chaired by board member Flodemonte Gerdan.

Board member Patricio Dumlao Jr. expressed his appreciation and praised OGPI for paying their RPT on time.

“We hope that your previous RPT payment which was stalled because of an interpleader case will soon be settled in our favor,” he added.

OGPI operates the gold and copper project in Barangay Didipio in Kasibu town.

OGPI is expected to expand and explore other areas in Kasibu through a permit from the Office of the President under a Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement. Ben Moses Ebreo

MULTISECTORAL members of the Zero Tolerance Organization, a watchdog group in Oriental Mindoro, are asking voters in the province to be wary of which politicians they plan to vote for in the May 13 elections.

“With the midterm elections about to occur again, we now have the power to choose who will lead us. We have the power in our hands to shape our destiny. Although much of the national spotlight is focused on the senatorial elections, the local election is where we should be invested in the most,” the group said in a statement Friday.

They cited the case of reelectionist 1st District Rep. Paulino Salvador “Day” Leachon, who is running for a second straight term despite a 90-day preventive suspension ordered by the Sandiganbayan due to corruption charges when he was the mayor of Calapan City.

Last October, Leachon asked the antigraft court’s approval for a 16-day trip to Copenhagen, Denmark, and Tokyo, Japan, while the trial of his graft case continues.

Leachon told the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division that he intends to travel to Denmark from Oc. 18 to 25, where he is expected to attend the 18th AntiCorruption Conference, and then to Japan from Oct. 28 to Nov. 4 to meet the Filipino community.

Zero Tolerance said the lawmaker’s trip for an anti-corruption gab was “ironic” given his current case, saying Leachon “has a lot of explaining to do to his constituents.”

Sports

A7

SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

MOA hosts Nat Geo Earth Day Run 2019

Ateneo battles UP Lady Maroons

By Paul David L. Gelario

Games today

(Mall of Asia Arena) 8 a.m. – AdU vs UP (Men) 10 a.m. – NU vs Ateneo (Men) 2 p.m. – UE vs FEU (Women) 4 p.m. – UP vs Ateneo (Women)

ATENEO seeks to solidify its hold of the No. 1 spot against University of the Philippines at 4 p.m. today, Saturday in the UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Lady Eagles won their first meeting, 25-21, 25-15, 28-26, but not without surviving a huge Lady Maroons scare in the third set last March 10.

With a 7-1 record, Ateneo is slowly pulling away from the rest of the field, while UP is sporting a 5-3 card and is locked in a tight battle with three other teams trying to stay within the top four range.

UP coach Godfrey Okumu remains upbeat that the Lady Maroons can handle the tremendous pressure and halt the Lady Eagles’ seven-match winning run in the “Battle of Katipunan”.

“Is this the peak of UP? No. I still feel there’s more to come,” said Okumu after his team toppled defending champion De La Salle for the second time this season last Sunday.

“We still can play better. It’s just a matter of time,” he added.

The Lady Maroons seemed to have learned from their low points in the tournament.

“I believe so that we’re mentally stronger. We had our fair share of misfortunes coming through to the first round, that we’re happy that 13 of us are here today,” said Okumu.

“We are learning from these kind of situations and then I believe mentally we’re growing. And, if we have the same mentality towards the next games, I think the results will favor us,” he added.

All eyes are now on Ateneo on how it will sustain its impressive run, as coach Oliver Almadro is simply looking forward on what lies on the table.

“We don’t want to think of the 7-1 record,” said Almadro.

Far Eastern University, meanwhile, hopes to do well without injured open spiker Lycha Ebon when it plays struggling University of the East at 2 p.m.

SVP, General Manager-Philippines at Fox Networks Group Jude Turcuato (left), Runrio Events Managing Partner, Andrew Neri (center), and CORA Founder, Antoinette Taus are all smiles as they answer questions during the Nat Geo 2019 media launch. Paul Gelario

National athletes finally return to PSC quarters women are currently staying at the RMSC, with fencing, karatedo and muay thai will be located at PhilSports.

The agency advised many national sports associations last ATIONAL athletes may now return December 14 to pull out their athletes from the dormitories to the billeting areas of the Philippine for repairs.

Sports Commission at the Rizal PSC Chairman Butch Ramirez said the agency has since covMemorial Sports Complex in Manila and ered the expenses of many national athletes for their temporary housing like rentals of condo or apartment units for the team.”

PhilSports Complex in Pasig City.

Agency officials said dormitories are only partially availExecutive Director Atty. Guillermo Iroy, Jr. made this as- able as repairs continue in other areas. surance after three months of repairs.

Completion of repairs are expected in late August to early Some of the quarters have been closed following the death September. of wushu junior athlete Rastafari Daraliay in the wee hours of Ramirez said the improvements have been done in orthe morning last October. der for national athletes to have better places to train and National athletes from weightlifting and women’s wrestling seek shelter.

By Peter Atencio

N

Pliskova roars past Halep into Miami WTA final MIAMI, United States – Simona Halep missed the chance to return to world number one as a devastating display from Karolina Pliskova sealed the Czech’s passage into the Miami Open WTA final 7-5, 6-1.

Romania’s Halep would have reclaimed the top spot in women’s tennis if she had reached Saturday’s showpiece following current number one Naomi Osaka’s early exit and Petra Kvitova falling to Ashleigh Barty in the last eight.

But Pliskova, the world number seven, had other ideas, rattling off an incredible nine games in a row to blitz Halep and set up an intriguing battle with Australian Barty—a 6-3, 6-3 winner over Estonian Anett Kontaveit.

“It wasn’t easy waiting for so long but I managed to stay aggressive,” said Pliskova, who hit 29 winners to Halep’s 18 in the match that finished after 1 am thanks to a series of rain delays. “Ashleigh is a good player, but I am excited for the final.

San Juan advances to MPBL Datu Cup North championship

Adamson routs UST in softball Games Tuesday:

(Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium) 8:30 a.m. – UST vs AdU (Softball Finals) 12 noon – Ateneo vs DLSU (Baseball Finals)

ADAMSON University trounced University of Santo Tomas, 11-2, in just four innings to move on the cusp of annexing its ninth straight championship Friday in the UAAP Season 81 softball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

Pitcher Lyca Basa fanned out four batters to help the Lady Falcons, who scored nine r uns in the opening inning, seize the 1-0 series lead.

“Actually noong first inning, noong una silang pumalo (Tigresses), medyo naging shaky si Basa,” said Adamson University coach Ana Santiago.

“Mabuti na lang at nakabalik siya.

Maganda yung pitching niya and at the same time, mainit yung first inning namin. Yun ang nag-survive sa amin. Ang sabi ko sa kanila, kailangan lang natin ng one big inning para manalo,” she added.

In baseball, Iggy Escaño blasted a three-run homer in the bottom eighth and De La Salle weathered Gino Tantuico’s grand slam homerun in the ninth to beat Ateneo, 9-7, and inch closer in reclaiming the throne.

The rookies also delivered the goods for the Lady Falcons, with MJ Maguad producing three RBIs and two hits, and Clariz Lozada contributing two RBIs. “Yun ang mga rookie ngayon, maganda at nag-step up sila. Yun ang kailangan ng team namin,” said Santiago. “Nakikita mo na lumalaban sila.

Talagang gagawin nila ang lahat para makatulong sa team.”

The South Florida weather played havoc with Thursday’s schedule at Hard Rock Stadium, no more so than when the rains returned with Pliskova on the brink of a brilliant win.

Play was initially halted at 3-3 in the in the first.

When they resumed, Halep edged ahead 5-3 before Pliskova roared back, taking the first set and a 5-0 lead in the second before rain forced them from the court again. AFP

NAT GEO’s commemorative 10th year anniversary Nat Geo Earth Day Run 2019, which will be held in Mall of Asia on April 14, has accumulated the most registrations according to SVP, General Manager - Philippines at Fox Networks Group Jude Turcuato.

“I’ve just checked the number of registration so far this year. Actually it’s the most that we’ve ever had up until this time,” said Turcuato said during the launch at Waterside, Solaire Resort & Casino, in Pasay last March 28.

The race will have five categories: 21km, 10km, 5km, 3km, and the new 500m Doggie Run. Interested runners may register online by visiting Nat Geo Run 2019’s website. Onsite registration is available at four selected SM branches: SM North Edsa, SM Aura, SM Mall of Asia, and SM Southmall.

Registered participants will receive the Nat Geo race kit containing a race bib, a race singlet, a hydration bottle, a belt bag, and a drawstring bag.

The Doggie Run is limited to 300 participants and available for onsite registration only. The dog race kit includes a vest, a race bib and a leash.

Finishers of the 21k will receive a finisher shirt and a medal, while the 10k will only receive a medal.

This year’s beneficiary of the run is CORA (Communities Organized for Resource Allocation) Foundation, an organization that organizes feeding programs and spreads environmental awareness.

“The goal for National Geographic and CORA together are three important things. To educate, to inspire action, to empower people and the youth,” said CORA Founder Antoinette Taus.

A total of 15,000 participants are expected.

The 21k run starts at 3:00 a.m., 10k at 4:30 a.m., 5k at 5:30 a.m., 3k at 6 a.m., and 500m Doggie Run at 7:00 a.m.

YOUR MOVE. International Arbiter/National Master Wilfredo Neri (seated,

right) and Bacolod chess wizard Ellaine Summer Abanco make the ceremonial moves firing off the 2019 National Youth and Schools Chess ChampionshipsVisayas leg at the 4th floor Metro Lobby, Ayala Malls Capitol Central, Bacolod City, yesterday, Friday.

SAN JUAN finished off Quezon City with a 106-81 beat down on Thursday night to move into the championship round of the MPBL Datu Cup North Division.

In front of their hometown crowd, the Big J Sports-backed Knights played according to potential and drew the firepower needed from veterans Mac Cardona and John Wilson in ushering the Black Mamba-supported Capitals to the exit door.

San Juan swept its rival in the best-ofthree semifinals series and is now awaiting the winner of the Bataan-Manila door-die showdown on Monday night.

Manila kept its hopes alive by outlasting Bataan, 80-76, in the other game as its defense worked double time to frustrate the Zetapro-sponsored Risers an outright entry to the division finals of this tournament put up by Senator Manny Pacquiao with PBA legend

IRONKIDS help children in different ways

CHILDREN who join Alaska Fortified IRONKIDS benefit in many different ways.

They not only become better at the sport, they also learn discipline and hard work which help them not just in sports but also in school and everyday life.

Damien Christoph P. Lapaz joined the Play Category in the 6 to 8 age category of the recent Aquathlon in Davao City. His mother Julie Palo-Lapaz said she was amazed at Damien’s growth after he joined IRONKIDS. “The discipline he learned from swimming is what really we admired from him and his coach. He was very keen in his form and how he can be better. When he started triathlons, we saw him competitive spirit come out and I think that’s very

important to instill in children. That he has to compete with himself and know that he can be better but also understand that some children can also be better than him and that’s perfectly fine,” said Julie who works from home as Assistant Head for Operations in an online English business school.

Alaska Milk Associate Brand Manager Diane Guerta said they are encouraged by how children like Damien benefit in so many ways from joining Alaska Fortified IRONKIDS. “It’s good that they get to remember values that Alaska Milk teaches through IRONKIDS. This is a partnership. We want children to learn good values such as determination, hard work and discipline,” said Guerta.

and former MVP Kenneth Duremdes serving as commissioner.

The Stars played aggressive on defense right from the get-go as Chris Bitoon, Mark Lopez and the other guards put the pressure on Bataan’s ball carriers. Manila picked up six steals and forced its rivals to commit 17 turnovers, resulting to 17 turnover points.

Aris Dionisio led the way with 23 points, with 15 of them coming in the second half.

Reil Cervantes also stepped up big in the second half, producing 10 of his 14 points, while Marcy Arellano completed a tripledouble performance finishing with 13 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.

Bitoon, who concentrated on playing defense in the early goings, had seven of his 12 markers in the fourth period.

“This is on top of nutrition and an active lifestyle. These values. We teach them to the kids. So the coaches, like Coach Ani (Brown) and the senior athletes and even the professional athletes, help in imparting these lessons. They serve as good role models and inspiration to the children.”

Children who join Alaska Fortified IRONKIDS which is staged by Sunrise Events learn the importance of physical activity and exercise as they go out and play in the sun. They also learn the importance of proper nutrition and drinking milk.

Most important they learn discipline and hard work which help them Six-year-old Damien Palo Lapaz jogs to the not just in sports but also in school finish line as he completes the run part of his event. Karen Padawag and everyday life.

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor

sports@manilastandard.net

sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

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SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 2019

Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) glides to the hoop past a Denver Nuggets defender at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. AFP

Risers, Kings play crucial 3x3 matches

By Peter Atencio THE stakes are high for the 1Bataan Risers and the Pasig Grindhouse Kings.

A slot in the FIBA World Tour Masters in Doha, Qatar and a grand prize of PHP 1,000,000 are up for grabs for the two teams when the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 President’s Cup returns on Sunday, March 31 at the SM Fairview Events Center.

Both are already assured of their seats in the Grand Finals, which is set from April 6 to 7 at the SM Megamall Fashion Hall Events Center.

But, to advance further, the Kings can earn a seat if they finish at least in third place.

On the other hand, 1Bataan needs to win all their games and Pasig will have to be eliminated in the quarterfinals for them to claim their ticket to Doha.

“I think we will be able to form a competitive team for the Super Quest to have a good representation of the Philippines,” said league commissioner Eric Altamirano.

Advancing to the Super Quest are the Pasig Grindhouse Kings, who accumulated 360 points, and the 1Bataan Risers, who tallied 325 points during the first four legs.

Joining Sunday’s cagefest after Pasay, the Go for Gold-San Juan Knights, the Valenzuela Classic, the Vigan Baluarte Wolves, the Cebu-Max4 Birada, the Zamboanga Valientes, the Marikina Shoemasters, the Bulacan Kuyas, the Bacoor Strikers, and the Zark’s-Quezon City Jawbreakers There will be 10 foreign squads that are also competing in the two-day tournament from April 6 to 7 at the SM Megamall Fashion Hall Events Center.

The pro teams which have signed up are from Korea, Mongolia, Vietnam, Taipei, Indonesia, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and China.

Juvic pulls away at ICTSI Riviera Golf Challenge S

ILANG, Cavite—Juvic Pagunsan finally unleashed the kind of game expected from a player of his caliber, shooting a fiveunder 66 and storming to a whopping four-stroke lead over a late-charging Angelo Que in the third round of the ICTSI Riviera Golf Challenge at the Langer course here yesterday.

With the wind not blowing as hard as in the first two rounds that sent the scores soaring and two of the fancied bets out of the title race, Pagunsan flaunted his superb shotmaking skills, his crisp iron shots setting up a lot of birdie chances, four of which he drilled inside 10 feet at the front that put him away of halfway coleader and uncle Rey Pagunsan and the rest of his erstwhile pursuers.

He went five-under with another birdie on the 10th then rebounded from a third straight bogey on the par-3 12th with his sixth birdie on the next for a 31-35 card and a 54-hole total 208 as Asia’s former No. 1 moved 18 holes away from nailing his breakthrough win on the Philippine Golf Tour Asia.

“It was just fantastic. Everything was in place and the wind not as strong as in the first two days,” said Juvic who nevertheless remained wary of Que’s threat to his title drive in the $100,000 event serving as the penultimate leg of the 10-stage second season of the region’s newest circuit put up by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. Four strokes off the pace after 36 holes, Que had earlier set the tone of the big guns’ assault on the par-71 layout with a 32, spiking his similar 66 with a 25-foot eagle putt on the par-5 10th off a superb 3-wood second shot from 247 yards.

“Finally, I regained my touch and got the feel of my game. I hit it pretty well and my iron and putting clicked,” said Que, also in pursuit of his first PGT Asia win after spending majority of the last few years on the lucrative Japan PGA Tour.

But he remained four strokes back at 212 although the former Philippine Open champion assured an explosive final round showdown with his fellow Japan PGA Tour campaigner.

From what had been a wild first two rounds that saw at least 15 players get a crack at

the lead in this event serving as prelude to next week’s Solaire Phl Open and last year’s winner and reigning PGT Order of Merit champion Jobim Carlos and former OOM titlist Clyde Mondilla miss the cut, the title duel has been virtually reduced to the two local aces with the next four laying nine strokes behind at 217.

Jerson Balasabas, the reigning Philippine Masters champion, shot a 69, Rico Depilo and Elmer Salvador carded identical 70s and Lexus Keoninh of the US hobbled with a 74 with Singapore’s Gregory Foo, Korean Hwang Myung Chal and Thai Sutijet Kooratanapisan pooling similar 218s after a 70, 72 and 73, respectively.

PGTA Summit Point titlist Joenard Rates matched par 71 to lead the 219 scorers who included Englishman George Twyman, who shot a 74, and PGTA Aboitiz Invitational winner Damien Jordan of Australia and Macedonia’s Peter Stojanovski, who both turned in 75s.

LIKE A BOSS. Juvic Pagunsan walks purposely into the green with ball in one hand and his club in the other during the third round of the ICTSI Riviera Golf Challenge.

McIlroy wins, Tiger falls at WGC-Match Play

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland lines up a putt on the second green in his match against Justin Harding of South Africa during the second round of the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play. AFP

WASHINGTON, United States—Rory McIlroy remained unbeaten, Tiger Woods suffered a critical loss and defending champion Bubba Watson and two-time winner Jason Day were eliminated Thursday at the WGC-Match Play Championship.

The 64-player showdown featuring the world ranking leaders at Austin (Texas) Country Club starts with three days of group play to determine 16 berths in weekend knockout matches to decide a champion.

Fourth seed McIlroy defeated South Africa’s 47thseeded Justin Harding 3&2, eagles at the par-5 12th and 16th and a birdie at the par-4 15th tipping a squared match his way to give him a 2-0 record and group lead.

“One of the big things over the last couple of days is I’ve been happy with how I’ve responded. I played the shot when I needed to—I holed the putt when I needed to.

“When I sense a little bit of blood I’m taking my opportunities. Whenever I have to step up and hit a shot on top of a guy I’ve been able to do that really well.”

McIlroy, who has never trailed in two days, needs

only a draw with English 32nd seed Matthew Fitzpatrick on Friday to advance.

Brandt Snedeker never trailed in beating 14-time major champion Woods 2&1 to share the lead in an all-American group with Patrick Cantlay, who beat Aaron Wise 4&2.

For any chance to reach the weekend in his first Match Play start since 2013, three-time winner Woods must beat Cantlay on Friday and have Wise defeat or draw Snedeker.

“We both made a couple of mistakes out there but he made a few less mistakes than I did,” Woods said.

“All I can do is hopefully get a point tomorrow and see if that’s good enough.”

Woods made an incredible third shot at the 10th hole on his knees, knocking the ball from underneath a huge bush some 32 feet to just four feet from the cup and halved the hole.

“My own kids were probably rooting for him,” Snedeker admitted. AFP

Harden’s 38 points fuel Rockets past Nuggets LOS ANGELES, United States – James Harden scored 38 points to led the Houston Rockets to a 112-85 victory over the Denver Nuggets in a battle of NBA Western Conference contenders on Thursday.

Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Harden added six rebounds and six assists in 32 minutes on the floor as the Rockets blew past a Nuggets team boasting the secondbest record in the West behind the reigning champion Golden State Warriors.

“I think it’s important for our confidence, our rhythm, our chemistry,” said Rockets center Clint Capela, who added 17 points with 15 rebounds. “We did a good job tonight to keep them under 25 points a quarter.

Eric Gordon added 18 points and Austin Rivers chipped in 15 for the Rockets, who out-scored the Nuggets 40-19 in the second quarter to seize control of the contest.

Elsewhere, the Utah Jazz’s playoff berth was confirmed thanks to the Sacramento Kings’ 121-118 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.

The playoff bound Toronto Raptors encountered little resistance from the Knicks in a 117-92 victory in New York.

Forward Pascal Siakam led the Raptors with 31 points as Toronto improved to 53-23 – second in the East behind the Milwaukee Bucks who improved to 57-19 with a 128118 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.

But the Bucks got a jolt as MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo hit the floor and grabbed his right ankle after a fourth-quarter dunk.

Antetokounmpo, who scored 34 points, departed the contest. He missed two games last week after spraining the same ankle in a game against Philadelphia, but said he wants to try to play through into the playoffs.

“I’m definitely working on it, trying to get it healthy, stronger,” Antetokounmpo said. “Usually when you sprain your ankle, you stay out for two, three, four games. But I don’t like missing games. I’ve got to work through it while playing.” AFP

San Antonio honors Spurs great Ginobili SAN ANTONIO, United States—The San Antonio Spurs paid tribute to Manu Ginobili on Thursday, honoring a basketball career that included not only four NBA titles but also Olympic gold with his native Argentina.

The Spurs raised Ginobili’s No. 20 jersey to the rafters of the AT&T Center, making him the ninth Spurs player to have his number retired.

“I stand here and I think what am I doing here?” Ginobili said. “This was not supposed to happen to me. I had no expectations whatsoever growing up to be even close to being here.

“When I started to become kind of good I thought maybe I’ll have a quite successful career in Europe, maybe win something with the national team – who knows.

“Then one day I suddenly wake up and I hear what these legends say about me,” said Ginobili, who was feted by former teammates Tim Duncan and Tony Parker, coach Gregg Popovich and members of Argentina’s Golden Generation National Team with whom he won Olympic gold in 2004.

“It’s just overwhelming,” Ginobili said. “I’m beyond, beyond appreciative.

“It was a long ride from growing up in Argentina. But I’ve been lucky. I was raised in a family with two very supportive, present parents that allowed me and my brothers to follow our dreams.”

Former Spurs teammate Tim Duncan, who was the eighth player to have his number retired by the team, was among the franchise greats on hand to honor Ginobili during and after the Spurs’ 116-110 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Ginobili spent his entire 16 year career in San Antonio. In addition to four titles, his winning percentage of .721 (762-295) is the best winning percentage in NBA history among players who have appeared in at least 1,000 games.

Selected by San Antonio with the 57th overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft, Ginobili appeared in 1,057 career games, averaging 13.3 points, 3.8 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.32 steals in 25.4 minutes. AFP

Budget gap surged 48% to P76.4b in February

Business

By Julito G. Rada THE government’s budget deficit in February widened by 48 percent to P76.4 billion from P51.7 billion a year ago, as the disbursements’ growth of 21 percent outpaced the expansion in revenue collection of 13 percent, the Bureau of the Treasury said Friday.

The Treasury said in a statement the February deficit was a reversal of the P44.5-billion surplus posted in January this year. It said the deficit of P31.8 billion in the first two months was 23 percent lower than the P41.5-billion shortfall a year ago.

Government revenues in February rose 13 percent to P202.1 billion yearon-year on cumulative collections of P458.5 billion, up from a year ago by 10 percent. In total, tax revenues made up 90 percent of the month’s collection, while non-tax sources made up the balance equivalent to P19.5 billion.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue achieved a double-digit increase of 16 percent in collections for the month to P135.7 billion. Year-to-date collections of P320.8 billion also improved 10 percent against P292.3 billion on year.

Collections by the Bureau of Customs slightly improved 1 percent in February compared with the previous year’s level of P43.7 billion. The take resulted in cumulative collections of P92.6 billion in the first two months of the year, 9 percent or P8 billion better than 2018 figure.

February income and revenue generated by the Bureau of the Treasury reached P9.2 billion, up 56 percent from P5.9 billion on year.

“Growth was mainly due to the P4.0 billion dividend from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and P2.9 billion national government share in Pagcor income. This brought BTr’s actual income to P18.8 billion as of end-February, 35 percent higher than for the same period last year,” it said.

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 2019

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VIETNAM TRADE. Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez (third from left) discusses market opportunities for several Philippine products with Vietnam Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam on March 22, 2019. With Lopez are (from left) Department of Trade and Industry Assistant Secretary Angelo Taningco and Bureau of International Trade Relations Assistant Director Butch Benedictos; MARD’s Agro Processing and Market Development Authority Deputy Director General Pham Van Duy, Department of Plant Protection Deputy Director General Bui Si Doanh and Department of Livestock Production Deputy Director General Nguyen Van Trong; and Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam Deputy Director of Asian-South Asia Department of Asia-Africa Market Nguyen Duong Kien.

More wins CA ruling against Peco

T

By Alena Mae S. Flores

HE Court of Appeals stopped the temporary restraining order issued by the Mandaluyong Regional Trial Court in favor of Panay Electric Co., which prevented More Electric Power Corp. of magnate Enrique Razon Jr. from expropriating and taking over the assets of the power distributor in Iloilo City.

IN BRIEF

The appellate court issued its own TRO against the lower Mandaluyong court, citing issues of “transcendental importance.”

More filed a petition with the CA to set aside the Mandaluyong TRO that restrained it from enforcing Republic Act 11212 and proceeding with expropriation proceedings against Peco. More’s franchise under RA 11212 took effect on March 6, 2019, the same day that Peco filed an application for a TRO. The Mandaluyong court also prevented the Department of Energy and the Energy Regulatory Commission from issuing a certificate of public convenience and a provisional authority to Peco to operate in Peco’s franchise area.

The CA said it saw more than adequate grounds to grant the restraining order, citing that Peco’s franchise to op-

erate an electricity distribution system in Iloio had already expired and that the franchise to operate the same area had been granted to More.

More alleged that the Mandaluyong RTC committed grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction.

More also alleged that the court committed grave abuse when it held that the enforcement of Sections 10 and 17 of RA 11212 would materially and substantially invade Peco’s rights to equal protection under the law, due process and against unlawful taking of property.

It said the Mandaluyong court order derailed the implementation of the takeover of the distribution system in Iloilo City by More as the new franchise holder.

Archaeology Room at the Noah’s Ark

“Unless the respondent’s judge’s abusive conduct is immediately arrested, the residents of Iloilo City are deprived of better and cheaper electric service from More and will continue to suffer the poor service under Peco, and there is a real danger that electrical/electricity distribution in Iloilo City will be cut off/ or at the least, disrupted,” More said.

More on March 11, 2019 filed a complaint for expropriation against Peco before the Iloilo City RTC on March 11, 2019.

Peco’s franchise expired on January 19 but the ERC and the DoE said Peco’s certificate of public convenience and necessity of Peco was valid until May 25, which served as ERC and DoE’s legal basis in allowing the cooperative to continue operating in the area of Iloilo.

Ocean Park

Travellers’ income jumps 414% to P1.44b

RESORTS World Manila operator Travellers International Hotel Group Inc. said net income surged 414 percent in 2018 to P1.44 billion from P280 million in the previous year on the back of a double-digit growth in gaming revenues.

TIHGI said in a disclosure to the stock exchange net revenues rose 10 percent to P20.56 billion billion, driven by both gaming and nongaming segments.

Gross gaming revenues increased 17 percent to P20 billion supported by the sustained growth in all gaming segments.

Gross gaming revenues in the fourth quarter rose 45 percent to P6.26 billion from P4.3 billion year-on-year.

Gaming capacity increased to 299 tables and 1,822 slot machines as of end December 2018 from 244 tables and 1,381 slot machines as end December 2017. The increase was primarily due to the opening of the ground floor gaming area of the Grand Wing.

Non-gaming revenues, meanwhile, rose 17 percent to a record high of P4.7 billion. Jenniffer B. Austria

Ferronickel, HK firm invest in steel plant

GLOBAL Ferronickel Holdings Inc., the second largest nickel producer in the Philippines, is teaming up with a Hong Kong-based company to invest $20 million in a steel manufacturing facility in the country.

GFNI said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it was tying up with Huarong Asia Limited (Huarong) to build a rebar steel rolling plant with an annual output of about 600,000 tons of bar.

GFNI president Dante Bravo said in a text message the group was looking at Mindanao or Luzon as the potential site for the planned steel rebar facility. The proposed plant will be completed 18 months after start of construction.

Given the fast-growing steel demand in the country propelled by local infrastructure developments, GFNI said it was exploring valueadded opportunities by diversifying into the steel processing.

Huarong is headed by a veteran businessman with over 25 years of experience in the stainless steel business.

GFNI would incorporate two new companies, FNI Steel Corp. and FNI Landholdings Corp., to implement the project.

Jenniffer B. Austria

DTI ensures quality of flat glass products

TRADE Secretary Ramon Lopez signed an order reinstating the mandatory compliance requirement for flat glass.

“We want to ensure the quality standard of each glass product and protect consumers. These products must be produced by PS (Philippine Standard) certified plants and all imports should pass quality test for their ICC (Import Clearance) mark,” he said Friday.

The order prescribed the technical regulations for mandatory PS licensing scheme for glass products covered by particular PNS such as flat glass, heat-strengthened and fully-tempered flat glass, laminated glass and laminated safety glass products covered by PNS 12543-2 and PNS 12543-3, respectively, and bent glass covered by PNS ASTM C 1464.

All glass products will be submitted for sampling by Bureau of Product Standards, Trade Regional Office or the BPS inspection body within a prescribed time and in accordance with existing BPS inspection and sampling procedure. Othel V. Campos

PSALM extends contest deadline

STATE-RUN Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. has moved the new deadline for the submission of expressions of interest and first stage requirements of the Architectural Conceptual Design Contest for the National Power Corp. complex in Quezon City to April 5.

PSALM said the postponement of the original schedule of March 22 would give it more time to update the contest’s mechanics and consider the preparation of the eligibility requirements from interested participants.

“The design contest shall select the most energy-efficient conceptual design that could be used as basis for the master planning and redevelopment of the 5.1-hectare Diliman property which includes the current locations of Napocor, National Transmission Corporation and National Grid Corporation of the Philippines,” PSALM said.

The entire property, covering 5.1 hectares, is centrally located in a long stretch of commercial establishments adjacent to Centris Walk and Vertis North in Quezon City. Alena Mae S. Flores

Top 8 places to visit in Hong Kong this Spring

I

By Nat Mariano

N this highly-developed cosmopolitan territory mixed with a lush green paradise, Hong Kong will leave you mesmerised. From the iconic skyline, to the hustling crowd; there is surprise waiting to happen at every street.

Without a doubt, Hong Kong, a Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, has always live up to its tagline by bringing all the “best” in the world in just one spot. From accessible and interconnected public transits, family-friendly amusement parks, ingredientsrich Cantonese cuisine, countless markets for all sorts of products, down to the notable collection of skycrapers, just name it, Hong Kong has it.

It was half past 10 in the morning when I arrived in Hong Kong after a two-hour flight from Manila. With numerous people immersed with their smartphones passing through and footsteps rushing to their errands on a busy Thursday morning, not a single thought dared to enter in my head.

In the said city where buildings can extend more than 50 stories high, the smell of unfamiliarity greeted me and the spirit of adventure embraced my wandering existence under a 17-degree-Celsius weather Still, I looked shamelessly bloated with bliss as Hong Kong has its own ways of making sure it would push the people’s so-called “pause button,” allowing the troubles they left behind to meet its relief — even just for a moment.

Among the crowd of diverse people, whose names will remain unknown to me, and Chinese characters, that I surely know nothing of, Hong Kong sets a clear picture of what pleasure looks like for those who are equally alien of this territory—a picture that will make you venture this place filled with wonder, history, and culture.

As it enters the phase of Spring from March to April, which other travellers have recognized as the “best time” to visit Hong Kong, the Manila Standard has listed down 10 places that you should see and experience during your visit to the known utopia for shoppers and wanderers alike.

1. OCEAN PARK HONG KONG Address: Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong No one is too old not to connect with nature in this widelyrecognized theme park.

Ocean Park, a marine-life amusement park, engages families, especially children, to animal exhibits, thrilling rides, and a wide array of enjoyable yet informative shows since its establishment in 1977. The decades-old park has been highlighting programs that are all educational, conservation-focused, and equally entertaining.

From over countless of shows and exhibits, two of the headturning attractions in the Ocean Park are the ones that involved the giant pandas and the man’s best friend at sea: the dolphins.

Housed inside a silence-observed dome called the Giant Panda Adventure, inimitable giant pandas act like a magnet to visitors as they roam, play, and, of course, doze off around their grassy habitat. These adorable mammals are a must-see when visiting the Ocean Park following their exclusion from the list of endangered species. Aside from the giant pandas, red pandas also reside in the dome to serve as “ambassadors” for their “increasingly threatened habitat.” With the attraction, the Ocean Park hopes the visiting public would appreciate the need to conserve these animals and keep them safe from any impending extinction.

If giant pandas are much-loved, dolphins, on the other hand, leave spectators in awe as these highly intelligent marine mammals display their skills and friendliness during “dolphin encounters.” Inside the Marine Mammal Breeding and Research Centre, the Ocean Park allows visitors to experience interacting with dolphins “like never before.” You

would also be able to give dolphins a pat on the back, tap their fins, and scrub their bellies, allowing you to understand how they communicate and interact with others.

As the amusement park covers almost 90 hectares of land, some instances would require you to pause for a second after several minutes of walking (and trekking). After all, the park compromises two main attraction areas: the Waterfront and the Summit.

Good thing though, the Waterfront Cable Car Station in Ocean Park enables you to take a moment and catch your breath while your eyes feast on the spectacular views of Hong Kong. As the gondolas can take you from one place to another and back, the cable cars are more than just a mode of transportation. Its very existence stands as an attraction itself.

Hong Kong also prides itself in its own culture. And in order to showcase how was it back in the old days, the Ocean Park gives visitors a trip down to its memory lane. The “Old Hong Kong” attraction is the ultimate retro zone inside the park.

This is also the most-Instragrammable spot in Ocean Park, reliving Hong Kong’s early days during the 1950s to 1970s.

If you want to hit the hay over a day-long amusement experience, Ocean Park Marriott Hotel will surely cater to your needs. Just officially opened last month, the theme park-adjacent hotel houses 471 relaxing and aesthetic hotel guest rooms and suites. The hotel, composed of three large buildings, provides three theme rooms decorated with Ocean Park characters such as the Bao Bao Paradise, Whiskers Submarine, and Redd Forest. These theme rooms give guests with warm and airy ambiance, featuring oceanic-inspired decors with luxurious bedding and linens.

It also houses a 16-metre high aquarium, a lush garden, lagoon, 24-hour Harnn Heritage Spa and fitness centre, pillar-free grand ballroom, alfresco dining, 10 interactive walls, and a whole lot of sea-themed decorations.

2. THE MILLS Address: The Mills, 45 Pak Tin Par Street, Tsuen Wan Founded in 1954, the Mills building was formerly a cottonspinning factory owned by Nan Fung Textiles Limited. The company reached its peak during Hong Kong’s booming manufacturing era in Asia. Since then, the Mills was known for its major contribution to the city’s manufacturing industry. Right now, the Mills emerges as a landmark revitalization project that celebrates industrial legacy through collaborations, innovative strategies, and new opportunities. The remains of the Mills building 4, 5, and 6, were then turned to an architectural and spatial avenues for design and cultural hubs to prosper.

One of the noteworthy cultural hubs thriving under the halls of the Mills is the Cha Duk Chang Children’s Cantonese Opera Workshop. Started in 2002, Cha Duk Chang aims to promote the Chinese opera in order to get more people to acknowledge and experience the old Chinese acts. It also uses the Chinese opera to educate children on how to improve their innate skills, instilling concentration and continuous learning in their minds at such a young age. Cha Duk Chang caters to kindergarten students, both boys and girls.

3. AVENUE OF STARS Address: Avenue of Stars, Tsim Sha Tsui A spectacular waterfront promenade with literally touches of stars, there are no better ways to describe the Avenue of Stars. After undergoing a three-year refurbishment, Tsim Sha Tsui’s seafront remains one of the most visited spots in Hong Kong as it provides visitors a neon-like skyline of the cosmopolitan city.

Bring your cameras out for Avenue of Stars showcases the handprints and signatures of famous personalities such as Jackie Chan, Jet Li, and a statue of Bruce Lee. 4. HONG KONG OBSERVATION WHEEL Address: AIA Vitality Park 33 Man Kwong Street, Central, CGA eSports Stadium

Red Forest Theme Room at Marriott Ocean Park

The Skirt burger at the Diner

Hong Kong, Who wouldn’t want to see a stunning view of the spectacular Victoria Harbour? Hong Kong’s 60-metre-high Observation Wheel allows you to experience just that with its 42 luxurious gondolas that can accommodate eight passengers each. Similar to United Kingdom’s London Eye or Singapore Flyer, Hong Kong’s very own Ferris wheel offers a smooth and relaxing journey, giving you a bird’s eye view of downtown Hong Kong for 30 minutes 5. SYMPHONY OF LIGHTS Address: Avenue of Stars, Tsim Sha Tsui Illuminating the skyline for over a decade, the Symphony of Lights, a daily multimedia show in the city, combines a narration and harmony of music and lights involving 19 different skycrapers situated in Hong Kong. There is no better way to spend the night in Hong Kong than waiting for the buildings to come back to life. The light and sound show, which lasts for 10 minutes, starts at 8:00 p.m. every night for free!

6. THE DINER Address: G/F, Shiu King Court, 4-8 Arbuthnot Road, Central Started in 2015, the Diner is based on the ambiance and atmosphere of a classic American diner. However, this modern-touched Diner in Hong Kong prides itself in offering healthier food choices, selling a variety of salads and milkshakes.

Aside from crafting their own food out of their secret recipes, the Diner emits the coolest vibe with its vintage and classic furnitures. The Diner showcases a real Cadillac and Chevrolet car seats, a 1981 Galaga machine, a jukebox from the 1950s, and numerous car plates from all states of America.

7. CGA ESPORTS STADIUM Address: 38 Nelson Streeet, Mongkok Established by three professional gamers in 2013, the CGA, which stands for Cyber Games Arena, eSports Stadium tops all eSports arenas in Southeast Asia with its unbelievably advance facilities and high-tech equipment. Tagged as the largest integrated eSports venue in Asia, the CGA provides a world-class gaming venue for amateur gamers and professional ones, aiming to boost Hong Kong’s eSports industry.

The 25,000-square-feet facility compromise a competition arena for a maximum of 80 players using top-level and well-equipped computers. It also houses a retail area selling compute equipment, a studio for live international events and gameplay, and an independent area for experiencing a wide array of virtual reality games.

8. NOAH’S ARK Address: 3/F, 33 Pak Yan Road, Ma Wan Described as an evangelical Christian theme park emphasizing the concepts of nature, art, education, and love, Noah’s Ark is a tourist attraction that offers a full range of specially-designed exhibitions. From educational showrooms to 4-dimensional mini theatre, Noah’s Ark guarantees a scintillating experience filled with entertainment, knowledge, and natural scenic beauty.

One thing’s for sure though, Hong Kong has much more to offer than just this list of 10 places to visit. If there was a city to experience and discover in Asia, Hong Kong is truly the place to be. The perfect blending of seaside adventures, vibrant nightlife, rural settings, lush mountains, bustling streets, buzzing people, and rich cultural and even historical landscapes all make Hong Kong the “Asia’s World City.”

If all the reasons mentioned above don’t ignite your wanderlust spirit to visit the famed city, I don’t know what will. As what the Hong Kong-based journalist and author Nury Vittachi has eloquently put: “You can leave Hong Kong, but it will never leave you.”

Hong Kong Observation Wheel

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Business

SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market rallies; ICTSI advances

T

HE stock market rallied Friday on window-dressing to mark the end of the first quarter as investors bought some oversold stocks in previous sessions.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index rose 44.53 points, or 0.6 percent, to 7,920.93 on a value turnover of nearly P6.7 billion. The index is up 6 percent since the start of the year. Losers, however, beat gainers, 112 to 97, with 35 issues unchanged.

International Container Terminal Services Inc., the biggest port operator owned by magnate Enrique Razon Jr., climbed 2.5 percent to P130.70, while JG Summit Holdings Inc. industrialist John Gokongwei, added 2.1 percent to P63.50.

MacroAsia Corp., a leader in aviation support services, advanced 5.2 percent to P22.40, while restaurant chain Max’s Group Inc. increased 4.7 percent to P13.80.

The rest of Asian markets rose Friday, putting them on course to end the week on a positive note with investors looking past a downgrade of US growth to focus on the next round of top-level China-US trade talks.

While the past five days have been dogged by fears over the outlook for the global economy, equities from Sydney to Wall Street have enjoyed a stellar start to 2019 fueled mostly by hopes of a tariffs deal and the prospect of lower borrowing costs.

A slight pick-up in the key US 10-year Treasury yield provided some sense of stability, though dealers remain on edge over the future, with data showing the US economy grew at a much slower pace than initially thought in October-

December.

Attention is on Beijing where top Chinese and US negotiators were wrapping up the latest batch of talks aimed at ending their long-running trade row that has dragged on the world economy.

White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said the negotiations were not “time-dependent” and could be extended, adding they could take weeks or months to get a final deal.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin wrote on Twitter Friday afternoon that he had “concluded constructive trade talks in Beijing.” The talks are to continue in Washington next week.

Observers have remained upbeat on the negotiations, with China having made a number of concessions on key issues including intellectual property, while US President Donald Trump has often said he is confident.

“Sentiment was largely positive after reports that the trade negotiations be-

tween the US and China were improving,” said David Madden, a market analyst at CMC Markets UK. Shanghai surged 3.2 percent and Tokyo ended 0.8 percent higher, while Hong Kong added one percent.

Seoul and Singapore each added 0.6 percent, Sydney put on 0.1 percent and Wellington gained 0.8 percent. Taipei and Mumbai were also sharply higher.

“Risk assets are being supported right now, in my view, by a dovish Fed, a China stabilization and better sentiment around geopolitical risks,” Frances Donald at Manulife Asset Management told Bloomberg News.

“That probably gives this rally a little bit more juice.”

On currency markets, the upbeat mood helped the dollar rise against the safe-haven yen, while the pound was slightly higher on the greenback but unable to break out of a narrow range as the Brexit saga rumbles on. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2019

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 58.65 24,230 84.2 1,643,080 2.28 52,000 133.8 2,164,180 1.31 386,000 26.85 77,700 19 7,800 12.16 387,200 4.27 3,000 7.84 600 0.69 5,000 1.4 6,000 785 50 79.9 2,443,740 0.93 347,000 13.8 20,300 57 705,720 198 1,240 110.1 90 57.8 700 26.7 7,800 173 358,660 60.85 3,130

1,416,129 138,805,414 115,570 289,071,398 515,890 2,088,290 149,224 4,726,506 12,670 4,815 3,450 8,400 39,250 195,257,924.50 328,370 280,032 40,326,411 245,889 10,216 40,683.50 207,735 61,690,684 189,731

1,174,269 -23529306.4999 92,266,560 -710,450 -2,298,038 -7,341,876 -13,869,049.50 -106,550 12,648,831 -125,585

34.85 14.82 0.94 1.43 0.239 89 2.61 15.6 118.9 28.9 43 75 1.9 5.51 6.24 11.24 15.84 9.21 7.25 1.64 21 78.5 29 2.32 10.18 12.48 1.71 316 4.05 3.5 10.6 22.75 13.18 21 375 0.19 1.4 4 6.38 9.07 1.42 11.94 49 5.75 4.77 1.72 2.55 1.29 12 103.2 6.81 0.128 1 150.1 1.66 16.98 1.12

INDUSTRIAL 35.4 683,400 14.88 262,900 0.95 8,345,000 1.47 313,000 0.244 120,000 97.75 350 2.62 4,072,000 15.64 1,066,100 118.9 80 29.35 110,100 43.2 14,000 75 20 1.9 218,000 5.51 19,900 6.24 4,000 11.24 373,900 16 914,300 9.21 228,700 7.38 32,900 1.64 39,000 21.8 495,800 79.25 86,900 29.05 43,700 2.42 10,565,000 10.22 5,234,400 12.5 2,810,600 1.74 831,000 317 628,390 4.05 50,000 3.5 1,000 10.6 33,300 23.05 1,862,100 13.8 6,819,300 21.5 1,999,100 380 321,580 0.202 3,570,000 1.41 3,761,000 4.15 99,000 6.49 5,648,900 9.07 900 1.44 7,970,000 12.22 32,600 49.4 1,089,100 5.75 145,900 4.78 3,510,000 1.72 21,000 2.55 2,000 1.33 74,000 12 4,000 108 88,340 6.85 143,700 0.128 1,200,000 1.01 431,000 152 1,955,030 1.7 6,745,000 16.98 100 1.16 1,438,000

24,038,245 3,911,214 8,041,290 454,950 28,780 31,391 10,740,270 16,673,356 9,512 3,226,995 603,050 1,500 414,350 109,649 24,961 4,226,596 14,625,998 2,120,196 239,263 64,050 10,693,930 6,857,456.50 1,267,355 25,451,770 53,702,832 35,144,202 1,440,320 199,375,010 202,530 3,500 362,490 42,776,140 93,007,744 42,690,855 122,097,372 708,970 5,319,530 409,590 36,527,164 8,163 11,508,170 395,270 53,828,220 841,035 16,823,860 36,120 5,100 95,640 48,270 9,390,952 986,732 153,920 432,190 297,166,283 11,398,760 1,698 1,675,940

14,851,175 367,026 -117,550 -4,369,180 5,507,080 -725,480 94,785.00 19,100 155,452 -80,000 -1,878 -46,365 9,053,830 -421,307 872,900 206,300 -26004215.9996 29,475,028 8,932,036 -15,087,125 27,723,644 7,942,450 -4,197,686 -40,400 -1,774,400 16,911,383 395,850 -18,270 -1,035,170 -587,525 -1420800.0004 5,574,073 127,867,811 115,240 5,700.00

0.61 58.1 15.98 0.81 6.5 20 1.4 930 7.6 11.96 15 4.4 0.228 931.5 6.91 62.05 5.36 0.53 5.2 15.9 0.55 4.77 2.8 0.04 1.14 2.92 172.1 934 1 1.33 420 261 0.24 0.365

HOLDING FIRMS 0.61 5,065,000 58.95 651,590 16.16 7,062,200 0.81 3,565,000 6.5 219,500 20.25 36,500 1.43 2,394,000 940 295,960 7.65 1,078,900 12 7,075,500 15.08 969,400 4.4 4,000 0.244 260,000 931.5 217,830 7 113,900 63.5 3,851,850 5.36 5,700 0.55 610,000 5.25 1,378,800 16.1 3,006,700 0.55 24,000 4.85 30,553,000 2.8 2,000 0.04 468,200,000 1.14 1,000 2.99 526,000 174 325,140 934 158,440 1.05 10,068,000 1.36 18,000 424 2,860 261 130 0.24 2,610,000 0.37 11,810,000

3,166,710 38,359,849.50 113,989,262 2,969,220 1,426,750 734,160 3,402,970 277,565,880 8,254,881 84,982,658 14,818,840 17,600 60,310 204,593,915 795,856 242,405,539 30,620 327,240 7,236,908 48,457,154 13,200 147,140,870 5,600 20,547,700 1,140 1,562,120 56,237,631 148,823,910 10,416,440 24,180 1,217,800 34,198 626,860 4,418,250

-162,470 12,781,466 91,720,480 971,750 42,321,580 -1,370,691 -14,067,650 -1,223,990 -116,507,100 -138,400 114,234,175 16,200 -4,701,519 -14,574,438.00 13,200 12,446,870 3,200 26,550 8,787,308 -41,468,035 51,000 6,700 -1,169,830 -10,628 48,200 -197,500

12,772,690 1,043,180 2,044 83,340 200,810 636,225,305 1,447,880 7,865,750 6,590 9,460,950 20,580 15,680 335,540 80,000 24,295,820 12,022,480 584,455 19,487,990 6,108,970 174,431,729 2,497,700 5,361,950

-2,347,092 -19,300 179,697,450 -92,970 -302,440 -81,620 12,880 11,107,070 -2,483,585 -341,000 -783,410 -2,660 74,006,111 65,750 264,000

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ASIA UNITED BANK PH ISLANDS BDO LEASING BDO UNIBANK BRIGHT KINDLE CHINABANK COL FINANCIAL EAST WEST BANK FERRONOUX HLDG FILIPINO FUND FIRST ABACUS IREMIT MANULIFE METROBANK NTL REINSURANCE PB BANK PHIL NATL BANK PHIL STOCK EXCH PHILTRUST PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK

58 84.25 2.29 132.3 1.34 27 19.18 12.24 4.2 8.95 0.69 1.4 785 80 0.98 13.7 57 197.5 113.1 58.45 26.5 170.3 62

58.65 84.8 2.29 133.9 1.38 27 19.18 12.28 4.27 8.95 0.69 1.4 785 80.2 0.98 13.86 58.5 199.8 116 58.45 26.7 173 62

58 84.2 2.22 132.3 1.31 26.8 19 12.16 4.2 7.84 0.69 1.4 785 79.2 0.93 13.7 56.75 197.5 110.1 57.8 26.5 169.6 60.4

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS BASIC ENERGY BOGO MEDELLIN CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CHEMPHIL CIRTEK HLDG CONCEPCION CONCRETE A CROWN ASIA DAVINCI CAPITAL DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP EMPERADOR EUROMED FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG GINEBRA GREENERGY HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE LMG CHEMICALS MABUHAY VINYL MACAY HLDG MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO MG HLDG PEPSI COLA PETROENERGY PETRON PHINMA PHINMA ENERGY PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL PRYCE CORP RFM CORP ROXAS AND CO ROXAS HLDG SFA SEMICON SHAKEYS PIZZA SMC FOODANDBEV SPC POWER SWIFT FOODS TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VITARICH VIVANT VULCAN INDL

35.15 14.88 1 1.45 0.244 89.65 2.64 15.6 118.9 29.45 43 75 1.91 5.51 6.25 11.36 16 9.45 7.38 1.65 21.2 79.15 29 2.33 10.2 12.6 1.72 316.2 4.06 3.5 11.5 22.75 13.18 21 375.2 0.19 1.42 4.15 6.5 9.07 1.47 12.18 49.75 5.8 4.81 1.72 2.55 1.31 12.18 104.2 6.9 0.129 1 151.8 1.66 16.98 1.15

35.4 14.92 1.01 1.48 0.244 97.75 2.67 15.7 118.9 29.45 43.2 75 1.91 5.51 6.25 11.38 16 9.45 7.38 1.65 21.8 79.25 29.05 2.45 10.34 12.68 1.76 319 4.06 3.5 11.56 23.4 13.96 21.5 383.4 0.208 1.43 4.15 6.5 9.07 1.47 12.24 49.8 5.8 4.85 1.72 2.55 1.33 12.18 108 6.9 0.129 1.03 152.6 1.72 16.98 1.19

ABACORE CAPITAL ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANGLO PHIL HLDG ANSCOR ASIABEST GROUP ATN HLDG A AYALA CORP COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV FJ PRINCE A FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT JOLLIVILLE HLDG LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG METRO PAC INV MJC INVESTMENTS PACIFICA PRIME MEDIA PRIME ORION SAN MIGUEL CORP SM INVESTMENTS SOC RESOURCES SOLID GROUP SYNERGY GRID TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

0.64 59 16.24 0.85 6.5 20.45 1.43 932 7.65 12 15.64 4.4 0.228 979 7 62.75 5.38 0.56 5.2 16.4 0.55 4.79 2.8 0.043 1.14 2.98 173.7 949 1.08 1.35 446 269 0.241 0.38

0.64 59.1 16.3 0.88 6.5 20.8 1.45 940 7.69 12.14 15.7 4.4 0.244 981 7.05 64.5 5.38 0.56 5.3 16.4 0.55 4.86 2.8 0.047 1.14 3 175 954.5 1.1 1.38 446 269 0.243 0.385

8990 HLDG A BROWN ANCHOR LAND ARANETA PROP ARTHALAND CORP AYALA LAND BELLE CORP CEB LANDMASTERS CEBU HLDG CENTURY PROP CITY AND LAND CITYLAND DEVT CROWN EQUITIES CYBER BAY DM WENCESLAO DOUBLEDRAGON EMPIRE EAST FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES

12.9 0.78 10.22 1.95 0.83 44.4 2.38 4.23 6.59 0.53 0.87 0.92 0.24 0.4 11.38 22.75 0.5 1.52 1.3 5.7 0.38 0.465

13.12 0.79 10.22 1.95 0.83 44.9 2.38 4.29 6.59 0.55 0.87 0.94 0.245 0.4 11.7 23.05 0.51 1.53 1.35 5.8 0.39 0.49

12.82 0.77 10.22 1.93 0.82 44 2.32 4.19 6.59 0.52 0.84 0.92 0.24 0.4 11.38 22.55 0.495 1.5 1.28 5.67 0.375 0.465

VOLUME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

PHIL INFRADEV PHIL REALTY PRIMEX CORP ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

1.69 0.455 2.75 24.3 2.04 3.09 39.6 1.55 6.84 0.77 7.25

1.72 0.455 2.75 24.8 2.05 3.09 39.95 1.55 6.84 0.77 7.28

1.66 0.43 2.68 24.25 2.04 3 39.5 1.51 6.6 0.73 7.21

1.69 0.44 2.68 24.5 2.05 3 39.9 1.55 6.74 0.75 7.23

3,781,000 300,000 72,000 1,595,600 93,000 448,000 10,241,600 94,000 62,700 569,000 4,330,500

6,402,720 129,350 194,180 39,127,295 190,140 1,345,130 407,006,590 144,120 416,259 421,680 31,336,378

-2,710,840 10,644,895 10,200 66,000 342,664,300 2,638,801

2GO GROUP ABS CBN APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL ASIAN TERMINALS BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CEBU AIR CHELSEA DFNN INC DISCOVERY WORLD EASYCALL FAR EASTERN U GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN BRIA HARBOR STAR INTL CONTAINER IPM HLDG ISLAND INFO ISM COMM JACKSTONES LBC EXPRESS LEISURE AND RES LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA MANILA BULLETIN MANILA JOCKEY METRO RETAIL METROALLIANCE A METROALLIANCE B NOW CORP PACIFIC ONLINE PAL HLDG PAXYS PH RESORTS GRP PHIL SEVEN CORP PHILWEB PLDT PREMIUM LEISURE PRMIERE HORIZON PUREGOLD ROBINSONS RTL SBS PHIL CORP SSI GROUP STI HLDG TRANSPACIFIC BR TRAVELLERS WATERFRONT WILCON DEPOT

12.2 20.9 0.46 0.043 15.76 2.77 11.74 0.07 81.9 5.8 6.8 2.12 12.3 903 1,950 5.72 372.8 3.1 127.5 7.1 0.135 5.3 3.07 15.6 3.63 0.99 21.4 0.57 4.69 3.25 1.68 1.75 2.54 4.85 10.98 3.2 4.65 125.2 2.83 1,150 0.84 1.05 47.45 79.15 8.9 2.36 0.71 0.415 5.68 0.68 15.2

12.38 21.15 0.465 0.044 15.76 2.79 12.12 0.07 83.1 5.84 6.94 2.12 12.6 903 1,979 5.84 374.4 3.11 132 7.1 0.142 5.35 3.07 15.6 3.79 0.99 22.5 0.6 4.83 3.36 1.73 1.75 2.58 4.91 10.98 3.2 4.75 125.2 2.89 1,150 0.85 1.06 48.3 79.4 8.97 2.38 0.71 0.415 5.68 0.68 15.54

12.2 20.2 0.44 0.043 15.76 2.77 11.7 0.066 81.15 5.68 6.72 2.11 11.92 903 1,930 5.71 361.4 2.96 127.4 7.1 0.13 5.26 3.05 15.4 3.63 0.93 21.35 0.57 4.64 3.25 1.68 1.75 2.54 4.5 10.2 3.15 4.65 124 2.63 1,137 0.83 1 47.4 78.8 8.9 2.36 0.7 0.41 5.63 0.67 15.14

SERVICES 12.2 20.65 0.44 0.044 15.76 2.77 12 0.067 82.95 5.68 6.74 2.11 12.18 903 1,938 5.79 370.6 2.99 130.7 7.1 0.131 5.26 3.05 15.4 3.73 0.93 22.4 0.59 4.83 3.32 1.73 1.75 2.55 4.85 10.6 3.2 4.75 125 2.71 1,150 0.85 1.01 48.1 79 8.95 2.37 0.71 0.41 5.64 0.67 15.48

3,800 386,100 3,350,000 19,200,000 53,000 135,000 4,128,800 189,720,000 512,970 551,300 239,300 6,000 66,400 10 34,500 1,837,300 5,060 2,557,000 5,065,450 18,000 21,080,000 1,227,600 23,000 3,900 1,159,000 2,662,000 5,207,800 1,100,000 52,000 4,403,000 38,000 2,000 269,000 90,000 11,100 21,000 14,000 25,690 2,152,000 174,315 1,204,000 22,734,000 982,300 846,770 9,700 927,000 1,537,000 3,410,000 56,700 125,000 4,832,400

46,702 7,920,475 1,511,650 834,700 835,280 374,320 49,375,618 12,906,960 42,119,714 3,173,248 1,624,146 12,680 809,716 9,030 67,181,225 10,617,653 1,866,414 7,719,090 661,845,542 127,800 2,868,920 6,482,604 70,270 60,760 4,307,590 2,521,460 114,933,320 647,830 242,020 14,622,470 64,940 3,500 684,650 413,770 119,110 67,100 65,450 3,211,770 5,865,030 199,648,965 1,020,140 23,185,460 47,150,650 66,964,274 86,729 2,197,790 1,084,670 1,404,800 321,102 83,810 74,176,852

-47,280 105,250 22,732,506 68,310 -9,187,961 -524,084.00 24,000 29,897,250 624,914 -15,350 380,963,774 -102,710 878,628 1,693,860 142,500 17,517,955 10,730 45,720 86,040 7,980 -33,436,270 79,900 1,213,760 11,962,755 -25,252,523 -32,040 886,620 122,910 -17,040 13,424,008

ABRA MINING APEX MINING ATLAS MINING ATOK BENGUET A CENTURY PEAK COAL ASIA HLDG FERRONICKEL GEOGRACE LEPANTO A LEPANTO B MANILA MINING A MANILA MINING B NICKEL ASIA NIHAO ORNTL PENINSULA ORNTL PETROL A ORNTL PETROL B PHILODRILL PX MINING PXP ENERGY SEMIRARA MINING

0.0021 1.42 3.07 12.58 1.39 2.56 0.295 1.53 0.3 0.122 0.118 0.0083 0.009 2.48 1.11 0.93 0.012 0.012 0.012 3.45 12.44 21.85

0.0021 1.43 3.28 13.1 1.39 2.62 0.295 1.56 0.315 0.122 0.118 0.009 0.009 2.49 1.11 0.95 0.013 0.012 0.012 3.45 12.52 21.95

0.002 1.4 3.07 12.56 1.27 2.56 0.295 1.53 0.265 0.12 0.117 0.0083 0.009 2.48 1.03 0.91 0.012 0.012 0.012 3.4 12.2 21.5

MINING & OIL 0.0021 289,000,000 1.43 1,441,000 3.17 1,649,000 12.56 11,900 1.27 5,000 2.61 1,362,000 0.295 20,000 1.55 6,805,000 0.28 22,150,000 0.12 1,860,000 0.117 1,000,000 0.0086 11,000,000 0.009 6,000,000 2.49 511,000 1.05 107,000 0.91 399,000 0.012 1,700,000 0.012 10,000,000 0.012 100,000,000 3.43 644,000 12.28 1,158,900 21.95 1,507,300

581,200 2,042,910 5,117,370 149,662 6,590 3,545,840 5,900 10,525,250 6,467,400 223,820 117,070 97,300 54,000 1,269,060 110,720 368,920 20,600 120,000 1,200,000 2,205,270 14,243,494 32,728,885

-125,100.00 3,036,920 51,950 -9,000 -498,850 32,760 -16,890 -902,808 6,644,735

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 DD PREF FPH PREF C GLO PREF P GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B HOUSE PREF A LR PREF PCOR PREF 2A SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

20.05 465.8 97.5 450.6 494.8 5.64 942.5 900 93.15 0.98 985 980 75 76 73.5 72 74.5

20.05 479.6 97.5 450.6 494.8 5.75 942.5 925 93.15 0.98 985 980 75 76 73.8 72 74.5

19 465.6 97.5 450.6 494.8 5.64 900 900 93 0.98 985 980 75 75.9 73 72 74.5

PREFERRED 19.2 318,000 479.6 760 97.5 1,010 450.6 500 494.8 10 5.74 236,200 900 1,560 925 7,160 93 34,010 0.98 465,000 985 80 980 1,590 75 110 75.9 13,700 73.6 203,960 72 400 74.5 4,810

6,196,485 357,076 98,475 225,300 4,948 1,353,890 1,404,430 6,444,250 3,163,060 455,700 78,800 1,558,200 8,250 1,041,180 15,001,163.50 28,800 358,345

-5,231,085 -660,165 -

LR WARRANT

1.96

1.96

1.85

WARRANTS 1.85 458,000

859,330

-

ITALPINAS XURPAS

4.9 1.2

5 1.2

4.86 1.13

4.86 1.13

687,700 10,962,050

30,750

FIRST METRO ETF

117.5

118

116.8

447,942

-

16,995 16,320 10,890

-

NAME

MS

PROPERTY 12.84 0.77 10.22 1.93 0.82 44.9 2.34 4.2 6.59 0.53 0.87 0.94 0.242 0.4 11.6 22.8 0.5 1.52 1.31 5.8 0.39 0.485

991,200 1,338,000 200 43,000 243,000 14,318,300 621,000 1,863,000 1,000 17,670,000 24,000 17,000 1,390,000 200,000 2,092,000 526,300 1,169,000 12,888,000 4,651,000 30,322,700 6,550,000 11,100,000

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2 USD TECH B2

10.3 10.2 0.99

10.3 10.2 0.99

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

8,645,660

INDUSTRIAL

87,161,915

HOLDING FIRMS

682,695,974

PROPERTY

151,425,438

SERVICES

305,789,296

MINING & OIL

459,226,745

GRAND TOTAL

1,704,645,145

10.3 10.2 0.99

SME

140,000 9,554,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 118 3,810 10.3 10.2 0.99

DDS

1,650 1,600 11,000

VALUE 1,762.71 (UP) 7.87 735,556,705.52 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,720.35 (UP) 62.20 1,268,308,675.21 HOLDING FIRMS 7,736.37 (DOWN) 10.09 1,550,118,402.659 PROPERTY 4,115.57 (UP) 47.99 1,608.34 (UP) 21.65 1,577,077,841.20 SERVICES MINING & OIL 7,930.78 (UP) 15.09 1,454,458,865.39 PSEI 7,920.93 (UP) 44.53 81,222,329.923 All Shares Index 4,864.17 (UP) 20.73 6,678,853,527.52 Gainers: 97; Losers: 112; Unchanged: 35; Total: 244

ABS-CBN expanding into cosmetics and e-money

By Darwin G Amojelar ABS-CBN Corp. on Friday announced it is venturing into cosmetics, food and electronic money businesses.

The multimedia company of the Lopez Group said it signed a joint venture with Ever Bilena Cosmetics Inc. to engage in the business of manufacturing, trading and sale of cosmetics, including purchase and importation of raw materials, finished goods, packaging materials and machinery and equipment necessary for the business.

The joint venture company will initially have an authorized capital stock of P10 million, with P1.25 million to be subscribed by ABS-CBN. ABS-CBN and EBCI, which entered to a 50-50 joint venture, plans a commercial launch within 54 weeks to 76 weeks.

“The two industry leaders aim to provide consumers with cosmetic products that are affordable and with good quality,” ABS-CBN said.

ABS-CBN said the joint venture company will its own management, with EBCI providing support in product development, logistics and retail distribution.

The company also entered a joint venture with iBayad Online Ventures Inc. to engage in the business of customer and merchant e-wallet/e-money services and other related services, operating a platform, as well as advertising, producing, distributing and marketing products and services connected to the operations of the business.

The joint venture corporation will initially have an authorized capital stock of P100 million, with P51 million will be subscribed by ABS-CBN. ABS-CBN will own 51 percent of the joint venture that will be incorporated while IBayad will hold the balance of 49 percent.

ABS-CBN is also investing in a wholly-owned subsidiary called The Chosen Bun Inc., which aims to raise, process, manufacture and package all kinds of food products.

The company plans to establish, operate, manage and maintain restaurants, coffee shops, and refreshments parlors, and serve, arrange and cater foods, drinks, refreshments and other foods or commodities.

PXP, Dennis Uy company cancel subscription deal

By Alena Mae S. Flores PXP ENERGY Corp. and Dennison Holdings Corp., the holding company of businessman Dennis Uy, have mutually cancelled an agreement to subscribe to 340 million common shares of the oil and gas firm for P4.029 billion.

PXP informed the Philippine Stock Exchange that the agreement with Dennison was terminated effective March 29.

“On effective date, all rights of the strategic investor to subscribe to the aforesaid common shares of the company, and any obligation of the company to issue such shares to the strategic investor, are terminated without any residual rights of any kind remaining with the strategic investor,” PXP said.

“Accordingly, all other rights of the company under the agreement are terminated, including the right to receive payment of the remaining balance of the subscription price,” it said.

PXP said the issuance of and subscription to the PXP shares at a price of P11.85 apiece were subject to the fulfillment of certain conditions.

“In particular, the agreement provided that the strategic investor will be entitled to all rights of a shareholder only upon full payment of the subscription price,” it said.

Dennison paid the initial down payment amounting to P40.29 million for the subscription of shares in PXP in January, with the full payment due by March 31. The down payment will now be forfeited in favor of PXP. Dennison would have taken a 14.78-percent ownership interest in PXP had the deal pushed through.

“The cancellation of the agreement does not affect the funding obligations of the company in respect of its various service contracts this year,” PXP said.

PXP said it also relinquished all preferential rights under an agreement dated October 26, 2018.

PXP, through Forum Energy Ltd., a 78.98-percent owned subsidiary, is waiting for guidance from the government on any future activity in SC 72 (Recto Bank) and SC 75 (Northwest Palawan).

World

B3

SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Bangladesh skyscraper fire death toll climbs to 25

IN BRIEF Vietnam seizes nine tons of ivory HANOI―Vietnam has seized more than nine tons of suspected ivory in a timber shipment from the Republic of Congo, customs officials said Friday, in one of the country’s largest illegal wildlife hauls in years.

Though it is illegal to buy and sell ivory in communist Vietnam, lax law enforcement has allowed the illicit trade to flourish on the black market.

The government has vowed to crack down on illegal wildlife trade in the face of mounting international pressure and authorities said the latest bust in central Danang city was the biggest in years.

“A huge 9.1-ton (20,000-pound) package of goods suspected to be ivory hidden inside timber logs was found and confiscated,” according to Hai Quan news site, the official mouthpiece of Vietnam Customs.

The ivory-stuffed timber logs were discovered Tuesday at Danang’s main port on a ship from the Republic of Congo in central Africa, it added.

A customs official told AFP “authorities are still inspecting before making a final conclusion” about the substance.

Images on state media showed piles of alleged tusks being weighed by officers in a warehouse after the seizure.

Ivory is used for jewelry, decorative housewares and traditional medicine in Vietnam, which is also a popular transit hub for illegal wildlife destined for elsewhere in Asia, mainly China.

The government has struggled to crack down on the illicit trade as sales have moved online from traditional marketplaces. AFP

Sumatran tiger cubs make their debut SYDNEY-Three rare Sumatran tiger cubs ventured into public view for the first time Friday in what Sydney zookeepers called a “wonderful success” for the future of the critically endangered species.

Two female cubs―Mawar, which means “rose” in Indonesian, and Tengah Malam (“midnight”)―and their brother Pemanah (“archer”) were allowed outside their closed dens to explore the more natural outdoor tiger compound at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo. Zookeeper Louise Ginman said the move from the dens to the outdoors for the cubs, which were born on January 17, posed a challenge for their mother, Kartika.

“Now that they are moving about a larger space and learning to climb terrain, she will have a much harder time controlling them,” Ginman said.

Sumatran tigers are classified as critically endangered, with as few as 350 remaining in patches of forest on the Indonesia island of Sumatra, where their natural habitat has been devastated by illegal wildlife trade and jungle clearing for palm oil plantations.

“This birth is such a wonderful success for the conservation of this fragile species, and I am so excited that we can now invite guests to share our joy,” Gilman said.

“It’s such a shock that these three little cubs represent one per cent of the remaining wild population, but with zoo-based conservation programs worldwide and the support of our guests here in Sydney, there’s still hope for the future of this species,” she said. AFP

Australia seeks to mend its ties with China SYDNEY―Australia announced a diplomatic boost to “turbo-charge” its China relations on Friday as it seeks to mend the ties damaged by foreign interference concerns and a 5G bar on Huawei.

Canberra unveiled plans for a new foundation to supercede the AustraliaChina Council, its long-time primary platform for relations with its largest trading partner.

The government also announced that career diplomat Graham Fletcher, a China expert and Mandarin speaker, would replace Jan Adams as Australia’s ambassador in Beijing. Adams had served in the role since 2016.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne said the new National Foundation for Australia-China Relations would receive Aus$44 (US$31) million over five years, significantly broadening the remit of its predecessor.

She said the more than 40-year-old Council had remained “static even as China has transformed and our bilateral ties have dramatically expanded in breadth and complexity.”

She said the “substantially increased” funding would allow the new body to “move beyond the Council’s current focus on education, culture and the arts, to also promote Australian excellence in areas such as agriculture, infrastructure, health and aging and the environment and energy.”

“It will harness efforts of the private sector, peak bodies, NGOs, cultural organizations, state and federal agencies and the Chinese-Australian community to turbo-charge our national effort in engaging China.”

While noting that the two countries “share common objectives” in many areas, Payne said there were “different perspectives on some important issues” that would be a focus of the new foundation. AFP

PREMIERE. Jack Dylan Grazer arrives at the world premiere of Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema's "SHAZAM" at TCL Chinese Theater on March 28, 2019, in Hollywood, California. AFP

Trump gets back to being Trump at rally in Michigan

G

RAND RAPIDS―He swore on prime-time television. He boasted. He told jokes. He made promises. And the crowd loved him.

President Donald Trump was back.

In his first rally since the end of special prosecutor Robert Mueller’s twoyear Russia collusion probe, Trump took off the gloves to attack opponents, while pushing an almost mythical picture of his own achievements in office.

The packed arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where many wore red Trump campaign baseball caps, responded with chants of “Trump, Trump,” and “four more years!”

Trump beamed and gave them more.

Over about an hour and a half, he questioned whether opposition Democrats would continue with “ridiculous bullshit.”

He claimed that his surprise 2016 election win was possibly the most extraordinary event in human experience: “They’ve never seen anything like it and nobody has in this country’s history and in most countries’ histories.”

He cited God. He warned against socialists.

He promised “to make America wealthy again.”

He waved a finger at

SEASON 3.

Drew Barrymore attends Netflix's ‘Santa Clarita Diet’ Season 3 Premiere at Hollywood Post 43 on March 28, 2019, in Los Angeles, California.

AFP

journalists covering the event—about a dozen of whom had flow with him on Air Force One from Washington -- and called them “crooked journalists” and “corrupt media.” The crowd booed, as if at a sports event.

Trump beamed and gave them more.

Last week’s end to Mueller’s probe into whether his 2016 campaign colluded with Russians trying to meddle in the presidential election has clearly given the former real estate tycoon and reality TV host a super boost as his 2020 reelection bid gets underway.

According to a short public summary of the report, which remains nearly entirely secret, Mueller determined that Russians did try to interfere in the polls but that Trump did not collude.

Many questions remain unanswered about Trump’s links to Russia and his behavior during the bruising investigation.

Even so, the result of the probe so far is nothing less than a stunning win for a president, who always said he was the victim of a “witch hunt.”

The Michigan rally was his

victory dance.

One by one he ticked off a greatest hits of his old crowd pleasers: The Mexico border wall, his pro-Israeli policies, the strong stock market, his push for car factories, and then his ridicule of Democrats for their environmentally friendly policies like the much-battered Green New Deal.

But underpinning that litany this time was anger -- and a sense of vindication -- over the Mueller probe.

And Trump did not hold back.

He called the probe “a crazy attempt” by Democrats and the media to “sabotage the will of the American people” by putting his victory into doubt.

“Their fraud has been exposed and the credibility of those who pushed this hoax is forever broken,” he said.

Reveling in his triumph, he said Democrats were “on artificial respirators right now. They are getting mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.”

“Sick, sick. These are sick people,” he said.

Calling for the authors of the investigation into his campaign to be held “accountable,” Trump then stood back, smiling.

The crowd responded with a new chant: “Lock them up!” AFP

DHAKA―The death toll from a horrific blaze that ripped through a Bangladesh skyscraper rose on Friday to 25, including some who leaped to their deaths as firefighters combed through the charred shell of the building.

A day after flames tore through the 22-story FR Tower in Dhaka, trapping hundreds of office workers, police said they intended to talk to the owner of the building as part of their inquiry.

Some of those stuck inside made it to safety by sliding down cables on the side of the building, but as shocked onlookers watched, others took their chances and jumped in a bid to escape the smoke and heat.

At least six people including a Sri Lankan national died in this way, officials said.

Senior fire service official Mohsin Ali told AFP that rescuers were scouring the building, concentrating on the worst-affected eighth-to-tenth floors.

The fire department initially put the death toll at 19 but police said Friday that six more had died in the fire.

“The death toll is 25. We have handed over 24 bodies to their relatives,” deputy commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Mostak Ahmed told AFP. The other victim’s remains are being held until relatives are located.

Ahmed said police also wanted to speak to the owner of the building after authorities alleged the tower lacked adequate safety measures.

There was no immediate indication if others are missing, but more than 70 people were treated in hospital in the wake of the blaze.

The fire erupted on Thursday afternoon in the upmarket Banani commercial district.

Hundreds of onlookers gathered to watch as trapped workers screamed for help from smoke-logged floors.

Firefighters backed by military specialists—some in helicopters—tackled the blaze, lowering ropes to help people escape, while rescuers on long ladders smashed through windows.

Bangladesh authorities have ordered a probe into the incident to examine claims that the skyscraper lacked fire equipment, its fire exits were inadequate and it had been illegally extended.

Fire disasters regularly hit Bangladesh’s major cities where safety standards are notoriously lax.

The latest inferno erupted barely a month after at least 70 people were killed in Dhaka apartment buildings where chemicals that were being stored illegally exploded -- unleashing a blaze that took more than 12 hours to control.

According to a 2012 study by Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, most high-rise buildings in the capital have inadequate fire safety measures.

“We found only two buildings fully compliant,” BUET professor Mehedi Ahmed Ansari said of the survey on 112 buildings, adding that some they looked at were little more than “death traps”.

Fire department director Shakil Newaj said they had warned the FR Tower management to improve fire safety standards, but they did not pay heed. AFP

Venezuela’s Maduro announces ban on rival holding public office CARACAS―Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s regime, bolstered by a Russian military deployment infuriating the US, on Thursday announced a ban on Washington-backed self-declared interim leader Juan Guaido holding public office.

But National Assembly legislature speaker Guaido immediately shot back that the 15-year prohibition announced on state television by Maduro’s Auditor General Elvis Amoroso was invalid.

“He is not auditor general.... The legitimate congress is the only one with power to designate an auditor general,” he said.

The announcement also prompted a withering response from Washington, where State Department spokesman Robert Palladino described the move in a brief remark as “ridiculous.”

It was the latest scuffle between Maduro and Guaido, who lay rival claims to be the legitimate leader of the oil-producing South American nation of 30 million people.

The competition has been escalated into a geopolitical struggle, drawing in the US and its allies which support Guaido, and Russia, Cuba and China backing Maduro.

Though unpopular in a country spiraling ever deeper into economic chaos, Maduro has the upper hand at home, thanks to loyalty from his military chiefs and, since last weekend, the presence of 100 Russian troops.

Abroad, Guaido is buoyed by US sanctions against Maduro’s regime funneling

funds his way, and efforts to have his envoys recognized over Maduro’s in diplomatic missions and international organizations.

Maduro, who so far has heeded US warnings to not arrest Guaido under threat of unspecified repercussions, appears nonetheless more confident since Moscow’s overt protection.

Moscow on Thursday shrugged off a demand made a day earlier by US President Donald Trump that “Russia has to get out” of Venezuela.

Its troops, described as military experts, will stay “for as long as needed,” a spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin said, suggesting Washington back off and not interfere.

On Monday, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused the US of organizing a “coup” in Venezuela.

Some reports said the soldiers were there to operate air defense systems bought from Russia.

The US has reacted angrily to Russia’s move, with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressing Washington’s displeasure in a tweet that borrowed a Maduro hashtag usually aimed at America.

“Maduro calls for hands off Venezuela while he invites security forces from Cuba and Russia, so he and his cronies can keep plundering Venezuela,” Pompeo posted.

“It is time for Venezuelan institutions to stand for their sovereignty. Russia and Cuba, #HandsOffVenezuela.”AFP

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SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 2019

Joel D. Lacsamana, Editor jdlacsamana@gmail.com

INTERIORS to help your SEX LIFE

Experience something new, be seduced, leave addicted

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HEN someone walks into your space, they should be able to learn a bit about you. If you’re a die-hard sports fan, you’ll probably have a few pieces of jockish memorabilia set against your team’s colors.

Lovers of nature might boast plant heavy interiors with an eye for natural materials when it comes to finishes. An academic may focus a room on their favorite texts while a cinephile may frame everything around a Hollywood scene.

Interior design is a means to project both lifestyles and desires, of who you are and who you want to be. It’s a chance for you to curate your life by getting someone in the mood for you.

Yet, regardless of taste or style, a space is turned upside down when it’s context is a sexual encounter.

That shrine to Le Bron James?

That wall of Pulp Fiction props?

They may be cool to you but, when trying to bed someone, your interior choices may cast you as too distractingly dorky to be sexy.

Designing an interior with sex in mind is a fine art, one that requires a balancing of personal taste with proven techniques to make all involved look and feel as sexy as possible.

The objective is to enable environments to “express their femininity, or masculinity”, and make everyone look as attractive as

possible in the process.

SETTING A MOOD Candles are a safe bet along with dark, tactile materials like leathers or suedes along with furs, real or not.

Furniture featuring upholstered leather and nail studs—a la, a headboard—suggests kinkiness without doing anything but existing while a great chaise may invite more than a cuddle as an alternative bed.

Then, of course, there’s the actual bed. A four poster bed lends itself in some capacity for a more risqué sexual experience. When paired with a well placed antique mirror, an inviting and revealing shower, and ambient lighting that is neither LED nor fluorescent, one will have given more than enough suggestion of sexual intention.

IT’S ALL ABOUT SUBTLETY A big No to shapely furniture pieces, “sexy” posters, or leaving out a copy of a book like Fifty Shades Of Grey. Nobody feels sexy if they walk into someone’s house and it’s full of sexually charged photography or art, unless it’s part of a personal collection, and connected to the individual.

Sex appeal of a space should happen naturally—just like your own sex appeal. A space has to feel elegant and comfortable and luxurious. The most important elements are lighting and color. The palette of mauve tones along with the warm lighting makes the space feel sensual and feminine.

To entertain and create a comfortable—and, yes, even sexy— atmosphere, kill the ceiling lights.

Use the lighting from sconces or floor and table lamps. And put them all on dimmers.

BALANCE BETWEEN CLASS AND CRASS Select art pieces and designed moments don’t have to be adjusted when in-laws come over. And, sometimes, so-called normal home spaces can be just as kinky as they invite people to get creative with different sexual scenes. A separate play space is often the holy grail, but people are more often using everyday rooms in their homes for play, so the edges between sex spaces and every-day domestic environments are increasingly blurred.

DO IT FOR YOURSELF, DO IT FOR YOUR SEX LIFE For you to have great sex, you need to not only be in the right mood but your immediate surrounding, should be right as well. In a well designed space, every element, down to the colors and smells you chose will reflect the clear intent for love, healing and relaxation.

RIGHT FENG SHUI Relationships can be treated by correcting the energies of the most important room of all, the bedroom.

Since the bedroom is all about peace, harmony, love and passion, the right Feng Shui enhances the relationship, and helps save marriages. Right environment including colours and the position of the bed do the trick. In fact the way a bedroom looks gives one an insight into the state of a couple’s marriage.

MEGAWIDE SHOWCASES TECHNOLOGIES AT CLARK PHILCONSTRUCT EXPO.

Infrastructure conglomerate Megawide Construction Corporation is exhibiting four of the company’s first-world engineering technologies: precast, concrete batching, formworks, and construction equipment and logistics services (CELS), at the ongoing Philconstruct Luzon Expo.

The construction show, which ends today, is being held at the ASEAN convention center in the Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga. Megawide predominantly uses Japanese and European technologies. Its precast plant, which uses Japanese technology, remains one of the most advanced of its kind in South East Asia. Megawide also introduced the use of gluedlaminated (glulam) timber from Austria for the iconic roof structure of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA).

MCIA is the first Asian airport to have a full roof structure made out of glulam timber.

SUSTAINABLE LAND USE STRATEGY IN THE WORKS FOR ATIMONAN. The final Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) documents to chart

Atimonan town’s development as an agro-industrial center, anchored on agriculture and tourism, were recently turned over to local government officials of this fastgrowing Quezon province municipality. Atimonan Mayor Rustico Joven Mendoza led a delegation of local government unit (LGU) leaders to receive the documents from Architect Grace Ramos, environmental planner of Grandt Planners. “This CLUP seeks to achieve a synchronized development, supported by an adaptive infrastructure system in Atimonan,” explained Mendoza. Among the key industrial infrastructure soon to rise in Atimonan is a 1,200 megawatt, high efficiency, low emissions coal power plant in Quezon province, to be built by Meralco Powergen, a unit of manila Electric Company.

At the turnover were (from left to right): Architect Ramos; Christopher Chua, VP for development - Meralco Powergen and development manager for Atimonan One Energy (A1E), Inc.; Mayor Mendoza; Rogelio L. Singson, president and CEO of Meralco Powergen; and Meralco Powergen executive vice president Dan Neil.

WORLD CLASS TILES AND BATHROOM INNOVATIONS AT WORLBEX 2019 The Cebu Oversea Hardware Co., Inc. (COHCI) recently unveiled their tile and bathroom products at the Worldbex 2019. COHCI introduced their Luxe tile collection of Baldocer big size porcelain tiles and El Molino family heritage tiles, in collaboration with Italian designers and selected Asian factories. “The brands we carry share our commitment to bring impressive designs and tools for home improvement,” COHCI brand development manager Maria Cyrina Pascual (Shown in photo, left), told the Manila Standard. COHCI also launched intelligent toilets and bathroom products from the Cool bath systems to compete in the country’s bath fixture industry. The products are equipped with auto flush and pre-flush smart features, wireless remote control, heated seat and cover and deodorizer. “We ushered in the intelligent toilet because we are in the year of people needing maximum hygiene,” explained Lyn Sinconiegue, COHCI marketing manager (Center). Ram Christian Agustin

Life

Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife @MStandardLIFE

YOUNG LIFE

SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 2019

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MUSIC AND MAGIC. The two-day Wanderland Magic 2019 features 14 international acts—including (from left) Masego, Honne, and Alina Baraz—and eight homegrown music artists.

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HE seventh Wanderland music and arts festival brought two days of fun and awe-inspiring artistry which delighted its millennial and Gen Z audience.

Globe and Karpos Multimedia upped the ante for the “Wanderland Magic 2019,” which presented a phenomenal lineup of 14 international acts and eight homegrown music artists.

Day 1 saw Wanderbattle 2019 champions, Intertwined, setting the mood for the festivities with their upbeat discopop music. The fun continued with enlivening performances from young singer-songwriters Reese Lansangan, Charlie Lim, and Unique.

Wanderers then danced into the night with international acts joan, Gabrielle Aplin, SG Lewis, Honne, JMSN, and the headlining Two Door Cinema Club.

The magical experience continued over into Day 2 with Wanderbattle runner-up Nathan & Mercury, followed by the soulful music of local acts Dayaw and Clara Benin.

Korean indie group Adoy, American musician Mac Ayres, and legendary Filipino band Sandwich carried on and catered to the diaspora of music tastes of Wanderers until the warm Sunday’s dusk.

Western musical acts Clairo, PREP, Alina Baraz, Masego, and The Kooks took both the Wanderland and Globe stages to end Day 2, ultimately capping off another magical experience for Wanderers.

Meanwhile at the Globe Magic Fun House, Wanderers got to grab exclusive #GlobeWanderland merch, enjoy pizza and ice cream, quench their thirst, power up their devices, and even know their future with a fortune teller.

Further, a special booth shaped like a magician’s hat, the Magic House, featured stunning projections and magical performances for Wanderers.

The music and arts festival, which attracts mostly young fans, provided a number of memorable moments.

Here are some festival-goers sharing the best part/s in their Wanderland 2019 experience.

A ‘wanderful’ weekend Rock band The Kooks plays their hits to the delight of fans.

The Globe booth provides Wanderers free water refill and device charging, among others.

The #GlobeWanderland logo

Wanderers line up for a fortune telling session.

“Being able to attend the festival with my close friends, enjoy their great company, and listen to our favorite artists together. My favorite set was from Honne! We were all in awe with their performance.” – Marinela Bongalon, 24, social media manager

people my age or even younger were cheering on a guy doing a saxophone solo. It was awesome seeing how music can bring people together.” – Niña Guno, 27, column writer “What made Wanderland unforgettable was the sharing of artistry and passion through music among friends. It was a wonderful gathering of people who all expressed love, energy, and creativity.” – Preziella Tsang, 25, legal assistant

“My most memorable Wanderland moment was getting to watch Masego live. I wasn’t familiar with his music at all but walked out a fan because of his entertaining performance. He did a lot of improvisations and interactions with “On top of the awesome perforthe audience. I was so surprised at how mances, there were the art instal-

lations, art market, and interactive Wanderland.” – Cedric Labasan, booths people can try or have a pic- 24, law student ture with. You’ll never get bored at “Apart from having two great days Wanderland.” – Jielene Libunao, 24, of unforgettable entertainment, it was merchandising officer remarkable how Wanderland and its “While I was looking for some- partners promoted environmental thing to do, I stumbled upon this responsibility throughout the event. big magician’s hat-like house near From having a reusable water bottle the entrance. I then discovered it campaign to implementing responsiwas called Magic House by Globe. ble waste disposal, the people behind I attended one magic show on Day Wanderland surely succeeded in en1 and I was really amused by the couraging Wanderers to do their part magician’s tricks! I hope they have for the environment.” – Derick Flomore of these booths in the next res, 23, SEO specialist

Music and play at Festival of Possibilities 2019 THE metro south appears to be the destination where fun happens. Case in point: The town-wide fair of Filinvest City will return for its second year at the sprawling Filinvest City Events Grounds on April 26.

Aimed at bringing residents, workers, and guests closer together, the second edition of the fair, which is open for

public, promises to be more than just a music festival with more exciting and fun interactive outdoor activities and attractions in store for its guests.

“Our main goal here at Filinvest City is to give back to the community and provide our ‘Cityzens’ not only a progressive, self-contained central business district, but one

Huge jenga and other board games are set up amid Filinvest City’s lush landscape.

that enriches their lives as well,” says Filinvest vice president for townships Don Ubaldo.

Festival goers can interact with one another, take lots of photos, and enjoy the arcade booths, board games, and other attractions amid the city’s signature fresh air and lush landscape.

A picnic area will also be provided so guests can bond over mouthwatering eats and treats offered at the food bazaar.

Set to perform on stage are Itchyworms, Rivermaya, Spongecola, and rising artists such as I Belong To The Zoo, Written by the Stars, and This Band.

To enter the venue, festival-goers must only present proof of residence or employment in Filinvest City at the venue gates to get in. Meanwhile, nonFilinvest Cityzens can join the event by presenting a single receipt with at least P1,000 worth of purchases from any merchant in Festival Alabang. This will be equivalent to two tickets.

“With Festival of Possibilities, we aim to further foster a growing community through exhilarating events that

e ncou r age pa r t icipat ion among Filinvest Cityzens,” enthuses Ubaldo.

Go to Filinvest City’s official Facebook page to know more.

Guests can interact with one another and take photos at inflatable slides and other fun attractions

Life

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SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Culinary students showcase kitchen skills

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ULINARY prowess and kitchen showmanship by the most promising campus bets in the country shone bright at the finale of Jolly University (JU) Year 5 held at the St. Scholastica’s College in Manila on March 15.

The culinary competition among the top 20 finalists focused on elevating one’s culinary passion and recreating everyday dishes with this year’s theme “Innovate. Create. Share.”

JU Year 5 was aimed at testing the kitchen skills and creativity of challengers in coming up with their best dish creations under the Modern Filipino and Fusion categories. The event attracted hundreds of culinary and HRM college students from campuses all over the metro and nearby locations.

The top 20 participants battled it out in the Modern Filipino category. The top 10 then advanced to the next and final round, the Fusion category.

The top 10 included Jenald Pascual (NCBA Fairview), Phoebe Punzalan (CEU Makati), Janzel Dayag (St. Joseph College, QC), Daryanne Chanel Yonco (UST), Patricia Ong (Chiang Kai Shek College), Rafael Imalay (NCBA Fairview), Tyrone Lemuel Ty (UST), Jericho Pareja (Lyceum of the Philippines University-Manila), Richmond Joseph Suntay (UST), and Ria Daniel Arugay (San Sebastian College Recoletos).

After the final showdown, Ty from UST emerged as the grand champion for his dish Hainanese Chicken Binakol Noodle Soup (Mushroom and Young Corn Stuffed Chicken Roulade with Egg Noodles, Vegetables, and Coconut

Culinary student from University of Santo Tomas Tyrone Lemuel Ty (right) was named Jolly University Year 5 grand champion for his dish Hainanese Chicken Binakol Noodle Soup (left).

Shreds in Creamy Coconut Broth).

Winning the 1st runner-up was Suntay for his Shepherd’s Rendang, while 2nd runner-up Ong won for her entry, Thai Pork Mushroom Longganisa, Suman with Crispy Shallot-Garlic Latik and Coconut Cream Foam served with Fried Egg and Green Mango Salad. The winners took home cash and prizes.

“A successful program takes time to build. While we envisioned JU’s success, we are still overwhelmed by how it sparked the flames of curiosity, creativity, and the cooking abilities of so many students in the past five years,” said Lucio Cochanco, Jr., president of

Fly Ace Corporation, the exclusive distributor of the Jolly line of products.

As to how the JU program is different from other culinary competitions, Ramon Daez, general manager of Fly Ace Corporation, said that JU “has grown to become a prestigious campus-wide cooking competition that’s deeply committed to harnessing young students’ talents in cooking, pushing their creative boundaries. It has also promoted out-of-the-classroom learning, the sharing of industry-ready culinary skills and techniques while also teaching the values of leadership, cooperation, and professionalism.”

A JU Year 5 contestant cooks his dish using Jolly line of products.

BULLETIN BOARD

FEU celebrates 91 years of excellence

Hyacinth Capilos meets the ‘Captain Marvel’ cast on the red carpet.

MCU fan meets Captain Marvel SELF-AVOWED Marvel Cinematic Universe fan Hyacinth Capilos had a marvelous trip to Singapore where she met the cast of Captain Marvel.

Capilos, a Globe Postpaid customer for more than 20 years, was able to embark on this once in a lifetime trip after winning an online contest in which Globe asked fans: “What makes you excited about Captain Marvel?”

She answered with a heartwarming tribute to her family and women empowerment: “My husband and I are raising three daughters to be strong and independent. The first time the trailer came out, I knew that our daughters should watch it. In an industry where men are usually the superheroes, I am excited that we will have a woman to take on the challenge of saving the world.”

Accompanied by her husband Jason,

Capilos was front and center at the Captain Marvel fan event in Marina Bay Sands. They got to see and take photos with Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, Gemma Chan, and the film directors, Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck on the red carpet.

They also got to attend a special screening of exclusive movie footage.

Aside from these, the couple took a quick tour around Singapore. “Everything about the trip was amazing—from the time that we arrived to our departure.

We took a quick trip to Sentosa and our room had the most amazing view of Gardens by the Bay,” she gushed.

Though this was her first time to join a Globe contest, Capilos has been with Globe ever since she was a student back in 1997. Today, she and her whole family are loyal Globe customers.`

FAR Eastern University reaffirms its commitment to nation-building through excellence in education as it celebrates its 91st founding anniversary this year.

The yearlong celebration, with the theme “Preparing to fulfill Aspiration 2020 in challenging times,” highlights FEU’s proactive disposition in social development. It is packed with activities that address concerns faced by the education sector and the nation as a whole.

“FEU has come a long way over the past 91 years. This institution has produced many leaders and catalysts for change who embody the same courage and goodwill that our school was founded on,” shares FEU Chair Aurelio Montinola III. “Through whatever ordeals, we will make sure that the school continues to stay true to its purpose. I am confident that we can instill the bravery that will lead to and affect change in the youth of today.”

The university enjoyed a busy year in 2018, having opened its sixth campus in Filinvest City, Alabang. The new site can accommodate up to 18,000 students, and hosts business, science, IT, and engineering programs. FEU also welcomed its first batch of senior high school graduates.

The annual celebration was marked by the annual wreath laying ceremony in honor of Far Eastern University founder Dr. Nicanor Reyes.

Gearing up to be “Braver Today,” the school plans to renew its Autonomous Status with the Commission on Higher Education, integrate its Alabang and Diliman campuses with FEU Tech, and expand the program offerings in all its units.

The anniversary celebration was marked by the annual wreath laying ceremony in honor of FEU founder Dr. Nicanor Reyes. For the first time in 91 years, the homage was conducted closer

to the death anniversary of Dr. Reyes.

The FEU Drums and Bugle Corps and the FEU Choral performed; butterflies were released at the founder’s marker.

“I say with pride and humility that we continue to carry the torch that Dr. Reyes passed on to the generations before us,” says Montinola. “As we move forward with our mission, we will make sure to continue exemplifying the same benevolence he had, and serve the people of our nation.”

FEU’s 91st anniversary celebration is packed with activities that address concerns the education sector and the nation face.

iPhoto

Samsung donates TV for Baseco kids

Globe treated Capilos to a trip to Singapore to meet the cast of ‘Captain Marvel.’

Samsung Electronics Philippines Corp. donates two television units to the World Mission Community Center in Baseco, Tondo.

WMC is a non-government organization that works with World Christian Fellowship in helping the residents, particularly the children, of Baseco Compound.

The TVs will serve as visual media aids for community development initiatives of the two organizations.

From left: World Christian Fellowship pastors Rey Nerona and Orlando Cartilang, Jr., SEPCO CSV and government relations head Nico Garcia, WMC head Lee Kang Seok, and WMC Three O’clock Feeding Center head Gemma Abuelo.

Entertainment

SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 2019

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nickie.standard@gmail.com

OST princess releases Globe Telecom and Optical Media Board conduct an information dissemination campaign against piracy at Palawan National School.

Reaching out to the youth to combat online piracy AS PART of their intensified campaign to combat piracy in the Philippines, Globe Telecom and the Optical Media Board (OMB) have zeroed in on the youth to increase their awareness on the perils of accessing illegal digital content and torrent sites.

OMB recently partnered with Globe, through its anti-piracy advocacy #PlayItRight, to hold a series of events and seminars for over 2,500 high school students and about 100 law students regarding the impact of online piracy to the economy and the lifeblood of the film industry.

“Today’s youth consume content mostly online and most of them find nothing wrong about downloading and streaming through torrent sites and illegal streaming devices (ISDs).

Such a widespread mindset will hurt not just the Philippine entertainment industry but will also affect thousands of livelihood,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe Chief Sustainability Officer and Senior Vice-President for Corporate Communications.

“This shows the urgent need to inform young people about what is legal and what is not in a fast-developing online world. Not to mention the considerable dangers and risks around cybersafety when accessing illegal sites. As a leader of Filipino digital lifestyle, it is important that we do what we can, alongside with all stakeholders, to help foster greater awareness of piracy and legal alternatives for consumers,” Crisanto added.

Globe and OMB recently conducted a schoolwide information campaign in Puerto Princesa, Palawan to discuss the perils of engaging in movie, TV

or music piracy. One of the issues tackled was how accessing content through illegal means, like ISDs, exposes viewers to various threats such as viruses and malware that can steal private information.

The OMB, together with Globe, also held an intellectual property debate among students from Ateneo Law School and San Beda Law School. With these initiatives, the OMB gave Globe Telecom The Kalis (a sword used by tribes) Award at the recent OMB VIP Appreciation Night for their joint crusade against piracy.

Latest from Alexa data analysis showed streaming pirated content online soared by 75 percent between 2016 and 2017. The Philippines alone has a total of 22 million visits to infringing websites in 2017, data from Alexa showed.

Globe in 2017 launched its award-winning advocacy campaign #PlayItRight to help the entertainment industry curb piracy and protect intellectual property rights. Since then, the company has blocked about 2,500 illegal sites that hosted lewd content and child pornography.

Organizations like the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and the Coalition Against Piracy (CAP) have also expressed support for #PlayItRight. Globe has also joined the Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA) to strengthen its mandate in fighting piracy across Asia through effective enforcement and disruption of intermediaries in the piracy chain. Visit https://www1.globe.com.ph/play-itrighthttps://www1.globe.com.ph/play-itright to learn more about the anti-piracy advocacy.

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DEBUT SINGLE

FTER singing many memorable theme songs for notable Kapuso television series and signing with GMA Music last October, Hannah Precillas takes her craft to the next level with her debut single, “Kung Walang Ikaw.”

Now a certified recording artist, Hannah treats this milestone in her career as both a blessing and an achievement, “When I was a little girl, my dream was to sing in front of people, and now I get to sing my own song and fulfill my dream. I feel really blessed and grateful that I was given this kind of opportunity.”

The pop single is heard on air as the theme song of GMA’s well-loved series Hiram Na Anak, and is an

emotional track about love and the promises that come with it. But for Hannah, who is regarded as GMA’s OST Princess, the song is not just for couples.

“I can relate to the song personally, it’s universal. It’s not just about romantic love

between two individuals pero in all forms like for your parents and friends.

I’m sure marami ring makakarelate rito in that way,” she shared.

Hannah also recorded one of the theme songs of GMA’s upcoming primetime series, Love You Two, and is looking forward to making more of her own music.

Composed by Vehnee Saturno, “Kung Walang Ikaw” is now available for download and streaming on iTunes, Spotify, and digital stores worldwide.

Hannah rose to fame after winning in GMA Network’s reality talent show, Bet ng Bayan. She is also the voice behind the theme songs of top-rated series Onanay, Kambal, Karibal, Hindi Ko Kayang Iwan Ka, and Kapag Nahati Ang Puso.

Binibini aspirants at Gateway Gallery

By Eton Concepcion ARTS and beauties merge when the forty Binibining Pilipinas 2019 candidates made an appearance at the Gateway Gallery in Araneta Center on Monday. The one-ofa-kind art museum in the heart of Quezon City Center promotes public appreciation of arts and better understanding of the country’s history with paintings and exhibits.

The beauties cherished and enjoyed the gallery of paintings done by the artists of the University

of the Philippines. Standouts from this year’s batch of Bb. Pilipinas gave a glimpse of what to expect come the grand coronation of the pageant on June 9 as members of the media got up close interviews of the lovely ladies. Here’s what they said of the historically and culturally relevant pieces on display: “What I learned from the gallery is about the greatness of Filipino artistry. I particularly love the Sarimanok, Angono Petroglyphs artworks and the different Philippine festivals,” said returning Bb. Pilipinas candidates having a crash course on Philippine history and art while touring the Gateway Art Gallery.

Binibini frontrunner Patricia Magtanong is a cum laude graduate at the UP College of Law.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Saturday, March 30, 2019

ACROSS 1 Carryall 5 Express disdain 10 Cookbook amts.

14 Cousteau’s middle name 15 Davis of “The Fly” 16 Grab a cab 17 Superman, incognito 18 Locate, perhaps 19 Like lipstick 20 Over 22 Nursery song 24 Get paid 27 Wedding cake part 28 Bikini 32 Nab 35 Help-wanted abbr.

36 Put a spell on 38 Post-op time 40 Thrash with a stick 42 Small coins 44 Met celeb 45 Jiffy 47 Disney site 49 Debate side 50 Bawl out 52 Swamp conifer 54 DEA operative 56 Greek-salad topper 57 You or me

60 Works undercover 64 Verse 65 Under — (secret) 68 Ruler marking 69 R&B’s — Braxton 70 Brown pigment 71 Ill-omened 72 Guinness or Baldwin 73 Mountain curves 74 Type of earring DOWN 1 Little child 2 Pizzeria must 3 Take care of 4 Mil. rank 6 Any ship 7 Genuine 8 Full-length 9 Celt’s language 10 Balked 11 Swedish auto 12 Elf (var.)

13 Cunning 21 Smash violently 23 Noted limerick writer 25 Regretted 26 Undeliverable mail 28 Faction 29 Puts on 30 Column order

31 Entice 33 Spanish girl 34 Widespread destruction 37 Coffee order 39 Mass of clouds 41 Financial 43 A portion of 46 Flair 48 Works on a bobbin 51 Doze 53 White water 55 Makes healthy again 57 Summer hang-

out 58 Magritte or Russo 59 Nods off 61 Rolling — — (rich) 62 Linen color 63 Lean-to 64 School org.

66 Apple goody 67 Stockholm carrier

Bacolod native Vickie Rushton, the 2014 PBB 4th placer and last year’s Bb.

Pilipinas 1st runner-up.

“I learned a lot also, and I like the paintings done by women because it’s women’s month and promote means women empowerment,” said 23-yearold Fil-Australian beauty Hanna Arnold.

“It makes me proud as a Filipino and we should learn about all these things and they say that arts is the soul and language of the Philippines,” said Samantha Bernardo, last year’s 2nd runner up.

“It’s so nice to have a glimpse of our past and to celebrate the Filipino arts together with the other girls,” said Leren Mae Bautista, Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International 2015.

“I don’t know much about arts but I do love Philippine history. I really appreciate that it kind of marries the two—arts and history—from the colonial period, Spanish regime to World War 2 and the EDSA revolution,” said Patricia ‘Patch’ Magtanong, a 24-year-old Business Economics graduate and Juris Doctor (Law) from UP. “It’s an opportunity to be in touch with Philippine history, with the works of artists from UP.” Other candidates who gave a good impression on their insights about arts and history were Gazini Christiana Ganados, Emma Mary Tiglao, Aya Abesamis, and Julia Eugene Saubierz.

Located at the 5th Floor of Gateway Tower, the Gateway Art Gallery is free to the public and is open from Monday to Sunday, at 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m..

Entertainment

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

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SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 2019

Asia’s music festival hub, Singapore, will get lit once more with dynamic Filipino headliners including KZ Tandingan, Darren Espanto, Bugoy Drilon, and Jayda Avanzado, performing at the SCAPE Playspace on May 26.

A spectacle of global Pinoy talents in Asia’s music festival hub

ASIA

BoBrey in ‘Wish Ko Lang’ MY SPECIAL Tatay's BoBrey love team Ken Chan and Rita Daniela banners this Saturday's episode of Wish Ko Lang.

Ken portrays Eugene, a barangay police officer (tanod) who is known for his dedication and honesty at work―traits that made his wife Sarah (Rita) love him even more. While simple, their life as husband and wife has a happy one. What is important is that they are able to serve the people and that they do not cause offense to anyone.

But this goal of helping others will bring tragedy to the couple.

A housing project in their barangay will inconvenience a relative of Eugene. Eugene gets the blame when this relative dies. The son, Edwin (Phytos Ramirez), will do anything to avenge his father’s death. He is just taking his time to carry out his evil plan against Eugene and Sarah.

Catch Ken and Rita today in Wish Ko Lang hosted

by Vicky Morales, after Tadhana on GMA-7.Follow the online conversation about the tandem via #KenAndRitaOnWishKoLang topic.

China release of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ disappoints gay community

Folk-pop band Ben & Ben joins the country's top solo acts that will enliven the stage of the well-rounded music fest.

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INGAPORE—Following VERY sold out crowds that filled WANG the Dubai Media City NICKIE Amphitheater in 2017 and the WANG Mubadala Arena, Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi, UAE in 2018, the organizers of One Music X—or simply, 1MX—are now bringing the exciting music festival headlined by the hottest Filipino music artists to Singapore, Asia’s renowned music festival hub.

1MX in Singapore will take place at the SCAPE Playspace, the heartbeat of youth culture in Singapore on May 26.

With the goal of bringing to the international stage the worldclass talent of Filipino music artists, ABS-CBN l a u n c h e d

1MX in 2017 through the meeting of minds of the biggest brands in the Philippine music industry: record label Star Music, FM radio station MOR 101.9 For Life!, music channel Myx Philippines, OPM music portal One Music PH, and the global multiplatform media hub for Filipino news and entertainment— The Filipino Channel (TFC).

Making a spectacular debut in Singapore are the following headliners: folk-pop band Ben & Ben whose singles are topping different music charts; ballad-RnB-reggae artist Bugoy Drilon whose talent got the attention of the acclaimed Jewish-American reggae rapper icon Matisyahu; young performer Darren Espanto whose voice was described as “incredible” by rap superstar Nicki Minaj; and KZ Tandingan who magnificently represented Philippines in China’s talent show Singer 2018.

1MX in Singapore also has the special participation of up-and-

coming pop singer-songwriter Jayda Avanzado.

Aside from good music, a variety of delightfully interesting food choices and overflowing drinks will be served all night long from the different food and drink booths inside the venue.

Take advantage of the Early Bird ticket promo. Buy a VIP ticket now at 128 SGD and get a loot bag with 1MX Singapore limited edition bag and shirt, plus food and drink voucher. You can buy Patron ticket for only 68 SGD and save as much as 20 USD, and buy the General Admission ticket for only 48 SGD and save as much as 10 SGD. The Early Bird promo runs until tomorrow, March 31.

Purchase your tickets online via 1mx-sg.peatix.com, or through the on-ground resellers: Comida Fiesta-Singapore Expo in front of Hall 4 (Call: 8811-9070); Don Lechon-Grandlink Square Guillemard Road (Call: 97789737); Turo Turo-Changi Business park Avenue 1 (Call: 9671-0295); Lutong Pinoy-Lucky Plaza B1 Asian Food Mall (Call: 8748-8122); and Gem Vacation & Travel-#02-10 Lucky Plaza (Call: 6235-0298).

For more details about 1MX in Singapore, visit facebook. com/TFCSingaporefacebook. com/TFCSingapore.

Connect with fellow global Kapamilyas and follow @KapamilyaTFC and KapamilyaGlobalPR on Twitter and Instagram.

THE Chinese release of Bohemian Rhapsody, a biopic on British rock band Queen, has left many in China’s gay community disheartened, as censors scrubbed a key part of the protagonist’s story—his sexuality.

Multiple gay scenes in the film about iconic musician Freddie Mercury were dropped, including a pivotal moment when he comes out to his wife.

Romantic scenes between two men, such as a kiss shared by Mercury and his personal assistant, were also erased.

“The Chinese release is no different from a fabricated story,” said Hua Zile, founder of Voice of China LGBT, a media and advocacy platform for China’s gay community with over a million followers on Twitter-like Weibo.

The censored film “disrespects the real experience of the character”, he told AFP. “For gay people in the country, this is a huge regret.”

In China, it is common for films to undergo a strict approval process and see scenes cut before receiving a greenlight for release. Gay-themed films often struggle to make it into movie theaters, while same-sex relationships are banned from television screens and gay content is forbidden on online streaming platforms.

China only decriminalized homosexuality in 1997, and withdrew it from its list of mental illnesses in 2001.

Same-sex marriage remains illegal. But restrictions on LGBT-themed films and online content have increased over the past few years, say LGBT advocacy groups.

Last year, Oscar-winning Call Me

by Your Name, a story of a summer romance between two young men in Italy, was pulled from the Beijing International Film Festival. In May, online video service MangoTV cut out a gay-themed dance from its broadcast of the Eurovision contest. The video platform also censored the Chinese subtitles of Rami Malek’s speech when he won the best actor Oscar for his performance as Freddie Mercury. AFP

In China, it is common for films to undergo a strict approval process and see scenes cut before receiving a greenlight for release.